Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen Source Regulation of Growth and Photosynthesis in Beta vulgaris L

Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L. cv F58-554H1) were grown hydroponically in a 16-h light, 8-h dark period at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 0.5 mmol m-2 s-1 for 4 weeks in half-Hoagland culture solution containing only nitrate-nitrogen. Half of the plants were then transferred to half-Hoagland solution with ammonium-nitrogen (7.35mM), while the other half continued on 7.5 mM nitrate. Growth analysis was carried out by sampling the plants at 3-d intervals over a period of 21 d. Compared to plants supplied with nitrate, ammonium initially slowed the growth of shoots more than roots. Ammonium reduced both the area expansion of individual leaves and the relative water content of these leaves, but increased the amount of dry matter/area. The increase in specific leaf weight in ammonium-grown leaves was associated with a doubling of chloroplast volume, as much as a 62% rise in chlorophyll content, and a 4.3-fold higher accumulation of soluble protein. Ammonium nutrition substantially decreased the rate of expansion of photosynthetic (leaf) surface but did not decrease the rate of photosynthesis per area; in fact, net photosynthetic CO2 exchange rates were slightly higher than in nitrate plants, due to the build-up in stromal enzymes of the Calvin cycle, several of which increased in total extractable activity on a leaf area basis, e.g. ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase oxygenase, sedoheptulose-1,7-biphosphatase. Nitrogen source had no effect on stomatal conductance. Rates of photosynthesis per chlorophyll were decreased slightly in ammonium-grown leaves, possibly due to an increased CO2-diffusion resistance associated with the enlarged chloroplasts.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) interferes with the quality of life and carries an increased risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma. We investigated genetic influence in the development of reflux. METHODS We compared concordance for reflux in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. All twins age 55 and older in the nationwide Swedish Twin Registry were invited to participate. Data were collected by computer-assisted telephone interviews. Reflux disease was defined by symptomatic heartburn or acid regurgitation occurring at least weekly. RESULTS A total of 2178 monozygotic, 3219 same-sex dizygotic, and 3014 unlike-sex dizygotic twin pairs provided information. Overall, 15.3% of the twins had reflux. In men, the intraclass correlation for reflux was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.43) for monozygotic and 0.13 (95% CI, 0.02-0.25) for dizygotic pairs. In women, the correlation was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.22-0.44) for monozygotic and 0.14 (95% CI, 0.04-0.24) for dizygotic pairs. For unlike-sex dizygotic pairs, the correlation was 0.06 (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.14). Concordance for reflux was not caused by inherited obesity or alcohol use; inherited smoking may be a minor factor. CONCLUSIONS The increased concordance for reflux in monozygotic pairs, compared with dizygotic pairs, indicates genetic rather than shared environmental effects. Heritability accounted for 31% (23%-39%) of the liability to reflux disease in this population.
Effect of raw garlic vs commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Garlic is widely promoted as a cholesterol-lowering agent, but efficacy studies have produced conflicting results. Garlic supplements differ in bioavailability of key phytochemicals. We evaluated the effect of raw garlic and 2 commonly used garlic supplements on cholesterol concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia. METHODS In this parallel-design trial, 192 adults with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations of 130 to 190 mg/dL (3.36-4.91 mmol/L) were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 4 treatment arms: raw garlic, powdered garlic supplement, aged garlic extract supplement, or placebo. Garlic product doses equivalent to an average-sized garlic clove were consumed 6 d/wk for 6 months. The primary study outcome was LDL-C concentration. Fasting plasma lipid concentrations were assessed monthly. Extensive chemical characterization of study materials was conducted throughout the trial. RESULTS Retention was 87% to 90% in all 4 treatment arms, and chemical stability of study materials was high throughout the trial. There were no statistically significant effects of the 3 forms of garlic on LDL-C concentrations. The 6-month mean (SD) changes in LDL-C concentrations were +0.4 (19.3) mg/dL (+0.01 [0.50] mmol/L), +3.2 (17.2) mg/dL (+0.08 [0.44] mmol/L), +0.2 (17.8) mg/dL (+0.005 [0.46] mmol/L), and -3.9 (16.5) mg/dL (-0.10 [0.43] mmol/L) for raw garlic, powdered supplement, aged extract supplement, and placebo, respectively. There were no statistically significant effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride levels, or total cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. CONCLUSIONS None of the forms of garlic used in this study, including raw garlic, when given at an approximate dose of a 4-g clove per day, 6 d/wk for 6 months, had statistically or clinically significant effects on LDL-C or other plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Stability Analysis of Digital Microwave Power Amplifiers

This paper presents a stability analysis of microwave power amplifiers (PAs) driven by binary pulse trains, as in the case of class-S PAs. First, using a simplified digital PA test bench in class-D configuration, different qualitative behaviors are obtained when varying the pulsewidth, including subharmonic and incommensurable oscillations. The mechanisms affecting the stability properties are studied with a harmonic balance-based formulation, by means of pole-zero identification and bifurcation detection. A sufficiently high number of harmonic components must be considered, together with the Krylov decomposition for an efficient computation of the inverse of the Jacobian matrix. It is demonstrated that, when varying the pulsewidth, the distinct pairs of complex-conjugate poles may shift to the right-hand side of the complex plane and, therefore, lead to different kinds of unstable behavior. This phenomenon is related to the dependence of the critical poles on the average value of the input signal. Boundaries of the various types of unstable behavior are traced in the plane defined by the pulse repetition rate and pulsewidth, using bifurcation detection techniques. All the predicted phenomena have been confirmed experimentally. In a second step, the algorithms derived from the simple class-D circuit are transferred to study the stability of a more complex tri-band class-S amplifier. It has been analyzed versus the input bitrate, obtaining a fully stable behavior that has been validated experimentally.
Monitoring patient–ventilator asynchrony

Purpose of reviewThis article describes and discusses the importance of monitoring patient–ventilator asynchrony, and the advantages and limitations of the specific techniques available at the bedside to evaluate it. Recent findingsSignals provided by esophageal catheters (pressure or electromyogram) are the most reliable and accurate instruments to detect asynchronies. Esophageal signals (providing electrical activity of the diaphragm or/and esophageal pressure) have allowed the recent description of reverse triggering, a new kind of asynchrony, in which mechanical insufflation repeatedly triggers diaphragmatic contractions. However, the use of esophageal catheters is not widespread, and data on the prevalence and consequences of asynchronies are still scarce. The development of software solutions that continuously and automatically record breathing waveforms from the ventilator recording is emerging. Using this technology, recent data support the fact that asynchronies are frequent and may be negatively associated with outcome. SummaryThe prevalence and consequences of asynchronies may be largely underestimated because of a frequent lack of monitoring. Dedicated software solutions that continuously and automatically detect asynchronies may allow both clinical research and clinical applications aimed at determining the effects of asynchronies and minimizing their incidence among critically ill patients.
Effects of Risk-Focused and Recommendation-Focused Mental Imagery on Occupational Risk Communication

This study examined the impact of mental imagery instructions in a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) safety document conveying risk and safety information to farmers. A sample of 314 farmers recruited from a large Southeastern state fair was randomly assigned to conditions in a 2 × 2 design. Participants received a NIOSH safety document about skid steer loader safety in which 2 types of mental imagery instructions were manipulated: (a) risk-focused (imagery vs. control) and (b) recommendation-focused (imagery vs. control). Results indicate that risk-focused imagery influenced perceptions of susceptibility to workplace accidents, whereas recommendation-focused imagery influenced attitudes toward engaging in safety behaviors, intentions to share safety information with others, and perceptions of the safety message. Further analyses indicated that ease of imagery partially mediated the relationship between the imagery manipulations and these outcomes. Other potential mechanisms for these effects are discussed.
#Help. The Reality of Social Media Use in Crisis Response: Lessons from a Realistic Crisis Exercise

Social media has become an important factor in crisis response. From an improved situational awareness to facilitating communications, it supports responders in more effective crisis handling. Social media also enables affected communities to express their needs and others to respond directly. At the same time social media also poses challenges for responders, handling communications or data overload. To aid professionals in leveraging the potential and overcome challenges, a better understanding of social media as an integrated part of the response operation is needed. While previous research focused on individual aspects or challenges, such as rumor spreading, we use a more holistic approach. Providing a group of volunteers, representing a broad demographic, with various profiles based on real-life cases and actual behavior to act as 'Twitter-simulants'. With these simulants we added a comprehensive, realistic social media component to an extensive crisis exercise. In this paper we present the outline, its design considerations and the initial results, in particular on the achieved realism and added value for responders.
Link level power control of optical networks with time-delay

We analyze the effects of time-delay in optical communication networks. A link level power control scheme adjusts the OSNR value of the signals toward channel OSNR optimization. We utilize the model from L. Pavel (2006) along with its game-theoretic based control algorithm. We incorporate time-delay into the closed loop system, for the general case where every link has a unique time-delay. We derive sufficient conditions for stability under arbitrary time-delays and network configurations.
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Pterygopalatine Fossa: Anatomic Study

OBJECTIVEThe pterygopalatine fossa is a relatively small anatomic region. Because of its rich vasculonervous contents and its connections with several intracranial and extracranial compartments, it is of particular surgical interest. Because of its deep localization and despite its small size, however, it can require extensive anatomic approaches, especially for invasive cranial base lesions. We performed a cadaveric study through a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach to the pterygopalatine fossa. METHODSWe studied 16 pterygopalatine fossae in eight adult cadaveric heads in which the arteries and veins were injected with latex. For visualization, we used rod-lens endoscopes, 4 mm in diameter and 18 cm in length, with 0-, 30-, 45-, and 70-degree lenses. An endonasal middle meatal transpalatine approach, an endonasal middle meatal transantral approach, and an endonasal inferior turbinectomy transantral approach were used. RESULTSThe middle meatal transpalatine approach allows for medial exposure of the pterygopalatine fossa contents, the middle meatal transantral approach allows a lateral view, and the inferior turbinectomy transantral approach allows the widest view and room for surgical maneuvering in the medial and lateral compartments of the pterygopalatine fossa and the infratemporal fossa. CONCLUSIONOur anatomic study shows that this approach can be considered a valid minimally invasive option to approach pterygopalatine fossa lesions.
Tracking and predicting the evolution of research topics in scientific literature

The exponential rise in the volume of publications and the prevalence of multidisciplinary practice in scientific domains has made it increasingly difficult to keep track of changes in research trends. In this paper, we propose a framework for determining persistent and emerging research topics in scientific literature. The topics were represented as non-overlapping communities of keywords in a dynamic cooccurrence network derived from 21 million articles in PubMed that were published from 1980 to 2016. We detected a set of communities for each snapshot of the network and traced their instances in consecutive periods using a similarity threshold. Our approach provides a retrospective analysis of changes in research topics: their formation, growth, shrinkage, survival, merging, splitting, and dissolution. We also show that a feature set comprising of 43 temporal and structural attributes from these keyword communities can be used to predict their evolution. In particular, we found that the frequency of cooccurrences and the appearance of new keywords within the community are highly predictive of its persistence or dissolution in the next five years.
Outer Membrane Vesicles Induce Immune Responses to Virulence Proteins and Protect against Colonization by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are a heterogeneous group of pathogens that produce heat-labile (LT) and/or heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins. Collectively, these pathogens are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually in developing countries, particularly in children under the age of 5 years. The heterogeneity of previously investigated molecular targets and the lack of complete sustained protection afforded by antitoxin immunity have impeded progress to date toward a broadly protective vaccine. Many pathogens, including ETEC, have the capacity to form outer membrane vesicles (OMV), which often contain one or more virulence proteins. Prompted by recent studies that identified several immunogenic virulence proteins in outer membrane vesicles of ETEC, we sought to examine the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of these structures in a murine model of infection. Here we demonstrate that immunization with OMV impairs ETEC colonization of the small intestine and stimulates antibodies that recognize the heat-labile toxin and two additional putative virulence proteins, the EtpA adhesin and CexE. Similar to earlier studies with EtpA, vaccination with LT alone also inhibited intestinal colonization. Together, these findings suggest that OMV could be exploited to deliver protective antigens relevant to development of ETEC vaccines.
Inhibitors of the renal outer medullary potassium channel: a patent review

Introduction: Hypertension represents a substantial cardiovascular risk factor. Among anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics play an important role. Nevertheless, they present adverse effects such as hypokalemia or hyperkalemia. In this panorama, inhibitors of the renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channels are emerging because they are predicted to give a diuretic/natriuretic activity higher than that provided by loop diuretics, without hypokaliemic and hyperkaliemic side effects. Areas covered: This article reviews the current literature, including all the patents published in the field of inhibitors of the ROMK channels for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and correlated diseases. The patent examination has been carried out using electronic databases Espacenet. Expert opinion: Although anti-hypertensive drugs armamentarium enumerates a plethora of therapeutic classes, including diuretics, the novel class of ROMK inhibitors may find a place in this crowded market, because of the diuretic/natriuretic effects, devoid of worrying influence on potassium balance. The patent examination highlights, as a strength, the individuation of a successful template: almost all the compounds show noteworthy potency. However, only few selected compounds underwent an in vivo investigation of diuretic and anti-hypertensive activities, and no data on the hERG channel are given in these patents.
The influence of extraction on the stability of implanted titanium microscrews: a biomechanical and histomorphometric study.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of extraction on the stability of implanted titanium microscrews. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six male beagle dogs received 96 microscrews between the mesial and distal roots of the second, third, and fourth premolars and the first molar in both maxillae and mandibles. The third and fourth premolars were extracted from each dog. Test implants were placed near the extraction sites, and control implants were placed at a distance from the extraction sites. The bone remodeling process at the interface was studied through biomechanical pull-out testing, histomorphologic observation, and histomorphometric assessment after different amounts of healing time (1, 3, or 8 weeks). RESULTS Two microscrews were loose in the test group at week 1. Near the extraction regions, both the peak pullout force at extraction (Fmax) and the bone-implant contact (BIC) of the microscrews were lower than that seen in the control group at week 1, but quickly surpassed the control groups at week 3. After 8 weeks of healing time, Fmax and BIC values between test and control groups exhibited no differences. The lowest BIC value was 10.12%, and the corresponding pull-out force was 100.23 N. At week 1, the inflammatory reaction at the bone-implant interface in the test groups was stronger than in the control groups. At week 3, many active osteoblasts gathered along the interface and a bone matrix excreted by osteoblasts around the microscrew were observed in the test group. CONCLUSIONS A BIC of at least 10% provided resistance to orthodontic forces. For microscrews placed near extraction regions, the risk of loosening was highest in the first week following implant placement. The most active bone remodeling at the implant-bone interface occurred 3 weeks after implantation, especially for screws near extraction regions.
Multiparametric MRI assessment of human articular cartilage degeneration: Correlation with quantitative histology and mechanical properties

To evaluate the sensitivity of quantitative MRI techniques (T1, T1,Gd, T2, continous wave (CW) T1ρ dispersion, adiabatic T1ρ, adiabatic T2ρ, RAFF and inversion‐prepared magnetization transfer (MT)) for assessment of human articular cartilage with varying degrees of natural degeneration.
Analysis of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, stimulant and antidepressant drugs in purified water from wastewater treatment plants using SPE-LC tandem mass spectrometry

This work presents an effective sample preparation method for the evaluation of seven pharmaceutical compounds belonging to different therapeutic classes in purified water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The target compounds include caffeine (stimulant), nicotine (stimulant), atenolol (beta blocker), metamizole (anti-inflammatory and analgesic), fluoxetine (antidepressant), paraxanthine (stimulant) and clofibric acid (lipid regulator). Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were selected as extraction and detection techniques, respectively. A detailed study of the experimental conditions of extraction was performed. Under optimal conditions, recoveries obtained were in the range of 21% to 100%, and the relative standard deviations were below 12%. The detection and quantification limits of the method were in the range 2.2–97.4 and 21.1–324.7 ng L−1, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to evaluate the presence of these pharmaceutical compounds in wastewaters samples from wastewater treatment plants located on the Gran Canaria Island (Spain). Most of the compounds were detected at concentrations up to 12.31 μg L−1 in the WWTP influents that were studied.
CuO Nanofibers Immobilized on Paraffin-Impregnated Graphite Electrode and its Application in the Amperometric Detection of Glucose

1-D nanostructures are promising materials for development of electrochemical devices offering benefits such as fast electron transfer rates and large surface areas. Copper oxide nanofibers (CuO-NFs) synthesized by electrospinning technique and subsequent thermal treatment, were used to modify paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) for a sensitive non-enzymatic glucose detection. The structure and morphology of CuO-NFs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results reveal a wide linear response to glucose ranging from 1.0 × 10-6 to 1.93 × 10-3mol L-1 (R2 = 0.9927). The limit of detection was 0.39 × 10-6 mol L-1 (LOD = 3σ/s). The high aspect ratio of the nanofibers arranged in a three-dimensional network structure significantly enhances the electron transfer process. The electrode preparation is simple and rapid execution, and more importantly the graphite rod is relative low-cost and easy to achieve surface renewal for reusability.
Human and mouse genomic sequences reveal extensive breakpoint reuse in mammalian evolution

The human and mouse genomic sequences provide evidence for a larger number of rearrangements than previously thought and reveal extensive reuse of breakpoints from the same short fragile regions. Breakpoint clustering in regions implicated in cancer and infertility have been reported in previous studies; we report here on breakpoint clustering in chromosome evolution. This clustering reveals limitations of the widely accepted random breakage theory that has remained unchallenged since the mid-1980s. The genome rearrangement analysis of the human and mouse genomes implies the existence of a large number of very short “hidden” synteny blocks that were invisible in the comparative mapping data and ignored in the random breakage model. These blocks are defined by closely located breakpoints and are often hard to detect. Our results suggest a model of chromosome evolution that postulates that mammalian genomes are mosaics of fragile regions with high propensity for rearrangements and solid regions with low propensity for rearrangements.