Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological Safe Growing of Chickpea in the Area of Steppe of Ukraine

This work is devoted to developing of the ecologically safe technology of chickpea cultivation by using microbial biopreparations, based on the effective heterotrophic (nodulating, growth-promoting and phosphate mobilizing bacteria, and microorganisms-antagonists of the phytopathogenes) and phototrophic microorganisms (cyanobacteria). These preparations were used for pre-sowing treatment of seeds and for treatment of the plants in the vegetation period for optimization of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and growing of ecologically safe production (without application of mineral fertilizers) in the steppe non-irrigated areas of Ukraine.
Recent updates in dyslipidemia management: perspectives in stroke-specific situation

Managing dyslipidemia in stroke is essential. During the past several decades, monumental changes in dyslipidemia management have occurred, resulting in improvement in outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mainstay of the changes has been related to statin therapy, which prevents recurrence of vascular events in patients with established CVD. Very recently proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors have introduced a highly efficient level of lipid lowering practice into cardiovascular field. Vast evidence has established and validated the beneficial effects of statin and PCSK-9 inhibitors in CVD. In addition, there have been extensive changes in guidelines pertaining to dyslipidemia management of CVD patients. However, assessing the direct benefits of these agents, specifically and primarily in patients with stroke, has been less of a focus of clinical studies leaving many unanswered questions open. This review covers the current and available evidence and clinical practice guidelines addressing lipid-lowering therapy in stroke. Furthermore, several specific issues related to lipid-lowering therapies in stroke will be addressed such as statin-related risk of hemorrhagic stroke, statin use in non-atherosclerotic stroke subtype, and non-statin lipid-lowering therapies.
Effect of Cross-Frames on Load Distribution of Steel Bridges with Fractured Girder

In steel girder bridges, fracture of one girder may occur without noticeable bridge profile changes. It is critical to ensure that the bridge will have adequate capacity to prevent collapse until the next cycle of inspection discovers the damage. It is realized that once one of the bridge girders is fractured, vertical loads need to be distributed through an alternative path to the intact girder(s). In this case, cross-frames can play an important role in transferring the loads and preventing from sudden collapse. This paper investigates the impact of cross-frames on load distribution after a fracture is occurred in one girder. Bridge configurations with different cross-frame spacing were studied using finite element modeling and simulation of the bridge behavior with a fractured steel plate girder. Nonlinear and dynamic solution methods were used for these analyses. Results of this investigation demonstrated the important role cross-frames can play in providing some reserved capacity for the bridge with fractured girder to enhance the bridge redundancy. The contribution of the cross-frames and the behavior of the bridge after fracture in one girder however depends on the configuration of the bridge. A study of the variation of the effect of cross-frames with respect to the number of girders is also included in this paper.
Modeling the Carbon Cycle of a Subtropical Chinese Fir Plantation Using a Multi-Source Data Fusion Approach

Process-based terrestrial ecosystem models are increasingly being used to predict carbon (C) cycling in forest ecosystems. Given the complexity of ecosystems, these models inevitably have certain deficiencies, and thus the model parameters and simulations can be highly uncertain. Through long-term direct observation of ecosystems, numerous different types of data have accumulated, providing valuable opportunities to determine which sources of data can most effectively reduce the uncertainty of simulation results, and thereby improve simulation accuracy. In this study, based on a long-term series of observations (biometric and flux data) of a subtropical Chinese fir plantation ecosystem, we use a model–data fusion framework to evaluate the effects of different constrained data on the parameter estimation and uncertainty of related variables, and systematically evaluate the uncertainty of parameters. We found that plant C pool observational data contributed to significant reductions in the uncertainty of parameter estimates and simulation, as these data provide information on C pool size. However, none of the data effectively constrained the foliage C pool, indicating that this pool should be a target for future observational activities. The assimilation of soil organic C observations was found to be important for reducing the uncertainty or bias in soil C pools. The key findings of this study are that the assimilation of multiple time scales and types of data stream are critical for model constraint and that the most accurate simulation results are obtained when all available biometric and flux data are used as constraints. Accordingly, our results highlight the importance of using multi-source data when seeking to constrain process-based terrestrial ecosystem models.
Evaluation of a financial skills training programme for vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness

Introduction A financial skills training programme (Cash Pointers) for young people at risk of homelessness had an unexpectedly positive impact on their wellbeing. A qualitative inquiry examined this phenomenon. Method Interviews with six trainees explored their experiences of the programme. A focus group comprising four programme workers added a service provider perspective. Findings Cash Pointers addressed trainees’ basic living and health needs. Additionally, trusting relationships with programme workers enabled trainees to feel safe, develop skills, pursue goals, manage health problems, improve relationships and engage in life roles. Trainees said Cash Pointers was accessible and responsive, offering advocacy, inter-agency liaison and hope. Programme workers said they balanced the need for quick results with patient relationship-building, were a well-supported team with a high degree of casework autonomy and felt skilled in the therapeutic use of self. Conclusion Cash Pointers created a psychologically informed environment within which trainees stabilised, acquired skills and progressed towards greater life satisfaction and inclusion. Improving financial skills can be profoundly transformative and an acceptable intervention for this population. Aspects of occupational therapy’s knowledge-base (dynamic systems thinking) and skillset (person-centred goal-setting, therapeutic use of self, creating enabling environments) can support this.
Use of Selected Essential Oils for Controlling Stem-end Rot Disease in Mango (cv. Karuthacolomban)

In Sri Lanka, stem-end rot (SER) caused by Lasiodiplodia sp. is the most common and serious disease that affects the mango cv. ‘Karuthacolomban’. At present, disease control is achieved with chemical fungicides which are hazardous to human health and environment. As such, this research looked into the possibility of using essential oils (EOs) as biological fungicides against Lasiodiplodia sp. in mango (cv. Karuthacolomban). Pure-grade Basil oil (Ocimum basilicum), Cardamom oil (Elettaria cardamomum), Citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus L.), Lemon oil (Citrus limon), Mustard oil (Brassica juncea) and Orange oil (Citrus sinensis) were selected for the study. The most effective EOs against Lasiodiplodia sp. under in vitro conditions selected by a poisoned food bio-assay, were used in in vivo studies. The effect of the treatment on reducing disease development, organoleptic properties and the edibility of fruits after in vivo application was assessed. Twenty-four hours after artificial inoculation, fruits were dipped in the selected concentration of the EO solutions at room temperature or at 45˚C for 3 minutes and then stored under ambient conditions. Disease development, percentage weight loss, titrable acidity and total soluble solids contents were measured and a sensory evaluation with a taste panel was also carried out for the treated fruits. Results revealed that basil, cardamom (700 μl l-1) and citronella (400 μll-1) oils significantly reduced the growth of Lasiodiplodia sp. under in vitro conditions and cardamom oil (700 μl l-1) in warm water effectively reduced the severity of SER under in vivo conditions with no effect on sensory properties or physico-chemical quality parameters. Thus, plant EOs can serve as safe, eco-friendly and effective alternatives to synthetic fungicides.
The Linkage of Kuroshio Intrusion and Mesoscale Eddy Variability in the Northern South China Sea: Subsurface Speed Maximum

In situ data suggest that there is a subsurface speed maximum between 70 and 120 m in the Kuroshio, which is first revealed by the directly velocity observation. The subsurface speed maximum can also be advected into the largest marginal sea in the tropics, that is, the South China Sea (SCS). As it enters the SCS, its depth shoals to between 40 and 70 m and then finally disappears in the western northern SCS. Strong subsurface speed maximum intrusion results in strong baroclinic instability, which triggers vigorous baroclinic conversion, consequently the active mesoscale eddy variability in the northern SCS, and vice versa. Our study highlights this intuitive bridge connecting the Kuroshio intrusion and the mesoscale eddy activities in the northern SCS.
Regulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in plant cell wall deconstruction in Trichoderma reesei

This study describes the regulation of genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading enzymes in the presence of different carbon sources from the biotechnologically important fungus Trichoderma reesei. It was shown that different carbon sources influence fungal growth rate, biomass production and subsequent enzyme secretion. Several genes were identified and suggested to play a role in the development of conidia and in maintaining polarised growth. RNA-sequencing studies showed an increase in transcript levels of genes encoding enzymes involved in plant cell wall degradation (CAZy) as well as of genes encoding lipases, expansins, hydrophobins, G-protein coupled receptors and transporters when mycelia were cultivated in the presence of a lignocellulosic substrate (wheat straw). The encoded non-CAZy proteins were proposed to have accessory roles in carbohydrate deconstruction. A model for solid substrate recognition in T. reesei was described, based on the comparison with the one proposed for Aspergillus niger. Post-transcriptional regulation mediated by regulatory RNAs was identified for nearly 2% of all T. reesei genes, including genes encoding cell wall-degrading enzymes. Transcriptional regulation studies confirmed that transcription patterns of genes encoding enzymes involved in polysaccharide degradation differed between different carbon sources and that they are fine-tuned and dependent on factors such as culture conditions, consumption rate, assimilation of glucose and the presence of several transcription factors. The analysis of the structure of chromatin in the promoter and coding regions of one of these genes, cbh1, revealed different nucleosome positioning patterns under repressing (glucose) and inducing (sophorose, cellulose) conditions. CRE1, the carbon catabolite repressor in T. reesei was shown to be involved in the repression of many CAZy and non-CAZy encoding genes. Furthermore, CRE1 was also shown to be important for nucleosome positioning within the cbh1 coding region under repressing conditions and proposed to do so by interaction with (a) yet unidentified protein(s).
Caveolin-1 Polymorphism (rs7804372) and Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of 15 Case-Control Studies

Purpose: Epidemiological studies have assessed the association between Caveolin-1 polymorphism and cancer risk. However, published data are still inconclusive. To clarify this inconsistency, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between Caveolin-1 polymorphism (rs7804372) and cancer susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search, using PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang database, which included English and Chinese literatures. The latest updated date was January 2018. The following search terms were performed to retrieve the relevant articles: ((CAV1) OR (Caveolin-1) OR (rs7804372)) AND (cancer OR tumor OR carcinoma OR neoplasms OR malignancy) AND (polymorphism OR mutation OR variant OR genotype). Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the pooled effect. Results: In the overall analysis, this kind of polymorphism showed a significant association with increased risk of cancer: allelic model (T/A; OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.19 - 1.49; P < 0.0001), homozygous (TT/AA; OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.37 - 2.18; P < 0.0001), and heterozygous genetic models (TT/TA; OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.14 - 1.33; P < 0.0001), the dominant genetic model (TT + TA/AA; OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.28 - 1.96; P < 0.0001), and the recessive genetic model (TT/TA + AA; OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20 - 1.50; P < 0.0001). In addition, the stratified analysis of the results was carried out by ethnicity, HWE status, and cancer types. The outcome indicated that Caveolin-1 rs7804372 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of cancer. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the allele T of Caveolin-1 (rs7804372) polymorphism might associate with increased susceptibility to cancer, and might predict worse survival in patients with various types of cancer. However, further well-designed studies are required to evaluate this association.
Extreme Learning Machine-Based State Reconstruction for Automatic Attack Filtering in Cyber Physical Power System

Successful detection of false data injection attacks (FDIAs) and removal of state bias due to FDIAs are essential for ensuring secure power grids operation and control. This article first extends the approximate dc model of FDIA to a more general ac model that can handle both traditional and synchronized measurements. To automatically filter out the established FDIAs, we propose a state reconstruction scheme consisting of a contaminated state separation method, an enhanced bad data identification approach and a state recovery algorithm. In this scheme, a classifier is developed by aggregating a series of extreme learning machines (ELMs) to detect anomaly states caused by FDIAs. Gaussian random distribution and Latin hypercube sampling are adopted to initialize the input weights of base ELMs, which can provide more diversities to enhance the ensemble performance. Then, to identify the exact locations of the compromised measurements, a state forecasting-based bad data identification approach is proposed by exploiting the consistency between the forecasted and the received measurements. Finally, an effective state recovery algorithm applies quasi-Newton method and Armijo line search to address the possible system unobservable problem due to the removal of attacked measurements. Numerical tests on serval IEEE standard test systems verify the efficiency of the proposed FDIA model and state reconstruction scheme.
Using YouTube to Learn Anatomy: Perspectives of Jordanian Medical Students

Purpose The study is aimed at exploring the popularity, impact, and usefulness of using YouTube in learning anatomy as perceived by Jordanian medical students studying at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Methods The present work is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. First-, second-, and third-year medical students were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Students' responses were numerically coded, and the results were analyzed to reveal any statistically significant differences related to gender or level of study. Results The results showed that 96.4% of the students used YouTube in general, 91.2% used it as a source of information, and 83.9% used YouTube as a learning tool in medical school. Further, YouTube was used by 79.1% of the students as an anatomy-learning tool. Most of these students used this platform in learning gross anatomy. The study also revealed that dissection videos were the most viewed anatomy-related content. Regarding the perceived value of YouTube as an anatomy-learning tool, the majority of the students reported that YouTube offered them useful anatomical information and enhanced their understanding, memorization, and recall of anatomical information. In addition, most of them recommended using YouTube as an anatomy-learning tool. Statistical analysis of the results revealed the presence of gender-related significant differences in students' perspectives. Such differences were also found among students of different levels of study. Conclusion Medical students have positive attitudes toward using YouTube in augmenting their anatomy learning. For this, educators are encouraged to adopt YouTube as an educational tool in their anatomy instruction and to create new anatomy-related YouTube videos to enhance their students' learning.
The twin arginine translocase pathway : a functional and structural study in Escherichia coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.

The bacterial twin-arginine translocase (Tat) pathway is able to export large folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. It derives its name from the almost invariant twin-arginine motif present in the signal peptide of Tat substrates. Components of the Tat pathway have been identified in many bacteria, and in Escherichia coli one of these essential proteins, TatA, forms large complexes of variable size. The research presented in this thesis sought to gain insight into the Tat pathway in E. coli and the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, mainlyfocusing on the TatA component of the E. coli Tat pathway and how its various domains contribute to function and complex formation. Green fluorescent protein tagged with a Tat signal peptide was used to compare the Tat pathway in E. coli and Synechocystis, using biochemical and bioimaging techniques. Substitution of the twin-arginine motif with lysine residues highlighted differences between the specificity of the two systems. The transmembrane (TM) domain and amphipathic helix (APH) of E. coli TatA were analysed using synthetic peptides and the TOXCAT assay. Investigation of the TM domain demonstrated it is α-helical and spontaneously inserts into membranes. It interacts relatively weakly and substitution of a glutamine does not affect these interactions or function of the protein at high expression levels. In contrast, the APH only forms an α-helical secondary structure in high detergent concentration or in the presence of negatively charged lipids, and does not insert into lipid bilayers. Analysis of the unstructured C-terminus of TatA led to the identification of an acidic motif just after the APH. Removal of this motif has a severe effect on function and complex formation of TatA. Removal of the C-terminus does not affect the proofreading abilities of TatA. The research presented here has led to the proposal of a new model for TatA complex formation in E. coli – the weak interactions of the TM domains bring the monomers together, whilst interactions between the acidic motif and other regions stabilise these complexes.
An integrated behavioural intervention combined with varenicline for heavy-drinking smokers: a randomized pilot study.

Objectives Combined smoking and heavy drinking is a significant health burden. Varenicline, an efficacious tobacco pharmacotherapy that also shows promise for drinking, has yielded mixed results among heavy-drinking smokers. This pilot study investigated integrated tobacco and alcohol counselling plus varenicline for this vulnerable group. Design Twelve-week parallel, randomized controlled pilot trial of two behavioural interventions in combination with open-label varenicline. Participants were randomized using computer-generated tables, stratified by sex. Setting Outpatient academic medical centre research clinic. Participants Volunteers who reported smoking and heavy drinking and sought tobacco or alcohol treatment (N = 26). Intervention. (1) Integrated tobacco + alcohol counselling (INT; n = 13) or (2) counselling focused on their presenting concern (i.e., tobacco or alcohol) (SINGLE; n = 13), plus varenicline (2 mg) for 12 weeks. Main outcomes Feasibility/acceptability, smoking quit rates and heavy drinking. Results INT feasibility/acceptability was high among men but not women. More participants quit smoking in INT than SINGLE. This outcome was only in men, not significant, but had a medium effect size. Both conditions yielded significant drinking reductions. Conclusion Integrated tobacco and alcohol behavioural counselling plus varenicline may be feasible and promote smoking cessation among men who smoke and drink heavily, but a larger sample is needed to replicate this finding.
Methods for the Analyses of Case‐Cohort Studies

Case‐cohort and nested case‐control sampling methods have recently been introduced as a means of reducing cost in large cohort studies. The asymptotic distribution theory results for relative rate estimation based on Cox type partial or pseudolikelihoods for case‐cohort and nested case‐control studies have been accounted for. However, many researchers use (stratified) frequency table methods for a first or primary summarization of the most important evidence on exposure‐disease or dose‐response relationships, i.e. the classical Mantel‐Haenszel analyses, trend tests and tests for heterogeneity of relative rates. These can be followed by exponential failure time regression methods on grouped or individual data to model relationships between several factors and response. In this paper we present the adaptations needed to use these methods with case‐cohort designs, illustrating their use with data from a recent case‐cohort study on the relationship between diet, life‐style and cancer. We assume a very general setup allowing piecewise constant failure rates, possible recurrent events per individual, independent censoring and left truncation.
Higher-Order Hamiltonian for Circuits with (α,β) Elements

The paper studies the construction of the Hamiltonian for circuits built from the (α,β) elements of Chua’s periodic table. It starts from the Lagrange function, whose existence is limited to Σ-circuits, i.e., circuits built exclusively from elements located on a common Σ-diagonal of the table. We show that the Hamiltonian can also be constructed via the generalized Tellegen’s theorem. According to the ideas of predictive modeling, the resulting Hamiltonian is made up exclusively of the constitutive relations of the elements in the circuit. Within the frame of Ostrogradsky’s formalism, the simulation scheme of Σ-circuits is designed and examined with the example of a nonlinear Pais–Uhlenbeck oscillator.