Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Aflatoxins Detection Based on Nanomaterials

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are highly toxic and carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic. Ingestion of crops and food contaminated by aflatoxins causes extremely serious harm to human and animal health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a selective, sensitive and simple method for the determination of aflatoxins. Due to their high performance and multipurpose characteristics, nanomaterials have been developed and applied to the monitoring of various targets, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods, which include process complexity, time-consuming and laborious methodologies and the need for expensive instruments. At the same time, nanomaterials provide general promise for the detection of aflatoxins with high sensitivity, selectivity and simplicity. This review provides an overview of recent developments in nanomaterials employed for the detection of aflatoxins. The basic aspects of aflatoxin toxicity and the significance of aflatoxin detection are also reviewed. In addition, the development of different biosensors and nanomaterials for aflatoxin detection is introduced. The current capabilities and limitations and future challenges in aflatoxin detection and analysis are also addressed.
Active Assembly of Spheroidal Photocatalytic BiVO4 Microswimmers.

We create single-component photocatalytic bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) microswimmers with spheroidal shape that move individually upon irradiation without any asymmetrization step. These particles form active assemblies which we investigate combining an experimental approach with numerical simulations and analytical calculations. We systematically explore the speed and assembly of the swimmers into clusters of up to four particles and find excellent agreement between experiment and theory, which helps us to understand motion patterns and speed trends. Moreover, different batches of particles can be functionalized separately, making them ideal candidates to fulfil a multitude of tasks, like sensing or environmental remediation. To exemplify this, we coat our swimmers with silica (SiO2) and selectively couple some of its modules to fluorophores in a way which does not inhibit self-propulsion. The present work establishes spheroidal BiVO4 microswimmers as a versatile platform to design multifunctional microswimmers.
Variations in firmness and sugar content in 'Huanghua' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia 'Nakai')

SummaryKnowledge of the firmness and sugar content of fruit flesh and intact fruit is required for grading and processing. Little detailed information is available on anisotropic differences in firmness and sugar content, and their relationship within fruit. The objectives of this study were to determine any spatial or orientational differences in firmness and/or sugar content in ‘Huanghua’ pear, and to analyse the relationship between firmness and sugar content. Significant differences in firmness and sugar content existed between unripe and ripe pears. Our analyses showed that firmness and sugar content did not differ significantly in the radial (longitudinal) axis, but along the stem-to-calyx (latitudinal) axis (i.e., the proximal to distal end of the fruit) there were significant differences between the two parameters. Firmness and sugar content were greatest in the top or proximal, stem-end of the fruit, and lowest in the distal or calyx end. Thus, it is necessary to consider axis orientation and spa.
Energy Commodity Prices : Is Mean-reversion Dead ?

Energy commodity prices have been rising at an unprecedented pace over the last five years. As oil supplies tighten and prices frequently break new highs, major oil companies have recently unveiled a flurry of multi-billion dollar deals for new projects whose target is not oil but natural gas. This article explores new sources of natural gas as well as whether natural gas and oil prices exhibit mean-reversion. The author notes that the three major unconventional gas resources identified so far are coalbed methane (CBM), tight gas sands, and organic gas shales. She concludes that with prices of oil approaching $70 per barrel at the end of August 2005 and oil futures trading above $70 on the NYMEX, these alternative sources of natural gas appear today to be a partial answer to the world energy needs.
Talking with Children about Natural Disasters.

The effects of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and other natural disasters will be felt by young children in the affected areas for a long time to come. Try to clear up any confusion children might have and answer their questions with sensitivity. Reports of natural disasters can spark an excessive fear for family safety in some young children. Listen for comments or questions from the children in your program about what’s going on. The best way to find out what they have heard is to listen for any fears or worries expressed directly, through drawings, or through play. It’s important to listen to each child carefully and tailor discussions to each little one’s worries. When responding, consider not only the child’s age but also how sensitive or easily scared she is in general.
Prioritization of ASEAN Highway Development Using ANalytic Hierarchy Process

Association of South East Asian Nations(ASEAN) has recently decided to develop ASEAN Highway Network to connect member countries by road in an attempt to achieve a goal of closer economic integration in the region. This entailed the necessity to newly construct or upgrade some 5,481 km of road sections to make ASEAN Highway Network functional. This study offers haw we can prioritize development of these road sections using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Particularly, it shows how individual road sections can be prioritized considering the importance of corridor or road group where the individual road section lies. It also develops how values of different evaluation criteria can be compared in the same scale. This new approach can be useful in prioritizing highway development in such cases where candidate road sections are widely scattered around the region, so detailed benefit and cost analysis is practically too demanding to carry out.
Methylglyoxal in Manuka Honey - Correlation with Antibacterial Properties

A perfect linear correlation was found for methylglyoxal levels in 61 samples of Manuka honey, ranging from 189 to 835 mg/kg, and the corresponding antibacterial activities of the samples, which were between 12.4% and 30.9% equivalent phenol concentration. This clearly underlines that methylglyoxal is the dominant bioactive com - pound in Manuka honey and above concentrations of around 150 mg/kg directly responsible for the characteristic antibacterial properties of Manuka honey. Methylglyoxal can be a suitable tool for labelling the unique bioactivity of Manuka honey.
Evaluation best practices and results :: the advanced technology program

The Economic Assessment Office of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) measures the economic impact of co-funding projects with the private sector to develop high-risk, enabling technologies, and seeks to increase understanding of the underlying relationships between technological innovation and economic phenomena. The National Academy of Sciences has praised ATP’s evaluation program as “one of the most rigorous and intensive efforts of any U.S. technology program” (National Research Council, 2001). ATP’s evaluation efforts were instituted to meet external requests for ATP program results, to use evaluation as a management tool to meet program goals and improve program effectiveness, to understand ATP’s contribution to the U.S. innovation system, and to develop innovative methodologies to measure the impact of public R&D investment. To do this, ATP economists track progress throughout each project’s life and into the post-project period by conducting surveys, compiling data, producing statistical analyses, undertaking economic studies, and commissioning studies with consultants and research economists. This paper describes the evolution of ATP’s evaluation activities, its evaluation best practices based on ATP’s experience since 1990, and findings from ATP studies.
Costa Rican gasteromycetes (Basidiomycota, Fungi): Calostomataceae, Phallaceae and Protophallaceae

Costa Rican specimens of Calostomataceae, Phallaceae and Protophallaceae (gasteroid basidiomycetes) kept at Herbarium F were examined and identified. Eleven species belonging to seven genera were recognized: Calostoma cinnabarinum, C. lutescens (Calostomataceae), Aseroë rubra, Clathrus columnatus, Laternea pusilla, L. triscapa, Ligiella rodrigueziana, Phallus indusiatus, P. duplicatus (Phallaceae), Protubera maracuja and P. jamaicensis (Protophallaceae). Calostoma lutescens is described with larger spores than those reported for the species, but molecular data confirmed the species identification. The occurrence of Protubera species in Costa Rica is reported for the first time.
The food of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi (Hutton)), with special reference to diurnal vertical migration of their prey

Although the ecology of several species of Procellariidae (petrels, shearwaters and fulmars) has been studied by many ornithologists, of the eleven genera only Fulmarus, Puffinus and Pachyptila have received much critical attention; Pterodroma, which comprises more species than any other genus in the family, has been little studied. This is because Pterodroma is an oceanic genus breeding in the tropics, sub-tropics and southern hemisphere in places difficult of access such as remote islands. In common with most pelagic birds the food and feeding habits of gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.) are known only vaguely (see Ashmole 1971). A number of authors have recorded food remains obtained from petrels they handled. Often stomachs were empty but for digestion-resisting fragments of cephalopod beaks and eye lenses, fish bones, crustacean exoskeleton or pieces of stone or pumice. This situation seems to result from rapid digestion combined with infrequent feeding. The following information applies to Pterodroma only; comparisons with some other genera are made in the discussion. Cephalopods have been reported in the diet of P. m. macroptera (Smith), P. m. gouldi (Hutton), P. cooki (Gray), P. leucoptera (Gould), P. neglecta (Schlegel), P. cahow (Nichols & Mowbray), P. lessoni (Garnot), P. solandri (Gould), P. brevirostris (Lesson), P. mollis (Gould) and P. phaeopygia (Salvin) (Sladden & Falla 1928; Oliver 1930, 1955; Falla 1934, 1937; Palmer 1962; Mougin 1969; Harris 1970; Serventy, Serventy & Warham 1971; Wingate 1972). Fish are eaten by P. inexpectata (Forster), P. phaeopygia, P. solandri and P. mollis (Kuroda 1955; Pocklington 1967; Harris 1970; Serventy et al. 1971). Crustacea are taken by P. macroptera gouldi, P. neglecta, P. phaeopygia, P. brevirostris and P. cahow (Sladden & Falla 1928; Oliver 1930; Larson 1967 per Harris 1970; Mougin 1969; Wingate 1972); those eaten by P. cahow include a small scarlet shrimp (Palmer 1962). Other pelagic organisms have been noted among food of P. macroptera gouldi and P. phaeopygia which took pteropods (Oliver 1930; Loomis 1918 per Harris 1970). But none of these workers was able to analyse the composition of the food or to identify food items to a lower level. Thus the food of gadfly petrels (and shearwaters, Puffinus spp.) was known only by generalizations until Ashmole & Ashmole (1967) examined the feeding ecology of Procellariidae, Phaethontidae (tropic-birds) and Sterninae (terns and noddies) on Christmas Island in the central Pacific Ocean. The petrels they studied were the phoenix petrel (Pterodroma alba (Gmelin)) and the Christmas Island shearwater (Puffinus nativitatis Streets). Detailed comparisons of their findings with mine are made in the discussion. In their analysis of samples from Pterodroma alba they identified several
A Metabolite Mass Spectral Database

Endogenous metabolites have gained increasing interest over the past 5 years largely for their implications in diagnostic and pharmaceutical biomarker discovery. METLIN (http://metlin. scripps.edu), a freely accessible web-based data repository, has been developed to assist in a broad array of metabolite research and to facilitate metabolite identification through mass analysis. METLIN includes an annotated list of known metabolite structural information that is easily cross-correlated with its catalogue of high-resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) spectra, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra, and LC/MS data.
Generic level phylogeny of Thalictroideae (Ranunculaceae) — implications for the taxonomic status of Paropyrum and petal evolution

The subfamily Thalictroideae, which is clearly defined by its chromosome characters, contains nine or ten genera. Here we use sequences of chloroplast rbcL and matK genes as well as non-coding trnL-F and nuclear ITS regions to reconstruct the generic level phylogeny of this subfamily. Our data recognize three major groups within Thalictroideae: (1) Thalictrum, Leptopyrum, Paropyrum, and Paraquilegia; (2) Urophysa, Semiaquilegia, and Aquilegia; and (3) Dichocarpum, Enemion, and Isopyrum. Isopyrum anemonoides, the sole species of Paropyrum, and Paraquilegia form a clade sister to Leptopyrum; together they make up the first group. Isopyrum manshuricum and I. thalictroides form another clade within the third group. Isopyrum anemonoides is sister to the monophyletic Paraquilegia. Our data suggest that Isopyrum is polyphyletic and support the segregate genus Paropyrum. Reconstruction of petal evolution suggests a secondary loss of petals in Enemion and Thalictrum, in contrast with the view that apetalous taxa are the most primitive. Petals with longer stalks in Dichocarpum are shown to be derivative, refuting the viewpoint that this type is a primitive condition. The flat petals in Paraquilegia may be derived from the tubular-type petals in Paropyrum and Leptopyrum, and spurred petals are thought to have originated from a single ancestor.
Identification of Four Polyhydroxyalkanoate Structural Genes inSynechocystis cf. salina PCC6909: In silico Evidences

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a class of bio-polymers naturally synthesized by cyanobacteria with the advantage of being alternative to petrochemical based plastic. Their versatile application in medical, agricultural and technical fields increased the market request, especially due to their environmental-friendly features. Cyanobacteria possess a high PHAs production potential not yet well known at the genetic and enzymatic level. In this work we identified, isolated and sequenced the genes responsible for PHA production (phaA, phaB, phaE and phaC) in Synechocystis cf. salina PCC6909 (syn: Gloeothece membranacea), of which genome data are not yet available. Performing an in silico analysis, we illustrate here the Pha proteins (PhaA, PhaB, PhaE and PhaC) phylogeny and the prediction of their structure, i.e., secondary folding, topology, 3D model and clefts localization. Our results are discussed in the context of future applications of Synechocystis cf. salina PCC6909 Pha genes for heterologous PHA production and strain improvement.
Body Size, Gender, Seed Husking and Energy Requirements in Two Species of Desert Gerbilline Rodents, Meriones crassus and Gerbillus henleyi

1. Small mammals require more energy per unit gut capacity than large mammals and, as a result, are forced to be more selective in their dietary habits. We predicted that when offered seeds, Meriones crassus (adult body mass [m b ] = 50-100 g) would husk less and consume proportionately more husks than the smaller Gerbillus henleyi (m b = 8-12 g). Furthermore, in the sexually dimorphic M. crassus, larger males would consume proportionately more husks than females but in G. henleyi, which does not show size difference between sexes, there would be no difference in husk intake. 2. Only male M. crassus (m b =86 2g) consumed husks ; female M. crassus (m b =57.0g) and both sexes of G. henleyi (m b =9.20g for males and 8.85g for females) did not. Therefore, our hypotheses were partly supported. 3. Digestibilities of dry matter and energy for male M. crassus were lower than for females and those of G. henleyi males and females. This was a result of the greater proportional consumption of low digestible, low energy husks. 4. We also predicted that the average daily metabolic rates (ADMR) of these species would be (1) similar to each other when compared allometrically and (2) lower than those predicted for rodents of their body masses. These hypotheses were based on the coexistence in deserts and similar granivorous diets of the two gerbil species. ADMR for each species was calculated from the regression equation of body mass change on metabolizable energy intake at the point of zero change in body mass. 5. Their ADMRs, 8.23kJ g -0.54 day -1 for M. crassus (m b =72.6g) and 8.65 kJ g -0.54 day -1 for G. henleyi (m b =9.05 g), were similar and therefore this hypothesis was confirmed. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, both these species had ADMRs that were similar to predicted values, that is, 96.1% and 101.1%, respectively, of rates predicted for their body masses.
A theory of normed simulations

In existing simulation proof techniques, a single step in a lower-level specification may be simulated by an extended execution fragment in a higher-level one. As a result, it is cumbersome to mechanize these techniques using general-purpose theorem provers. Moreover, it is undecidable whether a given relation is a simulation, even if tautology checking is decidable for the underlying specification logic. This article studies various types of <i>normed simulations</i>. In a normed simulation, each step in a lower-level specification can be simulated by at most one step in the higher-level one, for any related pair of states. In earlier work we demonstrated that normed simulations are quite useful as a vehicle for the formalization of refinement proofs via theorem provers. Here we show that normed simulations also have pleasant theoretical properties: (1) under some reasonable assumptions, it is decidable whether a given relation is a normed forward simulation, provided tautology checking is decidable for the underlying logic; (2) at the semantic level, normed forward and backward simulations together form a complete proof method for establishing behavior inclusion, provided that the higher-level specification has finite invisible nondeterminism.
Defining Clepsis penetralis Razowski (Tortricidae) Using Morphology and Molecules: A Widespread but Overlooked North American Species

ABSTRACT. The taxonomic status of Clepsis penetralis has remained enigmatic since its description in 1979. Using specimens collected or borrowed from across the U.S.A. , we examined genitalic and wing characters as well as mitochondrial DNA sequence in order to distinguish C. penetralis from the similar congener C. peritana. The genomic integrity of the two species was strongly supported, and the mtDNA sequence data further suggest a potential additional new species from California. Examinations of collections across the country indicate that C. penetralis is a widespread species that has been widely overlooked.
Effects of feeding colostrum from E.coli vaccinated dams on protection against Cryptosporidium parvum and lymphocyte subset population in neonatal calves

Cryptosporidium parvum…is…an…enteric…protozoan…that…infects…neonatal…calves…and… causes…severe…diarrhea. …We…examined…whether…colostrum…from…E. coli…vaccinated…dams…would…provide… better…protection…against…C. parvum…in…neonatal…calves. …Pregnant…Holstein…cows…kept…at…a…C. parvum-positive…farm…were…vaccinated…against…E. coli…during…the…dry…period. …The…number…of…CD4 + …cells…and… CD8 + …cells…in…the…peripheral…blood…was…higher…in…the…vaccinated…cows…after…parturition…compared…to… those…in…non-vaccinated…cows. …The…colostrum…from…these…vaccinated…cows…contained…higher…percentages… of…CD4 + ,…CD8 + ,…and…γδT…cells…compared…to…that…from…non-vaccinated…cows. …The…calves…fed…the…colostrum… from…vaccinated…dams…showed…increased…numbers…of…T…cell…subsets…in…the…peripheral…blood…compared…to… calves…fed…the…colostrum…from…non-vaccinated…dams. …However,…the…number…of…C. parvum…oocyst…detected… in…the…feces,…the…severity…of…diarrhea…and…the…timing…of…onset…of…diarrhea…were…similar…for…both…groups… of…calves. …Although…CD4 + …T…cells…are…very…important…immune…cells…to…protect…calves…from…C. parvum…infection,…the…colostrum…from…the…E. coli…vaccinated…dams…containing…higher…numbers…of…these…T… cells…did…not…improve…protection…against…C. parvum…in…calves. …Further…studies,…including…those…focusing… on…C. parvum-specific…immune…protection,…are…needed…to…provide…better…immunity…to…calves.
Survival of fishers in the southern Sierra Nevada region of California

Fishers in the western United States were recently proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act because of concerns for loss of suitable habitat and evidence of a diversity of mortality risks that reduce survival. One of 2 remnant populations of fishers in California is in the southern Sierra Nevada region, where we studied them at 2 research sites in the Sierra National Forest. Our objectives were to evaluate whether survival was lower for male fishers and dispersal-aged individuals or if survival varied seasonally. We captured and monitored 232 radiocollared fishers from March 2007 to March 2014 and used model analyses to identify important predictors of survival. Fifty-two percent (n = 120) of the radiocollared fishers died, and survival varied by sex and season, but not by age or between study sites. There was no evidence that dispersal-aged fishers experienced lower survival than older fishers. Annual survival trended lower for male (0.62 [95% CI 0.54–0.70]) compared to female fishers (0.72 [95% CI 0.67–0.78]), was lowest in the spring to mid-summer season (0.83 [95% CI 0.78–0.87]), and highest in late fall and winter (0.92 [95% CI 0.89–0.94]). Lower survival among male fishers appeared linked to males moving over large areas to locate mates, while lower survival for females was potentially related to high energetic cost of reproduction. It was possible but unknown if lower survival among all fishers in spring was linked to secondary exposure to toxicants dispersed around illicit marijuana grow sites. Six-month survival of juvenile fishers was 0.85 for females and 0.79 for males, but lower at 0.62 for females and 0.57 for males when adjusted for deaths before late September. Annual survival among adult female fishers was 20% lower than 0.90, a value that prior modeling suggested was required for population expansion in the overall southern Sierra Nevada. Survival data from our study imply a greater challenge for maintaining self-sustaining fisher populations in the southern Sierra Nevada region, and resource managers are working to mitigate several of the human-associated factors that limit population growth.