Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality during dispersal stabilizes local population fluctuations

In a recent paper, Hassell et al. (1995), building on previous work by Bascompte & Sole (1994), investigated the dynamic properties of a set of intrinsically identical populations linked by dispersal: a metapopulation. They demonstrated that, for their model, the stability properties of the local populations within the metapopulation were identical to those of a similar isolated population. That is, if the populations were stable when isolated, then no matter how much dispersal was added, the populations would not destabilize; similarly, unstable populations could not be stabilized by dispersal. Rohani, May & Hassell (1996) generalized this result to multi-species models. Hassell et al.'s results hold providing the population growth and dispersal terms are identical for each patch, and providing dispersal is of a passive density-independent form.
Cereal starch digestibility by porcine pancreatic α-amylase isoforms in vitro: Effect of non-starch polysaccharides

α-Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) are a family of endo-amylases which catalyze the hydrolysis of α-D-(1,4) glycosidic linkages in starch and glycogen releasing malto-oligosaccharides. The amylose contents of ragi, rice, wheat and maize starches were 26.6, 25.1, 26.4 and 27.3% respectively. The gelatinization temperatures and the enthalpy of gelatinization of ragi, rice, wheat and maize starches were 64.9, 60.7, 62.2 & 66.5°C and 11.9, 8.9, 10.4 and 13.4 J/g respectively. X-ray crystallography revealed that all the starches showed typical A-type diffraction pattern. Pancreatic alpha amylase (PPA) was separated into two activity peaks i.e PPA-I and PPA-II on DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The molecular weights of PPA-I and PPA-II were found to be ~55 kDa, hence isoforms. The MS fragmentation pattern of the sugars released from starches by pancreatic α-amylase treatment indicated preponderantly maltose, maltotriose and maltotetraose. The pH and temperature optima of PPA, PPA-I and PPA-II were 6.9 and 45°C respectively. PPA was found to be stable in the pH range of 7.0-8.0 whereas PPA-I and PPA-II were stable in the pH range of 6.0-8.0. PPA, PPA-I and II were stable up to 45°C. Km and Vmax calculated from the Lineweaver Burk double reciprocal plot showed that maize starch was the least digestible among all the starches as indicated by its high Km value. Ca2+, Ba2+, Co2+ and Mg2+ were found to have both activating and stabilizing effect whereas Al3+ and Hg2+ completely inactivated PPA and its isoforms. Citric acid and oxalic acid inhibited PPA and its isoforms in concentration dependent manner. The viscosity of water soluble non-starch polysaccharides (WSNSP) increased with increase in concentration (0.2 to 1.0%) and decreased with increase in temperature (20 to 70°C). Maize WSNSP reduced the activity of PPA and its isoforms to a greater extent compared to the WSNSP of ragi, wheat and rice. The glycoprotein nature of PPA and its isoforms were ascertained by colorimetric and periodic acid Schiff’s (PAS) staining methods. The completeness of deglycosylation was observed after 24 h of PNGase F treatment. ESI-MS of the released oligosaccharide of these amylases showed the molecular fragmentation at 365 and 709 m/z. The deglycosylated enzymes were slightly less thermo-stable than the glycosylated forms. The excitation of the glycosylated enzymes were observed at 280 nm and that of deglycosylated samples were 286 nm indicating a red shift. The differences between the glycosylated and deglycosylated PPA and its isoforms with respect to the spectral characteristics in the far-UV region did not show any significant differences. The thesis ends with summary and conclusions along with a list of references.
SIMILARITY SOLUTIONS FOR UNSTEADY FLOW BEHIND AN EXPONENTIAL SHOCK IN A PERFECTLY CONDUCTING DUSTY GAS

In the present paper, self-similar solutions for unsteady onedimensional isothermal (or adiabatic flow) behind a strong exponential shock driven out by a piston moving with time according to an exponential law is obtained. The medium is assumed to be a perfectly conducting dusty gas under the action of an azimuthal magnetic field. The dust is assumed to consist of small solid particles distributed continuously in a perfect gas and equilibrium flow condition is maintained in the flow field. The viscous-stress and heat conduction of the mixture are negligible solutions are obtained, in both the cases, when the flow between the piston and the shock is isothermal and adiabatic. Effects of variation in the mass concentration of the solid particles in the mixture kp , the ratio of the density of the solid particles to that of initial density of the gas G1and the strength of initial magnetic field are obtained. Also, a comparison is made between isothermal and adiabatic flows. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 76L05, 35L67.
Effect of crustal heterogeneities and effective rock strength on the formation of HP and UHP rocks

The formation of high pressure and ultra-high pressure rocks has been controversially discussed in recent years. Most existing petrological interpretations assume that pressure in the Earth is lithostatic and therefore HP and UHP rocks have to come from great depth, which usually involves going down a subduction channel and being exhumed again. Yet, an alternative explanation points out that pressure in the lithosphere is often non-lithostatic and can be either smaller or larger than lithostatic as a function of location and time. Whether this effect is tectonically significant or not depends on the magnitude of non-lithostatic pressure, and as a result a number of researchers have recently performed numerical simulations to address this. Somewhat disturbingly, they obtained widely differing results with some claiming that overpressures as large as a GPa can occur (Schmalholz et al. 2014), whereas others show that overpressures of exhumed rocks are generally less than 20% and thus insignificant (Li et al. 2010; Burov et al. 2014).
The Architectural Heritage as a Projection of Competition and Negotiation

Recent studies have reported that the mausoleum of Aḥmad Shāh I Bahmanī (r. 1422-1436), in Ashtur (Karnataka), is frequented by both Muslims and Vīraśaivas. Now, setting out from the pilgrimage performed on the occasion of the sovereign’s ʿurs, the aim of the present contribution is to analyze some of the architectural sites that are touched by the pilgrimage, and to examine how their spaces are understood and perceived by the devotees. The paper aims to shed light on the coexistence of these two religious groups and on the way in which certain forms of competition and negotiation have come to be transposed onto the cultural and historical landscape.
Effects of Maintaining Competitiveness through Strategic Alliances: A Case of Rongo University College, Kenya

Organizations have been able to get competitive advantage through strategic alliances however; the alliance needs to be carefully crafted for it to realize the expected benefits to both partners. The study sought to determine the effect of maintaining competitiveness through strategic alliances at Rongo University College. The study used cross sectional method and the target population included finance officers, marketing officers, internal auditors, technologists, risks officers, resource managers, corporate affairs officers, customer care staff, strategy and innovation officers. The study sample was 40 respondents and stratified sampling technique was used to categorize respondents into strata. The data was collected using the questionnaire and analysis was carried out using SPSS Version. 20. The study found that the composite measures of resource acquisition, diversification, economies of scale and organizational learning accounted for 75% (R2 = 0.751) variance contributing for the competitiveness of the university. Regression results showed that there was strong relationship between resource acquisition, diversification, economies of scale and organizational learning and competitiveness of the university. The study concluded that competitiveness of institutions of higher learning increases when there are sound resource acquisition, diversification, economies of scale and organizational learning. The study recommended that universities should recruit adequate and competent staff and give sufficient training and professional certification to be able to understand strategies for strategic alliance and their effect of competitiveness of the institution.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Genes Targeted by PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3-LIKE5 during Seed Germination in Arabidopsis

PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3-LIKE5 (PIL5) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that inhibits seed germination by regulating the expression of gibberellin (GA)and abscisic acid (ABA)-related genes either directly or indirectly. It is not yet known, however, whether PIL5 regulates seed germination solely through GA and ABA. Here, we used Chromatin immunoprecipitation-chip (ChIP-chip) analysis to identify 748 novel PIL5 binding sites in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. Consistent with the molecular function of PIL5 as a transcription regulator, most of the identified binding sites are located in gene promoter regions. Binding site analysis shows that PIL5 binds to its target sites mainly through the G-box motif in vivo. Microarray analysis reveals that phytochromes regulate a large number of genes mainly through PIL5 during seed germination. Comparison between the ChIP-chip and microarray data indicates that PIL5 regulates 166 genes by directly binding to their promoters. Many of the identified genes encode transcription regulators involved in hormone signaling, while some encode enzymes involved in cell wall modification. Interestingly, PIL5 directly regulates many transcription regulators of hormone signaling and indirectly regulates many genes involved in hormone metabolism. Taken together, our data indicate that PIL5 inhibits seed germination not just through GA and ABA, but also by coordinating hormone signals and modulating cell wall properties in imbibed seeds.
Corruption and FDI Market Selection: Evidence for Swedish Enterprises

The aim of this paper is to identify mechanisms through which corruption influences the enterprise incentive to perform FDI in a particular market. We empirically investigate enterprise market selection based on enterprise-market data for the Swedish manufacturers. In so doing, we distinguish between legal and illegal ways to capture the ‘rules of the game’ through corruption. This novel approach allows us to uncover several corruption mechanisms that give rise to counteracting market effects working to favor or disfavor enterprise market investment. In this context, we also investigate how legal and illegal corruption constraints vary with enterprise characteristics. We find evidence of that legal and illegal corruption affect market investment constraints through different channels, which can contribute to explain discrepant evidence of corruption functioning as a ‘helping hand’ or ‘grabbing hand’ in the research field. JEL Classification: F23; L20; P45.
Boron and Lithium in Calcium Sulfate Veins: Tracking Precipitation of Diagenetic Materials in Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater

The NASA Curiosity rover's ChemCam instrument suite has detected boron in calcium‐sulfate‐filled fractures throughout the sedimentary strata of Gale crater including Vera Rubin ridge. The presence of elevated B concentration provides insights into Martian subsurface aqueous processes. In this study we extend the data set of B in Ca‐sulfate veins across Gale crater, comparing the detection frequency and relative abundances with Li. We report 33 new detections of B within veins analyzed between Sols 1548 and 2311 where detections increase in Pettegrove Point and Jura members, which form Vera Rubin ridge. The presence of B and Li in the Ca‐sulfate veins is possibly due to dissolution of preexisting B in clays of the bedrock by acids or neutral water and redistribution of the elements into the veins. Elevated frequency of B detection in veins of Gale crater correlates with presence of dehydration features such as desiccation cracks, altered clay minerals and detections of evaporites such as Mg‐sulfates and chloride salts in the host rocks. The increased observations of B also coincide with decreased Li concentration in the veins (average Li concentration of veins drops by ~15 ppm). Boron and Li have varying solubilities, and Li does not form salts as readily upon dehydration as B, causing it to remain in the solution. So the weak negative correlation between B and Li may reflect the crystallization sequence during dehydration on Vera Rubin ridge.
A Large-Scale Mapping Method Based on Deep Neural Networks Applied to Self-Driving Car Localization

We propose a new approach for real time inference of occupancy maps for self-driving cars using deep neural networks (DNN) named NeuralMapper. NeuralMapper receives LiDAR sensor data as input and generates as output the occupancy grid map around the car. NeuralMapper infers the probability of each grid map cell from one of the three following classes: Occupied, Free and Unknown. The system was tested with two datasets and achieved an average accuracy of 76.48% and 73.81%. We also evaluated our approach for localization purposes in a self-driving car and most of the localization pose errors were less than 0.20m with an RMSE of 0.28 which are close to the results in the literature for methods using other grid mapping approaches.
COMPARISON OF ELECTROANTENNOGRAM RESPONSE SPECTRA TO PLANT VOLATILES IN SEVEN SPECIES OF YPONOMEUTA AND IN THE TORTRICID ADOXOPHYES ORANA

Electroantennogram responses (EAGs) from seven Yponomeuta species and from Adoxophyes orana were recorded during stimulation with 57 plant volatiles and leaf extracts from six host plants. Cluster analysis was applied to determine whether any grouping occurred of the response spectra of the antennae and of the response profiles to the plant volatiles. In the dendrogram of the response spectra four clusters of species groups could be distinguished. No conclusions about the taxonomic relationships were drawn from this dendrogram because of the relatively high similarity between the response spectra of the Yponomeuta species and A. orana. This similarity can be explained by these moths having food plants in common. From the response profile dendrogram no conclusions could be drawn about the number and nature of physiologically different types of olfactory cells. The leaf extracts did not evoke significantly different responses among the Yponomeuta species and A. orana. Obviously, differences in the composition of the extracts were not expressed in the EAG. The EAG responses to plant volatiles did not differ essentially between male and female moths suggesting that both sexes were equally able in detecting host plants.
Thyroid hormone participates in the regulation of neural stem cells and oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the central nervous system of adult rat

Oligodendrocyte development and myelination are under thyroid hormone control. In this study we analysed the effects of chronic manipulation of thyroid status on the expression of a wide spectrum of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) markers and myelin basic protein (MBP) in the subventricular zone (SVZ), olfactory bulb and optic nerve, and on neural stem cell (NSC) lineage in adult rats. Hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism were induced in male rats, by propyl‐thio‐uracil (PTU) and l‐thyroxin (T4) treatment, respectively. Hypothyroidism increased and hyperthyroidism downregulated proliferation in the SVZ and olfactory bulb (Ki67 immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, bromodeoxyuridine uptake). Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFα‐R) and MBP mRNA levels decreased in the optic nerve of hypothyroid rats; the same also occurred at the level of MBP protein. Hyperthyroidism slightly upregulates selected markers such as NG2 in the olfactory bulb. The lineage of cells derived from primary cultures of NSC prepared from the forebrain of adult hypo‐ and hyperthyroid also differs from those derived from control animals. Although no difference of in vitro proliferation of NSCs was observed in the presence of epidermal growth factor, maturation of oligodendrocytes (defined by process number and length) was enhanced in hyperthyroidism, suggesting a more mature state than in control animals. This difference was even greater when compared with the hypothyroid group, the morphology of which suggested a delay in differentiation. These results indicate that thyroid hormone affects NSC and OPC proliferation and maturation also in adulthood.
A Comparative Study of the ZnO Growth on Graphene and Graphene Oxide: The Role of the Initial Oxidation State of Carbon

The role of the oxidation state of carbon on the early stages of growth of metal oxides was studied for the particular case of ZnO deposition on graphene and graphene oxide on SiO2 (G/SiO2 and GO/SiO2, respectively) substrates. The growth was carried out by thermal evaporation of metallic Zn under an oxygen atmosphere at room temperature. This technique permits quasi-equilibrium conditions during the oxide growth, allowing the characterization of the fundamental interaction between ZnO and the graphene-based substrates. Although in both cases ZnO follows a Volmer–Weber growth mode controlled by nucleation at defects, the details are different. In the case of the GO/SiO2 substrate, the nucleation process acts as a bottleneck, limiting the coverage of the complete surface and allowing the growth of very large ZnO structures in comparison to G/SiO2. Moreover, by studying the Zn-LMM Auger spectra, it is shown how the initial nature of the substrate influences the composition of the ZnO deposit during the very early stages of growth in terms of Zn/O atomic ratio. These results are compared to those previously reported regarding ZnO growth on graphite and graphene on Cu (G/Cu). This comparison allows us to understand the role of different characteristics of graphene-based substrates in terms of number of defects, oxidation state, graphene support substrate and number of graphene layers.
The spatio-temporal organization of DNA-repair: a live cell study

textabstractThe aim of the work outlined in this thesis is to gain more insight into the organization, dynamic properties and differential reaction kinetics of NER factors within living mammalian cell nuclei. To accomplish this, we made use of the green fluorescent protein technology to study TFIIH and XPC in living cells. We mainly focused on: (i) nuclear distribution of the multifunctional TFIIH and the GG-NER sensor XPC-hHR23B under various conditions, (ii) dynamic interactions of TFIIH with NER, RNAPl and RNAP2 transcription, (iii) the understanding of how TFIIH accomplishes its multiple engagements, (iv) the functional requirement for CAK in NER, and (v) involvement of XPC-hHR23B with NER is unclear
Coordinated Expression of Sulfate Transporters and Its Relation with Sulfur Metabolites in Brassica napus Exposed to Cadmium

Full-length cDNAs encoding a putative low-affinity sulfate transporter (LAST), designated BnSultr2; 2 (accession number DQ091257) were isolated from Brassica napus 72 h after sulfate deficiency. BnSultr2; 2 shows significant similarity at an amino acid level with the available LASTs from the dicotyledonous Arabidopsis and Brassica juncea. It displays the typical twelve-membrane spanning domains of other plant species' sulfate transporters. Examination of steady-state mRNA levels reveals that BnSultr2; 2 transcripts were enhanced in leaves of sulfate-deficient plants. The leaf BnSultr2; 2 expression was also upregulated under 20-120 μM Cd exposure, but under the same conditions, the BnSultr2; 2 expression in roots was severely suppressed. To understand the relationship between sulfate uptake and Cd stress, we simultaneously isolated another cDNA encoding a known high-affinity sulfate transporter (BnSultr1; 1, accession number AJ416460) from roots. RT-PCR analysis demonstrates that BnSultr1; 1 was expressed only in roots, and its expression was upregulated by both sulfate-deficiency and Cd exposure. To link up the expression of sulfate transporters to sulfur accumulation and assimilation, the concentrations of sulfate, sulfide, glutathione, and thiol-containing compounds in plant tissues were measured. Elevating Cd concentrations in the culture medium up to 40 μM increased the accumulation of sulfate, sulfide, glutathione, and non-protein thiols in roots. These results suggest that a coordinated regulation of sulfate transporters enables plants to tolerate Cd stress via an efficient sulfate uptake and assimilation.
Identification of the Anti-sickling Activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus and In Silico Investigation of Some of Its Phytochemicals

Background: The anti-sickling activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus, a plant used for managing sickle cell disease (SCD), has been previously proven. Objectives: This study investigated the anti-sickling mechanism of A. leiocarpus by probing its effects on Gardos channel (KCNN4), erythropoietin (EPO), erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), catalase (CAT), G6pD, D-type cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p21) gene expression as well as assessing in silico drug-likeness of reported compounds as EPOR agonist. Methods: A total of 18 rats (45-76 g) were selected and divided into 6 groups (n=3). The control group was given water ad libitum, standard group was given 0.1 mL/kg of Ciklavit® and experimental group was given daily oral doses of 50-100 mg/kg body weight of crude methanol extract or ethyl acetate fraction (EA-PF). Haematological parameters were analyzed while histopathological and molecular studies of kidney and bone marrow were carried out, followed by RT-PCR analysis of KCNN4, EPO, EPOR, CAT, G6pD, p21, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Docking studies of the reported compounds were also done. Results: EA-PF had an insignificant (P>0.05) effect on haematological parameters compared to the basal group. While CAT and p21 acted in a positive feedback loop, G6pD was downregulated in the experimental groups. KCNN4 acted in a negative-feedback mechanism and the upregulation of EPO and EPOR was followed by increased reticulocytes. Kaempferol, quercetin, and catechin showed non-violation of Lipinski’s rule and high binding affinities of 6.5 kcal/mol, 6.7 kcal/mol, and 6.7 kcal/mol, respectively, for EPOR pocket compared to the co-crystallized ligand. Conclusion: Results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of Anogeissus leiocarpus achieved a steady state level of the Gardos channel and stimulation of EPO expression via EPOR agonist.
Neurovascular and cortical responses to hyperoxia: enhanced cognition and electroencephalographic activity despite reduced perfusion

Extreme aviation is accompanied by ever‐present risks of hypobaric hypoxia and decompression sickness. Neuroprotection against those hazards is conferred through fractional inspired oxygen ( FI,O2 ) concentrations of 60–100% (hyperoxia). Hyperoxia reduces global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), increases reactive oxygen species within the brain and leads to cell death within the hippocampus. However, an understanding of hyperoxia's effect on cortical activity and concomitant levels of cognitive performance is lacking. This limits our understanding of whether hyperoxia could lower the brain's threshold of tolerance to physiological stressors inherent to extreme aviation, such as high gravitational forces. This study aimed to quantify the impact of hyperoxia upon global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), cognitive performance and cortical electroencephalography (EEG). Hyperoxia evoked a rapid reduction in gCBF, yet cognitive performance and vigilance were enhanced. EEG measurements revealed enhanced alpha power, suggesting less desynchrony, within the cortical temporal regions. Collectively, this work suggests hyperoxia‐induced brain hypoperfusion is accompanied by enhanced cognitive processing and cortical arousal.