Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RAPD analysis points to old world Bromus species as ancestral to new world subgen. Festucaria

The genus Bromus subgen. Festucaria is a widespread Old World and New World taxon having genomes A, B and L, distinguished cytogenetically. Stebbins (1981) suggested that evolution in Bromus went from the small genomes A and B to the large genome L. Thus, Old World species with genomes A and B could be ancestral to New World species with genome L. To test this hypothesis we carried out RAPD analysis of a representative group of species from subgen. Festucaria. RAPD band patterns enabled resolution of 13 species after excluding the species-specific bands with high/moderate support. The basal position of Bromus variegatus M. Bieb. – an Old World species presumably having a B genome – in relation to some New World species with the genome L confirmed Stebbins' hypothesis of its ancestry in relation to the Old World species. The group of high bootstrap support, B. cappadocicus Boiss. et Balansa–B. erectus Huds. –B. riparius Rehm. , with genome A. and a distinctly xerothermic ecological profile, was related to a New World species with genome L, B. auleticus Trin. ex Nees, pointing to their presumably common evolutionary history.
Connective Financing - Chinese Infrastructure Projects and the Diffusion of Economic Activity in Developing Countries

This paper studies the causal effect of transport infrastructure on the spatial concentration of economic activity. Leveraging a new global dataset of geo-located Chinese government-financed projects over the period from 2000 to 2014 together with measures of spatial inequality based on remotely-sensed data, we analyze the effects of transport projects on the spatial distribution of economic activity within and between regions in a large number of developing countries. We find that Chinese-financed transportation projects reduce spatial concentration within but not between regions. In line with land use theory, we document a range of results which are consistent with a relocation of activity from city centers to their immediate periphery. Transport projects decentralize economic activity particularly strongly in regions that are more urbanized, located closer to the coast, and less developed.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)-An Overview

Summary: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of octadecadienoic acids that are naturally present in the highest concentrations in foods originating in ruminant animals, and dairy products such as milk. Especially large numbers of CLA polymers have been detected in beef, lamb and milk fat. Results from many in vitro and animal studies, though conflicting, have suggested that CLA supplementation may have beneficial effect on obesity, weight management, cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. This article provides a brief overview on the functionality, safety and toxicity of CLA as described in literature. Industrial Relevance: CLA is a functional food and dietary supplement ingredient with potential benefits against a number of metabolic chronic diseases. However, the mechanism of action and its toxicological effects are not very well understood. These factors may play an important role in the effectiveness as CLA as a viable functional dietary bioactive compound.
ADAPTIVE FLIGHT AND ECHOLOCATION BEHAVIOR IN BATS

Title of dissertation: ADAPTIVE FLIGHT AND ECHOLOCATION BEHAVIOR IN BATS Benjamin Mather Falk, Doctor of Philosophy, 2015 Dissertation directed by: Professor Cynthia F. Moss Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Bats use sonar to identify and localize objects as they fly and navigate in the dark. They actively adjust the timing, intensity, and frequency content of their sonar signals in response to task demands. They also control the directional characteristics of their sonar vocalizations with respect to objects in the environment. Bats demonstrate highly maneuverable and agile flight, producing high turn rates and abrupt changes in speed, as they travel through the air to capture insects and avoid obstacles. Bats face the challenge of coordinating flight kinematics with sonar behavior, as they adapt to meet the varied demands of their environment. This thesis includes three studies, one on the comparison of flight and echolocation behavior between an open space and a complex environment, one on the coordination of flight and echolocation behavior during climbing and turning, and one on the flight kinematic changes that occur under wind gust conditions. In the first study, we found that bats adapt the structure of the sonar signals, temporal patterning, and flight speed in response to a change in their environment. We also found that flight stereotypy developed over time in the more complex environment, but not to the extent expected from previous studies of non-foraging bats. We found that the sonar beam aim of the bats predicted flight turn rate, and that the relationship changed as the bats reacted to the obstacles. In the second study, we characterized the coordination of flight and sonar behavior as bats made a steep climb and sharp turns while they navigated a net obstacle. We found the coordinated production of sonar pulses with the wingbeat phase became altered during navigation of tight turns. In the third study, we found that bats adapt wing kinematics to perform under wind gust conditions. By characterizing flight and sonar behaviors in an insectivorous bat species, we find evidence for tight coordination of sensory and motor systems for obstacle navigation and insect capture. Through these studies, we learn about the mechanisms by which mammals and other organisms process sensory information to adapt their behaviors. ADAPTIVE FLIGHT AND ECHOLOCATION BEHAVIOR IN BATS
Regulation of DNA damage tolerance : studies of the translesion synthesis DNA ploymerase eta in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

All organisms must control the effects of DNA damage to protect the integrity of their genomes. In addition to DNA repair, this requires DNA damage tolerance pathways, which allow the continuation of essential processes in the presence of DNA damage. One such mechanism is translesion synthesis (TLS), in which a specialized polymerase replicates a damaged DNA template. These studies address the regulation of the eukaryotic TLS polymerase eta, which is particularly important for accurately bypassing UV-induced DNA damage. Here I identify a regulatory domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae polymerase eta and show that it is essential for pol eta's function. This domain interacts with ubiquitin, and has been named the UBZ (ubiquitin binding zinc finger) domain because its human homolog is a zinc finger. However, results presented here demonstrate that, in S. cerevisiae, neither the sequence nor the functional significance of the zinc finger within the UBZ domain is conserved. I present the first analysis of DNA-association of S. cerevisiae pol eta, demonstrating a UBZ-dependent increase in its chromatin-association in response to DNA damage. These results are consistent with the UBZ domain of S. cerevisiae pol eta forming a zincless finger, similar in structure and function to its human counterpart, and mediating a physical interaction with ubiquitinated PCNA to promote pol eta's association with damaged DNA. Another eukaryotic TLS polymerase is Rev1, which is thought to play a structural role in TLS by binding the other TLS polymerases. In mammals, Rev and pol eta robustly interact. Here, I show that any physical interaction between Rev and pol eta in S. cerevisiae is too weak or conditional to observe by coimmunoprecipitation. Finally, I describe a genetic study to elucidate the functional interactions of pol eta with Rev and another TLS polymerase, pol zeta. The results presented here are consistent with TLS during two distinct periods during the cell cycle, with pol eta contributing most to S-phase TLS. Pol eta's complex genetic relationships with the other polymerases show that pol eta generally acts independently, but may cooperate with the other polymerases in a damage-induced pathway. Alternative explanations of the data are also discussed. Thesis Supervisor: Graham C. Walker Title: American Cancer Society Professor of Biology
Harpacticoida (Crustacea, copepoda) from muddy bottoms near Bergen

Abstract 27 species of Harpacticoida are reported from 7 samples from muddy bottoms at different depths in the fjords near Bergen. Tetragoniceps bergensis and Mesocletodes robustus are new species, while Apodella crassa gen. et sp. n. justifies the creation of a new genus. Ceratonotus pectinatus elaphus is a new subspecies. All the other species have been previously reported from North Atlantic waters but new morphological data are added about some of them. A few comparative ecological conclusions are given.
Banking crisis : Towards a responsible organization

Fur die globale Finanzkrise lassen sich ahnliche unternehmensorganisatorische Ursachen identifizieren wie fur die Skandale, die sich in zeitlicher Nahe zum Platzen der Dotcom-Blase (Enron, Worldcom etc.) ereignet haben. In all diesen Fallen gab es eine, durch Optimismus und hohe Aktienkurse ermoglichte, starke Expansionsstrategie. Der Kapitalmarktoffentlichkeit musste um jeden Preis vermittelt werden, dass die anfanglichen Erfolge dauerhaft fortgesetzt werden. Unternehmensintern war diese riskante Strategie moglich, weil die extreme Aufteilung der Verantwortlichkeiten, zum einen die Wahrnehmung der Schief- lage, zum anderen bei den Mitarbeitern, die die Risiken kommen sahen, eine Kommunikation mit dem Management, sehr unwahrscheinlich machte. Zur Losung der Problemlage werden abschliesend Vorschlage unterbreitet, wie in Unternehmen eine Kultur des mutigen Benennens unbequemer Wahrheiten etabliert werden kann. There are similar reasons for the global financial crisis regarding the internal organization of the corporation like the scandals close to the burst of the dot-com bubble (Enron, Worldcom etc). All these cases can be characterized by high optimism and high stock quotations which enabled companies to drive extreme expansion strategies. The public of the capital markets had to be suggested by any means, that the initial success could be continued perma- nently. Intra-company this high-risk strategy was possible, because of the high division of responsibilities within the corporations. This made it less likely that problems could be foreseen and communicated to the management. The article concludes with proposals on how companies can establish a culture of communicating even uncomfortable truth within.
Physicochemical and Phytochemical Properties of Two Phenotypes of Galega Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala cv. Galega)

Some quality attributes of two traditional phenotypes (curly and smooth) of Brassica oleracea var. acephala cv. Galega were examined. The analyses showed that both varieties had high contents of total phenolics (314.83–322.25 GAE mg/100 g), vitamin C (83.83–104.44 mg/100 g) and chlorophyll (142–160 mg/100 g), and both displayed high antioxidant capacity (EC50 = 4.24–4.76). Comparison of the varieties revealed lower vitamin C and chlorophyll contents and higher lightness, yellowness and color saturation values in whole curly kale than in whole smooth kale. The soluble solids, total phenolics, vitamin C and chlorophyll contents and the antioxidant capacity were significantly higher in leaves than in stems of both varieties. However, pH, moisture content, lightness, greenness, yellowness and color saturation values were higher in stems than in leaves. Practical Applications The study demonstrates that the Galega kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala cv. Galega) has a high antioxidant capacity and high contents of phenolics, vitamin C and chlorophyll. The findings clearly show the high potential value of Galega kale as a source of natural antioxidants.
Determinants of egg load in the soybean aphid parasitoid Binodoxys communis

We used a series of laboratory studies to investigate factors contributing to variability in egg load of the parasitoid Binodoxys communis (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a biological control agent of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The change in egg load in newly emerged females over time was determined in response to three treatments: post‐eclosion temperature, sugar meals, and host density. Binodoxys communis females emerge with an average egg load of approximately 40 mature eggs that increases to approximately 200 eggs within 24 h of emergence. The egg maturation rate over this time period is higher when females are held at 26 °C than at 18 °C. And although the egg load of sugar‐fed females was slightly higher than that of starved females, this difference was not statistically significant. Binodoxys communis females that were held with 150 hosts for 8 h laid more eggs than those that were held with 30 hosts, and they also matured more eggs over the subsequent 16 h than those held with 30 hosts or no hosts at all. However, we detected no difference in the egg maturation pattern between B. communis females held with the low host density and that of control females held with no hosts at all. Thus, we conclude that enhanced egg maturation in the higher host‐density treatment is more likely explained by a rapid replenishing of partially depleted ovaries than a host‐induced stimulus of egg maturation per se. Taken together, these results suggest a strategy of maintaining a high egg load and thus avoiding or mitigating the negative effects of egg limitation.
Fractional quantum phenomena of 2DHGs within strained germanium quantum well heterostructures

Strained Ge modulation doped quantum well (MODQW) heterostructures facilitate a high mobility channel layer. Spatial separation of mobile carriers from the ionised dopants that supply them is key to increasing mobilities many orders of magnitude above bulk values. Materials characterisation techniques are employed to asses and improve the buffer layers within the MODQW heterostructures. The efficacy of dislocation filter layers (DFLs) is investigated, along with annealing trials and suspended structures. A 4% enhancement in SiGe relaxation is reported utilising a Ge DFL, while optimum SiGe relaxation is obtained through balancing the opposing thermal and lattice mismatch within the Gebuff layer. Reverse linearly graded buffers demonstrate a grading rate of 350% μm-1, while achieving a 4 nm RMS roughness. This represents an order of magnitude improvement on the quoted limits of forward linear grading rates. Suspended microwires are presented, providing isolation of channel layers from buffer layers. Strain mapping, using Micro-XRD at the Diamond Light Source, is employed to record strain development during microwire fabrication, resulting in a 0.9% increase in out of plane tensile strain upon suspension. The 150 × 15 μm microwires represent the first demonstration of suspending a Ge QW heterostructure. Low temperature (300 mK), high magnetic field (37.5 T) Hall and resistivity measurements return the effective mass and mobility of composite fermions (CFs) within a 2DHG, along with well-developed FQHE oscillations. CF mobility is shown to contain greater thermal sensitivity compared to its bare electron counterpart. Fractional filling ν = 4/11 is of great interest for its unknown origins and non-Abelian statistics, a potential observation is presented using a differentiated Hall signal. Inverted doping geometry returns the highest Ge MODQW room temperature mobility of 4,900 cm2V-1s-1, assisted by a new contact process comprising Ar milling and Al/Ti/Au deposition, ideal for inverted structures.
Does Corporate Social Responsibility Create Shareholder Value? The Importance of Long-Term Investors

We study the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on shareholder value. We argue that long-term investors can ensure that managers choose the amount of CSR that maximizes shareholder value. We find that long-term investors do increase the value to shareholders of CSR activities, not through higher cash flow but rather through lower cash flow risk. Following prior work, we use indexing by investors and state laws on stakeholder orientation for identification. Our findings suggest that CSR activities can create shareholder value as long as managers are properly monitored by long-term investors.
Effect of nutrient and weed management on forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during 2000-01 to 2003-04 at Pali-Marwar, Rajasthan to study the effect of nutrient and weed management on yield of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications. Application of 5 t FYMIha + 50% recommended dose of fertilizer 30 kg N and 8.75 kg Plha significantly increased green and dry fodder yields of sorghum by 35.1 and 35.7% over the control. This treatment also caused highest uptake of N and P by sorghum. The effect of FYM- treated plots on water-use efficiency was significantly higher over the control. Pre-emergence application of atra- zine @ 0.5 kglha + 1 hoeing or interculture with peg tooth-weeder at 35 days after sowing, being on a par among . themselves, caused least weed population and weed dry weight and significantly increased green and dry fodder yields of sorghum by 66-67%. Application of 5 t FYMIha + 50% recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in the highest mean net return over the control. Pre-emergence application of atrazine alone or atrazine + interculture with peg tooth-weeder at 35 days after sowing gave high net returns and benefit : cost ratio.
Behaviour of consumers of conventional and organic flowers and ornamental plants in Italy.

The paper analyses preferences and motivations of Italian consumers of flowers and ornamental plants, both conventional and organic. The results helped to outline their profile. Purchases are still done in the traditional places (flower shops for cut flowers and plant nurseries for potted plants), however positive trend is found for potted plants purchases at large distribution chains. Some differences came out as to purchase motivations: cut flowers are mainly bought in special occasions whereas potted plants purchases are linked to personal use. The results confirm a positive relationship between the purchase of flowers and plants and the age of the interviewees, besides showing that women are interested on purchases. The information we obtained is relevant not only for the sector's operators in order to define effective managerial strategies, but also for the policy maker to address new market and consumption policies.
Validitas dan Efektivitas Lks Berbasis Literasi Sains pada Materi Tumbuhan untuk Siswa Kelas X

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menghasilkan Lembar Kegiatan Siswa (LKS) berbasis literasi sains pada materi tumbuhan yang valid, praktis dan efektif. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan yang menggunakan model 4-D, yaitu tahap Define, Design,n Develop,n dan Dessiminate. Namun dalam penelitian ini tahap Dessiminaten tidakn dilakukan.Kegiatann pengembangan LKS berbasis literasi sains dilaksanakan di kampus Jurusan Biologi FMIPA- Unesapada bulan November s/d Mei 2016.Kegiatan uji coba dilakukan secara terbatas kepada 16 siswa kelas X MAN Kebosari. LKS yang valid ditinjau berdasarkan hasil validasi yang memperoleh nilai sebesar 3,85 dengan kategori sangat valid. LKS yang praktis ditinjau dari keterlaksanaan LKS yang memperoleh nilai sebesar 94,06% dengan kategori sangat praktis. LKS yang efektif ditinjau dari hasil belajar dan respons siswa. Hasil belajar siswa pada aspek sikap memperoleh nilai sebesar 3,7 (sangat efektif), aspek pengetahuan memperoleh persentase ketuntasan 93,75% (sangat efektif) dan aspek ketrampilan memperoleh nilai sebesar 3,75 (sangat baik) serta hasil respon siswa menunjukkan bahwa LKS memperoleh respon positif sebesar 98,3%. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa LKS yang dikembangkan masuk dalam kategori valid, praktis, dan sangat efektif sehingga dapat digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran. Kata kunci: validitas, efektivitas, Lembar Kegiatan Siswa (LKS), literasi sains, materi tumbuhan
Isolation and characterization of heparin and gelatin binding stallion seminal plasma proteins

Selnen ejaculates (12) were obtained from 3 Adult :Nlarwari stallions and were subjected to plaslna separation im.mediately after collection by centrifugation at 2000 rpm for 20 min and stored in -20oe until analysis. In the selninal plasma the total protein concentration were estimated and the heparin and gelatin binding (HB and GB) proteins were isolated using heparin and gelatin affinity column chromatography. The molecular weight of individual isolated HB and GB protein was deternlined by SDS-PAGE analysis. The overall mean values of total protein were recorded as 28.7±O.7 mg/ml. Thirteen total protein bands were observed in the range of 17-95 kDa. FiveHB proteins were isolated in the range of 17-83 kDa. Four GB proteins were isolated in the range of 18-83 kDa in the stallion setninal plasma. It can be concluded that among the total proteins, 5 and 4 protein bands are having the affinity to bound with the heparin and gelatin - agarose affinity column chromatography.
POLYMORPHISM IN FSHβ AND FSHR GENES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN IRAN BLACK, ARMAN AND BALUCHI SHEEP BREEDS

The objective of the present study was to detect polymorphism in follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and beta subunit of follicle stimulating hormone (FSHβ) genes and their relation to litter size and body weight trait in Baluchi, Iran black and Arman sheep breeds. PCR-RFLP technique using ACCI and HinfI enzyme treatments employed to detection of polymorphism in FSHβ marker site but detected no polymorphism pattern in this locus. SSCP analysis used for more survey on detection of polymorphism in FSHβ marker site which resulted in AA and AC genotypes in Baluchi sheep, AA and AB genotypes in Iran black population and no polymorphism pattern detected in Arman breed and all samples showed AA genotype. Polymorphism in FSHR gene has been detected by treatment with MSCI restriction enzyme. Three genotypes of AA, AB and BB were observed among studied breeds. The B allele was found with the highest frequency in all tree breeds. Analysis of variance for the effects of theses marker loci was carried out using SAS program. Mean comparison by Duncan test showed that the effect of each FSHβ and FSHR marker sites on litter size has significant effect only in Baluchi sheep population. It seems mutant alleles can improve considerably mean of litter size than the wild type ones. Analysis of data for body weight and polymorphisms in different ages showed that there are no significant differences between genotypes of FSHβ locus and body weight trait in various ages in none of Baluchi, Iran-black and Arman breeds. Survey on polymorphisms of FSHR locus and body weight trait revealed significant difference in some ages only in Arman breed and wild type allele caused better performance. This information can be used to plan breeding programs for sheep breeds aimed at improving production and reproduction performance.
Números cromosomáticos de plantas occidentales, 521-526

Se estudian los numeros cromosomaticos de seis especies de la familia Chenopodiaceae en la Peninsula Iberica. Para ello se ha utilizado material vivo traido del campo y trasplantado a macetas. El estudio de las mitosis somaticas se ha realizado en meristemas radiculares que se sometieron a pretratamiento en hielo fundente durante 24 horas, fijacion en Carnoy (alcohol absoluto: acido acetico glacial en proporcion 3:1) durante por lo menos 24 horas; lavado con acetico al 45 % un minuto e hidrolisis y coloracion con HC1 1N y orceina acetica. Visualizacion mediante el metodo de aplastamiento. De las plantas estudiadas se conserva pliego testigo. Para la localidad se dan las coordenadas UTM, correspondiendo todas ellas a la zona 29T. Este trabajo ha sido realizado en el curso de una licencia por estudios concedida por la Conselleria de Educacion de la Xunta de Galicia.