Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Association and Gene Co-expression Network Analyses Reveal Complex Genetics of Resistance to Goss’s Wilt of Maize

Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight is a disease of maize caused by the gram positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Cmn). First discovered in Nebraska, Goss’s wilt has now spread to major maize growing states in the United States and three provinces in Canada. Previous studies conducted using elite maize inbred lines and their hybrids have shown that resistance to Goss’s wilt is a quantitative trait. The objective of this study was to further our understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to Goss’s wilt by using a combined approach of genome-wide association mapping and gene co-expression network analysis. Genome-wide association analysis was accomplished using a diversity panel consisting of 555 maize inbred lines and a set of 450 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from three bi-parental mapping populations, providing the most comprehensive screening of Goss’s wilt resistance to date. Three SNPs in the diversity panel and 10 SNPs in the combined dataset, including the diversity panel and RILs, were found to be significantly associated with Goss’s wilt resistance. Each significant SNP explained 1–5% of the phenotypic variation for Goss’s wilt (total of 8–11%). To augment the results of genome-wide association mapping and help identify candidate genes, a time course RNA sequencing experiment was conducted using resistant (N551) and susceptible (B14A) maize inbred lines. Gene co-expression network analysis of this time course experiment identified one module of 141 correlated genes that showed differential regulation in response to Cmn inoculations in both resistant and susceptible lines. SNPs inside and flanking these genes explained 13.3% of the phenotypic variation. Among 1,000 random samples of genes, only 8% of samples explained more phenotypic variance for Goss’s wilt resistance than those implicated by the co-expression network analysis. While a statistically significant enrichment was not observed (P < 0.05), these results suggest a possible role for these genes in quantitative resistance at the field level and warrant more research on combining gene co-expression network analysis with quantitative genetic analyses to dissect complex disease resistance traits. The results of the GWAS and co-expression analysis both support the complex nature of resistance to this important disease of maize.
Deconstructing Heritage Language Dominance: Effects of Proficiency, Use, and Input on Heritage Speakers’ Production of the Spanish Alveolar Tap

Abstract This study considers language dominance as a composite of proficiency, use, and input, and examines how these constructs in Spanish influence heritage speakers’ production of Spanish alveolar taps. Two aspects of Spanish tap production were examined: lingual constriction rates and the degree of lingual constriction. Multiple measures associated with Spanish proficiency, use, and input were reduced to a smaller number of dimensions using principal component analysis, and the effects of the components on heritage speakers’ tap production were analyzed using mixed effects modeling. The overall findings suggest that dominance in Spanish may not have an effect on the degree of lingual constriction of heritage speakers’ taps, but it does have an effect on how frequently heritage speakers produce taps with lingual constriction. Spanish use and input were found to be the main contributors to heritage speakers’ target-like production of taps.
Predicting the prognosis of undifferentiated pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma: a 20‐year experience of 266 cases

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare malignant tumour of mesenchymal origin, which was conceived following re‐classification of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). The objective of this study is to determine prognostic factors for the outcome of UPS, following multi‐modal treatment.
Input and Soft-Tissue Vibration Characteristics during Sport-Specific Tasks.

PURPOSE To assess the influence of sport-specific tasks on the characteristics of input and soft-tissue vibrations. METHOD Triaxial accelerometers were used to quantify the input (heel cup of the shoe) and soft-tissue vibrations of the gastrocnemius medialis and vastus lateralis muscles during seven sport-specific tasks performed by 10 healthy volunteers. A wavelet analysis was used to analyze the acceleration signals in the time-frequency domain. The energy and frequency of the input and soft-tissue vibrations, as well as the transmission of energy from the input to the muscles and the damping properties of soft tissues, were computed. RESULTS Different inputs, energy transmissions and damping properties were found between the various movements. Landings and side cuts induced the greatest input frequency and energy, as well as the greatest soft-tissue vibration energy. These tasks produced up to three times greater energy than in-line running. Positive energy transmission was found for frequencies under 50 Hz and for frequencies up to 90 Hz for some movements, indicating a possible change in the natural frequency of vibration within muscle. Only small differences in damping properties were found, which may indicate that the attenuation of the vibration was not the priority during these tasks. CONCLUSION Athletes are subject to greater energy impacts and vibrations during some sport-specific tasks compared to running. It may be useful to decrease such input/vibration energy via the usage of footwear or compression tools in order to limit their potential deleterious effects on the musculoskeletal system. It is therefore recommended to quantify and control the number of impacts induced by the different sport-specific tasks.
Biomechanical Forces and Atherosclerosis: From Mechanism to Diagnosis and Treatment

The article provides an overview of current views on the role of biomechanical forces in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The importance of biomechanical forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis is considered. We provide descriptions of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. The roles of wall shear stress and circumferential wall stress in the initiation, progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque are described. The data on the possibilities of assessing biomechanical factors in clinical practice and the clinical significance of this approach are presented. The article concludes with a discussion on current therapeutic approaches based on the modulation of biomechanical forces.
Back to Back Surgeries in AIS Patients Can be Performed Safely without Compromising Radiographic or Perioperative Outcomes: A Ten-Year Review.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE To determine if back-to-back scoliosis surgeries can be performed safely without compromising outcomes and the reproducibility of the practice between institutions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA During the summer, spinal surgeons will often book multiple cases in one day. The complexity and demands of spinal fusion surgery calls into question the safety. Change of operating room staff including anesthesiologists, nurses, and neurologists may introduce new risks. METHODS From 2009-2018, index AIS surgeries were included. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were performed by a single surgeon. Group 4 were performed by other institutional surgeons. Group 1: first surgery of the day, Group 2: second surgery of the day, Group 3: only surgery of the day, Group 4: only surgery of the day by different institutional surgeon. Additional analysis was done to determine reproducibility after surgeon moved from Institution 1 to Institution 2. RESULTS 567 AIS patients were analyzed. Group 1 patients had similar radiographic outcomes compared to Group 2 (p > 0.05) Surgical time was similar (p = 0.51), but significantly more levels fused (p = 0.01). Compared to Group 3, Group 2 had a smaller preoperative Cobb (p = 0.02), shorter surgeries (p < 0.001) and length of stay (p = 0.04) but similar complication rate (p = 1). Compared to Group 4, Group 2 and had smaller preoperative Cobb (p < 0.001), shorter surgery, and lower complication rate (p = 0.03). When determining reproducibility, institution 2 patients had significantly less blood loss, shorter surgeries, and shorter lengths of stay (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Although long and involved, back-to-back AIS surgeries does not compromise radiographic or perioperative outcomes. Changes in operating team does not appear to impact safety, efficiency, or outcomes. This study also found that the practice is reproducible between institutions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food?

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that approximately one-third of all produced foods (1.3 billion tons of edible food) for human consumption is lost and wasted every year across the entire supply chain. Significant impacts of food loss and waste (FLW) have increased interest in establishing prevention programs around the world. This paper aims to provide an overview of FLW occurrence and prevention. Economic, political, cultural, and socio-demographic drivers of FLW are described, highlighting the global variation. This approach might be particularly helpful for scientists, governors, and policy makers to identify the global variation and to focus on future implications. The main focus here was to identify the cause of the FLW occurrence throughout the food supply chain. We have created a framework for FLW occurrence at each stage of the food supply chain. Several feasible solutions are provided based on the framework.
Posttranslational Modification of the NADP-Malic Enzyme Involved in C4 Photosynthesis Modulates the Enzymatic Activity during the Day

Phosphorylation of maize C4-NADP-malic enzyme at a specific Ser residue decreases the binding affinity to the cofactor, reducing the enzymatic activity during the first hours in the light. Evolution of the C4 photosynthetic pathway involved in some cases recruitment of housekeeping proteins through gene duplication and their further neofunctionalization. NADP-malic enzyme (ME), the most widespread C4 decarboxylase, has increased its catalytic efficiency and acquired regulatory properties that allowed it to participate in the C4 pathway. Here, we show that regulation of maize (Zea mays) C4-NADP-ME activity is much more elaborate than previously thought. Using mass spectrometry, we identified phosphorylation of the Ser419 residue of C4-NADP-ME in protein extracts of maize leaves. The phosphorylation event increases in the light, with a peak at Zeitgeber time 2. Phosphorylation of ZmC4-NADP-ME drastically decreases its activity as shown by the low residual activity of the recombinant phosphomimetic mutant. Analysis of the crystal structure of C4-NADP-ME indicated that Ser419 is involved in the binding of NADP at the active site. Molecular dynamics simulations and effective binding energy computations indicate a less favorable binding of the cofactor NADP in the phosphomimetic and the phosphorylated variants. We propose that phosphorylation of ZmC4-NADP-ME at Ser419 during the first hours in the light is a cellular mechanism that fine tunes the enzymatic activity to coordinate the carbon concentration mechanism with the CO2 fixation rate, probably to avoid CO2 leakiness from bundle sheath cells.
Incidence of Lyme disease in the UK: a population-based cohort study

Objectives The purpose of this study was to estimate the annual incidence of Lyme disease (LD) in the UK. Design This was a retrospective descriptive cohort study. Setting Study data were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), a primary care database covering about 8% of the population in the UK in 658 primary care practices. Participants Cohort of 8.4 million individuals registered with general practitioners with 52.4 million person-years of observation between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2012. Primary and secondary outcome measures LD was identified from recorded medical codes, notes indicating LD, laboratory tests and use of specific antibiotics. Annual incidence rates and the estimated total number of LD cases were calculated separately for each UK region. Results The number of cases of LD increased rapidly over the years 2001 to 2012, leading to an estimated incidence rate of 12.1 (95% CI 11.1 to 13.2) per 100 000 individuals per year and a UK total of 7738 LD cases in 2012. LD was detected in every UK region with highest incidence rates and largest number of cases in Scotland followed by South West and South England. If the number of cases has continued to rise since the end of the study period, then the number in the UK in 2019 could be over 8000. Conclusions The incidence of LD is about threefold higher than previously estimated, and people are at risk throughout the UK. These results should lead to increased awareness of the need for preventive measures. Trial registration number This study was approved by the Independent Scientific Advisory Committee for CPRD research (Protocol number 13_210R).
Depression and helplessness impact interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome pain over time.

INTRODUCTION Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a devastating urological chronic pelvic pain condition with an unknown etiology. Evidence-based psychological strategies are becoming more successful for symptom management as we learn more about the targets for intervention. Previous research has established an indirect relationship between depression and pain through catastrophizing, but there have yet to be studies examining the emerging role of emotion regulation in this relationship. METHODS Women with IC/BPS were recruited from tertiary care clinics in Canada and the U.S. between 2013 and 2018. Patients completed questionnaires, including demographics and scores for pain, depression, catastrophizing, and difficulties in emotion regulation at baseline, six months, and one year. Serial mediation was used to test models of pain, catastrophizing, and depression. RESULTS A total of 135 women with IC/BPS completed all three time points. The only significant indirect path was from baseline depression to catastrophizing at six months, to pain at one year (b=0.10; confidence interval [CI] 0.0049-0.2520). A followup analysis demonstrated that helplessness was the key factor of catastrophizing driving this relationship (b=0.17; CI 0.0282-0.3826). CONCLUSIONS Reducing feelings of helplessness and increasing patient feelings of control are important ways to limit the effect of low mood on patient pain experience. De-catastrophizing interventions should be part of the referral strategy for IC/BPS symptom management.
A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Four Types of Circumcision for Elderly Males with Redundant Prepuce.

PURPOSE Circumcision is a common human urologic surgery performed in males with redundant prepuce to prevent the transmission and reduce the risk of urologic diseases. However, the optimal circumcision method for elderly men remains to be determined. Herein, the current study was conducted to characterize the efficacy of four different kinds of circumcision for elderly males with redundant prepuce. METHODS This retrospective study included 132 elderly males diagnosed with redundant prepuce who underwent circumcision at the outpatient department. Among them, 38 cases were subjected to traditional surgery (Group A), 23 cases to sleeve circumcision (Group B), and 42 cases to Shang Ring circumcision (Group C) and 29 cases to suturing device circumcision (Group D). Subsequently, the operation time, loss of blood, postoperative pain, complications, wound healing, and the satisfaction were respectively compared and analyzed. RESULTS The operation time of these 4 groups was calculated to be 27.3 ± 2.39 min, 30.4 ± 2.23 min, 6.3 ± 1.33 min, 7.6 ± 1.29 min, in Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, the loss of blood was 15.6 ± 2.84 mL, 11.8 ± 1.73 mL, 1.3 ± 0.44 mL, 3.7 ± 1.41 mL, respectively (P < 0.05). The elderly males who underwent Shang Ring circumcision exhibited the highest postoperative pain score, the longest pain duration, the longest healing time, the lowest recovery satisfaction rate and the highest operation experience satisfaction rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Taken together, all four types of male circumcision present with advantages and drawbacks. The traditional male circumcision and sleeve circumcision led to longer operation time and more bleeding, but no additional medical equipment was needed. Meanwhile, the Shang Ring circumcision caused the shortest operation time and the least bleeding, accompanied by the longest pain duration and recovery time. Therefore, the application of sleeve circumcision or a suturing device was recommended for elderly males suffering from redundant prepuce.
RapidR: Innovative Resource Sharing for Physical Delivery

ABSRACT Resource sharing practices are always evolving, with new software, tools, and consortia available to streamline and enhance operations. RapidILL's introduction of RapidR represents a groundbreaking way for libraries to easily share collections regardless of their geographic location, consortial affiliation, or integrated library system software. RapidR provides a unique infrastructure that has made a substantial difference in the ability of libraries to provide returnable loans efficiently and quickly to requesting users. This case study will demonstrate the positive impact RapidR has had on two libraries' resource sharing services, and it will outline RapidR's ability to serve as a substitute or an enhancement to traditional consortial borrowing structures.
Effects of in vitro culture at the preimplantation embryo stage on early development and hypertension in ISIAH rats

ABSTRACT Objective: The study investigates how IVC and ET affect hypertensive phenotype in ISIAH rats. Methods: ISIAH rats born as the result of ET and IVC were compared with naturally conceived controls. Results: Embryo transfer from hypertensive ISIAH rats to normotensive recipient dams caused lower SBP and DBP in the female offspring. When ET was accompanied with in vitro culture in R1ECM, not only the female offspring, but also males demonstrated alleviation of hypertension. Conclusions: IVC at the preimplantation embryo stage affected the manifestation of hypertension in the adult ISIAH offspring.
Effect and mechanism of verbascoside on hypoxic memory injury in plateau

Verbascoside is a water‐soluble natural phenylethanoid glycoside and distributes widely in plants. It has been proved with antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory bioactivities. In this experiment, the effect and mechanism of verbascoside on hypoxic memory injury were studied in a low‐pressure and low‐oxygen chamber. Verbascoside (50, 150, and 300 mg/kg) was intragastrically administered once a day for 7 days. On the fourth day, rats were placed in the chamber to simulate a 7,500 m high‐altitude environment The eight‐arm maze was used to test the memory ability. The levels of MDA, GSH, and T‐SOD in plasma, brain‐NH, and hippocampus were detected. The mRNA expression of mTOR, P70S6K, and 4E‐BP1 in the hippocampus tissue was determined by PCR. The protein expression of P‐mTOR, P‐P70S6K, P‐4E‐BP1, and Cleaved Caspase‐3 in the hippocampus tissue was determined by western blot. The results indicated that administration with verbascoside could obviously reduce the working memory error, reference memory error, total errors, and total time; relieve the neuron damage in CA1 region of the hippocampus; and decrease the oxidative stress correlation enzyme activity in plasma, brain, and hippocampus. The amelioration of verbascoside on high altitude–induced memory impairment may be associated with the adjustment of oxidative stress and mTOR signaling pathway.
6‐GHz‐to‐18‐GHz AlGaN/GaN Cascaded Nonuniform Distributed Power Amplifier MMIC Using Load Modulation of Increased Series Gate Capacitance

A 6‐GHz‐to‐18‐GHz monolithic nonuniform distributed power amplifier has been designed using the load modulation of increased series gate capacitance. This amplifier was implemented using a 0.25‐μm AlGaN/GaN HEMT process on a SiC substrate. With the proposed load modulation, we enhanced the amplifier's simulated performance by 4.8 dB in output power, and by 13.1% in power‐added efficiency (PAE) at the upper limit of the bandwidth, compared with an amplifier with uniform gate coupling capacitors. Under the pulse‐mode condition of a 100‐μs pulse period and a 10% duty cycle, the fabricated power amplifier showed a saturated output power of 39.5 dBm (9 W) to 40.4 dBm (11 W) with an associated PAE of 17% to 22%, and input/output return losses of more than 10 dB within 6 GHz to 18 GHz.
Relationship between suicidal ideation and family problems among young callers to the Japanese crisis hotline

Previous studies have reported an association between family relationships and suicidal behavior, and found that people with high suicidal ideation are not likely to consult with others about their distress. An effective consulting service is therefore necessary for such individuals. Crisis hotlines are effective for reducing suicide risk, but their associated suicide ideation rate and odds ratio of family problems children remain unclear. The present study investigated the suicidal ideation rate and odds ratio of callers under 20 years of age (N = 24,333) with family problems to the Japanese crisis hotline in 2012. There were 5,242 (21.5%), 18,061 (74.2%), and 1,030 (4.2%) calls related to family problems, other problems, and both, respectively. The suicidal ideation rate and odds ratio of callers with family problems were 2.2% and 0.426, respectively. This result suggested that callers with family problems have a significantly lower rate and odds ratio for suicidal ideation compared with others. However, some associations with a high suicide ideation rate were found for individual items among callers with family problems such as abuse (20.4%), family breakdown (16.1%), and domestic violence (10.6%). Further studies are needed to understand the suicidal ideation of callers with family problems and develop more effective preventive strategies.
Online Crowdsourcing Campaigns: Bottom-Up versus Top-Down Process Model

ABSTRACT When a crowd’s motivations are not triggered, they may not necessarily commit their best efforts, even if they have the knowledge to answer an open call. Drawing on the incentive theory, we introduce a top-down process model for an online crowdsourcing campaign that addresses the crowd’s motivations. This model is in contrast to the traditional bottom-up process model, where the crowd self-selects an open call based on their knowledge. We adopt a longitudinal case study method and examine two online crowdsourcing campaigns that represent both models. The findings suggest that the campaign that follows the top-down model generated high-quality ideas, while the bottom-up case was considered a failure. We further enrich the top-down model by developing a four-stage guidance model that addresses the crowd’s differing motivations in each stage. This research contributes to the crowdsourcing literature and helps better attract the qualifying crowd, thereby leading to greater campaign success likelihood.