Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective effects of mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp against oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes mellitus, both can damage the brain. Mango and its by-products are sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp mitigate oxidative stress in the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control, untreated diabetic (UD), diabetic treated with a mango-supplemented diet (MTD) and diabetic pretreated with a mango-supplemented diet (MPD). The rats were fed the different diets for four weeks after diabetes induction (MTD), or two weeks before and four weeks after induction (MPD). After the intervention, serum and brain (cerebellum and cortex) were collected to evaluate gene expression, enzyme activity and redox biomarkers. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression increased in the cortex of the MTD group, whereas glutathione-S-transferase p1 (GSTp1) expression was higher in the cortex of the MTD group, and cortex and cerebellum of the MPD group. SOD1 activity was higher in the cerebellum and cortex of all diabetic groups, whereas GST activity increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the MPD group. Lipid peroxidation increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the UD group, however, mango-supplemented diet prevented this increase in both regions, while also mitigating polyphagia, weight loss and maintained stable glycemia in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION We propose that mango exerts potent neuroprotective properties against diabetes-induced oxidative stress. It can be an alternative to prevent and treat biochemical alterations caused by diabetes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Progressive resistance exercise for improving pain and disability in chronic neck pain: A case series.

OBJECTIVES Chronic neck pain is known to be associated with neck muscle weakness. However, many strengthening programs do not target multi-directional weakness in a functional position. Specialised assessment and treatment technology that is able to strengthen the neck muscles in an upright position may be used to achieve this. There is little research available on the efficacy of neck-specific progressive resistance exercise interventions in patients with chronic neck pain; therefore, this study aimed to determine whether this style of program led to a change in pain and disability, and to investigate the relationship between neck strength, pain and disability. METHODS Secondary analysis of participants with chronic neck pain who completed a minimum of nine sessions of a neck-specific progressive resistance program at a physiotherapy clinic between the years of 2002 and 2018. Outcomes were the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numerical Rating Scale of Pain (NRS) and multi-directional neck strength (flexion, extension and lateral flexion - pounds). Data were analysed through paired samples t-tests and backwards stepwise multiple linear regression models. RESULTS A total of 127 participants were eligible for inclusion. All neck strength measures, NDI scores and NRS scores showed significant improvements after the nine sessions (all p < .0001). Significant predictors of NDI were symptom duration (β = -0.023, p = .009) and NRS score (β = 4.879, p < .000). Significant predictors of NRS were symptom duration (β = 0.004, p = .005), NDI score (β = 0.105, p < .000), extension strength (β = -0.950, p = .012) and gender (β = 0.777 [male =1, female = 0], p = .029). CONCLUSION This study showed that a neck-specific progressive resistance exercise intervention led to significant improvement in neck strength, pain and disability in a clinical population. However, caution should be taken when interpreting results due to a lack of comparison group and the variation in treatment given and, therefore, further higher-quality research should be undertaken to confirm these findings.
Poleward range expansion of a tropical coral reef fish (Centropyge flavissima) to Lord Howe Island, Australia

The lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) was recorded for the first time at Lord Howe Island, Australia, whilst SCUBA diving at 20 m depth on 26 March 2009. This represents a southward range expansion of more than 1000 km for this coral reef fish into temperate waters. The range expansion was probably facilitated by the dispersal of larvae from the southern Great Barrier Reef via the southward flowing East Australian Current and enhanced overwinter survival due to rising sea temperatures.
An Acidic 39-kDa Protein Secreted from Stigmas of Tobacco Has an Amino-Terminal Motif That is Conserved among Thaumatin-Like Proteins

In Solanaceae, pollen grains germinate on the stigmatic exudate and pollen tubes elongate within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the transmitting tissue. Therefore, the stigmatic exudate and the ECM of the stylar transmitting tissue are the only sites at which the pistil interacts with the pollen tube before the pollen tube reaches the ovule. Thus', it is necessary to characterize the stigmatic exudate and the ECM of the transmitting tissue if we are clearly to understand the details of pollen-pistil interactions and the environment in which the pollen tube develops. Several cDNAs for proteins that are secreted in the ECM of the transmitting tissue of tobacco have been isolated (Ori et al. 1990, Goldman et al. 1992, Wang et al. 1993). TTS-1 and TTS-2, two proline-rich proteins, have been reported to attract pollen tubes and to stimulate their growth (Cheung et al. 1995). Ori et al. (1990) reported that Sp41a and Sp41b, two /? -l ,3-glucanases, are members of the family of class two pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins (PR-2). Some defense-related proteins, such as proteinase inhibitor, osmotin, chitinase, and flower-specific thionin, are also expressed in the pistil, and the expression of such proteins is developmentally regulated (Atkinson et al. 1993, Neale et al. 1990, Leung 1992, Gu et al. 1992, Karunanndaa et al. 1994). The large spaces between the transmitting cells
Mycotoxins in broilers: pathological alterations induced by aflatoxins and ochratoxins, diagnosis and determination, treatment and control of mycotoxicosis

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi. Mycotoxins in feed are considered the second most serious issue in the poultry industry, following increased feed prices. There are different types of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisin, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, but the most important are aflatoxins and ochratoxins. Ochratoxin is known as a nephrotoxin as it damages kidney tissues predominantly, whereas aflatoxin has more adverse effects upon the liver. Diagnosis and determination of toxins can be done in tissues and feed samples by using different techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer liquid chromatography (TLC), and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Treatment of mycotoxicosis can be done by decontamination or detoxification of feed by using mycotoxin binders, plant preparations (nutraceuticals) and vitamins. Mycotoxicosis can be controlled by using transgenic crops and improving harvesting management, storing feed in good environmental conditions and fresh feed for the birds. Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) should be referred to for the control of mycotoxins in the food chain.
Photoreceptors and Associated Signaling II: Cryptochromes

Blue light affects many aspects of plant growth and development. The blue light responses of plants can be roughly divided into two large categories: photomovement responses and photomorphogenetic responses. Photomovement responses, including phototropic curvature, chloroplast relocation, and stomata opening, are mediated by phototropins. Plant photomorphogenetic responses, including inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, stimulation of cotyledon expansion, regulation of flowering time, entrainment of the circadian clock, and regulation of gene expression, are controlled by both phytochromes (in response to red/far-red light) and cryptochromes (in response to blue/UV-A light).
Importância da fibra na nutrição de bovinos. (Fiber importance on cattle nutrition)

Resumen La fibra es utilizada como fuente energética para los microorganismos del rúmen, bajo la forma de carbohidratos, e se ha utilizado para caracterizar los alimentos y para establecer límites máximos de ingredientes en las raciones. La fibra es esencial, puesto que los ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV) producidos para la fibra durante la fermentación del rumiante son las fuentes energéticas principales para el animal. Las características alimenticias de los carbohidratos de los forrajeras dependen de los azúcares que las componen, de las ligaciones establecidas entre ellos y otros factores de la físico-química de la naturaleza. Así, os carbohidratos das plantas poden ser agrupados en dúos grandes categorías conforme a suya menor o mayor degradación, en estructuráis e non estructuráis, respectivamente. Ale da producción de AGV, a fibra é responsable pela efectividad e fibrosidad, influenciando en la digestibilidad dos alimentos e consecuentemente no consumo animal. El conocimiento de suyas fracciones, permite o entendimiento de suyas características e importancia no balanceo de las dietas, na avaluación da cualidad dos alimentos e en estimativas de su valor nutricional. Quando referimo-nos al fibra, inevitablemente estaremos atrelados a los métodos laboratoriais disponíveis para a sua análise, portanto sempre estaremos associando as determinações aos níveis de FDN, já que esta fração é a que apresenta maior correlação nutricional com o tipo de fibra a ser empregado na formulação de dietas para ruminantes.
Role of cytochrome P4501A1 in vasoreactivity and blood pressure regulation mediated by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in the metabolism of environmental pollutants including halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, for example, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD). The AHR and its downstream target gene cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) are also involved in cardiovascular development. AHR knockout (KO) mice are hypotensive, with cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, CYP1A1 is involved in the production of potent vasodilator metabolites from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) metabolism. Thus, we hypothesize that the AHR and its downstream target gene, CYP1A1, both contribute to normal vascular reactivity of blood vessels and to blood pressure (BP) regulation. We generated mice with conditional deletion of the AHR from the endothelium (ECahr -/- ), to elucidate the degree to which loss of AHR contributes to vasoreactivity and BP regulation in vivo. BP and heart rate (HR) was assessed prior to and following angiotensin (Ang) II injection, or chronic treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril. Vasoreactivity was assessed in aorta in presence of perivascular adipose tissue. Immunoblot was used to assess Ang 1 receptor A (AT1R) protein expression in the aorta.
COEXISTENCE OF TRISOMY 12 AND DEL(13)(Q14.3) IN TWO PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

We describe two patients with diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in whom interphase fluo- rescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed trisomy 12 and del(13)(q14.3) occurring in the same clone. These abnormalities are rarely seen together and the prognostic relevance of their coexistence is still unclear. According to some data, a probable adverse prognosis for this group of patients is suggested. Our patients have been in a stable phase of the disease for more than one year since the given abnormalities were documented in their karyotypes. Further study is necessary to determine the prognostic significance of coexistence of these abnormalities in CLL patients.
Isoenzymes' Structure of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in Natural Populations in Estonia, Latvia and Byelorussia

Using isoenzymes as genetic markers in studies of Norway spruce populations situated in four natural stands in Estonia, five in Latvia and six in Byelorussia, an evaluation of the genetic resources of the populations was given. Northwards from Byelorussia the parameters characterising genetic diversity increase: polymorphism P 99 from 67.3% in Byelorussia to 78% in Estonia, and the number of alleles per locus from 2.13 to 2.41 respectively. Empirical heterozygosity increased from 17.8% to 19.7% respectively. Heterozygosity parameters varied least between the Latvian populations. The mean genetic diversity indices for the entire Balto-Byelorussian region were the following: polymorphism P99 73.1%, number of alleles per locus 2.25 and empirical heterozygosity 18.7%. It appeared from polymorphism analysis that virtually all stands in the natural habitat of Norway spruce in Estonia, Latvia and Byelorussia have sufficient genetic resources for restoring their gene pools.
Design of a Resistant Circularly Polarized Tag Antenna with high performances in the EU UHF RFID band

In this study, a novel resistant Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag with high performances is presented. The proposed tag consists of two antennas. The first one is an inductive antenna used for matching the imaginary part of the chip impedance at the target frequency. The second antenna is coupled with the first one in order to increase the gain and improve the tag performances. The tag antennas are designed to operate in the EU Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID band. The crossed dipole antennas technique is used to achieve the Circular Polarization (CP) in the operating band. Many prototypes have been manufactured, and good agreement between simulations and measurements has been achieved. The band covered for an Axial Ratio (AR) <3dB is from 863 to 869 MHz. The Read Range (RR) of the tag has been measured in a standard anechoic chamber. From the measured results in EU RFID band, the tag has a maximum RR of about 16.35 m at 868 MHz.
MYOTOMAL MUSCLE FUNCTION AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE BODY OF A SWIMMING FISH

We describe experiments on isolated, live muscle fibres which simulate their in vivo activity in a swimming saithe (Pollachius virens). Superficial fast muscle fibres isolated from points 0.35, 0.5 and 0.65 body lengths (BL) from the anterior tip had different contractile properties. Twitch contraction time increased from rostral to caudal myotomes and power output (measured by the work loop technique) decreased. Power versus cycle frequency curves of rostral fibres were shifted to higher frequencies relative to those of caudal fibres. In the fish, phase differences between caudally travelling waves of muscle activation and fish bending suggest a change in muscle function along the body. In vitro experiments indicate that in vivo superficial fast fibres of rostral myotomes are operating under conditions that yield maximum power output. Caudal myotomes are active as they are lengthened in vivo and initially operate under conditions which maximise their stiffness, before entering a positive power-generating phase. A description is presented for the generation of thrust at the tail blade by the superficial, fast, lateral muscle. Power generated rostrally is transmitted to the tail by stiffened muscle placed more caudally. A transition zone between power generation and stiffening travels caudally, and all but the most caudal myotomes generate power at some phase of the tailbeat. Rostral power output, caudal force, bending moment and force at the tail blade are all maximal at essentially the same moment in the tailbeat cycle, as the tail blade crosses the swimming track.
The Influence of B-cell Tolerance on Humoral Immunity to HIV-1

The Influence of B-cell Tolerance on Humoral Immunity to HIV-1 by Thomas Matthew Holl Department of Immunology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Garnett Kelsoe, Supervisor ___________________________ Yuan Zhuang, Chair ___________________________ Motonari Kondo ___________________________ Weiguo Zhang ___________________________ Jonathan Poe ___________________________ Jeffrey Rathmell An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Immunology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2010 Copyright by Thomas Matthew Holl 2010
A delphi of expert perceptions of problems in implementing electronic commerce for horticultural products

The objective of the study was to identify the major problems facing electronic commerce (EC) implementation in horticultural products. To accomplish this objective the Delphi method of obtaining group consensus was employed. The study used a series of four mailed questionnaires. The first round of the study used a questionnaire with an open-ended question. In the second questionnaire, respondents were asked to rate the items identified in round one on a five-point Likert-type scale. In the third round, panel members were asked to indicate the importance of problems from round two, and to provide comments if they could not agree with the summary findings. The fourth and final round produced consensus on 46 of the problems from round three. The major problems identified by the Delphi method in the EC implementation in horticultural products were: E-government growth (Ebanking, E-transactions, E-insurance, E-customs), telecommunication infrastructures, quantity and quality of advertising, perceived opportunities, managerial skills, political pressures on economy, economic stability, electronic banking infrastructures, unity of directing, entrepreneurship culture and resistance to change.
Genetic and environmental parameters associated with linearized type appraisal scores

Abstract Linearized type records on 14,525 Holstein cows were analyzed to obtain genetic and environmental parameters. Each record consisted of scores on 15 linear type traits recorded on cows between March 1982 and October 1986. Genetic and environmental (co)variances were estimated by the algorithm of expectation-maximization of REML procedure. The model used included fixed herd-year effects, groups of unknown maternal grandsires, and linear and quadratic regressions for both age at calving and days in lactation as well as random sire and maternal grandsire effects. Heritabilities ranged from . 07 for foot angle to . 35 for stature. Environmental correlations were in general small: the highest was . 55 between rear udder height and rear udder width. High genetic correlations were found among stature, body strength, and body depth and among the various udder traits measured. Genetic correlations among udder traits and the remaining traits were in general small. Genetic correlations among stature, body strength, and body traits with the remaining traits measured were small also, with the exception of correlations with rump width.
Antenna Design Exploration and Optimization using Machine Learning

Design exploration using numerical field simulation is a valuable approach to analyze antenna performance parameters. In such a process many data describing a mapping from design variables to response functions are generated. In this work different machine learning (ML) techniques are applied on these data to analyze and optimize antenna performance. This data driven simulation approach can speed up antenna optimization tremendously. Also, the benefit of dimensionality reduction algorithms and evolutionary learning in antenna performance analysis is described.
Angle estimation in blind signal for MIMO radar

A method to blind generate receiver signal and estimate the angle of a target with limited information from the source is considered in this paper for bistatic Multiple-Input Multiple-output (MIMO) radar. By utilizing the capabilities of Kalman filtering and imposing a recursive update rule, we blind generate a receiver signal named Recursive update Kalman (RUK) signal. Then by exploiting the signal sparsity in the spatial domain, a compressed sense based method is applied to reconstruct and perform a 2D estimation of the target angle. The angle estimation of both the angle of departure and angle of arrival is obtained in one-dimensional search by applying a Kronecker product. Numerical simulation analysis against existing algorithms for demonstration is provided.
Gait Classification Using A Support Vector Machine Algorithm

The gait pattern, as well as the walking process itself, can be an indicator of the overall health of patients. For this reason, it is very important to accurately, clearly and quickly determine the affiliation of the gait pattern (healthy or pathological) and take appropriate measures if necessary. As anterior cruciate ligament injuries are common and may be undetectable, this study presents a classification of gait using a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The test data were taken from a Gait LAB laboratory; anterior posterior translation and internal external rotation were used as significant parameters. The classifier performance was evaluated using a confusion matrix. These results showed that the SVM algorithm can be successfully used in tasks of this type of classification.
A Low Cost Active Corner Reflector to assist Snow Monitoring through Sentinel/1 images

The use of Sentinel-1 SAR images for snow behavior monitoring and its parameters estimation is one of the most studied applications, but due to the high temporal and spatial heterogeneity of this media, is quite challenging. The presence of reference targets in the observed areas is of main concern both for amplitude and interferometric based techniques, but in a typical scenario as snow covered slopes or glaciers there is a lack of stable natural targets; this can demand the installation of Corner Reflectors. In this study, the design and the first test of an active corner reflector (ACR) operating at 5.405 GHz ± 50 MHz band, designed to be used in support to ESA Sentinel-1 spaceborne SAR images analysis and processing, is reported. The system here described was designed aiming at a tradeoff among low cost, simple functioning, easy and rugged hardware, to be deployed also in sites, as snow covered areas and glaciers. Using off-the-shelf components, one of the most challenging issue is to obtain a device with an adequate phase stability over long temporal interval.
No sub‐lethal toxicity to bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, exposed to Bt‐corn pollen, captan and novaluron

Abstract Queenless microcolonies of Bombus terrestris were fed either mixed floral pollen, non‐transgenic sweet corn pollen, transgenic Bt‐sweet corn pollen, or pollen mixed with either the fungicide captan or the insect growth regulator novaluron. None of the treatments significantly affected survival of worker bees, rates at which they consumed pollen or sugar syrup, their ability to produce offspring, or the timing of events in the development of their offspring, compared with the appropriate controls. Drones from microcolonies fed 0.135 mg/kg−1 a.i. novaluron were significantly shorter‐lived than controls fed floral pollen. Drones from microcolonies fed corn pollen were significantly smaller than the controls, regardless of whether the corn pollen was transgenic or not. These pest control technologies are unlikely to affect B. terrestris bumblebees significantly in the field.