Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Words Get in the Way? The Effect of Deliberation in Collective Decision Making

We quantify the effect of deliberation on the decisions of US appellate courts. We estimate a model in which strategic judges communicate before casting their votes and then compare the probability of mistakes in the court with deliberation with a counterfactual of no communication. The model has multiple equilibria, and preferences and information parameters are only partially identified. We find that there is a range of parameters in the identified set—when judges tend to disagree ex ante or their private information is imprecise—in which deliberation can be beneficial; otherwise, deliberation reduces the effectiveness of the court.
Investigations into the biology and genetics of Cylicocyclus nassatus as relating to the mechanism of action and selection for resistance to avermectin-milbemycin anthelmintics

The objectives of this dissertation were to study the feasibility of using Drenchrite® bioassay for the diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in horse parasitic nematodes, determine the effects of moxidectin (an anthelmintic drug) selection on the population genetic diversity of Cylicocyclus nassatus, a common cyathostomin species and also to clone, sequence and characterize the orthologs of nematode glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) genes from C. nassatus. Cyathostomin are the principal parasitic pathogen and most important intestinal nematodes of horses. Resistance against two of the three available classes of anthelmintics has been reported in cyathostomins. Although no clinical case report of resistance against avermectin-milbemycin (AM) class exists at present, it is highly probable that cyathostomin will develop resistance to this group of drugs in near future. First objective: Studies on validation of a larval development assay (LDA) for detection of anthelmintic resistance in horses in the current situation of anthelmintic resistance determined that a LDA cannot be recommended for use in the field in the present scenario of anthelmintic resistance in horses. Second objective: Selection using a subtherapeutic dose of moxidectin for a period of 29 months (21 doses) leads to a statistical decrease in population genetic diversity within C. nassatus as determined by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) for two of the three primer combinations tested. A high level of inherent genetic polymorphism in C. nassatus individuals was discovered in this study. Third objective: A homology based PCR approach was used to clone and sequence full-length cDNAs for two genes from C. nassatus which are orthologous to invertebrate glutamate-gated chloride channel genes. Phylogenetic analysis determined the close relationship of these genes to GluCl genes in other species. Radioligand studies using GluCl subunits expressed in mammalian cells demonstrated the presence of a high affinity ivermectin-binding site on the C. nassatus GluCl- subunit but not on the GluCl- subunit. Together these findings provide insights into some potential genetic aspects of AM resistance in cyathostomin nematodes and may serve as a basis for future studies aimed towards understanding the process of development of AM resistance in cyathostomins, as well as for the development of molecular diagnostic tools for detecting resistance.
Effect of IBA, time of layering and rooting media on air-layers and plantlets survival under different growing nursery conditions in guava

The present investigation on the effect of IBA concentrations, time of layering and rooting media on rooting, root characters and survival percentage of rooted air layers under different growing nursery conditions i.e open and polyhouse conditions on guava, cv. L-49 were carried out during 2008–09. Three different concentration of IBA viz., 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm were used in three time of layering viz., 15th June, 15th July and 15th August with two rooting media viz., sphagnum moss and coco peat. It was revealed that High percentage of rooting and root characters of air layers of guava have been successfully achieved by exogenous application of IBA at 4000 ppm. Regarding the time of layering, 15th August gave the maximum rooting success and root attributes. Among the rooting media, moist sphagnum moss produced highest rooting percentage and root characters. The survival of rooted air layers was found to be maximum with the treatment combination of IBA at 4000 ppm, 15th August and sphagnum moss and polyhouse conditions produced higher survival than open conditions after 45 days of detachment from the mother plants.
Phylogenetic Systematics of the Scomberomorus regalis (Teleostei: Scombridae) Species Group: Molecules, Morphology and Biogeography of Spanish Mackerels

species group was fully supported, with the eastern Atlantic S. tritor basal to the New World taxa as predicted from the eastern Atlantic/eastern Pacific generalized biogeographic track. Surprisingly, no differences were observed between the mitochondrial genomes of S. regalis and S. maculatus. However nuclear DNA and morphological characters confirm the species status of these two taxa, leading us to posit the introgressive loss of the S. maculatus mtDNA genome following hybridization with S. regalis. Chronological estimates were applied to the phylogenetic topology combining geologic dates for putative vicariant events with molecular distance values. These estimates indicate a pre-isthmian divergence for the western Atlantic S. maculatus, followed by divergence of the common ancestors of the western Atlantic (S. brasiliensis and S. regalis) and eastern Pacific (S. concolor and S. sierra) species resulting from the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and closure of associated seaways.
Antibody mediated epitope mimicry in the pathogenesis of Zika virus related disease

The association of Guillain-Barré syndrome with Zika virus infection raises suspicion of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of Zika associated disease. Using computational analysis to identify predicted B and T cell epitopes, we assessed whether antibodies elicited by B cell epitopes in Zika virus may also target B cell epitopes in the human proteome. We detected amino acid motifs predicted to be B cell epitopes in Zika virus proteins which are also present in human proteins, including pro-neuropeptide Y (proNPY), NAV2 and other proteins with interacting neurophysiologic function. We examine the predicted MHC binding of peptides likely to provide T cell help to the potential mimic epitopes. Some potential mimic epitopes in Zika virus envelope have apparently strong T cell help, likely facilitating immunoglobulin class switch. We also identify epitope mimic commonalities with dengue serotypes 1 and 3. We hypothesize that antibodies to Zika virus epitopes may contribute to the pathogenesis of Zika-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome, microcephaly, and ocular lesions, and may be a driver of autoimmunity. The risk associated with responses to potential epitope mimics must be addressed in the development of vaccines and therapeutics for Zika virus infections. Author Summary Using computational immunologic analysis, we examine the possibility that anti-Zika antibodies are binding to mimic epitopes on human proteins and that this autoimmunity may be a driver for some of the clinical signs associated with Zika virus infection. These include Guillain Barré Syndrome, other neurophysiologic deficits, and the Zika Fetal Syndrome, including microcephaly. We identify specific proteins and epitopes to which anti-Zika antibodies may bind. The prospect that the pathogenesis of ZIKV may involve an antibody-mediated autoimmune component must be addressed in vaccine and therapeutic development.
Development, Survival, Body Weight and Oviposition Rates of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) When Reared on Seven Cabbage Cultivars

Plant cultivars that negatively influence fitness of target phytophagous insects can be an important component of integrated pest management when they substantially restrict population growth of the target pest. In this study, the effects of seven cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) cultivars on survival and development of immature stages, pupal weights, moth longevity and oviposition rates of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were evaluated in the laboratory. Under the no choice test, overall survival of P. xylostella immature stages was highest on Karabo (67.26 %) and lowest on Megaton (44.92 %). The larval and pupal developmental period, and thus generation time took longer on Empowa (18.48 d), Karabo (14.64 d) and Beverly Hills (17.48 d), while development on Hollywood F1 (13.79 d) was the fastest. Male and female P. xylostella pupal weights were lower in larvae that fed on Megaton (4.13 and 4.65 mg), Menzania (4.53 and 4.91 mg), and Hollywood F1 (4.11 and 5.08 mg), whereas pupal weights from Karabo (6.0 and 6.82 mg) were the heaviest. Unfed female moths reared on Beverly Hills lived the longest (5.05 d), whereas those reared on Leano (3.54 d) and Megaton (3.89 d) lived for a shortest period. Under the choice-test, P. xylostella laid significantly more eggs on Empowa (48.8 %) and Hollywood F1 (45.6 %) and least on Menzania (11.8 %) and Leano (10.6 %). Although these results show differential impact of the cultivars on the fitness parameters studied, low survival rate of offspring on a crop is the primary target for using plant resistance as a pest management tactic. As survival rates of immature P. xylostella were lower on Megaton together with lower pupal weights and moth longevity, which together negatively impacts fecundity, and thus overall fitness of the pest was lower when developing on it. Megaton was more resistant to P. xylostella. The results of this study show that Megaton can play a major role in restricting population growth of this pest and generational number of eggs deposited on it.
Characterization of Antihypertensive Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This study describes the purification and characterization of a novel antihypertensive angiotensin I- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Maximal production of the ACE inhibitor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was obtained from 24 h of cultivation at 30 o C and its ACE inhibitory activity was increased by about 1.5 times after treatment of the cell-free extract with pepsin. After the purification of ACE inhibitory peptides with ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-25 column chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, an active fraction with an IC 50 of 0.07 mg and 3.5% yield was obtained. The purified peptide was a novel decapeptide, showing very low similarity to other ACE inhibitory peptide sequences, and its amino acid sequence was Tyr-Asp-Gly-Gly-Val-Phe-Arg-Val-Tyr-Thr. The purified inhibitor competitively inhibited ACE and also showed a clear antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at a dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight.
Comparison of the population occlusal characteristics in 3 Brazilian regions

The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of individual traits of malocclusion in a sample of three Brazilian regions orthodontic patients and to detect interregional population differences in the prevalence of certain occlusal characteristics. The present study was based on the examination of dental casts, intraoral photographs and panoramic radiographs of 947 orthodontic patients from 3 cities: 363 from Fortaleza (CE), 270 from Maringá (PR) and 314 from Bauru (SP), respectively, representing the Northeast, South and Southeast Brazilian regions. The relationship of the first maxillary and mandibular molars according to Angle’s classification, overjet, overbite, crowding, posterior crossbite and maxillary median diastema were examined. The chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to determine potential differences in the distribution of malocclusion when stratified Brazilian regions. Class I malocclusion was found in 499 (52.69%), Class II in 395 (41.71%) and Class III malocclusion in 53 (5,59%) subjects of all examined. Deep overbite (3.59%), midline diastemas (5.17%) and posterior crossbite (4.75%) were observed more frequently in Bauru; however, in Maringá, normal overbite (13.3%) and open bite (4.75%) were more prevalent. The results of this study showed that Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent, followed by Class II and Class III malocclusions. These occlusal relationships evaluated in the three Brazilian regions follow the same pattern of frequency as the result presented by the general population of the sample.
Bionomics of Three Nearctic Species, One New, of Hypera (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Their Parasites

The distribution habitat preference, host-plant specificity, and seasonal cycle of 3 Nearctic species of Hypera, H. compta (Say), H. eximia (LeConte), and H. paludicola Warner, n. sp. , are discussed, and H. paludicola, n. sp. , is described. Parasites reared from various stages of the weevils were: egg, Anaphes behmani Girault (Mymaridae); pupa, Necremnus breviramulus Gahan (Eulophidae), Spilochalcis albifrons (Walsh), S. sanguiniventris (Cresson) (Chalcididae), and Gambrus ultimus (Cresson) (Ichneumonidae); larva, an undescribed Bathyplectes, n. sp. (Ichneumonidae), and a mermithid nematode. The Spilochalcis spp. also occurred as hyperparasites of the Bathyplectes, n. sp. , as did 3 species of Pteromalidae. Biological data for A. behmani, N. breviramulus, and Bathyplectes, n. sp. , are presented, and their relationship with the introduced economic Hypera species is discussed.
Optimisation and evaluation of Human Leucocyte Antigen-G1 expression in Placental Tissue using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Research Article Optimisation and evaluation of Human Leucocyte Antigen-G1 expression in Placental Tissue using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PhD in Medicine), (PhD in Medicine), (MBCHB) Shamala Moodley 1 , Ravesh Singh 2 and Dharshni Pillay 3 1 Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa 2 HPP Dept of HIV Pathogenesis 3 Stanger Hospital Short title: Quantifying HLA-G1 Corresponding Author: Shamala Moodley (PhD) Mangosuthu University of Technology,Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Email address: shamala@mut.ac. za Received for publication: March 20, 2014; Accepted: April 11, 2014. Laboratory diagnostic techniques serve as essential tools for screening diseases, and monitoring clinical outcomes. Using this as motivation, this study optimised the Real time Quantification Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) technique to specifically quantify Human Leucocyte Antigen-G1 expression in placental tissue. Synthesis of complementary deoxyribose nucleic acid (cDNA) was performed using ribose nucleic acid (RNA) extracted from human placental tissue. Amplification of cDNA, using specifically designed primers, complementary to the full length HLA-G1 isoform, was performed using RT-qPCR. Data analysis was concluded using the “second derivative method’’ (Roche Molecular Biochemicals Light Cycler Relative Quantification Software, Version 3.5). Amplification of cDNA was successfully accomplished. Samples with HLA-G1 transcripts gave a fluorescent signal for the 98-base pair (bp) PCR product, characterized by a melting peak at 86.5˚C. The RT-qPCR assay is an efficient and reliable tool, readily adaptable for quantifying HLA- G1 expression in placental tissue, to ensure normal full term pregnancies. Key words: Quantify, LightCycler, RT-qPCR, HLA-G, cDNA, placental tissue
Control of Trianthema Portulacastrum L. in Blackgram

Two field experiments conducted during 1982 and 1983 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, indicated that preemergence application of oxyfluorfen, isopro. turon, oxadiszon, pendimethal in and fluchloral in effectively controlled the major weed Trianthema portulicastrum L. preemergence application of isoproturon at 0.5 kg/ha followed by one late weeding at 30 days has given the highest blackgram grain yield.
Growth and Instability of Oilseed Production in Punjab

Present study analyzed the growth and instability of oilseed production vis-a-vis food grain production in Punjab state since sixties. The study is based on secondary data collected from 1960–61 to 2009–10. Yield increased both in oilseeds and food grains, but increase was more in yield of food grains (2.95%) than that of oilseeds (1.97%) during fifty years. Analysis of different oilseeds revealed that yield increased significantly only in rapeseed/mustard and linseed where as area decreased significantly in all Oilseeds, thus leading to decline in oilseeds production. Instability was more in area than productivity in rapeseed/mustard, sesamum and linseed, whereas it was more in productivity than area for groundnut and sunflower. Factors responsible for change in overage production are change in overage area and interaction between changes in mean area and mean yield variance whereas factors for change in variance of production are interaction between changes in mean yield and area variance, change in area variance, change in area yield covariance and change in mean area. Policies and programmes should concentrate on increasing the production of ollseeds by introducing HYV's and increasing the area under oilseeds.
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OSMOTIC POTENTIAL ON GERMINATION PERCENTAGE AND GERMINATION RATE OF BARLEY, CORN AND CANOLA

Iran is located in a hot and dry region. As a result of low precipitation and a vast area of salty and alkali soil, osmotic pressure is very high in most parts of the country (i.e., osmotic potential is more negative). In the present study four levels of osmotic pressure (‐0.25, ‐0.35, ‐0.45, ‐0.50 MPa) were created artificially, by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and treatment of three seed types, namely, barley, corn and canola. The study aimed at finding the seeds with better germination potential under high osmotic pressure. The seeds' germination potential under different levels of osmotic pressure was also investigated. The experiment was conducted with four replications at the Laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, in a completely randomized design. Parameters under study were germination rate and germination percentage. Results showed that germination rate was not affected by osmotic potential. Considering germination percentage, only osmotic potential of ‐0.50 reduced germination percentages of corn seeds. Levels of osmotic potential did not affect seed germination in barley and canola.
Influence of ras genes on yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae cell viability in acid environment

* Corresponding author. E-mail: egle.lastauskiene@gf.vu. lt During the yeast growth in SD medium (minimal medium with glucose), acidification of this medium can be observed. We determined that two RAS genes participate in both extracellular acidification and response to acid environment. In comparison with the wild-type SP1 strain, presence of the RAS2 gene deletion increases cell viability during gradual medium acidification as well as during acid stress induction. Increased cell viability causes a higher ΔRas2 strain growth rate and a higher medium acidification. The medium acidification rate of the strain containing deletion of RAS1 gene does not differ from SP1. However, cell viability during gradual acidification and in acid stress conditions is significantly higher as compared to SP1. These results suggest that RAS1 and RAS2 genes are negative regulators of cell viability in an acid environment, but their contribution to this regulation differs.
Effects of temperature on growth and photosynthesis in the seedling stage of the sheath blight-resistant rice genotype 32R

Abstract The 32R rice genotype is resistant to sheath blight disease (ShB), with a high-yield potential. We examined effects of temperature on the plant responses of 32R in comparison with those of the ShB-susceptible rice genotype (29S) and Nipponbare (Nb, a Japonica standard cultivar). The seedlings at the 4th leaf stage of rice genotypes were exposed to 14/14, 19/14, 25/20, 31/26, 37/32 and 37/37 °C (day/night) for 5, 10 and 15 days. The dry weight, leaf area, photosynthesis, contents of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and chlorophyll contents were examined. The dry weight showed lower in 32R than in 29S and Nb at a low temperature, and total dry weight correlated strongly with root dry weight and leaf area. The relative growth rate (RGR) correlated strongly with the net assimilation rate (NAR). Rubisco, chlorophyll contents and the photosynthetic rates were limited at a low temperature and showed lower in 32R than in 29S and Nb. The strong correlations between Rubisco and the rates of maximum photosynthesis and initial slope were found in 32R, but not found in 29S and Nb. In addition, RGR and NAR of 32R correlated positively with Rubisco. These suggest that 32R contains traits of cold-sensitive genotypes that are related to limiting Rubisco at a low temperature, thus diminishing photosynthesis and limiting plant growth. Differences of growth among 32R, 29S and Nb were discussed in the relation of genotypes.
Spatial and seasonal shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu: Patterns and driving factors

The patterns of spatial and temporal shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria and the driving factors for these patterns were determined by analyzing the distribution of these cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu using data from satellite images and field samples collected during 2012 and 2013. The cyanobacterial blooms primarily occupied the western region of Lake Chaohu, and the direction and speed of the prevailing wind determined the spatial distribution of these blooms. The cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu were dominated by species of Microcystis and Anabaena. Microcystis reached its peak in June, and Anabaena had peaks in May and November, with an overall biomass that was higher than that of Microcystis. Microcystis generally occupied the western region of the lake in summer, whereas Anabaena dominated in other regions and seasons. Temperature may be responsible for these seasonal shifts. However, total phosphorus (TP), pH, temperature, turbidity and nitrate/nitrite nitrogen determined the coexistence of the two genera in different regions in summer. TP was correlated with Microcystis dominance, and pH and light availability were correlated with Anabaena dominance. Our results contribute to the understanding of shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria and are important for the control of cyanobacterial blooms.