Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Trainer's Handbook. The AMA Guide to Effective Training. Second Edition.

The American Management Association guide to effective training. Now in its third edition, The Trainer's Handbook is the classic problem solver for experienced and novice trainers alike. It's packed with guidance for handling every aspect of training, from planning and preparation to writing lesson plans; using games, exercises, and visual aids in the classroom; selling the training function to senior management; negotiating with vendors; and assessing training results. It will help trainers: * develop and deliver training programs that enhance on-the-job performance * improve their own leadership and platform skills * use technology effectively * deal with training problems like illiteracy, reluctant (or overeager) participants, budget constraints, and more This "bible of the training industry" includes new chapters on training for teams, on-the-job training, tying training to business needs, and training in technical and sales environments.
Detection of Gastro-Intestinal Helminthes in Local Chicken (Gallus gallus) Sold at Sharada Market, Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Fifty gastrointestinal tracts of local breed chickens slaughtered at Sharada market slaughter slabs Kano State were collected and examined for helminth parasites, formol ether concentration technique was used to concentrate the gut and analysis carried out. A total of 95 parasites belonging to five species were isolated and identified. Of these parasite, Railleitina tetragona was found to be the most prevalent (22%) among the chicken breeds, followed by R. echinobothrida (18%), R. cesticillus (12%), the least were Ascaridia galli and Hetarakis gallinarum (10%) each. Statistically, there was significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in prevalence rate of infection between number of chickens infected and number examined. Parasite preference to sex was also recorded, males harbored more parasites than females. It is recommended that slaughtered chickens should be well cooked to avoid zoonotic infections. Key words: Gastrointestinal tracts, helminthes, local breed chickens, parasite, prevalence
Hepatitis C Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Is Regulated by Cysteine S-Glutathionylation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) triggers massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and affects expression of genes encoding ROS-scavenging enzymes. Multiple lines of evidence show that levels of ROS production contribute to the development of various virus-associated pathologies. However, investigation of HCV redox biology so far remained in the paradigm of oxidative stress, whereas no attention was given to the identification of redox switches among viral proteins. Here, we report that one of such redox switches is the NS5B protein that exhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity. Treatment of the recombinant protein with reducing agents significantly increases its enzymatic activity. Moreover, we show that the NS5B protein is subjected to S-glutathionylation that affects cysteine residues 89, 140, 170, 223, 274, 521, and either 279 or 295. Substitution of these cysteines except C89 and C223 with serine residues led to the reduction of the RdRp activity of the recombinant protein in a primer-dependent assay. The recombinant protein with a C279S mutation was almost inactive in vitro and could not be activated with reducing agents. In contrast, cysteine substitutions in the NS5B region in the context of a subgenomic replicon displayed opposite effects: most of the mutations enhanced HCV replication. This difference may be explained by the deleterious effect of oxidation of NS5B cysteine residues in liver cells and by the protective role of S-glutathionylation. Based on these data, redox-sensitive posttranslational modifications of HCV NS5B and other proteins merit a more detailed investigation and analysis of their role(s) in the virus life cycle and associated pathogenesis.
Serotonergic Modulation of Walking in Drosophila

To navigate complex environments, animals must generate highly robust, yet flexible, locomotor behaviors. For example, walking speed must be tailored to the needs of a particular environment: Not only must animals choose the correct speed and gait, they must also rapidly adapt to changing conditions, and respond to sudden and surprising new stimuli. Neuromodulators, particularly the small biogenic amine neurotransmitters, allow motor circuits to rapidly alter their output by changing their functional connectivity. Here we show that the serotonergic system in the vinegar fly, Drosophilamelanogaster, can modulate walking speed in a variety of contexts and in response to sudden changes in the environment. These multifaceted roles of serotonin in locomotion are differentially mediated by a family of serotonergic receptors with distinct activities and expression patterns.
Trithuria brevistyla (Hydatellaceae), a new combination for the New Zealand endemic species from the South Island

A new combination, Trithuria brevistyla (K.A.Ford) de Lange & Mosyakin, is proposed for the recently described New Zealand, South Island endemic taxon originally published as T. inconspicua subsp. brevistyla K.A. Ford. Species rank for that taxon is advocated on the basis of morphological and reproductive distinctions between that species and the closely related North Island, New Zealand endemic T. inconspicua Cheeseman sensu stricto. Some general considerations on optional species versus subspecies ranks for plant taxa in need of conservation are provided.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Baikalodrilus species flock (Annelida: Clitellata: Naididae), an endemic genus to Lake Baikal (Russia)

Lake Baikal is populated by an endemic genus of oligochaetes (Baikalodrilus), which currently comprises 24 morphospecies. The genus can be considered as a ‘species flock’. However, the validity of many species is questionable: the great similarity in their description and the lack of unequivocal diagnostic characters often lead species identification to an impasse. In order to clarify the systematics of this genus, we analysed two nuclear and two mitochondrial DNA markers of 40 Baikalodrilus specimens. DNA and morphological approaches are mostly congruent in suggesting ten candidate species, although two additional species are suspected. A reassessment of the taxonomic value of the morphological characteristics of Baikalodrilus suggests that there are few that can be used as distinctive, specific criteria in the genus. The association between candidate and nominal species remains problematic, except for three species identified prior to molecular analyses. Baikalodrilus trituberculum sp. nov. is described. Phylogenetic inferences suggests that the earliest split in Baikalodrilus and the time of divergence of most lineages corresponding to species are consistent with the hypothesis of a general rearrangement of the Baikal fauna, following major environmental changes due to a general cooling in the Early Pleistocene.
Agrobacterium-mediated floral-dip transformation of the obligate outcrosser Capsella grandiflora

Plant transformation by floral dip has been essential for research on plant genetics. The plant family Brassicaceae is one of the most well studied plant families and contains both established and emerging genetic model species. Two emerging model species that bear on the evolution of the selfing syndrome are Capsella grandiflora, an obligate outcrosser, and C. rubella, an inbreeder. While the selfing syndrome has been well characterized at the genomic level the genetic mechanisms underlying it remain elusive, in part due to the challenges of establishing mutation lines in C. grandiflora. Here, we describe an efficient method for transforming C. grandiflora by Agrobacterium-mediated floral-dip while simultaneously tracking self-incompatibility loci. With the ability to transform both C. grandiflora and C. rubella, researchers have gained a valuable tool to study the progression to selfing at the genetic level.
Effects of soil microbes on plant competition: a perspective from modern coexistence theory

Growing evidence shows that soil microbes affect plant coexistence in a variety of systems. However, since these systems vary in the impacts microbes have on plants and in the ways plants compete with each other, it is challenging to integrate results into a general predictive theory. To this end, we suggest that the concepts of niche and fitness difference from modern coexistence theory should be used to contextualize how soil microbes contribute to plant coexistence. Synthesizing a range of mechanisms under a general plant–soil microbe interaction model, we show that, depending on host specificity, both pathogens and mutualists can affect the niche difference between competing plants. However, we emphasize the need to also consider the effect of soil microbes on plant fitness differences, a role often overlooked when examining their role in plant coexistence. Additionally, since our framework predicts that soil microbes modify the importance of plant–plant competition relative to other factors for determining the outcome of competition, we suggest that experimental work should simultaneously quantify microbial effects and plant competition. Thus, we propose experimental designs that efficiently measure both processes and show how our framework can be applied to identify the underlying drivers of coexistence. Using an empirical case study, we demonstrate that the processes driving coexistence can be counterintuitive, and that our general predictive framework provides a better way to identify the true processes through which soil microbes affect coexistence.
The PAR2 signal peptide prevents premature receptor cleavage and activation

Unlike closely related GPCRs, protease-activated receptors (PAR1, PAR2, PAR3, and PAR4) have a predicted signal peptide at their N-terminus, which is encoded by a separate exon, suggesting that the signal peptides of PARs may serve an important and unique function, specific for PARs. In this report, we show that the PAR2 signal peptide, when fused to the N-terminus of IgG-Fc, effectively induced IgG-Fc secretion into culture medium, thus behaving like a classical signal peptide. The presence of PAR2 signal peptide has a strong effect on PAR2 cell surface expression, as deletion of the signal peptide (PAR2ΔSP) led to dramatic reduction of the cell surface expression and decreased responses to trypsin or the synthetic peptide ligand (SLIGKV). However, further deletion of the tethered ligand region (SLIGKV) at the N-terminus rescued the cell surface receptor expression and the response to the synthetic peptide ligand, suggesting that the signal peptide of PAR2 may be involved in preventing PAR2 from intracellular protease activation before reaching the cell surface. Supporting this hypothesis, an Arg36Ala mutation on PAR2ΔSP, which disabled the trypsin activation site, increased the receptor cell surface expression and the response to ligand stimulation. Similar effects were observed when PAR2ΔSP expressing cells were treated with protease inhibitors. Our findings indicated that these is a role of the PAR2 signal peptide in preventing the premature activation of PAR2 from intracellular protease cleavage before reaching the cells surface. The same mechanism may also apply to PAR1, PAR3, and PAR4.
Sporadic ERK pulses drive non-genetic resistance in drug-adapted BRAFV600E melanoma cells

Anti-cancer drugs commonly target signal transduction proteins activated by mutation. In patients with BRAFV600E melanoma, small molecule RAF and MEK kinase inhibitors cause dramatic but often transient tumor regression. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells adapting by non-genetic mechanisms constitute a reservoir for the development of drug-resistant tumors. Here, we show that few hours after exposure to RAF/MEK inhibitors, BRAFV600E melanomas undergo adaptive changes involving disruption of negative feedback and sporadic pulsatile reactivation of the MAPK pathway, so that MAPK activity is transiently high enough in some cells to drive proliferation. Quantitative proteomics and computational modeling show that pulsatile MAPK reactivation is possible due to the co-existence in cells of two MAPK cascades: one driven by BRAFV600E that is drug-sensitive and a second driven by receptors that is drug-resistant. Paradoxically, this may account both for the frequent emergence of drug resistance and for the tolerability of RAF/MEK therapy in patients.
Studying functional brain networks from dry electrode EEG set during music and resting states in neurodevelopment disorder

There has been an emerging interest in the study of functional brain networks in cognitive neuroscience in order to better understand brain responses to different stimuli. Such studies can help in understanding brain connectivity alterations that arise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID). This research contributes to this body of knowledge by studying alterations in brain connectivity in ID compared to the typically developing controls (TDC). Electroencephalography (EEG) data of subjects with ID and TDC is collected through limited channel dry electrode system. Data was analyzed for the auditory and rest state processing along with the study of intra-network connectivity of the brain via clustering coefficients. Research findings indicate evidences for links between the sensory deficits and social impairment in ID individuals.
Using dose–response functions to improve calculations of the impact of anthropogenic noise

Estimating the number of animals impacted by a stressor typically involves combining a dose–response function with information about the distribution of animals and of the stressor. Regulators often prefer a single threshold to a full dose–response function, but much of the variability observed in the threshold at which different individuals respond to a stressor is an inherent characteristic of populations that needs to be taken into account to predict the effects of stressors. When selecting an exposure threshold, regulators need information on the proportion of the population that will be protected. Regulatory processes that calculate the number of animals impacted must draw from the dose–response function, the actual distribution of the animals, and a model mapping how the stressor intensity declines with distance from the source. Ignoring any of these factors can lead to significant errors in estimates of the area and numbers of animals affected. This paper focuses on behavioural responses of marine mammals to anthropogenic sound and demonstrates that a common approach of selecting the threshold at which half of the animals respond (RLp50) grossly underestimates the number of animals affected. We present an example, using a published dose–response function, where the number affected is underestimated by a factor of 280. Results would be similar for any stressor whose strength decreases following an inverse‐square function as it dilutes into the environment. This paper presents a method to use a dose–response function to derive a more accurate estimate of animals affected and to set a threshold (the Effective Response Level) that corrects the problem with the RLp50 estimate. Estimates of effects of stressors should include estimates of uncertainty, which can be used to adapt thresholds to different policy contexts and conservation problems.
Preclinical Modeling of DCD Class III Donation: Paving the Way for the Increased Use of This Challenging Donor Type

Deceased after circulatory death (DCD) donors offer a viable solution to the current organ shortage, particularly the Maastricht Class III (arrest subsequent to cessation of life support in the hospital). Although current results from these donors are very satisfactory, the number of included donors is too low and future expansion of inclusion criteria will likely decrease organ quality, with negative consequences on the complication rate. This donor type thus represents a priority in terms of scientific exploration, so as to study it in controlled settings and prepare for future challenges. Hence, we mimicked the DCD Class III clinical conditions a Large White pig model. Herein, we detail the different strategies attempted to attain our objectives, including technical approaches such as animal positioning and ventilator settings, as well as pharmacological intervention to modulate blood pressure and heart rate. We highlight the best combination of factors to successfully reproduce DCD Class III conditions, with perfusion pressures and functional warm ischemia (hypoperfusion) closely resembling clinical situations. Finally, we detail the functional and histological impacts of these conditions. Such a model could be of critical value to explore novel management alternative for these donors, presenting a uniquely adapted platform for such therapeutics as normothermic regional circulation and/or pharmacological intervention.
Impact of genotype, seed composition, agronomic trait, and environment on soybean test weight

ABSTRACT Test weight (TW) is a primary indicator of soybean grain quality and measure of bulk density (mass/volume). The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of genotype, environment and planting date on TW, and determine the relationship of TW with agronomic and seed composition traits. Six experiments (Exp) were conducted using diverse sets of cultivars/experimental lines. Significant negative linear correlations between TW and seed moisture in each of five genotypes were observed (P < 0.0001). A linear regression model using both measured TW and moisture were developed to normalize TW on a 13% moisture basis for comparison across genotypes and environments. Significant genetic variations (P < 0.01) of TW among genotypes were observed, ranging from 70.0 to 75.3; 70.3 to 74.3; and 66.4 to 74.3 kg hL−1 in Exp-1, 2, and 3, respectively. Locations and G x E interactions also had significant effects on TW (P < 0.01) in these EXPs. Soybean yield was significantly negatively correlated with TW in Exp-1 and 3 (P < 0.01). Seed protein and sucrose contents, and maturity days were significantly, positively correlated with TW, while seed oil content and seed size were significantly, negatively correlated with TW in most or all experiments (P < 0.05). Effects of planting dates on TW were inconsistent for both Exp-4 and 5 between 2 years. There was no correlation between TW of the cultivars and their releasing years in MG VII. To our knowledge, this is the first report on test weight in soybean and the results could be used to guide future genetic improvement of TW.
Growth, Yield and Active Constituents of Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum L. Gaertn) Under Drought Stress

Water stress have the potenial to enhance the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites from mesophytes. Nevertheless, whether water stress can exert similar effect on Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, a medicinally important plant with drought tolerance capabilities, is poorly investigated. The current study was conducted to assess how growth, yield and the whole plant biochemical profile in various plant organs of S. marianum is affected by drought stress. Results indicated that drought stress did not significantly affect shoots’ dry weight, though some other growth indices were decreased. Drought decreased number of flowering heads (capitula), whereas capitulum diameter, number of seeds/capitulum, seeds weight/capitulum and seed yield/ plant were not significantly affected. In all plant organs, drought stress enhanced the accumulation of total as well as individual phenols and flavonoids. The major flavonolignans that represent silymarin components were silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin B and isosilybin A. Drought stress significantly increased silymarin content in plant organs compared with respective ones in control plants, especially in the seeds. Seeds of drought-stressed plants contain about 91% higher silymarin content comared with seeds of control plants. Invariably, total phenolics and silymarin contents were higher in seeds than leaves and were also higher in mature compared with immature state. It could be concluded that imposing drought could be an effective strategy for enhancing silymarin content in S. marianum without negatively impacted on plant growth and development and that plant organs other than the seed contain considerable amounts of flavonolignans which justifies their utilization in silymarin production.
Pairing Passive Sampling with Epigenetic Biomarkers of Exposure to Monitor Potential Toxic Impact of Environmental Complex Mixtures

ii Research Summary . viii Literature Review . 1 Chemical Monitoring of Surface Waters . 10 Abstract . 10. 10 Introduction . 10 Materials and Methods . 16 Materials . 16 Passive Sampling Device Protocol and Deployment . 18 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) . 20 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) . 21 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) and Estrogenic Compounds . 24 Results . 26 PCBs and PAHs . 26 PPCPs and Estrogenic Compounds . 30 Discussion. 31 Conclusion . 34 Bioassay Assessments of Complex Mixtures . 36 Abstract . 36. 36 Introduction . 36 Materials and Methods . 39 YES Assay . 40 ZEDTA Assay . 40 Results . 42 YES Assay . 42 ZEDTA Assay . 42 Discussion. 44 Yeast Estrogen Screening Assay (YES) . 44 Zebrafish Embryo Developmental Toxicity Assay (ZEDTA) . 45 Conclusion . 46 Whole Genome Methylation and Epigenetic Biomarkers . 48 Abstract . 48. 48
The structure of the iron-catecholate transporter Fiu suggests substrate import occurs via a 2-step mechanism

The Ferric Iron Uptake (Fiu) transporter from Escherichia coli functions in the transport of iron-catecholate complexes across the bacterial outer membrane, providing the bacterium with iron which is an essential element for growth. Recently, it became clear that Fiu also represents a liability: its activity allows the import of antimicrobial compounds that have evolved to mimic catecholate. In this work we have determined the structure of Fiu and analyzed its function to address how Fiu and related transporters from other bacterial species can bind catecholate in a surface-exposed cavity. In addition, the crystal structure of Fiu reveals the presence of a large, selectively gated cavity in the interior of this transporter. This chamber is large enough to accommodate the Fiu substrate and may act to regulate substrate import. These data provide insight into the mechanism of substrate uptake by Fiu and related transporters identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. As Fiu and its homologues are the targets of substrate mimicking antibiotics, these data will assist in the development of antibiotics that target these receptors for cell entry.