Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implication of CD154/CD40 Interaction in Healthy and Autoimmune Responses

The discovery of new functions for CD154 and CD40 molecules has expanded our knowledge to claim that CD154 plays well beyond its postulated role in adaptive immunity. Active research in this area has outlined an important role of CD154 and its receptor CD40 in the physiopathology of autoimmunity. CD154/CD40 interactions have been shown to underlay inflammatory events characterizing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosous, and multiple sclerosis. Besides CD40, three additional receptors were recently discovered for CD154, namely, � IIb� 3, � 5� 1 and Mac-1 integrins. This review gives an overview on CD154 and its receptors, and outlines the function of CD154/CD40 interactions in both normal and autoimmune states. Moreover, the potential usefulness of various CD154-interfering agents in treatment/prevention of autoimmune events is discussed.
The presence of oxalate in the pericarp and fruit pedicel is not linked to a shortage of fruit calcium and increase in cracking incidence in litchi

Summary Concentrations of oxalate and calcium in soluble or structural forms, as calcium oxalate in the pericarp, or as oxalate in the fruit pedicel, and the distribution of calcium in the pericarp and fruit pedicel were studied in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) using cracking-resistant cv. ‘Huaizhi’ and cracking-susceptible cv. ‘Nuomici’. Oxalate in the pericarp existed mainly in a soluble form and was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in ‘Huaizhi’ than in ‘Nuomici’. The concentration of oxalate was higher than the amount of calcium oxalate. Calcium was first mobilised for the construction of cell walls in the pericarp, despite the high concentration of oxalate in the tissue. ‘Huaizhi’ fruit accumulated more structural calcium and calcium oxalate in the pericarp than ‘Nuomici’ fruit. There was no difference in soluble calcium between the two cultivars. Calcium oxalate was located chiefly in the epidermis of the pericarp, and increased in concentration within 50 d after anthesis (DAA) in ‘Nuomici’ and 64 DAA in ‘Huaizhi’, then decreased as structural calcium increased, indicating that calcium sequestered by oxalate could be remobilised.The fruit pedicel had higher concentrations of oxalate than the pericarp. X-ray microanalysis showed abundant calcium in pedicel tissue adjoining the fruit base, and less calcium in tissues at the fruit base and in pedicel tissue 1 cm from the fruit, suggesting that the pedicel serves as a bottleneck to calcium movement. This bottleneck is not likely to be caused by oxalate in the pedicel. Oxalate in the pericarp and in the fruit pedicel is not linked to a shortage of fruit calcium or to an increase in cracking incidence in litchi.
Log-concavity and log-convexity in passage time densities of diffusion and birth-death processes

Diffusion and birth-death processes have basic theoretical and practical importance for statistics. Insight into the structure of transition distributions and passage time distributions for such processes has been given in recent years by Feller. Karlin, Kemperman, D. G. Kendall, Reuter and many others. An elementary account of this work and partial bibliography has been given elsewhere ([9], [10)]. Certain key passage time densities and sojourn time densities for such processes have a simple property of log-concavity or log-convexity and associated unimodality. Such properties provide information on the character of distributions unavailable from the spectral representations, Laplace transforms and series of convolutions at hand. These properties may also have value for purposes of estimation and optimization.
Overlap and pollution induced variability in the feeding habits of filefish pisces monacanthidae from apalachee bay florida usa

The distribution and feeding habits of two species of filefish, Monacanthus ciliatus and Stephanolepis hispidus, were examined. Spatial and temporal distribution and feeding habits of the two species overlapped broadly. The apparent similarity in diet was reduced when prey were identified to species. Analysis of ontogenetic variation of each species indicated a tendency toward herbivory with increasing standard length. The feeding habits ofM. ciliatus taken from areas affected by pulp mill effluents were compared to those from a nearby unpolluted estuary. Cluster analysis of stations within the two systems, based on feeding habits of M. ciliatus, were similar to those based on numbers of fishes and macrophyte biomass. Differences in the feeding habits between the two systems may be due to pollution-induced habitat modifications and resulting changes in prey distribution.
Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich., at Hovey Lake, Posey County, Indiana

Some especial interest is attached to the bald cypress in Indiana because of its conspicuous role in that rather small group of extraneous, southernlowland plants which are found in the botanical-physiographic region known as "The Lower Wabash Valley. " Some other woody species of this group beside Taxodium distichum are Carya Pecan, Quercus lyrata, Q. Shumardii. Q. rubra var. pagodaefolia, Gleditsia texana, G. aquatica, Acer rubrum var. Drummondii, Catalpa speciosa, Forestiera (Adelia) acuminata, Ilex decidua, Vitis rubra, Aristolochia tomentosa, etc. The nomenclature used and the distributional data are those of Deam's "Trees of Indiana" (1932) and "Shrubs of Indiana" (1932). Botanists in general have been interested in the bald cypress (and its close relative, T. ascendens Brongn.) for its production of pneumatophores, or knees, and its buttressed condition. Recent papers of interest include Kurz (1930), Welch (1932), Demaree (1933), and Kurz and Demaree (1934), which describe some of the conditions for, and types of buttress formation, knee formation, and germination and establishment.
Unable to protect gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity with allopurinol in rats

Bu calismada, ksantin oksidaz inhibitoru olan allopurinolun gentamisin nefrotoksikozisinde koruyucu etkinliginin arastirilmasi amaclanmistir.Gentamisin verilen grubun serum ure ve kreatinin duzeyleri ile plazma MDA duzeyi kontrol grubuna gore istatistiksel olarak onemli duzeyde yuksek bulunurken, eritrositlerde GSH-Px, SOD aktiviteleri dusuk bulundu. Gentamisin+Allopurinol verilen grubun serum ure ve kreatinin duzeyleri ile plazma MDA duzeyi kontrol grubuna gore onemli duzeyde yuksek bulunurken, GSH-Px, SOD ve CAT aktiviteleri onemli duzeyde dusuktu. Gentamisin verilen grubun plazma MDA duzeyi gentamisin+allopurinol verilen gruba gore onemli duzeyde dusuk iken GSH-Px, SOD aktiviteleri onemli duzeyde yuksekti. Sonucta ksantin oksidaz inhibitoru olan allopurinolun gentamisin nefrotoksikozisinin olusumunu onleyemedigi kanisina varilmistir
A note on the toxicity of cotyledon orbiculata L.

Cotyledon orbiculata L. has for long been suspected of being a hazardous plant to livestock in South Africa. Final proof of its toxicity has now been accumulated. A descriptionption of the plant and its toxicity to sheep, goats and rabbits is presented together with the sym ptoms, biochemical changes and pathological lesions observed. This plant is another Cotyledon species causing the disease ""Krimpsiekte"".
EMBO MEMBER'S REVIEW DNA damage checkpoint in budding yeast

Eukaryotic cells have evolved a network of control mechanisms, known as checkpoints, which coordinate cell-cycle progression in response to internal and external cues. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been invaluable in dissecting genetically the DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Recent results on posttranslational modifications and protein–protein interactions of some key factors provide new insights into the architecture of checkpoint protein complexes and their order of function.
Life-history correlates of body-size differences between two populations of the Salamander, Desmognathus monticola

Etude de deux populations de salamandre Desmognathus monticola provenant de deux localites proches de la Caroline du Nord (USA). Mesure des parametres concernant la croissance, la maturite et la fecondite pour distinguer effets du milieu et divergence genetique.
Evaluation of Different Herbicides for Weed Control in Potato

On farm trials were conducted at five locations on farmers’ fields in Dharwad district of Karnataka during kharif seasons of 2006 and 2007 to assess the performance of pre-emergence herbicides for controlling weeds in potato. Among the different herbicides, metribuzin at 0.75 kg/ha was found more efficient in controlling weeds with higher weed control efficiency (90.1%) compared to diuron (84.4–85.6%), fluchloralin (79.7–80.7%), alachlor (77.8–78.1%) and pendimethalin (74.6–74.9%). Potato yield was maximum in weed free check (201.3 q/ha). Pre-emergence application of metribuzin at 0.75 kg/ha resulted in similar tuber yield with weed free check. Diuron application at 1.0 kg/ha and farmers’ practice produced similar tuber yields (174.7 and 172.4 q/ha, respectively). The highest benefit: cost ratio was realized in metribuzin at 0.75 kg/ha (2.15) compared to other herbicides and conventional weed management practices.
Demography and Condition of Populations of White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Late and Early Successional Habitats

Populations of white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ) were monitored for 3 years (1986–1988) in late and early successional habitats. Late-successional habitats consisted of mature hardwood forests with little herbaceous vegetation. Early successional habitats were induced by treatment with either triclopyr or tebuthiuron herbicides, used with and without annual prescribed burning, and consisted of varying levels of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Abundance of white-footed mice was highest in 1986 and declined through 1987 and 1988, which corresponded to declines in biomass of forbs. Abundance was higher on both herbicide treatments than controls and higher on triclopyr than tebuthiuron treatments. Triclopyr-altered habitats provided a mixture of dense shrubs and forbs not found in te-buthiuron-altered sites. Litter size, but not reproductive activity, was higher on triclopyr compared to tebuthiuron treatments in spring 1986. Body condition of adult mice, but not body mass, was higher on herbicide and burned treatments than on controls and unburned treatments, respectively.
Parasites of some fishes (Labeo rohita and Schizothorax niger) of Jammu and Kashmir in India

The present study has been carried out to find out the parasites of Schizothorax niger and Labeo rohita during different months of the year 2013 to 2014. Parasites belonging to two groups viz. ciliophoran (Chilodonella) and crustacean (Argulus) were recorded from 200 fishes of Rohu (L. rohita) and S. niger collected from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. These two parasites belong to Ectoparasitic group and no other parasite was recorded in the present study. The highest prevalence (60%) of infection has been recorded in ciliophorans and the lowest was in crustacean (48%). It was observed that highest parasitic prevalence (54%) was recorded during winter season (December-February) while the lowest prevalence (0%) recorded during rainy season (June-August). Cyprinid fish S. niger infested with ciliophoran had no pathogenic signs and the clinical signs were represented as increase of mucus laden masses on the surface of gills. No pathogenic signs were seen in L. rohita infested with Crustacean parasite and clinical signs were represented as gasping air, pale skin color, sluggish swimming, increase of mucus production and floating on surface often causes mortality. This is first report of protozoan parasites from fishes of Jammu and Kashmir. Key words: Ectoparasites, Protozoan, Ciliophoran, Labeo rohita, Schizothorax niger.
The effect of weather conditions on the feeding behaviour of a diving bird, the Common Guillemot Uria aalge

A detailed investigation of the effects of weather conditions on the feeding behaviour of a pursuit diving seabird, the Common Guillemot Uria aalge, was carried out during the chick-rearing period at a colony in southeast Scotland in 1997. There was no evidence that the rate at which adults brought back fish for their chicks was related to weather conditions but the type of prey delivered was affected with birds bringing in smaller sandeels Ammodytes marinus in stormy weather. This resulted in a significant decrease in the mean energy value of a prey load and in the overall rate of energy intake of chicks. The attendance behaviour of adults also varied in response to the prevailing weather conditions. The proportion of sites with chicks which had both adults present was significantly lower in stormy conditions indicating that, although the frequency at which Common Guillemots provisioned their chicks was not affected, birds were spending longer away foraging. Furthermore, information on diving behaviour collected using radio telemetry suggested that birds were working harder when conditions were bad with the number of dives in a bout, and hence the amount of time spent underwater, increasing significantly and the interval between consecutive diving bouts decreasing significantly. Analysis of long-term data on chick provisioning and adult attendance for the study colony indicated that the observed reductions in the mean energy value of loads and the proportion of chicks attended by both adults in stormy weather, which were evident in the 1997 data, were also apparent across years. If the current climate change prediction of an increase in the frequency and/or intensity of storms at mid to high latitudes proves correct, such trends could have marked energetic consequences for Common Guillemots in terms of increased foraging costs of adults and reduced energy intake of chicks.
Customer average and time average queue lengths and waiting times

Bounds are obtained for the difference between the expected number in the queue found by an arrival and the time average expected number in the queue for the stationary GI/G/m queue. The lower bound is completely general but the upper bound requires that the class of inter-arrival distributions be restricted. When the upper bound applies, these quantities differ by at most one customer. Analogous results are obtained for the difference between the arrival average and time average number in the system for the GI/G/1 queue. An upper bound is also determined for the kth factorial moment of the number found in the queue by an arrival in terms of the kth. moment about the origin of the wait in the queue. Inequalities on the mean virtual wait are found in terms of the mean actual wait which show that under the same restrictions, these two measures of congestion differ by no more than half the mean inter-arrival time for the GI/G/1 queue.
Risk screening of non-native freshwater fishes in Croatia and Slovenia using the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit.

The Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) version 2 was used to assess the invasiveness potential of 40 introduced and translocated freshwater fish species to Croatia and Slovenia. Based on a priori classification of invasiveness, receiver operating characteristic analysis of FISK scores from two independent assessors resulted in a statistically significant calibration threshold of 11.75. This indicated that FISK was able to discriminate reliably between non-native species likely to pose a high risk of being invasive and those likely to pose a medium or low risk of invasiveness. Seven species were categorised as ‘medium risk’ and the other 33 as ‘high risk’, whereas no species was categorised as ‘low risk’. The two highest scoring species were European catfish Silurus glanis and North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Mean scores for all species classified a priori as invasive were ranked as ‘high risk’ sensu lato and fell into the ‘moderately high risk’ subcategory. FISK proved to be a valid tool for assessing the risks posed by non-native fishes in Croatia and Slovenia. For this reason, it can be adopted as a reliable tool for the prevention of new translocations or introductions of potentially invasive species in the risk assessment area, as well as to assist in decisions regarding future management (i.e. monitoring, control and eradication) and conservation strategies.
Identifying delayed density dependence in time-series data

I investigated the ability of statistical tests to detect delayed density dependence in series of abundances per generation. I generated time series containing delayed density dependence using two simple population models (a host-parasitoid model and a version of the Ricker equation) and analysed these using the tests for delayed density dependence of Turchin (1990), the lag 2 partial autocorrelation coefficient (PACF) and a novel modification of Pollard et al's (1987) test. All tests of delayed density dependence are of low statistical power, and so any delayed density dependence that is present may frequently be overlooked, particularly with short (< 25 generation) time series. The modification of Pollard et al's test was the best test for detecting delayed density dependence
Autosomal products of meiosis arising from radiation-induced interchange in female Drosophila Melanogaster

The present study was initiated with the view of achieving two goals: 1) to establish a suitable genetic assay system for measuring the frequency of spontaneous and induced structural and numerical aberrations of autosomes during meiosis in females and 2) to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the production of the aberrant classes recovered. By selective exclusion of a l l regular meiotic products this system enabled the recovery of large numbers of aberrant products. The multiplier system served as an internal dosimeter and provided an estimate of the population size from which the aberrancies arose which in turn provided a measure of the frequencies of each event. The four different classes of exceptional meiotic products were named according to the source or the structural nature of the chromosomes: reductional nondisjunction as "matroclinous"; equational nondisjunction as "equationals"; loss of chromosome 2_ as "patroclinous"; and the attachment of homologous arms as "compounds". The results suggest that two main factors affect the recovery of induced aberrations: of most importance is isosequentiality and of lesser importance is genetic background. The three classes of simultaneously recovered progeny (excluding equational nondisjunctions) arise from a common mechanism of induction; a mechanism which also accounts for free arm formation. The location of the breaks, the position of the chromatids and the method of reconstitution determine the type of aberration produced. The reconstitution of these breaks in aberrant ways are referred to as interchanges. Furthermore, i t would appear that the reconstitutions are restricted in that euchromatic breaks attach to euchromatic breaks and heterochromatic to heterochromatic. Interchanges resulting from breaks on opposite sides of the centromeres of homologues result in the formation of non-sister compound chromosomes and from breaks on opposite sides of the centromeres of sister chromatids result in the formation of sister compound chromosomes. The interchange, i f between heterologues, could lead to the nondisjunction of a pair of chromosomes and be recovered, as in the present study, as matroclinous progeny. The reciprocal product of the interchange between heterologues would produce an equal number of nullo eggs observed as patroclinous progeny, but i f the dyad so formed is heteromorphic, i.e. chromatids of different length, i t would result in the greater recovery of patroclinous progeny because of the preferential inclusion of the shorter chromatid. The evidence for interchange mediated aberrations is provided by the recovery of free arms of chromosome 2_. Experimental support for these events is provided by the unequivocal identification of the centromeres involved, which, as in this study, is made possible through the use of metacentric autosomes.
Channels without synchronization

Let X = {1, …, a} and Y = {1, …, a} be the input and output alphabets, respectively. In the (unsynchronized) channels studied in this paper, when an element of X is sent over the channel, the receiver receives either nothing or a sequence of k letters, each a member of Y, where k, determined by chance, can be 1, or 2, or … or L, a given integer. The channel is called unsynchronized because the sequence received (for each letter sent) is not separated from the previous sequence or the following sequence, so that the receiver does not know which letters received correspond to which letter transmitted. In Sections 1 and 2 we give the necessary definitions and auxiliary results. In Section 3 we extend the results of Dobrushin [2] by proving a strong converse to the coding theorem1 and making it possible to compute the capacity to within any desired accuracy. In Section 4 we study the same channel with feedback, prove a coding theorem and strong converse, and give an algorithm for computing the capacity. In Section 5 we study the unsynchronized channel where the transmission of each word is governed by an arbitrary element of a set of channel probability functions. Again we obtain the capacity of the channel, prove a coding theorem and strong converse, and give an algorithm for computing the capacity. In Section 6 we apply results of Shannon [4] and supplement Dobrushin's results on continuous transmission with a fidelity criterion.
Implications of vagrant Southeastern vireos and warblers in California

ABsTRAc. -An unprecedented influx of vagrant vireos and wood-warblers into California occurred in the spring and summer of 1992. The seven species involved (White-eyed Vireo [Vireo griseus], Yellow-throated Vireo [V. flavifrons], Northern Parula [Parula americana], Yellowthroated Warbler [Dendroica dominica], Worm-eating Warbler [Helmitheros vermivorus], Kentucky Warbler [Oporornis formosus], and Hooded Warbler [Wilsonia citrina]) all breed primarily in the southeastern United States, suggesting a common factor for the influx. Furthermore, all seven species have been recorded in California with increasing frequency over the past two decades, suggesting a common trend in the populations of these species. We examined five hypotheses that could explain the increasing number of California records of these species: (1) observer bias, (2) pesticide-caused misorientation, (3) shifts in winter range, (4) anomalous weather conditions (including global warming and El Ninlo-Southern Oscillation), and (5) range expansions into the western United States and/or dramatic population increases in the southeastern United States. We found little or no support for the first three hypotheses. Anomalous weather conditions probably accounted for the magnitude of the 1992 influx, but the final hypothesis is needed to explain the overall trend. Although available data are not sufficient to distinguish between summer distributional shifts and population increases within the "normal" breeding ranges of these species, the possibility of westward range expansion is intriguing. Received 15 March 1996, accepted 25 June 1996.
Studies on the Antibiotic Action of Algae Extracts. Part 3

コンブ,ワカメの如き食用海藻並びにフジマツモの水溶性区分が, E. catiの細菌に対しペプトン水中1/1,000濃度で予想外の発育阻止作用を示す結果を得た. これらの海藻はI或いはBrを多く含む種類であるが,水溶性区分中の抗菌性は無機物には弱く,又この水溶性区分をブタノール:醋酸:水=4:1:1で展開するとRFO. 35附近に抗菌像が認められた. 一方水不溶性区分もB. subtilis, B. mesentericusに対し発育阻止作用があり. 特にイソムラサキの該当区分が強かつた. イソムラサキより分離したブロムフェノール区分(Fig. 1参照)はB. mesentericusに対しペプトン水中1/10万で抑制作用を示し,本物質はMAUTNER等がフジマツモに存在すると推察している物質よりも抗菌性が強く且つ安定な物質であると考えられる.