Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic approaches to retinal research in zebrafish

Abstract The zebrafish (Danio rerio) possesses a vertebrate-type retina that is extraordinarily conserved in evolution. This well-organized and anatomically easily accessible part of the central nervous system has been widely investigated in zebrafish, promoting general understanding of retinal development, morphology, function and associated diseases. Over the recent years, genome and protein engineering as well as imaging techniques have experienced revolutionary advances and innovations, creating new possibilities and methods to study zebrafish development and function. In this review, we focus on some of these emerging technologies and how they may impact retinal research in the future. We place an emphasis on genetic techniques, such as transgenic approaches and the revolutionizing new possibilities in genome editing.
Shiga Toxin Translocation across Intestinal Epithelial Cells Is Enhanced by Neutrophil Transmigration

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a food-borne pathogen that causes serious illness, including hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC colonizes the lower intestine and produces Shiga toxins (Stxs). Stxs appear to translocate across intestinal epithelia and affect sensitive endothelial cell beds at various sites. We have previously shown that Stxs cross polarized intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) via a transcellular route and remain biologically active. Since acute inflammatory infiltration of the gut and fecal leukocytes is seen in many STEC-infected patients and since polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) transmigration across polarized IECs diminishes the IEC barrier function in vitro, we hypothesized that PMN transmigration may enhance Stx movement across IECs. We found that basolateral-to-apical transmigration of neutrophils significantly increased the movement of Stx1 and Stx2 across polarized T84 IECs in the opposite direction. The amount of Stx crossing the T84 barrier was proportional to the degree of neutrophil transmigration, and the increase in Stx translocation appears to be due to increases in paracellular permeability caused by migrating PMNs. STEC clinical isolates applied apically induced PMN transmigration across and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion from T84 cells. Of the 10 STEC strains tested, three STEC strains lackingeae and espB (eae- andespB-negative STEC strains) induced significantly more neutrophil transmigration and significantly greater IL-8 secretion thaneae- and espB-positive STEC or enteropathogenic E. coli. This study suggests that STEC interaction with intestinal epithelia induces neutrophil recruitment to the intestinal lumen, resulting in neutrophil extravasation across IECs, and that during this process Stxs may pass in greater amounts into underlying tissues, thereby increasing the risk of HUS.
The initiation mass for DNA replication in Escherichia coli K‐12 is dependent on growth rate.

It is widely accepted that the initiation mass of Escherichia coli is constant and independent of growth rate, and therefore is an important parameter in the regulation of initiation of DNA replication. We have used flow cytometry to measure the initiation mass of E. coli K‐12 cells as a function of growth rate. The average initiation mass was determined by two methods: (i) from a mathematical relationship between average cell mass, cell age at initiation and number of origins present in the cells, and (ii) directly from the cell mass distribution. The light scattering signal from individual cells and the protein content per cell were employed as measures of cell mass. The initiation mass was found to increase monotonically with decreasing growth rate, being 1.6 times higher (light scattering) or 2.1 times higher (protein content) at 0.3 than at 2.5 doublings per hour. We conclude that the initiation mass is dependent on growth rate. This finding indicates that the control for timing of initiation is not governed by a direct connection between mass accumulation and the molecule(s) determining initiation of replication.
Raw and fungal-treated olive-mill wastewater effects on selected parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth – The role of proline

Olive-mill wastewater (OMW) constitutes a major agricultural waste stream for which disposal is associated with significant environmental repercussions. No data are available on the effects of biotreated OMW and of the protective role of exogenously provided proline on plant physiology. In the present study, OMW was administered, either raw or previously treated by the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, with or without proline amendment, to lettuce plants growing in sterilized sand. Biotreated OMW and proline addition resulted in significant moderation of OMW adverse effects on plant biomass production and ascorbic acid content, while their synergistic action alleviated the severe negative impact on net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fo) invoked by the effluent. Moreover, biotreated OMW supplemented with proline, moderated the decrease in chlorophylls exerted by raw OMW, but it did not contribute at restoring carotenoids content. Restoration of plant transpiration was complete when biotreated OMW was used (with or without proline); proline alone mitigated the negative impact of OMW on photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm and Fv′/Fm′). It seems that key photosynthetic parameters could be exploited as suitable evaluators of wastewater-induced plant toxicity, while plant fertigation with biotreated and/or supplemented OMW could be an interesting prospect in valorizing this effluent.
Rapid dual-injection single-scan 13N-ammonia PET for quantification of rest and stress myocardial blood flows

Quantification of myocardial blood flows at rest and stress using 13N-ammonia PET is an established method; however, current techniques require a waiting period of about 1 h between scans. The objective of this study was to test a rapid dual-injection single-scan approach, where 13N-ammonia injections are administered 10 min apart during rest and adenosine stress. Dynamic PET data were acquired in six human subjects using imaging protocols that provided separate single-injection scans as gold standards. Rest and stress data were combined to emulate rapid dual-injection data so that the underlying activity from each injection was known exactly. Regional blood flow estimates were computed from the dual-injection data using two methods: background subtraction and combined modelling. The rapid dual-injection approach provided blood flow estimates very similar to the conventional single-injection standards. Rest blood flow estimates were affected very little by the dual-injection approach, and stress estimates correlated strongly with separate single-injection values (r = 0.998, mean absolute difference = 0.06 ml min−1 g−1). An actual rapid dual-injection scan was successfully acquired in one subject and further demonstrates feasibility of the method. This study with a limited dataset demonstrates that blood flow quantification can be obtained in only 20 min by the rapid dual-injection approach with accuracy similar to that of conventional separate rest and stress scans. The rapid dual-injection approach merits further development and additional evaluation for potential clinical use.
B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and pseudo‐Gaucher cells in a lymph node fine needle aspiration

no follow-up. Microscopic psammoma body calcified structures in cervical smears can be seen in association with benign disorders, including adhesions, benign ovarian tumours, cervical polyps, endometriosis, endosalpingiosis, fallopian tubal cells, intrauterine device, oral contraceptives, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Malignant disorders associated with psammoma bodies include carcinomas of the cervix, endometrium, ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum. Benign conditions often have a few associated bland glandular cells versus adherent malignant glandular cells in malignant disorders. Malakoplakia is a granulomatous process that results from impaired phagocytosis of a bacterial infection, particularly Escherichia coli. In this condition, in addition to inflammatory cells, such as histiocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells, characteristic concentrically laminated calcified spherules, Michaelis–Gutmann bodies, which are pathognomonic for malakoplakia, may be observed. They can be stained by periodic acid–Schiff and for calcium by von Kossa staining. Although malakoplakia is classically described as an inflammatory condition of the genitourinary tract in middle-aged women, it may be associated with a variety of tumours. The typical gynaecological malakoplakia presents with post-menopausal vaginal bleeding. Immunosuppression may be associated with this condition, which has been reported in the literature. The patient in our case was not immunosuppressed. In conclusion, psammomatous-like calcification in uterine malakoplakia may be a diagnostic pitfall for other benign and malignant uterine conditions; the detection of Michaelis–Gutmann bodies helps to confirm malakoplakia.
The PlantProm DB: Recent Updates

We present the second release of the Plant Prom DB (initially lunched in 2003), an annotated, non-redundant collection of proximal promoter sequences for RNA polymerase II (Pol II) with experimentally determined transcription start site(s) (TSS) from 86 plant species. It contains 576 entries including 150, 403 and 23 promoters of monocot, dicot and other plants genes, respectively. The database provides DNA sequences and nucleotide composition characteristics of the promoters upstream and downstream of TSS (-200:+51), taxonomic/promoter type classification of promoters and Nucleotide Frequency Matrices (NFMs) for important promoter elements such as TATA-box, INR-motif, Y-patch and DPE. We demonstrated a difference in general nucleotide composition of promoter sequences between monocots and dicots. The database also contains information on statistically significant motifs of known regulatory elements found in the described promoters. The Plant Prom DB is available at http://cub.comsats. edu.pk.
Extraction of phenolic compounds from green walnut fruits in different solvents

The extractive efficiency of phenolic compounds from plant material is greatly depended on the solvent. In our research, methanol and ethanol were used for taking out the phenols from green walnut fruits. The total phenolics and some individual phenolics, such as gallic, chlorogenic, ellagic, sinapic and protocatechuic acid, (+)-catechin and juglone were detected. Total phenolic contents were determined spectrofotometric but individual phenols using HPLC. Amounts of total phenolics were higher when for extraction methanol was used compare to ethanol, in both cultivars, Elit and Franquette. Similar effect of the solvents was observed in the case some individual phenols, such as juglone, (+)-catechin, gallic, protocatechuic and chlorogenic acid. On the contrary, for ellagic and sinapic acid the extraction was better when ethanol was used compare to methanol.
Insect Resistance to Transgenic Bt Crops: Lessons from the Laboratory and Field

Abstract Transgenic crops that produce insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) grew on >62 million ha worldwide from 1996 to 2002. Despite expectations that pests would rapidly evolve resistance to such Bt crops, increases in the frequency of resistance caused by exposure to Bt crops in the field have not yet been documented. In laboratory and greenhouse tests, however, at least seven resistant laboratory strains of three pests (Plutella xylostella [L.], Pectinophora gossypiella [Saunders], and Helicoverpa armigera [Hübner]) have completed development on Bt crops. In contrast, several other laboratory strains with 70- to 10,100-fold resistance to Bt toxins in diet did not survive on Bt crops. Monitoring of field populations in regions with high adoption of Bt crops has not yet detected increases in resistance frequency. Resistance monitoring examples include Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) in the United States (6 yr), P. gossypiella in Arizona (5 yr), H. armigera in northern China (3 yr), and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) in North Carolina (2 yr). Key factors delaying resistance to Bt crops are probably refuges of non-Bt host plants that enable survival of susceptible pests, low initial resistance allele frequencies, recessive inheritance of resistance to Bt crops, costs associated with resistance that reduce fitness of resistant individuals relative to susceptible individuals on non-Bt hosts (“fitness costs”), and disadvantages suffered by resistant strains on Bt hosts relative to their performance on non-Bt hosts (“incomplete resistance”). The relative importance of these factors varies among pest-Bt crop systems, and violations of key assumptions of the refuge strategy (low resistance allele frequency and recessive inheritance) may occur in some cases. The success of Bt crops exceeds expectations of many, but does not preclude resistance problems in the future.
Numerical analysis of feedforward position control for non-pulley musculoskeletal system: a case study of muscular arrangements of a two-link planar system with six muscles

Abstract In a musculoskeletal system like a tendon-driven robot, redundant actuation is necessary because muscles (or mechanical parts such as tendons) can transmit tension only unidirectionally. This redundancy yields internal force among muscles, which has a particular field of potential energy. Using internal force as a feedforward input, a musculoskeletal system can achieve feedforward position control with no sensory feedback. This paper studies the feedforward position control coming from the redundancy for a non-pulley musculoskeletal system. Targeting a planar two-link system with six muscles as a case study, the motion convergence depending on the muscular arrangement is examined quasi-statically. The results point out that the convergence is extremely sensitive to the muscular arrangement, and adding small offsets for the muscular connected points can remarkably improve the positioning performance.
Fuel Cell – Ultra Capacitor hybrid system for Grid Connected Applications

Fuel cells are considered as one of the most promising devices for standalone/grid connected distributed generations due to its cleanliness, modularity and higher potential capability. In the present energy scenario, Fuel cells combined with other renewable technologies are gaining attraction. This paper focuses on the combination of Fuel Cell (FC) and Ultra-Capacitor (UC) systems for sustained power generation. Model of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell have been developed in the MATLAB/Simulink Environment. To supply the required hydrogen moles, Electrolyzer model was developed. Hydrogen storage tank was modeled such that the generated moles of hydrogen from the electrolyzer are stored in the storage tank and the fuel cell receives the required amount of hydrogen moles from the storage tank rather than the electrolyzer. The combined system was synchronized to the grid and when the load demand exceeds the capacity of the fuel cell system, then the additional power is supplied by the grid thus ensuring continuity of supply to the load. DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i6. 5052 Full Text: PDF
Recovery of manganese and zinc from spent Zn-C and alkaline batteries in acidic medium

The anode and the internal paste of spent Zn-C and alkaline batteries were leached with 2 mol L-1 H2SO4 at 80 oC for 2 h. Solid/liquid ratio was 1/10 (g mL-1). The leachate was treated with Na2S in order to precipitate Hg, Cd and Pb. Zn was quantitatively isolated at pH 1,5-2 by adding Na2S. Mn can be precipitated at pH close to 7. Na2S may be replaced by oxalic acid. Zn precipitated at pH around 0, whereas Mn was quantitatively recovered at pH > 4. Acidity control is a critical parameter. Na2SO4 and carbon are the end products.
A Customisable and Responsive Design Online Booking System

Internet has become the first option to look for hotels when people travel, which makes it a great opportunity for hotels to have a web site with a booking engine included, which will offer comfort to their clients, and expand their sales to a wider market. This paper presents a customisable online booking system, which facilitates the control of room bookings to administrators of small hotels, managing the sales from their own web site; and facilitates and guarantees the bookings for their potential guests. Additionally, the online system can be automatically visualized in different mobile devices, following the responsive web design pattern.
Dissociation of slow waves and fast oscillations above 200 Hz during GABA application in rat somatosensory cortex

Fast electrical oscillations (FOs; > 200 Hz), superimposed on vibrissa‐evoked slow potentials, may support rapid sensory integration in neocortex. Yet, while it is well established that the positive/negative (P1/N1) slow wave of the somatosensory evoked potential primarily reflects sequential activation of supragranular and infragranular pyramidal cells mediated chiefly via excitatory chemical synaptic pathways, little is known about the generation of FOs. In this study, laminar current source–density analysis and principal component analysis indicated that FOs are generated by two dipolar current sources situated in the supra‐ and infragranular layers, similar in laminar location to the two current dipoles associated with the slow wave. However, exogenous GABA application reversibly abolished the N1 slow wave, leaving the P1 intact, while the FO was unaffected by GABA. Furthermore, reductions in both supra‐ and infragranular cortical unit discharge during application of GABA suggests that FO generation is not dependent on the same intracortical synaptic circuits that are associated with the N1 slow wave. These data suggest a marked functional dissociation between neural mechanisms underlying the slow and fast components of the vibrissa‐evoked response.
How Color Properties Can Be Used to Elicit Emotions in Video Games

Classifying the many types of video games is difficult, as their genres and supports are different, but they all have in common that they seek the commitment of the player through exciting emotions and challenges. Since the income of the video game industry exceeds that of the film industry, the field of inducting emotions through video games and virtual environments is attracting more attention. Our theory, widely supported by substantial literature, is that the chromatic stimuli intensity, brightness, and saturation of a video game environment produce an emotional effect on players. We have observed a correlation between the RGB additives color spaces, HSV, HSL, and HSI components of video game images, presented to n = 85 participants, and the emotional statements expressed in terms of arousal and valence, recovered in a subjective semantic questionnaire. Our results show a significant correlation between luminance, saturation, lightness, and the emotions of joy, sadness, fear, and serenity experienced by participants viewing 24 video game images. We also show strong correlations between the colorimetric diversity, saliency volume, and stimuli conspicuity and the emotions expressed by the players. These results allow us to propose video game environment development methods in the form of a circumplex model. It is aimed at game designers for developing emotional color scripting.
Dissociating the role of the caudate nucleus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the monitoring of events within human working memory

There is evidence that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is involved in the monitoring of information held in memory whether it is self‐ordered or externally triggered. However, the functional contribution of the caudate nucleus in the monitoring of events has not yet been studied. We have previously proposed that the striatum is involved when a novel self‐initiated action needs to be generated. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that the caudate nucleus is significantly more required when the monitoring is self‐ordered as opposed to externally triggered. Self‐ordered monitoring refers to keeping track of which items have been selected so far in order to perform the current selection. Externally triggered monitoring refers to keeping track of which items have been selected by an outside source. Thirteen healthy young adults were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a monitoring task with three conditions: self‐ordered, externally triggered and recognition. As predicted, a significant increase of activity was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally when the self‐ordered and externally triggered conditions were compared with the recognition condition. Most importantly, significantly increased activity was found in the right caudate nucleus when comparing the self‐ordered with the recognition condition or with the externally triggered condition, but not when comparing the externally triggered with the recognition condition. We suggest that the caudate nucleus is involved in the planning of a self‐initiated novel action, especially when no clear indication is given for the response choice, and that this may be the case across different domains of cognition.
Near-infrared emission from sublimating dust in collisionally active debris disks

Context. Hot exozodiacal dust is thought to be responsible for excess near-infrared (NIR) emission emanating from the innermost parts of some debris disks. The origin of this dust, however, is still a matter of debate. Aims. We test whether hot exozodiacal dust can be supplied from an exterior parent belt by Poynting-Robertson (P-R) drag, paying special attention to the pile-up of dust that occurs owing to the interplay of P-R drag and dust sublimation. Specifically, we investigate whether pile-ups still occur when collisions are taken into account, and if they can explain the observed NIR excess. Methods. We computed the steady-state distribution of dust in the inner disk by solving the continuity equation. First, we derived an analytical solution under a number of simplifying assumptions. Second, we developed a numerical debris disk model that for the first time treats the complex interaction of collisions, P-R drag, and sublimation in a self-consistent way. From the resulting dust distributions, we generated thermal emission spectra and compare these to observed excess NIR fluxes. Results. We confirm that P-R drag always supplies a small amount of dust to the sublimation zone, but find that a fully consistent treatment yields a maximum amount of dust that is about 7 times lower than that given by analytical estimates. The NIR excess due to this material is much less (≲10-3 for A-type stars with parent belts at ≳1 AU) than the values derived from interferometric observations (~10-2). Pile-up of dust still occurs when collisions are considered, but its effect on the NIR flux is insignificant. Finally, the cross-section in the innermost regions is clearly dominated by barely bound grains.