Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of Multiple Acid Phosphatases in Salt-stressed Spinach Leaves

Incremental salt stress brought about a clear enhancement of the activity of acid phosphatases in hydroponically grown spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves. Sephacryl S-200 chromatography of the enzyme fraction revealed multiple forms of acid phosphatases of high (300 000), intermediate (100 000), and low (35 000) molecular weight in control and salt-stressed spinach leaves. A similar zymogram of acid phosphatases, showing at least six bands in polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, was observed for control and stressed leaves. However, promotive effects of incremental salt stress on the activity of acid phosphatases were more pronounced in high molecular weight acid phosphatases. Substrate specificity and differential effects of some ions on the multiple acid phosphatases were also examined for control and salt-stressed leaves.
Analysis of Estrogen Receptor α and β in Endometrial Carcinomas: Correlation with ERβ and Clinicopathologic Findings in 45 Cases

Estrogens play important roles in the pathogenesis of the great majority of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Recently, a novel estrogen receptor (ER), ERβ, has been characterized, but little is known about the status of ERβ in endometrial carcinoma. We therefore examined expression of both ERa and ERβ in 45 cases of endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma using mRNA in situ hybridization, reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry. We also correlated the findings with various clinicopathologic parameters in these cases to examine their possible biologic significance. Accumulation of mRNA hybridization signals for both ERa and ERβ was detected predominantly in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells, and to a lesser extent in some stromal cells. ERβ mRNA was detected in 16/45 cases (35.6%), and ERa mRNA hybridization signals were detected in 36/45 cases (80.0%). Among the 16 ERp positive cases, 15 cases also had ERa mRNA hybridization signals. In the cases that expressed both ERα and ERβ, ERa mRNA hybridization signals were more widely distributed than ERp mRNA. In 21 cases, carcinoma cells had ERa mRNA hybridization signals but not ERβ mRNA. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the results of mRNA in situ hybridization and semiquantitative RT-PCR or immunohistochemistry for both ERa and ERβ. There were no significant correlations between ERβ mRNA expression and PR labeling index, Ki67 LI, age, or histologic grade. The results from our study indicate that ERβ is coexpressed with ERa, and that the estrogenic effects occur predominantly through ERa in endometrial carcinomas.
The Influence of Household Pension Wealth, Partner’s Health and Spousal Employment Status on Heterogeneous Early Retirement Transitions among Women in England

Continued employment in later life is important for economic well-being and health, and is a key policy issue. However, existing models of the determinants of extended working life do not provide a detailed account of coupled women’s early retirement patterns in the United Kingdom. This article uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to show that partnered women aged between 50 and 59 do not adjust the timing of their labour force exit according to the level of pension wealth the couple has accrued. A retired or inactive spouse, caring obligations and poor health accelerate employment exit. Moreover, the odds of an involuntary exit from the labour force, where women have limited control or choice over the timing, are higher for women in lower pension wealth households than those in high wealth families, and among women with inactive rather than retired partners.
Comparison of White Sucker Age Estimates from Scales, Pectoral Fin Rays, and Otoliths

Abstract The ages of 229 white suckers Catostomus commersonii from six drainages in the upper Missouri River basin were estimated from scales, pectoral fin ray sections, and lapilli otolith sections to evaluate the potential bias of age estimates between structures. Age estimates were compared by calculating the coefficient of variation, average percent error, percent agreement, and percent agreement within 1 year, as well as by constructing age bias plots. Overall, the relative precision of age estimates from pectoral fin rays and otoliths was higher than that of age estimates from scales and otoliths, but neither pair differed in precision from scales and fin rays. The relative precision of age estimates between pairs of structures was variable both within and among drainages, and few trends could be detected. The percent agreement between structures ranged from 50.0% to 93.8% among drainages, but 9 of 18 pairs had agreement rates greater than 70.0%. Percent agreement within 1 year was greater than 85.0.
Influence of wheat flour type on the production of flavour compounds in wheat sourdoughs

Abstract The influence of wheat flour type on the production of flavour compounds in wheat sourdoughs was investigated in sourdoughs fermented with four strains of lactic acid bacteria. The acidification of the sourdoughs and the production of lactic acid were influenced mainly by the flour type, with most lactic acid produced in sourdoughs made from low-grade flour and wholemeal flours. The production of volatile flavour compounds, including acetic acid, in the sourdoughs depended primarily on the starter culture used. An interaction between the starter culture and the flour type was observed for some of the flavour compounds, however. The flour type had a significant effect on the production of ethyl acetate and ethanol in sourdoughs fermented with heterofermentative cultures, with the highest amounts detected in sourdoughs made from wholemeal flour and low-grade flour.
Conceptual Cognitive Modeling for Fine-Grained Annotation Quality Assessment of Object Detection Datasets

College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China College of Electrical and Power Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China School of Electronic Information Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China Shanxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Control and Intelligent Information System, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China Department of Computer Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA
Mitigation and adaptation in multifamily housing: overheating and climate justice

Can thermal retrofit measures also enhance summer heat resilience and climate justice? Two common building types of multifamily dwellings in Central Europe are investigated: the ‘Grunderzeithaus’ and post-war large-panel construction along with their different inhabitant demographics. Thermal simulations and demographic surveys were undertaken for dwellings in both building types to evaluate the effectiveness of retrofit measures in reducing winter heat demand and to understand the impacts on summer overheating. Results indicate that standard retrofitting measures can reduce the overheating risks. The high summer temperatures on the top floor can be significantly lowered to values comparable with the ground floor. The remaining overheating in highly exposed rooms is reduced by additional selective adaptation measures. Adaptation requires more than technical interventions. Demographic surveys conducted for both building types show that different social groups are affected. The economics of retrofit requires policy clarity to avoid placing additional burdens on economically disadvantaged people. Inhabitants’ active involvement in night-time ventilation are vital for avoiding overheating. Appropriate affordances and a clear guidance for manual window opening/closing can reduce overheating. However, inhabitants who are unable to act (e.g. the elderly, immobile or those with chronic diseases) will be increasingly vulnerable and disadvantaged by increased exposure to overheating. Practice relevance The existing approaches for reducing heating demand and their impacts on overheating are examined for two common building types in Central Europe: the Grunderzeithaus and post-war large-panel multifamily housing. The evidence of physical effects and social interdependencies provides a basis both for decision-makers to select suitable measures, and for inhabitants to apply appropriate behavioural practices. Thermal retrofitting strategies for reducing winter heating demand can lead to enhanced resilience to hot summer weather, but also entail inhabitants’ active involvement. Additional technical measures are needed to ensure reduced levels of overheating. Inhabitants’ practices have a significant influence on resilience and the reduction of overheating. Therefore, technical interventions must be accompanied by clear strategies to empower inhabitants to control internal temperatures using natural ventilation. Elderly or ill inhabitants may not be able to perform these practices and, therefore, remain vulnerable. Increased rents caused by retrofits may displace socially disadvantaged inhabitants.
3D Mapping Database Aided GNSS Based Collaborative Positioning Using Factor Graph Optimization

The recent development in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication opens a new opportunity to improve the positioning performance of the road users. We explore the benefit of connecting the raw data of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) from the agents. In urban areas, GNSS positioning is highly degraded due to signal blockage and reflection. 3D building model can play a major role in mitigating the GNSS multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) effects. To combine the benefits of 3D models and V2X, we propose a novel 3D mapping aided (3DMA) GNSS-based collaborative positioning method that makes use of the available surrounding GNSS receivers’ measurements. By complementarily integrating the ray-tracing based 3DMA GNSS and the double difference technique, the random errors (such as multipath and NLOS) are mitigated while eliminating the systematic errors (such as atmospheric delay and satellite clock/orbit biases) between road user. To improve the accuracy and robustness of the collaborative algorithm, factor graph optimization (FGO) is employed to optimize the positioning solutions among agents. Multiple low-cost GNSS receivers are used to collect both static and dynamic data in Hong Kong and to evaluate the proposed algorithm by post-processing. We reduce the GNSS positioning error from over 30 meters to less than 10 meters for road users in a deep urban canyon.
NON-STARCH POLYSACCHARIDES ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION OF GROWING-FINISHING PIG DIETS WITH REDUCED METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND DIGESTIBLE AMINO ACIDS

The study evaluatedthe effects of supplementing non-starch polysaccharides enzyme(NSPE) to acorn-soybean meal based diet with reduced MEand digestible amino acids (DAA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics,and economic returnin growing-finishing pigs. A total of 54 barrows (Duroc-Pietrain ×Landrace-Large White) with an initial BW of 25.6±1.6kg were randomly assigned using a completely randomized design to 3 dietary treatments: positive control (PC, formulated underlocal industry nutrient specifications), negative control (NC, reduced to 65 kcal ME/kg and 1.5% DAA) and NC+NSPE.The NSPE is a commercial preparation (Rovabio Excel AP, Adisseo France) produced from fermentation of non-genetically modified Penicilium funiculosum. The NSPE was added at the rate of 50 g/100 kg of the diet. Each treatment had 6replicate penswith3pigs per pen.Pigs fed the diet with NSPE hadimproved(P<0.05) ADGand F:Gcompared withthose fed the PCand NCdietsinthe starter phase, and tended (P<0.08) to have improvedF:Gand final weights in the overall phase.There was no indication that the reduction in ME and DAA compromised performance of the pigs. Dietary effectson carcass characteristicswere not observed.The inclusion of NSPEto the diet with reduced ME and DAA decreased(P<0.03) cost per kg gain during the starter, grower, and overallphase.In conclusion, results indicatethat the NSPE can be used satisfactorily in growing-finishingpig dietswith reduced ME and DAA. Keywords: Pigs, non-starch polysaccharides,metabolizable energy, digestible amino acids, enzymesDepartment
UNBS1450: A new hemi‐synthetic cardenolide with promising anti‐cancer activity

Several reports suggest the sodium pump as an interesting oncology target, given that its subunit expression is markedly altered in cancer. By binding to the sodium pump, cardiotonic steroids, notably cardenolides, the natural high‐affinity Na+/K+‐ATPase ligands, elicit marked effects on cancer cell behavior and a number of studies have emphasized their potential use in oncology. Chemical modifications of 2″‐oxovoruscharin (a novel cardenolide extracted from Calotropis procera) based on an understanding of the structure–activity relationship within the series, has led to the identification of UNBS1450, a molecule characterized by more potent anti‐proliferative activity and lower toxicity than classic cardenolides. In aggressive and metastatic orthotopic NSCLC, refractory prostate cancer, and glioma models, UNBS1450 is more potent than tested reference compounds, including taxol, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, mitoxantrone, and temozolomide. The general mechanism of action associated with UNBS1450‐mediated anti‐cancer effects relates to the disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. UNBS1450 can thus be considered both anti‐proliferative (cytotoxic) and anti‐migratory, given that the actin cytoskeleton is essential to cytokinesis and to cancer cell migration. UNBS1450 also induces non‐apoptotic cell death processes (e.g., lysosome membrane permeabilization and autophagy) and thus may overcome major apoptosis resistance pathways responsible for the failure of therapeutics in certain cancers. UNBS1450 is currently in preclinical development and should reach Phase I clinical trials in 2008. Drug Dev Res 68:164–173, 2007. ©2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Field-Based Assist-as-Needed Control Schemes for Rehabilitation Robots

This article presents assistive control sche-mes for rehabilitation robots. The objective was to develop control strategies to follow a predefined path by maximizing the active participation of impaired subjects during training sessions. For this purpose, the path following task was defined in the velocity domain by constructing a desired velocity field around the path, and two different controllers were designed, which adjust the intervention of the robot according to the performance of the users, delivering an assist-as-needed (AAN) feature with adequate timing freedom. First, we developed an impedance controller for velocity tracking, which gains the AAN property by means of modulating the target impedance. Second, we designed a velocity tracking controller, which adjusts its contribution, in an AAN way, by monitoring the tracking error. Utilizing force sensors, the first method does not require a compliant robotic system, while the second approach does not need force sensors but provides its best AAN performance whenever the system is compliant. The controllers were featured by a force field component to avoid large position errors. The performance of the controllers was evaluated through experimental tests performed on a planar upper-limb training robot.
Extremophilic Organisms as an Unexplored Source of Antifungal Compounds

Extracts of the biomasses and fermentation broths of 217 extremophilic microorganisms isolated from a number of locales were screened for antifungal activity using whole-cell and mechanism-based in vitro assays. Importantly, eleven broth extracts had activity against several Candida species and Aspergillus fumigatus in whole-cell in vitro assays. One broth specifically inhibited (1,3)beta-glucan synthase activity and four specifically inhibited ketol-isomerase activity, suggesting a mode of action of the antifungal compound(s) present in these extracts. The extract from one thermophile, a novel species of Pseudomonas, was fractionated, an active compound purified and its structure determined. The compound was identified as pyochelin, a previously identified iron-binding compound with heretofore undescribed antifungal activity. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that extremophiles synthesize compounds that have antifungal activity.
Cumulative Effects of Plant‐Animal Interactions on Seed Production by Bauhinia Ungulata, A Neotropical Legume

Seed production was studied in Bauhinia ungulata, a neotropical, perennial legume. Our goals were to identify the biotic factors influencing seed output, the magnitude and variability of their effects, and whether these effects were density dependent. We measured predispersal repro- ductive success in five stands, ranging in size from 18 to 175 ramets. Pollination success and flower herbivory were evaluated for 1375 flowers. Other sources decreasing seed output were observed by examining 1714 seedpods. Six factors led to reduction in potential seed-set. In order of the magnitude of their effects, these factors were lack of pollination, incomplete development of ovules in flowers that formed seedpods, herbivores that damaged flowers that could have been pollinated, bruchids that destroyed developing seeds, herbivores that damaged pistils, and herbivores that ate developing pods. Density dependence was observed for three of the factors: level of pollination success, seed predation, and herbivory on developing seedpods. There was significant variation among stands for the six factors that were measured in all stands. Key factor analysis was used to estimate the influence of these factors on variation among stands in seed-set. Seed predators and pollinators accounted for most of the observed variation. We conclude that pollinators and predators on seeds are potentially important to the population dynamics of this plant.
Vitamin-D an Immune Shield Against nCOVID-19

Presently the world is battling a deadly pandemic without any effective licenced drugs or biologics to vanquish SARS-CoV-2. The experience of managing the past viral aetiological outbreaks has been extrapolated to nCOVID-19, yet its effectiveness is uncertain. This connotation invokes a potential insight to focus upon those elements and etiquettes which are an integral part of our life and expound for nCOVID-19 treatment. This further impels us to consider our food as a time-tested medicine. In a study, a decrease in Vitamin-D levels accounted for the bovine coronavirus infection in calves. Interestingly it paves the way for exploring the role of Vitamin-D as an accessible ‘magic bullet’ against nCOVID-19. Currently, its metabolism and immunomodulatory characterization are well-established. In fact, the studies have described an inverse relationship between Vitamin-D level and respiratory infections. This further substantiates for understanding its shielding effect against nCOVID-19. Few researchers have recommended dosage of Vitamin-D intake among adult and high-risk individuals including front-liners. However, the enforcement of this potent nutritional ergogenic calls for dose rationalisation with due effectivity and safety based on large randomized controlled trials.
Carbon dioxide biofixation by Chlorella vulgaris at different CO2 concentrations and light intensities

In order to develop an effective CO2 mitigation process using microalgae for potential industrial application, the growth and physiological activity of Chlorella vulgaris in photobioreactor cultures were studied. C. vulgaris was grown at two CO2 concentrations (2 and 13% of CO2 v/v) and at three incident light intensities (50, 120 and 180 μmol m−2 s−1) for 9 days. The measured specific growth rate was similar under all conditions tested but an increase in light intensity and CO2 concentration affected the biomass and cell concentrations. Although carbon limitation was observed at 2% CO2, similar cellular composition was measured in both conditions. Light limitation induced a net change in the growth behavior of C. vulgaris. Nitrogen limitation seemed to decrease the nitrogen quota of the cells and rise the intracellular carbon:nitrogen ratio. Exopolysaccharide production per cell appeared to be affected by light intensity. In order to avoid underestimation of the CO2 biofixation rate of the microalgae, exopolysaccharide production was taken into account. The maximum CO2 removal rate (0.98 g CO2 L−1 d−1) and the highest biomass concentration (4.14 g DW L−1) were determined at 13% (v/v) CO2 and 180 μmol m−2 s−1. Our results show that C. vulgaris has a real potential for industrial CO2 remediation.
Detección de anticuerpos anti-Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) en venados silvestres en Colombia

Objective. To determine the presence of anti-Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) antibodies in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and red brocket deer (Mazama rufina), captured in the Orinoquia and Caribbean regions of Colombia. Materials and methods. A total of 44 blood serum samples from deer of species M. rufina and O. virginianus were collected under field conditions between 2014 and 2016. An ELISA commercial kit was used to detect anti-MAP antibodies. An animal was considered ELISA-positive at a sample-to-positive ratio (S/P%) of ≥ 0.4, as recommended by the manufacturer. Results. The 50% (22/44) of the animals were positive, corresponding to 10 females and 12 males. An 81.8% (18/22) and 77.3% (17/22) of these seropositive animals were captured in the Orinoquia region and were reported as adults, respectively. Conclusions. It is not known how or when MAP was introduced in the Colombian deer population in the study regions. The most plausible hypothesis to explain the presence of antibodies against MAP in these wild populations is transmission by contact with infected bovine cattle since, in both regions, these species share pastures. This is the first study to explore MAP infection in wild animals in Colombia. These findings support the need for further studies using different direct diagnostic techniques and research approaches that allow the definition of links in the infection dynamics between wild and domestic mammals in Colombia.
Determination of B- and T- cell epitopes for Helicobacter pylori cagPAI: An in silico approach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Helicobacter pylori is classified as a gram-negative bacteria and can cause significant diseases, including gastric cancer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tumor, peptic ulcer, and chronic gastritis. Recent studies have shown that some autoimmune diseases are also associated with H. pylori. In the past decades, polymorphisms of certain genes of H. pylori, mechanisms and strains of H. pylori, and new therapeutic approaches have continued to be defined. Bioinformatic tools continue to be used in drug design and vaccine design. This study aimed to investigate the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI) of H. pylori using an in silico approach, which could contribute to vaccine studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS The pathogenicity island of H. pylori was obtained from GenBank and analyzed with ClustalW software. Structures of cag Virb11 (Hp0525) and an inhibitory protein (Hp1451) were obtained, and codon optimization and secondary and tertiary structure prediction for the cagPAI of H. pylori were analyzed using Garnier-Osguthorpe-Rabson IV secondary structure prediction method and self-optimized prediction method with alignment software. The BcePred prediction server was used to distinguish linear B-cell epitopes, and prediction of T-cell was obtained with NetCTL and MHCPred. RESULTS According to the physicochemical parameters, the cagPAI of H. pylori was analyzed and found to be stable, and 2 B-cell epitopes of cagPAI of H. pylori and 2 T-cell epitopes of cagPAI were found in this study. CONCLUSION B- and T-cell epitopes that we have identified can induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Thus, these epitopes have a potential for vaccine studies. Consequently, this in silico analysis should be combined with other pieces of evidence, including experimental data, to assign function.