Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adversarial super-resolution of climatological wind and solar data

Significance Global climate simulations are typically unable to resolve wind and solar data at a resolution sufficient for renewable energy resource assessment in different climate scenarios. We introduce an adversarial deep learning approach to super resolve wind and solar outputs from global climate models by up to 50×. The inferred high-resolution fields are robust, physically consistent with the properties of atmospheric turbulence and solar irradiation, and can be adapted to domains from regional to global scales. This resolution enhancement enables critical localized assessments of the potential long-term economic viability of renewable energy resources. Accurate and high-resolution data reflecting different climate scenarios are vital for policy makers when deciding on the development of future energy resources, electrical infrastructure, transportation networks, agriculture, and many other societally important systems. However, state-of-the-art long-term global climate simulations are unable to resolve the spatiotemporal characteristics necessary for resource assessment or operational planning. We introduce an adversarial deep learning approach to super resolve wind velocity and solar irradiance outputs from global climate models to scales sufficient for renewable energy resource assessment. Using adversarial training to improve the physical and perceptual performance of our networks, we demonstrate up to a 50× resolution enhancement of wind and solar data. In validation studies, the inferred fields are robust to input noise, possess the correct small-scale properties of atmospheric turbulent flow and solar irradiance, and retain consistency at large scales with coarse data. An additional advantage of our fully convolutional architecture is that it allows for training on small domains and evaluation on arbitrarily-sized inputs, including global scale. We conclude with a super-resolution study of renewable energy resources based on climate scenario data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report.
Comparison of the best breed combination in Iranian Holstein and Brown Swiss crossbred dairy cattle for production traits

Iranian crossbred cattle performance was considered from the years 1991-2003. Holstein × native and Brown Swiss × native crossbreed cattle were surveyed for milk yield (kg), fat yield (kg), fat percent and milk-days traits. Nine genetic groups were defined according to the percentage of imported breed genes at 12.5% intervals. Data were analyzed with mixed model procedure in SAS (8.2) software. Analysis of variance showed that the Holstein breed effect was significant on fat percent, milk yield and milk- days traits, but not significant on fat yield trait. However, the effect of Brown Swiss breed was in the same trend with that of Holstein breed. But results in fat yield and fat percent traits were reversed. Total means for milk yield, fat yield, fat percent and milk- day traits were estimated to be 2722.68 ± 1541.12 kg, 122.97 ± 47.40 kg, 3.97 ± 0.73% and 260.10 ± 89.51 days for Holstein cross and 2489.19 ± 914.58 kg, 117.31 ± 49.49 kg, 3.87 ± 1.27% and 252.56 ± 81.64 days for Brown Swiss crosses. The least square means comparison with Duncan multiple range test showed that the peak of production was obtained in 50 to 87.5 shares of Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds. The result suggests that Brown Swiss is a favorable breed for crossbreeding program in Iran.
A simple and fast high-yield synthesis of silver nanowires.

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) combine high electrical conductivity with low light extinction in the visible and are used in a wide range of applications, from transparent electrodes, to temperature and pressure sensors. The most common strategy for the production of AgNWs is the polyol synthesis, which always leads to the formation of silver nanoparticles as by-products. These nanoparticles degrade the performance of AgNWs based devices and have to be eliminated by several purification steps. Here we report a simple and fast synthesis of AgNWs with minimal formation of by-products, as confirmed by the spectral purity of the final solution. Our synthetic strategy relies on the use of freshly prepared AgCl and on the minimization of gas evolution inside the reaction vessel. The observed synthetic improvements can be of general validity for the polyol synthesis of metallic nanostructures of different shapes and compositions.
Acute Coronary Syndrome, Antiplatelet Therapy, and Bleeding: A Clinical Perspective

Inhibition of platelet function by means of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the cornerstone of treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). While preventing ischemic recurrences, inhibition of platelet function is clearly associated with an increased bleeding risk, a feared complication that may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Since bleeding risk management is intrinsically associated with therapeutic adjustments undertaken during the whole clinical history of patients with acute coronary syndrome, single decisions taken from the very first day to years of follow-up might be decisive. This review aims at providing a clinically oriented, patient-tailored approach in reducing the risk and manage bleeding complications in ACS patients treated with DAPT. The steps in clinical decision making from the day of ACS to follow-up are analyzed. New treatment strategies to enhance the safety of DAPT are also described.
Automated Nociceptive Withdrawal Reflex Measurements Reveal Normal Reflex Thresholds and Augmented Pain Ratings in Patients with Fibromyalgia

The nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) is used to probe spinal cord excitability in chronic pain states. Here, we used an automated and unbiased procedure for determining the NWR threshold and compared the reflex thresholds and corresponding pain ratings in a well-characterized cohort of fibromyalgia (n = 29) and matched healthy controls (n = 21). Surface electrical stimuli were delivered to the foot in a stepwise incremental and decremental manner. The surface electromyographic activity was recorded from the ipsilateral tibialis anterior muscle. Fibromyalgia patients reported significantly higher scores for psychological distress and pain-related disability and a significantly lower score for perceived state of health compared to the matched controls. The subjective pain ratings were significantly higher in patients. The NWR thresholds were similar to the controls. In the patients, but not in controls, the NWR thresholds and subjective pain ratings were significantly correlated. Our results showed an increased subjective pain sensitivity in fibromyalgia, but we found no evidence for spinal sensitization based on the reflex measures.
Application of the In Vitro HoxB8 Model System to Characterize the Contributions of Neutrophil–LPS Interaction to Periodontal Disease

(1) Background: Studying neutrophils in vitro is difficult since these cells are terminally differentiated and are easily activated during isolation. At the same time, most of the available model cell lines are associated with certain limitations, such as functional deficiency or a lack of expression of surface markers characteristic of neutrophils. P. gingivalis is a periodontopathogen that causes dysbiosis in subgingival bacterial biofilm. This triggers the accumulation of functional neutrophils in the periodontium. However, until now, the specific effects of P. gingivalis-derived lipopolysaccharide on neutrophil functions have not been analyzed. (2) Methods: The impact of two variants of commercially available P. gingivalis endotoxin on neutrophil functions was tested using the HoxB8 in vitro system that is well suited to analyze neutrophil response to different stimuli in a controlled manner. (3) Results: The Standard P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS), known to activate cells through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent pathways, prolonged neutrophil survival and exhibited pro-inflammatory effects. In contrast, Ultrapure LPS, binding exclusively to TLR4, neither protected neutrophils from apoptosis, nor induced an inflammatory response. (4) Conclusion: Two variants of P. gingivalis-derived LPS elicited effects on neutrophils and, based on the obtained results, we concluded that the engagement of both TLR2 and TLR4 is required for the manipulation of survival and the stimulation of immune responses of HoxB8 neutrophils.
A Prospective Analysis of Health Information Portals in Four Years

Objectives: We examined 17 health information portals to determine the status of web-based health information services in the United States (USA), South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal trends in 35 items of online health information over four years among representative health information portals (eight based in the USA, seven in South Korea, one in the UK, and one in Australia), focusing on external portal structure, content scope, service characteristic, and service function with four stakeholder groups of six stakeholders. Results: The most notable change was in the service items, and overall, in 44.1% of total items: 17.6% in service characteristic, 41.2% in external portal structure, 58.8% in service function, and 58.8% in content scope change. More specifically, these changes included increases in the “mobile application utility” (service function), “use of personal health records” on public health portals (content scope change), “Charts and videos” (service characteristic), and “renewal date” (external portal structure). Conclusions: This review of existing health portals will be a footnote for enabling health care providers to confirm whether the needs of consumers are reflected on their website with high reliability. Furthermore, these findings will help to enhance the quality of portals by delivering relevant information to stakeholders and to the consumers of online health information.
Growth Retardation, Colonial Changes and Nutritional Deficiency in Mycobacterium phlei Due to Lysogeny

SUMMARY: Changes in Mycobacterium phlei due to B2h lysogeny were studied by the replica plating method. The changes could be divided into three categories: mutation to slow growth and small colony size; mutation to relative but complex nutritional requirements; and finally mutation to thiamine deficiency (thi-). A segregant clone obtained in the thi- mutant showed the characteristics of slow-growing small colony variants. Change in the bacterial host could be related to the type of integrated phage.
Responses of Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) and C. ariakensis (Fujita) To Bloom-Forming Phytoplankton Including Ichthyotoxic Karlodinium veneficum (Ballantine)

Abstract In the last several decades, the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) fishery in Chesapeake Bay has collapsed, largely because of overfishing and disease. As a consequence, there is increasing interest in the introduction of the Suminoe oyster Crassostrea ariakensis, which initial experiments suggest grows more rapidly and is more disease tolerant than the native oyster. In the present study, growth and clearance rates of the two oyster species at two different ages were compared for bloom-forming algae typical of the Chesapeake Bay, the ichthyotoxic Karlodinium veneficum and the spring blooming Prorocentrum minimum. Growth rates of 3–14 day-old spat of both species fed K. veneficum were severely depressed compared with growth rates for spat fed P. minimum or a hatchery phytoplankton mixture (Reed Mariculture Formula). Growth in C. ariakensis was more negatively affected by the toxic dinoflagellate than the native oyster. The ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate also appeared to reduce organ development in the developing spat even though clearance rates (pg C μm−1 h−1) for spat from both oyster species were similar for all food sources. When older juveniles (1–2 cm) were placed in bloom densities of Karlodinium (∼3 × 104 cells mL−1) for 6 h each day for 5 days, clearance rates were severely depressed for both oysters compared with rates noted for Tetraselmis, with clearance rates being reduced almost a hundred-fold for C. ariakensis. A nontoxic strain of K. veneficum was cleared at similar rates to Tetraselmis. These results suggest that the increasingly more common blooms of the ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum may preferentially impact the nonnative oyster more than the native after first set as well as later as it matures. If feeding on this Chesapeake Bay toxic dinoflagellate extends the period of time that new settled individuals remain small in size, the population structure of oyster reefs (e.g., through elevated losses to predation or siltation) may be ultimately altered.
Short communication. Total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in the liver, kidneys and plasma of experimentally contaminated chickens.

Mycotoxicosis, particularly that caused by aflatoxins and ochratoxins, is a serious problem for the poultry production industry. The aim of this study was to determine the total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A levels in liver and plasma, and kidneys and plasma, respectively, of chickens for fattening fed experimentally contaminated diets, and to assess the impact of these toxins on body weight increase and the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Forty eight 21 day-old Ross breeder chickens (n = 12 x four treatments) were fed diets containing different levels of mycotoxins: grower diet + ochratoxin A (200 mg/kg of feed) + total aflatoxin in different concentrations (T1 = 60 microg/kg of feed; T = 50 microg/kg; T3 = 30 microg/kg). Control chickens (T4) were fed only the grower diet. No significant differences were seen in the weight increase of chickens subjected to the different treatments. However, lower FCRs were seen in those exposed to T1 and T2. In general, the amount of total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A found in the liver, kidneys and plasma (determined by ELISA) were directly related to the amounts added to the experimental diets and feed consumption. Plasma ochratoxin A was always higher than kidney levels; this relationship was not seen for total aflatoxin.
MicroRNA-323-3p inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis after myocardial infarction by targeting TGF-β2/JNK pathway.

OBJECTIVE Myocardial infarction (MI), which causes irreversible damage and loss of cardiomyocytes, is the most important cause of death in the world. MicroRNA is an important regulator of physiological and pathological activities of cardiovascular system. The aim of this research was to study the effect of microRNA-323-3p (miR-323-3p) on MI and its underlying mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS A rat model of MI was established to measure the expression of miR-323-3p, Bax, Bcl-2, SOD1, and SOD2 in ischemic myocardial tissue, and the cardiac function of rats were tested at seventh day after MI. H9c2 cells were divided into control group, miRNA negative control (NC) transfection group, miR-323-3p mimic (miR-323-3p min) transfection group, and then, treated with H2O2. Oxidative stress and apoptosis of H9c2 cells were observed by Western blot, Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry, SOD activity assay, TUNEL staining, DHR dye assay, etc. RESULTS: The level of miR-323-3p was decreased in ischemic myocardium, as well as H2O2-treated H9c2 cells. MiR-323-3p overexpression greatly decreased the level of Bax and increased the levels of SOD1, SOD2, and Bcl-2. After treated with miR-323-3p mimic, TUNEL positive cells were greatly reduced, and apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells was greatly decreased. Moreover, SOD levels significantly increased, while ROS production decreased after treatment of miR-323-3p. After intravenous injection of miR-323-3p agomir in rats with MI, the cardiac function of the rats was significantly improved. Western blot and Luciferase reporter gene experiments illustrated that miR-323-3p acts by targeting TGF-β2. CONCLUSIONS MiR-323-3p was downregulated in ischemic myocardium and H2O2-treated H9c2 cells, and miR-323-3p overexpression reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The protective function was achieved via regulation of TGF-β2/JNK pathway.
Picolinic Acid, a Catabolite of Tryptophan, Has an Anabolic Effect on Bone In Vivo

Fractures attributable to osteoporosis have a severe impact on our older population. Reports of side effects with commonly prescribed osteoporosis drugs have led to the investigation of new and safer treatments with novel mechanisms of action. Picolinic acid (PIC), a catabolite of tryptophan, induces in vitro osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Here we demonstrate that PIC has an anabolic effect on bone in vivo by increasing bone formation, bone mass, and bone strength in normal and ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice. Activation of the osteogenic pathways triggered this osteoanabolic response without any cross‐related effects on mineral absorption or calciotropic hormones. Because PIC was also well tolerated and absorbed with no side effects, it is an ideal potential candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Circular RNA circFGD4 suppresses gastric cancer progression via modulating miR-532-3p/APC/β-catenin signalling pathway.

BACKGROUND Mounting evidence has displayed critical roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in multiple cancers. The underlying mechanisms by which circFGD4 contributed to gastric cancer (GC) are still unclear. METHODS The levels and clinical values of circFGD4 in GC patients were detected and analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. The biological roles of circFGD4 in GC were assessed in vitro and in vivo experiments. Dual-luciferase reporter, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation, biotin-coupled RNA pull-down, and TOP/Flash and FOP/Flash reporter gene assays were employed to evaluate the effects of circFGD4 on miR-532-3p-mediated adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/β-catenin signalling in GC cells. RESULTS circFGD4 expression was down-regulated the most in human GC tissues and cell lines. Low expression of circFGD4 was correlated with poor tumour differentiation, lymphatic metastasis, and poor prognosis of GC patients. circFGD4 suppressed GC cell viability, colony formation, migration, induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Next, we validated that circFGD4 acted as a sponge of miR-532-3p to relieve the tumour-promoting effects of miR-532-3p on its target APC. The mechanistic analysis demonstrated that the circFGD4 suppressed GC cell viability, migration, and EMT by modulating the miR-532-3p/APC axis to inactivate the β-catenin signalling. CONCLUSION circFGD4 suppressed GC progression through sponging miR-532-3p and enhancing APC expression to inactivate the β-catenin signalling. Thus circFGD4 provides a novel potential biomarker and valuable therapeutic strategy for GC.
Degradative Ability of Mushrooms Cultivated on Corn Silage Digestate

The current management practice of digestate from biogas plants involves its use for land application as a fertilizer. Nevertheless, the inadequate handling of digestate may cause environmental risks due to losses of ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide. Therefore, the key goals of digestate management are to maximize its value by developing new digestate products, reducing its dependency on soil application and the consequent air pollution. The high nitrogen and lignin content in solid digestate make it a suitable substrate for edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. To this aim, the mycelial growth rate and degradation capacity of the lignocellulosic component from corn silage digestate, undigested wheat straw and their mixture were investigated on Cyclocybe aegerita, Coprinus comatus, Morchella importuna, Pleurotus cornucopiae and Pleurotus ostreatus. The structural modification of the substrates was performed by using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Preliminary in vitro results demonstrated the ability of P. ostreatus, P. cornucopiae and M. importuna to grow and decay hemicellulose and lignin of digestate. Cultivation trials were carried out on C. aegerita, P. cornucopiae and P. ostreatus. Pleurotus ostreatus showed the highest biological efficiency and fruiting body production in the presence of the digestate; moreover, P. ostreatus and P. cornucopiae were able to degrade the lignin. These results provide attractive perspectives both for more sustainable digestate management and for the improvement of mushroom cultivation efficiency.
A rare study from the wintering grounds provides insight into the costs of malaria infection for migratory birds

Malaria parasites can have strong effects on the population dynamics and evolution of migratory bird species. In many species, parasite transmission occurs on the wintering grounds, but studies to determine the consequences of infection have taken place during the breeding season, when malaria parasites circulate at chronic levels. We examined the predictors of malarial infections for great reed warblers during the northern winter in Africa, where active parasite transmission is thought to occur and naive individuals experience acute infections. Counter to expectations, we found that winter infection intensities were lower than those encountered on the breeding grounds. One potential explanation is that reduced immune function during breeding allows parasites to persist at higher chronic intensities. We found no relationships between the incidence or intensity of infection on condition (as measured by scaled mass index, plasma metabolites, and feather corticosterone), spring migration departure dates, or home range sizes. We also tested a prediction of the Hamilton–Zuk hypothesis and found that male ornament (song) quality was unrelated to parasitic infection status. Overall, our results provide the first evidence that long-distance migrants captured on their wintering grounds are in the chronic stage of infection, and suggest that winter studies may fare no better than breeding studies at determining the costs of acute malarial infection for great reed warblers.
Long‐distance transport of 35S‐sulphur in 3‐year‐old beech trees (Fagus sylvatica)

35 S-L-cysteine was fed to a mature leaf of 3-year-old beech trees via a flap. After 1 to 4 h the distribution of 35 S-radioactivity was analysed in the leaves as well as the bark and wood of the trunk and the main root. Transport of 35 S out of the fed leaf amounted to 0.3-1.2% of the total 35 S taken up. The branches of the trees did not act as sink organs for the exported radioactivity. The main portion of the 35 5-radioactivity transported out of the fed leaf was found in basipetal parts of the trunk. Only a small portion of 35 S-radioactivity was transported in acropetal direction. The distribution of the 35 S-radioactivity within the trunk showed a higher portion of 35 S in the bark than in the wood. In both tissues, bark (70 to 80%) and wood (60 to 70%), the 35 S was predominantly found in the HCl soluble fraction. However, 35 S-cysteine, the compound fed to the leaves was not exported out of the fed leaf. Along the trunk 35 S-cysteine was neither determined in bark nor in wood sections. The only low molecular mass S-compounds found was 35 S-glutathione (GSH). The 35 S-sulphate detected in bark and wood origined from cysteine oxidation in the leaf tissue and from contamination of the 35 S-cysteine feeding solution. The ratio of GSH to sulphate decreased with increasing distance from the fed leaf. Apparently, 35 S-radioactivity was transported as sulphate and GSH in the phloem in basipetal direction, but GSH was removed preferentially out of the phloem along the transport path. 35 S-radioactivity exported out of the phloem and transported into the wood of the trunk was not retranslocated in the xylem. It may therefore be assumed that part of the 35 S translocated was stored in ray cells, medullary sheath cells and/or pith parenchyma cells. Girdling experiments in which the bark of the trunk was peeled off basipetal to the branch containing the fed leaf support these assumptions.