Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PA700, the regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome, interferes with α‐synuclein assembly

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway accompanied by the presence of intracellular cytoplasmic inclusions, termed Lewy bodies. Fibrillized α‐synuclein forms the major component of Lewy bodies. We reported a specific interaction between rat α‐synuclein and tat binding protein 1, a subunit of PA700, the regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome. It has been demonstrated that PA700 prevents the aggregation of misfolded, nonubiquinated substrates. In this study, we examine the effect of PA700 on the aggregation of wild‐type and A53T mutant α‐synuclein. PA700 inhibits both wild‐type and A53T α‐synuclein fibril formation as measured by Thioflavin T fluorescence. Using size exclusion chromatography, we present evidence for a stable PA700–α‐synuclein complex. Sedimentation analyses reveal that PA700 sequesters α‐synuclein in an assembly incompetent form. Analysis of the morphology of wild‐type and A53T α‐synuclein aggregates during the course of fibrillization by electron microscopy demonstrate the formation of amyloid‐like fibrils. Secondary structure analyses of wild‐type and A53T α‐synuclein assembled in the presence of PA700 revealed a decrease in the overall amount of assembled α‐synuclein with no significant change in protein conformation. Thus, PA700 acts on α‐synuclein assembly and not on the structure of fibrils. We hypothesize that PA700 sequesters α‐synuclein oligomeric species that are the precursors of the fibrillar form of the protein, thus preventing its assembly into fibrils.
Estudio preliminar sobre micorriza versículo – Arbuscular (MVA) en lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam)

A preliminary study to determine the character (obligate or facultative) of the mycorrhizal association in, "naranjilla" (Solanum quitoense L.) and an evaluation of nine mycorrhiza stock, was carried out at Palmira (1050 m, 24°C and R.H. of 60 %) and Jamundi (2100 m, 14°C and R.H. of 80 %). The trial was held on two oxyzole having a lowand moderate fertility, with 3 levels of phosphorus (0,50 Y 100 kq/ha). The "naranjilla" is a facultative mycotrophic specie. In general, the inoculation with MVA fungi, increased the development of the "naranjilla" in seed beds as well as transplanted seed lings. The effectivity of MVA was dependent on the fungus specie, its origin, the phosphorus levels in the soil and the weather of both Iocalities. The development of the "naranjilla" and the effectivity of the mycorrhiza was superior at the locality (14°C). In general, the isolations which showed the best behavior were a mixture of Acaulospora spp and Glomus sp, and Enthrophospora colombiana.
Characterization of Some Iranians and Foreign Walnut Genotypes Using Morphological Traits and RAPD Markers

Walnut, (Juglans regia), is one of the most important nutritive nut crops. Iran is considered as one of the centers for diversity and cultivation of walnut in middle-eastern part of the world. In this study, some morphological traits in combination with polymorphic RAPD primers were applied to evaluate genetic potential of 35 (31 Iranian and four foreign) walnut genotypes. From 14 RAPD primers, 180 DNA bands were amplified among which 174 were highly polymorphic. The lowest and the highest pair-wise similarity coefficients between examined genotypes were 0.27 and 0.89, respectively. Estimated resolving power index (Rp) were from 2.17 (opAD16) to 8.40 (opAA19) and total resolving power (Rp) 70.61 in all 14 RAPD loci. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients and UPGMA method divided the genotypes into five groups at similarity of 0.50, which the main group consisted of 31 genotypes including 4 foreign cultivars. Genetic variation among locations took 9.48% of the total genetic variation detected with Analysis of molecular variances (AMOVA) (p＜0.001). Most Iranian genotypes grouped closely with foreign cultivars and showed high similarities indicating their close genetic relatedness. RAPD markers showed to be an efficient technique for studying genetic diversity of walnut genotypes. These genotypes with different genetic bases and suitable horticultural traits seem to be good candidates applicable for direct use as vegetatively propagated material or as parents in walnut improvement programs.
Safety of Coastal Defense Systems An Assessment of the Reliability of Coastal Systems in the Event of Rising Water Levels due to Climate Change

The traditional design approach to coastal defense systems on the German North Sea coast is essentially deterministic. The determination of the required dike height along the Lower Saxonian North Sea coast of Germany is based on the accumulation of maximum historically recorded deviations from the high water levels due to spring tides, wind e ects and the expected wave-run-up taking into account the maximum wave-height in front of the dike. Using this deterministic design approach an assessment of the safety of coastal defense systems and the e ects of changing natural conditions, e.g. caused by climate changes, is hardly possible. Therefore a probabilistic design approach using level III analysis is applied for selected coastal areas with speci c coastal defense systems, e. g. sea dikes, summer dikes, forelands, wadden sea areas, islands. Using the probability of wave overtopping to estimate damage to the hinterland, the probability and duration of ooding is taken as the basis for calculating the safety of each regional coastal defense system and its components. The probability of wave-heights and wave-overtopping is obtained from the probability density functions of the water-levels at high tide and the wind-conditions in the model area. These input parameters, i.e. water levels and wind conditions, are related to wave-heights at each location of the model area using numerical wave models and are used to determine wave run-up and overtopping rates along the dike. Taking into account a change in the probability distributions of the input parameters, the e ects of climate changes on the probability of wave overtoppping can be determined. The probability of wave overtopping will be quadrupled given a rise of the mean sea level of 0.5 m and increase ten-fold given a rise in 1.0 m. The absolute value of the probability of wave-overtopping largely depends on the structure of the coastal defense system. The recurrence interval varies from 400 to 80000 years.
Survey of accessory gene regulator (agr) groups and TSST-1 encoding gene (tst) in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from ewes with mastitis in the northwest of Iran

Summary Accessory gene regulator (agr locus) is a global regulator of many virulence gene expressions in Staphylococcus aureus. Four interference classes related to genetic polymorphisms in the agr locus have so far been described. In the present study, the agr locus specificity groups were studied within a total of 43 S. aureus isolates which were isolated from ewes with mastitis in three regions in the Northwest of Iran. In addition, the isolates were examined for the presence of TSST-1 (toxic shock syndrome toxin-1) encoding gene (tst) using PCR. Identification of agr groups, using agr group-specific multiplex PCR, classified the majority of isolates into group I (51.16%) and to a lesser extent into agr group IV (44.19%). Only one isolate (2.23%) for each of the agr groups II and III was found. This study also indicated that 44.19% of isolates (n=19) possessed the tst gene and that 94.74% (n=18) belonged to agr group I. According to the results, certain agr groups comprised the great majority of sheep mastitis associated S. aureus isolates. Moreover, the high proportion of S. aureus isolates was tst positive, indicating an issue requiring consideration as it is relevant to food hygiene. The results also showed a variation in distribution of the tst gene among the different agr groups.
Preliminary Experiments Using Lights and Bubbles to Deflect Migrating Young Spring Salmon

Experiments to deflect young spring salmon during their night-time migration by means of a beam of light and/or a "wall" of bubbles were conducted in a canal near Courtenay, B.C. By use of hoop nets it was discovered that under natural conditions no significant difference existed in the respective catches of the spring salmon underyearlings moving downstream on either side of the canal. A significant difference was obtained, however, when a narrow beam of light was directed into the water at a downstream angle in front of one net. A reduction to about one-third the expected catch resulted with either continuous or flashing light. The "wall" of bubbles, in a similar position, did not reduce the catch.Cut-throat trout fry and hatchery-reared Kamloops trout fingerlings were not deflected under these conditions.
Integrated Treatment with a Prescribed Burn and Postemergent Herbicide Demonstrates Initial Success in Managing Cheatgrass in a Northern Colorado Natural Area

ABSTRACT: Eradicating the invasive species cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) presents a significant challenge to land managers across the western United States and can require integrated and adaptive management, including biological, chemical, and prescribed fire control strategies. Resource managers in the Larimer County Open Space Program in Northern Colorado began a cheatgrass reduction program at the Devil's Backbone Open Space preserve that consisted of prescribed burns in fall 2007 and spring 2008, followed by post-emergent imazapic treatments at 0.44 L/ha. The fire was characterized as a slow-moving, highly consumptive burn, and managers monitored results intermittently following the integrated treatments. Post treatment, average cheatgrass cover was reduced from 82% to 9% from 2007 to 2009 based on six permanent monitoring transects. While quantitative data was not taken for the emergence of native grasses and forbs, incidence of bare ground did not increase significantly following treatment. This case study suggests a highly consumptive burn can decrease cheatgrass from the seed bank and create favorable conditions for vegetation other than cheatgrass to return. More research and long-term monitoring building upon this pilot study could help to understand if this combined treatment is a viable long-term reduction strategy.
Beef cattle husbandry practices across Ecoregions of Canada in 2011

Abstract. Sheppard, S. C. , Bittman, S. , Donohoe, G. , Flaten, D. , Wittenberg, K. M. , Small, J. A. , Berthiaume, R. , McAllister, T. A. , Beauchemin, K. A. , McKinnon, J., Amiro, B. D. , MacDonald, D. , Mattos, F. and Ominski, K. H. 2015. Beef cattle husbandry practices across Ecoregions of Canada in 2011. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 305-321. Beef production in Canada is diverse in many dimensions with numbers of cattle per operation ranging over 10 000-fold, pasture usage from nil to 100%, and types of operations from solely cow-calf to exclusively feedlot finishing. This study summarizes management information obtained from a survey conducted in 2012 (about 2011) on 1009 beef operations in Canada. Many of the results clearly differentiate the practices in the Prairies from those in Ontario and Quebec. Compared to eastern Canada, the Prairies had earlier and shorter calving seasons, higher weaning weights, utilized more winter grazing with a variety of strategies, grew and fed more barley than corn, used more seasonal feeding areas and feedlots (and hence fewer barns), and more commonly spread manure in the fall. Many of the management practices used by cow-calf operations would have low environmental impact, including extensive use of grazing even in winter, low fertilizer inputs and feeding perennial forages with a high content of legumes. Some practices such as not covering forages or manure storage structures were common and could be changed to improve forage quality and reduce manure emissions. Most forage was harvested 3-7 d after full bloom. Earlier harvest has the potential to improve forage quality, which could reduce dependence on arable crops. Finishing operations used more housing, fed more arable-land crops and less perennial forages, and practiced little grazing. Rationale regarding the adoption of many of the management strategies was reported by the producers. For example, winter grazing was adopted primarily to reduce costs and labour, but for some it was also linked to a late calving season. Preferred sources of technical information included their own experience, farm print media, producer organisations and demonstrations at field days. The survey also identified several areas in which the industry may realize improved sustainability.
Blending Intelligent Voice Recognition Technology Toolkit into Teaching English Pronunciations for Pre-Schooler

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a major role in almost every aspect of the modern life and particularly in education. Today’s education systems are progressively swinging to technological advances to asset and bolster teaching and learning environment and integration of ICT into preschool education has become a high priority. The motivation behind this review is to examine the blending intelligent voice recognition technology for pre-schoolers particularly into teaching English pronunciations. English might be a popular language to learn, but this does not necessarily mean it is a simple language to master. Most of the people facing problems using English Language, particularly when English is not a native language or mother tongue that often used in one’s everyday conversations. This paper proposed new architecture of an interactive English Oral toolkit (EOT) with intelligent voice recognition for pre-schoolers. Addie models have been used as an instructional design for the development of this toolkit. EOT toolkit will enhance children’s understanding of the language and will motivate children to use this language as a medium of conversations.
Review on the extraction, characterization and application of soybean polysaccharide

Soybean polysaccharide (SPS) is a class of soluble polysaccharide derived from soybean cotyledon, soybean meal or okara, and has broadly been used in the food industry. In recent decades, due to its attractive physicochemical properties, SPS has been developed into various emulsifiers or stabilizers for beverages. Additionally, studies have emerged to reveal its potential in biomaterial and biological applications. In this review, we critically appraise the latest literature on the extraction and the structural features of SPS, and provide a perspective on the biological applications of SPS. We focus on the current strategies for the extraction of this unique polysaccharide, specific structural features, and functional utilization of SPS. Notably, SPS-based food additives have been demonstrated to add value in biological applications due to their anticancer and immunoregulatory effects, encouraging us to use SPS directly in the area of biomedicine. Lastly, we suggest some potential directions for the development of SPS for extensive utilization in biomedicine.
Spatial and Temporal Considerations in Restoring Habitat for Wildlife

An accumulated body of theory and empirical evidence suggests that habitat selection by animals is a scale‐dependent, hierarchical process. Hierarchy theory predicts that habitat suitability is influenced by the interaction of factors at multiple spatial scales from the microsite to the landscape and that higher‐order factors impose constraints at lower levels. For instance, large‐scale factors such as landscape context may make a site unsuitable for a species even if the vegetation structure and composition are appropriate. In addition, the spatial arrangement of habitat elements at all scales must be considered when planning restoration efforts. For example, the presence of snags does not ensure that the site will be suitable for snag‐dependent species. The size, age, and spacing of snags and their juxtaposition to other habitat elements must also be considered. Finally, all habitats are dynamic, and therefore the ecological processes that contribute to those dynamics must be maintained or suitable substitutes included in the recovery plan. When considering restoring habitat for wildlife, we recommend that managers: (1) identify the wildlife species they want to target for restoration efforts, (2) consider the size and landscape context of the restoration site and whether it is appropriate for the target species, (3) identify the habitat elements that are necessary for the target species, (4) develop a strategy for restoring those elements and the ecological processes that maintain them, and (5) implement a long‐term monitoring program to gauge the success of the restoration efforts.
Thuja occidentalis L. is commonly a host for cypress jewel beetle (Ovalisia festiva L.) in Slovenia [Conference poster].

A significant drying and dying of white cedars (Thuja occidentalis L.) in an older hedge was observed in autumn 2010 in Ljubljana (Vič). When the branches were carefully examined, many were found to be hollow and full of channels filled with sawdust. In the channels pupae were discovered, from which blue-green beetles with a metallic sheen emerged after five days at 20°C. Beetles were morphologically analyzed and classified as Cypress Jewel Beetle (Ovalisia festival L.). In April and May 2012 similar damage was observed in several gardens in Ljubljana (Trnovo, Bežigrad), Posavje (Žadovinek) and Prekmurje (Lendava). We conclude that the native beetle that normally feeds on junipers found a niche in the white cedars growing in permanent sites or in nurseries. This suggests a need for regular and professional monitoring of the pest. A possible control measure to slow the insect’s spread is a selection of ornamental plants, well adapted to their growth conditions.
Behavioral Response of Resident Jamaican Birds to Dry Season Food Supplementation 1

We used plot‐level manipulations and analyses to test the effects of food availability on the behavior and condition of resident dry‐forest birds in Jamaica. Two control plots were monitored in each of 2 yr. Food was supplemented on five plots over 2 yr with piles of cut oranges distributed around plots, which served as a direct source of carbohydrates and water, and an indirect source of ground arthropods due to increased above‐ground activity. We reduced ants on five plots over 2 yr; however, we found no difference in total ground arthropod biomass between control and reduction treatments, so we pooled these plots for analysis. We selected nine focal resident bird species for study of relative abundance, body condition, and breeding condition. Birds were sampled prior to, and 5 to 6 weeks after the initiation of treatments. Seven of nine species had higher relative abundance following food supplementation. Three species were recaptured more frequently in supplementation plots than in control plots. These abundance and persistence responses did not cause any changes in body condition. In one species, Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), food supplementation resulted in higher concentrations of individuals in breeding condition. These results demonstrate a functional response to dry‐season food availability and suggest a limiting mechanism. This study helps explain mechanisms by which bird populations respond to resource availability, and is the first successful plot‐level food supplementation experiment for tropical forest birds.
Health traits data for dairy cattle in Norway - an overview and new opportunities

Health traits have been systematically recorded on dairy cattle in Norway over the past 20 years. The health card system, where all veterinary treatments are recorded on an individual animal basis, is central to its success. Health traits currently recorded in Norway are described here, in addition to other traits such as somatic cell counts, milking speed, leakage, conformation and culling reason that are of interest due to their relationship to health traits. The Norwegian recording system is briefly described and reasons for its success are discussed. Data from the Norwegian cattle recording service has now been organised into a research data base with phenotypic information on an individual cow basis from 1978, and will be of great value for genetic studies of dairy cattle health. ________________________________________________________________________________
Dose Response to a Single Intramuscular Injection of FSH Dissolved in Polyvinylpyrrolidone for Superovulation in Cows

The objective of this investigation was to determine the appropriate dose of refined follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-R) dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and administered as a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection for superovulation in cows. Seventy Holstein parous cows were alotted to 4 treatment groups and were given 20 mg (A), 30 mg (B), 40 mg (C) or 50 mg (D) FSH-R in 10 ml of 30% PVP. Standing estrus was observed in groups A (1/1), B (9/20), C (6/8) and D (4/5) at 40-60 h after the first PGF2α treatment. However, 2/8 in group C and 1/5 in group D showed standing estrus before 40 h, and 11/20 in group B showed estrus at 60-72 h after PGF2α treatment. There were no significant differences in the mean number of recovered ova/embryos among groups B, C and D. However, the mean number of transferable embryos in groups B (6.2 ± 3.8) and C (7.1 ± 5.9) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in group D (1.0 ± 0). The rate of unfertilized eggs was significantly higher (P<0.01) in group D (82.6%) than in groups B (18.7%) and C (38.5%). A single injection of 40 mg FSH-R in PVP was effective for superovulation in Holstein cows.
Pattern of sexual size dimorphism supports the inverse of Rensch’s rule in two frog species

Rensch’s rule describes that sexual size dimorphism (SSD) increases with body size (hyperallometry) when males are larger, and decreases with body size (hypoallometry) when males are smaller. In this paper, on the basis of mean adult body size resulting from 18 populations of the common frog Rana temporaria and 24 populations of the Tibetan frog Nanorana parkeri, we tested the consistency of allometric relationships between males and females with Rensch’s rule. Our results show that the variation in degree of female-biased SSD increased with increasing mean size at intraspecific levels in two species, which is consistent with the inverse of Rensch’s rule. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that the degree of SSD decreased with increasing altitudes. Inconsistent with the predications of our hypothesis, we found no relationships between the degree of SSD and altitude for the two species investigated. These findings suggest that females living in adverse climates in high altitudes cannot adjust their body size as plastically as males.