Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of temephos and temperature on Wolbachia load and life history traits of Aedes albopictus

Maternally inherited Wolbachia (gram-negative bacteria) often affect the reproductive fitness of their arthropod hosts and may cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Comparing Wolbachia -infected and uninfected strains of the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), we assessed the effects on fitness of two stres- sors: temperature elevation (25°C vs. 37°C) and exposure to temephos insecticide (con- centration range 0.0017 − 0.0167 mg/L) during larval development. Fitness was measured in terms of life history traits: percentage survival, development time and wing size. Insecticide treatment was associated with reduction in survival rates and wing size in both sexes, but did not affect development time or Wolbachia load. Temperature eleva- tion by 12°C significantly reduced all four bionomic parameters observed in both sexes. Wolbachia density within individual adult mosquitoes was determined by using real- time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the wsp gene. Both male and female adults had significantly lower densities of Wolbachia after larval rearing at the higher temperature.
Machine learning for industrial safety culture in the developing world

A disproportionate number of deaths and injuries in the workplace are concentrated in the developing world due to inadequate enforcement capabilities in such areas, a lack of capital equipment and a paucity of expertise. This requires solutions that enable automated detection of harmful violations of safety standards and sending appropriate warnings at real-time. We propose an automated method for highlighting such violations of safety measures by foregoing the usage of safety helmets, hard hats and similar safety equipment in the factory setting. A pipeline is proposed wherein camera feed at real-time is processed to detect the safety critical objects and their placement using a set of deep learning based architectures tailored for detection and localization under compute-constrained environments, with the helmet compliance sub-task treated as an exemplar of our approach.
OX40 promotes differentiation of CD4+ T cells to effector cells

CD4 T cells play an important role in protection against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and cancers, but can also contribute to undesired immune responses such as autoimmunity, graft rejection, and allergic reactions. Understanding the mechanisms that control CD4 T cell effector function will lead to more effective vaccine design and the management of aberrant immune responses. The tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member OX40 (CD134) is a costimulatory protein expressed exclusively on activated T cells that augments clonal expansion and survival of antigen-specific CD4 T cells, as well as enhancing the generation of effector and memory T cells. Mechanistically, it has been proposed that OX40 enhances CD4 T cell survival and memory cell generation by enhancing anti-apoptotic protein expression, as well as enhancing effector cytokine production. However, blocking OX40 signaling in vivo specifically reduces inflammation induced by cytokines, suggesting that OX40 may directly influence differentiation to effector function. I was interested in how OX40 regulates effector function in CD4 T cells, so I hypothesized that OX40 signaling could promote differentiation independent ofT cell survival. We have developed a model in which a peptide antigen covalently bound to MHC class II is expressed at low levels on all MHC class II positive cells in mice. Upon transfer of small numbers of antigen specific T cell receptor transgenic CD4 T cells, rapid expansion and infiltration of tissues is observed, but the T cells are tolerant and the animals remain healthy. Addition of an agonist antibody to OX40 at the time ofT cell transfer induces accumulation of large, granular effector CD4 T cells that express the IL-
The Effects of Quorum Sensing on the Phenotypes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria Cells Within a Biofilm

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, gram-negative bacteria that targets individuals with compromised immune systems. This deadly bacteria is extremely resistant to antibiotics due to its ability to utilize quorum sensing to alter the phenotypes of its cells. The model presented uses advection equations to describe the mixture of down-regulated, up-regulated, inert, and persister P. aeruginosa phenotypes within a biofilm. Diffusion equations are used to model soluble components of a biofilm, including the signaling molecules needed for quorum sensing. We assume that the conversion between down-regulated and up-regulated phenotypes is controlled by extracellular signaling molecules reaching a critical level. We also assume that the conversion between up-regulated and persister phenotypes depends on the concentration of nutrients within the biofilm. The work presented in this paper shows that by increasing the rates of conversion between down-regulated and upregulated phenotypes, we are able to decrease the population of down-regulated cells and increase the number of both up-regulated and persister cells in a growing biofilm. Altering the quorum sensing system within the bacteria cells will change the timing at which the different phenotypes reach equilibria but ultimately does not change the concentrations of the different cell phenotypes within a mature biofilm.
K(ATP) channel Kir62 subunit distribution differs between muscles and between fiber types in skeletal muscle

The activity of the ATP-sensitive potassium (Katp) channel, whose sensitivity to ATP and ability to permit K+ flux together allow the channel to couple the metabolic state of a cell to its membrane excitability, is important in several tissues for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis and cytoprotection. In skeletal muscle specifically, the channel has been shown to be involved in cell volume regulation, modulation of glucose uptake, and the prevention of fiber damage and contractile dysfunction during fatigue. The extent of the cytoprotective capabilities of the KAtp channel vary tremendously between muscles with different muscle fiber type composition. Semi-quantitative measurement of Kir6.2 subunit content showed that variances exist in KAtp channel content between fiber types and between different muscles. These differences may be related to the extent of importance of the channel's function in a specific muscle. The highest Kir6.2 content was observed in the most glycolytic fiber types and in the more glycolytic muscles studied, and it is these muscles and fiber types which appear to be most dependent on functional KAtp channels for their cytoprotective role.
Olfactory receptors are required for social behavior and neural plasticity in ants, as evidenced by CRISPR-mediated gene knockout

The chemosensory system is key to establishing and maintaining social structure in eusocial insects. Ants exhibit cooperative colonial behaviors reflective of an advanced form of sociality with an extensive dependency on communication. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) serve as pheromones and cues that regulate multiple aspects of social interactions and behaviors in ants. The perception of CHCs entails odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) that express specific odorant receptors (ORs) encoded by a dramatically expanded Or gene family in ants. Until recently, studies of the biological functions of ORs in eusocial insects were stymied by the lack of genetic tools. In most eusocial insect species, only one or a few queens in a colony can transmit the genetic information to their progeny. In contrast, any worker in the ant Harpegnathos saltator can be converted into a gamergate (pseudo-queen), and used as a foundress to engender an entire new colony and be crossed for genetic experiments. This feature facilitated CRISPR-Cas9 gene targeting to generate a germline mutation in the orco gene that encodes the obligate co-receptor whose mutation should significantly impact ant olfaction. Our results show that Orco exhibits a conserved role in the perception of general odorants but also a role in reproductive physiology and social behavior plasticity in ants. Surprisingly, and in contrast to other insect systems, the loss of OR functionality also dramatically reduces the development of the ant antennal lobe where ORNs project. Taken together, these findings open the possibility of studying the genetics of eusociality and provide inroads towards understanding the function of the expanded ORs family in eusocial insects in regulating caste determination, social communication and neuronal plasticity.
In-vitro differentiation of adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into bone-forming cells: a histological study

Background Bone tissue constitutes one of the most important units of the locomotive system. However, its regenerative capacity remains limited and bone diseases are still major socioeconomic issues. Stem cells have been the subject of much research over the recent years and comprise a promising tool for cellular therapy. Osteoblastic differentiation from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) shows the best regenerative potential; thus, they are an ideal candidate as a source for osteogenic cells. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate hBM-MSCs histologically to highlight the morphological changes occurring during their osteogenic differentiation. Materials and methods Cells from passage 9 were seeded in complete culture medium. When cells became confluent the osteogenic medium was applied. Osteogenic differentiation was detected histologically on days 7, 14, and 21 using light and electron microscopes. Results Cells in osteogenic medium became cuboidal in shape with extracellular deposits, which stain positively red with Alizarin red stain. Ultrastructurally, they revealed the picture of active secreting cells. Their cytoplasm showed euchromatic nucleus, multiple mitochondria, profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, well-developed Golgi complex, and lysosomes. Conclusion The hBM-MSCs represented a source of osteogenic differentiating cells. Moreover, passage 9 secured cells for further studies while maintaining their osteoblastic differentiation. In addition, the study shed light on the ultrastructure of these cells during differentiation, which revealed the characteristics of active secreting cells.
Use of Electricity to Sedate Lake Trout for Intracoelomic Implantation of Electronic Transmitters

AbstractUse of telemetry data to inform fisheries conservation and management is becoming increasingly common; as such, fish typically must be sedated before surgical implantation of transmitters into the coelom. Given that no widely available, immediate-release chemical sedative currently exists in North America, we investigated the feasibility of using electricity to sedate Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush long enough for an experienced surgeon to implant an electronic transmitter (i.e., 180 s). Specifically, our study objectives were to determine (1) whether some combination of electrical waveform characteristics (i.e., duty cycle, frequency, voltage, and pulse type) could sedate Lake Trout for at least 180 s; and (2) whether Lake Trout that were sequentially exposed to continuous DC and pulsed DC had greater rates of spinal injury and short-term mortality than control fish. A Portable Electrosedation System unit was used to sedate hatchery and wild Lake Trout. Dual-frequency pulsed-DC and two-stage app.
Antioxidant potency of ethanolic extract of Kemuning leaves (Murraya paniculata (L) Jack ) in vitro

Antioxidants are the compounds capable to inhibit free radical reactions in the human body. This research was aimed to identify the antioxidant potency of ethanolic extract of kemuning leaves in vitro by using linoleic-thiocyanate and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) methods. The ethanolic extract of kemuning leaves was diluted in various concentrations i.e. 1%,5% and 10% and determined their antioxidant potencies. By using linoleic-thiocyanate method, the result suggested, that ethanolic extract of 1%; 5 % and 10 % showed antioxidant potencies and had significant different absorbances (P < 0,05). The antioxidant potencies of ethanolic extract with different concentrations were also measured by DPPH method and the result showed that ethanolic extracts of kemuning leaves revealed the antioxidant activity with the IC50 of 126,17 µg/ml, 15 times lower than that of vitamin E (IC of 8,27 µg/ml). The antioxidant activity of kemuning leaves probably due to the flavonoid content.
Pedestrian detection at night by using Faster R-CNN y infrared images

This paper presents a system for pedestrian detection at nighttime conditions for vehicular safety applications. For this purpose, it analyzes the performance of the Faster R-CNN algorithm for infrared images. The research reveals that Faster R-CNN has problems to detect small scale pedestrians. For this reason, it introduces a new Faster R-CNN architecture focused on multi-scale detection, through two ROI’s generators for large size and small size pedestrians, RPNCD and RPNLD respectively. This architecture has been compared with the best Faster R-CNN baseline models, VGG-16 and Resnet 101, which present the best results. The experimental results have been development on CVC-09 and LSIFIR databases, which show improvements specially when detecting pedestrians that are far away, over the DET curve presents the miss rate versus FPPI of 16% and over the Precision vs Recall the AP of 89.85% for pedestrian class and the mAP of 90% over LSIFIR and CVC-09 test sets. En este artículo se presenta un sistema de detección de peatones en la noche, para aplicaciones en seguridad vehicular. Para este desarrollo se ha analizado el desempeño del algoritmo Faster R-CNN con imágenes en el infrarrojo lejano. Por lo que se constató que presenta inconvenientes a la hora de detectar peatones a larga distancia. En consecuencia, se presenta una nueva arquitectura Faster R-CNN dedicada a la detección en múltiples escalas, mediante dos generadores de regiones de interés (ROI) dedicados a peatones a corta y larga distancia, denominados RPNCD y RPNLD respectivamente. Esta arquitectura ha sido comparada con los modelos para Faster RCNN que han presentado los mejores resultados, como son VGG-16 y Resnet 101. Los resultados experimentales se han desarrollado sobre las bases de datos CVC-09 y LSIFIR, los cuales demostraron mejoras, especialmente en la detección de peatones a larga distancia, presentando una tasa de error versus FPPI de 16 % y sobre la curva Precisión vs. Recall un AP de 89,85 % para la clase peatón y un mAP de 90 % sobre el conjunto de pruebas de las bases de datos LSIFIR y CVC-09.
Rapid evolution meets invasive species control: the potential for pesticide resistance in sea lamprey

Rapid evolution of pest, pathogen, and wildlife populations can have undesirable effects, for example, when insects evolve resistance to pesticides or fishes evolve smaller body size in response to harvest. A destructive invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) has been controlled with the pesticide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) since the 1950s. We evaluated the likelihood of sea lamprey evolving resistance to TFM by (i) reviewing sea lamprey life history and control; (ii) identifying physiological and behavioural resistance strategies; (iii) estimating the strength of selection from TFM; (iv) assessing the timeline for evolution; and (v) analyzing historical toxicity data for evidence of resistance. The number of sea lamprey generations exposed to TFM was within the range observed for fish populations where rapid evolution has occurred. Mortality from TFM was estimated as 82%–90%, suggesting significant selective pressure. However, 57 years of toxicity .
EFECTO DE LA MADURACIÓN EN LA COMPOSICIÓN MINERAL DE LOS QUESOS DE CABRA MAJORERA EFFECT OF THE RIPENING IN THE MINERAL COMPOSITION OF THE CHEESES MADE WITH MAJORERA GOAT'S MILK

1Departamento de Quimica Analitica, Nutricion y Bromatologia. Universidad de La Laguna. 38201 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Espana. **cdiaz@ull.es 2Unidad de Produccion Animal Pastos y Forrajes. Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias. Apdo. 60. 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Espana. *salvarez@icia.es 3Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica y Tecnologia Farmaceutica. Universidad de La Laguna. 38201 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Espana.
Potential Role for the Sarcolemmal Membrane Associated Protein Isoform 3 (SLMAP3) in Cardiac Remodeling Post Myocardial Infarction

ii ACKNOWLEDEMENTS.iv DEDICAION.v TABLE OF CONTENTS.vi LIST OF FIGURES.viii LIST OF TABLES.ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.x CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases. 1 1.2 Cardiac structure and circulations. 2 1.3 Cardiac nerve supply. 4 1.4 Cardiac metabolism and signal transduction inside cardiomyocyte. 5 1.4. 1 Calcium regulation, Excitation-Contraction coupling and myocardial relaxation. 6 1.4. 2 Physiological molecular mechanisms in the heart. 8 1.5 Molecular mechanisms post MI and pathogenesis of heart failure. 12 1.5. 1 Necrosis and cellular injury post MI. 13 1.5. 2 Inflammatory response and cellular infiltration in post MI. 14 1.5. 3 Apoptotic pathways post MI. 15 1.5. 4 Interstitial changes and fibrosis in post MI. 21 1.6 Sarcolemmal Membrane Associated Protein (SLMAP). 22 1.7 SLMAPs and various biological roles. 24 1.8 Disturbance of SLMAP expression and mutations in SLMAP gene implicated in clinical diseases. 28
Diversity among and within wild populations of Origanum syriacum collected from Jordan

Origanum syriacum L. (common name Za’atar) is a wild growing medicinal plant in Jordan and the Middle East, while Origanum majorana L. is a native plant of Cyprus and south Turkey. In this research collecting missions were conducted in different agroecologies in Jordan which allowed the sampling of 14 wild populations of O. syriacum L. In addition, four cultivated O. syriacum L. accessions and two accessions of O. majorana L. were obtained from farmers and local market. The collected material was evaluated during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 growing seasons. The obtained results indicated significant differences between different populations/accessions for all the studied characters with an overall diversity value of (H′=0.897) using Shannon Wiener diversity index. Cluster analysis clearly differentiated between O. syriacum L and O. majorana L. and also between the cultivated accessions and the wild populations. Essential oil content significantly varied between the growing seasons and the evaluated genetic material. In the second season, the essential oil per cent content among wild O. syriacum populations ranged from 1.86 to 2.60%, while for cultivated O. syriacum (1.85 to 2.13%), whereas the O. majorana accessions contained the least essential oil (1.34 and 1.41%).
Degradation of cell wall polysaccharides by a combination of carbohydrase enzymes In vitro and in vivo studies

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in feedstuffs of plant origin affect nutrient utilization by non-ruminant animals mainly due to the antinutritive effects associated with water-soluble and viscous polysaccharides and nutrient encapsulating effect of the cell walls. In vitro incubation studies were carried out to determine if various carbohydrase enzyme complexes contained appropriate activities to target NSP of soybean meal, canola meal and peas. A more pronounced depolymerization of the NSP was achieved when selected enzyme preparations were used in concert. When compared to the control (non-enzyme) treatment, the degree of NSP hydrolysis and/or disruption of the cell wall structure averaged 19.5, 34.0 and 24.7% for soybean, canola meal and peas, respectively. Effective enzyme combinations were studied further in digestibility trials with poultry and swine. In the broiler chicken assay, the digestibility of NSP increased from 2.0 to 16.9% in birds fed enzyme supplemented soybean/canola meal/peas/wheat based-diet. In a subsequent, 3-wk growth performance trial, an improvement (P<0.05) in body weight gain (646 vs 682g) and feed conversion ratio (1.43 vs 1.39) was noted with enzyme supplementation. In adult roosters fed the coarsely ground canola seed, the digestibility of NSP increased from 11.1 to 30.1% for the enzyme supplemented sample and resulted in an improvement (P<0.05) in energy utilization (4133 vs 4735 kcal/kg DM). In the pig trial, ileal NSP digestibility averaged 10.2 and 26.0% for the control and enzyme supplemented wheat/soybean/canola meal/peas-based diets, respectively. This was followed by the same magnitude of difference (P<0.001) in dry matter digestibility (62.5 vs 71.3%). Only a trend towards improved ADG (231 vs 251g; P=0.145) and FCE (1.87 vs 1.66; P=0.08) with enzyme supplementation was noted.
Mountain landscape connectivity and subspecies appurtenance shape genetic differentiation in natural plant populations of the snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.)

Abstract We carried out a population genetic study of 14 populations (692 plants characterised at 23 microsatellite loci) of the plant species Antirrhinum majus L. (Plantaginaceae) across its geographic range. Our results showed that populations of A. majus are genetically differentiated and genetically diverse. We also found a small but statistically significant genetic differentiation between A. majus subspecies pseudomajus and striatum. Genetic diversity was higher in A. majus subspecies pseudomajus. Geographic distance and both latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates had no impact on genetic differentiation and diversity. We therefore did not find any signature of geographical range expansion. Mountains were found to play a role by affecting a small but statistically significant amount of genetic differentiation between populations. Our findings thereby suggest that most A. majus populations are reproductively isolated, and that the landscape and the evolutionary history of species affected their genetic variation.
Ly49 Receptors and MHC-I Interactions, and their Implications in Cancer Immunosurveillance

ii Acknowledgments. iii List of Abbreviations . xi List of Figures . xiii List of Tables . xv Chapter 1 : General Introduction . 1 Preface. 2 Introduction . 4 Ly49 Receptors . 6 Intracellular signaling . 6 Gene Diversity . 10 Ly49 Expression and Function on NK cells . 12 NK Cell Education and Target Cell Recognition . 13 NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance . 15 Recognition of MHC-I-Deficient Tumor Cells by Licensed NK Cells . 18 Induced-Self Recognition of Tumor Cells by Unlicensed NK Cells . 19 NK Cell-Mediated Recognition of Virus-Infected Cells . 24 Ly49 Expression and Function on Uterine NK Cells . 25 Ly49 Expression and Function on NKT Cells . 27
Primate Positional Behavior Development and Evolution

Positional behavior (posture and locomotion) studies are a category of primatological and anthropological field research that attempts to describe movement capabilities and expressed behavior within an evolutionary, ecological, and/or morphological context. This area of research is appealing because it allows the integration of morphological data (capabilities) with expressed behaviors and provides a basis for understanding fossil reconstruction. Because positional behavior acts as a mediator between the biology and the environment, it offers information about virtually all aspects of a primate's life. We are currently undergoing an increase in the number of field projects focusing on the development of positional behaviors in immature primates, and results suggest that in many species positional competence develops relatively early. In this review, I present information on recent positional behavior studies with a focus on how positional behavior develops in young primates. Research on immature primates .