Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Inhibition of Glioma Cells of Different Cell Lines by Human Interferon-β Produced in the Cells Transfected with Its Gene by Means of Liposomes

Using five different glioma cell lines, SK-MG-1, SK-MG-4, U251-MG, U251-SP, and T98, and one normal glial cell line, we performed transfection of the cells with a human interferon-β (HuIFN-β) gene by means of our novel liposomes. As a result, HuIFN-β was found in the media of all glioma cells, but not in that of normal filial cells. The level of HuIFN-β increased with incubation time until 4 days after the addition of the liposomes, and approximately 20-40IU/ml of HuIFN-β was found in the media of all glioma cells except for U251-SP cells, which produced approximately 350IU/ml of HuIFN-β. Then, the levels decreased gradually and HuIFN-β in the medium could not be detected after 9 days of cultivation. By liposome-mediated transfection of the HuIFN-β gene, remarkable growth-inhibitory effects were observed for all glioma cell lines. At 4 days of incubation the effect in all glioma cell lines exceeded that obtained with 1, 000IU/ml of exogenously added HuIFN-β.
Anti- Plasmodium Falciparum Activity of Extracts from Dendranthema Indicum

Malaria being a major health problem, demands for search for alternative anti-malaria drugs. Dendrathema indicum/ Dunkufea plant used in the treatment of malaria in the northern part of Nigeria was evaluated for activity against Plasmodium falciparum. The crude ethanol extract of the plant, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate and last residue fractions obtained by maceration of the crude ethanol extract were screened for activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the last residue and hexane fraction did not inhibit significantly even at a concentration of 200μg/ml, the ethyl acetate fraction obtained after maceration was the most active fraction. From the result of the photochemical analysis all the common classes of secondary metabolites tested were present in the plant except alkaloid. Keywords: Anti-malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, maceration, Dendranthema indicum
Relationship Between Measurements of Heating and Acid-Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen in Heat Damaged Fresh Alfalfa, Haylage, and Hay

Abstract During five laboratory trials, alfalfa fresh (25% dry matter), haylage (42% dry matter), and hay (89% dry matter) were heated to 88C for 48h at five rates (140, 5.8, 2.9, and 1.5 C/h). Percent total nitrogen converted into acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen was 46.5, 38, and 27 for these forages heated at 140 C/h for 48h. During the first 6h of heating, acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen in haylage was increased 4 to 9 fold more rapidly than that in fresh alfalfa or hay. Among the 10 measurements of heating, none produced squared correlation coefficients larger than . 25 with total nitrogen. Measurements of hours heated above 70C, degree-hours above 50 or 60 explained 69 to 73% of the variation in acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen as a percent of dry matter or total nitrogen. Measuring maximum temperature alone gave relatively low (less than .5) coefficient of determination for acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen fraction.
Selection for persistence under grazing in winter-active populations of the perennial grass, Phalaris aquatica L.(phalaris)

Winter-active cultivars of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) have the potential to be more productive than semi-winter-dormant cultivars but may be less persistent under the stress of heavy grazing. The feasibility of improving persistence of winter-active phalaris was examined by subjecting plots of half-sib families from several winter-active populations to 2 cycles of heavy grazing pressure by sheep. Because variation among families in initial density influenced final density score in both cycles, persistence was assessed by 2 methods, final density with initial density as a covariate and the ratio of final over initial density. In Cycle 1, significant family variance was observed in a broadly based population after 3 years of continuous grazing. Changes in persistence were smaller but still significant among the families comprising cv. Holdfast after 2 years of rotational grazing on limed but not on unlimed acid soil. In Cycle 2, 4 populations selected in Cycle 1 and elsewhere were screened under continuous grazing at 2 sites, one lower in soil pH and phosphorus than the other. Family by site interaction for final density was significant (P < 0.05) for one population only and this arose before grazing commenced. The selected populations displayed higher density and persistence than control winter-active cultivars. Estimates of predicted heritability were generally high but not always significant at P < 0.05. Overall they were considered to indicate that differences in persistence between families were present and heritable. This was supported by the observation that generations of 2 populations selected in Cycle 1 were higher in final density and persistence than the base generations, although differences in persistence as distinct from final density were not always at the P = 0.05 significance level. The ratio of final over initial density scores was considered less appropriate than the covariate method of estimating persistence in this cycle because plots that established at very low density and increased slightly thereafter resulted in high error variance and biased selection towards families that established at low density.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cell Wall to Ameliorate the Toxic Effects of Aflatoxin in Broilers

A study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) as an inhibitor of aflatoxicosis in broilers. Clinic, pathologic, immune and productive aspects of broilers fed with aflatoxin in the diets were studied. The results showed that the feed intake and weight gain were negatively affected (P < 0.01) for aflatoxin in diet (1000 ppb). The SC (0, 20%) added to diet did not ameliorated the negatively aflatoxin effect at broiler weight gain, however the SC improve the feed conversion in this birds. The humoral immune response of broilers vaccinated against Newcastle virus disease (NDV) was reduced for aflatoxin in diet, as also the liver, kidneys and bursa of Fabricius were negatively affected for this toxin at diet. The SC did not improve the hemagglutination inhibiting antibody titers in birds fed with aflatoxin in diet, however improve the immune response of broilers at challenge with strain velogenic of NDV.
Early Generation Testing of Diallel Crosses of Soybeans 1

EARLY-GENERATION testing of progenies from crosses between selected parents has been a subject of considerable study in self-pollinated crops, including soybeans. Recent literature reviews on the topic in selfpollinated species, and specifically soybeans, have been presented by Elliott (1) and Johnson (6), respectively. The most general problem has been concerned with the effectiveness of selection for high yield of seed among and within crosses during the early generations after hybridization. Judicious selection of parents has been an accepted part of the breeding procedure, but little information has been obtained on the relative merits of soybean varieties as parents. Possible explanations for the failure to recognize high yielding progenies in early generations include: (1) Genotype-environment interactions, (2) inadequate testing in time and space, (3) heterosis attributable to epistatic or dominance effects of genes which is not obtained or maintained in pure lines, (4) heterozygosity and heterogeneity of genotypes within progenies, and (5) interplant and interplot competition. The studies reported herein were conducted to determine the value of parental and early generation progeny performance in identifying crosses that would
Evolutionary relationships of the metazoan βγ–crystallins, including that from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium†

βγ‐crystallins are one major component of vertebrate lenses. Here the isolation and characterization of a cDNA, coding for the first βγ‐crystallin molecule from an invertebrate species, the marine sponge Geodia cydonium, is described. The size of the transcript as determined by Northern blotting was 0.7 kb in length. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 163 aa residues and comprises four repeated motifs which compose the two domains of the βγ‐crystallin. Motif 3 contains the characteristic βγ‐crystallin ‘Greek key’ motif signature, while in each of the three other repeats, one aa residue is replaced by an aa with the same physico‐chemical property. The sponge peptide shows striking similarities to vertebrateβγ‐crystallins. Analysis by neighbour joining of the sponge motifs with the two motifs present in spherulin 3a of Physarum polycephalum shows that motif 4 of the sponge βγ‐crystallin was added as the last single sequence to the tree. The data support the view that the βγ‐crystallin superfamily, present in eukaryotes, evolved from a common ancestor including also the sponge βγ‐crystallin.
The relation between dosage, bacterial growth and time for disease response during infection of bean leaves by Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola

Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1L3 was infiltrated at a dosage of 0mD5 to 512 times the median effective dose (ED50) into the leaves of two bean cultivars, Borlotto di Vigevano (ED50 15 bacteria) and Saluggia (ED50 34 bacteria). The distributions of time for production of disease symptoms after inoculation with up to 64 ED50 were in agreement with those predicted by the simple birth-death model for microbial infection. Individual times of response to higher doses were longer and more widely distributed than expected from the model. Growth curves of bacteria in leaves inoculated with 16, 64 or 512 ED50 could be viewed conventionally as a sequence of an exponential phase, a phase of decelerating growth and a stationary phase. Viable counts, however, were also compatible with parabolic population trends during the period preceding, accompanying and immediately following the appearance of disease symptoms. Bacterial growth parameters estimated from response times and infectivity titration data were consistent with those calculated from viable counts in vivo.
Response of aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis to signaling molecules in MAM gene knockout mutants of Arabidopsis

Aliphatic glucosinolates (AGSLs) in Arabidopsis thaliana are synthesized from methionine derivatives with various side-chain length that are formed from methionine via chain elongation cycle involving MAM1 and MAM3. Biosynthesis of AGSLs is highly affected by defense signaling molecules, including jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and ethylene. In response to exogenously-applied these phytohormones, MAM genes exhibited different induction patterns in Wildtype of Arabidopsis. The changing patterns of AGSL contents were distinctive in single knockout mutants of MAM genes compared with those in Wild-type, suggesting that MAM1 and MAM3 play an important role in the diversity of AGSL profiles in response to hormonal changes.
Discrimination among Japanese Species of the Orius Flower Bugs (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) Based on PCR-RFLP of the Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNAs

A PCR-RFLP-based method of species identification was considered for 5 Japanese species of Orius Wolff flower bugs, Orius strigicollis (Poppius), O. minutus (Linnaeus), O. sauteri (Poppius), O. nagaii Yasunaga, and O. tantillus (Motschulsky). Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of the nuclear ribosomal gene and a portion of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were compared among species and recognition sites of diagnostically useful restriction enzymes were examined. The PCR-RFLP analysis using 108 individuals of 26 laboratory strains confirmed that the 5 species could be correctly identified by banding patterns generated using these DNA regions. Because our PCR primers can amplify DNA fragments from DNA template extracted from both freshly killed insects and dried specimens stored at room conditions, the PCR-RFLP-based method was considered useful for analyses of field populations in which researchers store and accumulate field-collected samples before they perform laboratory examinations.
Effect of Diclofenac and Naproxen on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Mice

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) diclofenac and naproxen on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes was studied in male Swiss mice given the drugs in their diet. Diclofenac at levels of 25, 75, and 375ppm, and naproxen at 150, 500, and 1, 500ppm, were given for a period of 4 weeks. Control animals consumed a similar diet deprived of the test NSAIDs. Feeding of NSAIDs did not affect the activity of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase, whereas the level of cytochrome P-450 (P-450) was significantly decreased in liver and lungs of the animals. The maximum decline in content of the enzyme was found at the largest dose of NSAIDs. On the other hand, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was significantly increased in the two organs by both drugs. However, hepatic activity of the enzyme after induction by 375ppm diclofenac was almost 1.37 fold greater in comparison to that after induction by 1, 500ppm naproxen. In lungs, this ratio was found to be 1.76. Like GST, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver and lungs of the animals were also significantly increased. The maximum increase in GSH in lungs elicited by the two NSAIDs was similar. The results of this study indicate that diclofenac might prove to be a better chemopreventive agent against xenobiotics because of the higher induction of GST activity by it.
Information Technology Application in Emerging Economies: A Monograph of Symposium at HICSS 40

“An Intelligent Nation, a Global City, powered by Infocomm”, this is Singapore’s vision unveiled in June 2006. The 10-year multi-billion dollar IT plan known as the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) –– is Singapore’s latest information and communication technology (ICT) roadmap that focuses on three concepts “innovation, integration and internationalization” to create a digital ecosystem that contributes to enhancing the social well being as well as to develop a sustainable competitive economy in Singapore. Singapore’s concerted efforts in deploying the use information technologies (IT) goes back to the early 1980s. Today, IT investments have pay off as IT has been deployed pervasively in government, businesses, and homes. The IT industry has also contributed a successful digital economy for Singapore. Singapore’s IT successes are attributed to its policy makers who had the foresight and vision to provide comprehensive IT plans, map proactive strategies, and execute the IT plans effectively. Since the country’s first IT plan on computerizing government agencies, the government has consistently implemented a 5-year strategic IT plan to harness the potentials of IT so as to transform all facets of living, at work, at play and at home. Most plans are articulated to tap on the opportunities provided by technological advancements and also considering the competitive environments at the time. For example, in the early days, it was simply to computerize for efficiencies and productivity, however, as the world moved into Internet technologies, Singapore responded with its IT2000 plan to build a National Information Infrastructure (NII) to wire up the island into an Intelligent Island connected by Singapore ONE (one network for everyone), a nation-wide network. ‘Connected Singapore’ emphasize the potentials of the convergence of computing, communication and content, and more recently, iN2015 aims to create Singapore as a choice for the world’s digital hub using ubiquitous and intelligent digital technologies. Singapore’s innovative, dynamic and forward-looking IT blueprints have impressed and attracted attention form many countries, with some emulating the Republic’s approaches and policies whilst others such as Jordan, Kuwait, Middle East, and Sri Lanka are seeking Singapore’s advice in developing similar Singapore’s e-Government solutions which have been ranked highly in international benchmarking studies. Using the supply-push and demand-pull model, this paper provides an analysis of how Singapore conceptualizes and develops the fundamental information infrastructure to create its digital
Water requirements for wheat and maize under climate change in North Nile Delta

Determination of water requirements for wheat and maize under climate change is important for policy makers in Egypt. The objectives of this paper were to calculate (i) ETo and (ii) water requirements for wheat and maize crops grown in five governorates (Alexandria, Demiatte, Kafr El-Sheik, El-Dakahlia and El-Behira) located in North Nile Delta of Egypt under current climate and climate change. ECHAM5 climate model was used to develop A1B climate change scenario in 2020, 2030 and 2040. Monthly values of evapotranspiration (ETo) under the different scenarios in these governorates were calculated using Hargreaves-Samani equation (H-S). Then, these values were regressed on ETo values previously calculated by Penman-Monteith equation (P-M) and linear regression (prediction equations were developed for each governorate). The predicted ETo values were compared to the values of ETo calculated by P-M equation and the deviations between them were very low (RMSE/obs=0.04-0.06 mm and R2 =0.96-0.99). Water requirements for wheat and maize were calculated using BISm model under current climate and in 2020, 2030 and 2040. The results showed that average annual ETo would increase by low percentage in 2020 and 2030. However, in 2040 the increase would reach 8%. Water requirements are expected to increase by 2-3% for wheat and by 10-15% for maize, which would result in reduction of the cultivated area. Thus, it is very important to revise and fix the production system of wheat and maize, in terms of the used cultivars, fertilizer and irrigation application to overcome the risk of climate change.
Preparing students for effective and autonomous learning through a transformative critical response process

Higher music education has recently increased its focus on preparing graduates for diverse and sustainable careers. This has necessitated an evolution in the approach to instrumental and vocal one-to-one tuition, from traditional instructional models, often referred to as the Master Apprentice model, to ones that are more transformative and prepare students for lifelong learning. Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process (CRP), which is gaining recognition as a valuable and effective process to give and receive feedback, is one approach that aligns with transformative pedagogy. CRP is a collaborative and inquiry-based process for receiving constructive feedback in a supportive environment. At the core of CRP is meaningful dialogue aimed at strengthening students' abilities to solve problems inherent in their own creative endeavours and in turn their autonomy. This autonomy, which includes the ability to problem solve and reflect, is important for emerging musicians, who are likely to have diverse portfolio careers, and to also become the next generation of music teachers. Through a qualitative study involving focus groups with eight community vocal teachers enrolled in a Masters in Vocal Pedagogy program, one conservatoire investigated whether CRP is beneficial to one-to-one teachers wishing to develop a transformative approach to lessons and whether its use contributes to fostering student autonomy. Through the insights gained in this study, it is evident that CRP has the ability to increase teachers’ awareness of their pedagogical approach to lessons, and importantly, to break down the master-apprentice stereotype. CRP enhanced these teachers’ ability to use transformative pedagogical strategies such as critical questioning, collaboration and placing the responsibility for learning with the student, leading to more student autonomy of learning, responsibility and awareness in relation to their learning needs. While some teachers experienced an initial discomfort in adapting the CRP process to the one-to-one context, working collaboratively through professional development opportunities assisted them to become more comfortable and confident in using its principles in their teaching practice. It would therefore appear that for transformative learning strategies such as CRP to be effectively implemented, professional development is both beneficial and desirable. While this investigation was conducted within a single institution, there is potential for the CRP to be applied both within instrumental and vocal contexts in other institutions, or within other educational contexts including higher degree research supervision, workshops and mentoring settings. This is turn will ensure students are better prepared for diverse and changing musical educational and employment opportunities where self-direction and critical thinking are key.
Energetic costs of reproduction in female northern muriquis, Brachyteles hypoxanthus (Primates: Platyrrinhi: Atelidae)

Infant care is known to impose high energetic costs on female primates because in addition to lactation, most primate mothers also provide transport for their offspring. Many studies have documented the high energetic costs of lactation, but less is known about energetic costs of infant carrying and their effects on the recovery of maternal physical condition. We compared the activities of female northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus Kuhl, 1820) over a 12-month period at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, Minas Gerais, Brazil to investigate whether mothers during their weaning year behaved differently than mothers in their post-weaning year, when they resumed reproductive cycling and copulating, and conceived again. We found no significant differences in the behavioral activity budgets of mothers in their weaning year (n = 4) versus post-weaning year (n = 5), despite the significantly higher proportion of time that mothers in their weaning year spent in close proximity with their infants and carrying their infants compared to mothers in their post-weaning year. We suggest that the energy budgets of weaning are similar to those of post-weaning in female northern muriquis.
Taxonomic review of the genus Macrosiphum (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) for the Korean Peninsula, with description of a new species

Eight species of the genus Macrosiphum Passerini 1860 (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) are recognized from the Korean Peninsula. A new species, Macrosiphum (Macrosiphum) paektusani n. sp. , is described herein for apterous and alate viviparous females on Rosa marretii Lev. (Rosaceae). The taxonomic position of Macrosiphum (Macrosiphum) cornifoliae Shinji 1924, com. rev., is transferred from the genus Sitobion Mordvilko 1914 to its original position. Host plants of the Korean Macrosiphum are reviewed and the identification key to subgenera and species is also presented.
The distribution of genetic variation in Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) populations in the western Alps

Aim In order to look for a possible centre of survival for the Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) in the south‐western Alps, six natural populations of this area were investigated by means of genetic markers in order to assess the degree and the distribution of genetic diversity within the species.