Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing genetic diversity in Peronosclerospora sorghi causing downy mildew on maize and sorghum

Downy mildew, caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston & Uppal) Shaw, is an economically important disease on maize ( Zea mays L.) and sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in India. The isolates of P. sorghi infecting sorghum and maize are difficult to distinguish from each other using morphologic criteria. However, there is wide variability in pathogenic and molecular characters among isolates of P. sorghi from maize, sorghum and wild sorghum. Therefore, studies were undertaken to assess the genetic variability in isolates of P. sorghi causing downy mildew on maize and sorghum by RAPD method during 2013 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. A total of 65 reproducible RAPD bands were obtained with 15 selected primers on 11 isolates of P. sorghitested. Each primer yielded on an average of 6 RAPD fragments and molecular size of amplicons ranged from 250 bp to 2.0 kb. The 11 isolates were grouped into two main clusters (A and B) on the basis of cluster analysis of the pooled data for all 15 primers using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). All the maize and sorghum isolates were grouped together in cluster A and cluster B respectively, confirming the genetic diversity among the isolates infecting both maize and sorghum.
Trophic differentiation in the phylogenetically young Cyprinodon species flock (Cyprinodontidae, Teleostei) from Laguna Chichancanab (Mexico)

Analysis of the gut contents of six syntopic Cyprinodon species from Laguna Chichancanab, Mexico, shows that the supposed basal form, C. beltrani, feeds on detritus and has the longest gut. All other species have significantly shorter guts. Whereas C. simus exclusively ingests detritus despite short gut length, all other species additionally rely on different benthic invertebrates. Each species has developed specific preferences: C. labiosus (amphipods), C. verecundus (bivalves), C. maya (ostracods and gastropods) and C. esconditus (ostracods and chironomid larvae). However, all of them ingest a minimum of c. 40% detritus. According to Schoener's index, pairwise niche overlap varies from c. 40% to over 95% in the species flock. Contrary to this, there is almost no overlap between the members of the flock and the only other native fish species, Gambusia sexradiata, which feeds nearly exclusively on terrestrial arthropods dropping on the water surface. Recently, the cichlid genus Oreochromis and the characid Astyanax fasciatus gained access to the lake. The cichlids show moderate to high niche overlap, whereas in A. fasciatus it is low. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 85, 125–134.
Bacillus subtilis EarlySporulation GeneskinA, spoOF, andspoOA AreTranscribed bytheRNA Polymerase Containing crH

TheBaciUlus subtilis geneskinA(spoIIJ), spoOF, andspoOAencode components ofthesporulation signal transduction pathway. Recent workhassuggested thatthese genesaretranscribed bya minorformofRNA polymerase, Ea" (ur" istheproduct ofspoOH, another early sporulation gene). We directly tested this hypothesis byperforming invitro transcription assayswithreconstituted ErHandasetofplasmids containing thekinA, spoOF, andspoOA promoter regions. We wereable toobtain distinct transcripts oftheexpected sizes withallthree genesbyusing linearized orsupercoiled templates. Furthermore, primer extension experiments indicate thatthetranscription start sites forthethree genesinvitro andinvivo arethesame.Inaddition, we measured steady-state levels ofkinA, spoOF, andspoOAmRNAsduring growth insporulation medium; allof themwereincreased ator nearthebeginning ofthestationary phase. Bacillus subtilis isagram-positive soil bacterium that, underconditions ofnutrient deprivation (43, 47)andhigh population density (17), isabletocommititself toadevelopmental pathway leading totheproduction ofspores. Spores aremorphologically andmetabolically verydifferent fromvegetative cells andalso aremoreresistant toheatand organic solvents thangrowing cells, sothat sporulation can beconsidered asatruedifferentiation process. Sporulation isonlyoneoftheprocesses that occurduring thestationary phaseinB.subtilis; someoftheothers aretheability to makeextracellular enzymesandantibiotics, motility, and competence (that is, theability tobindandtakeupexogenously addedDNA). Oneofthemajor questions inthestudy ofsporulation concerns theinitiation ofthis process. What theenvironmental signals are,howtheyaresensed bythe presporulating cells, andhowthecells respond tothose signals aresomeofthemostimportant questions concerning theinitiation ofsporulation. Inthecourse ofthelast fewyears, ithasbecomeincreasingly clear thatmanybacterial responses toenvironmental conditions aregoverned bytheso-called two-component systems (50, 51). Typically, thefirst component, nowknown asthehistidine kinase (HK),isautophosphorylated ata
Interaction of human and mouse Aβ peptides

Transgenic mice over‐expressing mutant human amyloid precursor protein have become an important tool for research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, in particular, for therapeutic screening. Many models have reported formation of amyloid plaques with age as is detected in AD. However, the plaques generated in transgenic mice are more soluble than human plaques. Differences in solubility may occur for a number of reasons; one proposal is the presence of murine Aβ peptides within the CNS milieu. Here, we report the interaction of human and murine Aβ peptides, Aβ40 and Aβ42, utilizing a fluorescence assay to monitor formation of mixed pre‐fibrillar aggregates, electron microscopy to examine morphological characteristics and detergent solubility to monitor stability. Our results demonstrate that interspecies Aβ aggregates and fibres are readily formed and are more stable than homogenous human fibres. Furthermore, these results suggest that the presence of endogenous murine Aβ in human APP transgenic mice does not account for the increased solubility of plaques.
Management of thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score of 4 (TLICS=4) thoracolumbar vertebra fractures: Surgery versus conservative treatment.

BACKGROUND This study aims to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of surgical treatment and conservative treatment with bracing in neurologically intact patients with score 4 of TLICS thoracolumbar vertebra fractures. METHODS Patients with traumatic thoracolumbar junction fractures (T11-L2), the score of TLICS 4, and minimum 24-month follow-up were included in this study. Patients were divided into surgery and bracing groups. The groups were compared concerning clinical and demographical features, local kyphotic angles (LKA), vertebra height loss percentage (VHL), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and time to return to work. RESULTS There were 74 patients (71 males, 3 females) in the surgery group and 76 patients (58 males, 18 females) in the bracing group. Although the surgery group showed better improvement in VAS scores within six months postoperatively, no significant difference was observed at the 24th-month evaluation (p<0.001 and p=0.270, respectively). ODI, LKA and VHL were significantly lower in the surgery group (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, return to work was significantly earlier in the surgery group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The findings obtained in this study suggest that the surgical treatment for TLICS 4 patients with thoracolumbar fractures has better clinical and radiographic outcomes than the bracing. Moreover, returning time to the work of patients is shortened with surgical treatment. The surgical treatment seems to be the first and the appropriate choice in the management of TLICS 4 thoracolumbar vertebral fractures.
Lettuce Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Energy Use Efficiency as Affected by Red–Blue Light Combined with Different Monochromatic Wavelengths

Light, as the energy and signal sources for plant growth and development, is one of the most important environment factors in recently developed plant factories with artificial light (PFALs). To find the optimal combination of light wavelengths for lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Tiberius’) plant growth in a PFAL, four treatments, each using red (R; 662 nm) and blue light (B; 447 nm) with a ratio of 4:1 and photon flux density (PFD) of 150 μmol·m−2·s−1, and mixing, respectively, with 50 μmol·m−2·s−1 of green light (G; 525 nm; RBG), yellow light (Y; 592 nm; RBY), orange light (O; 605 nm; RBO) and far-red light (FR; 742 nm; RBFR), were set up during this experiment. A combination of R and B with a ratio of 4:1 and PFD of 200 μmol·m−2·s−1 was set as the control (RB). The responses of lettuce growth, morphology, anatomical structure of the lettuce leaf, photosynthetic performance, lettuce nutritional quality, and energy use efficiency were investigated. The results showed that RBG, RBO, and RBFR increased the shoot fresh weight of lettuce by 20.5%, 19.6%, and 40.4%, and they increased the shoot dry weight of lettuce by 24.2%, 13.4%, and 45.2%, respectively, compared with those under RB. The Pn under RBY was significantly lower than that under RB, although no significant differences in chlorophyll or carotenoid content were found between RBY and RB. RBG increased the lettuce leaf area, the thickness of the leaf palisade tissue, Pn, and light use efficiency compared with those under RB. Plants grown under RBO showed better photosynthetic capacity, such as higher Pn, ΦPSII, and other photosynthetic parameters. RBFR caused an increase in lettuce leaf area and energy use efficiency, but a decrease in leaf thickness and Pn of the single leaf. Moreover, tipburn injury was observed under RBFR. Therefore, these results demonstrate that RBG and RBO can be considered optimal combinations of light wavelengths for lettuce growth in a PFAL in this experiment, although plant growth can also be improved by using RBFR.
The Small Intestine, an Underestimated Site of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: From Red Queen Effect to Probiotics

Understanding how the coronaviruses invade our body is an essential point, and the expression profile of coronaviruses receptor may help us to find where the coronavirus infects our body. We found that the coronavirus receptors, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov-2, are digestion-related enzymes in human enterocytes. Coronaviruses are continually altering the binding receptor and binding modes during their evolution, but the potential target cell in the small intestine is constant when in the lung is inconstant. Enterocytes may act as a conserved cell reservoir for coronaviruses, which may be partially explained by the Red Queen hypothesis. We also found that coronaviruses receptors could be elevated in the presence of both invasive bacteria and their counterpart, probiotics. We demonstrated here that enterocytes act as a conserved cell reservoir for coronaviruses during their evolutions, which should not be ignored in the investigation of coronavirus diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Production of BRS Itaim cowpea cultivar based on plant population density

Cowpea has great potential for cultivation and rotation in Mato Grosso State and in Brazilian Cerrado due to the large area available in these locations in the off-season. The aim of the current study is to analyze the yield of cowpea (BRS Itaim cultivar) grown in non-irrigated soil in Sorriso County-MT, based on plant population density. The experiment was carried out in commercial area, on March 8, 2015; it followed a randomized block design, with six population densities and four replicates. Population densities comprising 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, and 280 thousand plants per hectare were used in the experiment. Experimental plots encompassed four 5-meter-long rows with 0.45-meter spacing between them. Final plant stand (plants ha-1), number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, pod length (cm), weight of one hundred grains (g) and grain yield (kg ha-1) in the useful plot were evaluated at harvest time. The number of pods per plant has linearly decreased as population density increased. The number of seeds per pod, pod length and weight of one hundred grains did not change due to population density. Population density of 230 thousand plants ha-1 has enabled the highest grain yield under the tested conditions.
Influence factors on Care Burden among Spouses of Young Women with Breast Cancer

This study was undertaken to identify factors influencing care burden among spouses of young women afflicted with breast cancer. Totally, 130 spouses of young women with breast cancer, who were hospitalized or visited one of the three general hospitals in B city, were enrolled for the study. Data was collected between January 3 to March 31, 2016. The mean, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were analyzed by applying the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Social support had the greatest impact on care burden (β=-0.41, p〈0.001), followed by marital intimacy (β=-0.26, p=0.001), age (β=­0.18, p=0.009) and perceived economic status (β=-0.14, p=0.039). The explanatory power was determined to be 42% (F=24.41, p〈0.001). Our findings indicate the necessity to develop social support programs that help reduce the care burden of spouses of young women afflicted with breast cancer. Moreover, there is a need to develop differentiated programs by considering marital intimacy, age and perceived economic status.
SPAWNING BEHAVIOUR AND FECUNDITY OF THE INDIAN MACKEREL, RASTRELLIGER KANAGURTA (CUVIER), AT MANGALORE

The earliest reference to the fecundity of the Indian mackerel was by Devanesan and John (1940) who estimated the number of ripe eggs in the mackerel ovary as 94,000. Subsequent work was directed mostly towards finding out the spawning behaviour of this fish, by the study of the intra-ovarian eggs. Pradhan (1956) indicated the possibility of the Indian mackerel spawning the eggs in successive batches over a prolonged period, like its Atlantic counter-part Scomber scombrus (L). Pradhan and Palekar (1956) described the maturity stages I to VII, based on the external appearance of the ovary, its size relative to the abdominal cavity, and the range of ova-diameter readings. However, they have not given any ova-diameter frequency polygons. Sekharan (1958) studied the ova-diameter frequency in a few ovaries of the mackerel, ranging in maturity stage from II-III to V-VI, VI-VII and a few spent ovaries. He stated that his investigation showed a possibility of the mackerel eggs ripening in batches and of their release in succession. Radhakrishnan (1962), adopting the method followed by Clark (1934), Prabhu (1956), and Qasim and Qayyam (1961), studied the ova-diameter frequency seasonally and indicated the possibility of the mackerel shedding its eggs in batches. Vijayaraghavan (1962) followed a different procedure. Employing very high magnification, he measured ova with diameter greater than 0.525 mm. Plotting this frequency with a small size interval (3.5^) he claims the modes were clearly distinguishable. These modes according to him were well-defined batches of eggs ripening in succession. Rao (1962) studied the ova-diameter frequency in maturity stages I-V and VII. However, spawn-ripe ovary corresponding to stage VI, as he stated, was not obtained in his study.
Shaking Table Tests of a Reinforced Concrete Frame Subjected to Mainshock-Aftershock Sequences

ABSTRACT This paper presents the shaking table tests for a 1/5-scale 5-story reinforced concrete (RC) frame subjected to mainshock (MS)-aftershock (AS) sequences for investigating the unfavorable effects of ASs on structural performance. The prototype of the test specimen, which was heavily damaged in Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, was a teaching building designed and built according to the old version of Chinese design codes. The ground motion records of one MS and three ASs were selected from the Wenchuan strong ground motion database to compose the seismic sequence. A series of peak ground acceleration (PGA) intensity levels were considered to scale the seismic sequence entirely for the simulation of sequential excitations. During the tests, typical global and local damage phenomena of the specimen were observed. Structural responses and dynamic properties of the specimen were monitored and calculated. An Aftershock Influence Ratio (AIR) defined as the ratio between the structural response due to an AS and that due to the corresponding MS was proposed to quantify the effects of ASs. Results show that AIR values are increased significantly as the growth of the accumulative damage of the specimen. Amongst the investigated structural response parameters, the absolute acceleration is impacted mostly by ASs with the corresponding AIR value as large as 85.2%, while the relative displacement is impacted least since the corresponding maximum AIR is only 27.9%. Moreover, at a given accumulative damage level of the specimen, the second AS (AS-II) has the largest effect on structural performance compared to others. This experimental investigation highlights the complex AS effects on structural performance since they are closely correlated to the accumulative damage of the structure mainly caused by MS, structural response parameters, and AS characteristics. It is thus necessary to well consider the AS effects in seismic performance evaluation and seismic design of the structures especially located in the sites with high seismicity.
Effect of Enzyme Addition to Diets Containing Different Levels of Alfalfa Meal on Performance and Egg Quality Parameters of Laying Hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of enzyme addition to diets containing different levels of alfalfa meal on performance, egg quality and egg yolk color in laying hens. Twenty-four weeks-old, 144 Lohmann-LSL laying hens were allocated to 8 experimental groups. The experiment, 4 different levels of alfalfa meal (0, 4, 8 and 12 %) and 2 different levels (0 and 1000 mg/kg) enzyme containing 8 different experimental diets were carried out with 6 replications according to 4x2 factorial design. The results of study indicated that there were no differences in egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, egg mass and eggshell breaking strength among the treatment groups (P> 0.05). The eggshell thickness had no significantly affected by the dietary alfalfa meal levels and interaction groups, but eggshell thickness was significantly higher in group fed with containing enzyme than the group of without enzyme (P< 0.01). In the egg yolk color parameters, the L* value was significantly affected by dietary alfalfa meal levels (P<0.01), and the groups fed with alfalfa meal containing diets at 8 and 12% levels were significantly lower than the others (0 and 4 %). The a* and roche values were significantly and similarly affected by the interactions (P<0.05), and the groups fed with alfalfa meal (with or without enzyme) diets at 8 and 12% levels were significantly lower than the other groups. In conclusion, the study results were observed that the addition of alfalfa and enzyme to laying hens diets did not cause a significant change in performance and egg quality parameters. However, it can be said that the addition of alfalfa meal at least 8% without adding enzyme to the diet causes an increase in egg yolk color.
Evaluating the Potential of Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay in the quality control of Allergens in Food

Received Date: Feb 08, 2020 / Accepted Date: Feb 14, 2020 / Published Date: Feb 17, 2020 Abstract Allergen is any food substance capable of causing allergic reaction due to recognition by immune system. The disorders associated with allergens are increasingly prevalent in the developed world and together include allergic rhinitis which is also known as hay fever, eczema, allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies with symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, sneezing, redness of eyes and running of nose. Also, others develop a potentially deathly systemic allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, within seconds or minutes of exposure to allergens. Therefore, extremely small amount of allergen/antigen can be quantitatively measured using ELISA by taking the advantage of plastic surface ability to absorb low but detectable amount of protein. This is to ensure food safety. That is why it is important to monitor the quality of food prior to packaging and distribution. The protocols were that the unknown sample and standard solutions were added to the wells followed by washing, addition of enzyme linked with secondary antibody, washing, addition of substrate and reaction terminator using stop solution. The OD was then determined at 450 nm using microplate reader. The concentration of unknown antigen was determined to be 0.60ppm using a standard calibration curve. Therefore, ELISA has the potential of detecting small amount of protein in biological fluid within a short period of time with high sensitivity and selectivity. The sensitivity of ELISA in allergen detection has been supported by many studies without emphasizing on its implementation in food industry for quality control prior to distribution and packaging. Therefore, ELISA can be considered as the novel technology for quantification of extremely small amount of protein/allergen in an unknown sample.
Dust Deposition on the Gulf of California Caused by Santa Ana Winds

Numerical simulations revealed a profound interaction between the severe dust storm of 2007 caused by Santa Ana winds and the Gulf of California. The weather research and forecasting model coupled with a chemistry module (WRF-CHEM) and the hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model (HYSPLIT) allowed for the estimation of the meteorological and dynamic aspects of the event and the dust deposition on the surface waters of the Gulf of California caused by the erosion and entrainment of dust particles from the surrounding desert regions. The dust emission rates from three chosen areas (Altar desert, Sonora coast, and a region between these two zones) and their contribution to dust deposition over the Gulf of California were analyzed. The Altar Desert had the highest dust emission rates and the highest contribution to dust deposition over the Gulf of California, i.e., it has the most critical influence with 96,879 tons of emission and 43,539 tons of dust deposition in the gulf. An increase of chlorophyll-a concentrations is observed coinciding with areas of high dust deposition in the northern and western coast of the gulf. This kind of event could have a significant positive influence over the mineralization and productivity processes in the Gulf of California, despite the soil loss in the eroded regions.
Characterization of human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase

CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN COPPER/ZINC SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE by Nada Khouderchah In this research, both human wild type (WT) and mutant A4V SOD1 were encapsulated in wet-aged sol-gel glasses in an attempt to identify intermediates leading to aggregation. The encapsulated proteins were subjected to various conditions known to cause aggregation in solution such as heat, low pH ~ 4.0, EDTA, TCEP or DTT, and TFE. Changes in the secondary structure of the entrapped SOD1 were monitored by using circular dichroism (CD) in the far-UV region. Results showed major differences between the WT and A4V SOD1 secondary structures under most conditions. The encapsulation method is shown to enable longterm monitoring of the secondary structural changes over several months, and the optimal encapsulation method for the SOD1 is identified in order to minimize leaching. Finally, a possible common intermediate for both A4V and WT SOD1 was identified under different conditions.