Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insights into historical drainage evolution based on the phylogeography of the chevron snakehead fish (Channa striata) in the Mekong Basin

1. The phylogeography of freshwater taxa is often integrally linked with landscape changes such as drainage re-alignments that may present the only avenue for historical dispersal for these taxa. Classical models of gene flow do not account for landscape changes and so are of little use in predicting phylogeography in geologically young freshwater landscapes. When the history of drainage formation is unknown, phylogeographical predictions can be based on current freshwater landscape structure, proposed historical drainage geomorphology, or from phylogeographical patterns of co-distributed taxa. 2. This study describes the population structure of a sedentary freshwater fish, the chevron snakehead (Channa striata), across two river drainages on the Indochinese Peninsula. The phylogeographical pattern recovered for C. striata was tested against seven hypotheses based on contemporary landscape structure, proposed history and phylogeographical patterns of codistributed taxa. 3. Consistent with the species ecology, analysis of mitochondrial and microsatellite loci revealed very high differentiation among all sampled sites. A strong signature of historical population subdivision was also revealed within the contemporary Mekong River Basin (MRB). Of the seven phylogeographical hypotheses tested, patterns of co-distributed taxa proved to be the most adequate for describing the phylogeography of C. striata. 4. Results shed new light on SE Asian drainage evolution, indicating that the Middle MRB probably evolved via amalgamation of at least three historically independent drainage sections and in particular that the Mekong River section centred around the northern Khorat Plateau in NE Thailand was probably isolated from the greater Mekong for an extensive period of evolutionary time. In contrast, C. striata populations in the Lower MRB do not show a phylogeographical signature of evolution in historically isolated drainage lines, suggesting drainage amalgamation has been less important for river landscape formation in this region.
Flexible neural probes with a fast bioresorbable shuttle : From in vitro to in vivo electrophysiological recordings

Nous etudions l'utilisation de l'electronique organique a l'interface du tissu nerveux pour des applications in vitro et in vivo. Le principal objectif est la fabrication d’interfaces neuronales flexibles pour enregistrer l'activite electrophysiologique de cellules neuronales sur de longues durees. A cette fin, nous utilisons du parylene-C comme substrat et le polymere conducteur poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) pour reduire l'impedance de l'interface cellule/electrode. En utilisant nos matrices de microelectrodes, nous montrons comment ameliorer le rendement d'enregistrement avec un modele 3D in vitro. La formation de clusters cellulaires 3D augmente considerablement le nombre d’enregistrements de potentiels d’action unitaires. In vivo, nous demontrons la fabrication de sondes de support en polymeres biodegradables sur nos capteurs flexibles en utilisant une combinaison de polymeres alcool polyvinylique et poly(lactique-co-glycolique). Alors que notre support d’insertion en PVA fournit la rigidite necessaire a la penetration, le revetement PLGA retarde la dissolution du support afin de placer precisement les capteurs a l'interieur du cerveau. Cela nous permet d’enregistrer en profondeur et, dans les conditions ideales, de minimiser les lesions cerebrales par rapport a les sondes traditionnelles rigides. Dans l'ensemble, nous avons reussi a effectuer des enregistrements electrophysiologiques avec nos propres microelectrodes et sondes invasives, ameliorant le rendement d'enregistrements in vitro et demontrant que nos support d’insertion biodegradables penetrent le cerveau. Ces resultats annoncent de prometteuses applications medicales futures.
The development trends of marine fishing equipment and technology in China.

Since entering into the 21st century,the coastal countries around the world have one after another developed marine development strategies,and the science and technology in marine fields will usher in a new development opportunity.China is a big marine country,and also a great marine fishery country,but compared with the developed marine fishery countries,there are still a wide gap in marine fishing equipment and technology.This paper analyzed the gaps in fishing equipment and technology between our country and the developed countries;expounded the relevant foreign research reports' review on China's marine fishing fishery equipment and technology including their estimates on our development trend;and introduced the impact of the developed countries' high-tech export restriction system to China on marine fishing equipment and technology and the breakthrough situation.On this basis,the paper proposed the focus direction of marine fishing equipment and technology in the coming years,so as to provide technical support for the sustainable development of marine fishing in China.
A comparison of four methods used in determining the diets of large herbivores

Esophageal fistulation, stomach content analysis, fecal analysis, and ocular-estimate-by-plot are four of the most publicized methods of determining the diets of large herbivores. The principal objective of this study was to compare the relative values of each of these methods based upon information collected from bi-fistulated (esophageal and rumen) sheep selecting their own forage from a tall-forb community in early summer and late summer, and from confined sheep fed a hand-mixed diet of known composition. Microscope slide mounts were made of plant fragments collected from the esophagus, rumen, and feces of sheep grazing a beauty cinquefoil /velvet lupine Kentucky bluegrass /timothy community in northeastern Oregon. Ocular estimates of forage utilization were made concurrently. Data were converted to percent composition on a dry weight basis for comparisons. Significant differences (p < .05) in percent diet composition among methods occurred for 18 of the 31 plant species consumed in the early summer trial, and for 17 of the 31 plant species consumed in the late summer trial. Diets as determined by the ocular-estimate-by-plot method were generally lower in graminoids and higher in forbs than those as determined by other methods. The esophageal fistula method yielded diets that were lower in graminoids and higher in forbs than diets as determined by stomach content analysis and fecal analysis. Diets as determined by fecal analysis were higher in graminoids and lower in forbs than diets as determined by other methods. In the second study phase, ten confined bi-fistulated sheep were separately fed a dry, ground, hand-composited mixture of orchardgrass, fawn fescue, alfalfa, and ladino clover. The botanical composition of this mixture was determined by microscopic examination of plant fragments and compared to the botanical composition of diets as determined by microscopic examination of esophageal, rumen, and fecal samples. The composition of each of the species contained in esophageal samples was similar to that of the actual diet. Rumen samples were similar to the actual diet only in their composition of orchardgrass, and contained significantly higher (p < .05) amounts of total grasses and significantly lower (p < .05) amounts of total forbs than the actual diet and esophageal samples. Fecal samples were significantly higher (p < .05) in their composition of grasses and significantly lower (p < .05) in their composition of forbs than the actual diet and samples collected from the esophagus or rumen.
Behavioural ecology of Alpine ungulates mating opportunities, mate choice and reproductive success in two ungulate species ( Alpine ibex and Alpine chamois )

The crucial decisions in an animal life are how allocate available energy in order to maximize their fitness. In species living in harsh and high seasonal environments, such as in Alpine ecosystems, the maximization of fitness leads the adoption of different life history strategies, permitting to individuals to answer optimally at the trade-offs between life history trait occurring in life. Trade-offs in time and energy allocation shape many aspects of individual’s decisions and animal behaviour. Seeing information on life history traits are lacking for females Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex ) and Alpine chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ), I provided an investigation on social factors, such as the group member composition, choice of the partner and investments in reproduction in late age. These are traits that impose a trade-off among survival, maintenance and reproduction. First, I demonstrated that the group member composition influence the balance between different activities in males and females ibex. Second, I provided evidences of female ibex sexual behaviour able to distinguish and to prefer males higher in hierarchy. Third I highlighted the importance of the individual quality in dealing the cost of reproduction, in female ibex and chamois, and also in masking reproductive senescence, in chamois. The results indicate as female Alpine species adopt adequate life history strategies over time able to maximize their fitness.
Activity of phosphatases and esterases in the aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae), and in the gut wall of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae and pupae

The activity and isozyme patterns of esterases and phosphatases which hydrolyse ecdysteroid conjugates were studied in whole body extracts of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and in midgut wall extracts of Galleria mellonella (L.). The activity of esterases was almost ten times higher than that of phosphatases (expressed in µM liberated para-nitrophenol/min/mg protein) and seemed to decline with insect age. Cholinesterase sensitive to eserin comprised 14% of total esterase activity in the nymphs of A. pisum, while in other samples it was negligible. Activity of acid phosphatases in the aphid samples was twice as high as that of alkaline phosphatases, while a reverse 3 : 1 ratio was found in the wax moth. The alkaline phosphatases revealed higher sensitivity to fluoride than the acid phosphatases. Esterases were more variable in their isozyme patterns during development than the phosphatases. A possible mechanism of ecdysteroid mobilization from their conjugates and the role of hydrolyzing enzymes in these processes is discussed.
Isolation of Alkaline Amylase-Producing Bacillus sp. and Some Properties of Its Crude Enzyme

An alkaline amylase-producing Bacillus sp. GM8901 was isolated and some properties of crude enzyme extract were examined. The microbiological and biochemical characteristics of GM8901 were very similar to those of B. licheniformis. The optimal temperature and pH for the cell growth and amylase production were and pH 10.5. The crude amylase extract showed that the optimal temperature and pH were , respectively, and that the activity of amylase was stable up to and in the range of .
The evolutionary significance of the Wajak skulls

Ever since their description by Dubois (1920, 1922) the Wajak skulls Java) have played an important role in the discussions on the evolution of modern humans in Australasia. Because of the robust morphology of the skull, Wajak Man was seen as a link between Pleistocene hominids from Java (Solo) and Recent Australian Aborigines. However, for a long time hardly any attention has been paid to the contents of the other boxes with human, faunal and cultural remains, as collected by Dubois around 1890. Because a satisfactory description of the Wajak fossils has so far been lacking and the archaeological context of the Wajak site has so far been ignored, the evolutionary position of Wajak Man necessarily remained unclear. The present study suggests that the evolutionary significance of the Wajak skulls can no longer be seen in terms of a Late Pleistocene transitional form between the Middle Pleistocene Solo skulls and Recent Australian Aborigines, nor can they be seen as proof of a gracile link between Chinese and Australian populations. Rather, the significance of these skulls is that they give some insight into microevolutionary processes that have taken place on Java itself. The most likely interpretation is to consider the Wajak skulls as Mesolithic robust representatives of the present inhabitants of Java. According to the hypothesis presented at the end of this thesis there are two species within the genus Homo in Australasia: Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Within Homo sapiens one can recognise in Australasia two main types: a Sunda type (Chinese and Javanese) with strong neotenic trends, and a Sahul type (Papuans and Australians) which is closer to a generalised Homo sapiens morphology. Wajak-1 (Java) and Liujiang (China) possibly represent the earliest clear examples of the Proto-Sunda type (proto meaning more robust). Hence, they are from this point of view, very important skulls when trying to understand the origin of the Sunda people. Gracilisation of the human skull, as has occurred since the Late Pleistocene, has been reported from different parts of the world. Various explanations have been proposed for their occurrence, like the development of agriculture and climatic changes. To explain the worldwide decrease in size of the human body one could seek for a phenomenon that also has a global character. I propose the idea that because of population increase, technological innovations and rising temperatures, since the Late Pleistocene, various aspects of human life changed (like relaxation of predation, decrease of home range and mobility and increasing symbiosis with other organisms), which enabled an overall decrease in body size.
The Effect of Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors On Bone Marrow Derived Cells In the Intestinal Tumor Microenvironment

vi List of tables . xi List of figures . xii Dedication . iii Acknowledgements . iv Chapter 1Introduction: a paradigm shift . 1 1.1 Hallmarks of cancer, traditionally.1 1.2 Tumor and the friendly neighborhood microenvironment.2 1.3 Tumor microenvironment and response to anti-cancer therapy . 5 1.4 Colorectal cancer: facts, therapies, and challenges . 7 1.5 Thymidylate synthase . 8 1.6 Animal model for colorectal cancer studies: the Apc Min/+ mouse . 11
A study of platelet count/ spleen diameter ratio as a predictor of esophageal varices in patients of cirrhosis

Background: Todays guidelines are clear that there are no substitute markers to determine the presence and size of esophageal varices, and endoscopy is still the only valid method to investigate varices. Objective: To validate the PC/SD ratio as a predictor of the presence and absence of esophageal varices in patients with chronic hepatopathy. Methodology: This study is an analytical cross-sectional validation study of a diagnostic test. The study was done in cases diagnosed of having hepatic cirrhosis by histology or physical, biochemical, and imaging examinations compatible with the disease and treatment from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. Various hematological, biochemical and radiological work up was done. Results: Of the total cases, 29(70.7%) had PC/SD ratio more than 909 and only 12(29.3%) had less than 909. The sensitivity of PC/SD ratio of 909 in predicting varix is 89.66% and specificity was 75%. Thus it can be considered a good and reliable tool for predicting varices. Conclusion: The use of platelet count/ splenic diameter ratio in cirrhotic patients for screening and follow up for esophageal varices can substantially reduce the cost of health care and discomfort for patients as well as reduce burden of endoscopy unit.
Multiple antigenic peptide vaccine targeting the loop neutralizing determinant of protective antigen from Bacillus anthracis completely protects rabbits from aerosol spore challenge (52.24)

The loop neutralizing determinant (LND) from domain 2 of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) has been shown to represent a potentially important target for an epitope-specific vaccine for anthrax. This region in the 2β2-2β3 loop of PA is immunologically inert, since rabbits immunized with PA or otherwise immune to PA do not contain antibody specific for this region. Herein we evaluated the immunogenicity in rabbits of a MAP peptide comprising the T* helper T cell epitope from Plasmodium falciparum colinearly synthesized at either the N- or C-terminus with a.a. 304-319 from PA. In initial studies, the MAP peptides formulated in Freund’s adjuvant were found to be highly immunogenic in rabbits, rapidly eliciting high levels of neutralizing antibody. To more fully evaluate this peptide as an anthrax vaccine, we immunized separate groups of rabbits (n=7) five times at two-week intervals with either of the two LND MAP peptides or with soluble PA in Freund’s adjuvant and then subjected all rabbits to a 200 LD50 aerosol spore challenge with B. anthracis Ames strain. 100% of rabbits immunized with the LND MAP in the B-T orientation and with soluble PA, and 89% of rabbits immunized with the LND MAP in the T-B orientation, survived the spore challenge, while all naïve rabbits died. Analysis of post-challenge serum suggested little or no spore germination in challenged rabbits. We conclude that the LND MAP peptide is a promising epitope-specific prototype vaccine for anthrax.
Heavy Metals in Crop Plants: Transport and Redistribution Processes on the Whole Plant Level

Copper, zinc, manganese, iron, nickel and molybdenum are essential micronutrients for plants. However, when present in excess they may damage the plant or decrease the quality of harvested plant products. Some other heavy metals such as cadmium, lead or mercury are not needed by plants and represent pollutants. The uptake into the roots, the loading into the xylem, the acropetal transport to the shoot with the transpiration stream and the further redistribution in the phloem are crucial for the distribution in aerial plant parts. This review is focused on long-distance transport of heavy metals via xylem and phloem and on interactions between the two transport systems. Phloem transport is the basis for the redistribution within the shoot and for the accumulation in fruits and seeds. Solutes may be transferred from the xylem to the phloem (e.g., in the small bundles in stems of cereals, in minor leaf veins). Nickel is highly phloem-mobile and directed to expanding plant parts. Zinc and to a lesser degree also cadmium are also mobile in the phloem and accumulate in meristems (root tips, shoot apex, axillary buds). Iron and manganese are characterized by poor phloem mobility and are retained in older leaves.
Characterization of Quantitative Loci for Morphological and Anatomical Root Traits on the Short Arm of Chromosome 1 of Rye in Bread Wheat

Author(s): Sharma, Sundrish | Advisor(s): Waines, J. Giles | Abstract: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most cultivated cereal crop after rice. Many present day bread wheats carry a centric rye-wheat translocation 1RS.1BL in place of chromosome 1B. The increased grain yield of translocation lines is positively associated with root biomass. To map loci controlling root characteristics, homoeologous recombinants of 1RS with 1BS were used to generate an integrated genetic map comprised of 20 phenotypic and molecular markers, with an average spacing of 2.5 cM. To identify the chromosomal region associated with rooting ability, root phenotypic data were subjected to Quade analysis to compare genotypes. The distal 15% of the rye 1RS arm may carry QTL for greater rooting ability in bread wheat.To identify QTL for individual root traits, a phenotyping experiment was conducted involving recombinants from each marker interval of the 1RS-1BS genetic map. An empirical Bayes method was applied to estimate additive and epistatic effects for all possible marker pairs simultaneously in a single model. This method has an advantage for QTL analysis in minimizing the error variance and detecting interaction effects between loci with no main effect. Four common regions were identified to involve a total of 15 QTL effects, six additive and nine epistatic, for different root traits in 1RS wheat. Three of four regions were localized in the distal 15% of the 1RS arm. The effect of different dosages (0 to 4) of the 1RS translocation on root morphology and anatomy in bread wheat was determined. The F1 hybrid with single dose of 1RS and 1AS arms showed heterosis for root and shoot biomass. Root biomass was positively associated with increase in dosage of 1RS. This study also provided evidence of the presence of gene(s) influencing root anatomical traits. The central metaxylem vessel diameter was negatively associated with increasing 1RS dosage. Wheat genotypes with higher number of 1RS translocation arms may have inherent morphological and anatomical advantage over normal bread wheat to survive under stress conditions.
Academic Integrity: Effects of Demographic Variables on Students’ Conduct

This study aimed to find out the effects of demographic variable i.e. gender, age, group of studies, GPA etc. on level of academic integrity among Pakistani students. The design of the study is quantitative in nature, in which the survey research method was employed to gather data from the respondents. A self-reported questionnaire was adapted on the basis of previously developed and validated questionnaire, with the consent of the authors. The developed scale was validated with the help of experts and pilot tested. Multilevel stratified convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from 4 provinces and federal area of Pakistan. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 16.0 version.
Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on the Molecular Regulation of Prostate Cancer Progression

Abstract : Current therapies for invasive and metastatic prostate cancer are not curative and prolong survival by nearly a year even in patients with a metastatic disease. Metastasis is a multi-step process wherein tumor cells acquire properties that enable them to detach, migrate, gain access to conduits, and disseminate throughout the body. The dissemination of cancer from the primary carcinoma mass requires a loosening of the cell-cell bonds. Previous investigations have demonstrated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes tumor cell invasiveness and metastasis. However, the regulatory control of metastasis genes have not explored the key molecular events mediated by the EGFR induced responses. Recently, Kaiso a biomodal transcription factor, has been shown to be associated with, many cancer-related genes which function as tumor suppressor, such as cell cycle regulator CDKN2A (P16) , TIMPS and E-cadherin. However, a direct link between Kaiso and metastasis as not been shown. Therefore, we hypothesized that Kaiso fits into the EGFR signaling cascade, and is associated with EGFR induced cell migration and metastasis.