Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hidden Pitfall in the Preparation of Agar Media Undermines Microorganism Cultivability

ABSTRACT Microbiologists have been using agar growth medium for over 120 years. It revolutionized microbiology in the 1890s when microbiologists were seeking effective methods to isolate microorganisms, which led to the successful cultivation of microorganisms as single clones. But there has been a disparity between total cell counts and cultivable cell counts on plates, often referred to as the “great plate count anomaly,” that has long been a phenomenon that still remains unsolved. Here, we report that a common practice microbiologists have employed to prepare agar medium has a hidden pitfall: when phosphate was autoclaved together with agar to prepare solid growth media (PT medium), total colony counts were remarkably lower than those grown on agar plates in which phosphate and agar were separately autoclaved and mixed right before solidification (PS medium). We used a pure culture of Gemmatimonas aurantiaca T-27T and three representative sources of environmental samples, soil, sediment, and water, as inocula and compared colony counts between PT and PS agar plates. There were higher numbers of CFU on PS medium than on PT medium using G. aurantiaca or any of the environmental samples. Chemical analysis of PT agar plates suggested that hydrogen peroxide was contributing to growth inhibition. Comparison of 454 pyrosequences of the environmental samples to the isolates revealed that taxa grown on PS medium were more reflective of the original community structure than those grown on PT medium. Moreover, more hitherto-uncultivated microbes grew on PS than on PT medium.
Highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles on mesoporous silica nanospheres by melt infiltration for transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones

Nickel-based catalysts have been applied to the catalytic reactions for transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds. In the present work, highly dispersed nickel particles located at the pores of mesoporous silica spheres (Ni@mSiO2) were prepared via an optimized melt infiltration route. The nickel nanoparticles of 10 wt% in the Ni@mSiO2 catalyst could be uniformly loaded with high dispersion of 36.3%, resulting excellent performance for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones.
Development and implementation of an effective constitutive model for architected cellular iron-based shape memory alloys: Pressure dependency and transformation-plasticity interaction

Using architected cellular iron-based shape memory alloys (AC Fe-SMAs) can help compensate the relatively higher density of the base material compared to NiTi-based and Cu-based shape memory alloys, while providing good shape recovery, lower production cost, and greater energy dissipation. This article is dedicated to the development of an effective and pressure-dependent constitutive model that predicts the thermomechanical response of AC Fe-SMAs. We first simulate the behavior of the cellular material using the dense model that was previously developed by the authors, along with different unit cells (UCs) subject to periodic boundary. The shape memory effect is simulated by compressing the UCs by 2% of their height, followed by mechanical unloading, and heating above the austenite finish temperature. The results highlight stress concentration, maximum phase transformation, and maximum plastic deformation at the geometry discontinuities or strands necks. Post-processing the ABAQUS ODB files with Python scripts shows that the bending-dominated unit cell with the highest maximum local values of state variables exhibits the lowest volume-averaged outputs. Comparison of the unit cell to cubic multi-cell structures points out an asymptotic vanishing of the effects of the free boundaries as the number of cells in the multi-cell structure increases. The results of the unit cells are used to calibrate the parameters of the pressure-dependent effective model. The ratios of the inelastic hydrostatic strains to the equivalent total inelastic strains indicate higher pressure effects in the bending-dominated cellular lattice than in the stretch-dominated structures. The force-displacement and “dissipated energy”-temperature curves of the cellular beam and its equivalent bulk structure obtained by simulations of 4-point bending tests are found to be close enough that the effective model can be considered as an efficient design tool for architected cellular iron-based shape memory alloy structures.
Overview of Deep Neural Networks

In recent years, new neural network models with deep architectures started to get more attention in the field of machine learning. These models contain larger number of layers (therefore ”deep”) than conventional multi-layered perceptron, which usually uses only two or three functional layers of neurons. To overcome the difficulties of training such complex networks, new learning algorithms have been proposed for these models. The two most prominent deep models are the Deep Belief Networks and Stacked Auto-Encoders, which currently present state-of-the-art results in many traditional pattern recognition benchmarks. This article summarizes the advantages of deep architectures and provides a concise overview of the deep network models, their properties and learning algorithms.
Biodegradable particles as vaccine antigen delivery systems for stimulating cellular immune responses

There is a need for both new and improved vaccination formulations for a range of diseases for which current vaccines are either inadequate or non-existent. Biodegradable polymer-based vaccines fulfill many of the desired properties in achieving effective long-term protection in a manner that is safe, economical, and potentially more practicable on a global scale. Here we discuss some of the work performed with micro/nanoparticles made from either synthetic (poly[lactic-co-glycolic acid] [PLGA] and polyanhydrides) or natural (chitosan) biodegradable polymers. Our attention is focused on, but not limited to, the generation of antitumor immunity where we stress the importance of particle size and co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant.
Lateral diffusion and fatty acid composition in vascular smooth muscle membrane from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We measured membrane fluidity and fatty acid composition in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats. Membrane fluidity was measured as a lateral diffusion of 5 N (octadecanoyl) aminofluorescein using fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Fatty acid composition of membrane fractions was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Lateral diffusion was significantly lower (the membrane had lower fluidity) in vascular smooth muscle cells from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats as compared to those cells isolated from Wistar-Kyoto reference strain. The ratio of arachidonic acid to total fatty acids was 0.058 +/- 0.007 in the plasma membrane from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats and 0.036 +/- 0.005 in that from Wistar-Kyoto rats, P = . 005. Similarly, the ratios of arachidonic to oleic acid and arachidonic to palmitic acid were significantly greater in cells from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (P = .002 for difference in each ratio). These results show decreased lateral diffusion (decreased membrane fluidity) in vascular smooth muscle cells from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. This is associated with increased content of arachidonic acid, the major precursor of prostaglandins and other eicosanoids. We postulate that local changes in the unsaturated fatty acid composition related to arachidonic acid storage and release contribute to reduced membrane fluidity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Chemical Characteristics and NaCl Component Behavior of Biochar Derived from the Salty Food Waste by Water Flushing

Biochar is the product of the pyrolysis of organic materials in a reduced state. In recent years, biochar has received attention due to its applicability to organic waste management, thereby leading to active research on biochar. However, there have been few studies using food waste. In particular, the most significant difference between food waste and other organic waste is the high salinity of food waste. Therefore, in this paper, we compare the chemical characteristics of biochar produced using food waste containing low- and high-concentration salt and biochar flushed with water to remove the concentrated salt. In addition, we clarify the salt component behavior of biochar. Peak analysis of XRD confirms that it is difficult to find salt crystals in flushed char since salt remains in the form of crystals when salty food waste is pyrolyzed washed away after water flushing. In addition, the Cl content significantly decreased to 1–2% after flushing, similar to that of Cl content in the standard, non-salted food waste char. On the other hand, a significant amount of Na was found in pyrolyzed char even after flushing resulting from a phenomenon in which salt is dissolved in water while flushing and Na ions are adsorbed. FT-IR analysis showed that salt in waste affects the binding of aromatic carbons to compounds in the pyrolysis process. The NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the aromatic carbon content, which indicates the stability of biochar, is not influenced by the salt content and increases with increasing pyrolysis temperature.
Crystal structure of the Pyrococcus horikoshii DNA primase‐UTP complex: implications for the mechanism of primer synthesis

Background: In chromosomal DNA replication, DNA primase initiates the synthesis of a dinucleotide on a single‐stranded template DNA, and elongates it to form a primer RNA for the replicative DNA polymerase. Although the apo‐structure of an archaeal primase has been reported, the mechanism of primer synthesis by the eukaryotic‐type primase still remains to be elucidated.
Holocene Deglaciation of Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica

Surface exposure ages of glacial deposits in the Ford Ranges of western Marie Byrd Land indicate continuous thinning of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet by more than 700 meters near the coast throughout the past 10,000 years. Deglaciation lagged the disappearance of ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere by thousands of years and may still be under way. These results provide further evidence that parts of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet are on a long-term trajectory of decline. West Antarctic melting contributed water to the oceans in the late Holocene and may continue to do so in the future.
[Experiences in community participation to promote nutritional education].

This paper presents several experiences obtained in the Rural Research Center of the Solís Valley in relation to community participation programs. The main objective of these projects was to improve the nutritional practices of children in the rural areas of highland Mexico. As first experience, small groups were formed with mothers, fathers, married couples and teenagers. Each of these groups started a project oriented to promote nutritional self-sufficiency. One group of mothers was successful in assuring the provision of government subsidized milk in their community. A second group of mothers started a chicken-raising farm, but the project failed because all the chicken died in an epidemic. The group of fathers started a sheep-raising project as the first step to get a milk-producing cow. The sheep-raising was successful, but when the sheep were sold each man in the group kept the revenue to himself and the group disappeared. The married couples were successful both in a home-gardening project and in a chicken-raising farm. The teenagers were also successful with their home-gardening project and acted as "injection groups" to spread the project in other communities. As a second experience in community participation, community health workers taught mothers how to use locally available food to improve their diets, preparing culturally acceptable food recipes. This intervention was successful in increasing mother's awareness of a balanced diet. A second intervention combined the presentation of a drama ("peasant's theater") in order to increase mother's participation in these projects. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Decreased lung function after inhalation of ultrafine and fine particulate matter during exercise is related to decreased total nitrate in exhaled breath condensate.

This study was designed to investigate PM(1) inhalation during exercise on lung function, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), and total nitrate (NO3), S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Inhalation of combustion-derived PM is associated with adverse respiratory health. A mechanistic action of PM on lung function is not defined; however, nitrosative/oxidative stress is likely. Prior to and after two 30-min exercise bouts 4-5 days apart, inhaling low (7382 +/- 1727 particles cm(- 3)) or high (252,290 +/- 77,529 particles cm(- 3)) PM(1), 12 nonasthmatic males performed spirometry and eNO and EBC collection. Normal resting lung function did not change after low PM(1) exercise. After high PM(1) exercise, FEV(1) and FEF(25-75) fell significantly (p = .0005, p = .002) and was related to [PM(1)] (r = -.55, p = .005 and r =-.61, p = .002; respectively); 11- and 52-ml decreases were calculated for each 20,000 particles cm(- 3) increase for FEV and FEF(25-75). NO3 did not change after low PM(1) exercise (30.5% increase), but significantly decreased by 43.8% after high PM(1) exercise, and correlated with lung function changes (r = .63, and r = .54 for FEV(1) and FEF(25-75), respectively; p = . 001 and p = . 007). No change in GSNO was observed. Alveolar NO decreased after high PM(1) conditions (p = .02); eNO pre-to-post difference was related to changes in FEV(1) (r = .60, p = .002). MDA increased 40% after low PM exercise (NS) and increased 208% after high PM exercise (p = .06). Thus, high PM(1) inhalation during exercise caused a reduced alveolar contribution to eNO; NO3 and eNO variables were decreased and were related to impaired lung function. Decreased NO(3) and eNO may be due to superoxide/NO formation of peroxynitrite, resulting in lipid peroxidation.
EXTRATOS AQUOSOS DE TIRIRICA SOBRE O ENRAIZAMENTO DE CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR

O maior desenvolvimento do sistema radicular da cana-de-acucar e apontado como um dos possiveis metodos para um melhor desenvolvimento do sistema aereo da planta, resultando em maior ganho na produtividade. Objetivou-se com o estudo avaliar o efeito das concentracoes de extratos aquosos de tiririca ( Cyperus rotundus L.) sobre o enraizamento de cana-de-acucar ( Saccharum officinarum L. ). O experimento foi conduzido num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos nas concentracoes 0; 1; 2,5 e 5%, em casa de vegetacao. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste de “Tukey”, ao nivel de 5% de probabilidade. Apos 35 dias foram analisados: enraizamento, formacao de calo, mortalidade, brotamento, numero e comprimento das tres maiores raizes. Houve uma alta taxa de enraizamento, embora nao apresentou diferenca estatistica significativa entre os tratamentos. Contudo para as variaveis numero de raizes por estaca e tamanho das tres maiores raizes, todos os tratamentos diferiram entre si, apresentando uma relacao dose-dependente, ou seja, quanto maior a concentracao maiores as quantidades e medidas para estas variaveis.
Size- and scale-dependent chemical attraction contribute to an ontogenetic shift in sociality

Caribbean spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, reside solitarily during the first months postsettlement, but shift to gregarious shelter use in later juvenile stages, at sizes as small as 15 mm in carapace length. To determine whether receptivity to or production of a chemical attractant among spiny lobster conspecifics is dependent upon body size or spatial scale, we conducted a series of overnight Y-maze shelter choice experiments. We placed a test lobster in an experimental arena and allowed it to choose between two shelters, which differed only in that water flowing by one shelter contained sea water that had passed through a header tank containing a conspecific. We varied the size of the lobster in the arena, the size and number of lobsters in the header tank, and the size of the experimental arena. Lobsters of all sizes tested released odours that attracted conspecifics; however, a single small lobster could attract other conspecifics only in the small arena. Lobsters greater than 15 mm in carapace length were attracted to shelters from which conspecific odours were emanating, while smaller lobsters were not. The results of this study suggest that: (1) the earliest benthic stages (less than 15 mm in carapace length) are unresponsive to conspecific odours, but lobsters greater than 15 mm in carapace length are attracted by conspecific odours; and (2) large lobsters produce a sufficient quantity of scent to attract conspecifics over distances of at least a few metres, whereas small lobsters (15-30 mm in carapace length) cannot. Body size- and spatial scale-dependent attraction could contribute to the shift from solitary to gregarious shelter use among Caribbean spiny lobsters. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Examining Digital Piracy: Self-Control, Punishment, and Self-Efficacy

Digital piracy is a persistent and pervasive problem for society. Based on both the general theory of crime and deterrence theory, this study investigates the role of self-control, perceived severity of punishment and perceived certainty of punishment in predicting digital piracy behavior as well as self-efficacy. The results of the study show that risk-taking and punishment certainty are strong predictors of digital piracy behavior. Self-efficacy is also significantly related to punishment certainty and digital piracy behavior. Implications of the study for research and practice are discussed.
High levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 in patients with colorectal cancer: association with disease progression.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Contribution of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) to tumor progression has been suggested. However, little is known about the role of TGF-beta 1 in colorectal cancer. Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels and its expression were analyzed in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels were measured in 22 patients with colorectal cancer using a TGF-beta 1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA and immunohistochemical distribution of the protein in colorectal cancer tissues were examined. RESULTS Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels in patients with colorectal cancer (14.8 +/- 8.4 ng/mL) were significantly higher than in normal controls (1.9 +/- 1.4; n = 22) (P < 0.001). After curative surgical resection, plasma TGF-beta 1 levels decreased in examined patients from 11.9 +/- 6.7 to 3.8 +/- 1.2 ng/mL (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA was about 2 1/2 times more abundant in colorectal cancer tissues than in control (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1 was detected in the cytoplasm of colorectal cancer cells immunohistochemically. Both TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its plasma levels were associated with tumor stage of Dukes' classification (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that plasma TGF-beta 1 levels may reflect overexpression of the gene in colon cancer tissues and are associated with disease progression.
Neutron carcinogenesis. Dose and dose-rate effects in BALB/c mice.

The influence of dose and dose rate on the tumorigenicity of neutrons was investigated in female BALB/c mice exposed to various doses of neutrons at dose rates of 5 and 25 rad/min or 1 rad/day. The tumors that were most sensitive to induction after neutron exposures included malignant lung adenocarcinomas, mammary adenocarcinomas, and ovarian tumors. For these three tumor types, increased incidences were observed after as little as 5-10 rad of neutrons delivered at a high dose rate. However, after low-dose-rate neutron exposures, different dose-response relationships were observed. Neutron irradiation at low dose rates was less effective than at high dose rates in inducing ovarian tumors at all doses tested. For malignant lung tumors and mammary tumors, on the other hand, the data suggested that the low dose rate was less effective than the high dose rate at low total doses, but more effective at high total doses.
Translation of the international outcome inventory for hearing aids into Portuguese from Portugal

Objective To translate the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) Questionnaire from English to Portuguese (from Portugal) and to validate this instrument of study on the Portuguese population. Design In this prospective study, a translation from English into Portuguese of the IOI-HA was performed, and linguistic adaptation and counter translation were also accomplished. The data were analysed for internal consistency testing for correlations between each individual item and the total score of the IOI-HA, assessing the Cronbach α and performing test–retest analysis. Setting and participants 80 hearing aid users aged 18 years or older were recruited from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) appointment in Coimbra's hospital, Portugal. 84% of the participants were unilateral hearing aid users, whereas 16% were bilateral users. Interventions The patients volunteered to answer the questionnaire during an ENT appointment. All of the patients had been using the hearing aids for more than 3 years. After the first application of the questionnaire, a new appointment was planned for retesting, within at least 7 days to no more than 60 days. 29 participants answered the questionnaire again according to the same procedure. Results The mean IOI-HA total score in the study population was 27.33±4.93 (9–35). The mean values obtained for each item of the questionnaire ranged from 3.19 to 4.54. The Cronbach α was 0.838 and the Cronbach α values when the item was removed, were also significantly strong. The test–retest analysis revealed no differences between the paired groups. Conclusions In the present study a valid and reliable translation and adaptation of the IOI-HA into Portuguese from Portugal is proposed. This tool will be available for clinical assessment of hearing aid users.
A lottery-preference-based explanation of realized kurtosis puzzle in Chinese stock market

ABSTRACT High kurtosis corresponds to fat tails on both sides and under risk-aversion assumption investors’ dislike of left-tail loss outweighs their preference for right-tail gain. Therefore, high kurtosis characteristic of stock should predict high expected returns. However, the high-frequency-data-based empirical results on Chinese stock market are just the opposite, which we refer to as the ‘realized kurtosis puzzle’. Using the double sorts and firm-level cross-sectional regression methods, we further demonstrate investors’ preference for lottery-like stocks or lottery preference is key to solve the puzzle. Our further empirical research verifies stocks with higher retail investors’ shareholding proportion and unavailable for short show stronger ‘realized kurtosis puzzle’. In addition, the puzzle is particularly significant in high lottery preference periods while less apparent in low lottery preference times.