Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant Innate Immune Response: Qualitative and Quantitative Resistance

ABSTRACT Plant diseases, caused by microbes, threaten world food, feed, and bioproduct security. Plant resistance has not been effectively deployed to improve resistance in plants for lack of understanding of biochemical mechanisms and genetic bedrock of resistance. With the advent of genome sequencing, the forward and reverse genetic approaches have enabled deciphering the riddle of resistance. Invading pathogens produce elicitors and effectors that are recognized by the host membrane-localized receptors, which in turn induce a cascade of downstream regulatory and resistance metabolite and protein biosynthetic genes (R) to produce resistance metabolites and proteins, which reduce pathogen advancement through their antimicrobial and cell wall enforcement properties. The resistance in plants to pathogen attack is expressed as reduced susceptibility, ranging from high susceptibility to hypersensitive response, the shades of gray. The hypersensitive response or cell death is considered as qualitative resistance, while the remainder of the reduced susceptibility is considered as quantitative resistance. The resistance is due to additive effects of several resistance metabolites and proteins, which are produced through a network of several hierarchies of plant R genes. Plants recognize the pathogen elicitors or receptors and then induce downstream genes to eventually produce resistance metabolites and proteins that suppress the pathogen advancement in plant. These resistance genes (R), against qualitative and quantitative resistance, can be identified in germplasm collections and replaced in commercial cultivars, if nonfunctional, based on genome editing to improve plant resistance.
Drug delivery systems for glioma specific targeting

The blood-brain barrier and blood-brain tumor barrier at the glioma region prevent the penetration of chemotherapeutics. Recently,with the in-depth knowledge of the tumor as well as the development of experimental methods,more and more glioma targeting drug delivery systems have been established. This review focuses on the glioma targeting strategies based on its unique pathological features including one-order targeting,two-order targeting,dual targeting and microenvironment-responsive targeting.
A Proposed Framework of Service Quality for a Hospital Visiting

This paper attempts to integrate concepts of service quality and in-depth interviews with experts master on hospital management or medical care to build a framework for influencing factors of service quality for outpatient clinical care and empirically explore it. Data are collected through a survey of a large-scale medical center located in a megalopolis area that is actively involved in research and development of medical care. Five dimensions of service quality are constructed as process of healthcare, waiting for inspection and administration, environment of clinical visiting process, hospital environment, and supporting personnel by Factor Analysis in this study. The dimension of waiting for inspection and administration included service quality of inspection units, waiting time for inspection and inspection documentation. To improve and to computerize inspection process might upgrade customer satisfaction. Waiting for a doctor diagnosis is included into environment of clinical visiting process, so a comfortable waiting corner and plenty of seats near to a diagnosis waiting room might reduce complaints of a long waiting time for a doctor diagnosis. The convenient transportation and enough parking spaces are important for clinical visiting a large-scale hospital located in a megalopolis area.
Effects of spring grazing by greater snow geese on hay production

(1) The effects of spring grazing by the greater snow goose (Chen caerulescens atlantica, Linnaeus) on hay production were studied in a 283 ha agricultural area at Montmagny, Quebec. A flock of 13 500 staging birds used the area between 1 April and 19 May 1980. (2) The measurements were obtained at fifty-one sampling stations randomly located in two major habitat types: first-year or new hayfields (sixteen) and older hayfields (thirty-five). Each station contained a fenced and an unfenced plot (1.5 x 5.5 m) and a permanent strip transect in which goose utilization was monitored by dropping counts made every 4 days. Grass height and total harvestable biomass (in g of dry matter per square metre, g DM m-2) were measured immediately after goose departure (19 May) and at harvest time (28 June). (3) In all instances, height and total harvestable biomass bore a significant inverse relationship to prior goose utilization. The reduction in yield at the June harvest as a consequence of April and May grazing by staging geese amounted to 47.1 g DM m-2 of total harvestable biomass which represents an estimated 125 t of hay or a 14.3% reduction in potential yield of the first crop for 213 ha of productive areas within the study area.
Morphological variation and types of Cynodon dactylon

The morphological variation between 444 populations of Cynodon dactylon was analyzed, and clustering was carried out based on 15 morphological characteristics. The results showed that: 1) Abundant morphological variation existed between populations of C.dactylon. The largest variation was found in characteristics including height (including turf and reproductive stem height), length (including leaf and internode length) and shoot morphology (referring to short stem form and morphological index); followed by variation in characteristics including uniformity, density, and leaf color. The least variation was found in characteristics including width (referring to leaf width and internode diameter) and inflorescence character (referring to inflorescence and spikelet length, and inflorescence branch number). 2) With latitude increasing, C.dactylon became higher and more erect with longer leaves and internodes. The reproductive stem height also became much higher with longer inflorescences and spikelets, but the inflorescence branch number reduced. The populations also produced darker green leaves and denser turf. Populations from east China compared with those of the west generally had longer internodes and spikelets, but lower reproductive stem height. 3) Based on 15 morphological characteristics, populations were clustered into five morphological types with turf quality ranked as follows: coarse-high type erect and slanting-high types slanting-dwarf type dwarf type. It was suggested that the coarse-high type be used for forage; that the erect, slanting-high, and slanting-dwarf types could be used for soil protection; and that the dwarf type could be used for places including golf courses, public green land, and sports fields.
Cryptic species in the Neotropical fish genus Curimatopsis (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Detritivores of the fish family Curimatidae are assigned to eight genera, one of which, the Curimatopsis, with only five species, is the least speciose genus and sister to other seven genera in the family. Ongoing morphological investigations reveal, however, the likely existence of additional species. In this study, fifty‐one specimens of Curimatopsis from multiple rivers of the Amazon, Paraguay and Suriname drainages were identified morphologically according to the present species concepts and then barcoded using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial marker. Species delimitation analyses were conducted using Bayesian methods through the general mixed Yule‐coalescent analysis combined with conventional likelihood, genetic distance and haplotypic diversity approaches. We found eleven well‐supported clusters that represent four of the named species and seven cryptic, undescribed species of Curimatopsis. Our results show a clear delimitation of species boundaries constrained by distinct Amazonian river ecotones that may have promoted intrageneric lineage diversification. This is the first of a series of genetic studies applicable to future taxonomic, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies across the Curimatidae.
Effects of product variety in technology selection decision for cellular manufacturing system design

EFFECTS OF PRODUCT VARIETY IN TECHNOLOGY SELECTION DECISION FOR CELLULAR MANUFACTURING SYSTEM DESIGN Hesna Müge Yayla M.S. in Industrial Engineering Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Selim Aktürk July, 2003 In today’s world, customers expect product variety. However, non-uniform products complicate the manufacturing processes significantly. In this study, we solved the cellular manufacturing system design and the technology selection problems simultaneously while taking the changing market dynamics into consideration. Cellular manufacturing system design problem aims the identification of existing part families and machine groups, while the technology selection decision determines the appropriate technology for the facility. In order to integrate the market characteristics in our model, we proposed a new cost function. Further, we modified a well known similarity measure in order to handle the operational capability of available technology. This new coefficient is employed at the identification of part families. The technology selection decision is based on the individual properties of parts, namely the production volume, variability of the demand, and the design stability of the part. Integration of the product variety at the design stage leads us to the use of flexible machining systems and dedicated manufacturing systems at the same facility. In the thesis, our hybrid technology approach is presented via a multi-objective mathematical model. A filtered-beam based local search heuristic is proposed to solve the problem efficiently.
Zaleplon displays a selectivity to recombinant GABAA receptors different from zolipdem, zopiclone and benzodiazepines

A chemically heterogeneous group of compounds acts at the benzodiazepine (BZ) recognition site of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor complex. Whereas most 1,4-BZs recognize all GABAA/BZ receptors with similar affinity, other compounds differentiate between the large number of native GABAA receptors which assemble from the more than 14 known subunits. Here we describe the in vitro binding properties of the BZs lorazepam and Ro 15-4513 plus the three hypnotics zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone to eight receptors subtypes. Lorazepam fits well into the general shceme for other 1,4-BZs with respect to its receptor subtype selectivity in spite of its clinically different use. Zaleplon but not zolpidem recognizes α2- and α3-receptors that additionally contain a βj and the γ3-subunit. We conclude that the hypnotic zaleplon displays a novel receptor selectivity different from other BZ receptor ligands in clinical use. Furthermore, our data indicate that the α1βjγ2 receptor subtype may be the main mediator of the hypnotic properties of BZ receptor ligands.
PUPAL DIAPAUSE IN TROPICAL FLESH FLIES: ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENDOCRINE REGULATION, METABOLIC RATE AND GENETIC SELECTION

1. Pupal diapause in flesh flies collected within 10° of the equator may be induced by low temperature but not by photoperiod. The threshold for diapause appears to be near the fringe of ecologically relevant temperatures in each geographic area.2. Cool temperature during the photophase elicits both a higher incidence of diapause and longer diapause than cool temperature coinciding with the scotophase.3. Diapause persists for several months at a constant cool temperature, but four days at 25° C is sufficient to break diapause in P. spilogaster. The four-day exposure can be allocated either as a single block of time or as four one-day units spread over one month, suggesting that the fly pupa has an accurate mechanism for temperature summation.4. Water content of the larval food exerts a minor effect on pupal diapause incidence: 10% addition of water elevated the response by 10%, and 10% decrease of water reduced the response by 18%. 5. Males and females enter diapause in approximately equal proportion.6. Wh.
Effects of different mineral nutrients on abscisic acid in maize (Zea mays)

The effects of different concentrations of various macroelements on growth and endogenous ABA (absisic acid) levels in root, stem, leaf and fl ower tissue of maize (Zea mays) were studied. Plants were cultivated in sand and supplied twice a week with a nutrient solution containing optimum, excessive or defi cient concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and iron. Plants were harvested at three different stages: vegetative (4–5 leaves), fl owering, and fruiting. Fresh weight, leaf and stem size, leaf number and ABA concentrations differed remarkably between plants cultured in abnormal concentrations of macroelements compared to the controls. In general, deprivation of macroelements caused an increase in ABA levels. Defi ciency of N, P, K, S and Fe in the nutrient solution resulted in marked increases in the levels of ABA extracted from root, leaf, stem and fl ower at the three developmental stages. Excessive concentrations of these macroelements resulted in a decrease in ABA levels in all parts of plants at all three stages as compared with their respective controls. ABA levels in roots, stems, and leaves were elevated from 3% to 159% in N, P, K, and S limited plants whereas the levels of ABA in these same organs were reduced from 1% to 98% in the presence of excessive levels of N, K, P and S.
Contamination and assessment of heavy metals in fly ash reclaimed soil

为了解粉煤灰充填复垦土壤重金属污染情况,通过实地试验与现场采样化验相结合的方法,对复垦时间不同的粉煤灰复垦土壤里砷(As)、镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、汞(Hg)、铅(Pb)、铜(Cu)、硒(Se)、锌(Zn)、、镍(Ni)和氟(F)等重金属和微量元素含量的时空变异性进行了研究. 结果发现:以土壤本底值作为评价标准时,粉煤灰充填复垦土壤整体处于受污染状态. 其中,表层复垦土壤受到Cd、Se、Zn、F 4种元素污染较重;粉煤灰充填复垦土壤适合旱作,不适合用作水田;随着复垦时间的增加,表层复垦土壤的污染指数呈递增趋势.
Responses to various protein and energy supplements by steers fed low-quality tropical hay. 1. Comparison of response surfaces for young steers

Response curves were established for different supplements, offered at intakes ranging from 0 to 20 g/kg liveweight (W). day to young Bos indicus crossbred steers fed low-quality Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay ad libitum in two pen experiments. Supplements included protein meals of varying rumen-degradability (cottonseed meal (CSM) or fishmeal), as well as ‘energy sources’ comprising grains of high and low ruminal starch degradability (barley and sorghum) and a highly fermentable sugar source (molasses), with all diets adjusted for rumen-degradable nitrogen and mineral content. Unsupplemented steers gained 0.08 and 0.15 kg/day, in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Growth of steers increased linearly with intake of ‘energy source’ supplements in increasing order of molasses, sorghum and barley (all differences P < 0.05). Steer growth rate also increased linearly with fishmeal, albeit over a narrow intake range (0–4.1 g/kg W.day), whereas the response with CSM was asymptotic, showing a steep response at low intake before levelling at ~1.2 kg/day. All supplement types were associated with a linear reduction in hay intake by the steers (energy substitution) where the reduction was greater (P < 0.05) for barley and molasses (not different) than for sorghum (P < 0.05), and for fishmeal compared with CSM (P < 0.05). In concurrent metabolism studies with the same rations, organic matter digestibility of the total ration (561–578 g/kg DM, unsupplemented) was increased linearly by barley and molasses (both P < 0.05) but was unaffected by CSM and sorghum supplements. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in steers increased linearly, from 91 g microbial crude protein/kg digestible organic matter (unsupplemented), in both molasses and CSM-supplemented steers, with the trend for a higher response to molasses (P = 0.05), and appeared most closely related to digestible organic matter intake. The response curves from these studies provide the practical framework upon which to formulate rations for cattle grazing low-quality forages.
Evidence for a differential expression of the FcεRIγ chain in dendritic cells of atopic and nonatopic donors

While mast cells and basophils constitutively express the high-affinity IgE receptor (FceRI), it is absent or weakly expressed on APCs from normal donors. FceRI is strongly upregulated on APCs from atopic donors and involved in the pathophysiology of atopic diseases. Despite its clinical relevance, data about FceRI regulation on APCs are scarce. We show that in all donors intracellular α chain of the FceRI (FceRIα) accumulates during DC differentiation from monocytes. However, expression of γ chains of the FceRI (FceRIγ), mandatory for surface expression, is downregulated. It is low or negative in DCs from normal donors lacking surface FceRI (FceRIneg DCs). In contrast, DCs from atopics express surface FceRI (FceRIpos DCs) and show significant FceRIγ expression, which can be coprecipitated with FceRIα. In FceRIneg DCs lacking FceRIγ, immature and core glycosylated FceRIα accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum. In FceRIpos DCs expressing FceRIγ, an additional mature form of FceRIα exhibiting complex glycosylation colocalizes with FceRIγ in the Golgi compartment. IgE binding sustains surface-expressed FceRI on DCs from atopic donors dependent on baseline protein synthesis and transport and enhances their IgE-dependent APC function. We propose that enhanced FceRI on DCs from atopic donors is driven by enhanced expression of otherwise limiting amounts of FceRIγ and is preserved by increased IgE levels.
Tensiometer modification for diminishing errors due to the fluctuating inner water column

The fluctuation of the height of the water column inside tensiometers constitutes a source of systematic error in the measurement of soil water potential. The influence of the fluctuating water column can be strongly reduced by measuring pressure in a confined air space close to the tensiometer tip. A simple technique of inserting a lower air space connected to the pressure sensor is presented. Successful laboratory tests were performed on a tensiometer of 1-m length with an applied pressure range from 0 to -80 kPa.
Study on extraction conditions and antioxygenic activity of folic acid

This paper mainly studied the best extraction conditions and antioxidant activities of folic acid.Fluorescence detection method of luminescencethe is used to determine the content of folic acid.To determine the optimum determination conditions by orthogonal test,the scavenging effects of different concentration of folic acid on hydroxyl free radical(? OH) and superoxide anion free radicals(O2-? ) by Fenton reaction and pyrogallic autoxidation.The results showed that the optimum conditions were extraction temperature 100 ℃,extraction time 45min,and the concentration of extraction 40%. Folic acid has good scavenging effects on ? OH and O2-? Within the selected concentration,the scavenging effects on hydroxyl free radicals had certain dose dependent relationship with folic acid concentration.When the concentration of folic acid reached 0.062mg/mL,the maximum scavenging rate on ? OH is 90.73% and the maximum scavenging rate on O2-? was 66.54 %. As prolonged,the scavenging rate goes down.The content of folic acid in different garden stuff has obvious difference.Folic acid has preferable scavenging effect on hydroxyl free radical(? OH) and superoxide anion free radicals(O2-? ).
Study on Inhibition Effects of Freeze-thawing Leech Extract on HepG2 Cells

Objective To study the inhibition effect of leech extract on HepG2 cells. Methods Human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2 were treated with different concentrations of leech extracts which were extracted by method of freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen and contrasted with that by method of water extracting and ethanol precipitating. The inhibition effects and cell morphous were examined by MTT assay and Acridine orange (AO) fluorescent staining method respectively. Result The 6～15 mg/mL drug concentrations of leech extract by method of freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen had an obvious inhibition on proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was better than that by method of water extracting and ethanol precipitating (P 0.01). Typical morphological features of apoptotic cells were appeared in detection by AO staining. Conclusion The leech extract by method of freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis, and the effect was better than that by method of water extracting and ethanol precipitating.
Population genetic structure in gadoid fish with focus on Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

In the present study genetic variation and population genetic structure in spawning Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, around Iceland was examined. Earlier research on population genetic structure in cod has not been conclusive and the use of different molecular methods have shown different patterns. It is important to determine why different methods show different patterns in order to describe the population genetic structure in cod. In the present study both microsatellite DNA variation and mitochondrial DNA sequence variation were estimated. Both methods have commonly been used in population genetic studies in cod. Findings of microsatellite DNA variation analysis showed a genetic difference between cod from the waters south and north of Iceland. However, analysis of the observed difference suggest that it can be explained by natural selection affecting genetic variation at a single microsatellite loci (Gmo34). When disregarding this locus from the analysis no genetic difference was observed. Small but significant genetic difference was found among Atlantic cod sampled at different depths off the south coast of Iceland, indicating that different populations of Atlantic cod may be found at different depths. Analysis of mtDNA sequence variation showed no overall genetic difference among different geographic areas around Iceland. Analysis of temporal mtDNA sequence variation showed rapid changes in allele frequencies, particularly in cod from NE-Iceland, suggesting that the mtDNA sequence variation can be useful for detecting recent population divergence. Thus, the findings of the present study do not suggest that cod around Iceland is geographically divided into distinct historical populations as has been suggested in some earlier studies. On the contrary the findings suggest high levels of gene flow in Atlantic cod around Iceland. Genetic variation and population genetic structure across the North Atlantic ocean was also examined in saithe Pollachius virens, haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus and whiting Merlangius merlangus using mtDNA sequence variation at the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I locus. The results showed limited trans-Atlantic genetic structure for all the species indicating high levels of gene flow or insufficient time for genetic differentiation to have become established. The observed genetic sequence variation for saithe and haddock suggest sex-biased migration pattern. The results indicate that females may be more philopatric and males more migratory. Such behaviour has rarely been described for marine fish and is worth further research. The observed mitochondrial sequence variation for all the studied species indicate sudden population expansion, reflected in high number of singletons and a shallow genealogy. However, the estimated timing of expansion varies among the examined species, suggesting that the biological, historical or analytical factors resulting in the observed pattern may differ among the species.