Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digestive Enzyme Activity during Initial Ontogeny and after Feeding Diets with Different Protein Sources in Zebra Cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus

This study aims to describe changes in the activity of digestive enzymes of the zebra cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, from hatching until 30 d after hatch (d.a.h.), and to evaluate the effects of feeding diets with different levels of fishmeal (FM) substitution with alternative nonanimal protein sources from 30 d.a. h. up to the age of 60 d.a. h. Results indicated that the developmental patterns of digestive enzymes from the exocrine pancreas and intestine are similar to those of other phylogenetically close cichlids, although they seemed to develop faster than other species as indicated by the peaks in enzyme activity, which were detected at younger stages of development. The 100% FM replacement with different alternative nonanimal protein sources had a negative impact on the growth performance of A. nigrofasciatus juveniles, whereas fish fed the diet with a 50% FM replacement showed similar results to those fed the 100% FM diet. Fish showing the lowest growth rate had also the lowest enzyme activity, especially in relation to the intestinal brush border enzymes. This study assesses the digestive capabilities and nutritional condition of the zebra cichlid fish and provides knowledge on the potential for FM substitution in their feeds.
Estimating DSGE Models: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

We review the current state of the estimation of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models. After introducing a general framework for dealing with DSGE models, the state-space representation, we discuss how to evaluate moments or the likelihood function implied by such a structure. We discuss, in varying degrees of detail, recent advances in the field, such as the tempered particle filter, approximated Bayesian computation, Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, variational inference, and machine learning. These methods show much promise but have not been fully explored by the DSGE community yet. We conclude by outlining three future challenges for this line of research.
Cryopreservation of Rat and Monkey Liver Slices

A method for the long-term storage of liver slices by cryopreservation was developed. The viability of liver slices was determined by analysing the leakage of alanine aminotransferase, urea production, and the metabolism of testosterone. Rat liver slices were found to be optimally cryopreserved by exposure for 30 minutes to 12% dimethyl sulphoxide (v/v) at 2°C before freezing. Subsequent direct immersion in liquid nitrogen was more effective than a cooling rate of ±1°C/mmute, which reduced viability. Storage at a temperature of -80°C lowered viability compared to storage at -196°C. These conditions for optimal cryopreservation were used to cryopreserve rat, rhesus monkey and cynomolgus monkey liver slices. The viability of these liver slices was maintained at: 74%, 86% and 85%, respectively, when alanine aminotransferase content was measured; 80%, 109% and 82%, respectively, when urea production was measured; and 109%, 60% and 85%, respectively, when the metabolism of testosterone was measured. Viability was maintained for at least one month. The results show that, by using the method presented here, liver slices from these species can be stored while maintaining viabilities similar to initial values. This method will facilitate the optimal use of liver slices and reduce the number of experimental animals used.
The Teaching Profession As Perceived by African-Americans.

A study examined factors contributing to the decline in numbers of African-American teachers, with four objectives: (1) to identify factors encouraging and discouraging them to consider teaching as a career; (2) to determine differences in their perceptions by background variables; (3) to determine factors influencing them to leave the profession; and (4) to identify recommendations for recruitment and retention of African-American teachers. From 1989-1990, researchers gathered data from 64 schools in southern Georgia, and they selected 16 African-American college students and 11 educators for interviews. Part 1 of a questionnaire asked for background data on preparation, teaching position, and personal characteristics. Part 2 allowed teachers to identify their perceptions of teaching as a career. The interview process let them analyze findings from the survey research. Results suggest the major deterrent to majoring in education is salary. Both college students and teachers emphasized the importance of encouraging students to consider teaching when they are young. Subjects listed the consistent assignment of African-American teachers to low-level classes and/or classes with behavior problems as a reason many leave the profession. Four appendixes offer the survey instrument, three tables, a case study based on a teacher interview, and a list of 17 references. (SM) ***************************************************************7(******* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ********************************A************************************** c:4 THE TEACHING PROFESSION AS PERCEIVED BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS Jane A. Page Fred M. Page, Jr. Georgia Southern University A Paper Presented at the American Educational Research Association's 1991 Annual Meeting Session 5:15 April 3, 1991 Chicago, Illinois This research was partially funded by The University System of Georgia Regents Special Initiative Funding Grant "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY e TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). " BEST COPY AVAILABLE U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Ottce 01 Educahom l Resaatch and Imptovernent EDUCATIONAt RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Cl tms document has been httotoduced 38 tecetved from the Person Ot Of ni.ynalng n Mrsof Oanges have been made to motOve ,e0tOduCtiOn duality POnts 01 wee. Or op.n. ons staled at th,8 docu men! do not nOCOSMInly t80,8Sen1 Ofbcal OEM posmon ot poky
The mitochondrial genome of the nematode endoparasitic fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis

Abstract In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Hirsutella rhossiliensis (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota). We construct the mitochondrial DNA genome organization of 62 483 bp in length of H. rhossiliensis by using the whole-genome resequencing method. Conserved genes including the large and small rRNA subunits, 26 tRNA and 14 protein-coding genes are identified. These protein-coding genes utilize ATG, GTG or TTG as initiation codons and TAA or TAG as termination codons. Moreover, we detect 10 group I introns and one unclassified intron in six genes (rnl, cob, cox1, cox3, nad1 and nad5) encoding ORFs of ribosomal protein S3 and GIY-YIG/LAGLIDADG endonucleases or hypothetical proteins. This mitochondrial genome will be useful in understanding the distribution and genetic diversity of this species.
Offshore and coastal common bottlenose dolphins of the western South Atlantic face-to-face: What the skull and the spine can tell us

The taxonomy of Tursiops truncatus in the western South Atlantic is not resolved. Two different hypotheses have been proposed: (1) offshore and coastal ecotypes with a parapatric distribution, and (2) two species, T. truncatus and T. gephyreus, living in sympatry. To test these hypotheses, we examined a total of 100 physically mature skulls and 35 vertebral columns from the suggested overlap zone in southern Brazil. In all skulls, 24 measurements, four alveoli counts and two categorical variables were analyzed. Vertebral formula was determined and five measurements were taken from selected vertebrae. Multivariate analyses were conducted for skull and vertebral data. Results revealed the presence of two well-separated groups. Specimens of Group1 had smaller skulls and shorter body lengths, but more vertebrae, than Group2. The morphological characteristics of each group corresponded well with two ecotypes of common bottlenose dolphins reported in other ocean basins. Therefore, we assigned the specimens of Group1 to the offshore ecotype, and Group2 to the coastal ecotype. Differences in the geographic locations and ratio of strandings supported the parapatric hypothesis. The significant morphological differentiation observed suggests the presence of different subspecies, but an additional independent line of evidence is needed to hypothesize whether they represent different species.
Modulation of signal transduction pathways relevant tp atherosclerosis by dietary chemopreventive agents

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory, proliferative disorder, is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity in the Western world. Epidemiological and experimental evidence show that consumption of certain dietary constituents lead to a decrease in the incidence of the disease. The dietary constituents curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), but not indole-3-carbinol (DC) inhibited the activation of NF-kB in B lymphoblasts and HUVEC. EGCG inhibited NF-kB activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by blocking the activity of BCKa, thus preventing subsequent phosphorylation and degradation of IkBcx. In B lymphoblasts inhibition of NF-kB activation by EGCG, appeared to be independent of an effect on IicBa. EGCG also prevented the formation of inducible extracellular and intracellular ROS in B lymphoblasts. EGCG inhibited the growth of B lymphoblasts and HUVEC, which was mediated through a cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Further analysis of this growth inhibitory effect, identified a number of important cell growth regulators that were a target of EGCG. In HUVEC, EGCG growth inhibition appeared to involve p53, CDK1, cyclin D l, and HMOX-1, but was independent of Pinl and XIAP. In B lymphoblasts, EGCG growth inhibition appeared to be independent of any significant affect on p53, CDK1, cyclin D l, Pinl and XIAP, but may involve the loss of NF-kB activity or increases in HMOX-1 protein. Treatment with EGCG produced changes in the expression of a number of disease relevant genes including HMOX-1, as detected by microarray analysis. This increase in HMOX-1 mRNA corresponded to an increase in HMOX-1 protein. In B lymphoblasts, further analysis revealed that the increase in HMOX-1 was dependent on the PI3K and p38 pathways. The data obtained characterise some of the chemopreventive properties of curcumin, resveratrol, I3C and particularly EGCG, facilitating the design of preventive dietary intervention studies in healthy volunteers or groups of at risk patients.
Biosynthesis and chemical synthesis study of antifouling marine natural products

Biofouling refers to the undesirable accumulation of microorganism, algae and animals on submerged substrates, resulting in tremendous economic losses to maritime industries around the world. A recent global ban on the use of organotins as antifouling agents has urgently demand for safe and effective antifouling agents developing from marine natural products. Accordingly, we have recently initiated a program to discover antifouling natural products from marine bacteria. Antifouling assessment of 49 isolates and their structure-activities relationship study revealed that furanone moieties were important functional groups in anti-larval settlement activity. Furthermore, two promising antifouling candidates, butenolides 3c-3d, were synthesized through structure optimization based on this SAR study. Additionally, to facilitate the discoveries of anti-bacteria (anti-microfouling) natural product, I established a de-replication approach for antibacterial screening. Taking advantage of LC-MS profiling and the anti-bacteria assay of bacterial crude extract, I rapidly identify a group of antibacterial candidates without isolation process, amicoumacins. However, the lack of genetic manipulation of the wide type producer strains hinders the biosynthesis studies of amicoumacins. To tackle this obstacle, I established a transformation-associated recombination (TAR)-based direct cloning, transfer and heterologous expression of natural products in B. subtilis and then succeeded in direct cloning
Changes of physiological status during cold storage of in vitro cultivated plants

In vitro storage of shoot cultures of 9 sour cherry and 5 raspberry genotypes at 5°C was applied. The effect of low temperature on shoot growth and viability in relation to BA and sucrose concentration in the medium was investigated. During low temperature storage cherry and raspberry cultures were affected by BA and sucrose concentrations in the medium. The best storage conditions were adaptation in a culture room for 2 weeks before subjecting cultures to low temperature and supplying with 0.25 or 0.5 mg l -1 BA and 40 or 60 g l -1 sucrose. Eight sour cherry cultivars cultivated on optimal medium for a year of cold storage developed roots and revealed excellent survival and differences in growth according to each individual genotype. Raspberry 'Ariadne' shoot cultures were successfully stored at 5°C for 2 years and cherry P-HL-A shoot cultures for 3 years without adding any nutrient medium and without affecting shoot proliferation ability. During the initial period of storage, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in shoots were oscillating. Increase of enzyme activities coincided with formation of axillary shoots. After a year of cold storage with 60 g l -1 sucrose in the medium, shoot peroxidase activity was lower than with 30 g l -1 sucrose and than in shoots at 25°C. These results suggest that sucrose has some metabolism stabilisation role in low temperature stress conditions.
DIVERSITY OF NECROPHAGOUS BLOWFLY (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE) OF MEDICAL AND VETERINARY IMPORTANCE IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS IN CÓRDOBA (ARGENTINA)

The complex nature of urban environments can have different effects on species diversity and composition. The aim of this work was to characterize the assemblage of Calliphoridae regarding its richness, abundance, and synanthropy in Cordoba City, Argentina. Three sampling sites differing in their distance to the border of the city and degree of urbanization were selected. In each site, collections were carried out with 12 traps baited with cow liver (200 g per trap) that were operated for five consecutive days during three different times of the year, in April, June and August 2013. A total of 341 adult calliphorids from nine species, Lucilia sericata (Meigen), L. eximia (Wiedemann), L. cuprina (Wiedemann), L. cluvia (Walker), Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Sarconesia chlorogaster (Wiedemann), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), C. megacephala (Fabricius) and C. chloropyga (Wiedemann) were collected. Lucilia sericata was the most abundant species followed by C. vicina. Species diversity, composition and abundance changed between sites, richness being lowest at the most urbanized site. All species are cosmopolitan except Sarconesia chlorogaster, whose distribution is restricted to South America. These results are consistent with a homogenization of the fauna in urban environments.
Phylogenetic relationship of some Onobrychis taxa naturally grown in Turkey based on morphology and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS Sequences

Phylogenetic relationships were studied based on morphology and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcript spacer (nrDNA ITS) sequences in 49 populations of 36 Onobrychis taxa belonging to 5 sections (Dendobrychis, Lophobrychis, Onobrychis, Heliobrychis and Hymenobrychis) naturally grown in Turkey. The morphological data (46 quantitative characters) were standardized and submitted for PCA analysis before the performance of hierarchical clustering analysis. In addition, a 577-bp region of the nrDNA ITS sequences was compared to generate a dendrogram using the neighbor-joining method. According to the obtained results, the Onobrychis genus is clearly divided into the Onobrychis and Sisyrosema subgenera both molecularly and morphologically; however, in terms of molecular data, while the Onobrychis subgenus showed polyphyletic features, the Sisyrosema subgenus had monophyletic features. Additionally, long-wing taxa belonging to Dendobrychis and Onobrychis and O. crista-galli belonging to Lophobrychis located in the same clade in Onobrychis showed polyphyletic features. This finding was confirmed in terms of long-wing taxa as well as morphology and indicated that these three sections were entangled with each other under the Onobrychis subgenus.
New records of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from hydrothermal vents of North Fiji, Pacific Ocean

Serpulidae are sessile suspension-feeding annelids commonly found in the periphery of hydrothermal vents, but up to now only two species, Laminatubus alvini and Protis hydrothermica had been described from such communities. This paper reports two additional serpulid species, collected in 2005 from the North Fiji hydrothermal vent area, identified as Hyalopomatus mironovi and Protis sp. The former has originally been described from the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench and the later recorded from the North-East Pacific. The latter species is similar to Protis hydrothermica, but lacks special finand-blade collar chaetae typical of this genus. Illustrated re-descriptions of the two species have been supplemented by molecular sequences (18S ribosomal RNA). Molecular phylogenetic analyses show that Hyalopomatus mironovi and Protis sp. are sister species of Laminatubus alvini and Protis hydrothermica, respectively.
Additive nonlinear biomass equations: A likelihood-based approach

Since Parresol’s (Can. J. For. Res. 31:865– 878, 2001) seminal article on the topic, it has become standard to develop nonlinear tree biomass equations to ensure compatibility among total and component predictions and to fit these equations using multistep generalized least-squares methods. In particular, many studies have specified equations for total tree biomass by aggregating the expectations of M component biomass models and have fit all M 1 equations jointly using seemingly unrelated regression. More recently, an alternative approach has been used wherein compatibility is ensured by deriving multiplicative component expectations, with estimation carried out using instrumental variables and generalized least squares. Yet neither of these strategies considers the fundamental additivity of biomass data themselves nor the implied stochastic constraints necessary for maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. For model selection based on information criteria, stochastic simulation, Bayesian inference, or estimation with missing data, it is important to base estimation and inference on valid probabilistic models. Here, we show how aggregative and disaggregative nonlinear equations can be specified within a probabilistic framework and fit using Gaussian ML with open-source software. We use Parresol’s slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) data to contrast model forms and predictions. We also show how the ML approach can accommodate unobserved or aggregated component biomass data and can thus be useful for integrating felled-tree data collected under different protocols.
OECD CRP Fellowship Summary Report: Identifying drivers of N2O emissions in a changing climate

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a strong greenhouse gas and the most important stratospheric ozone-depleting substance emitted in the 21st century [9, 7, 6]. Anthropogenic emissions of N2O result primarily from N addition to soils for agricultural fertilisation. Recent results have shown an acceleration in N2O growth rate over the past decade; this acceleration is not due to rapidly increasing fertiliser use, but rather changes in N2O emission processes [11], potentially due to the impact of climate change on emission pathways. The balance between contrasting N2O emission pathways (oxic nitrification and anoxic denitrification) influences N2O emission strength, and also relates to total reactive nitrogen loss, leaching, and fertilizer nitrogen (N) use efficiency, which control the environmental impacts of fertilizer N. However, modelling of N loss and N2O emission processes at the global scale is currently limited, thus both past and future climate change feedbacks are difficult to constrain, complicating efforts to develop targeted mitigation policies. This project aimed to develop a bottom-up model to understand the factors affecting N2O emission processes globally, including climate change and anthropogenic activity, in order to identify hotspot regions with large fluxes and/or large predicted growth in fluxes. These regions represent potential targets for efficient mitigation of N2O emissions. A specific goal of this project was to examine the impact of increasing drought and precipitation change, resulting from climate change, through examination of new experimental data in a global model framework.
The potential of Islamic financial institutions in promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia

Abstract. It is universally proclaimed that SMEs are engines of growth and development in various countries in the world. Nonetheless, access to finance remained an acute obstacle. This paper aims to assess the potential of Islamic financial institutions in promoting SMEs to get access to alternative financial services in Ethiopia. Similar to other developingcountries, SMEs in Ethiopia have lack of access to finance and alternative financial services. Hence, the experience of other countries show that Islamic financial institutions have been providing alternative services based on risk sharing, asset-based and ethical principlesin order to achieve financial inclusion and wide-ranging growth. In order to encourage SMEs to get access to alternative source of finance, regulatory and legal frameworks, proper financial infrastructure, market and industry issues, awareness creation, and producing trained workforce should get proper attention. Keywords. SMEs, Islamic financial institutions, Access to finance, Ethiopia. JEL. G21, G51, D25.
Floral Induction in 2n and 4n Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Perfection’ After Treatment with Gibberellic Acid

Autotetraploid (4n) plants of Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) G. Don ‘Perfection’ flowered poorly, compared to diploids (2n), following treatment with 250 or 500 mg foliar spray of gibberellic acid (GA3)/liter. GA3-treated 4n plants produced bracts that normally precede flowering but remained vegetative and produced additional distal shoots instead of flowers.
MAPPING OF FRUIT LENGTH RELATED QTLs IN INTERSPECIFIC CROSS OF Capsicum annuum L. × Capsicum galapagoense HUNZ.

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the major commercial spice and vegetable crop of India that has attracted breeder‟s attention for the improvement of various economic traits. Fruit length that contributes directly to the total yield is quantitatively inherited and makes phenotypic selection tedious with low genetic gains. To facilitate marker assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed to identify fruit length related QTLs in an interspecific cross of Capsicum. The mapping population consisting of 210 F2plantswas derived from the cross between Capsicum annuum L. “FL 201” bearing long fruits and Capsicum galapagoense Hunz. „TC 07245” bearing very small fruits. The genetic map with 24 linked markers contained 3 linkage groups (LGs) covering a total distance of 399.0 cM with an average marker interval of 16.6 cM. On the basis of the interspecific map, two fruit length related QTLs designated as paufl2.1 and paufl2.2 were identified on LG 2.The QTL paufl2.1 was found to be the major QTL explaining 13.38 per cent of the phenotypic variation with likelihood score of 5.53. The minor QTLpaufl2.2explained 8.4 per cent of the phenotypic variation with likelihood score of 5.26. Both the QTLs showed positive additive genetic inheritance suggesting that these genomic regions play significant role in enhancing pepper fruit length. The identified QTLs might serve as potential target regions for identifying candidate genes through fine mapping.