Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation of alkalophilic CGTase-producing bacteria and characterization of cyclodextrin-glycosyltransferase

One hundred and twenty five soil samples were collected from the regions of roots of corn, cassava, potato, bean, sugar cane, soya, and pumpkin. From these, 75 strains were isolated that produced a yellowish halo surrounding the colonies, due to a phenolphtalein-cyclodextrin (CD) complex, and these were selected as alkalophilic CGTase-producing bacteria. All the 75 strains were identified as Bacillus firmus by microscopy and biochemical tests. The activity of the CGTase's varied from 22 to 210 dilutions,when assayed by CD-trichloroethylene (TCE)-complex precipitation. Strain 31 that produced the enzyme at the higher level was selected, and its enzyme was partially purified by starch adsorption (x 17) in a yield of 51%. Maximum enzyme activity occurred at pH 5.5 and 8.5. At pH 5.5, the optimum temperature was 60°C. On increased from 30°C to 85°C, the thermodynamic parameter for activation energy was 8.27 kcal.mol-1. The enzyme was inhibited by Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+.
Social Systems

It used to be thought that folk psychology is the only game in town. Focusing merely on what people do will not allow you to predict what they are likely to do next. For that, you must consider their beliefs, desires, intentions, etc. Recent evidence from developmental psychology and fMRI studies indicates that this conclusion was premature. We parse motion in an environment as behavior of a particular type, and behavior thus construed can feature in systematizations that we know. Building on the view that folk psychological knowledge is knowledge of theoretical models, I argue that social knowledge is best understood as lying on a continuum between behavioral and full-blown psychological models. Between the two extremes, we have what I call social models. Social models represent social structures in terms of their overall purpose and circumscribe individuals’ roles within them. These models help us predict what others will do or plan what we should do without providing information about what agents think or want. Thinking about social knowledge this way gives us a more nuanced picture of what capacities are engaged in social planning and interaction, and gives us a better tool with which to think about the social knowledge of animals and young children.
Newly Sequenced Nuclear Gene (Xdh) for Inferring Angiosperm Phylogeny1

Abstract The nuclear gene xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh) was sequenced for 247 genera representing all major lineages of angiosperms and “gymnosperms,” and the results were analyzed using likelihood and parsimony methods. The overall topology is mostly congruent with previously published trees based on chloroplast rbcL, atpB, and matK sequences. A total of 190 of the 253 nodes (71%) of the Xdh tree received bootstrap support greater than 50%. The likelihood tree was comparable in robustness to the matK topology, which exhibited 79% of the nodes with bootstrap support greater than 50%, and to the reported 7%–24% support observed for individual analyses of rbcL, atpB, and 18S ribosomal DNA clades. The number of parsimony-informative sites (1068, 69%) was similar to that of the matK (1083, 62%) study. The likelihood tree depicts angiosperms as monophyletic, with Ceratophyllum L. (Ceratophyllaceae) as sister to the rest of the flowering plants, followed successively by Amborellaceae, Nymphaeaceae, and Austrobaileyales clades as sisters to the remaining angiosperms. Acorus L. plus the remaining monocots, magnoliids, and Chloranthaceae diverge after the Austrobaileyales. Eudicots are supported and include a basal grade of Ranunculales–Proteaceae, Sabiaceae, Trochodendraceae, Buxaceae, Gunneraceae, and Dilleniaceae–Santalaceae, which are subsequent sister to the remaining eudicots. The remaining eudicots are split into two clades. The first clade consists of the Ericales, Cornales, and euasterids I and II (lamids–campanulids). The second clade consists of the following orders: Saxifragales, Myrtales–Caryophyllales–Cucurbitales, Crossosomatales, Geraniales, Rosales–Fabales–Fagales, Celastrales, Malpighiales, Brassicales–Malvales, Oxalidales, and Sapindales. Xdh data provided good support in the Caryophyllales, Ericales and Cornales, euasterids I (lamids), Magnoliales and Laurales, Malvales, Rutaceae, Oxalidales, Brassicales, and Sapindales. A future combined analysis of Xdh and other DNA data sets will have a strong potential to enhance resolution and internal support for angiosperm phylogenetics and provide insights into angiosperm evolution using biparental information.
Findings and control of two invasive exotic mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Ae. atropalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Netherlands, 2011.

In July 2011, during routine invasive exotic mosquito surveillance inspections at companies that import used tyres, two invasive exotic mosquito species were found at three locations in the Netherlands: the Asian tiger mosquito (Ae. albopictus) [Stegomyia albopicta sensu Reinert et al., 2004] and the American rock-pool mosquito (Ae. atropalpus) [Georgecraigius atropalpus sensu Reinert et al., 2006]. Mosquito control was initiated one week after the first invasive mosquito was found, using adulticides and larvicides, and continued until the second week of November. Despite control, findings of these species continued in August and September, with the last finding in the first week of October. The same species were also found at these sites in 2010, followed by control until the end of the season. The available surveillance data suggest, although not conclusive, that the findings of 2011 are the result of unrestricted import of used tyres from Ae.albopictus- and Ae. atropalpus-endemic areas in 2011, rather than from surviving specimens found in 2010.
Investigating in-vehicle distracting activities and crash risks for young drivers using structural equation modeling

Distracted driving has been considered one of the main reasons for traffic crashes in recent times, especially among young drivers. The objectives of this study were to identify the distracting activities in which young drivers engage, assess the most distracting ones based on their experiences, and investigate the factors that might increase crash risk. The data were collected through a self-report questionnaire. Most participants reported frequent cell phone use while driving. Other reported activities include adjusting audio devices, chatting with passengers, smoking, eating, and drinking. A structural equation model was constructed to identify the latent variables that have a significant influence on crash risk. The analysis showed that in-vehicle distractions had a high effect on the crash likelihood. The results also indicated that dangerous driving behavior had a direct effect on the crash risk probability, as well as on the rash driving latent variables. The results provide insight into distracted driving behavior among young drivers and can be useful in developing enforcement and educational strategies to reduce this type of behavior.
Selected Physiological Responses of Salvinia minima to Various Temperatures and Light Intensities

Abstract Two separate experiments were conducted to determine the influence of temperature (15, 23 and 35°C) and various light intensities, ranging from 80 to near 700 µmol/m2/s on selected physiological responses of salvinia (Salvinia minima). This was an attempt to determine the distribution range of this plant as influenced by these selected environmental factors. The first experiment was carried out for 14 days under controlled environments, with a light intensity of 120 µmol/m2/s and 14 h photoperiod. Plant growth was the highest at 23 and 35°C, in comparison to those grown at 15°C. The chlorophyll concentration was less influenced by the temperature than by the growth; however, carotenoid concentration at 35°C was significantly higher than those obtained from the plant grown at 15°C. Salvinia acclimation to cold temperature possibly included an increase in athocyanin and soluble sugar concentrations. The second experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions, 25–27°C and various light intensities ranging between 80 to near 700 µmol/m2/s in order to determine the light saturation curve. Salvinia was shown to have a wide range of acclimation ability to various light intensities ranging from 80 to near 700 µmol/m2/s. This study should be helpful for determining the ecological distribution of salvinia.
Communal Innovations: Inspiring Neighborhoods of Hope and Advocacy

Innovations promise a better future, which may generate feelings of hope and inspire advocacy. Some innovations are more communal in nature: attempting to address a social problem, through community engagement and wide-spread adoption. For such innovations, the social processes that involve collective aspects of community life may play important roles in fostering hope and interpersonal advocacy. This study uses communication infrastructure theory and discrete emotions theory to investigate hope and advocacy within a field trial for a salient, visible, community-bound innovation to reduce transmission of malaria. Heads of households in one community (N = 119) in West Africa were interviewed. Results showed that innovation hope was predicted by appraisals of innovation attributes. Better appraisals of the innovation’s attributes, greater perceived collective efficacy, and recent malaria illness predicted more innovation advocacy. The spatial analysis showed that innovation advocacy was geographically clustered within the community, but hope was not. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The reaction of potato differentials to Phytophthora infestans isolates collected in nature

Available data have been evaluated on the reaction of potato differentials to over 5000 Phytophthora infestans isolates, collected in various parts of the world. The differentials were able to identify up to 11 virulence factors in P. infestans. The isolates differed in virulence expression, depending on the isolate and testing conditions. All 11 virulence factors were found in both ‘old’ and ‘new’P. infestans populations. The resistance of individual differentials was not overcome with equal frequency. The resistance of differentials R5, R8 and R9 was overcome least frequently. This may be due to instability of expression of the respective virulence factors in P. infestans and/or the kind of resistance present in the differentials. Whatever the reason, such resistance may possibly be used in breeding potato cultivars with durable resistance to P. infestans.
Rapamycin induces transforming growth factor-β production by lymphocytes

BACKGROUND Under certain conditions rapamycin and transforming growth factor- (TGF) beta have similar immunoregulatory effects, suggesting a potential functional link between rapamycin and TGF-beta. METHODS Splenic leukocytes were stimulated in vitro with anti-CD3 or with allogeneic cells in vivo in the presence or absence of rapamycin. TGF-beta production by activated lymphocytes was quantitated using ELISA. RESULTS Splenic leukocytes from BALB/c mice that were primed with allogeneic cells and conditioned with rapamycin in vivo as well as splenic leukocytes that were treated with rapamycin in vitro produced significantly higher levels of TGF-beta upon anti-CD3 stimulation as compared with untreated controls. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that rapamycin can program activated lymphocytes to produce TGF-beta. Thus, the immunosuppressive effects of rapamycin may be partially mediated by TGF-beta.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Impact of Invasive Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu on Native Fish Abundance in the Witte River, Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

The impact of invasive smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, on the abundance of two native fish species, Breede River redfin, Pseudobarbus burchelli, and Cape kurper, Sandelia capensis, was investigated in the Witte River tributary of the Breede River in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR). Native fish density was estimated in five pools and three riffles both above and below a 2 m-high waterfall that acts as a barrier to M. dolomieu. Both native species were relatively abundant (mean ± S.E. fish/100 m2: 152.10 ± 19.16–10.33 ± 6.06) at sites above the waterfall where M. dolomieu was absent, but absent or scarce (0–0.53 ± 0.38 fish/100 m2) at sites below it with M. dolomieu. There were no significant differences in measured environmental variables between sites above and below the waterfall, and M. dolomieu is thus implicated as the main factor responsible for the differences in native fish densities. These findings highlight the critical role of waterfalls in excluding non-native fishes from native fish refugia in the CFR.
Panorama of mediators in postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an overview of mediators involved in the pathogenesis of postacute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus. RECENT FINDINGS The 'holistic prevention of pancreatitis' framework has brought to the fore the sequelae of not only end-stage chronic pancreatitis and extensive pancreatic necrosis but also mild acute pancreatitis. Insights from the DORADO project have provided a wealth of information on the signalling molecules that do and do not affect glucose metabolism in individuals after mild acute pancreatitis and have challenged conventional views of the pathogenesis of postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus. SUMMARY Growing evidence compels a reconsideration of the dogma that mechanical β-cell destruction (and the resulting insulin deficiency) is the only underlying mechanism of postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus. Chronic low-grade inflammation, β-cell compensation, lipolysis, altered secretion of gut hormones, and changes in iron metabolism characterize postacute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus. Some of these are druggable targets that offer novel opportunities to reduce the burden of pancreatitis through tertiary prevention.
INTERACTION OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND SOIL TEMPERATURE WITH PHOSPHORUS INHIBITION OF VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA FORMATION

Summary The interaction between light intensity and soil temperature with phosphorus inhibition of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) formation in sudangrass (Sorghum vulgare, Pers.) was investigated in P-deficient (0.5 mg P kg−1) sandy soil amended with 0 (OP), 15 (15P) and 30 (30P) mg P kg−1 soil as superphosphate. For seedlings inoculated with Glomus fasciculatus and grown at 100, 75, and 50% of glasshouse light intensity, the reduction in VAM formation by added soil P (15 P and 30P) was greatest at the lower light levels, whereas in the OP treatment, VAM formation was unaffected by a decrease in light intensity. Increases in root P concentration resulted from both soil P amendment and, in the 15P treatment, from a decrease in light intensity, and were associated with decreases in root membrane permeability and corresponding decreases in root exudation of amino acids and sugars. The reduction in sugar exudation in the 15P treatment at lower light intensity was paralleled by a decrease in root extract levels of sugars, but decreases in amino acid exudation could not be explained by changes in amino acid levels in root extracts. These results suggest that P inhibition of VAM formation is more severe at lower light intensities because of a decrease in membrane-mediated exudation, although a reduction in sugar levels in root cells may also contribute to the observed decrease in exudation. When inoculated seedlings were grown at 25, 30, and 35°C soil temperatures, the reduction in VAM formation in the 15P and 30P treatments was overcome by increase in soil temperature. The increase in VAM formation by increased temperature in the 15P plants was associated with significant increases in root membrane permeability and exudation without a corresponding change in root P concentration. In the OP treatment, an increase in soil temperature increased VAM formation with little effect on root exudation, which suggested an effect of temperature on Glomus fasciculatus. Higher soil temperature may increase VAM formation through either a direct effect of temperature on the fungus or an indirect effect via an increase in leakage of root metabolites necessary for fungal activity, or both.
Occupational class and educational level inequalities in major cardiovascular risk factors in Turkey: 2008-2016.

BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the magnitude of occupational class (OC) and educational level (EL) inequalities in cardiovascular risk factors in Turkey from 2008 to 2016 and compare these inequalities with neighbouring European countries. METHODS We used the Turkey Health Survey among a representative sample of the Turkish population. We estimated relative index of inequality (RII) for four cardiovascular risk factors (obesity/overweight, hypertension, diabetes, smoking) by OC/EL with an interaction term for survey year and compared selected results with neighbouring countries. RESULTS Men with lower OC and EL smoked more (e.g. RII for EL = 1.40 [1.26-1.55]); however, the remaining risk factors were mostly lower in these groups. Women in lower socio-economic groups smoked less (e.g. RII for EL = 0.36 [0.29-0.44]), however, had higher prevalence of the remaining risk factors. Significant interactions with survey year were only found in a few cases. The pattern of inequalities in Turkey is largely similar to neighbouring countries. CONCLUSIONS Inequalities in cardiovascular risk factors are less systematic in Turkey than in most high-income countries, but ongoing trends suggest that this may change in the future.
Loss of heterozygosity and accelerated genotype fixation in rice hybrids

Loss of heterozygosity is reported in rice hybrids of a particular heritage. Hybrids derived from a plant selected from the Chinese rice cultivar 'Zhongxin No. 1' exhibited somatic variations as evidenced by having both segregating and uniform panicle rows in F2 progenies. F3 plants from uniform F2 rows were found to be homozygous for all 14 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers, of which two co-dominant markers were located on chromosome 2 and five other markers were on five different chromosomes. RAPD markers unique to either parent were present or absent in all F2 plants within some panicle rows, yet segregated in a Mendelian manner in other panicle rows. The molecular data suggest that somatic cells in these hybrids do not always contain both parental homologues of some chromosomes. These findings support the hypothesis that somatic chromosome pairing and recombination lead to loss of heterozygosity and non-identical daughter cells following mitosis. Sequential mitotic assortment of chromoso.
Nutrient deficiency symptoms in yams (Dioscorea spp.)

Symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in D. alata and D. rotundata were observed when yam plants were grown in nutrient solutions from which any of the following had been omitted: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, B, Mn, Cu and Mo. The symptoms of deficiency of major elements were visible on plants of both species. The omission of Fe, B and Mo produced characteristic symptoms on the leaves of D. rotundata, but D. alata showed symptoms only in response to Fe deficiency. The omission of minor elements led to poor growth of the leaves, stems and roots. Nutrient deficiencies in yam plants could be diagnosed by visual symptoms in the field. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUCCESS OF ISLAND FOX REINTRODUCTIONS ON SAN MIGUEL AND SANTA ROSA ISLANDS, CALIFORNIA

Documented success in the reintroduction of endangered canids is rare. Here, we report on the success of reintroductions for San Miguel Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis littoralis) and Santa Rosa Island foxes (U. l. santarosae), each of which had been extirpated in the wild by 2000, when the remaining 15 individuals of each subspecies were brought into captivity. From 2003 to 2007, 123 foxes were released to the wild, and were monitored to determine sources of mortality and to estimate annual survival, pup production, and population size. Annual survival increased to 90% on both islands by 2007, and high reproductive success resulted in wild populations of at least 62 on Santa Rosa and 105 on San Miguel. Several factors contributed to reintroduction success. First, survival of island foxes is very high in the absence of predation, and mortality due to predation had been substantially reduced on both islands by removal of most golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Second, foxes were released into low-density habitats, which facilitated high reproductive success and rapid population growth. Finally, release plans included contingencies to address potential predation impacts, and post-release monitoring allowed management decisions to be supported by comparison of wild and captive fox demographic parameters.
Scale-dependent spatial variance patterns and correlations of seabirds and prey in the southeastern Bering Sea as revealed by spectral analysis

Uni- and bivariate spectral analyses of the spatial distribution of thick-billed murres Uria lomvia and acoustic estimates of prey biomass in the southeastern Bering Sea were used to examine the spatial variance patterns of a predator and its prey at multiple spatial scales. Power, phase and coherency spectra from individual transects, as well as those averaged over all transects, were examined. The average spectra, representing a temporal scale of months, showed that murres and prey had similar spatial variance patterns and were positively correlated over the range of spatial scales studied. The individual spectra, representing a temporal scale of hours, showed several patterns that were not evident in the average spectra. In particular, the transect-level analyses showed that the correlation between murres and prey was poor at spatial scales where prey variance was relatively low. This result suggests a new hypothesis to explain poor small-scale correlations between consumers and resources: resource distribution is relatively uniform at small scales resulting in only a slight increase in foraging return for consumers showing an aggregative response at these scales. The differences among spatial scales and between the average and individual spectra illustrate how ecological patterns can vary with temporal and spatial scale.
LncRNA HORAS5 promotes taxane resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer via a BCL2A1-dependent mechanism.

Background: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an incurable malignancy. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in drug resistance. Materials & methods: LncRNA HORAS5 role in cabazitaxel resistance (i.e., cell-count, IC50 and caspase activity) was studied via lentiviral-mediated overexpression and siRNA-based knockdown. Genes expression was analyzed with RNA-sequencing, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot. HORAS5 expression was queried in clinical database. Results: Cabazitaxel increased HORAS5 expression that upregulated BCL2A1, thereby protecting CRPC cells from cabazitaxel-induced apoptosis. BCL2A1 knockdown decreased cell-count and increased apoptosis in CRPC cells. HORAS5-targeting antisense oligonucleotide decreased cabazitaxel IC50. In CRPC clinical samples, HORAS5 expression increased upon taxane treatment. Conclusion: HORAS5 stimulates the expression of BCL2A1 thereby decreasing apoptosis and enhancing cabazitaxel resistance in CRPC cells.