Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate Change–Induced Stress Reduce Quantity and Alter Composition of Nectar and Pollen From a Bee-Pollinated Species (Borago officinalis, Boraginaceae)

In temperate ecosystems, elevated temperatures, and drought occur especially during spring and summer, which are crucial periods for flowering, pollination, and reproduction of a majority of temperate plants. While many mechanisms may underlie pollinator decline in the wake of climate change, the interactive effects of temperature and water stress on the quantity and quality of floral nectar and pollen resources remain poorly studied. We investigated the impact of temperature rise (+3 and +6°C) and water stress (soil humidity lower than 15%) on the floral resources produced by the bee-pollinated species Borago officinalis. Nectar volume decreased with both temperature rise and water stress (6.1 ± 0.5 μl per flower under control conditions, 0.8 ± 0.1 μl per flower under high temperature and water stress conditions), resulting in a 60% decrease in the total quantity of nectar sugars (mg) produced per flower. Temperature rise but not water stress also induced a 50% decrease in pollen weight per flower but a 65% increase in pollen polypeptide concentration. Both temperature rise and water stress increased the total amino acid concentration and the essential amino acid percentage in nectar but not in pollen. In both pollen and nectar, the relative percentage of the different amino acids were modified under stresses. We discuss these modifications in floral resources in regards to plant–pollinator interactions and consequences on plant pollination success and on insect nutritional needs.
Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 Regulates Cajal–Retzius Cell Development and Neural Precursor Cell Adhesion

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that regulates DNA damage repair, cell death, inflammation, and transcription. PARP1 functions by adding ADP-ribose polymers (PAR) to proteins including itself, using NAD+ as a donor. This post-translational modification known as PARylation results in changes in the activity of PARP1 and its substrate proteins and has been linked to the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. PARP1 KO mice display schizophrenia-like behaviors, have impaired memory formation, and have defects in neuronal proliferation and survival, while mutations in genes that affect PARylation have been associated with intellectual disability, psychosis, neurodegeneration, and stroke in humans. Yet, the roles of PARP1 in brain development have not been extensively studied. We now find that loss of PARP1 leads to defects in brain development and increased neuronal density at birth. We further demonstrate that PARP1 loss increases the expression levels of genes associated with neuronal migration and adhesion in the E15.5 cerebral cortex, including Reln. This correlates with an increased number of Cajal–Retzius (CR) cells in vivo and in cultures of embryonic neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from the PARP1 KO cortex. Furthermore, PARP1 loss leads to increased NPC adhesion to N-cadherin, like that induced by experimental exposure to Reelin. Taken together, these results uncover a novel role for PARP1 in brain development, i.e., regulation of CR cells, neuronal density, and cell adhesion.
Characteristics of changes of the chemical composition of cranberry marsh in the process of obtaining puree

Introduction. Studies have been carried out to determine the impact of technological processing, in particular, on the processes of blanching and deaeration on the chemical composition of cranberry marsh puree. Materials and methods. Puree of marsh cranberry was investigated for identification of bioflavonoid; methods of high-performance liquid chromatography, electron spectrometry, gas chromatography with mass detector of initial and hydrolyzed samples were used. Results and discussion. It was established that as a result of technological reprocessing of cranberry into puree, the amount of ascorbic acid decreased by 13.5 times; the content of phenolic substances in puree from cranberry fruits is 983 mg%, anthocyanins – 160 mg%; the content of water-soluble pectin is increased to 3.0%, which is associated with partial hydrolysis of protopectin, fiber – 3.1% of the mass fraction of dry matter of puree. In puree from cranberries, 36.6% of sugars are contained in the mass fraction of dry matter of puree, of which 28.8% are reductive, namely glucose and fructose, the increase of which is due to partial acid hydrolysis of sucrose during the processing of berries in puree. In puree, the presence of anthocyanin compounds found in the original sample is in a bound state with citric acid, as well as mono-oxycarboxylic acids. A number of organic acids have been identified: 3-hydroxybutyric acid; ferulic acid; amber, apple, citric acids. When processing cranberry into puree, it preserves natural preservatives contained in fresh berries. Thus, in cranberry puree there is benzoic acid in the amount of 122.2 mg%±15% and a small amount of sorbic acid is available up to 2.5 mg%. The positive effect of cranberry on growth retardation of the yeast of the genus Candida was investigated. Conclusions. Cranberry puree is a natural source of biologically active substances and natural preservatives and is recommended for use in long-term storage functional foods. Article history:
About Solid Phase vs. Liquid Phase in Suzuki-Miyaura Reaction

A critical review of conclusions about the putative heterogeneous mechanism in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling by supported Pd solids is reported. In the first section, the turnover frequencies (TOF) of 20 well-established homogeneous catalysts are shown to be in the range 200 to 1,000,000,000 h − 1 . The evidences used to prove a heterogeneous mechanism are discussed and another interpretation is proposed, hypothesizing that only the leached species are responsible for the catalytic reaction, even at ppb levels. Considering more than 40 published catalytic systems for which liquid phase Pd content have been reported, activities have been computed based on leached Pd concentrations and are shown to be in the range TOF 150 to 70,000,000 h − 1 . Such values are compatible with those found for the well-established homogeneous catalysts which questions the validity of the conclusions raised by many papers about the heterogeneous (solid) nature of Suzuki-Miyaura catalysis. Last, a tentative methodology is proposed which involves the rational use of well-known tests (hot-filtration test, mercury test…) to help to discriminate between homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms.
Study of K-Feldspar and Lime Hydrothermal Reaction: Phase and Mechanism with Reaction Temperature and Increasing Ca/Si Ratio

To elucidate the physicochemical properties of the artificial silicate composite material, K-feldspar and lime were reacted in mild hydrothermal conditions (different reaction temperatures and various K-feldspar/lime ratios). Formed phases were investigated using various techniques, such as X-ray powder diffraction, the Rietveld method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The analysis revealed that tobermorite, grossular (hydrogarnet), alpha-dicalcium silicate hydrate (α-C2SH), amorphous calcium silicate hydrate, potassium carbonate, bütschliite, calcite, and calcium hydroxide formed with various conditions. Both the temperature and the Ca/Si molar ratio in the starting material greatly affected the formation of phases, especially the generation of tobermorite and α-C2SH. The substitution of H4O4 ↔ SiO4 proceeded with the increase of the Ca/Si molar ratio rather than the reaction temperature and the reaction time. More hydrogen was incorporated in hydrogarnet through the substitution of H4O4 ↔ SiO4 with the increase of the Ca/Si molar ratio in the starting material. Due to the properties of tobermorite as a cation exchanger and its potential applications in hazardous waste disposal, experimental parameters should be optimized to obtain better performance of the artificial silicate composite material from K-feldspar and lime hydrothermal reaction. The dissolution mechanism of K-feldspar was also discussed.
Applied Growth Kinetic Models for Crude Oil Spill Bioremediation in a Batch Scale Bioreactor

Hydrocarbon pollution occurs mainly by accidental oil spills, deliberate discharge of ballast waters from oil tankers and bilge waste discharges; causing site pollution and serious adverse effects on the environment. As compared to physical and chemical methods, such as booms, skimmers, adsorbents, chemical surfactants, oxidants, etc., bioremediation is a sustainable technique for restoration of oil-polluted sites, in which highly hazardous oily materials can be easily mineralized to harmless end products at very low cost using indigenous microorganisms. In this study, bioremediation experiments of artificially crude oil contaminated water was carried out in a batch scale bioreactor using the mixed culture of Ochrobactrum pseudintermedium sp. C1 and Bacillus cereus sp. K1. The effect of initial crude oil concentrations (1 to 10% v/v) on the growth and biodegradation rate were studied. The initial rate of growth and biodegradation increased with initial crude oil concentration up to 4% (v/v), but further increase in oil concentration resulted in a gradual decrease in the rate of biodegradation due to substrate inhibition. Both Monod and Haldane kinetic models were applied to evaluate the growth kinetic parameters (µmax, Ks, Ki, Smax, Yx/s). It was found that the Monod model was unable to present the growth parameters over the defined concentration range. However, Haldane model perfectly fitted with the experimental data and the following kinetic parameters were obtained: µmax=0.085 hr-1; Ks=32722.83 mg/dm3; Ki=53205.64 mg/dm3; Smax=41725.76 mg/dm3. These results showed that the mixed culture was able to utilize a considerably high concentration of crude oil and could be very effective in crude oil biodegradation for restoration of highly oil contaminated sites.
Monitoring and forecasting the COVID-19 epidemic in Moscow: model selection by balanced identification technology - version: September 2021

A mathematical model is a reflection of knowledge on the real object studied. The paper shows how the accumulation of data (statistical data and knowledge) about the COVID-19 pandemic lead to gradual refinement of mathematical models, to the expansion of the scope of their use. The resulting model satisfactorily describes the dynamics of COVID-19 in Moscow from 19.03. 2020 to 01.09. 2021 and can be used for forecasting with a horizon of several months. The dynamics of the model is mainly determined by herd immunity. Monitoring the situation in Moscow has not yet (as of 01.09.2021) revealed noticeable seasonality of the disease nor an increase in infectivity (due to the Delta strain). The results of using balanced identification technology to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic are: - models corresponding to the data available at different points in time (from March 2020 to August 2021); - new knowledge (dependencies) acquired; - forecasts for the third and fourth waves in Moscow. Discrepancies that manifested after 01.09. 2021 and possible further modifications of the model are discussed
Hepatoprotective Effect of Quercetin on Bisphenol A-Induced Toxicity

Abstract One of the natural antioxidant flavonols -Quercetin is found in various food products and plants. Its anticancer properties have been proved by in vivo and in vitro experiments; it shows an attempt to examine toxic effects of Bisphenol A in the liver of mice and its alleviation by quercetin. For this inbred Swiss strain male albino mice were orally administered with quercetin (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight/day) along with BPA (240 mg/kg body weight/day) for 45 days. On the completion of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed; organs were isolated and used for biochemical analysis. All these effects were dose-dependent. Co-treatment with quercetin (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight) and BPA (240 mg/kg body weight) alleviates the changes in body weight, absolute and relative organ weights of mice. Biochemical analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent reduction in enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, Catalase and glutathione peroxidase and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as Glutathione and Total ascorbic acid content were also observed in Bisphenol A -treated groups as compared to control. The present results revealed that graded doses of BPA caused oxidative damage in the liver of mice, which is mitigated by quercetin.
Soil phosphorus sorption properties in different fertilization systems

The study aimed at the evaluation of the accumulation and vertical distribution of different forms of phosphorus (P) in reference to phosphorus sorption properties subject to mineral (NPK), mineral-organic (NPK + M), and organic (M) fertilisation. It was carried out in a long-term experimental field in Skierniewice (Central Poland) conducted since 1923 under rye monoculture. Total P content in the M and NPK soil profile was similar and lower than in the NPK + M soil. The content of organic P in Ap and Eet horizons of both manured soils was similar and higher than in the NPK soil. The Langmuir P sorption maximum (Smax) in the studied soils ranged from 39.7 to 90 mg P/kg, while the Freundlich P sorption coefficient aF ranged from 6.9 to 41.9 mg P/kg. Higher variability of parameters related to the binding energy from the Lanqmuir (k) and Freundlich (aF) equations was determined between soil horizons than between the fertilisation systems. Nonetheless, in M and NPK + M soils, sorption parameters aF and Smax and binding energy (k, bF) were considerably lower than in the NPK soil. The content of water extracted P in manured soils was higher than in the NPK soil.
Uptake, Translocation, and Bioaccumulation of Elements in Forest Nettle (Laportea alatipes)

ABSTRACTs Elements found in the edible parts of plants are considered to be the main source of nutrients for humans and animals. However, there is insufficient information on the relationship between heavy metal pollution in the growing soil of most edible plants. In this study, the distribution of elements in the edible forest nettle (Laportea alatipes) was evaluated as a function of geographical location. Forest land soils had higher concentrations of minor elements (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) compared to soils from rural and suburban areas. Translocation factors for Cd and Pb showed effective translocation from the roots to the leaves; however, these heavy metals in leaves were still above South African maximum permissible levels for vegetables. Atmospheric depositions may play a significant role in higher Cd and Pb concentrations in the leaves. Bioaccumulation factors showed the plant to accumulate Cu, Mn, and Zn to meet physiological requirement levels. Geoaccumulation indices and enrichment factors showed no soil contamination or minimal enrichment by trace metals. Principal component analysis showed Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil to originate from a common source which may be soil silicates and other minerals.
Phase control and enhanced gas sensing properties of metastable ϵ-Fe2O3

ABSTRACT Different phase structures (α-Fe2O3, γ-Fe2O3 and ϵ-Fe2O3) of iron oxides (Fe2O3) were prepared by the same method- a combination method of reverse-micelle and sol-gel. The phase structures were controlled by adding different ionic additives (Na+ and Ba2+). The as-synthesized α-Fe2O3, γ-Fe2O3 and ϵ-Fe2O3 samples were investigated and discussed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an intelligent gas sensing analysis system. Interestingly, metastable ϵ-Fe2O3 showed an excellent selectivity for n-butanol, compared with the stable phases of α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3. It indicates that nanostructure ϵ-Fe2O3 could be a valuable material for the fabrication of advanced sensing devices.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in archeological science: a review of its application and future perspectives

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the last decades has become a promising analytical technique for a broad variety of archeological objects with great results obtained either alone or in combination with complementary techniques. It is mainly advantageous due to no sample preparation, minimally destructive, rapid analysis and depth profiling analysis spur LIBS technique to become a significant attractive technique for the characterization and conservation of archeological samples or artworks. The present paper describes in brief the basic principles and instrumentation of LIBS, and reviews several case studies on metallic alloys, ceramic, glass, painted artworks, historical buildings and biomaterials in the most recent 7 years (2011–2017) that demonstrate the applicability and prospects of LIBS in the field of archeological science.
Ion imprinted adsorbent for the removal of Ni(II) from waste water: preparation, characterization, and adsorption

Abstract In this paper, a selective nickel ions chelating adsorbents (Ni-CMCS) were prepared based on carboxymethyl chitosan by ion imprinting technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate their physicochemical properties. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis showed that the BET surface area of Ni-CMCS had a significant increase after ion imprinting process. The effects of pH value, contact time and initial concentration of Ni(II) were studied. The adsorption kinetics were investigated, which indicated that Ni-CMCS was better fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9991) with film diffusion process as rate controlling step. The adsorption isotherms study indicated that Langmuir model matched better with the experimental data for Ni-CMCS (R2 = 0.9617). Besides, the maximum adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir equation was 82.78 mg g−1. Moreover, the selectivity experiment suggested that Ni-CMCS had good selectivity in the presence of Co(II), Mn(II), or Cd(II). After used four cycles, Ni-CMCS kept great adsorption capacity. Graphical Abstract
Hambatan guru dalam pembelajaran daring: Studi kasus di kelas V MIN 2 Kota Mataram

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi dan mendeskripsikan hambatan pembelajaran daring di kelas V MIN 2 Kota Mataram. Penelitian ini menggunakan studi kasus dengan dengan mengeksplorasi informasi dari 2 guru dan 5 peserta didik sebagai subjek penelitian. Adapun teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menggambarkan bahwa terdapat berbagai hambatan guru dalam menerapkan pembelajaran daring diantaranya: (1) implementasi perangkat pembelajaran yang disusun belum dapat diimplementasikan secara optimal, termasuk pemanfaatan e-learning dalam pembelajaran. (2) Keterbatasan kuota internet dan h andphone android peserta didik. Adapun strategi antisipasinya, guru menggunakan flatform media sosial lainnya sebagai media pembelajaran. Adapun cara mengatasi hambatan tersebut dilakukan dengan berbagai tindakan nyata seperti: (1) penyediaan kuota internet gratis, (2) pendampingan dan pelatihan e-learning, dan (3) pembagian ponsel gratis. Ditambah dengan penyajian materi pembelajaran yang menarik dan peningkatan motivasi belajar peserta didik secara berkelanjutan.
Sugar Composition Analysis of Commercial Citrus Juice Products

Citrus juice is one of the most popular fruit juices in the market. From 2013 to 2015, under a citrus juice nutrition and quality research program, the sugar composition and concentrations of 286 and 38 samples of commercial 100% orange and grapefruit juice products, respectively, collected from food stores located in Florida, California, New Jersey, and Texas, were analyzed using a high performance anion exchange chromatography system coupled with pulsed amperometric detection. The average concentration of glucose, fructose and sucrose in the orange juice was 2.1, 2.4, and 4.4 g/100 mL, respectively. The average concentration of total sugars in orange juice was 8.9 g/100 mL with a range of 6.6 to 11.1 g/100 mL. There were no significant differences in average total sugar concentrations between notfrom-concentrate and from-concentrate orange juice samples, and among orange juice samples collected from Florida, California, New Jersey and Texas. For tested 100% grapefruit juice, the average concentration of glucose, fructose and sucrose was 2.5, 2.7 and 2.8 g/100 mL, respectively. The average concentration of total sugars in grapefruit juice was 8.0 g/100 mL with a range of 6.8 to 9.7 g/100 mL. The lower total sugar levels in grapefruit juice were largely due to lower sucrose levels, compared to the orange juice. The glucose:fructose:sucrose ratio was about 1:1:2 for orange juice, and about 1:1:1 for grapefruit juice tested in this study. However, the content of fructose was slightly higher than that of glucose in both orange and grapefruit juice. The results from this study provide further information regarding the nutrition and quality of commercial orange and grapefruit juice products.
Zernike Coefficient Prediction Technique for Interference Based on Generation Adversarial Network

In the paper, we propose a novel prediction technique to predict Zernike coefficients from interference fringes based on Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). In general, the task of GAN is image-to-image translation, but we design GAN for image-to-number translation. In the GAN model, the Generator’s input is the interference fringe image, and its output is a mosaic image. Moreover, each piece of the mosaic image links to the number of Zernike coefficients. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is our criterion for quantifying the ground truth and prediction coefficients. After training the GAN model, we use two different methods: the formula (ideal images) and optics simulation (simulated images) to estimate the GAN model. As a result, the RMSE is about 0.0182 ± 0. 0035λ with the ideal image case and the RMSE is about 0.101 ± 0. 0263λ with the simulated image case. Since the outcome in the simulated image case is poor, we use the transfer learning method to improve the RMSE to about 0.0586 ± 0. 0035λ. The prediction technique applies not only to the ideal case but also to the actual interferometer. In addition, the novel prediction technique makes predicting Zernike coefficients more accurate than our previous research.
Application of Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis in Combination with Mass Spectrometry in the Study of Hormone Proteoforms

Hormone is a category of important endocrine regulatory proteins in human endocrine systems. Clarification of hormone proteoforms directly leads to understanding of its biological roles. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) plays important roles in identification of hormone proteoforms such as human growth hormone (hGH) proteoforms and human prolactin (hPRL) proteoforms. This book chapter will review the hormone proteoforms focusing on hGH and hPRL, the methodology of hormone proteoform study, and future perspective of human hormone proteoform study to find biomarkers for in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms, and individualized and precise diagnosis, therapy, and prognostic assessment of hormone-related diseases.