Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Floral structure and evolution in the Anacardiaceae

WANNAN, B. S. & QUINN, C. J, 1991. Floral structure and evolution in the Anacardiaceae. Carpel morphology and anatomy is investigated in 17 genera and carpellode morphology in 12 genera. There is an evolutionary sequence in the family from poorly differentiated, nearly apocarpous gynoecia towards syncarpous gynoecia with clearly defined stigmata, styles and ovaries. There has also been marked reduction culminating in pseudomonomery. The carpellodes of the male flowers appear more conservative, and provide evidence of affinities between genera with quite different fertile gynoecia. The characters have been polarized using Burseraceae as a sister group. Data from these sources, as well as from pericarp anatomy, wood anatomy and biflavonoid content indicate that the long standing intrafamilial classification into five tribes is artificial, and that the two small satellite families, Blepharocaryaceae and Julianiaceae should be included in the family. A large monophyletic group is recognized comprised of essentially four of the existing tribes (Anacardieae, Dobineeae, Semecarpeae, Rhoeae), as well as the two satellite families. This group incorporates two subgroups of more closely allied genera. The remaining genera (mostly Spondiadeae) are very diverse, and for the present are placed in an artificial group characterised by a set of plesiomorphs. Relationships within this group must be resolved before a satisfactory taxonomy of the family can be achieved.
Stomach contents of harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena (L.), from the Bay of Fundy

We examined contents from stomachs of 127 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) caught in groundfish gill nets in the western Bay of Fundy during June to September, 1985–1987. Relative importance of prey species was assessed using both numerical and caloric measures. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) was the most important prey species, contributing 80% of the total caloric intake, with some spatial and temporal variation. Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were also important, but together comprised only 17% of the total caloric intake. No differences were found in relative prey importance between adult porpoises of different reproductive conditions, but lactating females ingested more fish and had a significantly higher total caloric intake than nonlactating females or mature males. The diet of porpoises collected from the same area in 1969–1972 consisted of a higher proportion of pelagic prey species and a lower proportion of demersal species. This may be attributed to.
14 The Diverse World of Small Ribonucleoproteins

Among the major players in the functioning of present-day eukaryotic cells are small complexes consisting of RNA and protein. Small ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles, defined as tight complexes between one or more proteins and a small RNA molecule (chain length ≤ ~300 nucleotides), come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Since they can be very abundant (up to 10 7 copies per mammalian cell, as many as ribosomes) and are often highly conserved from yeast to man, deciphering their cellular roles has been an important challenge for molecular biologists. Small RNPs inhabit all cellular compartments that have been examined: the nucleoplasm, the nucleoli, the cytoplasm, and the mitochondria. Further classification of small RNPs (Table 1) has been made possible by the discovery that they are often targeted by autoantibodies found in the sera of patients with rheumatic disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Usually the autoepitopes reside on the protein rather than the RNA moieties of small RNPs, meaning that particles of the same class possess common polypeptide constituents. The autoantibodies also provide potent tools for probing the structures and functions of small RNPs. The vast majority of small RNPs whose functions have been deciphered play roles somewhere along the pathway of gene expression (see Table 1). For example, small n uclear RNPs (snRNPs) of the nucleoplasm are involved in pre-mRNA processing or tRNA biogenesis. Small nucleolar RNPs contribute to the maturation of rRNA. S mall RNPs of the c ytoplasm (scRNPs) function in the control of translation or disposition of newly synthesized proteins.
Comparison of metaheuristic optimization algorithms for RSS-based 3-D visible light positioning systems

In this work we present a comparison between two classical metaheuristic optimization algorithms to solve two different received signal strength (RSS) based fitness function formulations for 3-D visible light positioning systems. For this purpose, simulations have been carried out to analyze the performance of genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) methods for mobile node’s position determination. Based on simulation results, GA overcomes PSO. GA shows to be more robust than PSO and it is capable to provide feasible optimal solutions when no map information is added as constraints to the optimization problem. When map information is used as lower and upper bound constraints, GA and PSO methods increase their accuracy and precision significantly.
Patterns of space use in sympatric marine colonial predators reveal scales of spatial partitioning

E.L. J. and D.J.F.R. were funded under Scottish Government grant MMSS001/01. D.J.F.R. was funded by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as part of their Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment programme. S.S. was part-funded by the EU MYFISH project.
Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity as a Potential Biomarker for the Rapid Assessment of Chlorpyrifos Toxicity in a Euryhaline Fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

Acute studies of chlorpyrifos, O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate insecticide on fish, Oreochromis (Tilapia) mossambicus, were carried out to assess the toxicity in relation to the marker enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity in a semi-static system. Chlorpyrifos can be rated as highly toxic to O. mossambicus, with median lethal concentrations (LC50) of 43.52, 35.89, 30.6 and, 25.78 μg L−1 for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h respectively. The time required for 50% inhibition (IT50) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were measured in the brain of O. mossambicus, exposed to different median lethal concentrations indicated a decrease in time as the concentration increased. After exposure, survival fish were transferred to clean (chemical free) water and studied. AChE recovery were recorded in regular intervals of 3, 7, 14 and 21 days as a biomarker of exposure to this compound. The fish exposed to the LC50 for 24 h (43.52 μg L−1) showed a significant inhibition of AChE .
First Insights into Electro-Thermal Stress Driven Time-Dependent Permanent Degradation Failure of CVD Monolayer MoS2 Channel

This work reports, for the first time, time dependent degradation and failure of CVD monolayer MoS2 based field-effect transistor channel under DC voltage stress, which seem to have originated from its unique molecular description. Degradation was found to be permanent, which takes place at fields lower than critical field for breakdown and have been discovered to be a strong function of channel temperature and e-field. Strong dependence of channel current on self-heating across the channel has also been observed, which resulted in significant drop in channel current under stress, which however recovers when stress was removed. Reversal in degradation trends and permanent channel failure was observed at lower (77–150K) channel temperatures. Unique localized low resistance regions as well as field assisted physical damage result in overall (ON and OFF state) performance degradation of MoS2 transistors. Micro-Raman and Photoluminescence investigations, as a function of stress time, are performed to investigate the micro-origin of permanent degradation and failure.
Development of macrolide resistant Campylobacter in broilers administered tylosin and the genetic characterization of the associated mutations

Antimicrobial use in food animal production has become a source of controversy in recent years. However, limited data are available regarding such use and the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial species. The effect of tylosin administration on erythromycin susceptibility of Campylobacter isolated from broiler ceca was evaluated. In each of three replicate studies, broilers exposed to macrolidesusceptible strains of C. jejuni or C. coli were administered tylosin at subterapeutic or therapeutic levels. Broilers were sacrificed weekly, and total and resistant Campylobacter were enumerated from individual ceca. Erythromycin resistance was observed at a higher frequency (P<0.01) among C. coli (70.8%) compared to C. jejuni isolates (36.8%). Across Campylobacter species erythromycin resistance was observed at a higher frequency (P<0.001) when tylosin was administered at subtherapeutic (62.7%), compared to therapeutic levels (11.4%). To further characterize development of macrolide resistance in Campylobacter, the effect of operon specific 23S rRNA gene mutations on minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of macrolides was examined in a collection of Campylobacter. Sequencing data for domain V of the 23S rRNA gene showed that macrolide-resistant C. coli isolates had A2059G transitions (E. coli numbering). This mutation was also observed among C. jejuni isolates. One C. coli and one C. jejuni isolate had A2059G transitions in only two of the three copies of the target gene. Isolates with only two copies of the target gene mutated had MICs one-half the concentration for erythromycin, azithromycin, tylosin and clindamycin compared to isolates with all three copies of the target gene mutated. A separate point mutation, an A2058C transversion, present in all three copies of the 23S rRNA gene was also observed among macrolide-resistant C. jejuni isolates. Campylobacter jejuni isolates with the A2058C transversion had higher erythromycin MICs (>256 μg/ml) compared to C. jejuni isolates with A2059G transitions (64-128 μg/ml). These data demonstrate that that level of tylosin administration (subterapeutic or therapeutic) and Campylobacter species influence development of macrolide resistance. Furthermore, the level of macrolide resistance resulting from point mutations in Campylobacter 23S rRNA genes may vary depending on nucleotide substitution and the number of mutated copies of the 23S rRNA gene. INDEX WORDS: Campylobacter, Broiler, Tylosin, Macrolide, Antimicrobial resistance, 23S rRNA DEVELOPMENT OF MACROLIDE RESISTANT CAMPYLOBACTER IN BROILERS ADMINISTERED TYLOSIN AND THE GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATED MUTATIONS
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CRAYFISH PARANEPHROPS ZEALANDICUS AS SHREDDERS IN A NEW ZEALAND HEADWATER STREAM

Abstract Despite their prevalence in headwater streams, crayfish are largely ignored in most leaf decomposition studies. We conducted a field survey in 30 pools along a headwater stream to document the biomass of various shredder invertebrate species and subsequently compared their leaf processing and particulate organic matter (POM) production rates in a laboratory experiment. The crayfish Paranephrops zealandicus dominated the shredder functional feeding group, comprising 99% on average of the total biomass of shredder invertebrates. This was followed by the stonefly Austroperla cyrene, which made up only 0.62%. A laboratory experiment, using stoneflies and two size classes of crayfish, showed that processing rates of large crayfish (normalised by body weight) were lower than those of small crayfish and stoneflies. However, large crayfish had the greatest impact on leaf decomposition and POM production. It is their large body size and dominance of invertebrate biomass that determines the significance of crayfish as shredders. Given their widespread distribution in New Zealand and elsewhere, crayfish may play key roles as shredders in many headwater streams, especially where shredder insect diversity/abundance is low.
Internet of things in Smart City Santiago

Smart City Santiago seeks to solve the main problems faced by Santiago daily, thus achieving that people improve their quality of life. This model is based on the Smart City Málaga model, Spain. In the study, the main challenges facing this type of companies are presented, in term of IoT for the construction of a Smart City. The research focuses on the components that define the IoT of the referential model, such as: sensors, networks and value chain management. The methodology that is applied is exploratory, through a case study that identifies the main challenges presented by Smart City Santiago companies that use IoT in the implementation and development of a Smart City model. This is carried out with interviews with twelve companies participating in the Smart City Santiago project, which allows determining the most important challenges within each component. The results of this research contribute to companies that have an interest, collaborate or intervene in the implementation and development of the model of a Smart City.
Inward and outward K+‐selective currents in the plasma membrane of protoplasts from maize root cortex and stele

In an attempt to understand the processes mediating ion transport within the root, the patch clamp technique was applied to protoplasts isolated from the cortex and stele of maize roots and their plasma membrane conductances investigated. In the whole-cell configuration, membrane hyperpolarization induced a slowly activating inwardly rectifying conductance in most protoplasts isolated from the root cortex. In contrast, most protoplasts isolated from the stele contained a slowly activating outwardly rectifying conductance upon plasma membrane depolarization. The reversal potential of the inward current indicated that it was primarily due to the movement of K+; the outwardly rectifying conductance was comparatively less selective for K+. Membrane hyperpolarization beyond a threshold of about -70 mV induced inward currents. When E(K) was set negative of this threshold, inward currents activated negative of E(K) and no outward currents were observed positive of E(K) Outward currents in the stelar protoplasts activated at potentials positive of -85 mV. However, when E(K) was set positive of -85 mV a small inward current was also observed at potentials negative (and slightly positive) of the equilibrium potential for Kf. Inwardly and outwardly rectifying Kf channels were observed in outside-out patches from the plasma membrane of cortical and stelar cells, respectively Characterization of these channels showed that they were likely to be responsible for the macroscopic 'whole-cell' currents. Inward and outward currents were affected differently by various Kt channel blockers (TEA(+), Ba2+ and Cs+). In addition, Ca2+ above 1 mM partially blocked the inward current in a voltage-dependent manner but had little effect on the outward current. It is suggested that the inwardly rectifying conductance identified in protoplasts isolated from the cortex probably represents an important component of the low-affinity K+ uptake mechanism (mechanism II) identified in intact roots. The outwardly rectifying conductance identified in protoplasts isolated from the stele could play a role in the release of cations into the xylem vessels for transport to the shoot.
Latency assessment of an ITS safety application prototype for protecting crossing pedestrians

This paper introduces a prototype that implements an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) safety application aiming at enhancing the safety of Vulnerable Road Users, in the specific of crossing pedestrians. The solution leverages Internet of Things and Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) paradigms: a Road Side Unit exploits the information provided by a connected camera and connected traffic lights for identifying pedestrians crossing at red traffic light and it informs the incoming connected vehicles about the danger using V2X communication. The goal is to distribute the intelligence closer to the end-user enabling more timely and scalable reactions. This paper provides an assessment of the end-to-end latency of the implemented prototype. Measurements show that the achieved latency is below the threshold defined by the relevant standards on ITS safety applications.
Impact of X-Ray Radiation on the Reliability of Logic Integrated Circuits

X-Ray imaging is widely used in the semiconductor industry, for failure analysis and for in-line inspection of surface mount devices. Here, we investigate the TID-induced degradation of logic ICs, which happens after long-term exposure to X-Ray. The observed degradation is mainly in the form of an increase in the leakage of input/output pins and the IDDQ of their circuitry. Annealing at high temperature is shown to partially recover the leakage degradation caused by the radiation.
Evaluation for sterility of four crystalloid solutions used in preservation of harvested canine kidneys intended for transplant

This study investigated the sterility and Preservability of Ringer.s Lactate, Darrows, 5% dextrose and Normal Saline solutions used as preservatives for 16 freshly harvested normal canine kidneys from 16 Nigerian local dogs of non specific sex and weight. Nephrectomised kidneys were flushed and preserved for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours at 4 0C in labeled bowls containing heparinized antibiotics incorporated in the solutions with each having its control (without antibiotic penicillin/streptomycin incorporated). Pre and post preservation, a loop-full of each solution was cultured on freshly prepared two general purpose media (Blood and nutrient agar) and one selective medium (MacConkey agar). They were incubated at 37 0C for 48 hours after which they were examined for bacterial growth. Histological studies of the preserved kidneys were used to predict preservability. There was no evidence of microbial growth upon 96 hours of culture for all the solutions their respective controls). Generally, the gross appearances of the kidneys were normal indicative of viability. In conclusion, the indigenous, commercially produced intravenous fluids that were used for preservation of harvested kidneys were sterile before and after 96 hours of preservation. This was evident by the absence of microbial growth in both groups of the solutions after 96 hours preservation.
Around the Life Cycle: Deterministic Consumption-Investment Strategies

We study a classical continuous-time consumption-investment problem of a power utility investor with deterministic labor income with the important feature that the consumption-investment process is constrained to be deterministic. This is motivated by the design of modern pension schemes of defined contribution type where, typically, the savings rate is constant and the proportional investment in growth stocks is a function of age or time-to-retirement, a so-called life-cycle investment strategy. We derive and study the optimal behavior corresponding to the optimal product design within this realistic family of products with deterministic decision profiles. We also propose a couple of suboptimal deterministic strategies inspired from the optimal stochastic strategy and compare the optimal stochastic control, the optimal deterministic control, and these suboptimal deterministic controls. The conclusion is that only little is lost by constraining to deterministic strategies and only little is lost by implementing the suboptimal simple explicit strategies rather than the optimal one we derive.
Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases: Critical Tools of Bacterial Resistance

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is one of the important groups of β-lactamases produced by Gram-negative bacteria including Enterobacteriaceae. This group of enzyme can effectively destroy most of the β-lactam antibiotics including penicillins, the third generation cephalosporins, and aztreonam. The emerging of ESBLs-producing bacteria is widely spread and becomes a major public health concern for limited treatment options. Detection of these enzymes is necessary for identification, protection, and treatment. The detection method of this enzyme can be divided into 2 groups, phenotypic detection and genotypic detection. The first method depends on non-molecular techniques to detect ESBLs-producing bacteria. This method is generally used in clinical laboratory because it is easy to perform, convenient, and inexpensive. However, the phenotypic method cannot be used to identify ESBLs type. The latter method, genotypic detection, uses molecular techniques to detect the enzyme encoding sequence. This method is capable to classify ESBL types and is currently used. This review will summarize the ESBLs in aspect to classification and detection methods.
Total factor productivity and technology spillovers in Egypt

The main objective of this paper is to estimate the impact of R&D spillovers from 16 countries on Egypt’ domestic productivity at the industry level over the period from 2003 to 2008. Most of the existing literature is concerned with one or two channels of technology spillovers. This analysis will thereby contribute further understanding of the estimable impact of R&D spillovers from various channels of spillovers – namely, import, export, inward FDI and outward FDI. The results prove that foreign direct investments are more important channels of transmitting technology than trade.
Feeding behaviour of pigs in groups monitored by a computerized feeding system

Electronic feeding systems for progeny testing pigs, allow selection to occur under conditions found on commercial farms. This paper reports on the feeding behaviour of six groups of 10 pigs, balanced for sex and initial body weight (mean starting and finishing weight: 32·1 kg v. 68·5 kg), monitored on such a system, for an average of 38 days. These data represent 26 542 feeder visits for which the pen, identity of the pig, feeder entry and exit times, and the amount of food consumed are known. The results show significant time-of-day effects for frequency of feeder visits, feeding rates, mean feeder occupation time, mean food intake per feeder visit, total food intake and total feeder duration (all P 0·05). Individual pigs were found to possess different types of meal regulation, as measured by prandial correlations. Pens were found to have significantly non-random sequences of feeder entries (e.g. yen 1, P < 0·001). The range of feeder visits (three to 69) observed, was higher than reported in any previous study. Physical performance on the system, in terms of gain in body weight and total food intake was best predicted by total feeder occupation time, suggesting that individual pigs could adapt to the physical and social constraints imposed by the system, by altering aspects of their feeding behaviour. The results suggest that feeder access competition resulting from social synchrony and facilitation strongly influenced the feeding behaviour of pigs on this computerized food intake recording system.
CLADISTIC ANALYSIS OF METAZOAN RELATIONSHIPS: A REAPPRAISAL

Abstract— A recently published cladistic analysis of metazoan relationships based on 77 embryological and morphological characters is shown to be defective with respect to both methodological issues and the interpretation of certain characters. Consequently, many conclusions of this analysis are not supported by the data. Alternative phylogenetic hypotheses are therefore proposed, based on a re‐evaluation of an adapted data set.