Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The plasminogen activation cascade system as a potential target for human anti-cancer therapy

Strong experimental and clinical evidence indicates that the urokinase type plasminogen activation system is associated with many types of human cancer invasion and metastasis. A component of this system, which is over-expressed on cancer cell surfaces, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a potential marker that may be targeted for anticancer therapy. The naturally occurring inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2), binds specifically to activated cell surface bound uPA. Thus, the overall aim of this project was to assess the viability of using human recombinant PAI-2 as a potential targeting device in future anti-cancer therapy projects. The dual colour flow cytometric analyses of breast and prostate cancer cell lines confirmed that metastatic HS-578-T, MDA-MB-231 and PCS cell lines expressed much higher levels of cell surface bound uPA than that of the non-metastatic MCF-7 cell line. Assessment of cell surface endogenous PAI-2 expression showed a small difference between metastatic HS-578-T, MDA-MB-231 (higher) and non-metastatic MCF-7 cells (lower). Assessment of exogenous FITC conjugated PAI-2 on HS-578-T and MDA-MB-231 cells showed specific binding to cell surface bound uPA. Assessment of cell surface uPA and GFP expression on MDA-MB-231+GFP cells by flow cytometry showed that this transfected cell line maintained high uPA expression levels in addition to high GFP expression without further Geneticin selection. Examination by confocal microscopy visually confirmed that exogenous PAI-2 was internalized into MDA-MB-231-f-GFP cells presumably via uPA binding and endocytosis. This cell line will be used on murine breast cancer models as an easily detectable tissue in histological examinations in the future studies. An early stage breast cancer animal model was successfully obtained by subcutaneous inoculation of MDA-MB-231 cells into mammary fat pads of nude mice. In conclusion, the results of this project indicated the potential value of using human recombinant PAI-2 and the MDA-MB-231 cell lines for future targeted anti-cancer therapy projects. CONTENTS DECLARATION I ACKNOWLEDGMENT II ABSTRACT Ill CONTENTS V TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS VIII LIST OF FIGURES IX LIST OF TABLES XI
Allelopathic effect of leaf leachates of solid bamboo Dendrocalamus stocksii (Munro.) on growth and yield of Eleusine coracana L. (Gaertn.)

An experiment was carried out to assess allelopathic effect of leaf leachates of solid bamboo [Dendrocalamus stocksii (Munro.)] on growth and yield of finger millet [Eleusine coracana L. (Gaertn.)]. Bamboo leaf leachate was prepared by soaking dry leaves in tap water for 24 hours in a ratio of 1: 10 (w/v). Using this as stock solution, various concentrations (25, 50 and 75%) were prepared. The results revealed concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of bamboo leaf leachates on the germination, radicle and plumule length of finger millet. The leachate of mild concentration (25%) had an exceptionally stimulatory effect on radicle length in laboratory conditions. In pot culture experiment, concentration-dependent stimulatory effect of all the leaf leachates was observed on the number of tillers per plant and straw yield ha-1. Higher concentrations (75 and 100%) stimulated the seed yield per plant and grain yield ha-1 as compared to the control treatment. It is concluded that the harmful effect of leaf leachates of D. stocksii is more prominent in early growth stage (germination, emergence of radicle and plumule) and it is recommended to avoid the effect of these allelochemicals in early growth stage.
An introduction to inflation and cosmological perturbation theory

This article provides an introductory review of inflation and cosmological perturbation theory. I begin by motivating the need for an epoch of inflation during the early stages of the radiation dominated era, and describe how inflation is typically achieved using scalar fields. Then, after an overview of linear cosmological perturbation theory, I derive the equations governing the perturbations, and outline the generation of the scalar and the tensor perturbations during inflation. I illustrate that slow roll inflation naturally leads to an almost scale invariant spectrum of perturbations, a prediction that seems to be in remarkable agreement with the measurements of the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background. I describe the constraints from the recent observations on some of the more popular models of inflation. I conclude with a brief discussion on the status and certain prospects of the inflationary paradigm.
Low-Temperature Tolerance of Juvenile Spotted Seatrout in South Carolina

AbstractSpotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus are vulnerable to mortality in winter when water temperature decreases rapidly. Temporary fishery closures in response to population declines should be based on a thorough understanding of the magnitude of winter mortality. We used three methods to estimate the low-temperature tolerance of Spotted Seatrout: the chronic lethal method (CLM) and the acclimated chronic exposure (ACE) method using both static and fluctuating temperatures. All three methods use an environmentally realistic temperature change of 1°C/d. Fish acclimated to 14°C (n = 24) for 10 d and subsequently exposed to constantly declining temperatures using the CLM experienced loss of equilibrium at a temperature of 3.57 ± 0.24°C (mean ± SD) and mortality at a temperature of 3.08 ± 0.31°C. The ACE method, which uses changing temperatures until a base temperature is reached, was used to evaluate how Spotted Seatrout are affected by prolonged, sublethal temperatures. The ACE method was performed with.
KMP-11: proteína 11 de Membrana de Kinetoplástidos

The kinetoplastid membrane protein KMP-11 is a 11kDa glycoprotein, is present on the surface of all stages of parasites life cycle, but is expressed at higher levels in vector insect stages. The characteristics presented by this protein, such as its remarkably high degree of sequence homology among kinetoplastids, its association to the membrane, as well as to the cytoskeleton and the flagellum, and its immunological reactivity make this protein a potential target for developing chemotherapy or immunotherapy strategies against the diseases caused by these parasites. In this context, here we present the results of the KMP-11 genes study from Trypanosoma rangeli.
The Origins of Plant Cultivation and Domestication in the New World Tropics

The New World tropical forest is now considered to be an early and independent cradle of agriculture. As in other areas of the world, our understanding of this issue has been significantly advanced by a steady stream of archaeobotanical, paleoecological, and molecular/genetic data. Also importantly, a renewed focus on formulating testable theories and explanations for the transition from foraging to food production has led to applications from subdisciplines of ecology, economy, and evolution not previously applied to agricultural origins. Most recently, the integration of formerly separated disciplines, such as developmental and evolutionary biology, is causing reconsiderations of how novel phenotypes, including domesticated species, originate and the influence of artificial selection on the domestication process. It is becoming clear that the more interesting question may be the origins of plant cultivation rather than the origins of agriculture. This paper reviews this body of evidence and assesses current views about how and why domestication and plant food production arose.
Invasion by the non-native earthworm Amynthas agrestis (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae)

Over the past several decades, invasive species have become one of the largest issues in the field of ecology. Invasive earthworms have received much attention, especially in northern North America, where native earthworms were extirpated by Pleistocene glaciations and the more recent earthworm invasions have altered Northern Forests significantly. These invasions were primarily by European species and invasions elsewhere in the continent by other earthworm taxa have received less attention. We studied the impacts of invasion by Asian earthworms in the genus Amynthas in a field study and two laboratory studies. Amynthas agrestis invasion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was found to be a dynamic process on monthly time scale. This invasion altered soils by decreasing the depth of partially decomposed organic horizons and increasing soil aggregation. A significant decrease in millipede abundance and species richness was also associated with the invasion, which suggested competitive interactions between the epigeic earthworm and epigeic millipedes. To further examine this interaction, two microcosm studies were performed. The first study used C enriched Red Oak and Eastern Hemlock litter to assess millipede (Pseudopolydesmus erasus) and earthworm (Amynthas corticis) food preference. Negative effects of earthworms on millipede C assimilation were observed as was a mitigation of earthworms’ impacts on soil aggregation by millipedes. A. corticis caused significant soil aggregation throughout microcosms and increased respiration rates relative to millipede and control treatments. The second microcosm experiment examined millipedes’ (Sigmoria ainsliei) and earthworms’ (Amynthas agrestis) reliance on fresh versus partially decomposed litter as a food resource and whether there was direct competition for these resources. These taxa were found to compete for partially decomposed material and millipedes relied on this resource for survival. The results of these studies suggest that Asian earthworm invasion in the southern Appalachian Mountains poses a threat to the millipede species endemic to this region. To assist land managers in conservation of this vital resource, a preliminary checklist of millipedes of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been compiled. This assembles the knowledge of millipede diversity and species distributions within the Park for the first time.
Deteksi Molekuler dan Keragaman Virus Newcastle Disease pada Ayam Kampung di Wilayah Aceh

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeteksi keberadaan virus Newcastle disease (VND) dan mengkaji keragaman dari virus terisolasi. Sampel penelitian berupa usapan kloaka dan orofaring dari 177 ekor ayam kampung yang diambil dari unggas pekarangan dan pasar unggas di 12 kecamatan dalam wilayah Kabupaten Aceh Besar dan Kota Banda Aceh. Penapisan virus dilakukan pada sampel pool dengan real-time reverse transcriptation-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) dengan target gen matriks. Inokulasi 309 sampel representasi 157 ayam asal pool positif matriks pada telur ayam berembrio spesifik pathogen free (SPF) menghasilkan 69 isolat yang berasal dari 51 ekor ayam. Sebagian besar (45,09%) ayam mengeluarkan virus melalui orofaring, 25,39% melalui kloaka dan orofaring, serta 19,61% melalui kloaka. Karakterisasi keragaman isolat dilakukan dengan uji hemagglutination inhibition (HI) menggunakan serum Komarov dan Hitchner B1, rRT-PCR gen fusi dan uji elusi. Adanya keragaman epitop permukaan virus ditunjukkan dengan titer HI yang bervariasi antar isolat, perbedaan mencapai 4 log dengan serum Komarov, dan 3 log dengan B1. Sebagian besar isolat mempunyai afinitas yang lebih tinggi terhadap serum Komarov yang mengindikasikan kecenderungan kepada galur virulen. Penentuan patogenisitas menggunakan rRT-PCR menunjukkan 73,95% isolat termasuk ke dalam galur virulen (mesogenik/velogenik), sementara dari uji elusi menunjukkan 72,46% isolat termasuk galur velogenik, 20,29% mesogenik dan 7,25% dari galur lentogenik.
Timing of moult and breeding in the Cape White-eye, Zosterops pallidus, from three different geographical regions in South Africa

Abstract Cape White-eyes are widespread in South Africa, occurring in different climatic regions. We analysed primary moult data for large samples of this species from three geographical regions. There were no apparent long-term changes in duration or timing of moult during the nine years that the Western Cape results were collected, but sites within this region had different mean starting dates for primary moult. The Eastern Cape and Free State birds began moult about a month later than those in the Western Cape. This correlated well with the earlier breeding season in the Western Cape, and there was no evidence of overlap between moult and breeding. Mean primary moult duration was not significantly different among the sites or regions, and may be a species-specific trait. There was no evidence of regular long-distance movements in this species.
Do linear landscape elements in farmland act as biological corridors for pollen dispersal?

1. Habitat fragmentation in agricultural landscapes has reduced the population sizes of many plant species while increasing their spatial isolation. Restoration or maintenance of the connectivity by gene flow between the fragmented patches may be determinant to sustaining viable populations, especially for insect‐pollinated species. Functional biological corridors facilitating pollen flow between remnants in a human‐dominated matrix might achieve this.
RELAÇÃO ENTRE O NÚMERO DE ESPÉCIES E O NÚMERO DE TÁXONES DE ALTO NÍVEL PARA A FAUNA DE ARTRÓPODES DOS AÇORES

Use of Higher Taxa Richness as surrogate of Species Richness for the Azorean Arthropods Summary In this contribution we examine the predictive power of numbers of higher taxa (orders, families and genera) as surrogates of species richness (“RESTAN” models – models based on linear relationship between species and higher taxa numbers) for the Azorean arthropod fauna. Recently, two large entomological and ecological studies were performed in the Azores, using standardized sampling protocols to estimate the diversity of arthropods in grassland and native forests. We use datasets available from those studies to address a few technical questions: A. what is the impact of using several measures of diversity (alpha, gamma and beta species diversity; Shannon-Wiener index of diversity; Evenness) based on numbers of families and genera for canopy arthropods? For instance, could be predicted that values of beta-diversity decrease with the use of higher-taxa estimates. All the measures of diversity could be used, being the genera the best predictor; B. how well behave the RESTAN models for functional groups of species like grass-feeding and web-building spiders in grasslands? The predictive power of higher-taxa is low using web-building spiders, due to few families being envolved and some genera having many species locally represented; C. assuming at least one sample with no species then there will be also no highertaxa in that sample. Consequently, the curve of the relationship between highertaxa richness and species richness should be anchored to the origin (y= bx). What is the predictive value of this model in comparison with the linear (y =a +
Estabilidade oxidativa e microbiológica em carne de galinha mecanicamente separada e adicionada de antioxidantes durante período de armazenamento a -18 °C Oxidative and microbiological stability of mechanically separated hen meat pre blended with antioxidants during frozen storage

With the objective of following the microbiological e physical-chemical stability of mechanically separated meat (MSM) of different origins and stored during 99 days at –18 °C, a previous mixture of preservative (sodium nitrite) and antioxidant (sodium erythorbate) in MSM obtained from two poultry breeds: broiler breeders and white layers, was made. In the MSM of each breed, three different treatments were carried out: 1) control (without additives), 2) addition of 150 ppm nitrite and 3) addition of 150 ppm nitrite and 500 ppm erythorbate. The results obtained demonstrated that nitrite added separately did not hinder lipid oxidation, evaluated through the TBARS index, or the color changes, evaluated with a colorimeter. On the other hand, the addition of nitrite together with erythorbate was effective in reducing the problems of lipid oxidation during prolonged frozen storage. The evaluation of the microbiological stability of the MSM, carried out in the first and last day for mesophilic microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas spp. , and every 15 days for psycrotrophic microorganisms, did not indicate a significant variation in the counts, as a function of the treatment applied. Salmonella spp. was not detected in the samples analyzed. Considering the improvement in the oxidative stability, the addition of nitrite (150 ppm) and erythorbate (500 ppm) in MSM broiler breeders to be frozen stored for a long time can be recommended.
A simple model for ferret population dynamics and control in semi-arid New Zealand habitats

Introduced ferrets (Mustela furo) in New Zealand are subject to population control to reduce their threat to native fauna and the incidence of bovine tuberculosis (Tb) in livestock. To help in evaluating control options and to contribute to a multi-species model for Tb dynamics, a simple Ricker model was developed for ferret population dynamics in a semi-arid environment. The model was based on two data sets and suggested an intrinsic rate of increase for ferrets of 1.0–1.3 year–1 and a carrying capacity of 0.5–2.9 km–2. There was evidence for direct density-dependence in both data sets and the effect appeared to act mainly on recruitment. Dependence of the rate of increase of predators on the density of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was exhibited in one of the two data sets, together with a numerical response relating current density of predators asymptotically to current density of rabbits, their primary prey. Predators in this data set included both cats and ferrets, estimated from spotlight counts, but the other data set demonstrated a direct proportionality between predator (cat and ferret) spotlight counts and minimum ferrets known to be alive by trapping. The model suggested, firstly, that populations are hard to suppress by continuous culling, with at least a 50% removal per year necessary to effect a suppression of 50% in long-term average density. Secondly, if control is episodic rather than continuous, culling in autumn gives a greater degree of suppression over time (280%, accumulated over time) than culling in spring (180%). A differential equation version of the model provides a component for a general Anderson/May bovine Tb/wildlife (possum/deer/ferret) model.
A new genus for South American snakes related to Rhadinaea obtusa Cope (Colubridae) and resurrection of Taeniophallus Cope for the 'Rhadinaea' brevirostris group

Introduction . Taeniophallus Cope, 1895 . Discussion . Psomophis, new genus . Description . Osteology . Hemipenes . Discussion . Unusual Hemipenes . A Premaxillary Modification . Synopses of Species . Key to Species . Psomophis genimaculatus (Boettger) . Psomophis joberti (Sauvage) . Psomophis obtusus (Cope) . 2
Effect of incorporation of heat-tolerant genes into Lohmann brown layers on egg production and quality under hot and humid environments.

A breed development strategy aimed at incorporating naked-neck and frizzle genes into Lohmann Brown layers to make them more productive even under warm and humid environment is underway at Akate Farms in Kumasi, Ghana. The present experiment was carried out to find out the effect of the genes on egg production in hot and humid environments. Three genetic groups comprising naked-neck, frizzle, their normally feathered sibs were obtained after 4 successive generations of crossing. In this present experiment, a total of 360, 16-week old pullets, 90 each of the 3 groups in addition to pure Lohmann Brown layer lines (used as the genetic control group) were selected randomly and assigned to a completely randomized design experiment with 3 replicates, with 30 birds in each replicate group and kept up to 72 weeks. The birds were kept in a partitioned open-sided deep-litter house constructed with sandcrete blocks with 30 pullets in each compartment. They were fed ad lib with layer diets containing 18% crude protein and 2800 Kcal ME/kg. Results obtained showed that the Lohmann brown layers (used as the control group) were significantly superior in terms of rate of lay, egg mass, egg weight and feed efficiency, but were however significantly inferior in egg quality as compared to their counterparts with the naked-neck and frizzle traits. Within the genetic groups with the heat-tolerant traits, the naked-neck layers out-performed their frizzle and normally feathered sibs in terms of the egg production parameters measured even though they all segregated from similar parents.
Big Robots for Little Kids: Investigating the Role of Scale in Early Childhood Robotics Kits

Couch fort and refrigerator box constructions are staples of early childhood play in American culture. Can this this large-scale fantasy type of play be leveraged to facilitate computational thinking? This thesis looks at the ways Kindergarteners (age 5-6) use two variations of the KIBO robotics platform in their play and learning. The first is the standard KIBO kit developed at the DevTech research group at Tufts University and commercialized by Kinderlab robotics. The second, created by the author, is 100 times bigger and can be ridden by children and adults. Specifically this study addresses the research question “How are children’s experiences with big-KIBO different from KIBO? ” To do so this thesis presents two analytical tools that were assembled conceptually from literature and the authors experiences with KIBO, examined using the data collected in this study, refined, and used as frameworks for understanding the data. They are a developmental model of programming with KIBO and an operationalization of Bers’s (2018) powerful ideas of computational thinking when using KIBO. Vignettes from the data are presented and analyzed using these frameworks. Content and structural play themes are extracted from additional vignettes with each robot. In this study there are no clear differences in the ways children engage in computational thinking or develop their ability to program. There appear to be differences in the ways children play with the robots. Suggesting that a larger robot offers new opportunities and pathways for children to engage in computational thinking tasks. This study makes a case for the importance of thinking developmentally about computational thinking. Connections to literature and theory as well as suggestions for future work, both for children and designers, are discussed. Running Head: BIG ROBOTS FOR LITTLE KIDS 3