Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A High-Throughput Screening System Based on Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting for the Directed Evolution of Chitinase A

Chitinases catalyze the degradation of chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine found in crustacean shells, insect cuticles, and fungal cell walls. There is great interest in the development of improved chitinases to address the environmental burden of chitin waste from the food processing industry as well as the potential medical, agricultural, and industrial uses of partially deacetylated chitin (chitosan) and its products (chito-oligosaccharides). The depolymerization of chitin can be achieved using chemical and physical treatments, but an enzymatic process would be more environmentally friendly and more sustainable. However, chitinases are slow-acting enzymes, limiting their biotechnological exploitation, although this can be overcome by molecular evolution approaches to enhance the features required for specific applications. The two main goals of this study were the development of a high-throughput screening system for chitinase activity (which could be extrapolated to other hydrolytic enzymes), and the deployment of this new method to select improved chitinase variants. We therefore cloned and expressed the Bacillus licheniformis DSM8785 chitinase A (chiA) gene in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells and generated a mutant library by error-prone PCR. We then developed a screening method based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using the model substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl β-d-N,N′,N″-triacetyl chitotrioside to identify improved enzymes. We prevented cross-talk between emulsion compartments caused by the hydrophobicity of 4-methylumbelliferone, the fluorescent product of the enzymatic reaction, by incorporating cyclodextrins into the aqueous phases. We also addressed the toxicity of long-term chiA expression in E. coli by limiting the reaction time. We identified 12 mutants containing 2–8 mutations per gene resulting in up to twofold higher activity than wild-type ChiA.
Hypertension in Women

The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in women is an increasing concern. Data from 5,26,336 participants aged 40–79 years in the high-income countries have shown a prevalence of HTN across all women participants aged 40–79 years from 33% to 52%. In the age group of 40–49 years, HTN prevalence ranged from 12% to 20% and in 70–79 years from 61% to 82%. [1] Blood pressure (BP) was recorded for 180,335 participants with a mean age 40.6 ± 14.9 years in India which included 33.2% of women. The prevalence among women was 23.7%. Higher predisposition was noted during the menopausal age. In the age group of 45–54 years, the prevalence of HTN was 34.6% with systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 126.7 ± 18.0 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80.3 ± 10.9 mmHg. [2,3] HTN in Women
A Polyaniline‐Coated Sulfur/Carbon Composite with an Enhanced High‐Rate Capability as a Cathode Material for Lithium/Sulfur Batteries

Polyaniline‐coated sulfur/conductive‐carbon‐black (PANI@S/C) composites with different contents of sulfur are prepared via two facile processes including ball‐milling and thermal treatment of the conductive carbon black and sublimed sulfur, followed by an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of the aniline monomer in the presence of the S/C composite and ammonium persulfate. The microstructure and electrochemical performance of the as‐prepared composites are investigated systematically. It is demonstrated that the polyaniline, with a thickness of ≈5–10 nm, is coated uniformly onto the surface of the S/C composite forming a core/shell structure. The PANI@S/C composite with 43.7 wt% sulfur presents the optimum electrochemical performance, including a large reversible capacity, a good coulombic efficiency, and a high active‐sulfur utilization. The formation of the unique core/shell structure in the PANI@S/C composites is responsible for the improvement of the electrochemical performance. In particular, the high‐rate charge/discharge capability of the PANI@S/C composites is excellent due to a synergistic effect on the high electrical conductivity from both the conductive carbon black in the matrix and the PANI on the surface. Even at an ultrahigh rate (10C), a maximum discharge capacity of 635.5 mA h per g of sulfur is still retained for the PANI@S/C composite after activation, and the discharge capacity retention is over 60% after 200 cycles.
R-Spondin 2 and WNT/CTNNB1 Signaling Pathways Are Required for Porcine Follicle Development and In Vitro Maturation

Simple Summary A recent mouse study reported that R-spondin2 promotes follicular development by activating WNT/Catenin beta-1 (CTNNB1) signaling in granulated cells. Our results demonstrate that RSPO2, CTNNB1, G-protein coupled receptor 4 (LGR4), and G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) factors play a major role in porcine follicular development, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is essential for in vitro maturation. The R-spondin2 and WNT/CTNNB1 signaling pathways are involved in porcine follicle development, and it is expected that the EGFR-ERK signaling pathway is also involved. Abstract The secretion of oocyte-derived paracrine factors, such as R-spondin2, is an essential mechanism for follicle growth by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of cumulus cells around oocytes. In the present study, we aimed to identify the effect of R-spondin2 during follicular development. First, R-spondin2-related factors (R-spondin2, CTNNB1, LGR4, and LGR5) were identified through immunofluorescence in porcine ovarian tissue. CTNNB1 was expressed in ooplasm, and CTNNB1 and LGR4 were expressed in granulosa cells. In addition, R-spondin2, LGR4, and LGR5 were expressed in the theca interna. These results imply that these proteins play a major role in porcine follicular development. In addition, the effects of R-spondin2 on the in vitro maturation process of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes and subsequent embryonic development were confirmed. A treatment of 100 ng/mL R-spondin2 in the in vitro maturation (IVM) process increased nuclear maturation and increased the expression of EGFR mRNA in cumulus cells. The EGFR-ERK signal is essential for oocyte maturation, ovulation, and luteinization. R-spondin2 treatment also increased the expression of CTNNB1 and EGFR in primary cultured cumulus cells. In conclusion, RSPO2 and WNT/CTNNB1 signaling pathways are required for porcine follicle development and are predicted to be involved in the EGFR-ERK signaling pathway.
Nickel–Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets for High‐performance Supercapacitor Electrode Materials

A facile and novel one‐step method of growing nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxide (Ni‐Co LDH) hybrid films with ultrathin nanosheets and porous nanostructures on nickel foam is presented using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as nanostructure growth assisting agent but without any adscititious alkali sources and oxidants. As pseudocapacitors, the as‐obtained Ni‐Co LDH hybrid film‐based electrodes display a significantly enhanced specific capacitance (2682 F g−1 at 3 A g−1, based on active materials) and energy density (77.3 Wh kg−1 at 623 W kg−1), compared to most previously reported electrodes based on nickel‐cobalt oxides/hydroxides. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor, with the Ni‐Co LDH hybrid film as the positive electrode material and porous freeze‐dried reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as the negative electrode material, exhibits an ultrahigh energy density (188 Wh kg−1) at an average power density of 1499 W kg−1 based on the mass of active material, which greatly exceeds the energy densities of most previously reported nickel or cobalt oxide/hydroxide‐based asymmetric supercapacitors.
Near-Infrared Imaging Photoplethysmography During Driving

Imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) could greatly improve driver safety systems by enabling capabilities ranging from identifying driver fatigue to unobtrusive early heart failure detection. Unfortunately, the driving context poses unique challenges to iPPG, including illumination and motion. First, drastic illumination variations present during driving can overwhelm the small intensity-based iPPG signals. Second, significant driver head motion during driving, as well as camera motion (e.g., vibration) make it challenging to recover iPPG signals. To address these two challenges, we present two innovations. First, we demonstrate that we can reduce most outside light variations using narrow-band near-infrared (NIR) video recordings and obtain reliable heart rate estimates. Second, we present a novel optimization algorithm, which we call AutoSparsePPG, that leverages the quasi-periodicity of iPPG signals and achieves better performance than the state-of-the-art methods. In addition, we release the first publicly available driving dataset that contains both NIR and RGB video recordings of a passenger’s face with simultaneous ground truth pulse oximeter recordings.
Interpersonal comparisons and concerns for expertise

We study the effect of introducing interpersonal comparisons on the decisions made by career concerned experts. We consider a model with two experts, a stronger and a weaker, who face common uncertainty about the state of the world. We show that whereas full transmission of the experts' private information is an equilibrium when experts care about their absolute level of expertise, this is not necessarily the case when interpersonal comparisons matter and experts care about their relative level of expertise. In this case, we obtain that there is an equilibrium in which experts' decisions follow experts' signals only when the probability of feedback is sufficiently high. Otherwise, the stronger expert benefits from discarding her private information. In equilibrium, this expert may even completely contradict her signal and the other expert's decision. We discuss the implications of this result for reaching experts' consensus and dissent.
Thermodynamic Modeling of the Adsorption of Radionuclides on Selected Minerals. II: Anions

A surface complexation model based on the diffuse-layer theory has been applied to study the adsorption of radionuclide anions (I-, IO3-, SeO32-, SeO42-, and TcO4-) on various minerals. The model is coupled with an aqueous activity coefficient model based on the B-dot equation and takes into account the effect of aqueous speciation on adsorption. Binding constants for the selected radionuclide anions on minerals have been determined. In all examined cases, the model is shown to accurately represent the adsorption data. The selected radionuclide anions have been identified as potentially significant contributors for dosing in high-level nuclear waste because of their high solubilities and reduced interactions with aquifer minerals; the methodology presented in this work can be generalized to the study of ion adsorption effects at water−mineral interfaces in natural systems that implicitly regulate the fate of environmental contaminants.
NMR Experiments Shed New Light on Glycan Recognition by Human and Murine Norovirus Capsid Proteins

Glycan–protein interactions are highly specific yet transient, rendering glycans ideal recognition signals in a variety of biological processes. In human norovirus (HuNoV) infection, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) play an essential but poorly understood role. For murine norovirus infection (MNV), sialylated glycolipids or glycoproteins appear to be important. It has also been suggested that HuNoV capsid proteins bind to sialylated ganglioside head groups. Here, we study the binding of HBGAs and sialoglycans to HuNoV and MNV capsid proteins using NMR experiments. Surprisingly, the experiments show that none of the norovirus P-domains bind to sialoglycans. Notably, MNV P-domains do not bind to any of the glycans studied, and MNV-1 infection of cells deficient in surface sialoglycans shows no significant difference compared to cells expressing respective glycans. These findings redefine glycan recognition by noroviruses, challenging present models of infection.
Tropical marine algae. III. New sesquiterpenes from Laurencia majuscula (Rhodophyta, Rhodophyceae, Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae)

The isolation and structural elucidation of new sesquiterpenes from Laurencia majuscula, collected from Zoe Bay, Hinchinbrook Island, North Queensland, are reported. One collection contained the novel triquinane derivative: (1S*,2S*,3S*,5S*,8S*,9S*)- tricyclo [6.3. 0.01. 5] undecan-2-ol (3), and four halogenated chamigrene derivatives: the known 1(15)Z compound (4) and the new (1(15)E,2Z,4S,8R,9S)-8,15-dibromochamigra-1(15,2,1112-trien-9-ol (5), the known isoobtusadiene (6) and the new metabolite (1S,2S,4R,8R,9S)-1-chloro-2,8-dibromochamigr-11(12)-en-9-ol (7). A second collection afforded the same range of sesquiterpenes (3)-(7)and an additional tricyclic sesquiterpene related to ( Δ10)- rhodolaureol (16), namely ( Δ 11(12))-isorhodolaureol (8). The relationship was confirmed by oxidation of (8) to give the expected non-conjugated enone (15) which rearranged in slightly acidic chloroform to the conjugated enone (17), identical with the oxidation product from rhodolaureol (16).
Aboveground carbon stock and distribution in managed and unmanaged mature, natural-origin, pine-hardwood forest stands

—Carbon storage and maintaining forest complexity have been important objectives in developing forest management strategies to address global climate change. Although maintaining complexity and carbon stores are inherently interrelated, the effect of management strategies on these objectives have generally been examined independently. Moreover, little is known about the effect of management on carbon stock and distribution in structurally and compositionally complex forests. This study examines the effect of selective, partial harvests on carbon stock and distribution in natural-origin, 80- to 120-year-old, pine ( Pinus spp.)-hardwood stands of southeastern Arkansas. Carbon pool estimates were derived for all aboveground pools. Harvests resulted in slightly more uniform stand structure and reduced aboveground carbon stores by 8 tons per acre. Post-harvest large tree residuals maintained carbon stock at relatively high-levels with greater potential for live tree carbon increment. Carefully planned partial harvests in complex stands may allow for greater flexibility in balancing maintenance of carbon stock and fostering structural and compositional complexity.
Awareness of Obstetric Fistula and its Associated Factors among Reproductive-age Group Women in Bench Sheko Zone, Southwest, Ethiopia. Community based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Obstetric fistula is, without a doubt, the most severe of pregnancy-related disabilities. While the condition has disappeared in developed countries, it remains a source of concern in Ethiopia and serves as a proxy indicator of the status of Ethiopian women and the availability and access to quality maternal health services. However, to our best knowledge, there was no evidence of the study done in the study setting. Therefore, we tried to assess the awareness of obstetric fistula and its associated factors among reproductive-age women in Bench Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bench Sheko Zone from February, 15, 2020 to March 15, 2020. Bench-Sheko zone was selected purposively, and the two districts and kebeles were selected randomly. A systematic sampling technique was used to assign 422 households, and kebele registration was used as a sampling frame. Data were managed using Kobo Collect v1.25.1 and descriptive frequency, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results: This finding shows that 40.8% of reproductive group women had a good awareness of obstetrics fistula. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that who can read and write only (AOR=2.5:95% CI (1.2,5.1)), primary level of education (AOR=2.7:95% CI (1.7,4.5), high school and above (AOR=4.1:95% CI (1.6,10.6), ever participated on the Pregnant Women conference (AOR=23.8, 95% CI=5.6,58.7), and those who gave birth in a health institution (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.5,4.2) were significantly associated with awareness of obstetrics fistula. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study revealed that awareness of obstetrics fistula was low. Education status, participation in pregnant women conference, and place of delivery were significantly associated with awareness of obstetrics fistula. This shows there is a gap in awareness of obstetrics fistula; therefore, it is good to emphasize providing information on maternal health care issues, particularly on obstetrics fistula.
Transformation of added phosphorus to acid upland soils with different soil properties in Indonesia

Abstract The transformation of added phosphorus (P) to soil and the effect of soil properties on P transformations were investigated for 15 acid upland soils with different physicochemical properties from Indonesia. Based on oxide-related factor scores (aluminum (Al) plus 1/2 iron (Fe) (by ammonium oxalate), crystalline Al and Fe oxides, cation exchange capacity, and clay content) obtained from previous principal component analyses, soils were divided into two groups, namely Group 1 for soils with positive factor scores and Group 2 for those with negative factor scores. The amounts of soil P in different fractions were determined by: (i) resin strip in bicarbonate form in 30 mL distilled water followed by extraction with 0.5 mol L−1 HCl (resin-P inorganic (Pi) that is readily available to plant), (ii) 0.5 mol L−1 NaHCO3 extracting Pi and P organic (Po) (P which is strongly related to P uptake by plants and microbes and bound to mineral surface or precipitated Ca-P and Mg forms), (iii) 0.1 mol L−1 NaOH extracting Pi and Po (P which is more strongly held by chemisorption to Fe and Al components of soil surface) and (iv) 1 mol L−1 HCl extracting Pi (Ca-P of low solubility). The transformation of added P (300 mg P kg−1) into other fractions was studied by the recovery of P fractions after 1, 7, 30, and 90 d incubation. After 90 d incubation, most of the added P was transformed into NaOH-Pi fraction for soils of Group 1, while for soils of Group 2, it was transformed into resin-Pi, NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-Pi fractions in comparable amounts. The equilibrium of added P transformation was reached in 30 d incubation for soils of Group 1, while for soils of Group 2 it needed a longer time. Oxide-related factor scores were positively correlated with the rate constant (k) of P transformation and the recovery of NaOH-Pi. Additionally, not only the amount of but also the type (kaolinitic) of clay were positively correlated with the k value and P accumulation into NaOH-Pi. Soils developed from andesite and volcanic ash exhibited significantly higher NaOH-Pi than soils developed from granite, volcanic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Soil properties summarized as oxides-related factor, parent material, and clay mineralogy were concluded very important in assessing P transformation and P accumulation in acid upland soils in Indonesia.
Kinetics and mechanism of the formation and decay of peroxynitrous acid in perchloric acid solutions

The kinetics of the formation of peroxynitrous acid (HOONO), and its decay to nitrate ion have been studied in perchloric acid solutions (0·01 to 1·0 mol I–1) by the stopped-flow method. The rate law for the formation process was found to be of the form (a, b, and c are constants)d[HOONO]//dt=a[H+][H2O2][HNO2]//b+c[H2O2], which is consistent with a mechanism in which NO+ is formed as an intermediate. Peroxynitrous acid decays immediately after it forms with a first-order rate constant at 273·7 K, kd, given by: 102kd=(5·27 ± 0·10)+(59·6 ± 0·8)[H+] s–1. At 298·1 K, activation parameters for the acid independent pathway are ΔH‡= 19·6 ± 0·2 kcal mol–1 and ΔS‡= 7·4 ± 0·7 cal mol–1 K–1(1 cal = 4·1868 J), and for the acid dependent pathway are ΔH‡= 14·8 ± 0·2 kcal mol–1 and ΔS‡= 5·3 ± 0·7 cal mol–1 K–1. The spectrum of peroxynitrous acid was recorded using a continuous-flow mixing cell.
Phase diagram of compressively strained nickelate thin films

The complex phase diagrams of strongly correlated oxides arise from the coupling between physical and electronic structure. This can lead to a renormalization of the phase boundaries when considering thin films rather than bulk crystals due to reduced dimensionality and epitaxial strain. The well-established bulk RNiO3 phase diagram shows a systematic dependence between the metal-insulator transition and the perovskite A-site rare-earth ion, R. Here, we explore the equivalent phase diagram for nickelate thin films under compressive epitaxial strain. We determine the metal-insulator phase diagram for the solid solution of Nd1-yLayNiO3 thin films within the range 0 ≤ y ≤ 1. We find qualitative similarity between the films and their bulk analogs, but with an overall renormalization in the metal-insulator transition to lower temperature. A combination of x-ray diffraction measurements and soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates that the renormalization is due to increased Ni–O bond hybridization for cohe.
Differential Evolutionary Algorithm With Local Search for the Adaptive Periodic-Disturbance Observer Adjustment

Periodic disturbances occur during repetitive operations, and compensation for the periodic disturbances is an important issue to realize precise machine works because the periodic disturbances deteriorate the control precision. In addition, the periodic disturbance becomes a frequency-varying periodic disturbance when the periodicity of the operations changes, which makes the compensation difficult. To eliminate the frequency-varying periodic disturbance, an adaptive periodic-disturbance observer (APDOB) was proposed. However, the APDOB has a problem that the design of the APDOB is complicated with six design parameters. This article proposes a differential evolutionary algorithm with local search that optimizes the six design parameters of the APDOB for the optimal frequency-varying periodic disturbance compensation. The proposed method based on a memetic algorithm framework can explore globally using the differential evolutionary algorithm and explore locally using the local search including the Lévy flight. Moreover, the proposed method can reduce the number of the design parameters.