Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regional pattern and interannual variations in global terrestrial carbon uptake in response to changes in climate and atmospheric CO2

Atmospheric measurements indicate that the terrestrial carbon sink increased substantially from the 1980s to the 1990s, but which factors and regions were responsible for the increase are not well identified yet. Using process- and remote sensing-based ecosystem models, we show that changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 in the period 1981–2000 enhanced net ecosystem production (NEP) and caused major geographical changes in the global distribution of NEP. In the 1980s the Americas accounted for almost all of the global NEP, but in the 1990s NEP in Eurasia and Africa became higher than that of the Americas. The year-to-year variation in global NEP was up to 2.5 Pg C (1 Pg = 1015 g), in which 1.4 Pg C was attributable to the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO). NEP clearly decreased in El Niño and increased in La Niña in South America and Africa, but the response in North America and Eurasia was mixed. The estimated NEP increases accounted for only 30% of the global terrestrial carbon sink but can explain almost all of the increase from the 1980s to the 1990s. Because a large part of the increase in NEP was driven by the long-term trend of climate and atmospheric CO2, the increase in the global terrestrial carbon sink from the 1980s to the 1990s was a continuation of the trend since the middle of the twentieth century, rather than merely a consequence of short-time climate variability.
Factor Structure of the Suicide Cognitions Scale in a National Sample of Female Veterans

Abstract Objective The Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) may be beneficial for suicide risk assessment. However, research has identified diverging factor structures and focused primarily on samples composed of males. Given limited prior research with female veterans, who have experienced increased rates of suicide, we examined the factor structure of the SCS among a national sample of female veterans. Method Four-hundred thirty-one female veterans using and not using Veterans Health Administration care participated in an anonymous survey. Results Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor solution, consistent with some prior research. This factor structure was not replicated in a confirmatory factor analysis. Conclusions Findings did not identify a consistent factor structure for the SCS among a sample of female veterans. Research is warranted to determine if suicide-specific cognitions differ among female veterans and to identify SCS items that should be added or removed to produce a more consistent factor structure among female veterans. Highlights A consistent factor structure of the SCS among female Veterans was not identified Suicide-specific cognitions may differ among female Veterans Addition or removal of SCS items may be warranted in this population
Targeting interventions for HIV testing and treatment uptake: An attitudinal and behavioural segmentation of men aged 20–34 in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, South Africa

Despite recent improvements, men still have worse HIV outcomes than women in South Africa. This study describes how young men form distinct behavioural and attitudinal subgroups, and is intended to inform the design of targeted interventions to encourage HIV testing and initiation on antiretroviral therapy. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey with questions on men’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours around HIV/AIDS. A total of 2,019 men were randomly sampled from eight district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces between October 2018 and January 2019. Men were eligible to participate if they were aged 20–34, Black African, had an education level below university graduation, were aware of HIV and were willing to disclose whether they had tested for HIV. Each participant responded to a questionnaire asking about their demographic characteristics, reported sexual behaviour, engagement with HIV testing and treatment services, alcohol consumption, HIV knowledge, attitudes to gender equity and reported level of depressive symptoms. Data were analysed using canonical correlation, hierarchical clustering and factor analysis techniques to produce five groups of men. The results were synthesised using Human Centred Design principles to suggests areas for potential intervention for each segment. The results showed that men vary based on their attitudes to gender and masculinity, use of alcohol, testing and treatment behaviour, HIV-related fears and preferences for testing modalities. Segment 1 (21%) avoids the topic of HIV, perhaps fearful of the impact on his life. Segment 2 (23%) is well connected to his community and has social concerns about HIV. Segment 3 (15%) struggles with more distal determinants of HIV acquisition such as unemployment and poor mental health. Segment 4 (25%) has concerns about the lifestyle changes that would be required if he were HIV positive. Segment 5 (16%) has a strong traditional mindset and is fearful of the ramifications of HIV in his community. The results will be used to design targeted interventions to increase HIV testing and treatment rates among young men in South Africa. Further research is required to understand the impact of interventions designed in this way.
Aging and pathological aging signatures of the brain: through the focusing lens of SIRT6

Brain-specific SIRT6-KO mice present increased DNA damage, learning impairments, and neurodegenerative phenotypes, placing SIRT6 as a key protein in preventing neurodegeneration. In the aging brain, SIRT6 levels/activity decline, which is accentuated in Alzheimer’s patients. To understand SIRT6 roles in transcript pattern changes, we analyzed transcriptomes of young WT, old WT and young SIRT6-KO mice brains, and found changes in gene expression related to healthy and pathological aging. In addition, we traced these differences in human and mouse samples of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, healthy aging and calorie restriction (CR). Our results define four gene expression categories that change with age in a pathological or non-pathological manner, which are either reversed or not by CR. We found that each of these gene expression categories is associated with specific transcription factors, thus serving as potential candidates for their category-specific regulation. One of these candidates is YY1, which we found to act together with SIRT6 regulating specific processes. We thus argue that SIRT6 has a pivotal role in preventing age-related transcriptional changes in brains. Therefore, reduced SIRT6 activity may drive pathological age-related gene expression signatures in the brain.
Fibrinogen in the glioblastoma microenvironment contributes to the invasiveness of brain tumor‐initiating cells

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are highly aggressive, recurrent, and lethal brain tumors that are maintained via brain tumor‐initiating cells (BTICs). The aggressiveness of BTICs may be dependent on the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that are highly enriched within the GBM microenvironment. Here, we investigated the expression of ECM molecules in GBM patients by mining the transcriptomic databases and also staining human GBM specimens. RNA levels for fibronectin, brevican, versican, heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2), and several laminins were high in GBMs compared to normal brain, and this was corroborated by immunohistochemistry. While fibrinogen transcript was at normal level in GBM, its protein immunoreactivity was prominent within GBM tissues. These ECM molecules in tumor specimens were in proximity to, and surrounding BTICs. In culture, fibronectin and pan‐laminin induced the adhesion of BTICs onto the plastic substratum. However, fibrinogen increased the size of the BTIC spheres by facilitating the adhesive property, motility, and invasiveness of BTICs. These features of elevated invasiveness were corroborated in resected GBM specimens by the close proximity of fibrinogen with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and‐9, which are proteases implicated in metastasis. Moreover, the effect of fibrinogen‐induced invasiveness was attenuated in BTICs where MMP‐2 and ‐9 have been inhibited with siRNAs or pharmacological inhibitors. Our results implicate fibrinogen in GBM as a mediator of the invasive properties of BTICs, and as a target for therapy to reduce BTIC tumorigenecity.
Knowledge on and treatment practices of erosive tooth wear among Finnish dentists

Abstract Objectives To investigate Finnish dentists’ knowledge on and means of recording, detecting and diagnosing erosive tooth wear (ETW). Treatment options and possible differences in treatment decisions between general and specialized dentists were also evaluated. Materials and methods An electronic questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 3664 Finnish dentists. Respondents’ gender, age, work experience, field of specialty, and practice location were requested. The questionnaire also included a patient case where the dentists were asked about their choice of treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using means, proportions, and cross tabulations. Results Response rate was 24% (n = 866). Almost all respondents (98.0%) recorded ETW in patient files, but only 4.1% used a detailed scoring system. Of the respondents, 64.4% usually found the cause of ETW. Use of carbonated beverages (84.3%), energy drinks (57.0%), and reflux disease (53.1%) were reported to be probable causes. The majority of the respondents (80.9%) usually assessed patient’s dietary history while 1.9% evaluated saliva secretion rate. When asked about treatment decisions of ETW patients, the differences between general dentists and specialized dentists were not as obvious as hypothesized. Conclusions This study suggests that the Finnish dentists who participated in this survey are able to detect and/or diagnose erosive tooth wear, but there is variation in recording it. The differences in treatment decisions between general dentists and specialized dentists seem to be moderate. The treatment practices for ETW are not established and further research to create clinical guidelines seems to be needed.
Cerebrospinal fluid NCAM-1 concentration is associated with neurodevelopmental outcome in post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity

Objective Efforts directed at mitigating neurological disability in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are limited by a dearth of quantifiable metrics capable of predicting long-term outcome. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between candidate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of PHH and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants undergoing neurosurgical treatment for PHH. Study design Preterm infants with PHH were enrolled across the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network. CSF samples were collected at the time of temporizing neurosurgical procedure (n = 98). Amyloid precursor protein (APP), L1CAM, NCAM-1, and total protein (TP) were compared in PHH versus control CSF. Fifty-four of these PHH subjects underwent Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Bayley-III) testing at 15–30 months corrected age. Controlling for false discovery rate (FDR) and adjusting for post-menstrual age (PMA) and IVH grade, Pearson’s partial correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between CSF proteins and Bayley-III composite cognitive, language, and motor scores. Results CSF APP, L1CAM, NCAM-1, and TP were elevated in PHH over control at temporizing surgery. CSF NCAM-1 was associated with Bayley-III motor score (R = -0.422, p = 0.007, FDR Q = 0.089), with modest relationships noted with cognition (R = -0.335, p = 0.030, FDR Q = 0.182) and language (R = -0.314, p = 0.048, FDR Q = 0.194) scores. No relationships were observed between CSF APP, L1CAM, or TP and Bayley-III scores. FOHR at the time of temporization did not correlate with Bayley-III scores, though trends were observed with Bayley-III motor (p = 0.0647 and R = -0.2912) and cognitive scores (p = 0.0506 and R = -0.2966). Conclusion CSF NCAM-1 was associated with neurodevelopment in this multi-institutional PHH cohort. This is the first report relating a specific CSF protein, NCAM-1, to neurodevelopment in PHH. Future work will further investigate a possible role for NCAM-1 as a biomarker of PHH-associated neurological disability.
Gender-related differences in frontal-parietal modular segregation and altered effective connectivity in internet gaming disorder

Abstract Background Although previous studies have revealed gender-related differences in executive function in internet gaming disorder (IGD), neural mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear, especially in terms of brain networks. Methods Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 78 subjects with IGD (39 males, 20.8 ± 2.16 years old) and 72 with recreational game use (RGU) (39 males, 21.5 ± 2.56 years old). By utilizing graph theory, we calculated participation coefficients among brain network modules for all participants and analyzed the diagnostic-group-by-gender interactions. We further explored possible causal relationships between networks through spectral dynamic causal modeling (spDCM) to assess differences in between-network connections. Results Compared to males with RGU, males with IGD demonstrated reduced modular segregation of the frontal-parietal network (FPN). Male IGD subjects also showed increased connections between the FPN and cingulo-opercular network (CON); however, these differences were not found in female subjects. Further spDCM analysis indicated that the causal influence from CON to FPN in male IGD subjects was enhanced relative to that of RGU males, while this influence was relatively reduced in females with IGD. Conclusions These results suggest poor modular segmentation of the FPN and abnormal FPN/CON connections in males with IGD, suggesting a mechanism for male vulnerability to IGD. An increased “bottom-up” effect from the CON to FPN in male IGD subjects could reflect dysfunction between the brain networks. Different mechanisms may underlie in IGD, suggesting that different interventions may be optimal in males and females with IGD.
Plastome genomics in South American maize landraces: chloroplast lineages parallel the geographic structuring of nuclear gene pools.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The number of plastome sequences has increased exponentially during the last decade. However, there is still little knowledge of the levels and distribution of intraspecific variation. The aims of this study were to estimate plastome diversity within Zea mays and analyze the distribution of haplotypes in connection with the landrace groups previously delimited for South American maize based on nuclear markers. METHODS We obtained the complete plastomes of 30 South American maize landraces and three teosintes by means of Next Generation Sequencing and used them in combination with data from public repositories. After quality filtering, the curated data was employed to search for SNPs, INDELs and cpSSRs. Exact permutational contingency tests were performed to assess associations between plastome and nuclear variation. Network and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were used to infer evolutionary relationships among haplotypes. KEY RESULTS Our analyses identified a total of 124 polymorphic plastome loci, with the intergenic regions psbE-rps18, petN-rpoB, trnL_UAG-ndhF and rpoC2-atpI exhibiting the highest marker densities. Although restricted in number, these markers allowed the discrimination of 27 haplotypes in a total of 51 Zea mays individuals. Andean and lowland South America landraces differed significantly in haplotype distribution. However, overall differentiation patterns were not informative with respect to subspecies diversification, as evidenced by the scattered distribution of maize and teosinte plastomes in both the network and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of intraspecific plastome variation provides the framework for a more comprehensive understanding of evolutionary processes at low taxonomic levels and may become increasingly important for future plant barcoding efforts. Whole-plastome sequencing provided useful variability to contribute to maize phylogeographic studies. The structuring of haplotype diversity in the maize landraces examined here clearly reflects the distinction between the Andean and South American lowland gene pools previously inferred based on nuclear markers.
The effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy supplementation on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase levels in growing pigs.

The specialization of swine production and the market demand for pigs at different growth stages makes road transportation inevitable. However, road transportation usually causes a stress response in pigs. It is reported that homeopathic remedies supplementation could alleviate the stress response in pigs. This study investigated the effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy (Convermax) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in growing pigs. A total of 180 49-day old growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 13.17 ± 0.02 kg were randomly allotted to 2 groups based on the initial body weight, containing 18 replicates with 5 pigs (mixed sex) in each. The pigs were fed dietary supplementation of a homeopathic remedy (Convermax) (0 or 200 mg/kg of feed, as-fed) for 35 days. On day 21, forty-five pigs (70-day old; 25.25 ± 0.37 kg) were randomly selected from each group and assigned to either 2 hr of road transportation or no road transportation, resulting in a 2×2 factorial design. We found that road transportation led to an increase in the fecal coliform bacteria counts (P = 0.023) and serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.039) and a decrease in the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration (P < 0.001). However, supplementing homeopathic remedy (Convermax) to the diet of growing pigs increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.042), apparent nitrogen digestibility (P = 0.019), and serum SOD concentration (P = 0.007), whereas decreased serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.022). In brief, road transportation induced stress response for growing pigs and increased harmful bacteria counts in their intestines. Dietary supplementation of homeopathic remedy (Convermax) alleviated stress response, improved apparent nitrogen digestibility, and increased gain to feed ratio. However, no significant interactive effects between road transportation with or without dietary homeopathic remedy (Convermax) levels were observed on the detected parameters in growing pigs.
Density-functional-theory approach to the Hamiltonian adaptive resolution simulation method

In the Hamiltonian adaptive resolution simulation method (H–AdResS) it is possible to simulate coexisting atomistic (AT) and ideal gas representations of a physical system that belong to different subdomains within the simulation box. The Hamiltonian includes a field that bridges both models by smoothly switching on (off) the intermolecular potential as particles enter (leave) the AT region. In practice, external one-body forces are calculated and applied to enforce a reference density throughout the simulation box, and the resulting external potential adds up to the Hamiltonian. This procedure suggests an apparent dependence of the final Hamiltonian on the system’s thermodynamic state that challenges the method’s statistical mechanics consistency. In this paper, we explicitly include an external potential that depends on the switching function. Hence, we build a grand canonical potential for this inhomogeneous system to find the equivalence between H–AdResS and density functional theory (DFT). We thus verify that the external potential inducing a constant density profile is equal to the system’s excess chemical potential. Given DFT’s one-to-one correspondence between external potential and equilibrium density, we find that a Hamiltonian description of the system is compatible with the numerical implementation based on enforcing the reference density across the simulation box. In the second part of the manuscript, we focus on assessing our approach’s convergence and computing efficiency concerning various model parameters, including sample size and solute concentrations. To this aim, we compute the excess chemical potential of water, aqueous urea solutions and Lennard–Jones (LJ) mixtures. The results’ convergence and accuracy are convincing in all cases, thus emphasising the method’s robustness and capabilities.
Magnetic and gas dynamic effects on arc motion in miniature circuit breakers

This paper presents new results on the magnetic and atmospheric environment in the arc chamber of a miniature circuit breaker under short circuit conditions. Finite element magnetic field calculations provide data on the flux density in the arc chamber and the effects of steel plates placed around the arc chamber. The magnetic calculations are used with a one-dimensional flow model to assess the influence of the magnetic environment on the arc dynamics. The results are compared with new experimental data on arc dynamics obtained using an optical fibre imaging system in a production miniature circuit breaker. Additional information on the environment within the arc chamber is supplied by pressure and conductance measurements. Results show that the presence of steel in the sides of the arc chamber has a large effect on the magnetic field and the arc dynamics. Plasma jet and pressure wave formation have a significant effect on atmospheric conditions in the arc chamber.
Differences in Physiological Traits Among Salt‐Stressed Barley Genotypes

Abstract The effect of salinity on some physiological parameters in 16 barley genotypes with different salt tolerance was investigated. The results showed 50 mM NaCl treatment increased Na+/K+ ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents, and decreased cell membrane stability index (CMSI) and fresh shoot biomass (FSB) of all tested genotypes. Salt stress also resulted in a decreased chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthesis (Pn) for most genotypes. Under higher salt stress (300 mM NaCl), the marked increase for Na+/K+, MDA, and proline content, and decrease for other parameters were found for all genotypes. The affected extent of these parameters by salt stress varied with genotypes. Proline accumulation in barley was associated with injured extent under salt stress, indicating it is not a defensive reaction to the stress. K+ uptake was less affected, whereas Na+ accumulation in plants was enhanced under high salt stress. The correlation analysis showed that MDA and proline content, Na+ concentration and Na+/K+ were negatively correlated with FSB, whereas other parameters examined in the study were positively correlated with FSB.
Microstructural interpretation of Ni ohmic contact on n-type 4H–SiC

Using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), microstructural changes in Ni contacts on n-type 4H–SiC as a function of annealing temperature were investigated. From these results, the correlation between the microstructural change and electrical properties was interpreted. After annealing at 800 °C, which yielded rectifying behavior, the silicide phases were formed, composed of Ni2Si and Ni31Si12. From the results shown in microbeam diffraction patterns, Ni31Si12 remains at the surface and Ni2Si is dominant in the contact, indicating that Ni2Si started to grow at the interface through the outdiffusion of Si atoms. When the sample was annealed at 950 °C, ohmic behavior was shown, and the layer structure was changed to a C-rich layer/Ni2Si/NiSi/n-type SiC. The NiSi phase was observed. These results imply that the composition of Si in nickel silicide at the interface with SiC increased with the increase of annealing temperature. The observation of the graphite phase at the surface indicates t.