Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the expression pattern and functional importance of the Gnasxl-encoded XLαs protein of the imprinted Gnas Locus

XLαs is a NH2-terminal splice variant of the stimulatory G-protein α-subunit Gsα. Both are encoded by the imprinted Gnas locus. Similar to Gsα, XLαs can couple 7-TM receptors to adenylate cyclase in cultured cells. Previously, a knock-out mouse specific for the Gnasxl transcript was generated (Gnasxlm+/p-) (PLAGGE et al. 2004). This mouse model exhibits a lean, hypermetabolic phenotype with elevated sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity (XIE et al. 2006). Changes in phenotype between neonatal and adult stages (e.g. mortality; failure to thrive as neonates vs. healthy but hypermetabolic adults) are not yet fully understood. More recently a conditional gene trap knock-out mouse line (XLlacZGT) was established. Immunohistochemistry, XGal and immunofluorescence data were collected to document the changes in expression pattern of XLαs and determine possible signalling pathways affected by lack of XLαs in the brain; histological analysis of the lacZ-containing genetrap line revealed new sites of XLαs expression. A comparison of neonatal and adult brain expression patterns revealed that the lateral hypothalamus (LH), dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), arcuate nucleus (Arc), locus coeruleus and ventrolateral medulla express XLαs in both stages; the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, hypoglossal and facial nucleus (motor nuclei important for feeding) express XLαs only in neonates; and expression in the amygdala and preoptic area are only found in adult brain. Colocalisation studies in the brain for XLαs, neuropeptides and other markers related to regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Orexin partly colocalised with XLαs in the LH and DMH (22% orexin neurons XLαs positive); tyrosine hydroxylase/dopaminergic neurons colocalised with XLαs in the Arc (60% TH neurons XLαs positive); and phosphorylated S6, a component of the leptin signalling pathway, colocalised with XLαs in the Arc (30% XLαs neurons pS6 positive). MCH and CRF did not colocalise with XLαs. Changes in pS6/S6K1 and the indicators of ghrelin signalling in knock-out Arc neurons did not reach statistical significance. Analysis of the lacZ-genetrap line at neonatal stages revealed that XLαs is also expressed in spinal cord and peripheral tissues e.g. skeletal muscle, tongue muscle and blood vessel smooth muscle cells. Expression in muscle tissues, including blood vessel smooth muscle cells is silenced in adults, but the spinal cord remains positive for XLαs. XLαs expression pattern changes in the brain and peripheral tissues concur with changes in phenotype seen between neonatal and adult mice. pS6 is a good indicator of S6K1 activity, which influences leptin and insulin signalling. A decrease of S6K1 activity in Gnasxlm+/p- mice might explain their leptin sensitivity (Frontera et al. in prep). XLαs colocalises with orexigenic peptides – including orexin and NPY/AgRP neurons (Frontera et al. in prep) – in the hypothalamus; however, the function of XLαs in energy expenditure and SNS activity remains elusive.
Studies on Seed Colouring in Soybean and Tomato

The effects of seed colouring using 25 dyes (i.e. 20 chemical and 5 natural dyes) on the quality of soyabean (cv. JS 335) and tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby) seeds were studied in the laboratory. Data were recorded for seed germination percentage, root and shoot length, whole seedling length, dry weight of seedling, vigour index, speed of germination and electrical conductivity. Rhodamine-B, Fast green and Malachite green for soyabean and Rhodamine-B and Fast green for tomato were the best dyes for seed colouring
Cognitive and motor cortex activation during robot-assisted multi-sensory interactive motor rehabilitation training: An fNIRS based pilot study

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multiple virtual reality (VR) interaction modalities based on force-haptic feedback combined with visual or auditory feedback in different ways on cerebral cortical activation by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: A modular multi-sensory VR interaction system based on a planar upper-limb rehabilitation robot was developed. Twenty healthy participants completed active elbow flexion and extension training in four VR interaction patterns, including haptic (H), haptic + auditory (HA), haptic + visual (HV), and haptic + visual + auditory (HVA). Cortical activation changes in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC), premotor cortex (PMC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were measured. Results Four interaction patterns all had significant activation effects on the motor and cognitive regions of the cerebral cortex (p < 0.05). Among them, in the HVA interaction mode, the cortical activation of each ROI was the strongest, followed by HV, HA, and H. The connectivity between channels of SMC and bilateral PFC, as well as the connectivity between channels in PMC, was the strongest under HVA and HV conditions. Besides, the two-way ANOVA of visual and auditory feedback showed that it was difficult for auditory feedback to have a strong impact on activation without visual feedback. In addition, under the condition of visual feedback, the effect of fusion auditory feedback on the activation degree was significantly higher than that of no auditory feedback. Conclusions The interaction mode of visual, auditory, and haptic multi-sensory integration is conducive to stronger cortical activation and cognitive control. Besides, there is an interaction effect between visual and auditory feedback, thus improving the cortical activation level. This research enriches the research on activation and connectivity of cognitive and motor cortex in the process of modular multi-sensory interaction training of rehabilitation robots. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for the optimal design of the interaction mode of the rehabilitation robot and the possible scheme of clinical VR rehabilitation.
Invasive barnacle fouling on an endemic burrowing crab: mobile basibionts as vectors to invade a suboptimal habitat

Neohelice (Chasmagnathus) granulata is an ecosystem engineer endemic of salt marshes and mudflats of the southwestern Atlantic coast, where several Patagonian salt marshes were invaded by the acorn barnacle Balanus glandula, a typical rocky shore species. In this work, we supply the first report of the occurrence of epibiosis of B. glandula on N. granulata in these salt marshes and we describe the major ecological features of this invader/native association in order to generate sound baseline for further investigations and management decisions. Our results show that barnacles are found in the entire dorsal and lateral surface of the crabs, and specially in vital zones such us the basal insertion of the chelipeds, walking appendages, ocular peduncles, jaws, mouth with the carapace. Furthermore, the size reached by barnacles suggest that they are sexually mature and can reproduce while fouling on the crabs, being the maximum size of barnacles tightly associated and determined by the duration of the crab�s inter-molt span. Our results highlight the mechanisms by which an invasive rocky shore invader can exploit an unfavorable environment (i.e. mobile substratum) to persist on soft bottom systems.
The Improvement of Equilibrium through Yoga Exercises

Yoga, one of the most ancient cultures of physical education, is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline and it has been made part of curricular program in Sports University of Tirana (SUT). We took the responsibility to study the equilibrium quality as a discipline which has never been studied before in Albania. The aim of this study is to assess how postural sway is affected in two different conditions, Eyes Open and Tandem Eyes Closed tests in balance training through yoga exercises. One of the most important yoga exercises is balance training. This training helps in improving coordination system in static and dynamic activities. Before, yoga exercises had been used to build and to maintain the physical conditions, later on this concept has been extended in the balance training and used to improve physical parameters. The reason for describing such exercises is to explain the benefits of yoga exercises to the equilibrium system.
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Cyclommatus stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae): Insights into their evolution and diversification in tropical and subtropical Asia

Cyclommatus stag beetles (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) are very interesting insects, because of their striking allometry (mandibles can be longer that the whole body in large males of some species) and sexual dimorphism. They mainly inhabit tropical and subtropical forests in Asia. To date, there has been no molecular phylogenetic research on how these stag beetles evolved and diversified. In this study, we constructed the first phylogenetic relationship for Cyclommatus using multi-locus datasets. Analyses showed that Cyclommatus is monophyletic, being subdivided into two well-supported clades (A and B). The clade A includes the island species from Southeast Asia, and the clade B is formed by the continental species. The divergent time estimates showed these beetles split from the outgroup around 43.10 million years ago (Mya) in the late Eocene, divided during the late Oligocene (around 24.90 Mya) and diversified further during the early and middle Miocene (around 18.19 Mya, around 15.17 Mya). RASP analysis suggested that these beetles likely originated in the Philippine archipelago, then dispersed to the other Southeast Asian archipelagoes, Indochina Peninsula, Southeast Himalayas, and Southern China. Moreover, relatively large genetic distance and stable morphological variations signified that the two clades reach the level of inter-generic differences, i.e., the current Cyclommatus should be separated in two genera: Cyclommatus Parry, 1863 including the clade A species, and Cyclommatinus Didier, 1927 covering the clade B species. In addition, the evidence we generated indicated these beetles’ diversification was promoted probably by both long-distance dispersal and colonization, supporting an “Upstream” colonization hypothesis. Our study provides insights into the classification, genetics and evolution of stag beetles in the Oriental region.
Antibacterial Effect of Oriental Medicinal Herbs on Dental Pathogens

In this study, we investigated the antibacterial effect of 69 oriental medicinal herbs (OMHs) on Actinomyces viscocus, Streptococcus sobrinus, and two strains of Streptococcus mutans as oral bacteria. Methanol extracts of OMHs were used in the first antibacterial test, and then boiled water, ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of C. japonica, C. sappan, P. mume, and S. chinensis were used in the second test. Boiled water extract of C. japonica was shown to have the most superior effect on oral bacteria. The extract yield of boiled water extract of C. japonica was 22%, and the growth of oral bacteria was almost inhibited at over a 180 mg/ml concentration. Antibacterial effect compound analyzed by UPLC method was identified as berberine, and the content was 25.54%. In addition, the extract appeared to be stable at 121°C for 15 min. Keywords: antibacterial effect, dental pathogen, oriental medicinal herb
Use of ring recoveries to predict habitat suitability in small passerines

Aim Abundance of small passerines may be distributed over large wintering areas according to geographical patterns that are difficult to detect. This may prevent the identification and conservation of the most suitable sectors, or the detection of local and regional features affecting the species during winter. In this paper, we explore the usefulness of ring recoveries to predict bird distribution in wintering grounds by using Maxent, one of the presence‐only techniques available for modelling species distributions. We test whether suitability indices obtained in 2.5 × 2.5 km UTM squares from ring recoveries were positively correlated with the actual abundance of robins (Erithacus rubecula) and blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) inside the squares.
Effect of diameter and plant spacing on growth of Acrocarpus fraxinifolius under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

The data were collected from randomly selected trees at three sites with plant spacing, viz. 1.5m ×1.5m, 1.0m × 3.5m and 3.0m × 3.0m (namely S-I, II and III, respectively) of Acrocarpus fraxinifolius (20 years old) in mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The effect of plant spacing and diameter class on growth characteristics, viz. diameter at breast height (dbh), tree height, bole height, form factor, basal area, stem volume and crown parameters was assessed. Stem volume was positively and highly correlated with all growth parameters and showed highest correlation (0.95) with dbh. The tree height, bole height, basal area, stem volume, crown height, crown width and crown area increased significantly with increase in diameter as well as with spacing. Study regarding fiber length and specific gravity also contributed to growth behaviour of pink cedar at different spacing, where, specific gravity of wood showed an erratic behaviour with slight variation from 0.66 to 0.88, while stem and branch fiber length increased (1.05 to 1.11mm and 0.78 to 0.95mm, respectively) with increasing plant spacing. The overall growth performance of the species was best at 3m × 3m spacing.
Contribution on the Lemnaceae of Ecuador.

ABSTRACT: In August 1999, a field trip through different regions of Ecuador was undertaken, and distribution and ecology of the various species of Lemnaceae were studied. Fourteen species were found: Spirodela intermedia W. Koch, S. polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid. , Landoltia punctata (G. F. W. Meyer) Les & Crawford [Spirodela punctata (G. F. W Meyer) Thompson], Lemna gibba L. , L. obscura (Austin) Daubs, L. aequinoctialis Welw. , L. valdiviana Phil., L. minuta H. B. K. , Wolffiella welwitschii (Hegelm.) Monod, W. lingulata (Hegelm.) Hegelm. W. oblonga (Phil.) Hegelm. , Wolffia brasiliensis Weddell, W. columbiana Karsten, and W. globosa (Roxb.) den Hartog & van der Plas. Landoltia punctata, and Wolffia globosa were recorded in Ecuador for the first time. The only visited area in the Amazon region (Cuyabeno Lake) was void of Lemnaceae due to very low nutrient content of the water. In the central region of the Andes, standing waters are rather rare. Lemna gibba, L. minuta, L. valdiviana, Wolffia brasiliensis, and Spirodela intermedia were observed. Only rarely were the wet rocks of the west side of the Andes covered by fronds of L. valdiviana s.l. The coastal region between Esmeraldas and Machala proved to be especially rich in Lemnaceae. An unexpected high frequency of S. polyrrhiza was observed. About 50 relevés of pleustonic communities were recorded and grouped in various vegetation units.
The benthic boundary layer : transport processes and biogeochemistry

The benthic boundary layer is the zone of water and sediment immediately adjacent to the bottom of a sea, lake, or river. This zone is a key environment to biologists, geochemists, sedimentologists, and engineers because of very strong gradients of energy, dissolved and solid chemical components, suspended matter, and the number of organisms that live there. It is, for example, the sink for anthropgenic substances and the home of microscopic plant life that provides the nutrients that stimulate phylogelankton productivity, and ultimately determine the size of the fish populations. This book of original chapters edited by leading researchers in the field, will meet the need for an up-to-date, definitive text and reference on principles, techniques, and models for transport and biogeochemical processes in the benthic boundary layer. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of a selected field, with illustrated examples from the authors' own work. The book will appeal to professionals and researchers in marine biology, marine chemistry, marine engineering, and sedimentology.
EVALUATION OF AN IPM MODULE AGAINST THE LEAFHOPPER, AMRASCA DEVASTANS (DISTANT) IN COTTON

To develop an IPM module against cotton leafhopper different tactics like, leafhopper resistant cultivar (KC 2) were integrated in different combinations and were evaluated. When the susceptible LRA 5166 was raised from imidacloprid treated seed with cluster bean intercrop and need based application of dimethoate 0.03 % leafhopper population was reduced by 79.01 per cent and seed cotton yield increased by 31.76 %. The pest reduction was 57.08 % with mere introduction of resistant cultivar viz., KC 2; the yield increase was 58.82 %. The yield increase was 125.88 % when the resistant cultivar KC 2 was raised from imidacloprid treated seeds, grown with cluster bean intercrop and applied with dimethoate on need basis.
Revision of the Sapotaceae of the Malaysian area in a wider sense XVII. Aulandra H.J. Lam

Aulandra H. J. Lam, Bull. Jard. Bot. Bzg, ser. 3, 8, 1927, 415, f. 6; H.J. Lam, Hooker Icon. Pl. 1938, t. 3360; Baehni, Candollea 9, 1942, 419 — Palaquium, § Palaquioides Dubard, Bull. Soc. Bot. Pr. 56, Mem. 16, 1909, 19. Trees. Leaves alternate, stipulate, entire, tertiary nerves transverse. Inflorescences cauliflorous, flowers terminal or axillary along short vermiform brachyblasts covered by numerous scars of bracts. Flowers bisexual, 6-merous. Sepals 6, in 2 whorls of three, united at the base. Petals 6, united at the base. Stamens 18 or 19, filaments partly tubuliformly united and the tube inserted on the corolla, anthers free, dehiscing extrorsely. Ovary 6-celled; style short or long, filiform. Fruit a berry, one-seeded, scar of seed covering almost the entire seed, albumen none.
Patterns of beetle succession in droppings

Multispecies patterns in the successional occurrence of beetles in cow droppings are briefly described, and species-specific successional patterns are shown to be similar in the coprophagous species common to two localities in Northern Europe. No important differences were found between males and females, but mature females (of Aphodius, Scarabaeidae) tended to occur in older droppings than did immature females. The successional mean occurrence in six groups of dung inhabiting beetles was related to their size, macrohabitat and seasonal occurrence, and the preferred temperature of their diurnal flight activity. Only two groups, Philonthus (Staphylinidae) and Hydrophilidae, showed any evidence of such correlations; in them the successional mean occurrence may have been influenced by size and macrohabitat selection. New goals for further research are discussed: 1) the precise relationship between the dynamics of resources and consumers in droppings; 2) the pattern of migration to and from droppings; and 3) the causal explanation of 2).
Enterobacter Sakazakii Growth Profile and Tolerance to Chlorine Sanitizers

I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Diana Carolina Naar Cifuentes entitled “Enterobacter sakazakii growth profile and tolerance to chlorine sanitizers. ” I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it to be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Food Science and Technology.
FERRITIN IV. OCCURRENCE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FERRITIN

In 1937 Laufberger (1) reported the presence of ferritin not only in the spleen of the horse but also to a very slight extent in the liver of the horse. Kuhn, Sorensen, and Birkofer, in 1940 (2), then succeeded in finding ferritin in the spleen of the dog, cat, and jackal but were unable to isolate ferritin from the spleen of the guinea pig, rabbit, or whale. These two studies suggested that ferritin might be of wide-spread occurrence. In the present paper a report is made on the occurrence of ferritin in various animal species including the human, and in a number of different organs. Evidence is also presented for the immunological identity of ferritin occurring in different organs of the same animal, but for its specificity as regards the animal species.
Herbicides for Container Grown Nursery Stock

Over a 3-yr period 10 herbicides were tested alone or in combination for control of weeds and for effects on growth of nursery stock in containers. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) was controlled by norea [3-(hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan-5-yl)-1,1-dimethylurea], alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide], and combinations of diphenamid (N,N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamid), trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), and nitralin [4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline] plus simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine]. Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma Nutt.) was controlled by simazine, oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one], and norflurazon [4-chloro-5-(methylamino)-2-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone]. Mouseear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum L.) was controlled by dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) and norflurazon, and common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.) was controlled by dichlobenil and norflurazon. Some of the treatments decreased growth of certain nursery cultivars.