Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On α-synuclein in the Human Enteric Nervous System

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease resulting primarily from loss of dopaminergic innervation in the striatum subsequent to cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The abnormal accumulation of the normal pre-synaptic protein α-synuclein (αsyn) forms intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy neurites and Lewy bodies. The origins of central Lewy pathology have been suggested to lie in the enteric nervous system, ascending through the vagus nerve to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. To ascertain gastrointestinal regions most likely to be the source of central Lewy pathology, αsyn expression was evaluated in the neural elements of gastrointestinal regions receiving the densest vagal innervation. The vermiform appendix was found to have the densest αsynimmunoreactive innervation in all layers of the gut wall. In addition, macrophages in the appendiceal mucosa were laden with αsyn within lysosomes, consistent with attempts to prevent the spread of disease or to correct synaptic dysfunction.
Visual-spatial processing impairment in the occipital-frontal connectivity network at early stages of Alzheimer’s disease

Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, but its pathophysiological phenomena are not fully elucidated. Many neurophysiological markers have been suggested to identify early cognitive impairments of AD. However, the diagnosis of this disease remains a challenge for specialists. In the present cross-sectional study, our objective was to evaluate the manifestations and mechanisms underlying visual-spatial deficits at the early stages of AD. Methods We combined behavioral, electroencephalography (EEG), and eye movement recordings during the performance of a spatial navigation task (a virtual version of the Morris Water Maze adapted to humans). Participants (69–88 years old) with amnesic mild cognitive impairment–Clinical Dementia Rating scale (aMCI–CDR 0.5) were selected as probable early AD (eAD) by a neurologist specialized in dementia. All patients included in this study were evaluated at the CDR 0.5 stage but progressed to probable AD during clinical follow-up. An equal number of matching healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated while performing the navigation task. Data were collected at the Department of Neurology of the Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile and the Department of Neuroscience of the Faculty of Universidad de Chile. Results Participants with aMCI preceding AD (eAD) showed impaired spatial learning and their visual exploration differed from the control group. eAD group did not clearly prefer regions of interest that could guide solving the task, while controls did. The eAD group showed decreased visual occipital evoked potentials associated with eye fixations, recorded at occipital electrodes. They also showed an alteration of the spatial spread of activity to parietal and frontal regions at the end of the task. The control group presented marked occipital activity in the beta band (15–20 Hz) at early visual processing time. The eAD group showed a reduction in beta band functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortices reflecting poor planning of navigation strategies. Discussion We found that EEG signals combined with visual-spatial navigation analysis, yielded early and specific features that may underlie the basis for understanding the loss of functional connectivity in AD. Still, our results are clinically promising for early diagnosis required to improve quality of life and decrease healthcare costs.
Face recognition in low-resolution images under small sample conditions with face-part detection and alignment

Om menselijke gebruikers te ondersteunen bij dagelijkse taken, moeten computers op de hoogte zijn van de aanwezigheid en identiteit van mensen. Tegenwoordig is het heel makkelijk om beeldinformatie te verkrijgen door middel van bijvoorbeeld smart phones. Daarom worden KI-gebaseerde algoritmen voor gezichtsdetectie en gezichtsherkenning steeds belangrijker. Gezichtsherkenning is een zeer eenvoudige en handige techniek vergeleken met andere biometrische methoden zoals vingerafdruk- of irisherkenning. Echter, deze techniek is niet erg robuust vergeleken met menselijke prestaties en minder betrouwbaar dan alternatieve biometrische methoden. Dit komt doordat er veel variaties in foto's en video voorkomen (bijvoorbeeld verlichting, pose), die uitdagende problemen voor een gezichtsherkenningsalgoritme creeren. In dit proefschrift hebben we ons vooral gericht op drie van deze uitdagingen. De eerste twee zijn de lokalisatie en de uitlijning in draairichting van gezichten, die preprocessing stappen zijn voordat de herkenning plaatsvindt. De derde stap is gezichtsidentificatie zelf, op basis van zeer weinig trainingsdata. Voor de lokalisatie ontwikkelden we een oogdetector, die oogcentra lokaliseert op basis van een gedetecteerd gezicht. Rotatie-uitlijning wordt gedaan met behulp van de hoeken van deze oogcentra. We stellen twee nieuwe methoden voor om om te gaan met weinig leervoorbeelden. De experimenten leiden tot twee belangrijke conclusies: ten eerste kan een grote generieke dataset helpen om de prestaties van herkenning aanzienlijk te verbeteren voor nieuwe gezichten. Ten tweede, als het aantal foto's beperkt is, dan helpt het gebruik van vele patches om de identificatienauwkeurigheid te vergoten. Samenvattend, hoewel ons onderzoek bijdraagt aan het oplossen van gezichtsidentificatie wanneer slechts een kleine dataset beschikbaar is, is verder onderzoek noodzakelijk om robuustere resultaten te verkrijgen.
Morphological properties of Horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus Aleev, 1956 (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) from the Black Sea

Thirty two morphometrics and seven meristic characteristics were examined to evaluate the subpopulations from Varna Bay and Cape Igneada (Turkey, Black Sea coast) in 200 samples of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus). Morphological differences between two samples were marked. The differences between samples from Varna Bay and Cape Igneada (Turkey) were possible due to diversities in the habitat. Difference coefficient of transgression in all of examined parameters was found less than 1.28. Some morphometric changes occurred as the total body length increased in the sample from Cape Igneada. There is not enough evidence to distinguish two different horse mackerel subpopulations.
Modulatory Effect of Citrate Reduced Gold and Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles on α-Amylase Activity

Amylase is one of the important digestive enzymes involved in hydrolysis of starch. In this paper, we describe a novel approach to study the interaction of amylase enzyme with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and checked its catalytic function. AuNPs are synthesized using citrate reduction method and AgNPs were synthesized using biological route employing Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent to reduce silver nitrate to silver atoms. A modulatory effect of nanoparticles on amylase activity was observed. Gold nanoparticles are excellent biocompatible surfaces for the immobilization of enzymes. Immobilized amylase showed 1- to 2-fold increase of activity compared to free enzyme. The biocatalytic activity of amylase in the bioconjugate was marginally enhanced relative to the free enzyme in solution. The bioconjugate material also showed significantly enhanced pH and temperature stability. The results indicate that the present study paves way for the modulator degradation of starch by the enzyme with AuNPs and biogenic AgNPs, which is a promising application in the medical and food industry.
G alpha 12 and rhogef mediated regulation of neurotransmission in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The communication between neurons and other cells at chemical synapses, via the release of neurotransmitters, is a tightly regulated process. Regulation of the synaptic vesicle cycle, responsible for the release of neurotransmitters, controls the level of synaptic transmission. The identities of proteins involved in this regulation are gradually being elucidated using both in vitro and in vivo systems. In C. elegans adults the single Rho GTPase orthologue, RHO-1, stimulates neurotransmitter release at excitatory synapses at the neuromuscular junction. Expression of constitutively active RHO-1 increases release, whilst inhibition of endogenous RHO-1 by C3 transferase decreases release. RHO-1 stimulates release via two pathways, one that is dependent upon the diacylglycerol binding protein UNC-13 and the other that is independent of UNC-13. This thesis explores the upstream regulation of RHO-1. Data presented here suggests that one of the pathways acting upstream of RHO-1 in acetylcholine-releasing motor neurons depends upon Gcn2 (GPA-12), which acts via the single C. elegans RGS RhoGEF, (RHGF-1). Constitutively active GPA-12 has the same effect as constitutively active RHO-1, inducing the accumulation of diacylglycerol and the neuromodulator UNC-13 at release sites, and increased ACh release. All these effects are suppressed by mutation of RHGF-1. GPA-12 acts entirely in an UNC-13 dependent manner, suggesting the probability of other upstream pathways also stimulating RHO-1 to control neurotransmitter release.
Rastreamento cognitivo de idosos institucionalizados em instituições de longa permanência para idosos

O estudo objetivou caracterizar o estado mental dos idosos institucionalizadosresidentes na instituicao de longa permanencia para idosos Sao Vicente de Paulo deUba/MG, e verificar se existe correlacao entre as variaveis idade e nivel educacional.Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se o Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Paraanalise dos dados utilizou-se o metodo estatistico descritivo simples e a correlacao dePearson. Os resultados indicaram que nao houve correlacao entre a variavel idade e apontuacao do MEEM, mas da variavel nivel educacional. O baixo nivel educacional e olongo tempo de residencia em ILPIs sao fatores que tendem a favorecer odesenvolvimento de doencas que acometem o estado mental do idoso. Novasinvestigacoes sobre as alteracoes cognitivas dos idosos institucionalizados na referidadevem ser realizados, pois o MEEM e um instrumento de deteccao de perdas cognitivas,sendo necessaria uma avaliacao neuropsicologica mais detalhada para o diagnostico dedemencia.
The effect of microwave irradiation on the ultrastructure and internal fungi of soybean seed tissues.

The present work reports on the application of a non-destructive and effective microwave irradiation technique applied to soybean seeds in the context of its use in the control of the seed-associated fungi. Thirty seconds of irradiation had no deleterious effects on the viability, vigour, moisture content or ultrastructure of the seeds and virtually eliminated all internal fungi. After being irradiated for 30 s, neither axis nor cotyledon cells differed in ultrastructural appearance from the control material. The vigour and viability of seeds irradiated for 45 or 60 s were substantially affected, and associated deleterious changes in the axis ultrastructure occurred. After 45 s irradiation, changes in the nuclei and mitochondria of axis cells were evident, while tissues of the cotyledon remained unaffected. Irradiation for 60 s caused changes in cell walls, membranes, nuclei and other organelles of axis tissue, with cotyledonary tissues showing the greatest degree of disruption. The results are discussed in the context of the nature of water in the dehydrated seeds, and the effects of microwave energy both on water and subcellular structures.
Meningoencefalite trombótica-induzida por Histophilus somni em bovinos da região norte do Paraná

Thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TME) is a fatal neurological disease of cattle, predominantly from North America, that is caused by Histophilus somniwith sporadic descriptions from other countries. This manuscript describes the occurrence of spontaneous TME in cattle from northern Parana, Brazil. Most cattle had acute neurological manifestations characteristic of brain dysfunction. Hematological and cerebrospinal fluid analyses were not suggestive of bacterial infections of the brain. Histopathology revealed meningoencephalitis with vasculitis and thrombosis of small vessels that contained discrete neutrophilic and/or lymphocytic infiltrates admixed with fibrin at the brainstem, cerebral cortex, and trigeminal nerve ganglion of all animals. All tissues from the central nervous system used during this study were previously characterized as negative for rabies virus by the direct immunofluorescence assay. PCR and RT-PCR assays investigated the participation of infectious agents associated with bovine neurological disease by targeting specific genes of H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, bovine herpesvirus -1 and -5, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and ovine herpesvirus-2. PCR and subsequent sequencing resulted in partial fragments of the 16S rRNA gene of H. somni from brain sections of all animals with histopathological diagnosis of TME; all other PCR/RT-PCR assays were negative. These findings confirmed the participation of H. somni in the neuropathological disease observed in these animals, extend the geographical distribution of this disease, and support previous findings of H. somni from Brazil.
Genetic variation and geographical structure of five mouse‐sized opossums (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) throughout the Guiana Region

Aim and location To study the patterns of genetic variation and geographical structure of five forest‐dwelling didelphid species distributed throughout the Guiana Region (Marmosops parvidens, M. pinheiroi, Monodelphis brevicaudata, Marmosa murina, Micoureus demerarae) and place the results for wide‐ranging species (M. murina, M. demerarae) in the broader geographical context of the rest of the taxon ranges based on published data.
MANAGEMENT OF DAMPING-OFF CAUSED BY PYTHIUM SPP. IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

by Ana Vida C. Alcala, Ph.D. Washington State University July 2013 Chair: Lindsey J. du Toit Vegetable production is an important sector of the organic food industry in the Pacific Northwest USA. Significant acres of organic vegetable crops, particularly processing green pea and sweet corn, are grown in the semi-arid Columbia Basin of central Washington and north central Oregon, where Pythium damping-off can cause losses in early spring when cool and wet soil conditions are conducive to the disease. In this study, 37 certified organic fields were surveyed in the Columbia Basin for Pythium species, from which 305 isolates were baited and identified to 19 species. Pathogenicity tests of isolates of each species on pea in cool and wet soil conditions revealed isolates of 9 species were pathogenic, with differences in virulence among species and among isolates within species. Pythium ultimum (24.6% of the 305 isolates), P. irregulare group 1 (15.1%), and P. abappressorium (4.9%) were the most prevalent pathogenic species. Real-time PCR assays detected P. ultimum in 100% of the 37 fields compared to 78% for P. abappressorium, and 57% for P. irregulare group 1. Given the lack of highly effective seed treatments for damping-off control in organic production, organic seed and drench treatments were evaluated in five pea field trials in the
Relationship of invasive groundcover plant presence to evidence of disturbance in the forests of the upper midwest of the United States. Chapter 3.

Nonnative invasive plants (NNIPs) have been introduced to North America by humans since European settlement. Much like other exotic-invasive organisms, NNIPs typically have some advantage over native plants, such as prolific seed production and dispersal. Native forest ecosystems that developed over centuries are limited in their ability to compete against these invaders. Some species, such as kudzu, were deliberately introduced (Mitich 2000), while others were introduced inadvertently, such as in contaminated crop seed. Introduction, however, does not necessarily mean establishment. Although a particular NNIP may have a competitive advantage over native species, timing of emergence and seed dispersal, site quality, and other factors determine whether an NNIP will take hold in an ecosystem. Once established, NNIP threatens the sustainability of native forest composition, structure, function, and resource productivity (Webster et al. 2006).
Laboratory Studies in Integrated Principles of Zoology

Part 1 Introduction to the living animal: the microscope cell structure and division cell function gametogenesis and embryology tissue structure and function introduction to animal classification. Part 2 The diversity of life: the protozoa the sponges the radiate animals the acoelomate animals the pseudocoelomate animals the mollusca the annelids the chelicerae arthropods the crustacean arthropods the uniramia arthropods - myriapods and insects the echinoderms phylum chordate the fishes - lampreys, sharks, and bony fishes class amphibian class reptilia class aves class mammalia - the fetal pig. Part 3 Activity of life: ecological relationships of animals doing experiments in zoology. Appendices: instructor's resources for implementing exercises B - narcotizing methods C - some preservation methods D - aquariums and terrariums E - some sources of living material and prepared microslides.
Influence of Talent Management in Enhancing Organization Performance (Evidence from Service Sector Companies in Pakistan)

Talent management (TM) a new concept in Human resource management, yet it is difficult to measure. The role of TM in enhancing organizational performance is a critical challenge in where the strategic staff is considered as a talent of the organization. The present study aims to measure the influence of TM on organizational performance particularly in service sector companies in Pakistan. The study uses survey method to collect the data from the organization. Descriptive and inferential tests are performed. The results reveal the significant effect of talent management on organizational overall performance. The findings recommend the HR directors to design TM scheme for all levels of employees within organization. The results are useful for preparing strategies for employee attraction, retention, learning & development and career development. Keywords : Talent management, Human Resource management, organizational performance, service sector
Investigation on the essential oil of coriander from Bulgaria

The composition of the essential oils of Coriandrum sativum L. , obtained by hydrodistillation, steam distillation and hexane extraction, respectively, was analyzed by GC/MS. The highest yield of oil was obtained by extraction (1.63%) and the main components were linalool (63.3%), a-pin-ene (6.1%) and p-cymene (5.0%), In the oils, obtained by hydrodistillation and steam distillation, the content of these components was the highest.
The Bathypolypus-Benthoctopus problem of the North Atlantic lOctopodidaec Cephalopodar

Profound confusion among deep-water octopods of the genera Bathypolypus and Benthoctopus stems from misidentifications of the Atlantic Bathypolypus arcticus (Presch, 1849), which is here shown to consist of at least two allopatric species— the nominal form is a truly arctic species; the other, Octopus ba/rd/'/ Verrill, 1873, is a boreal cold-water form, which is reinstated as a Bathypolypus. A\h\rä species, Bathypolypus pugniger, n. sp. , of uncertain systematic position, occurs in a narrow belt along the southern limit of B. arcticus. Synonyms are discussed, and evidence is advanced that all records of Benthoctopus piscatorum (Verrill, 1879) are erroneous and that the type specimen is identical with B. bairdii. Using an amended generic diagnosis, a critical survey of all Bathypolypus species is given. Six species, all Atlantic, are recognized. Distribution and habitats are given, and a key and tables provided to facilitate identifications.
Permeability of terrain in particle-based models of Physarum Polycephalum

The slime mould Physarum Polycephalum exhibits foraging behaviour to optimize its nutrient intake while preserving a minimal internal nutrient transport network. Models of Physarum Polycephalum have been constructed because it displays interesting situational behaviour which can be used to tackle various problems. We present an implementation of a particle-based model of the behaviour of Physarum concerning the problem of network optimization. We show that terrain can be implemented in a particle-based model and describe the properties such a notion of terrain should possess. In addition, we provide a useful application for the implementation of this terrain. We present networks created by virtual Physarum in a simulated environment corresponding to a real world environment and show that some networks approximate actual transport networks of this environment. The results of the experiments performed may provide insight in the effects and usage of an abstract notion of terrain in particle-based models of Physarum Polycephalum.
The role of Erk MAPK pathway in CD4 T cell proliferation and differentiation

The Erk (Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) signaling pathway is thought to be critical for T cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. However, the role of Erk in Th1 and Th2 differentiation is controversial. Most of the previously published studies used a MEK inhibitor to examine the function of Erk in CD4 T helper cell and induced regulatory T cell differentiation; yet the role of Erk2 and its distinction from Erk1 in CD4 T effectors and regulatory cells remains unclear. In this study, we used germline Erk1 knockout mice and tamoxifen-regulated conditional Erk2 knockout mice to identify the role of these two major Erk isoforms within mature CD4 T cells. In vitro studies have revealed that Erk1 is dispensable for most aspects of CD4 T cell activation, while Erk2 performs several non-redundant functions. In the scope of this research project, we observed that Erk2 supported early CD4 T cell proliferation, as well as the differentiation of Th1, but not Th2 or Th17 cells. In addition, virus-specific Th1 responses in the absence of Erk2 were greatly impaired, Furthermore, the reduction in Erk2 signaling enhanced induced regulatory T cell (iTreg) function in vitro and in vivo. Both Erk1-/- and Erk2-/- nature regulatory T cells can suppress CD4 T cell proliferation similar to wild type. In addition, when compared to wild type T cells, we observed down-regulated DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), and increased phospho-Smad2/3 in Erk2-/- CD4 T cells cultured under iTreg conditions. We hypothesized that this decrease in DNMT and increase in TGFbeta signing is induced by an increase in Foxp3 expression. In summary, this study demonstrates that Erk2 plays an important role in CD4 T cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo
Untersuchung zur anaeroben Regulation des prp-Operons in Escherichia coli K12 im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung eines Propionatbiosensors

Escherichia coli ist in der Lage Propionat abzubauen und als Kohlenstoffquelle zu nutzen. Der 2-Methylcitrat-Zyklus, der durch die Gene des prpBCDE-Genclusters kodiert wird, ermoglicht den oxidativen Abbau von Propionat zu Pyruvat. Die Fahigkeit Propionat als Kohlenstoff- und Elektronenquelle nutzen zu konnen ist allerdings auf die aerobe Atmung beschrankt. In dieser Arbeit sollte daher der Propionatstoffwechsel von E. coli unter aeroben und anaeroben Bedingungen genauer untersucht werden.