Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revision of the ghost pipefishes, family Solenostomidae (Teleostei: Syngnathoidei)

The syngnathoid family Solenostomidae is revised on the basis of an examination of known material, including extant type specimens. Diagnoses and descriptions are given for each species; distributions are plotted, a key to species is provided, and a phylogenetic hypothesis is presented. Only adult specimens can be adequately diagnosed. A single genus and three species are recognized: Solenostomus paradoxus (Pallas), S. cyanopterus Bleeker, and S. armatus Weber. Solenostomus cyanopterus differs from all other solenostomids by having a relatively deep snout; a deep, short caudal peduncle, with a mode of eight caudalpeduncle plates; an absence of abdominal spinules; and males with premaxillary spines. It is distributed from South Africa and the Red Sea, to the Maldives, Indonesia, southern Japan, Guam, New Guinea, Australia, and Fiji Island. Solenostomus paradoxus differs from its congeners by the presence of numerous abdominal spinules, the presence of fourth and fifth plates at the dorsal- and anal-fin bases, and males with nasal lamellae completely filling the nasal cavity. It is found off the east coast of Africa, the Red Sea, the Maldives, Indonesia, southern Japan, the Marshall Islands, New Guinea, and the east coast of Australia. Solenostomus armatus is diagnosed by having convergent epioccipital ridges, a posterodorsally directed spine on the supraoccipital ridge, and females with seven prominent nasal lamellae forming a circular pattern within the nasal cavity. It is known from the Arafura Sea, Indonesia, and southern Japan. F OUND only in the Indian and Pacific oceans, the three species that comprise the syngnathoid family Solenostomidae inhabit shallow tropical waters associated with rocky and coralline reefs and vegetation. Solenostomids have been hypothesized to be the sister group of the
First Molecular Characterization of Strawberry Vein Banding Virus Naturally Spread in Mixed Infection with Fruit Phyllody Phytoplasma in Egypt

The aim of this work study the molecular characterization of coat protein (CP) gene of Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV) mixed infection with fruit phyllody phytoplasma according to suspected symptoms of vein banding, mottling, yellowing, vein necrosis, leaf crinkling, deformation, phyllody fruits and stunting were recorded on fresh strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne), at Qalyubia Governorate, during the growing season of 2014. The SVBV and phytoplasma were detected in naturally infected strawberry plants by DBIA and Diene’s stain, respectively. PCR assay with SVBV-CP gene specific primers yielded an amplicon of full CP gene 1425 bp from symptomatic strawberry with vein banding leaves, and fruit phyllody symptoms. While, no amplification was observed in the test sample with fruit phyllody symptoms only. The CP gene variability between the Egyptian isolate and the European isolate (Acc. No. X97304); was 0.77 % (11 nt substitutions in a 1425 nt long region) lead to the variability of the deduced amino acids was 1.3% (6 aa substitutions in a 474 aa long region). Similar to the variation of the three North American isolates (Acc. Nos. AY605662, AY605663, and AY605664) with 0.7%, where 9 nt substitutions in a 1382 nt long region, lead to variability 0.9% (4 aa substitutions in a 468 aa long region). So, neighbour-joining phylogeny of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the SVBV-EG isolate showed the close relationship with European, and North American isolates. There are identified two molecular markers (SNPs) in SVBV-EG isolate where the identified A to T change of nucleotide at position number 47 produces a His to Leu amino acid change at position number 16, thus replacing a positively charged residue with a hydrophobic one. Also, the identified C to A change of nucleotide at position number 1021 produces a Gln to Lys amino acid change at position number 341, thus replacing a polar residue with a positively charged residue. The CP gene nucleotide sequence of the Egyptian isolate was registered under GenBank accession number KU366260. This is the first sequence of the SVBV-CP gene from Egypt registered on GenBank. The phytoplasma aetiology was firstly detected through a combination of sectioned plant tissues by the application of Dienes' stain, observed as dark blue areas in the phloem region, using a light microscope, and then confirmed by a nested PCR assay with phytoplasma-specific universal primer pairs (P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2). Hence, this study suggested the mixed infection of SVBV and fruit phyllody phytoplasma with strawberry.
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE SAND LIZARD (LACERTA AGILIS L.) HABITAT IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

This paper quantitatively evaluated the economic forest ecosystem services in the provinces of China in 2003, based on the long-term and continuous observations of economic forest ecosystems in this country, the sixth China national forest resources inventory data, and the price parameter data from the authorities in the world, and by applying the law of market value, the method of substitution of the expenses, and the law of the shadow project. The results showed that in 2003, the total value of economic forest ecosystem services in China was 11763.39 x 10(8) yuan, and the total value of the products from economic forests occupied 19.3% of the total ecosystem services value, which indicated that the economic forests not only provided society direct products, but also exhibited enormous eco-economic value. The service value of the functions of economic forests was in the order of water storage > C fixation and O2 release > biodiversity conservation > erosion control > air quality purification > nutrient cycle. The spatial pattern of economic forest ecosystem services in the provinces of China had the same trend with the spatial distribution of water and heat resources and biodiversity. To understand the differences of economic forest ecosystem services in the provinces of China was of significance in alternating the irrational arrangement of our present forestry production, diminishing the abuses of forest management, and establishing high grade, high efficient, and modernized economic forests.
Intracellular trafficking of retroviral Gag and RNA during late replication

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Gag protein directs the assembly in the cytoplasm of immature viral capsids, which subsequently bud from the plasma membranes of infected cells. MMTV Gag localizes to discrete cytoplasmic foci in mouse mammary epithelial cells, consistent with the formation of cytosolic capsids. Unexpectedly, we also observed an accumulation of Gag in the nucleoli of infected cells derived from mammary gland tumors. To detect Gaginteracting proteins that might influence its subcellular localization, a yeast twohybrid screen was performed. Ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9 or L9), an essential component of the large ribosomal subunit and a putative tumor suppressor, was identified as a Gag binding partner. Overexpression of L9 in cells expressing the MMTV(C3H) provirus resulted in specific, robust accumulation of Gag in nucleoli. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that Gag and L9 interact within the nucleolus, and the CA domain was the major site of interaction. In addition, the isolated NC domain of Gag localized to the nucleolus, suggesting that it contains a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). To determine whether L9 plays a role in virus assembly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown was performed. Although Gag expression was not reduced with L9 knockdown, virus production was significantly impaired. Thus, our data support the hypothesis that efficient MMTV particle assembly is dependent upon the interaction of Gag and L9 in the nucleoli of infected cells. *Please see Appendix A for a reprint of the journal article comprising this data chapter.
Monophasic Electrical Response Produced by the Contraction of Injured Heart Muscle

The electrical responses produced by injured heart muscle are of great interest not only because of their important bearing upon the interpretation of the electrical phenomena exhibited by excitable tissues generally, but because of their relation to the electrocardiographic changes that follow coronary thrombosis in man. We here report briefly experiments relating to the electrical responses produced by the injured heart beating in situ. When one of 2 non-polarizable electrodes connected to the terminals of the string galvanometer is placed in contact with a burned region on the epicardial surface of the exposed turtle's heart and the other in contact with the subcutaneous tissues at a point distant from the heart, the ventricular complex of the curve recorded is essentially monophasic in outline. The monophasic character of the response is due to the disappearance during systole of the injury-current flowing during diastole. The direction of the deflection indicates that during ventricular systole the cardiac or exploring electrode is relatively positive with respect to the distant or indifferent electrode. Curves of the same type are obtained by leading from the exposed and freshly injured surface of the mammalian auricle or mammalian ventricle to a distant point. In all such experiments we have connected the electrodes to the galvanometer in such a way that relative negativity of the exploring electrode yields an upward deflection in the completed record. In the curves obtained by leading from an injured to a distant region, ventricular systole is, therefore, represented by a monophasic deflection directed downward. If a monophasic response is obtained, in the manner described, from the ventral surface of the turtle's heart by means of an electrode in which contact with the heart is made by a wick that extends 3 or 4 mm. beyond the insulated shaft of the electrode, flooding the heart with normal saline or with Ringer's solution so that the surface is immersed to a depth of 5 or 10 mm. , greatly reduces the amplitude of the curve but does not materially alter its form.
Hepatotoxic and Antidiabetic Potentials of Aqeuous Bark Extracts of Ficus asperifolia on Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of aqueous bark extract of Ficus asperifolia on alloxan-induced diabetic rats and also to investigate its toxicity potential on the liver of albino rats. Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria between June, 2011 and September, 2011. Methodology: F. asperifolia bark was pulverized and percolated in distilled water. The mixture was filtered after 48 hours extraction using Whatman No 1 filter papers. The resulting filtrate was concentrated on a water bath and the concentrate used for the preparation of the doses used (i. e. 400mg, 800mg and 1200mg/Kg body weight). Alloxaninduced diabetic rats were treated with the different doses of the extract for 7 days and their fasting blood glucose concentration tested every day for 7days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs after the 7 day administration and their serum used for the analysis of Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(1): 285-295, 2014 286 Low Density Lipoprotein. Rats were also treated with the different doses for 1, 7 and 21 days. They were sacrificed 24 hours after the administration days. Their serum were collected and used for the analysis of Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Total Cholesterol and Albumin. Results: Administration of aqueous bark extract of F. asperifolia caused a significant reduction (P= .05) in blood glucose concentration in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Concentrations were also significantly decreased (P= .05) in the diabetic rats while High Density Lipoprotein was significantly increased (P= .05). Liver marker enzymes Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase serum activities and serum Total protein were significantly increased (P= .05) in the treated animals when compared to the control group. Serum albumin concentration also fluctuated significantly (P= .05) following extract administration. Conclusion: Results available from this study shows that aqueous bark extract of F. asperifolia possesses antidiabetic properties but also possesses hepatotoxic effects at the doses tested.
Nonrandom Diversification within Taxonomic Assemblages

-Hollow curve distributions (HCDs) of taxonomic diversity are common in nature and are a result of assemblages being dominated by one or a few very diverse taxa. Models of random extinction and speciation can produce HCDs; however, the similarity between real and simulated HCDs has been examined previously only qualitatively. We compare quantitatively dominance observed in 85 real taxonomic assemblages to dominance predicted by five null models (1. Poisson; 2. Raup et al.'s [1973] simulation model; 3. Anderson and Anderson's [1975] simulation model; 4. simultaneous broken-stick; and 5. canonical lognormal distributions). Real assemblages were dominated to a significantly greater extent by one unit than predicted by all null models. This dominance is compounded as one proceeds down the taxonomic hierarchy. We demonstrate that overdominance is common whether phylogenetic or traditional classification schemes are used to assemble taxa. We propose that overdominance reflects real differences in the evolutionary success of units within an assemblage. [Hollow curve distributions; nonrandom dominance; null models. ] An important theme of biology, and particularly evolutionary biology, is the identification and explanation of general patterns found in nature. One pattern, known as the "hollow curve distribution" (HCD) (Willis, 1922; Willis and Yule, 1922; Williams, 1964; Anderson, 1974; Anderson and Anderson, 1975; Zima and Horacek, 1978; Flessa and Thomas, 1985), is common in -natural assemblages and yet both its pervasiveness and its possible use in studying evolutionary processes are often not appreciated. The HCD receives its name from the concave shape of a frequency distribution of taxonomic subunits per unit (e.g., number of genera/family), when units are ordered from those with the most to the least subunits. In taxonomic assemblages an HCD implies that one clade (or several clades) has had many more speciation events and/ or fewer extinctions than other clades at the same taxonomic level. Stated another way, HCDs suggest that it is common for a single taxon within an assemblage to be 1 Present address: Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812. 2 Present address: Star Route 2905, Dryden, Maine
Anti-oxidant activities and total phenolics contents of leaf extracts from 14 cultivars of walnut (Juglans regia L.)

Summary Walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaves provide a source of healthy compounds, phenolics, which could be useful for the prevention of diseases in which free radicals are involved. In this study, walnut leaves from 14 different cultivars were studied for their total phenolics contents and anti-oxidant activities. Anti-oxidant activities were evaluated by measuring the scavenging activities of leaf extracts against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The total phenolics contents of the cultivars ranged from 17.7 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g–1 FW to 39.6 mg GAE g–1 FW. The highest scavenging activities were found in methanol extracts of walnut leaves. Total phenolics contents were highly correlated with anti-oxidant activity (R2= 0.94 – 0.92).
Three-Dimensional Space Utilization of Lianas: A Methodology

A three-dimensional mapping and harvest method for aboveground biomass is described to characterize spatial distribution patterns of vine or liana individuals. Distance, height, and compass measurements are utilized for delimitation of one-meter-sided imaginary cubes, where liana stem length and leaf area can be measured and harvesred later for biomass determination. The methodology, exemplified with the mapping of two individuals, was suitable to detect how stem and leaves of both lianas used differently their volume of space, and by harvesting leaf biomass within each cube, it allowed to detect leaf area index patchiness in the individuals and within the forest (.)
Influence of Temperature on Quality of Broccoli under Modified Atmosphere Packaging

MA包装ブロッコリーの品質に及ぼす温度の影響を調べるため,以下のような試験区を設定した. 品温10℃のブロッコリーを, (1)厚さ0. 03mmの有孔ポリエチレン袋で包装し, 10℃貯蔵(対照区),(2)厚さ0. 03mmのポリエチレン袋(PE 30)で密封包装し, 10℃で貯蔵(基準区) (3) PE 30で密封包装し, 10℃で2日間で蔵してから1日間30℃で保存し,再び10℃で貯蔵(流通時温度上昇区), (4) 5℃予冷後, PE 30で密封包装して10℃で貯蔵(予冷区), (5) 4時間30℃で保存した後, PE 30で密封包装して10℃でで蔵(高温期非予冷区). 試料(1) (2) (3) (4)および(5)区で貯蔵8日後の袋内O2とCO2の濃度(O2/CO2)は,それぞれ, 18.4/0.5,1.2/5.3, 0.4/10.8, 1.8/6.6, 0.3/9.0%であった. この結果は,呼吸量に及ぼす温度の影響をよく反映している. 試料(1)の環境気体組成は,ほぼ空気と同じで移し,貯蔵4日でブロッコリーは黄化した. また,クロロフィル,アスコルビン酸の減少も顕著であった. 試料(1)を除いて外観の色調には明瞭な変化はみられなかった. しかし,試料(3)と(5)にでエタノールを主体とする不快臭がはあられた. これ(5)に高温条件での呼吸量の増大による極度の低O2化に起因する無気呼吸によるものと考えられる. 試料(3)は,で蔵4日目以降,糖とアスコルビン酸含量が顕著に減少した. 試料(2)と(4)は,官能的な品質が保持され,クロロフィル,アスコルビン酸の糖の減少が抑制された. ブロッコリーの鮮度保持にで,予冷・MA包装・低温流通が効果的であること,高温期の非予冷・MA包装あるいはMA包装流通中の品温上昇は,品質を著しく損なうことが分かった. また,プロッコリーのMA包装では,外観だけに依存する品質判定は困難であった.
An alternative model for type I interferon induction downstream of human TLR2

Surface-exposed Toll-like receptors (TLRs) such as TLR2 and TLR4 survey the extracellular environment for pathogens. TLR activation initiates the production of various cytokines and chemokines, including type I interferons (IFN-I). Downstream of TLR4, IFNβ secretion is only vigorously triggered in macrophages when the receptor undergoes endocytosis and switches signaling adaptor; surface TLR4 engagement predominantly induces proinflammatory cytokines via the signaling adaptor MyD88. It is unclear whether this dichotomy is generally applicable to other TLRs, cell types, or differentiation states. Here, we report that diverse TLR2 ligands induce an IFN-I response in human monocyte-like cells, but not in differentiated macrophages. This TLR2-dependent IFN-I signaling originates from the cell surface and depends on MyD88; it involves combined activation of the transcription factors IRF3 and NF-κB, driven by the kinases TBK1 and TAK1-IKKβ, respectively. TLR2-stimulated monocytes produced modest IFNβ levels that caused productive downstream signaling, reflected by STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of numerous interferon-stimulated genes. Our findings reveal that the outcome of TLR2 signaling includes an IFN-I response in human monocytes, which is lost upon macrophage differentiation, and differs mechanistically from IFN-I-induction through TLR4. These findings point to molecular mechanisms tailored to the differentiation state of a cell and the nature of receptors activated to control and limit TLR-triggered IFN-I responses.
Electrically conductive carbon fiber layers as lightning strike protection for non-conductive epoxy-based CFRP substrate

A large amount of electrically conductive fillers is needed to enhance a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) electrical conductivity enough to withstand lightning strikes of peak currents. However, such large alien constituents hamper the inherent good mechanical properties of CFRP structures. In this work, a solution has been proposed to retain both desired properties in a CFRP laminate. Layer-wise hybrid laminate has been demonstrated as a solution for lightning strike protection of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP). Top few layers of a hybrid laminate are prepared using electrically conductive polymer-based resin (CF/C-POLY) to provide effective dissipation of lightning current while epoxy-based CFRP substrate (CF/Epoxy) provides the main structural strength. An insulating adhesive layer is used to bond CF/C-POLY and CF/Epoxy to prepare the laminate. The hybrid laminates were tested for their effectiveness against lightning strikes. Laminates were struck by modified lightning waveform of component A with peak current of -14 kA and -40 kA. The performance of the laminates against lightning strike were evaluated using high speed camera, high-speed and thermal camera. It is found that CF/C-POLY layer successfully defended the main structural component i.e. CF/Epoxy from lightning direct damage.
Genetic risk for Alzheimer disease predicts hippocampal volume through the human lifespan

Objective To test the hypothesis that genetic risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) may represent a stable influence on the brain from early in life, rather than being primarily age dependent, we investigated in a lifespan sample of 1,181 persons with a total of 2,690 brain scans, whether higher polygenic risk score (PGS) for AD and presence of APOE ε4 was associated with lower hippocampal volumes to begin with, as an offset effect, or possibly faster decline in older age. Methods Using general additive mixed models, we assessed the relations of PGS for AD, including variants in APOE with hippocampal volume and its change in a cognitively healthy longitudinal lifespan sample (age range: 4–95 years, mean visit age 39.7 years, SD 26.9 years), followed for up to 11 years. Results AD-PGS and APOE ε4 in isolation showed a significant negative effect on hippocampal volume. The effect of a 1 sample SD increase in AD-PGS on hippocampal volume was estimated to –36.4 mm3 (confidence interval [CI]: –71.8, –1.04) and the effect of carrying ε4 allele(s) –107.0 mm3 (CI: –182.0, –31.5). Offset effects of AD-PGS and APOE ε4 were present in hippocampal development, and interactions between age and genetic risk on volume change were not consistently observed. Conclusions Endophenotypic manifestation of polygenic risk for AD may be seen across the lifespan in cognitively healthy persons, not being confined to clinical populations or older age. This emphasizes that a broader population and age range may be relevant targets for attempts to prevent AD.
TET-mediated hydroxymethylation in reprogramming to induced pluripotency

TET-mediated Hydroxymethylation in Reprogramming to Induced Pluripotency By Tao Wang (王韬) 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a newly discovered modified form of cytosine that has been suspected to be an important epigenetic modification in stem cells and during neurodevelopment. Here, we report the roles of 5-hmC during reprogramming as well as neurodevelopment. Mammalian somatic cells can be directly reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by introducing defined sets of transcription factors. Somatic cell reprogramming involves epigenomic reconfiguration, conferring iPSCs with characteristics similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Human ES cells contain 5hmC, which is generated through the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine by the TET enzyme family. Here we show that 5hmC levels increase significantly during reprogramming to human iPSCs mainly owing to TET1 activation, and this hydroxymethylation change is critical for optimal epigenetic reprogramming, but does not compromise primed pluripotency. Compared with hES cells, we find iPS cells tend to form large-scale (100 kb-1.3 Mb) aberrant reprogramming hotspots in subtelomeric regions, most of which display incomplete hydroxymethylation on CG sites. Strikingly, these 5hmC aberrant hotspots largely coincide (~80%) with aberrant iPS-ES non-CG methylation regions. Our results suggest that TET1-mediated 5hmC modification could contribute the epigenetic variation of iPSCs and iPSC-hESC differences. TET-mediated Hydroxymethylation in Reprogramming to Induced Pluripotency By Tao Wang (王韬) B.S., University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China 2005 Advisor: Stephen T. Warren, Ph.D. Peng Jin, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies of Emory University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Science Genetics and Molecular Biology