Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of major insect pests of brinjal (solanum melongena L.)

The field experiment was under taken to evaluate the efficacy of different seven insecticides viz., emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.002%, imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.017%, fipronil 5 SC @ 0.01%, spinosad 45 SC @ 0.009%, azadiractin 3000 ppm @ 0.03%, NSKE @ 5% and triazophos 40 EC @ 0.08% against major insect pests of brinjal during Kharif 2018-19. The results revealed that imidacloprid 17.8 SL was most superior in minimising sucking pests i.e. jassid ((Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla Ishida) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) population of 1.27 jassids/3 leaves and 1.21 whiteflies/3 leaves, respectively) and it was found at par with fipronil 5 SC (2.18 jassids and 2.07 whiteflies), spinosad 45 SC (2.41 jassids and 2.30 whiteflies) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG (2.46 jassids and 2.46 whiteflies). As regards brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) infestation, spinosad 45 SC was found highly effective with least mean per cent damaged shoots (1.60%) followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG (1.73%), fipronil 5 SC (2.03%) and triazophos 40 EC (2.14%). While in case of fruit infestation on number and weight basis, plots treated with spinosad 45 SC was also found to be the most superior treatment shows lowest fruit damage of 12.47 and 10.69 per cent on number as well as weight basis, respectively and it was statistically at par with emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ (13.74 and 11.59%) and fipronil 5 SC (15.32 and 11.65%), respectively. Irrespective of infestation, the highest marketable fruit yield, gross return and net return (139 q/ha, Rs. 170000/ha and Rs.161000/ha) registered in plot treated with spinosad 45 SC followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG (136 q/ha, Rs.160000/ha and Rs.158000/ha), fipronil 5 SC (132 q/ha, Rs.156000/ha and Rs.150200/ha). Amongst the treatments, emamectin benzoate 5 SG was the most economical by recording maximum ICBR of 1: 26.33 followed by fipronil 5 SC (1:25.90), imidacloprid 17.8 SL (21.13), azardiractin 3000 ppm (1:20.50), spinosad 45 SC (1: 19.24), triazophos 40 EC (1: 13.67) and NSKE 5% (1:11.33).
The influence of relationship closeness on default-mode network connectivity during social interactions

Reciprocated trust plays a critical role in forming and maintaining relationships, and has consistently been shown to implicate neural circuits involved in reward-related processing and social cognition. Less is known about neural network connectivity during social interactions involving trust, however, particularly as a function of closeness between an investor and a trustee. We examined network reactivity and connectivity in participants who played an economic trust game with close friends, strangers and a computer. Network reactivity analyses showed enhanced activation of the DMN to social relative to non-social outcomes. A novel network connectivity analysis (nPPI) revealed enhanced connectivity between the DMN and the superior frontal gyrus and superior parietal lobule when experiencing reciprocated vs. violated trust from friends relative to strangers. Such connectivity tracked with differences in self-reported social closeness with these partners. Interestingly, reactivity of the executive control network (ECN), involved in decision processes, demonstrated no social vs. non-social preference, and ECN-VS connectivity did not track social closeness. Taken together, these novel findings suggest that DMN interacts with components of attention and control networks to signal the relative importance of positive experiences with close others vs. strangers.
Systems-level physiology of the human red blood cell is computed from metabolic and macromolecular mechanisms

The human red blood cell has served as a starting point for the application and development of systems biology approaches due to its simplicity, intrinsic experimental accessibility, and importance in human health applications. Here, we present a multi-scale computational model of the human red blood cell that accounts for the full metabolic network, key proteins (>95% of proteome mass fraction), and several macromolecular mechanisms. Proteomics data are used to place quantitative constraints on individual protein complexes that catalyze metabolic reactions, as well as a total proteome capacity constraint. We explicitly describe molecular mechanisms—such as hemoglobin binding and the formation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species—and takes standard hematological variables (e.g., hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration) as input, allowing for personalized physiological predictions. This model is built from first principles and allows for direct computation of physiologically meaningful quantities such as the oxygen dissociation curve and an accurate computation of the flux state of the metabolic network. More broadly, this work represents an important step toward including the proteome and its function in whole-cell models of human cells.
Assembly and phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Actinidia setosa

Abstract The complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of Actinidia setosa (A. setosa) was sequenced and assembled into a circular genome of 156,728 bp length using Illumina paired-end data. The cp genome composed of a pair of 24,090 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions separated by a large single copy region (LSC) of 88,256 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 20,292 bp. Additionally, a total of 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes, were identified in the A. setosa cp genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. setosa was evolutionarily close to other two kiwifruits A. deliciosa and A. chinensis.
Influence of Some Bionematicide and Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis Infecting Papaya Plant

The efficacy of Agrein, Bioarc, Bionema, Biozeid, Micronema and two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema carpocapsae (All), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (B20) as biological control agents of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes infecting papaya, Carica papaya L. were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. All the tested bionematicide and (EPNs) significantly reduced in the numbers of nematodes in soil, galls formation, eggmasses and eggs per eggmass than those in the untreated (check) and improved plant growthparameters. The highly significant increase in weights of both shoot and root of plant grown in soil treated with Agrein and Steinernema carpocapsae. This research may contribute in the novel direction of using bionematicide and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) a biological agent against plant parasitic nematode.
The complete chloroplast genome of Prunus verecunda, and phylogenetic analysis with amygdaleae species

Abstract We assembled complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Prunus verecunda based on Illumina sequencing. The cp genome of P. verecunda is 157,917 bp in length with 129 genes comprising 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA ribosomal genes. The overall GC content of cp genome is 36.7%. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. verecunda is sister to P. serrulata var. spontanea and P. maximowiczii.
Structural basis of cowpox evasion of NKG2D immunosurveillance

NKG2D is a key component of cytotoxic antitumor and antiviral responses. Multiple viruses evade NKG2D recognition by blocking NKG2D ligand expression on infected cells. In contrast, cowpox virus targets NKG2D directly by encoding a secreted antagonist, Orthopoxvirus MHC Class I-like Protein (OMCP). We have previously reported that OMCP also binds to the orphan receptor FcRL5 on innate B cells. Here, we demonstrate that mammalian-derived, glycosylated OMCP binds NKG2D but not FcRL5. Cowpox viruses either lacking OMCP, or expressing an NKG2D-binding deficient mutant, are significantly attenuated in wild type and FcRL5-deficient mice but not NKG2D-deficient mice, demonstrating that OMCP is critical in subverting NKG2D-mediated immunity in vivo. Next we determined the structure of OMCP bound to human NKG2D. Despite a structure similar to that of host NKG2D ligands, OMCP uses a drastically different orientation for NKG2D binding. The re-orientation of OMCP is associated with dramatically higher affinity for human NKG2D and the targeted interface is highly conserved in mammalian NKG2Ds, increasing the zoonotic potential of cowpox virus. We also show that cell surface presented OMCP can trigger NKG2D effector functions equivalently to host NKG2D ligands, demonstrating that NKG2D-mediated signaling requires clustering but is insensitive to binding orientation. Thus, in contrast to TCR/MHC interactions, the docking topology of NKG2D with its ligands does not appear to regulate its activation. Author Summary Virally infected or tumor-transformed cells display NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) on their cell surface, which activates NKG2D-bearing lymphocytes to kill the transformed cell. Pathogens are known to counter this by blocking NKG2DL expression and/or surface display. In contrast, some tumor cells cleave endogenous NKG2DLs creating soluble NKG2D antagonists. Unlike other viral pathogens, cowpox virus uses a strategy analogous to cancer cells by targeting NKG2D directly with a soluble, high affinity NKG2D-antagonist named OMCP. We determined that OMCP’s virulence in vivo is attributed to blocking NKG2D-mediated NK cell responses with no apparent effect due to binding to other receptors or cell types. We have also determined the crystal structure of cowpox OMCP bound to human NKG2D, revealing that despite conservation of the ligand scaffolding with host NKG2DLs, the viral protein is engaged with a radically altered orientation compared to all host NKG2DLs. Our structure provides key insight into how OMCP binds with an ∼5,000-fold increased affinity compared to human NKG2DLs and show that the OMCP binding site is exceptionally conserved among primates and rodents, suggesting that the ability of OMCP to recognize this conserved interface contributes to the broad zoonotic potential of cowpox virus. Finally, we show that cell membrane-anchored OMCP can trigger equivalent NKG2D-mediated killing as host NKG2DLs, demonstrating that NKG2D signaling is insensitive to ligand binding orientation.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHOULDER PAIN AND SCAPULAR MOBILITY IN TEENAGE BASEBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between shoulder pain and scapular mobility for teenage baseball players. Thirty-five teenage baseball players (shoulder pain, n=11; healthy, n=24) were recruited in this study. The lateral scapula slide test (LSST), which represented as scapular mobility, was used to measure the scapular position and symmetry under varying loads. The result of this study showed that there was a difference in distance from the superior angle of the scapula to the spinous process of T2 between the two groups at shoulder 90? abduction.
Dopamine D2 receptors modulate intrinsic properties and synaptic transmission of parvalbumin interneurons in the mouse primary motor cortex

Dopamine (DA) plays a crucial role in the control of motor and higher cognitive functions such as learning, working memory and decision making. The primary motor cortex (M1), which is essential for motor control and the acquisition of motor skills, receives dopaminergic inputs in its superficial and deep layers from the midbrain. However, the precise action of DA and DA receptor subtypes on the cortical microcircuits of M1 remains poorly understood. The aim of this work was to investigate how DA, through the activation of D2 receptors (D2R), modulates the cellular and synaptic activity of M1 parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVINs) which are crucial to regulate the spike output of pyramidal neurons (PNs). By combining immunofluorescence, ex vivo electrophysiology, pharmacology and optogenetics approaches, we show that D2R activation increases neuronal excitability of PVINs and GABAergic synaptic transmission between PVINs and PNs in layer V of M1. Our data reveal a mechanism through which cortical DA modulates M1 microcircuitry and might participate in the acquisition of motor skills. Significance Statement Primary motor cortex (M1), which is a region essential for motor control and the acquisition of motor skills, receives dopaminergic inputs from the midbrain. However, precise action of dopamine and its receptor subtypes on specific cell types in M1 remained poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate in M1 that dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) are present in parvalbumin interneurons (PVINs) and their activation increases the excitability of the PVINs, which are crucial to regulate the spike output of pyramidal neurons (PNs). Moreover the activation of the D2R facilitates the GABAergic synaptic transmission of those PVINs on layer V PNs. These results highlight how cortical dopamine modulates the functioning of M1 microcircuit which activity is disturbed in hypo- and hyperdopaminergic states.
Fluorescent reporter plasmids for single-cell and bulk-level composition assays in E. faecalis

Fluorescent reporters are an important tool for monitoring dynamics of bacterial populations at the single cell and community level. While there are a large range of reporter constructs available–particularly for common model organisms like E. coli–fewer options exist for other species, including E. faecalis, a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen. To expand the potential toolkit available for E. faecalis, we modified a previously developed reporter plasmid (pBSU101) to express one of nine different fluorescent reporters and confirmed that all constructs exhibited detectable fluorescence in single E. faecalis cells and mixed biofilm communities. To identify promising constructs for bulk-level experiments, we then measured the fluorescence spectra from E. faecalis populations in microwell plate (liquid) cultures during different growth phases. Cultures showed density- and reporter-specific variations in fluorescent signal, though spectral signatures of all reporters become clear in late-exponential and stationary-phase populations. Based on these results, we identified six pairs of reporters that can be combined with simple spectral unmixing to accurately estimate population composition in 2-strain mixtures at or near stationary phase. This approach offers a simple and scalable method for selection and competition experiments in simple two-species populations. Finally, we modified the construct to express codon-optimized variants of blue (BFP) and red (RFP) reporters and show that they lead to increased fluorescence in exponentially growing cells. As a whole, the results inform the scope of application of different reporters and identify both single reporters and reporter pairs that are promising for fluorescence-based assays at bulk and single-cell levels in E. faecalis.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and changes in body composition, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors during military service

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of obesity-related cardiometabolic risk factors. It predicts the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which are major public health concerns. Visceral obesity and insulin resistance are the predominant underlying factors of MetS, other diagnostic components being elevated blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDLcholesterol. The most important treatment of MetS is through lifestyle changes. There are limited data concerning the prevalence of MetS among young populations. Furthermore, even though the effects of physical activity on MetS components are well established at an individual basis and in some subpopulations, large population-based data about associations of young men’s fitness and MetS-related cardiometabolic risk factor changes are warranted. In Finland, military service is compulsory for males. In 2005, 1,160 young men (mean age 19.2 years, range 18–28 years) were followed throughout their military service (6–12 months) in the Sodankyla Jaeger Brigade. The military service period includes high amounts of physical exercise, but no dietary restrictions. Physical fitness, anthropometrics, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed at the beginning and at the end of military service. Among the entire study population, the prevalence of MetS was 3.5–6.8 %, depending on the definition used, and increased in parallel with an increasing body mass index. On the average, the military training period resulted in a decrease in body weight and amount of fat tissue, especially visceral fat, and improved physical fitness. Body composition and fitness improvements were more pronounced in overweight and obese service men. Beneficial changes in body composition and related cardiovascular risk factor improvements were associated with increased physical fitness, especially aerobic fitness. This study indicates that an improvement in physical fitness is related to improvements in body fat distribution and cardiovascular health at population level in young men. This is an age when co-morbidities are usually as yet non-existing, but might be most efficiently prevented by lifestyle changes, such as becoming physically active.
The co-chaperone Fkbp5 shapes the acute stress response in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

Disturbed activation or regulation of the stress response through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a fundamental component of multiple stress-related diseases, including psychiatric, metabolic and immune disorders. The FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) is a negative regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a main driver of HPA axis regulation, and FKBP5 polymorphisms have been repeatedly linked to stress-related disorders in humans. However, the specific role of Fkbp5 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in shaping HPA axis (re)activity remains to be elucidated. Using deletion, overexpression, and rescue of Fkbp5 exclusively in the PVN, we establish the fundamental importance of Fkbp5 in the HPA axis stress response. Furthermore, we show that Fkbp5 manipulation alters GR activation and elucidate the cellular complexity in the PVN, in which Fkbp5 operates.
Incorporating local habitat heterogeneity and productivity measures when modelling vertebrate richness

Summary Declining species richness is a global concern; however, the coarse-scale metrics used at regional or landscape levels might not accurately represent the important habitat characteristics needed to estimate species richness. Currently, there exists a lack of knowledge with regard to the spatial extent necessary to correlate remotely sensed habitat metrics to species richness and animal surveys. We provide a protocol for determining the best scale to use when merging remotely sensed habitat and animal survey data as a step towards improving estimates of vertebrate species richness on broad scales. We test the relative importance of fine-resolution habitat heterogeneity and productivity metrics at multiple spatial scales as predictors of species richness for birds, frogs and mammals using a Bayesian approach and a combination of passive monitoring technologies. Model performance was different for each taxonomic group and dependent on the scale at which habitat heterogeneity and productivity were measured. Optimal scales included a 20-m radius for bats and frogs, an 80-m radius for birds and a 180-m radius for terrestrial mammals. Our results indicate that optimal scales do exist when merging remotely sensed habitat measures with ground-based surveys, but they differ between vertebrate groups. Additionally, the selection of a measurement scale is highly influential to our understanding of the relationships between species richness and habitat characteristics.
THAP11F80L cobalamin disorder-associated mutation reveals normal and pathogenic THAP11 functions in gene expression and cell proliferation

Twelve human THAP proteins share the THAP domain, an evolutionary conserved zinc-finger DNA-binding domain. Studies of different THAP proteins have indicated roles in gene transcription, cell proliferation and development. We have analyzed this protein family, focusing on THAP7 and THAP11. We show that human THAP proteins possess differing homo- and heterodimer formation properties and interaction abilities with the transcriptional co-regulator HCF-1. HEK-293 cells lacking THAP7 were viable but proliferated more slowly. In contrast, HEK-293 cells were very sensitive to THAP11 alteration. Nevertheless, HEK-293 cells bearing a THAP11 mutation identified in a patient suffering from cobalamin disorder (THAP11F80L) were viable although proliferated more slowly. Cobalamin disorder is an inborn vitamin deficiency characterized by neurodevelopmental abnormalities, most often owing to biallelic mutations in the MMACHC gene, whose gene product MMACHC is a key enzyme in the cobalamin (vitamin B12) metabolic pathway. We show that THAP11F80L selectively affected promoter binding by THAP11, having more deleterious effects on a subset of THAP11 targets, and resulting in altered patterns of gene expression. In particular, THAP11F80L exhibited a strong effect on association with the MMACHC promoter and led to a decrease in MMACHC gene transcription, suggesting that the THAP11F80L mutation is directly responsible for the observed cobalamin disorder.
Sex differences in cortisol and memory following acute social stress in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Older adults with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) develop Alzheimer’s-type Dementia approximately ten times faster annually than the normal population. Higher levels of adrenal hormones are associated with both aging and cognitive decline. In this study, salivary cortisol was sampled diurnally and during memory testing to explore differences in the relationship between cortisol and memory function in males and females with normal cognition and those with aMCI. Participants with aMCI (n=14, mean age=75) were compared to age-matched controls (n=14, mean age=75) on tests of episodic, associative, and working memory across two sessions with a psychosocial stressor in the second session. The aMCI group performed worse on the memory tests than controls and males with aMCI had consistently elevated cortisol levels on both test days. Immediate episodic memory performance was enhanced by stress in controls but not in the aMCI group, indicating that aMCI is associated with increased vulnerability to stress-induced alterations in cortisol that can negatively impact memory function. Highlights - Amnestic MCI (aMCI) is associated with higher morning cortisol - Stress negatively influences memory in aMCI individuals - Sex may moderate the effects of aMCI on cortisol and memory following stress - The relationship between cortisol and memory may depend on brain health
Tree-ring Reconstruction of Bark Beetle Disturbances in the Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey. Forests of Southeast Kazakhstan

Ips hauseri Reitter is the most important bark beetle on Picea schrenkiana in southeast Kazakhstan, but its biology, ecology, and outbreak dynamics are poorly known. We dendrochronologically reconstructed a 200-year history of disturbances in the Kazakh Tien Shan P. schrenkiana forests. Only localized, low-severity bark beetle events occurred during the reconstructed period, indicating that extensive high-severity bark beetle outbreaks have not occurred historically in the Tien Shan spruce forest, unlike bark beetle outbreaks in spruce forests in North America, Europe, and Russia. Disturbance frequency doubled after about 1965, probably due to warming climate. Results, combined with the failure of an outbreak to fully develop after blowdown events associated with hurricane-force windstorms in 2011, indicate that prolonged drought may be necessary to sustain I. hauseri outbreaks, or that year-to-year variation in the Tien Shan weather prevents outbreak development. I. hauseri is probably less aggressive than I. typographus, at least on their natural hosts within their natural ranges.