Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partial Characterization of the Antimicrobial Activity of CCL 28

Partial Characterization of the Antimicrobial Activity of CCL28 Bin Liu Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, BYU Doctor of Philosophy This research focuses on the antimicrobial activity of the mouse chemokine CCL28. In addition to their well characterized chemotactic activity, many chemokines have been shown to be antimicrobial in vitro, including the mucosally expressed chemokine CCL28. I have investigated the primary sequence features required for antimicrobial activity, salt sensitive nature of killing/binding mechanism, and in vivo microbial interactions of CCL28. Through the use of protein mutation and expression techniques, I have shown that the holoprotein (108 amino acids) is necessary for full antimicrobial activity of CCL28. Furthermore, the C terminal region of CCL28 is essential for microbial killing as an almost complete loss of antimicrobial activity is seen following the removal of the C terminal 24 amino acids. The positively charged amino acids of the C-terminus directly contributed to the antimicrobial activity of CCL28. These experiments are the first to investigate the role of primary structure on the killing activity of an antimicrobial chemokine. Using flow cytometry analysis, I found that the salt-sensitive nature of CCL28 killing activity corresponds to its binding ability. Additionally, I have shown direct evidence for in vivo interaction between commensal bacteria and endogenously expressed CCL28 in the mouse large intestine. This interaction may directly correlate to the in vivo antimicrobial activity of CCL28. Lastly, I have begun to generate a CCL28 knockout mouse model to directly address the in vivo antimicrobial activity of CCL28. Vector construction and ES cell targeting by the vector has been completed, chimeric mouse generation remains to be done. This work represents the first systematic study of antimicrobial chemokine function. This work extends our understanding of antimicrobial proteins and their role in innate immune protection of the host and provides guidance for making better alternative antimicrobials.
Measuring atmospheric ion bursts and their dynamics using mass spectrometry

Atmospheric ions are produced after a cascade of reactions starting from initial ionization by high energetic radiation. Such ionization bursts generate ions that rapidly react and generate a suite of ion products. Primary ions are in the atmosphere originate from radioactive decay, gamma radiation from the soil or cosmic ray events. In this work, we modified an existing instrumentation and developed a novel setup for detecting ion bursts. The setup consists of a continuous flow ionization chamber coupled to Atmospheric Pressure interface Time-Of-Flight (APi-TOF) mass spectrometer. The APi-TOF sampling rate was set to 100 Hz in order to detect individual ion bursts from ionization events. Besides counting the individual ionization events, the developed setup is able to follow the rapidly changing chemical composition of ions during ion burst cascade. The setup can give us insights into the primary ionization mechanisms and their importance in atmospheric ion and aerosol dynamics.
Sensation Seeking and Narrative Transportation: High Sensation Seeking Children's Interest in Reading Outside of School

High sensation seekers (HSS) prefer messages that allow them to maintain an optimal level of arousal (i.e., highly arousing messages). Transportation theory suggests that narrative immersion in a story may moderate reader arousal, and thus HSS message selection. To test this idea, a survey was administered to 120 fourth and fifth graders. In addition to measuring sensation seeking and transportation, the survey assessed interest in reading outside of school (i.e., leisure reading). HSS were found to be less likely to engage in leisure reading. Consistent with the activation model of information exposure, a moderated mediation analysis revealed that whether HSS engaged in leisure reading hinged on their level of narrative transportation (moderator) and subsequent reader boredom (mediator). HSS who successfully transported while reading were no different than their low sensation seeking peers. From a genre standpoint, high sensation seeking children with high narrative transportation scores were found to be especially interested in science fiction/fantasy books. Strategies for increasing leisure reading as well as constructing narratives that are engaging to high sensation seeking children are discussed.
Theoretical analysis of frequency and time-domain methods for optical characterization of absorbing and scattering media

Measurements of the temporal distribution of radiation transmitted and/or reflected by an absorbing and scattering medium, subject to a very short pulse of light, are likely to provide information on radiative properties of the sample. However, this procedure requires precise solutions of the transient radiative transfer problem as well as appropriate nano/pico response time from detection devices. In this work, a different approach is investigated: the transient radiative transfer problem is solved in the space–frequency domain using a discrete ordinates-finite volume method and is shown to provide accurate results. Recent research work has proposed promising optical diagnostic techniques based on a radiation beam for which intensity is modulated. As a result, a preliminary sensitivity analysis is performed to determine some optimal parameters for the design of frequency-modulation based optical diagnostic techniques. The novelty here also arises from the application of the space–frequency method to media that are not necessarily optically thick. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Performance of finisher broiler chickens as affected by different proportions of cooked cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) in the grower-finisher diet.

This study was carried out for 4 weeks at the Research Experimental Farm (FAR) of the University of Dschang-Cameroon, on the feeding of broilers with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as a source of protein, which replaced animal meal (CMAV 10%) in the finisher diet. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation level of cooked cowpea on the production performances of broilers in the grower-finisher diet, so cooking could be an easy solution to local farmers if proven efficient. A total of 160 male broiler chicks, 21days old and weighing 416.32g on average, were randomly distributed into 32 experimental units of 4 birds each. Each of the five experimental diets: F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4 containing 0% (control), 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of cooked cowpea was respectively allocated to 8 experimental units in a completely randomised design comprising 5 treatments with 4 replicates each. Cowpea grains bought from the local market were cooked for 3 minutes in a pressure cooker at the temperature of about 115oC under a pressure of 155Pa. Cooked grains were sun-dried for one week (under a temperature of about 28-32oC) to a humidity level of about 11%. Parameters measured were feed consumption, live weight and weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feeding cost for the production of one kg live weight, carcass yields, proportions of different parts analysed and the creatinine level in the chickens’ serum. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between treatment groups for total feed consumption. Live weight (1941.93±77.74g and 1804.21±271.73g), weight gain (1207.61±71.50g and 1094.93±177.16g), and feed conversion ratio (2.79 ±0.15 and 3.02 ±0.46) recorded for the F3 group (25% cooked cowpea) and F4 (30% cooked cowpea) respectively were statistically significant (P 0.01) during the whole experimental period. F0, F1 and F2 broilers were comparable for these parameters. All the treatment groups were not statistically different (P>0.05) for carcass yield, proportions of organs and serum creatinine level. It was concluded that up to 20% of cooked cowpea could be used in the finisher diet without negatively affecting feed consumption, live weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feeding cost for the production of one Kg live weight and carcass quality of broilers. Key words: Cowpea, Diets, Production Performances, Broilers
Defining green roof detention performance

Although it is widely accepted that the detention performance of green roofs is of interest to stormwater engineers and planners, no single metric allows detention to be unambiguously defined. Detention effects are highly sensitive to rainfall characteristics and antecedent conditions, and individual roofs typically exhibit wide variations in detention performance between storm events. This paper uses a straightforward hydrological model to explore two alternative approaches to describing detention performance: a probabilistic approach based on long time-series simulations; and a design storm approach. It is argued that the non-linear reservoir routing parameters (scale, k and exponent, n) provide fundamental descriptors of the detention process, with modelling enabling performance to be determined for specific rainfall inputs. The study utilises 30-year rainfall time-series predictions for four contrasting UK locations to demonstrate the utility of the two proposed design approaches and to comment on locational variations in detention performance.
COMPARATIVE ANANALYSIS OF INCOME OF SMALLHOLDER CEREALS AND LEGUMES CROP ENTERPRISES IN NASARAWA STATE - NIGERIA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess comparative analysis of income of smallholder cereals and legumes crop enterprises in Nasarawa state – Nigeria Method: Purposive, multi-stage and stratified sampling techniques were employed to obtain data on 174 respondents, using structured questionnaire for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results show that majority of the farmers were male (62.1%). Farmers were in their active age, with mean age of 39 years for both cereals and legumes. Mean gross margin per hectare was N72, 676 and N70, 446 for cereals and legumes respectively. Farm size, labour, seeds, pesticides and fertilisers were the inputs that significantly influenced the output of the farmers with positive F values of 19.018 and 29.017 for cereals and legumes respectively. The results from t-test revealed that there is no significant difference between the incomes of cereals (119,087) and legumes (118,590) farmers at 5 percent level of probability. Age of cereal farmers (4.812)*, age (3.332)*, output (2.019)* for legume farmers respectively were the socioeconomic factors that significantly influenced incomes of respondents in the study area at 5 percent level of probability with significant F value (1.17) at 5% level of probability. Lack of improved seed variety, land tenure system and high cost of inputs were the major constraints faced by the farmers in the study area. Policy recommendation: It is recommended that effective input delivery system, improved rural transportation system, adult education and training of the farmers be carried out to build up the capacity base of rural producers of cereals and legumes in the study area and Nigeria at large.
Zeros of partial sums and remainders of power series

For a power series f(z) = o a_kZk let sn(f) denote the maximum modulus of the zeros of the nth partial sum of f and let rn(f) denote the smallest modulus of a zero of the nth normalized remainder >k=n akZk' -n. The present paper investigates the relationships between the growth of the analytic function f and the behavior of the sequences {sn(f)} and {rn(f)}. The principal growth measure used is that of R-type: if R = {Rn} is a nondecreasing sequence of positive numbers such that lim (Rn+ 1Rn) = 1, then the R-type off is TR(f)=lim sup IanRlR2 . RnlI"n. We prove that there is a constant P such that -TR(f) lim inf (sn(f)lRn) _ P and TR(f) lim sup (rn(f)/Rn) > (1/P) for functions f of positive finite R-type. The constant P cannot be replaced by a smaller number in either inequality; P is called the power series constant.
Determining Energy Saving Behavior and Energy Awareness of Secondary School Students According to Socio-Demographic Characteristics.

The aim of this study was to determine energy saving behavior and energy awareness of secondary school students and the effects of socio-demographic characteristics (gender, residential area and grade level) on energy saving and energy awareness. The research is a survey model with an approach that aims to describe the current status. A total of 400 6th, 7th and 8th grade students were included in the study. Of the participants, 209 were female, 191 were male. As for the distribution of the students according to grade levels, 162 students were enrolled in 6th Grade, 145 students were enrolled in 7th grade and 93 students in 8th grade. A total of 240 urban students and 160 rural students participated. “Energy Saving and Energy Awareness Scale” was used as data collection tool in the study. The scale consisted of 21 items and 4 factors. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.80. The data was analyzed using one way MANOVA statistics technique in SPSS 11.5 version program. We observed that secondary school students had a high level of awareness about renewable energy sources and saving; however, they had a moderate level of interest in energy.
The Impact of Online Automated Writing Evaluation: A Case Study from Dalian

Automated writing evaluation (AWE) technology is being adopted in classrooms in China and the USA. This paper presents the results of a case study of the application of AWE in Dalian, China. The quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2010 in Chinese middle school English language classrooms. An effect size of 0.30 was found in favor of the experimental group using AWE as an online formative assessment. Student survey responses and teacher observations are presented as convergent evidence to illustrate the impact AWE technology has on teachers, students, and student achievement in English writing.
Spectrophotometric method for quantification of soil microbial biomass carbon

The search for more suitable alternatives in analytical processes is a strategy to reduce environmental damages. The present study aimed to quantify the soil microbial biomass carbon (SMB-C), establishing a comparison between the methods involving quantification of SMB-C by titration of the samples with ferrous sulfate ammonia and molecular absorption spectrophotometry methods. This comparison was performed by two soil sample tests: (i) areas of grain crops with conventional management versus notill farming; and (ii) areas with distinct phytophysiognomies in the region southern Mato Grosso do Sul state (Cerrado and Semideciduous Forest). It was found that molecular absorption spectrophotometry was an efficient tool for the determination of soil microbial biomass carbon, allowing replacement of the titrimetric method. There were significant differences in the levels of SMB-C determined spectrophotometrically in relation to those determined by titration. However, for the levels of SMB-C determined by spectrophotometry to be compared with those determined by titration, the values must be corrected by the linear regression equation Y spectrophotometry = - 151.38 + 0.92532 * X titration . Key words : Potassium dichromate, soil quality, titration.
Racial Microaggressions within the Advisor-advisee Relationship: Implications for Engineering Research, Policy, and Practice

Brian A. Burt is Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Iowa State University. He studies graduate students’ learning and achievement, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields. He also examines the institutional policies and practices that influence students’ educational and workforce pathways. His research, writing, and teaching and advising directly relate to his personal journey as a collegiate student leader, emerging scholar, and the decision to pursue a faculty career.
Technological Diversification Through Corporate Venture Capital Investments: Creating Various Options to Strengthen Dynamic Capabilities

Corporate venture capital (CVC) investment in technology-intensive entrepreneurial ventures has attracted increasing attention from established firms which recognize it as a useful learning investment strategy to create diversified technological options for future change. However, there is a lack of empirical research which examines the relationship between CVC investment and the corporate investors' technological diversification. In this study, we investigate the effects of CVC investments on corporate investors' technological diversity by using 20 years of panel data from corporate investors in five high-tech industries. As a result, we find that the total amount of CVC investments and the industrial diversity of portfolio companies exhibit curvilinear (inverted U-shape) relationships with the corporate investors' technological diversity. Moreover, the empirical results show that the absorptive capacity of corporate investors positively moderates the effects of CVC investments on the technological diversity.
Non-contact multi-frequency magnetic induction spectroscopy system for industrial-scale bio-impedance measurement

Biological tissues have a complex impedance, or bio-impedance, profile which changes with respect to frequency. This is caused by dispersion mechanisms which govern how the electromagnetic field interacts with the tissue at the cellular and molecular level. Measuring the bio-impedance spectra of a biological sample can potentially provide insight into the sample’s properties and its cellular structure. This has obvious applications in the medical, pharmaceutical and food-based industrial domains. However, measuring the bio-impedance spectra non-destructively and in a way which is practical at an industrial scale presents substantial challenges. The low conductivity of the sample requires a highly sensitive instrument, while the demands of industrial-scale operation require a fast high-throughput sensor of rugged design. In this paper, we describe a multi-frequency magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) system suitable for industrial-scale, non-contact, spectroscopic bio-impedance measurement over a bandwidth of 156 kHz–2.5 MHz. The system sensitivity and performance are investigated using calibration and known reference samples. It is shown to yield rapid and consistently sensitive results with good long-term stability. The system is then used to obtain conductivity spectra of a number of biological test samples, including yeast suspensions of varying concentration and a range of agricultural produce, such as apples, pears, nectarines, kiwis, potatoes, oranges and tomatoes.
Use of Pleurotus pulmonarius to change the nutritional quality of wheat straw. I. Effect on chemical composition

Se midio el efecto en la composicion quimica de la paja de trigo usada como sustrato en la produccion de Pleurotus pulmonarius. Las pajas de trigo, tanto tratadas con P. pulmonarius como no tratadas, fueron obtenidas de una empresa comercial. Para obtener muestras representativas para el analisis quimico se tomaron al azar diez bolsas de la paja usada como sustrato para cultivar el hongo. El grupo testigo consistio en las pajas esterilizadas sin tratamiento con P. pulmonarius. A todas las muestras se les determino materia seca, materia organica, proteina cruda, fibra detergente neutro, fibra acido detergente, celulosa y hemicelulosa. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados mediante una comparacion de medias utilizando una prueba de t-Student. No se encontraron diferencias (P>0,05) para el porcentaje de materia seca, proteina cruda y hemicelulosa; sin embargo, se presento un mayor (P<0,05) porcentaje de materia organica, fibra detergente neutro y acido para la paja tratada en comparacion con la no tratada. Se concluye que el crecimiento del P. pulmonarius en paja de trigo mejora la composicion quimica de las pajas aumentando el contenido de materia organica y modifica la estructura de la fibra, con lo que se incrementa el contenido de carbohidratos solubles
Testing the Importance of Search Frictions, Matching, and Reservation Prestige Through Randomized Experiments in Jordan

Unemployment rates for tertiary-educated youth in Jordan are high, as is the duration of unemployment. Two randomized experiments in Jordan were used to test different theories that may explain this phenomenon. The first experiment tested the role of search and matching frictions by providing firms and job candidates with an intensive screening and matching service based on educational backgrounds and psychometric assessments. Although more than 1,000 matches were made, youth rejected the opportunity to even have an interview in 28 percent of cases, and when a job offer was received, they rejected this offer or quickly quit the job 83 percent of the time. A second experiment built on the first by examining the willingness of educated, unemployed youth to apply for jobs of varying levels of prestige. Youth applied to only a small proportion of the job openings they were told about, with application rates higher for higher prestige jobs than lower prestige jobs. Youth failed to show up for the majority of interviews scheduled for low prestige jobs. The results suggest that reservation prestige is an important factor underlying the unemployment of educated Jordanian youth.
Plasma Natriuretic Peptides As Predictors of Hemodynamically in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Background: The objects of the study was to investigate the role and importance of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro-BNP) as a biochemical marker in patients with congenital heart disease and to determine if there is any relationship between anthropometric measurements and natriuretic peptide. Method: Forty-five children with CHD (17 cyanotic and 28 acyanotic) and thirty children with normal echocardiography were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as cyanotic or acyanotic. Anthropometric measurements including body weight, height, BMI and Zscore(weight) and Z-score(height) and thorough physical examination were recorded on admission. Serum NT-Pro-BNP was also measured Results: Majority of patients in cyanotic and acyanotic groups had tetralogy of fallot and ventricular septal defect, respectively. The mean age was significantly lower in cyanotic patients compared with acyanotic and controls. N-Terminal-Pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly elevated in cyanotic and acyanotic patients compared with controls. N-Terminal-ProBNP was negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction among the echocardiographic parameters (p=0.014, r=-0.364). In acyanotic patients, NT-Pro-BNP was positively correlated with shunt ratio (p=0.029, r=0,428) and Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (p=0.005, r= 0.519) while it was negatively correlated with Z-score (weight) (p=0.044, r=-0.390). Conclusion N-Terminal-pro-BNP is one of essential serum markers for cardiac disease and it could be used to predict the severity and prognosis of CHD as a response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload