Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced endoglucanase production by soil inhabiting Streptomyces sp. strain NAA9 using lignocellulosic biomass

ABSTRACT The actinomycete strain NAA9 exhibiting cellulase production potential was identified based on 16S rDNA sequencing and was found belonging to Streptomyces group. On studying the effect of different lignocellulosic biomass on cellulase production by Streptomyces sp. NAA9, Parthenium hysterophorus weed biomass induced highest levels of enzyme production. The enzyme production was further enhanced by optimization of various parameters, under submerged fermentation conditions. The optimized conditions of 2% (w/v) substrate concentration, 40°C temperature, pH 6.0, an incubation period of 6 days and supplementation of the medium with 0.5% ammonium sulfate, resulted in maximum 0.990±0.012 U/ml endoglucanase production. The findings demonstrate the improved cellulase production by Streptomyces strain NAA9 using P. hysterophorus and indicate the potential of this weed biomass in acting as a low-cost natural substrate for cellulase production. The enzyme produced by actinomycete strain can also be utilized in various applications based on the bioconversion of the cellulosic biomass.
Adoption of green supply chain management practices in multi-tier supply chains: examining the differences between higher and lower tier firms

ABSTRACT Customer pressure has been widely discussed as the primary driver of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. However, relatively little is known about supplier capabilities as a key mediator for GSCM practice adoption. Drawing from the resource dependence theory (RDT), we investigate how the interplay between customer pressure and supplier capabilities affects GSCM practice adoption along multi-tier supply chains. We test our hypotheses using multiple regression analysis based on a sample of 284 manufacturing firms operating at different tiers of a supply chain. Our results indicate that the supplier capabilities mediate the direct effect of customer pressure on the adoption of GSCM practices for focal firms. Specifically, we find a full mediation effect of supplier capabilities for higher-tier (i.e. OEM and system supplier) firms and a partial mediation effect for lower-tier (i.e. component and raw material) firms. Our findings provide support for the RDT perspective regarding GSCM. The focal firm’s adoption of GSCM practices as a response to customer pressure is dependent on the level of green resources and capabilities available from their suppliers. The level of such resource dependence varies between focal firms at higher- and lower-tier positions in a multi-tier supply chain.
Effect of feed restriction on the maintenance energy requirement of broiler breeders

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ad libitum and restricted feeding regimen on fasting heat production (FHP) and body composition. Methods Twelve Hubbard broilers breeders were selected with the same body weight and submitted in two feeding regimes: Restricted (T1) with feed intake of 150 g/bird/d and ad libitum (T2). The birds were randomly distributed on the treatments in two runs with three replications per treatment (per run). The birds were adapted to the feed regimens for ten days. After that, they were allocated in the open-circuit chambers and kept for three days for adaptation. On the last day, oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured by 30 h under fasting. The respiratory quotient (RQ) was calculated as the VCO2/VO2 ratio, and the heat production (HP) was obtained using the Brower equation (1985). The FHP was estimated throughout the plateau of HP 12 hours after the feed deprivation. The body composition was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning at the end of each period. Data were analyzed for one-way analysis of variance using the Minitab software. Results The daily feed intake was 30 g higher to T2 (p<0.01) than the T1. Also, the birds of the T2 had significatively (p<0.05) more oxygen consumption (+3.1 L/kg0.75/d) and CO2 production (+2.2 L/kg0.75/d). That resulted in a higher FHP 359±14 kJ/kg0.75/d for T2 than T1 296±17.23 kJ/kg0.75/d. In contrast, the RQ was not different between treatments, with an average of 0.77 for the fasting condition. In addition, protein and fat composition were not affected by the treatment, while a tendency (p<0.1) was shown to higher bone mineral content on the T1. Conclusion The birds under ad libitum feeding had a higher maintenance energy requirement but their body composition was not affected compared to restricted feeding.
Comparison of two gap-filling techniques for nitrous oxide fluxes from agricultural soil

Abstract: Micrometeorological methods are ideally suited for continuous measurements of N2O fluxes, but gaps in the time series occur due to low-turbulence conditions, power failures, and adverse weather conditions. Two gap-filling methods including linear interpolation and artificial neural networks (ANN) were utilized to reconstruct missing N2O flux data from a corn–soybean–wheat rotation and evaluate the impact on annual N2O emissions from 2001 to 2006 at the Elora Research Station, ON, Canada. The single-year ANN method is recommended because this method captured flux variability better than the linear interpolation method (average R 2 of 0.41 vs. 0.34). Annual N2O emission and annual bias resulting from linear and single-year ANN were compatible with each other when there were few and short gaps (i.e., percentage of missing values <30%). However, with longer gaps (>20 d), the bias error in annual fluxes varied between 0.082 and 0.344 kg N2O-N ha-1 for linear and 0.069 and 0.109 kg N2O-N ha-1 for single-year ANN. Hence, the single-year ANN with lower annual bias and stable approach over various years is recommended, if the appropriate driving inputs (i.e., soil temperature, soil water content, precipitation, N mineral content, and snow depth) needed for the ANN model are available.
Lunar Tidal Effect on Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Region in China Low Latitude

The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest derived from GPS observations, F2‐layer peak height (hmF2), critical frequency (foF2), and equatorial electrojet (EEJ) in China low latitude are used to study the lunar tidal effect on EIA region for the years from 2006 to 2015. A predominant 14.76‐day periodic component in EIA crest, hmF2, and EEJ concurrently appears in some seasonal intervals, which coincides with the half of the lunar revolution period (29.53 days) and the lunar phase, indicating that the 14.76‐day periodic oscillation in EIA region is modulated by the lunar tide. This 14.76‐day periodic oscillation occurs in all Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter and corresponds to their respective sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) period from 2006 to 2015. In addition, this 14.76‐day periodic oscillation also occurs in other seasons for some years, for example, May and August, in which wave power is sometimes comparable to that in SSW period. The occurrence of the 14.76‐day periodic oscillation and its wave power during non‐SSW seasons in the solar maximum years (2012–2015) is more frequent and higher than that in the solar minimum years (2008–2010). Our results suggest that, besides the NH SSW condition, the solar activity and some other unclear factors are also responsible for the lunar tide enhancement in EIA region.
Diverse B-cell specific transcriptional contexts of the BCL2 oncogene in mouse models impacts pre-malignant development

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma arising from malignant germinal center (GC) B-cells. The genetic hallmark that leads to the development of FL is the t(14:18) which occurs early in the bone marrow during B cell development, thereby placing the anti-apoptotic BCL2 gene under the direct control of the transcriptional enhancers in 3’ of immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IgH 3’RR) and leading to the constitutive expression of the BCL2 protein. To assess the impact of the BCL2 deregulation on B-cell fate and try to reproduce FL development in mice, two models were designed: the Igκ-BCL2 (Knock in of the BCL2 in the light chain Ig kappa locus) and the 3’RR-BCL2 (Transgene containing BCL2 and a micro-3’RR), both containing the full BCL2 promoter region.
Relationship Between Selected Macroeconomic Variables and the Financial Performance of Investment Banks in Kenya

Currently, investment banks in Kenya are facing a lot of challenges due to persistence losses. However, the available studies are inadequate to aid investment banks in overcoming these challenges in Kenya due to mixed findings, resulting in rising uncertainty on equity investments’ performance, leading to massive losses among investment banks. This study, therefore, sought to model the relationship between inflation, GDP, interest rates, exchange rates, and financial performance of investment banks. Arbitrage pricing theory, Modern portfolio theory as well as classical economic theory (flow-oriented model) was used. A causal research design was adopted. The study found that inflation has negative significant influence on financial performance of equity investments among investment banks in Kenya. Also, GDP has positive and significant influence on financial performance of equity investments among investment banks in Kenya. Interest rate was also found to have negative and significant influence on financial performance of equity investments among investment banks in Kenya. In addition, exchange rate has negative significant influence on financial performance of equity investments among investment banks in Kenya. The study therefore recommends any investor including financial investors to methodically analyze inflation trends and understand how it affects the company’s financial performance. Investors must also be in a position to predict the future concerning inflation changes.
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19 Flowering and pollination are key reproductive events leading to mango fruit 20 development. The mango inflorescence is a branched terminal panicle or determinate thyrse. 21 Mango flowers are either male (staminate) or hermaphroditic, containing both stamens and 22 carpels (perfect). Sex ratio (the proportion of perfect to staminate flowers) is a variable 23 component within panicles, trees and among cultivars. Endogenous, genetically regulated events 24 and environmental factors influence sex ratio. Pollen grains are 20–45 µm long. Mango 25 pollination commences with deposition of pollen on the stigmatic surface of the style. Pollen 26 germination is different among cultivars. Mango pollen viability is highest soon after anther 27 dehiscence and rapidly degrades. Mango viability is an important feature for breeding programs. 28 Floral anthesis occurs in the morning or at night depending on cultivar. Mango has self- cross- 29 pollination, self-incompatibility and self-sterility systems; however, some cultivars are semi- 30 compatible or fully compatible. Wind is important in mango pollination. Outcrossing rates using 31 molecular markers have been poorly studied around the world, and more studies need to be 32 conducted in this particular field of research. In vitro mango pollen germination has been used 33 widely. This review provides the current state of knowledge of pollination from a diverse array of 34 environments and climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to tropical environments were 35 mango is grown. 36
Intertwined Signaling Pathways Governing Tooth Development: A Give-and-Take Between Canonical Wnt and Shh

Teeth play essential roles in life. Their development relies on reciprocal interactions between the ectoderm-derived dental epithelium and the underlying neural crest-originated mesenchyme. This odontogenic process serves as a prototype model for the development of ectodermal appendages. In the mouse, developing teeth go through distinct morphological phases that are tightly controlled by epithelial signaling centers. Crucial molecular regulators of odontogenesis include the evolutionarily conserved Wnt, BMP, FGF and sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathways. These signaling modules do not act on their own, but are closely intertwined during tooth development, thereby outlining the path to be taken by specific cell populations including the resident dental stem cells. Recently, pivotal Wnt-Shh interaction and feedback loops have been uncovered during odontogenesis, showing conservation in other developing ectodermal appendages. This review provides an integrated overview of the interplay between canonical Wnt and Shh throughout mouse tooth formation stages, extending from the initiation of dental placode to the fully formed adult tooth.
Some Factors Affecting on Magnetic Characteristic Quantities and Tc Curie Phase Transition Temperature of the Ni Nanoparticles by the Classical Heisenberg Model

This paper investigates the effect of particle size D = 4.51nm, 5.03nm, 5.42nm, 5.91nm, rate of heat 4.10K/s, 4.10K/s, 4.10K/s on magnetic characteristic quantities: Magnetization M, specific heat Cv, energy E, magnetic susceptibility  and Tc Curie phase transition temperature by classical Heisenberg model. The results show when increasing D particle size then Tc Curie transition temperature increases and when increasing rate of heat then Tc decreasing. In addition, there is the influence of D size and heating rate on magnetic characteristic quantities.
Principles of Rapid Weight Loss in Female Sambo Athletes

In combat sports, competitors are separated into weight divisions, to create equality between the athletes. Consequently, rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common practice in combat sports. Although the methods used to induce RWL are similar among athletes, currently, there are limited data concerning the RWL methodologies used by sambo athletes. Therefore, this study aimed at determining RWL procedures among female sambo athletes. Participants in the study were top-level athletes competing at the World Sambo Championship held in Novi Sad. A total sample of 47 female sambo athletes, of whom 24 were seniors (27.3 ± 4 year/age, 1.61 ± 0.09 m/height, 61.8 ± 8.87 kg/weight) and 23 juniors (18.7 ± 0.8 year/age, 1.66 ± 0.07 m/height, 63.7 ± 12.1 kg/weight), were examined in the study. To determine RWL methods, data were collected through a standardized questionnaire. As a result, 88.7% of the female sambo athletes declared that they intentionally cut their weight before the competition. The most commonly used methods were gradual dieting, followed by sauna, fluid restriction, and skipping meals. The most considerable influence on the RWL strategies of athletes came from coaches and personal trainers, while physicians and dietitians were far less influential. The results obtained from this representative sample highlight the most common practices concerning weight cutting prior to competition among females. Therefore, there is a need to inform and educate both athletes and coaches about the potentially harmful effects of RWL in combat sports.
Assessment of nitryl chloride as a missing oxidant in the UK atmosphere

Nitryl chloride (ClNO2) is potentially an important contributor to the troposphere’s oxidising capacity in the UK and European context. A lack of observational evidence means the role of ClNO2 is poorly understood, however, with only two prior publications of European ClNO2 observations – one in the UK and one in Germany. This thesis greatly extends the UK dataset with five sets of ClNO2 measurements made on Leicester University’s campus and two datasets from coastal locations (Weybourne in North Norfolk and Penlee Point near Plymouth). ClNO2 forms at night from the heterogeneous reaction of dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), derived from man-made NOx emissions, with chloride-containing aerosol particles (sea spray). ClNO2 photolysis subsequently releases highly reactive chlorine atoms which oxidise volatile organic compounds, enhancing tropospheric ozone production and its associated effects on air quality and climate. A chemical ionisation mass spectrometer operating with iodide reagent ions was used for work in this thesis. This instrument was calibrated for ClNO2 via broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy and for Cl2 via reference standard. Typical sensitivities of 6-13 Hz/pptv were achieved for both ClNO2 and Cl2. The highest ambient ClNO2 concentration observed in this work was 1104 pptv at the Weybourne coastal site, attributed to air from the London outflow. For all sites, air mass back-trajectories showed that high ClNO2 concentrations tended to correlate with chemically-aged air masses that had spent considerable time over land. Indeed ClNO2 was observed almost every night at Leicester, and sea salt was found to be the chloride source even at this inland location. N2O5 availability limited ClNO2 production at both coastal sites. Nitryl chloride displayed strong seasonality. Repeat measurements at Leicester showed ClNO2 was highest in winter and lowest in summer. ClNO2 was also observed to persist throughout the day on several days in December 2014 and February 2016.
Improving service brand personality with augmented reality marketing

Purpose Augmented reality (AR) apps offer a great opportunity for brands to provide better service to customers by creating augmented customer service. However, not every AR app is equally effective in improving customer experience. Investigation of underlying processes and brand-related outcomes of AR marketing remains scarce and it is unclear how different types of AR apps influence brand perceptions, such as brand personality. This paper aims to fill in this knowledge gap and provide practical insights on how different AR apps can improve service brand personality. Design/methodology/approach Using an experimental plan, the authors investigate how attitudes towards AR apps contribute to customer perceptions of brand personality (i.e. excitement, sincerity, competence and sophistication) according to two different variables, namely, the location of the AR app (location-specific vs non-location-specific) and its orientation (augmenting the product, brand or store experience). The authors also examine the effect of expected customer experience with the AR app (i.e. playfulness and pleasure) and customer technological innovativeness and shopping orientation as predictors of attitudes towards the AR app. Findings The findings show that non-location-specific and product-oriented AR apps (i.e. virtual try-on apps) receive more positive evaluations and lead consumers to perceive the brand as more exciting, sincere, competent and sophisticated. Moreover, the playfulness and pleasure experienced with the AR app determine consumers’ attitudes towards the app. Additionally, AR apps improve brand personality perceptions amongst more innovative and adventure-focussed shoppers. Originality/value The authors show that brand announcements on high-technology, customer-oriented service offerings are an effective branding tool. Thus, AR apps perceived as pleasant and playful can signal and improve brand personality.
Salt tectonics in the Thumrait area, in the southern part of the South Oman Salt Basin: Implications for mini-basin evolution

The Upper Proterozoic - Lower Cambrian South Oman Salt Basin contains exploration targets consisting principally of slabs of carbonate encased within the infra-Cambrian Ara Salt. The southern part of the South Oman Salt Basin was reviewed by using a 40 by 50 km 3-D seismic survey, 30 2-D regional seismic lines and 15 wells. The study focused on the evolution of the Ara Salt in relation to the overlying lower Paleozoic Nimr, Mahatta Humaid and Ghudun groups. Deformation of the thick sequence of Ara Salt dominated the history of mini-basins or “Haima pods” that developed above the salt. The syn-kinematic, predominantly clastic units of the Nimr and overlying Mahatta Humaid groups were deposited in the mini-basins above the Ara Salt. These sequences vary greatly in thickness due to salt movement. In seismic cross-sections, the Ara Salt is opaque, and obscured by seismic multiples generated by sub-horizontal reflectors higher in the section. Where internal geometries are imaged, however, complex internal structures are commonly observed. The Ara Salt structures evolved through several stages of deformation that were driven mainly by phases of sediment progradation from the west and northwest. Four main evolutionary phases for the mini-basins have been identified. Pre-existing topography and regional faults also played a role in triggering and delineating the regional salt trends. The basin has retained much the same shape from the Devonian Period until today. In contrast, in northern Oman, six salt domes have pierced the surface due to the reactivation of major basement faults during the late Palaeozoic.
Joint Constraints Based Dynamic Calibration of IMU Position on Lower Limbs in IMU-MoCap

The position calibration of inertial measurement units (IMUs) is an important part of human motion capture, especially in wearable systems. In realistic applications, static calibration is quickly invalid during the motions for IMUs loosely mounted on the body. In this paper, we propose a dynamic position calibration algorithm for IMUs mounted on the waist, upper leg, lower leg, and foot based on joint constraints. To solve the problem of IMUs’ position displacement, we introduce the Gauss–Newton (GN) method based on the Jacobian matrix, the dynamic weight particle swarm optimization (DWPSO), and the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) to realize IMUs’ position calibration. Furthermore, we establish the coordinate system of human lower limbs to estimate each joint angle and use the fusion algorithm in the field of quaternions to improve the attitude calibration performance of a single IMU. The performances of these three algorithms are analyzed and evaluated by gait tests on the human body and comparisons with a high-precision IMU-Mocap reference device. The simulation results show that the three algorithms can effectively calibrate the IMU’s position for human lower limbs. Additionally, when the degree of freedom (DOF) of a certain dimension is limited, the performances of the DWPSO and GWO may be better than GN, when the joint changes sufficiently, the performances of the three are close. The results confirm that the dynamic calibration algorithm based on joint constraints can effectively reduce the position offset errors of IMUs on upper or lower limbs in practical applications.
Utility of Spectroscopic Studies for Quantification of Cefditoren Pivoxil in Commercial Samples

The current study is devoted to suggest new simple spectrophotometric probes for the estimation and quantification of cefditoren pivoxil (CFP) either in authentic or in commercial samples. Three simple kinetic and derivatize sensitive spectrophotometric methods were established. Two kinetic techniques (method A) and (method B) were based on the estimation of CFP using the oxidation properties of alkaline potassium permanganate at ambient temperature and the relation between the reduction in the absorbance of KMnO4 and the added CFP were also investigated. The intensity of absorbance (A) of the colored MnO4- ions were recorded at wavelengths 610 and 525 NM for the two methods, respectively. Method C was based on derivatization of CFP with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate reagent in a basic solution (pH=11) to produce an orange red colored solution exhibited the highest absorption peak (λmax) at 411 nm. The proposed systems displayed linearity over the concentration ranges of 1.0-16.0, 1.0-10.0 and 0.5-7.0 and#181;g mL-1.The suggested systems were validated obeying analytical methodology guidelines and the acceptance criteria for accuracy, precision, linearity, selectivity, and robustness were met in all cases.