Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of ABCG 5 and ABCG 8 promotes biliary cholesterol secretion and reduces fractional absorption of dietary cholesterol

Two ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCG5 and ABCG8, have been proposed to limit sterol absorption and to promote biliary sterol excretion in humans. To test this hypothesis, a P1 clone containing the human ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes was used to generate transgenic mice. The transgenes were expressed primarily in the liver and small intestine, mirroring the expression pattern of the endogenous genes. Transgene expression only modestly affected plasma and liver cholesterol levels but profoundly altered cholesterol transport. The fractional absorption of dietary cholesterol was reduced by about 50%, and biliary cholesterol levels were increased more than fivefold. Fecal neutral sterol excretion was increased threeto sixfold and hepatic cholesterol synthesis increased twoto fourfold in the transgenic mice. No significant changes in the pool size, composition, and fecal excretion of bile acids were observed in the transgenic mice. Transgene expression attenuated the increase in hepatic cholesterol content induced by consumption of a high cholesterol diet. These results demonstrate that increased expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 selectively drives biliary neutral sterol secretion and reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption, leading to a selective increase in neutral sterol excretion and a compensatory increase in cholesterol synthesis. Article Cardiology
A short guide to technology development in cell biology

New technologies drive progress in many research fields, including cell biology. Much of technological innovation comes from “bottom-up” efforts by individual students and postdocs. However, technology development can be challenging, and a successful outcome depends on many factors. This article outlines some considerations that are important when embarking on a technology development project. Despite the challenges, developing a new technology can be extremely rewarding and could lead to a lasting impact in a given field.
Fire disturbance and forest structure in old-growth mixed conifer forests in the northern Sierra Nevada, California

Abstract Question: This study evaluates how fire regimes influence stand structure and dynamics in old-growth mixed conifer forests across a range of environmental settings. Location: A 2000-ha area of mixed conifer forest on the west shore of Lake Tahoe in the northern Sierra Nevada, California. Methods: We quantified the age, size, and spatial structure of trees in 12 mixed conifer stands distributed across major topographic gradients. Fire history was reconstructed in each stand using fire scar dendrochronology. The influence of fire on stand structure was assessed by comparing the fire history with the age, size, and spatial structure of trees in a stand. Results: There was significant variation in species composition among stands, but not in the size, age and spatial patterning of trees. Stands had multiple size and age classes with clusters of similar aged trees occurring at scales of 113 – 254 m2. The frequency and severity of fires was also similar, and stands burned with low to moderate severity in the dormant season on average every 9 – 17 years. Most fires were not synchronized among stands except in very dry years. No fires have burned since ca. 1880. Conclusions: Fire and forest structure interact to perpetuate similar stand characteristics across a range of environmental settings. Fire occurrence is controlled primarily by spatial variation in fuel mosaics (e.g. patterns of abundance, fuel moisture, forest structure), but regional drought synchronizes fire in some years. Fire exclusion over the last 120 years has caused compositional and structural shifts in these mixed conifer forests. Nomenclature: Hickman (1993).
Potential of Insects as Food and Feed in Assuring Food Security

With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species are eaten worldwide, mainly in developing countries. They constitute quality food and feed, have high feed conversion ratios, and emit low levels of greenhouse gases. Some insect species can be grown on organic side streams, reducing environmental contamination and transforming waste into high-protein feed that can replace increasingly more expensive compound feed ingredients, such as fish meal. This requires the development of costeffective, automated mass-rearing facilities that provide a reliable, stable, and safe product. In the tropics, sustainable harvesting needs to be assured and rearing practices promoted, and in general, the food resource needs to be revalorized. In the Western world, consumer acceptability will relate to pricing, perceived environmental benefits, and the development of tasty insect-derived protein products.
The effect of environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase activity and glutathione S-transferase activity in the earthworm (Apporectodea caliginosa)

The effect of age and environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase (ChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were assessed in juvenile Apporectodea caliginosa earthworms. Earthworms were maintained in three types of soil- loam, sandy, and clay- at a range of moisture contents (15-30%), and temperatures (5-20 C). Earthworm age (1-3 months) had no significant affect on ChE activity. Growth rates were influenced by all environmental parameters tested and these effects were interrelated. Optimum conditions for growth appeared to be in loam or sandy soil with 25-30% moisture at 10-15 C. The GST activity was influenced by soil temperature and activity was significantly higher at 15 C than at 5 C and 10 C. Soil type also influenced GST activity and this influence was dependent on moisture content. In sandy soil GST activity was significantly lower at 30% moisture than at lower moisture contents, in loam soil GST activity was significantly higher at 15% moisture than at higher moisture contents, while in clay soil GST activity was not affected by moisture content. These results indicate that in field experiments when evaluating GST activity soil temperature and soil type need to be consistent between control and 'contaminated sites'. ChE activity was only affected by temperature, so this should be considered when comparing control and treatedareas.
Book Reviews: Introduction to Arabic Natural Language Processing by Nizar Y. Habash

Abstract This book provides system developers and researchers in natural language processing and computational linguistics with the necessary background information for working with the Arabic language. The goal is to introduce Arabic linguistic phenomena and review the state-of-the-art in Arabic processing. The book discusses Arabic script, phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax and semantics, with a final chapter on machine translation issues. The chapter sizes correspond more or less to what is linguistically distinctive about Arabic, with morphology getting the lion's share, followed by Arabic script. No previous knowledge of Arabic is needed. This book is designed for computer scientists and linguists alike. The focus of the book is on Modern Standard Arabic; however, notes on practical issues related to Arabic dialects and languages written in the Arabic script are presented in different chapters. Table of Contents: What is "Arabic"? / Arabic Script / Arabic Phonology and Orthography / Arabic Mo.
The human gut resistome

In recent decades, the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens has become a major threat to public health. Bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance genes by the mobilization and transfer of resistance genes from a donor strain. The human gut contains a densely populated microbial ecosystem, termed the gut microbiota, which offers ample opportunities for the horizontal transfer of genetic material, including antibiotic resistance genes. Recent technological advances allow microbiota-wide studies into the diversity and dynamics of the antibiotic resistance genes that are harboured by the gut microbiota (‘the gut resistome’). Genes conferring resistance to antibiotics are ubiquitously present among the gut microbiota of humans and most resistance genes are harboured by strictly anaerobic gut commensals. The horizontal transfer of genetic material, including antibiotic resistance genes, through conjugation and transduction is a frequent event in the gut microbiota, but mostly involves non-pathogenic gut commensals as these dominate the microbiota of healthy individuals. Resistance gene transfer from commensals to gut-dwelling opportunistic pathogens appears to be a relatively rare event but may contribute to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, as is illustrated by the vancomycin resistance determinants that are shared by anaerobic gut commensals and the nosocomial pathogen Enterococcus faecium.
A Cross-domain Deceptive Opinion Detection by Genetic Algorithm

With the maturing of the electronic commerce,many people will choose to shop online.At the same time the goods's reviews will influence the decision of people to buy goods,which has led businesses to deliberately write deceptive opinion to improve the sales of goods or undercut rivals . Aiming at the problem of the deceptive reviews,this paper proposes a deceptive reviews detection based on cross-domain and genetic algorithm.To define the data of feature in the source domain ,using genetic algorithm for feature to get the optimal feature set and constructing the feature incidence matrix M y the similarity of documents.it reducing the dimensionality of M , by using spectral clustering algorithm,to obtain a corresponding space mapping.then, with the help of sentiment classifiers,training and being classified in the target domain.Experimental results points that the feasibility and advantages of the method in recognizing the problem of deceptive reviews.
Intraspecific karyotype variation is not concordant with allozyme variation in the Auckland tree weta of New Zealand,Hemideina thoracica(Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae)

Abstract Nine karyotypes are described within a single species of common New Zealand tree weta. Their diploid numbers range from 11 to 25. The distribution of the karyotypes suggests that each had a single origin except the 17-karyotype which was the most common karyotype and had a disjunct distribution. The overall level of allozyme diversity observed is similar to that seen within many widespread taxa. The distribution of allozyme alleles did not coincide with the distribution of karyotypes within this species and the Neighbour-Joining tree was not concordant with the chromosome based sub-divisions of the species. Thus, no evidence was found to suggest that chromosomal differentiation has been acting as a barrier to the flow of alleles within H. thoracica. The lack of concordance of genetic markers is thought to result from rapid chromosome radiation and reticulate evolution. Northland peninsula of North Island, New Zealand is a region of high chromosomal and allozymic diversity in H. thoracica . This may have resulted from geographic isolation during the Pliocene when Northland formed an archipelago of many small low-lying islands.
Rapid detection of european Heterobasidion annosum intersterility groups and intergroup gene flow using taxon-specific competitive-priming pcr (TSCP-PCR)

Using taxon-specific competitive-priming polymerase chain reaction (TSCP-PCR) the intersterility groups (ISGs) S and P of the root and butt rot pathogen Heterobasidion annosum were found in an active pine mortality center in the forest region Tharandter Wald (Saxonia, Germany). All isolates from spruce were typed as S, and all isolates from pine were P, except for two isolates which were identified as hybrid 'SP' genets. These results indicate the possibility of gene flow in nature between the two ISGs in Europe.
Cloning of Hsp70 genes from the marine sponges Sycon raphanus (Calcarea) and Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni (Hexactinellida). An approach to solve the phylogeny of sponges

The phylogenetic relationships among the three classes of the Porifera—Demospongiae, Calcarea and Hexactinellida—are still unresolved, despite the use of molecular analyses of rRNA. To determine whether phylogenetic resolution of these classes is possible based on genes coding for specific proteins, in the present study the genes for the 70 kDa heat shock protein [Hsp70] were isolated fromRhabdocalyptus dawsoni[Hexactinellida] and fromSycon raphanus[Calcarea], and compared to that previously isolated from the demospongeGeodia cydonium. The gene fromR. dawsoniis 2021 bp long and encodes a predicted Hsp70 of Mr77,697; the protein comprises the characteristic sites of eukaryotic, cytoplasmic Hsp70 polypeptides. The Hsp70 isolated from cDNA fromS. raphanusis 2326 bp long. It encodes a potential polypeptide of Mr85,927 and belongs to the same class of Hsp70s. All three sponge sequences for Hsp70 were found to be highly identical to both human and plant Hsp70s. The degree of identity at the amino acid (aa) level between the sponge sequences and the human sequence for Hsp70 is 77%–84% and at the nucleotide (nt) level, between 69% and 75%. Resolution of the phylogenetic relationship between the three classes of sponges based on the Hsp70 was not possible due to the high degree of identity [similarity] of their respective aa sequences, which ranged from 80% [90%] to 82% [91%]. The evolutionary rates—kaa-values—calculated for the sponge Hsp70 molecules, are low, reflecting the strong functional contraints placed upon these polypeptides. These values range from 0.125×10−9forG. cydoniumandR. dawsonito 0.087×10−9forS. raphanus. Higher values have previously been reported for theG. cydoniumgalectin molecule [kaa-value of 1.7×10−9] and the receptor tyrosine kinase [1.24×10−9] from the same animal. The occurrence of at least one double mutation, in the codon for the aa Ser in the conserved regions of the Hsp70 sequences, also suggests that these molecules are subjected to strong functional constraints.
Text Categorization Using Activation Based Term Set

Text classification is a challenging field in the current scenario and has great importance in text categorization application. Documents may be classified or categorized according to their subjects or according to their attributes. There is need to categorize a collection of text document into mutually exclusive categories by extracting the concept or features using supervised learning paradigm and different classification algorithm. In this paper we present a naive based approach for the classification using semi-supervised text classification methodology with the help of Activation term sets. Such frequent term set can be discovered based on David Merrill’s First principles of instruction (FPI) techniques. The system uses a pre-defined category group by providing them with the proper training set based on the activation of FPI We made an attempt to classify the document using FPI methodology, the algorithm involves the text tokenization, text categorization and text analysis
USB - an attack surface of emerging importance

Security in Distributed Aplications Bachelor of Science USB An Attack Surface of Emerging Importance by Frieder Steinmetz USB is one of the most widely adopted standards for buses. Little work regarding its security implications has been published. This work provides a brief summary of known issues as well as a documentation of new problems and possible future threats. The discovered issues have been classified and possible solutions have been discussed. During the research a secret channel for data exfiltration, as well as command and control has been designed and implemented. The results reveal the necessity of further research and development to address critical security issues.
The Naticidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Giglio Island (Tuscany, Italy): Shell characters, live animals, and a molecular analysis of egg masses

We investigated the occurence of members of the predatory caenogastropod family Naticidae in the littoral of the island of Giglio, Tuscany, Italy. We recorded a total of 8 species, all but one represented by both empty shells and living specimens. As most studies of Mediterranean naticids are based solely on empty shells, we here provide images of living animals for 7 out of the 8 species encountered; for several of these species this is the first photographic documentation of the animal. Our survey included a systematic collection of egg masses (”sand collars”) which were hatched in the laboratory. The larvae obtained as well as the sand collars themselves were used for molecular analysis of the species based on gene fragments of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), histone 3 (H3), the mitochondrial 16S rRNA (16S), and 18S rRNA (18S). We show that such molecular analysis allows the confirmation of the identity of naticid species without having access to adult specimens or shells. This approach identified one additional naticid species for which no adult specimens or shells were found. Additionally, our molecular analysis allows consideration of naticid phylogeny.
Evolution/History of the Scientific Study of International Processes

The International Studies Association (ISA) was founded in 1959, but the Scientific Study of International Politics (SSIP) only became one of its sections in 1993. SSIP researchers initially believed that subject oriented committees were unparalleled. They argued that combining traditional and quantitative research on a single committee with a common subject focus would encourage cross-examination and provide a greater understanding of the problem—but this was not the case. Nowadays, the SSIP is dedicated to the pursuit of international studies using formal or empirical data. Following the methods of scientific inquiry, the section aims to support and promote replicable research in terms of the clarity of a theory and/or the testing of hypotheses. The SSIP is committed to bringing together researchers who, at all levels of analysis and with respect to the entire range of international political questions, pursue these issues using formally stated arguments and/or systematically collected and analyzed empirical data. Furthermore, the SSIP fully cooperates with any existing organization that has similar goals, both within and outside the ISA. The significance of international studies manifests through degrees and courses that engage students and researchers with the increasing number of issues and phenomena which have arisen in the current globalized world. As such, most education providers justify the need for the degrees by relating the increasing importance of the discipline with real-world situations and employment opportunities.
IFC-Based Model View Definition for Hybrid Energy Systems

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) object model as a standard data model which has a quite large scope is proposed as a standard approach (ISO-PAS 16730) to identify the specifications and enables interoperability between the AEC (Architecture Engineering and Construction) applications. Currently the majority of AEC software and system developers use IFC APIs (Application Protocols) that are capable of importing and exporting IFC/STEP files, however the IFC based applications in the energy efficiency domain has not yet well articulated. At the moment sophisticated building energy management systems (BEMS) are available worldwide. However, they consist of ad-hoc combination of off-the-shelf building energy management and off-the-grid energy generation systems. This ad-hoc combination presents many difficulties as the BEMS consist of number of tools utilizing various information exchange protocols that have to be integrated within the M&T software packages. The optimization of these systems for efficient energy management adds another layer of complexity to the design and management procedures of these systems. However, even though various solutions have been proposed in the last years, a general approach based on an acknowledged standard is still missing. In this paper, a new building information model complying with the data schema of the industry foundation classes (IFC) standard is addressed. It allows for coherent integration of different information, helping to achieve the interoperability of the involved tools and services. The buildingSMART initiative’s Model View Definition Format is used to develop the formal specification for this new model. The Generalized Model Subset Definition Schema (GMSD) is applied for the subset content’s formal specification. The essence of the developed approach is in the consistent definition of a partial IFC model for hybrid energy systems. The developed concept has been tested on two sample buildings in Hannover Germany.
Cigarette smoking during pregnancy: comparison of biomarkers for inclusion in epidemiological studies

Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke represents an important confounding factor in epidemiological studies addressing developmental effects and requires careful controlling by the use of biomarkers. We compared the following biomarkers of exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and related biological effects in 23 smokers and 17 non-smokers: placental concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, chrome, lead and zinc), cotinine concentration in meconium, placental CYP1A1 activity (EROD) and bulky DNA adducts. Cadmium was detected in all samples and found in higher concentration in placentas of smokers compared with non-smokers (geometric mean ± GSD: 56.1 ± 1.8 vs 27.4 ± 1.6 μg kg -1 dry weight; p < 0.001). Cotinine was not detected in meconium samples from the non-smoker group, while samples from the smoker group contained a mean concentration of 114.1 ± 2.9 μg kg -1 . Correlation analysis of biomarkers among smokers revealed that daily cigarette consumption was strongly correlated to placental cadmium (Pearson's r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and to cotinine (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). EROD activity was also higher in smokers than in non-smokers (9.4 ± 3.4 vs 2.5 ± 1.8 pmol resorufin min -1 mg -1 protein; p < 0.001) and values were correlated to cotinine concentration in meconium (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) and placental cadmium level (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). The amount of bulky DNA adducts in placenta was highly variable and poorly associated with smoking status. Because of their high sensitivity and specificity to detect women who smoke during pregnancy, cotinine concentrations in meconium and placental EROD activity should be incorporated in epidemiological studies that investigate adverse developmental effects induced by in utero exposure to environmental contaminants.
Dynamic Selection of Face Recognition Algorithm in Multimodal Biometrics

On the basis of literature survey of face recognition algorithms, one question to be answered is: which algorithm is the best choice for a given application? This question leads the dissertation to characterize the available algorithms so that the most efficient methods can be stored out for different application. In this thesis we have propose a dynamic approach for face recognition we have taken multiple face recognition algorithm and according to the image quality of probe image different algorithm is chosen for recognition . There are several face recognition algorithm and they all have their own advantages some of them producing good result in a condition and other may produce better result in different condition. We have proposed a dynamic algorithm which select appropriate standard algorithm from a pool of algorithm by using image quality vector . Image quality vector include pose angle , entropy and contrast of given image to select different algorithm.