Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of chitinase and chitin binding proteins (CBP's) by Listeria monocytogenes J0161 in biofilm and Co-culture broths

Listeria monocytogenes is a dreaded pathogen colonizes to form biofilm in the natural environments and in food processing facility. Biofilm state makes the bacterium resistant to antimicrobial agents. L. monocytogenes, an intracellular parasite also colonizes the mammalian epithelial cells in the gut. Chitinase and other chitinolytic proteins expressed by L. monocytogenes contribute to the colonization of the bacterium in the intestine. It has been reported that chitinase and chitin binding proteins are essential for attachment of the bacterium to the epithelial cells. In this study, we have pursued to analyze, if chitinase and chitin binding proteins play a role in biofilm formation and the expression of these proteins otherwise in a co-culture state. We report the expression pattern of these proteins, which supports our claim that chitinase and chitin binding proteins have a role to play in biofilm formation.
The toxicity of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Microcystis aeruginosa is a common cyanobacterium of nutrient-rich fresh waters. It has been implicated in a large number of poisoning incidents involving wild and domesticated terrestrial animals. The study showed that a pure strain of M. aeruginosa toxic to mice was non-toxic to rainbow trout immersed in a culture for 10 days. In contrast, when presented by intraperitoneal injections Microcystis caused an acute toxic response with 100% mortality of fish within 36 h. The histopathology of the response is described and contrasted with that to another cyanobacterium, Anabaena cylindrica, which was shown to be non-toxic by immersion or injection.
Application of the Empirical Mode Decomposition Technique to Scott Base MF Radar Data

Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is a signal processing technique developed to allow non-stationary and non-linear time-series to be examined (Huang et al., 1998). It has already been proven to be remarkably effective in several areas of geophysical research (see articles in Huang and Shen (2005)). The technique is essentially defined by a recursive ’sifting’ algorithm for adaptively representing signals as sums of zero-mean amplitudeand frequency-modulated components called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The present study applies the EMD technique to data from the Scott Base MF radar system. The objective is to examine the techniques potential to separate the constituent parts of the observed wave field: mean wind, gravity waves, tides and planetary waves.
PHOTOGRAPH 1: DETAIL OF RUSKIN DAM FROM POWERHOUSE ROOF

To determine the suitability of ambient vibration testing and analysis as part of seismic evaluation studies of concrete gravity dams, a study is being conducted jointly by B.C. Hydro and the University of British Columbia of Ruskin Dam, a 58 m high concrete gravity dam built in 1930 and located near Mission, British Columbia. Ambient vibration testing and analysis techniques were used to identify several natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of this dam. As a direct result, there is improved confidence in the finite element model used to assess its seismic response. This paper discusses the preliminary results of this study.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: MARKETING TOOL OR A PHILANTHROPIC APPROACH *1

The study was conducted to observe the awareness and effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an advertising tool for organizations working in Pakistan. Research was conducted on random samples of young consumers of the telecom industry. The final analysis revealed a moderately significant level of awareness of corporate social responsibility among the target market of the telecom industry along with a preferential buying attitude for organization’s practicing corporate social responsibility. Research revealed that advertising an organization’s CSR activities does play a positive role in enhancing an organization’s brand equity and indicated a positive relation between consumer’s positive buying preference and an organization’s advertised CSR activities.
Regional-scale changes in diatom distribution in the Humboldt upwelling system as revealed by remote sensing: implications for fisheries

Jackson, T. , Bouman, H. A. , Sathyendranath, S. , and Devred, E. 2011. Regional-scale changes in diatom distribution in the Humboldt upwelling system as revealed by remote sensing: implications for fisheries. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 729–736.A diatom-detection algorithm was parametrized for the Humboldt upwelling system using local cruise data that were first validated, then used to create monthly composites of diatom distribution from 0 to 40°S and 90 to 70°W for both normal and El Nino conditions. There was a 50% reduction in the areal extent of diatom-dominated waters during the peak of the 1997 El Nino. The extent of the coastward contraction in the diatom-dominated area varied along the South American coastline. These regional shifts in phyto- and zooplankton communities would have increased food stress on local anchovy (Engraulis ringens) populations and could have contributed to diminished larval survival and landings the following year. A region of strong upwelling over the wide Peruvian continental shelf around 15°S was the only area that maintained a strong diatom population throughout the El Nino; the area may require special protection from fishing pressure in years following an El Nino event.
Synthesis of conductive elastic film and conductive fabric based on crosslinked carboxymethyl starch-AgNPs composite

The current work is developing a novel, facile and eco-friendly method for synthesis of highly concentrated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using AgNO3 as a precursor, the eco-friendly carboxymethyl starch (CMS) polymer as both reducing and stabilizing agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. (4-trimethyl ammonium methyl) benzophenone chloride)/UV eco-friendly system was utilized for further synthesis of AgNPs and for grafting of N, N-methylene diacrylamide onto CMS-AgNPs composite to obtain crosslinked CMS-AgNPs. After crosslinking, the produced composite either: 1) dried in a Teflon coated petri dish followed by exposure to UV-irradiation or 2) dried on the surface of a textile fabric followed by exposure to UVirradiation. An insoluble elastic gel film was produced in both cases. The produced crosslinked CMS-AgNPs film or fabric coated crosslinked CMS-AgNPs film showed a measurable electrical conductivity, elasticity and water absorption properties. Colloidal solution of AgNPs was characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Film and fabric were characterized by, TEM, SEM, EDS and TGA. The obtained properties of the film or fabric render it for utilization as a polymer gel electrolyte in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) fabrication
Quick tests for detecting glyphosate-resistant Italian and perennial ryegrass

Three quick tests were evaluated for detecting glyphosate-resistant biotypes of Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass. Biotypes of these two species were used that were 13.4 and 7.3 times more resistant to glyphosate, respectively, than susceptible biotypes when assessed using a sprayed pot study. One assay exposed germinating seeds of resistant and susceptible populations for 8 days to different concentrations of glyphosate. Measurements of reduction in seedling root growth gave an estimate of resistance magnitude of 10.8 and 8.9 for Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass, respectively, similar to that from the sprayed pot study. Two other assays were tested and were able to differentiate resistant and susceptible biotypes. One measured the relative levels of shikimic acid in leaves following exposure to glyphosate; four to seven times more shikimic acid accumulated in glyphosate-susceptible populations of Italian and perennial ryegrass than in resistant populations. The other assay involved growing tillers of the plants in glyphosate solutions and the results showed that at glyphosate concentrations of 10 and 40 mg/L, the plantlets of resistant plants showed negligible visual injury and growth reduction compared with susceptible ones. Results obtained from these assays were not affected by whether the glyphosate formulation used was an isopropylamine salt or potassium salt.
Understanding How and Why Developers Seek and Analyze API-Related Opinions

With the advent and proliferation of online developer forums as informal documentation, developers often share their opinions about the APIs they use. Thus, opinions of others often shape the developer’s perception and decisions related to software development. For example, the choice of an API or how to reuse the functionality the API offers are, to a considerable degree, conditioned upon what other developers think about the API. While many developers refer to and rely on such opinion-rich information about APIs, we found little research that investigates the use and benefits of public opinions. To understand how developers seek and evaluate API opinions, we conducted two surveys involving a total of 178 software developers. We analyzed the data in two dimensions, each corresponding to specific needs related to API reviews: (1) Needs for seeking API reviews, and (2) Needs for automated tool support to assess the reviews. We observed that developers seek API reviews and often have to summarize those for diverse development needs (e.g., API suitability). Developers also make conscious efforts to judge the trustworthiness of the provided opinions and believe that automated tool support for API reviews analysis can assist in diverse development scenarios, including, for example, saving time in API selection as well as making informed decisions on a particular API features.
Impact of Production Technologies Used in the Beef Cattle Industry

The use of technologies in the beef industry is a major contributor to the safe, wholesome, and affordable beef supply in the United States. This 4-page fact sheet provides a brief evaluation of the effects that individual technologies have on beef production. Written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011. AN272/AN272: The Impact of Production Technologies Used in the Beef Cattle Industry (ufl.edu)
Karyomapping in Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Patients with Beta-thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia

Amac Bu calismada, karyomapping teknigini onceden bilinen beta globin (HBB) numunesi test sonuclari uzerinden dogrulamak ve gelecekte HBB mutasyonlarini saptamada kullanilacak tek bir PGT yontemi olarak ortaya koymak amaclanmistir. Gerec ve Yontemler Ilk olarak karyomapping protokolu konvansiyonel PGT teknikleri ile saptanmis HBB mutasyonlu toplam 30 ornek uzerinden dogrulandi. Daha sonra 31 embriyo orneginde HBB mutasyon durumunu tanimlamak icin tek teknik olarak karyomapping kullanildi. Bulgular Karyomapping ve konvansiyonel PGT sonuclari arasinda yuksek bir uyum (%97) bulundu. HBB mutasyonlari icin direkt karyomapping ile bes PGT dongusu yapildi ve iki hastaya dort etkilenmemis ve kromozomal normal embriyo transfer edilerek iki hamilelik elde edildi. Tartisma ve Sonuc Karyomapping teknigi klinik uygulamada HBB mutasyonlarini guvenilir bir sekilde saptayabilir ve anoploit embriyolarin transferini onleyebilir.
The regulation of flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana: meristems, morphogenesis, and mutants

In the last decade, the study of mutants defective in floral development has contributed significantly to our understanding of floral evocation and morphogenesis. Genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus that play key roles in (i) the transition from the vegetative to reproductive phase, (ii) the activation of floral development in specific shoots, and (iii) the unique arrangement of floral organs have been identified genetically and in many cases cloned. Many of the genes appear to encode transcription factors that act to select specific developmental programs of division and differentiation for groups of primordial cells. Other genes may be involved in detecting environmental conditions and transducing the signal to the developing meristems. Key questions remaining include how the regulatory proteins are produced in specific temporal and spatial patterns, interact with each other and initiate specific morphological programs. Although current research on floral morphogenesis has been limited t.
Statistical Enrichment Models for Activity Inference from Imprecise Location Data

Inference on location data has generated a great amount of interest and there are two data sources. GPS location data from GPS-based endpoint devices have high precision, but suffer from intermittent availability, small coverage of users and extra demand on devices’ battery. Telecom mobility data, on the other hand, have the complementary advantages of continuous availability and complete coverage but generally with coarse location accuracy. The focus of this paper is on the development of a location insight system for activity labeling and user segment inference, based only on Telecom mobility data enriched with point-of-interest (POI) data. Specifically, we estimate activity patterns based on Bayesian techniques while infer user segments via a tree-based classification algorithm. We test the performance of our inference system via simulated mobility data and investigate the impact of important factors such as granularity of data. We conclude that imprecise location data, enriched with other source of information, can be used for the development of new generation activity inference models.
Inter-Observer Variation in the Grading of Meningiomas using the WHO Classification of CNS Tumors Criteria

Background: Grading of meningiomas using the World health organization (WHO) Classification of the Central Nervous System criteria currently has an essential role in classification, treatment, prognosis prediction, and research of these tumors. Aims: This is a retrospective study that assessed the interobserver variation between Anatomical Pathologists in grading meningiomas using material obtained from ten resection specimens. The WHO grading system includes different methods, including the mitotic count, the tumor subtypes or the presence of three out of five certain morphological features. This paper focuses on the interobserver variability in the latter method. Methods: Meningiomas that were originally graded based upon mitoses, brain invasion, or morphological subtype were excluded. Ten different Anatomical Pathologists, including two Neuropathologists, who were blinded to the original diagnosis and grade graded the tumors
Ionic and osmotic components of salt stress specifically modulate net ion fluxes from bean leaf mesophyll

Ionic mechanisms of salt stress perception were investigated by non-invasive measurements of net H + , K + , Ca 2+ , Na + , and Cl - fluxes from leaf mesophyll of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) plants using vibrating ion-selective microelectrodes (the MIFE technique). Treatment with 90 mM NaCI led to a significant increase in the net K + efflux and enhanced activity of the plasma membrane H + -pump. Both these events were effectively prevented by high (10 mM) Ca 2+ concentrations in the bath. At the same time, no significant difference in the net Na + flux has been found between low- and high-calcium treatments. It is likely that plasma membrane K + and H + transporters, but not the VIC channels, play the key role in the amelioration of negative salt effects by Ca 2+ in the bean mesophyll. Experiments with isotonic mannitol application showed that cell ionic responses to hyperosmotic treatment are highly stress-specific. The most striking difference in response was shown by K + fluxes, which varied from an increased net K + efflux (NaCI treatment) to a net K + influx (mannitol treatment). It is concluded that different ionic mechanisms are involved in the perception of the 'ionic' and 'osmotic' components of salt stress.
Improving aspects of empathy and subjective performance for HRI through mirroring facial expressions

In this paper, the impact of facial expressions on HRI is explored. To determine their influence on empathy of a human towards a robot and perceived subjective performance, an experimental setup is created, in which participants engage in a dialog with the robot head EDDIE. The web-based gaming application “Akinator” serves as a backbone for the dialog structure. In this game, the robot tries to guess a thought-of person chosen by the human by asking various questions about the person. In our experimental evaluation, the robot reacts in various ways to the human's facial expressions, either ignoring them, mirroring them, or displaying its own facial expression based on a psychological model for social awareness. In which way this robot behavior influences human perception of the interaction is investigated by a questionnaire. Our results support the hypothesis that the robot behavior during interaction heavily influences the extent of empathy by a human towards a robot and perceived subjective task-performance, with the adaptive modes clearly leading compared to the non-adaptive mode.
Microsporogenesis, Pollination, Pollen Germination and Male Gametophyte Development in Taxus brevifolia

Taxus brevifolia(Nutt.), commonly known as Pacific or western yew, is a conifer native to the Pacific northwest of North America. Contrary to other Taxus species, T. brevifolia staminate strobili are usually located on 2-year-old foliage although they may occur on foliage from 1 to 5-years-old. This delayed staminate strobilus development may be an adaptation to the low light environment where T. brevifolia grows. Microsporogenesis occurred in the autumn preceding pollination. Successive divisions produced isobilateral tetrads visible as early as mid-October. Over-wintering staminate strobili usually contained separate microspores. In 1996 to 1999, pollination occurred in March and April in two natural forest sites on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The low amounts of airborne pollen and prolonged pollination period indicated low pollination success within T. brevifolia. Female receptivity was measured by the presence of a pollination drop. Protandry up to 18 d was observed. In vitro pollen germination was moderate to good, ranging from 65 to 88% depending on the tree and year. DAPI fluorescence staining showed successful male gametophyte development in vitro. The microspore divided forming a tube nucleus and generative cell within 3 d of culture. The generative cell then divided forming a sterile nucleus and spermatogenous nucleus after 17 d. The spermatogenous nucleus acquired a cell wall then divided forming two equal sperm after 24 d.
[Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in subjects consulting in urban primary care clinics].

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major worldwide public health problem and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. AIM To assess CKD prevalence in urban Primary Care Services (PCS) of Concepcion, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS The clinical records of 27.894 adults aged 55 ± 18 years (66% females), consulting in outpatient clinics and in whom serum creatinine was measured, with or without assessment of urine albumin levels, were reviewed. The glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD)-4 equation. CKD was defined as an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and classified according to the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NFK-KDOQI) guidelines. RESULTS Mean eGFR was 77.1 ± 16.3 ml/min/1.73 m2. Twelve percent of subjects had CKD (women, 14.5% and men 7,4%, p < 0,05). The prevalence of stages 3, 4 and 5 of CKD were 11.6, 0.3 and 0.2 % respectively. eGFR was negatively correlated with age ( r = -0,54, p < 0,05). Among patients with an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 96.3% had eGFR 30-59, 2.3% 15-29 and 1.4 % < of 15. Seventy nine percent were women. 75.1% were aged 65 years or more, 26.8% had a serum creatinine equal or less than 1.0 mg/dL and 40.5% had microalbuminuria. Only 1% of outpatients ascribed to Cardiovascular or Diabetes Programs had the diagnosis of CKD registered. Independent risk predictors of CKD were age > 60 years, female sex and microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a high prevalence of CKD in ambulatory patients, mainly among women and older people. The low level of diagnosis of CKD in cardiovascular and diabetes programs is of concern.
Nuclear Organization of Gene Expression in Adenovirus Infected Cells

Adenovirus infected cells provide a good model system for studying nuclear organization during RNA production and transport. This thesis is focused on the dynamic organization of splicing factors during the late phase of Adenovirus infection in HeLa cells, the nuclear localization of viral RNA, and the pathway used for viral RNA transport to the cytoplasm.Splicing factors are relocalized from interchromatin granule clusters to sites of transcription in Adenovirus infected cells at intermediate times of infection. Later, splicing factors and viral RNA accumulate posttranscriptionally in interchromatin granule clusters. The release of the splicing factors from transcription sites was energy dependent or preceded by energy requiring mechanisms. Our data indicated that phosphorylation events inhibited by staurosporine, and 3' cleavage of the transcript are two possible mechanisms involved prior to the release of the RNP complex from transcription sites.A viral protein derived from orf6 of early region 4, 34K, is important for the nuclear stability and transport of late viral mRNA derived from the major late transcription unit. A viral mutant lacking this region is defective for posttranscriptional accumulation of viral mRNA in interchromatin granule clusters, and for the accumulation of viral RNA in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that posttranscriptional accumulation of viral RNA in interchromatin granule clusters may contribute to the maturation of the RNP complex or sorting of RNAs and proteins, to prepare the final RNP complex for transport to the cytoplasm.A previous model suggested that adenoviral late mRNA is transported to the cytoplasm by utilizing the CRM-1 pathway. This pathway can be blocked by the drug leptomycin B. The data presented in paper IV suggests that this model might not be applicable, since leptomycin B did not inhibit adenoviral late gene expression.
Is there any consensus on basal archosaur phylogeny?

Studies of basal archosaur phylogeny since 1975 were reviewed to assess directly opposing views on the (dis) agreement reached as a result of adopting cladistic methodology. The transition to modern numerical cladistic analyses has been long, including two principal stages: with listing of derived characters as node support eventually replaced by explicit data and methodology presentation. All four existing explicit numerical studies are reanalysed, and a semi-strict reduced cladistic consensus is constructed for them and compared with earlier 'cladistic’ studies where data was not presented. The two principal steps to modern numerical analyses have been accompanied by an increase in the agreement between separate hypotheses, and there exists substantial current consensus on the resolution of many pre-cladistically vague relationships. However, Bremer support values calculated for the four numerical studies indicate that the strength of hypothesised clades is generally low to minimal. Because a previous review (Charig 1993) included many non-cladistic studies, using its failure to find consensus as a basis for broader criticisms of cladistic methods is considered unjustified. However, some of Charig’s (1993) criticisms of current practises are endorsed. Reproducibility of results, greater methodological awareness, and more rigorous assessment of hypothesis robustness are identified as additional issues requiring consideration in future studies.