Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF INTEGRIN α6β4 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN MALIGNANCIES

OF DISSERTATION CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF INTEGRIN 6 4 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN MALIGNANCIES Integrins are cellular adhesion molecules that bind cells to the extracellular matrix. The integrin 6 4, a receptor for laminins, is predominantly expressed on epithelial cells where it is present at the basal surface adjacent to the basement membrane. This integrin plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular functions, yet has also been implicated in promoting invasion and metastasis in human malignancies. While overexpression of the integrin 6 4 has been detected in select human cancers, the clinical significance of integrin 6 4 expression in a number of malignancies has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to examine integrin 6 4 expression as it relates to clinical variables and patient outcomes in tumors of the lung, breast, and central nervous system. In order to study integrin 6 4 protein expression in patientderived tumors, tissue microarrays were constructed and sections were stained using immunohistochemistry for the integrin 4 subunit. Integrin 4 mRNA levels in patientderived tumors were also examined using publicly available gene expression datasets. Integrin 4 expression was found to be elevated in lung squamous cell carcinoma, and its overexpression was associated with venous invasion and decreased overall survival among patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In gliomas, integrin 4 was highly expressed in glioblastomas when compared to lower grade gliomas and non-neoplastic brain tissue. Integrin 4 expression was shown to be an adverse prognostic marker in gliomas, and furthermore, integrin 4 expression was reduced in gliomas with mutations in IDH1. In breast cancer, integrin 6 4 expression was found to be elevated in triple negative tumors, and in one cohort, elevated integrin 4 expression was associated with HER2 overexpression. In summary, I have shown that integrin 4 expression is elevated in a number of aggressive human malignancies, and that its expression associates with poor prognosis in these tumors.
Short-term legacy effects of feedlot manure amendments on earthworm abundance in a clay loam soil

Abstract: Long-term application of feedlot beef cattle manure amendments to cropland may enhance earthworm abundance by increasing soil organic carbon. The objective of this study was to determine the legacy effects of feedlot manure type [stockpiled (SM) vs. composted (CM)], bedding material [straw (ST) vs. woodchips (WD)], manure rate (13, 39, or 77 Mg ha-1), unamended control, and inorganic fertilizer treatments on earthworm abundance in a clay loam soil after 3–4 yr of discontinued applications following 17 annual applications. Earthworms were sampled (20 cm depth) in 2 yr (2017–2018), and ancillary soil properties also determined. The Aporrectodea genus was the dominant earthworm identified. Earthworm abundance was similar (P > 0.05) for amended and unamended or inorganic fertilizer treatments. Abundance at the 39 Mg ha-1 rate in 2018 was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater by four times for SM than CM with ST, but it was two times greater for CM than SM with WD. Abundance at the 13 Mg ha-1 rate in 2017 was significantly greater by 91% for ST than WD, but at the 39 Mg ha-1 rate, it was 10 times greater for WD than ST. In 2018, abundance was five times greater for WD than ST with CM, but it was similar with SM. Overall, short-term legacy effects occurred on earthworm abundance, but these effects varied with manure rate. Earthworm abundance was not increased by manure application, which suggested a carrying capacity not directly related to food resource.
An evaluation of the HIV/AIDS workplace programme of the South African Police Service (SAPS)

Background: A decision was taken in 2005 to launch a comprehensive evaluative study into the South African Police Service's HIV/AIDS workplace programme. However, before this could be done, it was first necessary to find a set of criteria against which the existing programme could be benchmarked. This led to the development of a profile of an 'ideal' HIV/ Aids workplace programme. Aim: The primary aim of this phase of the research was to formulate a profile of an 'ideal' HIV/AIDS workplace programme that would especially meet the requirements and circumstances of South African government departments. Method: The first step was to analyse existing local and international literature regarding the requirements that such a programme should meet. The relative importance of each of these requirements was then ascertained by means of in-depth, structured interviews with key South African role players in the field of HIV/AIDS workplace programmes. The results of the first two phases were then combined to produce a profile of an 'ideal' programme. Results: The study produced an integrated framework of requirements for effective HIV/AIDS workplace programmes. This framework can not only be used to benchmark the SAPS HIV/AIDS workplace programme, but also for those of other organisations.
Measurement of radioactivity levels in oil impacted soils around petroleum products retailing stations

Abstract This study investigated naturally occurring radionuclides and evaluated the levels of radiological hazard indices using their activity concentrations in the soils around petroleum product retailing stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria; to assess the environmental and health effects of the oil-impacted soils. Control soils were also collected 100 m away from each sampling station. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides were determined using Gamma ray spectrometry. Results showed that the radionuclides concentrations indicated significant differences (p ˂ 0.05) between the control and oil-impacted soils. The mean activity concentrations of the radionuclides 40K (131.11 ± 3.76 Bq/kg) and 232Th (17.17 ± 1.56 Bq/kg) were below the regulatory permissible levels, while (106.03 ± 3.68 Bq/kg) for 238U was found to be higher. Mean results of the absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, representative gamma index and the annual gonadal dose equivalent were found to be higher than their permissible levels. External hazard index and internal hazard index and radium equivalent index were found to be lesser than their average risk levels. The study concluded that the oil-impacted soils were contaminated with the analyzed radionuclides and that exposure to them on a long-term basis could pose intrinsic hazard to the health of humans.
Pengaruh Dukungan Keluarga terhadap Pemberian ASI Eksklusif di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Gurilla Pematangsiantar

Exclusive breastfeeding is very important for babies’ health and immunity because mother’s milk contains high protein which is needed to complete by the growth and development of cranial nerve and brain, gives immune body toward some diseases, and brings about emotional tie between a mother and her baby. The exclusive breastfeeding coverage in Indonesia was generally low; 20 out of 80 percent of being targeted. This condition also occured at the working area of Gurilla Health Center, Pematangsiantar which was only 5,47 percent. This indicated that the scope of exclusive breastfeeding has not yet reached the target in accordance Minimum Service Standards (MSS). This research was an explanatory survey which was aimed to analyze the influence of family support (informational support, evaluation support, instrumental support and emotional support) on exclusive breastfeeding at the working area of Gurilla Health Center, Pematangsiantar, in 2011. The population in the research were 60 mothers who had 6 to 12 year old babies. The data were collected by conducting interviews using questionnaires and analyzed by using logistic regression test at the level of confidence of 95%. The result of this study showed that family support, informational support and emotional support variables had significant influence on exclusive breastfeeding. Variable of evaluation support, instrumental support had no influence on giving the exclusive breasfeeding at the working area of Gurilla Health Center, Pematangsiantar. It is recommended that the health officers especially midwife at the working area of Gurilla Health Center, Pematangsiantar, should actively give support and carry out counseling to the people about the importance of family support in exclusive breastfeeding. It is also recommended that the husbands should motivate and support their wives to give exclusive breastfeeding to their babies.
Emission of Liquid-phase Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

This research concentrates on the comparison between anode methanol and cathode water liquid-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted from a single direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) at different operating parameters (methanol concentration, methanol flowrate, oxygen flowrate, and cell temperature). When the cell was operated at the standard test condition, the concentrations of PAHs in anode methanol and cathode water effluents were from non-detect (ND) to 0.143 ± 0.111 and ND to 0.155 ± 0.052 µg L–1, respectively; additionally, those of Total-PAHs were 0.343 ± 0.310 and 0.381 ± 0.093 µg L–1, respectively, while those of Total-BaPeq were 19.2 ± 19.6 and 160 ± 54 ng L–1, respectively. Naphthalene was almost the most dominant PAH species when changing one of the operating parameters. For the standard test condition, the anode and cathode emission factor (EF) sums of Total-PAHs and Total-BaPeq were 0.06 ± 0.03 µg g-electrode–1 and 15.7 ± 5.00 ng g-electrode–1, respectively. The EF sum of Total-PAHs (0.06 ± 0.03–3.41 ± 0.86 µg g-electrode–1) increased when increasing methanol flowrate or concentration and decreasing cell temperature, whereas that of Total-BaPeq (0.91 ± 0.52–33.2 ± 5.50 ng g-electrode–1) increased with increasing methanol flowrate or decreasing cell temperature and decreased with increasing methanol concentration or decreasing oxygen flowrate.
Short Communication Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Taraba State, North-Eastern Nigeria

Trypanosomosis is a major cause of death and reduced productivity in cattle in Tropical Africa, and a major obstacle to food security in Nigeria. Despite this, there is paucity of information on the status of the disease in Taraba State, Nigeria. This study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the State using parasitological techniques such as thin blood smear, thick blood smear, and the buffy coat technique (BCT). Of the 400 bovine blood samples examined for the presence of trypanosomes, the BCT revealed an overall prevalence of 7.0% (28/400) while thick and thin blood smears showed prevalence rates of 5.5% (22/400) and 4.25% (17/400) respectively. The differences between the prevalence rates detected by the techniques were statistically insignificant ( p >0.05). Based on Local Government Areas (LGAs) sampled, prevalence rates were 6.06% (4/66), 11.43% (8/70), and 7.58% (5/66) for Bali, Gashaka, and Ibi respectively. In Jalingo, Karim Lamido and Wukari LGAs, prevalence rates were 6.06% (4/66), 9.09% (6/66) and 1.52% (1/66) respectively. The two species of trypanosomes identified in this study were T. brucei and T. vivax which represented 53.6% (15/28) and 46.4% (13/28) respectively of the overall prevalence in cattle. Based on management practices, nomadic and sedentary herds recorded prevalence rates of 7.2% (23/319) and 6.2% (5/81) respectively. This study revealed highest and lowest prevalence rates in Gashaka and Wukari LGAs respectively with BCT detecting higher number of cases than thin and thick blood smears. Trop. Vet . Vol. 29 (4) 44-50 (2011)
KADAR FENOLIK DAN AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN EKSTRAK ETANOL RUMPUT LAUT COKLAT (Padina australis)

Rumput laut coklat Padina australis merupakan salah satu sumber daya alam laut yang keberadaannya sangat melimpah di perairan pantai Bayah, Banten Indonesia. Kandungan senyawa fenolik dan turunannya (flavonoid) berhubungan dengan aktivitasnya sebagai antibakteri dan antioksidan. Fenolik dianggap sebagai molekul dengan potensi tertinggi untuk menetralkan radikal bebas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kadar fenolik dan aktivitas antioksidan ekstrak etanol P. australis menggunakan pereaksi Follin-ciocalteu dan 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) ekstrak etanol P. australis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kadar fenolik sebesar 42,62 mg SAG/g serbuk dan pada konsentrasi 5000 ppm menghambat sebesar 66, 01 % radikal bebas DPPH.
Gallic acid-functionalized graphene hydrogel as adsorbent for removal of chromium (iii) and organic dye pollutants from tannery wastewater

The pollution caused by tannery wastewater containing high concentrations of trivalent chromium ions [Cr(iii)] and organic dyes has severely restricted the sustainable development of the leather industry. To address this problem, a three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene-based hydrogel with good mechanical strength and large surface area was fabricated by self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) sheets reduced and modified by gallic acid (GA) through π–π interactions. As an adsorbent, this GA-functionalized graphene hydrogel (GA-GH) can effectively capture Cr(iii) by coordination complexation between Cr(iii) and deprotonated carboxylic groups of GA at pH ∼ 4.0. Moreover, GA-GH could be easily regenerated by desorption of adsorbed Cr(iii) at pH 2.0 and maintained its high adsorption capacity after multiple adsorption–desorption cycles, which was also helpful for reusing desorbed Cr(iii) as tanning agent. In addition, compared with a graphene hydrogel (GH) without modification by GA, adsorption capacity of GA-GH for organic dye was significantly improved due to the enhanced π–π interactions between the GA-GH and aromatic dyes.
Causes of attrition in first year students in science foundation courses and recommendations for intervention

This paper identifies research work undertaken in 2002 that examined the notion of why first year students leave university. Utilising a case study approach, this research identified students enrolled in three foundation year courses in science. To demonstrate the context of attrition at a regional university, student data were extrapolated and examined. Difficulty arose when defining the parameters of attrition as processes to enhance retention became fuzzier. The social and educational influences surrounding attrition were considered an important factor in persistence of academic work and study. The paper reinforces the seminal work done by Yorke (1998), and through recommendations identifies the interrelationships among the institutions, its staff, the pedagogy and student responsibilities within the learning journey.
Assessment of flotation kinetics modeling using information criteria; case studies of elevated-pyritic copper sulfide and high-grade carbonaceous sedimentary apatite ores

Abstract Despite flotation kinetic modeling is well discussed in the literature, its evaluation from overfitting, the number of model parameters and model complexities have not been adequately addressed. Flotation kinetic behavior of two deposits including an elevated-pyritic (Cu/S = 0.21) complex copper sulfide ore and a high-grade carbonaceous sedimentary apatite (P2O5 ≥ 25%) ore were investigated. The flotation kinetic experiments were carried out in a mechanically agitated batch flotation cell. Different flotation kinetic models including seven common empirical and initially four mathematical models were applied to the experimental data. In addition to assessment of the goodness of fit (GOF) for each model, a factor of model complexity was considered using advanced statistical techniques (i.e. Bayesian information (BIC), low of iterated logarithm (LILC) and Akaike information (AIC) indices). The results confirmed that flotation kinetic modeling significantly depends on the feed type. The empirical models were found more sensitive than the mathematical ones to the ore properties and the mineral types. Furthermore, the mathematical models demonstrated relatively favorable results than the practical models concerning the variation of ore properties due to the consideration of more parameters in the modeling. Finally, it was concluded that the IC indices must be applied to the process of model selection owing to consideration of GOF, the complexity of a model and model consistency. The IC was introduced as a more reliable indicator than the common regression approach for evaluating, sequential ordering and selecting the suitable flotation kinetic models. Further studies are required for model’s generalizability from a statistical point of view. Graphical Abstract
Biodegradation of styrofoam waste by ligninolytic fungi and bacteria

Styrofoam wastes are composed of many polymerized styrene monomers that are generally considered to be recalcitrant and are resistant to biodegradation. In this study, the ability of ligninolytic fungi and bacteria were investigated on degradation of styrofoam wastes. All the fungi and bacteria used were able to grow on agar media containing styrofoam. Fungi Cymatoderma dendriticum WM01, Ceriporia sp. BIOM3, and Pestalotiopsis sp. NG007 degraded 15.7%, 19.4%, and 74.4% styrofoam within 30 d, respectively. Cerratia marcescens BLSP4, Bacillus subtilis BLSP4, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa BLSP4 degraded 38.3%, 52.6%, and 63.4% styrofoam, respectively. SEM analysis demonstrated the appearance of micro pore in styrofoams treated with Pestalotiopsis sp. NG007 and P. aeruginosa indicating biodegradation. In addition, analysis using UATR FTIR corroborated removal of some functional groups from the degraded styrofoam were eliminated. This study showed strains of ligninolytic fungi and selected bacteria have the potential to be used in bioremediation of styrofoam wastes.
Effects of Curcumin in Combination with Doxorubicin in Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main cause of cancer related death worldwide. New therapeutic strategies are required for CRC. Anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) remain one of the most active wide-spectrum and cost-effective drugs in cancer therapy. However, colorectal cancer (CRC) cells are inherently resistant to anthracyclines. Curcumin, the active component and yellow pigment, has been considered as anti-cancer agents with anti-proliferation, anti-invasion, and anti-angiogenesis properties. Previous data show that curcumin may played main role as therapeutic agent for CRC. We aimed to assess the possible sensitizing effects of curcumin in HCT-116 CRC cells treated with DOX.Methods: HCT-116 cells were treated with different doses of curcumin and DOX in increasing concentrations and cytotoxicity were evaluated after 48 h by Water Soluble Tetrazolium Salts(WST-1) method. In double combination treatments (48 h), the mentioned concentration were utilized; D ( Curcumin; 20 μM;DOX;5μM) C (Curcumin; 10 μM;DOX ;2.5μM ), B (Curcumin; 5 μM;DOX;1μM) and A (Curcumin; 2.5 μM;DOX;0.5μM). Results: HCT-116 cells treatments with various concentrations of single agents (DOX and curcumin) decreased the cellular viability in a dose-dependent pattern. Here, we show that treatment of HCT-116 CRC cells with curcumin increases the efficacy of DOX-induced death in HCT-116 cells. Curcumin treatments also results in higher cytotoxicity of DOX and the cell death percent in compared to higher doses in single treatments.Conclusion: It could be concluded that curcumin could acts as chemosensitiser towards the DOX therapy. So it might be used as adjuvant therapy to enhance DOX sensitivity in CRC cells.
Investigating Tertiary Level Teacher-Student Interactions in Fiji using the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI)

The research reported in this inquiry consists of the application of a previously validated learning environment questionnaire developed in a western context to a culturally diverse context, namely, the Pacific Islands. The Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) instrument was administered to intact classes of first and second year science students (n=257) at a regional university in the Pacific Islands, catering for a total of 12 ethnicities. The data reveal that the QTI instrument holds good reliability for all scales, and this may be due to the simple nature of the questions on the QTI. Surprisingly, there were few differences in perceptions of teacher-student interaction based on ethnicity, but substantial differences based on gender; females perceived their environment more favourably than males. The data for the QTI reveal that the students perceive their classrooms to be highly teacher dominated, consistent with previous naturalistic studies of secondary schools and exploratory studies at the tertiary level in Fiji. Since almost all the graduates from this institution become science teachers, a cycle is completed.
Influx of African biomass burning aerosol during the Amazonian dry season
through layered transatlantic transport of black carbon-rich smoke

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) aerosols are influencing the Earth’s atmosphere and climate, but their microphysical properties, spatiotemporal distribution and long-range transport are not well constrained. This study analyzes the transatlantic transport of BC-rich African biomass burning (BB) pollution into the Amazon Basin, based on airborne observations of aerosol particles and trace gases in and off the Brazilian coast during the ACRIDICON-CHUVA campaign in September 2014, combining in-situ measurements on the research aircraft HALO with satellite remote-sensing and numerical model results. During flight AC19 over land and ocean at the Brazilian coastline in the northeast of the Amazon Basin, we observed a BC-rich atmospheric layer at ~ 3.5 km altitude with a vertical extension of ~ 0.3 km. Backward trajectory analyses suggest that fires in African grasslands, savannas, and shrublands were the main source of this pollution layer, and that the observed BB smoke had undergone more than 10 days of atmospheric transport and aging. The BC mass concentrations in the layer ranged from 0.5 to 2 μg m−3, and the BC particle number fraction of ~ 40 % was about 8 times higher than observed in a fresh Amazonian BB plume, representing the highest value ever observed in the region. Upon entering the Amazon Basin, the layer started to broaden and to subside, due to convective mixing and entrainment of the BB aerosol into the boundary layer. Satellite observations show that the transatlantic transport of pollution layers is a frequently occurring process, seasonally peaking in August/September. By analyzing the aircraft observations within the broader context of the long-term data from the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), we found that the transatlantic transport of African BB smoke layers has a strong impact on the north-central Amazonian aerosol population during the BB-influenced season (July to November). Specifically, the early BB season in this part of the Amazon appears to be dominated by African smoke, whereas the later BB season appears to be dominated by South American fires. This dichotomy is reflected in pronounced changes of aerosol optical properties such as the single scattering albedo (increasing from 0.85 in August to 0.90 in November) and the BC-to-CO enhancement ratio (decreasing from 7.4 to 4.4 ng m−3 ppb−1). Our results suggest that, despite the high amount of BC particles, the African BB aerosol act as efficient cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) with potentially important implications for aerosol-cloud interactions and the hydrological cycle in the Amazon Basin.