Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digestive Characteristics of Hericium erinaceus Polysaccharides and Their Positive Effects on Fecal Microbiota of Male and Female Volunteers During in vitro Fermentation

Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides (HEPs) have attracted widespread attention in regulating gut microbiota (GM). To investigate digestibility and fermentation of HEPs and their effects on GM composition, three polysaccharide fractions, namely, HEP-30, HEP-50, and HEP-70, were fractionally precipitated with 30%, 50%, and 70% ethanol concentrations (v/v) from hot water-soluble extracts of Hericium erinaceus, respectively. Three kinds of prepared HEPs were structurally characterized and simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and their effects on human fecal microbiota fermentations of male and female and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in vitro were clarified. Under digestive conditions simulating saliva, stomach, and small intestine, HEPs were not significantly influenced and safely reached the distal intestine. After 24 h of in vitro fermentation, the content of SCFAs was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05), and the retention rates of total and reducing sugars and pH value were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Thus, HEPs could be utilized by GM, especially HEP-50, and enhanced the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, e.g., Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, and Lactobacillus. Furthermore, HEPs reduced the relative abundances of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter. This study suggests that gradual ethanol precipitation is available for the preparation of polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus, and the extracted polysaccharide could be developed as functional foods with great development value.
Specific interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus with fibrinogen and its role in cell adhesion

Interaction between Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and different proteins known to mediate the attachment of malignant tumor cells or microorganisms to the host tissues was studied in vitro. Flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated fibrinogen confirmed that binding of human fibrinogen to the conidia was dose dependent and specific. Binding was inhibited by unlabeled fibrinogen and by basement membrane laminin. Moreover, the expression of fibrinogen receptors at the surfaces of conidia seemed to be related to the maturation of the conidia. Binding sites appeared to be located in the D domains of the fibrinogen molecule. However, the peptide sequence recognized by the fungus could not be identified but was different from the classical adhesive recognition sequences, RGDS and fibrinogen gamma-chain dodecapeptide. In addition, an assay of adherence to proteins immobilized onto microtiter plates allowed us to establish the role of these interactions in fungal adhesion. Conidia strongly adhered to human fibrinogen and to laminin but not to fibronectin. Adhesion to fibrinogen substrates was specific, since it was inhibited by soluble fibrinogen and by specific antibodies, and seemed to be mediated by the D domains of the molecule. Study of the adhesion of numerous strains or clinical isolates to various mammalian fibrinogens did not reveal any particular affinity of strains for some animal species. Finally, by cultivation of the fungus in the presence of 125I-human fibrinogen and analysis of the radiolabeled material bound to the surface of the fungus, we were able to specify the sequence of events allowing its installation within the host. The interactions identified here may play an important role in governing fungal adherence and host tissue invasion.
Locations of synthesis of hair structural proteins in human anagen follicles

Summary Live tissue containing cells of the presumptive hair shaft (PHS), was obtained by microdissection of human anagen hair follicles. Whole PHS, as well as PHS further dissected into three levels of hair development, were subsequently used in protein solubilization procedures. Single‐ and two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of radiolabelled extracts, with fluorography. enabled comparison of hair and PHS keratin proteins. Fluorographs demonstrated the major classes of proteins comprising the intermediate filaments (IF) and matrix of hair keratins. In addition, extracts from various levels of PHS tissue have provided direct evidence for the locations of synthesis of these protein moieties. Thus IF and matrix proteins are synthesized sequentially in PHS. A previously unobserved polypeptide component, not present in hair extracts, has been identified and found to vary in relative proportions when compared with the major IF and matrix protein classes as PHS cells differentiate to form hair. In the absence of reliable methods for extraction of human hair. PHS provides an alternative source of material, despite the extra burden of follicle collection and specimen preparation. The procedures described provide a new basis for studying human hair defects and are potentially useful for comparing human hair proteins in a variety of situations.
DC arc flash calculations — Arc-in-open-air & arc-in-a-box — Using a simplified approach (Multiplication factor method)

This paper suggests a method for calculating the incident energy and the arc flash boundary (AFB) distance for dc systems when an arc-in-a-box situation is involved. The method uses the dc maximum power method and a multiplying factor instead of using distance exponents. The method may also be used for an arc-in-open-air by using a multiplying factor of 1. It is based on the basic assumption that the spherical energy density can be increased to a new value to account for the additional reflected heat radiation from a box situation and that the ratio of the new value to the spherical energy density equals a multiplying factor for correcting - from the energy density for an arc-in-open-air situation to an arc-in-a-box situation, based on a simplified equation or methodology. When calculating the AFB, the method requires the use of an iterative process, since the multiplying factor is a nonlinear variable and is based on the distance from the arc. This paper should provide a good starting point for further discussion and development regarding dc arc-in-a-box situations.
Coenzyme Q10 Contents in Foods and Fortification Strategies

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ 10 ) is an effective natural antioxidant with a fundamental role in cellular bioenergetics and numerous known health benefits. Reports of its natural occurrence in various food items are comprehensively reviewed and critically evaluated. Meat, fish, nuts, and some oils are the richest nutritional sources of CoQ 10 , while much lower levels can be found in most dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Large variations of CoQ 10 content in some foods and food products of different geographical origin have been found. The average dietary intake of CoQ 10 is only 3–6 mg, with about half of it being in the reduced form. The intake can be significantly increased by the fortification of food products but, due to its lipophilicity, until recently this goal was not easily achievable particularly with low-fat, water-based products. Forms of CoQ 10 with increased water-solubility or dispersibility have been developed for this purpose, allowing the fortification of aqueous products, and exhibiting improved bioavailability; progress in this area is described briefly. Three main fortification strategies are presented and illustrated with examples, namely the addition of CoQ 10 to food during processing, the addition of this compound to the environment in which primary food products are being formed (i.e. animal feed), or with the genetic modification of plants (i.e. cereal crops).
Anopheles funestus resistant to pyrethroid insecticides in South Africa

Northern Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa borders on southern Mozambique, between Swaziland and the Indian Ocean. To control malaria vectors in KZN, houses were sprayed annually with residual DDT 2 g/m2 until 1996 when the treatment changed to deltamethrin 20–25 mg/m2. At Ndumu (27°02′ S, 32°19′ E) the recorded malaria incidence increased more than six‐fold between 1995 and 1999. Entomological surveys during late 1999 found mosquitoes of the Anopheles funestus group (Diptera: Culicidae) resting in sprayed houses in some sectors of Ndumu area. This very endophilic vector of malaria had been eliminated from South Africa by DDT spraying in the 1950s, leaving the less endophilic An. arabiensis Patton as the only vector of known importance in KZN. Deltamethrin‐sprayed houses at Ndumu were checked for insecticide efficacy by bioassay using susceptible An. arabiensis (laboratory‐reared) that demonstrated 100% mortality. Members of the An. funestus group from Ndumu houses (29 males, 116 females) were identified by the rDNA PCR method and four species were found: 74 An. funestus Giles sensu stricto, 34 An. parensis Gillies, seven An. rivulorum Leeson and one An. leesoni Evans. Among An. funestus s.s. females, 5.4% (4/74) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum by ELISA and PCR tests. To test for pyrethroid resistance, mosquito adults were exposed to permethrin discriminating dosage and mortality scored 24 h post‐exposure: survival rates of wild‐caught healthy males were 5/10 An. funestus, 1/9 An. rivulorum and 0/2 An. parensis; survival rates of laboratory‐reared adult progeny from 19 An. funestus females averaged 14% (after 1 h exposure to 1% permethrin 25 : 75 cis : trans on papers in WHO test kits) and 27% (after 30 min in a bottle with 25 μg permethrin 40 : 60 cis : trans). Anopheles funestus families showing > 20% survival in these two resistance test procedures numbered 5/19 and 12/19, respectively. Progeny from 15 of the families were tested on 4% DDT impregnated papers and gave 100% mortality. Finding these proportions of pyrethroid‐resistant An. funestus, associated with a malaria upsurge at Ndumu, has serious implications for malaria vector control operations in southern Africa.
Shape based recognition using freeman chain code and modified Needleman-Wunsch

Contours are one of the most commonly used shape descriptors in object recognition problem. In this paper, we proposed object recognition system based on shape. The shape is obtained by extracting the contour of the object in the image using common techniques in image processing domain. Further, the shape is represented by using chain coding technique and the chain coded representation is modified into the set of segments, with each segment has a particular weight in accordance with its length in its polygonal approximation of the object shape. For the purpose of similarity calculation, we modified a common algorithm used in Bioinformatics field, namely Needleman-Wunsch algorithm, in the term of scoring function. We created a new definition and implementation of the substitution matrix (for the purpose of scoring function), according to the characteristics of set of line segment. From the experiment we have conducted, we successfully shown that the weight of each segment of the object shape has positive impact in the similarity calculation, shown by the precision and recall value.
A lazy associative classifier for time series

Association rule mining that mainly focuses on symbolic items presented in transactions has attracted considerable interest since a rule provides a concise and intuitive description of knowledge. However, a time series is a sequence of data that is typically recorded in temporal order at fixed intervals of time. In order to mining rules in the context of time series data, a symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX) representation that could discretize the real-valued and high-dimensional time series data into segments and convert each segment to a symbol is applied in this paper. On this basis, a modified CBA algorithm is proposed to discover Class Sequential Rules (CSRs) and make the final prediction at first. Then we propose a new lazy associative classification method, in which the computation is performed on a demand driven basis. This is in contrast to rule-based classification methods like CBA which generate excessive number of rules, but is still unable to cover some test data with the discovered rules. Various experimental results show that our lazy associative classification for time series can be interpretable and competitive with the current state-of-the-art algorithm. In addition, four different methods that select the mined CSR(s) are proposed for carrying out associative classification.
Retrieval of X CO 2 from simulated Orbiting Carbon Observatory measurements using the fast linearized R-2 OS radiative transfer model

[1] In a recent paper, we introduced a novel technique to compute the polarization in a vertically inhomogeneous, scattering-absorbing medium using a two orders of scattering (2OS) radiative transfer (RT) model. The 2OS computation is an order of magnitude faster than a full multiple scattering scalar calculation and can be implemented as an auxiliary code to compute polarization in operational retrieval algorithms. In this paper, we employ the 2OS model for polarization in conjunction with a scalar RT model (Radiant) to simulate backscatter measurements in near infrared (NIR) spectral regions by space-based instruments such as the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO). Computations are performed for six different sites and two seasons, representing a variety of viewing geometries, surface and aerosol types. The aerosol extinction (at 13000 cm ) was varied from 0 to 0.3. The radiance errors using the Radiant/2OS (R-2OS) RT model are an order of magnitude (or more) smaller than errors arising from the use of the scalar model alone. In addition, we perform a linear error analysis study to show that the errors in the retrieved column-averaged dry air mole fraction of CO2 (XCO2) using the R-2OS model are much lower than the ‘‘measurement’’ noise and smoothing errors appearing in the inverse model. On the other hand, we show that use of the scalar model alone induces XCO2 errors that could dominate the retrieval error budget. Citation: Natraj, V. , H. Boesch, R. J. D. Spurr, and Y. L. Yung (2008), Retrieval of XCO2 from simulated Orbiting Carbon Observatory measurements using the fast linearized R-2OS radiative transfer model, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D11212, doi:10.1029/2007JD009017.
Fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot cavity sensor based on pulse laser demodulation technique

We demonstrate a fiber laser sensing technique based on fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot (FBG-FP) cavity interrogated by pulsed laser, where short pulses generated from active mode-locked erbium-doped fiber ring laser and current modulated DFB laser are adopted. The modulated laser pulses launched into the FBG-FP cavity produce a group of reflected pulses. The optical loss in the cavity can be determined from the power ratio of the first two pulses reflected from the cavity. This technique does not require high reflectivity FBGs and is immune to the power fluctuation of the light source. Two short pulse laser sources were compared experimentally with each other on pulse width, pulse stability, pulse chirp and sensing efficiency.
Characterization of the Moraxella catarrhalis uspA1 and uspA2 Genes and Their Encoded Products

ABSTRACT The uspA1 and uspA2 genes of M. catarrhalis O35E encode two different surface-exposed proteins which were previously shown to share a 140-amino-acid region with 93% identity (C. Aebi, I. Maciver, J. L. Latimer, L. D. Cope, M. K. Stevens, S. E. Thomas, G. H. McCracken, Jr., and E. J. Hansen, Infect. Immun. 65:4367–4377, 1997). The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the mature forms of both UspA1 and UspA2 from strain O35E were determined after enzymatic treatment to remove the N-terminal pyroglutamyl residue that had blocked Edman degradation. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated that the molecular mass of UspA1 from M. catarrhalis O35E was 83,500 ± 116 Da. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the uspA1 anduspA2 genes from three other M. catarrhalisstrains (TTA24, ATCC 25238, and V1171) revealed that the encoded protein products were very similar to those from strain O35E. Western blot analysis was used to confirm that each of these three strains ofM. catarrhalis expressed both UspA1 and UspA2 proteins. Several different and repetitive amino acid motifs were present in both UspA1 and UspA2 from these four strains, and some of these were predicted to form coiled coils. Linear DNA templates were used in an in vitro transcription-translation system to determine the sizes of the monomeric forms of the UspA1 and UspA2 proteins from strains O35E and TTA24.
Adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone and human mammary cancer.

A hypothesis implicating adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (sulfate) in the etiology of human breast cancer of the “adrenal” or “Western” type has been presented (Adams, J. B. Steroid Hormones and Human Breast Cancer. An Hypothesis. Cancer, 40: 325–333, 1977). High concentrations of DHEA sulfate in the blood provide a potentially high flux of the free steroid to mammary tumors, due to the presence therein of a sulfatase. The free steroid, in turn, is metabolized by human mammary tumors in vitro to 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol (ADIOL) and 7-hydroxydehydroeplandrosterone. It has now been found that ADIOL when administered s.c. to immature female rats will deplete the estrogen receptor in the uterine cytosol. Similarly, dimethylbenzanthracene-induced rat mammary tumors, when incubated in vitro with 1 µm ADIOL, show translocation of the estrogen receptor from cytosol to the nucleus, as measured by exchange assays. The magnitude of depletion of cytosol estrogen receptor by ADIOL was less than that obtained with 17β-estradiol, studied at 0.03 µm concentrations, but greater than that with 1 µm dihydrotestosterone. Among a wide group of C19 steroids examined as possible inhibitors of estrogen sulfotransferase, both DHEA and ADIOL showed marked inhibitory properties. By contrast, both 7α- and 7β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone showed negligible inhibitory effects. This paralleled previous findings on the influence of a 7-hydroxyl group in modifying the ability of ADIOL to compete effectively for the estrogen receptor. Thus the high levels of 7-hydroxylase found in human mammary tumors, and acting on both DHEA and ADIOL, may function in controlling the intracellular concentrations of these steroids.
Parallel system using V-shaped shape memory alloy actuator

This paper proposed a type of tendon driven system using V-shaped SMA (shape-memory-alloy) actuator. In the proposed system, SMA actuators are bended at the end effector and the bended angles are controllable. Thus, the stiffness of the system can be adjusted by the bended angles. In addition, to control the end effector to the desired position, we developed a position control method based on the internal force using only the geometric constraints of the system. The validity of the proposed method was examined by some experiments.
Aesthetics, Score Generation, and Sonification in a Game Piece

This paper explores the motivation behind vs. computer, a game piece for computer and solo percussion. It discusses the compositional decisions that were required to meet the aims of the piece. It also describes the technical implementation of the game itself, sonification of aspects of the game, and automatic score generation for variable instrumentation.
Experience-Based Social and Collaborative Performance in an 'Electronic Village' of Local Interest: The EKONES Framework

A product rack structure for an automatic vending machine for cylindrically-shaped product items including a movable rack board disposed opposite one sidewall of the rack housing. Product supporting members are provided opposite one another on the rack board and sidewall. To vend a product item, the rack board is reciprocated once up and down. The vertical pitch of the supporting members, the horizontal spacing between supporting members and the stroke length of the rack board are determined such that each product item drops by one space for each reciprocation of the rack board.
THE PODOCYTE: FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE

Abstract The understanding of the molecular structure of the podocyte has increased considerabely in recent 5 years by genetic research in inherited glomerulopathies. Injury to the podocyte often leads to a reorganisation of the slit diaphragm and to foot process effacement, which can be noted in all forms of the nephrotic syndrome. Since the recent progress in our understanding of the molecular biology of the podocyte, it has become obvious that the podocyte is crucial in the pathogenesis of not only genetic but also of many acquired glomerulopathies such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous glomerulopathy and diabetic nephropathy. In this review we provide a summary of the recent physiological and molecular insights into the podocyte and of its significance in different glomerulopathies. Het inzicht in de moleculaire structuur van de podocyt is de voorbije jaren in een stroomversnelling geraakt dank zij genetisch onderzoek bij familiale glomerulopathieën. Schade aan de podocyt leidt vaak tot een reorganisatie van het slit diafragma en tot een fusie van epitheelvoetjes. Het is duidelijk geworden dat de podocyt niet alleen cruciaal is in de pathogenese van familiale maar ook van tal van verworven glomerulopathieën, zoals focale segmentale glomerulosclerose, membraneuze glomerulopathie en diabetische nefropathie. In dit artikel geven we een overzicht van de recente pathofysiologische en moleculaire inzichten, om vervolgens van hieruit te komen tot de betekenis van de podocyt bij verschillende glomerulopathieën.
[Clinical value of virtual touch tissue quantification and PGA index in evaluation of alcoholic liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical value of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) technique and the PGA index [prothrombin time (P), γ-glutamyl transpeptadase (GG) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoAl)] in evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis in alcoholic patients. METHODS A total of 64 patients with long-term alcohol history were enrolled for this study. The liver ultrasonography elasticity was examined by VTQ techniques, the VTQ value was assessed in the liver target region, and then the PGA index was calculated. According the liver biopsy biological results, a golden standard, the patients were divided into a non-fibrosis group (n=11), a fibrosis group (n=10), a significant fibrosis group (n=14) and a cirrhosis group (n=29). The diagnostic value of VTQ and PGA index were compared in alcoholic patients following the classification of liver fibrosis. RESULTS The elastography VTQ values were (1.38±0.33), (1.49±0.30), (1.76±0.22) and (2.28±0.53) m/s; while the PGA indexes were 2.09±0.94, 2.30±1.06, 3.57±1.09, and 2.21±1.99 in the non-fibrosis group, the fibrosis group, the significant fibrosis group and the cirrhosis group, respectively. The VTQ value and PGA index were positively correlated with the classification of liver fibrosis (VTG: r=0.719, PGA: r=0.683; both P<0.01). CONCLUSION The alcoholic liver fibrosis can be assessed by noninvasive VTQ technology and PGA index. As a real-time ultrasound elastography technique, VTQ is more accurate than the PGA index. Combination of the two methods is helpful for early diagnosis and treatment in the patients with alcoholic liver fibrosis.
Granular pneumocytes in early repair of diffuse alveolar injury.

It is conceivable that preoccupation with the granular pneumocyte's role in the reactions to alveolar injury is premature; perhaps it is even irrelevant. However, there is sufficient evidence to justify at least some additional probing into the possibility that this cell has an important reparative function unrelated to surfactant synthesis. A better understanding of this function may also contribute to clarification of the relationships between organizing interstitial pneumonia and such reactions as desquamative interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in which the granular pneumocyte is especially prominent.