Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping of the chicken immunoglobulin heavy‐chain constant region gene locus reveals an inverted α gene upstream of a condensed υ gene

Chicken antibodies are increasingly being used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. As only the genomic organization of the µ encoding gene was previously known, we analysed the chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and IgA (υ and α chain) immunoglobulin heavy‐chain constant region (IGHC) genes and the organization of the chicken IGHC locus. The α gene is encoded by four separate exons, whereas, surprisingly, there is no intervening DNA sequence between the CH1 and CH2 domains of the IgY heavy chain, which is thus encoded by three exons separated by two introns. DNA sequence analysis shows that the exon boundaries of the chicken IGHC genes are not consistent with published domain borders. Furthermore, differences in DNA sequence confirm the existence of IgY, IgA and IgM allotypes in chickens. Finally, our results show that the IGHC genes of chicken (IgY, IgA and IgM) are all colocated on chromosome E18C15W15, where the α gene is located upstream of the υ gene in an inverted transcriptional orientation. The distances between the µ and α genes and the α and υ genes are about 18 and 15 kilobases, respectively, and thus, the size of the whole chicken IGHC locus is approximately 67 kilobases.
α-Synuclein Aggregation: A Link Between Mitochondrial Defects and Parkinson's Disease?

Protein aggregation is a shared feature of many human neurodegenerative diseases and appears to be an inevitable consequence of excessive accumulation of misfolded proteins. Recent studies suggest that accumulation of fibrillar α-synuclein aggregates is associated with Parkinson's disease and other Lewy body diseases. Furthermore, the missense mutations in α-synuclein that are responsible for some early-onset familial types of the disease promote the aggregation process of this protein. Therefore, the mechanism underlying the cellular α-synuclein aggregation is of great importance in understanding the pathogenic process of these diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying α-synuclein aggregation and how the mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in this process. Protein misfolding and aggregation in vivo can be suppressed and promoted by several factors, such as molecular chaperones, protein degradation systems, and free radicals. Many of these factor.
Autoxidation of packed roasted almonds as affected by two packaging films

Peeled and unpeeled almonds of Romana and Pizzuta varieties of almonds were roasted and packed under vacuum conditions, using two films having different barrier effects against O 2 . The almonds were stored for eight months at room temperature in the dark and, at regular intervals, were analyzed to study the progress in lipid oxidation. Results showed that almond oxidation strongly depended on packaging: the film with the highest barrier effect against O 2 was able to better preserve almonds. With reference to Romana almonds, peeled almonds were slightly more oxidized than unpeeled almonds especially in the last phase of the storage. In the case of Pizzuta almonds, the difference between peeled and unpeeled nuts was more evident. The results of chemical and instrumental analyses were confirmed by the judgements of the panel test, pointing out a more positive evaluation for the Romana variety of almonds.
Use of multivariate methods in forest research site selection

In large-scale gradient studies, selection of the best research sites is critical but time-consuming and costly. Multivariate methods can be used to quickly identify suitable sites from existing data bases. Based on a study of acid deposition in the Great Lakes region (the Michigan Gradient Study), we illustrate the use of multivariate methods in screening potential research sites for similarity. Sites were examined using cluster analysis, principal coordinates analysis, and correspondence analysis. The graphical displays generated by the multivariate methods were used to identify similar sites across the gradient. A list of 31 potential sites was reduced to 5 similar research sites and several alternative sites. The results of the multivariate methods compared well with more traditional methods of research site selection but allowed for multiple comparisons of many potential sites using a variety of data from existing data bases. By eliminating sites that are unacceptable with respect to available data, .
Cryptic Female Choice and Its Implications in the Scorpionfly Harpobittacus nigriceps

Female choice is a poorly understood area of evolutionary biology. Mate choice theory and the generally greater control of the process of reproduction by females than by males imply that female choice is prevalent in organisms and that it may be subtle in its nature, occurring even after mating and at any time until the female's control of gametes or zygotes terminates. Female choice in the Australian scorpionfly Harpobittacus nigriceps, a species in which males provide females with a nuptial arthropod gift during mating, was studied in the field and laboratory. Female choice before mating occurs in H. nigriceps and there is considerable evidence of its occurrence during and after mating in this species. Females apparently choose during mating by controlling mating duration and thus the number of sperm received from different mates. Postmating choice in H. nigriceps appears to include a female's ability to regulate egg laying in relation to characteristics of her mate. Female choice during and after mating in H. nigriceps almost certainly leads to stronger sexual selection on males than premating choice. All forms of female choice in H. nigriceps would result in directional selection of the criteria important in choice (male body size and its correlate, ability to obtain large prey). Female choice on the basis of body size in H. nigriceps may enhance female fitness if body size is heritable: Large individuals obtain more matings (males) and are more fecund (females) than small individuals, and, in general, survival and size are positively related in both sexes. Fluctuating natural selection pressures on body size within generations may generate enough genetic variation in male body size to maintain adaptive female choice in H. nigriceps.
Proximate nutrient composition of sickle-pod ( Cassia obtusifolia ) leaves and seeds

Sickle-pod ( Cassia obtusifolia ) is a leguminous annual weed plant with no known use and literature information. It is found growing wild in the tropical vegetation particularly in Minna, Nigeria. Twenty of the whole plants were harvested from five different locations each at two weeks intervals during the months of April to October. The leaves and seeds bearing pods were hand picked, bulked separately sun-dried and then chemically analysed in the laboratory of the official procedures of the association of the official analytical chemists methods of analysis (AOAC, 1980) for the nutrient composition. Results obtained from the study revealed slight variations between sites and sampling times for the different parameters determined in the leaves and seeds but such observations and values were not significant. Other results revealed that the leaves contained comparatively and significantly (p Cassia obtusifolia ) plant as a promising animal feed. Feeding evaluation of both materials in domestic animals in desired and would be reported later. Keywords : sickle-pod, Cassia obtusifolia , detergent fibers, Hemicellulose Plant Products Research Journal Vol.8 (1) 2004: 13-17
Effect of Five Years of No-tillage and Mulch on Soil Properties and Tuber Yield of Cassava on an Acid Ultisol in South-eastern Nigeria

SUMMARY The effect of no-tillage and mulch on soil properties and tuber yield of cassava was studied over a five year period on an infertile, acid Ultisol in south-eastern Nigeria. Mulch was applied at a rate of 12 t ha−1 as a split application once at planting and once six months after planting. No chemical fertilizers were used during the trial. Bulk density and proportion of micropores (pore radius, r, <1.4 µm) were greater, and proportion of macropores (r>14.4 µm) lower, with no-tillage. Water infiltration was increased by mulching, being greatest in tilled, mulched plots. Soil chemical properties were not significantly affected by tillage system, although levels of exchangeable calcium, magnesium and potassium were higher and acid saturation lower with mulching. Soil physical and chemical properties were best with tillage and mulching, and poorest when neither tillage nor mulch was used. Cassava tuber yield was unaffected by tillage system but increased by mulching.
Genotypic Variation for Tolerance to Transient Drought During the Reproductive Phase of Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa L. is a genetically diverse parent species of the allotetraploid species, oilseed rape (B. napus) and a potential source of drought tolerance for B. napus. We examined the effect of a 13-day drought stress period during the early reproductive phase, relative to a well-watered (WW) control, on subsequent growth and development in nine accessions of B. rapa and one accession of Brassica juncea selected for their wide morphological and genetic diversity. We measured leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, water use, and leaf and bud temperatures during the stress period and aboveground dry weight of total biomass at maturity. Dry weight of seeds and reproductive tissue were not useful measures of drought tolerance due to self-incompatibility in B. rapa. The relative total biomass (used as the measure of drought tolerance in this study) of the 10 accessions exposed to drought stress ranged from 47 % to 117 % of the WW treatment and was negatively correlated with leaf-to-air and bud-to-air temperature difference when averaged across the 13-day stress period. Two wild-type (B. rapa ssp. sylvestris) accessions had higher relative total and non-reproductive biomass at maturity and cooler leaves and buds than other types. We conclude that considerable genotypic variation for drought tolerance exists in B. rapa and cooler leaves and buds during a transient drought stress in the early reproductive phase may be a useful screening tool for drought tolerance.
The bryophyte Physcomitrella patens replicates extrachromosomal transgenic elements

Physcomitrella patens, recently renamed Aphanoregma patens, has been transformed with the plasmid, pBI426. On selective medium approx. 30% of regenerants expressed the transformed phenotype transiently (transients). The remaining 70% (transformants) retained their transformed phenotype (GUS-positive and resistant to G418) indefinitely when subcultured repeatedly on selective medium, However, most lost this phenotype after one or two passages through nonselective medium (unstable transformants). Approximately 0.2% of transformants retained their transformed phenotype after numerous passages through nonselective medium (stable transformants). Using PCR methodology, it has been shown that loss of the transformed phenotype by unstable transformants is invariably accompanied by disappearance of the transgenic DNA. Southern blot analysis data argue strongly that unstable transformants cultured under selective conditions contain unintegrated pBI426 as circular concatenates consisting of 3-40 copies of the plasmid. Under selective conditions, it appears that replication and/or partitioning of these extrachromosomal concatemers might be growth rate-limiting. This is the first report of a transgenic, autonomously replicating extrachromosomal element in a photosynthetic plant. A single copy of pBI426 has been inserted into the moss genome in each of three stable transformants analysed.
Systematics and Ecology of the Hydroid Population of two Posidonia oceanica Meadows

The ecology and systematics of the hydroid population of Posidonia oceanica meadows have been studied in two different zones of the Western Mediterranean. A new sampling method has been employed and the results obtained have been compared with those of a standard method. The distribution of the species and several morphological variations are pointed out. Depth-related faunistic zones are evidenced. The key-species of the Posidonia hydroid population arc individuated.
Precipitação incidente e fluxo de atravessamento das chuvas em três estágios sucessionais de floresta atlântica no maciço da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro

This paper presents results for gross rainfall and throughfall regimes found in three successional phases in a stand located at Cacambe sub-basin, Pedra Branca massif, Rio de Janeiro. It was carried out 27 samplings after rain events from 04/11/09 to 04/11/10. Gross rainfall and throughfall were measured with 12 rain gauges in an area of advanced secondary forest, 6 in an early secondary succession and 6 in the edge. Average throughfall was 89% in the edge, 94% in initial secondary succession and 75% in advanced secondary forest. Those values are in agreement with the values found in the literature for the Atlantic Rain Forest. Throughfall decreased simultaneously to the advance of the secondary succession. Interception results imply the importance of forest conservation in cities vulnerable to flooding such as Rio de Janeiro.
Physiological Characteristics of Mycosphaerella ascophylli, a Fungal Endophyte of the Marine Brown Alga Ascophyllum nodosum

Mycosphaerella ascophylli Cotton, a fungal endosymbiont in the thallus of the marine brown alga, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. , was brought into axenic culture. Most of its nutritional requirements proved to be similar to those characteristic of marine saprophytic fungi: growth optimum at pH 7 to 8, good growth only with a high concentration of NaCl, ability to utilize nitrate as a nitrogen source and glucose, galactose and mannose as carbon sources. The fungus was more specifically characterized by a low temperature optimum (20°C, or lower), a requirement for both thiamin and biotin, and inability to metabolize xylose and fructose.
Receptors of peptide hormones in the gut of rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) as targets for novel insecticides

The rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is a pest of rice where it can be responsible for single season crop losses of up to 38% (IRRI statistic). Due to the absence of an effective Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin against these insect pests current control methods are reliant on synthetic insecticides. However, these broad acting insecticides can be harmful to beneficial insects, and resistance to these synthetic insecticides amongst N.lugens populations is now common. Therefore, other novel approaches are needed for the control of this rice pest species, which is addressed in this thesis. This project aims to characterise proteins expressed in the N.lugens gut that could act as potential 'targets' for the design of insecticidal proteins. G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) proteins were identified as 'target' proteins and N.lugens candidates were identified and characterised. A cDNA predicted to encode a diuretic hormone receptor (DHR) in Nilaparvata lugens was cloned using RNA extracted from gut tissue as a template in a PCR based strategy. The coding sequence (639 amino acids, 69.7 kDa) has seven predicted transmembrane domains and is a member of the calcitonin/secretin/corticotropin releasing factor family of G-protein coupled receptors. The protein has greatest similarity to Acheta domesticus DHR (Q16983) with 51% sequence identity. N.lugens DHR has a large N-terminal extracellular domain (amino acids 1-260) putatively involved in hormone binding. This domain was expressed as a recombinant protein in E.coli, purified under denaturing conditions, refolded and used to raise a polyclonal antibody in rabbit. Purified anti-DHR IgG bound specifically to a putative DHR polypeptide extracted from N.lugens gut tissues on western blots. Immunolocalisation experiments using dissected guts showed that anti-DHR antibody bound specifically to the Malpighian tubules. The N- terminal hormone-binding domain is located on the cell surface and is exposed to the haemolymph in vivo. Anti-DHR antibodies delivered to insects via artificial diet showed no binding to gut or tubule tissue, and had no effect on survival. Ingested antibodies were not detected in the haemolymph. Another GPCR protein with high similarity to insect allatostatin receptors (ALSTR) was isolated by PCR using highly degenerate primers, from N.lugens gut specific cDNA. The coding sequence (383 amino acids, M, 42.3 kDa) has seven predicted transmembrane domains and is a member of the SST/galanin/opoid receptor family of G-protein coupled receptors. The putative N.lugens ALSTR has greatest similarity to Periplaneta americana ALSTR (AF336364) with 69% overall sequence identity. Isolation of the full-length N.lugens ALSTR is the first step necessary for the design of novel insecticidal proteins.
Which Witch is Which? A Study of the Stock Structure of Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) in the Newfoundland Region

Genetic variability at two protein loci (phosphoglucomutase and superoxide dismutase) was assessed both within and among three major management areas for witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) in the Newfoundland region. The genetic analysis revealed population subdivision within each of the major management areas, giving a total of six subpopulations or stocks. These genetically defined stocks also differed with respect to population structure, time of spawning, individual growth rate, and temperature and depth of capture. These results suggest that witch flounder in the Newfoundland region exist in relatively small, independent subpopulations with little inter-stock migration. This population structure is at odds with current practices of managing witch flounder as large homogeneous stock units.Key words: witch flounder, stock discrimination, biochemical genetics, phosphoglucomutase, superoxide dismutase, electrophoresis
Investigation of Archived Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Pancreatic Tissue with Whole-Genome Gene Expression Microarray

The use of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue overcomes the most prominent issues related to research on relatively rare diseases: limited sample size, availability of control tissue, and time frame. The use of FFPE pancreatic tissue in GEM may be especially challenging due to its very high amounts of ribonucleases compared to other tissues/organs. In choosing pancreatic tissue, we therefore indirectly address the applicability of other FFPE tissues to gene expression microarray (GEM). GEM was performed on archived, routinely fixed, FFPE pancreatic tissue from patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), insulinoma, and deceased age-appropriate neonates, using whole-genome arrays. Although ribonuclease-rich, we obtained biologically relevant and disease-specific, significant genes; cancer-related genes; genes involved in (a) the regulation of insulin secretion and synthesis, (b) amino acid metabolism, and (c) calcium ion homeostasis. These results should encourage future research and GEM studies on FFPE tissue from the invaluable biobanks available at the departments of pathology worldwide.
Economic valuation of ecosystem services in protected areas: A case study from Nepal

The research examines the value of ecosystem services in Baghmara Buffer Zone Community Forest of Nepal determining willingness of local users and tourists for sustainable management and conservation of natural resources as well as recreational and aesthetic services, during September of 2010. The contingent valuation survey was administered to 95 users and 100 tourists. For users, the distance to forest, family size, nature of residence, gender and size of land holding seem to be the prominent factors that affected upon their willingness to pay. The projected average willingness to pay by all users for recreational and aesthetic services was NRs. 33,347 (about US$ 460) per year. The tourists were divided into domestic and international to elicit willingness to pay for ecosystem services. The responses were found varied according to the nature of tourists. For domestic tourists, income was only factor that affected their willingness to pay, but for international tourists along with income, gender, travel group and education were major determinants of willingness to pay. The average projected willingness to pay by all tourists was US$ 3,806,468 per year.The research highlights that the conservation area systems in Nepal has a high potential to generate additional resources against ecosystem services provided additional services to the tourists and a mechanism to tap such contribution. Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 1, Page 42-50 DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/banko.v23i1. 9466
Drain Engineered Charge Plasma-based Vertical TFET for Improved Device Performance

This article proposes a drain engineering technique-based Doping-less TFET with an inverted T-shape channel. To develop charge carriers in the source and drain area, metals having a certain work function are placed above these regions. Spacers are kept between the source and gate for providing isolation. The inverted T-shaped channel of the proposed device is formed by a pair of drain regions, and the source is extended vertically on the top. Because of the inverted T-shape channel, ON-state current (ION) is significantly improved in the proposed device. 2D TCAD Simulation results show that OFF-state leakage current is also reduced when it is compared with the Conventional doping-less TFET, which mainly happens because of the drain engineering technique used in the proposed device.
REPRODUÇÃO DE Meloidogyne incognita RAÇA 2 E DE Meloidogyne javanica EM OITO ESPÉCIES DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS

The reproductive rates of the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita race 2 and M. javanica in the roots of eight medicinal plant species were assessed under greenhouse condition. Each plant, growing in a pot containing 500 ml of sterilized soil, was inoculated with an average number of 5,000 eggs, with five repetitions. Egg mass index and reproduction factor data were used for the evaluation, 45-55 days after plant inoculation. Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Bryophyllum calycinum, and Crassula portulacea were rated as poor or nonefficient hosts, while Plectranthus barbatus and Polygonum hidropiperoides were efficient for both nematode species. Achyrocline satureoides and Tropaeolum majus were efficient for M. javanica, but nonefficient for M. incognita.
Determining the frequency of heteropteran predation on sweetpotato whitefly and pink bollworm using multiple ELISAs

The gut contents of field‐collected, predaceous Heteroptera were assayed for the presence of eggs of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using multiple enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Of seven species examined, Geocoris species and Orius tristicolor (Say) were the most frequent predators of sweetpotato whitefly with 32–39% of the individuals tested over the whole season scoring positive for whitefly antigens. With the exception of Lygus hesperus Knight, a major insect pest as well as a predator, the frequency of predation on pink bollworm eggs was much lower (0.7–14.3% positive over the season). Relatively few predators tested positive for both antigens (0.3–12.5%).