Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal degradation kinetics of sepiolite

Abstract The kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation of sepiolite were evaluated with a new method based on thermal analysis data. Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis curves were recorded for the natural and preheated sepiolite samples in the temperature range 25–800°C for 4 h. The temperature-dependent height of the exothermic heat flow peak for the thermal decomposition of sepiolite located at ~850°C on the differential thermal analysis curve was taken as a kinetic variable for the thermal degradation. A thermal change coefficient was defined depending on this variable because this coefficient fit to the Arrhenius equation was assumed as a rate constant for the thermal degradation. The Arrhenius plot showed that the degradation occurs in three steps. Two of these are due to stepwise dehydration and the third originated from dehydroxylation of sepiolite. Three activation energies were obtained that increase with the increasing temperature interval of the steps.
The influence of xenobiotics and environmental selection upon carcinogenic changes in human male reproductive system

This review is a compilation of the recent reports on a role of environmental factors on a cancer development in male reproductive system. We have analyzed studies of environmental pollution and disorders of mechanisms responsible for defense against impact of xenobiotics upon the prostate cancer and testicular cancer occurrence. Moreover, we have focused on the polymorphisms of selected genes, which in excessive exposure to environmental stress factors might exacerbate disorders of an
Involvement of the FKBP5 gene in the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders and antidepressant response: An update

The FKBP5 gene has been shown to modulate stress responses by regulating glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. Because stressful events are increasingly recognized as important environmental risk factors of psychiatric disorders, FKBP5 has recently become a candidate gene in research on stress-related conditions. This review aims to provide a concise overview of current knowledge about the FKBP5 gene and its clinical implications and suggest directions for future research. Firstly, the functional role of the gene will be described. Associations with affective and post-traumatic stress disorders will then be discussed in the context of gene-by-environment interactions. Finally, the usefulness of FKBP5 genotype as predictor of antidepressant drug response will be outlined.
The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species: CONCLUDING REMARKS ON HETEROSTYLED PLANTS

After the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859 Darwin became fascinated with the potential for botanical experiments to provide evidence for the process of evolution. First published in 1877, this volume is based on a series of papers concerning heterostylous plants (species which produce different types of flowers) originally published in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnaen Society in 1862. Linnaeus had divided the sexual relations of flowers into four groups, which Darwin uses as the structure for this volume. Darwin examines in detail plants which produce different flower forms, presenting his conclusions in terms of adaptive evolution and so providing the first functional interpretation of heterostyly. He demonstrates that these plants are adapted for cross-fertilisation, not self-fertilisation as was widely believed. The concepts which Darwin introduces in this volume continue to provide the basis for research into plant reproductive biology.
Landing a UAV on Static or Moving Platforms Using a Formation Controller

Landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on static or mobile platforms (such as an unmanned ground vehicle—UGV) is challenging since the UAV should hover exactly over the platform. This article presents a solution to this problem based on the virtual structure control paradigm. The problem is addressed as the control of a heterogeneous formation of a UGV and a UAV, with the UAV landing on or taking off from the UGV. The formation is characterized as a three-dimensional straight line linking the two vehicles, which start navigating cooperatively, keeping a desired formation shape (the desired straight line). Subsequently, the structure is changed to make the UAV hover above the UGV, to land on it. Then, the distance between the vehicles is gradually reduced to a suitable altitude, and the UAV drops on the UGV. The UAV can then takeoff, if required, either resuming the formation structure or flying independently of the UGV, and land back on the UGV after finishing the mission, if required. The stability of the control structure proposed to guide the vehicles during the cooperative navigation and landing is proven, based on the theory of Lyapunov, and its effectiveness is checked through experimental results.
From the Ground to Space: Using Solar‐Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence to Estimate Crop Productivity

Timely and accurate monitoring of crops is essential for food security. Here, we examine how well solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can inform crop productivity across the United States. Based on tower‐level observations and process‐based modeling, we find highly linear gross primary production (GPP):SIF relationships for C4 crops, while C3 crops show some saturation of GPP at high light when SIF continues to increase. C4 crops yield higher GPP:SIF ratios (30–50%) primarily because SIF is most sensitive to the light reactions (does not account for photorespiration). Scaling to the satellite, we compare SIF from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) against tower‐derived GPP and county‐level crop statistics. Temporally, TROPOMI SIF strongly agrees with GPP observations upscaled across a corn and soybean dominated cropland (R2 = 0.89). Spatially, county‐level TROPOMI SIF correlates with crop productivity (R2 = 0.72; 0.86 when accounting for planted area and C3/C4 contributions), highlighting the potential of SIF for reliable crop monitoring.
RARRES1 regulation of alpha-tubulin tyrosination, cytokinesis and vertebrate embryonic development

Vitamins A and D are critical for embryonic development and mineral ion homeostasis and have proven effective as chemotherapeutic and chemointerventive agents in cancer through their differentiation-inducing and anti-proliferative properties. However, little is known about the potential commonly regulated downstream genes which exert these effects. Here we report that the largely unstudied RARRES1, a putative tumor suppressor, is one gene commonly regulated by both vitamin A and D in cancer cells. The RARRES1 paralogue, latexin, is a putative carboxypeptidase inhibitor shown to be involved in the regulation of the haematopoietic stem cell population in mice. Our findings indicate that RARRES1 and latexin are the products of a gene duplication event, and that RARRES1 is the ancestral gene in this family. RARRES1 expression is progressively lost in the pathology of prostate cancer and in highly aggressive cancer cells vitamins A and D fail to induce its expression. RARRES1 interacts with and regulates the activity of a novel cytosolic carboxypeptidase (AGBL2) that detyrosinates the C-terminal EEY-regions of alpha-tubulin and EB1, a protein involved in microtubule stability. RARRES1 is a Golgi-associated transmembrane protein that is transported to the cleavage furrow and midbody in dividing cells. Depletion of RARRES1 increased
ASSOCIATION OF FERTILITY AND IN-VITRO ANALYSIS OF SPERM STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS, REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES, OSTEOPONTIN AND UBIQUITIN OF CROSSBRED BULLS IN INDIA

Background: In cattle, male infertility or subfertility is mainly contributed by the molecular and cellular defects of the spermatozoa affecting the fertilizing ability of the bull’s ejaculate on the whole. Hence précised screening of ejaculates for elimination of subfertile or infertile bulls are warranted for a successful progeny testing program, breeding program or semen preservation. The objective of this study was to elucidate bull to bull variation in sperm structural and functional parameters, functional protein expression and associated fertility of crossbred bulls in Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: Forty ejaculates from six healthy Jersey crossbred bulls were collected using artificial vagina (AV). After initial screening for motility and morphology ejaculates were ejaculates were divided into two aliquots and one aliquot was frozen using egg-yolk extender and stored at -196 °C. Fresh semen samples initially and post-thaw frozen samples at a later time were evaluated. Sperm viability, acrosome integrity, sperm DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) were evaluated using flow cytometry. In addition, hypo-osmotic swelling, oxidative stress and expression of osteopontin (OPN) and ubiquitin in sperm were determined. Results: The results showed that viability, acrosome integrity, %DFI, hypo-osmotic swelling, oxidative stress and expression of osteopontin (OPN) and ubiquitin (UBI) were different among bulls (P<0.01) for fresh and frozen semen. The fresh semen had greater viability, acrosome integrity, HOST, oxidative stress and osteopontin; and lesser %DFI and ubiquitin compared with frozen semen (P<0.05). Bulls with greater viability, acrosome integrity, HOST, oxidative stress and OPN and lesser %DFI and UBI in their frozen semen sired more calves. Conclusion: Bulls with less fractionated sperm structural and functional defects, ROS and UBI, and more OPN and less UBI protein expression in their frozen sperm had greater fertility. These variations in sperm parameters contributed to observed differences in the fertility.
Determinants of credit constraint of artisanal fishermen in Ghana

ABSTRACT: Due to the high risk associated with fishing, access to credit becomes very difficult for fishermen. The study was conducted to investigate the determinants of credit constraint on artisanal fishermen with survey data collected from artisanal fishermen in the Western and Central Regions of Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents for the study. Data collected were analyzed with the aid of descriptive and IV-Probit model. Most of the fishermen were in their youthful stage. From the study, while boat ownership and off-fishing activity reduce the probability being credit constrained, complex procedure, and disbursement time lag increase fishermen probability of being credit constrained. The findings of the study also indicated that there is a significant difference between constrained and unconstrained fishermen fishing activity and financial status. Therefore, fishermen in need of additional credit should be catered for to increase their production, hence, livelihood.
Promoting Deep-level Processing through Etymological Elaboration: The Case of Idioms in Croatian EFL Context

Idiomatic expressions have long been named as one of the most notorious language items to be taught to EFL learners, mainly due to their opaque nature that prevents the reader from inferring the meaning. The purpose of this paper is to cast light on the nature of idiom comprehension among Croatian learners of English who are at upper-intermediate and advanced levels. Two groups were included in the research whereas the instrument comprised both pre-taught and novel vocabulary. The experimental group was treated by means of etymological background for each expression which was provided for them during their English course. The control group was instructed to remember as many expressions as they could by means of rote memorization strategies. Both groups were retested after a certain period in order to determine the retention of pre-taught and novel items and see whether the elaboration of etymological background exerted any effect on the retention. The results showed the experimental group outperformed the control participants in recalling pre-taught idioms as well as novel expressions, which goes in favor of etymological elaboration presenting a transferrable learning strategy as opposed to rote memorization.
Characterization and delineation of micronutrient pools in some selected Inceptisols and Alfisols of West Bengal

The present study has been conducted to determine the cationic micronutrient (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) pools based on other factors towards plant availability in 20 selected soil series (10 series each from Alfisols and Inceptisols) of West Bengal. Apart from physicochemical characterization, the soils were sequentially extracted for different fractions such as the water-soluble and exchangeable (SE); organically bound (OB); manganese oxide–bound / occluded (MnOx), amorphous iron oxide-bound (Am_FeOx), crystalline oxide-bound (Cry_FeOx) fractions using sequential extraction process. The percent predominance of the manganese fractions in the selected Alfisols and Inceptisols followed the order as MnOx > Am_FeOx > Cry_FeOx > OB > SE fractions while for copper, it followed the order as OB > Cry_FeOx > Am_FeOx > SE > MnOx fractions. The percent predominance of the iron fractions in the selected Alfisols and Inceptisols followed the order as Cry_FeOx > Am_FeOx > MnOx > OB > SE fractions while for zinc, it followed the order as Am_FeOx > Cry_FeOx > MnOx > OB > SE fractions. The different fractions of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn were then stepwise regressed with other fractions and soil physicochemical properties. The most phyto-available fraction i.e. soluble and exchangeable Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn was found to be mostly governed by clay content of soil and organically bound fractions of respective elements.
Volunteer Tourism as a Transformative Experience: A Mixed Methods Empirical Study

In an effort to combine tourism with pro-social giving and personal development, more and more people choose to go abroad on volunteer tourism trips. We explore the potential transformational influence such trips have on travelers, aiming to map the transformation process stages and examine their boundary conditions. In doing so, we follow a mixed methods approach using a qualitative study comprising ethnographically informed in-depth interviews and a quantitative one, by means of a structured questionnaire. Findings indicate that the transformation process volunteer tourists undergo involves three stages related to liminality. We conceptualize the degree of liminality as immersiveness and show how the transformation process is significantly influenced by the degree of authenticity and the immersiveness of volunteer tourists’ experiences, as well as their own perceptions on how societally meaningful their actions were during their trips. Based on our conclusions, we present important implications for academics, managers, and tour operators.
Study of correlations between yield inheritance and resistance of corn self-pollinating lines and hybrids to pathogens

of the dissertation for a degree of the Candidate of Agricultural Sciences: spec. 06.01. 01 “General Farming”. P. 41. Tsyhanskyi V. I. , Didur I. M. , Tsyhanska O. I. , Malynka L. V. , Butenko A. O. , Masik I. M. , Klochkova T. I. (2019). Effect of the cultivation technology elements on the activation of plant microbe symbiosis and the nitrogen transformation processes in alfalfa agrocoenoses. 2227-9555 e–ISSN 2226-3063 ISSN Modern Phytomorphology 13: – P. 30–34. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20190107 Yang D, et al. (2017). Analysis of reason for recent slowing maize yield increase under climate change in China. Trans. Chin. Soc. Agric. Eng.; 33, – P. 231–238. [Google Scholar] Zozulia A. L. (1983). Anatomical and morphological methods for evaluating the selection material of corn. Selection and seed production of corn, 55, – P. 27–30. Citation: Kolisnyk, O. M. , Onopriienko, V. P., Onopriienko, I. M. , Kandyba, N. M. , Khomenko, L. M. , Kyrychenko, T. O. , Tymchuk, D. S. , Tymchuk, N. F. , Terokhina, N. O. (2020). Study of correlations between yield inheritance and resistance of corn self-pollinating lines and hybrids to pathogens. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 10(1), 220-225. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. License
Trafficking regulation of the chemokine receptor CCR2B compared to CCR5

The closely-related CC chemokine receptors 2B and 5 are seven-transmembrane domain receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. The two receptors bind inflammatory chemokines and play important complementary roles in the recruitment of specific leukocyte sub-populations to sites of infection. To enable fine-tuning of cellular responses to chemokines, CCR2B and CCR5, like other GPCRs, can be desensitised in response to agonist stimulation or cross-talk with other receptors. This involves down-modulation of cell surface active receptor through two essential transportation events, endocytosis and recycling. The CCR5 endocytic and recycling pathways are well established and several mechanisms involved have been clearly defined. Conversely, less is known about the route followed by CCR2B upon stimulation. This study investigated the regulation, trafficking and fate of CCR2B in the context of THP-1 cells endogenously expressing the receptor and HEK293 transfectants. Comparison with CCR5 highlighted marked differences in the behavious of the two receptors. However, my initial findings indicate that certain aspects of the regulation of CCR5 as well as CCR2B may be cell type-dependent. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and biochemical analyses showed that unlike CCR5, internalised CCR2B can be both degraded and recycled following agonist stimulation. In HEK293, CCR2B follows an EGF receptor-like pathway, transiting through early endosomes containing EEA1, transferrin and Rab4, reaching CD63 and Lamp1 positive late endosomes/lysosomes before being degraded. Importantly, I showed that CCR2B cell surface molecules are N- and O-glycosylated, and only this glycosylated form of the receptor is targeted for agonist-induced degradation. This thesis also presents findings from proteomics approaches developed in an attempt to identify interacting proteins implicated in the trafficking of each receptor. This study brings new insights to the endocytic regulation of agonist-treated CC chemokine receptors, revealing receptor- and cell type-specific behaviours, which add complexity to a relatively conserved process.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus mimicking lymphoproliferative malignancy in a child

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chromic autoimmune disease with multisystemic involvement. The estimated prevalence of SLE among children is 1-6/100000. Here we report a child who presented with generalized lymphadeopathy as the first manifestation of SLE. A 13 year old previously healthy girl presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and low grade remitting fever for 1 month duration. On examination she was found to have generalized lymphadenopathy and unremarkable rest of the clinical examination. Her basic haematological and biochemical parameters were normal. ESR was 110mm/hr and CRP was 6mg/dL. Ultrasound scan and Contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed extensive mediastinal, mesenteric, para-aortic, splenic hilar, bilateral axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy suggestive of lymphoproliferative malignancy. However, her bone marrow and lymph node biopsies revealed reactive pattern. Meantime she developed a malar rash, oral ulcers and 2 episodes of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. Her urinalysis revealed microscopic haematuria and sub nephrotic range proteinuria. Her ANA and dsDNA levels were positive. Her subsequent full blood count revealed severe bicytopenia, predominetly lymphopenia.The diagnosis of SLE was made and she was started on Hydroxychloroquine, high dose prednisolone and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. The most common presenting symptoms of SLE in children include, constituitional symptoms, joint symptoms and haematological abnormalities. It is estimated 23-34% children with SLE are having lymphadenopathy. Though, generalized lymphadenopathy as the presenting symptom of SLE is uncommon, it should not be forgotten in order to avoid diagnostic delay.
Edge Computing Robot Interface for Automatic Elderly Mental Health Care Based on Voice

We need open platforms driven by specialists, in which queries can be created and collected for long periods and the diagnosis made based on a rigorous clinical follow-up. In this work, we developed a multi-language robot interface helping to evaluate the mental health of seniors by interacting through questions. Through the voice interface, the specialist can propose questions, as well as receive users’ answers, in text form. The robot can automatically interact with the user using the appropriate language. It can process the answers and under the guidance of a specialist, questions and answers can be oriented towards the desired therapy direction. The prototype was implemented on an embedded device meant for edge computing, thus it was able to filter environmental noise and can be placed anywhere at home. The proposed platform allows the integration of well-known open source and commercial data flow processing frameworks. The experience is now available for specialists to create queries and answers through a Web-based interface.
A Problematic Fossil Brings Paleontology to the Classroom and the World

A problematic fossil discovered in 1998 by an amateur collector in central New York proved to be a valuable tool for teaching paleontology to people of diverse age and background. Highlighting its problematic status and including the public in the search for additional specimens as well as an investigation of affinities, allowed us to engage students and non-students alike in the most basic process of paleontology- reconstructing an organism from fossil remains. Use of a web site, http://www.geo. cornell.edu/glasssponge.html, which displayed the mystery fossil and invited comparison and comment, gained and held public attention. The story was widely covered by the media. The fossil appears to be a previously undescribed Devonian siliceous sponge. What attracted public and media attention, however, was interest in solving a scientific puzzle. The episode suggests that the discovery of problematic fossils can open opportunities for educational outreach.