Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of recalcitrant seed physiology in relation to desiccation-tolerance mechanisms

Abstract A suite of mechanisms or processes that together have been implicated in the acquisition and maintenance of desiccation tolerance in orthodox seeds is discussed in the context of the behaviour of desiccation-sensitive seeds, and where appropriate, parallels are drawn with the situation in vegetative plant tissues that tolerate dehydration. Factors included are: physical characteristics of cells and intracellular constituents; insoluble reserve accumulation; intracellular de-differentiation; metabolic ‘switching off’; presence, and efficient operation, of antioxidant systems; accumulation of putatively protective substances including LEAs, sucrose and other oligosaccharides, as well as amphipathic molecules; the presence and role of oleosins; and the presence and operation of repair systems during rehydration. The variable response to dehydration shown by desiccation-sensitive seeds is considered in terms of the absence or incomplete expression of this suite of mechanisms or processes. Three categories of damage are envisaged: (i) reduction in cell volume which can lead to mechanical damage; (ii) aqueous-based degradative processes, probably consequent upon deranged metabolism at intermediate water contents. This is termed ‘metabolism-induced damage’ and its extent will depend upon the metabolic rate and the rate of dehydration; and (iii) the removal of water intimately associated with macromolecular surfaces leading to denaturation: this is referred to as desiccation damage sensu stricto. The effects of drying rate and the maturity status of seeds are considered in relation to the responses to dehydration, leading to the conclusion that the concept of critical water contents on a species basis is inappropriate. Viewing seed postharvest physiology in terms of a continuum of behaviour is considered to be more realistic than attempting precise categorization. Rapid dehydration of excised embryonic axes (or other explants) from desiccation-sensitive seeds permits retention of viability (in the short term) to water contents approaching the level of non-freezable water. This opens up the possibility of long-term conservation, by cryopreservation techniques, of the genetic resources of species producing non-orthodox seeds.
Associations between responses to voices, distress and appraisals during daily life: an ecological validation of the cognitive behavioural model

Abstract Background Cognitive models propose that behavioural responses to voices maintain distress by preventing disconfirmation of negative beliefs about voices. We used Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) to examine the hypothesized maintenance role of behavioural responses during daily life. Method Thirty-one outpatients with frequent voices completed a smartphone-based ESM questionnaire 10 times a day over 9 days, assessing voice-related distress; resistance and compliance responses to voices; voice characteristics (intensity and negative content); appraisals of voice dominance, uncontrollability and intrusiveness. Results In line with predictions, behavioural responses were associated with voice appraisals (dominance and uncontrollability), but not voice characteristics. Greater resistance and compliance were reported in moments of increased voice distress, but these associations did not persist after controlling for concurrent voice appraisals and characteristics. Voice distress was predicted by appraisals, and, unexpectedly, also by voice characteristics. As predicted, compliance and resistance were related to increases in distress at subsequent timepoints, whilst antecedent voice appraisals and characteristics had no such effect. Compliance, but not resistance, additionally predicted subsequent increases in voice uncontrollability. In both cases, the reverse models showed no association, indicating directional effects of responses on subsequent distress, and of compliance on uncontrollability appraisals. Conclusions These results provide support for the cognitive model by suggesting that momentary behavioural and emotional responses to voices are associated with concurrent negative voice appraisals. Findings suggest that behavioural responses may be driven by voice appraisals, rather than directly by distress, and may in turn maintain voice appraisals and associated distress during the course of daily life.
Towards a Computational Ecotoxicity Assay.

Thousands of anthropogenic chemicals are released into the environment each year, posing potential hazards to human and environmental health. Toxic chemicals may cause a variety of adverse health effects, triggering immediate symptoms or delayed effects over longer periods of time. It is thus crucial to develop methods that can rapidly screen and predict the toxicity of chemicals, to limit the potential harmful impacts of chemical pollutants. Computational methods are being increasingly used in toxicity predictions. Here, the method of molecular docking is assessed for screening potential toxicity of a variety of xenobiotic compounds, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, pollutants and toxins deriving from the chemical industry. The method predicts the binding energy of pollutants to a set of carefully selected receptors, under the assumption that toxicity in many cases is related to interference with biochemical pathways. The strength of the applied method lies in its rapid generation of interaction maps between potential toxins and the targeted enzymes, which could quickly yield molecular-level information and insight into potential perturbation pathways, aiding in the prioritisation of chemicals for further tests. Two scoring functions are compared, Autodock Vina and the machine-learning scoring function RF-Score-VS. The results are promising, though hampered by the accuracy of the scoring functions. The strengths and weaknesses of the docking protocol are discussed, as well as future directions for improving the accuracy for the purpose of toxicity predictions.
Computer-based cognitive interventions in acquired brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction Acquired brain injury (ABI) leads to cognitive deficits in a great variety of cognitive functions. Interventions aimed at reducing such deficits include the use of computer-based cognitive interventions. The present work synthetizes and quantitively analyses the effect of computer-based cognitive interventions in ABI. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest and Ovid databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) addressing this issue. A total number of 8 randomized-controlled trials were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. Univariate meta-analyses were conducted for every cognitive function, producing aggregates when a study contributed more than one effect size per cognitive domain. Results Random-effects meta-analyses showed an improvement of Visual and Verbal working memory, while other domains like Attention, Processing speed, Executive functions and Memory were not benefited by the interventions. Conclusions Computer-based cognitive interventions might be a beneficial intervention for ABI population to improve Visual and Verbal working memory, although no effect was found in other cognitive domains. Implications and possible future directions of the research are discussed.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Venezuelan Strains of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

A molecular study of five strains of the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) was conducted by sequencing of products generated using the reverse transcriptase assay, coupled to the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequences of approximately 500 pair of bases from the non-translated 3’ region of the genome were compared with homologous sequences of the South American (SA) and North American (NA) variants of the EEEV complex. The EE VE02 EL PAO strain, used to develop an inactivated oil vaccine had most resemblance with the EE VE76 EL DELIRIO strain, followed by the EE VE75 CATATUMBO, the EE VE96 MLLANO and the EE VE84 TUCACAS strains, respectively. The alignment of sequences among typical strains revealed differences of 2.82 and 8.48%, respectively, while the EE VE02 EL PAO strain differed in 8.86% from the Peru strain (EE PE-0.0155, from lineage III) and in 38.08% from the NA strain (EE-PE-6, from lineage I, used in commercial vaccines). The results of the present investigation indicate that the autochthonous strains have more similarly with the SA strain than with the NA strain. Four major lineages (I-IV) in the EEEV complex have been identified. The
Dragonfly Flight: Power Requirements at High Speed and Acceleration

Summary Most studies of insect flight deal primarily with hovering or with forward flight at constant, moderate speed. This paper reports investigations of flight characteristics that are especially relevant to the performance of dragonflies at high and/or changing velocity. Dragonflies were filmed in free flight in the field to determine velocity and acceleration. The power required for repeated acceleration is shown to be large, in some circumstances, relative to the estimated maximum available power and probable top power requirements for steady flight. Distributions of velocity and acceleration, and concomitant power requirements, differ markedly among species, however. In addition, parasite drag was measured in winds of 2-7ms" 1 and drag coefficients determined to be about 0.40 at Reynolds number greater than 10 4 . This result implies substantially lower power requirements at high speeds, compared to previous estimates. Other aspects of power output, including the probable magnitude of inertial power, are considered in relation to published data.
The Spread of Ecotourism: Some Planning Implications

The idea of ecotourism is being promoted and supported, by growing numbers of people and groups in different parts of the world, as a major means of dealing with the damaging effects of tourism. Yet the meaning of the term varies among different people, projects, and places. Evidence from national parks, where this type of tourism has been promoted for many years, shows that such tourism can cause substantial long-term cumulative changes in environment. Concepts such as ecotourism, green tourism, and sustainable tourism development, are general in their nature and have to be described, planned, and assessed, in detail on the ground in terms of the socioeconomic and environmental conditions applying in different places. In this respect, careful planning and management procedures are needed not only for ecotourism but indeed for all forms of tourism.
Syzygium aromaticum Reduces Diabetes-induced Glucotoxicity via the NRF2/Glo1 Pathway

Abstract Advanced glycation end products and methylglyoxal are known to show increased levels in diabetic conditions and induce diverse metabolic disorders. However, the antiglycation ability of the bark of Syzygium aromaticum is not yet studied. In this study, we determined the inhibitory effects of S. aromaticum on AGE formation. Moreover, S. aromaticum showed breakage and inhibitory ability against the formation of AGE-collagen crosslinks. In SV40 MES13 cells, treatment with the S. aromaticum extract significantly ameliorated MG-induced oxidative stress as well as cytotoxicity. Furthermore, in the S. aromaticum extract-treated group, there was a reduction in levels of several diabetic markers, such as blood glucose, kidney weight, and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Treatment with the S. aromaticum extract significantly increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, a transcription factor involved in the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the treatment significantly upregulated the expression of glyoxalase 1 and downregulated the expression of receptor for AGEs. These results suggest that the S. aromaticum extract might ameliorate diabetes-induced renal damage by inhibiting the AGE-induced glucotoxicity and oxidative stress through the Nrf2/Glo1 pathway.
Rates of Oxygen Consumption and Glycolysis of Ventricle and Brain Slices, Obtained from Hibernating and Non-hibernating Mammals, as Function of Temperature

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Variability in infection and reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica on tomato rootstocks with the Mi resistance gene

The response of 10 commercial or experimental tomato rootstocks with the Mi resistance gene to an initial inoculum of a Mi -avirulent population of Meloidogyne javanica was determined in pot tests conducted in spring and summer. In a field test, the rootstocks were subjected to continuous exposure to high initial population densities (2050 ± 900 second-stage juveniles (J2) per 250 cm 3 soil) of the nematode. The presence of the Mi locus in the resistant rootstocks and cultivars was confirmed using the PCR co-dominant markers REX-1 and Mi23. Nematode infectivity (egg masses) and reproduction (eggs g ‐1 root) were highly variable in the spring tests. Rootstocks PG76, Gladiator and MKT-410 consistently responded as highly resistant, with nematode multiplication rate (Pf/Pi) 50 and RI > 50%). Rootstocks PG76 and He-Man, and the resistant tomato cv. Caramba showed high levels of resistance in the test conducted in summer, whereas MKT-410 and 42851 and the resistant tomato cv. Monika were moderately resistant. In the field, seven rootstocks showed high levels of resistance and one (He-Man) showed an intermediate level, whereas Beaufort and Maxifort were susceptible.
Scientific evidence underlying contraindications to the ketogenic diet: An update

First identified as a feasible treatment for intractable epilepsy, the ketogenic diet (KD) has recently gained popularity thanks to growing evidence on applications such as weight loss, most importantly, but also NAFLD, cancer, neurologic conditions and chronic pain. As with any treatment, whether pharmacologic or not, the KD might not be an appropriate intervention for every individual, and a number of contraindications have been proposed, now deeply rooted into clinical practice, excluding de facto many patients that could benefit from its use. However, many of these concerns were expressed due to the absence of clinical studies conducted on fragile populations, and an assessment of lately emerged evidence relative to KD safety is currently lacking and much needed. We herein provide a critical revision of the literature behind each safety alert, in order to guide through the treatment options in the case of subjects with an indication to the KD and a borderline safe situation. Based on available evidence, the possible use of this diet as a therapeutic intervention should be assessed on a patient‐to‐patient basis by adequately skilled medical doctors, keeping in mind current recommendations, but reading them through the knowledge of the current state of the art.
Phospholipase C-γI Is Required for Survival in Heat Stress: Involvement of Protein Kinase C-Depertment Bel-2 Phosphorylation

The consequences of heat-induced phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) phosphorylation are not known. We investigated the role of PLC-gamma1 activation and its downstream targets during the cellular response to heat stress using mouse embryonic fibroblasts genetically deficient in PLC-gamma1 (Plcg1 null MEF) and its wild type (wt MEF) as models. Treatment of wt MEF with heat resulted in temperature- and heating duration-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1. HSP70 synthesis and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) increased equally following heat treatment in both cell lines. However, heat-induced protein kinase C (PKC) activation was dramatically reduced in Plcg1 null MEF compared with wt MEF. Importantly, the mitochondrial localization of PKCalpha, PKC-dependent phosphorylation of Bcl-2, and cell viability in Plcg1 null MEF following heat treatment, were significantly decreased compared with the wild type. Furthermore, pretreatment with bryostatin-1, a PKC activator, enhanced Bcl-2 phosphorylation and cellular resistance to heat-induced apoptosis in Plcg1 null MEF. Taken together, these results suggest that PLC-gamma1 activation enhances cell survival through the PKC-dependent phosphorylation of Bcl-2 during the cellular response to heat stress.
THE USE OF A FRESHWATER MOLLUSC, BURNUPIA STENOCHORIAS (ANCYLIDAE) AS AN ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INDICATOR IN WHOLE EFFLUENT TOXICITY TESTING

The proposed introduction of compulsory toxicity testing in the licensing of effluent discharges necessitates the development of whole effluent toxicity testing. The elucidation of the effects of effluent on the local indigenous populations of organisms is essential before hazard and risk assessment can be undertaken. The limpet Burnupia stenochorias, prevalent in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, was chosen to represent the freshwater molluscs as a potential toxicity indicator. Using a textile whole effluent, the suitability of B. stenochorias was assessed under chronic toxicity conditions in the laboratory. The chronic toxicity effects of the textile whole effluent were assessed on survival, growth and reproduction were assessed. Survival is a useful chronic toxicity test endpoint for B. stenochorias. Growth, measured by shell length and width, remained linear in effluent, with an apparent stimulation of growth at the 3-10% effluent concentration, but with large individual variability. Statistical differences in fecundity were discernible between effluent concentrations. B. stenochorias is considered valuable as a South African freshwater molluscan ecotoxicological indicator, with a place in hazard assessment, although further development and research is necessary before the limpet can be effectively used.
Myzostomida Are Not Annelids: Molecular and Morphological Support for a Clade of Animals with Anterior Sperm Flagella

The myzostomes are animals with five pairs of parapodia, living as commensals or (endo)parasites mostly on crinoid and ophiuroid echinoderms. They are generally considered aberrant annelids, possibly phyllodocidan polychaetes. A phylogenetic analysis of 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequence data of Myzostoma glabrum, together with 60 morphological, developmental, ultrastructural, and life‐history characters, is presented to show that myzostomes are a sister group of the Cycliophora, closely related to the rotifer‐acanthocephalan clade (=Syndermata). Myzostomes and syndermates share predominantly the highly derived spermatozoa with anteriorly directed flagella (cycliophoran sperm is insufficiently known). The myzostome‐cycliophoran‐syndermate clade, accommodated within the Platyzoa (including Platyhelminthes s. str., Gastrotricha, Gnathostomulida, Syndermata, Cycliophora, and Myzostomida), is strongly supported by most analyses, regardless of alignment parameters, character combinations and weighting, species sampling, and tree‐building methods. The new name Prosomastigozoa (“forward‐flagellar animals”) is proposed for the group including three phyla (Cycliophora, Myzostomida, and Syndermata).
Adapted low-footprint biasing circuit for Switched Beam Antenna steering usable in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensors Networks are of great interest for their deployment flexibility and low cost in many applications. Typical sensor nodes are power constrained to use low frequencies to achieve an interesting transmission range when deployed on complex propagation environment. To enable using a higher frequency bands, like 2.4 GHz radio band, Switched Beam Antennas can help to enhance or to achieve a similar transmission range. The switching facility may need to add a control circuitry to address adequately the antenna beam directivity. In this work, we present the integration of a steering functionality with the design of a biasing circuit to be deployed on a dipole antenna usually used by IEEE 802.15. 4 standard sensors. We then compare the new configurable antenna with the former static Switched Beam Antenna design.The simulated antenna with the redesigned cells features results with a high directivity of 10.9 dBi and a 32° beam aperture that can be steered to cover 360° in azimuth plane.
Retrospective versus prospective designs for studies of crop raiding by elephants

Crop-raiding by elephants continues to increase as human populations in elephant ranges expand. The risk of crop losses can be reduced by identifying the most important farmland features that attract elephants. Risk factors vary from place to place and must be identified by site-specific studies. The most important risk factors include distance of farm to reserve boundary line, area under cultivation, number of crop types on farm and degree of each farm's isolation. Here we take the data from an earlier prospective study of crop raiding around the Kakum Conservation Area in southern Ghana to illustrate a better method of analysis using a zero-inflated Poisson model. We then use the same data set to illustrate the advantages and drawbacks of a retrospective design. With a retrospective design a raided farm is matched with one or more intact farms at the end of the growing season. This method is cost-effective for field workers whose resources are limited because it does not require repeated visits to farms to monitor raids. The optimum sample size is about 30 raided farms that are each matched with at least 2 intact farms.
Measurements of Opportunistic Aircraft Signals and Verification of a Propagation Prediction Tool in Mountainous Region

Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) is an emerging and more economically viable means of aeronautical surveillance. Aircraft periodically broadcasts surveillance information such as its own position and velocity. Although ADS-B was originally developed for air traffic control, measurement of opportunistic ADS-B signals can be applied to radio propagation study. This paper presents a comparison on the received signal strength (RSS) between measurements of opportunistic ADS-B signals and predictions by a Physical-Optics-based tool with terrain data in the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan. Two measurement scenarios were studied: one with the receiver at the airport located in the bottom of a mountainous valley and another with the receiver on the top of a mountain that surrounds the valley. The comparison is aimed at 1) investigating the ADS-B signal propagation in the mountainous region, 2) demonstrating a site-survey by opportunistic ADS-B signals, and 3) demonstrating verification of a propagation prediction tool.
From devils to jobs: tracking neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a diverse group of cancers, increasing in frequency, which can arise virtually anywhere in the body from cells of both the endocrine and nervous systems. Even given their diversity, NETs generally share common histologic features, and most (up to 85% of non-incidental NETs) are “functional” in the sense that they produce hormones. Most clinically apparent NETs arise in the intestine or lungs, and are often grouped into foregut (including pancreas and lung), midgut, and hindgut tumors. Of the gastroenteropancreatic tumors, carcinoids (oddly named because they grew slowly and were thought to only be “cancer-like”) comprise ~2/3, while pancreatic endocrine tumors comprise the remaining ~1/3.