Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transport Proteins in Mammary Epithelial Cells Studies in Murine ( HC 11 ) and Bovine ( BME-UV ) Cells – Effects of Prochloraz

Transporters localized in membranes of secreting mammary epithelial cells are involved in delivery of essential nutrients into milk. However, drugs and other xenobiotics may be substrates of these transporters and thus be actively secreted into milk, which may pose a health threat to breastfed infants and dairy consumers. Aims of the thesis were to determine expressions of drug transporters in mammary gland tissue and to assess mammary cell models for studies of these proteins. Gene expressions of members of the ABC (BCRP/ABCG2, MDR1/ABCB1, MRP1/ABCC1) and SLC (OATP1A2/SLCO1A2, OCTN1/SLC22A4, OCT1/SLC22A1) families were measured in murine and bovine mammary tissue and in murine (HC11) and bovine (BME-UV) mammary epithelial cell lines. BCRP function was assessed by transport experiments with mitoxantrone (MX) in HC11 cells. Effects of the imidazole fungicide prochloraz on transporter expression and function in HC11 and BME-UV cells were examined. Expressions of BCRP and OCT1 in murine mammary glands were increased during gestation and lactation, whereas MDR1, MRP1, OATP1A2 and OCTN1 were decreased, compared to expression in virgins. All transporters measured in mammary glands of mice were detected in bovine mammary tissue. All transporters investigated in vivo were also detected in HC11 cells, while only MDR1 and MRP1 were detected in BME-UV cells. Differentiation of HC11 cells resulted in increased BCRP protein expression, while MDR1 expression was reduced. The BCRP inhibitor elacridar reduced secretion and increased accumulation of MX in both undifferentiated and differentiated HC11 cells. An increased accumulation of MX was observed in BCRP gene silenced HC11 cells. Prochloraz treatment induced MDR1 gene expression and protein function in both differentiated HC11 and BME-UV cells, resulting in decreased accumulation of the MDR1 substrate digoxin. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the HC11 and BME-UV mammary cell models are valuable tools for identifying substrates, inhibitors and inducers of transport proteins expressed in the mammary epithelium during lactation. The models can be used both to examine if chemical compounds are actively transported into milk and if they disrupt the normal function of transporters which may result in a disturbed delivery of essential nutrients into milk.
Extraction of Jatropha curcas fruits for antifungal activity

Extracts from seeds and leaves of Jatropha curcas have shown molluscidal, insecticidal and fungicidal properties. J. curcas extracts were found to inhibit the mycelium growth of Colletotrichum musae that causes anthracnose disease in bananas. The antimicrobial activity of crude methanol extracts of J. curcas fruits, pulp and seeds were investigated. J. curcas fruits, pulp and seeds were collected from the farm of Universiti Putra Malaysia. The samples were air dried at ambient temperature, then oven-dried to remove the residual moisture. Equivalent amounts of each ground sample of the J. curcas fruits, pulp and seeds were soaked in methanol solvent and left to stand for 7 days before being filtered and evaporated. The extract was spread over potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium under an aseptic condition and incubated. The zone of inhibition of mycelial growth (mm) around the disc was measured. Both J. curcas seed and pulp extracts had higher antifungal activity than whole fruit extract. J. curcas seed extract showed significant antifungal activities with growth inhibition zone of 5.6 mm or equivalent to 78.87% inhibition followed by pulp with zone of 7.4 mm or equivalent to 72.07%, and whole fruits with zone of 14.2 mm or equivalent to 46.42% as compared to the control with zone of 26.5 mm or equivalent to 100%. Active microbial components in J. curcas have the potential of an antifungal compound to control Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which causes anthracnose disease in papaya in vitro. Key words : Methanol extracts, inhibition zone, postharvest pathogen.
Positivity and time behavior of a linear reaction–diffusion system, non‐local in space and time

We consider a general linear reaction–diffusion system in three dimensions and time, containing diffusion (local interaction), jumps (nonlocal interaction) and memory effects. We prove a maximum principle and positivity of the solution and investigate its asymptotic behavior. Moreover, we give an explicit expression of the limit of the solution for large times. In order to obtain these results, we use the following method: We construct a Riemannian manifold with complicated microstructure depending on a small parameter. We study the asymptotic behavior of the solution to a simple diffusion equation on this manifold as the small parameter tends to zero. It turns out that the homogenized system coincides with the original reaction–diffusion system. Using this and the facts that the diffusion equation on manifolds satisfies the maximum principle and its solution converges to a easily calculated constant, we can obtain analogous properties for the original system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovation, Tangible and Intangible Investments and the Value of Spanish Firms

Why is R&D spending so low in Spanish firms? One possible answer may lie in a small contribution of innovative investments to value creation at the firm level. When pulling together complementary sources of spending data and related evidence to measure these investments, we observe that R&D is low for international standards, but overall intangible investment seems adequate. Data from the Central de Balances are then used to assess the effect of R&D and other innovative investments on the value of Spanish firms. The results suggest that intangible investments have a positive impact on market values which is more substantial for innovative sectors, and this is also the case for R&D capital. Such a positive impact is influenced by the size of the firm and its presence in the stock market. In fact, an alternative explanation to low R&D intensity could be found in the small fraction of firms publicly traded in the stock market in Spain, as far as equity holders tend to value intangible assets more than bond holders. Consequently, promoting a more active role of market valuations might be a promising policy.
High Selectivity Dual-Band Bandpass Filter with Tunable Lower Passband

This paper presents a novel method to design dual-band bandpass filters with tunable lower passband and fixed upper passband. It utilizes a trimode resonator with three controllable resonant modes. Discriminating coupling is used to suppress the unwanted mode to avoid the interference. Varactors are utilized to realize tunable responses. The bandwidth of the two bands can be controlled individually. Transmission zeros are generated near the passband edges, resulting in high selectivity. For demonstration, a tunable bandpass filter is implemented. Good agreement between the prediction and measurement validates the proposed method.
Spatial Downscaling of TRMM Precipitation Data Using an Optimal Subset Regression Model with NDVI and Terrain Factors in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, China

High accuracy, high spatial resolution precipitation data is important for understanding basin-scale hydrology and the spatiotemporal distributions of regional precipitation. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable statistical downscaling algorithm to produce high quality, high spatial resolution precipitation products from Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) 3B43 data over the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin using an optimal subset regression (OSR) model combined with multiple topographical factors, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and observational data from rain gauge stations. After downscaling, the bias between TRMM 3B43 and rain gauge data decreased considerably from 0.397 to 0.109, the root-mean-square error decreased from 235.16 to 124.60 mm, and the increased from 0.54 to 0.61, indicating significant improvement in the spatial resolution and accuracy of the TRMM 3B43 data. Moreover, the spatial patterns of both precipitation rates of change and their corresponding value statistics were consistent between the downscaled results and the original TRMM 3B43 during the 2001–2014 period, which verifies that the downscaling method performed well in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin. Its high performance in downscaling precipitation was also proven by comparing with other models. All of these findings indicate that the proposed approach greatly improved the quality and spatial resolution of TRMM 3B43 rainfall products in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, for which rain gauge data is limited. The potential of the post-real-time Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) downscaled precipitation product was also demonstrated in this study.
Detection of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolates from diarrhoiec dogs in Iran

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of some virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolates from diarrhoiec dogs in Iran. Seventy dogs were randomly selected by direct sampling. Rectal swabs were collected and cultured for isolation and identification of E. coli following standard methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect 5 virulence genes and 12 antibacterial resistance genes in 14 of the isolates. From the 70 rectal swabs cultured, 33 (47.1%) gave positive growth of E. coli. Out of 14 isolates tested for the presence of virulence genes, 9 (64.3%) were positive for PCR of stx (1), 5 (35.7%) were positive for stx (2), 7 (50%) were positive for eae, and 1 (7.1%) isolate was positive for cnf (1). Out of the 14 isolates tested for the presence of antibacterial resistance genes, 9 (64.3%) were positive for CITM gene, 6 (42.9%) were positive for aad (A1) and bla (SHV), 5 (35.7%) were positive for tet (A), dfr (A1) and cat (1), 4 (28.6%) were positive for aac (3)-IV, 3 (21.4%) were positive for both tet (B), sul (1) and cml (A), while 1 (7.1%) of the isolate was positive for ere. The results showed that enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC) and necrotoxic E. coli (NTEC) strains harboring several antibacterial resistance genes could be involved in canine diarrhoea in Iran.
WILSON’S SEX FANTASY QUESTIONNAIRE: PORTUGUESE VALIDATION AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

The main purpose of this study was to validate a Portuguese version of the Wilson’s Sex Fantasy Questionnaire. Afterwards, we assess the fantasies’ frequency based on gender differences. A community sample of 1220 Portuguese men and women completed the questionnaire with 40 items. Factor exploratory and confirmatory analysis, as well as comparative statistics for independent samples, were applied with the IBM SPSS Statistics and AMOS software (both v. 22.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, Il., USA). The final structure with 24 items distributed amongst four factors showed overall good psychometric properties (in terms of factorial validity, reliability and sensitivity) and questionable convergent and discriminant validity. The independent samples t-test showed gender differences regarding sexual fantasies frequency. This research provides a validated version of the Portuguese Wilson’s Sex Fantasy Questionnaire. It also shows some common and disparate gender differences compared to other research. Further studies are need in order to confirm this structure amongst other samples (e.g., clinical and forensic).
1 AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE , QUALITY CHANGE COMMUNICATION AND EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION ON AFFECTIVE COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

Purpose – Through the combination of change process, context and content this paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of failure or success of organizational change. This study considers the effect of organizational climate on affective commitment to change simultaneously with quality change communication and employee participation during the change process, while controlling for perceived change impact. Design/methodology/approach The findings are based on 134 responses gathered through surveys in two police forces that recently underwent a merger. Findings – First, quality change communication is the only process variable that directly impacts affective commitment to change. Second, our results indicate that an involvement-oriented climate positively affects affective commitment to change, mediated through quality change communication. Third, we find that employee participation reduces affective commitment to change in a high formalization climate. Originality/value –First, the general understanding of the impact of climate on organizational change is very limited. Second, employee participation and quality change communication are generally studied together. We propose that both process variables each have their unique impact on attitudes towards change. Third, the interaction between organizational climate and both change process indicators, offers a practical approach on how to increase the success of organizational change.
Habitat selection of European badger Meles meles in a highly fragmented forest landscape in northern Italy: the importance of hedgerows and agro-forestry systems

The European badger is a common and widespread species considered as a least-concern species by the IUCN. However, there are still many threats for its conservation, especially in areas where the original landscape has been highly modified by humans. The aim of this study was to define the habitat selection criteria of the European badger in a highly modified lowland area in northern Italy, with particular attention to the role that hedgerows and agro-forestry systems could have for this species. The study area is a typical lowland cultivated landscape, where small forest remnants are scattered within an agricultural matrix mainly characterized by intensive cereal crops and areas devoted to agro-forestry. Data collection followed a stratified random sampling design and consisted of detecting the presence of the species within 62 2-km cells. Presence signs were spotted along linear transect from April to September 2014. We investigated the association between species presence/abundance and the environmental variables measured within each cell by means of resource selection probability functions using GLMs. In our study area the European badger significantly depended on broadleaved forests, but the species also selected traditional poplar plantations, short rotation forestry, reforestations, and hedgerows. Conversely, the species avoided meadows with shrubs and trees and areas with scarce or absent vegetation. In conclusion, the European badger seemed to benefit from agricultural landscape elements, such as agro-forestry systems and hedgerows, which probably serve as forest surrogates for this species, both in providing food resources and suitable sett locations.
HMGB 1 Acts in Synergy with Lipopolysaccharide in Activating Rheumatoid Synovial Fibroblasts via p 38 MAPK and NF-κ B Signaling Pathways

Synovial fibroblasts (SF) play a central role in the inflammatory and destructive process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). High-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone failed to induce significant changes in proliferation of cultured SF from RA patients, but premixed HMGB1 with LPS (HMGB1-LPS) significantly facilitated SF proliferation. HMGB1 alone failed to induce IL-6, MMP-3, and MMP-13 production in cultured SF but greatly enhanced LPS-induced expression of IL-6, MMP-3, and MMP-13 at both mRNA and protein levels. HMGB1-LPS synergistically upregulated TLR4 and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) expression on the surface of SF. Both blockers of TLR4 and RAGE significantly inhibited the synergistic effects of HMGB1-LPS on the production of IL-6 and MMPs, but blocking antibodies to TLR2 failed. HMGB1-LPS synergistically increased intracellular levels of phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated IκB. Furthermore, both NF-κB inhibitor Bay11-7085 and p38 inhibitor SB203580 significantly suppressed the enhanced production of IL-6 and MMPs induced by HMGB1LPS. In conclusion, HMGB1 acts in synergy with LPS to upregulate TLR4 and RAGE expression on the surface of SF in RA and then to augment IL-6, MMP-3, and MMP-13 production, which depends on p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation.
First record of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Caucasus

This is the first record of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) occurring in the Caucasus (Sochi region of Krasnodar territory, Russia). All the adults collected in the field there and reared from collected eggs, larvae and pupae, and their progeny were H. axyridis f. succinea, which is the most common morph in natural populations in South- Eastern Asia and the Russian Far East as well as in invasive populations in the Americas and Europe. In contrast in Western Siberia f. axyridis predominates and this indicates that an occasional introduction from the closest native range in Siberia cannot be consid- ered as the source of the Caucasian population. It is known that populations of H. axyridis can also differ in their photoperiodic responses. The results of earlier experiments on H. axyridis, which originated from the Russian Far East, indicate that the threshold day lengths for the acceleration of preimaginal development and deceleration of reproductive maturation were 13-14 h, while for the invasive populations of this species in Europe these two thresholds are approximately 12 h. In the population studied, the thresholds for both of these photoperiodic responses were also approximately 12 h. Thus, it is concluded that the population of H. axyridis studied is a further eastward continuation of the invasion of this species in Europe.
Study of Some Virulence Factors of Proteus mirabilis Isolated from Urinary Stones Patients

A total of 125 specimens of stones and urine were collected from urinary stone patients from (June to December, 2012). According to primary identification, which based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and biochemical tests, 25 (20%) and 100 (80%) of isolates were identified as Proteus and non- Proteus , respectively. The 25 Proteus isolates were finally identified as Proteus mirabilis based on Vitek 2 system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique by using target gene 16S rRNA . The multiple logistic regressions results showed that the age ˃ 40 years old was a risk factors that significantly associated with increased incidence of P. mirabilis in urinary stone patients, as P = 0.02, and Odd’s ratio (OR) was 4.889 (1.7-14.057), while in relation to gender, the analysis revealed that they were statistically non-significant as OR was 1.174 (0.488-2.822) as well as P =0.720. Some virulence factors of all isolates were investigated by Qualitative and Quantitative assay. Qualitative assay showed that all isolates (100%) were positive to urease, biofilm, Adhesion factors, and swarming activity. Whereas, 40% of isolates were positive to protease and ESBL, 96% and 76% of isolates were positive to agglutination and β-lactamase, respectively. Quantitative assay revealed that all tested isolates were significantly differences P ˂ 0.05 in the production of the tested virulence factors. The urease production activity range from 59 to 129 U/ml, whereas the protease production activity ranged from 2.5 to 8 U/ml; the mean of adhering to uroepithelial cell ranged from (20-45) bacteria/cell. The mean of optical density ranged from (0.028-033) at OD 630 and the percentages of biofilm activity were 60%, 24% and 16% as strong, moderate and weak biofilm, respectively. The mean of swarming growth activity of P. mirabilis isolates ranged from (3-67mm) and 40%, 32%, 8%, and 20% of isolates showed strong, moderate, weak, and very weak swarming activity, respectively.
Wealth Differences across Borders and the Effect of Real Estate Price Dynamics: Evidence from Two Household Surveys

Crossing institutional or regulatory boundaries often goes together with discontinuities, be it price, wage or indeed wealth discontinuities. This paper identifies substantial wealth differences between Luxembourg resident households and cross-border commuter households. The average (median) net wealth difference is estimated to be €367,000 (€129,000) and increases for higher percentiles. Using several different regression and decomposition techniques, spatial (regional) differences in real estate price developments, and thus differences in accumulated nominal capital gains, are shown to be the main driving factor for these wealth differences. Other contributing factors are differences in age, income, education and other household characteristics.
EVALUATION OF MASS MARKET DEVICES FOR THE DOCUMENTATION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE

The cultural and artistic heritage has always been at the center of activities aimed at its preservation and enhancement. Italy is a country particularly rich in terms of heritage to be protected, where the high-risk due to natural hazard, as earthquakes, landslides and floods, which are adds to human activities, contribute to make the heritage more frail, land needs to be safeguarded and enhanced and new mass market technology can be considered as innovative tools for the documentation of cultural heritage. In order to increase our country on the artistic point of view, it must be known in an historical and cultural way. Moreover, it is important also to define the cultural heritage on metric terms, to be able to describe and represent it with the best approach, with the purpose to offer to the people who comes to visit our beautiful country, the reliable model of some important object, that is no longer in exposition. The possibility to use the mass-market devices can allow us to realize it, because they are available for the greater part of the visitors, in a photogrammetric way to reconstruct our models. In the last years, these devices have been very improved and the embedded sensors are becoming more and more efficient in terms of precision and reliability. Also several small video cameras are now used to document our travels and activities and to share them through Internet. In this scenario, the aim of this research is to study and validate the possibility to use mass-market technology for this purpose, testing four different devices (smartphones and video cameras) for the documentation of the cultural heritage.
Manifestation of Axiological and Motivational Aspects in E-Learning Products

The objective of the present paper is to explore and evaluate the quality of e-learning courses in terms of their promotion of value attitudes and motivation development. The evaluation was conducted by applying thirteen group criteria. The difference between the evaluations of the experts and students it is not statistically significant (p> 0.05). This result helps to draw together the attitudes of the instructors as well as those preparing the products of e-learning and users, i.e. students; this enables to improve the product quality.