Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Materialization of novel composite bio-based active edible film functionalized with essential oils on antimicrobial and antioxidative aspect of chicken nuggets during extended storage.

The present study was aimed to develop Manihot esculenta and Carrageenan bio-based composite active film functionalized with anise, caraway, and nutmeg essential oils (EOs) and to assess the shelf life of chicken nuggets wrapped with the developed film at refrigeration storage. Overall, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of the three EOs ranged from 0.4 to 0.8% v/v of which nutmeg EO was found most effective. Incorporation of EOs in the film resulted in significant (P ˂ 0.05) decrease in tensile strength and water activity while elongation at break was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) increased. No significant (P ˃ 0.05) changes in thickness and Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) were observed. Based on physicomechanical and sensory evaluation, films incorporated with 0.5, 1, and 1% concentration of anise, nutmeg, and caraway EO were selected. Chicken nuggets overwrapped with aforementioned films were stored aerobically at refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1 °C) to evaluate antimicrobial, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics. The result indicated that pH, peroxide, free fatty acid (FFA), and thiobarbituric acide (TBA) value of treatments were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) lower than controls however significantly (P < 0.05) higher DPPH activity was observed in all treatments. The total plate count, psychrophilic count and, yeast and mold count were also significantly (P ˂ 0.01) lower in treatment groups and were within the permissible limits. The treated samples were well acceptable during whole storage period of 15 days. The application of composite, active edible bio-based film was found proficient in confining product quality attributes throughout storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The majority of films used for packaging of meat and meat products are derived from synthetic "plastic" materials. The demerits associated with plastics have eventually led to explore natural alternatives such as edible films. The composite-active bio-based films have a huge potential to be molded for specific film properties based on requirements of product-specific packaging conditions.
Soluble endoglin in urine as an early-pregnancy preeclampsia marker: antenatal longitudinal feasibility study

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate soluble endoglin (sEng) in urine as a preeclampsia predictor. Ninety-three pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia were followed. Spot urine sample ELISA analysis before 20 weeks of gestation was done to assess protein levels. Logistic regression analysis evaluated associations between preeclampsia with sEng/creatinine ratio, pg/mg, adjusted for risk factors. Preeclampsia incidence was 22.8% (20/92). Urinary sEng/creatinine (pg/mg) 0.001 (95% CI 0.001–0.136) was associated, adjusted for body mass index > 28 kg/m2 OR 6.44 (95% CI 1.11–37.47) and mean arterial pressure OR 1.20 (1.07–1.35). During the first half of gestation sEng urinary excretion was lower in pregnant women developing preeclampsia. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The angiogenesis factors present in the plasma of pregnant women have shown good preclinical predictors of preeclampsia. Studies on urinary markers in pregnancy are infrequent, despite the ease of obtaining urine specimens. What do the results of this study add? Values of the sEng/creatinine ratio during the first half of pregnancy were related to a higher chance of preeclampsia occurring when it was evaluated alone or adjusted by body mass index and mean arterial pressure values. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The potential benefits of a urinary test compared to one of the blood levels include its non-invasive nature and ease of performing the test, even during prenatal care. Future research is expected to evaluate the sEng/creatinine ratio relevance to improve clinical scores of preeclampsia prediction for the identification of women at risk for this disease.
Reactions of nitroxides XIV. Analogs of phenoxy carboxylic herbicides based on the piperidine scaffold; unexpected fungicidal activity of the 2-[(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy]butanoic acid

Abstract Alkanoic acid derivatives bearing a nitroxyl moiety 3a–e were synthesized from 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (1) and the corresponding 2-bromoalkane carboxylic acids 2a–e. The herbicidal and antifungal activity of 3a–e was tested. No herbicidal activity of the tested compounds was found. The 2-[(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy]butanoic acid 3c revealed a strong antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungus Phytophthora cactorum.
Long-term dosing of AMG 531 in thrombocytopenic patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura : 2-year update

AMG 531 is a novel thrombopoiesis-stimulating peptibody that increases platelet production by targeting the TPO receptor. The study described here is an ongoing, open-label extension assessing the safety and efficacy of long-term, weekly, subcutaneous administration of AMG 531 in ITP patients who have completed a previous AMG 531 study. Patients previously treated with AMG 531 receive the same starting dose as the final dose given in the previous study; placebo-treated patients begin the extension with a 1 μg/kg dose. Doses may be skipped, decreased, maintained, or increased based on platelet response. Patients who achieve a stable dose for at least 3 weeks (later amended to 4 weeks) may be allowed to self-administer the drug. A total of 104 patients have been enrolled; the longest AMG 531 treatment duration is 96 weeks. This planned interim analysis includes 36 patients (safety subset) whose previous study was a phase 2 trial. Data for patients previously enrolled in a phase 3 trial are still blinded. The 25 women and 11 men have a mean age of 50±13 (SD) years; 30 (83%) have had a splenectomy. Twelve patients entered the study using concurrent corticosteroids, which were tapered when the platelet count was >50x10 9 /L. Adverse event (AE) profiles were similar for the intervals of weeks 1–24 vs 25–48 and beyond. The most frequent were headache (incidence of 2.0 per 100 weeks of subject exposure for weeks 1–24 vs 1.7 for weeks 25–48), upper respiratory infection (1.3 vs 0.8), and fatigue (0.9 vs 1.0). Four patients had serious treatment-related AEs: vaginal hemorrhage/anemia (withdrawn from treatment), diffuse reticulin formation in the bone marrow (withdrawn), bone pain (continues on treatment), and transverse sinus thrombosis with papilledema and temporary decrease in visual acuity (64-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus and a platelet count of 293x10 9 /L at the time of the AE; this patient continues on treatment). No neutralizing antibodies have been detected to date. The efficacy subset consists of 27 patients who completed week 48 or beyond. Both the mean platelet count and the mean dose of AMG 531 have remained stable between weeks 24–48. The mean platelet count was 100x10 9 /L ± 4.4 (SE) during weeks 1–24 and 131x10 9 /L ± 5.3 (SE) during weeks 25–48. Eleven patients (41%) have had at least one platelet count >450x10 9 /L, excluding counts associated with ITP rescue medication. Six of 12 patients were able to discontinue concurrent corticosteroids, and 2 had a >25% dose reduction. Individualized weekly doses of AMG 531 provide a therapeutic option for ITP. Most patients have been able to maintain a safe platelet count and to decrease or discontinue concurrent corticosteroid therapy.
EFFECTS OF TRITIUM ON UHMW-PE, PTFE, AND VESPEL POLYIMIDE

Samples of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the polyimide Vespel{reg_sign} were exposed to tritium gas in closed containers initially at 101 kPa (1 atmosphere) pressure and ambient temperature for various times up to 2.3 years. Tritium exposure effects on the samples were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and radiolysis products were characterized by measuring the total final pressure and composition in the exposure containers at the end of exposure period.
Litter microbial and soil faunal communities stimulated in the wake of a volcanic eruption in a semi-arid woodland in Patagonia, Argentina.

Summary Large-scale disturbances can be important components of the temporal landscape of natural ecosystems, but generalities regarding ecosystem impacts are difficult due to their infrequent and unpredictable nature. Volcanic eruptions figure as one of the most prominent of these natural disturbances, but the effects on microbes and ground-dwelling arthropods, which modulate carbon and nutrient turnover, are relatively unknown. We evaluated the effects of the 2011 Puyehue-Cordon Caulle eruption in Patagonia, Argentina, on the litter and soil microbial and faunal communities in natural and afforested semi-arid ecosystems located 70 km west of the epicentre of the eruption. We hypothesized that volcanic ash deposition would strongly reduce soil faunal and microbial communities due to insecticidal effects of ash on arthropods, with a concomitant reduction in ecosystem processes. Our objective was to quantify the impact of the volcanic eruption by comparing pre- and post-eruption time points in the same study site, with nearly identical field methodology. We measured environmental variables of soil and litter moisture, pH, microbial biomass, and soil and litter microbial enzymatic activity. We evaluated ground-dwelling arthropods and nematodes using pitfall traps and soil extraction, respectively. Additionally, a parallel, controlled-condition experiment of simulated ash deposition was conducted to evaluate ash effects on litter decomposition and enzymatic activity. In the field, post-eruption soils had lower soil water content, pH and soil organic matter. Additionally, nematode abundance and soil microbial enzyme activity were significantly reduced. In contrast, ground-dwelling arthropods and litter enzymatic activity increased significantly. Finally, with simulated ash deposition, litter decomposition increased fourfold for native litter decomposition. Large-scale disturbances may play a key role in biogeochemical cycling in affected natural ecosystems, but not necessarily due to their catastrophic effects. In contrast to our original predictions, we observed a marked stimulation of biotic activity and carbon turnover in the aftermath of the Puyehue volcanic eruption, which demonstrates that the biotic component of these ecosystems has a substantial capacity to respond to these disturbances in short time frames. These results can contribute to placing the role of these large-scale infrequent disturbances in a more robust ecological context. A Lay Summary is available for this article.
Life cycle of the South American apple snail Asolene platae (Maton, 1811) (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae) under laboratory conditions

Fil: Tiecher, Maria Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Bahia Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas y Biomedicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas y Biomedicas del Sur; Argentina
Semen lysozyme levels and semen quality in Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) fed with various dietary protein levels

Douze dindons de la race White Imperial breed ont ete divises en deux lots de 6 oiseaux chacun. Le premier lot a ete nourri aux aliments composes contenant 14 % de proteines et le second - a 17 % de proteines. On a etudie l'influence simultanee de differents niveaux proteiques et de la concentration de lysozyme dans le sperme et le serum sanguin sur le volume de l'ejaculai, sur la concentration des spermatozoides, sur leur mobilite, sur la qualite des spermatozoides vivants, morts et pathologiques. On a demontre qu'un contenu plus eleve des proteines dans les aliments composes ameliore les indices qualitatifs et quantitatifs du sperme tandis que les differentes concentrations de lysozyme dans le serum sanguin et le plasma spermatique influencent notablement la mobilite des spermatozoides et la quantite de spermatozoides vivants et morts dans le sperme des dindons.
Temperate facultative cleaner wrasses selectively remove ectoparasites from their client-fish in the Azores

Cleaner fishes are key contributors to the health of fish communities. However, much of the information in the literature refers to tropical systems, while fewer studies have examined the activity of cleaner fish inhabiting temperate ecosystems. Facultative cleaner fish are assumed to clean only during their juvenile phase, and have a broader diet than obligatory cleaner fish. Here, we focused on 2 facultative cleaner fish species, Coris julis and Thalassoma pavo, that live along the temperate coasts of the Azorean island of São Miguel. We found that these species focused their cleaning activities on relatively few species of clients, which supports the general idea that facultative cleaner fishes in temperate waters are less dependent on cleaning interactions than obligatory cleaner fishes in tropical waters. Both cleaner species were found to give more bites per host when inspecting larger clients, likely because the latter typically host more parasites. We found that C. julis consumed a greater diversity of food items, which included gnathiid larvae and fewer caligid copepods, compared to T. pavo where no ectoparasites were found. All cleaner fish that we collected after observations of cleaning had eaten gnathiid isopod larvae but not caligid copepods, even though caligid copepods were the most abundant ectoparasite found on the body of 7 selected fish species (including both client and non-client species), suggesting that both species selectively feed on gnathiid isopods. This study is the first to demonstrate that temperate facultative cleaner fish species actively and selectively inspect and remove ectoparasites from their client-fish species.
Camera trap study on inventory and daily activity patterns of large mammals in a mixed forest in north-western Turkey

Abstract This study aimed to detect the presence and the daily activity patterns of large mammals in a mixed forest in north-western Turkey. Field studies were carried out at 21 camera trap stations with a total sampling effort of 1046 camera trap days, covering an area of approximately 70 km2 between June 2009 and January 2010. Brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), European badger (Meles meles) and European hare (Lepus europaeus) were not known to be present in the area. European hare was the most captured species among the others and Eurasian lynx was the most captured carnivore. There was a positive relationship between spatial distributions and daily activity patterns of European hare and Eurasian lynx. European hare, Eurasian lynx and red fox were found to have nocturnal activity in the study area. The number of records between the activity classes (nocturnal and diurnal) did not differ for red deer and wolf. This study revealed the ecological importance of the area by determining both the species present in this area and their activity patterns.
Long-term response to thinning in a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) coppice stand under conversion to high forest in Central Italy

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests have a long history of coppicing, but the majority of formerly managed coppices are currently under conversion to high forest. The long time required to achieve conversion requires a long-term perspective to fully understand the implication of the applied conversion practices. In this study, we showed results from a long-term (1992–2014) casestudy comparing two management options (natural evolution and periodic thinning) in a beech coppice in conversion to high forest. Leaf area index, litter production, radiation transmittance and growth efficiency taken as relevant stand descriptors, were estimated using both direct and indirect optical methods. Overall, results indicated that beech coppice showed positive and prompt responses to active conversion practices based on periodic medium-heavy thinning. A growth efficiency index showed that tree growth increased as the cutting intensity increased. Results from the case study supported the effectiveness of active conversion management from an economic (timber harvesting) and ecological (higher growth efficiency) point of view.
Characterization of Extracellular Proteases of Aeromonas hydrophila

Two endoproteases, proteinase-I and proteinase-II, and one aminopeptidase were isolated from the culture supernatant of Aeromonas hydrophila by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gradient elution on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-50 and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The molecular weights of the proteinases and aminopeptidase ranged between 30,000 to 48,000. The proteinases had comparable pH (8.5) and temperature (48~50°C) optima. The aminopeptidase assayed using L-leucine-ρ-nitroanilide showed maximum activity at pH 8.0 and at a temperature of 70°C. The aminopeptidase was remarkably heat stable, while the proteinases were heat sensitive. Both the proteinases hydrolysed several proteins including fish myofibrillar proteins. Divalent cations like Fe2+ , Cu2+ and Zn2+ inhibited the activities of the two proteinases while Ca2+ and Mg2+ did not affect either the activities of the proteinases or that of the aminopeptidase. The aminopeptidase was inhibited by metal chelating agents as well as thiol reagents.
SHORT REPORT Molecular epidemiology of long-term colonization of Candida albicans strains from HIV-infected patients

SUMMARY Twenty-one Candida albicans isolates from three HIV-infected patients were collected over a period of 3 years and characterized for fluconazole susceptibility, infectivity and genetic relatedness. Fluconazole resistance was found in five isolates, four exhibited dose-dependent susceptibility and the remainder were fully susceptible to this agent. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of SfiI restriction digests of the genomic DNA from the isolates revealed that isolates from the same swab specimen were identical despite differences in susceptibility to fluconazole and isolates recovered over time from the three patients retained clonally related DNA fingerprints within each patient. This small-scale study confirms the persistence of oral colonization of C. albicans strains in HIV-infected patients. Clinical data also suggests that the primary infecting strain may become a persistent colonist in the oral cavity once the immune function of the patient has been restored.
"Inflation persistence and price-setting behaviour in the euro area: a summary of the Inflation Persistence Network evidence." NBB Working Paper No. 95, October 2006

This paper provides a summary of current knowledge on inflation persistence and price stickiness in the euro area, based on research findings that have been produced in the context of the Inflation Persistence Network. The main findings are: i) Under the current monetary policy regime, the estimated degree of inflation persistence in the euro area is moderate; ii) Retail prices in the euro area are more sticky than in the US; iii) There is significant sectoral heterogeneity in the degree of price stickiness; iv) Price decreases are not uncommon. The paper also investigates some of the policy implications of these findings.
Strong-field ionization of N2: length and velocity gauge strong-field approximation and tunnelling theory

Molecular strong-field approximation calculations in the length and velocity gauges are performed on N2 to produce photoelectron angular distributions, total ionization rates and ion signals as a function of the orientation between the laser field and the molecule. Our study is supplemented by molecular tunnelling calculations, the results of which are in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings and the length gauge molecular strong-field approximation results.
14- STUDY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF THE TUBERS OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS L. AND CYPERUS ALOPECUROIDES ROTTB.

GC/MS analysis of the essential oils of the tubers of Cyperus rotundus L. and Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. revealed the presence of 52 and 37 components respectively. The examined oils are rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (52.4 and 49.37%), hydrocarbons represents (28.19 and 30.43%) in C.rotundus L. and C. alopecuroides Rottb. respectively. Caryophyllene oxide, (+) α-cyperone and β-calacorene are the major constituents in C. alopecuroides Rottb. while (+) oxo-α-ylangene, (+) αcyperone, trans-pino-carveol and cyperene were the major constituents in C. rotundus L. The oils of both species showed a significant cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC); significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureas and Streptococcus species, and moderate antimicrobial activity against Sarcina lutea, Mycobacterium phlei and Bacillus subtilis. But they showed negative effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Esherichia coli. C. alopecuroides oil showed a moderate activity against Proteus species while C. rotundus oil was inactive.
Mating capability and behavior of Plutella xylostella

The mating capability and behavior of the DBM(diamondback moth) were investigated under laboratory conditions.Both males and females were able to mate at the first day after emergence,and males could copulate more than once in their lifetime.Three mating peaks were observed during one day,namely 12∶30,0∶30 and 6∶30.The mating ratio at the first day was low and increased at 2-4 d(71.4%-76%). The duration of mating ranged from 50 to 125 min,which was positively correlated with the age of the DBM.The mating ability of female and male was mainly influenced by sex ratio.The female and male moths mating frequency and capacity were the strongest when the female to male ratio was 2∶1,with the mating frequency of male moth being 8.67 and the sperm packet number of female moth received being six.
Quasars Probing Quasars

We report on a survey for strong (rest equivalent width Wr ≥ 1Å), intervening Mg II systems along the sightlines to long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The GRB spectra which comprise the survey have a heterogeneous mix of resolution and wavelength coverage, but we implement a strict, uniform set of search criteria to derive a well-defined statistical sample. We identify 15 strong Mg II absorbers along 12 GRB sightlines (nearly every sightline exhibits at least one absorber) with spectra covering a total pathlength ∆z = 13.8 at a mean redshift z̄ = 1.1. In contrast, the predicted incidence of such absorber systems along the same path length to quasar sightlines is only 3.4. The roughly four times higher incidence along GRB sightlines is inconsistent with a statistical fluctuation at greater than 99.9% c.l. Several effects could explain the result: (i) dust within the Mg II absorbers obscures faint quasars giving a lower observed incidence along quasar sightlines; (ii) the gas is intrinsic to the GRB event; (iii) the GRB are gravitationally lensed by these absorbers. We present strong arguments against the first two effects and also consider lensing to be an unlikely explanation. The results suggest that at least one of our fundamental beliefs on absorption line research is flawed. Subject headings: gamma rays: bursts