Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerrena unicolor Laccases, Genes Expression and Regulation of Activity

A white rot fungus Cerrena unicolor has been identified as an important source of laccase, unfortunately regulation of this enzyme genes expression is poorly understood. Using 1D and 2D PAGE and LC-MS/MS, laccase isoenzymes were investigated in the liquid filtrate of C. unicolor culture. The level of expression of laccase genes was measured using qPCR. The elevated concentrations of copper and manganese in the medium caused greatest change in genes expression and three laccase transcripts were significantly affected after culture temperature was decreased from 28 to 4 °C or increased to 40 °C. The small differences in the PAGE band intensities of individual laccase proteins were also observed, indicating that given compound affect particular laccase’s transcript. Analyses of laccase-specific activity, at all tested conditions, showed the increased activities as compared to the control, suggesting that enzyme is regulated at the post-translational stage. We observed that the aspartic protease purified from C. unicolor, significantly stimulate laccase activity. Moreover, electrochemical analysis of protease-treated laccase sample had 5 times higher redox peaks. The obtained results indicate that laccases released by C. unicolor are regulated at transcriptional, translational, and at the post-translational steps of gene expression helping fungus adapt to the environmental changes.
Iron Oxide-Based Magneto-Optical Nanocomposites for In Vivo Biomedical Applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have played a pivotal role in the development of nanomedicine owing to their versatile functions at the nanoscale, which facilitates targeted delivery, high contrast imaging, and on-demand therapy. Some biomedical inadequacies of IONPs on their own, such as the poor resolution of IONP-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), can be overcome by co-incorporating optical probes onto them, which can be either molecule- or nanoparticulate-based. Optical probe incorporated IONPs, together with two prominent non-ionizing radiation sources (i.e., magnetic field and light), enable a myriad of biomedical applications from early detection to targeted treatment of various diseases. In this context, many research articles are in the public domain on magneto-optical nanoparticles; discussed in detail are fabrication strategies for their application in the biomedical field; however, lacking is a comprehensive review on real-life applications in vivo, their toxicity, and the prospect of bench-to-bedside clinical studies. Therefore, in this review, we focused on selecting such important nanocomposites where IONPs become the magnetic component, conjugated with various types of optical probes; we clearly classified them into class 1 to class 6 categories and present only in vivo studies. In addition, we briefly discuss the potential toxicity of such nanocomposites and their respective challenges for clinical translations.
Gut Microbial Composition and Predicted Functions Are Not Associated with Feather Pecking and Antagonistic Behavior in Laying Hens

Background: Feather pecking is a well-known problem in layer flocks that causes animal welfare restrictions and contributes to economic losses. Birds’ gut microbiota has been linked to feather pecking. This study aims to characterize the microbial communities of two laying hen lines divergently selected for high (HFP) and low (LFP) feather pecking and investigates if the microbiota is associated with feather pecking or agonistic behavior. Methods: Besides phenotyping for the behavioral traits, microbial communities from the digesta and mucosa of the ileum and caeca were investigated using target amplicon sequencing and functional predictions. Microbiability was estimated with a microbial mixed linear model. Results: Ileum digesta showed an increase in the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus in LFP, while Escherichia was abundant in HFP hens. In the caeca digesta and mucosa of the LFP line were more abundant Faecalibacterium and Blautia. Tryptophan metabolism and lysine degradation were higher in both digesta and mucosa of the HFP hens. Linear models revealed that the two lines differ significantly in all behavior traits. Microbiabilities were close to zero and not significant in both lines and for all traits. Conclusions: Trait variation was not affected by the gut microbial composition in both selection lines.
Selective Oxidation of Transient Organic Radicals in the Presence of Gold Nanoparticles

The ability of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to catalyze reactions involving radicals is poorly studied. However, AuNPs are used in applications where chemical reactions involving transient radicals occur. Herein, we investigate AuNPs’ catalytic effect on 2-propanol oxidation and acetanilide hydroxylation in aqueous solutions under ionizing radiation at room temperature. In both cases, the presence of AuNPs led to selective oxidation of organic radicals, significantly changing the products’ composition and ratio. Based on these observations, we stress how AuNPs’ catalytic activity can affect the correctness of reactive oxygen species concentration determination utilizing organic dyes. We also provide a discussion on the role of AuNPs’ catalytic activity in the radiosensitization effect actively studied for radiotherapy.
Influence of advective heat flux on extinction scalar dissipation rate and velocity in negative edge flames

A counterflow flame geometry, which has previously been experimentally shown to produce stable negative edge flames, was studied using numerical simulations. In this geometry, the flame edge is formed off the counterflow centreline owing to a local increase in scalar dissipation rate. Hot products from the stable nonpremixed flame on the centreline flow through the edge at velocities of ∼ 1–5 m/s. The size of the counterflow burner and the gas flowrates are varied in the simulations to alter the flame strength and velocity at the flame edge. The advection of products through the edge is shown to extend the flame extinction to higher scalar dissipation rates than required for centreline extinction. For high velocities, the scalar dissipation rate required for flame extinction can be related to the centreline extinction value by considering only the effect of energy addition to the flame edge via advection. However, for lower edge flame velocities, the effects of increased thermal and species diffusion through the edge must also be included. Since the advection at the edge is a product of both the local velocity and temperature gradient, a single correlation between the scalar dissipation rate and the negative edge flame velocity does not exist.
Solvoconductivity of Polyconjugated Polymers: The Roles of Polymer Oxidation Degree and Solvent Electrical Permittivity

The solvoconductive properties of low-defect anodically coupled polypyrroles and polythiophenes, made so they are able to be solvated by organic vapors with suitable substituents, have been studied. The investigation was performed by contemporary conductivity and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance analysis of the polymer films as a function of the solvent vapor partial pressure. Solvoconductivity was measured at two doping levels (lightly and heavily doped) of the polymers and for a series of solvents in a wide range of dielectric constants. Lightly doped polymers are responsive to vapors whereas heavily doped polymers do no respond at all. For the sensitive polymers the response follows the electrical permittivity of the solvent es with respect to that of the polymer ep, in the sense that conductivity increases for es > ep and decreases for es < ep. A redox-type conduction model accounts for the responsive behavior of lightly doped polymers whereas a metal-like conduction model accounts for the .
FeFe hydrogenase reductive inactivation and implication for catalysis

We show that FeFe hydrogenases inactivate at low potential, in a complex process that is mostly reversible. A form of the enzyme that is produced slowly and reversibly under reductive conditions has no proton activity under reductive conditions, although it can still oxidize H2 under oxidative conditions. This suggests that the so-called “super-reduced” state of the active site H-cluster is not part of the normal catalytic cycle. We also discuss our findings in relation to the optimization of H2-photoproduction devices based on FeFe hydrogenases that receive electrons from low potential photosensitizers.
Counting and Coloring Sudoku Graphs

A sudoku puzzle is most commonly a 9 × 9 grid of 3 × 3 boxes wherein the puzzle player writes the numbers 1 – 9 with no repetition in any row, column, or box. We generalize the notion of the n2 × n2 sudoku grid for all n ∈ Z≥2 and codify the empty sudoku board as a graph. In the main section of this paper we prove that sudoku boards and sudoku graphs exist for all such n; we prove the equivalence of [3]’s construction using unions and products of graphs to the definition of the sudoku graph; we show that sudoku graphs are Cayley graphs for the direct product group Zn × Zn × Zn × Zn; and we find the automorphism group of the sudoku graph. In the subsequent section, we find and prove several graph theoretic properties for this class of graphs, and we offer some conjectures on these and other properties.
Ratiometric wavelength monitor based on X-type spectral response using two edge filters

The performance of an all-fiber ratiometric wavelength measurement system is compared for the case of two edge filters and the case of one edge filter. The two fiber edge filters are used with overlapping and opposite slope spectral responses, a so called "X-type spectral response", each based on singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) fiber structures. Noise and polarization dependent loss (PDL) are the two parameters that determine the resolution and an accuracy of the system. It is demonstrated that the use of two SMS edge filters for a ratiometric wavelength measurement system can increase the resolution and the accuracy when compared with a system using only one edge filter.
Determination of lead, arsenic and selenium in different water resources of Jabalpur by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Water is an essential for life on the earth. This “Elixir of Life” is facing a severe threat due to pollution. Poor sanitary practices lead to the growth of pathogens as well as exert a pose to an unacceptable waterborne public health risk. Jabalpur is the city surrounded with small and large industries. Also an ordnance factory is located just outskirt of the city which influence the nearby water tributaries get polluted. Thus the present study was done to observe the presence of heavy metals particularly lead, arsenic and selenium. A total of 117 samples were collected from different water sources in Jabalpur city, comprising 20 each from different banks of river Narmada and public taps, 21 from tube wells, 35 from different ponds, 21 from hand pumps. The concentrations of lead, arsenic and selenium were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The overall concentrations of lead, arsenic and selenium were ranging from 0.097 - 0.450 ppm, 0 - 0.345 ppm and 1.365 - 2.047 ppm, respectively. Almost all the samples were exceeding the maximum permissible limit stated by WHO.
The use of colloidal metal particles in protein blotting

Two procedures are described for staining the overall protein pattern on transfer membranes. Both methods involve the use of colloidal metal particles. AuroDye staining is based on the interaction of anionic colloidal gold particles with cationic proteins at low pH. The method is highly sensitive, but limited to nitrocellulose and polyvinylidene difluoride membranes. FerriDye comprises an incubation in a cationic iron (hydrous) oxide sol and subsequent intensification with potassium hexacyanoferrate in acidic medium. FerriDye is of intermediate sensitivity, but there are no limitations concerning membranes. It can be used on nitrocellulose‐, nylon‐and polyvinylidene difluoride‐based membranes. An immunodetection procedure is described which uses colloidal gold‐labelled secondary antibodies to visualize antigen‐antibody interactions. This signal can be significantly enhanced by silver. The procedure explained uses a new light‐insensitive and user‐friendly silver enhancement system.
From Planar Toward Tetrahedral Copper(Il) Complexes: Structural and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Studies of Substituent Steric Effects in an Extended Class of Pyrrolate-Imine Ligands

A series (1a-1h) of crystalline bis-pyrrolate-imine copper(II) complexes was isolated in good yield (typically 60-90%) by reaction of the Schiff base 2-N-(R)-pyrrolecarbaldimine (where R is an alkyl group of variable steric capacity) with a copper(II) salt and base in methanol or water. For new complexes 1f-1h, pyrrolate-imine coordination is inferred by loss of ν(N-H) and a shift (ca. 40 cm−1) to lower energy for ν(C=N) in the infrared spectra relative to free Schiff base. The X-ray crystal structures of 1f, where R = benzyl, and 1g, where R = diphenylmethyl, show trans geometry of the pyrrolate-imine moieties around Cu(II). The distortion from planarity of the CuN4 coordination sphere, defined as the dihedral angle between the two chelating N(imine)-Cu-N(pyrrolate) planes, is 33.13(5)° for 1f and 29.3° for 1g. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra for 1a-1h in glassy solutions (ca. 100 K) are approximately axial, with an inverse correlation between A z and g z . At room temperature in fluid solution there is an inverse correlation between A iso and g iso. Plots of A z , A iso, g z , or g iso as a function of the dihedral angles between the ligand planes in 1f and 1g, as well as the previously characterized 1a (R = H) and 1d (R = tert-butyl) were used to determine the dihedral angles of the four complexes of unknown geometry. A red-shift in the ligand field bands in the electronic absorption spectra in chloroform also correlates with increasing dihedral angle. For each of these correlations, the data point for the diphenylmethyl derivative 1g deviates slightly from the line based on the other complexes; this is attributed to crystal packing forces causing a smaller dihedral angle for 1g in the crystal than in solution.
Formation of charcoal from biomass in a sealed reactor

In this paper, samples o cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and nine species of whole biomass are pyrolyzed in sealed reactors. Very high charcoal yields (e.g., 40% from cellulose, 48% from Eucalyptus gummifera) were obtained. Higher sample loading (sample mass per unit reactor volume) increased charcoal yield and the associated exothermic heat release and lowered the reaction onset temperature. These effects were induced by the vapor-phase concentrations of the volatile products, and not the system pressure. Addition of water catalyzed the reaction and increased the char yield. These observations suggest that charcoal formation is autocatalyzed by water, an initial pyrolysis product. When whole biomass was used as a feedstock, higher charcoal yields were obtained from species with high lignin and/or low hemicellulose content.
Ozone generation in an oxygen-fed wire-to-cylinder ozonizer at atmospheric pressure

A numerical simulation, including transport phenomena, is presented in this paper for the calculation of ozone generation in an oxygen-fed wire-to-cylinder ozonizer. The ozone density dependence on the first excited states of atomic and molecular oxygen and ozone is analysed, introducing three kinetic models. The influence of excited states on ozone production is shown as well as the correlation between the first excited state of atomic oxygen O(1D) and the second excited state of molecular oxygen O2(1 Sigma +g). Furthermore, these results confirm the validity of the plug-flow reactor hypothesis in the case of an oxygen-fed ozonizer.
Optimal Control Design for Connected Cruise Control With Stochastic Communication Delays

This paper presents an optimal control algorithm for connected cruise control (CCC) system in the presence of the stochastic communication delays. In the CCC system, wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication is the key factor to achieve comprehensive environment perception while it gives rise to delays in the meantime. In order to compensate for the influence of the stochastic delays and develop an optimal controller for the CCC system, we first analyze the vehicle dynamics with the car-following model. Then, the mathematical platoon model is formulated with heterogenous platoon structure. With the objective of minimizing the deviations of vehicle's headway and velocity, a linear quadratic optimization problem is formulated. The optimal control strategy is solved in an iterative manner by using a backward recursion which can be divided into two steps. In particular, the optimal control gain is iteratively derived off-line and the control strategy is calculated on-line. In addition, the control gain convergence, the stability analysis, and the effect of the packet losses and state noises are analyzed. Finally, the stability and performance of the proposed control algorithm are verified by numerical simulations to highlight its superiority compared with the existing algorithms.
W-Band Photonic Pulse Compression Radar With Dual Transmission Mode Beamforming

Millimeter wave (MMW) sensing systems have potential for enhanced range and angular resolution in comparison to lower radio frequencies. This article employs photonic-assisted radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation to implement a high-bandwidth multi-target MMW radar. The presented sensing system operates in the W-band using chirped RF signals, with spectra between 80 and 95 GHz at the 10 dB points. We implement sum- and difference-mode beamforming using a two element transmitter array to perform azimuth angle sensing in addition to target ranging. Photonics-based waveform generation with programmable optical pulse shapers provides for incorporation of approximately uniform phase shifts across the entire bandwidth, which in turn enables control of the far-field interference patterns of the broadband waveforms. Our approach has analogies with monopulse tracking radar techniques, in which target angle information is revealed through sum- and difference-mode processing of the receiving antennae, but with the dual-mode processing implemented at the transmitter side via photonic radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation. Experiments with a single target demonstrate unambiguous sensing of target angle with an estimated root-mean-square error of 0.18$^\circ$ over a $\pm 4^\circ$ angular range. We also demonstrate independent sensing of the angles of two targets that are resolved in range.
Win–Win-Driven D2D Content Sharing

Win–win cooperation has been broadly treated as one of the most promising goals for device-to-device (D2D) content sharing, especially for the ultrareliable low-latency communications (URLLC) scenario. Unfortunately, the exiting solutions are built on several seemly unpractical conditions: 1) abundant prior information on network and user; 2) optimization variables limited to 1-D space; and 3) a preset order on users’ decision making. In this work, we propose a win–win-driven D2D content-sharing scheme by exploring the blind matching theory. Specifically, we first derive the closed-form expressions of latency and reliability performance for D2D content-sharing scenarios. Accordingly, the URLLC-oriented joint optimization problem for provider–demander pairing and power control of potential providers is formulated as a two-sided one-to-one context-free matching game, which involves a collection of agreement functions of potential providers and demanders’ aspiration levels and exploits a modified notion of pairwise stability as the solution concept. Then, we design a distributed algorithm by utilizing the market and information decentralization characteristics of the blind matching algorithm. Both theoretical analysis and numerical results validate the performance properties, including convergence, optimality, and complexity.
Three competitors in three dimensions: photogrammetry reveals rapid overgrowth of coral during multispecies competition with sponges and algae

Competition for limited space is an important driver of benthic community structure on coral reefs. Studies of coral-algae and coral-sponge interactions often show competitive dominance of algae and sponges over corals, but little is known about the outcomes when these groups compete in a multispecies context. Multispecies competition is increasingly common on Caribbean coral reefs as environmental degradation drives loss of reef-building corals and proliferation of alternative organisms such as algae and sponges. New methods are needed to understand multispecies competition, whose outcomes can differ widely from pairwise competition and range from coexistence to exclusion. In this study, we used 3D photogrammetry and image analyses to compare pairwise and multispecies competition on reefs in the US Virgin Islands. Sponges (Desmapsamma anchorata, Aplysina cauliformis) and macroalgae (Lobophora variegata) were attached to coral (Porites astreoides) and arranged to simulate multispecies (coral-sponge-algae) and pairwise (coral-sponge, coral-algae) competition. Photogrammetric 3D models were produced to measure surface area change of coral and sponges, and photographs were analyzed to measure sponge-coral, algae-coral, and algae-sponge overgrowth. Coral lost more surface area and was overgrown more rapidly by the sponge D. anchorata in multispecies treatments, when the sponge was also in contact with algae. Algae contact may confer a competitive advantage to the sponge D. anchorata, but not to A. cauliformis, underscoring the species-specificity of these interactions. This first application of photogrammetry to study competition showed meaningful losses of living coral that, combined with significant overgrowths by competitors detected from image analyses, exposed a novel outcome of multispecies competition.
Association of Acculturation Status with Longitudinal Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life—Results from a Cohort Study of Adults with Turkish Origin in Germany

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) among migrant populations can be associated with acculturation (i.e., the process of adopting, acquiring and adjusting to a new cultural environment). Since there is a lack of longitudinal studies, we aimed to describe HRQL changes among adults of Turkish descent living in Berlin and Essen, Germany, and their association with acculturation. Participants of a population-based study were recruited in 2012–2013 and reinvited six years later to complete a questionnaire. Acculturation was assessed at baseline using the Frankfurt acculturation scale (integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization). HRQL was assessed at baseline (SF-8) and at follow-up (SF-12) resulting in a physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) sum score. Associations with acculturation and HRQL were analyzed with linear regression models using a time-by-acculturation status interaction term. In the study 330 persons were included (65% women, mean age ± standard deviation 43.3 ± 11.8 years). Over the 6 years, MCS decreased, while PCS remained stable. While cross-sectional analyses showed associations of acculturation status with both MCS and PCS, temporal changes including the time interaction term did not reveal associations of baseline acculturation status with HRQL. When investigating HRQL in acculturation, more longitudinal studies are needed to take changes in both HRQL and acculturation status into account.