Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Raw Glycerol as Substrate for the Production of Yeast Biomass

Abstract: The possibility of using raw glycerol as a substrate for yeast biomass production as a source of proteins was investigated. Biomass concentration, protein content and total protein content of four yeasts (Yarrowia lipolytica NRRL YB-423, Candida lipolytica NRRL Y-1095, Candida utilis NRRL Y-900 and Candida rugosa NRRL Y-95) were determinate, comparing analytical grade glycerol and raw glycerol. Y. lipolytica NRRL YB-423 has been selected as promising for cultivation in a raw glycerol-based medium, mainly due to the higher biomass concentration in relation to the other strains. For this strain, four different culture media were tested. The best results were obtained with 50 g/L glycerol, 5.5 g/L ammonium phosphate, 5.5 potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 1 g/L ammonium sulphate, 0.25 g/L magnesium sulphate, 0.021 g/L calcium chloride dehydrate, 1 g/L yeast extract, 1 g/L peptone, pH adjusted to 5.5. In these conditions, it was possible to obtain 17.8 ± 0.6 g/L maximum biomass concentration, 18.2 ± 1.0% protein content and 3.1 ± 0.1 g/L total protein production. These results represent a 1.2-fold increase in biomass concentration, a 1.5-fold increase in protein content and a 1.9-fold increase in total protein production in relation to the results obtained with the previously medium composition.
Expected Profits and the Scientific Novelty of Innovation

Innovation policy involves trading off monopoly output and pricing in the short run in exchange for incentives for firms to develop new products in the future. While existing research demonstrates that expected profits fuel R&D investments, little is known about the novelty of the projects funded by these investments. Relying on data that describe the scientific approaches used by a large sample of experimental drug projects, we expand on this literature by examining the scientific novelty of pharmaceutical R&D investments following the creation of the Medicare Part D program. We find little evidence that the positive demand shock implied by this program prompted firms to undertake scientifically novel R&D activity, as measured by whether the specific scientific approach had been used before. However, we find some evidence that firms invested in products involving novel combinations of scientific approaches. These estimates can inform economists and policymakers assessing the tradeoffs associated with marginal changes in commercial returns from newly developed pharmaceutical products.
Interdisciplinary engineering education: A review of vision, teaching, and support

Societal challenges that call for a new type of engineer suggest the need for the implementation of interdisciplinary engineering education (IEE). The aim of IEE is to train engineering students to bring together expertise from different disciplines in a single context. This review synthesizes IEE research with a focus on characterizing vision, teaching practices, and support.
Thiadiazole carboxylic acid moiety of tiadinil, SV-03, induces systemic acquired resistance in tobacco without salicylic acid accumulation

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a potent innate immunity system in plants that is effective against a broad range of pathogens and induced through the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated pathway. Here we have characterized the SAR induction activity of 4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid (SV-03) identified as a metabolite of tiadinil in rice. Soil drench application of SV-03 induces a broad range of disease resistance and PR gene expression in tobacco. Further analyses using NahG transgenic tobacco plants indicate that SV-03-induced resistance enhancement does not require SA. Therefore, it is suggested that SV-03 induced SAR by triggering signaling at the same level as or downstream of SA accumulation.
Behavioral and physiological reactions of arctic seals during under-ice pilotage

One spotted seal (Phoca largha) and two ringed seals (Phoca hispida) were studied in experiments designed to determine which sensory modalities were employed in pilotage from one under-ice breathing hole to another. Breathing holes were drilled in the ice of a frozen freshwater pond and a lake near Fairbanks, Alaska. Holes were located 22–150 m apart. Tethered seals swimming without blindfolding located holes when they chanced to swim within visual detection distance. Blindfolded seals responded to acoustic signals. Tactile sensitivity of the vibrissae was used by blindfolded seals in the immediate vicinity of a hole to which they had been attracted by an acoustic cue. Responses of a juvenile ringed seal did not differ fundamentally from those of an adult of the same species nor from those of the spotted seal. The results indicate that seals relied upon a sensory hierarchy for locating breathing holes: vision, audition, and vibrissal sense. Heart rate was recorded during voluntary dives of the younger rin.
The Long and Short (Run) of Trade Elasticities

When countries change most favored nation (MFN) tariffs, partners that trade on MFN terms experience plausibly exogenous tariff changes. Using this variation, we estimate the trade elasticity at short and long horizons with local projections. We find that the elasticity of tariff-exclusive trade flows is −0.76 in the short run, and approximately −2 in the long run. Our long-run estimates are smaller than typical in the literature, and it takes 7 to10 years to converge to the long run, implying that (i) the welfare gains from trade are high and (ii) there are substantial convexities in the costs of adjusting exports. (JEL C51, F13, F14)
Zooplankton Avoidance Behavior Following Spray Drift Exposure to Fenpyroximate

ABSTRACT A 28-d zooplankton community level study with Fenpyroximate was performed in indoor microcosms of 1 m3 volume including water and sediment from natural sources. The microcosms were treated by simulating spray-drift of the formulated product. The nominal concentrations (0.1, 0.32, 0.56, 1.0, 3.2, and 10 μ g/L) were confirmed by chemical analysis of the application solutions. At a water depth of 30 cm, the peak concentrations were measured after 24 h. The most sensitive taxa were cyclopoid copepods with a clear reduction of abundance at 1.0 μ g/L and a water depth of 15–45 cm. The very fast recovery at that concentration within one day indicates that the decrease in abundance was caused by flight (behavioral) reactions followed by re-migration into the sampled part of the water column. At 3.2 μ g/L recovery took 28 days. For cladocerans, a similar but weaker response was observed at the next dose level. Active avoidance of chemical stress should be taken into account when predicting effects in the field or interpreting post application monitoring results. In micro- or mesocosm studies, zooplankton sampling strategies should be adjusted to include avoidance behavior.
Predicting species distribution at range margins: testing the effects of study area extent, resolution and threshold selection in the Sahara–Sahel transition zone

Compare the performance of continental and regional models in predicting species distributions at range margins. Selection of study area extent, resolution and threshold affects ecological model predictions. At range margins of species distribution, local populations may be restricted to suboptimal environments distinct from the species' global range, which may be missed by continental models.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Relationship to Previous Convictions, Aggression, and Psychological Functioning in Dutch Detainees

ABSTRACT Objective: Higher prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been reported for detained individuals. TBI may result in erroneously interpreting situations in everyday life, impair problem-solving abilities through dialogue, or negotiation, which may increase aggressive behavior. Knowledge of TBI and its consequences in Dutch penitentiaries is lacking, as virtually no screening, supervision, or treatment is currently provided. Method: The current manuscript assesses differences in self-reported aggression, impulsivity, indication for mild intellectual disability, history of childhood trauma, and emotion regulation in detainees (n = 283) and non-incarcerated controls (NIC; n = 51), with and without a history of TBI. Result: A total of 45.2% of detainees reported a TBI, compared to 29.4% in the NIC group. ANCOVA results revealed no interaction between group and TBI history, indicating that TBI history did not affect behavior in detainees and NIC differently. The main effects revealed higher levels of aggression in detainees compared to NICs, and in participants with TBI compared to those without. Separate ANCOVA’s per group reveal that TBI history in detainees was associated with more aggression – also when correcting for violence as the cause of TBI. A logistic regression revealed that detainees with TBI have a higher chance (odds ratio = 3.3) of having at least one prior conviction. Conclusions: TBI history was related to aggressive behavior in Dutch inmates, future studies should assess if TBI history is predictive of in-prison infractions and recidivism rates, and if screening and providing neuro-rehabilitative measures or improved supervision may improve TBI related deficits.
Dominoes: An Interactive Exploratory Data Analysis Tool for Software Relationships

Project comprehension questions, such as “which modified artifacts can affect my work? ” and “how can I identify the developers who should be assigned to a given task? ” are difficult to answer, require an analysis of the project and its data, are context specific, and cannot always be pre-defined. Current research approaches are restricted to post hoc analyses over software repositories. Very few interactive exploratory tools exist since the large amount of data that need to be analyzed prohibits its exploration at interactive rates. Moreover, such analyses typically require the user to create complex scripts or queries to extract the desired information from data. Here we present Dominoes, a tool for interactive data exploration aimed at end users (i.e., project managers or developers). Dominoes allows users to interact with different types and units of data to investigate project relationships and view intermediate results as charts, tables, and graphs. Additionally, it allows users to save the derived data as well as their exploration paths for later use. In a scenario-based evaluation study, participants achieved a success rate of 86 percent in their explorations, with a mean time of 7.25 minutes for answering a set of (project) exploration questions.
Synchronicity in elevation range shifts among small mammal and vegetation over the last century is stronger for omnivores

In mountain ecosystems, species can be said to respond synchronously to environmental change when the elevation ranges of vegetation types and their associated vertebrates expand or contract in the same direction. Conversely, the response is asynchronous when the elevation ranges of vegetation types and associated vertebrates change in different directions. The capacity of vertebrate species to respond synchronously with change in the elevation ranges of the vegetation that comprises their habitat is likely a function of their ecological traits. Here we combine measures of elevation range shifts in 23 vertebrate species with those of their associated vegetation types across 80 yr, on a large elevation transect in California's Sierra Nevada mountains that encompasses Yosemite National Park. Half the species’ shifts were synchronous with vegetation shifts, ¼ of the species were asynchronous, and the others showed no relationship. Most species that responded synchronously to changes in vegetation elevation ranges expanded their elevation range, and are inhabitants of low and intermediate elevations. In contrast, those species whose range shifts were asynchronous to associated vegetation shifts inhabit high elevations. These species experienced contraction in elevation range even while their associated vegetation types expanded. However, these species were responding synchronously to a subset of their associated vegetation types. Considering trait-based predictors, omnivores were more synchronous than herbivores. Our results on synchronous and asynchronous elevation shifts with vegetation may permit more accurate modeling of future ranges for vertebrates in California's Sierra Nevada. The approach also offers a new method for use in assessment of vertebrate vulnerability in other mountain regions, and can be an important component of assessing their vulnerability to climate change.
Goal Framing as a Tool for Changing People’s Car Travel Behavior in Sweden

This paper reports on a study of car drivers’ assessment of a sustainability policy involving increased car parking fees in Swedish city centers. The aim of the study was to investigate how framing of information in text and pictures influences acceptance of increasing car parking fees and how values, general beliefs and norms as well as measure-specific beliefs influence the acceptability of the measure. Drawing on Goal Framing Theory, the acceptance of a parking fee policy was tested using three different goal frames (hedonic, gain and normative); the frames were compared with each other and a control message. The study was based on a survey directed to residents (18 to 75 years of age) in 51 larger municipalities in Sweden. The survey had an experimental design. Respondents were presented with a scenario of an increase in parking fees to promote environmental sustainability. The scenario was presented in three ways (manipulations), highlighting hedonic (e.g., emotional), gain, and normative aspects, respectively, in text and pictures. The results showed that the three message frames had different effects and were overall more effective than the control message in engendering the desired reduction in private car use and, thus, the intended environmental impact. Further, the degree of acceptability of the increased parking fee influenced the expected behavioral change in the groups receiving a goal framed message in relation to the parking fee measure. Implications from a sustainability perspective concern the importance of how environmental policies are framed when communicated to the public in order to increase acceptance and support.
Maximum likelihood estimation for outcome‐dependent samples

In outcome‐dependent sampling, the continuous or binary outcome variable in a regression model is available in advance to guide selection of a sample on which explanatory variables are then measured. Selection probabilities may either be a smooth function of the outcome variable or be based on a stratification of the outcome. In many cases, only data from the final sample is accessible to the analyst. A maximum likelihood approach for this data configuration is developed here for the first time. The likelihood for fully general outcome‐dependent designs is stated, then the special case of Poisson sampling is examined in more detail. The maximum likelihood estimator differs from the well‐known maximum sample likelihood estimator, and an information bound result shows that the former is asymptotically more efficient. A simulation study suggests that the efficiency difference is generally small. Maximum sample likelihood estimation is therefore recommended in practice when only sample data is available. Some new smooth sample designs show considerable promise.
Sequencing the Complete Genome of COVID-19 Virus from Clinical Samples Using the Sanger Method

What is already known on this topic? Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease caused by a novel human coronavirus named the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 virus, was reported in December 2019. Complete genomes of the COVID-19 virus from clinical samples using next generation sequencing (NGS) have been reported. What is added by this report? Here we provide the technical data for sequencing complete genome of COVID-19 virus from clinical samples using the Sanger method. Two complete COVID-19 virus genome sequences (named WH19004-S and GX0002) were obtained from clinical samples of COVID-19 patients, and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ORF7a (T/C, nt 27,493) and ORF8 (T/C, nt 28,253) of WH19004-S were identified by Sanger sequencing. What are the implications for public health practice? The COVID-19 virus genome sequencing by Sanger method reported here could be used to generate data of high enough quality without requirement for expensive NGS equipment, which support sequencing complete genomes from clinical samples and monitoring of viral genetic variations of COVID-19 infections.
Optimization of alkaline amylase production by thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus AN 002

Bacillus stearothermophilus AN 002 secreted thermostable alkaline amylase into a liquid growth medium containing 2 g/l starch. Amylase activity was highest at early stationary phase of growth. Among the various carbohydrates tested maximum amylase production was obtained with starch. When starch was replaced by other carbon sources, amylase production was reduced. Peptone and corn steep liquor (CSL) were the ideal nitrogen sources for amylase production by this strain. Of the phosphate sources tested, (NH4)2HPO4 showed best restults. Amylase production was highest in a laboratory fermenter at a initial pH of 6.5 and at a constant pH of 7.0. The optimum aeration and agitation for amylase production were 0.66 v/v/m and 400 rev/min, respectively. Maximum growth was obtained at 55 °C and maximum amylase was produced at 50 °C. The amylase was found to be stable between pH 6.0 to 11.0.
Recent Progress in Avian Leptin Research

Because the evidence on existence of the genuine avian leptin gene has been revealed in several birds, debate about the existence of avian leptin will finally stop. Over the past 15 years, many researchers struggled to find avian leptin as well as to determine physiological roles of leptin in birds. During these processes, orthologue of leptin receptor (LEPR) has been identified in several birds and of which function was also deeply investigated. This review summarizes over a decade of research on avian leptin to integrate knowledge toward future advance of this field after finding the authentic leptin in bird.
Production and preliminary characterization of alkaline protease from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus.

Proteases are being an industrial candidate, which are widely used in food, bakery, and beverage and detergent industry. In leather industry, alkaline proteases are exhibiting a prominent role in unhairing and bating processes. An extensive use of filamentous fungi, especially Aspergillus species has been studied elaborately. Although, the significant application of alkaline protease produced from these strains in leather industry is being limited. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus found as the potential strains for production of tannery protease in submerged fermentation. To improve the productivity of this enzyme in liquid broth, various media ingredients have been optimized. The crude and partially purified proteases preliminarily characterized and used for unhairing processes at lab scale in tannery. The protease obtained from these strains showed the good activity in wide alkaline condition at 50 °C suggesting the possibility of using in leather and detergent industry.
Functional Properties of Linseed Meal Fractions: Application as Nutraceutical Ingredient

Brown linseed (Linum ustatissimum) is pressed to produce oil, and the remaining linseed meal is rich in protein and soluble dietary fiber. To utilize the derivatives of linseed meal as food ingredients or additives, linseed meal was fractionated by controlling pH on a pilot-plant scale. Chemical composition, functional properties and health-related bioactivities, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and antioxidant activities, of the fractions were then analyzed. The alkaline soluble protein had the highest content of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and showed good emulsification activity, comparable to that of whole egg. The acid-soluble fraction showed the highest viscosity. ACE inhibition, antioxidant activities, and bile acid binding activity were observed in the soluble dietary fiber fraction. There was no correlation between SDG content and bioactivities. These findings indicate that the acid-soluble fraction is useful as a food ingredient to increase viscosity, while the soluble dietary fiber fraction has health-related features.
The host range, annual cycle and parasitoids of the African rice gall midge Orseolia oryzivora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in central and southeast Nigeria.

Host range experiments and field sampling in Nigeria produced no evidence that African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora Harris – Gagne, can develop on plants other than Oryza species. Sampling in three outbreak areas during 1994 showed that the insect's annual cycle varied according to the agroecological zone and rice cropping pattern. In the humid forest zone, Orseolia oryzivora persisted through the short dry season on ratoons of cultivated rice Oryza sativa at a rainfed site and on dry season rice crops at an irrigated one. In contrast, at rainfed sites in the moist savannah zone the pest survived the longer dry season on the perennial wild rice O. longistaminata , while ratoons and volunteers of O. sativa provided 'bridges' between the wild host and wet season rice crops. Early in the wet season at rainfed sites, galls of Orseolia oryzivora were not found at high density on wild rice, ratoons or volunteers. The heavy infestations which developed by October resulted primarily from rapid multiplication on rice crops themselves during the wet season. At all 13 sites sampled, the large majority of galls were found on fallow or cropped rice fields, rather than in ditches, bunds or uncultivated wetland, irrespective of the time of year or the hosts involved. From gall dissections, the parasitoids Aprostocetus procerae (Risbec) and Platygaster diplosisae Risbec caused over 30% mortality at some sites by October but generally increased too late to prevent crop damage. Implications of the results for the management of Orseolia oryzivora are discussed.
Relation between milk urea content and nitrogen excretion from lactating cows

Abstract Thirty-two Chinese Holstein lactating cows were used to investigate the relationship of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and nitrogen excretion loading to the environment. Cows were fed a similar amount of forage, and concentrates according to milk production. Total collection of urine and faeces were conducted continuously for three days. The milk urea nitrogen was significantly correlated to total nitrogen excretion (R 2=0.70), urinary nitrogen excretion (R 2=0.85), and nitrogen excretion from faeces (R 2=0.22). The following equation was proposed to predict total nitrogen excretion (TNE) (g/d) based on milk urea nitrogen (MUN) (mg/dl): TNE = 15.46(±1.83)×MUN + 193.40(±28.79). The results obtained in this study suggested that MUN might be used to predict TNE from lactating cows.