Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFICATION OF SAILFIN CATFISHES (TELEOSTEI: LORICARIIDAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN ASIA

Three species of sailfin catfishes (Pterygoplichthys) native to South America, P. multiradiatus, P. pardalis and P. disjunctivus, have been collected recently in several countries in southeastern Asia. Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is known to reproduce in Taiwan, and P. pardalis is presumed to be reproducing in Singapore given the frequency of its collection and the range in size of specimens collected. The status of the species elsewhere in southeastern Asia is less certain. These catfishes are common in the pet trade and almost certainly were released by aquarists. It is likely that these fishes will become widely established in southeastern Asia and will have negative environmental impacts, including alteration of food webs, in non- native areas.
Zooplankton diversity of a sub-tropical reservoir of Mizoram, Northeast India

This study on zooplankton diversity from the state of Mizoram of northeast India, based on plankton samples collected from Khawiva reservoir during November 2005-October 2007, recorded a total of 46 species. Zooplankton indicated monthly richness ranging between 19-36 and 25-34 species; registered 52.8-88.9 and 60.0-89.3% community similarities (vide Sorensen's index); and comprised between 31.2±12.7 and 46.7±11.3% of net plankton abundance during two years, respectively. Copepoda and Rotifera, together, influenced zooplankton abundance. Rhizopoda and Cladocera showed limited importance while Nematoda and Ciliata recorded poor densities. Mesocyclops spp. > Keratella tropica are important taxa. Our results are characterized by moderate species diversity, high evenness and low dominance except in some months. Richness, abundance and species diversity followed no definite patterns of monthly variations. Individual abiotic parameters exerted limited influence on zooplankton richness and abundance, and on abundance of its constituent groups. The canonical correspondence analysis with fifteen abiotic parameters explained high cumulative variance (84.8%) of zooplankton assemblages along axis 1 and 2 with importance of water temperature, rainfall, free carbon dioxide, conductivity and phosphate. Sladecek's Q B/T quotient and Shannon's diversity index reflected mesotrophic nature of Khawiva reservoir.
Inoculación bacteriana en el crecimiento y calidad del fruto de cinco variedades de fresa en suelos con pH contrastante

En un primer experimento se determino el crecimiento de cinco variedades de fresa en dos suelos con pH contrastante (4.4 y 8.8). La produccion de materia seca de la parte aerea, area foliar, volumen radical y concentracion de N, P, K en la parte aerea se determinaron 125 dias despues del trasplante (ddt). Las plantas de todas las variedades cultivadas en pH 4.4 superaron a las cultivadas en pH 8.8 en todas las variables. Las variedades CP-06-15 y Festival fueron las que mejor se adaptaron a las condiciones de pH alcalino. En un segundo experimento se determino la funcion de la inoculacion con rizobacterias solubilizadoras de fosfatos en la reduccion de los efectos negativos del pH alcalino en las variedades de fresa. Dos tipos de inoculacion al momento del trasplante fueron comparadas: aplicacion con pipeta de precision e inmersion de las raices en la suspension bacteriana; ademas del testigo (sin inoculacion). Se determino crecimiento de las plantas y la produccion y calidad de los frutos. La inoculacion bacteriana no tuvo efecto en el crecimiento de la parte aerea y la raiz de las plantas, excepto en la variedad mas sensible al pH alcalino (CP-LE-07) inoculada por inmersion de la raiz. Tambien, esta fue la unica variedad en la que la inoculacion bacteriana aumento el numero de frutos producidos. De acuerdo al promedio de todas las variedades, la inoculacion bacteriana, en ambas de sus formas, redujo el numero y peso de los frutos producidos.
Substrate specificities of tobacco chitinases

Summary Ten tobacco chitinases (1,4-N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminide glycanhydrolase, EC 3.2.1.14) were purified from tobacco leaves hypersensitively reacting to tobacco mosaic virus. The 10 enzymes, which belong to five distinct structural classes of plant chitinases, were incubated with several potential substrates such as chitin, a β-1,4 N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) polymer, chitosan (partially deacetylated chitin), chitin oligomers of variable length and bacterial cell wall. Tobacco chitinases are all endo-type enzymes that liberate oligomers from chitin and are capable of processing the chito-oligomers further at differential rates. Chitin reaction products were separated and quantified by HPLC and differential kinetics of oligomer accumulation and degradation were observed with the distinct classes of chitinases. Depending on the substrate to be hydrolysed, each isoform displayed a different spectrum of activity. For example, class I isoforms were the most active on chitin and (GlcNAc)4–6 whereas class III basic isoforms were the most efficient in inducing bacterial lysis. Class V and class VI chitinases were shown to more readily hydrolyse chitin oligomers than the chitin polymer itself. Together, these data indicate that the 10 tobacco chitinases represent complementary enzymes which may have synergistic effects on their substrates. This paper discusses their implication in plant defense by attacking pathogen's structural components and in plant development by maturing signal molecules.
Debt, Agency and Management Contracts in Reits: The External Advisor Puzzle

This study investigates why externally advised real estate investment trusts (REITs) underperform their internally managed counterparts. Consistent with previous studies, we find that REITs managed by external advisors underperform internally managed ones by over 7 percent per year. Property-level cash-flow yields are similar between the two managerial forms, but corporate-level expenses and especially interest expenses are responsible for lower levels of cash available to shareholders in externally advised REITs. We document that the higher-interest expenses are due to both higher levels of debt and to higher debt yields for externally advised REITs. We posit that compensating managers based on either assets under management or on property-level cash flows creates incentives for managers to increase the asset base by issuing debt even if the interest costs are unfavorable.
Inhibitory Effects of High Dosage Compound PSP on Sarcoma180 of Mice

Objective:The inhibitory effects of high dosage compound on the Sarcoma180 of the mice were studied, which were mixed Polysaccharides from Spirulina Platensis(PSP) with the effective ingredients of Ginkgo Biloba(EGB) in different kinds of proportion, in order to provide the preliminary theory for study and exploit the new antitumor medicine. Methods:High dosage (200 mg·kg-1·d-1) Polysaccharides from Spirulina Platensis (PSP) was compounded with the effective ingredients of Ginkgo Biloba at the ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, and then we fed the mice separately with the compound and the single ingredients of PSP, flavonoids, ginkgolide, observing the inhibitory effects on the Sarcoma180 of the mice. Results:Compared with the control group, the inhibitory rate of the PSP and the effective ingredients of Ginkgo Biloba compound at the ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2 was enhanced by 63.774%(P0.01),46.883%(P0.01)and 40.282%(P0.01). The inhibitory rate of single ingredients of PSP, flavonoids and ginkgolide was increased by 30.728%(P0.05),34.112% (P0.05)and 51.220%(P0.01). Compared with the control group, there were no remarkable differences between all the experimental exponents of mice spleen,thymus and peripheral leukocyte numbers (P0.05). Conclusion:The compound could bring synergic effects in inhibiting the sarcoma180 of the mice, and there were no immune damnification for the mice.
Religion, Business and Wealth in Modern Britain

The relationship of economics, capitalism and wealth to the ethics and morality of religion has intrigued and challenged policymakers, pressure groups, theologians, sociologists, economists and historians for centuries. Here David Jeremy addresses these questions in the context of modern Britain. His preliminary survey of historical controversies within religion and business, and the accompanying chronology of significant events since the 1770s are an extremely useful introduction for those unfamiliar with the field.
AN AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETIC (EM) SURVEY USED TO MAP THE UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER AQUIFER, NEAR FORT HUACHUCA IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA

An airborne EM survey using a 3-component, 20-channel GEOTEM system with an additional airborne magnetic channel was flown over Fort Huachuca and the area north and east as far as the San Pedro River, southeastern Arizona. Inversions of the EM data, so-called Conductivity-Depth Transforms (CDTs), provide remarkable information on the upper San Pedro River aquifer down to 400 meter depths in some cases; results agree with limited well-control. Depths derived from the magnetic data set, when inverted using an Euler transform, agree well with a map of the basement derived earlier from gravity data. Together, the complete data set allows us to map the Upper San Pedro River aquifer in a region where there is dispute over allocation of scarce water resources and the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area.
When Amnesic Patients Perform Well on Recognition Memory Tests

Extended exposure to study material can markedly improve subsequent recognition memory performance in amnesic patients, even the densely amnesic patient H.M. To understand this phenomenon, the severely amnesic patient E.P., 3 other amnesic patients, and controls studied pictorial material and then were given either a yes-no (Experiment 1) or a 2-alternative, forced-choice (Experiment 2) recognition test. The amnesic patients and controls benefited substantially from extended exposure, but patient E.P. consistently performed at chance. Furthermore, confidence ratings corresponded to recognition accuracy. The results do not support the idea that the benefit of extended study time is due to some kind of familiarity process made available through nondeclarative memory. It is likely that amnesic patients benefit from extended study time to the extent that they have residual capacity for declarative memory.
Iron Cycling Potentials of Arsenic Contaminated Groundwater in Bangladesh as Revealed by Enrichment Cultivation

ABSTRACT The activities of iron-oxidizing and reducing microorganisms impact the fate of arsenic in groundwater. Phylogenetic information cannot exclusively be used to infer the potential for iron oxidation or reduction in aquifers. Therefore, we complemented a previous cultivation-independent microbial community survey covering 22 arsenic contaminated drinking water wells in Bangladesh, with the characterization of enrichments of microaerophilic iron oxidizers and anaerobic iron reducers, conducted on the same water samples. All investigated samples revealed a potential for microbial iron oxidation and reduction. Microbial communities were phylogenetically diverse within and between enrichments as was also observed in the previous cultivation-independent analysis of the water samples from which these enrichments were derived. Enrichment uncovered a larger diversity in iron-cycling microorganisms than previously indicated. The iron-reducing enrichments revealed the presence of several 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequences most closely related to Acetobacterium, Clostridium, Bacillus, Rhizobiales, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, and Spirochaetes, in addition to well-known dissimilatory iron-reducing Geobacter and Geothrix species. Although a large diversity of Geobacteraceae was observed, they comprised only a small part of the iron-reducing consortia. Iron-oxidizing gradient tube enrichments were dominated by Comamonadaceae and Rhodocyclaceae instead of Gallionellaceae. Forty-five percent of these enrichments also revealed the presence of the gene encoding arsenite oxidase, which converts arsenite to less toxic and less mobile arsenate. Their potential for ferric (oxyhydr)oxides precipitation and arsenic immobilization makes these iron-oxidizing enrichments of interest for rational bioaugmentation of arsenite contaminated groundwater.
OBTENÇÃO DE CÉLULAS MONONUCLEARES DA MEDULA ÓSSEA PELA PUNÇÃO DO TUBÉRCULO UMERAL DE COELHOS ACQUIREMENT OF BONE MARROW MONONUCLEAR CELLS BY PUNCTURE OF THE HUMERUS TUBERCLE OF RABBITS

Bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated and used for osteochondral defects regeneration and repair. The aim of this study was evaluate the efficiency of bone marrow harvest technique using twelve adult male New Zealand rabbits, with weight between 3.0 kg to 4.5 kg. After shoulder joint flexion, a heparinized Rosenthal biopsy needle was inserted through the humeral tubercle and further aspiration of 2.0 mL bone marrow. In the isolation with Ficoll-paque gradient density, was achieved a mean yield of 6.25 x 106 mononuclear cells per milliliter. The bone marrow harvest technique by puncture of the humerus tubercle was easily accomplished and effective, due to high yield of isolated mononuclear cells of samples
Description of Escape Responses of Krill (Crustacea: Euphausiacea), with Particular Reference to Swarming Behavior and the Size and Proximity of the Predator

Observations of the escape responses of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias under pack ice (O'Brien, 1987) and of Nyctiphanes australis in southeast Tasmania (unpublished observations) are discussed together with previously published data on the escape reactions of these and other euphausiids. Similarities in the form of the escape response for surface-swarming species of euphausiids are apparent. It is proposed that there are three levels of escape response whose manifestation is primarily dependant upon the aggregative state of the prey and the size and proximity of the predator. The adaptive significance of the three levels of response is discussed in relation to predator evasion. Central to the study of the distribution and regional variations in the density of euphausiid species and to the success of commercial trawling operations is the efficiency of the locating and sampling equipment, especially since krill may actively avoid nets (Marr, 1962; Pavlov, 1969; Sameoto, 1980; Everson, 1983) and remote camera equipment (Kils, 1981). As stated by Hamner (1984) in reference to E. superba, a knowledge of the avoidance or escape responses and the general behavioral biology of krill is of fundamental importance to the design of sampling gear, harvesting strategies, and also to the evolution of its predators, e.g., whales. Published accounts of the escape responses of euphausiids are scarce and are restricted to direct observations of surface-swarming species such as Euphausia superba (Pavlov, 1969; Ragulin, 1969; Hamner, 1984), Euphausia vallentini (Ragulin, 1969), Euphausia pacifica (Hanamura et al., 1984), and Meganyctiphanes norvegica (Nicol and O'Dor, 1985) or indirect evidence from the use of remote cameras and echo sounders (Sameoto, 1980; Kils, 1981). In the present paper further direct observations of three species of surface-swarming euphausiids, E. superba, Euphausia crystallorophias, and Nyctiphanes australis are described in relation to the previously published data, and the general features of the escape response are discussed for the group as a whole. In the present context the term swarm describes any cohesive aggregation of krill, even schools when there is no purpose in distinguishing between the two terms. The term school refers to a cohesive group of krill in which all the individuals are polarized, i.e., show parallel orientation. With both terms there are no restraints on density or dimensions. All unacknowledged references to E. superba, E. crystallorophias, and N. australis are taken from O'Brien (1987), or are unpublished observations made by the author.
An evaluation of the effects of intermittent sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment in pregnancy on parasite clearance and risk of low birthweight in rural Malawi

The prevalence of infection with malarial parasites and the incidence of anaemia and delivery of infants with low birthweight (LBW) were investigated in 575 Malawian mothers who received one, two or three doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy. All the subjects were enrolled at their first antenatal visit and all delivered at hospital. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection at first antenatal visit was 35.3% in primigravidae and 13.6% in multigravidae (P < 0.001). Mean haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower in primigravidae than in multigravidae (8.8 v. 9.5 g/dl; P < 0.001). Of the 233 women tested for HIV infection, 18.8% of the primigravidae and 23.7% of the multigravidae were seropositive. At delivery, there was no significant difference in parasite prevalence in peripheral or placental blood between women who had received one or two antenatal doses of SP. The multigravidae who had received two doses of SP had higher mean haemoglobin concentrations than those who had received just one (P = 0.009) [this difference was not seen in the primigravidae (P = 0.92)]. However, linear regression analysis indicated that the haematinic supplements given to the subjects contributed more to this increase in haemoglobin concentration than the SP. The mean birthweights were higher, and incidence of LBW lower in babies born to primi-and multi-gravidae who had received two or three doses of SP treatment than those seen in babies born to women who had had just one dose (P < 0.03 for each). The odds ratio for LBW in primigravidae compared with multigravidae decreased from 3.2 to 1.0 as the number of SP doses increased from one to three. The benefit of three doses (compared with none) was equivalent to the population-attributable risk of LBW in primigravidae being reduced from 34.6% to 0%. Subjects who were seropositive for HIV were twice as likely to give birth to LBW babies as the other subjects. The use of SP was not associated with maternal side-effects or perinatal complications. The present results indicate that multiple doses of SP taken during pregnancy will lead to a highly significant reduction in the incidence of LBW in infants born to primigravidae, even if the women have HIV infections. This reduction is observable even when parasite prevalence at delivery is high because of re-infections in late pregnancy; reduction in parasite prevalence earlier in pregnancy, as the result of SP treatment, leads to improved foetal growth.
Allozymic Divergence and Systematics of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, Hybognathus amarus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Hybognathus amarus, a cyprinid endemic to the Rio Grande drainage, has had a confused taxonomic and systematic history. We examined allozymic variation for 22 presumptive gene loci for two populations each of H. amarus, H. hankinsoni, and H. placitus and one population of H. nuchalis. Dionda episcopa, Pimephales promelas, and Campostoma anomalum were included as outgroups. Nei's (1978) genetic distance values were greater than 0.111 for all species pairwise comparisons in this study; intraspecific comparisons yielded genetic distances less than 0.005. Phenetic and phylogenetic analyses corroborated the hypothesis that H. amarus is a valid taxon, separate from H. nuchalis and H. placitus with which it was previously included.
Allosteric regulation and targeting of Abl SH2-kinase interface and other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases

Due to their central role in normal cellular physiology, the activity of protein kinases is tightly regulated and their aberrant activation can lead to cancer. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a blood cancer characterized by unregulated growth of myeloid cells caused by a fusion protein, Bcr-Abl, a constitutively active formof the Abelson tyrosine kinase (Abl). While treatment with drugs targeting the ATP binding pocket of Abl leads to durable therapeutic responses, the development of drug resistance remains a major clinical problem. Targeting additional sites on kinases outside the conserved ATP pocket is thought to be a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. We hypothesized that protein-interacting domains such as SH2 act as allosteric regulator of kinase activity and conformation. This project aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of Abl kinases via the SH2-kinase allosteric interface as well as developing a screening strategy for small-molecules disrupters of this interface. I used recombinant Abl tyrosine kinases and conformation-specific kinase inhibitors to analyse changes in conformation and phosphorylation that occur after Abl activation. I could show that the Abl SH2-kinase interface enabled trans-phosphorylation of the activation loop and disruption of the SH2âkinase interaction abolished its phosphorylation. To determine the sufficiency of targeting the SH2-kinase interface for Bcr-Abl inhibition, high-affinity monobodies targeting the kinase-binding surface of the Abl SH2 were developed in collaboration with the laboratory of Shohei Koide and their effects tested. The new monobodies inhibited Bcr-Abl kinase activity in vitro and in cells, and induced cell death in a CML cell line. We further used one of the monobodies to develop a screening assay based on the Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) principle. We sucessfully showed that some specific donor/acceptor combinations could serve as a basis for high-throughput screening. Finally, we have studied allosteric regulation of several other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases with an emphasis on the Btk kinase. We showed that the Btk kinase was strongly dependent on its SH2 domain for activation loop autophosphorylation, a feature that was also observed in transfected mammalian cells. The long-termgoal is to identify new allosteric regulations in oncogenic cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases that will help developing new types of therapeutics for hematological malignancies or solid tumors.
The trend toward lower oxygen levels during apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) storage

Summary Advances in research and technology in recent years in the field of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage have led to the development of many new protocols that recommend lower oxygen (O2) levels than those historically deemed “safe”. As some of these protocols and technologies have been adopted by commercial CA storage rooms, especially in the apple industry, it is now opportune to review the relationships between O2 levels, respiration, fermentation, and fruit quality retention. Lowering O2 levels during apple storage slows respiration, reduces ethylene biosynthesis, and slows fruit maturation and senescence. In addition, low O2 influences the expression of genes associated with cellular energy consumption.When O2 levels become limiting, aerobic mitochondrial respiration is inhibited and plant tissues engage in the energetically less-efficient fermentation pathway. The accumulation of fermentation-related volatiles may lead to off-flavours and odours. At low levels, or for short durations, fermentation is generally not a problem and may even be commercially beneficial. Plants that are limited in their ability to ferment succumb to low-O2 stress more quickly than those that can readily ferment anaerobically. Increasing market pressure to reduce chemical residues in apple, as well as in all fruits and vegetables, is encouraging researchers, CA system manufacturers and suppliers, and some commercial storage operators to explore alternative methods to improve storage procedures.The future of CA storage may reside in a better understanding of what constitutes the lower O2 limit for metabolism and energy demands, improved product-response sensing capabilities, and the application of more dynamic forms of CA storage technology.