Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small RNAs and Argonautes Provide a Paternal Epigenetic Memory of Germline Gene Expression to Promote Thermotolerant Male Fertility: A Dissertation

During each life cycle, gametes must preserve and pass on both genetic and epigenetic information, making the germline both immortal and totipotent. In the male germline the dramatic morphological transformation of a germ cell through meiosis, into a sperm competent for fertilization, while retaining this information is an incredible example of cellular differentiation. This process of spermatogenesis is inherently thermosensitive in numerous metazoa ranging from worms to man. Here, I describe the role of two redundant AGO-class paralogs, ALG-3/4, and their small RNA cofactors, in promoting thermotolerant male fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans. alg-3/4 double mutants exhibit temperature dependent sterility resulting from defective spermiogenesis, the postmeiotic differentiation of haploid spermatids into spermatozoa competent for fertilization. The essential Argonaute CSR-1 functions with ALG-3/4 to positively regulate target genes required for spermiogenesis by promoting transcription via a small RNA positive feedback loop. Our findings suggest that ALG-3/4 functions during spermatogenesis to amplify a small-RNA signal loaded into CSR-1 to maintain transcriptionally active chromatin at genes required for spermiogenesis and to provide an epigenetic memory of male-specific gene expression. CSR-1, which is abundant in mature sperm, appears to transmit this memory to offspring. Surprisingly, in addition to small RNAs targeting male-specific genes, we show that males also harbor an extensive repertoire of CSR-1 small RNAs targeting oogenesis-specific mRNAs. The ALG-3/4 small RNA pathway also initiates silencing small RNA signals loaded into WAGO
Adsorption of the Rhizosphere Bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd to Soil, Sand and Peat Particles

Summary: The rhizosphere bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd adsorbed strongly to light-texture and heavy-texture soils, but only slightly to quartz sand. Increase in clay and organic matter content, decrease in soil pH, or flooding the soil enhanced adsorption, whereas the presence of a bacterial attractant, increase in soil pH or drying of the soil decreased adsorption. The cells adsorbed to the upper fraction of the soil profile, but were able to infiltrate deeper if very dry soil was wetted. Washing the soil did not desorb the bacteria from soil particles, but it did from the sand particles. Overwashing soil recovered relatively few cells, whereas overwashing sand detached most of the bacteria. Survival time of A. brasilense Cd was short in soil but long in peat inoculant.
Reaction between Carbohydrates and Sulfuric Acid. III. Depolymerization and Sulfation of Chitosan by Sulfuric Acid

Transformation of chitosan in conc. H2SO4 was investigated. Neither reaction temperature (0, 10, and 30•‹) nor time (1-10 hr) affected the degree of sulfation of chitosan, but it was markedly influenced by temperature of the ether used to separate sulfated products. It was proved that depolymerization of chitosan, which had been observed to be extremely stable to conc. H2SO4, was influenced by the remaining N-acetyl content in chitosan. As expected, chitosan was greatly depolymerized by treatment with hydrated conc. H2SO4 (80 and 90% of sulfuric acid by weight), and sulfated in a lesser extent than that of conc. H2SO4. A hydrolysis constant, K1 7.0•~10-2 min-1, of the acid-labile sulfate in sulfated chitosan indicated a reliable formation of the N-sulfate bound to the amino group in sulfated chitosan.
On the mode of action of thrombin-induced angiogenesis: thrombin peptide, TP508, mediates effects in endothelial cells via αvβ3 integrin

Summary In a previous report we have presented evidence that thrombin interacts with αvβ3 integrin in endothelial cells at the molecular and cellular level. This interaction was shown to be of functional significance in vitro and in vivo and contributed to activation of angiogenesis by thrombin. In the present study, we have used a synthetic thrombin peptide, TP508, which represents residues 183 to 200 of human thrombin. This peptide lacks the catalytic site of thrombin but contains the thrombin RGD sequence. Immobilized (surface-coated) TP508 peptide, like thrombin, supported αvβ3 integrin-dependent endothelial cell attachment and haptotactic migration. These effects were specific (a scrambled TP508 peptide was without effect), and dosedependent. The RGD sequence was essential since a modified TP508 peptide, which contained RAD sequence instead of RGD, was inactive. Immobilized TP508 peptide stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and focal adhesion kinase, the signal transduction pathways characteristic for integrin activation. On the other hand, TP508 peptide, when in solution, did not mimic other thrombin-promoted angiogenic effects, such as that of activation gelatinase A, upregulation of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor mRNA or prostacyclin PGI2 release in endothelial cells. On the contrary, soluble TP508 acted as an antagonist for the aforementioned effects of thrombin. TP508 peptide inhibited these thrombin-induced effects through a RGD and α. vβ3-related mechanism. The antagonism with thrombin or thrombin receptor activating peptide was specific and involved at least in part mitogen-activated protein kinases activation. These results point to the importance of RGD sequence of thrombin in mediating effects on endothelial cells and angiogenesis.
Comparison of production parameters, gut histology, organ weights, and portion yields of broilers supplemented with Ateli plus

This study evaluated the effect of a plant extract based product, Ateli plus®, on Cobb 500 gut and organ health. A total of 2400 broiler chicks were randomly divided into five different treatment groups, with six repetitions per treatment, and raised from day 1 to 33. No significant differences were seen between dietary treatments for heart, liver, spleen and bursa weights, as well as gizzard erosion. Gizzard weight for the Ateli plus® max supplemented broilers was significantly higher than the negative control broilers. The pH of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, proventriculus and caecum were measured within 15 minutes post-mortem, with no significant differences between dietary treatments. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum villi height and crypt depths were measured. Duodenum villi height was longest for broilers supplemented with antibiotic diet (AGP), and shortest for broilers supplemented with Ateli plus® min and AGP plus Ateli plus® treatment, with crypt depth being the longest for Ateli plus® min supplemented broilers. Broilers fed the basal treatment (negative control) had the shortest jejunum villi height and crypt depth. Ateli plus® max supplemented broilers had the longest jejunum villi length, while crypt depth was longest in AGP supplement broilers. Ileum villi height and crypt depth was longest for AGP supplemented broilers, and statistically shorter and equal for the remaining dietary treatments. Broilers fed plant extract supplemented diets showed no significant improvement in villi height to crypt depth ratio. No significant effect of plant extracts on gut morphology or organ health can be concluded from this study. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ultrafiltration of whey

Utilization of ultrafiltration for the treatment of whey is increasing in the world dairy industry, due to the progress made in membrane technology itself and a better knowledge of the behaviour of whey components. Pretreatment of whey either by heating accompanied or not with pH adjustment or by ionic strength regulation or by prefiltration has the greatest effect on permeation rate. Preconcentration of whey also improves performances of ultrafiltration equipment. Two new potentialities for whey proteins, made possible by properties of new membranes are also presented.
Molecular Systematic Study of Variants of Solanum nigrum L. in India

Solanum nigrum L. is a widely distributed polyploid species with naturally occurring diploid (n=12), tetraploid (n=24) and hexaploid (n=36) forms. Information concerning the extent of the relationship among different species of Solanum nigrum complex is a prime importance for the evolutionary and taxonomic points of view. It is now well known that species hybridization has played an important role in the origin of polyploid series. Morphological, cytological and molecular characters of Indian variant tetraploid, diploid and hexaploid have been studied. An investigation of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker was made for the origin of Indian variant hexaploid S. nigrum and interrelationship with diploid and tetraploid of the complex. Out of 60 random primers 45 were used to examine 362 bands for all 3 variants. Fifteen did not amplify or showed unclear amplification across all variants. It has been concluded on the basis of RAPD data that Indian variant of tetraploid and diploid were involved in origin of hexaploid Indian variant S. nigrum. However tetraploid forms of S. nigrum play an important role in hexaploid origin.
Brasiliorchis: A New Genus for the Maxillaria picta Alliance (Orchidaceae, Maxillariinae)

ABSTRACT Brasiliorchis R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali is here proposed to include the orchid species formerly recognized in the Maxillaria picta alliance, an orchid group mostly endemic to the Atlantic Rain Forest Biome, in south and southeastern Brazil. The new genus is supported by both morphological features and ongoing molecular studies. The new genus is easily diagnosed by its sulcate to ridged, bifoliate pseudobulbs and its long-lasting, campanulate, rewardless flowers. The pollinaria of these flowers are normally devoid of stipes. Formal diagnosis of the genus and 13 taxonomic combinations are presented: Brasiliorchis barbozae (Loefgren) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. chrysantha (Barbosa Rodrigues) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. consanguinea (Klotzsch) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. gracilis (Loddiges) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. heismanniana (Barbosa Rodrigues) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. kautskyi (Pabst) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. marginata (Lindley) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. phoenicanthera (Barbosa Rodrigues) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. picta (Hooker) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. polyantha (Barbosa Rodrigues) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. porphyrostele (Reichenbach f.) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, B. schunkeana (Campacci & Kautsky) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali, and B. ubatubana (Hoehne) R. Singer, S. Koehler & Carnevali. Lectotypes are designated for B. barbozae, B. chrysantha, B. heismanniana, B. phoenicanthera, B. picta, and B. polyantha. A neotype is proposed for B. consanguinea. In addition, a key to distinguish Brasiliorchis from other sympatric bifoliate orchids within Brazilian Maxillariinae is presented.
Improved hydrogen ion buffering of media for the culture of freshwater algae

Six hydrogen ion buffers, piperazine-N, N′-bis (2-ethanesulphonic acid) (PIPES), N(-2-acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulphonic acid (ACES), N, N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulphonic acid (BES), N-tris (hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethanesulphonic acid (TES), N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethanesulphonic acid (HEPES) and N-tris (hydroxymethyl) methylglycine (TRICINE), employed at 0·02 m concentration in freshwater media at their p K a values, were found to have no adverse effects on the growth rates of Oscillatoria redekei van Goor, Chlorella vulgaris Beij. and Pediastrum boryanum (Turp.) Menegh. The doubling times of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae fa. gracile (Ralfs) Lemm. and Anabaena flos-aquae Breb. were lengthened by the presence of PIPES and ACES but this was interpreted as an effect of their low p K a values. Further results with HEPES and Oscillatoria redekei during exponential growth showed that, with a 1% CO2-in-air gas phase, a pH variation of only 0·06 pH units was obtained compared with 2·77 units.
Évaluation de l'intérêt de la pose des cathéters veineux périphériques chez les patients de moins de 75 ans admis aux urgences Pellegrin du CHU de Bordeaux

Les catheters veineux peripheriques sont des dispositifs medicaux tres utilises dans les services d'urgence adulte. Si leur pose est aujourd'hui banalisee, elle est soumise a des indications bien precises et expose a des effets secondaires et complications non negligeables. L'objectif principal de l'etude etait d'evaluer l’utilite de la pose des catheters chez les patients de moins de 75 ans pour limiter leur usage abusif. Il s'agit d'une etude observationnelle retrospective menee a partir des donnees informatiques des dossiers de 322 patients de moins de 75 ans admis aux urgences du CHU de Bordeaux du 05 au 18 janvier 2015. Le critere de jugement principal retenu etait l'utilite de la voie veineuse definie par l'absence d'alternative a l'utilisation de celle-ci. Sur les 318 patients analyses, 179 patients (56.3%) portaient un catheter juge utile. L'analyse multivariee met en evidence une association entre la tranche d'âge des patients 45-74 ans et l'utilite de la voie veineuse (RC3.05 IC95% [1.90-4.96]). Le motif de recours neurologique apparait en lien avec l'utilite de la voie veineuse, contrairement au motif : medical autre que neurologique qui lui apparait significativement en lien avec la non utilite du catheter (RC0.40 IC95% [0.22-0.73]). Si cette etude comporte bien evidemment des limites, les resultats obtenus montrent une proportion importante de catheters veineux non utiles. Elle doit donc inciter les praticiens a plus de vigilance concernant la pose du catheter notamment pour les patients jeunes, se presentant pour un motif de recours medical. Cette etude innovante ouvre la voie a de potentielles etudes a plus large echelle afin de pouvoir etablir des protocoles de mise en place de la voie veineuse en fonction du motif de recours des patients.
Are highly automated vehicles as useful as dishwashers?

Abstract Due to technological improvements, the vehicle of the future is expected to be autonomous. However, vehicle automation is a matter not only of technology but also of the human behind the wheel. Highly automated vehicles have an impact on drivers’ cognitive processes and these should be considered carefully before introducing automation. It is argued here that automation should not be implemented based solely on what is technologically possible. Instead, human-machine cooperation should be considered and automation adapted accordingly.
Countering the Rhetoric of Emerging Domestic Markets: Why More Information Alone Will Not Address the Capital Needs of Underserved Communities

This article critiques the idea that the private sector can take the lead in addressing the capital needs of underserved communities, focusing specifically on the emerging domestic markets approach advocated by Milken Institute researchers. This approach has three limitations. First, it treats all underserved communities as interchangeable, ignoring that they differ in important ways in the nature and causes of their capital constraints. Second, it claims that underserved communities lack access to capital primarily as a result of information failure, overlooking numerous other obstacles that discourage investment in such communities. Third, its overarching assumption that the private sector can take the lead in meeting the capital needs of underserved communities is unrealistic because it fails to address these additional barriers to investment. The article recommends a more individualized approach to understanding the capital needs of underserved communities and recognition of the need for public sector leadership in solving this problem.
The Bee Fauna of Residential Gardens in a Suburb of New York City (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract As suburban landscapes expand, it is critical to understand their capacity to support wildlife. Pollinators, specifically bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), are to some degree compatible with urbanization and may be able to exist in suburbs in diverse assemblages. We surveyed 21 residential gardens for bees in Westchester County, a suburban area immediately north of New York City. From a sample of 1,675 individuals, we documented 110 species, of which 95% were native, 50% were solitary, and 93% were polylectic. In terms of abundance of specimens, eusocial (50% of specimens), native (97%), and polylectic (98%) bees were dominant. Contrary to our expectation, based on previous bee surveys in urban landscapes, the bee community documented was not depauperate in either soil-nesting or parasitic species (65 and 19% of species, respectively), nor was it enriched in exotic species (6% of species). Instead, the assemblage resembled the richer bee fauna documented at a 1,520-ha research preserve (forest) located in the same region, although certain specialist (oligolectic) and/or forest-associated species were absent. These results suggest that suburban landscapes in eastern North America have the potential to host relatively diverse and intact bee communities.
The biological activities of 26 gibberellins in nine plant bioassays

The activities of gibberellins A1–A15, A17–A27 and A8-glucoside are compared, using original and previously published data, in the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone α-amylase, Progress No. 9 dwarf pea (Pisum sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), 'Tan-ginbozu' dwarf rice (Oryza sativa L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and the d-1, d-2, d-3, and d-5 maize (Zea mays L.) mutant bioassays. Gibberellins A3 and A7 show high activity in most bioassays. Gibberellins A9, A10, A23, and A24 are species specific in their activity. Gibberellins A8, A11, A12, A13, A14, A17, A25, A27, and A8-glucoside exhibit low activity. Gibberellin A26 is inactive up to 100 μg in all assays. The cucumber hypocotyl and barley aleurone bioassays respond only to a narrow spectrum of gibberellins while the rice bioassay is sensitive to all the gibberellins except A21, A25, and A26.Activity in the cucumber assay is restricted to gibberellins with a 13-deoxylactonic structure. With the exception of gibberellins A8, A26, and A27, on.
Geometric morphometrics reveals body shape differences between sympatric redfish Sebastes mentella, Sebastes fasdatus and their hybrids in the Gulf of St Lawrence

Significant body shape differences were observed between two commercially important redfish species Sebastes fasciatus and Sebastes mentella, in the Gulf of St Lawrence, first classified according to the variability at the MDH-A* locus, a diagnostic criterion for the two species in allopatry. The observed sexual dimorphism was probably related to the presence of gravid females in the sample. Sebastes mentella appeared to be more fusiform than S. fasciatus, a characteristic that may reflect the more pelagic behaviour of S. mentella. The body shape of their hybrids was closer to that of S. mentella. Similarities between hybrids and S. mentella were also observed for meristic characteristics and depth distribution. The implications of these similarities for introgression are discussed. Body shape variability of specimens of hybrid origin was greater than that of either parental species, with features ranging from S. mentella-like to S. fasciatus-like. The role of introgression in generating morphological variability is emphasized.
Biomechanics of ossified tendons in ornithopod dinosaurs

Abstract Spinal ossified tendons are a defining character for Ornithischia, one of the two major clades of dinosaurs. The function of these bony rods has remained a mystery since their first detailed description in 1886. Qualitative approaches to understand ossified tendon function have resulted in different ecological and behavioral interpretations for ornithopod dinosaurs. To evaluate ossified tendon function, this study constructed finite element models of the vertebral column for two ornithopod taxa: Tenontosaurus, which shows the plesiomorphic condition of longitudinally arrayed tendons along the spinous processes, and Brachylophosaurus, which exhibits a lattice of tendons along the spinous processes. Both models predict that ossified tendons stiffened the vertebral column, especially the tail, but the derived lattice of ossified tendons in iguanodontoidean dinosaurs, like Brachylophosaurus, increased spinal stiffness more than the plesiomorphic condition. Caudofemoral muscles that retracted the hindlimb during locomotion attached the femur to the tail in ornithopods. Increased tail stiffness caused by intratendinous ossification may have influenced locomotion by rigidly anchoring M. caudofemoralis longus to the tail, thereby allowing a more forceful retraction of the hindlimb by reducing ventral flexion of the tail during muscle contraction. Ossified tendons may also have been important for storing elastic energy throughout the gait cycle. Moreover, the lattice of ossified tendons stiffened the trunk and tail nearly equally in Brachylophosaurus, indicating the evolution of a postural function by passively supporting the epaxial musculature in maintaining a horizontal vertebral column.
Leaf Flushing Phenology of Tropical Montane Rain Forests: Relationship to Soil Moisture and Nutrients

Light and water have only been discussed in the leaf phenology studies of low latitude tropics, though soil nutrients were also included as potential contributive factors. We investigated the relationship between these environmental factors and leaf phenology in the tropical montane forests of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. Three montane forests of different vegetation were compared during the 1998 El Nino drought in order to differentiate the effect of each environmental factor. As a result, the relationship between soil pulsed nutrient release and leaf flushing was denoted in the forests with an affluent water supply, while water stress suppressed leaf flushing in all vegetation. However, the contribution of light could not be determined. This study is the first to indicate the contribution of soil nutrients to leaf phenology in the tropics.
Targeting CD47-SIRPα interactions for potentiating therapeutic antibody-mediated tumor cell destruction by phagocytes

The primary aim of the studies described in this thesis was to investigate the role of CD47-SIRPα interactions in therapeutic antibody-dependent tumor cell destruction by human phagocytes and also explore the killing mechanism(s) by which human phagocytes, and in particular human neutrophils, mediate therapeutic antibody-dependent cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.
Conspecific Brood Parasitism in Birds: A Life-History Perspective

Conspecific brood parasitism (CBP), whereby females lay eggs in the nests of other conspecifics, occurs in over 200 species of birds. As an alternative tactic to typical nesting, CBP expands and enriches the classic avian clutch size problem. It is an integral component of a flexible life-history strategy and, consequently, many intriguing aspects of this behavior—adaptive benefits to parasites, host-parasite interactions, population and evolutionary dynamics—can be understood best from a life-history perspective. Because parasite fitness depends on hosts, yet parasitism potentially reduces host fitness, CBP offers a novel opportunity to explore conflicts of interest within species. The intersection of life-history evolution, conflicts of interest, and frequency-dependent fitness provides much scope for theoretical exploration, and recent models indicate a complex range of evolutionary dynamics is possible, including consequences of CBP for population dynamics and conservation. CBP may also be a macroevolutionary stepping stone to diverse breeding systems.