Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Germination fitness of two temperate epiphytic ferns shifts under increasing temperatures and forest fragmentation

Ferns are an important component of ecosystems around the world. Studies of the impacts that global changes may have on ferns are scarce, yet emerging studies indicate that some species may be particularly sensitive to climate change. The lack of research in this subject is much more aggravated in the case of epiphytes, and especially those that live under temperate climates. A mathematical model was developed for two temperate epiphytic ferns in order to predict potential impacts on spore germination kinetics, in response to different scenarios of global change, coming from increasing temperature and forest fragmentation. Our results show that an increasing temperature will have a negative impact over the populations of these temperate epiphytic ferns. Under unfragmented forests the germination percentage was comparatively less influenced than in fragmented patches. This study highlight that, in the long term, populations of the studied epiphytic temperate ferns may decline due to climate change. Overall, epiphytic fern communities will suffer changes in diversity, richness and dominance. Our study draws attention to the role of ferns in epiphytic communities of temperate forests, emphasizing the importance of considering these plants in any conservation strategy, specifically forest conservation. From a methodological point of view, the model we propose could be easily used to dynamically monitor the status of ecosystems, allowing the quick prediction of possible future scenarios, which is a crucial issue in biodiversity conservation decision-making.
The Use of TB-Specific Antigen/Phytohemagglutinin Ratio for Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) has become more common in recent years; however, the diagnosis of EPTB remains a challenge. In this study, we analyzed the performance of the ratio of TB-specific antigen (TBAg) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (TBAg/PHA ratio) in T-SPOT.TB (T-SPOT) assay for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of EPTB. Between 2012 and 2017, 734 EPTB patients were diagnosed and recruited from Tongji hospital, and 1,137 suspected EPTB patients who had other diagnoses were recruited as non-EPTB controls. To validate the study, another small group of EPTB patients and non-EPTB controls were recruited from Sino-French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital. The positive rate of peripheral blood T-SPOT in EPTB and non-EPTB were 88.15 and 32.28%. In T-SPOT positive patients, the direct T-SPOT results had limited value in distinguishing these two conditions. A further calculation of the TBAg/PHA ratio of T-SPOT showed improved performance in each form of EPTB. If using 0.20 as the threshold value of the TBAg/PHA ratio, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 70.79 and 91.55% in distinguishing EPTB from non-EPTB. The validation results showed a better performance of the TBAg/PHA ratio in distinguishing these two conditions, with a sensitivity and specificity of 81.82 and 97.56%, respectively. Comparing with directly using T-SPOT results, the TBAg/PHA ratio was less affected by immunosuppression. Furthermore, PHA value reflected immunosuppression and could help to judge the credibility of T-SPOT results in EPTB patients with different immune status. The TBAg/PHA ratio was significantly decreased during anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment, which suggests that it can also be used to monitor therapeutic efficacy. These data provide new insights into the role of T-SPOT assay in TB disease, and the TBAg/PHA ratio might be a useful tool for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of EPTB.
A Comprehensive Genome Survey Provides Novel Insights into Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) in Lactobacillaceae

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) is a well-known enzyme that has been commonly characterized in probiotic bacteria, as it has cholesterol-lowering effects. However, its molecular investigations are scarce. Here, we build a local database of BSH sequences from Lactobacillaceae (BSH–SDL), and phylogenetic analysis and homology searches were employed to elucidate their comparability and distinctiveness among species. Evolutionary study demonstrates that BSH sequences in BSH–SDL are divided into five groups, named BSH A, B, C, D and E here, which can be the genetic basis for BSH classification and nomenclature. Sequence analysis suggests the differences between BSH-active and BSH-inactive proteins clearly, especially on site 82. In addition, a total of 551 BSHs from 107 species are identified from 451 genomes of 158 Lactobacillaceae species. Interestingly, those bacteria carrying various copies of BSH A or B can be predicted to be potential cholesterol-lowering probiotics, based on the results of phylogenetic analysis and the subtypes that those previously reported BSH-active probiotics possess. In summary, this study elaborates the molecular basis of BSH in Lactobacillaceae systematically, and provides a novel methodology as well as a consistent standard for the identification of the BSH subtype. We believe that high-throughput screening can be efficiently applied to the selection of promising candidate BSH-active probiotics, which will advance the development of healthcare products in cholesterol metabolism.
Effect of Processing on Postprandial Glycemic Response and Consumer Acceptability of Lentil-Containing Food Items

The consumption of pulses is associated with many health benefits. This study assessed post-prandial blood glucose response (PPBG) and the acceptability of food items containing green lentils. In human trials we: (i) defined processing methods (boiling, pureeing, freezing, roasting, spray-drying) that preserve the PPBG-lowering feature of lentils; (ii) used an appropriate processing method to prepare lentil food items, and compared the PPBG and relative glycemic responses (RGR) of lentil and control foods; and (iii) conducted consumer acceptability of the lentil foods. Eight food items were formulated from either whole lentil puree (test) or instant potato (control). In separate PPBG studies, participants consumed fixed amounts of available carbohydrates from test foods, control foods, or a white bread standard. Finger prick blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after the first bite, analyzed for glucose, and used to calculate incremental area under the blood glucose response curve and RGR; glycemic index (GI) was measured only for processed lentils. Mean GI (± standard error of the mean) of processed lentils ranged from 25 ± 3 (boiled) to 66 ± 6 (spray-dried); the GI of spray-dried lentils was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than boiled, pureed, or roasted lentil. Overall, lentil-based food items all elicited significantly lower RGR compared to potato-based items (40 ± 3 vs. 73 ± 3%; p < 0.001). Apricot chicken, chicken pot pie, and lemony parsley soup had the highest overall acceptability corresponding to “like slightly” to “like moderately”. Processing influenced the PPBG of lentils, but food items formulated from lentil puree significantly attenuated PPBG. Formulation was associated with significant differences in sensory attributes.
Factors Associated with Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults from Six Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Rising life expectancy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), coupled with the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, accentuates the importance of generating information to support public health strategies. With this aim in mind, the purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in LMIC. We analyzed Wave 1 data (collected 2007–2010) from the World Health Organization’s longitudinal Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), which focuses on nationally representative samples of adults aged 50 years and older from six countries (China, n = 13,157; India, n = 6560; Mexico, n = 2301; Russian Federation, n = 3763; South Africa, n = 3836; and Ghana, n = 4305). Associations of physical activity (operationalized as meeting physical activity guidelines of ≥150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or not) and sedentary behavior (≥4 h/day versus <4 h/day) with demographic, health and health risk, functional, interpersonal, and environmental factors were assessed using multivariate logistic models. Across the six countries, we found fairly consistent and reasonably strong associations between both physical activity and sedentary behavior and several demographic factors (age and employment, in particular), self-reported health, instrumental activities of daily living, factors relating to socializing, and household location. Correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in LMIC appear to be similar to those found in high-income countries.
Making Robot's Attitudes Predictable: A Stereotype Content Model for Human-Robot Interaction in Groups

Stereotypes play a key role both in human and in robot perception. As such, these may play an important role in predicting behavior towards the targets of said stereotypes. In this paper, we argue for the usefulness of exploring how stable dimensions of stereotype content, more specically warmth and competence, apply to HRI. We propose to do so by examining the impact of these characteristics, displayed by robots, on the emotions, behaviors and future intention of participants to interact and work with robots. We chose these two stereotypical dimensions given that research has demonstrated their underlying and ubiquitous inuence on people perception and responses. Moreover, we decided to explore this issue in the context of small group interactions due to the ever-common nature of this type of social arrangements in people’s everyday life.
Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose.

INTRODUCTION the excessive consumption of fructose can cause liver damage, characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defenses. Açai, the fruit of Euterpe oleraceaMart. , has demonstrated numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid metabolism modulating action. OBJECTIVE we evaluated the benefits of açai supplementation on liver damage caused by replacing starch with fructose in rats. METHODS thirty male Fischerrats were divided into two groups, the control group (C, 10 animals), which consumed a standard diet (AIN-93M), and the fructose (F, 20 animals) group, which consumed a diet containing 60% of fructose. After eight weeks, 10 animals from the fructose group received 2% of lyophilized açai, and were called the açai fructose group (FA). The animals were fed ad libitumwith these diets for another ten weeks. Serum, hepatic and fecal lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and carbonylated protein were assessed and histopathological characterization of the liver was performed. RESULTS açai promoted the reduction of ALT activity in relation to the fructose group (F), reduced alkaline phosphatase to a level similar to that of the control group (C) in relation to the fructose group (F), and reduced catalase activity. The fruit also increased the ratio of total/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis and the number of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION the replacement of starch by fructose during this period was effective in promoting NAFLD. Açai showed attenuating effects on some markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation.
Automatic frequency control apparatus and method for Ofdm

Frequency control device in OFDM the received signal from a transformation A / D, and a guard interval, taking the correlation between the copy source since the data portion of the guard interval, which average a plurality of frames summed divide one frame detects a peak of the correlation value. Then, by the phase detection of the position of the peak, to generate a control signal of the oscillator. Control signal is set to each of the control amount is controlled step alpha, applying a control signal to the oscillator. Furthermore, performing the adaptive control of α from the detected information.
Momentum and Reversion to Fundamentals: Are They Captured by Subjective Expectations of House Prices?

Numerous studies have found that actual house price movements exhibit momentum (short-horizon serial correlation) and reversion to fundamentals (long-horizon mean reversion). Using data from the Michigan Survey of Consumers and the Case-Shiller Survey, this paper finds that households’ subjective house price expectations capture momentum but not reversion to fundamentals. Instead, their expectations diverge from the long-run equilibrium, i.e., if the current house price is above (below) its fundamental value, households will have an even higher (lower) expectation of the future appreciation rate. The expectations of households with lower education or income diverge from the long-run equilibrium to a higher degree. The irrational expectation pattern found in this paper may affect people’s house purchasing and selling decisions and thus play an important role in driving actual house price dynamics.
The Association of Product Metaphors with Emotionally Durable Design

This study investigated how the association of product metaphors with emotionally durable design could promote awareness on sustainable development issues. Many current design solutions to environmental problems are apt to emphasize responses affected by the consequences. However, what is necessary is to solve the problems from the roots. By understanding people&amp;#x2019;s varying emotions associated with different products, emotionally durable design could prolong the use life of the products. A questionnaire was used to interview participants about their attachment to products and corresponding emotional responses. The results revealed key metaphors for product attachment: self-image, belonging, memory, intimacy, aspiration and pleasure. Products that support emotional experiences by enabling metaphorical linkages are likely to be cherished by users and hence last a longer time.
Factors for the e-business adoption by small tourism firms and the role of shadow economic practices

The goal of this study is to reveal the main factors influencing the e-business adoption by the small tourism firms in Bulgaria with a special attention on the role played by the shadow economic practices in this process. These practices relate to undeclared work, undeclared deals, and sales underreporting by legally registered firms. The research is based on data gathered from 282 small tourism firms’ managers through a structured questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis provided five factors as antecedents to the e-business adoption. These factors reflect the perceptions of environmental pressure, organisational readiness, shadow economic practices in the sector, and managers’ attitudes (positive and negative) towards the e-business. The effects of the factors on the e-business adoption are assessed by a multiple regression model, which include also manager experience and firm size as control variables. The findings suggest that environmental pressure, organisational readiness, and positive expectations are more likely to enhance the e-business adoption. The manager experience and the firm size influence positively this adoption too. On the contrary, negative expectations and particularly the perceptions of the spread up of shadow economic practices in the sector were more likely to work against the e-business adoption by small tourism firms.
Incompressible, Quasi-Isometric Deformations of 2-Dimensional Domains

This paper proposes a sensible definition of an optimal deformation between flat domains, as well as 2-dimensional surfaces. We assume that the surface is deformed by an area preserving deformation, and we look for an area preserving map which is as close to an isometry as possible. We also suggest a gradient descent flow for obtaining the optimal map.
The roles of RUNX3 in cervical cancer cells in vitro.

RUNX3 serves an important role in development of various types of human cancer. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential biological function of RUNX3 in cervical cancer cells. In the present study, a RUNX3 overexpressed model was constructed in Hec1 cells by PCDNA3.1-RUNX3 transfection. Western blot analysis was used to measure RUNX3 expression in cervical cancer cells. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to examine subcellular localization of RUNX3 in cervical cancer cells. Effects of RUNX3 expression on proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells were detected by colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Immunofluorescence confirmed the nuclear location of RUNX3 in cervical cancer cell. Result sindicated that upregulation of RUNX3 expression inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. However, knockdown of RUNX3 expression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Hence, RUNX3 may serve as a tumor suppressor gene in cervical cancer.
The (Ab)Use of External Institutions in Politics and Power Struggles

This study explores how external institutions related to ethical business conduct play out at the micro-level and how the corresponding translation process into the organizational context is utilized by organizational actors to further individual or group interests. Based on rich interview and documentary data as well as on thirty month of participant observation of three corporate social responsibility projects I develop an everyday-life perspective on how organizational actors utilize external institutions to prevail in games of micro-politics and power struggles. Results suggest that knowledge about external institutions substitutes formal power as it provides less powerful actors with the possibility to manipulate the meaning macro-institutions assume during the process of micro-translation. Combining the literatures of institutional theory and upward influence behavior I contribute to the micro-foundation of institutional theory by showing how political behavior affects institutional change.
Pareto Improving Selection of the Global Best in Particle Swarm Optimization

Particle Swarm Optimization is an effective stochastic optimization technique that simulates a swarm of particles that fly through a problem space. In the process of searching the problem space for a solution, the individual variables of a candidate solution will often take on inferior values characterized as “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back. ” Several approaches to solving this problem have introduced varying notions of cooperation and competition. Instead we characterize the success of these multi-swarm techniques as reconciling conflicting information through a mechanism that makes successive candidates Pareto improvements. We use this analysis to construct a variation of PSO that applies this mechanism to gbest selection. Experiments show that this algorithm performs better than the standard gbest PSO algorithm.
Influence of Polycation Composition on Electrochemical Film Formation

The effect of polyelectrolyte composition on the electrodeposition onto platinum is investigated using a counterion switching approach. Film formation of preformed polyelectrolytes is triggered by oxidation of hexacyanoferrates(II) (ferrocyanide), leading to polyelectrolyte complexes, which are physically crosslinked by hexacyanoferrate(III) (ferricyanide) ions due to preferential ferricyanide/polycation interactions. In this study, the electrodeposition of three different linear polyelectrolytes, namely quaternized poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (i.e., poly{[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; PMOTAC), quaternized poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] (i.e., poly{[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; POTAC), quaternized poly[N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)methacrylamide] (i.e., poly{[3-(methacrylamido)propyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; PMAPTAC) and different statistical copolymers of these polyelectrolytes with N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide (APMA), are studied. Hydrodynamic voltammetry utilizing a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) shows the highest deposition efficiency DE for PMOTAC over PMAPTAC and over POTAC. Increasing incorporation of APMA weakens the preferred interaction of the quaternized units with the hexacyanoferrate(III) ions. At a sufficient APMA content, electrodeposition can thus be prevented. Additional electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements reveal the formation of rigid polyelectrolyte films being highly crosslinked by the hexacyanoferrate(III) ions. Results indicate a different degree of water incorporation into these polyelectrolyte films. Hence, by adjusting the polycation composition, film properties can be tuned, while different chemistries can be incorporated into these electrodeposited thin hydrogel films.
Non-parametric analysis of poverty duration using repeated cross section: an application for Peru

ABSTRACT Using repeated cross-section annual data for Peru spanning 2002–2011 and non-parametric duration analysis, our estimates support the hypothesis that both stay in and exit from poverty (non-poverty) depends on the duration and sequence of poverty (non-poverty) spells. We find that longer periods in poverty reduce the probability of leaving poverty and, conversely, longer periods spent out of poverty reduce the chance of falling back into poverty. Also, we show that, at least in the last decade (of high economic growth), the probability of staying in poverty was lower than staying in non-poverty and the probability of re-entering in poverty was higher than re-entering in non-poverty, being both differences growing with the number of accumulated spells. Past experiences of poverty and non-poverty seem to be essential to predict the future status of poverty.
High-Intensity Interval Training for Early Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction - A Promising Approach for Rats, but what about Human Beings?

DOI: 10.5935/abc.20180068 Acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), in particularly, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), kill or debilitate a large number of patients in the world. Despite the fact that not all patients develop ventricular dysfunction after the event, there is still a high prevalence of post-AMI heart failure,1,2 which is considered a public health problem. Although the management of post-ACS is based on a wide range of drugs, usually associated with the revascularization procedure, different non-pharmacological strategies have been shown useful. In this regard, physical exercise is indicated,3 including cardiac rehabilitation programs that usually combine aerobic and resistance training with stretching exercises.
Unconventional Monetary Policy, Global Liquidity Circulation, and Inflation Divergence around the World

type="main"> In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, central banks in advanced economies adopted unconventional monetary policies such as quantitative easing, in addition to conventional policies like low interest rates. However, the increase in global liquidity in terms of key international currencies, driven by unconventional monetary policies, has led some emerging economies to move toward inflation and unstable capital markets. This means that there could be a global divergence of inflation between advanced and emerging economies. This inflation divergence also appears between emerging economies. The emerging economies, distinguished by capital flow control or current account surplus, have little inflation pressure. We suggest that the global divergence of inflation is related to both domestic and international liquidity circulation velocities. In particular, capital control or current account plays a role in determining the velocity of global liquidity circulation.