Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NlpI-Prc Proteolytic Complex Mediates Peptidoglycan Synthesis and Degradation via Regulation of Hydrolases and Synthases in Escherichia coli

Balancing peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis and degradation with precision is essential for bacterial growth, yet our comprehension of this intricate process remains limited. The NlpI-Prc proteolytic complex plays a crucial but poorly understood role in the regulation of multiple enzymes involved in PG metabolism. In this paper, through fluorescent D-amino acid 7-hydroxycoumarincarbonylamino-D-alanine (HADA) labeling and immunolabeling assays, we have demonstrated that the NlpI-Prc complex regulates the activity of PG transpeptidases and subcellular localization of PBP3 under certain growth conditions. PBP7 (a PG hydrolase) and MltD (a lytic transglycosylase) were confirmed to be negatively regulated by the NlpI-Prc complex by an in vivo degradation assay. The endopeptidases, MepS, MepM, and MepH, have consistently been demonstrated as redundantly essential “space makers” for nascent PG insertion. However, we observed that the absence of NlpI-Prc complex can alleviate the lethality of the mepS mepM mepH mutant. A function of PG lytic transglycosylases MltA and MltD as “space makers” was proposed through multiple gene deletions. These findings unveil novel roles for NlpI-Prc in the regulation of both PG synthesis and degradation, shedding light on the previously undiscovered function of lytic transglycosylases as “space makers” in PG expansion.
Fungal Pathogens of Cacao in Puerto Rico

Cacao production is a rapidly expanding industry in Puerto Rico, with new farmers planting ~20,000 trees in the past few years. To determine the etiology and extent of diseases affecting cacao in Puerto Rico, a survey was performed at eight sites around the island. Pod rot and/or branch dieback were observed at all sites. Most organisms isolated from symptomatic pod and stem samples were identified as Diaporthe spp. (48%) and Lasiodiplodia spp. (25%) based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit regions. Within these genera, Diaporthe tulliensis and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were the most prevalent species and were used in inoculation studies to determine their relative virulence on pods and stems. Phytophthora palmivora served as a positive control due to its well-established pathogenicity in all tissues. On pods, L. theobromae and P. palmivora caused significantly larger lesions (6.1 and 5.9 cm, respectively) than D. tulliensis (2.7 cm) four days post-inoculation. All three species caused disease on stems, with no differences found among species. Although P. palmivora was thought to be the primary pathogen affecting cacao in Puerto Rico, this study identifies L. theobromae and D. tulliensis as the common pathogens on the island. This improved understanding will help scientists and farmers control disease by selecting fungicides effective against both oomycetes and fungi.
Do plant traits influence primary succession patterns for bryophytes and vascular plants? Evidence from a 33‐year chronosequence on bare chalk

During primary succession, the abundance of different species and their associated plant traits change over time. Understanding how plant traits linked to colonising and competitive abilities change through succession is important for determining whether community assembly can be predicted. Examining this across more than one taxon group can reveal if these patterns are generalisable. Here, we investigated primary succession on bare chalk for a chronosequence spanning 33 years for two different taxa, vascular plants and bryophytes. We examined how abundance changed through succession, and how this related to species' colonising and competitive abilities, using relevant plant traits for each taxa. A zero‐inflated beta regression model was used to investigate the effects of traits on both presence/absence and abundance‐when‐present of vascular plants and bryophytes. Vascular plants with a larger specific leaf area were more likely to occur later in succession. Vascular plants, which were hemicryptophytes, wind dispersing and had a lower canopy height, were more likely to increase in abundance‐when‐present during succession. Bryophytes with a larger spore diameter were more likely to occur later in succession. Shorter bryophytes with a greater frequency of sporophyte production had a higher abundance early in succession, representing their high colonising abilities. Whereas later in succession larger bryophytes, with a mat or weft life form and low sporophyte frequency were more abundant, indicating a shift towards greater competitive abilities. Synthesis. This study has revealed different patterns for vascular plants and bryophytes regarding colonisation and changes in abundance through succession, and the associated traits linked to colonising and competitive abilities. Although some traits were found to influence abundance through succession for vascular plants, these were often contrary to the expected pattern representing the change from colonising to competitive abilities, whereas for bryophytes, there was more evidence for this shift with successional age. This suggests that general theories on succession‐linked plant traits should not be relied upon in isolation for the prediction of community assembly. Context, particularly successional age in relation to the available species pool is also key.
The Aquarius/SAC-D mission: Designed to meet the salinity remote-sensing challenge

In an Oceanography article published 13 years ago, three of us identified salinity measurement from satellites as the next ocean remote-sensing challenge. We argued that this represented the next " zeroth order " contribution to oceanography (Lagerloef et al., 1995) because salinity variations form part of the interaction between ocean circulation and the global water cycle, which in turn affects the ocean's capacity to store and transport heat and regulate Earth's climate. Now, we are pleased to report that a new satellite program scheduled for launch in the near future will provide data to reveal how the ocean responds to the combined effects of evaporation, precipitation, ice melt, and river runoff on seasonal and interannual time scales. These measurements can be used, for example, to close the marine hydrologic budget, constrain coupled climate models , monitor mode water formation, investigate the upper-ocean response to precipitation variability in the tropical convergence zones, and provide early detection of low-salinity intrusions in the subpolar Atlantic and Southern oceans. Sea-surface salinity (SSS) and sea-surface temperature (SST) determine sea-surface density, which controls the formation of water masses and regulates three-dimensional ocean circulation. The 1995 Oceanography paper evidently marked a turning point for salinity remote sensing. Until that time, there was no organized program for developing a satellite capability to measure this important yet sparsely observed ocean variable, in contrast to the established satellite programs to observe surface temperatures, winds, sea level, and ocean color. The paper demonstrated that newly evolving technology could provide global salinity measurements at a similar, scientifically useful accuracy and spatio-temporal resolution, and it came at a time of growing scientific awareness of the need for the data. Vigorous efforts begun in the late 1990s by the community of scientists interested in salinity measurements have led to the development of the Aquarius/SAC-D mission (Figure 1), now targeted for launch in mid 2010. This mission's principal scientific objective is to provide monthly global measurements of SSS. Here, we describe the Aquarius/SAC-D mission and how its capabilities are designed to meet the salinity remote-sensing challenge, providing the ocean research community with a preview of the measurement characteristics and scientific applications of this pioneering mission.
How do clinicians prescribe bridging glucocorticoids in people starting or escalating disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis: a service evaluation survey

guideline recommends bridging treat-ment with glucocorticoids in people starting DMARDs or bio-logics to reduce symptoms until the DMARD/biologic takes effect [1]. Glucocorticoids are commonly used in people with RA, with 82% of those with a new RA diagnosis in the UK receiving glucocorticoids within 3months of diagnosis [2]
REGIONAL HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE OF LOBLOLLY PINE TO AIR TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION CHANGES 1

ABSTRACT: Large deviations in average annual air temperatures and total annual precipitation were observed across the southern United States during the last 50 years, and these fluctuations could become even larger during the next century. We used PnET‐IIS, a monthly time‐step forest process model that uses soil, vegetation, and climate inputs to assess the influence of changing climate on southern U.S. pine forest water use. After model predictions of historic drainage were validated, the potential influences of climate change on loblolly pine forest water use was assessed across the region using historic (1951 to 1984) monthly precipitation and air temperature which were modified by two general circulation models (GCMs). The GCMs predicted a 3.2°C to 7.2°C increase in average monthly air temperature, a ‐24 percent to + 31 percent change in monthly precipitation and a ‐1 percent to + 3 percent change in annual precipitation. As a comparison to the GCMs, a minimum climate change scenario using a constant 2°C increase in monthly air temperature and a 20 percent increase in monthly precipitation was run in conjunction with historic climate data. Predicted changes in forest water drainage were highly dependent on the GCM used. PnET‐IIS predicted that along the northern range of loblolly pine, water yield would decrease with increasing leaf area, total evapotranspiration and soil water stress. However, across most of the southern U.S., PnET‐IIS predicted decreased leaf area, total evapotranspiration, and soil water stress with an associated increase in water yield. Depending on the GCM and geographic location, predicted leaf area decreased to a point which would no longer sustain loblolly pine forests, and thus indicated a decrease in the southern most range of the species within the region. These results should be evaluated in relation to other changing environmental factors (i.e., CO2 and O3) which are not present in the current model.
Plectorthoid brachiopods from the Lower Ordovician of north-western Argentina; phylogenetic relationships with Tarfaya Havlíček and the origin of heterorthids

The re-study of species previously attributed to the genus Nanorthis from the Tremadocian of north-western Argentina has led to the recognition of the new genera Gondwanorthis (type species Nanorthis calderensis Benedetto), to which the Iranian species Nanorthis bastamensis Ghobadi Pour, Kebriaee-Zadeh & Popov is also referred, and Lampazarorthis (type species Eoorthis bifurcata Harrington), which includes Nanorthis brachymyaria Benedetto and Lampazarorthis alata sp. nov. New extensive collections from the Cordillera Oriental support reassignment of the upper Tremadocian species Nanorthis purmamarcaensis to the genus Tarfaya. The species Nanorthis carinata Laurie, from Tasmania, is reassigned here to Tarfaya. According to the present taxonomic revision, Nanorthis is not cosmopolitan but is a pan-tropical genus, confined to Laurentia, the Laurentian-derived Precordillera terrane, and probably to Baltica, Siberia and Kazakhstanian terranes, whereas Gondwanorthis and Tarfaya are Gondwanan and peri-Gondwanan endemic taxa. Cladistic analysis of early orthoids, plectorthoids and dalmanelloids, including those recorded from mid to high latitude Gondwana successions, portrays Gondwanorthis and Lampazarorthis as a sister group basal to the tarfayid + heterorthid clade, whereas the South American and North African Incorthis appears as a basal member of this clade. Morphological and stratigraphical evidence provided in this study, along with the results of the cladistic analysis, supports the view that heterorthids could have arisen from the tarfayids by the end of Floian. The enlargement and incipient bilobation of the cardinal process in Tarfaya grandis leaves this species as a potential ancestor of Tissintia, which occurs in Darriwilian beds of the Central Andean Basin (Bolivia), but could have been present in this basin since the late Floian. We speculate that punctae in the Heterorthidae evolved independently from a Tarfaya-like ancestor, and that the transition from an impunctate to a punctate shell may have occurred repeatedly through rhynchonelliform evolution. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FFE818F6-FA92-4B26-AE76-077617C3D9EA
Geopotential field anomalies and regional tectonic features - two case studies: southern Africa and Germany

Abstract. Maps of magnetic and gravity field anomalies provide information about physical properties of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, helpful in understanding geological conditions and tectonic structures. Depending on data availability, whether from the ground, airborne, or from satellites, potential field anomaly maps contain information on different ranges of spatial wavelengths, roughly corresponding to sources at different depths. Focussing on magnetic data, we compare amplitudes and characteristics of anomalies from maps based on various available data and as measured at geomagnetic repeat stations. Two cases are investigated: southern Africa, characterized by geologically old cratons and strong magnetic anomalies, and the smaller region of Germany with much younger crust and weaker anomalies. Estimating lithospheric magnetic anomaly values from the ground stations' time series (repeat station crustal biases) reveals magnetospheric field contributions causing time-varying offsets of several nT in the results. Similar influences might be one source of discrepancy when merging anomaly maps from different epochs. Moreover, we take advantage of recently developed satellite potential field models and compare magnetic and gravity gradient anomalies of ∼ 200 km resolution. Density and magnetization represent independent rock properties and thus provide complementary information on compositional and structural changes. Comparing short- and long-wavelength anomalies and the correlation of rather large-scale magnetic and gravity anomalies, and relating them to known lithospheric structures, we generally find a better agreement in the southern African region than the German region. This probably indicates stronger concordance between near-surface (down to at most a few km) and deeper (several kilometres down to Curie depth) structures in the former area, which can be seen to agree with a thicker lithosphere and a lower heat flux reported in the literature for the southern African region.
Estimating atmospheric CO2 from advanced infrared satellite radiances within an operational 4D-Var data assimilation system: Methodology and first results

[1] Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have been obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance data within the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts data assimilation system. A subset of channels from the AIRS instrument on board the NASA Aqua platform has been assimilated providing estimates of tropospheric and stratospheric column-average CO2 mixing ratios. Although global estimates are obtained, the information content of the tropospheric estimates at middle and high latitudes is limited, and results are therefore only presented for the tropical region. First results for February and August 2003 show considerable geographical variability compared to the background with values ranging between 371 and 380 ppmv. These CO2 values are representative for a layer between the tropopause and about 600 hPa. The monthly mean random error is about 1%. Careful error analysis has been carried out to minimize any systematic errors. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of global CO2 estimation using AIRS data in a numerical weather prediction data assimilation system. In the future the system will be improved to treat CO2 as a full three-dimensional atmospheric variable, including transport. INDEX TERMS: 3337 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Numerical modeling and data assimilation; 0365 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere—composition and chemistry; 1610 Global Change: Atmosphere (0315, 0325); KEYWORDS: AIRS, carbon dioxide, data assimilation
A global three‐dimensional model study of carbonaceous aerosols

We have developed detailed emission inventories for the amount of both black and organic carbon particles from biomass burning sources (wood fuel, charcoal burning, dung, charcoal production, agricultural, savanna and forest fires). We have also estimated an inventory for organic carbon particles from fossil fuel burning and urban activities from an existing inventory for fossil fuel sources of black carbon. We also provide an estimate for the natural source of organic matter. These emissions have been used together with our global aerosol model to study the global distribution of carbonaceous aerosols. The accuracy of the inventories and the model formulation has been tested by comparing the model simulations of carbonaceous aerosols in the atmosphere and in precipitation with observations reported in the literature. For most locations and seasons, the predicted concentrations are in reasonable agreement with the observations, although the model underpredicts black carbon concentrations in polar regions. The predicted concentrations in remote areas are extremely sensitive to both the rate of removal by wet deposition and the height of injection of the aerosols. Finally, a global map of the aerosol single scattering albedo was developed from the simulated carbonaceous particle distribution and a previously developed model for aerosol sulfates. The computed aerosol single scattering albedos compare well with observations, suggesting that most of the important aerosol species have been included in the model. For most locations and seasons, the single scattering albedo is larger than 0.85, indicating that these aerosols, in general, lead to a net cooling.
Accuracy of Inhaler Use in COPD Patients and Factors Affecting It

Background: An inhaler is a type of dosage form used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The inhaler has a unique technique for use; however, the percentage of accuracy in inhaler use is still low. Proper inhaler use is expected to improve quality of life and decrease the occurrence of exacerbations. This study aimed to observe the percentage of accuracy in using inhalers and the factors that influence it.Method: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional design on COPD patients in two different hospitals. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire. The accuracy of inhaler use was assessed using a checklist.Results: The total number of patients in this study was 110, with an average age of 62 years. Patients were given single inhaler therapy, which included Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI) for 34 patients with 70.7% accuracy, Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers (pMDI) for 9 persons with 45.74% accuracy, and Soft Mist Inhalers (SMI) for one person with 66.67% accuracy. Furthermore, patients who used a combination of pMDI and DPI inhalers had an accuracy value of 68.53%, while a combination of pMDI and SMI had an accuracy value of 72.72%. The stage with the lowest level of accuracy in the pMDI-type inhaler used alone was exhaling before the inhaler was supplied.Conclusion: According to the findings, the accuracy of inhaler use in COPD patients is still relatively low. Furthermore, gender is a factor that has a statistically significant relationship with inhaler accuracy.
Global Component of Sentiment in Futures Markets: Evidence from Covid-19 Pandemic

We examine the impact of the global component of sentiment on the price return and volatility of 25 major futures market indices across the globe, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The global component of sentiment causes investor overreactions. These overreactions accelerate the fall in prices and contribute to the rising volatility levels. The futures prices revert, though gradually, to their fundamental values as information from more reliable sources becomes available. This leads to price recovery and lower volatility levels.
Television Consumption and Child Obesity: Linking Children's Contemporary Television Use, Physical Activity, and Advertising to Putnam's Displacement Hypothesis

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION . 1 Obesity Defined . 2 Media Consumption and Obesity. 3 Displacement Hypothesis. 5 Purpose of the Study . 7 Public Policy Implications . 8 Organization of Thesis . 10 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW . 11 Advertisement Exposure . 11 Physical Activity . 24 Parental Mediation/Modeling . 33 Neighborhood Safety . 36 Summary . 41 CHAPTER THREE METHOD . 44 Measures . 45 Parental Gender and Socioeconomic Status . 45 Gender and Ethnicity . 46 Body Mass Index . 47 General and Contemporary Television Consumption . 48 Physical Activity . 49 Neighborhood Safety . 49 Parental Mediation . 50 Survey Sites . 51 Rationale and Hypotheses . 52 Procedure and Sampling . 56 Sample. 58 Analysis. 59 CHAPTER FOUR ANALYSIS AND RESULTS . 61 General Demographics. 61 Child Data . 61 Parent Participants . 62 General Survey Description . 63 Media Hours. 63 Advertisements . 63 Physical Activity . 64 Parenting Style . 64 vii Neighborhood Safety . 65 Internal Consistency. 66 Factor Analysis . 67 Neighborhood Safety . 67 Parenting Style . 67 Hypotheses and Research Questions . 68 Hypothesis One: TV and Advertisements. 68 Hypothesis Two: TV and BMI . 68 Hypothesis Three: Advertisements and BMI . 69 Hypothesis Four: TV and Physical Activity . 69 Hypothesis Five: Physical Activity and BMI . 69 Hypothesis Six: TV and Neighborhood . 69 Hypothesis Seven: Neighborhood and Physical Activity . 70 Hypothesis Eight: Neighborhood and BMI . 70 Hypothesis Nine: TV and Parent Mediation . 70 Hypothesis Ten: Parent Mediation and Physical Activity . 70 Hypothesis Eleven: Parent Mediation and BMI . 71 Research Question One: Gender . 71 Research Questions Two: Ethnicity . 71 Research Question Three: TV Consumption . 71 CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION . 73 General Discussion and Analysis. 73 Implications of the Results. 73 Hypotheses . 73 Research Questions . 77 Strengths . 79 Limitations . 80 Future Research . 80 Conclusion . 81 APPENDIX A: SURVEY INSTRUMENT . 83 APPENDIX B: GIRLS BMI FOR AGE PERCENTILES . 92 APPENDIX C: BOYS BMI FOR AGE PERCENTILES. 93 REFERENCES . 94 CURRICULUM VITAE . 113