Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 integrase is capable of targeting DNA to the nucleus via an Importin α/β-dependent mechanism

In addition to its well-documented role in integration of the viral genome, the HIV-1 enzyme IN (integrase) is thought to be involved in the preceding step of importing the viral cDNA into the nucleus. The ability of HIV to transport its cDNA through an intact nuclear envelope allows HIV-1 to infect non-dividing cells, which is thought to be crucial for the persistent nature of HIV/AIDS. Despite this, the mechanism utilized by HIV-1 to import its cDNA into the nucleus, and the viral proteins involved, remains ill-defined. In the present study we utilize in vitro techniques to assess the nuclear import properties of the IN protein, and show that IN interacts with members of the Imp (Importin) family of nuclear transport proteins with high affinity and exhibits rapid nuclear accumulation within an in vitro assay, indicating that IN possesses potent nucleophilic potential. IN nuclear import appears to be dependent on the Imp α/β heterodimer and Ran GTP (Ran in its GTP-bound state), but does not require ATP. Importantly, we show that IN is capable of binding DNA and facilitating its import into the nucleus of semi-intact cells via a process that involves basic residues within amino acids 186–188 of IN. These results confirm IN as an efficient mediator of DNA nuclear import in vitro and imply the potential for IN to fulfil such a role in vivo. These results may not only aid in highlighting potential therapeutic targets for impeding the progression of HIV/AIDS, but may also be relevant for non-viral gene delivery.
Effect of Dietary Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids on Feed Intake by Chicks

Abstract Seven short- and medium-chain fatty acids and three industrial grade mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids were evaluated for their potential as feed additives for the regulation of feed intake as chicks. Voluntary feed intake of 7- to 21-day-old broiler chicks decreased when substituting propionic, caprylic, capric, or lauric acids for corn oil at 30 g/kg, but not with acetic, butyric, or caproic acids. Negative linear responses to caprylic and lauric acids were found over the range of dietary content of 0 to 100 g/kg, with regression coefficients (b) = −5.6 and −5.9 g feed intake/g fatty acids/kg feed (r2 = .84 and .81), respectively, for 1- to 29-day-old chicks. Feed intake response to industrial grade lauric acid and coconut fatty acids, when included at 7% level, was similar to that predicted from their content of medium-chain fatty acids of 980 and 590 g/kg. Thirty g/kg pelargonic acid gave a 50% reduction in feed intake and weight gain in 1- to 29-day-old chicks. A higher mortality was noted in chicks receiving industrial grade fatty acids than in other chicks.
Evaluation of Streptomyces spp. for biocontrol of gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae) and growth promotion of Cucumis melo L.

Abstract Gummy stem blight of Cucumis melo L. (melon) caused by Didymella bryoniae is a serious disease in the major production area of northwest China. Two Streptomyces isolates (Streptomyces pactum A12 and S. globisporus subsp. globisporus C28) previously isolated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were investigated regarding their biocontrol of gummy stem blight and growth promotion of melon under controlled conditions. Streptomyces A12 and C28 indicated obvious antagonistic activity against D. bryoniae in vitro. Both A12 and C28 significantly decreased disease severity and AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve) of melon gummy stem blight in vivo (P < 0.05). Ten-fold dilution of C28 culture filtrate was more effective in controlling the disease compared with other treatments, the disease reduction effects were 41.0–64.2%. The mean fresh weights were increased by 40.4% for plants, 44.2% for roots, and 40.3% for aerial parts, when A12 was applied in both nursery soil and transplanted soil. Streptomyces C28 also increased the mean fresh weights of melon plants by 18.4–49.0% compared with the control in pot trial. Streptomyces A12 and C28 showed substantial colonization abilities in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane of melon plants. Results demonstrated that Streptomyces A12 and C28 were of positive effect on the biocontrol of gummy stem blight and growth promotion of Cucumis melo L.
Characterization of collagen type 10a1 and osteocalcin in early and mature osteoblasts during skeleton formation in medaka

Summary Small teleost fish, such as the medaka (Oryzias latipes), are attractive animal models to study the genetics underlying bone formation. In order to characterize specific marker genes for bone formation in medaka, we identified and analyzed the gene expression of collagen type10a1 and osteocalcin during embryonic and larval development. In mammals and chicken, Collagen type 10a1 is expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Osteocalcin, on the other hand, is expressed in mature osteoblasts, which have started to produce mineralized bone matrix. In contrast to mammals and chicken, expression of collagen type 10a1 during medaka embryogenesis is not found in chondrocytes but instead is restricted to intramembranous and perichondral bone formation. Therefore, collagen type 10a1 expression marks early osteoblasts. Osteocalcin, on the other hand is expressed in mature osteoblasts in mineralizing intramembranous and perichondral bone.
Germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento de plântulas de moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) em função do peso da semente e do tipo de substrato

Moringa oleifera Lam. e uma especie arborea originaria do noroeste indiano, cultivada gracas ao seu valor alimentar, medicinal, industrial e no tratamento de agua para o consumo humano. Os efeitos do peso de sementes e do substrato na germinacao e desenvolvimento das plântulas foram determinados, sob condicoes de casa de vegetacao (sombrite 50% com nebulizacao intermitente) em Fortaleza (CE), de 29/11 a 14/12/02. Os tratamentos constaram de arranjo fatorial 3x3 referente a tres categorias de semente: pesadas (272,41 g/1000 sementes), medias (218,88 g/1000 sementes) e leves (177,07 g/1000 sementes); e tres substratos: vermiculita; Plantmax® e uma mistura a base de solo esterilizado (S), humus de minhoca (H) e po de coco lavado (PC), na proporcao de 2:1:1, dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repeticoes (24 sementes/repeticao). Efetuou-se a semeadura das tres classes de pesos de sementes em bandejas de isopor de 72 celulas contendo os substratos, avaliando-se a percentagem, velocidade e tempo medio de germinacao, altura da plântula, massa seca da parte aerea e massa seca total. As sementes pesadas e medias apresentaram maior percentagem e velocidade de germinacao do que as leves; as sementes pesadas proporcionaram plântulas mais vigorosas; no substrato Plantmax® e na mistura (S+H+PC) a percentagem e a velocidade de germinacao foi superior a vermiculita; e as plântulas desenvolveram-se melhor no substrato Plantmax®.
Potassium forms and quantity–intensity relationships in some wetland soils of Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess forms of potassium (K) and K quantity–intensity relationships in six wetland soils in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria. Collected soil samples from pedogenic horizons of six profile pits were analyzed using appropriate techniques. The soils were loamy sand – sandy clay with very low to moderate (0.04–2.55%) organic carbon, low–medium (4.29–22.29 cmol kg−1) effective cation exchange capacity, high base saturation (89.42–99.56%), and low available phosphorus (≤1.90 mg kg−1). Values of exchangeable-K (0.05–0.20 cmol kg−1), mobile-K (0.26–1.53 cmol kg−1), reserved-K (0.51–2.56 cmol kg−1), residual-K (0.42–2.21 cmol kg−1), and total-K (1.02–3.32 cmol kg−1) were low. The buffering capacity of the soils for K (88.10–273.2 cmol kg−1(mol.L−1)½) and labile-K at specific site (4.48–16.43 cmol kg−1) were moderate and the free energy of replacement (5512.17–8414.94 J mol−1) was low. The results suggest that the soils have low capacity to fix K and could, therefore, release applied K fertilizer appropriately for crop uptake. The low-K status of the soil can be corrected by application of K fertilizers.
The Change in Biological Activities of Brown Rice and Germinated Brown Rice

We studied the biological activities, including antioxidant compounds, antioxidant activities, anti-proliferative activities, and immunological activities of brown rice and germinated brown rice. We examined the DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and reducing power of 70% ethanol extracts from some cultivars of brown rice and germinated brown rice. The total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and -oryzanol contents of the extracts were measured with spectrophotometric methods. The Hongjinjubeyo brown rice and germinated brown rice extracts showed markedly higher antioxidative activity than those of 70% ethanol extracts from other cultivars. The 70% ethanol extracts from brown rice and germinated brown rice had the most effective anti-proliferative activity (cytotoxicity) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7) compared to colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116). A /mL concentration of 70% Hongjinjubyeo ethanol extract had higher macrophage and mitogenic activities of immunological activity than other cultivars.
Home Invasion

ABSTRACT This article discusses the debate on the Crimes (Home Invasion) Amendment Bill (1999), in which the New Zealand Parliament was engaged in forming a definition of home. The article traces the debate and the versions of home that surfaced, then draws upon de Certeau's space/place discourse in order to speculate on the concept of home that the legislature arrived at.
Browsing and damage inflicted by moose in young Scots pine stands subjected to high-stump precommercial thinning

In Fennoscandia, young stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are intensively used by moose (Alces alces L.) during winter. We studied whether forage amounts on high-cut pines in high-stump commercial thinning influenced browsing intensity and damage incidence on retained (i.e. uncut) pine stems. High-cut pines were browsed, but to a lesser extent than retained pines. At a scale corresponding to individual feeding sites (≈40 m2), browsing intensity on retained pines was not influenced by the amount of forage on high-cut pines but was positively related to moose pellet group counts. The incidence of lower-height damage (stem breakage and bark stripping) was positively related to the amount of forage on high-cut pines, whereas higher damage (leader shoot browsing) was not. Overall browsing damage incidence on retained pines was positively related to the density of deciduous trees and negatively related to the amount of forage on retained pines. Our results suggest that although high-stump thinning supplies additional food resources for moose, larger amounts of forage on high-cut pines may increase the risk for bark stripping and stem breakage on retained trees. Further research is needed at larger spatial scales to assess the feasibility of high-stump thinning as a damage mitigation measure.
Pollen‐vegetation relationship and pollen preservation on the Northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau is one of the most sensitive areas to climate change of the earth, owing to its unique topographic features and ecosystem. Soil pollen analysis is an important component of palaeo‐ecological research, while pollen preservation and the relationship between pollen and vegetation can influence the correct interpretation of fossil pollen spectra. In this paper, 36 pollen samples, which come from four meadows and two forest soil pollen profiles, have been analyzed to determine relationships between pollen and vegetation and pollen preservation on the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. The relationship between pollen and vegetation shows that the surface pollen assemblages can represent regional vegetation characteristics moderately, while Betula and Populus pollen is absent in the soil surface for Betula and Populus mixed forest. Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Ephedra, Pinus, Hippophae etc. are over‐represented pollen taxa, Leguminosae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Gramineae etc. are under‐represented pollen taxa. The study of pollen preservation indicates that pollen concentrations decrease with the increase of soil depths, more pollen taxa are present in surface soils than in deep levels, and more than 75% pollen grains will be lost from the surface soils to deep levels. Pollen sorting preservation function should be noticed. Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae can be preserved well and have higher pollen percentages in deeper levels. Cyperaceae and Populus are preserved worse, Populus pollen is absent and Cyperaceae has higher pollen percentages in the surface soil than in the deep levels. The high soil pH values are the most destructive factors for pollen preservation on the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Pollen concentrations decrease sharply when the soil pH values are over 7.6. Downward leaching of pollen is unimportant in this study.
TAT-based drug delivery system – new directions in protein delivery for new hopes?

There has been great progress in the use of TAT-based drug delivery systems for the delivery of different macromolecules into cells in vitro and in vivo, thus circumventing the bioavailability barrier that is a problem for so many drugs. There are many advantages to using this system, such as the ability to deliver these cargoes into all types of cells in culture and into all organs in vivo. This system can even deliver cargoes into the brain across the blood–brain barrier. In addition, the ability to target specific intracellular sub-localizations such as the nuclei, the mitochondria and lysosomes further expands the possibilities of this drug delivery system to the development of sub-cellular organelle-targeted therapy. The therapeutic applications seem almost unlimited, and the use of the TAT-based delivery system has extended from proteins to a large variety of cargoes such as oligonucleotides, imaging agents, low molecular mass drugs, nanoparticles, micelles and liposomes. In this review the most recent advances in the use of the TAT-based drug delivery system will be described, mainly discussing TAT-mediated protein delivery and the use of the TAT system for enzyme replacement therapy.
The systematic status of the Iriomote cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis Imaizumi 1967) and the subspecies of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis Kerr 1792)

The taxonomic status of the Iriomote cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis Imaizumi 1967) has been the subject of considerable discussion. Wozencraft's (1993) decision that it is merely a subspecies of Prionailurus bengalensis has been adopted by IUCN, which may affect the chances of conserving this unique animal. This paper reports on an investigation into the relationship between the Iriomote cat and other species, using skull measurements to calculate skull configurations, from which species and subspecies may be compared with each other. The results prove that the Iriomote cat cannot be subsumed as a subspecies of Prionailurus bengalensis but is a species of its own. It is closely related to the genus Prionailurus but also has affinities with the genera Pardofelis and Profelis. It appears to be a very ancient species, a ‘missing link’, nearer to the common root of the cat tribe than any other extant species. Zusammenfassung Die systematische Stellung der Iriomotekatze (Prionailurus iriomotensis Imaizumi 1967) und der Unterarten der Bengalkatze (P. bengalensis Kerr 1792) Schadelmase nach Haltenorth (1937) wurden benutzt, um Schadelproportionen zu berechnen; anhand dieser lassen sich Arten und Unterarten miteinander vergleichen. Die hier eingehend beschriebene Methode wurde eingesetzt, um die Verwandtschaft zwischen der Iriomotekatze und anderen Felidenarten zu untersuchen. Grundlegende Unterschiede der Schadelproportionen zeigen eindeutig, das die Iriomotekatze nicht eine Unterart von Prionailurus bengalensis, sondern eine eigenstandige Art ist. Obwohl sie eng mit der Gattung Prionailurus verwandt ist und sowohl mit P. bengalensis als auch mit P. viverrinus und P. planiceps gemeinsame Merkmale aufweist, sind Affinitaten auch mit den Gattungen Pardofelis und Profelis nicht zu ubersehen; diese werden noch genauer untersucht. Hinweise auf eine fruhe Gabelung der Felidae in zwei Linien, eine feline und eine pantherine, lieferten Collier and O'Brien (1985) und Janczewski et al. (1995). Unsere Ergebnisse deuten auf eine Verwandtschaft der Iriomotekatze mit beiden Linien. Demnach scheint iriomotensis eine sehr alte Art — in der Tat ein “fehlendes Glied” — zu sein, die der gemeinsamen Wurzel der Katzenfamilie naher steht als jede andere noch lebende Art. Dazu past, das die Landbrucke zwischen den Ryukyu-Inseln und dem asiatischen Festland in der Mitte des Miozans unterbrochen wurde.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Heliotropium (Boraginaceae s.l.) in south Yemen

The flora and fauna of Arabia, particularly southern Yemen, has recently attracted the interest of many authors. In this study, the genus Heliotropium L. (Boraginaceae) is taxonomically revised in southern Yemen. Ten species are recognized. Nomenclature, typification, representative specimens and a diagnostic key to all species are provided, along with their distribution in southern Yemen. The taxonomically most valuable characters in the genus are those of flowers (calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium) and nutlets, and those characters are thoroughly investigated and discussed. Both light and scanning microscopy are used in the investigation. Papillate anther apices (brush-like) were recognized in some species. Connate anthers and deep or shallow ventral circular depressions on the nutlets were found to be useful in distinguishing members of H. sect. Orthostachys (viz. H. strigosum, H. rariflorum and H. ovalifolium), while winged nutlets were found only in H. pterocarpum. The length and hairiness of the style and stigma also proved to be taxonomically useful.
Feeding behavior, toe count, and the phylogenetic relationships among alcedinine kingfishers (Alcedininae)

The pygmy kingfishers of the Old World tropics (Alcedininae) display a range of feeding behaviors, plumage types, and morphologies that have caused much taxonomic confusion in the group. We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear genes to reconstruct a phylogenetic hypothesis for the subfamily, which was then used to examine the utility of common taxonomic characters. The phylogenetic hypothesis reveals multiple shifts between insectivory and piscivory, as well as homoplasy in bill color and plumage color. Piscivores and insectivores are interspersed across the tree, as are blue and rufous plumage types. It is apparent that reliance on these characters to delineate genera has resulted in classifications that do not describe natural groups. The sole taxonomic character examined that defines a natural division in the subfamily, toe count, is also the one generally dismissed as non-informative in the alcedinines, yet all species with a reduction in the number of toes form a clade. It is recommended that four genera be retained to describe the variation within pygmy kingfishers.
Land-use changes and their impacts on soil degradation and surface runoff of two catchments of Northern Ethiopia

Abstract Land-use/land-cover changes and their associated impact on environment in the period from 1964 to 2006 was studied in two catchments located in the highland of Tigray using geographic information system and remote-sensing approaches supplemented with field measurements. Results show that, for all periods, cultivated land constitutes the most prevalent (>60%) land-use type and shows a total increase of 1.7 ha y−1 at Gum Selassa and a decrease of 5.5 ha y−1 at Maileba. Forest and woodland suffered more damage in both areas losing 32.8 ha (100%) and 53 ha (100%), respectively at Gum Selassa; and 1.74 ha (96.7%) and 52.7 ha (100%) at Maileba over four decades. At Gum Selassa, shrubland decreased by 1.26 ha y−1 while at Maileba it showed a slight positive increment of 0.38 ha y−1. Area under settlement increased by a greater magnitude at Maileba (6.3 ha y−1) and a slight increase at Gum Selassa (1.4 ha y−1) in response to the rapid population increase. These changes in land uses/cover brought significant deleterious impacts on land degradation and surface runoff. The cumulative degradation index (DI) was negative for all land uses, with a higher value under Eucalyptus plantation (DI=−282) followed by cultivated land (DI=−260) at Maileba. Changes in land use/cover also decreased the water-storage capacity of soils by 1.63 and 1.09 mm y−1 at Gum Selassa and Maileba, respectively, with a corresponding increase in surface runoff by 2.7 and 2.3 mm y−1. Generally, the observed changes in land degradation and surface runoff are highly linked to the change in land use/land cover.
Current Production and Potential of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) in Peru

A traditional crop of the Andes, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.), has generated increased interest among farmers, agroindustries, and national and international research institutions in Peru, due to its nutritive value and ability to adapt to a wide range of agroecological conditions. Quinoa is produced mainly by small-scale farmers, who use traditional production, processing, storage, and distribution systems. These systems generate relatively low yields, varying across different locations and years. Peru's National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) oversees all quinoa research, technology transfer, and seed production through its national program for Andean crops. The goals of INIA are to increase production and productivity, while maintaining environmental safety and increasing food security. Demand for quinoa has during recent years increased considerably, both nationally and internationally.
Seasonal variation in productivity in semi-natural grasslands

The growth potential of four semi-natural grasslands with rotational grazing was studied during four growing seasons. A crop growth model was used to quantify growth potential and to separate the influence of weather variables from factors related to the plant stand. The investigation revealed a high variability in dry matter (DM) production among years during the study period due to weather. There was also found to be a clear seasonal variation. The general shape of the DM production curve, with a rapid spring growth (the maximum relative growth rate (R s )=0.16 g g−1 day−1), a midsummer depression (R s =0.06 g g−1 day−1), and a second peak of growth in late summer (R s =0.09 g g−1 day−1), was the same for all years and for all fields. The model underestimated production when cover of herbs was low in spring and overestimated production when cover of herbs was high in spring. The seasonal and among years variation in DM production entailed a parallel large variability in the numbers of grazing animals (from 11 to 43 heifers ha−1) the area could sustain.
Episodic acidification and changes in fish diversity in Pennsylvania headwater streams

Abstract Current water chemistry and fish communities in 70 Pennsylvania streams were compared with historical records to determine whether fish species richness had declined and, if so, the possible role of acidification. First-, second-, and third-order streams were selected, and stream sites sampled during the 1961–1971 survey were resampled during May and June 1994 in the Appalachian Plateaus province and during June 1995 in the Valley and Ridge province. Streamflow was measured and a habitat assessment was completed at each site. Dominant bedrock types influencing the stream sampling site were determined for the Appalachian Plateaus streams. Episodic water chemistry was collected for 39 of the 50 Appalachian Plateaus streams and 14 of the 20 Valley and Ridge streams during the winter and spring of 1996. Thirty-eight (76%) streams of the Appalachian Plateaus province and 13 (65%) streams in the Valley and Ridge province had a loss of fish species since the 1961–1971 sampling period. Habitat scores wer.