Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular characteristic of activin receptor IIB and its functions in growth and nutrient regulation in Eriocheir sinensis

Activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB) is a serine/threonine-kinase receptor binding with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily ligands to participate in the regulation of muscle mass in vertebrates. However, its structure and function in crustaceans remain unknown. In this study, the ActRIIB gene in Eriocheir sinensis (Es-ActRIIB) was cloned and obtained with a 1,683 bp open reading frame, which contains the characteristic domains of TGF-β type II receptor superfamily, encoding 560 amino acids. The mRNA expression of Es-ActRIIB was the highest in hepatopancreas and the lowest in muscle at each molting stage. After injection of Es-ActRIIB double-stranded RNA during one molting cycle, the RNA interference (RNAi) group showed higher weight gain rate, higher specific growth rate, and lower hepatopancreas index compared with the control group. Meanwhile, the RNAi group displayed a significantly increased content of hydrolytic amino acid in both hepatopancreas and muscle. The RNAi group also displayed slightly higher contents of saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid but significantly decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid compared with the control group. After RNAi on Es-ActRIIB, the mRNA expressions of five ActRIIB signaling pathway genes showed that ActRI and forkhead box O (FoxO) were downregulated in hepatopancreas and muscle, but no significant expression differences were found in small mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 3, SMAD4 and mammalian target of rapamycin. The mRNA expression s of three lipid metabolism-related genes (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1β (CPT1β), fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid elongation) were significantly downregulated in both hepatopancreas and muscle with the exception of CPT1β in muscles. These results indicate that ActRIIB is a functionally conservative negative regulator in growth mass, and protein and lipid metabolism could be affected by inhibiting ActRIIB signaling in crustacean.
A systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions used for pain relief after orthopedic surgical procedures

The purpose of the present review was to evaluate the available evidence on the efficacy of various non-pharmacological interventions to relieve pain after orthopedic surgical procedures. An electronic search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases was performed to retrieve studies of all types assessing the role of non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief after orthopedic surgical procedures. The included studies were required to assess pain outcomes using a validated measurement index, such as the Visual Analog Scale. The quality of randomized control trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Cochrane tool, while the ROBINS-I tool was used for non-RCTs. A total of five studies were included, namely three RCTs and two non-RCTs. The included studies used relaxation therapy, guided imagery, music and audio-visual distraction for pain management. There was considerable heterogeneity concerning study participants and types of intervention, which precluded a meta-analysis. Overall, all studies reported a significant beneficial effect of non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief. To conclude, current evidence from a limited number of studies indicates there may be a potential role of non-pharmacological interventions, including relaxation therapy, guided imagery, music and audio-visual distraction, in pain management of patients after orthopedic surgery. Owing to considerable heterogeneity and risk of bias in the included studies, strong conclusions cannot be drawn. Further high-quality RCTs assessing the role of such non-pharmacological techniques of pain management are required to strengthen the current evidence.
Lessons of a Decade

In Moldova, the weakness of the Eastern Partnership has been over-reliance on incentives, rather than a lack thereof. Veto players who hid their true interests by claiming allegiance to the European cause hijacked the EU’s soft power. The EaP’s shortcoming was lack of means and readiness to make these key opponents of political reforms keep their commitments. Its core challenge is how to overcome the resistance of these veto players who have been obstructing transformational goals.
PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC IDENTIFICATION OF FLOUROQUINOLONES RESISTANT ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM DISEASED CHICKEN IN SUEZ CANAL DISTRICT

A total of 70 Escherichia coli strains were isolated from samples (liver and heart) collected from diseased chickens (n=105) in about 21 commercial farms located in Suez Canal district of Egypt during May-July 2012. We investigated the susceptibility to Flouroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin and Norfloxacin) and 9 other antibacterials (Gentamicin, Streptomycin, Doxycyclin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cephazolin, Cephradine, Lincomycin, Florfenicole) by disc diffusion method and measured the MIC of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin. Resulted flouroquinolones resistant E.coli isolates were then serotyped, and investigated for the prevalence of plasmidmediated fluoroquinolone resistance (PMQR) genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6`)-Ib-cr, and qepA) by polymerase chain reaction. Among the E.coli isolates, 72.8% (51/70) were resistant to Ciprofloxacin and Enrofloxacin with MIC ≥ 4 and ≥ 2 (μg/ml) respectively. These Phenotypic And Genotypic Identification Of flouroquinolones . Dalia A. El-Shazly et. , al. Kafr El-Sheikh Vet.Med.J. Vol. 1 No.1 (2003) ٢ isolates were resistant also to at least 6 other investigated antibacterials in the study for susceptibility/resistance. Among the resistant 51 E.coli strains, 36 (70.5%) were positive for PMQR genes, 27 (52.9%) were positive for at least one gene of the qnr genes investigated in the study, 16 (31.37%) were positive for qnrA, qnrB and qnrS separately, 20 (39.2%) were positive to aac(6`)-Ib-cr, 35 (68.6%) were positive to qepA, while 4 (7.8%) harbored all the 5 investigated genes. The resistance of E. coli to flouroquinolones has been increasing in the past twenty years but unfortunately no enough data about isolates harboring PMQR genes in Egypt either in human or poultry field. Further investigations concerning the antimicrobial resistance problem in human and veterinary field in Egypt is recommended as a surveillance program is a must.
A novel definition of microvessel density in renal cell carcinoma: Angiogenesis plus vasculogenic mimicry

The present study proposed the novel concept of total microvessel density (TMVD), which is the combination of the MVD and the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) status, and evaluated its clinical significance in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For that purpose, tumor samples from 183 patients with primary RCC were examined by CD34 single or periodic acid Schiff (PAS)/CD34 dual histology staining. MVD and VM were determined according to previous literature. Clinical information (tumor stage and grade, and duration of survival) was retrieved and analyzed. Survival information and VM-associated gene expression data of patients with RCC were also retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the clinical significance of each individual gene was analyzed. The results indicated that MVD exhibited obvious differences among patients with RCC; however, it was not correlated with the stage/grade or length of survival in patients with RCC. In total, 81 patients (44.3%) were CD34(−)/PAS(+) and defined as VM(+), and they had a significantly shorter survival compared with that of VM(−) patients (P=0.0002). VM was not associated with MVD. TMVD was able to distinguish between patients with high and low MVD in terms of survival, thus TMVD was better compared with MVD alone at distinguishing between patients with different survival prognoses. TCGA data analysis revealed that among the VM-associated genes, nodal growth differentiation factor, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and galectin-3 had a statistically significant impact on the overall/disease-free survival of patients with RCC. In conclusion, the TMVD concept may be more appropriate and sensitive compared with the MVD or VM alone in predicting tumor aggressiveness and patient survival, particularly in RCC, which is a highly vascularized, VM-rich neoplasm, and certain VM formation-associated genes are negatively associated with the survival of patients with RCC.
Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Bacteriophages from Puerto Rico

Abstract. Five new Rhodobacter sphaeroides bacteriophages designated øR3-PR1-5 were isolated from water reservoirs at the Southwest region of Puerto Rico. The organic solvent susceptibility test showed that these phages lacked of external lipidic envelope. The øR3-PR bacteriophages were able to form plaques using R. sphaeroides as host only during aerobic conditions. Ultrastructural (Transmission Electron Microscopy; TEM) analysis revealed that all phages had polyhedral heads (90 × 120nm to 20 × 20nm) and a long tail (20 to 200nm). The TEM analysis of the isolates is similar to the bacteriophages previously described for the Myoviridae and Siphoviridae family. In the host specificity analysis all phages infected the restriction deficient mutant R. sphaeroides 7001, one infected R. sphaeroides strain 630 and 2.4. 1. The isolated bacteriophages were double-stranded DNA with genome sizes that range from 33–56 kbp. Restriction analysis was also performed using BglII, ClaI, EcoRI, KpnI, HindIII, SmaI and SalI endonucleases. All the data collected in this study confirm that the øR3-PR1-5 bacteriophages are different among themselves and from the R. sphaeroides bacteriophages previously reported in the literature.
GC-MS analysis, phytochemical screening and In vitro alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities of Vernonia amygdalina root extract and fractions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of Vernonia amygdalina root methanol extract and fractions on Porcine alpha amylase and Baker’s yeast alpha glucosidase at varying concentrations and to analyse the most potent of the methanol extract and its fractions through phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS). Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia in which there is an elevated glucose level in the blood. Inhibitors of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase are used to achieve good control over hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study intends to screen novel alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitors from a natural source (plant) so as to reduce the toxicity and side effects of the synthetic inhibitors currently used to control hyperglycemia. The alpha amylase inhibition assay showed that the methanol crude extract of Vernonia amygdalina root (18.17g/ml), the n-hexane fraction (71.41 g/ml), the dichloromethane fraction (95.06g/ml) and the aqueous fraction (165.51g/ml) exhibited 50% alpha amylase inhibition activity at the mentioned concentrations. The alpha glucosidase IC50 for Vernonia amygdalina root methanol crude extract, n-hexane fraction, dichloromethane fraction and aqueous fraction was found to be 12.17g/ml, 13.59g/ml, 59.83 g/ml and 12.93g/ml respectively. The phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of the methanol crude extract (the most potent in both the alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibition assays) revealed the presence of bioactive agents reported to have anti-diabetic activities. The results of this study therefore clearly support the traditional use of Vernonia amygdalina root extract to manage hyperglycemia.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON DIVERSE THEMES

At present several technologies of treatment of effluents with hydrogen peroxide are in use which aim to kill the organic compounds; cyanides; arsenic; nitrous oxides; and sulfides. However satisfactory they may be, there is scope for their development, whose trends are: to improve operational aspects and to widen the spectrum of pollutants to be slaughtered. The process of photo-activation of hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet radiation (H2O2 / UV process) for oxidative treatment of effluents gained momentum after 1992, and is promising due to the maintenance of the characteristics of high environmental compatibility. A series of experiments were carried out with synthetic solutions containing free cyanide. The photo activation process proved to be efficient and environmentally compatible.
Pilot study assessing the influence of skin type on the heart rate measurements 1 obtained by photoplethysmography with the Apple Watch 2 1

Pilot study assessing the influence of skin type on the heart rate measurements 1 obtained by photoplethysmography with the Apple Watch 2 1BORJA SAÑUDO, 1MOISÉS DE HOYO, 2ALEJANDRO MUÑOZ-LÓPEZ, 3JOHN PERRY, 3 4GRANT ABT 4 5 Running Head: Skin Type and photoplethysmography 6 1Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville, Seville, Spain 7 2Science to Improve, Seville, Spain 8 3Department of Psychology, Mary Immaculate College, Ireland. 9 4Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, United Kingdom 10 11 Conflicts of interest: none 12 Source of support: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies 13 in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. 14 15 16
Performance and egg qualities of old-laying hens fed with diets containing selected phytogenic feed additives

Performance and egg qualities of old-laying hens fed with diets containing ginger, turmeric and garlic were evaluated in a twelve (12) week feeding trial. A total of 135 laying birds of Isa-Brown strain which were sixty-four (64) weeks old were used for the trial and arranged in a completely randomized design. Five diets were formulated for the trial: Diet 1 (control), Diet 2 (3% inclusion level of turmeric), Diet 3 (3% inclusion level of ginger), Diet 4 (turmeric and garlic at 2.25% and 0.75%, respectively) and Diet 5 (ginger and garlic at 2.25% and 0.75%, respectively). Proximate compositions of the Phytogenic Feed Additives (PFAs) were determined with the moisture content ranging between 5.03-7.50%; ash (3.26-6.11%); ether extract (7.39-14.58%); fibre (10.28-13.79%); protein (3.07-7.23%) and Nitrogen Free Extract (58.88-61.54%). The performance indices, though not significantly (P˃0.05) influenced by the test diets except for Hen Day Production (HDP) had the highest weight gained (0.16kg) recorded for birds fed on a diet containing ginger. The highest (62.92 and 62.04 %) HDP were observed in birds fed diets containing ginger and ginger + garlic; respectively. However, the lowest weight gained (0.04kg) was recorded in birds fed a diet containing turmeric + garlic; this diet also recorded the lowest % HDP and FCR with values of 57.50% and 2.37 respectively. The overall values for the qualities of eggs from laying hens fed the PFAs showed that only the Haugh Unit, yolk colour and albumen height were significantly (P˂0.05) affected; with those on Turmeric + Garlic diets having the highest for these parameters. However, the fatty acid variables were not significantly (P˃0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. It could be concluded that the inclusion of PFAs in the diets of laying hens especially at an older age would help to sustain performance with improved quality.
Diabetes knowledge among non-diabetic hypertensive patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Introduction among hypertensive patients, the comorbidity of diabetes is not uncommon. Yet, little is known about diabetes prevention among non-diabetic hypertensive patients. This study sought to assess such patients' knowledge about diabetes and its risk factors. Methods a cross-sectional descriptive study design and random sampling were used to recruit non-diabetic hypertensive patients from University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. A pretested 33-item questionnaire was used to assess various aspects of diabetes knowledge. Participants' alcohol consumption, smoking habits, physical activity, and fresh fruit consumption were also assessed. The p-value was set to 0.05. Results of 212 respondents with a mean age of 45.5 ± 10.8 years, approximately half (49.1%) had inadequate knowledge of diabetes. Most participants demonstrated poor knowledge of diabetes' clinical features (81.1%) and complications (59.4%), while fewer participants showed poor knowledge of causes and risk factors (24.5%) and diabetes management (40.6%). Older subjects, those in the wards, non-drinkers, physically active people, and those who frequently consumed fresh fruit had a significantly greater understanding of diabetes symptoms and complications (p<0.05). Conclusion hypertensive patients' diabetes knowledge is generally suboptimal, with greater knowledge deficiencies being apparent in specific areas. More strategic health education initiatives are required, about minimizing the risk of developing diabetes comorbidities.
Using a Strain-Based Computational Approach for Ice Hockey Helmet Performance Evaluation

This study looks to develop and explore a computational approach, along with data gathered from conventional mechanical helmet testing procedures in ice hockey, in an attempt to provide new insights into how the helmet could protect an individual from concussive type impacts. In this study, five samples of six different ice hockey helmet models were tested using the methodologies set forth by The Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk, the STAR helmet rating protocol. Head form kinematics collected during STAR testing were used as inputs to the Global Human Body Model Consortium head finite element model, and each impact (n=672) was simulated. A 15% cumulative strain damage measure threshold was chosen as the main response variable to predict brain injury probability. The results indicate that output kinematics of rotational velocity were most correlated (r = 0.96, P < 0.05) to cumulative strain damage measure and other strain measures. Impact direction also had significant effects on the strains in the brain, with impacts to the rear, front and side showing larger statistical significance in variance to the cumulative strain damage measure than top impacts. It was also observed that specific helmets showed less deformation response in certain impact directions compared to others. This study developed a start-to-finish methodology to evaluate helmets for mild brain injury mitigation.
AUTOMATED SEMANTIC MODELLING OF BUILDING INTERIORS FROM IMAGES AND DERIVED POINT CLOUDS BASED ON DEEP LEARNING METHODS

Abstract. In this paper, we present an improved approach of enriching photogrammetric point clouds with semantic information extracted from images to enable a later automation of BIM modelling. Based on the DeepLabv3+ architecture, we use Semantic Segmentation of images to extract building components and objects of interiors. During the photogrammetric reconstruction, we project the segmented categories into the point cloud. Any interpolations that occur during this process are corrected automatically and we achieve a mIoU of 51.9 % in the classified point cloud. Based on the semantic information, we align the point cloud, correct the scale and extract further information. Our investigation confirms that utilizing photogrammetry and Deep Learning to generate a semantically enriched point cloud of interiors achieves good results. The combined extraction of geometric and semantic information yields a high potential for automated BIM model reconstruction.
Global effects of moon phase on nocturnal acoustic scattering layers

This research was supported by the Malaspina 2010 Expedition project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Consolider-Ingenio 2010, CSD2008-00077) and co-funded by AZTI-Tecnalia. The research was equally supported by the baseline funding of S.K. provided by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). We thank Udane Martinez for setting the acoustics onboard and all those who contributed to the success of the Malaspina 2010 Expedition.
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS RODRIGO FILETO CUERCI MACIEL TECHNICAL RESEARCH INNOVATIONS OF THE US NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM Technological portfolio and impact evaluation

Since the Second World War the US defense has been a major participant in the development of radical innovations in information and communication technologies, most famously probably the digital computer and the internet. A regularly present, but less known creator of R&D innovations is the intelligence community. To understand the role and impact of defense and intelligence-related research for driving innovations, using bibliographic analysis, we analyzed the scientific output promoted by the US National Security System and its impact on selected fields. Thus, this work was separated in two main parts. Firstly, with the aim to map the technological portfolio promoted by the US defense and intelligence agencies, we analyzed which technological paradigms were promoted and the development of these research trajectories over time. Thus, using bibliographic analysis, we clustered 82,239 scientific papers funded by the US national security system, published between 2009–2017 and retrieved from the Web of Science database, in research fronts. After that, we aggregated the research fronts into technological paradigms. Our analysis identified 33 technological paradigms promoted by the US defense’s sectoral system of innovation, such as quantum science and graphene as fields that could generate high impact in the new generation of radical technologies. The efforts of intelligence agencies was highly concentrated on quantum science, social forecasting, computer cognition and signal processing. In a second moment, we collected 1,525,328 documents from the Web of Science about Nanotechnology, Quantum Science, and Graphene, published between 2009-2017. These field were select because of their scientific and commercial relevance. Based on this new corpus, we compared the performance of the defense-related research with other kind of funding agencies. The factors analyzed were the following: degree of promotion of international collaboration, research impact, and research prestige. As result, we found that the US National Security System promotes researches of high impact and high prestige, with inconclusive results about the promotion of international collaboration. Our research highlights the role of US security players in shaping research fields showing that they are an active and important player in the current innovative landscape, a phenomenon that still need to be studied in depth.