Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-isotope composition of CO2 respired by shoots and roots: fractionation during dark respiration?

The CO 2 respired by leaves is 13 C-enriched relative to leaf biomass and putative respiratory substrates (Ghashghaie et al ., Phytochemistry Reviews 2, 145‐161, 2003), but how this relates to the 13 C content of root, or whole plant respiratory CO 2 is unknown. The C isotope composition of respiratory CO 2 ( d d d R ) from shoots and roots of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) growing in a range of conditions was analysed. In all instances plants were grown in controlled environments with CO 2 of constant concentration and d d d 13 C. Respiration of roots and shoots of individual plants was measured with an open CO 2 exchange system interfaced with a mass spectrometer. Respiratory CO 2 from shoots was always 13 C-enriched relative to that 13 Cdepleted relative to root biomass. The d d d -difference between shoot and root respiratory CO 2 was variable, and negatively correlated with the d -difference between shoot and root biomass ( r 2 = 0.52, P = 0.023), suggesting isotope effects during biosynthesis. 13 C discrimination in respiration ( R ) of
Performance and variability for yield and yield contributing characters in spring wheat

The present study was conducted with twenty bread wheat genotypes at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from November 2008 to March 2009 to assess performance of the genotypes, variability, heritability and genetic advance among yield and important yield contributing characters. Considering yield per plant the genotype Peacock was the best followed by BAW-1008, Pavon-76, Mayoor, Bulbul and BAW-1004. BAW-1008 was the early maturing genotype followed by Mayoor, BAW- 861, BAW-1004 and Balaka. BAW-970, Akbar, BAW-1004, Pavon-76, BAW-861 and BAW-1006 were semi dwarf in plant height as such they were of desired type. TP-1 and Mayoor were superior for effective tillers per plant. BAW- 1004 was the best genotype for spike length and grains per spike. For 100-grain weight Bulbul, for harvest index BAW-1006 was the best. Days to 90% maturity, plant height, grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index exhibited high heritability. Among them grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index showed high genetic advance in percentage of mean. Keywords: Spring wheat; Variability; Heritability; Yield contributing characters DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2. 7924 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 195-197, 2010
INFLUENCE OF ERROR RATE IN DIGITAL DATA TRANSFER ON QUALITY OF RECONSTRUCTED IMAGES PREPROCESSED BY JPEG COMPRESSION BASED ON DCT

Compression process in remote sensing confronts the problem of errors encountered in digital data transfer, when reconstructing the original image. A study on DCT bases for JPEG compression process is carried out on a sample image and a typically remote sensed image. A formula for quantization matrix as a function in one variable is proposed. Effective compression ratio (ECR) is investigated versus the variable of this formula. In ideal case of data transfer, ECR can get a value of 18 with root mean square error (RMSE) 55 for ECR≤19 for the two selected images. Data may encounter errors in its transfer process. Therefore, error rate and level are proposed as 2 independent variables to analyze image quality after reconstruction. Error rate is taken to be one faulty bit or a burst of bits for every 8, 16, 32, 64, 96, and 128 Kbit of transferred data. It is found that the quality of reconstructed image is the same like that of ideal data transfer at low error rate ≤1/100K. This quality starts to degrade dramatically if the error rate grows beyond 1/64K as a threshold value, especially at compression ratios ECR<11. The influence of error rate is only investigated for low compression ratios. The errors in transfer of data are hidden underneath the encountered errors by high compression ratios.
Cerebellum alterations in offspring of mercury treated rats.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different doses of mercury on foetal cerebellum. Twenty adult female rats were divided in four groups. All animals became pregnant by natural mating. Three groups (T1, T2 and T3) were treated with different doses mercuric oxide (50, 100 and 500 μg/kg respectively) during the 10 terminal days of pregnancy. After parturition, the cerebellum was collected from the offspring of all rats. The weight of the neonates and mothers, and the number of foetuses were measured in all groups. Various histological parameters were determined using histomorphological and histomorphometric techniques. Results revealed a decrease in neonatal and maternal body weight compared to control. The thicknesses of the gray and white matter showed a decrease in all test groups. The number of cells in gray matter and white matter reduced in all test groups. The maternal body weight, the thickness of the gray and white matter in group T3, as well as the number of cells in gray and white matter of groups T2 and T3 were significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to controls. It was suggested that mercury exposure exhibited deleterious effects on the cerebellum during foetal life, which remained persistent during the post neonatal period.
An investigation of genetic variation in Banksia integrifolia (Proteaceae) by the use of the AFLP technique

The Banksia integrifolia L.f. species complex has undergone several taxonomic treatments over the past 20 years. In order to gain further insight into phenetic relationships between the taxa of this species, the distribution of genetic variation over the geographic range of B. integrifolia was investigated by the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Ordination and classification analyses resulted in clusters of individuals that closely conformed to the different taxa of this species. Further ordination and classification analyses of individuals of just B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia indicate that there are also geographical patterns within the subspecies, with those individuals from the north of the species' range clustering away from those in the south of the range. A Mantel-test between morphological data collected in a previous study and molecular data collected in this study indicated a highly significant correlation between morphological and genetic variation. This study thus supports the current taxonomic classification of the B. integrifolia species complex.
The Statement of Cash Flows: An Indirect to Direct Conversion Tool to Enhance User Understanding and Analysis

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 95 expressed a preference for the direct method approach for reporting operating cash flows; however, the indirect method approach is widely used. We supply a tool that enables users to compute the major direct method components from indirect method disclosures and thereby enhance user understanding. We apply our conversion tool to a set of companies from a variety of industries that voluntarily report under the direct approach with encouraging results.This timely study contributes to the continuing format debate in light of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) roadmap to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Cultivation of whitebait (Galaxias maculatus) in Chile

The growth of commercial aquaculture in Chile generated an income of $2.300 million USD in exports in 2005. Currently, 15 different species are cultivated commercially, of which seven are native; these had returns of 185 million USD. Among these native species is Galaxias maculatus (whitebait), which is endemic to Chile and figures significantly in Chilean fishing statistics. Since the 1990s, the School of Aquaculture of the Universidad Catolica de Temuco has been developing cultivation of this native species. This work presents the state of the art of the cultivation of this fish.
Ecology of Lyme Disease: Habitat Associations of Ticks (Ixodes Scapularis) In a Rural Landscape

Human activities often result in the creation of patchy landscapes, which may influence distribution and abundance of some wildlife species and their ectoparasites. Risk of exposure to Lyme disease is a function of the abundance of ticks (Ixodes scapularis, formerly I. dammini), which in turn may be determined by the distribution of key vertebrate hosts within landscapes. We used transect drag sampling and small-mammal trapping to estimate, respectively, the abundance of host-seeking and attached ticks in a rural landscape (southeastern New York) consisting of a mosaic of several discrete habitat types. Forested habitat types supported higher densities of host-seeking ticks than herbaceous or shrub-dominated habitats. However, in patches of little bluestem grass and gray dogwood shrubs, small mammals had high tick burdens despite low densities of host-seeking ticks. There was an outbreak of larval ticks limited to oak-dominated habitats in summer, 1992, which we postulate was related to unusually heavy acorn (mast) production attracting white-tailed deer and attached adult deer ticks, in autumn 1991. This hypothesis was supported by low densities of larval ticks in oak patches in summer, 1993, following poor mast production the previous autumn. Instead, the 1993 larval peak shifted to maple-dominated habitats, which may result from intensive use of these patches by deer in nonmast years. The abundance of host-seeking nymphs was strongly correlated with the abundance of white-footed mice the prior summer. Both the high tick burdens in little bluestem and dogwood patches, and shifting locations of larval outbreaks, appear to be functions of landscape configuration, especially patch size and juxtaposition.
Nucleotide content in spleen of male Swiss albino mice during experimental Ancylostomiasis

Three groups (10 in each) (6 to 8 weeks old) of experimental mice were orally infected each with 500 (group A) 1000 (group B) and 2000 (group C) infective larvae of Ancylostoma caninum . Group (D) was kept as uninfected control for comparison. Two mice from each of the experimental groups were sacrificed on day 1, 4, 9, 16 and 30 after infection. Two mice from control group were also sacrificed on the same designated days. Spleen was separated and the content of DNA and RNA was estimated following standard methods. DNA and RNA levels in spleen of experimental groups (A, B and C) are lower and higher than control group during 1 to 30 days of infection respectively. The synthesis of DNA and RNA was influenced by three varied doses of infection; the occurrence of abnormal physiological changes in spleen indicates the influence of infection in the lymphoid organ.
FUNCTIONAL AND NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF TOMATO PROTEIN CONCENTRATES

Proteins extracted from tomato vines and cannery wastes (TPC) differed substantially in functional properties from soy protein concentrate, but were similar in nutritive value to soy or cottori seed concentrates. When fractionally extracted by precipitation at pH 4.8, 4.0 and 3.5, the fractions had different functional and nutritional properties. The fraction precipitated at pH 3.5 had less coagulated protein, lower foam height, and was less wettable than the fractions precipitated at higher pH, but contained more soluble protein and total solids and a higher bulk density. The pH 3.5 fraction was poorer than the higher pH fractions in all the essential amino acids except lysine. The lower bio-availability of the pH 3.5 fraction was confirmed by bioassays with Tetrahymena pyriformis W.
Blood Serum Proteins of the genus Mesocricetus Nehring, 1898 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Turkey

In this study, 18 live specimens collected from six localities in the distribution areas of Mesocricetus brandti and Mesocricetus auratus were examined using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The findings showed that there is no difference in globulin and albumin proteins of M. brandti and M. auratus, and supported the claim that M. auratus is very closely related to M. brandti.
Genome polymorphism markers and stress genes expression for identifying turf species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in both stressed and unstressed cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) play an important role in the defense against ROS. Eight different turf grass species were used in order to detect their ability to withstand environmental stress through investigating SOD and PAL gene expression and also the genetic relationship among them using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers. The levels of expression of PAL , SOD genes and mRNA varied with the type of turf; both PAL and SOD gene expressions were low in cold season turf grasses (kentucky blue grass and fine fescue), moderate for bermuda hybrids (tifgreen and tifway) and high in Paspalum vaginatum . Primer 3 (UBC-245) can be used to distinguish between Paspalum species, also between common burmuda ( Cynodon dactylon ) and burmuda hybrids. It was concluded that hot season genera can withstand environmental stress more than cold season ones since they have more SOD and PAL gene expressions. Also, DNA markers can be used to differentiate between different turf genera which are hard to be differentiated morphologically. Keywords: Turf, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, RAPD markers, oligonucleotide primers, burmuda hybrids. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(24) 2394-2399
Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening and in vitro anti oxidant and anti microbial activities of Elephantopus scaber Linn.

Preliminary phytochemical analysis and quantification of total phenols, In-vitro antioxidant and anti microbial activities of the different fractions (hydro alcoholic, hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Elephantopus scaber were carried out against five selected pathogenic bacteria and three fungal species. The plant fraction possesses steroids, triterpinoids, saponins, flavonoides, carbohydrates, glycosides and oils. For total phenolic content gallic acid was taken as a standard, the ethyl acetate fraction contains rich phenolic content than other fractions and the methanol fraction shows more DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. In Anti-microbial activity study all fractions showed good inhibition zone against three organisms i.e., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus Klebsiella pneumonia among the other test organisms along with Candida spp (fungal organism).
Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Eucalyptus leaf pathogen Mycosphaerella nubilosa.

Mycosphaerella nubilosa is one of the most important Eucalyptus leaf pathogens, causing premature defoliation and stunting of growth. The aim of this study was to develop polymorphic microsatellite markers for M. nubilosa . Fifteen primer sets were developed and evaluated for polymorphism. Two primers were monomorphic, three primers did not amplify the desired region and 10 primer pairs were polymorphic. These microsatellite markers will be applied to population biology studies of M. nubilosa collections from several countries. These studies will promote an understanding of the genetics and the global movement of M. nubilosa that is severely limiting plantation development.
Implications of risk attitude and climate change for optimal grassland management: a case study for Switzerland

Abstract. We present a bio-economic model by combining a process-based grassland simulation model with an economic decision model that accounts for income risks and yield quality. The model is used to examine optimal nitrogen (N) application rates in a grass–clover system in Switzerland under current and future climatic conditions. Results for present-day climatic conditions suggest that an increase in N inputs has positive effects on yields but also leads to higher yield variability, yield distributions more skewed to the left and therefore higher downside risks. As a result, accounting for farmers’ risk aversion in solving the optimisation problem leads to lower optimal N inputs. Simulations with a climate change scenario that predicts higher temperatures throughout the year and lower rainfall amounts during the growing season indicate higher yields, increasing yield variability, and changes in yield quality. By allowing herbage prices to vary as a function of yield quality, we find overall lower optimal N inputs and more marked effects of risk aversion on optimal N levels under climate change than under present conditions. However, disregarding yield quality in solving the optimisation problem gives higher optimal N inputs under future conditions.
Veery (Catharus fuscescens) Wintering Locations, Migratory Connectivity, and a Revision of Its Winter Range using Geolocator Technology

ABSTRACT. We used light-level archival geolocators to track five Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) for one annual cycle as they migrated from Delaware to South America and back. Southward migration commenced in late August and September 2009. Veeries arrived at wintering sites from 2 November to 2 December 2009. All birds initially wintered in the Amazon basin south of the Amazon River in Mato Grosso, Para, and Amazonas states, Brazil. All birds showed intratropical migration to a second winter site between 7 January and 7 March 2010. These second winter sites were in the interior, northern, and southern periphery of the Amazon basin and the Orinoco River headwaters, Venezuela. Northward migration commenced in mid-April 2010, and the Veeries returned to Delaware between 29 April and 20 May 2010. Despite variation in migratory patterns, several stopover regions were visited by multiple individuals: the coasts of the Carolinas, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica, the north coast of Colombia and Venezuela, and southern Venezuela. Our spatial and temporal data necessitates that the Veery winter range include the entire Amazon basin and the headwaters of the Orinoco River, as well as two disjunct regions in Mérida state, Venezuela, and São Paulo state, Brazil. We hypothesize that Veeries initially settled in lowland forest and that intratropical migration was prompted by the ecological factors associated with the seasonal flood pulse of Amazonian rivers. If so, the Veery may be threatened by the recent, unprecedented proposed alteration of Amazonian lowland forests.
Immunohistochemistry and Next-generation Sequencing Are Complementary Tests in Identifying PTEN Abnormality in Endometrial Carcinoma Biopsies

PTEN plays a central role in the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma. Previous studies reported a high interobserver reproducibility for the interpretation of PTEN immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, PTEN IHC and its interpretation remain challenging during laboratory practice. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate PTEN IHC pattern in direct comparison to next-generation sequencing in identifying PTEN abnormality. IHC and tagged-amplicon next-generation sequencing PTEN sequencing was performed on 182 endometrial carcinoma biopsy/curetting samples from five centers (Barts, Calgary, Cambridge, Leiden, and Vancouver). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PTEN IHC to predict loss of function PTEN mutations were calculated. Abnormalities of PTEN in association with histotype and molecular subtype were assessed. A total of 5 PTEN IHC patterns were recorded: absent, subclonal loss, equivocal, reduced (relative to internal control) and retained. The absence of PTEN IHC has a sensitivity of 75.4% (95% confidence interval: 62.7–85.5%), a specificity of 84.6% (95% confidence interval: 76.2%–90.9%), and accuracy of 81.2% (95% confidence interval: 74.4%–86.9%) in predicting loss of function PTEN mutation. PTEN abnormality by complementary interpretation of both assays was present in 91.9% of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma, grade 1, and significantly higher in endometrial endometrioid carcinomas of all grades compared with endometrial serous carcinoma (80.0% vs. 19.4%, P<0.0001). PTEN abnormalities are common across all molecular subtypes of endometrioid carcinomas. Our data support the use of ancillary PTEN IHC for diagnostic purposes in endometrial neoplasms. However, for clinical trial design complementary testing of both IHC and sequencing of PTEN should be considered to assess the PTEN status in endometrial carcinomas.
Protein content in larval diet affects adult longevity and antioxidant gene expression in honey bee workers

In honey bees, adult longevity is strongly dependent on the quantity of dietary protein ingested after emergence, but relatively little is known about the role played by the protein content of larval diet. In total, 15 colonies of Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola (Hymenoptera: Apidae) bees with sister queens were randomly allocated to one of three groups (five colonies per group), provided with pollen substitutes (PS) with protein concentrations of 15, 25, or 35%, designated as PS15, PS25, and PS35, respectively. In a field experiment, we measured the PS consumption and collected samples for analyzing body protein content and gene expression. On day 29, groups of 50 newly emerged workers from each colony were obtained and confined in cages for measuring survival and longevity. Results showed that bees consumed significantly more PS15 and PS25 than PS35. However, the total protein intake of PS15 was less than that of the others. Increasing the protein available to larvae (PS35) significantly increased total accumulated protein before emergence, adult survival, and longevity. Furthermore, bees fed PS25 or PS35 tended to have higher mRNA levels for genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, providing a potential physiological mechanism for observed survival differences among the three dietary treatments. We conclude that protein content in larval diet could positively influence worker longevity likely because of the increased related antioxidant gene expression.
Primate longevity: Its place in the mammalian scheme

Data on captive longevity in 587 mammalian species were analyzed in order to evaluate primate longevity in the context of general mammalian life history patterns. Contrary to some recurrent claims in the literature, we found that 1) primates are not the longest‐lived mammalian order, either by absolute longevity, longevity corrected for body size, or metabolic expenditure per lifetime; 2) although relative brain size is highly correlated with longevity in primates, this is an aberrant trend for mammals in general, and other body organs account for an even greater amount of variation in longevity; and 3) there has been no progressive evolution of increased longevity among the primate superfamilies. The exceptional magnitude of primate longevity may, in keeping with evolutionary senescence theory, be due to an evolutionary history of low vulnerability to environmentally imposed death due to their body size, arboreal habit, and propensity to live in social groups. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparative study on acute toxicity of methylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid and trimethylarsine oxide in mice

The acute toxicity of methylarsonic acid, CH3AsO(OH)2 (MAA), dimethylarsininc acid, (CH3)2AsO(OH) (DMAA), and trimethylarsine oxide, (CH3)3AsO (TMAO), were examined in mice with oral administration. The LD50 values of MAA, DMAA and TMAO were 1.8, 1.2 and 10.6 g kg−1 respectively. The toxicity of MAA and DMAA was very much lower than that for inorganic arsenic compounds. It was shown that TMAO has a similar acute toxicity to arsenobetaine. On the other hand, when the mice were administered 14.4 g kg−1 of TMAO once only orally, a garlic-like odor (trimethylarsine, (CH3)3As) was definitely detectable in the exhalation of the animals by the human olfactory sense within about a few minutes.