Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exogenous quercetin as a proliferation stimulator in tobacco BY-2 cells

Quercetin (Q) is a prominent flavonoid with a remarkable spectrum of biochemical activities. Its impact on human health as well as its endogenous role in the development of plants have been studied extensively. However, the impact of exogenous quercetin on plant cells is still uncharted. In this study, the influence of exogenous quercetin on Nicotiana tabacum, L. cv Bright Yellow 2 cell growth, viability, morphology and DNA content was investigated. The cells were exposed to quercetin at different concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) during two phases of cell growth: from the start of a new culture (day 0), that is during the lag phase, when the cells are transferred to a new medium and they adapt to new growth conditions (model A), and on the fourth day after passaging (day 4) during the logarithmic phase of growth (the log phase), when the number of new cells appearing per unit time is proportional to the present population (model B). This is a period of intensive proliferation. The BY-2 cultures were maintained for 8 days. The proliferation level of BY-2 cells as well as their viability were analyzed every day during the experiment. The results showed that quercetin in a dose below 0.1 mM stimulated cell proliferation and viability, thus it could be a promising biostimulator. On the other hand, the highest concentration (1 mM) arrested the cell cycle in G2 phase and led to cell death. Application of 1 mM Q during the lag phase dramatically increased cell mortality and at the end of the experiment all BY-2 cells were dead, whereas an application during the log phase had a significantly milder effect; under the same concentration only 34% of cells were dead at the end of the stationary phase of growth. Thus, the results suggest that Q was less toxic even in very high concentrations when it was added to cells in the log phase of growth. This is probably related to the transfer of cells to a fresh medium, which causes great stress and supplementation with a high concentration of Q seems to aggravate this stress.
Genetic distinctiveness of the Waikawa Island mouse population indicates low rate of dispersal from mainland New Zealand

In New Zealand, mice in reserves can complicate the control of mammalian predator invasion by masking scent and eating baits. Eradicating mice allows predator invasions to be more readily detected and managed, but removal of mice is only feasible if recolonisation is rare. We used genetics and morphology to assess whether the mouse population on Waikawa Island was isolated from the mainland population. A sample of mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed that at least four female mice must have founded the Waikawa population, but that gene flow between island and mainland mice is limited. Although no variation in DNA sequences of exon 1 of the nuclear gene vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase subcomponent 1 was detected, the common allele is not associated with resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides such as warfarin. Body size comparisons revealed the island population as distinct, possibly due to age structure differences. We infer low levels of successful dispersal between the mainland and Waikawa Island mouse populations and suggest eradication might be sustainable in the long-term if protection against rodent invasion is maintained.
Study on Ancient Famous Porcelains Classification Based on Support Vector Machine

The seven main chemical component content of the body and glaze samples of 84 Ruguan porcelains and Junguan porcelains are measured by proton induced X-ray emission(PIXE). After the establishing of the classification model of Ruguan porcelains and Junguan porcelains,the results indicate: as long as choosing kernel function and svm algorithm correctly,the classification results of body and glaze samples will be quite ideal.Support vector machine is a very valuable new method which can process ancient porcelains data.
The changing environment of conservation conflict : geese and farming in Scotland

Conflict between conservation objectives and human livelihoods is ubiquitous and can be highly damaging, but the processes generating it are poorly understood. Ecological elements are central to conservation conflict, and changes in their dynamics — for instance due to anthropogenic environmental change — are likely to influence the emergence of serious human–wildlife impacts and, consequently, social conflict. We used mixed-effects models to examine the drivers of historic spatio-temporal dynamics in numbers of Greenland barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) on the Scottish island of Islay to identify the ecological processes that have shaped the environment in which conflict between goose conservation and agriculture has been triggered. Barnacle goose numbers on Islay increased from 20,000 to 43,000 between 1987 and 2016. Over the same period, the area of improved grassland increased, the number of sheep decreased and the climate warmed. Goose population growth was strongly linked to the increasing area of improved grassland, which provided geese with more high quality forage. Changing climatic conditions, particularly warming temperatures on Islay and breeding grounds in Greenland, have also boosted goose numbers. As the goose population has grown, farms have supported geese more frequently and in larger numbers, with subsequent damaging effects on grassland. The creation of high-quality grassland appears to have largely driven the problem of serious economic damage by geese. Our analysis also reveals the drivers of spatial variation in goose impacts: geese were more likely to occur on farms closer to roosts and those with more improved grassland. However, as geese numbers have increased they have spread to previously less favoured farms. Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates the primary role of habitat modification in the emergence of conflict between goose conservation and agriculture, alongside a secondary role of climate change. Our research illustrates the value of exploring socio-ecological history to understand the processes leading to conservation conflict. In doing so, we identify those elements that are more controllable, such as local habitat management, and less controllable, such as climate change, but which both need to be taken into account when managing conservation conflict.
Expressão do gene HIF-1α durante a exposição do Ciclídeo Astronotus crassipinnis (Heckel, 1840) à hipóxia

Os ambientes aquaticos da Amazonia apresentam variacoes profundas, diarias e sazonais, nos niveis de oxigenio. Com isso, varios animais aquaticos desenvolveram adaptacoes bioquimicas e fisiologicas para sobreviver em tais condicoes. Astronotus crassipinnis e um teleosteo tolerante a hipoxia e possui a habilidade de diminuir o consumo de oxigenio e aumentar o seu metabolismo anaerobico. Hypoxia-Inducible factor (HIF) e um gene altamente relacionado a sobrevivencia a hipoxia, sendo regulado nessas circunstâncias com o objetivo de manter o funcionamento celular normal e controlar o metabolismo anaerobico. No presente estudo, foram relacionados os efeitos da expressao do gene HIF-1α com mudancas no perfil metabolico de Astronotus crassipinnis expostos a 1, 3 e 5 horas de hipoxia, seguindo um periodo de 3 horas de recuperacao. Os resultados mostraram que esse animal deprime o seu metabolismo aerobico e ativa o anaerobico, aumentando a atividade da enzima LDH, regulando diferencialmente o gene HIF-1α em cada tecido estudado, com relacoes com seu perfil metabolico, sugerindo que esse gene pode ser um dos principais fatores na regulacao de respostas a tolerância a hipoxia.
Diet of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus in a South African reservoir during winter and summer

Alien fishes are considered a major threat to aquatic biodiversity in South Africa, yet relatively little regional information on their biology and ecology is available for many of these species. Seasonal changes in the diet of the bluegill Lepomis macrochirus in Howieson’s Poort Dam, Grahamstown, were assessed during summer and winter in 2014–2015, using stomach content analysis. In winter, juvenile and adult fish diets were dominated by crustacean zooplankton and insects, respectively. In summer, juvenile fish fed on crustaceans and insects, whereas adults consumed mostly fish eggs, indicating a potential impact by these invasive fish on native fish through oophagy.
Development of a dose-adjustable α-particle irradiation facility for radiobiological studies

Bystander effects induced by low-dose or low dose-rate radiation have put a great challenge to the tradi- tional model for radiation protection. In order to get a better assessment of the adverse effects of radiation, especially the low-dose radiation risk in environment, a radioactive irradiation facility, by which the dose and dose-rate to the biological targets can be controlled by rotating the sample bracket and changing the space between the radioactive source and the targets, was developed. The energy of our α-radioactive source (241Am) is measured averagely 3.5 MeV at the position of the irradiated sample. The dose rate was measured by using a silicon surface barrier detector and a CR39 particle track detector. A dose rate ranging from 0.045 cGy/s to 1.07 cGy/s can be obtained by changing the space length from the radioactive source to the sample dish.
Dez espécies novas de Pseudoparlatoria Cockerell, 1892 (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Diaspididae)

TEN NEW SPECIES OF PSEUDOPARLATORIA COCKEREL, 1892 (HEMIPTERA, COCCOIDEA, DIASPIDIDAE). The morphologic and morphometric characteristics of ten new species of genus Pseudoparlatoria Cockerell, 1892 (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) are described, including illustrations and other information of taxonomic importance: P. aeranthos sp. n. , P. anthurium sp. n. , P. chiapensis sp. n. , P. clapsae sp. n. , P. indigena sp. n. , P. juncea sp. n. , P. lobata sp. n. , P. podocarpus sp. n. , P. pontiaguda sp. n. , P. suelda sp. n.
Coding sequences of both genome segments and virulence phenotype of the African very virulent infectious bursal disease virus strain KMRG-48.

Article history Received: 18 Nov, 2015 Revised: 19 Dec, 2015 Accepted: 21 Dec, 2015 Abstract Little is known on the molecular characteristics of genome segments A and B of the African very virulent (VV) infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus (VV-IBDV) variant strains. In this study, the nucleotide sequence of genome segments A and B encoding VP5, precursor polyprotein (NH2-VP2-VP4-VP3-COOH) and VP1 for an African very virulent IBDV, KMRG-48 strain, was determined. The VP5, precursor polyprotein and VP1 coding regions of KMRG-48 consisted of 437 nucleotides (145 deduced amino acids), 3036 nucleotides (1012 deduced amino acids) and 2637 nucleotides (879 deduced amino acids), respectively. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of serotype 1 IBDVs revealed 6 unique amino acid residues at positions 223 (S), 296 (F), 343 (S), 384 (I), 721 (T) and 960 (D) in precursor polyprotein. KMRG-48 also conserved 18 amino acid residues, which are found only in VV-IBDVs. Of these unique amino acids, 3 were in VP5, 4 were in VP2, 2 were in VP4, 3 were in VP3 and 6 were in VP1. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of VP5, precursor polyprotein, VP2, VP4, VP3 and VP1 revealed that KMRG-48 belonged to the VV genotype. The tree topologies obtained for the nucleotide sequences of VP5, precursor polyprotein, VP2, VP4 and VP3 were the same while the tree topology for the nucleotide sequence of VP1 was quite different compared with that obtained from nucleotide sequences of VP5, precursor polyprotein, VP2, VP4 and VP3, suggesting a possibility of genetic reassortment to contribute in the emergence of VV-IBDV. Experimental infection of susceptible chickens with KMRG-48 confirmed that the virus is a VV-IBDV exhibiting VV phenotype. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that KMRG-48 is a VV-IBDV whose genome segments A and B are derived from VV-IBDV, and that the conserved unique amino acids could influence its virulence and lethality.
On the recent designation of a neotype for the taxon Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) (Reptilia: Agamidae)

Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) is a widespread species of agamid lizard found commonly in the Indian subcontinent and the Indo-Chinese region with a complicated taxonomic history (Uetz & Hosek, 2016). The type locality of this species has been debatable (Smith, 1935, Amarasinghe et al . 2009) and the recent designation of a neotype from Pondicherry by Gowande et al . (2016) though much warranted, introduces additional complications that impede a thorough taxonomic resolution of this species complex.
Regulation of medullary homeostasis by thymic epithelial cells

The development of αβ T-cells is a step-wise process guided by unique stromal microenvironments within the thymus, which results in the formation of T-cells with a highly diverse repertoire of T-cell receptors (TCRs). In the latter stages of development, T-cell tolerance is established through the selective deletion of cells expressing auto-reactive TCRs, in addition to the generation of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (T-Reg). Central tolerance induction is mediated by interaction with functionality heterogeneous medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC). The aim of this study was to search for a novel mTEC-expressed functional molecules involved in medullary homeostasis and central tolerance. Here we identify two novel mTEC populations; cells expressing osteoprotegerin (OPG), a negative regulator of Rank-mediated mTEC maturation, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an immune-active enzyme catalysing the production of nitric oxide. Importantly, we found OPG to restrict the size of the mTEC compartment, which in contrast to previous findings had no impact on T-Reg production, and instead limited the influx of peripheral lymphocytes to the thymus. In contrast, iNOS appears to play only a minor role in the maturation of single positive thymocytes in the medulla. These findings highlight the importance of functionally distinct mTEC compartments in maintaining medullary homeostasis.
A Study on Computational Process in Gene Expression Data

---This context is commenced to examine the various methods and its challenges in Disease Identification of Gene Expression Data.The elementalresponsibility of these techniques is classification and categorization of gene expression, analysis of the expression, Pattern Recognition, and Identification. This provides an inclusive survey of Micro Array Data analysis techniques and intends a processing component for disease identification. For thehealthcare provider, it is essential to maintain the quality of data because this data is useful to provide cost effective healthcare treatments to the patients. Health Care Administration retains the Microarray data which is refined by expertise and is analyzed by the expertise to identify the disease. This process of analyzing this Microarray data as manual is complicated in identification and classification; due to this Microarray data some difficulties such as missing information, empty values, and incorrect entries. Exclusive of quality information there is no valuableconsequences. For successful data mining, animpediment in health data is individual the majordifficulty for examining medical data. So, it is essential to maintain the quality and accuracy data for data mining to making aneffective decision. The major goal of this survey is focused on various techniques of data mining for developing a prediction model for disease susceptibility using Gene Expression Data.The microarray data is pre-processed to analyze the gene expression to classify the over-expression and under-expression data. Then the classified gene data is then clustered and the best feature selection is applied to discover a pattern. Finally, the association mining handled under the organized set of the gene expression data to theidentification of the disease. This context provides efficient techniques to overcome the manual identification of diseases.
Pollen Morphology as a Useful Taxonomic Tool in Delimiting the Species of Loranthaceae in Nigeria

Background and Objective: Pollen grains shape, size, aperture and wall ornamentation have been useful in taxonomic studies of plants especially in resolving relationship or determining variation in a taxa. The Loranthaceae (Mistletoes) are parasitic family with known taxonomic problem of poorly identified species in Nigeria. Pollen grains of fourteen species which spread across six genera of Nigerian Loranthaceae was studied with a view of generating characters that would further help in their identification. Methods: Samples were subjected to standard acetolysis for palynological sample preparation and analysis. Results: Pollen grains are mainly triangular or three-armed in nature with percentage of polar to equatorial axis ranging from 90.69% to 100%. All pollen grains were oblate-spheroidal except the pollen of Helixanthera mannii that was prolate-spheroidal and all the genera had tri-snycolporate pollen grains except pollen grains of Tapinanthus which were tri-colporate. The smallest grains are found in the genus Helixanthera while others range from medium to large in size with H. spathulata Short Research Article Ibrahim and Ayodele; IJPSS, 20(1): 1-7, 2017; Article no.IJPSS. 37478 2 having the smallest size of 20.75 μm by 20.75 μm and the largest of 49.00 μm by 52.50 μm in Globimetula mannii. Conclusion: The information obtained from this study do not only add to the already existing information on the family, but the diagnostic characters obtained can be used in conjunction with other characters like morphology and anatomical characters to delimit the species in the family.
Invasive pathogen drives host population collapse: Effects of a travelling wave of sarcoptic mange on bare-nosed wombats

1.Emerging and invasive pathogens can have long-lasting impacts on susceptible wildlife populations, including localised collapse and extirpation. Management of threatening disease is of widespread interest and requires knowledge of spatiotemporal patterns of pathogen spread. 2.Theory suggests disease spread often occurs via two patterns: homogenous mixing and travelling waves. However, high resolution empirical data demonstrating localised (within population) disease spread patterns are rare. 3.This study examined the spread of sarcoptic mange (aetiological agent Sarcoptes scabiei) in a population of bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), and investigated whether pathogen spread occurred by homogenous mixing or a travelling wave. 4.Using seven years of population surveys and four years of disease severity surveys, we show that mange was first detected in the east of a wombat population in northern Tasmania, and progressed westward as a travelling wave. Wombat mortality rates reached 100% behind the wave, with a 94% decline in overall wombat abundance within the park. 5.Synthesis and applications. Globally distributed pathogens may have severe impacts on susceptible host species. This is the first study to quantify population level impacts of sarcoptic mange upon bare-nosed wombats, showing a wave of mange disease which resulted in a dramatic population decline. Successful management of the spread of this and similar pathogens may hinge on the capacity to establish transmission barriers at local or between-population scales. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Physiological and biochemical responses to water deficit in Lotus uliginosus × L. corniculatus hybrids

Abstract. Lotus uliginosus (greater lotus, GL) and L. corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil, BT) are species markedly different in their genetics, morphology and environmental adaptation. We evaluated the hybrids and parental species under differential conditions: in vitro culture, growth chamber and open field environments. The experimental evaluation included biochemical, physiological, developmental and productive parameters. Parental species exhibited significant differences in root growth under different osmotic potentials generated by polyethylene glycol, and hybrids exhibited variability in their response compared with their parents. Plants grown in pots and subjected to drought exhibited differences in biochemical parameters. Proline accumulation and oxidative damage measured by lipid peroxidation were higher in birdsfoot trefoil than any other genotype, and the lowest values were observed in greater lotus. The total phenolic content in shoot ranged from 147 to 279 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g–1 dry mater. With regard to antioxidant capacity estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, greater lotus had the highest value and birdsfoot trefoil the lowest, at almost one-third, whereas hybrids had intermediate values. Under stress conditions, water-use efficiency showed significant differences between both parental species. In the field, under either irrigation or drought, the dry matter accumulated by the hybrids was higher than that of the parents. Hybrids express recombination of features, making them an interesting material to continue evaluation.
Anti-inflammatory and Immuno-modulatory Effects of Capparis spinosa Flower Bud Extract

Aims: Capparis spinosa L. is a plant widely used in traditional medicine for its different purpose including the anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory properties of this plant and to define its possible mechanism of action by verifying its effect on the production of some inflammatory mediators. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity of Capparis spinosa bud methanolic extract was evaluated in vivo, using paw edema and air pouch inflammation models. In vitro, the ability of the extract to modulate the production of some pro and anti-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL1β, IL-8 and IL-10 released from peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by concanavalin A Original Research Article Kernouf et al.; ARRB, 25(3): 1-11, 2018; Article no.ARRB. 40189 2 was evaluated. Moreover, the effect of the extract on LTB4 and superoxide anion released from neutrophils was tested. Results: Results showed that the oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of Capparis spinosa methanolic extract reduced significantly carrageenan-induced paw edema. Above 2 h, both doses of the extract exerted a significant (P < 0.001) anti-edematous effect, with 52%-69%. In addition, this extract inhibited the neutrophil migration into the air pouch. The inhibition exerted by 1 mg/pouch of the extract (48.92%) was better than that exerted by indomethacin, used as reference. On the other hand, the extract inhibited significantly the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, LTB4 and superoxide anion generation. At 100 μg/mL, the inhibition values were 21.28%, 38.04%, 20.84% and 71.16%, respectively. In contrast, the extract did not show any significant effect on the release of IL-8 and IL10. Conclusion: Capparis spinosa bud extract inhibited the inflammatory process by modulating the pro-inflammatory mediator release. Thus this extract can offer a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.