Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of kisspeptin in energy balance

There is an increased chance of developing infertility in overweight and underweight individuals, which highlights the relationship between fertility and energy balance. Energy balance is controlled by the appetite regulating system, found in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, consisting of orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides. Neuropeptide Y (Npy), an orexigenic neuropeptide stimulates food intake/decreases energy expenditure, while pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) acts in the opposite manner, decreasing food intake/increasing energy expenditure. Kisspeptin neurons are also found in the ARC. Kisspeptin, encoded from the Kiss1 gene, is a neuropeptide critical for fertility – stimulating gonadotrophic releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons via Kiss1r, the kisspeptin receptor. Kiss1r is also expressed in additional brain areas and peripheral tissues indicating a non-reproductive role. Recently, the metabolic profile of Kiss1r knockout (KO) mice was revealed. These mice are infertile but also have an obese and diabetic phenotype. The mechanism behind this altered metabolism remained unknown. The aim of this thesis was to examine how the obese phenotype develops in Kiss1r KO mice. This was achieved through three in vivo studies in male and female WT and Kiss1r KO mice. Firstly, Chapter 5 investigated whether Kiss1r KO mice develop their metabolic phenotype via altered gene expression in the hypothalamic appetite regulating system. Using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Npy and Pomc gene expression were examined. Genes were investigated at the age prior to notable changes in body weight in Kiss1r KO mice (8 weeks) and when the metabolic phenotype appeared fully established (20 weeks). To exclude sex steroid regulation on metabolism, gonadectomised (GNX) cohorts were included. Interestingly, gonad intact Kiss1r KO mice exhibited higher Pomc gene expression, which appeared to be sex steroid dependent because no changes were evident in GNX WT and Kiss1r KO mice. Although Kiss1r KO mice were hyperleptinemic, it was concluded that the obese phenotype in Kiss1r KO mice was not caused by alterations in hypothalamic feeding circuits. Chapter 6 focused on the potential origins of the obese phenotype in Kiss1r KO mice in peripheral tissues. The same ages from Chapter 5 were used and metabolic gene expression was examined in the liver, skeletal muscle, white and brown adipose tissue (all expressing Kiss1r). Chapter 6 showed that obesity in Kiss1r KO mice was associated
Soil type and interannual variation shape unique fungal pathogen communities on nearby populations of a California native bunchgrass

The role of infectious disease in regulating host populations is increasingly recognized, but how environmental conditions affect pathogen communities and infection levels remains poorly understood. Over three years, we compared foliar disease burden, fungal pathogen community composition, and plant tissue chemistry in the perennial bunchgrass Stipa pulchra on nearby serpentine and nonserpentine soils that have distinct chemical properties and plant communities. We found that serpentine and nonserpentine S. pulchra experienced consistent, low disease pressure associated with distinct communities of pathogens, that interannual fungal species turnover differed with soil type, and that plant chemistry reflected soil chemistry. The results indicate that this species experiences minimal foliar disease associated with diverse fungal pathogen communities that are structured by environmental conditions. Highly variable conditions associated with fungal species turnover may create a refuge from disease outbreaks for S. pulchra, contributing to the low disease burden observed on this and other Mediterranean grassland species.
Hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic, hepatoprotective and antilipid peroxidation activities of hydromethanol leaf extract of Helianthus annuus in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Purpose: To investigate the hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic, hepatoprotective and anti-lipid peroxidation effects of hydromethanol leaf extract of Helianthus annuus (HLEHA) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The extract was administered once daily at 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg for 21 consecutive days. Glibenclamide (GLB) 2 mg/kg was used as a reference drug (positive control) and 5 % Tween-20 solution in water was used as negative control. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weights were measured on days 7, 14 and 21 while glycosylated haemoglobin concentration (HbA1c), serum markers of liver function, lipid profile, antioxidant status, histopathological changes in pancreas and liver were determined 24 h after the last dosing on day 21. Results: The GLB and HLEHA caused significant (p < 0.05) time-dependent weight gains in the treated rats when compared with 5 % Tween-20 treated rats. The HLEHA and GLB caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in FBG, HbA1c, malondialdehyde, and lipid profile levels in the treated rats when compared with rats in 5% tween-20 treated group. Alloxan-induced pancreatic and hepatic degeneration were reversed in GLB- and HLEHA-treated rats. Conclusion: Helianthus annuus demonstrates potent antidiabetic, antioxidant and antidyslipidemic activities in rats. Keywords: Antidiabetic, Antidyslipidemic, Helianthus annuus , Medicinal plant, Traditional medicine
Linear Recursive Non-Local Edge-Aware Filter

It is challenging to extend the support region of state-of-the-art local edge-preserving filtering approaches to the entire input image on account of huge memory cost and heavy computational burden. In this paper, we propose an $O(N)$ time recursive non-local edge-aware filter. A novel graph and a linear time algorithm are presented to effectively propagate information across the entire image. In this graph, information is propagated along all directions to avoid visual artifacts. Both the intensity similarity and the spatial affinity are utilized to estimate the similarity of neighboring pixels, and the distance of any two pixels is the length of the path between these two pixels on a binary tree. Specifically, the input image is filtered at four directions, namely left-to-right, right-to-left, top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top. In each pass, the un-normalized output and the normalization constant of the root node are computed recursively from leaf nodes to the root node on a binary tree in linear time. The filtering output is the average of the outputs for these four directions. A comparison with other non-local edge-aware filters is presented to show the advantages of our approach. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our recursive non-local edge-preserving filter is effective in a variety of computer vision and image processing applications, including edge-aware filtering, detail enhancement, stylization, and stereo matching.
Development of maize single cross hybrids for tolerance to low phosphorus

Low available phosphorus (P) is one of the major hindrances to maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in acid soils. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop P-efficient maize inbred lines, (2) develop single cross hybrids from the P-efficient inbred lines, and (3) determine their response to P application in the P-deficient acid soils of western Kenya. Ninety-eight inbred lines and 49 single crosses were developed and screened at P-deficient (2.0 to 2.2 mg P/kg soil) soils of Sega and Bumala. Mean grain yield (GY) for the hybrids was 75.3% higher with P-fertilizer than without P for the same hybrids. Thirty-three percent (33%) of these hybrids were inefficient but responsive to P application, 27% were efficient and none responsive, only 13% were efficient and responsive, while the rest were inefficient and non-responsive. GY was positively correlated (r = 0.57**) with plant height (PH) and ear height (EH) (r = 0.60**) and PH was correlated with EH (r = 0.86***). This study has developed and identified P-efficient maize germplasm that can be utilized directly or in developing other hybrids for use in acid soils of western Kenya and in other acid soils where P is limiting.
Music Education in the Thematic Lessons for Elementary Schools

Rarely are researches discussing about a theme-based music education intended for elementary school students found. The research on this topic, nonetheless, is particularly important to reveal whether or not the practice currently implemented by primary school teachers have met the principles of effective thematic lesson. This research is purposed to figure out the themes and songs along with dominant teaching method and teaching media utilized by teachers in the theme-based lessons. This research employs a mixed method research design. The results yielded by this research show that only a quarter of teachers (25%) have attempted to teach the entire lesson themes embedded in the Curriculum of 2013. Even though there are few irrelevant songs that teachers integrated into the lessons, majority of them have adhered to the lesson themes mandated by the curriculum. Additionally, cooperative learning is accounted for 57.9% of preferred teaching method by the teachers, while an individual learning (lecture) makes up the smallest proportion of teaching method used (12.3%). As for the teaching media employed, the threetop selected teaching media include book (69.73%), hand phone (60.5%), and computer (57.9%). Finally, a number of suggestions are addressed to the education practitioners and other related stakeholders about a more rigorous execution of a theme-based music education for primary schools.
Probing the circuits of conscious perception with magnetophosphenes

Objective. We aimed at characterizing, in non-invasive human brain recordings, the large-scale, coordinated activation of distant brain regions thought to occur during conscious perception. This process is termed ignition in the Global Workspace Theory, and integration in Integrated Information Theory, which are two of the major theories of consciousness. Approach. Here, we provide evidence for this process in humans by combining a magnetically-induced phosphene perception task with electroencephalography. Functional cortical networks were identified and characterized using graph theory to quantify the impact of conscious perception on local (segregation) and distant (integration) processing. Main results. Conscious phosphene perception activated frequency-specific networks, each associated with a specific spatial scale of information processing. Integration increased within an alpha-band functional network, while changes in segregation occurred in the beta band. Significance. These results bring novel evidence for the functional role of distinct brain oscillations and confirm the key role of integration processes for conscious perception in humans.
Isolation and Characterization of Mango Shoot Dieback Pathogen

DOI: 10.15580/GJAS.2019. 1.012119024 Mango, Mangifera indica, is an economically important tropical fruit, which is produced in many countries around the world, and this plant is affected by more than 140 different plant pathogens during its life cycle. The study was conducted to isolate and characterize causal pathogen (S) of mango shoot dieback. Samples were taken from top, middle and bottom of diseased mango canopy. The samples were cultured using PDA. Two fungal pathogen species: Colletotrichum spp. and Pestalotiopsis spp. were isolated. The isolates were characterized based on their colony growth (cm), colony color, colony shape, and colony growth orientation after their further purification. The mean length of the diameter of mycelia growth for the three representatives of all isolates, i.e. top, middle and bottom showed the isolates from middle of the crown of the mango tree exhibited relatively highest mean length (5.88 cm) diameter whereas the mean length of the diameter for the isolates from top and bottom were 4.63 cm and 5.63 cm respectively. The isolates from top showed the least mean diameter length (4.63 cm). The diameter length of isolated from top was significant to the isolates from middle and bottom. The color of colony at front side of isolates from which Colletotrichum spp. was identified showed whitish color whereas the same isolates had blackish and yellowish color at their reverse side. Pastalotiopsis spp. showed whitish and yellowish colors at their front and reverse sides respectively. Circular and irregular colony shape, and spreading and upward colony growth habit (orientation) was observed on both identified fungal pathogens. The overall results showed that mango shoot dieback can be caused by more than two pathogens with different morphological characteristics. Submitted: 21/01/2019 Accepted: 29/01/2019 Published: 10/03/2019
Phenotypic and Genotypic Differences in Invasive and Non-Invasive Strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a human pathogen and a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the causative agent of otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia. Children, elderly and patient with compromised immune system are at a higher risk to attain infection by these bacteria. According to immunochemistry of their capsular polysaccharide, S. pneumoniae has divided into more than 90 serotypes. Many surface proteins are present on S. pneumoniae e.g. surface protein A, pneumolycin, hyaluronate lyase etc. The capsule is a major virulent factor for pneumococci and it prevents the bacteria from phagocytosis by host’s immune system. Some antigenic determinants have also studied for their potential to prompt a protective immune response in different clinical trials and experiments. The population biology of S. pneumoniae has poorly understood. Most of the problems arise by the molecular characterization, well-sampled population from carriage and from various discloser pneumococcal diseases. To address this, a multilocus sequence typing scheme and database by sequencing-450 bp fragments of seven housekeeping loci from 295 isolates were developed. The allelic combination of seven loci gives a sequence type or allelic profile. This typing scheme was validated using pneumococci of known genetic relatedness and could resolves >6 billion sequence type. The multilocus sequence-typing scheme allocates a powerful new approach to the characterization of pneumococci, since it delivers molecular typing data that are electronically portable between laboratories, and which may use to probe aspects of the population and evolutionary biology of these organisms. In this project, we compared two different strains of S.pneumoniae to check which one is growing rapidly and observed the difference between invasive and non-invasive strains based on phenotype and genotype.
The Impact of Rapid Population Growth on Economic Growth: Evidence From Ethiopia

Rapid population growth is increasing from time to time as a result of high fertility and migration rate. This has a greater impact on the quality life of the society, in case of increasing number of unemployed peoples, lack of job opportunity, decrease in land share, infrastructure and so on. The objective of this study aimed to examine the impact of rapid population on economic growth of Ethiopia country by employing Autoregressive distributed lag model for the time period spanning from 1975 to 2019. The variables used in model were, population, consumer price index, gross investment proxied by gross capital formation and trade openness as explanatory variables and RGDP proxy for economic growth used as dependent variable. To check stationarity properties of the data augmented dickey fuller unit root test was used and the result indicates all the variables are non-stationary at level and become stationary at first difference. Regarding cointegration test, ARDL bound test used to test the existence of long-run association among the variables and the result confirmed that there is long run relationship among RGDP and explanatory variables. The empirical result obtained from ARDL Model revealed that gross capital formation and consumer price index have found to be positive and statistical significant impact on RGDP in both short run and long run where as our variable of interest meaning population growth is negatively affecting real GDP in the short run but, in the long run it is found to be positive and statistical significantly affecting economic growth. Keywords : population growth, economic growth, ARDL, Bound test, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-15-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2020
Thermal acclimation of leaf respiration consistent with optimal plant function

Leaf mitochondrial (9dark9) respiration (Rd) is a key process influencing the feedback between climate change and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Yet no accepted theory accounts for its widely observed acclimation to temperature. Because Rd is closely linked to the maintenance of photosynthetic capacity (Vcmax), we propose that Rd thermal acclimation is predictable via the 9co-ordination hypothesis9 whereby optimal Vcmax is just sufficient to use average available resources. Predictions are compared to a global set of measurements from 110 sites spanning all biomes. Acclimated Rd and Vcmax (at growth temperature) are predicted to increase by 3.7% and 5.5% per °C respectively; whereas after correction to 25 °C, both are predicted to decline with growth temperature. These predictions are closely and quantitatively supported by the data. Thus we provide a parsimonious theory for Rd and its thermal acclimation, whose fidelity to observations implies that field-measured Rd is driven by photosynthetic demand.
HISTIDINE – A LIMITING AMINO ACID FOR LACTATING DAIRY COWS FED REDUCED-PROTEIN DIETS

Three experiments were conducted (1) to evaluate the effects of supplementing a reduced-protein diet with a ruminally available source of N and rumen-protected (RP) limiting AA on performance of lactating cows; (2) to determine the specific effects of His supplementation on lactation performance of dairy cows fed a reduced-protein diet; and (3) to investigate the effects of feeding a His-deficient diet on lactational performance and the endogenous His-reserves of dairy cows. The objective for the first study was to investigate the effects of slow-release urea and rumen-protected Met (RPMet) and rumen-protected His (RPHis) supplementation of a reduced-protein diet [deficient in metabolizable protein (MP), according to the National Research Council (NRC, 2001)] on lactation performance of dairy cows. We hypothesized that slow-release urea supplementation would alleviate the previously observed negative effect of lower ruminal N availability on total-tract fiber digestibility. We also hypothesized that supplementation of RPMet and specifically RPHis may increase dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk protein yield (MPY). Sixty lactating Holstein cows were used in a 10-wk randomized complete block-design trial. Cows were fed a covariate diet for 2 wk (i.e., baseline period during which all cows are fed the same diet) and then assigned to one of the following treatments: MP-adequate diet (AMP), MP-deficient diet (DMP), DMP supplemented with slow-release urea (DMPU), DMPU supplemented with RPMet (DMPUM), and DMPUM supplemented with RPHis (DMPUMH). The DMP diet did not affect DMI, yields of milk, and milk components, despite a reduction in nutrient digestibility, compared to AMP. Urinary N and urea-N
Vulnerable: The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19

Effective pandemic management requires a clear and straightforward structure of communication and accountability. Yet the political realities of Canadian federalism preclude this. The fundamental theme of pandemic management in Canada is thus the tension between the need to make clear, coherent, and timely decisions, on the one hand, and the need to involve an exceptionally large array of political actors across different levels of government, on the other. The sudden outbreak of SARS in 2003 exposed several problems in coordinating the public health system. This led to a major restructuring of public health institutions in Canada. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic tested these reforms and identified new issues underlying the coordination of governmental actors. This chapter presents the legal and institutional context within which COVID-19 has emerged, and identifies both lessons learned from the past and the challenges that remain. * McCulloch Professor of Political Science, Dalhousie University. ** Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.
Dynamic properties of internal noise probed by modulating binocular rivalry

Neural systems are inherently noisy, and this noise can affect our perception from moment to moment. This is particularly apparent in binocular rivalry, where our perception of competing stimuli shown to the left and right eyes alternates over time in a seemingly random fashion. We investigated internal noise using binocular rivalry by modulating rivalling stimuli using dynamic sequences of external noise of various rates and amplitudes. As well as measuring the effect on dominance durations, we repeated each external noise sequence twice, and assessed the consistency of percepts across repetitions. External noise modulations with standard deviations above 4% contrast increased consistency scores above baseline, and were most effective at 1/8Hz. A computational model of rivalry in which internal noise has a 1/f (pink) temporal amplitude spectrum, and a standard deviation of 16%, provided the best account of our data, and was able to correctly predict perception in additional conditions. Our novel technique provides detailed estimates of the dynamic properties of internal noise during binocular rivalry, and by extension the stochastic processes that drive our perception and other types of spontaneous brain activity. Significance statement Although our perception of the world appears constant, sensory representations are variable because of the ‘noisy’ nature of biological neurons. Here we used a binocular rivalry paradigm, in which conflicting images are shown to the two eyes, to probe the properties of this internal variability. Using a novel paradigm in which the contrasts of rivalling stimuli are modulated by two independent external noise streams, we infer the amplitude and character of this internal noise. The temporal amplitude spectrum of the noise has a 1/f spectrum, similar to that of natural visual input, and consistent with the idea that the visual system evolved to match its environment.
Modeling of a square-shape ZnO, ZnS and AlN membrane for mems capacitive pressure-sensor applications

In this paper, mathematical modeling and simulation of a MEMS-based clamped square-shape membrane for capacitive pressure sensors have been performed. Three types of membrane materials were investigated (i.e. Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) and Aluminum Nitride (AlN)). Various performance parameters such as capacitance changes, deflection, nonlinearity, the sensitivity of the membrane structure for different materials and film-thicknesses have been considered using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and analytically determined using the FORTRAN environment. The simulation model outperforms in terms of the effective capacitance value. The results show that the membrane deflection is linearly related to the applied pressure. The ZnS membrane provides a capacitance of 0.023 pico-Farad at 25 kPa with a 42.5% relative capacitance changes to reference capacitance. Additionally, the results show that for ZnO and AlN membranes the deflection with no thermal stress is higher than that with thermal stress. However, an opposite behavior for the ZnS membrane structure has been observed. The mechanical and capacitance sensitivities are affected by the membrane thickness as the capacitance changes are inversely proportional to the membrane thickness. Such results open possibilities to utilize various materials for pressure sensor applications by means of the capacitance-based detection technique.