Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Down-regulation of β-catenin TCF signaling is linked to colonic epithelial cell differentiation

The β-catenin TCF pathway is implicated in the regulation of colonic epithelial cell proliferation, but its role in the regulation of cell differentiation is unknown. The colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2, spontaneously undergoes G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and differentiates along the absorptive cell lineage over 21 days in culture. In parallel, we show that β-catenin-TCF activity and complex formation are significantly down-regulated. The down-regulation of β-catenin-TCF signaling was independent of APC, which we characterized as having a nonsense mutation in codon 1367 in Caco-2 cells, but was associated with a decrease in TCF-4 protein levels. Total β-catenin levels increased during Caco-2 cell differentiation, although this was attributable to an increase in the membrane, E-cadherin-associated, fraction of β-catenin. Importantly, down-regulation of β-catenin-TCF signaling in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells by three different mechanisms, ectopic expression of E-cadherin, wild-type APC, or dominant negative TCF-4, resulted in an increase in the promoter activities of two genes that are well-established markers of cell differentiation, alkaline phosphatase and intestinal fatty acid binding protein. These studies demonstrate, therefore, that in addition to its established role in the regulation of cell proliferation, down-regulation of the β-catenin-TCF pathway is associated with the promotion of a more-differentiated phenotype in colonic epithelial cells.
Nutritional qualities of ripened beans of mangrove wild legume Canavalia cathartica Thouars

Raw and pressure-cooked ripened beans of Canavalia cathartica, a wild mangrove legume of southwest coast of India were evaluated for nutritional qualities. Crude protein of raw beans (25.9%) was higher than some edible legumes, wild legumes and cereals. Raw and cooked beans contained low crude lipids (1.5-2.7%), high crude fiber (8.3-9.1%), crude carbohydrates (58.5-73.3%), starch (44.7-52%) and calorific value (1516-1517 kJ/100 g). Magnesium, zinc and manganese of raw and cooked beans meet the NRC/NAS requirements for infants. Although cooking drained crude protein (25.9 to 13.8%) of beans, total sugars and nonreducing sugars did not alter. Among essential fatty acids, raw beans consisted of linoleic and linolenic acids, while in cooked beans linoleic and arachidonic acids. Except for sulphur-amino acids, tryptophan and histidine, both raw and cooked beans met the FAO/WHO/UNU essential amino acid (EAA) pattern for adults, adequate EAA score and protein digestibility corrected to amino acid score (PDCASS). Total phenolics and tannins in beans were low, while beans devoid of orthodihydric phenols and trypsin inhibitors. Phytohemagglutinin activity of raw beans decreased to about 50% on cooking. The in vitro protein digestibility (53.7 vs. 82.3%) and starch digestibility (1.01 vs. 6.64 mg maltose/hr/100 g) of raw beans drastically improved on cooking, indicating the possibilities to use the ripened beans as food for human or livestock after appropriate processing.
Book Review

I have always suspected that the correctional environment exerts a more powerful impact on inmates’ behavior than most psychologists have traditionally allowed, and now, with Richard Wortley’s Situational Prison Control: Crime Prevention in Correctional Institutions, I have found what I believe is compelling support for this position. Building on Ronald Clarke’s (1995) opportunity-based rational choice model of criminal offending, Wortley demonstrates how the prison environment can both exacerbate and ameliorate problem behavior in correctional settings. To those of us who work in corrections, what this means is that instead of relying on estimates of psychopathy or scores on personality inventories, psychologists can make effective use of environmental variables to predict and curtail prison misconduct. In my own encounters with inmates, I have never ceased to be amazed by how some individuals can be hellions in one correctional environment and virtual angels in another. Armed with similar anecdotal evidence and what little empirical data currently exist on the topic, Wortley creates a theory of situational prison control, the goal of which is to identify the structural and functional aspects of the correctional environment that initiate and maintain problem behavior, with an eye toward engineering an environment less conducive to the formation and continuation of major correctional disorders such as assault, self-harm, and rioting. Wortley divides his book into two parts. In the first part, a section composed of four chapters, Wortley outlines a two-stage theory of correctional crime prevention. Initially, he reviews the conceptual models that underpin his two-stage theory. These include operant and classical conditioning, social learning theory, social influence models, the frustration-aggression hypothesis, environmental psychology, and rational choice theory. Following a description of conventional situational methods of prison control, Wortley introduces his two-stage theory of situational prison control, in which situational precipitators (e.g., prompts, pressures, provocations) and situational regulators (e.g., perceived risks, anticipated rewards, anticipated punishments) serve as the two principal variables. By using assorted environmental
Photonically Assisted Compression of Ultra-Wideband Arbitrary Microwave Waveforms via Programmable Optical Phase Filters

We experimentally demonstrate compression of ultra-wideband microwave arbitrary waveforms via programmable optical phase filters implemented in a hyperfine resolution optical pulse shaper. We synthesize arbitrary ultra-wideband radio frequency waveforms and utilize programmable microwave photonic filters to impose the opposite of a waveform spectral phase on its spectrum. This enables us to synthesize a matched filter which compresses an ultra-wideband microwave waveform to its corresponding bandwidth-limited pulse duration. As an example, we demonstrate compression of a 15 GHz bandwidth chirp with ~733 ps temporal window to a 40 ps duration pulse with more than 14 dB peak power gain. Our technique is programmable and we believe it is applicable to a wide range of arbitrary spectral phase modulated ultra-wideband radio frequency waveforms.
“Scholaring” While Black: Discourses on Race, Gender, and the Tenure Track

Although the percentage of Black faculty members has grown over the past decade, Black professors remain a conspicuous minority population within the academy. While existing literature documents differences between faculty members of different races and of different genders, there are few studies contrasting the experiences of Black male and female professors. Such an intersectional analysis allows us to examine how racial and gendered experiences inflect intellectual representation. Through the collaborative autoethnographic method, this article analyzes data collected by the authors during the summer following their first year as tenure-track professors at predominantly White institutions. The analysis underscores four primary themes: trailblazing, conspicuousness, positioning, and 'paying it forward'. We include suggestions for institutional policy and practice.
Biological Data Transformation in Pathway Simulation

This work shows how Model-Driven Software Development (MDSD) can be applied in the bioinformatics ﬁeld since biological data structures can be easily expressed by means of models. The existence of several heterogeneous data sources is usual in the bioinformatics context. In order to validate the information stored in these data sources, several formalisms and simulation tools have been adopted. The process of importing data from the source databases and introducing it in the simulation tools is usually done by hand. This work describes how to overcome this drawback by applying MDSD techniques (e.g. model transformations). Such techniques allow us to automate the data migration process between source databases and simulation tools, making the transformation process independent of the data persistence format, obtaining more modular tools and generating traceability information automatically.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

I have known Gerald Grow for doubledigit years and met him at the ASMEsponsored, week-long visits to NY magazine offices. A member of the Magazine Division of AEJMC literally for decades, Gerald Grow has been one very important reason to attend our meetings, sometimes twice a year with regional as well as national conferences and conventions -to spend time with him. Then too, many of us frequently continue our conversations with him, begun at conventions, via email.
A Genetically Engineered STO Feeder System Expressing E-Cadherin and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor for Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture

Embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are usually cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from fetuses. MEFs are primary cells and can only be cultured for several passages before senescence. Although the STO mouse stromal cell line has been used as a MEF substitute, performance of a STO feeder layer for ES/iPS cell culture is inferior to a MEF feeder layer. Thus, the development of effective feeder systems may be beneficial for advancing stem cell technology using ES/iPS cells. We established a STO feeder cell line expressing mouse leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and mouse E-cadherin (designated as STO/EL cells). ES/iPS cells were cultured on STO/EL feeder cells without LIF addition to the medium, while maintaining the expression of stem cell markers, Oct3/4, Nanog and Rex1. Quantitative evaluation of feeder performance by an alkaline phosphatase-positive colony-forming assay revealed that the colony forming efficiency was comparable to that of the conventional and most reliable culture method using MEFs with LIF addition. STO/EL cells can be used as an efficient feeder system for supporting ES/iPS cell culture in an undifferentiated state. The STO/EL feeder system may contribute toward medical and biological research of ES/iPS cells.
Rat Strains Differ in Antibody Response to Streptobacillus moniliformis

Rats are the natural host of Streptobacillus moniliformis . The bacterium is zoonotic which is an obviousÂ reason for periodic monitoring of rat colonies for S. moniliformis infection. This may be done by measuringÂ antibodies to the bacterium by for instance the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Inbred ratÂ strains can significantly differ in antibody response to viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. We tested theÂ hypothesis that in rats the antibody response to S. moniliformis is under genetic control. Rats of 6 inbredÂ strains were intranasally and orally dosed with the bacterium and monitored for the development of antibodiesÂ by ELISA. Â Rats of all strains rapidly seroconverted to the bacterium. The rat strains differed significantly in finalÂ antibody activities and seroconversion rates. WKY and SHR rats were high responders, BN and F344 ratsÂ were low responders and LEW and BD rats were intermediate both in antibody development and seroconversion. Â
Genetic Consequences of Range Expansions

Although range expansions have occurred recurrently in the history of most species, their genetic consequences have been little investigated. Theoretical studies show that range expansions are quite different from pure demographic expansions and that the extent of recent gene flow conditions expected patterns of molecular diversity within and between populations. Spatially explicit simulation studies have led to unexpected and fascinating results about genetic patterns emerging after a range expansion. For instance, spatial expansions can generate allele frequency gradients, promote the surfing of rare variants into newly occupied territories, induce the structuring of newly colonized areas into distinct sectors of low genetic diversity, or lead to massive introgression of local genes into the genome of an invading species. Interestingly, most of these patterns had been previously attributed to distinct selective processes, showing that taking into account the dynamic nature of a species range can lead to a paradigm shift in our perception of evolutionary processes.
Analysis of biometric and DNA data to determine the sex of Hooded Crows Corvus cornix in northwest Italy

In this paper we propose criteria for sexing Hooded Crow Corvus cornix, belonging to different age groups, in northwest Italy. Morphometric data were validated by molecular sexing, which offers a valid and reliable method to sex birds. The results suggest that tarsus and head + bill length provide the best biometric criteria for sex determination in the Hooded Crow, because these measurements do not change with age. We propose linear discriminant functions based on the tarsus and head + bill length, or on the head + bill length alone.
Lecanora sorediomarginata, a new epiphytic lichen species discovered along the Portuguese coast

Abstract Lecanora sorediomarginata Rodrigues, Terrón & Elix sp. nov., described as new to science from Portugal, is characterized morphologically by a crustose whitish-grey to greenish thallus developing soralia from small, marginal warts and chemically by the presence of 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnorstenosporic acid [major], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [minor], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnordivaricatic acid [minor], 5-chloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [trace], atranorin [minor], chloroatranorin [minor], and usnic acid [trace]. It is chemically similar to L. lividocinerea, to which it shows phylogenetic affinities based on ITS rDNA sequence analysis, and to L. sulphurella. Lecanora sorediomarginata is epiphytic on Pinus pinaster and P. pinea, in pine forests on sand dunes along the Portuguese coast.
ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES FROM TERMINALIA BELLARICA FRUIT - AN IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO APPROACH.

Introduction: Terminalia bellarica (T. bellarica) is a potential medicinal herb used from the ancient times to treat human diseases and disorders. The present study was designed to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of two active principles, octyl gallate (OG) and gallic acid (GA), isolated from the methanolic extract of T. bellarica fruit with reference to their action on free radicals, free radical scavengers using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Methods: Cells were cultured and incubated with OG & GA for 24 h at 37°C. The viability of the cells was measured using MTT assay. DMBA induced female SpragueDawley rats were used as animal models. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were determined with and without OG & GA treatment in both cell lines and breast and liver tissues. Results: Cell viability analysis provided 40 μM OG and 80 μM GA as IC50 concentrations of the compounds for both the cell lines. The lipid peroxidation levels estimated showed an increase in cancer groups and a significant decrease upon OG and GA treatment and a decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx levels in cancer groups which was found to be increased with OG and GA treatment. The above condition was noted in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 cell lines and in breast and liver tissues of in-vivo models. Conclusion: The results obtained provides an insight for the anticancer and antioxidant potentials of OG and GA from T. bellarica on breast cancer models indicating its efficacy to be used for breast cancer therapies with further exploration on their mechanism of action.
People who self-induce OBEs experience a distinct body-self separation

Individuals who have had an out-of-body experience (OBE) report that the centre of their awareness appears to, temporarily, shift to a location that is spatially distinct from the location of their physical body. Research suggests that some OBErs report a sensation of leaving their physical body prior to their OBEs, while others instead report spontaneously finding themselves outside of their body. The present study evaluated data collected from 194 participants who claimed to have had an OBE. Instances of spontaneous and autonomously induced OBEs were considered. Binary Logistic Regression identified one item that predicted whether a participant was more likely to have had an induced, rather than a spontaneous, OBE: whether a participant had experienced a sensation of leaving their physical body prior to the OBE. Out-of-body experiences (OBE) occur when an individual experiences their sense of consciousness from a spatial location different to that of their physical body (Ellison, 1988). The present study builds upon De Foe, Van Doorn and Symmons’ (2012) research which considered responses from 370 respondents to an online questionnaire about OBEs. De Foe et al.’s (2012) study ascertained whether certain variables were predictors of OBE likelihood based on participant’s responses. A link between auditory hallucinations and the likelihood of having OBEs was found in the previous research. In the present study we utilise the same dataset and methodology used by De Foe et al. (2012) in order to ascertain whether specific factors could be relevant in predicting the likelihood of certain types of OBE, in particular autonomously induced OBEs, as opposed to spontaneous experiences. OBEs can occur spontaneously (Ellison, 1998) or as the direct result of conscious effort (Irwin, 2007; Monroe, 1992). Meditation, guided visualisation practice and relaxation techniques have been broadly discussed in the literature as mechanisms for inducing a shift in consciousness away from the physical body (Irwin & Watt, 2007). Alvarado and Zingrone (1999) examined questionnaire responses from 391 OBErs and found that of these 37% had induced an OBE at will on at least one occasion. De Foe et al. (2012) reported similar results, noting that 45% of respondents claimed to have induced an OBE on at least one occasion. However, most OBE accounts tend to discuss spontaneous experiences, with a small ratio of induced-to-spontaneous accounts across OBEs reported from the same experient (Alvarado & Zingrone, 1999; De Foe et al., 2012). Though research has indicated that a sense of leaving one’s body is typical in all, or almost all OBE accounts (Anzellotti et al., 2011), other research indicates that this is not the case (Irwin & Watt, 2007). In a number of cases experients note a spontaneous shift in their centre of
Amino acids and hexosamines as indicators of organic matter degradation state in
North Sea sediments

Sediment cores from six stations in the eastern North Sea were analyzed for protein amino acids, the nonprotein amino acids β‐alanine and γ‐ aminobutyric acid and the hexosamines galactosamine and glucosamine, and bulk parameters (organic carbon, nitrogen, total hydrolyzable amino acids and carbohydrates) in order to establish the degradation state of sedimentary organic matter. The study sites were selected on the basis of their different physical settings and macrofaunal communities so that a broad quality range in the organic matter would likely be covered. To test if the molecular parameters provide a robust matrix for quality determination, we integrated our results with complementary literature data ranging from marine source organisms to deep‐sea environments. A principal component analysis based on the mole percent contribution of amino acids show4 that there are systematic variations in the amino acid spectra as a consequence of degradation of organic matter. Comparison with more established quality parameters such as hexosamines confirmed that amino acids reflect the degradation state of the organic matter. The amino acids glycine, serine, and threonine were enriched in the more degraded material, and others, such as phenylalanine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, leucine, and isoleucinc, became depleted with increasing degradation state. Selective preservation of structural compounds (diatom cell walls, chitinous organic matter) vs. preferential breakdown of cell plasma material appears to be the reason for the contrastin,; behavior of these molecular compounds. Some of the essential amino acids for macrofauna nutrition (arginine, methionine, and histidine) occurred in lower concentrations in the North Sea sediments compared to organism tissue and therefore may be limiting to growth of deposit‐feeders.
The Continuized Log-Linear Method: An Alternative to the Kernel Method of Continuization in Test Equating

Von Davier, Holland, and Thayer (2004) laid out a five-step framework of test equating that can be applied to various data collection designs and equating methods. In the continuization step, they presented an adjusted Gaussian kernel method that preserves the first two moments. This article proposes an alternative continuization method that directly uses the log-linear function from the smoothing step. This alternative method has the advantages of being simple and direct and producing smoother continuous distributions. When the number of score points is large, it can better preserve the moments. Two real test examples are provided to demonstrate these properties and to compare equating functions based on different methods. The standard error of equating for this method is derived.
Deconstructing the signal: phylogenetic structure, elevation change, and the implications for species co-existence

Question: Is there evidence of temporal niche dynamics in the response of phylogenetic structure to environmental change? Data studied: We evaluated change in species composition of tree communities along a 600 m elevation gradient in the tropical deciduous forest of southwestern Mexico, censusing 43 transects of 100 individuals each, with transects conforming to strict criteria of similarity. Along this gradient, maximum annual rainfall increases threefold from low to high elevation, and temperature decreases by 3 C. Methods: (1) Within the regional-level phylogenetic tree, we located the source of the observed change in phylogenetic structure along the gradient. We did this by ‘deconstructing’ or splitting the full phylogenetic tree into two taxonomically distinct subtrees, and then conducting stepwise removal of taxonomic resolution and weighting (number of subtending taxa) for all three trees (full tree plus subtrees) starting at the tips. We then correlated all values of phylogenetic structure with elevation over the samples at each level of deconstruction. (2) We determined change in species composition with changing environmental conditions expected from an analytical model of temporal niche process, after which we correlated this change [mean and standard deviation of species-to-genus ratio (S/G)] with elevation and with the metric of changing phylogenetic structure. (3) We identified the genera most responsible for changing S/G and standard deviation of S/G. Conclusions: (1) Community phylogenetic structure responds significantly to the elevation gradient, with signal located at the genus level and below. The latter result suggests that species interactions are primarily responsible for the patterns observed. (2) The observed relationship between elevation and both S/G and standard deviation of S/G accounts for all or most of the variation in phylogenetic structure and is consistent with the action of temporal niche dynamics – a pattern well illustrated by four influential, multi-species genera that collectively contain more than 20% of the individuals included in the study.