Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes of Ex Vivo Cervical Epithelial Cells Due to Electroporation with JMY

The ionic environment within the nucleoplasm might diverge from the conditions found in the cytoplasm, potentially playing a role in the cellular stress response. As a result, it is conceivable that interactions of nuclear actin and actin-binding proteins (ABPs) with apoptosis factors may differ in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. The primary intracellular stress response is Ca2+ influx. The junctional mediating and regulating Y protein (JMY) is an actin-binding protein and has the capability to interact with the apoptosis factor p53 in a Ca2+-dependent manner, forming complexes that play a regulatory role in cytoskeletal remodelling and motility. JMY’s presence is observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Here, we show that ex vivo ectocervical squamous cells subjected to electroporation with JMY protein exhibited varying morphological alterations. Specifically, the highly differentiated superficial and intermediate cells displayed reduced nuclear size. In inflamed samples, nuclear enlargement and simultaneous cytoplasmic reduction were observable and showed signs of apoptotic processes. In contrast, the less differentiated parabasal and metaplastic cells showed increased cytoplasmic activity and the formation of membrane protrusions. Surprisingly, in severe inflammation, vaginosis or ASC-US (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance), JMY appears to influence only the nuclear and perinuclear irregularities of differentiated cells, and cytoplasmic abnormalities still existed after the electroporation. Our observations can provide an appropriate basis for the exploration of the relationship between cytopathologically relevant morphological changes of epithelial cells and the function of ABPs. This is particularly important since ABPs are considered potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for both cancers and chronic inflammation.
Prediction of papillary thyroid metastases to the central compartment: proposal of a model taking into consideration other thyroid conditions

Objective To construct risk prediction models for cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) under different thyroid disease backgrounds and to analyze and compare risk factors among different groups. Methods This retrospective study included 518 patients with PTC that was pathologically confirmed post-operatively from January 2021 to November 2021. Demographic, ultrasound and pathological data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with CLNM in the whole patient cohort and in patients grouped according to diagnoses of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), nodular goiter (NG), and no background disease. Prediction models were constructed for each group, and their performances were compared. Results Analysis of the whole PTC patient cohort identified NG as independently associated with CLNM. The independent risk factors for patients with no background disease were the maximum thyroid nodule diameter and American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting & Data System score; those for patients with HT were the maximum thyroid nodule diameter, ACR TI-RADS score, and multifocality; and those for patients with NG were the maximum thyroid nodule diameter, ACR TI-RADS score, multifocality and gender. Conclusion Background thyroid disease impacts CLNM in PTC patients, and risk factors for CLNM vary among PTC patients with different background diseases. Ultrasound is useful for diagnosing background thyroid disease, which can inform treatment planning. Different prediction models are recommended for PTC cases with different thyroid diseases.
Vertical variability of soil moisture under different precipitation conditions in Guizhou karst areas

Hourly soil moisture and rainfall data which from 12 soil water observation stations were used to analyse vertical variability of soil moisture under continuous drought or rainy conditions.The space-time characteristics of different depths soil moisture in one-time rainfall process was analysed,and the vertical changing regularities of soil moisture was discussed based on soil profile moisture variation diagram of Renhuai,Zhenyuan,Luodian and Libo.
The Role of Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase (PEMT) and Its Waist-Hip-Ratio-Associated Locus rs4646404 in Obesity-Related Metabolic Traits and Liver Disease

In previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genetic loci associated with obesity and impaired fat distribution (FD) have been identified. In the present study, we elucidated the role of the PEMT gene, including the waist–hip-ratio-associated single nucleotide polymorphism rs4646404, and its influence on obesity-related metabolic traits. DNA from 2926 metabolically well-characterized subjects was used for genotyping. PEMT expression was analyzed in paired visceral (vis) and subcutaneous (sc) adipose tissue (AT) from a subset of 574 individuals. Additionally, PEMT expression was examined in vis, sc AT and liver tissue in a separate cohort of 64 patients with morbid obesity and liver disease. An in vitro Pemt knockdown was conducted in murine epididymal and inguinal adipocytes. Our findings highlight tissue-specific variations in PEMT mRNA expression across the three studied tissues. Specifically, vis PEMT mRNA levels correlated significantly with T2D and were implicated in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in contrast to liver tissue, where no significant associations were found. Moreover, sc PEMT expression showed significant correlations with several anthropometric- and metabolic-related parameters. The rs4646404 was associated with vis AT PEMT expression and also with diabetes-related traits. Our in vitro experiments supported the influence of PEMT on adipogenesis, emphasizing its role in AT biology. In summary, our data suggest that PEMT plays a role in regulating FD and has implications in metabolic diseases.
Joint Target and User Assignment as well as Dwell Time and Spectrum Allocation in a Distributed Radar–Communication Coexistence Network

The optimal resource sharing is key to delivering the promise of radar–communication systems, since the spectrum is shared while competed to perform radar and communication tasks. In this article, a joint target and user assignment as well as dwell time and spectrum allocation strategy is proposed for the distributed radar–communication coexistence network. The optimization model is formulated as minimizing the sum of weighted position Bayesian Cramér–Rao lower bounds under the dwell time and spectrum budgets while meeting the communication downlink requirements. The optimization model is shown to be a mixed-integer programming problem, where the binary assignment variables and continuous resource allocation variables are coupled in both the objective function and constraints. A three-stage alternate optimization method (TSAOM) is developed for problem solving. The target assignment and dwell time allocation (TADTA) problem and the user assignment and spectrum allocation (UASA) problem are separately relaxed as convex ones. Then, a cyclical minimizer framework is applied for the suboptimal solution. Simulations confirm the tracking performance improvement of the proposed strategy compared with two baseline allocation strategies. The results also show the effectiveness and efficiency of the developed TSAOM in comparison with the baseline algorithm.
Molecular detection and geospatial distribution of Brucella infections in horses in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

Brucellosis is a major zoonotic disease that affects several domestic, wild and marine mammals, and man. It causes serious economic damage in livestock productivity, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the species of Brucella that infect horses and establish the spatial distribution of the infection in Kano, Nigeria. A total of 328 blood samples were collected from horses. Sera were collected from the samples and kept at -20 0C until tested. The sera were successively subjected to RBPT, SAT-EDTA and multiplex-PCR. Seventy-nine serum samples (24.0%) were positive for Brucella antibodies on RBPT. Out of the RBPT positive samples, 39 (49.4%) were also positive for SAT-EDTA. There was no difference between the results of the two tests (RBPT: p=0.4420; SAT-EDTA: p=0.124). Of the 39 SAT-EDTA positive sera, 32 (82.1%) were confirmed to be Brucella abortus. Fifteen of the 16 mares tested were positive for B. abortus while 73.9% of the stallion were positive. All horses in the age groups of 1-5 and 11-15 years were 100% positive, while 72.0% of the horses in the 6-10 year age group were also positive. The study showed 81.8 % detection rate of B. abortus using AMOS-PCR and that 15 (93.7%) of the female horses tested (16) had B. abortus while 17 (73.9%) of the 23 male horses tested had B. abortus.
Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotopes as Tracers to Source Organic Matter in the Yangtze Estuary

In this article, we mainly focus on the geochemical characteristics of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in order to trace the source and fate of organic matter in the Yangtze estuary and its tidal flat sediments. According to the features of physical geographical environment and the discrepancy in the effects of human activities in the study area, 12 typical sampling stations were selected along the Yangtze estuarine and coastal line. Based on the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the tidal flat superfacial sediments from the Yangtze estuary, it was found that the ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were respectively -29.80‰~-23.7‰ and 1.0‰~5.5‰ in the flood seasons, while they were -27.3‰~-25.6‰ and 1.6‰~7.7‰ in the dry seasons respectively, indicating that the seasonal distribution of discharges from the Yangtze River has significantly affected the seasonal variation of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in sedimentary organic matter. In general, the distribution of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes revealed the mixing inputs of terrigenous and marine organic matter controlled the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions in sedimentary organic matter. However, a series of physical, chemical and biogeochemical processes occurring in the local environments, to some extent, have the significant influence on the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions in organic matter.
Embedded Processing for Extended Depth of Field Imaging Systems: From Infinite Impulse Response Wiener Filter to Learned Deconvolution

Many works in the state of the art are interested in the increase of the camera depth of field (DoF) via the joint optimization of an optical component (typically a phase mask) and a digital processing step with an infinite deconvolution support or a neural network. This can be used either to see sharp objects from a greater distance or to reduce manufacturing costs due to tolerance regarding the sensor position. Here, we study the case of an embedded processing with only one convolution with a finite kernel size. The finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients are learned or computed based on a Wiener filter paradigm. It involves an optical model typical of codesigned systems for DoF extension and a scene power spectral density, which is either learned or modeled. We compare different FIR filters and present a method for dimensioning their sizes prior to a joint optimization. We also show that, among the filters compared, the learning approach enables an easy adaptation to a database, but the other approaches are equally robust.
Geology of the cretaceous Paraná Magmatic Province at the central portion of Torres Syncline, Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Geological maps of tropical areas demand special challenges due to weathering conditions, mainly where relief has low variability. Most part of Paraná Magmatic Province is included in this scenario. An exception to this situation is the southeastern portion of the province, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The stratigraphic disposition of volcanic units and the characteristics of erosion of each one caused the exposition of four identified plateaus, in which outcrop, from bottom to top: (1) basalts from Torres/Vale do Sol formations; (2) Caxias do Sul dacite; (3) Barros Cassal sequence; (4) Santa Maria rhyolite. The contacts were traced using SRTM images (through altitude and slope maps), integrating previously published semi- to detailed maps and geochemical database from our group. The resulting map (1:250,000) contributes to the volcano-stratigraphic knowledge of this huge province, and allows us to suggest the review of silicic units, initially called Palmas Formation.
The Importance of The Code of Ethics in The Public Accountant Profession

This study aims to provide an overview and analyze the code of ethics for the public accounting profession and is expected to be used as reference material in terms of the practical application of the code of ethics in Indonesia. This type of research is descriptive qualitative. The data collection method in this qualitative research uses secondary data from scientific journals and books from other parties that support researchers in completing research data. The findings of this research can be used to develop new policies or improve tighter oversight measures for public accountants. This will help improve the quality of accounting practices, restore public trust, and maintain the integrity of the public accounting profession in Indonesia. The results of this study are important for the public accounting profession to uphold a code of ethics such as: integrity, objectivity, prudence, confidentiality, and professionalism in order to maintain public trust in entity financial information, ensure fairness in financial reporting, and provide quality audit services. In addition, this also has a positive impact on the reputation of the public accounting profession as a whole.
Evaluation of Citrus Cultivars for Tolerance to Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV), Aphis gossypii and Their Management by Limiting Vector Population

: Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is one of the most destructive diseases affecting citrus and is a major cause of reductions in citrus yield. CTV epidemics have caused the death of millions of citrus trees globally. The present study aims to evaluate citrus cultivars against CTV and its vector (aphid) population. The highest levels of infection and vector population were recorded in Mangal Singh, whereas the lowest were found in the early fruiter (20%). Early fruiter had a maximum level of tolerance against Citrus tristeza virus. CTV is replicated in the phloem cells of plants and is transmitted by the aphid specie Aphis gossypii . Thus, the maximum vector population mirrors the highest infection. Chemical plant nutrients, including micro-mix (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn), NPK, zinc, and the insecticide Lufenoron, were used to limit the impact of CTV and A.gossyii. Lufenuron caused maximum disease inhibition, followed by the plant nutrients zinc, NPK, and micro-mix, respectively. However, Lufenoron signiﬁcantly decreased the population of Aphis gossypi. The results indicate that the early fruiter has the lowest percent disease index and vector population. Moreover, Lufenuron is the best solution for controlling vector population and disease inhibition.
Polymeric Particle BAM15 Targeting Macrophages Attenuates the Severity of LPS-Induced Sepsis: A Proof of Concept for Specific Immune Cell-Targeted Therapy

Macrophage polarization requires different energy sources and metabolic processes. Therefore, cell energy interference to alter macrophage functions has been proposed as a treatment for severe inflammatory diseases, including sepsis. In this study, targeting cell energy using BAM15 (a mitochondrial uncoupling agent) in human THP-1 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages prominently interfered with M1 but not M2 polarization. Free BAM15 (BAM15) and BAM15-loaded PLGA particles (BAM15 particles) reduced the inflammatory response of M1 macrophages and enhanced the expression of M2 signature genes with the restoration of mitochondrial activity (extracellular flux analysis) in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, BAM15 particles but not BAM15 showed specific effects on the inflammatory response of macrophages but not neutrophils, and the particles were actively captured by splenic and liver macrophages in vivo. Administration of BAM15 and BAM15 particles attenuated the severity of sepsis in LPS-induced sepsis mice. Interestingly, BAM15 particles but not BAM15 alleviated LPS-induced liver injury by reducing hepatic inflammation. Our findings substantiate the superior efficacy of macrophage-targeted therapy using a BAM15 particle-delivery system and provide further support for clinical development as a potential therapy for severe inflammatory diseases.
Efectos de diferentes prácticas de preparación del terreno y fertilización sobre el crecimiento inicial del Pinus spp en el NE argentino* Effects of different site preparation and fertilization methods on growth of Pinus spp in the NE of Argentina

SUMMARY Growth results of two experiments, obtained six months after plantation are presented. The objective was to evaluate the response of Pinus taeda L. and Pinus elliottii E. under different silvicultural treatments in Corrientes, northeastern Argentina. Response of Pinus taeda, applying 0, 22.5 and 45 g N pl -1; 0, 45 and 90 g P 2 O5 pl-1; also 0,36 and 72 g K2O pl -1, on Kandiudalf soil was evaluated. Statistical differences were observed between N, P and NxP interaction. P doses had a positive effect, while N doses presented a negative effect. Response of Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii on deficient drainage sites prepared with disk ploughs or mounding with applications of NPK 1530-12, at 0, 100 and 200 g pl -1 to both species was also evaluated. The best growth results were obtained when both species were planted on moundings. A positive trend was detected in Pinus taeda when fertilizer was applied.
Soil Carbon Dynamics in Corn-Based Agroecosystems: Results from Carbon-13 Natural Abundance

We used natural 13 C abundance in soils to calculate the fate of C 4 -C inputs in fields cropped to continuous corn (Zea mays L.). Soil samples were collected from eight cultivated and six adjacent, noncultivated sites of the Corn Belt region of the central USA. The amount of organic C in cultivated soils declined an average of 68%, compared with adjacent, noncultivated sites. The δ 13 C of cultivated soil profiles that had been under continuous corn for 8 to 35 yr increased in all depth increments above that of the noncultivated profiles. The percentage of soil organic C (SOC) derived from corn residues and roots ranged from 22 to 40% of the total C. The proportion of corn-derived C, as determined by this technique, decreased with soil depth and was minimal in the 50- to 100-cm depth increments of fine-textured soils. The mean residence time of the non-corn C (C 3 ) ranged from 36 to 108 yr at the surface, and up to 769 yr at the subsoil depth. The longer turnover times were associated with soils high in clay. Prairie-derived soils have a higher potential to sequester C than those derived from forests. The significant loss of total C at all sites and the slow turnover times of the incorporated C lead us to conclude that there is a substantial potential for soils to serve as a C sink and as a significant nutrient reserve in sustainable agriculture.
Flying to Paradise: The Role of Airlift in the Caribbean Tourism Industry

This paper studies the role of airlift supply on the tourism sector in the Caribbean. The paper examines the relative importance of U.S.-Caribbean airlift supply factors such as the number of flights, seats, airlines, and departure cities on U.S. tourist arrivals. The possible endogeneity problem between airlift supply and tourist arrivals is addressed by using a structural panel VAR and individual country VARs. Among the four airlift supply measures, increasing the number of flights is found to be the most effective way to boost tourist arrivals on a sustained basis. As a case study, the possible crowding effect of increasing the number of U.S. flights to Cuba is investigated and, based on past observations, we find no significant impact on flights to other Caribbean countries. The impact of natural disasters on airlift supply and tourist arrivals is also quantified.
Early Triassic stromatolites as post-mass extinction disaster forms

Aftermaths of mass extinctions have been thought to be characterized by relaxation of ecological constraints accompanied by increased prominence of opportunistic generalists. Such taxa, termed 'disaster forms,' have been shown to increase dramatically in range and abundance after several mass extinction events. The Cambrian-Ordovician stromatolite decline in normal-marine level-bottom environments has been explained as a direct or indirect consequence of increases in ecological constraints, such as greater levels of predation and/or bioturbation of microbial communities, caused by early Paleozoic benthic invertebrate evolution and diversification. Thus, one would predict that in post-Ordovician strata, stromatolites might appear in normal-marine level-bottom environments as disaster forms in the aftermaths of mass extinction particularly devastating to the benthic biota, such as during Early Triassic time. Mounded stromatolites are present in two beds (up to 1.5 m thick) of the Lower Triassic (Spathian) Virgin Limestone Member (Moenkopi Formation) in the southwestern Spring Mountains of Nevada. Stromatolites from level-bottom normal-marine subtidal environments have also been described from other Lower Triassic strata in North America, Europe, and Asia. These stromatolites, unusual in level-bottom normal-marine settings, may have developed locally during the long aftermath (4-5 m.y.) of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction because of partial relaxation of the ecological constraintsmore » that typically restricted them from unstressed subtidal, normal-marine, level-bottom environments. « less
Isolation and Identification of Pigments from Marine Actinomycetes, Along with Their Potential Applications

Natural dyes produced by marine microorganisms particularly actinomycetes—have gained significance as a source of active chemicals and pharmaceuticals with potential for medicinal purposes in recent years. This significant finding served as the foundation for the investigation, which aimed to determine the cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of a methanolic pigment extract obtained from the marine actinomycetes VES 01 and VES 04. Based on the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT), both extracts showed substantial toxicity activity. The actinomycetes VES 01 and VES 04 pigment crude extracts had lethal concentration 50% (LC50) values of 92. 64µg/mL and 134.21 mg/mL, respectively, according to the data. When those extracts were evaluated for antibacterial efficacy against a variety of microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli showed the best inhibition rates. Additionally, we used 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals to measure the antioxidant activity. The findings demonstrated that the actinomycetes VES 01 and VES 04 pigment crude extracts had inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values of 228.08 µg/mL and 346.3 µg/mL, respectively. We identified the chemical components of actinomycete pigment crude extracts using GC-MS analysis. The results showed that the most prevalent chemicals were 5-Methoxypyrrolidin-2-one (30.23%) for VES 04, 1H-Purine-2,6-dione, and 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl- (CAS) (44.65%) for VES 01 and VES 04. This work showed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicological properties of two pigment crude extracts obtained from actinimycetes actinomycetes VES 01 and VES 04. In terms of antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 8739, actnomycete VES 04 pigment crude extract was the most effective, whereas actnomycete VES 01 pigment crude extract revealed the highest level of antioxidant activity.