Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical Characterization of Local Onion
Genotypes (Allium cepa L.)
in the Arid Regions of Tunisia

Nineteen Tunisian onion genotypes were characterized based on phytochemical composition, sugar content, and antioxidant activity. The studied onions showed a great diversity on biochemical contents and composition. It seemed that there were differences between genotype categories (local landraces or local breeding lines) and within the same category. Quercetin and quinic acid were, respectively, the main flavonoid (flavonol) and organic acid (cyclitol) identified and quantified by HPLC. In all studied onions, quercetin was the predominant flavonoid, with the highest content in the local breeding line OP2-w (1142.19 mg 100 g -1 DW). OP3-w showed the highest value of total phenolic as well as total flavonoid content at 12.52 mg GAE g -1 DW and 48.28 RE g -1 DW respectively. Fructose and sucrose were the most abundant sugars in all the genotypes. Clustering and PCA analysis showed a great dispersion of these genotypes which were classified into 3 major groups. The chemical and nutritional composition found highlights the great value of this onion germplasm which can be used for the sustainable conservation and management of Tunisian onion genetic resources.
Characterization of Cornulin as a Molecular Biomarker for the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Introduction It has been shown that the expression of the epidermal differentiation marker, Cornulin, declines with the progression of squamous cell carcinomas of several tissue types. Objectives This study aims to examine Cornulin expression at the cellular level in various cell lines representative of the successive progression steps of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major type of head and neck cancer. This can pave the way for the utilization of this novel biomarker as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator for oral cancer and help guide treatment options. Study design Western blotting was performed to measure Cornulin expression levels using standardized cell lysates from four different cell lines representing the successive steps of OSCC progression. Specifically, primary gingival keratinocytes, dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOK), squamous cell carcinoma 25 (SCC25) cells, and Detroit 562 cells were used to represent normal oral keratinocytes, DOKs, locally invasive OSCC cells, and metastatic OSCC cells, respectively. Results Cornulin expression was found to be downregulated with the progression from normal to premalignant to malignant cells. Quantitative analysis revealed that Cornulin is significantly downregulated by 3.4 folds in DOK cells, by 23.7 folds in SCC25 cells, and by 5.2 folds in Detroit 562 cells compared to normal gingival keratinocytes. Interestingly, Cornulin was upregulated by 4.5 folds in the metastatic Detroit 562 cell line compared to the locally invasive SCC25 cells. Conclusion Altogether, Cornulin proved to be differentially expressed at the cellular level in cell lines representative of the successive steps of OSCC progression. Specifically, we documented a gradual decrease in Cornulin expression with the progression from normal to premalignant to malignant cells. Notably, there is a significant increase in the expression of Cornulin in the metastatic cell line Detroit 562 compared to the locally invasive cell line SCC25, suggesting a possible correlation with the biological behavior and unique characteristics of these two different phenotypes.
Skorohod stochastic differential equations on random intervals

We prove the existence of a local solution for an anticipating stochastic differential equation of Skorohod type driven by a multidimensional Brownian motion. In order to construct this solution we use the stochastic characteristics method for hyperbolic equations introduced by Kunita and we discuss the localization of the Skorohod integral on a random interval.
The coordination role of Rio Grande do Norte state government in response to covid-19: Innovation in times of crisis?

Abstract From a case study of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, in Brazil, this article discusses the role of states in coordinating healthcare with its local governments in the context of the new coronavirus pandemic. The absence of federal government initiatives in responding to the pandemic in Brazil have been acknowledged by several specialists as an unprecedented event in the Brazilian federation, breaking with a recurrent pattern of national coordination and regulation by different governments since the 1988 Constitution. In this sense, states and municipalities had to adopt their own initiatives to respond to the pandemic. Qualitative research based on the collection of documents (local media, epidemiological reports, and state regulations) and in-depth interviews with state and municipal managers reveals significant changes in the state-municipal relationship throughout the pandemic period in Rio Grande do Norte, a state historically characterized by the lack of state coordination. The pandemic, thus, functioned as an exogenous shock, which induced changes in the pattern of state coordination in healthcare. It is unclear, however, whether these changes are one-off or permanent since the weight of increasing returns - a specification of a path dependency process - seem to work as a mechanism producing inertial dynamics of difficult disruption with the past.
Counterexamples in Probability and Real Analysis

Ideas in mathematical sciences that might seem intuitively obvious may be proved incorrect with the use of their counterexamples. This monograph concentrates on counterexamples for use at the intersection of probability and real analysis, which makes it unique among treatments of counterexamples. The authors maintain that, in fact, if taught correctly, probability theory cannot be separated from real analysis.
Flexural Capacity of Fire-Affected Concrete Members with Recycled Glass Aggregate and Glass Pozzolan

Adding recycled glass components to concrete mixes is a novel and sustainable option. Prior studies have recommended replacement ratios of 30% glass aggregates and 20% ground glass pozzolan as optimum substitutions in concrete mixes. The compressive strength of glass concrete has been shown to increase when glass components are used with these proportions. Less information is available on the flexural strength of such concrete, and no previous research has been conducted on the flexural capacity of glass concrete exposed to high temperatures. To bridge this knowledge gap, cured concrete cylinders and beam samples using various glass coarse aggregate and ground glass pozzolan replacement ratios were heat-treated in a furnace. The heat-affected samples were then tested for their compressive and flexural capacities. It was found that glass pozzolan increased the mix workability, while glass aggregates reduced it. The compressive strengths were modesty increased and the flexural capacities were drastically reduced (up to 93%) after heat exposure. Therefore, recycled sustainable glass concrete may be efficiently used in concrete compressive members and in properly designed flexural members. It can also be used efficiently in architectural non-load-bearing members for insulating and aesthetic effects.
Enhancing the Expression of the OsF3H Gene in Oryza sativa Leads to the Regulation of Multiple Biosynthetic Pathways and Transcriptomic Changes That Influence Insect Resistance

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH) is a major pest of rice crops and causes severe loss of yield. We previously developed the WBPH-resistant rice cultivar “OxF3H” by overexpressing the OsF3H gene. Although there was a higher accumulation of the flavonoids kaempferol (Kr) and quercetin (Qu) as well as salicylic acid (SA) in OxF3H transgenic (OsF3H or Trans) plants compared to the wild type (WT), it is still unclear how OsF3H overexpression affects these WBPH resistant-related changes in gene expression in OxF3H plants. In this study, we analyze RNA-seq data from OxF3H and WT at several points (0 h, 3 h, 12 h, and 24 h) after WBPH infection to explain how overall changes in gene expression happen in these two cultivars. RT-qPCR further validated a number of the genes. Results revealed that the highest number of DEGs (4735) between the two genotypes was detected after 24 h of infection. Interestingly, it was found that several of the DEGs between the WT and OsF3H under control conditions were also differentially expressed in OsF3H in response to WBPH infestation. These results indicate that significant differences in gene expression between the “OxF3H” and “WT” exist as the infection time increases. Many of these DEGs were related to oxidoreductase activity, response to stress, salicylic acid biosynthesis, metabolic process, defense response to pathogen, cellular response to toxic substance, and regulation of hormone levels. Moreover, genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (Et) biosynthesis were upregulated in OxF3H plants, while jasmonic acid (JA), brassinosteroid (Br), and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways were found downregulated in OxF3H plants during WBPH infestation. Interestingly, many DEGs related to pathogenesis, such as OsPR1, OsPR1b, OsNPR1, OsNPR3, and OsNPR5, were found to be significantly upregulated in OxF3H plants. Additionally, genes related to the MAPKs pathway and about 30 WRKY genes involved in different pathways were upregulated in OxF3H plants after WBPH infestation. This suggests that overexpression of the OxF3H gene leads to multiple transcriptomic changes and impacts plant hormones and pathogenic-related and secondary-metabolites-related genes, enhancing the plant’s resistance to WBPH infestation.
A new class of exact pp‐wave solutions in simple supergravity

A class of exact solutions of the O(1) supergravity theory is presented. It is obtained from an ansatz motivated by a previously known exact plane‐wave solution together with the additional assumption that the connection forms equal their torsion‐free and zero‐order Grassmann part. The demonstrated solutions are nontrivial and admit a covariantly constant spinor field.
Memristive Circuit Design of Quantized Convolutional Auto-Encoder

This work proposes a memristor-based quantized convolutional auto-encoder (MQCAE) and applies it in an image denoising application. The pulse width or amplitude is gradually tuned by incremental steps in current memristive programming methods, which can be extremely time-consuming. In this work, a multi-level programming method without incremental steps is proposed. MQCAE is composed of five kinds of network layers: convolution layers, deconvolution layers, activation function layers, batch normalization layers and max-pooling layers. We design a memristive circuit for realizing convolution and deconvolution with different kernel parameters. The proposed circuit generates one output feature row every cycle. Analog data buffers are designed to store the intermediate data among network layers. In addition, a reconfigurable analog circuit for realizing activation functions and batch normalization is presented. By using analog temp modules, convolution layers and max-pooling layers are able to compute simultaneously. We construct the MQCAE and introduce the pipeline technique among network layers based on the circuit modules. As a result, MQCAE is able to process one FashionMNIST image in 36 cycles with clock frequency 20 kHz. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of MQCAE in an image denoising task. The results show that the denoising performance of proposed scheme is close to software model while the processing speed is faster.
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Naval Vessels Operating in Niger Delta Waterways Using Fault Tree Analysis

This study investigated the quantitative risk assessment of the naval ships operating within Niger-Delta, Nigeria. Descriptive and analytical research designs were adopted. Three accidents prevalent in naval ships and the associated hazards that caused these accidents were identified using the Nigerian Navy safety ledger (2010-2019). The accidents are Slip and fall accidents, Electrical accidents and Mooring operation accidents. The risk assessment was conducted by ranking of the hazards based on their risk rating using Conventional Risk Assessment (CRA) which involved multiplying the likelihood of the hazards to cause harm and the severity of the harm when it occurs. The severity and likelihood of the hazards were obtained using questionnaire and the respondents were forty-four (44) principal officers in the Eleven (11) naval ships. The results obtained were used to carry out Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and the final outcome of the FTA revealed that the three main causes of these three accidents were poor management, lack of safety awareness and consciousness and violation of rules of safety on-board. It was then recommended, among others, that safety managers on-board naval ships should organize safety workshops for naval personnel to improve their safety awareness. Given that all the prevailing accidents, naval ships and major naval officers were not involved in this study is the major limitation of this study. It is recommended that more studies be carried out using other risk assessment tool like the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).
What Makes Populist Messages Persuasive? Experimental Evidence for How Emotions and Issue Characteristics Moderate Populist Framing Effects

Research asserts that populist messages are more persuasive when the audience’s predispositions align with the framing and topic of these messages. Yet, few studies have empirically analyzed this assertion. In this article, we examine how people’s emotional reactions to social issues (fear/anger) and the belief that society is in decline condition people’s reactions to populist framed messages, and whether a populist framing is more persuasive on specific issues—that is, the European refugee crisis, climate change, or the pension crisis. We also focus on two effects of populist messages: issue-specific attributions of responsibility and populist attitudes. Based on a survey experiment, we find that people who are more fearful about social issues express more populist attitudes after reading a populist framed message, compared to a pluralist framed message, and that populist messages increase the attribution of responsibility to politicians for the European refugee crisis and climate change (i.e., global issues).
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α enhances RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by upregulating the MAPK pathway

Background Hypoxia (low-oxygen tension) and excessive osteoclast activation are common conditions in many bone loss diseases, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and pathologic fractures. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) regulates cellular responses to hypoxic conditions. However, it is not yet known how HIF1α directly affects osteoclast differentiation and activation. This study sought to. explore the effects of HIF1α on osteoclast differentiation and it’s molecular mechanisms. Methods L-mimosine, a prolyl hydroxylase (PHDs) domain inhibitor, was used to stabilize HIF1α in normoxia. In the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) ligand (RANKL), RAW264.7 cells were cultured and stimulated by treatment with L-mimosine at several doses to maintain various levels of intracellular HIF1α. The multi-nucleated cells were assessed by a tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and F-actin ring staining assays. The osteoclast-specific genes, such as Cathepsin K, β3-Integrin, TRAP, c-Fos, nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), and matrix metallo-proteinase 9 (MMP9), were analyzed by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of relevant proteins was analyzed by Western blot. Results L-mimosine increased the content of intracellular HIF1α in a dose-dependent manner, which in turn promoted RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and relevant protein expression by upregulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Conclusions Our findings suggest that HIF1α directly increases the osteoclast differentiation of RANKL-mediated RAW264.7 cells in vitro by upregulating the MAPK pathways.
Potential Risk, Spatial Distribution, and Soil Identification of Potentially Toxic Elements in Lycium barbarum L. (Wolfberry) Fruits and Soil System in Ningxia, China

Eight potentially toxic elements (PTEs, including nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg)) in Lycium barbarum L. (wolfberries) and the associated root soil from a genuine producing area were analyzed. The potential ecological risk of PTEs in the soil and the health risk of PTEs through wolfberry consumption were determined. Geostatistical methods were used to predict the PTE concentrations in the wolfberries and soil. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to identify the source of PTEs in the soil. The PTE concentrations in the soils were within the standard limits, and Cd in the wolfberries exceeded the standard limit at only one site. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) order for the different PTEs was Cd > Cu > 1 > Zn > Cr > As > Ni > Pb, indicating that Cd and Cu were highly accumulated in wolfberries. The multiple regression models for Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cr concentrations in the wolfberries exhibited good correlations (p < 0.1). The ecological risk for Hg in the soil was high, whereas the risks for the remaining PTEs were mostly medium or low. Health risks for inhabitants through wolfberry consumption were not obvious. The spatial distributions of the PTEs in the soil differed from the PTE concentrations in the wolfberries. Source identification results were in the order of natural source (48.2%) > industrial activity source (27.8%) > agricultural activity source (14.5%) > transportation source (9.5%). The present study can guide the site selection of wolfberry cultivation and ensure the safety of wolfberry products when considering PTE contamination.
A pedagogical unification of well-known results on the limiting behaviour of Markov chains

The traditional treatment of the limiting behaviour of Markov chains presents separate discussions and computational formulas for processes with irreducible recurrent periodic, irreducible recurrent aperiodic, and transient sets of states. This paper demonstrates how the limiting probabilities for all finite state space cases fall under the umbrella of one, generalized, computational result. In addition to the pedagogical value derived from conveying a simple probabilistic concept, this unification may prove insightful to researchers developing userfriendly, computationally efficient computer programs concerned with the limiting behaviour of Markov chains. Such research could, in turn, promote growth in the practical application of Markov analysis as a modelling technique by increasing its accessibility to practitioners.
Preventing Attacks on Wireless Networks Using SDN Controlled OODA Loops and Cyber Kill Chains

Impersonation-based attacks on wireless networks are easy to perform and can significantly impact network security. Their detection is problematic due to the attacks utilizing legitimate functions. This paper proposes a novel algorithm based on Observe-Orientate-Decide-Act (OODA) loop and Cyber Kill Chain (CKC) strategies to detect and neutralize these attacks. To evaluate this approach, we conducted experiments using four attack methods on a wireless router equivalent device, five wireless client devices, and two attack devices. The system employs a Radio Frequency (RF) device identification system and attack state machine implemented using a Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture and the P4 programming language. The technique remains compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard and requires no client-side modifications. The results show that the RF section detected 97.5% (average) of impersonated frames, and the overall method neutralized all attacks in the four attack scenarios. This outcome demonstrates that this technique, built on the OODA loops and CKC methodology, using SDN architecture and P4, is suitable for real-time detection and prevention of wireless impersonation attacks.
A Bayesian approach to inference about a change-point in a sequence of random variables

SUMMARY A Bayesian approach is considered to the problem of making inferences about the point in a sequence of random variables at which the underlying distribution changes. Inferences are based on the posterior probabilities of the possible change-points. Detailed analyses are given for cases in which the distributions are binomial and normal, and numerical illustrations are provided. An informal sequential procedure is also noted.
Endocrine disrupting micropollutants in water and their effects on human fertility and fecundity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Micropollutants (MPs) are defined as persistent and biologically-active substances which occur in the environment in trace amounts, mainly as a result of industrial processes and human domestic activity. The published experimental data prove that, among other things, MPs present in the environment may also affect and disturb hormonal balance in humans, resulting in impairment of the reproductive function. In addition to the many MPs disrupting endocrine function described in literature and which exert an effect on human reproductive function, the study presents a review of current literature concerning the exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, and pyrethroids. REVIEW METHODS Two independent authors searched in PubMed and Google scholar (any date until September 2022) for studies concerning chosen endocrine-disrupting MPs in water and their effects on human fertility and fecundity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE The review of the literature showed that EDMs present in the environment may create risk in the prenatal and postnatal development following premature birth, and exert a negative effect on fertility and reproductive functions in humans, especially during the perinatal period. SUMMARY The presented review of literature indicates a negative effect of exposure to BPA, phthalates, OC and OP pesticides, as well as to pyrethroids, regarding human reproductive health. It also demonstrated considerable differences according to gender. Generally, there is a definitely stronger evidence for the presence of a cause-effect relationship between the discussed EDMs and a decreased fertility and fecundity in males. The negative effect of exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates, selected organochlorine pesticides and pyrethroids appears to be quite well documented.
A new anti‐windup strategy for PID controllers with derivative filters

This paper presents a new strategy for suppressing the windup effect caused by actuator saturation in proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controlled systems. In the proposed approach, the windup effect is modeled as an external disturbance imported to the PID controller and an observer‐based auxiliary controller is designed to minimize the difference between the controller output signal and the system input signal in accordance with an H‐infinite optimization criterion. It is shown that the proposed anti‐windup (AW) scheme renders the performance of the controlled system more robust toward the effects of windup than conventional PID AW schemes and provides a better noise rejection capability. In addition, the proposed PID AW scheme is system independent and is an explicit function of the parameters of the original PID controller. As a result, the controller is easily implemented using either digital or analog circuits and facilitates a rapid, on‐line tuning of the controller parameters as required in order to prevent the windup effect.