Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Correspondence and Hierarchical Cluster Analyses for the Profiling of Fresh Apple Customers Using Data from Two Marketplaces

Purchase behavior and preferences for consumers of fresh apples were investigated using a consumer survey conducted at a special-event apple market. Survey respondents were asked to list apple cultivars they had purchased at the retail market and the special-event market. The special-event market offered many uncommon cultivars packed in clear plastic bags with a fixed weight and price. Respondents were also asked to identify their reasons for selection of each apple cultivar and answer demographic questions. A total of 169 customers completed the survey. Profiles of customers were identified using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and the impact of the change in available apple cultivars on consumers’ purchase behavior was explored. Consumers primarily indicated four main reasons in the selection of their apples: visual appearance, previous experience, taste/aroma, and texture. The first two reasons, evaluated before eating an apple, were loaded on the first MCA dimension, while the last two reasons (i.e., eating quality) were loaded on the second dimension in data from both marketplaces. HCA identified five classes of customers in both markets, and results indicated that similar market segments existed within the two marketplaces, regardless of the availability of apple cultivars.
Fine-Grained Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Impact of Restricting Factories, Motor Vehicles, and Fireworks on Air Pollution

Aiming at improving the air quality and protecting public health, policies such as restricting factories, motor vehicles, and fireworks have been widely implemented. However, fine-grained spatiotemporal analysis of these policies’ effectiveness is lacking. This paper collected the hourly meteorological and PM2.5 data for three typical emission scenarios in Hubei, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), and Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Then, this study simulated the PM2.5 concentration under the same meteorological conditions and different emission scenarios based on a reliable hourly spatiotemporal random forest model (R2 exceeded 0.84). Finally, we investigated the fine-grained spatiotemporal impact of restricting factories, vehicles, and fireworks on PM2.5 concentrations from the perspective of hours, days, regions, and land uses, excluding meteorological interference. On average, restricting factories and vehicles reduced the PM2.5 concentration at 02:00, 08:00, 14:00, and 20:00 by 18.57, 16.22, 25.00, and 19.07 μg/m3, respectively. Spatially, it had the highest and quickest impact on Hubei, with a 27.05 μg/m3 decrease of PM2.5 concentration and 17 day lag to begin to show significant decline. This was followed by YRD, which experienced a 23.52 μg/m3 decrease on average and a 23 day lag. BTH was the least susceptible; the PM2.5 concentration decreased by only 8.2 μg/m3. In addition, influenced by intensive human activities, the cultivated, urban, and rural lands experienced a larger decrease in PM2.5 concentration. These empirical results revealed that restricting factories, vehicles, and fireworks is effective in alleviating air pollution and the effect showed significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The policymakers should further investigate influential factors of hourly PM2.5 concentrations, combining with local geographical and social environment, and implement more effective and targeted policies to improve local air quality, especially for BTH and the air quality at morning and night.
Assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Strain AM65-52 aqueous suspension for the control of black fly populations, (Simulium spp.) in northern Italy

Four field trials were conducted in Mantua province in northern Italy to evaluate the effect of the Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Strain AM65-52 based VectoBac® 12 AS larvicide on black flies. Our objective was to examine and compare the efficacy of different concentrations of this microbial larvicide in small plain streams. Larvicidal activity was exhibited in all trials. VectoBac® 12 AS at 2.5 ppm/min rate generated larval mortality from the treatment point to 500 meters downstream. Larvae mortality (over 80%) was observed for 3500 meters downstream of the application site when a concentration of 40 ppm/min was applied.
Perceptions of non-Western immigrant women on having breast cancer and their experiences with treatment-related changes in body weight and lifestyle: A qualitative study

Background The number of non-Western immigrants with breast cancer in the Netherlands has increased over the past decades and is expected to triple by 2030. Due to insufficient representation in clinical studies, it is unclear what the specific experiences and needs of these women are. Understanding how culture and religion affect these women’s experience of breast cancer and how they deal with chemotherapy and treatment-related changes in body weight and lifestyle is crucial for health care professionals to be able to provide effective support. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 28 immigrant women with a history of breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. Results Women often associated breast cancer with taboo, death or bad luck. Religion offered these women guidance, strength and meaning to the disease, but also limited the women to openly talk about their disease. Women perceived lifestyle factors to have little influence on the development and treatment of cancer. After treatment, however, their thinking changed and these lifestyle factors became of paramount importance to them. They realised that they missed out on information about managing their own diet, exercise and body weight and were eager to share their experiences with other women in their culture with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Conclusion Women became aware during and after breast cancer treatment that it was difficult for them to actively deal with their illness under the influence of their culture and religion. Based on their own experiences and acquired knowledge, they would like to give advice to newly diagnosed women on how to deal with breast cancer within their own culture and religion. Their recommendations could be used by mosques, churches, support groups and health care professionals, to ensure interventions during breast cancer treatment meet their religious and cultural needs and thus improve their quality of life.
Physical Aspects Of Chemotaxis And Proliferation Of Dictyostelium Discoideum Amoeba

Eukaryotic cells can sense and respond to very shallow chemical gradients by measuring the spatial concentration differences, through the difference in the number of occupied receptors across the cell body. Many kinds of eukaryotic cells secrete enzymes that degrade these chemical signals and affect the local concentration gradient perceived by the cell. Here we analyze this largely ignored effect on gradient sensing, focusing on the important cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) chemotaxis of starved Dictyostelium discoideum, where the cellsecreted cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme degrades cAMP. We model this effect using reaction-diffusion equations which are solved 53 numerically using a finite element method, for typical experimental microfluidic geometries used in recent work. In contrast to earlier work, we show that realistic concentrations and secretion rates of extracellular PDE can substantially increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the occupied receptor difference across the cell body. In addition, our model shows that PDE allows cells to respond to a broader range of cAMP concentrations than would otherwise be possible, as has been qualitatively experimentally observed. Our model also predicts that the optimal cAMP concentration for gradient sensing is always below the cAMP-cAMP receptor dissociation constant K d , unlike the optimal gradient sensing without PDE which occurs at K d . Finally, we predict how this extracellular signal processing affects the typically measured chemo-taxis index, allowing for direct experimental tests. A consequence of this model is that many modern microfluidic experiments with flow gradients flush the PDE and therefore disrupt this extracellular part of the signaling pathway, a fact that needs to be taken into consideration.
Linearly Sensitive and Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on Porous Carbon Nanotube/Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Structure

We developed a simple, low-cost process to fabricate a flexible pressure sensor with linear sensitivity by using a porous carbon nanotube (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite structure (CPCS). The working principle of this pressure sensor is based on the change in electrical resistance caused by the contact/non-contact of the CNT tip on the surface of the pores under pressure. The mechanical and electrical properties of the CPCSs could be quantitatively controlled by adjusting the concentration of CNTs. The fabricated flexible pressure sensor showed linear sensitivity and excellent performance with regard to repeatability, hysteresis, and reliability. Furthermore, we showed that the sensor could be applied for human motion detection, even when attached to curved surfaces.
Effect of feeding water-soaked and dry wheat straw on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients and VFA production in growing zebu and buffalo calves

Summary Experiments were conducted on 12 male growing calves of zebu cattle (Bos indicus) and buffalo (Bos bubalis) to study the effect of feeding wheat straw presoaked with water on the voluntary feed intake, digestibility coefficients of nutrients and volatile fatty acid concentration and production. The feed intake was improved significantly (P < 0·05) in both the species as a result of soaking. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre was depressed (P < 0·05), whereas the nitrogen-free extract utilization increased significantly (P < 0·01) on soaking of straw. The availability of digestible energy and metabolizable energy was also more as a result of water treatment of wheat straw. The production rates of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid were higher in both the species fed on water-soaked wheat straw. It is concluded that pre-soaking of wheat straw for 1–2 h with ordinary tap water may give an overall beneficial effect in both zebu and buffalo calves.
Influence of Saline Buffers over the Stability of High-Annealed Gold Nanoparticles Formed on Coverslips for Biological and Chemosensing Applications

Herein, coverslips were used as solid supports for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in three steps: (i) detergent cleaning, (ii) evaporation of 4 nm gold film and (iii) exposure at high annealing temperature (550 °C) for 3 h. Such active gold nanostructured supports were investigated for their stability performances in aqueous saline buffers for new assessments of chemical sensing. Two model buffers, namely saline-sodium phosphate-EDTA buffer (SSPE) and phosphate buffer saline (PBS), that are often used in the construction of (bio)sensors, are selected for the optical and microscopic investigations of their influence over the stability of annealed AuNPs on coverslips when using a dropping procedure under dry and wet media working conditions. A study over five weeks monitoring the evolution of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) chemosensing of 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)-ethene (BPE) is discussed. It is concluded that the optimal sensing configuration is based on annealed AuNPs exposed to saline buffers under wet media conditions (overnight at 4 °C) and functionalized with BPE concentrations (10−3–10−11 M) with the highest LSPR spectra after two weeks.
Apple Polyphenols Regulate Mitochondrial Superoxide Generation and Extend Survival in a Mouse Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Apple polyphenols (AP), which contain procyanidins as major components, have been reported to display potent antioxidant activity and several beneficial health effects. To investigate the protective effect of AP intake against murine cardiomyopathy caused by endogenous oxidative stress, we orally administered AP to heart/muscle-specific manganese- superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD)-deficient (H/M-Sod2 -/- ) mice (Nojiri et al., 2006). Dietary AP significantly increased the survival of the mutant mice, extending their mean lifespan by 29%. Dietary AP also suppressed the progression of cardiac dilatation and fibrosis in the H/M-Sod2 -/- mice. In vitro experiments revealed that AP treatment strongly suppressed the production of hydrogen peroxide induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C2C12 myoblast cells and endogenous superoxide production in Mn-SOD-deficient cells. Furthermore, dietary AP suppressed ROS production in Mn- SOD-deficient cardiomyocytes and oxidative DNA damage in vivo. These results indicate that dietary AP improved the survival and pathology of short-lived mice with cardiomyopathy by suppressing mitochondrial superoxide production.
Validation strategies for antibodies targeting modified ribonucleotides

Chemical modifications are found on almost all RNAs and affect their coding and noncoding functions. The identification of m6A on mRNA and its important role in gene regulation stimulated the field to investigate whether additional modifications are present on mRNAs. Indeed, modifications including m1A, m5C, m7G, 2′-OMe, and Ψ were detected. However, since their abundances are low and tools used for their corroboration are often not well characterized, their physiological relevance remains largely elusive. Antibodies targeting modified nucleotides are often used but have limitations such as low affinity or specificity. Moreover, they are not always well characterized and due to the low abundance of the modification, particularly on mRNAs, generated data sets might resemble noise rather than specific modification patterns. Therefore, it is critical that the affinity and specificity is rigorously tested using complementary approaches. Here, we provide an experimental toolbox that allows for testing antibody performance prior to their use.
Methanotroph populations and CH4 oxidation potentials in high-Arctic peat are altered by herbivory induced vegetation change

ABSTRACT Methane oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) within the genus Methylobacter constitute the biological filter for methane (CH4) in many Arctic soils. Multiple Methylobacter strains have been identified in these environments but we seldom know the ecological significance of the different strains. High-Arctic peatlands in Svalbard are heavily influenced by herbivory, leading to reduced vascular plant and root biomass. Here, we have measured potential CH4 oxidation rates and identified the active methantrophs in grazed peat and peat protected from grazing by fencing (exclosures) for 18 years. Grazed peat sustained a higher water table, higher CH4 concentrations and lower oxygen (O2) concentrations than exclosed peat. Correspondingly, the highest CH4 oxidation potentials were closer to the O2 rich surface in the grazed than in the protected peat. A comparison of 16S rRNA genes showed that the majority of methanotrophs in both sites belong to the genus Methylobacter. Further analyses of pmoA transcripts revealed that several Methylobacter OTUs were active in the peat but that different OTUs dominated the grazed peat than the exclosed peat. We conclude that grazing influences soil conditions, the active CH4 filter and that different Methylobacter populations are responsible for CH4 oxidation depending on the environmental conditions.
Modeling Fabric Movement for Future E-Textile Sensors

Studies with e-textile sensors embedded in garments are typically performed on static and controlled phantom models that do not reflect the dynamic nature of wearables. Instead, our objective was to understand the noise e-textile sensors would experience during real-world scenarios. Three types of sleeves, made of loose, tight, and stretchy fabrics, were applied to a phantom arm, and the corresponding fabric movement was measured in three dimensions using physical markers and image-processing software. Our results showed that the stretchy fabrics allowed for the most consistent and predictable clothing-movement (average displacement of up to −2.3 ± 0.1 cm), followed by tight fabrics (up to −4.7 ± 0.2 cm), and loose fabrics (up to −3.6 ± 1.0 cm). In addition, the results demonstrated better performance of higher elasticity (average displacement of up to −2.3 ± 0.1 cm) over lower elasticity (average displacement of up to −3.8 ± 0.3 cm) stretchy fabrics. For a case study with an e-textile sensor that relies on wearable loops to monitor joint flexion, our modeling indicated errors as high as 65.7° for stretchy fabric with higher elasticity. The results from this study can (a) help quantify errors of e-textile sensors operating “in-the-wild,” (b) inform decisions regarding the optimal type of clothing-material used, and (c) ultimately empower studies on noise calibration for diverse e-textile sensing applications.
A Text Watermarking Algorithm based on Hidden Object

For digital copyright protection and traceability, many text watermarking algorithms have been proposed. However, the vast majority of them have one or more the following disadvantages: Insuﬃcient embedded capacity, poor robustness, and large embedded noise aﬀecting the expression of normal documents. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes a text watermarking scheme based on hidden objects. It solves problem from the level of programming objects in oﬃce and hides these objects that can record information, so as to realize the information hiding of the text. Compared with the existing methods, our proposed solution obtains higher robustness results against most of the extremely dangerous attacks, and at the same time possesses the faster embedded speed and the greater embedded capacity.
Recurrent c.776T>C mutation in CHST3 with four other novel mutations and a literature review

The chondrodysplasia with congenital joint dislocations, CHST3 type, which was distinguished by predominantly contractures, marked vertebral changes, and normal facial appearance. Although, some clinical clues can be used for differential diagnosis, it is mostly too difficult to discriminate one type from another on basis of clinical findings only. Eight patients with multiple dislocations from five unrelated families were included in this study to elucidate molecular diagnoses. Clinical exome sequencing (CES) was performed on one patient from each family. Variable degree vertebral changes, pes equinovarus, and kyphoscoliosis accompanied multiple dislocations and short stature. In CES analyses, all mutations showed in CHST3. Previously reported c.776T>C homozygous mutations were detected in two families, compound heterozygous novel c.740G>C and c.881T>C mutations were found in one family, and homozygous novel c.564C>A and c.963G>A mutations were also determined in remaining two families, separately. Biallelic CHST3 c.776T>C mutations are most frequent mutation in CHST3 and have been reported predominantly in Turkish patients which may be remarkable for genotype-ethnicity correlation in chondrodysplasia with congenital joint dislocations, CHST3 type. It is suggested that c.776T>C mutation can be accepted as a recurrent mutation in CHST3 for Turkish patients who are suspected of having chondrodysplasia with congenital joint dislocations, CHST3 type.
Synthesis of lactococcin 972, a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis IPLA 972, depends on the expression of a plasmid- encoded bicistronic operon

Synthesis of lactococcin 972 is plasmid-encoded. An operon composed of two genes that encode pre-bacteriocin and a putative immunity protein has been identified. The first gene encodes a 91-residue polypeptide that is exported via a sec-dependent system to give the mature 66-aa bacteriocin. The immunity protein is a 563-residue polypeptide with seven potential transmembrane domains. Two transcripts were observed from this region: one comprises the whole operon and is synthesized during the exponential phase of growth while the other, which corresponds just to the bacteriocin structural gene, presents a maximum in exponential cultures but is still present in latestationary-phase cells.
Identification of small non-coding RNAs responsive to GUN1 and GUN5 related retrograde signals in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Chloroplast perturbations activate retrograde signalling pathways causing dynamic changes of gene expression. Besides transcriptional control of gene expression different classes of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) act in gene expression control, but comprehensive analyses regarding their role in retrograde signalling is lacking. We performed sRNA profiling in response to norflurazon (NF) that provokes retrograde signals in A. thaliana wild type and the two retrograde signalling mutants gun1 and gun5. The RNA samples were also used for mRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) profiling to link altered sRNA levels to changes of their cognate target RNAs. We identified 122 sRNAs from all known sRNA classes that were responsive to NF in wild type. Strikingly, 142 and 213 sRNAs were found to be differentially regulated in both mutants indicating a retrograde control of these sRNAs. Concomitant with the changes in sRNA expression, we detected about 1500 differentially expressed mRNAs in the NF treated wild type and around 900 and 1400 mRNAs that were differentially regulated in the gun1 and gun5 mutant with a high proportion (~30%) of genes encoding plastid proteins. Furthermore, around 20% of predicted miRNA targets code for plastid localised proteins. Among the sRNA-target pairs we identified pairs with an anticorrelated expression as well pairs showing other expressional relations pointing to a role of sRNAs in balancing transcriptional changes upon retrograde signals. Based on the comprehensive changes in sRNA expression, we assume a considerable impact of sRNAs in retrograde-dependent transcriptional changes to adjust plastidic and nuclear gene expression.
The Use of a Paired Mating System for the Maintenance of Experimental Populations of Turkeys

Abstract If a genetic drift of less than one standard deviation per ten reproductions or generations of selection is considered adequate, thirty-two or more parental pairs appeared to be sufficient for randombred control populations of turkeys. Under the above conditions, thirty-six pairs of parents are adequate for mass selected lines and lines selected on the basis of dam’s performance if selection is not too intense (50% of dams). If intense selection pressure is applied (25% of dams) more parental pairs would be required to prevent excessive genetic drift (>1 σ per 10 generations of selection). When selecting on the basis of individual and family or individual and dam’s performance, more than 36 parental pairs should be used.