Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Coexistence of Sonoran Desert Annuals Mediated by Temporal Variability Reproductive Success

Models of annual plants with a persistent seed bank have shown that temporal variation can promote coexistence if the reproductive success of species is favored in different environments determined by temporally variable conditions. This study investigates whether this mechanism may explain the coexistence of three Sonoran Desert species (Pectocarya recurvata, Plantago patagonica, Schismus barbatus). In a 2—yr experiment, factors that vary across years (water and seedling density) were manipulated. In addition, the dominant spatial feature, presence or absence of Larrea cover, was also included as a factor. Our aim was to document fitness hierarchies in different types of years. Seedlings were mapped monthly for survival and reproductive success. To compare species, we used 10 yr of data to calculate the average value that seeds of different species have for population growth. Shifts in fitness hierarchies were found for two species pairs (Pectocarya—Schismus and Pectocarya—Plantago), depending on density and either the year or the water level. Surprisingly, all species had higher survival at higher densities in one or another treatment. Habitats were not important to the fitness hierarchies; all species had higher mean survival and fitness in the open than under shrubs.
Effect of Cadmium on γ-Glutamylcysteine Synthesis in Maize Seedlings

Cysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine, and glutathione and the extractable activity of the enzymes of glutathione biosynthesis, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (EC 6.3.2.2) and glutathione synthetase (EC 6.3.2.3), were measured in roots and leaves of maize seedlings (Zea mays L. cv LG 9) exposed to CdCl2 concentrations up to 200 micromolar. At 50 micromolar Cd2+, γ-glutamylcysteine contents increased continuously during 4 days up to 21-fold and eightfold of the control in roots and leaves, respectively. Even at 0.5 micromolar Cd2+, the concentration of γ-glutamylcysteine in the roots was significantly higher than in the control. At 5 micromolar and higher Cd2+ concentrations, a significant increase in γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity was measured in the roots, whereas in the leaves this enzyme activity was enhanced only at 200 micromolar Cd2+. Labeling of isolated roots with [35S]sulfate showed that both sulfate assimilation and glutathione synthesis were increased by Cd. The accumulation of γ-glutamylcysteine in the roots did not affect the root exudation rate of this compound. Our results indicate that maize roots are at least in part autonomous in providing the additional thiols required for phytochelatin synthesis induced by Cd.
Measuring Collaboration in Modern Organizations

Internal communication has been a central theme in organizational economics, as employee collaboration provides insight into the structure of firms. Use of electronic communications data can be transformational for organizational economics, as these data provide a standardized way to measure organizational communication patterns and to determine the connection between these patterns and firm performance. We discuss the value of data that capture patterns of employee interactions, the benefits and risks associated with the use of electronic communication data (email and meetings) as empirical proxies for these collaboration patterns, and the research possibilities for studies across larger sets of firms.
Performance estimation for task graphs combining sequential path profiling and control dependence regions

The speed-up estimation of parallelized code is crucial to efficiently compare different parallelization techniques or task graph transformations. Unfortunately, most of the time, during the parallelization of a specification, the information that can be extracted by profiling the corresponding sequential code (e.g. the most executed paths) are not properly taken into account. In particular, correlating sequential path profiling with the corresponding parallelized code can help in the identification of code hot spots, opening new possibilities for automatic parallelization. For this reason, starting from a well-known profiling technique, the Efficient Path Profiling, we propose a methodology that estimates the speed-up of a parallelized specification, just using the corresponding hierarchical task graph representation and the information coming from the dynamic profiling of the initial sequential specification. Experimental results show that the proposed solution outperforms existing approaches.
Nitrogen deposition and forest expansion in the northern Great Plains

1 Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has become one of the most important agents of vegetation change in densely populated regions. It may also contribute to forest expansion into grasslands at the northern edge of the North American Great Plains. 2 We measured N deposition and available soil N with ion‐exchange resin over 2 years in six national parks in areas varying in population density and industrialization. N deposition was significantly higher in four parks in densely populated regions than in two remote parks. 3 Available soil N increased significantly with N deposition across all parks. 4 We measured N mass and 15N abundance (δ15N) in vegetation and soil in two parks: Elk Island, receiving 22 kg N ha−1 year−1, and Jasper, receiving 8 kg N ha−1 year−1. Differences between parks in tissue N concentrations were small, but forest expansion over five decades resulted in the mass of N in vegetation increasing by 74% in Elk Island but by only 26% in Jasper. δ15N in forest vegetation was significantly lower in Elk Island than in Jasper, suggesting that anthropogenic sources contribute significantly to the high rates of N entering that ecosystem. 5 We determined the rate of forest expansion within parks using six decades of aerial photographs. Parks in aspen parkland and boreal forest showed a strong positive relationship between forest expansion and N deposition. The relationships found between N deposition, available soil N and forest expansion suggest that even comparatively low rates of N deposition may accelerate the expansion of forest into temperate grasslands.
A review on Hyssopus officinalis L.: Composition and biological activities

Hyssopus officinalis L. (Hyssop) is one of the most popular herbal preparations, mainly distributed in the East Mediterranean to central Asia. The plant has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes; generally, these therapeutic uses and health benefits of hyssop are largely based on folklore rather than on scientific substantiation, making it a good candidate to gather documentations, including the phytochemical content, in vitro experiments, animal models and human studies available in the recent scientific studies. A literature review on the chemical and biological aspects of the plant indicates that the main constituents of H. officinalis include several polyphenolic compounds, primarily the flavonoids apigenin, quercetin, diosmin, luteolin and their glucosides followed by other phenolic compounds chlorogenic, protocatechuic, ferulic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic and caffeic acids. Reports on the essential oils extracted from aerial parts of H. officinalis revealed several principal components, including terpenoids pinocamphone, isopinocamphone and β-pinene. Hyssop has moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and negative bacteria activities together with antifungal and insecticidal antiviral properties in vitro. Animal model studies indicate myorelaxant, antiplatelet and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities for this plant. However, human studies, adverse reactions and clinical trials examining the reported properties of hyssop are absent and needs more attention to determine whether biological differences in findings of the studies reflect the different isolation procedures, different types of plant material used, collection time, locations or different chemotypes. Key words: Hyssopus officinalis L. , phenolic compounds, essential oil, extract.
Cultural Equivalence in the Assessment of Home and International Business Management Students: A UK exploratory study

This article explores the cultural equivalence properties of commonly adopted assessment methods by first subjecting multiple-choice tests, coursework assignments and essay response examinations to critical scrutiny for evidence of bias. Then, using data from a large cohort enrolled on a first-year business studies programme in a UK university, a comparative analysis of the academic performance of home and international students reveals considerable differences, with the marks of the latter being substantially lower than those of the former. In order to establish whether a particular assessment method is culturally biased compared to others, following ordinary least squares estimation of regressions on each assessment method for the home and international student subsamples of the cohort, a Chow test is employed. The main finding indicates that assessment by examination penalises international students beyond differences in ability levels, as measured by multiple-choice test and coursework assignment scores. On the basis of this evidence, it is suggested that, in culturally mixed classes, the exclusive adoption of the end-of-course examination be avoided.
The Interactions of Auxins and Anti-auxins in the Stimulation of Root Growth

relating growth responses to log10 concentration for /3-indolylacetic acid (IAA) and three anti-auxins, a-(i-naphthylmethylsulphide) propionic acid (NMSP), i -naphthylmethylsulphide acetic acid (NMSA), and4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (CNB), are of very similar shape. A fourth anti-auxin, p-chlorophenoxy-iso butyric acid (PCIB), shows negligible stimulation of growth in any concentration. In multifactorial experiments involving stimulatory concentrations of IAA (10 1 and to-5 p.p.m.) with several stimulatory concentrations of the first three anti auxins (NMSP, NMSA, and CNB), consistent mutual antagonisms were clearly demonstrated. PCIB in non-inhibitory concentrations markedly antagonized stimulation by IAA. Similar mutual antagonisms were shown in various mixtures of two anti-auxins.
Chrysochromulina throndsenii sp. nov. (Prymnesiophyceae). Description of a new haptophyte flagellate from Norwegian waters

Abstract Chrysochromulina throndsenii sp. nov. was isolated from the Norwegian Skagerrak coast using the serial dilution culture method. It has also been observed in Danish waters. Chrysochromulina throndsenii is a new representative of the small saddle-shaped Chrysochromulina species. It has two approximately equal and homodynamic flagella and a long coiling haptonema emerging subapically from the ventral side. One flagellum is autofluorescent in blue light. The cell body is covered by two scale types, both having spiral and radiating patterns of fibrils. In both scale types the ornamentation of the inner and outer scale faces is identical. The scales in the outer layer possess an upright rim.
A new method for cutting the mouth‐parts of feeding aphids, and for collecting plant sap

ABSTRACT. A technique is described for cutting the mouth‐parts of feeding aphids with a radio frequency probe, and for collecting plant sap from the severed ends of the stylets without contamination. The technique is a significant improvement on previous methods used, and will allow reliable quantitative analysis to be made of plant sap on which the aphids feed.
Increasing productivity of distributive trade through retail innovations: evidence from Malaysia

The relationship between productivity improvements in distributive trades and new retail business formats has received considerable policy attention among developing economies. In recent years, fast-moving consumer goods are increasingly channelled through large, non-specialized retail outlets, such as supermarkets and hypermarkets. Among developing economies, increasing economic productivity through structural re-balancing of the distributive trade subsector within the services sector requires policy prescriptions to boost domestic consumption with the help of effective retail establishments. For future development direction and strategies, a clear understanding of the changes that have been taking place with large, foreign supermarkets, superstores and hypermarkets in relation to those of small, local retailers is needed. This paper questions some productivity improvement expectations regarding the role of large, non-specialized retailers as crucial retail format innovators within the distributive trade subsector, based on data from Malaysia. In particular, the aspirations of productivity improvements in distributive trades as structural transformation continues to take place are discussed. Lessons may be drawn for social, economic and political acceptance by stakeholders in markets of developing economies.
An in vivo study of cadmium-induced chromosomal changes in somatic and germinal tissues of C57B1/6J male mice

The objectives of this study were to determine if cadmium would induce chromosomal aberration, to determine if simultaneous aberration events occurred in somatic and germinal tissue, and to determine an estimated minimum exposure time required for significant chromosomal change. Bone marrow chromosome aberrations, specifically breaks and deletions, were found to increase after acute cadmium exposure both at MTD and normal exposure levels. Subacute exposure also resulted in increased occurrences of breaks, deletions, and despiralization. With longer in vivo exposure to cadmium, bone marrow cells continued to show increased numbers of breaks, as well as a physiological effect, despiralization, and more severe break-related aberrations; rearrangements and pulverization. In spermatocytes of the same animals, gaps, breaks, rearrangements, stickiness, and autosomal univalents were the principle aberrations. Correlation of bone marrow and spermatocyte aberrations indicated that in treated mice significant relationships existed for gaps, breaks, rearrangements, and stickiness in the tissues. An estimate of the minimum exposure time to produce chromosomal damage, based on the acute exposure experiment, would be 6 hours for bone marrow. This was confirmed by the exposure duration experiment. Spermatocytes also had chromosomal damage within 24 hours.
Identification of genistein, an anticarcinogenic compound, in the edible tubers of the American groundnut (Apios americana Medikus)

American groundnut (Apios americana Medikus) is a nitrogen-fixing legume that produces edible tubers and seeds. Even though studies have been conducted on the quality of tuber storage compounds, very little is known about compounds that could have beneficial effects on human and animal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of genistein in the tubers. The nodC gene of Rhizobium fredii Scholla and Elkan USDA191 that had been fused with β-galactosidase was used to detect the presence of genistein in A. americana tubers. The flavonoids from A. americana tubers were purified by C 18 reversed-phase HPLC. The HPLC profile revealed nine UV absorbing peaks. Among them, Peaks 6 and 8 activated the nodC-lacZ gene fusion about two fold, while the bulk of the inducing activity was associated with Peak 9. The compound in Peak 9 and authentic genistein standard had identical retention times. When A. americana tuber flavonoids were spiked with an authentic genistein standard, Peak 9 coeluted with genistein. In addition, a peak at m/z 271, corresponding to the protonated genistein, was found when the HPLC Peak 9 was analyzed by electrostaticspray mass spectrometry. The results of this present investigation indicate that A. americana tubers contain the isoflavone genistein. The discovery of genistein in A. americana tubers should rekindle interest in this legume as a food crop since genistein has been shown to reduce the incidence of various forms of cancer.
Serological differentiation of brome mosaic virus morphomers

The effects of solution conditions and of formalinisation on the antigenicity of “native” and “pseudo-top” virions of brome mosaic virus (BMV) were studied by double-antibody “sandwich” enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). Physically characterised BMV morphomers differed serologically from one another and from free coat protein, proving that capsid swelling or lack of RNA cause conformational changes affecting antibody binding. Formaldehyde treatment reduced the antigenicity of virions relative to “native” forms. The results indicate that ELISA detection of viruses is affected both by their physical environment and by chemical treatment.
Ethology: The Mechanisms and Evolution of Behavior

The goal of this book is to illustrate the power of ethology's broad and integrative approach in unraveling how behavior, both simple and complex, is organized and orchestrated. The book develops this theme by looking first at traditional ethology to establish familiarity with the models which will then be used to examine neural mechanisms, social behavior and species interactions, and finally our own species. Suggested readings at the end of each chapter serve to broaden the book's base with examples of first-rate research treated in far more detail than would be possible in text. Where such concise, semitechnical supplements are not available, short essays devoted to particular experiments or approaches a company the text. Study questions at the end of each chapter are designed to stimulate creative thinking about the chapter's subject, and rarely have an obvious or even uniquely correct answer. Students wishing to delve deeper into the literature surrounding a particular subject may make use of the chapter-by-chapter selected bibliography at the end.
Inbound open innovation in biopharmaceutical firms: unpacking the role of absorptive capacity

ABSTRACT In this study, we extend recent attempts to clarify the role of antecedents of absorptive capacity in realising purposive inflows of external knowledge in the biopharmaceutical industry. By assuming that internal R&D resources contribute to absorptive capacity as a multidimensional concept, we propose a framework for the integrated analysis of the interactions between the different antecedents of absorptive capacity and inbound open innovation of biopharmaceutical firms. Our analysis relies on a set-theoretic approach and uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to study a set of selected Italian biopharmaceutical firms. The analysis reveals that biopharmaceutical companies with a diversified R&D business domain and an extended entrepreneurial scientific network are likely to adopt an inbound open innovation strategy.
Peanut oil: Compositional data

The major fatty acids of peanut oil acylglycerols are palmitic (C 16:0), oleic (C18:1), and linoleic (C18:2) acids, and only a trace amount of linolenic fatty acid (C18:3) is present. Thus they have a very convenient oxidative stability and have been considered premium cooking and frying oils. This paper provides information about compositional data of peanut oil taking into account major (triacylglycerols and their fatty acids) and minor (free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, phospholipids, sterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, triterpenic and aliphatic alcohols, waxes, pigments, phenolic compounds, volatiles, and metals) compounds. Moreover, the influence of genotype, seed maturity, climatic conditions, and growth location on peanut oil chemical composition is considered in the present report. In addition, peanut oils from wild species found in South America as well as from peanut lines developed through conventional breeding are also compared.
Effect of different salts and of ABA on growth and mineral uptake in Jojoba shoots grown in vitro

Summary ABA and different kinds of salinity were compared for their effect on shoot development in salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant jojoba clones. Shoot segments were proliferated in vitro in the presence of different salts or different concentrations of ABA. Growth parameters (shoot elongation, new node production, dry weight, leaf length) and accumulation of Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Cl − , and SO 4 2- were examined. Wax deposition on leaves was detected by electron scan microscopy. Chloride salinity reduced shoot elongation, node production, and biomass production in salt-sensitive clones, while in salt-tolerant clones its adverse effects were generally less pronounced (although significant inhibition was observed in the presence of Na 2 SO 4 ) or it even enhanced growth. The effect of ABA on shoot growth was similar to that of the chloride salinities, with salt-sensitive clones responding to much lower ABA concentrations than the salt-tolerant ones. Unlike ABA, salinity (mainly salts containing Cl − anions) significantly promoted leaf expansion in both sensitive and tolerant clones. ABA and salinity induced some epicuticular wax deposition on leaves of salt-sensitive clones. The conclusion is that the salt sensitivity of jojoba clones is partly related to sensitivity to ABA.
Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the source water from Lake Chivero, Harare, Zimbabwe, and the presence of cyanotoxins in drinking water

The phytoplankton community and cyanotoxins in Lake Chivero (formerly Lake McIlwaine) and the presence of cyanotoxins in treated drinking water were investigated between 2003 and 2004. A typical seasonal succession of Cyanobacteria species occurred from January to April, Bacillariophyta from May to July, and Cryptophyta and Chlorophyta from August to December. Microcystis aeruginosa and M. wesenbergii, known producers of the toxin microcystin, and the non-toxic cyanobacterium M. novacekii dominated during summer. The highest concentrations of microcystins and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins occurred when cyanobacterial biomass was highest. Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin concentrations in the lake ranged between 8 and 3 200 Endotoxin Units (EU) ml−1. Microcystin concentrations in treated water were below the recommended safe limit for drinking water. Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin concentrations in treated water ranged from 0.15 to 11 EU ml−1. The phytoplankton community comprised non-microcystin-producing species for the greater part of the study period.
The influence of line managers and HR department on employees' affective commitment

Based on social exchange theory, we investigate the impact of HRM investments made by two important HR actors, line managers and HR department, on employees' affective commitment. More specifically, we examine the independent and joint impact of line managers' enactment of HR practices, their relations-oriented leadership behaviour and the HR department's service quality. Accordingly, we consider the largely neglected HRM role of line managers. In addition, we focus on perceived HRM, which is seen as a determining factor in employees' attitudinal and behavioural reactions. Data for this study were collected from 1363 employees, working in three service organizations. The results indicate that line managers can enhance employees' affective commitment by both the effective enactment of HR practices and the effective relations-oriented leadership behaviour. High service quality by the HR department also has a positive effect on employees' affective commitment. Implications for research and practice are discussed.