Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual reproduction of cordgrass hybrids (Spartina foliosa x alterniflora) invading tidal marshes in San Francisco Bay

We genetically analysed cordgrass plants and seedlings throughout the San Francisco, California, USA, estuary and found that hybrids between exotic Spartina alterniflora and native Spartina foliosa are the principal cordgrass invaders and colonizers. We hypothesized that this was due to higher seed set and siring ability by hybrids relative to the native species; too few alien parents remained in San Francisco Bay for our comparative studies. Hybrid seed comprised 91% to 98% of that set in the marsh study plants over the 2 years of the study. Total viable pollen production by hybrid plants was 400 times that of the native plants. Seed and pollen production were highly skewed towards a few hybrid genotypes. In addition to seed produced by hybrid plants, hybrid seed was produced by S. foliosa due to hybrid backcrossing. While the greatest advantage for hybrids was in pollen and seed production, hybrid seeds germinated, and seedlings survived and grew as well or better than the native species. As native S. foliosa becomes increasingly rare, hybrid seed floating on the tides will predominate, overwhelming recruitment sites and resulting in further colonization by hybrids. In an evolutionary context, hybrids with exceptional pollen and seed production will be initially favoured by natural selection, leading to the evolution of even more fertile hybrid genotypes.
Clarithromycin and Amoxicillin Susceptibility Testing of Helicobacter pylori by Disk Diffusion Method

Background: CLSI provides a guideline only for a agar dilution method of testing clarithromycin susceptibility for Helicobacter pylori. This study was to evaluate a disk diffusion method for clarithromycin and amoxicillin. Methods: One hundred and forty clinical isolates of H. pylori isolated from May 2005 to May 2007 were tested by the CLSI agar dilution method and a disk diffusion method using 2μg (2CLR) and 15μg (15CLR) clarithromycin disks and 2μg (2AMX) and 10μg (10AMX) amoxicillin disks. The interpretation criteria used for the disk diffusion method were established by linear regression and error rate-bounded method for disk diffusion zone of inhibition (DDZ) compared to MIC. Results: Resistance and intermediate rates to clarithromycin were 21.4% and 1.4%, respectively. A number of isolates with MIC 0.5, 1, and 2 (μg/mL) to amoxicillin were 7, 2, and 1, respectively. For 2CLR and 15CLR, the coefficients of determination (R) between MIC and DDZ were 0.931 and 0.923 (P< 0.001), respectively, and the criteria for resistance/ susceptibility were 12/28 mm for 2CLR and 23/39 mm for 15CLR. For 2AMX and 10AMX, the R between MIC and DDZ were 0.478 and 0.421 (P< 0.001), respectively, and the criteria for resistance with breakpoint of 2μg/mL were 21 mm for 2AMX and 32 mm for 10AMX. All isolates had DDZ<60 mm with 2CLR and 2AMX, but 61.4% and 75.7% of the isolates had DDZ<60 mm with 15CLR and 10AMX, respectively. Conclusion: Excellent correlation and agreement between MIC and DDZ were found for clarithromycin and amoxicillin. With 2μg disks, the susceptibility breakpoints were 28 mm or less; thus, two disks could be tested in one plate. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2009;12:30-36)
Iteroparity following single insemination and largest size litter in "Rhopalurus junceus" (Herbst, 1800)

The occurrence of iteroparity following a single insemination is recorded herein for first time in both the Buthidae genus Rhopalurus Thorell, 1876, and R. junceus (Herbst, 1800). Also, we document the largest litter observed in this species, composed of 72 pulli.
Cultivar Heterosis between Sweet and Spanish Field Corn

Field corn (Zea mays L. var. mays) cultivar heterosis could improve sweet corn ( Zea mays L. var. rugosa Bonaf) heterotic patterns. Two Spanish field corn ( Su) and two sweet corn (su) heterotic patterns have been reported previously. The objective of this study was to determine which sweet x field corn crosses could be used to improve sweet corn heterotic groups. A diallel among three sweet corn cultivars ('Country Gentleman', 'Golden Bantam', and 'Stowell's Evergreen') that are representative of the variability among modern sweet corn cultivars, and three field corn synthetic cultivars ('EPS6(S)C3', 'EPS7(S)C3', and 'EPS10') representing the heterotic patterns involving Spanish field corn, was evaluated for 2 years at two locations in northwestern Spain. Differences in heterosis effects ( hjj') and average heterosis (h) were significant for all traits except grain moisture. Differences for cultivar heterosis ( hj) and specific heterosis (sjj') were significant for grain yield, plant height, and kernel row number. 'EPS6(S)C3' had lower sjj' for yield in crosses to 'Golden Bantam' than to 'Stowell's Evergreen', while 'EPS7(S)C3' had higher sjj' in crosses to 'Golden Bantam' than to 'Stowell's Evergreen'. The best crosses to establish enhanced sweet corn heterotic patterns involving Spanish maize would be 'Golden Bantam' x 'EPS6(S)C3' and 'Stowell's Evergreen' x 'EPS7(S)C3'. New sugary 1 cultivars would require preliminary cycles of intrapopulational recurrent selection for agronomic performance and flavor prior initiating an interpopulational recurrent selection program to enhance heterosis.
Functional Effects of TNF-α on a Human Follicular Dendritic Cell Line: Persistent NF-κB Activation and Sensitization for Fas-Mediated Apoptosis 1

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) play crucial roles in germinal center (GC) formation and differentiation of GC B cells. FDC functions are influenced by cytokines produced in the GC. Among the GC cytokines, TNF is known to be essential for the formation and maintenance of the FDC network in the GC. We found that TNF is a mitogenic growth factor to an established FDC-like cell line, HK cells. Differing from most cell types which become desensitized to TNF action, HK cells exhibited persistent TNF signaling, as demonstrated by prolonged and biphasic NF-κB activation even after 3 days of TNF treatment. As a result, antiapoptotic genes including TNFR-associated factors 1 and 2, and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 were persistently induced by TNF, leading to the protection against TNF-mediated cell death. However, TNF pretreatment enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis by up-regulating surface Fas expression in an NF-κB-dependent pathway. During the GC responses, proliferation followed by FDC death has not been documented. However, our in vitro results suggest that FDCs proliferate in response to TNF, and die by Fas-mediated apoptosis whose susceptibility is enhanced by TNF, representing a mode of action for TNF in the maintenance of FDC networks by regulating the survival or death of FDC.
Modelling consumption and constructing long-term baselines in final demand

Modelling and projecting consumption, investment and government demand by detailed commodities in CGE models poses many data and methodological challenges. We review the state of knowledge of modelling consumption of commodities (price and income elasticities and demographics), as well as the historical trends that we should be able to explain. We then discuss the current approaches taken in CGE models to project the trends in demand at various levels of commodity disaggregation. We examine the pros and cons of the various approaches to adjust parameters over time or using functions of time and suggest a research agenda to improve modelling and projection. We compare projections out to 2050 using LES, CES and AIDADS functions in the same CGE model to illustrate the size of the differences. In addition, we briefly discuss the allocation of total investment and government demand to individual commodities.
Hybrid Discrete Hopfield Neural Network based Modified Clonal Selection Algorithm for VLSI Circuit Verification

Clonal selection algorithm and discrete Hopfield neural network are extensively employed for solving higher-order optimization problems ranging from the constraint satisfaction problem to complex pattern recognition. The modified clonal selection algorithm is a comprehensive and less iterative immune-inspired searching algorithm, utilized to search for the correct combination of instances for Very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit structure. In this research, the VLSI circuit framework consists of Boolean 3-Satisfiability instances with the different complexities and number of transistors are considered. Hence, a hybrid modified clonal selection algorithm with discrete Hopfield neural network is well developed to optimize the configuration of VLSI circuits with different number of electronic components such as transistors as the instances. Therefore, the performance of the developed hybrid model was assessed experimentally with the standard models, HNNVLSI-3SATES and HNNVLSI-3SATGA in term of circuit accuracy, sensitivity, robustness and runtime to complete the verification process. The results have demonstrated the developed model, HNNVLSI-3SATCSA produced a minimum error (consistently approaching 0), better accuracy (more than 80%) and faster computational time (less than 125 seconds) against changes in the complexity in term of the number of transistors. Furthermore, the developed hybrid model is able to minimize the computational burden and configurational noises for the variant of VLSI circuits.
A review of mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and potential strategies for therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of cancer over the last decade, bringing about a paradigm shift in systemic cancer therapy away from traditional cytotoxic and targeted therapies. While some patients have dramatic treatment responses, it is sobering to note that most tumors are either resistant at the outset, or develop resistance after initial response. A major area of translational and clinical research is in identifying therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to ICIs. We have performed an in-depth review of the different mechanisms of resistance and potential avenues to overcome resistance through rationally designed combination treatment with ICIs.
Response of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seedlings to organic manure, N and K fertilizers in polybag nursery

A trial was conducted at NIFOR’s sub-station, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria to investigate the influence of soil fertility amendment using inorganic fertilizers and organic manure on date palm seedlings in polybag nursery. Experimental design was a 3 ◊ 4 ◊ 4 factorial with organic manure (dried poultry droppings) at 0, 50 and 100 g per seedling, ammonium sulphate at 0, 2, 4 and 8 g per seedling and muriate of potash at 0, 2, 4 and 8 g per seedling. Seedling dry matter significantly increased with increasing rates of organic manure applied. Application of ammonium sulphate or muriate of potash beyond 2 g per seedling significantly reduced seedling dry matter. Manure ◊ N interaction effect on dry matter was significant. However, manure ◊ muriate of potash or manure ◊ N ◊ muriate of potash or muriate of potash ◊ N interaction were not significant. Leaf nutrient contents were not significantly enhanced by the application of the soil amendment treatments. Supplementation of poultry manure with ammonium sulphate enhanced date palm seedling dry matter. Thus while poultry manure could serve as alternative soil fertility treatment to inorganic N or K, its supplementation with inorganic sources of N may be needed to enhance seedling dry matter.
Cadmium‐Induced Physiological Response in Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil using hyperaccumulators has become a new promising technique. Lonicera japonica Thunb. has been reported as a new Cd-hyperaccumulator. In this study, the effect of Cd stress duration on growth, photosynthesis and mineral nutrition of L. japonica was investigated. At 30 days after Cd stress, there was not any visual leaf symptoms in L. japonica, and an obvious stimulating effect of 10 mg kg−1 Cd on net photosynthesis rate (PN) was well correlated to photosynthetic pigment contents and mineral nutrition (Mg and Fe) concentrations. With Cd stress time extended, no significant differences of shoots and total biomass and PN compared with the control was observed, indicating that L. japonica could develop effective tolerance mechanisms to avoid Cd-induced damage to photosynthesis and growth. The photosynthetic performance remained functional through stomatal and non-stomatal adjustments, and mineral nutrition responses. The improved growth based on shoots and total biomass and PN by 10 mg kg−1 Cd, as suggested by hormesis, may be beneficial to enhance the potential for phytoremediation, because it typically faced the low Cd concentrations in actual Cd-contaminated soils. The study results indicated that L. japonica could be used for phytoremediation contaminated soils by Cd.
Effect of Natural Fermentation on the Nutritive Value and Mineral Composition of African Locust Beans

Effect of natural fermentation on the nutritive value and mineral composition of African Locust beans were investigated in this present paper. The seeds were soaked, boiled, dehulled and fermented naturally for three days. The raw, unfermented (boiled) and fermented seeds were subjected to analysis. There were slight increase in the protein contents of the unfermented (boiled) seeds (32%) and significant increase in the fermented seeds (37.34%). The moisture, fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents in unfermented seeds (boiled) were 37.0%, 15.2%, 7.4%, 4.9% and 23.01% respectively as against 42.8%, 24.21%, 5.3%, 3.55% and 17.0% in fermented seeds. Fermentation caused a significant increase in the pH values, with unfermented seeds (boiled) 6.3 and fermented seeds 8.4. However, there was no significant change in the mineral composition during fermentation.
Studies on the Influence of the Probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 and the Trace Element Zinc on Performance and Digestive Physiological Parameters in the Small Intestine of Piglets

s in proceedings & participation in conferences 2013 P. Liu, L. Martin, J. Rieger, R. Pieper, W. Vahjen, J. Plendl, J. Zentek. 2013. Effect of feeding pharmacological levels of zinc oxide on development of small intestinal physiology in weaned piglets. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Physiol. 22; 53. 2012 L. Martin, R. Pieper, W. Vahjen, J. Zentek. 2012. Influence of high levels of dietary zinc oxide on performance and small intestinal gene expression in weaned piglets. 9 Young Researcher Symposium – Physiology and Biochemistry in Animal Nutrition, Szczecin, Poland. R. Pieper, K. Neumann, S. Kröger, J.F. Richter, J. Wang, L. Martin, J. Bindelle, J.K. Htoo, V. Vahjen, J. Zentek and A.G. Van Kessel. 2012. Influence of diets high in fermentable carbohydrates or protein on large intestinal microbial ecology, mucosal response and urinary metabolomic profiles in piglets. XII International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, 29 May – 1 June; Keystone, USA. Abstract: 1001. L. Martin, R. Pieper, W. Vahjen and J. Zentek. 2012. Influence of high levels of dietary zinc oxide on performance and small intestinal gene expression in weaned piglets. XII International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, 29 May 1 June; Keystone, USA. Abstract: 1104. Publication List 135 R. Pieper, L. Martin, W. Vahjen and J. Zentek. 2012. Pharmacological levels of zinc oxide change the expression of zinc transport proteins ZIP4 and ZnT1 and metallothionein, but not DMT1 and ZnT2 in the jejunum of weaned piglets. XII International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, 29 May – 1 June; Keystone, USA. Abstract: 1105. L. Martin, R. Pieper, W. Vahjen and J. Zentek. 2012. Influence of high levels of dietary zinc on the expression of zinc transport proteins, metallothionein and DMT1 in the jejunum of weaned piglets. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Physiol. 21: p. 60. 2011 L. Martin, R. Pieper, W. Vahjen, A.G. Van Kessel and J. Zentek. 2011. Influence of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 on small intestinal brush border enzyme activity and gene expression in weaned pigs. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Physiol. 20: p. 105. L. Martin, R. Pieper, F. Goodarzi-Boroojeni, W. Vahjen, K. Neumann, A.G. Van Kessel and J. Zentek. 2011. Influence of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 on performance, small intestinal morphology, gene expression and brush border enzyme activity in piglets. p.53. International Conference on Probiotics and Prebiotics. 14-16 June, 2011, Košice, Slowakia. L. Martin, R. Pieper, F. Goodarzi-Boroojeni, W. Vahjen, K. Neumann, A.G. Van Kessel and J. Zentek. 2011. Adaptive changes in small intestinal morphology, gene expression and brush border enzyme activity in piglets during weaning. Special invitation & grant for a poster presentation within the ‘20 Anniversary Symposium‘ of NOVUS International, Reus, Spain. 2009 L. Martin, I. Morano, V. Lamouniér-Zepter. 2009. The role of adipocyte/cardiomyocyte interaction in the development of heart dysfunction in obese patients. PhD-Retreat, MaxDelbrueck-Center, Berlin.
Oscillatory rheological study of the gelation mechanism of whey protein concentrate solutions: effects of physicochemical variables on gel formation

Summary The thermal gelation of a commercially available whey protein concentrate was studied by oscillatory rheometry using a Bohlin rheometer. Gelation time increased with decreasing protein concentration with a critical protein concentration (at infinite gelation time) of 6·6%. The effect of temperature in the range 65–90 °C on gelation time was described by an Arrhenius equation with an activation energy of 154 kJ/mol. Gelation time was a minimum at pH 4–6, the isoelectric region of the whey proteins. Small additions of NaCl or CaCl2 dramatically decreased gelation time. Higher protein concentrations always produced higher storage modulus (G′) values after any heating time. Loss modulus (G″) v. time curves exhibited maxima at relatively short times for protein concentrations of 30 and 35%. G′ values for 10% protein concentration increased with temperature for heating times up to 59·5 min. G′ values at 59·5 min for 25% protein concentration were higher at 78 °C than at either 85 or 90 °C. The results are discussed in terms of current theories for biopolymer gelation.
Copyright 2009 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. All rights reserved. 10.1518/107118109X12524443346310

Globalization of product design has become increasingly important as markets in Asia continue to grow. Past research in the variations in visual attention between individuals in Asia and the United States have primarily focused on East Asians, specifically, Japanese and Chinese participants. India, the second most populated country in the world, has been largely ignored in this literature. The current study examined the differences between US participants and South Asians, specifically Indian, participants in a visual scene exploration task. Results from the present study suggest that the current explanation from past research may not be the most parsimonious method for determining how groups will view images.
FOLLOWING OF BROWN CAPUCHIN MONKEYS BY WHITE HAWKS IN FRENCH GUIANA

Abstract One group of brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) was observed for 19 months in French Guiana. White Hawks (Leucopternis albicollis) were seen in association with these monkeys throughout the year. Our study revealed that: (1) hawks mainly followed capuchins in open forest types, and in this vegetation they mainly flew at the height of 10–20 m from the ground where horizontal visibility is better than in other strata of the forest, (2) hawks usually landed preceding the monkey troop spreading into an area, and they followed the capuchin troop when the monkeys were traveling, and (3) no predation of any capuchins by hawks occurred at any time during our study, and seven times it was observed that hawks captured arboreal snakes disturbed by the movement of capuchins. We propose that White Hawks followed brown capuchins in this Amazonian forest primarily for capturing arboreal snakes disturbed by monkey troop movements.
Studies on antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of maize silk

To study antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of maize silk. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus coli and Candida albicans were chosen as detected germs. Using methods of agar plated diffusions and tube continuous dilution to detect antimicrobial activity and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of ethanolic extract of maize silk. Ethanolic extract of maize silk can inhibit microbial activity against bacteria such as S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, B. coli and C. albicans and the diameter of bacteriostatic circle is 19, 20, 28, 15 and 21 millimeter, respectively. Ethanolic extract of maize silk has the best antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus. The MIC to B. coli is 15.625 mg/ml, while the MIC to S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans are all the 31.25 mg/ml. Ethanolic extract of maize silk has antimicrobial activity on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, B. coli and C. albicans. Key words:Maize silk, ethanolic extract, antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration.
Comparison between steady state and non-steady state competition: experiments with natural phytoplankton

Chemostat competition experiments with natural phytoplankton communities are compared to experiments in which either one (phosphorus) or two (phosphorus and silicon) key nutrients were added discontinuously at l-week intervals. In all types of experiments wide ranges of Si:P ratios were tested. Deviation from steady state was found not only to increase the number of coexisting species, but also to shift the regions of dominance of species and of higher taxa along the gradient of Si:P ratios. Pulsed nutrient addition was mainly to the advantage of green algae and to the disadvantage of diatoms.
THE PLACENTA AND PROTEIN METABOLISM : TRANSFER STUDIES USING CARBON14-LABELED PROTEINS IN DOGS

Plasma proteins tagged in vivo by feeding D-L-lysine-e-C14 to donor dogs have been administered to pregnant dogs by both oral and intravenous routes. A relatively small percentage of the C14 activity originally incorporated in these proteins is found to pass from mother to fetus after intravenous injection. The amount transferred tends to increase with the length of gestation period and total number of fetuses. Plasma protein labeled with I131 does not cross the placenta in the dog, but does in the rabbit. Evans blue dye does not cross the placenta of the dog. After oral administration of labeled plasma protein or lysine, C14 is transferred promptly and in considerable quantity to the fetus. Labeled plasma proteins disappear more rapidly from the circulation of pregnant than of normal dogs. This increased metabolic turnover occurs without excretion of any excess waste metabolites. The chorionic epithelium, gram for gram, is probably 2 to 3 times as active as the hepatic epithelium in protein metabolism. These findings indicate an important placental function related to maternal and fetal protein metabolism. While the placenta utilizes maternal plasma proteins and amino acids, in a quantitative sense the latter appear to supply the major nitrogen needs of the growing fetus.