Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) on Madagascar with an observation of an unusual polymorphism in ribosomal small subunit genes.

Recent characterization of nuclear ribosomal small subunit (SSU) genes has shown that variant nucleotides within this region could be useful for species and species group identification within the genus Lymnaea (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae). This study aimed to characterize a range of populations of Lymnaea natalensis Krauss, 1848 on Madagascar, and addressed two related questions. First, is there any evidence of intraspecific variation of the SSU and, if so, what might be its significance? Secondly, might this variation jeopardize the use of SSU for lymnaeid taxonomy and phylogeny? Lymnaea natalensis ( n = 212) was collected from 17 sampling localities, spanning the northern and southern ends of the island. Variation within a selected region of the SSU known to vary between species, the V1 and V2, was assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. The PCR-RFLP profiles indicated a striking dimorphism across populations at two restriction site loci ( Cfo I & Msp I) within the E10-1 helix of the V2 region. The observed RFLP variation was confirmed by direct sequencing and by genomic digestion with subsequent hybridization. Putative heterozygotes were also encountered and in these individuals the SSU arrays composed of two distinct types approximately 1% divergent. A severe departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with a highly statistically significant ( P -5 ) heterozygote deficiency was found and genetic variation among populations was highly structured ( F st = 0.53). The geographic distribution of the variants was mapped, revealing that one variant was restricted to higher, predominately colder environments and was thought to be an adaptation. The molecular basis of the SSU variation was caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To test for the possibility of cryptic taxa, an analysis of individuals representative of the SSU variant types with isoenzyme analysis (ISA), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) and PCR-RFLP analysis of the ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) was performed. Little variation was revealed and none that correlated to the groups suggested by SSU, confirming that the SSU variation was intraspecific. The levels of intraspecific divergence of the V1 and V2 within Lymnaea were not appreciably different (1%) from interspecific and would therefore question the validity of these data for lymnaeid taxonomy and phylogeny.
Growth Characteristics of the Monogonont Rotifer Asplanchna priodonta Gosse 1850 on Three Algae Species

The monogonont rotifer Asplanchna priodonta, used in aquaculture as food for fish fry, was mass-produced in three 10 m 3 outdoor concrete tanks over an average of 37 days each per batch using the algae Chlorella vulgaris, Eudorina elegans, and Scenedesmus quadricauda as food. In all three batches, the growth performance of A. priodonta fed on E. elegans was superior to that fed with either C. vulgaris or S. quadricauda. The intrinsic rates of natural increase and population doublings were better when fed on E. elegans and C. vulgaris. Highly significant (P<0.001) interactions were observed between A. priodonta and the three algae.
Molecular Studies on Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene （Hsp70） Using ClustalW Multiple Sequence Alignment Analysis

Degenerate primers are particularly useful in amplifying homologous genes from different organisms. This paper describes a method for designing degenerate primers for a given multiple alignment of DNA sequences of Hsp70 gene family using ClustalW algorithm. The authors used an in silico approach to find a homology between more than one accession numbers of DNA sequences, X67711.2 was for Oryza sativa Hsp70, AY372071.1 was for Nicotiana tabacum Hsp70 and L41253.2 was for Lycopersicon esculentum Hsc70. The three accession numbers which were retrieved by the BLASTn program depend on their expected value (E-value). Multiple sequence alignment was performed by ClustalW algorithm to produce a conserved blocks and determine the consensus region which had been used to produce the forward and reverse primer by the primer select module of DNAStar Lasergene V7 and In-Silco PCR module of FASTPCR program ver. 4.0. 8 was performed to detect the melting temperatures (Tm) and predict the PCR product size. The results of designed degenerate primer showed that there was a homology found between the designed primers and the DNA templates for the three accession numbers with at least 80% identity. The result of degenerate PCR showed that the three bands of the amplified PCR products of the three accession numbers were detected at the same molecular weight of marker (400 bp) with a difference about 15 pb compared to the in silco PCR product (385 pb). In conclusion, this study focused on the importance of using the clustalW algorithm for designing the degenerate primer.
Wavelength-Specific Behavior of the Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis): Evidence for a Blue-Green Chromatic Mechanism

The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is a serious pest in horticulture, feeding on leaf tissue and floral resources. Blue and yellow sticky traps are commonly used for monitoring and control in greenhouses. The mechanisms underlying the color preferences are largely unknown. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is a promising approach to increase the attractiveness of visual traps and to study the color choice behavior in insects. The color preferences of F. occidentalis were systematically investigated in a series of choice experiments with several LEDs from the ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectral range. Blue LEDs were most attractive, followed by green, while only a moderate attractiveness of UV was observed. Blue and green were identified as two separate attractive ranges. When light from blue and green LEDs was mixed, the attractiveness decreased compared to its single components. In conclusion, F. occidentalis exhibits two different wavelength specific behaviors towards blue and green. Compelling indications are provided that these behaviors are controlled by two photoreceptors maximally sensitive in the blue and green range with an inhibitory chromatic interaction between both. Since the known UV sensitive photoreceptor could be confirmed, a trichromatic photoreceptor setup is suggested for F. occidentalis. For advanced plant protection strategies, the results offer several opportunities to optimize monitoring or even develop mass trapping devices.
Integration of ancient DNA with transdisciplinary dataset finds strong support for Inca resettlement in the south Peruvian coast

Significance Genomic, archaeological, historical, and biogeochemical data are integrated to examine six individuals from two cemeteries in the Chincha Valley of southern Peru. Results demonstrate consistency among these independent datasets in support of a model of north Peruvian coast peoples moving to the Chincha Valley during the Late Horizon (1400 to 1532 CE). Our transdisciplinary work provides strong support for Inca resettlement, a state policy that reshaped the Andean sociopolitical landscape yet represents one of the most notoriously difficult phenomena to identify in the archaeological record. This research offers an ideal case study that sets a methodological standard for investigating ancient mobility in complex societies by synthesizing aDNA with multiple independent lines of evidence. Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis provides a powerful means of investigating human migration, social organization, and a plethora of other crucial questions about humanity’s past. Recently, specialists have suggested that the ideal research design involving aDNA would include multiple independent lines of evidence. In this paper, we adopt a transdisciplinary approach integrating aDNA with archaeological, biogeochemical, and historical data to investigate six individuals found in two cemeteries that date to the Late Horizon (1400 to 1532 CE) and Colonial (1532 to 1825 CE) periods in the Chincha Valley of southern Peru. Genomic analyses indicate that these individuals are genetically most similar to ancient and present-day populations from the north Peruvian coast located several hundred kilometers away. These genomic data are consistent with 16th century written records as well as ceramic, textile, and isotopic data. These results provide some of the strongest evidence yet of state-sponsored resettlement in the pre-Colonial Andes. This study highlights the power of transdisciplinary research designs when using aDNA data and sets a methodological standard for investigating ancient mobility in complex societies.
Surface display of multi-epitopes synthetic gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Salmonella typhi Ty21a using a pgsA anchor protein

We have developed a recombinant Salmonella typhi Ty21a vaccine candidate (rSTvacIII) displaying a multi-epitopes mycobacterial antigen called the VacIII (containing ubiquitin and 4 immunogenic mycobacterial epitopes of ESAT-6, PhoS1, Hsp 16.3 and MTB 8.4 genes) on the surface of S. typhi Ty21a (Ty21a) using PgsA protein as a carrier. The expression of VacIII protein on the surface of Ty21a was verified by western blot. Immunization in BALB/c mice with rSTvacIII induced strong Th1-type responses based on high level of in vitro IFN-γ but low IL-4 secretion. Since the protective immunity against tuberculosis is mediated by Th1-type response, the rSTvacIII have potential as effective vaccine candidate against tuberculosis. Key words:
Histochemical Compartmentation ofPhotosynthesis inthe Crassulacean AcidMetabolism Plant Crassula falcata1

Thesucculent leaf oftheobligate Crassulacean acid metabolism plant Crassula falcata comprises twodistinct types ofparenchyma. Theperipheral tissue isdarkgreen, whereas thecentral tissue isrelatively colorless. We haveinvestigated whether theconventional interpretation ofCrassulacean acid metabolism-simply, temporal separation oflight anddarkCO2fixation within individual cells-is sufficient. Ribulose1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC4.1.139) andchlorophyll, indicating thephotosynthetic-carbon-reduction pathway, wereconcentrated inperipheral tissue. Specific activities ofP-enolpyruvate carboxylase (4.1.1.31) andofNAD -malic enzyme (1.1.1.39), indicating capacity fordarkCO2fixation andrelease, respectively, werehigh inbothtypes ofparenchyma. Measured directly asmalic acid decline atthebeginning ofthephotoperiod, CO2"storage" occurred inbothtissues. Thesedata indicate that there isaspatial component toCrassulacean acid metabolism inC.falcata. CAM isametabolic adaptation toarid conditions. TheCAM cycle involves twoCO2fixation steps: (a) During thedarkperiod, stomata areopenandatmospheric CO2enters theleaf. There, CO2isfixed byPEPc3intoorganic form. Thelatter, typically malic acid, accumulates nocturnally andtheC-4carbon ofmalic acid canbethought ofasastorage formofCO2.Usually, darkness andminimumdaily temperatures coincide, withtheresult that thewater vapor-pressure gradient between theinside andoutside oftheleaf isrelatively small atnight. Thus, thestoichiometry CO2uptake/water loss ishigh atnight. (b)During thelight period, stomatal apertures arenarrow orclosed. TheC-4carbon ofmalate isreleased, andtheresulting CO2isincorporated into thephotosynthetic-carbon-reduction pathway. Thefurther metabolism ofthis carbon issimilar tothat inC3photosynthesis. Theevents described abovehavebeenpresumed tooccur within single cells. This report, along withthose ofEarnshaw et al.(7)andNishio andTing(14), establishes thattheabove description ofCAM istoosimple: somecells doindeed conduct bothcarboxylation steps, butother cells areinvolved onlyinthe initial CO2uptake andconsequent malic acid fluctuations. MATERIALSAND METHODS
Role of Glia in Sculpting Synaptic Connections at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction: A Dissertation

Emerging evidence in both vertebrates and invertebrates is redefining glia as active players in the development and integrity of the nervous system. The formation of functional neuronal circuits requires the precise addition of new synapses. Mounting evidence implicates glial function in synapse remodeling and formation. However, the precise molecular mechanisms governing these functions are poorly understood. My thesis work begins to define the molecular mechanisms by which glia communicate with neurons at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ). During development glia play a critical role in remodeling neuronal circuits in the CNS. In order to understand how glia remodel synapses, I manipulated a key component of the glial engulfment machinery, Draper. I found that during normal NMJ growth presynaptic boutons constantly shed membranes or debris. However, a loss of Draper resulted in an accumulation of debris and ghost boutons, which inhibited synaptic growth. I found that glia use the Draper pathway to engulf these excess membranes to sculpt synapses. Surprisingly, I found that muscle cells function as phagocytic cells as well by eliminating immature synaptic ghost boutons. This demonstrates that the combined efforts of glia and muscle are required for the addition of synapses and proper growth. My work establishes that glia play a crucial role in synapse development at the NMJ and suggests that there are other glial-derived molecules that regulate synapse function. I identified one glial derived molecule critical for the
Design of Chinese Natural Language in Fuzzy Boundary Determination Algorithm Based on Big Data

In this study, we proposed a new method to determine the fuzzy boundary of natural language based on big data. According to the principle of natural language recognition, the acoustic characteristics of the analysis, natural language acoustic model and statistical model is established, Viterbi decoding algorithm has been applied for natu-ral language decoding
Purification and characterization of recombinant human lysosomal alpha-mannosidase.

Lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) is required in the degradation of the asparagine-linked carbohydrates of glycoproteins. Deficiency of this enzyme leads to the lysosomal storage disorder alpha-mannosidosis. As an initial step toward enzyme replacement therapy for alpha-mannosidosis, the human lysosomal alpha-mannosidase cDNA was cloned into the pcDNA 3.1 vector and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) added to the cell culture media to induce growth arrest led to a 4-fold increase in the enzyme production, with an average yield of 3.2 mg L(-1) day(-1). alpha-Mannosidase was secreted as an active homodimer of a 130-kDa precursor that was proteolyzed into two polypeptides of 55 and 72 kDa during the subsequent purification of the enzyme. N-terminal sequence analysis of the purified enzyme revealed that the proteolysis occurred close to a cleavage site previously identified in the intracellular form of lysosomal alpha-mannosidase. Generation of monoclonal antibodies against the recombinant enzyme made it possible to develop a single-step immunoaffinity purification procedure for alpha-mannosidase. The immunoaffinity-purified enzyme which mainly consisted of the 130-kDa precursor, displayed specific activity and kinetics similar to those of the processed form. Recombinant alpha-mannosidase was taken up by cultured alpha-mannosidosis fibroblasts and was trafficked to the lysosomes via the mannose 6-phosphate pathway where it reduced the amounts of stored mannose-containing oligosaccharides.
a revised description of scorpaena maderensis (scorpaenidae) by means of meristic and morphometric analysis

a sample of 178 specimens, collected along the south-eastern cost of sicily (central mediterranean sea), was analysed. most meristic counts and measurements given by previous authors were updated, due to the larger variability observed in the present sample. sexual dimorphism was observed in fish-size and in other morphometric measurements, mostly concerning the head region. the most useful diagnostic characters of scorpaena maderensis were the presence of cycloid scales on the chest and the pectoral fin base, some features of body coloration and the shortness of supraocular tentacles, the latter two being easily detectable also during field observation. only a few morphometric and meristic measurements, along with some morphological features, were indicated as further elements to distinguish s. maderensis from s. porcus.
Seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland: towards a new conceptual framework for understanding fish-habitat dynamics in small tropical rivers

Strong relationships between seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages have been well documented in large tropical rivers (e.g. the flood pulse concept). However, the mechanics of these relationships are likely to differ substantially in smaller coastal rivers, such as those in Costa Rica, south-east Brazil and Australia’s Wet Tropics. These systems typically feature steep upland streams with short, deeply incised lowland channels and poorly connected floodplains. This hypothesis was investigated by documenting spatial and temporal variation in fish-habitat relationships in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland. Sampling was conducted at four lowland sites under a range of flow conditions, from dry-season baseflows to a one-in-ten-year flood. Longitudinal environmental gradients and fine-scale habitat patches were important in regulating fish assemblage structure during the dry season. However, high wet-season flows, constrained by the deep channel, acted as disturbances rather than gentle flood-pulses. In particular, the mobilisation of bed sediments led to scouring of aquatic vegetation and a dramatic reduction in habitat heterogeneity. Seasonal movements of fish led to significant changes in assemblage structure – from a community dominated by Neosilurus ater, Hypseleotris compressa, Awaous acritosus and Redigobius bikolanus during the dry season, to one dominated by Nematalosa erebi, Ambassis agrammus and Glossamia aprion during the wet season. Based on these observations, together with information from the literature, a conceptual model of fish-habitat dynamics is presented that is better suited to small tropical rivers than those developed in larger systems with expansive floodplains.
A vegetation-based hierarchical classification for seasonally pulsed floodplains in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

A classification scheme is presented for seasonal floodplains of the Boro-Xudum distributary of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. This distributary is subject to an annual flood-pulse, the inundated area varying from a mean low of 3 600 km2 to a mean high of 5 400 km2 between 2000 and 2006. A stratified random sample of 30 sites was surveyed for species composition and abundance in March–June 2007, using multiple quadrats along transects orthogonal to the floodplain long axis. A combination of indicator species analysis and ordination was used to derive a hierarchical classification system for floodplains, based on species assemblages. Indicator species analysis was used to identify ecologically meaningful levels of division, at four and nine classes. The four main classes of floodplain were: (1) Dry Floodplain Grassland (main indicators Urochloa mosambicensis, Ipomoea coptica, Chloris virgata and Pechuel-Loeschea leubnitziae); (2) Seasonally Flooded Grassland (Nicolasia costata, Eragrostis lappula, Cyperus sphaerospermus and Setaria sphacelata); (3) Seasonally Flooded Sedgeland (Eleocharis dulcis, Leersia hexandra, Oryza longistaminata and Cyperus articulatus); and (4) Seasonal Aquatic Communities (Sacciolepis typhura, Eleocharis variegata, Fuirena pubescens and Cycnium tubulosum). The resultant dendrogram provides an objective routine for classifying floodplains in the Boro-Xudum distributary in an ecologically meaningful way. This classification will assist in monitoring changes in vegetation resulting from hydrological change.
Disease Outbreak Surge Response: How a Singapore Tertiary Hospital Converted a Multi-story Carpark Into a Flu Screening Area to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first documented in December 2019, was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020 (https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19). The disease, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, has affected more than 9 million people and contributed to at least 490,000 deaths globally as of June 2020, with numbers on the rise (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries). Increased numbers of patients seeking medical attention during disease outbreaks can overwhelm healthcare facilities, hence requiring an equivalent response from healthcare services. Surge capacity is a concept that has not only been defined as the “ability to respond to a sudden increase in patient care demands” (Hick et al., Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2:S51-S57) but also to “effectively and rapidly expand capacity” (Watson et al., Milbank Q. 2013;91(1):78-122). This narrative review discusses how Singapore’s largest tertiary hospital has encapsulated the elements of surge capability and transformed a peacetime multi-story carpark into a flu screening area in response to the COVID-19 disease outbreak.
Relationship between yield of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and soil salinity under field conditions

Three field experiments using grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), an important dryland summer crop on the Liverpool Plains in northern New South Wales, were conducted: (i) to determine the effect of dryland salinity on the yield of commercial crops at 2 sites; (ii) to see if ridging the soil would ameliorate the problem; and (iii) to compare 16 commercial varieties for tolerance to dryland salinity. Grain sorghum was shown to be more severely affected by dryland salinity than most literature would suggest. Over 3 seasons and 2 sites, sorghum yield was reduced by 50% at soil electrical conductivity (saturation extract, ECe) levels as low as 2.8 dS/m whereas advisory literature indicated a salinity threshold (no yield reduction) for sorghum of 6.8 dS/m, and 50% yield reduction at 9.9 dS/m. Current advisory literature is based on research where salinity was artificially imposed after plants were established in non-saline soil. The measurements described in this paper were on sorghum sown into saline soil. Soil and crop management strategies (ridging the soil or choosing a tolerant variety) showed limited potential for improving yields of grain sorghum on saline soil. At one site, the ECe varied widely across the paddock but little down the soil profile at any sampling point. Hence, analysing the surface soil would indicate the salinity hazard. However, at a second site, where ECe levels in the surface soil were low (<2 dS/m) everywhere, ECe at soil depths of 1 m varied widely (from 2 to 15 dS/m) across the paddock. Soil sampling to assess salinity hazard before crop planting should therefore include the entire root zone.