Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of a novel pretreatment techniques for enhancing the enzymatic saccharification of sugarcane baggase: Structural and chemical analysis

Background Enhancement of cellulase and xylanase production and improvement of more proficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes are essential in order to decrease the price of enzymes required in the biomass-to-bioethanol production. Results The effectiveness of different concentration of alkali and acid pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse for improving the enzymatic saccharification of cellulose has been evaluated. The sugarcane bagasse was characterized to contain 39.52% cellulose, 25.63% hemicelluloses, 30.36% lignin, 1.44% ash and 2.90% other extractives. Afterthat, The sugarcane bagasse was pretreated with two different concentrations (5% and 10%) of H 2 SO 4 and NaOH at 121°C for 60 min. Among them, the best result was obtained when sugarcane bagasse was pretreated with 10% NaOH solution followed by 10% H 2 SO 4 , 5% NaOH and 5% H 2 SO 4 solution. The highest cellulose saccharification was 489.5 mg/g from 10% NaOH pretreatment followed by 322.75mg/g, 301.25 mg/g and 276.6 mg/g from 10% H 2 SO 4 , 5% NaOH and 5% H 2 SO 4 , respectively, which were 55.1, 32.0, 27.1 and 20.6 times higher than the control. Moreover, the FTIR, XRD and SEM analysis showed significant molecule and surface structure changes of the sugarcane bagasse after different pretreatments. Cellulase and xylanase produced by Pseudomonas sp. CVB-10 [MK443365] and Bacillus paramycoides T4 [MN370035] was used to hydrolyze the pretreated sugarcane bagasse and the optimal condition was determined to be 30 h of enzymatic reaction with 3:1 ration of enzymes under the temperature of 55°C, pH 5.5, substrate concentration of 3% and Tween-20 0.5%. Conclusion Enzyme supernatants produced by the mixed culture of Pseudomonas sp. CVB-10 [MK443365] and Bacillus paramycoides T4 [MN370035] on various pretreated sugarcane baggase have good cellulase and xylanase activities, leading to celluloses and Hemicelluloses conversion in the enzymatic hydrolysis/saccharification that is more proficient.
Characterization of Biodegraded Ignitable Liquids by Headspace–Ion Mobility Spectrometry

The detection of ignitable liquids (ILs) can be crucial when it comes to determining arson cases. Such identification of ILs is a challenging task that may be affected by a number of factors. Microbial degradation is considered one of three major processes that can alter the composition of IL residues. Since biodegradation is a time related phenomenon, it should be studied at different stages of development. This article presents a method based on ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) which has been used as an electronic nose. In particular, ion mobility sum spectrum (IMSS) in combination with chemometric techniques (hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA)) has been applied for the characterization of different biodegraded ILs. This method intends to use IMSS to identify a range of ILs regardless of their degree of biodegradation. Three ILs (diesel, gasoline and kerosene) from three different commercial brands were evaluated after remaining in a soil substrate for several lengths of time (0, 2, 5, 13 and 38 days). The HCA results showed the samples’ trend to fall into categories characterized by ILs type and biodegradation time. The LDAs allowed a 99% successful classification of the samples according to the IL type. This is the first time that an HS-IMS technique has been used to detect ILs that have undergone biodegradation processes. The results show that IMS may be a promising alternative to the current standard method based on gas-chromatography for the analysis of biodegraded ILs. Furthermore, no pretreatment of the samples nor the use of a solvent is required.
Sensitivity Enhancement of Modified D-Shaped Microchannel PCF-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor

In this work, a highly sensitive dual-core configured microchannel-based plasmonic refractive index (RI) sensor was investigated, which can be used for low RI detection. Both the sensing layer and the plasmonic material layer were built outside of the fiber design to detect the surrounding medium’s RI changes. Additionally, the effects of different plasmonic materials gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu) toward sensitivity were investigated for the same structure. An adhesive agent was used in this work, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and was coated on top of the plasmonic material to prevent the oxidation of Ag and Cu. The coupling strength between the fundamental mode and the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) mode was observed to be very strong due to the TiO2 adhesive agent. With a resolution of 7.41 × 10−7 RIU, maximum wavelength sensitivity (WS) of 135,000 nm/RIU and amplitude sensitivity (AS) of 3239 RIU−1 were achieved using the proposed sensor while using Au as a plasmonic material for an analyte RI range of 1.29–1.39. A detailed study of relevant literature revealed that the achieved wavelength sensitivity for plasmonic material gold (Au) is the highest among reported photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors to date.
The Dually Negative Effect of Industrial Polluting Enterprises on China’s Air Pollution: A Provincial Panel Data Analysis Based on Environmental Regulation Theory

Although the Chinese government has promulgated a series of policies to mitigate air pollution, the air quality in a number of Chinese cities still has the potential to be improved. As the major source of air pollution, enterprises in the industrial and energy sectors are the most difficult to regulate in terms of polluting emissions. This paper aims to investigate what factors influence the intensity of environmental regulations on polluting enterprises based on environmental regulation theory and an empirical test. Firstly, this article builds a theoretic model of optimal regulation supply for local governments in order to examine the relationship between factors influencing the intensity of environmental regulation. Secondly, we use provincial panel data from 2008 to 2015 to test the theoretical hypothesis and use the generalized method of moments (GMM), the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method to address the endogeneity issue. The main finding of the study is that, in regions with a high concentration of polluting enterprises, not only is there more air pollution than in other regions, but the local governments might show partiality towards the polluting enterprises, which could impede the implementation of environmental regulation.
Representing interaction in multiway contingency tables: MIDOVA, CA and log-linear model.

Correspondence Analysis (CA) is particularly suited to categorical variables, as long as 2-way contingency tables are concerned. (Mourad 1983) has pointed out that its extension to 3-way contingency tables is far from trivial, due to interaction effects between the variables. (Escofier 1983) has provided a non-symmetric solution to this problem, through the example of a 3-way qualification×profession×gender table, disregarding interaction in this first approach. Then (Escofier & Pages 1988) took interaction into account, still in a non-symmetric scheme, and illustrated with the same example, and in (Abdessemed & Escofier 2000) this CA approach was contrasted with the log-linear model one. Beside CA and log-linear model, issued from the statistics domain, other research streams originating in Artificial Intelligence have coped with the same problem: we will present here the extension to categorical variables of our results on extracting and statistically validating « itemsets » in boolean datatables, results first published in (Cadot 2006) – for a survey on itemset approaches, see (Han 2001). We coined MIDOVA (Multidimensional Interaction Differential of Variation) our method for highlighting and representing complex links between qualitative variables, which includes interaction, well-suited to socio-economic data (Haj Ali & Cadot 2010). We will compare it to the CA and log-linear model approaches, using the same 3-way example as Escofier and her colleagues. We will show that out method is effective for general N-way interactions (N may be far greater than 3), whether symmetrically or not, and results both in easy and detailed interpretability, as CA does, and in statistical significance testing, as the log-linear model does in the case of few variables.
VDAC1 at the Intersection of Cell Metabolism, Apoptosis, and Diseases

The voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) protein, is an important regulator of mitochondrial function, and serves as a mitochondrial gatekeeper, with responsibility for cellular fate. In addition to control over energy sources and metabolism, the protein also regulates epigenomic elements and apoptosis via mediating the release of apoptotic proteins from the mitochondria. Apoptotic and pathological conditions, as well as certain viruses, induce cell death by inducing VDAC1 overexpression leading to oligomerization, and the formation of a large channel within the VDAC1 homo-oligomer. This then permits the release of pro-apoptotic proteins from the mitochondria and subsequent apoptosis. Mitochondrial DNA can also be released through this channel, which triggers type-Ι interferon responses. VDAC1 also participates in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria cross-talk, and in the regulation of autophagy, and inflammation. Its location in the outer mitochondrial membrane, makes VDAC1 ideally placed to interact with over 100 proteins, and to orchestrate the interaction of mitochondrial and cellular activities through a number of signaling pathways. Here, we provide insights into the multiple functions of VDAC1 and describe its involvement in several diseases, which demonstrate the potential of this protein as a druggable target in a wide variety of pathologies, including cancer.
Pickering emulsion-based encapsulation strategies for delivery of curcumin

Curcumin is a potent bioactive polyphenolic compound but its bioavailability when orally administered is limited because of its low solubility in aqueous environments and chemical/ metabolic degradation during gastrointestinal transit. Oil-in-water emulsions have been extensively used as delivery systems for curcumin to target physiological sites. Particularly, emulsions stabilized by solid particles, also known as Pickering emulsions, have gained remarkable research interest as delivery vehicles due to their exceptional resistance to coalescence over prolonged periods of time and the fact that these particles are not desorbed by intestinal biosurfactants (bile salts) because of their high detachment energies. This thesis focuses on the design of complex particulate Pickering interfaces using two types of interactions (i.e. electrostatic and covalent) between whey protein and polysaccharides (dextran sulphate or dextran). Hence, three different Pickering emulsions; whey protein isolate nanogel particle-stabilized (EWPN), dextran sulphate coated-whey protein isolate nanogel particle-stabilized (DxS-EWPN) and whey protein isolate-dextran conjugated (or Maillard) microgel particle-stabilized (EWPDxM) Pickering emulsions were created as delivery vehicles for curcumin. For EWPN, controlled retention of curcumin was associated with the effect of pH and ionic strength on the partitioning of curcumin between the oil phase and the nanogel particle-laden interface. Also, by using an in vitro gastric model, pepsin hydrolysis was restricted in DxS-EWPN compared to EWPN. In addition, Maillard conjugation was used to engineer novel conjugated microgel particles (WPDxM) that could stabilize Pickering emulsions (EWPDxM) that exhibited gastric-stable properties as opposed to non-conjugated systems. Finally, the bioaccessibility and cellular uptake of curcumin by Caco-2 cells in the three different Pickering interfaces was evaluated after in vitro digestion. All three systems offered similar bioaccessibility due to similar degree of free fatty acid release during in vitro intestinal digestion. Nevertheless, the uniqueness was that DxS-EWPN and EWPDxM had better cell viability and cellular internalization of curcumin in comparison to EWPN. In summary, findings from this PhD ranges from colloidal design of novel biocompatible Pickering emulsion-based delivery vehicles, to identifying the vehicles that offer optimized gastric stability of emulsions and cellular delivery of bioactives (curcumin). These insights can be used for rational design of functional foods, food supplements, and for oral pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications in the future.
Evaluating the Reliability and Validity Evidence of the RIME (Reporter-Interpreter-Manager-Educator) Framework for Summative Assessments Across Clerkships.

PURPOSE The ability of medical schools to accurately and reliably assess medical student clinical performance is paramount. The RIME (reporter-interpreter-manager-educator) schema was originally developed as a synthetic and intuitive assessment framework for internal medicine clerkships. Validity evidence of this framework has not been rigorously evaluated outside of internal medicine. This study examined factors contributing to variability in RIME assessment scores using generalizability theory and decision studies across multiple clerkships, thereby contributing to its internal structure validity evidence. METHOD Data were collected from RIME-based summative clerkship assessments during 2018-2019 at Virginia Commonwealth University. Generalizability theory was used to explore variance attributed to different facets through a series of unbalanced random-effects models by clerkship. For all analyses, decision (D-) studies were conducted to estimate the effects of increasing the number of assessments. RESULTS From 231 students, 6,915 observations were analyzed. Interpreter was the most common RIME designation (44.5%-46.8%) across all clerkships. Variability attributable to students ranged from 16.7% in neurology to 25.4% in surgery. D-studies showed the number of assessments needed to achieve an acceptable reliability (0.7) ranged from 7 in pediatrics and surgery to 11 in internal medicine and 12 in neurology. However, depending on the clerkship each student received between 3 to 8 assessments. CONCLUSIONS This study conducted generalizability and D-studies to examine the internal structure validity evidence of RIME clinical performance assessments across clinical clerkships. Substantial proportion of variance in RIME assessment scores was attributable to the rater, with less attributed to the student. However, the proportion of variance attributed to the student was greater than what has been demonstrated in other generalizability studies of summative clinical assessments. Overall, this findings support the use of RIME as a framework for assessment across clerkships and demonstrate the number of assessments required to obtain sufficient reliability.
Spatially Specific Working Memory Activity in the Human Superior Colliculus

Theoretically, working memory (WM) representations are encoded by population activity of neurons with distributed tuning across the stored feature. Here, we leverage computational neuroimaging approaches to map the topographic organization of human superior colliculus (SC) and model how population activity in SC encodes WM representations. We first modeled receptive field properties of voxels in SC, deriving a detailed topographic organization resembling that of the primate SC. Neural activity within human (5 male and 1 female) SC persisted throughout a retention interval of several types of modified memory-guided saccade tasks. Assuming an underlying neural architecture of the SC based on its retinotopic organization, we used an encoding model to show that the pattern of activity in human SC represents locations stored in WM. Our tasks and models allowed us to dissociate the locations of visual targets and the motor metrics of memory-guided saccades from the spatial locations stored in WM, thus confirming that human SC represents true WM information. These data have several important implications. They add the SC to a growing number of cortical and subcortical brain areas that form distributed networks supporting WM functions. Moreover, they specify a clear neural mechanism by which topographically organized SC encodes WM representations. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using computational neuroimaging approaches, we mapped the topographic organization of human superior colliculus (SC) and modeled how population activity in SC encodes working memory (WM) representations, rather than simpler visual or motor properties that have been traditionally associated with the laminar maps in the primate SC. Together, these data both position the human SC into a distributed network of brain areas supporting WM and elucidate the neural mechanisms by which the SC supports WM.
Bone From Blood: Characteristics and Clinical Implications of Circulating Osteogenic Progenitor (COP) Cells

Circulating osteogenic progenitor (COP) cells are a population of cells in the peripheral blood with the capacity for bone formation, as well as broader differentiation into mesoderm‐like cells in vitro. Although some of their biological characteristics are documented in vitro, their role in diseases of the musculoskeletal system remains yet to be fully evaluated. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of COP cells in a number of physiological and pathological conditions, as well as identify areas for future research. In addition, we suggest possible areas for clinical utilization in the management of musculoskeletal diseases. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Robo2 regulates synaptic oxytocin content by affecting actin state

The regulation of neuropeptide level at the site of release is essential for proper neurophysiological functions. We focused on a prominent neuropeptide, oxytocin (OXT), and used the zebrafish as an in vivo model to visualize and quantify OXT content at the resolution of a single synapse. We found that OXT-loaded synapses were surrounded by polymerized actin. Perturbation of actin filaments by cytochalasin-D resulted in decreased synaptic OXT levels. Live imaging of the actin probe, Lifeact-EGFP, showed reduced mobility in OXT synapses in robo2 mutants, which displayed decreased synaptic OXT content. Using a novel transgenic reporter line allowing real-time monitoring of OXT-loaded vesicles, we showed that robo2 mutants display slower rate of vesicles accumulation. OXT-specific expression of dominant-negative Cdc42, which is a key regulator of actin dynamics and a downstream effector of Robo2, led to a dose-dependent increase in OXT content in WT, and a dampened effect in robo2 mutants. Our results link Robo2-Cdc42 signalling, which controls local actin dynamics, with the maintenance of synaptic neuropeptide levels.
White Adipose Tissue Expansion in Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis Is Associated with Upregulation of CK2, AKT and ERK1/2

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a rare disorder characterized by overgrowing lipomatous tissue (LT) in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). What LT is and how it expands are not completely understood; previous data suggested that it could derive from brown AT precursors. In six MSL type I patients, we compared LT morphology by histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, gene expression, by qPCR, kinase activity, by Western Blot and in vitro assay to paired-control SAT using AT from patients with pheochromocytoma as a human browning reference. In the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), we quantified adipose stem cells (ASCs) by flow cytometry, the proliferation rate, white and beige adipogenic potential and clonogenicity and adipogenicity by a limiting dilution assay. LT displayed white AT morphology and expression pattern and did not show increased levels of the brown-specific marker UCP1. In LT, we evidenced AKT, CK2 and ERK1/2 hyperactivation. LT-SVF contained increased ASCs, proliferated faster, sprouted clones and differentiated into adipocytes better than the control, displaying enhanced white adipogenic potential but not increased browning compared to SAT. In conclusion, LT is a white AT depot expanding by hyperplasia through increased stemness and enhanced white adipogenesis upregulating AKT, CK2 and ERK1/2, which could represent new targets to counteract MSL.
The Establishment of an Efficient Callus Induction System for Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is one of the most popular aquatic plants in Asia, and has emerged as a novel model for studying flower and rhizome development, and primary and secondary metabolite accumulation. Here, we developed a highly efficient callus induction system for the lotus by optimizing a series of key factors that affect callus formation. The highest efficient callus production was induced on immature cotyledon and embryo explants grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium containing an optimized combination of 3 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA). In addition, lotus callus induction was proven to be influenced by lotus genotypes, light conditions, the developmental stages of explants and the time of explant sampling. Collecting immature cotyledons from seeds of the genotype “Shilihe 1”, at 9 days post pollination, and to culture the explants in darkness, are proposed as the optimum conditions for lotus callus induction. Interestingly, highly efficient callus induction was also observed in explants of immature embryo derived aseptic seedlings; and a small amount of lotus benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) and obvious expression of BIA biosynthetic genes were detected in lotus callus.
Impact of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Different Dietary Interventions on Cognitive Performance in a Knock-in Mouse Model for Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered a possible contributor to the complex pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For years, researchers in this field have discussed the apparent detrimental effects of the endogenous amino acid homocysteine in the brain. In this study, the roles of hyperhomocysteinemia driven by vitamin B deficiency, as well as potentially beneficial dietary interventions, were investigated in the novel AppNL-G-F knock-in mouse model for AD, simulating an early stage of the disease. Methods: Urine and serum samples were analyzed using a validated LC-MS/MS method and the impact of different experimental diets on cognitive performance was studied in a comprehensive behavioral test battery. Finally, we analyzed brain samples immunohistochemically in order to assess amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition. Results: Behavioral testing data indicated subtle cognitive deficits in AppNL-G-F compared to C57BL/6J wild type mice. Elevation of homocysteine and homocysteic acid, as well as counteracting dietary interventions, mostly did not result in significant effects on learning and memory performance, nor in a modified Aβ plaque deposition in 35-week-old AppNL-G-F mice. Conclusion: Despite prominent Aβ plaque deposition, the AppNL-G-F model merely displays a very mild AD-like phenotype at the investigated age. Older AppNL-G-F mice should be tested in order to further investigate potential effects of hyperhomocysteinemia and dietary interventions.