Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leptin‐deficient (ob/ob) mouse‐ a new animal model of peripheral neuropathy of Type 2 diabetes and obesity

Whereas peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) has extensively been explored in streptozotocin‐diabetic rodents (Type 1 diabetes), insufficient information is available on PDN in Type 2 diabetic models. The latter represents a problem for clinical trial design, because the vast majority of diabetic patients have Type 2 (non‐insulin‐dependent) diabetes. We characterized PDN in leptin‐deficient (ob/ob) mouse, a model of Type 2 diabetes with mild hyperglycemia and obesity. ~11‐wk old ob/ob mice developed motor (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) deficits, thermal hypolagesia, tactile allodynia, and ~78% loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers. They also had increased sorbitol pathway activity in peripheral nerve, and increased nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP‐ribose) immunofluorescence in nerve, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Aldose reductase inhibition with fidarestat (16 mgkg−1d−1, for 6 wks, from 5 wks of age) preserved normal MNCV and SNCV, and alleviated thermal hypoalgesia and intraepidermal nerve fiber loss, but not tactile allodynia. Nitrotyrosine immunofluorescence and the number of poly(ADP‐ribose) positive nuclei in nerve, spinal cord and DRGs of fidarestat‐treated ob/ob mice did not differ from controls. In conclusion, ob/ob mouse is a new model that develops both large motor and sensory fiber and small sensory fiber PDN and responds to pathogenetic treatment.
Development of automatic segmentation software for efficient measurement of area on the digital images of plant organs.

デジタル画像処理技術を活用した植物器官の形状計測を効率化するため，色情報（平均色差）を使った新たな領域抽出法を考案し，その手法による領域抽出とその後の面積計測を連続的に実行できる領域抽出ソフトウエア“Flower Shape Analysis System”（http://www.kazusa. or.jp/picasos/）を開発した．従来法との比較から，考案した手法は，被写体や背景の色が複雑な画像でも，植物器官の領域抽出を効率よく，正確に実行できることを明らかにした．また，開発したソフトウエアは，画像ファイルの選択や計測データの記録が自動化され，作業効率が大幅に改善されている．さらに，開発したソフトウエアを用い，アサガオ花冠の時系列画像を解析したところ，視覚的な比較では検出が困難な花弁老化の系統間差異を容易に検出することができた．以上の結果から，本研究で考案した手法および開発したソフトウエアが，植物器官の形状計測に極めて有用であることが示唆された．
Towards a Best Fit Between Organizational Security Countermeasures and Information Systems Misuse Behaviors

Industry surveys indicate that internal information systems (IS) mis-use is a serious problem for organizations. This problem is likely to persist in the future, as the computer literacy of organizational staffs continues to increase. Information security advocates recommend a mix of procedural and technical countermeasures as a strategy for deterring IS misuse. In this study, we examine whether certain security countermeasures are more or less effective depending on the type of IS misuse behavior. Using survey data collected from 507 computer-using professionals, we assessed the deterrent effectiveness of security policies, security education, training, and awareness (SETA) programs, and computer monitoring on a range of IS misuse behaviors that vary in severity. The results suggest that computer monitoring
Variabilité et bioénergétique de la reproduction chez l'huître creuse Crassostrea gigas

The variability in reproductive cycle if Japanese oyster, Crassostrea gigas, was evaluated in situ (Bay of Veys, BOV and Marennes-Oleron bay, MOB) and in hatchery culture conditions. Two trophic levels were tested over one year : high food level (HFL) and low food level (LFL). We observed that the phytoplanktonic concentration (chlorophyll a) was the principale factor that influenced gametogenesis intensity and duration. The oysters reared within a high trophic ration (BOV and HFL) shown a hyper-gonad development. However, the spawning efficiency was reduced and partial. Therefore, the resorption period was prolonged until winter. Meanwhile, the oysters reared in a low trophic ration (MOB and LFL) produced a normal gonad with a total spawning in summer and their resorption period throught the autumn. The ecophysiological measures in the conditioning oysters, showed that the gametogenesis period influenced the clearance rate, absorption efficiency and respiration responses. Furthermore, the scope for growth was influenced negatively during active gametogenesis and resorption period, meanly in the oyster fed in high trophic conditions. On the other hand, we observed that the genetic factor, was another variability found in the reproductive cycle. Two selected genetic families by their summer survival character (the R or resistant oysters and the S or susceptible oysters at summer mortality), were reared in a common environment (Fort espagnol, sud Britanny) and were evaluated. The susceptible oyster were presented a reproductive cycle similar to that observed in oysters fed in high trophic levels (BOV and HFL). While resistant oyster showed a reproductive cycle similar to the oysters reared in low trophic conditions. In conclusion, Crassostrea gigas showed a reproductive plastic strategy, influenced by the trophic level and genetic factors. The oysters that developed a hyper-gonad, could be more susceptible to summer mortality.
Beginning VB 2005 Databases: From Novice to Professional

This book focuses on accessing databases using VB 2008 as a development tool in conjunction with the new release of Visual Studio 2008 and . NET Framework 3.5. This book will walk you through all the aspects of programming a database with SQL Server 2005, pulling the data into an application developed using VB 2008. As you work your way through this book, you get a chance to explore the concepts covered by creating sample applications in “Try It Out” sections, which will help you apply what you learn to your real-world applications. Following the sample applications, I explain each code statement in “How It Works” sections to help you understand the code. I hope that you will achieve not only knowledge of VB 2008, but also knowledge of SQL Server. I have targeted quite a few database concepts, from the basics to the key T-SQL features of SQL Server. This book will also help you to build your code competency in a gradual manner because I begin with the easy topics before moving on to the complex ones. This book starts from basic application development and goes over the concepts of LINQ and ADO.NET 3.5 and building applications with them. I believe that you will find this book to be an asset in enriching your VB database application development skills, and will provide you with new insights into using VB 2008 with SQL Server.
Semantic analysis of 'to'

'To' is one of the most common lexemes in English (as found in 34% of the sentences in the Penn Tree Bank corpus). This paper describes the analysis of the sentences involving `to'. `To' poses problems at lexical, syntactic and semantic level, as we need to resolve whether the phrase which is fronted by `to' is a prepositional phrase (PP) or an infinitival clause which is a kind of inflectional phrase (IP). In case of PP, we need to locate the attachment site for it and assign the semantic relation. In case of IP, we need to resolve the empty pronominal in addition to the attachment resolution-a task essential to make the semantic analysis complete. We achieve an accuracy of about 80% in the above tasks.
Antibacterial Resistance in African Catfish Aquaculture : a Review

Antibacterial resistance (AR) is currently one of the greatest threats to mankind as it constitutes health crisis. Extensive use of antibacterial agents in human and veterinary medicine, and farm crops have resulted in emergence of antibacterial-resistant organisms in different environmental settings including aquaculture. Antibacterial resistance in aquaculture is a serious global concern because antibacterial resistance genes (ARGs) can be transferred easily from aquaculture setting to other ecosystems and the food chain. African catfish (ACF) aquaculture has increased at a phenomenal rate through a continuous process of intensification, expansion and diversification. Risk of bacterial diseases has also increased and consequently there is increased use of antibacterial agents for treatment. Antibacterial resistance in ACF aquaculture has huge impact on the food chain and thus represents risk to public and animal health. In “one health” approach of curbing AR, knowledge of the sources, mechanisms and magnitude of AR in ACF aquaculture and its potential impact on the food chain is important in designing and prioritizing monitoring programs that may generate data that would be relevant for performing quantitative risk assessments, implementation of antibacterial stewardship plans, and developing effective treatment strategies for the control of ACF disease and reducing risk to public health. This review provides insight on the sources, mechanisms, prevalence and impact of antibacterial resistance in ACF aquaculture environment, a setting where the impact of AR is neglected or underestimated.
Characterization of Cryptic Plasmid of Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SA2

The 2.4-kb cryptic plasmid (pKH8) of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SA2 was characterized by complete nucleotide sequencing and homology comparison. pKH8 was found to contain three open reading frames. Protein analysis of pKH8 showed that pKH8 was a multidrug resistance plasmid and mediated resistance to ethidium bromide and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Plasmonic Sensing via Photoluminescence of Individual Gold Nanorod

Label-free plasmonic sensors based on localized surface plasmon resonances of nanostructured noble metal materials usually transduce optical refractive index changes occurring in the vicinity of the nanostructures by optical scattering or by extinction. We demonstrate in experiments that the photoluminescence of plasmonic nanoparticles can also be employed to detect biological molecule binding events efficiently. Photoluminescence probably due to plasmon emission of a single gold nanorod presents a similar resonance peak and resembles the response to a refractive index change observed by scattering. The well-known biotin–streptavidin binding assay was detected successfully using the photoluminescence of an individual isolated nanorod. The localized surface plasmon resonances’ responses by scattering in situ with the same nanorod and control experiments were also performed to verify the sensing process. The results evidence that a nanoscale plasmonic sensor can also be archived effectively through the phot.
Designing and characterization of verapamil hydrochloride niosomes

The present study deals with designing and characterization of verapamil hydrochloride niosomes in varied polymer:drug ratios and optimizing formulation variables and release kinetics with a view to enhance bioavailability, reduce dosing frequency and achieve release in a controlled fashion. Verapamil hydrochloride niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration technique using span-40, span-60 as surfactants and cholesterol as lipids, in different ratios. Amidst the non-ionic surfactants, span-60 gave ecstatic results with high drug entrapment efficiency and invitro drug release.
Avaliação de condições de cultivo para aumento da produção de P(3HB) por Bacillus megaterium e modelagem do bioprocesso

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was the optimization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) – P(3HB) – production in submerged cultures of Bacillus megaterium in a mineral medium using sucrose as carbon source and nitrogen as the limiting substrate. Small-scale experiments were carried out in shake flasks at 30 °C and 160 rpm in order to evaluate the best initial sucrose concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio to maximize biomass accumulation and biopolymer production. An objective function in terms of residual sucrose and P(3HB) production was proposed in order to optimize the amount of carbon source used and the production of P(3HB). RESULTS: High production of P(3HB) was obtained, with approximately 70% (CDW) accumulation in cells without nitrogen limitation and strongly correlated with the pH of the culture. Scaling-up the system to cultures in a bioreactor, with or without pH control, a reduction of P(3HB) accumulation (around 30% CDW) was observed when compared with shaker cultures, suggesting a possible role of oxygen limitation as a stress signaling for P(3HB) synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our experiments showed that Bacillus megaterium was able to produce P(3HB) at one of the highest production rates so far reported for this bacterium, making this microorganism very interesting for industrial applications. Comparisons of shaker and bench-scale bioreactor experiments show both the importance of pH and aeration strategies. It is likely that complex aeration strategies linked to cell metabolism will be necessary for further developments using this bacterium.
Black root rot caused by Thielaviopsis basicola on Korean ginseng seedlings grown for the fresh salad market

Abstract The consumption of fresh young Korean ginseng roots in salads has recently increased in Korea. In July 2014, black root rot was observed on ginseng roots grown under hydroponic conditions in Ulsan, South Korea. Diseased roots first developed red lesions, which eventually became black. The typical symptoms included yellowing of the plants, stunting and wilting, reddish-brown lenticels, and black lesions on the roots. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene region and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the isolates were Thielaviopsis basicola. Koch’s postulates were supported by pathogenicity tests conducted on healthy plants. Based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity tests on host plants, and molecular analysis, the causal fungus was identified as T. basicola. This is the first report of black root rot caused by T. basicola on Korean ginseng. The recent occurrence of the disease indicates that the fungus poses a potential threat to fresh ginseng production in Korea.
Forecasting dispersal of nonindigenous species

A leading conceptual model of the invasion process suggests that nonindigenous species (NIS) must pass through a series of 'filters' when dispersing from colonized to non-colonized regions. These steps include the initial dispersal of propagules, survival of these propagules upon encountering the new physicochemical environment, and biological integration into the new community. Here, I forecast invasions for two aquatic NIS, the spiny waterflea Bythotrephes longimanus and zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha based on the entire invasion sequence using gravity models to assess movement of propagules, data on lake morphometry and physicochemistry, and data on fish community composition. The gravity models included information on movement patterns of recreationalists and life-history characteristics of the NIS that may facilitate invasions. I also contrast the abilities of a hierarchical approach to a single 'all-in-one' model that considered all variables simultaneously in detecting actual invasions versus false alarms. Here, the 'all-in-one' model was better at predicting invasions if they had, in fact, occurred. Next, I compare predictions of Bythotrephes invasions for three types of gravity models: total-flow-, productionand doubly-constrained. These models differ in the type of information required to parameterize the model. The Production-constrained model was most likely to detect actual invasions relative to false alarms, and the total-flow-constrained model was least likely to predict false positives.
Estimating Physiological Thresholds with Continuous Two-Phase Regression

Abrupt changes in the relationship between physiological responses and environmental parameters yield data that frequently cannot be described with a single regression equation. Many approaches used to deal with this problem result in incomplete description of the data and imprecise approximations of the physiological threshold(s) at which the relationship changes. We describe a technique for determining the best continuous two-phase, straight-line regression model and for statistically estimating the point at which the relationship between the independent and dependent variables changes (i.e., threshold point).
Influence of Shelterbelts on Success and Density of Waterfowl Nests within the Prairie Pothole Region of North America

Abstract. Shelterbelts are long rows of trees planted in the Great Plains of North America to reduce wind erosion of soil. Shelterbelts alter airflow, creating updrafts on the windward side (updraft zone), slow winds immediately on the leeward side (calm zone), and increased turbulence farther downwind of the shelterbelt (turbulent zone). They also provide hunting perches for avian predators and serve as corridors for mammalian predators. By determining the fate of 247 duck nests located in 27 Waterfowl Production Areas during 2006 and 2007, this study tested the hypothesis that duck nests located close to shelterbelts are more likely to be depredated than nests located in open fields and that nest densities are lower near shelterbelts than in open fields. Nest density in a shelterbelt's calm zone (0.22 nests/ha) was lower than in open fields (1.02 nest/ha). Shelterbelt orientation and porosity to airflow did not affect nest success or nest density. Shelterbelt height did not influence nest density, but nest success decreased as shelterbelts increased in height. Depredation rates were higher for nests near isolated structures (e.g., isolated trees, snags, and utility poles) than for nests near shelterbelts or in open fields.
Characterization of imidacloprid resistance in Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Southern Iran

Pamuk yaprak biti Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), guney Iran'in Fars bolgesinde cucurbitlerin anahtar zararlilarindan biridir ve imidaclorpid gibi tekrarlanarak kullanilan insektisitler ile kontrol edilmektedir. Son yillarda insektisitlerin ozellikle de imidaclorpid uygulamalarinin basarisiz oldugu kayit edilmektedir. Bu calismada A. gossypii 'nin iki duyarli populasyonunun imidaclorpidlere duyarliliginin ve Triphenyl phosphate (TPP), Diethyl maleate (DEM) ve Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) gibi bazi sinerjist etkili kimyasallarin imidaclorpit duyarlilgina etkisi mikro aplikator kullanilan denemeler ile test edilmistir. Yaprakbitinin dayanikli populasyonu seralardan kabakgiller uzerinden toplanmis, duyarli populasyon ise Cucumis sativus L. cv. Negin (Cucurbitaceae) uzerinde iki yil sure ile yetistirilmistir. Imidoclorpid dayanikliligi duyarli populasyona oranla 11.24 kat daha fazla bulunmustur. Farkli sinerjik etkili maddelerin (esteraz, GSTs, cytochrome P 450 monooxygenaz ve heme peroxidaz) kombinasyonlarinin test edildigi biyokimyasal calismalar sonucunda cytochrome P 450 mekanizmasinin dayanikliligi arttiran birincil mekanizma oldugu tespit edilmistir.
Variability of Large Marine Ecosystems in response to global climate change

A fifty year time series of sea surface temperature (SST) and time series on fishery yields are examined for emergent patterns relative to climate change. More recent SeaWiFS derived chlorophyll and primary productivity data were also included in the examination. Of the 64 LMEs examined, 61 showed an emergent pattern of SST increases from 1957 to 2006, ranging from mean annual values of 0.08°C to 1.35°C. The rate of surface warming in LMEs from 1957 to 2006 is 4 to 8 times greater than the recent estimate of the Japan Meteorological Society’s COBE estimate for the world oceans. Effects of SST warming on fisheries, climate change, and trophic cascading are examined. Concern is expressed on the possible effects of surface layer warming in relation to thermocline formation and possible inhibition of vertical nutrient mixing within the water column in relation to bottom up effects of chlorophyll and primary productivity on global fisheries resources. 1. Background Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are an important component of a hierarchical scientifically-founded marine geographical construct published in 2003 (Watson et al., 2003). Since 1995, the LMEs have been designated by a growing number of coastal countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe as placespecific assessment and management areas for introducing an ecosystem based approach to recover or develop and sustain marine resources. The LME approach to the assessment and management of marine resources is based on
A Simple Demonstration of Fermentation

In 1897, Eduard Bucher first demonstrated that yeast extracts could convert sugar into alcohol with a release of carbon dioxide. This observation was a critical starting point for modern research in metabolism and enzymology. Over the next half century, the analysis of fermentation showed that this metabolic pathway includes the reactions of glycolysis. Glycolysis, a universal mechanism for generating ATP in anaerobic organisms, serves as the starting point for ATP production in aerobic organisms. Unlike a great many metabolic pathways, fermentation and the various parameters that influence it can be easily studied with very simple procedures. A simplified set-up and experimental procedure that consistently gave good results was developed. Students could then spend most of their time on what we consider to be the activities of prime importance in this laboratory: the development of hypotheses that can easily be tested with our set-up, the design of experiments to test these hypotheses and the careful analyses of data. Even though the set-up and procedure are fairly simple and straightforward, the design of specific experiments and data analyses can be quite sophisticated. The procedures described here have been tested in a number of undergraduate laboratory sections, as well as in an independent study project. They have been found to work well.
A New Species of Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract A new species of Eugenia from the Atlantic forest of Brazil is described and illustrated. Eugenia flavicarpa is restricted to the Floresta de Tabuleiro (lowland forests) of Espírito Santo state and is nested in Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia. Considering all other species of the subgenus that occur in forest vegetation types of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain, Eugenia flavicarpa can be distinguished mainly by the combination of smooth leaves with indumentum on both surfaces, with two marginal veins, usually ramiflorous inflorescences, pedicels 4.5–9.7 mm long, flower buds 3.5–4 mm in diameter, and by the calyx lobes that are 2–3 mm long with rounded to obtuse apices. Morphological analyses were performed to explore the significance of quantitative diagnostic features between the new species and the closely related species, Eugenia farneyi. Notes on the habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status of Eugenia flavicarpa are provided, as well as a key for all species of Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia from forest vegetation of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain.
Estimating DOA and PPS parameters of signal received by ULA in heavy noise environment

Abstract Estimation of the direction-of-arrival (DOA) and parameters of polynomial phase signal (PPS) impinging on the uniform linear array (ULA) of sensors in heavy-tailed noise environments is considered in this paper. To estimate signal parameters, a recently proposed quasi maximum-likelihood (QML) estimator is adopted. The proposed algorithm consists of two successive steps: (1) noise influence mitigation by using the proposed normalization strategy and (2) signal parameters estimation using the DOA-QML approach. The algorithm performance is evaluated for both monocomponent and multicomponent signals.