Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure/Function Analysis of Human Factor XII Using Recombinant Deletion Mutants

The binding site of human factor XII (FXII) for negatively charged surfaces has been proposed to be localized in the N-terminal region of factor XII. We have generated two recombinant factor XII proteins that lack this region: one protein consisting of the second growth-factor-like domain, the kringle domain, the proline-rich region and the catalytic domain of FXII (rFXII-U-like), and another consisting of only 16 amino acids of the proline-rich region of the heavy-chain region and the catalytic domain (rFXII-lpc). Each recombinant truncated protein, as well as recombinant full-length FXII (rFXII), were produced in HepG2 cells and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. The capability of these recombinant proteins to bind to negatively charged surfaces and to initiate contact activation was studied. Radiolabeled rFXII-U-like and, to a lesser extent, rFXII-lpc bound to glass in a concentration-dependent manner, yet with lower efficiency than rFXII. The binding of the recombinant proteins was inhibited by a 100-fold molar excess of non-labeled native factor XII. On native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, both truncated proteins appeared to bind also to dextran sulfate, a soluble negatively charged compound. Glass-bound rFXII-U-like was able to activate prekallikrein in FXII-deficient plasma (assessed by measuring the generation of kallikrein–C1-inhibitor complexes), but less efficiently than rFXII. rFXII-U-like and rFXII-lpc exhibited coagulant activity, but this activity was significantly lower than that of rFXII. These data confirm that the N-terminal part of the heavy-chain region of factor XII contains a binding site for negatively charged activating surfaces, and indicate that other sequences, possibly located on the second epidermal-growth-factor-like domain and/or the kringle domain, contribute to the binding of factor XII to these surfaces.
Microsatellite Markers Linked to Stem Rust Resistance AlleleSr9ain Wheat

Host resistance to stem rust of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. :Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn. , is more effective and durable when several stem rust resistance (Sr) genes are pyramided into a single line. We studied the Sr9a allele, one of six known alleles at the Sr9 locus on chromosome 2BL, using 116 F 2 plants and their F 2:3 families derived from the cross of near-isogenic lines (NILs) 'Chinese Spring' and ISr9a-Ra. Four microsatellite markers were identified that mapped within 3.6 cM proximal to the Sr9a locus. Fifty: nine wheat accessions were screened with the three codominant and one dominant markers to determine their polymorphism information content (PIC). The marker Xgwm47 revealed 12 alleles and had the highest PIC value of 0.85. We attempted to postulate the presence of Sr9a by phenotypic screening. In accessions that had multiple Sr genes, however, it was not possible to postulate Sr9a due to masking effects. Despite the ambiguity of phenotypic evaluation, Xgwm47 was diagnostic for Sr9a in additional NILs tested. These results suggest that Xgwm47 will be a useful tool for marker-assisted selection of Sr9a in wheat breeding programs.
Digestibility of phosphorus contained in soybean meal, barley, and different varieties of wheat, without and with supplemental phytase fed to pigs and additivity of digestibility in a wheatsoybean‐meal diet

Zusammenfassung Verdaulichkeit des Phosphors aus Sojaextraktionsschrot, Gerste und verschiedenen Weizensorten ohne und mit Phytase-Supplementation beim Schwein sowie Additivitat der Verdaulichkeit in einer Weizen-Soja-Mischung In drei Bilanzversuchen wurde die Verdaulichkeit des P aus Gerste, Sojaextraktionsschrot und vier verschiedenen Weizensorten an Schweinen untersucht. Daruberhinaus wurde der Frage nach dem Einflus eines Zusatzes mikrobieller Phytase auf die P-Verdaulichkeit dieser Komponenten nachgegangen. Die Futtermittel wurden mit einer Grundmischung verschnitten, die einen sehr niedrigen P-Gehalt aufwies. So konnte eine durchgehend suboptimale P-Versorgung der Schweine eingestellt werden. Die Verdaulichkeiten der zu testenden Futter wurden nach der Differenzmethode ermittelt. Die Messungen wurden an wachsenden Schweinen durchgefuhrt, die zu Versuchsbeginn eine Lebendmasse von 30 kg aufwiesen. Sie wurden zweimal taglich entsprechend ihrem 2,5-fachen Erhaltungsbedarfes an Energie gefuttert. Alle Versuche waren als Lateinisches Quadrat angelegt. In jeder Periode folgte einer 7-tagigen Anfutterung eine 8-tagige Sammelphase, wahrend der die Exkremente erfast wurden. Die Verdaulichkeit des P aus Gerste und Sojaextraktionsschrot betrug 45 und 31% und war bei Zusatz von Phytase significant auf 66 bzw. 73% erhoht. Die Verdaulichkeit des P aus Weizen schwankte in Abhangigkeit der Sorte zwischen 61 and 74%. Eine Beziehung zwischen analytisch bestimmbaren Parametern und der P-Verdaulichkeit des Weizens war nicht zu erkennen. In einer Mischung aus Weizen und Sojaextraktionsschrot waren die Verdaulichkeiten des P additiv, solange keine mikrobielle Phytase zugesetzt wurde.
Relationships between phenology, radiation and precipitation in the Amazon region

In tropical areas, Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) still have deficiencies in simulating the timing of vegetation phenology. To start addressing this problem, standard Fourier‐based methods are applied to aerosol screened monthly remotely sensed phenology time series (Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) and two major driving factors of phenology: solar radiation and precipitation (for March 2000 through December 2006 over northern South America). At 1 × 1 km scale using, power (or variance) spectra on good quality aerosol screened time series, annual cycles in EVI are detected across 58.24% of the study area, the strongest (largest amplitude) occurring in the savanna. Terra Firme forest have weak but significant annual cycles in comparison with savannas because of the heterogeneity of vegetation and nonsynchronous phenological events within 1 × 1 km scale pixels. Significant annual cycles for radiation and precipitation account for 86% and 90% of the region, respectively, with different spatial patterns to phenology. Cross‐spectral analysis was used to compare separately radiation with phenology/EVI, precipitation with phenology/EVI and radiation with precipitation. Overall the majority of the Terra Firme forest appears to have radiation as the driver of phenology (either radiation is in phase or leading phenology/EVI at the annual scale). These results are in agreement with previous research, although in Acre, central and eastern Peru and northern Bolivia there is a coexistence of ‘in phase’ precipitation over Terra Firme forest. In contrast in most areas of savanna precipitation appears to be a driver and savanna areas experiencing an inverse (antiphase) relationship between radiation and phenology is consistent with inhibited grassland growth due to soil moisture limitation. The resulting maps provide a better spatial understanding of phenology–driver relationships offering a bench mark to parameterize ecological models.
Desempenho e características da carcaça e da carne de novilhos não-castrados alimentados com ou sem adição de monensina e/ou probiótico à dieta

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o desempenho e as caracteristicas da carcaca e da carne de novilhos nao-castrados alimentados com ou sem adicao de monensina (M) e/ou probiotico (P) (Sacharomyces cerevisiae) a dieta. Os animais foram distribuidos em baias individuais, permanecendo 145 dias em confinamento. A dieta foi composta de silagem de milho e 1,2% do peso vivo de concentrado com base da materia natural. Nao houve efeito da adicao dos aditivos fornecidos de forma isolada ou mesmo da associacao destes sobre o consumo de alimento, o ganho de peso e a conversao alimentar. As medias de consumo, ganho de peso e conversao alimentar apresentaram comportamento quadratico com o avanco do periodo de confinamento. Embora a adicao de M ou P a dieta tenha resultado no aumento numerico (P>0,05) do consumo (4,2%), a media de ganho de peso reduziu (5,8 e 5,3%, respectivamente), resultando em pior conversao alimentar (P>0,05). Ja a associacao de M+P aumentou (P>0,05) o consumo em 9,5%, com concomitante aumento (P>0,05) do ganho de peso (6,4%) em relacao a dieta controle. Os animais alimentados com M+P apresentaram melhor acabamento de carcaca (5,5mm), seguidos por aqueles do grupo controle (4,7mm), sendo os valores inferiores verificados nas carcacas dos animais M (3,7mm) e P (3,5mm). A adicao de monensina e/ou probiotico (Sacharomyces cerevisiae) na dieta de novilhos na fase de terminacao em confinamento nao proporciona melhora no desempenho e nas caracteristicas da carcaca e da carne de novilhos.
Extraction, content, strength, and extension of Phormium variety fibres prepared for traditional Maori weaving

Abstract The traditional haro method was used to strip fibres from the leaf blades of 11 Phormium varieties used by Maori for traditional weaving and plaiting. The content, strength, and extension characteristics of fibres differed markedly among the varieties. These fibre characteristics also differed according to the part of the leaf blade from which the fibre was extracted. Although strong correlations showed that varieties with high fibre content also had the strongest and most extendable fibre, some varieties deviated from those relationships. The fibre characteristics of the varieties correspond to their traditional uses by Maori and also to their history of use in the now defunct commercial phormium‐fibre industry.
Foraging behaviour of a declining population of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) breeding in the Swain Reefs, Great Barrier Reef

Abstract The Great Barrier Reef supports significant breeding populations of tropical seabirds; however, recent evidence has indicated declines in seabird populations across some of the most important breeding sites. Evidence for the cause of these significant declines is lacking but is generally thought to result from inadequate food supplies caused by warmer sea surface temperatures associated with climate change. This paper provides the first detailed investigation into the foraging behaviour of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster,) a species considered to be more susceptible to climate change impacts due to reduced foraging ranges. Fifteen complete foraging trips were recorded from five individuals (three males, two females). Adults typically foraged in shallow inshore reef waters and the mean foraging trip duration was 6.8 ± 2.8 h with a mean foraging range of 14.5 ± 10.1 km and the total distance travelled being 49.5 ± 30.3 km per trip. While most foraging trips occurred during daylight hours, five (33%) trips recorded periods spent at sea at night. The preliminary results presented here suggest that further research across widely dispersed breeding sites and different species investigating the potential drivers of seabird declines in the Great Barrier Reef is warranted.
Comparison of Hargreaves and FAO56 equations for estimating monthly evapotranspiration for semi-arid and arid environments

The objectives of this study are to compare reference evapotranspiration (ET0) computed using different forms of the Hargreaves (HG) equation with the standard FAO56PM; and to compare ET0 computed using the FAO56PM with limited data with the standard FAO56PM complete data set method. For this purpose, climatic data from 12 weather stations covering an area of ∼90 km2 of predominantly arid and semi-arid conditions are used. Ratios of ET0 estimated using the updated HG equation were closer to 1 when compared with the HG equations and ET0-est. Also, RMSE, ME and R 2 ranged from 0.235 to 0.526 mm day−1, −0.526 to 0.383 mm day−1, and 0.945 to 0.989, respectively. Therefore, the updated HG equation can be used for ET0 estimates instead of using the FAO56PM method with acceptable accuracy. In addition, it was found that the standard FAO56PM can be used with estimated solar radiation and humidity from temperature data and estimates of mean wind speed. In conclusion, this study produced two accurate methods that can be used to calculate monthly ET0 in conditions characterized by limited data, arid and semi-arid environments.
DENDROCTONUS PONDEROSAE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE): PRE-AGGREGATION LANDING AND GALLERY INITIATION ON LODGEPOLE PINE

Abstract Landing rates as monitored by landing traps indicate that the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, is not attracted to lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. , prior to the first gallery start. Bark terpene odors and DBH were not correlated with beetle landing rates, with the exception of beta-phellandrene which accounted for a statistically significant 18% of the variation in landing rates. Beetles were unable to distinguish between hosts, dead hosts and nonhosts during landing. The elderberry pith bioassay indicated the presence of a gallery initiation stimulant in the bark.
Enhanced Phenolic Diterpenes Antioxidant Levels Through Non-transgenic Approaches

Plant-derived antioxidants are essential in our diet, and antioxidant composition is a key determinant of the quality of plant extracts of interest to the pharmaceutical and food industries. By using carnosic acid as an example of a key antioxidant constituent of rosemary and sage extracts, we discuss the importance of studying non-transgenic approaches to enhancing antioxidant levels in plants and improving the antioxidant composition of plant extracts. In contrast to other terpenoids or phenolic compounds, carnosic acid has only been found in some Labiatae species, such as rosemary and sage. Carnosic acid has medicinal properties; it is a potent antioxidant and protects skin cells against UV-A radiation and cancer. Furthermore, it has been used as a preservative in food and non-food products, displaying important antimicrobial effects. However, the key steps involved in its biosynthesis remain largely unknown, and thus non-transgenic approaches are required to increase its level in plant extracts. Dried rosemary or sage leaves can contain between 0.1% and 7% carnosic acid, depending on the species and variety, but also on plant growth conditions, sample treatment and mode of extract preparation. Furthermore, leaf age, salinity and ionic interactions can also have a significant effect on biosynthesis and therefore have a strong impact on the total antioxidant potential of rosemary and sage extracts. Non-transgenic approaches, used in these or other species, can significantly increase antioxidant levels and therefore provide very significant improvements in the quality of several botanical extracts used in industry, and can be applied as either an alternative or a complement to transgenic approaches. FIG. 1 Chemical structure of synthetic and natural plant-derived antioxidants. Note that the hydroxyl groups in the ortho-position at C11 and C12 of the carnosic acid molecule provide high antioxidant properties (color figure available online). FIG. 2 Outline of the non-transgenic approaches presently available to enhance antioxidant levels in plant extracts (color figure available online).
Mediterranean Species of the Genus Pontonia Latreille, 1829. I. Developmental Stages of Pontonia Pinnophylax (Otto, 1821) (Decapoda, Natantia, Pontoniinae) Reared in the Laboratory

[Description du developpement larvaire de Pontonia pinnophylax. Les stades ont ete obtenus en laboratoire et en presence de Pinna nobilis. Celle-ci a ete collectee dans le detroit de Messine a environ 15 metres de profondeur. Les resultats ont indique huit stades zoe et un stade postlarvaire. , Description du developpement larvaire de Pontonia pinnophylax. Les stades ont ete obtenus en laboratoire et en presence de Pinna nobilis. Celle-ci a ete collectee dans le detroit de Messine a environ 15 metres de profondeur. Les resultats ont indique huit stades zoe et un stade postlarvaire. ]
Physicochemical characteristics of nine sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids and their relationship to starch content and ruminal digestion

Nine grain sorghum hybrids (bicolor Sorghum L. Moench) were analyzed to evaluate the relationship between the physical [dry matter (DM), thousand grains weigh (TGW), particle size (PS), relative density (RD), area surface (AS) and particles for gram (PG), hard endosperm (HE) and soft endosperm (SE)]; and chemical characteristics [total nitrogen (N), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total starch (S), soluble starch (S-S), insoluble starch (I-S)]. The predicted ruminal starch digestion (PRSD) was determined enzymatically from the S-S and I-S fractions. The average of TGW, PS, RD, AS, PG and HE were 24.61 g, 3.17 mm, 1.30 g/cm3, 17.44 cm2/g, 30.33 and 46.68 % respectively. The average (%) of DM, CP, FDN, FDA, S, S-S and I-S were 92.47, 8.19, 19.17, 8.30 69.58, 6.00 and 47.74 respectively. The concentration of tannins was very low (<0.003 eqCat). The PRSD averaged 66.04 ± 1.24 % (range 64.61 to 68.42). No relationship was detected (P>0.05) among the physical or chemical variables with the total content of starch in the grain; however, the variables relative density and area surface, significantly increases prediction (PRSD,% = 74.058 0.108HE + 0.027AS – 5.887RD, R2= 0.77, P<0.05). According to the study, the sorghum hybrids are of intermediate hardness, free of tannins and with a potential of ruminal starch digestion of 66 %.
Fatty acid profile and proximate composition of Pacific mullet (Mugil so‐iuy) caught in the Black Sea

This study demonstrates proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Pacific mullet caught in Turkey. The highest moisture and protein contents were observed with muscle tissues as 83.74 and 10.52%, while the highest fat and ash contents were attributed to female gonads as 11.80 and 0.94%, respectively, with a significant variation amongst months (P < 0.05). Significant variation (P < 0.05) usually occurred amongst months within the same sex for total saturated fatty acids ([summation operator]SFA), monosaturated fatty acids ([summation operator]MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids ([summation operator]PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in muscle, although overall mean values between sexes were not found significant. Except for EPA, no variation observed for gonads while significant changes occurred (P < 0.05) with liver samples amongst months. Overall total values of [summation operator]SFA, [summation operator]MUFA, [summation operator]PUFA, DHA and EPA in muscle samples were 29.59, 29.26, 18.06 and 4.48%, respectively, while in gonads ranged as 30.26-33.23%, 35.17-37.47%, 11.87-14.88%, 4.38-5.34% and 3.02-5.02%. These FAs were 21.57-33.11%, 32.89-50.96%, 14.78-20.08%, 0.89-9.94% and 5.85-9.54% for liver, respectively. The results of this study showed that muscle and gonads of Pacific mullet were rich in n-3 PUFA, especially, EPA, DHA, increasing the value of this species for human consumption.
Sensory and Quality Characteristics of Poultry Frankfurters Containing Nitrite or Sorbate

Abstract Three treatments of poultry frankfurters, made with mechanically deboned poultry (MDP), were evaluated for sensory and quality characteristics over a 6-week refrigerated-storage period. The treatments consisted of the addition of: 1) 156 ppm sodium nitrite, 2) 40 ppm sodium nitrite and . 26% potassium sorbate, and 3) . 26% potassium sorbate. Sensory evaluations utilized triangle tests, hedonic evaluations, and magnitude estimations of flavor and texture. Color was rated with a Gardner color difference meter. Rancidity levels were ascertained by the 2-thio-barbituric acid (TBA) test. In the triangle tests, panelists were able to differentiate between nitrite and nitrite-sorbate frankfurters, as well as between nitrite and sorbate-treated frankfurters, but not between nitrite-sorbate and sorbate frankfurters. On the hedonic scale of 1 to 9 for frankfurter flavor, all treatments were rated as 5, neither like nor dislike. In the magnitude estimation tests for flavor, no differences were found among any of the treatments. However, in color tests under normal lighting, the nitrite-treated frankfurters were judged to have twice the amount of typical frankfurter color as did the nitrite-sorbate and sorbate frankfurters. From magnitude estimation tests of texture, it was found that the inclusion of nitrite at either the 40 or 156 ppm level in frankfurters had improved texture over the ones without nitrite. Gardner color difference meter scores corresponded to the panelists evaluation for triangle tests on color. There were no differences in lightness (L) and yellowness (b) values; however, nitrite frankfurters had highest a values, the most red color. The nitrite frankfurters had low TBA values throughout the study (
Recovery of understory vegetation biomass and biodiversity in burned larch boreal forests in Northeastern China

ABSTRACT Recovery of biomass and biodiversity of forest understory vegetation after fire disturbance has been widely studied; however, how this relationship changes and what are the determinants at different post-fire stages in larch boreal forests are still unclear. We investigated a chronosequence of 81 understory plots in larch boreal forests that were disturbed by fires in 1987 (S5), 1992 (S4), 1996 (S3), 2002 (S2), or 2007 (S1). Analysis of variance was conducted to test the differences of biodiversity and biomass among various post-fire stages. Different regression models were used to fit the relationship between biomass and biodiversity, while factors influencing this relationship were identified by boosted regression tree analysis. Results showed that total understory biomass increased from 2.51 t ha−1 in S1 to 8.47 t ha−1 in S3 and declined to 5 t ha−1 in S5. Similar dynamics were also found between species richness and species diversity. Positive linear correlations linked biomass and biodiversity throughout most of the post-fire periods. Slope and stand density were the two most important factors influencing the secondary succession of understory vegetation after fire. Geographical factors and overstory competition determine the orientation of vegetation recovery, and the impacts of climate on vegetation are muted after fire disturbances.
Pinus mugo (Pinaceae) in the Abruzzi Mountains: high morphological variation in isolated populations

Thirty-three individuals of Pinus mugo from the Abruzzian Apennines (Italy), the most isolated population of the species, were examined biometrically to verify the range of trait variation and compared with six other populations sampled in the north-eastern part of the species range. Ten needles and ten cones from each individual were measured and quantified on the basis of 31 traits. The interpopulation comparison revealed a close affinity of the Abruzzian population of P. mugo to three of the six other populations. The other three north-eastern populations, one from the Tatra Mountains and two from the Chornokhora Mountains, appeared to be different. This suggests that these populations originated from other Pleistocene centres of occurrence. The intrapopulation variation of the population from the Abruzzian Apennines is comparable with those of all six populations of P. mugo from the Sudety and Carpathian Mountains. These findings support the hypothesis that isolated but locally abundant plant populations do not necessarily show a reduction in variability resulting from isolation. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 309‐316. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: biometric analysis ‐ dwarf mountain pine ‐ numerical plant taxonomy ‐ plant trait variation. N ¢ N ¢