Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of American and European maize (Zea mays L.) protein profiles

Maize is an important crop with great use in agriculture, food and other industries. The aim of this work was to compare 30 varieties of Zea mays L. , that were grown in the USA and Europe in terms of nutritional quality and to genetically distinguish them by creating a dendrogram of relationship. The content of total nitrogen, crude protein content, fractional composition of proteins and the calculated coefficient of nutritional quality were all determined. Compared to American varieties, higher nutritional quality was shown by the varieties of European origin with the coefficient of nutritional quality higher about 17.55%. However, the highest value was achieved by the American variety Howling Mob (331.91%). Storage proteins - glutelins were divided according to molecular weight into HMW-GS (high molecular weight glutelin subunits), LMW-GS (low molecular weight glutelin subunits) plus zeins and residual albumins and globulins by electrophoretic separation. The biggest difference was recorded among HMW-GS content - 5.77% (American varieties) and 7.35% (European varieties), while the LMW-GS plus zeins and residual albumins and globulins content was similar. 20 protein bands (15 polymorphic and 5 monomorphic) in American varieties and 18 protein bands (10 polymorphic and 8 monomorphic) in European varieties were evaluated in the electrophoretograms. Based on the presence of individual proteins, a dendrogram was constructed, using the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using Arithmetic Averages) method and the Jaccard coefficient of similarity. In the dendrogram, 2 clusters of varieties with the dissimilarity 0.481 were formed. In the subgroups, from the point of glutelin polymorphism, the varieties Illinois Hulles and Queen Anna were separated from the others. The European varieties were segregated within the second cluster and created the common subgroup of 2 varieties - Madarska cukrova (Hungary) and Zlota Handlowa (Poland).
Range expansion of a restricted lessepsian: westbound expansion breakthrough of Lagocephalus spadiceus (Richardson, 1844) (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontidae)

The half-smooth golden puffer fish (Lagocephalus spadiceus) is a member of the Tetraodontidae family and one of the earliest lessepsian fishes, originally reported in the Mediterranean during the early 1920s. Since then, the species has extended its distribution from the Egyptian coasts to the Sea of Marmara yet remaining confined near the shore or to regions adjacent to the coastline. In May 2016, a single specimen of L. spadiceus was fished in South Crete. This is the first time the species has been recorded in the island and the first verified indication that the species is expanding its range westwards over open-sea areas since its entrance in the basin. Thorough morphological and biological description as well as DNA verification of the captured specimen is provided. This record, coupled with the recent first record in the Sea of Marmara, may be an indication of a change in the expansion pattern of the species or of its population status.
Diapause regulation in Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of Parthenium hysterophorus

Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister is a potential biocontrol agent of Partheniutn hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae). This study was carried out to understand the effect of abiotic (temperature and moisture) and biotic factors (age and reproductive status) on the induction and termination of diapause in Z. bicolorata. We also evaluated the effect of diapause on longevity and fecundity of Z. bicolorata. In Z. bicolorata the induction of diapause occurred between the months of July and December. No diapause was observed in May and June, which coincided with the commencement of the monsoon rains. The percentage of diapause induction in Z. bicolorata was found to increase from one generation to another as well as with the age of adults. Diapause significantly increased the fecundity of females as compared to the fecundity in pre-diapause conditions. Soil moisture (80% RH) played an important role in providing the conditions for initiation and termination of diapause. Similarly, 18.4 and 12.5% of diapause adults resumed their activity in 6 and 5 days when exposed to temperatures of 40° and 45° C for 2 h every day, respectively. Exposure of adults to low temperatures, i.e. 5° and 10° C induced 94.3 and 92.5% diapause, respectively, with no adult mortality. Thus, our findings reveal suitable conditions for preventing and inducing diapause in Z. bicolorata, which is of great importance in the suppression of P. hysterophorus. We discuss the implications of these findings in the control of P. hysterophorus.
Comparative study of percutaneous collagen induction therapy and dermabrasion on post acne scars

Introduction: Acne is a self-limiting disease of pilosebaceous unit seen predominantly in adolescence, clinically characterized by papules, pustules, comedones, nodules and cysts and may result in scarring. Aim and Objectives of the study: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous collagen induction therapy versus dermabrasion in acne scars, and for monitoring the adverse effects during and after the procedure. Materials and Method: Thirty patients with acne scars divided in to two groups A and B Group A underwent microneedling with dermaroller of 1.5mm dm, with the principle of percutaneous collagen induction. Group B underwent dermabrasion with motor assisted dermabrader using a diamond fraize. The percentage of improvement was graded with paired t test. Results: Among the 30 patients Group A 11 patients (73%) and 8 patients in group B (53%) showed significant reduction in acne scar grades. Rolling and boxcar type of scars responded well to both. In group B 3 patients had post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusion To conclude both percutaneous collagen induction therapy and dermabrasion were effective in treating acne scars but results was better with microneedling and is easy to perform and have minimal adverse effects. Keywords: Acne scars, Microneedling, Dermabrasion, Rolling acne scars, Boxcar scars Key Messages: PCI (microneedling) and dermabrasion are cost effective and gives good results. The results of PCI were better when compared to Dermabrasion
Neurofeedback helps to reveal a relationship between context reinstatement and memory retrieval

Theories of mental context and memory posit that successful mental context reinstatement enables better retrieval of memories from the same context, at the expense of memories from other contexts. To test this hypothesis, we had participants study lists of words, interleaved with task-irrelevant images from one category (e.g., scenes). Following encoding, participants were cued to mentally reinstate the context associated with a particular list, by thinking about the images that had appeared between the words. We measured context reinstatement with fMRI, and related this to performance on a free recall test that followed immediately afterwards. To increase sensitivity, we used a closed-loop neurofeedback procedure, whereby higher levels of context reinstatement (measured neurally) elicited increased visibility of the images from the studied context onscreen. Our goal was to create a positive feedback loop that amplified small fluctuations in mental context reinstatement, making it easier to experimentally detect a relationship between context reinstatement and recall. As predicted, we found that higher levels of neural context reinstatement were associated with better recall of words from the reinstated context, and worse recall of words from a different context. In a second experiment, we assessed the role of neurofeedback in identifying this brain-behavior relationship by presenting context images again but manipulating whether their visibility depended on neural context reinstatement. When neurofeedback was removed, the relationship between context reinstatement and memory retrieval disappeared. Together, these findings demonstrate a clear effect of context reinstatement on memory recall and suggest that neurofeedback can be a useful tool for characterizing brain-behavior relationships. Abbreviated title Neurofeedback context
The systematics of Simsia (Compositae : Heliantheae) /

Simsia (Compositae-Heliantheae) comprises annuals, herbaceous perennials, suffru tescent perennials, and shrubs. It occurs throughout tropical America from sea level to 3000 m. This study is based on comparative morphology, including extensive field studies and observations in the greenhouse, phenetic studies, crossing experiments, and cytology. Eighteen species including seven varieties are recognized. Two species, S. santarosensis and S. villasenorii, are newly described. The following new combinations are proposed: S. annectens var. grayi, S. foetida var. grandiflora, S. foetida var. jamaicensis, S. foetida var. megacephala, and S. foetida var. panamensis. Twenty species and varieties are predominantly self-incompatible and outcrossers; three species are self-compatible (or apomictic) and possibly inbreeders. Meiosis is normal in most of the F1 hybrids produced from outcross ing species but irregular in F1 hybrids involving a self-compatible species. Chromosome numbers are uniformly n = 17. Counts are reported for the first time for the following: S. annectens var. annectens, S. chaseae, S. foetida var. panamensis, S. holwayi, S. molinae, S. santarosensis, S. setosa, S. tenuis, and S. villasenorii.
Nutrient Concentration in Vegetative Organs of the Orchid Laelia anceps subsp. anceps Based on Mineral Fertilization and Biofertilization

We carried out a comparative study on the effect of mineral fertilizers and biofertilizers on the nutrient concentration of Laelia anceps Lindl. subsp. anceps (Orchidaceae) seedlings. The first nutrient solution (MinFert) was prepared with commercial mineral fertilizers (Peters Professional® 30N-10P-10K); the second one (Biofert) from Nutro® commercial biofertilizer; and the third with a combination of mineral sources and biofertilizers (Min-Fert + Biofert). Mineral fertilization promoted significant differences in N concentration in leaves and roots. Also, it increased K and the concentration of some micronutrients in the roots. The phosphorous concentration increased in pseudobulbs and roots with the Min-Fert and Min-Fert + Biofert. Biofertilization increased the N concentration in pseudobulbs, and Min-Fert + Biofert increased the Ca and Mg concentration in the roots, as well as the concentration of Fe and Cu in pseudobulbs and Cu in the leaves. Interestingly, Min-Fert significantly increased the nutrient concentration in the roots in comparison to the other tissues. We demonstrated that the use of biofertilizers in L. anceps subsp. anceps (alone or as a supplement to mineral fertilization), represents an alternative to reduce production costs and mitigate the negative impacts of mineral fertilization on the environment.
Enhanced genetic diversity of weedy rice populations associated with latitude decreases revealed by simple sequence repeat fingerprints

Weedy rice (WR, Oryza sativa L. f. spontanea) is a noxious agricultural weed, infesting rice fields worldwide and causing tremendous yield losses of cultivated rice. However, little is known about the relationship between genetic diversity and distribution of WR populations across a wide latitudinal gradient, in addition to its reasons for genetic differentiation. To determine the distribution of genetic diversity and differentiation, we analyzed 20 WR populations collected from wide geographic ranges of rice‐planting regions across Northeast, Jiangsu, and Guangdong provinces of China, and Sri Lanka, based on 20 simple sequence repeat loci. Our results indicated a significant negative correlation (R = 0.84, P < 0.01) between genetic diversity and latitudinal locations of WR populations. The Mantel test (R2 = 0.49, P < 0.01) showed distinct groupings of WR populations from different rice‐planting regions, fitting an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. In addition, the STRUCTURE analysis and principal coordinates (PCoA) analysis indicated considerable genetic differentiation of WR from different rice‐planting regions, which was associated with the types of co‐occurring rice cultivars. We conclude, based on the above results, that WR genetic diversity is affected by the latitudes where WR populations are located. The genetic differentiation of WR populations is determined by their spatial distances and co‐occurring rice cultivars. Such a pattern of genetic diversity and differentiation across different regions might facilitate the design of effective WR control, in addition to understanding the adaptive evolution of this weed.
Predicting Shrub Biomass and Current Annual Growth from Field Measurements in the Oregon Coast Range

Abstract Estimates of plant biomass derived from field measurements can be used to quantify wildlife habitat, fuel loads, net primary production, and nutrient cycling. The difficulty involved with developing species-specific allometric equations for plant biomass results in many studies utilizing estimates of shrub cover instead. We assess whether reasonable predictive equations for shrub biomass can be achieved across a group of six common shrub species growing on recent clearcuts in the Oregon Coast Range. Variables used in the models were total basal area summed across stems, height, and crown area (plan view) using an ellipse formula based on crown length and width measurements. Species-level models had adjusted R2 values ranging from 0.76–0.99 for total biomass and current growth. An all-species model had an adjusted R2 of 0.93 for total biomass and 0.84 for current growth. The aggregate models applied to the individual species gave similar R2 values except for current annual growth of oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) and vine maple (Acer circinatum). Simpler models based just on crown area or crown area plus height ranged from adjusted R2 of 0.63–0.68 for all-species models of total or current biomass. These deciduous shrub biomass models can be used to help estimate forage and cover for birds, ungulates, and other wildlife. Furthermore, these models might prove useful for other plant species growing under similar geographic and climatic conditions; however, caution is warranted as the models should be validated with some destructive plant sampling for other species or use in other regions.
Response of capsicum annuum L. Var. annuum genotypes to root-knot nematode infection

Root-knot nematodes are among the main agents that negatively affect the pepper and sweet pepper crop (Capsicum annuum L.), especially Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, and M. enterolobii. The objective of this study was to evaluate genotypes of C. annuum L. var. annuum in their response to infection by M. incognita race 3, M. javanica, and M. enterolobii. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design arranged in a 27 × 3 factorial scheme with six replicates and each plot consisted of one plant. The experiment was carried out at the UNESP-FCAV in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. The genotypes were in plastic pots containing an autoclaved mixture of soil, sand, and bovine manure under greenhouse conditions, and they were evaluated for the reproduction index and reproduction factor at 90 d after inoculation. Thirteen genotypes were classified as resistant, based on the reproductive factor, and highly resistant, based on the reproduction index, to M. javanica, while six were resistant and highly resistant materials to M. incognita race 3. No materials resistant to M. enterolobii were identified. The genotypes CNPH 698, CNPH 701, CNPH 702, CNPH 717, and CNPH 718 were simultaneously classified as resistant to M. incognita race 3 and M. javanica based on the reproduction factor.
The Role of Location-Context Binding in Nonspatial Visual Working Memory

Abstract Successful retrieval of an item from visual working memory (VWM) often requires an associated representation of the trial-unique context in which that item was presented. In experiment 1, fMRI of 16 male and female humans replicated a previous dissociation of the effects of manipulating memory load in comparison to the effects of manipulating context binding, by comparing VWM for one oriented line versus for three lines individuated by their location versus for three “heterogeneous” items drawn from different categories (orientation, color, and luminance): delay-period fMRI signal in frontal cortex and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) was sensitive to stimulus homogeneity rather than to memory load per se. Additionally, inspection of behavioral performance revealed a broad range of individual differences in the probability of responses to nontargets (also known as “swap errors”), and a post hoc comparison of high swap-error versus low swap-error groups generated several intriguing results: at recall, high swap-error subjects were seen to represent both the orientation and the location of the probed item less strongly, and with less differentiation from nonprobed items, and delay-period signal in IPS predicted behavioral and neural correlates of context binding at recall. In experiment 2, which was a preregistered replication, the 27 male and female humans were grouped into low and high swap-error groups by median split, and the results were broadly consistent with experiment 1. These results present a neural correlate of swap errors, and suggest that delay-period activity of the IPS may be more important for the operation of context binding than for representation per se of stimulus identity.
Rodents: Biology and husbandry

There is an increasing trend for keeping rodents as pets and correspondingly high client expectation that their pet will receive quality veterinary care. As such it is important for the veterinary surgeon in practice to have up-to-date knowledge when dealing with this mammal group. The aim of this chapter is to outline some of the basic biological, anatomical and physiological features of rodents and give information on their basic housing, nutrition, reproduction and preventative healthcare.
Karlodinium zhouanum, a new dinoflagellate species from China, and molecular phylogeny of Karenia digitata and Karenia longicanalis (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae)

Abstract: Little is known about the diversity and biogeography of the toxigenic dinoflagellate genera Karlodinium and Karenia because their cells are unarmoured and often small. We isolated single cells from Chinese waters to establish five Karlodinium cultures, and carried out single-cell polymerase chain reactions of eight cells of Karlodinium and Karenia isolated directly from field samples. We also obtained large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences from the same samples used for descriptions of Karenia digitata and Karenia longicanalis. Five cultures of Karlodinium from the South China Sea and Yellow Sea of China were established and subjected to light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. These strains had a sulcal intrusion, a short apical groove, and six chloroplasts, each with an internal lenticular pyrenoid, but lacked a ventral pore. Pigment analysis showed that fucoxanthin was the main accessory pigment. On the basis of unique morphology and corroboration by molecular phylogeny, these strains were described as Karlodinium zhouanum sp. nov. LSU or ITS sequences (or both) of another eight cells revealed the presence of Karlodinium australe, Karenia longicanalis, and K. papilionacea in the East China Sea for the first time. LSU sequences showed that Karenia digitata differed from Karlodinium decipiens at only one position (99.86% similarity), and Karenia longicanalis differed from K. umbella at only four positions (99.45% similarity). Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses supported the classification of Karenia digitata within Karlodinium, and demonstrated that presence of a ventral pore was not a reliable generic character for Karlodinium. Our results also indicated that LSU sequences might be too conservative to differentiate species of Karenia and Karlodinium.
Duration and intensity of primary molt in two neotropical grasslands Passerines

Description of patterns and mechanics of bird molt have permitted understanding and have clarified temporal and spatial dynamics in the life cycles of several temperate species. Few studies evaluate these aspects in Neotropical birds, which hinders their discussion in functional and evolutionary contexts. Here we compare primary molt duration and intensity of flight feather molt in two Neotropical passerine species, Blue-black Grassquit and Gray Seedeater. The study took place north of the department of Tolima-Colombia. Birds were captured and were marked with colored bands. Molt duration estimates follow Pimm’s and Rohwer and Wang’s methods, while molt intensity was evaluated using Rohwer’s proposal. Primary molt duration of Blue-black Grassquit was between 59 days (CI 95 % = 48–74) and 80 days (CI 95 % = 64–96), while the duration for Gray Seedeater was between 80 days (CI 95 % = 66–105) and 100 days (CI 95 % = 75–124). Estimates were consistent with those of other Neotropical Passerines with similar body mass, with a longer duration than that of temperate birds, evidence in favor of the hypothesis of slower pace of life in tropical birds. Method by Rohwer and Wang presents methodological advantages that would permit evaluating molt duration in species with low capture rates, suspended molts, or low molt synchrony between individuals. Molt intensity was higher in Gray Seedeater (13 feathers) than Blue-black Grassquit (9.3 feathers), and both were greater compared with other Passerines, which may represent an adaptive response to specific ecological pressures.
Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from healthy dogs in Lithuania

the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence and antimicrobial resistant patterns of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from healthy dogs. In total, 55 rectal swabs from clinically healthy dogs, kept outside (n = 20), and inside a house (n = 20) and from dogs kept at an animal shelter (n = 15), were collected for isolation of Escherichia coli. resistance patterns to 11 antimicrobial agents were tested using e-test (epsilometer test) to determine the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) amplification was used to detect selected genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams, tetracycline, aminoglycoside, sulphanilamide, quinolone, and phenicol classes of antimicrobial agents. Forty-eight E. coli strains were isolated from 55 (87.3%) dogs. Multi-drug resistance was present in 38% of resistant isolates. E. coli isolates showed the highest resistance rates to streptomycin (85.1%), ampicillin (77.1%), sulfamethoxazole (70.8%) and tetracycline (64.6%). The isolates were most sensitive to enrofloxacin (87.5%) and chloramphenicol (72.9%). Bacterial resistance genes were determined to tetracycline (tet) (9.7%) trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (dfrA1) (16.7%,), and chloramphenicol (catA1) (5.5%). In general, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolates from shelter dogs population was higher than in those from dogs kept inside and outside (P<0.05). Companion animals in Lithuania are important reservoirs of resistant Escherichia coli strains. Only appropriate use of antimicrobials can minimize the spread of resistant bacteria among healthy and diseased animals and humans.