Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of microbial inoculants on the yield of English ryegrass, and number and diversity of rhizospheric microorganisms.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have originally been defined as root-colonizing bacteria that cause either plant growth promotion or biological control of plant diseases. The mechanisms by which PGPR promote plant growth are not fully understood, but it is believed that the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhance plant growth and yield either by direct or indirect mechanisms. Treatment with PGPR has increased the germination percentage, seedling vigor, plant stand, root growth, shoot growth, total biomass of plants, seed weight, early flowering, increased grain, fodder, fruit yields and stimulated plants to grow faster and greener with longer roots and shoots than the untreated plants. Different bacteria that have been reported as PGPR belong to the following genera: Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azospirillum, Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Arthrobacter, Alcaligenes, Serratia, Rhizobium, Enterobacter, Beijerinckia, Klebsiella, Clostridium, Streptomyces, Trichoderma Variovovax, Xanthomonas and Phyllobacterium. The positive results of the use of microorganisms in the production of field and vegetable crops, as well as in the production of forage legumes, justify the assumption that they can successfully be used in the production of forage grasses, too. This paper presents the effects of microorganisms on the growth and yield of forage grasses (mainly English ryegrass) as well as on the change in the microbiological activity in the rhizosphere of these plants. There has not been much research in this field so the aim of the investigation was to stimulate interest in the introduction of new agrotechnical measures in the production of plants which are usually considered less important than alfalfa, clover or fodder peas.
[Effects of different vegetation restoration patterns on the diversity of soil nitrogen-fixing microbes in Hulunbeier sandy land, Inner Mongolia of North China].

By using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and sequence analysis, this paper studied the nifH gene diversity and community structure of soil nitrogen-fixing microbes in Hulunbeier sandy land of Inner Mongolia under four years management of five vegetation restoration modes, i. e. , mixed-planting of Agropyron cristatum, Hedysarum fruticosum, Caragana korshinskii, and Elymus nutans (ACHE) and of Agropyron cristatum and Hedysarum fruticosum (AC), and mono-planting of Caragana korshinskii (UC), Agropyron cristatum (UA), and Hedysarum fruticosum (UH), taking the bare land as the control (CK). There existed significant differences in the community composition of nitrogen-fixing microbes among the five vegetation restoration patterns. The Shannon index of the nifH gene was the highest under ACHE, followed by under AC, UC, UA, and UH, and the lowest in CK. Except that UH and CK had less difference in the Shannon index, the other four vegetation restoration modes had a significantly higher Shannon index than CK (P < 0.05). The phylogenetic analysis showed that the soil nitrogen-fixing microbes under UA, UH, and UC were mainly of cyanobacteria, but the soil nitrogen-fixing microbes under AC and ACHE changed obviously, mainly of proteobacteria, and also of cyanobacteria. The canonical correlation analysis showed that the soil total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen contents under the five vegetation restoration modes had significant effects on the nitrogen-fixing microbial communities, and there existed significant correlations among the soil total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen. It was suggested that the variations of the community composition of soil nitrogen-fixing microbes under the five vegetation restoration modes were resulted from the interactive and combined effects of the soil physical and chemical factors.
ATR/ATM Targets Are Phosphorylated by ATR in Response to Hypoxia and ATM in Response to Reoxygenation*

The ATR kinase phosphorylates both p53 and Chk1 in response to extreme hypoxia (oxygen concentrations of less than 0.02%). In contrast to ATR, loss of ATM does not affect the phosphorylation of these or other targets in response to hypoxia. However, hypoxia within tumors is often transient and is inevitably followed by reoxygenation. We hypothesized that ATR activity is induced under hypoxic conditions because of growth arrest and ATM activity increases in response to the oxidative stress of reoxygenation. Using the comet assay to detect DNA damage, we find that reoxygenation induced significant amounts of DNA damage. Two ATR/ATM targets, p53 serine 15 and histone H2AX, were both phosphorylated in response to hypoxia in an ATR-dependent manner. These phosphorylations were then maintained in response to reoxygenation-induced DNA damage in an ATM-dependent manner. The reoxygenation-induced p53 serine 15 phosphorylation was inhibited by the addition ofN-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), indicating that free radical-induced DNA damage was mediated by reactive oxygen species. Taken together these data implicate both ATR and ATM as critical roles in the response of hypoxia and reperfusion in solid tumors.
Expression of aromatase in tumor related stroma is associated with human bladder cancer progression

ABSTRACT Putative gender differences in bladder cancer (BCa) have been proposed to result from sex hormone influence. Aromatase is the key enzyme catalyzing the conversion of androgens to estrogens which may result in an intratumoral microenviroment with increased estrogen production. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of aromatase and its association with BCa progression. Tissue samples from 88 BCa patients who underwent cystectomy were obtained. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), expression of aromatase in tumor epithelium (TE) and tumor related stroma (TS) were evaluated separately, and the association of aromatase expression status with pathologic variables and overall survival (OS) outcome was examined. High aromatase expression was found in 33/88 (37.5%) of TE and in 65/88 (73.9%) of TS. Increased aromatase expression in TE had a trend to correlate with male gender. Increased aromatase in TS was significantly associated with adverse pathologic variables including higher pathologic pT, positive lymph node metastasis (pN), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and distant metastasis. In univariate analysis, high aromatase expression in TS was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (p = 0.014), but this association was not significant (p = 0.163) in multivariate cox analysis adjusted for independent factors including age at surgery and pN. These results demonstrate that aromatase expression in TS but not TE may play a critical role in BCa progression. Our findings provide direct evidence of aromatase involvement in BCa and suggest endocrine therapy may have a potential role in the treatment of BCa.
Network Impacts and Cost Savings of Controlled EV Charging

This paper investigates the distribution system impacts of electric vehicle (EV) charging. The analysis is based on a large number of operational distribution networks in The Netherlands. Future load profiles have been constructed by adding different EV charging profiles to household loads and solving the power flows to assess the network impacts on various network levels. The results indicate that controlled charging of EVs leads to significant reduction of overloaded network components that have to be replaced, but the impact varies per network level. Overall, in the uncontrolled charging scenarios roughly two times more replacements are needed compared to the controlled charging scenario. Furthermore, it was shown that for the controlled charging scenario the overall reduction in net present value due to energy losses and the replacement of overloaded network components is approximately 20% in comparison with the uncontrolled charging scenario. The results suggest that the deployment of a flexible and intelligent distribution network is a cost-beneficial way to accommodate large penetrations of EVs.
Renal Transplantation in Patients With Positive Lymphocytotoxicity Crossmatches: One Center’s Experience

Background. Sensitization to human leukocyte antigens remains an important barrier to successful renal transplantation. Materials and Methods. Herein we describe our center’s experience with a plasmapheresis-based desensitization protocol for highly sensitized patients. Twenty-nine patients had a positive T-cell or positive B-cell lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch against their donors. In some cases, baseline crossmatches were of high titer (e.g., 11 had baseline titers ≥1:32). Results. Twenty-eight of 29 patients were rendered T-cell crossmatch negative and B-cell crossmatch negative/low positive and transplanted. None had hyperacute rejection but 11 (39%) had acute antibody mediated rejection. Median follow-up is 22 months: 25 of the 28 (89%) of allografts are still functioning with mean plasma creatinine 1.5 mg/dL. There was one death because of the transplant or immunsuppression, one case of cytomegalovirus disease and no cases of lymphoproliferative disease. Conclusion. This series provides further evidence of the high efficacy of plasmapheresis-based desensitization protocols. Even patients with high baseline crossmatch titers can be successfully desensitized and transplanted. Short- and medium-term outcomes are encouraging but longer-term data are needed.
Income Uncertainty and the Decision to Invest in Bulk Shipping

We develop a coherent framework for the valuation of real assets and determination of the optimal time to invest. To this end, we model the stochastic nature of income and develop methodologies for valuing traded derivatives to facilitate model calibration and for assessing real investment projects. A valuation paradigm for freight-linked assets is presented and the effects of uncertainty in the key parameters are examined by means of a sensitivity analysis. Using a real option approach, we demonstrate its usefulness in investment appraisal and optimal timing of entry. We accompany our theoretical results with illustrative examples from the shipping industry.
Socioeconomic, Demographic and Geographic Factors Affecting Household Food Purchase and Acquisition Decisions in the United States as a Complex Economic System

Socioeconomic, demographic and geographic factors affecting food purchase and acquisition decisions by the individuals and households in the United States are complex. Twenty two variables associated with socioeconomic, demographic and geographic factors affecting food purchase and acquisition decisions are studied in an algorithm that involve machine learning and causality structures to uncover complex causality patterns associated with such variables. Several publically available data sets as well as most recently collected USDA data, Food APS are used in this study. Preliminary analyses show that unemployment, poverty and race are direct causes of food insecurity, while income causes food insecurity via poverty. Unemployment is a common cause for both food insecurity and poverty. This modeling effort will help improve the nation’s path for effective nutrition and health-related policy interventions as stipulated by USDA-Economic Research Service Strategic Goals.
All-Fibered High-Quality Stable 20- and 40-GHz Picosecond Pulse Generators for 160-Gb/s OTDM Applications

In this work, we investigate the generation of stable 20- and 40-GHz pulse trains through the nonlinear compression of an initial beat-signal in a cavity-less optical-fiber-based device. Enhanced temporal stability is achieved by generating the sinusoidal beating thanks to a commercial LiNbO3 intensity modulator driven by a half repetition-rate external radio-frequency (RF) clock. We also show that the residual timing jitter induced by the RF phase modulation imposed to suppress Brillouin back-scattering can be reduced by managing the cumulated dispersion of the compression line, whereas complete polarization stabilization is obtained owing to a modified setup involving a Faraday rotator mirror. Finally, a high-quality 160-Gb/s signal is generated from our low duty-cycle 40-GHz pulse source through optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM).
Review of Therapeutic Interventions for the Upper Limb Classified by Manual Ability in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract The aim of this literature review was to assemble an inventory of intervention strategies utilized for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) based on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). The purpose of the inventory is to guide physicians and therapists in intervention selection aimed at improving upper limb function in children with CP. The following databases were searched: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ERIC (Educational Research Information Center), Google Scholar, OTSeeker (Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence), OVID (Ovid Technologies, Inc.), and PubMed. Inclusion criteria were whether the study (1) identified MACS levels of participants, and (2) addressed the effectiveness of intervention on upper limb function. Overall, 74 articles met the inclusion criteria. The summarized data identified 10 categories of intervention. The majority of participants across studies were MACS level II. The most frequently cited interventions were constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), bimanual training, and virtual reality and computer-based training. Multiple interventions demonstrated effectiveness for upper limb improvement at each MACS level. However, there is a need for additional research for interventions appropriate for MACS levels IV and V. To fully develop an intervention inventory based on manual ability, future studies need to report MACS levels of participants, particularly for splinting and therapy interventions used in combination with surgery.
Identification of protein biomarkers associated with cardiac ischemia by a proteomic approach

Abstract Angina is chest pain induced by ischemia of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries. People that suffer from average to severe cases of angina have an increased percentage of death before the age of 55, usually around 60%. Therefore, prevention of major complications, optimizing diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics are of primary importance. The main objective of this study was to uncover biomarkers by comparing serum protein profiles of patients suffering from stable or unstable angina and controls. We identified by non-targeted proteomic approach and confirmed by the means of independent techniques, the differential expression of several proteins indicating significantly increased vascular inflammation response, disturbance in the lipid metabolism and in atherogenic plaques stability.
Exchange Rate Regimes and Trade Deficit A case of Pakistan

The study aims at the investigation of the relationship between the volatility of exchange rate and imports, exports and trade deficit of Pakistan while making a comparison between three consecutive decades (1980 through 2010). This comparison is intended to account for the political influence of democratic and non-democratic regimes on exchange rate, imports, exports, and trade deficit. The data of the variables is collected from official websites of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and State Bank of Pakistan over a period of 30 years. The first part of the study is descriptive comparative analysis which showed that in the last regime (2000-10) exchange rate volatility performed most consistently; exports, imports and trade deficit growth were highest. The second part of the study is to investigate the link between the volatility of exchange rate, imports, exports and further trade deficit. The results showed the exchange rate volatility does have any significant impact on trade deficit. However, it has significant positive (contradictory to the previous studies) impact on imports and exports. Moreover, the duration for analysis can be extended.
Nurses' attitudes toward pregnancy termination in the labor and delivery setting.

OBJECTIVE To examine nurses' attitudes toward pregnancy termination in the labor and delivery setting and the frequency of nurse refusal to care for patients undergoing pregnancy termination. DESIGN Nonexperimental, descriptive study. SETTING Six central and northern California hospitals, including Level 1, 2, and 3 facilities. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-five labor and delivery registered nurses. METHOD Anonymous survey with visual analog scales. RESULTS Ninety-five percent of the nurses indicated they would agree to care for patients terminating a pregnancy because of fetal demise, 77% would care for patients terminating a fetus with anomalies that were incompatible with life, and 37% would care for patients terminating for serious but nonlethal anomalies, with a significant drop in agreement as gestation advanced. Few nurses would agree to care for patients undergoing termination for sex selection, selective reduction, or personal reasons. Nurses both accepting and refusing patient care assignments were criticized by coworkers. CONCLUSION Clear guidelines should be established on how to handle nurse refusal to care for patients terminating pregnancy in advance. Open discussions should be encouraged between staff and management to minimize criticism.
Consumption of red-hot chili pepper increases symptoms in patients with acute anal fissures. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND Red-hot chili pepper and other spices have been blamed for causing or exacerbating symptoms of anal pathologies like anal fissure and hemorrhoids. AIM To determine if consumption of chilies increases symptoms of acute anal fissures. METHODS Individual patients were randomized to receive capsules containing chili or placebo for one week in addition to analgesics and fiber supplement. Patients were asked to note score for symptoms like pain, anal burning, and pruritus during the study period. After 1 week, cross over treatment was administered to the same group of patients with the same methodology and results were noted at the end of 2 weeks. RESULTS Fifty subjects were recruited for this study. Forty three of them completed the trial (22 in the chili group and 21 in the placebo group). The daily mean pain score was significantly lower in the placebo group in the study period. Score 2.05 in chili group and 0.97 in placebo group. There was a significant burning sensation experienced by the patients in the chili group (score 1.85 for the chili group vs 0.71 for the placebo group). Patients mean recorded improvement score was significantly higher after taking placebo. Eighty one point three percent patients preferred placebo while 13.9% preferred chilies. Two patients had no preference. CONCLUSION Consumption of chili does increase the symptoms of acute anal fissure and reduces patient compliance.
Research Concerning Standard Gross Margin Depending on Yield in Dairy Farming

The paper aimed to establish gross margin for three levels of milk yield/cow/year under the condition of Romania:V1-4,000 kg, V2-5,000 kg and V3-6,000 kg. The technical data were collected from three dairy farms and theeconomic calculations were based on the EU methodology taking into consideration prices of the year 2011.Thefollowing indicators were determined for each level of milk yield: gross product, variable cost and gross margin. Theestimates for gross margin/cow were Lei 1,927 for the variant with the smallest milk yield, Lei 2,561 for the variantwith the middle yield and Lei 3,454 for the variant with the highest milk yield. As a conclusion, gross product andvariable cost were directly influenced by milk yield and the higher the milk yield, the higher gross margin andeconomic efficiency per cow. In order to increase farm financial performance expressed by gross margin and profit,farmers have to rise milk yield per cow using high productive animals, sufficient and high quality forages and keepproduction cost, mainly variable cost under control.
Reduction of Enteric Microbes in Flushed Swine Wastewater Treated by a Biological Aerated Filter and UV Irradiation

An aerobic biofilter system was studied to assess its effectiveness for reducing enteric microbial indicators in flushed swine wastewater under different seasonal conditions. A laboratory‐scale, low‐pressure UV collimated beam apparatus was used to investigate the effectiveness of UV irradiation for inactivating enteric bacteria, coliphages, and bacterial spores in treated and untreated swine wastewater having unfiltered absorbances of 5 to 11 cm−1 and total suspended solids concentrations of 500 to 1200 mg/L. Fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, somatic coliphages, and male‐specific coliphages were reduced by 97 to 99% in the biofilter system when reactor water temperatures were between 23 and 32 °C. Salmonella were reduced by 95 to 97% when water temperatures were 17 to 32 °C. Of the six microbial indicators studied, Clostridium perfringens spores were typically reduced the least by the biofilter system. At an average absorbed UV irradiation dose of 13 mJ/cm 2 , maximum reductions of fecal coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, C. perfringens spores, and somatic coliphages in biofilter system effluent were 2.2, 2.1, 1.3, 0.2, and 2.3 log10, respectively. The results of this study show that the aerobic biofilter system can be an effective alternative for treatment of flushed swine waste. Ultraviolet irradiation can be effective for further reducing enteric microbe concentrations in biologically‐treated swine waste, as well as in lower quality wastewaters, indicating its general potential for pathogen reductions in low‐quality wastewaters intended for beneficial reuse.
Fukushima and Energiewende: Impact on structure of power generation

ABSTRACT The article presents the statistical analysis of the impact of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster on the German program of Energy Transition. It argues that the spectacular growth of renewable energy production in recent years was triggered not only by the increasing subsidies but also by the decision to phase out the nuclear power plants. However, the results seem to be far from what was desired by the architects of the Energy Transition. Except for 2014, the share of high-emission combustible fossils in the energy mix was growing. Meanwhile, the role of the two “transition fuels” (natural gas and nuclear energy) significantly decreased. The article also shows how the media, news, and communication in the modern world can seriously impact the economic policy of a state. It concludes that the decision made by the German government was largely irrational (except for electoral considerations) and it resulted in significant financial consequences.