Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First description of three ciliates (Ciliophora: Stichotrichia) from Korea

The genus Metaurostylopsis was established by Song et al. (2001). The characteristics of this genus are as fol­ lows: clearly differentiated frontal, buccal, and transverse cirri; frontoterminal cirral row present; caudal cirri ab­ sent; and more than one left and right marginal row (Song et al., 2001). The genus Metaurostylopsis includes six species (Song et al., 2001; Berger, 2006; Shao et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2011; Jung et al., 2011). The genus Gonostomum, the type genus of the family Gonostomatidae, was established by Sterki (1878), and it includes about 10 ciliate species, including question­ able synonymous species (Foissner et al., 2002; Berger, 2011; Bharti et al., 2015). The Gonostomum has the fea­ tures as follows: shortened undulating membrane; most­ ly three bipolar dorsal kineties; caudal cirri present; and dorsomarginal kineties and kinety fragmentation lacking (Berger, 2011). The genus Lamtostyla was established by Buitkamp (1977), and it comprises 12 species (Berger, 2008). Sev­ eral features that are present in the Lamtostyla as fol­ lows: usually short median cirral row terminated ahead of mid­body; three bipolar dorsal kineties; caudal cirri lacking; and terrestrial habitat (Berger, 2008). Herein, we describe the three stichotrichs ­ Metaurostylopsis cheni Chen, Huang and Song, 2010, Gonostomum strenuum (Engelmann, 1862) Sterki, 1878, and Lamtostyla granulifera Foissner, 1997 ­ all of which are new to Korea. Our de­ scriptions are based on observations of live and protar­ gol­impregnated specimens.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for research and therapy: induction of hepatic differentiation in iPSCs and evaluation of their quality as a model of in vivo development in the context of coagulation

Stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine as they have the potential to repair almost any tissue. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) offers several advantages over human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Nevertheless, an issue that has slowed the use of iPSC (as well as hESC) in the clinic is safety. The pluripotent capacity that gives these cells their regenerative potential also gives them tumorigenic abilities. Moreover, the reprogramming procedure of iPSC can also affect the quality and safety of the final population. In the search for safer iPSC, we optimized an integration free method of reprogramming that is GMP compliant, which represents a step closer to their clinical use. Hepatocyte-like cells derived from iPSC have proven useful in research, as in disease modelling and toxicity screening, and in the context of cellular therapy could represent a breakthrough for the treatment of liver disorders. We worked on an optimized method that allows quick and efficient hepatocyte differentiation from iPSC. We used this as a model to tap into embryonic development in the context of coagulation, and into the regulators of coagulation, with the goal to better understand coagulation. Similar studies can then be used to study other pathways besides coagulation and help increase the knowledge on the liver and its many functions.
Coordinated pattern of multi-element variability in leaves and roots across Chinese forest biomes

Aim The elemental composition of plants is of fundamental importance for plant physiology and biogeochemical cycling. Knowledge about how the pattern of multi-element variability is coordinated between above- and below-ground organs remains limited. Here, we quantify multi-element variability in the leaves and roots of terrestrial plants, in addition to trying to understand its taxonomic and environmental regulation at large scales. Location China. Methods Sixteen elements in the leaves and fine roots of 792 plant species across nine forests located along the north–south transect of eastern China were measured. General linear mixed models were used to partition taxonomic and environmental variation. Canonical discriminant analyses were conducted to identify elements with the highest discriminatory power for different plant orders. Results Elemental composition differed significantly between the leaves and roots, with the roots containing higher concentrations of trace metal elements (aluminium, iron, sodium, zinc, copper, lead, nickel and cobalt). A coordinated pattern of multi-element variability and similar taxonomic regulation was observed between the leaves and roots of terrestrial plants. That is, elements with higher internal concentrations were less variable, with most of the variability being attributed to taxonomic effects rather than the environment. Main conclusions Taxonomic and environmental regulation differed for different elements. Compared with microelements, macroelements exhibited a narrow range of internal concentrations, less environmental control and stronger taxonomic conservatism. The coordinated pattern of multi-element variability and similar taxonomic effects in the leaves and roots implies that above- and below-ground ecological processes are tightly linked.
Variation of pathotypes and races and their correlations with clonal lineages in Verticillium dahliae

Understanding pathogenic variation in plant pathogen populations is key for the development and use of host resistance for managing verticillium wilt diseases. A highly virulent defoliating (D) pathotype in Verticillium dahliae has previously been shown to occur only in one clonal lineage (lineage 1A). By contrast, no clear association has yet been shown for race 1 with clonal lineages. Race 1 carries the effector gene Ave1 and is avirulent on hosts that carry resistance gene Ve1 or its homologues. The hypothesis tested was that race 1 arose once in a single clonal lineage, which might be expected if V. dahliae acquired Ave1 by horizontal gene transfer from plants, as hypothesized previously. In a diverse sample of 195 V. dahliae isolates from nine clonal lineages, all race 1 isolates were present only in lineage 2A. Conversely, all lineage 2A isolates displayed the race 1 phenotype. Moreover, 900-bp nucleotide sequences from Ave1 were identical among 27 lineage 2A isolates and identical to sequences from other V. dahliae race 1 isolates in GenBank. The finding of race 1 in a single clonal lineage, with identical Ave1 sequences, is consistent with the hypothesis that race 1 arose once in V. dahliae. Molecular markers and virulence assays also confirmed the well-established finding that the D pathotype is found only in lineage 1A. Pathogenicity assays indicated that cotton and olive isolates of the D pathotype (lineage 1A) were highly virulent on cotton and olive, but had low virulence on tomato.
Curvas de índices de local em povoamentos de eucalipto obtidas por regressão quantílica

The objective of this work was to obtain site index curves in eucalyptus plantations by quantile regression, and to compare them to the obtained ones with the use of fitted regressions by the method of ordinary least squares. Quantile regression can be used to generate site index curves, especially in the presence of outliers. The method generates a bundle of curves better adjusted to the observed data, compared to the one generated with the estimates of ordinary least squares, either by the guide curve method (anamorphic curves) or by polymorphic curves (using different percentiles).
Comparative longevity and viability modeling of Solanum macrocarpon L. seeds

In a first experiment following a controlled deterioration (CD) protocol proposed by the Millennium Seed Bank Project (MSBP), seeds of six accessions of Solanum macrocarpon were stored at 45°C / 60% RH and seed germination data was taken at intervals for 100 days to estimate comparative seed longevity among the accessions. The mean absolute seed longevity (P50) was 47.41±12.20 days indicating intermediate longevity between the two marker species proposed in the MSBP protocol. In a second experiment, seeds of one accession were stored at seed moisture contents between 2.5 and 11.2% at 10, 20 and 45°C to estimate seed viability constants for S. macrocarpon. Estimates of KE = 5.166, CW = 3.009, CH = 0.094, CQ = 0.0019 were derived, suggesting that the seeds exhibited less sensitivity to storage conditions in terms of KE and CW than the two marker species, but longevity responses to storage temperature were comparable to other orthodox species.
Synthesis of some novel enzyme inhibitors and antibacterial agents derived from 5-(1-(4-tosyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol

Tendo em vista a importância farmacologica da porcao 1,3,4-oxadiazol, sintetizou-se uma serie de novos derivados S-substituidos, 5a-h, de 5-(1-(4-tosi)piperidin-4-il)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-tiol (3). A reacao do cloreto de p-toluenossulfonila (a), com isonipecotato de (b) etila forneceu 1-(4-tosil)piperidin-4-carboxilato de metila (1), que foi, em seguida, transformado em 1-(4-tosil)piperidin-4-carbo-hidrazida (2) por reacao com hidrato de hidrazina em metanol. O composto 2 foi submetido a refluxo com CS2 na presenca de KOH para se obter 5-(1-(4-tosil)piperidin-4-il)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-tiol (3). Os compostos desejados, 5a-h, foram obtidos por agitacao de 3 com haletos de aralquila, 4a-h, em DMF, na presenca de NaH. As estruturas dos compostos sintetizados foram elucidadas atraves de analise dos espectros de 1H-MNR, IR e EI-MS. Estes compostos foram, ainda, avaliados quanto a inibicao das enzimas lipoxigenase e alfa-glucosidase, juntamente com a atividade antibacteriana contra bacterias Gram positivas e Gram negativas.
Evaluation of the Genetic and Nutritional Control of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in a Novel Mouse Model on Chromosome 7: An Insight into Insulin Signaling and Glucose Homeostasis

Obesity is the main cause of type 2 diabetes, accounting for 90-95% of all diabetes cases in the US. Human obesity is a complex trait and can be studied using appropriate mouse models. A novel polygenic mouse model for studying the genetic and environmental contributions to and the physiological ramifications of obesity and related phenotypes is found in specific lines of mice bred and maintained at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Heterozygous mice with a maternally inherited copy of two radiation-induced deletions in the p region of mouse chromosome 7, p23DFioD and p30PUb, have significantly greater body fat and show hyperinsulinemia compared to the wild-type. A single gene, Atp10c, maps to this critical region and codes for a putative aminophospholipid translocase. Biochemical and molecular studies were initiated to gain insight into obesity and glucose homeostasis in these animals and to study the biological role of Atp10c in creating these phenotypes. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were standardized for the heterozygous p23DFioD and control mice on a custom-made diet containing 20% protein, 70% carbohydrate, and 10% fat (kcal). Atp10c expression profiles were also generated using Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Heterozygous p23DFioD animals showed insulin resistance after receiving a dose of either more » 0.375 or 0.75 U/kg Illetin R insulin. RT-PCR data also shows differences in Atp10c expression in the mutants versus control mice. Using these standardized biochemical assays, future studies will further the understanding of genetic and nutritional controls of glucose homeostasis and obesity in animal models and subsequently in human populations. « less
Development of Anopheles sinensis immatures (Diptera : Culicidae) in the field : effects of temperature and nutrition

Development of AnqPheles sinensis larvae and pupae was studied in net cages floated in rice fields or a swamp from March through Novernber in Saga, southwest Japan. Food supply shortened larval durations, indicating that nutrition was suboptimal in the field condition. The development threshold and thermal constant for larvae were ca. 10"C and 164 day-degrees, respectively, and those for pupae ca. 6OC and 38 day-degrees. Proportions of instar durations to the whole larval duration were independent from temperature and nutrition. Empirical equations were given for estimating temperatures at the water surface (microhabitat of anopheline immatures) in rice fields from air temperatures.
Preparing to act

Course Description: This workshop is designed to assist the superior, average, and below-average students to achieve better scores on the ACT; to expose students to efficient test-taking techniques; to present commercially prepared material to show students how to add words to their vocabularies, how to read more efficiently, and how to improve their ability to think mathematically. Students will review specific types of questions often found on the ACT. Practice tests will help students discover “weak spots” and what to do about them.
In vitro culture and plant regeneration of Sesbania grandiflora

Studies were carried out with the aim of evaluating in vitro the effects of growth regulators auxin and cytokinin on Sesbania grandiflora (S. grandiflora) regeneration potentials through callus induction. Explants were cultured on to solid medium (Murashige and Skoog (MS)) enriched with different concentrations of auxins such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) & 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and cytokinins such as kinetin (Kin) & 6-benzylamino purine (BAP). The medium (MS + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.2 mg/L IAA) showed up to 76% regeneration activity. The shoot formation form callus was observed 60% when MS + 1.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L NAA were applied, while for combination of MS + 0.5 mg/L Kin + 0.1 mg/L IAA, the shooting percentage was recorded up to 80% for the cotyledons explants and MS + 1.5 mg/L Kin + 0.2 mg/L NAA revealed the shoot regeneration of 68% grown on solid medium. The highest root induction of cotyledons callus was noticed in medium (MS + 0.1 mg/L IBA) and (MS+ 0.1 mg/L IAA) which was 70% and 100%, respectively. From results of present study, it is concluded that the auxins (IAA, NAA) and cytokinins (Kin, BAP) could possibly use for the root and shoot regeneration of S. grandiflora plant and this study also provides a basis for future studies on genetic improvement and should be applied to largescale multiplication systems for S. grandiflora plant.
Identifying management actions to increase foraging opportunities for shorebirds at semi‐intensive shrimp farms

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana. Other regular, but less abundant, species were whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and dowitchers Limnodromus spp. 4. Densities of shorebirds sharply declined daily following harvest. In addition, the time-win-dow availability of harvested ponds was related to each species’ foraging behaviour: <2 days for godwits and dowitchers, 4 days for stilts, 5 days for willets and more than a week for avocets and whimbrels. However, birds continued to use harvested ponds that received a low, but continuous water inﬂux. 5. Our results demonstrate that a tropical shrimp farm represents a patchy environment that provides 4 (cid:1) 3 – 12 (cid:1) 7% (depending on species) of its total area as foraging opportunities for shorebirds. 6. Synthesis and applications. Sequential harvesting of shrimp aquaculture farm ponds and increasing moisture of the substrate by providing some water supply to harvested ponds, at least throughout the harvesting period, could integrate shorebird conservation into shrimp-farm production. These low-cost and easy management procedures would not increase costs or affect shrimp production – thus representing a win-win opportunity – and would have potential applications for shorebird conservation throughout the world.
Restoring sand shinnery oak prairies with herbicide and grazing in New Mexico

Abstract Sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) prairies are increasingly disappearing and increasingly degraded in the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico. Restoring and managing sand shinnery oak prairie can support biodiversity, specific species of conservation concern, and livestock production. We measured vegetation response to four treatment combinations of herbicide (tebuthiuron applied at 0.60 kg/ha) and moderate-intensity grazing (50% removal of annual herbaceous production) over a 10-year period in a sand shinnery oak prairie of eastern New Mexico. We compared the annual vegetation response to the historical climax plant community (HCPC) as outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Ecological Site Description. From 2 to 10 years postapplication, tebuthiuron-treated plots had reduced shrub cover with twice as much forb and grass cover as untreated plots. Tebuthiuron-treated plots, regardless of the presence of grazing, most frequently met HCPC. Tebuthiuron and moderate-intensity grazing increased vegetation heterogeneity and, based on comparison of the HCPC, successfully restored sand shinnery oak prairie to a vegetation composition similar to presettlement.
Inflammatory and immune reactions in response to chemotherapy-induced cell death

Certains motifs moleculaires associes a la mort cellulaire semblent identifier les cancers prompts a repondre a une therapie cytotoxique. Ceci en elaborant une reponse anti-tumorale basees sur une reponse T protectrice. Mon travail de these montre que le traitement par chimiotherapie immunogene active des voies moleculaires mimant une infection virale. Ceci conduit au niveau des cellules tumorales a une signalisation autocrine via l’IFNαβ / IFNAR1/2, initiee par la reconnaissance d’ARN double brin (dsRNA) endogene par les Recepteurs endosomaux de Reconnaissance des Motifs (PRRs). De facon plus detaillee, nous montrons que les axes TLR3/TRIF (senseurs endosomaux de dsRNA) et IFNAR1/2 (Recepteurs de l’IFN de Type I) doivent signaliser au niveau de la cellule tumorale pour que la chimiotherapie puisse aboutir a l’induction de l’axe CXCL10/CXCR3 et eliciter une reponse efficace in vivo. L’analyse du profil ARN de cellules tumorales Tlr3+/+ (mais pas Tlr3-/-) exposees aux anthracyclines a revele une forte empreinte virale/IFN, indispensable a l’efficacite/activite anti-tumorale. Le fait d’affecter les axes TLR3 ou IFNAR1/2 au niveau tumorale soit a l’aide d’anticorps neutralisants, soit a l’aide de modeles KO abroge le relarguage de CXCL10 induit par la chimiotherapie, et ainsi la capacite a controler la pousse tumorale a moins que de l’IFNαβ ou du CXCL10 exogene soit co-administre aux anthracyclines. De plus la chimioresistance des tumeurs traitees par des molecules n’induisant pas de signature virale peux etre reversee par de l’IFN de Type I exogene. Enfin, la detection d’une signature IFN au niveau de biospies de cancers du sein humains permet de predire la bonne reponse au traitement adjuvant par anthracyclines. D’un point de vue de l’evolution, alors que les tumeurs (comme les virus) ont elabore des mecanismes pour echapper aux reponses IFN, la signature virale induite par la chimiotherapie devrait contribuer a contrecarrer cette immunoedition.
A non-invasive fluorescence-based oxygen sensor and platform for studying cell responses to metabolic agents in real-time

A fluorescence-based sensor in a transverse flow/stop measurement platform has been developed to determine real-time changes in oxygen consumption rates for cell metabolic studies. The oxygen sensitive fluorophore platinum octaethylporphyrin was embedded in a cellulose acetate matrix and affixed to a fiber optic bundle, which provided for transmission of the excitation and emission wavelengths of the film. The fiber optic bundle was sealed in a sensor head that can be used in standard 24-well plates common to research labs. The utility of the sensor and sensing platform were determined by measuring the changes in oxygen consumption rates of Candida albicans during 90/30 s flow/stop cycles. Exposure of these cells to metabolic antagonists and an enhancer showed the expected decrease and increase in oxygen consumption rates in real time. The applicability o f the platform to biological studies is illustrated by determination of synergistic activities between antifungal drugs and fluoride exposure in Candida albicans. The robustness of the fluorophore film is demonstrated by perfusion with different media and analyte conditions in the absence of cells. For stop cycle time intervals less than 1 minute the sensor exhibited a rapid and fairly linear change in fluorescence intensity to changing oxygen concentrations in the measurement chamber. Flow cycle fluorescence intensities were used as a baseline correction for treating the stop cycle fluorescence peaks. APPROVAL FOR SCHOLARLY DISSEMINATION The author grants to the Prescott Memorial Library of Louisiana Tech University the right to reproduce, by appropriate methods, upon request, any or all portions of this Dissertation. It is understood that “proper request” consists o f the agreement, on the part of the requesting party, that said reproduction is for his personal use and that subsequent reproduction will not occur without written approval of the author of this Dissertation. Further, any portions of the Dissertation used in books, papers, and other works must be appropriately referenced to this Dissertation. Finally, the author of this Dissertation reserves the right to publish freely, in the literature, at any time, any or all portions of this Dissertation. Author Koutilva R Buchapudi Date , Q l | . q j l £ ____________
Classification of Isolates Originating from Kimchi Using Carbon-source Utilization Patterns

One hundred and eighty two lactic acid bacteria, isolated mainly from kimchi, including reference strains were examined for their ability to utilize 95 carbon sources. The test strains were assigned to 5 major, 1 minor and 12 single-membered clusters based on the , UPGMA algorithm (at similarity of ). These aggregate clusters were equivalent to the genus Leuconostoc (aggregate cluster M and N), the genus Lactobacillus (aggregate cluster Q and R), and the genera Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc (aggregate cluster O and P) according to the database of the Biolog system. This study demonstrates that rapid identification and classification of isolates originating from kimchi can be achieved on the basis of such carbon source utilization tests.
Measurement of ATP Hydrolytic Activity of Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase from Arabidopsis thaliana Leaves

[Abstract] Plant plasma membrane H+-ATPase, which is a P-type ATPase, couples ATP hydrolysis to H+ extrusion and thereby generates an electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane. The proton gradient is necessary for secondary transport, cell elongation, and membrane potential maintenance. Here we describe a protocol for measurement of the ATP hydrolytic activity of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.