Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nuclear export and cytoplasmic localisation of mRNA in Drosophila melanogaster

The genetic material in all eukaryotic cells is stored in the nucleus, a distinct compartment separated from the cytoplasm by the nuclear envelope. Consequently, an essential step in gene expression is the export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. There is also increasing evidence that asymmetric transcript localisation in the cytoplasm is an important mechanism for intracellular protein targeting and for the generation of cellular polarity. However, the factors involved in mRNA export are only beginning to be characterised in detail and the mechanism of mRNA localisation is poorly understood in most cases. This thesis defines the entire pathway of mRNA movement in Drosophila embryonic blastoderm nuclei, from intranuclear sites of synthesis to final sites of localisation in the cytoplasm. It shows that transcription of individual genes can take place in all parts of the nucleus and that genes are not significantly redistributed to new positions when they become active. Furthermore, mRNA export intermediates in the nucleus are evenly distributed, consistent with their movement occurring by unconstrained diffusion within the nucleoplasm. In order to identify proteins involved in intracellular mRNA transport, a genetic screen was designed to isolate mutations disrupting the correct cytoplasmic distribution of mRNA. It was found that small bristles is required for the nuclear export of mRNA in Drosophila, and that this gene encodes a homologue of the human and yeast nuclear mRNA export factors TAPINXF1 and Mex67p, respectively. Finally, the localisation of pair-rule and wingless transcripts to the apical cytoplasm of Drosophila embryos is shown to occur by active transport of mRNA in the cytoplasm, rather than diffusion and anchoring or asymmetric nuclear export. Apical mRNA localisation is mediated by the transport of RNA particles to the minus ends of microtubules by the molecular motor cytoplasmic dynein. It is very likely that these findings in Drosophila will be applicable to other organisms. There is evidence that mRNA moves through the nucleoplasm by diffusion in other systems, and the machinery of mRNA export appears to be conserved throughout evolution from yeast to humans. Dynein is involved in the transport of many different cytoplasmic cargoes and is also a good candidate for the transport of mRNA in the oocyte and in other organisms.
Microbes in deionized and tap water: Implications for maintenance of laboratory water production system

*Corresponding Author Email Address: chetyp@nus.edu. sg Submitted to PeerJ Preprint Server Conflict of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Author’s contributions Wenfa Ng conceived the idea, designed and performed the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the abstract. Yen-Peng Ting mentored Wenfa Ng, and analyzed the data. Funding The authors would like to thank the National University of Singapore for financial support.
BNIP3 jako nietypowy przedstawiciel rodziny Bcl-2. Część 1: BNIP3 – regulator nieapoptotycznej programowanej śmierci komórek* BNIP3 as an atypical representative of the Bcl-2 protein family. Part 1: BNIP3, a regulator of non-apoptotic programmed cell death

Białko BNIP3 jest zaliczane do rodziny białek Bcl-2, regulujących programowaną śmierć komórki oraz do grupy białek BOP (BH3-only proteins), ze względu na występowanie tylko jednej domeny BH. Ma ono także domenę transmembranową, której obecność warunkuje przynajmniej część jego funkcji proapoptotycznych. Mimo pewnych podobieństw do pozostałych białek BOP, np. zdolności interakcji z antyapoptotycznymi członkami rodziny Bcl-2 czy indukcji uwalniania cytochromu c z mitchondriów, BNIP3 jest niewątpliwie białkiem odmiennym, zarówno pod względem aktywności, jak i regulacji. Ma ono zdolność aktywacji nie tylko apoptozy, ale także – a może przede wszystkim – śmierci przypominającej w przebiegu nekrozę, dzięki bezpośredniemu oddziaływaniu na błonę mitochondrialną. Uczestniczy również w autofagii, choć jego rola w tym procesie nie została dokładnie poznana. Jest prawdopodobne, że indukując lub stymulując autofagię, BNIP3 pełni funkcję antyapoptotyczną, np. w komórkach mięśnia sercowego. Podobnie dzieje się w przypadku komórek, w których białko to ulega sekwestracji w jądrze i działa jako represor transkrypcji czynnika proapoptotycznego AIF, dzięki czemu komórki nowotworowe uzyskują oporność na chemioterapeutyki.
Technical note: Effects of iron(II) on fluorescence properties of dissolved organic matter at circumneutral pH

Abstract. Modern fluorescence spectroscopy methods, including excitation-emission matrix (EEMs) spectra parsed using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) statistical approaches, are widely used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) pools. The effect of soluble reduced iron, Fe(II), on EEM spectra can be significant, but is difficult to quantitatively assign. In this study, we examine the effects of Fe(II) on the EEM spectra of groundwater samples from an anaerobic deltaic aquifer containing up to 300 mg/L Fe(II), located a few kilometers from the ocean, adjacent to the Fraser River in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. We added varying quantities of Fe(II) into groundwater samples to evaluate Fe(II)-DOM interactions. Both the overall fluorescence intensity and the intensity of the primary peak, a humic-like substance at excitation/emission wavelengths 239/441–450 nm (Peak A), decreased by approximately 60 % as Fe(II) concentration increased from 1 to 306 mg/L. Furthermore, the quenching effect was non-linear and proportionally stronger at Fe(II) concentrations below 100 mg/L. This non-linear relationship suggests a static quenching mechanism. In addition, DOM fluorescence indices are substantially influenced by the Fe(II) concentration. With increasing Fe(II), the fluorescence index (FI) tends to shift to a more microbial-derived origin, and both the humidification index (HIX) and freshness index (FrI) indicate more freshly produced DOM. Nevertheless, the 13-component PARAFAC model showed that the component distribution was relatively insensitive to Fe(II) concentration, and thus, PARAFAC may be a reliable method for obtaining information about the DOM composition and its redox status in Fe(II)-rich waters. By characterizing the impacts of up to 300 mg/L Fe(II) on EEMs using groundwater from an aquifer which contains similar Fe(II) concentrations, we advance previous works which characterized impacts of lower Fe(II) concentrations (less than 2 mg/L) on EEMs.
The Effect of Bisphosphonates’ Oncologic dose on the Static and Dynamic Bone Parameters of the Temporomandibular Joint’s Condyle (A Randomized Animal Controlled Trial)

Zoledronic acid; TMJ; Bone remodeling; Static and dynamic; Bone parameter ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of oncologic dose of bisphosphonate on the condylar temporomandibular joint’s (TMJ’s) static and dynamic bone parameters. Forty adult male albino rats were utilized in the study. Animals were randomly assigned into four groups, each included ten rats that were intraperitoneally injected with saline (control groups I and II), or 0.2 mg.kg Zoledronic acid (experimental groups I and II). The rats were sacrificed at the end of 6 weeks (groups I) and 12 weeks (groups II). The right side TMJs condyles were used in histological and histomorphometric analysis while the left side condyles were utilized for assessing dynamic bone parameters. Bone volume/ Tissue volume (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) were significantly increased in ZOL group II as compared to control and Zoledronic acid (ZOL) group I (p=<0.001) while trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) was markedly increased in ZOL group I as compared to both control and ZOL group II (p=0.001 and 0.012, respectively). The ZOL group II showed a significant increase in mineral apposition rate as compared to the ZOL group I (p<0.001). Our results demonstrated that oncologic dose of Zoledronic could have a catabolic effect on TMJ’s condyles after six weeks which is reversed after 12 weeks as evidenced by enhanced endochondral and intramembranous ossification.
Comparative Studies on the Survival of Indicator Organisms and Pathogens in Fresh and Sea Water

Results are reported from a comprehensive series of experiments in which the survival characteristics of a range of indicator bacteria, pathogenic bacteria and bacteriophages was compared in fresh and seawater in the light, and at a range of temperatures, nutrient concentrations and salinities in the dark. Survival of the following organisms was studied: E.coli, faecal streptococci, maroon faecal streptococci, Salmonellatyphimurium 12, 12a and 110, S. anatum, Shigellasonnei, Sh. flexneri, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter fetus, Coliphages MS 2 and f 2. The data shows that in the light the survival of E.coli was very poor compared to that of Salmonellae. In the light, survival was best in fresh water, but in the dark survival in seawater was usually better. A linear relationship was demonstrated for T, 90 and light intensity, and log T 90 and temperature, but non-linear responses occurred for a range of salinities and nutrient concentrations.
Computational Analysis of Diversity of Genes Coding for Phytoene Synthase in Higher Plants and its Molecular Implications

Caroteniods are commercially important pigments and play an important role in human lives. Phytoene synthase is a crucial enzyme in carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which gives rise to 15-cis-phytoene. In this study we catalogue the diversity in phytoene synthase genes and discuss its molecular implications. Our analysis shows that though there is similarity in some of the biochemical/biophysical parameters of the proteins coded by phytoene synthase genes, there are significant differences with respect to a number of other parameters. All these parameters when correlated with the data on carotenoid content can be used for genetic engineering, particularly in creating a library of genes with differing characteristics but high carotenoid content which will ultimately be useful in creating a diverse genetic base for these genes.
Plasmonic Optical Biosensors for Detecting C-Reactive Protein: A Review

C-reactive protein (CRP), a potent acute-phase reactant that increases rapidly in response to inflammation, tissue damage or infections, is also considered an indicator of the risk of cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. Recent advances in nanofabrication and nanophotonic technologies have prompted the optical plasmonic phenomena to be tailored for specific detection of human serum CRP into label-free devices. We review the CRP-specific detection platforms with high sensitivity, which feature the thin metal films for surface plasmon resonance, nano-enhancers of zero dimensional nanostructures, and metal nanoparticles for localized surface plasmon resonance. The protocols used for various types of assay reported in literature are also outlines with surface chemical pretreatment required for specific detection of CRPs on a plasmonic surface. Properties including sensitivity and detection range are described for each sensor device reviewed, while challenges faced by plasmonic CRP sensors are discussed in the conclusion, with future directions towards which research efforts need to be made.
Experimental Investigation on Properties of Concrete Using Human Hair & Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

In present day constructions, the use of admixtures has increased for achieving various properties which cannot be achieved by conventional concrete. Sugarcane bagasse ash is a waste product of the sugar refining industry which is already causing serious environmental pollution, which calls for urgent ways of handling the waste. Human hair is strong in tension, hence it can be used a fibre reinforced material. Hair fibre, a non-degradable matter is available in abundance and at a very cheap cost also creating environmental problem for its decomposition. Hardened concrete tests like compressive strength and split-tensile strength were undertaken showing a remarkable increase in strength of concrete as a percentage of bagasse ash replacement and addition of human hair as fibre reinforcement.
Understanding the morphology and distribution of nematocysts in sea anemones and their relatives

ii Dedication . v Acknowledgments. vi Vita. viii List of Tables . xv List of Figures . xvii Chapter 1: Introduction . 144 Overview of the chapters.3 References.6 Chapter 2: Morphology, distribution, and evolution of apical structure of nematocysts in Hexacorallia.8 Introduction.8 Materials and Methods.11 Materials.11 Methods.12 Results.13
Response of champenoise grapevine to low temperatures: Changes of shoot and bud proline concentrations in response to low temperatures and correlations with freezing tolerance

SummaryConcentration of free proline was measured in mature shoots and buds of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) at different phenological stages (stages 1, 3 and 5), after exposure to temperatures corresponding to crystallization of their intracellular liquids. Without treatment, the level of free proline concentration was not constant during the vegetative cycle of grapevine buds, but remained unchanged in grapevine shoots. After cold exposure, there were significant correlations between freezing tolerance and an increase in the concentration of proline in buds of grapevine at stages 3 and 5. The correlation is less evident within stage 1 buds and for shoots regardless of phenological stage.
Long-term air pollution exposure impact on COVID-19 morbidity in 1 China 2 3

1 Long-term air pollution exposure impact on COVID-19 morbidity in 1 China 2 3 Yihan Wu, Qingming Zhan, Qunshan Zhao 4 5 1 School of Urban Design, Wuhan University,8 Donghu South Road, Wuhan 430072, China. 6 2 Urban Big Data Centre, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, 7 7 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK. 8 Abstract 9 10 Although previous studies have proved the association between air pollution and respiratory viral 11 infection, given the relatively short history of human infection with the severe acute respiratory 12 syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the linkage between long-term air pollution exposure and 13 the morbidity of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia remains poorly understood. To 14 fill this gap, this study investigates the influences of particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen 15 dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) on COVID-19 16 incidence rate based on the prefecture-level morbidity count and air quality data in China. Annual 17 means for ambient PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and O3 concentrations in each prefecture are used 18 to estimate the population’s exposure. We leverage identical statistical methods, i.e., Spearman’s 19 rank correlation and negative binomial regression model, to demonstrate that people who are 20 chronically exposed to ambient air pollution are more likely to be infected by COVID-19. Our 21 statistical analysis indicates that a 1 μg m increase of PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3 can result in 1.95% 22 (95% CI: 0.83 to 3.08% ), 0.55% (95% CI: -0.05 to 1.17% ), 4.63% (95% CI: 3.07 to 6.22% ) rise 23 and 2.05% (95% CI: 0.51 to 3.59 % ) decrease of COVID-19 morbidity. However, we observe 24 nonsignificant association with long-term SO2 and CO exposure to COVID-19 morbidity in this 25 study. Our results’ robustness is examined based on sensitivity analyses that adjust for a wide range 26 of confounders, including socio-economic, demographic, weather, healthcare, and mobility-related 27 variables. We acknowledge that more laboratory results are required to prove the etiology of these 28 associations. 29 30
Mākua Valley: An anthropocenic story of restoration and reconnection

This article focuses on ecological restoration and Indigenous re-claiming practices in the Valley of Mākua, on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i, an area currently occupied by the US military. The island ‘welcomes’ an average of 6 million tourists a year seeking the socalled, ‘aloha experience. ’ However, staging “Paradise” comes with a cost, the denial of a colonial past and an exploitative present. The aim of this article is to analyse Indigenous sovereignty eco-cultural practices through the activities of the Mālama Mākua association in the Valley of Mākua, which propose a new kind of relationship with the land a new ‘experience’ based on responsibilities and obligations rather than enjoyment and consumption.
EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES ON YIELD, YIELD COMPONENETS AND GRAIN QUALITY MEASUREMENTS OF SOME WHEAT CULTIVARS USING SPAD-METER

Two field experiments were carried out at Agric. Res. Station, Agric. Res. Centre, Giza Governorate, Egypt during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 growing seasons. The aim of this study was to find the relationships between fertilization rates and SPAD readings and economic N application to minimize pollution and cost, and maximize wheat growth and yield. Three bread wheat genotypes namely Sakha 94, Giza 168 and Gemmiza 9 and five N fertilization treatments, i.e., 0, 40, 80 kg N/fad (as a recommended N rate) and 120 kg N/fad as high rate as well as N applied according to SPAD measurements, nitrogen sufficiency indices (NSI). The results showed gradual remarkable increase in SPAD values versus advancing wheat plant towards maturity till reached their maximum values at early grain filling stage, i.e., 118 days from planting. On the other hand, the relationship between SPAD readings and N rates indicated that wheat plants received either 80 kg N/fad or N fertilizer according to NSI had statistically the same values of yield and its components with insignificant discrepancy between them. The results clearly indicated that the studied characters were significantly affected by increasing N fertilizer rates except for harvest index. The increment of grain and biological yields via N fertilization rates was accompanied with rising crude protein yield. The results indicated significant increases in crude protein, wet and dry gluten versus increasing N fertilizer rates till reached their maximal values at a level of 80 kg N/fad or according to NSI. A positive relationship between grain protein content and both wet and dry gluten was found. The rate of increase in wet gluten was lower than that of dry gluten, therefore, the hydration value was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the use of SPAD meter and NSI was very important to detect the nitrogen physiological rate for growth, yield and grain quality of wheat plant. Moreover, the use of NSI economized the cost of nitrogen fertilizer by rate of about 25% and more reliable for production of wheat without effect on wheat yield.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND YIELD OF SWISS CHARD AS INFLUENCED BY METALLURGICAL SLAG AND FISH FERTILIZER ADDITION TO MARGINAL SOIL

The paper aimed to present the effects of Ca containing metallurgical slag (MS) and liquid fish (LF) fertilizer appliance on yield and chemical composition of aerial parts of Swiss chard cultivated on marginal eutric cambisol type of soil. The study was performed in semi-controlled glasshouse conditions, and the effects of MS was compared to those of commercial lime materials ground limestone and hydrated lime, in combination with and without standard mineral and LF fertilizers. Тhe results of the paper indicate that all Ca-materials studied, including MS, along with the studied fertilizers, showed positive effects on the content of main and beneficial biogenic macroelements in chards biomass and its yield. There is a statistically significant tendency of an increase in the content of P, K and C in tested herb in the treatment with LF fertilizer in relation to other treatments. The concentration of trace metals such as Fe and Cd was within the safety limits and allowed concentrations in all the treatments in spite of significant Fe content in MS, which is a highly desirable outcome.
In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of crude fucoidan from Sargassum species

Fucoidans are sulfated heteropolysaccharides majorly composed of L-fucose commonly present in brown algae and some marine invertebrates. Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the current treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs has a major disadvantage of causing various toxic side effects. Fucoidan was reported to have various biological activities including anticancer activity. In this study, polysaccharide fraction was extracted from the brown algae Sargassum species followed by its fractionation using anion exchange chromatography. FTIR spectroscopy was used for the characterization of fucoidan in comparison with the commercially available fucoidan. The antioxidant activity of crude fucoidan was determined using DPPH, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay. MTT assay was used to determine the cell reducing capacity of the crude fucoidan against cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) with paclitaxel as the standard chemotherapeutic drug control. The IC50 value of crude fucoidan in HeLa and HEK cells were found to be 24 & 36 μg/ml and IC50 of Paclitaxel was 30 & 20 nM. Fucoidan was reported to get accumulated in the kidneys due to less bioavailability. Hence, further studies has to be done to increase the bioavailability of fucoidan to enhance the cell reducing capacity.
1 Factors Influencing Customers ’ Brand Loyalty in 2 Ethiopian Banking Industry 3

The study is carried out on the factors influencing customers’ brand loyalty. The study is 7 aimed at evaluating customers’ brand loyalty status and identifying its determinants. To this end, 8 explanatory research design is used with the support of descriptive and multiple regression 9 analytical techniques. From the customers of the bank 290 of them are selected using a purposive 10 sampling technique. Questionnaires are administered to collect the primary data. The finding of the 11 study indicates that the loyalty status of the customers is fragmented into hard-core loyalty, split 12 loyalty, shift loyalty, and switching loyalty status with the inclination on the first and second 13 categories of loyalty status. It also reflects that distribution, promotion, reputation, satisfaction and 14 tangible benefits are the predictors of customers’ brand loyalty. A message of sticking on these 15 determinants of loyalty is transmitted to the bank manager with the emphasis on the most 16 predictors, i.e., distribution and promotion. 17
On the Unobservability of Multimedia-Based Covert Channels for Internet Censorship Circumvention

Several tools support the establishment of covert channels in the Internet by encoding data in the application layer of data exchange protocols. Depending on the techniques used to perform this embedding, and on the amount of information to embed, the procedure may generate network flows that differ, in subtle ways, from the regular flows that do not carry covert channels; these differences may render covert channels prone to detection. Hence, the quality of the tools used to establish covert channels can be assessed by the measure in which they are able evade detection, i.e., how difficult it is to detect their covert channels using traffic analysis techniques. For instance, the effective detection of covert channels may put the life of journalists at risk when they rely on these tools to exercise freedom of speech within countries ruled by oppressive regimes. Here, we deliver an overview of our recent research in the unobservability of multimedia-based network covert channels. In particular, we dwell on the extent to which covert channels can evade screening in face of adversaries with access to traffic analysis capabilities. In this context, we start by describing our past attempts at creating a traffic analysis-resistant covert channel. Then, we detail our efforts in evaluating the effectiveness of state-of-the-art machine learning techniques in the detection of contemporary tools which generate covert channels, and discuss novel techniques to scale such detection capabilities. Lastly, we discuss the design of an improved scheme for the creation of multimedia-based covert channels.