Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The white matter microstructure of the basal ganglia circuitry and its changes in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative with an estimated prevalence of 1% in people older than 60 years and rising to 3% in people older than 80 years (Lee and Gilbert 2016). Currently, the exact aetiology of PD is not known, there is no cure and there are no therapeutic interventions that can possibly delay disease progression. The symptoms can be controlled or managed by treatment, physical therapy and/or surgical procedures however these cause side effects and complications. Therefore, there is an increasing need for understanding the underlying pathophysiology of the disease which will aid in developing therapeutic treatments that help alleviate symptoms without side effects while minimizing the requirement for medications. The aim of this thesis was to explore selected white matter connections of the basal ganglia circuitry and investigate their changes in PD thereby potentially increasing our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology in PD. Results from my PhD show selective compensatory and neurodegenerative differences in selected motor and non-motor white matter pathways in PD patients compared to healthy controls. For the first time, I describe and develop an anatomical protocol for in vivo segmentation of two basal ganglia-cerebellar tracts and demonstrate their spatial independence and their cortical connections. Results from my investigation of the main cerebellar pathways and the two basal ganglia-cerebellar tracts show that the cerebellar input and output structures are involved in the pathophysiology of PD. My results pave way for future studies to further explore and delineate the specific compensatory and neurodegenerative processes of these white matter pathways in PD.
Predictive Regression with p-Lags and Order-q Autoregressive Predictors

This paper considers predictive regressions, where yt is predicted by all p lags of x, here with x being autoregressive of order q, PR(p,q). The literature considers model properties in the cases where p=q. We demonstrate that the current augmented regression method can still reduce the bias in predictive coefficients, but its efficiency depends on correctly specifying both p and q. We propose an estimation framework for the predictive regression, PR(p,q), with a data-driven auto-selection of p and q to achieve the best bias reduction in predictive coefficients. The corresponding hypothesis testing procedure is also derived. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated with simulations. Empirical applications to equity premium prediction illustrate the substantial difference between the estimates of our method and those obtained by the common predictive regressions with p=q.
Color Features of Sand Lizards, Lacerta Agilis (Sauria, Lacertidae), in Kyiv Region (Ukraine)

Abstract The article describes the study of distribution and morphological features of different morphotypes of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) of the Kyiv Region. To sum up, 5 morphotypes of L. a. chersonensis were found in the Kyiv Region: bilinear (61.9 %); intermediate form (intermediate version) (17.3 %); trilinear (3.2 %); var. erythro-(viridi-)nota (16.2 %); and the rarest var. con-(bi-)color (1.4 %). According to the morphological features’ varieties erythro-(viridi-)nota lizards differ mostly from all other morphs (Na/Lor)(2/1 — 44.4 %), in the 15–17 rows 18(14–23) scales. They are most oft en found in forest biotopes. The remaining bi- and trilinears are characterized by Na/Lor (1/1 — 50.9 %), in the 15–17 rows 9.5 (6–13) scales.
The Relationship Between Parents' Demographic Factors and Parenting Styles: Effects on Children's Psychological Adjustment

The present study explored the extent to which parent’s demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education, place of residence, and family income have an influence on the parental style they adopt and consequently on their perception of their children’s psychological adjustment in regards to their family relationships, peer relationships, school performance, and the development of their self-esteem. Various studies conducted in the past as well as in recent years indicate that parental demographic characteristics are significantly linked with parenting behavior (parental styles) and predict the way parents perceive their children’s adjustment, development, and school achievement. The present study was quantitative and we applied three different self-report questionnaires, namely, a Personal Information Form (PIF) for the demographic data, the Parental Authority Styles (PAQ) Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire of Children’s Family Relations, School Performance, Social Competence, and Self-Esteem. We administered the instruments to 336 Cypriot parents (23% fathers and 77% mothers). Our results showed that parent’s demographics are significantly related to the parenting styles they adopt. Furthermore, authoritative parenting is significantly correlated with positive parental perceptions of children’ school performance, family relationships, social skills, and self-esteem. On the contrary, authoritarian parenting is a significant negative predictor to parental perceptions of children’s adjustment in the aforementioned areas of development.
Quantifying growth perturbations over the fattening period in swine via mathematical modelling

Background Resilience can be defined as the capacity of animals to cope with short-term perturbations in their environment and return rapidly to their pre-challenge status. In a perspective of precision livestock farming, it is key to create informative indicators for general resilience and therefore incorporate this concept in breeding goals. In the modern swine breeding industry, new technologies such as automatic feeding system are increasingly common and can be used to capture useful data to monitor animal phenotypes such as feed efficiency. This automatic and longitudinal data collection integrated with mathematical modelling has a great potential to determine accurate resilience indicators, for example by measuring the deviation from expected production levels over a period of time. Results This work aimed at developing a modelling approach for facilitating the quantification of pig resilience during the fattening period, from approximately 34 kg to 105 kg of body weight. A total of 13 093 pigs, belonging to three different genetic lines were monitored (Pietrain, Pietrain NN and Duroc) since 2015, and body weight measures registered (approximately 11.1 million of weightings) with automatic feeding systems. We used the Gompertz model and linear interpolation on body weight data to quantify individual deviations from expected production, thereby creating a resilience index (ABC). The estimated heritabilities of ABC are low but not zero from 0.03 to 0.04 (± 0.01) depending on the breed. Conclusions Our model-based approach can be useful to quantify pig responses to perturbations using exclusively the growth curves and should contribute to the genetic improvement of resilience of fattening pigs by providing a resilience index.
Creation and analysis of enzymatically active micrometer protein-capsules

This work describes a general method for the encapsulation of enzymes with albumin as wall material and the enzyme catalase as prime example. Care was taken for the preparation of biochemically active sub-micrometer particles in order to prevent oxygen toxicity induced by artificial oxygen carriers of any type. In cell culture experiments, capsules containing catalase did not exhibit any harmful activities in the absence of peroxides. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide application of low and medium dosed capsules below 0.05 vol% (final concentration 0.001 vol%) even increased the cell damaging process. However, a higher dosage of capsules (> 0.05 vol%) prevented completely cellular disruption induced by 5 mM hydrogen peroxide and decreased up to 90% of cellular damage at higher peroxide concentrations. These results demonstrated that encapsulated catalase was enzymatically active and the over-all activity of prepared catalase capsules was determined to be > 1000 U ∙ mL−1 ∙ vol%−1.
Selection of legitimate dwarf coconut hybrid seedlings using DNA fingerprinting

Due to the great economic importance of coconut palm in Brazil and the development of a coconut breeding program intended to produce intravarietal hybrids, the present work aimed to ease the production of hybrids with the same morphological heritage. DNA was extracted from leaf samples of 13 dwarf coconut populations from Brazil, and PCR amplification was performed using 21 previously selected microsatellites. Furthermore, this study selected nine microsatellite markers with the potential to identify Green Dwarf x Yellow Dwarf hybrids and 16 microsatellites with the potential to identify Red Dwarf x Yellow Dwarf hybrids. In conclusion, SSR marker based on DNA Fingerprinting allowed the accurate identification of legitimate intravarietal hybrids since, for those crosses, the methodology of identification based on seedling color is not a viable alternative.
PTBP1 regulates injury responses and sensory pathways in adult peripheral neurons

Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 (PTBP1) is expressed only at embryonic stages in central neurons. Its downregulation triggers neuronal differentiation in precursor and non-neuronal cells, an approach recently used to generate neurons de novo for amelioration of neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, PTBP1 is replaced by its paralog PTBP2 in mature central neurons. Surprisingly, we found both proteins co-expressed in adult sensory and motor neurons, with PTBP2 restricted mainly to the nucleus, while PTBP1 shows strong axonal localization. Levels of axonal PTBP1 increased markedly after peripheral nerve injury, and its cargos include mRNAs involved in axonal growth and regeneration, such as importin β1 and RhoA. Perturbation of PTBP1 affects neuronal injury responses, axon outgrowth and sensation in vivo. Thus, PTBP1 has roles in sensory function and regenerative capacity of adult sensory neurons. These findings suggest that caution may be required before considering targeting PTBP1 for therapeutic purposes.
Viral mimicry of p65/RelA transactivation domain to inhibit NF-κB activation

Sensing of virus infection activates NF-κB to induce the expression of interferons, cytokines and chemokines to initiate the antiviral response. Viruses antagonise these antiviral defences by interfering with immune sensing and blocking the actions of antiviral and inflammatory molecules. Here, we show that a viral protein mimics the transactivation domain of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. The C terminus of vaccinia virus (VACV) protein F14 (residues 51-73) activates transcription when fused to a DNA-binding domain-containing protein and F14 associates with NF-κB co-activator CBP, disrupting p65-CBP interaction. Consequently, F14 diminishes CBP-mediated acetylation of p65 and the downstream recruitment of the transcriptional regulator BRD4 to the promoter of the NF-κB-responsive genes CXCL10 and CCL2, hence inhibiting their expression. Conversely, the recruitment of BRD4 to the promoters of NFKBIA, which encodes the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), and CXCL8 remains unaffected in the presence of either F14 or JQ1, a competitive inhibitor of BRD4 bromodomains, indicating its recruitment is acetylation-independent. Therefore, unlike other viral NF-κB antagonists, F14 is a selective inhibitor of NF-κB-dependent gene expression. A VACV strain lacking F14 showed that it contributes to virulence in an intradermal model of infection. Our results uncover a mechanism by which viruses disarm the antiviral defences through molecular mimicry of a conserved host protein and provide insight into the regulation of NF-κB-dependent gene expression by BRD4.
Species Delineation Within the Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Complex Revealed by Morphometric and Phylogenetic Analyses

Abstract The ambrosia beetle Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff sensu lato is a complex of genetically divergent emerging pests responsible for damages to tree industries and ecosystems around the world. All lineages within the species complex are currently considered morphologically identical, presenting problems for their delineation and highlighting the shortcomings of species concepts based solely on type-specimen morphology.The objectives of this work were to 1) broaden the geographic sampling of the E. fornicatus complex in Asia, 2) reconstruct relationships between clades and populations, 3) find morphological characters or combinations of characters which are useful in delimiting the genetic lineages of the E. fornicatus species complex, and 4) propose taxonomic delimitation of species where morphology and phylogenetic identity correlate. Our integrated approach using molecular and morphological evidence suggests four clades that differ morphologically, but with overlap, therefore, cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) barcoding remains necessary for assigning specimens to a clade.The following taxonomic changes are proposed: E. fornicatus (Eichhoff 1868) (= ‘Tea Shot Hole Borer Clade a’); E. fornicatior (Eggers 1923), stat. rev. (= ‘Tea Shot Hole Borer Clade b’); E. whitfordiodendrus (Schedl 1942), stat. rev. (= ‘Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer’); and E. kuroshio Gomez and Hulcr, sp. nov. (= ‘Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer’). This approach delivers a practical, evidence-based guidance for species delineation that can address overlapping variation in morphological characters of an emerging pest species complex.
In Vitro Fermentation of Grass Based Diet Supplemented with Two Different Tree Legume Forages in Ruminant

| This experiment was conducted to evaluate the in vitro fermentation parameters of grass based diet supplemented with two different tree legume forages in ruminants. The grass [Mulato II (M)] was mixed with legume forages [Gliricidia(G) and Sesbaenia (S)] to obtain the feed mixtures, M70%+G30%, M70%+S30% and M70%+G15%+S15%, and then carried out the in vitro gas production. The lower (p<0.05) crude protein and higher (p<0.05) fibre (neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre) contents were observed in Mulato II compared with legume forages, and M70+G30 had the highest (p<0.05) fibre content among the feed mixtures. The significant differences (p<0.05) in gas productions were observed in early incubation times (1, 6 and 12h). The higher fermentation parameters were found in Gliricidia. For the feed mixtures, no significant differences (p>0.05) in gas production and fermentation kinetics were observed. The nutritive values such as metabolizable energy, organic matter digestibility, short chain fatty acid, total digestible nutrient and digestible dry matter were higher (p<0.05) in Sesbaenia than other feedstuffs. The dry matter intake of M70+S30 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of M70+G30 and M70+G15+S15. However, all feedstuffs and feed mixtures possessed the nutritive values of high quality forages and complete feeds for ruminants. The highest (p<0.05) methane concentration was observed in Sesbaenia, followed by Gliricidia and Mulato II. For the feed mixtures, M70+G15+S15 showed the higher (p<0.05) methane gas concentration than M70+G30 and M70+S30. The negative correlation (R2=0.9252) between NDF content and methane gas concentration of feedstuffs was observed. Thus, grass and legume forage mixtures have potential to use as complete feed for ruminant without using concentrates because of their higher nutritive values. In consideration with environmental issue, M70+G15+S15 feed mixture should not be used as ruminant feed because of its higher concentration of methane.
Email Prioritization Using Machine Learning

Personal and business users prefer to use e-mail as one of the crucial sources of communication. The usage and importance of e-mails continuously grow despite the prevalence of alternative means, such as electronic messages, mobile applications, and social networks. Finding out the important mails of the all the mails received on the same day is becoming difficult for any users, as the volume of critical e-mails continues to grow, the need to automate the management of e-mails increases for several reasons, such as spam e-mail classification, phishing e-mail classification, and multi-folder categorization, among others. To achieve the objective of study, analysis and comprehensive review to explore the classification as per the importance of emails as user need to look these mails. Main area of classification is the important mail folder and categorizing it into different classification by using Naïve Bayes algorithm. By Giving the weights to words present in mails we can find out the total weight of that mails and by comparing the weights with the other ones we can prioritize the mails so that it will be efficient to users to look for the important mails only. The research directions, research challenges, and open issues in the field of e-mail classification are also presented for future researchers.
Draft Genome Sequences of Bacillaceae Strains Isolated from the International Space Station

The draft genome sequences of 29 bacterial isolates belonging to the family Bacillaceae were collected from the International Space Station, assembled, and identified. Further analysis of these sequences will enable us to understand their roles for space and biotechnological applications. ABSTRACT The draft genome sequences of 29 bacterial isolates belonging to the family Bacillaceae were collected from the International Space Station, assembled, and identified. Further analysis of these sequences will enable us to understand their roles for space and biotechnological applications.
Potencial da microalga Dunaliella Tertiolecta BUTCHER na geração de biocombustíveis e biorremediação de efluente de reator anaeróbio

A microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta BUTCHER apresenta-se como possível fonte de biomassa para produção de biocombustíveis, se destacando devido ao seu potencial de produção lipídica. Com o objetivo de otimizar o desenvolvimento celular da microalga e verificar sua potencialidade na produção de lipídios, utilizouse o meio de cultura sintético F/2 com pH distintos (5,5; 6,5;7 ,23; 8,5 e 9,5) suplementado com efluente de reator do tipo UASB (nas proporções 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) em quatro intervalos de exposição luminosa (6, 12, 18 e 24 horas). Percebeu-se uma melhor resposta de crescimento celular da D. tertiolecta BUTCHER quando submetida a intervalos de 12 horas de exposição à luz, em pH 7,23 com uma concentração de efluente de UASB numa proporção de 25%, verificando-se, nessas condições, uma remoção de 40,23% de DQO. Em relação a concentração de lipídios, foi obtido para o cultivo da microalga em meio F/2 um teor lipídico de 10,64%, enquanto a cultivada com 25% de efluente do reator UASB apresentou 8,13%. A D. tertiolecta BUTCHER quando cultivada em meio alternativo apresenta um melhor perfil para biorremediação ao comparar com o seu potencial para geração de biocombustíveis, verificado a partir da redução do teor lipídico.
Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon in Amazonia

The Amazon rainforest is considered the most important ecosystem in the world for the global carbon balance due to its high carbon storage in soil and in the vegetation. Unfortunately, there are few studies about organic fraction of its soils. Thus, the present research aimed to quantify the soil organic carbon content (OC) and to analyze its spatial distribution using 701 soil samples from minimally anthropic areas compiled from previous studies. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and spatial variability analyses of OC and other physical and chemical soil data were performed. The high variability of OC between soil groups were attributed to the preservation and protection of carbon by oxides, reduction process and organic-rich parent material. OC was strongly positively correlated with total nitrogen (N) content, C:N ratio and cation exchange capacity at pH 7.0. The maps produced showing the spatial distribution of CO and that based on C:N ratio would be support for the creation of priority areas in the conservation of ecosystem.
Single cell RNA-seq reveals immunosuppressive gastric stem-like cancer cells as a poor prognostic factor

The tumor microenvironment is characterized by high cellular heterogeneity and a complex network of cell-cell communications. Analysis at the single cell level is required to dissect this complexity. Here we apply single-cell full-length transcriptome sequencing to analyze 3443 cells from paired normal-adjacent and tumor tissues of 15 gastric cancer patients with different histological profiles. Among the epithelial cells profiled, we discovered subsets of proliferative stem-like cells with upregulated pro-tumor pathways and that were associated with poorer prognosis. Stem-like cell enriched tissues also show distinct T cell populations with proportionally more TIM3+ CD8+ cells, while non-enriched tissues had proportionally more KLRC1+ CD8+ cells, offering opportunities for checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In silico predictions of ligand-receptor interactions revealed immune-suppressive interactions between these stem-like cells and immune cells via interacting pairs such as Nectin-2(CD112)-TIGIT, Galectin-9-TIM3 and CXCL16-CXCR6. Using immunohistochemistry, we found CD8+ T cells expressing TIGIT in close proximity to stem-like cells expressing NECTIN2.
The Antecedents of Green Information System and Impact on Environmental Performance

As society becomes more and more aware of the negative impacts of business operations on environment and other aspects of society, companies have started to adopt environmental friendly activities due to the increasing pressures and concerns. How to improve company's environmental performance is the major challenge facing many managers. This study proposes a conceptual framework to study the role of green information system in improving company's environmental performance, and find out the antecedents in helping to create an effective green information system. A conceptual framework is proposed and tested empirically by using the data collected from China. This study contributes to the literature and by providing research direction and real-world practitioners with helpful guideline to build green information system.
Application of the Resource-based Theory (RBT) to Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUCS) and the opportunities they present for rural household food security: The Ghana context

Notwithstanding the many criticisms of the core propositions of the theory, the RBT has found many applications in various disciplines. In this paper, the author applies the core principles of the theory to highlight a strategic plant genetic resource available to farmers and agricultural practitioners in Ghana. While a number of different theoretical positions can contribute to an understanding of the concept and relevance of these often neglected crops, the RBT is used as a lens to analyse and provide some perspectives on the NUCS advantage. The intention is to create a sense of urgency among relevant stakeholders in Ghana’s agricultural sector on the need to fully embrace this critical ‘internal’ resource’ in its effort at addressing the constraints to food insecurity among rural households. The paper concludes with the author’s own perspectives and recommendations.