Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interstitial Water Chemistry and Diagenesis of Biogenic Sediments from the Eastern Equatorial Pacific, Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 85

The concentration changes in pore waters of dissolved calcium, magnesium, sulfate, strontium, and silica and of alkalinity are controlled by diagenetic reactions occurring within the biogenic sediments of DSDP Sites 572, 573, and 574. Downcore increases in dissolved Sr 2 + indicate recrystallization of calcite, and increases in dissolved SiO2 reflect dissolution of amorphous silica. Minor gradients in dissolved C a 2 + and Mg 2 + suggest little if any influence from reactions involving volcanic sediments or basalt. Differences in interstitial water profiles showing the downhole trends of these chemical species mark variations in carbonate and silica diagenesis, sediment compositions, and sedimentation rate histories among the sites. The location and extent of carbonate diagenesis in these sediments are determined from Sr/Ca distributions between the interstitial waters and the bulk carbonate samples. Pore water strontium increases in the upper 100 to 250 m of sediment are assumed to reflect diffusion from underlying zones where calcite recrystallization has occurred. On the basis of calculations of dissolved strontium production and comparisons between observed and calculated "equilibrium" Sr/ Ca ratios of the solids, approximately 30 to 50% of the carbonate has recrystallized in these deeper intervals. These estimates agree with the observed amounts of chalk at these sites. Variations in Sr/Ca ratios of these carbonates reflect differences in calcareous microfossil content, in diagenetic history, and, possibly, in changes in seawater Sr/Ca with time. Samples of porcelanite recovered below 300 m at Site 572 suggest formation at temperatures 20 to 30° C greater than ones estimated assuming oceanic geothermal gradients from sedimentary sections similar to those recovered on Leg 85. The higher temperatures may partially account for higher Sr/Ca ratios determined for recrystallized carbonates from this site.
Expansion of Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C Clonal Complex 10217 during Meningitis Outbreak, Burkina Faso, 2019

During January 28–May 5, 2019, a meningitis outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC) occurred in Burkina Faso. Demographic and laboratory data for meningitis cases were collected through national case-based surveillance. Cerebrospinal fluid was collected and tested by culture and real-time PCR. Among 301 suspected cases reported in 6 districts, N. meningitidis was the primary pathogen detected; 103 cases were serogroup C and 13 were serogroup X. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that 18 cerebrospinal fluid specimens tested positive for NmC sequence type (ST) 10217 within clonal complex 10217, an ST responsible for large epidemics in Niger and Nigeria. Expansion of NmC ST10217 into Burkina Faso, continued NmC outbreaks in the meningitis belt of Africa since 2019, and ongoing circulation of N. meningitidis serogroup X in the region underscore the urgent need to use multivalent conjugate vaccines in regional mass vaccination campaigns to reduce further spread of those serogroups.
Evaluation of the AWAP daily precipitation spatial analysis with an independent gauge network in the Snowy Mountains

The Bureau of Meteorology's Australian Water Availability Project (AWAP) daily precipitation analysis provides high resolution rainfall data by interpolating rainfall gauge data, but when evaluated against a spatially dense independent gauge network in the Snowy Mountains large systematic biases are identified. Direct comparisons with the gauge data in May–September between 2007 and 2014 reveal average root mean square errors of about 4.5 mm, which is slightly greater than the average daily precipitation amount, and the errors are larger for higher elevation gauges. A standard Barnes objective analysis is performed on the combined set of independent gauges and Bureau of Meteorology gauges in the region to examine the spatial characteristics of the differences. The largest differences are found on the western (windward) slopes, where the Barnes analysis is up to double the value of the AWAP analysis. These differences are attributed to a) the lack of Bureau of Meteorology gauges in the area to empirically represent the precipitation climatology, and b) the inability of the AWAP analysis to account for the steep topography exposed to the prevailing winds. At high elevation (>1400 m) the Barnes analysis suggests that the precipitation amount is about fifteen percent greater than that of the AWAP analysis, where the difficulties of measuring frozen precipitation likely have a large impact.
Partial Stent-in-Stent Method with an Uncovered Self-Expandable Metallic Stent for Unresectable Malignant Hilar Bile Duct Obstruction

(1) Background: There is controversy regarding stent placement for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (UMHBO). We mainly use the partial stent-in-stent (PSIS) method with an uncovered self-expandable metallic stent (UCSEMS) based on the drainage area and patency period. In this study, we investigated the usefulness and safety of the PSIS method. (2) Methods: In total, 59 patients who underwent the PSIS method for UMHBO at our hospital were included in the study. The technical success rate, clinical success rate, time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO) and overall survival (OS) from the first placement, factors affecting TRBO and OS, and early complications within 30 days after the procedure were evaluated retrospectively. (3) Results: The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 96.6%, respectively, with a TRBO of 121 days [95% confidence interval: 82–231] and an OS of 194 days [95% confidence interval: 113–305] after the first placement. Early complications occurred in nine patients (15.3%), including five cases of cholangitis, three cases of pancreatitis, and one case of cholecystitis. (4) Conclusions: The PSIS method for UMHBO is safe and useful with high technical and clinical success rates.
Assessment of climatic variability in the catchments of Himalayan Lake, Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract The present investigation was conducted to analyse the trends in hydrometeorological data to addresses how these trends impacted on the water extent of Wular Lake, Kashmir. Temporal changes in the lake surface area have been analysed, using the Landsat satellite data. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall and Sen’s methods were used to determine trends in hydrometeorological data. In addition, trends in extreme indices of frost days (FD), summer days, days with rainfall > 10 mm (R10), days with rainfall > 20 mm (R20) and dry spell for temperature and precipitation were also analysed. The results suggest an overall decrease in extreme rainfall events, R10 and R20, and annual precipitation pattern with increase in maximum and minimum annual average temperatures. Furthermore, the analysis of extreme temperature events suggests warming trend with increased number of warm days and decreased number of FD. With regard to water extent of the lake, an intense decreasing trend was observed.
The cost of predation on small livestock in South Africa by medium-sized predators

Farmers have been protecting their livestock for centuries by fencing and kraaling to prevent the risk of losses due to predators. The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and the caracal (Caracal caracal) are two important medium-sized predator species among the South African wildlife, but they have a negative impact on the livestock industry in South Africa, especially among sheep and goats. A small number of studies have been done to estimate losses due to predators. Local producer organisations estimated a loss of 8% of small livestock per year. However, no countrywide study has been done to quantify the monetary impact of predation on the livestock industry. Predation losses are not the only direct economic losses because there are also additional direct and indirect costs involved.
A new macrovertebrate assemblage from the late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Southern Utah

[Extract] For most of the late Cretaceous, a shallow epeiric sea subdivided North America into eastern and western landmasses - Appalachia and Laramiclia, respectively. Whereas little is known of Appalachian faunas, Laramidia has yielded an abundant terrestrial fossil record, arguably the best continent-scale example for any Mesozoic time interval. To date, however, the bulk of these fossils have been recovered from the northern portion of Laramidia, in particular Alberta and Montana. The relatively poor fossil record from southern Laramidia has limited our ability to test several key biogeographic and evolutionary hypotheses. In 2000, the Utah Museum of Natural History (now the Natural History Museum of Utah), University of Utah, launched an interdisciplinary project in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument aimed at exploring Late Cretaceous terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems preserved within the Kaiparowits Basin. Although emphasis has been placed on collection and study of macrovertebrates, from the outset the "Kaiparowits Basin Project" has targeted a spectrum of data sources, spanning sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleobotany, and ichnology, as well as vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology. This large-scale, interdisciplinary effort has thus far concentrated on two Campanian-aged geologic formations, the Kaiparowits and Wahweap, with spectacular results that include a previously unknown assemblage of dinosaurs and other macrovertebrates. Turtles, crocodylians, and dinosaurs all exhibit relatively high species diversity, with many endemic taxa. The fossiliferous Kaiparowits Formation alone has yielded remains of 14 turtle taxa, six crocodylian taxa, and l6 dinosaur taxa, with evidence that these communities inhabited a wet, largely swampy environment with vegetation ranging from cypress trees (lowest elevation) to dicot forests (better-drained settings) to forests of taxodiaceolls and other gymnosperms (well-drained settings). These and other finds are stratigraphically constrained by multiple radiometric dates, allowing robust comparisons with coeval northern vertebrate assemblages. Considered in unison, five distinct lines of evidence- taxonomy, phylogeny, stratigraphy, paleoenvironment, and biogeography - provide strong support for the vertebrate provincialism hypothesis, which postulates the occurrence of latitudinally arrayed biotic "provinces" on Laramidia for at least a portion of the Late Cretaceous. Paleontologically, the Kaiparowits Formation has now been established as the best-known Campanian unit from southern Laramidia, exceeded in the north only by the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta.
Assessing Reassortment between Bluetongue Virus Serotypes 10 and 17 at Different Coinfection Ratios in Culicoides sonorenesis

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA orbivirus listed by the World Organization for Animal Health and transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Segmented viruses can reassort, which facilitates rapid and important genotypic changes. Our study evaluated reassortment in Culicoides sonorensis midges coinfected with different ratios of BTV-10 and BTV-17. Midges were fed blood containing BTV-10, BTV-17, or a combination of both serotypes at 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, or 10:90 ratios. Midges were collected every other day and tested for infection using pan BTV and cox1 (housekeeping gene) qRT-PCR. A curve was fit to the ∆Ct values (pan BTV Ct—cox1 Ct) for each experimental group. On day 10, the midges were processed for BTV plaque isolation. Genotypes of the plaques were determined by next-generation sequencing. Pairwise comparison of ∆Ct curves demonstrated no differences in viral RNA levels between coinfected treatment groups. Plaque genotyping indicated that most plaques fully aligned with one of the parental strains; however, reassortants were detected, and in the 75:25 pool, most plaques were reassortant. Reassortant prevalence may be maximized upon the occurrence of reassortant genotypes that can outcompete the parental genotypes. BTV reassortment and resulting biological consequences are important elements to understanding orbivirus emergence and evolution.
An amplicon-based protocol for whole-genome sequencing of human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A

Abstract It is convenient to study complete genome sequences of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) for ongoing genomic characterization and identification of highly transmissible or pathogenic variants. Whole genome sequencing of hRSV has been challenging from respiratory tract specimens with low viral loads. Herein, we describe an amplicon-based protocol for whole genome sequencing of hRSV subgroup A validated with 24 isolates from nasopharyngeal swabs and infected cell cultures, which showed cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 10 to 31, as determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. MinION nanopore generated 3200 to 5400 reads per sample to sequence over 93% of the hRSV-A genome. Coverage of each contig ranged from 130× to 200×. Samples with Ct values of 20.9, 25.2, 27.1, 27.7, 28.2, 28.8, and 29.6 led to the sequencing of over 99.0% of the virus genome, indicating high genome coverage even at high Ct values. This protocol enables the identification of hRSV subgroup A genotypes, as primers were designed to target highly conserved regions. Consequently, it holds potential for application in molecular epidemiology and surveillance of this hRSV subgroup.
Effectiveness of Group Emotional Schema Therapy on Psychological Distress, Severity and Frequency of Symptoms in Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on psychological distress, severity and frequency of symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental two-group three-stage (pre and post-test and two-month follow-up) study was done on 30 women of 18-50 years old with IBS. They were randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control). Psychological distress and Bowel symptoms severity and frequency in the three stages were measured. The emotional schema therapy group was treated for 8 sessions and the control group remained on the waiting list. Results: The mean score of pre-test, post-test and follow-up of emotional therapy schema group in psychological distress were 21.23 ± 8.18, 16.08 ± 6.05 and 14.69 ± 4.05; in symptom intensity 7.46 ± 1.98, 5.23 ± 1.30 and 6.46 ± 1.33 and in symptom frequency 7.46 ± 1.98, 6.08 ± 1.66 and 7.54 ± 2.18 respectively. In the control group, there was no difference between the scores of different tests; in the pre-test, post-test and follow-up, the scores of psychological distress were 20.23 ± 5.39, 20.08 ± 5.59, and 20.38 ± 4.75, in the symptoms severity 7.69 ± 1.49, 7.62 ± 1.33, and 7.69 ± 1.80, and in the symptoms frequency 6.92 ± 2.75, 6.54 ± 2.40 and 6.62 ± 2.63 respectively. In the control group, there was no difference between the scores in different tests. In the pre-test, post-test and follow-up, in psychological distress, the scores were 20.23 ± 5.39, 20.08 ± 5.59, and 20.38 ± 4.75 in the symptom severity 7.69 ± 1.49, 7.62 ± 1.33, and 7.69. ±1.80 and in the symptoms frequency 6.92 ± 2.75, 6.54 ± 2.40 and 6.92 ± 2.75 respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Emotional schema therapy can be used as a complementary psychological treatment to reduce psychological distress and severity and frequency of symptoms in women with IBS.
Multi-Centre UK Analysis of Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney (SPK) Transplant in Recipients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

90% of the UK diabetic population are classified as T2DM. This study aims to compare outcomes after SPK transplant between recipients with T1DM or T2DM. Data on all UK SPK transplants from 2003–2019 were obtained from the NHSBT Registry (n = 2,236). Current SPK transplant selection criteria for T2DM requires insulin treatment and recipient BMI < 30 kg/m2. After exclusions (re-transplants/ambiguous type of diabetes) we had a cohort of n = 2,154. Graft (GS) and patient (PS) survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox-regression models. Complications were compared using chi-squared analyses. 95.6% of SPK transplants were performed in recipients with T1DM (n = 2,060). Univariate analysis showed comparable outcomes for pancreas GS at 1 year (p = 0.120), 3 years (p = 0.237), and 10 years (p = 0.196) and kidney GS at 1 year (p = 0.438), 3 years (p = 0.548), and 10 years (p = 0.947). PS was comparable at 1 year (p = 0.886) and 3 years (p = 0.237) and at 10 years (p = 0.161). Multi-variate analysis showed comparable outcomes in pancreas GS (p = 0.564, HR 1.221, 95% CI 0.619, 2.406) and PS(p = 0.556, HR 1.280, 95% CI 0.563, 2.911). Comparable rates of common complications were demonstrated. This is the largest series outside of the US evaluating outcomes after SPK transplants and shows similar outcomes between T1DM and T2DM recipients. It is hoped dissemination of this data will lead to increased referral rates and assessment of T2DM patients who could benefit from SPK transplantation.
Canine soft tissue sarcomas: the expression of RUNX2 and karyopherin alpha-2 in extraskeletal (soft tissues) and skeletal osteosarcomas

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a malignant tumor producing bone matrix and/or chondroid material, without direct attachment to bone or periosteum. In humans and dogs, EOS is highly infiltrating, rapidly growing, often characterized by osteoid deposition and variable ossification, similar to primary skeletal osteosarcoma (SOS). In dogs, EOS arises from visceral and soft tissue locations, occasionally in trauma or foreign body sites, or in granulomas. Few data are currently available on the phenotype of these tumors. The present study aims to assess the expression RUNX2 and Karyopherin alpha-2 in EOS, comparing it with SOS and the data available from the human counterpart. Seventeen cases of canine osteosarcoma (13 EOS and 4 SOS) were retrospectively selected and submitted to immunohistochemistry for RUNX2 and Karyopherin alpha-2. Our results showed that, in EOS, RUNX2 is expressed in a mean of 73.07 ± 5.36 neoplastic cell nuclei, in face of a mean 36.15 ± 6.25 of Karyopherin alpha-2 positive nuclei. Osteoclasts, when present, were negative for both markers. No correlation was observed among the two markers (p > 0.05), nor statistically significant difference in quantitative expression was assessed comparing EOS and SOS groups. RUNX2 is expressed in canine EOS similarly to SOS and could be used as a diagnostic marker in a larger panel. Karyopherin alpha-2 is expressed in canine EOS and SOS similarly to human SOS and could be validated in future studies as an additional diagnostic marker. Further studies should be planned to evaluate the expression of these proteins as prognostic predictive parameters.
Soil Nutrient Characteristics in Different Vegetation Successional Stages of Three Gorges Reservoir Area

We analyzed the soil nutrient dynamics at different vegetation successional stages of Three Gorges reservoir area by space-time substitution.The results showed that the soil pH decreased with the development of positive vegetation succession and presented acidic property.The contents of soil organic matters and available phosphorus increased with the progress of positive vegetation succession.The change of soil organic matters was evergreen broad-leaved forest coniferous forest deciduous broadleaved forest shrub coniferous forest,while the change of hydrolyable nitrogen was coniferous forest shrub coniferous forest deciduous broadleaved forest evergreen broad-leaved forest.The contents of organic matters,hydrolytic nitrogen and available phosphorus appeared obvious accumulation in the surface layers of the soil at different vegetation successional stages.Correlation analysis indicated that there were extremely significant correlation between organic matter,hydrolytic nitrogen and available phosphorus which had extremely significantly negative correlative with soil layers.The different vegetation stages had extremely significantly negative correlation with soil pH and hydrolytic nitrogen,but had significantly positive correlative with available phosphorus.
Fertility status of soils of Girgadhda and Una taluka of Gir Somnath district

Total 215 numbers of representative surface (0-15 cm) soil sample had been collected to check fertility status under Soil Health Card Programme form cultivated farmers’s field of Girgadhda and Una taluka of Gir Somnath district during 2015. The chemical analysis of 215 surface samples indicates that soil were medium in OC and also medium in available P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and S. Among the DTPA extractable micronutrients, Mn and Cu were found sufficient, whereas the soils were medium in Fe and Zn. The nutrient index values were low for Zn (1.45), medium for OC (1.98), P 2 O 5 (1.85), K 2 O (1.98), S (2.01), Fe (1.53) and Mn (2.31) and high for Cu (3.00) in the Girgadhda and Una Taluka of Gir Somnath district.
Climate Change over Xinjiang Region in the 21st Century Simulated by a High Resolution Regional Climate Model

Based on a high resolution simulation of the 21st century by a regional climate model(RegCM3) nested within a global climate model(MIROC3.2_hires) over East Asia,climate changes over Xinjiang Region under the IPCC SRES A1B scenario are analyzed.Validation of the model performances in simulating annual mean temperature and precipitation of present time(1981—2000) in the region are firstly carried out.Results show that the spatial distributions and amount of them are well reproduced by the model.Compared to observations,it is found that the model exhibits a warm bias over basins and cold bias over mountainous areas.Moreover,underestimation of precipitation in the basins and overestimation of it over mountain ranges are found in the simulation.Significant warming is simulated in the middle(2041—2060) and the end of the 21st century(2081—2100) over the region,while greater warming in the end of the century,in particular in winter,are found.General increase of precipitation is found both in winter and summer,except in portions of the region.The increase is more profound in the end of the century compared to the middle of it.In addition,the magnitude of the warming and amount of the precipitation increase show strong dependency on topography.In general,the warming is greater over basins,while the increase of precipitation amount is more significant over mountain slopes with seasonal difference.As for the regional mean,greater warming and precipitation increase are found in Xinjiang Region compared to those over the whole China.