Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods for retaining well-preserved DNA with dried specimens of insects

Dried specimens of insects are increasingly seen as genetic resources. However, genetic analysis of dried specimens of insects is hampered by the deterioration of the DNA. In this study, we developed methods for preparing dried specimens of insects with well-preserved DNA, mainly for PCR-based genetic analysis. First, we compared the effects of either exposure to ethyl acetate vapour for from 10 min to 6 h or by freezing on the fragmentation of DNA in order to determine optimal length of time needed for killing insects using the above methods. Second, we compared the fragmentation of DNA after preservation by drying or immersion of legs in 99.5% ethanol or 99% propylene glycol in 0.2-ml tubes. We assessed degrees of fragmentation of DNA by determining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success rates with primers for 313-, 710- and 1555-bp fragments using DNA that was collected immediately, and at one, six and 12 months after preparing the specimens. Differing times taken to kill insects did not affect the fragmentation of DNA. In dried specimens, DNA was seriously fragmented after one month, whereas that in legs prepared by immersion in 99.5% ethanol or 99% propylene glycol contained long fragments of DNA (1555 bp~) after 12 months. Propylene glycol was more suitable for preservation than ethanol, because the latter evaporates. Thus, to preserve insect DNA we suggest inserting the pin on which an insect is impaled into the hinged lid of a 0.2-ml tube containing 99% propylene glycol so that when the lid is closed the legs of the insect are preserved in the solution.
Altered Expression of Long Noncoding and Messenger RNAs in Diabetic Nephropathy following Treatment with Rosiglitazone

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by metabolic disorder and inflammation. However, the regulatory effects that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have on the pathogenesis of DN and on the efficacy of rosiglitazone treatment have yet to be clearly defined. Herein, we performed unbiased RNA sequencing to characterize the transcriptomic profiles in db/db diabetic mouse model with or without rosiglitazone treatment that served to improve the phenotypes of DN. Moreover, RNA-seq profiling revealed that the development of DN caused an upregulation in the expression of 1176 mRNAs and a downregulation in the expression of 1010 mRNAs compared to controls, with the expression of 251 mRNAs being returned to normal following treatment with rosiglitazone. Further, 88 upregulated and 68 downregulated lncRNAs were identified in db/db mice compared to controls, 10 of which had their normal expression restored following treatment with rosiglitazone. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the primary pathways involved in the pathogenesis of DN, and subsequently in the therapeutic effects of PPARγ, are related to inflammatory and metabolic processes. From bioinformatics analysis, lncRNA-AI838599 emerged as a novel molecular mechanism for rosiglitazone treatment in DN through TNFα-NFκb pathway. These findings may indicate a new molecular regulatory approach for the development of DN therapeutic agents.
Evolution of trolley-bus: directions, indicators, trends

Focus of customers only on the best model’ parameters of urban wheel transport with electric drive (trolley-, electricand hybrids) presented at the world market today leads to objective lag minimum in five and more years from the achievable technical/technological world level. This paper targeted to create on example of serially made trolley-bus (T-bus) models an objective dataset for determining and extrapolation the trends of its perfection physically informative indicators. The consecutive application of the ordinary least squares method and modified Kendall-Theil robust method to small selections of the offered indicator’ trends received. Reasonable by the theory of similarity and dimensional analysis the model’ structure and the kernel of perfection level index obtained and characterized by the possibility of its periodic upgrading in accordance with the customers and designers requirements. The classification of the drive axle generations in electric drive traction transmissions, considers analysis of its structure and construction’s elements, proposed. On example of the known traction transmissions’ structures the circuit-logical technique of taking notes its reliability at express diagnostics of the certain T-bus model perfection level developed. Further increasing of some numeric markers of energy efficiency, load capacity, comfort, ergonomics and operational reliability of the T-buses by adequate linear trends is confirmed. Accented, that the open access to the dataset of the vehicle’ perfection level indicators is one of the foremost challenges in methodology of its CAE-methods optimal design and have practical significance to improve such products.
Element Study Degeneration, Disc Fusion, and Disc Replacement: A Finite Biomechanical Analysis of the Cervical Spine Following Disc

Background: Discectomy and fusion is considered the ‘‘gold standard’’ treatment for clinical manifestations of degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. However, clinical and biomechanical studies suggest that fusion may lead to adjacent-segment disease. Cervical disc arthroplasty preserves the motion at the operated level and may potentially decrease the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of disc generation, fusion, and disc replacement on the motion, disc stresses, and facet forces on the cervical spine by using the finite element method. Methods: A validated, intact, 3-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine (C2-T1) was modified to simulate single-level (C5-C6) and 2-level (C5-C7) degeneration. The single-level degenerative model was modified to simulate both single-level fusion and arthroplasty (total disc replacement [TDR]) using the Bryan and Prestige LP discs. The 2-level degenerative model was modified to simulate a 2-level fusion, 2-level arthroplasty, and single-level disc replacement adjacent to single-level fusion (hybrid). The intact models were loaded by applying a moment of 62 Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The motion in each direction was noted and the other modified models were loaded by increasing the moment until the primary C2-T1 motion matched that of the intact (healthy) C2T1 motion. Results: Both Bryan and Prestige discs preserved motion at the implanted level and maintained normal motions at the adjacent nonoperative levels. A fusion resulted in a decrease in motion at the fused level and an increase in motion at the unfused levels. In the hybrid construct, the TDR (both) preserved motion adjacent to the fusion, thus reducing the demand on the other levels. The disc stresses followed the same trends as motion. Facet forces increased considerably at the index level following a TDR. Conclusion: The Bryan and Prestige LP TDRs both preserved motion at the implanted level and maintained normal motion and disc stresses at the adjacent levels. The motion patterns of the spine with a TDR more closely resembled that of the intact spine than those of the degenerative or fused models. Total Disc Replacement
Effects and Correction of Atmospheric Pressure Loading Deformation on GNSS Reference Stations in Mainland China

Atmospheric pressure loading (APL) deformation is one component of nontectonic deformation for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) time series and is a kind of deformation response caused by a redistribution of atmospheric pressure. In this paper, we present an atmospheric data processing strategy to compute the APL based on a spherical harmonic expansion of the global atmosphere pressure changes. We also provide a sample model to describe the relativity between the global atmosphere pressure changes and APL vertical deformation. The results show that the variation of air mass has a major impact on the north-eastern area of East China, the eastern area of North China, and Northeast China, and the vertical crustal displacement caused by the atmosphere changes in these regions can reach about 20 mm. The correction of APL for vertical time series of GNSS reference stations in different regions indicates that the arid area of the Northwest China, Northeast China, Central China, and North China are greatly affected by APL. While for the station located in Sichuan-Yunnan region, the amplitude and period change are small after correction of APL for vertical time series of GNSS reference stations, which reveals that the area is seriously affected by tectonic movement and water migration loading. The correlation between atmospheric pressure changes and crustal deformation is analyzed, which shows that APL has a serious impact on the north-eastern area of North China, the Northeast China, and the eastern area of Central China when the variations in atmospheric pressure in mainland China are the same. The research results of this paper will provide some reference value for the study of crustal structural deformation and the establishment of geodetic datum.
Agri-voltaic system: Crop production and photovoltaic-based electricity generation from a single land unit. Indian Farming 68(01), 20-23.

Generation of renewable energy has currently gained more importance in India than ever before. Photovoltaic (PV)-based electricity generation shares a major portion of renewable energy generation in India. PV-based electricity generation requires land at a rate of about 2 ha per megawatt (MW) of installation. Since both food and energy are required for human population, a concept of integrating PV-based electricity generation and crop production from a single land unit, commonly referred to as agri-voltaic system, has been designed and developed with a capacity of 105 kW at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur. Rainwater harvesting system from top surface of PV-module has also been designed and developed with an estimated annual rainwater harvest of 1.5 lakh litres from 105 kW system. The harvested water is enough to provide supplemental irrigation of about 37.5 mm in 1 acre (0.404 ha) land. Suitable crops for agri-voltaic include mungbean (Vigna radiata), mothbean (Vigna aconitifolia), cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), isabgol (Plantago ovata), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Aloe vera etc.
Methods of generating test data for carrying out the fuzzing process

The article presents and compares modern methods of generating test data in the process of automatic software security testing, so called fuzz testing. The publication contains descriptions of methods used, among others, in local, network or web applications, and then compares them and evaluates their effectiveness in the process of ensuring software security. The impact of the quality of test data corpus on the effectiveness of automated security testing has been assessed.
411 a network Model oF SuPer-SySteMic criSeS

Are financial systems shock absorbers or shock amplifiers? Policymakers and academics have long remained divided over this fundamental question. On the one hand, some contend that financial innovation and integration make the financial world a safer place (Greenspan, 1999); others argue the opposite by appealing to the same driving forces (Rajan, 2005). The rapid financial innovation of the past several years has acted as both good and bad cholesterol— serving to lower the probability of crisis, but fattening the tail of the distribution of losses for the financial system as a whole (Gieve, 2006; Gai and Haldane, 2007). Although advanced country financial systems have withstood numerous shocks in recent years (the collapse of Amaranth, the events surrounding General Motors, 9/11, and the Dotcom crash, to name a few), the events triggered by the subprime crisis of August 2007 have been “super-systemic” in scope, enveloping financial institutions across the major economies as well as faraway Iceland and New Zealand.1 The intricate network of claims and obligations that now link the balance sheets of financial intermediaries raises challenges for the positive analysis of contagion in the modern financial system. In a
Tailored Algorithms for Anomaly Detection in Photovoltaic Systems

The fastest-growing renewable source of energy is solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, which is likely to become the largest electricity source in the world by 2050. In order to be a viable alternative energy source, PV systems should maximise their efficiency and operate flawlessly. However, in practice, many PV systems do not operate at their full capacity due to several types of anomalies. We propose tailored algorithms for the detection of different PV system anomalies, including suboptimal orientation, daytime and sunrise/sunset shading, brief and sustained daytime zero-production, and low maximum production. Furthermore, we establish simple metrics to assess the severity of suboptimal orientation and daytime shading. The proposed detection algorithms were applied to a set of time-series of electricity production in Portugal, which are based on two periods with distinct weather conditions. Under favourable weather conditions, the algorithms successfully detected most of the time-series labelled with either daytime or sunrise/sunset shading, and with either sustained or brief daytime zero-production. There was a relatively low percentage of false positives, such that most of the anomaly detections were correct. As expected, the algorithms tend to be more robust under favourable rather than under adverse weather conditions. The proposed algorithms may prove to be useful not only to research specialists, but also to energy utilities and owners of small- and medium-sized PV systems, who may thereby effortlessly monitor their operation and performance.
Distance Education in the Teacher Education in Greenland

The teacher education, Institute for Learning, formerly known as Ilinniarfissuaq, has been offering correspondence education for two decades. But didactical possibilities from digital solutions has yet to be explored and taken advantage of. From fall 2017 a fresh start has been launched utilizing a hybrid educational format. Distance education is expected to show more potential in the Greenlandic educational system in the future. As assistant professor at Institute for Learning I will be following the process through research which is introduced in the following as work in progress. 
Socio-Economic determinants of profitability of capture fisheries trade in Barotse floodplain of Zambia

This paper was set to assess profitability and its socio-economic determinants in Zambia. 192 traders from Mongu and Senanga districts were sampled. Profitability of fish trading was determined using gross margin analysis and socio-economic determinants of profitability were quantified using translog profit function. 82.3% of the respondents were female and 60% were of 26-40 years. Bream was most common traded fish. Gross margin analysis showed that trading is profitable with average gross margin of 7.25 Zambian Kwacha per kilogram per day. Profitability was affected by costs of capital, materials and how price capital, storage and labor interact. In conclusion, capture fisheries is a profitable enterprise and is affected by costs of capital, materials and how price capital, storage and labor interact. This implies that to increase profitability, traders should target high value markets that a less sensitive to changes in selling price and capacity building in cost management.
Nitrido Technetium-99 m Core in Radiopharmaceutical Applications: Four Decades of Research

The knowledge on element 43 (Tc) of the periodic table, built over the years through the contributions given by the close relationship between chemistry and nuclear medicine, allowed the development of new and increasingly effective radiopharmaceuticals useful both as perfusion and target specific imaging agents for SPECT (single photon emission tomography). Among the manifold Tc-compounds, Tc(V) nitrido complexes played a relevant role in the search for new technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals, providing efficient labeling procedures that can be conveniently exploited for the design and synthesis of agents, also incorporating small organic molecules or peptides having defined structural features. With this work, we present an overview of four decades of research on the chemistry and on the nuclear medicine applications of Tc(V) nitrido complexes.
ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT ROLES OF RESVERATROL IN ARTHRITIC RATS

Background: Resveratrol, an antioxidant compound, known to be used for the attenuation of the pro-oxidant effects of toxicants. Objectives: Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant impact of resveratrol in treatment of arthritis in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were assigned into five groups: negative control, positive control (arthritis was induced by freund’s complete adjuvant), arthritic rats received celecoxib (30mg/kg, p.o), arthritic rats received resveratrol (50mg/kg, p.o.), and arthritic rats received combination of both drugs (10 rats/ each group). Results: Arthritis significantly elevated cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, lysosomal enzymes, some biochemical liver parameters, and decreased caspase 3activity in serum and significantly increased myeloperoxidase, malondialdhyde and nitric oxide levels: reduced glutathione contents in paw tissues and albumin level in blood serum. The treatment combination of resveratrol with celecoxib induced an additive anti-inflammatory, biochemical and antioxidant effects. Conclusion: Resveratrol potentiates the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of celecoxib in adjuvant induced arthritis.
Protective Role of Lycopene Extracted from Tomato (Tomato pomace) against Gamma Irradiation or Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Brain and Liver Toxicity in Male Albino Rats

Background: Based on the effect of substance possessing antioxidant effect previously reported, it was hypothesized that lycopene extracted from tomato (Tomato pomace), a substance possessing antioxidant activity, might be able to protect against oxidative stress induced by either carbon tetrachloride or gamma radiation. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 experimental male albino rats were randomly divided into equal six groups of twelve rats each. Group 1: served as the control group. Group 2: rats were administrated with (5 gm) tomato extract/kg body weight by gastric lavage tube for 15 days. Group 3: rats were exposed to single dose (10 Gy) whole body gamma irradiation. Group 4: rats were administered with CCl4 only in groundnut oil (1:1) at a dose of 3 ml/kg body weight by single intraperitoneal administration. Group 5: rats were treated with lycopene extract for 15 days before exposure to single dose (10 Gy) whole body gamma irradiation. Group 6: rats were treated with lycopene extract for 15 days before administered with CCl4 for 15 days. Results: showed highly significant increase in activities of alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum, 24 hours after CCl4 administration or radiation exposure. Highly significant decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) content in the brain tissues. Meanwhile, highly significant increase in MDA content in the brain tissues. Supplementation with lycopene before CCl4 intraperitoneal administration or radiation exposure, exerted marked amelioration of CCl4 and ionized radiation induced disturbances in all the investigated parameters. Histopathological evaluation of the tissues also demonstrated a significant decrease in cellular degeneration and infiltration parameters after lycopene administration. Therefore, lycopene could have a beneficial role in modulating oxidative stress by improving the natural antioxidant mechanism. Conclusion: Administration of lycopene by using suitable stomach tube pre-CCl4 intraperitoneal administration or gamma irradiated has significantly ameliorated the disturbances induced in all the investigated parameters.
Sixth International Symposium on Hydraulic Transients in Power Plants Gloucester, England, 19-20 September 1983 COLLECTIVE BUBBLE GROWTH IN A SUPERHEATED LIQUID FOLLOWING A SUDDEN DEPRESSURIZATION by

The presence and behavior of vaporous cavities are of major importance in many modern industrial applications where heat transfer boiling or cavitation are involved. Sudden depressurization of a superheated fluid is an example where bubble growth rate controls the heat transfer, and the transients involved. Most existing studies are concerned with individual spherical bubble growth as influenced by inertial and thermodynamic effects. Therefore existing computer modelling, and prediction codes neglect possible interactions and collecti ve phenomena. This paper addresses this collective behavior using a singular perturbation approach$ The method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to describe the bubble growth taking into account its int~raction with a finite number of surrounding bubbles. A computer program is developed and the influence of the various parameters is studied numerically for a symmetrical equal size bubble configuration. A significant influence of interactions on bubble growth and heat transfer is observed. The growth rate of the bubble is reduced when it is in the presence of other bubbles, and the temperature drop at its wall is smaller than that for an isolated bubble, therefore the heat loss into bubble growth is smaller' than expected. These effects increase with the number of interact ing bubbles. A signi ficant improvement of existing codes on transients in two-phase flow systems, could be obtained if these results are taken into account$
The Impact of Collaborative Design on New Product Development: An Empirical Study of B2B E-Commerce Project in Taiwan

Collaborative design provides a strategic and operational means for the achievement of organisational competitiveness. The information technology (IT) industry in Taiwan can be seen as a progressive industry with some ongoing important developments. The main objective of this research is to study the impact of collaborative design on new product development by B2B e-commerce project in IT industry. A cross-case analysis of the themes relating to the research purpose was conducted. The insight of these questions is generated through multiple case studies. The cross-case analysis was adopted coding for patterns and relationships among the data using a qualitative analysis software tool –Nvivo. The results present the key factors in term of collaboration issues by e-supply chain integration perspective. Such findings underscore the importance of recognising collaborative design on new product development.