Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salinity and DOC Influence the Distribution of Free-living and Particle-attached Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in the Qinghai–Tibetan Lakes

ABSTRACT Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (AAPB) are widespread and play an important role in carbon cycling in the lakes of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about how free-living and particle-attached AAPB distribute with salinity in the Qinghai–Tibetan lakes. In the present study, the abundance and diversity of free-living and particle-attached AAPB were investigated in seven Qinghai–Tibetan lakes with salinity ranging from freshwater to almost saturation (1.2 g L−1 241.1 g L−1). An integrated approach was employed including pufL-M gene (encoding the photosynthetic reaction center of AAPB) based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and PCR-cloning phylogenetic analysis. The qPCR data showed that the ratio between particle-attached and free-living AAPB was positively correlated (R2 = 0.73, p < 0.01) with increasing salinity. The phylogenetic analysis of pufL-M gene showed that the composition of AAPB population varied with salinity in the studied Qinghai–Tibetan lakes. These results suggested that salinity may be the important factor shaping the AAPB distribution in the studied Qinghai–Tibetan lakes, and AAPB may be adapted to the harsh conditions in the Qinghai–Tibetan lakes by attaching to particles.
Two complete mitochondrial genomes of extinct form of the Sevan trout Salmo ischchan danilewskii

Abstract The mitochondrial genomes from two individuals of the extinct subspecies of the Sevan trout Salmo ischchan danilewskii are published in this paper. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is 16,665 base pairs (bp) in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. The overall base composition of the genome in descending order was 27.9% of A, 29.4% of C, 16.7% of G, and 26.0% of T without a significant AT bias of 53.9%.
Faces in the Stone: Further Finds of Anthropomorphic Engravings Suggest a Discrete Artistic Tradition Flourished in Timor-Leste in the Terminal Pleistocene

Engraving sites are rare in mainland and Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) where painted art dominates the prehistoric artistic record. Here we report two new engraving sites from the Tutuala region of Timor-Leste comprising mostly humanoid forms carved into speleothem columns in rock-shelters. Engraved face motifs have previously been reported from Lene Hara Cave in this same region, and one was dated to the Pleistocene–Holocene transition using the Uranium–Thorium method. We discuss the engravings in relation to changes in technology and material culture that took place in the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene archaeological records in this region of Timor as well as neighbouring islands. We suggest that the engravings may have been produced as markers of territorial and social identity within the context of population expansion and greater inter-group contacts at this time.
Optimization Of Dual-Hop Wireless Link Under Energy Harvesting Scheme

: One of the major challenges of the dual-hop energy harvesting (EH) a link is, to optimize the link parameters to achieve maximum signal to noise ratio (SNR) at the receiving end. In this paper, the optimum condition of three parameters: ‗power supply at source terminal‘, ‗power splitting ratio‘, and ‗gain of relay‘ is achieved in four ways. In the first and second techniques, the above three parameters are optimized analytically from the profile of normalized channel capacity and bit error rate (BER), where the corresponding graphs show maxima and minima at the same optimum point. In the third technique, we find the separation between profiles of ‗normalized channel capacity‘ of EH and non-EH minimum at optimum condition. In the fourth technique, we transmit grayscale images under 16-QAM using a proposed algorithm of pixel to modulated symbol conversion. We then measure the quality of the image in terms of SNR and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) in dB and we verify the optimum condition of the network by the quality of received images.
Notoginsenoside R1 promotes differentiation of human alveolar osteoblasts in inflammatory microenvironment through inhibiting NF-κB pathway and activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Alveolar bone is vital for dental implantation and periodontal treatment. Notoginsenoside R1 (NTR1) may promote the differentiation of human alveolar osteoblasts (HAOBs), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The present study investigated the pro-differentiation function of NTR1 on HAOBs in order to find new methods of dental treatment. HAOBs were surgically obtained from dental patients and the cells were isolated, cultured and identified under an inverted phase contrast microscope. The cells were treated with different concentrations of NTR1 alone or further stimulated by TNF-α. An alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity assay and alizarin red staining were performed to detect ALP activity and mineralization of the cells, respectively. Cell viability was assayed using an MTT assay. The expressions of osteogenic-related factors and the factors associated with the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR or western blot analysis. Successfully passaged HAOBs presented blue granules and red calcium deposits after staining. The viability of HAOBs was unchanged following treatment with NTR1 at ≤20 µmol/l and/or TNF-α, but slightly reduced by 40 µmol/l NTR1. TNF-α-induced decreases of calcium nodules and ALP activity were decreased by NTR1 in HAOBs. TNF-α also regulated the expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2, osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), p50, phosphorylated p65, AXIN2, Dickkopf-related protein 1 and β-catenin, while the regulatory effect was reversed by NTR1. NTR1 promoted the differentiation of HAOBs in the TNF-α-induced inflammatory microenvironment through inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Effects of medical nutrition therapy compared with general nutritional advice on nutritional status and nutrition-related complications in esophageal cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial study was to assess the effects of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) compared with general nutritional advice (NA) on nutritional status in esophageal cancer (EC) patients during Chemoradiation (CRT). METHOD: The sample includes one hundred newly diagnosed patients with EC. The MNT group received individualized nutritional therapy. The NA group received general nutritional advice at the beginning of the participation. Patient-Generated- Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric indices, body composition, dietary intake, laboratory tests, and nutrition-related complications were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-nine cases were in the MNT group. The MNT group had significantly more favorable energy (26.4±14.1 vs. 18.2±11.2 kcal/kgw.day) and protein (1±0.6 vs. 0.7±0.4 g/kgw.day) intake than the NA group at the final evaluation. The PG-SGA score diminished but not significantly in both groups (11±6 vs. 12±6). As compared to the NA group, patients in the MNT group experienced more frequently no weight loss (21% vs. 11%) or mild weight loss (40% vs 35%) during the treatment. Meanwhile, moderate weight loss was more frequently observed in the NA group (26% vs. 44%). In the MNT group, those with severe weight loss had not proper adherence to the nutritional protocol. Mid-upper arm circumference, body composition, laboratory tests, physical performance, and nutrition-related complications were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: As compared to general NA, MNT improved energy and macronutrients intake in patients with EC undergoing CRT which resulted in less severe weight loss and potentially better nutritional status.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition with Antiradicalar Activity of Thornback Ray Gelatin Hydrolysate: Determination and Separation of Peptide Fractions

Bioactive peptides from collagen and gelatin with antioxidant and antihypertensive properties have become a topic of great interest for health and food preservation industries. Thornback Ray Skin Gelatin Hydrolysate with an hydrolysis degree of 9.23% was prepared by treatment with Alcalase (TRGH-Alcalase). The hydrolysate was found to exhibit ACE inhibitory activity and 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity with an IC50 values of 0.92 and > 5 mg/ mL, respectively. The molecular weight distribution of the hydrolysate showed the abundance of small-sized peptides with average molecular weight below 1000 Da (57%) contrary to the untreated gelatin. The hydrolysate and the gelatin did not show hemolytic activity at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. TRGH-Alcalase was further fractionated by using size-exclusion chromatography. Fraction F3 showing the highest antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activity was further separated by Reversed-Phased High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). Sub-fractions SF3 and SF9 had higher anti-ACE activity and SF5 had the highest antioxidant activity. Taken together, the results suggest that the hydrolysate as well as the peptide fractions could offer potential uses as a functional food.
Isolation and Characterisation of Novel Polymorphic Microsatellite Markers for the Wedge-Billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus Spirurus

In order to study the population genetic structure of the Amazonian understorey bird Glyphorynchus spirurus, we have isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci using next-generation sequencing. All loci were screened using 40 samples from central Amazonia. The number of alleles varied from five to 22. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.475 to 0.875. No linkage disequilibrium was found among the loci. None of the loci showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These novel microsatellite markers will be a useful tool for future population genetics and ecological studies of the Wedge-billed Woodcreeper.
Production of β‐carotene with Dunaliella salina CCAP19/18 at physically simulated outdoor conditions

Batch growth and β‐carotene production of Dunaliella salina CCAP19/18 was investigated in flat‐plate gas‐lift photobioreactors with a light path of 2 cm, operated in physically simulated outdoor conditions. Dunaliella salina CCAP19/18 showed robust growth with respect to pH 8.0‐9.0 and 15–35°C at increasing salinity, simulating the evaporation of open photobioreactors. The highest β‐carotene concentration of 25 mg L‐1 (3 mg gCDW−1) was observed in batch processes at pH 8.5, 15–30°C and increasing salinity up to 110 g L‐1, simulating a typical Mediterranean summer climate. Intracellular β‐carotene accumulation of D. salina CCAP19/18 was shown to be independent of light availability, although nutrient limitation (K2HPO4, MgSO4, and/or ammonium ferric citrate) seems to enable stable β‐carotene content in the algal cells despite increasing cell densities in the photobioreactor. Fully controlled, lab‐scale photobioreactors simulating typical climate conditions of any region of interest are valuable tools for enabling a realistic characterization of microalgae on a laboratory scale, for production processes projected in open photobioreactor systems (e.g. thin‐layer cascade photobioreactors).
Gravitational Lensing and Dynamics (GLaD): combined analysis to unveil properties of high-redshift galaxies

The dynamical modelling of integral field unit (IFU) stellar kinematics is a powerful tool to unveil the dynamical structure and mass build-up of galaxies in the local Universe, while gravitational lensing is nature’s cosmic telescope to explore the properties of galaxies beyond the local Universe. We present a new approach, which unifies dynamical modelling of galaxies with the magnification power of strong gravitational lensing, to reconstruct the structural and dynamical properties of high-redshift galaxies. By means of axisymmetric Jeans modelling, we create a dynamical model of the source galaxy, assuming a surface brightness and surface mass density profile. We then predict how the source’s surface brightness and kinematics would look when lensed by the foreground mass distribution and compare with the mock observed arcs of strong gravitational lensing systems. For demonstration purposes, we created and also analysed mock data of the strong lensing system RX J1131−1231. By modelling both the lens and source, we recover the dynamical mass within the effective radius of strongly lensed high-redshift sources within 5% uncertainty, and we improve the constraints on the lens mass parameters by up to 50%. This machinery is particularly well-suited for future observations from large segmented-mirror telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, which will yield high sensitivity and angular-resolution IFU data for studies on distant and faint galaxies.
POPULATION DYNAMICS, AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES AND MUNICIPAL SIZE: A LONG-TERM ANALYSIS

Under the hypothesis that modifications in municipal boundaries and creation (or suppression) of new administrative units reflect a progressive adjustment toward a more balanced distribution of population over space, the present study investigates the long-term relationship (1928-2012) between urban expansion, population dynamics and municipal area in a growing metropolitan region (Athens, Greece). In expanding regions, municipal size is a key variable outlining the amount and spatial concentration of services and infrastructures, resulting to be functionally related to population density, agglomeration factors, land availability to building and characteristic socioeconomic profiles of local communities. A statistical analysis of the relationship between population density and municipal area provides basic knowledge to policy and planning adjustments toward a more balanced spatial distribution of population and land among the local government units. Descriptive statistics, mapping, correlation analysis and linear regressions were used to assess the evolution of such relationship over a sufficiently long time period. The average municipal area in Athens decreased moderately over time, with a slight increase in spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, the average population density per municipality increased more rapidly, with a considerable reduction in spatial heterogeneity. The observed goodness-of-fit of the linear relationship between population density and municipal area increased significantly over time. The empirical results of our study indicate that municipal size has progressively adjusted to population density across metropolitan areas, determining a more balanced spatial distribution of the resident population, which was consolidated by the recent administrative reform of the local authorities in Greece (the so called ‘Kallikratis’ law). Such conditions represent a base for the informed analysis of the spatial structure of local administrative units and they contribute to the debate on the optimal size of municipalities and other administrative districts with relevant impact on both urban and metropolitan scales of governance.
SIMULTANEOUS NETWORK RECONFIGURATION AND PMU PLACEMENT IN THE RADIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

In this paper, new method was developed to locate minimum quantity of Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) and to find optimal configuration in the distribution system. The proposed technology considers that the PMU placement is recognized simultaneously with the network reconfiguration in the radial distribution system for loss reduction and voltage profile improvement. The problem of PMU placement prepared in this paper is solved through the Multi-Objective Based Emperor penguin optimizer (MOEPO). The 33-bus, 69bus radial distribution system is considered for PMU installation with different distribution network reconfiguration. The tests results proved that proposed MOEPO can generate high superiority solutions with significant loss diminution and voltage profile enhancement.
Efecto de la escarificación y estratificación sobre la germinación in vitro de Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz

RESUMEN Con el fin de mejorar la germinacion de semillas de Aristotelia chilensis, se establecieron dos ensayos in vitro. En el primero, se realizo escarificacion y se comparo con un testigo. En el segundo, se aplico estratificacion fria por diferentes periodos de tiempo (2, 4, 6 y 8 semanas a 4 °C en oscuridad), mas un testigo sin estratificar. Las semillas fueron germinadas en placas con agua y agar (AA) e incubadas por 60 dias en camara de cultivo a 25 ± 2 °C, con tubos fluorescentes de luz fria blanca bajo un fotoperiodo de 16 h luz, 8 h de oscuridad y una intensidad luminica de 50 μmol m-2 s-1. En todos los tratamientos se logro valores promedios de germinacion superiores a los testigos. La mayor germinacion se obtuvo con escarificacion (Gmax, 92%), no obstante la mayor velocidad inicial de germinacion se registro con la estratificacion por ochomax semanas, alcanzando el menor tiempo medio de germinacion (TM, 18 dias). Los resultados demuestran que la semilla de A. chilensis presenta dormancia primaria de nivel moderado tanto exogena como endogena.
UHF-RFID Tabanlı Akıllı Kargo Yönetimi ve Gerçek Zamanlı Takip Yaklaşımı

RFID teknolojisi ortaya ciktigi ilk gunden beri surekli olarak gelisim gostermekte ve kullanicilarina oldukca onemli avatajlar sunmaktadir. Nesnelerin Interneti (IoT) kavramini gerceklestirmede oldukca onemli bir yere sahip olan RFID etiketler gunumuzde bircok endustriyel alanda aktif olarak kullanilmaktadir. Bu etiketlerin icerisinde veri depolanabilmesi, uzaktan okunabilmesi ve internet teknolojisi ile beraber kullanilabilmesi en onemli avantajlarindandir. Bu calismada ise RFID etiketlerin farkli bir kullanim yonune odaklanilmistir. Onerilen sistemde hali hazirda kullanilan kargo yonetim sistemlerinin gelistirilmesi ile hiz, kapasite ve verimliliklerinin arttirilmasi amaclanmistir. Bilindigi uzere klasik kargo yonetim sistemlerinde genellikle barkod veya karekod turunde etiketler kullanilmakta ve bu etiketler bir el terminali araciligiyla okunmaktadir. Bu sistemlerde gerceklestirilen tum islemler surekli olarak bir calisanin paketleri okutmasi ve verilerin sisteme bu yolla aktarilmasi mantigina gore saglanmaktadir. Onerilen bu yaklasimda klasik barkod veya karekod etiketlerinin yerine UHF-RFID etiket kullanilmasi hedeflenmistir. Sistemde kargo gonderi subeleri, tasima araclari ve transfer merkezleri UHF-RFID okuyucu antenler ile donatilarak, gonderilerin otomatik, hizli ve guvenli bir sekilde okunabilmesi saglanmistir. Onerilen bu yaklasim ile ozellikle zaman yonunden onemli derecede verimlilik saglanmistir. Elde edilen bu verimlilik simulasyon calismalari ile dogrulanmis ve elde edilen sonuclar klasik yontemlerle karsilastirmali olarak sunulmustur.
Study of Mechanical and Thermal Properties in Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan/Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanocomposite-Based Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering: The Roles of Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Synthetic scaffolding for bone tissue engineering (BTE) has been widely utilized. The scaffold for BTE requires sufficient porosity as a template for bone cell development and growth so that it can be used in the treatment of bone defects and fractures. Nevertheless, the porosity significantly influences the compressive strength of the scaffold. Hence, controlling the porosity is a pivotal role to obtain a proper scaffold for practical BTE application. Herein, we fabricated the nanocomposite-based scaffold utilizing nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA). The scaffold was prepared in combination with chitosan (Ch) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The ratios of n-HA, Ch, and CMC used were 40:60:0, 40:55:5, 40:50:10, 40:45:15, and 40:40:20, respectively. By controlling the Ch and CMC composition, we can tune the porosity of the nanocomposite. We found that the interpolation of the CMC prevails, as a crosslinker reinforces the nanocomposite. In addition, the binding to Ch enhanced the compressive strength of the scaffold. Thermal characteristics revealed the coefficient of thermal expansion decreases with increasing CMC content. The nanocomposite does not expand at 25–75 °C, which is suitable for human body temperature. Therefore, this nanocomposite-based scaffold is feasible for BTE application.
Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany Observations on Functional Wood Histology of Vines and Lianas Observations on Functional Wood Histology of Vines and Lianas

Types of xylem histology in vines, rather than types of cambial activity and xylem conformation, form the focus of this survey. Scandent plants are high in conductive capability, but therefore have highly vulnerable hydrosystems; this survey attempts to see what kinds of adaptations exist for safety and in which taxa. A review of scandent dicotyledons reveals that a high proportion possesses vasi centric tracheids (22 families) or true tracheids (24 families); the majority of scandent families falls in these categories. Other features for which listings are given include vascular tracheids, fibriform vessel elements, helical sculpture in vessels, starch-rich parenchyma adjacent to vessels, and other parenchyma distributions. The high vulnerability of wide vessels is held to be countered by various mechanisms. True tracheids and vasicentric tracheids potentially safeguard the hydrosystem by serving when large vessels are embolized. Many vines and lianas have many narrow vessel elements (often fibriform vessel elements) in addition to wide vessel elements. The narrow vessel elements are held to increase safety. In comparing scandent with nonscandent genera within a family, one finds in some cases that tracheids occur in the scandent species, whereas fiber-tracheids or libriform fibers occur in the nonscandent ones. The same is true of vasicentric tracheids in vining species as compared to nonvining relatives; vasicentric tracheids are so abundant in some families (Passifloraceae) that li briform fibers have been lost partially or wholly. New familial records for presence of vasicentric tracheids include Cucurbitaceae and Polygonaceae, and new generic records include Antigonon, Ly copersicon, and Mandevilla. Various xylem features suggest presence of auxiliary conductive capabil ities when main vessels fail. Parenchyma distributions in vines, especially those in which parenchyma surrounds fiber-sheathed vessels, may offer mechanical flexibility in vines, just as presence of wide rays does. However, starch-rich axial parenchyma adjacent to vessels may provide not merely a means of storing to facilitate growth events but, additionally, a way in which hydrolysis of starch could result in movement of sugar into vessels, permitting osmotic entry of water into given areas. Adaptations which seem to lend safety to the hydrosystem are much less in vines and lianas of perpetually moist tropical regions than they are in taxa subject to periods of drought or frost.