Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osmotic stimulation of microcolony development by Nitrosomonas europaea

In liquid cultures low levels of salt (0.1 M NaCl) had no effect on the growth rate of proliferating cells of Nitrosomonas europaea (NCIMB 11850), while at higher salt concentrations the growth rate was progressively reduced. A technique which enabled enumeration of microcolony-forming cells after just a few days incubation on the surface of membrane filters was subsequently used to investigate the effects of medium osmolarity and osmoprotectants on the ability to initiate cell division in single cells from liquid cultures. Typically, only ∼50% of the cells from early stationary phase cultures in basal medium was able to initiate cell division and form microcolonies during subsequent incubation on filters on the same medium. However, the fraction of cells forming microcolonies was stimulated by low levels of salt, while higher concentrations were inhibitory. A range of bacterial compatible solutes (betaine, trehalose, proline, MOPS, taurine and GABA) were unable to enhance microcolony formation at inhibitory salt concentrations. Other solutes (KCl, LiCl, mannitol, sucrose) also stimulated microcolony development, demonstrating that the effect was osmotic. A low salt (0.1 M NaCl) shock prior to incubation at inhibitory salt levels dramatically increased the number of cells forming microcolonies. A comparative study of several Nitrosospira spp. indicated that osmotic stimulation of microcolony development may be specific to N. europaea, although the proportion of cells able to form microcolonies was much smaller in the Nitrosospira spp. examined. Taken together these results suggest that while inhibition of growth in N. europaea by high osmolarity may be similar to that observed in other bacteria, the osmotic stimulation observed for initiation of cell division may have important implications for the successful establishment and recovery of this nitrifier in biofilms and in soil.
Providing Clarity and A Common Language to the “Fuzzy Front End”

OVERVIEW: Eight companies that were Process Effectiveness Network members of the Industrial Research Institute attempted to collectively determine the best practices of the Fuzzy Front End (FFE) of innovation. Comparing one company's processes to those of another proved insurmountable because there was neither a common language nor clear and consistent definition of the key elements of the front end. As a result, the group developed a theoretical construct, defined as the New Concept Development (NCD) model, in order to provide a common language and insights on the front end activities. The model consists of three key parts: five front end elements, the engine that powers the elements, and external influencing factors. Proficiency of the FFE was evaluated at 19 companies by using the NCD model. Highly innovative companies were found to be more proficient in the FFE and in several elements of the NCD model.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for the Treatment of Hamstring Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis With Best-Worst Case Analysis

Background: Hamstring injuries are common and account for considerable time lost to play in athletes. Platelet-rich plasma has potential as a means to accelerate healing of these injuries. Purpose: (1) To present the evidence of platelet-rich plasma injection in the treatment of hamstring injuries, (2) evaluate the “best-case scenario” in dichotomous outcomes, and (3) evaluate the “worst-case scenario” in dichotomous outcomes. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Two authors systematically reviewed the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, with any discrepancies resolved by mutual consensus. The level of evidence was assessed per the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and the quality of evidence by the Coleman Methodology Score. Meta-analysis by fixed effects models was used if heterogeneity was low (I2 < 25%) and random effects models if heterogeneity was moderate to high (I2≥ 25%). P values <. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 10 studies were included with 207 hamstring injuries in the platelet-rich plasma group and 149 in the control group. Random-effects model for mean time to return to play that compared platelet-rich plasma + physical therapy to physical therapy alone non-significantly favored platelet-rich plasma + physical therapy (mean difference, −5.67 days). The fixed effects model for reinjury rates, which also compared platelet-rich plasma + physical therapy with physical therapy alone nonsignificantly favored platelet-rich plasma + physical therapy (risk ratio, 0.88). The best-case scenario fixed effects model for reinjury rates nonsignificantly favored platelet-rich plasma + physical therapy (risk ratio, 0.82). The worst-case scenario fixed effects model for reinjury rates nonsignificantly favored physical therapy alone (risk ratio, 1.13). The mean ± SD complication rate for either postinjection discomfort, pain, or sciatic nerve irritation was 5.2% ± 2.9% (range, 2.7% to 9.1%). Conclusion: There has been statistically nonsignificant evidence to suggest that PRP injection ± PT reduced mean time to RTP or reinjury rates compared to no treatment or PT alone for hamstring injuries in a short-term follow-up. The complication profiles were favorable. Further studies of high quality and large cohorts are needed to better support or disprove the consensus of the systematic review and meta-analysis.
Changed Amino Acids in NAFLD and Liver Fibrosis: A Large Cross-Sectional Study without Influence of Insulin Resistance

Altered amino acid levels have been found in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, it is not clear whether this alteration is due to altered hepatic metabolism or insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to clarify the association among amino acid levels, fatty liver, and liver fibrosis while eliminating the influence of insulin resistance. NAFLD and liver fibrosis were diagnosed using transient elastography and subjects were divided into three groups: normal, NAFLD, and liver fibrosis. To exclude the influence of insulin resistance, the subjects were matched using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The amino acid serum levels were compared among the groups. Of 731 enrolled subjects, 251 and 33 were diagnosed with NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Although significant differences were observed among the groups in the serum levels of most amino acids, all but those of glutamate and glycine disappeared after matching for HOMA-IR. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that glutamate, glycine, and HOMA-IR were independent risk factors for liver fibrosis. The altered serum levels of most amino acids were associated with insulin resistance, while the increase in glutamate and the decrease in glycine levels were strongly associated not only with insulin resistance, but also with altered liver metabolism in patients with liver fibrosis.
Influences of Cardiovascular Fitness and Body Fatness on the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between combined cardiovascular fitness, obesity, and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Data Sources: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were used to select relevant studies that included the relative risk (RRs) of metabolic syndrome based on the combined effects of cardiovascular fitness and obesity from January 1990 to July 2019. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: The inclusion criteria were providing the RRs for the associations between combined cardiovascular fitness and obesity and the risk of metabolic syndrome. The exclusion criteria were review studies, duplicated studies, and no RRs reported for those associations. Data Extraction: All selected studies categorized levels of cardiovascular fitness (high cardiovascular fitness vs low cardiovascular fitness) and obesity (normal vs obesity) and directly extracted the RRs for the risk of metabolic syndrome from these data. All selected studies were cross-sectional studies. Data Synthesis: All RRs and 95% CIs from the selected studies were computed to find the associations between combined cardiovascular fitness and obesity and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Results: A total of 8 studies were selected for this meta-analysis. Low cardiovascular fitness was associated with 3. Fifty-nine times increased metabolic syndrome risk regardless of obesity (3.59, 95% CI: 3.07-4.20; P = .00). And obesity was associated with 1.62 times increased metabolic syndrome risk regardless of cardiovascular fitness level (1.62, 95% CI: 1.32-1.98; P = .00). Lastly, the risk of metabolic syndrome decreased by 77% with high cardiovascular fitness regardless of obesity (0.23, 95% CI: 0.12-0.43; P = .00). Conclusions: The combined effects of cardiovascular fitness and obesity are important factors when determining metabolic syndrome risk. The minimum level of cardiovascular fitness is 8.39 metabolic equivalent (METs) for adults to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome. Enhanced cardiovascular fitness and maintaining normal weight should be recommended for individuals to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Corn and Soybean Mapping in the United States Using MODIS Time‐Series Data Sets

Monitoring and mapping of U.S. croplands has long been a primary goal of many users of earth observation satellite data. The advantages of using low spatial and high temporal resolution data are (i) increased ability to monitor the phenological change of crop plants, and (ii) the possibility of generating consistent large area crop cover maps. This study investigates the potential of 500-m MODIS (MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data in estimating corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] area for the dominant production areas of the USA. To avoid cloud cover, MODIS 32-day composites for all land bands, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land surface temperature (LST), were used covering March 2002 to February 2003. These time-sequential images were further composited to produce 279 annual time-integrated metrics. Using USDA-NASS Cropland Data Layers (CDL) as subpixel training data, percentage soybean and corn cover per 500-m pixel was calculated and accuracy was assessed at national, state, and county scales using data from the 2002 NASS Census of Agriculture. When these estimates were compared with the NASS Census, r 2 values for corn, soybean, and combined corn and soybean areas were 0.957, 0.949, and 0.984 at the state level, respectively. At the national scale, MODIS estimates of corn and soybean cover differed by 6 and 4%, respectively. Results indicate a robust potential for using MODIS in crop type monitoring applications.
London Dispersion and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in Bulky Molecules: The Case of Diadamantyl Ether Complexes

Abstract Diadamantyl ether (DAE, C20H30O) represents a good model to study the interplay between London dispersion and hydrogen‐bond interactions. By using broadband rotational spectroscopy, an accurate experimental structure of the diadamantyl ether monomer is obtained and its aggregates with water and a variety of aliphatic alcohols of increasing size are analyzed. In the monomer, C−H⋅⋅⋅H−C London dispersion attractions between the two adamantyl subunits further stabilize its structure. Water and the alcohol partners bind to diadamantyl ether through hydrogen bonding and non‐covalent Owater/alcohol⋅⋅⋅H−CDAE and C−Halcohol⋅⋅⋅H−CDAE interactions. Electrostatic contributions drive the stabilization of all the complexes, whereas London dispersion interactions become more pronounced with increasing size of the alcohol. Complexes with dominant dispersion contributions are significantly higher in energy and were not observed in the experiment. The results presented herein shed light on the first steps of microsolvation and aggregation of molecular complexes with London dispersion energy donor (DED) groups and the kind of interactions that control them.
Testing a Model of Speaking up in Nursing

BACKGROUND Speaking up is using one's voice to alert those in authority of concerns. Failure to speak up leads to moral distress; speaking up leads to moral courage. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore the influences of organizational culture, personal culture, and workforce generation on speaking-up behaviors among RNs. METHODS We distributed a cross-sectional electronic survey to several thousand RNs, resulting in 303 usable surveys. RESULTS Organizational culture was a strong predictor of speaking-up behaviors; speaking up partially mediated the relationship between organizational culture and moral distress but was not a mediator between organizational culture and moral courage. Workforce generation did not explain speaking up. CONCLUSIONS The role of organizational culture supports efforts toward healthy work environments. Because not speaking up is related to moral distress, efforts must be escalated to empower nurses to use their voices.
Effect of Aeration Type and Circulation on Stress Indices of Paddlefish Held in Rectangular Tanks for 24 Hours

Abstract Paddlefish, Polyodon spathulais an emerging aquaculture species that filter-feeds on zooplankton and grows well in polyculture with channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatusin the southern region of the United States. Only a few private hatcheries exist that produce juvenile paddlefish for stocking in grow-out ponds; therefore, often the juveniles have to be transported for 8 to12 hours. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different aeration and circulation practices on stress indices of juvenile paddlefish over a 24-hour period. Twelve rectangular polyethylene tanks (170 L capacity) were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: diffused air with circulation (A-C), diffused air without circulation (A-NC), compressed oxygen with circulation (O2-C), and compressed oxygen without circulation (O2-NC). Twenty juvenile paddlefish (210 ± 24 g) were stocked into each tank that was supplied with either oxygen or air. Submersible pumps were used in the tanks for circulation. Blood samples were taken from twenty fish to use as baseline data. At 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after stocking, blood samples were taken from five fish in each group. At each sampling time, five new fish were used. Plasma cortisol, lactate, and glucose levels were quantified. Overall, O2-NC group gave the lowest levels of plasma cortisol, whereas the A-C group had the highest level of plasma cortisol. Plasma lactate and glucose levels decreased over the 24 hours and were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05) among treatments. Fish in tanks without circulation had significantly lower (P < 0.05) plasma cortisol levels than in tanks with circulation. Fish with circulation (i.e., O2-C and A-C groups) appeared to be disturbed by the circulation as they tried to swim against the water current. On the other hand, fish in the O2-NC and A-NC groups were calm and remained in an inverted position. Use of oxygen with no circulation was the least stressful method of holding the fish and is recommended for live transportation of juvenile paddle-fish.
Effects of Morning Versus Evening Home-Based Exercise on Subjective and Objective Sleep Parameters in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the timing of exercise influenced the effects of home-based low-intensity stepping exercises on the sleep parameters of older adults. Method: For 8 weeks, 60 healthy older adults participated in a randomized controlled trial, performing low-intensity aerobic exercise (70-80 bpm) for about 30 minutes every day at home, either in the morning (from waking until 12:00) or evening (18:00 to bedtime). Results: In the evening exercise group, both subjectively and objectively measured sleep latency significantly improved throughout the intervention. Further, postintervention subjective sleep satisfaction was significantly higher in the evening group (6.2 ± 1.3 points) than in the morning group (5.2 ± 1.4 points; P = .006). Additionally, sleep variables related to evening exercise had larger effect sizes (Cohen d) than those performed in the morning. Conclusion: Engaging in low-intensity stepping exercises during the evening is potentially a useful nonpharmacological approach to improving sleep quality among older adults.
Decision-making in acute viral bronchiolitis: A universal guideline and a publication gap

Background: Acute viral bronchiolitis is very common in infants and children up to 2 years. Some patients develop serious respiratory symptoms and need to be hospitalized. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a guideline on acute bronchiolitis which has gained global acceptance. We hypothesized that a publication gap, which is increasingly perceived in clinical medicine, might have also affected these universal recommendations. Methods: We determined the proportion of published and unpublished studies registered at ClinicalTrials.gov that were marked as completed by October 1st 2018. The major trial and literature databases were used to search for publications. In addition, the study investigators were contacted directly. Results: Of the 69 registered studies on the treatment of acute viral bronchiolitis, only 50 (72%) have been published by November 2019. Published trials contained data from n=9403 patients, whereas n=4687 patients were enrolled in unpublished trials. Median time to publication was 20 months, and only 8 of 50 trials were published within 12 months after completion. Only 40% of the clinical trials that were completed after the release of the AAP guideline were subsequently published as compared to 80% before 2014. Conclusion: There is a significant publication gap regarding therapy of acute viral bronchiolitis that may have influenced certain recommendations of the AAP guideline. In turn, recommendations of the guideline might have discouraged investigators to publish their results after its release.
Evaluation of Molecular Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles, and Molecular Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance of Iranian Candida parapsilosis Species Complex Blood Isolates

Clonal expansion of fluconazole resistant (FLZ-R) Candida parapsilosis isolates is increasingly being identified in many countries, while there is no study exploring the antifungal susceptibility pattern, genetic diversity, and clinical information for Iranian C. parapsilosis blood isolates. Candida parapsilosis species complex blood isolates (n = 98) were recovered from nine hospitals located in three major cities, identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and their genetic relatedness was examined by AFLP fingerprinting. Antifungal susceptibility testing followed CLSI-M27-A3 and ERG11, MRR1 and hotspots 1/2 (HS1/2) of FKS1 were sequenced to assess the azole and echinocandin resistance mechanisms, respectively. Ninety-four C. parapsilosis and four Candida orthopsilosis isolates were identified from 90 patients. Only 43 patients received systemic antifungal drugs with fluconazole as the main antifungal used. The overall mortality rate was 46.6% (42/90) and death mostly occurred for those receiving systemic antifungals (25/43) relative to those not treated (17/47). Although, antifungal-resistance was rare, one isolate was multidrug-resistant (FLZ = 16 μg/ml and micafungin = 8 μg/ml) and the infected patient showed therapeutic failure to FLZ prophylaxis. Mutations causing azole and echinocandin resistance were not found in the genes studied. AFLP revealed five genotypes (G) and G1 was the main one (59/94; 62.7%). Clinical outcome was significantly associated with city (P = 0.02, α <0.05) and Mashhad was significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.03, α <0.05). Overall, we found a low level of antifungal resistance for Iranian C. parapsilosis blood isolates, but the noted MDR strain can potentially become the source of future infections and challenge the antifungal therapy in antifungal-naïve patients. AFLP typing results warrants confirmation using other resolutive typing methods.
Use of a nuclear-targeted beta-glucuronidase fusion protein to demonstrate vegetative cell-specific gene expression in developing pollen

Summary To examine the site of expression of the tomato anther-specific gene, LAT52, in the developing male gametophyte, the LAT52 gene promoter was fused to a nuclear-targeted version of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and introduced into tobacco. Transformed plants expressing GUS activity showed nuclear localization of the GUS reaction product to the vegetative cell of the pollen grain. No staining or localization was detected in the generative cell, at pollen maturation or during pollen tube growth in vitro. These results clearly demonstrate differential gene expression within the male gametophyte, and highlight regulatory events which determine the differing fates of the vegetative and generative cells following microspore mitosis.
MACROPHAGE PLASMA MEMBRANES

Plasma membranes have been isolated from pure populations of rabbit alveolar macrophages which were swollen in water, fixed briefly with glutaraldehyde, disrupted by Dounce homogenization, and separated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The recovered membranes exhibited good structural preservation and enzymatic activity; both morphologic and biochemical evidence indicated a high degree of purity (>90%) of the membrane preparation. Interiorized plasma membranes were also prepared without exposure to glutaraldehyde from phagocytic vacuoles recovered from alveolar macrophages which had ingested large numbers of polystyrene spheres. These membranes were contaminated with lysosomal constituents, but they were nevertheless of value for comparison to the "pure" membranes isolated by the glutaraldehyde procedure. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the solubilized plasma membranes and phagolysosomal membranes revealed similar protein patterns, with seven to nine individual components ranging in molecular weight from 70,000 to 140,000. The two most rapidly migrating components gave positive reactions for lipid as well as protein. A band containing carbohydrate was detected near the origin of the plasma membrane gels. Antisera were made by injecting guinea pigs with the purified rabbit alveolar macrophage plasma membranes. Gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoretic study of these antisera established the presence of rabbit immunoglobulin G and of one or two other antigenic constituents in the membrane preparation.
RhIII‐Catalyzed C−H Activation of Aryl Hydroxamates for the Synthesis of Isoindolinones

Abstract RhIII‐catalyzed C−H functionalization reaction yielding isoindolinones from aryl hydroxamates and ortho‐substituted styrenes is reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions at room temperature, and tolerates a range of functional groups. Experimental and computational investigations support that the high regioselectivity observed for these substrates results from the presence of an ortho‐substituent embedded in the styrene. The resulting isoindolinones are valuable building blocks for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. They provide easy access to the natural‐product‐like compounds, isoindolobenzazepines, in a one‐pot two‐step reaction. Selected isoindolinones inhibited Hedgehog (Hh)‐dependent differentiation of multipotent murine mesenchymal progenitor stem cells into osteoblasts.