Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Herbage Production of an Established Grass Sward in Relation to Moisture and Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT Herbage growth and nitrogen (N) use efficiency in grazed or mown grasslands are generally low, associated mostly with poor response to fertilizer N. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the short-term response of grass to fertilizer N with respect to herbage yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in order to provide a better basis for improving the efficient use of fertilizer N in grassland ecosystems. Both NO3 − and NH4 + sources of N were applied to an established grass sward with three moisture levels, i.e., natural conditions (63% water-filled pore space, WFPS), near field capacity level (71% WFPS), and slightly wetter than field capacity (84% WFPS). Herbage yield, i.e., dry matter (DM), N uptake, N recovery efficiency, yield efficiency, and physiological efficiency were determined over a 7–28 d period. Addition of N fertilizers significantly increased the herbage yield and N uptake of grass sward over that of the control. In the plots where NO3 −−N was added as the N source, DM yield was between 1760–1870 kg ha−1, N recovery efficiency was between 24%–43%, and yield and physiological efficiency were in the range of 2.1–3.2 and 6.4–8.8 kg DM kg− 1 N, respectively. In NH4 +−N added plots, the DM yield was between 3190–3700 kg ha− 1, N recovery efficiency was between 39%–48% while yield and physiological efficiency were in the range of 3.5–5.6 and 9.0–11.6 kg DM kg− 1 N, respectively. Results indicated that total DM yield, N uptake, and NUE depend on the source of N and the level of moisture in the field. Assimilation of N is also affected by the stage of plant development after N fertilization. About 50%–54% of applied N was recovered in the initial 14 and 21 d after fertilizer application and thereafter translocation of N slowed. A fall in herbage production and minimal response to N fertilizer has been observed at 84% WFPS, while the maximum herbage yield and N recovery efficiency was recorded in soil near or below field capacity. The grass sward with added NH4 +−N produced a larger yield and had higher NUE relative to the sward with NO3 −−N. Results confirm that applied N was not utilized efficiently by grass sward and a decrease in N uptake and its utilization seem to be the key factors responsible for the poor herbage productivity often observed in pastoral agriculture. These results suggest that both moisture and N source have a substantial effect on herbage yield and N utilization by plants and therefore should be considered for efficient management of N fertilization and recommendations for grass sward.
Burden of heart failure and underlying causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017.

AIMS To provide the first systematic analysis of the burden and underlying causes of heart failure (HF) in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. METHODS AND RESULTS We collected detailed information on prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), and underlying causes of HF from the Global Burden of Disease study 2017. Numbers and age-standardized rates of HF prevalence and YLDs were compared by age, sex, socio-demographic index (SDI), and location. The proportions of HF age-standardized prevalence rates due to 23 underlying causes were also presented. Globally, the age-standardized prevalence and YLD rates of HF in 2017 were 831.0 and 128.2 per 100 000 people, a decrease of -7.2% and -0.9% from 1990, respectively. Nevertheless, the absolute numbers of HF prevalent cases and YLDs have increased by 91.9% and 106.0% from 1990, respectively. There is significant geographic and socio-demographic variation in the levels and trends of HF burden from 1990 to 2017. Among all causes of HF, ischaemic heart disease accounted for the highest proportion (26.5%) of age-standardized prevalence rate of HF in 2017, followed by hypertensive heart disease (26.2%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (23.4%). CONCLUSION HF remains a serious public health problem worldwide, with increasing age-standardized prevalence and YLD rates in countries with relatively low SDI. More geo-specific strategies aimed at preventing underlying causes and improving medical care for HF are warranted to reduce the future burden of this condition.
Study on Biosorption of Heavy Metal Ion-Uranium by Citrobacter freudii

Biosorption has been developed as an effective and economic method to treat wastewater containing low concentrations of metal pollutants. In this study, a bacterium, Citrobacter freudii, was used as a biosorbent to adsorb uraniumions. The factors which influence the adsorption of uranium by Citrobacter freudii were investigated, including pH, the strain dosage and the initial concentrate of uranium. The results showed that the adsorption efficiency increased with the increased of pH in the beginning of the adsorption and reached its maximum at pH 6; when the strain dosage and the initial concentrate of uranium were 6.0g/L and 20mg/L, respectively, the adsorption efficiency reached 93.89% and 94.68%, respectively. The authors investigated the active sites of bacteria for biosorption and the results proved that carboxyl in the cell wall played an important role in biosorption.
Structure of the Dimethyl Ether-CO2 van der Waals Complex from Microwave Spectroscopy

The rotational spectrum of the 1:1 weakly bound complex formed between dimethyl ether (DME) and CO2 has been assigned by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, leading to rotational constants of A = 5401.24(11) MHz, B = 2010.8637(17) MHz, and C = 1493.4844(15) MHz for the normal isotopic species. Measurement of rotational spectra for an additional four isotopomers has allowed a structure determination for this complex, giving a C2v geometry in which the CO2 lies in the heavy atom plane of the DME and is aligned perpendicular to its C2 axis. This orientation is supported by second moment data and a dipole moment of μa = μtotal = 1.661(6) D. The C···O distance has been determined to be 2.711(1) A. Ab initio optimizations at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level predict a C2v geometry with a C···O bond length of 2.685 A, slightly shorter than, but still in very good agreement with, the experimental value. Predicted rotational constants and dipole moment at this level of theory are A = 5379 MHz, B = 2018 MHz, C = .
On Grid Quorums for Erasure Coded Data

We consider the problem of designing grid quorum systems for maximum distance separable (MDS) erasure code based distributed storage systems. Quorums are used as a mechanism to maintain consistency in replication based storage systems, for which grid quorums have been shown to produce optimal load characteristics. This motivates the study of grid quorums in the context of erasure code based distributed storage systems. We show how grid quorums can be built for erasure coded data, investigate the load characteristics of these quorum systems, and demonstrate how sequential consistency is achieved even in the presence of storage node failures.
Ultra-Bright Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles Based on Small-Molecule Ionic Isolation Lattices.

Ultra-bright fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) hold great promise for demanding bioimaging applications. Recently, extremely bright molecular crystals of cationic fluorophores were obtained by hierarchical co-assembly with cyanostar anion-receptor complexes of associated counterions. These small-molecule ionic isolation lattices (SMILES) ensure spatial and electronic isolation to prohibit dye aggregation quenching. We report a simple, one-step supramolecular approach to formulate SMILES materials into NPs. Rhodamine-based SMILES NPs stabilized by glycol amphiphiles show high fluorescence quantum yield (30%) and brightness per volume (5000 M -1 cm -1 / nm 3 ) with 400 dyes packed into 16-nm particles, corresponding to a particle absorption coefficient of 4 × 10 7 M -1 cm -1 . UV excitation of the cyanostar component leads to highest brightness (>6000 M -1 cm -1 / nm 3 ) by energy transfer to rhodamine emitters. Coated NPs stain cells and are thus promising for bioimaging.
The Role of mTOR Signaling as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer

The aim of this review was to summarize current available information about the role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in cancer as a potential target for new therapy options. The mTOR and PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) signaling are critical for the regulation of many fundamental cell processes including protein synthesis, cell growth, metabolism, survival, catabolism, and autophagy, and deregulated mTOR signaling is implicated in cancer, metabolic dysregulation, and the aging process. In this review, we summarize the information about the structure and function of the mTOR pathway and discuss the mechanisms of its deregulation in human cancers including genetic alterations of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components. We also present recent data regarding the PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in clinical studies and the treatment of cancer, as well the attendant problems of resistance and adverse effects.
Unveiling the Bovine Epimural Microbiota Composition and Putative Function

Numerous studies have used the 16S rRNA gene target in an attempt to characterize the structure and composition of the epimural microbiota in cattle. However, comparisons between studies are challenging, as the results show large variations associated with experimental protocols and bioinformatics methodologies. Here, we present a meta-analysis of the rumen epimural microbiota from 11 publicly available amplicon studies to assess key technical and biological sources of variation between experiments. Using the QIIME2 pipeline, 332 rumen epithelial microbiota samples were analyzed to investigate community structure, composition, and functional potential. Despite having a significant impact on microbial abundance, country of origin, farm, hypervariable region, primer set, animal variability, and biopsy location did not obscure the identification of a core microbiota. The bacterial genera Campylobacter, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Defluviitaleaceae UCG-011, Lachnospiraceae UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Succiniclasticum, Desulfobulbus, and Comamonas spp. were found in nearly all epithelium samples (>90%). Predictive analysis (PICRUSt) was used to assess the potential functions of the epithelial microbiota. Regularized canonical correlation analysis identified several pathways associated with the biosynthesis of precursor metabolites in Campylobacter, Comamonas, Desulfobulbus, and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214, highlighting key metabolic functions of these microbes within the epithelium.
Failure to Advance Access to Kidney Transplantation over Two Decades in the United States.

BACKGROUND Extensive research and policies have been developed to improve access to kidney transplantation among patients with ESKD. Despite this, wide variation in transplant referral rates exists between dialysis facilities. METHODS To evaluate the longitudinal pattern of access to kidney transplantation over the past two decades, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with ESKD initiating ESKD or placed on a transplant waiting list from 1997 to 2016 in the United States Renal Data System. We used cumulative incidence models accounting for competing risks and multivariable Cox models to evaluate time to waiting list placement or transplantation (WLT) from ESKD onset. RESULTS Among the study population of 1,309,998 adult patients, cumulative 4-year WLT was 29.7%, which was unchanged over five eras. Preemptive WLT (prior to dialysis) increased by era (5.2% in 1997-2000 to 9.8% in 2013-2016), as did 4-year WLT incidence among patients aged 60-70 (13.4% in 1997-2000 to 19.8% in 2013-2016). Four-year WLT incidence diminished among patients aged 18-39 (55.8%-48.8%). Incidence of WLT was substantially lower among patients in lower-income communities, with no improvement over time. Likelihood of WLT after dialysis significantly declined over time (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 0.82) in 2013-2016 relative to 1997-2000. CONCLUSIONS Despite wide recognition, policy reforms, and extensive research, rates of WLT following ESKD onset did not seem to improve in more than two decades and were consistently reduced among vulnerable populations. Improving access to transplantation may require more substantial interventions.
Universal functions of the σ finger in alternative σ factors during transcription initiation by bacterial RNA polymerase

ABSTRACT The bacterial σ factor plays the central role in promoter recognition by RNA polymerase (RNAP). The primary σ factor, involved in transcription of housekeeping genes, was also shown to participate in the initiation of RNA synthesis and promoter escape by RNAP. In the open promoter complex, the σ finger formed by σ region 3.2 directly interacts with the template DNA strand upstream of the transcription start site. Here, we analysed the role of the σ finger in transcription initiation by four alternative σ factors in Escherichia coli, σ38, σ32, σ28 and σ24. We found that deletions of the σ finger to various extent compromise the activity of RNAP holoenzymes containing alternative σ factors, especially at low NTP concentrations. All four σs are able to utilize NADH as a noncanonical priming substrate but it has only mild effects on the efficiency of transcription initiation. The mediators of the stringent response, transcription factor DksA and the alarmone ppGpp decrease RNAP activity and promoter complex stability for all four σ factors on tested promoters. For all σs except σ38, deletions of the σ finger conversely increase the stability of promoter complexes and decrease their sensitivity to DksA and ppGpp. The result suggests that the σ finger plays a universal role in transcription initiation by alternative σ factors and sensitizes promoter complexes to the action of global transcription regulators DksA and ppGpp by modulating promoter complex stability.
A trace-gas climatology above Zotino, central Siberia

Abstract Using light aircraft and at intervals of approximately 14 days, vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration and 13C/12C and 18O/16O ratio, as well as concentrations of CH4, CO, H2 and N2O, from about 80 to 3000 m above ground level have been determined for the atmosphere above a flux measurement tower located near the village of Zotino in central Siberia (60°45′N, 89°23′E). As well as being determined from flask measurements (typically at heights of 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 m) continuous CO2 concentration profiles at 1 Hz have also been obtained using an infrared gas analyser. This measurement program is ongoing and has been in existence since July 1998. Data to November 2000 are presented and show a seasonal cycle for CO2 concentration of about 25 μmol mol−1 within the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and about 15 μmol mol−1 in the free troposphere. Marked seasonal cycles in the isotopic compositions of CO2 are also observed, with that of oxygen-18 in CO2 being unusual: always being depleted in the ABL with respect to the free troposphere above. This is irrespective of whether the CO2 concentration is higher or lower in the free troposphere. We interpret this as indicating a net negative discrimination being associated with the net terrestrial carbon exchange, irrespective of whether photosynthesis or respiration dominates the net carbon flux in this region. During winter flights, large fluctuations in CO2 concentration with height are often observed both within and above the stable ABL. Usually (but not always) these variations in CO2 concentrations are associated with more or less stoichiometrically constant variations in CO and CH4 concentrations. We interpret this as reflecting the frequent transport of polluted air from Europe with very little vertical mixing having occurred, despite the large horizontal distances traversed. This notion is supported by back-trajectory analyses. Vertical profiles of CO2 concentration with supplementary flask measurements allow more information on the structure and composition of an air mass to be obtained than is the case for flask measurements or for ground-based measurements only. In particular, our data question the notion that there is usually anything like “well mixed background air” in the mid-to-high northern latitudes during the winter months.
A Candida parapsilosis Overexpression Collection Reveals Genes Required for Pathogenesis

Relative to the vast data regarding the virulence mechanisms of Candida albicans, there is limited knowledge on the emerging opportunistic human pathogen Candida parapsilosis. The aim of this study was to generate and characterize an overexpression mutant collection to identify and explore virulence factors in C. parapsilosis. With the obtained mutants, we investigated stress tolerance, morphology switch, biofilm formation, phagocytosis, and in vivo virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae and mouse models. In order to evaluate the results, we compared the data from the C. parapsilosis overexpression collection analysis to the results derived from previous deletion mutant library characterizations. Of the 37 overexpression C. parapsilosis mutants, we identified eight with altered phenotypes compared to the controls. This work is the first report to identify CPAR2_107240, CPAR2_108840, CPAR2_302400, CPAR2_406400, and CPAR2_602820 as contributors to C. parapsilosis virulence by regulating functions associated with host-pathogen interactions and biofilm formation. Our findings also confirmed the role of CPAR2_109520, CPAR2_200040, and CPAR2_500180 in pathogenesis. This study was the first attempt to use an overexpression strategy to systematically assess gene function in C. parapsilosis, and our results demonstrate that this approach is effective for such investigations.
Mammary carcinoma arising in an adenoma in a ewe

A large, firm, multi-cystic mammary gland mass grew slowly over 4 y in a 12-y-old, female Finn–Shetland cross sheep. A diagnosis of epithelial malignancy was suspected following fine-needle aspiration cytology at 30 mo after initial observation. The sheep was euthanized when the flock was downsized 18 mo later. A field postmortem examination revealed a large mammary mass, but an absence of metastases to internal organs. Imprint cytology of the mammary tissue supported a benign proliferative process. Histologically, mammary tissue was obliterated by cystic, tubular, and papillary adenomatous arrangements of mammary epithelium, with an anaplastic component, consistent with mammary carcinoma arising in an adenoma. IHC showed strong nuclear positivity to the antibody against progesterone receptor and minimal positivity to the antibody against estrogen receptor alpha expression. Intrinsic subtyping for basal or luminal epithelial origin was attempted through adaptation of companion animal IHC classification panels; high- and low-molecular-weight cytokeratins (CK5, CK8, CK18) failed to stain, but p63 expression for basal epithelium was positive.
2D → 2D Parallel interpenetration of (4,4) sheets constructed from a ditopic bis(4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridine)

The ditopic ligand 1,4-bis(n-octyloxy)-2,5-bis(4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridin-4′-yl)benzene reacts with ZnCl2 to give 2-dimensional (4,4) nets with a corrugated topology facilitating interpenetration in a 2D → 2D parallel manner.
Morusin inhibits the growth of human colorectal cancer HCT116-derived sphere-forming cells via the inactivation of Akt pathway

The existence of colorectal cancer stem-like cells (CSC) is responsible for the failure of current treatments against colorectal cancer. Therefore, novel therapies need be developed to target CSCs. Some natural agents, including morusin have been proposed as possible candidates for this purpose. Morusin has been shown to exert antitumor effects. In the present study, it is demonstrated that morusin exerts antitumor effects on colorectal CSCs (CCSCs). The viability of human CCSCs was enhanced when the CCSCs formed spheroids in a serum-free and non-adhesive floating culture system. HCT116 sphere cells exhibited an increased proliferative capacity and a higher expression of stemness markers [octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), Sox2 and Nanog]. Morusin inhibited the development of cancer spheroids and suppressed the growth of sphere cells via the induction of cell cycle arrest. Similarly, morusin decreased the expression levels of the stemness markers, Nanog and Oct4. The data partially revealed the molecular mechanisms involved: β-catenin signaling maintains the growth of CSCs and directly modulates the expression of Nanog and Oct4. Morusin suppressed the activity of β-catenin signaling via the inactivation of Akt; the executive β-catenin/TCF4 complex and the downstream targets, c-Myc, survivin and cyclin D1, were also downregulated. Moreover, the morusin-induced inactivation of Akt also increased the expression of p21Cip1/WAF1 and p27Kip, which can block the cell cycle by interacting with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that morusin inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer sphere cells, which were enriched with CCSCs via the inactivation of the Akt pathway.
Towards the Improved Accuracy of Hepatitis E Diagnosis in Vulnerable and Target Groups: A Global Perspective on the Current State of Knowledge and the Implications for Practice

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a positive single-stranded, icosahedral, quasi-enveloped RNA virus in the genus Orthohepevirus of the family Hepeviridae. Orthohepevirus A is the most numerous species of the genus Orthohepevirus and consists of eight different HEV genotypes that can cause infection in humans. HEV is a pathogen transmitted via the fecal–oral route, most commonly by consuming fecally contaminated water. A particular danger is the HEV-1 genotype, which poses a very high risk of vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus. Several outbreaks caused by this genotype have been reported, resulting in many premature births, abortions, and also neonatal and maternal deaths. Genotype 3 is more prevalent in Europe; however, due to the openness of the market, i.e., trade-in animals which represent a natural reservoir of HEV (such as pigs), there is a possibility of spreading HEV infections outside endemic areas. This problem is indeed global and requires increased hygiene measures in endemic areas, which entails special care for pregnant women in both endemic and non-endemic regions. As already highlighted, pregnant women could have significant health consequences due to the untimely diagnosis of HEV infection; hence, this is a population that should be targeted with a specific combination of testing approaches to ensure optimal specificity and sensitivity. Until we advance from predominantly supportive treatment in pregnancy and appraise the safety and efficacy of a HEV vaccine in this population, such screening approaches represent the mainstay of our public health endeavors.
Can we detect conditioned variation in political speech? two kinds of discussion and types of conversation

Previous work has demonstrated that certain speech patterns vary systematically between sociodemographic groups, so that in some cases the way a person speaks is a valid cue to group membership. Our work addresses whether or not participants use these linguistic cues when assessing a speaker’s likely political identity. We use a database of speeches by U.S. Congressional representatives to isolate words that are statistically diagnostic of a speaker’s party identity. In a series of four studies, we demonstrate that participants’ judgments track variation in word usage between the two parties more often than chance, and that this effect persists even when potentially interfering cues such as the meaning of the word are controlled for. Our results are consistent with a body of literature suggesting that humans’ language-related judgments reflect the statistical distributions of our environment.