Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Internal Water Relations and Osmotic Properties of Leaves in Maturing Soybean Plants

The changes in the internal water relations of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) leaves during vegetative and reproductive growth were studied by following the changes in the pressure-volume curves of soybean leaves. The results demonstrate that soybean leaves undergo a change in their osmotic properties which coincides with the onset of active reproductive growth and is not induced by water stress. The observed osmotic changes resulted in an increase in the leaf relative water content at any given bulk leaf water potential. The volume of leaf water loss needed to reduce turgor potential to zero did not change following this change in osmotic properties. The degree of turgor maintenance after the change in osmotic properties depended on the ability to maintain adequate leaf relative water content. The observed changes in bulk osmotic potential of the soybean leaves would contribute to increased leaf-soil water potential gradients and therefore to improved ability to
Temporal Variation, Spatial Heterogeneity, and Competition for Resources in Plankton Systems: A Theoretical Model

We present a model of two species competing for two resources in a spatially nonuniform (i.e., spatially disaggregated) environment. The formulation is based upon our experience with phytoplankton competing for nutrients in lakes and the ocean. The organisms may diffuse, be carried by currents, grow (controlled by the resources), sink, and die; the resources may diffuse, be carried by currents, be taken up by growing organisms, and be regenerated from dying organisms. External sources (or sinks) of resources are allowed. For reasonable choices of parameters, our model shows much more variable behavior in space and time than the usual smooth approach to coexistence (or exclusion of one of the species) seen in previous resource competition models. For example, damped oscillations and "limit-cycle-like" behavior are exhibited. These are not the result of time delays or varying environmental factors, but are inherent in the theory in which sinking plays a large role. Diffusion in the spatially heterogeneous environment can allow coexistence of two species for situations in which dominance of one is predicted by other models. Conversely, through Turing instability, diffusion can destabilize an otherwise stable, uniform coexistence situation. Turing-type behavior may occur when organisms and nutrients diffuse at different rates and when perturbations in species densities or nutrient concentrations occur at intermediate spatial scales. The upper and lower limits of the intermediate scale region are set by the interaction of physical and biological processes; such regions (and thus Turing behavior) may be common in lake and ocean environments. The results of other models of resource-based competition depend upon behavior found near equilibrium. The conclusions of these equilibrium models may not apply in environments with realistic temporal and spatial variation.
Fertilizer Impacts on Cadmium Availability in Agricultural Soils and Crops

ABSTRACT Ingestion in food is a major pathway of cadmium (Cd) exposure for humans. It is therefore desirable to ensure that Cd concentrations in crops that enter the human food chain do not increase to levels that may lead to health risks. Phosphorus fertilizers contain Cd as a contaminant at levels varying from trace amounts to as much as 300 mg Cd kg–1 of dry product and therefore can be a major source of Cd input to agricultural systems. Fertilization can influence Cd accumulation in crops by direct Cd addition and by indirect effects on soil pH, ionic strength, Zn concentration, rhizosphere chemistry, microbial activity, and plant growth. Cadmium will accumulate in the soils from fertilizer applications if the amount of Cd added in fertilizer is greater than the amount of Cd removal, whether in harvested crop removal or other loss pathways such as leaching, erosion, or bioturbation. Assessment of the impact of fertilizer management practices on the risk of Cd toxicity to the soil ecosystem and the risk of movement of Cd into the human diet must consider both the direct influence of Cd addition as a fertilizer contaminant and the indirect effects of fertilizer application on Cd phytoavailability. Cadmium accumulation in soils and crops can be minimized by adoption of management practices that improve fertilizer-use efficiency while minimizing Cd input.
Fire heterogeneity in Kakadu National Park, 1980–2000

Although it is generally acknowledged that fire-induced heterogeneity is important for maintaining diverse species assemblages in northern Australian savannas, scant relevant data are currently available to examine this proposition. The study takes advantage of a singular, detailed, bidecadal fire history assembled annually for Kakadu National Park to explore relationships between fire-induced heterogeneity and other terrain features. Three patch-based heterogeneity indices were calculated from assembled fire-history data for the central 1-ha cell of a 5 × 5 cell (25 ha) window; that is, at a spatial scale relevant to the home ranges of many small- to medium-sized native mammals. Two of these indices were first calculated separately for each year, employing different metrics based on the extent of burning occurring in the 5 × 5 cell array, and then averaged for each of four consecutive five-year periods and over all years. The third index was calculated as the sum of the coefficients of variation for four fire-regime variability parameters determined likewise for five- and 20-year periods. Assembled data illustrate that (1) fire-induced heterogeneity in Kakadu increased in each successive five-year period from 1981, and (2) when modelled with independent terrain coverages, significant relationships were obtained for all three heterogeneity indices with terrain roughness, distance to roads, and distance to drainage lines.
Consciousness and the attention schema: Why it has to be right

ABSTRACT This article describes some aspects of the underlying logic of the attention schema theory (AST) of subjective consciousness. It is a theory that distinguishes between what the brain actually, physically has, what is represented by information models constructed in the brain, what higher cognition thinks based on access to those models and what speech machinery claims based on the information within higher cognition. It is a theory of how we claim to have an essentially magical, subjective mind, based on the impoverishment and reduction of information along that pathway. While the article can stand on its own as a brief account of some critical aspects of AST, it specifically addresses questions and concerns raised by a set of commentaries on a target article.
Flaxseed for Health and Disease: Review of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is an oil-based seed which contains high amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, linoleic acid, lignans, fiber and many other bioactive components which is suggested for healthier life. Nowadays flaxseed is known as a remarkable functional food with different health benefits for humans and protects against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and altogether metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS To review the bioactive components of flaxseed and their potential health effects, PubMed and Scopus were searched from commencement to July 2019. Keywords including: 'flaxseed', 'Linum usitatissimum', 'metabolic syndrome', 'obesity', 'inflammation', 'insulin resistance', 'diabetes', 'hyperlipidemia' and 'menopause' were searched in the databases with varying combinations. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of flaxseed in different forms has valuable effect and protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation and some other complications. Flaxseed can serve as a promising candidate for management of metabolic syndrome to control blood lipid levels, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, body weight, waist circumference, body mass and blood pressure.
BOOK REVIEW

Llewellyn and Philpott’s work has paradigmatic ramifications. This text has established a niche as one of the more comprehensive publications laying out the theoretical and practical foundations for a truly integrated, coherent theory of relational justice. Through this effort restorative justice as a system is given descriptive and explanative persuasion as a fully fledged justice paradigm being fed by the tributaries of reconciliation and peace-building application. The authors provide a weighty, engaging critique of the current Transitional Justice field: a praxis field that from its inception has been predominately a wholesale upscaling of the modernist, Western criminal justice system without much interrogation of its underlying assumptions. More specifically, much of the international transitional justice practice has disregarded the volumes of data that question the very foundations of contemporary justice bureaucracy and its ability to deliver a satisfying justice to the communities most intimately affected by collective violence. For purposes of this book review, I would like to propose that Llewellyn and Philpott have successfully accomplished three important tasks in this volume. First, they have linked restorative justice as a unified scaffolding to the conception of positive peace. Second, they have decentred the state and re-centred the citizens and communities most impacted by war and societal conflict. Finally, they have provided the reader with a thickened and nuanced analysis of multiple critical elements of the transitional justice equation, such as accountability, amnesty, forgiveness, reparations and traditional justice. Of course, what remains is the essential debate on form and while speaking to this was not in the purview of the authors’ mandate, the question still stands: what structures would we need to imagine and create in order to provide the necessary channels and containers for these new justice ideals and their outworking in the future? Positive Peace—This book lays out a compelling argument for what positive peace could look like (16–17). While the concept of positive peace has always been an important theoretical contrast to negative peace, it has for the most part remained an elusive ideal. The process of securing negative peace (the political negotiation of ceasefires and the cessation of violence after war) has been given inordinate amounts of time and attention in the academy and in the field (e.g. the studies and practice of Political Science, Human Rights and International Relations). In response to the geo-political focus on negative peace, the international peace-building ‘community’ has often presented positive peace as a
Resting heart rate control and prognosis in coronary artery disease patients with hypertension previously treated with bisoprolol: a sub-group analysis of the BISO-CAD study

Abstract Background Resting heart rate (RHR) is considered as a strong predictor of total mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure in hypertension patients. Bisoprolol fumarate, a second-generation beta-adrenoreceptor blockers (β-blocker) is commonly prescribed drug to manage hypertension. The present study was to retrospectively evaluate changes in the average RHR and its association with cardiovascular outcomes in bisoprolol-treated coronary artery disease (CAD) patients from the CAD treated with bisoprolol (BISO-CAD) study who had comorbid hypertension. Methods We performed ad-hoc analysis for hypertension sub-group of the BISO-CAD study (n = 866), which was a phase IV, multination, multi-center, single-arm, observational study carried out from October 2011 to July 2015 across China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with incidence of composite cardiac clinical outcome (CCCO), the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI) and adjusted P value. Results A total of 681 patients (mean age: 64.77 ± 10.33 years) with hypertension from BISO-CAD study were included in the analysis. Bisoprolol improved CCCOs in CAD patients with comorbid hypertension, with RHR <65 and <70 beats/min compared with RHR ≥65 and ≥75 beats/min, respectively, in the efficacy analysis (EA) set. In addition, it lowered RHR in both intent-to-treat (ITT) and EA groups after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment. Further, RHR 70 to 74 beats/min resulted in significantly higher risk of CCCOs EA set of patients (adjusted OR: 4.34; 95% CI: 1.19–15.89; P = 0.03). Also, events of hospitalization due to acute coronary syndrome were higher when RHR 69 to 74 beats/min compared to RHR <69 beats/min in ITT patients. Conclusion Bisoprolol can effectively reduce RHR in Asian CAD patients with comorbid hypertension and hence, improve CCCO without affecting their blood pressure.
Emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in the p53 network

ABSTRACT Transcription factor p53 is activated in response to numerous stress stimuli in order to promote repair and survival or death of abnormal cells. For decades, regulatory mechanisms and downstream targets that execute the many biological functions of tumour suppressor p53 largely focused on the products of protein-coding genes. Recently, an entirely new class of molecules, termed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), were discovered as key regulatory players in shaping p53 activity and biological outcomes. Many p53-regulated lncRNAs are now reported to either directly or indirectly intervene in p53-regulatory networks, generally in fine-tuning p53’s tumour surveillance programme. Recent studies reveal that signals that converge upon p53 to regulate its activity, and molecules that implement downstream p53-response include both proteins and lncRNAs. In this review, we discuss the non-proteomic component of p53-regulatory networks, focusing on lncRNAs regulated by p53 and/or that regulate p53 activity, and their impact on biological outcomes.
Diversity within serogroups of Japanese isolates of bradyrhizobium japonicum as indicated by intrinsic antibiotic resistance

Abstract The identification of rhizobial strains is a major problem in studies for the evaluation of the symbiotic effectiveness of specific strains in soils containing native rhizobia. Bradyrhizobium japonicum which includes most strains of soybean-nodulating bacteria is known to display a wide range of genetic diversity (Miyashita 1987). It is, therefore, necessary to develop a reliable taxonomic system based on the genetic traits, which would enable to differentiate and identify of the strains.
Development of a protective mental work demands questionnaire

ABSTRACT Objectives: Research shows that mental demands at work affect later-life cognitive functioning and dementia risk, but systematic assessment of protective mental work demands (PMWDs) is still missing. The goal of this research was to develop a questionnaire to assess PMWDs. Design: The instrument was developed in accordance with internationally recognized scientific standards comprising conceptualization, pretesting, and validation via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple regression analyses. Participants: We included 346 participants, 72.3% female, with an average age of 56.3 years. Measurement: Item pool, sociodemographic questions, and cognitive tests: Trail-Making Test A/B, Word List Recall, Verbal Fluency Test, Benton Visual Retention Test, Reading Minds in the Eyes Test. Results: CFAs of eight existing PMWD-concepts revealed weaker fit indices than PCA of the item pool that resulted in five concepts. We computed multivariate regression analyses with all 13 PMWD-concepts as predictors of cognitive functioning. After removing PMWD-concepts that predicted less than two cognitive test scores and excluding others due to overlapping items, the final questionnaire contained four PMWD-concepts: Mental Workload (three items, Cronbach’s α = .58), Verbal Demands (four, Cronbach’s α = .74), Information Load (six, Cronbach’s α = .83), and Extended Job Control (six, Cronbach’s α = .83). Conclusions: The PMWD-Questionnaire intends to assess protective mental demands at the workplace. Information processing demands and job control make up the primary components emphasizing their relevance regarding cognitive health in old age. Long-term follow-up studies will need to validate construct validity with respect to dementia risk.
Harnessing CD47 mimicry to inhibit phagocytic clearance and enhance anti-tumor efficacy of nanoliposomal doxorubicin

ABSTRACT Background We hypothesized if phagocytosis of liposomes by macrophages could be mitigated through incorporation of a CD47 mimicry peptide (Self peptide: SP) on the surface of liposomes. Methods Thin film hydration method followed by extrusion was used to prepare nanoliposomes, and Dox encapsulation in liposomes was done via remote-loading method. Decorated liposomes with SP peptide (SP-LD) at different peptide densities (300 and 600 peptides on the surface of each liposome) were prepared using a pre-insertion technique. Macrophage cell lines were used to compare the cellular uptake of decorated and unmodified liposomes. For biodistribution studies, tumor-bearing mice received the preparations, and fluorescence signals of Dox in different tissues were measured. To evaluate anti-tumor efficacy, tumor size and survival rates were assessed. Also, pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Results Compared with PEGylated liposomes, uptake by macrophages was largely decreased when SP was incorporated on liposomes. Following intravenous injection, SP-liposomes were cleared more slowly compared with PEGylated liposomes. Eventually, SP-liposomes were highly distributed to tumor tissues compared with PEGylated liposomes, and significantly reduced tumor size and improved the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions This research showed reduced macrophage uptake, increased blood circulation, and enhanced tumor accumulation of liposomes through SP incorporation on the surface of particles.
Comparative Study of Cryoballoon versus Radiofrequency for Pulmonary Vein Isolation when Combined with vein of Marshall Ethanol Infusion for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction Ethanol infusion (EI) in the vein of Marshall (VOM) has multifactorial effects that could be synergistic to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) versus cryoablation when combined with a VOM-EI has never been investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcome differences of AF ablation using RF versus cryoablation when combined with a VOM-EI. Materials and Methods Consecutive patients (n=132) underwent catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF with either RF or cryoballoon (CB) for PVI combined with VOM-EI. Bi-directional conduction block at the mitral isthmus was attempted. The end-point was the freedom from any atrial arrhythmias documented after a blanking period of 90 days after the procedure. Results Kaplan-Meier estimates of the arrhythmia-free survival after 1 year were 63.8 (RF + VOM), and 82.7 % (CB + VOM), respectively. Comparison between CB + VOM versus RF + VOM reached a significance (p=0.0292). The periprocedural complication rate was comparable in both groups (5.0 % RF, 5.8 % CB; p=0.14) with a significant difference in the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy (0 % RF, 2.0 % CB; p<0.05). Conclusions PVI with a CB had an increased freedom from AF recurrence compared to RF combined with VOM-EI. The present results suggest a potential additive effect of a VOM-EI to CB application.
Additional Insulin for Coping with Fat- and Protein-Rich Meals in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: The Protein Unit.

OBJECTIVE Dietary proteins raise blood glucose levels; dietary fats delay this rise. We sought to assess the insulin amount required to normalize glucose levels after a fat- and protein-rich meal (FPRM). METHODS Sixteen adolescents (5 female) with type 1 diabetes (median age: 18.2 years; range: 15.2-24.0; duration: 7.1 years; 2.3-14.3; HbA1c: 7.2%; 6.2-8.3%) were included. FPRM (carbohydrates 57 g; protein 92 g; fat 39 g; fibers 7 g; calories 975 Kcal) was served in the evening, with 20 or 40% extra insulin compared to a standard meal (SM) (carbohydrates 70 g; protein 28 g; fat 19 g; fibers 10 g; calories 579 Kcal) or carbohydrates only. Insulin was administered for patients on intensified insulin therapy or as a 4-hour-delayed bolus for those on pump therapy. The 12-hour post-meal glucose levels were compared between FPRM and SM, with the extra insulin amount calculated based on 100 g proteins as a multiple of the carbohydrate unit. RESULTS Glucose levels (median, mg/dL) 12-hour post-meal with 20% extra insulin vs. 40% vs. insulin dose for SM were 116 vs. 113 vs. 91. Glucose-AUC over 12-hour post-meal with 20% extra insulin vs. 40% vs. insulin dose for SM was 1603 mg/dL/12 h vs. 1527 vs. 1400 (no significance). Glucose levels in the target range with 20% extra insulin vs. 40% were 60% vs. 69% (p=0.1). Glucose levels <60 mg/dL did not increase with 40% extra insulin. This corresponds to the 2.15-fold carbohydrate unit for 100 g protein. CONCLUSIONS We recommend administering the same insulin dose given for 1 carbohydrate unit (10 g carbs) to cover 50 g protein.
FATE OF THE GOLGI CISTERNAE AFTER COLCHICINE TREATMENT

A single intra peritoneal injection of colchicine to mice causes both functional and morphological changes on Golgi apparatus in pancreatic exocine cells. Structural changes included shrinkage of Golgi area in the secretory cell, whirling of the Golgi cisternae, decrease of the Golgi cisternae and increase of small vesicles around the remnants of Golgi cisternae. Cytochemical distribution of Golgi marker enzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) which was found in the middle cisternae of Golgi stack in control, decreased the activity and expanded to the entire Golgi stack and in most small vesicles. Also by zinc-iodide-osmium (ZIO) stain which preferably stained cis-side of Golgi stack in control, the entire Golgi stacks were stained as well as these small vesicles. From these observation, by colchicine treatment, the NADPase and the osmium-reducing substance in the cis Golgi cisternae, first appeared to expand its distribution to all the Golgi components. Then, Golgi cisternae appeared to reduce the size either by vesiculation of the cisternae or by trimming the cisternae as cisternal whirling into autophagosomes.
[Application of the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016 in young children with autism spectrum disorder].

OBJECTIVE To compare the assessment results of the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) between young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and global developmental delay (GDD, without ASD) and to explore whether CNBS-R2016 could be helpful to early identification of ASD. METHODS A total of 260 ASD and 371 GDD children aged 18-30 months were enrolled to finish the assessment of CNBS-R2016. The development quotients (DQs) of the five domains of CNBS-R2016 including gross motor, fine motor, adaptability, language and social behavior were compared between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of the autism-predicted domain in identifying ASD and GDD. RESULTS The DQs of all the five domains in the ASD group were lower than those in the GDD group (P<0.05). The language DQ and total DQ of the ASD group had a negative correlation with the score of the autism-predicted domain (rs=-0.566, -0.552 respectively, P<0.01). When the cut-off value of the autism-predicted domain was 10.5, the largest area under the ROC curve was 0.835, and the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ASD were 0.750 and 0.798 respectively. CONCLUSIONS The development of ASD children aged 18-30 months is worse than that of GDD children. CNBS-R2016 may be helpful to distinguish ASD from children with developmental delay.