Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uptake, Partitioning, and Storage of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Red Raspberry as Affected by Rate and Timing of Application

The effects of 15N-labeled fertilizer applied to mature summer-bearing red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L. 'Meekerʼ) plants were measured over 2 years. Four nitrogen (N) treatments were applied: singularly at 0, 40, or 80 kg·ha-1 of N in early spring (budbreak), or split with 40 kg·ha-1 of N (unlabeled) applied at budbreak and 40 kg·ha-1 of N (15N-depleted) applied eight weeks later. Plants were sampled six times per year to determine N and 15N content in the plant components throughout the growing season. Soil also was sampled seven times per year to determine inorganic N concentrations within the four treatments as well as in a bare soil plot. There was a tendency for the unfertilized treatment to have the lowest and for the split-N treatment to have the highest yield in both years. N application had no signifi cant effect on plant dry weight or total N content in either year. Dry weight accumulation was 5.5 t·ha-1 and total N accumulation was 88 to 96 kg·ha-1 for aboveground biomass in the fertilized plots in 2001. Of the total N pres- ent, averaged over 2 years, 17% was removed in prunings, 12% was lost through primocane leaf senescence, 13% was removed through fruit harvest, 30% remained in the over-wintering plant, and 28% was considered lost or transported to the roots. Peak fertilizer N-uptake occurred by July for the single N applications and by September for the last application in the split-N treatment. This uptake accounted for 36% to 37% (single applications) and 24% (last half of split application) of the 15N applied. Plants receiving the highest single rate of fertilizer took up more fertilizer N while plants receiving the lower rate took up more N from the soil and from storage tissues. By midharvest, fertilizer N was found primarily in the fruit, fruiting laterals, and primocanes (94%) for all fertilized treatments; however, the majority of the fertilizer N applied in the last half of the split application was located in the primocanes (60%). Stored fertilizer N distribution was similar in all fertilized treatments. By the end of the second year, 5% to 12% of the fertil- izer acquired in 2001 remained in the fertilized plants. Soil nitrate concentrations increased after fertilization to 78.5 g·m-3, and declined to an average of 35.6 g·m-3 by fruit harvest. Seasonal soil N decline was partially attributed to plant uptake; however, leaching and immobilization into the organic fraction may also have contributed to the decline.
Vitamin E promotes ovine Sertoli cell proliferation by regulation of genes associated with cell division and the cell cycle

Abstract The effect of Vitamin E on the proliferation of ovine Sertoli cells was investigated. Sertoli cells were isolated and treated with various amounts of Vitamin E (0 μM, 400 μM, 800 μM, 1000 μM, 1200 μM, 1400 μM and 1600 μM) for 24 h. We found that at the concentration of 1200 μM, Vitamin E promoted Sertoli cell proliferation very effectively. It also increased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase while reduced that in the S and G2/M phases, suggesting that its effect on Sertoli cell proliferation is achieved by enhancing progression through the cell cycle. In addition, Vitamin E significantly up-regulated the transcript level of the PDPN, BMP6, AMPKα, GSK3β, Myc, and CDK6 genes and down-regulated that of PPARγ, Cyclin B1 and CDK4 as determined by qRT-PCR. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of BMP6 and PDPN was also upregulated at the protein level, in accordance with the results of the qRT-PCR. Taken together, Vitamin E promoted Sertoli cell proliferation by affecting the expression of genes that regulate cell division and the cell cycle; this indicates that it can have a positive effect on sheep reproductive performance.
The genus Isoetes L. (Isoetaceae, Lycophyta) in South-Western Asia

Quillworts or Cim Egreltisi, species of the genus Isoetes L. in Turkey and the Levant, are poorly studied despite extensive floristic studies in the region. The Flora of Turkey lists 4 taxa: Isoetes olympica A.Braun (2n = 22), I. histrix Bory var. histrix (2n = 20), I. subinermis (Bory) Cesca & Peruzzi (=I. histrix Bory var. subinermis Durieu (2n = 22)) and I. duriei Bory (2n = ca. 121). An additional species, I. anatolica Prada & Rolleri, was described in 2005 from Bolu province, and we report the first count for this species, 2n = 22. In Syria and Lebanon 2 species are known: I. olympica from a site in Syria and a known but undescribed plant from Akkar province (Lebanon) and adjacent Syria (2n = 22, first count). A preliminary molecular phylogeny for these species is presented; their distribution and cytology are discussed. The taxonomy and nomenclature of the I. histrix and I. duriei groups need considerable further study. The first hybrids for the region are documented.
Angiogenesis is Differentially Modulated by Anthocyanin and Phenolic Acid Extracts from Wild Blueberry (V. angustifolium) Through PI3K Pathway.

Wild blueberries rank very high in anthocyanins (ACNs) and phenolic acids (PA) among other berries. Previous work from our group has documented their beneficial effects. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used, and ACNs, PAs, and their combination (ACNs:PAs) at concentrations of 0.002, 8, 15, 60, and 120 μg/mL were tested for endothelial tube formation. Treatment with ACNs decreased, while treatment with PAs and ACNs:PAs increased overall endothelial cell tube formation compared to control. Endothelial cells exposed to ACNs downregulated gene expression of AKT1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), while PAs upregulated AKT1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression. Combination of ACNs:PAs decreased gene expression of AKT1 and eNOS, while protein levels of AKT1 increased. In summary, based on the type of wild blueberry extract, angiogenesis is differentially modulated and is concentration dependent. Further experiments will delineate the mechanism(s) of the differential action of the aforementioned extracts on angiogenesis.
NUMERICAL RESPONSE OF FISHERS TO SYNCHRONOUS PREY DYNAMICS

Abstract Fisher (Martes pennanti) populations may respond numerically to fluctuating hare populations, although uncertainty remains about this contention. We analyzed livetrapping data from Ontario (448,654 trap nights) that contained trend information for fishers, lagomorphs (snowshoe hares [Lepus americanus] and eastern cottontails [Sylvilagus floridanus]), and North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) for 1995–2004. The data encompassed a synchronous fluctuation of lagomorphs and porcupines. Fisher populations appeared to have a delayed, positive numerical response with a lag of 2 years to changing lagomorph abundance, but they also appeared to switch to an unmeasured, alternate prey during the lagomorph low. This finding suggests that fishers are generalist predators that should have a stabilizing effect on the predator–prey system.
Increased glutaminyl cyclase activity in brains of Alzheimer’s disease individuals

Glutaminyl cyclases (QC) catalyze the formation of neurotoxic pGlu‐modified amyloid‐β peptides found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reports of several‐fold increases in soluble QC (sQC) expression in the brain and peripheral circulation of AD individuals has prompted the development of QC inhibitors as potential AD therapeutics. There is, however, a lack of standardized quantitative data on QC expression in human tissues, precluding inter‐laboratory comparison and validation. We tested the hypothesis that QC is elevated in AD tissues by quantifying levels of sQC protein and activity in post‐mortem brain tissues from AD and age‐matched control individuals. We found a modest but statistically significant increase in sQC protein, which paralleled a similar increase in enzyme activity. In plasma samples sourced from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle study we determined that QC activity was not different between the AD and control group, though a modest increase was observed in female AD individuals compared to controls. Plasma QC activity was further correlated with levels of circulating monocytes in AD individuals. These data provide quantitative evidence that alterations in QC expression are associated with AD pathology.
Amino acid digestibility in camelina products fed to growing pigs

Almeida, F. N. , Htoo, J. K. , Thomson, J. and Stein, H. H. 2013. Amino acid digestibility in camelina products fed to growing pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 335-343. Camelina seed production has increased in North America because of demand for camelina oil for biofuel production. Camelina expellers (CE) is the co-product that remains after oil has been expelled, and CE usually contains approximately 35% crude protein (CP), 14% ether extract, 10% crude fiber, and 5% ash making it an attractive feedstuff for livestock. An experiment was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and amino acids (AA) in two sources of camelina seeds [CS-1 and CS-2; average: 39% acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), 28% CP, 27% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 12% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 4% ash] and in three sources of CE (CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3; average: 35% CP, 24% NDF, 15% AEE, 14% ADF, 6% ash) and to compare the SID of CP and AA in camelina products with the SID of CP and AA in solvent-extracted canola meal fed to pigs. Seven growing pigs (initial BW 43.5 kg) were randomly allotted to a 7×7 Latin square design with seven diets fed to individually housed pigs over seven periods. Six of the diets contained CS, CE, or canola meal as the sole source of CP and AA and a N-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The SID of CP in CS-1 and CE-2 was less (P<0.01) than the SID of CP in canola meal, but the SID of CP in CS-2, CE-1, and CE-3 was not different from the SID of CP in canola meal. The SID of Lys in CS-1 and CS-2 was less (P<0.01) than in canola meal, but the SID of Lys was not different among CE-1, CE-2, CE-3, and canola meal. Results from this experiment indicate that the SID of AA in CE is mostly comparable with that of canola meal, but the digestibility of CP and AA in the two camelina seeds was somewhat less than in CE and canola meal. Camelina expellers may, therefore, be included in diets fed to pigs.
Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for bacterial pneumonia in children – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: The predictive role of procalcitonin for childhood bacterial pneumonia, a leading cause of death, is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for childhood bacterial pneumonia. Methods: Major bibliographic databases were searched from inception through September 2019 using pre-defined index terms, including ‘procalcitonin,’ ‘pneumonia’ and ‘children’. The study is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies. Meta-analyses of the diagnostic accuracy and odds ratio of procalcitonin for bacterial pneumonia were conducted along with subgroup analyses for different cut-offs of procalcitonin. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 instrument was used to assess the methodologic quality of eligible studies. Results: Twenty-five studies (with 2,864 patients) showed that procalcitonin for bacterial pneumonia had an overall sensitivity of 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.53–0.74), specificity of 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.64–0.79), positive likelihood ratio of 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.8–3.0) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.50 (95% confidence interval: 0.38–0.66), and Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics of 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.78). Using a cut-off of 0.5 ng/ml, Procalcitonin had a sensitivity of 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.50–0.82), specificity of 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.47–0.72), and Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics of 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.64–0.72). Using a cut-off of 2 ng/ml, procalcitonin had a sensitivity of 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.76), specificity of 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.58–0.81), and AUROC curve of 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.75). Elevated procalcitonin was not associated with increased odds of bacterial pneumonia (odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–1.92, p = .18). Quality assessment found minimal concerns for bias or applicability. Conclusions: Given the moderate diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for bacterial pneumonia, we recommend that procalcitonin be used in conjunction with other findings for management and disposition of children with pneumonia.
Increased rate of D1 repair in coral symbionts during bleaching is insufficient to counter accelerated photo‐inactivation

We dissect the primary photo‐inactivation and the counteracting metabolic repair rates in fragments of the scleractinian coral, Pocillopora damicornis, subjected to a combined stress of a shift to elevated temperature (from 26°C to 32°C) and increased light (from 200 µmol photons m−2 s−1 to 400 µmol photons m−2 s−1) to induce bleaching. During the bleaching treatment the dinoflagellate symbionts showed a 5.5‐fold acceleration in their photosystem II (PSII) repair rate constant, demonstrating that they maintain strong metabolic capacity to clear and replace photo‐damaged D1 protein at the elevated temperature and light conditions. Nevertheless, the symbionts concurrently suffered a seven‐fold increase in the rate constant for PSII photo‐inactivation. This rapid photo‐inactivation exceeded the PSII repair capacity, therefore tipping the symbionts, and by implication the symbiosis, into net photo‐inhibition. Increased photo‐inactivation in hospite, rather than an inhibition of PSII repair, is the principle trigger for net photo‐inhibition under bleaching conditions.
Codesign and Usability Testing of a Mobile Application To Support Family-Delivered Enteral Tube Care.

BACKGROUND Enteral tubes are prevalent among children with medical complexity (CMC), and complications can lead to costly health care use. Our objective was to design and test the usability of a mobile application (app) to support family-delivered enteral tube care. METHODS Human-centered design methods (affinity diagramming, persona development, and software development) were applied with family caregivers of CMC to develop a prototype. During 3 waves of usability testing with design refinement between waves, screen capture software collected user-app interactions and inductive content analysis of narrative feedback identified areas for design improvement. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index and the System Usability Scale quantified mental workload and ease of use. RESULTS Design participants identified core app functions, including displaying care routines, reminders, tracking inventory and health data, caregiver communication, and troubleshooting. Usability testing participants were 80% non-Hispanic white, 28% lived in rural settings, and 20% had not completed high school. Median years providing enteral care was 2 (range 1-14). Design iterations improved app function, simplification, and user experience. The mean System Usability Scale score was 76, indicating above-average usability. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index revealed low mental demand, frustration, and effort. All 14 participants reported that they would recommend the app, and that the app would help with organization, communication, and caregiver transitions. CONCLUSIONS Using a human-centered codesign process, we created a highly usable mobile application to support enteral tube caregiving at home. Future work involves evaluating the feasibility of longitudinal use and effectiveness in improving self-efficacy and reduce device complications.
Novel antibody-drug conjugates: current and future roles in gynecologic oncology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a new class of drugs that combine a surface receptor-targeting antibody linked to a cytotoxic molecule. This review summarizes the current literature demonstrating their tremendous promise as therapeutic agents in the treatment of aggressive gynecologic malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS Several antigens have proven to be differentially overexpressed in a variety of gynecologic tumors when compared with normal surrounding tissue and serve as novel targets for ADC therapy. In the last few years HER2/neu, folic acid-alpha (FRα) and Trop-2 overexpression have been exploited as excellent targets by novel ADCs such as Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), SYD985, IMGN853 (Mirvetuximab soravtansine) and Sacituzumab govitecan (SG, IMMU-132) in multiple tumors including ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers. Although the selectivity of ADCs with noncleavable linkers (i.e. T-DM1) has shown negligible effect on surrounding antigen negative cells, those ADCs with cleavable linkers (i.e. SYD985, IMGN853 and SG) may kill both antigen-positive target cells and surrounding antigen-negative cells via the bystander effect. SUMMARY Preclinical data strongly supports these ADCs and ongoing clinical trials will shed further light into the potential of making these drugs part of current standard practice and providing our patients with a higher level of personalized cancer care.
A Nodular Pink Lesion with an Uncommon Diagnosis: A Quiz

Journal Compilation © 2020 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3590 A 45-year-old North African man referred to us with a bullet-like nodule, which was smooth, firm and pink, that had appeared one year previously on his left little toe (Fig. 1A, B). At first it was asymptomatic, but in the last 3 months the lesion had begun growing, completely involving the nail bed, with total dislocation of the nail plate, causing much discomfort. Dermoscopy revealed that the main feature was an extensive network of monomorphic thin and thick branched vessels on diffuse blushing background with central hyperkeratosis (Fig. 1C, D). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging ruled out involvement of the distal phalanx. An incisional biopsy revealed a dermal low-grade proliferation of CD34+ spindle cells in a collagenous stroma, with hyperkeratotic epidermis (Fig. 2). Immunohistochemistry was negative for alpha-smooth muscle actin, CD99, S100, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), desmin, myogenin, and beta-catenin. The nodule and the nail apparatus were thereafter completely excised with a V-Y flap reconstruction.
The accuracy of haemoglobin A1c as a screening and diagnostic test for gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of test accuracy studies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy complications. Accurate screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes are critical to treatment, and in a pandemic scenario like coronavirus disease 2019 needing a simple test that minimises prolonged hospital stay. We undertook a meta-analysis on the screening and diagnostic accuracy of the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test in women with and without risk factors for gestational diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS Unlike the oral glucose tolerance test, the HbA1c test is simple, quick and more acceptable. There is a growing body of evidence on the accuracy of HbA1c as a screening and diagnostic test for GDM. We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library and selected relevant studies. Accuracy data for different thresholds within the final 23 included studies (16 921 women) were pooled using a multiple thresholds model. Summary accuracy indices were estimated by selecting an optimal threshold that optimises either sensitivity or specificity according to different scenarios. SUMMARY HbA1c is more useful as a specific test at a cut-off of 5.7% (39 mmol/mol) with a false positive rate of 10%, but should be supplemented by a more sensitive test to detect women with GDM.
Influence of weeding frequency and plant population on yield and yield , s components of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in North Kordofan of Sudan

Background: A field experiment was conducted at North Kordofan of Sudan, on naturally infested field during 2006/07 and 2007/08 rainy seasons, to determine optimal weeding frequency for weeding management in four plant populations (17, 1 1 8 and 7 plants m-2) of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L ). Weeding treatments consisted of three levels (no weeding, weeding once (at 2 weeks) and weeding twice (at 2 and 4 weeks after sowing). The weeds were controlled using a hand hoe. Weeds significantly reduced the yield attributes. Weeding twice at 2 and 4 weeks after sowing was optimal for pods number, 100seed weight and seed yield (g/ plant). Final yield (t/ha) increased with the treatments 17 plants m-2 and weeding twice.
Mutation breeding of Aspergillus niger strain LW-1 for high-yield β-mannanase production

A parent strain of Aspergillus niger LW-1 producing β-mannanase, preserved in our laboratory, was isolated. A strain, N-9, was screened out and further treated with vacuum microwave irradiation and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). A mutant strain, E-30, producing a high and stable yield of β-mannanase was obtained through screening by solid-state cultivation on the basic fermentation medium and several generations of bevel subculture. Its enzyme activity (36 675 U/g) was increased by 2.15 times compared to that of A. niger LW-1 (17 048 U/g). The production of high-yield β-mannanase by E-30 remained stable when maintained at 4°C for 2 months.
THE USE OF PROPIONIC ACID AS AN ADDITIVE FOR MAIZE SILAGE

Two clamps of maize silage were prepared in mid-October, one with 0*33% propionic acid applied during harvesting and one without additive. The treated silage had a peak temperature 3°C below tbat of tbe untreated silage. Tbe estimated loss of DM during ensiling was 8% greater in tbe untreated silage. Tbe stability and acceptability of the silages were tested after exposure to air. The treated silage was slightly more stable than the untreated milage and the intakes by heifers were sligbtly greater. Tbe digestibilities of tbe two silages estimated in wetber sbeep were similar, averaging 68-6% digestible OM in tbe DM at maintenance level and 63-5% at a bigb level of feeding. Tbe intakes and growtb rates of calves and beifers oifered tbe two silages were also similar.
Go Figure! Multi-task transformer-based architecture for metaphor detection using idioms: ETS team in 2020 metaphor shared task

This paper describes the ETS entry to the 2020 Metaphor Detection shared task. Our contribution consists of a sequence of experiments using BERT, starting with a baseline, strengthening it by spell-correcting the TOEFL corpus, followed by a multi-task learning setting, where one of the tasks is the token-level metaphor classification as per the shared task, while the other is meant to provide additional training that we hypothesized to be relevant to the main task. In one case, out-of-domain data manually annotated for metaphor is used for the auxiliary task; in the other case, in-domain data automatically annotated for idioms is used for the auxiliary task. Both multi-task experiments yield promising results.