Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and Partial Characterization of an X-prolyl-dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase from Lactobacillus gasseri ME-284

An X-prolyl-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase has been purified from Lactobacillus gasseri by lysozyme treatment and seven chromatographic steps. The yield was 1.4% and the specific activity increased 265-fold over the crude enzyme extract. SDS-PAGE provided a single band with a MW of approximately 82 kDa. Gel filtration chromatography showed that the native enzyme was approximately 173 kDa, suggesting that the protein is a dimer. The amino acid sequences of the peptide fragments obtained after tryptic treatment of the purified enzyme were determined and found to be consistent with that of an X-prolyl-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase from L. gasseri ATCC 33323 (LGAS_0712, coverage: 31.74%). Optimal activity was observed at pH 7.0 and 55°C. The activity was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, and by divalent cations (Cu2+, Hg2+, and Zn2+). From these inhibition characteristics, the enzyme is likely a serine proteinase. Beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7, Tyr-Pro-PhePro-Gly-Pro-Ile) was hydrolyzed into X-proline fragments from the N-terminus of the peptide. The characteristics of the enzyme are very similar to those of the enzyme from Lactobacillus sakei. However, as free amino acids were detected among the degradation products of BCM-7, some aspects of substrate specificity require further clarification.
Phylogenetic reassessment of the five forewing  radial‐veined tribes of Riodininae (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

The relationships among the genera and tribal groupings of Riodininae with five forewing radial veins, and between these and tribes with four forewing radial veins, were examined using a phylogenetic analysis. Using the type species from all sixteen genera in the tribal groupings Eurybiini, Mesosemiini and incertae sedis (a presumed paraphyletic group of loosely related genera), and representatives from the four forewing radial‐veined riodinine tribes, thirty‐five new and traditional characters were coded from adult ecology, wing venation and pattern, the adult head and body, male and female genitalia, and early stage ecology and morphology. The majority of characters are illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis of these data produced five equally most parsimonious cladograms using equal weights and after successive weighting. The strict consensus of these confirms the monophyly of Eurybiini and Mesosemiini as currently conceived, but also indicates several higher‐level relationships not previously hypothesized. Mesosemiini is here more broadly defined to also include the entire incertae sedis section, and the tribe is divided into Mesosemiina, for the previously delimited Mesosemiini plus Eunogyra and Teratophthalma, and Napaeina, subtr.n. for the incertae sedis section minus these two genera. The following hypothesis of relationships is tentatively proposed for the basal clades of Riodininae: Mesosemiini + (Eurybiini + remainder of Riodininae). These new hypotheses, and the characters supporting them, are discussed and compared with those previously proposed.
River flooding and reproduction of migratory fish species in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

Jimenez-Segura LF, Palacio J, Leite R. River flooding and reproduction of migratory fish species in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 178–186. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – In most tropical rivers subject to a single-yearly flooding, migratory fish usually spawn in the onset of the flooding and larvae drift to their nursery habitats. To define when the migratory fish species reproduce, its relationship with the water level and when nursery areas in floodplain lakes are supplied with ichthyoplankton in the Magdalena River, a two-yearly peak flooding river, we sampled the ichthyoplankton weekly throughout 2 years. The fish species Pseudoplatystoma magdaleniatum, Prochilodus magdalenae, Leporinus muyscorum, Sorubim cuspicaudus and Curimata mivartii spawn twice a year in the main channel and its larvae input into the floodplain lakes are not always associated with flooding. Spawning in the main channel and larvae inputs into the floodplain lakes suggest that the habitat used by the migratory fishes may be consistent with some hypotheses on habitats used by these fishes.
Defining the Ubiquitin and E2-Enzyme Requirements for APC/C-Mediated Degradation of Cyclin B1

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin regulates many aspects of cell physiology, including protein degradation. A uniform polyubiquitin chain that is linked through Lys48 has been widely accepted as central for recognition and destruction by the 26S proteasome. Work in more recent years has demonstrated that the repertoire of proteolytic signals may encompass chains of other linkage types, including Lys11-linked ubiquitin chains and short assemblies of mixed linkage. In this dissertation I examine whether catalysis mediated by the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is dependent on polyubiquitination and whether the proteolytic machinery exerts a requirement for specific ubiquitin linkages to efficiently degrade cyclin B1. In chapter II, I describe a novel method in which Xenopus cell-cycle extracts are made largely dependent on exogenous ubiquitin by inhibiting ubiquitin recycling, allowing us to evaluate the relative contribution of distinct ubiquitin linkages in APC/C-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. Utilizing this approach, in chapter III, I found that the conjugation of single ubiquitin moieties to multiple lysine residues in cyclin promotes efficient degradation of cyclin B1 in mitotic Xenopus extracts. Lysine11-ubiquitin chain-formation becomes essential to proteasomal targeting only when the number of available lysine residues in cyclin B1 is
Annual Male Lek Attendance Influences Count-Based Population Indices of Greater Sage-Grouse

Populations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are monitored using counts of males displaying on breeding leks (lek counts). When count-based indices are used to assess population growth (λ), an implicit assumption is that detection is constant through time and space. If detection depends on breeding behavior, annual variation in the proportion of individuals that attend a breeding site may lead to a violation of this assumption. We used 8 years of banding data from male sage-grouse in eastern Nevada and capture–mark–recapture analyses to evaluate how temporary absence of males from lek sites during a given year may influence estimates of population trends derived from lek counts. We estimated the proportion of variance in annual lek count trends that corresponded with an independent estimate of λ, versus variance associated with temporary absence. The probability a male sage-grouse attended 1 of our study leks at least once in a given year ranged from a low of 0.56 (±0.22 SE) to a high of 0.87 (±0.11 SE). Variance in annual lek count trends was associated with both realized λ (semipartial R2 = 0.57), and sampling error associated with temporary absence (semipartial R2 = 0.40). We found discrepancies between lek count and realized λ in 3 out of 7 intervals, whereas estimates of λ for the entire study interval were extremely similar between count-based and capture–mark–recapture methods (λ = 0.90 ± 0.05 SE and λ = 0.91 ± 0.05 SE, respectively). Temporary absence was influenced by male density during the previous year and associated with exotic grasslands surrounding leks, although some uncertainty was associated with this latter effect. Lek counts are well suited for estimating λ across multi-year intervals, whereas annual estimates of λ should be viewed cautiously if variation in annual lek attendance is not directly incorporated. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Effect of irrigation interval and water salinity on growth of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the limits of irrigation water salinity and soil water content for growth inhibition of vetiver. Moreover, different models were studied to describe the root water uptake and plant top growth under salinity and water stresses in a pot experiment. Irrigation treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (3, 6 and 9-day). The salinity levels of the irrigation water were 0.8 (tap water), 10, 20 and 30 dS m -1 . It is concluded that by enforcing salinity and increasing its level up to 30 dS m -1 , no significant decline in the top dry matter (TDM) has been observed. However, in the salinity level of 30 dS m -1 increasing of soil water stress caused TDM to decrease. The maximum amount of leaf area index (LAI) was observed at water salinity level of 0.8 dS m -1 and as the salinity increased, it decreased. However, at different water salinity levels, the reduction of LAI was not significant. Moreover, the results showed that the water stress did not have significant effects on reduction of LAI separately, while the water salinity did. The thresholds of water salinity and irrigation intervals for affecting vetiver's root were between 20 and 30 dS m -1 and 6 days (80% soil available water depletion), respectively. Moreover, the threshold values of soil salinity were 13.8 dS m -1 for top and 19.4 dS m -1 for root growth. Then, it can be concluded that the top growth is more sensitive to the water salinity, than the root one. Therefore, in terms of economic, if using root is more substantial, root production would be more beneficial. The growth reduction per unit increase in soil salinity for top growth and root growth are 2% and 3% per dS m -1 , respectively. Therefore, top and root growth affected similarly by increasing the soil salinity. Relative yield response factor to water stress was 0.472 that showed the vetiver resistance to soil water stress. It is
Amphiglena terebro sp. nov. (Polychaeta: Sabellidae: Sabellinae) from eastern Australia; including a description of larval development and sperm ultrastructure

Abstract Amphiglenaterebro sp. nov. (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) is described from eastern Australia. This species can be distinguished from the other three species of Amphiglena Claparede on the basis of the shape of thoracic uncini and notochaetae, the number of thoracic and abdominal chaetigers and overall size. Amphiglena terebro is a simultaneous hermaphrodite with oocytes in the anterior abdominal chaeugers and sperm and spermatids in the following abdominal chaetigers, Sperm have an elongate nucleus and long midpiece, The acrosome and nucleus spiral around each other at the tip of the sperm. Spermiogenesis occurs in large, synchronously developing masses connected to a cytophore, Throughout the year direct-developing larvae are brooded in the tube with the adult. Severallarvae at different stages of development could be found in a tube at anyone time. Early larvae are elongate ellipses (500 p.m long) with a prominent prototroch and neurotroch. Larvae develop all 8 thoracic chaetigers with notochaetae a.
Effect of the media on vegetative buds and rooting of vegetative shoot of date palm cv.Khadrawi propagated by in vitro culture

Took on advantage of tissue culture technology in the propagation of date palm cv. Khadrawi by stimulating the formation of vegetative buds from initial callus tissue. The medium provided with (0.5 mg / L NAA +3 mg / l 2iP) and supplemented with 5 g / l agar showed a significantly effect on the percentage of callus tissue of budding and number of vegetative buds formed as compared with other treatments. The increased concentra-tion of phosphate added in the form of KH2PO4 to 200 mg / L resulted in a significant increase in the number of vegetative buds.The medium supplied with full strength MS salts and supplemented with 40 g / l of sucrose showed a significant superiority in the number of vegetative buds are formed compared with other treatments. The results showed also that doubling the concentration of MS vitamins added to the medium have led to a significant increase in the number of vegetative buds compared with half and full concentration. The use of liquid media with perlit added at the stage of rooting recorded a significant increase in the lengths of vegetative shoot, roots numbers and root length.
Evolutionary potential but not extinction risk of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is associated with stream characteristics

Habitat fragmentation represents a major extinction threat for species of all taxa. Isolated populations have a higher risk of local extinction because of environmental variability and demographic processes associated with small populations. Here we examine the relationships among isolation, habitat size, habitat characteristics and variability, and genetic effective population size with extinction risk for 10 isolated and three interconnected populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) sampled from throughout their range. Contrary to expectations, we did not find a relationship between most habitat variables and extinction risk. However, we did find strong relationships between habitat variables and genetic effective population size, including a significant negative correlation between pool density and effective population size. Small effective population sizes can result in reduced genetic variation and losses of evolutionary potential and adaptability to changing environment.
Cytokinins Affect Respiration, Ethylene Production, and Chlorophyll Retention of Packaged Broccoli Florets

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica 'Citation') florets were treated postharvest with either benzyladenine or trans-zeatin at either 10 or 50 ppm before packaging in perforated polyethylene bags and storage at 16C. The most pronounced effects were observed with benzyladenine at 50 ppm. Compared to controls, respiration rate was reduced 50% and ethylene production increased 40% throughout the first 4 days of storage. Total chlorophyll content had dropped 60% in controls, but was unchanged in cytokinin-treated florets, which had a 90% longer shelf life than controls. These effects depended on the amount of cytokinin applied and were of greater mag- nitude with benzyladenine than with zeatin.
Influence of Glomus fasciculatus mycorrhizae on some physical and chemical characteristics of Platanus occidentalis seedlings

Inoculation of Platanus occidentalis seedlings with Glomus fasciculatus significantly increased plant dry weight and foliar phosphorus (P) concentration when compared with the uninoculated control. After 12 weeks inoculated seedlings were 73% taller and 200% greater in total dry weight. The largest dry weight increase was recorded for foliage (212%) followed in order by stem (202%) and root (171%). Averaged overall nutrient treatments, foliar P concentration was 22% greater for the inoculated seedlings. Nutrient regimes representing 1×, 2×, and 4× Hoagland's No. 2 solution and a control significantly influenced seedling height, dry weight, percentage of foliar N, P, and K, and the degree of root colonization. Maximum growth and foliar nutrient concentrations were associated with the 2× Hoagland's nutrient regime followed in order by the 4× and 1× nutrient treatments and the control. Degree of root colonization by G. fasciculatus increased from 42% of the root length in the unfertilized control to 48% at t.
Genetic risks of supplementing trout populations with native stocks: a simulation case study from current Pyrenean populations

The risks of supplementation must be examined to assess the genetic effects to native wild populations before full implementation or exclusion of programs that involve captive breeding and release. Real genetic data can be applied to simulations of genetic changes in populations of interest and subsequently used in risk assessment. Ancestral Mediterranean brown trout (Salmo trutta) lineages exhibit complex population structure among native populations. Genetically divergent Atlantic stocks were maintained and released in the Mediterranean rivers as recreational fish, which resulted in hybridization and introgression with local populations. Therefore, we designed a new supplementation program based on native stocks and evaluated the genetic risks associated with releasing native fish in recreational fisheries. Our simulation was delimited by the observed population genetic structure and available hatchery facilities in the study region. Supplementation with native stocks maintained estimates of gene divers.
Professional motivation of Russian employees: assessment and associations with well-being and performance

We present three studies aimed to develop a new version of Work Motivation Questionnaire (WMQ) with 20 items operationalizing the relative autonomy continuum described in Self-Determination Theory by E. Deci and R. Ryan. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in two large samples (N =3,614 and N = 10,913) of Russian production enterprises we confirmed the validity of a structure with six scales measuring intrinsic motivation, integrated, identified, introjected, and external forms of extrinsic motivation, as well as amotivation. The internal consistency of the scales ranged from . 62 to.91. The second-order factor structure supports the indices of autonomous and controlled motivation (alpha .91 and .80, respectively), as well as relative autonomy index (alpha .84) based on bifactor rotation. Using multigroup CFA we found scalar invariance of the instrument with respect to employee position and test administration format (paper-based vs. computerized). Predictable associations of autonomous and controlled motivation with work engagement, boredom, emotional exhaustion, and self-reported performance indicate the validity of the new measure. Relative autonomy was associated with work intensity and difficulty, job autonomy, support from colleagues and supervisor, availability of feedback, as well as positive socio-moral climate (justice, respect, open discussion, collective decision-making). Employee position and education were the strongest demographic predictors of autonomous motivation. In a separate sample (N = 69) we found positive associations of autonomous motivation and negative associations of controlled motivation with expert ratings of competencies based on competence interviews. The findings indicate that the WMQ is a reliable and valid instrument for organizational research based on Self-Determination Theory.
1Sl(1B) Chromosome substitution in Chinese Spring wheat promotes starch granule development and starch biosynthesis

Abstract. The common wheat variety Chinese Spring (CS) chromosome substitution line CS-1Sl(1B) was used in this study, in which the 1B chromosome in CS (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) was substituted by the 1Sl from Aegilops longissima (2n = 2x = 14, SlSl). The results showed that the substitution of 1B in CS by 1Sl chromosome could significantly increase amylopectin and total starch contents. The dynamic changes in starch granules during grain development in CS and CS-1Sl(1B) demonstrated that the substitution line possessed higher amount of A-type starch granules and greater diameter of both A- and B-granules. qRT-PCR revealed that some key genes involved in starch biosynthesis, such as starch synthases (SSI, SSII and SSIII), starch branching enzymes (SBE IIa and SBE IIb) and granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS I), displayed higher transcript levels of mRNA expressions during grain development in CS-1Sl(1B). Our results indicate that the substituted 1Sl chromosome carries important genes that influence starch granule development and starch biosynthesis, which may be used as potential gene resources for improvement of wheat starch quality.
Synthesis and antitumor activity of chitosan carrying 5-fluorouracils

In order to provide a polymeric drug of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) with reduced side-effects, having affinity for tumor cells and exhibiting high antitumor activity, four kinds of chitosan derivatives were synthesized carrying 5FUs through some kinds of spacers via ether, amide, ester, or carbamoyl bonds. The release behaviors of 5FU and 5FU residues were studied in vitro at 37°C in various aqueous media. The antitumor activity was tested against p-388 lymphocytic leukemia in female CDF1 mice in vivo by intraperitoneal injection of the polymeric drugs followed by intraperitoneal injection of the leukemia cells (i. p./i. p.). Chitosan fixing 5FU at 2-position through a hexamethylene spacer and carbamoyl linkages (9) exhibits a higher effect with respect to prolongation of life than free 5FU. The chitosan-5FU conjugates obtained do not display acute toxicity in the high dose range.
Intratree Variation in Foliage Development Influences the Foraging Strategy of a Caterpillar

Zeiraphera canadensis Mut. & Free. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an early season folivore that feeds exclusively on young foliage of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Most first—instar larvae are unable to colonize vigorous upper—crown apical buds due to the limited time during which newly burst buds are suitable to young larvae and the distinct acropetal bud development pattern exhibited by white spruce. However, late second— and early third—instar larvae abandon buds from the lower and middle crown and disperse to upper—crown apical buds once they become available for colonization. We carried out a 3—yr field study to test the hypothesis that "acropetal" dispersal by late second— and early third—instar Z. canadensis larvae through the crown of white spruce is an adaptive response to within—plant variability in foliage development. Survival and the size and developmental rate of survivors were highest when larvae developed on apical buds in the upper crown. Smaller buds located more proximally and/or lower in the crown declined in quality earlier than did the larger buds in the upper crown. Larvae that developed in buds with several conspecifics survived better, were larger, and developed faster than those that developed alone. Intraspecific larval competition was evident only at the highest densities, where the entire apical bud unit was consumed. Individuals allowed to develop for two instars on buds from the lower crown before being transferred acropetally to complete development on apical buds once they became available, always survived better, were larger, and developed faster than nontransferred larvae, irrespective of initial bud position and/or larval density. In addition, acropetal dispersal did not increase the probability of mortality from Formica ants, the most common predators found foraging on young white spruce. Including the costs and benefits associated with competition and predation, the performance of individuals that were restricted to developing within even the highest quality upper—crown apical buds (i.e., alternative strategy) was lower than for individuals that were allowed to feed twice on new foliage (i.e., the observed strategy). Thus, acropetal dispersal increases individual fitness in a heterogeneous environment where the quality and quantity of required plant resources varies spatially and temporally.