Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaginal progesterone after tocolytic therapy in threatened preterm labour

Background: Currently preterm labour is one of the most challenging problem faced by both obstetricians and perinatologists, this episode in the course of woman’s pregnancy takes a heavy tool for perinatal mortality which accounts for approximately 50-75%. The incidence of preterm labour is estimated to be 5-10% of all pregnancies.Methods: It was a prospective randomize control trail over a period of 3 year at department of obstetrics and gynecology, tertiary care hospital Pune, Maharashtra, India. Total 100 subjects were randomized into two groups with group one receiving vaginal micronized progesterone and group two control group receiving only tocolytics and steroids. Subsequently authors compared the safety and efficacy of vaginal micronized progesterone versus placebo as a maintenance therapy in preventing preterm labour.Results: This analysis showed that women who randomized to progesterone prophylaxis had a significantly increase in duration of pregnancy. The mean of birthweight in Group A and Group B was 2963±36 gm and 2567±49 gm and respectively which confirmed the positive effects of progesterone on increasing infants’ weights at birth.Conclusions: Authors concluded that progesterone therapy had acceptable efficacy in the prevention of preterm labor in terms of prolongation of delivery and by increasing gestational age at delivery.
Effect of temperature and PAR on photosynthesis of an endangered freshwater red alga, Thorea okadae, from Kagoshima, Japan

Abstract The effect of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on the photosynthesis of an endangered Japanese freshwater red alga, Thorea okadae (Thoreaceae, Thoreales), was determined by using pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry and dissolved oxygen sensors. The macroscopic life history stage (gametophyte) was observed on pebbles and cobbles in a shallow riverbed from early winter to late spring (December–May), in direct sunlight (∼800 μmol photons m−2 s−1) during winter noon time with a clear sky. A net oxygenic photosynthesis–PAR model revealed that the net photosynthetic rate increased linearly and saturated, with a compensation (Ec) and saturating PAR (Ek) of 13.3 μmol photon m−2 s−1 (10.3–16.3, 95% Bayesian prediction interval, BPI) and 55.2 μmol photon m−2 s−1 (42.2–72.9, 95% BPI), respectively. A temperature-dependent (i.e., 8–36°C range) model of net photosynthesis and dark respiration was fitted and showed that the gross photosynthetic rate, 17.3 μg O2 gww−1 min−1 (16.
Classical-Contextual Interactions in V1 May Rely on Dendritic Computations

A signature feature of the neocortex is the dense network of horizontal connections (HCs) through which pyramidal neurons (PNs) exchange “contextual” information. In primary visual cortex (V1), HCs are thought to facilitate boundary detection, a crucial operation for object recognition, but how HCs modulate PN responses to boundary cues within their classical receptive fields (CRF) remains unknown. We began by “asking” natural images, through a structured data collection and ground truth labeling process, what function a V1 cell should use to compute boundary probability from aligned edge cues within and outside its CRF. The “answer” was an asymmetric 2-D sigmoidal function, whose nonlinear form provides the first normative account for the “multiplicative” center-flanker interactions previously reported in V1 neurons (Kapadia et al. 1995, 2000; Polat et al. 1998). Using a detailed compartmental model, we then show that this boundary-detecting classical-contextual interaction function can be computed with near perfect accuracy by NMDAR-dependent spatial synaptic interactions within PN dendrites – the site where classical and contextual inputs first converge in the cortex. In additional simulations, we show that local interneuron circuitry activated by HCs can powerfully leverage the nonlinear spatial computing capabilities of PN dendrites, providing the cortex with a highly flexible substrate for integration of classical and contextual information. Significance Statement In addition to the driver inputs that establish their classical receptive fields, cortical pyramidal neurons (PN) receive a much larger number of “contextual” inputs from other PNs through a dense plexus of horizontal connections (HCs). However by what mechanisms, and for what behavioral purposes, HC’s modulate PN responses remains unclear. We pursued these questions in the context of object boundary detection in visual cortex, by combining an analysis of natural boundary statistics with detailed modeling PNs and local circuits. We found that nonlinear synaptic interactions in PN dendrites are ideally suited to solve the boundary detection problem. We propose that PN dendrites provide the core computing substrate through which cortical neurons modulate each other’s responses depending on context.
Effect of Electron Beam Sterilization on Three-Dimensional-Printed Polycaprolactone/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

IMPACT STATEMENT Providing customized geometries and improved control in physical and biological properties, 3D-printed polycaprolactone/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) composite constructs are of high interest for bone tissue engineering applications. A critical step toward the translation and clinical applications of these types of scaffolds is terminal sterilization, and E-beam irradiation might be the most relevant method because of PCL properties. Through in vitro experimental testing of both physical and biological properties, it is proven in this article that E-beam irradiation is relevant for sterilization of 3D-printed PCL/β-TCP scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.
Assessment of Calamus tenuis fruits extract on blood glucose level elevation and its antibacterial potency

Investigation of anti-hyperglycemic and antibacterial activity of the fruit extract of Calamus tenuis was carried out. Soxhlet extraction was done using petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. Anti-hyperglycemic activity was done by Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. The results indicated that methanol extract showed nearly same potency of blood glucose lowering capacity with a dose of 500 mg/Kg (4.82 ± 0.730 mmol/L) compared to the glibenclamide (standard drug) produced (4.26 ± 0.441 mmol/L) at 5 mg/Kg dose after 120 min of glucose feeding to mice. Antibacterial activity was investigated using disc diffusion method. Antibacterial tests revealed that S. aureus was resistant to all the solvent extracts. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed moderate antibacterial capacity against both Micrococcus and V. cholerea whereas petroleum ether showed nothing. Zone of inhibition of Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts (200 mg/mL dose) for E. coli were very close to positive control (17.00 ± 0.816 and 18.75 ± 1.258 mm respectively; positive control value was 19.00 ± 1.414 and 21.00 ± 1.414 respectively ). In case of methanol zone of inhibitions were greater than other solvent extracts against all tested bacterial species. From this study it can be concluded that the C. tenuis fruit may serve as a new potential source of medicines due to the presence of biological activity.
Dark aerobic sulfide oxidation by anoxygenic phototrophs in the anoxic waters of Lake Cadagno

This study reveals that sulfide oxidation within an anoxic layer of purple sulfur bacteria in the stratified water column of Lake Cadagno is largely coupled to oxygen consumption. Our findings imply that aerobic metabolism may be more prevalent in anoxic zones than previously thought. We also present a metagenome-assembled genome of Chromatium okenii which is the first genome sequence for the genus Chromatium and reveals new interesting physiological features of this environmentally relevant organism including its capacity for aerobic respiration. SUMMARY Anoxygenic phototrophic sulfide oxidation by purple and green sulfur bacteria plays a key role in sulfide removal from anoxic shallow sediments and stratified waters. Although some purple sulfur bacteria can also oxidize sulfide with nitrate and oxygen, little is known about the prevalence of this chemolithotrophic lifestyle in the environment. In this study, we investigated the role of Chromatium okenii in chemolithotrophic sulfide removal in the chemocline of Lake Cadagno. This purple sulfur bacterium appears to remain active during the night, as evidenced by its continued motility and O2-driven carbon fixation. Our temporally resolved, high-resolution chemical profiles revealed that sulfide oxidation is largely driven by aerobic respiration in the anoxic chemocline. We postulate that the abundant and highly active Chr. okenii are, at least in part, responsible for this aerobic sulfide oxidation and that they bridge the spatially separated gradients of oxygen and sulfide using a novel mechanism of transport driven by the strong convection within the chemocline. The genome of Chr. okenii reconstructed from the Lake Cadagno metagenome confirms its capacity for microaerophilic growth and provides further insights into its metabolic capabilities. Altogether, our observations suggest that aerobic respiration may not only play an underappreciated role in anoxic environments, but also that organisms typically considered strict anaerobes may be involved.
Response of wheat varieties to different zinc application methods

An experiment on response of different wheat varieties to zinc application methods was evaluated at Agriculture University Peshawar Pakistan in 2016-17. The experimental design was RCB with 3 replications. Zinc application methods (control, 1% foliar with ZnSO4, 1% priming with ZnSO4, 15 kg ha soil application, 1% foliar with ZnSO4 + 1% priming with ZnSO4, 1% foliar with ZnSO4 + 15 kg ha Zn application to soil, 1% priming with ZnSO4+ 15 kg ha Zn soil application, 1% foliar with ZnSO4 +1% priming with ZnSO4 +15 kg ha -1 Zn soil application) & varieties (Atta Habib & Zincol) were used in the experiment. Plant height, spike m, grains spike, 1000 seed weight, biological yield and grain yield showed significant response to zinc application methods and varieties. Taller plant (98.8 cm), spikes m (358), grains spike (57), 1000 seed weight (49.1 g), biological yield (10067 kg ha) and grain yield (4319.3 kg ha) were recorded in plots treated with 1% foliar with ZnSO4 + 1% priming with ZnSO4 + 15 kg ha -1 Zn soil application of ZnSO4. Considering wheat varieties plant height (94 cm), tillers m (317), spikes m (301), grains spike (52), biological yield (9073.3 kg ha) and grain yield (4103.5 kg ha) recorded from Zincol. It is concluded that Zincol wheat variety with application of 1% foliar with ZnSO4 + 1% priming with ZnSO4 + 15 kg ha -1 Zn soil application of ZnSO4 performed better in terms of yield and thus recommended for general cultivation.
Association of GFR, Fiber-Rich Regimen and Metabolic Syndrome With Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels: Results of a Multicenter National Survey

The present study investigates the association of cardiovascular risk factors such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), fiber-rich regimen, and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. We designed a cross-sectional study based on data of the third National Survey of non-communicable diseases (SuRFNCD-2007); among 2125, Iranian adults (1168 women) aged 25-64 years. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected. Biochemical assessments, were determined on venous blood samples. Quantitative highly sensitive CRP was measured via enzyme-linked immunoassay. Elevated CRP was defined as values above 3 mg/l. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the ATP III (Adult Treatment Panel III report, 2005). GFR was calculated with the MDRD formula. Multivariable logistic regression accompanied by complex sample survey analysis, including stratified weighting, were recruited. The fiber-rich regimen was determined by the daily consumption of more than five units of vegetables or fruits. Mean age of the population was 39.4±4.5 years. Adjusted odds ratios for prediction of high CRP pertaining to High LDL, Low Physical activity, BUN, MetS ATP III, Declined GFR (per 30 units reduction), optimal Fiber intake, and Current Smoking were calculated. Corresponding values with 95 % CI were 1.36 (1.04-1.85), 1.31(1.11-4.20), 1.04(1.04-1.12), 1.47 (1.04-2.09), 1.22 (1.11-3.36), 0.84 (0.87-1.48), 1.74 (0.39-1.38), respectively. We figured out that MetS, declined GFR in early stages of CKD, and low physical activity were related to high inflammatory state, while fiber-rich regimen decreased the likelihood of high CRP in smokers.
Seiches in lateral cavities with simplified planform geometry: Oscillation modes and synchronization with the vortex shedding

Lateral cavities adjacent to open-channel flows are dead zones located on one side of a main stream. With an approaching flow with a high (subcritical) Froude number, the free-surface of the dead-zone oscillates with high amplitudes and generates a so-called seiche. This configuration is reproduced in a rectangular cavity (with an interface length equal to the main stream channel width) in which the impact of the three dimensionless parameters (Froude number, dimensionless water depth, and geometrical aspect ratio) affecting the seiche is studied experimentally. For all configurations, a natural mode of the cavity is observed, this mode being either longitudinal or transverse, except in the case of a square cavity where bi-directional seiching occurs. Moreover, we show that while the approaching Froude number (0.55 < Fr < 0.7) and dimensionless water depth do not affect the oscillation mode, the selected natural mode is strongly dependent on the geometrical aspect ratio of the cavity. For narrow cavities (small [W + b]/b with W and b the cavity and channel widths, respectively), a longitudinal mode occurs while for wider cavities transverse modes occur, with an increasing number of nodes as the width of the cavity increases. Finally, measuring the time-resolved 2-dimensional field of free-surface deformation in the cavity and the adjacent main stream permits us to identify the vortices shed along the mixing layer at the cavity/main stream interface and thus to analyze the synchronization between the surface oscillation and vortex shedding (at the upstream edge) and impinging (at the downstream edge) processes.
Sumatran Fleabane Control using Glyphosate in Association with Halauxifen-Methyl Formulations

ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of a new product has a great importance to weed control, especially those that are difficult to control or resistant to, such as the sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis). The objective of this research was to evaluate the control of C. sumatrensis at different growth stages, using halauxifen-methyl in combination with other herbicides. The experimental design used was a randomized blocks in a 3x10 factorial scheme, with four replications. The plants of C. sumatrensis were evaluated at different growth: stage 1: plants with 8 leaves; Stage 2: plants with 19 leaves and stage 3: plants with 45 leaves fully expanded. The herbicides used were the association of glyphosate with the herbicides 2,4-D at 806, 943 and 1,209 g a.e. ha-1, halauxifen-methyl + diclosulam at 5.06 g a.e. ha-1 + 25.52 g a.i. ha-1 and 6.32 g a.e. ha-1 + 31.87 g a.i. ha-1, halauxifen-methyl + 2,4-D at 5.00 + 783 g a.e. ha-1 and 6,0 + 940 g a.e. ha-1 and halauxifen-methyl at 5.0 and 6.0 g a.e. ha-1 and untreated, totaling 10 treatments. The herbicides demonstrated satisfactory control of the plants in Stage 1 at 50 DAA, with the exception of the glyphosate + 2,4-D treatment at the lowest rate. However for Stages 2 and 3 the halauxifen-methyl + diclosulam in both rates, provided superior controls in relation to the other treatments. The control of sumatran fleabane was facilitated when their management occurs in the early stages of development, however independent of the development stage, the best controls obtained were with the treatment containing glyphosate + halauxifen-methyl + diclosulam at 1,440 g a.e. ha-1 + 6.32 g a.e. ha-1 + 31.87 g a.i. ha-1. Thus, combinations of herbicides containing halauxifen-methyl are another option to control C. sumatrensis in agricultural systems.
Biological transformation of Arctic dissolved organic matter in a NE Greenland fjord

Arctic waters are often enriched with terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) characterized by having elevated visible wavelength fluorescence (commonly termed humic‐like). Here, we have identified the sources of fluorescent DOM (FDOM) in a high Arctic fjord (Young Sound, NE Greenland) influenced by glacial meltwater. The biological transformation of FDOM was further investigated using plankton community size‐fractionation experiments. The intensity of ultraviolet fluorescence (commonly termed amino acid‐like) was highly variable and positively correlated to bacterial production and mesozooplankton grazing. The overall distribution of visible FDOM in the fjord was hydrographically driven by the high‐signal intrusion of Arctic terrestrial DOM from shelf waters and dilution with glacial runoff in the surface waters. However, the high‐intensity visible FDOM that accumulated in subsurface waters in summer was not solely linked to allochthonous sources. Our data indicate that microbial activity, in particular, protist bacterivory, to be a source. A decrease in visible FDOM in subsurface waters was concurrent with an increase in bacterial abundance, indicating an active bacterial uptake or modification of this DOM fraction. This was confirmed by net‐loss of visible FDOM in experiments during summer when bacterial activity was high. The degradation of visible FDOM appeared to be associated with bacteria belonging to the order Alteromonadales mainly the genus Glaciecola and the SAR92 clade. The findings provide new insight into the character of Arctic terrestrial DOM and the biological production and degradation of both visible and UV wavelength organic matter in the coastal Arctic.
Life in Dry Soils: Effects of Drought on Soil Microbial Communities and Processes

Throughout Earth's history, drought has been a common crisis in terrestrial ecosystems; in human societies, it can cause famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse. As the global hydrological cycle intensifies with global warming, deeper droughts and rewetting will alter, and possibly transform, ecosystems. Soil communities, however, seem more tolerant than plants or animals are to water stress—the main effects, in fact, on soil processes appear to be limited diffusion and the limited supply of resources to soil organisms. Thus, the rains that end a drought not only release soil microbes from stress but also create a resource pulse that fuels soil microbial activity. It remains unclear whether the effects of drought on soil processes result from drying or rewetting. It is also unclear whether the flush of activity on rewetting is driven by microbial growth or by the physical/chemical processes that mobilize organic matter. In this review, I discuss how soil water, and the lack of it, regulates microbial life and biogeochemical processes. I first focus on organismal-level responses and then consider how these influence whole-soil organic matter dynamics. A final focus is on how to incorporate these effects into Earth System models that can effectively capture dry–wet cycling.
Study on floral traits and seed setting in parental lines of hybrid rice
during early ahu and kharif seasons

Two CMS lines, IR 58025A and IR 68888A along with their maintainers and two fertility restorers, LuitR and IR 36R, were evaluated for flower and plant characters during early ahu (February-June) and kharif (July-November) seasons. IR 58025A showed longer stigmata and styles, and higher spikelet Length/Breadth (L/B) ratio while IR 68888A showed broader stigmata and wider glume opening angle in both the seasons. IR 68888A also exhibited higher pollen sterility during early ahu. IR 36R was characterized with broad anthers. LuitR showed longer and broader anthers with more pollen than others. Plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width and area were higher in IR 36R. Panicle exsertion was complete in pollen parents whereas it was 78-80% in CMS lines. The widest flag leaf angle was found in IR 58025B during early Ahu and in IR 36R during kharif. Kharif season was more favourable for growth of the plants with higher seed set percentage while floral traits of the CMS lines were better expressed in early Ahu. Manipulation of the seeding sequence of the parental lines in early Ahu is warranted for better seed set provided the seed crop escapes heavy premonsoon showers during reproductive stage. IR 68888A/LuitR was a good combination for pollen dispersal and seed setting.
Social meanings of linguistic variation in BISINDO (Indonesian Sign Language)

Abstract Abstract (International Sign) In contrast to sociolinguistic research on spoken languages, little attention has been paid to how signers employ variation as a resource to fashion social meaning. This study focuses on an extremely understudied social practice, that of sign language usage in Indonesia, and asks where one might look to find socially meaningful variables. Using spontaneous data from a corpus of BISINDO (Indonesian Sign Language), it blends methodologies from Labovian variationism and analytic practices from the ‘third wave’ with a discursive approach to investigate how four variable linguistic features are used to express social identities. These features occur at different levels of linguistic organisation, from the phonological to the lexical and the morphosyntactic, and point to identities along regional and ethnic lines, as well as hearing status. In applying third wave practices to sign languages, constructed action and mouthings in particular emerge as potent resources for signers to make social meaning.
Information content of downwelling skylight for non-imaging visual systems

Light-sensitive proteins (opsins) are expressed in non-imaging tissues like the brain, dermis and reproductive organs of most animals. Such tissues have been shown to sense the intensity and spectrum of light over time. Functional links to circadian and reproductive rhythms have been speculated but remain uncertain. Here we use information theory to quantify the ‘natural scene’ for non-imaging opsins, i.e., spectral patterns in downwelling skylight. Our approach synthesizes measurements of natural downwelling spectra, atmospheric distortions, and weather, with the biophysical constraints of opsins and biochemical clocks, while minimizing assumptions about how organisms process such information. We find that tissues expressing multiple opsins could use twilight to extract significant information about lunar phase and time of day in many climates. In contrast, information in light intensity is far less robust to atmospheric perturbations. Thus our work quantifies circalunar and circadian regularities in the spectrum of downwelling radiance salient to non-imaging opsins.