Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root - knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) amelioration in tomato under protected conditions through rootstocks

Tomato yield and quality are considerably affected and diminished by root knot nematodes. The chemical measures and manipulations of agronomical practices are ineffective in controlling root knot nematodes and moreover, they have toxic effect and lead to escalation in production cost. Thus, grafting susceptible tomato scions on resistant rootstocks is one of the most appropriate approaches which provides resistance to soil-borne pathogens and improves yields and quality. In the present investigation, sixteen different rootstocks were screened for their resistance to Meloidogyne incognita. Out of total rootstocks, one rootstock of tomato ‘Green Gourd’ with RKI-1, one brinjal ‘ VI-034845’ with RKI-5 and ‘VI-047335’ were found moderately resistant with RKI-16, two chilli rootstocks ‘ PI-201232’ with RKI2 and ‘AVPP0205’ with RKI-3 were found resistant to root knot nematodes. Rootstock Green Gourd and VI-34845 were found resistant for nematode incidence as well as for maximum yield per square metre.
A Scalability Study and New Algorithms for Large-Scale Many-Objective Optimization

Many real-world optimization problems contain multiple (often conflicting) goals to be optimized concurrently, commonly referred to as multi-objective problems (MOPs). Over the past few decades, a plethora of multi-objective algorithms have been proposed, often tested on MOPs possessing two or three objectives. Unfortunately, when tasked with solving MOPs with four or more objectives, referred to as many-objective problems (MaOPs), a large majority of optimizers experience significant performance degradation. The downfall of these optimizers is that simultaneously maintaining a well-spread set of solutions along with appropriate selection pressure to converge becomes difficult as the number of objectives increase. This difficulty is further compounded for large-scale MaOPs, i.e., MaOPs possessing large amounts of decision variables. In this thesis, we explore the challenges of many-objective optimization and propose three new promising algorithms designed to efficiently solve MaOPs. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed optimizers to perform very well, often outperforming state-of-the-art many-objective algorithms. Acknowledgements I would like to extend my gratitude to the following people: • Prof. Beatrice M. Ombuki-Berman for her excellent guidance and supervision throughout the entire duration of this work. • Prof. Andries P. Engelbrecht for his collaboration during the research process. • The Computer Science Department at Brock University for their exceptional level of education provided to me. J.P.M
Effect of Probiotic on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Clinical Health Parameters of Broilers Reared under Heat Stress in Upper Egypt

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of probiotic (PROBAC plus®) supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and clinical health parameters of broilers reared under high temperature (32-35oc) from age of 22 to 42 day. A total of 120 broiler chicks were divided into 4 groups at age of one day. The first group was control (fed with basal diet), second was broilers reared at high temperature (fed with basal diet), third was broilers reared at high temperature (fed basal diet + probiotic) and fourth was probiotic group (control + probiotic). Growth performance was determined weekly. At day 42, 10 birds from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics and to collect blood samples. Serum blood biochemicals and thyroid hormones were estimated. The obtained results showed that heat stress have reduced the performance, carcass traits and showed alterations in clinical biochemical parameters. Addition of probiotic to diets of birds reared with or without stress enhanced growth performance, carcass traits and improved clinical blood parameters. The results suggest that probiotic can be used to counteract the adverse effects of heat stress in addition to its efficacy as growth promoter.
Low Complexity Multimedia Encryption

Selective encryption algorithms have been proposed to encrypt syntax elements such as intra prediction modes, the sign bit of nonzero DCT coefficients, along with the sign bit of motion vectors. These syntax elements are sensitive enough to produce effective scrambling effect with a relative low computational cost. In this paper, a novel scheme is proposed to further optimize the computational overhead incurred by the encryption for energy critical multimedia applications. The proposed scheme adjusts the selection of syntax elements to be encrypted according to the scene transitions within adjacent video frames. The ratio of intra-coded macroblocks in inter (P and B) frames is calculated and compared with an adaptive threshold value to detect the scene transitions. Furthermore, based on statistical analysis for a few video sequences, a dynamic threshold model to detect the scene transition is proposed. When there is a scene transition between the previous video frame and the current video frame, intra prediction modes and the sign bit of DCT coefficients in the current frame are chosen as syntax elements to be encrypted, whereas in the absence of a scene transition, the sign bit of motion vectors is chosen as the only sensitive syntax elements to be encrypted. Experimental results show that compared with previous work in this field, the proposed scheme can efficiently lower the computational cost incurred by the encryption while maintaining a similar perceptual scrambling effect.
Adaptive Cuckoo Search Algorithm for Short-Term Fixed-Head Hydrothermal Scheduling Problem with Reservoir Volume Constraints

This paper present three versions of Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA) including conventional Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA), modified CSA (MCSA) and adaptive CSA (ACSA) for solving the fixed head short-term hydrothermal scheduling (ST-HTS) problem where the reservoir volume constraints and nonconvex fuel cost function of thermal unit as well as the power losses in transmission line are taken into account. Among the applied methods, ACSA is first developed in the study by performing two modifications on second new solution generation via the action of an alien egg to be abandoned. In the ACSA, all initial solutions or all solutions at the end of the previous iteration are evaluated and sorted into two kinds of solution, good solutions with lower fitness function and bad solutions with higher fitness function. The implementation of the first new solution generation first via Levy flights in the ACSA is carried out similarly to that in MCSA. However, at the second new solution generation the ACSA evaluates the current solutions to choose the best one and use the information of the best one with a random solution to generate the second new solutions via the action of an alien egg to be abandoned. In addition, the probability of an alien egg discovery is considered an adaptive variable, which is set to the largest value at the beginning and decreased as the iteration is increased. Due to the adaptive value of the parameter, the ACSA can search an optimal solution but the trial runs are significantly decreased compared to CSA and MCSA. The performance of the ACSA is validated by testing on two systems and comparing with CSA, MCSA and other existing methods available in the paper.
Dll1 and Jag1 are Differentially Required to Specify Proximal and Distal Pancreatic Duct Compartments

Pancreatic β-cells arise from bipotent trunk progenitors (TrPCs) that are specified from multipotent pancreatic progenitors (MPCs) in a Notch-dependent manner. The time window during which Notch signaling is required to specify TrPCs and the identity of the Notch ligands required for this patterning process remain obscure. Here we show that blocking Notch signal transduction before E13 drives progenitors to an acinar fate while blockade after E13 results in amplified and accelerated endocrine differentiation. Mapping of Dll1 and Jag1 expression using IF and novel targeted reporters revealed that uniform Jag1 expression in E10.5 MPCs becomes restricted to distal Ptf1a+ tip progenitors (TiPCs) during PD patterning. Conversely, Dll1 is expressed in scattered MPCs, TrPCs, and TiPCs, and in Neurog3+ endocrine precursors at all stages. Endodermal deletion of Jag1 delays resolution of tip and trunk domains, and at E15.5 distal Sox9+ TrPCs are replaced by Ptf1a+ Mist1+ cells. Remarkably, this occurred with negligible impact on pancreas size and gross morphology of the ductal tree despite the replacement of TrPCs with TiPCs in the duct-lining epithelium. Some Sox9+ progenitors remain proximally in the prospective main duct and loss of β-cells is not complete. However, endodermal deletion of Dll1 and Jag1 ablated the remaining Sox9+ TrPCs and β-cells entirely at E15.5, while normal specification of Sox9+ TrPCs was seen in Dll1 single mutants. Together, our results reveal a shift in competence of Hnf1β+ progenitors around E13 and show that multiple cellular sources provide Notch ligand input to specify different parts of the pancreatic epithelium prior to E13.
Loss of β-arrestin2 in D2 cells alters neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens and behavioral responses to psychostimulants and opioids

Psychostimulants and opioids increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission, activating D1 and D2 G protein-coupled receptors. β-arrestin2 (βarr2) desensitizes and internalizes these receptors and initiates G protein-independent signaling. Previous work revealed that mice with a global or cell-specific knockout of βarr2 have altered responses to certain drugs; however, the effects of βarr2 on the excitability of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and its role in mediating the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse are unknown. D1-Cre and D2-Cre transgenic mice were crossed with floxed βarr2 mice to eliminate βarr2 specifically in cells containing either D1 (D1βarr2-KO) or D2 (D2βarr2-KO) receptors. We used slice electrophysiology to characterize the role of βarr2 in modulating D1 and D2 nucleus accumbens MSN intrinsic excitability in response to DA and tested the locomotor-activating and rewarding effects of cocaine and morphine in these mice. We found that eliminating βarr2 attenuated the ability of DA to inhibit D2-MSNs but had little effect on the DA response of D1-MSNs. While D1βarr2-KO mice had mostly normal drug responses, D2βarr2-KO mice showed dose-dependent reductions in acute locomotor responses to cocaine and morphine, attenuated locomotor sensitization to cocaine, and blunted cocaine reward measured with conditioned place preference. Both D2βarr2-KO and D1βarr2-KO mice displayed an enhanced conditioned place preference for the highest dose of morphine. These results indicate that D2-derived βarr2 functionally contributes to the ability of DA to inhibit D2-MSNs and multiple behavioral responses to psychostimulants and opioids, while loss of βarr2 in D1 neurons has little impact on D1-MSN excitability or drug-induced behaviors.
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea L., Origin from Bulgaria Indicate in Vitro Antitumor Еffect on Human Cervical and Breast Cancer Cells

Cancer is a socially significant disease. Along with efforts to understand the complex genetic/epigenetic factors that trigger a carcinogenesis, it is also necessary to analyze the potential natural active substances that may delay or even stop neoplastic transformation. Promising candidates are Bulgarian cranberries from high mountain plant populations, which are rich in phenolics and anthocyanins and have proven beneficial effects on human body.The present study aims to evaluate in vitro, antitumor activities of total extracts and purified nonanthocyanin and anthocyanins fractions of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. , picked in Bulgaria on human cervical (HeLa) and breast (MCF7) cancer cell lines, as well as to examine some of the apoptotic mechanisms underlying them.Materials and methods: Four methanol extracts and respective number of purified B- nonanthocyanin / C- anthocyanins fractions of Bulgarian lingonberry were used. Antitumor effect was established by Trypan Blue method, monitoring of morphological changes and МТТ cell viability assay. Assessment of apoptotic activity was performed using DNA fragmentation method.Results: The results from МТТ analyses showed that B- nonanthocyanin fractions of Bulgarian lingonberry have well expressed inhibitory effect on survival of tested tumor cells. The observed effect dependent of the dose administered and were stronger in relation with the high-mountain populations and HeLa cell line. The integrity of the extracted DNA from treated survival cells indicates possible apoptosis mechanisms under the action of biologically active ingredients from lingonberries. Conclusion: Survey of antitumor activities of Bulgarian lingonberries based on molecular methods, could contribute to establish the natural substances useful for human health in general and practical oncology.
Effect of artificial seawater and feeding frequency on the larval culture of freshwater Amazonian ornamental fish banded cichlid Heros severus (Heckel, 1840) and angelfish Pterophyllum scalare (Schultze, 1823)

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity and feeding frequency on zootechnical performance of Pterophyllum scalare and Heros severus five-day-old post-larvae. Two experiments were performed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with 5 different NaCl concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/L) and 2 feeding frequencies (2 and 4 times a day). P. scalare showed the highest survival rates (p<0.05) when subjected to salinities of 0, 2 and 4 g/L (97.50–96.25%), and higher values (p<0.05) for standard length (13.22 mm), weight (64.64 mg) and specific growth rate (15.41% per day) when fed 4 times a day. For this species, feeding frequency did not influence survival rates. H. severus, in turn, showed higher survival rates in water without the addition of salt (96.25%) and the highest standard length in salinity of 2 g/L (11.80 mm). H. severus fed 4 times a day and presented the highest values (p<0.05) for most of the growth variables (weight: 57.28 mg, specific growth rate: 18.30% per day). The results of the present study suggest that banded cichlid post-larvae showed higher survival rates in water without salt addition, however, the best growth of this species occurred at the salinity of 2 g/L. In contrast, angelfish post-larvae can be cultivated in salinities of up to 4 g/LNaCl. A feeding frequency of 4 times per day is recommended for both species.
Cryopreservation of grapevine (Vitis spp.) shoot tips from growth chamber-sourced plants and histological observations

Many genebanks rely on cryopreservation as a method to preserve vulnerable field collections of vegetatively propagated crops. Effective cryopreservation procedures have been identified for Vitis; however, they usually use in vitro plantlets as the shoot tip source materials. It is costly to establish Vitis collections in vitro prior to cryopreservation. We sought to determine if growth chamber derived Vitis plants could serve as the source of shoot tips for cryopreservation. Nodal sections from growth chamber derived plants were surface-disinfected and placed in tissue culture on pre-treatment medium for 2 weeks. Uniform apical shoot tips (1 mm) were first obtained from the nodal sections and then precultured for 3 days on medium containing 0.3 M sucrose, salicylic acid, glutathione (reduced form), ascorbic acid and plant preservative mixture. Half-strength PVS2 was applied for 30 min at 22 °C, prior to full-strength PVS2 treatment at 0 °C. Cryopreserved shoot tips had the highest average regrowth of 50 and 55 % without and with cold-acclimation followed with a full-strength PVS2 exposure duration of 40 and 30 min at 0 °C, respectively. This cryopreservation protocol achieved high percentages of regrowth in V. vinifera 'Chardonnay' and 'Riesling' and V. hybrid 'Oppenheim'. Histological observations revealed that shoot tips from growth chamber plants had apical as well as multiple lateral meristems that survived LN immersion. The preservation of multiple meristems in each shoot tip may increase the capacity of shoot tip regeneration in cryopreserved Vitis that originates from ex vitro sources. The high percentage of regrowth after shoot tip cryopreservation using Vitis shoot tips derived from growth chamber source plants suggest that it may be possible to cryopreserve Vitis shoot tips without first introducing each accession into tissue culture.
Herpes Simplex Virus, Alzheimer’s Disease and a Possible Role for Rab GTPases

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common pathogen, infecting 85% of adults in the United States. After reaching the nucleus of the long-lived neuron, HSV may enter latency to persist throughout the life span. Re-activation of latent herpesviruses is associated with progressive cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As an enveloped DNA virus, HSV exploits cellular membrane systems for its life cycle, and thereby comes in contact with the Rab family of GTPases, master regulators of intracellular membrane dynamics. Knock-down and overexpression of specific Rabs reduce HSV production. Disheveled membrane compartments could lead to AD because membrane sorting and trafficking are crucial for synaptic vesicle formation, neuronal survival signaling and Abeta production. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is the parent of Abeta, the major component of senile plaques in AD. Up-regulation of APP expression due to HSV is significant since excess APP interferes with Rab5 endocytic trafficking in neurons. Here, we show that purified PC12-cell endosomes transport both anterograde and retrograde when injected into the squid giant axon at rates similar to isolated HSV. Intracellular HSV co-fractionates with these endosomes, contains APP, Rab5 and TrkA, and displays a second membrane. HSV infected PC12 cells up-regulate APP expression. Whether interference with Rabs has a specific effect on HSV or indirectly affects membrane compartment dynamics co-opted by virus needs further study. Ultimately Rabs, their effectors or their membrane-binding partners may serve as handles to reduce the impact of viral re-activation on cognitive function, or even as more general-purpose anti-microbial therapies.
The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as biomedical models

doi: 10.1093/af/vfz020 © Teame, Zhang, Ran, Zhang, Yang, Ding, Xie, Gao, Ye, Duan, and Zhou This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Feature Article The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as biomedical models
Reproductive cycle and follicle cleaning process of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from a polluted coastal site in Algeria

ABSTRACT This work focused on the reproductive cycle and cleaning process of follicles in Mytilus galloprovincialis and aimed to extend knowledge of the reproductive cycles of Mytilidae. Biometric and histological measurements were taken monthly over 12 months from mussels at a polluted site, the port of Oran in Algeria. Environmental parameters were monitored concomitantly. Mytilus galloprovincialis reproduced throughout the year, with a main spawning period between November and February and a second between March and June. Several follicle cleaning processes were observed throughout the reproductive cycle. They occurred under two circumstances. First, in the absence of reserve tissues, mature gametes were degraded. This happened when spawning was about to end and corresponded to the last stage of reproduction. Second, atresia, gamete degeneration and a cessation of spawning occurred whatever the stage of the gonad development and whatever the environmental parameter values. These disturbances of reproduction may have resulted from pollution in the port of Oran and increased when temperature exceeded critical thresholds for gametogenesis. To conclude, gamete degeneration and spawning cessation because of coastal pollution and global warming could threaten M. galloprovincialis recruitment, and ultimately the shellfish economy, and could distort biomonitoring strategies using mussels.
Perceived Family Impact During Children’s Hospitalization for Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background Improved survival rates of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children are often associated with repeated and prolonged hospitalization, creating an immensely stressful situation for the family. Objective The aims of this study were to assess perceived family impact and coping during the child’s hospitalization for ALL treatment and identify potential predictors of perceived family impact. Interventions/Methods A total of 212 families with children hospitalized participated. The hospitalization impact and coping scales were used to assess perceived family impact and coping, respectively. Results The mean (SD) total score for perceived family impact was 88.11 (22.39); social impact received the highest average score. The mean (SD) total score for family coping was 39.02 (9.84). A significant decrease in family coping was associated with more readmissions. Predictors of perceived family impact were severity of the child’s illness, total days of all admissions, and coping, accounting for 37% of the observed variance. Conclusions Families were moderately affected by children’s hospitalizations; social functioning was most affected. Families’ perceived coping effectiveness decreased as the readmissions increased. The higher risk category a child’s diagnosis is, the longer a child’s hospitalization is, and the less perceived coping effectiveness, the higher family perceived impact. Implications for Practice The findings provide a direction for the development of family-centered supportive intervention programs. Nurses should be aware that the total days of admission and severity of a child’s illness are significant factors associated with perceived family impact and likely justify special attention. Family coping enhancement interventions could alleviate perceived family impact.
Components of phenotypic variance of seed traits and germination characteristics of 20 ponderosa pine half-sib families

A study was conducted to estimate phenotypic variance components of seed traits and seed vigor of 20 ponderosa pine seed lots. A high intraspecific within-group variation in seed germination and seedling growth has been observed in both half-sib and full-sib families of conifers. Some seed traits may influence seed lot quality and seedling survival. Wind-pollinated cones were collected from 20 ponderosa pine maternal trees, 10 cones per tree, in a stand located in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Air-dried seeds were sown under laboratory conditions, by using a completely randomized design to estimate components of phenotypic variance for seed weight (SW), seed coat weight (SCW), seed imbibition (IMB), five germination characteristics, and three Weibull parameters (a, b and c). About 80 % of size classes had a seed weight (SW) e» 41 mg and e» 97 % final germination. The within-plot (within- family) variance component for SW (64.5 %) and IMB (70.4 %) was higher than among-family variation (35.3 and 24.8 %, respectively). The among-family component varied from 35.1 % (Weibull parameter a) to 62.3 % (Peak Value). Results suggest a significant maternal contribution and a high within-family genetic influence on seed quality and germination characteristics. Finally, heavier seeds (SW e» 60 mg), whose time of germination (TOG) occurred at day 3, increased 38.3 % of their seed weight due to water absorption before reaching 50 % germination; on the other hand, seeds whose SW was e» 45 mg and TOG = 7, showed 102.2 % increase in SW before reaching 50 % germination. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v12i3. 189