Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing the rod bipolar cell signalplex using animal models of retinal dysfunction.

The extent and temporal characteristics of the GPCR signaling is shaped by the Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) proteins that promote G protein deactivation. With hundreds of the GPCRs and dozens of RGS proteins, compartmentalization plays key role in establishing signaling specificity. However, the molecular details and mechanisms of this process are poorly understood. Here we report that the R7 group of RGS regulators is controlled by the interaction with previously uncharacterized orphan
The influence of calf rearing methods and milking methods on performance traits of crossbred dairy cattle in Thailand 3. Calf performance

The experiment to investigate the effect of restricted suckling (RS) and bucket rearing (BR) involved 40 calves from crossbred dairy cows with 75 % or 87.5 % Holstein-Friesian (HF) genes from 4 days after birth to weaning at 84 days of age. From days 4 to 84 of age restricted suckling calves were allowed to suckle their dams up to 15 minutes post milking. Bucket reared calves were fed a total of 236 kg whole milk and received concentrate supplementation after day 56. All calves were kept indoor, received Brachiaria ruziziensis grass ad libitum from day 56 and had free access to water. RS calves exhibited no losses and only 3 illnesses, whereas three BR calves died and nine developed illnesses. Up to 84 days of age RS calves had a highly significant faster average daily gain (ADG) than BR calves (620 g vrs. 390 g) and a significant larger heart-girth. RS and BR calves had an estimated adjusted daily metabolisable energy (ME) intake from milk of 18.9 ME and 12.6 ME and from the whole ration of 18.9 ME and 14.3 ME, respectively. Intake of milk fat, milk protein, Ca and P were highly significant higher in RS calves. Total protein intake from the whole ration was higher in BR calves. The daily intake of 18.9 MJ and 14.3 MJ ME for RS and BR calves exceeded the need for the realised ADG of 620 g and 390 g (average demand: 16.3 and 11.8 MJ ME) which suggest an oversupply of energy. Demand calculation for protein of 115 g and 103 g crude protein for RS and BR calves corresponded to an intake of 107.7 g and 118.9 g crude protein, respectively. This indicates that the efficiency in utilisation of crude protein seems to be grossly underestimated in suckling calves. Restricted suckling has been demonstrated to be an efficient method for calf rearing.
Application of My Systems of Career Influences (Adolescent) in Japan: Reflection processes and responses among college students

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the qualitative career assessment tool, “My Systems of Career Influences (Adolescent)” in Japan and future challenges. We conducted seven career education sessions using the MSCI with 19 Japanese college students. In a questionnaire survey administered to the students after these sessions, the average score for the “Significance of MSCI” (7-point scale) was 5.58 ( SD : .84), indicating that the tool can be effectively applied to college students in Japan. Two challenges were identified with regard to its application in Japan: 1) Identifying the factors that make it difficult to recognize the influences at the Environmental-Societal Level and developing support approaches; and 2) Developing support approaches that take into account the mindsets of Japanese adolescents, who, in comparison with their peers in other countries, tend to feel less optimistic about their future and feel that they have less control over their lives.
Mussel cuticle-mimetic ultra-tough, self-healing elastomers with double-locked nanodomains exhibit fast stimuli-responsive shape transformation

Developing ultra-tough shape-changing polymeric materials with high fracture energy and self-healing at room temperature is challenging but highly desirable for their expanding applications. Herein, we report mussel cuticle-mimetic MPM elastomers containing rigid double-locked nanodomains stabilized by both hydrophobic interaction and iron–catechol complexation and an inter-nanodomain flexible polymer matrix with a high level of fracture energy of 24 000 J m−2. The MPM elastomers can undergo self-healing at room temperature within 1 hour with a high recovered adhesion energy of 700 J m−2 between the self-sealed MPM films, which is comparable to the adhesion properties of the cartilage/bone interface. Furthermore, these tough and self-healing MPM elastomers are capable of fast and reversible shape changing in response to stimuli and can act as an adhesive and durable strain sensor. The chemical design of MPMs will provide valuable guidance to aid the development of stimuli-responsive, tough and self-healing polymers with a wide array of applications in soft robotics, wearable electronics, and biomedical and tissue engineering.
Prokaryotic expression of vitellogenin receptor gene of Actias selene Hubner

Vitellogenin receptor plays a key role in the embryonic development of oviparous animals. A vitellogenin receptor (VgR) gene was cloned from Actias selene using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA end PCR. Sequence analysis revealed that this gene was 5848 bp and encoded a protein of 1812 amino acids peptide with high similarity to Bombyx mori VgR. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting analysis demonstrated that a 24 and 40 KD recombinant proteins corresponding to the ligand-binding domains of A. selene VgR was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli cells.
An Assessment of the Phytochemicals and Antibacterial Activity of Seed Extract of Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon)

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activities of seed extract of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) against one gram-positive organism, Staphylococcus aureus and one gram-negative organism, Escherichia coli was carried out. The seed extracts were screened for the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, amino acids and balsams. The agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the effect of the extracts on the growth of the test organisms. The results of the tests carried out on the seeds of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) shows the phytochemical constituents of the seed extracts which showed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, balsams, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and amino acids while saponins and steroids were absent. The results also showed that not all concentrations of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the sample had total inhibition on the growth of the tested organisms. However, the seed extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at various concentrations. It was observed that for the ethanolic extract, only concentrations at 100% and 50% inhibited the growth of the test organisms and for the aqueous extract, only concentrations at 100% inhibited their growth. The results of this study show that seed extracts of C. lanatus have antibacterial activity and are potent just as standard antimicrobial drugs against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Development and Evaluation of an Activity to Teach Molecular Phylogeny, Deep Time and Classification Systems for Japanese High School Students

In this study, we attempted to develop a teaching material about molecular phylogeny, deep time and classification systems to Japanese high school students. On the basis of the pre- and post-test results and the positive impressions of the activity by students and teachers, our protocol was considered useful for teaching these macroevolutionary concepts. Combined use of this activity and other materials (e.g. Westerling 2008) to teach the accumulation mechanism of neutral variations in DNA molecules will promote understanding of the link between DNA and
Evaluation of Chlorophyll Content, Nutrients and Yield of Borage (Borago officinalis L.) in Responses to Chemical and Biological Fertilizers

Borago officinalis L. is a hairy annual herb commonly known as ‘Gavzaban’ locally in Iran. In order to evaluate the effect of bioferilizer and chemical fertilizer on chlorophyll content, nutrients and yield of borage, a randomized complete block design with split plot layout was conducted in Zabol University, during 2012. Treatments consisted of four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha -1 ) and three nitroxin levels (0, 0.5 lit.ha -1 of seed inoculation and 0.5 lit.ha -1 as a foliar application) which were allocated to main plots and sub plots, respectively. Results indicated that the highest value of chlorophyll content were achieved to by using 150 kg.ha -1
Survival rates of 'rattus verecundus' and 'paramelomys platyops' in a murid rich tropical rainforest of Papua New Guinea

Estimations of survival rates of small mammal populations that occur on the island of New Guinea are crucial for conservation and management strategies. Here, we used mark-recapture data in programme MARK to estimate apparent survival and detection of two murid species in a tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea. The most parsimonious model allowed survival and recapture probability to vary by species. Across the two species, Rattus verecundus generally had lower survival rates, but higher recapture probabilities, whereas Paramelomys platyops had higher survival rates but lower recapture probabilities. Since many small mammal species that occur in New Guinea are already listed under the IUCN red list for Threatened Species, similar studies can be replicated targeting the threatened species to provide information to wildlife managers for management and conservation decision.
What Accounts for Growth in African Agriculture

Empirical relationships between the rates of growth and total factor productivity growth, physical input accumulation, as well as institutional and agro-ecological change is evaluated using an international panel data set on 26 African countries and covering the period 1970-2000. The analysis employs the broader framework provided by empirical growth literature and recent developments in TFP measurement. Results suggest a positive evolution of the total factor productivity during the studied period. This positive performance of the productivity of the agricultural sector was due to positive technological progress rather than technology absorption. However, growth accounting computation highlights the fact that factor accumulation accounts for a large share of agricultural output growth and fertilizer has been the most statistically important physical input contributor to agricultural growth. The study also highlights the extent to which agricultural growth contributors vary across countries and regions in relation with different country conditions, institutions and politico-historical factors.
Caractérisation et fonction des vésicules extracellulaires sur le métabolisme adipocytaire : rôle du morphogène Sonic Hedgehog

Les vesicules extracellulaires (VE), incluant exosomes et microparticules (MP), vecteurs d’information biologique, peuvent moduler la fonction de cellules cibles. Une elevation du taux de VE circulantes est observee dans les pathologies cardiovasculaires dont l’obesite est l’un des facteurs de risque majeur. Cependant, il existe peu de donnees concernant la production de VE adipocytaires et leur capacite a moduler le metabolisme des adipocytes. Tout d’abord, nous avons caracterise de maniere morphologique et biochimique les MP et les exosomes adipocytaires. Nous montrons une production accrue de ces VE dans un contexte d’obesite murine. L’analyse proteomique des VE adipocytaires revele un enrichissement specifique des MP et des exosomes en proteines cle du metabolisme energetique et de l’inflammation, respectivement. Dans une seconde partie, nous avons etudie l’effet de MP lymphocytaires portant le morphogene Hedgehog (MPHh+) sur la differenciation adipocytaire. A l’instar d’une activation classique de la voie de signalisation Hh, les MPHh+ inhibent l’adipogenese. Bien que dependant du recepteur Smoothened (Smo), cet effet inhibiteur est independant des facteurs de transcription Gli. Nous montrons que les MPHh+ activent un axe anti-adipogenique Smo/Lkb1/Ampk pouvant etre stimule par un nouvel agoniste de Smo, le GSA-10. Nos resultats demontrent, d’une part, la capacite des adipocytes a secreter des VE, et d’autre part, le potentiel fonctionnel des MPHh+ a inhiber l’adipogenese par une voie de signalisation Hhnon-canonique. Les VE pourraient contribuer aux dysfonctions metaboliques associees a l’obesite en vehiculant des messages metaboliques a l’echelle de l’organisme.
Multiphysics Structured Eddy Current and Thermography Defects Diagnostics System in Moving Mode

Eddy current testing (ET) and eddy current thermography (ECT) are both important nondestructive testing methods that have been widely used in the field of conductive materials evaluation. Conventional ECT systems have often employed to test static specimens even though they are inefficient when the specimen is large. In addition, the requirement of high-power excitation sources tends to result in bulky detection systems. To mitigate these problems, in this article, a moving detection mode of multiphysics structured ET and ECT is proposed in which a novel L-shape ferrite magnetic yoke circumambulated with array coils is designed. The theoretical derivation model of the proposed method is developed which is shown to improve the detection efficiency without compromising the excitation current by ECT. The specimens can be speedily evaluated by scanning at a speed of 50–250 mm/s while reducing the power of the excitation current due to the supplement of ET. The unique design of the excitation-receiving structure has also enhanced the detectability of omnidirectional cracks. Moreover, it does not block the normal direction visual capture of the specimens. Both numerical simulations and experimental studies on different defects have been carried out and the obtained results have shown the reliability and detection efficiency of the proposed system.
Faunal relationships with seagrass habitat structure: a case study using shrimp from the Indo-Pacific

Caridean shrimp were used as a model group to investigate the effects of seagrass floral habitat complexity on Indo-Pacific fauna. Relationships between shrimp and seagrass habitat characteristics were explored using both multivari- ate and multiple linear regression modelling approaches. Epifaunal shrimp assemblages were sampled in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia. Seagrass habitat complexity had a significant positive impact on shrimp abundance (F3,59 = 17.51, P < 0.001) and species richness (F3,59 = 10.88, P < 0.001), while significantly altering shrimp assem- blage structure (ANOSIM global R = 0.397, P < 0.001). In contrast to studies from other bioregions and faunal groups, species diversity and evenness were inversely related to habitat complexity. Changes in shrimp abundance, diversity and assemblage structure with habitat complexity are considered to reflect changes in individual species habitat specialisation. High complexity habitats were dominated by habitat specialists, whereas low complexity seagrass had higher numbers of habitat generalists. Generalist species may be more adapted to the reduced food availability and increased predatory pressures associated with reduced habitat complexity. Although similar patterns were observed at all sites, inter-site dif- ferences in shrimp abundance were observed. This indicates that although the present study demonstrates the importance of small-scale changes in seagrass habitat complexity to faunal assemblages, other factors related to larger spatial-scales are also important.
Assessment of AFLP marker based genetic diversity in chilli (Capsicum annuum L. & C. baccatum L.)

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is a leading spice cum vegetable crop grown commercially in India. Selection of parents is one of the important steps in hybrid breeding programme. The efficiency of hybrid breeding programme could be increased if the inbred lines per se could be screened for genetic diversity using molecular markers. The present study was conducted to assess the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker based diversity in 59 (3 C. baccatum L. and 56 C. annuum) chilli genotypes during 2009 at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore. The 8 AFLP primer combinations generated a total of 414 amplicons, of which 389 were polymorphic with an average of 48.62 bands. The primer combination, EcoRI+AGC and MseI+GCT was found to amplify a highest number of 81 scorable bands with 97.53 per cent polymorphic bands. The PIC (polymorphic information content) values ranged from 0.84 to 0.97 with a mean of 0.93. All C. baccatum species (PBC 1752, PBC 80 and susceptible baccutum) were grouped in cluster I and other 56 chilli genotypes (C. annuum) were grouped in nine different clusters. The variation range of genetic similarity (GS) coefficients in two groups differed only slightly, where the values varied from 0.19 to 0.85 in Taiwan and from 0.24 to 0.90 in Indian genotypes. This indicates potentially identical diversity in Indian and Taiwan chilli gene pools. Considering the high polymorphism and data frequency revealed by AFLP markers, the technique is recommended for chilli genetic studies and for the identification of chilli genotypes.
INFLUENCES AMONG AFFECT BASED RISK FACTORS AND PROBLEM DRINKING IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

OF THESIS INFLUENCES AMONG AFFECT BASED RISK FACTORS AND PROBLEM DRINKING IN COLLEGE STUDENTS Broad negative affect has been consistently shown to predict problematic alcohol use. More specific affect-based constructs, though, have been shown to predict problem drinking above and beyond broad negative affectivity. The current study aims to investigate transactions among and predictive roles of broad negative affectivity and specific affective-based factors in relation to problem drinking among a sample of 358 students assessed twice during their first year of college. Participants were assessed for negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when highly emotional), affective lability (the tendency to experience rapid and intense shifts in mood), negative affectivity, and problem drinking via self-report measures completed online. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Negative urgency and affective lability predicted problem drinking above and beyond broad negative affect, and broad negative affect had no incremental predictive power. When considered together, negative urgency and affective lability significantly predicted problem drinking in a model in which their predictive pathways were constrained to be equal. Additionally, affective lability predicted increases in negative urgency, but the opposite was not true. Continued work toward the development of comprehensive affect-based risk models for problem drinking is needed.
Genetic diversity in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser percicus, from the south Caspian Sea based on mitochondrial DNA sequences of the control region

The Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897), is an economically important species, which mainly inhabits the Caspian Sea. However, little is known about its population genetic structure. In this study, variation in nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of wild stock Persian sturgeon was determined to assess the genetic diversity among different natural populations of this species. The fish (n = 46) were collected from four sites (Astara, Sefidrood, Noshahr and BandareTurkaman) in the south Caspian Sea. As a result 6 haplotypes and 44 variable sites were found. The average haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.640±0.028 and 0.0442±0.011, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) demonstrated that most variations occurred within samples, and the difference between the populations from Astara and Noshahr or Bandare- Turkaman was not significant (p <0.001). Estimates of gene flow indicated reproductive isolation between the Sefidrood River population and the other collections. The divergence might be related to geographical isolation. The results are consistent with the findings from PCR-RFLP analysis (PCR-RFLP) and suggest considerable genetic diversity of the population from Sefidrood River.
LIFE-STRATEGY BASED STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE LARVAL MOSQUITO METACOMMUNITIES IN HUNGARY

Kenyeres Z. , Toth S. , Bauer N. , Saringer-Kenyeres T. : Life-strategy based structural features of the larval mosquito metacommunities in Hungary. Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 31, No. 2, p. 210–230, 2012. The main hypotheses of this present study are: (i) the organization of mosquito metacommunities is based on spectral, spatial and temporal patterns of species-groups with similar life-strategy; (ii) species composition of these metacommunities shows regional differences, but the functional groups are conservative. Our hypotheses were tested on a database of 8,979 samples collected in Hungary. The following relationships were analysed: (i) concurrent mosquito species (Pearson correlation with Bonferroni and Benjamini-Liu corrections); (ii) seasonality of the communities (cluster-analysis, PCA, PCoA, MDS); (iii) relationships between community structure and water-coverage types (Pearson correlation, cluster-analyses, CCO) and (iiii) species groups with similar life-strategy. Results showed that (i) the supra-individual organization of mosquitoes composes metacommunities which are characterized by typical seasonality; (ii) species composition of the mosquito metacommunities is heterogeneous but the frequency of different species functional groups is constant. Our results originated from a temperate zone country with moderately rich Culicidae fauna because this was an ideal starting point for an extensive chain of analysis. Testing of our results herein is justified because of the outstanding relevance of mosquitoes to both public health and tourism.
Evidence forthe Presence ofCalsequestrin inTwo StructurallyDifferentRegionsof Myocardial SarcoplasmicReticulum

Localizationof calsequestrinin chicken ventricularmuscle cellswas determined by indirectimmunofluorescence and immuno-Protein A-colloidalgoldlabelingofcryostatand ultracry- otomy sections,respectively. Calsequestrinwas localizedin the lumen of peripheraljunctional sarcoplasmicreticulum,aswellasinthe lumen ofmembrane-bound structurespresentinthe central regionofthe I-band,while beingabsentfrom the lumen ofthesarcoplasmicreticulumintheA-band regionofthecardiacmuscle cells.Sincechickenventricularmuscle cellslacktransversetubules,the presence ofcalsequestrininmembrane bound structuresinthecentralregionofthe 1-bandsuggests thatthese cellscontain nonjunctionalregionsofsarcoplasmicreticulumthatare involvedinCa" storageand possiblyCa" release.Itislikelythatthe calsequestrincontainingstructurespresent throughout the 1-band region of the muscle cellscorrespond to specializedregionsof the free sarcoplasmicreticuluminthe 1-bandcalledcorbularsarcoplasmicreticulum.Itwillbe of interestto determine whether Ca" storageand possiblyCa" releasefrom junctionaland nonjunctionalregions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in chicken ventricularmuscle cellsare regulatedby the same or differentphysiologicalsignals.
Chaenotheca nitidula, A New Species of Calicioid Lichen from Northeastern North America

Abstract Chaenotheca nitidula is described as a new species from northeastern North America. It is characterized by long, shining stalks; rather small, spheric, non-pruinose capitul; immersed thallus; and its association with Stichococcus as photobiont. In a phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 sequences, C. nitidula was most closely related to Chaenotheca gracilenta and C. gracillima. It occurs on wood of conifers in old woodlands and has so far been recorded from Maine and New Brunswick.