Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mixed-Linkage Glucan Is the Main Carbohydrate Source and Starch Is an Alternative Source during Brachypodium Grain Germination

Seeds of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon are unusual because they contain very little starch and high levels of mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) accumulated in thick cell walls. It was suggested that MLG might supplement starch as a storage carbohydrate and may be mobilised during germination. In this work, we observed massive degradation of MLG during germination in both endosperm and nucellar epidermis. The enzymes responsible for the MLG degradation were identified in germinated grains and characterized using heterologous expression. By using mutants targeting MLG biosynthesis genes, we showed that the expression level of genes coding for MLG and starch-degrading enzymes was modified in the germinated grains of knocked-out cslf6 mutants depleted in MLG but with higher starch content. Our results suggest a substrate-dependent regulation of the storage sugars during germination. These overall results demonstrated the function of MLG as the main carbohydrate source during germination of Brachypodium grain. More astonishingly, cslf6 Brachypodium mutants are able to adapt their metabolism to the lack of MLG by modifying the energy source for germination and the expression of genes dedicated for its use.
Supporting the digital transformation of SMEs — trained digital evangelists facilitating the positioning phase

As digital transformation (DT) sweeps over society, the exploitation of digital solutions is obvious, especially for large enterprises. Unfortunately, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with DT because of limited resources, understanding, and implementation skills. Thus, SME companies need both methods and tools to proceed with DT as well as support to exploit them. This article presents a study in which adult learners with professional experience are trained to use a digitalization development method and tools to analyze target organizations’ digitalization state and identify improvement ideas. Thirty trained digital evangelists used the tools and methods while conducting digitalization status analyses in eleven organizations. The study results show that the method and tools work in the context presented in this research. The study’s findings are beneficial for the educational professionals interested in educating students towards helping SME organizations along their digitalization pathway.
Ethnobotanical Importance of Wild Plants in Wadi Kaam, Northwestern Libya

T HIS PAPER compares four indices; each index is designed to assess the cultural significance of plant species through the study of the goods provided by wild plants in the study area and the assessment of the Cultural Importance (CI) index, which reflects the cultural importance of wild plant usage. The results show that 94 species have a useful use (63.8% for medicinal use, 60.6% for beekeeping, 43.6% for fodder plants, 27.7% for human food, 8.5% as fuel and 2.1% in hand-made industries). The total CI of each category indicated that plants used in beekeeping are the most common among inhabitants (9.54), followed by medicinal use (9.46), and grazing (7.77), while hand-made was the least (0.27). Ziziphus lotus (total CI=1.22) had first rank in cultural using the four quantitative indices; CI, the relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI) and cultural value (CV); with five number of uses (NU), 82 number of use reports (UR) and 41 frequency of citation (FC). There is a positive and significant relationship between the NU and FC (r = 0.876). At the same time, CI is significantly highly correlated with FC (r= 0.975), and CV was the most correlated with FC (r= 0.98). Despite the controversy surrounding the use of cultural significance indices, authors believe that indices based on interviews are the only way to fill passive knowledge about valuable plants. It is crucial to study the inhabitant’s cultural uses of wild plants, to reflect their economic importance and the importance to be conservation.
Thymol-Nanoparticles as Effective Biocides against the Quarantine Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa

Quarantine pathogens require the investigation of new tools for effective plant protection. In particular, research on sustainable agrochemicals is the actual challenge. Plant extracts, essential oils, and gels are natural sources of efficient biocides, such as aromatic secondary metabolites. Thymol is the major phenolic constituent of thyme and oregano essential oils, and it can inhibit many pathogenic microbes. Thymol nanoparticles were obtained through adsorption on CaCO3 nanocrystals, exploiting their carrier action. High loading efficiency and capability were reached as verified through UV and TGA measurements. We report the first study of thymol effect on Xylella fastidiosa, conducing both fluorometric assay and in vitro inhibition assay. The first test confirmed the great antibacterial effect of this compound. Finally, an in vitro test revealed an interesting synergistic action of thymol and nanocarriers, suggesting the potential application of thymol-nanoparticles as effective biocides to control Xylella fastidiosa infection.
A Fast Prediction Model for Liquid Metal Transfer Modes during the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Process

The liquid metal transfer mode in wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), plays an important role in determining the build quality. In this study, a fast prediction model based on the Young–Laplace equation, momentum equation, and energy conservation, is proposed, to identify the metal transfer modes, including droplet, liquid bridge, and wire stubbing, for a given combination of process parameters. To close the proposed model, high-fidelity numerical simulations are applied, to obtain the necessary inputs required by the former. The proposed model’s accuracy and effectiveness are validated by using experimental data and high-fidelity simulation results. It is proved that the model can effectively predict the transition from liquid bridge, to droplet and wire stubbing modes. In addition, its errors in dripping frequency and liquid bridge height range from 6% to 18%. Moreover, the process parameter windows about transitions of liquid transfer modes have been established based on the model, considering wire feed speed, travel speed, heat source power, and material parameters. The proposed model is expected to serve as a powerful tool for the guidance of process parameter optimization, to achieve high-quality builds.
Fast SAR image segmentation method based on grey Tsallis entropy

Aiming at the speckle noise in SAR image and slow segmentation speed,the paper suggested a fast SAR image segmentation method based on grey theory and Tsallis entropy.In the method,after deduced an approximation image and a gradient image respectively from the origin image via wavelet transform,constructed their approximation-gradient cooccurrence matrix.On the basis of the matrix,designed a 2D grey Tsallis entropy model to locate the best threshold value via grey theory and Tsallis entropy.Additionally,introduced particle swarm optimization(PSO) to speed up the segmentation procedure.Some experimental results indicate that the new algorithm not only shortens the segmenting time obviously,but also ignores the disturbance of inherent speckle in SAR image and illustrates some flexibility in segmenting different objects.
Evaluating Training and Apprenticeship as Non-Formal Education at International Manpower Development Japan

This study aims to analyze the evaluation results of the implementation of training and apprenticeships at IM Japan. This study used a qualitative approach using the CIPP (context, input, process, and product) model. The number of participants was 150 from Bekasi, West Java, Lampung, and Central Java. Data collection techniques used observation, interviews, and documents. Data analysis in this study went through data reduction, data presentation, discussion, and conclusion. The findings showed that the context and input aspects were considered quite good, with a percentage value of 22% each; the process aspect was considered very good, with a percentage rate of 49%, and the product aspect must be improved in alumni associations so that they could develop networks for alumni or participants training and apprenticeship related to workforce needs. The results of this study have implications that the process of non-formal education is an essential support for students, especially students in vocational schools so that their skills are qualified and meet the quality targets of the business world.
On the bimetallic 1D photonic crystals under angular incidence excitation

Abstract Ternary layer-based one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) kind of optical filter is discussed that operates in the visible and near-infrared regimes of the electromagnetic spectrum. The 1D PC filter is comprised of bimetallic structure having three periodic nanolayers of gold, flint glass (SiO2), and silver. Dispersion and reflection characteristics of the proposed filter are analyzed by implementing the concept of transfer matrix and taking into account the incidence excitations under different angles. It is found that the structure exhibits behavior similarly to notch, comb, and Fabry–Pérot types of filter. It is expected that such filters would be useful in integrated optic as well as in sensing applications.
Effects of Raising Chickens under Pinus
massoniana Forest on Soil Physicochemical
Properties and Microbial Community

Soil physical and chemical properties are important indicators to measure soil quality, and soil microorganisms can sensitively reflect changes in the soil environment. The impact of raising chickens under the forest on the soil environment under the forest can be fed back through the changes in both. However, previous studies on the effects of chicken breeding in Masson pine forests on soil physical and chemical properties and the diversity of soil microbial communities are rare. Thus, the design of this study was centered on the chicken coop, within 50 m, and every 10 m is a sample point. A five-point sampling method was used to study the impact of chicken flock activities on soil physical and chemical properties and microbial communities at different distances. The results showed that soil pH and nutrient content presented a decreasing trend with increasing distance, with significant differences among groups. Soil bulk density, water content and organic carbon content had opposite trends. The diversity of the soil microbial community showed a decreasing trend with increasing distance, in which bacterial diversity was higher than fungal diversity; Proteobacteria , Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria; and Arthropoda and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla. This study shows that raising chickens under the forest has improved the forest environment, and a certain frequency of chicken activity or breeding density may be the key factor affecting the forest environment. When applying and promoting raising chickens under the forest, we should pay attention to the appropriate breeding density.
The frequency of co-positivity of anti-smooth muscle antibody and anti-nuclear antibodies and their contribution to the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis

Aim: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic disease observed especially in women. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group recommends scoring systems for diagnosis using clinical and laboratory data. All scoring systems gave points to autoantibodies as anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA) positivity. This study investigates the impact of the co-positivity of the ANA and SMA antibodies on the autoimmune hepatitis diagnosis. Material and Method: We monitored 78 autoimmune liver disease (autoimmune hepatitis, AIH) suspected patients with positive SMA antibody and then further tested for ANA between 2014 and2021. SMA test was screened at 1/40 and 1/100 titers and patients who were positive were taken to further dilution. The ANA test was screened at a titer of 1/40 and 1/160, a positive result was found to be repeated with advanced dilutions. All patients’ autoantibody scores of simplified AIH diagnostic system were calculated. Results: Seventy eight patients with positive SMA antibodies screened for ANA test with 1/40 and 1/160 titer, only 2 patients was found to be negative. The most frequently observed ANA pattern is cytoplasmic linear fibrils (68% ). The 95% ANA positive results was examined at a screening titer of 1/160. The 95% SMA positive results was found at a screening titer of 1/100. The autoantibody scores of 76 patients were +2, patient’s scores were +1. Conclusion: SMA antibody positivity is accompanied by a high rate of ANA antibody positivity but the co-positivity didn’t effect diagnostic score systems. On the other the co-positivity could be a sign of another associated autoimmune diseases.
Molecular Docking Revealed the Potential Anti-Oxidative Stress Mechanism of the Walnut Polypeptide on HT22 Cells

The preparation of novel antioxidant peptides from food raw materials is one of the research focuses, but there are fewer studies on the preparation of antioxidant peptides from walnut meal, a by-product of processing walnuts. This study analyzed the antioxidant properties and protective effects of walnut protein hydrolyzed by alkaline protease and trypsin on the oxidative stress of HT22 cells. The peptides were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and the anti-oxidative peptides were screened based on virtual computer tools. The potential anti-oxidative stress mechanism of the walnut polypeptide on HT22 cells was explored by molecular docking. The results revealed that walnut protein hydrolysates (WPH) with molecular weights of less than 1 kDa had good antioxidant properties and inhibited oxidative damage of HT22 cells by regulating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Six of the ninety identified new peptides showed good solubility, non-toxicity, and bioactivity. The molecular docking results showed that the six peptides could dock with Keap1 successfully, and EYWNR and FQLPR (single-letter forms of peptide writing) could interact with the binding site of Nrf2 in the Keap1-Kelch structural domain through hydrogen bonds with strong binding forces. The results of this study provided important information on the antioxidant molecular mechanism of the walnut polypeptide and provided a basis for further development of walnut antioxidant polypeptide products.
Efficiency and Mechanism Evaluation of Magnolia officinalis Water Extract in Preventing Gastric Ulcer

In this study we aimed at demonstrating the ability of Magnolia officinalis water extract to ameliorate gastric ulcers in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The gastric mucosa epithelial cell line, RGM 1, was pretreated with Magnolia officinalis water extract (0, 0.1, 1, 2, 5, or 10 mg/ml) and cultured in DMEM/F12 medium (pH 7.4) for 2 h and then in DMEM/F12 medium (pH 4.0) for 10 min. Magnolia officinalis water extract protected the cell viability and decreased reactive oxygen species formation by the acidic medium. In the in vivo experiment, Magnolia officinalis water extract (100 mg/kg) was administrated daily for 28 days in ICR mice via oral gavage, and then Shay's ulcer surgical method was performed to induce gastric ulcers. We analyzed the pH value of stomach acid and the pathological section, inflammation, and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) cDNA levels of the stomach. Magnolia officinalis water extract not only enhanced the pH value of stomach acid but also ameliorated the ulcer index and inflammation and increased CB2 expression effectively. These results suggest that Magnolia officinalis water extract might be used to decrease the incidence of gastric ulcer.
Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Induces Depression-Like Behavior and Learning-Memory Impairment: A Possible Link with Decreased Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Astrocyte Activation

Pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) remains unclear since it represents an interplay between immunological, endocrine, and neuropsychiatric factors. Patients suffering from CP/CPPS often develop mental health-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate depression-like behavior, learning, and memory processes in a rat model of CP/CPPS and to determine the alterations in hippocampal structure and function. Adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 6 in each group) from CP/CPPS (single intraprostatic injection of 3% λ-carrageenan, day 0) and Sham (0.9% NaCl) groups were subjected to pain threshold test (days 2, 3, and 7), depression-like behavior, and learning-memory tests (both on day 7). Decreased pain threshold in the scrotal region and histopathological presence of necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in prostatic tissue confirmed the development of CP/CPPS. The forced swimming test revealed the depression-like behavior evident through increased floating time, while the modified elevated plus maze test revealed learning and memory impairment through prolonged transfer latency in the CP/CPPS group in comparison with Sham (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Biochemical analysis showed decreased serum levels of testosterone in CP/CPPS group vs. the Sham (p < 0.001). The CP/CPPS induced a significant upregulation of ICAM-1 in rat cortex (p < 0.05) and thalamus (p < 0.01) and increased GFAP expression in the hippocampal astrocytes (p < 0.01) vs. Sham, suggesting subsequent neuroinflammation and astrocytosis. Moreover, a significantly decreased number of DCX+ and Ki67+ neurons in the hippocampus was observed in the CP/CPPS group (p < 0.05) vs. Sham, indicating decreased neurogenesis and neuronal proliferation. Taken together, our data indicates that CP/CPPS induces depression-like behavior and cognitive declines that are at least partly mediated by neuroinflammation and decreased neurogenesis accompanied by astrocyte activation.
The association between pulmonary artery enlargement and mortality in an Emergency Department population undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Abstract Findings of an enlarged pulmonary artery diameter (PAd) and increased pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio (PA:AA) on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) are associated with increased mortality in particular groups of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. However, the frequency and prognostic significance of these incidental findings has not been studied in unselected patients evaluated in the Emergency Department (ED). This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated prognosis of enlarged pulmonary artery measurements in an ED cohort. We measured PA and AA diameters on 990 CTPA studies performed in the ED. An enlarged PA diameter was defined as >27 mm in females and >29 mm in males, while an increased PA:AA was defined as >0.9. Poisson regression was performed to calculate prevalence ratios for relevant comorbidities, and multivariable Cox regression was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for mortality of patients with enlarged pulmonary artery measurements. An enlarged PAd was observed in 27.9% of 990 patients and was more commonly observed in older patients and in patients with obesity or heart failure. Conversely, PA:AA was increased in 34.2% of subjects, and was more common in younger patients and those with peripheral vascular disease or obesity. After controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities, both enlarged PAd (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00–1.68, p = 0.05) and PA:AA (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.31–2.22 p < 0.01) were independently associated with mortality. In sum, enlarged PAd and increased PA:AA are common in patients undergoing CTPAs in the ED setting and both are independently associated with mortality.
A LIFE FULL OF BILLABLE HOURS: HOW TO BECOME S.M.A.R.T. AND MORE RESILIENT BY AUDITING YOUR TIME LIKE AN ADVERTISING AGENCY

ABSTRACT This paper presents a series of activities that operationalizes the key marketing concepts of mission statements and objectives at the individual, rather than organizational level. The result is a high-impact, low resource-intensive innovation that deepens learning outcomes related to these foundational practices while equipping students with personal time-management and mindfulness skills that allow them to feel more empowered over their stress and anxiety.
Structural Evolution of Global Soybean Trade Network and the Implications to China

China experiences a serious shortage of soybean supplies and relies heavily on international trade with high vulnerability and large uncertainty, which maybe sows food security risks. It is of great significance to analyze the structural evolution of the global soybean trade network and its implications to China for ensuring food security. This paper constructed a global soybean trade network (GSTN) and analyzed the structural evolutionary characteristics of GSTN from 2000 to 2020 using the complex network analysis method and simulated the impact of targeted destruction on China through scenario analysis. The results showed that GSTN was gradually complex exhibiting a small word and a scale-free network property. The global soybean exporter was dominated by some major soybean-producing countries in America. The US played an important role in maintaining GSTN’s robustness. China was the world’s largest soybean importer; unfortunately, its soybean imports relied heavily on a few countries, and the anti-interference ability of China’s soybean trade tended to decline. Therefore, China’s soybean trade was increasingly vulnerable to being tightly controlled by other countries when some uncertain factors occurred, such as trade frictions and changes in policy decisions from importing and exporting countries. The US and Brazil were key countries with significant soybean trade ties to China. To assess the impact of the two countries on China’s soybean trade, targeted destruction method was used through destroying them in the network. Targeted destruction scenario analysis indicated the two countries played important roles in the anti-interference ability of China’s soybean trade. Brazil played a positive role in China’s control of soybean trade flows, while the US did not. Some policies for China’s soybean production and international trade were proposed. A balance between the domestic production and import of soybean is needed. Optimizing the soybean trade import system and seeking more trade partners is crucial. Improving soybean self-sufficiency is the fundamental way to reduce the high-import dependence. The study provided some insights for coping with international market fluctuations and improving the sustainability of China’s soybean trade.