Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTIWELL ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITY ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION OF BACTERIOCIN PRODUCTION BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

A total of 300 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were screened for the production of bacteriocins active against Listeria innocua or Escherichia coli by using two different techniques: the conventional well-diffusion assay and a newly developed one based on turbidity measurement of the growth of an indicator bacterium in the neutralized cell-free supernatant of the putative bacteriocin-producing strain. The latter technique, designated as the multiwell antagonistic activity assay (MW3A), offers advantages over the previously known methods. Notably, it allows testing simultaneously a large number of LAB for the production of bacteriocins against more than one indicator strain, while including appropriate controls for confirmation of the bacteriocinogenic nature of the inhibitory substances. Furthermore, five enterococcal strains were shown to produce bacteriocins active against the gram-positive and gram-negative indicator strains used in this study, suggesting that these enterococci or their bacteriocins have good potential to enhance food safety and keeping quality.
Leaf Anatomy of Zea mays L. in Response to Water Shortage and High Temperature: A Comparison of Drought-Resistant and Drought-Sensitive Lines

Leaf anatomical characteristics under normal and reduced water supply in three high-level ABA (abscisic acid) drought-resistant (ZPBL 1304, L-155, and Polj 17) and three low-level ABA drought-sensitive (ZPL 389, B-432, and F-2) lines of Zea mays L. were investigated. The characteristics examined were (1) blade area, (2) thickness of leaf, epidermis, mesophyll, and bulliform cells, (3) stomatal frequency and size of stomatal apparatus, and (4) vessel cross-sectional area. Lines ZPBL 1304 and ZPL 389, L-155 and B-432, and Polj 17 and F-2 were compared. Plant recovery was estimated after exposure to water stress and high-temperature stress. Under normal water supply, the drought-resistant lines were more xeromorphic than the drought-susceptible lines. Water stress affected leaf structures in all lines. Association of xeromorphic features with the ability of the plant to withstand drought varied under dry conditions. Lines ZPL 389, L-155, and Polj 17 were more xeromorphic than lines ZPBL 1304, B-432, and F-2. High temperature induced considerable leaf structural disorganization; however, the changes were not the same in all lines. The greatest differences in leaf structure were observed after the recovery period. The drought-resistant lines showed greater recovery than the drought-sensitive lines. The results, in general, support the hypothesis that cultivars with higher levels of ABA and/or greater drought resistance are more xeromorphic than cultivars with lower levels of ABA and/or lower drought resistance.
Surgical site infection and costs in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the economic burden

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is a worldwide problem which has morbidity, mortality and financial consequences. The incidence rate of SSI is high in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) compared to high income countries, and the costly surgical complication can raise the potential risk of financial catastrophe. Objective The aim of the study is to critically appraise studies on the cost of SSI in a range of LMIC studies and compare these estimates with a reference standard of high income European studies who have explored similar SSI costs. Methods A systematic review was undertaken using searches of two electronic databases, EMBASE and MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, up to February 2019. Study characteristics, comparator group, methods and results were extracted by using a standard template. Results Studies from 15 LMIC and 16 European countries were identified and reviewed in full. The additional cost of SSI range (presented in 2017 international dollars) was similar in the LMIC ($174—$29,610) and European countries ($21—$34,000). Huge study design heterogeneity was encountered across the two settings. Discussion SSIs were revealed to have a significant cost burden in both LMICs and High Income Countries in Europe. The magnitude of the costs depends on the SSI definition used, severity of SSI, patient population, choice of comparator, hospital setting, and cost items included. Differences in study design affected the comparability across studies. There is need for multicentre studies with standardized data collection methods to capture relevant costs and consequences of the infection across income settings.
Development of cellulose-based conductive fabrics with electrical conductivity and flexibility

This study aimed to produce cellulose-based conductive fabrics with electrical conductivity and flexibility. Bacterial cellulose (BC) and three chemical cellulose (CC), namely methyl cellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were in situ polymerized with aniline and the four conductive cellulose fabrics were compared and evaluated. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed that three CC-PANI composites displayed longer and more stable polymerization pattern than BC-PANI because of the different polymerization method: bulk polymerization for BC-PANI and emulsion polymerization for CC-PANI, respectively. The electrical conductivity of BC-PANI and CC-PANI were ranging from 0.962 × 10−2 S/cm to 2.840 × 10−2 S/cm. MC-PANI showed the highest electrical conductivity among the four conductive cellulose fabrics. The flexibility and crease recovery results showed that MC-PANI had the highest flexibility compared to BC-PANI, HPMC-PANI, and CMC-PANI. These results have confirmed that the electrical conductivity and flexibility were influenced by the type of cellulose, and MC-PANI was found to have the best performance in the electrical conductivity and flexibility.
Stocks Prices Prediction with Long Short-term Memory

: It is a difficult problem to predict the one-day next closing price of stocks since there are many factors affecting stock prices. In this study, by using data from November 29, 2010 to November 27, 2019 and stocks for the closing price of the next day are predicted. The long short-term memory method, a type of recurrent neural networks, is preferred to develop the prediction model. The set of input variables created for the proposed model consists of stock price data, 29 technicals and four basic indicators. After the set of input variables is created, the one-day next closing prices of AKBNK and GARAN stocks are developed the model to predict. The model's prediction performance is evaluated with Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) metric. This value is calculated as 0.482 and 0.242 for GARAN and AKBNK stocks respectively. According to the results, the predictions realized with the set of input variables produced are sufficiently successful.
Pathophysiological Mechanisms by which Heat Stress Potentially Induces Kidney Inflammation and Chronic Kidney Disease in Sugarcane Workers

Background: Chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt) is common among Mesoamerican sugarcane workers. Recurrent heat stress and dehydration is a leading hypothesis. Evidence indicate a key role of inflammation. Methods: Starting in sports and heat pathophysiology literature, we develop a theoretical framework of how strenuous work in heat could induce kidney inflammation. We describe the release of pro-inflammatory substances from a leaky gut and/or injured muscle, alone or in combination with tubular fructose and uric acid, aggravation by reduced renal blood flow and increased tubular metabolic demands. Then, we analyze longitudinal data from >800 sugarcane cutters followed across harvest and review the CKDnt literature to assess empirical support of the theoretical framework. Results: Inflammation (CRP elevation and fever) and hyperuricemia was tightly linked to kidney injury. Rehydrating with sugary liquids and NSAID intake increased the risk of kidney injury, whereas electrolyte solution consumption was protective. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia were associated with kidney injury. Discussion: Heat stress, muscle injury, reduced renal blood flow and fructose metabolism may induce kidney inflammation, the successful resolution of which may be impaired by daily repeating pro-inflammatory triggers. We outline further descriptive, experimental and intervention studies addressing the factors identified in this study.
Improved LiDAR Probabilistic Localization for Autonomous Vehicles Using GNSS

This paper proposes a method that improves autonomous vehicles localization using a modification of probabilistic laser localization like Monte Carlo Localization (MCL) algorithm, enhancing the weights of the particles by adding Kalman filtered Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information. GNSS data are used to improve localization accuracy in places with fewer map features and to prevent the kidnapped robot problems. Besides, laser information improves accuracy in places where the map has more features and GNSS higher covariance, allowing the approach to be used in specifically difficult scenarios for GNSS such as urban canyons. The algorithm is tested using KITTI odometry dataset proving that it improves localization compared with classic GNSS + Inertial Navigation System (INS) fusion and Adaptive Monte Carlo Localization (AMCL), it is also tested in the autonomous vehicle platform of the Intelligent Systems Lab (LSI), of the University Carlos III de of Madrid, providing qualitative results.
Associations Between Body Weight, Hippocampal Volume, and Tissue Signal Intensity in 12‐ to 18‐Year‐Olds

The hippocampus is a key structure in feeding behaviors and weight regulation. Obesity may lead to disruptions in hippocampal structure. In animals, obesity‐related factors (e.g., high‐fat/sugar foods) are associated with hippocampal insult (e.g., alterations in the blood brain barrier). In humans, individuals with obesity, relative to healthy weight, have smaller hippocampal volumes. Few studies have examined the association between body weight and the hippocampus during adolescence, a critical brain development period. This study examined hippocampal volume and tissue signal intensity in adolescents across the weight spectrum.
ISABEL: Infrastructure-Agnostic Benchmark Framework for Cloud-Native Platforms

: The popularity of Cloud Computing has contributed to the growth of new business models, which have changed how companies develop and distribute their software. The reoccurring use of cloud resources called for a more modern and Cloud-Native approach in contrast to traditional monolithic architecture. While this approach has introduced better portability and use of resources, the abstraction of the infrastructure beneath it incited doubts about its reliability. Through the use of benchmarks, cloud providers began to provide quality assurances for their users in the form of service-level agreements (SLA). Although benchmarking allowed such assurances to be deﬁned, the variety of offered services, each one of them requiring different tools, along with a nonexistent standard of input and output formats, has turned this in an arduous task. In order to promote better interoperability of benchmarking, we propose ISABEL, a benchmark suite for Cloud-Native platforms that standardizes the process of benchmarking using any existing benchmark tool.
CLONING, SEQUENCING, AND EXPRESSION OF INTERFERON-γ FROM ELK IN NORTH AMERICA

Eradication of Mycobacterium bovis relies on accurate detection of infected animals, including potential domestic and wildlife reservoirs. Available diagnostic tests lack the sensitivity and specificity necessary for accurate detection, particularly in infected wildlife populations. Recently, an in vitro diagnostic test for cattle which measures plasma interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in blood following in vitro incubation with M. bovis purified protein derivative has been enveloped. This test appears to have increased sensitivity over traditional testing. Unfortunately, it does not detect IFN-γ from Cervidae. To begin to address this problem, the IFN-γ gene from elk (Cervus elaphus) was cloned, sequenced, expressed, and characterized. cDNA was cloned from mitogen stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The predicted amino acid (aa) sequence was compared to known sequences from cattle, sheep, goats, red deer (Cervus elaphus), humans, and mice. Biological activity of the recombinant elk IFN-γ (rElkIFN-γ) was confirmed in a vesicular stomatitis virus cytopathic effect reduction assay. Production of monoclonal antibodies to IFN-γ epitopes conserved between ruminant species could provide an important tool for the development of reliable, practical diagnostic assays for detection of a delayed type hypersensitivity response to a variety of persistent infectious agents in ruminants, including M. bovis and Brucella abortus. Moreover, development of these reagents will aid investigators in studies to explore immunological responses of elk that are associated with resistance to infectious diseases.
mTOR, A New Therapeutic Target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) serine threonine kinase is involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis and angiogenesis. mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, or analogues such as CCI-779, RAD001, AP23573), which have been shown to have a potent anti-neoplastic effect in many solid tumour models, are now being used in clinical trials. Recent data have shown that the mTOR pathway is also aberrantly activated in hematological malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This disease still has a bad prognosis and new therapeutic strategies are required. Rapamycin, used at low concentrations, induces the profound inhibition of AML cell clonogenic properties in 60% of cases while sparing their normal counterparts. Moreover, clinical responses have been achieved in poor-risk AML patients. In this review, we discuss the possible mechanisms of mTOR activation, the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of cell proliferation by rapamycin, the possible resistance mechanisms and ways of improving rapamycin efficacy in the context of AML.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene expression in porcine ovarian tissue

A study was conducted to demonstrate IGF-1 gene expression in porcine ovarian tissue. Using northern blot analysis, IGF-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts could not be consistently detected in total RNA. Authentic mRNA transcripts were detected in polyadenylated RNA-enriched RNA with sizes of 8.0, 3.6 and 2.3 bases, and possibly 0.8–1.1 kbases. Key words: Ovary, IGF-1, pig, mRNA
Optimized Cost per Mille in Feeds Advertising

Advertising has become a dominant source of revenue generation on the Internet. Billions of advertisement slots are sold via auctions. And there are many pricing methods ,e.g., CPM (cost-per-mille), CPC (cost-per-click), CPA (cost-per-action), OCPM (optimized cost-per-mille) and so on. In this paper, we study the OCPM method (i.e., advertisers bid for conversions while pay per mille) under VCG auction. However, automatically bid in each view to maximize advertisers’ conversions while still meet their target cost-per-conversion in feeds is difficult. To deal with these difficulties, we propose a reinforcement learning framework, i.e., RSDRL (ROI-sensitive distributional reinforcement learning). By making full use of the characteristics of auction rules which are missed by other methods, we design a reward function to surrogate conversion events and a bid generation method based on theoretical results. We also provide some theoretical results to guide hyperparameter tuning. Last, we validate RSDRL on a large industrial dataset with millions of auctions. Plenty of experiments (both online and offline) are used to evaluate the performance of our framework and RSDRL yields substantially better results than compared algorithms.
Crop management system and carrot genotype affect endophyte composition and Alternaria dauci suppression

Managing pests in carrot production is challenging. Endophytic microbes have been demonstrated to improve the health and productivity of many crops, but factors affecting endophyte dynamics in carrot is still not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine how crop management system and carrot genotype interact to affect the composition and potential of endophytes to mitigate disease caused by Alternaria dauci, an important carrot pathogen. Twenty-eight unique isolates were collected from the taproots of nine diverse genotypes of carrot grown in a long-term trial comparing organic and conventional management. Antagonistic activity was quantified using an in vitro assay, and potential for individual isolates to mitigate disease was evaluated in greenhouse trials using two carrot cultivars. Results confirm that carrot taproots are colonized by an abundant and diverse assortment of bacteria and fungi representing at least distinct 13 genera. Soils in the organic system had greater total organic matter, microbial biomass and activity than the conventional system and endophyte composition in taproots grown in this system were more abundant and diverse, and had greater antagonistic activity. Carrot genotype also affected endophyte abundance as well as potential for individual isolates to affect seed germination, seedling growth and tolerance to A. dauci. The benefits of endophytes on carrot growth were greatest when plants were subject to A. dauci stress, highlighting the importance of environmental conditions in the functional role of endophytes. Results of this study provide evidence that endophytes can play an important role in improving carrot performance and mediating resistance to A. dauci, and it may someday be possible to select for these beneficial plant-microbial relationships in carrot breeding programs. Implementing soil-building practices commonly used in organic farming systems has potential to promote these beneficial relationships and improve the health and productivity of carrot crops.
Complete Genome Sequences of 16 Mycoplasma bovis Isolates from Canadian Bison and Cattle

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 12 Mycoplasma bovis isolates cultured from Canadian bison and 4 cultured from Canadian cattle. The sequences are of value for understanding the phylogenetic relationship between cattle and bison isolates and will aid in elucidating the genetic basis for virulence and host specificity. ABSTRACT Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 12 Mycoplasma bovis isolates cultured from Canadian bison and 4 cultured from Canadian cattle. The sequences are of value for understanding the phylogenetic relationship between cattle and bison isolates and will aid in elucidating the genetic basis for virulence and host specificity.
Developments in the Physiology of Reproduction of Dairy Cattle and in Artificial Insemination

A study of the physiology of reproduction in animals and of other fields of natural science began with the dawn of man. His existence depended upon his skill in killing animals for food, and because of this critical necessity he developed hunting lore, which included knowledge of the mating and young-bearing habits of wild life. Observations of animals recorded on walls of caves, and undoubtedly wr i t i ngs on natural science that have been lost, antedate Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) by as much as Ar i s to t l e antedates our time. In spite of the antiquity of natural science, man has learned more about reproduction of the bovine E. L. Wil le t t during the past half-century than was learned in all previous ages. This statement applies as well specifically to artificial insemination as it does generally to reproduction. Actually, little information was available concerning reproduction of cattle at the time of the founding of the American Dairy Science Association in 1906. Scientists at that time, however, were beneficiaries of a rich heritage of fundamental information concerning reproductive processes. This paper, firstly, gives the reader a glimpse of this heritage, then outlines progress during the last half-century concerning knowledge of reproduction with special reference to the bovine, and lastly makes a few remarks and predictions.
A Real-time Temperature Anomaly Detection Method for IoT Data

Temperature control plays a vital part in medical supply management, of which effective monitoring and anomaly detection ensure that the medication storage is maintained properly to meet health and safety requirements. In this paper, an unsupervised temperature anomaly detection method, called DTAD (Dynamic Threshold Anomaly Detection), is proposed to detect anomalies in real-time temperature time series. The DTAD sets dynamic thresholds based on the Smoothed Z-Score Algorithm, rather than set fixed thresholds of a temperature range by experience. The comparative evaluation is performed on the DTAD and four other commonly employed methods, the results of which shows that the DTAD reaches a higher accuracy and a better time efficiency. The DTAD is fully automated and can be used in developing a real-time IoT temperature anomaly detection system for medical equipment.
Are Oblique Orientated α-Helices Used by Antimicrobial Peptides for Membrane Invasion?

Oblique orientated α-helices are highly specialised protein structural elements that penetrate membranes at a shallow angle and are used to promote membrane destabilisation by a number of protein classes. Here, the use of extended hydrophobic moment methodology shows that the amphibian extrudates, aurein 1.2 and citropin 1.1, may use oblique orientated α-helices in their antimicrobial action and that such use may be shared by other antimicrobial peptides. This appears to be the first systematic analysis of these peptides for the possession of oblique orientated a-helical structure.
A Model for Evaluating Requirements Elicitation Techniques in Software Development Projects

Requirements elicitation is the understanding of the real need of the user. It is considered the most complex and critical activity in software development. In the process of eliciting requirements several techniques are found in the literature. The main techniques described in the literature are presented in this article. Based on the techniques found in the literature, a model was proposed to analyze the influence and moderation of team involvement in eliciting requirements and the number of techniques used. The model was applied in an experimental format with students of the Information Systems course at the University of São Paulo. The results of the experiment are presented in this article.
Pirh2

Ubiquitylation is currently recognized as a major posttranslational modification that regulates diverse cellular processes. Pirh2 is a ubiquitin E3 ligase that regulates the turnover and functionality of several proteins involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, cell cycle checkpoints, and cell death. Here we review the role of Pirh2 as a regulator of the DNA damage response through the ubiquitylation of p53, Chk2, p73, and PolH. By ubiquitylating these proteins, Pirh2 regulates cell cycle checkpoints and cell death in response to DNA double-strand breaks or the formation of bulky DNA lesions. We also discuss how Pirh2 affects cell proliferation and differentiation in unstressed conditions through ubiquitylation and degradation of c-Myc, p63, and p27kip1. Finally, we link these different functions of Pirh2 to its role as a tumor suppressor in mice and as a prognosis marker in various human cancer subtypes.