Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biotechnological Interventions in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) for Drought Stress Tolerance: Achievements and Future Prospects

Tomato production is severely affected by abiotic stresses (drought, flood, heat, and salt) and causes approximately 70% loss in yield depending on severity and duration of the stress. Drought is the most destructive abiotic stress and tomato is very sensitive to the drought stress, as cultivated tomato lack novel gene(s) for drought stress tolerance. Only 20% of agricultural land worldwide is irrigated, and only 14.51% of that is well-irrigated, while the rest is rain fed. This scenario makes drought very frequent, which restricts the genetically predetermined yield. Primarily, drought disturbs tomato plant physiology by altering plant–water relation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Many wild tomato species have drought tolerance gene(s); however, their exploitation is very difficult because of high genetic distance and pre- and post-transcriptional barriers for embryo development. To overcome these issues, biotechnological methods, including transgenic technology and CRISPR-Cas, are used to enhance drought tolerance in tomato. Transgenic technology permitted the exploitation of non-host gene/s. On the other hand, CRISPR-Cas9 technology facilitated the editing of host tomato gene(s) for drought stress tolerance. The present review provides updated information on biotechnological intervention in tomato for drought stress management and sustainable agriculture.
Up-scaling relative permeability for stratified reservoir waterflooding

This research presents an improved procedure for generating pseudo relative permeability curves for stratified waterflooding using either constant pressure or constant flux at the reservoir boundaries. Pseudo relative permeability reflects the generation of a relative permeability curve that can be used to represent the entire reservoir thickness, rather than a specific layer during reservoir simulation, thus saving computational time. In this project, Fractional Flow Theory is applied to the generation of pseudo relative permeability curves for i) constant flow rate condition, and ii) constant pressure boundary condition. Previously pseudo relative permeability curves were generated for the constant flow rate condition only. The method differs from previous methodologies and studies, which are all based on a piston-like displacement for water flooding. Instead, this new model uses fractional flow theory to generate a pseudo relative permeability curve that is physically more realistic. The solution is extended to generate pseudo relative permeability curves for simulating the waterflood of a reservoir under the constant pressure boundaries which is a more realistic assumption in compared to constant flow rate. The generated pseudo relative permeability curve is used in a 2D areal reservoir model in an ECLIPSE simulator to predict the behavior of the full layered 3D reservoir model. It was found that there is good agreement between the results corresponding to this new method and the full layered reservoir model, which is very important.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Low Carbohydrate Versus Low Fat Diets, in Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The clinical benefit of low carbohydrate (LC) diets compared with low fat (LF) diets for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare their efficacy and safety in people with T2D. RCTs comparing both diets in participants with T2D were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and manual search of bibliographies. Mean differences and relative risks with 95% CIs were pooled for measures of glycaemia, cardiometabolic parameters, and adverse events using the following time points: short-term (3 months), intermediate term (6 and 12 months) and long-term (24 months). Twenty-two RCTs comprising 1391 mostly obese participants with T2D were included. At 3 months, a LC vs. LF diet significantly reduced HbA1c levels, mean difference (95% CI) of −0.41% (−0.62, −0.20). LC diet significantly reduced body weight, BMI, fasting insulin and triglycerides and increased total cholesterol and HDL-C levels at the short-to-intermediate term, with a decrease in the requirement for antiglycaemic medications at intermediate-to-long term. There were no significant differences in other parameters and adverse events. Except for reducing HbA1c levels and adiposity parameters at short-to-intermediate terms, a LC diet appears to be equally effective as a LF diet in terms of control of cardiometabolic markers and the risk of adverse events in obese patients with T2D.
Association of interleukin-17A gene promoter polymorphism with the susceptibility to generalized chronic periodontitis in an Iranian population

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is characterized by an immune response, leading to the destruction of periodontal supporting tissue. The effect of inflammatory and genetic factors on periodontitis has been evaluated previously. The interleukin (IL-17) as an inflammation regulator seems to play a critical role in periodontitis pathogenesis. Here, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the association of -197 G > A (rs2275913) IL-17 gene promoter polymorphism with generalized severe CP in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case–control study, a total of 54 patients with periodontitis and 118 normals were enrolled. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was applied to detect IL-17 promoter rs2275913 genotypes in association with the susceptibility to severe CP. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was employed to compare genotype frequencies between groups. P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The distribution of genotypes and alleles was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Although no significant association was observed between the risk of periodontitis and genotype frequencies under any of the inheritance models, the GG genotype was higher in healthy controls, while the AG genotype was more frequently observed in patients under the codominant model ([odd ratio [OR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.01–4.53), P = 0.13]). The frequency of AG-AA genotype was higher in patients under dominant inheritance model ([OR = 1.92, 95% CI (0.94–3.93), P = 0.068]), while GG-AA and AG genotypes were higher in healthy controls under over dominant model (OR = 0.1.95, 95% CI [0.98-3.86], P = 0.055). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the presence of allele A and AG genotypes could be considered possible factors in increasing the risk of developing CP, although the differences of allele and genotype frequencies were remarkable but not statistically significant between the two groups.
Catalytic Oxidative Decomposition of Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate over CuO/CeO2 Catalysts Prepared Using a Secondary Alkaline Hydrothermal Method

Bimetallic synergism plays an important role in lattice-doped catalysts. Therefore, lattice-doped bimetallic CuO/CeO2 catalysts were prepared by secondary alkaline hydrothermal reaction. During this process, the CeO2 nanomaterials were partially dissolved and recrystallized; thus, Cu ions were doped into the CeO2 lattice. The physical and chemical properties of CeO2, CuO/CeO2, and CuO were investigated. H2 temperature-programmed reduction characterization showed that the oxidation activity of CuO/CeO2 was significantly improved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that electron transfer occurred between Ce and Cu in the CuO/CeO2 catalyst. Additionally, Raman characterization confirmed the strong interaction between Cu and Ce. After CuO was loaded, the thermal catalytic decomposition performance of the catalyst was significantly improved with respect to the sarin simulant dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP); with an increase in the Cu/Ce ratio, the performance first strengthened and then weakened. Additionally, the reaction tail gas and catalyst surface products were analyzed using mass spectrometry and ion chromatography, and the changes in the surface products during the thermal catalytic decomposition of DMMP were characterized at different temperatures using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Finally, the catalytic reaction pathways of DMMP on CeO2, CuO/CeO2, and CuO were inferred. The study results not only demonstrate an effective catalyst for the removal of nerve agent but also a feasible preparation method for lattice-doped bimetallic catalysts in the field of environmental protection.
Suitability of Fagus orientalis Lipsky at marginal Fagus sylvatica L. forest sites in Southern Germany

European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) is the most important tree species in Central Europe and is considered to be relatively resistant to climate warming. However, dry summers in the last five years led to considerable damage in beech stands in Southern Germany (SG). Assisted migration of drought resistant beech provenances including those of Oriental beech ( Fagus orientalis Lipsky) may help to stabilise Central European beech forests under climate change. The focus of this study is to compare the climatic ranges of F. sylvatica and F. orientalis using quantile distribution of climatic variables based on WorldClim data at forest sites within their natural distribution area. Temperature, precipitation, and aridity quantile ranges showed that F. orientalis is better adapted to warmer and drier climate compared to F. sylvatica . The quantile distribution method was applied to the whole range of the species to map the habitat suitability for both species at marginal sites in the target region (SG) in the current climatic scenario (1970-2000) and in a warmer scenario (+2°C) using the climate marginality index (CMI), i.e. , the distance of sites to the xeric edge at low-latitude and low-altitude distribution limits for the species. To this purpose we applied the simple BIOCLIM algorithm using annual temperature and precipitation as climatic variables. According to our results, F. orientalis seems a promising species with a high potential for future afforestation activities in Southern Germany, especially at marginal sites of European beech forests. However, before introducing F. orientalis on a larger scale in the study area, further research on the species ecology and genetics are needed. For further application of the quantile range method, we produced tables of the vigintiles of the climatic range for both species, which can be used for estimating CMI based on WorldClim data in
Investigating the micro-level dynamics of water reuse adoption by farmers and the impacts on local water resources using an agent-based model

Agricultural water reuse is gaining momentum to address freshwater scarcity worldwide. The main objective of this paper was to investigate the micro-level dynamics of water reuse adoption by farmers at the watershed scale. An agent-based model was developed to simulate agricultural water consumption and socio-hydrological dynamics. Using a case study in California, the developed model was tested, and the results showed that agricultural water reuse adoption by farmers is a gradual and time-consuming process. In addition, results also showed that agricultural water reuse could significantly decrease the water shortage (by 57.7%) and groundwater withdrawal (by 74.1%). Furthermore, our results suggest that recycled water price was the most influential factor in total recycled water consumption by farmers. Results also showed how possible freshwater shortage or groundwater withdrawal regulations could increase recycled water use by farmers. The developed model can significantly help assess how the current water reuse management practices and strategies would affect the sustainability of agricultural water resources.
Pure gauge QCD and holography

Holographic models for the pure gauge quantum chromodynamics (QCD) vacuum are explored. The holographic renormalization of these models is considered as required by a phenomenological approach that takes the β-functions of the models as the only input. This approach is done taking the dilaton as the coordinate orthogonal to the border. This choice greatly simplifies the analysis and gives a geometrical interpretation for the fixed points of the renormalization group flow. Examples are constructed that present asymptotic freedom, confinement of static quarks, either with vanishing or nonvanishing gluon condensate G2. The latter models require an extension of the dilaton-gravity models already considered in the literature. This extension is also determined by the only input, i.e. the β-function. In addition, the restrictions imposed by the trace anomaly equation (TAE) are studied. In doing so, a holographic derivation of this equation is presented.
Ground state phase diagram of generic XY pyrochlore magnets with quantum fluctuations

Motivated by recent experimental and theoretical progress on the Er2Ti2O7 pyrochlore XY antiferromagnet, we study the problem of quantum order-by-disorder in pyrochlore XY systems. We consider the most general nearest-neighbor pseudo spin-1/2 Hamiltonian for such a system characterized by anisotropic spin-spin couplings J_e = [J_\pm, J_{\pm\pm}, J_{z\pm}, J_{zz}] and construct zero-temperature phase diagrams. Combining symmetry arguments and spin-wave calculations, we show that the ground state phase boundaries between the two candidate ground states of the \Gamma_5 irreducible representation, the \psi_2 and \psi_3 (basis) states, are rather accurately determined by a cubic equation in J_{\pm}J_{\pm\pm})/J_{z\pm}^2. Depending on the value of J_{zz}, there can be one or three phase boundaries that separate alternating regions of \psi_2 and \psi_3 states. In particular, we find for sufficiently small J_{zz}/J_{\pm} a narrow \psi_2 sliver sandwiched between two \psi_3 regions in the J_{\pm\pm}/J_\pm vs J_{z\pm}/J_\pm phase diagram. Our results further illustrate the very large potential sensitivity of the ground state of XY pyrochlore systems to minute changes in their spin Hamiltonian. Using the experimentally determined J_3 and g-tensor values for Er2Ti2O7, we show that the heretofore neglected long-range 1/r^3 magnetostatic dipole-dipole interactions do not change the conclusion that Er2Ti2O7 has a \psi_2 ground state induced via a quantum order-by-disorder mechanism. We propose that the CdDy2Se4 chalcogenide spinel, in which the Dy^{3+} ions form a pyrochlore lattice and may be XY-like, could prove interesting to investigate.
The Role Played by the Digital Transformation of Ukraine’s Financial Sector in the Context of Post-War Reconstruction: Opportunities and Risks

The purpose of the article is to systematize the main directions of digital transformation of the financial sector of Ukraine, to characterize their impact on the post-war recovery of the Ukrainian economy and to analyze the risks of forming an information-digital society in connection with the active implementation of a digital strategy. As a result of the study, it is proved that special conditions that are established at present in Ukraine make inevitable the digital development strategy to ensure economic activity under martial law and post-war recovery. The publication systematizes the main mechanisms for ensuring financial access under conditions of martial law. The advantages of the actively implemented conception of open banking for investment processes and post-war reconstruction are demonstrated, while the risks of information availability related to open banking are shown. The role of neobanks in the context of post-war recovery is characterized. Given that the development of digital financial services will be associated with the further introduction of service personalization technologies, it is concluded that this will lead to the growth of financial inclusion and the deep integration of digital financial institutions into the economic and social existence of financial services consumers. The risks of these processes are identified, in particular the risks of cybersecurity and the growth of information asymmetry.
Twelve years of X-ray and optical variability in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051

We discuss the origin of the optical variations in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051 and present the results of a cross-correlation study using X-ray and optical light curves spanning more than 12 years. The emission is highly variable in all wavebands, and the amplitude of the optical variations is found to be smaller than that of the X-rays, even after correcting for the contaminating host galaxy flux falling inside the photometric aperture. The optical power spectrum is best described by an unbroken power-law model with slope α= 1.4+0.6−0.2 and displays lower variability power than the 2–10 keV X-rays on all time-scales probed. We find the light curves to be significantly correlated at an optical delay of 1.2+1.0−0.3 d behind the X-rays. This time-scale is consistent with the light traveltime to the optical emitting region of the accretion disc, suggesting that the optical variations are driven by X-ray reprocessing. We show, however, that a model whereby the optical variations arise from reprocessing by a flat accretion disc cannot account for all the optical variability. There is also a second significant peak in the cross-correlation function, at an optical delay of 39+2.7−8.4 d. The lag is consistent with the dust sublimation radius in this source, suggesting that there is a measurable amount of optical flux coming from the dust torus. We discuss the origin of the additional optical flux in terms of reprocessing of X-rays and reflection of optical light by the dust.
Intra-Diverticular Bladder Tumours: How to Manage Rationally

Objective To report changing practice in the management of intra-diverticular bladder tumours. Methods We undertook a review of all intra-diverticular bladder tumours in our prospectively maintained institutional database. Results A total of 28 patients (male = 27, female = 1) with a median age of 71 years (IQR 61 to 76) were diagnosed with intra-diverticular bladder tumours (IDBT) between March 2013 and February 2021. Fourteen had visible and 3 had non-visible haematuria, while 11 patients had lower urinary tract symptoms. Median axial diameter of the diverticula was 46 mm (IQR 35 to 69), and median neck diameter was 9 mm (IQR 7 to 11). All patients had CT-urography and 5 patients also had an MRI. Surgical treatment consisted of diverticulectomy (n = 11), diverticulectomy and ipsilateral ureteric reimplantation (n = 11), radical cystectomy and ileal conduit (n = 4), or radical cystectomy and orthotopic bladder (n = 2). Eleven patients had open procedures, and 17 had robotic assisted surgery. Final pathological stages were T0 (n = 2), Ta (n = 5), T1 (n = 7), T3a (n = 8) and T3b (n = 6). Twenty-four patients had urothelial carcinoma (including one nested variant and 4 with squamous differentiation) and 2 had small cell carcinoma. Three patients had neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy, 2 had intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) with mitomycin, and one had BCG monotherapy preoperatively. Five patients had adjuvant systemic chemotherapy while 7 had adjuvant intravesical therapies. Mean follow-up period was 37.8 months (±25.3). Mean recurrence-free survival was 61.5% (CI 45.7 to 77.4) and mean overall survival 71.6 % (CI 57.4 to 85.8). Ten patients (37%) died of cancer. Conclusion Management of intra-diverticular bladder tumours is evolving. Bladder-sparing approaches are gaining popularity. Robot-assisted diverticulectomy is preferable as it reduces the morbidity resulting from treatment.
Seasonal Effects on Hospitalizations Due to Mood and Psychotic Disorders: A Nationwide 31-Year Register Study

Purpose To examine seasonal patterns of hospital admissions due to mood and psychotic disorders and to investigate whether the admission rates show variation according to the seasonal daylength (photoperiods). Patients and Methods A retrospective nationwide register-based cohort of all psychiatric admissions (N=978,079) during 1987–2017 in Finland was utilized. The smoothed time-series of adjusted ratio of observed and expected (O/E) daily counts were estimated to examine seasonal variation. The mean O/E with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to study the admission rates by photoperiods. The calendar days were classified into the 71-day photoperiods based on the daylength (long/summer, short/winter, equal/spring, equal/fall) and the pace of change in daylength (slowly/rapidly increasing/decreasing daylength). Results Manic episodes peaked in summer during the long (mean O/E=1.10, 95% CI=1.06–1.13) and slowly decreasing (1.09, 1.06–1.13) photoperiods and had a nadir in winter during the slowly increasing (0.93, 0.89–0.98) photoperiod. Admissions for unipolar depressive (UPD) episodes peaked in autumn and in spring at the end of the rapidly decreasing (1.03, 1.02–1.04) and increasing (1.03, 1.01–1.04) photoperiod, and dropped in summer during the long and slowly decreasing (0.95, 0.94–0.96) photoperiods. Bipolar depressive (BPD) and mixed episodes signaled excess admissions in autumn and in spring. Admissions for schizophrenia were higher than expected from summer to early-autumn, during the long and slowly decreasing photoperiods (1.02, 1.02–1.03), and lower than expected in other seasons, especially in mid-spring during the rapidly increasing photoperiod (0.98, 0.98–0.99). Conclusion The study indicates the seasonality and photoperiodicity of mental disorders, especially for manic episodes. The seasonal pattern is similar between schizophrenia and manic episodes, and between UPD, BPD, and mixed episodes.
A novel nonlocal potential solver based on nonuniform FFT for efficient simulation of the Davey-Stewartson equations

We propose an efficient and accurate solver for the nonlocal potential in the Davey-Stewartson equation using nonuniform FFT (NUFFT). A discontinuity in the Fourier transform of the nonlocal potential causes accuracy locking if the potential is solved by standard FFT with periodic boundary conditions on a truncated domain. Using the fact that the discontinuity disappears in polar coordinates, we reformulate the potential integral and split it into high and low frequency parts. The high frequency part can be approximated by the standard FFT method, while the low frequency part is evaluated with a high order Gauss quadrature accelerated by nonuniform FFT. The NUFFT solver has $O(N\log N)$ complexity, where $N$ is the total number of discretization points, and achieves higher accuracy than standard FFT solver, which makes it a good alternative in simulation. Extensive numerical results show the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method.
DISCOVERY OF THE HOST CLUSTER FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL CEPHEID CALIBRATOR ZETA GEMINORUM

New and existing CORAVEL, UBVJHKs, HST, HIP/Tycho, ARO, KPNO, and DAO observations imply that the fundamental Cepheid calibrator ζ Gem is a cluster member. The following parameters were inferred for ζ Gem from cluster membership and are tied to new spectral classifications (DAO) established for 26 nearby stars (e.g., HD53588/B7.5IV, HD54692/B9.5IV): EB − V = 0.02 ± 0.02, log τ = 7.85 ± 0.15, and d = 355 ± 15 pc. The mean distance to ζ Gem from cluster membership and six recent estimates (e.g., IRSB) is pc. The results presented here support the color-excess and HST parallax derived for the Cepheid by Benedict et al. Forthcoming precise proper motions (DASCH) and Chandra/XMM-Newton observations of the broader field may be employed to identify cluster members, bolster the cluster's existence, and provide stronger constraints on the Cepheid's fundamental parameters.