Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomical evidence for segregated processing streams in the cat’s visual cortex

Studies in primates suggest the existence of at least three separate systems operating in parallel and specialized to process information about: 1) shape; 2) colour; and 3) motion. In visual cortex, these systems are segregated into either the “blobs” staining densely for cytochrome oxidase (CO), or the less densely staining interbiobs. Recent reports of CO blobs in the cat led to this investigation to determine whether CO blobs in this species also act to segregate inputs and outputs. LGN inputs to cat Vi arise from three classes of cells, known as X, Y, and W cells. W cell input was found in different layers of areas 17 and 18 than the X and Y cell input and was localized to CO blobs but not interblobs. The Y cell input from layer C was also found to be confined to the blobs. Area 17 has five major output pathways; to areas 18, 19, 20a, 21a, and the posterior medial lateral suprasylvian area (PIvILS). In areas 17 and 18, PMLS-projecting cells were clustered within the CO blobs. Labeling from injections in PMLS was also observed in other cortical areas, and was always clustered, most notably in area 19, where clusters of labeled cells were much wider than in other areas, and often elongated in a direction perpendicular to the 18/19 border. Large injections of tracers into area 19 labeled both blobs and interblobs in areas 17 and 18 while small injections often labeled either only blobs, or only interblobs. Labeling of the callosal pathway, while dense and uniform at the 17/18 border, showed, at the edges of the labeling pattern in areas 17 and 18, regular fluctuations of labeling density that aligned with the CO blobs. Together, these results provide the first demonstration of segregated visual processing streams in a non-primate species. Such an organization may be a general characteristic of mammalian visual cortical organization and not a primate specialization, as was once thought. Knowledge of these pathways in cats, a frequently used system for many developmental and physiological studies, should prove valuable.
Origins and evolution of three multidomain gene families concerned with basic cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes

Duplicate genes are the principal substrates for innovative tinkering during evolution. In eukaryotes a special case of tinkering is the acquisition of domain(s) after gene duplication. Domain acquisition results in the formation of multigene families that code for multidomain proteins. These families often diverge extensively, acquire new functions, and follow different modes of evolution. To understand the mode of evolution of such families, I studied the evolutionary relationships of three different gene families: the FORMIN, the BTK/TEC, and the DANGER. FORMIN proteins promote the assembly and elongation of actin filaments. My study showed that the FORMIN gene apparently originated at the advent of eukaryotes and probably was duplicated before the divergence of plants and animals. The FORMIN gene family followed the birth-and-death model of evolution and experienced multiple lineage-specific genomic rearrangements which led to acquisition of various different domains. On the basis of their domain organization, FORMIN proteins can be classified into three different types, A, B, and C. Type A FORMIN proteins have the typical Formin Homology 2 domain but lack any other known domain in their Nand C-terminal regions. Type B FORMIN proteins have N-and C-terminal domains, which interact in an intramolecular manner and inactivate the FORMIN function. Type C FORMIN proteins have various non-homologous Nand/or Cterminal domains. Type B FORMIN appeared in the common ancestor of unikonts. The presence of type B FORMIN genes in two parasitic bikonts is explained by either parallel evolution or horizontal gene transfer. This study provides insights into the diversification process of a eukaryote-specific
ON THE FEEDING REACTIONS AND DIGESTION IN THE CORAL POLYP ASTRANGIA DANÆ, WITH NOTES ON ITS SYMBIOSIS WITH ZOÖXANTHELLÆ

The feeding reactions of Astrangia in general consist of four actions: muscular action of the tentacles, muscular action of the central part of the oral disk, secretion of mucus by the oral disk, and ciliary action of the stomodaeum.The reaction of the food-vacuoles in the digestive region of the mesenterial filaments immediately after the feeding is acid; after about two days the reaction changes to alkaline. In this alkaline period in all probability the digestion takes place. There is sufficient evidence that besides intracellular digestion a secretion of a digestive fluid (a trypsin-like enzyme) occurs.In the polyps of Astrangia which contain zooxanthellae in their entoderm these unicellular algae furnish a part of the normal food of the polyps: a quantity of these algae are digested in the mesenterial filaments.Polyps of Astrangia without zooxanthellae can be easily infected with these algae by feeding them with crab meat mixed with parts of the tissues of strongly infected polyps.
Sudden wilt of passionfruit in southern Florida caused by Nectria haematococca

A sudden wilt of Possum Purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis X P. edulis f. flavicarpa) has been recognized for about 5 yr in southern Florida. Results from artificial inoculation studies indicate that a collar rot and canker disease, incited by homothallic strains of Nectria haematococca (anamorph: Fusarium solani), causes sudden wilt. Monoconidial strains of the fungus always caused cankers on wounded vines but did so inconsistently on nonwounded vines
Interactive effects of dietary protein concentration, a mono-component exogenous protease and ascorbic acid on broiler performance, nutritional status and gut health

A total of 640 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used to explore the interactive effects of diet nutrient density, exogenous protease and ascorbic acid on performance, nutrient digestibility and various gut health metrics. A total of eight dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with the factors being adequate or reduced (~4%) crude protein and amino acids, without or with exogenous protease and without or with supplemental ascorbic acid. Over the 35-day experimental period, birds that received the adequate diet had higher (P < 0.01) bodyweight gain and lower (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than birds that received the diet with reduced protein and amino acid density. Supplemental protease reduced (P < 0.001) FCR and this influence was more apparent in birds fed the diet with reduced protein concentration. Gut tensile strength tended to be increased by protease (P = 0.09) and ascorbic acid (P = 0.06) supplementation. Supplemental protease reduced (P < 0.001) jejunal goblet cell numbers and epithelial thickness and increased (P < 0.05) villus height compared with unsupplemented diets. Ascorbic acid tended (P = 0.05) to increase sialic acid concentration in ileal digesta. Protease increased (P < 0.01) the coefficients of apparent ileal digestibility for all amino acids other than methionine and this effect tended (P = 0.07 to 0.09) to be more pronounced in the low protein diet for aspartic acid, histidine and arginine. The concentration of taurine in ileal digesta was reduced (P < 0.01) by protease whereas hydroxyproline concentrations tended (P = 0.09) to increase by ascorbic acid addition. These results confirm previous reports on the effectiveness of exogenous protease in diets reduced in crude protein and digestible amino acids. Furthermore, both protease and ascorbic acid may influence gut health through promotion of tensile strength, epithelial morphology and endogenous protein flow. The interaction between exogenous protease and ascorbic acid on gut health with an emphasis on collagen structure and tight junction integrity is an area for future study.
Relationship between academic achievement, visual-motor integration, gender and socio-economic status: North-West Child Health Integrated with Learning and Development study

Background: Inconsistencies are found regarding the relationship between academic achievement and visual-motor integration (VMI), gender and socio-economic status (SES). Aim: The study examined the associations between academic achievement in different compulsory learning areas and VMI skills, and what role gender and SES play. Setting: A total of 863 participants ( n = 538, low SES group; n = 325, high SES group) from 20 schools in four school districts in the North West province of South Africa were randomly selected to participate. Methods: The Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test, 4th edition (VMI-4) was used to evaluate the VMI, visual perception and motor coordination skills; and the June mid-year school assessment (JMSA) and the Annual National Assessment (ANA) marks were used to examine their academic achievements. Spearman rank-order correlations and stepwise regression analyses were used to, examine significant associations and unique contributors, respectively. Results: Small-to-moderate significant correlations were found between all the learning areas assessed during the JMSA and the ANA examinations and the VMI-4. The strongest correlations occurred between visual perception and most of the learning areas. Socio-economic status had the greatest predictive association with most of the academic learning areas. The largest contributions (≥ 10% moderate, ≥ 25% great) of SES were found during the JMSA in English, life orientation, mathematics, natural science, social sciences and in the grade point averages. During the ANA, SES had the highest predictive contribution to English and mathematics. Conclusion: The overall academic achievement of learners could be negatively affected by their SES and visual perception skills, that suggest timeously prevention strategies to counter these effects.
Examining the Impact of Training and Nativeness on Teacher’s self-efficacy in teaching English

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of training and 'nativeness' on teacher's self-efficacy in teaching English as a second language. A questionnaire was used and administered to 281 foreign teachers in Nasseria, Iraq. The teacher’s sense of efficacy scale (TSES) was employed to measure a teacher's self-efficacy. Using MANOVA, we tested the impact of teachers’ training and 'nativeness' on a teacher’s self-efficacy. The analysis showed that trained teachers have higher self-efficacy than untrained teachers and further that professional development enhances self-efficacy. The study established that being a native speaker does not necessarily influence a teacher's self-efficacy and goes to support the hypothesis that target language proficiency should not be associated with being a language teacher. Ultimately, policymakers and educational administrators should concentrate on the professional development of language teachers and disband the native/non-native dichotomy.
Bacterial Community Structure and Functional arrA Gene Diversity Associated with Arsenic Reduction and Release in an Industrially Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT This study aimed at evaluating potential arsenic (As) mobility in an industrially contaminated soil (64 mg/kg of As) of the Meuse River basin, and at identifying key bacterial groups that drive soil As dynamics. Both speciation and release of As from this soil was followed under anaerobic conditions using a laboratory batch experiment. In the presence of exogenous carbon sources, AsV initially present in the soil matrix and/or adsorbed on synthetic hydrous ferric oxides were solubilized and mainly reduced to AsIII by indigenous soil microflora. After a 1-month incubation period in these biotic conditions, AsIII accounted for 80–85% of the total dissolved As and more than 60% of the solid-phase As. Bacterial community structure (i.e., 16S rDNA-based capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism profiles) changed with incubation time and As amendment. The detection of distantly related arsenate respiratory reductase genes (arrA), as functional markers of AsV respirers, indicates that novel dissimilatory AsV-reducing bacteria may be involved in As biotransformation and mobility in anoxic soils. Since As and iron were concomitantly released, a crucial role of indirect As-mobilizing bacteria on As behavior was also revealed. Our results show that the majority of As within the soil matrix was bioavailable and bioaccessible for heterotrophic AsV reduction to AsIII, which may increase As toxicity and mobility in the contaminated soils.
Genetic identification of 43 elite clonal accessions of Populus deltoides by SSR fingerprinting

Abstract: In this study, 43 elite clones of Populus deltoides were fingerprinted with ABI 3730 capillary electrophoresis by using six SSR primer pairs. Based on the fingerprinting profiles, 62 polymorphic bands were generated with a mean number of 10 alleles per locus, and allele numbers amplified by each primer in these clones ranged from 5 (NJFUP-poly10) to 16 (NJFUP-poly07). The power of discrimination values for these primer pairs ranged from 0.80 to 0.94, with an average value of 0.89. Among the six primer pairs, the most efficient primer pair for genetic discrimination of these elite clones was NJFUP-poly02, which could identify 22 of the 43 elite clones directly. In conclusion, all the 43 elite clones of P. deltoides could be discriminated unambiguously based on their genotypes at the six SSR loci. The combination of all six loci gave considerable reliability and accuracy for genetic identification of these clonal accessions. Subsequently, genetic relationship of these clones was plotted by the UPGMA clustering and principle component analysis. Results of both analyses indicated that clone “C7-1” had the largest genetic distance from the other clones, followed by clone “C51-1” and a subgroup comprising clone “C100-3” and “C62-3”. These clones are proposed to be possibly more affected by the inter-specific gene introgression.
Characterization of hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme a Shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase from Populus euramericana

Hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT), PeHCT was cloned from Populus euramericana. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed that PeHCT contained a conserved HXXXDG motif that was found in acyltransferase. The in vitro substrate was determined using recombinant PeHCT. The recombinant PeHCT showed substrate-specificity towards shikimic acid. In addition, PeHCT displayed higher expression in the stem than in the leaf, and its expression increased during the growth stage of the leaf. Results indicate PeHCT could be involved in lignin biosynthesis by formation of p-coumaroyl shikimate.
Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Composites Fabricated Using Innovative Carbon Fiber Wet Laid Process

Recent innovation in production of optimized nonwoven wet laid (WL) carbon fiber (CF) mats raised the question of optimal translation of the performance and isotropy into composites formed through these dry preforms. This work explores the mechanical behavior of composites produced from WL-CF mats in conjunction with the microstructure predicted through Object Oriented Finite Element Analysis (OOF). The mats used for the composites were prepared in two dispersion regimes using 25.4 mm long CF. The mixing regimes discussed in the author’s previous work, are identified as Method 1 for the traditional processing regime and Method 2 for the innovative regime that provided optimal nonwoven WL-CF mats. Composite panels from Method 2 mats showed a normalized tensile strength increase of 52% over those from Method 1 panels. Reproducibility analysis of composites made from Method 2 mats demonstrated a standard deviation of 2% in fiber weight content, 2% in tensile modulus and 9% in tensile strength, while composites made from Method 1 mats demonstrated a standard deviation of 5% in fiber weight content, 5% in tensile modulus and 17% in tensile strength. Systematic study of the microstructure and its analysis through OOF confirmed the isotropy translation of mats produced through method 2 to the composites. This study validated the hypothesis that optimal nonwoven mats lead to a well-balanced composite with optimal performance and that non-optimal nonwoven mats do not pack into a well-balanced composite.
Bae, Sujin and Jung, Timothy and Moorhouse, Natasha and Suh, Minjeong and Kwon, Ohbyung (2020)The Influence of Mixed Reality on Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty in Cultural Heritage Attractions: A Brand Equity Perspec-

Mixed reality technology is being increasingly used in cultural heritage attractions to enhance visitors’ experiences. However, how the characteristics of mixed reality affect satisfaction and brand loyalty has not been explored in previous research. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting satisfaction with mixed reality experiences at cultural and artistic visitor attractions and their influence on brand loyalty, which is connected with management performance. We propose a theoretical model based on brand equity theory in the context of mixed reality experience. Survey data were gathered from 251 respondents visiting a cultural and artistic visitor attraction in Seoul, Korea, using a stratified sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for the data analysis. The results suggest that the characteristics of mixed reality (interactivity, vividness) not only influence the affective aspects (perceived immersion, perceived enjoyment) of visitors’ experiences, but also positively affect brand awareness, brand association, and brand loyalty.
Integrated weed management in dry direct-seeded rainy season rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was carried out during rainy season (kharif) of 2006 and 2007 at Pundibari, West Bengal to work out integrated weed management practices and their economics in dry direct-seeded rice. The weed flora emerged during experimentation were: grasses like Cynodon dactylon and Echinochloa colonum; sedges like Cyperus rotundus, C. iria, and Fimbristylis miliacea; and broad-leaved weeds like Ludwigia parviflora, Ageratum conyzoides, Spilanthes paniculata, Eclipta alba and Enhydra fluctuans. In integrated weed-management practices, butachlor @ 1.5 kg/ha as pre-plant surface application + brown manuring with Sesbania rostrata + 2,4-D @ 0.50 kg/ha recorded the highest grain yield (3.00–3.88 t/ha), which was significantly on a par with that obtained from season-long weed-free situation (3.14–3.98 t/ha). The highest net returns (Rs 11,889 and 19,029/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (0.74 and 1.19) were also recorded in this treatment. Therefore, this integrated weed management practice could become effective in dry-direct seeded kharif rice under foothill (terai) agro-climatic region of West Bengal.
Clinical Significance of Foxp3 Gene Expression in Patients with Lupus Nephritis

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is an inflammation of the kidney that is one of the most serious complications of SLE. Recent studies revealed that the Foxp3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objectives: To measure Foxp3 mRNA expressions in peripheral blood of patients with active and inactive form of lupus nephritis (LN) versus healthy control subjects and explore its role in disease activity. Subjects and Methods: Real time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Foxp3 by SYBR Green technique in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs Foxp3) of 24 patients with active lupus nephritis (LN), 10 patients with inactive lupus and 40 healthy subjects. Results: We found that Foxp3 mRNA expression level in both patient’s groups (n=34) was significantly higher than that in normal control group (n=40), (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Foxp3 in active stage (n=24) was higher than that in inactive stage (n=10), (p< 0.05). Moreover, Foxp3 mRNA level positively correlated with SLEDAI (r=0.592, p <0.0001) and with serum creatinine level (r= 0.576; P= 0.003). Conclusion: We concluded that PBMNCs foxp3 mRNA is markedly up-regulated in patients with active LN, and the level of expression is closely correlated with the clinical disease activity. Measurement of Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood may be a non-invasive risk biomarker for assessing the disease severity in LN.
Crossing the threshold: an amphibian assemblage highly infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the southern Brazilian Atlantic forest

ABSTRACT The fungal infection caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in amphibians is known to be lethal when infection intensity values exceed loads of 10,000 zoospores per individual. We investigated Bd infection intensity in 100 anurans of southern Brazil. Almost half of the individuals were infected and the intensity ranged from four to about 156,000 zoospore genomic equivalents. We found no clinical signs of chytridiomycosis and no evidence of mortality. However, we observed a reduction in the number of infected individuals with loads above 10,000 zoospores. This fact could be considered indirect evidence that individuals with high loads are removed from the population.
Electromagnetic field in corn grain production and health

The effect of electromagnetic field on agricultural characteristics, yield and health conditions of corn hybrids was assessed using biophysical methods, in order to improve production and health of maize grain (Zea mays L.) for human consumption. The seed was exposed to electromagnetic field at an intensity of 480 mT. Hybrids San Juan and San Jose and five times of exposure (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 min) were evaluated, as well as a (non-irradiated) control, in a completely randomized block design. On average, grain yield of 9 tons per ha was obtained. With 12 min exposure to electromagnetic field, plant height increased by 0.56% and stem diameter by 3.19%; likewise, yield per hectare was 6.03%, equivalent to 550 kg per ha, compared to the non-irradiated control. San Jose yielded 8.79% more, with 12 min exposure to electromagnetic field, and San Juan 6.52% more, with 6 min. In grain, an average 23% of Fusarium spp. and 19% of Fusarium moniliforme were quantified. The presence of Fusarium spp. diminished by 33.69 and 13.04% compared to the control, with 3 and 12 min of exposure to electromagnetic field. Key words: Zea mays L. , grain yield, Fusarium spp. , health quality, electromagnetic field.
GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS UNDER SALINITY STRESS IN LOTUS CORNICULATUS

Salinity is a main and common stress which decreases the amount of agriculture products and natural plants in many areas of the world. In this study, the effect of salt stress on three varieties of Lotus corniculatus 'Karaj', 'Jolfa', and 'Ardabil' was investigated. Plants were cultured in hydroponic condition with four NaCl treatments (0, 50, 100, 150 mM). The amounts of proline, glycine betaine, soluble sugars as well as Na and Cl were analyzed. The results showed that sodium and chloride content in all varieties significantly increased in shoot (p<0.05). The amounts of proline and soluble sugars significantly increased in all varieties (p<0.05). However, increasing in NaCl concentration raised significantly glycine betaine content in leaves of the varieties (p<0.05). As far as the measured factors are concerned, it seems that 'Jolfa' and 'Karaj' have a higher capacity to tolerate salt stress particularly in 100-150 mM NaCl compared with 'Ardabil'.