Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concurrent administration of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) and diminazene aceturate enhanced survival rate and reduced parasitaemia in experimental murine Trypanosoma brucei Plimmer & Bradford, 1899 (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatida) infection

The efficacy of concurrent diminazene and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) extract in murine Trypanosoma brucei Plimmer & Bradford, 1899 (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatida) infection was evaluated. Two infected groups were treated with extract at 400 mg.kg-1 (G1) and 800 mg.kg-1 (G2) alone while another two groups received 400 mg.kg-1 (GD1) and 800 mg.kg-1 (GD2) of extract concurrently with diminazene 3.5 mg.kg-1 intraperitoneally. One infected group received diminazene 3.5 mg.kg-1 only (D) while another received 1 mg.kg-1 Tween 80 (C1) orally. The seventh group was uninfected and untreated (C2). Survival rate, parasitemia, liver weight, spleen weight, haematological indices were evaluated. Survival rates were 0% in C1, G1 and G2, 20% in D, 40% in GD2, 60% in GD1 and 100% in C2. Animals in groups G1, G2 and C1 died between 6 and 8 days pt. Parasitemia levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in D1 than in GD1 and GD2 by day 16 post treatment. PCV and RBC counts were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in GD1, GD2 and D than in C2. Liver and spleen weights increased significantly (P < 0.05) due to infection and never fully recovered in all treatment options. Ginger (Z. officinale) extract enhanced diminazene efficacy by increasing survival rates and lowering parasitemia.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL NON-PEPTIDE PROTEASOME INHIBITORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SOLID TUMORS

OF DISSERTATION THE DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL NON-PEPTIDE PROTEASOME INHIBITORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SOLID TUMORS The proteasome is a large protein complex which is responsible for the majority of protein degradation in eukaryotes. Following FDA approval of the first proteasome inhibitor bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in 2003, there has been an increasing awareness of the significant therapeutic potential of proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. As of 2017, three proteasome inhibitors are approved for the treatment of MM but in clinical trials with patients bearing solid tumors these existing proteasome inhibitors have demonstrated poor results. Notably, all three FDA-approved proteasome inhibitors rely on the combination a peptide backbone and reactive electrophilic warhead to target the proteasome, and all three primarily target the catalytic subunits conferring the proteasome’s chymotrypsin-like (CT-L) activity. It is our hypothesis that compounds with non-peptidic structures, non-covalent and reversible modes of action, and unique selectivity profiles against the proteasome’s distinct catalytic subunits could have superior pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and may bear improved activity against solid tumors relative to existing proteasome inhibitors. In an effort to discover such compounds we have employed an approach which combines computational drug screening methods with conventional screening and classic medicinal chemistry. Our efforts began with a computational screen performed in the lab of Dr. Chang-Guo Zhan. This virtual screen narrowed a library of over 300,000 drug-like compounds down to under 300 virtual hits which were then screened for proteasome inhibitory activity in an in vitro assay. Despite screening a relatively small pool of compounds, we were able to identify 18 active compounds. The majority of these hits were non-peptide in structure and lacked any hallmarks of covalent inhibition. The further development of one compound, a trisubstituted pyrazole, provided us with a proteasome inhibitor which demonstrated cytotoxic activity in a variety of human solid cancer cell lines as well as significant anti-tumor activity in a prostate cancer mouse xenograft model. We have also evaluated the in vitro pharmacokinetic properties of our lead compound and investigated its ability to evade crossresistance phenomena in proteasome inhibitor-resistant cell lines. We believe that our lead compound as well as our drug discovery approach itself will be of interest and use to other researchers. We hope that this research effort may aid in the further development of reversible non-peptide proteasome inhibitors and may eventually deliver new therapeutic options for patients with difficult-to-treat solid tumors.
Total aflatoxin level and fungi contamination of maize and maize products

Samples of maize and maize products purchased from selected markets in parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria were analyzed for total aflatoxin and fungi contamination using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and mycological procedures. The mean aflatoxin concentration of the maize and maize products obtained from this study shows that one hundred and fifty two (82.70%) of the maize products had aflatoxin contamination above the tolerance level of 20ppb stipulated by World Health Organization). The old maize had a mean aflatoxin level of 177ppb while the new maize had a mean aflatoxin level of 102ppb.The mean aflatoxin level in maize flour was 174ppb while the maize bran had a mean aflatoxin level of 213ppb. Significant differences exists between the mean aflatoxin contaminations of old maize, fresh maize, maize flour and maize bran. Five fungal genera namely: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus,, Fusarium and Botrytis were isolated. Aspergillus was the most predominant genera isolated (62%). Among the Aspergillus, three species namely A. niger, A. tamari, and A. flavus were identified. The high level of aflatoxin in maize and maize products highlights the health problem associated with the consumption of these products with the toxin that could lead to adverse health effects such as liver, cervical, breast or oesophageal cancer.
Scaling distributional patterns of butterflies across multiple scales: Impact of range history and habitat type

Assessing the threat status of declining but yet widespread species poses a challenge to applied ecologists. Previous studies using a common metric to describe the spatial aggregation of occurrences across multiple scales, the fractal dimension Dij, have suggested that species’ distributional trends may be deduced from readily understandable spatial patterns: Expanding species are expected to show more aggregated spatial distributions (higher value of Dij) than declining species (lower value of Dij). Here, we revisited these predictions using a large‐scale empirical dataset on Finnish butterflies.
Improving Protein Sequence Classification Performance Using Adjacent and Overlapped Segments on Existing Protein Descriptors

In protein sequence classification research, it is popular to convert a variable length sequence of protein into a fixed length numerical vector by using various descriptors, for instance, composition of k-mer composition. Such position-independent descriptors are useful since they are applicable to any length of sequence; however, positional information of subsequence is discarded even though it might have high contribution to classification performance. To solve this problem, we divided the original sequence into some segments, and then calculated the numerical features for them. It enables us to partially introduce positional information (for instance, compositions of serine in anterior and posterior segments of a sequence). Through comprehensive experiments on the number of segments and length of overlapping region, we found our classification approach with sequence segmentation and feature selection is effective to improve the performance. We evaluated our approach on three protein classification problems and achieved significant improvement in all cases which have a dataset with sufficient amino acid in each sequence. This result has shown the great potential of using additional segments in protein sequence classification to solve other sequence problems in bioinformatics.
Mechanism of Light Signaling in Controlling Chloroplast Biogenesis

Mechanism of Light Signaling in Controlling Chloroplast Biogenesis by Emily Jie-Ning Yang Department of Biology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ____________________________ Tai-Ping Sun, Supervisor ____________________________ Meng Chen ____________________________ Philip N. Benfey ____________________________ Dave McClay ____________________________ Tso-Pang Yao An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biology in the Graduate School of Duke University
PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS E QUÍMICAS DE UM ARGISSOLO SOB CULTIVO DE Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden NO PAMPA GAÚCHO

A conversão de uma área de vegetação natural para uma área de cultivo associada às mudanças na cobertura vegetal podem acarretar modificações em algumas propriedades do solo, interferindo em sua qualidade. Dessa forma, o trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar as alterações ocorridas nas propriedades físicas e químicas de um solo arenoso sob vegetação de campo nativo após a implantação de povoamentos de Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden, em diferentes densidades populacionais. O trabalho foi realizado na região da Campanha Gaúcha, município de São Francisco de Assis-RS. Foi instalado um experimento implantado com Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden sobre campo nativo, nos espaçamentos 3,50 m x 3,50 m; 3,50 m x 1,75 m; 1,75 m x 1,75 m e 1,75 m x 0,87 m, em um Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram coletadas, em cada unidade experimental, amostras de solo nas profundidades de 0,00-0,10 m; 0,10-0,20 m e 0,20-0,40 m antes e após 12 meses da implantação. As propriedades físicas do solo avaliadas foram densidade, porosidade total, macroporosidade, microporosidade do solo e distribuição do tamanho dos agregados estáveis em água. As propriedades químicas determinadas foram: pH H2O, alumínio (Al), cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), e potássio (K) trocáveis, fósforo disponível (P), nitrogênio total (N) e carbono orgânico total (C). Ocorreram alterações significativas na macro e microporosidade, na porcentagem dos agregados pertencentes à classe de tamanho de 8,00-4,75 mm e no DMG devido às práticas de preparo do solo e do manejo do povoamento no período inicial. Para as propriedades químicas do solo, houve aumento no pH e nos níveis de Ca no solo após 12 meses devido ao efeito da adubação aplicada.
The inhibition of automatic imitation: A meta-analysis and synthesis of fMRI studies

Humans copy other people without their conscious awareness, a behaviour known as automatic imitation. Although automatic imitation forms a key part of daily social interactions, we do not copy other people indiscriminately. Instead, we control imitative tendencies by prioritising some actions and inhibiting others. To date, neuroimaging studies investigating the control of automatic imitation have produced inconsistent findings. Some studies suggest that imitation control relies on a domain-specific neural circuit related to social cognition (the theory-of-mind network). In contrast, other studies show engagement of a domain-general neural circuit that is engaged during a diverse range of cognitive control tasks (the multiple demand network). Given the inconsistency of prior findings, in the current paper we avoided problems associated with interpreting individual studies by performing a meta-analysis. To do so, we used a multi-level kernel density analysis to quantitatively identify consistent patterns of activation across functional magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating the control of imitation. Our results show clear and consistent evidence across studies that the control of automatic imitation is guided by brain regions in the multiple demand network including dorsolateral frontoparietal cortex. In contrast, there was only limited evidence that regions in the theory of mind network were engaged. Indeed, medial prefrontal cortex showed no consistent engagement and right temporoparietal junction engagement may reflect spatial rather than imitative control. As such, the current meta-analysis reinforces the role of domain-general control mechanisms and questions the role of domain-specific processes in regulating imitative tendencies. Consequently, neurocognitive models of imitation need updating to place more emphasis on domain-general control mechanisms, as well as to consider more complex organisational structures of control, which may involve contributions from multiple cognitive systems.
Population Differences in Fecundity Components in the Hermaphroditic Freshwater Snail Planorbella trivolvis

Abstract: Fecundity in outcrossing species can be influenced by both maternal and paternal parents. To tease out these influences, we observed egg production in two populations of the hermaphroditic freshwater snail, Planorbella trivolvis (Say 1817). We carried out both intra- and inter-population matings between individuals from an inbred albino laboratory strain and individuals one generation removed from a natural population, and measured egg production for two 3-week periods - immediately after mating and 11 weeks later. In the female role, individuals from the albino laboratory population produced significantly more egg masses than the wild derived snails, regardless of whether they were mated to a partner of wild or laboratory origin, indicating that egg mass production is controlled by the maternal parent. Conversely, regardless of their own origin (laboratory or wild), snails mated to individuals from the wild derived population laid more eggs in each egg mass than those fertilized by sperm from the lab population. These results indicate that the number of egg masses a snail lays is determined at least in part by a maternal contribution, and that the number of eggs deposited in each mass may be influenced by the origin of the sperm donor. In addition, we confirmed a short-term trade-off between growth and reproduction as differences in egg production among mating types were mirrored by differences in body size. Further investigation into the nature of these differences will lead to better understanding of the reproductive biology of these hermaphrodite mollusks.
Characteristics of soil microbial biomass and community composition in Pinus yunnanensis var. Tenuifolia secondary forests

ABSTRACT Pinus yunnanensis var. Tenuifolia is an important species of timber and grease in southern China, but the characteristics of the soil microbial community in P. yunnanensis var. natural secondary forests are still poorly understood. Using a fumigation-extraction method and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, we study microbial biomass and community composition in the topsoil (0–10 cm) of three types of secondary forests (PYI, PYII, PYIII) dominated by P. yunnanensis var. to varing degrees. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, total PLFA, and PLFA contents of bacterial, fungal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were significantly lower in PYI than PYII or PYIII, and there were significant differences in the monounsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio among the tested forests. Principal component analysis indicated that the soil microbial community structure of the tested forests differed significantly. The changes in soil microbial biomass and community composition were positively correlated with soil water content, pH, organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus. Season did not significantly affect the soil microbial community structure, but significantly affected soil microbial biomass, SOM, and TN, which were higher in the dry season than in the wet season.
Plant sex and phenological stage affect interactions with rhizosphere nematode communities

ABSTRACT Background: In dioecious plants, females and males associate differently with mycorrhizal fungi, but interactions with other rhizosphere organisms are less well studied. Aims: We investigated the effect of plant sex on rhizosphere nematode communities associated with Corema album, a dioecious shrub occurring in coastal habitats. Methods: Rhizosphere samples were collected from males and females in three populations (150 plants), during fruiting and flowering. Nematode communities were characterised and compared between plant sexes through statistical analyses of the abundance of trophic groups, plant parasitic nematode (PPN) genera and ecological indices. Results: Free-living nematodes showed no statistically significant differences owing to plant sex. Conversely, PPN community composition was significantly different between plant sexes during fruiting but not flowering, suggesting that physiological requirements over the annual phenological cycle of the plant influence ecological interactions with the rhizosphere. Of the 13 PPN genera identified, the ectoparasitic Criconema and Hemicriconemellawere more abundant in the rhizosphere of males during fruiting, whereas the endoparasitic Meloidogyne associated more frequently with females, suggesting that plant host suitability is related to PPN feeding strategy. Conclusions: It appears that interactions of individuals of different sexes of C. album with the rhizosphere nematode community vary with phenological stage, especially for PPN.
Impact of protected areas on poverty, extreme poverty, and inequality in Nepal

Protected areas (PAs) are key for biodiversity conservation, but there are concerns that they can exacerbate poverty or unequal access to potential benefits, such as those arising from tourism. We assess how Nepalese PAs influence poverty, extreme poverty, and inequality using a multidimensional poverty index, and a quasi‐experimental design that controls for potential confounding factors in non‐random treatment allocation. We specifically investigate the role of tourism in contributing to PA impacts. Nepali PAs reduced overall poverty and extreme poverty, and crucially, did not exacerbate inequality. Benefits occurred in lowland and highland regions, and were often greater when a larger proportion of the area was protected. Spread of benefits to nearby areas outside PAs was negligible. Furthermore, older PAs performed better than more recently established ones, suggesting the existence of time lags. Although tourism was a key driver of poverty alleviation, PAs also reduced extreme poverty in areas with fewer tourists.
Quantifying metacognitive thresholds using signal-detection theory

How sure are we about what we know? Confidence, measured via self-report, is often interpreted as a subjective probabilistic estimate on having made a correct judgement. The neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the construction of confidence and the information incorporated into these judgements are of increasing interest. Investigating these mechanisms requires principled and practically applicable measures of confidence and metacognition. Unfortunately, current measures of confidence are subject to distortions from decision biases and task performance. Motivated by a recent signal-detection theoretic behavioural measure of metacognitive sensitivity, known as meta-ď, here we present a quantitative behavioural measure of confidence that is invariant to decision bias and task performance. This measure, which we call m-distance, captures in a principled way the propensity to report decisions with high (or low) confidence. Computational simulations demonstrate the robustness of m-distance to decision bias and task performance, as well as its behaviour under conditions of high and low metacognitive sensitivity and under dual-channel and hierarchical models of metacognition. The introduction of the m-distance measure will enhance systematic quantitative studies of the behavioural expression and neurocognitive basis of subjective confidence.
Aporte y descomposición de hojarasca en bosques templados de la región de El Salto, Durango

In order to know the contribution and decomposition of litter as an ecosystem process through which nutrients are transferred to the soil, two study sites (2 500 m2) were evaluated during one year: El Brillante, where the forest structure is conditioned by Quercus sideroxyla and Pinus cooperi var. ornelasii, and Santa Barbara, with Cupressus lusitanica and Pseudotsuga menziesii and different composition of species; in each one, ten 1 m2 litter collectors were installed, in which the collection was made every two weeks. This material was separated into components: leaves, reproductive structure, branches, bark, insects, feces and others (moss, resin and unidentified tissue). To measure foliar decomposition, 160 bags with 10 g of dry litter were distributed per site and reviewed each month. Total litter production was 5.9 (El Brillante) and 3.6 Mg ha-1 year (Santa Barbara). Through a regression analysis, the Simple Negative Exponential model was the best to describe the relationship between the initial and final weight in the decomposition. For the decomposition of 50 and 90 % of the mass of the leaves, the time required was 1.6 and 10.8 years, respectively. El Brillante has a higher production of litter, however, the decomposition process is similar to that of Santa Barbara. The comparison of averages in the litter contribution and decomposition of the foliar fraction for the study sites was carried out with the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.
Substrates, emergence and seedling quality of hymenaea stigonocarpa mart. (Jatoba) in protected cultivation

Because the consumption and use of native fruit, there is need for research on strategies for maintenance propagation of the species. Jatoba is a fruitful tree of great importance to the Brazilian fauna, cuisine and reclamation and thus is essential to obtain high quality seedlings. This study aimed at the formation of Jatoba seedlings on different substrates. The experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm for Teaching, Research and Extension of UNESP, Campus Ilha Solteira, SP, located in Selvíria/MS for the period 13 October 2011 to 11 February. For producing the seedlingsm we used a black screen of polypropylene (Sombrite) with 50% light reduction and black plastic bags 15 x 21,5 cm (1.8 L) filed with different substrates: (S1) soil control; (S2) soil (50%) + manure (50%); (S3) soil + mineral fertilizer; (S4) soil (50%) + mineral fertilizer + manure (50%); (S5) soil + limestone; (S6) soil (50%) + limestone + manure (50%); (S7) soil + mineral fertilizer + limestone; (S8) soil (50%) + limestone + manure + mineral fertilizer (50%). Emergence of seeds was evaluated daily and fortnightly and after emergence of seeds were observed height and stem diameter. At 120 days after emergence, we evaluated the length of root system, shoot and root dry mass, total dry mass, shoot/ lap diameter (S/D), relation between shoot and root dry mass (SDM/RDM), relation between shoot and root fresh mass (SFM/RFM), relation between length of shoot/root (LS/LR) and Dickson’s Quality Score (DQS). Experimental design was completely randomized in factorial with 8 x 7 reviews substrates. Proceeded with analysis of variance unfolding of significant interactions with the Tukey test for comparisons of means of the substrate factor and time factor for polynomial regression. Treatment pure soil substrate (S1) provided to the Jatoba seedlings the largest biomass formation of shoot and root dry mass. The addition of manure to the substrate did not benefit the development of the Jatoba seedlings.