Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic analysis of essential genes reveals new regulators of G protein signaling

The yeast pheromone pathway consists of a canonical heterotrimeric G protein and MAP kinase cascade. To identify new signaling components we systematically evaluated 870 essential genes using a library of repressible‐promoter strains. Quantitative transcription‐reporter and MAPK activity assays were used to identify strains that exhibit altered pheromone sensitivity. Of the 92 newly identified essential genes required for proper G protein signaling, those involved with protein degradation were most highly‐represented. Included in this group are members of the SCF (Skp‐Cullin‐F‐Box) ubiquitin ligase complex. Further genetic and biochemical analysis reveals that SCFCdc4 acts together with the Cdc34 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme at the level of the G protein, promotes degradation of the G protein α subunit, Gpa1, in vivo and catalyzes Gpa1 ubiquitination in vitro. These new insights to the G protein signaling network reveal the essential‐genome as an untapped resource for identifying new components and regulators of signal transduction pathways.
Hyperviscosity

A 63-year-old male presented with vision loss in his right eye. Visual acuity was 20/200 OD and fundoscopy revealed vitreous hemorrhage, serous retinal detachment involving the superonasal quadrant (*), and scattered retinal hemorrhages (arrows) consistent with central retinal vein occlusion (Fig. 1A; magnification ×1.8). Initial blood work could not be analyzed as plasma samples demonstrated gel-like viscosity at room temperature (Fig. 1B and Video S1, available as supporting information in the online version of this paper). Subsequent testing revealed an IgM level of 81 g/L (normal range, 0.40-2.50 g/L) with an IgM lambda paraprotein. Marrow biopsy demonstrated infiltration with lymphoplasmacytoid lymphocytes (CD20+ and lambda light chain restricted on immunohistochemistry) consistent with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (Fig. 1C; H and E stain, magnification ×200). Therapeutic ▶ Fig. 1. (A) Fundoscopy demonstrating vitreous hemorrhage, serous retinal detachment (*) and scattered retinal hemorrhages (arrows) consistent with central retinal vein occlusion (magnification ×1.8). (B) Plasma sample with gel-like viscosity at room temperature. (C) Marrow biopsy demonstrating infiltration with lymphoplasmacytoid lymphocytes consistent with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (H and E stain, magnification ×200).
Combination of long-chain alcohols and fatty acids with alkanes as faecal markers to estimate feed intake and digestibility in horses and cattle fed on grass-heathland vegetation communities

Abstract: Application of long-chain alcohols (LCOH) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) combined with alkanes as faecal markers to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of equines and cattle was assessed. Six crossbred mares, randomly divided in two groups (H1 and H2), and three nonlactating cows (C) were housed in individual stalls. Groups H1 and C were fed on a diet of ryegrass (Lolium perenne, 0.7) and heather (Erica spp., Calluna vulgaris, 0.3), and H2 received ryegrass (0.4), heather (0.3) and gorse (Ulex gallii, 0.3). Digestibility was estimated using LCOH (C28-OH and C30-OH) and LCFA (C28-FA, C30-FA, and C32-FA) as internal markers. For DMI estimation, animals received daily a paper pellet containing C24, C32, and C36 n-alkanes. Intake was estimated from the faecal ratio of naturally occurring LCOH, LCFA, and dosed n-alkanes, and was compared with the known DMI values. In horses, all markers provided accurate estimates of DMD. Similarly, LCOH provided accurate estimates of DMD in cattle, whereas LCFA underestimated it (P < 0.05). Intake estimates were affected (P < 0.05) by the marker pair used in calculations. In general, the C24:C24-FA pair provided the most accurate DMI estimates. Results suggest the usefulness of combining epicuticular compounds as faecal markers to estimate DMI, DMD and diet composition of horses and cattle grazing grass-heathland communities, simultaneously.
Briefly Noted

Oral administration of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum in a gastric acid resistant capsule once daily to 15 hemodialysis patients reduced serum phosphate by about 1 mg ⁄dl compared with an untreated 16patient control group (1). The supplement (available in the US as Acidophilus Pearls) was postulated to reverse the high stool pH of dialysis patients, increasing its ionized calcium, which allows more phosphate binding.
Conceptual Modeling and Tracer Testing at Ribeira Grande, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal

The Ribeira Grande geothermal reservoir on São Miguel Island, Azores, is exploited by two different production/injection areas on the northern side of the Lagoa do Fogo (Agua de Pau) volcano, both developed and operated by Sociedade Geotérmica dos Açores, S.A. (SOGEO). The southern (upslope) area has been in continuous production since 1994 and now has a 13 MW capacity. The northern (downslope) area has been in continuous production since 1981, with an expansion from 3 MW to 10 MW that went on-line in 2006. To support the expansion and plans for continued development in the northern area, the conceptual model of the reservoir has been updated, a tracer test conducted, and a numerical model developed. The reservoir is fed by a 240°C upflow of relatively alkaline, Na-Cl water that appears to occur in the southeastern quarter of the southern area. Outflow is to the north, and the reservoir as a whole is marked by a striking degree of chemical homogeneity and limited cooling along a horizontal distance of more than 3 km. The conceptual model is constrained somewhat by limited drilling (one well) in the gap between the southern and northern production areas. Tracer injected at the northern edge of the southern production field (one well) shows very limited returns to the south (0 ~ 3 ppb), and was not seen to the north (1.75 km and further) after 240 days. Tracer injected at the northern edge of the northern production field (two wells) shows more rapid and substantial returns (10 ~90 ppb) to wells of the northern field, and it is planned to relocate this injection further to the NE. Results of early exploration drilling, and locations of surface manifestations, indicate that an eastward and southeastward expansion of the northern production/injection area should be possible, whereas further expansion of the southern production area is limited by severe surface topography and limited access. SOGEO plans to conduct step-out drilling for production and injection both, in late 2009.
Broiler Chick Body Weight and Lipid Compositional Changes of the Yolk Sac and Liver as Influenced by Dietary Fat Sources

A study to determine the effects of dietary fat composition and post-hatching age on lipid changes of the yolk sac membrane (YSM) and the liver. Two groups of ninety-day-old male broiler chicks were fed diets containing a saturated fat (tallow oil) Diet 1 and unsaturated fat (soybean oil) Diet 2 for two weeks. Twelve birds from each treatment were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 14 post-hatch and samples of the YSM, liver and gall bladder bile were collected. Weight changes of the chick and tissues and also lipid composition were determined during the experimental period. About 75% decrease in YSM weight occurred during the first 3 days post-hatch and it was negligible by day 9 post-hatch in both groups. Triglycerides (TG) was the major lipid component of the YSM at day 1 post-hatch (>60% of total lipid) but had declined to less than 2% on day 12 post-hatch. The decreases in TG were accompanied by significant increases of cholesterol esters (CE). These changes were not affected by dietary treatment. The liver constituted 3 and 6% of chick body weight at hatching and at day 6 post-hatch respectively and remained constant thereafter. Changes in total lipid content and lipid composition were noted and were influenced by both dietary fat composition and post-hatching age. It was concluded from these this study major lipid compositional changes occur in the chick body tissues following hatching and these changes are influenced to some extent by dietary composition.
Stochastic modelling of 3D surface topography for coated abrasive discs

A stochastic model is developed for coated abrasive disc with precision prism-shaped grains. Parameters like protrusion height, inter-grain spacing and grain density are usually considered for modelling 3D abrasive surface topography. In this study, in addition to these existing parameters, the final surface topography of the #60 grit coated abrasive disc is generated considering the orientation angles of the grains. The grains are rotated iteratively by using randomly generated pitch, roll and yaw angles until the grains protrusion height agreed with the experimental distribution. The protrusion height and inter-grain spacing distribution parameters, 3D height parameters (Sq, Ssk, Sku) and spatial parameters (Sal, Str) of the simulated surface are in good agreement with the measured surface. Introduction Coated abrasive discs are used in manual or automated (using robots) finishing operations in precision manufacturing industries. The coated abrasive tools are compliant in nature and are preferred compared to the grinding wheels because of (i) finer material removal (ii) ability to adapt to the complex surfaces. The coated abrasive disc consists of backing cloth or paper, followed by a layer of resin on which grains are placed randomly and held together by size coat resin layer as shown in Fig.1 Fig.1 Schematic representation of conventional coated abrasive disc [1] The material removal depth calculations in polishing inherently use the contact pressure variation over the grain distribution [2]. Hence, the first step in material removal modelling in polishing with coated abrasive disc is grain distribution model. The existing topography models can be broadly classified into one, two and three-dimensional models, each giving different levels of information. Although they are similar in most of the aspects, in the case of 3D models the grains, the spacing between the grains and also the resultant surface is three dimensional [3]. Hegeman et al. [4] considered parameters like protrusion height, inter-grain spacing for modelling the threedimensional surface by assuming the grains in ellipsoidal shape. Feng et al. [2] developed a similar 3D surface for cone shaped grains, and additional resin layer was modelled to replicate the actual surface. Woodin [5] modelled the grains as 3D polygons with different sides based on the statistical 64 Advances in Abrasive Technology XX
Socio-economic factors affecting the crop insurance scheme in Haryana – A sociological analysis

Agriculture forms the backbone of our socio-economic system and the nation is indebted to the farmers. Agriculture in India is subject to variety of risks arising from rainfall aberrations, temperature fluctuations, hailstorms, cyclones, floods, and climate change. These risks are exacerbated by price fluctuation, weak rural infrastructure, imperfect markets and lack of financial services including limited span and design of risk mitigation instruments such as credit and insurance. This paper evaluates the crop insurance scheme that existed in Haryana state. The study was carried out in two districts of Haryana i. e. Karnal and Kurukshetra on 80 adopters and 80 non-adopters during 2018. It was found from the field of the study that total premium amount of Rs. 1,46,589/- paid by farmers to the companies through various banks, while Rs. 1,94,374/- was the actual amount that to be paid. Factors like caste, education, occupation, land holding, types of family, income, social participation, mass media exposure and socio-economic status of the respondents were found significantly associated with level of adoption of crop insurance scheme. Awareness, lack of premium paying capacity, low co-operation from bank employee were the main reasons for non-adoption of crop insurance scheme. It was also suggested that Efforts are needed to make more aware about crop insurance scheme and knowledge should be imparted to them through trainings.
Bacterial Contamination of Surface Water in and Around Beed District, Maharashtra, India

The drinking, dams and rivers water in the Beed district of Maharashtra, India area has been studied in three different seasons. The bacterial parameters like Total aerobic Heterotrophic Bacteria (THB), Total Coliform Count (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Count (FCC) have been monitored. In water samples from all the sites, bacterial count exceeded the recommended permissible level of WHO. The TCC and FCC also crossed the permissible limits prescribed by BIS. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the water samples. Introduction of sewage into the surface water was the main reason for the bacterial contamination. Various techniques for this destruction/removal of pathogenic bacteria are therefore advisable before consumption. Bacterial Contamination of Surface Water in and Around Beed District, Maharashtra, India
Modulation of summer monsoon sub-seasonal surface air temperature over India by soil moisture-temperature coupling

The influence of soil moisture on the sub-seasonal warmer surface air temperature anomalies during drier soil conditions associated with break spells in the Indian summer monsoon precipitation is explored using observations. The multi-model analysis of land surface states and fluxes available from the Second Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP-2) are found useful in understanding the mechanism for this soil moisture-temperature coupling on sub-seasonal timescales. The analysis uses a soil moisture-temperature coupling diagnostic computed based on linear correlations of daily fields. It is shown that the summer surface air temperature variations are linked to intraseasonal variations of the Indian monsoon precipitation, which control the land-climate coupling by modulating the soil moisture variations. Strong coupling mainly occurs during dry soil states within the summer monsoon season over the transition zones between wet and dry climates of central to north-west India. In contrast, the coupling is weak for constantly wet and energy-limited evaporative regimes over eastern India during the entire summer monsoon season. This observational based analysis provided a better understanding of the linkages between the sub-seasonal dry soil states and warm conditions during the Indian summer monsoon season. A proper representation of these aspects of land-atmosphere interactions in weather and climate models used for sub-seasonal and seasonal monsoon forecasting could be critical for several applications, in particular agriculture. The soil moisture-temperature coupling diagnostic used in this study will be a useful metric for evaluating the performance of weather and climate models.
Genetic relationship between sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and related wild species based on chromosome counts and isozyme markers

Sesame is an orphan crop with little research attention in Kenya. Genetic relationship between cultivated sesame and related wild species in Kenya is not well known. The objective of this study was to determine genetic relationship between traditional landraces of sesame and related wild species using somatic chromosome counts and isozyme markers. Somatic chromosome counts of four wild species revealed a consistent chromosome number of 2n = 32, which differed from that of the cultivated sesame (2n = 26), indicating genetic variation in chromosome counts. Only esterase exhibited significant variation and accession-specific esterase bands were identified. Three cathodic and eight anodic bands were observed and the variable bands ranged from 2 to 6 per accession. Cathodic bands with varied relative migration were observed in wild species only, whereas anodic bands were observed for all the accessions. Accessions of cultivated sesame were more genetically diverse compared to wild species. Morogoro, 107UG, Indian-1 and Indian-2 recorded the highest number of esterase bands, while 103w had the lowest number of bands. Few common bands were found between cultivated sesame and related wild species indicating a distant genetic relationship. Few gene markers are available in sesame and related wild species, therefore, esterase isozymes can contribute to studies in the breeding and genetics of sesame. Key words: Genetic variation, isozyme, chromosome counts, wild species, sesame.
Salinity effects on germination of forage sorghumes.

Abstract: To investigate the effects of osmotic stress on forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties at critical stage of seed germination, i.e., at which salinization is initiated. A study was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory at University of Putra Malaysia (UPM- lab.) from October to November 2007. Two forage sorghum varieties (Speedfeed and KFS4) were evaluated in the salinity levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 dS m-1. The experimental design was Completely Random Design (CRD), which was based on factorial with 3 replications. In the experiment, seeds were germinated in covered, sterilized, disposable Petri dishes. Three parameters, namely germination percentage, germination rate, germination index and coefficient velocity of germination were estimated. The results of this study showed that different levels of salinity had significantly affected the germination percentage, germination rate germination index. In addition, a significant difference (1%) was also found in the germination percentage between the two varieties. Meanwhile, the mean comparison of the treatments showed that the germination percentage in distilled water (S1) was the highest (92.5%) and salinity dS m-1 (S4) had the lowest germination percentage. The maximum germination rate (35.58) and germination index (391.67) were retrieved from EC 0 and with the increasing salinity, these parameters were decreased. The evaluation of the two varieties showed that KFS4 (V1) had a higher germination percentage (82.91%) than the speed feed (72.5%). Consequently, the seed germination of KFS4 was better than the speed feed (in salty water and non-stress conditions). In other words, salt stress had been found to delay germination of both varieties.
Notes on the biology of some estuarine bivalves

AbstractStudies on bivalves in the Swartkops estuary have indicated that spatfall occurs during late summer. After adult populations had been dtc'nvttfrrt by floods in 1971 spat made up a large proportion of the bivalve population in 1973. Growth rates vary at different intertidal levels and in different parts of the estuary and growth has been shown to vary seasonally. In two species age determinations from growth rings corresponded well with age determinations from size frequency histograms.
FECUNDITY AND RELATIVE GROWTH OF THE CRAB PLATYXANTHUS PATAGONICUS (BRACHYURA: PLATYXANTHIDAE) IN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

A total of 1.046 individual s of the crab Platyxanthus patagonicus were collected in the fishery area near Puerto Rawson, Chubut, Argentina. Fecundity and relative growth were determined using carapace length (CL) as the reference dimension. Ovigerous females (42.7-72.0-mm CL) were sampled in winter, spring, and early summer. Mean (±SE) fecundity (97,900 ± 37,800 eggs) was positively related cr' = 0.71) to CL. For all the relationships in which relative growth was explored, the FORTRAN program Mature II computer technique (Somerton, 1983) was used to estimate the size at sexual maturity. For both sexes, MATURE II did not detect (P > 0.05) any abrupt change in the rate of relative growth of carapace width (CW) versus CL. The rate of growth of CW was negatively (b 1) allometrie for males. Instead, the rate of growth of the major propodus length (PL) was isornetric for females and positively allometric for males. For males, possible size al sexual maturity oecurs at -44-rnm CL, sinee the Mature method detected an abrupt change in the rate of relative growth of PL at this size. Relative growth of the sixth abdominal segment width (A W) was positively allometrie for females and isometric for males. For fernales, a ehange in the rate of relative growth of AW and sixth abdominal segment length (AL) was observed at -50-rnrn CL. This result, in conjunction with the faet that the minimum size found for an ovigerous female was 42.7-rnm CL, suggests that in females, sexual maturity oeeurs al 40-50-rnm CL. In males, relative growth of AL versus CL was positively allometrie up ro a size of 44-mm CL; above this size relative growth was isometric.
Effects of Thyroid Hormone on Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs) and IGFBP-2 mRNA Expression in Chickens

We examined serum IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) and tissue (liver, kidney and brain) IGFBP-2 mRNA in 5-weeks-old cockerels with different thyroidal status to elucidate a possible role of thyroid hormone on IGFBPs in the chicken. Assay for serum IGFBPs by Western ligand blot detected three IGFBPs having molecular masses of 30, 36 and 41 kDa. The 125I-IGF-I bindings to these IGFBPs were significantly decreased in propylthiouracil (PTU) induced hypothyroid cockerels, and restored to euthyroid control levels by thyroxine (T4) supplement. T4 supplement to euthyroid birds had no significant influence on 125I-IGF-I binding to IGFBPs. The expression of IGFBP-2 mRNA in the liver was significantly reduced in hypothyroidism and restored to normal level by T4 replacement, whereas T4, injected to intact birds, failed to affect hepatic IGFBP-2 mRNA expression. In contrast, the expression of IGFBP-2 mRNA in the kidney was increased in hypothyroid birds and decreased both in T4-treated intact and hypothyroid birds. In the brain, IGFBP-2 mRNA level was not influenced by the changes in thyroidal status. IGFBP-2 mRNA was detected in all tissues examined, with varying degree. The expression was higher in the testis, gizzard, brain, eye and bursa of fabricius, followed by kidney and digestive organs. In the liver, the expression was very low compared with other tissues.
Plant inhabiting Gamasina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from the Dominican Republic, with descriptions of four new species of Lasioseius (Blattisociidae) and complementary descriptions of other species

Abstract A survey of plant inhabiting mesostigmatid mites was recently conducted in the Dominican Republic. Phytoseiidae was by far the most represented family, with 12 species. Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers was the most common species; it was reported from four provinces on five plant species. Two species of Ascidae, four of Blattisociidae and three of Melicharidae were also found. Four blattisociid species of the genus Lasioseius are here described for the first time, namely Lasioseius dominicensis n. sp. , Lasioseius oryzae n. sp. , Lasioseius prorsoperitrematus n. sp. and Lasioseius sanchezensis n. sp. Morphological information about all other species collected is presented.
Briefly Noted

A single assessment of hydration status (by bioimpedence) in 158 German hemodialysis patients predicted their mortality risk during the subsequent 6.5-year follow-up (1). When compared with a selected normohydrated group of 50 French patients from Tassin (on 5–8 hours thrice weekly treatment), the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality in the 35 overhydrated German patients was 3.41, but was insignificantly elevated (1.26) for the 123 euvolemic German patients (4–5 hours treatment).