Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Varying Temperatures on Seed and Seedling Vigour in Bold Seeded Chickpea Genotypes

Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) known by the common names Bengal gram, gram, homes, garbenzobean is traditionally grown in parts of the world covering Asia, Africa, Europe, North and south America but the bulk of it is produced and consumed in South countries. In India Chickpea is a prime pulse crop of rabi. The present study was performed to see the performance of high yielding bold seeded chickpea genotypes for seed vigour under varying temperature conditions. Performance of five highest yielding bold seeded chickpea under different temperature conditions revealed that 25 o C - 30 o C temperature was optimum for various seed/seedling vigour tests for chickpea as compared to other temperatures, at which the testing was done.
Gradients in the biophysical properties of neonatal auditory neurons align with synaptic contact position and the intensity coding map of inner hair cells

Sound intensity is encoded by auditory neuron subgroups that differ in thresholds and spontaneous rates. Whether variations in neuronal biophysics contributes to this functional diversity is unknown. Because intensity thresholds correlate with synaptic position on sensory hair cells, we combined patch clamping with fiber labeling in semi-intact cochlear preparations in neonatal rats from both sexes. The biophysical properties of auditory neurons vary in a striking spatial gradient with synaptic position. Neurons with high thresholds to injected currents contact hair cells at synaptic positions where neurons with high thresholds to sound-intensity are found in vivo. Alignment between in vitro and in vivo thresholds suggests that biophysical variability contributes to intensity coding. Biophysical gradients were evident at all ages examined, indicating that cell diversity emerges in early post-natal development and persists even after continued maturation. This stability enabled a remarkably successful model for predicting synaptic position based solely on biophysical properties.
Population Analysis and Evolution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitogenomes

The study of mitogenomes allows the unraveling of some paths of yeast evolution that are often not exposed when analyzing the nuclear genome. Although both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are known to determine phenotypic diversity and fitness, no concordance has yet established between the two, mainly regarding strains’ technological uses and/or geographical distribution. In the current work, we proposed a new method to align and analyze yeast mitogenomes, overcoming current difficulties that make it impossible to obtain comparable mitogenomes for a large number of isolates. To this end, 12,016 mitogenomes were considered, and we developed a novel approach consisting of the design of a reference sequence intended to be comparable between all mitogenomes. Subsequently, the population structure of 6646 Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitogenomes was assessed. Results revealed the existence of particular clusters associated with the technological use of the strains, in particular regarding clinical isolates, laboratory strains, and yeasts used for wine-associated activities. As far as we know, this is the first time that a positive concordance between nuclear and mitogenomes has been reported for S. cerevisiae, in terms of strains’ technological applications. The results obtained highlighted the importance of including the mtDNA genome in evolutionary analysis, in order to clarify the origin and history of yeast species.
Premature ovarian insufficiency in the XO female mouse on the C57BL/6J genetic background.

In humans, all but 1% of monosomy 45.X embryos die in utero and those who reach term suffer from congenital abnormalities and infertility, termed Turner's syndrome (TS). By contrast, XO female mice on various genetic backgrounds show much milder physical defects and normal fertility, diminishing their value as an animal model for studying the infertility of TS patients. In the current paper, we report that XO mice on the C57BL/6J (B6) genetic background showed early oocyte loss, infertility or subfertility, and high embryonic lethality, suggesting that the effect of monosomy X in the female germline may be shared between mice and humans. First, we generated XO mice on either a mixed N2(C3H.B6) or B6 genetic background and compared the number of oocytes in neonatal ovaries; N2.XO females retained 45% of the number of oocytes in N2.XX females, whereas B6.XO females retained only 15% of that in B6.XX females. Second, while N2.XO females were as fertile as N2.XX females, both the frequency of pregnancy and the total number of pups delivered by B6.XO females were significantly lower than those of B6.XX females. Third, after mating with B6 males, both N2.XO and B6.XO females rarely produced XO pups carrying paternal X chromosomes, although a larger percentage of embryos was found to be XO before implantation. Furthermore, B6.XO females delivered 20% XO pups among female progeny after mating with C3H males. We conclude that the impact of monosomy X on female mouse fertility depends on the genetic background.
Antimicrobial Prescription Habits of Dentists Performing Dental Implant Treatments in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The use of antibiotics in implant treatments is controversial. The purpose of this research was to study the behaviors of Santo Domingo dentists who prescribe antimicrobials to patients for the placement of dental implants. A total of 99 dentists participated in the study. A share of 1.2% of dentists prescribed antimicrobials solely in the preoperative period, 8.6% after surgery, 44.4% before and after, 19.8% only in specific situations, and 25.9% did not prescribe at all. Amoxicillin was the predominant antimicrobial of choice. A cross-sectional, observational, survey-based study was conducted. The items studied were demographics, self-assessment of knowledge about antibiotics and when they are used, as well as their recommended dosage and duration, in healthy and non-allergic patients. Notable variability was found in the prescription behaviors of antimicrobials. Bridging gaps in knowledge on the subject could help to standardize prescription guidelines.
Morphological and ultrastructural features in selected species of Licea (Myxomycetes)

Ultrastructural studies of selected species of Licea were made in order to elucidate relationships among species. Based on structural studies, species may be grouped as representing different stages of morphological complexity. The majority of species possess protoplasmodia and form sporangia. The two plasmodiocarpous species L. retiformis and L. variabilis possess more highly differentiated plasmodia and are an anomaly among Licea species. Processes along the margin of peridial lobes in several species of the genus are probably homologous with the capillitium in Listerella. The latter genus is morphologically and structurally very similar to species of the Licea pusilla group, but its plasmodium is still unknown. The sole species of Listerella agrees with Licea operculata in the structure of spore ornamentation, the processes consisting of densely packed granules of high electron density. This structure is quite different from that of L. pusilla and L. minima, where the processes have an internal structure of alternating layers different in electron transparency. Presence of spore-like bodies, different in size and ornamentation from normal spores, have been demonstrated in the border region between stalk and sporangium in L. operculata. This is a feature previously supposed to be restricted to Arcyria and related genera. Using X-ray analysis, calcium has been found in the peridium of several species of Licea. Since environmental factors may influence the presence or absence of calcium, caution should be taken in interpreting differences taxonomically. The similarity in elemental composition between the spores and sporangial lid in L. operculata is interesting, considering the fact that the sporangial lid of Trichia crateriformb has been demonstrated to be composed of spore-like structures.
Surveys for ticks on wildlife hosts and in the environment at Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)-positive sites in Virginia and New Jersey, 2018.

Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), is native to eastern Asia, but it has become invasive in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and recently in the eastern United States (US). To identify wild mammal and avian host species in the US, we conducted active wildlife surveillance in two states with known ALT infestations (Virginia and New Jersey). In addition, we conducted environmental surveys in both states. These surveillance efforts resulted in detection of 51 ALT-infested individuals from seven wildlife species, including raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), woodchuck (Marmota monax), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We found ALT in the environment in both states and also collected three native tick species (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variablis, and Ixodes scapularis) that are vectors of pathogens of public health and veterinary importance. This study provides important specific information on the wildlife host range of ALT in the US.
Fine motor skill performance in left‐ and right‐handers: Evidence of an advantage for left‐handers

A total of 22 right‐handed and 22 left‐handed participants performed tasks on a well‐established test of manual dexterity in addition to completing the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire. Analysis of Variance revealed that left‐handers performed significantly better on the Purdue pegboard test when the task relied on the co‐ordination of both the left and right hands. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the Purdue pegboard assembly task is a predictor of self‐reported hand preference and of handedness when classified by the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire. Left‐handers showed a smaller performance difference between hands, suggesting an advantage in using their non‐preferred hand, although this did not lead to a better performance on a bimanual placement task. These results suggest that left‐handers perform more proficiently when hand actions have to be alternated in completing a task. The superior performance of the non‐preferred hand in left‐handers might be explored to develop future behavioural predictors of handedness.
Probing the DNA Reactivity and the Anticancer Properties of a Novel Tubercidin-Pt(II) Complex

Herein, we reported on the synthesis of a novel Pt(II) neutral complex having as ligand the nucleoside tubercidin, a potent anti-tumor agent extracted from the bacterium Streptomyces Tubercidicus. In detail, the chelation of the metal by a diamine linker installed at C6 purine position of tubercidin assured the introduction of a cisplatin-like unit in the molecular scaffold. The behavior of the synthesized complex with a double-strand DNA model was monitored by CD spectroscopy and compared with that of cisplatin and tubercidin. In addition, the cell viability was evaluated against HeLa, A375 and WM266 human cancer cell lines using the MTT test. Lastly, the results of the apoptotic assay (FITC Annexin V) performed on the HeLa cancer cell line are also reported.
Effectiveness of Sequential Psychological and Medication Therapies for Insomnia Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Despite evidence of efficacious psychological and pharmacologic therapies for insomnia, there is little information about what first-line treatment should be and how best to proceed when initial treatment fails. Objective To evaluate the comparative efficacy of 4 treatment sequences involving psychological and medication therapies for insomnia and examine the moderating effect of psychiatric disorders on insomnia outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants In a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial, patients were assigned to first-stage therapy involving either behavioral therapy (BT; n = 104) or zolpidem (zolpidem; n = 107), and patients who did not remit received a second treatment involving either medication (zolpidem or trazodone) or psychological therapy (BT or cognitive therapy [CT]). The study took place at Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada, and at National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, and enrollment of patients took place from August 2012 through July 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end points were the treatment response and remission rates, defined by the Insomnia Severity Index total score. Results Patients included 211 adults (132 women; mean [SD] age, 45.6 [14.9] years) with a chronic insomnia disorder, including 74 patients with a comorbid anxiety or mood disorder. First-stage therapy with BT or zolpidem produced equivalent weighted percentages of responders (BT, 45.5%; zolpidem, 49.7%; OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.60-2.33) and remitters (BT, 38.03%; zolpidem, 30.3%; OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.75-2.65). Second-stage therapy produced significant increases in responders for the 2 conditions, starting with BT (BT to zolpidem, 40.6% to 62.7%; OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.14-5.30; BT to CT, 50.1% to 68.2%; OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.01-4.35) but no significant change following zolpidem treatment. Significant increase in percentage of remitters was observed in 2 of 4 therapy sequences (BT to zolpidem, 38.1% to 55.9%; OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.04-4.11; zolpidem to trazodone, 31.4% to 49.4%; OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.91-5.00). Although response/remission rates were lower among patients with psychiatric comorbidity, treatment sequences that involved BT followed by CT or zolpidem followed by trazodone yielded better outcomes for patients with comorbid insomnia. Response and remission rates were well sustained through the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance Behavioral therapy and zolpidem medication produced equivalent response and remission rates. Adding a second treatment produced an added value for those whose insomnia failed to remit with initial therapies. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01651442.
Which conditions should be considered as disorders in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) designation of “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors”?

Abstract Background Gambling and gaming disorders have been included as “disorders due to addictive behaviors” in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Other problematic behaviors may be considered as “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors (6C5Y). ” Methods Narrative review, experts' opinions. Results We suggest the following meta-level criteria for considering potential addictive behaviors as fulfilling the category of “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors”: 1. Clinical relevance: Empirical evidence from multiple scientific studies demonstrates that the specific potential addictive behavior is clinically relevant and individuals experience negative consequences and functional impairments in daily life due to the problematic and potentially addictive behavior. 2. Theoretical embedding: Current theories and theoretical models belonging to the field of research on addictive behaviors describe and explain most appropriately the candidate phenomenon of a potential addictive behavior. 3. Empirical evidence: Data based on self-reports, clinical interviews, surveys, behavioral experiments, and, if available, biological investigations (neural, physiological, genetic) suggest that psychological (and neurobiological) mechanisms involved in other addictive behaviors are also valid for the candidate phenomenon. Varying degrees of support for problematic forms of pornography use, buying and shopping, and use of social networks are available. These conditions may fit the category of “other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors”. Conclusion It is important not to over-pathologize everyday-life behavior while concurrently not trivializing conditions that are of clinical importance and that deserve public health considerations. The proposed meta-level-criteria may help guide both research efforts and clinical practice.
Ecofriendly Biomolecule-Capped Bifidobacterium bifidum-Manufactured Silver Nanoparticles and Efflux Pump Genes Expression Alteration in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is currently considered as an immediate threat to human health due to its various multidrug efflux pumps. Microbially synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an attractive and eco-friendly approach to prevent antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In the present study, we compared the inhibitory effect of both commercial and green AgNPs by Bifidobacterium bifidum on OxqAB efflux pump genes in ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Antibiogram was used to identify resistant isolates and the effect of the biosynthesized AgNPs against OxqAB efflux pump strains was assessed by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The expression levels of oxqAB genes were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by exposure to subMICs of the AgNPs. Results: PCR results showed that 25 strains had OxqAB efflux pump and the MIC method indicated that AgNPs had an inhibitory effect on all resistant strains with OxqAB efflux pump. The efficacy of the synthetic nanoparticles was assessed by comparing the antiefflux pump activity with commercial AgNPs. In ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates, the oxqAB genes expression levels reduced in the subMIC of both AgNPs, whereas biosynthesized AgNPs had greater bactericidal effects compared with the commercial AgNPs. Conclusions: Efflux pumps could be an attractive target for our biosynthesized AgNPs. The oxqAB genes expression levels reduced in subMIC of both AgNPs, whereas biosynthesized AgNPs had greater bactericidal effects than the commercial AgNPs.
IR-UWB Pulse Generation Using FPGA Scheme for through Obstacle Human Detection

This research proposes a scheme of field programmable gate array (FPGA) to generate an impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) pulse. The FPGA scheme consists of three parts: digital clock manager, four-delay-paths stratagem, and edge combiner. The IR-UWB radar system is designed to detect human subjects from their respiration underneath the rubble in the aftermath of an earthquake and to locate the human subjects based on range estimation. The proposed IR-UWB radar system is experimented with human subjects lying underneath layers of stacked clay bricks in supine and prone position. The results reveal that the IR-UWB radar system achieves a pulse duration of 540 ps with a bandwidth of 2.073 GHz (fractional bandwidth of 1.797). In addition, the IR-UWB technology can detect human subjects underneath the rubble from respiration and identify the location of human subjects by range estimation. The novelty of this research lies in the use of the FPGA scheme to achieve an IR-UWB pulse with a 2.073 GHz (117 MHz–2.19 GHz) bandwidth, thereby rendering the technology suitable for a wide range of applications, in addition to through-obstacle detection.
STABILIZATION OF CHOLESTERYL LINOLEATE EMULSION MODEL SYSTEM BY CRACKLINGS HYDROLYSATES

Acid (CAH) and enzymatic (CEH) hydrolysates were prepared from cracklings. The effect of the addition of both hydrolysates and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the oxidative stability of cholesteryl linoleate in model emulsions was investigated. Emulsions were incubated at 37C for 6 days during which time the peroxide value (PV), the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), the conjugated dienes and the cholesterol oxidation products were determined. The stability properties of antioxidants so tested were represented by an antioxidant efficiency coefficient. CEH possessed a better antioxidant efficacy (AE) than CAH based on PV, content of conjugated dienes, TBARS values and quantities of cholesterol oxides. After 6 days of incubation, the level of oxysterols in samples to which hydrolysates were added was four to five times lower than that of the control sample. The AE of enzymatically and acid-prepared hydrolysates in a model emulsion was lower than that of BHT. The protection of BHT against cholesterol oxidation was less than that of CEH. The 7-keto-C was the dominant oxysterol detected.
Does the Arabidopsis proton gradient regulation5 Mutant Leak Protons from the Thylakoid Membrane?1[OPEN]

High gH+ of the pgr5 mutant is restored to the wild-type level by introduction of flavodiiron protein and strong downregulation of the cytochrome b6f complex, counteracting proton leakage from the thylakoid membrane. Despite generating an obvious mutant phenotype, whether the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) proton gradient regulation5 (pgr5) mutation influences cyclic electron transport (CET) around PSI is a topic of debate. Results of electrochromic shift analysis show that proton conductivity across the thylakoid membrane (gH+) in the pgr5 mutant is enhanced at high light intensity. Given this observation, PGR5 was proposed to regulate ATP synthase activity rather than mediating CET. The originally reported pgr5 phenotype reflects a smaller proton motive force (pmf) and could be explained by this H+ leakage model. In this study, we genetically reexamined the high-gH+ phenotype of the pgr5 mutant. Transgenic lines in which flavodiiron protein-dependent pseudo-CET replaced PGR5-dependent CET had wild-type levels of gH+, suggesting that the high-gH+ phenotype in pgr5 plants is caused secondarily by the low pmf. The pgr1 mutant shows a similar reduction in pmf because of enhanced sensitivity of its cytochrome b6f complex to lumenal acidification. In contrast to the pgr5 mutant, gH+ was lower in the pgr1 mutant than in the wild type. In the pgr1 pgr5 double mutants, gH+ was intermediate to gH+ values of the respective single mutants. It is unlikely that gH+ is upregulated simply in response to a low pmf. We did not observe uncoupling of the thylakoid membrane in the pgr5 mutant upon monitoring the quenching of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence. We conclude that the gH+ parameter may be influenced by other factors not related to the H+ leakage through ATP synthase. It is unlikely that the pgr5 mutant leaks protons from the thylakoid membrane.
In vivo toxicity of zearalenone in immune organs of mice.

The toxicity of zearalenone(ZEA) in immune organs of mice was studied by intraperitoneal injection.Compared with the control group,the weight gain and thymus index were significantly lower,and thymocytes had a typical apoptotic peak,but spleen index was not significantly lower and splenocytes did not have a typical apoptotic peak in mice of the experimental group injected daily with a single dose of 25mg/kg ZEA for 6d.After a single dose of ZEA(50mg/kg),ZEA arrested significantly cell cycle of the thymocytes and spleen lymphocytes progression at G2/M in 48h.After a single dose of ZEA(50mg/kg) daily for 3 days,photomicrographs of thymus and spleen sections from the mice showed decrease of thymic cortex,increase of thymic medulla and atrophy and focal necrosis of white pulp of spleen.The result showed that ZEA could significantly damage thymus and spleen of mice.