Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of drought stress and potassium humate application on grain yield-related traits of corn (cv. 604)

This study was conducted to evaluate potassium humate application for reducing the effect of water deficiency on corn crop. Experimental design was factorial split plot experiment on randomized complete block with three replications at Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University. Factor A included irrigation levels (irrigation after 70, 100 and 130 mm evaporation from basin class A pan), factor B included potassium humate solution with different concentrations (0, 1% and 2% v/v) and factor C included different developmental stages (vegetative, reproductive and vegetative+reproductive stage). Results showed that drought reduced seed number in row, seed number per ear, seed weight per ear, seed length, seed weight, grain yield and harvest index. Potassium humate application increased drought tolerance. Grain yield under water deficit situation was higher than in control, but reduction by using potassium humate was lower. The highest grain yield (1539 g m -2 ) was obtained under irrigation after 100 mm evaporation and 2% potassium humate application and the least grain yield (1186 g m -2 ) was obtained without application of potassium humate. At this irrigation level without application of potassium humate, 34% reduction was observed in grain yield, but with application of 2% potassium humate only 14% percent reduction was observed. Under water deficiency, potassium humate application led to decrease of water stress effects on grain yield.
PTPRJ promotes osteoclast maturation and activity by inhibiting Cbl‐mediated ubiquitination of NFATc1 in late osteoclastogenesis

Bone‐resorbing osteoclasts (OCLs) are multinucleated phagocytes, whose central roles in regulating bone formation and homeostasis are critical for normal health and development. OCLs are produced from precursor monocytes in a multistage process that includes initial differentiation, cell–cell fusion, and subsequent functional and morphological maturation; the molecular regulation of osteoclastogenesis is not fully understood. Here, we identify the receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPRJ as an essential regulator specifically of OCL maturation. Monocytes from PTPRJ‐deficient (JKO) mice differentiate and fuse normally, but their maturation into functional OCLs and their ability to degrade bone are severely inhibited. In agreement, mice lacking PTPRJ throughout their bodies or only in OCLs exhibit increased bone mass due to reduced OCL‐mediated bone resorption. We further show that PTPRJ promotes OCL maturation by dephosphorylating the M‐CSF receptor (M‐CSFR) and Cbl, thus reducing the ubiquitination and degradation of the key osteoclastogenic transcription factor NFATc1. Loss of PTPRJ increases ubiquitination of NFATc1 and reduces its amounts at later stages of osteoclastogenesis, thereby inhibiting OCL maturation. PTPRJ thus fulfills an essential and cell‐autonomous role in promoting OCL maturation by balancing between the pro‐ and anti‐osteoclastogenic activities of the M‐CSFR and maintaining NFATc1 expression during late osteoclastogenesis.
An immunoprophylactic evaluation of Ld-ODC derived HLA-A0201 restricted peptides against visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract Five (5) HLA-A 0201 restricted epitopes of ornithine decarboxylase derived from Leishmania donovani (Ld-ODC) were examined by reverse vaccinology to develop prophylactics against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). These consensus epitopes comprising (P1: RLMPSAHAI, P2: LLDQYQIHL, P3: GLYHSFNCI, P4: AVLEVLSAL and P5: RLPASPAAL) were observed and presented by diverse HLA alleles screened by immune-informatics tools. These epitopes were also observed for strong stability for appropriate immune response in in silico screening and molecular dynamics. Top five selected epitopes filtered from population coverage analysis and TAP binding affinity were identified and evaluated against treated cases of VL subjects. Experiments were run individually with synthetic peptides or as the cocktail of peptides. A major population of CD8+ T cells were predominantly IFN-γ producers but not the IL-10 cytokines and shown with granzyme-B activity. Therefore, it can be concluded that the screened HLA-A0201 restricted epitope hotspots derived from Leishmania ODC can trigger CD8+ T cells, which can skew other immune cells functions toward protection. However, a detailed analysis can explore its potentiality as a vaccine candidate. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Liquid–vapour critical point behaviour: especially crossover from two to three dimensions via a magnetic analogy

Motivation for this Letter comes from two experiments. The first, by Kim and Chan (Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 170 (1984)), measured a two-dimensional (2D) liquid–vapour critical point exponent. The second studied, via the magnetism of ultrathin metal films, the crossover of the critical exponent β from 2D to 3D. Here, the analogy between magnetic behaviour near criticality and the corresponding liquid–vapour behaviour is first used to discuss the 2D–3D crossover in the latter case. Finally, the experimentally observed magnetic behaviour near criticality is considered for the ferromagnet CrBr3 to allow fingerprints of the 3D Ising Hamiltonian to be anticipated.
An In Situ X-Ray Diffraction Study of the Reaction of Li with Crystalline Si

The electrochemical reaction of lithium with a crystalline Si composite electrode at room temperature was investigated using in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The study confirmed that crystalline Si becomes amorphous during the first lithiation. The range of the coexistence region between crystalline Si and amorphous lithiated Si is 3350 ± 200 mAh/g. The highly lithiated amorphous Li x Si phase was found to crystallize into Li 15 Si 4 rapidly at about 60 mV (vs Li/Li + ) and this Li 15 Si 4 phase exists over a relatively narrow range of capacity. During delithiation, the Li 15 Si 4 phase coexists with amorphous Li z Si with z = 2.0 +0 -1 . Once all the Li 15 Si 4 phase disappears, the amorphous phase persists as the remaining Li is extracted. The formation of the Li 15 Si 4 phase can be avoided if the potential of the Si electrode is controlled above 70 mV during cycling. Based on the electrochemical and XRD data, a "phase diagram" was constructed to show the phase changes and regions of phase stability that occur during the lithiation and delithiation of the Si electrode.
Feeds and Corresponding Footprints of Residual Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Based on Their Constituents

Food safety is central to any society, having important economic, social, and environmental implications. International comparisons have shown that the European Union is the world's largest producer of food and drink products. It is not surprising therefore that the Agro-food sector has major importance/influence on the economy of Europe. The first link in the agro-food chain is animal feed, and therefore the risks associated to them, as is the case of the distribution of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are of paramount importance. Simple, fast, quantitative, and economic methods for PAHs and PCBs potentially polluting feeds were developed. The PAHs were detection by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD) and the PCBs by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to electron capture detection (ECD), using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) as confirmatory technique. The complete data set of 27 feed samples x 13 PAH and PCB concentrations were analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to find out what feeds were controlling PAH and PCB contamination.
Is There a Carcinogenic Risk Attached to Vitamin B12 Deficient Diets and What Should We Do About It? Reviewing the Facts

Abstract The number of individuals partaking in veganism has increased sharply in the last decade. Therefore, it is critical to look at the implications of vegan diets for public health. Although there are multiple health benefits of a vegan diet, studies have also linked the diet with deficiencies in various micronutrients. This study focuses on vitamin B12, because of its critical role in DNA synthesis and methylation. In light of these connections, a critical review of recent scientific literature is conducted to understand the effects of a B12 deficient diet on the genome and epigenome, and whether it can give rise to cancer. It is observed that a B12 deficiency leads to increased uracil misincorporation, leading to impaired DNA synthesis and genomic instability. The deficiency also leads to global hypomethylation of DNA, a hallmark of early carcinogenesis. The findings of this study highlight the need for increased awareness among vegans to ensure adequate B12 intake through supplementation or consumption of fortified products as a preventative measure. Additionally, the biofortification of staple crops and an improved version of fermented products with increased B12 content can be developed when inadequate intake seems otherwise inevitable.
H4K20me1 and H3K27me3 are concurrently loaded onto the inactive X chromosome but dispensable for inducing gene silencing

During X chromosome inactivation (XCI), in female placental mammals, gene silencing is initiated by the Xist long non‐coding RNA. Xist accumulation at the X leads to enrichment of specific chromatin marks, including PRC2‐dependent H3K27me3 and SETD8‐dependent H4K20me1. However, the dynamics of this process in relation to Xist RNA accumulation remains unknown as is the involvement of H4K20me1 in initiating gene silencing. To follow XCI dynamics in living cells, we developed a genetically encoded, H3K27me3‐specific intracellular antibody or H3K27me3‐mintbody. By combining live‐cell imaging of H3K27me3, H4K20me1, the X chromosome and Xist RNA, with ChIP‐seq analysis we uncover concurrent accumulation of both marks during XCI, albeit with distinct genomic distributions. Furthermore, using a Xist B and C repeat mutant, which still shows gene silencing on the X but not H3K27me3 deposition, we also find a complete lack of H4K20me1 enrichment. This demonstrates that H4K20me1 is dispensable for the initiation of gene silencing, although it may have a role in the chromatin compaction that characterises facultative heterochromatin.
Evaluation of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) in Tinnitus Patients with Normal Hearing.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between tinnitus parameters (duration, severity, reaction, handicap levels) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain values in patients with tinnitus with normal hearing without vertigo or any other complaints and to compare the VOR gains with a healthy group. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 30 individuals aged between 18 and 65 years who suffered from tinnitus but not from hearing loss and vertigo. The control group also consisted of 30 individuals who were categorized as healthy adults. The tinnitus handicap inventory, tinnitus reaction questionnaire, and tinnitus handicap questionnaire were applied to each individual in the tinnitus group, and the video head impulse test (VHIT) was conducted in 2 groups. RESULTS Statistically, a significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of VOR gain values in horizontal and vertical semicircular canal planes (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between tinnitus parameters, age, and VOR gain values in the study group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Considering the lower VOR gain values of the study group than the control group, these patients may need to be followed up for vestibular dysfunction associated with tinnitus, which can be a symptom of peripheral vestibular disorder. Moreover, this study will contribute to the literature because we determined a high-frequency component of VOR by VHIT, which was used to evaluate the relationship between tinnitus parameters and peripheral vestibular function.
Exploring the evidence behind the comparable impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines PHiD-CV and PCV13 on overall pneumococcal disease

ABSTRACT The worldwide implementation of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in children has reduced the overall pneumococcal disease burden. Two PCVs are widely available for infant vaccination: the pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) and the 13-valent PCV (PCV13). While these PCVs differ in serotype composition (PCV13 includes polysaccharides of serotypes 3, 6A and 19A; PHiD-CV does not), their impact on the overall pneumococcal disease burden in children is comparable. This commentary summarizes the evidence of comparability between PHiD-CV and PCV13 and explores why differences in serotype composition may not necessarily translate into a differential clinical impact. Both vaccines confer similarly high protection against disease caused by vaccine serotypes and lead to a partial replacement by non-vaccine serotypes. PHiD-CV does not protect against serotype 3 disease (not included in the vaccine) and PCV13’s effect on this serotype has been inconsistent. PHiD-CV provides some cross-protection against disease caused by vaccine-related serotype 19A but neither vaccine has fully controlled 19A disease. While protection against 19A is higher for PCV13 than PHiD-CV, replacement by non-PCV13 serotypes in settings with a PCV13 program appears to compensate for this difference. This results in a similar residual overall disease burden with both vaccines. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY What is the context? The pneumococcus bacterium can cause infections of the meninges, blood, lung, middle ear and sinuses. Two vaccines, Synflorix (GSK) and Prevnar 13 (Pfizer Inc.), are widely used to protect young children against these infections. The vaccines’ compositions differ: Synflorix includes antigens from 10 pneumococcus strains (or “serotypes”) and Prevnar 13 from 13 serotypes. However, both have a similar effect on the total pneumococcal disease burden in children. What does this commentary highlight? This commentary summarizes the evidence behind the two vaccines’ comparable impact on pneumococcal disase. It also looks at why the vaccines have a similar effect on the total pneumococcal disease burden despite their different compositions. What is the impact on current thinking? Given that Synflorix and Prevnar 13 have a comparable impact on pneumococcal disease, a country’s choice between the two vaccines will depend on vaccine supply, cost, logistical factors (e.g., transport, storage, training requirements of health workers) and the local pneumococcal epidemiology. Video Abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo © 2021 GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Dental Pathology of the Domestic Pig (Sus Scrofa Domesticus)

Antemortem domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) dental pathology literature is sparse. This observational descriptive study evaluated 23 client-owned pigs that while sedated/anesthetized for routine annual care had intraoral dental radiographs and an oral examination performed. Age, gender, weight, and breed for each pig were recorded. Oral examination and radiographic findings were reviewed to create a comprehensive list of dental abnormalities identified. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the data. The study population included 14 castrated males and 20 Vietnamese pot-bellied mini-pigs. The median age was 3 years (range 2-12 years), and the median weight was 39 kg (range 11-140 kg). The most common finding was missing teeth (21/23 pigs); the first premolar tooth was the most likely to be absent (64/106 missing teeth). Periodontal disease was common (20/23 pigs). Advanced stages primarily affected the first molar teeth frequently in the form of a mucogingival defect. Supernumerary roots were discovered on the maxillary canine teeth in female pigs only (10/25 teeth with supernumerary roots). The most common persistent deciduous tooth was the maxillary second incisor (15/19 persistent deciduous teeth). Non-age or gender related open apices were most likely associated with mandibular first and second incisor teeth (26/96 teeth with open apices). Tooth resorption was also identified (7/23 pigs). The study findings prove that pet pigs commonly have dental pathology; therefore, thorough oral examinations with intraoral radiographs should be included in porcine routine health care regimens.
High-performance inverted polymer solar cells based on thin copper film

Abstract. We report the fabrication of cost-effective indium-free polymer solar cells (PSCs) with an inverted structure that incorporates an ultrathin copper (Cu) film as a bottom cathode via thermal evaporation. The average optical transmittance of the 15-nm Cu coated glass substrate in the visible region of the spectrum was found to be around 80% with a highest value of 84.5%. The Cu electrode was modified by an interfacial layer of an alcohol-/water-soluble conjugated polymer, poly[(9,9-bis(3’-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] (PFN) interlayer to ensure a very smooth surface. Upon the use of the PFN interfacial layer, the work function of Cu was decreased from 4.68 to 4.31 eV, which can form an Ohmic contact with photoactive layer and facilitate electrode transport and extraction. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 3.6% was achieved when poly[N-9’-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4’,7’-di-2-thienyl-2’,1’,3’-benzothiadiazole)] and a [6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester blend were utilized as the photoactive layers, demonstrating that the thermally evaporated Cu thin-film electrode can be a promising candidate to replace indium tin oxide for highly efficient PSCs.
Inflammation is correlated with abnormal functional connectivity in unmedicated bipolar depression: an independent component analysis study of resting-state fMRI

Abstract Background Inflammation might play a role in bipolar disorder (BD), but it remains unclear the relationship between inflammation and brain structural and functional abnormalities in patients with BD. In this study, we focused on the alterations of functional connectivity (FC), peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines and their correlations to investigate the role of inflammation in FC in BD depression. Methods In this study, 42 unmedicated patients with BD II depression and 62 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Resting-state-functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all participants and independent component analysis was used. Serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in all participants. Correlation between FC values and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in BD was calculated. Results Compared with the HCs, BD II patients showed decreased FC in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) implicating the limbic network and the right precentral gyrus implicating the somatomotor network. BD II showed increased IL-6 (p = 0.039), IL-8 (p = 0.002) levels. Moreover, abnormal FC in the right precentral gyrus were inversely correlated with the IL-8 (r = −0.458, p = 0.004) levels in BD II. No significant correlation was found between FC in the left OFC and cytokines levels. Conclusions Our findings that serum IL-8 levels are associated with impaired FC in the right precentral gyrus in BD II patients suggest that inflammation might play a crucial role in brain functional abnormalities in BD.
Toward brain–heart computer interfaces: a study on the classification of upper limb movements using multisystem directional estimates

Objective. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) exploit computational features from brain signals to perform a given task. Despite recent neurophysiology and clinical findings indicating the crucial role of functional interplay between brain and cardiovascular dynamics in locomotion, heartbeat information remains to be included in common BCI systems. In this study, we exploit the multidimensional features of directional and functional interplay between electroencephalographic and heartbeat spectra to classify upper limb movements into three classes. Approach. We gathered data from 26 healthy volunteers that performed 90 movements; the data were processed using a recently proposed framework for brain–heart interplay (BHI) assessment based on synthetic physiological data generation. Extracted BHI features were employed to classify, through sequential forward selection scheme and k-nearest neighbors algorithm, among resting state and three classes of movements according to the kind of interaction with objects. Main results. The results demonstrated that the proposed brain–heart computer interface (BHCI) system could distinguish between rest and movement classes automatically with an average 90% of accuracy. Significance. Further, this study provides neurophysiology insights indicating the crucial role of functional interplay originating at the cortical level onto the heart in the upper limb neural control. The inclusion of functional BHI insights might substantially improve the neuroscientific knowledge about motor control, and this may lead to advanced BHCI systems performances.
Growing Living Composites with Ordered Microstructures and Exceptional Mechanical Properties

Living creatures are continuous sources of inspiration for designing synthetic materials. However, living creatures are typically different from synthetic materials because the former consist of living cells to support their growth and regeneration. Although natural systems can grow materials with sophisticated microstructures, how to harness living cells to grow materials with predesigned microstructures in engineering systems remains largely elusive. Here, an attempt to exploit living bacteria and 3D‐printed materials to grow bionic mineralized composites with ordered microstructures is reported. The bionic composites exhibit outstanding specific strength and fracture toughness, which are comparable to natural composites, and exceptional energy absorption capability superior to both natural and artificial counterparts. This report opens the door for 3D‐architectured hybrid synthetic–living materials with living ordered microstructures and exceptional properties.