Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic characterization of cocirculating Corynebacterium diphtheriae and non-diphtheritic Corynebacterium species among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, 2017–2019

Respiratory diphtheria is a serious infection caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae , and disease transmission mainly occurs through respiratory droplets. Between 2017 and 2019, a large diphtheria outbreak among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals densely settled in Bangladesh was investigated. Here we utilized whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize recovered isolates of C. diphtheriae and two co-circulating non-diphtheritic Corynebacterium (NDC) species – C. pseudodiphtheriticum and C. propinquum. C. diphtheriae isolates recovered from all 53 positive cases in this study were identified as toxigenic biovar mitis, exhibiting intermediate resistance to penicillin, and formed four phylogenetic clusters circulating among multiple refugee camps. Additional sequenced isolates collected from two patients showed co-colonization with non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae biovar gravis, one of which exhibited decreased susceptibility to the first-line antibiotics and harboured a novel 23-kb multidrug resistance plasmid. Results of phylogenetic reconstruction and virulence-related gene contents of the recovered NDC isolates indicated they were likely commensal organisms, though 80.4 %(45/56) were not susceptible to erythromycin, and most showed high minimum inhibition concentrations against azithromycin. These results demonstrate the high resolution with which WGS can aid molecular investigation of diphtheria outbreaks, through the quantification of bacterial genetic relatedness, as well as the detection of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance markers among case isolates.
The Global Epidemic of Bactrocera Pests: Mixed-Species Invasions and Risk Assessment.

Throughout the past century, the global spread of Bactrocera pests has continued to pose a significant threat to the commercial fruit and vegetable industry, resulting in substantial costs associated with both control measures and quarantine restrictions. The increasing volume of transcontinental trade has contributed to an escalating rate of Bactrocera pest introductions to new regions. To address the worldwide threat posed by this group of pests, we first provide an overview of Bactrocera. We then describe the global epidemic, including border interceptions, species diagnosis, population genetics, geographical expansion, and invasion tracing of Bactrocera pests. We further consider the literature concerning the invasion co-occurrences, life-history flexibility, risk assessment, bridgehead effects, and ongoing implications of invasion recurrences, as well as a case study of Bactrocera invasions of California. Finally, we call for global collaboration to effectively monitor, prevent, and control the ongoing spread of Bactrocera pests and to share experience and knowledge to combat it. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 69 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Casein kinase 1 and 2 phosphorylate Argonaute proteins to regulate miRNA‐mediated gene silencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) together with Argonaute (AGO) proteins form the core of the RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) to regulate gene expression of their target RNAs post‐transcriptionally. Argonaute proteins are subjected to intensive regulation via various post‐translational modifications that can affect their stability, silencing efficacy and specificity for targeted gene regulation. We report here that in Caenorhabditis elegans, two conserved serine/threonine kinases – casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CK1A1) and casein kinase 2 (CK2) – regulate a highly conserved phosphorylation cluster of 4 Serine residues (S988:S998) on the miRNA‐specific AGO protein ALG‐1. We show that CK1A1 phosphorylates ALG‐1 at sites S992 and S995, while CK2 phosphorylates ALG‐1 at sites S988 and S998. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phospho‐mimicking mutants of the entire S988:S998 cluster rescue the various developmental defects observed upon depleting CK1A1 and CK2. In humans, we show that CK1A1 also acts as a priming kinase of this cluster on AGO2. Altogether, our data suggest that phosphorylation of AGO within the cluster by CK1A1 and CK2 is required for efficient miRISC‐target RNA binding and silencing.
The oceanography and marine ecology of Ningaloo, a world The oceanography and marine ecology of Ningaloo, a world heritage area heritage area

The Ningaloo coast of north-western Australia (eastern Indian Ocean) hosts one of the world’s longest and most extensive fringing coral reef systems, along with globally significant abundances of large marine fauna such as whale sharks. These characteristics – which have contributed to its inscription on the World Heritage list – exist because of the unique climatic, geomorphologic and oceanographic conditions. The region is hot and arid, so runoff of water from land is low, facilitating clear water that allows corals to grow close to the shore. The poleward-flowing
Association between serum albumin to serum creatinine ratio and mortality risk in patients with heart failure

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum albumin to serum creatinine ratio (sACR) and the prognosis of heart failure (HF). In this single‐center prospective cohort study, a total of 2625 patients with HF were enrolled between March 2012 and June 2017. All patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of sACR. Of 2625 patients, the mean age was 57.0 ± 14.3 years. During a median follow‐up time of 23 months, 666 end point events occurred. Prognosis analysis indicated that the lowest sACR was significantly associated with higher mortality risk of HF (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.920, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.585–2.326, p < 0.001) when compared with the highest tertile. After adjusting for covariates including age, gender, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and β‐blocker use, the HRs for mortality risk of HF was 1.513 (95% CI = 1.070–2.139, p = 0.019). Subgroup analysis indicated that the mortality risk of HF statistically significantly reduced with the rise in sACR in patients with no β‐blocker use, patients with serum creatine less than 97 μmol/L. However, stratification by age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, level of glycosylated hemoglobin, and albumin have no obvious effect on the association between sACR and the prognosis of HF. Additionally, patients with lower sACR displayed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and increased left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter. The discriminant power of sACR alone and in combination with age, gender, SBP, heart rate, and glycosylated hemoglobin were excellent with C statistic of 0.655 and 0.889, respectively. Lower sACR was an independent risk factor for mortality risk of HF.
Aseismic Deformation in Subduction Megathrusts: Central Andes and North-East Japan

We aim to characterize fault slip behavior during all stages of the seismic cycle in subduction megathrust environments with the eventual goal of understanding temporal and spatial variations of fault zone rheology, and to infer possible causal relationships between inter-, co- and post-seismic slip, as well as implications for earthquake and tsunami hazard. In particular we focus on analyzing aseismic deformation occurring during inter-seismic and post-seismic periods of the seismic cycle. We approach the problem using both Bayesian and optimization techniques. The Bayesian approach allows us to completely characterize the model parameter space by searching a posteriori estimates of the range of allowable models, to easily implement any kind of physically plausible a priori information and to perform the inversion without regularization other than that imposed by the parameterization of the model. However, the Bayesian approach computational expensive and not currently viable for quick response scenarios. Therefore, we also pursue improvements in the optimization inference scheme. We present a novel, robust and yet simple regularization technique that allows us to infer robust and somewhat more detailed models of slip on faults. We apply such methodologies, using simple quasi-static elastic models, to perform studies of inter- seismic deformation in the Central Andes subduction zone, and post-seismic deformation induced by the occurrence of the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in Japan. For the Central Andes, we present estimates of apparent coupling probability of the subduction interface and analyze its relationship to past earthquakes in the region. For Japan, we infer high spatial variability in material properties of the megathrust offshore Tohoku. We discuss the potential for a large earthquake just south of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake where our inferences suggest dominantly aseismic behavior.
Towards the development of sustainable concrete incorporating waste tyre rubber: A long-term study of physical, mechanical & durability properties and environmental

The dramatic increase in the demand for vehicle tyres and consequently the rapid rise in associated waste rubber has been a concern for several decades. Rubber disposal has adverse effects on the environment, human health and a detrimental effect on sustainable development across the world. This paper investigates the effectiveness of a sodium hydroxide treatment method for waste rubber in addition to the utilisation of silica fume to improve the interfacial transition zone between the rubber and cement matrix. This has been shown to have important implication for the long-term development of physical and mechanical properties of concrete aged for 2 years. This study emphasises that while satisfactory improvements are attained through the rubber treatment alone, the actual performance of rubberized concrete containing silica fume could only be investigated over the long term owing to the slow pozzolanic reaction and its dependency on the formation of calcium hydroxide. The pre-treatment of rubber and more specifically the utilisation of silica fume improved the durability of concrete over rubber replacement levels from ~20% to 40%. Long-term thermal conductivity and sound permeability of concrete containing tyre rubber were shown to have important consequences in energy conservation and social sustainability in construction practice. Results reported on the cost efficiency and consequently the CO 2 emissions of concrete containing rubber do not only enhance awareness of the development of sustainable construction materials but also lead a cleaner alternative waste management route for tyre rubber.
Taking a Stand: Land Rights to Reconciliation

Preface.Acknowledgments. Abbreviations.Time line of events.1 The historical context: from massacres to Mabo.2 The reconciliation process.3 ATSIC: A radical shift to self-determination.4 Aboriginal deaths in custody.5 Mabo: A peaceful beginning.6 The battle begins and the lines are drawn.7 Wik ignites.8 A strategic win and a bitter defeat.9 The Commonwealth draws fire.10 Getting the Native Title Act over the line.11 Land for the dispossessed.12 The Torres Strait Islanders: Australia's forgotten Indigenous people.13 Heritage, culture and Hindmarsh Island.14 Aboriginal health - a fixable problem.15 The world is watching: International action to protect Indigenous rights.16 Does reconciliation stand a chance? Primary written sources.Index
Short‐term function and immune‐protection of microencapsulated adult porcine islets with alginate incorporating CXCL12 in healthy and diabetic non‐human primates without systemic immune suppression: A pilot study

Replacement of insulin‐producing pancreatic beta‐cells by islet transplantation offers a functional cure for type‐1 diabetes (T1D). We recently demonstrated that a clinical grade alginate micro‐encapsulant incorporating the immune‐repellent chemokine and pro‐survival factor CXCL12 could protect and sustain the integrity and function of autologous islets in healthy non‐human primates (NHPs) without systemic immune suppression. In this pilot study, we examined the impact of the CXCL12 micro encapsulant on the function and inflammatory and immune responses of xenogeneic islets transplanted into the omental tissue bilayer sac (OB; n = 4) and diabetic (n = 1) NHPs. Changes in the expression of cytokines after implantation were limited to 2–6‐fold changes in blood, most of which did not persist over the first 4 weeks after implantation. Flow cytometry of PBMCs following transplantation showed minimal changes in IFNγ or TNFα expression on xenoantigen‐specific CD4+ or CD8+ T cells compared to unstimulated cells, and these occurred mainly in the first 4 weeks. Microbeads were readily retrievable for assessment at day 90 and day 180 and at retrieval were without microscopic signs of degradation or foreign body responses (FBR). In vitro and immunohistochemistry studies of explanted microbeads indicated the presence of functional xenogeneic islets at day 30 post transplantation in all biopsied NHPs. These results from a small pilot study revealed that CXCL12‐microencapsulated xenogeneic islets abrogate inflammatory and adaptive immune responses to the xenograft. This work paves the way toward future larger scale studies of the transplantation of alginate microbeads with CXCL12 and porcine or human stem cell‐derived beta cells or allogeneic islets into diabetic NHPs without systemic immunosuppression.
The Real‐World Observational Prospective Study of Health Outcomes with Dulaglutide and Liraglutide in Type 2 Diabetes Patients (TROPHIES): Final patient‐reported outcomes at 24 months

To report health‐related patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating their first injectable glucose‐lowering medication (GLM) with two commonly prescribed glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) from the prospective, observational TROPHIES study (The Real‐World Observational Prospective Study of Health Outcomes with Dulaglutide and Liraglutide in Type 2 Diabetes Patients).
Effectiveness of Auditory Training in Experienced Hearing-Aid Users, and an Exploration of Their Health-Related Quality of Life and Coping Strategies

Hearing aids (HA) are a fundamental component in restoring auditory function; however, they cannot completely alleviate all problems encountered by adults with hearing impairment. The aim of this study is twofold. Firstly, we assess the health-related quality of life and coping strategies of experienced HA users. Secondly, we assess whether HA users can benefit from auditory training. To this end, 40 participants who had worn HAs for more than 6 months participated in this study. Half of the participants received auditory training, while the other half served as a passive control. The training consisted of a personalized training scheme, with outcome measures including speech in noise perception in free-field and via direct streaming to the HA, phoneme identification, cognitive control, and health-related quality of life. Results showed that experienced HA users reported a relatively good quality of life. Health-related quality of life was correlated with aided speech perception in noise, but not with aided pure tone audiometry. Coping strategies were adaptive, leading to improved communication. Participants showed improvements in trained tasks, consonant identification, and speech in noise perception. While both groups yielded improved speech in noise perception at the end, post hoc analysis following a three-way interaction showed a significantly larger pre–post difference for the trained group in the streaming condition. Although training showed some improvements, the study suggests that the training paradigm was not sufficiently challenging for HA users. To optimize daily life listening, we recommend that future training should incorporate more exercises in noise and focus on cognitive control.
Tropical Tropospheric Ozone (TTO) Maps from Nimbus 7 and Earth-Probe TOMS by the Modified-Residual Method. 1; Validation, Evaluation and Trends based on Atlantic Regional Time Series

The modified-residual (MR) method for retrieving time-averaged stratospheric ozone and tropospheric ozone column amounts from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) is applied to the 14 complete calendar years of Nimbus 7 observations (1979-1992). These are available as digital data at http://metosrv2.umd. edu/ ∼tropo/14y―data.d. The MR method has also been used to produce real-time maps of tropical tropospheric ozone (TTO) from TOMS on the Earth-Probe (1996-present) and ADEOS platforms (1996-1997). Evaluation of the TTO time series for 1979-1990 and 1997-1998 is presented here; it is limited to the few tropical ozonesonde stations operational during those years (Ascension Island; Natal, Brazil; Brazzaville). The standard deviation of the differences between TTO and the sondes is ±(6-7) Dobson units (DU), depending on location. Stratospheric column ozone, which is also derived by the modified-residual method, compares favorably with sondes (to within 6-9 DU) and with stratospheric ozone inferred from other satellites (usually 8-15 DU lower than the latter). TTO time series and the magnitude of the tropospheric wave-one pattern show El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signals during the period from 1979-1992. During 1997 the ENSO stands out at some stations, but not at others. Between 12°N and 12°S, zonally averaged TTO shows no significant trend from 1980-1990. Trends are also not significant during this period in localized regions, for example, from just west of South America across to southern Africa. This is consistent with the ozonesonde record at Natal, Brazil (the only tropical ozone data publicly available for the 1980s), which shows no significant trend. The lack of trend in tropospheric ozone agrees with a statistical analysis based on another method for deriving TTO from TOMS, the convective-cloud-differential approach of Ziemke et al. [1998].
Manejo do solo e do nitrogênio em milho cultivado em dois espaçamentos entrelinhas

Agronomic practices that help the farmer to raise the yield and reduce costs must be studied to ensure the sustainability of agriculture. Thinking about it, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil management, nitrogen fertilization and of the row spacing in maize crop. It was developed in Distrophic Red Latossol. The experimental design was randomized in split plot. The treatments were constituted by the combination of 3 soil management (plow harrow + "floating harrows”, chisel +" floating harrows” and no tillage), 5 times of nitrogen management (control without N, 120 kg ha -1 at sowing (S), 120 kg ha -1 in the V6 stage, 30 kg ha -1 (S) + 90 kg ha -1 in V6, 30 kg ha -1 (S) + 45 kg ha -1 in the V4 + 45 kg ha -1 in V8 and 2 row spacing (0,45 and 0,90 m) with the same plants population. It was concluded that the no tillage system promotes higher grain yield and greater profitability; the nitrogen management (all at sowing) promoted grain yield similar the treatments that the N was divided; and the row spacing didn’t influenced the grain yield.
Comparison of clinical outcomes of angiotensin receptor blockers with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are considered an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but in the era of extensive use of preventive therapies and percutaneous coronary intervention, this has not been adequately evaluated in Asians. Methods This retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 52,620 patients initially hospitalized due to AMI between 2002 and 2015 were assessed. Results After propensity score matching, 14,993 patients each were assigned to ACEI and ARB groups. Patients who received ARBs had significantly lower all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–0.90) and hospitalization for heart failure (aHR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85–0.99) compared with those who received ACEIs at 18 month follow-up. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events (aHR: 098; 95% CI: 0.90–1.07), cardiovascular death (aHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68–1.00), ischemia stroke (aHR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.77–1.11), and nonfatal myocardial infarction (aHR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.93–1.17). ARBs showed benefits in many subgroups in terms of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. Conclusions Real-world data demonstrate that ARBs might be associated with lower all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure compared with ACEIs among patients with AMI.
Presynaptic Kainate Receptors onto Somatostatin Interneurons Are Recruited by Activity throughout Development and Contribute to Cortical Sensory Adaptation

Somatostatin (SST) interneurons produce delayed inhibition because of the short-term facilitation of their excitatory inputs created by the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) and presynaptic GluK2-containing kainate receptors (GluK2-KARs). Using mice of both sexes, we find that as synaptic facilitation at layer (L)2/3 SST cell inputs increases during the first few postnatal weeks, so does GluK2-KAR expression. Removal of sensory input by whisker trimming does not affect mGluR7 but prevents the emergence of presynaptic GluK2-KARs, which can be restored by allowing whisker regrowth or by acute calmodulin activation. Conversely, late trimming or acute inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is sufficient to reduce GluK2-KAR activity. This developmental and activity-dependent regulation also produces a specific reduction of L4 GluK2-KARs that advances in parallel with the maturation of sensory processing in L2/3. Finally, we find that removal of both GluK2-KARs and mGluR7 from the synapse eliminates short-term facilitation and reduces sensory adaptation to repetitive stimuli, first in L4 of somatosensory cortex, then later in development in L2/3. The dynamic regulation of presynaptic GluK2-KARs potentially allows for flexible scaling of late inhibition and sensory adaptation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Excitatory synapses onto somatostatin (SST) interneurons express presynaptic, calcium-permeable kainate receptors containing the GluK2 subunit (GluK2-KARs), activated by high-frequency activity. In this study we find that their presence on L2/3 SST synapses in the barrel cortex is not based on a hardwired genetic program but instead is regulated by sensory activity, in contrast to that of mGluR7. Thus, in addition to standard synaptic potentiation and depression mechanisms, excitatory synapses onto SST neurons undergo an activity-dependent presynaptic modulation that uses GluK2-KARs. Further, we present evidence that loss of the frequency-dependent synaptic components (both GluK2-KARs and mGluR7 via Elfn1 deletion) contributes to a decrease in the sensory adaptation commonly seen on repetitive stimulus presentation.
Strontiopiemontite, a new member of the epidote group, from Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy

Strontiopiemontite, a new member of the epidote group with simplified formula CaSr(Al, Mn, Fe)3SbOnOlOH), occurs as small deep red prismatic crystals in the manganese ore deposit of Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy. Physical properties, including the powder pattern, are similar to those of piemontite. Crystals are often twinned {100}. Crystal structure refinements performed on two separate crystals clearly show that the entry of Sr into the structure mainly occurs on the A(2) site (max. 70%) and leads to a significant increase of the A(2) polyhedron volume as well as the c • sin/? value. Key-words: Strontiopiemontite, epidote group, structure refinement, chemical analysis.