Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bowen's Disease on the Left Fifth Finger Successfully Treated with Photodynamic Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract Introduction: Bowen's disease is a squamous cell carcinoma in situ. It is more common on the head and neck, less common on the nail units in which it usually involves the second to fourth fingers of both hands. Here, we report a case of Bowen's disease involving the left fifth finger of a 78-year-old Chinese woman. Case presentation: The patient was treated with nine sessions of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (5-ALA-PDT), with a one-week interval between sessions. The 5-ALA cream was applied to the lesion and the region surrounding its marginal diameter by 0.5cm. After 3-4hours, the lesion was irradiated with 635 ± 10nm red light at an intensity of 80mw/cm2 for 20minutes. An excellent result with a topical 5-ALA-PDT was reached. Discussion: PDT involves the application of a combination of a photosensitizing drug and light to cause selective damage to the target tissue. PDT is more appropriate than surgical excision for lesions located in sites with poor healing ability. Conclusion: PDT appears to be effective, safe and has a better cosmetic outcome in the treatment of Bowen's disease of the finger unit.
Effects of grazing on wheat growth, yield, development, water use, and nitrogen use

The effect of grazing by sheep during the late vegetative and early reproductive phases was measured on long-duration wheat crops in 2 experiments on farms in southern NSW. In both experiments, grazed and non-grazed crops were compared with different N-fertiliser strategies. In the first experiment, grazing 40 dry-sheep equivalents (DSE)/ha for 19 days increased grain yield from 2.30 to 2.88 t/ha in a season with a dry early spring. The second experiment, in a more favourable season, compared 6 durations of grazing by an average of 32 DSE/ha. The effects of grazing varied from no yield reduction with 15 days of grazing to a reduction from 5.97 to 3.98 t/ha with 51 days of grazing. In both experiments grazing caused slower crop development, with about 1 day’s delay in anthesis and maturity for every 4–5 days of grazing. Different patterns of water use by grazed and non-grazed crops, combined with delayed development, explained much of the effects of grazing on yield. The soil accumulated more water during grazing, which was used during grain filling when water-use efficiency for grain production was high. Delayed development also allowed grazed crops to respond to later rain. In the second experiment, grazing resulted in a net loss of 38 kg N/ha from the crop. Despite reduced N levels, the grazed crops showed no greater ability than grain-only crops to recover fertiliser N. The effect of the low recovery was that N removed during grazing was not efficiently replaced by fertiliser.
Benefit of New High-Precision LLR Data for the Determination of Relativistic Parameters

Since 1969, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data have been collected by various observatories and analysed by different analysis groups. In the recent years, observations with bigger telescopes (APOLLO) and at infra-red wavelength (OCA) are carried out, resulting in a better distribution of precise LLR data over the lunar orbit and the observed retro-reflectors on the Moon. This is a great advantage for various investigations in the LLR analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefit of the new LLR data for the determination of relativistic parameters. Here, we show current results for relativistic parameters like a possible temporal variation of the gravitational constant G˙/G0=(−5.0±9.6)×10−15yr−1, the equivalence principle with Δmg/miEM=(−2.1±2.4)×10−14, and the PPN parameters β−1=(6.2±7.2)×10−5 and γ−1=(1.7±1.6)×10−4. The results show a significant improvement in the accuracy of the various parameters, mainly due to better coverage of the lunar orbit, better distribution of measurements over the lunar retro-reflectors, and last but not least, higher accuracy of the data. Within the estimated accuracies, no violation of Einstein’s theory is found and the results set improved limits for the different effects.
Regional Distribution of β1-4 Galactosyltransferase in Rat Epididymis

Membrane-bound forms of β1-4 galactosyltransferase (GalTase) are distributed in trans Golgi cisternae and plasma membrane, while a soluble form of the enzyme also exists in extracellular fluid. In epididymis, the soluble form has been found in luminal fluid and suggested to play a role on sperm maturation. In the present paper, regional distributions of the membrane-bound and soluble forms of GalTase were studied in rat epididymis. Immunohistochemical studies showed that a very high concentration of GalTase was localized in Golgi apparatuses of epididymal duct epithelium from initial segment to intermediate caput, although much lower amounts of GalTase were in efferent ducts, distal caput, corpus, and cauda. The same distribution pattern was also shown by biochemical assays of the microsomal GalTase activity. On the other hand, assays of the soluble GalTase activity in epididymal fluids revealed a relatively uniform distribution pattern. Even in initial segment and caput epididymis, only low levels of the activity were detected in the fluid.
Loan Loss Provisioning and Market Discipline: Evidence from the IFRS 9 Adoption

IFRS 9 introduced a new impairment model based on expected credit losses (ECL) rather than incurred losses to better reflect changes in the credit quality of financial instruments. This paper examines the impact of the ECL model on the predictability of loan loss provisions (LLP) and potential consequences on market discipline. Specifically, I first investigate whether the association between recognized loan loss provisions and objective determinants of the incurred loss model (i.e., changes in non-performing loans and the level of non-performing loans) decreases after the introduction of IFRS 9. Next, I examine whether the arguably less objective LLP under IFRS 9 obscure market participants' ability to monitor the banks’ risk-taking incentives. The empirical findings suggest a decrease in the association between loan loss provisions and the determinants of the incurred loss model in the post-IFRS 9 period, i.e., LLP are based less on objective determinants after IFRS adoption. Furthermore, I find a decrease in the sensitivity of leverage to changes in risk in the post-adoption period of IFRS 9, indicating an attenuated market discipline over risk-taking of banks. The results are mainly driven by banks in countries that allow more smoothing through loan loss provisions as opposed to banks in countries that are more forward-looking. In contrast, I find no changes in the determinants of LLP and market discipline for the benchmark sample of U.S. banks, which were not subject to the same accounting change during the sample period.
Allelopathic Effect of Seed and Leaf Aqueous Extracts of Datura stramonium on Leaf Chlorophyll Content, Shoot and Root Elongation of Cenchrus ciliaris and Neonotonia wightii

Pot experiment was carried out to determine the allelopathic effects of Datura stramonium on leaf chlorophyll content, root and shoot elongation, fresh and dry weight of two wild plant species: Cenchrus ciliaris and Neonotonia wightii. Different concentrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) from seed and leaf extracts of D. stramonium were used to investigate the allelopathic effects of D. stramonium on growth of tested species. The total chlorophyll content of N. wightii was significantly reduced in all plants treated with both aqueous seed and leaf extracts of D. stramonium. In C. ciliaris, the total chlorophyll content was also significantly reduced for those plants treated with aqueous seed extract and leaf extract from D. stramonium. Relative to the control treatments, there was greater reduction in root and shoot length which was observed in higher concentrations of aqueous seed and leaf extracts. Fresh and dry weight of tested species significantly decreased after being treated with both seed and leaf aqueous extracts of D. stramonium. It was found that the allelopathic effect of aqueous seed and leaf extracts from D. stramonium on tested species was concentration-dependent. The inhibitory effects on all tested species increased as the concentration of both extracts increased from 0% to 100%. This study concluded that aqueous seed and leaf extract of D. stramonium have allelopathic effects on leaf chlorophyll content, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of grass (C. ciliaris) and legume (N. wightii) species.
Contribution of inorganic components to osmotic adjustment and leaf folding for drought tolerance in pearl millet

Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, is capable of adapting to severely dry environmental conditions. In order to elucidate the mechanism of adaptation to highly dehydrated conditions, we selected both tolerant (IP8210) and susceptible (IP8949) accessions from a total of 15 pearl millet accessions and characterized their morphological and physiological responses to severe drought stress. When these selected accessions were stressed with a severe drought treatment, the leaves of IP8210 exhibited upright folding, a response that effectively reduces the evaporative surface area of the canopy. On the contrary, the leaves of IP8949 exhibited wilting and did not appear to adapt to the drought stress. In comparison with IP8949, the capacity of osmotic adjustment (OA) was greater in both younger leaves and stems of IP8210, while their decrease in relative water content was different. IP8210 accumulated higher concentrations of NO 3 - than IP8949 in response to drought stress. In addition to inorganic solutes, several organic components such as sucrose, glucose, quaternary ammonium compounds, and amino acids including proline were also accumulated. IP8210 tended to accumulate more amino acids, typically due to the accumulation of asparagine and proline, while IP8949 accumulated more soluble sugars. While it is possible that K and NO;' were the major componepts contributing to osmotic regulations, sugars and amino acids might also function as a cytoprotectant, in addition to their role as osmoprotectants. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the morphological adaptation of leaf folding, OA in both the younger leaves and the stem, and the accumulation of NO 3 - and amino acids during earlier stress period contribute to superior drought tolerance that was exhibited in IP8210 of pearl millet.
Fat reserves and reproduction in the green turtle, Chelonia mydas

Measurements were made of the fat and water content of standard cores of fat lining the inner carapace of green turtles caught and butchered by indigenous fishermen in Daru, Papua New Guinea. The amount of depot fat, total lipid and neutral lipid per core varied with the sex, maturity and reproductive status of the turtle. The fat content of cores from prepubescent turtles did not vary with sex. In contrast, cores from adult female turtles had a significantly greater fat content than those from males. Cores from pubescent and vitellogenic females had the highest fat content. Neutral (storage) lipid was significantly higher in cores from vitellogenic females than in those from breeding, which suggests that sub-carapace depot fat is used to fuel the energetically expensive costs of migration and egg production. Cores from breeding females had a significantly higher fat content than those from males, which suggests that the energetic costs of vitellogensis and egg-laying are reflected in sub-carapace fat stores. The greater energetic cost to this fat store for breeding by females is also reflected in the significantly higher water content of the fat of females that had bred in the previous season compared with those in vitellogenesis. In contrast, there was no significant difference between the water content of cores from non-breeding and breeding males.
Changes in Sahelian bird biodiversity and tree density over a five‐year period in northern Nigeria

Capsule Two widespread censuses of already degraded woodland in the Sahel in Northern Nigeria separated by five years (2002 and 2007) showed relatively small further changes in tree and bird density. Aims To determine how change in tree density affects African and Palearctic migrant bird density in already degraded Sahelian woodland. Methods We compared differences in the number of bird species and their abundance with differences in the size and number of woody plants between two seasons separated by five years at 16 degraded woodland sites across 250 km east–west in northern Nigeria. Results Densities of large trees (>5 m) decreased, but densities of smaller trees and shrubs increased, partly as a consequence of growth and because larger trees have been preferentially removed or partly cut down; tree densities were, however, initially low. Of 37 common bird species, 16% had higher densities and 22% had lower densities, in the second study period. The density of Common Whitethroats, Northern Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails was correlated with the number and size of trees, but not that of Lesser Whitethroat and Subalpine Warbler. Overall there was relatively little turnover in species between the two surveys and if (the initially low) tree density was halved, only approximately 2.1% of the average total for number of bird species per 0.2 ha point would be lost. Conclusion Few large changes in bird species' density were found, possibly because: (1) all habitats sampled were already at relatively low tree density – initial reductions from high tree density or near removal of all trees may cause larger changes in local bird densities; (2) reduction in the number of large trees was partially compensated by a more lush development of the vegetation as a whole in the second study period; and (3) the bird species remaining in degraded Sahelian woodland in northern Nigeria are already well adapted to habitat change and low tree density.
Protective Effect of Chastberrg (Vitex agnus-castus Leaves) Herbal against Nephrotoxicity on Experimental Rats

Oxidative damage is involved in the pathogenesis of various nephrotoxicity . In the present study, the protective effect of Vitex agnus-castus leaves was investigated against cisplatin ( CIS) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty albino male rats were classified into five groups as followed, the first group as control group while the four groups injected with CIS, other were the second g roup received only CIS , as groups 3, 4 and 5 were administrated 5%, 10%, and 15% Vitex agnus-castus leaves) respectively for 28 days. The results revealed that CIS intoxication impaired kidney function tests. Serum livers of AST, ALTand ALP levels were elevated by CIS administration. Treatment with Vitex agnus-castus at three different levels attenuated these adverse effects and biochemical alterations caused by CIS especially, at the highest level 15%. Nephrotoxicity by CIS resulted in significant elevation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C and decreasing in serum HDL-C. Moreover, kidney function tests as serum urea, uric acid and creatinine were found to be increased and the treatment with Vitex agnus-castus leaves at all treated levels (especially, at the highest level 15%) significantly reversed these adverse alterations. CIS caused significant increased in acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) and significant decreased in total antioxidant and superoxide dismutase activity. Treatment with Vitex agnus-castus has strong radical scavenging activity and antioxidant activity at all level. Therefore, the results of this study show that Vitex agnus-castus leaves can be proposed to protect nephrotoxicity induced by CIS in rats. The results also revealed that the nephrotoxicity effect of Vitex agnus-castus may be attributed to its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Key words: Cisplatin, liver function, serum lipid profile, acetyl cholinesterase , antioxidant activity.
CATCH COMPOSITION OF THE DEEP SEA SHRIMP FISHERY (Solenocera agassizi Faxon, 1893: FARFANTEPENAEUS CALIFORNIENSIS HOLMES, 1900 AND FARFANTEPENAEUS BREVIROSTRIS KINGSLEY, 1878) IN THE COLOMBIAN PACIFIC OCEAN

La pesca del camaron de aguas profundas se realiza en Colombia utilizando barcos con redes de arrastre de fondo con aparejo doble. Existe una amplia variedad de especies capturadas en la pesqueria del camaron de aguas profundas, donde muchas de estas presentan un amplio rango de distribucion batimetrica. Se identificaron 54 especies de peces pertenecientes a 35 familias y 11 especies de crustaceos de 11 familias y una especie de molusco. Otros moluscos, holoturidos y equinodermos aparecen tambien ocasionalmente en la composicion de la captura. El analisis de este y otros trabajos anteriores determina un total de 85 especies reportadas como parte de la composicion de la captura de esta pesqueria. La flota pesquera de arrastre del camaron de aguas someras y profundas de Colombia utiliza los dispositivos excluidores de tortugas como unica adaptacion tecnica en el aparejo de pesca, con miras a evitar la aparicion de tortugas, los cuales al parecer tambien excluyen fauna acompanante de gran tamano. Algunas especies de la fauna acompanante no comercial son comestibles, pero son descartadas dado su bajo precio en el mercado, poca abundancia o aspecto fisico no atractivo para el consumidor.
Responses of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to clear-cutting in east-central Newfoundland

Movements, sex and age structure, and habitat selection of adult woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were examined in relation to clear-cutting on summer range in east-central Newfoundland during 1987 – 1990. We obtained 2473 locations of 35 radio-collared caribou during at least two consecutive summers. Locations relative to clearcuts were determined for eight males and 27 females. Distances to existing clearcuts were compared with distances to those same geographic points prior to and following the summer in which clear-cutting occurred. Four males and 10 females maintained similar mean distances from clearcuts, 3 males and 12 females were farther away, and 2 females were closer. Three other females and one male were assumed to be too distant to be affected by clear-cutting. Of those found farther away from clearcuts, females were 2 – 3 times farther away than males. Among female caribou that maintained similar mean distances to clearcuts, habitat use during clear-cutting was similar to that be.
WATER ABSORPTION BY MUCILAGINOUS ACHENES OF ARTEMISIA MONOSPERMA: FLOATING AND GERMINATION AS AFFECTED BY SALT CONCENTRATIONS

ABSTRACT Artemisia monosperma is a dominant perennial desert shrub occurring in active sand dunes and stabilized sand fields. A cyanobacterial crust develops on stabilized sand and, as a result, runoff water may occur after rains. The mucilaginous achenes may float on the runoff water and disperse into depressions or cracks. In these experiments, almost half of the achenes remained afloat on distilled water for 3 days and on different concentrations of salt solutions, more achenes remained afloat for longer. High concentrations of salt inhibit germination. NO,” may influence achene germination on cyanobacterial sand crust. Mucilaginous achenes absorb water within about 60 min, and after 120 min reach their water capacity. The achenes from which the mucilage has been removed can float for a longer period and germinate earlier than intact ones. Seedlings that developed from achenes with mucilage had greater vigor than those without. The ecological significances of mucilaginous achenes is discussed.
G-protein coupled receptors in plant cells

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are plasma membrane-spanning proteins which transduce specific physical and chemical extracellular signals into the cell. In contrast to animal cells, signal transduction pathways involving GPCRs are poorly understood in plants. However, circumstantial evidence such as the presence of G-proteins and many classical downstream signalling elements (e.g. phospholipases A2 and C) suggest that GPCR-mediated signalling operates in plant cells, in a fashion analogous to those in animal and yeast cells. In this review the evidence for plant GPCR-mediated signalling is examined. The evidence for plant G-proteins is examined at both the biochemical and molecular levels and the possible roles of plant GPCR-mediated pathways are considered. Finally, a number of strategies which may ultimately allow for the identification and characterization of plant GPCRs are presented and provide an insight into the plant signalling pathways that use this transduction mechanism.
ACTION SPECTRA FOR THE GENERATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN FROM MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANES FROM SOYBEAN (Glycine max) HYPOCOTYLS

Abstract— The action spectrum for the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) from mitochondrial membranes under aerobic conditions was measured at wavelengths between 360 and 600 nm, using sub‐mitochondrial particles (SMP) prepared from soybean hypocotyls. The spectrum, showing a peak at about 420 nm, remarkably resembles the absorption spectra of the Fe‐S centers of nonheme iron proteins. Disruption of the Fe‐S centers by treating SMP with mersalyl acid resulted in a substantial decrease in the efficiency of 1O2 generation, leaving an action spectrum whose pattern is significantly similar to the absorption spectrum of flavins, at least in the region of near UV and blue light wavelengths. Estimating the contribution of the Fe‐S centers to the generation of 1O2 from SMP, we suggest that the Fe‐S centers act as very important endogenous photosensitizers in plant cells, in so far as the type II mechanism is concerned. Possible involvement of mitochondrial flavoproteins in the generation of 1O2 is also discussed.
Breeding and Postlarval Migrations of the Redspotted Newt, Notophthalmus Viridescens, in Massachusetts

Intrapopulation variation in migrant size and number was observed during a 2—yr study of the movement of efts and postlarval metamorphs at a pond in Charlton, Massachusetts. Rainfall strongly influenced the timing of both migrations and increased the growth rates of efts. In the wetter of the 2 yr efts were larger and more numerous, and the proportion of female migrants increased. Sex differences among efts in timing and magnitude were attributed to differences between males and females in the minimum size required for migration. Annual differences in larval density were associated with variation in the duration of the migration and mean size of emigrating metamorphs. See full-text article at JSTOR
Out of the Darkness: Re-Allocation of Confiscated Real Estate Mafia Assets

In an effort to tackle criminal groups, the Italian State allows the confiscation of properties belonging to individuals convicted for mafia-related crimes and their reallocation to a new use. This policy is considered both as an anti-mafia measure and as a way to partially compensate the society for the harm made by the criminal organisations. Whether and how this measure has had an impact on the local areas where it is implemented, however, has not yet been investigated. We test the hypothesis that the policy contributes to the regeneration of urban spaces by assessing its impact on the value of buildings in the vicinity of confiscated/re-allocated properties. To this aim, we perform difference-in-differences analyses, both at the level of local housing markets and at the level of individual buildings, investigating the externalities of the policy across the whole Italian territory. The results unveil a positive and significant effect of re-allocations of confiscated real estate assets on house prices, declining with distance from the re-allocation site. The impact is larger in cities with stronger mafia presence and in more deprived neighbourhoods. This suggests that the policy contributes to add value to the territory where it is applied and favours processes of urban revitalisation. These findings have important implications for the development of deprived urban areas characterised by a strong presence of criminal organisations.