Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Pathology and Drug Development

The histopathologic assessment of tissues and, for that matter, body fl uids serves to diagnose alterations and disease state and helps to categorize and collect information about disease. The pathologic assessment of tissues and organs itself is a stepwise process of progressive analysis of the present disease, and the next possible fi nding one can describe with (relative) certainty. This is, naturally, only possible when a suffi cient amount of tissue is submitted to pathology. If fl uid material, only cells present in that specimen can be assessed and further evaluation can mostly not be done with certainty. For the diagnosis of a colon carcinoma, a microscope is rarely necessary. When opened, the colon will reveal the tumor, the size, and, at least semiquantitatively, the invasive depth. However, to assess the correct depth and the type of carcinoma, a section of the tissue must be reviewed with the microscope. The next necessary diagnostic step to categorize, grade, and stage the lesion is the review of the lymph nodes as to their involvement by metastatic disease. Traditional histopathology uses the morphologic aspects of tissue and cellular arrangement to provide diagnosis as to the cellular origin of malignant tumors. Similarly, morphologic features can be used to predict behavior and outcome of malignant tumors and can infl uence the way certain tumors are treated. This
Interrogating the role of splicing factors in Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a salient region within the huntingtin protein (htt). Given the wide range of cellular interactions involving htt, pathogenesis is attributed to both disruption of numerous cellular and metabolic pathways, as well as toxic effects, most notably a propensity of mutant htt to misfold and aggregate3. Following transcription of DNA to mRNA, nascent mRNA undergoes several stages of processing prior to translation into a functional protein. One such modification is splicing, the process by which mRNA is cut and reassembled in various combinations to facilitate spatial and temporal protein changes. The vast majority of genes undergo splicing, and approximately 15% of genetic diseases are now thought to affect mRNA splicing2, 5 Defects in this level of processing have been attributed to several neurological diseases, though the role of such defects in HD pathogenesis is unclear4. Recently work conducted in yeast, identified several splicing genes that suppressed mutant htt toxicity when overexpressed. Here we interrogate these candidate genes in mammalian cell lines to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying this protection.
Positive and negative cross-resistance to pyrethroids in Helicoverpa armigera from West Africa

Helicoverpa armigera is the major insect pest of cotton in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Populations recently developed resistance to pyrethroids in West Africa via the overproduction of cytochrome P450 leading to treatment failures. One way to overcome this problem and to revert the resistance is the use of antiresistant compounds, more active against the resistant individual than against susceptible one. We found an organophosphate that has this antiresistant property, the triazophos. This insecticide is currently used to manage resistance in West African H. armigera. (Resume d'auteur)
Use of genetic diversity in movement studies of flying insects.

1. General introduction The power of flight probably evolved in semi-aquatic insects in the Middle and Upper Devonian when watery habitats regularly dried out (Wigglesworth, 1976; Kurkalova-Peck, 1978). This necessitated dispersal in search of new habitats, resources and mates and may have selected for morphs using articulated gill-plates as wings (Wigglesworth, 1976; Kurkalova-Peck, 1978; Marden & Kramer, 1995; Thomas & Norberg, 1996; see also Wootton this volume). Flight dispersal to other localities also served to mix populations, thereby increasing the likelihood of favourable genotypes arising from these distinct, quite literal gene pools in a constantly changing environment. Whatever the mode of displacement, movement from an established resource to another potential site is often a gamble that is necessitated by abiotic and biotic factors that select against continual habitation of the original location. The ‘gamble’ that dispersing individuals face is that they may fail to reach new habitats or resources if these are distant, separated by geographical barriers, because of navigational errors, due to insufficient fuel sources to maintain movement between habitats or, if they are predated en route. Even if they do reach a suitable niche, sexually reproducing organisms still need to find a mate to begin to establish a new population, unless they have mated prior to dispersal. Over geological time, there has been a selection for optimal habitat-resource and mate location (visual, olfactory and navigational), although interestingly, there are only a few insects which show true migration, i.e. , innate, directed, long distance two-way movements. Perhaps this is because there are undesirable genetic consequences in terms of loss of ‘adaptive flexibility’ to the environment. In contrast, the majority of insect species undergo random changes of spatial scale, classed here as dispersal, and often these movement events occur over several generations (Loxdale & Lushai, 1999). With winged insects, because of the inherent difficulty in re-establishment after population movements have occurred, the chances of successfully recapturing marked
The protective effect of blackberry anthocyanins against free radical-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity.

Anthocyanin represents a group of naturally occurring pigments present in many fruits and some vegetables. In addition to contributing to the hues of blue, purple, or deep red common to several plants, these pigments also have potent antioxidant activity. Blackberry in particular is a rich source of antioxidants, largely attributed to the high anthocyanin content associated primarily with the cyanidin-3-glucosides. Despite the in vitro chemical assays that have shown antioxidant activity, very few studies exist which demonstrate the biological implication of the potent antioxidant activity of blackberry anthocyanins, against free radicalinduced cellular damage. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective effect of blackberry anthocyanins against free radicalinduced intracellular oxidation and cytotoxicity in multiple cell lines, cultured in vitro. Blackberry crude and enriched extract were evaluated against AAPH initiated-intracellular oxidation and AAPH induced-cytotoxicity in one prostate (LNCaP) and two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453). Blackberry anthocyanins effectively suppressed AAPH-initiated intracellular oxidation as monitored using DCFH-DA probe. The extracts also decreased AAPH-induced cytotoxicity as assessed using MTT and CellTiter-Glo assay. This study thus demonstrates the effectiveness of blackberry anthocyanins as a potent source of antioxidants that have the affinity to mitigate free radical induced-oxidative damage in different cell systems.
Kin-Networks and Institutional Development

This paper highlights the role of kin-networks for the functioning of modern societies: countries with strong extended families as characterized by a high level of cousin marriages exhibit a weak rule of law and are more likely autocratic. To assess causality, I exploit a quasi-natural experiment. In the early medieval ages the Church started to prohibit kin-marriages. Using the variation in the duration and extent of the Eastern and Western Churchesâ€™ bans on consanguineous marriages as instrumental variables, reveals highly significant point estimates of the percentage of cousin marriage on an index of democracy. An additional novel instrument, cousin-terms, strengthens this point: the estimates are very similar and do not rest on the European experience alone. Exploiting within country variation of cousin marriages in Italy, as well as within variation of a â€˜societal marriage pressureâ€™ indicator for a larger set of countries support these results. These findings point to a causal effect of marriage patterns on the proper functioning of formal institutions and democracy. The study further suggests that the Churchesâ€™ marriage rules - by destroying extended kin-groups - led Europe on its special path of institutional and democratic development.
Mechanism of Glyphosate Tolerance in Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

The mechanism of glyphosate tolerance was investigated in nine birdsfoot trefoil selections that exhibited a threefold difference in glyphosate tolerance. Single-stemmed ramets (vegetative clones) established from the nine selections were used to evaluate tolerance to glyphosate, spray retention, and 14C-glyphosate absorption and translocation in growth chamber experiments. The tolerance of greenhouse-grown ramets correlated with the tolerance of field-grown plants, indicating that tolerance was not a function of plant size or affected by environment. The nine selections differed in spray retention and 14C-glyphosate translocation but not in glyphosate absorption. The differences in retention and translocation were not correlated with the level of glyphosate tolerance but could contribute to the tolerance of an individual plant. The specific activity of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) (EC 2.5.1.19) ranged from 1.3 to 3.5 nmol min−1 mg−1 protein among the nine selections assayed and was positively correlated with plant tolerance level. These results indicate that the primary mechanism of glyphosate tolerance in birdsfoot trefoil is based on the level of EPSPS activity.
Tanoak resistance: can it be used to sustain populations?

Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) trees are among Phytophthora ramorum’s most susceptible hosts. Extensive mortality in this species has led researchers to question whether selective breeding for resistance can be used to sustain populations; the answer depends on the extent and heritability of pathogen resistance within the host. Consequently, we have undertaken a multi-year common garden study of resistance to P. ramorum in tanoak seedlings grown from acorns collected by collaborators at sites in California and southern Oregon. We have sown 12,650 acorns from nine unique sites in a common garden since 2006. The resulting seedlings have been assayed for resistance to P. ramorum by both detached leaf inoculations using plugs of mycelia as the infective agent, and seedling tip inoculations using a zoospore suspension. Both assays revealed variable resistance with significant heritability. In addition to the laboratory assays, a subset of 800 seedlings from 50 different family groups were planted in a heavily infested, forested site in Monterey County, California. These seedlings are currently being monitored to determine whether there is a correlation between family-level variation in resistance in the laboratory setting to survivorship in the field. After 1 year, the survival rate was 82.5 percent, with no discernable effect of family; however, there were positive identifications of natural infection by P. ramorum. Together, the data from these studies provide not only background knowledge crucial to predicting the evolutionary and ecological outcomes of the P. ramorum epidemic in tanoak populations, but also for ascertaining any potential for genetic resistance in tanoak to be used as a management tool.
DNA isolation and analysis from skeletal remains: Evaluating the utility of soil DNA extraction kits

DNA ISOLATION AND ANALYSIS FROM SKELETAL REMAINS: EVALUATING THE UTILITY OF SOIL DNA EXTRACTION KITS By Lisa Hebda DNA identification of human remains is often neces sary in missing person cases or when decedents are unidentified owing to severe decompos ition and skeletonization. Although current DNA extraction and analysis practices are often suc cessful, instances of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibition are frequently encountere d, especially from buried skeletal remains. In the research presented, the utility of soil DNA iso lati n kits in skeletal DNA analysis was evaluated and compared to standard skeletal DNA ext raction techniques. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA yields from buried bovine f emora were compared among extraction methods and across lengths of burial. The ability of each technique to remove PCR inhibitors associated with buried skeletal remains (i.e., calc ium chloride, collagen, humic acid) was also evaluated. Finally, the extraction methods were te sted on ancient and modern human skeletal remains, and mtDNA haplogroup markers and a portion of the control region were sequenced. Soil DNA isolation kits were successfully used to e xtract skeletal DNA at quantities similar to standard extraction methods, and calcium chloride a nd humic acid did not result in PCR inhibition when using the soil DNA isolation kits, whereas collagen sometimes did. Concordant control region sequences were obtained from modern skeletal remains among soil kits and standard extraction methods, although extracts of a ncient skeletal remains did not consistently produce concordant haplotypes. Based on the above comparisons, soil DNA isolation kits were determined to be a viable extraction technique for skeletal remains that resulted in positive identification of a decedent while quickening the e xtraction process.
Passivating selective contacts for silicon photovoltaics : solar cells designed by physics

In this work a method is presented to extend traditional solar cell simulation tools to make it possible to calculate the most efficient design of practical solar cells. The method is based on the theory of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, which is used to derive an expression for the local entropy generation rate in the solar cell, making it possible to quantify all free energy losses on the same scale. The framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics can therefore be combined with the calculus of variations and existing solar cell models to minimise the total entropy generation rate in the cell to find the most optimal design. The variational method is illustrated by applying it to a homojunction solar cell. The optimisation results in a set of differential algebraic equations, which determine the optimal shape of the doping profile for given recombination and transport models.
Digestibility vs structure of food grade modified starches

Digestibility of food grade modified starches were examined by the controlled enzymatic hydrolysis with the mixture of pancreatic alpha-amylase and glucoamylase. The structure and physicochemical properties of the experimental starch samples were examined by the Brabender rheological method, light microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. It was found that investigated food grade modified starches revealed reduced digestibility-up to about 10%. The extent of decrease of digestibility depends on the degree of substitution of modified starches, but this correlation is not linear. Granular food grade modified starches reveal unchanged crystal structure, identical as native starch. The modification of starch changes its physicochemical properties i.e. pasting profile, gelatinisation temperature and solubility in water, however these changes do not correlate with digestibility. Changes in conformation of starch macromolecules in solution, caused by incorporation of modifying groups, hinder enzymatic action of amylases and cause a drop in digestibility of starch.
Influence of Different Dietary Additives on the Performance of Muscovy Ducks

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different additives on the performance of Muscovy ducks, using the instrument of growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ proportion. The experimental diets T2, T3 and T4 were supplemented with Monodora myristica, poultryzyme and molavite respectively while T1 served as the control. Sixty (60) muscovy ducklings of average initial weight of 50g were randomly distributed into the four diets using a completely randomized design and were fed and given water ad libitum for 56 days. There were significant differences (P0.05) fromT1 except in thigh (9.38g) but were significantly different (P0.05) in all the treatment. From the foregoing, it can be said that Monodora mystrica can be used as feed additive to muscovy ducks diet.
Conséquences des invasions végétales sur le fonctionnement des écosystèmes riverains fluviaux

Dans le contexte des invasions, l'objectif de ce travail est d'evaluer dans quelle mesure l'origine des especes vegetales conditionne le fonctionnement d'un ecosysteme en situation de dominance. Cinq paires d'especes autochtones dominantes (Agrostis stolonifera, Rubus caesius, Populus nigra, Urtica dioica et Salix alba) et introduites envahissantes (Paspalum distichum, Fallopia japonica, Buddleja davidii, Impatiens glandulifera et Acer negundo) ont ete comparees en milieu riverain pour les processus de production primaire et de degradation des litieres. Ces etudes ont ete completees par une analyse detaillee des consequences de l'invasion des ripisylves par A. negundo. Nos resultats montrent que si les especes introduites envahissantes peuvent etre plus efficaces dans la realisation de certains processus ecologiques, l'absence de coevolution entre les especes introduites et les organismes des milieux recepteurs n'a pas d'implication systematique pour le fonctionnement des ecosystemes.
Herdabilidade do caráter estatura de planta de trigo: estimativa através do coeficiente de regressão

O estudo desenvolvido neste trabalho foi estabelecido para determinar a relacao entre o desempenho do carater estatura de planta, entre linhas F 3 ou F 4 ou RC 1 F 2 , derivadas de F 2 ou F 3 ou RC 1 F 1 , de diversos cruzamentos de trigo hexaploide. Resultados superiores a unidade, para a herdabilidade, foram estimados atraves do metodo de desvio padrao, calculando-se a regressao pela codificacao dos dados originais, em termos de unidades de desvio padrao. Uma comparacao entre o metodo convencional e o de unidades de desvio padrao foi realizada para as estimativas de herdabilidade. Em programas de melhoramento fitogenetico, muitas questoes poderao ser respondidas atraves da estimativa da herdabilidade de um determinado carater.
Cyclic Steam Stimulation Designing for Two Horizontal Wells

Thermal methods are the most used EOR methods. Thermal processes can reduce viscosity of heavy oil and residual oil saturation to improve mobility and achieve an economic recovery. Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) is one of the thermal methods, which has faster production, lower costs and lower pressure operations. The main objective of this paper is to find the optimum well location and injection parameters of the CSS process of two horizontal wells in sandstone reservoirs in order to increase the sweep efficiency and improve the production from this field. The field is one of heavy oil fields with low API of 17.7 and high oil viscosity of 3800 cp at 29o C. Optimum CSS parameters and several simulation models for different development scenarios have been built using an advanced thermal EOR simulator. Many scenarios have been conducted with different parameters and conditions, and compared to study the feasibility of applying CSS in horizontal wells. The designing model and prediction of future performance up to 2030 show that, implementation of CSS in two horizontal wells with optimum location and optimum CSS parameters can give additional 11.4 % recovery factor compared to cold 10 vertical wells. The final optimum result shows that oil recovery could be improved from 24.29 % by 10 cold vertical wells to 35.7 % by CSS in the two horizontal wells.
FEASIBILITY OF USING 15 N-ENRICHED ESCHERICHIA COLI AS A BACTERIAL TRACER IN THE CANE RUN/ROYAL SPRING BASIN, KENTUCKY

OF THESIS FEASIBILITY OF USING N-ENRICHED ESCHERICHIA COLI AS A BACTERIAL TRACER IN THE CANE RUN/ROYAL SPRING BASIN, KENTUCKY A novel tracer method has used N to label Escherichia coli and track the transport of bacteria, a common contaminant, through karst aquifers. Use of this method could provide valuable insight into the movement of bacteria in aquifers, which would help improve remediation methods and strategies. A wild strain of E. coli was isolated from the Cane Run/Royal Spring basin in the Inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky. The strain was serotyped O:H and virulence testing showed the strain did not have virulence factors of E. coli commonly pathogenic to humans. Five karst microcosms were filled with sterilized water collected from Royal Spring in Georgetown, Kentucky. Each microcosm was inoculated with wild-type E. coli, enriched in N, and incubated at 14° C for 130 days. The microcosms were periodically sampled for the concentration and nitrogen isotope composition of E. coli over 130 days. The E. coli survived at concentrations within one log of the average initial value of 5.62×10 for the duration of the study. Statistical modeling showed no significant difference in δN values from day 1 and day 130. This strain is therefore recommended for traces in the Cane Run/Royal Spring basin.
Diferencias individuales en agresividad juvenil: una revisión

espanolEn el presente trabajo de fin de grado se realiza una revision bibliografica sobre siete variables que presentan una correlacion estadisticamente significativa con la agresividad en jovenes y adolescentes. Las variables elegidas fueron: sexo, edad, impulsividad, distorsiones cognitivas, estrategias de regulacion emocional, estilos parentales y educativos ineficientes y presencia de conducta antisocial. Todas las variables revisadas, incluidas el sexo (varon) y la edad (entre 12 y 15 anos) correlacionaron positivamente con la aparicion de conductas agresivas en jovenes. Las estrategias parentales positivas y las de regulacion emocional adecuada se establecieron como buenos inhibidores de la conducta agresiva segun la literatura disponible. Ante las premisas obtenidas en este trabajo se propone investigar en la conciliacion de las variables descritas, en favor de la construccion de un modelo teorico sobre la agresividad. EnglishThis final undergraduate project fulfills a literature review in relation to seven variables which display a statistically significant interrelation with aggressive behavior in youth and teenagers. The chosen variables were: sex, age, impulsivity, cognitive distortions, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, parental and educational unsuitable styles and the presence of antisocial behavior. All the variables analyzed including sex (male) and age (between 12 and 14 years) show a positive interrelation with the emerge of aggressive behavior in youth. Positive parental strategies and appropriate emotion regulation strategies as well, have been settled as good inhibitors of aggressive behavior according to the available literature. Given the premises obtained in this work it is proposed to investigate in the conciliation of the described variables in favor of the construction of a model and / or tool to explain / measure aggression in young people more effectively.