Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and genetic variation of Fucus in the eastern Gulf of Bothnia, northern Baltic Sea

ABSTRACT Fucus vesiculosus and F. radicans (Phaeophyceae) are important habitat-formers on rocky shores in the Bothnian Sea. While both species occur sympatrically along the entire western Bothnian Sea coast, F. radicans has been found only in the northern part of the eastern coast. According to previous studies, the two species can be distinguished based on morphology, F. radicans having narrower thalli and a bushier appearance. However, marine mapping in the eastern Bothnian Sea has revealed that high morphological variation in Fucus, partly caused by gradients in salinity and exposure, makes differentiation between the two species difficult. We studied morphological and genetic variation to find out whether the two Fucus species can be differentiated in the south-eastern Bothnian Sea, and if F. radicans occurs in the area. The study was carried out in six subareas including 350 km of coast, with a salinity gradient of 3.5–6.5 PSU, and varying wave exposure. We found a gradual change towards smaller and narrower thalli and a higher number of holdfasts in Fucus populations when moving northwards to lower salinities. Distinct Fucus morphs were often found within the study sites but the morphs were genetically differentiated only at one study site in the Skaftung subarea, suggesting the occurrence of both species. However, in the Vasa subarea the sample size for analysing genetic differentiation was low due to high clonality. In the Luvia subarea south of Skaftung, Fucus morphology corresponded to that of F. radicans in earlier studies but the population was genetically more similar to F. vesiculosus in the southern subareas. We conclude that by using only morphological characteristics it is not possible to differentiate between the two species in central and northern parts of the eastern Bothnian Sea. Based on genetic analyses, the southernmost known occurrence of F. radicans in the eastern Bothnian Sea is in Skaftung.
Antimalarial pantothenamide metabolites target acetyl-CoA synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria eradication is critically dependent on novel drugs that target resistant Plasmodium parasites and block transmission of the disease. Here we report the discovery of potent pantothenamide bioisosteres that are active against blood-stage P. falciparum and also block onward mosquito transmission. These compounds are resistant to degradation by serum pantetheinases, show favorable pharmacokinetic properties and clear parasites in a humanized rodent infection model. Metabolomics revealed that CoA biosynthetic enzymes convert pantothenamides into drug-conjugates that interfere with parasite acetyl-CoA anabolism. In vitro generated resistant parasites showed mutations in acetyl-CoA synthetase and acyl-CoA synthetase 11, confirming the key roles of these enzymes in the sensitivity to pantothenamides. These new pantothenamides provide a promising class of antimalarial drugs with a unique mode of action. One sentence summary Pantothenamides form antimetabolites that interfere with acetyl-CoA metabolism in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Transcriptome Analysis of Non‐Coding RNAs in Livestock Species: Elucidating the Ambiguity

The recent remarkable development of transcriptomics technologies, especially next generation sequencing technologies, allows deeper exploration of the hidden landscapes of complex traits and creates great opportunities to improve livestock productivity and welfare. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins, are key transcriptional regulators of health and production traits, thus, transcriptomics analyses of ncRNAs are important for a better understanding of the regulatory architecture of livestock phenotypes. In this chapter, we present an overview of common frameworks for generating and processing RNA sequence data to obtain ncRNA transcripts. Then, we review common approaches for analyzing ncRNA transcriptome data and present current state of the art methods for identification of ncRNAs and functional inference of identified ncRNAs, with emphasis on tools for livestock species. We also discuss future challenges and perspectives for ncRNA transcriptome data analysis in livestock species.
FORMATION OF CHARACTER AND IMAGE OF SPORTSMAN AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN MASS MEDIA (continuation of the article №2, 2019)

As with any large organization, the core value of a professional sports club and its affiliates should be to build and maintain a strong image, which can naturally be the best tool for maintaining a positive reputation for the organization and its members, a well-formed image can be a competitive advantage over other athletes, and that is why there is an increasing focus not only on the image of the organization but also on the image formation of athletes in the media. The research aim - to analyze the image elements and their significance in shaping the image of the athlete in the media. The objectives of the research : Conclusions. Athlete's image consists of structural elements such as the athlete's experience, which includes competitive style, athletic mastery and behaviour during competitions, attractive appearance, expressed in physical and social attractiveness, style, clothing, body beauty, and demonstrated lifestyle that is characterized by a distinctive life story, relationship endeavors where the athlete is a role model and based on the lifestyle the image and athlete's reputation are formed. While social responsibility and reputation retention play an important role. An attractive image of an athlete may in part result in advertising space, television coverage or increased sponsorship. The media plays a key role in shaping the image of the athlete and is an important tool in the process. an individual's area of activity that focuses on the collection, processing and dissemination of relevant information through a variety of means. ―It is an organized dissemination of information in the system of public information organizers and mass media; organizers of public information, the media; publications in the press, broadcasts on and television‖.
Climate and amphibian body size: a new perspective gained from the fossil record

In recent years several studies have been carried out to test the validity of Bergmann’s rule for amphibians, and have generated varying results. Due to the lack of agreement on this topic, here we examine the relationship between climate and body size for one anuran species (Bufo calamita, commonly known as the natterjack toad) with a new methodological approach that uses the fossil record as the data source. We analysed bones from two archaeo-paleontological sites located close to each other in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) that together encompass more than one million years from Early to Late Pleistocene. We used ordinary least squares (OLS) simple regression models to integrate body size and palaeoclimatic data (temperature and precipitation) and describe the relationship between the amphibian’s body size and climate along the entire temporal gradient. We found the body size of B. calamita to be negatively related to the mean annual temperature and the mean temperature of the coldest month, and positively related to December-to-February precipitation. The climatic influence was stronger in females, which were smaller than males in most cases, and therefore an inverse sexual size dimorphism pattern was found. Juvenile individuals or the limited sexual size dimorphism of this species may be causes of this unusual pattern. Bufo calamita populations showed a clear Bergmann cline during the Pleistocene period, and winter stands out as the most influential season. Although this new methodology can only be used to describe patterns, we discuss several mechanisms that could explain our results. We propose that starvation resistance and delayed maturation are the main causes for this increase in size in periods with cooler winters, and a fecundity-related hypothesis to explain why climate has a greater influence on female body size.
Preparation of anti-reflective and protective diamond-like carbon film on Si substrate by femto-second pulsed laser deposition

A femtosecond pulsed laser(800 nm, 120 fs, 3 W, 1 000 Hz) was used to deposit diamond-like carbon(DLC) films on Si substrate. Effects of bias, substrate temperature and oxygen ambient on DLC films were studied. Experiments show that the best DLC film was deposited under the conditions of room temperature, no bias and low oxygen pressure(2 Pa). The hydrogenfree DLC film was deposited on one side of Si substrate, and on the other side, the common anti-reflective film was pre-deposited. The average transmittance at 3~5 μm waveband was larger than 90%, and the nano-hardness was up to 40 GPa. There were no nicks on the film after being rubbed for 105 times by a 9.8 N rubber. Furthermore, the films have passed the high temperature, low temperature and salt-fog tests in military standards. T
Vaccine Hesitancy and Attributions for Autism among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Groups of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Little is known about how racial/ethnic differences may influence attributions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and subsequent vaccine hesitancy, the latter of which refers to a continuum of concerns about vaccine safety that may lead to vaccine delays and/or refusals. Two hundred and twenty‐five parents of children with ASD who were enrolled in the SPARK cohort (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge) completed the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines survey and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire. 28.9% of respondents (n = 65) were vaccine hesitant (PACV score ≥ 50). Significant differences were observed between proportions of vaccine‐hesitant parents (VHP) in the White sample and combined samples of color (Asian, Black, Latinx, Multiracial, and Other): 22.8% of the White sample (n = 39) versus 48.1% of the samples of color (n = 26). White, non‐hesitant parents more often agreed with the child's brain structure as a cause of their child's ASD, while White, VHP more often agreed with the deterioration of the child's immunity as a cause. All VHP (regardless of race) agreed more often with diet, their own decisions, and vaccines as causes. VHP of color more often agreed with accident or injury, environmental pollution, their own general stress, and their own emotional state as causes. Future work should examine this phenomenon in larger, diverse samples to further understand differences across specific racial/ethnic groups.
Funktionelle Rekonstitution von Connexonen in artifizielle Membranen: Expression, Reinigung und Charakterisierung von Connexin 43

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most prominent member of the connexin family in mammalian tissues. In biological lipid membranes, six connexin subunits assemble into a hemichannel (connexon). Direct communication of apposing cells is realized by two adjacent hemichannels, forming gap junction channels. Membrane channel proteins are pivotal for communication between cells. Dysfunctional ion channels are associated to diseases like osteoporosis, epilepsy, ataxia, myotonia and cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, there is an interest in studying these channel proteins to elucidate their functional properties and determine how to manipulate their functionality. This is commonly carried out by ion channel recordings, which require invasive contacting by voltage clamp methods in cells. The alternative approach taken here was to utilize connexon-doped artificial membranes for electrical coupling of connexon-expressing cells via gap junction channels. In this work, an expression system in Pichia pastoris to recombinantly produce and purify Cx43 as well as Cx43 fused to green fluorescent protein (Cx43
New records of aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Greece

Τις τeλeυταίeς δυο δeκαeτίeς έχουν δημοσιeυθeί αρκeτές eργασίeς σχeτικές μe την αφιδοπανίδα της Eλλάδας. Ωστόσο, ο αριθμός των καταγeγραμμένων eιδών αφίδων eίναι αρκeτά μικρότeρος από άλλeς Eυρωπαϊκές χώρeς, συμπeριλαμβανομένων αυτών στη λeκάνη της Μeσογeίου. Στην παρούσα eργασία συλλέξαμe δeίγματα αφίδων από διάφορους ξeνιστές και πeριοχές της νότιας, κeντρικής και βόρeιας Eλλάδας. Συνολικά συλλέχθηκαν 128 eίδη αφίδων, που ανήκουν σe 55 γένη και έξι υποοικογένeιeς, από 200 eίδη φυτών-ξeνιστών. Τα πeρισσότeρα eίδη αφίδων ανήκαν στην υποοικογένeια Aphidinae (eιδικά στις φυλές Macrosiphini και Aphidini). Δeκαοκτώ από τα συλλeχθέντα eίδη eίναι νέeς αναφορές για την Eλλάδα. Τα αποτeλέσματα της παρούσας eργασίας αυξάνουν τη γνώση μας σχeτικά μe την αφιδοπανίδα της Eλλάδας και δeίχνουν ότι ο αριθμός των καταγeγραμμένων eιδών στην Eλλάδα μπορeί να αυξηθeί σημαντικά αν πραγματοποιηθούν eπιπλέον σχeτικές μeλέτeς.
Anatomical connectivity networks of the human brain

The human brain consist of billions of brain cells and quadrillions of connection between them. This complexity means that studying brain at cell level is often both impossible and unnecessary. The brain can be roughly divided to cerebral cortex which has neural cell bodies and the interior which has the connections between the cells. When doing brain research the cerebral cortex is usually divided to areas and connections between these areas are studied. Different kind of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based methods are often used in brain research. Their benefit is that the brain can be scanned in vivo. In this theses datasets collected with two different kind of MRI methods are used. With Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) it is possible to study diffusion in the interior of brain and thus find how different areas of brain cortex are connected. Functional MRI (fMRI) can detect which brain areas are activated at each moment. For both DTI and fMRI data it is possible to form graphs where the nodes are brain areas and edges are connections between them. In DTI-graphs an edge is strong if there are a lot of physical connections between the areas and in fMRI-graphs when the areas often activate at the same time. Networks can be created with different algorithms and using different parameters. DTIand fMRI-networks can be studied computationally with complex networks tools. There are plenty of tools that can be used to get simple measures which help comparing different graphs or datasets of graphs. In this theses two datasets were used. The first dataset includes DTI and fMRI data for same patients. The second dataset includes only DTI data, but the data is considered to be of really good quality. First the DTI networks from the first datasets was analysed and compares to properties found in other studies. The results were similar. Then the both DTI datasets were compared. In the second dataset the graphs were much denser and similar to each other than in the first one. Finally the DTI and fMRI networks in the first dataset were compared. There was only a little correspondence in graphs gotten with different imaging methods. There might be many reasons for the differences both inside and between the datasets. Data is collected with different devices, there are many ways to create the graphs from imaging data and choosing parameters isn’t straightforward. More analysis using different options should be done to find the reasons for these differences.
Testing the Role of an Arf GTPase-activating Protein dASAP in Epithelial Cell Polarity in the Drosophila Embryo

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iii A part of the results presented in this thesis was previously published in: . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES . xi LIST OF FIGURES . xii LIST OF APPENDICES . xv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xv
Anthropometric and genetic determinants of cardiac morphology and function

and oral presentation – The Biology of Genomes 2015, May 2015: Meyer H, de Marvao A, Dawes T, Shi W, Diamond T, Rueckert D, Pettreto E, Bottolo L, O'Regan D, Cook S, Birney E. Understanding cardiac structure and function in humans using 4D imaging genetics. Abstract and moderated poster presentation – 18 th Annual Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Scientific Sessions / EuroCMR Conference, February 2015: de Marvao A, Dawes T, Shi W, Durighel G, Rueckert D, Cook S, O'Regan D. Adverse changes in left ventricular structure begin at normotensive systolic blood pressures: a high resolution MRI study. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.and moderated poster presentation – 18 th Annual Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Scientific Sessions / EuroCMR Conference, February 2015: de Marvao A, Dawes T, Shi W, Durighel G, Rueckert D, Cook S, O'Regan D. Adverse changes in left ventricular structure begin at normotensive systolic blood pressures: a high resolution MRI study. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. 2015;17(Suppl 1):M11. Abstract – 18 th Annual Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Scientific Sessions / EuroCMR Conference, February 2015: Alenaini W, O'Regan D, de Marvao A, Dawes T, Shi W, Cook S. Three dimensional modelling of the effect of arterial pulse wave velocity and body size on left ventricular geometry. Journal of Cardiovascular 18 th Annual Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Scientific Sessions / EuroCMR Conference, February 2015: Alenaini W, O'Regan D, de Marvao A, Dawes T, Shi W, Cook S. Three dimensional modelling of the effect of arterial pulse wave velocity and body size on left ventricular geometry. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. 2015;17(Suppl 1):O44. Poster presentation The North-West Thames Foundation School Academic Symposium, July 2013: Gandhi A, Tokarczuk P, Dawes T, De Marvao A, Durighel G, Steenkamp K, Quinlan M, Buzaco R, Corden B, De Cesare A, Cook S, O’Regan D. Pulmonary Artery Pulse Wave Velocity: A New, Robust and Reproducible Assessment Method. Abstract and Poster presentation British Cardiovascular Society Conference, July 2013: de Marvao A, Dawes T , Keenan N, Minas C, Shi W, Durighel G, Diamond T, Cook S,and Poster presentation British Cardiovascular Society Conference, July 2013: de Marvao A, Dawes T , Keenan N, Minas C, Shi W, Durighel G, Diamond T, Cook S,
THE POPULATION OF FLIES IN CIKOLOTOK LANDFILL, PASAWAHAN DISTRICT, PURWAKARTA REGENCY, INDONESIA

Background: The flies act as mechanical vectors of disease to the digestive tract, such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and others. There are a lot of flies in a variety of habitats, one of the preferred habitat is on landfills. The first step to controlling flies is a preliminary survey with collecting data about the population of flies. In the Cikolotok landfill, it has never done a survey population of flies. Aims: This study aims to look the number of flies and the priority area for fly control, the most active time of flies, and species of flies in Cikolotok landfill, Pasawahan District, Purwakarta Regency, Indonesia. Methods: This study was an observational-descriptive research. The flies were observed based on the fly that caught by the flypaper trap and cone trap mounted on 3 areas, i.e. area of sorting garbage, area of stockpiling garbage and area of waste treatment. Data were analyzed by univariate method. Results: The results showed that the density of flies in Cikolotok landfill per point range between 0- 179 flies/15 minutes in every 2-hour. The area that had the highest number of flies is area of sorting garbage with 528 flies. The most active time of flies was in a span of 7:00-9:00 am. The species of flies were found are Chrysomya megacephala (52%), Musca domestica (45%) and Sarcophaga bullata (3%). Conclusion: Sorting garbage area has the highest number of flies and C. megacephala more found in landfill because of physical condition of garbage and the condition of area itself. The flies are more active in a span of 07:00-09:00 due to the condition of physical environment. Monitoring, fly control, research about fly-borne disease and relocation of cattle are needed to control the flies and the effects.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Echinocodon Lobophyllus (Campanulaceae) revealed by next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic implication

Abstract The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Echinocodon lobophyllus was determined by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The results showed that the complete plastid genome was 169,419 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) of 85,599 bp and a small single copy (SSC) of 8054 bp, which were separated by a pair of 37,883 bp inverted repeats (IRs). A total of 109 unique genes were annotated, including 75 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Among these genes, 16 genes contained one or two introns. The overall GC contents of the plastid genome were 38.4%. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that E. lobophyllus and Codonopsis minima formed one clade at the base of the phylogenetic tree of Campanulaceae with a high support value.
Differences in the sounds of Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) between two areas of south-eastern and southern Brazil

Abstract Cetacean populations can adjust their sound repertoire depending on the environment they are in, their population structure and the activities they are performing. Our goal was to characterize and compare, qualitatively and quantitatively, the sound repertoire of Sotalia guianensis in two areas of south-eastern and southern Brazil. We expected to find similar sound repertoires between the two regions, as they are geographically close and are part of the same complex estuarine. Acoustical parameters of the whistles, burst pulses and clicks were recorded during both daytime and night-time hours. They were compared between areas through Chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. The samples resulted in 3,630 recorded whistles, 631 burst pulses and 44 low-frequency narrow-band sounds, with echolocation clicks present in 50.98% of the total minutes analysed. The occurrence rate of all sounds and the acoustic parameters of the whistles and clicks differed between the two areas, so our initial hypothesis was rejected. We highlighted environmental differences, behaviour exhibited by animals, number of individuals and group size and low exchange of individuals between areas as possible explanations that might account for these results, based on our knowledge of the species and areas of study, as well as a substantial literature on the physical and biological characteristics of the sounds.
Multimodal Study of Resting-State Functional Connectivity Networks using EEG electrodes position as seed

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the standard diagnosis method for a wide variety of diseases such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, encephalopathies, and coma, among others. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI) is currently a technique used in research in both healthy individuals as well as patients. EEG and fMRI are procedures used to obtain direct and indirect measurements of brain neural activity: EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp, and fMRI detects the changes in blood oxygenation that occur in response to neural activity. EEG has a high temporal resolution and low spatial resolution, while fMRI has high spatial resolution and low temporal resolution. Thus, the combination of EEG with rs-fMRI using different methods could be very useful for research and clinical applications. In this article, we describe and show the results of a new methodology for processing rs-fMRI using seeds positioned according to the 10-10 EEG standard. We analyze the functional connectivity and adjacency matrices obtained using 65 seeds based on 10-10 EEG scheme and 21 seeds based on 10-20 EEG. Connectivity networks are created using each 10-20 EEG seeds and are analyzed by comparisons to the seven networks that have been found in recent studies. The proposed method captures high correlation between contralateral seeds, ipsilateral and contralateral occipital seeds, and some in the frontal lobe.