Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil of Hypericum cordatum (Vell. Conc.) N. Robson (Hypericaceae)

Abstract The volatile constituents of the fresh materials of Hypericum cordatum were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The leaves produced 0.04% of a yellowish essential oil and the flowers did not. The main components of the oil were myrcene (40.18%), α-pinene (16.40%), and limonene (12%). The antibacterial activities of the oil against Saccharomyces aureus and Escherichia coli and the anti-fungal activities of the oil against the fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum were evaluated. The oil showed an antibacterial activity against the bacteria S. aureus and anti-fungal activity against the two fungi.
Shoot: Root Allocation with Respect to C, N and P: an Investigation and Comparison of Resistance and Teleonomic Models

Abstract Two shoot: root allocation models are described: the transport-resistance approach, and a teleonomic (goal-seeking) method based on maximizing specific growth rate when the system is growing exponentially. These are applied to two growth modes: exponential growth, and the steady state where all variables are constant with no net growth. The dynamic behaviour after shoot defoliation is investigated: the damping/overshoot effects observed are highly dependent on the presence or absence of product inhibition of the input process (e.g. plant substrate N may inhibit the uptake of mineral N by the plant). The teleonomic model is far more damped than the resistance model and may therefore be misleading if used to interpret transient experiments. Ontogenetic effects on allocation are simulated by varying the scaling (with plant size) of the transport resistances; this may give increasing allocation to the shoot or the root with the passage of time. The two models resemble each other very closely as far as equilibrium responses are concerned - this applies to exponential growth and to the steady state. Increasing the nitrogen input may lead to lower or higher whole-plant carbohydrate levels. The response to increasing nitrogen input depends on the other inputs; for instance it can be much curtailed by low phosphorus inputs. The response to phosphorus input can be similarly limited.
Exact Solution of Two-Dimensional Fractional Partial Differential Equations

In this study, we examine adapting and using the Sumudu decomposition method (SDM) as a way to find approximate solutions to two-dimensional fractional partial differential equations and propose a numerical algorithm for solving fractional Riccati equation. This method is a combination of the Sumudu transform method and decomposition method. The fractional derivative is described in the Caputo sense. The results obtained show that the approach is easy to implement and accurate when applied to various fractional differential equations.
Multilevel Monte Carlo Predictions of First Passage Times in Three‐Dimensional Discrete Fracture Networks: A Graph‐Based Approach

We present a method combining multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) and a graph‐based primary subnetwork identification algorithm to provide estimates of the mean and variance of the distribution of first passage times in fracture media at significantly lower computational cost than standard Monte Carlo (MC) methods. Simulations of solute transport are performed using a discrete fracture network (DFN), and instead of using various grid resolutions for levels in the MLMC, which is standard practice in MLMC, we identify a hierarchy of subnetworks in the DFN based on the shortest topological paths through the network using a graph‐based method. While the mean of these ensembles is of critical importance, the variance is also essential in fractured media where uncertainty is an overarching theme, and understanding variability across an ensemble is a requirement for safety assessments. The method provides good estimates of the mean and variance at two orders of magnitude lower computational cost than MC.
Effect of Tumeric (Curcuma longa) on Bile Acid and UDP-glucuronyl Transferase Activity in Rats Fed a High-fat and -cholesterol Diet

The current study examined the effect of turmeric powder on bile acid and UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity in rats fed a high-fat and -cholesterol diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 120±10 g were randomly assigned to a normal diet group (N group) and a high-fat and -cholesterol diet group (HF group), which was further divided into a high-fat and high-cholesterol with a 2.5% tumeric powder supplement group (TPA group) and 5% turmeric powder-supplemented group (TPB group). Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly increased in the N group as compared to the HF group, but they were significantly decreased in turmeric-supplemented groups as compared to the HF group. The total serum cholesterol and TG contents of the turmeric-supplemented groups were decreased as compared to those of the HF group. Especially, the TPB group was significantly decreased as compared to the HF group. The serum LDL-cholesterol and AI of the turmeric-supplemented groups were decreased as compared to the HF group. The hepatic triglyceride contents of all groups supplemented with the tumeric powder were significantly decreased as compared to the HF group. The hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity of the turmeric-supplemented groups was increased as compared to the HF group. In particular, the TPB group was significantly increased as compared to the HF group. The serum total bile acid contents of the turmeric-supplemented groups were increased as compared to the HF group. These results suggest that tumeric has powerful health benefits that are created via UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity, bile acid, and lipid metabolism.
Production of Pullulan and other Exopolysaccharides by Filamentous Fungi

AbstractA great deal of recent interest has been shown in the ability of some microbes to synthesize exopolysaccharides. Most attention has been directed toward the prokaryote producers, yet many filamentous fungi also produce exopolysaccharides that have chemical and physical properties of considerable commercial potential. Surprisingly little is known about how and why fungi overproduce these metabolites and how yields are affected by both the physical and chemical environments. This review attempts to critically appraise the current literature on fungal exopolysaccharides, considers their chemical diversity, and examines factors that seem to affect their production. Although much of the published work has been carried out with the α-glucan pullulan, there is considerable literature on the β-glucans and, hence, both of these are discussed.
The Role of Confidence in Family Caregiving for People with Dementia

Abstract Objective: A lack of confidence directly impacts caregiver distress, thereby having a tremendous influence on the overall health of caregivers. The purpose of this study examined how The Family Caregiver Training Program impacts caregiver confidence. Method: A delayed-intervention, randomized design with control group and three month follow up examined confidence with 36 family caregivers of people with dementia. Participants completed the nine-item Caregiver Confidence Scale pretest, posttest, and three months posttest; the last five-items included a program evaluation subscale administered only at posttest. Results: Caregiver confidence, regardless of group assignment, improved; however, was not maintained three months posttest. Both groups reported favorable program evaluation scores, with 83% requesting the availability of online training. Conclusion: Findings provide new evidence in caregiver literature on caregiver confidence from ADL and standard care training. Clinical implications suggest implementation of training programs that include follow-up visits to maintain confidence, and trainings in an online format.
Transfer of the shuttle vector pRRI207 between Escherichia coli and Bacteroides spp. in vitro and in vivo in the digestive tract of axenic mice and in gnotoxenic mice inoculated with a human microflora

Transfer of the shuttle vector pRRI207 mediated by the helper plasmid pRK2013 from Escherichia coli to Bacteroides spp. was possible in vitro and in vivo in the digestive tract of axenic mice associated with Bacteroides uniformis 1004 or Bacteroides vulgatus of human origin. In vivo, transfer frequencies were nearly identical for B. uniformis (2×10−7) and B. vulgatus (4×10−7) and the transconjugant strains of B. uniformis and B. vulgatus became established in the digestive tract of mice at densities ranging from 102–103 to 104 CFU g−1 of faeces, respectively. Transfer from E. coli to Bacteroides strains in gnotoxenic mice associated with human faecal flora (HFF) was not successful. Transconjugant-like clones appeared among the HFF of gnotoxenic mice after they were inoculated with B. uniformis TBUA, a transconjugant strain of B. uniformis 1004 obtained from triparental mating and which harboured the shuttle vector. Hybridisation showed that the shuttle vector pRRI207 was not present in these clones, and it is suggested that they could result from the transfer of a conjugative transposon ERL contained in B. uniformis 1004. Moreover, clones believed to have lost the shuttle vector hybridised with a specific probe to B. thetaiotaomicron and therefore did not originate from B. uniformis TBUA.
Development of Pacific Abalone (Haliotis Discus Hannai Ino) Broodstock: Initial Characterization of Early Growth Traits of F1 Progeny

ABSTRACT Families of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) were initiated from fertilized gametes from broodstock taken from Japan and China. Three wild stocks from Hokkaido (Hkd), Iwate (Iwt), and Miyagi (Myg), Japan, and a local farmed stock (Zzd) at Zhangzidao Island, Dalian, China, were collected and conditioned at Zhangzidao Island during the winter in 2010. In 2011, 95 full-sib families generated by a single-mating method within each stock were tested for growth performance under a hatchery and sea-based culture system for a 1-y period. Progeny from the 4 stocks were reared in separated tanks under identical conditions until 5 mo posthatch, then 4,925 juveniles were tagged and evaluated in a growth trial that consisted of 2 replicate large pools. Growth data of juvenile abalone at the age of 1 y posthatch were collected and used to investigate differences among the stock in daily growth rate. Stock effect and full-sib effect on abalone daily growth rate from tagging to the end of the 1-y culture period were both significant. Variation among individuals within the full-sib families is comparable with the variation among stock. Top-ranked full-sib families based on 1-y growth performance were from varying Pacific abalone stock. The implications of the results is that, when comparing the performance of different H. discus hannai stock or initiating a selective breeding program for H. discus hannai, it is important to test many breeders from each stock. In terms of growth performance, top-ranked candidate F1 families from varying stock may be crossbred to generate F2 families if potential positive growth heterosis occurs.
Behavior, physiology, performance and physical condition of layers in conventional and large furnished cages in a hot environment

The aim of the present study was to compare old layers' level of welfare and performance between conventional and large furnished cages under hot environmental conditions. At the age of 80 weeks, 104 Boris Brown layers were divided into two groups: 12 conventional cages (two hens/cage) and four large furnished cages (20 hens/cage, 240 cm wide × 62 cm deep). The room temperature was set to fluctuate between 25 and 33°C in a day. The hens' behavior, immune response, performance and physical condition were measured. Aggression and moving were more frequent in furnished than in conventional cages (P < 0.05 for both items). Egg production (P < 0.05), egg mass (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) were better in conventional cages than in furnished cages. No significant differences were found in the birds' immune responses or physical condition between the cage designs. In conclusion, under a hot environment, the performance of old layers in large furnished cages was lower compared with that in small conventional cages, which might be due to their greater aggressive interactions. However, it was not evident that welfare level was lower in large furnished cages compared with conventional cages. Hereafter, additional studies about large furnished cages using young layers over a long term should be performed.
Endogenous Functions and Expression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Teleost Fish: A Review

Environmental monitoring programs use biological tools in the form of pollutant-sensitive organisms called sentinel species and sub-organismic indicators or biomarkers to assess impacts to ecosystems by pollution. In this work, we review one of the more widely used groups of sentinel organisms by monitoring programs, the teleost fishes, and the best known biomarker of exposure, the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. We found that at least one P450 enzyme has been reported in 57 species of fish. Based on comparisons between enzymatic induction and endogenous function of P450, we discuss the specificity and sensibility of fish P450 enzymes as biomarkers in environmental monitoring. Studies in recent years show that the endogenous functions of several P450 enzymes in fishes are unknown, and, contrary to belief, the mechanisms of induction of the P450 enzymes in mammals and fishes are often different, and, thus, substrate-specific inductions are not comparable. It becomes clear that it is necessary to advance our understanding of P450 endogenous functions if we wish to correctly interpret the meaning of catalytic activity data of these mono-oxygenases for the purpose of environmental monitoring programs.
Mathematical models of beam input and output in the process of electron beam welding of thin-walled structures

The article considers the problem of mathematical modeling of the electron beam welding process at the stages of input and output of an electron beam. A conceptual model is proposed, developed using the mathematical apparatus of the thermal process theory. The models allow the calculation of the individual stages of the process that affect the formation of a welded joint in the vicinity of the “zero point”. The proposed models will be used in the future and will be subjected to verification processes by comparison with the results of field experiments.
Tumour necrosis factor α mediated apoptosis in murine macrophages by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi under oxidative stress

Invasive Salmonella has been reported to induce apoptosis of macrophages as part of its infection process, which may allow it to avoid detection by the innate immune system. However, the induction of apoptosis under the different host environments remains to be examined, including the oxidative stress experienced by pathogens in the macrophage milieu. To simulate in vivo oxidative conditions, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi was grown in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and its ability to induce apoptosis of murine macrophages was assessed. Analysis of data revealed that oxidative stressed S . Typhi caused apoptotic cell death in 51% of macrophages, whereas S . Typhi grown under normal conditions accounted for apoptotic cell death in only 32% of macrophages. A significant increase in the levels of oxidants and decrease in the antioxidant was also observed which correlated with the increased generation of tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-1α and interleukin-6. These results suggest that tumour necrosis factor α in conjunction with other cytokines may induce apoptotic cell death through the up-regulation of lipid peroxidation and down-regulation of superoxide dismutase. This finding may help us to understand better the host–pathogen interactions and may be of clinical importance in the development of preventive intervention against infection.
DT-CNN: An Energy-Efficient Dilated and Transposed Convolutional Neural Network Processor for Region of Interest Based Image Segmentation

An energy-efficient convolutional neural network (CNN) processor is proposed for real-time image segmentation on mobile devices. The proposed processor utilizes Region of Interest (ROI) based image segmentation to speed up the process and reduce the overall external memory access. Although the ROI based image segmentation degrades the segmentation accuracy, the proposed dilation rate adjustment algorithm, which regulates the receptive field depending on the ROI resolution during dilated convolution, compensates for the accuracy degradation up to 0.2310 mean Intersection over Union (mIoU). In addition, the processor accelerates the dilated and transposed convolution by skipping the redundant zero computations with the proposed delay cells. As a result, the throughput of dilated and transposed convolution is increased up to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times 159$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times 3.84$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The delay cells can also support the variable dilation rates in dilated convolution caused by the dilation rate adjustment algorithm. Moreover, the processor selects the operating frequency based on the ROI resolution to save power consumption up to 81.2%. The processor is simulated in 65 nm CMOS technology, and the 6.8 mm<sup>2</sup> processor consumes the 206 mW power consumption with the 4.66 ms of processing time and 3.22 TOPS/W energy-efficiency at the target image segmentation dataset.
Micropropagation and in Vitro Flowering of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.- an Important Vegetable Crop

An efficient protocol has been established for micropropagation and in vitro flowering of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. in the present study. Maximum numbers of shoots (8.2±0.29/nodal explants) were obtained in the MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA). Doubling of 40 mM of FeSO4 and Na2EDTA resulted in chlorosis prevention of in vitro leaves. Nearly 100% of in vitro plants induced roots in presence of ½ MS medium containing 4.90 μM of IBA within 12.4±0.40 days of culture. Cytological analysis of the donor and regenerated plantlets revealed chromosome stability with 2n=26 chromosomes. About 100% of the in vitro grown plants induced both male and female flower buds in MS medium (with 3% sucrose). Nearly 90.5% of the pollen grains formed in the in vitro male flowers were viable. The survival rate of acclimatized plants reached 94.5% when transferred to field conditions. Therefore, the present study can be considered as a promising system for efficient micropropagation and in vitro flowering of L. acutangula, which can also be a source of viable aseptic anthers, and thus can be directly used for haploid culture.
Teaching complex molecular simulation algorithms: Using self‐evaluation to tailor web‐based exercises at an individual level

It is quite challenging to learn complex mathematical algorithms used in molecular simulations, stressing the importance of using the most advantageous teaching methods. Ideally, individuals should learn at their pace and deal with tasks fitting their levels. Web‐based exercises make it possible to tailor every small step of the learning process, but this requires continuous monitoring of the learner. Differentiation based on the scores after the first round of common tasks can be demotivating for all students, as they will experience the initial set of tasks as being either too easy or too hard. We designed two tests, a self‐monitoring test and a rapid test (RT) in which the students explained equations relating to the current topic. The first test was aimed to see if the students were able to evaluate their own level of knowledge, whereas the RT was aimed to find a fast way to determine the level of the students. We compared both tests with traditional measures of knowledge and used a relatively new method, which was originally designed for the analysis of molecular simulation data, to interpret the results. Based on this analysis, we concluded that self‐evaluation, rather than an RT, is a valuable tool to automatically steer individual students through a tree of web‐based exercises to match their skill levels and interests.
The Protective Effect of 17 (cid:1) -Estradiol on Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Is Mediated through Estrogen Receptor- (cid:2)

Low-dose estrogen (E2) treatment significantly inhibits the clinical signs and histopathological lesions of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and is being used in clinical trials to treat multiple sclerosis. To assess the role of intracytoplasmic estrogen receptors in mediating suppression of EAE, we studied mice with disrupted estrogen receptor- (cid:1) ( Esr1 ) and - (cid:2) ( Esr2 ) genes. We demonstrate that the protective effect of E2 is abrogated in B6.129-Esr1 tm1Unc mice ( Esr1 (cid:3) / (cid:3) ) but not in B6.129-Esr2 tm1Unc mice ( Esr2 (cid:3) / (cid:3) ). The loss of E2-mediated protection from EAE in Esr1 (cid:3) / (cid:3)
The Numerical Solution of Fractional Black-Scholes-Schrodinger Equation Using the RBFs Method

In this paper, radial basis functions (RBFs) method was used to solve a fractional Black-Scholes-Schrodinger equation in an option pricing of financial problems. The RBFs method is applied in discretizing a spatial derivative process. The approximation of time fractional derivative is interpreted in the Caputo’s sense by a simple quadrature formula. This RBFs approach was theoretically proved with different problems of two numerical examples: time step arbitrage bubble case and time linear arbitrage bubble case. Then, the numerical results were compared with the semiclassical solution in case of fractional order close to 1. As a result, both numerical examples showed that the option prices from RBFs method satisfy the semiclassical solution.
Effects of pectin and tomato paste as a natural antioxidant on inhibition of lipid oxidation and production of functional chicken breast sausage

On this study antioxidant effects of pectin and tomato paste (TP) on lipid oxidation and production of functional chicken breast sausage during refrigerated storage for 14 days were evaluated. Raw chicken sausage samples were enriched with different levels of TP containing 0, 1, 2 and 10% and 1% pectin, and peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and sensory attributes were evaluated periodically for 14 days of storage at 4 °C. Although after 1 day of storage TP treatments at level of 1% did not exert any antioxidant effects on TBARS, PV varied for all treatments except control and remained lower than 8 meq D2/kg throughout the storage time. During refrigerated storage, formation of lipid oxidation products increased from 2.8 to 15.2 meq D2/ kg for PV and 0.064 to 0.38 mg malondialdehyde (MDA)/kg in the TBARS test, respectively. At the end of storage time, the PV and MDA value in chicken sausage treated with 1%, 2% and 10% TP decreased by 51 and 19%, 73 and 69%, and 71 and 82% (P <0.05), respectively. The results of sensory evaluation showed that panelists preferred functional sausage containing 2% of TP and higher levels of TP altered the visual appearance of product.
Salicylate decreases production of AmpC type -lactamases and increases susceptibility to -lactams

The effect of salicylate, a marRAB inducer, on the resistance to β-lactams was characterized in an AmpC β-lactamase hyperproducer Morganella morganii clinical isolate (the M1 strain). Results were compared with those of the effect of salicylate in a wild-type M. morganii strain. Salicylate induced a decreased susceptibility to nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and tetracycline and simultaneously increased the susceptibility to β-lactams apparently due to the repression of AmpC β-lactamase synthesis in the M1 strain. Likewise, salicylate only repressed 46 kDa outer membrane protein expression in the wild-type strain, since the clinical isolate M1 did not express it.