Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen isotopes of amino acids in marine sediment: a burgeoning tool to assess organic matter quality and changes in supplied nitrate delta 15N

Compound-specific nitrogen (N) isotopic analysis (δ15N) of amino acids (AA), or CSI-AA, is a novel approach to understand N cycling. We expand upon initial observations at a productive, hypoxic margin to provide insight into source and transformation of sedimentary organic nitrogen from varied depositional conditions in a complex N cycling zone, the eastern tropical Pacific. δ15NAA patterns are generally well preserved, matching original mixed plankton inputs with some evidence for microbial degradation. There is appreciable δ15N offset between total N (bulk) and total AA N, where AA N is enriched. Source AA, previously understood to record changing baseline δ15N, are fundamentally different in marine sediments. We use modeling to rigorously test whether the total AA δ15N instead tracks changing baseline δ15N. Lastly we employ this new understanding of δ15NAA in sediments to compare with published whole sediment (δ15Nbulk) records, demonstrating the utility and wealth of information provided by CSI-AA.
Inland Fisheries in China: Past, Present, and Future

ABSTRACT As the largest fisheries producer nation (including capture fisheries and aquaculture in both inland and marine waters), information about China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) is essential to evaluate the status of aquatic natural resources, the challenge of food security, and to guide policy implementation for future sustainable fisheries development. In this study, the official Chinese statistical data on inland capture fisheries and aquaculture from the earliest available year of 1949 to the latest year of 2013 were first summarized. Chinese inland fisheries in current status were evaluated by maximum net primary productivity, and their future development was projected from a scientific point of view. As a result, Chinese inland fisheries are already unsustainable and overexploited, and some species have been extirpated or are facing extirpation. Because of the unbalanced, geographic distributions of water resources and human density, inland aquaculture is oversaturated in eastern China, which also suffers from water pollution, species invasions, and fauna reconstruction. To continue to provide freshwater aquatic food for the increasing human population, a precautionary plan, as well as new techniques, are needed, along with an awareness of possible ecological after-effects.
Nutrient management planners' feedback on New York and Pennsylvania phosphorus indices

State phosphorus indices (PIs) are being evaluated across the United States due to variability in phosphorus (P) management recommendations and questions about the lack of water quality improvement in some watersheds. Nutrient management planners in New York (NY) and Pennsylvania (PA) were surveyed via two separate “but related” questionnaires to document perspectives on the current NY-PI and PA-PI and to obtain recommendations for improvements. Many planners were content with the current versions of the PIs but felt improvements could be made to more strongly discourage application of manure under conditions of high P loss potential and better promote certain best management practices. The NY planners felt that the NY-PI should discourage manure application during winter and to fields near streams, and should more strongly promote manure incorporation or injection, establishment of cover crops, ground coverage with crop residues, and implementation of setbacks and vegetated buffers. Similarly, the PA planners felt that the PA-PI should more strongly discourage manure application to fields with insufficient ground cover, near subsurface drainage and surface inlets, and during winter. In addition, the PA planners said the PA-PI should more strongly encourage soil conservation practices such as no-till, use of cover crops, and vegetated buffers. Results of the survey suggest common experiences and viewpoints among planners in NY and PA, resulting in a valuable on-the-ground assessment of the PIs as a nutrient management planning tool in both states, and the potential for development of a single, physiographic region PI.
An assessment of the effectiveness of the preventive maintenance policy in enhancing quality assurance in education provision: A case of selected primary schools in Chibombo District, Zambia

The purpose of this study was to investigate on an assessment of the effectiveness of the preventive maintenance policy in enhancing quality assurance in education provision: a case of selected schools in Chibombo district. The study employed a mixed paradigm and descriptive survey design that sampled DEBS officials, Head teachers, PMS coordinators, teachers and pupils. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, questionnaires and observation checklist. The target population was 1280 respondents while the sample size was 128 respondents. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed manually in some cases and also, a combination of software MS Access and MS Excel. According to the findings, the study found that the activities which was in place was general cleaning one day per week. The study also found that discontinuity was the biggest challenge administrators experienced, and that many projects were abandoned. Unfortunately, the motto that "prevention is better than cure" was not evident among teachers and learners. The conclusion of this study with respect to the application of ethical theories to the findings is that the inner ethical motivation required for adequate care of property in teachers and learners is missing. The study therefore recommended that there is a need for greater emphasis to be placed on character formation in education as is specified in the Zambian Document Educating Our Future. Also, the spirit of the PMS policy directives needs to be more greatly emphasized in order to motivate action, rather than the more exclusive legal dimension which does not suffice to ensure the implementation of the policy.
Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Male Breast: a Rare Case Report

Introduction: Primary Neuroendocrine (NE) Carcinoma, male breast is an extremely rare malignancy. NE breast carcinomas comprises of a heterogeneous group of tumors which exhibit morphological features similar to NE tumors of gut and lungs. This case highlights the clinical features, histogenesis and diagnostic criteria of this extremely rare entity.
Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scan in the Follow-Up of Lymphoma

Purpose In lymphoma, [F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is routinely used for initial staging, early evaluation of treatment response, and identification of disease relapse. However, there are no prospective studies investigating the value of serial FDG-PET over time in patients in complete remission. Patients and Methods All patients with lymphoma who achieved the first complete remission were prospectively enrolled onto the study and scheduled for serial FDG-PET scans at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months; further scans were then carried out on an annual basis. Overall, the population included 421 patients (160 patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma [HL], 183 patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [NHL], and 78 patients with indolent follicular NHL). All patients had a regular follow-up evaluation, including complete clinical and laboratory evaluation, and final assessment of any suspect FDG-PET findings using other imaging procedures (computed tomography [CT] scan) and/or biopsy and/or clinical evolution. FDG-PET findings were reported as positive for relapse, inconclusive (when equivocal), or negative for relapse. Results PET enabled documentation of lymphoma relapse in 41 cases at 6 months, in 30 cases at 12 months, in 26 cases at 18 months, in 10 cases at 24 months, and in 11 cases at more than 36 months. All 36 patients with inconclusive positive PET underwent biopsy; only 12 (33%) of 36 patients had a concomitant suggestion of positivity on CT. A lymphoma relapse was diagnosed in 24 (66%) of 36 patients. Conclusion Our results confirm FDG-PET as a valid tool for follow-up of patients with HL and NHL. In patients with inconclusive positive results, histologic confirmation plays an important role in identifying true relapse. J Clin Oncol 27:1781-1787. © 2009 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
An Analysis of the Dynamics of Ties on Twitter

Online social networks are the breeding grounds for user connections, fostering information exchange, communication, content sharing, and community building. However, the dissolution of these digital relationships, often a less-explored facet, complements the studies of tie formation and maintenance. A comprehensive grasp of these connections, encompassing their inception, unraveling, and the potential foresight of disconnections, offers invaluable insights into network dynamics and the progression of interpersonal bonds. Yet, the investigation of broken ties faces a substantial challenge: the paucity of longitudinal and detailed data. To bridge this gap, this paper curates an expansive dataset, spanning over 120,000 Twitter users tracked across 15 weeks with weekly snapshots. Armed with this dataset, we embark on an extensive exploration of Twitter links, delving into five distinct categories within the Twitter social graph. These categories encompass structural features like centrality, content-related aspects, including post polarity, user profile attributes like verified status, egocentric network elements such as reciprocity, and dense user representations typified by node2vec. Subsequently, we conduct a thorough analysis of these diverse features to unveil meaningful patterns.
Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Andrographis lineata Nees (Acanthaceae)

Andrographis lineata Nees is an erect herb and has been used as a traditional medicine against many diseases. The present study was to investigate the phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of A. lineata plant extracts. The methanolic extracts of A. lineata showed a variety of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids etc. The quantitative estimation of major phytochemical constituents revealed maximum amount of phenolic content in the roots and alkaloids in both the stem and leaf. Correspondingly, the highest amount of tannins and terpenoids were recorded in the leaf and flavonoids in the root samples. Furthermore, the plant extracts of A. lineata showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Comparatively, stem extract was effective against Streptococcus mutans (18.19±0.04 mm), leaf extract against Enterobacter faecalis (24.13±0.14 mm) and root extract against Bacillus subtilis (24.09±0.14 mm) at 30 μg/μL concentration. However, the leaf extract was more effective against Escherichia coli (25.13±0.16 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.20±0.13 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.18±0.17 mm) at 30 μg/μL concentration. The studies infer that the phytochemical constituents of A. lineata have antibacterial properties and these herbs may be considered as the medicinal plant for treating bacterial diseases.
Estimating Dbh from Stump Diameter for 15 Southern Species

INTRODUCTION Data used in this study were gathered In Louisiana (1973) as part of a wood utilization study. The number of samples ranged from 436 for loblolly pine to 14 for yellow-poplar. A species test subset was extracted from every species data set which contained more than 30 sample trees. The majority of the trees were sawtimber size with mean dbh of 12.7 inches for softwoods and 14.4 inches for hardwoods. The mean stump height was 0.8 feet for softwoods and 1.0 feet for hardwoods (table 1).
Green manure crops

Seeding Rate Spring & Summer Seeding Depth to Cover (lbs./1000 sq. ft.) Seed (in.) Comments Legumes Alfalfa 1 ⁄ 2 Has deep rootsand is excellent for mulch. Needs a pH of 6 or higher. Should grow a full season. Beans, Soy 5 1 ⁄ 2 Can be turned under early or be allowed to mature and be harvested. Clover, Alsike ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2 Good for areas too wet or acid for red clover. Clover, Red ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2 Needs a pH of 6 or higher. Should grow a full season. Can be cut for mulch. Clover, White ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2 Needs a pH of 6 or higher. The giant variety, Ladino, is best for green manure. Cowpeas 5 1 ⁄ 2 Fast-growing crop for hot, dry weather. Drought resistant. Sweet clover ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2 Similar to white variety but does better under dry conditions. Pea, winter 5 1 ⁄ 2 Needs well-drained soil with pH above 5.5. Can be spring-planted. Vetch, Hairy 1⁄ 2 ⁄ 4 The most winter-hardy vetch and the best for most situations. Nonlegumes Barley 2⁄ 2 ⁄ 4 Prefers pH 7 to 8. Spring varieties preferred. Kale ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2 Plant in late summer and it will grow on into the winter. Can be eaten anytime. Oats 2⁄ 2 1 Tolerates a wide pH range. Not good on heavy clay. Spring varieties preferred. Rye 2⁄ 2 ⁄ 4 Winter rye is the most hardy of the small grains and a very important winter cover crop. Ryegrass, Annual 1 ⁄ 4 One of the best winter cover crops. Grows rapidly in the fall. Dies before spring and is easy to till under. Wheat 1⁄ 2 ⁄ 4 Prefers pH 7 to 8.5 and fertile soil. Winter variety is very cold-hardy.
Biofilm forming multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus of dairy origin: molecular and evolutionary perspectives

Background: Biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus is a prevailing cause of multidrug resistance. The evolutionary mechanisms of adaption with host and pathogenicity are poorly understood. Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the biofilm-forming potential, associated multidrug resistance, and the evolutionary analysis of S. aureus isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis. Methods: 122 S. aureus isolates were subjected to Congo red agar method (CRA), microtitre plate method (MTP), and PCR to check the biofilm-forming potential. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibiotic resistance pattern. The icaA gene of isolates was subjected to molecular and evolutionary analysis using different bioinformatics tools. Results: The results showed that 63.93% of S. aureus isolates carried the icaA gene and the detection rate of CRA was higher (36.07%) compared to the MTP test (24.59%). A total of 78.21% and 56.41% of biofilm-positive isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), respectively. All S. aureus isolates (100%) showed multidrug resistance. The molecular analysis showed an evolutionary link between isolates and revealed a strong codon bias, three different recombination events, and positive selection in some residues of the semi-conserved segments of the icaA gene. Conclusion: The study concluded that biofilm-positive isolates have a high tendency to exhibit methicillin, vancomycin, and multidrug resistance. The findings suggest that mutation and selection are the most likely causes of codon bias in the icaA gene sequences. The variations led by recombination events and positive selection are suggestive of bacterial strategy to combat antimicrobial effects and to escape the host’s immune surveillance.
Modelling of longitudinally cut carrot curling induced by the vascular cylinder-cortex interference pressure

Cut carrot pieces are popular convenience foods, which enable the use of misshapen or physiologically imperfect produce. Cut carrots curl due to residual stress, which limits their shelf life and causes unnecessary food waste. The aim of this study is to identify the geometrical and environmental factors which have the most influence on their longevity. An analytical equation was developed using compound cylinder solutions, and this was used to define carrot-specific finite element (FE) models. Over 100 longitudinally cut Lancashire Nantes carrot halves were characterized, each was modelled analytically and verified using FE models. This model was evaluated by comparing predicted curvatures to ones experimentally measured over a week. The average radius of curvature decreased from 1.61 to 1.1 m a week after. A 1.32× reduction in the elastic modulus after 7 days was observed. The moisture content reduction relates to 22% weight loss, correlating to the decreasing radius of curvature. Subsequently, carrots are recommended to be stored in humidity-controlled environments. The experimental results from this study match the predictions made using mechanical principles. The research provides a methodology to predict the deformation of cut root vegetables, and the procedure is likely to be applicable to other plant structures.
Assessment of hematology laboratory performance in the total testing process using quality indicators and sigma metrics in the northwest of Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background and Aims Assuring laboratory quality by minimizing the magnitude of errors is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to assess hematology laboratory performance in the total testing process using quality indicators and sigma metrics. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to June 2022. The study included a total of 13,546 samples. Data on included variables were collected using a checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to present the overall distribution of errors. Binary logistic regression models were applied. Furthermore, using a Sigma scale, the percentage of errors was converted to defects per million opportunities to assess laboratory performance. Finally, the defect per million opportunities was converted to a sigma value using a sigma calculator. Results Of the 13,546 samples and corresponding requests, the overall error rate was 123,296/474,234 (26%): 93,412/47,234 (19.7%) pre‐analytical, 2364/474,234 (0.5%) analytical, and 27,520/474,234 (5.8%) post‐analytical. Of the overall errors, 93,412/123,296 (75.8%), 2364/123,296 (1.9%), and 27,520/123,296 (22.3%) were pre‐analytical, analytical, and post‐analytical errors, respectively. The overall sigma value of the laboratory was 2.2. The sigma values of the pre‐analytical, analytical, and post‐analytical phases were 2.4, 4.1, and 3.1, respectively. The sample from the inpatient department and collected without adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) rejection rate as compared to the outpatient department and collected with adherence to SOPs, respectively. In addition, an association between prolonged turnaround times and manual recording, inpatient departments, and morning work shifts was observed. Conclusion The current study found that the overall performance of the laboratory was very poor (less than three sigma). Therefore, the hospital leadership should change the manual system of ordering tests and release of results to a computerized system and give need‐based training for all professionals involved in hematology laboratory sample collection and processing.
Sulforaphane inhibits TGF-β-induced fibrogenesis and inflammation in human Tenon’s fibroblasts

Purpose Subconjunctival fibrosis is the main cause of failure after glaucoma filtration surgery. We explored the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on the conversion of human Tenon’s fibroblasts (HTFs) into myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor (TGF)–β-induced contraction of collagen gel, and inflammation. Methods After treatment with the combination of TGF-β and SFN or TGF-β alone, primary HTFs were subjected to a three-dimensional collagen contraction experiment to examine their contractility. Levels of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM), and phosphorylation of various signaling molecules were determined by western blot or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Fluorescence microscopy was employed to examine stress fiber formation in HTFs. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were determined using RT-qPCR. Results The contraction of myofibroblasts caused by TGF-β was significantly suppressed by SFN. This suppressive effect was exerted via the differentiation of HTFs into myofibroblasts by inhibiting the production of fibronectin and the expression of α-SMA. Moreover, SFN treatment reduced the expression of TGF-β-promoted integrins β1 and α5, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and stress fiber formation, as well as the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and CTGF. Finally, TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylations were attenuated by SFN. Conclusions SFN inhibits HTF contractility, differentiation into myofibroblasts, and inflammation caused by TGF-β. These effects are mediated by both classic and non-classic signaling pathways. Our results indicate that SFN has potent anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in HTFs and is a potential candidate for subconjunctival fibrosis therapy.
Identification of a New Compound (4-Fluoro-2-Trifluoromethyl Imidazole) Extracted from a New Halophilic Bacillus aquimaris Strain Persiangulf TA2 Isolated from the Northern Persian Gulf with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Effect

Background: The unique ecosystem of the Persian Gulf has made it a rich source of natural antimicrobial compounds produced by various microorganisms, especially bacteria, which can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases, especially those of drug-resistant microbes. Objectives: This study aimed to identify antimicrobial compounds in the bacteria isolated from the northern region of the Persian Gulf in Abadan (Chavibdeh port), Iran, for the first time. Materials and Methods: Sampling was performed in the fall on November 15, 2019, from 10 different stations (water and sediment samples). The secondary metabolites of all isolates were extracted, and their antimicrobial effects were investigated. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing was used for the identification of the strains that showed the best inhibition against selected pathogens, and growth conditions were optimized for them. A fermentation medium in a volume of 5000 mL was prepared to produce the antimicrobial compound by the superior strain. The extracted antimicrobial compounds were identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined for the superior strain. The effects of salinity, pH, and temperature on the production of antimicrobial compounds were determined by measuring the inhibitory region (mm) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results: Four new strains with antimicrobial properties (i.e., Halomonas sp. strain Persiangulf TA1, Bacillus aquimaris strain Persiangulf TA2, Salinicoccus roseus strain Persiangulf TA4, and Exiguobacterium profundum strain Persiangulf TA9) were identified. The optimum growth temperatures were determined at 37-30, 37, and 40 °C for TA1 and TA2, TA4, and TA9 strains, respectively. The optimum pH values for the four strains were 7, 6-7, 7.5, and 6.5-7.5, respectively. The optimal salt concentrations for the four strains were 15%, 2.5-5%, 7.5%, and 5%, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of strain Persiangulf TA2 showed extensive antimicrobial activity against human pathogens (75%) and MRSA. The most abundant compound identified in TA2 extract was the new compound 4-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl imidazole. The MBC and MIC for the ethyl acetate extract of strain TA2 were 20 and 5 mg. mL-1 (Staphylococcus aureus), 40 and 20 mg. mL-1 (MRSA, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis), 40 and 10 mg. mL-1 Acinetobacter baumannii), and 80 and 40 mg. mL-1 (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Shigella sp., Bacillus cereus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), respectively. The optimal conditions for antibiotic production by TA2 strain were 5% salt concentration, pH of 7, and temperature of 35 °C. Conclusion: Newly detected natural compounds in TA2 strain due to superior antimicrobial activity even against MRSA strain can be clinically valuable in pharmacy and treatment.