Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CREPIPATELLA DILATATA (LAMARCK, 1822) (CALYPTRAEIDAE): AN EXAMPLE OF REPRODUCTIVE VARIABILITY AMONG GASTROPODS

Reproductive characteristics of a species are often defined from a small number of individuals collected from a single location at one particular time. However, this study reveals that the South American gastropod Crepipatella dilatata (Lamarck, 1822) shows an unusually high level of intraspecific variability in some key reproductive characteristics: the number of egg capsules brooded per female, the size of the egg capsules, the number of eggs per capsule and the sizes and size distributions of the uncleaved eggs. Larger females were more fecund than smaller ones, not because they produced more egg capsules, but because they produced capsules of significantly larger size. Such variability was evident not only when considering different populations, but also within a single population sampled in different years, as well as among specimens collected during a single sampling event. Thus our data emphasize the importance of obtaining information from numerous specimens per locality as well as from specimens from different localities and in different years when describing the reproductive characteristics of any particular taxon.
Breast Cancer in Three Dimensions: Revealing Telomere Dysfunction in Breast Cancer

Abstract : Forty three paraffin fixed tissue samples from anonymous hereditary and non-hereditary breast cancer cases were selected for the study. Five mum histological sections were prepared on microscopic slides for processing and analyses. All of the 43 tissue samples (11 nonhereditary; 17 with a BRCA1 mutation; 15 with a BRCA2 mutation) were hybridized and imaged for telomere and centromere. Data recording on telomere organization and distribution are in progress. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Since we are using centromere signal intensity as a standard for relative fluorescence, we expect to complete the similar 3D image data obtained from the centromere signals obtained from these patient samples around the same time. We have data on telomere sizes and their frequency distribution patterns in the tumor cells of hereditary and non-hereditary breast cancer patients. We are currently doing statistical tests on these data to verify the sensitivity and effectiveness of our 3D measurement system. Our early results from studies using 3D telomere imaging system and' quantization on cell lines with a BRCA1 mutation (HCC1937) and with a BRCA2 mutation (Capan-1) shows presence of significantly larger telomere aggregates in comparison to the telomeres of wild type (MCF-7) cells (p <.0001 for comparisons between BRCA1 or BRCA2 and MCF-7). One hundred nuclei from each of MCF7, HCC1937 and Capan-1 have been examined and according to our data there are statistically significant differences in telomere sizes and their distribution patterns between the BRCA mutated HCC1937, Capan1 and wild type MCF7 cells. Our planned work on c-Myc deregulation has not commenced but we expect to start this in the near future.
Three New Pupfish Species, Cyprinodon (Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae), from Chihuahua, México, and Arizona, USA

Abstract Three new species of Cyprinodon (Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae) are described, each long recognized as distinct. Cyprinodon pisteri occupies a variety of systems and habitats in the Lago de Guzmán complex basin in northern Chihuahua, México. It is distinguished by its dusky to black dorsal fin and narrow or inconspicuous terminal bar on the caudal fin in mature males. Cyprinodon albivelis is distributed largely in relatively high elevation sites in the upper Río Papígochic (Río Yaqui basin), with a single occurrence in the Río Santa María basin. It is distinguished most notably by the striking white dorsal and anal fins displayed by breeding males. Cyprinodon arcuatus is a distinctive form most similar to Cyprinodon macularius and Cyprinodon eremus and is restricted to the upper Santa Cruz River basin in southern Arizona and Northern Sonora. It is distinguished in having a sharply convex dorsal body profile form the head to dorsal fin origin and in lacking yellow or orange pigmentation on the part of nuptial males. Extensive and careless human alterations to this system drove C. arcuatus to extinction, with the last natural population perishing in Monkey Spring (Santa Cruz County, Arizona), devoured by introduced sport fish. Where appropriate, biogeography and conservation issues are discussed with regard to these species.
Transaction Complexity and the Movement to Fair Value Accounting

Our global economy has pushed the complexity of business transactions to a new level, as companies now employ sophisticated contracts and financial instruments. However, it is unclear whether accounting standards are able to effectively capture transaction complexity, which has been growing at a rapid pace. In this study, we examine three questions related to transaction complexity: (1) Do accounting standards reflect differences in the complexity of the transactions being recorded? (2) Does the use of mark-to-market (i.e., fair value) accounting reduce the complexity of standards by relying on market valuations to capture transaction complexity? (3) Does the reliance on fair value measurements reduce audit costs for transactions with significant complexity? Our findings suggest that complex transactions result in complex accounting guidance, making the standards difficult to read and understand. However, the use of fair value accounting might be a solution to the challenges arising from transaction complexity. Our study informs regulatory bodies, investors, creditors, and public companies that are increasingly concerned about the state of financial reporting standards, which arguably have become very costly to implement yet less effective in communicating the economic substance of complex transactions. Pinky Rusli Xinlei Zhao Montana State University PhD Candidate Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship University of Kentucky Accounting Department Gatton College of Business and Economics Bozeman, MT 59717-3040 Von Allmen School of Accountancy Lexington, KY 40506-0034 David A. Ziebart PwC Professor of Accountancy University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business & Economics Von Allmen School of Accountancy Lexington, KY 40506-0034 dzieb2@email.uky. edu
IAG ring test animal proteins 2016

The annual ring test for the detection of animal proteins in animal feed of the IAG - International Association for Feeding stuff Analysis, Section Feeding stuff Microscopy was organized by RIKILT - Wageningen UR, The Netherlands. The aim of the ring study was to provide the participants information on the performance of the local implementation of the detection method for their local quality systems. A further aim was to gather information about the application of the microscopic method. The current 2016 version of the IAG ring test for animal proteins facilitated the full scenario with the methods for microscopy and PCR as published in Regulation (EC) 51/2013 amending Annex VI of Regulation (EC) 152/2009 together with accompanying SOPs. All four samples were based on an artificial feed mimicking a formulation for ruminant feed. Two samples were labelled as fish feed (B and D), which was effectuated by adding 2% of a general fish meal. Adulteration was achieved by adding 0.1% pig MBM (B), 0.1% ruminant MBM (D) and a combination of 0.1% ruminant MBM and 0.1% fish meal (C). This combination of different spikes allowed the diverse application of the detection methods. Forty eight participants enrolled for the ring test, of which 45 submitted microscopic results. Of these, 20 participants applied the combination of microscopic and PCR analysis. Three participants submitted exclusively PCR results.
Female egg dumping and the effect of sex ratio on male egg carrying in a coreid bug

PhyUomorpha lacmiata Vill (Heteroptera, Coreidae) is unique among teiieauial infects in that females ghie eggi on the back* of other conspecifics. Egg carrying by P. lacmiata males has previously been considered as paternal care. We explored female oviposidon with respect to previous mating experience of females and tested whether sex ratio affects male egg-carrying. The hypothesis that male egg-carrying is a form of paternal care predicts that a male should always accept eggs after mating with a female. However, if male egg-carrying is a form of postcopulatory mate guarding rather than paternal care, egg carrying should increase in die presence of other males. When two couples were placed together, females laid eggs on the backs of all individuals enclosed, including the backs of other females. However, when a female was accompanied by 2 males, 22 out of 26 females oviposited on their mating partner. Thus, sexual compeddon rather than paternity alone, affects a male's eagerness to carry eggs. However, even if males sometimes carry their own eggs, females lay eggs on the backs of all conspecifics they can easily acquire. Thus, egg carrying in P. lacmiata is partially voluntary and partially die result of female egg dumping. Ktj words: Coreidae, egg carrying, Heteroptera mate guarding, paternal care, PhyUomorpha lacmiata, sex ratio. [Bthav Ecol 8:429-432 (1997)1
Inferring past demographic changes in a critically endangered marine fish after fishery collapse

Fausto Valenzuela-Quinonez1,2, John Carlos Garza3, Juan A. De-Anda-Montanez2, and Francisco J. Garcia-de-Leon1* Laboratorio de Genetica para la Conservacion, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas de Noroeste, Calle IPN #195, La Paz, BCS 23096, Mexico Laboratorio de Modelacion y Bioeconomia Pesquera, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas de Noroeste, Calle IPN #195, La Paz, BCS 23096, Mexico Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA *Corresponding author: tel: +52 612 123 8484; fax: +52 612 125 3625; e-mail: fgarciadl@cibnor.mx
Dry matter accumulation of elephantgrass, energycane, and elephantmillet in a subtropical climate

Tall genotypes of elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spp.) are potential biomass energy plants in subtropical areas because annual dry matter (DM) yields often exceed 40 Mg ha -1 . A field study was conducted to characterize crop performance of these C 4 bunchgrasses during the 35- to 40-wk warm season in north-central Florida. Entries included two tall elephantgrasses (PI 300086 and N51), a tall energycane (L79-1002), and an intermediate pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. ] × elephantgrass hybrid (S41) (.)
Some alternative litter materials used for growing broilers and turkeys

This paper discusses materials used as bedding or litter for the rearing of broilers and turkeys in the U.S.A. The U.S. poultry industry has historically used pine shavings as the litter of choice for many years. Sawdust has replaced pine shavings in many areas, however, not by choice, but because pine shavings have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Regionally, rice hulls, straw, and peanut hulls can be found in use by poultry producers for litter. Re-cycled paper products have received a lot of research and development, but have not had a great deal of acceptance by the poultry industry. Sand is another alternative bedding that is currently being tested in southern climates. Alternative litter materials for poultry will continue to be researched and evaluated, and pine shavings or sawdust will probably continue to be used as the benchmark comparison. However, while bird performance will always be a threshold criterion, cost and availability will ultimately determine the adoption of new or alternative litter materials by poultry growers and the poultry industry.
Long‐range side‐chain–main‐chain interactions play crucial roles in stabilizing the (βα)8 barrel motif of the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase

The role of hither‐to‐fore unrecognized long‐range hydrogen bonds between main‐chain amide hydrogens and polar side chains on the stability of a well‐studied (βα)8, TIM barrel protein, the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase (αTS), was probed by mutational analysis. The F19–D46 and I97–D124 hydrogen bonds link the N terminus of a β‐strand with the C terminus of the succeeding antiparallel α‐helix, and the A103–D130 hydrogen bond links the N terminus of an α‐helix with the C terminus of the succeeding antiparallel β‐strand, forming clamps for the respective βα or αβ hairpins. The individual replacement of these aspartic acid side chains with alanine leads to what appear to be closely related partially folded structures with significantly reduced far‐UV CD ellipticity and thermodynamic stability. Comparisons with the effects of eliminating another main‐chain–side‐chain hydrogen bond, G26–S33, and two electrostatic side‐chain–side‐chain hydrogen bonds, D38–H92 and D112–H146, all in the same N‐terminal folding unit of αTS, demonstrated a unique role for the clamp interactions in stabilizing the native barrel conformation. Because neither the asparagine nor glutamic acid variant at position 46 can completely reproduce the spectroscopic, thermodynamic, or kinetic folding properties of aspartic acid, both size and charge are crucial to its unique role in the clamp hydrogen bond. Kinetic studies suggest that the three clamp hydrogen bonds act in concert to stabilize the transition state leading to the fully folded TIM barrel motif.
Nutritional condition of fish larvae in South African estuaries: an appraisal of three biochemical methods

Estuaries are exposed to a number of threats and many South African estuarine systems are functionally and structurally altered. The extent to which fish are affected by these alterations is not fully understood. The estuarine round herring Gilchristella aestuaria is an appropriate species to use when examining such effects. The most widely used approaches to evaluating the nutritional condition of fish larvae are based on biochemical methods. In order to identify the most suitable technique for assessing body condition of fish larvae in estuaries, the nutritional condition of post-flexion larvae of G. aestuaria from the Sundays and Kariega estuaries on the south-east coast of South Africa was evaluated using three different biochemical techniques: (i) total lipid content analysis and the triacylglycerol/cholesterol (TAG/CHOL) ratio; (ii) protein content analysis; and (iii) the RNA/DNA ratio. Results from techniques (ii) and (iii) revealed that G. aestuaria larvae from the Kariega Estuary were in better condition than larvae from the Sundays Estuary, probably due to a recent plankton bloom. It is concluded that the individual RNA/DNA ratio can provide a reliable, sensitive and cost-effective method to assess the immediate effects of environmental changes on the nutritional condition of estuarine fish larvae.
Identification and Fibrinolytic Evaluation of an Isoindolone Derivative Isolated from a Rare Marine Fungus Stachybotrys longispora FG216

An isoindolone derivative, Fungi fibrinolytic compound (R)-2,5-bis((2R,3R)-2-((E)-4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dien-1-yl)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-methyl-7-oxo-3,4,7,9-tetrahydropyrano[2,3-e]isoindol-8(2H)-yl)pentanoic acid (FGFC1, Fungi fibrinolytic compound 1), was isolated from a rare marine microorganism strain Stachybotrys longispora FG216. The structure of FGFC1 was elucidated by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and MS data; moreover, it was also evaluated for fibrinolytic activity in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that 0.1–0.4 mmol/L of FGFC1 could stimulate generation of plasmin activity (increased by 2.05–11.44 folds) by measuring Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen activation in vitro. The experiment of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-fibrinogen degradation indicated that the effect of FGFC1 on fibrinolytic activity was mediated by plasminogen and scuPA. In addition, FGFC1 (10 mg/kg) could dissolve most of pulmonary thrombus of Wistar rat in vivo. It is possible that FGFC1 is a potential thrombolytic agent in the future.
Diospyros melanoxylon Leaves: A Rich Source of Pentacyclic Triterpenes

In a program designed to search for alternative uses of Diospyros melanoxylon leaves (bidi wrapper leaves), extensive chemical screening resulted in the isolation of nine pentacyclic triterpenes and ß -sitosterol. Out of the nine pentacyclic triterpenes, two are hitherto unreported (2 and 4), four are taxonomically significant (7-10), and the remaining three (1, 5 and 6) are known. Significantly, the ursane structures, viz., a -amyrin (0.7%) and ursolic acid (0.56%) and corsolic acid (0.14%), were obtained in fairly large quantities. In view of the excellent surface active properties and interesting biological activities attributed to some of these skeletons, their present isolation is of relevance.
The diet of Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis and its agronomic significance

If the importance of wildlife in agricultural pest control through predation can be conveyed, it can play an important role in the conservation of wildlife. However, such a strategy needs to be backed with convincing data. We studied the habitat preference, diet and reproductive behavior of the Indian Eagle Owl (IEO) Bubo bengalensis in order to understand its role in agricultural pest control. The Owls preferred landscapes with a higher percentage of agriculture and fed on rodents, birds, reptiles, arachnids, insects and other prey species. Despite being a generalist feeder, its diet was dominated by agricultural pests, which contributed 88% of the total prey biomass. Out of the13 rodent prey species, which comprised a major part of the diet, seven were identified as major agricultural pests and were 98% of the total rodent biomass in the diet of the IEO. The dependence of the IEO on rodent pests was further reflected by positive correlation between rodent biomass consumed and the breeding success of the owl. The IEO, therefore, plays a positive role in the biological control of crop pests. However, owls spent a longer duration of time in agricultural habitats, where they also had higher productivity. Thus IEO may be subjected to anthropogenic activities, human contact and interference. Since this owl is still hunted due to superstitious beliefs, scientific evidence elucidating the importance of the IEO in agricultural pest control can be used for its conservation by educating the farming community.
Mental Health Nurses' Attitudes and Perceived Self-Efficacy Toward Inpatient Aggression: A Cross-Sectional Study of Associations With Nurse-Related Characteristics.

PURPOSE: To explore mental health nurses' attitude and self-efficacy to adult inpatient aggression, and to explore the association with nurse-related characteristics. DESIGN AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study in a sample of 219 mental health nurses in nine psychiatric hospitals, with stepwise linear regression analysis to detect predictive models. FINDINGS: Female and less experienced nurses were less likely to blame patients for their behavior. Gender, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction accounted for 26.2% of the variability in mental health nurses' self-efficacy toward aggression. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There needs to be attention to professional quality of life for mental health nurses, to provide them with of self-efficacy and a positive attitude toward coping with aggression. Language: en
Flowering, seed production and seed mass in a species-rich temperate grassland exposed to FACE and warming

Long-term effects of climate change on plant communities must be mediated by reproductive and recruitment responses of component species. From spring 2003 until autumn 2006, we monitored flowering and seed-production responses to free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) and 2°C warming in a species-rich, nutrient-poor southern temperate grassland, by using the TasFACE experiment. There were no effects of either FACE or warming on the proportion of species flowering in any year. Flowering, seed production and seed mass were not significantly affected by FACE, warming or their interaction in most species. Some species, however, did respond significantly to simulated global changes. These responses generally were not governed by life history, but there were two distinct trends. First, warming increased the proportion of the population that flowered in perennial grasses but not in other species types. Second, flowering and seed production of both perennial woody dicots responded strongly to the interaction of FACE and warming, with Bossiaea prostrata producing most seeds in warmed FACE plots and Hibbertia hirsuta producing the most in unwarmed FACE plots. FACE increased seed mass 4-fold in the perennial C3 grass Elymus scaber (P < 0.01) but substantially reduced seed mass of the perennial C3 grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa (P < 0.02) and the perennial forb Hypochaeris radicata (P < 0.02), with the remainder of species unaffected. Our results indicate that warming and elevated CO2 had little effect on seed production in the temperate grassland ecosystem. The few significant affects there were, however, are likely to have substantial implications for community composition and structure.
Seasonal patterns of root and shoot interactions in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

Numerous studies have showed that the balance between negative and positive plant-plant interactions shifted along environmental gradients. But little is known how the positive or negative plant-plant interactions varied with temporal fluctuating habitat conditions and plant ontogenetic phases. In a 2-year experiment, the four perennial grasses (Kobresia humilis, Stipa aliena, Elymus nutans and Saussurea superba) were grown under four interaction treatments (no root or shoot interaction, only shoot interaction, only root interaction, root and shoot interaction). Intensity of above- and belowground interactions is proposed to vary with the fluctuation of seasonal climatic conditions and soil available nutrients. Here we report measurements of above- and belowground interactions during entire growing season. Correlation between plant interaction intensity and seasonal soil available N as well as habitat climate conditions was also performed. Our experiment found that root interactions had negative effect on plant growth for the four species during growing season. However, both negative and positive shoot interactions occurred among the four species. Despite there being shoot facilitative effect for E. nutans and S. superba, the full interaction was negative, suggested that root interaction take more important role on plant growth than that of shoot interaction. The interaction between root and shoot effect varied as a function of species identity and growth phases. The weak correlation of plant interaction intensity to habitat environmental factors suggested that plant ontogenetic characteristics may be primary factors causing temporal variation in plant interaction.
Ion irradiation of carbonaceous chondrites as a simulation of space weathering on C-complex asteroids

We are investigating the effects of space weathering on primitive asteroids using ion irradiation on their meteoritic analogs. To do so, we exposed several carbonaceous chondrites (CV Allende, COs Lancé and Frontier Mountain 95002, CM Mighei, CI Alais, and ungrouped Tagish Lake) to 40 keV He ions as a simulation of solar wind irradiation using fluences up to 6.10 ions/cm (implantation platform IRMA at CSNSM Orsay). As a test for our new experimental setup, we also studied samples of olivine and diopside. We confirm the reddening and darkening trends on S-type objects, but carbonaceous chondrites present a continuum of behaviors after ion irradiation as a function of the initial albedo and carbon content: from red to blue and from dark to bright.
Soil fauna of Finland: Acarina, Collembola and Enchytraeidae

This paper is a summary report of a study on the soil fauna of Finland, supported by the Ministry of Environment, in the framework of the Finnish “PUTTE-Project” (Research Programme of Deficiently Known and Threatened Forest Species). Thematerialwas collected systematically from 15 different habitat types in eleven sampling areas with geographical coverage of the country.