Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity and biosynthetic potential of culturable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria isolated from Magura Cave, Bulgaria

Biocapacity of bacteria inhabiting karstic caves to produce valuable biologically active compounds is still slightly investigated. A total of 46 culturable heterotrophic bacteria were isolated under aerobic conditions from the Gallery with pre-historical drawings in Magura Cave, Bulgaria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of bacterial isolates aff iliated with Proteobacteria (63%), followed by Actinobacteria (10.9%), Bacteroidetes (10.9%), and Firmicutes (6.5%). A strong domination of Gram-negative bacteria (total 81%) belonging to nine genera: Serratia, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Sphingobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Commamonas, Acinetobacter, Obesumbacterium, and Myroides, was observed. Gram-positive isolates were represented by the genera Bacillus, Arthrobacter, and Micrococcus. One isolate showed a signif icant phylogenetic distance to the closest neighbor and could represent а novel species. Heterotrophic bacterial isolates from Magura Cave were investigated for hydrolytic enzymes production, antimicrobial and hemolytic activity. Predominance of producers of protease (87%), followed by xanthan lyase (64%), lipase (40%), β-glycosidase (40%), and phytase (21%) was observed. Over 75% of the isolates demonstrated antimicrobial and hemolytic activity. The results suggest that heterotrophic bacteria isolated from Magura Cave could be a valuable source of industrially relevant psychrotolerant enzymes and bioactive metabolites. This study is a f irst report on the taxonomic composition and biological activity of culturable bacteria inhabiting a cave in Bulgaria.
Mass media information can facilitate early diagnose of hereditary angioedema: Case series study

Background: A patient’s motivation for consulting a physician is paramount to the first steps of achieving an early diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Understanding what triggers this motivation can help in the design of strategies to increase the number of visits to a specialist physician following early symptoms of HAE. The aim of the present study was to identify the reasons that led patients to seek the opinion of an HAE expert physician.
Physical properties of simulated galaxy populations at z = 2 – II. Effects of cosmology, reionization and ISM physics

We use hydrodynamical simulations from the OverWhelmingly Large Simulations project to investigate the dependence of the physical properties of galaxy populations at redshift 2 on the assumed star formation law, the equation of state imposed on the unresolved interstellar medium, the stellar initial mass function, the reionization history and the assumed cosmology. This work complements that of Paper I, where we studied the effects of varying models for galactic winds driven by star formation and active galactic nucleus. The normalization of the matter power spectrum strongly affects the galaxy mass function, but has a relatively small effect on the physical properties of galaxies residing in haloes of a fixed mass. Reionization suppresses the stellar masses and gas fractions of low-mass galaxies, but by z = 2 the results are insensitive to the timing of reionization. The stellar initial mass function mainly determines the physical properties of galaxies through its effect on the efficiency of the feedback, while changes in the recycled mass and metal fractions play a smaller role. If we use a recipe for star formation that reproduces the observed star formation law independently of the assumed equation of state of the unresolved interstellar medium, then the latter is unimportant. The star formation law, i.e. the gas consumption time-scale as a function of surface density, determines the mass of dense, star-forming gas in galaxies, but affects neither the star formation rate nor the stellar mass. This can be understood in terms of self-regulation: the gas fraction adjusts until the outflow rate balances the inflow rate.
Chemoresistance Transmission via Exosome-Mediated EphA2 Transfer in Pancreatic Cancer

Rationale: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by most cells that are found in blood and other bodily fluids, and which contain cytoplasmic material and membrane factors corresponding to their cell type of origin. Exosome membrane factors and contents have been reported to alter adjacent and distant cell behavior in multiple studies, but the impact of cancer-derived exosomes on chemoresistance is less clear. Methods: Exosomes isolated from three pancreatic cancer (PC) cell lines displaying variable gemcitabine (GEM) resistance (PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2, and BxPC-3) were tested for their capacity to transmit chemoresistance among these cell lines. Comparative proteomics was performed to identify key exosomal proteins that conferred chemoresistance. Cell survival was assessed in GEM responsive PC cell lines treated with recombinant Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), a candidate chemoresistance transfer factor, or exosomes from a chemoresistant PC cell line treated with or without EphA2 shRNA. Results: Exosomes from chemoresistant PANC-1 cells increased the GEM resistance of MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 cell cultures. Comparative proteomics determined that PANC-1 exosomes overexpressed Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) versus exosomes of less chemoresistant PC cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3. EphA2-knockdown in PANC-1 cells inhibited their ability to transmit exosome-mediated chemoresistance to MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3, while treatment of MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 cells with soluble EphA2 did not promote chemoresistance, indicating that membrane carried EphA2 was important for the EphA2 chemoresistance effect. Conclusion: Exosomal EphA2 expression could transmit chemoresistance and may potentially serve as a minimally-invasive predictive biomarker for PC treatment response. Further work should address whether additional exosomal factors regulate resistance to other cancer therapeutic agents for PC or other cancer types.
No evidence for Population III stars or a direct collapse black hole in the z = 6.6 Lyman α emitter ‘CR7’

The z = 6.6 Lyman α emitter ‘CR7’ has been claimed to have a Population III (Pop III) like stellar population, or alternatively, be a candidate direct collapse black hole (DCBH). In this paper, we investigate the evidence for these exotic scenarios using recently available, deeper, optical, near-infrared and mid-infrared imaging. We find strong Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera detections for the main component of CR7 at 3.6 and 4.5 μm, and show that it has a blue colour ([3.6] − [4.5] = −1.2 ± 0.3). This colour cannot be reproduced by current Pop III or pristine DCBH models. Instead, the results suggest that the [3.6] band is contaminated by the [O III]λλ 4959, 5007 emission line with an implied rest-frame equivalent width of EW0(H β + [O III]) ≳ 2000 A. Furthermore, we find that new near-infrared data from the UltraVISTA survey supports a weaker He II λ1640 emission line than previously measured, with EW0 = 40 ± 30 A. For the fainter components of CR7 visible in Hubble Space Telescope imaging, we find no evidence that they are particularly red as previously claimed, and show that the derived masses and ages are considerably uncertain. In light of the likely detection of strong [O III] emission in CR7, we discuss other more standard interpretations of the system that are consistent with the data. We find that a low-mass, narrow-line active galactic nucleus can reproduce the observed features of CR7, including the lack of radio and X-ray detections. Alternatively, a young, low-metallicity (∼1/200 Z⊙) starburst, modelled including binary stellar pathways, can reproduce the inferred strength of the He II line and simultaneously the strength of the observed [O III] emission, but only if the gas shows supersolar α-element abundances (O/Fe ≃ 5 (O/Fe)⊙).
Phytoremediation of Sardinian abandoned mine site: a preliminary study on the use of Helichrysum microphyllum Cambess. ssp. tyrrhenicum Bacch., Brullo and Giusso

Sardinia was an important mine pole in Europe during the 19 and 20 century. Mine waste, rich in heavy metals, were left abandoned in tailing dumps, causing a relevant impact on the quality of water bodies and soils in nearby areas. Consequently, appropriate remediation activities are required in order to reduce the environmental contamination. Phytoremediation can be applied in these contexts because some plants are able to catch metals in roots or in epigean organs, offering plant coverage, improving soil characteristics and re-launching vegetation dynamics. This research is focused on Helichrysum microphyllum Cambess. subsp. tyrrhenicum Bacch. , Brullo & Giusso, which is an endemic shrub of Sardinia, Corsica and Balearic Islands and it can grow in different edaphic condition, including mine’s environments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the plant’s ability to extract heavy metals from mine soils and accumulate them in the plant tissues. Sundry samples of soil, roots and epigean organ were collected in Campo Pisano mine dump and analyzed in order to obtain metals concentration and mineralogical characteristics. Our preliminary result indicates that H. microphyllum subsp. tyrrhenicum tolerates high concentration of them, decreasing from roots to epigean organs, thus behaving as a species suitable for phytostabilization.
The morphology of the Milky Way – II. Reconstructing CO maps from disc galaxies with live stellar distributions

The arm structure of the Milky Way remains somewhat of an unknown, with observational studies hindered by our location within the Galactic disc. In the work presented here we use smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and radiative transfer to create synthetic longitude-velocity observations. Our aim is to reverse-engineer a top down map of the Galaxy by comparing synthetic longitude-velocity maps to those observed. We set up a system of N-body particles to represent the disc and bulge, allowing for dynamic creation of spiral features. Interstellar gas, and the molecular content, is evolved alongside the stellar system. A 3D-radiative transfer code is then used to compare the models to observational data. The resulting models display arm features that are a good reproduction of many of the observed emission structures of the Milky Way. These arms however are dynamic and transient, allowing for a wide range of morphologies not possible with standard density wave theory. The best fitting models are a much better match than previous work using fixed potentials. They favour a 4-armed model with a pitch angle of approximately 20 degrees, though with a pattern speed that decreases with increasing Galactic radius. Inner bars are lacking however, which appear required to fully reproduce the central molecular zone.
Reproductive aspects of the oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae), in the equatorial and southwestern Atlantic Ocean

The present study sought to study the reproductive biology of the oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, in the equatorial and southwestern Atlantic Ocean. A total of 234 specimens were collected as bycatch during pelagic longline fisheries targeting tunas and swordfish, between December 2003 and December 2010. The fishing area was located between latitudes 10N and 35S and longitudes 3E and 40W. Of the 234 individuals sampled, 118 were females (with sizes ranging from 81 to 227 cm TL, total length) and 116 males (ranging from 80 to 242 cm TL). The reproductive stages of the females were classed as immature, mature, preovulatory and pregnant, while males were divided into immature, maturing and mature. The size at maturity for females was estimated at 170.0 cm TL, while that for males was between 170.0 and 190.0 cm TL. Ovarian fecundity ranged from 1 to 10 follicles and uterine fecundity from 1 to 10 embryos. The reproductive cycle of this species is most likely biennial, with parturition occurring once every two years.
Rotation, activity, and stellar obliquities in a large uniform sample of Kepler solar analogs

In this study, we undertook a deep photometric examination of a narrowly-defined sample of solar analogs in the Kepler field, with the goals of producing a uniform and statistically meaningful sample of such stars, comparing the properties of planet hosts to those of the general stellar population, and examining the behavior of rotation and photometric activity among stars with similar overall physical parameters. We successfully derived photometric activity indicators and rotation periods for 95 planet hosts (Kepler objects of interest [KOIs]) and 954 solar analogs without detected planets; 573 of these rotation periods are reported here for the first time. Rotation periods average roughly 20 d, but the distribution has a wide dispersion, with a tail extending to P > 35 d which appears to be inconsistent with published gyrochronological relations. We observed a weak rotation-activity relation for stars with rotation periods less than about 12 d; for slower rotators, the relation is dominated by scatter. However, we are able to state that the solar activity level derived from Virgo data is consistent with the majority of stars with similar rotation periods in our sample. Finally, our KOI sample is consistently approximately 0.3 dex more variable than our non-KOIs; we ascribe the difference to a selection effect due to low orbital obliquity in the planet-hosting stars and derive a mean obliquity for our sample of χ = 6+5° -6 , similar to that seen in the solar system.
Advanced laboratory exercise: studying the dispersion properties of a prism pair

A laboratory exercise has been developed in the frames of a new course called “Advanced undergraduate laboratory in femtosecond optics”, which aims to study the dependence of the dispersion of a prism pair on the positions of the prisms. For the dispersion measurement we chose a relatively simple technique, called white light spectral interferometry. The prism pair consisting of two identical fused silica prisms was placed in the sample arm of a Michelson-interferometer illuminated with a tungsten halogen lamp. The interferograms were observed with a low resolution spectrometer in order to have a wide detection range (200-1100 nm). Measurements were performed by adjusting the optical path length in the second prism. The data was evaluated with the cosine-function fit method. Using the formalism of Fork the phase derivatives were theoretically calculated as well. The dependence of the dispersion coefficients on the displacement of the second prism agree well with the measurements. Using white light is advantageous as its broad wavelength range facilitates the retrieval of the spectral phase with high precision in a wide range. Furthermore, white light sources are relatively low-cost and safe in contrast to ultrashort laser sources.
Do We Need a Zero Pure Time Preference or the Risk of Climate Catastrophes to Justify a 2c Global Warming Target?

This paper confronts the wide political support for the 2C objective of global increase in temperature, reaffirmed in Copenhagen, with the consistent set of hypotheses on which it relies. It explains why neither an almost zero pure time preference nor concerns about catastrophic damages in case of uncontrolled global warming are prerequisites for policy decisions preserving the possibility of meeting a 2C target. It rests on an optimal stochastic control model balancing the costs and benefits of climate policies resolved sequentially in order to account for the arrival of new information (the RESPONSE model). This model describes the optimal abatement pathways for 2,304 worldviews, combining hypotheses about growth rates, baseline emissions, abatement costs, pure time preference, damages, and climate sensitivity. It shows that 26 percent of the worldviews selecting the 2C target are not characterized by one of the extreme assumptions about pure time preference or climate change damages.
Ultra-thin GaAs single-junction solar cells integrated with a reflective back scattering layer

This paper reports the proposal, design, and demonstration of ultra-thin GaAs single-junction solar cells integrated with a reflective back scattering layer to optimize light management and minimize non-radiative recombination. According to our recently developed semi-analytical model, this design offers one of the highest potential achievable efficiencies for GaAs solar cells possessing typical non-radiative recombination rates found among commercially available III-V arsenide and phosphide materials. The structure of the demonstrated solar cells consists of an In0.49Ga0. 51P/GaAs/In0.49Ga0. 51P double-heterostructure PN junction with an ultra-thin 300 nm thick GaAs absorber, combined with a 5 μm thick Al0.52In0. 48P layer with a textured as-grown surface coated with Au used as a reflective back scattering layer. The final devices were fabricated using a substrate-removal and flip-chip bonding process. Solar cells with a top metal contact coverage of 9.7%, and a MgF2/ZnS anti-reflective coating demonstrated.
On the capability of SMEs to innovate: the cable and wire manufacturing subsector in Nigeria

This study explored the factors that explain innovation capability in SMEs in developing countries. This is important given the increasing global pressures that these SMEs have to face. The data employed came from a survey of Cable and Wire manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The important factors that accounted for innovation performance were firm-level leadership and use of new technologies – particularly ICTs. Important external factors included interactions with customers and suppliers of equipment/raw materials. Particularly, the industry association was about the most significant driver of innovativeness. We therefore conclude that it is beneficial for industries in developing countries to be well-organised as a means to achieving improved innovation capability.
Microbiological and Chemical Properties of Gravier Cheeses

In this study, a total of 9 gravier cheese samples in Kars were examined for their chemical and microbiological qualities. Microbiological analysis determined that total mesophilic aerobic bacteria was 2.3x107 cfu/g, lactic bacteria 5.1x105 cfu/g, lactococ bacteria 8.5x106 cfu/g, coliform bacteria 1.0x103 cfu/g, staphylococ-micrococ 4.8x104 cfu/g, sulpite reducing clostridia 4.2x102 cfu/g and yeast and mould 3.9x104. E.coli, S.aureus and C.perfringens were detected as <1.0x102 cfu/g . In chemical analysis, amounts of (mean, %) moisture, fat, protein, salt, ash, and acidity were 19.8, 32.4, 31.3, 11.0, 5.4 and 1.54 LA respectively. The results of the analysis indicated that, 76.6% of gravier cheese samples were found to be incompatible as compared to the Turkish Food Codex’s microbiologic criteria. Therefore, gravier cheese sold in the markets in Kars is thought that it may carry a potantial risk factor for public health.
High levels of reactive gaseous mercury observed at a high elevation research laboratory in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract. The chemical cycling and spatiotemporal distribution of mercury in the troposphere is poorly understood. We measured gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) and particulate mercury (Hg P ) along with carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), aerosols, and meteorological variables at Storm Peak Laboratory at an elevation of 3200 m a.s. l. , in Colorado, from 28 April to 1 July 2008. The mean mercury concentrations were 1.6 ng m −3 (GEM), 20 pg m −3 (RGM) and 9 pg m −3 (Hg P ). We observed eight events of strongly enhanced atmospheric RGM levels with maximum concentrations up to 137 pg m −3 . RGM enhancement events lasted for long time periods of 2 to 6 days showing both enriched level during daytime and nighttime when other tracers (e.g., aerosols) showed different representations of boundary layer air and free tropospheric air. During seven of these events, RGM was inversely correlated to GEM (RGM/GEM regression slope ~−0.1), but did not exhibit correlations with ozone, carbon monoxide, or aerosol concentrations. Relative humidity was the dominant factor affecting RGM levels with high RGM levels always present whenever relative humidity was below 40 to 50%. We conclude that RGM enhancements observed at Storm Peak Laboratory were not induced by pollution events and were related to oxidation of tropospheric GEM. High RGM levels were not limited to upper tropospheric or stratospherically influenced air masses, indicating that entrainment processes and deep vertical mixing of free tropospheric air enriched in RGM may lead to high RGM levels throughout the troposphere and into the boundary layer over the Western United States. Based on backtrajectory analysis and a lack of mass balance between RGM and GEM, atmospheric production of RGM may also have occurred in some distance allowing for scavenging and/or deposition of RGM prior to reaching the laboratory. Our observations provide evidence that the tropospheric pool of mercury is frequently enriched in divalent mercury, that high RGM levels are not limited to upper tropospheric air masses, but that the build-up of high RGM in the troposphere is limited to the presence of dry air.
Relationships Between Student Grit and Team-Based Learning Preferences in a Master’s Level Occupational Therapy Program

This paper reports the relationship between student grit, defined as the specific characteristic of perseverance and passion for long-term goals, and perceptions of team-based learning (TBL). In a cohort of first-semester, master’s level occupational therapy students (N=29), no statistically significant relationship between grit and positive perceptions of TBL was identified in this retrospective study. Findings suggest that students’ grit levels are not predictive of positive or negative TBL perceptions. For OT faculty wishing to teach using a lessstructured "flipped” classroom environment such as TBL, this study suggests that high-performing students may have positive perceptions.
Farmstead bread making potential of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) flour in Nigeria.

Randomly selected tubers of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) were converted to flour and used in bread making experimentations after blending it with wheat flour (at varying levels of lesser yam inclusion), with sole white wheat flour as a control. In addition to sensory and specific loaf volume evaluations of the experimental bread samples, the chemical (proximate), selected functional properties and paste characteristics of the experimental lesser yam and wheat flours were also determined. Results showed that on dry matter basis, the wheat flour had 11.50% protein and 1.74% fat while the corresponding values for the lesser yam flour were 7.19% protein and 1.10% fat. The maximum gelatinization temperature of the lesser yam flour paste (91.7 0 C) and wheat flour paste (94.8 0 C) were > 90 0 C ≤95 0 C with none of the experimental pastes having a maximum viscosity of > 700 Brabender Units. Bread produced with 20% lesser yam inclusion had 87% specific loaf volume of the control sample and was not significantly (P = 0.05) scored lower than the sole wheat bread in overall acceptability, taste, appearance and softness by the sensory assessors. Interestingly, all the bread samples made with the experimental lesser yam flour had no observable cracks on their respective crusts.
Some Uniqueness Results On Meromorphic Functions Sharing Three Sets II

Con la ayuda del concepto de peso repartido, investigamos la unicidad de funciones meromorfas sobre un conjunto compartido y mejoramos significativamente dos resulta- dos de Zhang [16] y como corolario del resultado principal que mejoramos tambien el resultado de la autora [2].