Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conformational Activation of Radixin by G13 Protein α Subunit*

G13 protein, one of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), regulates diverse and complex cellular responses by transducing signals from the cell surface presumably involving more than one pathway. Yeast two-hybrid screening of a mouse brain cDNA library identified radixin, a member of the ERM family of three closely related proteins (ezrin, radixin, and moesin), as a protein that interacted with Gα13. Interaction between radixin and Gα13was confirmed by in vitro binding assay and by co-immunoprecipitation technique. Activated Gα13 induced conformational activation of radixin, as determined by binding of radixin to polymerized F-actin and by immunofluorescence in intact cells. Finally, two dominant negative mutants of radixin inhibited Gα13-induced focus formation of Rat-1 fibroblasts but did not affect Ras-induced focus formation. Our results identifying a new signaling pathway for Gα13 indicate that ERM proteins can be activated by and serve as effectors of heterotrimeric G proteins.
Ecology and physiology of the northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae), at Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley, Western Australia

Breeding, population dynamics and seasonal changes in physical and physiological parameters were examined in the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) at Mitchell Plateau, Western Australia, between September 1981 and November 1982. Females gave birth to a single litter of young in July or August. Births were earlier on near-coastal sites than on inland sites. Litter size was greater on inland sites and litter size differed between years. By September all females were either carrying pouch young or were lactating. Lactation ceased by April. Testosterone levels in males peaked in July. There were significantly more male than female pouch young. However, in only one grid was the adult sex ratio different from parity, with an excess of females in September 1981 and 1982. Embryonic mortality was > 53% but loss of pouch young was small. Although males and females moved similar distances between successive recaptures, the extent of movement varied seasonally, being greatest in September. Males were generally larger and heavier than females. Seasonal variations were recorded for most physical and physiological parameters. The most pronounced changes occurred towards the end of the dry season (July to September) for both males and females. Over this period there was a significant decline in weight (males), haematocrit (males), plasma albumin (males) and leucocytes (both males and females) and significant elevations in values of haemoglobin and both free and protein-bound Cortisol in both males and females. Few males survived the post-mating period from July to September. They appeared to decline in condition over this period more markedly than females: they lost more weight, their haematocrit and plasma albumin values declined to a greater extent, and they were more heavily infected with lice (Boopia uncinata). Males with lower testosterone and higher free and protein-bound Cortisol had increased prospects of surviving the breeding season, which suggests that it is the dominant males that are less likely to survive the breeding season. Individuals in the three major populations at Mitchell Plateau differed greatly in their physiological values. The high-density population in a sandstone area had intermediate levels of free Cortisol and higher haematocrit values than both the other populations, and higher levels of haemoglobin than the population on laterite substratum.
The relationship between seed size and establishment conditions in tropical woody plants

Two approaches were used to examine the relationship between seed size and typical establishment conditions in woody species of tropical rain forests. First we compared seed masses of 36 mature tropical forest tree species with differing light—gap requirements for establishment. The 14 species that become established beneath a closed canopy or in small gaps were found to have higher mean seed masses than the species that require large gaps. Though species were divided into two types of establishment requirements, plotting the mean seed masses produced a continuous unimodal distribution rather than a bimodal distribution, suggesting that either intermediate establishment conditions are most common in tropical rain forests or that other biotic or abiotic conditions confound the relationship between establishment conditions and seed mass. Second, we compared seed masses of 203 early and late successional woody plants in one Peruvian forest. Seed masses of mature forest species were found to be significantly .
A review of ventilation in adult out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest

Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest continues to be a devastating condition despite advances in resuscitation care. Ensuring effective gas exchange must be weighed against the negative impact hyperventilation can have on cardiac physiology and survival. The goals of this narrative review are to evaluate the available evidence regarding the role of ventilation in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation and to provide recommendations for future directions. Ensuring successful airway patency is fundamental for effective ventilation. The airway management approach should be based on professional skill level and the situation faced by rescuers. Evidence has explored the influence of different ventilation rates, tidal volumes, and strategies during out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest; however, other modifiable factors affecting out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest ventilation have limited supporting data. Researchers have begun to explore the impact of ventilation in adult out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest outcomes, further stressing its importance in cardiac arrest resuscitation management. Capnography and thoracic impedance signals are used to measure ventilation rate, although these strategies have limitations. Existing technology fails to reliably measure real‐time clinical ventilation data, thereby limiting the ability to investigate optimal ventilation management. An essential step in advancing cardiac arrest care will be to develop techniques to accurately and reliably measure ventilation parameters. These devices should allow for immediate feedback for out‐of‐hospital practitioners, in a similar way to chest compression feedback. Once developed, new strategies can be established to guide out‐of‐hospital personnel on optimal ventilation practices.
Effects of marine reserve characteristics on the protection of fish populations: a meta‐analysis

Meta-analyses of published data for 19 marine reserves reveal that marine protected areas enhance species richness consistently, but their effect on fish abundance is more variable. Overall, there was a slight (11%) but significant increase in fish species number inside marine reserves, with all reserves sharing a common effect. There was a substantial but non-significant increase in overall fish abundance inside marine reserves compared to adjacent, non-reserve areas. When only species that are the target of fisheries were considered, fish abundance was significantly higher (by 28%) within reserve boundaries. Marine reserves vary significantly in the extent and direction of their response. This variability in relative abundance was not attributable to differences in survey methodology among studies, nor correlated with reserve characteristics such as reserve area, years since protection, latitude nor species diversity. The effectiveness of marine reserves in enhancing fish abundance may be largely related to the intensity of exploitation outside reserve boundaries and to the composition of the fish community within boundaries. It is recommended that studies of marine reserve effectiveness should routinely report fishing intensity, effectiveness of enforcement and habitat characteristics.
Uptake, elimination and tissue distribution of dietary and aqueous cadmium by rainbow trout (salmo gairdneri richardson) and lake whitefish (coregonus clupeaformis mitchill)

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) were exposed for 72 d to 109Cd in pelletized commercial trout food or in the water in a continuous-flow water exposure system. Blood, gill, gut, liver, kidney, muscle, skin, feces and gut contents were sampled from 40 fish in each group during the exposure phase and from 20 fish in each group during the subsequent 56-d depuration period. Gill accumulated the highest cadmium concentrations. After 56 d of depuration, most of the cadmium in food-exposed fish of both species was in the kidney, gut and liver, but water-exposed fish retained most of the cadmium in gill and kidney. Whole-body concentration factors (L/kg wet weight tissue) after 72 d of exposure for water-exposed fish were 55 for rainbow trout and 42 for whitefish. Whole-body bioconcentration factors after 72 d of exposure for food-exposed fish were less than 1 (kg food/kg dry weight tissue). Both species accumulated significantly greater proportions of the cadmium dose from food than from water. The percentages of the cadmium dose accumulated after 72 d of water exposure were 0.15% for trout and 0.11% for whitefish, while for food exposure the values were 1.03% for trout and 1.01% for whitefish. A simple two-compartment kinetic model was fitted to the data. Equilibrium cadmium bioconcentration factors for aqueous exposure were estimated to be 161 for rainbow trout and 51 for lake whitefish. Biological half-times for depuration ranged from 24 to 63 d.
Evaluation of Precision and Sample Sizes Using Standardized Sampling in Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractWe evaluated the precision of samples and the number of stock-length fish collected by means of standard methods used for sampling North American freshwater fishes from 2010 to 2013 in Kansas. Additionally, we used resampling procedures to determine the number of gear deployments needed to achieve a relative standard error (RSE) of 25% for the CPUE and collect 100 stock-length individuals. Median RSE of electrofishing samples was generally less than 25% for Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in all sizes of reservoirs and for Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus in medium (251–1,000 acres) and large reservoirs (greater than 1,000 acres). The RSE estimates were generally >25% for Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and crappies Pomoxis spp. collected in trap nets and palmetto bass (female Striped Bass Morone saxatilis × male White Bass M. chrysops) and Walleye Sander vitreus sampled in gill nets. With few exceptions, 100 stock-length individuals of all target species (e.g., Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, cr.
Thinking Differently: A Visual Note Recording Strategy to Improve Learning

The use of visuals in the learning environment is increasing every day. The idea of connecting images with existing knowledge is one way to effectively learn and remember. Since visual literacy has become one of the most important concepts in education today, finding a new way to present and understand information about the concept is an essential part of the learning process. The purpose of this study is to explore the importance of using visual note recording (VNR) in the learning process, and how the participant perceives visual note recording as an aid to thinking and recalling information. A qualitative methodology was used to gain in-depth understanding of visual note recording (VNR) in the learning process. Interviews were used to collect information from five participants representing different nations. Participants were asked questions designed to explore their experiences in using VNR as an aid to enhanced thinking, and to determine how they define the activity of visual note recording. Findings from this study show that VNR can have a great impact on students’ learning ability. The study demonstrates that the use of VNR leads to recalling information more easily, simplifying complex ideas, and enhancing critical and visual thinking skills. This study also points out that VNR is constructive and supports authentic student learning opportunities. Originality : Since there is a paucity of research on VNR and its use in the learning process, either in educational institutions or business organizations, this paper adds value to educators, practitioners and policy-makers. Keywords: visual note recording (VNR), sketchnoting, learning process, cognition, memory recall, visual literacy, visual thinking, critical thinking. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/11-2-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2020
Competitive Governance and Displacement Decisions Under Rebel Rule: Evidence from the Islamic State in Iraq

When rebel groups with state-building ambitions capture territory, who stays and why? Through semi-structured interviews and an original household survey in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which was controlled by the Islamic State for more than three years, I conduct a multi-method descriptive comparison of the characteristics of “stayers” against “leavers. ” I test and find some quantitative and qualitative support for a theory of competitive governance: Civilians who perceived improvements in the quality of governance under IS rule—relative to the Iraqi state—were more likely to stay under IS rule than those who perceived no change or a deterioration, but displacement decisions are multi-causal, influenced by many factors including economic resources, social networks and family structures, information, threat perceptions, and ideology. These findings suggest that historical experiences with weak rule of law and bad governance by states may affect the attitudes and actions of civilians living under rebel governance.
Diabetic Retinopathy Detection Using Collective Intelligence

Much attention has been focused on describing the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) applied to diabetic retinopathy data. It has been determined that there are ample opportunities for AI algorithms within medicine and that AI is even superior to what we can determine with the professional human eye. However, fewer studies actually have looked at a combined model, or rather, a collective intelligence approach of both human and computer/machine efforts. We attempt to describe and demonstrate the power of collective intelligence in the future of medicine and to offer ways to consider a more complementary approach to both humans and computers.
Phenotypic and genotypic variability for durable resistance to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in Pakistan wheat cultivars

The wheat crop remains vulnerable to all three rust diseases (leaf rust, stem rust and yellow rust) caused by Puccinia spp. according to the prevalence of the pathogen in different wheat-growing areas worldwide. Stripe rust or yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is the most significant rust pathogen which prefers cool, moist areas and highlands. The pathogen is recognised as responsible for huge production losses in wheat. Genetic variation in pathogen makes its control difficult. Therefore, resistance against all the races of the pathogen known as durable or race-non-specific resistance is preferred. The present study was carried out to identify durable resistance against stripe rust in selected wheat cultivars from Pakistan through seedling testing, field evaluation at adult stage, morphological marker studies and marker-assisted selection. Results revealed that 4% of the cultivars were resistant at the seedling stage while the rest were susceptible or intermediate. To confirm their field resistance, the same cultivars were evaluated under field conditions at Cereal Crops Research Institute Pirsabak (located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KP) a hot spot of stripe rust in Pakistan. Observations exhibited that at the adult stage 4% of the cultivars were resistant, 70% intermediate or moderately resistant while the others were highly susceptible. Leaf tip necrosis was observed in 30% of the cultivars. Wheat cultivars showing susceptibility at the seedling stage were highly to moderately resistant at adult stage showing durable resistance. For further validation, morphological markers were also observed in cultivars indicating the presence of Yr18/Lr34 gene. Eleven cultivars (C-518, Mexipak, Kohinoor-83, Faisalabad-83, Zardana-93, Shahkar-95, Moomal-2002, Wattan-94, Pasban-90, Kiran-95, and Haider-2000) were identified, having durable or race non-specific resistance against stripe rust. These cultivars can further be utilised in wheat breeding programmes for deploying durable resistance to attain long lasting control against stripe rust.
A hypothesis on physiological alterations during plant ontogenesis governing susceptibility of winter barley to ramularia leaf spot

The occurrence and epidemic spread of ramularia leaf spot (RLS) caused by Ramularia collo-cygni was studied with relation to the plant age-dependent alterations in the antioxidative defence systems in the leaves during mature stages of field-grown winter barley. The breakdown of enzymatic activities of dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase in the two uppermost fully expanded leaf layers correlated well with a decrease in the pool of the non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione. The general decline in the antioxidative systems occurred between 31 May and 8 June after ear emergence stages and preceded the first visible symptoms of RLS. The activities of peroxidases corresponded to an increase in phenolics and lignification which seemed to enhance the infectivity of the fungus rather than to protect the plant. The first R. collo-cygni conidia were trapped in the field about 4 weeks before the latent infection was first detected by ELISA, and 5 weeks before the first disease symptoms became visible. Both the counts of airborne conidia and the weather data recorded between April and June suggest that neither inoculum nor the weather conditions are limiting factors for infection by R. collo-cygni at earlier growth stages of barley. It is concluded that the relatively late development of RLS in the field in mid June is governed by the significant degradation of the antioxidative protection systems in the leaves of barley at the onset of ripening stages, rather than by environmental factors or the availability of airborne inoculum.
Synthesis of Humic-like Substances Under Sterile and Non-sterile Conditions in Presence of Quartz and Volcanic Ash

This study reports on the formation of Maillard compounds (humic-like substances called “melanoidins”) from D-glucose and L-tyrosine in the presence of volcanic ash and pure quartz. It was demonstrated that the synthesis occurred not only under non-sterile, but also under sterile conditions, and under moisture and temperature stress. The temperature remained for 30 days at 70°C for 63% of the time. The non-sterile environment with a contact time of at least 30 days was the most favorable condition for the synthesis. In sterile environment, only low molecular weight polymers were formed, while in non-sterile systems high molecular weight substances were synthesized. The presence and the nature of mineral substrates appeared important even if not essential for the formation of humic-like substances. In fact, these substances were also formed by the reaction of the precursors alone.
Procedure for Estimating Ratio of Live to Dead Root Dry Matter in Root Core Samples1

assessed using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction techniques in an effort to establish a relatively simple method of determining the amount of living tissue in soil core samples from the field. Formazan (reduced TTC) was extracted with 95% ethanol and measured colorimetrically. Relationship between TTC reduction per gram roots and dry weight ratios of living to dead root tissue, established by simple correlation and regression analysis, was used to determine live and dead root dry weights of unknown root samples. TTC reduction per gram live root dry weight declined with plant age and, although not measured directly, probably varied with species. The procedure would accommodate large sample numbers if parts were automated.
Food and feeding of Viviparus viviparus (L.) (Gastropoda) in dam reservoir and river habitats

Studies on feeding of V. viviparus were carried out in the years 1995–2005 in dam reservoir (Zegrzyński Reservoir, Central Poland, 60 km long, mean depth ca 3.5 m, maximum depth at the dam up to 9 m, mean retention time from 1 to 15 days) and in the outlets of its tributaries (the Bug, Narew and Rządza rivers), in the Narew River and – in the years 2003–2006 – also in oxbow lakes of the Bug River. Sex ratio and size structure of snails were estimated. Both the content of intestines (detritus, algae, inorganic matter) and the gut fulfilment were analysed. Performed multi-factor analysis showed the effect of habitat, season and snail size (estimated from shell height) on food mass in the gut. Snails from dam reservoir and outlet stretches of three rivers showed the largest food mass in the gut. Intestines of snails from rivers and oxbow lakes were less filled. The largest food volumes were found in spring and summer. Only in viviparids from oxbow lakes the largest food mass in the gut was noted in the autumn. Food mass in the gut was largest in snails of the I (<8 mm) and IV (20–35 mm) size class. Food mass was similar in females and males. Differences were, however, noted in the ingested food mass between fertile and infertile females which was smaller in the former. In all studied sites the snails fed mainly on detritus which constituted from 70 to 90% of food mass ingested of all individuals. Detritus abundance in studied habitats might result in using it by snails as obligatory though low-energetic food source. Detritus contributed more to the food of viviparids from Zegrzyński Reservoir and from oxbow lakes, slightly less – to the food of those from outlet stretches of rivers and from the Narew River. Algae contributed from 5% (Zegrzyński Reservoir) to 15% (the Narew River) to the food mass in snail guts. Apart from diatoms, green algae, dinoflagellates and chrysophytes, also cyanobacteria were found in snail food mass. Green algae (46% of all algae) and diatoms (37% of all algae) constituted the largest part of viviparids algal diet in the reservoir. The share of chrysophytes and dinoflagellates made about 10%. More diatoms (up to 48%) and less green algae (up to 25%) were found in snails from outlet stretches of rivers. Guts of snails from the Narew River contained mainly diatoms (over 50%) and green algae (30%). Gut content of snails from oxbow lakes was dominated by green algae (50% of all algae) and diatoms (35% of all algae). Inorganic matter in a form of mineral particles contributed least to the food of snails in the reservoir and in oxbow lakes (ca 5%) in comparison with snails from other sites. No food of animal origin was found. In general, it can be stated that the amount of food mass ingested and its composition differed rather slightly among studied habitats, seasons and individuals.