Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Subjective Symptoms and Quality of Life in Conjunctivochalasis Patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in subjective symptoms between patients with conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and dry eye (DE), and examine the relationship between subjective symptoms and quality of life (QOL). In 75 eyes of 75 CCh patients and 122 eyes of 122 DE patients, 12 subjective symptoms classified into four groups depending on the mechanisms associated with symptoms (ITF: instability of tear film, IF: increased friction, R: reflex, and DTC: delayed tear clearance) were evaluated by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Fifteen items related to DE symptoms and their influence on daily life were evaluated by use of the dry eye-related quality-of-life score (DEQS) questionnaire, with overall degree of QOL impairment calculated as a QOL score. The correlation between the Total VAS score and QOL score were evaluated. Between the CCh and DE patients, significant differences in subjective symptoms were found in eye dryness, pain, tearing sensitivity to light, and heavy eyelids, while tearing was higher in CCh. A significant strong correlation was found between QOL score and Total VAS score, ITF, and IF in CCh patients. The QOL of CCh patients is strongly determined by decreased tear-film stability and increased friction during blinking.
Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems

The members of Euphorbiaceae are valuable source of different kinds of useful products like dyes, edible tubers, oil crops, furniture, agricultural implements, ornamental plants, pharmacological products, rubber, timber and aesthetic items. Micropropagation is an alternative mean of propagation that can be employed in conservation of the flora in relatively shorter time. Tissue culture is useful for multiplying and conserving the species, which are difficult to regenerate by conservation methods and save them from extinction. Cryopreservation of germplasm would help in maintaining the genetic diversity of the endangered population. Improved cell and tissue culture technologies would help in producing the active compounds in vitro with better productivities without cutting down the natural resources. There is sufficient progress at research level to suggest that the tissue culture of Euphorbiaceae can and should be further developed. This review emphasizes the in vitro manipulation and remarkable achievements with biotechnology in this family made during the last six decades.
Drivers of β‐diversity along latitudinal gradients revisited

Aim Ecologists have generally agreed that -diversity is driven at least in part by ecological processes and mechanisms of community assembly and is a key determinant of global patterns of species richness. This idea has been challenged by a recent study based on an individual-based null model approach, which aims to account for the species pool. The goal of the present study is twofold: (1) to analyse data sets from different parts of the world to determine whether there are significant latitude-diversity gradients after accounting for the species pool, and (2) to evaluate the validity of the null model. Location Global. Methods A total of 257 forest plots, each being 0.1 ha in size and having 10 0.01-ha subplots, were used. We conducted four sets of analyses. A modified version of Whittaker's -diversity index was used to quantify -diversity for each forest plot. A randomization procedure was used to determine expected -diversity. Results The number of individuals per species, which characterizes species abundance distribution, alone explains 56.884. 2% of the variation in observed -diversity. Species pool (-diversity) explained only an additional 2.615. 2% of the variation in observed -diversity. Latitude explains 18.6% of the variation in raw deviation in Gentry's global data set, and explains 11.011. 6% of the variation in standardized deviation in the global and three regional analyses. Latitude explains 33.246. 2% of the variation in the number of individuals per species. Main conclusions Species abundance distribution, rather than species pool size, plays a key role in driving latitude-diversity gradients for -diversity in local forest communities. The individual-based null model is not a valid null model for investigating -diversity gradients driven by mechanisms of local community assembly because the null model incorporates species abundance distributions, which are driven by mechanisms of local community assembly and in turn generate -diversity gradients.
Sémantique lexicale et profils langagiers d'enfants avec autisme de langue hébraïque

La communication en general, et les capacites linguistiques en particulier, constituent de formidables obstacles pour beaucoup d'enfants avec TSA, qui ont du mal a faire connaitre leurs idees, sentiments et intentions a autrui. La semantique lexicale est fondamentale dans le choix des bons mots et la comprehension du monde autour de soi. Dans la recherche sur le Trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA), les capacites langagieres sont communement mesurees sur la base de la performance sur des tâches qui mesurent les capacites en semantique lexicale—les connaissances sur la signification des mots. Or, les connaissances scientifiques sur comment les capacites semantiques lexicales sont liees aux autres aspects du langage dans le TSA sont pauvres.
Functional and quantitative analysis of seed thermal responses in prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

A screening method was used to characterize seed thermal responses of prostrate knotweed and common purslane, two important weeds invading wheat in the humid Pampa. Through this method, it was possible to detect thermal conditions that induce or break dormancy in both species. In addition, we were able to quantify changes in dormancy level in seed populations as a function of time of burial after dispersal, through changes in width of the thermal range within which germination can occur. Plotting the overlap of this thermal range and observed soil temperature throughout the year allowed the prediction of the seedling emergence period. This prediction was in agreement with observed seedling emergence in the field for both species, during 2 consecutive yr. From the analysis carried out under laboratory conditions, it was also possible to estimate required thermal time for germination of the nondormant fraction of the population and the base temperature above which thermal time is accumulated. The results obtained from this study are the basis for the formulation of seed germination models that predict not only the occurrence of seedling emergence in the field, but also the dynamics of germination within those periods.
Fate of Pollution Emitted During the 2015 Indonesian Fire Season

The El Niño‐driven fire season in Indonesia in September–October 2015 produced the largest fire emissions on record since NASA's EOS satellites started making observations of tropospheric pollutants from space. In this study, measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) on Terra and the Microwave Limb Sounder are used to characterize the anomalously high CO emitted during the 2015 Indonesian fire season transported into the tropical upper troposphere and stratosphere. The satellite measurements indicate that CO emitted from wildfires was transported into the upper troposphere with time lags up to ∼2 months and continued to be transported into the stratosphere, which resulted in higher concentrations of CO extending up to ∼20 hPa by the end of 2016. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) measured by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE‐FTS) confirms that anomalously high HCN emitted from the same wildfires was also transported into the tropical stratosphere and persisted throughout 2017. Simulations of CO from the Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM‐chem) show a significant increase in CO concentrations in the troposphere in October 2015. However, comparisons between CAM‐chem and MOPITT CO suggest that the model underestimates the amount of CO even with doubled emissions of CO in October 2015. Both the satellite measurements and the model simulations show that the pollution emitted from the wildfires over Indonesia was transported to and persisted in the tropical stratosphere much longer than the previous El‐Niño driven fire events due to unprecedented amount of the fire emissions.
The European Unionâs and United States of Americaâs NonâTariff Measures: Impacts on African Exports

There are differentials in the conclusion of scholars as to what undermines Africaâs export flows to the European Union (EU) and United State of America (USA). While the impact of tariffs has been reduced due to the unilateral preferential tariffs granted to Africa by these countries, empirical studies have shown that the frequencies of the incidences of non-tariff measures have increased. However, most of these studies examine only price-related trade restrictions without considering the nonâtariff (non-price) measures. In addition, these studiesâ conclusions are based on data limited to Africa south of the Sahara. This study fills these gaps by evaluating the impact of non-tariff measures in the EU and USA on African exports. The study covers exports from 25 African countries, spread across three sectors, using a gravity model based on data from 1990 to 2011, which were obtained from World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). To mitigate the potential endogeneity and heteroscedasticity problems, the generalized method of moments was used in the analysis. This study finds that tariffs are not the cause of Africaâs inability to access export markets in the EU and USA, but that the incidence of the use of non-tariff measures, such as technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, etc., have inhibited Africaâs export flows to these markets, such that non-tariff barriers have larger magnitudes and significant in both markets.
Effects of raw or extruded legume seeds on some functional and morphological gut parameters in rats

The effects of extruding soya bean, faba bean and pea seeds on trypsin inhibitor (TI) and lectin activities, dry matter and protein digestibilities, pancreatic trypsin activity, relative weight of rat internal organs, and microbiology and histology of the jejunum were studied. Wistar rats were fed semipurified diets containing 10% of legume seeds: raw (R) or extruded at 150°C (E). Extrusion reduced TI activity of soya bean seeds from 31.3 to 23.0, faba bean from 2.1 to 0.7, and pea from 2.3 to 0.3 TlU/mg. Extrusion of soya bean seeds also reduced agglutination activity against guinea pig erythrocytes. Extrusion of soya bean, but not of pea and faba bean, improved apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein (P<0.01). Pancreas weight (0.392% BW) and trypsin activity (0.424 U/total pancreas) were the highest in rats fed the diet with raw soya bean. Extrusion increased (P<0.05) trypsin activity in the pancreas of rats fed on all seeds (mean value 2777 vs 3212 U/100 g protein) and decreased (P<0.05) total protein content (mean 13.0 vs 10.6 mg/pancreas) as well as the relative weight of the pancreas. Significant differences were found between the relative weights of several organs in rats fed on pea, faba bean or soya bean diets. Extrusion of faba bean reduced the E. coli count in the small intestine and tended to decrease damage to intes-
Genetical Studies In Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Saline Situation

The experimental material used in the present study included 36 genotypes of rice. The material was obtained from the plant breeding farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainager, during June-Sept. , 2004. The experimental field was under saline condition with pH of 7.9 and EC of 4.8 dSm-1. These genotypes were grown with all the recommended cultural practices. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, consisting of three replications. The crop was spaced at row-to-row 20 cm and plant-to-plant 15 cm. On the basis of heritability estimates and expected genetic advance as percent of mean for different characters studied in the present study, selection criteria based on number of branches/panicle, straw yield/plant, number of fertile florets/plant, total biological yield/plant and grain yield/plant would be useful in further improvement of rice
Evaluation for long term PM10 concentration forecasting using multi linear regression (MLR) and principal component regression (PCR) models

Air pollution in Peninsular Malaysia is dominated by particulate matter which is demonstrated by having the highest Air Pollution Index (API) value compared to the other pollutants at most part of the country. Particulate Matter (PM10) forecasting models development is crucial because it allows the authority and citizens of a community to take necessary actions to limit their exposure to harmful levels of particulates pollution and implement protection measures to significantly improve air quality on designated locations. This study aims in improving the ability of MLR using PCs inputs for PM10 concentrations forecasting. Daily observations for PM10 in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia from January 2003 till December 2011 were utilized to forecast PM10 concentration levels. MLR and PCR (using PCs input) models were developed and the performance was evaluated using RMSE, NAE and IA. Results revealed that PCR performed better than MLR due to the implementation of PCA which reduce intricacy and eliminate data multi-collinearity.
Amaranth Biology, Chemistry, and Technology

This book is devoted to the amaranth plant, which was the foundation of the extensive North and South American ancient civilizations and was still important in the agriculture of more recent Indian cultures. Although this plant nearly disappeared after the Spanish conquest, it is now becoming an important crop in various regions of the world. Progress in the utilization of amaranth is directly related to scientific and technical information on its biological, physical, and chemical properties.
棉花（Gossypium hirsutum L.）花粉壁的发育

用光镜和透射电镜观察研究了棉花花粉壁的发育过程。 棉花花粉壁的发生始于四分孢子时期，四分体形成后，在小孢子的质膜与胼胝质壁之间逐渐形成多糖性质的原外壁。 游离小孢子时期，在一定间隔的原外壁中小孢子质膜表面积累外壁物质并形成基粒棒，之后在基粒棒的下部和上部分别横向延展并接合形成基足层和覆盖层。 花粉内壁发生时期较晚，大约在大液泡形成之前。 但内层和外层花粉壁均在小孢子有丝分之前同时建成。 构建花粉壁的物质主要
The role of serum- and glucocorticoid kinase in the hormonal control of sodium transport in pulmonary epithelia

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Genetic and non genetic effects on growth traits of West African Dwarf sheep in Benin (West Africa)

a Universite d’Abomey Calavi Faculte des Sciences Agrononomiques Departement des Productions Animales01 BP 526 Cotonou, Republique du Benin. b Universite de Liege Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire Departement des Productions Animales. Bât B 43, 20 Boulevard de Colonster, 4000 Liege Belgique. c Direction de l’Elevage, Projet pour le developpement de l’Elevage, Ferme d’Elevage de Betecoucou Republique du Benin. d Ecole Inter Etat des Sciences et Medecine Veterinaires. BP : 5077 Dakar. Senegal.
PEA proteins for piglets : effects on digestive processes

White-flowered pea ( Pisum sativum ) contains 20 to 25% crude protein (Nx6.25). The pea proteins consist in globulins (60%) and albumins (25%). Because the pea albumin proteins have biological activities due to their metabolic roles in the seed, some of them are called antinutritional factors (ANFs) for monogastric animals. These are mainly protease inhibitors and lectins. The apparent ileal digestibility of N and amino acids of raw peas fed to piglets was low. The N apparent ileal digestibility of pea protein isolate consisting mainly of globulins without ANFs was 15 units higher. The addition of 3% of pea ANF concentrate decreased the N apparent ileal digestibility by 7 units. This effect is not entirely due to the alleged antinutritional activities of die protease inhibitors or the lectins. This was suggested by the results of the incorporation of another pea ANF concentrate with a higher ANF content than the former concentrate. The albumin proteins themselves were suspected to be low digestible. This was illustrated by the results of a mathematical study of the amino acid composition of ileal digesta from piglets fed a raw pea diet, showing that these amino acids would be mainly of "endogenous + bacterial" origin and partly of dietary origin and especially of albumin type. No relations, neither between N digestibility and pancreatic protease activity in the pancreatic tissue, in its secretions or in the small intestinal digesta, neither between the activities in these different sections of the gastro-intestinal tract could be established. The trypsin and chymotrypsin activity decreased in the jejunal digesta and increased in the ileo-caecal digesta upon addition of pea ANF concentrate to a pea protein isolate diet although the N apparent ileal digestibility was not affected. The enzyme activities in the pancreatic tissue was decreased with a raw pea diet compared to a pea protein isolate diet although equivalent activities were found in the pancreatic secretions. These observations suggested that the mode of action of pea protease inhibitors may depend on the demand of proteases to hydrolyse the dietary proteins in the upper intestine, and on the nutritional quality of the dietary proteins associated with these protease inhibitors.
Annual review of plant biology

The 30 articles in the 2008 edition of the annual series summarize recent advances in plant biochemistry and biosynthesis, genetics, cell differentiation, acclimation, and investigation methods. Peggy Lemeux (Berkeley) responds to common concerns about consuming genetically engineered crops and foods, citing peer-reviewed literature of study results and interpretations. Other topics include algal sensory photoreceptors, plant processes regulated by proteases, mechanisms of salinity tolerance, patterning in seed plant shoots, cuticular wax formation by epidermal cells, and alkaloid biosynthesis.
Nutrient utilization and growth performance of goats on pelleted complete diets prepared from gram (Cicer arietinum) straw and arhar (Cajanus cajan) stalks

Local goats (18) were fed for 120 days in 3 groups i.e. CMF complete mash feed (T1), GSP gram straw pellets (T2) and ASP arhar stalk pellets (T3) having 12% CP and 600/0 TDN. The daily DMI revealed significant (P<0.01) differences among treatments. The feed conversion efficiency and ADG was significantly (P<0.01)better in T2 and T3 groups as compared to control. The digestibility coefficients of different nutrients revealed significant (P<0.01)differences for CP, NFE, EE and were higher in test diets as compared to control. The goats in all the groups were in positive N, Ca and P balance. The rumen liquor profile studied fortnightly revealed significant (P<0.01)differences for pH and NPN; being higher in test groups. The blood biochemicals studied fortnightly revealed significant (P<0.01) variations for calcium, total protein and globulin. It was concluded that goats fed on gram straw and arhar stalk based pelleted complete diets performed better in respect of weight gain and can fulfill the requirement of goats growing at 70-75 g per day.
Cell death in prion disease

Prion diseases are a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases, including CJD and scrapie, which are thought to be caused by a protein termed a prion (PrP). As manganese has previously been suggested to be involved in prion disease we have investigated manganese binding to PrP and its role in the toxicity of the protein. We have shown that manganese bound PrP (MnPrP) has several of the characteristics of the disease form of PrP, including protease resistance and toxicity that is dependent on cellular PrP expression. Further investigation into the mechanism of toxicity revealed that MnPrP is significantly more toxic to neuronal cells than nonmanganese bound PrP and that toxicity requires the presence of known metal binding residues within the protein. We have demonstrated that treatment of neuronal cells with MnPrP causes caspase 3 activation and apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA laddering, and we hypothesise that caspase 3 is activated by a p38 pathway. Treatment of neurones with MnPrP also caused a significant increase in cellular ROS production, although this did not appear to be a major cause of cell death as antioxidants were unable to save cells from cell death. We also investigated mechanisms by which cells can survive scrapie infection and MnPrP toxicity. We have shown that cells infected with scrapie have increased ERK activation which was important for their survival. Cells that survived MnPrP treatment were also found to have increased ERK activation. This suggests that ERK may have a protective role in prion diseases and may be a potential therapeutic target.
Meningioma Genomics: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Applications

There has been a recent revolution in our understanding of the genetic factors that drive meningioma, punctuating an equilibrium that has existed since Cushing’s germinal studies nearly a century ago. A growing appreciation that meningiomas share similar biologic features with other malignancies has allowed extrapolation of management strategies and lessons from intra-axial central nervous system neoplasms and systemic cancers to meningiomas. These features include a natural proclivity for invasion, frequent intratumoral heterogeneity, and correlation between biologic profile and clinical behavior. Next-generation sequencing has characterized recurrent somatic mutations in NF2, TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, SMO, and PIK3CA, which are collectively present in ~80% of sporadic meningiomas. Genomic features of meningioma further associate with tumor location, histologic subtype, and possibly clinical behavior. Such genomic decryption, along with advances in targeted pharmacotherapy, provides a maturing integrated view of meningiomas. We review recent advances in meningioma genomics and probe their potential applications in diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic frontiers.
Effects of defoliation in the developing leaf zone on young Populus Xeuramericana plants. II. Distribution of UC-photosynthate after defoliation

Patterns of UC-photosynthate distribution in growth chamber-grown Populus xeuramericana cv. Negrito de Granada were determined 24 h, 3 weeks, and 5 weeks after defoliation in the developing leaf zone. Translocation patterns were determined by exposing leaves below, within, or above the defoliated zone to UCO2 and determining UC distribution within the plant after 48 h. Translocation patterns were altered within 24 h after defoliation. When leaves below or remaining tissue of leaves within the zone of defoliation were exposed to UCO2, a greater percentage of UC-photosynthate was transported to the expanding shoot and lateral branches and less to the roots in defoliated plants compared to controls. Little difference between defoliated and control plants and UC distribution occurred when new leaves produced subsequent to defoliation were exposed to UCO2. By 5 weeks after defoliation there was little difference in patterns of UC distribution between defoliated and control plants. These results substantiate biomass partitioning data which showed that a single defoliation of young poplar plants did not affect diameter or height growth, whereas leaf growth was stimulated and root growth reduced.