Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mixed Amino Acids on Crop Growth

Among the mineral nutrient elements, nitrogen is a kind of macronutrient. Most plant species are able to absorb and assimilate nitrate (NO3–), ammonium (NH4+), urea and amino acids as nitrogen sources. Most soils do not have sufficient N in available form to support desired production levels. Therefore, addition of N from fertilizer is typically needed to maximize crop yields. Many kinds of N fertilizers are used which contain varying forms of N such as NO3––N, NH4+–N and urea. However, NO3– form of nitrogen is the predominant form of N absorbed by plants, regardless of the source of applied N (Breteler and Luczak, 1982). This preference is due to several autotrophic soil bacteria, which rapidly oxidize NH4+ to NO2–, and then to NO3– in warm, well–aerated soils. Even though NO3– is the most available form of N to plants, it can be more readily lost from the root zone because it is very mobile and easy to leach. This economically and environmentally undesirable process perpetuates a large amount of the uncertainty associated with N fertilizer management (Pessarakli, 2002).
Perimenopausal Health Self-efficacy Among Hispanic Caribbean and Non-Hispanic White Women

The perimenopausal experience varies among different ethnic and cultural groups. This research examined perimenopausal health self-efficacy of Latinas and non-Hispanic White women and variables that predicted health in 147 women ages 40 to 60 in the Northeast United States. Self-efficacy scores were similar for both groups. Latinas scored lower, however, in the Cognition/Decision Making subscale of the Perimenopausal Health Self-Efficacy Survey (PHS-ES). Perceived health was predicted by control over health and stress for both, and greater self-efficacy was associated with higher perceptions of health. Subtle differences existed between the two groups, which may reflect cultural beliefs and barriers to care during midlife.
Scaling of intrinsic contractile properties and myofibrillar protein composition of fast muscle in the fish myoxocephalus scorpius L

Contractile properties were determined for fast muscle fibres from short-horn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.) ranging from 5 to 35 cm total body length (L) and from 2.0 to 758 g body mass. Maximum unloaded shortening velocity (V0) decreased with increasing body size, scaling as 19.5L-0.34, and isometric twitch activation and tetanus relaxation times became longer, scaling as 12.0L0. 31 and 19. 5L0.42 respectively. Myofibrillar Mg2+/Ca2+-ATPase activity scaled as 2.51L-0.28. In order to investigate the mechanisms underlying the scaling of contractile properties, myofibrillar protein composition and I filament lengths were determined. One-dimensional SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/non-equilibrium isoelectric focusing-PAGE revealed no differences in the myofibrillar protein isoforms of myosin light chains, actin, tropomyosin, troponin-T and troponin-C in fish of differing body size. Peptide maps of purified myosin heavy chains digested with eight different proteolytic enzymes were also similar in all fish examined. Three isoforms of troponin-I were present in fish less than 20 cm in total length with relative molecular masses of 17 (TnIf3), 22 (TnIf2) and 23 (TnIf1). The ratio of TnI isoforms varied with body length, and only TnIf3 was present in fish greater than 28 cm total length. The length of I filaments was independent of body length. Thus, although the expression of TnI isoforms changes during growth, the underlying mechanism responsible for increased shortening velocity with decreased body size remains unknown.
Virus-Specific Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Simian Virus 40-Exposed Hamster Cells: Correlation with S and T Antigens

Several homologous hamster embryonic cell lines, transformed in association with simian virus (SV) 40 infection, were examined for the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) complementary to SV40 ribonucleic acid (RNA) made in vitro. The methods employed permitted the detection of 10−5 μg of viral DNA in 100 μg of cellular DNA, corresponding to one-fifth of an SV40 DNA molecule per cell. Those lines which contained both the SV40 surface (S) and tumor (T) antigens also contained DNA complementary to SV40 RNA synthesized in vitro. In contrast, neither of two lines which contained S, but not T, antigen contained detectable DNA complementary to SV40 RNA. These findings suggest that the production of S antigen does not depend upon the persistence of SV40 DNA in transformed cells.
A review of mind/body therapies in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with implications for the elderly.

BACKGROUND A comprehensive, but not systematic, review of the research on complementary and alternative treatments, specifically mind/body techniques, on musculoskeletal disease was conducted at Stanford University. The goals of the review were to establish a comprehensive literature review and provide a rationale for future research carrying the theme of "successful aging. " METHODS Computerized searches were conducted using MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Stanford Library, Dissertation Abstracts, Lexus-Nexus, the Internet as well as interviews conducted with practitioners and the elderly. Mind/body practices evaluated were: social support, cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, the placebo effect, imagery, visualization, spiritual/energy healing, music therapy, hypnosis, yoga, tai chi, and qigong. Studies published after 1990 were the priority, but when more recent literature was scarce, other controlled studies were included. RESULTS Mind/body techniques were found to be efficacious primarily as complementary treatments for musculoskeletal disease and related disorders. Studies provided evidence for treatment efficacy but most apparent was the need for further controlled research. CONCLUSIONS Reviewers found a dearth of randomized controlled research conducted in the US. There is a lack of studies with which to determine appropriate dosage and understand the mechanisms by which many of the practices work. Anecdotal evidence, some controlled research, clinical observation, as well as the cost effectiveness and lack of side effects of the mind/body treatments make further investigation a high priority.
The Relationship Between Microenterprises and Socioeconomic Development Among Youth Group in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Back Ground The unemployment rate of youth group is currently 31.46% in Addis Ababa. Moreover, it is believed that, as the major source of social problem to youth group is “lowest economic capacity”. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between microenterprises and socioeconomic development among youth group in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: A survey based study was used to collect data on the relationship between microenterprises and socioeconomic development among youth group in Addis Ababa, Micro and Small Enterprise Program started before 7 years (2004) it has to be changed in to 2003G.C. This program targeted different parties of the society (MSE 2010). The total of 120 micro enterprises which operated by youth groups. The sampling method was involved in ten sub-cities of Addis Ababa. The major micro and small enterprise activity identification was based on the available information from MSE packages and selected randomly. Data analysis was made by using descriptive statistics. Results: The findings of this study have vital implications to poverty reduction, employment creation, women empowerment of microenterprises, and the use of consultancy services by microenterprises targeting youth group for the growth of their enterprises. The major constraints of the sector, specifically, for youth target microenterprises, such as place; credit access; and misunderstanding, disagreement and mistrust among group members has to be addressed. This could be achieved by coordination of the different stakeholders of the sector such as Addis Ababa City Municipality, Addis Ababa MSE Agency, Addis Ababa Youth Association, Microfinance Institutions, and NGOs. Moreover, different supports for youth group microenterprises have to be continuing and it has to be strengthening, furthermore, such supports have to be more of growth oriented. Since, the results of the study shows that majority of youth targeting micro enterprises are not using consultancy services, the stake holders of the sector has to provide favorable conditions. Conclusion: Most of the respondents believed that employment in microenterprises could reduce poverty, and leveled as high in terms of its extent of importance to poverty reduction. From the available psychosocial constraints afraid of failure and criticism, faulty socialization, and low dignity of labor and inadequate motivation are the most serious problems that young entrepreneurs are facing.
No Evidence for Microsatellite Instability in Immunodeficiency‐Related Skin Cancers

Microsatellite instability (MSI) due to mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency is associated with the Lynch syndrome and also reported in approximately 10–15% of sporadic colorectal, gastric and endometrial cancers (for review see (1)). Cancers harboring an MSI phenotype are highly immunogenic neoplasms that accumulate dozens of frameshift mutations in so-called target genes of MSI that contain coding microsatellite sequences. They can show improved survival and altered response to chemotherapeutic agents compared with similar but non-MSI (or MSS for ‘microsatellite stable’) tumors of the same localization.
Metallic and Mott insulating spin-frustrated antiferromagnetic states in ionic fullerene complexes with a two-dimensional hexagonal C60·- packing motif.

(MDABCO(+))(C60(·-))(TPC) (1), in which MDABCO(+) is N-methyldiazabicyclooctanium, TPC is triptycene, and both have threefold symmetry, is a rare example of a fullerene-based quasi-2D metal and contains closely packed hexagonal fullerene layers with interfullerene center-to-center distances of 10.07 Å at 300 K. Evidence for the metallic nature of 1 was obtained by optical and microwave conductivity measurements on single crystals. The metal is characterized by a nontypical Drude response and relatively large optical mass (m*/m0 =6.7). The latter indicates a narrow-band nature, which is consistent with the calculated bandwidth of 0.10-0.15 eV. The coexistence of metallic and antiferromagnetic nonmetallic 2D layers was observed in 1 above 200-230 K. It was assumed that the nonmetallic layers undergo a transition to the metallic state below 200 K due to ordering of the fullerene and cationic sublattices. New layered complex (MQ(+))(C60(·-))(TPC) (2) with a hexagonal arrangement of C60(·-) was obtained by increasing the interfullerene distance with the bulkier N-methylquinuclidinium cations (MQ(+)) having threefold symmetry. The structure of 2 is characterized by increased interfullerene center-to-center distances in the layers (10.124, 10.155, and 10.177 Å at 250 K). Unit-cell doubling parallel to the 2D layer (along the b axis) was observed at low temperatures. In contrast to metallic 1, 2 exhibits a nonmetallic spin-frustrated state with an antiferromagnetic interaction of spins (the Weiss temperature is -27 K) and no magnetic ordering down to 1.9 K. It was supposed that the expanded interfullerene distances in the triangular arrangement decrease the bandwidth and suppress metallic conductivity in 2, and thus a Mott-Hubbard insulating state with antiferromagnetically frustrated spins results.
Defining Species-Specific Immunodominant B Cell Epitopes for Molecular Serology of Chlamydia Species

ABSTRACT Urgently needed species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies against Chlamydia spp. have been elusive due to high cross-reactivity of chlamydial antigens. To identify Chlamydia species-specific B cell epitopes for such assays, we ranked the potential epitopes of immunodominant chlamydial proteins that are polymorphic among all Chlamydia species. High-scoring peptides were synthesized with N-terminal biotin, followed by a serine-glycine-serine-glycine spacer, immobilized onto streptavidin-coated microtiter plates, and tested with mono-specific mouse hyperimmune sera against each Chlamydia species in chemiluminescent ELISAs. For each of nine Chlamydia species, three to nine dominant polymorphic B cell epitope regions were identified on OmpA, CT618, PmpD, IncA, CT529, CT442, IncG, Omp2, TarP, and IncE proteins. Peptides corresponding to 16- to 40-amino-acid species-specific sequences of these epitopes reacted highly and with absolute specificity with homologous, but not heterologous, Chlamydia monospecies-specific sera. Host-independent reactivity of such epitopes was confirmed by testing of six C. pecorum-specific peptides from five proteins with C. pecorum-reactive sera from cattle, the natural host of C. pecorum. The probability of cross-reactivity of peptide antigens from closely related chlamydial species or strains correlated with percent sequence identity and declined to zero at <50% sequence identity. Thus, phylograms of B cell epitope regions predict the specificity of peptide antigens for rational use in the genus-, species-, or serovar-specific molecular serology of Chlamydia spp. We anticipate that these peptide antigens will improve chlamydial serology by providing easily accessible assays to nonspecialist laboratories. Our approach also lends itself to the identification of relevant epitopes of other microbial pathogens.
Portable Multi- and Many-Core Performance for Finite DifferenceCodes; Application to the Free-Surface Component of NEMO

Abstract. We present an approach which we call PSyKAl that is designed to achieve portable performance for parallel, finite-difference Ocean models. In PSyKAl the code related to the underlying science is formally separated from code related to parallelisation and single-core optimisations. This separation of concerns allows scientists to code their science independently of the underlying hardware architecture and for optimisation specialists to be able to tailor the code for a particular machine independently of the science code. We have taken the free-surface part of the NEMO ocean model and created a new, shallow-water model named NEMOLite2D. In doing this we have a code which is of a manageable size and yet which incorporates elements of full ocean models (input/output, boundary conditions, etc. ). We have then manually constructed a PSyKAl version of this code and investigated the transformations that must be applied to the middle/PSy layer in order to achieve good performance, both serial and parallel. We have produced versions of the PSy layer parallelised with both OpenMP and OpenACC; in both cases we were able to leave the natural-science parts of the code unchanged while achieving good performance on both multi-core CPUs and GPUs. In quantifying whether or not the obtained performance is `good' we also consider the limitations of the basic roofline model and improve on it by generating kernel-specific CPU ceilings.
Elevated levels of mitochonrial respiratory complexes activities and ATP production in 17‐&bgr;‐estradiol‐induced prolactin‐secretory tumor cells in male rats are inhibited by melatonin in vivo and in vitro

Background Our earlier studies indicate that melatonin inhibits the proliferation of prolactinoma and induces apoptosis of pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor in rats. Melatonin has also been shown to induce apoptosis and to reduce the production of ATP in breast tumor cells. This study analyzed the levels of the four mitochondrial respiratory complexes and the production of ATP and also the effects of melatonin treatment of prolactinoma. Methods In the in vivo study, mitochondria were harvested from control pituitaries or prolactinoma collected from the pituitaries of melatonin‐ and 17‐&bgr;‐estradiol (E2)‐treated male rats. In the in vitro study, prolactinoma cells mitochondria were harvested. Activities of the four mitochondrial respiratory complexes were assayed using fluorometer. ATP production of prolactinoma cells was estimated using bioluminescent methods. Results Elevated levels of four mitochondrial respiratory complexes activities and ATP production were recorded in prolactinoma cells. Moreover, in both in vivo and in vitro studies, melatonin inhibited the activities of mitochondrial respiratory complexes and the production of ATP in prolactinoma cells. Conclusions There is a link between mitochondrial function increase and tumorigenesis. Melatonin induces apoptosis of pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor of rats via the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibition of energy metabolism.
Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in a Teaching Clinic: Comparison of Resident and Staff Physicians*

Background. The widespread and often inappropriate use of broad spectrum antibiotics in the outpatient setting is recognized as a significant contributing factor to the spread of bacterial resistance. We hypothesized that residents prescribe broader spectrum antibiotics more frequently than staff physicians and adopt more appropriate prescribing practices with increasing levels of training. Methods. All patient visits for acute sinusitis in our teaching practice between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1997, were reviewed. Comparisons of antibiotics prescribed were made between staff and residents at each level of training. Results. First- and second-year residents were more likely to prescribe narrow spectrum antibiotics (56%) than third-year residents (35%) or staff (34%). Conclusions. Junior residents in our program are more likely to prescribe narrow spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of acute sinusitis than are senior residents or staff. With advancement in level of training, prescribing practices of residents come to resemble those of their supervising staff physicians.
Effect of hypochlorite (HOCl)-modified low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins on platelet function.

As hypochlorous acid (HOCl) might be a potential candidate for generation of modified (lipo)proteins in vivo , the present study was aimed at investigating the effects of HOCl-modified lipoproteins on platelet function in vitro. Lipoproteins modified with HOCl at concentrations that occur physiologically did not induce spontaneous platelet aggregation. However, low density lipoproteins (LDL; 100 to 500 microg protein/ml) increased platelet aggregation and fluorescence anisotropy in response to ADP (1 and 10 microM) and thrombin (0.1 and 0.5 U/ml) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) formation as a function of increasing HOCl-concentrations (0.2 to 1.6 mM). HOCl-modified high density lipoprotein subfraction 3 (HDL3) had no effect on platelet function.
Strains of Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Southern Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Carolina

ABSTRACT Rates of infection of Amblyomma americanum (L.) by Ehrlichia chaffeensis were compared in 100 ticks collected from sites in each of four states: Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Mississippi. The overall infection rates were similar among sites, ranging from 1 to 4%. Because pathogenic differences may exist between E. chaffeensis strains, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the variable-length PCR target (VLPT), and sequencing of the amplicons were performed to differentiate between strains. The most common infecting strains at all sites exhibited a repeat profile of 1,2,3,4 (corresponding to the Arkansas/Jax/Osceola and Liberty strains). To determine whether the minimum infection rates (MIRs) or the most common infecting strain were changing over time in southern Indiana sites, 2,765 ticks from six counties in 2000 and 837 ticks from seven counties in 2004 also were examined in pools of five ticks per pool. The MIRs for 2000 and 2004 were 3.5 and 4.2% respectively, suggesting that the overall MIRs remained low. At two sites, in Pike and Harrison counties, however, infection rates more than doubled from 2000 to 2004 (7 to 16% and 0.3 to 2.7% respectively). Across all sites, the most common infecting strains (Arkansas/Jax/Osceola and Liberty) did not significantly change (68% in 2000; 79% in 2004).
How large must surface inhomogeneities be before they influence the convective boundary layer structure? A case study

A high-resolution large-eddy simulation model has been used to investigate the effect of scale in surface inhomogeneities on the turbulence structure of the convective boundary layer (CBL). Surface heat fluxes were varied sinusoidally in two dimensions with wavelengths of 250, 500 and 1000 m, corresponding to about 0.27 zi, 0.55 zi and 1.1zi (zi is the boundary layer depth). the geostrophic wind speed was 1 ms−1. Horizontally-averaged statistics of the CBL above surface heat-flux inhomogeneities of different two-dimensional scales were compared. the phase-average method was used to study the horizontal variation of turbulence and the mean circulation in the CBL. Results from horizontally-averaged statistics show that surface inhomogeneities of small horizontal extent (x < zi, influence the horizontally-averaged variances, covariances and third moments. the surface heterogeneities of larger scales produce more vigorous energy transport in the CBL and larger temperature variances near the ground than do those of smaller scales. There is more entrainment over the region of high heat flux than over the region of low heat flux. the magnitude of entrainment and the mean circulation both increase with increasing scale of heterogeneities present at the ground. The effects on the turbulence structure of the two-dimensional surface inhomogeneities differ from those in the one-dimensional case reported by Hadfield et al. (1991, 1992). the most pronounced difference occurs when the scale of the surface heterogeneities is comparable to the height of the boundary layer; the v-variance is larger than the u-variance in the boundary layer. Although the scope of this case-study is restricted to a limited number of typical scenarios, it does provide evidence in support of the fact that even small-scale inhomogeneities in the surface thermal forcing can modify the CBL structure very differently than could an equivalent but uniform field. the sensitivity of the CBL turbulence structure to surface thermal perturbations with scales smaller than the boundary layer depth is also discussed.
Accidental MCI in healthy subjects: a prospective longitudinal study

A study was realized on 130 healthy and autonomous volunteers (60–80 years old) who met specific medical and functional inclusion criteria. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was performed at baseline (M0), 6 and 12 months (M6, M12). At M0 the results indicated that 65% were cognitively normal on each of all the neuropsychological tests, whereas 35% presented a cognitive deficit on one or more tests. At M12, 52% of the subjects who had a cognitive deficit at M0 remained impaired, whereas 48% normalized their scores: they performed as well as the subjects classified normal at M0. The results also indicated that the subjects who remained impaired at M12, had at M0 low scores on three tests or more, whereas the ones who normalized their scores had one or two failed tests. This study focuses on the risk of false positive cases and shows that low scores can be accidental. The authors propose decision rules allowing to reduce the risk of false positive cases. The observation of accidental impairment invites to be cautious and makes this 1‐year follow‐up study particularly relevant, since a 1‐year follow‐up is generally needed to diagnose very mild dementia.