Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life cycle assessment of Brazilian sugarcane products: GHG emissions and energy use

Sugarcane is currently the main renewable energy source in Brazil. Due to the importance of the cane industry and its contribution to a wide range of biobased energy and other products, LCA studies regarding cane‐derived products are needed to assess their environmental benefits. The main objective of this work was the assessment of life cycle energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to cane sugar and ethanol, considering bagasse and electricity surpluses as coproducts. We performed an overall balance for the Brazilian Center‐South Region, adopting different methods to evaluate sugar and ethanol production separately. The GREET 1.8c. 0 model was used for the ‘well‐to‐wheels’ calculations but adapted to the comprehensive set of Brazilian parameters that best represent the Center‐South Region. For the reference case, fossil energy use and GHG emissions related to sugar production were evaluated as 721 kJ/kg and 234 g CO2eq/kg, respectively. For the ethanol life cycle, these values were 80 kJ/MJ and 21.3 g CO2eq/MJ. Special attention was paid to the variation of some parameters among producing units based on data collected by industry. The consequent uncertainties in ethanol life cycle emissions were assessed through a Monte Carlo analysis based on assigned distribution of probability curves for eleven selected parameters and informed by partial statistical data available from industry for distribution generation. Projections were also made for 2020 scenario parameters based on the best in current class technologies and technological improvements deemed commercially possible today. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Predição do rendimento e do peso do filé da tilápia-do-Nilo

A criacao de tilapia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) e o seu file apresentam um mercado vigoroso e expansao no Brasil e no mundo. Portanto, um modelo de regressao obtido a partir de parâmetros corporais externos, de facil observacao, que prediga o rendimento e o peso do file possibilita selecionar individuos com maior potencial produtivo. Objetivou-se com este trabalho obter um modelo que permita predizer o rendimento e o peso do file, baseado em medidas morfometricas e do peso. Foram avalidos 890 individuos dos quais os caracteres mensurados foram: comprimento total (CT), comprimento-padrao (CP), comprimento da cabeca (CC) e do tronco (CTR), altura da cabeca (AC1), altura lombar (AL), altura caudal (AC2), espessura lombar (EL) e caudal (EC), peso corporal (PESO), peso de file (PF) e rendimento de file (RF). Foram realizadas analises de regressao linear, com PF e RF como variaveis dependentes. O R2 para o modelo do PF foi 0,80, demonstrando que as medidas corporais sao confiaveis para se estimar o peso do file. Ja para o modelo do RF, o R2 foi de 0,16, nao sendo adequado para se estimar o rendimento do file, devendo ser desenvolvidos novos estudos para se obter um modelo mais confiavel.
Hybridization of the genetic algorithm with the apparatus of fuzzy sets

Evolutionary algorithms are one of the effective methods for solving problems with high computational complexity, large dimension and search space. The use of evolutionary algorithms makes the question of choosing their settings and parameters relevant. The solution to this issue is difficult and significantly affects the quality of the resulting model. The paper considers the issue of determining the dimension of the current population during the operation of the genetic algorithm using the mathematical apparatus of fuzzy sets with a pentary membership scale. The proposed hybrid genetic algorithm has been tested on sets of test functions. A comparative analysis of the classical and hybrid genetic algorithms for the accuracy of solving the optimization problem of the general plan of logistics transportation is carried out.
Fluctuating asymmetry and fitness in Drosophila melanogaster

Models predict that developmental stability measured by fluctuating asymmetry should be positively correlated with fitness. Although such a correlation has often been suggested by indirect studies, there is still a lack of direct experimental evidence. In this note, I have measured the fluctuating asymmetry of sternopleural bristle counts in 32 lines of Drosophila melanogaster sharing the same genetic background but displaying all combinations of five visible mutations. Fluctuating asymmetry was heterogeneous among lines, suggesting a direct impact of the mutations on developmental stability. Two measures of fitness were made for each line: productivity (a combined measure of fecundity and egg‐to‐adult survivorship) and competitive male mating success. Fluctuating asymmetry was correlated with neither of these two components of fitness. This suggests that generalizations about fluctuating asymmetry must be taken with care.
Suberin degradation by Rosellinia desmazieresii

In culture, Rosellinia desmazieresii, the agent of a ring-dying disease in Salix repens, which can penetrate intact periderm surfaces in its host, produced a range of cell-wall-degrading enzymes. These included esterases that may be important in the depolymerization of suberin. Slow breakdown of suberin by this fungus was demonstrated.
Development of Print Awareness of Hearing-Impaired Young Children in China

The purpose of this study was to examine experimentally the developmental changes and characteristics on print awareness of hearing-impaired young children in China through comparison with hearing young children of the same age. It was conducted a character consciousness measurement task on judging whether the presented stimulus was a character or not for 67 hearing-impaired young children and 45 hearing young children aged 3 to 5 years in China. As a result, hearing young children showed an increase in the score of the print awareness task among all ages, and that print awareness improved with development. Hearing-impaired young children were suggested to have significantly improved print awareness between the ages of 4 and 5 due to the increased score of the print awareness task between the ages of 3 and 5 and between the ages of 4 and 5. From this result, it was clarified that even hearing-impaired young children at the age of three years before receiving formal literacy education can recognize characters to some extent, and that the print awareness develops up to the age of five. From this study, it is suggested that hearing-impaired young children have a slight delay in the development of print awareness compared to hearing young children of the same age. There is a significant difference from hearing young children as the age increased, indicating that print awareness of hearing-impaired young children develops more slowly than hearing young children.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEAGRASS Thalassia hemprichii PERCENTAGE COVER AND THEIR BIOMASS

Seagrass has many functions and values, including as carbon sink. However, to estimate carbon in seagrass, it involves seagrass biomass harvesting which is laborious, costly, and destructive. This study aimed to find out the relationship between seagrass Thalassia hemprichii percent cover with their biomass which will provide alternative method for biomass estimation leading to an efficient, less cost and less destructive method for seagrass carbon stock estimation. Seagrass were sampled in Bonebatang island, South Sulawesi, and estimated their percent cover following SeagrassWatch Method from different seagrass condition and sediment type, as well as harvested for their biomass. In the lab, seagrass biomass was dried. Data was analyzed by using simple regression analysis. Results showed that there is a relatively strong relationship between percent cover and the belowground, aboveground and total biomass (R 2 = 0.70; 0,81 and 8,3, respectively). Seagrass percent cover (seagrass health status, i.e. healthy, moderate and poor) also resulted a relatively strong influence on total seagrass biomass (R2>50%). However, apart from segarss percent cover, some other parameters are needed to be taken into consideration, such as seagrass densities and seagrass morphologies
The biosynthesis of annuloline, a unique oxazole alkaloid

Phenylalanine and tyrosine are incorporated specifically into annuloline in Lolium multiflorum. Tyramine, cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid are shown to be intermediates in the biosynthesis. Methylation is shown to occur late in the biosynthetic sequence.
PhyA and cry1 act redundantly to regulate gibberellin levels during de‐etiolation in blue light

In pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings, both phytochrome A (phyA) and cryptochrome 1 (cry1) are required for the rapid inhibition of elongation in response to transfer from dark to blue light. The reduction in stem elongation upon blue light exposure is accompanied by a rapid reduction in the level of bioactive gibberellin A1 (GA1) in the shoot, and mutant studies indicate that this process is redundantly regulated by phyA and cry1. The reduction in GA1 levels under blue light may be mediated by phyA and cry1 in part through increased conversion of GA1 to the inactive catabolite GA8. Changes in the transcript level of key GA metabolism genes appear to play an important role in this process. Under blue light, both phyA and cry1 are required to suppress the transcript level of PsGA3ox1, which regulates the conversion of GA20 to GA1. PhyA and cry1 also contribute to upregulation of PsGA2ox2 transcript level under blue light, which encodes a GA 2-oxidase that converts GA1 to inactive GA8. In addition to changes in GA levels, phyA and/or cry1 may also regulate changes in GA responsiveness, an important mechanism for regulating long-term stem elongation in the light.
An investigation of some properties of banana yogurts made with commercial ABT-2 starter culture during storage

Five yogurt batches were prepared with banana puree and sugar combinations and ABT-2 (Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus, Lactobaccilus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp.) as starter culture. The addition of fruit influenced (P < 0.05) the syneresis, titratable acidity and pH, whereas the viscosity value, and S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus, L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. counts were found to be insignificant. Storage time significantly (P < 0.05) affected the syneresis, titratable acidity, pH value, and S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus counts, while the viscosity value and L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. counts were not affected. The sensory evaluations showed that the sample B was most preferred by panellists.
Clomazone fate in soil as affected by microbial activity, temperature, and soil moisture

Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the fate of the herbicide clomazone [2-[(2chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinonel in soil. Effects of soil microbial activity, incubation temperature, and soil moisture on clomazone fate were determined up to 84 days following surface application of [W]clomazone uniformly labeled in aromatic rings ([AR-14C]clomazone) to a Flanagan silty clay loam soil. On the basis of a comparison of clomazone fate in sterilized soil and reinoculated soil, clomazone degradation was biologically dependent. The greatest clomazone mineralization rate occurred at a lower temperature than did the greatest microbial respiration rate; respiration and clomazone mineralization increased with increasing soil moisture content. Clomazone volatilization increased with increasing temperature but was not significantly affected by soil moisture treatment. In all studies, 59% or more of applied clomazone was extracted from soil as parent clomazone 84 days after application. Unextractable radioactivity accounted for 12% or less of that applied. A single detectable metabolite, persistent only under conditions of low temperature or low soil moisture content, accounted for less than 5% of applied radioactivity at any sampling time. The metabolite did not contain the carbonyl carbon of clomazone. These data suggest the carbonyl carbon is converted to COz during formation of the clomazone metabolite.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Philippine Rice Cultivars Carrying Good Quality Traits using SSR Markers

Microsatellite markers, also known as simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been useful for the detection of genetic diversity. Twenty-four rice cultivars carrying good quality traits were evaluated for genetic diversity using 164 SSR markers. A total of 890 alleles were detected by 151 polymorphic markers with an average of 5.89 per locus. Out of these markers, 89 generated a total of 147 rare alleles. Based on Shannon’s diversity index, an overall genetic diversity of 0.71 was revealed indicating a high level of genetic variation among these cultivars. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values of the markers ranged from 0.18 (RM420) to 0.91 (RM473B) with an average of 0.68 per marker. Cluster analysis of these cultivars enabled to identify 3 groups at 40% level of similarity with additional sub-clusters within each group. Group 1 corresponded to the 8 japonica subspecies, whereas Groups 2 and 3 comprised the indica. Cultivars under groups 1 and 2 are known for their aroma and good cooking and eating quality traits. Between the 2 rice subspecies, indica gave more alleles than japonica and likewise displayed a higher genetic diversity. Genetic diversity of indica was high on chromosome 11, while that for japonica was high on chromosome 2. The study revealed that SSR markers facilitated the classification of these cultivars according to their subspecies. The results also indicated that these quality rice cultivars exhibited a higher genetic diversity and therefore very useful for rice breeding programs, especially for genetic mapping studies and eventually for application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in the programs.
Influence of foliar and systemically applied azadirachtin on host‐plant evaluation behaviour of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Abstract The behaviour of female adult Bemisia tabaci is observed for a period of 20 min after initial contact with untreated cucumber leaves, or leaves either foliar or systemically treated with azadirachtin, to determine whether application of azadirachtin affects the host‐evaluation behaviour and whether the behaviour on treated leaves differs between application methods. Application of azadirachtin deters settling of the whiteflies on host plants. The whiteflies probe for shorter duration and less frequently but spend longer and engage more frequently in labial grooming on treated leaves than on untreated leaves. Behavioural transition between probing and other behavioural elements is less common, and that between labial grooming and other behavioural elements more common, on both treated leaves than on untreated leaves. No difference is detected in the host‐evaluation behaviour of B. tabaci between leaves foliar treated and systemically treated with azadirachtin.
Role of the Blood‐Brain Barrier in the Formation of Long‐Chain ω‐3 and ω‐6 Fatty Acids from Essential Fatty Acid Precursors

Elongated, more highly polyunsaturated derivatives of linoleic acid (18:2ω‐6) and linolenic acid (18:3ω‐3) accumulate in brain, but their sites of synthesis and mechanism of entry are not well characterized. To investigate the role of the blood‐brain barrier in this process, cultured murine cere‐bromicrovascular endothelia were incubated with [1‐14C]18: 2ω‐6 or [1‐14C]18:3ω‐3 and their elongation/desaturation products determined. The major metabolite of 18:2ω‐6 was 20:4ω‐6, whereas the primary product from 18:3ω‐3 was 20: 5ω‐3. Although these products were found primarily in cell lipids, they were also released from the cells and gradually accumulated in the extracellular fluid. Eicosanoid production was observed from the 20:4ω‐6 and 20:5ω‐3 that were formed. No 22:5ω‐6 or 22:6ω‐3 fatty acids were detected, suggesting that these endothelial cells are not the site of the final desaturation step. Although the uptake of 18:3ω‐3 and 18:2ω‐6 was nearly identical, 18:3ω‐3 was more extensively elongated and desaturated. Competition experiments demonstrated a preference for 18:3ω‐3 by the elongation/desaturation pathway. These findings suggest that the blood‐brain barrier can play an important role in the elongation and desaturation of ω‐3 and ω‐6 essential fatty acids during their transfer from the circulation into the brain.
Nutrient Composition and Sensory Profile of Differently Cooked Green Leafy Vegetables

Abstract Four green leafy vegetables commonly consumed in South India were selected for the study. They were subjected to three different methods of cooking namely, conventional, pressure, and microwave cooking. Proximate composition, vitamins (ascorbic acid and β-carotene), mineral content (calcium, phosphorus, and iron), and in vitro available iron of the raw and cooked samples were estimated. The cooked samples were further subjected to sensory analysis. The results showed that the nutrient content of each green leafy vegetable was distinct and spinach was comparatively a poor source of all nutrients. Cooking caused a significant difference only in the ascorbic acid and β-carotene content of the greens. No significant difference was observed in the nutrient content due to the three different methods of cooking adopted. Results of the sensory test revealed that color was the only attribute that varied to a large extent due to cooking. Color of pressure cooked greens was considered inferior to conventionally cooked and microwave cooked samples. The sensory attributes of microwave cooked greens were similar to the conventionally cooked samples.
Diet Components of Northern Shrimp Pandalus borealis First Stage Larvae in the Northwest Gulf of St. Lawrence

Abstract The objective of this study was to clarify the diet composition of the first stage larvae of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis during the spring period of high biological production in the Northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NWGSL). Data collected in spring 2006 revealed that hatching of P. borealis larvae took place in late April and early May during a period characterized by a phytoplankton bloom (mainly species of the genus Chaetoceros) and by an abundance of early stages of mesozooplankton, which demonstrated the onset of secondary production at the sampling site. Gut content examination of stage I larvae sampled at the site and feeding experiments conducted at sea revealed that omnivorous feeding starts at hatching, but a first approximation based on the quantity of pigments present in the larvae suggest that zooplankton is more important than phytoplankton to meet the larvae's energy needs. In addition, field observations of the degree of gut fullness and the low percentage (10%) of larvae with empty guts indicate a high feeding success. Hatching at the time of production of adequate prey could represent a major factor for larval northern shrimp survival in the NWGSL.
β‐Galactosidase, phospho‐β‐galactosidase and phospho‐β‐glucosidase activities in lactobacilli strains isolated from human faeces

Aims: Lactose intolerance, a serious health problem for Asians, can be solved using probiotic bacteria having high lactose hydrolysis activities. We determined the distribution of β‐galactosidase (β‐gal), phospho‐β‐galactosidase (P‐βgal) and phospho‐β‐glucosidase (P‐β‐glc) activities in species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human faeces to select strains for potential use in fermented dairy products, e.g. yogurt.
Studies on Urate Oxidase of Candida utilis

Some physical and chemical properties of urate oxidase (EC 1. 7. 3. 3) isolated from the cells of Candida utilis were investigated. The molecular weight was estimated to be 1.2×105 by the equilibrium sedimentation and gel filtration methods. The isoelectric point was determined as 5.4 by the method of density electrofocusing. The enzyme showed a slight absorption at 410mμ, and the absorbancy at this wave length was only 3% of that at 280mμ. Contrary to urate oxidase from swine liver, the enzyme from yeast contained a negligible amount of copper, but it contained iron of nearly one atom per mole of the enzyme protein. The yeast urate oxidase was not inactivated by some chelators. However, it was easily inactivated with certain heavy metal ions such as Hg2+, and the inactivated enzyme was reactivated by the addition of thiols, indicating that the enzyme is a sulfhydryl enzyme. The inactivation of the enzyme with urea, on the other hand, was greatly accelerated by the addition of thiols, and some discussion was added to the results obtained.
Enhanced expression and DNA binding activity of two CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein isoforms, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ, in rheumatoid synovium

OBJECTIVE To investigate the activation and expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP), especially C/EBPbeta and -delta, in rheumatoid synovium, and their pathogenic implications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS The activation of C/EBPbeta and -delta was assessed in synovial tissues from patients with RA by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA); DNA binding activity of C/EBPs was evaluated by measuring EMSA band density. The expression and distribution of C/EBPbeta and -delta in synovial tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry analysis. As a control, synovial tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were studied. RESULTS Enhanced DNA binding activity of C/EBPbeta and -delta, 2 major members of the C/EBP family, was detected in synovial tissues from RA patients, while synovial tissues from the patients with OA showed only faint or marginal activity (mean +/- SEM arbitrary units [AU] RA 23.3 +/- 11.7 in RA versus 4.5 +/- 1.3 in OA; P < 0.05). Moreover, the binding activities of the C/EBP proteins were correlated with both serum C-reactive protein levels (r = 0.62, P < 0.05) and synovial interleukin-6 messenger RNA levels (r = 0.60, P < 0.05). In immunohistochemistry studies, C/EBPbeta and -delta were detected predominantly in the rheumatoid synovial lining cells (both CD14+ and CD14- cells). CONCLUSION C/EBPbeta and -delta may contribute to the pathology of rheumatoid synovitis.
Design of a Broadband Microstrip Array Antenna for 5G Application

This paper presented a study that analyses the enhancement of high gain microstrip array antenna for 5G applications operating at 28 GHz designed to meet the ETSI standardization. It is expected that the gain must be high at high operating frequency so that it can compensate the propagation path loss. The objective of this study was to design a 16-element microstrip array antenna located at the top of antenna as a rectangular patch. Aiming to achieve low loss and high antenna efficiency, the material used for the proposed design was Roger 5880 materials with the permittivity of 2.2 and thickness of 0.25. Initially, a rectangular microstrip array antenna with 4 elements was designed. After analyzing the outcomes of antenna features such as reflected loss, efficiency and antenna gain, the 4 elements array were transformed into 8 elements array. To achieve high gain, it was then transformed into 16 elements array. Based on EM analysis using CST software, it was found that the proposed antenna has high efficiencies and high gain of 18.5 at 28 GHz operating frequency.