Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential grain output and technology approaches in the plain around the Bohai Sea in Shandong Province

It is a big challenge to promote grain production in China under the background of limited arable lands and increasing grain demand due to an enormous population.In order to provide scientific basis for national policy decision-making on increasing grain production capacity,planning and distributing,potential grain outputs of 30 counties in the area around the Bohai Sea in Shandong Province were estimated by using current data about arable lands,cropping systems and land productivity in recent years.The results show that the potential increase in grain output was likely to reach 4.034 1 × 109 kg,which could be achieved by expanding planting area of grain crops and enhancing grain yield per unit area.There were two approaches to enlarge the area of grain crops.Firstly,about 50% of the current areas of cotton of single cropping per year system change into wheat/corn double cropping system by enriching soil fertility and adopting special varieties.This approach may increase grain production by 2.364 7 × 109 kg.Secondly,some of the current uncultivated lands with severe saline-alkali develop for planting grain crops after taking comprehensive measures to increase grain output to 7.755 5 × 108 kg.Furthermore,the promotion of wheat and corn grain yield under current cultivated farmlands will further increase grain output by 8.938 5 × 108 kg.Counties with greater potential for grain output increase by either expanding planting area or enhancing grain yield are in the Delta area and along the banks of the Yellow River.The main technology approaches include:1) leaching and discharge of salt ions from saline-alkali soils by intense freshwater watering and drainage,which will as well reduce salt accumulation in surface soils;2) enriching soil fertility and increasing land productivity by using soil improvement measures such as application of organic manure,utilization of microbial remediation agents and management of crop residues;3) optimizing farming systems by screening and applying crop cultivars with high salt-tolerance.Furthermore,it was essential to conduct demonstration of standard technologies at farmland scale.
Suppressing Frequency Fluctuations of Self-Sustained Vibrations in Underdamped Nonlinear Resonators

We consider frequency fluctuations in self-sustained oscillators based on nonlinear underdamped resonators. An important type of such resonators are nano- and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Various noise sources are considered, with the emphasis on the fundamentally unavoidable noise that comes along with dissipation from the coupling to a thermal reservoir. The formulation in terms of the action-angle variables of the resonator allows us to study a deeply nonlinear regime. In this regime the vibration frequency as a function of the action can have an extremum. We show that frequency fluctuations can be strongly reduced by choosing the operation point at this extremum. We suggest a practical implementation of a nanoresonator that has the appropriate property and show explicit results for the corresponding model.
Modelling the population dynamics of Ascaris suum in pigs

The objective of this thesis was to examine factors that influence the population dynamics of A. suum infections in pigs. In particular, the role of exposure in determining the pattern of aggregation of the parasite was addressed. In Chapter 2 data from a series of experiments investigating the effect of maternal exposure on the infection of offspring with A. suum were used to examine changes in the worm burden distribution, and the relationship between the aggregation parameter, k, and the mean intensity of infection. Analysis by maximum likelihood demonstrated that the colostrum of previously infected sows caused the distribution of worms among their piglets to become less aggregated, the degree of which determined by the length of exposure of the sow. A linear relationship between the aggregation parameter and the mean intensity of infection was also found. In Chapter 3, further experimental data from DCEP was compiled and used to examine the effect of inoculation protocol on the worm burden distribution. It was shown that trickle inoculations mimicked natural infections well, whilst single inoculations had a lower prevalence and mean intensity and a higher degree of aggregation. Chapter 4 describes an experiment which was designed to investigate the effect of exposure on aggregation, using a trickle inoculation protocol. The design incorporated additional investigations into the effect of inoculation dose level and duration of infection. Host predisposition, the effect of experience on parasite fecundity, and the development of a pre-hepatic barrier to infection were also examined. The new experimental results contradicted those found in a natural infection / reinfection experiment, and opposed the hypothesis that experience of infection causes a reduction in the aggregation of the worm burden distribution. However, a significant predisposition was found, experience of infection was shown to reduce the parasite fecundity, and larvae were shown to continue to migrate during a trickle inoculation. The experimental results also demonstrated that coproprevalence changed through time as a function of dose level. The relationship between coproprevalence and dose was used to develop a dynamic model (chapter 5). The model was used to demonstrate that the force of infection in the natural reinfection experiment was likely to have been considerably greater than those used in the trickle inoculation experiment. Although initially the immune response is greater in animals experiencing a high force of infection, through time a high force of infection leads to greater unresponsiveness.
Using the Implicit Association Test to Measure Self-Esteem and Self-Concept

Experiment 1 used the Implicit Association Test (IAT; A. G. Greenwald, D. E. McGhee, & J. L. K. Schwartz, 1998) to measure self-esteem by assessing automatic associations of self with positive or negative valence. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that two IAT measures defined a factor that was distinct from, but weakly correlated with, a factor defined by standard explicit (self-report) measures of self-esteem. Experiment 2 tested known-groups validity of two IAT gender self-concept measures. Compared with well-established explicit measures, the IAT measures revealed triple the difference in measured masculinity-femininity between men and women. Again, CFA revealed construct divergence between implicit and explicit measures. Experiment 3 assessed the self-esteem IAT's validity in predicting cognitive reactions to success and failure. High implicit self-esteem was associated in the predicted fashion with buffering against adverse effects of failure on two of four measures.
THE INFLUENCE OF PH ON GROWTH OF DIFFERENT GENESIS PROMASTIGOTES OF L.DONOVANI

The Many experiments show that pH affect the growth of promastigotes of L donovani.But the control tests with Acid-base scale have not been reported on the growth of promastigotes from different genesis.This paper reports that pH has different influence on several kinds of promastigotes from different genesis.We obseved that the growth of promastigotes of L.doncvani is inhibited when pH is 4.6 and 8.6.
Assessment of surface roughness changes on orthodontic acrylic resins by all-in-one spray disinfectant solutions

Background. The disinfection of orthodontic acrylic resins might change the physical and mechanical properties of these materials. We aimed to investigate the impact of four different commercially available disinfectants on the surface roughness of acrylic resins used for orthodontic appliances. Methods. Four disinfectant solutions (BirexSE, Opti-Cide3, COEfect MinuteSpray, and CaviCide Spray) were used to disinfect orthodontic acrylic resins using the spraying method. The resins were subjected to repeated disinfection protocols. Distilled water, also applied via spraying method, was used as a control. Surface roughness was scrutinized to examine the extent of surface topography changes by stylus profilometry. Data normality was evaluated via the Shapiro–Wilk test, followed by the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test for non-parametric data or paired Student’s t-test for parametric data to compare intra-group differences in roughness before and after the use of the disinfectant solutions. Results. Some of the disinfectants (BirexSE and CaviCide) resulted in significant changes in surface roughness values before and after the disinfection compared to the controls (P<0.05). The groups that were in contact with distilled water, Opti-Cide, and Coeffect did not exhibit significant differences in surface roughness before and after the intervention (P>0.05). However, from a clinical perspective, the resulting variations in surface roughness (<%0.15) induced by these solutions might not reflect clinically significant differences. Conclusion. The use of disinfectant solutions is unlikely to harm the surface of orthodontic acrylic resins. Oral care providers need to be attentive to the interpretation and implementation of clinically significant changes in their evidence-based approach regarding potential material damages by disinfection sprays.
Tenofovir does not induce renal dysfunction compared to entecavir in post-liver-transplant hepatitis B virus patients

Purpose Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is accepted as an effective and tolerable drug for treatment of HBV, similar to entecavir. However, there are some concerns about the nephrotoxicity of tenofovir. The aim of this study is to compare the renal-function change of liver recipients who received tenofovir or entecavir for HBV. Methods Among 468 patients with HBV who underwent liver transplantation at Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and December 2015, the patients treated with tenofovir (n = 39) or entecavir (n = 429) were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline characteristics and renal-function change after 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years were compared. Propensity-score matching was performed for 37 patients using tenofovir and 132 patients using entecavir. We also analyzed risk factors of renal dysfunction. Results Age, preoperative creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR), and hepatic encephalopathy score showed statistical difference between the tenofovir and entecavir groups. The proportion of patients with ‘decreased renal function (e-GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2)’ was higher in the tenofovir group than in the entecavir group (33.3% vs. 12.4% at postoperative one year, P < 0.005). After propensity-score matching, there was no statistical difference in preoperative characteristics. Postoperative 1-, 2-, and 3-year e-GFR and creatinine showed no statistical difference in either group. On multivariate analysis, only preoperative high e-GFR showed a protective effect on renal-function change (odds ratio, 0.97; P < 0.001), and there was no aggravating factor. Conclusion Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate does not induce renal dysfunction in liver-transplanted patients with HBV more than does entecavir.
Response to GH Treatment After Radiation Therapy Depends on Location of Irradiation

Abstract Objectives Cancer survivors with GH deficiency (GHD) receive GH therapy (GHT) after 1+ year observation to ensure stable tumor status/resolution. Hypothesis Radiation therapy (RT) to brain, spine, or extremities alters growth response to GHT. Aim Identify differences in growth response to GHT according to type/location of RT. Methods The Pfizer International Growth Database was searched for cancer survivors on GHT for ≥5 years. Patient data, grouped by tumor type, were analyzed for therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, RT of the focal central nervous system, cranial, craniospinal, or total body irradiation [TBI] as part of bone marrow transplantation), sex, peak stimulated GH, age at GHT start, and duration from RT to GHT start. Kruskal-Wallis test and quantile regression modeling were performed. Results Of 1149 GHD survivors on GHT for ≥5 years (male 733; median age 8.4 years; GH peak 2.8 ng/mL), 431 had craniopharyngioma (251, cranial RT), 224 medulloblastoma (craniospinal RT), 134 leukemia (72 TBI), and 360 other tumors. Median age differed by tumor group (P < 0.001). Five-year delta height SD score (SDS) (5-year ∆HtSDS; median [10th-90th percentile]) was greatest for craniopharyngioma, 1.6 (0.3-3.0); for medulloblastoma, 5-year ∆HtSDS 0.9 (0.0-1.9); for leukemia 5-year ∆HtSDS, after TBI (0.3, 0-0.7) versus without RT (0.5, 0-0.9), direct comparison P < 0.001. Adverse events included 40 treatment-related, but none unexpected. Conclusions TBI for leukemia had significant impact on growth response to GHT. Medulloblastoma survivors had intermediate GHT response, whereas craniopharyngioma cranial RT did not alter GHT response. Both craniospinal and epiphyseal irradiation negatively affect growth response to GH therapy compared with only cranial RT or no RT.
Extrachromosomal and chromosomal DNA analysis of 'Candidatus phytoplasma Australiense'

The aim of this study was to increase our understanding of phytoplasma genomics by sequencing and analysing extrachromosomal and chromosomal phytoplasma DNA. Extrachromosomal DNA (eDNA) is believed to play an important role in pathogenicity, host specificity and virulence in plant pathogenic bacteria. In this study, eDNA was characterised for the two most significant phytoplasmas in Australia - tomato big bud (TBB) phytoplasma and ‘Ca. P. australiense’. Using the eDNA sequence data, replication strategies were proposed for both phytoplasmas. Based on an analysis of the TBB eDNA encoded rep gene from multiple isolates, a unique mechanism for replication was proposed that involves the dnaG gene. The ‘Ca. P. australiense’ eDNA rep gene contained conserved domains for both bacterial plasmids and geminiviruses. Similarity matches between the closely related Australian and New Zealand ‘Ca. P. australiense’ eDNAs were found to be only 41- 61%. This level of difference suggests that the eDNA is not under the same evolutionary pressure as is chromosomal DNA, and/or a range of different mechanisms leading to genetic diversity are operational. Phytoplasmas cannot be cultured so the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of high quality phytoplasma DNA hinders whole genome analysis. Despite this, the desire to sequence phytoplasmas is fuelled by the current paucity of knowledge about phytoplasma pathogenicity. In this study, conventional and modern techniques were optimised to obtain sufficient quantities of genomic DNA to sequence the entire ‘Ca. P. australiense’ genome. Although phytoplasma DNA could be extracted from pulsed field gels, quantities were too low for subsequent manipulation. DNA extracted from cesium chloride gradients was successfully used to enrich phytoplasma DNA suitable for sequencing. The ‘Ca. P. australiense’ chromosome was 879 324 bp and is among the largest phytoplasma genomes to be sequenced. It contained potential mobile units (PMUs) that may account for the fact that it is smaller than the closely related New Zealand ‘Ca. P. australiense’ strain. The mechanism by which ‘Ca. P. australiense’ PMUs may have been laterally transferred is unknown, because inverted repeats characteristic of composite transposons were missing. It is possible that ‘Ca. P. australiense’ PMU mobility relies on helper elements or by association with phage particles. The genomes of ‘Ca. P. australiense’ and the previously published ‘Ca. P. asteris’ (OY-M and AY-WB) were compared with a particular focus on metabolic processes. Many essential metabolic pathways were completely missing or greatly reduced in all phytoplasmas, but all contained numerous genes for membrane transporters. This observation is not surprising for a pathogen that occupies the nutrient rich phloem of its host plant. There is still much to learn about the pathogenicity and minimal metabolic capability of ‘Ca. P. australiense’, but with close to 50% ORFs not assigned to any known function, there exists a rich archive of information for further discovery.
Protective Effect of Gynura Divaricata (L.) DC. Extract on Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice

Objective To study the protective effect of Gynura divaricata( L.) DC. extract on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. Methods The acute chemical liver injury model was established by carbon tetrachloride. 72 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: the control group,biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate control group,the carbon tetrachloride model group,high dose group,middle dose group,and low dose group. The change of mice body weight and the contents of Alanin aminotransferase( ALT) and Aspar tate aminotransfer ase( AST) in the serum were measured after successive administration for 7 d. Results High dose group of G. divaricata extract could inhibit the activity of AST and ALT in mice serum and could effectively inhibit lipoperxidation and necrosis in mice liver. Conclusion High dose group of G. divaricata extract can protect hepar and decrease enzyme to a certain extent.
Building an endobariatric program: lessons learned

Abstract The emphasis on treating obesity has never been more critical, yet the complexity of delivering care has become more intricate due to new procedures, variable insurance coverage, and inconsistent reimbursement. This is our experience building an endobariatric program and treating overweight and obese patients with endobariatric therapies (EBTs) over 3 years. The primary intention of this manuscript was to educate the reader on how to build an endobariatric program, identify barriers, and provide succinct solutions to establish a successful program. The secondary aim was weight loss outcomes of procedures offered at our institution. We compiled a list of lessons learned, based on the difficulties we experienced to make it easy for others embarking on this journey. Herein, we present a business development strategy to overcome impediments, whilst offering high quality service. The high cost and lack of insurance coverage are significant barriers. Marketing can be costly and is often a factor that is ignored particularly early on, when finances are limited. However, it is an integral component of growing the program. The percentage total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 6 and 12 months post ESG was 17.8 ± 6.48 and 20.6 ± 8.3 (P < 0.001), respectively. The %TBWL at 6 months post IGB was 14.9 ± 9.8 for the Orbera IGB and 12.6 ± 7.4 for the Reshape IGB. There was a trend of preference for ESG compared to IGB placement over the 3 years. The key to building a successful endobariatric program is a motivated physician leader, collaborative bariatric surgeons, institutional support, and marketing. Insurance coverage will likely occur in the near future and programs must be prepared to manage the massive influx of patients that will likely request these procedures.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Increase the Sensitivity of Screening Methods for Diagnosing Cancer Cachexia in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background Currently used methods for detecting and monitoring cancer cachexia (CC) are not sensitive enough. In this field, there is a need to implement new instruments into clinical practice. Objective Determining the usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for detecting and monitoring CC in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods 158 people were invited to the study (70 from CRC and 88 controls). Their body composition was determined using BIA, and their nutritional status was determined according to NRS 2002, SGA, and BMI criteria. For statistical data analysis, Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and AUC ROC were used. Results Men with CRC stage I had higher values of FMI, SMMI, and ECW/TBW (p < 0.05) than in stages II–IV, and women with CRC stage I had higher values of FMI, FFMI, and FM/FFM than in the group of stages II–IV (p < 0.05). The ability of FFMI to detect malnutrition relative to SGA was low (sensitivity: women 40%, men 40% and specificity: women 74%, men 70%). Conclusions SGA and NRS 2002 scales are dynamic and consider changes in nutritional status over time, while BIA is static and does not consider these changes. Therefore, BIA is not a good tool for screening nutritional status. BIA successfully identifies differences in body composition depending on cancer stage and advancement of CC. Therefore, after the diagnosis CRC, just to monitor the disease advancement and state of CC, it is worth comparing the results of periodically repeated BIA.
Heat tolerance in English ivy as measured by an electrolyte leakage technique

Summary Identification of heat-tolerant English ivy (Hedera helix L.) genotypes for commercial production in hot areas is desirable. The extent to which electrolyte leakage from English ivy leaf discs, measured using a test for cell membrane thermostability (CMT), could be related to the reduction to shoot dry weight induced by heat in the greenhousegrown plants was determined. A curved relationship existed between the relative injury (RI) value occurring in leaf tissue discs of English ivy cultivars and treatment temperature. A single temperature treatment at 50°C resulted in injury values near the midpoint of the response curve and showed the greatest sensitivity in detecting genotypic differences in heat tolerance. The cultivars with a high RI value are those with the lesser CMT and more reduction in shoot dry weights by high day/night temperature at 35/30°C.
Influence of the consumption of fatty Baltic Sea fish on plasma levels of halogenated environmental contaminants in Latvian and Swedish men

We examined the influence of widely varied consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea and of age on plasma concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorobiphenylols (OH-PCBs), 2, 2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (4,4'-DDT), 2, 2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane (4,4'-DDE), 2,2',4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in Latvian and Swedish men. Both age and fish consumption were significantly correlated with the concentrations of [sigman]PCB, [sigman]OH-PCB, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDT, and HCB. In the case of BDE-47, no significant relationship with age was observed, and fish consumption had the largest relative effect on plasma concentrations of this contaminant. This relationship may be a result of exposure to BDE-47 having been more recent than that of PCBs and DDE, or because the half-life of BDE-47 may be shorter than that of PCB and DDE. Latvian men demonstrated higher plasma levels of DDE and DDT but lower levels of [sigman]PCB and PCP than did Swedish men. The corresponding levels of HCB and BDE-47 were similar in both countries. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient obtained by comparing the level of the metabolite 4-hydroxy-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107) to the combined levels of its parent compounds, 2,3,3',4, 4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB-105) and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB-118), was higher than the median correlation coefficient obtained upon comparing the level of this metabolite to all other possible combinations of two PCB levels. No other increased correlation between metabolite and parent PCB concentration was observed.