Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yeast Pro- and Paraprobiotics Have the Capability to Bind Pathogenic Bacteria Associated with Animal Disease

Abstract Live yeast probiotics and yeast cell wall components (paraprobiotics) may serve as an alternative to the use of antibiotics in prevention and treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics and paraprobiotics can bind directly to pathogens, which limits binding of the pathogens to the intestinal cells and also facilitates removal from the host. However, knowledge of bacterial binding, specificity, and/or capability is limited with regard to probiotics or paraprobiotics. The goal of this study was to characterize the qualitative and quantitative nature of two Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotics and three S. cerevisiae paraprobiotics to adhere to thirteen different pathogenic bacteria using scanning electron miscroscopy and filtration assays. On average, the yeast probiotics (LYA and LYB) exhibited overall greater (P < 0.05) adhesion to the pathogenic bacteria tested (41% and 34%) in comparison to paraprobiotics (23%, 21%, and 22%), though variations were observed between pathogens tested. The ability of Salmonella and Listeria to utilize components of the yeast as a nutrient source was also tested. Bacteria were cultured in media with limited carbon and supplemented with cell free extracts of the probiotics and paraprobiotics. Salmonella exhibited growth, indicating these pathogens could utilize the yeast lysates as a carbon source. Listeria monocytogenes had limited growth in only one of the lysates tested. Together, these data indicate that the interaction between probiotics and paraprobiotics occurs in a strain dependent mechanism. Administration of probiotics and paraprobiotics as therapeutics therefore needs to be specific against the bacterial pathogen target.
Experimental Analysis on Effect of Temperature on Performance Testing for Heat Exchangers

Heat exchangers are utilized to transfer or recover thermal energy in different industrial, domestic and commercial uses. With the outbreak of oil crisis, new type heat exchangers and heat transfer enhancement technology have gained more and more attention. Performance testing is the only approach to get heat transfer and flow resistance characteristics. Compared with testing standard GB/T 27698-2011, the qualitative temperatures of hot and cold fluid in TSG R0010-2019 are set as 60±1°C and 30±1°C. In this paper, the effect of qualitative temperature on performance testing for heat exchangers was investigated experimentally. The heat transfer and flow resistance correlations were obtained using Wilson plot method when the qualitative temperatures of hot water were 60°C and 70°C. And these two correlations were also developed by equal flowing velocity method at the qualitative temperatures of 50°C and 60°C. The results showed that qualitative temperature had scarcely any effect on fitting heat transfer and flow resistance correlations. The research results will provide a foundation for the actual performance testing and standard revision for heat exchangers.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in the Sahelian Region: Case Study in Nioro du Rip, Senegal

The locality of Nioro du Rip is facing intense erosion, loss of agricultural land, soil pollution and soil degradation. Today, there is limited information about the soil physical and chemical properties in the locality. In this work, we describe the main essential factors or mechanism that control the evolution of the soil in the study area. The physical and chemical properties of soils encountered along a NE-SW transect in are analyzed in this paper. The statistical analysis results revealed low structural stability of soils in general, due to their low organic matter content and exchangeable bases and their predominantly silty texture. A net trend towards acidification, which is more pronounced in the lower-bottom and terrace soils, provides information on the conditions that are increasingly unfavorable to agricultural development. The multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) identified the preponderance of two factors among the four primarily involved in soil geochemical composition. These include a mineralization process (expressed through the first principal component (PC1), which causes soils to be rich in elements (Ca2+, K+,C, N, MO) controlling their structure and fertility level; The PC2 axis expresses the spatial differentiation phenomenon of the soil granulometric composition: soils forming cluster poles according to their textural affinity in the projection of the plane formed by these two components , with on one side the sandy-dominated soils of the shallows and terraces and on the other the clay-dominated soils of the plateau and the slope. A clear reversal of textural polarity in the studied topo sequence that must be blamed on the strong water erosion in this area.
Depression among alcohol dependent patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Substance use disorder and alcohol dependence in particular, is a major mental health problem. Many persons with alcohol dependence also suffer from a comorbid psychiatric illness, particularly depression. Depressive disorders when undiagnosed or untreated can contribute to the severity of dependence and also increase the risk of suicide. Aims and objectives: (1) To identify the prevalence of depression among alcohol dependent patients. (2) To describe the association between comorbid depression and the severity of alcohol dependence. Methodology: All consenting patients in the age group of 18-60 years who attended the de-addiction clinic were included in the study. Socio-demographic data and clinical history of those who met the inclusion criteria were recorded. Diagnosis was made using MINI-PLUS according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Severity of alcohol dependence was rated using Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and depression with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Results: Seventy men participated in the study. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 22 (31.4%) of the subjects. Severity of alcohol dependence was assessed to be moderate in 70% of individuals. A significant association was noticed for the severity of alcoholism and severity of depression. Conclusion: Alcohol dependent individuals show a high rate of comorbid depression. The severity of alcoholism and severity of depression are statistically related.
Effects of Cytokinins on in vitro Culture of Bauhinia purpurea L.

Bauhinia purpurea L. is a moderate-sized tree with multipurpose value tree yields gum, its bark contains tannin and leaves are used as fodder. It is distributed in sub-Himalayan tracts. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cytokinins on growth parameters of B. purpurea and develop a standard micropropagation protocol for nodes and shoot proliferations. The cytokinins used in this study were N-Benzyl-9(2-tetrahydropyranyl) (BPA), 6-furfurylaminopurine, Kinetin (Kn), 6-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylaminopurine) (Zeatin) (Zin), 2-isopentenyl aminopurine, (2-iP) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at four different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 μM). Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium was used for the experimental purpose. Multiplication rate of plants was recorded after 8 weeks of culture. Such propagated best grown plants were acclimatized and transferred to the field. All the collected data were worked out statistically with SPSS, a system of analytical procedure.
Fragmentation of Forest Ecosystems and Connectivity Between Sacred Groves and Forest Reserves in Southeastern Benin, West Africa

An old yet appealing fact in conservation biology is the potential of sacred groves (SGs) and forest reserves (FRs) to harbor considerable biodiversity. Although fragmentation effects have been extensively investigated in several studies, the specific context pertaining to SG has rarely been discussed. Using data from two sites (Kétou and Pobè) in South Benin, we studied the similarities and connectivity between SG and FR, and the effects of fragmentation on forest ecosystems. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and Moran index-based correlogram were used to analyze species-based similarities, distribution, and spatial autocorrelation. Fragmentation effects on characteristic species and forest structures were also tested. Results showed slightly greater similarity between SG and FR for Kétou SG–FR group compared with that of Pobè. Spatial association between SG and FR was also site specific and stronger in Pobè SG–FR group. The weak spatial dependence between SG and FR for the Kétou group reflects the state of degradation in the FR. Species richness and structural parameters were higher in SG than in FR for both sites. The results indicate that these forests emanated from fragmentation of primary forests and that the fragmentation effects were more pronounced in FR. The indicator species analysis further revealed some fragmentation effects on woody species composition, suggesting that forest isolation is potential threat for conservation of biological and structural diversity. In sum, this study shows that despite their limited spatial extent, SGs are key landscape features that play a vital role in local biodiversity conservation.
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Agriculture Education in Nepal: An Online survey

The official announcement of COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 by WHO, the world economy has abruptly declined, billions of people are in lockdown, maintaining self-isolation. In this survey, 150 respondents were selected randomly and this survey intends to highlight the impact of lockdown in agriculture Students on their education along with their response towards pros and cons. This survey shows that maximum respondent, around 52% of them found lockdown beneficial in the sense that it has helped to neutralize the gravity of viral infection and 48% of them doesn’t found it beneficial as their educational schedule has been halted. The practical education of a student is disturbed due to lockdown and now they are utilizing this period involving in online courses, training, and webinars. Many of them couldn’t have access to the internet to catch the session, thus the government should initiate policy in education through a long term perspective so that no pandemic could interfere with the educational institution in digital world.
The changes in attitudes of 15-year-old Australian students towards reading, mathematics and science and their impact on student performance

This paper investigates changes in 15-year-old Australian students’ attitudes towards reading mathematics, and science, as well as their relationships with students’ performance in these respective domains over the period of 2000–2018. multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the measurement invariance of the construct of attitudes over the cycles of the Programme for International Student Achievement. In addition, structural equation modelling was used to explore mediating effects of attitudes on performance in the three domains. The results indicated that there were significant declines in student performance for all three domains. The levels of enjoyment of the subject domains were relatively low for reading and mathematics but relatively high for science. There were upward trends in the levels of enjoyment of mathematics and science over time, while levels of enjoyment of reading did not change significantly. Levels of instrumental motivation were relatively high and had slight upward trends for both mathematics and science. There were positive and significant relationships between attitudes and student performances.
The Ecology of Autogamy in Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton): Does the Early Clone Get the Bee?

Wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, for the most part requires cross-pollination. However, there is a continuum across a gradient from zero to 100% in self-compatibility. We previously found by sampling many fields that 20–25% of clones during bloom have high levels of self-compatibility (≥50%). In 2009–2011, and 2015 we studied the ecology of self-pollination in wild blueberry, specifically its phenology and bee recruitment and subsequent bee density on bloom. We found that highly self-compatible clones were predominantly early blooming genotypes in the wild blueberry population. On average, fruit set and berry weight were highest in self-compatible genotypes. The bumble bee community (queens only early in the spring) was characterized by bees that spent large amounts of time foraging in self-compatible plant patches that comprised only a small proportion of the blueberry field, the highest density in the beginning of bloom when most genotypes in bloom were self-compatible. As bloom proceeded in the spring, more plants were in bloom and thus more land area was occupied by blooming plants. The absolute density of bumble bee queens per m2 declined, as a dilution effect, and this probably resulted in lower fruit set throughout the field.
Mechanical properties of flax fiber‐reinforced composites at different relative humidities: Experimental, geometric, and displacement potential function approaches

Due to the good mechanical properties, flax fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites are being widely used as a green alternative to glass fiber composites. However, plant fibers absorb moisture from the environment, being in a higher moisture uptake as the relative humidity (RH) increases. This absorbed moisture deteriorates the mechanical properties of the composites. In this study, geometric and displacement potential function (DPF) approaches are used to predict the mechanical properties of flax fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites under environmental conditions, in particular, different RH values. The tensile properties that were measured experimentally strongly agreed with the analytical findings. Almost similar results were found for the tensile strain those were measured experimentally and the one predicted by the geometric function. However, the predicted strain values were 38% and 42% less than the experimental ones for 0% and 95% RH conditioned composites, respectively, when DPF was used. Good conformity between the experimental, analytical, and DPF formulation for predicting mechanical properties ensures the practical applicability of this study. The formulations established in this work could, therefore, be utilized to analytically solve laminated composites under specific boundary conditions in structural applications.
Structural and Functional Analysis of the Mitochondrial Presequence Translocase

The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mitochondrial proteome consists of approximately 1000 proteins, most of which are synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes and therefore require specialized transport systems to reach their final destinations. The TIM23 complex is a protein translocase localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane and responsible for transporting proteins containing N-terminal targeting signals, referred to as presequences. Presequence recognition by components of the translocase triggers a sequence of events, which cause significant rearrangements within the complex, leading to protein release into the mitochondrial matrix or its insertion into the inner mitochondrial membrane. Protein interactions involved in this pathway, especially at its early stages, are not studied thoroughly enough to create a non-controversial TIM23 mechanistic model. In this study, the dynamics of the translocase in response to presequences was investigated, focusing primarily on interaction partners of Tim50, an essential TIM23 component. Using a cross-linking approach, we identified a previously unknown interaction between Tim50 and Tim21, which was lost after presequence addition. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments connect the loss of this newly identified interaction to translocase isoform switching and concomitantly suggest Tim21 and Tim50 to be highly dynamic components of the TIM23 translocase. A comprehensive understanding of protein transport via the presequence translocase is not possible without its structural characterization. One of the goals of this study was to obtain the structure of the TIM23 complex by means of single particle electron microscopy. The achievement of this goal was not possible, due to strong background signal caused by the detergent digitonin, required to maintain TIM23 stability. However, here we present a low-resolution structure of a negatively stained TOM-TIM supercomplex and its 3D reconstruction, providing novel insights into structural organization of the mitochondrial translocation machinery. Together, our data contribute to the understanding of the mitochondrial presequence import pathway and provide a basis for further structural investigation of the TIM23 translocase.
Can regenerated inner‐city areas remain sites of public‐place sociability? Psycho‐social processes predicting public sociability in a changing neighbourhood

The processes of urban regeneration of long-disinvested inner-city neighbourhoods today happening in many European cities sometimes dramatically transform residents’ traditional uses of their public places. Focusing on a neighbourhood renowned for its traditional public place sociability – Mouraria, in Lisbon - this study explored the psychosocial processes that may shape the maintenance of that sociability in the face of increasing social diversification and small-scale gentrification brought about by a mixed/bottom-up regeneration plan. A questionnaire survey (n=201) with two types of residents (‘traditional residents’ and ‘new gentrifiers’) indicated that: a) both types report using Mouraria’s public places for socializing, although traditional residents do so to a greater degree; b) perceived cultural continuity of the neighbourhood is positively related to public place sociability for both groups; and c) this relationship is mediated by both place identification and place knowledge; but d) it is not moderated by type of resident. By implication, we argue that regenerated inner-city neighbourhoods may remain as places of lively public sociability and companionship if residents are able to forge and/or retain a sense of identification with, and intimate knowledge of, the neighbourhood, and view it as maintaining continuity with the past.
Pyridine-based chiral smectogens: effects of polar end groups on liquid crystal properties

ABSTRACT In this study, novel chiral pyridine-based rod-like mesogens, consisting of a chloro or bromo group substituted pyridine head core which is connected to one or two aromatic rings through ester linkers and a flexible (S)-2-methylbutoxy or (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyloxy chiral end chain have been synthesised. The liquid crystal properties of new compounds were investigated by various experimental techniques such as DSC, POM and SAXS. Depending of the nature of the halogen end group, the derivatives with two aromatic rings are non-mesogenic compounds whereas a smectic A phase (SmA) enantiotropically occurs for the members with three aromatic rings of the series. Additionally, chloro group substituted compound composed of three aromatic rings carrying a (S)-2-methylbutoxy end chain exhibits an enantiotropic chiral nematic phase (N*). Graphical abstract
The Environmental Assessment of an Estuarine Transitional Environment, Southern Italy

A multidisciplinary survey was carried out on the quality of water and sediments of the estuary of the Sele river, an important tributary of the Tyrrhenian Sea, to assess anthropogenic pressures and natural variability. Nine sediment sites were monitored and analyzed for granulometry, morphoscopy, benthic foraminifera and ostracod assemblages, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Surface water was assayed for ionic composition and phytoplankton biomass. Total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) in sediments were higher in the inner part of the estuary (IE), up to 12.7 and 0.7% because of anthropic influence. In waters, N-NH4, N-NO3, and Ptot. were high, with loads of Ptot in IE exceeding ~fourfold the limit. Here, it was also observed that the highest primary production was Chl-a, 95.70 µg/L, with cryptophytes, 37.6%, and diatoms, 33.8%, being the main phytoplanktonic groups. The hierarchical analysis split the estuary into two areas, with marked differences in anthropic pollution. Waters were classified as poor–bad level with respect to the content of nutrients. Sedimentological assay reveals littoral erosion and poor supply of river sandy sediments. The erosion environment is confirmed by the presence of meiobenthic recent marine forms intrusion inside the river. All these data reveal the fragility of the estuary and the need of urgent remediation actions.
Analytical and numerical solutions of the Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation and their multistability behavior

In this paper, we propose an analytical method and a modification of explicit exponential finite difference method (EEFDM) for analytical and numerical solutions of the Fitzhugh–Nagumo (FN) and Newell–Whitehead (NW) equations. The method is improved computationally by using the Padé approximation technique. Furthermore, multistability behavior of traveling wave solutions of the FN and NW equations are examined in presence of external forcing. It is observed that there exist coexisting periodic and quasiperiodic orbits for the FN equation, where as only quasiperiodic orbits is observed in case of NW equation.
Cropping Method on Grayscale Images for Periapical Radiographs of Human Teeth

This study explains the comparison of techniques for cropping existing in Matlab for graylevel images on periapical radiographs of human teeth. Some cropping techniques in Matlab are rectangular crop, square crop, circular crop, ellipse crop, polygon crop. This research will explain how each existing cropping technique will give different results based on their respective shapes. So that eventually will produce the most appropriate cropping techniques among several existing cropping techniques in mathlab. The five cropping techniques that have been mentioned here where the four existing cropping techniques namely rectangular crop, square crop, circular crop, ellipse crop still carry other objects that are not needed in research, so it is not appropriate to be used for research objects that have irregular shapes. Appropriate cropping technique is polygon cropping because it is able to identify research objects that have irregular shapes.
Fatigue life estimation of adhesive joints at different mode mixities

ABSTRACT Fatigue life prediction of adhesive joints is a concern when using this bonding technique in structural components where the joints are subjected to multiaxial stress states. Thus, the development of a fatigue failure criterion that accounts for the effect of mode mixity is crucial. The main aim of the present study is to develop a fatigue model to be able to predict the fatigue life of an epoxy-based adhesive loaded at different mode mixities. For this purpose, Arcan joints were manufactured and tested in pure modes (I and II), and mixed mode loading conditions. Using the obtained experimental data for pure mode loading conditions, a master S-N curve was constructed based on a proposed effective stress. According to this curve and by considering the numerical simulations, the fatigue lives of the joints under mixed mode conditions were estimated. Two different relations (Basquin and Stromeyer) were considered in this study. The influence of the number of load levels considered for the master curve was also analysed. It was found that more experimental results for the reference samples do not necessarily lead to a better estimation. Results show a good agreement between the experimental data and the predicted fatigue lives based on the proposed model.