Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting egg maturation in the bean weevil Callosobruchus maculatus

Abstract. This paper concerns the effects of mate and seed availability on the rate of egg maturation in the bean weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Egg maturation starts before emergence from the seed and, provided that both oviposition sites and mates are available, eggs are laid at a rate determined by the number of oviposition sites, and mature at a similar rate. If seeds or mates are absent then a small number of eggs are laid, but oocytes continue to mature until the oviduct‐capacity is approached. The number of eggs that a female can store is dependent on her body weight and does not correlate with the number of ovarioles. If, after a period in which oocyte development has been halted, conditions for egg‐laying become suitable, then egg maturation can be re‐started, but only after the oviducts have been emptied of eggs. The rate of egg maturation is then similar to that for females of the same age which have been maturing eggs since emergence.
Efeitos de substratos e das dimensões dos recipientes na qualidade das mudas de Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. Ex D.C.) Standl.

A crescente demanda por mudas de especies florestais nativas tem exigido pesquisas relacionadas com o uso de substratos e recipientes, capazes de proporcionar mudas que apresentem elevadas taxas de crescimento inicial e de sobrevivencia apos o plantio. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a producao de mudas de Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. ex D.C.) Standl (ipe-roxo), em condicoes acessiveis aos pequenos e medios produtores rurais. O ensaio foi instalado em area experimental localizada no Departamento de Fitotecnia (CCA/UFPB), em Areia, PB. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com 14 blocos. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinacao dos substratos: S1 - terra de subsolo e S2 - terra de subsolo + composto orgânico e de sacos de polietileno preto nas seguintes dimensoes: I - 20 x 36,5 cm; II -15 x 32 cm; III - 13 x 25,5 cm; e IV - 13,5 x 19 cm. Para todas as variaveis estudadas, o recipiente I e o substrato S2 sobressairam em relacao aos demais. Entretanto, considerando a diferenca entre os resultados e a demanda de substrato e mao-de-obra exigida, no primeiro caso recomenda-se o recipiente II com o substrato S2, para a producao de mudas dessa especie.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF BRAIN γ-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID TO CONVULSIONS

Mice injected with thiosemicarbazide and sacrificed during a tonic extensor seizure showed a significantly smaller decrease in brain GABA than was found in animals similarly treated with semicarbazide, acetone semicarbazone, thiocarbohydrazide, isonicotinic acid hydrazide or 3-deoxypyridoxine phosphate. Compared with the hydrazides, methylhydrazine and 1-phenyl-2-hydrazinopropane caused little change in GABA in mice. A convulsant dose of hydrazine caused an increase in brain GABA. Large doses of succinonitrile and diphenylhydantoin were almost as effective as the hydrazides in lowering GABA. Metrazole, picrotoxin and insulin caused smaller but significant decreases. Reserpine had no effect. A number of different treatments were explored in an attempt to elevate brain GABA in mice and rats, but success was achieved only with hydrazine and with hydroxylamine. Hydrazine was much the more satisfactory drug in that it caused larger increases in GABA and was less toxic. In doses sufficient to elevate brain GABA in rats, neither hydrazine nor hydroxylamine altered the incidence or duration of electrically-induced clonic seizures or modified the pattern of a maximal seizure. Hydrazine also failed to confer protection against pentylenetetrazol seizures in mice. Hydrazine-treated mice injected with semicarbazide exhibited maximal seizures at supranormal concentrations of brain GABA. It was concluded that hydrazide-induced convulsions are not directly related to the total concentration of GABA in whole brain. The possibilities that the delay in the onset of hydrazide convulsions may represent a slow entry of the drugs into brain and that convulsions may cause a supranormal utilization of GABA for energy-yielding reactions of the brain were considered in the discussion.
Employing volunteered geographic information in space syntax analysis

The application of volunteered geographic information has rapidly increased over the past years. OpenStreetMap (OSM) forms in this context one of the most ambitious and promising projects, providing consistent global coverage of street network information. With a constantly growing number of participants and the implementation of governmental and proprietary based information is a complete coverage of global street networks within reach. The data allows comparative cross-country analyses and any method developed within its framework are transferable to other cases. This makes OSM a powerful and desirable data source for applied network analyses, such as space syntax. However, OSM data does not come without obstacles. Inconsistent representation of space, topological fragmentation and accuracy are just some of the problems that one faces when employing OSM data. In fact, without prior processing and simplification of the network, results differ significantly between case studies. This paper presents a method for OSM data set simplification as well as the theoretical and analytical reasoning behind it. The simplification is done by a series of ArcGIS workflows and algorithms. The outcome of this process is compared to an angular segment analysis (ASA) of a segment model, an Integrated Transport Network (ITN) Ordnance Survey data model and an OSM street network data model. The results show that a simplified version of OSM data is highly comparable to a segmented axial line representation and that such data sets constitute an appropriate alternative for situations where segment maps are not available, such as complex, large-scale regional models and cross-country comparisons. The simplification workflow is transferable to other cases and data sets and helps overcoming common problems while significantly improving computational time needed in the process.
The Economic Consequences of Perk Disclosure

In December 2006 the SEC issued rules that require enhanced disclosure of perquisites to managers of public U.S. firms. We find that the new disclosures had a significant effect of on shareholder value and perk practices. Firms that disclose perks for the first time in response to the rules experience significantly negative returns around the disclosure date. These firms respond to the negative returns by decreasing perk levels in the subsequent year. Firms that were already disclosing perks before the rule ratchet-up the level of perks in the subsequent year. Further, using data collected under the new disclosure regime, the level of perks is higher in firms that have fewer growth opportunities, larger amounts of free cash flow, managers with more power over the board of directors, and in firms that operate in more concentrated industries.
“It’s good for them but not so for me”: Inside the sign language interpreting call centre

This paper reports on findings from an international survey of sign language interpreters who have experience of working remotely via video link, either in a video relay service or as a video remote interpreter. The objective of the study was to identify the common issues that confront interpreters when working in these remote environments and ascertain what aspects of interpreting remotely via a video link are working successfully. The international reach of this survey demonstrates how working remotely via video link can be an integral part of bringing about social equality for deaf sign language users; yet according to interpreters who work in these services, ineffective video interpreting policies, poor public awareness and lack of training are identified as areas needing improvement.
Skin Peptide Activities against Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens of the African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) and Three Litoria Frogs

Abstract An innate immune defense of frogs against microbial pathogens is secretion of antimicrobial peptides from skin granular glands. This study aimed to characterize the activities of skin antimicrobial peptides against seven different opportunistic bacterial pathogens associated with bacterial dermatosepticemia, a fatal infectious disease of frogs, including Aeromonas hydrophila, Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Serratia liquefaciens and the bacterial saprophyte Lactococcus lactis. Natural peptide mixtures from African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis), Green and Golden Bell Frogs (Litoria aurea), Southern Bell Frogs (Litoria raniformis), and Brown Tree Frogs (Litoria ewingii) were assayed for bacterial growth inhibition. Peptide mixtures from X. laevis, L. aurea, and L. raniformis inhibited the growth of C. freundii, K. pneumoniae, P. aerugionsa, and L. lactis with the peptide mixture of X. laevis having the strongest inhibitory effects on these pathogens and also inhibiting the growth of C. meningosepticum. Similarly, X. laevis produced more active peptides per unit surface area than did L. aurea or L. raniformis. The peptide mixture of L. ewingii was not active against any pathogen. Three pathogens abundant in skin microbiota including A. hydrophila, P. mirabilis, and S. liquefaciens were resistant to peptide mixtures of all tested species. Therefore, although the activities of skin peptides could control several different opportunistic pathogens including C. freundii, K. pneumoniae, P. aerugionsa, and C. meningosepticum and the saprophyte L. lactis, it is suggested that some opportunistic pathogens such as A. hydrophila, P. mirabilis, and S. liquefaciens may have coevolved to resist skin peptides.
Population growth and colonization of Steller sea lions in the Glacier Bay region of southeastern Alaska: 1970s–2009

We estimated trends in numbers of Steller sea lions in the Glacier Bay region of the eastern population from the 1970s to 2009. We documented the colonization of several new haul-outs and the transition of one haul-out (Graves Rocks) to a rookery, assessed seasonal patterns in distribution, and compared counts from different observation platforms. Sea lions increased in the region by 8.2%/yr (95%CI = 6.4%–10.0%), with the most growth at South Marble Island in Glacier Bay (16.6%/yr, 1991–2009) and rapid growth in Cross Sound. Seasonal patterns in the distribution of sea lions were likely influenced by new breeding opportunities and the seasonal availability of prey. Factors that likely contributed to the exceptional growth include availability of new habitat following deglaciation, immigration, redistribution, decreases in mortality, and ecosystem-level changes. The rapid increase in sea lion numbers in this region is of particular interest in light of dramatic declines in the western population and evidence that Steller sea lions from both the eastern and western populations colonized the Graves Rocks rookery. The colonization and rookery development in this dynamic area may signal the reversal of the reproductive isolation of the two populations.
Molecular Survey of Endosymbionts in Florida Populations of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Its Parasitoids Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Abstract A molecular survey of endosymbionts was conducted in Florida populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), and its parasitoids Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam and Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Using a high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we detected 3 eubacterial species each in D. citri (the primary symbiont Candidatus Carsonella rudii, a secondary symbiont related to Oxalobacter and Herbaspirillum species, and Wolbachia), and T. radiata (Caulobacter sp., Methylobacterium sp. and a bacterium in the family Alcaligenaceae), whereas only 1 species was identified in D. aligarhensis (Wolbachia). Each eubacterial symbiont of D. citri was detected in the eggs, which is indicative of transovarial transmission. However, none of the eubacterial symbionts of T. radiata were detected in the eggs, suggesting that they are only transient associates. Stable horizontal transfer of these eubacterial species likely has not occurred between the host and its parasitoids because each insect hosts a different complement of Eubacteria. For example, different strains of Wolbachia were detected in D. citri and D. aligarhensis, based on evidence from the 16S rRNA and wsp gene sequences. Also, the orf7 gene of the bacteriophage WO associated with Wolbachia was detected in D. citri but not in D. aligarhensis. No endosymbiotic Archaea, Helicosporidia, Microsporidia, Fungi, or Yeast-like symbionts were detected with PCR in these populations of D. citri or its parasitoids.
THE CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY ZIMBABWEAN SOCIAL WORKERS PRACTISING IN GAUTENG TOWNSHIPS

South Africa has seen increasing numbers of skilled and unskilled migrants coming into the country legally and illegally. Social work is a global profession and some of the skilled mig r ants coming to South Africa are social workers with foreign qualifications. This qualitative research was motivated by the need to understand the challenges faced by Zimbabwean social workers who are practising in a township in Gauteng province. Findings indicate that foreign social workers face challenges trying to navigate the work space in South Africa. This study makes a contribution to debates on the migration of professionals as an important policy issue for South Africa.
SCREENING AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HEMOLYSINS FROM BACILLUS SP.: STRAIN S128 & S144 ARE HEMOLYSIN B (HBL) PRODUCERS

The potential of 130 different strains of the genus Bacillus for hemolysin production and their effects against erythrocytes from different sources was examined. Complete hemolytic units (CHU) of three randomly selected strains of B. cereus group viz. S128, S140(c) and S144 were determined at different temperatures and pH. The highest CHU in yeast extract-tryptone (YT) broth was found at pH 5 & 7 for S140(c); pH 7 and 9 for S144 and S128, respectively. Hemolysins from the strains S128 and S140(c) remained stable at 50°C for 30 min, while hemolysin from strain S144 completely lost its activity at this temperature. However, no hemolytic activity was noted at 60°C in any of the test strains. Strains S128 and S144 showed discontinuous pattern of hemolysis which is an indication of hemolysin BL (HBL) producers.
The Biology and Control of the Pea Moth, Laspeyresia nigricana , Steph.

The Pea Moth, Laspeyresia nigricana , Steph. , is one of the principal pests of garden and field peas in Great Britain. Its larvae feed within the pods causing considerable damage to the developing seeds and giving to their contents a veryunsightly appearance. The insect is widely distributed in England and, according to Meyrick (1927), occurs in Scotland as far north as the Clyde. It is most prevalent, however, in the southern part of England, where in the pea growing counties of Lincoln, Essex and Kent it frequently causes severe losses. It is widely distributed in central and southern Europe while in North America it has spread, since its introduction, to all the main pea producing areas and has become a major pest.
An Attention Mechanism for Answer Selection Using a Combined Global and Local View

We propose a new attention mechanism for neural based question answering, which depends on varying granularities of the input. Previous work focused on augmenting recurrent neural networks with simple attention mechanisms which are a function of the similarity between a question embedding and an answer embeddings across time. We extend this by making the attention mechanism dependent on a global embedding of the answer attained using a separate network. We evaluate our system on InsuranceQA, a large question answering dataset. Our model outperforms current state-of-the-art results on InsuranceQA. Further, we visualize which sections of text our attention mechanism focuses on, and explore its performance across different parameter settings.
Selection of Amino Acid Chirality via Weak Interactions in External Fields

Introduction: An astro-biological model has been developed in which the selective destruction of chiral states in high magnetic fields can create enantiomeric excesses (ees) of about 1 part in 10. These excesses may be subsequently auto-catalyzed into the large excesses observed on the earth today. In the present model, atomic nuclei bound in amino acids are destroyed via the weak interaction in stellar environments [1-3]. Nuclei are preferentially oriented in high magnetic fields of certain stellar environments and the molecular interaction couples the nuclear magnetic moment to the chirality through simultaneous orientations of the nuclear magnetic moment in the external field and the molecular electric dipole moment via the Stark Effect. The coupling of atomic nuclei with non-zero magnetic moments to the molecular orbitals via the interaction of the magnetic shielding tensor and the electric dipole moment creates additional energy splittings which depend on the molecular chirality [2]. This effect is exploited in this model to create a chirality-dependent asymmetry in molecular states. An enantiomeric excess is subsequently created via the selective destruction and subsequent amplification of nuclei oriented in strong fields. Possible sites in which this model may exist are proposed.
Recent Advances in Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated with Xp11.2 Translocations/TFE Gene Fusions

B Renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocations/TFE gene fusions (Xp11.2 RCC) has been classified as a distinct entity in the 2004 WHO classification of kidney tumors. Over the past seven years, aided by increased awareness, positive nuclear staining for TFE3, unique cytogenetic features, and modern molecular technology, more cases have been recognized as Xp11.2 RCC. This review summarizes the most recent advances in Xp11.2 RCC regarding to its clinical presentation, cytogenetic profile, histopathology, prognosis and treatment. (N A J Med Sci. 2012;5(1):43-47. )
Yucatán seaweeds from the offshore waters of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract Seaweeds in the offshore waters of Isla Mujeres, in the western Caribbean Sea on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, were sampled using SCUBA. Three species of Cyanophyta, 90 Rhodophyta, 21 Ochrophyta and 41 Chlorophyta were identified. New records and earlier accounts of the shallow-water flora around the island indicate a rich flora of 400 taxa. Five localities around the island were sampled and each had a distinctive community of seaweeds. Over two-thirds (104) of the 155 taxa identified were present at only one of the five localities, and only one species was present in all five localities.
Rapid communication Aldosterone increases T-type calcium channel expression and in vitro beating frequency in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Objective: Although aldosterone has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, its cellular mechanism of action on cardiomyocyte function is not yet completely elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effect of aldosterone on calcium channel expression and cardiomyocyte contraction frequency. Methods: Cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were stimulated in vitro with 1 Amol/L aldosterone for 24 h. Calcium currents were then measured with the patch clamp technique, while calcium channel expression was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Results: In the present study, we show that aldosterone increases Ca 2+ currents by inducing channel expression. Indeed, aldosterone led to a substantial increase of L- and T-type Ca 2+ current amplitudes, and we found a concomitant 55% increase of the mRNA coding for a1C and h2 subunits of cardiac L channels. Although T-type currents were relatively small under control conditions, they increased 4-fold and T channel a1H isoform expression rose in the same proportion after aldosterone treatment. Because T channels have been implicated in the modulation of membrane electrical activity, we investigated whether aldosterone affects the beating frequency of isolated cardiomyocytes. In fact, aldosterone dose-dependently increased the spontaneous beating frequency more than 4-fold. This effect of aldosterone was prevented by actinomycin D and spironolactone and reduced by RU486, suggesting a mixed mineralocorticoid/glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcriptional mechanism. Moreover, inhibition of T currents with Ni 2+ or mibefradil significantly reduced beating frequency towards control values, while conditions affecting L-type currents completely blocked contractions. Conclusion: Aldosterone modulates the expression of cardiac voltage-operated Ca 2+ channels and accelerates beating in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. This chronotropic action of aldosterone appears to be linked to increased T channel activity and could contribute to the deleterious effect of an excess of this steroid in vivo on cardiac function.
An Overview of the Religious Perspective of Honour Killing In Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) of Pakistan

This article maps the role of religion in the prevalence and promotion of honour killing in tribal areas of Pakistan. Through simple sampling method a sample size of 377 respondents, comprising of ‘Maliks’ were selected from the study universe. The collected data was interpreted and presented at uni-variate, bi-variate and multi-variate levels. Chi-square test statistics were used to draw association between dependent variable (honour killing) and independent variable (religion) both at bi-variate and multi-variate levels. The study found a significant relationship of honour killing with the importance of religion in people lives, alienation from the religious teachings ,dominance of cultural values over religion ,existence of honour killing in all religious sects (Shia and Sunni), and lack of factual religious knowledge about honour killing. Moreover, a non-significant relationship of honour killing was found with permission of honour killing in Islam, and religious clerics often speak about honour killing in religious sermons. Understanding of women and their rights in light of the teachings of Islam, religious clerics need to perform their true role, and killing in either shape needs to be propagated as against the religion were presented some of the policy recommendations in lights of the study results.
Morphological and microscopical comparison features of Bacillus cereus isolates

Fifty seven samples of milk and infant formula were taken to isolate Bacillus cereus. There were 21.55% in milk and 22.5% in infant formula. Polymyxine pyruvate egg yolk mannitol bromothymol blue agar (PEMBA) and blood agar were conducted to grow B. cereus in this study. Colony morphology onPEMBA and Blood agar were used along with gram staining and spore staining methods to compare the morphological and microscopically features with the standard strain. The importance of intensity and severity of this organism in food poisoning due to ingestion of incriminated milk and milk products led to this study. The understanding of the presence and distribution of B. cereus discovered the contamination spots inBaghdad markets and the farms inBaghdad districts to make the authorities able to diagnose these contamination areas in order to control and prevent the infection. The aim of this study is to reveal the availability of B. cereus in milk and infant formula in the local dairy farms and the markets of the districts inBaghdad.