Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re‐evaluation of batoid pectoral morphology reveals novel patterns of diversity among major lineages

Batoids (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea) are a diverse group of cartilaginous fishes which comprise a monophyletic sister lineage to all neoselachians or modern sharks. All species in this group possess anteroposteriorly expanded‐pectoral fins, giving them a unique disc‐like body form. Reliance on pectoral fins for propulsion ranges from minimal (sawfish) to almost complete dependence (skates and rays). A recent study on the diversity of planform pectoral fin shape in batoids compared overall patterns of morphological variation within the group. However, inconsistent pectoral homology prevented the study from accurately representing relationships within and among major batoid taxa. With previous work in mind, we undertook an independent investigation of pectoral form in batoids and evaluated the implications of shape diversity on locomotion and lifestyle, particularly in the skates (Rajoidei) and rays (Myliobatoidei). We used geometric morphometrics with sliding semilandmarks to analyze pectoral fin outlines and also calculate fin aspect ratios (AR), a functional trait linked to locomotion. In agreement with previous work, our results indicated that much of the evolution of batoid pectoral shape has occurred along a morphological axis that is closely related to AR. For species where kinematic data were available, both shape and AR were associated with swimming mode. This work further revealed novel patterns of shape variation among batoids, including strong bimodality of shape in rays, an intermediate location of skate species in the morphospace between benthic/demersal and pelagic rays, and approximately parallel shape trajectories in the benthic/demersal rays and skates. Finally, manipulation of landmarks verified the need for a consistent and accurate definition of homology for the outcome and efficacy of analyses of pectoral form and function in batoids. J. Morphol. 277:482–493, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Marker-free, tissue-specific expression of Cry1Ab as a safe transgenic strategy for insect resistance in rice plants.

BACKGROUND Rice is the major food resource for nearly half of the global population; however, insect infestation could severely affect the production of this staple food. To improve rice insect resistance and reduce the levels of Bt toxin released into the environment, the Cry1Ab gene was conjugated to the rice rbcS promoter to express Bt toxin in specific tissues of transgenic plants. RESULTS Eight marker-free, T(2) lines were separated from the T(0) cotransformants. Using RT-PCR, high levels of Cry1Ab expression were detected in the leaf but not in the seed. The Cry1Ab protein level ranged from 1.66 to 3.31 µg g(-1) in the leaves of four transgenic lines, but was barely detectable in their seeds by ELISA. Bioassays showed that the mortality rate of silkworm larvae feeding on mulberry leaves dipped in transgenic rice flour and pollen was less than that of the positive control (KMD), and that their average weight was higher than that of KMD, suggesting that the Cry1Ab protein was not expressed in the seed and pollen. CONCLUSION The transgene conferred a high level of resistance to insects and biosafety to the rice plants, which could be directly used in rice breeding.
Two distinct functional effects of protein phosphatase inhibitors on guinea‐pig cardiac L‐type Ca2+ channels.

1. The effects of the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A on single guinea‐pig ventricular L‐type Ca2+ channels were studied. The inactive derivative norokadaone was used as a negative control. 2. The two known effects of cAMP‐dependent stimulation are mimicked by the phosphatase inhibitors to a varying extent. Only okadaic acid promotes the high‐activity gating mode (‘mode 2’), while calyculin A increases channel availability to a larger extent. As revealed by kinetic analysis of slow gating, the two phosphatase inhibitors retard a slow rate constant, which is assumed to represent exit from the available state by dephosphorylation. Norokadaone was inactive in both regards. 3. Mode 2 gating elicited by very positive prepulses is augmented by okadaic acid, and mode 2 lifetime is prolonged. Calyculin A fails to affect these parameters. Thus, voltage‐facilitated mode 2 gating reveals the same pharmacological properties as the mode 2 sweeps observed using conventional pulse protocols. 4. The results are interpreted in terms of the different sensitivity of protein phosphatase subtypes towards the inhibitors: channel availability appears to be controlled by a phosphorylation site dephosphorylated by a type 1‐like phosphatase, while mode 2 gating is coupled to a distinct site, dephosphorylated by a type 2A‐like phosphatase.
Cultural Taxation: The Experiences of Māori Teachers in the Waitaha (Canterbury) Province of New Zealand and their Relevance for Similar Australian Research

This article draws on data from a research study (Torepe, 2011) that investigated the lived experiences of six Māori teachers who recently graduated from the Hōaka Pounamu (Graduate Diploma in Immersion and Bilingual Teaching) course at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. The primary objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences and various challenges confronting this group of experienced Māori language teachers working in English-medium, state-funded schools. This article describes the qualitative research methodology that was underpinned by a Kaupapa Māori narrative research philosophy. It then explains why the study's findings support and strengthen those of previous studies conducted in Australia. Most notably, they draw attention to the concept of cultural taxation and the Crown's principles for action on the Treaty of Waitangi. Given the large number of Māori children attending Australian schools and similar challenges confronting Indigenous Australian teachers, this research will be of interest to an Australian audience.
The Efficacy of Shareholder Voting: Evidence from Equity Compensation Plans

This study examines the effects of shareholder support for equity compensation plans on subsequent chief executive officer (CEO) compensation. Using cross-sectional regression, instrumental variable, and regression discontinuity research designs, we find little evidence that either lower shareholder voting support for, or outright rejection of, proposed equity compensation plans leads to decreases in the level or composition of future CEO incentive-compensation. We also find that in cases where the equity compensation plan is rejected by shareholders, firms are more likely to propose, and shareholders are more likely to approve, a plan the following year. Our results suggest that shareholder votes have little substantive impact on firms’ incentive-compensation policies. Thus, recent regulatory efforts aimed at strengthening shareholder voting rights, particularly in the context of executive compensation, may have limited effect on firms’ compensation policies.
Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Extraordinarily high serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) values have been reported to be associated with many malignant disorders, including carcinoma with primary sites in the colon, pancreas, stomach, bile duct, lung, and breast. This study was undertaken to determine if a marked elevation of serum CEA levels in androgen-independent prostate cancer patients exists, and to evaluate the potential of using CEA monitoring as a marker for disease progression. METHODS Records from 141 patients with progressive androgen-independent prostate cancer who were treated at the National Cancer Institute from 1990 to 1996 were analyzed. Serum CEA concentrations were measured using a micro-particle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Among these cases of prostatic carcinoma, 69 (48.9%) had abnormally elevated plasma CEA values (greater than the normal upper limit of 2.5 ng/mL) at some time during their treatment on a clinical investigation protocol. No correlation was found between the elevated CEA concentrations and prostate specific antigen (PSA). In comparison, 32.5% of patients with elevated CEAs had disease that had metastasized to soft tissue (adenopathy, etc) versus 22.2% with normal CEA who had soft tissue involvement (p = 0.3 X2). We examined the CEA values with respect to survival time, defined as the interval from the date of the earliest CEA level to the date of death and found no association (p > 0.3). CONCLUSIONS Based on these observations, it appears that in the context of androgen-independent prostate cancer, CEA can be elevated but is an inviable surrogate marker of disease progression with minimal prognostic value.
Plasma and Skeletal Muscle Free Amino Acids in Type I, Insulin-treated Diabetic Subjects

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) induces plasma amino acid (AA) abnormalities, including low alanine and high branched-chain (BCAA). While insulin treatment restores plasma AA pattern, proline, methionine, valine, isoleucine, and total BCAA remain elevated in skeletal muscle intracellular water. This suggests that the restoration of plasma AA concentrations is not a satisfactory index of recovered AA metabolism in IDDM.
Injury incidence and characteristics in South African school first team rugby: A case study

Background: Despite its apparent popularity, participation in the sport of rugby union is accompanied by a significant risk of injury. Concerned parties have recently questioned whether this risk is acceptable within school populations. This is difficult to assess within the South African schools’ population as no recent longitudinal injury studies exist.Objectives: To determine the training habits, rugby-related exposure and injury risk within a population of South African high school first team rugby players.Methods: Training and match exposure in both school and provincial competition were examined and the resultant injuries were longitudinally observed for the duration of a South African high school rugby season.Results: Match (79, 95%CI 52-105 injuries/1 000 h) and training (7, 95%CI 3-11 injuries /1000h) injury incidences were demonstrated to be greater than previously reported incidences in similar populations in England and Ireland. Weeks where players were exposed to both school and provincial competition (34, 95%CI 19-49 injuries /1 000 h) had significantly (p<0.05) greater injury incidences than during school competition alone (19, 95%CI 12-26 injuries /1 000 h). Conclusion: The injury risk demonstrated was greater than expected and represents reasons for concern. Possible reasons for the high injury incidence recorded may be the frequency of games played within the season, and the overlap of school and provincial competitions. It should be noted that these results were taken from one school over one season and might not be representative of the incidence of school rugby injuries overall. However, this research demonstrates the need for a multischool longitudinal study within South African schools rugby to determine the overall risk.
Preoperative multimodality therapy improves disease-free survival in patients with carcinoma of the rectum: NSABP R-03.

PURPOSE Although chemoradiotherapy plus resection is considered standard treatment for operable rectal carcinoma, the optimal time to administer this therapy is not clear. The NSABP R-03 (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project R-03) trial compared neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with clinical T3 or T4 or node-positive rectal cancer were randomly assigned to preoperative or postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of fluorouracil and leucovorin with 45 Gy in 25 fractions with a 5.40-Gy boost within the original margins of treatment. In the preoperative group, surgery was performed within 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. In the postoperative group, chemotherapy began after recovery from surgery but no later than 4 weeks after surgery. The primary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS From August 1993 to June 1999, 267 patients were randomly assigned to NSABP R-03. The intended sample size was 900 patients. Excluding 11 ineligible and two eligible patients without follow-up data, the analysis used data on 123 patients randomly assigned to preoperative and 131 to postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Surviving patients were observed for a median of 8.4 years. The 5-year DFS for preoperative patients was 64.7% v 53.4% for postoperative patients (P = .011). The 5-year OS for preoperative patients was 74.5% v 65.6% for postoperative patients (P = .065). A complete pathologic response was achieved in 15% of preoperative patients. No preoperative patient with a complete pathologic response has had a recurrence. CONCLUSION Preoperative chemoradiotherapy, compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy, significantly improved DFS and showed a trend toward improved OS.
Elevated serum lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor for clinical recurrence after coronary balloon angioplasty.

BACKGROUND Elevated lipoprotein (Lp) (a) concentrations are associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Lp(a) is structurally related to proteins involved in lipid transport, fibrinolysis, coagulation, and cellular mitogenesis and is known to have important physiological interactions with the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Because these processes may be important to arterial healing after balloon injury, we hypothesized that elevated Lp(a) concentrations may be associated with recurrence of symptoms and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed 240 consecutive patients undergoing coronary balloon angioplasty with measurements of Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein B-100 concentrations from fresh specimens. Patients were evaluated 4 to 6 months after angioplasty for clinical recurrence by repeat angiography if angina had returned or by maximal exercise treadmill testing with thallium imaging if patients remained asymptomatic. Ninety-seven patients (40%) had clinical recurrence; 143 (60%) did not. Patients with recurrence had significantly greater Lp(a) concentrations compared with those without (median, 29 versus 14; P < .0001). Each patient quintile stratified by increasing Lp(a) concentrations had incrementally greater recurrence rates ranging from 27% (lowest quintile) to 60% (highest quintile). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, Lp(a) concentration was the only predictor of recurrence (P < .0001). A subset of frozen, stored serum samples showed a significant decrease in measured Lp(a) concentration over time (mean, 605 days; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS An elevated Lp(a) concentration was a risk factor for clinical recurrence after percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty. Other lipid levels or clinical characteristics were not significantly associated with recurrence. When serum was frozen and stored for a prolonged period, Lp(a) concentration decreased over time.
Geochemical variations during Kilauea's Pu'u 'O'o Eruption reveal a fine-scale mixture of mantle heterogeneities within the Hawaiian Plume

Long-term geochemical monitoring of lavas from the continuing 25-year-old Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) o eruption allows us to probe the crustal and mantle magmatic processes beneath K (cid:1) |lauea volcano in unparalleled detail. Here we present new Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope ratios, major and trace element abundances, olivine compositions, and petrographic data for Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) olavas erupted from 1998 to 2005. Olivine fractionation and accumulation are important crustal processes for the eruption, with minor clinopyroxene fractionation observed in the most recent lavas. Small, yet systematic variations in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and incompatible trace element ratios, and MgO-normalized major element abundances document rapid changes in the parental magma composition delivered to Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) o. Recent (1998^2003) lavas display a systematic temporal evolution towards an intermediate area between the compositional fields of historical K (cid:1) |lauea and Mauna Loa lavas. At least three distinct mantle source components are required to explain the overall isotopic and chemical variability of Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) o lavas. Two of these source components observed in pre-1998 Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) o lavas have similar Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope ratios, although one underwent a recent ( 5 8 ka) small-degree melting event and became depleted in incompatible trace elements.This recently depleted component was an increasingly important source for lavas erupted between 1985 and 1998. The third component is a hybrid mixture of nearly equal portions of K (cid:1) |lauea- and Mauna Loa-like mantle source compositions. It was progressively tapped in greater amounts from 1998 to 2003 and then subsequently decreased. The increasing importance of the hybrid source can be explained if melt pathways migrated from an area within K (cid:1) |lauea’s typical melting region (important for the 1985^1998 lavas) towards Mauna Loa, where a similar proportion of K (cid:1) |lauea- and Mauna Loa-like mantle components might exist. The Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) o data suggest that Kea and Loa mantle components are distributed on a fine-scale within the Hawaiian plume, and both are present beneath K (cid:1) |lauea volcano. Based on the geochemical and isotopic variations during the Pu‘u ‘ (cid:1) O‘ (cid:1) oeruption, the estimated volume for K (cid:1) |lauea and Mauna Loa compositional heterogeneities is 5 10^35 km 3 . Pb Nd Sr al following analytical details Pb isotope for instrumental mass fractionation the isotope ratio Tl the with Thirlwall The average Tl-corrected value for Pb n ¼ Pb Pb isotopic are NBS981
Heat shock proteins in maize.

The pattern of protein synthesis in roots of 3-day-old maize seedlings (Zea mays L.) is rapidly and dramatically altered when the incubation temperature is raised from 25 to 40 degrees C. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate gels reveal that although synthesis of the proteins observed at 25 degrees C continues at 40 degrees C, a new set of ;heat shock proteins' (hsp) is induced within 20 minutes of the temperature transition. The hsp have molecular weights of 87, 85, 79, 78, 77, 72, 70, 27, 22, and 18 kilodaltons. The 10 hsp are visible on autoradiograms but not on stained gels, suggesting that the proteins do not accumulate to any great extent.The induction of the hsp is transitory. With prolonged high temperature treatment, the synthesis of hsp continues for 4 hours in excised roots and for 8 hours in the roots of intact seedlings before declining sharply. Coincident to the decline in synthesis of the 10 hsp is the gradual increase in intensity of three new polypeptides having molecular weights of 62, 49.5, and 19 kilodaltons. These proteins begin to appear about the time that synthesis of the other 10 hsp becomes maximal.Shifting the temperature back to 25 degrees C also causes a decline in synthesis of hsp, but this decline occurs more rapidly than that seen during prolonged heat shock. A decrease in hsp synthesis becomes apparent 2 hours after the roots are returned to 25 degrees C.Shifting the temperature from 25 to 45 degrees C results in a pattern of protein synthesis different from that observed after a shift to 40 degrees C. Normal protein synthesis continues, except four proteins, which are produced in small amounts at lower temperatures, show greatly enhanced synthesis at 45 degrees C. These proteins have apparent molecular weights of 83, 81, 68, and 65 kilodaltons. Also, the 10 hsp listed above are not synthesized. It is suggested that at least two distinct high-temperature responses are present in maize, which may reflect the metabolic changes generated at different elevated temperatures.
Academic Effects of the Prestige Oil Spill Disaster

The effect of a large scale oil spill disaster on the academic achievement and classroom behavior of children and adolescents who lived on the Galician coast (Spain) is studied from an ecological perspective. 430 participants divided into three age groups of 5, 10, and 15 years of age, were studied. The participants came from three areas differently affected by the disaster. Dependent variables were academic achievement and classroom behavior of the participants after the Prestige disaster. Degree of exposure and other protective or risk factors were investigated as well. Repeated measures ANOVA to assess the main effects of the oil spill and hierarchical regression analyses to assess the contribution of the protective/vulnerability factors were performed. The results indicate that the effects of the disaster were relatively scarce. Some protective factors accounted for a certain degree of variance of different schoolroom behaviors. These results point to the intervention of protective factors in the adaptation to the disaster. Se estudia desde una perspectiva ecológica el efecto que el desastre provocado por un gigantesco vertido de petróleo ha tenido sobre el rendimiento académico y la conducta en el aula de niños y adolescentes que vivían en la costa de Galicia (España). Se estudiaron 430 participantes divididos en tres grupos de, 5, 10 y 15 años. Los participantes provenían de tres áreas que fueron afectadas en grado diferente por el desastre. Las variables dependientes estudiadas fueron el rendimiento académico y el comportamiento en el aula de los participantes después del desastre del Prestige. El grado de exposición y otros factores de riesgo o protectores fueron también investigados. Se realizaron análisis de varianza (ANOVA) de medidas repetidas para evaluar los efectos más importantes del vertido de petróleo y análisis de regresión jerárquica para evaluar la contribución de los factores protectores o de vulnerabilidad. Los resultados indican que los efectos del desastre fueron relativamente escasos. Algunos factores protectores explicaron un cierto grado de varianza de diferentes comportamientos en el aula. Estos resultados señalan la intervención de factores protectores en la adaptación al desastre.