Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Physico‐chemical Properties of Enset Starch

Enset starch (Ensete ventricosum, Musaceae) has been examined for its chemical composition, amylose content and physico-chemical properties. The proximate composition of the starch on dry weight basis was found to be 0.16% ash, 0.25% fat, 0.35% protein, and 99.24% starch. The amylose content was 29%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of enset starch granules showed characteristic morphology that was somewhat angular and elliptical. The starch has normal granule size distribution with a mean particle size of 46μm. It exhibits typical X-ray diffraction pattern of B-type with a distinctive maximum peak at around 17° 2θ Its moisture sorption pattern was similar to that of potato starch but much higher than maize starch. DSC parameters obtained from starch-water mixtures (1:2), namely, the enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH: 21.6mJmg−1), the onset temperature (T0: 61.8°C), the peak temperature (Tp: 65.2°C) and the endset temperature (Te: 71.7°C) were higher than those obtained for potato starch. Brabender viscosity curves of 6% starch paste showed lower peak viscosity (884 BU) than potato starch (1668 BU) but greater than maize starch (302 BU). The breakdown was also lower than potato starch but higher than maize starch. Retrogradation of enset starch was substantially greater than potato starch but less than maize starch. Isolierung und physikalisch-chemische Eigenschaften von Ensete-Starke. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die chemische Zusammensetzung und die physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften der Starke von Ensete ventricosum, Musaceae, beschrieben. Bezogen auf das Trockengewicht betragt der Starkegehalt 99,24%, daneben besteht Ensete-Starke aus 0,16% Asche, 0,25% Fett und 0,35% Protein. Der Amylosegehalt wird mit 29% angegeben. Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Aufnahmen (REM) zeigen eine charakteristische, winklige und elliptische Gestalt der Starkekorner. Die mittlere Partikelgrose wird mittels Laserbeugung bestimmt und betragt 46μm, das Teilchengrosenspektrum folgt annahernd einer Normalverteilung. Die Rontgendiffraktometrie ergibt ein typisches Muster vom „B-Typ” mit einem charakteristischen Maximum bei ungefahr 17° 2θ. Das Sorptionsverhalten ahnelt dem der Kartoffelstarke, wahrend der Quellungsdruck und die Loslichkeit niedrigere Werte als bei Kartoffelstarke, aber deutlich hohere als bei Maisstarke aufweisen. Die Differentialthermoanalyse einer Mischung aus 1 Teil Ensete-Starke und 2 Teilen Wasser ergibt eine hohere Verkleisterungstemperatur als fur Kartoffelstarke. Die Verkleisterungsenthalpie ΔH betragt 21,6mg × mg−1, die onset-Temperatur To liegt bei 61,8°C, die Peaktemperatur Tp bei 65,2°C und die endset-Temperatur Te bei 71,7°C. Die Brabender Viskositatskurve eines 6%igen wasrigen Endsete-Starkekleisters weist ein geringeres Viskositatsmaximum (884 BU) auf als Kartoffelstarke (1668 BU), liegt aber uber der Maisstarke (302 BU). Der Viskositatszusammenbruch ist geringer als bei Kartoffelstarke, jedoch hoher als bei Maisstarke. Die Retrogradation von Ensete-Starke ist deutlich groser als die der Kartoffelstarke aber kleiner als bei Maisstarke.
Prevalence, clinical presentation and aetiology of hypothyroidism in elderly: A hospital-based study from Assam, India

Background: Clinical presentation of hypothyroidism in old age poses a challenge for the physician as most of the manifestations seem to be age related. Hypothyroidism in old age is a low priority issue among physicians and hence neglected. Limited literatures are available from north eastern part of India especially among elderly. As it affects many domains of health of the elderly, it is very much crucial for early diagnosis and interventions of hypothyroidism. Objectives: To study the prevalence of hypothyroidism along with its clinical presentation and etiology. Materials and methods: A hospital based study was conducted among elderly patients attending Geriatric and Medicine Outdoor of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism. A detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation of Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) were done. Patients were categorized as Overt and Sub-Clinical hypothyroid. Known or diagnosed cases who were on thyroid supplement were considered as Overt type. Hypothyroid patients were further evaluated for Anti TPO antibody. Clinical manifestations were studied among hypothyroid and euthyroid patients presenting with manifestations suggestive of hypothyroidism. It was tried to assess the aetiology. This was done from relevant history and assessment of Anti TPO antibodies. Results: The prevalence of overall hypothyroidism was 20.38% and Subclinical (60%) was the majority. Age and gender was not significantly associated with it. Clinical presentation of both hypothyroid and euthyroid patients were easy fatigability and generalised weakness. Autoimmunity was the main aetiology found. Conclusion: A reasonably high prevalence of hypothyroidism among elderly demands screening for thyroid profile even with non-specific symptoms. Clinical manifestations alone could not be relied for diagnosing hypothyroidism. Further community based studies are required in this regard.
Chromosome Reports from South American Hypochaeris (Asteraceae)

Eighty-nine new chromosome counts are reported from 85 populations of 15 species of Hypochaeris (Asteraceae, Lactuceae) from South America, including first reports from nine taxa (H. apargioides, H. clarionoides, H. palustris, H. scorzonerae, H. setosa, H. sonchoides, H. spathulata, H. tenuifolia, H. thrincioides). Most are 2n = 8 with bimodal and asymmetric karyolype. Tetraploidy (2n = 16) is documented for the first time in some populations of H. meyeniana, H. scorzonerae, and H. tenuifolia. A summary of previous and new counts reveals that only two uniformly tetraploid species are known (H. incana and H. stenocephala). Five taxa also show infraspecific polyploidy: H. chondrilloides, H. meyeniana, H. scorzonerae, H. sessiliflora, and H. tenuifolia. Polyploidy, therefore, occurs in about 10% of the South American taxa. The South American representatives of the genus are all based on x = 4 in contrast to more conspicuous karyotypic differences among European taxa (2n = 6, 8, 10, 12). This pattern of greater cytological uniformity among many species of the New World (ca. 50 known, 32 now counted chromosomally) suggests that the group was derived from European ancestors rather than the reverse. It appears that Hypochaeris in South America radiated explosively into many habitats from sea level to over 3000 m, but that this radiation has not often been accompanied by conspicuous chromosomal change. The absence of aneuploidy and relatively low frequency of polyploidy, plus few known cases of present interspecific hybridization, suggest a weakened role for hybridization as an evolutionary mechanism in the group. Data so far suggest diploid recombinational speciation as the dominant mode accompanied by genetic rather than dramatic cytological alterations, plus occasional polyploid derivatives.
Are monophyly and synapomorphy the same or different? Revisiting the role of morphology in phylogenetics

Species are groups of organisms, marked out by reproductive (replicative) properties. Monophyletic taxa are groups of species, marked out by synapomorphies. In Nelson’s analysis, monophyly and synapomorphy are identical relations. Monophyly and synapomorphy, however, are not equivalent relations. Monophyly is epistemically not accessible, whereas synapomorphy is epistemically accessible through character analysis. Monophyly originates with speciation, the two sister‐species that come into being through the splitting of the ancestral species lineage forming a monophyletic taxon at the lowest level of inclusiveness. Synapomorphy provides the empirical evidence for monophyly, inferred from character analysis in the context of a three‐taxon statement. If synapomorphy and monophyly were equivalent, phylogenetic systematists should find a single tree, instead of multiple equally parsimonious trees. Understanding synapomorphy as the relevant evidence for phylogenetic inference reveals a category mistake in contemporary phylogenetics: the treatment of morphological characters mapped onto molecular trees as synapomorphies and homoplasies. The mapping of morphological characters onto nodes of a molecular tree results in an empirically empty procedure for synapomorphy discovery. Morphological synapomorphies and homoplasies can only be discovered by morphological and combined analyses. The use of morphology in phylogenetic inference in general is defended by examples from Laurales and Squamata in particular. To make empirical evidence scientifically relevant in order to search for concordance, or dis‐concordance, of phylogenetic signal, is certainly more fruitful for phylogenetics than the uncritical mapping of morphological traits on a molecular scaffold.
THE SERUM OPACITY REACTION OF STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES

Investigation into the antigenicity of streptococcal lipoproteinase has revealed the existence of multiple, immunologically distinct enzymes. Each lipoproteinase identified was found to be strain specific in that it was found only in strains of a particular T-agglutination pattern. In some T patterns, all streptococci of that T pattern which were examined shared a common lipoproteinase antigen. In other T patterns, strains which produced antigenically different lipoproteinases were identified. Evidence that the lipoproteinase antigen is distinct from other well-established cellular antigens of Group A streptococci has been presented. The production of this strain-specific enzyme by strains currently difficult to type by the standard M precipitin method may facilitate more precise identification of these strains and a better assessment of their role in the pathogenesis of Group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae.
Purification and Identification of a Major Activator for p38 from Osmotically Shocked Cells

A stress-activated, serine/threonine kinase, p38 (also known as HOG1 or MPK2) belongs to a subgroup of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily molecules. An activity to activate p38 (p38 activator activity) as well as p38 activity itself were greatly stimulated by hyperosmolar media in mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells. The activator activity has been purified by sequential chromatography. A 36-kDa polypeptide that was coeluted with the activity in the final chromatography step was identified as MAPK kinase 6 (MAPKK6) by protein microsequencing analysis. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant MAPKK6 recognized specifically the 36-kDa MAPKK6 protein but did not cross-react with MKK3 proteins. The use of these anti-MAPKK6 antibodies revealed that two major peaks of the p38 activator activity in the first chromatography step reside in the activated MAPKK6. Using a genetic screen in yeast, we isolated MKK3b, an alternatively spliced form of MKK3. Like MKK3 and MAPKK6, MKK3b was shown to be a specific activator for p38 and was activated by osmotic shock when expressed in COS7 cells. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that MAPKK6 is expressed highly in HeLa and KB cells and scarcely in PC12 cells, whereas MKK3 and MKK3b are expressed in all cells examined. Immunodepletion of MAPKK6 from the extracts obtained from L5178Y cells and KB cells exposed to hyperosmolar media depleted them of almost all of the p38 activator activity, indicating that MAPKK6 is a major activator for p38 in an osmosensing pathway in these cells. In addition, MAPKK6 was activated strongly by tumor necrosis factor-α, H2O2, and okadaic acid and moderately by cycloheximide in KB cells. Thus, there are at least three members of p38 activator, MKK3, MKK3b, and MAPKK6, and MAPKK6 may function as a major activator for p38 when expressed.
Sex differences in temporal parameters of partner preference in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster )

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are monogamous rodents in which both sexes form social preferences for a familiar partner. This species exhibits many of the characteristics of monogamy, including long-term social bonds, mate guarding, and biparental care. Although the behaviors associated with the development of partner preferences are superficially similar in males and females, the present study documents sex differences in the temporal parameters of partner preferences in prairie voles. Following nonsexual cohabitation, female prairie voles formed partner preferences more quickly and these preferences lasted longer than in males. These data indicate that sex differences exist in the development and maintenance of social preferences and may reflect differences in the reproductive strategies of male and female prairie voles.
Effect of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) administration on apparent digestibility of horses

Abstract Six mares were divided into two groups of three subjects each in a crossover design on the basis of body weight and age: Control (C) fed a basal diet, Treatment (T) fed a basal diet and 2 g/head/d of live yeast (S. cerevisiae 4.6x1010 CFU/day The experimental design was divided into two periods named period 1 and period 2 respectively of 35d each, and consisting of 3 different phases. During each period all animals were subject to an adaptation phase of 14d (phase1); during phase 2 (18d) and phase 3 live yeast was administered (T) or not (C). Phase 3 consisted in a three days individual fecal collection period all the groups, in order to determine dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, NDF and ADF apparent digestion rates using acid insoluble ash (AIA) as internal marker (Bergero et al., 2005). Results obtained evidenced as the administration of S. cerevisiae to mature horses resulted in increased digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, NDF, and ADF. ).
Using thalweg profiling to assess and monitor juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) habitat in small streams

Thalweg profiles are longitudinal profiles of the streambed elevation measured along the deepest portion of the stream. This technique has recently been advocated as a tool to assess and monitor fish habitat in streams because metrics calculated from thalweg profiles can provide useful information on habitat quality, and measurements are both repeatable and independent of stream flow. Relations between thalweg metrics and land use have also been documented. However, a relation between fish abundance and thalweg metrics has not been established. To develop this relation, we surveyed thalweg profiles and sampled juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) density in 14 reaches of small tributary streams of the upper Yukon River. Chinook salmon density was correlated with three thalweg metrics. Two of these metrics  length in residual pool and mean maximum residual pool depth  provided useful measures of pool extent and quality and useful information on Chinook salmon habitat. Thalweg metrics differ.
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Leachate from Disposal Site for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Carcasses

In this study, chemical analysis and ecotoxicity tests of leachate from disposal site for foot-and-mouth disease carcasses (FMD leachate) were conducted to collect fundamental data that will be used to develop environmental risk assessment tools for FMD leachate. For chemical analysis, concentration of , , Korea standard method indicators for detection of leachate released from animal carcasses burial site into groundwater and NRN (Ninhydrin-Reactive Nitrogens), a newly suggested screening test indicator to detect groundwater contamination by FMD leachate, were assessed. For ecotoxicity tests, luminescent bacteria (V. fischeri), micro-algae (P. subcapitata) and water flea (D. magna) were selected as test species. Correlation analysis between the concentration of , , NRN and the toxicity to V. fischeri was performed to identify the better indicators to monitor FMD leachate contamination. From regression analysis, the concentration of the indicators in FMD leachate contaminated sample that induced halfmaximal toxic effect to V. fischeri was evaluated. Results obtained from this study can be applied to assess the risk by FMD leachate and to establish the guideline to manage risk in relation to FMD leachate.
Hidrate sodyum kalsiyum aluminosilikat içeren yemle beslenen etlik piliçlerde enrofloksasinin farmakokinetiği

Bu calismada, yemlerinde %1.5 hidrate sodyum kalsiyum aluminosilikat (HSCAS) iceren ve HSCAS icermeyen yemle beslenen etlik piliclerde, enrofloksasinin farmakokinetiginin incelenmesi amaclandi. Calismada 28 gunluk 21 erkek civciv kullanildi. Uc grup olusturuldu ve her grupta 7 hayvan kullanildi. Grup 1 ve Grup 2’deki hayvanlar HSCAS icermeyen, Grup 3’teki hayvanlar %1.5 HSCAS iceren yemle 3 gun beslendi. Enrofloksasin butun gruplara 10 mg/kg dozda, Grup 1’deki hayvanlara damar ici, Grup 2 ve Grup 3’tekilere icme suyuna katilarak uygulandi. Ilacin plazmadaki yogunluklarinin belirlenmesi amaci ile ilac uygulamasini takiben, Grup 1’deki hayvanlardan 0.083-36 saatler arasinda, Grup 2 ve 3’tekilerden 0.25-36 saatler arasinda heparinli tuplere kan alindi ve plazmalari ayrildi.Plazmada enrofloksasin yogunluklarinin tespitinde agar jel disk diffuzyon metodu kullanildi.Enrofloksasinin damar ici verilmesini takiben belirlenen plazma yogunlugu-zaman egrisinden ilacin vucutta 2-bolmeli disariya acik modele gore dagildigi anlasildi. Calismadan elde edilen sonuclar, icme suyu ile uygulanmasi durumunda, toksin baglayici olarak yeme katilan HSCAS’in ilacin emilimini buyuk oranda engelledigini ortaya koymustur
Foraging ecology of a local wild bee community in an abandoned Satoyama system in Kanazawa, Central Japan

Satoyama is a traditional land management system in Japan that emphasizes the importance of a harmonious relationship between humans and their environment. It has been in a state of abandonment and destruction since the late 1960s. In 2000, the Japanese government initiated a new environment policy encouraging the use of Satoyama in biodiversity reservation areas. Before the initiation of active restoration works, an assessment of the potential of the Satoyama system is needed. To assess this potential, a study that focused on the foraging ecology of wild bees in a small abandoned Satoyama terraced paddy was carried out from June to October 2003. A total of 372 foraging bees belonging to 35 species in nine families was collected: two species of social bee (Apis cerana and Bombus diversus) and two of solitary bee (Lasioglossum japonicum and Lasioglossum ohei) dominated. The foraging activities of wild bees were highly influenced by the requirement of food for the colony and the active time of solitary bees. In the study, most wild bees showed a strong preference for abundant flowering plant species that produced a large number of flowers (Achyranthes japonica and Polygonum thunbergii). The results showed that an abandoned Satoyama system was an agricultural system that benefited pollinating bees. Careful and planned restoration practices to increase the diversity of foraging resources, microenvironment diversity and potential nesting areas for wild bees are needed to improve the ability of the Satoyama system to support more diverse and abundant wild bee populations.
MATING PATTERNS, SEXUAL SELECTION AND PARENTAL CARE: AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

Mating patterns, sexual selection and parental care are central topics in behavioural ecology, but they are often analysed in isolation from each other. We propose a new conceptual framework to investigate these topics in relation to each other. We argue that it is beneficial to study both mating behaviour and parental care of all types of individual in a population, because the behaviours of different individuals are interrelated in many ways. In particular, we propose a framework in which the parental care adopted is the best response to the mating behaviour and the mating behaviour adopted is the best response to the parental behaviour. The backbone of the proposed framework is the feedback relationship between mating strategies (e.g. accepting or rejecting a mate), mating opportunities (related to the number and quality of animals searching for a mate) and parental care strategies (e.g. caring for the offspring or deserting them). For instance, mating opportunities should influence both the mating and parental strategies. The mating and parental strategies, in turn, have an effect on mating opportunities. We emphasise the conceptual significance of these feedback loops as well as referring to empirical studies which have demonstrated some of these feedbacks. The strength of these feedbacks probably vary between species and may be negligible in some systems. Unlike most previous approaches to mating behaviour and parental care, we do not assume that mating systems, parental investments by males and females, operational sex ratio, reproductive rates, or the intensity of sexual selection are fixed in a population. Rather, these characteristics emerge when one specifies the behavioural options of males and females, and their consequences. Mating and parental decisions can have consequences beyond the immediate breeding attempt and the proposed framework allows us to investigate such decisions from a life-history perspective. Mating and caring decisions involve various interactions among members of a population (e.g. conflicts between prospective mates, and between male and female parents), thus studying mating and caring behaviour benefits from the use of game theory. Since the state of animals (e.g. whether they are mated or not, their age, energy reserves or the number of their offspring) and the time in the breeding season commonly influence the payoffs from different behavioural options, we advocate the use of state-dependent dynamic game theory as a suitable approach for the analysis of such decisions. Finally, we call for a new generation of theoretical models and empirical studies to understand the diverse mating and parental behaviour of animals which have fascinated evolutionary biologists from Darwin onwards.