Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptions of Lichen Microbiota Functioning Under Persistent Exposure to Arsenic Contamination

Host-associated microbiota play an important role in the health and persistence of more complex organisms. In this study, metagenomic analyses were used to reveal microbial community adaptations in three lichen samples as a response to different arsenic concentrations at the sampling sites. Elevated arsenic concentrations at a former mining site expanded the spectrum and number of relevant functions in the lichen-associated microorganisms. Apparent changes affected the abundance of numerous detoxification-related genes, they were substantially enhanced in arsenic-polluted samples. Complementary quantifications of the arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase (arsM) gene showed that its abundance is not strictly responding to the environmental arsenic concentrations. The analyzed samples contained rather low numbers of the arsM gene with a maximum of 202 gene copies μl-1 in total community DNA extracts. In addition, bacterial isolates were screened for the presence of arsM. Positive isolates were exposed to different As(III) and As(V) concentrations and tolerated up to 30 mM inorganic arsenic in fluid media, while no substantial biotransformations were observed. Obtained data deepens our understanding related to adaptions of whole microbial communities to adverse environmental conditions. Moreover, this study provides the first evidence that the integrity of bacteria in the lichen holobiont is maintained by acquisition of specific resistances.
Recent Progress in Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors (2016 to Mid-2018)

More than 50 papers on surface plasmon resonance biosensors, published between 2016 and mid-2018, are reviewed. Papers concerning the determination of large particles such as vesicles, exosomes, cancer cells, living cells, stem cells, and microRNA are excluded, as these are covered by a very recent review. The reviewed papers are categorized into five groups, depending on the degree of maturity of the reported solution; ranging from simple marker detection to clinical application of a previously developed biosensor. Instrumental solutions and details of biosensor construction are analyzed, including the chips, receptors, and linkers used, as well as calibration strategies. Biosensors with a sandwich structure containing different nanoparticles are considered separately, as are SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) applications for investigating the interactions of biomolecules. An analysis is also made of the markers determined using the biosensors. In conclusion, there is shown to be a growing number of SPR applications in the solution of real clinical problems.
End-to-end system for recognizing and solving Kakuro puzzles

Kakuro is a type of logic puzzle that is often referred to as a mathematical equivalent of the crossword. In this project, we build an end-to-end system for recognizing Kakuro puzzles from real images that one might take from a cellphone camera, and solving them. The final solution is overlaid on top of the original image. This problem provides us the opportunity to work on a wide variety of computer vision problems such as binarization, segmentation and recognition. While there has been some prior work in building similar systems for Sudoku, as far as we know, ours is the first attempt to build such a system for Kakuro puzzles.
Characterization of Stem Rust Resistance in Wheat Cultivar Gage

Wheat (Triticum spp.) stem rust, caused by Puc cinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. and E. Henn. (Pgt), re-emerged as a devastating disease of wheat because of virulent race Ug99 (TTKSK). Many bread wheat ( T. aestivum L.) cultivars grown in North America are susceptible to Ug99 or its derivative races that carry additional viru lence. ‘Gage’ was released in 1963 mainly for its excellent field resistance to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks) and stem rust. However, Gage’s resistance has not been genetically char acterized, which would facilitate its use in breed ing programs. To better define the nature of the resistance in Gage, we created an F 2 population and the corresponding F 2:3 and F 4:5 families from crosses between Gage and stem rust suscep tible cultivar ‘Bill Brown’. Inheritance of resis tance to Pgt race QFCSC and molecular marker analysis indicated that Sr2 and additional genes explain the stem rust resistance of Gage. Using seedling plant infection types from the F 2 , F 2:3 ,
Changes in composition, diversity and structure of woody plants in successional stages of tropical dry forest in southwest Mexico

We analyzed the changes in composition, diversity and structure of trees and shrubs along a successional gradient in southwest Mexico. The early stages were dominated by typical pioneer species but species of mature forests were present throughout the chronosequence, and therefore the species plant distribution between stages may be explained by the initial floristic composition model. Because sites from all stages had similar number of species, our study does not support the intermediate levels of disturbance hypothesis. Contrary to the patterns observed in other dry forest, the mature stages presented a relatively simple structure complexity compared to that of intermediate forests. This resulted from a few dominant species which are usually present in mature forests with some degree of perturbation. According to the polyclimax hypothesis, diversity of the mature forests appears to be influenced by local soil conditions, microclimates and biotic factors. Our study supports this idea because local conditions vary between sites and the dominant species of the late stages were different between stands. The conservation and management plans should be directed to different successional stages and not only to single patches in order to ensure the conservation of regional biodiversity.
Natural recruitment contributes to high densities of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844) in Western Europe

Introductions of grass carp, well known for their potentially negative ecosystem effects, have been performed in several countries around the world. As the species was considered unable to reproduce naturally under non-native environmental conditions, little attention was initially given to its invasive potential. We studied an area in northern-Italy where, contrary to expectations, introductions that were performed in the early 80s still exert a considerable pressure on aquatic macrophytes. In order to reveal whether the observed population dynamics are the result of natural events or stocking we analysed the density, age- and size-structure of the grass carp population and the migration pathways available to it. Telephone surveys were also used to check for fish transport from national and international suppliers. We also sampled potential spawning and nursery areas for young individuals and, when some were captured, we applied stable isotope analyses to discriminate their origin. We found that the population of large individuals likely originated solely from early stocking. We also documented the first analytical evidence of grass carp recruitment in the study area and, to our knowledge, in Western Europe. Therefore the species has the potential to become invasive in these areas and more detailed studies are needed to assess this potential. Further management should account at least for natural recruitment and potential negative environmental effects, controlling the species where needed.
The Impact of Information Systems from the Perspective of IS Stakeholders in Malaysia

The importance of canvassing multiple levels of stakeholders (i.e. Strategic, Managerial, Operational and Technical) for measuring information system (IS) success has been discussed by academics for several decades. From the literature, it is apparent that IS success researchers have measured IS success from different groups of stakeholders. This make results difficult to compare. It becomes more complicated when there are many classifications of IS stakeholders suggested in the literature. With different level of users, there are many arguments on whose perspective is important when measuring IS. Some IS success researchers argue that IS Success can be measured from only selected level of stakeholders, thus different measures are needed for different level of stakeholders. Others suggest that canvassing all level of stakeholders would be beneficial to arrive at a complete and meaningful IS success score. In this paper, we present findings from a survey that indicates that different groups of stakeholders have differing views when evaluating the success of an IS. However, we disagree that different set of measures should be used for different level of stakeholders. Based on the empirical evidence that we collected at four state governments in Malaysia, we recommend that IS should be evaluated across all level of stakeholders in order to arrive at a holistic impact score.
Perceptions of Up-scaling Community-based Sites to Provide Reception Classes in South Africa

Abstract The present paper reports on the perceptions of Community-based Early Childhood Development service providers regarding progress and challenges in the provision of reception classes. It discusses data generated by means of narratives and in-depth interviews using a qualitative research design. Practitioners and managers from Community-based Sites with reception classes together with district officials in different districts participated in this study. The Community-based Sites that are registered safe guard the continuity of education programmes from these sites to schools thus, addressing the issues of segregation. Barriers identified as impacting negatively on the up-scaling of Community-based Sites included the slow progress made in registering centres and an assertion regarding stipend revealing an on-going conflict between the two parties. However, practitioners and managers with matriculation as their lowest qualification seemed to understand the prospects of up-scaling Community-based Sites as they were starting to shape their careers in an attempt to embrace the concept of up-scaling. They extended their studies, registering their centres and in turn empowered by the departments. In addition, having retired teachers presented an interesting dynamic in this research, introducing a viable group of Community-based managers. These retirees can be a cornerstone of early learning education reform.
Analyzing Human Negotiation using Automated Cognitive Behavior Analysis: The Effect of Personality

In this paper we study the influence of personality traits in negotiation by using a methodology for automated cognitive behavior analysis (ACBA). This methodology uses genetic programming (GP) for hypothesis generation and testing of human behavior with the goal of explaining the underlying mental structures guiding people’s actions during a task. ACBA iteratively generates programs - the hypotheses - capable of explaining the behavior exhibited by an individual during a multi-level, multi-issue, sequential bargaining task against an artificial agent. Our study focuses on the influence of the personality traits of social-value orientation (SVO) and Machiavellianism (Mach). The results show that by using ACBA, we are able to identify differences in the outcomes of programs emerging from GP that are consistent with the influences that different SVO and Mach profiles have in human negotiation behavior.
Habitat suitability of javan gibbon in Gunung Salak, West Java

Objective of this study was to provide spatial information of Javan gibbon habitat suitability and distribution in Gunung (Mt.) Salak area for Management Authority of Mt. Halimun-Salak National Park. Informations on Javan gibbon distribution was collected through a number of survey during December 2005–June 2006 in Kawah Ratu (Parakan Salak, Sukabumi), Pondok Wisata Cangkuang (Cidahu, Sukabumi), and Bobojong Village (Bogor). Twenty two groups were identified using direct count and triangle count method from over 47 identified positions. Habitat suitability was formulated based on10 ecogeographical variables (criteria), consisting of forest type (primary forest, secondary forest, low-land forest, and submontane forest), slope (0–15%, 15–45%, >45%), and distance to nonforested land, river/water body, and road/tracks. The result showed that Mt. Salak consisted of 13.20% (17.53 km 2 ), 26.25% (34.86 km 2 ), 19.40% (25.77 km 2 ), 4.16% (5.53 km 2 ), and 20.17% (26.78 km 2 ) of high-suitable, suitable, moderate suitable, less and low suitable level subsequently, and 12.69 km 2 or 9.56% was not suitable for Javan gibbon habitat. It was also revealed that that 3 and 9 groups were living in high suitable and suitable habitat respectively; 13 groups in moderate suitable, while for each less and low suitable habitat, 2Javan gibbon groups lived in.
Chaotic dynamics in terahertz-driven semiconductors with negative effective mass

‘‘N-shaped’’ velocity-field relation is yielded by using the nonparabolic balance-equation theory with a realistic treatment of carrier scatterings by impurity, acoustic phonon, and optic phonon. The dependence of the self-oscillating mode and its frequency on the dc bias, doping concentration, and lattice temperature is examined in detail. The THz-driven p 1 pp 1 NEM diodes can produce a cooperative nonlinear oscillatory mode which leads to very complicated chaotic dynamics with the dc bias, ac amplitude, and ac frequency as the controlling parameters. The transitions between the periodic and chaotic states are carefully studied by differ
Removal of copper ions from aqueous solution by adsorption on ionic hybrids based on chitosan and clinoptilolite

Ionic hybrids based on chitosan and clinoptilolite with sorption capacity for copper(II) ions higher t han that of crosslinked chitosan are presented in the paper. Hybrids based on chitosan and clinoptilolite were characte rized by swelling degree in water as a function of pH, and by the sor ption and desorption of copper(II).
Unexpected Exacerbation of Neuroinflammatory Response After a Combined Therapy in Old Parkinsonian Mice

The design of therapeutic strategies that focus on the repositioning of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs are a great bet to slow down the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Despite the fact that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related pathology, almost all experimental studies are carried out in young animals. Here, we evaluated the possible neuroprotective effect of the combination of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the anti-inflammatory HA-1077 in aged 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice (C57BL/6 mice, 20 months old), whose individual treatment has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in this Parkinsonism model. Interestingly, NAC+HA-1077-based treatment produced a significant increase in dopaminergic neuronal death accompanied by an increase in microglial and astroglial activation in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum of old-Parkinsonian mice compared to their control group. The astroglial response was also explored by co-immunostaining for GFAP and S100b together with p-JNK and it was found to be particularly exacerbated in the MPTP+NAC+HA-1077 group. The unexpected toxic effects found in the combined use of NAC and HA-1077 in old-Parkinsonian mice highlight the importance of taking into account that in elderly Parkinsonian patients the combination of some drugs (most of them used for other different age-related alterations) can have side effects that may result in the exacerbation of the neurodegenerative process.
Influence of focal mechanism on peak accelerations of strong motions of the Whittier Narrows, California, earthquake and an aftershock

Focal mechanisms affect the pattern of the peak accelerations of the October 1, 1987, Whittier Narrows earthquake and its October 4 aftershock. The peak accelerations observed on 21 Strong Motion Instrumentation Program and 22 U.S. Geological Survey accelerograms correlate well with the ratio of shear wave amplitude computed from the thrust mechanism of the main shock and the strike-slip mechanism of the aftershock. This correlation means that seismic energy is radiated from the fault with close to the standard double-couple radiation pattern at the frequencies 3–6 Hz corresponding to the peak accelerations.
Towards a decision support system for flood management in a river basin

A platform for flood forecasting (FEWS-LIMA) in the Portuguese river Lima basin was implemented applying Delft-FEWS software. This platform integrates SOBEK Sacramento hydrological model, SOBEK rivers hydrodynamic models (working together in predicting river hydrodynamics behaviour), and a comprehensive hydrological database. The calibration of these models was achieved using historical river flow data of different rainfall events for two different periods: after the dams construction and before its construction. Models predictions use rainfall time series as input data obtained from Numerical Weather Prediction models. The performance of forecasting platform was verified in real rainfall events, using a backcasting approach for four flood events occurred in the years 2006, 2010, and 2011 in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the modelled processes. In addition, a forecasting event was also considered in order to show the applicability of this methodology in future situations. It was verified, in this case study, that the obtained results have a high correlation to the actually measured typical flood hydraulic parameters.
Numerical Computation and Optimization of Dielectric Embedded Uniform Circular Array (DEUCA) for MIMO Communication Systems

This paper presents a design methodology of newly developed dielectric embedded uniform circular array (DEUCA) for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. Compared with conventional uniform linear array (ULA), the DEUCA has improved communication performance in MIMO communication systems with its small and compact physical size and built-in orientation for wireless routers. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, combined with a full wave frequency domain finite element method (FEM) approach, is employed to design the DEUCA, due to the complexity of the physical structure and various conflicting performance specifications of this DEUCA. A comparison of antenna performance between the conventional ULA and the proposed DEUCA is also made.
The First Record of a Pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Strata of Öösh (Övörkhangai; Mongolia)

Abstract Although dinosaur fossils are common in the Early Cretaceous strata of Öösh, remains of other vertebrates are rare. Here we describe the first pterosaur fossil known from this locality. The specimen consists of a single vertebra that exhibits sufficient morphology to identify it as a nonazhdarchid tapejaroid pterosaur. Remains of such animals have been found in similarly aged rocks (some with accompanying similar faunas) throughout central Asia.
Effect of substance use on condom use in the Theory of Planned Behavior: Analysis of differential item functioning

Introduction. Substance use is one of the factors associated with lower condom use in young adults, which increases the likelihood of HIV infection. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the most useful models for explaining this phenomenon since it considers the aim of engaging in a behavior based on attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy. Objective. To develop a questionnaire and to evaluate the Differential Item Functioning (DIF) caused by substance use in TPB indicators, using the Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes Analysis (MIMIC). Method. The study was conducted in two phases with Mexico City college students age 18 to 25. Results. Adequate goodness of fit was obtained in all three models of the TPB: attitudes χ 2 S-B (2) = 3.902, p s = . 999; TLI s = . 996; RMSEA s = . 037, 90% CI ≤ . 001-. 095; subjective norms χ 2 S-B (7) = 9.103, p s = . 999; TLI s = . 998; RMSEA s = . 022, 90% CI ≤ . 001-. 056; and self-efficacy χ 2 S-B (25) = 65.115, p s = . 982; TLI s = . 974; RMSEA s = . 050, 90% CI = . 036-. 066; in one item in attitudes and two items in subjective norms a DIF effect was observed, while no item proved significant regarding self-efficacy. Discussion and conclusion. There is little evidence in the detection of DIF due to substance use in TPB indicators in condom use, and this is the first study to conduct this type of analysis. Items presenting DIF open the door to future research due to the importance of assessing how the indicator behaves with a population displaying a particular trait.
Impact of Extracellular Matrix Structure and Integrin Expression on Human Fibroblast Phenotype

Author(s): Merna, Nick | Advisor(s): George, Steven C | Abstract: Extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from whole organ decellularization offers a promising biological scaffold for tissue engineering applications. The native 3D structure and biochemical composition of these matrices can potentially support tissue-specific recellularization strategies. However, decellularization protocols use reagents that can disrupt the ECM resulting in a range of mechanical properties and protein composition. By identifying structural and biochemical features of the ECM that impact cell behavior, we can tailor decellularization protocols to retain those features. Recellularization of decellularized matrices is an intriguing strategy to engineer lung and cardiac tissue that will likely include the fibroblast. However, excessive collagen deposition by fibroblasts could interfere with normal structure and function of the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, integrin expression can influence the expression of intracellular structural proteins such as alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and extracellular structural proteins such as collagen. However, previous work has not determined the effect of decellularized ECM on fibroblast function and integrin signaling.In this work, we used multiphoton microscopy (MPM), combined with image correlation spectroscopy (ICS), to characterize structural and mechanical properties of the decellularized cardiac matrix in a non-invasive and non-destructive fashion. ICS amplitude of second harmonic generation (SHG) collagen images (collagen content) and ICS ratio of two-photon fluorescence (TPF) elastin images (elastin alignment) strongly correlated with compressive modulus. We then seeded cardiac and lung fibroblasts on cardiac ECM, lung ECM and their components to determine the effect of substrate composition, tissue specificity and integrin expression on fibroblast phenotype. α-SMA expression increased for stiffer substrates, and lung fibroblasts expressed significantly higher levels of α-SMA than cardiac fibroblasts. Higher expression of β3 integrins in cardiac fibroblasts, combined with increased α-SMA expression resulting from functional blocking of β3 integrins, demonstrates that β3 plays an important role in regulating cardiac fibroblast phenotype. Our findings indicate that ECM stiffness strongly correlates with collagen and elastin alignment in the ECM following decellularization, which can potentially impact fibroblast collagen and α-SMA expression during recellularization. Furthermore, differential expression of β3 integrins in organ-specific fibroblasts impacts α-SMA expression suggesting that both stromal cell source and ECM structure can impact the remodeling response during recellularization.
Malnutrition among rural and urban children in Lesotho: related hazard and survival probabilities: research

The relationship between the survival time of children and several variables that affect the survival and nutritional status of children under the age of five years in the Maseru District of Lesotho was investigated. Opsomming Die verhouding tussen die oorlewingstyd van kinders en verskeie veranderlikes wat die oorlewings- en voedingstatus van kinders onder die ouderdom van vyf jaar affekteer is in die Maseru-distrik in Lesotho nagevors. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.