Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural and molecular characterisation of the neuronal nucleus.

Within the mammalian nucleus, many major cellular functions are performed including transcription, pre-mRNA splicing and ribosome assembly, all of which are important for successful gene expression, and, to achieve this, the nucleus has evolved as a highly organised, dynamic structure (Dundr and Misteli, 2001). In this study a complete ultrastructural and molecular investigation of the neuronal nucleus has been undertaken, characterising three subdomains in detail: speckles, the nucleolus, and the Cajal body. It has recently been established that several human neurodegenerative diseases are associated with changes in the organisation of the neuronal nucleus, and this is believed to be the principle cause of cellular dysfunction and resulting clinical symptoms. Many of these diseases and their associated nuclear pathology have successfully been reproduced in transgenic mouse models. In this study I have determined the detailed ultrastructural and molecular organisation of the nucleus of neurons within the striatum of the mouse brain and compared this to nuclei of striatal neurons in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease and in a mutant mouse lacking the gene for the protein p80 coilin. In the HD mouse there is a dramatic reorganisation of the nucleus accompanied by the formation of a novel nuclear subdomain, the neuronal intranuclear inclusion (Nil), which is associated with the movement of the Cajal body from the nucleolus to the Nil. This occurs with a change in the molecular composition of the speckles and a major reorganisation in the structure of the nucleolus. In contrast, the p80 mutant mouse is characterised by major alterations in the distribution and molecular composition of the Cajal body. However, this is not similarly associated with dramatic changes in either the speckles or the nucleolus. These studies clearly establish novel and important changes in the organisation of the neuronal nucleus associated with the formation of the Nil in Huntington's disease.
REGIONAL POPULATIONS AND MIGRATION OF MOOSE IN NORTHERN YAKUTIA, RUSSIA

Following an overall population decline of moose (Alces alces) after the 1970s, extensive aerial and ground surveys conducted since 1985 indicated that there were 7 distinct populations in northern Yakutia. They are isolated geographically by mountain ridges and major rivers, and are named the Leno-Olenek, Predverkhoyansk, Yana, Chondon, Momo-Selenyakh, Indigirka, and Kolyma populations. Although most occupy forest habitat associated with major rivers, some are migratory (40-200 km) moving both N-S and E-W, and certain populations overlap on winter range. Population densities generally range from 1-2 moose/10 km2, with higher and lower local densities. The northernmost Chondon population is unique by occupying sub-tundra forests and ridges. Because protective regulations did not produce measurable population recovery and were abandoned in 2004, management strategies must be adopted to address the ecological differences of these separate populations. Effective moose management in Yakutia will require further identification of range and habitat use, habitat structure and availability, and population estimates and dynamics of regional populations.
The Nature of Ephemeral Secrets in Reverse Engineering Tasks

Reverse engineering is typically carried out on static binary objects, such as files or compiled programs. Often the goal of reverse engineering is to extract a secret that is ephemeral and only exists while the system is running. My thesis: Automation and dynamic analysis enable reverse engineers to extract ephemeral secrets from dynamic systems, obviating the need for analyzing static artifacts such as executable binaries. I support this thesis through four automated reverse engineering efforts: (1) named entity extraction to track Chinese Internet censorship based on keywords; (2) dynamic information flow tracking to locate secret keys in memory for a live program; (3) man-in-the-middle to emulate server behavior for extracting cryptographic secrets; and, (4) large-scale measurement and data mining of TCP/IP handshake behaviors to reveal machines on the Internet vulnerable to TCP/IP hijacking and other attacks. In each of these cases, automation enables the extraction of ephemeral secrets,
Estimation of genotype × environment interaction for yield, health and fertility in dairy cattle

In dairy cattle breeding, health and fertility traits have recently been included in a large number of national breeding goals. The effectiveness of breeding decisions and management changes to improve health and fertility possibly interact through genotype × environment interaction (G×E). G×E is a phenomenon in which different genotypes respond differently to changes in an environment. It can consist of the following effects: heterogeneous genetic variances across environments, genetic correlation of a trait expressed in different environments being less than 1.0 ( reranking ), and heterogeneous genetic correlations between traits across environments. In this thesis, G×E for health and fertiltity , as well as for yield, has been investigated using reaction norm models. In the reaction norm models, breeding values and genetic parameters were modeled as a function of an environmental descriptor using random regression. The dimensions of the model were expanded from linear random regressions to higher order random regressions, to include two parameters to define the environment, and to multivariate reaction norm models. Many environmental descriptors were investigated in this thesis, such as production level, farm size, average somatic cell score and calving interval, however, it appears that the herd parameters linked to nutrition and energy balance are most important for G×E. Significant G×E was detected in 86% of the situations for yield traits, but only in 14% of the situations for health and fertility traits, although significant reranking was found for SCS, mastitis and survival. Estimated G×E effects mainly consisted of heterogeneous genetic variances with limited reranking . As a result of heterogeneous variances in different traits, the relative importance of fertility compared to yield doubled across environments. Estimated G×E effects for SCS indicated more reranking of animals based on analysis of test day records, than on lactation averages. It was shown that selection for increased yield is expected to lead to increased environmental sensitivity for yield, while selection for better fertility is expected to lead to decreased environmental sensitivity for fertility. The models presented in this thesis can be used to account for the effect of herd environment on a trait and the relations between traits, and therefore enable to make accurate predictions of breeding values across environments.
Chronic Mastitis in Small Dairy Cattle Herds in Muang Khon Kaen

Monthly records of bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) of all 194 dairy herds in Muang, Khon Kaen were used as an indicator of chronic mastitis problems; i.e. BMSCC > 500,000 cells/ml at least 3 consecutive records. Twelve chronic mastitis herds in Muang, Khon Kaen were data collected on 1) general herd information, 2) milking equipment, 3) milking procedure and 4) awareness and management of farmers to the mastitis problem. All possible mastitis pathogens were investigated in individual milk samples from 138 lactating cows of the herds. At least 40% of dairy herds in Muang, Khon Kaen had mastitis at each record and 23%(44 herds) had the long-term problem. Farmers of the 12 studied herds had poor managements on mastitis control, such as improper milking machine maintenance, no use of pre-dipping; foremilk had not been checked for abnormality, mastitis cows were milked with fresh cows. At the cow level, the prevalence of contagious bacteria, coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and opportunistic bacteria was 39%, 64% and 22%, respectively. Milking practice was identified as a risk factor of cow being infected intramammary by contagious bacteria and CNS.
Caractérisation fonctionnelle de MtPM25, une protéine LEA ( Late Embryogenesis Abundant ), et implication dans la qualité germinative des graines de Medicago truncatula

La tolerance a la dessiccation correspond a la propriete de resister sans dommage a la perte totale de l'eau cellulaire. Il s'agit d'un phenomene multifactoriel qui repose notamment sur l'accumulation de proteines de stress telles que les proteines LEA (Late Embryogenesis Abundant). Ces proteines hydrophiles et largement desordonnees a l'etat natif appartiennent a plusieurs familles sur la base de leurs sequences primaires, et sont exprimees de facon abondante en fin de maturation des graines. On leur attribue une multitude de fonctions telles que remplacement de l'eau, pieges a ions, stabilisation des proteines et membranes. Parmi cette famille de proteine, le laboratoire a identifie et clone chez Medicago truncatula, PM25, une proteine LEA specifiquement exprimee dans la graine. L'objectif de ce travail a ete de mieux comprendre sa fonction au sein de la graine. Deux approches ont ete employees : une approche physico-chimique de caracterisation de la fonction de PM25 in vitro et une approche de genetique inverse impliquant E. coli et des mutants d'insertion Tnt1 de M. truncatula deficients en PM25. Nous avons montre que PM25 est une proteine LEA nucleaire atypique presentant des caracteristiques hydrophobes. De plus, non seulement elle empeche l'agregation de proteines lors de la dessiccation ou la congelation, mais elle est aussi capable de dissoudre de maniere tres efficace ces agregats lors de la rehydratation ou de la decongelation. Cependant, le phenotypage des graines pm25 n'a pas permis de mettre en evidence une sensibilite accrue des graines a la dessiccation, au vieillissement accelere ou aux stress salins et osmotiques. Ce resultat peut etre explique par le fait que plusieurs homologues de PM25 sont surexprimes dans les graines mutantes, ce qui indique un phenomene de redondance pour cette famille de gene. Par ailleurs, les graines pm25 presentent une masse et une taille reduite alors que la composition en sucres solubles et proteines de reserve n'est pas affectee. L'ensemble de nos travaux suggere que PM25 serait soumis a des phenomenes de regulation complexe et pourrait reguler le remplissage de la graine.
Characterization of transgenic Trifolium subterraneum L. which expresses phyA and releases extracellular phytase: growth and P nutrition in laboratory media and soil

Transgenic Trifolium subterraneum expressing a phytase gene (phyA) from Aspergillus niger were generated. Five independently transformed lines showed an average 77-fold increase in exuded phytase activity in comparison with null segregant and wild-type controls. Unlike other phosphatases, exuded phytase activity was unaffected by P supply, verifying the constitutive expression of phyA. Transgenic T. subterraneum grown in agar with P supplied as phytate, took up 1.3- to 3.6-fold more P than controls and had equivalent P uptake to plants supplied with orthophosphate. This unique phenotype was compromised when the plants were grown in soil. None of the five lines showed increased shoot biomass or total P uptake in an unfertilized, low-P soil taken from under permanent pasture. With addition of P, one of the five transgenic lines had consistently greater P nutrition compared with control plants. Despite variable growth and P nutrition responses, P uptake per root length was on average greater for transgenic lines. Exudation of phytase by transgenic T. subterraneum allowed utilization of P from phytate in non-sorbing, sterile laboratory media, but was less effective when plants were grown in soil. Release of extracellular phytase is therefore not the only requirement for the acquisition of P from endogenous soil phytate by plants.
Caractersticas de sementes de gramneas nativas do cerrado

Some characteristics of seeds of 22 native grass species from cerrado region in Brazil, such as sterility, weight of full and empty seeds, possibility of ventilation and number of seeds per weight were evaluated. Species of the genus Aristida, Ctenium, Diectiomis and Schizachyrium showed the highest levels of fertile spikelets (higher than 50%); Andropogon and Hypogynium showed levels of fertile spikelets between 25-49%; whereas in Paspalum, Setaria and Thrazya the occurrence of fertile spikelets varied from 5 to 24% and in Axonopus it was lower than 5%. The average number of full seeds per gram varied from 20 in Paspalum reduncum to almost 3,000 in Aristida gibbosa, which affects the rate of sowing. The seeds classified as "hairy", with which the use of "de-awners" during processing is recommended, belonged to the species: Andropogon bicornis, Andropogon selloanus, Aristida gibbosa, Aristida recurvata, Aristida setifolia, Aristida torta, Ctenium cirrhosum, Diectiomis fastigiata, Hypogynium virgatum, Paspalum pectinatum, Paspalum polyphilum, Paspalum splendens, Paspalum stellatum and Schizachyrium microstachyum. The species classified as non "hairy", with which ventilation can be recommended, were: Axonopus barbigerus, Axonopus canescens, Paspalum gardnerianum, Paspalum pilosum, Paspalum reduncum, Paspalum trichostomum, Setaria geniculata and Thrasya glaziovii.
Strong honeybee colonies prove value in almond pollination

Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: The combined almond pollen collection results for colonies with different strengths used in 1970 are listed in table 1. Results are expressed as average grams of almond pollen collected per colony during the seven-day and ten-day collection periods and as a percentage of pollen collected by four-frame colonies. (A minimum standard colony of honeybees for almond pollination was defined in 1968 by the California Beekeepers Association as having an actively laying queen and four frames completely covered with bees at the beginning of almond bloom.)
Pharmacodynamics of julibroside J8 and J12 in inhibiting angiogenesis

Abstract Background: Ablizia julibrissin could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of the compositions Julibroside J8 and J12 on the angiogenesis are still poorly understood. Objective: We compared the pharmacodynamics of julibroside J8 and J12 in inhibiting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Julibroside J8 and J12 were separated from the crude extract of Ablizia julibrissin. The effects of julibroside J8 and julibroside J12 on growth, migration, and matrigel tube formation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were explored. In addition, the in vivo anti-angiogenic effect of julibroside J8 and J12 was evaluated on a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Results: HMEC-1 cells showed dose-dependent inhibition of growth, migration, and tube formation, when treated with 0.5-4 μg/ml julibroside J8 or 0.1-0.5 μg/ml julibroside J12 respectively. The formation of microvessels on CAM was also inhibited by julibroside J8 or julibroside J12 at concentrations of 10-100 μg. egg-1 or 5-50 μg. egg-1 respectively. Conclusion: Julibroside J12 confers more potent inhibitory effect on angiogenesis than julibroside J8 does.
Evaluation of Canada goose sterilization for population control.

Some populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in the United States and Canada have increased markedly, causing nuisance problems and health concerns in or near urban areas (Nelson and Oetting 1981, Conover and Chasko 1985, Wornecki et al. 1990). Increasing urbanization has changed the landscape surrounding coastal and freshwater wetlands to areas attractive for people and geese. However, most landowners are reluctant to deter use of grassy areas by geese by draining ponds, replanting lawns with unpalatable vegetation, or planting trees and shrubs on lawns (Conover and Kania 1991). Although various techniques have been used to manage nuisance geese in urban and suburban areas, the problem has not yet been resolved. Capture and relocation of nuisance geese to distant sites has been done frequently during summer months when geese molt flight feathers. Because other geese quickly ingress (Conover and Chasko 1985, Cooper 1987), relocation has provided only temporary relief for local problems. Harassment of geese with distress calls, visual scare devices, and pyrotechnic devices has provided short-term relief (e.g., Mott and Timbrook 1988, Aguilera et al. 1991). Harassment has often redistributed problem birds to other sites without deterring ingress of other geese (Aguilera et al. 1991). Chemical repellents have been experimentally applied
Hydrodynamic analysis of human neutrophil N-formyl chemotactic receptor-G protein interactions : mapping of interfacial domains with receptor-mimetic peptides

The neutrophil’s ability to seek and destroy invading pathogens is mediated by specific cell surface receptors. Bacterial protein synthesis initiation fragments, which contain a formylated methionine at their N-terminus, act as chemoattractants to neutrophils. Stereospecific binding Of these peptides (agonists) to the N-formyl peptide chemoattractant receptor (FPR) leads to activation of various cellular functions which ultimately result in microbicidal activity. Specific interaction between agonist-occupied receptor and an intracellular guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) initiates a complex signal transduction pathway. These types of pathways have attracted a great deal of attention because of the many physiological and pharmacological events regulated by G proteins. There have previously been no studies to show direct interactions between a G protein-coupled receptor and G protein. Using a reconstitution assay involving hydrodynamic ' analysis of protein complexes, a direct interaction between agonist-occupied FPR and G protein from two different sources has been demonstrated. Uncomplexed FPR and FPR complexed with Gi2 exhibit two different molecular size forms which can be resolved by sedimentation analysis in detergent-containing linear sucrose density gradients. The ability of detergent solubilized FPR to bind reversibly to purified G protein was characterized under a variety of biochemical conditions. The inability of ADP-ribosylated Gi to bind to FPR was also demonstrated for the first time. Results also indicate that the agonist-bound FPR activates exogenously added Gi, by receptor induced release of bound GDP from Gia. Based on the primary structure of FPR and its homology to various G protein coupled receptors, a working model for the topography of FPR has been proposed. The structural determinants of FPR required for its physical interaction with Gi were investigated using site-specific synthetic FPR peptides. Peptides corresponding to putative intracellular FPR domains were tested for their ability to interfere with FPR-Gi association. These peptide competition experiments suggest that at least four distinct FPR domains are involved in coupling to Gi, including the putative first cytoplasmic loop and a region (CTE) on the carboxyl terminal tail. These regions on other structurally related receptors have not been implicated in G protein interaction. In conclusion, evidence has been presented to demonstrate for the first time that a guanine nucleotide sensitive physical complex forms between FPR and two related G proteins, allowing investigation of the structural basis of physiologically relevant molecular interactions using synthetic FPR peptides.
Analysis Of Domestic Saving On Fastening Economic Growth In Ethiopia: Vector Error Correction Approach

Saving has always figured prominently in both theoretical analysis and policy design in both developed and developing economies. Banking services is performed in the form of mobilizing saving (deposit), extending credit, international banking (trade, foreign exchange and money transfer) and other legal transfer payments. There are scant current literatures on the determinants of saving on fastening economic growth. This study used co-integration and vector error correction model (VECM) to examine the effect and causal relationship between the growth rate of real Gross Domestic Saving (GDS) and growth rate of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Ethiopia. In the process of analysis, the time series properties of macroeconomic variables were ascertained by using the ADF unit root test procedure. Finally, the long-run relationship between variables was explored by utilizing the Johansen procedure. The estimated results indicated that one order of integration or I(1) for the series was considered. From the result, the coefficient of the co-integrating equation tells that about 36 percent of equilibrium corrected each year by change in aggregate domestic saving. Gross domestic saving in Ethiopia is affected by age dependency ratio, real exchange rate, real interest rate, real gross domestic product, foreign capital inflow and money supply both in the short and long run. Saving is positively related to income level or GDP growth and terms of trade. Elasticity of exchange rate with respect to domestic saving is low and insignificant in the short run and high and significant in the long run. This implied that continuous depreciation of real exchange rate have a positive impact on domestic saving. Addressing institutional (through sensible policies such as formalization of the informal sector), and structural problems (such as infrastructural provision and efficient and relevant education policy) is also noted in the empirical literature as influencing saving mobilization. Key Words: Cointegration, Growth, Model, Saving, Vector Error Correction
Operational sex ratio and reproductive behaviour in the two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens)

Males generally compete for females through courtship and aggression (conventional sex roles). However, sex roles are reversed in some species and can even vary between populations or over time within a single species. The operational sex ratio (OSR), the sex ratio of ready-to-mate individuals, is a central factor proposed to explain the strength and direction of mating competition. Density can both act as a cue for OSR and have its own effects on competition. In the two-spotted goby, Gobiusculus flavescens, a seasonal switch in sex roles coincides with a change in OSR from male to female biased and a decrease in male density. This dynamic system provides an ideal opportunity to test the effects of OSR and density on competitive behaviour experimentally. In an aquarium experiment, we created two different sex ratios at two different densities and observed courtship and agonistic behaviour in both sexes. We changed sex ratio to equality after 4 days of treatment, to test for a lag in the behavioural response. Contrary to our predictions, males courted more after prolonged exposure to a female-biased sex ratio, although we also found a tendency for a positive effect of male density on male courtship frequency. We did not find any other effects of treatment on either male or female behaviour. Furthermore, we did not find evidence for a lag in the response to a change in density or sex ratio. We conclude that OSR and density did not affect individual frequencies of behaviour in the expected direction. (C) 2009 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.