Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attempt to adapt a statistical model for the heterosis effect in maize F1 hybrids depending on the genetic distance of parental forms

Attempt to adapt a statistical model for the heterosis effect in maize F1 hybrids depending on the genetic distance of parental forms During the recent years traditional tillage techniques and procedures have been successfully used in combination with the modern molecular technologies. This enables the researchers not only to employ more objective methods of parental material selection, but also shortens the time required to breed a new variant. Many researchers tried to surmise the heterosis effect by examining the genetic distance between two parental lines. The main objective of this work was to display the correlation between the heterosis effect among the F1 generation of maize and the genetic distance between the parental components. Furthermore, an attempt was made to predict the future heterosis effect using mathematical functions. Finding a proof of those correlations would make it possible to select the parental material, used to create a new variation, more effectively and thus to reduce the number of lines tested during the experiment. Hence it would reduce the time needed for the experiments and also significantly reduce the overall cost of the research project. The research displayed that the molecular markers AFLP and RAPD are useful for predicting the formula of a new corn hybrid. They can be also used to group lines according to their origin or parentage, including those having incomplete information about their parentage. For both markers: RAPD and AFLP, the functions that best describe the correlation between the heterosis effect and the genetic distance, were: a third degree polynomial y=a+bx+cx^2+dx^3 and a linear function y = a + bx.
Exemplar

Abstract As I gain more experience as a practitioner, I find I am increasingly able to articulate my personal philosophy of nursing. I have learned that, as a professional nurse, my personal values and philosophies of nursing do affect the nature of the care I deliver and the quality of relationships I form within my daily practice. Becoming involved in an incident like the following has enabled me to develop an understanding of complex interpersonal and interprofessional situations. Unspoken grief, the devastating death of a child and the behaviour that surrounds such an event are part of what makes my experience with Kate and her parents so important to me. By reflecting on this incident, I have developed a new insight and have found new meanings from my experience. This has further allowed me to uncover and explore the implications this might have in my future practice.
Consultation–liaison nursing: A personal reflection

Abstract This paper summarises a consultation–liaison nurse’s journey as a senior mental health clinician working within the general hospital setting. It begins with a brief history of consultation–liaison nursing (CLN) and covers the CLN experience in both the general hospital and the emergency department showing how the role evolved to become more focused on the needs of the general hospital. It shares some experiences during a stimulating, challenging and rewarding career where clinical supervision is seen as essential not only to reflect on and improve practice but to assist the CL nurse in working through the emotional demands of the role. The paper aims to increase knowledge of the CLN experience and promote interest in this specialist area of mental health nursing which is developing rapidly internationally and in Australia.
Direct lysozyme separation from egg white by dye membrane affinity chromatography

An affinity membrane from hydrophylised polyethylene hollow fibre as the support matrix was prepared. Red HE-3B was immobilised on the membrane and the adsorption behaviour of pure lysozyme solutions and homogenised egg white was investigated. Dye density (1.7 μmol ml−1) and maximum binding capacity (26 mg lysozyme ml−1) are comparable to those of commercial gel matrices. Dynamic binding capacity did not change when residence time was reduced from 3 to 1 min. A method for direct lysozyme separation from egg white was developed, with a productivity of 12 kg lysozyme m−3 h−1. The purity of the eluted lysozyme, as determined by HPLC, was 88%, with a recovery of 92%. Dynamic capacity was kept constant at 70% of the maximum binding capacity for at least 10 cycles through membrane regeneration with 0.1 M NaOH and 1 M NaCl. Functional properties of egg white, as judged by viscosity and foaming capacity measurements, did not change after the chromatographic lysozyme depletion. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of local prey availability on gyrfalcon diet: DNA analysis on ptarmigan remains at nest sites

The aim of this study was to investigate how the diet of gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus in northern Sweden was affected by the relative availability of its two main prey species: rock ptarmigan Lagopus mutus and willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus. In order to do so, we needed a method to estimate the gyrfalcon's diet proportions of rock and willow ptarmigan from prey remains that we collected from nest sites in separate breeding territories. We also needed a method to calculate the availability of the two prey species in the same breeding territories that the prey remains originated from. We could then compare the diet proportions with prey availability and investigate if the gyrfalcons utilized the two species strictly in relation to their densities, or if they showed a preference for any of the prey species. Morphometric identification to species level from ptarmigan remains was not possible. Therefore, we developed a PCR-based process of DNA analysis, which could be applied on any ptarmigan bone or bone remains. This method allowed us to establish the ratio of rock and willow ptarmigan in gyrfalcon diets that originated from single gyrfalcon breeding occasions. The relative availability of the two ptarmigan species in gyrfalcon breeding territories was calculated with a GIS model that incorporated observations on ptarmigan habitat preferences. The DNA identification was performed on 176 ptarmigan bones from 13 different breeding occasions occurring in five different territories. The results indicated that the two ptarmigan species comprised at least 93% of the average gyrfalcon diet, and that rock ptarmigan was the most common prey during all 13 breeding occasions. There was a positive relationship between the relative amount of rock ptarmigan in the diet and the proportion of rock ptarmigan habitat in the territories; hence, the gyrfalcons ptarmigan utilization seemed to be density dependent. However, rock ptarmigan was found to be overrepresented in the diet, which may reflect a preference for rock ptarmigan over willow ptarmigan. The conservation implications of these findings in relation to ptarmigan hunting are discussed.
The parasite fauna of characids’ (Osteichthyes: Characidae) Anambra River, Nigeria

Baseline information on the parasites of frequently caught species of the characids namely Hydrocynus vittatus, Alestes baremoze, Brycinus macrolepidotus and Brycinus leuciscus was investigated in Anambra River from August 2004 to July 2005. The parasites recovered were the Myxosporid, Myxobolus sp (Protozoa), Polyopistocotylids, Diplozoon ghanense and Neodipolzoon polycotyleus (Monogeneans), the Caryophyllid Caryophylleus sp (Cestoda) and Rhabdochona sp (Nematoda). The prevalence of Caryophylleus sp in B. macrolepidotus (14.2%) and A. baremoze (8.1%) as well as Rhabdochon sp and Myxobolus sp in H. vittatus (9.6% and 7.8% respectively) was relatively high (>7.0%); while the other parasite species Myxobolus sp in B. leuciscus (2%), D. ghanense in B. macrolepidotus (1.9%) and N. polycotyleus in A. baremoze (1.9%) had a much lower prevalence (2.7%). Distribution of parasites was clearly seasonal. Dissolved oxygen (8.0–14.0) mg l−1 and pH (5.5–7.0) influenced the occurrence of the parasites whereas temperature (20.1–27.5 DC) showed no much effect. Resume Les informations de reference sur les parasites des especes frequemment capturees de Characides Hydrocynus vittatus, Alestes baremoze, Brycinus macrolepidotus et Brycinus leuciscus ont eteetudiees dans la riviere Anambra entre aout 2004 et juillet 2005. Les parasites retrouves sont le Myxosporide, Myxobolus sp. (Protozoaire), les Polyopistocotylides, Diplozoon ghanense et Neodipolzoon polycotyleus (Monogenes), les Caryophyllides Caryophylleus sp. (Cestodes) et Rhabdochona sp. (Nematodes). La prevalence de Caryophylleus sp. chez B. macrolepidotus (14,2%) et A. baremoze (8,1%) ainsi que de Rhabdochon sp. et Myxobolus sp. chez H. vittatus (9,6% et 7,8% respectivement) etait relativement forte (>7,0%), alors que les autres especes de parasites, Myxobolus sp. chez B. leuciscus (2%), Dipolzoon ghanense chez B. macrolepidotus (1,9%) et Neodiplozoon polycotyleus chez A. baremoze (1,9%) avaient une prevalence beaucoup plus faible (2,7%). La distribution des parasites etait nettement saisonniere. L’oxygene dissous (8,0–14,0 mg/l) et le pH (5,5–7,0) influencaient l’occurrence des parasites alors que la temperature (20,1–27,5°C) n’avait pas beaucoup d’effets.
Relationship between Sire Breeding Values for the Rating Score on Turf and Dirt Racing Tracks in Thoroughbred Racehorses

This study was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between the rankings of sires' breeding values, evaluated based on progeny rating scores, for turf and dirt racing tracks in Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. Data for analysis were taken from the records of rating scores appearing in the Rating Magazine in May, 1997. Sires with at least 10 progeny having both turf and dirt rating scores were studied along with their progeny. The study populations were 116 sires and 2, 754 progeny for turf racing tracks, and 116 sires and 2, 797 progeny for dirt racing tracks. Sires' breeding values (EPD) were estimated with the BLUP sire model from progeny rating scores for either turf or dirt racing tracks. The fixed effects included in the BLUP sire model were sex, age of progeny and training center, whereas the sire and residuals were treated as random effects. The effect of the sire on rating scores was highly significant (P<0.001) for both kinds of racing tracks. Estimates of heritability for rating scores were 0.29 ± 0.04 at turf racing tracks and 0.18 ± 0.02 at dirt racing tracks. The correlation of a sire's EPD estimated for each kind of racing track clearly showed a positive trend, and the Spearman rank correlation was 0.502 (P<0.001). Based on this result, we conclude that most Thoroughbred stallions produce progeny suited to both turf and dirt racing tracks.
Cell Types Involved in Allogeneic Contact Reactions of the Solitary Ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi

Abstract The blood cells of a solitary ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi exhibit the allogeneic cellular reaction in vitro denoted as the “contact reaction”(Fuke, 1980). Nine cell types have been recognized in the blood and body fluid of H. roretzi (Fuke and Fukumoto, 1993). In the present study, the precise role of each cell type in allogeneic reactions is investigated in vitro. The vacuolated cells show devacuolation after contact with almost all other cell types from different reactive animals. These cells include hyaline amoebocytes, granular amoebocytes, macrogranular cells, small amoebocytes and giant cells (large basophilic cells), as well as vacuolated cells. The hyaline amoebocytes and small amoebocytes, which belong to the phagocyte series exhibit contact reactions with the cells of phagocyte series from other specimens of H. roretzi. They also show a contact reaction when in contact with granular amoebocytes. Therefore, almost all cell types have the materials responsible for individuality on their cell surface and can directly show the allogeneic cellular reactivity when they contact each other. To determine whether the contact reaction is involved in cell death, the loss of plasma membrane integrity was examined using fluorescent dyes. The number of cells showing uptake of ethidium bromide increased immediately after mixing of allogeneic cells. Almost the same cell types as those showing allogeneic behavior by light microscopy, as described above, exhibited loss of cell membrane integrity. These results are discussed in the context of immune systems in invertebrates and vertebrates.
Microbial Diversity in High Arsenic Groundwater in Hetao Basin of Inner Mongolia, China

The microbial diversity and community structure in twenty-one groundwater samples from high arsenic shallow aquifers of Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China was investigated with an integrated approach including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses. A total of 25 bacterial and 32 archaeal DGGE bands were exercised for sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the bacterial DGGE bands were dominated by Proteobacteria, and the archaeal bands were dominated by Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. Based on arsenic concentrations, three samples (corresponding to low, medium, and high level of arsenic, respectively) were selected for construction of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. A total of 912 (468 and 444 for bacteria and archaea, respectively) 16S rRNA gene clone sequences were obtained and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. The results showed that bacterial communities of these samples were dominated by Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Massilia, Dietzia, Planococcus, Brevundimonas, Aquabacterium and Geobacter, and archaeal communities by Nitrosophaera, Thermoprotei and Methanosaeta. The relative abundance of major groups varied as a function of changes in groundwater geochemistry. Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, Geobacter, Thermoprotei and Methanosaeta dominated in high arsenic samples with high concentrations of methane and Fe(II), and low concentrations of SO2− 4 and NO− 3, while Pseudomonas and Nitrosophaera were abundant in low arsenic groundwater. These results imply that microbes play an important role in arsenic mobilization in the shallow aquifers of Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia.
Phylogeny of the Rhabdocoela (Platyhelminthes): a working hypothesis

An attempt is made to resolve contradictions in recent studies of the phylogeny of the Rhabdocoela (including the major parasitic flatworm groups), with a hypothesis based on parsimony analysis of characters determined at both the light microscopic and the ultrastructural level. The rhabdocoel subtaxa "Dalyellioida" and "Typhloplanoida" are shown to be non-monophyletic. The taxon Endoaxonemata, comprising the last common ancestor of the Neodermata, Pterastericolidae, Fecampiidae, and Acholadidae and all its descendants is named as a result of the study. Crustaceans are proposed as the primitive hosts of this group. Separate islands of equally parsimonious trees were encountered in some of the parsimony analyses performed. Failure to find all such islands may cause misinterpretation of the results. The impact on the results of different methods of rooting cladograms and different heuristic search strategies implemented in the PAUP software are discussed.
Climate-induced changes in the trophic status of a Central European lake

We present a case study of the development of Sacrower See, a stratified, eutrophic lake in northeastern Germany, over the past 13,000 years. Total epilimnetic phosphorus (TP) concentrations were reconstructed quantitatively using a diatom-TP transfer function. Fossil chironomid assemblages were used to support the trophic reconstruction and helped assessing past hypolimnetic oxygen availability. The results indicate eutrophic and anoxic conditions during the Younger Dryas cold period (~12,700-11,600 cal. BP) preceding the present interglacial. Throughout the early and mid-Holocene (~11,600-4000 cal. BP) stable oligo- to mesotrophic conditions with diatom-inferred TP values of ~20 μg L-1 prevailed. First evidence of increasing Holocene TP is recorded at ~3500 cal. BP associated with Bronze Age human impact and for the past 900 years diatoms indicate increasing TP values of 30-60 μg L-1. During the early Holocene and the past two millennia chironomids indicated anoxic hypolimnetic conditions. The chironomid fauna is considered typical of oligo- to mesotrophic lakes. As a consequence of strongly increased primary production the hypolimnion of Sacrower See became anoxic again during the past 140 years. Our results indicate that highly productive eutrophic conditions can exist prior to cultural eutrophication. At Sacrower See the shift from eutrophic conditions in the Lateglacial to oligo-mesotrophic conditions in the early and mid-Holocene was associated with the climatic warming at the Younger Dryas/Holocene transition. The high productive state during the cold Younger Dryas is associated with changes in seasonality: the prolonged winters caused longer ice cover, stronger stratification, anoxia in the hypolimnion, and consequent internal phosphorus loading. During the warm Holocene, however, hypolimnetic anoxia and internal phosphorus loading decreased significantly, resulting in a substantially lower productivity.
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in a captive population of the eagle owl (Bubo bubo) used for supportive breeding

The Scandinavian eagle owl population decreased to a few hundred individuals during the first 80 years of the last century as a result of hunting, collecting of chicks, and reproductive problems because of pollution. When most threats against the population were gone, supportive breeding was initiated. Since then the population has recovered remarkably. We describe how seven polymorphic microsatellite markers (Bb-42, 100, 101, 111, 126, 131 and 145) were developed from an enriched genomic library. These loci have three to 12 alleles and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.20 to 0.94 in a sample of 66 individuals from a Swedish captive population.
Evidence for contrasting causes of population change in two closely related, sympatric breeding species the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra and Stonechat Saxicola torquata in Britain

Capsule The recent population decline of Whinchats has accelerated, including core breeding areas of Britain. Contrasting patterns of change with Stonechat suggest a large-scale environmental driver is affecting the entire Whinchat population. Aims To explore broad geographical and landscape related differences in long-term patterns of population change in the Whinchat and Stonechat across Britain to identify candidate mechanisms of change. Methods The study uses 40 years of large-scale, long-term data from a series of three atlas studies to compare trends in range and abundance in Whinchats and Stonechats relative to landscape and weather variables. Results For Whinchats there has been a long-term and accelerating decline in abundance, that includes stronghold areas of Britain. The Stonechat population has undergone a net gain in abundance with regional and altitudinal variations. These two very different patterns of change suggest the relative ubiquity of decline in Whinchats has a common source affecting the whole population. Conclusions The scale and magnitude of decline in Whinchats should stimulate a revision of the species conservation status in Britain, with renewed focus on studying the species' ecology across its breeding and winter range in order to determine the likely large-scale drivers of its decline.
Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Treatment of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas

Abstract Peripheral T-cell lymphomas represent an evolving class of aggressive T-cell malignancies that are generally refractory to conventional treatments and historically carry a poor prognosis. Recent advances in gene expression profiling have begun to unravel the specific molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis in these disease processes, allowing for discrete classification schemes that help guide discussions regarding prognosis and therapy options. We outline here a review of the histopathology, epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment strategies currently used in the management of these diseases.
Antibacterial Activity of Bisanthraquinone (+)-1,1'-Bislunatin

Endophytic fungi has been known as a source of biologically active compunds with a broad sprectrum of activities. One of the endophytic fungi isolated from young stem of gambier plant ( Uncaria gambier Roxb.:Rubiaceae), Diaporthe sp. GNBP-10, produced (+)-1,1’-bislunatin when cultivated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). (+)-1,1’-Bislunatin showed moderate antibacterial activity against 7 bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Micrococcus luteus , Shigella flexneri , Proteus vulgaris , and P. mirabilis ) with MIC value in the range of 32-64 µg mL -1 . The wall disruption and morphological changes in the cells affected by exposure of (+)-1,1’-bislunatin are also discussed in this article.
Transgenic expression of a viral EPS‐depolymerase is potentially useful to induce fire blight resistance in apple

Fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora is the most destructive bacterial disease of pear and apple. The goal of this research was to improve fire blight resistance of apple by transformation with a gene encoding for an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)-depolymerase from the E. amylovora phage phi-Ealh. The EPS-depolymerase gene (dpo) driven by the constitutive promoter CaMV35S was transferred into apple scion cv. 'Pinova' through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated leaf disk transformation using a binary vector and strains EHA105 or LBA4404. The integration of the dpo gene and the marker gene nptll was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by Southern hybridisation. From 4560 leaves inoculated in 23 different transformation experiments, 33 independent shoots, regenerated from a single transformation event, were identified as transgenic. Nine of the shoots were randomly selected and vegetatively propagated to establish transgenic clones. The transgenic clones were diploid as was the non-transgenic genotype 'Pinova' analysed by flow cytometry. Both transgenes (dpo and nptll) were transcriptionally active determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR. EPS-depolymerase was expressed in all transgenic clones showing substantial differences in its activity for different clones concerning EPS degradation. Resistance to E. amylovora was evaluated by infection of in vitro leaves as well as by artificial shoot inoculation of ex vitro plants in the greenhouse. No correlation was obtained for the transgenic lines between the level of dpo gene expression and both the level of depolymerase activity and the disease resistance in vitro, whereas, depolymerase activity did correlate positively with resistance to fire blight in vitro. Seven clones had less disease than the non-transformed genotype when measured in greenhouse, but no statistically significant differences were found, except for line T373. One line showed the highest depolymerase activity and the least susceptibility to fire blight in vitro as well as in greenhouse (T187).
Zoospore ultrastructure of Polymyxa graminis (Plasmodiophoromycetes).

The ultrastructure of the Polymyxa graminis Ledingham zoospore is described with emphasis on the flagellar apparatus. The unique characteristics of this zoospore are the two kinds of rootlets which extend from the proximal ends of each kinetosome to the plasmalemma. One rootlet consists of a microtubule pair with electron-opaque backing along part of its length which ends abruptly at the plasmalemma. The other rootlet consists of three microtubules which, on reaching the plasmalemma, curve around sharply and extend ribbonlike along the side of the zoospore adjacent to the plasmalemma. This arrangement of rootlets is replicated on the second kinetosome. The kinetosome and transition zone are structurally similar to those in certain protozoa and unlike those found in other groupings of zoosporic fungi or algae.