Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells from ApoE (-/-) Mice Secrete Biglycan with Hyperelongated Glycosaminoglycan Chains

Atherosclerosis is the major underlying process of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis commences with an initial pre-inflammatory phase of the trapping and accumulation of lipids in the vessel wall and this is followed by an inflammatory response. The trapping of lipids occurs via binding to proteoglycans, specifically biglycan, with hyperelongated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. Models have been developed to study the aetiology as well as the effectiveness of medical and experimental interventions in preventing atherosclerosis. ApoE is an apolipoprotein associated with removal of lipids from peripheral tissues. Disruption of the ApoE gene in C57BL/6 mice produces mice which are ApoE-/- (ApoE deficient) and show elevated plasma lipids and accelerated development of atherosclerosis which is exacerbated on a high fat diet. These mice are widely used in studies of atherosclerosis. We investigated the possibility that changes in the size of biglycan might participate in the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE -/mice. We prepared Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell (ASMC) cultures by the digestion technique from ApoE-/- and ApoE+/+ mice and studied the size of biglycan secreted by both cell types. The biglycan secreted by ASMCs for ApoE -/mice was larger than that from ApoE+/+ ASMCs. The difference was not eliminated by treatment of cells with a high concentration of Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) or by treatment with the PDGF antagonist, imatinib. The size difference was however observed in the small free GAG chains (xyloside GAGs) secreted in cells supplemented with exogenous xyloside as a cellular assay of GAG synthesizing capacity. This result suggests that there is a hyperactivity of the fundamental GAG synthesizing capacity in the ASMCs from ApoE -/mice. These data suggest that hyperelongated biglycan might be contributing to lipid accumulation in ApoE-/- mice used in studies of atherosclerosis and that some of the medical interventions might have an action to reverse this hyperelongation response.
ONLINE VERSUS OFFLINE ENTREPRENEURPERSONALITIES: A REVIEW ON ENTREPRENEURPERFORMANCE

To date, entrepreneurs seem to dominate the establishment of business types. The success of a small-scaled business relies heavily on the owners characteristics, such as their personality. Although vast studies have investigated entrepreneur personality as a success factor in an offline setting, only a handful have looked into the context of online. It is highly probable that a variable or perhaps more from the offline entrepreneur context is (are) missing within the online entrepreneur context. Additionally, new variables are yet to be unraveled in light of online entrepreneurs. The outcomes retrieved from a systematic literature review appear to support this notion. Hence, this study proposes a conceptual framework for online entrepreneur success by emphasizing personality variables. This calls for more empirical testing on the suggested variables in the context of online entrepreneurs shortly.
New herpetofaunal observations from Laos based on photo records

—The results of herpetological surveys conducted throughout Laos in 2016–2019 resulted in significant records at the country and provincial levels for several amphibian and reptile species, other than lizards. Three species, namely Quasipaa verrucospinosa, Gracixalus quangi, and Theloderma lateriticum, were recorded for Laos for the first time. The occurrences of Glyphoglossus molossus, Subsessor bocourti, and Siebenrockiella crassicollis in the country were also confirmed. Species with expanded distributions are represented by new records of Nanorana aenea, Ophryophryne pachyproctus, Xenophrys palpebralespinosa, Glyphoglossus guttulatus, Rana johnsi, Gracixalus quyeti, Theloderma petilum, Zhangixalus feae, Gonyosoma prasinum, Hebius leucomystax, Lycodon futsingensis, Bungarus candidus, Pareas hamptoni, and Trimeresurus gumprechti, which are reported for Laos for the second time. Furthermore, new distribution and natural history data are presented on 27 other poorly-known species from several provinces of Laos. These results suggest that the herpetofaunal diversity in Laos is still underestimated and highlight the importance of conducting further field surveys and elaborating the appropriate conservation actions.
Soil Arthropods in Differently Used Agroecosystems Along an Ecological Gradient in Slovakia

Arthropods are part of important functional groups in soil and little is known about their composition in differently used agroecosystems across larger spatial scales. We analysed the qualitative and quantitative structure of soil arthropods with emphasis on ground beetles in different agroecosystems in relation to the various factors (soil physical properties) that Slovakia as a highly diversified country offers. Research was conducted in 4 different soil types (Arenosol, Cambisol, Fluvisol, Leptosol) at 6 study sites located in three different ecological zones with two different land use types (arable land – AL and permanent grasslands – PG). Ten orders of soil arthropods were identified, of which the most abundant was the order Coleoptera, specifically the Poecilus cupreus species in the Carabidae family. The analysis of variance confirmed significant effect of land use type on arthropod number and ecological gradient on arthropod biomass and soil temperature. The number and biomass of arthropods was nearly twice as high in PG plots compared to AL plots with the exception of two study sites located in sub-mountain and mountain regions with the dominance and proximity of extensive forest and grassland ecosystems. From the ecological gradient point of view, the highest arthropod biomass was recorded in the mountain ecological zone.
Effects of Ultrasound on Fermentation of Glucose to Ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Previous studies have shown that pretreatment of corn slurries using ultrasound improves starch release and ethanol yield during biofuel production. However, studies on its effects on the mass transfer of substrates and products during fermentation have shown that it can have both beneficial and inhibitory effects. In this study, the effects of ultrasound on mass transfer limitations during fermentation were examined. Calculation of the external and intraparticle observable moduli under a range of conditions indicate that no external or intraparticle mass transfer limitations should exist for the mass transfer of glucose, ethanol, or carbon dioxide. Fermentations of glucose to ethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted at different ultrasound intensities to examine its effects on glucose uptake, ethanol production, and yeast population and viability. Four treatments were compared: direct ultrasound at intensities of 23 and 32 W/L, indirect ultrasound (1.4 W/L), and no-ultrasound. Direct and indirect ultrasound had negative effects on yeast performance and viability, and reduced the rates of glucose uptake and ethanol production. These results indicate that ultrasound during fermentation, at the levels applied, is inhibitory and not expected to improve mass transfer limitations.
WOOD PARTICLEBOARDS REINFORCED WITH THERMOPLASTICS TO IMPROVE THICKNESS SWELLING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The manufacture of forest products with high physical and mechanical properties contribute to the development of the forest industry in obtaining more resistant products with potential in the construction sector. In this context, to contribute to the study of reconstituted panels this article discusses the manufacture of panels reinforced with recycled thermoplastics (WPC), which had as raw material sawdust of Pinus caribaea and as recycled thermoplastics polyethylene terephthalate, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene. The panels were obtained by extrusion and developed in four treatments with different proportions of raw material. Thickness swelling rates of the manufactured WPC were evaluated by immersing them in water at room temperature and monitoring thickness changes for several weeks. A swelling model developed by Saeed Kazemi Najafi was used to study the thickness swelling process of WPC. The WPC were characterized by thickness swelling, apparent density, static blending, longitudinal compression and tensile strength. The treatment with 50% sawdust and blend of all thermoplastics (T5) showed a tendency to reduce the thickness swelling because it absorbs 0.28% of water and maintains the balance of water absorption in 16.2% the apparent density was 1206 kgm-3. For the mechanical properties, the static blending, longitudinal compression and tensile strength are around 24.6, 142.4 and 32.8 MPa, respectively. These characteristics make a treatment the best response. Hence, is suggested this board be used for structural applications, such as interior or exterior walls, since the water absorption index is low and high mechanical properties allow being more resistant. v.24 n.4 2018 WOOD PARTICLEBOARDS REINFORCED WITH THERMOPLASTICS TO IMPROVE THICKNESS SWELLING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Cardioprotective effect of ivabradine via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α
signaling pathway in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury
induced in H9c2 cell

Post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction (PRMD) is the most severe myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and is characterized by difficult treatment and poor prognosis. Research has shown the protective effects of the rational use of ivabradine (IVA) against PRMD; however, the molecular mechanisms of IVA remain unknown. In this study, an ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model was established using hypoxic chambers. The results demonstrated that pretreatment with IVA reduced IRI-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. IVA attenuated mitochondrial damage, eliminated excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressed IRI-induced ATP and NAD, and increased the AMP/ATP ratio. We further found that IVA increased the mRNA levels of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and upregulated the expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α proteins. Interestingly, no change in AMPK mRNA levels was observed. Cardiomyocyte energy metabolism significantly changed after IRI. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the cardioprotective effect of Ivabradine via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced in H9c2 cell.
Artificial Activation of Mouse Oocytes with SrCl2 with Minimal Detrimental Effect on Early Embryonic Development

Arslan Mahmood Ahmad1, Muhammad Ameen Jamal1, Abdul Sattar1, Aamir Ghafoor2, Aqeel Javeed3 and Amjad Riaz1* 1Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 2Department of Microbiology, University Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Bio-Sciences, University of veterinary and animal sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Estimation of crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling of baby corn using CROPWAT model

Land and water resources are finite and their management is crucial for improving food security in the country. Adoption of drip irrigation proved to be technically feasible and helps in saving significant amount of water and increase the quality and quantity of produce. Now, there is a need to decrease consumption, improve management of water resources and determine the water requirements of the major crops because agriculture is the first consumer of water in India. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) CROPWAT 8.0 simulation software and the CLIMWAT 2.0 tool attached to it have been used in this research to find the crop water requirements (CWRs) and irrigation scheduling for baby corn crop. Baby corn is a unique cereal with high nutritional value. The demand for baby corn is rapidly increasing in urban areas in India. A field experiment was conducted by using a split plot design with four replications, five irrigation intervals, namely, 100 % ET, 90 % ET, 80 % ET and 70 % ET were used. The results revealed that the estimated crop evapotranspiration baby corn is 244.8 mm.
German Consumers’ Perceptions of Organic Wine—A Qualitative Approach

This study aims to examine what German wine consumers know and think about organic wine. It also investigates the effects that knowledge and attitudes have on wine purchasing decisions. Data for this survey were collected using a qualitative approach, with 12 focus group discussions at three different locations in Germany, observations of wine choices and an acceptance test to assess consumers’ knowledge of and reactions to organic wine. Most wine consumers are unaware if a wine is organic when they purchase it. A general skepticism and lack of knowledge about organic wines undermine any active demand for these products. Information and comparisons between the production of organic and conventional wines can improve awareness and consideration of the organic variety and increase consumers’ willingness to buy organic wine. To increase the active demand for organic wine, its attributes need to be communicated to consumers. This can be achieved by improving the visibility of organic certification, conducting information campaigns to inform consumers about wine and organic wine production and collaborating with organic wine associations to advance the public image of organic wines.
Total humerus replacement for Ewing sarcoma in adolescent patient: a case report in Vietnam.

Introduction: The humerus is a relatively common location of malignant bone tumor in general and Ewing sarcoma in particular. However, total humerus replacement after humeral tumor resection is still a fairly rare and challenging surgery for surgeons. Case presentation: A 14-year-old man was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. The patient underwent a total humerus replacement and neoadjuvant chemotherapy before and after the surgery. At 6 months post-operative, he was able to return to normal activities with good hand and elbow functions, although limited shoulder movement. MSTS score was 76.7%. There were no significant complications as well as local recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: Total humerus replacement surgery for the patient of Ewing sarcoma of the humerus had initial positive results. However, the patient needs to follow up longer to evaluate the complications related to the prosthesis as well as the recurrence and metastasis of the tumor.
Electronic structure considerations for methane activation by third-row transition-metal ions

Methane is spontaneously dehydrogenated in the gas phase by many metal ions of the 5d transition series. In most cases, the MCH{sub 2}{sup +} produced undergoes further reactions, leading eventually to products such as WC{sub 8}H{sub 16}{sup +}. The reactivity of the third-row transition-metal ions, both bare and with simple ligands, may be explained in terms of electronic structure considerations. Promotion energy, exchange energy, and the relative and absolute sizes of the valence s and d orbitals all appear to be important.
New insights into creatine transporter deficiency

Creatine (Cr) transporter deficiency (CCDS1) is a very rare and severe condition due to impaired energetic metabolism. In this work we showed for the first time the following facts: this diseases is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which a set of maladaptive compensatory mechanisms leads to a progressive damage of brain functions; cell energy metabolism and mitochondria seem strongly involved in the pathogenesis and they could represent useful potential targets for therapeutic interventions; inflammation seems to play an important part in this progressive damage, and this observation can pave the way to treatment strategies; neural circuits disruption involving inhibitory systems could give a huge contribute to many of the clinical aspects observed in patients, as epilepsy and cognitive impairment, since the excitatory/inhibitory balance is fundamental for the normal function of neural circuits. Factors outside the CNS are important in the pathogenesis of at least some aspects of the disorder, since the conditional KO model show difference in the timing of onset of some cognitive defects and in the presence of stereotypies.
Bone marrow transplantation rescues monocyte recruitment defect and improves cystic fibrosis in mice

In this study, we demonstrate that correcting the monocyte adhesion defect in CFTRΔF508 mice (CF mice) by bone marrow transplantation significantly improved survival and reduced inflammation. Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-threatening disease accompanied by repeated lung infections and multi-organ inflammation that affects tens of thousands of people worldwide. The causative gene, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is mutated in CF patients. Monocytes from CF patients show a deficiency in integrin activation and adhesion. Since monocytes play critical roles in controlling infections, defective monocyte function may contribute to CF progression. In this study, we demonstrate that monocytes from CFTRΔF508 mice (CF mice) show defective adhesion under flow. Transplanting CF mice with wild-type bone marrow after sublethal irradiation replaced most (60-80%) CF monocytes with wild-type monocytes, significantly improved survival, and reduced inflammation. Wild-type/CF mixed bone marrow chimeras directly demonstrated defective CF monocyte recruitment to the bronchoalveolar lavage and the intestinal lamina propria in vivo. Our findings show that providing wild-type monocytes by bone marrow transfer rescues gastrointestinal (GI) mortality in CF mice, suggesting that wild-type bone marrow stem cells might mitigate CF inflammation.
Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Deposition and Gene Expression Profiling of Abdominal Fat in Broiler Chickens

The aim of this study was to study the regulation of abdominal fat deposition by DL-α-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) in broilers. Diets supplemented with 50 IU vitamin E significantly diminished abdominal fat deposition in broilers at day 35. Transcriptome sequencing results for abdominal fat tissues of the control (FC) and 50 IU vitamin E-supplemented (FT) groups identified 602 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were enriched in cellular process, cell and cell part, and binding Gene Ontology terms. Pathway functional analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in 42 metabolic pathways. Notably, the most enriched pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis, was found to play a key role in lipid metabolism. Further, the key regulators of lipid metabolism, including fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha, and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1, demonstrated decreased expression following vitamin E supplementation. Herein, we have identified pathways and genes regulated by vitamin E, thereby providing novel insights into the nutrients regulating abdominal fat deposition in broilers.
Effects of supplemental irrigation on yield and yield attributes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in western Ethiopia

Terminal moisture stress is one of the major factors that reduce the yield of chickpea when it is grown using residual moisture. Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2015/16 and 2016/17) at Teda research site, northwestern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of Supplemental Irrigation (SI) on yield and yield attributes of chickpea ( Habru variety). The treatments comprised of six SI levels (no SI/rain-fed, SI at: 50% flowering, 50% pod setting; vegetative + 50% flowering, vegetative + 50% pod setting stages). The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and means were separated by least significant difference test. The result showed that the effect of SI on water use efficiency, yield and most yield components of chickpea such as weight of 100-seed, biomass yield, number of secondary branch, pods and seeds plant -1 was significant. SI generally decreased the water use efficiency of chickpea compared to rain-fed condition. Based on two-year result, SI twice at vegetative + pod setting produced maximum seed yield (30.02 q ha -1 ), which was at par with that of SI twice at vegetative+ flowering (29.30 q ha -1 ) and once at vegetative stages (29.17 q ha -1 ). SI once at vegetative, twice at vegetative + flowering and twice at vegetative + pod setting stages increased seed yield by 12, 17 and 19% in 2015; and by 35, 24 and 36 % in 2016, respectively, compared to rain-fed condition. SI once at vegetative stage provided maximum net benefit (45880.40 ETB ha -1 ), with a marginal rate of return (477%) greater than minimum acceptable level (100%). Moreover, it had the highest water use efficiency among SI treatments. Therefore, SI once at vegetative stage can be recommended as the best management option for chickpea production in the study area.
Firm Age, Productivity, and Intangible Capital

We examine the role of intangible capital investment in firm growth in sales and productivity over age. To this end, we first document how firm sales evolve with age using a large dataset from Japan covering the periods of 1991 and 1994-2015. Second, we construct a model to show the relationship between firm sales and the three parameters: markup, physical productivity (TFPQ), and factor price distortion, which vary across firms and over time. We estimate these parameters at the firm-year level using the dataset and quantify the impacts of each parameter on sales growth by simulating the hypothetical sales growth with each parameter fixed to the initial value for each firm. Third, we estimate the effects of intangible capital on sales through each parameter of sales. Our findings can be summarized as follows. First, firm sales grow with age up to about 30 years after entry. Second, TFPQ increases with firm age and has dominant effects on sales growth compared to markup and factor price distortion. Third, intangible capital has significant effects on sales growth through TFPQ. Among the three types of intangible capital, organizational capital accounts for a major portion of sales growth.