Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Distribution and Range Expansion of the Invasive Mexican Rice Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana

Abstract The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive pest that was first introduced into southern Texas in 1980 and has been expanding its range eastward along the United States Gulf Coast. The pest attacks rice (Oryza sativa L.), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), corn (Zea mays L.), and other graminaceous crops, and its establishment in Louisiana is expected to have severe economic impacts on crop production. Range expansion and population distribution of E. loftini were monitored with a network of 77 pheromone traps throughout southwestern Louisiana from 2013 to 2015. Eoreuma loftini was ubiquitous throughout the study region, with male moths captured in every habitat sampled. Spatial analysis revealed the population is characterized by high and low density clusters, with the greatest trap captures occurring in southeastern Calcasieu Parish and southern Jefferson Davis Parish. Trap captures in more northern regions of the study were lower than in southern parishes. Trap captures in areas where the pest has been established for->3 yr were greatest in rice habitats. The weighted mean population center moved eastward at a rate of ∼11 km per year. Human-aided movement of E. loftini was probably not involved in the eastward expansion documented during this study. Seasonal population peaks were detected in March–April, July–August, and October–November. This study indicates this species is continuing its spread eastward along the United States Gulf Coast and will likely become established throughout Louisiana within the next 20 yr.
Hypoperfusion of the intestinal microcirculation without decreased cardiac output during live Escherichia coli sepsis in rats.

In order to determine the intestinal microvascular responses to normotensive, high cardiac output (CO) bacteremia, we measured vascular diameters and blood flow at different levels of the intestinal microcirculation during live E. coli bacteremia in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16). Precollicular brainstem transection was used to allow study free of drug anesthesia. The microcirculation of a loop of small intestine (with intact neurovascular connections) was observed by in vivo video microscopy and optical Doppler velocimetry at a magnification of x1,500. Intraluminal microvessel diameters and red cell velocity were measured in successive branches until the vessel entered a villus. CO was measured by transpulmonary thermodilution. Intravenous infusion of 1 x 10(9) live E. coli caused a 20% increase in CO at 50 min and a 14% decrease in systemic vascular resistance. However, microvascular blood flow to the small intestine decreased by 27% at 1 hr and by 56% at 2 hr. Progressive arteriolar constriction (25-50%, P less than .05) occurred at all levels of the intestinal microcirculation. These data indicate that intestinal hypoperfusion caused by arteriolar constriction occurs during high CO bacteremia. This hypoperfusion could contribute to mucosal injury and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction during sepsis.
Single‐port laparoscopy in colorectal surgery

Purpose Laparoscopy is the approach of choice for the majority of colorectal disorders that require a minimally invasive abdominal operation. As the emphasis on minimizing the technique continues, natural orifice surgery is quickly evolving. The authors utilized an embryologic natural orifice, the umbilicus, as sole access to the abdomen to perform a colorectal procedure. Herein, we present our initial experience of single‐port laparoscopic colorectal surgery using a Uni‐X™ Single‐Port Access Laparoscopic System (Pnavel Systems, Morganville, New Jersey, USA) with a multi‐channel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation.
Polarized Ovaries of the Long‐tongued Bat, Glossophaga soricina: A Novel Model for Studying Ovarian Development, Folliculogenesis, and Ovulation

Glossophaga soricina is a spontaneously ovulating, monovular, polyestrous bat with a simplex uterus, exhibiting true menstruation. Studies conducted on reproductively active, captive‐maintained animals established that G. soricina also has polarized ovaries, with the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) restricted to the medial side of the ovary, and primordial follicles limited to an immediately adjacent zone. Follicles selected for further development are recruited from the medullary side of this zone, and ovulation is restricted to the portion of the ovary covered by the OSE. To further develop G. soricina as a model for studying ovarian development and physiology, ovaries were collected from fetal, neonatal, and adult females and processed for morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. The latter included staining for factor VIII‐related antigen (von Willebrand factor) to assess regional differences in ovarian vascularity. The ovarian structure in fetal and neonatal animals was very similar to that in other species that do not have polarized ovaries at comparable stages of development. This indicated that polarization of the ovary does not occur during fetal development, but rather sometime between the neonatal period and adulthood. Vascular elements were abundant in areas of the ovary surrounding early growing follicles, but sparse in the zone of the ovary containing primordial follicles. The polarized nature of the ovaries in G. soricina suggests that this species might be used as a model to investigate the formation, long‐term maintenance, and activation of primordial follicles, and the role of the OSE in ovulation and folliculogenesis. Anat Rec, 290:1439–1448, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time-dependent astroglial changes after gamma knife radiosurgery in the rat forebrain.

OBJECTIVE Using an experimental rat model and a clinically relevant treatment dose, we performed gamma knife radiosurgery to define the hyperacute radiation effects in normal rat forebrain, the time dependence of the astrocytic reaction, and the participation of astrocytes in the healing process after single-dose gamma radiation injuries. METHODS Seventy-one rats underwent radiosurgical treatment (4-mm collimator) of the caudate-putamen nucleus (single-fraction maximal dose of 100 Gy) and were killed at times ranging from 3 hours to 90 days. Serial cryostat brain sections were processed with the immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex technique, using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein as the primary antibody (to identify astrocytes). RESULTS Vascular changes, including endothelial hyperplasia and vessel wall thickening, were identified as the earliest postradiation manifestations and continued throughout the observation period. Astrocytes reacted to the radiation injury with hyperplasia and hypertrophy. At earlier time points (3-24 h), proliferation was the predominant reaction. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the proliferating and hypertrophic astrocytes formed an initial peak in the adjacent corpus callosum 3 days after radiosurgery and peaked within the target site between 14 and 30 days. Astrocytic proliferation and hypertrophy were also observed in distant cortices (frontal, parietal, insular, and piriform cortices) and in the hippocampus. No necrosis was observed less than 30 days after irradiation. By Day 90, necrotic lesions with a mean diameter of 4 mm were identified, with glial scar at their peripheries. Astrocytic morphological features varied according to the distance from the necrosis. The irradiated side contained more glial fibrillary acidic protein-containing cells than did the nonirradiated contralateral side. CONCLUSION During the early phase after radiation, vasculopathy was the first morphological change and may serve as the initiating factor for subsequent changes. Reactive astrocytes appeared not only at the target site but also in the surrounding regions; the severity of injury was determined by the distance from the target.
Secuirity in cloud storage: An enhanced technique of data storage in cloud using RNS

In Cloud Computing one of the most cogent issues is the storage of data because the entire data reside over a set of interconnected resource pool that enables the virtual machine to access those data. The data management and services may not be fully trustworthy because the resource pools are situated over various corners of the world. There are various issues that need to be addressed, but privacy and security of data is highly challenging among them. The main purpose of this paper is to provide an effective and a novel approach to ensure the data security in cloud computing by the means of changing the binary number system into residue number system (RNS). The most significant part is that we are not using any encryption technique for data hiding.
Oxytocin receptor dynamics in the brain across development and species

Oxytocin (OXT) signaling through the OXT receptor plays a significant role in a variety of physiological processes throughout the lifespan. OXT's effects depend on the tissue distribution of the receptor. This tissue specificity is dynamic and changes across development, and also varies with sex, experience, and species. The purpose of this review is to highlight these themes with examples from several life stages and several species. Important knowledge gaps will also be emphasized. Understanding the effective sites of action for OXT via its receptor will help refine hypotheses about the roles of this important neuropeptide in the experience‐dependent development and expression of species‐typical social behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 143–157, 2017
Financial inclusion and economic growth linkage: some cross country evidence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the dynamic impact of financial inclusion on economic growth for a large number of developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach This study uses some panel data models such as country-fixed effect, random effect and time fixed effect regressions, panel cointegration, and panel causality tests to examine the linkage between financial inclusion and economic growth. Panel cointegration is being used to test the long run association between financial inclusion and economic growth, whereas panel causality test is used to find the direction of causality between financial inclusion and economic growth. The data on financial inclusion are taken from Sarma (2012) for the period 2004-2010. Findings The empirical findings reveal that there is a positive and long run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth across 31 countries in the world. Further, panel causality test shows a bi-directional causality between financial inclusion and economic growth Thus, the study confirms that financial inclusion is one of the main drivers of economic growth. Research limitations/implications This study has two limitations. First, this study considers only banking institutions in the analysis. Second, the period tested for the long run relationship is not long enough. Practical implications This study empirically measures the quantitative impact of financial inclusion policies pursued across the world. The study also suggests that policies emphasizing financial sector reforms in general and promoting financial inclusion in particular shall result in higher economic growth in the long run. Originality/value This study attempts to assess the long run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth with the help of a multidimensional index of financial inclusion. Therefore, this can be a valuable contribution to the banks and policymakers.
Using Ligand‐Based Virtual Screening to Allosterically Stabilize the Activated State of a GPCR

G‐protein coupled receptors play an essential role in many biological processes. Despite an increase in the number of solved X‐ray crystal structures of G‐protein coupled receptors, capturing a G‐protein coupled receptor in its activated state for structural analysis has proven to be difficult. An unexplored paradigm is stabilization of one or more conformational states of a G‐protein coupled receptor via binding a small molecule to the intracellular loops. A short tetrazole peptidomimetic based on the photoactivated state of rhodopsin‐bound structure of Gtα(340–350) was previously designed and shown to stabilize the photoactivated state of rhodopsin, the G‐protein coupled receptor involved in vision. A pharmacophore model derived from the designed tetrazole tetrapeptide was used for ligand‐based virtual screening to enhance the possible discovery of novel scaffolds. Maybridge Hitfinder and National Cancer Institute diversity libraries were screened for compounds containing the pharmacophore. Forty‐seven compounds resulted from virtually screening the Maybridge library, whereas no hits resulted with the National Cancer Institute library. Three of the 47 Maybridge compounds were found to stabilize the MII state. As these compounds did not inhibit binding of transducin to photoactivated state of rhodopsin, they were assumed to be allosteric ligands. These compounds are potentially useful for crystallographic studies where complexes with these compounds might capture rhodopsin in its activated conformational state.
Community Perceptions of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Their Roles in Management for HIV, Tuberculosis and Hypertension in Western Kenya

Given shortages of health care providers and a rise in the number of people living with both communicable and non-communicable diseases, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are increasingly incorporated into health care programs. We sought to explore community perceptions of CHWs including perceptions of their roles in chronic disease management as part of the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Program (AMPATH) in western Kenya. In depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted between July 2012 and August 2013. Study participants were purposively sampled from three AMPATH sites: Chulaimbo, Teso and Turbo, and included patients within the AMPATH program receiving HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hypertension (HTN) care, as well as caregivers of children with HIV, community leaders, and health care workers. Participants were asked to describe their perceptions of AMPATH CHWs, including identifying the various roles they play in engagement in care for chronic diseases including HIV, TB and HTN. Data was coded and various themes were identified. We organized the concepts and themes generated using the Andersen-Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization and considering CHWs as a potential enabling resource. A total of 207 participants including 110 individuals living with HIV (n = 50), TB (n = 39), or HTN (n = 21); 24 caregivers; 10 community leaders; and 34 healthcare providers participated. Participants identified several roles for CHWs including promoting primary care, encouraging testing, providing education and facilitating engagement in care. While various facilitating aspects of CHWs were uncovered, several barriers of CHW care were raised, including issues with training and confidentiality. Suggested resources to help CHWs improve their services were also described. Our findings suggest that CHWs can act as catalysts and role models by empowering members of their communities with increased knowledge and support.
Autosomal dominant multiple pterygium syndrome is caused by mutations in MYH3

Multiple pterygium syndromes (MPS) are a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare Mendelian conditions characterized by multiple pterygia, scoliosis and congenital contractures of the limbs. MPS typically segregates as an autosomal recessive disorder but rare instances of autosomal dominant transmission have been reported. While several mutations causing recessive MPS have been identified, the genetic basis of dominant MPS remains unknown. We identified four families with dominantly transmitted MPS characterized by pterygia, camptodactyly of the hands, vertebral fusions, and scoliosis. Exome sequencing identified predicted protein-altering mutations in embryonic myosin heavy chain (MYH3) in three families. MYH3 mutations underlie distal arthrogryposis types 1, 2A and 2B, but all mutations reported to date occur in the head and neck domains. In contrast, two of the mutations found to cause MPS occurred in the tail domain. The phenotypic overlap among persons with MPS coupled with physical findings distinct from other conditions caused by mutations in MYH3, suggests that the developmental mechanism underlying MPS differs from other conditions and / or that certain functions of embryonic myosin may be perturbed by disruption of specific residues / domains. Moreover, the vertebral fusions in persons with MPS coupled with evidence of MYH3 expression in bone suggests that embryonic myosin plays a previously unknown role in skeletal development.
EndothelinA–EndothelinB Receptor Cross Talk in Endothelin-1–Induced Contraction of Smooth Muscle

Abstract: The efficacy of selective endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists may be limited by a functional interaction between the ETA and ETB receptors. This interaction, also termed “cross talk”, is characterized by the dependency of the inhibition of an ET-1 response due to antagonism of one ET receptor subtype upon concomitant antagonism of the other ET receptor subtype. Although a reduction in ETA-ETB receptor cross talk would presumably increase the efficacy of selective ET receptor antagonists, an approach that accomplishes this aim is largely absent due to a lack of mechanistic understanding. Toward this goal, we evaluated the characteristics and potential dependencies of cross talk in smooth muscle. Smooth muscle was adopted as an exemplar not only because cross talk is widely reported in this tissue type, thereby allowing numerous comparisons, but also significant controversy surrounds the use of selective versus nonselective ET receptor antagonists in ET-1–related pathophysiologies involving smooth muscle. Based on this evaluation, we suggest that ETA-ETB receptor cross talk is a dynamic process directed by either or both ET receptor subtypes and expressed to varying magnitudes depending on the ET-1 and selective ET receptor antagonist concentrations, tone due to intraluminal pressure/stretch, agonists acting at receptors other than the ETA/ETB receptors, and endothelial/epithelial function. It is speculated that ETA-ETB receptor cross talk occurs through signal transduction pathways along with changes at the receptor level. Pharmacologic intervention of the signaling pathways could increase the therapeutic efficacy of ET receptor antagonists.
Service Learning in Human Development: Promoting Social Justice Perspectives in Counseling

The focus on human development is foundational to the field of counseling, with its importance codified in guiding documents and frameworks, such as the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics (2014). Many developmental theories have been established using single-gender or single-culture groups, yet they claim universal application to all humans. Although counseling students must learn these theories because of accreditation standards and licensure requirements, counselor educators need to prepare students for practice in a multicultural world. Counselors are now called to act as social justice advocates, and teaching strategies are needed to prepare students for this role. This study’s focus is on the use of service learning with community counseling students in a human development course. Results from a content analysis demonstrate how service learning enhances learning and broadens students’ perceptions of themselves, others, and social justice in counseling. Findings indicate a shift in participants’ perception of social justice in counseling.
Introduction - Part III Achieving ‘free education’ for the poor – a realisable goal in 2018?

Since 1994 and the advent of democracy, government and universities have pursued equity in higher education in the context of limited public finances, leading to uncomfortable choices and decisions to be made. This resulted in widespread reaction and student protests in 2015 and 2016. A focus on equity and redress, without support for students who come poorly prepared from the schooling system, has negative implications for quality, limiting the production of high quality graduates with requisite knowledge, competencies and skills.
Modulation of transmitter release from the locust forewing stretch receptor neuron by GABAergic interneurons activated via muscarinic receptors.

The role of muscarinic receptors in the down-regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) release from the locust forewing stretch receptor neuron (fSR) terminals has been investigated. Electrical stimulation of the fSR evokes monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the first basalar motoneuron (BA1), produced mainly by the activation of postsynaptic nicotinic cholinergic receptors. The general muscarinic antagonists scopolamine (10(-6) M) and atropine (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) caused a reversible increase in the amplitude of electrically evoked EPSPs. However, scopolamine (10(-6) M) caused a slight depression in the amplitude of responses to ACh pressure-applied to the soma of BA1. These observations indicate that the EPSP amplitude enhancement is due to the blockade of muscarinic receptors on neurons presynaptic to BA1. The muscarinic receptors may be located on the fSR itself and act as autoreceptors, and/or they may be located on GABAergic interneurons which inhibit ACh release from the fSR. Electron microscopical immunocytochemistry has revealed that GABA-immunoreactive neurons make presynaptic inputs to the fSR. The GABA antagonist picrotoxin (10(-6) M) caused a reversible increase in the EPSP amplitude, which does not appear to be due to an increase in sensitivity of BA1 to ACh, as picrotoxin (10(-6) M) slightly decreased ACh responses recorded from BA1. Application of scopolamine (10(-6) M) to a preparation preincubated with picrotoxin did not cause the EPSP amplitude enhancement normally seen in control experiments; in fact, it caused a slight depression. This indicates that at least some of the presynaptic muscarinic receptors are located on GABAergic interneurons that modulate transmission at the fSR/BA1 synapse.
Sex differences in the glutamate signaling pathway in juvenile rats

Females have been found to be at lower risk for the development of neurodevelopmental disorders than males. The greater neuroprotection in females is mostly due to female sex hormones. Estrogen is hypothesized to provide neuroprotection by suppressing the neuro‐excitotoxicity induced by glutamate (Glu). This study was conducted to understand the effect of sex in modulating Glu signaling in juvenile rats. Brain tissue homogenate of 15 Wistar albino rats (9 males, 6 females) weighing 60 to 80 g and aged approximately 28 days was used. Biochemical parameters related to Glu signaling, such as the absolute and relative concentrations of Glu, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamine, as well as glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutaminase (GLN), and glutamate decarboxylase‐67 (GAD‐67), were measured by ELISA. The data obtained demonstrated that compared with the levels in males, female rats exhibited significantly lower levels of Glu (p = .001) and GLN/GS (p = .021). The Glu/GABA and Glu/GLT1 ratios as well as the levels of GAD‐67 were also lower in female rats, although the difference was not significant. The GLN/GAD‐67 ratio (p = .027) and levels of GS (p = .019) were significantly higher in female rats than in males. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the role of GLN/GS, together with the much higher affinity of GLT1 to Glu, in avoiding excitotoxicity in females. In conclusion, there was a significant difference in Glu signaling between female and male rats. The females exhibited a lower susceptibility to develop Glu‐induced excitotoxicity, an etiological mechanism for multiple neurodevelopmental disorders.