Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the resistant mechanism of Fusarium wilt TR4 interactions with different cultivars and its elicitor application

Fusarium wilt of banana, especially Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is a major factor restricting banana production. Developing a resistant cultivar and inducing plant defenses by elicitor application are currently two of the best options to control this disease. Isotianil is a monocarboxylic acid amide that has been used as a fungicide to control rice blast and could potentially induce systemic acquired resistance in plants. To determine the control effect of elicitor isotianil on TR4 in different resistant cultivars, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted and its results showed that isotianil could significantly alleviate the symptoms of TR4, provide enhanced disease control on the cultivars ‘Baxi’ and ‘Yunjiao No.1’ with control effect 50.14% and 56.14%, respectively. We compared the infection processes in ‘Baxi’ (susceptible cultivars) and ‘Yunjiao No.1’ (resistant cultivars) two cultivars inoculated with pathogen TR4. The results showed that TR4 hyphae could rapidly penetrate the cortex into the root vascular bundle for colonization, and the colonization capacity in ‘Baxi’ was significantly higher than that in ‘Yunjiao No.1’. The accumulation of a large number of starch grains was observed in corms cells, and further analysis showed that the starch content in ‘Yunjiao No. 1’ as resistant cultivar was significantly higher than that in ‘Baxi’ as susceptible cultivar, and isotianil application could significantly increase the starch content in ‘Baxi’. Besides, a mass of tyloses were observed in the roots and corms and these tyloses increased after application with isotianil. Furthermore, the total starch and tyloses contents and the control effect in the corms of ‘Yunjiao No.1’ was higher than that in the ‘Baxi’. Moreover, the expression levels of key genes for plant resistance induction and starch synthesis were analyzed, and the results suggested that these genes were significantly upregulated at different time points after the application of isotianil. These results suggest that there are significant differences between cultivars in response to TR4 invasion and plant reactions with respect to starch accumulation, tyloses formation and the expression of plant resistance induction and starch synthesis related genes. Results also indicate that isotianil application may contribute to disease control by inducing host plant defense against TR4 infection and could be potentially used together with resistant cultivar as integrated approach to manage this destructive disease. Further research under field conditions should be included in the next phases of study.
Prevalence, multiple antibiotic resistance and virulence profile of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in retail poultry meat from Edo, Nigeria

Introduction Staphylococcus aureus causes staphylococcal food poisoning and several difficult-to-treat infections. The occurrence and dissemination of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in Nigeria is crucial and well documented in hospitals. However, findings on MRSA from meat in the country are yet to be adequately reported. The current study determined the prevalence, virulence profile and antibiogram characteristics of MRSA from a raw chicken product from retail outlets within Edo. Methods A total of 368 poultry meat samples were assessed for MRSA using a standard culture-based approach and characterized further using a molecular method. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method. The biofilm profile of the isolates was assayed via the crystal violet microtitre-plate method. Virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes were screened using polymerase chain reaction via specific primers. Results Of the samples tested, 110 (29.9%) were positive for MRSA. All the isolates were positive for deoxyribonuclease (DNase), coagulase and beta-hemolysis production. Biofilm profile revealed 27 (24.55%) weak biofilm formers, 18 (16.36%) moderate biofilm formers, and 39 (35.45%) strong biofilm formers. The isolates harboured 2 and ≤17 virulence genes. Enterotoxin gene profiling revealed that 100 (90.9%) isolates harboured one or more genes. Resistance against the tested antibiotics followed the order: tetracycline 64(58.2%), ciprofloxacin 71(64.6%), trimethoprim 71(64.6%) and rifampin 103(93.6%). A total of 89 isolates were multidrug-resistant, while 3 isolates were resistant to all 22 antibiotics tested. The isolates harboured antimicrobial-resistant determinants such as methicillin-resistant gene (mecA), tetracycline resistance genes (tetK, tetL), erythromycin resistance genes (ermA, ermC), trimethoprim resistance gene (dfrK). All the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) IVa and SCCmec V positive isolates harboured the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Gene (PVL). Conclusion In conclusion, S. aureus was resistant to commonly used antibiotics; a concern to public health concerning the transmission of these pathogens after consuming these highlight the significance of antimicrobial and enterotoxigenic monitoring of S. aureus in food chains.
Response inhibition in children with different subtypes/presentations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A near-infrared spectroscopy study

Background Executive dysfunction in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is thought to be closely related to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, there is controversy over the activation of the PFC in children with ADHD. Differences could be related to the subtype. Meanwhile, no study to date has used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore the differences between subtypes. Thus, this study aimed to explore the activation of the PFC in children with different subtypes of ADHD during executive function task. Methods Participants in this study include typically developing (TD) children (n = 28), ADHD-predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI) (n = 39) and ADHD-combined (ADHD-C) (n = 24). To examine the executive function of ADHD, the Go/No-go task is chosen to assess the response inhibition function. The activation of PFC in all participants during the Go/No-go task was recorded by fNIRS. Meanwhile, behavioral data were also recorded. Results Both TD and ADHD children activated the right PFC [middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)] during response inhibition. However, the range and degree of activation differed among these groups. Compared with TD children, those with ADHD-PI had a smaller extent of activation in the right PFC, and those with ADHD-C only had a tendency to enhance activation. In addition, children with ADHD-PI and ADHD-C had impaired activation of the temporal gyrus. Besides, compared with ADHD-C and TD, those with ADHD-PI also had impaired activation of the right precentral gyrus (PG), and the supplementary motor area (SMA). Compared with ADHD-PI, ADHD-C showed decreased activation of the right MFG. The activation of Ch34 (BA44, rPFC) in children with ADHD-PI and ADHD-C was negatively correlated with their clinical symptoms. Conclusion The activation of the PFC in children with different subtypes of ADHD has both commonalities and differences. The degree of activation of the right PFC Ch34 in children with ADHD is negatively correlated with clinical symptoms. fNIRS could be served as a candidate hemodynamic biomarker for the diagnosis of ADHD.
Research Progress of Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials Based on Synergistic Industrial Wastes

Cementitious material based on synergistic industrial wastes can be used as a new product for low-carbon transformation. It can aid in resource recycling and suitable consumption and utilisation of various industrial wastes. The proposed material can reduce a large amount of CO2 emitted during calcination in cement production and the decomposition of raw limestone. In addition, the material exhibits high durability and high resistance to corrosion in the marine environment that can further reduce CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of the carbon footprint of the building. Currently, many similar chemical kinetic processes and mineralogical reaction processes of particle migration and rebinding exist in the hydration and hardening reactions, service processes and durability evolution of different industrial waste cementitious systems for low-carbon production. The theoretical basis of preparing various low-carbon cementitious materials (LCCMs) with industrial waste systems is discussed herein, including the two theories of ‘complex salt effect’ and ‘isomorphic effect from tetrahedral coordination of silicon-oxygen’. Further research on LCCM is based on the theoretical foundation of ‘passive hydration kinetics’. Furthermore, this study presents the CO2 reduction potential of LCCM prepared using industrial wastes and provides future research directions in this regard.
Electromigration in thin aluminum films on titanium nitride

The aluminum electromigration drift velocity was measured at the temperature range 250–400 °C. A threshold current density was found inversely proportional to the stripe length. An activation energy of 0.65 eV was found for the drift velocity. The occurrence of the threshold is explained by opposing chemical gradients created by the atom pile‐up and depletion at the stripe ends. The threshold may explain several observations reported previously. The threshold is increased by decreasing the temperature or by enclosing the aluminum in silicon nitride. Virtually no electromigration is seen for very short aluminum stripes even at current densities above 106 A/cm2.
The spatial distribution of H II regions in NGC 4321

A catalog of 286 H II regions in the giant Sc Virgo Cluster spiral galaxy NGC 4321 is used to analyze some aspects of this galaxy's spiral structure. The H II region distribution is rectified to face-on by least-squares fitting to a logarithmic spiral, and the radial distribution, the across-arm distribution, and the along-arm distribution of H II regions are determined. Comparison of the circular distribution with a simple shock wave model of the density wave theory does not clearly support the model. Arm 1 shows no obvious structure, and arm 2, although it has a clear peak, does not show the expected asymmetrical distribution. Agreement is reasonably good, however, with the somewhat more elaborate density wave model of Bash. Tests for clumping of the H II regions were negative.
Scanning Kelvin Probe for Detection in Steel of Locations Enriched by Hydrogen and Prone to Cracking

Hydrogen, due to corrosion processes, can degrade high strength steels (HSS) through embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking mechanisms. Scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) mapping of surface potential was applied, to visualize the locations with an increased subsurface concentration of hydrogen in mild steel and martensitic HSS. This work can help to determine the reasons behind hydrogen localization in a steel microstructure, leading to embrittlement and hydrogen-assisted cracking. Cathodic charging was used to insert hydrogen, which decreased the steel potential. Hydrogen effusion in air passivates steel, increasing the potential of HSS and mild steel. The passivation of steels was monitored depending on different conditions of cathodic pre-charging and the amount of absorbed hydrogen. The SKP could determine the area of diffusible hydrogen and the area of cracks. In addition, low potential locations linked to the hydrogen trapped in the deformed HSS microstructure were also determined, which delayed the steel passivation. Mild steel showed a uniform potential distribution related to interstitial hydrogen, without potential extremes attributed to locally accumulated hydrogen. Thus, SKP sensing can detect locations containing increased concentrations of hydrogen and sensitive to steel cracking.
Size dependence of rutile TiO2 lattice parameters determined via simultaneous size, strain, and shape modeling

Simultaneous crystal structure, microstructure, and morphology modeling with convolution-based profile fitting of angle-dispersive synchrotron x-ray diffraction data was applied to retrieve the size-dependent lattice changes in nanocrystalline rutile TiO2. The dominant prismatic crystallite morphology was adequately modeled using the parallelepiped geometry. As with anatase TiO2, opposing trends of decreasing c and increasing a parameter, as well as lattice expansion with decreasing average crystallite size were observed. A correlation between Ti vacancy abundance and lattice volume increase suggests a possible causative link.
Fabrication and mechanical behavior of a prototype for the LHC low-beta quadrupole magnets

Superconducting low-beta quadrupole magnets for the LHC insertion regions are being developed at KEK as part of the collaboration between CERN and KEK. Magnet production technology developed at KEK has been transferred to a manufacturer of production magnets. In order to verify the production technology, fabrication jigs, tools, and procedures, the first full-scale prototype, MQXA-P1, was fabricated. Mechanical characteristics of MQXA-P1 were measured during the magnet assembly process, and it satisfied specifications needed for the production magnets. The validity of the magnet design and fabrication method was confirmed.
Design of an exact nonlinear controller for induction motors

A novel approach to the control of induction motors is presented. The approach is based on differential-geometric concepts for the control of nonlinear systems. Structural properties of the model are pointed out, and a proper selection of physically meaningful system outputs is indicated which yields, by means of static state-feedback, exact state linearization and input-output decoupling of the closed-loop system. The approach is used to design a controller for motor torque and flux. Simulation results are included. >
Cellular Heterogeneity in the Atria: An In Silico Study in the Impact on Reentries

In-silico modelling is increasingly relied upon to gain new insights into the underlying mechanisms of atrial fibrillation. Due to the complex nature of the atria, insilico models typically exclude cellular heterogeneity. One question that remains unanswered is the impact of cellular heterogeneity on reentrant mechanisms and in the vulnerable window (VW). This study aims to present the impact of cellular heterogeneity on the AF mechanisms and susceptibility to re-entry behaviour. Cellular heterogeneity was introduced into the whole atrial model using the population of models approach and regionally specific node assignment. Each atrial model was stimulated from the SA node, followed by a series of rapid-paced ectopic beats at one of three locations in the left atria. Results showed a small, insignificant increase in reentrant frequency as a result of cellular heterogeneity, with only minor changes to the re-entrant circuit. However, the vulnerable window was significantly impacted through the introduction of cellular heterogeneity. The results suggest that cellular heterogeneity in the atrial model resulted in an increased VW for reentry depending on EB location. This suggests that local cellular heterogeneity plays a significant role in the susceptibility to re-entries, but does not significantly impact the path or frequency of re-entries.
Evaluating Prescription Pattern and Effectiveness of Antihypertensive Drugs in Non-Operated Aortic Dissection Patients

Introduction: Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening disease. However, the effectiveness of different strategies of antihypertensive therapies in non-operated AD patients is still unclear. Materials and methods: Patients were classified into five groups (groups 0–4) based on the number of classes of antihypertensive drugs, including β-blockers, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) agents (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and the renin-inhibitors), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and other antihypertensive drugs, were prescribed within 90 days after discharge. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome of re-hospitalization associated with AD, referral for aortic surgery, and all-cause death. Results: A total of 3932 non-operated AD patients were included in our study. The most prescribed antihypertensive drugs were CCBs, followed by β-blockers and ARBs. Within group 1, compared to other antihypertensive drugs, patients using RAS agents (aHR, 0.58; p = 0.005) had a significantly lower risk of occurrence of the outcome. Within group 2, the risk of composite outcomes was lower in patients using β-blockers + CCBs (aHR, 0.60; p = 0.004) or CCBs + RAS agents (aHR, 0.60; p = 0.006) than in those using RAS agents + others. Conclusion: For non-operated AD patients, RAS agents, β-blockers, or CCBs should be given in a different strategy of combinations to reduce the hazard of AD-related complications compared to other agents.
On the Formation of the Homunculus Nebula around η Carinae

We have constructed an interacting winds scenario to account for the geometric and kinematic properties of the Homunculus in η Carinae as seen in recent Hubble Space Telescope observations. Winds from a giant eruption in 1840–1860 sweep into a small (1014 cm), dense (∼1014 cm-3), 2 M⊙, near-nuclear toroidal ring. The external medium is uniform at ∼2000 particles cm-3. The ring is all but destroyed by the winds in the eruption. Even so, it manages to provide a good deal of collimation to the mass ejected in the first 20 years. Subsequent weaker outflows ram into the outburst gas and initiate surface instabilities and wrinkles. Unlike earlier models, ours is in accordance with the observation that no large, extended disklike distribution is seen around the nebula that could have collimated the bipolar lobes. Models with cooling form essentially ballistic flows (that is, a pair of cones each with a spherical base) whose lateral edges become wrinkled by shear instabilities. A new aspect of the radiative models is the fragmentation of the dense ring, which may help to explain the thin, radial filamentary structure that is seen in the equatorial region of the Homunculus. Adiabatic models become very hot quickly and explode through the nascent cones into the confining gas before the dense collar is destroyed. A pair of spherical lobes form. After 150 years the lobe walls are corrugated by shearing instabilities. These lobes morph into a large, single balloon after about another 300 years.
Solar influences on polar modes of variability

We present a multiple regression analysis of time series of the leading modes of variability in high latitudes, the Northern and Southern Annular Modes (NAM and SAM). The potential forcing factors we investigate include solar activity and stratospheric (volcanic) aerosol, the quasi-biennial oscillation, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and stratospheric ozone concentrations. We investigate levels from the surface to the middle stratosphere and we also conduct a similar analysis of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in surface pressure. We find a significant trend in SAM at all levels and in surface NAM but not in the NAO. There is some correlation of ENSO with both the SAM and NAM, with warm events being associated with weakening of the polar vortices. Strong volcanic aerosol signals are found with different signs in the two hemispheres. There is a clear solar influence on the NAO but no statistically significant signals of solar forcing are found in either the NAM or SAM. The QBO is not detected except, marginally, in the NAM in winter. However, when a new index, the product of the solar and QBO indices, is used in place of the two factors individually then a good correlation is found throughout the atmosphere in the SAM, and at the lower levels in the winter NAM. The different results for the NAO and surface NAM lead us to conclude, speculatively, that a (solar) stratospheric influence on the troposphere may well be through two different routes. The first of these is the influence of low latitude lower stratospheric heating on the Hadley circulation and mid-latitude eddies and thus on the NAO; the second is modulation, by a combination of solar and QBO forcing, of the polar stratosphere which influences the annular modes in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Frontline Sodium Channel-Blocking Antiseizure Medicine Use Promotes Future Onset of Drug-Resistant Chronic Seizures

The mechanisms of treatment-resistant epilepsy remain unclear. We have previously shown that frontline administration of therapeutic doses of lamotrigine (LTG), which preferentially inhibits the fast-inactivation state of sodium channels, during corneal kindling of mice promotes cross-resistance to several other antiseizure medicines (ASMs). However, whether this phenomenon extends to monotherapy with ASMs that stabilize the slow inactivation state of sodium channels is unknown. Therefore, this study assessed whether lacosamide (LCM) monotherapy during corneal kindling would promote future development of drug-resistant focal seizures in mice. Male CF-1 mice (n = 40/group; 18–25 g) were administered an anticonvulsant dose of LCM (4.5 mg/kg, i.p.), LTG (8.5 mg/kg, i.p.), or vehicle (0.5% methylcellulose) twice daily for two weeks during kindling. A subset of mice (n = 10/group) were euthanized one day after kindling for immunohistochemical assessment of astrogliosis, neurogenesis, and neuropathology. The dose-related antiseizure efficacy of distinct ASMs, including LTG, LCM, carbamazepine, levetiracetam, gabapentin, perampanel, valproic acid, phenobarbital, and topiramate, was then assessed in the remaining kindled mice. Neither LCM nor LTG administration prevented kindling: 29/39 vehicle-exposed mice were kindled; 33/40 LTG-exposed mice were kindled; and 31/40 LCM-exposed mice were kindled. Mice administered LCM or LTG during kindling became resistant to escalating doses of LCM, LTG, and carbamazepine. Perampanel, valproic acid, and phenobarbital were less potent in LTG- and LCM-kindled mice, whereas levetiracetam and gabapentin retained equivalent potency across groups. Notable differences in reactive gliosis and neurogenesis were also appreciated. This study indicates that early, repeated administration of sodium channel-blocking ASMs, regardless of inactivation state preference, promotes pharmacoresistant chronic seizures. Inappropriate ASM monotherapy in newly diagnosed epilepsy may thus be one driver of future drug resistance, with resistance being highly ASM class specific.
Computation of Unsteady Transonic Flows by the Indicial Method

The indicial method is investigated for the computation of unsteady transonic force and moment coefficients for use in flutter analyses. This approach has the advantage that solutions for all reduced frequencies for a given mode of motion can be obtained from a single finite-difference flowfield computation. Comparisons of indicial and time-integration computations for oscillating airfoil and flap motions help define limits on the motion amplitude for the applicability of the indicial method to transonic flows. Within these limits, solutions for various motion modes can be superposed to obtain solutions for multiple-degree-of-freedom aeroelastic systems. Also, a simple aeroelastic problem is solved by an alternative approach in which the structural motion and flowfield equations are integrated simultaneously using a time-integration finite-difference procedure.