Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of chrysin omega-3 and 6 fatty acid esters on mushroom tyrosinase activity, stability, and structure.

The estreification of chrysin with α-Linolenic acid (complex I) and linoleic acid (complex II) poly unsaturated fatty acids resulted to design of new mushroom tyrosinase (MT) inhibitors. Thermodynamic parameters of enzymes, including the melting point (Tm ) and ∆G values, were obtained from thermal and chemical denaturation curves. Complexes I and II showed a competitive inhibitory effect on MT with Ki values of 0.45 and 0.29 mM, respectively. The Tm values were calculated as 328.6, 322.4, and 318 K and the ∆G values as 62.8, 52.9, and 47.1 KJ mol-1 for the enzyme alone and its interaction with complexes I and II, respectively. Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence techniques showed structural instability of the enzyme in concomitance with a decrease in the regular secondary structure acquired using CD spectrometry. This data clearly prove that the new derivatives show a stronger inhibitory effect than the separate compounds. Molecular docking analysis showed that the best possible interaction condition was achieved for chrysin with n-6. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: MT is a suitable model in medicine for the investigation of melanogenesis, skin disorders, and hyperpigmentation because of its accessibility and close structural similarity to mammalian tyrosinase. In recent years, the designing of tyrosinase inhibitors from natural substances for prevention of hyperpigmentation in medicine, skin cosmetics, and undesired browning in agriculture and food industry has risen sharply. Many of the pharmaceutical products based on the use of flavonoids and poly unsaturated acids as natural compounds or on their semi-synthetic derivatives have been interested for investigations because of their usefulness in many pathological conditions such as inflammation, cancer, and skin disorders. The limitation of the flavonoids applications are low bioavailability, permeability, and solubility for the cells. In this study, conjugation of chrysin with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids resulted in a stronger inhibitors of MT with a synergic inhibitory effect on its activity.
Switches in covering of eggs in grey partridge Perdix perdix clutches during laying and incubation

Abstract. Covering of eggs is important antipredator behaviour which is known for several bird species. Generally this behaviour is considered consistent throughout the whole nesting cycle but there can be exceptions in some species. We found two switches in egg covering during nesting in grey partridge: the first between two early laying phases, the second between later laying and incubation. The clutch containing only the first egg remained uncovered, larger clutches were covered with dry vegetation in the laying period, but the eggs remained uncovered during incubation breaks. There was a strong consistency of this behaviour among females. From four tested factors, only nesting period significantly affected egg covering. We assume that the first uncovered egg may serve as a bait for predators to test nest-site safety whereas the motion in the course of egg covering during short incubation breaks may increase predator attraction.
Overlooked and undervalued: the neglected role of fauna and a global bias in ecological restoration assessments

Globally increasing rates of mine site discontinuations are resulting in the need for immediate implementation of effective conservation and management strategies. Surveying vegetation structure is a common method of assessing restoration success; however, responses of fauna to mine site restoration remain largely overlooked and understudied despite their importance within ecosystems as ecological engineers, pollinators, and restoration facilitators. Here we review the current state of the use of fauna in assessments of mine site restoration success globally, and address biases or shortcomings that indicate the assessment approach may undershoot closure and restoration success. We identified just 101 peer-reviewed publications or book chapters over a 49-year period that assess responses of fauna to mine site restoration globally. Most studies originate in Australia, with an emphasis on just one company. Assessments favour general species diversity and richness, with a particular focus on invertebrate responses to mine site restoration. Noteworthy issues included biases towards origin of study, study type, and target taxa. Further searches of the grey literature relating to fauna monitoring in mine site restoration, which was far more difficult to access, yielded six monitoring/guidance documents, three conference proceedings, two book chapters without empirical data, and a bulletin. As with peer-reviewed publications, grey literature focussed on invertebrate responses to restoration, or mentioned fauna only at the most basic level. We emphasise the need for global re-evaluation of regulatory standards to address these major limitations in assessing the capacity of the mining industry to comprehensively and representatively restore faunal communities after mining.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN SEEDS OF AVENA FATUA AND CHENOPODIUM ALBUM WEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT CROP

Evaluation of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity through various assays of weed plants, Avena fatua ( wild oat) and Chenopodium album (common lambsquarters), has never been reported before. In the present study, methanolic seed extracts of A. fatua and C. album were used. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Moreover, antioxidant activity was determined through DPPH scavenging method, phosphomolybdenum assay and Ferric ion (Fe) reducing assay. The TPC values of methanolic extracts were 26.1 and 28.9 mg GAE/g dw while TFC values were 1.11 and 2.23 mg CE/g dw for A. fatua and C. album, respectively. The antioxidant activity of both extracts had shown 62% and 74% inhibition at 0.1 mg/mL extract in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. In addition to that the total antioxidant activity through phosphomolybdenum assay, the values of 75 and 120 mg AAE/g dw of both extracts were obtained. Ferric ion (Fe) reducing antioxidant power assay exhibited high antioxidant activity in both extracts by using ascorbic acid as a positive control. These results showed that phenolic and flavonoids were found in high concentration in two weeds which had strong antioxidant activity. However, C. album had higher antioxidant activity as compared to A. fatua.
Capacitor and Switch Size Comparisons on High-Power Medium-Voltage DC–DC Converters With Three-Phase Medium-Frequency Transformer

This article compares the capacitor requirement of selected isolated dc–dc converters for high-power and medium-voltage applications. A numerical comparison is made for a range of switching frequencies and transition times, considering not only the submodule capacitors of the converters but also the dc-link capacitors. Likewise, a comparison regarding the semiconductor requirement is performed for the converters. Selected inverter topologies to form the dual-active-bridge (DAB) dc–dc converter include the two-level converter (2LC), the modular multilevel converter (MMC), the transition arm converter (TAC), the modular TAC (MTAC), and the controlled transition bridge (CTB) converter. The results show that conventional DAB requires the minimum capacitor size among the converters. Moreover, in the appropriate operation region, the MTAC-DAB and the CTB-DAB provide the possibility of up to 40% and 60% reductions in the amount of required energy storage compared with the MMC-DAB, respectively. It is also shown that the size of the dc-link capacitors becomes comparable with the chain-links’ capacitors when the percentage of the transition times per period is reduced to be below 5%. The comparison regarding the semiconductor requirement revealed that the MMC-DAB requires the smallest installed switch power among the multilevel converters.
Intra-cluster channel modeling and cross-layer beamforming efficiency for mmWave communications

OF THE DISSERTATION Intra-Cluster Channel Modeling and Cross-Layer Beamforming Efficiency for Mm-Wave Communications By YAVUZ ORHAN YAMAN Dissertation Director: Predrag Spasojevic In millimeter-wave (mmWave) channels, to overcome the high path loss, beamforming is required. Since beamforming is technically a spatial filtering operation, the spatial representation of the channel is essential. Specifically, for accurate beam alignment and minimizing the outages, inter-beam interferences, etc., cluster-level spatial modeling is necessary. Further, to balance and optimize the hardware complexity at the receiver front-end and the received power, a detailed analysis for the beamforming efficiency at PHY layer is required. In the first part of this study, we first create a ray-tracing based intra-cluster channel model (RT-ICM) for stationary mmWave communications and then using RT-ICM, in the second part, we inquire the optimum beamwidth values that maximizes the received power in the case of both perfect and imperfect alignments. Using the theoretical array antenna gain models for uniform linear array (ULA) and uniform planar array (UPA), we estimate the required number of antennas for the optimum beamwidth; thereby analyzing the cost at the receiver structure and study the trade-off curves for the reasonable optimum hardware complexity. We also show how to realize an adaptive beamwidth structure by means of phase-only beam broadening approach and then implement it into an hybrid beamforming system. In the simulations, we first show that the proposed intra-cluster model, RT-ICM is in a perfect agreement with the full-scan software results and the measurements held in the literature. For the beamwidth analysis, we demonstrate that the optimum beamwidth is a function of standard deviation of the channel power spectrum and the amount of misalignment. For a perfect alignment, we also show that the optimum beamwidth is zero, but to reach
The first attempt to list the archaeophytes of Iceland

This article presents for the first time a list of the possible archaeophytes from Iceland. In the present study, all the flowering plant taxa that are considered native/long established in Iceland were assessed against criteria designed to recognize possible archaeophytes. The assessment resulted in a list of 39 taxa meeting (or possibly meeting) at least one research criterion. Nineteen taxa were classified as possible archaeophytes, 10 were classified as non-natives of unknown age (due to the inability to classify them as neither archaeophytes nor neophytes using the available data), while the remaining 10 species were classified as uncertain (doubtfully native). The limitations of the present study in terms of both the methodology and the uncertainties connected with the classification of individual taxa are discussed.
Comparing growth and body condition of indoor-reared, outdoor-reared,and direct-released juvenile mojave desert tortoises

Author(s): Daly, JA; Buhlmann, KA; Todd, BD; Moore, CT; Peaden, JM; Tuberville, TD | Abstract: © 2018. Jacob A. Daly All Rights Reserved. Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations have declined, and head-starting hatchlings in captivity until they are larger and older, and presumably more likely to survive, is one strategy being evaluated for species recovery. Previous studies have reared hatchlings in outdoor, predator-proof pens for 5–9 y before release, in efforts to produce hatchlings in excess of 100–110 mm midline carapace length that are believed to be predation-resistant. We began a comparative study to evaluate indoor-rearing to shorten this rearing period by facilitating faster initial growth. We assigned 70 neonates from the 2015 hatching season to three treatment groups: (1) indoor-reared (n = 30), (2) outdoor-reared (n = 20), and (3) direct-release (n = 20). We released direct-release hatchlings shortly after hatching in September 2015 and monitored them 1–2 times per week with radio telemetry. We head-started the indoor-and outdoor-reared treatment groups for 7 mo before releasing them in April 2016. Indoor-reared tortoises were fed five times per week (September to March). Outdoor-reared tortoises had access to native forage and we gave them supplemental water and food once per week while active before winter dormancy. Indoor-reared tortoises grew g 16 times faster than direct-release tortoises and g 8 times faster than outdoor-reared tortoises; however, indoor-reared tortoises weighed less and had softer shells than comparatively sized older (3–4 y-old) tortoises raised outdoors. Increasing the duration of the indoor-rearing period or incorporating a combination of both indoor and later outdoor husbandry may increase shell hardness among head-starts, while retaining the growth-promoting effect of indoor rearing and shortening overall captivity duration.
The Frequency and Management of TP53 Mutation Carriers in Turkish Patients with BRCA-Negative Breast Cancer Under 50 Years of Age

1Health Sciences University İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Genetic Diagnostic Center, İzmir-Turkey 2Department of General Surgery, Health Sciences University İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir-Turkey 3Department of Medical Oncology, Health Sciences University İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir-Turkey 4Department of Radiation Oncology, Health Sciences University İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir-Turkey
Effect of symbiont acquisition on growth, survival and fertility of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea, Oniscidea)

ABSTRACT Growth rate, survival, mean size of reproductive females and fertility were assessed in the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus fed an artificial diet supplemented with potential sources of symbionts. The acquisition of symbionts was experimentally manipulated through feeding experiments to investigate the effect of the acquisition mechanism on isopod performances over 4 months. Five groups of isolated newborn were fed differently (basal diet or control; basal diet with leaf litter, faeces, gut; and basal diet mixed with antibiotic), weighed and counted at 0, 2 and 4 months. Growth rate differed significantly between diet groups at 2 and 4 months. No significant difference of survival was detected, but groups fed on a diet with supplements (leaf litter, faeces and gut) had a higher rate of survival. Size and fertility of reproductive females differed significantly across diet groups. Our findings showed the importance of the acquisition mode of symbionts on the life history of Oniscidea and the role of diet intake on the performance of P. pruinosus.
Governance Mechanisms and Barriers for Achieving Water Quality Improvements in Galapagos

Human activities contribute to the degradation of water quality on the Galapagos Islands, affecting human health and Galapagos’ fragile ecosystem. Despite the numerous resources vested in water management, programs have yet to achieve measurable improvements in water quality. To identify the governance mechanisms and barriers to improving water quality, we applied a two-pronged strategy: a collaborative, bottom-up compilation and prioritization of technical specialists and stakeholders’ concerns, and an evaluation of top-down government plans. The comparison of priorities and programs shows four major themes that require attention: barriers to better governance, community involvement, research, and policy. The islands lack a transparent method for accountability of the funds designated for water management, the efficacy of implementation, and results and progress beyond government periods. Government projects have included limited public participation, resulting in projects that do not meet stakeholder’s needs and concerns. Furthermore, the majority of the programs have not been completed within the timeline or budgets allocated. We recommend implementing a participatory governance mechanism that responds to each island’s context, balances socioecological and policy priorities and evaluates past projects to have adequate benchmarking, mitigating a planning fallacy. All programs should be accompanied by a transparent monitoring system that ensures accountability and evaluates water quality programs’ efficiency and effectiveness, according to goals and indicators developed collaboratively. This research may aid practitioners in small island developing states (SIDS) around the globe that are struggling with similar water management and governance issues and who may benefit from taking a bottom-up and top-down approach to assessing technical specialists’ and local stakeholders’ concerns in relation to past, present and future government programs.
Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles Minor) in Agricultural Landscapes: Genetic Structure of Populations Restricted to Urban Rooftop Nesting

Abstract. Agricultural development may produce highly fragmented landscapes, which can influence population genetic structure for organisms restricted to insularized breeding habitats. Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) in agriculturally dominated landscapes nest on urban gravel rooftop and might be subject to reduced gene flow among isolated urban sites. We conducted an analysis of the genetic variability and population genetic structure of Common Nighthawks nesting on rooftops in four towns in southeastern South Dakota, an area that has experienced extreme conversion of native prairie to agriculture. Using sequence data from a 725 bp region of the cytochrome b (cytb) mitochondrial gene sampled from 37 individuals representing a total of 30 different nests collected in summers 2014–2016, we found evidence of a recent population bottleneck and reduced mtDNA variability. The spatial dispersion of the 14 detected haplotypes and the presence of nine haplotypes unique to one of the four sampled towns further suggested a lack of panmixia among these nighthawks. These data are consistent with a hypothesis of habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion resulting in population isolation within this species of conservation concern.
Genetic Diversity of Puerto Rican Farmer-held Papaya (Carica papaya) Using SSR Markers

Native to Central America, papaya (Carica papaya) is one of the most cultivated fruit crops in the tropical areas of the world. Genetic diversity analyses are an important aspect of conservation of plant genetic resources. In the island of Puerto Rico, where papaya has been consumed for centuries, knowledge on the genetic diversity of papaya is lacking. Therefore, 162 papaya accessions were evaluated using 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Of these accessions, 139 were farmer-held samples from Puerto Rico, 13 were U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) repository samples, and 10 were commercial varieties. A total of 214 alleles were identified with a mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.219. Inbreeding coefficient (F) was 0.565, and when evaluating the population structure of these accessions, 2 groups (k = 2) were identified. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram showed no geographical organization within the unknown Puerto Rican samples. This assessment provides an extensive record of the genetic diversity of papaya in Puerto Rico which can contribute to breeding strategies and to the conservation of papaya genetic resources in the Caribbean.
Description of a New Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Species in the tabellaria Species Group

Abstract Flies in the genus Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are economically important fruit pests, which also serve as models for studying modes of speciation and coevolution with their hymenopteran parasitoids. We describe the morphology of Rhagoletis bushi n. sp. , and its geographic distribution, host association, phylogenetic relationships, and identify an associated species of parasitoid wasp. R. bushi n. sp. is in the tabellaria species group and infests the fruit of buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) in the Northern Great Plains of North America. There is a suite of morphological characters, and a unique host plant association, that are diagnostic of R. bushi n. sp. Further evidence for the validity of R. bushi n. sp. and its placement within the tabellaria species group comes from a multilocus molecular phylogeny for representatives of species in the tabellaria, pomonella, and cingulata groups inferred from five loci (COI, CAD, period, AATS, and 28S). Additionally, we report a species of parasitoid, Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), attacking R. bushi n. sp.
Aggregation of Voltage-Controlled Devices During Distribution Network Reduction

Quasi-steady state time-series (QSTS) simulation of distribution feeders can become computationally burdensome due to many buses and devices, long simulation horizons, and/or high temporal resolution. To reduce this burden, network reduction removes buses and shifts loads/generation to the remaining buses of the circuit to produce a smaller equivalent. However, voltage-controlled devices have traditionally limited network reduction, since their operation depends on the measurement of voltage at their local bus. This work includes the reduction of buses with voltage-controlled devices by replacing the local voltage measurement with an estimate from a fast voltage sensitivity approach, which is integrated directly into a modified QSTS simulation. Comprehensive tests on an unbalanced feeder with real operating data and volt-var controlled inverters show agreement in cumulative reactive power output between the reduced and the original feeder circuits. The maximum voltage error is 0.005 Vp.u. , which is nearly identical to the error in a benchmark reduction without smart inverter voltage control. The algorithm convergences for every time step, even when reducing the frequency of which the voltage estimation was updated. While the reduction methodology is demonstrated for inverter volt-var control, since it represents a frequent use case, it can be extended to other voltage-controlled devices.
A Binary Complete and Aperiodic Turing Machine

Turing machines have been studied as dynamical systems for more than two decades, first formalized by Kurka, proposing a topological dynamical system named Turing machine with moving tape (TMT). It was conjectured that every TMT has at least one periodic point. Nowadays, there are several examples of aperiodic Turing machines, disproving Kurka’s conjecture. Moreover, one of these machines, named SMART, has other interesting properties like reversibility, completeness, aperiodicity, topological minimality, among others. This machine has four states and works over an alphabet of three symbols. In this research, we study the dynamical properties of BinSmart, a 2-symbols reconstruction of the main dynamic of SMART machine. This machine results to be aperiodic, topologically minimal (therefore transitive) but not time-symmetric, as it is not a direct translation of the original machine. We also prove that its t-shift is a primitive substitution.