Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of genotype and rearing system on chicken meat quality

Modern consumers are more animal welfare conscious and as a result their interest in free range poultry products is growing. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the sensory (flavour, aroma, toughness, mealiness, initial and sustained juiciness) and physical (drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity) meat quality characteristics of chicken marketed as conventional or free range in the South African market. The cooked pectolaris (breast) muscles of commercially supplied conventional and free range chicken were compared by means of descriptive sensory analysis. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for the attributes chicken aroma, chicken flavour, metallic aroma, metallic aftertaste, initial juiciness and mealiness, although the free range birds scored higher in sustained juiciness and were lower in toughness (P ≤ 0.05) than the conventional birds. The two groups also differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from each other with regard to percentage drip loss, percentage cooking loss and water holding capacity. The major differences in this study can be ascribed to the higher tenderness and juiciness of the free range sample. This study established that although commercially available free range and conventional chicken breasts differ from each, the reasons for these differences are not clear and thus external factors need to be controlled or standardised in further studies.
Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the Micro-Hardness and Corrosion Behaviour Mg-Zn Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

Magnesium Alloys have the potential to be applied in the various fields of applications including biomaterials. Magnesium Alloys are an interesting alloy due to its high strength to density ratio. They have been proposed as a biodegradable implant material due to its friendly effect to human body compared to another alloy. Besides its good biodegradable properties, it has a disadvantage of low hardness and corrosion properties. In order to overcome this, it has been combined with other metals such as Zinc (Zn) or Copper (Cu). To increase mechanical properties, we used Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) as reinforcement. Magnesium-Zinc (Mg-xZn) CNTs composites with several compositions was prepared by using powder metallurgy and sintered in the presence of flowing Argon (Ar) gas in tube furnace. Mg-Zn Alloy with the composition of 4% and 6% of Zn and the variation of CNTs at 0.1%, 0.3 %, and 0.5% was also prepared. Hardness testing by using microvickers showed that CNTs can increase the alloy hardness which the maximum hardness is 53.6 HV. The corrosion rates as low as 175.5 mpy exhibited for the Mg-Alloy with the composition of Mg-4-Zn with 0.1 wt. % of CNTs
In Situ ATR Infrared Study of Cobalt-Borate Water Oxidation Catalysts

Understanding the process of water oxidation, especially intermediate species, represents an important step toward gaining a mechanistic understanding of new emerging catalysts. The aim of this study is exploring the process of water oxidation and electrolyte orientation under external potential when using an emerging water oxidation catalyst, CoBi, in sodium borate (NaBi) buffer using in situ attenuated–total-reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. CoBi is generated via electrodeposition from aqueous solutions containing borate and Co2+. IR spectra were obtained for CoBi films under applied potentials supporting water oxidation catalysis. The spectra of water and CoBi on ZnSe/Cr/Au electrode surfaces change in intensity and their slope depends on the potential, which is rarely reported. The appearance of new bands at certain potentials is interpreted in terms of the potential-dependent re-alignment of water and borate molecules both from the film and electrolyte. A superoxide surface intermediate at 1027 cm-1 was observed in both thin and thick films. It is proposed to be Co (III)OO*H bridging and relates to a fast water oxidation process. The chemical structure of the intermediate species is proposed finally.
Alteration in the Phase Morphology of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Produced Using Directed Energy Deposition

The alteration in phase morphology of Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated using directed energy deposition (DED) was investigated in this study. Owing to the fast cooling rate during DED, the specimen exhibited the diffusionless transformation products of martensite (α′) and massive (αm) phases. In the top layer, the α′ exhibited a needle-like morphology with the width of approximately 0.94 μm. Meanwhile, the αm presented a lamellar structure with α thickness of nearly 0.98 μm. In contrast, the morphology of α′ and αm started to decompose into α+β phase in the bottom layer. Furthermore, the hardness values increased with higher deposition layers. These phenomena could be explained by the effect of repetitive heating, as the nature of DED method during the depositing of new layers. Moreover, it was observed the α thickness of αm in the bottom layer was finer than that in the top layer due to the higher cooling rate.
Genetic Variation Among Plants and Insect Community Structure: Willows and Sawflies

The effects of both genotype and spatial position of host plants on density, proportion, and total community structure of herbivore species were experimentally tested for a guild of gall-forming sawflies on their host plant, the arroyo willow, Salix lasiolepis. Genetic differences among individually potted stem cuttings from 6 and 12 willow plants were found to have significant effects on the densities of each of the four sawfly species and on their proportional representation on willow clones. Analyses also showed that the total community structure (proportions of species) varied among clones. Proportional over- lap values showed that two of the willow clones differed markedly from the others regarding the predominant species on them. However, phenotypic correlations showed that the sawfly species were positively correlated among plants during 2 yr. Genotypic correlations were positive and mostly significant in 1985, but were mostly nonsignificant in 1986. Estimates of broad-sense heritability indicated that between 20 and 50% of variation in the density of two species, the stem galler (Euura lasiolepis) and the leaf folder (Phyllocolpa sp.), was due to clone genotype, whereas only 9-28% of variation in the density of the leaf galler (Pontania sp.) and the petiole galler (Euura sp.) was due to clone genotype. Environmental variation due to spatial position of plants contributed little to variation in density of species in experiments in 1985, but was an important source of variation in 1986 for three species. As a consequence species proportion for all species varied signifi- cantly among rack positions of the willow pots. In 1986, clone x position interactions were not significant for species density or for species proportion, with the exception of the leaf folder, which showed marginal significance. Thus, there was little evidence of geno- type x position interactions. These studies suggest that plant genetic variation may be an important variable influencing community structure of phytophagous insects on host plants within plant populations. Plant morphological traits that are important to sawfly oviposition in the field (e.g., mean shoot length) differed significantly among willow clones in both years and were correlated with the variation in density of three of the four sawfly species among all plants in both years. In 1985, correlations between shoot length and species density based on clone means were significant for all four species, but in 1986, none of the correlations was significant, although for three of the four species correlation coefficients were similar in magnitude to those from 1985. Species density of the leaf folder, stem gallery, and petiole galler were also correlated with leaf length among plants and clones in 1985. These data tentatively suggest that there are positive genetic correlations between plant characteristics and susceptibility to sawfly galling.
Development of Bioadhesive Biomaterials Based on Silk and Hyaluronic Acid

Silk fibroin can be derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori and it has the main properties for its use as bioadhesive biomaterial in medicine – biocompatibility, good mechanical properties and controllable degradation rate. On the other hand hyaluronic acid (HA) is an attractive polymer for biomedical applications, due to its biological and structural importance, as well as its ease of modification. Thus in this study, two types of silk raw materials for preparation of silk fibroin (SF) solutions were used. Obtained SF solutions with and without hyaluronic acid (HA) were cross-linked to form hydrogels. Widely used cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde (GTA) was used in this study. Two temperatures 37°C and 60°C were chosen to determine the effect of temperature on the cross-linking rate of the samples. The gelation time, swelling ratio and structural features of the adhesive were also studied.
Dynamic collision detection method using adaptive control law

In this paper, we propose a dynamic collision detection scheme using an adaptive control law. The system detects collision of a robot, with its environment based on the difference between the actual input torque and the reference input torque, so that no external sensors are required for the detection. Adaptive control scheme is employed for estimation of the parameters of the robot. The proposed collision, detection scheme is applied to an experimental system and experimental results illustrate the validity of the proposed scheme.
Using Activated Diatomite as Adsorbent for Treatment of Arsenic Contaminated Water

Diatomite or diatomaceous earth (DE) is one of materials which can be used as an adsorbent to treat heavy metal ions from waste water, even there are many factories used it to clean the water for drinking. However, natural DE (raw DE) has very low adsorption capacity because of low specific surface area. In this work, natural DE from Lam Dong province, Viet Nam was demagnetized to remove iron and activated by HCl solution for 90 minutes with concentration of 10% at room condition. Adsorbent capacity was evaluated using As solution and the results show that the activated diatomite has adsorption capacity three times higher than that of raw DE, and the specific surface area of activated diatomite was increased 47.5% with the main chemical composition of 90.8% SiO2 and high porosity
Phytoplankton species predictability increases towards warmer regions

We explored systematic patterns in predictability of phytoplankton species from 83 lakes over a gradient ranging from subpolar to tropical regions in South America. We estimated the explained variance (proxy of predictability) of the presence and biomass (estimated as biovolume) of species using multiple regressions from commonly measured environmental variables such as nutrient levels, light, mixing depth, temperature, and zooplankton biomass. Both the presence and biomass of species occurring at least in 10 lakes were quite well predicted from the environmental variables, with average values of 35% and 58%, respectively. Predictability was not systematically related to phylogenetic affiliation or particular functional groups as defined by morphology. However, biomass predictability decreased with increasing occurrence, and improved with larger species size (maximum linear dimension). Species that were predictable in terms of biomass (R2 ≥ 0.5, p ≤ 0.05) had, on average, a larger volume, and were relatively more frequent in lakes from warmer regions, with high water temperature, low chlorophyll a, low nutrient concentrations, and low total zooplankton biomass. Although we cannot diagnose the mechanisms involved, our finding that the number of predictable species increases towards warmer regions resembles situations where competition for nutrients and grazing are likely to be less severe, and may imply that in a future warmer world phytoplankton will be easier to predict.
Transfer RNA fragments replace microRNA regulators of the cholinergic post-stroke immune blockade

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Recovery depends on balance between inflammatory response and immune suppression, which can be CNS-protective but may worsen prognosis by increasing patients' susceptibility to infections. Peripheral cholinergic blockade of immune reactions fine-tunes this immune response, but its molecular regulators are unknown. Therefore, we sought small RNA balancers of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in peripheral blood from ischemic stroke patients. Using RNA-sequencing and RT-qPCR, we discovered in patients' blood on day 2 after stroke a 'change of guards' reflected in massive decreases in microRNAs (miRs) and increases in transfer RNA fragments (tRFs) targeting cholinergic transcripts. Electrophoresis-based size-selection followed by RT-qPCR validated the top 6 upregulated tRFs in a separate cohort of stroke patients, and independent small RNA-sequencing datasets presented post-stroke enriched tRFs as originating from lymphocytes and monocytes. In these immune compartments, we found CD14+ monocytes to express the highest amounts of cholinergic transcripts. In-depth analysis of CD14+ regulatory circuits revealed minimally overlapping subsets of transcription factors carrying complementary motifs to miRs or tRFs, indicating different roles for the stroke-perturbed members of these small RNA species. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells presented dexamethasone-suppressible upregulation of the top 6 tRFs identified in human patients, indicating an evolutionarily conserved and pharmaceutically treatable tRF response to inflammatory cues. Our findings identify tRF/miR subgroups which may co-modulate the homeostatic response to stroke in patients' blood and open novel venues for establishing RNA-targeted concepts for post-stroke diagnosis and therapeutics.
Transfer and accumulation of organochlorines from black-crowned night-heron eggs to chicks

Eggs and sibling 1-, 3-, and 5-d-old chicks from seven black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) broods were collected from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and analyzed for organochlorines. The concentration (μg/g) of nine organochlorines either decreased (n = 7) or remained the same (n = 2) as the chicks grew older. In contrast, the total mass (μg) of these nine organochlorines increased (n = 7) or remained the same (n = 2) as the chicks grew older. Accumulation rates of mass (μg/d) between egg and 5-d-old chicks for each of the nine organochlorines were positive and varied from 0.2 μg/d (p,p′-DDT) to 42 μg/d (PCBs). These results suggest that the loss of contaminant mass from eggs to chicks reported in some earlier studies was because the entire carcass was not analyzed (i.e., not including skin, gastrointestinal tract, etc.). These results also support the use of contaminant accumulation rates as an indicator of local contamination.
The module configuration optimization of vertical computer numerical control honing machine based on ideal outranking cardinal point

To find the optimal one from all feasible module configuration schemes of high-end computer numerical control machine tools according to performance, cost, and delivery, this article studies the method of module configuration optimization. An ideal outranking cardinal point based on the module configuration optimization approach of vertical computer numerical control honing machine is proposed in this article. First, it establishes the multi-objective decision model of the module configuration optimization according to performance indicator function, cost indicator function, and delivery indicator function. Second, the feasible configuration schemes, which are obtained based on customer requirements, are transformed into the data matrix of decision attributes. Third, ideal outranking cardinal point is used to calculate the multi-objective decision model of the module configuration optimization. According to the comprehensive distance between the feasible configuration schemes and the ideal outranking cardinal point, and the inverse ideal outranking cardinal point, the optimal configuration scheme is selected. The feasibility and universality of the proposed approach is verified by a module configuration optimization case of vertical computer numerical control honing machine.
Proposal for a microcosm biofilm model for the study of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Abstract This study proposes a microcosm biofilm (MiB) model for the study of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Different conditions that mimic the vaginal environment were tested for MiB formation. The best growth conditions were obtained with samples incubated in vaginal fluid simulator medium pH 4.5 at 35 °C under a microaerophilic atmosphere. MiBs were evaluated for growth kinetics, fluconazole susceptibility and morphology. Samples containing high numbers of bacteria were analyzed for metagenomics. At 48 h, MiBs presented a higher cell density (CFU ml−1), a higher biomass and tolerance to fluconazole than their corresponding monospecies biofilms. Morphological analysis of MiBs revealed blastoconidia preferentially adhered to epithelial cells. Abundant Lactobacillus spp. were detected in two clinical samples; their MiBs showed a lower biomass and a higher fluconazole susceptibility. The proposed model proved to be a useful tool for the study of the complex microbial relationship in the vaginal environment, and may help to find new strategies for VVC control.
Production and oxidation of methane in a boreal mire after a decade of increased temperature and nitrogen and sulfur deposition

Natural wetlands are the single largest source of atmospheric methane (CH4). Both a changed climate and deposition of anthropogenic nitrogen and sulfur can alter the production and oxidation of CH4 respectively and thereby also CH4 exchange. We used a long‐term (12 years) factorial field experiment in a boreal oligotrophic mire to evaluate the effects of greenhouse cover and addition of ammonium nitrate and sodium sulfate on the production and oxidation of CH4 by applying laboratory incubations of samples from five depths in the mire. The rates of CH4 production were measured without amendments and after the addition of either glucose or sulfate. Twelve years of increased nitrogen deposition has changed the mire from a Sphagnum‐dominated plant community to one dominated by sedges and dwarf shrubs. The deposition of nitrogen to the field plots caused increased production of CH4 in incubations without amendments (34%), and also after amendments with glucose (40%) or sulfate (42%). This indicates increased substrate availability (without amendments) but also a greater abundance of methanogens (glucose amendment). The greenhouse cover caused a decrease in CH4 production in incubations without amendments (34%), after glucose amendment (20%) and after sulfate amendment (31%). These responses indicate decreased substrate availability (without amendment) accompanied by the reduced abundance of methanogens (glucose amendment). The field application of sulfur had no effect on CH4 production at the depth where maximal CH4 production occurred. Closer to the mire surface, however, the rate of CH4 production was significantly reduced by 32–45%. These results suggest that the deposition of sulfate has altered the vertical distribution of methanogens and sulfate‐reducing bacteria. The oxidation of CH4 was not significantly affected by any of the long‐term field treatments.
Embryonic tissue differentiation is characterized by transitions in cell cycle dynamic-associated core promoter regulation

Abstract The core-promoter, a stretch of DNA surrounding the transcription start site (TSS), is a major integration-point for regulatory-signals controlling gene-transcription. Cellular differentiation is marked by divergence in transcriptional repertoire and cell-cycling behaviour between cells of different fates. The role promoter-associated gene-regulatory-networks play in development-associated transitions in cell-cycle-dynamics is poorly understood. This study demonstrates in a vertebrate embryo, how core-promoter variations define transcriptional output in cells transitioning from a proliferative to cell-lineage specifying phenotype. Assessment of cell proliferation across zebrafish embryo segmentation, using the FUCCI transgenic cell-cycle-phase marker, revealed a spatial and lineage-specific separation in cell-cycling behaviour. To investigate the role differential promoter usage plays in this process, cap-analysis-of-gene-expression (CAGE) was performed on cells segregated by cycling dynamics. This analysis revealed a dramatic increase in tissue-specific gene expression, concurrent with slowed cycling behaviour. We revealed a distinct sharpening in TSS utilization in genes upregulated in slowly cycling, differentiating tissues, associated with enhanced utilization of the TATA-box, in addition to Sp1 binding-sites. In contrast, genes upregulated in rapidly cycling cells carry broad distribution of TSS utilization, coupled with enrichment for the CCAAT-box. These promoter features appear to correspond to cell-cycle-dynamic rather than tissue/cell-lineage origin. Moreover, we observed genes with cell-cycle-dynamic-associated transitioning in TSS distribution and differential utilization of alternative promoters. These results demonstrate the regulatory role of core-promoters in cell-cycle-dependent transcription regulation, during embryo-development.
Concentrations and uptake of neutral monosaccharides along 14°W in the equatorial Pacific: Contribution of glucose to heterotrophic bacterial activity and the DOM flux

We examined concentrations and uptake of dissolved neutral monosaccharides (DNMS) in order to determine the contribution of DNMS to heterotrophic bacterial production and to the flux of dissolved organic matler (DOM) in the equatorial Pacific. DNMS concentrations were greater during El Nifio-affected months of February-April 1992 than during August-October 1992; in contrast, glucose turnover was the oppositeturnover was faster in August-October than in February-April. The variation in sugar concentrations and turnover probably resulted from El Nifio-induced changes in primary production; as El Nifio waned primary production increased, which appeared to stimulate bacterial activity, especially glucose turnover, that in turn forced down DNMS concentrations. In all months, however, DNMS concentrations were low, especially com:pared with total dissolved organic carbon concentrations (< 1%). Glucose was the dominant neutral monosaccharide and alone supported 15-47% of bacterial production. Other monosaccharides apparently did not support much bacterial growth; concentrations of other sugars were low, as probably was turnover. Respiration of glucose (30-60% of uptake) and mannose (60-90%) was relatively high, suggesting that DNMS supported a large fraction of bacterial respiration as well as biomass production. These results point to the importance of DNMS and glucose in particular in supporting bacterial growth and in contributing to the flux #of labile DOM.