Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cybercrime en witwassen

Het witwassen van geld dat wordt verkregen uit cybercrime vindt in de regel plaats via digitale betalingsmiddelen. De reden daarvoor is dat het geld bij cybercrime vaak wordt verkregen via online betalingsmethoden en virtuele valuta. De hoofdvraag van dit onderzoek luidt: Op welke wijze en door welke actoren wordt geld dat wordt verkregen uit banking malware en ransomware (al dan niet digitaal) witgewassen? De deelvragen van het onderzoek luiden als volgt:Wat wordt verstaan onder het witwassen van door banking malware en ransomware verkregen geld en hoe wordt witwassen juridisch gekwalificeerd? Wat zijn digitale betalingsmiddelen, in het bijzonder virtuele valuta zoals Bitcoin, en hoe werken deze digitale betalingsmiddelen? Op welke wijze en door welke actoren wordt geld witgewassen dat: a door middel van banking malware wordt verkregen? b door middel van ransomware wordt verkregen? Wat zijn de kenmerken van actoren die betrokken zijn bij het witwassen van geld dat wordt verkregen uit banking malware en ransomware? Welke informatie over de modus operandi van actoren, die betrokken zijn het bij het witwassen van geld dat verkregen wordt uit banking malware en ransomware, is beschikbaar op het dark web? Welke rol spelen digitale betalingsmiddelen, in het bijzonder virtuele valuta zoals bitcoins, bij het witwassen van geld dat wordt verkregen uit banking malware en ransomware?
Effect of Botanical Antimicrobial Agent-Citrus Products on the Quality Characteristics during Kimchi Fermentation

To develop natural antimicrobial agents for extending the self-life of Kimchi, the effect of botanical antimicrobial agent-citrus products(BAAC) on microorganisms related to Kimchi spoilage was investigated. The inhibitory effect of BAAC on microorganisms related to Kimchi spoilage was increased according to the concentration of BAAC. Antimicrobial activities of BAAC against microoiganisms related to Kimchi spoilage were remarkably high. The effect of BAAC on the cellular membrane function of microorganisms showed the perturbation of cells in the presence of BAAC. Direct isualization of microbial cells by using both transmission md scanning electron microscope showed microbial cell membrane was destroyed by treating with BAAC. It could be confirmed that BAAC completely inhibit the growth of the test strains. The pH of BAAC-added Kimchi was a little higher than that of the control through the fermentation period. Titratable acidify, vitamin C and viable cells in BAAC-added Kimchi were changed more slowly than those in the control. Sensory evaluation did not show any significant difference between BAAC-added Kimchi and the control that showed the best palatabilities during fermentation.
Mortality and Mindfulness: How Intense Encounters with Death Can Generate Spontaneous Mindfulness

: Intense encounters with mortality - such as a diagnosis of a terminal illness or a sudden brush with mortality due to an accident or injury - can have positive transformational effects, leading to what positive psychology refers to as ‘flourishing. ’ In particular, intense encounters with mortality may generate a heightened sense of appreciation for life, more authentic relationships and lifestyles, and an increased ability to be “mindful”, in the sense of becoming more focussed upon the present, and more vividly aware of one’s surroundings. (This is termed ‘externally-oriented mindfulness’.). This can be seen as a form of ‘spontaneous mindfulness’ caused by a re-orienting of attention, away from the future and the past, and into the present. Examples of this shift are given, and other reasons for its emergence are suggested. The positive effects of encountering mortality are contrasted with the findings of Terror Management Theory. The intensity and directness of the individual’s encounter with mortality may be a significant factor in whether it has negative or positive effects. It is suggested that increasing our awareness of mortality - such as by making a conscious effort to contemplate death - can help us to gain some of the positive transformational effects of an intense encounter with mortality (or IEM).
Strong optical field ionisation of solids

Population transfer from the valence to conduction band in the presence of an intense laser field is explored theoretically in semiconductors and dielectrics. Experiments performed on dielectrics exposed to an intense laser field have divulged a population dynamics between valence and conduction band that differs from that observed in semiconductors. Our paper explores two aspects of ionisation in solids. (i) Contemporary ionisation theories do not take account of the coupling between the valence and conduction bands resulting in the absence the dynamic Stark shift. Our single-particle analysis identifies the absence of the dynamic Stark shift as a possible cause for the contrasting ionisation behaviours observed in dielectric and semiconductor materials. The dynamic Stark shift results in an increased bandgap as the laser intensity is increased. This suppresses ionisation to an extent where the main population dynamics results from virtual oscillations in the conduction band population. The dynamic Stark shift mainly affects larger bandgap materials which can be exposed to decidedly higher laser intensities. (ii) In the presence of laser dressed virtual population of the conduction band, elastic collisions potentially transmute virtual into real population resulting in ionisation. This process is explored in the context of the relaxation time approximation.
BRCA1 185delAG mutant protein, BRAt, amplifies caspase-mediated apoptosis and maspin expression in ovarian cells

Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease that kills an estimated 15,000 women annually in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 10% of ovarian cancers are due to familial inheritance. The most commonly mutated genes in familial ovarian cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. It has been reported that cells carrying the BRCA1 185delAG mutation undergo an enhanced caspase-3 mediated apoptotic response. Here, we report on the transfection of cDNA coding for the putative truncated protein product of the BRCA1 185delAG mutant gene into BRCA1 wild-type human immortalized ovarian surface epithelial (IOSE) cells and ovarian cancer cells. Cells transfected with the BRCA1 185delAG truncation protein (BRAt) showed increased levels of active caspase 3, increased cleavage of caspase 3 substrates, PARP and DFF45, and decreased XIAP and cIAP1 following staurosporine (STS) treatment. BRAt also reduced Akt phosphorylation and over expression of activated Akt in BRAt cells restored caspase-3 activity to that seen in wild type cells. Further, BRAt expression increased
Degradation of CNP, a Diphenyl Ether Herbicide, in Flooded Soil under Oxidative and Reductive Conditions

Degradation of CNP, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl 4'-nitrophenyl ether, in a flooded soil under oxidative (aerobic) and reductive (anaerobic) conditions was studied in the laboratory using 14C-CNP labelled at each of the benzene rings. The degradation rate of CNP differed depending upon the redox potential of the soil. The half-life period was 6 to 7 days under oxidative conditions and 1 to 2 days under reductive conditions. Degradation of CNP under oxidative conditions started after a short lag-period. The degradation products were identified as 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl 4'aminophenyl ether, 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenyl 4'-acetylaminophenyl ether, 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenyl 4'-hydroxyphenyl ether, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, p-nitrophenol, and paminophenol by tlc. Major products were the acylamino derivatives which under reductive conditions reached about 15.5% of applied radioactivity after 2 days and then decreased thereafter. The other products were detected only in small amounts. Most of the radioactivity was strongly adsorbed to the soil within a few days and was unextractable with organic solvents. This was attributed to complex formation between the amino derivative and soil constituents. More 14C02 was liberated under oxidative, than reductive, flooded conditions.
Role of the cJun NH2-Terminal Kinase (JNK) in Cancer: A Dissertation

cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the MAPK (mitogenactivated protein kinase) signaling family that responds to various extracellular stimuli, such as stress, growth factors, cytokines, or UV radiation. JNK activation can lead to cellular responses including gene expression, growth, survival, and apoptosis. JNK has been implicated in normal developmental processes, including tissue morphogenesis, as well as pathological processes, such as cellular transformation and cancer. JNK exists in three isoforms, and knockout mice have been generated for each isoform; the ubiquitously expressed Jnk1 and Jnk2 have been studied independently, however, the two isoforms are partially functionally redundant. Jnk1 Jnk2 mice are nonviable, therefore studies of compound JNKdeficiency have been limited to mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). Understanding the role of JNK in epithelial cells is now possible with the creation of conditional JNK knockout animals. I sought to elucidate the role of JNK in cellular transformation, cancer, and normal development. I employed both in vitro and in vivo approaches. First, I evaluated the role of JNK in cellular transformation using p53 Jnk1 Jnk2 MEF transduced with oncogenic Ras. To extend this study, I examined JNK-deficiency in a Kras-induced model of lung tumorigenesis. Second, I investigated JNK1and JNK2-deficiency in a p53-mediated model of mammary tumorigenesis. Finally, I examined the role of JNK in mouse
Translational control : mTOR signalling and the use of next-generation sequencing methods

Translation is a multi-stage process comprising initiation, elongation and termination. It has been suggested that the initiation phase is the rate limiting step of this process. In this thesis the contributions of how changes in initiation and elongation rates lead to overall alterations in gene expression pathways were investigated in a number of different systems. It has been shown previously that increased expression of tRNAiMet is associated with tumourigenesis however the precise role of tRNAiMet in this process was unclear. Data obtained from cells with increased tRNAiMet copy number show that the associated increase in proliferation is transient and unlikely to play a major role in cancer. In collaboration with Dr Owen Samson’s group, it was shown that early dysplastic changes in intestinal tumourigenesis are driven by increased translation elongation via mammalian target of rapamycin 1 (mTORC1). It was found that constitutively active mutant K-Ras confers resistance to mTORC1 inhibition, and combined mTORC1/2 inhibition but that these tumours are acutely sensitivity to loss of the mTORC2 component, Rictor. Interestingly, changes in translation elongation rate were also identified in cells cooled to 32oC and this was associated with the reprogramming of gene expression under these conditions. Finally, the use of the next-generation sequencing technique ribosome profiling illustrated some potential challenges of using this approach to infer biologically relevant conclusions. These include: biases in fragment and library generation, limited read depth and statistical inference from low-count data. An alternate library generation method reduced bias, but reads predicted to be highly structured were still over-represented. The use of a newly developed thermostable ligase did not remedy this problem, but this may be due to additional biases associated with the particular ligase used.
The elimination and duplication of lower part of blastoderm effects on the number of primordial germ cells in goldfish

The origin and translocation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in goldfish Carassius auratus were studied, using both histological observations during embryonic development and by following the effects of partial elimination and duplication of blastoderm on the numbers of PGCs at the mid-blastu la stage. Goldfish PGCs are distinguished from somatic cells by their large size, distinct outline and large nucleus, because they are morphologically identical with those of the other fish species . They were locat ed in the gonadal anlage at ten days post-fertilization, and were traced back to 30-hour post-fertiliza tion (hpf) embryos with seven to nine somites. They were distributed widely in an embryo at 30 hpf, ex cept for brain, spinal cord, notochord and the enveloping layer. The numbers of PGCs did not increase from 30 hours to ten days post-fertilization. When the lower part of the blastoderm was eliminated at the mid-blastula stage, the number of PGCs decreased at the gonadal anlage. But, elimination of the up per part at same stage did not effect the number of PGCs. Moreover, the number of PGCs increased in the duplicated embryos, in which a normal blastoderm was transplanted onto a host embryo from which the upper part of the blastoderm had been removed. These results suggest that the PGCs-bear ing-cells could be predetermined by cytoplasmic factor and were already distributed in the lower part of blastoderm at the mid-blastula stage, and that they can not regenerate after that.
Estimation of folate production by Streptococcus thermophilus using modified microbiological assay.

Streptococcus thermophilus, an important dairy starter has been reported to produce appreciable amount of folate during milk fermentation. The microbiological assay, with additional trienzyme treatment, was standardized for the folate estimation and the factors influencing its production by S. thermophilus were evaluated. The microbiological assay was standardized with modifications in respect of order of addition of enzyme (α-amylase, protease and human plasma conjugase) in the tri-enzyme extraction and using Folic Acid Casein media as basal medium. Among the 12 strains screened NCDC 177 was found to produce highest folate (average 34.28 μg/L) followed by NCDC 199 (27.34 μg/L) and NCDC 303 (19.36 μg/L). However, 2 cultures (NCDC 80 and NCDC 312) were found to consume folate from RSM medium. The folate production by NCDC 177 was further enhanced by 62% with incubation at 42° C for 48h and addition of PABA at 100 μM, lactose at 1 % and NaCl at 0.8% concentrations to skim milk.
Effect of dietary protein sources on water metabolism in lactating goats.

Sixteen crossbred lactating goats were divided into two equal groups and fed concentrate mixture containing either groundnut cake (GNC) (group I) or mustard cake (MC) (group II) as sole protein source along with oats fodder. A metabolism trial conducted after 80 days of feeding on 7 animals from each group revealed that average dry matter intake (DMI) was similar (1.134±0.080 vs 1.146±0.062, kg/d) in both the groups. Average total intake of water from all the sources in group I was 5.524±0.257 kg and in group II 5.516±0.199 kg. The value for total water excretion was 1.649±0.073 and 1.678±0.147 kg for groups I and II, respectively. Insensible water loss was 3.8752±0.197 kg in group I and 3.838±0.118 kg in group II. The results indicated that dietary sources of protein did not affect water metabolism in lactating goats.
Inorganic phosphorus fractions and recovery efficiency in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa) in relation to sources and levels of phosphorus

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food for the millions of people in the world and it plays a vital role in food security and economy of many countries in the world. Aerobic rice (AR) system can save 50 to 60% water as compared to transplanted rice (Prasad 2011). In aerobic rice system, drying a submerged soil decreases the availability of both native soil P and applied P (Sah et al. 1989). However, a large portion of soluble inorganic phosphate applied to the soil as chemical fertilizer is immobilized rapidly and becomes unavailable to plants. At present, watersoluble P source like di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) is being widely used but this fertilizer is expensive creating financial burden on marginal farmer who prefers to opt not to use P fertilization to crops. The situation demands the need to make use of economical and indigenously available P fertilizer sources which can save money. Rock phosphate (RP) is one such indigenous source that can supply P at a unit cost much lower than superphosphate and DAP. Earlier studies have shown that incorporation of finely ground rock phosphate directly into the soil (pH 7.0 or above) in conjunction with PSB has the potential to improve plant available P (Sharma et al. 2010). Hence, there is growing interest in biological manipulation of RP to enhance its agronomic effectiveness. With this aim the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of rock phosphate and microbial inoculation on soil inorganic P fractions and enzymatic activities of soil. The field experiment was conducted during rainy season (June-October) of 2013 at the experimental farm of IARI, New Delhi situated at a latitude of 28o40’N and longitude of 77o12’ E, altitude of 228.6 meters above the mean sea level. The soils of experimental field had a pH8.3 (1: 2.5 soil and
New and little-known cavernicolous species of Chthoniidae and Neobisiidae (Pseudoscorpiones, Arachnida) from Serbia

The pseudoscorpions of the genera Chthonius C.L. Koch, 1843 (Chthoniidae) and Roncus L. Koch, 1873 (Neobisiidae) from caves in Serbia, Yugoslavia, have been studied. Three new species, Chthonius (Globochthonius) purgo, Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) kemza, and Roncus talason are described. A reanalysis of the type material of three subspecies of Chthonius and Roncus from Serbian caves has supported their elevation to full specific rank: Chthonius (Globochthonius) pancici Curcic, 1972, Roncus remesianensis Curcic, 1981, and R. timacensis Curcic, 1981. All species studied are considered endemics of the Balkan Peninsula. Diagnostic characters of the analysed taxa are thoroughly described or figured. Taxonomic interrelationships and geographical distribution are briefly discussed.
Arabidopsis kamchatica (Fisch. ex DC.) K. Shimizu & Kudoh and A. kamchatica subsp. kawasakiana (Makino) K. Shimizu & Kudoh, New Combinations

New combinations for two taxa, Arabidopsis kamchatica (Fisch. ex DC.) К. Shimizu & Kudoh and A. kamchatica subsp. kawasakiana (Makino) K. Shimizu & Kudoh, are proposed. The lectotypes of both names were chosen. We also provide a molecular evidence of allotetraploidy using a nuclear Chalcone Synthase (CHS) sequence.
Stress-related effects of reproductive capacity of pigs

Due to increased attention to welfare and changes in European legislation group-housing systems are becoming more used in several countries. Even though systems involving grouphousing of sows are in many ways very appealing, the effects of high stress levels during a short but critical phase of the reproductive cycle, e.g., resumption of ovarian activity, oestrus and ovulation, are yet to be clarified. The aim of the presentation is to review the research focusing on the possible factors, which may impair the reproductive processes of the pig.
The Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Resveratrol in Rats with Simultaneous Type II Diabetes and Renovascular Hypertension

Background: Resveratrol has beneficial effects on experimental and clinical hypertension and diabetes. Objectives: This study aimed at examining antidiuretic and antihyperlipidemic effects of resveratrol in rats with simultaneous type II diabetes and endovascular hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on eight groups of male Spargue-Dawley rats each containing 8 - 10 animals as follows: control, diabetic (induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide), renovascular hypertensive (induced by placing Plexiglas clips on the left renal arteries), sham, simultaneously hypertensive–diabetic receiving vehicle (distilled water), and 3 simultaneously hypertensive-diabetic groups receiving 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day resveratrol. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured weekly and fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and markers of oxidative stress were measured after 4 weeks of treatment with resveratrol vehicle. The data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests. Data analysis was done using SigmaStat software and P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Serum malondialdehyde, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, fasting blood glucose, blood glycated hemoglobin, and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive-diabetic group receiving vehicle compared to the control group (P < 0.05) and treatment with resveratrol significantly reduced these variables (P < 0.05). On the other hand, serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the hypertensive-diabetic group receiving vehicle compared to the control group (P < 0.05) and treatment with resveratrol significantly increased these variables (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicated that resveratrol had antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic effects, which might be partly due to an antioxidant mechanism. hypertension and type II diabetes. Resveratrol effects might be partly attributed to an antioxidative stress activity. Our findings might have been able to lay the ground for further research on the effect of resveratrol on humans and other animal models of human diseases.
An Analysis of the Response of Aspergillus fumigatusand Candida albicans to Caspofungin

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is capable of causing a range of diseases in immunocompromised patients and is responsible for up to 3% of all hospitalbased deaths in the EU. The yeast Candida albicans induces a range of diseases in immunocompromised patients. Caspofungin is a recently introduced antifungal compound that has good efficacy against these fungi with minimal side effects. The aim of the work presented here was to characterise the response of A. fumigatus and C. albicans to caspofungin. The results obtained demonstrated that caspofungin has potent anti-fungal activity and retards fungal growth but that the response of fungi to this drug is influenced by a variety of environmental factors (e.g. pH, serum, glucose). Exposure of A. fumigatus hyphae to this drug leads to the release of amino acids and gliotoxin. There is also an increase in internal levels of gliotoxin following exposure to the drug. Prolonged exposure to caspofungin leads to reduced growth but greatly elevated levels of secreted and internal gliotoxin. Since this toxin is highly immunosuppressive it is possible that in vivo elevated levels of this toxin may exacerbate the deterioration in the patient’s condition following caspofungin therapy. A. fumigatus hyphae exposed to caspofungin demonstrated an increase in the expression of proteins associated with an oxidative response (e.g. catalase, antibiotic response protein) and in the activity of selected enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase). The results presented in this thesis demonstrate that caspofungin is a potent antifungal agent but that A. fumigatus responds to the drug by increasing the synthesis of gliotoxin and by inducing an oxidative stress response.