Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application and optimization of solid-state fermentation process for enhancing polygalacturonase production by Penicillium expansum

Penicillium expansum 3.5425 was applied in solid-state fermentation (SSF) of agricultural wastes for polygalacturonase biosynthesis. Among various carbon additives, apple pomace was most suitable for the biosynthesis of polygalacturonase (1440.57 U/g). Optimization of medium parameters using rotational orthogonal design (ROD) experiment combined with optimal fermentation conditions resulted in a 2.72-fold increase in the polygalacturonase production. By using ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography, the polygalacturonase produced by P. expansum 3.5425 was finally purified which had specific activity of 19269 U/mg and molecular weight of 30 kDa. The enzyme was remarkably active in the pH range of 3-5 and at 50°C, which makes it more acceptable in the industrial application. Besides, partially purified polygalacturonase (875.15 U/mL) was used for apple juice clarification and the clarity at 0.4 mL/kg was maximum, which reveals a great potential of polygalacturonase in food industry. Keywords: solid-state fermentation (SSF), polygalacturonase, Penicillium expansum, juice clarification, agricultural wastes DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe. 20181106.3673 Citation: Zhu M M, He H J, Fan M T, Ma H J, Ren H W, Zeng J, et al. Application and optimization of solid-state fermentation process for enhancing polygalacturonase production by Penicillium expansum. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(6): 187–194.
Micropropagation of ‘Chester thornless’ Blackberry Cultivar using Axillary Bud Explants

Sexual propagation is not suitable for production of true to type plants for commercial cultivation of selected cultivars due to the having heterozygous characteristics. Rubus species are highly heterozygous and therefore when they are propagated by seeds the high plant variability is obtained. Micropropagation methods became very important and have many advantages compared to the classical propagation methods. In Turkey, blackberries are commonly propagated by hard and soft wood cuttings, by layering and bush division. Propagation by layers requires rather large area for a layered, and weed control among the layers is a problem. However, propagation by cuttings is connected with important problem in inadequate rooting, especially in ‘Chester Thornless’ cultivar, which is one of the most commercially grown cultivar. In addition, limited number of plants can be propagated using classical propagation method and thus demand of growers for the plants can not be satisfied. Optimized and highly efficient regeneration protocols are also important for genetic transformation for improving of new cultivars. In this study we focused on optimization of protocol for in vitro propagation of ‘Chester Thornless’ blackberry cultivar using nodal segments. For this purpose, explants were cultured on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with combination of plant growth regulators BAP (1.5, 2, 3 mg/l) with NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/l) to detect the best multiplication medium. According to the obtained results, the highest proliferation rate was obtained for cultivar ‘Chester Thornless’ that produced 9.66 shoots on a medium containing 2 mg/I BAP+0.2 mg/I IBA combination. GA3 effects on multiplication rates were also studied and generally the highest rates obtained by while GA3 were not used. For the rooting, different concentrations of IBA and NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/I) were compared. A concentration of 0.4 mg/l NAA gave the greatest number of roots and maximum root length.
Influence of β-glucanase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and meat quality in broilers fed wheat–barley–soybean diet

A total of 600 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens with an average body weight of 43.00 ± 0.42 g were used in a 35 d growth assay to investigate the supplemental effects of three levels (600, 1200, and 1800 β-glucanase units kg−1) of β-glucanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and meat quality in wheat–barley–soybean-meal-based broiler diet. During days 19–35 and overall period, chickens’ body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) improved linearly following the levels of β-glucanase supplementation. The digestibility of crude protein and gross energy were significantly (P < 0.05) increased linearly with the levels of β-glucanase supplementation. Significant linear increase (P < 0.05) due to increasing β-glucanase supplementation was observed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Increasing β-glucanase supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) the meat quality. In conclusion, broiler diets supplementation with increasing β-glucanase could improve the growth performance, enhance the digestibility, and modulate the concentrations of BUN linearly. Meat quality was not influenced.
Comprehensive analysis of miRNA and protein profiles within exosomes derived from canine lymphoid tumour cell lines

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles released from almost all cell types, which play roles in cell-cell communication. Recent studies have suggested that microenvironmental crosstalk mediated by exosomes is an important factor in the escape of tumour cells from the anti-tumour immune system in human haematopoietic malignancies. Here, we conducted comprehensive analysis of the miRNA and protein profiles within the exosomes released from four canine lymphoid tumour cell lines as a model of human lymphoid tumours. The results showed that the miRNAs and proteins abundantly contained in exosomes were similar among the four cell lines. However, the profiles of miRNA within exosomes differed among the cell lines and reflected the expression pattern of miRNAs of the parent cells. In the comparison of the amounts of miRNAs and proteins among the cell lines, those of three miRNAs (miR-151, miR-8908a-3p, and miR-486) and CD82 protein differed between exosomes derived from vincristine-sensitive and resistant cell lines. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the biological functions of the exosomal contents in the microenvironmental crosstalk of lymphoid tumours.
A Hypothesis-Generating Study of the Combination of Aspirin plus Macrolides in Patients with Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia

While the inflammatory response to severe pneumonia is paramount in limiting and resolving the infection, excessive inflammation can lead to deleterious effects. We theorized that patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who were treated with macrolides and aspirin would receive benefit beyond that of conventional antibiotic therapy. ABSTRACT While the inflammatory response to severe pneumonia is paramount in limiting and resolving the infection, excessive inflammation can lead to deleterious effects. We theorized that patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who were treated with macrolides and aspirin would receive benefit beyond that of conventional antibiotic therapy. An observational study was conducted with patients with severe CAP. All patients were admitted to 5 teaching hospitals (in Italy, the United States, Japan, and China), and data were gathered from their electronic medical records. Severe pneumonia was defined according to Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society criteria. Patients were divided into 4 groups, i.e., (i) the aspirin-only group (ASG), (ii) the macrolide-only group (MG), (iii) the aspirin plus macrolide group (ASMG), or (iv) the neither aspirin nor macrolide group (NASMG). Survival rates for the 4 groups were evaluated after adjustment for confounders and after weighting by propensity score. A total of 1,295 patients were included in the analysis. There were 237 patients (18.3%) in the ASG, 294 (22.7%) in the MG, 148 (11.4%) in the ASMG, and 616 (47.6%) in the NASMG. The mortality rate at 30 days was 15.5% in the ASMG, compared to 28.2% in the NASMG, 23.8% in the MG, and 21.1% in the ASG. After propensity score analysis, receipt of aspirin plus macrolide (hazard ratio, 0.71 [95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.88]; P = 0.002) was associated with a higher 30-day survival rate. This is a hypothesis-generating study in which data suggest that the combination of aspirin plus a macrolide improves 30-day survival rates for patients with severe CAP. Further randomized studies will need to be undertaken to confirm this phenomenon.
Normative Multiculturalism in Socio-Political Context

Normative multiculturalism refers to individuals’ perceptions about the extent to which interactions between culturally diverse groups, multicultural policies and practices, and diversity-valuing ideologies are common or normative in one’s society. In this paper, we explore these dimensions of normative multiculturalism as predictors of social connectedness (trust) and psychological well-being (flourishing) in two socio-political contexts: The United States and the United Kingdom. Two hundred and eighty-four residents (143 Hispanics and 141 non-Hispanic Whites) in the United States and 375 (125 British Indians and 250 British Whites) participated in the research. The results revealed that normative Multicultural Ideology predicted greater trust and normative Multicultural Contact predicted greater flourishing in both countries; however, minority-majority group status moderated the effects in different ways in the two contexts. The positive effects of normative multicultural ideology were confined to Hispanics in the United States, while in the United Kingdom it held for both groups with the effects being stronger for Whites. In addition, the positive effects of normative multicultural contact on flourishing was stronger for Indians than for Whites in the United Kingdom. The findings are discussed in relation to socio-political context and group characteristics along with limitations of the research.
Central office foci and principal data use: A comparative study of equity-focused practice in six districts

In this comparative study, I examine principal data use in two sets of districts. One set of three districts has a district-wide focus on using data to improve instruction, and the other set, also with three districts, has a district-wide focus on analyzing disaggregated data by student demographic groups. Data sources include interviews with principals in each set (18 from data-focused districts, and 9 from disaggregation-focused districts), and analysis focuses on ways that they talk about analyzing data in relation to district expectations and equity. Findings showed that each set of principals shared a different approach to data, either performance-focused or demographic-focused, suggesting the central role of the district in guiding how data are used at the building level. I conclude with implications for practice, policy, and research.
Synergistic improvement of mechanical and magnetic properties of a new magnetorheological elastomer composites based on natural rubber and powdered waste natural rubber glove

Recycling of rubber waste and finding the effective methods to extend its use are one of major challenges nowadays. In the present study, waste natural rubber glove (wNRg) was used in an attempt to extend its use and create a value-added composite based on natural rubber (NR) and wNRg. Another interesting focus was to develop such material into a new Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE). This MRE can be prepared by incorporating Ferromagnetic particles namely carbonyl iron (CI) to the rubber composite. Carbon black (CB) was also added to obtain MRE with remarkably mechanical properties. CI was fixed at 60 phr where the CB was varied from 10 – 30 phr. Higher thermal conductivity and magneticity in nature of CI had made the composites faster cure and higher magnetic strength. On the contrary, superior tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break were found in the presence of CB. From the experimental results, hybridization of 60/10 phr/phr of CI and CB is highly suggested to gain the synergistic strength and magneticity. This is expected to solve a big problem in the application of MRE.
Hyers-Ulam stability additive β-functional inequalities with three variables in non-Archimedean Banach space and complex Banach spaces

In this paper we solve additive β-functional inequalities with three variables and their Hyers-Ulam stability in nonArchimedean Banach spaces as well as in complex Banach spaces. It is shown that the solutions of first and second inequalities are additive mappings. Then Hyers-Ulam stability of these inequalities is studied and proven.
Thermal tolerance and aerobic scope of tetra hybrid tilapia Pargo UNAM

Fish actively select an adequate environment that fits their optimum culture/preferred temperature, this mechanism is called thermoregulatory behavior. However, what exactly is this mechanism, how does it work and what can we learn from it? Helped by their thermal limits, fish avoid temperature variations not favorable for their maximum growth. They find a thermal window where optimal temperature culture is located and use it in the best way possible for all activities. The present study is based on thermal biology studies, and its purpose is to learn the aerobic scope functions on Pargo-UNAM juveniles. The importance of this study is related to the fact that Pargo-UNAM fish, being a hybrid, has five different genetic backgrounds. We found that acclimation temperature influenced the preferred temperature of Pargo-UNAM, having a metabolic adjustment in the 20-32oC range; the Final preferendum obtained was 29.5oC. The maximum and minimum range of critical thermal limits was between 39.2-43.5oC and 8-14.9oC, respectively. The thermal window had an area of 355.2oC2 . The acclimation response ratio had a 0.40-0.35 interval for CTMax, and 0.52-0.69 for CTmin. Chase method used in Pargo-UNAM caused a maximum aerobic scope at 29oC. Blood lactate concentration was the highest in fish acclimated at 20oC; these values decreased while acclimation temperature increased. Results from Pargo-UNAM juveniles showed that these can be grown successfully in a 26-32oC temperature range, with their greater performance at 29oC, where the aerobic scope was at its maximum capacity
The Effect of Trichoderma Isolates on Morpho-Physiological Changes of Polianthes tuberose Under Drought Stress Conditions

In order to evaluate the effect of different Trichoderma isolates on reducing the effects of drought stress on Polianthes tuberose flower, two factorial experiments were carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications. In the first and second experiments, the first factors were Bi and 65 isolates of Trichoderma harzianum at three levels (0, 10, 20% v/v) and the second factor in both experiments was three levels of drought stress (25, 50, 100% field capacity). The results showed that both isolates increased biomass fresh and dry weights and root dry weight of Polianthes tuberosa plants exposed to stress conditions. Biomass fresh weight was increased by 4 g at 25% stress level by the isolate Bi and 14 g by the isolate 65, indicating the growth of this flower in the presence of Trichoderma fungus. The amount of proline in the treatment of isolate 65 at 20% stress level was increased compared to other levels of the fungus at 25 and 50% stress levels. Relative water content and leaf green area were enhanced when the two fungal isolates were applied under increasing stress levels. In general, it seems that the isolates Bi and 65 of Trichoderma harzianum have different effects under drought stress conditions.
Image Deconvolution Techniques for Single Molecule Studies

One of the principal challenges in the field of biophysics, particularly that of protein-nucleic acid interactions, is the need to analyze information from single proteins as opposed to ensembles of many molecules. Consequently, the advent of highresolution imaging in single molecule microscopy has enabled researchers to probe the underlying processes of gene regulatory networks and other biological systems. There is, nonetheless, a tradeoff between spatial and temporal resolution, or the ability to localize a molecule in space at increasingly shorter time scales. As such, this dissertation addresses these challenges that hinder single molecule studies by: (i) developing deconvolution techniques in order to localize both immobile and dynamic molecules from their single images with improved spatial and temporal resolution, (ii) determining a protein’s diffusive properties with high temporal resolution, and (iii) applying our analytical methods to study model biological systems.
Community Participation In Education: A Case Study Of Taungzalat School In Kalay, Myanmar

This study aimed to investigate the types of community participation in Taungzalat Primary School in Kalay, Myanmar, to provide information in order to develop guidelines, and to enhance community participation in school. A mixed- methods research was employed in this study. Quantitative data were collected from 245 community members using a multiple-response questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion with 19 participants. The data were analysed using Basic Statistics and content analysis and were integrated through triangulation. The results revealed that parents and community members differently involved in children’s learning and school development through all the six types of involvement by Epstein, but their participation was more directly related to student learning improvement than to school development. Community leaders, businesspersons and influential people in the community were involved in school development through PTA, representing the community, in the areas of decision-making, fundraising and school maintenance. Apart from teaching, teachers had roles of facilitating, communicating, networking and mobilizing for school development and students’ success. Research showed that the most common form of participation is resource contribution for school development. Therefore, the research suggests that all stakeholders focus on student learning improvement and on resource contribution for school development.
Googling Unemployment During the Pandemic: Inference and Nowcast Using Search Data: JRC Working Papers in Economics and Finance, 2020/04

The economic crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented in recent history. We contribute to a growing literature investigating the economic consequences of covid-19 by showing how unemployment-related online searches across the EU27 reacted to the introduction of lock-downs. We exploit Google Trends topics to retrieve over two thousand search queries related to unemployment in 27 countries. We nowcast the monthly unemployment rate in the EU Member States to assess the relationship between search data and the underlying phenomenon as well as to identify the keywords that improve predictive accuracy. Drawing from this finding, we use the set of best predictors in a Difference-in-Differences framework to document a surge of unemploymentrelated searches in the wake of lock-downs of about 30%. This effect persists for more than five weeks. We suggest that the effect is most likely due to an increase in unemployment expectations.
Damage to Salamandra infraimmaculata Populations by Human Activity in Creating Water Pits Is a Death Trap in Semi-Arid Habitats

The different breeding sites of Salamandra infraimmaculata on the southern border of its distribution were examined and mapped in order to estimate the damage caused by water holes that could represent death traps for salamanders in xeric habitats. Among the various types of breeding sites (springs, streams, water holes, winter pools and reservoirs), the larvae of salamanders were detected in high numbers in springs and streams (503) and water holes (48), and in relatively low numbers in winter pools. Two water holes were examined in detail to estimate the damage caused to S. infraimmaculata where breeding places are limited. During the winter, both males and females enter a water hole for breeding. The percentage of males in and around the water hole was 42% and that of females 29%. After the salamanders’ oviposition in the water, they try to return to terrestrial habitats, but are unable to do so and lose weight and die. The body mass index (BMI) of salamanders decreases from winter (December) after they move to the water hole to spring (April), when they are found in the water hole. The estimation of potential damage is about 300 mature salamanders annually.
Development of an Innovative Mango’s Wrapper Tool

estimated increase Abstract: This paper presents a new design and development of an innovative tool for wrapping mango fruit by using a mechanism of compression spring. This innovative mango’s wrapper tool is capable to solve the problem faced by mango farmers or entrepreneurs during traditionally wrapping process. Previously, the wrapping process is handled manually by using paper wrapper and rope while ladder is sometimes used for tall trees. 30 mango fruits are picked for size sampling. The diameter for the mature mango fruits is within the range of 5.8cm to 7.9cm. The suitable casing size is determined to be 10cm in which 3.1 cm is the tolerance. The innovative mango’s wrapper tool is designed by using SolidWork 2016. Later, tool fabrication process is carried out including cutting and joining the parts such as steel compression spring, paddle, cable and PVC pipes. The analysis is focused on the compression spring and the maximum force of 45.117N is applied on the pedal to pull the jaws while releasing the rubber band. Meanwhile, the tool is highly efficient and the time for the tool to wrap one mango fruit is 65 seconds compared to 190 seconds by way of traditional method. Significant saving in term of labor workforce is as much as 67% and the ratio of manpower requirements is reduced to 3: 1. Among the factors contributing to the saving are the used of 210cm long pole which eliminate the need of use a ladder. Lastly the tool is lightweight, convenience to use with minimum maintenance.
Common moist diet replacement to promote sustainable Cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus) near- shore farming in Brazil

Cobia is one of the most promising warm water aquaculture species. In Brazil, cobia farming began in 2008 in the state of Rio de Janeiro from experimental scale facilities to regular near-shore farms based on fresh/frozen fish diets composed mostly of Sardinella sp. Despite the encouraging results achieved in the promotion of sustainable cobia farming, we advocate the replacement of fresh/frozen fish by a practical formulated feed. This experiment evaluated the zootechnical performance and environmental efficiency of moist and practical formulated feeds in early grow-out phases in the cycle of cobia nearshore cage culture. Four hundred and twenty juvenile cobia (151 ± 7 g) were fed with moist feed and practical formulated feed for 56 days. Biometrics were taken every two weeks and diets were analyzed for proximate composition, fatty acid composition and pellet quality. Although growth performance was equivalent between treatments, feed consumption and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were different (p < 0.05) and varied according to water temperature. Cobia fed moist feed exhibited an FCR two times higher than those fed formulated feed. Elevated settling speed and low floatability contributed to higher heterogeneity and lower efficiency of fish fed moist diet. Nitrogen excretion rate was reduced (64 %) and protein efficiency ratio elevated (27 %) within formulated diet groups in comparison to those fed moist diet (79 % and 15 %, respectively). The fatty acid profile of cobia muscle was similar across the groups. With no negative effects of diet substitution on production performance and improvement of environmental efficiency, this approach can be applied and advocated globally and contribute to the responsible intensification of sustainable marine fish