Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cassava starch functional properties by etherification – hydroxypropylation

Summary Starches are important food biopolymers with gelling properties that are well explored by the food industry for texture and physical food characteristic control. Brazil contributes to a large part of the starches produced world wide, but the modified starches used are imported and expensive. The objective of this work was to develop a hydroxypropylated starch from cassava starch, at a lower price and in conditions in accordance with Brazilian reality. Dihydroxypropylstarch (DHPS) was produced with a less expensive and less harmful substituting molecule, chloropropylene glycol. DHPS physical chemistry properties, retrogradation and micro structural characteristics were studied and compared with native corn, cassava starches and a commercial hydroxypropylated (HPS) cassava starch, with an extensive use in the food industry. DHPS showed the highest values for swelling power and viscosity, low retrogradation and higher freezing–thawing stability, compared with HPS, cassava and native corn starches. The microstructure of DHPS remained unmodified when compared with commercial HPS. Retrogradation and physical chemistry properties are superior to DHPS, which would indicate its use in industrial food production.
Mental Health Help Seeking Among Traumatized Individuals

Objective: Prior research has suggested that competing neurobehavioral decision-making processes might affect health outcomes among traumatized populations. Regulatory imbalances to impulsive and executive decision systems are affected by high levels of stress, including stress resulting from traumatic events. Such regulatory imbalances have been associated with addictive behaviors. However, it is not well known whether addictive behavior increases or decreases the likelihood of utilization of behavioral health services among traumatized populations. The aim of this study is to systematically review mental health utilization studies targeting traumatized populations to determine the direction of association between substance use and behavioral health utilization. Method: Databases of literature were searched in a systematic manner, and 37 relevant studies were recovered and analyzed. Findings: Of the 37 relevant studies that included addictive behaviors as a predictor of utilization, 16 showed a positive significant relationship and 6 showed a negative significant relationship. Studies showing a negative significant relationship used younger samples with more recent trauma exposure. Conclusion: Studies have shown that for the most part, substance abuse increases the likelihood of utilization, except among younger populations with more recent trauma. Longitudinal studies that access how utilization evolves over time among traumatized populations and interacts with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse severity are necessary to better understand how decision-making processes of traumatized individuals may increase the likelihood of chronic PTSD.
Generation of antigen-specific T cell immunity through T cell receptor gene transfer

Cancer cells often escape the attack of immune cells because they originate from self-tissue. Through T cell receptor gene transfer it is possible to equip peripheral T cells with a desired specificity, and this strategy may be useful to generate tumor-specific T cells for the treatment of cancer in humans. This thesis describes several aspects in the functionality, safety and longevity of T cells modified by T cell receptor gene transfer in animal models.
Stauromedusae of the genus *Manania* (=*Thaumatoscyphus*) (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) in the northeast Pacific, including descriptions of new species *Manania gwilliami* and *Manania handi*

Manania gwilliami n.sp. and Manania handi n.sp. , stauromedusae belonging to the family Depastridae, are described from the west coast of North America. They are differentiated from the one species of the genus previously known from that area, M. distincta (Kishinouye, 1910) by shape, color, habitat, and geographic range. Specimens of M. gwilliami are generally red and those of M. handi are green; both lack the dark brown herringbone patterning of M. distincta medusae. Manania gwilliami is widely distributed from Mexico to Canada in exposed shallow-water coastal habitats, whereas M. handi has been found only off the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island in protected shallow water. The occurrence of M. distincta in the northeast Pacific has been sporadic. The name Manania is a senior synonym of Thaumatoscyphus.
Apparent ileal amino acids digestibility of diets with graded levels of corn DDGS and determination of DDGS amino acids digestibility by difference and regression methods in broilers.

AbStr Act : This study was conducted to determine apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD) of diets with different levels of corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and to determine AIAAD of corn DDGS by difference and regression methods in broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty 30-day-old male broiler chickens were used in the experiment. The corn DDGS were incorporated into basal diets at graded levels (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16%). All birds were killed at the age of 35 days and the contents of the lower half of the ileum were collected. AIAAD was calculated using chromic oxide as the indigestible marker. For AIAAD of DDGS determination, difference and regression methods were used. AIAAD of Lys (78.6%) and Met (91.3%) were the significantly highest in the diet without DDGS in comparison with other diets (P < 0.01). AIAAD of the rest of essential and nonessential amino acids were the lowest in the diet with 8% of DDGS in comparison with the diets with 0 or 16% of DDGS (P < 0.01). The apparent ileal crude protein digestibility was also the lowest in the diet with 8% (61.8%) of DDGS (P < 0.01). The highest differences in AIAAD of DDGS determined by the difference method and in the diet without DDGS (basal diet) determined by the regression methods were found in Lys and Met. There were very low differences between DDGS and basal diet in AIAAD of nonessential amino acids, except Ala and Asp. These results show that higher levels of DDGS decrease AIAAD.
Effect of Soaking, Sprouting and Cooking on Chemical Composition, Bioavailability of Minerals and in vitro Protein Digestibility of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Seed

2 Abstract: Chemical composition, bioavailability of minerals and in vitro digestibility of proteins in karkade seed (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) as affected by soaking, sprouting and cooking were studied. The different methods showed varied deviation of nutrients and antinutrients from the raw seeds. Sprouting and cooking significantly increased protein content and decreased starch and soluble carbohydrates levels. K, Na and all the trace elements studied were decreased by processing methods. Cooking was more effective in improving bioavailability of minerals studied than soaking or sprouting. Total polyphenols reduced more by cooking, while phytic acid did not change significantly by processing. In vitro protein digestibility was significantly reduced by all processing methods, with soaking gave the highest percentage of reduction and cooking the lowest percentage. The results also indicated that domestic processing methods changed total acidity and fat acidity as well as N solubility in water and 1 M NaCl. Amino acid profile of the karkade seed indicated that sulfur amino acids and threonine are the limiting amino acids. With respect to FAO pattern, considerable proportion of the essential amino acids were retained on processing, except for lysine on soaking and sprouting and sulfur acids on sprouting and cooking.
Mechanisms for Penicillin Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: Penicillin-Binding Proteins, Gene Transfer, and Cell Wall Metabolism

Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae has been studied in the laboratory since the early 1940s, long before it became an actual problem in clinical isolates in the late 1970s. Intraspecies gene transfer of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) variants between commensal streptococci and the pathogen S. pneumoniae appears to be responsible for the emergence of clinical isolates and guarantees efficient spread between clones of the pathogen. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus organisms become completely susceptible to beta-lactams upon disruption of the fem genes (for factor essential for methicillin resistance). In view of the fact that PBP2b is encoded by an essential chromosomal gene, it may prove difficult to dilute it out of the bacterial population even without the selective pressure of beta-lactam therapy. Mosaic genes are the result of gene transfer events followed by recombination into the chromosome. In order to find genes that are potential ancestors of the mosaic blocks, pbp2x genes in closely related commensal streptococci were investigated. Examination of laboratory mutants demonstrated the complexity of resistance development with respect to PBP mutations. Two different beta-lactam antibiotics were used to select for spontaneous, independent mutant families that consisted of members with increasing resistance levels: piperacillin, a highly lytic penicillin that interacts with all PBPs at low concentrations, and cefotaxime, which does not interact with PBP2b. A non-PBP-mediated mechanism has been suggested for a high-level resistant Hungarian clone, but its molecular nature remains to be identified.
Phytoplankton distribution and grazing near coral reefs

Depletion of phytoplankton cells and pigments over coral reefs was studied in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, during 1994–1996. Phytoplankton abundance and chlorophyll (Chl) a concentrations were 15–65% lower near the reefs than in the adjacent open waters. The decrease in chlorophyll near the reef was typically associated with an increase in the concentration of its degradation products, the pheopigments. The steepest slope of these cross‐shore gradients occurred within 1–3 m above bottom. More than 50% of the variation in the extent of the chlorophyll gradients, but not of pheopigments, could be explained by the advection of water during 2 h preceding the transect and by the concentration of Chl a in the open water. No cross‐shore gradients were observed at a sandy‐bottom site without reef. Eukaryotic phytoplankton (<5 pm) contributed >70% of the total depleted carbon near the reef during winter, while the cyanobacterium Synechococcus (1 pm) contributed the largest share in summer. The proportions of different taxa in depleted fractions were similar to those in ambient waters, indicating no size selectivity. Direct measurements of phytoplankton removal rates were made in water passing through a unique 5‐m‐long perforated reef, dominated by herbivorous soft corals. The waters downstream of that reef were strongly depleted of phytoplankton (10 to >36%, or 32 to >100 ng Chl a liter−1). When converted to carbon fluxes, these rates greatly exceeded reported values of carbon input to coral reefs via zooplankton predation. Phytoplankton grazing is an important component of benthic‐pelagic coupling in coral reefs.
Decompression sickness and aseptic necrosis of bone: Investigations carried out during and after the construction of the Tyne Road Tunnel (1962-66)

Report of Decompression Sickness Panel, Medical Research Council (1971). Brit. J. industr. Med., 28, 1-21. Decompression sickness and aseptic necrosis of bone: Investigations carried out during and after the construction of the Tyne Road Tunnel (1962-66). This paper describes investigations into the health of compressed air workers during and after the construction of a road tunnel under the River Tyne. Altogether 641 men were exposed to the compressed air environment over a period of approximately 31 months. The maximum working pressure was 42 psig (289·6 kN/m2), and the overall decompression sickness rate for work at pressures of 18 psig (124·1 kN/m2) and above was 2%. Radiological examination of the chest was carried out on 183 men to detect lung cysts but only one was found. Thus lung cysts were not shown to be a common factor in the causation of decompression sickness but the possibility of small sub-radiological collections of trapped air being involved was not excluded. Radiological examinations of the shoulders, hips and knee joints were carried out on 171 men. There was evidence of aseptic necrosis in one or more bones of 44 men (26%). Fifteen of the men with definite lesions of aseptic necrosis of bone and 7 of the men with suspected lesions had never worked in compressed air before this contract. The remaining 14 men with definite lesions and the 8 with suspected lesions had worked elsewhere in compressed air prior to this contract, but a definite lesion in one of these men and a suspected lesion in another can almost certainly be attributed to their work in compressed air on this contract.
Spatial analysis of genetic variation as a rapid assessment tool in the conservation management of narrow-range endemics

The number of narrow-range taxa of conservation concern is steadily increasing. As a consequence, there is an urgent need to obtain data on their spatial distributions and to determine how genetic diversity and population structure are affected by fragmentation. This paper outlines the way in which spatial analysis of genetic variation can be used to guide conservation management decisions using allozyme data for the endangered endemic terrestrial mollusc Meridolum corneovirens (Pfeiffer, 1851) (Pulmonata : Camaenidae). Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicates that M. corneovirens populations are highly structured at very short distances (2 m) and that the radius of a genetic neighbourhood is approximately 350 m. An estimate of genetic neighbourhood size is a particularly useful parameter to have available for a species, especially from a conservation management perspective. It gives an indication of the distances moved by individuals between birth and breeding and hence the size of gaps in distribution that can be filled within a generation. Furthermore, replicate samples need to be separated by more than 350 m to be considered independent. Allozymes and spatial autocorrelation analysis can be used to obtain relevant management information for some species of conservation concern in a rapid, cost effective way.
The population of Ctenomys from the Ñacuñán Biosphere Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina) belongs to Ctenomys mendocinus Philippi, 1869 (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae): molecular and karyotypic evidence

Subterranean tuco-tucos of the genus Ctenomys are caviomorph rodents comprising a complex of over 50 nominal speciesfound in the southern half of South America. The validity of several nominal forms awaits a proper assessment. Thepopulation of Ctenomys from Nacunan Biosphere Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina) has been classically considered torepresent a distinct species and has been commonly referred as Ctenomys “eremofilus”. Based on molecular andcytogenetic analysis we assessed the taxonomic status of the Ctenomys population of Nacunan. Specimens analyzedshowed two very similar chromosome complements (2n=48 and 2n=50), the latter being widely distributed in populationsof C. mendocinus. Similarly, haplotypes recovered from Nacunan specimens are very similar and sister to those recoveredfrom specimens of C. mendocinus. Considering this evidence we conclude that the individuals of Ctenomys from Nacunan population should be assignable to C. mendocinus.
Characterization of Introgression Lines for Yield-related Traits with Indica-type Rice Variety IR64 Genetic Background

A total of 334 introgression lines (INLs: BC3-derived lines) derived from crosses between Indica cultivar IR64 as a recurrent parent and 10 donor parents including new plant type lines (IR6560087-2-2-3, IR65598-112-2, IR65564-2-2-3, IR66750-6-2-1, IR69093-41-2-3-2, IR69125-25-3-1-1, Hoshiaoba, IR66215-44-2-3, IR68522-10-2-2, and IR71195-AC1) have been developed by recurrent backcross breeding, to introduce unique traits into IR64 genetic background and to use for breeding materials. The agronomic traits of the 334 INLs were evaluated in International Rice Research Institute from 2005 to 2007 and the genotypes of the 334 INLs were detected using SSR markers. Particularly, 117 out of the 334 INLs which showed unique agronomic traits were selected as the “core set” for detailed evaluation. Variation in agronomic traits: days to heading (DTH), leaf length and width, culm and panicle length, number of panicles, total spikelet number per panicle (TSN), and 100-grain weight (GW), in the 117 INLs were characterized. As a result of comparison between the several INLs and IR64, significant differences were observed in DTH, TSN and GW in at least one season. The developed INLs with the IR64 genetic background are useful for both breeding and genetic dissection of agronomic traits across various environments.
Phylogenetic Investigations of the Genus Cyprinella Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Data

The genus Cyprinella is a highly diverse and widely distributed assemblage of freshwater fish. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as minnows and their similar appearances have led to numerous classification problems. Only recently has Cyprinella been elevated to generic status and many relationships within the genus are only beginning to be understood. To investigate the monophyly of Cyprinella leedsi, a species of Cyprinella with a highly disjunct distribution, and to develop a molecular method for tracking hybridization events between the invasive red shiner (C. lutrensis) and other southeastern Cyprinella species, the mtDNA tRNA Pro gene, the control region, and the tRNA Phe gene were sequenced from 10 different Cyprinella species. From the sequence data, maximum parsimony and neighbor joining trees were generated in PAUP. These showed that C. leedsi was in fact not monophyletic. There are three separate populations of C. leedsi with C. callitaenia (a documented sister species) embedded among them. Also from this sequence data, it was determined that other Cyprinella species did not have the large duplications within the control region seen in C. lutrensis and C. spiloptera and documented by Broughton and Gold (2000). Due to the lack of large size variations within the control region, restriction digests of fluorescently labeled PCR products followed by fragment analysis was determined to be a suitable method for a diagnostic identification of the maternal parent of hybrids between C. lutrensis, C. venusta, and the federally threatened species C. caerulea.
Effect of temperature and relative humidity on radial growth and sporulation of Paecilomyces farinosus

Temperature and relative humidity are considered as important abiotic factors that influence growth, sporulation and infectivity of the insect fungi. Optimum levels of temperature and humidity were assessed for radial growth, percentage spore germination and infectivity of Paecilomyces farinosus. The fungus was inoculated in Sabourad maltose agar media and incubated at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C in BOD incubator for 10 days. Six levels of relative humidy was maintained by mixtures of appropriate combinations of concentrated sulphuric acid and distilled water. The growth and sporulation of the fungi were studied with 10 days of incubation. Temperature between 20 and 25°C was found optimal for the test fungi. The growth and sporulation of pathogen increased with humidity levels to the maximum of 91.6 mm at 95% RH.
RNA‐Seq data analysis identifies the comprehensive profile of in vivo interferon‐β‐stimulated genes in multiple sclerosis

Interferon‐beta (IFNβ) is the most widely used drug for reducing the disease activity of multiple sclerosis (MS), although a considerable population of MS patients are refractory to IFNβ. To establish personalized therapy for MS, the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of IFNβ in MS should be thoroughly characterized by aid of next‐generation sequencing technology.
INSILICO STRUCTURE BASED DRUG DESIGNING OF A POTENT INHIBITOR FOR HUMAN NOTCH1 -A THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Proteins are functional molecules in cells and are major targets for drug action. Designing a single drug through laboratory methods may take minimum ten years. Therefore, the insilico approach for designing a drug can be more efficient as it minimizes the time period to provide the patients with an effective drug. To design a rational drug, we m ust firstly find out which proteins can be the drug targets in pathogenesis. Proteomics has great promise in identification of protein targets and biochemical pathways involved in disease processes. Proteomics as a whole increasingly plays an important rol e in the multi-step drug-development process. The process includes target identification and validation, lead selection, small molecular screening and optimization, and toxicity testing. Furthermore, sub -disciplines such as computational proteomics, chemical proteomics, structural proteomics and topological proteomics offer significant contributions especially in computer-aided drug design. This paper makes an attempt to design a computer assisted, structure based drug of a potent inhibitor for Human Notch1 . It also summarizes the recent progress in pharmaco -proteomics and the discipline's potential application in insilico drug design. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant proliferation of lymphoid cells. The target protein Notch1 plays important role in tumour formation. Protein sequence of Notch1 was retrieved from NCBI and its homology was found by Blastp. Model of the target protein sequence was then generated by homology modeling. Models were further analysed by using SAVS (PROCHECK) and vali dated by loop-building and energy -minimization.
Sensitivity of mean annual primary production to precipitation

In many terrestrial ecosystems, variation in aboveground net primary production (ANPP) is positively correlated with variation in interannual precipitation. Global climate change will alter both the mean and the variance of annual precipitation, but the relative impact of these changes in precipitation on mean ANPP remains uncertain. At any given site, the slope of the precipitation‐ANPP relationship determines the sensitivity of mean ANPP to changes in mean precipitation, whereas the curvature of the precipitation‐ANPP relationship determines the sensitivity of ANPP to changes in precipitation variability. We used 58 existing long‐term data sets to characterize precipitation‐ANPP relationships in terrestrial ecosystems and to quantify the sensitivity of mean ANPP to the mean and variance of annual precipitation. We found that most study sites have a nonlinear, saturating relationship between precipitation and ANPP, but these nonlinearities were not strong. As a result of these weak nonlinearities, ANPP was nearly 40 times more sensitive to precipitation mean than variance. A 1% increase in mean precipitation caused a −0.2% to 1.8% change in mean ANPP, with a 0.64% increase on average. Sensitivities to precipitation mean peaked at sites with a mean annual precipitation near 500 mm. Changes in species composition and increased intra‐annual precipitation variability could lead to larger ANPP responses to altered precipitation regimes than predicted by our analysis.