Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Cultural Differences between Italian and UK Consumer Preferences for ‘Big Top’ Nectarines in Relation to Cold Storage

Nectarines are perishable fruits grown in Southern Europe, valued for their sensorial properties. Chilling is used in the supply chain for Northern European consumers, while Southern European consumers can access fresh, locally grown fruit or cold-stored supermarket fruit. Cold storage and fruit ripening affect texture and flavour. Here a consumer survey and hedonic testing compared the appreciation of nectarines (cv. Big Top) in Italy and at two UK sites (n = 359). Fruit was at the commercial harvest stage, or stored at 1 °C or 5 °C for seven days, then sampled after two days’ (Italy and one UK site) or four days’ (second UK site) ambient recovery. In the consumer survey, the most important factors involved in purchase decision were ripeness, texture, colour, taste and price. Named varieties were more important to Italian than UK respondents, whilst ripeness, price, taste, blemishes, aroma, and ‘best before date’ were more important in the UK. In sensory analyses, fruits at the commercial harvest stage were preferred to those stored at 1 °C. Preference for the 5 °C stored peaches depended on recovery time. Distinct clusters of peach sensorial attributes were positively or negatively linked to hedonic rating. Factors important in purchase decisions did not affect hedonic rating in the tasting.
Use of a habituation–dishabituation test to determine canine olfactory sensitivity

The habituation–dishabituation (H–D) paradigm is an established measure of sensory perception in animals. However, it has rarely been applied to canine olfaction. It proposes that animals will lose interest in, or habituate to, a stimulus after successive exposures but will regain interest in, or dishabituate to, a novel stimulus if they can perceive it. This study assessed an H–D test's practicability to determine dogs' olfactory detection thresholds (ODTs) for a neutral odorant. A random selection of mixed‐breed pet dogs (n = 26) participated in two H–D tests in a repeated‐measures crossover design. They were first habituated to a carrier odor and then presented with either ascending concentrations of n‐amyl acetate in the known ODT range (experimental condition) or repeated carrier odor presentations (control condition). No single odor concentration elicited dishabituation in the majority of the dogs. However, individual dogs dishabituated at differing experimental concentrations significantly more often than in the control condition (p = .012). These findings provide some tentative support for using this method in studying canine olfaction. However, further assessment and refinement are needed before it can be a viable alternative to traditional ODT measurement.
A 10.8 Gb/s Quarter-Rate 1 FIR 1 IIR Direct DFE With Non-Time-Overlapping Data Generation for 4:1 CMOS Clockless Multiplexer

This brief presents a quarter-rate 1 finite impulse response and 1 infinite impulse response (IIR) direct decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The proposed non-time-overlapping data generation enables the elimination of all two-stacked clocked transistors in the 4:1 current-mode-logic multiplexer of conventional quarter-rate IIR DFEs. Therefore, the feedback delay is improved without static current in the multiplexer of this brief. Fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS, the DFE achieves a power efficiency of 0.43 pJ/b at a data rate of 10.8 Gb/s in 1-V supply. A BER < 10−12 for an eye width of 0.36 UI was verified over a 26-dB PCB channel loss. Core area is 0.00544 mm2.
Functional Crosstalk between PCSK9 Internalization and Pro-Inflammatory Activation in Human Macrophages: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species Release

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease caused mainly by dyslipidemia and is characterized by the formation of an atheroma plaque and chronic inflammation. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protease that induces the degradation of the LDL receptor (LDLR), which contributes to increased levels of LDL cholesterol and the progress of atherosclerosis. Given that macrophages are relevant components of the lipidic and inflammatory environment of atherosclerosis, we studied the effects of PCSK9 treatment on human macrophages. Our data show that human macrophages do not express PCSK9 but rapidly incorporate the circulating protein through the LDLR and also activate the pro-inflammatory TLR4 pathway. Both LDLR and TLR4 are internalized after incubation of macrophages with exogenous PCSK9. PCSK9 uptake increases the production of reactive oxygen species and reduces the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux, while enhancing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through a TLR4-dependent mechanism. Under these conditions, the viability of macrophages is compromised, leading to increased cell death. These results provide novel insights into the role of PCSK9 in the crosstalk of lipids and cholesterol metabolism through the LDLR and on the pro-inflammatory activation of macrophages through TLR4 signaling. These pathways are relevant in the outcome of atherosclerosis and highlight the relevance of PCSK9 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
222-Nanometer Far-UVC Exposure Results in DNA Damage and Transcriptional Changes to Mammalian Cells

Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal tools have recently gained attention as a disinfection strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic, but the safety profile arising from their exposure has been controversial and impeded larger-scale implementation. We compare the emerging 222-nanometer far UVC and 277-nanometer UVC LED disinfection modules with the traditional UVC mercury lamp emitting at 254 nm to understand their effects on human retinal cell line ARPE-19 and HEK-A keratinocytes. Cells illuminated with 222-nanometer far UVC survived, while those treated with 254-nanometer and 277-nanometer wavelengths underwent apoptosis via the JNK/ATF2 pathway. However, cells exposed to 222-nanometer far UVC presented the highest degree of DNA damage as evidenced by yH2AX staining. Globally, these cells displayed transcriptional changes in cell-cycle and senescence pathways. Thus, the introduction of 222-nanometer far UVC lamps for disinfection purposes should be carefully considered and designed with the inherent dangers involved.
Effect of CO2 Content in Air on the Activity of Carbonic Anhydrases in Cytoplasm, Chloroplasts, and Mitochondria and the Expression Level of Carbonic Anhydrase Genes of the α- and β-Families in Arabidopsis thaliana Leaves

The carbonic anhydrase (CA) activities of the preparations of cytoplasm, mitochondria, chloroplast stroma, and chloroplast thylakoids, as well as the expression levels of genes encoding αCA1, αCA2, αCA4, βCA1, βCA2, βCA3, βCA4, βCA5, and βCA6, were measured in the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants, acclimated to different CO2 content in the air: low (150 ppm, lCO2), normal (450 ppm, nCO2), and high (1200 ppm, hCO2). To evaluate the photosynthetic apparatus operation, the carbon assimilation and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured under the same conditions. It was found that the CA activities of the preparations of cytoplasm, chloroplast stroma, and chloroplast thylakoids measured after two weeks of acclimation were higher, the lower CO2 concentration in the air. That was preceded by an increase in the expression levels of genes encoding the cytoplasmic form of βCA1, and other cytoplasmic CAs, βCA2, βCA3, and βCA4, as well as of the chloroplast CAs, βCA5, and the stromal forms of βCA1 in a short-term range 1–2 days after the beginning of the acclimation. The dependence on the CO2 content in the air was most noticeable for the CA activity of the preparations of the stroma; it was two orders higher in lCO2 plants than in hCO2 plants. The CA activity of thylakoid membranes from lCO2 plants was higher than that in nCO2 and hCO2 plants; however, in these plants, a significant increase in the expression levels of the genes encoding αCA2 and αCA4 located in thylakoid membranes was not observed. The CA activity of mitochondria and the expression level of the mitochondrial βCA6 gene did not depend on the content of carbon dioxide. Taken together, the data implied that in the higher plants, the supply of inorganic carbon to carboxylation sites is carried out with the cooperative functioning of CAs located in the cytoplasm and CAs located in the chloroplasts.
Effects of Kiwifruit Rootstocks with Opposite Tolerance on Physiological Responses of Grafting Combinations under Waterlogging Stress

Kiwifruit is commonly sensitive to waterlogging stress, and grafting onto a waterlogging-tolerant rootstock is an efficient strategy for enhancing the waterlogging tolerance of kiwifruit plants. KR5 (Actinidia valvata) is more tolerant to waterlogging than ‘Hayward’ (A. deliciosa) and is a potential resistant rootstock for kiwifruit production. Here, we focused on evaluating the performance of the waterlogging-sensitive kiwifruit scion cultivar ‘Zhongmi 2′ when grafted onto KR5 (referred to as ZM2/KR5) and Hayward (referred to as ZM2/HWD) rootstocks, respectively, under waterlogging stress. The results showed ‘Zhongmi 2′ performed much better when grafted onto KR5 than when grafted onto ‘Hayward’, exhibiting higher photosynthetic efficiency and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage. Furthermore, the roots of ZM2/KR5 plants showed greater root activity and energy supply, lower ROS damage, and more stable osmotic adjustment ability than the roots of ZM2/HWD plants under waterlogging stress. In addition, we detected the expression of six key genes involved in the kiwifruit waterlogging response mechanism, and these genes were remarkably induced in the ZM2/KR5 roots but not in the ZM2/HWD roots under waterlogging stress. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) further demonstrated the differences in the physiological responses of the ZM2/KR5 and ZM2/HWD plants under waterlogging stress. These results demonstrated that the KR5 rootstock can improve the waterlogging tolerance of grafted kiwi plants by regulating physiological and biochemical metabolism and molecular responses.
Quercetin Increases Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Reduces Free Radicals in Neuronal SH-SY5Y Cells

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that causes dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. The mechanism underlying AD is unclear; however, oxidative stress and mitochondrial biogenesis have been reported to be involved in AD progression. Previous research has also reported the reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis in the brains of patients with AD. Quercetin (QE), a type of polyphenol, has been found to be capable of increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in the body. Accordingly, we explored whether QE could reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation caused by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results revealed that QE stimulated the expression of mitochondrial-related proteins such as SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM and subsequently activated mitochondrial biogenesis. Additionally, QE increased ADAM10 expression but reduced H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 expression, and Aβ accumulation in the SH-SY5Y cells. These findings indicate that QE can effectively elevate mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress, making it a promising option for protecting neuronal cells.
A DNA-Damage Inducible Gene Promotes the Formation of Antibiotic Persisters in Response to the Quorum Sensing Signaling Peptide in Streptococcus mutans

Bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) to communicate with each other via secreted small autoinducers produced by individuals. QS allows bacteria to display a unified response that benefits the species during adaptation to environment, colonization, and defense against competitors. In oral streptococci, the CSP-ComDE QS is an inducible DNA damage repair system that is pivotal for bacterial survival. In the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans, the QS system positively influences the formation of antibiotic persisters, cells that can survive antibiotic attack by entering a non-proliferative state. We recently identified a novel gene, pep299, that is activated in the persister cell fraction induced by QS. In this study, we focused our investigation on the role of pep299, a gene encoding a bacteriocin-like peptide, in the formation of antibiotic persisters. Mutant Δ299, unable to produce Pep299, showed a dramatic reduction in the number of stress-induced persisters. Using a co-culture assay, we showed that cells overproducing pep299 induced the formation of persisters in the mutant, suggesting that Pep299 was actively secreted and detected by neighboring cells. Cells exposed to DNA damage conditions activated the gene expression of pep299. Interestingly, our results suggested that the pep299 gene was also involved in the regulation of a QS-inducible toxin–antitoxin system. Our study suggests that the pep299 gene is at the core of the triggered persistence phenotype in S. mutans, allowing cells to transition into a state of reduced metabolic activity and antibiotic tolerance.
Parameter Extraction of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules by INFO Algorithm

This study presents the extraction of unknown parameters of various photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules by using the weighted mean of vectors (INFO) algorithm. The parameter estimation of PV cells and modules is one of the most important issues in the design of effective PV power systems. Since the PV parameters are highly nonlinear and complex in nature, the estimation of these parameters also becomes a challenging optimization problem for designers. The main challenge is to obtain the most accurate estimation. In order to solve the problem in a unique way, the state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms that have not been tried so far in parameter extraction are chosen. The selected ones are the INFO optimization algorithm, the artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA), the artificial ecosystem-based optimization (AEO) algorithm, the runge kutta (RUN) optimizer, and lastly the reptile search algorithm (RSA). The motivation here is to test as many algorithms as possible to reach to the most accurate solution. In addition, the gray wolf optimizer (GWO), the frequently used one in literature due to its superiority in parameter extraction applications, is selected to validate the results of the evaluated algorithms through comparison against the GWO. Moreover, the performances of these algorithms are compared with evaluation metrics consisting of minimum, mean, maximum, standard deviation, and statistical tests using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Friedman test. At the end of the study, it is demonstrated that the INFO, statistically, produces the highest accuracy and reliable results. Due to its statistical success compared to other algorithms, the INFO is used to extract the parameters of a commercially available PV cells and modules. It is clearly shown that the parameters extracted by the INFO closely match the parameters provided by the manufacturer’s datasheet, which points out the superiority of the INFO algorithm in PV modeling.
Pediatric Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Malignancies: From Extramedullary to Medullary Involvement

Simple Summary B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (BCP-LBL) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) are both malignancies of immature B-cells. However, BCP-ALL has been extensively studied and treatment protocols have changed over the last decades, whereas BCP-LBL is quite rare, and treatment has stayed roughly the same. In this retrospective study, we compare the clinical characteristics of a cohort of BCP-LBL patients to a cohort BCP-ALL patients. With the comparison of this unique large cohort of immature B-cell malignancies, we aim to contribute to elucidating whether BCP-LBL and BCP-ALL represent two diseases, or different representations of the same disease. Increasing the understanding of BCP-LBL in comparison to BCP-ALL is crucial for improving treatment and prognosis for BCP-LBL. Abstract B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (BCP-LBL) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) are the malignant counterparts of immature B-cells. BCP-ALL is the most common hematological malignancy in childhood, while BCP-LBL accounts for only 1% of all hematological malignancies in children. Therefore, BCP-ALL has been well studied and treatment protocols have changed over the last decades, whereas treatment for BCP-LBL has stayed roughly the same. Clinical characteristics of 364 pediatric patients with precursor B-cell malignancies were studied, consisting of BCP-LBL (n = 210) and BCP-ALL (n = 154) patients. Our results indicate that based on the clinical presentation of disease, B-cell malignancies probably represent a spectrum ranging from complete isolated medullary disease to apparent complete extramedullary disease. Hepatosplenomegaly and peripheral blood involvement are the most important discriminators, as both seen in 80% and 95% of the BCP-ALL patients and in 2% of the BCP-LBL patients, respectively. In addition, we show that the overall survival rates in this cohort differ significantly between BCP-LBL and BCP-ALL patients aged 1–18 years (p = 0.0080), and that the outcome for infants (0–1 years) with BCP-LBL is significantly decreased compared to BCP-LBL patients of all other pediatric ages (p < 0.0001).
FREQUENCY OF PNEUMOTHORAX IN PREMATURE NEONATES: A STUDY DONE IN NICU

: Objective: Pulmonary air-leakage, pneumothorax [ptx], is a severe life-threatening complication in neonates especially pre mature neonates. The study is focused to assess the factors that predispose the neonates to such complications and the frequency of pneumothorax among the premature low birth weight [lbw] infants, under mechanical ventilation. Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted in 119 Low birth weight premature intubated infants at neonatal intensive care unit of Allied Hospital Faisalabad. This study was done in 18 months from January 2017 to June 2018. Gestational age[GA], Birth weight, sex, initial diagnosis, mode of delivery, respirator settings, 5th minute apgar score and history of surfactant therapy were noted and recorded in all neonates with or without pneumothorax. Multivariate and Univariate regression analysis were done. Results: In our study, 43 [36.13%] infants developed pneumothorax. The mean gestational age of the affected neonates with pneumothorax [case group] was 29±4.19 Weeks and the gestational age of neonates with no pneumothorax [control group] was 30.09±3.01 weeks. The mean birth weight of the infants under study in both the groups were 1295 ± 395gr and 1502 ± 512grams respectively. In the neonates of case group 71% and in the control group 49% were delivered by cesarean section. 55.7% of the infants of case group and 52.9% of the control group were of male sex. No statistical significance was recorded among the mentioned items. Respiratory distress was found to be the most common lung disease in both the groups. The rate of pneumothorax was found to be higher in cases having low apgar score on 5th minute [P=0.006]. The frequency of pneumothorax was recorded to be low in patients who were treated with surfactant therapy [P=0.023]. Only low apgar score at 5th minute increased the risk of pneumothorax. Conclusion: The frequency of pneumothorax in our study was a bit higher than other studies done and the reason may be the assessment of only Low birth weight premature neonates. Only low apgar score at 5th minute increased the risk of pneumothorax. significantly after multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Comparative Effects Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer Sources On Growth, Yield And Nutrient Content Of Okra In An Ultisol In Southeastern Nigeria

This study examined the comparative effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer sources on the growth, yield and nutrient content of okra (Abelmoschusesculentus) in an ultisol at Umudike. The treatments were: 10 tons/ha chicken manure, 10 tons/ha pig manure, 400kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer, 1.0 kg/ha Agrolyser, 10 tons/ha chicken manure plus 400kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer, 10 tons/ha of pig manure plus 400kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer and Control. The treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that the test soil was moderately acidic, with a pH (6.0) and medium in percentage total nitrogen, low in percentage organic carbon (0.71) and low in available phosphorus and exchangeable bases. The okra variety SM 35 was used for the study. The results showed that10 tons/ha chicken manuresignificantly increased plant height, number of leaves of okraover the other treatments. However, at harvest, 1.0 kg/ha Agrolyserand 10 tons/ha chicken plus 400kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer and 10 tons/ha of pig manure plus 400kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer, respectively gave the highest values of number of fruits and fresh fruit weight respectively. The N, P and K contents of okra was also investigated, but the result obtained could not be attributed to the effects of the treatments applied. 10 tons/ha chicken manure plus 400kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer, 10 tons/ha of pig manure plus 400kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer and 1.0 kg/ha Agrolyser were therefore recommended for profitable okra production in the ultisolsof Umudike.
Serological Investigation of Bovine Toxoplasmosis Using Commercial and Indigenous ELISA Kits While Validating Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA Kit

Simple Summary Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by T. gondii infection. The main aims of this study were to assess the seropositivity to toxoplasmosis of an exotic breed of cattle (n = 400) from different farms using the Latex Agglutination Test, validate the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit with the help of the commercially available ELISA kit and compare the efficacy of the LAT and Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit for assessing seropositivity of cattle to toxoplasmosis. Four hundred cattle sera were collected from an exotic breed of cattle in Pakistan. These sera were evaluated through an LAT and Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit. Of 400 samples, 90 were elected and screened through a commercially available ELISA kit. The sensitivity and specificity of the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit came out to be 100% and 96.15%, and in LAT, it was found as 26.31% and 61.53%, respectively. The Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit revealed 29.75% (119/400) seropositivity, 6% less than that found through LAT. The results of this study show that Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit is a highly accurate and reliable serodiagnostic tool to diagnose bovine toxoplasmosis. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded vertebrates, globally. The main aims of this study were to assess the seropositivity to toxoplasmosis of an exotic breed of cattle (n = 400) from different farms using the Latex Agglutination Test and validate Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit. Of a total of 400 cattle sera that were evaluated by LAT, 143 (35.75%) were found positive. Based on these data, 90 samples (n = 60 seronegative by LAT; n = 30 seropositive by LAT) were elected for screening through a commercially available ELISA kit. The same 90 samples were screened through a Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit for validation purposes. Of 90 samples, 40 were seropositive in the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit (100% sensitivity), and 38 were seropositive in a commercially available ELISA kit. All 50 samples in the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit (96.15% specificity) were also seronegative in the commercially available ELISA kit. Hence, the sensitivity and specificity of the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit came out to be 100% and 96.15%, and in LAT, it was found as 26.31% and 61.53%, respectively. Therefore, the Cattle Toxo IgG ELISA kit is a highly reliable serodiagnostic tool to diagnose bovine toxoplasmosis.