Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 17F Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Kidney Allograft Failure

Background and objectives: Polymorphisms of the interleukin (IL)-17 proinflammatory cytokine family (IL17A and IL17F) have been associated with kidney chronic allograft failure (CAF). To date, the impact of heritable differences in IL17F genes and CAF among kidney transplant patients from North America has not been reported. The objective of the study was to assess the association of five distinct polymorphisms in the IL17F gene with histopathological changes in chronic kidney allograft failure. Methods: Two hundred eighteen kidney transplant recipients were enrolled. Surveillance biopsies were performed to evaluate 11 distinct histological markers and the combined grade of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, 6 to 12 months post-transplant. Using direct sequencing, the IL17F polymorphisms (-1507C/T rs1889570, -1165A/G rs1266828, -5046C/T rs7771511, -6328G/A rs766748, and -7488A/G rs763780) were genotyped in the 10 healthy volunteer samples followed by all kidney transplant recipients were genotyped for five IL17F gene polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primers. The association was evaluated using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: We observed weak associations of TC genotype of IL17F - 1165 (rs1266828) and allele of IL17F -1507C (rs1889570) with glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy ( p = 0.017 and p = 0.03) respectively. Allele C of IL-17 -1165C/T (rs1266828) was associated with better glomerular sclerosis ( p = 0.004, odds ratio = 0.39) score. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that IL17F SNPs were not associated with CAF and support our prior published results
Characteristics of Spatio-temporal Dynamic Changes of the Carbon Storage of Forest Vegetation in Xingguo County

Based on the sixth forest inventory data in Xingguo County,Jiangxi Province,the paper estimated forest vegetation biomass and carbon storage in 2003.The relationships between carbon density and ages of the main forest types were also established by using Logistic equation.We estimate the carbon storage of forest vegetation in Xingguo County from 1985 to 2003,and analysis characteristics of its spatio-temporal dynamic change.The results show that:(1) In 2003,the forest area was 22.65×104 hm2,the biomass was 5.97 Tg and carbon storage was 4.13 TgC,average carbon density was 18.25 Mg·hm-2.According to the forest type,the order from high to low of forest biomass and carbon storage were Pinus massoniana,Cunninghamia lanceolata forest,Ecnomic forest,Hardwood forest,Pinus elliottii forest,Pubescens forest,Mixed forest,Softwood forest.According to age groups of forests,the order from large to small of forest biomass and carbon storage were Middle-aged forest,Young Forest,Near-mature Forest,Mature Forest,Over-mature forest.According to forest original,the natural forest biomass and carbon storage were 4.3 and 3.9 times as artificial forest. (2)The forest carbon storage in 1985,1990,2003 were 1.65,2.97,4.13 TgC respectively.The growth trend was obviously.The carbon storage was rising year by year from 1985 to 2003.The annual carbon sequestration is about 0.14 TgC from 1985 to 2003.The carbon storage in eastern and northern Xingguo County were higher than that in the middle and western. (3) From characters of the spatio-temporal dynamic change of carbon storage in Xingguo County,we can see that carbon storage capacity reached an higher level and remained stable in 2003.The air sowing and artificial afforestation in the middle and late 1980s is responsible for it.In the future,when the compartment area reach stable,The potentiality of carbon storage of forest can be improved by reasonable forest operating managements.
Identification of a venetoclax-resistance prognostic signature base on 6-senescence genes and its clinical significance for acute myeloid leukemia

Background Satisfactory responses can be obtained for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated by Venetoclax (VEN)-based therapy. However, there are still quite a few AML patients (AMLs) resistant to VEN, and it is critical to understand whether VEN-resistance is regulated by senescence. Methods Here, we established and validated a signature for predicting AML prognosis based on VEN resistance-related senescence genes (VRSGs). In this study, 51 senescence genes were identified with VEN-resistance in AML. Using LASSO algorithms and multiple AML cohorts, a VEN-resistance senescence prognostic model (VRSP-M) was developed and validated based on 6-senescence genes. Results According to the median score of the signature, AMLs were classified into two subtypes. A worse prognosis and more adverse features occurred in the high-risk subtype, including older patients, non-de novo AML, poor cytogenetics, adverse risk of European LeukemiaNet (ELN) 2017 recommendation, and TP53 mutation. Patients in the high-risk subtype were mainly involved in monocyte differentiation, senescence, NADPH oxidases, and PD1 signaling pathway. The model’s risk score was significantly associated with VEN-resistance, immune features, and immunotherapy response in AML. In vitro, the IC50 values of ABT-199 (VEN) rose progressively with increasing expression of G6PD and BAG3 in AML cell lines. Conclusions The 6-senescence genes prognostic model has significant meaning for the prediction of VEN-resistance, guiding personalized molecularly targeted therapies, and improving AML prognosis.
Metsäisten valuma-alueiden vesistökuormituksen laskenta

Forests affect the quality of water in watercourses. Leaching of substances from forests and mires in a natural state into the watercourses is called background loading. There are, however, no catchment areas in Finland that are entirely free of human impacts because human activities affect the composition of atmospheric deposition and, consequently, the quality of the water entering watercourses. Forest management practices, such as clear cutting, site preparation, fertilization and ditch drainage, increase the load on the watercourses. This report presents the KALLE method for calculating the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment load on the basis of increases in the background load originating from forestry land, as well as that caused by forest management. We also provide background load values and specific load values for forest regeneration on mineral soil and peatland, forest fertilization and peatland ditch maintenance based on recent research. The specific load figures are based on the assumption that all the necessary water protection measures have been implemented (establishment of buffer zones along the edges of watercourses in connection with clear cutting, and the establishment of sedimentation ponds in connection with ditch maintenance). The calculation method takes into account the fact that these measures have a long-term impact. The KALLE method can be used for nationwide calculations covering river basin groups and river basin districts. The estimated background loads on forestry land in the country as a whole and in individual river basin districts, as well as the estimated loads resulting from different forest management practices produced using the KALLE method, are given as examples.
Data-Driven Adaptive Tracking Control of Piezoelectric-Actuated Motion Stage Using a Multi-Factor Objective Function

This brief proposes a modified data-driven adaptive tracking control (MDDATC) scheme for a piezoelectric-actuated motion stage (PAMS) via the full form dynamic linearization (FFDL) technique and a multi-factor objective function. First, the FFDL method is employed to build a data model for the PAMS. Then, to improve the transient performance of the PAMS, a novel multi-factor objective function is proposed to obtain the control law. Specifically, the multi-factor objective function consists of the tracking error, change rate of the tracking error, and forward difference of the control law. In addition, the theoretical analysis is provided to guarantee that the closed-loop system is semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, comparative experiments conducted on the PAMS are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MDDATC scheme.
Microsatellite Markers: A Tool to Assess the Genetic Diversity of Yellow Mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Microsatellite markers were used for the assessment of genetic diversity and genetic structure in a germplasm collection of yellow mustard, Sinapis alba L. The comprehensive collection of genetic resources represented 187 registered varieties, landraces, and breeding materials. Microsatellites generated 44 polymorphic alleles in 15 loci. Eleven of them were medium to highly polymorphic, and the high levels of observed heterozygosity (0.12–0.83) and Nei’s gene diversity index (0.11–0.68) indicated a high level of polymorphism. Based on PCoA and neighbor joining analyses, the genetic resources were divided into two groups. The range of genetic dissimilarity in the analysed collection was in the range of 0.00–1.00. The high level of dissimilarity between the accessions was documented by the high WAM value (33.82%). Bayesian clustering algorithms were performed in the STRUCTURE 2.3. 4 software. The number of clusters was estimated at K = 2. The accessions were classified according to Q1/Q2 values. The low average values of the parameters Fst_1 (0.3482), Fst_2 (0.1916), and parameter alpha (0.0602) indicated substantial mating barriers between varieties and reproductive isolation due to the limited exchange of genetic resources between breeders. These results demonstrated the importance of extensive collections of genetic resources for the maintenance of genetic diversity and indicated considerable genetic differentiation among accessions.
Impact of financial literacy on financial inclusion and household financial decisions: exploring the role of ICTs

Abstract The objective of this paper is to assess the extent of financial literacy and the impact of access to and use of ICTs (information and communication technologies) on household financial decisions, such as savings, retirement planning, household budgeting, and engagement in financial markets. This study analyzes survey data collected from 409 households belonging to the low- and middle-income brackets across four cities in Pakistan. By employing probit model, it finds that a higher level of (advanced) financial literacy is associated with an increased likelihood of improved savings and household budgeting. However, the overall financial literacy score (basic plus advanced) is associated only with savings decision. Additionally, the results reveal that the ICTs adoption plays a role in influencing decisions related to financial market participation and savings. The results also show that financial literacy, along with ICTs, positively influences financial market participation and retirement decisions. Nevertheless, results suggest mixed impacts of financial literacy and ICTs on financial decisions which lends partial support to the study hypotheses. In conclusion, our results underscore the importance of financial literacy alongside ICT adoption to promote financial market participation and improve household financial management.
Question about the Basement of the Qiangtang Micro-plate

According to the regional geological surveying data from the Gerze area, Xizang( Tibet) (1 : 1000000) and 14 zircon-single Pb-Pb ages (3204-509 Ma) from the low-metamorphic rocks in Gomo Ri and Guoganjianian Mountains, some geologists constructed a Pt-Ar lithostratigraphic system and proposed a two-layer structure model with a hard crystallized basement and a soft basement. But some geological data have made certain that those zircons came from debris sediments, and that those ages could not represent the diagenetic and metamorphic time. The author has obtained 384 Ma Zircon-single isochron age from the Douguer gneiss (which was thought to be Paleoproterozoic before) , 346 Ma Rb-Sr isotopic age from the volcanics deposited under the early Carboniferous layer to the east of Riwanchaka (which belonged to AnD before) and 318 Ma Rb-Sr isotopic age from the basalts interbedded within the Mayer Kangri Formation. During the field study, the author also corrected the angle unconformity between the basement and the Carboniferous-Permian cap rocks to the conformity. On the basis of the analyses for the field geological occurrence and the isotopic ages, a question related to the basement and its two-layer structure of the Qiangtang micro-plate was put forward. At last, the author thinks that most low metamorphic rocks are thought to be Carboniferous and that the previous conclusion about the Pt-Ar lithostratigraphics, metamorphic times, two-layer basal structure and the evolution is not true because it resulted from the misuse of isotopic ages.
Addressing lung cancer screening eligibility in Spain using 2013 and 2021 US Preventive Service Task Force criteria: cross-sectional study

Objectives The aim of the study was to ascertain the percentage of Spanish lung cancer cases that would fulfil the lung cancer screening inclusion criteria recommended by the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) in 2013 and 2021. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out. All lung cancer cases registered in the Thoracic Tumor Registry with data on date of birth, date of diagnosis, smoking habit, number of pack-years and time elapsed since smoking cessation were included. Results The study included 15 006 patients diagnosed with lung cancer in Spain between 2016 and 2022. Eligibility to participate in screening increased from 53.7% to 63.5% (an increase of 9.8%) according to the 2013 and 2021 recommendations, respectively. The percentage of eligible men rose by 9.2 percentage points with the 2021 versus 2013 recommendations, whereas this rise was 11.5 percentage points in women. Under the 2021 recommendations, 36.6% of women and 5.3% of men would not have fulfilled the screening inclusion criteria due to being never-smokers; 14.9% of women and 11.0% of men would not have fulfilled the age criterion; and 27.0% of ex-smokers among women compared to 35.6% among men would not have been eligible due to >15 years having elapsed since smoking cessation. Conclusions In Spain, over one-third of lung cancer cases could not be detected through screening, by virtue of not meeting the most recent inclusion criteria stated by the USPSTF. The degree of fulfilment in a potential nationwide screening programme should be analysed, with the aim of establishing inclusion criteria in line with each country's context. Tweetable abstract More than 30% of lung cancer cases in Spain could not have been detected through screening for not meeting the inclusion criteria. The degree of fulfilment at a national level should be assessed to establish criteria tailored to each country's context. https://bit.ly/491Zx8j
Observational evidence and capabilities related to intercontinental transport of ozone and particulate matter

For several decades it has been possible to measure particulate matter, ozone (O3) and their important precursors at even the lowest concentrations found in the most remote regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Even the earliest measurements found that long-range transport exerts a strong influence on these observed concentrations. For example, dust of Asian origin was observed throughout the North Pacific region [Duce et al., 1980; Prospero, 1979] and studies at the west coast of North America in 1985 identified the influence of Asian emissions on the sulphur budget [Andreae et al., 1988] and on the concentrations of O3, hydrocarbons, and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) [Parrish et al., 1992]. It has also been clear since at least the 1980s that increasing anthropogenic emissions of NOx since preindustrial times have led to pronounced ozone concentration increases throughout the Northern Hemisphere [e.g., Crutzen, 1988].
Who Is Curating My Political Feed? Characterizing Political Exposure of Registered U.S. Voters on Twitter

Social media platforms offer people a variety of options to engage with politics, from directly following elected officials to discussing politics with social peers. Despite major advances in recent research on online political exposure through the lens of selective exposure, filter bubbles, and ideological echo chambers, little is known about the fundamental questions of what types of political actors people are exposed to on social media, and how these distinctive types vary across sociodemographic groups. We address this gap in the literature by analyzing unique panel data on more than 600,000 registered U.S. voters on Twitter during the 2020 U.S. Presidential campaign. We analyze this dataset to identify distinct types of political consumers and how they vary in terms of sociodemographics. Our findings suggest that the bulk of the population has a meaningful share of political content available from social peers, that the majority of this content originates from traditional sources of political information (media organizations, journalists, and politicians), and that media organizations are the dominant and direct source of political information on Twitter for nearly 20% of the sample population. These results advance our understanding of the way citizens learn about politics in new media and pave the way for next-step research to identify the causal effect of exposure to distinct curators of political content on individuals’ political attitudes and political behavior.
Carbon source–dependent capsule thickness regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Background The polysaccharide capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae plays a major role in virulence, adherence to epithelial cells, and overall survival of the bacterium in the human host. Galactose, mannose, and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) are likely to be relevant for metabolization in the nasopharynx, while glucose is the primary carbon source in the blood. In this study, we aim to further the understanding of the influence of carbon sources on pneumococcal growth, capsule biosynthesis, and subsequent adherence potential. Methods We tested the growth behavior of clinical wild-type and capsule knockout S. pneumoniae strains, using galactose, GlcNAc, mannose, and glucose as carbon source for growth. We measured capsule thickness and quantified capsule precursors by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–dextran exclusion assays and 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, respectively. We also performed epithelial adherence assays using Detroit 562 cells and performed a transcriptome analysis (RNA sequencing). Results We observed a reduced growth in galactose, mannose, and GlcNAc compared to growth in glucose and found capsular size reductions in mannose and GlcNAc compared to galactose and glucose. Additionally, capsular precursor measurements of uridine diphosphate-(UDP)-glucose and UDP-galactose showed less accumulation of precursors in GlcNAc or mannose than in glucose and galactose, indicating a possible link with the received capsular thickness measurements. Epithelial adherence assays showed an increase in adherence potential for a pneumococcal strain, when grown in mannose compared to glucose. Finally, transcriptome analysis of four clinical isolates revealed not only strain specific but also common carbon source-specific gene expression. Conclusion Our findings may indicate a careful adaption of the lifestyle of S. pneumoniae according to the monosaccharides encountered in the respective human niche.
Influence of Disposal Environment on Availability and Plant Uptake of Heavy Metals in Dredged Material.

Abstract : Heavy metal uptake by Cyperus esculentus from 15 highly contaminated freshwater sediments under reduced (flooded) and oxidized (upland) disposal conditions was investigated in the greenhouse. Heavy metal uptake by Spartina alterniflora and Distichlis spicata from 14 highly contaminated saltwater sediments under flooded disposal conditions was also investigated in the greenhouse. The freshwater sediments were collected from waterways in the Great Lakes area; the saltwater sediments were collected from the gulf and Atlantic coastal areas. The sediments were transported to the laboratory, where each sediment was mixed thoroughly and divided in half. One half of the sediment was potted and maintained in a flooded state; the other half was air dried and ground before being potted (upland condition). Cyperus esculentus was grown from tubers planted in the freshwater sediments. Seeds of S. alterniflora and D. spicata were planted in the saltwater sediments. All plants were allowed to grow to maximum vegetative yield (C. esculentus, 90 days; S. alterniflora and D. spicata, 131 days). The moisture content of the upland sediments was maintained between field capacity of the sediment and wilting point of the plant. The plants were harvested and analyzed for the heavy metals zinc, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, arsenic, mercury, nickel, chromium, and lead. The sediments were analyzed for total heavy metals, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable heavy metals, heavy metals in the sediment interstitial water, oil and grease, pH, calcium carbonate equivalent, total sulfur, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and organic matter.
Measuring and assessing motor skills of selected Croatian U12, U14 and U16 tennis players

Purpose: The aim of this research is to analyse and to determine the differences between tennis players in younger age categories (U12, U and U16) in certain motor skills. Methods: A total of 60 tennis players ranked in the rankings of the Croatian Tennis Federation were measured by using 10 tests for assessing explosive strength in jump, speed, agility, and trunk strength. The tennis players were divided into three groups of 20 respondents, depending on the age category in which they compete. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between all age categories were found in indicators of frontal and lateral agility, running speed in the 20-m shuttle run test, and explosive strength in jump and repetitive trunk strength. Results: The results of the conducted tests indicate a linear development trend for the mentioned skills in relation with the increase of chronological age of the tennis players. Statistically significantly better results were shown between test subjects under 14 years compared to test subjects under 12 years in tests for the assessment of agility (SST,A9-3-6-3-9), in the 20 m sprint test, in tests of explosive strength of lower extremities (CMJ, CMJmax,SJ) and in the test of repetitive trunk strength (TF). Subjects under 16 years achieved significantly better results compared to subjects under 14 years in tests for assessing agility (SST, A9-3-6-3-9), speed (SRT5m, SRT10m, SRT20m) and explosiveness (CMJ, CMJmax, SJ). Players under 16 years recorded significantly better results in all tests for assessing agility (SST,A9-3-6-3-9), speed (SRT5m, SRT10m, SRT20m), explosiveness of the lower extremities (CMJ, CMJmax, SJ) and in the test for assessing repetitive trunk strength (TF). Statistically significant differences were not detected in tests of running speed in the 5-m and 10-m shuttle run tests among U12 and U14 tennis players, nor between U14 and U16 tennis players in the 60-s trunk flexion test. The highest heterogeneity of results in a single age category was determined in the test for assessing isometric trunk strength, and thus tennis players of different age categories do not differ significantly in this skill. Conclusion: The results of this research point to the development of specific motor skills in accordance with the increase of game demands and chronological age, however, also refer to the problem of muscle imbalance between front and back trunk musculature. Physical conditioning of young tennis players should be multilaterally directed in order to enable injury prevention and adjustment of tennis players to competitive demands.