Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interspecific Hybridization Among Black Basses (Micropterus spp.) in the Chattahoochee River, Columbus Georgia

Interspecific hybridization can lead to the evolution of a new hybrid species or extinction of parental species due to competition or excessive backcrossing. When parental populations differ in abundance, hybrids tend to backcross more frequently with the more abundant parent, resulting in asymmetrical introgression. The objective of this study was to determine the extent and apparent direction of hybridization between shoal bass (Microptems cataractae), a rare endemic species to the Apalachicola drainage, and spotted bass (M punctulatus), an introduced and more abundant species. Pelvic fin tissue (N = 130) was taken from bass species in the Chattahoochee River between Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama and analyzed for hybridization using a combination of four microsatellite markers, morphometries, and mtDNA. While morphometries proved to be inadequate at confirming hybridization, microsatellite analyses identified 15.4% (N = 20) of bass samples as hybrids. Analysis also showed significantly more hybrids backcrossed to the more abundant M. punctulatus, suggesting asymmetrical introgression. Mitochondrial DNA were utilized to confirm asymmetrical introgression; instead, barcoding revealed the potential for three additional interspecific interactions involving M. floridanus (Florida bass), M. coosae (redeye bass), and M. salmoides (largemouth bass). Although mtDNA analysis did not confirm hybridization between M. cataractae and M. punctulatus, interspecific hybridization does pose a threat to populations of M. cataractae and warrants additional research. To protect populations of M. cataractae, priorities should focus on restoring shoal habitat and if necessary augmenting existing populations with genetically, pure shoal bass from within their range.
COMMENTARY ON A PROPOSED CLASSIFICATION OF THE FAMILY RANIDAE

Two recent papers by Dubois, in 1987 and 1992, have proposed changes in generic definitions and relations as well as significant revision of the classification of the family Ranidae. These significant papers have four general and a number of specific weaknesses that undermine Dubois's definitions of certain genera and cast doubt on many of the relationships that he proposed.
Agrobacterium-mediated Gene Transfer in Papaya

The cocultivation method for transforming plant tissues in vitro with A. tumefaciens strains has been simplified and extended for use with leaf disks, stems, and petioles of Carica papaya L. These tissues have been transformed successfully with either pTiB6S3:pMON200 or pTiB6S3 with very high efficiency. Transformants were identified either by growth in hormone-free medium or by resistance to 300 μg·ml−1 of kanamycin. Putative transformants were confirmed on the basis of nopaline production.
A conspectus of Normandina (Verrucariaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes)

Aptroot, A. : A conspectus of Normandina (Verrucariaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes). - Willdenowia 21: 263-267. 1991. - ISSN 0511-6918. The genus Normandina, regarded so far as menotypic, is found to accomodate two other lichenized species. The genus is considered to belong to the Verrucariaceae; two new combinations are formed, viz. Normandina erichsenii and N. simodense. The genus Normandina is currently thought to be monotypic, accomodating the cosmopolitan species N. pulchella (Borrer) Nyl. There has been much discussion on the systematic position of this genus, and the opinions vary from Basidiomycetes (Henssen &Jahns 1973) and Fungi Incertae Sedis (Henssen 1976) to Verrucariaceae (Zschacke 1933-34). In the most recent outline of Ascomycetes (Eriksson & Hawksworth 1987) the genus is not treated at all. The main subject of disagreement involves the ascoma, thought to be a parasymbiont by the first authors. In this paper I consider the ascomata to be produced by the lichen known as Normandinapulchella and the holomorph to belong to Verrucariaceae, based on the following observations: The ascomatal structure is in complete accordance with Verrucariaceae (for instance Verrucaria). The paraphyses are vanishing, the hymenial gel is I + pink, the asci are saccate, with a broad, poorly defined apical chamber at the tip and the spores are thin-walled, collapsing and becoming tinted at age. The spores remain clustered and glued to each other in squash preparates, a character also reported by Swinscow(1963). This is anothercharacterthat is also commonlyobserved in Verrucariaceae, for instance in other transversely septate genera as Pocsia and Macentina. The ascoma differs in all these characters from the lectotype species of the genus Sphaerulina to which it is commonly referred as a parasymbiont, Sphaerulina myriadea (DC. ex Fr.) Sacc. (material examined: Petrak, Mycotheca Carpathica 67, NY). This species has no paraphyses at all, the hymenial gel is I-, the asci are cylindrical, with a sharply defined ocular chamber at the tip and the spores are thickwalled, not collapsing or becoming tinted at age. I disagree with Henssen (1976) and others,who regard the ascomata as not belonging to Normandina pulchella, but to a parasymbiont or even a parasite (Hawksworth in litt.), because the following observations are not in accordance with that opinion: 1. The ascocarps are always placed in the morphological centre of the thallus, and in the oldest parts only.
Differential tissue expression of epitopes of

CD151, a member of the tetraspanin family of cell membrane proteins, is widely expressed in epithelial, endothelial and muscle cells as well as platelets and megakaryocytes. Several monoclonal antibodies reco- gnising CD151 in transfected cells and immunoprecipitating typical bands of 28 and 32 kDa from cell lysates have been produced. Surprisingly, these antibodies show different patterns of staining on tissue sections and on haemopoietic cells. Here we show that these differences are at least in part due to masking of certain epitopes in integrin/CD151 complexes. These data have important implications for the use of monoclonal antibodies in studies of the distribution and function of CD151. Of six monoclonal antibodies from four laboratories, 11B1 was found to be the most reliable for detection of CD151 in different cell and tissue contexts.
The Effects of a Peer Teaching Approach on Urban Community College Students’ Vocabulary Development Using Vocabulary Theatre

The purpose of this study was to replicate the first author’s previous study with more diverse participants including ethnic minority students to investigate the effects of a peer teaching approach on students’ vocabulary development using a treatment entitled Vocabulary Theatre (VT). Literacy professors at an urban community college in the Northeast conducted vocabulary research with their students in their respective classes. A mixed methods quasi experimental study was conducted to compare the mean gains scores of two different types of vocabulary acquisition. Students in the VT condition were instructed to take ownership of their expressive vocabulary by teaching their assigned target words to peers in a small group. The group was then responsible to create a short skit (vignette) that used all of their assigned words appropriately, and to perform it for the class. This gave students multiple repeated exposures to the target words. This differed from the Teacher Directed Instruction (TDI) in which the students were asked to simply look up definitions of the entire list of target words. Students were given a preand posttest to examine their level of vocabulary acquisition in each condition. A gain score was computed subtracting the pretest results from the posttest results. Also, qualitative data was collected in the form of individual interviews, classroom observations, and small group discussions in the classroom. Analysis of qualitative data showed higher levels of motivation and engagement as reported in student interviews. Though limited by a small sample size, quantitative results showed an improvement in scores of post tests regardless of the instruction method.
Effect of Autoclaving and Cooling on Resistant Starch Formation in Rice Starch

A study was undertaken to standardise processing treatments for optimising resistant starch (RS) formation in rice starch. The effect of processing conditions on the RS content of rice starch was studied in 48 treatments by autoclaving at 121°C and 141°C for 20, 40 and 60 minutes without moisture and with 10, 20 and 40 percentage moisture levels. After autoclaving, the samples were cooled at room temperature and at -20°C. The yield of RS was found to be maximum in samples autoclaved at 141°C for 40 minutes with 10 per cent moisture and cooled at -20°C. Increasing the duration of autoclaving up to 60 minutes at a lower temperature of 121°C was also found to be effective in improving the RS content of rice starch. RS formation not only depends on a single factor but also on multiple factors like time and temperature of autoclaving, moisture as well as cooling conditions.
Deciphering Oxidative Stress Responsive Microrna (Mirna) in Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) and Rohu (Labeo rohita)

microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target gene expression under oxidative stress play a crucial role in cellular antioxidant regulation. Information on oxidative stress responsive miRNA and their target genes of the fishes of Bangladesh is not reported yet. This study was performed to profile oxidative stress-responsive miRNAs by computational and experimental methods in economically important fish of Bangladesh. Using in silico approach, we could not trace any miRNA of fish of Bangladesh as none has been reported yet in existing databases. We, therefore enlist here the miRNAs that are expressed under different stress conditions in fish applying an extensive literature review. From the list, we selected 10 potential oxidative stressresponsive miRNAs followed by predicting their target genes using miRNA target prediction software (TargetScan Fish). This study decoded the mature sequences of oxidative stress-responsive miRNA (miR-21) in Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) through specific miRNA primer-based cDNA fragment sequencing. Next, we identified an oxidative stress responsive gene, programmed cell death 4b (pdcd4b) in hilsa genome and showed that the hilsa miR-21 binds within coding sequence region of the predicted hilsa pdcd4b. This study is pioneer in decoding oxidative stress responsive miRNA in fish of Bangladesh using an experimental and bioinformatics approach
Supplementation of beef cattle grazing Brachiariabrizantha during the dry and rainy seasons: performance and carcass ultrasound prediction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic group, sex and level of protein-energy supplementation on the performance and carcass traitsultrasound prediction of weaned calves Nellore and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus. A completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x2, were used, with two levels of protein-energy supplementation, two sex and two genetic groups. Fifty-six animals were used (28 Nellore and 28 crossbred ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus), equally divided between males and females, maintained on grazing Brachiariabrizanthacv. Marandu and evaluated in three experimental periods: period 1 = protein-energy supplementation in the dry season; period 2 = protein-energy supplementation during the rainy season; period 3 = only mineral supplementation. In the dry season, they were supplemented with levels of 0.5 and 1% of body weight (BW) and in the rainy season with 0 and 1% BW. Dry matter intake (kg day-1, % BW, g kgBW0.75-1) was estimated. In vivo ultrasound measurements of carcass were: loin eye area (LEA), fat thickness (FT) and rump fat thickness (RFT). There was influence of genetic group and protein-energy supplementation levels on average daily gain (ADG) of animals in period 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Sex affected the ADG only in period 2, and the males had 754 gday-1 and females, 582 g day-1. There was no interaction of genetic group x sex x supplementation level. At the end of the experimental period (end of period 3), it was found that male animals and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus had higher ADG (716 and 748 g day-1, respectively). The values of dry matter intake (DMI) were influenced by genetic group and sex, in all periods, verifying highest intake in crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus, with better feed conversion for crossbred animals. Regarding ultrasound measurements taken on the carcass, the influence of sex on FT and RFT, it was observed, and the males showed higher values, 3.24 and 4.62 mm, respectively. LEA was influenced by protein-energy supplementation levels in the second period, herein animals receiving 1% of BW, showed higher values (56.04 cm2) than those receiving 0.5% of BW supplement (48.38 cm2). The use of protein-energy supplementation with 0.5% of BW in the dry season and 1% of BW in the rainy season, the best results of performance and contributes to larger loin eye area.
Vascular structures extraction by background normalization

: The vessel structures of the blood circulatory system are one of the most complex structures of the human body. Modern computed tomography techniques allow acquiring high resolution images, but at the same time, the amount of artifacts in output images is quite high. They may affect diagnostic result and may obscure or simulate pathology. The idea of our method represent a 3D computed tomography image a combination of vascular structure and background that has normal distribution in some neighborhood. The proposed approach can be applied to denoising computed tomography images, enhancing of contrast in lesion areas without changing topology of initial vessel structures. Experimental results show that it can archive non-uniform luminocity and contrast normalization
Ground-based Temperature and Humidity Profiling : Combining Active and 2 Passive Remote Sensors 3 4 5

1 Ground-based Temperature and Humidity Profiling: Combining Active and 2 Passive Remote Sensors 3 4 5 David D. Turner1 and Ulrich Löhnert2 6 7 1 NOAA / OAR / Global Systems Laboratory 8 2 University of Cologne / Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology 9 10 11 Submitted 31 August 2020 12 13 Special Issue for the 11th International Symposium on Tropospheric Profiling in 14 Atmospheric Measurement Technology 15 16
HyperLeech: Stealthy System Virtualization with Minimal Target Impact through DMA-Based Hypervisor Injection

In the recent past, malware began to incorporate anti-forensic techniques in order to hinder analysts from gaining meaningful results. Consequently, methods that allow the stealthy analysis of a system became increasingly important. In this paper, we present HyperLeech , the ﬁrst approach which uses DMA to stealthily inject a thin hypervisor into the memory of a target host, transparently shifting its operation into a hardware-accelerated virtual machine. For the code injection, we make use of external PCILeech hardware to enable DMA to the target memory. Combining the advantages of hardware-supported virtualization with the beneﬁts provided by DMA-based code injection, our approach can serve analysts as a stealthy and privileged execution layer that enables powerful live forensics and atomic memory snapshots for already running systems. Our experiments revealed that HyperLeech is sufﬁcient to virtualize multi-core Linux hosts without causing signiﬁcant impact on a target’s processor and memory state during its installation, execution, and removal. Although our approach might be misused for malicious purposes, we conclude that it provides new knowledge to help researchers with the design of stealthy system introspection techniques that focus on preserving a target system’s state.
Phylogeny and genetic variation of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from the eastern mediterranean and middle east

Recent genetic evaluations of R. lucifugus from France and Italy with R. lucifugus from Turkey suggests that these geographic groups likely constitute separate species. A more extensive review of eastern Mediterranean termites is needed to clarify their respective classifications. DNA sequencing analysis of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA region was used to examine genetic variation in the termite genus Reticulitermes Holmgren from eastern Europe and the Middle East. Sequencing of a 438 bp region from 39 individuals and from 3 sequences obtained from GenBank revealed 47 polymorphic sites within the genus. Tajima-Nei distances from species ranged from 0.0 to 4.9%, and parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis revealed clades within the genus which follow biogeographic patterns of dispersal that may support recent glacial refugia theories. European Reticulitermes were delimited from Turkish R. lucifugus with samples from Greece, Israel, and Iran. Reticulitermes lucifugus from Turkey share a topology with R. clypeatus from Israel and R. sp. from Iran, which were distinct relative to other Reticulitermes from Eastern Europe. There was some genetic support for combining R. balkanensis to this group. However, this study suggests that Reticulitermes from this region likely constitute two genetically isolated, but sympatric populations which have not been resolved with morphological examinations, but are clearly different from the R. lucifugus complex from Europe.
Structural modifications induced by an in vitro maturation process in zona pellucida glycoproteins of bovine oocytes. A Raman microspectroscopy analysis

Oocyte quality is a determinant factor in the efficiency of an in vitro production process. Since the first oocyte–sperm interactions take place in the zona pellucida, the evaluation and characterization of this egg external matrix is of vital importance for the success of the in vitro fertilization process in mammals. Here we evaluate the modifications in the glycoproteins of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes resulting from in vitro maturation. Using Raman microspectroscopy, subtle spectral differences were straightforwardly related to specific structural changes that could be correlated with known ultrastructural and morphological properties of the zona pellucida. We performed a detailed evaluation of features concerning both the protein backbone and the glycan moieties of the glycoproteins of the zona pellucida from immature and in vitro matured oocytes. Specific spectral differences involving amide I, amide III, and several bands belonging to the sugar residues allowed the characterization of these two stages in oocyte maturation. A molecular rearrangement of the glycoproteins consisting in the exposition of terminal sugar residues that play a key role in sperm recognition while the glycan core is covered by the polypeptide chain was derived from this study. These results demonstrate the efficiency of the Raman microspectroscopy technique to perform a biochemical characterization of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes. This technique would be useful to discriminate between immature and in vitro matured oocytes and could also provide a basis for the understanding of the changes induced by maturation methods and of their impact on in vitro fertilization.
A New Species of Mastigostyla (Iridaceae) from Argentina

Abstract We describe and illustrate Mastigostyla coronata, a new species of Iridaceae from the high Andes of Jujuy (Argentina), morphologically similar to Mastigostyla vargasii. The inclusion of this new species in Mastigostyla is supported by a phylogenetic analysis based on plastid markers. We also present a morphological comparison among the sub-acaulescent species of Mastigostyla (including Cardenanthus), and a key to those species.
Proteome Analysis of the Cerebellum Tissue in Chronically Alcohol-Fed Rats

Background: Cerebellar degeneration is one of the most common effects of chronic alcohol exposure, and Purkinje cells are the main targets of alcohol-induced cerebellum neuropathology, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods: Eight rats were fed for 8 weeks with a nutritionally adequate liquid diet containing either ethanol as 36% of the total caloric content or an isocaloric control diet. Rat cerebellum homogenates were subjected to agarose two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and the protein expression profiles in chronically alcohol-fed rats and the pair-fed controls were compared. The observed changes in the protein expression levels were confirmed using immunoblotting analysis. Results: Three protein spots changed significantly in intensity according to 2-DE. Based on immunoblotting analysis, low expression levels of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) and the overexpression of voltagedependent anion channel protein 1 (VDAC1) were observed in the cerebellum of alcohol-fed rats. The expression levels of both proteins did not change in other parts of the brain. Conclusions: Low expression levels of MAP2 and overexpression of VDAC1 were detected using proteome analysis of the cerebellum tissue from chronically alcohol-fed rats. Changes in the expression of these proteins may be related to cerebellar degeneration following chronic alcohol consumption.
Tempo and mode of genomic evolution in endosymbiotic bacteria of insects: The case of Buchnera aphidicola

Many bacteria, especially proteobacteria, have established a symbiotic association with insects. Insects confer to their partners a stable environment, while the bacteria provide the host with new metabolic capabilities, complementing the insect nutritional requirements and contributing to the exploitation of new ecological niches. The analyses of the complete sequence of five genomes of endosymbionts of insects has shown that both, at gene and genomic levels, endosymbiotic bacteria have experienced drastic transformations, when compared with their free-living relatives. A massive genome reduction occurred during the establishment of symbiosis. The loss of genes involved in DNA repair and recombination, probably some of the first gene losses that occurred in the reductive process, had important posterior consequences. The remnant gene repertoire can be classified in two groups: a set of genes shared by all endosymbionts and another set of genes having specific role in the insect-bacteria association. In this review we take advantage of the recent genome sequencing of three Buchnera aphidicola strains living on three different aphid hosts, to get some light into the factors that are responsible for the genome reduction syndrome and its associated features, such as the accumulation of deleterious mutations. We also discuss about the tempo and mode of genomic evolution in endosymbionts.