Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
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A Nafion=ionophore, 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide) composite coated and bismuth film modified glassy carbon electrode. (GC=NA-IONO=BiFE) was described to determine trace lead sensitively and selectively. The characteristics of such modified GC=NA-IONO=BiFE were studied by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The influence of various experimental parameters upon the stripping lead signal at the GC=NA-IONO=BiFE was explored. Under the optimized conditions, the differential pulse voltammetric stripping response is highly linear over the 0.1–8.0 nM lead range examined (180 s preconcentration at 1.2V), with a detection limit of Received 10 October 2008; accepted 28 October 2008. This work was financially supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-YW-410), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40776058), the National 863 High Technology Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2007AA09Z103), the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province (2006GG2205033) and the Outstanding Youth Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (JQ200814). Address correspondence to Yuane Wang, Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research for Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, P.R. China. E-mail: yewang@yic.ac. cn Analytical Letters, 42: 1000–1013, 2009 Copyright # Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 0003-2719 print=1532-236X online DOI: 10.1080/00032710802585725 1000 D o w n l o a d e d B y : [ C A S C o n s o r t i u m ] A t : 0 1 : 2 3 3 0 A p r i l 2 0 0 9 0.044 nM and good precision (RSD1⁄4 5.4% at 0.5 nM). Also applicability to seawater samples was demonstrated at such modified electrode. The high selectivity of ionophore coupled with the excellent electrochemical characteristics of bismuth endow the GC=NA-IONO=BiFE a promising and robust tool for monitoring of trace lead rapidly and precisely.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Profile of Uropathogens Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Edna Adan Hospital, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Background The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among uropathogens is increasing, especially in resource limited settings due to a number of reasons. The emergence of drug resistance and particularly the production of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) by some strains of E. coli and methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus species, limits the choice of antimicrobials in the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI). However, little is known about the bacteriology of UTI among pregnant women in Hargeisa, SomalilandMethods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period of 1 Feb to 30 May 2019 among pregnant women at Edna Adan Hospital (EAH), Hargeisa. Following the standard procedure, clean-catch mid-stream urine samples were collected and processed for bacteriological culture. A urine sample was considered positive for significant bacteriuria (SBU) when a single organism was cultured at a concentration of ≥ 105 Colony Forming Units/ml. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Ceftazidime (30 µg) and Cefotaxime (30 µg) disks were used for ESBL screening as per CLSI guideline and each ESBL screening positive isolate were phenotypically confirmed by a combination disk test.Results Among 376 study participants, 79 (21.0%) had SBU. Majority at 58(73.4%) of the isolates were Gram-negative. The most predominant isolate was E.coli at 36(45.6%) followed by K. pneumonea 16(20.3%) and S. aureus at 9(11.4%). The proportion of ESBL producing isolates was at 25(32.9%). Gram-negative bacteria showed high level resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, and cephalexin at 87%, 85%, 57%, and 52%, respectively. Previous history of UTI, monthly income, educational status and having dysuria were significantly associated with SBU (p < 0.05). Conclusions Most of the isolates were found resistant to the commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, actions to minimize AMR should be in place to reduce the impact of urinary tract infections among pregnant women. Future large scale study is warranted to find out bacteriological and other factors associated with ESBL producing uropathogenes.
Global transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analyses of growth-stage-specific and hybrid-cultivar-specific drought stress responses in maize

Background Drought is the major abiotic stress threatening maize ( Zea mays L.) production globally. Therefore, deciphering the molecular basis of maize drought tolerance remains pertinent. Results Here, through a comprehensive comparative leaf transcriptome analysis of drought-tolerant hybrid ND476 plants subjected to water-sufficient (control) and water-deficit (drought) treatment conditions at four (V12, VT, R1, and R4) crop growth stages, we report key cultivar-specific and growth-stage-specific molecular mechanisms regulating drought stress responses in maize. Based on the transcriptome analysis, a total of 3451 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the four experimental comparisons, with 2403, 650, 397 and 313 DEGS observed at the V12, VT, R1, and R4 stages, respectively. The expression changes in these genes effected corresponding metabolic pathway responses related to drought tolerance in maize. Subsequently, 3451 DEGs were divided into 12 modules by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), comprising 277 hub genes covering drought-responsive genes involved in water-deficit stress and developmental signaling crosstalk. Interestingly, the co-expressed genes that clustered into similar modules exhibited diverse expression tendencies and got annotated to different GO terms at different stages. MapMan analysis revealed that DEGs related to stress signal transduction, detoxification, transcription factor regulation, hormone signaling and secondary metabolites biosynthesis were universal across the four growth stages. However, the DEGs associated with photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism; protein degradation; transport; and RNA transcriptional regulation were uniquely enriched at the V12, VT, R2, and R4 stages, respectively. Conclusions Our results affirmed that maize drought stress adaptation is a whole-plant response as well as a stage-specific response process. We hope that our findings will aid in clarifying the fundamental cultivar-specific and growth-stage-specific molecular mechanisms regulating drought stress responses in maize. In addition, the genes and metabolic pathways identified here can be valuable genetic resources or selection targets for developing new drought resistant maize cultivars.
Phenotype differences in HLA-b27 positive versus negative patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is one of the strongest known genetic factors associated with the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but approximately 10% of AS patients are HLA-B27 negative. The aim of this study was to compare clinical features and response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor (TNF-? inhibitor) therapy in HLA-B27 positive and negative patients with AS. This retrospective analysis included AS patients treated with TNF-? inhibitor for at least 12 weeks in two referral centers for biologic therapy in Vojvodina province, Serbia. Clinical and demographic parameters were compared between HLA-B27 positive and negative patients. Data from 59 patients (59.32% male) were collected: 49 (83.05%) were HLA-B27 positive and 10 (16.95%) HLA-B27 negative. HLA-B27-positive patients showed higher family aggregation (49% vs. 10%; p=0.033) compared with those who were HLA-B27 negative. In contrast, HLA-B27 negative patients showed a higher prevalence of peripheral arthritis (49% vs. 90%; p =0.032) and longer diagnosis delay (8.42 vs. 5.73 years; p=0.016) but there were no differences regarding dactylitis, enthesitis, uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Also, no differences were observed between HLA-B27-positive and negative patients regarding disease activity prior to TNF-? -inhibitor therapy. All 59 patients who participated in the study has been administered at least one TNF-? inhibitor. The mean age at introduction of TNF-? inhibitor as well as mean disease duration from diagnosis until start of TNF-? inhibitor were similar between groups. HLA-B27 positive patients had a significantly longer drug survival time for first biologics (49.06? 29.22 months), whereas HLA-B27 negative received it for 24.8? 12.25 months (p<0.0000). 4/49 HLA-B27 positive (8.2%) and 1/10 HLA-B27 negative patients (10%) fail to demonstrate efficacy in AS (primary or secondary treatment failure) with no difference between groups. One HLA-B27 positive patient on etanercept developed IBD. All 6 non-responders switched to second TNF-? inhibitor and showed a good clinical response. In our cohort, presence of HLA-B27 was related to greater family occurrence, shorter diagnosis delay and lower peripheral arthritis rate. Moreover, HLA-B27 positive patients demonstrated significantly longer drug survival time for the first biologic then HLA-B27 negative, but non-response rate was similar between groups.
Price Perception and Product Quality on Gas Purchasing Decisions in PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2

This research was conducted aimed to determine the effect of price perception and product quality on purchasing decisions at PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2. The population in this study are all companies that are consumers who purchase gas at PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2 in 2019 as many as 17 companies. The sample used in this study were 102 respondents using a purposive sampling technique. The data collection method uses a questionnaire. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that price perception had a positive and significant effect on gas purchasing decisions at PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2. Product quality has a positive and significant effect on gas purchasing decisions at PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2. By looking at competitors, it is better to immediately improve gas quality. So it has more appeal for consumers so far and prospective customers to continue to make gas purchases from PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2. With good cooperation between PT. Pertamina EP Asset 2 with consumers who are companies that have done so far, it is necessary to increase the quality of the gas produced to give a sense of wanting to make gas purchases.
Innovative technologies for the formation and assessment of competencies and skills in the XXI century

The paper classifies and generalizes innovative technologies for assessing the competencies and skills of the 21st century students in the education system. Taking into account the requirements of the international academic community, criteria for assessing students' competencies in the context of the formation of functional literacy, the ability to study and evaluate independence, global competence and meta-subject skills (soft skills) are considered. The necessity of ensuring continuity of assessment of students' competencies at the levels of general and higher education, as well as the results of formative assessment as an integrative innovative educational technology for the formation, control and evaluation of educational achievements, is emphasized. The possibilities of formative assessment for the development of meta-subject competencies of students are considered. It contains information on the innovative Evidence-Centered Design competency assessment methodology, which contributes to the further development of control and evaluation activities to ensure reliable and valid assessment of students’ achievements and quality assurance in a competency-based approach.
The Adsorption Behavior of Copper Clusters on SiO2 and TiO2 Surfaces: A Computational Study

Depletion of petroleum based fossils fuels provoked the pursuit for generating alternative safe and environmentally clean fuels over the past decade. Hydrogen gas (H2) has long been regarded as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. For instance, fuel cells polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are one of the primary sources as high efficiency energy converting devices. In such processes, producing safe storage of explosive hydrogen gas and circumventing the opportunities of leakage remains a challenging task. Compared to gaseous hydrogen gas storage, on-board hydrogen production by reforming liquid hydrogen carriers will be more promising for future commercialization. Steam reforming of alcoholic sources such as methanol, ethanol or glycerol have been investigated comprehensively for their potential to be converted to hydrogen. Methanol steam reforming (MSR) is considered one of the most favorable chemical processes for on-the-fly hydrogen production for several reasons [2,3]. (i) Methanol is in liquid-state at ambient condition; (ii) it has high H-to-C atom ratio; (iii) requirement of relatively low temperatures (200-400 °C) for activation of methanol and (iv) methanol is sulfur-free and can be easily produced from biomass. Various catalysts have been developed for MSR reactions.
Lymphopenia acted as an adverse factor for severity in patients with COVID-19: a single-centered, retrospective study

Purpose: The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 began in December and rapidly caused a pandemic. To investigate the significance of lymphopenia for the severity of the disease, this study was performed.Methods: 115 patients confirmed COVID-19 from a tertiary hospital in Changsha, China were enrolled. The clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data were collected and compared between patients with lymphopenia or not.Results: The median age was 42 years (1-75). 54 patients (47.0%) of the patients had lymphopenia on admission. In the group of lymphopenia, more patients had hypertension (30.8% vs 10.0%, P=0.006) and coronary heart disease (3.6% vs 0%, P=0.029) and more patients with leucopenia (48.1% vs 14.8%, P<0.001) and eosinophilia (92.6% vs 54.1%, P<0.001) were observed. Lymphopenia was also correlated with severity grades of pneumonia (P<0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (P=0.0014). Lymphopenia was associated with a prolonged duration of hospitalization (17.0 days vs 14.0 days, P=0.002). Moreover, the recovery of lymphocyte appeared the earliest before CRP and chest radiographs in severe cases, suggesting its predictive value for disease improvement. Conclusion: Our results showed the clinical significance of lymphopenia for predicting the severity of COVID-19 and the recovery of the disease, emphasizing the need to monitor the lymphocyte count dynamically.
Dietary Momordica Cochinchinensis aril ameliorates metabolic dysfunction, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and gut microbiota in diet-induced obese mice

Background Obesity and its associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are a particular worldwide health problem at present. Momordica cochinchinensis fruit is consumed widely in Southeast Asia. However, whether it has functional effects on fat-induced metabolic dysfunction and gut microbiota remains unclear. This study was conducted to determine how Momordica cochinchinensis aril (MCA) affects obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver, insulin resistance and gut microbiota in diet-induced obese mice.Methods Wild type male mice at age of 5 weeks received four different kinds of diets: a normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 1% or 3% (wt:wt) lyophilized MCA for 10 weeks. Body weight, adipose tissue and liver weight, serum biochemical parameters, glucose tolerance and liver lipids were measured. Gut microbial composition was analyzed.Results MCA protected the mice against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced body weight gain, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, compared with mice that were not treated. MCA inhibited the expansion of adipose tissue and adipocyte hypertrophy. In addition, the insulin sensitivity-associated index that evaluates insulin function was also significantly restored. MCA also regulated the secretion of adipokines in HFD-induced obese mice. Moreover, hepatic fat accumulation and liver inflammation were reduced, which suggested that fatty liver was prevented by MCA. Furthermore, MCA supplementation suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation by activation of AMPK and PPAR-alpha signaling pathway in the human fatty liver HuS-E/2 cell model. Supplementation with MCA resulted in microbiota populations changed significantly.Conclusion Our data indicate that dietary MCA is involved in the prevention of HFD-induced adiposity, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and altered the microbial contents of the gut and modulated microbial dysbiosis in the host.
Genetic variability and population structure of Saudi Arabia bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by microsatellite markers

Almohisen A. Ibrahem (2020). Genetic variability and population structure of Saudi Arabia bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by microsatellite markers- Genetika, Vol 52, No.3, 943-956. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop. Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure in local landraces would improve the wheat breeding program by more efficient use of genetic materials and management of genetic variation. To address this challenge, a set of thirteen Saudi Arabia wheat landraces was used to assess population structure and genetic diversity. Thirteen landraces were genotyped using eighteen microsatellite markers which revealed a clear polymorphism among these genotypes. In total, 136 alleles from a set of eighteen simple sequence repeats (SSRs) loci on a panel of thirteen wheat landraces were detected. All SSRs loci showed a wide range of allele numbers extended from 3 to 11 alleles with an average of 7.5. Genetic diversity, polymorphism information content and minor allele frequency ranged from 0.26 to 0.50, 0.23 to 0.37 and 0.15 to 0.46 with an average 0.43, 0.33 and 0.34, respectively. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) agreed with the structure analysis. Structure grouped the thirteen landraces into three clear subpopulations. The fixation index (Fst), a measure of population substructure, was 0.217, 0.432 and 0.541 for G2, G1, and G3, respectively. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance recognized 35% variance among and 65% within populations. The present study showed a high genetic diversity between landraces which can be exploited to produce new bread wheat cultivars.
Solids circulation patterns in three-phase fluidized beds containing binary mixtures of particles as inferred from RPT

The motion of binary mixtures of solids in a cylindrical three-phase fluidized bed has been examined using a non-invasive γ-ray emission particle tracking technique. Bubble wake motion and emulsion compensatory descending motion are seen to be the major factors affecting the solids mixing. Bubble rise velocities are found to follow a log-normal distribution and are shown to be weak functions of the degree of mixing of the solids. The mean solids flow patterns reveal a complex gulf streaming with a systematic strong vortex ring in the entrance region rising close to the vessel walls and descending in the centre
Remarkable Superficial Siderosis and Microbleed Restricted in Cortex might be Responsible for Atrophy and Cognitive Decline in Sneddon’s Syndrome

ObjectiveSneddon’s syndrome is a rare non-inflammatory arteriopathy affecting small and medium-sized arteries, characterized by a generalized livedo reticularis and recurrent ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke was reported in limited cases, but microbleeds and superficial siderosis were rarely issued. We aimed to investigate the hemorrhagic imaging features of Sneddon’s syndrome and explore the possible mechanism and clinical relevance.MethodsClinical data and cerebral MR imaging including T2* sequence of 7 consecutive patients with Sneddon’s syndrome were reviewed.ResultsThe most common neurological manifestations were cognitive impairment and stroke attack(71.4%), followed by seizures and movement disorder(28.6%). Cerebral microbleeds were detected in six patients on T2* sequence，four of whom presented more than 5 microbleeds. The majority of the microbleeds were predominantly cortical restricted and especially located in the cortical watersheds. Multiple superficial siderosis were identified mainly involving cortical watersheds in five cases. Significant cerebral atrophy with prominent secondary white matter hyperintensities in bilateral cortical watersheds were also observed. Abnormal tortuous and multiple focal occlusion of bilateral distal MCA were shown in one patient by DSA. No stenosis of proximal segment of cerebral arteries was detected in all the patients.ConclusionsThis is the first report illustrating abundant cortical microbleeds and superficial siderosis mainly involved the anterior and posterior cortical watersheds in Sneddon’s syndrome. The surprisingly identical topographic distribution of hemorrhagic lesions and the obvious atrophy suggest cerebral atrophy might be secondary to the microangio﻿pathy related hemorrhagic lesions and further contribute to the neurological deficit, especially the early cognitive decline in Sneddon syndrome.
MANAGEMENT OF FLORAL WASTE GENERATED FROM TEMPLES OF JAIPUR CITY THROUGH VERMICOMPOSTING

This paper aims at management of floral waste generated from temples of Jaipur city through vermicomposting. In this study, flower waste consisted of variety of flowers out of which marigold was chosen as it was found in maximum amount. The vermibeds were prepared by mixing the marigold with cow dung in different proportions viz., 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10 and they were filled in the earthen pots, individually. Simultaneously, a control (without worms) for each of these concentrations was prepared and maintained. Eisenia foetida was introduced into each of these trays except the control. The bioconversion ratio i.e., waste into vermicompost was found to be high in 60:40 proportion than the others. Vermicompost obtained was analysed for various parameters like organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The amount of organic carbon, potassium and phosphorus was more in vermicompost samples for all the groups as compared to compost samples. It was concluded that floral waste with cow dung at 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 ratios could be converted into a nutrient rich vermicompost. International Journal of Environment Vol. 5 (1) 2016, pp: 1-13