Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Content of Rabbit Meat as Compared to Chicken, Beef and Pork Meat

Meat is a major source of proteins, essential amino-acids, complex-B vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. Recommended by nutritionists over other meats, rabbit meat is valued for its nutritional properties because is lean, rich in proteins of high biological value, low in cholesterol content and high in linolenic acid. In the present study, meat samples, collected from rabbit, chicken, beef and pork, were subjected to chemical analysis for moisture, protein, fat, ash, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and cholesterol, to identify differences in nutrient content among these animal species. Rabbit meat was richer in calcium (21.4 mg/100 g) and phosphorus (347 mg/100 g) than other types of meat and lower in fat (9.2 g/100 g) and cholesterol (56.4 mg/100 g). Beef had the highest cholesterol content (114.5 mg/100 g), almost double than rabbit meat, while pork was rich in fat (28.2 g/100 g). It can be concluded that rabbit meat is healthier over other meats frequently used in human nutrition, high in protein and low in fat.
Cost-Effective Task Offloading in NOMA-Enabled Vehicular Mobile Edge Computing

Nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and mobile edge computing (MEC) are two key emerging technologies for vehicular networks, where NOMA allows multiple vehicular user equipments (VUEs) to share the same wireless resources, and thus to enhance the spectrum utilization and system capacity, and MEC permits VUEs to offload their complex applications to MEC servers, and thus to provide support for computationally intensive intelligent applications. In this article, a NOMA-based vehicle edge computing (VEC) network model is proposed, and the cost minimization problem is constructed. Under the premise of ensuring the delay tolerance of all VUEs, the total system cost is minimized through the joint optimization of offloading decision-making, VUE clustering, subchannel and computation resource allocation, and transmission power control. Since the proposed problem is a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem, which is difficult to solve, we decouple it into two subproblems and propose two heuristic algorithms to solve the task offloading and the MEC resource assignment problem, respectively, and finally, we obtain the closed-form solutions for cloud-related optimization problems through simple analysis. Simulation results show that the proposed joint algorithm is superior to other baseline algorithms in terms of system cost minimization.
Dormant Circulating Tumor Cells In Prostate Cancer: Biological, Clinical And Therapeutic Implications.

Abstract Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are a valuable prognostic factor in several solid tumors. By understanding their biological properties we could better know the biology of the metastatic process. CTCs usually present a dormant state that is believed to be a strategy to survive under extreme conditions. To enter a dormant state, CTCs undergo numerous phenotypic, genetic and functional mutations. Given that these changes have a significant impact on the efficacy of therapies used to eliminate dormant CTCs, analyzing the biological events involved in the dormancy process of CTCs could be key to the development of new therapeutic targets. Some experimental studies or preclinical models have explored these biological events, as well as the molecular factors that contribute to the maintenance and release from dormancy. However, few studies have assessed the effects of therapies on dormant cells. This review describes current knowledge about cellular dormancy mechanisms in prostate cancer, with a special focus on the functional, genetic and phenotypic plasticity of CTCs and its potential implications for the clinical and therapeutic management of prostate cancer.
Expression, Extraction and Purification of Respiratory syncytial Virus Matrix Protein from Transformed E.coli (BL21)

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), a paramyxovirus of the genus Pneumovirus, is the main causative agent of pneumonia in infants. In a recent laboratory study, it was among the four most frequently confirmed causes of pneumonia in adults, together with Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Zambon, et al 2001). Studies suggest that vaccines formed from attenuated viruses, humanized neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and specific antiviral compounds are the most suitable tools for controlling HRSV infection (Teresita, et al., 2013).
On the gradient from near-natural to man-made

Summary The degree of naturalness of ecosystems has often been evaluated with respect to dependence on culture in native and introduced plants and in types of vegetation. The concept of “potentially natural vegetation” is briefly discussed. There are no longer any absolutely natural ecosystems on Earth, but a gradient from near-natural to entirely man-made ecosystems is outlined. The six degrees proposed are (1) near-natural, (2) mildly modified, (3) semi-natural: managed but with native species, (4) semi-cultural: not totally man-made but with species selected by man, (5) cultural: entirely man-made except for weeds and some animals, (6) near- sterile: some urban and industrial sites. Changes in impact are frequent, chiefly toward greater impact but in some cases lesser, through less intense management or abandonment. In the latter case, long-lasting residual effects of the former impact may prevent or slow down development toward truly “potentially natural vegetation”.
Concentrated growth factors (CGF): morphological and biochemical characterization

Concentrated growth factors (CGF) represents the novel generation of solid plate - let concentrate preparations (1-2). These 100% autologous preparations, obtained from a venous blood sample, not only enhance tissue healing but also improve the clinical outcomes of various surgical procedures, reducing complications like pain, inflammation and morbidity (3). Considering the few data on CGF morphology and its biological properties, the aim of this study was to analyse the CGF structure (blood cell localization and fibrin matrix architecture) and the in vitro cumulative release of seven growth factors (PDGF-AB, VEGF, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IGF-I, BDNF and BMP-2). CGF was obtained from volunteer donors using a specific protocol of cen - trifugation. Blood cell localization and fibrin architecture were evaluated after prop - erly staining and immunostaining protocols. The kinetics of the growth factor release were performed by incubation of the CGF in a free growth factors cell medium, at 37°C for 5 hours, 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8 days. After each incubation period, the medium was collected, centrifuged and stored at −80 °C until analysis. The total quantity of growth factors was checked using ELISA kits. After venous blood centrifugation, the CGF obtained consisted in three parts: the upper white part (PPP), the lower red part (RBC) and the middle “buffy coat” part (interface between white and red part). The results showed that platelets and leukocytes were localized in the buffy coat, where - as the erythrocytes were present only in the red part of CGF. Moreover, in the white part, the fibrin network and architecture changed moving far from the buffy coat becoming less compact. The in vitro cumulative release of growth factors revealed that each of them had a specific kinetic. Considering the mean value obtained for each time point from all volunteers, PDGF-AB, TGF-β1 and IGF-1 had a constant kinetic release, reaching the maximum accumulation at day 3 rd and 6 th respectively; VEGF and BMP-2 had a slow kinetic release, reaching the maximum accumulation at day 8 th ; TNF-α and BDNF had a fast kinetic release, reaching the maximum accumu - lation at day 1 st and 3 rd respectively. These findings support the clinical use of CGF and will allow us to better understand and improve the clinical outcomes.
Effect of Temperature on the Growth and Development of Tomato Fruits

Abstract Tomato fruits ripened 95, 65, 46 and 42 d after flower opening when plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions at 14, 18, 22 and 26 °C, respectively. A similar response to temperature was observed when the temperature of individual trusses was modified while the plants were grown at 20 °C. These data were used to develop a thermal time model for fruit maturation. However, when buds/fruits were heated at different stages in their development, the thermal time model proved to be a poor predictor of the time of ripening. Fruits were more sensitive to elevated temperature in their later stages of maturation. Temperature also affected the rates of fruit growth in volume; these could be adequately described using a Gompertz function. Low temperatures reduced absolute volume growth rates and delayed the time at which the absolute growth rate became maximal. However, the response of fruit growth to temperature differed when only the temperature of the fruits was modified. There was a tendency towards small parthenocarpic fruits at both high (26 °C) and low (14 °C) temperature regimes which, combined with low flower numbers and poor fruit set at 26 °C, resulted in low fruit yields. Temperature also affected the shoot dry matter content and partitioning.
Book Review: The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction

thorough. They do, however, have a rather “dated” feel; indeed, they were begun in 1970, and there are no references to work later than 1978. Thus, there is no attempt to relate the findings to recent theories of sentence comprehension, some of which are directly relevant to the author’s hypotheses concerning lexical ambiguity, focussing and the use of memory in text comprehension. Despite its shortcomings, the book reports some interesting findings. It is carefully produced, though unattractively bound. The dowdy appearance and the obscure title and chapter headings (e.g. “Aggregated Herrings”) may mean that the work goes unnoticed by many who would find it of interest.
Mediating between Social-Economic Structuring and Urban Formation. A Discourse Theory of Transformation and Change of the City’s Social Realm

This paper explores the possibility for a theory of social-economic and urban transformation and change to explain how the relation between these dimensions of the social realm works in cities. In other words, how the dynamics of transformation and change in the former enact processes of transformation and change in the latter and vice versa. The focus of this work is the city. As I will explain, some of the most prominent scholars (Saskia Sassen, Henri Lefebvre, David Harvey) interpret cities as being shaped by impersonal, hence unquestionable, social-economic forces. In this way, a separation is created between the urban realm and the social-economic sphere. They are treated as abstract dimensions that operate on two different levels (the local and the national-global) and, still, are characterised by a relationship of univocal influence according to which the social-economic determines the urban. Once a relationship of this sort is established, the possibility to theoretically envision, hence practically enact, processes of transformation and change is frozen.
Inositol and protein kinase C in the prevention of neural tube defects

A number of mouse genetic mutants develop neural tube defects (NTDs). In some cases, defects can be prevented by administration of folic acid during pregnancy, whereas in other mutants there is no response. This parallels the human situation in which a proportion of NTDs appear resistant to folic acid therapy. Curly tail is the best characterised mouse model of folic acid-resistant NTDs. Previously it was shown that the incidence of spina bifida in curly tail mice can be reduced by administration of inositol during embryonic development. In this thesis, I compared the effectiveness of two isomers, myo- and D-chiro-inositol, with administration either directly to embryos in vitro, or to pregnant females by subcutaneous or oral routes. Although both inositols exerted a preventive effect on spina bifida, by all routes of administration, D-chiro-inositol consistently exhibited greater potency than myo-inositol. The protective effect of inositol has been shown previously to be mediated through the activity of the inositol/lipid cycle and to depend on downstream activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In the studies decscribed in this thesis, I examined the role of PKC in more detail. The expression of PKC isoforms was first examined by irrmiunohistochemistry, Broad spectrum chemical inhibitors were then used in whole embryo culture to confirm that one or more PKC isoforms are indispensable for normalisation of neural tube closure by inositol. Specific peptide inhibitors were then applied, and revealed that PKC beta I, gamma and zeta are most important in the protective pathway. Finally, I demonstrated that inositol stimulates cell proliferation in the hindgut of curly tail embryos, reversing the imbalance of cell proliferation that is known to lead, via enhanced ventral curvature of the caudal region, to delay or failure of neural tube closure.
Blossom-end Rot Incidence of Tomato as Affected by Irrigation Quantity, Calcium Source, and Reduced Potassium

Equinox' tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown during the springs of 2001 and 2002 with black polyethylene-mulch and drip irrigation on an Arredondo fi ne sand in Gainesville, Fla. , to study the infl uence of water quantity, Ca source, and reduced K on incidence of blossom-end rot (BER), marketable fruit yield, and fruit and leaf Ca concentration. Tensiometers were used to schedule irrigation in main plots when the soil matric potential reached 10 or 25 kPa. Subplot nutritional treatments were no added Ca, Ca(NO3)2, Ca thiosulfate, CaCl 2 , CaSO 4 , and K rate reduced by 50%. Interactions between year and treatment were signifi cant. During 2001, total marketable yields were higher with Ca(NO3)2 or CaCl2 compared to plants that received Ca thiosulfate and were higher from plants irrigated at 10 kPa than irrigated at 25 kPa. Number and weight of BER fruit were lower with Ca(NO3)2 and reduced K than with no added Ca and CaSO 4 . Leaf and fruit Ca concentrations were generally higher with Ca(NO 3 ) 2 compared to all other nutritional treat- ments. Leaf and fruit Ca concentrations were generally higher from plants irrigated at 10 kPa than at 25 kPa. The reduction of NH 4 + -N, by the supply of N as NO 3 - , and the addition of supplemental Ca reduced the incidence of BER, and increased the leaf and fruit Ca con- centrations. During 2002, marketable yields were higher with CaSO 4 than with CaCl 2 and reduced K. Weight and number of BER fruit were lower with irrigation at 10 kPa than at 25 kPa. Leaf and fruit Ca concentrations were higher or similar from plants that received Ca(NO 3 ) 2 than with all other nutritional treatments. During the 2002 season, rainfall was less and temperatures and daily evapotranspiration (ET) were higher than in the 2001 season. In the 2002 season, 3.28 ◊ 10 6 L·ha -1 of irrigation was applied as compared to 1.58 ◊ 10 6 L·ha -1 in 2001. With an average Ca concentration of 76 mg·L -1 in the irrigation water, much more Ca was applied during the higher ET 2002 season. With the higher transpira- tion and temperature, water uptake and hence, Ca uptake were increased. During both seasons, the lowest Ca concentration was observed at the blossom end of the fruit and the highest Ca at the stem end of the fruit. Fruit Ca concentrations were lower and BER was 5 times higher in the lower ET, higher rainfall (lower irrigation) 2001 season compared to the higher ET, lower rainfall (higher irrigation) 2002 season. These data support that BER was a symptom of Ca defi ciency and this defi ciency was aggravated by high rainfall, low ET, and the resulting reduced irrigation applied and reduced Ca uptake.
The effect of growth rate, phosphorus concentration, and temperature on N2 fixation, carbon fixation, and nitrogen release in continuous cultures of Trichodesmium IMS101

With the use of continuous culture systems, rates of dinitrogen (N2) and carbon (C) fixation and nitrogen (N)‐ and C‐based doubling times were assessed in Trichodesmium IMS101 growing exponentially at steady state dilution rates of 0.10, 0.20, and 0.33 d−1 (doubling times of 10, 5, and 3 d—within the range reported for natural populations). Rates of C fixation, N2 fixation, and N release were examined in replicate culture systems with several techniques. Biomass‐specific C uptake varied little with population doubling time, but N2 fixation and N release varied markedly among treatments. Total daily gross N2 fixation rates and estimated N release rates were higher in cultures with higher dilution rates. Cultures grown at lower dilution rates had higher daily C:N2 fixation ratios and lower N release rates. Consistent with other studies, it was estimated that Trichodesmium released about 80–90% of their recently fixed N2 during growth. Turnover of cellular C estimated from carbon fixation was a good estimator of population growth rates in steady state cultures, whereas turnover of cellular N estimated from gross or net N2 fixation was not. Small changes in temperature (24°C vs. 28°C) did not appear to affect gross N2 fixation, whereas inorganic phosphorus (1 vs. 5 µmol L−1) supply had a large effect on N2 fixation. These results suggest that continuous culture systems are excellent for elucidating physiological responses of Trichodesmium under ecologically relevant growth conditions and provide a framework for assessing highly variable field estimates of N2 and C fixation.
THE HUMAN SKELETAL MUSCLE IN VIVO - THE USE OF MICRODIALYSIS TO STUDY GLUCOSE METABOLISM AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

The aim of this thesis was to further develop the microdialysis technique for studies of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle in vivo and to use this technique to explore the effect of exercise on muscle glucose metabolism and insulin action. The first two studies were conducted to explore the possibility of using a perfusion flow rate low enough to obtain complete equilibrium between the interstitial and perfusion fluids and if the colloid included in the perfusion fluid for this purpose affected the metabolite concentrations in the dialysate. The following three studies focus on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance by examining the extent to which insulin and/or the insulin-mimetic trace element vanadate added to the perfusion fluid exerted local effects on the glucose metabolism in healthy and in insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle, at rest and following a single bout of exercise. It was found that to obtain complete equilibration between the perfusion fluid and the interstitial fluid in human skeletal muscle, a perfusion flow rate as low as 0.16 μl/min is necessary with the presently used catheters (Study I). At these low perfusion flow rates a colloid needs to be included in the perfusion fluid in order to keep the fluid balance and in this thesis it was shown that the colloid dextran70 does not affect the metabolite concentrations in the collected dialysates (Study II). A high cut-off microdialysis membrane can be used to infuse insulin into human skeletal muscle and to record its effect on metabolite concentrations (Study III). When the insulin-mimetic agent vanadate was infused into human skeletal muscle (Study IV), it was found to decrease the interstitial glucose concentration in a similar way as insulin, but in contrast to insulin, the effect of vanadate was not diminished in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle and was not affected by exercise (Study V). In insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle, the effect of insulin tended to be larger following a single 2-h bout of exercise than in resting muscle (-32 % versus -20%, p<0.09) (Study V). The insulin effect in resting muscle of healthy individuals was –30 % (Study III). In conclusion, the studies in the present thesis support the hypothesis that it will be possible in the future to measure insulin resistance in skeletal muscle with microdialysis and to use the technique to explore the effect on skeletal muscle of different therapeutic options in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. On this line, the present results indicate that a single bout of exercise normalizes the insulin effect on the interstitial glucose concentration in insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle.
The population ecology of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) within a network of remnant linear habitats

The geographic range of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in south-eastern Australia largely corresponds with fertile soils highly suited for agriculture. As a consequence of extensive clearing for agriculture, the conservation of P. norfolcensis in south-eastern Australia is now reliant on a mosaic of many fragmented and isolated patches of woodland and forest. In this study, I investigated the population dynamics of P. norfolcensis in an agricultural landscape where most remnant woodland occurs as linear strips along roadsides, unused road reserves and watercourses. A total of 251 gliders were trapped 1343 times within the linear habitats between December 1996 and November 1998. Gliders were resident within the linear strips at 0.95–1.54 individuals ha–1, a density equal to, or greater than, that recorded elsewhere for the species in continuous forest. All adult females were reproductively active and the mean natality rate was 1.9 young per adult female per year. Overall, the population age-structure appeared to be stable. While currently supporting a stable, high-density population, the long-term viability of these remnants as habitat is not assured because roadside reserves are narrow, easily fragmented and subjected to a host of deleterious processes causing ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
The effect of soaking and drying seeds before planting on the germination and growth of Triticum vulgare under normal and saline conditions

The soaking of wheat seed (Triticum vulgare L.) in water or CaCl2 solutions followed by air-drying before planting accelerated the germination but did not affect the final percentage germination and subsequent growth of the seedlings under normal conditions. However, under conditions of 0.5% NaCl salinity the soaking and drying of the seeds before planting stimulated the germination and growth of the seedlings. In no case were the presowing treatments more effective in improving the germination and root and shoot growth under 0.5% NaCl salinity than under normal condition. Under 0.5% NaCl salinity the seedlings grown from treated seeds had more extensive and deeper root systems than the seedlings grown from untreated seeds. Presowing soaking of the seed failed to improve the germination under increasing salinity of 1.0 and 1.5% NaCl.
Unpacking β: Within-Host Dynamics and the Evolutionary Ecology of Pathogen Transmission

Rather than being fixed, pathogen transmission varies and is thus an object of natural selection. I examine how opportunities for selection on pathogen transmission depend on (a) pathogen fitness, (b) genetic variability, and (c) forces acting at within- and between-host levels. The transmission rate, β, influences processes such as epidemic spread, postepidemic fade-outs, and low-level persistence. Complexity of infection processes within hosts leads to different transmission rates among hosts and between types of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, eukaryotic Protozoa). Generality emerges, however, by “unpacking” β into within- and between-host opportunities for selection. This is illustrated by evolutionary biology of the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes plague in mammals, remains highly virulent and is transmitted by multiple routes, including fleas and direct contacts with infected hosts. The strength of within-host selection is manifested through infectivity, replication, pathogenicity, and dissemi.