Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sperm morphology and reproductive isolation in Ficedula flycatchers

Speciation lies at the heart of evolution and the study of reproductive barriers allows a better understanding of the different steps leading to the complete isolation of two species. Pre-mating (behavior tactics, habitat or food divergence, phenotypic divergence and assortative mating) and post-mating, post-zygotic isolation barriers (selection against unfit hybrids) are well studied in numerous species, but little is known about what is happening between insemination and fertilization (post-mating, pre-zygotic isolation barriers). In this study, we chose the well-studied population of pied and collared flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca and F. albicollis) of the hybrid zone of Oland, Sweden, to investigate possible patterns of gamete divergence between these two closely related species. We compared sperm morphology between the two species and their hybrids, analyzing traits that are thought to play an important role in the fertilization success of the males. We did not detect any divergence in sperm morphology between the two species, but we report an extreme reduction of sperm production in hybrid males, as well as spermatogenesis dysfunctions and particularly high rates of extra-pair young in the nests of hybrid males.
Dispersal of the pea leaf miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard, 1926) (Diptera: Agromyzidae): a field experiment.

Movement of herbivore insects within agroecosystems can ultimately determine the level of damage to crops. It was evaluated the dispersal of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard, 1926) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) under field conditions. In addition, it was evaluated if body size was related to dispersal distance. Eight hundred individuals of L. huidobrensis were released in the central point of a series of concentric circles (6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 m in radius), where 117 yellow sticky traps were set to insect recapture. Circular Statistics were used to evaluate flight direction whereas hurdle models were applied to analyze dispersal probability in relation to distance. Five percent of the released individuals were recaptured, being 36 m the median distance of recapture. The distribution of recaptured insects was not random around the circles, but the preferential dispersal direction was not explained by wind direction. The incidence of recaptured L. huidobrensis of both sexes significantly decreased at increasing distances from the release point, but decayed faster for females. No effect was found of body size on the distance of recapture. The results suggest that L. huidobrensis dispersed mainly over short distances with males being capable of performing longer flights than females.
Supporting Student Teachers’ Reflections on Teaching English in the Netherlands

This study aims to explore how teacher educators in the Netherlands support student teachers’ reflections on practice teaching in school. Over the past few decades, the realistic approach of teacher education has become popular. In the process of professional development in teaching, the role of reflection skills is emphasised for student teachers to become independent and self-directed practitioners; therefore, teacher educators are expected to provide appropriate questions to support student teachers’ reflection. The ALACT model (Action, Looking back on the action, Awareness of essential aspects, Creating alternative methods of action, and Trial) in the realistic approach facilitates this process. Based on recorded data from interviews and after-class conferences, it was revealed that teacher educators provided a variety of questions to help student teachers contemplate essential aspects of their own teaching. Additionally, this approach would function well when the policy of teacher development was shared between teacher educators and student teachers in trusting relationships.
Extracellular proteome of plant growth promoting-bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KPS46 and its effect on enhanced growth promotion and induced systemic resistance on soybean.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KPS46 is gram positive and as a plant growth promoting bacteria, it has well document on enhance plant growth promotion and systemic protection against bacterial pustule and several diseases in soybean. The strain KPS46 promotes plant growth by synthesizing growth-stimulating phytohormones , secondary metabolite, extracellular protein to enhanced growth promotion and protect plant from pathogen infection. This study determined a protein secretion which allows prediction of the amino sequence involved in extracellular protein of KPS46. Using the 2-DE the extracellular protein of B. amyloliquefaciens KPS46 grown in NGB media was studied. The 20 were identified that are known to be secreted by various mechanisms. The extracellular proteome of KPS46 includes proteins from different functional classes and some proteins of yet unknown function. To our knowledge, this is the first twodimensional extracellular proteome map of a PGPB, KPS46. Furthermore, evaluating the efficacy of KPS46 in promoting the growth of soybean, the strain increased in root elongation by up to 17%, shoot elongation by up to 35%, fresh weight by up to 32% and dry weight by up to 32%. And the strain reduce disease severity up to 55%. These results show the potential of using KPS46 to enhance growth of Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, THAILAND Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583, USA E-mail address: NatthiyaSUT@hotmail.com, g4881005@ku.ac. th
ROLES OF FAS IN NEURAL PROGENITOR CELL DIFFERENTIATION, SURVIVAL, AND IMMUNE-CELL INTERACTIONS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. Although current treatments can reduce symptomology and relapse rate, they are unable to prevent the chronic neurodegeneration that occurs at later stages. MS pathology is mediated by complex interactions between invading immune cells, neurons, glia, and endogenous stores of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Factors critical to NPC/immune cell communication as well as the survival, differentiation, and proliferation of NPCs are not well defined. Elucidation of these factors will allow for the advancement of NPC transplantation therapies as well as the identification of novel pharmacological targets. Fas – a member of the tumor necrosis superfamily of death receptors – has diverse, cell-specific functions and is a major modulator of autoregulation within the immune system. Although Fas is expressed by NPCs, its exact role in this cell type was previously unknown. To contribute to this body of knowledge, the experiments in this dissertation examined the role of the Fas receptor (Fas) and Fas ligand (FasL) in NPC survival, differentiation, and T-cell cross-talk in vitro and in vivo in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE; a wellestablished animal model of MS). Activation of Fas via FasL increased NPC survival by decreasing apoptosis (as opposed to increasing proliferation) in vitro. This decreased apoptosis correlates with upregulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) Birc3. Further investigation into the importance of Fas in NPCs was accomplished by comparing wild-type and Fas-deficient (lpr) NPCs. Lpr NPCs exhibited decreased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and increased differentiation to oligoprogenitor and neuronal lineages. These studies suggest the Fas system plays multifaceted roles in NPCs and that its exact functions are dependent on both functional Fas expression and presence or absence of FasL. To determine the role of Fas/FasL in neuroimmune cross-talk, co-cultures of wild-type or lpr NPCs with different T-cell subtypes (Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells) were performed. Th1 cells were the only subtype capable of inducing NPC apoptosis. Th1-mediated death was dose-dependent and was not mediated via Fas. On the other hand, NPCs were able to induce significant apoptosis in proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells without affecting anti-inflammatory Th2 cells. NPC-induced Th17 cell death was mediated via Fas. These data suggest NPCs can specifically target pro-inflammatory T-cells and can promote neuroprotection by inducing death of these proencephalogenic cells. Finally, intravenous injection of wild-type or lpr NPCs into EAE mice reduced clinical symptoms and CNS immune infiltrate to the same extent. Few NPCs enter the CNS, where they remain undifferentiated. This suggests the main mechanism through which NPCs produce beneficial results in EAE is via peripheral immunoregulation, which is not dependent on Fas expression. Overall, this dissertation elucidates the Fas system as an important modulator of NPC cell-fate and immunoregulatory capacity.
Sulfatide is required for organization of the paranode in the myelinated axon in the peripheral nervous system

SULFATIDE IS REQUIRED FOR ORGANIZATION OF THE PARANODE IN THE MYELINATED AXON IN THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM By Eva Lynn Kwong, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Jeffrey L. Dupree, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Anatomy and Neurobiology Myelin facilitates the timely, efficient conduction of action potentials along axons. Made by Schwann cells (SCs) in the PNS, myelin is unique in that it is composed of a high percentage of lipids, particularly galactolipids. Sulfatide, one such galactolipid, is made by cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) and has been shown to play a role in organizing paranodal domains in myelinated axons. However less is known regarding the involvement of sulfatide in the establishment and maintenance of the node, of particular interest as it is responsible for the potentiation of action potentials along the axon. Using immunohistochemical and, to a lesser extent, electron microscopic techniques, we confirm that sulfatide is essential for organization of the paranode. Our data further shows that neuronal nodal clustering and maintenance is paranode-independent, thus not reliant on sulfatide, demonstrating that 1) distinct mechanisms
Monitoring and Analysis of Displacement Using InSAR Techniques for Gulaba Landslide Site

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a powerful remote sensing technique which provides high spatial resolution images with continuous temporal coverage of the earth surface data for monitoring of long-term landslide displacement. In the current study over Gulaba Camp in Manalito Marhi (Himachal Pradesh, India) region, a novel approach to monitor the landslide using the ascending and descending InSAR data sets is being implemented. 30 ascending and 23 descending Sentinel-1 Interferometric Wide Swath images spanning the period of 26 months are acquired and processed to identify active landslide sites which have been verified with the ground observations. The combination of the results of ascending and descending path enabled to provide cumulative displacement of 60–100 mm/year over the study period with a velocity of 20–45 mm/year. This study demonstrated multi-temporal InSAR is a useful technique in assessment and monitoring of the landslide and concluded that combining ascending and descending path data has greatly improved the result. Keywords: Landslide, multi-temporal InSAR, baseline, natural hazard Cite this Article Amardeep Singh Virk, Amanpreet Singh, Mittal SK. Monitoring and Analysis of Displacement Using InSAR Techniques for Gulaba Landslide Site. Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS. 2018; 9(2): 37–46p.
CARBOHYDRATE RESERVES IN ROOTS AND STEM BASES OF BLUE PANICGRASS (PANICUM ANTIDOTALE, RETZ.) AS AFFECTED BY INTERVAL AND FREQUENCY OF CUTTING.

The effects of two cutting heights and three intervals of cutting on carbohydrate reserves, forage yield, stem height, and number of tillers of blue panicgrass were studied at Tucson Plant Materials Center from June to October, 1981. Cutting heights were 5 and 15 cm and intervals of cutting were 15, 30, and 45 days. Plants were clipped to the assigned level of height at the beginning of the experiment. Forage production, stem height and number of tillers were measured at this point. Plants samples containing the roots were taken, separated into roots and stem bases and later analyzed for total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) at the start of the study. Similar samples were taken and analyzed at the end of the study from undipped plants. Sampling, measurements, and analyses were conducted every 15 days with clipping done at the appropriate sampling schedule. Extrac­ tion of carbohydrate in roots and stem bases was done using the enzyme alpha amylase and glucose was measured colorimetrically using the Teles reagent. Samples of glucose concentration were read from the standard curve of glucose and the percent total nonstructural carbo­ hydrate was computed for each sample. Carbohydrate reserves, forage yield, stem height, and number of tillers were reduced when the plant was clipped at 15 and 30-day intervals at 5 cm height and when clipped every 15 days at 15 cm height. The highest percentage of TNC was found for plants clipped at 15 cm and 45 days. Forage yield was high for plants clipped at 15 cm viii
Development of biomarkers for the risk stratification and targeted therapy of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Barrett's oesophagus is the most important risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA), but progression is unpredictable. Dysplasia predicts which Barrett’s patients are at greatest risk for OA but achieving the diagnosis can be challenging. Immunohistochemistry with p53 is recommended as an adjunct to assist with dysplasia diagnosis. This thesis will examine if replication licensing factors and DNA ploidy status are as good if not better than p53 to assist in the diagnosis of dysplasia. Overexpression of HER2 in foregut cancer is an indication for HER2 targeted treatments. Its influence on prognosis is less understood. The relationships between clinicopathological variables, HER2 overexpression and prognosis will next be evaluated. Current ablative techniques for Barrett’s neoplasia are limited to superficial disease. Photodynamic therapy was a treatment for Barrett’s that could penetrate more deeply into diseased tissue but was limited by the side effects of off-target photosensitivity. Combining targeting vehicles such as antibodies to newer and more deeply penetrating photosensitiser drugs, may overcome the previous limitations of this technology. A photosensitive ADC against HER2 will be created and its efficacy in vitro and in vivo evaluated. However, even the most effective ADC against HER2 will not treat the majority of cancers, as we will show HER2 is only expressed in the minority of foregut tumours. The final experiments will look to characterise the mucin MUC1 in Barrett’s and associated neoplasia. Studies have previously shown it to be present in up to 100% of cancers while others say far fewer. We will show proof of principle data for the development of a MUC1 targeting photosensitive ADC in vitro and postulate how it may in future enable treatment of locoregional invasive tumours endoscopically.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRAWN FISHERY OF THE MANGALORE ESTUARY ON THE SOUTH-WEST COAST OF INDIA

The estimated annual prawn landing varied from 1.09 to 5.S4 tonnes, the peak period of the fishery ^ bfia&. November-February. The fishery showed an inverse relationship to rainfall in ali''Q(g<;y||a£S except in 1965-66. The catch was mainly composed of Metapenaeus dobsoni, Penaeus indicus and M. monoceros in the order of their abundance. The modal size for M. dobsoni, exclusively caught by shore-seine, ranged from 31 to 40 mm. Differences were noticed in the size composition of P, indicus caught by different gears which were apparently related to the areas of operation. X^ analysis showed significant variations in the sex ratio of the juveniles of M. dobsoni especially during the latter part of the season. It has been pointed out that this is also likely to be a factor of influence on the pattern of sex distribution of adult sizes in the sea.
Autotaxin: A Regulator of Oligodendrocyte Differentiation

AUTOTAXIN: A REGULATOR OF OLIGODENDROCYTE DIFFERENTIATION By Larra W. Yuelling A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Advisor: Babette Fuss, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology In order for oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) to differentiate into fully mature, myelinating oligodendrocytes, they must be specified at the correct times and undergo coordinated changes in both gene expression and morphology. As oligodendrocytes differentiate, they transition from a bipolar morphology into a morphology characterized by a complex network of multiple processes, which will eventually generate membranous structures necessary for myelination of axonal segments. As changes are observed in cellular morphology, oligodendrocytes also undergo changes in their gene expression profile and express genes necessary for both early and later stages of development such as olig1 and myelin basic protein (mbp), respectively. Data from our laboratory demonstrate that autotaxin (ATX), also referred to as phosphodiesterase Iα/autotaxin (PD-Iα/ATX), is involved in all of these processes as a multifunctional protein by regulating lysophospholipid signaling
Individual variation of in-air female 'pup contact' calls in Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii

Vocal recognition may function as a critical factor in maintaining the phocid mother-pup bond during lactation. For vocal recognition to function, the caller must produce individually distinct calls that are recognised by their intended recipient. Mother-pup vocal recognition has been studied extensively in colonial otariids and appears to be characteristic of this family. Although less numerous, empirical studies of phocid species have revealed a range of recognition abilities. This study investigated whether Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) females produce individually distinct 'pup contact' calls that function during natural pair reunions. Fifteen calls from each of nine females recorded in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica were analysed. One temporal, nine fundamental frequency and five spectral characteristics were measured. Results of the cross-validated Discriminant Function Analysis revealed that mothers produce individually distinct calls with 56% of calls assigned to the correct individual. The probability of achieving this level of discrimination on novel data by chance alone is highly improbable. Analysis of eight mother-pup reunions recorded near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica further demonstrated that these 'pup contact' calls function during natural pair reunions. Behavioural analysis also revealed that pups were chiefly responsible for establishing and maintaining close contact throughout the reunion process. Our study therefore demonstrates that Weddell seal females produce calls with sufficient stereotypy to allow pups to identify them during pair reunions, providing evidence of a functioning mother-pup vocal recognition system.
Efeitos do uso de sucedâneo do leite e milho processado no desempenho de bezerros da raça holandesa até o desmame

Seventy-two Holstein calves, 15 days old, were used to evaluate the substitution of whole milk by a milk replacer, and the effects of processed corn in starters. Animals were distributed in blocks by date of birth and sex, in a 2x3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors consisted of whole milk or milk replacer and steam flaked corn at densities 283, 360 and 437 g/L. During the pre-weaning period, the processed corn at different densities did not affect the performance of calves. Replacement of whole milk by milk replacer reduced daily body gain (milk = 0.56 vs. milk replacer = 0.30 kg/day), body weight at weaning (63.3 vs. 51.9 kg/day) and total dry matter intake (0.83 vs. 0.68 kg/day). Food conversion (1.61 vs. 2.60) became worse. Animals from milk replacer group were weaned earlier than the whole milk group (56.4 vs. 48.9 days).
Production of Aegilops cylindrica with Ae. Cuadata plasmon

The final aim of this investigation is to demonstrate the genetic effect of a co-existing alien genome on the plasmon. For this purpose, we are attempting to reconstruct Aegilops caudata (2n=14, genome constitution CC) by combining its genome and plasmon that were isolated from each other for more than half a century. This is an interim report of the work that led to production of an alloplasmic Ae. cylindrica (2n=28, CCDD) line, (caudata)-CCDD.
A NEW FAMILY OF MYOPSID SQUID FROM AUSTRALASIAN WATERS (CEPHALOPODA: TEUTHIDA)

A new species of myopsid squid is described from the northern Australian and Papua New Guinean waters. The species differs from the members of Loliginidae in having a large, subcircular, funnel locking cartilage which is bisected by a boomerang-shaped groove running antero-posteriorly, and a photophore of sepiolid type on the ventral surface of the ink sac. The fins of the new species are separated, not united posteriorly. There is a deep, narrow and long pocket between the arms III and IV into which the tentacular stalk can be retracted. A new family is here erected to accommodate it.
Avocado seed germination studies.

"Waldin" avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seeds were soaked for 24 hours in concentrations of 0, 250 and 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA) in lots of 784 seeds each. Moreover, half of the seeds in each lot were left intact and the other half had the apical and basal ends cut off prior to soaking. Cumulative seed germination was re corded 19, 23, 34, 44 and 54 days after planting. Cut seeds at each and all concentraaion(s) of GA snowed higher initial germination than uncut seeds, but the differences dis appeared by 34 days after planting. Cut seeds receiving 250 ppm GA showed higher initial germination, but this differ ence also was eliminated in subsequent measurements. Overall, GA treatment caused no practical differences in total germination. Cutting of seeds reduced total germina tion significantly, probably as a result of embryo damage due to cotyledon separation during cutting, soaking and planting. Nurseries have traditionally experienced problems with avocado propagation caused by a variable germination period of rootstock seeds, which frequently forces the nurseries to extend the propagation period as they wait for late-germinating seedlings to achieve graftable size. The preferred method is to be able to graft everything at one time without having to go back over the propagation beds. Some nurseries cope with this problem by germinating the seeds in seedbeds, then transplanting the seedlings to containers soon after emergence. Thus, propagation can be conducted in sequence on relatively uniform stocks. How ever, the use of a seedbed and transplanting is more labor intensive than seeding directly into containers. Research was initiated in Florida and other areas to enhance the rate of germination of avocado seeds and thus increase seedling uniformity to facilitate once-over propaga tion. Early results indicated that removal of the seed coat of some types of avocados would enhance germination and uniformity (3, 4). However, seed coat removal is difficult and time consuming on many types of avocados and is little used today. Subsequent research showed that cutting off the apical (and sometimes basal) end of the seed facilitated germina tion. Cutting the seed is commonly practiced in avocado propagation today. Work by Leal et al. (4) in Florida centered on the use of gibberellic acid (GA) imbibition of of avocado seeds, with and without the seed coat. 'Waldin' seeds, with and without seed coats, imbibed for 12, 24 and 48 hours in various concentrations of GA, showed enhanced germination and seedling uniformity under laboratory/ greenhouse conditions. Similar results in seedling size and uniformity have been noted in other research with avocados