Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Agrobacterium tumefaciens Reveals the Molecular Basis for the Recalcitrant Genetic Transformation of Camellia sinensis L.

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.), an important economic crop, is recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (AMT), which has seriously hindered the progress of molecular research on this species. The mechanisms leading to low efficiency of AMT in tea plants, related to the morphology, growth, and gene expression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens during tea-leaf explant infection, were compared to AMT of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves in the present work. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that tea leaves induced significant morphological aberrations on bacterial cells and affected pathogen–plant attachment, the initial step of a successful AMT. RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis on Agrobacterium at 0, 3 and 4 days after leaf post-inoculation resulted in 762, 1923 and 1656 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the tea group and the tobacco group, respectively. The expressions of genes involved in bacterial fundamental metabolic processes, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, two-component systems (TCSs), secretion systems, and quorum sensing (QS) systems were severely affected in response to the tea-leaf phylloplane. Collectively, these results suggest that compounds in tea leaves, especially gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) and catechins, interfered with plant–pathogen attachment, essential minerals (iron and potassium) acquisition, and quorum quenching (QQ) induction, which may have been major contributing factors to hinder AMT efficiency of the tea plant.
Multiphoton Microscopy Reveals DAPK1-Dependent Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in a Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Model

Simple Summary The formation of metastasis is not only intricately orchestrated by cancer cells but is also affected by the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). The barrier function of the ECM represents an obstacle that cancer cells have to overcome to disseminate from the primary tumor to form metastasis in distant organs. Here, we demonstrate an approach to studying the remodeling of a collagen-rich ECM by colorectal tumor cells using multiphoton microscopy (MPM). This approach allows the analysis of the invasion front of tumors grown on the CAM in 3D. MPM is superior to conventional histology, which is limited to 2D analysis and needs extensive tissue preparation. Abstract Cancer cells facilitate tumor growth by creating favorable tumor micro-environments (TME), altering homeostasis and immune response in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of surrounding tissue. A potential factor that contributes to TME generation and ECM remodeling is the cytoskeleton-associated human death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1). Increased tumor cell motility and de-adhesion (thus, promoting metastasis), as well as upregulated plasminogen-signaling, are shown when functionally analyzing the DAPK1 ko-related proteome. However, the systematic investigation of how tumor cells actively modulate the ECM at the tissue level is experimentally challenging since animal models do not allow direct experimental access while artificial in vitro scaffolds cannot simulate the entire complexity of tissue systems. Here, we used the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay as a natural, collagen-rich tissue model in combination with all-optical experimental access by multiphoton microscopy (MPM) to study the ECM remodeling potential of colorectal tumor cells with and without DAPK1 in situ and even in vivo. This approach demonstrates the suitability of the CAM assay in combination with multiphoton microscopy for studying collagen remodeling during tumor growth. Our results indicate the high ECM remodeling potential of DAPK1 ko tumor cells at the tissue level and support our findings from proteomics.
Hydroxyapatite-Integrated, Heparin- and Glycerol-Functionalized Chitosan-Based Injectable Hydrogels with Improved Mechanical and Proangiogenic Performance

The investigation of natural bioactive injectable composites to induce angiogenesis during bone regeneration has been a part of recent minimally invasive regenerative medicine strategies. Our previous study involved the development of in situ-forming injectable composite hydrogels (Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite/Heparin) for bone regeneration. These hydrogels offered facile rheology, injectability, and gelation at 37 °C, as well as promising pro-angiogenic abilities. In the current study, these hydrogels were modified using glycerol as an additive and a pre-sterile production strategy to enhance their mechanical strength. These modifications allowed a further pH increment during neutralisation with maintained solution homogeneity. The synergetic effect of the pH increment and further hydrogen bonding due to the added glycerol improved the strength of the hydrogels substantially. SEM analyses showed highly cross-linked hydrogels (from high-pH solutions) with a hierarchical interlocking pore morphology. Hydrogel solutions showed more elastic flow properties and incipient gelation times decreased to just 2 to 3 min at 37 °C. Toluidine blue assay and SEM analyses showed that heparin formed a coating at the top layer of the hydrogels which contributed anionic bioactive surface features. The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay confirmed significant enhancement of angiogenesis with chitosan-matrixed hydrogels comprising hydroxyapatite and small quantities of heparin (33 µg/mL) compared to basic chitosan hydrogels.
Research on the Impact of Honeycomb Sandwich Plates at NaturalFrequency Changed with Geometric Parameters

In this paper, in order to find the impact of sandwich plates at natural frequency changed with its geometric and physical parameters, we deduced free vibration equation derived sandwich panels. We took the hexagonal honeycomb sandwich plates as example, and derived natural frequencies for each for use in the modeling and modal analysis, and then discussed the effect of skin thickness, core spacing and core height on the natural frequency of honeycomb sandwich plates. The result shows that the honeycomb sandwich plates have great rigidity, and compared to other parameters, the change of core height has a greater impact on the natural frequencies of honeycomb sandwich plates. When the surface thickness of quadrilateral honeycomb sandwich plates becomes thicker, its natural frequency increases with increasing length of core grid. When sandwich mesh length reaches a certain level, the natural frequency increased firstly and then decreased. When the sandwich mesh length is longer enough, the frequency decreased with the increase in the length. When the core height increased, the natural frequency increased. When the quadrilateral mesh becomes longer, its natural frequency appears to decline after the initial increase. The influence of geometric parameters on hexagonal honeycomb sandwich plates is same as on quadrilateral honeycomb and other soft sandwich plates. Later experiments confirmed some of above conclusions.
Combined Exposure to Birch Pollen and Thunderstorms Affects Respiratory Health in Stockholm, Sweden—A Time Series Analysis

Background: Thunderstorm asthma is a term used to describe surges in acute respiratory illnesses following a thunderstorm and is often attributed to an intense exposure to aeroallergens. Several episodes of thunderstorm asthma have been observed worldwide; however, no such cases have been described in Sweden. In Sweden, the most prominent exposure to air-borne pollen occurs during the blooming of the birch. We aimed to explore the associations between respiratory health and the combined exposure to thunderstorms and birch pollen. Methods: We investigated the association between the daily numbers of outpatient visits due to respiratory cases and the combined exposure to thunderstorms and birch pollen during the period of 1 May–31 September in 2001–2017, in Stockholm County, Sweden, by using time series analysis with log linear models. Results: We detected noticeable increases in the number of outpatient visits on both the same day (max 26%; 95% CI 1.16–1.37) and the day after (max 50%; 95% CI 1.32–1.70) the occurrence of a thunderstorm, when the concentrations of birch pollen and the number of lightning discharges were within the highest categories. Conclusions: It is possible that co-exposure to heavy thunderstorms and high concentrations of birch pollen affects the respiratory health of the Stockholm population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the thunderstorm-related respiratory illnesses in Sweden and the effects of birch pollen. Our study may be important for future public health advice related to thunderstorm asthma.
Inhibition of Melanosis and Quality Changes on Indian White Prawn Treated with Lemon and Pomelo Peel Extracts Conjugated with Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles during Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT The study was aimed at the assessment of lemon peel extract (LPE) and pomelo peel extract (PPE) conjugated with copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNPs) influence on melanosis formation and improving the quality of chilled stored Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) after 15 days. Biochemical indices, microbial count, and sensory analysis was performed at 3 day intervals. The trimethylamine, total volatile base nitrogen, free fatty acid, and peroxide value of control was 18.01 ± 0.79 mgN/100 g, 45.08 ± 1.1 mgN/100 g, 0.14 ± 0.01% of oleic acid, and 16.42 ± 0.612 milliequivalents/kg, whereas LPE+PPE+CuSNPs was 10.94 ± 1.04 mgN/100 g, 17.51 ± 1.1 mgN/100 g, 0.091 ± 0.01% of oleic acid, and 7.57 ± 0.38 milliequivalents/kg, respectively, at the 15th day of storage. The biochemical indices, microbial count, and sensory score of the treated sample was significantly lower (P < .05) than the untreated sample at day 15. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of this biopreservation technique, which could provide a new alternative in preservation techniques, as well as impact shelf life and product safety.
Metacognition Application: The Use of Chess as a Strategy to Improve the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics

The aim of this study was to explore chess as an alternative strategy to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. Purposive sampling was used to identify 25 experimental group learners and 26 control group learners. Experimental learners were drawn from two schools that offered chess, while control group learners were drawn from five non-chess-training schools. As such, 51 learners provided the data. The researcher administered a group test in an attempt to triangulate the findings of the study. Using chess as an alternative strategy to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics, it emerged from the main findings that the control group learners made far more contextual errors, compared to the experimental group, on the various problems that were presented. It also emerged that non-experimental learners were poorer in applying required basic steps to arrive at answers to the activities given to them compared to the experimental learners. The study further found that while both groups committed blended contextual and procedural errors, control group learners were dominant as compared to the experimental learners. This implies that the experimental group applied more metacognition in various problems and therefore outperformed the control group in the group test. Based on the above findings, the study concludes that chess training improves both teachers’ and learners’ application of metacognition in supporting learners’ performance in mathematics. The study recommends that since the use of chess serves as an alternative strategy to positively improve the teaching and learning of mathematics, chess training can be introduced to schools to enhance the mathematics performance of learners.
Exenatide and Dapagliflozin Combination Enhances Sertoli Cell Secretion of Key Metabolites for Spermatogenesis

The incidence of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity has been increasing dramatically. Both diseases are closely linked and new approaches for type 2 DM treatment aim to enable weight loss. A combined therapy of dapagliflozin and exenatide has been used against type 2 DM, influencing allbody glucose dynamics. Spermatogenesis is highly dependent on the metabolic cooperation established between Sertoli cells (SCs) and developing germ cells. To study the effects of dapagliflozin and exenatide on SC metabolism, mouse SCs were treated in the presence of sub-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and supra-pharmacologic concentrations of dapagliflozin (50, 500, 5000 nM, respectively) and/or exenatide (2.5, 25, 250 pM, respectively). Cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated and the glycolytic profile, glycogen content assay, and lipid accumulation of SCs were determined. Dapagliflozin treatment decreased fat cellular deposits, demonstrating its anti-obesity properties at the cellular level. Polytherapy of exenatide plus dapagliflozin increased lactate production by SCs, which has been reported to improve sperm production and quality. Thus, the results herein suggest that the use of these two pharmacological agents can protect male fertility, while improving their glucose homeostasis and inducing weight loss.
The Present and Future of Allergen Immunotherapy in Personalized Medicine

Allergic diseases are particularly suitable for personalized medicine, because they meet the needs for therapeutic success, which include a known molecular mechanism of the disease, a diagnostic tool for that disease and a treatment that blocks this mechanism. A range of tools is available for personalized allergy diagnosis, including molecular diagnostics, treatable traits and omics (i.e., proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and breathomics), to predict patient response to therapies, detect biomarkers and mediators and assess disease control status. Such tools enhance allergen immunotherapy. Higher diagnostic accuracy results in a significant increase (based on a greater performance achieved with personalized treatment) in efficacy, further increasing the known and unique characteristics of a treatment designed to work on allergy causes.
End-User Development with Design Environments : Gradual Mastery of Programming

The end-user development (EUD) community has identified the need for new technologies that support the end user in the development and modification processes of applications. This thesis suggests the use of design environments as an answer to this request. A design environment provides the end users with task-specific programming constructs, while performing design activities. Explanations relevant to the task at hand are provided to the end user as the application is being constructed. The thesis extends the notion of a design environment further by integrating it into a Flash environment. A prototype demonstrates how an end user may tailor a Flash application at runtime. The tailoring is offered at three levels with increasing complexity (from direct manipulation to programming), which supports a gradual mastery of programming. The empirical evaluation of the prototype showed that the tailoring of the application could be performed by 1) direct manipulation, 2) integration of new sound, and 3) programming by extension and modification of the functionality. The end users received relevant support to the task at hand, but a tighter integration of tailoring environment and help system is needed. Furthermore, the Flash environment places some restrictions on the technical implementation of this integration, which identifies an area for further work.
Modeling and Suppression of Torque Ripple in PMSM Based on the General Airgap Field Modulation Theory

The permanent magnet synchronous motor is the most commonly used motor in servo systems. Torque ripple caused by the variation of the airgap magnetic field limits the steady-state performance of the servo system. In this article, a novel torque ripple model is established based on the general airgap field modulation theory. A compound control algorithm based on the current feedforward algorithm is proposed to suppress the torque ripple caused by the field modulation behavior. Finite element analysis simulation is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed torque ripple model. Experimental results on a prototype machine show that the proposed torque ripple model is valid and the proposed control algorithm can effectively reduce the torque ripple and improve the steady-state performance of the servo system at medium or high speed.
Medicinal plants for the treatment of obesity and overweight: A review

Obesity and overweight have increased and became a major public health problem in the world during the last decades. Obesity and overweight increased the risk of diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, bile diseases and certain cancers. In the current review, PubMed, Web Science, Science Direct, Researchgate, Academia.edu and Scopus were searched to highlight the anti-obesity activities of medicinal plants.
Residuos sólidos de la cuenca del río Lurín, Lima, Perú

Los residuos sólidos representan una de las principales fuentes de contaminación en el río Lurín, considerada una de las cuencas más pobladas y con mayor índice de pobreza en Lima, por tanto, es importante estudiar estos componentes para fortalecer los planes ambientales en el distrito. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar los residuos sólidos del río Lurín (Lima, Perú), adaptando la clasificación ASTM-DS231. Se registraron 4391 unidades, donde predominaron los plásticos, y el mayor peso fue atribuido a la categoría Otros no combustibles. Los dos primeros bloques de muestreo fueron los más similares, por lo que podría aplicarse la misma estrategia para manejar la basura en estas zonas. El tercer y cuarto bloque fueron los más representativos en función al peso, presentando mayor cantidad de viviendas y desagües domésticos, lo que demuestra que el aumento de la urbanización tiene un impacto directo en la generación de residuos. La mayor cantidad de residuos sólidos en la cuenca baja del río Lurín está representada por los plásticos, principalmente de un solo uso, los que vienen afectando estas zonas por su fácil dispersión en los cuerpos de agua, su alta demanda, y falta de educación ambiental.
A Visio-Based Simulation Training System for Substation Secondary Circuits

A simulation training system for substation secondary circuits based on Microsoft Visio platform was presented.Utilizing Visio interface and combining with self-developed real-time database,the element characteristics of secondary circuits were rationally abstracted,and automatic batching modeling of elements in substation secondary circuits was performed by the automatic graphics recognition,the techniques of componentization and integration of graph-database-model as well as automatic identification of topological structure,thus the operation logic of substation secondary circuit elements under normal and typical abnormal conditions as well as the electric relations among the elements could be simulated.In addition,this system could provide the interfaces with three-dimensional simulation system for primary and secondary equipments of substation and power grid simulation system,therefore the proposed system could jointly operated with substation simulation system,thus the simulation from primary and secondary equipments in substation to elements in secondary circuits could be integrally realized.
A Novel Method for Magnetic Energy Harvesting Based on Capacitive Energy Storage and Core Saturation Modulation

In this article, the magnetic energy harvester (MEH) based on the current transformer is an innovative method to provide a potential solution for the power supply of sensor networks. Due to the current fluctuation and nonlinearity of the core, the harvester may produce insufficient power at low primary currents, while the core saturates at high primary currents. Aiming at resolving this problem, a novel method is proposed to improve the performance of MEH. In this method, a capacitor and two switches are used to store energy and modulate the core saturation. The performed analyses demonstrate that the proposed method enhances the harvested power under different primary current and load conditions. This is especially more pronounced at low primary currents and loads. It is found that for a low primary current of 2 Arms at 50 Hz, the harvested power increases by 206%. Moreover, applying this method can also reduce the load voltage by controlling the alternating on–off of the switches, thereby protecting the harvester in case of high primary currents. The theoretical calculation, circuit simulation, and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
Genetic Variations of CARMN Modulate Glioma Susceptibility and Prognosis in a Chinese Han Population

Background This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CARMN polymorphisms and glioma risk and prognosis in a Chinese Han population. Methods Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CARMN were genotyped among 592 glioma patients and 502 healthy controls. Log-additive models were used for risk assessment by the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to calculate Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for prognosis assessment. Results CARMN rs13177623 was a protective factor for glioma susceptibility (OR = 0.78, p = 0.043). In addition, rs13177623, rs11168100, rs12654195 and rs17796757 were associated with the risk of glioma among the subgroup stratified by age or gender. We also found that G rs13177623G rs12654195 haplotype was related to the decreased risk of glioma (OR = 0.61, p = 0.005). Importantly, rs13177623 [overall survival (OS): HR = 0.83, p = 0.047, and progression free survival (PFS): HR = 0.82, p = 0.031], rs12654195 (OS: HR = 0.64, p = 0.005 and PFS: HR = 0.65, p = 0.007) and rs11168100 (OS: HR = 0.71, p = 0.035) were associated with a better prognosis for glioma, especially in grade I-II glioma. In patients with grade III-IV glioma, rs17796757 polymorphism presented an improved OS. Conclusion Our results firstly reported the contribution of CARMN variants (rs11168100, rs12654195, rs13177623, and rs17796757) to the susceptibility and prognosis of glioma in a Chinese Han population, which provided a novel insight on the relationship between CARMN gene and glioma tumorigenesis.