Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plants Secondary Metabolites: The Key Drivers of the Pharmacological Actions of Medicinal Plants

The vast and versatile pharmacological effects of medicinal plants are basically depen - dent on their phytochemical constituents. Generally, the phytochemical constituents of plants fall into two categories based on their role in basic metabolic processes, namely primary and secondary metabolites. Primary plant metabolites are involved in basic life functions; therefore, they are more or less similar in all living cells. On the other hand, secondary plant metabolites are products of subsidiary pathways as the shikimic acid pathway. In the course of studying, the medicinal effect of herbals is oriented towards the secondary plant metabolites. Secondary plant metabolites played an important role in alleviating several aliments in the traditional medicine and folk uses. In modern medicine, they provided lead compounds for the production of medications for treating various diseases from migraine up to cancer. Secondary plant metabolites are classified according to their chemical structures into various classes. In this chapter, we will be presenting various classes of secondary plant metabolites, their distribution in different plant families and their important medicinal uses.
Nanodosimetric particle track simulations in water and DNA media

This work provides the first set of electron-impact interaction cross section data of DNA constituents based on experiments. These data permit to investigate the accuracy by which water cross sections can be used to represent DNA media in track structure simulations of electrons with energies between 7 eV and 1 keV. Liquid water or water vapour is conventionally used in track structure simulation codes to estimate radiobiological effects, however, the interaction cross sections of liquid water have not been experimentally verified. Initially, electron track structure simulations in liquid water with the codes PTra and Geant4 were benchmarked with respective experimental literature data. For this purpose, PTra was augmented with reviewed water cross section data for electrons and protons. The evaluated cross section data for electron impact on the DNA constituents tetrahydrofuran, trimethylphosphate, pyrimidine and purine were implemented in PTra for simulations of monoenergetic electrons in DNA media. The DNA media consisted of a composition of DNA constituents with different water content. Due to substantial differences in the cross section data of water and DNA constituents, a significant enhancement of calculated clustered ionisation and excitation events in DNA media relative to water was observed for electrons with energies below 150 eV. In consequence, the probability to produce biologically relevant ionisation clusters in the vicinity of a 1 MeV proton track is higher for DNA media compared to water. As a first step towards modelling the transport of ions in DNA medium, simulations of protons (0.1–10 MeV) and alpha particles (0.1–20 MeV) in nitrogen and propane were benchmarked by comparing simulated and measured nanodosimetric quantities.
Multi‐state open robust design applied to opportunistic data reveals dynamics of wide‐ranging taxa: the sperm whale case

Capture–mark–recapture methods have been extensively used to estimate abundance, demography, and life history parameters of populations of several taxa. However, the high mobility of many species means that dedicated surveys are logistically complicated and expensive. Use of opportunistic data may be an alternative, if modeling takes into account the inevitable heterogeneity in capture probability from imperfect detection and incomplete sampling, which can produce significant bias in parameter estimates. Here, we compare covariate-based open Jolly-Seber models (POPAN) and multi-state open robust design (MSORD) models to estimate demographic parameters of the sperm whale population summering in the Azores, from photo-identification data collected opportunistically by whale-watching operators and researchers. The structure of the MSORD also allows for extra information to be obtained, estimating temporary emigration and improving precision of estimated parameters. Estimates of survival from both POPAN and MSORD were high, constant, and very similar. The POPAN model, which partially accounted for heterogeneity in capture probabilities, estimated an unbiased super-population of ~1470 whales, with annual abundance showing a positive trend from 351 individuals (95% CI: 234–526) in 2010 to 718 (95% CI: 477–1082) in 2015. In contrast, estimates of abundance from MSORD models that explicitly incorporated imperfect detection due to temporary emigration were less biased, more precise, and showed no trend over years, from 275 individuals (95% CI: 188–404) in 2014 to 367 (95% CI: 248–542) in 2012. The MSORD estimated short residence time and an even-flow temporary emigration, meaning that the probability of whales emigrating from and immigrating to the area was equal. Our results illustrate how failure to account for transience and temporary emigration can lead to biased estimates and trends in abundance, compromising our ability to detect true population changes. MSORD models should improve inferences of population dynamics, especially when capture probability is low and highly variable, due to wide-ranging behavior of individuals or to non-standardized sampling. Therefore, these models should provide less biased estimates and more accurate assessments of uncertainty that can inform management and conserva-
Temporal Small RNA Expression Profiling under Drought Reveals a Potential Regulatory Role of Small Nucleolar RNAs in the Drought Responses of Maize

Thousands of drought‐responsive small RNAs (sRNAs) were identified. More microRNAs and sRNAs from small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are downregulated under drought. Most 24‐nt sRNAs are from low‐repetitive intergenic regions closer to genes. The abundance of sRNAs from ribosome RNA increases under drought. Ribosome RNA might be destabilized by drought through reduced snoRNA activity.
Effects of Elevated Driver-Tube Temperature on the Extent of Quiet Flow in the Purdue Ludwieg Tube.

Abstract : Heated driver-tube air will be needed when the existing Mach-4 test section of the Purdue Quiet-flow Ludwieg tube is replaced with a Mach-6 test section. Thus, a system was developed to heat the air in the driver tube. The air was successfully heated without dramatic adverse effects on the quiet-flow performance. Measurements of the mean and fluctuating pressure were made with a Kulite pressure transducer about 10 cm downstream of the onset of uniform flow. Temperature measurements were made with thermocouples and a cold wire. In agreement with previous results, the cold-driver quiet Reynolds number was about 400,000. The quiet-length Reynolds number decreased with increasing driver-tube temperature, dropping to 380,000 at 90C and 340,000 at 140C. Thus, a nozzle wall that is colder than the gas moves transition forward on the nozzle wall. This trend agrees with Harvey's 1975 observation that a heated nozzle wall delays transition. Problems with nozzle cleanliness were encountered during the heating; there were also problems with maintaining a uniform driver-tube temperature due to heat transfer to the nozzle and to the unheated upstream section of the driver tube.
Impact of oil prices on remittances to Pakistan from GCC countries: evidence from panel asymmetric analysis

International migration and remittances from oil-exporting Gulf countries are important sources of employment, income and foreign exchange for Pakistan This study investigates the asymmetric impact of oil prices on remittances to Pakistan from GCC countries, over the period 1980 to 2018, by employing the recently advanced non-linear panel pooled mean group (PMG) model The findings show that oil prices and remittance are asymmetrically associated The increasing oil prices have a significant positive effect only in the long run, whereas reducing oil prices reveal a significant negative effect only in the short run Findings of other explanatory variables show that the economic condition in host countries, exchange rate, and trade relations have positive effects only in the long run, whereas the economic condition in the home country has significant negative effects in the long run and positive effect in the short run This study urges oil exporters to stabilise oil supply and prices, and Pakistan to enhance trade relations, exchange rate adjustments and financial development
Evidence for Two Components of Delayed Rectifier K+ Current in Human Ventricular Myocytes

Abstract Previous voltage-clamp studies have suggested that the delayed rectifier current (IK) is small or absent in the human ventricle and, when present, consists only of the rapid component (IKr); however, molecular studies suggest the presence of functionally important IK in the human heart, specific IKr blockers are known to delay ventricular repolarization and cause the long QT syndrome in humans, and we have shown that the expression of IK is strongly influenced by cell isolation techniques. The present experiments were designed to assess the expression of IK in myocytes obtained by arterial perfusion of right ventricular tissue from explanted human hearts. Of 35 cells from three hearts, 33 (94%) showed time-dependent currents typical of IK. The envelope-of-tails test was not satisfied under control conditions but became satisfied in the presence of the benzenesulfonamide E-4031 (5 μmol/L). E-4031 suppressed a portion of IK in 32 of 33 cells, with properties of the drug-sensitive and -resistant com.
Development and validation of a quantitative PCR assay method of assessing relative resistance of oat (Avena sativa) to crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae)

Evaluation of oat crown rust resistance is usually based on visual assessment of disease severity or infection types. Visual assessment is subjective, prone to rater bias and requires expert knowledge. PCR-based quantitative assays can overcome challenges associated with visual assessment. New TaqMan primers and probes were designed from Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca) sequences. The primer–probe sets were specific to Pca, amplified using as little as 0.5 pg fungal DNA (fDNA) and allowed for scaling to variation in sample total DNA quantity. The quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was validated using oat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the Provena 9 94197A1-9-2-2-2-5 cross evaluated under a controlled environment. For comparison with fDNA load, inoculation with the Pca race LCBB provided segregation data on the hypersensitive response, while Pca race LSLG provided data on segregation for reduced pustule number. fDNA content was positively correlated with both pustule number and infection type (IT). Composite interval mapping identified two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on oat linkage groups Mrg12 and Mrg20 using visual and qPCR assessments (pustule number, IT and fDNA). In this study a qPCR assay method that can be used to assess the relative resistance of oat to crown rust was refined and validated, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closely linked with two QTLs derived from the crown rust resistant line 94197A1-9-2-2-2-5 were identified.
Melatonin inhibits human melanoma cells proliferation and invasion via cell cycle arrest and cytoskeleton remodeling

Among skin cancers, melanoma has the highest mortality rate. The heterogeneous genetic melanoma background leads to a tumor-propagating capacity particularly important in maintaining therapeutic resistance, and tumor recurrence. The identification of efficient molecules able to control melanoma progress represents an important opportunity for new therapeutic strategies, particularly in combination with the current standard-of-care treatments. In this context, several studies have reported the antitumor effects of melatonin against different types of cancer, including melanoma. Here, we describe the underlying mechanisms associated with melatonin’s activity in human melanoma cell lines, focusing on cell cycle and cytoskeleton remodeling. Interestingly, while melatonin induced melanocyte DNA replication, melanoma cells exhibited cell cycle arrest in the G1-phase. This phenomenon was associated with cyclin-D1 downregulation or p21 overexpression. The efficacy of melatonin on melanoma cells survival and proliferation was detected using the clonogenic assay, with a decrease in both the number and size of colonies. Additionally, melatonin induced a dramatic cytoskeleton remodeling in all melanoma cell lines, leading to a star-like morphology or cell swelling. The role of melatonin on melanoma cytoskeleton was associated with the actin disruption, with thinning and/or broken actin fibers, and weak and/or loss of paxillin along stress fibers. These data support the observed findings that melatonin impairs melanoma invasion in skin reconstructed models. Together, our results suggest that melatonin could be used to control melanoma growth and support basic and clinical studies on melatonin as a promising immunometabolic adjuvant for melanoma therapy.
Brown Adipose Tissue Energy Metabolism

The brown adipose tissue (BAT) evolved as a specialized thermogenic organ in mammals. Nutrients (i.e., fatty acids and glucose) from the intracellular storage and peripheral tissues are critical to the BAT thermogenic function. The BAT converts the chemical energy stored in nutrients to thermo energy through UCP1-mediated nonshivering thermogenesis (NST). Activated BAT contributes significantly to the whole body energy substrate homeostasis. It is now well-recognized that adult humans possess BAT with functional thermoactivity. Thus, BAT energy metabolism has a significant therapeutic potential in the management of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and lipid abnormality in humans.
LIPID, PROTEIN AND CARBOHYDRATE DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT IN Araucaria angustifólia

This study aimed to evaluate changes in germination and in the amount of carbohydrates, starch, proteins, and lipids of A. angustifolia seeds at different stages of development. Seeds were collected in the Cotyledonary Stage and Stages I, II, III and IV. Germination, moisture content, dry matter amount, and levels of carbohydrates, starch, proteins, lipids and fatty acids were determined. Both embryo and megagametophyte contained the starch as the large reserve content, while proteins and mainly lipids represented only a small proportion. During seed development, the highest values for germination, starch and soluble carbohydrate content were observed at stage IV. Although, soluble protein content had decreased from Cotyledonary Stage to Stage III, an increase at Stage IV was observed in the embryo. No difference was observed in lipid content. Linoleic acid was more abundant in fatty acids. Thus, A. angustifolia embryo showed an increase soluble protein content, an accumulation of dry matter and soluble carbohydrate content at Stage IV. It seems that these compounds collaborate to faster and higher germination. v.26 n.2 2020 LIPID, PROTEIN AND CARBOHYDRATE DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT IN Araucaria angustifolia
Convergent and Ecological Validity of Mother and Child Reports of Children’s Depressive Symptoms: Evidence from a Diverse Sample of Mother–Child Dyads

This study investigated the convergent and ecological validity of a multi-informant approach through retrospective measures and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) from mother–child dyads. In 202 mother–child dyads, mothers completed parent-proxy retrospective measures of their child’s depressive symptoms and their own depressive symptoms. Children completed self-report retrospective measures of their own depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and sleep quality; and self-report EMA of affect across 8 days. Results showed that parent-proxy and child self-report retrospective measures of depressive symptoms were weakly positively correlated (r = 0.23); this association was stronger for non-Hispanic mothers compared to Hispanic mothers (p = 0.048). Parent-proxy retrospective measures were moderately positively associated with the mothers’ own retrospectively reported level of depressive symptoms (r = 0.33). Parent-proxy and child self-report retrospective measures were negatively associated with the children’s average EMA happiness (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), but only the children’s retrospective measures were positively associated with EMA sadness (p = 0.001). In multivariable models, the children’s retrospectively reported depressive symptoms were significantly associated with lower self-esteem and reduced sleep quality, while parent-proxy retrospective reports were only associated with the mother’s own depressive symptoms. Overall, the current study provides evidence for the convergent and ecological validity of children’s self-reports of depressive symptoms. However, there was limited validity for parent-proxy reports, and parent-proxy reports may be highly influenced by the mothers’ depression.
Contradistinguisher: A Vapnik’s Imperative to Unsupervised Domain Adaptation

Recent domain adaptation works rely on an indirect way of first aligning the source and target domain distributions and then train a classifier on the labeled source domain to classify the target domain. However, the main drawback of this approach is that obtaining a near-perfect domain alignment in itself might be difficult/impossible (e.g., language domains). To address this, inspired by how humans use supervised-unsupervised learning to perform tasks seamlessly across multiple domains or tasks, we follow Vapnik’s imperative of statistical learning that states any desired problem should be solved in the most direct way rather than solving a more general intermediate task and propose a direct approach to domain adaptation that does not require domain alignment. We propose a model referred to as Contradistinguisher that learns contrastive features and whose objective is to jointly learn to contradistinguish the unlabeled target domain in an unsupervised way and classify in a supervised way on the source domain. We achieve the state-of-the-art on Office-31, Digits and VisDA-2017 datasets in both single-source and multi-source settings. We demonstrate that performing data augmentation results in an improvement in the performance over vanilla approach. We also notice that the contradistinguish-loss enhances performance by increasing the shape bias.
Gene-based analysis in HRC imputed genome wide association data identifies three novel genes for Alzheimer’s disease

Late onset Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia for which about 30 susceptibility loci have been reported. The aim of the current study is to identify novel genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease using the largest up-to-date reference single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, the most accurate imputation software and a novel gene-based analysis approach which tests for patterns of association within genes, in the powerful genome-wide association dataset of the International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project Consortium, comprising over 7 million genotypes from 17,008 Alzheimer’s cases and 37,154 controls. In addition to earlier reported genes, we detected three novel gene-wide significant loci PPARGC1A (p = 2.2 × 10−6), RORA (p = 7.4 × 10−7) and ZNF423 (p = 2.1 × 10−6). PPARGC1A and RORA are involved in circadian rhythm; circadian disturbances are one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. PPARGC1A is additionally linked to energy metabolism and the generation of amyloid beta plaques. RORA is involved in a variety of functions apart from circadian rhythm, such as cholesterol metabolism and inflammation. The ZNF423 gene resides in an Alzheimer’s disease-specific protein network and is likely involved with centrosomes and DNA damage repair.
THE EFFECT OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND CULTURAL PRACTICES ON Tirathaba rufivena (WALKER, 1861) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) POPULATION IN OIL PALM PLANTATION

Tirathaba rufivena is one of major insect pests of oil palm industry in Sarawak especially oil palm planted at peat soil. It causes significant losses to Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) yield of oil palm if it reaches outbreak level. Therefore, there was a concern over the population of T. rufivena and its relationship with relative humidity (RH). A case study was carried out to identify the effects of relative humidity on the population of T. rufivena . This study was conducted at Saribas Estate 1, Pusa, Betong District in Sarawak within eight weeks by using Complete Randomised Design (CRD) with two treatments (maintenance and less maintenance area) and six replications. Light traps fitted with 18w bulb were used to collect the T. rufivena population while digital psychrometer XINTEST Model HT-86 was used to record RH level. The result showed the highest mean number of infested bunches was found at less maintenance area (n=6, M=15, SD=13.78) than maintenance area (n=6, M=13, SD=10.62), t (10) = -0.28, p =0.78. Furthermore, a simple correlation analysis was carried out and the result revealed that there was a weak, positive correlation between a number of T. rufivena and relative humidity in the maintenance area, r = . 24, n = 48, p = 0.11 while, in less maintenance area, there was a medium positive interaction between population of T. rufivena and relative humidity, r = . 40, n = 48, p = 0.01. The results indicated that, implementation of cultural practice in maintenance area and census as an early detection of the infestation level method helps in reducing the pest outbreak. Therefore, a comprehensive data collection is needed especially on the depth of peat soil in the area with the highest infestation level of T. rufivena to give more comprehensive information on the ecological aspect this insect pest.
The sustainability of old grapevine mother plants in relation to new mandatory diagnostic tests for virus control

In 2011, the methods to perform phytosanitary tests to check for viruses in grapevine nurseries were reassessed and new regulations were defined (DM 13 December 2011). The mandatory tests require serological assays for the diagnosis of five viruses in grapevine mother plants transplanted in Tuscany in 2001 or before. The aim of the present paper is to report the impact of certification programs applied before 2001 in Tuscany and the sustainability of older mother plants with relation to the new mandatory diagnostic tests. Among the cultivars, virus infection was reported in 19.2% of pool samples, whereas 2.4% of rootstock pool samples showed a compromised health status. GLRaV-3 is the most frequently found virus (10.4% and 1.3% of cultivar and rootstock pools, respectively), and it is also included in the most frequent multiple infections. Multiple infections represent about 25% of infected cultivar pools and almost 50% of infected rootstock pools.