Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental Changes in the Structure and Composition of the Postsynaptic Density

The development of the brain and its underlying circuitry is dependent on the formation of trillions of chemical synapses, which are highly specialized contacts that regulate the flow of information from one neuron to the next. It is through these synaptic connections that neurons wire together into networks capable of performing specific tasks, and activity-dependent changes in their structural and physiological state is one way that the brain is thought to adapt and store information. At the ultrastructural level, developmental and activity-dependent changes in the size and shape of dendritic spines have been well documented, and it is widely believed that structural changes in spines are a hallmark sign of synapse maturation and alteration of synaptic physiology. While changes in spine structure have been studied extensively, changes in one of its most prominent components, the postsynaptic density (PSD), have largely evaded observation. The PSD is a protein-rich organelle on the cytoplasmic side of the postsynaptic membrane, where it sits in direct opposition to the presynaptic terminal. The PSD functions both to cluster neurotransmitter receptors at the cell surface as well as organize the intracellular signaling molecules responsible for transducing extracellular signals to the postsynaptic cell. Much is known about the chemical composition of the PSD, but the structural arrangement of its molecular components is not well documented. Adding to the difficulty of understanding such a complex mass of protein machinery is the fact that its protein composition is known to change in response to synaptic activity, meaning that its structure is plastic and no viii two PSDs are identical. Here, immuno-gold labeling and electron tomography of PSDs isolated throughout development was used to track changes in both the structure and molecular composition of the PSD. State-of-the-art cryo-electron tomography was used to study the fine structure of the PSD during development, and provides an unprecedented glimpse into its molecular architecture in an un-fixed, unstained and hydrated state. Through this analysis, large structural and compositional changes are apparent and suggest a model by which the PSD is first assembled as a mesh-like lattice of proteins that function as support for the later recruitment of various PSD components. Spatial analysis of the recruitment of proteins into the PSD demonstrated that its assembly has an underlying order.
Effect of the overexpression of wild‐type or mutant α‐synuclein on cell susceptibility to insult

Mutations in α‐synuclein (A30P and A53T) are involved in some cases of familial Parkinson's disease (FPD), but it is not known how they result in nigral cell death. We examined the effect of α‐synuclein overexpression on the response of cells to various insults. Wild‐type α‐synuclein and α‐synuclein mutations associated with FPD were overexpressed in NT‐2/D1 and SK‐N‐MC cells. Overexpression of wild‐type α‐synuclein delayed cell death induced by serum withdrawal or H2O2, but did not delay cell death induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+). By contrast, wild‐type α‐synuclein transfectants were sensitive to viability loss induced by staurosporine, lactacystin or 4‐hydroxy‐2‐trans‐nonenal (HNE). Decreases in glutathione (GSH) levels were attenuated by wild‐type α‐synuclein after serum deprivation, but were aggravated following lactacystin or staurosporine treatment. Mutant α‐synucleins increased levels of 8‐hydroxyguanine, protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation and 3‐nitrotyrosine, and markedly accelerated cell death in response to all the insults examined. The decrease in GSH levels was enhanced in mutant α‐synuclein transfectants. The loss of viability induced by toxic insults was by apoptosic mechanism. The presence of abnormal α‐synucleins in substantia nigra in PD may increase neuronal vulnerability to a range of toxic agents.
Desiccation tolerance in seeds of nanche (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) Kunth

1Postgrado de Recursos Genéticos y Productividad. Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México. C. P. 56230. Tel: 015959520200. (cjaimes@colpos.mx; garciag@colpos.mx; aquiles.carballo@gmail.com; cazagu@colpos.mx). 2Departamento de Suelos, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Carretera México-Texcoco km. 38.5, Chapingo, Estado de México. C. P. 56230. Tel: 015959521500 (fjaimes@taurus.chapingo.mx). 3Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Carretera México-Texcoco, km 38.5, Chapingo, Estado de México. C. P. 56230. Tel: 015959521500. (jaxayacatl@gmail.com). §Autora para correspondencia: cjaimes@colpos.mx.
Towards a more complete understanding of the life cycle of brown shrimp (Crangon crangon): modelling passive larvae and juvenile transport in combination with physically forced vertical juvenile migration

In this study we developed and utilized a complex model approach to investigate the impact of stage-specific transport processes on the development and spatial distribution of brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) post-larvae and juveniles in the German Bight. First, we focused on drift processes during the pelagic larval stage by coupling an individual-based model for egg and larval development ‘off-line’ to a 3D hydrodynamic model utilizing the Lagrangian method. Secondly, we investigated tidal-induced transport processes after juvenile settlement. To determine the tidal cycle, the model coupling was accomplished ‘on-line’ by resolving the individual-based model and hydrodynamic model with the same time step. The vertical migration of juveniles, a prerequisite for the selective tidal stream transport (STST), was modelled as a sub-grid scale physical process (balance of forces: gravitation, buoyancy, Stoke’s friction and dynamic uplift) and considered complex particle dynamics. We applied the model to test temperature and salinity cues as possible tidal indicators utilized by juvenile brown shrimp. Our results indicated that transport processes could significantly change the timing and spatial distribution of post-larval abundance. We also showed that the small-scale hydrodynamic forcing acting on the bodies of juvenile brown shrimps was sufficient to account for the vertical migration required to use STST. For both investigated tidal cues STST performing juvenile brown shrimp were transported on-shore. A faster and more continuous STST was calculated for the salinity cue, resulting in larger abundances of brown shrimp in estuarine areas.
Sources of variation and heritability estimates for milking speed in Italian Brown cows

Riassunto Fonti di variazione e stime di ereditabilità per la velocità di mungitura in vacche da latte di razza Bruna – La mungibilità è considerata un importante carattere funzionale per la sanità della mammella e per l’efficienza delle operazioni di mungitura. Gli obiettivi del lavoro sono stati quelli di studiare le fonti di variazione e di stimare l’ereditabilità di differenti misure di mungibilità in bovine di razza Bruna. Lo studio è stato condotto su 2.071 primipare allevate in 453 allevamenti del Trentino Alto Adige. Sono state definite 6 variabili di mungibilità derivate dal tempo di mungitura e dalla quantità di latte prodotta in una mungitura. Le ereditabilità per i sei caratteri considerati sono state stimate utilizzando un approccio bayesiano e sono risultate comprese tra il . 19 ed il . 24.
Four new species of Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and a new record from Colombia.

Four new species of the subfamily Alysiinae are described from Colombia: Alysiasta lunae sp. n. , Idiasta dixi sp. n. , Tanycarpa edithae sp. n. and T. sarmientoi sp. n. A taxonomic key to separate the species of the genus Alysiasta in the New World is provided. Additionally, morphological variation reported for the species I. delicata and A. pilopedibus is broadened and evidence supporting the transfer of A. pilopedibus to the genues Gnathopleura is provided.
Analysis of a Concept

Abstract As a measure of tree crowdedness, density is a relative concept and, therefore, requires two quantities for its definition, one of which is specific to each forest stand and the other is a standard common to all stands of a given species. This conclusion follows from both the semantics of “density” and the need for a single variable to describe the tree environment where effects of competition among trees are paramount. Each of the quantities should be a function of tree number per unit area and their average diameter. This function should be derived from processes affecting availability of resources such as shading. This measure should conform with our perception of tree crowdedness (understocked, fully stocked, overstocked), a quality absent in the two most popular measures, number of trees and basal area.
Production of novel alloplasmic male sterile lines in Allium cepa harbouring the cytoplasm from Allium roylei

With 3 figures and 5 tables Abstract To develop alloplasmic lines of Allium cepa, cytoplasmic substitution by continuous backcrossing was performed using Allium roylei as a cytoplasm donor. The chromosomes of a single F1 plant between A. roylei (♀) and shallot were doubled, and then backcrossing with shallot was performed to produce BC1 as allotriploids. One allotriploid plant was used for backcrossing with bulb onion to produce BC2 with 2n = 16, 17, 23 and 24. The BC2 plants possessing 16 chromosomes were checked for pollen fertility in Yamaguchi, Japan (N34°11′), and then backcrossed with bulb onion again to evaluate their seed-setting characteristics. The pollen fertility of BC2 ranged from 0% to more than 10%. A large number of plants showed no pollen fertility (0%). In Kagawa and Hokkaido, most of the plants were completely pollen sterile, while the percentages of seed sets in BC2 were high enough to reproduce BC3 seeds. The results of this study revealed that an exploitation of A. roylei cytoplasm would be useful for the development of a novel cytoplasmic male sterility line in Allium.
Nutritional and medicinal aspects of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of multiple functions of the coriander plant, including its nutritional and nutraceutical benefits, with special reference to linalool.Design/methodology/approach – The authors undertake a literature review of the coriander plant's history, chemical composition of coriander parts and its oil, and their nutraceutical potential. Various phytopharmacological appraisals have been discussed at length to investigate their important potential.Findings – Coriander is an annual, herbaceous plant which originated from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions and known as medicinal plants. Coriander contains an essential oil (0.03‐2.6%). The different parts of this plant contain monoterpenes, limpnene, α‐pinene, γ‐terpinene, p‐cymene, citronellol, borneol, camphor, coriandrin, geraniol, dihydrocoriandrin, coriandronsA‐E, flavonoids and essential oils. It is used as a stomachic, spasmolytic and carminative which have a greater bioactive pr.
Leaf colour chart-a simple and inexpensive tool for nitrogen management in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi during the rainy season of 2001 and 2002 to investigate the leaf colour chart based N management in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.). Different organic manures did not influence the rice grain yield significantly. Application of N to transplanted rice@I 10 kg/ha in four splits at early (20 kg/ha), rapid ( 60 kg/ha in two equal splits) and late (30 kg/ha) growth stages based on leaf colour chart value 6 registered significantly higher mean grain yield (6.31 tonnes/ha) and net returns ( Rs 31 00 l/ha) and resulted in 26 and 52% saving in Nover the recommended and farmers' practice respectively.
QUALIDADE FISIOLÓGICA E ARMAZENAMENTO DE SEMENTES DE FEIJÃO EM FUNÇÃO DA APLICAÇÃO TARDIA DE NITROGÊNIO EM COBERTURA

Seed physiological quality is affected by cropping environment and plant nutritional status, standing out nitrogen supply. The objective of the research was the evaluation of physiological quality and storage of bean seeds, cv. Perola, as affected by late side dressing nitrogen fertilization, in no-tillage system. The experimental design was the completely randomized block, analyzed as a 2x4 factorial, with four replications. Treatments consisted of two nitrogen doses (0 kg ha -1 and 90 kg ha -1 ), applied at the V 4 growth stage, combined with four nitrogen doses (0 kg ha -1 , 30 kg ha -1 , 60 kg ha -1 , and 120 kg ha -1 ), applied at the beginning of the R 7 growth stage. Physiological quality of seeds was evaluated by germination and vigor tests right after harvest and after four months of storage. It was concluded that additional side dressing fertilization at the V 4 growth stage resulted in seeds with better physiological quality, either right after harvest or after four months of storage. The effect on physiological quality of bean seeds by side dressing N, applied at the beginning of the R 7 growth stage, was not observed after four months of storage. KEY-WORDS: Phaseolus vulgaris ; germination; vigor; nitrogen fertilization; nutrition.
Diversity of transduction mechanisms in receptor neurons of the main olfactory epithelium in Xenopus laevis tadpoles

The present study reports on responses of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) upon application of amino acids and pharmacological agents activating the cAMP-mediated transduction pathway (forskolin and membrane-permeable cAMP) using a novel slice preparation of the olfactory epithelium of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Responses were measured using the patch-clamp technique and calcium imaging. Both amino acids and agents activating the cAMP-mediated transduction pathway proved to be potent stimuli. Interestingly, a number of ORNs that responded to amino acids did respond neither to forskolin nor to membrane-permeable cAMP. This suggests that some amino acids activate transduction pathways other than the well-known cAMP-mediated one. The differential processing of cAMP-mediated stimuli on one hand and amino acid stimuli on the other was further elucidated by calcium-imaging of olfactory bulb neurons using a novel nose-olfactory bulb preparation of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. The projection pattern of amino acid-sensitive ORNs to olfactory bulb neurons differed markedly from the projection pattern of forskolin-sensitive ORNs. Olfactory bulb neurons activated by amino acids were located laterally compared to those activated by forskolin, and only a small proportion responded to both stimuli. The ensemble of neurons activated by forskolin was also activated by IBMX and membran-permeable cAMP. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that sensory transduction of a number of amino acids is cAMP-independent, and amino acid- and cAMP-mediated responses are processed differentially at the level of the olfactory bulb.
Effects of specific lactic acid bacteria species on biogenic amine production by foodborne pathogen

Summary The influences of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on biogenic amines formation by foodborne pathogens (FBP) were investigated. Biogenic amines production by single and mix cultures was tested in histidine decarboxylase broth. All of the mix cultures (LAB with FBP) inhibited significantly (P < 0.05) the ammonia accumulation except for Escherichia coli with Lactococcus lactic subsp. lactic and Lactobacillus plantarum. Although LAB with most of the pathogen showed considerably stimulation effects on putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, 2-phenylethylamine, histamine (HIS), tyramine, trimethylamine, dopamine and agmatine (AGM), some of the LAB with pathogens showed poor inhibition effect on different amines formation. HIS production by Klebiella pneumonia was 0.16 mg L−1, whereas HIS value in presence of Lb. plantarum increased to 30.92 mg L−1. Consequently, LAB inhibition of the ammonium production by FBP is favourable, while the stimulation effects of LAB on biogenic amines formation by FBPs are not desirable for food industry.
INTESTINAL FLOW OF MICROBIAL PROTEIN AND RUMEN UNDEGRADABLE PROTEIN IN CATTLE FED CORN DISTILLERS GRAINS AND SOLUBLES, WITH EMPHASIS DURING LACTATION

The objectives were to evaluate the use of DNA markers and the effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and in vitro fermentation time on the growth of rumen bacteria and protozoa, and to measure the contribution of yeast originating from DDGS to total microbial crude protein (MCP). Treatments were: 1) CONT, control with no DDGS, but with alfalfa hay, corn silage (CS), ground corn (GC) and soybean meal (SBM) included at 25% (DM basis); 2) RC, 20% (DM Basis) DDGS replacing GC; 3) RS, 20% (DM basis) DDGS replacing SBM; 4) RCS, 20% DDGS replacing 10% GC and 10% SBM (DM basis). For each treatment, 0.5 g of substrate was incubated in vitro in 50 mL of inoculum in duplicate. At 0, 4, 16, 32, 48 and 96 h of fermentation DNA was extracted from each treatment and microbial protein was measured by real-time PCR. Microbial markers used are from the 16S rRNA gene, 18S rRNA gene and the II chromosome; for bacteria, protozoa and yeast, respectively. Data were analyzed as a completely
Combined inoculation effect of pink pigmented facultative Methylobacterium (PPFM) and other bioinoculants on cotton.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined inoculation effect of PPFM and other bioinoculants on cotton. Initially a detailed survey was conduced in different agro climatic zones of Tamilnadu to isolate an efficient strain of Methylobacterium. Isolated PPFM strains were analyzed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of mdh gene using mdh gene specific probes. Only the isolates having the expected size of mdh gene product were chosen for further studies. Selected isolates were screened for plant growth promoting efficiency through vigor index studies. In the field trial conducted with cotton crop, PPFM was inoculated with a diazotroph and a phosphate solubilizing organism (PSB) as individual and combined inoculant treatments. PPFM inoculation has resulted in increased seedling vigor, drymatter production and yield. Inoculation of all the three inoculants together has resulted in increased rhizosphere population of the inoculants, drymatter production and yield.
Growth performance of bath sponge (Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759) farmed on suspended ropes in the Dardanelles (Turkey)

Commercial bath sponge population in the Mediterranean has been recently reduced due to diseases and the depletion of natural banks. The commercial supply is far below the demand on the last 10–15 years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the farming performance of Spongia officinalis in the Dardanelles. Sponges collected from the Dardanelles cut into pieces of different weight. They were divided into two groups depending on the wet weight ranging from 50 to 150 g (mean weight 102.6 ± 4.81 g) and from 160 to 360 g (mean weight 235.8 ± 8.56 g). Three rope systems located parallel to each other with 6–7 m inter-distance were constructed for the cultivation of sponges. At the end of the study, while small-sized sponges could reach mean wet weight of 120.7 ± 14.8 g, large-sized sponges reached mean wet weight of 247.6 ± 22.4 g. Growth rates were estimated 5–17% at 21st month. The survival rates were found 82% and 88%.
Radar techniques for identifying precipitation type and estimating quantity of precipitation

The early era of weather radar research was accompanied by enthusiasm about the capability of measuring precipitation by radar systems. Since its birth, weather radar has been offering prompt overviews of precipitating clouds, their structure and development. Considerable effort was taken in the second half of 20 century to use more quantitative information that could be used in other hydrometeorological information systems, especially in hydrological modelling and numerical weather prediction (NWP). In the beginning, expectations about the accuracy of radar measurement of precipitation were high but nowadays it is apparent that weather radar measurement is often accompanied with non-negligible and sometimes large errors; hence the radar can be referred as a semi-quantitative measurement device (Joss et al, 1998). The errors stem from the nature of the measurement and are highly influenced by the meteorological conditions, especially by precipitation processes and by the size distribution of precipitation particles. Nevertheless, radar still provides very useful information; its real-time coverage and prompt availability of the data are particularly valuable.
Cracking the code: girls' and women's education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

Despite significant improvements made in recent decades, education is not universally available and gender inequalities are widespread, often at the expense of girls. Complex and inter-related sociocultural and economic factors affect not only girls' opportunities to go to school but also the quality of education they will receive, the studies they will follow and ultimately their career and life paths. A major concern is girls' low participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. STEM underpin the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and STEM education can provide learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required for inclusive and sustainable societies. Leaving out girls and women from STEM education and professions not only deprives them the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from STEM but also perpetuates the gender gap and wider social and economic inequalities. This report aims to 'crack the code' by deciphering the factors that hinder and facilitate girls' and women's participation, achievement and continuation in STEM education and, in particular, what the education sector can do to promote girls' and women's interest in and engagement with STEM education and ultimately STEM careers. It is intended as a resource for education stakeholders and others working to promote gender equality.