Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and fecundity of Sesamia calamistis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The developmental rates and fecundity of two important African maize pests, Sesamia calamistis Hampson and Eldana saccharina Walker, were studied under constant temperatures and with two larval diets. Five temperatures (15°, 20°, 25°, 30° and 35°C) were used to investigate developmental rates and three temperatures (20°, 25° and 30°C) were used in fecundity experiments. Larvae were reared on maize stem cuttings and on artificial diet. The developmental period for S. calamistis on artificial diet required over 700 degree-days (DD); eggs needed 122 DD above a threshold of 9.7°, larvae required 383 DD above 12.2°C and pupae 204 DD above 10.2°C. The developmental period for E. saccharina on artificial diet was 665 DD; eggs required 125 DD above 9.1°C, larvae 400 DD above 10.6°C and pupae 140 DD above 8.8°C. On artificial diet both species developed faster and had higher threshold temperatures for larval development than when reared on maize stem cuttings. Pupal development rates did not differ between artificial diet and maize stem for either species, although developmental thresholds were marginally lower on artificial diet. S. calamistis averaged 250–690 eggs/female although some individuals produced more than 1000 eggs. Adult females lived 5.7 days at 30°C and 10 days at 20°C. E. saccharina females produce more eggs and lived longer than S. calamistis females. Average fecundity for E. saccharina was 470–620 eggs/female, but several individuals produced more than 1200 eggs. Adult females lived 6.6 days at 30°C and 14.6 days at 20°C.
Genetic deletion of p66Shc adaptor protein prevents hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of endothelial NO bioavailability are key features of vascular disease in diabetes mellitus. The p66Shc adaptor protein controls cellular responses to oxidative stress. Mice lacking p66Shc (p66Shc−/−) have increased resistance to ROS and prolonged life span. The present work was designed to investigate hyperglycemia-associated changes in endothelial function in a model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus p66Shc−/− mouse. p66Shc−/− and wild-type (WT) mice were injected with citrate buffer (control) or made diabetic by an i.p. injection of 200 mg of streptozotocin per kg of body weight. Streptozotocin-treated p66Shc−/− and WT mice showed a similar increase in blood glucose. However, significant differences arose with respect to endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. WT diabetic mice displayed marked impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations, increased peroxynitrite (ONOO−) generation, nitrotyrosine expression, and lipid peroxidation as measured in the aortic tissue. In contrast, p66Shc−/− diabetic mice did not develop these high-glucose-mediated abnormalities. Furthermore, protein expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase 1 and endothelial NO synthase were up-regulated in p66Shc−/− but not in WT mice. We report that p66Shc−/− mice are resistant to hyperglycemia-induced, ROS-dependent endothelial dysfunction. These data suggest that p66Shc adaptor protein is part of a signal transduction pathway relevant to hyperglycemia vascular damage and, hence, may represent a novel therapeutic target against diabetic vascular complications.
Coeficientes de digestibilidade e valores de aminoácidos digestíveis de alguns ingredientes para tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

ABSTRACT - This study was carried out to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of amino acids for corn, wheatbran, soybean meal and fish meal in Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), juveniles (25.24 ± 3.88 g), fed purified pelletized referencediet containing 33.78% crude protein and 0.10% of chromic oxide (indicator). The average ADC of amino acids were: 88.31; 77.40; 91.78and 82.58% for corn, wheat meal, soybean meal and fish meal, respectively. Althought results suggest that the protein ADC value isindicative of amino acids ADC, there was variability in individual amino acid digestibility within and among the tested feeds. The resultssuggest that use of digestible values of amino acids should be use for more accurate and economical feed formulation.Key Words: amino acids, apparent digestibility, feedstuffs, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus 1 Parte da tese do primeiro autor, apresentada a FMVZ, UNESP, Botucatu-SP, financiada pela CAPES. 2 Prof. da Univ. Est. de Maringa, Depto. de Zootecnia, 87020-900, Maringa-PR. E.mail: furuya@wnet.com. br
Targeting of Cyclic AMP Degradation to β2-Adrenergic Receptors by β-Arrestins

Catecholamines signal through the β2-adrenergic receptor by promoting production of the second messenger adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP). The magnitude of this signal is restricted by desensitization of the receptors through their binding to β-arrestins and by cAMP degradation by phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. We show that β-arrestins coordinate both processes by recruiting PDEs to activated β2-adrenergic receptors in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. In doing so, the β-arrestins limit activation of membrane-associated cAMP-activated protein kinase by simultaneously slowing the rate of cAMP production through receptor desensitization and increasing the rate of its degradation at the membrane.
Probiotics and Probiotic-Derived Functional Factors—Mechanistic Insights Into Applications for Intestinal Homeostasis

Advances in our understanding of the contribution of the gut microbiota to human health and the correlation of dysbiosis with diseases, including chronic intestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have driven mechanistic investigations of probiotics in intestinal homeostasis and potential clinical applications. Probiotics have been shown to promote intestinal health by maintaining and restoring epithelial function, ensuring mucosal immune homeostasis, and inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Recent findings reveal an approach for defining previously unrecognized probiotic-derived soluble factors as potential mechanisms of probiotic action. This review focuses on the impact of probiotics and probiotic-derived functional factors, including probiotic products and metabolites by probiotics, on the cellular responses and signaling pathways involved in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Although there is limited information regarding the translation of probiotic treatment outcomes from in vitro and animal studies to clinical applications, potential approaches for increasing the clinical efficacy of probiotics for IBD, such as those based on probiotic-derived factors, are highlighted in this review. In this era of precision medicine and targeted therapies, more basic, preclinical, and clinical evidence is needed to clarify the efficacy of probiotics in maintaining intestinal health and preventing and treating disease.
The syncranial osteology of the southern eel-cod family Muraenolepididae, with comments on its phylogenetic relationships and on the biogeography of sub-Antarctic gadoid fishes

The monogeneric gadoid family Muraenolepididae has been neglected both taxonomically and anatomically. Without good evidence it has been the opinion of most authors that the family possesses mainly primitive features. A comparison of the syncranial osteology with that of other taxa shows that this can be refuted and that Muraenolepis is a relatively derived ‘higher’ gadoid, having its relationships close to the Phycidae and Gadidae. The circum-Antarctic distribution of Muraenolepis is unique within gadoids and poses the question of its origin. This is discussed with reference to bipolar distributions exhibited by some other gadoid families. It is concluded that gadoids have evolved with the Atlantic continental shelves and their distribution (and bipolarity) is a consequence of the geological processes which have formed the Atlantic Ocean.
Identification and Validation of the Immune Subtypes of Lung Adenocarcinoma: Implications for Immunotherapy

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a devastating disease with poor patient survival. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of LUAD, but only a limited number of patients effectively respond to this treatment. Thus, the work to elucidate the LUAD immune heterogeneity could be crucial in developing new immunotherapeutic strategies with better efficacy. Non-negative matrix factorization-based deconvolution was performed to identify robust clusters of 489 LUAD patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and verify their reproducibility and stability in an independent LUAD cohort of 439 patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We used the graph learning-based dimensionality reduction to visualize the distribution of individual patients. In this study, four reproducible immune subtypes, Clusters 1–4 (C1–C4) associated with distinct gene module signatures, clinicopathological features, molecular and cellular characteristics were identified and validated. The immune-cold subtype, C3, was associated with the Dead event, the most advanced T stage, N stage, TNM stage and the worst prognosis for LUAD patients. Moreover, C3 exhibited the lowest infiltrating levels of B cells, T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity and the highest level of neoantigen and mutation rate among C1–C4. On the other hand, the immune-hot subtype (C4) exhibited the highest infiltration of six types of infiltrating immune cells as well as the greatest leukocyte fraction, TCR and B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire diversity. C1 and C2 subtypes showed diverse clinicopathological and immunological features. Finally, our investigations discovered a complex immune landscape with a scattered immune subtype profile. This work may help inform immunotherapeutic decision-making and design advanced immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of lung cancer.
Exploring the Link Between Mentoring and Intangible Outcomes of Entrepreneurship: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Moderating Effects of Gender

Entrepreneurship education is increasingly becoming a focal strategy for promoting entrepreneurship, particularly to foster entrepreneurial intentions and startups. However, learning and support are equally important after startup for novice entrepreneurs to gain a good level of confidence to manage their business and achieve the desired outcomes. Using a sample of 189 young self-employed individuals in Uganda, this study examines the differential impact of mentoring and self-efficacy on the achievement of intangible outcomes of entrepreneurship including satisfaction of need for autonomy, work satisfaction and the intention to stay in self-employment. We found self-efficacy to mediate the effects of mentoring on these intangible outcomes. In addition, the results showed substantial gender differences. Whereas women’s satisfaction of the need for autonomy and intention to stay in self-employment were strongly associated with the direct effects of mentoring, their male counterparts seemed to benefit more if mentoring resulted in increased self-efficacy. Overall, our findings suggest that whereas mentoring improves the competence of small business owners and consequently achievement of superior outcomes, mentoring should also focus on boosting self-efficacy which in turn is essential for the application of the entrepreneurial competencies.
The Effect of Light and Temperature on Competition between Atrazine Susceptible and ResistantBrassica rapa

Abstract Biotypes ofBrassica rapasusceptible (S) and resistant (R) to atrazine were grown in competitive replacement series in all possible combinations of two light levels and three temperature regimes in controlled growth cabinets. Photosystem II function was investigated in all conditions by fluorescence-induction techniques. There were no significant differences in the dry weight of the two biotypes when grown in pure stands. In pure stands both biotypes produced more biomass under the high light level. Under high light both biotypes yielded more biomass at high temperature; in low light they did so at medium temperature. Under high light conditions at high and medium temperatures the susceptible biotype had a greater photon yield and relative competitive ability than the resistant due to the greater vulnerability of triazine-resistant biotypes to photoinhibition. However, surprisingly, the resistant biotype was the better competitor, and had a higher photon yield, in the high light/low temperature regime. In low light no photoinhibition was expected and indeed there were no significant differences in any fluorescence parameters between the resistant and susceptible biotypes. Nevertheless, there were differences in the whole plant performance; the susceptible biotype was a better competitor at low and medium temperatures, but the resistant biotype was better at high temperature. Relatively small variations in both light and temperature, well within the range encountered during British summer time, can have large effects on the relative competitiveness of triazine R and S biotypes in this species with implications for the spread of resistance genes through semi-natural communities. In light of predicted climate changes, interactions between climate and resistance should be studied across a wider range of herbicide types and weed species.
Direct measurement of soil organic carbon content change in the croplands of China

Agricultural soils in China have been estimated to have a large potential for carbon sequestration, and modelling and literature survey studies have yielded contrasting results of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock change, ranging from −2.0 to +0.6% yr−1. To assess the validity of earlier estimates, we collected 1394 cropland soil profiles from all over the country and measured SOC contents in 2007–2008, and compared them with those of a previous national soil survey conducted in 1979–1982. The results showed that average SOC content in the 0–20 cm soil increased from 11.95 g kg−1 in 1979–1982 to 12.67 g kg−1 in 2007–2008, averaging 0.22% yr−1. The standard deviation of SOC contents decreased. Four major soil types had statistically significant changes in their mean SOC contents for 0–20 cm. These were: +7.5% for Anthrosols (paddy soils), +18.3% for Eutric Cambisols, +30.5% for Fluvisols, and −22.3% for Chernozems. The change of SOC contents showed a negative relationship with the average SOC contents of the two sampling campaigns only when soils in the region south of Yangtse River were excluded. SOC contents of the two major soil types in the region south of Yangtse River, i.e., Haplic Alisols/Haplic Acrisols and Anthrosols (paddy soils), changed little or significantly increased, though with a high SOC content. We suggest that the increase of SOC content is mainly attributed to the large increase in crop yields since the 1980s, and the short history as cropland establishment is mainly responsible for the decrease in SOC content for some soil types and regions showing a SOC decline.
Prevalence and Antifungal Susceptibility of Pathogenic Yeasts in China: A 10-Year Retrospective Study in a Teaching Hospital

To determine the dynamic changes of pathogenic yeast prevalence and antifungal susceptibility patterns in tertiary hospitals in China, we analyzed 527 yeast isolates preserved in the Research Center for Medical Mycology at Peking University, Beijing, China, between Jan 2010 and Dec 2019 and correctly identified 19 yeast species by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and ribosomal DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed following a Sensititre YeastOne colorimetric microdilution panel with nine clinically available antifungals. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)-approved standard M27-A3 (S4) and newly revised clinical breakpoints or species-specific and method-specific epidemiological cutoff values were used for the interpretation of susceptibility test data. In this study, although Candida albicans was the predominant single species, non-C. albicans species constituted >50% of isolates in 6 out of 10 years, and more rare species were present in the recent 5 years. The non-C. albicans species identified most frequently were Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata. The prevalence of fluconazole and voriconazole resistance in the C. parapsilosis sensu stricto population was <3%, but C. tropicalis exhibited decreased susceptibility to fluconazole (42, 57.5%) and voriconazole (31, 42.5%), and 22 (30.1%) C. tropicalis isolates exhibited wild-type minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to posaconazole. Furthermore, fluconazole and voriconazole cross-resistance prevalence in C. tropicalis was 19 (26.1%). The overall prevalence of fluconazole resistance in the C. glabrata population was 14 (26.9%), and prevalence of isolates exhibiting voriconazole non-wild-type MICs was 33 (63.5%). High-level echinocandin resistance was mainly observed in C. glabrata, and the prevalence rates of isolate resistance to anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin were 5 (9.6%), 5 (9.6%), and 4 (7.7%), respectively. Moreover, one C. glabrata isolate showed multidrug resistant to azoles, echinocandins, and flucytosine. Overall, the 10-year surveillance study showed the increasing prevalence of non-C. albicans species over time; the emergence of azole resistance in C. tropicalis and multidrug resistance in C. glabrata over the years reinforced the need for epidemiological surveillance and monitoring.
Nutrient Recovery by Seven Aquatic Garden Plants in a Laboratory-scale Subsurface-constructed Wetland

Commercial nurseries use large amounts of water and nutrients to produce container-grown plants. The large volume of runoff containing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) that leaves nurseries can contaminate surface and groundwater. Subsurface flow-constructed wetlands have been shown to effectively treat agricultural, industrial, and residential wastewater and to be well-suited for growers with limited production space.We investigated the possibilityof usingcommercially available aquatic garden plants in subsurface-constructed wetlands to remove nutrients in a laboratory scale, gravel-based system. Seven popular aquatic garden plants received N and P from Hoagland's nutrient solution every 2 days for 8 weeks. These rates (0.39 to 36.81 mgL -1 of N and 0.07 to 6.77 mgL -1 P, respectively) encompassed low to high rates of nutrients found at various points between the discharge and inflow points of other constructed wetland systems currently in use at commercial nurseries. Plant biomass, nutrient recovery, and tissue nutrient concentration and content were measured. Whole plant dry weight positively correlated with total N and P supplied. Louisiana Iris hybrid 'Full Eclipse', Canna · generalis Bailey (pro sp.) 'Bengal Tiger', Canna · generalis Bailey (pro sp.) 'Yellow King Humbert', Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott 'Illustris', Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott, and Pontederia cordata L. 'Singapore Pink' had the greatest N recovery rates. The P recovery rates were similar for the cannas, Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris', Louisiana Iris 'Full Eclipse', Pe. virginica, and Po. cordata 'Singapore Pink'. The potential exists for creating asustainable nursery and greenhouse production system that incorporates a subsurface-constructed wetland planted with marketable horticul- tural crops that provide remediation and revenue.
Nutritional and chemical value of Amaranthus hybridus L. leaves from Afikpo, Nigeria

The nutritional and chemical value of Amaranthus hybridus were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to assess the numerous potential of the plant leaves. The Proximate analysis showed the percentage moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and carbohydrate of the leaves as 84.48, 13.80, 17.92, 4.62, 8.61 and 52.18%, respectively while its calorific value is 268.92 Kcal/100 g. Elemental analysis in mg/100 g (DW) indicated that the leaves contained sodium (7.43), potassium (54.20), calcium (44.15), Magnesium (231.22), Iron (13.58), Zinc (3.80) and phosphorus (34.91). The vitamin composition of the leaves in mg/100 g (DW) was β-carotene (3.29), thiamine (2.75), riboflavin (4.24), niacin (1.54), pyridoxine (2.33), ascorbic acids (25.40) and α-tocopherol (0.50). Seventeen amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalmine, tyrosine, threonine, valine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, proline and serine) were detected. The chemical composition in mg/100 g (DW) for alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannins, phenols, hydrocyanic acid and phytic acid were 3.54, 0.83, 1.68, 0.49, 0.35, 16.99 and 1.32, respectively. Comparing the nutrient and chemical constituents with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results reveal that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants. Key words: Amaranthus hybridus L. leaves, diet, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, phytochemicals.
Dimensions of Leader Anger Expression Unveiled: How Anger Intensity and Gender of Leader and Observer Affect Perceptions of Leadership Effectiveness and Status Conferral

While significant organizational research evaluates effective leadership traits and decades of psychological research have investigated emotion, there is a lack of consensus in organizational behavior research related to whether emotion expressed by a leader elicits positive or negative outcomes. We seek to augment existing research by exploring the effect of three dimensions, namely, the intensity of anger expressed, the gender of the leader, and the gender of the observer on perceptions of leadership effectiveness and future status conferral. In Study 1, we recruited 40 participants from a well-known U.S. university to select appropriate terms attributable to intense, moderate, and neutral levels of anger expression. In Study 2, we recruited a diverse pool of 296 participants and employed a quasi-experimental method by randomly assigning participants into one of the six conditions created by three levels of anger expression intensity and the leader gender. Participants were asked to read a vignette in which a male or a female leader responds to an anger-provoking situation with different levels of anger expression and evaluate the leader on perceived leadership effectiveness and future status conferral. Our study findings demonstrated that a leader demonstrating no anger was perceived higher in leadership effectiveness than a leader showing either moderate or intense anger. Juxtaposed to these results, for future status conferral, a leader expressing no anger was perceived as higher in future status than a leader expressing moderate anger without significant difference found between no anger and intense anger. We also found a significant main effect of observer gender with female participants giving lower ratings for leadership effectiveness and status conferral than male participants. Possible explanations and practical implications regarding gender-specific findings are discussed.