Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aged Mice Lacking Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Show Reduced Neuroinflammation, Senescence, and Cognitive Impairment

Author(s): Aiello, Daniel Andrew | Advisor(s): Piomelli, Daniele | Abstract: The relationship between lipid-derived messengers and inflammation is a promising avenue for therapeutics in a number of diseases. The enzyme, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), has been implicated as an effective treatment point for afflictions such as pain, however, its involvement in the regulation of endogenous lipids involved in the inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS) has not yet been explored in great depth. Here, I demonstrate that aged mice lacking FAAH show not only a significantly reduced inflammatory profile (Il-1s, Il-6, TNF-α, iNOS), within the CNS but also reduced incidence of glial fibrosis (GFAP), cellular senescence (p21, p53), decreased ceramide levels (d18:1/24:1) and improved learning and memory in the Object Location Memory Paradigm. The results suggest that inhibition of FAAH in aged mice is able to reverse the effects of neuroinflammation and perhaps lead to more ‘successful’ aging in these animals.
Dissipation pattern of spiromesifen in/on brinjal fruits

A supervised field trial was conducted to study the dissipation of spiromesifen at Naraseepuram village, Thondamuthur, Coimbatore, on the brinjal variety CO 2, during January – February, 2018. The samples were collected up to 15 days after pesticide application along with control and processed by modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method. The final estimation of residues was carried out on Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) with diode array detector. The mean initial deposit after two spraying of spiromesifen in/on brinjal fruit @ 96 g a.i ha-1 and 192 g a.i ha-1 were 0.715 μg g-1 and 1.123 μg g-1, respectively. More than 80 percent of spiromesifen residues got dissipated on 3 days after treatment. The residues persisted up to 5 days after treatment and further dissipated to Below Detectable Limit (BDL < 0.05 μg g-1) on 7 days after treatment. Dissipation of spiromesifen followed first order reaction kinetics and the calculated half life was 1.32 and 2.18 days, respectively for 96 g a.i ha-1 and 192 g a.i ha-1 dose. The safe waiting period of 1.40 and 2.18 days is recommended for brinjal sprayed with spiromesifen @ 96 g a.i ha-1 and 192 g a.i ha-1 dose respectively.
Carcass and meat characteristics from dairy-origin steers fed with diets based on ground pearl millet grain, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal

This study aimed to evaluate carcass and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished steers of dairy origin fed with pearl millet grain-based diets, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) (0, 12, 24, 36 and 48%). A total of 30 Holstein-Zebu crossbred steers with an average initial weight of 371.02 ± 27 kg were randomly divided into six groups fed with different experimental diets (five pearl millet-based diets containing inclusion levels of BMB and one standard corn-based diet). Each diet had five replications. Isonitrogenous diets had a roughage/concentrate ratio of 20/80. BMB inclusion level in the diet reduced slaughter and carcass weight from 488.4 and 242.2 kg to 454.0 and 226.7 kg, respectively. The subcutaneous fat thickness, conformation, and pistol cut weight were also reduced to 38.8, 13.6, and 9%, respectively, as the BMB inclusion level in the diet increased. Meat characteristics were not affected by BMB inclusion levels in the diet. Regarding carcass and meat characteristics, no difference was observed in the analysis of contrasts between BMB diets and corn- or millet-based diets, or between corn- or millet-based diets. The inclusion of BMB in millet-based diets should consider the cost/benefit ratio, as it reduces slaughter and carcass weight, while the main meat characteristics remain unchanged. However, total substitution of corn by millet grains in feedlot diets does not alter bovine carcass and meat characteristics.
Curvilinear telomere length dynamics in a squamate reptile

The lack of consensus concerning the impact of telomere length (TL) dynamics on survival emphasizes the need for additional studies to evaluate the effect of TL on key life-history processes. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we therefore explored age-specific TL dynamics in a squamate reptile: the frillneck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii). Our cross-sectional analyses revealed that young lizards had short TL, TL increased in medium-aged lizards, but TL decreased in older age cohorts, revealing a curvilinear relationship between TL and frillneck lizard age. Neither our cross-sectional nor our longitudinal analyses revealed any association between TL dynamics and lizard survival. We observed a significant positive relationship between TL and telomerase expression (TE), suggesting that TE is a significant determinant of frillneck lizard TL dynamics. Importantly, our longitudinal analyses revealed a positive relationship between initial TL and telomere attrition rate within individual lizards, that is lizards with short initial telomeres were subjected to reduced telomere attrition rates compared to lizards with long initial TL. Our results strongly suggest that TL and TE dynamics in frillneck lizards is not associated with lizard survival but rather reflect an adaptation to maintain TL above a critical minimum length in order to sustain cellular homeostasis. A lay summary is available for this article.
Nitrogen Nutrition of New Guinea Impatiens `Barbados' and Spathiphyllum `Petite' in a Subirrigation System

Greenhouse cultural methods must minimize runoff to keep pace with environmental regulation aimed a protecting water resources. Two experiments were designed to investigate the effect of N fertilization rate on New Guin impatiens (Impatiens ×hawkeri) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum Schott) in an ebb-and-flow subirrigation system. Maximum growth response for impatiens was centered around 8 m M N levels as measured by root and shoot fresh and dry weigh height, leaf number, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration. For peace lily, growth peaked at about 10 m M N. Growing medium was divided into three equal layers: top, middle, and bottom. Root distribution favored the middle and bottom layers, and the relative distribution of roots was consistent as N level increased. EC remained low in middle and botto layers at N concentrations below 10 mM, but increased significantly for all layers at levels above 10 m M. The EC for the top layer was 2 to 5 times higher than in the middle or bottom layers at all N levels. Increased nitrate concentratio paralleled increased EC, while pH decreased as N concentration increased for impatiens and peace lily. c. lless nc. , ix 059 r pH ted ater n a 609
Auditing in times of social distancing: the effect of COVID-19 on auditing quality

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the theoretical impact of COVID-19 social distancing outbreak on audit quality Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a desk study method to explore the possible impact of COVID-19 crisis on five key considerations for audit quality during the pandemic These include audit fees, going concern assessment, auditor human capital, audit procedures and audit personnel salaries Findings: As many believe that the COVID-19 outbreak is as yet not a financial crisis, the authors, on the contrary, believe that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic would be the toughest challenge for auditors and their clients since the 2007–2008 global financial crisis Specifically, the authors believe that the COVID-19 social distancing can largely affect audit fees, going concern assessment, audit human capital, audit procedures, audit personnel salaries and audit effort, which ultimately can pose a severe impact on audit quality Practical implications: Due to the implementations of work-from-home strategy, audit firms are highly recommended to invest more in digital programs, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, network security and data function development This can help them to be more adaptable to working from home experience, which is ultimately expected to enhance the effectiveness and the flexibility of communication between auditors and their clients Also, the authors recommend stock markets and other governmental bodies to provide temporary relaxations in compliance requirements to corporations This procedure is expected to help firms that apply work-from-home strategy to report better earnings figures, which is appeared to be positively associated with audit quality Originality/value: To date, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no academic study that explores the potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on audit quality This paper, therefore, fills an important research gap in the auditing literature In addition, this paper can be used as a base to construct a research instrument (e g questionnaire or interviews) to provide empirical evidence on the potential impact of COVID-19 on audit quality © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited
Analysis of Influenza A/Beijing/353/89 Virus Matrix Gene Sequence and Identification of Replaceable Amino Acids as Natural Mutations in M2 Protein

The influenza virus A/Beijing/353/89 matrix (M), M1 and M2 genes were cloned and sequenced. The sequence identity rates (based on published data) of the first 34 influenza A viruses with M genes most phylogenetically related to A/Beijing/353/89 virus were in significant positive correlation among M, M1 and M2 genes and M1 protein but not M2 protein. The number of viruses with M2 protein sequences identical to influenza A/Beijing/353/89 virus was significantly higher than those with identical M2 gene and M1 protein sequences (P<0.01). These results suggest that natural variation of M2 protein did not occur entirely in random. Based on a statistical standard we have established and using the A/Beijing/353/89 M2 as reference protein, 35 replaceable amino acids were identified by analysis of 193 published influenza A virus M2 protein sequences. In contrast, it is more possible that those critical amino acids for virus survival and/or replication harbored in the 24 amino acids, which were not yet found to have ever been substituted.
Size trends in Holarctic anchitherines (Mammalia, Equidae)

Size increase in European Miocene Anchitherium was described early in the century. Increase in size, particularly of the teeth, was common to the middle and late Miocene Eurasian Anchitherium and North American Hypohippus, including Megahippus, over the whole Holarctic range of these anchitherines. In this paper, size trends are described and interpreted against the background of simultaneous climatic change.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OF NEOTROPICAL XENODONTINE SNAKES

Previous molecular work using immunological comparisons of albumins suggested that the New World xenodontine colubrid radiation comprises several distinct lineages whose members differ by about 70 albumin immunological distance units. This study examines phylo- genetic relationships among genera within one of those lineages, a large assemblage with its center of diversity in South America and the West Indies. Reciprocal microcomplement fixation compar- isons of albumins support the recognition of several major clades within this group: Alsophis, Helicops, Hydrodynastes, Clelia-Oxyrhopus, Philodryas and Xenodon. The branching order among the first four of these cannot be resolved, but Philodryas and Xenodon appear to represent some- what earlier derivatives of that radiation. Other genera closely related to Clelia-Oxyrhopus are Pseudoboa, Phimophis and Tripanurgos. This group (pseudoboines) is molecularly the most co- hesive group of genera examined, with immunological distances among these c<23. All xenodontine genera with terminal disks on the hemipenis are in a clade with Xenodon. Hypsirhynchus and Tropidodryas appear to be associated with Alsophis and Philodryas, respectively. Other South American xenodontine genera cannot be precisely placed within the radiation based on current molecular data. The South American xenodontines have undergone extensive speciation, but much of the molecular differentiation between genera has occurred phyletically within clades.
MONITORING OF CADMIUM TOXICITY ON PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF Alternanthera philoxeroides

The hydroponics experiment was carried out to monitor the cadmium (Cd 2+ ) toxicity on growth, accumulation, antioxidative enzyme responses and total soluble pr otein content in Alternanthera philoxeroides seedlings, treated with different concentrations of Cd (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 mg l -1 ) for 12 days. Cd concentrations in treated seedli ngs increased with the higher concentration of Cd. The shoots accumulated 1371.86 mg kg -1 Cd dry weight at 75 mg l -1 Cd concentration, while the roots accumulated 6801. 0 mg kg -1 Cd dry weight. Alternanthera philoxeroides responded to Cd induced oxidative stress by antioxi dative enzymes: catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The content of CAT, POX, and APX ratio was gradually increased at the increasing concentration of Cd in both leaves and roots on 12 th day. The changes in the activities of photosynthet ic pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoi des were also observed. The content of total solubl e proteins followed the same trends as antioxidative enzymes, gradually increasing in the increasing concentratio n of Cd. These results suggest that antioxidative defense me chanism play a significant role in detoxification a nd accumulation of Cd in A. philoxeroides .
Seasonal occurrence and food resources of Muscina angustifrons (Loew) in a temperate broad-leaved secondary forest in Kanazawa, Japan

: From 2001 to 2003, adults of Mctscina angustipons (Loew) were bred from 38 macrofungal species collected from a broad-leaved secondary forest, predominated with two oak species, Quercus serata of University, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. This fly species was reared most often from a macrofungal species belonging to the families of Russu]aceae, Amanitaceae and Boletaceae that produce large fruit-bodies, The fiy emerged from June to September with a peak in July, synchronizing its appearance period with that of the host macrofungL
Comparison of four nonlinear growth models for effective exploration of growth characteristics of turbot Scophthalmus maximus fish strain

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness for non-linear growth models designated as Chapman-Richards, Gompertz, Logistic and von Bertalanffy for selection of fast-growing fish strain of turbot Scophthalmus maximus. These models were compared using the goodness of fit (the coefficient of determination (R2) and the mean square error (MSE)) and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the growth characteristics of turbot from 3 to 27 months of age. The results in the present study showed that R2 was the highest in Chapman-Richards, but the lowest in von Bertalanffy model. The MSE and AIC values were the highest in Chapman-Richards followed by von Bertalanffy model, whereas Gompertz model is the lowest compared to other models. The Gompertz model had the lowest mean square error (6421.8706) and Akaike information criterion (65.1322) and the second highest coefficient of determination (0.9908) (almost equal to the first highest coefficient of determination), suggesting being the best fit model for description of turbot growth trajectories. Furthermore, the results of turbot growth characteristics explored by the Gompertz model revealed that the fast-growth time interval of turbot were (10.23, 26.78) (unit: months) and the fast-growth time interval distance was 16.55 months. The results of this study suggested that the Gompertz model could be the best fit model for description of turbot growth trajectories, whereas the deduced mathematical formulas of growth intervals could be used in determining the growth characteristics of other fish. Key words: Scophthalmus maximus, nonlinear models, comparison, growth characteristics.
Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) Tuber Production and Viability Are Reduced by Imazapic

Weeds exploit underutilized space, causing economic losses in cropping systems. Weed management tactics alter that underutilized space until the crop can mature and efficiently use that space. One tactic is to reduce the weed propagules (e.g., seeds and tubers) that persist quiescently in the soil, which includes minimizing production and addition of new propagules to the soil. Purple nutsedge is a problematic weed around the globe, persisting between growing seasons as tubers in the soil. Imazapic is a peanut herbicide often used in Georgia for control of purple nutsedge. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of various rates of imazapic on purple nutsedge tuber production. Single presprouted purple nutsedge tubers were transplanted into outdoor microplots and treated after 6 wk of growth with six rates of imazapic (5 to 140 g ai ha-1) POST. A nontreated control was included. All emerged shoots at the time of application were marked with plastic rings; this allowed for classification of tubers at exhumation as (1) tubers attached to shoots that were emerged at time of application, (2) tubers attached to shoots that emerged after application, and (3) tubers without an aerial shoot during the study. At 7 wk after application, the tubers in the microplots were exhumed, classified, and quantified, and their ability to sprout was evaluated. In the nontreated control, there were 544 total tubers, with a log-logistic regression model describing the declining tuber population with increasing imazapic rate. The rate of imazapic that reduced total tuber population 50% (I50) was 36 g ha-1. In the nontreated control, there were 161 tubers attached to shoots that emerged, as when compared with plots that received an imazapic application that had an I50 = 60 g ha-1 Viability of purple nutsedge tubers was 44% at 70 g ha-1 imazapic, suggesting the action of the herbicide may have rendered the tubers nonviable after new shoots were produced. The final classification of tubers included those that did not have an aerial shoot during the study. These were tubers in which apical dominance suppressed shoot development or were likely the most recent tubers to develop. Of the three classes, the tubers without shoots were the most prevalent in the nontreated control, with 358 tubers and an I50 = 18 g ha-1 Imazapic controls purple nutsedge foliage but also reduces the number of new tubers produced, and overall tuber viability and is a valuable tool in management of the long-term population density of this weed. Nomenclature: Imazapic, purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L. , CYPRO.
Cytogenetics of South American Akodont Rodents (Cricetidae)

Akodon azarae (Rodentia Cricetidae) has a sex chromosome polymorphism which gives rise to XX females and females with a partial or total deletion of one X chromosome. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the findings in A. azarae. In the first it is assumed that XX, Xx and XO females are fertile and able to produce X, x and 0 ova to give XX, Xx and XO females after fertilization by a X-bearing sperm. The second hypothesis proposes and extreme mechanism of sex dosage compensation ranging from X-chromosome inactivation, to partial or total X chromosome elimination. These hypotheses are tested by analysing the chromosome complement in the offspring derived from mating pairs of A. azarae of known chromosome constitution.The offspring obtained from XX x XY mating pairs showed: a) a sex ratio of 0.67 females per male, b) an average litter size of 3.8 pups, c) the lack of Xx or XO females. The offspring derived from Xx females had: a) a sex ratio of 1.73 females per male, b) a ratio of 0.64 XX females per each Xx female, c) an average litter size of 4.8 pups. The results obtained do not fit the predictions of the fertilization or the sex dosage compensation hypothesis. However, they can be explained by combining the fertilization hypothesis with a rate of lethality of XX zygotes. The possible cause of the XX zygote lethality and the eventual relationship between sex chromosomal polymorphism and density cycles in natural populations of A. azarae are discussed. Moreover, it is presented evidence stressing the instability of deleted X chromosomes.
FATIGUE ENDURANCE CRITERION FOR HARD METALS: IMPROVEMENTE UPON A MODEL FOR MULTIAXIAL LOADING CONDITIONS

In this paper, a new multiaxial high-cycle fatigue endurance criterion is proposed. It considers, as measures of fatigue solicitation: (i) a new function of the shear stress amplitude, which is capable to account for the nonproportional character of the loading history in a very simple manner and (ii) the maximum principal stress along the stress history, rather than the maximum hydrostatic stress usually considered as a measure of solicitation upon embryocracks. Assessment of the resulting criterion shows that it compares very well with experimental data published in the literature.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) tolerance to some post-emergence herbicides

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a medicinal plant, but its cultivation is restricted by weed competition. Therefore, three rates (0.75X, 1X, and 1.25X, where X is equal to the recommended dose of haloxyfop-R (methyl ester), sethoxydim, oxadiargyl, ben- tazon, oxadiazon, and oxyfluorfen) were applied at the 3-4 leaf stages to valerian plants. This application was done to select the herbi- cide type and rate for post-controlling broadleaf and grasses weeds in this species. Herbicide injury, Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) reading, number of leaves per plant, stem diameter, and fresh and dry weights were determined 10, 20, and 30 days after herbicide application. Oxyfluorfen application caused the most herbicide injury followed by bentazon. Injury increased as the rate and the days after application increased. Oxadiazon only caused significant damage 30 days after application under all three rates. Other treatments showed no marked injuries under any rate or date after application, as compared with the control. Effects on other measured traits depended on the trait, herbicide, and herbicide rate. The highest SPAD, leaf number, shoot diameter, fresh weight and dry weight, was recorded under application of 30 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil oxadiargyl and 90 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil oxadiazon, 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil haloxyfop-R, 37.5 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil oxadiargyl, 22.5 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil oxadiargyl, 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil haloxyfop-R, and 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg-1 soil haloxyfop-R, respectively. To sum up, the results showed that sethoxydim, oxadiargyl, and haloxyfop-R produced no significant symptoms of phytotoxicity or reduction of measured traits. This means that oxadiargyl, haloxyfop-R, and sethoxydim may be used safely for weed control of valerian at the rates used in this experiment under similar conditions.