Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification of recombinant peritrophic membrane proteins of the Old World Screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana

To evaluate the feasibility of vaccinating sheep against the Old World Screwworm fly Chrysomya bezziana several recombinant peritrophin proteins were expressed in either a denatured form in Escherichia coli or a native-like form in Pichia pastoris cultures. Purification of the hexaHis tagged proteins was achieved by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Proteins purified under reducing conditions were refolded using a glutathione shuffle procedure. Purification of a glutathione-Stransferase fusion protein was attempted using glutathione affinity chromatography in conjunction with anion exchange chromatography. The authenticity of the expressed proteins was verified by amino terminal amino acid sequencing. Carbohydrate analysis using biotinylated lectins revealed that Cb-peritrophin-48 expressed in Pichia pastoris was glycosylated with high mannose-type sugars. Four of the purified recombinant proteins were used to evaluate their protective immunogenicity in sheep against Chrysomya bezziana strike. Key words: Screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, recombinant proteins, immobilized metal affinity chromatography
The Power of Likelihood Ratio Test for a Change Point in Binomial Distribution

Statistically, change point is the location or the time point such that observations follow one distribution up to the point and then another afterwards. Change point problems are encountered in our daily life and in disciplines such as economics, finance, medicine, geology among others. In this paper, the power of the likelihood ratio tests for a change point in binomial observations whose mean is dependent on explanatory variables is investigated. Artificial neural network technique is used to estimate the conditional means. These estimates are compared with ones obtained using the generalized link functions. It is shown through simulation that the power of the test increases as the size of sample. The test is found to have less power when the change point is near the edges than when the change point is at the centre. The test is also more likely to detect a change if the magnitude of the change is large. In all the instances, the neural network method is found to perform better than the parametric method.
Tuning the Defects in AgO Nanoparticles/Graphene Bilayers System by Laser Power Density

: The silver oxide nanoparticles (AgONps) used in this study was obtained by laser ablation technique. On the other hand, graphene bilayers were obtained through micro mechanic exfoliation. Both techniques are considered clean, simple and they have economic viability. The analyses have showed a positive charge in nanoparticles and alteration in Raman spectra caused by doping in the bilayer observing the appearing of D band. The alterations in the Raman spectrums are related with the introduced defects in the crystalline chain after the nanoparticles incorporation on bilayers. However, we have been doing a systematic study about the Raman laser output in only graphene bilayer and in graphene bilayer doped with nanoparticles. These measurements have shown a clear difference to both cases. The distance between defects has been showing to be inversely proportional to the ratio I D /I G in the analyzed cases, increasing (up power) or lowering (down power) the incident laser output, with this it was possible to handle the defect distances in the case of AgO nanoparticles/graphene bilayers. Finally, we analyzed the ratio of the integrated area of D and G band, from these parameters are determined the defect density (N D ) and the defects density (L D ). Thus, we clearly find a tuning between the N D and L D as a function of laser power density Raman using to  = 532 nm.
Levels and patterns of population genetic diversity in the red seaweed Chondrus crispus (Florideophyceae): a direct comparison of single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are predicted to supersede microsatellites as the marker of choice for population genetic studies in the near future. To date, however, very few studies have directly compared both marker systems in natural populations, particularly in non-model organisms. In the present study, we compared the utility of SNPs and microsatellites for population genetic analysis of the red seaweed Chondrus crispus (Florideophyceae). Six SNP loci yielded very different patterns of intrapopulation genetic diversity compared to those obtained using seven moderately (mean 5.2 alleles) polymorphic microsatellite loci, although Bayesian clustering analysis gave largely congruent results between the two marker classes. A weak but significant pattern of isolation-by-distance was observed across scales from a few hundred metres to approximately 200 km using the combined SNP and microsatellite data set of 13 loci. Over larger scales, however, there was little correlation between genetic divergence and geographical distance. Our findings suggest that even a moderate number of SNPs is sufficient to determine patterns of genetic diversity across natural populations, and also highlight the fact that patterns of genetic variation in seaweeds arise through a complex interplay of short- and long-term natural processes, as well as anthropogenic influence. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ••, ••‐••.
Barrier prioritization in the tributaries of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary

OVERVIEW: The Hudson-Raritan Estuary (HRE) Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study is a large multi-objective, watershed-scale ecosystem restoration initiative led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District in cooperation with its non-federal sponsors (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, State of New Jersey, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and Westchester County Department of Planning). One study outcome was the development of a Comprehensive Restoration Plan (CRP) that serves as a master plan and blueprint for future restoration in the HRE. The CRP’s goal is to develop a mosaic of habitats that provide the public with renewed and increased benefits from the estuary. In addition, the CRP provides the framework for an estuary-wide ecological restoration program by utilizing restoration targets –Target Ecosystem Characteristics (TECs) – developed by the region’s stakeholders. One TEC focuses on restoring tributary environments and reconnecting rivers to coastal environments that benefit impacted or imperiled migratory fishes (e.g., Alewife, blueback herring, Striped bass, American shad, and American eel). This technical note describes a procedure developed to prioritize removal of major migratory barriers, specifically dams. These methods are demonstrated in one of eight planning regions, the Harlem River, East River, and Western Long Island Sound Planning Region, where they were applied to prioritize potential barriers for removal over a range of costs. The prioritization scheme is based on four primary components: habitat quantity upstream of a dam, habitat quality upstream of a dam, the effects of multiple dams in sequence in the context of diadromous fish (i.e., if a fish cannot pass the most downstream dam, then upstream dam removal provides no benefits), and a rapid, screening-level relative cost estimate. This technique is then applied to examine 49 potential dam removal sites. A combinatorial algorithm was applied to develop plans with more than 489,000 combinations of removal sites (e.g., remove barrier-A, barrier-B, neither, or both). From this analysis, 49 proposed sites were screened and refined to a recommended plan containing 12 sites, which provides 66% of the total potential habitat gain at 19% of the relative cost. The advantages and challenges of barrier prioritization are then discussed more broadly with an emphasis on efficiencies that can arise as a result of spatial prioritization methods.
Immune Response of Hosts and Prospects of Vaccine Development against African Trypanosomes: The Review

African trypanosomiasis, a parasitic infection caused by flagellated extracellular parasites that survive in the tissue fluids and the bloodstream, encompasses a number of diseases affecting both humans and animals. Although hosts acquire infection principally via the bite of infected tsetse flies, other haematophagus insects like Tabanids and Stomoxysspecies also transmit trypanosomiasis mechanically. African trypanosomes are exposed to the host immune system from the time of infection. Antigenic variation is the immune evasion strategy that has evolved in African trypanosomes. Currently, there are no effective vaccines against African trypanosomiasis, neither for humans nor for livestock. Initially, vaccine trials against African trypanosomiasis, started targeting the surface coat of the parasite. In principle, this surface protein would be an idea vaccine candidate, if it were not for the antigenic variation strategy that the parasites have cunningly evolved. While a vaccine against African trypanosomiasis is not an immediate prospect, but there are several promising avenues for immunological exploration, namely, trypanosomes attenuated in in vitro and in vivo culture systems, genetic engineering, cross-reacting subcellular fractions, variant antigen types and metacyclic antigen. It is likely, if any one of these areas is rewarding, that the resulting vaccine will be more successfully exploited, at least initially, in trypanotolerant animals. Since discovery of more efficacious drug is slow and the development of resistance of the existing drug, vaccination is viewed as the most promising sustainable method of controlling African trypanosomiasis. Keywords: Immune Response, Vaccine, Trypanosomes
The Efficiency of the Titling System: Perspectives of Economics

The problem of land with unknown ownership is becoming increasingly evident with Japan’s declining population, low birth rate and aging population. This paper examines the need for the titling system using perspectives from economics and considers what sorts of titling system works for which types of society and looks at ways to deal with the problem of land with unknown ownership. A series of previous researches such as Miceli et al. (Eur J Law Econ 6:305–323, 1998; J Urban Econ 47:370–389, 2000) categorize the titling systems used in many advanced countries as either registration systems or recording systems. In terms of broad categorization Japan’s titling system is categorized as a recording system. However, since the details of registered information are confirmed through various registration procedures, the system also has aspects that resemble a registration system. This can be interpreted as having selected the titling system’s strength that considerably lowers the level of litigation risk. In that case, transaction costs become very high. This could be the cause of the excessively small current level of Japanese real estate transactions. Furthermore, the result of selecting the recording system in Japan, which is a system with a very high strength, could explain why nobody takes insurance to cover the risk of title litigation. In Japan, it is highly likely that the full-fledged population decline, low birth rate and aging population will lower the profitability of land. In that case, a titling system with low strength is likely to be the best for society as indicated in the analysis above.
Mechanical Behavior of Long Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyarylamide at Elevated Temperature

Long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) composites have recently found increasing use in transportation, military and aerospace applications and become well established as high volume and low cost materials with high specific modulus and strength, superior damage tolerance, and excellent fracture toughness. This study is conducted to evaluate the performance of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite at elevated high temperature. Long carbon fiber reinforced polyarylamide (CF/PAA) composites containing 20 wt% and 30 wt% carbon fibers are used and processed using extrusion compression molding. Flexural and tensile samples are tested at three temperatures, room temperature, medium temperature (MD 65°C) and glass transition temperature (TG 80°C). Samples in both longitudinal and transverse directions are prepared to show the effect of the orientation on mechanical properties at different temperatures. The testing results show that as temperature increases, both of the flexural and tensile properties of the CF/PAA decrease as expected. Both of the flexural and tensile modulus reduce more dramatically than the flexural and tensile strength, indicating that the temperature has more pronounced effect on modulus than strength. The transversely oriented samples generally show larger reduction in properties than the longitudinally oriented samples. Temperature significantly affects flexural strength at the elevated temperature section between MD and TG temperature.
The Effects of Geriatric Sexual Orientation on Caregiver Reactions to Resident Sexual Behavior Within Long-Term Care Facilities

The Effects of Geriatric Sexual Orientation on Caregiver Reactions to Resident Sexual Behavior within Long Term Care Facilities Andrew J. Ahrendt Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2014. Within the paucity of literature regarding older adult sexuality, a larger dearth exists concerning biases of long-term care facility staff toward gay and lesbian older adult residents. Prior literature has documented that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) individuals’ perceive that they do not receive the same quality of care as that of heterosexual individuals within long-term care facilities. Thus researchers aimed to evaluate whether these biases truly exist within care facilities that can prevent holistic care from being comprehensively provided to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. 153 residential care facility staff members from two separate facilities read one of three vignettes. Each vignette described a scenario in which a staff member walks in on two residents engaging in sexual activity. Residents' gender was manipulated in the three vignettes (male/female, male/male, female/female). Following this, participants completed two questionnaires assessing their views toward older adult sexuality, as well as their opinions on how well the staff member responded to the situation. Although no main effects were discovered for vignette type, exploratory analysis yielded that the facility where participants were employed was significantly related to their levels of situation approval. Along with this main effect, an interaction effect was discovered between vignette and facility type with caregivers' situational approval level. More specifically, Facility 2's mean values were significantly higher (indicating less staff member approval) for the male/female and female/female vignettes as compared to Facility 1's vignette approval ratings. Researchers did not confirm their hypothesis that male/male relationships would be stigmatized, but postulate that this could be reflective of the preponderance of male residents in facility 2. Furthermore researchers believe that the significant main and interaction effects discovered are indicative of overall pathologizing of older women's sexuality as lower approval rates for women existed across both facilities.
Mobilizacja krwiotwórczych komórek macierzystych — wczoraj i dziś Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization: yesterday and today

Streszczenie Metoda mobilizacji krwiotworczych komorek macierzystych (HSC) do krwi obwodowej umozliwila ich efektywne pobieranie z krwi, zamiast ze szpiku, w celu autologicznego lub allogenicznego przeszczepienia. Zaleznie od aktywności choroby, a takze od potrzeby stosowania leczenia chemioterapeutycznego, obecnie stosuje sie protokoly mobilizacji oparte na podawaniu czynnika stymulującego wzrost kolonii granulocytow (G-CSF) — samego lub w skojarzeniu z chemioterapią. Mobilizacje wedlug tych protokolow są na ogol skuteczne, co udowodniono w ciągu ostatnich 15 lat. Ostatnio pojawila sie kolejna mozliwośc terapeutyczna, wynikająca z zastosowania pleryksaforu — swoistego antagonisty receptora chemokinowego CXCR4. Wyniki licznych badan wykazaly jego wysoką skutecznośc w mobilizacji HSC, szczegolnie jeśli jest stosowany w skojarzeniu z G-CSF, a niekiedy takze z chemioterapią. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono rys historyczny strategii mobilizacji HSC oraz najnowsze obserwacje dotyczące zastosowania pleryksaforu.
Effects of rapeseed meal on broilers: studies of meat flavour, liver haemorrhage and trimethylamine oxidase activity

The inclusion of 10% of a high glucosinolate Brassica napus meal in the diet of three popular broiler strains for 3 weeks or 6 weeks from 1-day-old did not affect the flavour of the meat or exacerbate liver haemorrhage. In one strain the activity of hepatic trimethylamine oxidase fell by 50% but did not reach the levels present in hens laying tainted eggs. The body weight was reduced by about 7-11% and the relative weight of the liver was increased by about 9-14%.
Private Influences in the Public Governance of Education: The Case of Private Testing Firms in American Schools. Final Report.

, . Theie are no formal political means et control or, accountabtlit for private testing firms to local school,districs. The role of school districts as consumers of these firse,was studied. A description cf the method of this study was divided into three . ' . sections. These included site se.lection, conduct of . field re'seArch, and recording And analysis of data. The kinds of test. school dis*icts bought would influence what private testing firms produ,ced: The standards by. Which districts selected and purchased, standardized norm-referenced educational achievement tests were examited,xThe marketplace, rather than formal governance arrangements for meeting lceal'school district testklg)needs, s discussed. Ecrual government agencies at the national level were.li iled in the extent to which"' theycould claim formal responsibility -or dev'eloping,a national test . of' educational achievement. Since. fcrmal authority over education is the responsibility -of the siate,orlocal gdvernmenti its national role would be constrains t the develcpm nt or regulation cf a natipnal test, It was concluded that in t ecase of achievement \# testing, the marketplabe 11)i provide a de ree of public control that formal public decisiat making and pciitils' annot. -0H4 . , . ,
The Effect of Brand Trust as Extrinsic Characteristics on Young Consumers’ Product Preferences: An Experimental Study

Purpose: This study was carried out in order to be able to evaluate the effects of intrinsic (quality, taste, smell, etc.) and extrinsic (brand, packaging, country of origin, etc.) characteristics in product preferences and quality perceptions and to understand the importance of brand trust as an extrinsic characteristic in preferences. Design / Methodology: In the study, the evaluations of the university students about the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of the cocoa hazelnut cream brands were investigated. In the experimental study with the participation of 50 students, the effects of the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics on product preferences and quality perceptions were evaluated with the help of the blind and visibility tests applied to participants. Findings: As a result of the research, it was seen that participants changed their evaluations positively after seeing the brand, which they trust, regarding to the intrinsic characteristics evaluations that they have made without seeing the brand and the package and they diversified their perceptions positively regarding to the intrinsic characteristics for the brands that they trust and like the packaging. Research Limitations / Implications: The fact that the number of samples taken for the research in the experimental studies is not too high is a constraint on the evaluation of the results. For this reason, the basic suggestion for future studies is to conduct the research with a wider number of the samples. Originality / Value: This experimental study is important as it reveals the result that the perceptual factors remain at the forefront for the customers about food products.
Title Financial institutions and the wealth of nations : tales ofdevelopment ( discussion paper )

Interactions between economic development and financial development are studied by looking at the roles of financial institutions in selecting R&D projects (including for both imitation and innovation). Financial development is regarded as the evolution of the financing regimes. The effectiveness of R&D selection mechanisms depends on the institutions and the development stages of an economy. At higher development stages a financing regime with ex post selection capacity is more effective for innovation. However, this regime requires more decentralized decision-making, which in turn depend on contract enforcement. A financing regime with more centralized decision-making is less affected by contract enforcement but has no ex post selection capacity. Depending on the legal institutions, economies in equilibrium chose regimes that lead to different steady-state development levels. The financing regime of an economy also affects development dynamics through a ‘convergence effect’ and a ‘growth inertia effect. ’ A backward economy with a financing regime with centralized decision-making may catch up rapidly when the convergence effect and the growth inertia effect are in the same direction. However, this regime leads to large development cycles at later development stages. Empirical implications are discussed.
Different measures of risk perceptions yield different patterns of interaction for combinations of hazards: smoking, family history and cardiac events

Some combinations of hazards yield disease rates greater than would be expected from the risk attributable to each hazard in isolation. However, perceptions are often more consistent with the combined risk being seen as less than the sum of the individual factors, raising concerns over the validity of some measures of risk perception. Here, 249 adults estimated the risk of cardiac events for four hypothetical men, described as having high or low levels of smoking and family history of heart disease. Three distinct measures were used. A 9-point scale produced a strong sub-additive interaction, a 101-point scale produced a weaker sub-additive interaction, and an unbounded scale produced no interaction. In this study, as in all previous research, scales with relatively few points (here a 9-point scale) yield sub-additive interactions. Given the consistency of results yielded by such scales, irrespective of context, it is concluded that these scales are not valid for perceptions of multiple risk factors. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formulation of Screen Printable Cobalt Nanoparticle Ink for High Frequency Applications

In this work, magnetic metallic cobalt nanoparticles with an average particle size of 28nm were processed as a dry powder with surface coating material and other organic additives to form a screen-printable ink to be cured at 110 - C. EFTEM and TGA-DSC- MS-analyses were used to measure the thickness of the polymer, its coverage on cobalt nanoparticles and the inorganic solid content of the ink. The resolution of the printed patterns and the print quality were evaluated by surface profller, FESEM and optical microscopy. The relative permeability of the thick fllm patterns with good printability was measured with a shorted microstrip structure over the frequency range of 0.2 to 4GHz and complex permeability values were calculated from measured scattering parameter data. The ink attained real part of complex permeability values of up to 5.13 at 200MHz with 70wt. % of magnetic flller. The developed ink can be utilized in various printed electronics applications such as antenna substrates and magnetic sensors.