Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FURTHER STUDIES ON POLLINATION ECOLOGY IN FICUS SYCOMORUS II. POCKET FILLING AND EMPTYING BY CERATOSOLEN ARABICUS MAYR

SUMMARY Filling of pockets with pollen by the agaonid wasp Ceratosolen arabicus Mayr (Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) was studied in Ficus sycomorus L. at Magadi, Kenya. The phenology of the fig during the male phase (D) was observed in detail and various techniques were devised in order to ensure the normal behaviour of the wasps in spite of the bisection of the fig and the strong illumination necessary for carrying out the observations. It was found that in fig-halves tightly enclosed with cellophane paper during the second morning of the male phase, the emerging wasps filled their pockets with pollen from anthers previously detached by the male wasps. It was established that the cutting of anthers is a separate, specific action and not merely a byproduct of the tunnelling of the syconial wall that takes place afterwards. In the filling act itself, the role of the combs–rows of stiff bristles along the inner margin of each foreleg coax was established. Pollen was lifted by the arolia of the forelegs from the open anthers to the underside of the thorax and shovelled from there by the coxal combs into the thoracic pockets which gaped widely due to the bending of the body. An analysis of the responses of the wasps to various environmental conditions leads to the conclusion that the size of the cavity is a critical factor in the behaviour of the wasps in the fig of F. sycomorus. The possible role of light for pocket filling in the subdued illumination of the intact fig cavity is discussed.
Schwann cell p75 neurotrophin receptor modulates small fiber degeneration in diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy has an incidence as high as 50% of diabetic patients and is characterized by damage to neurons, Schwann cells and blood vessels within the peripheral nervous system. The low‐affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR), particularly expressed by the Schwann cells in the peripheral nerve, has previously been reported to play a role in developmental myelination and cell survival/death. Increased levels of p75NTR, in the endoneurium and plasma from diabetic patients and rodent models of disease, have been observed, proposing that this receptor might be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, in this study, we addressed this hypothesis by utilizing a mouse model of selective nerve growth factor receptor (Ngfr) deletion in Schwann cells (SC‐p75NTR‐KO). Electron microscopy of sciatic nerves from mice with high fat diet induced obesity demonstrated how loss of Schwann cell–p75NTR aggravated axonal atrophy and loss of C‐fibers. RNA sequencing disclosed several pre‐clinical signaling alterations in the diabetic peripheral nerves, dependent on Schwann cell p75NTR signaling, specially related with lysosome, phagosome, and immune pathways. Morphological and biochemical analyses identified abundant lysosomes and autophagosomes in the C‐fiber axoplasm of the diabetic SC‐p75NTR‐KO nerves, which together with increased Cathepsin B protein levels corroborates gene upregulation from the phagolysosomal pathways. Altogether, this study demonstrates that Schwann cell p75NTR deficiency amplifies diabetic neuropathy disease by triggering overactivation of immune‐related pathways and increased lysosomal stress.
Design of engineered surfaces for prospective detection of SARS-CoV-2 using quartz crystal microbalance-based techniques

ABSTRACT Introduction Rapid transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has affected the whole world and forced it to a halt (lockdown). A fast and label-free detection method for the novel coronavirus needs to be developed along with the existing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based methods. Areas covered In this report, biophysical aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein are outlined based on its recent reported electron microscopy structure. Protein binding sites are analyzed theoretically, which consisted of hydrophobic and positive charged amino acid residues. Different strategies to form mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of hydrophobic (CH3) and negatively charged (COOH) groups are discussed to be used for the specific and strong interactions with spike protein. Bio-interfacial interactions between the spike protein and device (sensor) surface and its implications toward designing suitable engineered surfaces are summarized. Expert opinion Implementation of the engineered surfaces in quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based detection techniques for the diagnosis of the novel coronavirus from oral swab samples is highlighted. The proposed strategy can be explored for the label-free and real-time detection with sensitivity up to ng level. These engineered surfaces can be reused after desorption.
High Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio as an Independent Risk Factor for the First Occurrence of Stroke in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

INTRODUCTION Though neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) level appears to be related with stroke events in general population, its relationship with stroke in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is still uncertain. This study aims to investigate the association between NLR and the first occurrence of stroke in PD patients. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, 1507 PD patients were enrolled from four centers in China and stratified into tertiles of NLR levels. The incidence of the first occurrence of stroke was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curve among different NLR tertiles, competing risk analysis was used to calculate the incidence of the first occurrence of stroke in the presence of competing risk of other events, multivariable COX regression analysis was performed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for the first occurrence of stroke, as well as forest plot was utilized to describe the relationship between NLR and the first occurrence of stroke in different subgroups. RESULTS During follow-up, 84 new-onset stroke events were recorded. Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curves showed significant differences in the incidence of the first occurrence of stroke among three groups (log-rank test: P < .001). In competing risk analysis, the cumulative incidence curves for tertiles of NLR levels were highly significant for the first occurrence of stroke (P < .001), but they were not statistically different for the occurrence of other events. Compared to the lowest tertile of NLR level, the highest tertile was associated with increased risk of the first occurrence of stroke in the adjusted Cox model (HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.15; P < .05). As for forest plot, there was no interaction in all subgroups. CONCLUSION High NLR was an independent risk factor for the first occurrence of stroke in PD patients.
A CASE FOR USING LITTER BREAKDOWN TO ASSESS FUNCTIONAL STREAM INTEGRITY

Assessment of the condition of ecosystems is a critical prerequisite for alleviating effects of the multiple anthropogenic stresses imposed on them. For stream ecosystems, a multitude of approaches has been proposed for this purpose. However, they all rest on the assessment of structural attributes, even though it is generally recognized that adequate characterization of ecosystems requires information on both structure (pattern) and function (process). Therefore, we propose a complementary approach to stream assessment based on evaluating ecosystem level processes. Leaf litter breakdown is a prime candidate to consider in this context. This is because of the pivotal role that allochthonous litter plays in streams, the demonstrated effects of anthropogenic perturbations on litter breakdown, and the relative ease of implementation. Leaf breakdown is governed by a variety of internal and external factors that complicate the partitioning of effects due to anthropogenic stress and natural variability (background noise), thus potentially limiting the sensitivity and robustness of litter breakdown assays. However, internal regulation factors can be controlled by standardizing assessment procedures, while variability due to external factors can be accounted for by stream classification and/or a comparative approach (e.g., downstream-upstream comparisons). Composite parameters such as ratios of break- down rates in fine-mesh and coarse-mesh bags may further increase the power of litter breakdown assays. Analyses may also be extended to include both leaf-associated decomposer assemblages (i.e., structural measures) and processes (i.e., additional functional measures). Significant efforts are required for developing standard assessment schemes as refined as extant procedures based on structural stream attributes (e.g., structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages). These efforts are nevertheless worthwhile in view of the new dimension that is added to current assessment procedures when functional elements are incorporated.
Systematic position of Gyrocheilos and some odd species of Didymocarpus (Gesneriaceae) inferred from molecular data, with reference to pollen and other morphological characters

A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to clarify the systematic position of Gyrocheilos and Didymocarpus, particularly the species placed in Didymocarpus sect. Heteroboea by Wang et al. Based on sequencing the internal transcribed spacer and the chloroplast spacer trnL‐F, parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses were carried out using separate nuclear and chloroplast datasets, as well as a combined dataset. Our results showed that the two sections of Didymocarpus in China and Gyrocheilos did not form separate monophyletic subclades, but turned up in three different places in the phylogenetic trees. In the frame of the present study, the pollen morphology of the species included in the analysis was studied. It proved inconsistent with the delimitation between Didymocarpus and Gyrocheilos. Furthermore, pollen and other morphological characters indicate that Gyrocheilos and some taxa of Didymocarpus should be placed within Didymocarpus.
Development of gluten-free cakes with the addition of methylcellulose and xanthan gum

A remocao do gluten resulta em problemas para a panificacao e muitos dos produtos sem gluten disponiveis no mercado sao de baixa qualidade, contudo a adicao de hidrocoloides e uma opcao para melhorar suas caracteristicas tecnologicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influencia da adicao de metilcelulose e goma xantana nas caracteristicas tecnologicas de bolos sem gluten elaborados com 100% de farinha de arroz. Foram elaborados bolos utilizando hidrocoloides em diferentes concentracoes atraves de planejamento experimental, sendo avaliadas caracteristicas tecnologicas como volume especifico, dureza do miolo e pontuacao total. Foram obtidos modelos matematicos para descrever a dureza e a pontuacao dos bolos, em funcao da adicao de xantana e metilcelulose. O menor valor de dureza do miolo dos bolos foi obtido quando adicionadas as concentracoes de 0,4% de xantana e 2% de metilcelulose. Em relacao a pontuacao, o maior valor foi obtido com os menores teores dos hidrocoloides, cuja formulacao continha 0,2% de goma xantana e 1% de metilcelulose. Pode-se concluir que a adicao de goma xantana e metilcelulose proporcionou o desenvolvimento de um bolo sem gluten com miolo mais macio e apresentando atributos de qualidade tecnologica semelhantes a um bolo de trigo.
Analysis of Designed Microarray Experiments

Hands-On Lab 0. Prerequisites We will assume that readers are running R 1.8. 1 under Windows and that you have limma 1.3. 9 installed. We also assume that you have the data files associated with this tutorial in the directory c:\R on your computer. The data files can be obtained as zip files from http://bioinf.wehi. edu.au/Singapore2004. First Steps Start R on your computer and change the working directory to c:\R (use the menus File > Change dir .). Load the limma library:
Arctic warming on two continents has consistent negative effects on lichen diversity and mixed effects on bryophyte diversity

Little is known about the impact of changing temperature regimes on composition and diversity of cryptogam communities in the Arctic and Subarctic, despite the well‐known importance of lichens and bryophytes to the functioning and climate feedbacks of northern ecosystems. We investigated changes in diversity and abundance of lichens and bryophytes within long‐term (9–16 years) warming experiments and along natural climatic gradients, ranging from Swedish subarctic birch forest and subarctic/subalpine tundra to Alaskan arctic tussock tundra. In both Sweden and Alaska, lichen diversity responded negatively to experimental warming (with the exception of a birch forest) and to higher temperatures along climatic gradients. Bryophytes were less sensitive to experimental warming than lichens, but depending on the length of the gradient, bryophyte diversity decreased both with increasing temperatures and at extremely low temperatures. Among bryophytes, Sphagnum mosses were particularly resistant to experimental warming in terms of both abundance and diversity. Temperature, on both continents, was the main driver of species composition within experiments and along gradients, with the exception of the Swedish subarctic birch forest where amount of litter constituted the best explanatory variable. In a warming experiment in moist acidic tussock tundra in Alaska, temperature together with soil ammonium availability were the most important factors influencing species composition. Overall, dwarf shrub abundance (deciduous and evergreen) was positively related to warming but so were the bryophytes Sphagnum girgensohnii, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi; the majority of other cryptogams showed a negative relationship to warming. This unique combination of intercontinental comparison, natural gradient studies and experimental studies shows that cryptogam diversity and abundance, especially within lichens, is likely to decrease under arctic climate warming. Given the many ecosystem processes affected by cryptogams in high latitudes (e.g. carbon sequestration, N2‐fixation, trophic interactions), these changes will have important feedback consequences for ecosystem functions and climate.
From mountains to sound: modelling the sensitivity of Dungeness crab and Pacific oyster to land–sea interactions in Hood Canal, WA

71: 725–738. Many diagnoses of declining marine species and habitats along US coasts point to upland and freshwatersources of imperilment. Yet,little work has examinedhowand whetheractivities on land affect marine resources. Similarly,the impactsof climate change on coastal systems are among the most certain; yet, few studies have explored how alternative management and climate scenarios will affect the delivery of diverse beneﬁts to people from coasts. We estimated how Dungeness crab ( Metacarcinus magister ) and Paciﬁc oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) harvest in Hood Canal, WA, may change given predictions of land uses and effects of climate change. These two marine species are critical components of local commercial and recreational ﬁsheries and thus represent key “ecosystem service” endpoints. We found that Dungeness crab harvest responds strongly to effects of climate change, as mediated by increased ocean temperature, whereas Paciﬁc oyster harvest is more responsive to projected change in land-use / land-cover due to increased nutrient loading to the marine system. These changes varyspatially throughout Hood Canal. Theseresultscan be used as a heuristicframework to help decision-makers,planners, and other stakeholders in the region asthey work to target conservation and restoration activities and plan for futuregrowth in achanging climate.
Engineering of E. coli for increased production of L-lactic acid

An over-expressed L-ldh gene derivative of Escherichia coli BAD-ldh was developed. L-ldh gene from Enterococcus facelis KK1 consisted of an open reading frame of 954 bp encoding 316 amino acids. L-ldh gene was cloned into pBAD vector and transformed into E. coli SZ85 by electroporation. SDS-page and western blotting method confirmed the presence of recombinant L-LDH enzyme with the approximate size of 40 kD. The activity of L-lactate dehydrogenase was achieved at 170 U ml-1. E. coli BAD85 was found to produce 0.62 g l-1 of lactic acid from 1 g l-1of fructose in 24 h. L-ldh gene from was successfully transformed into E. coli SZ85 with the maximum production of L-lactic acid at 0.62 g l-1. Key words: Enterobacter, fermentation processes, genes, lactic acid bacteria, molecular genetics, L-ldh gene.
The Visceral Skeleton and Jaw Suspension In the Durophagous Hybodontid Shark Tribodus limae from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil

Abstract The visceral skeleton (including complete mandibular, hyoid, and branchial arches) and teeth of the Lower Cretaceous hybodontid shark Tribodus limae are described based on well preserved fossil material. Jaw suspension and musculature are reconstructed, representing the first reconstruction of jaw musculature in a hybodont. The jaw suspension of Tribodus is similar to batoids and advanced galeomorphs in lacking direct cranio–palatine articulations and having skeletal jaw support by the hyoid arch alone (unlike most other hybodonts), but differs from batoids in that an intact hyoid arch is present. As in Asteracanthus and Lonchidion, the jaws do not extend to the snout, and were connected symphysially but not fused. CT scanning reveals the presence of supportive 'trabecular cartilage' struts in force-bearing regions of the jaws, representing the first report of these structures in an extinct chondrichthyan. Five branchial arches are present, of which pharyngobranchial, epibranchial, and ceratobranchial elements are observed although hypobranchials and basibranchials were presumably also present. A pharyngobranchial blade is present, as in some other hybodonts (e.g., Lissodus) and extant galeomorphs (e.g., Heterodontus), and the posteriormost pharyngobranchials are unfused. Tribodus is considered durophagous, based on presence of ‘trabecular cartilage' struts and a weakly heterodont monognathic pavement dentition of flattened hexagonal teeth, as in extant myliobatoid rays. SEM examination shows that teeth of T. limae are anaulacorhize with a double layer of single crystallite enameloid (SCE), and confirms the presence of columnar osteodentine, as in other Acrodontidae.
Assessing the impact of a music festival on the emergence behaviour of a breeding colony of Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii)

The emergence of Daubenton's bats Myotis daubentonii from a priory in the north of England was recorded to assess the impact of an annual music festival. Bat emergence was related to measured environmental variables using generalized linear modelling. The temperatures inside and outside the priory were significant predictors of the numbers of bats emerging. Sunset time was a significant predictor of the time of bat emergence. The timing of bat emergence was significantly later during the music festival, but there was no significant difference in the number of bats emerging. The bats left the priory up to 47 min later on festival nights than one would expect them to emerge in the absence of the festival. The results on the patterns of bat emergence were used to make recommendations regarding the timing of the music festival in the following year to minimize detrimental impacts on the bat colony.
FRACTAL ANALYSIS ON CARTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTS OF BLACK SEA

For a coherent understanding and interpretation due to evolving spatialtemporal dynamic complex interactions between human population and the Black Sea coast, it is needed to tackle by a transdisciplinary approach, theoretically by integrating a model framework of analysis for changes, transformations, trends and adjustments/identification of system understanding. Observed variations in coastal morphology on monthly to decadal timescales are often difficult to explain in terms of physical processes operating on shorter timescales. One reason could be that the morphology evolves to high-dimensional, selforganized states. Circumstantial evidence for this would be indicated by fractal distributions of the dynamical variables. Black Sea Coastal fractal analysis as nonlinear dynamical systems, consists of lengthy processes whose variability and diversity are essential for the stability and capacity support unit. This analysis does not overlook the implications map, taking into account the relationship between technology and capabilities, following the same principles. Coastal fractal analysis as nonlinear dynamical systems, consists of lengthy processes whose variability and diversity are essential for the stability and capacity support unit. This analysis does not overlook the implications map, taking into account the relationship between technology and capabilities, following the same principles. The problem of finding a set of indicators to illustrate the state of the Black Sea coast, is extremely important in this context and more complex if is desired in GIS. The concept of geographic information system of the Romanian coastline based on the idea of presenting to managers and the general public in the form of maps, sets of indicators status. Status indicators Map is an integration of sectoral indicators considered to illustrate the state of the area studied. In most cases sector indicators have equal weight in the production status indicator and in this case by fractal analysis can highlight the state of the coastal system. Through this paper we discuss the results of such analysis fractal.
Designing and Binding Mode Prediction of Juvenile Hormone Analogues as Potential Inhibitor for Galleria mellonella

Virtual screening of chemical databases has become an integral part of ligand design. Docking is one of the most important methods in computer assisted screening. If a three dimensional structure of target receptor is available, along with information regarding nature of the ligand-binding site, ligand-binding mode; the interactions between the ligand and receptor can be studied extensively, in order to design and develop target specific new compounds in a short time period. Juvenile Hormone Analogues, sesqui-terpenoid series of compound act as an insect growth regulator, and presently in use as a potential environment friendly pesticide. Juvenile hormone is the molting hormone responsible for each molt, and involved in a wide range of physiological processes in both developing and mature insect. Designing of various juvenile hormone analogues are new and emerging area to counter the insect problem. In this paper, we report protein-ligand interactions using a standard protocol of docking. We perform screening of synthesized (A-B) and proposed (C-D) series of Juvenile Hormone Analogues with hemolymph binding proteins of Galleria mellonella. Further binding energy profile of all the series have been compared with the phenoxy derivatives of juvenile hormone mimics, as well as natural JH III, in order to design targeted JHAs with improved biological activities. Our proposed series of juvenile hormone analogues exhibit better energy profile over in use phenoxy derivatives.