Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the promise of assessing dynamic characteristics of the family for predicting adolescent risk outcomes.

BACKGROUND Family-based assessments of risk factors for adolescent emotional, behavioral, and substance use problems can be used to identify adolescents who are at risk and intervene before problems cause clinically significant impairment. Expanding traditional methods for assessing risk, this study evaluates whether lability, referring to the degree to which parent-adolescent relationships and parenting fluctuate from day to day, might offer additional value to assessment protocols aimed at identifying precursor risk factors. METHODS This study sampled 151 adolescents and caregivers, collecting data at a baseline assessment, a 21-day daily diary protocol, and a 12-month follow-up assessment. Daily diary data were used to calculate within-family lability scores in parenting practices, parent-adolescent connectedness, and parent-adolescent conflict. RESULTS Regression analyses evaluated whether lability predicted adolescent's depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior (ASB), drunkenness, and marijuana use at 12-month follow-up. Lability in parent-adolescent connectedness, accounting for baseline levels, gender, age, and initial levels of outcomes, was associated with risk for depression, anxiety, ASB, drunkenness, and marijuana use. Lability in parenting practices also was associated with risk for depression, anxiety, and drunkenness. Baseline levels moderated some of these effects. Parent-adolescent conflict lability was only associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence for substantial value added when including dynamic assessments of family lability in predicting long-term adolescent risk outcomes and call for integration of dynamic methods into assessment practices.
Pine seed predation by mice: an experimental assessment of preference

Depredacion de semillas de pino por roedores: una evaluacion experimental de las preferencias Se considera que las caracteristicas de las semillas son un factor esencial que influye en las preferencias de forrajeo de los roedores. Evaluamos en laboratorio, mediante experimentos tipo cafeteria, las preferencias alimentarias de seis de las nueve especies de roedores que se observan con frecuencia en el bosque templado del sur de Mexico por las semillas de cuatro especies de pinos: Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. teocote y P. montezumae, que difieren entre si en el largo, el ancho, el contenido nutricional y la concentracion de taninos. Las semillas mas largas y anchas fueron las de P. teocote y P. montezumae . Las de P. teocote tuvieron el mayor contenido de proteina, las de P. patula fueron las mas ricas en lipidos y las de P. montezumae fueron las mas ricas en carbohidratos. En cuanto a la concentracion de taninos, el mayor contenido de acido galico se encontro en las semillas de P. patula y el de acido tanico, en las de P. teocote . Los roedores prefirieron semillas pequenas con un alto contenido de lipidos y acido galico, un bajo contenido de acido tanico y un contenido intermedio de proteina y carbohidratos. En consecuencia, el comportamiento de forrajeo de los roedores, su optimizacion energetica y los posibles efectos en el destino de las semillas y la composicion de la vegetacion estarian determinados por una combinacion de caracteristicas de las semillas mas que por una unica caracteristica como el tamano o el contenido de taninos.
Phylogenetic position of a monotypic Ethiopian endemic rodent genus Megadendromus (Rodentia, Nesomyidae)

Abstract The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the Nikolaus’s African climbing mouse (Megadendromus nikolausi), formerly known only from four specimens, remained for a long time ambiguous. Here, we report, for the first time, the phylogenetic analysis of this species using mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear (interphotoreceptor binding protein) gene sequences obtained from a new specimen recently caught in the Bale Mountains in south-eastern Ethiopia. Our analyses strongly suggest that the Nikolaus’s climbing mouse does not belong to a distinct monotypic genus, but to the genus Dendromus. The first karyotype description of this enigmatic Ethiopian endemic is presented. The diploid set comprises 18 pairs of bi-armed chromosomes, 2N=36, one of the lowest diploid numbers reported for the genus Dendromus (2N=30–52). Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis reveals that another very distinctive Ethiopian endemic, Dendromus lovati, sometimes placed in a subgenus Chortomys, occupies an internal position within Dendromus s.s. The results suggest that the Ethiopian Plateau is an important center of high diversity and adaptive radiation for the genus Dendromus. The conservation status of M. nikolausi is assessed.
Neutral and selective drivers of colour evolution in a widespread Australian passerine

Rump plumage coloration of the Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis), a widespread Australian songbird, varies from bright yellow in the tropical north to olive‐green in the temperate south. Here, we test whether colour variation: (1) correlates most strongly with neutral genetic variation and so is best explained by historical processes, (2) reflects selection associated with different visual environments (dense versus open habitats) and/or (3) reflects selection associated with climatic variation.
Restructuring lucerne ('Medicago sativa') through introgression of the Medicago arborea genome

This paper reports early generation studies on the agronomic potential of 'M. sativa' (lucerne) X 'M. arborea' partial hybrids and their derivatives, all of which are termed Alborea. Alborea lines were identified that were at least as vigorous and productive in the glasshouse and field (Gatton) as the best commercial control lines. Specific M. arborea traits, such as yellow flower colour, single coil flat pods, larger seed size, tallness and shrub/bush type growth habit, have been transmitted to Alborea. The work indicates that with further breeding and selection, the utilisation of lucerne can be increased.
Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of ZmMCUs in maize

Abstract The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), located in the organelle’s inner membrane of eukaryotic organisms, is a highly selective ion channel which plays a unique role in the calcium signaling. Six MCU-like genes (assigned as ZmMCU1∼ZmMCU6) were identified in the maize genome. Genomic analysis revealed that these six genes were located on chromosome 1, 3, 8 and 9. Sequence identity percent between ZmMCU1 and ZmMCU2, or between ZmMCU4 and ZmMCU5 was relatively high at both the nucleic acid and amino acid levels. Sequence alignment of ZmMCU indicated that for plants, there was “DVME” motif in the deduced protein sequences. Digital expression analysis showed the ZmMCU6 was strongly expressed in all of the studied organs in maize, while the other five ZmMCU genes had unique expression patterns. In the developing seeds of maize, the six ZmMCU genes had three divergent expression patterns. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that MCU homologs in plants could be grouped into two types and each type could be further classified into two subtypes along the monocot and dicot division. Moreover, MCU homologs in both the dicot and monocot had been independently duplicated and then those in maize had undergone an extra duplication for two subclades. Based on genomic structure, sequence similarity, digital expression profile, and phylogenetic analysis, our results clearly suggested that ZmMCU1 and ZmMCU2 as well as ZmMCU4 and ZmMCU5 are functionally redundant in maize genome.
Analysis of the genetic diversity of Tunisian natural populations of Brachypodium

Premise of research: Brachypodium hybridum is recently recognized as allotetraploid specie deriving from natural hybridization between B. distachyon and B. stacei. The identification of this species which emerged as a new model for the polyploid species has spawned considerable scientific interest and a lot of investigations using highly variable markers and a broad geographical sampling are under way to understand the patterns of their genetic diversity and the contribution of polyploidy on adaptation.Methodology: As a step towards understanding the genetic basis for natural variation of this specie in Tunisia, 15 microsatellites markers and 145 genotypes representing 9 populations were used. Pivotal results: Results exhibit high level of polymorphism (159 polymorphic alleles with an average of 8.6 alleles per locus) and high level of genetic diversity in all the studied populations with expected and observed heterozygosities averaged 0.79 and 0.31,
A freshwater red alga, thorea clavata seto et ratnasabapathy, from thailand with special reference to sexual reproductive organs

Thorea clavata is reported for the first time in Thailand. Prior to this discovery it was known only from the type locality in Malaysia. The Thai collection was from the sub-district of Huay Khayeng, Thong Pha-phum district, Kanchanaburi province, south-western Thailand. The thalli were fertile and the spermatangia, carpogonia and carposporangia are described and illustrated.
Complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medical fern Drynaria roosii and its phylogenetic analysis

Abstract In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of the medical fern Drynaria roosii was completed and analyzed in order to understand the evolution of the genome of the fern lineages. In D. roosii, the circular double-stranded cpDNA sequence of 154,305 bp consists of two inverted repeat (IRA and IRB) regions of 23,416 bp each, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,040 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 21,433 bp. The overall GC content is 40.92% and the GC contents of LSC, IRs, and SSC are 39.75%, 45.07%, and 36.60%, respectively. D. roosii with 108 annotated unique genes included 85 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Using the whole chloroplast genome sequences alignment of 18 species from ferns, the phylogenetic relationship was built. The phylogenetic position of D. roosii was closely clustered with Adiantum capillus-veneris, Cheilanthes lindheimeri, and Pteridium aquilium subsp. Aquilinum as sister species and then clustered with Alsophila spinulosa, Lygodium japonicum, Diplopterygium glaucum, and Osmundastrum cinnamomeum. D. roosii belongs to Polypodiales. The complete chloroplast genome of D. roosii provides utility information for ferns evolutionary and genomic studies.
Pre-release Evaluation of Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a Potential Biological Control Agent for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in the Eastern United States

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, is an invasive pest threatening eastern (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) and Carolina hemlock (T. caroliniana Englem.) forests in the eastern US. A new predator, Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake, has been found in association with A. tsugae in Japan. Laricobius osakensis was evaluated in a series of prerelease studies to assess its potential as a biological control agent for A. tsugae. Host-range studies indicated that L. osakensis is a specific predator that feeds predominantly and reproduces only on A. tsugae. The functional response—prey consumption changes in response to changes in prey density—was similar for both L. osakensis and Laricobius nigrinus Fender adults. However, L. osakensis had a higher numerical response—changes in oviposition in response to changes in prey density—than L. nigrinus. Laricobius osakensis larvae had a higher functional response than L. nigrinus larvae. Laricobius osakensis’ higher numerical and functional response indicates that this species can potentially be more effective than L. nigrinus. In the evaluation of L. osakensis in sleeve cages in the field from December to April high rates of adult survival, feeding, and reproduction were found. A pair of predators in a cage killed on average five adelgids/day. Peak oviposition occurred in March and April. Larvae from eggs placed in the cages reached maturity in 28-50 days, depending on the season, and only 6.7 % died before
Herbage and phytochemicals yield of mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) as influenced by time of harvest

Indian pennywort or mandukaparni [Centella asiatica (L.) Urban] containing four triterpenes; asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid as principal bioactive phytochemicals, is an important medicinal crop and valued as brain tonic worldwide. An experiment was conducted during 201214 at Anand, Gujarat, to in- vestigate the effects of harvest time of main crop of mandukaparni as well as ratoon on herbage yield, and triterpenes content and yield. Significantly higher leaf area was found at the first harvesting of main crop at 6 months (21.9 cm2/leaf) and ratoon harvesting at 4 months (22.1 cm2/leaf), whereas leaves/node were found mark- edly higher at 4 months of first harvest (MFH) (11.3) and 2 months of ratoon harvest (MRH) (11). The first harvest- ing of the main crop at 5 months and ratoon harvesting at 4 months recorded markedly higher dry herbage yield (1,404 kg/ha), being higher by 54.8% over 4 MFH and 2 MRH. The highest triterpenes content were recorded at the first as well as ratoon harvesting at 4 months (2%) and increased by 42.8% over 4 MFH and 2 MRH. The triterpenes yield was markedly higher at the first harvesting of main crop at 5 months and ratoon harvesting at 4 months (26.7 kg/ha), which was 107% higher over 4 MFH and 2 MRH. Thus, mandukaparni should be harvested first at 5 months after planting and ratoon at 4 months interval for the production of maximum herbage and phytochemicals on unit area basis under commercial cultivation.
Predicting cyanobacterial abundance, microcystin, and geosmin in a eutrophic drinking-water reservoir using a 14-year dataset

ABSTRACT Harris TD, Graham JL. 2017. Predicting cyanobacterial abundance, microcystin, and geosmin in a eutrophic drinking-water reservoir using a 14-year dataset. Lake Reserve Manage. 33:32-48. Cyanobacterial blooms degrade water quality in drinking water supply reservoirs by producing toxic and taste-and-odor causing secondary metabolites, which ultimately cause public health concerns and lead to increased treatment costs for water utilities. There have been numerous attempts to create models that predict cyanobacteria and their secondary metabolites, most using linear models; however, linear models are limited by assumptions about the data and have had limited success as predictive tools. Thus, lake and reservoir managers need improved modeling techniques that can accurately predict large bloom events that have the highest impact on recreational activities and drinking-water treatment processes. In this study, we compared 12 unique linear and nonlinear regression modeling techniques to predict cyanobacterial abundance and the cyanobacterial secondary metabolites microcystin and geosmin using 14 years of physiochemical water quality data collected from Cheney Reservoir, Kansas. Support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), boosted tree (BT), and Cubist modeling techniques were the most predictive of the compared modeling approaches. SVM, RF, and BT modeling techniques were able to successfully predict cyanobacterial abundance, microcystin, and geosmin concentrations <60,000 cells/mL, 2.5 µg/L, and 20 ng/L, respectively. Only Cubist modeling predicted maxima concentrations of cyanobacteria and geosmin; no modeling technique was able to predict maxima microcystin concentrations. Because maxima concentrations are a primary concern for lake and reservoir managers, Cubist modeling may help predict the largest and most noxious concentrations of cyanobacteria and their secondary metabolites.
Calmodulin Bound Aquaporin-0 Reveals Two Distinct Energy Profiles

Aquaporin-0 (AQP0) contributes to the nurturing and cleaning of the eye lens of waste products. It is a tetrameric protein composed of four identical monomers, each of which has its own water pore. AQP0 water conduction is regulated by pH, Ca2+ concentration, and the phosphorylation of serine residues at the C-terminal. High cellular Ca2+ concentration enhances the binding of Calmodulin (CaM), a Ca2+ dependent protein, to AQP0 from cytoplasm. This study focuses on determining the differences between the AQP0-CaM and the open AQP0 systems, by using Molecular Dynamics (MD) methods. The water conduction energy profiles are measured with two separate MD simulation techniques revealed two distinct channel profiles for the AQP0-CaM combined model. While the CaM bound channels’ energy barriers exceed the 6 kcal/mol, the no CaM bound AQP0 energy profile stays below 3 kcal/mol. The structural analysis of these different pores during the free equilibrations also supported this conclusion with distinct pore diameters. Unlike the previous report, this study observed Phe75 and His66 taking role in stabilizing the CSII restriction site in CaM bound AQP0.
Spatial variability of hydrophysical properties of fallow sandy soils

Abstract Spatial heterogeneity of soil hydrophysical properties was estimated in 2 fallow sandy soils at Csólyospálos and Örbottyán, Hungary. Significant differences in small particle (= silt + clay) content (5.0% vs. 13.7%), organic matter content (1.62% vs. 0.91%), and CaCO3 content (3.1% vs. 5.1%) measured at Csólyospálos and Örbottyán, respectively, resulted in a higher persistence of water repellency in the Csólyospálos soil. It also resulted in a significantly higher water sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity of the Örbottyán soil. The spatial heterogeneity of soil hydrophysical properties was significant reaching 3 orders of magnitude differences due to the variances of soil properties. The water repellency cessation time was inversely related to the hydraulic conductivity and water sorptivity at Csólyospálos site.
Thresholds in ecosystem structural and functional responses to agricultural stressors can inform limit setting in streams

Setting numeric in-stream objectives (limits, criteria) to inform limits on catchment loads for major land-use stressors is a promising policy instrument to prevent ecosystem degradation. Management objectives can be informed by thresholds identified from stressor–response shapes of ecological indicators based on field survey data. Use of multiple structural and functional indicators and different organism groups provides multiple lines of evidence to make objectives more robust. We measured a suite of ecological indicators during a regional field survey in New Zealand. We built flexible boosted regression tree (BRT) models with a predictor set consisting of nutrient, sediment, and environmental variables and investigated the fitted functions for different types of thresholds across each stressor gradient. Congruence of impact initiation (II) thresholds for N among macroinvertebrate metrics and 2 periphyton indicators provided multiple lines of evidence for ecosystem change with small increases in N concentrations above background levels. Impact cessation (IC) on macroinvertebrate metrics at total N = ~0.5 mg/L (below N concentrations that saturate important ecosystem processes) highlighted sensitivity of macroinvertebrate communities to eutrophication. We found few stressor–response relationships for sediment. We suggest use of sediment-specific macroinvertebrate metrics and a reliable measure of deposited fine sediment in the future. Few indicators responded to phosphorus (P) concentration. Limited information for setting P objectives highlights the need to develop alternative indicators of P loading. Statistical analysis based on single-stressor inferential threshold models suggested that these models carry high risk of identifying spurious thresholds and are less suitable for setting management objectives. II and IC thresholds of multiple ecological indicators can be used to set robust objectives aimed at different levels of protection of ecosystem health.
Female age as a factor determining the patterns of tree canopy utilisation by the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi

ABSTRACT The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi is a univoltine, oligophagous pest of cultivated sweet cherries. The pest is closely associated with the canopy of its host tree, and its on-farm behaviour and mobility are determined by the crop structure and spatial arrangement of the farm. However, in spite of its relevance to integrated pest management, little is known about the within-canopy behaviour of R. cerasi, or the role of host and non-host canopy traits in local pest translocations. This paper reports the results of our exploratory studies, which reveal the modulating role of female age on various aspects of R. cerasi on-farm behaviour, such as diurnal and lifetime patterns of canopy utilisation and within-canopy activity, the propensity to undertake local explorative errands and the response to volatiles emanating from host and non-host canopies. The potential implications of our findings on the development of site-optimised IPM and/or pest-resilient agro-landscapes were also discussed.
Determination of silver nanoparticle species released from textiles into artificial sweat and laundry wash for a risk assessment

ABSTRACT Increasing use of nanomaterials for consumer products has induced growing concerns on their adverse effects on human health and the environment. To assess the environmental and human health risks of these nanoproducts, it is essential to identify physicochemical forms and quantify the amount of nanomaterials released from nanoproducts upon exposure to various environments. In this study, we have investigated the release assessment of nano-Ag textile products in terms of the total Ag content, and the distribution of Ag materials in the textile and the surrounding environment. The results suggest that the release of Ag nanomaterials from consumer products is less dependent on the total Ag content in the consumer product and depends significantly on the manufacturing processes of the consumer products as well as exposure environment. Based on these experimental results and a simple exposure model, the highest total exposure to particulate/dissolved Ag per use during sweating (1 h) was estimated to be 0.81/2.03 μg Ag/kg body weight with a standard body weight of 77 kg for a male. These results are fairly minimal human exposure and suggest that textiles containing Ag nanomaterials may be less of a concern in terms of human exposure to Ag nanomaterials.
Structure Determination and Biochemical Characterization of Novel Human Ubiquitin-like Domains

The ubiquitin fold acts as a signaling modulator associated with regulating, trafficking, and degrading proteins. The human genome encodes 398 ubiquitin-like domains (UBLs), of which a couple dozen may act as covalent modifiers. Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like domains have been implicated in a number of malignancies, neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and other human illnesses. Identifying the structural effects of sequence variations between different ubiquitin-like homologues will provide insight into their varied functional pathways, since the role of ubiquitin-like modifiers is typically mediated by protein-protein interactions. Structure determination and analyses of ubiquitin-like homologues facilitates residue mapping and comparative analysis of protein-protein interaction sites, which provide insight into the many roles that ubiquitin-like homologues play in cellular processes. The aim of this thesis was to develop a framework through which complete structural coverage of all human ubiquitin-like domains could be achieved. To accomplish this, I defined the human ubiquitin-like fold family, identified ubiquitinlike domain constructs amenable for NMR structure determination, solved two structures