Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the genetic diversity between Gentile di Puglia, Sopravissana and Sarda sheep breeds using microsatellite markers

Abstract Two Italian sheep breeds – Gentile di Puglia and Sopravissana – have undergone a consistent decline in numbers and have been widely substituted by the Sarda breed, which gives higher milk yield. With the aim to provide a basis for conservation decisions, the genetic variability of the three breeds was investigated in this study. DNA of 60 animals was PCR amplified at the following microsatellite loci: CSSM43, CSSM47, CSSM60, TGLA110, TGLA122, TGLA126, TGLA377, ETH3, ETH10, ETH225, NRAMP1, OARCP20 and SPS115. Allele frequencies, gene diversity and genetic distances were calculated. The highest differences in allele frequencies were found at the following loci: TGLA377, TGLA122, NRAMP1, OARCP20 and ETH3, while at the other loci the most frequent alleles were the same. The average inbreeding rate was 0.156 in the Gentile di Puglia, 0.158 in the Sopravissana and 0.137 in the Sarda. Average gene diversity of the analysed microsatellites was 0.59. Genetic distance between Gentile di Puglia and Sopravissana (0.081) indicates moderate differentiation; distances between the Sarda and the endangered breeds – 0.111 from the Gentile di Puglia and 0.107 from the Sopravissana - indicate a medium-high differentiation rate. The disappearance of the two less productive breeds would entail a consistent loss of genetic diversity. The inbreeding values are low enough to allow the implementation of sound conservation programmes.
REGULATION OF CELLULAR ANTIBODY SYNTHESIS

Transfer of spleen cells from mice immunized against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) into irradiated (600 R) nonimmune, syngeneic mice in the presence of antigen resulted in excessive cellular 7S production 7 days later. The number of 7S plaque-forming cells usually exceeded 106 per spleen and the mean proportion varied between 1 and 70%. In occasional animals all spleen cells were producing antibodies to SRBC. Serum antibody synthesis was also excessively increased, the titers in agglutination after 2-ME treatment and in hemolysis varying between 215 and 225. The generation time of the 7S PFC was found to be 9.6 hr in the secondary hosts. It seemed possible that the excessive production of 7S PFC and antibodies in the irradiated nonimmune recipients was caused by the absence of feedback inhibition of the immune response by antibody, a mechanism which would normally function to restrict antibody synthesis. This conclusion was strengthened by the demonstration that transfer of antigen-stimulated immune cells into actively or passively immunized irradiated recipients resulted in a marked suppression of cellular 7S synthesis. Serial transfers of antigen-stimulated immune cell populations in irradiated hosts resulted in an equally high number of 7S PFC during the first four transfer generations. However, after the fifth to seventh transfer generation the number of 7S PFC rapidly declined and disappeared within one to three passages. Serum antibodies and 7S PFC declined in parallel during the last transfer generations. Further passages of antigen-stimulated spleen cells lacking 7S PFC did not lead to reappearance of PFC. Thus, antigen-sensitive cells have a limited lifespan and/or multiplication capacity. From the hypothesis that the 7S PFC developed by division from antigen-sensitive precursors it was calculated that 38–40 divisions occurred, Thus, one antigen-sensitive precursor has the potential to give rise to 1012 7S PFC.
Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition

The disuse hypothesis of cognitive aging attributes decrements in fluid intelligence in older adults to reduced cognitively stimulating activity. This study experimentally tested the hypothesis that a period of increased mentally stimulating activities thus would enhance older adults’ fluid intelligence performance. Participants (N=44, mean age 67.82) were administered preand post-test measures, including the fluid intelligence measure, Cattell’s Culture Fair (CCF) test. Experimental participants engaged in diverse, novel, mentally stimulating activities for 10–12 weeks and were compared to a control condition. Results supported the hypothesis; the experimental group showed greater preto post-CCF gain than did controls (effect size d=0.56), with a similar gain on a spatial-perceptual task (WAIS-R Blocks). Even brief periods of increased cognitive stimulation can improve older adults’ problem solving and
Poda drástica para a produção da amora‑preta em regiões subtropicais

The objective of this work was to assess different pruning strategies as an alternative for the production of 'Tupy' blackberry in subtropical regions of Brazil. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with eight blocks and three treatments: conventional pruning, drastic summer pruning, and drastic winter pruning. In each plot, consisting of 12 useful plants, phenological and productive data were collected in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 production cycles, and the physicochemical quantification of fruits was done in the last production cycle. Drastic summer pruning facilitates the training of blackberry and allows an yield increase of 4,375.6 kg ha -1 in comparison to conventional pruning. Winter drastic pruning greatly decreases plant production.
Evaluation of Antagonistic Effect of Trichoderma Harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum causal Agent of White Yam (Dioscorearotundata poir) Tuber Rot

Studies were carried out on biological control using dual culture method to assess the potential of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum, the causal agent of tuber dry rot disease of white yam in vitro. The rot-causing fungal organism was isolated from rotted yam tubers collected from different storage barns in Zaki-Biam, Benue State of Nigeria. The biological agent (T. harzianum) was introduced at three different times (same time with the pathogen, 2 days before the inoculation of the pathogen and 2days after the inoculation of the pathogen). The experiment was conducted in the Advanced Plant Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. The plates were incubated for 192 hours and measurements of mycelial radial growths were done at 24 hours intervals beginning from 72hour. The result of the in vitro interactions showed that the highest percentage growth inhibition of mycelia of the pathogen (77.99%) was recorded when T. harzianum was introduced two days before the inoculation of F. oxysporum, followed by introduction of T. harzianum same time with F. oxysporum (45.69%) and the least percentage growth inhibition (13.72%) was recorded when the antagonist was introduced two days after inoculation of the pathogen. In all the treatments, T. harzianum was able to significantly (P≤0.05) inhibits the growth of F. oxysporum throughout the period of incubation. T. harzianum was observed to be effective in reducing the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum in culture in all the treatments and therefore showed the potential for biological control of the pathogen. Minimum inhibition concentration recorded showed that the effectiveness levels of T. harzianum were slightly effective to effective across treatments. It is therefore concluded that the antagonistic potentials of T. harzianum could be used as a good biological control agent of yam tuber rot caused by F. oxysporum.
Preparing for Aging, Dying and Death

This paper discussed how an individual will prepare for aging, death and dying. It also define aging and explain the related concepts of biological, psychological, social, legal and functional age. The paper explained how the growing population of older adults will affect the society, including considerations of economics, health care, living arrangements and ethical and moral issues. The paper also discuss the biological and psychosocial theories of aging and major physiological changes that occur as a result of normal aging process. This paper also discuss unique health challenges faced by older adults, strategies for successful and healthy aging that can begin during young adulthood. The paper also discuss death, the stages of the grieving process and strategies for coping with death; fear and anxiety related to death.
Prevalence Of Wrist, Neck And Shoulder Pain Symptoms Among Ironing Workers In Occupational Laundry Shop

Ergonomic plays an important role in human comfort, which provides better relationship among human, machine and working environments. Work related musculoskeletal disorders are the impairments of bodily structures such as muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves and bones, caused or aggravated primarily by work itself or by the work environment. This study investigates the physical factors and demographic factors which influence the occurrence of work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) among ironing workers in laundry shop. There is an infinite number of population of laundry shops exists in Erode city. The sample size is identified using simple random sampling. The survey is to be approached among 300 occupational ironing workers in laundry shops. A questionnaire is prepared based on the Nordic questionnaire. Questionnaire includes work related questions such as personal, occupational and health aspects. The interview based surveying has been carried out among the workers. The study determines the Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) symptoms reported from the survey. The study investigates that the occurrence of Musculoskeletal Disorder among the respondents seems to be common. The prevalence of neck pain (89.33%) is comparatively higher than the wrist/hand pain (81.33%) and shoulder pain (73%) during the repetitive ironing tasks. The MSD symptoms are common among both male and female workers. A proper preventive and corrective measure has to be suggested for the obtaining results in order to improve the discomfort among the occupational ironing workers in occupational laundry shop.
Occurrence Of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens In Smoked Fish At Retail Level In Jos, Nigeria

Sixty five (65) smoked fish samples (30 catfish and 35 Tilapia) were obtained form three retail market locations in Jos South, Nigeria, and screened for foodborne bacterial pathogens. Potential human pathogens were isolated from all the samples studied through culture, growth characteristics, morphological, physiological and biochemical reaction of substrates and enzyme activities. Organisms isolated include Staphylococcus aureus, 29 (44.6%), Listeria monocytogenes 6 (9.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7 (10.7%), Proteus mirabilis 5 (7.7%), Escherichia coli 1 (1.5%), Bacillus cereus 2 (3%) and Yeast cells 10 (15.4%). However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the occurrence of the isolates and the markets sampled. This study reveals that smoked fish sold on the retail market in Jos, Nigeria could be a potential source of foodborne bacterial pathogens if not properly handled. Improvements in processing and handling are required, and the need for foodborne bacterial disease surveillance is indicated. Keywords : Foodborne, Bacterial pathogens, Smoked fish, Retail, Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (1) 2007 pp. 21-26
Epidemiological Trends over a Ten-year Period of Malaria in a non-Endemic Area of Saudi Arabia

Malaria is a serious public health problem, is a worldwide health risk leading the death of millions of people (Leandro et al., 2016). The number of malaria cases globally fell from an estimated 262 million in 2000 to 214 million in 2015, a decline of 18% (WHO, 2015). Most cases in 2015 are estimated to have occurred in the WHO African Region (88%), followed by the WHO South-East Asia Region (10%) and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (2%). The incidence of malaria, which takes into account population growth, is estimated to have decreased by 37% between 2000 and 2015 (WHO, 2015). In humans, the disease is induced by different species of protozoa parasites from the genus Plasmodium. The most severe form of the disease is related to Plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for many deaths every year (World Health Organization, 2014). Malaria-associated symptoms appear during the blood stage of the disease with infection International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 3(2016) pp. 1-8 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
A Survey and Review on Gain Enhancement Methods of Microstrip Patch Antenna

Microstrip Patch antenna (MPA) is widely used in a number of antenna systems because of their low profile, light weight, low cost, compactness etc. Patch antenna is also used with Microwave IC’s and Monolithic Microwave IC’s because of its compatibility. But one of the major drawbacks of MPA is its lower gain and Bandwidth. Various methods were used by the researchers for the purpose of gain enrichment such as in microstrip antenna array, superstrate structure, change of dielectric material and partial removal of substrate. All these mechanisms individually increases the gain of MSA are being proved by researches. But however there is scope for improving gain of the antenna by hybridization techniques. In this paper we have made a survey and review on some of the different Gain and bandwidth enhancing techniques.
Migration of large‐scale subaqueous bedforms measured with seagrasses (Cymodocea nodosa) as tracers

The vertical growth of seagrasses in response to burial by migration of bedforms is combined with dating techniques to provide precise and rapid estimates of the migration speed of subaqueous dunes over seagrass patches. Two methods to estimate the time interval between the passage of successive dunes and the motion of single dunes through seagrass patches are described. The second method is more precise. The application of these methods to vegetated (Cymodocea nodosa) subaqueous dunes in the Alfacs Bay (NW Mediterranean) showed that the dunes traveled at an average speed of $13.0 \pm 0.6 m yr^-1$ and demonstrated that the methods can resolve migration speeds from 0.15 to $980 m yr^-1$ with this particular seagrass species. In areas vegetated with different seagrass species, bedform migration can be estimated over different time scales. The strong coupling between seagrass and sediment dynamics resembles the coupling of vegetation and land dunes.
Utilization of [U-14C]Fructooligosaccharides in Man as Energy Resources

Utilization of fructooligosaccharides, 1F-(β-fructofuranosyl)n-1-sucrose, which are not digestible in the small intestine but are fermentable by intestinal microorganisms in man, was investigated by a radiorespirometric study and an anaerobic incubation of [U-14C]fructooligosaccharides with feces.About 49% and 55% of the administered radioactivity were detected in expired 14CO2 after 24 and 48h, respectively.In the anaerobic incubation, the saccharides were catabolized to 14CO2 (9.6%), microbial cell constituents (10.4%), and 14C-volatile fatty acid (acetic acid, 24.1%; propionic acid, 20.2%; butyric acid, 11.4% and valeric acid, 2.2%). Complemental interpretation of the two studies allowed quantitation of the catabolic pathway of fructooligosaccharides in man, and utilization of the oligosaccharides was estimated to be 1.5kcal/g.
1a Hipóstesis: Para cada espécie (Mus e Rattus) e tipo de amostra (plasma, RBC, pelo, músculo), existem diferências nos valores de δ15N, δ13C, dN14/N14 e dC13/C12 para as variáveis independientes sexo, edad, estado reprodutor, estação e local

Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100-Espinardo, Murcia, Spain Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (IPNA-CSIC), Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), Avenida João Crisóstomo, 18 4oDto. , 1000-179 Lisboa, Portugal Servicio de Medio Ambiente, Cabildo Insular de La Palma, Avenida Los Indianos, 20, 2. 38700 Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain Marine and Environmental Research Center (IMAR/CMA), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
Chemical and non-chemical control of Meloidogyne incognita infecting cowpea under field conditions

Field studies were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to investigate the effects of air-dried milled neem leaves, Siam weed leaves and roots each at 30kg/ha and 50kg/ha and carbofuran at 1.5kg a.i./ha and 2.5 kg a.i/ha on Meloidogyne incognita infecting cowpea cv. IT 86D- 715. Carbofuran-treated plants had the highest grain yield (1.7 t/ha), and the least root galling (0.6) at harvest while carbofuran – treated soil had the least nematode population after harvest and population of Pratylenchus spp was reduced by 83.2%, Helicotylenchus spp. by 86.5%, Xiphinema spp by 89.1% and Meloidogyne incognita by 94.8%. This was followed by the grain yield in neem leaf-treated plants (1.35 t/ha) with a root galling of 1.4, while nematode population in neem leaf-treated soil was reduced as follows: Pratylenchus spp. , 67.6%, Helicotylenchus spp. , 64.1%, Xiphinema spp. , 64.8% and M. incognita , 83.4%. Grain yield in Siam weed –treated plants (0.8 t/ha) with a root galling of 1.7, was higher than that of control plants and population of Pratylenchus spp. was reduced by 49.9%, Helicotylenchus spp. by 59.1%, Xiphinema spp. by 63.2% and Meloidogyne incognita by 74.9%. Key Words: Meloidogyne; incognita; neem leaves; siam weed; leaves; siam weed roots; carbofuran Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 94-99
Object and Scene Recognition Impairments in Patients with Macular Degeneration

1.1 Macular degeneration: clinical aspects Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. (Klaver, et al 1998, Klein 2007). The disease adversely affects quality of life and activities of daily living, causing many affected individuals to lose their independence in their retirement years. It is estimated that, in the USA, over 8 million people have some stage of AMD, with hundred of thousands of people aged 75 or over developing some stage of AMD over any 5-year period. (Klein, et al 1997) Preventive measures are needed to reduce the burden of this disease. AMD affects the region with the highest density of photoreceptors: the macula, about 6 mm in diameter, covering the central 15-20° of the visual field. International classification and grading system for AMD proposes to separate features termed either early, and late age-related macular degeneration (Klein, et al 1992) with the term age-related macular degeneration (AMD) being reserved for late AMD. Early AMD is defined as degenerative disorder in individuals over 50 years of age. Ophthalmoscopy reveals yellow subretinal deposits called soft drusen (large, ≥ 63μm), or retinal pigment epithelial irregularities including hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation changes. (Bird, et al 1995). Many aspects of visual function, not just visual acuity, show a decline with normal aging, including dark adaptation, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity, sensitivity to glare, and visual field tests. Late AMD is associated with visual loss, and divided into a nonneovascular atrophic type (dry AMD, geographic atrophy), and a neovascular (wet) type. In atrophic AMD, gradual disappearance of the retinal pigment epithelium results in one or more patches of atrophy that slowly enlarge and coalesce. Geographic atrophy is defined as any sharply delineated round or oval area of hypo or hyperpigmentation or apparent absence of the retinal pigment epithelium, in which choroidal vessels are more visible than the surrounding areas and which is ≥ 1mm in diameter in funduscopy. (Sarks, et al 1988). An illustration is shown in Figure 1. Geographic atrophy involving the center of the macula leads to progressive visual loss. Development of geographic atrophy is associated with subsequent further growth of atrophy. For instance, a study by Lindblad et al (2009) showed that from a median initial lesion size of 4.3 mm2, average change from baseline geographic atrophy was 2.03 mm2 at 1 year, 3.78 mm2 at 2 years, 5.93 mm2 at 3 years (1.78 mm2 per year). Average visual acuity decreased by 22 letters after 5 years. Affected areas
Productivity and Diet of Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila Pomarina) in Lithuania in 2001–2003

In 2001–2003, the data on the productivity and diet of Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) were collected in Central, Northern and Eastern parts of Lithuania. Though during the mentioned period productivity varied greatly, mean productivity of 0.61 was very similar to that more than 10 years ago. During the study period successful breeders made up 59%; 3% of all successful breeding attempts resulted in two nestlings. The productivity correlated with the share of small rodents in the diet. With a decrease of the diet share of small rodents, the diet share of amphibians increased. Therefore we assume that Lesser Spotted Eagle in the study area behaves partly according to the alternative prey hypothesis. It is also likely that during the last decade small rodents became predominant in the diet of eagles, whereas the role of other kind of prey became less significant. Extensive agriculture can be one of the possible reasons for this. We also suggest that changes in agriculture during the last decade did no.
Loricate choanoflagellates (Acanthoecidae, Choanoflagellida) from the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

A study of the choanoflagellate species composition of an Antarctic ice edge zone (northern Weddeil Sea, March 1986) has resulted in the finding of 16 taxa of which one, Cosmoeca takahashii Thomsen sp.n. , is described here. An emended description is given of Parvicorbicula circularis. Morphological, numerical and dimensional aspects of other species have been analysed in an attempt to improve the circumscription of certain taxa, and to increase our understanding of the nature of intraspecific variability. Data on the relative abundance of choanoflagellate species along seaward transects perpendicular to the ice edge showed that seven species account for more than 95% of all choanoflagellates identified. The two most abundant species were Parvicorbicula socialis and Diaphanoeca pedicellata.
Myoclonus, Motor Deficits, Alterations in Emotional Responses and Monoamine Metabolism in ε-Sarcoglycan Deficient Mice

Mutations of epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) have been implicated in myoclonus-dystonia (M-D), a movement disorder. To determine the pathophysiology of M-D, we produced Sgce knockout mice and found that the knockout mice exhibited myoclonus, motor impairments, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, significantly higher levels of striatal dopamine and its metabolites, and an inverse correlation between the dopamine and serotonin metabolites. The results suggest that the diverse symptoms associated with M-D are indeed resulted from a single SGCE gene mutation that leads to alterations of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Therefore, antipsychotic agents and serotonin reuptake inhibitors may offer potential benefits for M-D patients.