Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural colors and physical properties of elytra in the jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima, using surface analytical techniques

Structural coloration frequently originates from the interaction of light with multilayers of thin films in living organisms. One example where structural colors are created by multilayers is the jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima, which has highly iridescent green elytra with longitudinal red stripes. We examine the structure, chemical information, and physical properties of the epicuticle of the jewel beetle by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoindentation, and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). AFM and SEM were used to analyze the surface structures of the green elytra and red stripes of the jewel beetle's wing. SEM and TEM images obtained from the cross‐sectioned cuticle samples of green and red areas indicated that the color arises from interference reflectors and reflectors consist of successive repeating layers of different electronic densities. Nanoindentation results showed that the green area of the elytron possesses a higher hardness and reduced modulus compared with the red area. To analyze the surface of the elytra and to compare multilayers of the green area with those of the red area, mass spectra and depth profiles were acquired by ToF‐SIMS with C60 and Ar cluster ion beams. The epicuticle consists of several layers with alternating high and low abundances of inorganic and organic fragment ions, with approximately 16 layers in the green and 12 layers in the red area. Therefore, ToF‐SIMS combined with other analytical techniques indicate that multilayer reflection is a major mechanism of the jewel beetle's iridescence causing structural coloration.
Consumer Behavior towards Regional Eco-Labels in Slovakia

Slovakia, as part of the European Union, participates in all forms of regional development and sustainability. A transparent form of regional development and sustainability is regional labeling, which has a 10-year tradition. Our regions represent excellent potential for the development of domestic products. Acceptance of essential requirements for regional products (domestic raw materials, manual work share, respect for the environment) opens up opportunities for the labor market, promotes tourism, and increases citizens’ purchase ability, none of which are clearly demonstrable in Slovak regions. Residents of individual regions have specific approaches in relation to regional brands depending on the region studied. For the purpose of the survey, four regions of southern Slovakia (with common environmental morphology and different industrial development) were selected. Indicators of age, gender, education, monthly income, and location relative to regional product preferences were studied. The results obtained were processed by cluster analysis (as a way of segmenting consumers). An average conscious purchaser of regional products is a local productive middle-aged person with a secondary or tertiary education, either male or female, and from a more economically advanced region. The results show regional branding as a mobilizing function for connecting inhabitants and the subsequent joint presentation of regional activities.
Myosin Light Chain Kinase Regulates Capacitative Ca2+ Entry in Human Monocytes/Macrophages

Abstract—Monocytes/macrophages are present in all stages of atherosclerosis. Although many of their activities depend to various extents on changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), mechanisms regulating [Ca2+]i in these cells remain unclear. We aimed to explore the role of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in Ca2+ signaling in freshly isolated human monocytes/macrophages. Large capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) was observed under fura 2 fluoroscopy in human monocytes/macrophages treated with thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. ML-9 and wortmannin, 2 structurally different inhibitors of MLCK, dose-dependently (1 to 100 μmol/L) prevented CCE and completely did so at 100 μmol/L, whereas inhibitors of tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C had only partial effects. Western blotting showed that thapsigargin significantly caused myosin light chain phosphorylation, which was almost completely blocked by ML-9 (100 μmol/L) and wortmannin (100 μmol/L). ML-9 also dose-dependently (1 to 100 μmol/L) inhibited .
The Influence of Deforestation on Land Surface Temperature—A Case Study of Perak and Kedah, Malaysia

Over the past few decades, there has been a rapid change in forest and land cover, especially in tropical forests due to massive deforestation. The major factor responsible for the changes is to fulfill the growing demand of increasing population through agricultural intensification, rural settlements, and urbanization. Monitoring forest cover and vegetation are essential for detecting regional and global environmental changes. The present study evaluates the influence of deforestation on land surface temperature (LST) in the states of Kedah and Perak, Malaysia, between 1988 and 2017. The trend in forest cover change over the time span of 29 years, was analyzed using Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 satellite images to map the sequence of forest cover change. With the measurement of deforestation and its relationship with LST as an end goal, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to determine forest health, and the spectral radiance model was used to extract the LST. The findings of the study show that nearly 16% (189,423 ha) of forest cover in Perak and more than 9% (33,391 ha) of forest cover in Kedah have disappeared within these 29 years as a result of anthropogenic activities. The correlation between the LST and NDVI is related to the distribution of forests, where LST is inversely related to NDVI. A strong correlation between LST and NDVI was observed in this study, where the average mean of LST in Kedah (25 °C) is higher than in Perak (22.6 °C). This is also reflected by the decreased NDVI value from 0.6 to 0.5 in 2017 at both states. This demonstrated that a decrease in the vegetation area leads to an increase in the surface temperature. The resultant forest change map would be helpful for forest management in terms of identifying highly vulnerable areas. Moreover, it could help the local government to formulate a land management plan.
Allocating government budgets according to citizen preferences: a cross-national survey

The goal of this exploratory study was to investigate if, when asked to state their preferences for the allocation of public monies toward broad governmental functions, individuals state them at random or if their choice follows some rational pattern that can be traced using explanatory variables. ,The paper presents the results of a survey conducted in Greece, Italy and Switzerland where the contingent allocation method was applied to a hypothetical allocation scenario of public monies to the functions of the government. ,Findings based on 428 answers revealed that individuals were able to state their preferences for the various functions of the government as well as discriminate between the relative utility of each task and that the country context and personal characteristics significantly influence the respondents' allocations. ,From a policy perspective, understanding citizen preferences in budget allocation may help governments rationalize the spending of public money.
Deposition of ultrasonic nebulized aerosols onto a hydrophilic surface

The effect of chemical treatment of a metallic substrate on the deposition of aerosols generated by an ultrasonic nebulizer was investigated. A single substrate with areas having different “level” of hydrophilicity (or hydrophobicity) was used as a model surface. The treated (more hydrophilic) area became more negatively-charged based on a surface electric potential meter. A low-pressure analysis method (electron-microscope image) and ordinary pressure methods (Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence) analytical results indicated that in comparison with the untreated area, the treated area trapped more particles in the case of the deposition of “wet” aerosols. In the case of the deposition of more “dry” aerosols, the untreated area trapped more particles rather than that of the treated one. The efficiency of particles deposition not only depended on the degree of hydrophilicity (or hydrophobicity) of the surface but also due to the conditions (wet or dry) of incoming aerosols.
Thermodynamic Property Values for Enzyme-catalyzed Reactions

This chapter deals with how one can obtain values of thermodynamic properties – specifically the apparent equilibrium constant K’, the standard molar transformed Gibbs energy change DrG’, and the standard molar transformed enthalpy change DrH’ for biochemical reactions – and, in particular, for enzyme-catalyzed reactions. In addition to direct measurement, these property values can be obtained in a variety of ways: from thermochemical cycle calculations; from tables of standard molar formation properties; by estimation from property values for a chemically similar reaction or substance; by means of estimation by using a group-contribution method; by combining a known value of the standard molar enthalpy change DrH and an estimated value for the standard molar entropy change DrS in order to obtain the standard molar Gibbs energy change DrG for a given reaction; and by use of computational chemistry.
Exponential stabilization of inertial quaternion‐valued Cohen‐Grossberg neural networks: Lexicographical order method

In this article, a general class of delayed interval inertial Cohen‐Grossberg neural networks described by quaternion‐valued parameters is considered. Under the homeomorphism mapping theory and lexicographical order method, we investigate the exponential stabilization problem for the quaternion‐valued Cohen‐Grossberg neural networks. To do so, we verify the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point (EP), and then by designing a sampled‐data feedback controller, several sufficient criteria are derived to ascertain the robust stability of the EP for the given system. What should be mentioned is that the state parameters are taking values in an interval, which implies the states are taking values between two different quaternions, thus, a lexicographical order method is employed, which proposed an effective method to determine the “magnitude” of two different quaternions. Finally, numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed theoretical results.
EcoRI endonuclease-DNA complexes studied by thermodynamics and electron spin resonance spectroscopy

This work focuses on adducing general principles applicable to site-specific protein-DNA interactions by linking function to structural, thermodynamic and dynamic properties. The interaction of EcoRI endonuclease with specific, miscognate, and nonspecific DNA sequences is used as a model for protein-DNA interactions. We use four pulse Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER) Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) experiments to map distances and distance distributions between nitroxide spin labels placed at positions within the ‘arms' and the main domain of the EcoRI homodimer. These experiments show that the DNA occupies a similar binding cleft and is enfolded by the arms of the enzyme in all three classes of EcoRI-DNA complex. Additionally, changes in dynamics of main domain and arm residues within the three complexes were explored using Continuous Wave (CW) ESR spectroscopy. A position adjacent to a protein-phosphate contact shows decreased mobility relative to other arm residues that are not at the protein-DNA interface. Signal from this position shows the largest amount of an immobile component in the specific complex, progressively less immobile in the miscognate and nonspecific complexes. This fits with distribution breadths from DEER-ESR spectra and biochemical evidence that the nearby phosphate contact is made only in the specific complex. Residues at other positions show mobilities that are in agreement with our hypothesis that residues in the arms would be relatively more mobile than those in the main domain Using Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) ESR we show that the paramagnetic Cu2+ ion is coordinated by an imidazole nitrogen. These experiments thus reveal a novel metal ion binding site. DEER measurements of distances between Cu2+ ions and Cu2+-nitroxide distances in the homodimeric EcoRI-DNA complex establish that the Cu2-coordinating residue is histidine 114, which is proximal to but not at the active site. This is consistent with our biochemical studies that show that Cu2+ cannot replace Mg2+ as a catalytic cofactor but instead completely inhibits EcoRI cleavage. We also use isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to directly determine a stoichiometry of two Cu2+ ions bound per homodimeric EcoRI-DNA complex; that is, each histidine 114 coordinates one Cu2+ ion.
The Role of Vitamin E in Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention: Current Perspectives

Regarding the multifactorial etiology of breast cancer, food choices, as well as dietary intake, are the main modified factors in cancer prevention. In this sense, understanding molecular pathways involved in breast cancer proliferation can help determine the mechanisms of action of organic compounds such as antioxidant vitamins that are known to protect against cancer. Assess the mechanism of action of vitamin E in breast cancer modulation, with emphasis on important markers of tumor development. It is a systematic review carried out in PubMed and Web of Science databases, from the last 5 years, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The following terms were selected according to The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “breast cancer” OR “breast neoplasms”, “tocopherol” OR “tocotrienols” OR “vitamin E”, as equated terms. A total of 595 articles were found and 25 were selected according to inclusion criteria. Vitamin E has been related to suppression/overexpression of important tumorigenic pathways, mainly associated with proliferation, energy metabolism, chemosensitivity and invasion/metastasis. Clinical studies of vitamin E supplementation are needed to assess the dose/response effect on breast cancer patients. The safety of vitamin E supplementation is still controversial due to current studies design available. However, when vitamin E is supplemented, the dose and therapeutic regimen must be carefully decided, including the route of administration and breast cancer subtypes to enhance desired effects and minimize unwanted side effects.
Exploring the Interrelationship between Additive Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Innovative technologies allow organizations to remain competitive in the market and increase their profitability. These driving factors have led to the adoption of several emerging technologies and no other trend has created more of an impact than Industry 4.0 in recent years. This is an umbrella term that encompasses several digital technologies that are geared toward automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies and processes. These include but are not limited to several latest technological developments such as cyber-physical systems, digital twins, Internet of Things, cloud computing, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence. Within the context of Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing (AM) is a crucial element. AM is also an umbrella term for several manufacturing techniques capable of manufacturing products by adding layers on top of each other. These technologies have been widely researched and implemented to produce homogeneous and heterogeneous products with complex geometries. This paper focuses on the interrelationship between AM and other elements of Industry 4.0. A comprehensive AM-centric literature review discussing the interaction between AM and Industry 4.0 elements whether directly (used for AM) or indirectly (used with AM) has been presented. Furthermore, a conceptual digital thread integrating AM and Industry 4.0 technologies has been proposed. The need for such interconnectedness and its benefits have been explored through the content-centric literature review. Development of such a digital thread for AM will provide significant benefits, allow companies to respond to customer requirements more efficiently, and will accelerate the shift toward smart manufacturing.
Evolution of Microwave Electric Field on Power Coupling to Plasma during Ignition Phase

During the gas ignition process, the plasma and the microwave electric fields are evolved with time together in the plasma volume. The spatio-temporal evolution pattern of microwave-radiated plasma parameters is reported here, highlighting the role of these electric fields on power coupling processes. Evolutions of electric field and so power coupling processes are calculated using the finite element method (FEM). It is observed that the main power coupling mechanism is electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) method; however, with the evolution of plasma, the mode shifts from ECR to off-ECR-type heating with time. Off-ECR heating in the form of upper hybrid resonance (UHR) method, electrostatic (ES) ion acoustic wave heating method is important heating mechanisms during highly dense plasma condition, when density is above critical density for launched frequency, 2.45 GHz. The conclusions on the shifting of heating mechanisms are also drawn based on the 3D maps of spatio-temporal plasma density and hot electron temperature evolution.
Characterization Methods of Amorphous Form Stability in Solid Dispersion : A Review

Solubility as a cause of ineffective active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) needs to be a concern. One of the solutions to increase the solubility by choosing active ingredients in the amorphous form. However, the amorphous form tends to be unstable because it has high Gibbs free energy and molecular mobility. To overcome those properties solid dispersion methods can be an answer. The dispersion of the amorphous form in the polymer is expected to prevent the transformation of API to crystal stable form. The solid dispersion (SD) resulted needs for physicochemical characterization to prove the ability of SD to maintain the amorphous form. Therefore, the physicochemical properties of the amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have to analyze there in any interactions that are able to occur between the drug and the polymer. Also for evaluate the stability of the ASDs within a certain period. In the article presents, some articles related with ASDs and its characterization will studying, include several product on the market as example. The number of literature used in this article is 69 articles.
1, Structural and Functional Studies of Human Replication Protein A; 2 DNA Damage Responses and DNA Repair Defects in Laminopathy-Based Premature Aging.

Human replication protein A (hRPA), a single-stranded DNA-binding protein, is required for many cellular pathways including DNA repair, recombination, and replication. However, the role of RPA in nucleotide excision repair remains elusive. In the present study, we have systematically examined the binding of RPA to a battery of well-defined ssDNA (single-stranded DNA) substrates using fluorescence spectroscopy. These substrates contain adducts of (6-4) photoproducts, N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene-, 1-aminopyrene-, BPDE (benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide)and fluorescein that are different in many aspects such as molecular structure and size, DNA disruption mode (e.g. base stacking or non-stacking), as well as chemical properties. Our results showed that RPA has a lower binding affinity for damaged ssDNA than for non-damaged ssDNA and that the affinity of RPA for damaged ssDNA depends on the type of adduct. Interestingly, the bulkier lesions have a greater effect. With a fluorescent base-stacking bulky adduct, (+)-cis-anti-BPDE-dG, we demonstrated that on binding of RPA the fluorescence of BPDE-ssDNA was significantly enhanced by up to 8 to 9 folds. This indicated that the stacking between the BPDE adduct and its neighbouring ssDNA bases had been disrupted and there was a lack of substantial direct contacts between the protein residues and the lesion itself. For RPA interaction with short damaged ssDNA, we propose that on RPA binding the modified base of
Issues with New Service Development Process in a Telecommunication Service Provider

The research addresses the issues of an existing New Service Development (NSD) process, which is based on the waterfall method at an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Malaysia. In this particular ISP, account managers and pre-sales personnel respond to the corporate customers’ requirements as and when needed. Not all requirements can be met with existing services. Some requires customization and new service development may reach up to a year which is way beyond the customers’ deadline. Therefore, this research aims at gauging the issues with the existing NSD process flow by investigating the relevance of the existing method to cater the current market demand including the evolution of technology. The research was conducted using qualitative method. Account managers and pre-sales personnel were interviewed to understand the issues they face with the existing NSD process flow. The semi-structured interview responses were analysed according to themes deduced from the interview transcripts. The main issues highlighted by the interviewees were high dependencies on technology and delivery partners resulting in high out-payment as well as low profit margin and long process for service readiness. All the interviewees agreed that the existing NSD process flow needs to be improvised to cater for the ever-changing market trends. In this research, the interviewees provided suggestions on improvements to the NSD process. In conclusion, the improved NSD process could essentially lead to an efficient service development process and hence facilitating the ISP's competitiveness in the industry world.
Enzymatic complex in diets for broilers in the growing phase

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of enzyme complex in diets of corn and soybean meal upon the metabolizable energy, heat production, zootechnical performance, intestinal morphometry, carcass yield and commercial cuts of broilers, in the period of 21 to 42 days. Metabolism and performance test were performed in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (Positive Control (CP) and Negative Control (CN), with enzyme complex and without enzyme complex, respectively), 8 repetitions of 4 birds (metabolism) and 15 birds (performance)). Metabolizable energy, heat production, intestinal histomorphometry, zootechnical performance, carcass yield and economic evaluation were analyzed. No effects were observed for metabolizable energy and heat production when enzymes to the diets were added. There was no effect of the treatments upon the performance and the carcass yield. The enzymes caused an increase in the width of the crypt in the duodenum. The others variables (villus height and width, crypt height, wall thickness) of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were not influenced. Enzymes in diets without energy reduction are not economically viable in the period of 21 to 42 days of age.