Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Genetics of the Tidepool Copepod Tigriopus californicus

Author(s): Flowers, Jonathan M. | Abstract: This work examines the molecular population genetics of hybrid breakdown in the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus californicus. The aim of this work was to use classical population genetic analysis of natural populations together with molecular genetics to characterize the genetic basis of reduced F2 hybrid fitness. Each of the chapters of this dissertation makes a unique contribution to our understanding of the genetic consequences of hybridization. In Chapter II, I combine time series data from natural populations with DNA sequence polymorphism data to characterize the extent of population exchange among local T. californicus populations. A primary result from this work is that gene flow among local populations is likely higher than previous data suggested. This has implications for our understanding of local population differentiation and the consequences of hybridization between T. califomicus populations. Chapters III and IV, I investigated two transcription systems, RNA polymerase I and mitochondrial RNA polymerase. Our interest in these systems primarily comes from their unusual mode of evolution. We hypothesized that rapid evolution of these transcription systems may be detrimental to the fitness of hybrid organisms. The data presented in Chapter III provide evidence of large-scale alterations in regulation of ribosomal RNA by the RNA polymerase I system in hybrids. Although the consequences of this for hybrid fitness are not clear, our results have significant implications for the molecular mechanisms responsible for the hybrid phenomenon of nucleolar dominance. In Chapter IV, results are presented on population differentiation of mitochondrial RNA polymerase, mtRPOL, and a mitochondrial transcription factor, mtTFB1. We hypothesized that elevated rates of genome evolution in T. californicus mitochondrial DNA would select for accelerated changes in the region of the polymerase responsible for promoter recognition. T. californicus populations have diverged substantially at this locus, but we found no evidence of rapid divergence in the region responsible for promoter recognition. In a separate study, I found that the mtRPOL and mtTFB1 are tightly linked. A segregation study of the linkage group marked by these genes found a large viability effect of the mtRPOL/mtTFB1 locus on hybrid fitness. This effect is attributable to viability effects that are dependent on the cytoplasmic background. Finally, Appendix A presents work on variance in reproductive success in sea urchins that is unrelated to the main body of work. This was the product of research I conducted during the first two years of my dissertation and is included here as a supplement to the work conducted on T. californicus.
Trust in VANET: A Survey of Current Solutions and Future Research Opportunities

Security and privacy will play a pivotal role in the commercialization of Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks (VANETs). Traditionally, both cryptographic and non-cryptographic approaches have been used by researchers to address security and privacy issues and achieve secure Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications. However, some security goals such as trust and reputation, are still hard to achieve through conventional cryptographic approaches. Trust is the degree of certainty with which the received information is accepted and acted upon. Historically trust has been computed for both the content generator and the content itself with former known as entity trust and the latter known as data trust. Both entity and content trust are equally important to support trustworthy communication in VANET. We review, analyze, and compare some of the recently proposed trust establishment and management mechanisms (from 2014 to 2019) in vehicular networks. Furthermore, we also discuss the weaknesses and inadequacies of existing trust establishment and management approaches when deployed in a VANET environment. Finally, we discuss some future challenges that will need to be addressed for trustworthy communications in vehicular networks.
CRC Handbook of the Zoology of Amphistomes

Morphology of the Amphistomes. Designation and Scope of Amphistomes. Techniques for Studies of Adult Amphistomes. General Appearance of the Amphistomes. Body Shape and Size. Body Surface. Tegumental Papillae. Organ Systems. Digestive System. Reproductive System. Male Genital Organs. Female Genital Organs. Excretory System. Lymphatic System. Nervous System. Histo-Morphology of the Muscular Organs. Pharynx and Keys to Their Types. Types of the Pharynx with Two Intramural Primary Pharyngeal Sacs. Types of the Pharynx with Two Extramural Primary Pharyngeal Sacs. Type of the Pharynx with Unpaired Primary Pharyngeal Sac. Types of the Pharynx with Pharyngeal Bulb and Secondary Pharyngeal Sacs. Types of Pharynx without Pharyngeal Bulb and Secondary Pharyngeal Sacs. Terminal Genitalium and Keys to Their Types. Types of the Terminal Genitalium with True Or Modified Cirrus-Sac. Types of the Terminal Genitalium with Hermaphroditic Pouch. Types of the Terminal Genitalium without Cirrus-Sac a nd Hermaphroditic Pouch and with Tegumental Papillae. Types of the Terminal Genitalium without Cirrus-Sac, Hermaphroditic Pouch and Tegumental Papillae. Acetabulum and Keys to Their Types. Acetabulum of the Group I. Types of the Acetabulum of Group I. Acetabulum of the Group II. Types of the Acetabulum of Group II. Acetabulum of the Group III. Types of the Acetabulum of the Group III. Ecology of the Amphistomes. Life-History Pattern. Pre-Parasitic Stage. Intramolluscan Larval Stage. Sporocyst. Redia. Cercaria, Adolescaria. Life-Cycle in the Definitive Hosts. Intermediate Snail Hosts and Intermediate Host-Specificity. Scope of the Definitive Hosts and the Host-Specificity. Effects of the Worm-Burden on Definitive Hosts. Systematics of the Amphistomes. History of the Classification. Order Amphistomida. Heronimata. Zonocotylata. Paramphistomata. Cladorchoidea. Cladorchiidae. Diplodiscidae. Gastrodiscidae. Balanorchiidae. Brumptiidae. Paramphistomoidea. Zygocotylidae. Gastrothylacid ae. Paramphistomidae. Orthocoeliinae. Paramphistominae. Phylogenetic Relationships Among Amphistomes. Zoogeography of the Amphistomes. General Accounts. Co-Evolutionary Relationships. Distribution and Characterization of Amphistomes by Zoogeographical Realism. Palaearctic Realm. Nearctic Realm. Neotropical Realm. Africotropical Realm. Indomalyan Realm. Australian and Oceanic Realms. Dynamic Zoogeography of the Amphistomes. Evolution of Amphistomes. References.
Fungos anamórficos (Hyphomycetes) no Semi-árido do Estado da Bahia, Brasil

During a survey of the anamorphic fungi associated with leaf litter of different plants from the semi-arid region of Bahia state, 23 species belonging to 19 genera were found. One species is recorded for the first time for Bahia and three for Brazil, respectively: Drechslera victoriae (F. Meehan & H.C. Murphy) Subram. & B.L. Jain, Ochroconis crassihumicola (Matsush.) de Hoog & Arx, Pyricularia caffera Matsush. and Tretopileus sphaerophorus (Berk & M.A. Curtis) Hughes & Deighton. Descriptions, comments and illustrations are provided for these species.
Effect of feeding detoxified castorseed cake in lactating buffaloes.

An on farm trial of 15 days preliminary feeding and 75 days experimental period was conducted in Palanpur taluka of Banaskantha District on sixteen Mehsani lactating buffaloes. The buffaloes were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments control (T1) and 10 % detoxified (Lime treated and extrusion cooked) castor cake based concentrate mixture (T2) and green and dry fodder. The milk yield of morning and evening milking of individual animal was recorded daily and was compiled for five periods of 15 days each. At the end of experimental period, a digestion trial of 7 day collection was undertaken. The average daily dry matter intake of experimental buffaloes in T1 and T2 groups during digestion trial was 3.05 ± 0.11and 3.39 ±0.16 Kg/100 Kg Body Weight were statistically similar. The average content of DCP (7.94 ±0.37 and 8.02 ± 0.24 %) and TDN (65.06±0.97 and 65.91± 1.42 %) were also statistically similar in T1 and T2 groups, respectively. The average fortnightly yield of whole milk in T1 and T2 groups was 135.01± 1.63 and 137.38 ± 0.74 Kg respectively and was statistically similar. The gross milk composition of T1 and T2 groups in terms of fat (8.36±0.21 and 8.55 ± 0.13%) and SNF (8.83 ± 0.17 and 10.17 ± 0.11%), respectively was statistically similar. The fortnightly and cumulative yield of FCM 171.70±0.5. 16and 177.89±0.2. 67; 1001.25±54.02 and 1047.59±88.72 kg/head respectively were statistically similar. The feed conversion efficiency in terms of DM, DCP and TDN intake (Kg/Kg milk, Kg/Kg FCM and Kg/Kg SCM) were statistically similar. The daily feed cost (Rs/head/day) was Rs.74. 88±0.79 in control group which was significantly higher than the CCK based ration (Rs.68.89±3.05). The return as % of feed cost (170.68±3.03 in control and 194.93±7.91 in treatment group) was significantly higher in CCK group.
Low 5-hydroxymethylcytosine level is an independent predictor of high histological grade in locally advanced breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide. In Mexico, most cases are diagnosed in locally advanced stages, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have suggested that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels could be a prognostic marker in cancer. However, the role of 5hmC as a predictor of histopathological alterations in breast cancer have not been fully studied. Results: We evaluated samples from patients with breast cancer (N=141), with a mean age of 50.12 yrs. (standard deviation [SD]: 9,54 yrs.), tumors showed a mean diameter of 6.53 cm (SD: 3.06 cm) at diagnosis, most of the patients showed overweight or obesity (77.3%) and most of them were locally advanced stage (n=111). A statistically significant and negative correlation between 5hmC levels and age in ER/PR-negative tumors (β = -0.028, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: -0.045, -0.010, p-value = 0.005) and in triple negative tumors (β = -0.023, 95%CI: -0.044, -0.001, p-value = 0.046) was observed using mixed effects linear models. We also observed a negative correlation between 5hmC levels and an increased levels of cell proliferation markers, including Ki67 (r = -0.16, p-value < 0.01) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 2 [MCM2] (r = -0.21, p-value = 0.03). Finally, and using mixed effects models, we determined that the 5hmC level was an independent predictor of advanced histological grade in locally advanced breast cancer patients (β = -0.077, 95%CI -0.142, -0.011, p = 0.022). We did not observe differences associated with complete pathological response or free-relapse survival according to 5hmC level. Conclusions: This study suggests that low 5hmC may serve as potential marker of adverse histopathological characteristics in locally advanced breast cancer patients, highlighting its potential as a useful clinical biomarker.
Growth characteristics of several clover species and their suitability for weed suppression in a mixed cropping design

Weed management without herbicides is a challenging undertaking and requires reliable alternative strategies, particularly in poorly competing crops, where weeds can cause severe yield losses. Adding a companion crop is one of the means to enhance the weed suppressive ability of the crop canopy. In this regard, clover is often referred to as an interesting option as, apart from weed suppression, clover species enhance the soil nitrogen status and contribute to pest suppression. Earlier experimental work showed however that clover can easily become too competitive, hindering the growth and development of the main crop. It thus remains questionable whether clover can be added as a companion cover crop for weed suppression without substantially harming the main crop. In this context, the relevance of the choice of clover species was investigated in the current research project. Next to field experiments, experiments in containers and pots were used to determine various traits of a range of clover species and to relate these traits to competitive and weed suppressive ability. Differences between clover species were large and it was shown that plant height was the main determinant of the competitive effect on crop plants, while rapid early growth was the trait correlating most strongly to weed suppressive ability. Persian clover was a good example of a species that suppressed weeds successfully, but also competed too fiercely with the main crop. The performance of the short growing subterranean clover was unsatisfactory. The slow early growth of this species resulted in poor weed suppression and in addition, the species competed more strongly with the crop than expected based on plant height. This last was shown to be due to a relatively strong ability to compete for below ground resources. It was concluded that successful introduction of a companion clover crop for enhanced weed suppression will not be possible unless additional management to reduce the competitive damage to the main crop is conducted. Of all the investigated clover species white clover held most promise as a weed suppressing clover species in a mixed cropping design. Key words: Clover, subterranean clover, weed suppression, cover crop, living mulch, smother crop, yield loss.
Trajectory Planning with Time-Variant Safety Margin for Autonomous Vehicle Lane Change

A lane change is one of the most important driving scenarios for autonomous driving vehicles. This paper proposes a safe and comfort-oriented algorithm for an autonomous vehicle to perform lane changes on a straight and level road. A simplified Gray Prediction Model is designed to estimate the driving status of surrounding vehicles, and time-variant safety margins are employed during the trajectory planning to ensure a safe maneuver. The algorithm is able to adapt its lane changing strategy based on traffic situation and passenger demands, and features condition-triggered rerouting to handle unexpected traffic situations. The concept of dynamic safety margins with different settings of parameters gives a customizable feature for the autonomous lane changing control. The effect of the algorithm is verified within a self-developed traffic simulation system.
Clinical profile of patients subjected for DCE-MRI and DWI for suspicious breast lesions

In India, it is the second most common cancer after carcinoma cervix. However, its incidence is rising and it has already surpassed the incidence of carcinoma cervix in metros like Delhi with age adjusted incidence of 29.0 per 100,000 per year in the year 2003. Breast cancer is a major health issue in women and the stage (extent of a cancer in the body) of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, determines the treatment options and also has a strong influence on the length of survival. All the patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was taken from each patient included in the study. Breast MR imaging was performed within days 7–14 of the menstrual cycle for premenopausal women. A thorough clinical history was taken. All the patients were explained about the procedure to make them comfortable. Various indications for which the patients were referred for MRI of the breast in our study were as follows: mass (51 0f 62 patients; 82.2%) detected in mammogram, ultrasound or clinical examination; focal asymmetry on mammogram (4 of 62 patients; 6.5%); 2 (3.2%) patients had bloody nipple discharge; 2 (3.2%) patients presented with mastalgia; 2 (3.2%) patients had nipple eczema; one (1.6%) patient had breast swelling.
Heat Capacities and Thermodynamic Properties of Pinnoite and Inderite

In this paper, in order to understand the thermodynamic properties of natural minerals of pinnoite (MgB2O4·3H2O, Pin) and inderite (Mg2B6O11·15H2O, Ind) deposited in salt lakes, heat capacities of two minerals were measured using a precision calorimeter at temperatures from 306.15 to 355.15 K after the high purity was synthesized. It was found that there are no phase transitions and thermal anomalies for the two minerals, and the molar heat capacities against temperature for Pin and Ind were fitted as Cp,m,pin = −2029.47058 + 16.94666T − 0.04396T2 + 3.89409×10−5T3 and Cp,m,Ind = −30814.43795 + 282.68108T − 0.85605T2 + 8.70708×10−4T 3, respectively. On the basis of molar heat capacities (Cp,m) of Pin and Ind, the thermodynamic functions of entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy at the temperature of 1 K interval for the two minerals were obtained for the first time.
Quantifying Nutrient Budgets for Sustainable Nutrient Management

Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, provide vital support for human life, but overloading nutrients to the Earth system leads to environmental concerns, such as water and air pollution on local scales and climate change on the global scale. With an urgent need to feed the world's growing population and the growing concern over nutrient pollution and climate change, sustainable nutrient management has become a major challenge for this century. To address this challenge, the growing body of research on nutrient budgets, namely the nutrient inputs and outputs of a given system, has provided great opportunities for improving scientific knowledge of the complex nutrient cycles in the coupled human and natural systems. This knowledge can help inform stakeholders, such as farmers, consumers, and policy makers, on their decisions related to nutrient management. This paper systematically reviews major challenges, as well as opportunities, in defining, quantifying, and applying nutrient budgets. Nutrient budgets have been defined for various systems with different research or application purposes, but the lack of consistency in the system definition and its budget terms has hindered intercomparison among studies and experience‐sharing among researchers and regions. Our review synthesizes existing nutrient budgets under a framework with five systems (i.e., Soil‐Plant system, Animal system, Animal‐Plant‐Soil system, Agro‐Food system, and Landscape system) and four spatial scales (i.e., Plot and Farm, Watershed, National, and Global scales). We define these systems and identify issues of nitrogen and phosphorus budgets within each. Few nutrient budgets have been well balanced at any scale, due to the large uncertainties in the quantification of several major budget terms. The type and level of challenges vary across spatial scales and also differ among nutrients. Improvement in nutrient budgets will rely not only on the technological advancement of scientific observations and models but also on better bookkeeping of human activity data. While some nutrient budget terms may need decades, or even centuries, of research to be well quantified within desirable levels of uncertainties, it is imperative to effectively communicate to interested stakeholders our understanding of nutrient budgets so that scientists and a variety of stakeholders can work together to address the sustainable nutrient management challenge of this century.
Impact of systemic immune system stimulation on intestinal integrity and function in pigs

Immune system stimulation (ISS) can cause physiological changes in the intestine and impact nutrient utilization in pigs. Our previous work showed that ISS reduced the apparent ileal digestibility of dietary protein and amino acids, increased ex vivo active nutrient transport, but had no effect on transepithelial resistance. A gene expression study was conducted to further investigate the impact of ISS on small intestinal function and integrity. Sixteen of 28 gilts (BW 63 ±4 kg) were injected (i.m.) every 48 h, for 7 d, with increasing amounts of E.coli lipopolysaccharide. Remaining pigs were injected with saline. Pigs were euthanized to collect ileal tissue. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed, and gene expression was determined by qPCR. Immune system stimulation increased expression of MUC2 and SGLT1 by 1.6 and 2.0 folds, respectively (P < 0.05), but had no effect on MUC5AC and GLUT2 (P >; 0.10). No effect of ISS was observed on the expression of genes that control tight junctions, i.e. claudin‐3 and 4, occludin, ZO‐1 and MLCK (P >; 0.10). Collectively, these results suggest that systemic ISS does not affect intestinal integrity and barrier function, but alters absorptive capacity of the small intestine. Reduced apparent ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids in ISS pigs may be associated with increased gut endogenous protein loss, since mucin is the main component of such loss. USDA 2011–68004‐30336
THE CONTENT OF CARBON, HYDROGEN AND NITROGEN IN DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT STAGE OF SOME CLONES OF MISCANTHUS

Miscanthus is a very interesting alternative plant whose biomass can be used for several purposes. It has a very intensive photosynthesis process (C-4) that causes high growth and cumulating of dry matter. The experiment was set up in the autumn of 2000 in which 5 clones (amongst which 2 were diploid and 3 triploid) were planted from rhizomes. In the second year of cultivation samples were taken in the first decade of June, July, August, September and October and the height of plants were measured and in their dry matter the content of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen were determined. In the October the highest yield of above ground part of dry matter 13.5 kg m -2 was harvested for the German diploid Goliath clone and the lowest for triploid clones No. 53 from Germany and POL from Poland 3.1 and 3.2 kg m -2 of dry matter, respectively. The content of carbon in the dry matter was the highest in plants sampled in the last term that is the first decade of October and ranged in g kg -1 of dry matter from 432.3 for diploid clone POL up to 448.5 for the triploid Danish clone No. 63. The content of hydrogen was very similar for all investigated clones (average value 60.0 g kg -1 of dry matter) and slightly increased during the vegetation period. The content of nitrogen was the highest 27.0 g kg -1 in plants sampled in the first term, that is the first decade of June and the lowest 4.9 g kg -1 in plant materials harvested in October.
Investigating the effect of herbal antioxidants on the process of colon cancer treatment: A systematic review

Abstract This study is asystematic review conducted in July, 2017. Related studies were searched in scientific databases of Biomed central, PubMed, Sciencedirect, Science of the Web, and Scopus according to the search method of Cochrane with related keywords since the creation of the desired databases. Among the studies, 4 studies did not achieve any of the outcomes, two studies had achieved all the desired outcomes and one study achieved some of the outcomes. Although, the use of antioxidants has reduced the risk of cancer or improved the patient’s condition in all the studies, these effects are not statistically significant generally.