Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase behavior of multicomponent membranes: Experimental and computational techniques

Recent developments in biology seems to indicate that the Fluid Mosaic model of membrane proposed by Singer and Nicolson, with lipid bilayer functioning only as medium to support protein machinery, may be too simple to be realistic. Many protein functions are now known to depend on the composition of the membrane. Experiments indicate that biomembranes of eukaryotic cells may be laterally organized into small nanoscopic domains. This inplane organization is expected to play an important role in a variety of physiological functions such as signaling, recruitment of specific proteins and endocytosis. However, mainly because of their complexity, the precise in-plane organization of lipids and proteins and their stability in biological membranes remain difficult to elucidate. This has reiterated the importance of understanding the equilibrium phase behavior and the kinetics of fluid multicomponent lipid membranes. Current increase in interest in the domain formation in multicomponent membranes also stems from the experiments demonstrating liquid ordered-liquid disordered coexistence in mixtures of lipids and cholesterol and the success of several computational models in predicting their behavior. This review includes basic foundations on membrane model systems and experimental approaches applied in the membrane research area, stressing on recent advances in the experimental and computational techniques.
Effect of commercial long-term extenders on metabolic activity and membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa stored at 17°C

This study was aimed to analyze the metabolic activity and membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa following storage in long-term semen extenders. Boar semen was diluted with Androhep ® EnduraGuard TM (AeG), DILU-Cell (DC), SafeCell Plus TM (SCP) and Vitasem LD (VLD) extenders and stored for 10 days at 17 o C. Parameters of the analyzed sperm metabolic activity included total motility (TMOT), progressive motility (PMOT), high mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content, whereas those of the membrane integrity included plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and normal apical ridge (NAR) acrosome. Extender type was a significant (P < 0.05) source of variation in all the analyzed sperm parameters, except for ATP content. Furthermore, the storage time had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the sperm metabolic activity and membrane integrity during semen storage. In all extenders the metabolic activity and membrane integrity of the stored spermatozoa decreased continuously over time. Among the four analyzed extenders, AeG and SCP showed the best performance in terms of TMOT and PMI on Days 5, 7 and 10 of storage. Marked differences in the proportions of spermatozoa with high MMP were observed between the extenders, particularly on Day 10 of storage. There were not any marked differences in sperm ATP content between the extenders, regardless of the storage time. Furthermore, the percentage of spermatozoa with NAR acrosomes decreased during prolonged storage, being markedly lower in DC-diluted semen compared with semen diluted with either AeG or SCP extender. The results of this study indicated that components of the long-term extenders have different effects on the sperm functionality and prolonged semen longevity by delaying the processes associated with sperm ageing during liquid storage.
Phylogenetic context, generic affinities and evolutionary origin of the enigmatic Balkan orchid Gymnadenia frivaldii Hampe ex Griseb

Although originally ascribed to the genus Gymnadenia R. Br. (Orchidinae: Orchidaceae), the Balkan endemic orchid G. frivaldii Hampe ex Griseb. has since been more frequently assigned to Pseudorchis Seguier (syn. Leucorchis E. Mey., Bicchia Parl.). Molecular phylogenetic analysis using the ITS region of rDNA reveals a large disparity between the two genera and demonstrates that frivaldii is embedded well within Gymnadenia s.s. Macromorphological and SEM studies further elucidate the floral and vegetative similarities between G. frivaldii and Pseudorchis, notably the heterochronically reduced gynostemium and small, short-spurred labellum; these similarities represent convergent evolutionary transitions, whereas other characters such as contrasting stigma and tuber morphologies provide stronger phylogenetic signals. The sequence-based phylogeny suggests that G. frivaldii represents one of three cases of independent paedomorphic floral reduction inferred in the genus; simplification has been more severe than in G. odoratissima but less severe than in the closely related Gymnadenia subgenus Nigritella. Alternatively, an effectively instantaneous evolutionary origin through hybridisation with a (most likely diploid) species of subgenus Nigritella remains possible. Reports of rare hybridisation between G. frivaldii and members of subgenus Nigritella are acceptably well documented, whereas reports of hybridisation with several other more phylogenetically distant orchid species (including the often sympatric Pseudorchis albida) are considered less secure.
Development of Electricity Generation and Sensor Systems for a Hydropower Propagating Wave Turbine

The Propagating Wave Turbine Project focused on the design, construction, and verification of an energy generation system that converted the mechanical energy of a low speed, high torque shaft into electrical energy. A maximum power point tracking system created the optimal load profile between the voltage and current produced by an electromechanical generator. To test the design, a sensor system was developed to measure power generator and transformation characteristics between the input rotational power, through the mechanical power generator, and through the power point tracking electronics. In addition to the design of the electromechanical power generation system, a nacelle was designed and built to hold the generator, sensors, and electronics. The nacelle was designed to be attached to a Propagating Wave Turbine built by a separate project team. The generator and electronic modules operated successfully, but it was determined that the final system was not optimal for use with the propagating wave turbine since the shaft speed of the propagating wave turbine was not compatible with the necessary shaft speed of the electromechanical generator. Recommendations are provided at the end of the report to improve power generation using a Propagating Wave Turbine system.
Overcoming hermit-crab interference during rodent-baiting operations: a case study from Henderson Island, South Pacific

Abstract Context. Rat (Rattus spp.) eradication operations in the tropics are often put at risk by the presence of land crabs, in particular hermit crabs (Coenobitidae), which consume toxic bait and thereby render it unavailable to rats. Aims. We estimated hermit-crab densities in areas of high abundance, assessed crab bait consumption rates and determined the required baiting application rate to ensure that 100% of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) consumed bait in areas with high crab densities on Henderson Island, South Pacific. Methods. Crab densities and rat densities were estimated through Distance sampling of crabs and mark–recapture of rats. Non-toxic rhodamine-dyed cereal bait pellets were spread by hand at varying densities within four study plots and rats were captured 12 days later and examined for the presence of rhodamine biomarker dye. Key results. Crab densities (primarily Coenobita perlatus) varied between beaches from 130 crabs ha–1 to 1370 crabs ha–1, with rats occurring at respective densities of 28 and 7 rats ha–1 on these beaches. Estimated bait consumption rate of C. perlatus was 3.8 g crab–1 day–1. In total, 100% of rats were positive for rhodamine-dyed bait, despite the high densities of crabs present. Conclusions. The results support the prospects for a successful rat eradication on Henderson Island, although careful consideration must be given to the potential impact of an eradication on non-target species. The estimated bait consumption rate by C. perlatus found in the present study may allow other eradication operations to make initial calculations of the required baiting densities to overcome interference from this species.
증류 및 여과 방법을 달리한 증류식소주의 품질 특성

The objective of this research was to investigate the quality characteristics of the spirits by different distillation and filtrations. The contents of alcohol, total acids, and amino acids in rice mash were 15%, 0.25 g/100 mL, and 0.15 g/100 mL, respectively. The soluble content was 10°Brix, and pH was 4.6 in the rice mash. Lactic acid was the most prominent organic acid found in rice mash. The rice spirit distilled by a multi stage distiller showed the highest amounts of aroma compounds, such as fusel oil and esters. However, the filtration did not affect the amounts of total aroma compounds. It is suggested that a multi stage distiller may influence taste and flavor positively by enhancing the aroma and removing the impurities in rice spirits.
LACTIC ACID BACTERIA OF WESTERN ALGERIA. I: CHARACTERISTICS OF STRAINS ISOLATED FROM RAW MILK AND OLIVE OIL

A total of 154 strains of Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Streptococcus were isolated from olive oil samples or from cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s raw milk samples collected in West of Algeria. The lactic acid bacteria strains were phenotypically identified and characterized using microbiological and biochemical tests. Of the 119 isolates of Lactococcus , 50 strains were identified as Lc. lactis subsp. lactis , 34 strains were identified as Lc. lactis subsp. biovar . diacetylactis and 35 strains were identified as Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris, but with difference in carbohydrate fermentation patterns. 21 strains were identified as Lactobacillus sp. , 11 strains were identified as Enterococcus faecium and 03 strains were identified as Streptococcus thermophilus.
Performance of finisher broilers fed wet mash with or without drinking water during wet season in the tropics.

Finisher broilers were fed conventional dry and wet mash with varying amounts of water addition (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 parts of water to 1 part of feed) with and without drinking water. Feed intake was higher (P 0.05) differences were observed in weights of the liver, spleen, intestine, abdominal fat, proventriculus, full-gizzard and caeca. This study recommends 1 part of water to 1 part of feed with drinking water for finisher broilers when raised on wet mash during wet season in the tropics.
Reproduction and development of three symbiotic scale worms (Polychaeta: Polynoidae)

The reproduction and development of symbiotic polynoid polychaetes in the genus Arctonoe were examined with light and electron microscopy. Around San Juan Island, Washington, the 3 described Arctonoe spp. have very similar reproductive periods and ontogenies. Free-spawned eggs 80 μm in diameter fuse with sperm and develop into planktonic, feeding larvae that bear a prototroch, but no metatroch or food groove cilia. Larvae begin feeding only after the development of episphere ciliary bands and an oral brush, consistent with the hypothesis that these structures are involved in particle capture and handling. Metamorphosis occurs in the laboratory in the absence of hosts after 6–12 weeks of feeding and growth. Juveniles begin feeding using the pharyngeal jaws several days after metamorphosis is complete. In the laboratory, worms reach sexual maturity 4–6 months after metamorphosis. The long planktonic larval period of Arctonoe spp. probably leads to high dispersal, suggesting that geographic differentiation in host preferences is unlikely except over large spatial scales. Naive juveniles of Arctonoe spp. can now be obtained from laboratory cultures to test the hypothesis that genetically based host preferences are important in determining host-use patterns in these symbionts.
Sex-specific and latitudinal variance in postnatal growth of the Subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis)

Parameter estimates reflecting age-specific growth of Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) on Gough Island were fitted to three sigmoidal (Gompertz, logistic, and von Bertalanffy) growth curves. With a few exceptions, the logistic fit provided the best mathematical approximation of postnatal growth in fur seals from Gough Island, although all fits were significant. Standard length is a better reflection of age-specific changes in size than mass, which displayed considerable variance. Growth was characterized by marked sexual dimorphism. Interisland comparisons of body size from throughout the geographic range of the species suggested a latitudinal graded difference in adult body size, with the largest animals occurring at low-latitude Amsterdam Island and the smallest at Marion Island, which lies just north of the Antarctic Polar Front. These growth and body-size estimates can be used for monitoring the effects of population or ecosystem changes on fur seal productivity, but significant stand.
Substitution of Plant Proteins or Meat and Bone Meal for Fish Meal in Diets of Nile Tilapia

Abstract Five experimental diets containing plant proteins and synthetic amino acids with and without fish meal or meat and bone meal were fed to Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus averaging 13 g for 84 d in aquaria. Each experimental diet contained 20% corn gluten meal, 34–40% high-lysine corn, 29–36% soy grits, 0 or 6% fish meal or meat and bone meal, and supplemented with synthetic lysine, tryptophan, and threonine. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio for Nile tilapia fed the all plant protein diet, the fish meal diets with two levels of fat, the meat-and-bone-meal diets with two levels of fat, and the commercial diet containing fish meal and meat and bone meal. Thus, substitution of plant proteins or meat and bone meal for fish meal in Nile tilapia diets did not affect growth response.
Vegetation and Avian Response to Oak Savanna Restoration in the Mid-South USA

Abstract Oak (Quercus spp.) savannas are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the United States. Consequently, associated vegetation and avian communities are also in decline. Furthermore, restoration of savanna communities may be an important strategy for conserving avian species that require early successional habitat, a type underrepresented on regional landscapes. Therefore, we evaluated savanna restoration on twelve sites in the Mid-South USA. Specifically, we examined grass, forb, legume, and woody understory cover, regeneration and sapling density, and breeding bird use of the sites following mechanical overstory thinning and dormant-season fire using a hierarchical linear model. Total grass cover was negatively related to canopy cover (P < 0.01) and total forb cover was negatively related to total basal area (P = 0.04). Oak regeneration density was positively related to canopy cover (P < 0.01), while oak competitor regeneration density was positively related to percent slope (P = 0.01) and sapling density (P = 0.01). Shrub/scrub birds were common within sites undergoing restoration. Only three obligate grassland bird species, eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) and dickcissel (Spiza americana), were detected on one site. Presence of indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) was positively related to groundlayer development. Canopy reduction and burns outside the dormant season may both be critical to restoration of savannas and associated avifauna in the region.
Improvement of turn structure prediction by molecular dynamics : a case study of α1-purothionin

Because of the problems in predicting a correct conformation for loop regions in homology-based prediction, disagreements are often found between the predicted models and the refined X-ray structures of the same protein in loop regions. Such a situation has been encountered for α 1 -purothionin (α 1 -PT). Hence, attempts have been made to improve the predicted model of α 1 -PT by limited molecular dynamics using both AMBER and XPLOR. With molecular dynamics, the previously predicted incorrect turn region reverts to the correct conformation as seen in the X-ray refined structure. In contrast to the model which is not subjected to molecular dynamics, the improved model refines with the X-ray data of α 1 -PT in fewer cycles, without any manual rebuilding and with comparable or better refinement statistics
Traditional versus computer-based dissections inenhancing learning in a tertiary setting: a student perspective

This paper describes a study investigating both the use and usefulness of laboratory dissections and computer-based dissections, in a tertiary, first-year human biology course. In addition student attitudes to dissection were investigated. Data were collected from enrolled students using quantitative and qualitative survey instruments. Students were questioned about their usage and perceptions of the usefulness of there sources provided, and their attitudes towards the use of dissections for learning in human biology. The real dissection was used as a learning resource by 80% of the student cohort while only 15% used the computer-based dissection material. In addition 5% of students reported that they did not use either the realdissection material or the computer-based dissection. Of those students who did use the computer-based dissection, two thirds of them found it useful for learning both structure and function of body systems. Of those students who used the real dissection, 72% found it useful for learning structure but only 62% found that it helped in learning function. Of the entire cohort surveyed, 90% agreed that biology students should dissect ananimal to help learn about anatomy. These outcomes reinforce the need to offer a variety of learning experiences that target different styles of learning.
The retreat of large brown seaweeds on the north coast of Spain: the case of Saccorhiza polyschides

Recent changes in kelp distribution along the north coast of Spain are described and analysed through a long-term population study focused on Saccorhiza polyschides. The main purpose of this work was to understand which population processes are more sensitive to increased sea surface temperatures and reductions in the intensity of upwelling episodes in the current scenario of global warming. Data on the distribution of kelp species (old and recent data) were obtained from the literature and compared with current species distributions assessed by field sampling between 2007 and 2010 and covering a transition coastline of 200 km. The long-term population study of Saccorhiza polyschides was conducted at a site close to the edge of its current distribution. Data for recruitment, growth and survival, as well as density and supported biomass of populations collected since the 1990s were analysed using data from the late 1970s for comparison. Kelps on the north coast of Spain have shown a westward retreat since the 1980s. Dense populations of Saccorhiza polyschides, the most important species, and Laminaria ochroleuca have been reduced to small patches and isolated individuals east of Peñas Cape (43° 39.4′ N; 5° 50.8′ W). The long-term study of Saccorhiza polyschides populations showed a collapse in the growth of the sporophyte and very low recruitment from the beginning of this century. The possible causal factors of this population decline and its consequences are considered, suggesting that long warm summer periods (more than 30 consecutive days of seawater temperature > 20°C) could alter kelp performance.
Direct determination of arsenobetaine and total As in robalo fish liver and tuna fish candidate reference material by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SLS-GF AAS)

This work describes a simple and rapid screening method for direct speciation of arsenobetaine (AsB) in tuna fish tissue and total As in tuna fish tissue and robalo liver using SLS-GF AAS. All procedures were proposed after careful optimization of pyrolysis and evaluation of chemical modifiers. Best results for total As were acquired using 25 µg Pd + 15 µg Mg + 0.1% w/v Triton X-100 in tuna fish (4.4 ± 0.3 mg kg-1) and 100 µg Pd + 0.1 % w/v Triton X-100 solution in robalo liver (10.3 ± 0.6 mg kg-1) as chemical modifiers. The direct speciation of AsB (3.6 ± 0.4 mg kg-1) in tuna fish was achieved when 5 µg Pd + 3 µg Mg + 0.1% w/v Triton X-100 was used as a chemical modifier. Accuracy was verified using a tuna fish certified reference material (CRM BCR 627), with statistically equivalent concentrations (Student’s t-test) for both total As and AsB.
Elementary Teachers’ Perspectives on Fostering Global Awareness in a Rights Respecting School

Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Introduction to the Research 1.0 Research Context and Problem 1.1 Research Questions 1.2 Background of the Researcher 1.3 Preview of Whole Chapter 2: The Literature Review 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Connections between Rights Respecting Schools and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2.2 Fostering Global Awareness through Rights Respecting Schools 2.2.1 The Relationship between Students and Global Awareness 2.2.2 Teachers Relationship with Fostering Global Awareness 2.2.3 Fostering Global Awareness in Practice 2.3 Increase of Student’s Leadership Abilities 2.3.1 Empowering Voice in the Students 2.3.1.1 Participation and Engagement 2.4 Incorporating Rights & Responsibilities in the Lives of Students through RRS 2.4. 1 The Relationship between Self and Rights and Responsibilities 2.4. 2 Relationship between Social Rights and Responsibilities and RRS 2.4. 3 Global Rights and Responsibilities and RRS 2.5 Opening Doors through Global Citizenship 2.5. 1 Student Empowerment 2.6 Relationships with Students 2.6. 1 Student to student 2.6. 2 Student to teacher 2.6. 2.1 Power Dynamics 2.6. 2.2 Mutual Respect 2.6. 3 Student to family 2.6. 4 Student to community 2.7 Importance of Roles within the Framework 2.8 Conclusion Chapter 3: Methodology 3.0 Introduction to Methodology 3.1 Interviews 3.2 Participants 3.3 Data 3.4 Ethical Review 3.5 Limitations 3.6 Strengths 2 3 6 6 7 7-9 9 10 10 10-11 11-12 12 12-13 13-14 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 17-18 18-19 19 19 19-20 20 20 20-21 21 21 21-22 23 23 23-24 24-25 25 26 26 27
Role of a Distal Enhancer Containing a Functional NF-κ B-binding Site in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Expression of a Novel α1-Antitrypsin Gene (*)

α1-Antitrypsin (α1-AT) is one of the major proteinase inhibitors in serum. Its primary physiological function is to inhibit neutrophil elastase activity in lung, but it also inhibits other serine proteases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, and cathepsin. We have previously reported a novel α1-AT, S-2 isoform, from rabbit that is induced up to 100-fold in the liver during acute inflammatory condition (Ray, B. K., Gao, X., and Ray, A.(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 22080-22086). Here, we present evidence that the expression of this α1-AT S-2 gene is also induced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated peripheral blood monocytes. From the cloned genomic DNA, we have identified a distal LPS-responsive enhancer located between −2438 and −1990 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. In vitro DNA-binding studies demonstrated an interaction of an LPS-inducible NF-κB-like nuclear factor with a κB-element present in this enhancer region. Antibodies against p65 and p50 subunits of NF-κB supershifted the DNA-protein complex. A mutation of the NF-κB-binding element virtually abolished the LPS-responsive induction of the chimeric promoter in monocytic cells. Furthermore, overexpression of NF-κB induced the wild-type promoter activity. Taken together, these results demonstrated that during LPS-mediated inflammation, NF-κB/Rel family of transcription factors play a crucial role in the transcriptional induction of the inflammation responsive α1-AT gene.