Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroimmune regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis by Complement Component 3 and Complement C3a Receptor

New neurons are added to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus throughout adult life, through the process known as adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). This important form of structural plasticity supports learning and memory in mammalian species. AHN is tightly regulated by a myriad of factors, including the immune system. Previous evidence suggests that signalling via Complement Component 3 (C3) and Complement C3a Receptor (C3aR) may regulate AHN under physiological conditions, although the mechanism of this putative regulation is unclear. In addition, C3a/C3aR signalling may regulate neuronal morphology. Using C3-/- and C3aR-/- mice, I used a combined in vitro and in vivo approach to investigate the role of C3/C3aR signalling in AHN. In Chapter 2, I demonstrate that C3a/C3aR signalling is able to directly influence hippocampal precursor cells in primary cultures. Furthermore, in the adult mouse brain, there is an increase in the number of immature neurons in the absence of C3 and C3aR, suggesting that C3a/C3aR signalling exerts an anti-neurogenic effect in the healthy brain. In Chapter 3 I report that the dendritic arborisation of newborn neurons is altered in the absence of C3aR, but not C3, suggesting involvement of an alternative ligand. Therefore, C3aR signalling via an as yet-unidentified ligand is important for maintaining the normal neuronal morphology of adult born neurons. Both the net levels of AHN and immature neuronal morphology have important functional consequences for cognitive and affective processes involving the hippocampus, which I investigate in Chapter 4. I report superior performance of C3-/- and C3aR-/- mice in a hippocampus-dependent spatial discrimination task, consistent with their elevated levels of AHN. Furthermore, C3a/C3aR deficiency was associated with abnormal anxiety phenotypes. In conclusion,these results demonstrate a novel mechanism for neuroimmune regulation of AHN, which is of functional consequence to learning, memory and affective behaviour.
Cover Crops Suppression of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Cotton

Abstract With the recent confirmation of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-resistant Palmer amaranth in the US South, concern is increasing about the sustainability of weed management in cotton production systems. Cover crops can help to alleviate this problem, as they can suppress weed emergence via allelochemicals and/or a physical residue barrier. Field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center to evaluate various cover crops for suppressing weed emergence and protecting cotton yield. In both years, cereal rye and wheat had the highest biomass production, whereas the amount of biomass present in spring did not differ among the remaining cover crops. All cover crops initially diminished Palmer amaranth emergence. However, cereal rye provided the greatest suppression, with 83% less emergence than in no cover crop plots. Physical suppression of Palmer amaranth and other weeds with cereal residues is probably the greatest contributor to reducing weed emergence. Seed cotton yield in the legume and rapeseed cover crop plots were similar when compared with the no cover crop treatment. The seed cotton yield collected from cereal cover crop plots was lower than from other treatments due to decreased cotton stand. Nomenclature: Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. ; Austrian winterpea, Lathyrus hirsutus L. ; cereal rye, Secale cereale L. ; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. ; crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L. , hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; oats, Avena sativa L. ; rapeseed, Brassica napus L. ; wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Adaptive practical leader‐following formation control of multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots

This article investigates the leader‐following formation control of multiple uncertain nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots. The leader trajectory can be any sufficiently smooth signal, either feasible or nonfeasible. This includes but not limited to a fixed point, a trimming trajectory, and the one that does not satisfy the nonholonomic constraint as robots in question do. To compensate for the effects that only a subset of follower robots has connected to the leader, we develop a distributed observer to estimate the leader's position and velocities. Using leader's estimated states, we convert formation errors into an augmented system with external oscillator states, which introduce an additional control variable and overcome the difficulties caused by underactuation. Subsequently, an adaptive tracking control law dealing with model uncertainties and stabilizing the augmented system is proposed, ensuring that formation errors are globally uniformly ultimately convergent to arbitrarily small balls near the origin. Simulation results are performed to validate the proposed control design.
An Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antiviral Activities of Some Bryophytes

T HIS STUDY screen the antibacterial and antiviral activities of some bryophytes extracts. The pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes LMG 10470 (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli LMG 8223 (E. coli), Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (B. cereus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa LMG 8029 (P. aeruginosa) were inhibited by the aqueous methanolic extracts (ME) of Imbibryum sp. , Barbula convoluta and Trichostomum sp. The mixture of Imbibryum sp.extract and tetracycline have synergistic effect against P. aeruginosa while the mixing of Trichostomum sp. extract with tetracycline has antagonistic effect against P. aeruginosa.Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of P. aeruginosa, treated with ME of Barbula convolute, Imbibryum sp. and Trichostomum sp.indicated sheath surrounded the bacteria, signs of irregular wrinkled outer surface, adhesion and aggregation of damaged cells, malformations in bacterial shape compared to untreated bacterial control. The bryophyte species screened exhibiting considerable antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), so the bryophytes have been identified as a new source of antiviral activity. The highest degree of antiviral activity was shown ME of Barbula convoluta, Imbibryum sp. and Trichostomum sp.against ZYMV (94, 92 and 90%, respectively). The tested cucumber plants which mechanically infected by ZYMV and treated with different extracts of the most potent bryophytes (Imbibryum sp), contain high amount of phenolic compounds. The highest contents of total phenol are detected in infected cucumber plant, which treated with benzene extract of Imbibryum sp. ,(3.48 mg/g fresh wt) followed by methanol extract (3.19 mg/g fresh wt). The bryophytes extracts have no toxic effect in Wistar Albino rats.
Analysis of Ewe Longevity and Lamb Survival in Teleorman Black Head Sheep

Background: The aim of this paper was to estimate the genetic parameters for the longevity of ewes and lamb survival at 30 days in a Teleorman Black Head Sheep population. Methods: Data was analysed with survival model. Result: Mean length of productive life of ewes was 673.16 days. The heritability for longevity was 0.097 and for lambs’ survival at 30 days was 0.098. The breeding value of the best sheep for longevity as productive life ranged from 0.081 months to 0.129 months and for the best lambs for survival at 30 days ranged from 0.041 days to 0.127 days. The results obtained in survival analysis are showing that the improvement of environmental conditions will increase longevity of ewes and survivability of lambs. Daily and careful monitoring of the health of sheep was performed. It was ensured administration of feed and water in a proper state of hygiene, a suckling and milking hygienic and a proper microclimate. Regarding the utility, longevity is a trait that is recommended to be used in local sheep breeding programs in Romania.
Demineralized Dentin Matrix as a Carrier of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Proteins: in Vivo Study

: This study aimed to evaluate the eﬃ cacy of rabbit demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) as a recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) carrier using the subcutaneous tissues of mice and rabbit calvarial critical-sized defects. DDM of rabbit, combined with rhBMP-2 (DDM/rhBMP-2) was transplanted into the subcutaneous tissues of 6 mice and 6 rabbit calvarial critical-sized defects (DDM = 0.03 g, control; DDM/rhBMP-2 = 0.03 g of DDM, 0.2 mg/ml, 5.0 μg of rhBMP-2, experimental). Both DDM and DDM/rhBMP-2 was transplanted into the left and right subcutaneous tissues of mice symmetrically. For rabbits, 4 round critical-sized defects (8 mm diameter) were formed on the exposed skull. DDM was transplanted into the 2 defects on the left sides (n = 12) and DDM/rhBMP-2 into the right sides (n = 12). Two animals among 6 mice and 6 rabbits were sacriﬁ ced respectively at the 1, 2, and 4 experimental weeks for the histological and histomorphometrical evaluations with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Tissues from rabbits were imaged via micro-computed tomography (μCT). DDM/rhBMP-2 in mice induced new bone formation at 2 weeks and maturation with bone marrow at 4 weeks. DDM/rhBMP-2 in rabbit calvarium induced new bone formation remarkably at 4 weeks 21.77–47.99% compared to the DDM. These observations suggest that DDM could be considered a potential carrier of rhBMP-2. The rhBMP-2 loaded on DDM enhanced bone formation.
The Impact of Multimedia in Course Design on Students’ Performance and Online Learning Experience: A Pilot Study of an Introductory Educational Computing Course

The creation of multimedia assets for online courses is a time intensive endeavor. Faculty have limited access to instructional designers for this and other course design functions. This study sought to determine if multimedia use in course design contributes positively to student performance or their perception of the online learning experience, after controlling for faculty course design expertise. Students totaling 142 were enrolled in an Introductory Educational Computing Course between 2016 and 2018 designed according to Quality Matters standards based on an informal internal review as well as a course designed according to instructor preferences. Eighty-four students, who participated in the courses designed according to Quality Matters standards based on an informal internal review were surveyed about their perceptions. While it may be of no surprise that multimedia use did not impact student performance directly, based on end-of-point course totals, it did positively influence student perceptions of the online learning experience. A performance gap between ethnicities in this study was not observed, as evidence through end-of-course total points. This may be salient given the prevalence of such performance gaps in most educational settings. Course policies and instructional strategies perceived by students as helpful may be one contributing factor to this lack of performance gap. Furthermore, the use of multimedia in course design was found to reduce cognitive load, as shown by the amount of time spent inside the learning management system. What this means for multimedia use in course design and the student online learning experience concludes this paper.
The Taxonomy and Population Structure of the Buckeye Butterflies (Genus Junonia, Nymphalidae: Nymphalini) of Florida, USA

ABSTRACT. The buckeye butterflies (genus Junonia) that occur in Florida, USA have been an ongoing taxonomic challenge for over 100 years. Schwartz (1987. Milwaukee Pub. Mus. Contrib. Biol. Geol. 73: 21) described the situation succinctly: “No other lepidopteran on the Florida Keys nor in south Florida, presents the taxonomic problems as Junonia. ” The current consensus recognizes 3 different forms of Junonia in Florida based on morphological characters, but there is a general lack of consensus regarding the appropriate scientific names for each form. Similarities between the species that occur in Florida, intraspecific variation, and possible hybridization between species have often made it challenging to identify specimens, define the population structure of Junonia butterflies, or to understand the relationships of these butterfly populations to those elsewhere in the New World. We use a combination of morphological characters, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I barcodes, nuclear wingless DNA sequences, and randomly amplified DNA fingerprints from Junonia from Florida, the Caribbean, and North and South America to resolve issues of taxonomy and population structure in this genus. We conclude that the common buckeye (J. coenia), the mangrove buckeye (J. neildi), and the tropical buckeye (J. zonalis) occur in Florida and that hybridization between these species takes place in this region.
Socio-economic Characteristics of Lac Growers in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh

The study pertains to data collected from randomly selected 100 lac growers in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh for the year 2008- 09. The study resulted that 39 per cent lac growers were medium farmers followed by small (25 per cent), marginal (18 per cent), semimedium (16 per cent) and large (2 per cent). The majority of lac growers had education up to primary level. Average family size was 5.9. Share of income from lac was 23.5 per cent in total average annual income of lac growers. Share of farm and off-farm income at growers level was 58:42. About 58 per cent lac growers had palas (Butea monosperma) , 17 per cent had ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) , 87 per cent had kusum (Schleichera oleosa) and 12 per cent had other host trees available for lac cultivation in the study area. Lac host utilization percentage was low due to some constraints faced by the lac growers. The host utilization percentage was maximum for palas (58.65 per cent) followed by kusum (39.76 per cent), ber (32.61 per cent) and other host (21.24 per cent). About 51.0 per cent lac growers produced lac with average production of 60.44 kg. , 23.0 per cent had average production of 161.22 kg. , 11.0 per cent had 234.44 kg. and 15.0 per cent had 418.08 kg. annually. Outcome of the study may be helpful in strengthening the socio-economic condition of lac growers in Chhattisgarh.
Analysis of labor opportunity cost on the economic profitability of fertilizer microdosing (FM) in 
Burkina Faso

This paper analyses the effect of labor opportunity cost on economic profitability of fertilizer microdosing (FM) in Burkina Faso. In order to assess the incremental change in net income when the investment cost increases and takes into account labor opportunity cost, the marginal value cost ratio (MVCR) approach is used. Using data from farmer’s field, the results showed that for both crops, the median yield of the fertilizer microdosing plots is 500 kg.ha-1, which is slightly higher than yield from recommended dose plots. Moreover, the rate of fertilizer microdosing plots of millet with a marginal value cost ratio above 2 shifts from 50% (without labor opportunity cost) to 41% (with labor opportunity cost) and not even one recommended dose plots reached this threshold. These findings argued that fertilizer microdosing adopters remain economically profitable for farmers compared to traditional practices despite the opportunity cost of labor. However, because of its importance in the process of fertilizer microdosing adoption, labor costs must be included in its economic evaluation. The results of this study confirm the need to accelerate mechanization of fertilizer microdosing application. Key words: Fertilizer microdosing (FM), labor, marginal value cost ratio, Burkina Faso.
The Implications of Derisking: The Case of Malta, a Small EU State

In this study, we explore the emerging derisking phenomenon by identifying and analysing the main factors that are affected by, and the implications of, the derisking process by focusing on the key drivers and implications of derisking specific to Malta. To do this, we carried out 32 interviews with individuals who have a good or excellent level of expertise in derisking and administered a survey, completed by 296 participants who were filtered to ensure their level of expertise, resulting in 285 valid participant surveys. In total, between the interviews and the survey, we had 317 valid participants. Findings showed that to maximise the effectiveness of derisking, one needs to find the right balance of adequately managing risks without extinguishing business needs. This implies a need for the regulations to be balanced and proportionate. This study is a relevant contributor to future derisking to be conducted in Malta and serves as a benchmark for further studies. Moreover, this research project accentuates the need for increased awareness, knowledge and expertise of derisking in Malta. Consequently, the provision of education to professionals is important so that such professionals are able to keep abreast with all the latest developments regarding derisking and AML/CFT (antimoney laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism).
The Media Matters: Muslim American Portrayals and the Effects on Mass Attitudes

Muslim Americans are increasingly stigmatized and may be experiencing a backlash in the American news media and by the public. No study to date, however, has empirically assessed the sentiment of Muslim American cable news coverage over an extended period of time and evaluated its effects on mass attitudes. I address the following questions: How has the US news media portrayed Muslim Americans in its coverage? And, to what extent do these media portrayals affect American public opinion? I demonstrate that the media coverage of Muslims and Muslim Americans is negative and has increased over time. Compared to that of Blacks, Latinos, and Asian Americans, I find that Muslim American coverage is more negative. In a series of survey experiments, I find that negative news portrayals of Muslims and Muslim Americans increase hostility toward Muslim Americans and increase support for stringent policies targeting them, while positive portrayals have relatively weaker effects.
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in Zacatecas state, Mexico

Despite the fact that Mexico has vast biocultural biodiversity, there are numerous regions where the traditional medicinal use of plants has not yet been studied. We aimed to document, analyze quantitatively, and preserve medicinal plant knowledge among local people living in over 40 communities in the state of Zacatecas. Ethnobotanical information was collected by semistructured interviews with 132 informants. Data were analyzed using standard quantitative indices such as relative frequency of citation, family importance value, cultural importance index, and informant consensus factor. We recorded 168 medicinal plant taxa belonging to 151 genera and 69 botanical families and used to treat 99 health disorders. The most medicinally important plant families were Asteraceae (20 species), followed by Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (12 species) and Cactaceae (five species). The most culturally important species was Matricaria chamomilla L. , mentioned 140 times, followed by Arnica montana L. (62 times) and Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt (48 times). The highest consensus for use was for diseases of the reproductive system. The type of disorder for which there was the highest number of references for use (389; 25% of all uses) and plant species (67) were diseases of the digestive and gastrointestinal system. The present study represents the first quantitative medical-ethnobotanical documentation and analysis of the traditional use of medicinal plants in Zacatecas state. Despite the semiarid climate, this region is botanically highly diverse, and its flora have versatile medicinal uses.
CYCLICALITY OF THE U.S. SAFETY NET

In this paper, we explore the cyclicality of the U.S. safety net over the 2000s through the economic peak in February 2020 before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. We compare the effects of means-tested programs with those of social insurance programs, separately and combined. We find, on a per capita basis, Unemployment Insurance (UI) is by far the most cyclical, particularly when fully funded federal extensions are included. A 1-percentage-point increase in the unemployment rate leads to a 17 percent increase in monthly real UI spending. Overall, the social insurance programs provide an additional $31 (2019$) in per capita real spending for each percentage point increase in the annual unemployment rate, while the means-tested programs provide a statistically insignificant $8.50 per capita for each percentage point increase in unemployment. The means-tested programs without SSI provide a significant $12 for each percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Thus, the parts of the means-tested safety net that can respond quickly are also providing modest countercyclical stabilization. We conclude by speculating what this means for the current response to COVID-19.
The Effectiveness of Predict Observe Explain (POE) Model with PhET to Improve Critical Thinking Skills of Senior High School Students

This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of predict observe explain (POE) model with PhET to improve critical thinking skills of senior high school students. The sample used was the grade eleven students of SMA N 18 Surabaya consist of 60 students. This type of research was pre-experimental with one group pre-test post-test design. Research data is obtained from the result of pre-test and post-test of students' critical thinking skills and responses after learning activity. Data analysis techniques used N-gain and Wilcoxon test. The result of the study shows that the score of students' critical thinking skills in grade eleven of Group 1 and Group 2 increase after the implementation of predict observe explain (POE) learning model with PhET and both of them present positive responses to the learning component and show a good interest. Based on the data analysis result, it can be concluded that predict observe explain (POE) model with PhET is effective to use to improve the critical thinking skills of senior high school students.
Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and IBA treatments on rooting in cuttings of apple (Malus Ã— domestica Borkh.) clonal rootstock Merton 793

The preliminary studies on the effect of different strains of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alone and in combination with IBA at 1000 ppm on rooting in cuttings of apple clonal rootstock Merton 793 were carried out during 2012-13. The PGPR strains (RG (1)3 â€“ Bacillus sp. ), B6 â€“ Bacillus licheniformis and R3 (3) â€“ Sirretia sp. alone failed to induce rooting response in cuttings of apple clonal rootstock Merton 793. The results revealed that IBA 2500 ppm recorded the maximum rooting (65 %), number of primary roots (5.00), length (28.43 cm) and diameter (3.25 mm) of primary roots, fresh (3.67 g) and dry weight (2.59 g) of roots, length of main shoot (134.14cm), diameter of main shoot (8.18 mm), fresh (30.40 g) and dry weight (22.60 g) of shoots in cuttings of Merton 793. However, the PGPR strains RG (1)3 â€“ Bacillus sp. , B6 â€“ Bacillus licheniformis and R3 (3) â€“ Sirretia sp. in combination with IBA 1000 ppm showed improvement in rooting of cuttings to the extent of 10, 15 and 5 per cent rooting, respectively and growth of the rooted plants. IBA at 2500 ppm resulted better rooting and growth of rooted plants. Hence, this treatment is suggested for commercial propagation of apple clonal rootstock Merton 793 through cuttings.