Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A First Expression, Purification and Characterization of Endo-β-1,3-Glucanase from Penicillium expansum

β-1,3-glucanase plays an important role in the biodegradation, reconstruction, and development of β-1,3-glucan. An endo-β-1,3-glucanase which was encoded by PeBgl1 was expressed, purified and characterized from Penicillium expansum for the first time. The PeBgl1 gene was amplified and transformed into the competent cells of E. coli Rosetta strain with the help of the pET-30a cloning vector. The recombinant protein PeBgl1 was expressed successfully at the induction conditions of 0.8 mmol/L IPTG at 16 °C for 16 h and then was purified by nickel ion affinity chromatography. The optimum reaction temperature of PeBgl1 was 55 °C and it had maximal activity at pH 6.0 according to the enzymatic analysis. Na2HPO4-NaH2PO4 buffer (pH 6.0) and NaCl have inhibitory and enhancing effects on the enzyme activities, respectively. SDS, TritonX-100 and some metal ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) have an inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity. The results showed that PeBgl1 protein has good enzyme activity at 50–60 °C and at pH 5.0–9.0, and it is not a metal dependent enzyme, which makes it robust for storage and transportation, ultimately holding great promise in green biotechnology and biorefining.
Modeling Unsaturated Soil Response under Suction-Controlled True Triaxial Stress Paths

AbstractResults from a comprehensive series of suction-controlled hydrostatic compression, conventional triaxial compression, triaxial compression, triaxial extension, and simple shear tests, conducted on statically compacted specimens of poorly graded sand with clay, are presented. The experiments were accomplished in a newly developed true triaxial apparatus to test cubical, 7.62 cm (3 in.) side, specimens of unsaturated soil under controlled-suction states and for a wide range of stress paths that are not readily achievable in a cylindrical cell. The key features of the apparatus and a thorough performance verification test program have been documented in a first companion paper. Results from suction-controlled tests performed in the present work were used to calibrate and further validate two of the most popular elastoplastic critical state-based frameworks postulated to date for unsaturated soils, namely, the Barcelona Basic Model and the Oxford Model. In general, predictions of unsaturated soil resp.
New Perspectives for Technological Entrepreneurship in the Age of Change: Between Success and Resilience

Problem: why are some technology entrepreneurship projects successfully, resilient and others not when they are executed in the same ecosystem? Research objectives: to revise conceptual and theoretical portraits of the process of technological entrepreneurship; propose a model that incorporates multidimensional factors that can effectively contribute to the success and resilience of technology entrepreneurship. Methodology: we used the inductive approach and a qualitative exploratory strategy. Private and public companies are our sample for convenience. Results: at the design stage, human capital and relationship capital identify market issues and opportunities. At the implementation and development stage, human capital, relational capital, structural capital, and technological capital are effective levers to generate performance and resilience. Finally, at the marketing and consolidation stage, human capital, structural capital, relational capital, financial capital, and technological capital have an undeniable contribution. But it is above all the integration of all these factors that generates success and resilience. Implications and limitations: the chapter is useful for researchers, entrepreneurs, and governments who will find strategies to enhance the success and resilience of technological entrepreneurship. This research is part of the theory of artificial science. The adoption of an inductive approach and a qualitative strategy is one of its limitations. Future research could use the mixed strategy to extrapolate results.
Gulf Stream flow field and events near 68°W

The SYNoptic Ocean Prediction (SYNOP) experiment was designed to provide an accurate understanding of the energetic mesoscale processes in the Gulf Stream. The Central Array measured velocity and temperature throughout the water column, with horizontal extent large enough nearly to span the meander envelope and Eulerian mean structure of the jet at 68°W. The 55- to 70-km mooring spacing resolved mesoscale eddy interactions with the Gulf Stream, and the 26-month duration allowed stable estimation of long-term mean fields. Six steep meander troughs propagated into or developed within the array, each lasting around 30-60 days, thus impressing a small mean trough near 68°W in the predominantly eastward currents at jet level (1000 m and above). At the deep level (3500m) the mean flow was southwest at the shoreward sites shallower than 4300 m, but it flowed cyclonically around a mean low-pressure anomaly affecting all the deeper offshore sites. The eddy kinetic energy per unit mass (E K ) decreased by a factor of about 2.5 with each depth increment from 400 to 700 to 1000 m but was only a factor of 2 smaller at 3500 m than at 1000 m. Values of E K in the upper central jet (400 m) were 100 to 230 mJ kg -1 and were 4-13 mJ kg -1 at 3500 m. Overall, E K in the upper 1000m at 68°W was higher than previously published values at 55°W. Two extended case studies of meander propagation through the array demonstrate the development and intensification of deep cyclonic and anticyclonic flows beneath the Gulf Stream. The cyclonic flow at 3500m, associated with amplifying meander troughs, often exceeded 0.35 ms -1 , which was much larger than the typical 0.05 ms -1 deep mean velocities.
The Recent foraminifera and facies of the Bass Canyon: a temperate submarine canyon in Gippsland, Australia

This study describes the foraminifera and facies of a large submarine canyon: the Bass Canyon, in the Gippsland Basin off the coast of southeastern Australia. The study incorporates facies analyses and interpretations of three types of foraminiferal distributional data: forms alive at time of collection, recently dead forms and relict forms. Four principle biofacies types occur: (1) middle shelf to shelf-break carbonate sand; (2) oxic upper to middle bathyal carbonate sand and gravel, with abundant bryozoans; (3) reduced oxic middle bathyal carbonate sand and gravel and (4) lower bathyal oxic muddy sand to Globigerina Ooze. Correspondence Analysis of the 61 parameters (percentage abundance of foraminifera and % carbonate) in 36 samples yielded a clear depth-related pattern, although other related parameters such as dissolved oxygen and substrate also exert control on the foraminiferal assemblages. Relict foraminifera are restricted to shelfal depths, shallower than 145 m. This pattern is similar to other shelf regions in Australia, where shelf areas were exposed during the Last Glacial Maximum, reworking shelf facies shallower than 150 m. The distribution of living foraminifera is similar to the distribution of the total assemblage, suggesting that the region has not been significantly mixed by wave, slump or bioturbation processes. The majority of the modern Bass Canyon foraminiferal assemblages are cosmopolitan species, with few (semi-)endemic taxa that are mostly restricted to the shelf. These modern deeper-living forms are more conservative since they evolved in relatively lower stress eutrophic environments than their shallower oligotrophic dwelling contemporaries. The foraminiferal and facies analogues of this study on the Bass Canyon may be used as a modern palaeoenvironmental analyses of the Gippsland and Otway Neogene sedimentary deep-sea successions. This will lead ultimately to a better understanding of the evolution of the basins in southeastern Australia, in an area influenced by the Southern Ocean during the Cenozoic.
The Potential of JAG Ligands as Therapeutic Targets and Predictive Biomarkers in Multiple Myeloma

The NOTCH ligands JAG1 and JAG2 have been correlated in vitro with multiple myeloma (MM) cell proliferation, drug resistance, self-renewal and a pathological crosstalk with the tumor microenvironment resulting in angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. These findings suggest that a therapeutic approach targeting JAG ligands might be helpful for the care of MM patients and lead us to explore the role of JAG1 and JAG2 in a MM in vivo model and primary patient samples. JAG1 and JAG2 protein expression represents a common feature in MM cell lines; therefore, we assessed their function through JAG1/2 conditional silencing in a MM xenograft model. We observed that JAG1 and JAG2 showed potential as therapeutic targets in MM, as their silencing resulted in a reduction in the tumor burden. Moreover, JAG1 and JAG2 protein expression in MM patients was positively correlated with the presence of MM cells in patients’ bone marrow biopsies. Finally, taking advantage of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) CoMMpass global dataset, we showed that JAG2 gene expression level was a predictive biomarker associated with patients’ overall survival and progression-free survival, independently from other main molecular or clinical features. Overall, these results strengthened the rationale for the development of a JAG1/2-tailored approach and the use of JAG2 as a predictive biomarker in MM.
IMPROVING SOIL PROPERTIES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF COWPEA AND SUNFLOWER BY USING CERAMIC WASTE DUST AND INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IN CALCAREOUS SOIL

he objective of this study is to investigate how the use of ceramic waste dust (CWD) and the intercropping systems can impact the properties of soil, growth, yield and its characteristics of cowpea and sunflower under calcareous soil conditions in Ras Sudr region, Egypt, in the years 2020 and 2021. Three CWD (0, 48, and 96 Mg ha -1 ) and five intercropping systems: sole cowpea, sole sunflower, 1:1 sunflower-cowpea, 1:2 sunflower-cowpea, and 2:1 sunflower-cowpea treatments were applied. The findings indicated that the use of CWD and the intercropping system resulted in a decrease in soil pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and hydraulic conductivity while increasing soil organic carbon and soil maximum water holding capacity. Moreover, the application of CWD and the intercropping systems had a significant impact on plant growth index, yield, and the characteristics of cowpea and sunflower. The highest values of plant growth, yield, and its characters were observed in plants treated with 96 Mg ha -1 of CWD. Also, the results indicated that the intercropping systems had a significant impact on all the traits of cowpea and sunflower. The highest yield for sunflower was observed in both pure stand and intercropping mixtures, while for cowpea, it was only achieved in a pure stand planting system. The land equivalent ratio, relative crowding coefficient, and aggressivity indices indicated that sunflower was a stronger competitor than cowpea, and sunflower was dominant, while cowpea was dominated in the intercropping systems. In conclusion, the findings indicated the critical role of CWD and intercropping systems in improving soil properties and enhancing cowpea and sunflower productivity under calcareous soil conditions.
INTERPRETATION OF VITRINITE REFLECTANCE PROFILES IN THE CENTRAL IRISH SEA AREA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TIMING OF ORGANIC MATURATION

The Central Irish Sea area, from Kish Bank to St. George's Channel and Cardigan Bay, consists of a series of Late Palaeozoic to Cenozoic extensional and transtensional basins which have experienced a multiphase inversion history. Potential hydrocarbon source rocks of Carboniferous and Jurassic ages have been recognised in this area. In the Kish Bank and Central Irish Sea Basins, maturation modelling of these source rocks is hampered by the severely truncated rock record and by the relative paucity of vitrinite throughout much of the preserved post‐Palaeozoic (Triassic) section.
Dependence of surface fracture energy on earthquake size: A derivation from hierarchical self‐similar fault zone geometry

Based on the hierarchical self‐similar geometry of fault zones in which fault segments and jogs of different hierarchical ranks are nested, I formulated surface fracture energy of jogs and the mean surface fracture energy averaged over the rupture surface. I incorporated this theory with a new finding that the distribution of microfractures in fault jogs is fractal with a universal fractal dimension of 1.56 (2‐D measurements), and derived the result that both fracture energy of jogs and the mean fracture energy are proportional to the rupture length to the power of 0.56.
Diagnostic accuracy of perfusion-weighted phase-resolved functional lung magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic pulmonary embolism

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of perfusion-weighted phase-resolved functional lung (PW-PREFUL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with chronic pulmonary embolism (CPE). Materials and methods This study included 86 patients with suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), who underwent PREFUL MRI and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). PREFUL MRI was performed at 1.5 T using a balanced steady-state free precession sequence during free breathing. Color-coded PW images and quantitative parameters were obtained by postprocessing. Meanwhile, V/Q SPECT/CT imaging was performed as a reference standard. Hypoperfused areas in the lungs were scored for each lobe and segment using V/Q SPECT/CT images and PW-PREFUL MR images, respectively. Normalized perfusion (QN) and perfusion defect percentage (QDP) were calculated for all slices. For intra- and interobserver variability, the MRI images were analyzed 2 months after the first analysis by the same radiologist and another radiologist (11 years of lung MRI experience) blinded to the results of the first reader. Results Of the 86 enrolled patients, 77 met the inclusion criteria (36 diagnosed with CPE using V/Q SPECT/CT and 41 diagnosed with non-CPE etiology). For the PW-PREFUL MRI, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of CPE were 97, 95, 96, 95, and 98% at the patient level; 91, 94, 93, 91, and 94% at the lobe level, and 85, 94, 92, 88, and 94% at the segment level, respectively. The detection of segmental and subsegmental hypoperfusion using PW-PREFUL MRI revealed a moderate agreement with V/Q SPECT/CT (κ = 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.68). The quantitative results indicated that the QN was lower in the CPE group than in the non-CPE group [median score (interquartile range, IQR) 6.3 (2.8–9.2) vs. 13.0 (8.8–16.7), p < 0.001], and the QDP was higher [median score (IQR) 33.8 (15.7–51.7) vs. 2.2 (1.4–2.9), p < 0.001]. Conclusion PREFUL MRI could be an alternative test to detect CPE without requiring breath-hold, contrast agents, or ionizing radiation.
Surf Zone Hyperbenthos of Belgian Sandy Beaches: Seasonal Patterns

Abstract Since surf zone hyperbenthos, although highly important in local food webs, has often been neglected and very little information is available, a survey of the Belgian sandy beaches was carried out from May 1996 until July 1997. Monthly samples were taken to give a complete record of hyperbenthic organisms occurring in the surf zone of Belgian sandy beaches and to evaluate the intensity by which this surf zone is used. In total 172 species were recorded. The number of species occurring in the surf zone is comparable to that of adjacent areas. As well as true hyperbenthic species, endobenthic and planktonic organisms were sampled. More than 75% of the average total sample composition consisted of mysids, mainly Mesopodopsis slabberi , Schistomysis spiritus and Schistomysis kervillei (holohyperbenthos). Apart from several resident species, active and passive seasonal migration towards the surf zone by a number of species is suggested. A large number of sporadic species adds to the composition of surf zone hyperbenthos. Within the merohyperbenthos, postlarval decapods and fish were the dominant organisms. During the year three recruitment peaks were observed. Average densities per month exceeded 1500 ind. 100 m −2 . Yearly biomass averages ranged from 300 to over 3000 mg ADW 100 m −2 . Densities of the common species are slightly higher in the surf zone than in other habitats, emphasising the importance of the area. Besides a possible nursery function, the surf zone may also be used as a transient area between different habitats. Finally, the influence of several abiotic factors on the hyperbenthic assemblages was evaluated. The main structuring variables determining the occurrence of most of the organisms are water temperature and hydrodynamic factors such as wave height and turbidity. The influence of wave height seems to be two-fold: several good swimmers such as mysids and some fish species are suggested to be able to actively avoid severe wave conditions, whereas other, more planktonic organisms, are passively transported towards the area if wave height increases.
Museum policy in Taiwan and Scotland: a comparative study

This thesis examines the dynamics in the process of cultural policy concerning the museum and gallery sector in Taiwan and Scotland of the United Kingdom. By applying a cross-national comparative methodology, it explores the factors influencing policy development for museums in relation to individual national contexts. The historical outline of the development of museums in relation to the political, economic, social and cultural settings of Taiwan and Scotland respectively informs the various ways in which museums have been perceived and reflects historical outcomes in contemporary policy issues. The study of the structural context of each political system brings to light institutional issues underlying the policy process. Focusing on the governance of publicly funded museums, the thesis investigates the positions of museums within public sector structures, the relationship between museums and relevant bodies at national and local level, and the role of a governing body or representative agency. Also, it looks into approaches to museum governance and resource allocation in relation to the governance models. In order to specify causes and consequences of a museum’s internal operations in response to external forces in the policy process, the thesis investigates six case studies: three cases of Taiwan are the National Palace Museum, the National Taiwan Museum and the Taipei Story House, and three cases of Scotland are the National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Museums and the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery. Different features, diverse operational approaches and challenges facing individual museums with regard to their roots, funding sources and contents are indicated, whereby their relevant contexts are also examined. The research explores the diversity of the museum sector and demonstrates the links between museums’ operation, functions and engagement in policy. To conclude the study, it specifically discusses a number of main points arising from the previous contextual and empirical examination and identifies national differences and limited similarities between Taiwan and Scotland, which ultimately contributes to the knowledge of the complex relations between governments, museums and changing environments in the policy process.
Archean volcanism and sedimentation in the Bousquet gold district, Abitibi greenstone belt, Quebec: Implications for stratigraphy and gold concentration

Research on the nature and distribution of Archean rock types in the Bousquet gold district, Abitibi, Quebec, provides new constraints on deposition, stratigraphy, and gold concentration. Facies changes and textures indicate that within the Blake River Group of the district, basalt to the east is more proximal to an eruptive center which shoaled upward, andesite was deposited in relatively shallow subaqeuous conditions as pyroclastic flow deposits and turbidites around volcanic complexes formed on the basalt eruptive center, and dacite accumulated as lava which erupted into a very shallow subaqueous setting. Turbidites in the Kewagama and Cadillac groups originated from the volcanic complexes and accumulated in the form of subaqueous fans, whereas those in the Pontiac Group are from an unknown source and accumulated on an abyssal plain. In this context, the Cadillac-Larder break formed initially as a low-angle normal fault zone. Field relations and petrography of the rocks in the district indicate that the stratigraphic section consists of generally well preserved and largely informable rock units. Opposing stratigraphic tops in the volcanic rocks of the Blake River and Piche groups suggest that they could be correlatives disposed on opposite limbs of a regional-scale syncline, the axial plane of which passes through the Cadillac Group. Accordingly, the rocks of the Blake River, Piche, and Cadillac groups may be part of a vast, largely subsided and reworked volcanic complex. The shallow subaqueous depositional environment of the andesite and dacite in the Blake River Group could have economic significance because boiling of hydrothermal fluid may have contributed to the concentration of gold in the Bousquet gold district.
Perfectionism and cognitive-behavioural processes in daily work: Implications for self-related perceptions and emotions

ABSTRACT Work-related perfectionism is widespread among employees. Nevertheless, it is largely unclear how perfectionism might impact employees in their daily work. In line with whole trait theory, we took a dynamic perspective to investigate how daily fluctuations in both dimensions of work-related perfectionism (i.e., perfectionistic strivings and concerns) relate to an employee’s daily planning, procrastination, and self-blaming at work. We also examined relationships between these cognitions and behaviours and employees’ work-related self-efficacy and feelings of shame and guilt. During two workweeks, 78 employees completed daily surveys that assessed perfectionistic strivings and concerns as well as planning, procrastination, and self-blaming during work, and work-related self-efficacy, shame, and guilt at the end of the workday. Multilevel path modelling of data from 514 workdays showed that daily work-related perfectionistic strivings related positively to planning and daily work-related perfectionistic concerns related positively to self-blaming. Self-blaming served as a mechanism linking perfectionistic concerns with shame and guilt. Our findings show that both perfectionism dimensions relate differently to employees’ cognitions, behaviours, and emotions in their daily work. Thereby, our study helps to better understand why perfectionism can be both beneficial and detrimental for employees.