Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Volatiles of myrmecophytic Piper plants signal stem tissue damage to inhabiting Pheidole ant‐partners

1 The major aim of this paper was to explore the mechanistic basis of induced defensive ant response in myrmecophytic Piper species and their ant‐partner Pheidole bicornis by combining experimental trials and chemical analysis. 2 In field experiments, the response of Pheidole ants to simulated stem‐damage of their host plant was documented. Their reaction to other myrmecophytic and non‐myrmecophytic Piper species was explored by fixing respective stem sections onto inhabited Piper fimbriulatum individuals. After artificial damage to stems of P. fimbriulatum and stem sections from other myrmecophytic Piper, the number of ants increased to a maximum of 63 individuals on the damaged internode within the first 10 min. By contrast, no or only a poor reaction was elicited by stem sections from the selected non‐myrmecophytic Piper species. 3 Solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry identified 68 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which were emitted from wounded stem bark of three myrmecophytic (P. fimbriulatum, P. obliquum, P. sagittifolium) and two non‐myrmecophytic (P. hispidum, P. riparense) Piper species, comprising monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, simple aromatic compounds, and green leaf volatiles (GLVs, oxylipins). Despite considerable variation in the VOC profiles, an analysis of similarities (anosim) classified the accumulation of the sesquiterpenes β‐caryophyllene, germacrene D and emission of the oxylipin reactive electrophilic species (RES) compounds hexanal, cis‐3‐hexene‐1‐ol, 2‐hexenal, 2‐undecanone and 1‐hexanol as characteristic of the myrmecophytic species. 4 Synthesis. Field experiments showed that mechanical disturbance of myrmecophytic Piper stems is not sufficient to elicit recruitment and alertness of the ant‐partner Ph. bicornis, but that specific volatiles released from the host plant are responsible. Analyses of the VOCs identified after simulated stem damage of three myrmecophytic and two non‐myrmecophytic Piper species revealed differences in their VOC emission profiles: Only in the myrmecophytic species were induced stress compounds found, such as various oxylipin RES or the sesquiterpene β‐caryophyllene, which are typically emitted after plant damage for interplant signalling. Some of these compounds (e.g. hexanal, 1‐hexanol) are known to induce alerting and alarm behaviours in several ant species. Our study provides evidence that the VOCs of the Piper host plant may signal stem damage and induce recruitment and alert behaviour of associated Pheidole ants.
A Wide-Angle Scanning Leaky-Wave Antenna Based on a Composite Right/Left-Handed Transmission Line

This paper presents a frequency-independent, wide-angle scanning leaky-wave antenna (LWA), based on the composite right/left-handed transmission line (CRLH TL). The proposed LWA consists of a coplanar waveguide-grounded (CPWG) structure loaded by varactors. Loaded varactors are used to control the phase constant of the fundamental mode of the LWA by adjusting the applied DC voltage. The LWA has an excellent wide-angle scanning capability, a simple structure, and low cost. Results show that the main beam of an LWA with 20unit cells can scan from −66° to 62° at the operation frequency of3.0 GHz, with a peak gain of 9.9 dBi, and a gain fluctuation of less than 4.9 dB. The operation bandwidth and radiation efficiency are about 13% and over 50%, respectively. A 10-unit cascaded LWA prototype was designed, fabricated, and measured to verify the design concept.
Sequential saccharification and fermentation of corn stover for the production of fuel ethanol using wood -rot fungi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli K011

We aim to develop a sequential biological process that converts cellulosic materials into fermentable sugars and ultimately ethanol as a transportation fuel. We performed solid state fermentation at ambient conditions to induce lignocellulolytic activities from three fungal species, namely Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Trichoderma reesei. We cultivated each of the fungal species on pure cellulose and corn stover to induce the secretion of cellulases, hemicellulase and lignolytic enzymes via .
Angiopoietin‐1 reverses protein permeability in an injury model of cultured human alveolar epithelial type II cells

OBJECTIVE: We recently reported that acute lung injury (ALI) pulmonary edema and cytomix (IL1β, TNFα and IFNγ) increase epithelial protein permeability (JBC, 2007). Angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1) maintains vascular integrity and reduces endothelial activation in a model of ALI (AJRCCM 2007). In this study, we hypothesized that Ang‐1 could reverse increased protein permeability in cultured human alveolar epithelial type II cells (ATII) exposed to cytomix.
A Dynamic Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Decision Variable Classification

In recent years, dynamic multiobjective optimization problems (DMOPs) have drawn increasing interest. Many dynamic multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (DMOEAs) have been put forward to solve DMOPs mainly by incorporating diversity introduction or prediction approaches with conventional multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. Maintaining a good balance of population diversity and convergence is critical to the performance of DMOEAs. To address the above issue, a DMOEA based on decision variable classification (DMOEA-DVC) is proposed in this article. DMOEA-DVC divides the decision variables into two and three different groups in static optimization and changes response stages, respectively. In static optimization, two different crossover operators are used for the two decision variable groups to accelerate the convergence while maintaining good diversity. In change response, DMOEA-DVC reinitializes the three decision variable groups by maintenance, prediction, and diversity introduction strategies, respectively. DMOEA-DVC is compared with the other six state-of-the-art DMOEAs on 33 benchmark DMOPs. The experimental results demonstrate that the overall performance of the DMOEA-DVC is superior or comparable to that of the compared algorithms.
Effects of forage type on diversity in bacterial pellets isolated from liquid and solid phases of the rumen content in sheep and goats.

Two sheep and two goats, fitted with a ruminal cannula, received two diets composed of 30% concentrate and 70% of either alfalfa hay (AL) or grass hay (GR) as forage in a two-period crossover design. Solid and liquid phases of the rumen were sampled from each animal immediately before feeding and 4 h post-feeding. Pellets containing solid associated bacteria (SAB) and liquid associated bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the corresponding ruminal phase and composited by time to obtain 2 pellets per animal (one SAB and one LAB) before DNA extraction. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA was used to analyze bacterial diversity. A total of 78 and 77 bands were detected in the DGGE gel from sheep and goats samples, respectively. There were 18 bands only found in the pellets from sheep fed AL-fed sheep and 7 found exclusively in samples from sheep fed the GR diet. In goats, 21 bands were found only in animals fed the AL diet and 17 were found exclusively in GR-fed ones. In all animals, feeding AL diet tended (P < 0.10) to promote greater NB and SI in LAB and SAB pellets compared with the GR diet. The dendrogram generated by the cluster analysis showed that in both animal species all samples can be included in two major clusters. The four SAB pellets within each animal species clustered together and the four LAB pellets grouped in a different cluster. Moreover, SAB and LAB clusters contained two clear subclusters according to forage type. Results show that in all animals bacterial diversity was more markedly affected by the ruminal phase (solid vs. liquid) than by the type of forage in the diet.
PERFORMANCE TRAITS OF FINISHING PIGS FED MULBERRY AND TRICHANTHERA LEAF MEALS Comportamiento productivo de cerdos en finalización alimentados con harina de hojas de morera y tricantera

A total of 48 commercial crossbred pigs, weighing an average 50 ±3k gwere allotted at random in groups of two into six treatments consisting of diets given ad libitum to the animals. There was a control diet (T1) mainly prepared with cereals and soybean meal, and five diets containing sweet potato root meal as the main energy source (40%) and either soybean meal (T2) or mulberry (Morus alba) and trichanthera (Trichanthera gigantea) leaf meals either alone or mixed in the proportion of 24+0 (T3), 16+8 (T4), 8+16 (T5) and 0+24 (T6) percent of the diet respectively. Water solubility and in vitro digestibility of N were best in mulberry as compared to trichanthera. There were no significant differences amongst treatments in feed intake, although a slight depression effect of tree leaf meal on this trait was noted (T3 to T6). Mean daily gain resulted significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatments T1 to T3 than in those containing high proportions of trichanthera leaf meal (T4 to T6); likewise, a deterioration was observed (P < 0.05) in the food conversion for the treatments (T4 to T6). According to the results herein reported, it should be suggested that in diets for fattening pigs where sweet potatoes root meal is the main energy source, mulberry leaf meal and palm oil in levels of 24% and 6% respectively, determine similar performance traits to others where conventional protein sources are usually included. More research concerning the feeding value of trichanthera leaf meal, or even combinations of mulberry and trichanthera leaf meals should be encouraged to be conducted.
Cultural Determinants of Corporate Governance: A Multi-Country Study

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate if the culture of countries influences earnings management practices. Earnings management (EM) was chosen as a Corporate Governance mechanism. Methodology: We selected the Earnings Management proxies from Leuz et al. (2003). We adopted Hosftede´s cultural dimensions: power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance and long term orientation. The sample comprised companies listed in 2016 in the stock markets of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and the United States. This work involved regression analysis to associate the dimensions of culture with the practice of EM of the firms. Findings: The results showed a positive relationship between EM and power distance and between EM and uncertainty avoidance. On the other hand, the results showed a negative relationship between EM and individualism and between EM and long term orientation. Overall, our results suggest that culture influences firms’ earnings management. Originality/value: Finance literature has had difficulty in assessing which variables can affect the development of CG in companies and its peculiarities in each country. It is also difficult to find country-level variables that are common to all countries. This paper breaks new ground by developing culture indicators of the countries and aggregating legal and firm-level variables to these indicators to advance the understanding of CG in the firms and nations. Theoretical and methodological contributions : studying culture at a multi-country level is important to improve the understanding of common aspects and the countries’ particularities that may affect the relationship between corporate governance and performance around the world.
Statistical Eye-Diagram Estimation Method Considering Power/Ground Noise Induced by Simultaneous Switching Output (SSO) Buffers

In this article, we propose a novel statistical eye-diagram estimation method considering nonlinear power/ground noise induced by parallel simultaneous switching output (SSO) buffers. Probability density functions (pdfs) of output step-responses affected by the SSO are derived based on the occurrence probability of each SSO pattern. From the derived output response pdfs, main-cursor (MC) pdfs and intersymbol interference (ISI) pdfs are defined. Statistical output responses are derived based on recursive convolution between the MC-pdfs and ISI-pdfs affecting each other. The proposed method, for the first time, considers steady-state responses affected by the SSO to estimate more accurate statistical eye-diagrams. The proposed method is verified by comparing the derived statistical eye-diagrams with eye diagrams obtained using full transient simulation. Also, bit error rate (BER) bathtub curves derived using the proposed method and full transient simulation are compared for verification. The proposed method is compared with the previous study to emphasize importance of the steady-state responses. Finally, the proposed method is expanded to consider previous bit patterns, which are also affected by the SSO.
Nephron-sparing approaches in the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: indications and clinical outcomes

Given the more aggressive phenotype and prognosis of the upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) than those of bladder tumor, radical removal of the entire ureter along with ipsilateral kidney has long been the standard of care. However, recent advances in diagnostic imaging and endoscopic armamentarium have markedly enhanced the role of nephron-sparing approaches for well-selected cases, especially with low-risk features. Historically, this strategy was exclusively considered for managing a patient unfit to undergo radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). After observing effective oncologic control for these imperative cases, an elective risk-based indication was introduced with care. Two representative modalities in this strategy include endoscopic management via retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS) or antegrade percutaneous approach and segmental ureterectomy (SU). SU, which includes different types of unstandardized procedures, is the most widely reported alternative to RNU. Despite the lack of qualified evidence regardless of the strategy applied, systemic reviews have consistently revealed similar survival after endoscopic management and RNU for low-grade and noninvasive UTUC. However, selected patients with high-grade and invasive UTUC could benefit from SU while maintaining the oncologic outcomes observed after RNU. Based on these findings, the currently available guidelines have extended the use of the nephron-sparing approach gradually, recommending segmental resection especially for the distal ureteral tumors even in patients with high-risk features. Nonetheless, the fact that evidence supporting these conclusions remains poor and potentially biased cannot be overemphasized.
Osteoporosis in frail patients

Frailty is a condition connected to slow walking speed, loss of weight, exhaustion, weakness and low physical activity; the combination of at least three of them can be an indication that a patient should be examined for the specific syndrome. It is the inability of the analysis of homeostasis following a stress, which lead to adverse outcomes (falls and/or disability). However, frailty is not to be found in all seniors. It may be connected with aging but it can also be prevented and treated accordingly. In osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become fragile due to the fact that the tissue weakens, calcium and vitamin D are low, factors that inevitably lead to fractures. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) however is not the only reason that could indicate and measure the risk for fractures. Physical, mental and social well-being are three main specifications to be considered and evaluated accordingly. Firs is physical well-being related to the individuals’ health assessment and included morbidity, second comes the pain and third refers to the level of physical functionality. In addition, mental well-being consists of self-esteem and general satisfaction along with anxiety, depression and adaptability. Social well-being on the other hand is connected not only to the general satisfaction whether he or she appreciates life and its gifts but also reflects the degree of participation in social activities. The FRAX (acronym for the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) (Figure 1) has been introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008 has proven to be an extremely supportive tool because it has the potentials to indicate the patients who can receive treatment for osteoporosis. Through an algorithmic process one can determine probable osteoporotic fractures (vertebral, humerus and forearm) and hip breaks with a prospect of about a decade; it refers to both males and females and takes into consideration the density of femoral neck (BMD) and other factors that can be considered clinically risky. In addition, youngsters can also be in danger due to low bone density and their aBMD ( areal Bone Mineral Density) that can be calculated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for more accurate results. However, it is ambiguous whether cortical Volumetric (vBMD) and/or bone size and structure are connected to such a condition. Abstract
In silico Analysis of Phytochemicals from Clove against Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an airborne disease, mostly caused by bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia and also by influenza virus. Due to hyper secretion and over production of mucus by goblet cells which leads to obstractle in airflow. This disease can be cured using (Syzygium aromaticum) clove extracts. Phytochemicals are secondary metabolites which are basically non-nutritive compounds but can protect from various diseases caused by microorganism. Bioactive compounds like Acetyl eugenol, Beta-caryophyllene and vanillin, crategolic acid, eugenin tannins, gallotannic acid, mrthyl salicylate (painkiller), flavonoids, kaempferol, rhamnetin, eugenitin, triterpenoid like oleanolic acid are found in clove extract. The enzyme and the phytochemicals were run using Biovia Discovery Studio and molecular docking was performed. By the help of -CDocker energy and -CDocker interaction energy the strength of the interaction was evaluated. The key enzyme involved in the biochemical pathway of mycoplasma pneumonia is Thymidine phosphorylase. High positive values for both the parameters indicated that out of different phytochemicals, Myricetin can interrupt the life cycle of Mycoplasma pneumonia spp. Effectively by deactivating the enzyme Thymidine phosphorylase (Pdb no 4LHM). The present study is to evaluate the action of phytochemicals present in clove (against brochitis diseases). Original Research Article Sahu et al.; EJMP, 31(5): 34-39, 2020; Article no.EJMP. 55462 35
Streptococcus pyogenesinfection in mice

Abstract We inoculated 5 to 7-week-old female C3HeB/FeJ mice withStreptococcus pyogenesstrain B514-Sm (type M50) by both an intranasal and intratracheal route and characterized the resulting illness. Following intranasal inoculation, the animals developed signs of illness within 1 to 8 days post-inoculation which correlated with acute, suppurative, bronchopneumonia during histopathologic analysis; however, the relationship of response to dose was non-linear, as seen previously in a small group of mice.1Intratracheal inoculations were then performed to increase the quantitative reliability of the model. Following intratracheal inoculation, the animals succumbed to an illness that was indistinguishable from that seen after intranasal inoculation, and the incidence of pneumonia followed a steep dose response curve. The dose at which 50% of the animals exhibited signs of respiratory illness within 72 h was 1.0×107colony forming units. All of the animals that appeared ill had lung lesions as determined by gross and histopathologic examination. Bacteraemia followed pneumonia in two-thirds of the intratracheally inoculated animals, indicating that theS. pyogeneshad crossed tissue barriers. We hope that this model will be useful in future studies concerning the role of suspected streptococcal virulence factors in the later stages of pathogenesis of invasiveS. pyogenesinfection.
Food intake capacity in relation to breeding and feeding of growing pigs

Effects of daily food intake (FI) on daily gain (DG), food conversion ratio (FCR), ultrasonic backfat thickness (BF), percentage lean parts (LP), percentage fatty parts (FP), lean tissue growth rate (LTGR), fatty tissue growth rate (FTGR) and lean tissue food conversion (LTFC) were investigated in 687 barrows and 98 gilts, slaughtered at a mean live weight of 108 kg and fattened in seven batches. In the range of food intake from about 1.7 to 3.2 kg.d! (22 to 42 MJ digestible energy) a continuous distribution of data was available. Body composition was linearly related to FI. Most regressions of BF and all of LP and of FP on FI were linear, showing fatter animals at higher food intake. For FTGR, BF, LP and FP, parameter estimates based on linear regression were given. Although the response of DG and of LTGR on increasing FI was not always significantly different from linearity, the second degree polynomials indicated diminishing returns in all batches. FTGR had a high linear correlation with FI (0.85 to 0.95), indicating that in the present range of FI a rather fixed proportion of the food for production was used to deposit fatty tissue. For DG and LTGR a non-linear model of the type a(FI-fg)' was fitted, where IQ was interpreted as maintenance requirement. For FCR and LTFC the corresponding model was Fl/(a(FI-fo) )• Both models were preferred over quadratic polynomials because of better interpretation of parameters. FCR and LTFC showed minima at FI of about 2.6 and 2.2 kg.d , but especially for FCR the increase at increasing FI was low. Results were not consistent in demonstrating or refuting a plateau in LTGR, which in any event appears to lie near to or beyond ad libitum FI for most pigs.