Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Domestic and Wild Mammalians on the Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives: Ticks are the major vectors of different pathogens to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the current status of tick species infesting domestic and wild animals and their seasonal population dynamics. Materials and Methods: This survey on tick species composition was carried out in Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia between January and December, 2017. Ticks were collected from the bodies of 18 domestic and wild animals. A total of 11,587 ixodid ticks (6,247 females; 4,585 males; 755 nymphs) were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol and then identified as to species. Results: The identified specimens belonged to ten species, including two genera of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. In domestic animals, the Hyalomma species comprised 68.3% and Rhipicephalus species 31.7%. Hyalomma dromedarii (39.9%) was the most common and abundant species, followed by Rhipicephalus turanicus (34.9%), while Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most common species in wild hosts (83.0%). In addition, tick populations were most prevalent during summer and spring (36.0 and 31.6%, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that some tick species have expanded their distribution elsewhere to their previously recognised locations in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the results of this study provide new data that government authorities can implement to take prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ticks.
Productivity of Lettuce Under Organic Fertilization

Organic fertilizersare a viable alternative to reduce the expenses associated with synthetic fertilizers, besides improving the chemical, physical and biological attributes of the soil and promoting the increase of productivity in the cultivation of vegetables. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of goat manure applicatiosn on lettuce yield, cv. Cristina. The experiment was conducted at the Center for Agri-Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande in the municipality of Pombal, PB, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with treatments composed of five goat manure percentages (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), considering 100% of the recommended dose being 36.50 ton/ha de goat manure, in five replications, using a spacing of 0.25 × 0.25 m between plants. Harvesting was performed 30 days after transplanting the seedlings. The following parameters were analyzed: aerial part height, plant diameter, number of leaves, aerial fresh weight, root fresh weight, total fresh weight, aerial dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, root volume and productivity. The data were submitted to polynomial regression analysis. When the lettuce plants cv. Cristina were fertilized with 75% of the N ratio required for maximum production, the goat manure application produced the greatest development and increase productivity.
PDGF Modulates BMP2‐Induced Osteogenesis in Periosteal Progenitor Cells

BMPs are used in various clinical applications to promote bone formation. The limited success of the BMPs in clinical settings and supraphysiological doses required for their effects prompted us to evaluate the influence of other signaling molecules, specifically platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) on BMP2‐induced osteogenesis. Periosteal cells make a major contribution to fracture healing. We detected broad expression of PDGF receptor beta (PDGFRβ) within the intact periosteum and healing callus during fracture repair. In vitro, periosteum‐derived progenitor cells were highly responsive to PDGF as demonstrated by increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis. However, PDGF blocked BMP2‐induced osteogenesis by inhibiting the canonical BMP2/Smad pathway and downstream target gene expression. This effect is mediated via PDGFRβ and involves ERK1/2 MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Therapeutic targeting of the PDGFRβ pathway in periosteum‐mediated bone repair might have profound implications in the treatment of bone disease in the future. © 2018 The Authors JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Agronomic Basis and Strategies for Precision Water Management: A Review

Agriculture faces the challenge of feeding a growing population with limited or depleting fresh water resources. Advances in irrigation systems and technologies allow site-specific application of irrigation water within the field to improve water use efficiency or reduce water usage for sustainable crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This paper discusses recent development of variable-rate irrigation (VRI) technologies, data and information for VRI application, and impacts of VRI, including profitability using this technology, with a focus on agronomic factors in precision water management. The development in sprinkler systems enabled irrigation application with greater precision at the scale of individual nozzle control. Further research is required to evaluate VRI prescription maps integrating different soil and crop characteristics in different environments. On-farm trials and whole-field studies are needed to provide support information for practical VRI applications. Future research also needs to address the adjustment of the spatial distribution of prescription zones in response to temporal variability in soil water status and crop growing conditions, which can be evaluated by incorporating remote and proximal sensing data. Comprehensive decision support tools are required to help the user decide where to apply how much irrigation water at different crop growth stages to optimize water use and crop production based on the regional climate conditions and cropping systems.
Macromolecular diffusion in polymer melts.

Macromolecular Diffusion in Polymer Melts (September 1978) Paul T. Gilmore B.S.Ch.E. , Michigan Technological University M.S. , University of Massachusetts Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Directed by: Professor Robert L. Laurence This dissertation reports on efforts to develop a technique to measure macromolecular diffusion in miscible binary polymer systems. Determination of a diffusion coefficient for such systems has applications in lamination of polymer films , polymer welding , and coextrusion of several polymers. Knowledge of the diffusional behavior will allow predictions of the effects of mixing, during and after processing, on the physical properties of the materials. Several pairs of polymers have been found to be miscible throughout the entire concentration range. One system to which much attention has been paid is poly (vinyl chloride) /poly (e-caprolactone) [PVC/PCL] ; it has been shown to be compatible on the molecular level, making it viable as a system in which to study interdif fusion of polymeric materials . The experimental technique is a novel application of
Control of synaptic specificity by limiting promiscuous synapse formation

The ability of neurons to distinguish appropriate from inappropriate synaptic partners in their local environment is fundamental to the proper assembly and function of neural circuits. How synaptic partner selection is regulated is a longstanding question in Neurobiology. A prevailing hypothesis is that appropriate partners express complementary molecules that match them together and promote synaptogenesis. Dpr and DIP IgSF proteins bind heterophilically and are expressed in a complementary manner between synaptic partners in the Drosophila visual system. Here, we show that in the lamina, DIP mis-expression is sufficient to promote synapse formation with Dpr-expressing neurons, and that DIP proteins are not necessary for synaptogenesis but rather function to prevent ectopic synapse formation. These findings indicate that Dpr-DIP interactions regulate synaptic specificity by biasing synapse formation towards specific cell-types. We propose that synaptogenesis occurs independent of synaptic partner choice, and that precise synaptic connectivity is established by limiting promiscuous synapse formation.
First Report of Ichthyophoniasis in Angelfish, Pterophyllum altum, and Histopathology Study of Infected Fish

Ichthyophonus is a unicellular fish parasite with a range of hosts and therefore a lot of economic losses. In this study, Ichthyophonus infection was reported in diseased angelfish, Pterophyllum altum. Samples were provided from three angelfish referred to veterinary hospital and examined by routine methods. The fish were lethargic with mild symptoms of chronic disease. According to a spherical shape and globular morphology of agent (characteristic spores surrounded by a thick fibrous membrane seen in squash preparations made from heart and spleen) and further histopathology and culture results, agent was described as Ichthyophonus hoferi. The result showed two main phases in the life of infecting parasites, 'active' and 'passive', the passive form is prone to convert to active. As another result, white-cream cysts were seen in infected organs. The most obvious macroscopic symptom of ichthyophonosis in angelfish was the spots on the skin and nodules in the heart. Correspondence R Rahnama, Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran (e-mail: royarahnama60@yahoo.com). The cysts were filled with schizonts that were surrounded by fibroblasts, collagen fibers and many eosinophilic inflammatory cells. In the next step, tissue samples were also separated and incubated into Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) to see the germination of Ichthyophonus hoferi. This test was suggested for recognizing Ichthyophonus from Mycobacterial infections.
Enhancing rice yield in acidic soil through liming and fertilizer management

The effect of lime and fertilizer application, as the management of soil acidity, on the growth and yield of rice cv. BRRI dhan50 was investigated during Aman rice season at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh. The experiment was consisted of two factors namely lime and fertilizer. There were four levels of lime (0, 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 t ha–1 of CaCO3.MgCO3) and three levels of fertilizers (control, FYM @ 10 t ha–1, and chemical fertilizer @ 100-30-42-4-3-0.4 kg ha–1 of N-P-K-Ca-S-Zn). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications where the unit plot size was 4.0 m x 2.5 m. Growth parameters, yield components and yield of BRRIdhan 50 rice increased with increasing lime rate in association of fertilizer in acidic soil. The highest grain yield (2.90 t ha–1) was recorded from the application of 1.50 t ha–1 lime and the lowest (2.06 t ha–1) was from control (0t ha–1), irrespective of fertilizer. On the other hand, the best effect of fertilizers on grain yield (3.08 t ha–1) was found with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha–1 and the lowest yield (1.59 t ha–1) was in control. The treatment combination of lime 1.50 t ha–1 and FYM (@ 10 t ha–1 produced the highest grain yield (3.60 t ha–1), which was followed by treatment combination of lime 1.50 t ha–1 and chemical fertilizer @ 100-30-42-4-3-0.4 kg ha–1 of N-P-K-Ca-S-Zn (3.28 t ha–1). Additionally, application of lime and FYM improved the soil fertility and properties of acidic soil for crop production by increasing the pH, organic matter and availability of some essential nutrients. From the study, it was indicated that both FYM and lime could affect to enhance the grain yield of rice in acidic soil. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 357–365, December 2018
Morphological characterization of NERICA mutant lines and their parents

A total of 10 NERICA lines (7 mutants along with 3 parents) of advanced generations were used for morphological and molecular characterization. The experiments were conducted in both Aus and Aman season, 2014 under different field conditions at the field of Biotechnology division, BINA, BAU Campus, Mymensingh-2202 following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The genotypes differed significantly for all the traits. The seasonal differences on all the traits except 100-seed weight were also highly significant. The season’s × genotypes interactions were highly significant. The mean value of days to maturity was the lowest in Aman season than Aus season and the mean yield of rice lines was the highest in Aman season than Aus season. The phenotypic co-efficient of variations (PCV) were higher than genotypic co-efficient of variations (GCV) for all the traits studied indicating that they all interacted with the environment to some extent. All the traits studied expressed moderate to high heritability estimates ranging from 53.70 to 99.54%. High heritability along with high genetic advance was noticed for the traits, number of filled grain panicle-1, number of unfilled grain panicle-1 and plant height. Significant positive correlations were recorded for yield plot-1 with effective tillers hill-1 and panicle length and significant negative correlations were recorded for yield plot-1 with days to maturity and unfilled grains panicle-1. Plant height, total tillers hill-1, effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, filled grains panicle-1 and 100-seed weight showed direct positive effect on yield plot-1 at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Therefore, these characters would be reliable criteria for improving yield.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2018, 4(2): 207-221
Interferência de plantas daninhas na formação de pastagem com capim Vaquero

Devido boa parte das pastagens brasileiras estarem degradadas ou em processo de degradacao e essencial estudar as relacoes de interferencia entre plantas daninhas e gramineas forrageiras, principalmente no que diz respeito a produtividade e capacidade de suporte das diferentes especies de gramineas. Por conta disso, objetivou-se com a realizacao deste trabalho avaliar os efeitos de periodos crescentes de convivencia das principais especies infestantes, em condicoes de renovacao de pastagem, no desenvolvimento inicial e na producao do capim Vaquero ( Cynodon dactylon cv. Vaquero). O experimento foi instalado em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com quatro repeticoes e tratamentos constituidos por sete periodos de convivencia da graminea forrageira com as plantas daninhas: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 dias apos a emergencia (DAE). As plantas forrageiras foram avaliadas aos 90 dias apos a emergencia quanto aos principais parâmetros fenologicos e produtivos. Com os resultados obtidos afirma-se que a presenca das plantas daninhas interfere negativamente na relacao folha: colmo, na densidade volumetrica de folha verde e na quantidade de forragem produzida do capim Vaquero, sugerindo que devem ser adotadas medidas de controle antes de se completarem tres dias de convivencia em comum, que corresponde ao Periodo Anterior a Interferencia (PAI).
Neural circuitry of dialects through social learning in Drosophila

Drosophila species communicate the presence of parasitoid wasps to naïve individuals. This observation suggests a rudimentary Drosophila social structure. Communication between closely related species is efficient, while more distantly related species exhibit a dampened, partial communication. Partial communication between some species is enhanced following a period of cohabitation, suggesting that species-specific variations in communication “dialects” can be learned through social interactions. However, it remains unclear as to how the behavioral acquisition and how learning dialects is facilitated by distinct brain regions. In this study, we have identified six regions of the Drosophila brain essential for dialect learning, including the odorant receptor Or69a. Furthermore, we pinpoint subgroups of neurons such as motion detecting neurons in the optic lobe, layer 5 of the fan-shaped body, and the D glomerulus in the antennal lobe, where activation of each are necessary for dialect learning. These results demonstrate that Drosophila can display complex social behaviors with inputs to multiple regions of the Drosophila brain and unique subsets of neurons that must integrate olfactory, visual and motion cues.
To Overwrite or to Recall? Individual Differences in Motor Adaptation

The central nervous system predicts the consequences of motor commands by leaning multiple internal models of external perturbations and of the body. It is not well understood, however, how new internal models are created. Here, we propose a novel computational model of motor adaptation in which a stochastic Bayesian decision-making process determines whether i) a previously updated expert perturbation model is recalled and updated, ii) a novice model is selected and is updated into a new expert, or iii) the “body” model is updated. Results from computer simulations provide insights into various and contradictory experimental data on savings and error-clamp, and predicts qualitative individual differences in adaptation. We verified these predictions in a visuomotor adaptation experiment in which we varied the perturbation amplitudes as well as the amount of noise added to perturbation, and added “trigger” trials in the error-clamp condition. Single trigger trials led to largely qualitatively different behavior and can therefore be used to probe individual differences in memory updates between “one-model” and “two-model” learners. “One-model” learners continuously update the body model, showing no savings during re-adaptation to the perturbation, and gradual decay during error clamp. In contrast, “two-model” learners switch between an updated expert model and the body model, showing large savings during re-adaptation and stochastic lags during error clamp. Our results thus support the view that motor adaptation belongs to the general class of human learning according to which new memories are created when no existing memories can account for discontinuities in sensory data. Short summary/significance When movements are followed by unexpected outcomes, such as following the introduction of a visuomotor or force field perturbation, or the sudden removal of such perturbations, it is unclear whether the central nervous system updates existing memories or creates new memories. Here, we propose a novel model of adaptation, and investigate, via simulation and behavioral experiments, how the amplitude and schedule of the perturbation, as well as the characteristics of the learner, lead to updates of existing memories or creation of new memories. Our results provide insights into a number of puzzling and contradictory experimental data on savings and error-clamp, as well as large qualitative individual differences in adaptation.
Diamond MOSFET for power electronics

In the context of a growing need for power semiconductor devices, as more and more applications from motor drives to power grids requires DC/AC, AC-DC or DC-DC converters with higher efficiencies and higher power densities, the research on new solutions is essential. Wide band gap materials have already shown their superior physical properties for this kind of applications, due to their ability to sustain larger current power densities and voltages compared to silicon based devices. Amongst them, diamond is an ultra-wide band gap material (5.5 eV) with one of the highest critical electric field capability , which coupled with its great thermal conductivity (22 W/cm.K) and hole mobility (2000 cm²/V.s) makes it a particularly interesting semiconductor for power electronics. Despite the challenging fabrication of diamond based devices due to the small standard substrate size (a few mm²), diamond is still being actively studied with constant progresses.This thesis is focused on the design , fabrication and characterization of diamond Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) which takes advantage of the wide band gap of diamond to design an original device architecture based on a stable deep depletion regime. The design optimization of such devices will be established according to the state of the art physical models, then experimental test devices will be analysed to better understand the physics of the diamond MOSFET. Finally, a performance evaluation in comparison to other semiconductors and existing diamond devices will be presented. Several perspectives from these performances as well as from original architectures specific to diamond will be drawn.
Yorkie controls tube length and apical barrier integrity in the developing Drosophila airways

Epithelial organ size and shape depend on cell shape changes, cell-matrix communication and apical membrane growth. The Drosophila embryonic tracheal network is an excellent model to study these processes. Here, we show that the transcriptional co-activator of the Hippo pathway, Yorkie (YAP in vertebrates), plays distinct roles in the developing Drosophila airways. Yorkie exerts a cytoplasmic function by binding Drosophila Twinstar, the orthologue of the vertebrate actin-severing protein Cofilin, to regulate F-actin levels and apical cell membrane size, which are required for proper tracheal tube elongation. Second, Yorkie controls water-tightness of tracheal tubes by transcriptional regulation of the enzyme δ-aminolevulinate synthase (Alas). We conclude that Yorkie has a dual role in tracheal development to ensure proper tracheal growth and functionality. Short Summary This work identified an alternative role of the transcriptional co-activator Yorkie (Yki) in controlling water impermeability and tube size of the developing Drosophila airways. Tracheal impermeability is triggered by Yki-mediated transcriptional regulation of δ-aminolevulinate synthase, Alas, whereas tube elongation is controlled by binding of Yki to the actin severing factor Twinstar.
Estimating lake–climate responses from sparse data: An application to high elevation lakes

Although many studies demonstrate lake warming, few document trends from lakes with sparse data. Diel and seasonal variability of surface temperatures limit conventional trend analyses to datasets with frequent repeated observations. Thus, remote lakes, including many high elevation lakes, are underrepresented in trend analyses. We used a Bayesian technique to analyze sparse data that explicitly incorporated diel and seasonal variability. This approach allowed us to estimate lake warming in a region of limited knowledge: high elevation lakes (> 2100 m ASL) of the Southern Rocky Mountains, U.S.A. The analysis allowed for inclusion of lakes with few repeated measurements, and observations made before 1980 when more intensive lake monitoring began. We accumulated the largest dataset of high elevation lake temperatures analyzed to date. Data from 590 high elevation lakes in the Southern Rocky Mountains showed a 0.13°C decade−1 increase in surface temperatures and a 14% increase in seasonal degree days since 1955. This result is lower than other regional and global estimates of lake warming; however, it is similar to other high elevation lake studies. Our approach can be applied to other understudied regions, increasing our overall understanding of the effects of climate change on lakes and their temporal dynamics.
Vanadium and its role in life

Inorganic considerations on the function of vanadium in biological systems solution properties of vanadium(III) with regard to biological systems the vanadyl ion - molecular structure of co-ordinating ligands by electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear resonance-spectroscopy vanadyl(IV) complexes of nucleotides interactions of vanadates(V) with biogenic ligands use of vanadate-induced photocleavage for detecting phosphate-binding sites in proteins vanadium-protein by