Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural networks for short-term load forecasting: a review and evaluation

Load forecasting has become one of the major areas of research in electrical engineering, and most traditional forecasting models and artificial intelligence techniques have been tried out in this task. Artificial neural networks (NNs) have lately received much attention, and a great number of papers have reported successful experiments and practical tests with them. Nevertheless, some authors remain skeptical, and believe that the advantages of using NNs in forecasting have not been systematically proved yet. In order to investigate the reasons for such skepticism, this review examines a collection of papers (published between 1991 and 1999) that report the application of NNs to short-term load forecasting. Our aim is to help to clarify the issue, by critically evaluating the ways in which the NNs proposed in these papers were designed and tested.
New tools for carbohydrate sulphation analysis: Heparan Sulphate 2-O-sulphotranserase (HS2ST) is a target for small molecule protein kinase inhibitors

Sulphation of carbohydrate residues occurs on a variety of glycans destined for secretion, and this modification is essential for efficient matrix-based signal transduction. Heparan sulphate (HS) glycosaminoglycans control physiological functions ranging from blood coagulation to cell proliferation. HS biosynthesis involves membrane-bound Golgi sulphotransferases, including heparan sulphate 2-O-sulphotransferase (HS2ST), which transfers sulphate from the co-factor PAPS (3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphosulphate) to the 2-O position of α-L-iduronate in the maturing oligosaccharide chain. The current lack of simple non-radioactive enzyme assays that can be used to quantify the levels of carbohydrate sulphation hampers kinetic analysis of this process and the discovery of HS2ST inhibitors. In this paper, we describe a new procedure for thermal shift analysis of purified HS2ST. Using this approach, we quantify HS2ST-catalyzed oligosaccharide sulphation using a novel synthetic fluorescent substrate and screen the Published Kinase Inhibitor Set (PKIS), to evaluate compounds that inhibit catalysis. We report the susceptibility of HS2ST to a variety of cell permeable compounds in vitro, including polyanionic polar molecules, the protein kinase inhibitor rottlerin and oxindole-based RAF kinase inhibitors. In a related study, published back-to-back with this article, we demonstrate that Tyrosyl Protein Sulpho Tranferases (TPSTs) are also inhibited by a variety of protein kinase inhibitors. We propose that appropriately validated small molecule compounds could become new tools for rapid inhibition of glycan (and protein) sulphation in cells, and that protein kinase inhibitors might be repurposed or redesigned for the specific inhibition of HS2ST. SUMMARY STATEMENT We report that HS2ST, which is a PAPS-dependent glycan sulphotransferase, can be assayed using a variety of novel biochemical procedures, including a non-radioactive enzyme-based assay that detects glycan substrate sulphation in real time. HS2ST activity can be inhibited by different classes of compounds, including known protein kinase inhibitors, suggesting new approaches to evaluate the roles of HS2ST-dependent sulphation with small molecules in cells.
Antiplatelet and Antioxidant Activities of Tomato

Tomato, botanically known as Lycopersicon esculentum, is a food crop used throughout world in different cultures. Traditionally, various cardiovascular and inflammatory ailments are cured by fruit of this plant. But this has been done without any knowledge about its exact mechanism in these diseases, especially in thrombotic conditions. This study has been designed to investigate the potential mechanisms used by Lycopersicon esculentum fruit to provide relief in these diseases. A crude fraction of Lycopersicon esculentum fruits was prepared and then separated into n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous fractions. These fractions were screened for the presence of activities against arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and agonist-induced human platelet aggregation. These fractions were also investigated for their potential to enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Platelet aggregation was monitored using turbidometric principle, while AA metabolism was studied using radiolabelled AA. Antioxidant enzymes were measured by commercial kits using spectrophotometer. The aqueous fraction of Lycopersicon esculentum was mostly active against cyclooxygenase pathway of AA metabolism while chloroform was the only fraction possessing significant activity against lipoxygenase pathway. Aqueous and n-hexane fraction seem to have concentrated compounds responsible for elevating SOD activity while n-hexane was the most potent against PAF and the only fraction exhibiting potent activity against collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Compounds responsible for elevating GPx activity seems to be distributed throughout various fractions of tomato. The results demonstrate that anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects of Lycopersicon esculentum are mediated through multiple pathways. The compounds responsible for these pharmacological actions were however, distributed throughout various fractions of Lycopersicon esculentum.
Variation in different measures of diversity during primary succession on a tropical coastal dune

ABSTRACT Background: The understanding of the processes that govern community assembly during ecological succession helps determine the ecological attributes in restoration and monitoring programmes. Aims: The aim of this long-term study of primary succession was to analyse changes in species richness, diversity, taxonomic distinctness and functional types to understand community assembly processes. Methods: For 25 years, species turnover was monitored in 150 permanent plots in a dune system on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Results: Earliest successional states had low species diversity and richness, a high unevenness in the taxonomic tree structure, and a lower number of functional groups, with psammophytes being dominant. Richness and diversity increased in a humped-back shape with intermediate states reaching the highest values. Succession generated taxonomic trees that became less uneven and more diverse, and the diversity of functional groups increased. Conclusions: The processes underlying community assembly are complex during succession: sand movement acts as an environmental filter affecting the dominant functional groups, and species interactions probably change from facilitation to competition. The understanding of the combined processes affecting the different measures of diversity over time can improve the effectiveness of restoration and conservation practice in dune systems.
Evaluation of gut bacterial community composition and antimicrobial resistome in pregnant and non-pregnant women from Saudi population

Background: Gut microbiota (GM) has recently been described as a functional reservoir of antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs). However, the ARG-carrying bacterial species in the human gut has been poorly studied. This study, for the first time, is reporting bacterial communities' composition and antimicrobial resistome in the stool samples of pregnant and non-pregnant (NP) Saudi females. Methods: Gut bacterial community composition was analyzed by 16S amplicon sequencing and culturomics. High throughput MALDI-TOF technique was used for identification of the isolates from stool samples and evaluated for resistance against 13 antibiotics using the agar dilution method. Clinically important ARGs were PCR amplified from genomic DNA of the stool samples using gene-specific primers. Results: 16S amplicon sequencing revealed that GM of pregnant and NP women were predominantly comprised of phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Bacterial diversity decreased in pregnant groups, whereas phylum Bacteroidetes declined significantly (p<0.05) in the first trimester. We noticed a relatively high abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (eg, Faecalibacterium spp. and Eubacterium spp.) in the gut of pregnant women, whereas Prevotella copri was found at significantly (p<0.01) higher abundance in NP women. Moreover, about 14,694 isolates were identified and classified into 132 distinct species. The majority of the species belonged to phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. About 8,125 isolates exhibited resistance against antibiotics. Out of 73 resistant-species, Enterococcus was the most diverse genus and Escherichia coli was the highly prevalent bacterium. The majority of the isolates were resistant to antibiotics; trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cycloserine, and cefixime. ARGs encoding resistance against aminoglycoside, macrolide, quinolone, β-lactam, and tetracycline antibiotics were predominantly found in genomic DNA of the stool samples. Conclusion: We conclude that pregnancy-associated GM modulations may help to sustain a healthy pregnancy, but a higher proportion of antibiotic resistance could be deleterious for both maternal and fetal health.
Different dry matters content used for the conservation of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in anaerobic environment

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is widely used for feeding ruminants, and the conservation of this material as haylage can be an alternative to farms. The aim of this work is to study the nutritional and microbiological value of annual ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.) pre-dried and stored with different dry matter contents (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 g kg-1) in anaerobic environment. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and four replications. The pH presented at the time of opening of the silos showed a linear increase of 0.003 pH units for each 1 g kg-1 of dry matter increase in ryegrass, as the materials with contents above 550 g kg-1 of dry matter showed a pH above the desired pH. Materials containing 650 and 750 g kg-1 dry matter showed the lowest concentrations of NH3-N. This fact indicates that haylages with higher levels of dry matter present lower protein losses after aerobic exposure. The increase in dry matter contents of the treatments provided higher crude protein contents to the materials (being 112.91 g kg-1 of dry matter) in the treatment with 750 g kg-1 of dry matter. The best results for the proliferation of LABs and efficiency in pH decrease were in the treatment with 450 g kg-1 of dry matter. Key words: Haylage, chemical composition, Lolium multiflorum, silage, microorganism.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of capitula, leaf and stem extracts of Tanacetum cilicicum (Boiss.) Grierson

In this study, various extracts obtained different parts of Tanacetum cilicicum were investigated for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant activity was tested with three methods; namely 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, 2.2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazolin‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging capacity, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Also, anti-inflammatory activity of these extracts was evaluated by 5-lipoxygenase inhibition assay. Ethyl acetate extract of capitula of T. cilicicum (TCCEA) showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC 50 values of 22.44 and 30.86 µg/mL against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. At the same time, the highest ferric reducing power was found in the TCCEA (42.2 mg TE/g extract). The highest total phenolic contents have been detected in TCCEA and ethyl acetate extract of leaves of T. cilicicum (TCLEA) with value of 174.1 and 175.6 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Similarly, the highest total flavonoid contents have been detected in TCCEA and TCLEA with values of 26.94 and 30.48 mg QE/g extract, respectively. TCCEA exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity with IC 50 value of 9.44 µg/mL when compared to standard indomethacine (22.39 µg/mL). These results demonstrate that TCCEA has a significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Also, the results show that TCCEA is a good candidate for further bioactivity-guided fractionation in the search for new active anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
Risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren who participated in a case-control study in urban Uganda

Data on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5-17years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, enrolling 561 cases and 1,139 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians. The main risk factors for asthma were tertiary education for fathers [adjusted OR (95% CI); 2.49 (1.89-3.29)] and mothers [2.14 (1.64-2.78)]; area of residence at birth, with children born in a small town or in the city having an increased asthma risk compared to schoolchildren born in rural areas [2.00 (1.49-2.68)] and [2.82 (1.85-4.30)], respectively; father’s and mother’s history of asthma; children’s own allergic conditions; atopy; and using gas/electricity for indoor cooking. Asthma was associated with a strong rural-town-city risk gradient, higher parental socio-economic status and urbanicity. This work provides the basis for future studies to identify specific environmental/lifestyle factors responsible for increasing asthma risk among children in urban areas in LMICs.
Genetic evaluation for growth traits in Japanese quail

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the means and genetic parameters for growth traits including body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and relative growth rate (RGR) of random population of Japanese quail. The second generation was higher than the first generation at hatching, 1st, 2nd and 3rd week of age (7.28, 28.14, 52.70 and 88.48 g; respectively). However, the base generation showed the highest values at 4th week, 5th week and 6th week of age (173.25, 189.53 and 205.23 g; respectively). The second generation had the highest values of ADG at hatching-1st, 1st -2nd, 2nd 3rd, 4th -5th and 5th -6th week intervals (3.03, 3.50, 5.13, 4.01 and 2.72 g; respectively). Nevertheless, the first generation recorded the highest values of ADG at 3rd-4th week interval (5.22 g). The second generation had the highest values of RGR at hatching-1st, 1st -2nd, 2nd -3rd, 4th -5th, 5th -6th week intervals (116.99, 61.69, 52.60, 22.12 and 12.78 %; respectively). However, the first generation recorded the highest values of RGR at 3rd -4th week intervals (36.80%).
Forest closure and encroachment at the grassland interface: a century‐scale analysis using oblique repeat photography

We used repeat oblique photography to quantify and determine the drivers of vegetation change, particularly forest closure and encroachment, in the Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta, Canada, from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. We classified the landscape into seven distinct vegetation types (closed‐canopy conifer forest, broadleaf deciduous forest, mixedwood forest, open‐canopy woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and meadows, non‐vegetated) and assessed vegetation change between the two time periods. We found that closed‐canopy coniferous forest, broadleaf deciduous forest, and mixedwood forest increased on an area basis by 35%, 45%, and 80%, respectively, over this time period; concomitantly, grasslands and open‐canopy woodlands declined by 25% and 39%, respectively. Overall, 28% of the landscape was in a more advanced successional state in 2008 as compared to the early twentieth century. The Montane and Subalpine Natural Subregions (NSR) experienced the most change (42% and 26%, respectively, in a more advanced successional state). The loss of open‐canopy woodlands was observed across the entire landscape, while grassland and meadow losses were most acute in the Subalpine and Alpine NSRs. The probability of vegetation change to a more advanced successional condition was greater at higher elevations and in areas receiving lower amounts of solar insolation. The changes observed are consistent with what we would expect to see due to lengthening of fire return intervals. Understanding the magnitude of change in vegetation types and the drivers of this change is important for the development of effective contemporary ecosystem management and restoration practices.
Genomic aberration based molecular signatures efficiently characterize homologous recombination deficiency in prostate cancer

Background Prostate cancers with mutations in genes involved in homologous recombination (HR), most commonly BRCA2, respond favorably to PARP inhibition and platinum-based chemotherapy. It is not clear, however, whether other prostate tumors that do not harbor deleterious mutations in these particular genes can similarly be deficient in HR, rendering them sensitive to HR-directed therapies. To identify a more comprehensive set of prostate cancer cases with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) including those cases that do not harbor mutations in known HR genes. HRD levels can be estimated using various mutational signatures derived from next-generation sequencing data. We used this approach to determine whether prostate cancer cases display clear signs of HRD in somatic tumor biopsies. Whole genome (n=311) and whole exome sequencing data (n=498) of both primary and metastatic prostate adenocarcinomas (PRAD) were analyzed. Results Known BRCA-deficient samples showed robust signs of HR-deficiency associated mutational signatures. HRD-patterns were also detected in a subset of patients who did not harbor germline or somatic mutations in BRCA1/2 or other HR related genes. Patients with HRD signatures had a significantly worse prognosis than patients without signs of HRD. Conclusions These findings may expand the number of cases likely to respond to PARP-inhibitor treatment. Based on the HRD associated mutational signatures, 5-8 % of prostate cancer cases may be good candidates for PARP-inhibitor treatment (including those with BRCA1/2 mutations).
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistance Genes

In this review, we explore some aspects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors that are related to disease development in healthy organisms and resistance to antibiotics. This pathogen is one of the most clinically and epidemiologically important bacteria in Brazil, being the major cause of opportunistic infections. Among the virulence factors, biofilm formation acting of manner different in the organism. Furthermore, we review several P. aeruginosa genes that act in antimicrobial resistance, such as β-lactamases against β-lactamers. The resistance to pied-lactamases in P. aeruginosa is associated to resistance to the broad-spectrum cephalosporin. On the other hand, there is a group of synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics acting on DNA synthesis is the quinolones that destroy HIGHLIGHTS  The bacterium has become the most antibiotic-resistant hospital disease  P. aeuroginosa developed a mechanism antimicrobial against classes of
Production, physical, chemical and sensory evaluation of dried banana (Musa cavendish)

Brazil is one of the largest producer of banana in the world. However, its consumption is still compromised, because the fruit has a very short shelf life, which gives rise to the need for developing new ways to preserve it, such as drying or dehydration. The present study aims to produce dried banana by means of drying the fresh Musa Cavendish banana and to evaluate the influence of pre-treatments on the product’s quality and acceptability. Three samples were used: T1 was the control and had no pre-treatment; T2 received a pre-treatment composed of a sodium metabisulphite additive solution; and finally T3 was pre-treated with a citric and an ascorbic acid antioxidant solution. The samples were characterized according to yield calculation, moisture, titratable acidity, soluble solids, pH, water activity (aw), color parameters, instrumental texture, and sensory analyses for their overall acceptance and purchase intention. The yield was approximately 30% and there was low water activity and moisture in the product, even after drying for all treatments. There was also an influence of the pre-treatments on the physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of the dried banana. The overall acceptability results indicates a possibility for marketing the product.
Evidence of strong stabilizing effects on the evolution of boreoeutherian (Mammalia) dental proportions

Abstract The dentition is an extremely important organ in mammals with variation in timing and sequence of eruption, crown morphology, and tooth size enabling a range of behavioral, dietary, and functional adaptations across the class. Within this suite of variable mammalian dental phenotypes, relative sizes of teeth reflect variation in the underlying genetic and developmental mechanisms. Two ratios of postcanine tooth lengths capture the relative size of premolars to molars (premolar–molar module, PMM), and among the three molars (molar module component, MMC), and are known to be heritable, independent of body size, and to vary significantly across primates. Here, we explore how these dental traits vary across mammals more broadly, focusing on terrestrial taxa in the clade of Boreoeutheria (Euarchontoglires and Laurasiatheria). We measured the postcanine teeth of N = 1,523 boreoeutherian mammals spanning six orders, 14 families, 36 genera, and 49 species to test hypotheses about associations between dental proportions and phylogenetic relatedness, diet, and life history in mammals. Boreoeutherian postcanine dental proportions sampled in this study carry conserved phylogenetic signal and are not associated with variation in diet. The incorporation of paleontological data provides further evidence that dental proportions may be slower to change than is dietary specialization. These results have implications for our understanding of dental variation and dietary adaptation in mammals.