Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of sago (metroxylon sp.) Starch nanoparticles using hydrolysis-precipitation method

at present, the potential for sago starch has not optimally been utilized. The characteristic of this starch is the main problem in using it as industrial raw material. One of efforts to increase the added value of starch is to modify it in the form of starch nanoparticles. Therefore, finding the best and cheapest practice to produce it will a big advantage. One way to do it is by modifying the technique that has already existed. This research is aiming, first to find the best and optimal technique to produce sago starch nanoparticles by combining hydrolysis with precipitation technique and second, calculating the yield and characteristics of sago starch nanoparticles produced from this method. The result showed that hydrolysis−precipitation combination method has succeeded to produce sago starch nanoparticles. The optimum variable was 12 hours hydrolysis, precipitation by ethanol, with produced 25% yield and 21,98 nm particles size. Type of nano particle that is produced is amorf with 41% crystalline. Starch nanoparticle is utilized for reinforcing bioplastic. Eventhough, the results show a potential technique on producing sago starch nanoparticles, but there are still a lot to be done to find the best way to produce it in mass production.
Polar and non-polar species of the protozoan ciliate Euplotes behave differently in response to environmental oxidative stress

Abstract Polar coastal seawaters are saturated by high oxygen concentrations, which impose very effective adaptive strategies to strive against a continuous environmental oxidative stress. We studied these strategies in Euplotes nobilii (Ciliophora: Spirotrichea), a ciliate species dwelling in Antarctic and Arctic coastal seawaters, in comparison with Euplotes raikovi, a sister species living in temperate seawaters. Cell samples of the two species were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress and analyzed for their survival rates and levels of expression of the genes encoding the enzyme methionine-sulfoxide reductase (Msr) A, which restores oxidized methionines (in their S form) of damaged proteins to the status of functional methionines. While 6 h of exposure to a 750-µM concentration of H2O2 did not affect E. nobilii viability, these conditions were lethal to E. raikovi. In correlation with this inter-specific difference in the cell survival to oxidative stress, the MsrA-coding genes of the two species showed different mechanisms of expression: constitutive in E. nobilii, elicited by induction in E. raikovi.
Global patterns for upper ceilings on migration distance in sea turtles and comparisons with fish, birds and mammals

Summary Some animals migrate huge distances in search of resources with locomotory mode (flying/swimming/walking) thought to drive the upper ceilings on migration distance. Yet in cross-taxa comparisons, upper ceilings on migration distance have been ignored for one important group, sea turtles. Using migration distances recorded for 407 adult and 4715 juvenile sea turtles across five species, we show that for adult cheloniid turtles, the upper ceiling on species migration distances between breeding and foraging habitats (1050–2850 km across species) is similar to that predicted for equivalent-sized marine mammals and fish. In contrast, by feeding in the open ocean, adult leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and juveniles of all turtle species can travel around 12 000 km from their natal regions, travelling across the widest ocean basins. For juvenile turtles, this puts their maximum migration distances well beyond those expected for equivalent-sized marine mammals and fish, but not those found in some similar sized birds. Post-hatchling turtles perform these long-distance migrations to juvenile foraging sites only once in their lifetime, while adult turtles return to their breeding sites every few (generally ≥2) years. Our results highlight the important roles migration periodicity and foraging mode can play in driving the longest migrations, and the implications for Marine Protected Area planning are considered in terms of sea turtle conservation.
Isolation, Tissue Distribution, and Chromosomal Localization of a Novel Testis-Specific Human Four-Transmembrane Gene Related to CD20 and FcϵRI-β

Abstract CD20 and the β subunit of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcϵRIβ) are related four-transmembrane molecules that are expressed on the surface of hematopoietic cells and play crucial roles in signal transduction. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of a human gene, TETM4, that encodes a novel four-transmembrane protein related to CD20 and FcϵRIβ. The predicted TETM4 protein is 200 amino acids and contains four putative transmembrane regions, N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains, and three inter-transmembrane loop regions. TETM4 shows 31.0 and 23.2% overall identity with CD20 and FcϵRIβ respectively, with the highest identity in the transmembrane regions, whereas the N- and C-termini and inter-transmembrane loops are more divergent. Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis suggest that TETM4 mRNA has a highly restricted tissue distribution, being expressed selectively in the testis. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid analysis, the TETM4 gene has been localized to chromosome 11q12. The genes for CD20 and FcϵRIβ have also been mapped to the same region of chromosome 11 (11q12-13.1), suggesting that these genes have evolved by duplication to form a family of four-transmembrane genes. TETM4 is the first nonhematopoietic member of the CD20/FcϵRIβ family, and like its hematopoietic-specific relatives, it may be involved in signal transduction as a component of a multimeric receptor complex.
A Novel Pantographic Exoskeleton Based Collocated Joint Design With Application for Early Stroke Rehabilitation

Motivated by the need to develop safe exoskeletons for collocated joint rehabilitation during the early stage of stroke recovery, this article presents a pantographic exoskeleton (PGE) capable of multi-degree-of-freedom motions in a single-joint collocated with the impaired joint. With minimum internal joint reactions in the presence of misalignment, the PGE “traces” the natural joint motion “like a pantograph” in the sagittal plane while performing in-bed rehabilitation, from which the joint parameters can be estimated for subsequent patient-specific motion training. An analytical model is presented to provide a rational basis for designing a collocated human-ankle/PGE mechanism, which has been numerically illustrated. The findings demonstrate that because the PGE joint do not restrict human ankle nature motion within the motion range of a typical ankle, it is less sensitive to joint misalignment as compared to conventional multijoint serial mechanisms that form a closed chain with the human limbs/joint. A prototype PGE has been designed; and its effectiveness for collocated ankle-joint manipulation has been experimentally investigated. Unlike conventional imaging methods that are prone to skin-marker errors and dependent on lumped-parameter approximations, the PGE directly measures the talus trajectory of the ankle-joint for characterizing its roll/slide motion and internal parameters.
Carrot and Stick approaches when managing Technical Debt

When developing software, it is vitally important to keep the level of technical debt down since it is well established from several studies that technical debt can, e.g., lower the development productivity, decrease the developers’ morale, and compromise the overall quality of the software. However, even if researchers and practitioners working in today’s software development industry are quite familiar with the concept of technical debt and its related negative consequences, there has been no empirical research focusing specifically on how software managers actively communicate and manage the need to keep the level of technical debt as low as possible.This paper aims to explore how software companies encourage and reward practitioners for actively keeping the level of technical debt down and also whether the companies use any forcing or penalizing initiatives when managing technical debt.This paper reports the results of both an online web-survey provided quantitative data from 258 participants and follow-up interviews with 32 industrial software practitioners. The findings show that having a TD management strategy can significantly impact the amount of TD in the software. When surveying how commonly used different TD management strategies are, we found that only the encouraging strategy is, to some extent, adopted in today’s’ software industry. This study also provides a model describing the four assessed strategies by presenting its strategies and tactics, together with recommendations on how they could be operationalized in today’s software companies.
Post-zygotic Mosaic Mutation in Normal Tissue from Breast Cancer Patient

Even though numerous previous investigations had shed fresh light on somatic driver mutations in cancer tissues, the mutation-driven malignant transformation mechanism from normal to cancerous tissues remains still mysterious. In this study, we performed whole exome analysis of paired normal and cancer samples from 12 breast cancer patients in order to elucidate the post-zygotic mosaic mutation that might predispose to breast carcinogenesis. We found a post-zygotic mosaic mutation PIK3CA p.F1002C with 2% variant allele fraction (VAF) in normal tissue, whose respective VAF in a matched breast cancer tissue, had increased by 20.6%. Such an expansion of the variant allele fraction in the matched cancer tissue may implicate the mosaic mutation in association with the causation underlying the breast carcinogenesis. The post-zygotic mosaic mutation is estimated to be deleterious by well-established variant annotation software programs, SIFT_pred, Polyphen2_HDIV_pred, Polyphen2_HVAR_pred, LRT_pred, MutationTaster_pred, PROVEAN_pred, fathmm. MKL_coding_pred, MetaSVM_pred, and MetaLR_pred. In addition, we discovered 61 deleterious and pathogenic mutations, including 22 stop-gain, 12 splicing site, 13 frame shift and 7 non synonymous mutations, in those patients. By performing mutational signature analysis, we identified three mutational signatures underlying breast carcinogenesis, including APOBEC cytidinedeaminase and defective DNA mismatch repair. Taken together, these results suggest that, in addition to the somatic driver mutations, post-zygotic mosaic mutation may be a critical target that is worth deserving prior attention in ascertaining the causation underlying breast carcinogenesis in the upcoming future.
The effect of depth on the diving behaviour of common eiders

Diving in endotherms is largely constrained by the depth of the foraging area, as they withstand long periods without breathing. Foraging theory predicts that all phases of a dive cycle, including travel, bottom, and surface durations, are positively correlated with depth. With continued increase in depth, bottom duration should level off and then decline. We tested these qualitative predictions with common eiders (Somateria mollissima (L., 1758)), a sea duck foraging routinely on the bottom. Using data loggers implanted in the body cavity of four females for 1 year, we showed that average diving depth over the summer and winter was distinct for each female. When averaged for each female, the data were qualitatively similar to theoretical predictions since travel, bottom, and surface durations all increased with depth. However, within individual females, the data only supported the theory partially because some relationships between depth and phases of a dive cycle were not significant. In particular, bot.
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT MACERATION TIMES AND PECTOLYTIC ENZYME ADDITION ON THE ANTHOCYANIN COMPOSITION OF VITIS VINIFERA CV. KALECIK KARASI WINES

Kalecik karasi is an important red grape cultivar for winemaking in Turkey. The effect of three different maceration times (3, 6 and 12 days) and addition of pectolytic enzyme (2 and 4 g/hL) on the anthocyanin and chemical composition of Kalecik karasi wines were studied. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with diode array detection was used for analysis. Fourteen anthocyanin compounds were detected in wines. Major anthocyanins in all wines are malvidin-3-glucoside and its acylated esters. The results showed that increasing maceration time, especially with addition of enzymes, gives significant increases in anthocyanin contents. Moreover, the wines treated with enzymes had higher values in total phenolics, tannins, and color intensity than the control wines. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Anthocyanins are the most important polyphenols in red grapes and red wines with potential health benefits. Therefore, the first analysis of the anthocyanins contents of wine obtained from important turkish cv. Kalecik karasi using liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry and the influence of different maceration times and addition of pectolytic enzyme on these important phenolic compounds are of interest for scientific literature, the wine industry as well as for the wine consumer.
Community structure in a desert perennial community

A battery of null models is used to test for the presence of six aspects of community structure in the pattern of plant species distributed in patches around focal or 'nurse" plants at a site in the Bolson de Mapimi, Chihuahua Desert, Mexico. Significant community structure was found in five of the six types of test. There were significantly more positive associations between species than expected for a random assemblage. Ex- amined pairwise, negative associations were almost all with one of the two main focal plants: Larrea tridenttal or Opuntia rastrera. The other species were generally positively associated with each other, because of their rarity in small patches. Species-poor patches contained nonrandom subsets of the flora of species-richer patches (i.e., the species/patch matrix was significantly nested). This is interpreted as indicating the existence of species whose establishment is dependent on conditions that can be provided by other species. There was also checkerboarding in the species/patch matrix, indicating the possibility of some competitive exclusion. All species tended to occur more often on species-rich patches, but relative to other species Larrea occurred significantly more often on small patches. Therefore we suggest that the presence of this shrub may be required before other species, such as Opuntia rastrera, Jatropha dioica, and Opuintia schottii/grahatlii, which tended to occur on two- species patches, may colonize a patch. Some species, most of them cacti, showed a significant tendency to occur in the largest patches, suggesting that they were able to invade a patch only after preconditions for dispersal or establishment had been satisfied by habitat changes induced by other species. The two main foci, Larrea and 0. rastrera, differed in the overall species composition of their associated flora. Many species showed a significant tendency to occur in adjacent patches, indicating the importance of dispersal, probably by rodents, in determining distribution. We conjecture that these patterns result from colonization processes in which facilitation, inhibition, and tolerance all play a role.
Spoof surface plasmon polariton transmission line with reduced line‐width and enhanced field confinement

This article proposes a compact spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) transmission line, by introducing capacitive loading metal strips to manipulate the dispersion characteristics and electromagnetic field confinement. Results validate that, compared with conventional rectangular‐grooved SSPP structure, the proposed SSPP transmission line features a line‐width reduction up to 53%, and moreover a tighter field confinement, that is, 67% reduction of confinement area. This proposed structure can be further implemented in silicon process with multiple metal layers for on‐chip transmission of terahertz signals.
genalex 6: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research

genalex is a user-friendly cross-platform package that runs within Microsoft Excel, enabling population genetic analyses of codominant, haploid and binary data. Allele frequency-based analyses include heterozygosity, F statistics, Nei's genetic distance, population assignment, probabilities of identity and pairwise relatedness. Distance-based calculations include amova, principal coordinates analysis (PCA), Mantel tests, multivariate and 2D spatial autocorrelation and twogener. More than 20 different graphs summarize data and aid exploration. Sequence and genotype data can be imported from automated sequencers, and exported to other software. Initially designed as tool for teaching, genalex 6 now offers features for researchers as well. Documentation and the program are available at http://www.anu. edu.au/BoZo/GenAlEx/
Morphological evolution for pipe inspection using Robot Operating System (ROS)

ABSTRACT In many manufacturing processes, sensor agents specifically adapt to explore pipes and other constrained environments filled with fluid are usually needed for monitoring purposes. However, in some of these environments only miniaturized agents can be used. Furthermore, these agents might be kinetically passive, due to limited resources and size. Therefore, designing and using these agents can be difficult. One possible solution to this problem is to change the agents’ morphology, such that optimally shaped agents reach target destinations simply by passively moving through the fluid. Here, we propose an evolutionary scheme for evolving the agent’s morphology to reach a predefined desired point in a fluid environment. This scheme includes a genotype-phenotype mapping based on Lindenmayer-Systems, as well as custom reproduction operators, selection criterion, and fitness function. In order to allow the simulation of irregularly shaped bodies underwater, we develop a simulation framework based on the Robot Operating System and the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle package. We test the proposed method on a set of 10 target points in a pipe inspection scenario. Results show that the evolved agents reach the target points with a distance error smaller than 5% in the worst case, and a standard deviation of 1.1% over 10 repeated experiments.
Life on a deadly trap: Buckleria paludum, a specialist herbivore of carnivorous sundew plants, licks mucilage from glands for defense

Caterpillars of Buckleria spp. (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) have a unique feeding habit of eating trap leaves of carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera spp.). We observed the foraging behavior of Buckleria paludum on trap leaves of Drosera spp. and discussed how the moth species avoided being caught by trap leaves. In 81.5% (66/81) of encounters with glandular hairs on adaxial surfaces of Drosera trap leaves, B. paludum larvae licked mucilage and crawled on the processed hairs. The frequency of licking mucilage was significantly higher than the frequency of other behaviors such as eating glandular hairs, chewing bases of them without eating and ignoring when encountering secreted mucilage. Licking mucilage enables the caterpillars to move safely on trap leaves and prevents bending of glandular hairs.
Cushion plants are foundation species with positive effects extending to higher trophic levels

Positive interactions are ubiquitous processes within ecological communities that influence patterns of species diversity and ecosystem functioning. By reducing abiotic stress, such as desiccation, nurse plants positively affect (facilitate) associated plant species. Although plant-plant interactions are well documented, consequences of plants on higher trophic levels are rarely examined. Here, we test for trophic consequences of the plant community by comparing visitation and diversity of pollinator and arthropod communities between cushion plants and non-cushion plants throughout the season. Cushion plants were found to have significantly higher visitation rate and diversity of both arthropods and pollinators relative to all other non-cushion plants. The positive effect of cushion plants found here can be explained for arthropods by cooler and more humid conditions and for pollinators by providing more abundant floral resources throughout the season. Although cushion plants have commonly been reported t.
Taxonomia de Fanniidae (Diptera) do sul do Brasil - II: novas espécies e chave de identificação de Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy

Fannia are found in all biogeographic regions, except in the poles. This present contribution concerns to 22 species found in southern Brazil including three new species: Fannia opsia sp. nov. from Ponta Grossa (Parana), Fannia pulvinilenis sp nov. from Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul) and Fannia xanthothrichia sp. nov. from Sao Jose dos Pinhais (Parana). Fannia carvalhoi Couri, 2005 is recorded for first time in Brazil. The female of Fannia admirabilis Albuquerque, 1958 is described for the first time. A key for identification of male and female to species in southern Brazil is presented. Ilustrations of main diagnostic characters including male and female terminalia are also included.
Combining organic and mineral fertilizers for integrated soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems of Kenya : Explorations using the crop-soil model FIELD

Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies for African smallholders should consider (i) within-farm soil heterogeneity; (ii) long-term dynamics and variability; (iii) manure quality and availability; (iv) access to fertilizers; and (v) competing uses for crop residues. We used the model FIELD (Field-scale resource Interactions, use Efficiencies and Long term soil fertility Development) to explore allocation strategies of manure and fertilizers. Maize response to N fertilizer from 0 to 180 kg N ha? 1 (±30 kg P ha? 1) distinguished poorly responsive fertile (e.g., grain yields of 4.1? 5.3 t ha? 1 without P and of 7.5? 7.5 t ha? 1 with P) from responsive (1.0? 4.3 t ha? 1 and 2.2? 6.6 t ha? 1) and poorly responsive infertile fields (0.2? 1.0 t ha? 1 and 0.5? 3.1 t ha? 1). Soils receiving manure plus fertilizers for 12 yr retained 1.1 to 1.5 t C ha? 1 yr? 1 when 70% of the crop residue was left in the field, and 0.4 to 0.7 t C ha? 1 yr? 1 with 10% left. Degraded fields were not rehabilitated with manures of local quality (e.g., 23? 35% C, 0.5? 1.2% N, 0.1? 0.3% P) applied at realistic rates (3.6 t dm ha? 1 yr? 1) for 12 yr without fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers are necessary to kick-start soil rehabilitation through hysteretic restoration of biomass productivity and C inputs to the soil.
REGRESSION OF TRANSPLANTED LYMPHOMAS INDUCED IN VIVO BY MEANS OF NORMAL GUINEA PIG SERUM

In the experiments here described transplanted lymphomas of two kinds regularly regressed following repeated injections of normal guinea pig serum intraperitoneally into mice carrying them, the animals meanwhile remaining lively and devoid of signs of illness or wasting. The lymphomas of untreated control mice, by contrast, usually grew progressively and killed their hosts within 20 to 30 days, and the same was true of the growth of other mice given repeated injections of horse serum or rabbit serum. In similar experiments, the cells of a transplanted lymphosarcoma of rats were temporarily kept from proliferating by repeated intraperitoneal injections of guinea pig serum, though the cells of two transplanted mammary carcinomas of mice, and those of fibrosarcoma, grew unimpeded in hosts likewise treated. Additional experiments related to the phenomenon here described, and a discussion of the findings as a whole, are given in an associated paper.