Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution and seasonal variation of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (Arthropoda: Insecta) in different aquatic environments of a cerrado area, state of MinaS Gerais, Brazil = Distribuição e variação sazonal de Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera ...

The composition and diversity of aquatic insect fauna can be influenced by several factors such as substrate type, availability of allochthonous material, biotic interactions, among others. This occurs because these organisms have different adaptations to environmental characteristics of aquatic systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the distribution and seasonal variation of immature insects of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera orders in different environments at a Cerrado area in Uberlândia - MG. Sampling was performed in August 2007 (dry season) and February 2008 (rainy season), in three types of environment (stream in gallery forest, stream in vereda and in a pond) at “Reserva do Clube de Caca e Pesca Itororo”. The insects were sampled using artificial substrates. We collected a total of 205 insects, 96 in the dry season and 109 in the rainy season. Differences in the abundance of insects among environments were recorded only for Ephemeroptera. Despite distinct characteristics of each environment the abundance of organisms and the richness of genera were similar among sampling sites and between seasons. However, there was a variation in the composition of organisms in each environment.
Whither Model Organism Research?

Model organisms such as the yeast, worm, and fruit fly have been stalwart allies of biologists for decades. But now that we know so much about the cell and molecular mechanisms of these organisms, is it time to retire them to the lab9s dusty top shelf? Not likely, say Fields and Johnston in their Perspective. The authors argue that model organisms will remain in the research spotlight for many years to com
Supporting digital engagement: An evaluation of the use of a Guide for effective development and facilitation of online discussion boards

The growth of blended and online learning within the higher education sector has required academic staff to develop new skills and confidence in delivering online pedagogy that successfully engages students. Previous research indicated it would be beneficial for staff to develop a common understanding of best practice in learning and teaching using asynchronous discussion boards. The aim of this research was to investigate use of the online Guide by facilitators, who are responsible for developing and facilitating online discussion boards and supporting students’ digital engagement. Findings of previous research was used to inform development of the Guide. Additionally, a review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was undertaken. The researchers collaborated during a series of production workshops to plan, develop and write the Guide. Two members of the team assisted with conversion of the product into an open access online tool hosted by the University of Tasmania learning and teaching website. Feedback regarding the structure and content was embedded on the website to enable users to suggest improvements. Google Analytics data was collected monthly and ePrint data was also monitored. Findings over a 12-month period indicated the Guide was predominantly accessed by Australian users, although there has been growth in downloads of chapters from other English speaking countries. Reports indicate a high proportion of new sessions each month, peaking with the need to ‘super speed’ learning and teaching online due to COVID-19 health and well-being restrictions within the higher education sector, indicating that the Guide is appealing to a growing global audience.
A Tunable Balanced Coupler With Improved Phase Balance and Extended Bandwidth

This paper proposes a balanced coupler with improved phase balance and extended bandwidth for a wide range of tunable power-dividing ratios. This differential coupler uses only two varactors and can demonstrate tunable power-dividing ratio and quadrature phase difference between outputs with theoretically perfect differential-mode return loss and port isolation, and complete common-mode suppression. The coupler analysis, design equations/graph, and parametric study will be given in detail. As a proof-of-concept, a microstrip prototype operating at 1 GHz was fabricated. Measured results show that the power-dividing ratio can be tuned from −5.5 dB to 11.9 dB at the center frequency where the insertion loss is less than 0.84 dB, the phase imbalance and isolation between differential outputs are less than 3.9° and greater than 23.2 dB, respectively. Moreover, the differential-mode return loss and the common-mode rejection are greater than 27.5 dB and 35.2 dB, respectively. Measured and simulated results are in good agreement.
Epistasis and the Evolutionary Process

Introductions and Concepts 1. Why evolutionary genetics doesn't always add up 2. Beyond the average: The evolutionary importance of gene interactions and variability of epistatic effects 3. Epistasis and Complex Traits 4. Detecting epistasis among quantitative trait loci 5. The evolution of developmental interations: Epistasis, canalization, and integration 6. Epistasis and the maintenance of sex 7. Genetic partners in crime: Evolution of an ultraselfish supergene that specializes in sperm sabotage 8. Modeling gene interaction in structured populations 9. Epistasis, linkage, and balancing selection 10. Indirect genetic effects and gene interactions 11. Epistasis in morphology and mating behavior Genetic Differentiation: From Populations to Speciation 12. Gene interactions and the origin of species 13. Epistasis as a genetic constraint within populations and an accelerant of adaptive divergence among them 14. The contribution of epistasis to the evolution of natural populations: A case study of an annual plant 15. Epistasis and the evolution of genetic architectures in natural populations 16. Inferring Epistasis in wild sunflower hybrid zones Literature cited Index
Compact Combline Filter Embedded in a Bed of Nails

In this paper, we propose a compact topology for high-frequency bandpass filters using coaxial cavities embedded in a bed of nails, including a complete design procedure combining equivalent circuit models and full-wave simulators. The resonance generated around a shortened cylindrical nail of the bed hosting structure is used as the basic element of the proposed filter, which is fed through groove gap waveguides. For design purposes, an equivalent circuit model of the considered resonance is first obtained, and then the coupling levels between resonators are recovered with the distance between adjacent shortened nails. In order to validate the proposed structure and its design procedure, a filter prototype with a bandpass response (centered at 30 GHz and with relative bandwidth of 1.7%) has been designed, manufactured, and measured. Good experimental results, in terms of insertion losses (with a minimum value of 1.6 dB) and return losses (greater than 16.6 dB in the whole passband), have been achieved.
Energy transfer protein in coelenterate bioluminescence

Bioluminescence in the sea pansy, Renilla reniformis, a marine anthozoan coelenterate, is a complex process involving the participation of three proteins. These are: (1) the luciferin-binding protein, (2) the enzyme luciferase, and (3) the green-fluorescent protein (GFP). Luciferin-binding protein is a specific subtrate-binding protein which binds one molecule of coelenterate-type luciferin per molecule of protein and which then releases luciferin in the presence of Ca/sup 2 +/. Luciferase is the enzyme which catalyzes oxidation (by O/sub 2/) of coelenterate-type luciferin, leading to the production of CO/sub 2/ and enzyme-bound excited-state oxyluciferin. Oxyluciferin may then emit blue light by a direct de-excitation pathway or may transfer excitation energy to GFP. GFP is a noncatalytic accessory protein which accepts excitation energy from oxyluciferin, by radiationless energy transfer, and then emits green bioluminescence. In this paper the purification methods and physicochemical characteristics of GFP from R. reniformis are presented, and in the companion article luciferin-binding protein is described.
Identification of an agar-digesting, luminous bacterium

Itoh, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, during June, 1984. Seawater was spread-plated (50fA per plate) on MNagar medium, a nutritionally complete medium,12'13* and the plates were incubated at 20°C for 48 hours. Colonies producing light were streaked for isolation on fresh MN agar plates. The purity of cultures was checked by further streaking for isolation and by microscopic examination. The FLB-17 strain was observed to differ from the other luminous isolates in that it produced depressions in the MNagar medium.Such depressions are characteristic of agar hydrolysis. The FLB-17 strain was found to be capable of growth and agar-digestion on NC (non-carbon) agar medium [500ml of artificial seawater containing
Business Models in Emerging Markets

Within the academic research, specific topics or terms appear and quickly gain great popularity, becoming a “must have” in journals and conferences. One of those terms that currently sounds loud is business model (BM). As the notion of BM started to emerge, the decade of 2000 encompassed certain skepticism necessary to improve the quality of scientific knowledge in this field, including that of renowned academics. After this initial stage, the reasoning of BMs seems to be now widely acknowledged in management research.
Functional Characterization of the OPRM1 A118G Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Mice

Endogenous opioids acting at μ-opioid receptors (MOPR) mediate many biological functions. Pharmacological intervention at these receptors has greatly aided in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, in addition to other uses. However, the development of tolerance and dependence has made it difficult to adequately prescribe these therapeutics. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), A118G, in the MOPR gene can affect opioid function and, consequently, has been suggested to contribute to individual variability in pain management and drug addiction. Investigation into the role of A118G in human disease and treatment response has generated a large number of association studies across various disease states as well as physiological responses. However, characterizing the functional consequences of this SNP and establishing if it causes or contributes to disease phenotypes have been significant challenges. To clarify the functional mechanisms linking the OPRM1 A118G SNP to addiction and analgesia phenotypes, we derived a mouse model possessing the equivalent nucleotide/amino acid substitution in the mouse Oprm1 gene. I first evaluated MOPR expression and function using molecular and pharmacological techniques and, subsequently, investigated how these alterations affected basal and morphine-evoked responses using a variety of behavioral tasks. In order to better understand the synaptic and circuit-level alterations conferred by this SNP, we employed voltage-sensitive dye imaging in hippocampal slice preparations to evaluate basal and opioid-stimulated neuronal responses. Mice harboring this SNP (A112G) demonstrated several phenotypic similarities to humans carrying the A118G SNP, including reduced mRNA expression and morphinemediated antinociception. We found additional phenotypes associated with this SNP including significant reductions of receptor protein levels, morphine-mediated hyperactivity, and locomotor sensitization, as well as sex-specific reductions in the rewarding properties of morphine and the aversive components of naloxoneprecipitated morphine withdrawal. Functionally, this SNP reduced opioid-stimulated excitatory responses in the hippocampus. Together, these findings extend our understanding of the functional consequences of this SNP and support evidence suggesting that this SNP results in a loss of receptor function. Further crossspecies analysis will allow us to investigate mechanisms and adaptations present in humans carrying this SNP. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Neuroscience First Advisor Julie Blendy
Development of Pneumolysin as a vaccine candidate

More than 90 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae are responsible for causing a number of invasive and non-invasive diseases in humans. To combat this pathogen there are two types of vaccines available namely pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Although these vaccines have reduced the incidence and prevalence of pneumococcal diseases yet these vaccines are unable to curb the disease and have some potential drawbacks. The problems associated with PPV is inability to mount appropriate immune response in young children (<2 years) of age and with PCV, disadvantages are serotype replacement and affordability. These disadvantages have shifted the focus of attention on developing vaccines that can provide serotype independent protection and is cost effective and can be used in developing and under-developing countries as well. Pneumolysin (PLY) is one of the members of cholesterol dependent cytolysin (CDC) family and is one of the key virulence factors of the bacterium. PLY has a wide variety of functions but the two most important functions are the ability to lyse the host cell by forming pores and activating the complement pathway. Studies have shown recombinant PLY to be a good vaccine candidate; however PLY is toxic and cannot be used as a vaccine. A number of toxoid versions have been made targeting residues responsible for toxin’s lytic activity and tested in-vivo models. ∆6 PLY is a toxoid made by deleting two amino acid residues and seems to be a potential candidate to be included in next generation pneumococcal vaccines. ∆6 PLY is immunogenic and act as an adjuvant as well, however ∆6 PLY causes the aggregation of red blood cells and therefore cannot be used in the vaccine. The present study is carried out to identify the residue/s responsible for causing this agglutination behaviour. A number of molecular biology techniques were used in this study for making mutants in different backgrounds and were tested for their lytic and agglutination activity. The study identified the single residue in domain 4 causing aggregation of the red blood cells. The agglutination negative mutant was then tested at different concentrations through a series of experiments including hemagglutination assays, fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). The study also highlighted some important regions of the toxins responsible for maintaining structure of the toxin. This new toxoid seems to have the potential to be used in future pneumococcal vaccines alone, in combination with other pneumococcal proteins and/or polysaccharides.
A Review on Electromyography Decoding and Pattern Recognition for Human-Machine Interaction

This paper presents a literature review on pattern recognition of electromyography (EMG) signals and its applications. The EMG technology is introduced and the most relevant aspects for the design of an EMG-based system are highlighted, including signal acquisition and filtering. EMG-based systems have been used with relative success to control upper- and lower-limb prostheses, electronic devices and machines, and for monitoring human behavior. Nevertheless, the existing systems are still inadequate and are often abandoned by their users, prompting for further research. Besides controlling prostheses, EMG technology is also beneficial for the development of machine learning-based devices that can capture the intention of able-bodied users by detecting their gestures, opening the way for new human-machine interaction (HMI) modalities. This paper also reviews the current feature extraction techniques, including signal processing and data dimensionality reduction. Novel classification methods and approaches for detecting non-trained gestures are discussed. Finally, current applications are reviewed, through the comparison of different EMG systems and discussion of their advantages and drawbacks.
Contributions to a molecular phylogeny and systematics of Anemone and related genera (Ranunculaceae-Anemoninae)

Plastid atp B/rbcL intergenic spacer sequences were obtained from 21 selected taxa and one hybrid of Anemoninae (Anemone,Pulsatilla,Hepatica) and compared with Ficaria (Rannuculinae) as an outgroup. From the resulting matrix(1266 bp) a single most parsimonious tree was obtained (Fig.1). The branching of this tree is confirmed by many informative indels and appears largely congruent with past plastid restriction analyese. Several new taxa are added. The monophyly of the Anemoninae and their early split into two major clades is supported: clade Ⅰ with the chromosome base number x=8, clade Ⅱ with the reduced x=7. Clade Ⅰ is made up of the basal Pulsatilla and the Rivularis +Vitifolia groups. The Multifida group links to the crown groups Coronaria, Blanda and Nemorosa. Clade Ⅱ Consists of the basal Dichotoma group, followed by Hepatica, and finally by the N. Hemisphere Narcissiflora and the S. Hemisphere Antucensis groups as sisters. The problems of the Anemoninae ancestry, phylogenetic differentiation, and recent attempts for systematic classification are critically discussed. In view of the still incomplete sampling of DNA data, a conservative and informal approach to classification problems is recommended.
Modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections in hospital admitted children between 2 months to 5 years of age

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are known to cause morbidity and mortality from time immemorial. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most important single cause of global burden of disease in young children and the largest single cause of mortality. Objectives: 1.To identify various modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in children aged 2 months to 5 years of age. 2.To identify the type of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in hospitalized children between 2 months to 5 years of age. Methodology: A hospital-based CaseControl Study was conducted between July 2012 to June 2013 in Department of Pediatrics, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh among 300 cases and 300 controls. Results: Among Socio demographic profile Parents illiteracy, incomplete immunization for age, overcrowding and family history of ARI. were significant independent risk factors for ALRI. Among nutritional risk factors low birth weight, lack of breast feeding, anemia and malnutrition were significant independent risk factors for ALRI. Among environmental risk factors absence of separate kitchen was significant independent risk factor for ALRI. Conclusion: The independent risk factors for ALRI are parental illiteracy, lack of immunization, and overcrowding, family history of ARI, low birth weight, lack of breast feeding, anemia, malnutrition and absence of separate kitchen.
Actividad biológica de extractos crudos de Larrea divaricata Cav. y Capparis atamisquea Kuntze sobre Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

Se evaluaron las propiedades repelentes y antialimentarias de extractos crudos de dos plantas difundidas en la provincia de Cordoba (Argentina), jarilla (Larrea divaricata Cav.) y atamisqui (Capparis atamisquea Kuntze.), sobre Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Se estudiaron los extractos crudos en etanol, cloroformo y hexano de ambas especies. Para cada extracto se determino el coeficiente de disuasion total. Para las pruebas de repelencia se utilizaron papeles de filtro separados en dos mitades iguales; se determinaron los porcentajes de repelencia de cada extracto. Se observo mayor efecto antialimentario de los extractos de atamisqui con respecto a los de jarilla, y de los de hojas o tallos sobre los de frutos. El extracto de mayor efecto antialimentario fue el etanolico de tallos de atamisqui (clase ++++) seguido por los extractos etanolico y cloroformico de hojas de esta especie (clase +++). Se observo un moderado efecto de repelencia de los extractos de jarilla y atamisqui sobre S. oryzae, destacandose el de hojas de atamis quien hexano como el de mayor efecto de repelencia (clase IV). El extracto cloroformico de hojas de atamisqui, los tres de hoja de jarilla y los cloroformicos de tallos y frutos de jarilla presentaron efecto de repelencia (clase III).
Isolation of cDNA Clones for Epidermis‐Specific Genes of the Ascidian Embryo

The present investigation was conducted to isolate cDNA clones that correspond to epidermis‐specific genes of the ascidian embryo. When cleavage of fertilized eggs of Halocynthia roretzi is blocked by treatment with cytochalasin B and the arrested eggs are reared as one‐celled embryos for about 30 hr, they develop features of differentiation of the epidermis only. Translation in vitro of poly(A)+ RNA from cleavage‐arrested embryos and analysis of the products by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed several predominant polypeptides that were not detected in a similar analysis of fertilized eggs, suggesting the appearance of epidermis‐specific mRNAs in cleavage‐arrested embryos. A cDNA library was constructed from arrested one‐celled embryos. Differential screening of the library with a total cDNA probe from cleavage‐arrested embryos and with a similar probe from fertilized eggs yielded eight different cDNA clones specific for the cleavage‐arrested embryos. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNAs that corresponded to these cDNAs were present in normal tailbud embryos. In addition, in situ hybridization of whole‐mount specimens showed that the mRNAs were restricted to the epidermal cells of tailbud embryos.
The Ligand Recognition Specificity of Integrins (*)

αβ (platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) and αβ are members of the β subfamily of integrin adhesion receptors. A cyclic peptide, KYGC(s-s)HarGDWPC(s-s) (cHarGD), originally described by Scarborough et al. (Scarborough, R. M., Naughton, M. A., Teng, W., Rose, J. W., Phillips, D. R., Nannizzi, L., Arsten, A., Campbell, A. M., and Charo, I. F.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 1066-1073) has been employed as a high affinity ligand for αβ to examine the specificity of the β integrins. cHarGD interacted with high affinity with purified αβ (K = 10 nM) or with platelets (K = 120 nM). While cHarGD was specific for αβ in the presence of Ca, it bound to both β integrins in the presence of Mn. Barbourin, a snake venom disintegrin containing a reactive KGD sequence, remained αβ-specific, even in the presence of Mn. cHarGD became cross-linked to a site in β of αβ, which is distinct from that of RGD peptides. These results allow identification of at least four classes of β ligands: Class I, represented by RGD peptides and vitronectin, react similarly with αβ and αβ; Class II, represented by cHarGD, -chain peptides and fibrinogen, react with both receptors in the presence of Mn but only with αβ in the presence of Ca; Class III, represented by barbourin, are αβ-specific under all cation conditions; Class IV, represented by osteopontin, bind primarily to αβ.
Flexible Framework for Data Integration and Update Propagation: System Aspect

Dejima architecture is a framework for sharing data and controlling update over multiple databases. Each peer autonomously manages its own database and collaborates with other peers through views. In this paper, we describe the design concept and the mechanism of update propagation in the Dejima architecture. We explain how to identify the affected peers for a given update and propagate the update to the affected peers in a single transaction. We also claim that Dejima architecture is a flexible framework that combines both aspects of two former approaches for data integration, the global schema based one and the peer based one.