Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homology among extra-cryptic DNA bands and the typical plasmids in Brazilian Yersinia pestis strains

Yersinia pestis, o agente causador da peste, possui tres plasmidios bem caracterizados: pFra (90-110 kb), pYV (70 kb) e pPst (9.5 kb). Adicionalmente, algumas bandas extras de DNA criptico tem sido observadas em numerosas cepas selvagens em varios focos do mundo. Bandas extras tambem foram observadas em cepas brasileiras. Para verificar se existe alguma homologia entre as bandas extras de DNA criptico e os tres plasmidios tipicos, foram analisadas 12 culturas de Y. pestis atraves de hibridizacao com sondas dirigidas aos genes caf1, lcrV e pla localizados respectivamente nos plasmidios pFra, pYV e pPst. As sondas foram construidas atraves de amplificacao por PCR e marcadas com digoxigenina. A sonda Pla reconheceu seu alvo (pPst) e bandas de cerca de 35 kb sugerindo que estas ultimas podem se tratar de um multimero do pPst. A sonda Caf1 reconheceu seu alvo (pFra) assim como bandas mais altas. A sonda LcrV, alem de reconhecer seu alvo (pYV), tambem hibridizou com bandas maiores que pFra e bandas de tamanho entre as de pFra e pYV. Estes resultados sugerem que as bandas grandes poderiam ser resultantes de algum rearranjo, formas abertas circulares ou linearizadas dos plasmidios pFra e pYV.
Forest history and the development of old-growth characteristics in fragmented boreal forests.

Questions: Can small and isolated high-conservation value forests (e.g. designated woodland key habitats) maintain old-growth forest characteristics and functionality in fragmented landscapes? To what extent have past disturbances (natural and anthropogenic) influenced the development of old-growth characteristics of these forests? How long does it take for selectively cut stands to attain conditions resembling old-growth forests? Location: Southern boreal zone of central Sweden. Methods: We linked multiple lines of evidence from historical records, biological archives, and analyses of current forest structure to reconstruct the forest history of a boreal landscape, with special emphasis on six remaining core localities of high-conservation value forest stands. Results: Our reconstructions revealed that several of these stands experienced wildfires up to the 1890s; all had been selectively harvested in the late 1800s; and all underwent substantial structural and compositional reorganization over the following 100-150 years. This time interval was sufficient to recover considerable amounts of standing and downed dead wood (mean 60.3 m 3 ha � 1 ), a range of tree ages and sizes (mean basal area 32.6 m 2 ha � 1 ), and dominance of shade-tolerant spruce. It was insufficient to obtain clearly uneven tree age structures and large (445 cm diameter) living and dead trees. Thus, these forests contain some, but not all, important compositional and structural attributes of old-growth forests, their abundance being dependent on the timing and magnitude of past natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Our landscape-level analysis showed marked compositional and structural differences between the historical forest landscape and the present landscape, with the latter having a greater proportion of young forests, introduction of nonnative species, and lack of large trees and dead wood. Conclusions: The remnant high-conservation value stands were not true representatives of the pre-industrial forests, but represent the last vestige of forests that have regenerated naturally and maintained a continuous tree cover. These traits, coupled with their capacity for old-growth recovery, make them valuable focal areas for conservation.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in Cattle and buffaloes in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

In the year 2007, a total of 200 faecal samples comprising of 100 samples each from cattle and buffaloes from different locations of Bikaner, Rajasthan were analyzed to confirm the presence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Twenty four (12.00%) samples were found positive for strongyle eggs. Eleven per cent cattle and 13 per cent buffaloes were found to be positive for gastrointestinal helminthosis. The prevalence in cattle varied from 9.09 to 12.50 in different locations. Prevalence range was slightly higher in buffaloes which ranged between 10.52 to 14.81. The estimation of EPG count for Strongyle species in cattle range between 200-1000, with an average of 504.00+245.41. This range was 200-1400 with an average of 684.61+350.82 in buffaloes.
Impact of different sources of nutrients on vegetative growth parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Field experiment was laid out for two years at Horticulture Research Centre of Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during 2006–07 and 2007–08 to study the response of different sources of fertilizers on the growth parameters in guava (Psidium guajava L). Significant Improvement in growth parameters (plant height, spread, and stem girth and tree volume) was recorded with the application of 800:600:600 g NPK+ 25.00 kg FYM per tree per year (T7) which was at par with T8 treatment.
Comparative Evaluation of Biofunctional Compounds Content from Different Herbal Infusions

Tea is the most important non-alcoholic beverage in the world being appreciated for its stimulant properties and health benefits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the content in caffeine, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant activity of five different herbal infusion samples in oder to compare the amount of these bioactive compounds from traditional Romanian medicinal plants and Chinese tea plants. Green tea, black tea, linden (lime tea), mint, and St. John's wort were chosen as materials for the preparation of infusion and laboratory analyses. The caffeine was extracted with dichloromethane and then was quantified by measuring the absorbance of the extract at 260 nm. The quantification of total phenolic compounds was achieved by Folin-Ciocalteu method, while the flavonoid content was determined using a chromogenic system of NaNO2-(Al(NO3)3-NaOH based on spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant capacity of each tea sample was assessed by evaluating their radical scavengingÂ activity on DPPH radical. The largest content in antioxidant compounds was found in green, but also in the mint infusion sample, while black tea has registered the highest caffeine content. Following the results obtained it can be stated that all the analysed samples contain remarkable amounts of biologically active compounds essential for the human body healt.
CYTOTOXICITY AND APOPTOTIC INDUCTION OF MINTWEED (HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS L. POIT) LEAF EXTRACTS ON HUMAN T-LEUKEMIA CELL LINE, JURKAT CELLS

Mintweed, Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit, leaf ethanolic and water extracts (MLE/e and MLE/w) were investigated for cytotoxic effect and apoptotic cell death induction in human T-leukemia cell line, Jurkat cells. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by Alamar blue assay and the apoptosis was detected for nuclear blebbing by Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA fragmentation by SDS-PAGE and related apoptotic protein expression by Western blot analysis. MLE/e and MLE/w significantly reduced the viability of Jurkat cells in concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 553.52  14.07 and 912.06  16.86 g/ml, respectively. The cell nuclei and nucleosome breakages were detectable as nuclear blebbing and ladders of DNA fragments. Concurrently, Western analysis demonstrated that MLE/e and MLE/w up-regulated Caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax expressions. In addition, MLE/e was likely to enhance the growth of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMCs, at lower concentrations with IC50 value of 1,356.17  136.78 g/ml. This study is the first report on the cytotoxic and the apoptotic properties of the mintweed extracts on T lymphocyte leukemia. This can be further studied and clinically developed for immunomodulative agents and cancer preventive and therapeutic drugs.
Influence of Metyrapone on the Morphology of Hemocytes of the Egyptian Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

Ivan Gelbi , Jana Strba kova, and Josef Berger (2006) Influence of metyrapone on the morphology of hemocytes of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Zoological Studies 45(3): 371-377. The morphology of hemocytes in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the effects of metyrapone on the differential count were studied. Four types of hemocytes were found in the hemolymph of S. littoralis: plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes, and oenocytoides. The proportion of hemocytes slightly changed during development, but plasmatocytes were the most numerous in all studied instars. Application of metyrapone caused developmental changes accompanied by variations in the differential count (i.e., the relative count) of granulocytes. Metyrapone induced higher metabolism in comparison with untreated specimens and resulted in precocious larval-pupal transformations. The body weight of treated larvae was higher, and the length of the last larval instar was shorter by 3 d in comparison with control animals. The significant decrease of granulocytes in the last larval instar treated with metyrapone simulated the differential count in older control animals. Observed changes following metyrapone administration were similar to the induction of a faster process of aging. http://zoolstud.sinica. edu.tw/Journals/45.3/371.pdf
Examining the achievement goal orientation levels of Turkish pre-service music teachers

Achievement goal orientation (AGO) might help music teacher candidates make their learning processes more effective by revealing how they are motivated towards the learning tasks. In this respect, the purpose of this study was to examine the levels of achievement goal orientation of pre-service music teachers according to eight variables. The participants of the study consisted of 1250 undergraduate students studying in the departments of music education during the academic year 2013–2014 in Turkey. The data were collected through an Information Form and the Achievement Goal Orientation Scale (AOS). The results of the study revealed that gender, grade level, students’ achievement level and willingness had small effects on students’ learning goal orientation. Practice time in music, students’ evaluation of their own achievement levels among their peers, the extent to which students found themselves skilled in music and pursuing another profession had a medium effect on learning goal orientation. Informing students about the achievement goal orientation and the effects of these goals on the teaching and learning process may help students with their achievement goal orientations towards the desired direction.
Annual cycle of lipid content and lipid class composition in zooplankton from the Beaufort Sea shelf, Canadian Arctic

We determined seasonal cycles of lipid content, lipid class composition, and carbon and nitrogen content of seven taxa of zooplankton that were collected from the Beaufort Sea shelf, Canadian Arctic, over a 10-month period (September 2003 – August 2004). All taxa except the chaetognath Parasagitta elegans had substantial lipids stores (>50%), either seasonally (Oikopleura spp.) or throughout the year (Calanus hyperboreus, Calanus glacialis, Paraeuchaeta glacialis, Metridia longa, and Eukrohnia hamata). Wax esters were the dominant lipid class in the chaetognath Eukrohnia hamata and in all copepods, including the carnivore Paraeuchaeta glacialis. Seasonal trends in lipid content and composition varied among taxa; some taxa had little variation from winter through summer (e.g., Parasagitta elegans), other taxa showed little variation until summer (e.g., Calanus glacialis), and others showed increasing or decreasing trends during winter and spring (e.g., Calanus hyperboreus). Specifically, total lipid conten.
Boundary Conditions

Boundary conditions (BC) have long been discussed as an important element in theory development, referring to the “who, where, when” aspects of a theory. However, it still remains somewhat vague as to what exactly BC are, how they can or even should be explored, and why their understanding matters. This research tackles these important questions by means of an in-depth theoretical-methodological analysis. The study contributes fourfold to organizational research methods: First, it develops a more accurate and explicit conceptualization of BC. Second, it widens the understanding of how BC can be explored by suggesting and juxtaposing new tools and approaches. It also illustrates BC-exploring processes, drawing on two empirical case examples. Third, it analyzes the reasons for exploring BC, concluding that BC exploration fosters theory development, strengthens research validity, and mitigates the research-practice gap. Fourth, it synthesizes the analyses into 12 tentative suggestions for how scholars should subsequently approach the issues surrounding BC. The authors hope that the study contributes to consensus shifting with respect to BC and draws more attention to BC.
Perspective of Oncology Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Observational Study From India

PURPOSE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed a unique challenge to oncology patients and their treatment. There is no study related to the patients’ preference for systemic therapy during this pandemic. We have conducted a prospective study to analyze that aspect. METHODS All consecutive patients who visited during the lockdown period from April 1-10, 2020, for systemic chemotherapy were included in the study for a questionnaire-based survey to evaluate the willingness to continue chemotherapy during this pandemic and factors influencing the decisions. RESULTS A total of 302 patients were included (median age, 56 years; range, 21-77 years). Most common sites of cancer were breast (n = 114), lung (n = 44), ovary (n = 34), and colon (n = 20). Home address was within the city for 125 patients (42%), outside the city for 138 (46%), and outside the state for 37 (12%). Treatment was curative in 150 patients and palliative in 152. Educational status was primary and above for 231 patients and no formal schooling for 71. A total of 203 patients wanted to continue chemotherapy, 40 wanted to defer, and 56 wanted the physician to decide. Knowledge about COVID-19 strongly correlated with intent of treatment (P = .01), disease status (P = .02), knowledge about immunosuppression (P < .001), home location (P = .02), and education status (P = .003). The worry about catching SARS-CoV-2 was high in those with controlled disease (P = .06) and knowledge about immunosuppression (P = .02). Worry about disease progression was more with palliative intent (P < .001). CONCLUSION This study shows that oncology patients in our country are more worried about disease progression than the SARS-CoV-2 and wish to continue chemotherapy during this pandemic. The treatment guidelines in the COVID-19 scenario should incorporate patients’ perspectives.
LONG-TERM ANALYSIS OF SURVIVAL, FERTILITY, AND POPULATION GROWTH RATE OF BLACK BEARS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract We estimated survival, fertility, and realized and asymptotic population growth rates from 1981 to 2002 for a protected population of black bears (Ursus americanus) in the southern Appalachian Mountains. We used Akaike's information criterion to assess the time interval for averaging observations that was best for estimating vital rates for our study, given our yearly sample sizes. The temporal symmetry approach allowed us to directly assess population growth and to address all losses and gains to the population by using only capture data, offering an alternative to the logistically intensive collection of reproductive data. Models that averaged survival and fertility across 5- and 7-year time intervals were best supported by our data. Studies of black bear populations with annual sample sizes similar to ours should be of at least 5 years in duration to estimate vital rates reliably, and at least 10 years in duration to evaluate changes in population growth rate (λ). We also hypothesized that survival would not track changes in λ because λ is influenced by both survival and fertility. The 5-year model supported our hypothesis, but the 7-year model did not. Where long-term dynamics of large, relatively stable bear populations are of interest, monitoring survival is likely to be sufficient for evaluating trends in λ. For rapidly changing, small populations, however, failure to incorporate fertility into assessments of λ could be misleading.
Seed moisture and transplant management techniques influence sweet corn stand establishment, growth, development, and yield.

A series of experiments exploring the effect of seed moisture and transplant management techniques was conducted with sh2 and su sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The use of seed and transplants in a progression of developmental stages from dry seed to moistened seed to 14-day-old transplants showed that moistened seed had no impact on plant 'growth and development. Use of transplants generally had little impact beyond decreasing percent survival and plant height. Increasing the age of transplants reduced the time to maturity and harvest. Increasing the size of the transplant container (paper pot) decreased the time to harvest for younger seedings, but had no other effects. Premoistened seed were successfully held at 10C for up to 72 hours without damage following moisturization. Delays in irrigation of up to 2 days after planting moistened seed had no detrimental There is general consensus that growers of fresh market sweet corn are interested in the earliest possible maturity for optimal prices. In any location, suboptimal soil and air temperatures limit the earliest possible planting time; consequently, much research has been conducted on seed handling techniques and transplanting systems to shorten the period from planting to harvest. One of the seed handling techniques employed has been man- ipulation of seed moisture before planting. Increasing the seed moisture content (via imbibition) before planting has been shown to improve earliness' and uniformity of emergence (Bennett and Waters, 1987a, 1987b), increase postemergent seedling weights (Gubbels, 1975), and decrease susceptibility to chilling injury (Cal and Obendorf, 1972) and mechanical damage (Gatongi, 1982).
Nitrogen Type and Availability Drive Mycorrhizal Effects on Wheat Performance, Nitrogen Uptake and Recovery, and Production Sustainability

Plant performance is strongly dependent on nitrogen (N), and thus increasing N nutrition is of great relevance for the productivity of agroecosystems. The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on plant N acquisition are debated because contradictory results have been reported. Using 15N-labeled fertilizers as a tracer, we evaluated the effects of AM fungi on N uptake and recovery from mineral or organic sources in durum wheat. Under sufficient N availability, AM fungi had no effects on plant biomass but increased N concentrations in plant tissue, plant N uptake, and total N recovered from the fertilizer. In N-deficient soil, AM fungi led to decreased aboveground biomass, which suggests that plants and AM fungi may have competed for N. When the organic source had a low C:N ratio, AM fungi favored both plant N uptake and N recovery. In contrast, when the organic source had a high C:N ratio, a clear reduction in N recovery from the fertilizer was observed. Overall, the results indicate an active role of arbuscular mycorrhizae in favoring plant N-related traits when N is not a limiting factor and show that these fungi help in N recovery from the fertilizer. These results hold great potential for increasing the sustainability of durum wheat production.
Nf1 +/ − monocytes/macrophages induce neointima formation via CCR2 activation

Persons with neuro ﬁ bromatosis type 1 (NF1) have a predisposition for premature and severe arterial stenosis. Mutations in the NF1 gene result in decreased expression of neuro ﬁ bromin, a negative regulator of p21 Ras , and increases Ras signaling. Heterozygous Nf1 ( Nf1 +/ − ) mice develop a marked arterial stenosis characterized by proliferating smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and a predominance of in ﬁ ltrating macrophages, which closely resembles arterial lesions from NF1 patients. Interestingly, lineage-restricted inactivation of a single Nf1 allele in monocytes/macrophages is suf ﬁ cient to recapitulate the phenotype observed in Nf1 +/ − mice and to mobilize proin ﬂ ammatory CCR2+ monocytes into the peripheral blood. Therefore, we hypothesized that CCR2 receptor activation by its primary ligand monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is critical for monocyte in ﬁ ltration into the arterial wall and neointima formation in Nf1 +/ − mice. MCP-1 induces a dose-responsive increase in Nf1 +/ − macrophage migration and proliferation that corresponds with activation of multiple Ras kinases. In addition, Nf1 +/ − SMCs, which express CCR2, demonstrate an enhanced proliferative response to MCP-1 when compared with WT SMCs. To interrogate the role of CCR2 activation on Nf1 +/ − neointima formation, we induced neointima formation by carotid artery ligation in Nf1 +/ − and WT mice with genetic deletion of either MCP1 or CCR2 . Loss of MCP-1 or CCR2 expression effectively inhibited Nf1 +/ − neointima formation and reduced macrophage content in the arterial wall. Finally, administration of a CCR2 antagonist signi ﬁ cantly reduced Nf1 +/ − neointima formation. These studies identify MCP-1 as a potent chemokine for Nf1 +/ − monocytes/macrophages and CCR2 as a viable therapeutic target for NF1 arterial stenosis. increased sensitivity to cytokines and growth factors (1,63 – 65). Our genetic and pharmacologic data support our hypothesis that MCP-1/CCR2 activation is highly regulated by neuro ﬁ bromin and may represent a viable therapeutic target for NF1 patients with cardiovascular disease. Further studies directed at understanding how neuro ﬁ bromin and/or Ras activation control the expression of MCP-1 and facilitate the mobilization of CCR2+ monocytes from the bone marrow are critical for future transla-tional work and human studies of NF1 vasculopathy.
COMPLEJIDAD E INCLUSIVIDAD PROGRESIVAS: ALGUNAS IMPLICACIONES Y EVIDENCIAS EMPÍRICAS EN EL CASO DE LAS FUNCIONES CONTEXTUAL, SUPLEMENTARIA Y SELECTORA

Procedural criterion and adjustment indexes for the experimental analysis and quantification of contextual (differentiallity index), supplementary (effectiveness index), and selector (precision index) functions recognized in Ribes and Lopez (1985) taxonomic proposal are described. Preliminary data using rats as subjects and an open-field apparatus showed a high empirical correspondence between the taxonomic proposal’s progressive complexity and inclusiveness assumptions and the adjustment of behavior under three kinds of stimulus schedules of water delivery: non-contingent, contingent, and conditional-contingent. Specifically, differentiallity indexes were higher than effectiveness indexes, which were higher than precision indexes. Terminal differentiallity and effectiveness indexes also decreased with increases in the complexity of the schedules for water delivery.