Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moringa Leaf Extract Improves Wheat Growth and Productivity by Affecting Senescence and Source-sink Relationship

The effect of exogenously-applied Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf extract (MLE) on delaying the leaf senescence and modifying the source-sink relationship in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. MLE (3.3%) was used as seed osmopriming (SP) and/or foliar spray (F), and water as hydropriming (HP). Among seedling attributes, improved shoot and root lengths, leaf and root scores were found for SP and/or F treatments. Increase or decrease in stem dry weight simultaneously with grain dry weight might contribute for soluble stem reserves towards grain weight as showed by delayed leaf senescence in SP or combined SP+F treatment. The SP and F treatments had also earlier spike emergence and anthesis stage. Plant height, tillers number, biological and grain yields per plant were also recorded highest for SP+F treatment followed by SP. Thus, MLE being rich in zeatin, a cytokinin maintained the green photosynthetic area and enhanced grain filling that might contributed towards improved grain yield when applied as SP or in combination with foliar. © 2017 Friends Science Publishers
Lipid-Uptake Pathways and Lipid-Protein interactions in P-glycoprotein Revealed by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) exports a broad range of dissimilar compounds, including drugs, lipids and lipid-like molecules. Due to its substrate promiscuity, P-gp is a key player in the development of cancer multidrug resistance (MDR). Although P-gp is one of the most studied members of ABC-transporters, the mechanism of how its substrates access the cavity remains unclear. In this work, we performed coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore possible pathways of lipid-uptake in the inward-facing conformation of P-gp embedded in bilayers with different PC:PE lipid ratios. Our results show that in the inward facing orientation only lipids from the lower leaflet are taken up by the transporter. We identify positively charged residues at the portals of P-gp that favor lipid entrance to the cavity, as well as lipid binding sites, in good agreement with previous experimental studies. Our results show no selectivity for PC vs. PE lipids. We offer several examples of lipid uptake-pathways for PC and PE lipids that help to elucidate the molecular mechanism of substrate-uptake in P-gp.
A pesca da dourada Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (Castelnau, 1855) na região do baixo Amazonas, Brasil

A dourada, Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (Castelnau, 1855), e um recurso pesqueiro muito explotado na regiao Amazonica e que nao possui nenhuma regulacao atualmente. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo descrever a dinâmica da pesca da dourada no Baixo Amazonas, analisando os desembarques pesqueiros no municipio de Santarem-PA. No periodo de janeiro de 1993 a dezembro de 2003 foram registradas 14.428 viagens de pesca, totalizando uma producao de 3.413 toneladas de pescado. A captura da dourada e praticada, principalmente, nos canais dos rios, com barcos motorizados e equipados com urnas de gelo. A principal arte de pesca utilizada e a rede de emalhe, com destaque para a “bubuia”, rede de emalhe usada a meia agua, colocada a deriva no canal do rio. A captura por unidade de esforco (CPUE) estimada para a pesca desembarcada pelos barcos pescadores atuando com “bubuia” foi de 13,80 kg/pescador*dia. O preco medio de primeira comercializacao do quilo da dourada desembarcada variou de R$ 2,40 a R$ 6,20. A pesca da dourada (B. rousseauxii) apresenta um padrao sazonal associado ao ciclo hidrologico, no qual os meses de reducao do nivel do rio correspondem ao periodo de safra. Este estudo demonstra a importância desse recurso para a regiao e vem contribuir como subsidio para um futuro ordenamento pesqueiro e manejo da especie, que hoje em dia nao possui nenhuma regulamentacao.
Variation in the ecstatic display call of the Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) across regional geographic scales

ABSTRACT Geographic variation in bird vocalizations is common and has been associated with genetic differences and speciation, as well as with short-term changes in response to anthropogenic noise. Because vocalizations are used for individual recognition in many species, geographic variation in these traits may affect mate choice, pair bonding, and territory defense. Anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of geographic variation in vocalizations between isolated populations of Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua), but there have been no comprehensive studies of Gentoo Penguin vocalizations across a broad geographic range. We used acoustic recordings of ambient colony sound at 22 breeding colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Argentina to address 2 main questions regarding Gentoo Penguin vocalizations: (1) How do ecstatic display calls vary both within and between individuals, colonies, and regions? (2) Can ecstatic display calls be used to distinguish subspecies? We found high levels of variation between individuals and between colonies, but little additional variation between regions or subspecies. We found no trends to suggest a latitudinal gradient in vocal characteristics, although we did find that some measures varied with relative distance between colonies. Although we found significant differences at the colony level, unknown calls could not easily be categorized to colony or region by machine learning. We conclude that the vocal soundscape of each colony is driven by variation between individuals within a colony and, developing independently from neighboring colonies, becomes differentiated from other colonies through a process of drift. Although individual calls could, in most cases, be identified to subspecies by machine learning, our analysis suggests that subspecies differences may be driven by variation among colonies and that subspecies identification may be unreliable using acoustics alone.
Morphometric and crystallinity changes on jicama starch (Pachyrizus erosus) during gelatinization and their relation with in vitro glycemic index

The effect of gelatinization on the in vitro glycemic index (GI) of starch obtained from jicama tubers was investigated, and the relationships between the starch crystallinity, granule morphology, and the GI were measured. Samples were prepared by heating an aqueous dispersion of starch (1:3 w/v) at different baking process temperatures (60, 65, 70, 75, or 80°C). Native starch granules showed spherical and polyhedral shapes, with a morphometric aspect ratio (AR) of 0.89 to 1.0 and sizes ranging from 3 to 21 μm. During the thermal process a change in the AR (0.21–0.88) and size (3.0–46 μm) was observed, as well as the formation of agglomerates. Native jicama starch exhibited CA-type X-ray diffraction pattern, while those thermally treated showed a transition from the CA-type to CB-type, decreasing their crystallinity (20.8–11.5%) at higher temperatures. The gelatinization degree of the starch samples and the glycemic index showed the largest values (97.4% and 98.6% respectively) at the highest temperature (80°C), while the crystallinity percentage followed an inverse correlation to temperature (11.5%, 80°C), indicating that the thermal history affected the behavior of starch enzymatic digestion . The in vitro glycemic index correlated positively with the gelatinization degree based on aspect ratio (R2 = 0.977), DSC gelatinization enthalpy (R2 = 0.969), and crystallinity (R2 = −0.988). Based on these results a mathematical model was proposed to determine the glycemic index as a function of the aspect ratio. However, more studies are required to validate this information.
Propagation of BOLD activity reveals task-dependent directed interactions across human visual cortex

It has recently been shown that large-scale propagation of blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activity is constrained by anatomical connections and reflects transitions between behavioral states. It remains to be seen, however, if the propagation of BOLD activity can also relate to the brain anatomical structure at a more local scale. Here, we hypothesized that BOLD propagation reflects structured neuronal activity across early visual field maps. To explore this hypothesis, we characterize the propagation of BOLD activity across V1, V2 and V3 using a modeling approach that aims to disentangle the contributions of local activity and directed interactions in shaping BOLD propagation. It does so by estimating the effective connectivity (EC) and the excitability of a noise-diffusion network to reproduce the spatiotemporal covariance structure of the data. We apply our approach to 7T fMRI recordings acquired during resting state (RS) and visual field mapping (VFM). Our results reveal different EC interactions and changes in cortical excitability in RS and VFM, and point to a reconfiguration of feedforward and feedback interactions across the visual system. We conclude that the propagation of BOLD activity has functional relevance, as it reveals directed interactions and changes in cortical excitability in a task-dependent manner.
Diel changes in habitat use by dragonflies: Nocturnal roosting site selection by the threatened dragonfly Sympetrum depressiusculum (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Although it is well recognized that insects' habitat use and requirements may change during the season, very little attention has been devoted to diel habitat changes in most insects. In this study, we compared habitat utilization patterns of Sympetrum depressiusculum (Selys, 1841) adult dragonflies between daytime activities and nocturnal roosting. During daytime, we captured and marked adult individuals with fluorescent paint in different habitats. At night, we searched, using UV light, for marked individuals that remained on the habitats. We found that habitat selection for daytime activities and that for nocturnal roosting differed significantly. Adults clearly avoided ponds and their immediate surroundings for nocturnal roosting, whereas this habitat type was frequently utilized for daytime activities. We suggest that nocturnal avoidance of the riparian area is associated with lower temperatures, which adversely affect thermoregulation, and that selection of specific habitats for nocturnal roosting is closely associated with vegetation structure providing stability during windy nights and serving as a suitable shelter. Such habitat properties are found especially on fallow land, a habitat type whose representation in agricultural areas has been gradually decreasing in recent decades.
Ice algal communities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in spring and early summer: Composition, distribution, and coupling with phytoplankton assemblages

To understand the controls on distributions of ice algal communities in spring and the role of ice algae in under‐ice bloom development through possible seeding, we sampled the ice and water column in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas over spring and summer. Field observations showed that high springtime concentrations of bottom ice algal communities were released from the ice into the water column by summer. Furthermore, during our spring sampling, bottom ice algal concentrations were highly variable. Declines in spring ice algal biomass and physiological state were correlated with ice melt, rather than light or nutrient availability. Nonparametric multivariate data analysis of the seasonal succession of phytoplankton and ice algal community composition illustrated that the loss of algae from the sea ice temporarily elevated water column chlorophyll a (Chl a) levels, as ice‐derived taxa dominated the phytoplankton biomass. Model simulations, constrained by field observations from this study, further suggested that seeding by ice algae was brief and alone could not account for the phytoplankton biomass concentrations exceeding 2 mg Chl a m−3 observed in our study. Ice algal sloughing from the sea ice to the water column contributes biomass to the phytoplankton community. However, this signal of ice‐derived taxa is brief and non‐ice derived taxa dominate phytoplankton blooms later in the spring and summer.
Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid on Hemocytes of Achoria grisella Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

In order to provide a more complete understanding of physiological impacts of IAA on insects, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of variable doses of IAA on hemocytes of Achoria grisella Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. The results revealed that addition of IAA (2 to 1,000 ppm) in diet of A. grisella larvae resulted in an increase in the total hemocyte counts at all doses tested. The percentage of plasmatocytes decreased but granulocytes increased at 2, 5, 100, 200 and 1,000 ppm. Nevertheless, the application of IAA did not alter mitotic indices, the percentage of spherulocytes, prohemocytes and oenocytoids. The percentage of living cells decreased at all treated doses compared to control interrelated with the elevated ratio of early apoptotic hemocytes at 5, 10, 50, 100 and 200 ppm. Significant reductions were observed at 2, 10, 50 and 100 ppm in the ratio of necrotic hemocytes, and at 10,100 and 200 ppm in the late apoptotic cells in IAA-treated A. grisella larvae. Our findings demonstrate that IAA exhibits detrimental effects on the hemocytes of A. grisella larvae that are the main components of insect immunity.
Nutritional and fermentative quality of maralfalfa (Pennisetum sp.) silages at different cutting ages and ground corn levels - Calidad fermentativa y nutricional de ensilados de maralfalfa (Pennisetum sp.) a diferentes edades de corte y niveles de maíz molido

Effect of cutting age and level of ground corn grain inclusion were determined on nutritional and fermentative quality of maralfalfa silages (Pennisetum sp). Two cutting ages 48 and 60 (Days After Regrowth) and five levels of ground corn (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) were evaluated on pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3), dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), hemicellulose, and cellulose; as well as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The data obtained were analyzed under a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (2x5, two cutting ages anda five corn levels). In maralfalfa silage 48 DAR and 5% ground corn was obtained highest content of crude protein (12.2%; P ≤ 0.05), and was decreased the level ammoniacal nitrogen (0.06%; P ≤ 0.05), also was observed in maralfalfa silages 60 DAR that addition ground corn increased digestibility and decreased cellulose content. The addition of ground corn to silages improved nutritional and fermentative characteristics and reduced pH, and ammoniacal nitrogen in maralfalfa silages, which improved the conservation, quality and digestibility. Results indicate that the production of maralfalfa silage more the addition of ground corn can improve protein content and digestibility, becoming in an option to incorporate into feeding of livestock.
Toxicity of Botanicals and Conventional Insecticides to Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, an Endoparasitoid of Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

Abstract. Insecticides with new chemistries and botanicals were evaluated against the parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei Hayat. Ninety-four percent of the parasitoids died after application of least concentrations and 100% died after greatest concentrations of malathion, dimethoate, and curacron. Ninety-six percent of parasitoids died from acetamiprid at greatest concentration. Botanicals were safer. Maximums of 34.4 and 23.2% of parasitoids were dead at 48 hours after applications of neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. , and mint, Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. , respectively. Lesser concentrations of botanicals can be used to manage cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, and have non-toxic effects on natural enemies.
Evaluation of adaptability to different seasons in goat breeds of semi-arid region in India through differential expression pattern of heat shock protein genes

Abstract The present study was conducted to examine differential expression pattern of HSP genes and adaptability in Indian goat breeds of semi-arid region. The study was conducted in five animals from each breed viz. Barbari, Sirohi, and Jhakrana during winter, thermo-neutral and summer seasons. The respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) of the goats were recorded at 09:00 h during the study period. The blood samples were collected for RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and quantitative analysis of HSP genes expression by quantitative RT-PCR. The RR increased significantly (p < 0.01) during summer as compared to winter and thermo-neutral season however, RT did not change (p > 0.05) during different seasons. The expression of HSP genes was significantly (p < 0.01) increased during summer (high THI) as compared to thermo-neutral season in all the goat breeds. Among HSPs, only HSP90 was upregulated (p < 0.01) in Jhakrana goats during winter as compared to thermo-neutral season. The deviation in expression of HSP genes during summer and winter with respect to thermo-neutral season was minimum in Barbari goats. Therefore, it can be concluded that Barbari goats possessed better adaptability during summer and winter as compared to Sirohi and Jhakrana goats in semi-arid climatic conditions of India.
Allelotype analysis of chromosome 5 markers in human esophageal cancer

Esophaçeal cancer (EC) is a fiequent solid tuinor occurring worldwide. I t is associated with poor lonç term survival. Two major histological subtypes of EC are squarnous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC). Multistep model of tumoriçenesis suçgests that acquisition of alterations in proto-oncoçenes and tumor suppressor çenes is involved in EC development However. the underlyinç genetic lesions and/or their order are not clearly defined for EC. This tliesis focuses on using loss of heterozyçosity (LOH) detection strategy. to constnict an allelotype map of chromosome 5 loci contributinç to EC. Seventy primary esopliageal cancers ( 3 5 SCC and 35 ADC) were anal yzed by PCR-based microsatellite and SSCP assays using 26 polymorphic markers localized to chromosome 5 LOH analysis identified four regions of frequent deletions; 5p 15.2 , 5p 1312. 5q 1 1 213.3, and Sq3 I I . with frequencies rançinç from 3 I to 44%. A detailed LOH analysis of chromosome 5p 1 5.2 region furt her defined the location of potential turnor suppressor gene(s) within 1-2 CM region. These data provide evidence for the existence of multiple tumor suppressor Bene loci on chromosome 5 and demonstrate their involvernent in the development and progression of EC.
Leader’s moral intelligence and employees’ affective commitment: the mediating role of transformational leadership

The study shows how leader’s moral intelligence pre dicts employees’ affective commitment and if transformational leadership mediates such relations hip. One hundred and sixty nine employees from 117 organizations operating in Portugal from the se condary and services sectors participated. Leaders reported their moral intelligence, their subordinat es having described their own affective commitment and their perceptions of transformational leadershi p. The results suggest that moral intelligence predicts employees’ affective commitment, and that tr nsformational leadership fully mediates such relationship. Considering that employees’ affective commitment influences their performance, our study suggests that leaders’ moral intelligence may indirectly promote employees’ and organizational performance.
Pioneer tree ferns influence community assembly in northern New Zealand forests

Cyathea medullaris (Cyatheaceae) is a frequent pioneer of disturbed areas (e.g. landslides) or edge environments, sometimes forming near continuous canopies. We test the hypothesis that colonisation by this species as a pioneer alters the seedling assemblage to favour more shade-tolerant broadleaved trees than that beneath another common native pioneer (Kunzea robusta, Myrtaceae) in the same landscapes. We compared vegetation and abiotic characteristics of 166 sites across the Auckland region where C. medullaris or K. robusta were abundant (≥20% basal area) along successional gradients. Using hierarchical classification and ordination, we identified distinct communities associated with the different pioneers. In the forests we consider, C. dealbata is another common understorey tree fern, which sometimes, but not always, co-occurs with C. medullaris. Cyathea medullaris / C. dealbata successions occurred on steep sites with lower annual water deficit whereas K. robusta / C. dealbata successions were located on flatter, drier sites. The prevalence of macro-charcoal in K. robusta / C. dealbata forest suggests the prominence of that community is in part an outcome of the increased importance of fire disturbance in New Zealand. Dominance of C. medullaris, with C. dealbata understoreys, influences community assembly of tree species towards dominance by shade-tolerant species, whereas seedlings of less shade-tolerant small-leaved species are more prevalent in K. robusta / C. dealbata forests. We provide evidence to suggest that, where present in early forest communities, high tree fern abundance influences the assembly of seedling communities, supporting our hypothesis. Contrary to previous suggestions, a high abundance or basal area of tree ferns on sites not historically affected by fire did not limit the establishment and growth of canopy trees including fleshy-fruited broadleaf species.
Estimated glomerular fi ltration rate in people living with HIV

Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Confl icts of interest: none to declare. Abstract Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with the estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) in people living with HIV. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study evaluating 340 people in outpatient care in the city of Ribeirão Preto-SP. eGFR was calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. Univariate analysis was performed with Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, with p <0.05. Results: It was identifi ed that 114 (34.1%) of the participants presented changes in Glomerular Filtration, of which (90) 27.5% were classifi ed in stage 2, 15 (4.5%) in stage 3A and 07 (2.1%) in stage 3B. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the variables gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, BMI and time of diagnosis were associated with Glomerular Filtration Rate. The importance of the complete follow-up of PLHIV is emphasized, as it can prevent renal dysfunction.
Characterization and Antimicrobial-Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli O157 and O157: H7 Isolated from Modified Atmosphere Packaged Meat Samples

Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli is still an important public issue which causes extremely dangerous health problems. This study was planned in order to examine the inhibitory effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging application on E. coli O157 and O157: H7. The purposes of the present study were to detect E. coli O157 and O157: H7 strains from ground and cubed beef. A total of 100 MAP cattle meat products (50 minced meat, 50 meat cubes) were collected from the markets and butchers in Samsun province between May and October 2013. According to results, 1(1/50-2%) E. coli O157 and 1(1/50-2%) E. coli O157: H7 strains isolated from 50 ground beef samples, while 1 (1/50-2%) E. coli O157 strain was identified from 50 cubed beef samples. It was determined that E. coli O157 isolate obtained from the MAP ground beef carried stx1, stx2 genes; E. coli O157: H7 isolate carried stx1, stx2, eaeA and hylA genes while E. coli O157 isolate obtained from the MAP cubed meat only carried the stx2 gene. In antibiogram test, both E. coli O157 isolates were resistant to streptomycin and one E. coli O157: H7 isolate was resistant to streptomycin, cephalothin and tetracycline. As a consequence; in order to protect public health, products should be kept in proper hygienic and technical conditions during sale and storage and use of uncontrolled antibiotics should be avoided.