Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining the Roles of β-Catenin and Plakoglobin in LEF/T-Cell Factor-Dependent Transcription Using β-Catenin/Plakoglobin-Null F9 Cells

ABSTRACT β-Catenin functions as a transcriptional regulator in Wnt signaling. Its function is regulated by a specific destruction system. Plakoglobin is a close homologue of β-catenin in mammalian cells and is regulated in a similar fashion. When β-catenin or plakoglobin is exogenously expressed in cells, endogenous β-catenin is stabilized, which complicates estimation of the transcriptional activities of exogenously expressed proteins. To facilitate the design of experiments aimed at investigating the transcriptional activities of β-catenin and plakoglobin, we utilized F9 cells in which we knocked out endogenous β-catenin and/or plakoglobin by gene deletion and exogenously expressed wild-type and mutant β-catenin and/or plakoglobin. We show that C-terminally deleted β-catenin, but not plakoglobin, has a strong dominant-negative effect on transcription without altering the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. Moreover, we show that Wnt-3a activation of LEF/T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent transcription depends on β-catenin but not on plakoglobin. Using chimeras of β-catenin and plakoglobin, we demonstrate that plakoglobin has the potential to function in transcriptional regulation but is not responsible for Wnt-3a signaling in F9 cells. Our data show that preferential nuclear accumulation of β-catenin is not necessarily linked to its transcriptional activity. We also clearly demonstrate that plakoglobin is insufficient for LEF/TCF-dependent transcriptional activation by Wnt-3a in F9 cells.
Power Flow Decoupling Controller for Triple Active Bridge Based on Fourier Decomposition of Transformer Currents

This paper proposes a power flows decoupling controller for the triple active bridge converter. The controller is based on a full-order continuous-time model of the TAB converter derived using the generalized average modelling (GAM) technique. GAM uses the Fourier series expansion to decompose the state-space variables into two components, which represent the active power and the reactive power. The controller uses the active power components of the transformer currents to decouple the active power flows between converter ports. Additionally, the implementation of the decoupling controller in the digital domain is detailed in the paper. The decoupling performance of the proposed controller is validated in a hardware experiment.
Assessment of phytoremediation potentials of legumes in spent engine oil contaminated soil

A B S T R A C T This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and phytoremediation potential of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) in spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soil. The study involved a field experiment conducted in a botanical garden under irrigation. The two plant species were grown on (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0) % (v/v) spent engine oil contaminated soil. Percentage emergence of C. cajan was between (14.81 and 29.63) %, while that of L. purpureus was between (14.84 and 44.44) %. The plants were able to grow on all the contaminated soil except for Lablab purpureus at 10.0 % SEO contamination. Longest shoots of both plants were observed in 2.5 % SEO contaminated soil after 3 months. Similar observations were made for other parameters except in the leaf length (LL) of Lablab purpureus where plant grown on (2.5 and 5.0) % had longer LL than the control plants (p ≤ 0.05). Microbial analyses revealed higher counts of oil utilizing bacteria in rhizosphere (36.0 ± 6.7×10 8 cfu g -1 ) than non rhizosphere (14.0 ± 5.3×10 7 cfu g -1 ) soil and in uncontaminated (29.0 ± 5.5×10 8 cfu g -1 ) than contaminated (14.0 ± 5.3×10 7 cfu g -1 ) soil. Rhizosphere effect (RE) values were positive (≥ 1) in all treatments with the exception of Lablab purpureus, which recorded RE value of 0.6 (negative RE) for total fungal counts. The plants therefore, have potentials for phytoremediation and could be important tools in reclaiming soil with low levels of SEO contamination.
Vocalizations and reproductive behaviour in the smith frog, Hyla faber Wied (Amphibia: Hylidae)

Vocalizations and reproductive behaviour of HylaJaber were studied for five months at Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Advertisement, distress calls, and two types of territorial vocalizations of adult Hyla Jaber are described and figured for the first time. One of the territorial calls and the distress call were variable in pulse repetition rate, frequency and duration, and may represent graded territorial and distress com- munication systems. Hyla Jaber males built nests for egg deposition and defended territories from other males. Males called from inside the nests till a female approached. Males then left the nests and guided the females to them. Females inspected the nests before amplexus occurred. While in amplexus, females renovated the nests. Tadpoles showed gregarious behaviour inside the nest and stayed there until approx- imately stage 25. Parental nest guarding was not observed.
Improved portable measuring device for real-time humidity and temperature monitoring in intensive care unit

Real time monitoring of temperature and humidity of the air conditioned by Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) and delivered to patients in intensive care units (ICU) is highly demanded by physicians. As demonstrated by recent literature, only in vivo monitoring of HMEs performances with compact portable measuring systems suitable for ICU routines could provide reliable results. One of the main challenges for these devices is represented by the response time of the integrated temperature and humidity sensors. Long response times might introduce delays and thus make it impossible to follow the actual parameter variation in real time during each breath. In order to overcome this issue, innovative commercial ultra-fast sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring have been properly integrated and characterized in a portable wireless system for in vivo HME monitoring. Tests were performed in laboratory under static and dynamic settings. Response times at 36.8% of about 32 ms and 155 ms were obtained, respectively, for temperature and for humidity sensors. An improvement respect to available devices was thus obtained, achieving a proper monitoring of humidity variations up to 35 acts/minute with a maximum error of 5%. Considering the typical range of respiratory frequency monitored in the ICU, these results make the system suitable for real time evaluation of air conditioning during mechanical ventilation, combining the portability required for integration in the ICU routine with measurement accuracy.
Effects of α-amanitin on nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes in vitro

: The effects of alpha-amanitin on cumulus enclosed and denuded porcine oocytes exposed to this heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) synthesis inhibitor at different times (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 20 h) after the start of culture was investigated. A further objective was to determine the sequence of nuclear progression after removing the inhibitor. The addition of 10 micrograms alpha-amanitin ml-1 to a gonadotrophin containing medium (10 iu PMSG ml-1 in TCM 199) at 0, 0.5 or 1 h after the onset of culture prevented cumulus expansion, and only 4.4, 6.4 and 3.5% of oocytes underwent germinal vesicle breakdown. This inhibitory effect was considerably reduced by delaying the addition of the drug to the culture medium for 2-8 h (2 h: 34.9%, 4 h: 53.5%, 6 h: 46.9%, 8 h: 59.2% germinal vesicle breakdown), and no inhibition of nuclear maturation was observed when alpha-amanitin was added after 12 or 20 h following explantation of the oocytes. When cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured for > or = 2 h in inhibitor-free medium and then transferred to medium supplemented with alpha-amanitin, full cumulus expansion was observed in all cases, at the end of the 44 h culture. Denudation of the oocytes before culture in either medium supplemented with alpha-amanitin or microinjection of alpha-amanitin into the ooplasm at concentrations of 1.0 and 10.0 mg ml-1 remained without any effect on nuclear progression. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Introduction of Data Literacy in the Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum

In times of social media and data privacy an understanding of data is becoming increasingly important. While a lot of research about the technical aspect of data already exists (e.g. collecting, storing, analyzing), we identified a lack of research regarding the human component. Our analysis (including literature review and a survey among undergraduate students) showed, that even though in our digitalized world especially young people interact with data on a daily basis they are lacking skills to properly understand data. These skills are key competencies of Data Literacy. Facing that problem, we have created an educational framework for undergraduate engineering students in order to equip them with a set of skills (Data Literacy) to achieve awareness and transparency regarding data. This framework is based on 3 major pillars: the technical, the legal and the ethical perspective.
Regulation of β-glucosidase biosynthesis in Aspergillus nidulans

β-Glucosidase in Aspergillus nidulans was found to be both intracellular and extracellular. The intracellular β-glucosidase was synthesized after the exhaustion of carbon source in the medium. The extracellular enzyme appeared with autolysis of the mycelium. Biosynthesis of β-glucosidase was not induced by various carbohydrates but repressed to varying extents in the presence of glucose, glycerol, and 2-deoxyglucose. This repression was not relieved by addition of cAMP. The repression was relieved much more by mutations in the creA gene than by one in the creC gene. Thus, β-glucosidase synthesis in A. nidulans is subject to carbon catabolite repression.
The Institute of Coding: A University-Industry Collaboration to Address the UK’s Digital Skills Crisis

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a new £40m+ initiative by the UK Government to “transform the digital skills profile of the country”. In the context of widespread national and international educational and economic policy interventions, it responds to the apparently contradictory data that the United Kingdom (UK) has a digital skills shortage across a variety of sectors, yet its higher education system produces computing graduates every year who end up unemployed, or underemployed. The Institute is a large-scale national intervention to address some of the perceived issues with formal educational routes versus industry-focused skills and training, for example: technical skills versus “soft” or “work-ready” skills; industry-readiness versus “deep education”; inclusion and diversity of the current and future technical workforce; and managing expectations for the broad digital, data and computational skills demands of employers across a wide range of economic sectors. Alongside these activities at the higher education-industry interface, we have also seen substantial computer science curriculum reform across the four nations of the UK. In this paper, we outline the background, evidence base and rationale for the IoC (especially within the complex UK policy context); its key themes, current activities and outputs; as well as anticipate its likely impact over the coming years. Furthermore, we reflect on the potential replicability of aspects of the Institute (and related initiatives in the UK) to other nations or regions with similar ambitions to address the “digital skills crisis”.
ALIEN AND NATIVE PLANT RESPONSE TO RELEASE FROM FERAL SHEEP BROWSING ON MAUNA KEA

Over 150 years of feral sheep damage to the subalpine woodlands on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, ended when "eradicationw of feral sheep (Ovis aries) was declared complete (even though a few sheep remained). Managers and others interested in conserving Mauna Kea's subalpine ecosystem are now concerned about the ability of native plants to reestablish dominance without the aid of humans in the absence of significant feral sheep grazing and browsing. Successful reestablishment will depend partly on the ability of native plants to compete with alien plants. Data from exclosures near tree line indicate that both herbaceous and woody native species establish in areas freed from sheep foraging pressure, in spite of alien plants, provided that the areas are not fully occupied by aliens. In areas that were densely populated by feral sheep before 1981, native and alien plants appear to be responding, as indicated in publications about earlier exclosure studies. Control of alien plants to favor native species does not now appear warranted. However, two noxious aliens, fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and German ivy (Senecio mikanioides), are established in the subalpine woodland and could become management problems in the future.
Stack Overflow – Informal learning and the global expansion of professional development and opportunities in programming?

The purpose of this study is to examine if, and to what extent, online Community Question Answering platforms expand the opportunities for professional development in programming. Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of Stack Overflow Developer Surveys were used to examine users’ geographical distribution, gender, experience, professional status, platform usage and education. In order to study differences between the countries with the largest number of respondents, the developer survey data was combined with indicators of human development, gender equality and educational attainment. The results show that the Stack Overflow community has expanded to some extent, both in terms of wider geographical distribution and the programming expertise of users. However, the community reflects and fails to mitigate the apparent gender disparity in the field of programming. Furthermore, participation seems to be conditioned by formal education, especially in developing countries. In general, participation patterns in Stack Overflow seem to be heavily influenced by local conditions in different countries.
Zoosporic Fungi Isolated From Four Egyptian Lakes and the Uptake of Radioactive Waste

Abstract Aquatic fungi from four brackish water lakes; Edku, Burullus and Manzala lakes which are located at the northern region of Egypt and Qarun lake that located in El-Fayoum city are reported in this manuscript. Twenty-nine fungal species which belong to 19 genera of aquatic fungi were recovered from water samples collected from the studied lakes. The most frequently isolated fungal species were Chytridium conferrop, Allomyces throughout and Rhizoclosmatium globosum. Thraus- tochytrium amoeboidum and Leptolegniella exoosporus have a moderately occurrence frequency. The maximum fungal count of recovered aquatic fungi was recorded in Burrullus lake followed by EdKu, Manzala and Qarun lakes. This study was extended to test the ability of six selected aquatic fungi (Brevilegniella keratinophila, Blastocladiella cystogena, Chytridium conferrop, Entophlyctis variabilis, Schizochytrium mangrovei and Thraustochytrium rosii), to uptake the radionuclide from their culture medium as a step to biologically treat the waste water or solution with radio-cesium and radio-cobalt. Fifty seven % of Cs-137 and 35% of Co-60 could be removed from liquid waste by the selected aquatic fungi.
5G Applications From Vision to Reality: Multi-Operator Orchestration

Envisioned 5G applications and services, such as Tactile Internet, Industry 4.0 use-cases, remote control of drone swarms, pose serious challenges to the underlying networks and cloud platforms. On the one hand, evolved cloud infrastructures provide the IT basis for future applications. On the other hand, networking is in the middle of a momentous revolution and important changes are mainly driven by Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN). A diverse set of cloud and network resources, controlled by different technologies and owned by cooperating or competing providers, should be coordinated and orchestrated in a novel way in order to enable future applications and fulfill application level requirements. In this paper, we propose a novel cross domain orchestration system which provides wholesale XaaS (Anything as a Service) services over multiple administrative and technology domains. Our goal is threefold. First, we design a novel orchestration system exploiting a powerful information model and propose a versatile embedding algorithm with advanced capabilities as a key enabler. The main features of the architecture include <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$i$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) efficient and multi-purpose service embedding algorithms which can be implemented based on graph models, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ii$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) inherent multi-domain support, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$iii$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) programmable aggregation of different resources, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$iv$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) information hiding together with flexible delegation of certain requirements enabling multi-operator use-cases, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$v$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) support for legacy technologies. Second, we present our proof-of-concept prototype implementing the proposed system. Third, we establish a dedicated test environment spanning across multiple European sites encompassing sandbox environments from both operators and the academia in order to evaluate the operation of the system. Dedicated experiments confirm the feasibility and good scalability of the whole framework.
Effects of anti-trawling artificial reefs on ecological indicators of inner shelf fish and invertebrate communities in the Cantabrian Sea (southern Bay of Biscay)

The analyses presented in this paper provide evidence that several community metrics and indicators of the inner shelf community in the Cantabrian Sea show response to placement of anti-trawling reefs. Total biomass, species richness, and to a lesser extent, maximum length and percentage of large fish, were sensitive to exclusion of trawling. Density, diversity and average trophic level did not show this sensitivity. The main species profiting from trawl exclusion were seabreams (Sparidae), catsharks and skates (Elasmobranchii), red mullets (Mullidae), gurnards (Triglidae) and John Dory (Zeus faber). Conversely, the main fishery target species (hake, anglerfish and megrim) showed a progressive decrease in abundance during the study period, a pattern which was also shown by their total stock biomass in the totality of the shelf area. Sea urchins, cephalopods and gastropods also increased in relative abundance with trawl exclusion. Reef age was identified as a key factor in reef development. After reef deployments, two periods were identified: (1) a recovery period, in which total biomass increased, mainly as a consequence of the increase in generalist species (e.g. catsharks); and (2) a consolidation period, during which biomass increased again, mainly as a consequence of an increase in specialized stenoic species (e.g. sparids), while biomass of generalist species remained constant or declined.
Genetic variability studies in fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were carried out with 60 genotypes of fodder cowpea {Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. } Days to 50 per cent flowering along with twelve economic traits viz . , plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaflet length, leaflet width, stem thickness, dry matter yield, green fodder yield, dry weight of leaves, dry weight of stem, leaf : stem ratio and crude protein content were studied. The analysis of variance revealed that all the 60 genotypes varied significantly for all the 13 characters indicating that there exists considerable variation for all the characters. Heritability and genetic advance was high for the characters number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, dry weight of leaves, dry weight of stem, dry matter yield and plant height indicating that these traits were controlled by additive genetic effects, providing better source population for developing high yielding fodder cowpea varieties.
Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) in Engineering: which evaluation instruments are best suited to evaluate CBL experiences?

The Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM) has implemented the Tec21 Educational Model, based on four fundamental pillars: challenge-based learning (CBL), flexibility, inspiring trained teachers and a comprehensive educational experience that makes it memorable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the exercises on the implementation of CBL experiences in three engineering areas within the campus: mechatronics, mechanical and biotechnology. First, the transformation of teachers to adopt CBL as a didactic technique is described, and secondly, the implementation of CBL experiences with external training partners. Results here presented indicate that students gain more knowledge using CBL, however, teachers require an appropriate training program and a prior design of proficiency assessment instruments. When testing different evaluation instruments, the most objective and clear for CBL according to the surveys between teachers and students were the checklists and the evaluation rubrics. This study indicates that through experience we approach to create an increasingly adequate, transparent and fair evaluation system to evaluate CBL experiences.
Allelopathic activity of Characeae

13 different Characeae species were screened for allelopathic activity using agar-diffusion assays. Nine different Cyanobacteria, one diatom species and three Chlorophyceae were applied as target organisms. Whereas cyanobacteria were strongly inhibited by certain stoneworts, surprisingly no clearing of eukaryotic target strains was noted in any of the screening assays. Chara aspera, C. globularis and Nitellopsis obtusa were proven to be the most active test organisms and therefore selected for further analyses. In order to test whether the allelochemicals are soluble in a hydrophilic or in an increased lipophilic solution, aqueous and 60% methanol extracts were performed. The lipophilic methanol extracts exhibited a stronger clearing of target organisms indicating a more lipophilic behavior of the allelochemical.