Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF AN INNOVATIVE CUBESAT THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR BIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT IN LUNAR ENVIRONMENT

After about 50 years since the Apollo missions, Space Agencies are planning new manned missions beyond LEO, aiming to full functional Lunar and Martian outposts. Leaving the protection of Earth’s magnetic field, human body will be exposed by a huge amount of harmful radiations coming from both solar wind and cosmic rays, which represent a risk for the astronauts. In order to prepare for future manned exploration missions, many biological experiments have been conducted inside and outside the International Space Station (ISS). From these experiments, engineers and scientists gained knowledge about biological degradation after a long period of exposure to space radiations. Similar experiments were also carried out in small free-flyers. For example, the O/OREOS mission is built with a 3U CubeSat that is evaluating how microorganisms can survive and can adapt to the harsh orbit environment. Small platforms, such as CubeSats, are gaining interest for many applications including science experiments. Biological payloads require very stable environmental conditions, implying that environment requirements are very stringent and that existing passive thermal control systems may not be sufficient to support these class of experiments. The goal of this paper is to describe and discuss the design of an active environmental control system suitable for supporting biological payloads hosted onboard nanosatellites. In particular, we focused the attention on the case of a payload constituted by a bacterial culture that needs oxygen supply for growing up. The rate of growth and vitality are measured through bacteria metabolic parameters. The reference mission is built with a 6U CubeSat in Lunar Polar Orbit, with the main scientific objective of measuring the effect of the lunar radiation environment on a culture of “Bacterium Deinococcus Radiodurans”. This kind of bacteria exhibits significant resistance to ionising radiation and the survival temperature range is 30°C ± 10°C. The thermal control system (TCS) is constituted by Stirling cryocooler, Peltier cells and heaters. The aforementioned pieces of equipment operate on the oxygen tank and test chamber in order to control temperature of the oxygen necessary for the growth of the bacteria. To verify the temperature requirements, two kinds of analysis are performed: radiative analysis, to have information about the heat fluxes from space environment; and lastly, a thermo-fluid dynamics analysis, to gather data about temperature in the test chamber. As result, it is possible to confirm that, with the chosen TCS, the temperature requirement is verified during the mission.
Properties of particleboard made from chili pepper stalks.

used as raw material for particleboard. Urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin was synthesised in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The laboratory particleboards were made using chili pepper stalks and tropical hardwoods based on 0, 23, 48, 73 and 100% oven-dry weight of chili pepper stalks with UF resin. The physical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM procedure, D 1037-99. Internal bond and bending strength (modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) of the particleboards decreased gradually with increasing chili pepper stalk content. However, all board types made in this study showed good physical and mechanical properties. Overall, chili pepper stalk can be used as a raw material for particleboard manufacture.
Ecology and modelling of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in cattle manure and soil

The number of food poisoning cases caused by enteropathogens has increased in recent years. A significant part of the outbreaks associated with the consumption of raw vegetables has been attributed to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Bovine manure and slurry are the main environmental sources of these pathogens. Thus, reduction of the multiplication of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serovar Typhimurium in cattle and their survival in manure and slurry are important tasks to minimize the risks of contamination of plant products and outbreaks of food-borne diseases. This thesis describes the influence of various environmental factors on survival of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serovar Typhimurium in manure, slurry and soil amended with manure or slurry. The results presented in this thesis can be used for risk assessment of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serovar Typhimurium in dairy farming systems and will help to identify and evaluate potential control strategies to minimize the chance of pathogen spread in the vegetable production chain.
Agents of Systemic and Subcutaneous Mucormycosis and Entomophthoromycosis

Mucormycosis and entomophthoromycosis are invasive fungal infections caused by environmental nonseptate filamentous fungi. Mucormycosis is caused by the ubiquitous Mucorales fungi and occurs mostly in immunocompromised patients or those with diabetes mellitus. Entomophthoromycosis is caused by the Entomophthorales fungi, found mostly in warm climates. According to the classification proposed by Hibbet et al. the subphylum Entomophthoromycotina contains the order Entomophthorales, which is subdivided into two families: the Ancylistaceae and Basidiobolaceae, containing the genera Conidiobolus and Basidiobolus, respectively. There are 27 species in the genus Conidiobolus, but only two (C. coronatus and C. incongruus) have been recovered from clinical specimens, while in the genus Basidiobolus, B. ranarum is the only species known to cause human disease. Several recent reports have suggested that the incidence of mucormycosis is increasing, based on single-center studies. Mucormycosis represents 2% of invasive fungal infections following solid organ transplantion (SOT), mostly after kidney transplantation. Mucormycosis can also develop in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients or intravenous drug abusers. Blood cultures have no diagnostic value, as they are almost always negative, despite the fact that mucormycosis is an angioinvasive disease. Demonstration of hyphae in clinical samples is important for the diagnosis of mucormycosis. In summary, new molecular tools have been developed for the diagnosis of mucormycosis and the identification of Mucorales fungi in tissues. Culture results should always be interpreted in light of the clinical presentation and along with the results of direct examination and histopathology.
Physical activity in people with COPD : the feasibility of a RCT to compare a physical activity intervention versus pulmonary rehabilitation, and the fidelity of the physical activity intervention

Background: People with COPD engage in lower levels of physical activity (PA) compared to healthy people. PA interventions (PAI) for people with COPD are not offered in the current healthcare system. Aim: To assess the feasibility of conducting a trial to explore the effectiveness a PAI versus pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in improving physical activity in patients with COPD (the LIVELY COPD project); and to assess the treatment fidelity of the LIVELY PAI. Methods: A mixed methods randomised controlled feasibility trial was undertaken and the treatment fidelity of the PAI was assessed. COPD patients referred to PR in two health and social care trusts were screened; n=50 were recruited and randomised. The PAI consisted of a 12 week pedometer driven walking intervention, participants had weekly contact with a physiotherapist/nurse and set step goals. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, post intervention and follow up. Qualitative interviews were conducted at post intervention. Based on a review of the literature, the Borrelli 2011 checklist was used to assess the fidelity of the PAI. Results: N=50 participants were recruited (PAI n=23, PR n=27). There were less dropouts in the PAI (26%) compared to PR (52%). Participants in the PAI increased their average daily step count in line with the minimal clinically important difference for step count in COPD, this was not observed in PR. The results of the qualitative component demonstrated that the participants experienced a range of health benefits. Participants in both groups encountered barriers to participation; the PAI had a stronger emphasis on facilitators. The LIVELY PAI was delivered with good fidelity and the use of the Borrelli 2011 checklists provide a feasible platform for assessming fidelity of a PAI. Conclusion: These findings support the feasibility of the LIVELY COPD project and there was important learning which could help ensure the success of a future trial. Testing the feasibility of a trial with a mixed methods design was a valuable process and the qualitative data enriched our results. Assessing the fidelity of the LIVELY PAI increased our understanding of the intervention. Future research is needed to test the intervention in a fully powered randomised controlled trial.
Relationships between SRI disclosure and business performance

The purpose of this study is to identify the CSR activities and to investigate the relationship between CSR activities and business performance. Specifically, we analyzed the companies that were included in the SRI index as CSR activity companies, and analyzed how they affect the business performance of the companies according to SRI index incorporation disclosure. As a result of the analysis, the SRI index incorporation announcement has a significant positive effect on the corporate value(Tobin's Q) but it has not significant effect on the financial performance(ROA). This suggests that CSR activities are offered to companies' managers and stakeholders as a basis for investment rather than expense. In the future research, it will be more meaningful if the study on the intention to participate in CSR activities is conducted based on this study and previous studies.
Assessment of five microarray experiments on gene expression profiling of breast cancer

In recent studies gene expression profiling of non-hereditary breast cancer has been increasingly popular. One way of sample differentiation of predominant clinical relevance usually assessed in those articles in the presence or absence of the Estrogen receptor in the tumor samples. At present, though, there is no consensus whether cDNAor Oligomicroarrays handle expression profiling better. We have started to assess the comparability of five published data sets generated by different array technologies.
Under slow flow conditions, daily rates of canopy photosynthesis of marine macrophytes were insensitive to model choice and flow‐rate

Water motion drives the flux of suspended and dissolved material (e.g., nutrients, gametes, and dissolved oxygen) to and from macrophyte canopies, and is one of the most important mechanisms that can regulate the growth, survival, and persistence of marine macrophytes populations. At small spatial scales (e.g., lamina or leaves and individuals), increasing flow‐rates have been demonstrated to enhance physiological processes, especially photosynthesis rates, and we expected a similar response at the canopy scale. We conducted seven experiments over 25 days using a pair of open‐air flow‐chambers under natural light, temperature, and seawater conditions. In the four marine macrophyte (Sargassum piluliferum, S. siliquastrum, S. thunbergii, and Zostera marina) canopies examined, an increase in flow‐rate did not enhance photosynthesis rates. The odds that daily gross photosynthesis rates increase with a decrease in flow‐rates was 1.77 to 1. We also examined if two non‐linear equations and one linear equation, often used to describe the relationship between photosynthesis to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), biased estimates of the daily rates of photosynthesis and respiration. It was revealed that the functional form of the equation strongly influenced photosynthesis and respiration rate estimates at short time scales (i.e., minutes), however, daily rates were insensitive to the type of equation used to model the relationship between photosynthesis and PPFD. We suggest that the predominance of photosynthesis rates occurring in under‐saturating PPFD conditions (> 40 % of daylight hours) may be one of the reasons for this insensitivity.
Aspectos anatômicos do plexo lombossacral de Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) = Anatomical aspects of the lumbossacral plexus of the Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Linnaeus, 1758)

Objetivou-se descrever a origem e arquitetura do plexo lombossacral, bem como a composicao de seus nervos na especie M. tridactyla. Para tanto, foram analisados 12 plexos de seis cadaveres adultos e de ambos os sexos, fornecidos pelo IBAMA-GO (licenca 99/2011). Os ramos ventrais dos nervos espinhais, suas comunicacoes e os nervos derivados do plexo foram evidenciados apos dissecacao da face ventral das regioes toracica caudal, lombar e sacral. As radiografias verificaram-se 15 ou 16 vertebras toracicas, duas ou tres lombares e quatro ou cinco sacrais. O plexo lombossacral constituiu-se por: T16, L1, L2, S1-S5, Cc1 (33,3%), T15, L1-L3, S1-S5 (16,6%), T15, L1, L2, S1-S5, Cc1 (16,6%), L1-L3, S1-S5 (16,6%), T15, L1-L3, S1-S4, Cc1 (8,3%) e L1-L3, S1-S4 (8,3%). Os nervos derivados do plexo com suas formacoes mais frequentes foram: genitofemoral (T15, L1, L2 e T16, L1), cutâneo femoral lateral (T15, L1, L2 e T16, L1), femoral (T16, L1, L2), obturador (L1-L3), isquiatico (L3, S1-S3), gluteo cranial (L2, S1), gluteo caudal (L2, S1-S3 e L3, S1, S2), pudendo (S4-S5) e retal caudal (S5 e S4, S5, Cc1). O nervo cutâneo femoral caudal originou-se do nervo isquiatico. O plexo lombossacral do M. tridactyla assemelha-se em geral ao dos demais mamiferos, porem apresenta como particularidade o envolvimento de ramos toracicos e coccigeos na composicao de seus nervos e uma maior variacao anatomica em sua formacao, que pode ser atribuida principalmente a variacao numerica de vertebras toracicas, lombares e sacrais nesta especie.
High-Throughput Polygenic Biomarker Discovery Using Condition-Specific Gene Coexpression Networks

104 Introduction . 105 Results . 110 Conclusion . 114 Acknowledgement . 116 References . 117 6. CONCLUSION . 124 References . 127 3. IDENTIFYING TEMPORALLY REGULATED ROOT Page
Pest damages on the root system of oil palms planted on peat soil.

In the province of Riau (Sumatra - Indonesia) palms planted on peat soils show unusual low rate of growth and development, as well as very poor yield levels. Many palms present a stunted appearance, and a high number of dry fronds in the lower part of the canopy. These symptoms indicate nutritional disorders for both water and mineral nutrition (specially nitrogen) despite a permanent water table relatively close to soil surface, and increased rates of fertilizer. Soil profile observations clearly reveal heavy damages consecutive to pest attacks on the roots system of the palms. Three different types of attacks can be described, all of them affecting the tip of respective roots: - galleries inside primary and secondary rots. - damages at the periphery of primary roots. - entire depletion of the inner part of primary rots. We observe lots of reiterations on attackted roots, being attacked themselves soon after emerging. This reiterations certainly require a significant amount of carbohydrate, which are therefore not available anymore for bunches development. Three insects have been identified as the origin of these respective damages: one belongs to the Crambidae family (sub-family Spilomelinae) genus Sufetula palmivora, while 2 others one belong to the Elateridae family (order Coleoptera). The genus of the last two one has not been identified yet as only larvae and pupae were found. A complete description of the three pests is presented. Two methods have been used in order to assess the impact of these attacks on root development. Both extensive observations on voluminous but pre-defined hole, and measurements along several complete root length from the base of the palm to the root tip provide pertinent indicators. The results of these measurements are well related to the performance of the palms. Advantages and constraints of the two techniques are discussed. A policy for monitoring is proposed. (Resume d'auteur)
Self-regulated learning in the classroom: Realising the potential for Australia’s high capacity students

A previous Assessment Research Centre study “Assessment and Learning Partnerships” showed that despite overall average gains in student reading and mathematics, almost all the gains were achieved among the bottom quartile group of students and at low levels of proficiency in both reading and mathematics. This phenomenon was referred to by Professor Patrick Griffin as “flatlining” (Topsfield, 2013). The lack of impact among high capacity students (top 25% of a class in a particular subject) at the higher levels of proficiency was alarming in reading and extremely serious in mathematics. Analysis of value-added achievement at the teacher level showed that there were variable impacts between teachers at every level of proficiency, and within teachers, there was variable impact across levels of proficiency.
Analysis of Population Subdivision

This chapter reviews the basic measures of intraspecific population subdivision, without assuming any particular spatial model. The structure of the chapter follows from the historical development of the field, starting with the presentation of Wright's fixation indexes as correlations of gene frequencies, then Nei's extension of F-statistics to multiple alleles as function of heterozygosities and his introduction of G-statistics as function of gene diversities, and ending with Cockerham's intraclass correlations obtained under an analysis of variance framework. We also present an extension of the analysis of variance approach to handle molecular data (DNA sequences, microsatellites) as well as dominant data. The relationships between different estimators, different approaches and their potential limitations are discussed. Keywords: population subdivision; genetic structure; F-statistics; GST; AMOVA; fixation indexes; intraclass correlations
Lagged Regression Residuals and Serial-Correlation Tests

A new family of statistics is proposed to test for the presence of serial correlation in linear regression models. The tests are based on partial sums of lagged cross-products of regression residuals that define a class of interesting Gaussian processes. These processes are characterized in terms of regressor functions, the serial-correlation structure, the distribution of the noise process, and the order of the lag of the cross-products of residuals. It is shown that these four factors affect the lagged residual processes independently. Large-sample distributional results are presented for test statistics under the null hypothesis of no serial correlation or for alternatives from a range of interesting hypotheses. Some indication of the circumstances to which the asymptotic results apply in finite-sample situations and of those to which they should be applied with some caution are obtained through a simulation study. Tables of selected quantiles of the proposed tests are also given. The tests are illustr.
Metabolic responses of lactating dairy cows to exogenous glucagon

Continuous, intravenous infusions of glucagon improve carbohydrate status in lactating dairy cows without increasing concentrations of plasma NEF A. The objective was to test whether single subcutaneous injections and multiple injections of 2.5 and 5 mg of glucagon over 14 d improve the carbohydrate status in lactating dairy cows without increasing concentrations of plasma BHBA and NEFA. In a single-injection experiment, four midlactation cows each were injected with 2.5 and 5 mg of glucagon one wk apart. In a multiple-injection experiment, nine cows, assigned randomly to three treatments, were injected subcutaneously with 0, 2.5, or 5 mg of glucagon every 8 h for 14 d, beginning at d 8 postpartum. Both single and multiple subcutaneous injections of glucagon increased concentrations of plasma glucagon (measured in the single-injection experiment only) and glucose, with larger increases at the 5-mg dosage. Injections of 5 mg of glucagon increased concentrations of plasma insulin in both experiments, whereas the 2.5-mg dosage increased plasma insulin in the multiple-injection experiment only. The response of glucose and insulin to injections of 5 mg of glucagon persisted throughout the 14-d injection period. Concentrations of plasma NEFA decreased in the single-injection experiment, and
Mannoheptulose: glycolytic inhibitor and novel caloric restriction mimetic

Caloric restriction (CR) is the most robust and reproducible strategy for retarding aging. Benefits of CR have been demonstrated in multiple species, but application to human or companion animal aging represents a challenge. In 1998 the concept of CR "mimetic" (CRM) was introduced as a method to obtain "anti‐aging" and health‐promoting benefits of CR without reducing food intake. We hypothesized that an effective CRM would best mimic the effects of CR if it impeded initial stages of energy metabolism. We focused initially on glycolytic inhibition using 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG). Upon entry into cells, this glucose analog is phosphorylated and becomes a strong competitive inhibitor of phosphohexose isomerase. 2DG effectively induces a CR‐like state in rats based on metabolic effects such as reduced plasma glucose, insulin, body temperature, pulse, heart rate and inhibiting tumor growth. Results show 2DG has a narrow window between efficacy and toxicity so recently we shifted our focus to mannoheptulose (MH), a seven‐carbon sugar that reduces glycolysis via hexokinase inhibition. MH appears non‐toxic with negligible effects on food intake and BW, and increased insulin tolerance by 25% in mice. MH extends median and maximal lifespan (~15%) in D. melanogaster and median lifespan (~30%) in C3H/HeJ mice. These findings, coupled with simple extraction from avocados, suggest that MH may be a practical, highly effective CRM.
Towards a Neisseria meningitidis B vaccine : introducing systems biology in process development

Towards a Neisseria meningitidis B vaccine Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that is only found in humans and can cause the diseases meningitis or septicaemia, especially in young children. At the Netherlands Vaccine Institute a vaccine against serogroup B meningococci, which causes about 50% of the disease cases worldwide, is currently being developed. The pathogen itself is the basis of the vaccine. To obtain more insight in the metabolism of meningococci, a mathematical model of metabolism was constructed, using its genome sequence as a starting point and the validity of this metabolic model was checked under different experimental conditions. The gathered knowledge was used to design a synthetic medium for growth of serogroup B meningococci and for the development of a cultivation process. In addition, the research has led to the realization of equipment in which bulk production of serogroup B meningococci is possible, which brings a publically available vaccine a step closer.