Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Asaia bogorensis Signal Sequences for Plasmodium Inhibition in Anopheles stephensi

Mosquitoes vector many pathogens that cause human disease, such as malaria that is caused by parasites in the genus Plasmodium. Current strategies to control vector-transmitted diseases are hindered by mosquito and pathogen resistance, so research has turned to altering the microbiota of the vectors. In this strategy, called paratransgenesis, symbiotic bacteria are genetically modified to affect the mosquito’s phenotype by engineering them to deliver antiplasmodial effector molecules into the midgut to kill parasites. One paratransgenesis candidate is Asaia bogorensis, a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium colonizing the midgut, ovaries, and salivary glands of Anopheles sp. mosquitoes. However, common secretion signals from E. coli and closely related species do not function in Asaia. Here, we report evaluation of 20 native Asaia N-terminal signal sequences predicted from bioinformatics for their ability to mediate increased levels of antiplasmodial effector molecules directed to the periplasm and ultimately outside the cell. We tested the hypothesis that by increasing the amount of antiplasmodials released from the cell we would also increase parasite killing power. We scanned the Asaia bogorensis SF2.1 genome to identify signal sequences from extra-cytoplasmic proteins and fused these to the reporter protein alkaline phosphatase. Six signals resulted in significant levels of protein released from the Asaia bacterium. Three signals were successfully used to drive the release of the antimicrobial peptide, scorpine. Further testing in mosquitoes demonstrated that these three Asaia strains were able to suppress the number of oocysts formed after a blood meal containing P. berghei to a significantly greater degree than wild-type Asaia, although prevalence was not decreased beyond levels obtained with a previously isolated siderophore receptor signal sequence. We interpret these results to indicate that there is a maximum level of suppression that can be achieved when the effectors are constitutively driven due to stress on the symbionts. This suggests that simply increasing the amount of antiplasmodial effector molecules in the midgut is insufficient to create superior paratransgenic bacterial strains and that symbiont fitness must be considered as well.
Chronic Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia Enhances Bone Fracture Healing

The effect of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) on bone fracture healing is not elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of CIHH on bone fracture healing and the mechanism. The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the CIHH group and control group and monitored for 2, 4, or 8 weeks after femoral fracture surgery. Bone healing efficiency was significantly increased in the CIHH group as evidenced by higher high-density bone volume fractions, higher bone mineral density, higher maximum force, and higher stiffness. Histologically, the CIHH group exhibited superior bone formation, endochondral ossification, and angiogenic ability compared with the control group. The expression of HIF-1α and its downstream signaling proteins VEGF, SDF-1/CXCR4 axis were increased by the CIHH treatment. Moreover, the expression of RUNX2, osterix, and type I collagen in the callus tissues were also up-regulated in the CIHH group. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that CIHH treatment improves fracture healing, increases bone mineral density, and increases bone strength via the activation of HIF-1α and bone production-related genes.
Wilms’ Tumor 1-Associated Protein Contributes to Chemo-Resistance to Cisplatin Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Endometrial Cancer

Background Cisplatin remains the mainstay of endometrial cancer (EC) chemotherapy. Wilms’ tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), playing a critical role in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, has been reported as an oncogene, and its expression is elevated in multiple types of human tumors. Recent evidence has shown that the increased expression of WTAP is also closely related to chemo-resistance. However, its specific role in the susceptibility of human EC cells to cisplatin remains largely unexplored. Methods WTAP over-expression and WTAP depletion cell lines as well as their corresponding controls were constructed by transfection with lentivirus. Western blotting analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were employed to detect the expression of WTAP. Cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle assay, and apoptosis analysis were adopted to evaluate the effect of WTAP on the chemo-sensitivity of EC cells to cisplatin as well as its underlying mechanism. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the translocation of β-catenin. Moreover, a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was established to assess the effect of WTAP on tumor growth after cisplatin treatment. Results Depletion of WTAP in RL95-2 cells significantly enhanced the chemo-susceptibility of cells to cisplatin and increased the cell apoptosis, while WTAP over-expression in ARK-2 cells exhibited the opposite effects. Additionally, WTAP depletion significantly suppressed xenograft-tumor growth and enhanced sensitivity and apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo. Mechanistic analysis exhibited that WTAP over-expression facilitated the cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of β-catenin and enhanced the GSK3β phosphorylation at Ser9, while WTAP depletion revealed the opposite results, indicating that WTAP rendered chemo-resistance of EC cells to cisplatin by promoting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Conclusions WTAP might promote the chemo-resistance of EC cells to cisplatin through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Collectively, our findings offered novel insights into EC treatment.
A Survey of Roles and Responsibilities in Digital Business Ecosystems

Digital Business Ecosystem is an emerging phenomenon aimed to reflect the behavior of natural ecosystems as a networked and online business model involving heterogeneous actors being engaged in a shared business vision and its implementation. Such as in an ecosystem, in a DBE, the actors are highly dependent on each other in terms of their capabilities and resources. It is, therefore, one of the essential needs for the research on DBEs to advance in understanding of which roles and responsibilities are entailed in enabling a DBE to function and sustain on a long-term basis. We have, in this study, performed a survey on the existing scientific studies related to the roles within DBEs, classified the collected results, and integrated them to a unified proposal. Using a recently developed and functioning DBE concerning the improvement of preventive healthcare by provisioning, exchanging, and using of a set of relevant resources, we have presented an initial validation of the correctness and fit of the proposal for the roles of actors and their responsibilities.
Process Mining Supported Process Redesign: Matching Problems with Solutions

Process mining is a widely used technique to understand and analyze business process executions through event data. It offers insights into process problems but leaves analysts barehanded to translate these problems into concrete solutions. Research on business process management discusses both process mining and improvement patterns in isolation. In this paper, we address this research gap. More specifically, we identify six categories of process problems that can be identified with process mining and map them to applicable best practices of business processes. We analyze the relevance of our approach using a thematic analysis of reports that were handed in to the Business Process Intelligence Challenges over recent years, and observe the dire need for better guidance to translate process problems identified by process mining into suitable process designs. Conceptually, we position process mining into the problem and solution space of process redesign and thereby offer a language to describe potentials and limitations of the technique.
Comparison of Antioxidant Activity in Extracts of Myrtus communis L. Obtained by SFE vs. Solvent Extraction

This paper reports results of a study on a shrub typical of the Portuguese flora, Myrtus communis L. , commonly known as myrtle. This plant is described in the literature as an antioxidant (AO) source for nutraceutical purposes. We are interested in assessing its antioxidant capacity (AOC) and to that end we are using the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique to obtain the plant extracts to study the performance of this technique against the more conventional extraction techniques, namely hydrodistillation followed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-liquid extraction (SLE). Supercritical extraction studies were performed using carbon dioxide as the supercritical fluid at different experimental conditions. Cumulative extraction curves for different temperatures, 308 and 321, 333 K, and pressures 10, 15 and 30 MPa and at constant carbon dioxide flow of about 7 × 10 -5 kg·s -1 are presented. The AO activity was determined by three different methods: Folin-Ciocalteu, TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity). The results for the extracts obtained by SFE were compared with those obtained by conventional extraction showing that SFE is effective to extract AO components from Myrtus communis L. , and the use of ethanol as co-solvent, at the studied conditions, increases the values of TEAC and ORAC of about four times, when compared to values obtained when conventional extraction is used.
Processing of LEU targets for {sup 99}Mo production -- Dissolution of metal foil targets by alkaline hydrogen peroxide

In FY 1995, the authors started studies on a new process for dissolution of low-enriched uranium (LEU) targets for {sup 99}Mo production. In this process, an LEU metal foil target is dissolved in a mixture of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, then {sup 99}Mo is recovered from the dissolved solution. They focused on the dissolution kinetics to develop a mechanistic model for predicting the products and the rate of uranium dissolution under process conditions. They thoroughly studied the effects of hydrogen peroxide concentration, sodium hydroxide concentration, and temperature on the rate of uranium dissolution. It was found that uranium dissolution can be classified into a low-base ( 0.2M) process. In the low-base process, both the equilibrium hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide concentrations affect the rate of uranium dissolution; in the high base process, uranium dissolution is a 0.25th order reaction with respect to the equilibrium hydrogen peroxide. The dissolution activation energy was experimentally determined to be 48.8 kJ/mol. Generally, the rate of uranium dissolution increases to a maximum as the hydroxide concentration is increased from 0.01 to about 1.5M, then it decreases as the hydroxide concentration is further increased. The alkalinity of the dissolution solution is an important factor that affects not only the dissolution rate, but also the amount of radioactive waste.
Effect of camel milk in comparison with cow milk on blood glucose and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial

Context: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disorder. In traditional medicine, camel milk has been used in the treatment of some of diseases such as diabetes. The studies on effect of camel milk on glycemic control are limited and contradictory. Aims: The effect of camel milk on blood glucose and lipids in T2DM patients and compare it with the control group. Setting and Design: This case-controlled clinical trial study was performed in the endocrinology clinic in Iran. Materials and Methods: 50 patients with T2DM were allocated into two groups. 25 participants in the intervention group consumed 500 ml camel milk and 25 participants in the control group consumed 500 ml cow milk daily for 8 weeks. Weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured at the baseline and end of intervention. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16, independent t-test and analysis of covariance. Results: Mean of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and TG concentration was significantly decreased in the camel milk group at the end of the study (P < 0.05). There was an increase in HbA1c in the cow's milk group, while the TG was not changed in this group. No significant differences were shown in weight, FBS, and TC at the end of the study in comparison with baseline values in any of the two groups. Conclusion: Camel milk can improve glycemic control according to HbA1c index. It might contribute to decreasing TG level in patients with T2DM.
ENDOGLUCANASE PRODUCING POTENTIAL OF BACILLUS SPECIES ISOLATED FROM THE GUT OF LABEO ROHITA

In the current research, a microorganism, Bacillus aquimaris, had been isolated from the gut of Labeo rohita and classified by 16S ribosomal DNA genome sequencing. Sugarcane bagasse (substrate) was used for producing endoglucanase in submerged fermentation using this bacterium. Various factors affecting endoglucanase production were screened by Plackett-Burman design and optimization of significant parameters were carried out by the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. Results revealed that among nine parameters screened, concentrations of substrate, MgSO4 and (NH4)2SO4 were found significant. Maximum yield of endoglucanase (437.3833 IU) was achieved at 2.5% sugarcane bagasse, 0.01% MgSO4 and 0.5% (NH4)2SO4 after 24 h of the fermentation period. These results suggested the potential utilization of this strain for nutritional purpose to promote the growth of fishes for commercialization of aquaculture.
The Language of Truth, Memory and Madness in Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace

In 1843, a 16-year-old Canadian housemaid named Grace Marks was tried for the murder of her employer and his mistress. The jury delivered a guilty verdict and the trial made headlines throughout the world. Nevertheless, opinion remained resolutely divided about Marks in terms of considering her a scorned woman who had taken out her rage on two, innocent victims, or an unwitting victim herself, implicated in a crime she was too young to understand. In 1996 Canadian author Margaret Atwood reconstructs Grace’s story in her novel Alias Grace. Our analysis probes the story of Grace Marks as it appears in the Canadian television miniseries Alias Grace, consisting of 6 episodes, directed by Mary Harron and based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, adapted by Sarah Polley. The series premiered on CBC on 25 September 2017 and also appeared on Netflix on 3 November 2017. We apply a qualitative (corpus-driven) and qualitative (discourse analytical) approach to examine mood and modal verbs for what they can reveal about the language of truth, memory and madness in the language of the miniseries. Findings reveal that epistemic modal verbs highly correlate with a somewhat manipulative narrative surrounding Grace’s recall of events leading to the murder, when she is under hypnosis. The dynamic nature of epistemics also allows us to reason along the lines of agentvs. subject-oriented modality when assessing the ‘truth’, particularly in what may be considered the denouement in the miniseries.
CORRELATION BETWEEN SOIL P AND CORN LEAF P CONTENTS IN A NETWORK OF HUNGARIAN LONG-TERM FIELD TRIALS

Corn (Zea mays L.) leaf weight, leaf P concentrations at flowering stage, 0.01 M CaCl2-, Olsen-, LE-, and AL-soluble soil P contents were determined in a network of uniformed 27-year-old Hungarian long-term field trials (the so-called National Long-term Field Trials, NLFT) with four P fertilization rates on nine locations, representing various agro-ecological and soil conditions of the country. A 4–5 fold increase in soluble P contents was found in all soil P-tests, while the absolute values of dissolved P varied greatly (CaCl2-P: 0.1–3.7; Olsen-P: 3.7–47.7; and AL-P: 12.8–182.2 mg P kg−1). On the other hand, an average twofold difference occurred among the sites in case of soil P-test methods less dependent of soil properties (CaCl2, Olsen), and a fourfold difference in methods using acid solvents, more dependent of soil reaction status and CaCO3 content. On the average of all soils and all P levels, the amount of P dissolved by the different methods increased in the sequence of CaCl2<Olsen<LE<AL (1.5<20<44<74 mg P kg−1). The different agro-ecological conditions had a greater effect on corn leaf weights at flowering stage than soil-P status. Corn leaf P concentrations, however, were affected by both the P rates and the different sites, resp. There was no significant correlation between Olsen-P values and corn leaf weights. Corn leaf weight, however, increased jointly with soil test values, up to 10–15 mg/kg Olsen-P concentration. There was a weak quadratic correlation between corn leaf P concentrations and leaf weights (r=0.35* *). Above 0.25% leaf P concentrations, leaf weights did not increase any more. On calcareous soils, P-overfertilization could result in Zn deficiency induced by P. There was a moderate, logarithmic correlation between Olsen-P and leaf P contents (r=0.62* * *). The lower limit of good P supply,—indicated by 0.26% leaf P concentration at flowering stage—was usually reached when the Olsen-P value was around 10 mg/kg. Only the CaCl2- and Olsen-methods proved to be independent of soil reaction status. A strong, linear correlation was found between these two methods (r=0.80* * *). The behavior of acid LE- and AL- solvents, however, was different in acid and calcareous soils. Correlation between Olsen- and LE-, as well as between Olsen- and AL-methods could be found separately for acid and calcareous soils. The closeness of correlation within the calcareous soil group and within the acid soil group was similar (r=0.89* * * and 0.90* * * for the calcareous, and r=0.89* * * and 0.94* * * for the acid soils group). Soil and plant P analyses data proved to be useful tools in adapting the results of long-term field trials for improved, environmentally sound fertilizer recommendations.
Coarse grain molecular dynamics simulation for the prediction of tertiary conformation of lysozyme adsorbed on silica surface

A coarse-grain (CG) algorithm is developed for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of proteins in which the polypeptide backbone as well as side chains were mapped into spherical interaction centres. The force field parameters for non-bonded interaction between these centres (beads) were evaluated from the interaction of all atoms corresponding to these beads using pairwise additivity. The validity of CG algorithm was demonstrated by comparing the potential energy, radius of gyration (RG), end-to-end distance and root-mean-square deviation with those obtained by all-atom (AA) simulation for a small protein molecule Trp-cage as well as for lysozyme in solution. The CG simulation for lysozyme in solution requires less than 1/50 CPU-time compared to that for the AA method. Also, the CG method converges to equilibrium potential energy much faster than AA simulation. CG simulation for lysozyme adsorbed on silica surface showed that the molecule is more unfolded with a less compact tertiary structure compared to that in the solution (with higher RG, end-to-end distance and the projected area on silica surface), this effect being more pronounced at higher temperature. A higher ionic strength resulted in a more extended structure for the lysozyme on silica surface.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Degradation Study of Terpolymer-derived from p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Diaminonaphthelein with Formaldehyde

Resin pHDNF has been synthesized by the condensation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and diaminonaphthelein with formaldehyde in the presence of catalyst hydrochloric acid in 1 : 1 : 2 molar proportions of reactants. The purity of newly synthesized terpolymer has been tested and confirmed by the thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique. Detailed thermal degradation studies of the pHDNF resin have been carried out to ascertain its thermal stability. The thermal degradation curve was examined in order to determine their mode of decomposition, order of reaction, apparent activation energy, frequency factor, free energy change, entropy change and apparent energy change. The Freeman—Carroll and Sharp—Wentworth methods were applied for the calculation of kinetic parameters and the data from the Freeman—Carroll method was been used to determine various thermodynamic parameters. The terpolymer resin was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectral studies. The number-average molecular weight of the resin was determined by non-aqueous conductometric titration.
HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS? A STRUCTURED REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

How do we understand participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs)? Despite its important methodological and theoretical implications, the literature has not come to a definitive answer to this question. We aim to contribute towards understanding this as follows. First, we undertake a structured review of the literature, asking how GVC participation can be conceptualised. Second, we systematise conceptual issues and empirical approaches to quantitatively explore the impact of GVCs both at the firm and sector level. Third, we generate descriptive evidence on GVC participation over time. Fourth, taking stock on the conceptual debate on the definition of GVC participation, we focus on how micro-level data can be used to identify firms that are fully integrated in GVCs as those that import and export intermediate and capital goods, distinguishing these from those which engage in traditional arm’s length trade. Finally, we motivate an understanding of GVC participation as ‘linking into GVCs’, as a treatment to which certain firms are exposed and review possible relevant outcome variables to capture the impact of linking into GVCs. These are based on firms’ value added and productivity, changes in their export portfolio and their position in trade networks.
Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition of Silicon Carbide from Ditertiarybutylsilane

Silicon carbide films are used in a variety of applications including membrane material for x-ray masks, radiation hard and high temperature devices, emitters for hetero-junction bipolar transistors, and windows for solar cells. This study investigate the use of ditertiarybutylsilane as a single precursor to synthesize amorphous SiC films by low pressure chemical vapor deposition at temperature below 850 C. The deposition rate is observed to vary linearly with the square root of flow rate and pressure. In the temperature range of 600 to 675 C, the deposition rate follows an Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy of 24 kcal/mol, while above 675 C, it seems to be controlled by the homolytic cleavage of the Si-C bonds and mass-transfer limitations. The carbon content is seen to progressively increase with higher temperatures with a particularly rapid rate noted above 750 C. The hardness and the Young's modulus increase as the deposition temperature is raised reaching maximum values close to 20 and 200 GPa, respectively, at 750 C. The addition of NH[sub 3] is noted to improve significantly the optical transmission of the deposits while adversely impacting the film stress. In the temperature range between 810 and 850 C, free-standing membranes were producedmore » using the chamber pressure to optimize stress. « less