Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of seeds and callus of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.

Development of an efficient system for callus induction on different explants of fenugreek. Comparing phenolic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of seed and calli of different fenugreek explants. Fenugreek is a well-known medicinal plant for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. For callus induction, three explants were used viz. hypocotyl, root, and cotyledons. The explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D, NAA and TDZ in different concentrations (0.5-6 mg/L). Antioxidant activity using DPPH and Folin-ciocalteu assays, and antimicrobial activity of calli and seed extracts were evaluated. Friable callus was successfully induced on all explants and by all PGRs except 2, 4-D which failed to stimulate callus formation on root explant. Root segment was the better explants in callus induction with maximum fresh weight 5.29 g with TDZ at 2 mg/L and highest callus index was 4.3 with TDZ at 0.5 mg/L. Hypocotyl callus showed the highest phenolic content (246.9 mg GAE/g DW) compared to root callus (243.5 mg GAE/g DW), seed (176.2 mg GAE/g DW) and then cotyledons callus (64.9 mg GAE/g DW) with the lowest value. On the other hand, seed exhibited 44.3% antioxidant activity compared to 34.7%, 24.3% and 16.7% recorded by cotyledons, hypocotyl, and root calli, respectively. Regarding antimicrobial activity of studied fenugreek extracts, hypocotyl callus exhibited the maximum zone of inhibition recorded (19 mm) against E. coli. Callus of fenugreek showed potential biological activities over seed-extract.
Modelling the costs of unexpected traffic flow disruptions

Cost-benefit analysis is a well-recognized assessment tool for evaluating transport infrastructure projects. However, existing frameworks do not fully consider the benefits for road users of reducing the frequency and duration of unexpected road closures. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, a model is developed to assess the economic consequences of weatherrelated disruptions causing road closures. Second, an application of the model is provided using empirical evidence from Norway. The benefits for road users of reducing the frequency and duration of temporary traffic flow disruptions can be extensive and should be considered in cost-benefit analysis of relevant infrastructure projects. Date of final version: July 12, 2019
Upregulation of notch signaling in hBMSCs promotes the proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteoclasts

During bone remodeling, osteoblasts and osteoclasts have a mutual and coefficient influence on each other. However, the specific mechanisms by which they interact are unclear and need further exploration. We have demonstrated that the upregulation of Notch signaling in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) can improve cell proliferation and promote the differentiation of hBMSCs to osteoblasts. It also has an indirect effect on the proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteoclasts. Specifically, the upregulation of Notch signaling in the hBMSCs of OP (osteoporosis patients) induced expression and secretion of M-CSFs. The conditioned medium (CM) of OP-hBMSCs increased the number of multinuclear osteoclasts and the speed of proliferation after Notch upregulation. Furthermore, upregulation of Notch signaling increased the RANKL/OPG ratio and promoted osteoclastogenesis. Our study reveals the possible mechanism of the osteoblast-osteoclast interaction during the bone remodeling process and implicates the Notch signaling pathway as a potential target for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Isolation of chemical constituents and In-Vitro screening of Plectranthus mollis Spreng for anthelmintic activity

The human being are the most affected with diseases than any other animal species. For a long time, almost all the medicines were extracted from plants, and many herbal drugs were used by different civilization and many of them are still used. Tannins and lavonoids are the chemical constituents in the plants that shows the anti-helminthic activity. In traditional medicine, Plectranthus mollis has been used against snakebites, respiratory stimulant and cure for hemorrhage, antimicrobial, treatment of mental retardation and rheumatism. Moreover, Plectranthus mollis is reported to have a high content of tannins and lavonoids. Dried aerial parts of the hydroalcoholic extract of Plectranthus mollis are subjected to preliminary tests for the identi ication of various active constituents present in the extract. Estimation of total phenolic content were determined calorimetrically using Folin-Ciocalteu method and total lavonoid content were determined by aluminum chloride colorimetric technique for the hydroalcoholic extract of Plectranthus mollis. The antioxidant activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the plant were carried out by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The anthelmintic activity of dried aerial parts of the hydroalcoholic extract of Plectranthus mollis are evaluated on adult Pheretima Posthuma (Indian earthworm). The chemical compound present in dried aerial parts of hydroalcoholic extract ofPlectranthusmolliswere isolated by lash chromatography. The isolated compound were detected by HPTLC technique and con irmed by GC-MS analysis.
Synergistic Instance-Level Subspace Alignment for Fine-Grained Sketch-Based Image Retrieval

We study the problem of fine-grained sketch-based image retrieval. By performing instance-level (rather than category-level) retrieval, it embodies a timely and practical application, particularly with the ubiquitous availability of touchscreens. Three factors contribute to the challenging nature of the problem: 1) free-hand sketches are inherently abstract and iconic, making visual comparisons with photos difficult; 2) sketches and photos are in two different visual domains, i.e., black and white lines versus color pixels; and 3) fine-grained distinctions are especially challenging when executed across domain and abstraction-level. To address these challenges, we propose to bridge the image-sketch gap both at the high level via parts and attributes, as well as at the low level via introducing a new domain alignment method. More specifically, first, we contribute a data set with 304 photos and 912 sketches, where each sketch and image is annotated with its semantic parts and associated part-level attributes. With the help of this data set, second, we investigate how strongly supervised deformable part-based models can be learned that subsequently enable automatic detection of part-level attributes, and provide pose-aligned sketch-image comparisons. To reduce the sketch-image gap when comparing low-level features, third, we also propose a novel method for instance-level domain-alignment that exploits both subspace and instance-level cues to better align the domains. Finally, fourth, these are combined in a matching framework integrating aligned low-level features, mid-level geometric structure, and high-level semantic attributes. Extensive experiments conducted on our new data set demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed method.
Screening of Mungbean Genotypes under Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Induced Drought Stress Condition

Sixteen advance genotypes of mungbeans under 5 different concentrations of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) were studied to find out the better cultivar against drought stress condition. The experiment results revealed that germination, seedling production and water-related behavior of mungbean genotypes differed significantly under different PEG (drought inducer) concentrations. The mungbean genotype BINA Mung-6 (V8) is proved as highly tolerant against drought stress condition among all other tested genotypes. The results of the investigation revealed that BINA Mung-6 (V8) genotype consistently scored the highest value for all parameters except for the root shoot ratio and water retention capacity that was statistically comparable to genotypes BARI Mung-4 (V2) and BINA Mung-5 (V7). Consistently poor performance were recorded from IPM-02-03 (V16) genotype which is Original Research Article Imtiaz et al.; ARRB, 35(2): 1-12, 2020; Article no.ARRB. 55650 2 statistically similar as genotypes BMXK1-09015-2 (V13) and BMXK1-09015-6 (V10). The maximum percentage of germination (98.12%), shoot length (139.40 mm), root length (99.07 mm), shoot dry weight (22.32 mg), root dry weight (6.88 mg), relative water content (94.78), water retention capacity (24.98), germination co-efficient (22.27) and vigor index (233.90) were reported from BINA Mung-6 (V8) at a concentration of 0 percent PEG. The minimum percentage of germination (28.22 percent), shoot length (31.17 mm), root length (16.50 mm), shoot dry weight (2.21 mg), root dry weight (0.97 mg), relative water content (25.55), water retention capacity (3.08), germination co-efficient (6.06) and vigor index (13.45) were reported from IPM-02-03 (V16) mungbean advance lines at 0 percent PEG. Maximum (0.92) root shoot ratio was recorded from both BARI Mung-8 (V6) and BMX-08011-2 (V11) mungbean genotypes at 20 percent PEG concentration and minimum (0.22) at 0 percent PEG concentration from BARI Mung-5 (V3) genotype. Maximum water retention capacity (74.45) was recorded at 20 per cent PEG concentration from IPM-02-03 (V16) genotype and minimum (5.22) was at 0 per cent PEG concentration from BINA Mung-6 (V8) genotype.
Abstract 4661: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for cancer drug delivery: The value ofin vitromodeling

BACKGROUND: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted great interest for use as delivery vehicles for cancer and other diseases due to their ability to be functionalized and localized using external magnets. In the presence of a magnetic field, individual MNPs form aggregates, which in turn can be made to spin and surface walk, in response to rotation of the field. Here, we present data from the use of a in vitro model system, which is useful in mimicking the various conditions and distances that MNP-drug combinations may encounter in vivo. METHODS: A sterilizable acrylic tray was designed, which has 1/8th inch wide lanes and can be used with or without the addition of cultured cells. The tray is compatible with standard plate readers, and the lanes can be modified to mimic various conduits within the body. In studies described here, glioma cell lines and normal vascular endothelial cells were used in the tray. In order to test the effect of fluid viscosity on MNP velocity in response to the rotating magnetic field, lanes were filled with 1mL of PBS, culture medium, serum, or whole blood. Pre-magnetized and unmagnetized MNPs were aliquoted into the lanes at volumes from 10 - 100 uL. T-PA and trypan blue were used as a model drugs. Velocities of MNP aggregates were determined by videography at five different tray positions relative to the magnet: centered, offset, push, pull, and below. Particle adhesion to cells could be quantified using ImageJ. RESULTS: Using the model system, greater MNP velocities were achieved with pre-magnetization, and larger aliquots. For example, 100ul aliquots had a total average velocity 1.27± 0.21 times that of 20ul. MNP velocity was found to be inversely -related to fluid viscosity, but particles could be moved magnetically even through whole blood. Test drugs could be successfully delivered by convection, even without prior binding to MNPs. MNP velocity also varied according to magnet position, with speeds up to 0.75 +/- 0.05 cm/sec in the pull (fastest) position. In the offset position, a distance of 20 cm above the magnet produced the greatest velocity. MNPs moved more slowly over confluent monolayers of endothelial or glioma cells (with greater adhesion), but a mean velocity of 0.25 cm/sec +/- 0.03 cm was typically observed. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro modeling is extremely helpful in predicting the behavior of particles intended for clinical use in magnetically-enhanced drug delivery. The velocity and cell surface adhesion of MNP aggregates can be quantified, and the effect of factors - such as fluid viscosity, cell type, and position with respect to the magnet - analyzed in order to better understand the advantages and limitations of this technology. Citation Format: Sebastian P. Pernal, Alexander J. Willis, Herbert H. Engelhard. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for cancer drug delivery: The value of in vitro modeling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4661.
Prognostic Value of N-terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide for Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives The mortality rate of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is high. Hence, it is crucial to identify a reliable biomarker with wide clinical applications for predicting the prognosis of patients with ARDS. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the value of plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for predicting mortality in patients with ARDS. Methods An electronic search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure was conducted up to May 31, 2019, without language restrictions. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using QUADAS-2. Data were extracted and analyzed to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. A forest graph was used to evaluate heterogeneity. Potential causes of heterogeneity were further explored by subgroup analysis based on the testing day, testing method, observation endpoint, or cut-off points. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to obtain the pooled area under the curve. Results A total of 7 studies involving 581 patients with ARDS were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were as follows: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66–0.88), 3.68 (95% CI: 2.16–6.28), 0.27 (95% CI: 0.20–0.38), and 13.58 (95% CI: 6.17–29.90), respectively. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the testing day influenced the summary sensitivity and that the cut-off points influenced the summary sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion Our results indicate that elevated plasma NT-proBNP levels have a moderate value for predicting the mortality of patients with ARDS.
Detection of major viruses infecting shallot and molecular characterization of Onion yellow dwarf virus from several locations in Indonesia

Harti H, Hidayat SH, Sobir, Wiyono S. 2020. Detection of major viruses infecting shallot and molecular characterization of Onion yellow dwarf virus from several locations in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1697-1701. Research was conducted to identify main viruses infecting shallot in several regions in Indonesia and to further characterize genetic variation of Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV). Field survey was conducted in Central Java (Brebes), East Java (Probolinggo), West Sumatera (Alahan Panjang), West Nusa Tenggara (Bima), and South Sulawesi (Enrekang). Virus detection from field samples was conducted by dot immunobinding assay. This detection confirmed that infection of OYDV, Shallot yellow stunt virus (SYSV), Shallot latent virus (SLV), and Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV) has occurred in all field with incidence ranged from 20 to 93.5%, 2 to 93%, 21.5 to 80%, and 2 to 80.5%, respectively. The specific primers of Nib gene successfully amplified DNA fragments of OYDV from all locations. Sequencing of DNA fragments revealed that the amplified product was 351 bp. Sequence analysis indicated that the present OYDV isolates from Indonesia shared homology from 82 to 95%; and they had homology from 81 to 95% with OYDV isolates from other countries. The similarity of OYDV isolates from different geographical locations reflected the movements of seed bulbs among and within countries. The phylogenetic tree also revealed that OYDV isolates from different countries did not group together indicating their diverse origin.
Students’ Problems in Personal Letter Writing: A Systemic Functional Linguistic Perspective

The 2013 English curriculum for high school demands students to write a personal letter in English to improve their writing ability. However, some students met some difficulties in writing a personal letter. This study investigated the students’ problems in writing a personal letter based on three metafunctions in the Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) perspective. A qualitative case study was employed to analyze the use of three metafunctions of fifteen students of senior high school in writing personal letters. The results of the study reveal that the students’ major problems in producing personal letters were the disappearance of one aspect of interpersonal metafunction namely subject and finite, resulting in incomplete clauses and sentences to deliver the idea completely. Other results show that students tended to use the same verb that refers to mental processes on experiential metafunction that only described the writer’s point of view, causing the self-focused personal letters whereas personal letter is aimed to strengthen the relationship between writer and reader. The study recommends that the teaching of interpersonal metafunction in terms of subject and finite, and the various expressions of processes need to be explicitly delivered.
Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in the Apiculture-Based Agritourism

Taman Wisata Lebah is tourism service based on honey bees. It is one of the pioneer of the apitourism in Indonesia. The objective of this reserach are to analyze the service quality and customer satisfaction of Taman Wisata Lebah. Research method used in this research is quantitative. Respondent in this research are 100 respondents, using purposive sampling technique. Data analysis techniques are Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI). Based on the calculation of CSI, the number is indicated that in general consumers of Taman Wisata Lebah are satisfied with the services provided. Findings. Based on the calculation of Importance Performance Analysis, there are five attributes with high importance and low performance and highly recomended to improve. The atributes consists of provide more safety equipment for customers, evaluate staff shifting schedule to ensure the existence of staff in field, improvement product knowledge for field staff, create safety box for bee colony. Overall, service quality in Taman Wisata Lebah is excellent.
The Effects of a Chinese and Cuban Music Programme on the Cultural Understanding of Elementary Children

This study aims to examine whether the American elementary students increase their cultural understanding after a six-week multicultural music programme on China and Cuba, considering factors of age, gender and learning needs. The use of Edwards’ (1994) levels of cultural understanding as a research tool and the way in which this approach can motivate children learning were examined. Participants were 110 second and fifth graders of two schools in New Jersey. Interviews were administered before and after the programme and classroom observations were conducted. Data indicated that such multicultural music programme has increased children’s cultural understanding and reduce their stereotypes on other people. Different levels of cultural understanding have been demonstrated. It was easy for children to achieve the basic level (i.e. Level 1: Knowledge) but it became more and more difficult as the levels proceed (i.e. Levels 2-4: Awareness, Sensitivity and Valuing). Therefore, multicultural music education can serve important educational goal of increasing cultural understanding, motivate student learning and provide an interdisciplinary education to students.
Empowerment and Relevant Goal Information as Alternatives to Graph-Theoretic Centrality for Navigational Decision Making

City planners and architects employ graph-theoretic measures to analyse models of the built environment and predict human navigational behaviour. A recent breakthrough in the neuroscience of spatial cognition has shown that activation in the human hippocampus tracks the change in centrality for subjects navigating a virtual Soho in a fMRI scanner. Based on a well understood information-theoretic framework for modelling intelligent behaviour under cognitive constraints, the existing measures empowerment and relevant goal information, and novel quantity relevant goal information uptake were applied to a graph of the Soho street network navigated in the experiment. Empowerment, relevant goal information and relevant goal information uptake are shown to correlate with graph centrality for the primal graph, and to a lesser extent with centrality for the dual graph as used in the Soho experiment. These results, consistent with the hypothesis, provide preliminary evidence that human navigation employs an empowerment maximisation strategy, and to the author’s knowledge, linking empowerment and relevant goal information with empirical neuroscience in a collaborative study for the first time.
The Effectiveness of Positive Psychology Intervention in Turkey: A Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the results intervention designed in experimental and quasi-experimental model within certain fields of positive psychology in Turkey by using meta-analysis method. The National Thesis Center database and Google Scholar was used to collect the data. Experimental thesis and articles conducted in Turkey between 2000-2019 were included in the study. Relevant thesis and articles are gathered by searching with the keywords “positive psychology”, “psychological well-being”, “psychological resilience”, “mental well-being”, “hope”, “optimism”, “happiness”, “resilience”. The research focused on experimental and quasi-experimental studies, and studies with pre-test and post-test patterns were reviewed. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program was used in the analysis of the research data. After the analysis of the data, effect sizes in various sub-dimensions were calculated. In this study, the dependent and independent variables in experimental studies carried out by the researchers in Turkey on certain topics of positive psychology and the effectiveness of the independent variables used together with the effect size calculation were examined. In order to make some calculations related to the meta-analysis of the thesis and articles included in the research, studies with the required arithmetic mean, standard deviation and sample number were examined. Studies outside the field of Psychological Counseling and Guidance, qualitative studies and studies in which related values couldn’t be calculated were not included in the research. 16 studies (2 for positive psychology, 1 for psychological well-being, 2 for psychological resilience, 4 for subjective well-being, 1 for hope, 3 for optimism, 1 for happiness, 2 for resilience) were included in meta-analysis. As a result; according to a random model this study general effect size found 0,8 (0,32-1,27), also fixed model effect size 0,6 (0,43-0,78). The data obtained has indicated that the experimental studies have effective results in acquiring certain social skills related to positive psychology and providing more psychologically happy, hopeful and positive perspectives. The small number of experimental studies reached is an important indicator of the need for different experimental studies in the field of positive psychology.