Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological Activities of Influenza Virus Subpopulations: Characterization of Infectious, Interferon-Inducing and Interferon Induction-Suppressing Particles

APPROVAL PAGE i DEDICATION ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii ABBREVIATIONS iv LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES xii CHAPTER 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 1 PART I: Overview of Influenza Virus 2 1.1 Taxonomy and nomenclature of influenza virus 2 1.2 Host range restriction and determinants of pathogenicity 3 1.3 Type-A influenza virus structure and lifecycle 6 1.4 Genetic variation of influenza virus populations 10 PART II: Significance of Influenza Virus 11 1.5 Morbidity and mortality 11 1.6 Economic impact 12 1.7 Prophylactic control of influenza virus by vaccination 13 PART III: Emergent Biological Activity of Influenza Virus 14 1.8 Influenza virus populations exist as a quasispecies 14 1.9 Replication-deficient biologically-active particles 16 1.10 Emergent biological activity 17 PART IV: Rationale and Goals 19 1.11 The significance of replication-deficient biologically-active particles 19 1.12 Potential to influence vaccine design 20 1.13 Goals 21
Ambiguity, Scope, and Significance: Difficulties in Interpreting Celestial Phenomena in Chinese Records

Abstarct Several problems contribute to difficulties in interpreting transient celestial phenomena as described in Chinese records. Frameworks are an overarching problem. Tianwen, the modern Chinese term for astronomy, in pre-modern times included meteorological phenonemena and was concerned with omenology. Manuscripts that include star charts and comets but also meteorological phenomena and omen reading texts were routinely reframed in modern scholarship to appear as if they included only astronomical content. The scope of pre-modern tianwen, however, was broader than its modern sense. Pre-modern celestial phenomena had political and religious significance. Apparent ambiguity arises from the presence of both meteorological and astronomical phenomena in a single category and from features of the classical Chinese language. Accounting for these problems is essential for research into transient phenomena using historical archives.
A Simple Differential Evolution Algorithm to Solve the Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem

This paper addresses the Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Prob-lem (FJSSP) where the objective is to minimize the makespan. We develop a parallel hybrid Diﬀerential Evolution (DE) algorithm to tackle this problem. A random key representation of the FJSSP is adopted, which requires a very simple conversion mechanism to obtain a feasible schedule. This allows the DE algorithm to work on the continuous domain to explore the problem space of the discrete FJSSP. Moreover, a simple local search algorithm is embedded in the DE framework to balance the exploration and exploitation by enhancing the local searching ability. In addition, parallelism of the DE operations is included to improve the eﬃciency of whole algorithm. Experiments conﬁrm the signiﬁcant improvement achieved by integrating the propositions introduced in this study. Additional, test results show that our algorithm is competitive when compared with most existing approaches for the FJSSP.
The Prevalence of MetabolicSyndrome among Type 2 DiabeticPatients according to NCEP ATPIII and IDF at Baba GurGurDiabetic Center, Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM. There are an increasing number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients worldwide, and there is no exception in Iraq. Regardless of which criteria are used for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, the first concern is early detection of cardiovascular complication and early intervention. Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of clinical and biomarker component of metabolic syndrome using NCEP ATP III (2005), IDF (2006) among Iraqi sample of patients with type II diabetes. Patients and methods: Four hundred-six, type 2 diabetic patients attending Baba GurGur Diabetic Center in K1 Hospital/ Northern Oil Company –Kirkuk, from 1st April till 30th June, were subjected randomly to this descriptive cross-sectional study with mean age of 54.8740 ± 9.648. Clinical and biochemical data were collected and the data was analyzed in order to identify prevalence of MetS in these patients. Results: The result showed that there was statistically significant relation between sex and MetS in both Definitions [NCEP ATP 111and IDF] with p value (0.000). The overall prevalence of MetS among the studied sample was 51.2% and 48.9% in both definitions respectively. The frequency ofmetabolic Syndrome component was higher for Low HDL Cholesterol and there was a highly statistically significant relation between low HDL among female vs. male with p value (0.000). High frequencies of MetS were between the age group 50-59 years. Regarding BMI, diabetic patients with BMI (25-29.9) and (30-39.9) having highest frequency of Mets. Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS and its components using NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria amongst a sample of T2DM Iraqi patients was high. Early diagnosis and proper management is requested for metabolic syndrome to prevent cardiovascular complication.
Bacteriophages as a potential treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated chest infections in cystic fibrosis patients

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects between 1in 2000 and 1 in 4500 births in caucasians of European descent. It is caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) resulting in abnormal membrane osmolarity. CF is a multi-organ disease, however the cause of death is most often due to respiratory failure caused by infection of the airway epithelia with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ps. aeruginosa grows in the airways as a biofilm and is recalcitrant to treatment with antibiotics. Therefore alternative therapies are urgently required. Bacteriophages have been and still are used in ex-Soviet bloc countries as a treatment for many infections. However, to date very few comprehensive studies have been conducted into phage therapy in humans. The aim of this study was to characterise several Ps. aeruginosa phage and to develop an in vitro co-culture model simulating a Ps. aeruginosa lung infection on which bacteriophage could be assessed for their efficacy as a therapeutic agent.
Inquiry through Modeling: Exploring the Tensions between Natural & Sexual Selection using Crickets

Abstract The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013) recommend that science courses engage communities of students in scientific practices that include building accurate conceptual models of phenomena central to the understanding of scientific disciplines. We offer a set of activities, implemented successfully at both the secondary and postsecondary levels, that involve students in guided inquiry toward creation and progressive revision of a robust model of selection that accounts for both natural and sexual selection and their complicated relationship to one another at the level of individuals and populations. Requiring students to progressively revise their models in light of data and previous understanding replicates scientific practice and allows for authentic assessment of students' growing content knowledge, understanding, and skills regarding scientific modeling and communication processes.
Customer Integration into Service Innovations by Developing Information Integration between Parties and Increasing Customer Opportunity to Influence FM Services

Menon, K, Kärkkäinen, H & Wuest, T 2017, Role of openness in industrial internet platform providers’ strategy. in J Rios, A Bernard, A Bouras & S Foufou (eds), Product Lifecycle Management and the Industry of the Future: 14th IFIP International Conference, PLM 2017, Seville, Spain, July 10-12, 2017. vol. 517, IFIPAICT, Springer, pp. 92-105, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT, 1 January. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72905-3_9
Anticancer activity of marine-derived fungi extracts and isolated compound in human cancer cell lines

Aim: To evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of crude ethyl acetate extracts of the culture of four marine-derived fungi Aspergillus similanensis KUFA 0013 (E1), Neosartorya paulistensis KUFC 7897 (E2), Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017 (E4) and Talaromyces trachyspermus KUFC 0021 (E3) on a panel of seven human cancer cell lines. Methods and results: Effects on cell proliferation, induction of DNA damage and cell death were assessed by MTT and clonogenic assay, comet assay and nuclear condensation assay, respectively. The proliferation of HepG2, HCT116 and A375 cells decreased after 48 h incubation with the extracts from N. paulistensis and N. siamensis. The anti-proliferative effect was confirmed by MTT assay, morphologic alterations and by clonogenic assay. Both extracts also induced cell death in HepG2 and HCT116 cells. Doxorubicin was used as a positive control and showed in vitro anticancer activity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated for the first time that extracts from N. paulistensis and N. siamensis have selective anti-proliferative and cell death activity in HepG2, HCT16 and A375 cells. Significance and Impact of the Study: The bioactivity of these extracts suggests a potential for biotechnological applications, and substantiates that both should be further considered for identification of compounds with anticancer activity and elucidation about the molecular targets and signal transduction pathways involved.
Simulation and design of a LPGFS system for detection of Escherichia coli bacteria infestation in milk

The paper presents simulation results to be used for improved design of a portable short time response bio-sensor device dedicated to dairy industry for early detection of possible infestation with pathogen bacteria Escherichia coli and/or other micro-organisms in milk. A two-component model was developed: the first component is defined on computational biochemistry basis and refers to the quantitative definition of life cycle of bacteria or other type of micro-organisms while the second optimizes the constitutive characteristics of the Long Period Grating Fiber Sensors. The model predicts the modifications of the refractive index of the milk due to the presence of the bacteria and provides…
A corpus-based analysis of new English blends

Cette etude examine l’amalgame lexical dans une perspective synchronique. En particulier, elle analyse une collection de 245 nouveaux mots-valises en anglais, sur la periode 1950-2010, d’un point de vue quantitatif et qualitatif. Cette etude a pour objectif de reevaluer l’importance de l’amalgame 1) pour inventer un nouveau lexique specialise, et 2) pour creer des mots qui contiennent des fractomorphemes reguliers. D’un point de vue theorique, l’etude tente de repondre a la question suivante : l’amalgame est-il un phenomene extra-grammatical de creation de mot ou un proces regulier de formation de mot ? L’etude affirme que certains mots-valises sont des cas uniques (p.ex. glam-ma ← glamour + grandma), tandis que d’autres font partie de series de mots (p.ex. eatertainment, irritainment, shoppertainment viennent du fractomorpheme -tainment ← entertainment) et tendent vers la regularite et la productivite. L’etude a quatre objectifs. D’abord, elle vise a montrer les contextes/registres qui privilegient la formation des mots-valises, et qui vont du langage familier au langage de specialite. Deuxiemement, l’etude vise a repondre a la question suivante : les mots-valises sont-ils crees pour designer de nouveaux referents ou pour donner un nouveau nom a un referent existant ? Troisiemement, l’etude se concentre sur l’amalgamation dite ‘attributive’ ou ‘endocentrique’, comme rockumentary (← rock + documentary) et Clintonomics (← Clinton + economics). Les mots-valises attributifs sont decrits comme des modeles possibles ou schemas pour les nouveaux amalgames lexicaux, dont les seconds fractomorphemes -umentary et -(o)nomics sont des affixes secretifs potentiels pour de nouveaux mots.
CTLA-2 Alpha Is a Potent Inhibitor of Angiogenesis in Murine Ocular Tissue

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-2 (CTLA-2) alpha has been reported to suppress the activities of cathepsin L (Cath L), which is deeply involved in angiogenesis. Therefore, we assessed whether CTLA-2 alpha plays a role in angiogenesis in ocular tissue. To establish models of corneal inflammation and experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV), male C57BL/6J mice (n = 5) underwent corneal suture placement or laser-induced CNV, respectively. Mice were then injected with recombinant CTLA-2 alpha (1 µg) into the peritoneal cavity at day 0 and every 2 days after operation. In vitro experiments were performed to assess the inflammatory response by measuring TNF-alpha secretion in peritoneal cavity exudate cells (PECs) or the proliferation of mouse vascular endothelial cells (mVECs). CTLA-2 alpha treatment dramatically suppressed corneal angiogenesis, as well as laser-induced CNV. Moreover, CTLA-2 alpha inhibited the proliferation of mVECs in vitro, while CTLA-2 alpha abolishment was able to rescue proliferation. However, CTLA-2 alpha could not suppress cytokine secretion from inflammatory cells such as PECs. In summary, CTLA-2 alpha was able to suppress angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation. Further studies are needed to investigate its usefulness as a new antiangiogenic treatment for a variety of conditions, including age-related macular degeneration.
Enhancing the production of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in marine diatoms

The primary producers of essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are marine microalgae, which form the base of the aquatic food web. One alternative source of our ever diminishing stocks of fish and fish oil is via the cultivation of these microorganisms. Unfortunately, these microalgae, of which diatoms are the dominant class, only accumulate oil during specific stages of their life-cycle and/or under nutritional states which are incompatible with the required high density of growth and target fatty acid profile. Additionally, the endogenous levels of desirable fatty acids such as eicospantaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6, n-3) are usually relatively modest (in the range of 10-35% of total fatty acids) and therefore present an opportunity for enhancement. A database search carried out on the genomes of omega-3-producing unicellular photoautotrophic green alga Ostreococcus sp. RCC809 and cold-water diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus led to the identification of four novel genes involved in omega-3 biosynthesis. These genes encoded an omega-3-specific Δ6-desaturase, a Δ4-desaturase, a Δ6-elongase and a Δ5- elongase. Overexpression of genes encoding Δ6-desaturase and Δ6-elongase activities in Thalassiosira pseudonana impacted the fatty acid and acyl-CoA profiles of this model centric diatom. Changes to chloroplast and lipid droplet phenotype were also observed. Targeted knock-down of native genes involved in the omega-3 biosynthetic pathway was carried out in T. pseudonana to further understand endogenous omega-3 fatty acid production. Cells targeted for the knock-down of Δ9-desaturase exhibited a drastically altered growth phenotype, but maintained a wild type-like fatty acid profile. This phenotype was attributed to the possibility of another, functionally redundant, protein that escaped sequence-based silencing, masking the knock-down of Δ9-desaturase. The results and observations provided in this thesis contribute new valuable information to the field of lipidomic research in microalgae, breaking new ground in metabolic engineering of lipid metabolism in diatoms.
Rhodococcus opacus and Nocardioides simplex metabolites and enzymes during biodegradation of picric acid.

Nitrophenols and polynitrophenols are introduced into the environment through the anthropogenic activity. As a consequence of their uses over the years there are many places heavily contaminated with these xenobiotics. Picric acid (trinitrophenol) is a toxic yellow odourless xenobiotic biodegradable by many microorganisms. Several metabolites and enzymes have been detected and purified from Rhodococcus opacus HL PM-1 and Nocardioides simplex FJ2-1A as parts of productive catabolic route. In this paper a comparative analysis of known metabolites and enzymes has been presented. It also suggests a catabolic potential and evolutionary implications of large linear megaplasmids detected in both strains since the bacteria are not evolutionary related.
Structure spatiale des trois espèces les plus abondantes dans la Réserve Forestière de la Yoko, Ubundu, République Démocratique du Congo

La structure spatiale des especes est l’un des parametres cles en ecologie pour la comprehension des processus ecologiques et du fonctionnement des ecosystemes forestiers. Cette etude analyse la structure spatiale de trois especes vegetales a l’echelle locale. Il s’agit notamment de Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild) J. Leonard, Scorodophloeus zenkeri Harms et Uapaca guineensis Mull. Arg. , averees plus abondantes a la suite d’un inventaire forestier dans la Reserve Forestiere de la Yoko en Republique Democratique du Congo. La methode de Clark et Evans et celle de Hines et Hines, basees sur des distances entre voisins les plus proches ont ete utilisees. L’analyse a ete realisee dans deux parcelles de taille differente : 6,25 et 25 ha dans la meme zone d’etude. La methode de Clark et Evans a fait apparaitre une distribution aleatoire dans la parcelle de 6,25 ha et une distribution agregee dans celle de 25 ha, et ceci pour les trois especes. La T-Square Sampling Procedure associee au test statistique de Hines et Hines a revele une distribution agregee aux deux etendues pour les trois especes. Il ressort de cette etude que la structure agregee est le principal modele spatial observe chez les especes les plus abondantes de la Reserve Forestiere de la Yoko. Les conditions du milieu combinees au mode de dispersion des diaspores caracterisee par des faibles distances pourraient expliquer la distribution agregee de ces especes. La methode de Clark et Evans s’est averee sensible a l’effet de l’etendue inventoriee lors de l'analyse de la structure spatiale. En effet, la distribution aleatoire observee sur 6,25 ha est devenue agregee apres augmentation de l’etendue a 25 ha. Parce que moins sensible au changement de l’etendue, la T-Square Sampling Procedure apparait plus adaptee pour l’analyse de la structure spatiale des especes de cette foret.
PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES OF TYLENCHIDA (NEMATODA) ASSOCIATED WITH MELON GROWING IN DIYARBAKIR PROVINCE, TURKEY

Plant parasitic nematodes found on melon ( Cucumis melo L.), growing in two towns (Bismil and Ergani) in the Diyarbakir province of Turkey, were examined faunistically and taxonomically. This study was carried out during the summer of 2001-2002. Samples were taken from 5 different melon fields and examined in the laboratory. Soil analysis revealed the presence of twelve nematode genera and twenty one species. Of these, Rotylenchulus borealis Loof & Oostenbrink, 1962 was recorded for the first time in Turkey. The identification, distribution in Diyarbakir and morphological and morphometric characteristics are incorporated herein. The other common nematode species encountered were Filenchus cylindricauda (Wu, 1969) Siddiqi 1986, Boleodorus (B.) thyllactus Thorne , 1941 and Ditylenchus destructor Thorne, 1945.
Umbellula Cuvier,[1797] (Cnidaria, Anthozoa): proposed conservation as the correct original spelling, and corrections to the entries relating to Umbellularia Lamarck, 1801 on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in Zoology

abbreviatus, Carabus, Fabricius, 1779, Reise nach Norwegen mit Bemerkungen aus der Naturhistorie und Oekonomie, p. 263, ruled under the plenary power not to be given priority over Lesteva angusticollis Mannerheim, 1830 whenever they are considered to be synonyms (Insecta, Coleoptera). Op. 2086 . available
Calculating lower developmental thresholds of insects from field studies

The rate of insect growth depends on temperature, with slower growth occurring at colder temperatures and faster growth occurring at warmer temperatures. t o be sure, some insect growth does occur at increasingly cooler temperatures. However, for temperatures that are too cold, insect growth does not occur. The coldest temperature at which insects will grow is the lower developmental threshold. Initially, insect lower developmental thresholds were calculated through field studies, but later that task was done in the laboratory. Today. insect lower developmental thresholds continue to he calculated through field studies. This is so because some insects cannot be reared in the laboratory, or some entomologists believe those thresholds to be more accurate when calculated from a natural setting. Here. we review the methods that have been used to calculate insect lower developmental thresholds from field studies. We end by suggesting some topics for future research.
The Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) described by Salvador de Toledo Piza Jr. and deposited in the collection of the University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Brazil

The type specimens of Tettigoniidae described by S. de Toledo Piza were photographed for Orthoptera Species File Online and examined. As a result of this revision several species are moved to different genera and two species to different subfamilies, 20 genera and 10 species are synonymized, one species is resurrected from synonymy, and two new genera are created, each accommodating a unique species described by Piza: Toledopizia gen. nov. (Conocephalinae: Copiphorini) and Pizatettix gen. nov. (Pseudophyllinae: Platyphyllini). In total there are 32 new combinations of species names. The paper includes a checklist and explanations for all nomenclatural changes.
Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction Enzyme Linked Oligonucleotide Sorbent Assay (Pcr-Elosa) for Detection of Disease Agents

Diagnostic tool comprises one of the vital components in the control of infectious diseases. One of the most common techniques in the diagnosis of infectious disease currently available is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) because this technique is very sensitive, specific, and rapid. This technique requires an adjunct technique to indicate the formation of the right reaction product. Agarose gel electrophoresis has been the most common technique to visualise the PCR product or amplicon. Enzyme linked oligonucleotide s orbent assay (ELOSA) is an alternative technique which is more sensitive and gives more important identity of the amplicon. This technique can be more than 100 times as sensitive as a gel agarose electrophoresis, and very specific since confirmation of the amplicon is carried out by DNA hibridisation. The capacity of the ELOSA can also be extended to the detection of disease-causal agent at subtype level, or detection of mutation at particular location in a gene. Since the equipment used for ELOSA is similar to that for ELISA ( e nzyme l inked i mmuno s orbent a ssay), a large number of samples can be accomplished rapidly. As in ELISA, a number of variation can be made in ELOSA depend on the requirement. Nucleotide can be immobilised on the microwell plate either by passive adsorbtion, by first conjugation of nucleotide with biotin then immobilisation on streptavidin-coated microwell plate, or immobilisaion by covalent bonding. The PCR and ELOSA can be performed at separate or in a single tube by first immobilising the PCR primers on the surface of microwell plates. Key words: PCR amplicon, agarose electrophoresis, oligonucleotide immobilisation, DNA hybridisation