Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IL-6 −174G/C polymorphism in obese adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its relation to metabolic and biochemical markers

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of IL-6 −174G/C polymorphism in obese adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and investigate its association with metabolic and biochemical parameters. The study included 70 obese adolescents with NAFLD and 70 obese healthy controls. All patients and controls were subjected to full medical history and clinical and biochemical examinations. The prevalence of the IL-6 −174G/C polymorphism was determined. ResultsThe genotype frequencies of GC and CC were significantly more prevalent in NAFLD patients than in controls. In NAFLD, C carriers showed significantly higher values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and lower HDL than did G carriers. Homozygotes showed a higher frequency of metabolic markers. This difference remained unaltered in the allele recessive model. ConclusionThe present study suggests that the IL-6 −174G/C polymorphism is associated with the development of NAFLD in obese Egyptian adolescents and is associated with abnormal biochemical and metabolic parameters. These findings could be helpful in identifying individuals at high risk for developing NAFLD among obese adolescents and might help draw specific prevention strategies.
Body size and mean individual biomass variation of ground-beetles community (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as a response to increasing altitude and associated vegetation types in mountainous ecosystem

Abstract Carabid fauna is not sufficiently explored in Central and Western Balkan areas, especially in mountain ecosystems with unique biodiversity which is a result of specific environmental factors and geologic history. Furthermore, distribution of species and adaptation to varying environmental parameters change along the altitudinal gradients. All this highlights the need for biodiversity and ecological studies in order to assess the state of the mountain ecosystems and conservation significance. Carabids as good bioindicator group can be used as a tool for monitoring those changes. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences of body size distribution and mean individual biomass (MIB) of ground beetle assemblages as a response of changing conditions and vegetation types along an altitudinal gradient on Belasitsa Mountain in south Macedonia. Both parameters significantly decreased with increasing altitude and were consequently associated with the vegetation type. Larger bodied individuals and higher values of MIB were recorded in the white oak and oriental hornbeam forest stands with the values decreasing in sessile oak forests towards submontane and montane beech forest stands. This research yielded first list of carabid species inhabiting Belasitsa Mountain with insight of carabid body length and biomass distribution along altitudinal gradient.
Seasonal Dynamic of CDOM in a Shelf Site of the South-Eastern Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean)

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is the fraction of the Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) mainly absorbing UV and blue radiation, influencing water optical properties, light availability for primary production, and water-leaving radiance. In open seas, phytoplankton is the main source of organic carbon and CDOM. Despite this, the direct or indirect phytoplankton role in CDOM production is not yet fully clarified. From studies about the relationship between CDOM and phytoplankton biomass as Chlorophyll a (Chl) in the epipelagic layer, positive correlations have been highlighted with regional differences and high levels of variability. Seven years of seasonal dynamic and vertical distribution of CDOM in the Ligurian Sea continental shelf waters have been analyzed in order to evidence the main environmental and/or biological factors determining CDOM dynamic, focusing on the CDOM/Chl relationship. CDOM optical properties (absorption at 440 nm, aCDOM (440), and spectral slope, S) allowed to distinguish different pools and to debate their origin. Four different pools were characterized and two of them were directly or indirectly related to phytoplankton biomass and taxonomic composition. Nevertheless, CDOM/Chl confirm a high level of variability These findings suggest some inputs to improve Mediterranean satellite estimates of Chl and CDOM, such as the seasonal differentiation of optical properties, especially S and CDOM/Chl relationships.
Adoption of AI-based chatbots for hospitality and tourism

This study aims to investigate the customers’ behavioral intention and actual usage (AUE) of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots for hospitality and tourism in India by extending the technology adoption model (TAM) with context-specific variables. ,To understand the customers’ behavioral intention and AUE of AI-powered chatbots for tourism, the mixed-method design was used whereby qualitative and quantitative techniques were combined. A total of 36 senior managers and executives from the travel agencies were interviewed and the analysis of interview data was done using NVivo 8.0 software. A total of 1,480 customers were surveyed and the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was used for data analysis. ,As per the results, the predictors of chatbot adoption intention (AIN) are perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived trust (PTR), perceived intelligence (PNT) and anthropomorphism (ANM). Technological anxiety (TXN) does not influence the chatbot AIN. Stickiness to traditional human travel agents negatively moderates the relation of AIN and AUE of chatbots in tourism and provides deeper insights into manager’s commitment to providing travel planning services using AI-based chatbots. ,This research presents unique practical insights to the practitioners, managers and executives in the tourism industry, system designers and developers of AI-based chatbot technologies to understand the antecedents of chatbot adoption by travelers. TXN is a vital concern for the customers; so, designers and developers should ensure that chatbots are easily accessible, have a user-friendly interface, be more human-like and communicate in various native languages with the customers. ,This study contributes theoretically by extending the TAM to provide better explanatory power with human–robot interaction context-specific constructs – PTR, PNT, ANM and TXN – to examine the customers’ chatbot AIN. This is the first step in the direction to empirically test and validate a theoretical model for chatbots’ adoption and usage, which is a disruptive technology in the hospitality and tourism sector in an emerging economy such as India.
Study the antimicrobial activity of Lemon grass leaf extracts.

Antimicrobial properties of Lemon grass were investigated against both clinical and laboratory isolates of both bacteria and fungi using the disc diffusion method. Acetone extracts (15 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 250 μg/mL and MBC 300 μg /mL) demonstrated the highest activity, followed by dichloromethane (7 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 300 μg /mL and MBC 400 μg/mL), methane (7.5 mm diameter of inhibition, MIC 400 μg /mL and MBC 400 μg /mL) and hexane (5.8 mm zone zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 800 μg/mL and MBC 1000 μg/mL). Water extracts demonstrated the least activity against the test bacteria and fungi (4 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 900 μg/mL and MBC 900 μg/mL). Phyto constituents present included Saponins, Tannins, Alkaloids and Flavonoids. Lemon grass can be used to source antibiotic substances for possible treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.
Determinants of Accounts Receivables Financing: India and Other Asian Economies Perspectives

Globally, factoring services have shown steady growth in facilitating trade finance. The need for such kind of alternative financing became more important particularly after the financial crisis of 2008. Asia witnessed a very high growth in factoring, and it has emerged as the second largest market after Europe. However, factoring in India has not shown significant growth. This study investigates the causes for under-utilisation of factoring in India. Two-step generalised method of moments (GMM) was used to find out the significant variables influencing factoring services and then a comparative analysis of Asian economies was performed based on the significant variables. The results show that manufacturing and allied activities, credit information availability, legal rights for lenders and borrowers and sound enforcement mechanism are crucial in offering conducive environment for factoring. The comparative analysis reveals that China performs well on most of the parameters, whereas India needs to improve on all the parameters, especially the enforcement mechanism. In general, all the Asian countries require improvement in many parameters.
Studies of pathogenesis-related proteins in the strawberry plant: partial purification of a chitinase-containing protein complex and analysis of an osmotin-like protein gene

Plant chitinases and osmotin-like proteins (OLPs) are both pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, which are implicated in plant responses to pathogen attacks and environmental stresses. In this dissertation, a chitinase-containing protein complex was purified to near homogeneity from strawberry leaf extracts. This protein complex contained at least five different chitinase molecules as revealed by activity gel assays. A previous study showed that winter rye leaves contain seven protein complexes, which consist of various combinations of a chitinase, two glucanase-like proteins (GLPs) and a thaumatin-like protein (TLP). Western blot analysis of the strawberry chitinase complex, however, did not detect the presence of any GLP or TLP in the complex. The second part of this dissertation research dealt with studies of strawberry OLP genes. A genomic clone containing an OLP gene, designated FaOLP2, was isolated and completely sequenced. FaOLP2 contains no intron, and has a potential to encode a precursor protein of 229 amino acid residues with a 27-amino acid signal peptide at the N-terminus. Southern blot analysis showed that FaOLP2 represents a small multi-gene family. The expression of FaOLP2 in different strawberry organs was analyzed using real-time PCR. The result showed that FaOLP2 expressed at different levels in leaves, crowns, roots, green fruits and ripe red fruits. Furthermore, the expression of FaOLP2 under different abiotic stresses was analyzed at different time points. All of the three tested abiotic stimuli, abscisic acid, salicylic acid and mechanical wounding, triggered significant induction of FaOLP2 within 2-6 h post-treatment. Comparing the three stimuli, FaOLP2 was more prominently induced by salicylic acid than by abscisic acid or mechanical wounding. The positive responses of FaOLP2 to these stress factors
Towards a Better Design of Convection-Allowing Ensembles for Precipitation Forecasts over Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Convective ensembles promise to increase forecast accuracy while at the same time providing information on the probability of the forecast. A vast number of different methods of ensemble creation have been developed over time. Here, initial conditions and model error uncertainties are represented by a convective-allowing ensemble with more than 50 members. The results are analyzed using one case study with relatively high precipitation over Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The ensemble members are perturbed using random initial perturbations, breeding, and the Stochastic Kinetic Energy Backscatter parameterization (SKEBS) within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The aim is to improve the high-resolution ensemble design provided in a previous study for the same region by maximizing the spread of an ensemble with low member count. To this end, a comparative analysis of the members is performed using perturbation growth rates and information entropy. In addition, a comparative verification is performed using observations from one automatic meteorological station and satellite-derived precipitation data. It was found that the growth rates and the one-dimensional power spectral density of the initial perturbation fields are clustered depending on each member’s origin and the methods used to generate the breeding members. An inverse relationship was observed between these two variables, which can be useful for selecting appropriate initial condition perturbations. The dynamical injections of energy, introduced as perturbations to the numerical fields by the SKEBS method, were essential to maintain positive growth rates during the simulation period. Evaluation of the information entropy suggests that a selection of a set of members generated by the SKEBS method is best for increasing the ensemble spread while saving computer resources.
A high-order implicit–explicit Runge–Kutta type scheme for the numerical solution of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation

This manuscript is concerned with the development and the implementation of a numerical scheme to study the spatio-temporal solution profile of the well-known Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. A fourth-order Runge–Kutta based implicit–explicit scheme in time along with compact higher-order finite difference scheme in space is introduced. The proposed scheme takes full advantage of the method of line (MOL) and partial fraction decomposition techniques, therefore, it just needs to solve two backward Euler-type linear systems at each time step to get the solution. Performance of the scheme is investigated by testing it on some test examples and by comparing numerical results with relevant known schemes. The numerical results showed that the proposed scheme is more accurate and reliable than existing schemes to solve Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation.
Synthesis, characterization and gas adsorption analysis of solvent dependent Zn-BTC metal organic frameworks

ABSTRACT Multidentate 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid copolymerizes with Zinc to form framework with rigid porosity for gas adsorption application. One of the barriers in commercialization of these MOFs for gas adsorption application is the usage of costly solvents and this research is based on identifying the effect of solvents on zinc and 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid-based MOFs, their gas adsorption capacities and costs. All the MOFs prepared were characterized and further tested for carbon dioxide adsorption capacities. The results highlight that the textural properties of prepared MOFs depend largely on solvents utilized and high surface area MOFs have high adsorption capacity. Also the carbon dioxide adsorption capacity of MOFs prepared using DMF showed better adsorption as compared with the one prepared with Ethanol:De-ionized water. This research also elaborates the fact that there is a possibility of replacing the expensive solvents for Zn-BTCs synthesis with low-cost solvents without compromising the gas adsorption performance.
Chemolithotrophic and chemoheterotrophic microorganisms in sedimented and rock-hosted hydrothermal systems

Hydrothermal sediments in the Guaymas Basin are covered by microbial mats that are dominated by nitrate-respiring and sulfide-oxidizing Beggiatoa. The presence of these mats strongly correlates with sulfideand ammonium-rich fluids venting from the subsurface. Since ammonium and oxygen form opposed gradients at the sediment surface, we hypothesized that nitrification is an active process in these Beggiatoa mats. Using biogeochemical and molecular methods we measured nitrification and determined the diversity and abundance of nitrifiers. Nitrification rates ranged from 74 to 605 μmol N l mat d, which exceeded those previously measured in hydrothermal plumes and other deep-sea habitats. Diversity and abundance analyses of archaeal and bacterial amoA genes, archaeal 16S rRNA pyrotags and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed that ammoniaand nitrite-oxidizing microorganisms were associated with Beggiatoa mats. Intriguingly, we observed cells of bacterial and potential thaumarchaeotal ammonia-oxidizers attached to narrow, Beggiatoa-like filaments. Such a close spatial coupling of nitrification and nitrate respiration in mats of large sulfur bacteria is novel and may facilitate mat-internal cycling of nitrogen, thereby reducing loss of bioavailable nitrogen in deep-sea sediments.
Seasonal incidence of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) on cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) under Allahabad condition

Studies on seasonal incidence of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. Infesting cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) work were carried out at the college of Shiats, Allahabad during 2015-2016. The P. xylostella damage was active throughout the year with a varying degree of infestation. It was recorded from a minimum of 0.32 per cent (second fortnight of Febuary) to maximum of 5.98 per cent (third fortnight of March). A study on the correlation studies indicated a significant positive correlation between larval population of diamondback moth and. the relative humidity (R.H), total rainfall and sunshine hours (SSH) had negative correlation with the larval population of diamondback moth.
Rearing and Biology of the Decapitating Fly Pseudacteon bifidus (Diptera: Phoridae): A Parasitoid of Tropical Fire Ants

Abstract The small decapitating fly, Pseudacteon bifidus Brown and Morrison (Diptera: Phoridae), is a parasitoid of the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). This fly is of interest as a potential self-sustaining biocontrol agent because tropical fire ants are invasive pests throughout the world's tropics, especially on islands of the Pacific. The objective of this study was to develop methods for mass rearing P. bifidus and to study related aspects of its biology. The flies used in this study were collected near the Nueces River north of Catarina, Texas, USA. We found that P. bifidus parasitizes minor workers with an average head width of 0.71 ± 0.10 mm (0.59–1.15, range). The sex ratio of adult flies was moderately skewed to males (58:42%), with males slightly more likely to emerge from the smallest hosts and females from the largest ones. The average generation time was 30 d at 27.6 °C. Average larval development time was 14 d at 27.6 °C, but the pattern was highly skewed with a mode of 11 d and about 15% of individuals in a long tail of slow developing larvae, which extended out to at least 41 d. Male pupae emerged faster than female pupae (0.8 d, 23.5 °C). Unlike other Pseudacteon species, adult females were not ready to oviposit until 8 to 24 h after eclosure. We were able to rear 9,500 ± 2,800 flies per generation primarily by modifying preexisting rearing procedures (1) to provide adults access to water and sugar water so they could live longer, (2) by extending access to hosts for 1 to 2 extra d, and (3) by avoiding reuse of host colonies with poor rates of parasitism. Labor costs were decreased by rearing in discrete generations and the use of an attack box with automatic temperature, humidity, lighting, and mechanical controls that allowed flies to emerge, mate, and parasitize hosts without the need for constant management. The success of these rearing efforts provided a foundation for subsequent studies of P. bifidus host specificity and host suitability.
Comparing terrestrial laser scanners’ ability to measure tree height and diameter in a managed forest environment

ABSTRACT Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) instruments like the Zebedee (including the Zeb-1 and its derivatives) and Dual-Wavelength Echidna LiDAR (DWEL) can usefully measure tree diameter, height and annual height growth for trees up to at least 10 m tall in a forest plantation setting. In a case study at the National Arboretum Canberra, these two types of scanner were compared with traditional methods (diameter tape and height stick) in the measurement of tree diameter, height and growth rate. The TLS instruments were accurate with height measurement correlations of not different to 1:1 and with r 2 = 0.99 and 0.98 (Zeb-1 and DWEL, respectively), whereas comparing measurements of height growth over a two-year period, the TLS instruments displayed an agreement of 83% and 93%, respectively. The Zebedee instruments also correlated significantly with diameter at breast height (DBH; r 2 = 0.97), although limited tests with the DWEL collected at a single point in inventory plots did not find a significant correlation. The additional detail provided by TLS instruments such as Zeb-1and DWEL has the potential to substantially improve data collected about the spatial distribution, canopy dimensions and trunk parameters of numerous trees in an operational inventory of a forest stand. However, there may be difficulties in developing and testing new reference definitions of these parameters, especially ‘diameter’, that would allow historical comparisons and improved future use for foresters and ecologists.
Isolation and identification of exopolysaccharide producer lactic acid bacteria from Turkish yogurt

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from traditional yogurt samples and genotypic characterization of these isolates revealed the presence of 21 distinct LAB strains belonging to Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Lactobacillus plantarum as new LAB strains. Determination of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) production characteristics of the selected strains of each species revealed that all strains possessed at least one gene required for both homopolymeric- and heteropolymeric-type EPS production. Structural analysis of the EPSs showed that L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Y39 and S. thermophilus Y102 produced heteropolymeric EPS containing glucose and galactose, whereas Leuc. mesenteroides Y35 and L. plantarum Y36 produced homopolymeric glucan-type EPS. The level of EPS production in these strains was found to be in a similar range. These strains with EPS production characteristics are good candidates for future studies as new LAB for yogurt production. Practical applications Recent trends in yogurt production technology have led to an increased use of ropy starter cultures in yogurt production due to the technological roles of exopolysacharides (EPS) produced by these cultures. The main role of EPS in yogurt production is to improve the textural properties of yogurt as an in situ produced natural polymer. In addition to the yogurt starter cultures, use of adjunct cultures during production of yogurt is also of special interest to enhance the technological and nutritional characteristics of yogurt. Therefore, in this study, potential yogurt starter and adjunct cultures from traditional yogurt samples with EPS production characteristics were isolated. From these isolates, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Y39 and Streptococcus thermophilus Y102 produced heteropolymeric EPS containing glucose and galactose, whereas Leuconostoc mesenteroides Y35 and Lactobacillus plantarum Y36 produced homopolymeric glucan.
Comparison of diet analysis of Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus and Black kite, Milvus migrans (Accipitridae: Accipitriformes) from southern Punjab, Pakistan.

The diets of Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus and Black kite Milvus migrans occupying Lal Sohanra National Park at Bahawalpur, southern Punjab were analyzed. The hawks were more diverse (euryphagous) in feeding habits with maximum feeding during summer while kites were less diverse (stenophagous) in feeding with feeding at peak during autumn. Out of 700 pellets collected from 15 nests of sparrowhawk, 920 prey items were recovered. The hawks preferred birds in their diet (449) followed by rodents (168), fish (102), frogs (67), bats (63), insects (38) and lizards (33). Whereas, 750 pellets collected from 15 nests of kites contained 900 preys items The kites preferred shrew in their diet (378) followed by birds (260), rodents (122), fish (120) and insects (120).