Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-mediated regulation of the neurogenic-to-gliogenic competence transition of neural stem/progenitor cells

Multipotent neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) produce various types of neurons and glial cells during the development of the central nervous system (CNS); however, NSPCs are not always able to generate all types of neural cells. The formation of complex neural networks relies on proper cytogenesis from NSPCs, which is under strict spatiotemporal regulation by intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. The neurogenesis-to-gliogenesis switch, a major event during CNS development, is largely dependent on the cell-autonomous temporal specification of NSPCs. The results of several previous studies suggest that developmental stage-dependent changes in the epigenetic status of proneural and astrocytic genes correlate with the temporal identity transition of developing NSPCs. These changes are related to alterations in the responsiveness of NSPCs to extrinsic neurogenic or gliogenic factors. Here, we discuss our recent findings that microRNA-mediated regulation of competence and relationships between multi-layered molecular regulatory systems control the temporal specification of NSPCs during CNS development.
Validation of Growth Zone Deposition in Otoliths of Two Large Endemic Cyprinids in Lake Gariep, South Africa

We tested the hypothesis that growth zones in the astericus otoliths of smallmouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) and Orange River mudfish (Labeo capensis) were deposited annually, Two methods, fluorochrome marking and edge analysis of otoliths were used. For fluorochrome marking, specimens of both species were injected with 60 mg/kg fish mass Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) and released into large earthen ponds under ambient conditions adjacent to Lake Gariep. Twenty-three L. aeneus and one L. capensis were recaptured 10–14 months later. Edge analysis was based on the optical interpretation of L. aeneus (n = 342) and L. capensis (n = 512) otolith margins collected between November 2006 and May 2008 from Lake Gariep. The frequency distribution of opaque margins over time was fitted using a binomial periodic regression. The estimated cycle length was not significantly different from a hypothesized 12 months for both species. The number of growth zones distal to the OTC mark was consistent with findings from the edge analysis, providing evidence that growth zones in astericus otoliths of both species can be interpreted as annuli.
Enzimas hidrolíticas extracelulares de isolados de rizóbia nativos da Amazônia Central, Amazonas, Brasil

Legumes enrich the soil by contributing nitrogen through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia bacteria. However, very little is known about the extracellular enzymatic profile of these microorganisms. In this context, the production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes by indigenous strains of rhizobia in Central Amazonia was evaluated. This screening constitutes the first step in selecting indigenous microorganisms that are potentially exploitable as enzyme producers. Indigenous strains of rhizobia were screened for extracellular amylolytic, carboxymethylcellulolytic, lactolytic, lipolytic, pectinolytic and proteolytic activities on modified YMA. Ureolytic activity was detected on a urea-agar slant. Rhizobia strains isolated from cowpea nodules produced more enzymes than those isolated from soybean nodules. Out of all the extracellular hydrolytic enzymes evaluated, only pectinase was not detected in this study. The most frequent rhizobia enzymes were amylase (32.8%), protease (28.4%), urease (20.9%) and carboxymethylcellulase (9.0%). In this study, only amylase and protease enzymes varied significantly among rhizobia strains. INPA strains R-926 and R-915 showed the highest enzymatic levels for amylase (EI = 3.1) and protease (EI = 6.6), respectively. This paper showed some indigenous strains of rhizobia from Central Amazonia as promising sources of industrially relevant enzymes for biotechnological purposes.
Visual contact estimation

A fundamental capability of any navigation system is the perception of potential contact with surfaces in the environment. The efficiency and robustness of natural vision has motivated the development of biologically-inspired approaches to achieve this. Biological studies have highlighted the importance of visual motion (as perceived via optical flow) in the guidance of animal action. However, the use of optical flow in robot navigation systems remains problematic, impeded by measurement noise, environmental assumptions, and real-time constraints. This thesis proposes new biologically-inspired visual cues and algorithms for robust visual control and contact estimation from optical flow. We consider this primarily in the context of robot navigation and control. We present a robust strategy for docking a mobile robot with near-frontal surfaces using optical flow divergence. Results show improved robustness during egomotion, allowing closer than previously reported stopping distances. We present a strategy for performing controlled approaches towards surfaces of arbitrary orientation, providing the first unified control law for landing and docking. Velocity and heading control is achieved using only the maximum flow divergence on the view sphere. We present an insect-inspired structure-from-motion scheme using spherical optical flow from a hemispherical fish-eye sensor, providing the first demonstration of real-time depth map recovery from dense optical flow estimation. In dynamic environments, we investigate the use of optical flow to predict the time and location of impact of incoming objects. We consider this in the context of a stationary camera, as well as for on-road driver hazard perception assistance. We conclude that robustness in flow-based control schemes can be improved if system dynamics are handled in the image domain. This can be achieved by prioritising visual cues conveying a relationship between self-motion and scene structure over explicit structure-from-motion recovery in the control loop. Results suggest a wide-angle spherical projection model is well-suited for visual contact estimation from optical flow.
Spring Emergence of Canadian Delia radicum and Synchronization with Its Natural Enemy, Aleochara bilineata

Abstract To characterize time of spring emergence following post-diapause development, Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and southwestern Ontario were collected in fall, maintained over winter at 1 °C, then transferred to higher constant temperatures until adult emergence. At each location there were “early” and “late” phenotypes. Truncated normal models of temperature dependency of development rate were fitted for each phenotype from each location. We provide the first evidence of geographic variation in the criteria separating these phenotypes. Separation criteria and models for early and late phenotypes at the two prairie locations, approximately 700 km apart, were indistinguishable, but differed from those for Ontario. Prairie phenotypes developed more slowly than Ontario phenotypes, and more prairie individuals were of the late phenotype. Poor synchronization of spring emergence could impair predation of D. radicum eggs by adult Aleochara bilineata Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Aleochara bilineata from Manitoba were reared and development rates modelled as for D. radicum. Models of development rates for the two species, when combined with simulated soil temperatures for two prairie locations, suggest that emergence of adult A. bilineata is well synchronized with availability of D. radicum eggs in prairie canola.
Effect of nitrogen on yield and quality of Panicum maximum cvv. Mombasa and Tanzania in Northeast Thailand

A field trial in Northeast Thailand during 2011–2012 compared the effects of nitrogen fertilizer, applied as urea in the wet season, on the growth and quality of Panicum maximum cvv. Mombasa and Tanzania. In the establishment year, increasing rates of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha every 40-45 days) (0–180 kg N/ha for growing period) progressively increased stem, leaf and total DM production (P<0.05). At higher rates (80 and 100 kg N/ha or 240–300 kg N/ha for growing period), only total DM increased at the highest rate. In the second year, a rate of 20 kg N/ha every 40-45 days (80 kg N/ha for growing season) doubled the amount of DM compared with no nitrogen, and 80 kg N/ha every 40-45 days (320 kg N/ha for growing period) produced significantly higher stem, leaf and total DM yields than most other rates. The yield response (kg DM/kg N) decreased linearly (24.7 to 20.3 in 2011; 56.7 to 15.1 in 2012) from the lowest to the highest rate of nitrogen. In both years, increasing rates of nitrogen significantly increased CP and NDF concentrations in stems and leaves and ADF concentrations in stems. Mombasa produced 17 and 19% more leaf and 18 and 22% more total DM than Tanzania, in the first and the second year, respectively. Mombasa also produced 30% more stem DM than Tanzania in the second year. While Tanzania produced higher CP levels than Mombasa in the establishment year, in the second year, Tanzania had higher levels than Mombasa only when N rates of 80–100 kg N/ha were applied every 40-45 days (320–400 kg N/ha for growing period). Applying 60 kg N/ha every 40-45 days appears to be a reasonable compromise to achieve satisfactory DM yields in the wet season (8,000 kg/ha first year and 12,000 kg/ha second year), leaf percentage of 68–70% and leaf CP concentrations above 7%. Keywords: Guinea grass, crude protein, leaf production, fertilizer responses. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)27-33
Host Ranges and Infestation Indices of Fruit Flies (Tephritidae) and Lance Flies (Lonchaeidae) in São Paulo State, Brazil

ABSTRACT The knowledge of the status of the different fruit fly species and their hosts is essential to manage these insects. This work reports the associations of tephritoid fly species (Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) with fruits collected from 67 municipalities in Sã;o Paulo State, Brazil. From Mar 1997 to Sep 2003, a total of 536 fruit samples was collected from 63 plant species in 28 botanical families. From overall collections, the average infestation index ranged from 0.01 to 22.98 pupae per fruit. The highest infestation was observed in Cucurbita moschata (Dusc.) Poir, followed by Mangifera indica Linnaeus and Passiflora alata Curtis, with 107.14, 59.00, and 38.50 pupae/ fruit, respectively. The pupae/kg of fruit index ranged from 0.01 in Manihot esculenta Crantz to 277.91 in Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. In total 43,104 pupae and 26,368 adults of Tephritoidea were recovered from all collections. The following Tephritoidea adults were observed: Anastrepha amita Zucchi, Anastrepha bahiensis Lima, Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha. fraterculus (Wied.), Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha leptozona Hendel, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Anastrepha pseudoparallela (Loew), Anastrepha serpentina (Wied.), Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and Lonchaeidae. All host species infested by C. capitata or Anastrepha spp. also were infested by Lonchaeidae.
El examen mental abreviado (Mini-Mental State Examination) como prueba de selección para el diagnóstico de demencia: estudio poblacional colombiano

INTRODUCCIONCuando en 1975 Folstein introdujo en la practica clinica elMini-Mental State Examination [1] –que en este estudio deno-minaremos examen mental abreviado, EMA–, pretendia ‘pro-veer al clinico de un metodo practico para evaluar el estadocognoscitivo de sus pacientes’. Muy pronto, sin embargo, lasfunciones de la prueba se ampliaron y el EMA paso de ser uninstrumento de uso estrictamente hospitalario, por personal alta-mente capacitado, a convertirse en una herramienta de uso ma-sivo para la deteccion en la comunidad de sujetos con alteracio-nes cognoscitivas. Las limitaciones de la prueba no tardaron enser reconocidas. El mismo grupo de Folstein [2] describio en1982 una baja especificidad de la prueba en sujetos de baja es-colaridad; en su estudio, la especificidad fue del 63,3% en suje-tos con ocho anos de estudio o menos y del 100% en sujetos connueve anos o mas. La especificidad fue tambien baja en indivi-duos de mayor edad: 65,2% en personas de mas de 60 anos,comparado con 92,0% en menores de 60. Asimismo, describie-ron una menor especificidad en mujeres que en varones (76,6 y92,6%, respectivamente). El tamano reducido de su muestra(n= 99) no les permitio, sin embargo, un analisis multivariadopara estimar el grado de independencia de las tres variables (sexo,edad y nivel educativo), ni tuvo el poder estadistico para analizarseparadamente cada una de las preguntas de la prueba.Un estudio posterior del mismo grupo [3] incluyo una muestrade 18.056 adultos en cinco estados de Estados Unidos. Alli nueva-mente se senala la influencia de la edad en la puntuacion: la medianafue de 29 para sujetos de 18 a 24 anos, y 25 para 80 o mas. Respectoa la escolaridad, la mediana de sus puntuaciones fue de 29 en sujetosde nueve anos de escolaridad o mas, 26 para los de cinco a ocho y
Preserving perceptual distances in chromaticity diagrams

Chromaticity diagrams—Cartesian plots that depict the multidimensional subjective relationship between perceived colors, independent of intensity—are widely used in studies of animal color vision, as they allow direct links to be made between color discrimination and color vision–mediated behaviors. However, because these diagrams are invariant to the differences in noise levels between photoreceptor classes that underlie some models of color discrimination thresholds, the distance between colors in chromaticity space is not necessarily related to their perceptual distance. The geometric interpretation of color data from chromaticity diagrams may therefore lead to misleading conclusions. This paper describes a method of plotting visual perceptual distances derived from the noise-corrected model of Vorobyev and Osorio (Vorobyev M, Osorio D. 1998. Receptor noise as a determinant of color thresholds. Proc R Soc B. 265:351–358) such that the perceptual distance between them is exactly preserved. It also describes how both chromatic (color) and achromatic (brightness) contrasts can be visualized within the same diagram. The potential benefits of this approach over commonly used triangular and tetrahedral chromaticity diagrams are discussed with regards to the study of animal visual ecology.
The relationships between host selection and subsequent larval performance in three free‐living graminivorous sawflies

1. Selection of host plants for oviposition by females of three graminivorous sawfly species, Doleruspuncticollis C. G. Thomson, Doleruspicipes Klug. and Pachynematusclitellatus Lepeletier, was investigated experimentally using three grass species, Loliumperenne L. , Festucarubra L. and wheat, Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hunter.
Direct development in a Nudibranch, Cadlina laevis, with a discussion of developmental processes in Opisthobranchia

Cadlina laevis (L.) is the first British species of nudibranch shown to possess direct development. The embryo leaves the egg-capsule approximately 50 days (at 10° C) after oviposition, and resembles the adult in the general form of the body. Sufficient food reserves remain to sustain life and apparent growth for more than 1 week of benthic life. A vestigial veliger phase is passed through within the egg-capsule. The shell, velum, mantle, and metapodium-rudiment resemble transitorily those organs of opisthobranch veliger larvae, but certain veliger structures (larval kidney, velar locomotor and pedal cilia) are vestigial in Cadlina, and others are altogether absent (operculum, larval retractor muscle, subvelar ridges, metapodial mucus-gland, pedal sensory cilia, and nephrocysts). In the Opisthobranchia three distinct development types can be recognized. Type 1 includes those species which possess planktotrophic veliger larvae. Type 2 comprises the species which have lecithotrophic larvae (in the sense employed by Ockelmann, 1965). Type 3 species have direct development, in which many veliger structures may be briefly recapitulated before hatching. Species of type 3 possess eggs of the largest sizes, species of type 2 in general have smaller eggs, while species of type 1 possess the smallest eggs. There is a positive correlation between egg size and the length of the embryonic period, and an inverse correlation between both and batch size. Within any development-type, the largest species tend to produce larger eggs in greater numbers. Within any species, the largest individuals tend to produce more eggs than do the smaller individuals; egg size varies little through the geographical range.
Seed dispersal and predation by Proechimys semispinosus and Sciurus granatensis in gaps and understorey in central Panama

Abstract: Seed dispersal and predation by spiny rats (Proechimys semispinosus) and red-tailed squirrels (Sciurus granatensis) were studied in five forest gaps and adjacent forest understorey on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, during June and July 2003 and January 2004. Live trapping on grids was used to estimate the abundances of rats in both habitats and was conducted during 10 nights at the beginning of each field season. We captured 70 individual spiny rats (53 in forest gaps and 17 in understorey). To address the removal and dispersal of seeds, semi-permeable wire-mesh exclosures were set at randomly selected stations within the trapping grids. These exclosures allowed the entry of spiny rats, squirrels, and other small rodents but excluded larger granivorous mammals. Seeds were marked with pieces of string that were dusted with fluorescent powder and tracked at night with an ultraviolet light. A total of 304 seeds was removed (159 in forest gaps and 145 in understorey). Spiny rats removed more seeds from gaps, and squirrels removed more seeds from understorey. Both species dispersed more seeds during the rainy season than during the dry season. Squirrels dispersed seeds farther than did spiny rats. Due to their foraging behaviour and association with gaps, spiny rats may disperse seeds from forest understorey into gaps.
Resistance to water flow through leaves of Coffea arabica is dominated by extra-vascular tissues.

The leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) of Coffea arabica L. was measured for shoots exposed to non-lethal temperature stress or to a freeze-thaw cycle, and compared with Kleaf of non-stressed samples (controls). Exposure to temperatures below 6°C for 1 h caused measurable damage to the functional integrity of cell membranes as shown by increased membrane leakiness to electrolytes. A 1 : 1 relationship was found to exist between relative electrolyte leakage and relative Kleaf suggesting that membrane damage caused Kleaf to increase. Low temperatures did not cause membrane disruption as shown by the comparison of chilled samples with frozen-thawed ones. In frozen leaves, membranes were extensively disrupted and both electrolyte leakiness and Kleaf increased 5-fold. Low temperatures did not induce alterations of the hydraulic properties of the leaf vascular system, as revealed by measurements of Kleaf after up to 500 cuttings of minor veins were made in the leaf blade of control and chilled leaves. Calculations showed that 62-75% of leaf hydraulic resistance resided in the extra-vascular water pathway. Results are discussed within the frame work of our current understanding of leaf hydraulic architecture as well as in terms of plant adaptation to extremes in temperature.
Efficiency of Large-Volume Plankton Pumps, and Evaluation of a Design Suitable for Deployment from Small Boats

A critical review of previously published studies, and evaluation of a newly developed pump system, showed the often stated shortcomings of large-volume pumps as instruments for sampling plankton communities (e.g. damage to organisms sampled, volumes too small to estimate plankton density accurately, and systems too cumbersome to handle) to be invalid. Previously published estimates of the comparative efficiency of large-volume pump samplers and tow nets should; however, be viewed with caution because the techniques used to estimate pumped volume are error prone. In-line flow meters are essential for accurate volume estimation. Comparative efficiency tests of a newly developed large-volume pumping system deployed simultaneously with 80- and 153-μm mesh standard plankton nets revealed that the pump, while sampling only 8% of the volume sampled by the nets, was equally effective in capturing capelin (Mallotus villosus) larvae (5-mm length), herring (Clupea harengus) larvae (9-mm length), large copepods (> 7.
Five fruit morphotypes of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) from Ladakh, India

To characterize five different morphological forms of Russian olive grown in Ladakh, analysis of morphometric data of different variants was performed. Statistically significant differences among these variants were found for all the fruit and seed characters studied. Results of the study indicate presence of infra-specific differentiation within the species. Morphometric data for these variants conform to the system of nomenclature prevalent in the region for these variants. The ringmo (‘long fruited’ variety) type had the longest fruits, while bee (‘small fruited’ variety) had the smallest fruits.
A new species of mule-ear oncidium with straw-yellow flowers (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae, Lophiaris ) from central Panama

Lophiaris silverarum Carnevali & Cetzal, known from two localities in central Panama, is herein proposed as a new species. It is related to L. crispiflora and L. carthagenensis from which it is easily distinguished by its larger flowers of a straw-yellow color with many laxly arranged, non-confluent reddish-brown spots. The new species is described and illustrated and distributional maps are provided. Furthermore, a table and a key comparing the new species against close relatives are included. The conservation status of L. silverarum is assessed as EN by the IUCN criteria.
Nuovo rinvenimento di Ophrys × venusiana Baumann & Künkele (O. tarentina Gölz & Reinhard × O. tenthredinifera Will.) e studio cariologico delle specie parentali

Riassunto Gli autori riferiscono di un nuovo ritrovamento di Ophrys × venusiana Baumann & Kunkele (O. tarentina Golz & Reinhard × O. tenthredinifera Willd.) descrivendo l'esemplare raccolto, confrontandolo con un precedente ritrovamento e riportando uno studio cariologico delle due specie parentali.
Seasonal incidence of Haemoprotozoal diseases in crossbred cattle and buffalo in Kaira and Anand districts of Gujarat, India -

Seasonal incidence of haemoprotozoal diseases in crossbred cattle and buffalo was studied by examining 3152 and 1129 blood smears respectively, received from various veterinary sub centres located in Anand and Kaira districts of Gujarat during period from April 2009 to March 2010. The present study has recorded higher incidence of haemoprotozoal diseases in crossbred cattle and buffalo from June to September and June to August, respectively. In crossbred cattle, 1172 (37%) out of 3152 blood smears were positive for haemoprotozoal infection while in buffalo, 191 (17%) out of 1129 blood smears were positive for haemoprotozoal infection. In both the species, higher incidence of Theileriosis was recorded during monsoon season as compared to other protozoan diseases.