Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecology and evolution of toxigenic fusarium species in cereals in northern europe and asia

In northern Europe (Scandinavia, Finland and northwestern Russia) and Asia (Siberia and the Russian Far East) the most common Fusarium species responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) are the F. avenaceum/arthrosporioides/tricinctum, F. graminearum/culmorum/cerealis and F. poae/sporotrichioides/langsethiae species groups based on morphology. The most important mycotoxins produced by them are trichothecenes, zearalenone, moniformin and enniatins, including beauvericin. According to the molecular data the main lineages of F. avenaceum and F. arthrosporioides are types I (most F. avenaceum isolates) and II (some F. avenaceum isolates together with most F. arthrosporioides isolates). Lineage 7 of F. graminearum (= F. graminearum sensu stricto) dominates in northern Europe and Asia and has been replacing the closely related F. culmorum in northern Europe. F. asiaticum is the most common species of the F. graminearum/culmorum/cerealis species group in most parts of China and southern Japan, but it has not yet been found in Russia. The 3ADON chemotype of F. graminearum is prevalent in Scandinavia, Finland and north-western Russia, while the 15ADON chemotype of F. graminearum is more common in the more southern areas in Europe and China. Both the 3ADON and 15ADON chemotypes of F. graminearum are common in the Russian Far East together with the 3ADON chemotype of F. ussurianum and the 15ADON chemotype of F. vorosii. F. langsethiae can be divided into two lineages (subtypes) based on IGS sequences. The European F. langsethiae has only been found in Europe, while the Asian F. langsethiae in Siberia and the Russian Far East seems actually to be a lineage of F. sporotrichioides based on molecular data. Due to global warming and other human activities, we predict changes in the compositions of these species and mycotoxins produced by them.
Cluster Workers Macroservice Manager Application Containers Microservice Manager Virtual Resources Cloud Interface Physical Resources Cluster Manager ... Cluster Workers Scaling Engine Visualization Scaling Algorithms

Auto-scalability has become an evident feature for cloud software systems including but not limited to big data and IoT applications. Cloud application providers now are in full control over their applications’ microservices and macroservices; virtual machines and containers can be provisioned or deprovisioned on demand at runtime. Elascale strives to adjust both micro/macro resources with respect to workload and changes in the internal state of the whole application stack. Elascale leverages Elasticsearch stack for collection, analysis and storage of performancemetrics. Elascale then uses its default scaling engine to elastically adapt the managed application. Extendibility is guaranteed through provider, schema, plug-in and policy elements in the Elascale by which flexible scalability algorithms, including both reactive and proactive techniques, can be designed and implemented for various technologies, infrastructures and software stacks. In this paper, we present the architecture and initial implementation of Elascale; an instance will be leveraged to add auto-scalability to a generic IoT application. Due to zero dependency to the target software system, Elascale can be leveraged to provide auto-scalability and monitoring as-a-service for any type of cloud software system.
A Theoretical and practical assessment of open source development and dissemination of construction IT solutions

Many Construction IT systems do not adequately support the complex and frequently changing business processes on architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. To improve this situation there is the immanent need for AEC researchers to explore IT development and dissemination strategies that are based on technology pull theories that allow AEC practitioners to influence the development of the IT solution before, during, and after its dissemination. One such technology pull development and dissemination strategy is Open Source. The paper shows how the Open Source model is theoretically in the position to overcome some of the inherent problems of the AEC industry with adopting and using new Construction IT solutions. The paper further analyzes a number of existing Open Source project management software projects to assess the potential to support AEC practitioners. The paper concludes with a strategy to establish an Open Source AEC community.
Study on β-galactosidase enzyme produced by isolated lactobacilli from milk and cheese

β-galactosidases enzyme have been used in the dairy industry for the improvement of lactose intolerance. The aim of this study was to detect b-galactosidase enzyme produced by isolated lactobacilli from milk and cheese. Isolated lactobacilli were cultured on MRS agar. Lactobacilli were identified by Gram stain and standard bacteriological and biochemical methods. Their ability to hydrolyze 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) and O-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) was determined. A protein band of indicated b-galactosidase enzyme was also detected by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. The colonies that produced green color on X-Gal plates were lactobacilli with b-galactosidase enzyme which had ONPG positive results. The highest enzymatic value (1,966 U/ml) was observed in one strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii. A 116 kDa protein band was detected in some strains (37%) with highest enzyme value and in others (63%), protein band was weak by SDS-PAGE method. By adding Lactobacilli producing b-galactosidase enzyme as probiotic to dairy products, could help lactose intolerant people. Key words: Lactobacillus, β-galactosidase, X-Gal, ONPG, SDS-PAGE.
Degradation of Elevated Concentrations of Phenol Using Two-StageImmobilized Cell Reactor with Bacillus subtilis and Acinetobacter lwoffii

Two vertical rotating immobilized cell reactors (VRICRs), one with the Bacillus subtilis, BDCC-TUSA-3 for bisurfactant (surfactin) production and the other with Acinetobacter lwoffii, accession number KM985371 for phenol biodegradation were constructed, with polyurethane foams as the attachment support. They were separately optimized for surfactin production and degradation of phenol respectively. Then, the two reactors were combined to form a two-stage VRICR where an appropriate fraction of Bacillus sp. reactor effluent, containing surfactin (0.20 g.l-1, 0.25 g.l-1 or 0.30 g.l-1), was mixed with the influent fed into A. lwoffii reactor, containing various concentrations of phenol (1500 mg.l-1, 1870 mg.l-1 and 2250 mg.l-1). The VRICR was operated continuously over more than two weeks. Cell growth, cell viability, degradation efficiency of phenol and specific degradation rate (SDR) were followed over periods of operation. The best results were obtained when a steady state was reached with 45.6 g.l-1, 98%, 100% and 810 mg phenol. g immobilized cells-1.h-1 for cell growth, cell viability, degradation efficiency and SDR respectively. Additionally, surfactin was produced from reactor 1 at high concentration (5.05 g.l-1) with a volumetric reactor productivity of 757.5 mg surfactin l-1.h-1 which represents an extra added-value product that could markedly decrease operating costs. The efficient process for phenol degradation, with no secondary by-products, coupled with potential applicability of simultaneously produced surfactin that could be utilized in many industrial applications, makes the two-stage VRICR a potential candidate for a clean, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable process.
Integrating conventional microscopy and molecular analysis to analyse the abundance and distribution of four Calanus congeners in the North Atlantic

Analysis of the demographic structure of Calanus species in the North Atlantic presents particular difficulties due to the overlapping spatial distributions of four main congeneric species (Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus helgolandicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus). These species have similar morphologies, making microscopic discrimination only possible between some of the species at late copepodite or adult stages. However, molecular techniques now offer the possibility of screening significant numbers of specimens and unambiguously identifying them to species, regardless of developmental stage. Unfortunately, the processing rate of specimens by molecular methods is still too low to offer a realistic alternative to microscopy for analysis of samples from large field surveys. Here, we outline and test an approach involving the use of molecular methodology in conjunction with conventional microscopy to assess the species assignment of developmental stage abundances of Calanus congeners. Our study has highlighted many important methodological issues. First, it cannot be assumed that the species composition is homogeneous across the development stages; applying proportional species composition of adults to morphologically undistinguishable earlier development stages can result in error. The second important conclusion is that prosome length may be a highly unreliable discriminator of C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis.
Palm Fruit Juice Mitigates AZT Mitochondrial Genotoxicity and Dose- Dependent Cytotoxicity

Chronic use of 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) to treat HIV/AIDS causes mitochondrial dysfunction and the accumulation of mitochondrial mutations. These toxicities have been attributed to increased oxidative damage, among other mechanisms. Palm fruit juice (PFJ), also known as oil palm phenolics (OPP), is a water soluble byproduct of oil extraction from the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) that is rich in antioxidants and other phytochemicals. The capacity of PFJ to mitigate AZT mitochondrial genotoxicity (mutagenesis) as well as dosedependent cytotoxicity were measured in cultured HepG2 cells. In the presence of PFJ, AZT-induced mutations were 35% the number of mutations observed in samples treated with AZT alone in the three regions of the mitochondrial genome examined (HV2, CO2, and ND1). Co-treatment with PFJ increased cell survival in the presence of increasing doses of AZT by up to 350%. These effects were not due to degradation or inactivation of AZT by PFJ. The discovery of the mitigating effects of PFJ provides a potential means of ameliorating AZT-induced mutations and possibly other long-term negative side effects of long-term AZT use.
IPO investment strategies and pseudo market timing

We analyse the performance of simple investment strategies in IPOs based on a large sample of IPOs in Germany between 1985 and 2002. In particular, we compare the performance of the following strategies: Invest equally weighted in each IPO, invest market value weighted in each IPO, invest in an equally weighted portfolio of recent IPOs or invest in a value weighted portfolio of recent IPOs. We find that investors pursuing the first two investment strategies would realise significantly negative abnormal returns on average. In contrast, applying a bootstrapping procedure, we find that investing according to the latter two investment strategies does not yield significant underperformance. The difference in performance among investment strategies points to the phenomenon that firms going public in hot IPO markets perform worse than those going public in cold markets. We analyse to what extent this phenomenon can be attributed to pseudo market timing. Based on simulations, our results indicate that pseudo market timing can partly explain the performance of IPO investment strategies between 1996 and 2002.
14C labelling of algal pigments to estimate the contribution of different taxa to primary production in natural seawater

Several attempts have been made in the past to measure taxon-specific growth rates in natural phytoplankton populations in order to evaluate the conditions leading to success of individual taxa, to estimate the specific role of the various taxonomic components of algae in the food web and in nutrient cycling, and to explain succession. The method of Redalje and Laws, who studied the pattern of l4C labelling of Chi a (the pigment common to all microalgae), has now been adapted by following 14C incorpor­ ation into the carotenoids that are tags of taxonomic groups. The results obtained so far indicate that even in oligotrophic regions different species co-occurring in one sample usually incorporate 14C at a very different rate, which suggests that it is not only eutrophic pelagic plankton communities that are subject to rapid shifts in growth conditions. The pigment labelling method is still open to challenge from several directions. More research must be done to transform this approach into a technique that is undeniably accurate and reliable for the assessment of growth rates of algal taxa-o r to show when and under what circumstances it cannot be used. Special care should be taken to avoid radioactive contamination of pigments separated by HPLC, and isotope dilution during experiments. The methods that are available now can also be applied directly to studies of the turnover and eventual fate of the various pigments synthesized by algae, be they photosyntheticaliy active or photoprotective, e.g., in studies of photoadaptation, for example the response of algae to increased ultraviolet radiation. I4C labelling of both chlorophylls and carotenoids may even become a tool in studies of large-scale carbon cycling because a considerable part of phytoplankton carbon biomass in the sea and in sediments is associated with pigments or their degradation products.
Measuring Reaction Rate Constant in Individual Cells to Facilitate Accurate Analysis of Cell-Population Heterogeneity

We propose Cytometry of Reaction Rate Constant (CRRC) for accurate analysis of cell-population heterogeneity with respect to a specific molecular reaction. Conceptually, in CRRC, the cells are loaded with a reaction substrate, and its conversion into a product is followed by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy at the single-cell level. A reaction rate constant is determined for every cell by using a known kinetic mechanism of the reaction, and a kinetic histogram “number of cells vs. the rate constant” is built. Finally, this histogram is used to determine parameters of reaction-based cell-population heterogeneity. Here, we studied a reaction of substrate extrusion from cells by ABC transporters. We proved that sizes of subpopulations with different extrusion rates could be accurately determined from the kinetic histogram, and this determination was not significantly affected by change in substrate concentration. We foresee that CRRC will facilitate the development of reliable disease biomarkers based on parameters of reaction-based cell-population heterogeneity.
Two-photon nonlinearity in general cavity QED systems (6 pages)

We have investigated two-photon nonlinearity in general cavity QED systems, which cover both weak- and strong-coupling regimes and include the radiative loss from an atom. One- and two-photon propagators are obtained in analytical forms. By surveying both coupling regimes, we have revealed the conditions on a photonic pulse for yielding large nonlinear effects, depending on the cavity $Q$ value. We also discuss the effects of radiative loss on nonlinearity.
Cross-Cultural Comparison of the School Factors Affecting Students' Achievement in Mathematical Literacy: Based on the Multilevel Analysis of PISA 2012

Student achievement is a global concern as reflected in recent large-scale standardized assessments. This study compared PISA 2012 student mathematical literacy scores across four countries/regions with varying levels of student performance: Shanghai-China, the United States, Finland and Japan. Sixty-five countries participated in PISA 2012, which measured 15-year-old children's mathematical achievement. The study explored the relationship of principals' perceived levels of leadership, school policy, and educational resources with student attainment of mathematical literacy. School variables were treated as covariates when each effect of principal leadership was interpreted. All variables were included in a multilevel model and analyzed simultaneously. The means and standard deviations of outcome variables and the explanatory and control variables for the model of the study were calculated by including sampling weights and plausible values for mathematical literacy scores. SAS PROC MIXED was used to fit multilevel linear models for the study. The findings indicated that: with students' background controlled, the effect of school educational resources on students' mathematical literacy demonstrated some cultural differences among the four countries. Specifically, class size had a significantly positive effect on students' mathematical literacy in Finland and Japan. There was a negative relationship between student achievement and lack of educational resources. Social, economic, and cultural status showed a positive relationship with mathematical literacy under each of the four different cultural contexts. Results also indicated that students are likely to achieve better if principals perceive that there are no shortages of personnel and equipment.
Interaction of carbohydrate binding module 20 with starch substrates

CBM20s are starch-binding domains found in many amylolytic enzymes, including glucoamylase, alpha-amylase, beta-amylases, and a new family of starch-active polysaccharide monooxygenases (AA13 PMOs). Previous studies of CBM20–substrate interaction only concerned relatively small or soluble amylose molecules, while amylolytic enzymes often work on extended chains of insoluble starch molecules. In this study, we utilized molecular simulation techniques to gain further insights into the interaction of CBM20 with substrates of various sizes via its two separate binding sites, termed as BdS1 and BdS2. Results show that substrate binding at BdS1 involving two conserved tryptophan residues is about 2–4 kcal mol−1 stronger than that at BdS2. CBM20 exhibits about two-fold higher affinity for helical substrates than for the amylose random coils. The affinity for amylose individual double helices does not depend on the helices' length. At least three parallel double helices are required for optimal binding. The binding affinity for a substrate containing 3 or more double helices is ∼−15 kcal mol−1, which is 2–3 kcal mol−1 larger than that for individual double helices. 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for the binding of CBM20 to an extended substrate containing 3 layers of 9 60-unit double helices (A3L). A stable conformation of CBM20–A3L was found at BdS1. However, when CBM20 binds A3L viaBdS2, it moves across the surface of the substrate and does not form a stable complex. MD simulations show that small amylose helices are quickly disrupted upon binding to CBM20. Our results provide some important molecular insights into the interactions of CBM20 with starch substrates, which will serve as the basis for further studies of CBM20-containing enzymes, including AA13 PMOs.
Detection of Lung Cancer Nodule on Computed Tomography Images by Using Image Processing

Lung cancer seems to be the common cause of death among people throughout the world. Early detection of lung cancer can increase the chance of survival among people. The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer patients increases from 14 to 49% if the disease is detected in time. Although Computed Tomography (CT) can be more efficient than X-ray. However, problem seemed to merge due to time constraint in detecting the present of lung cancer regarding on the several diagnosing method used. Hence, a lung cancer detection system using image processing is used to classify the present of lung cancer in a CT- images. In this study, MATLAB have been used through every procedures made. In image processing procedures, process such as image preprocessing, segmentation and feature extraction have been discussed in detail. We are aiming to get the more accurate results by using various enhancement and segmentation techniques.
Women in family businesses: perception and understanding of entrepreneurship

This paper will make a significant contribution to the discussion on entrepreneurship in family business by examining the dynamic role that women play in the family firm, and by analysing their perspective of their own entrepreneurial contribution to the success of the business. It will also contribute to the issue of business family dynamics, in particular the interrelation between the two closely linked domains, the business and the family, and to the gender issues in family business, which to date continue to remain relatively under-researched.
Highly efficient extraction of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions using multi-chelators functionalized graphene oxide

ABSTRACT A novel nanocaptor (GO-HDX) was designed based on the graphene oxide nanosheets functionalized with hydroxamate moieties that enabled the selective removal and recovery of extremely radioactive uranyl ions from wastewater samples. The synthesized nanocaptor (GO-HDX) was well-characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The U(VI) removal from aqueous solution with GO-HDX was investigated in terms of essential factors (initial pH, contact time and temperature), adsorption isotherm and thermodynamics were examined. The UO2 2+ ions adsorption under the studied conditions was well-ﬁtted to the Freundlich model as well as to the pseudo-first-order model.
[Delivery in hypoxic tumor regions of a chemotherapeutic agent encapsulated in nanoliposomes carried by magnetoaerotactic bacteria].

m/s n° 3, vol. 34, mars 2018 https://doi.org/10.1051/medsci/20183403002 > La prolifération accrue de cellules tumorales exige une forte consommation d’oxygène appauvrissant le centre des tumeurs qui contient moins de 0,7 % d’oxygène et devient ainsi hypoxique. En dépit d’améliorations significatives, telles la pégylation1 des nanovecteurs qui permet une meilleure rétention dans la circulation sanguine et un meilleur ciblage tumoral, les plus récents nanovecteurs pharmaceutiques, comme les liposomes, les micelles et les nanoparticules polymériques ne parviennent cependant pas à rejoindre ces régions hypoxiques. Ainsi, même si 5 % de la dose administrée de nanovecteurs pégylés sont encore présents dans la circulation sanguine douze heures après son administration, seuls environ 2 % de ce médicament atteindront la tumeur [1]. La trajectoire des nanovecteurs est influencée par la circulation systémique [2] (➜) et leur manque de propulseur empêche leur pénétration tumorale vers les zones hypoxiques.