Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anther and pollen development in barley

The control of pollen viability and release is of major commercial importance in the development of crops for hybrid seed production and selective breeding. It has been shown that key transcription factors in Arabidopsis particularly MALE STERILITY1 (MS1), are functionally conserved in rice (Li et al., 2011), therefore extending this comparative analysis and controlling fertility in temperate cereals, such as barley, is the long term goal of this project. Although anther and pollen development of barley seems morphologically similar to Arabidopsis, the genes involved and how they are regulated are currently unknown. Arabidopsis MS1 is a tapetum specific transcription factor which is expressed exclusively from the tetrad stage to early microspores release. Identification and accurate staging of barley anther development is essential for expression analysis and functional characterisation of genes involved in pollen development. Therefore, a complete morphological study of barley development was conducted. External characteristics have been described in parallel to anther development in order to predict anther stages by the observation of external stages phenotypic traits. Characterization of the barley orthologue of MS1 (HvMS1) has been conducted. Recently a new grass genome has been released, Brachypodium distachyion. This new resource has been used to aid primers design alongside the rice OsPTC1 sequence, the orthologue of MS1 (Li et al., 2011). Genome sequencing has indicated that the Brachypodium genus is more closely related to wheat and barley than it is to rice, Due to the close relationship between Brachypodium and barley, this new grass has been used as intermediary to identify the OsPTC1 orthologue in barley as well as downstream MS1 targets. A highly similar sequence to OsPTC1 was found in Brachypodium, Bradi4g31760. This new gene, as a result of its similarities to OsPTC1, was considered as its putative orthologue gene in Brachypodium. Therefore, the most conserved areas between OsPTC1-Bradi4g31760 were used for primers design to successfully amplify equivalent gene in barley (HvMS1). The characterization of this barley gene showed a similar expression pattern to the MS1 putative orthologue in Arabidopsis of tapetum specific expression. In addition, RNAi silencing of this gene has revealed that it is essential for the normal development of pollen, with a lack of viable pollen produced in the putative HvMS1 silenced transgenic lines.
HABITAT PATCH SIZE AND NESTING SUCCESS OF YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS

We measured vegetation at shrub patches used for nesting by Yellow-breasted Chats (Icteria virens) to evaluate the importance of nesting habitat patch features on nest predation, cowbird parasitism, and nest site selection. Logistic regression models indicated that nests in small patches (average diameter 10 cm dbh) nearby. Patches used by chats for nesting had larger average diameters than unused patches and tended to contain more small stems. Chats appeared to prefer large patches and experienced lower nest predation there. Although they might experience higher brood parasitism frequencies in large patches, losses to parasitism were balanced by higher nesting success because the mean number of chat young that fledged did not differ between nests in small versus large patches.
Comparison of Welfare Gains in the Armington, Krugman and Melitz Models: Insights from a Structural Gravity Approach

How large are the estimated gains from trade from a reduction in trade costs in the heterogeneous firms Melitz (M) model compared with the Armington (A) and Krugman (K) models? Surprisingly little is known beyond the one-sector model. This paper analyzes this question using a global trade model that contains ten regions and various numbers of sectors (1-10). Following Arkolakis et al. (2012), the analysis holds the local trade response constant across the model comparisons based on a structural gravity estimate. Various model features and scenarios are introduced that are important to real economies, almost none of which has been examined across the three market structures with a constant trade response. In response to global reductions in iceberg trade costs, in all the multi-sector models, the ranking of global welfare gains is Melitz>Krugman>Armington; and the Krugman model captures between 75 and 95 percent on the additional gains above the Armington model that are estimated by the Melitz model. However, for individual regions, there are numerous cases of reversed welfare rankings. i.e., MelitzKrugman>Armington. For individual regions, however, the welfare ranking of the Armington, Krugman and Melitz market structures is model, data, parameter and scenario dependent. The results highlight the need for data and structural considerations in policy analysis.
Innate Signaling Pathways in the Maintenance of Serological Memory: A Dissertation

Long-term antiviral antibody responses provide protection from re-infection and recurrence of persistent viruses. Using a polyomavirus (PyV) mouse model, our lab has shown that MyD88-deficient mice generate low levels of virus-specific IgG after the acute phase of infection and that these IgG responses have a skewed isotype distribution with low levels of IgG2a/c. Moreover MyD88-deficient mice have reduced numbers of long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow. These studies suggest an important role of MyD88-mediated signaling in long-term antiviral responses. Our lab has shown that T cell-deficient mice can also maintain long-term virus-specific IgG responses following PyV infection. The goal of this thesis is to evaluate the role of innate signaling pathways in maintaining serological memory to persistent virus infection and to elaborate on how long-term antiviral responses can be maintained in an immunocompetent or partially immune compromised, T cell-deficient host. Regarding T cell-dependent B cell responses, I set out to investigate the upstream and downstream components of the MyD88-mediated pathways required for normal antibody isotype and long-term humoral responses. IgG2a is a predominant immunoglobulin isotype in most virus infections. Wild type mice, in response to PyV infection, primarily induce antiviral IgG2a with some IgG1. MyD88-deficient mice in response to PyV infection display attenuated levels of virus-specific IgG2a, but normal levels of IgG1. Using Unc93B1 mutant mice (3d mice), which are defective in TLRs 3, 7 and 9 signaling, I show that 3d mice also generated low levels of virus-specific IgG2a following PyV infection. Studies in individual TLR3-/-, TLR7-/- or TLR9-/- mice displayed PyV-specific IgG2a responses similar to wild type responses. TLR7 and TLR9 double deficient mice generated similar skewed antibody isotype responses, where virus-specific IgG2a was reduced compared to wild type mice. This shows that TLR7 and TLR9-MyD88 mediated pathways are important in regulating IgG2a responses during a PyV infection. To investigate what components downstream of MyD88 are involved in mediating IgG2a responses, I worked with IRF5-deficient mice. IRF5 is a transcription factor that is activated upon stimulation of TLR7 or TLR9-MyD88-mediated pathways. Moreover, IRF5-deficient mice cannot generate autoantibodies specifically of the IgG2a isotype in a mouse lupus model, suggesting that IRF5 plays an important function in mediating class switching to IgG2a. In vitro studies where IRF5-/- B cells were stimulated with TLR7 or TLR9 ligands also generated low levels of γ2a germ-line transcripts, suggesting a B cell-intrinsic role for IRF5 in regulating γ2a germ-line transcription. PyV infection of IRF5-deficient mice resulted in similar skewed isotypes as observed in MyD88-deficient and 3d mice. To investigate a B cell-intrinsic role for IRF5 in regulating IgG2a responses in vivo upon PyV infection, I transferred IRF5-/- B cells and WT T cells into RAG KO mice prior to infection…
Evaluation of Chrysanthemum Varieties for Pot Culture

Seventeen varieties of chrysanthemum were evaluated to ascertain their suitability for raising as potmums under North Indian conditions. The varieties were Appu, Arun Kumar, Arun Singar, Baggi, Basanti, Bindiya, Birbal Sahni, Flirt, Hemant Singar, Pancho, Pol Geel, Pol Rose, Pol Wit, Punjab Gold, Ratlam Selection, Sharad Singar and Suhag Singar. Significant differences were obtained among the varieties for all morphological and floral characters studied. Keeping these characters in view, varieties Pol rose, Aran Singar, Sharad Singar, Suhag Singar and Bindiya were found to be highly suitable for pot culture.
Notes on Mating and Reproductive Success of Ceropelma longisternalis (Araneae, Theraphosidae) in Captivity

The reproductive success of a mating pair of Ceropelma longisternalis is reported. Courtship and mating behaviour are described. The female molted, mated, built a retreat, and made a free egg sac under laboratory conditions. For 49 days she remained in the retreat, until the juveniles emerged. Courtship, mating and egg production are discussed and compared with data from other Mygalomorphae.
Modeling Genome Evolution : Creation, Change and Destruction

Deletion rates are thought to be important factors in determining the genome size of organisms in nature. Although it is indisputable that deletions, and thus deletion rates, affect genome size, it is unclear how, or indeed if, genome size is regulated via the deletion rate. Here, we employ a mathematical model to determine the evolutionary fate of deletion rate mutants. Simulations are employed to explore the interactions between deletions, deletion rate mutants, and genome size. The results show that, in this model, the fate of deletion rate mutants will depend on the fraction of essential genomic material, on the frequency of sexual recombination, as well as on the population size of the organism. We find that there is no optimal deletion rate in any state. However, at one critical coding density, all changes in deletion rate are neutral and the rate may drift either up or down. As a consequence, the coding density of the genome is expected to fluctuate around this critical density. Characteristic differences in the impact of deletion rate mutations on prokaryote and eukaryote genomes are described.
Lost after transition : the development of a conceptual framework and model for patients with colorectal cancer and a stoma who have completed therapeutic interventions

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. The advances in cancer care are such that the longevity of this group has extended well beyond the five years through which the NHS follows them. The diagnosis of a colorectal cancer and a permanent colostomy for the patient causes challenges in terms of the diagnosis and treatment, and also in the need to adapt to the permanently changed bodily functions and body image they have to live with. Healthcare professionals are aware of the impact of care on patients and their relatives and carers, but research shows that there is little support guidance or help for them once discharged from follow up services. They report being told to 'go off and enjoy life' but say they feel 'cast adrift' with no recourse to further help and advice when they experience physical, psychological and psychosocial problems.
How aphids find their host plants, and how they don't

There is a considerable interest in trying to understand how aphids find their host plants because they are a major cause of economic losses in agricultural and horticultural production systems. Indeed, the specific behavioural sequences during host finding by aphids are one of the main reasons for their prominent role as vectors of plant pathogenic viruses. This paper reviews the visual and olfactory stimuli involved in host-finding behaviour of aphids, both basic and applied aspects are covered. Although controlling aphids by manipulation of visual and olfactory stimuli involved in host finding and host selection can be highly successful, as shown by research, most of these measures can still be further optimised and adoption in practice is currently limited. Research therefore needs to address some critical open questions, including (a) the effects of visual contrasts on aphid behaviour; (b) the specific responses of aphids to ultraviolet (UV) light during different stages in host finding; (c) the quantification of behavioural sequences in the field and (d) the response of aphid behaviour to plant diversity at varying spatial scales; further, (e) a much more comprehensive coverage of aphid taxa and aphid ecological groups is needed in host-finding related research to uncover ecological principles underlying this critical behaviour.
The Impact of Boards’ Ownership Structure on Voluntary and Mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility

This study examined the impact of boards’ ownership structure as one of the corporate governance mechanisms on the determinations of voluntary and mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagements. Voluntary CSR refers to costly discretionary proactive stakeholders’ strategies such as investing in the community and philanthropic activities. Mandatory CSR is concerned with the adherence to meeting the required standards and regulations on ratings such as employee rights and environmental issues. Building on the existing literature, a model that relates boards’ ownership structure (executive directors’ ownership, non-executive directors’ ownership and concentrated ownership) to voluntary and mandatory CSR via Corporate Governance (CG) and firm characteristics control variables was developed. The model was tested using a sample drawn from the FTSE4Good UK Index over the period 2009-2013. The data was analysed in two stages using the statistics software packages SPSS and STATA. Stage 1 results are based on 111 companies, while stage 2 results are based on a restricted sample of 53 companies with the largest active engagement in voluntary CSR above a certain threshold. Using the logit regression model, stage 1 findings indicate that share ownership of Chief Executive Directors (CEDs), Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and concentrated ownership displays a significant positive relationship with mandatory CSR but has significant negative relationships with voluntary CSR, indicating for significant agency theory and stakeholder theory issues that are impacting on decisions regarding voluntary and mandatory CSR. Employing panel data (fixed effects and random effects regression models), outcomes of the stage 2 analysis show that board decisions regarding voluntary CSR are similar to stage 1 findings indicating that those companies with the largest active engagement in voluntary CSR above a certain threshold may be seen as wealth reducing. The study provides evidence to show that engaging in voluntary and mandatory CSR adds to knowledge for UK board practice and UK policy on CG and contributes to the implications for management and policy makers of an organisation; it informs management on how to attract investors according to their preferred investment time plan thus reducing the agency cost of capital. It also guides management of the compensation committee on how to think about redesigning a directors’ reward system - particularly share options - in order to align their interests with long-term investors to obtain long-term funds. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that this study is the first to specifically investigate the impact of boards’ ownership structure on voluntary and mandatory CSR. The study contributes both to the CG and CSR literature.
Distribution and production of the polychaete Nereis diversicolor in a shallow coastal lagoon in the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain)

L'evolution temporelle, la distribution spatiale et la production de Nereis diversicolor ont ete etudiees dans une lagune littorale, en prelevant des echantillons chaque mois, pendant deux annees, dans quatre stations differentes. La densite et la biomasse, avec des valeurs moyennes de 1886 ind. m -2 et de 4,6 g poids sec sans cendres. m -2 respectivement, montrent une importante variation saisonniere et aussi une variation selon les differentes zones de la lagune. Les valeurs les plus basses ont ete trouvees dans la zone la plus confinee. L'evolution saisonniere de la densite montre deux pics l'un a la fin de l'automne-debut de l'hiver et l'autre a la fin du printemps-debut de l'ete, mais il y a des differences entre les zones. La periode de recrutement est tres longue, avec cependant un maxima a la fin du printemps et un autre en automne. Plusieurs cohortes coexistent durant la plus grande partie de l'annee. La croissance en largeur, avec des taux moyens annuels de 0,008 a 0,010 mm d -1 , montre une importante variation saisonniere. La production moyenne annuelle pour toute la lagune a ete estimee a 22,7 g de poids sec sans cendres. m -2 et le rapport production/biomasse (P/B) a 4,9.
Revision of Nearctic Aleiodes Wesmael (Part 8): the coxalis (Spinola) Species-Group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Rogadinae)

The Aleiodes coxalis (Spinola) species-group is defined as including the following previously described species: A. coxalis (Spinola) 1808, A. bicolor (Spinola) 1808, signatus (Nees) 1812, A. alternator (Nees) 1834, A. tristis Wesmael 1838, A. aciculatus Cresson 1869, A. sanctihyacinthi (Provancher) 1880, A. arcticus (Thomson) 1891, A. incertus (Kokoujev) 1898, A. jakolewi (Kokoujev) 1898, A. coxator (Telenga) 1941, A. incertoides (Telenga) 1941, A. satanus (Telenga) 1941, A. nunbergi (Noskiewicz) 1956, A. negativus (Tobias) 1961, A. hellenicus (Papp) 1985, A. moldavicus (Tobias) 1986, A. itamevorus Shaw and Marsh 2004, and A. maritimus Shaw and Marsh 2004. Nine new North American species are described in this paper: A. aquilonius NEW SPECIES, A. brevis NEW SPECIES, A. cultrarius NEW SPECIES, A. dichromatus NEW SPECIES, A. floridensis NEW SPECIES, A. quadratus NEW SPECIES, A. shenefelti NEW SPECIES, A. whartoni NEW SPECIES, and A. wyomingensis NEW SPECIES. The A. coxalis species group is regarded as monophyletic as distinguished by the rugose vertex and sculptured fourth metasomal tergum. An identification key, descriptions, illustrations, distribution and biological information are provided for thirteen North American species.
Endothelial Cell Factors Involved in Bartonella Bacilliformis Pathogenesis

The genus Bartonella comprises emerging pathogens that are causative agents of a wide range of clinical manifestations such as cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, and Carrion’s disease. All species are transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods and infect erythrocytes and endothelial cells of hosts. Carrion’s disease is a bi-phasic infection caused by Bartonella bacilliformis which is characterized by hemolysis of infected erythrocytes followed by invasion of the vascular endothelium. This provokes pronounced cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and skin eruptions called verruga peruana. Endothelial cells are thought to be the primary niche wherein bacteria reside between inoculation and erythrocyte infection. This study aims to elucidate some of the endothelial factors involved during the verruga peruana phase of Carrion’s disease. In order to adhere to and invade human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), B. bacilliformis engages a family of cell receptors called integrins. We used anti-integrin antibodies to show that the primary integrin involved is the fibronectin receptor α5β1, although the vitronectin receptor αVβ3 also plays a minor role. We show B. bacilliformis invasion is also dependent on integrin ligands, fibronectin and vitronectin as antibodies against these proteins decreased invasion and attachment, whereas pre-treatment of the bacteria with these molecules enhanced infection of endothelial cells. Bacterial uptake requires various host cytoplasmic signaling pathways to work in tandem, and our study identified three mitogen activated protein kinases involved. Apart from MAPKs, phosphotidylinositol 3 kinase plays a role during invasion and cell survival. PI3K inhibitors blocked bacterial internalization and B. bacilliformis infected cells showed accelerated apoptosis. Lastly, microarray analysis was performed to study the gene expression profile of B. bacilliformis infected HMEC-1 cells. Numerous molecules of the integrin signaling pathways are involved, suggesting integrins as the major receptor recruited for the successful infection by B. bacilliformis. In summary this is the first study to demonstrate the role of integrins as B. bacilliformis receptors and integrin ligands as facilitators of infection. Gene expression analysis suggests the possibility that integrin mediated signaling pathways are the key modulators of cellular alterations during B. bacilliformis infection. This hypothesis is supported by the identification of some members of the integrin signaling pathway necessary for B. bacilliformis entry into endothelial cells. INDEX WORDS: Bartonella, Endothelial cells, Integrins, Invasion, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Kinases, Microarray Analysis ENDOTHELIAL CELL FACTORS INVOLVED IN BARTONELLA BACILLIFORMIS PATHOGENESIS
Exosomes derived from M0, M1 and M2 macrophages exert distinct influences on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Background Different phenotypes of macrophages (M0, M1 and M2 Mφs) have been demonstrated to play distinct roles in regulating mesenchymal stem cells in various in vitro and in vivo systems. Our previous study also found that cell-conditioned medium (CM) derived from M1 Mφs supported the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), whereas CM derived from either M0 or M2 Mφs showed an enhanced effect on cell osteogenic differentiation. However, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. Exosomes, as key components of Mφ-derived CM, have received increasing attention. Therefore, it is possible that exosomes may modulate the effect of Mφ-derived CM on the property of BMMSCs. This hypothesis was tested in the present study. Methods In this study, RAW264.7 cells were induced toward M1 or M2 polarization with different cytokines, and exosomes were isolated from the unpolarized (M0) and polarized (M1 and M2) Mφs. Mouse BMMSCs were then cultured with normal complete medium or inductive medium supplemented with M0-Exos, M1-Exos or M2-Exos. Finally, the proliferation ability and the osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacity of the BMMSCs were measured and analyzed. Results We found that only the medium containing M1-Exos, rather than M0-Exos or M2-Exos, supported cell proliferation and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. This was inconsistent with CM-based incubation. In addition, all three types of exosomes had a suppressive effect on chondrogenic differentiation. Conclusion Although our data demonstrated that exosomes and CM derived from the same phenotype of Mφs didn’t exert exactly the same cellular influences on the cocultured stem cells, it still confirmed the hypothesis that exosomes are key regulators during the modulation effect of Mφ-derived CM on BMMSC property.