Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dimers of human β-defensins and their interactions with the POPG membrane

The stable dimeric structures of human β-defensin (HBD)-3 and -28 have been first computationally identified via a protein docking approach in conjunction with all-atom molecular dynamic simulation. We found that both HBD dimers contain an extended β-sheet platform stabilised mainly by the interaction of second β-sheets and further investigated interaction mechanisms of these dimers including HBD-2 against 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylglycerol membrane bilayer by using coarse-grained model combined with the ElNeDyn network. The extended β-sheet platform of the HBD dimer stayed over the bilayer due to the attachment of the amphipathic region located on one side of the β-sheet platform. The hydrophobic residues of HBDs on the surface interact with the hydrophobic tails of the lipids, whereas the positively charged residues interact with the lipid polar head groups. Finally, antimicrobial nature of HBD-2, HBD-3 and HBD-28 dimers is found to be kept because they are not detached in interacting with the membrane.
Persistence traits in perennial pasture grasses: the case of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.)

Abstract. Persistence is consistently claimed by Australian farmers as a high priority for perennial grasses in long-term pastures. Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) is a productive perennial grass with proven persistence in south-eastern Australia. Nevertheless, factors that determine the persistence of pasture species in southern Australia related to climate (drought), soil (acidity), grazing pressure, and, importantly, their interaction can reduce persistence of phalaris and other species in various situations. These factors and their interactions are discussed in this review, and strategies to improve persistence with emphasis on plant breeding approaches are considered, with the most durable outcomes achieved when breeding and management options are employed concurrently. Two examples of breeding to improve persistence traits in phalaris are described. A program to improve acid-soil tolerance resulted first in the release of cv. Landmaster, and recently Advanced AT, which is the most aluminium (Al)-tolerant cultivar of phalaris to date. It was bred by recurrent selection on acid soils in a population containing genes from a related, more Al-tolerant species, P. arundinacea. The higher Al tolerance of cv. Advanced AT is of most benefit in more assured establishment on acid soils under variable moisture conditions and confers improved flexibility of sowing date. Cultivar Holdfast GT was bred to address complaints of poor persistence under heavy grazing by cultivars of the highly productive, winter-active type, since high grazing tolerance is needed to achieve profitable returns from developed pastureland. Evidence of good persistence under grazing for cv. Holdfast GT and possible tradeoffs with productivity are discussed. Maintaining high productivity under a predicted higher incidence of drought stress (climate change) and increasing areas of acid soils presents ongoing challenges for persistence in pastures.
Energy consumption in the perfused gills of the euryhaline crab Eriocheir sinensis [H. Miln. Edw. ] adapted to freshwater

The euryhaline crab Eriocheir sinensis adapted to freshwater shows an ion transporting-type epithelium in the three posterior gills and a respiratory-type epithelium in the three anterior gills. When they are perfused in freshwater conditions, there is an increased transport of ions principally in the posterior gills. We also measure an increased degradation of the branchial glycogen. This polysaccharide is present in an extraepithelial lamina located in the hemal space of the lamellae. Its localization outside the ion-transporting epithelium and its higher consumption by the posterior gills submitted to hypo-osmotic conditions suggest a well-suited glucose transport mechanism through their epithelial membrane. Accordingly, the uptake of glucose by the epithelial cells is slightly higher in the posterior gills as compared with the anterior.
Radiofluorination and reductive amination using a microfluidic device

A commercial microfluidic device (NanoTek, Advion) was used as a synthesis platform for the preparation of fluorine-18 labelled tertiary amines in two consecutive steps. Firstly, the nucleophilic radiofluorination of an aromatic aldehyde and secondly, the reductive amination to produce the corresponding amine. Fluorine-18 labelled [18F]fluorobenzaldehyde ([18F]2) was obtained in an analytical radiochemical yield (rcy) of 93% and a preparative yield of 60% (decay corrected). The produced [18F]2 was applied in two model reactions yielding [18F]5 and [18F]6 in analytical rcy 70 and 75%, respectively. To further test the utility of this methodology, a delta opioid agonist, [18F]8, was also radiolabelled using the same setup in an analytical rcy of 29%. In a preparative run, 1050 MBq (28.4 mCi) isolated product ([18F]6) was obtained in a 37.5% decay corrected overall rcy calculated from [18F]fluoride. The radiochemical purity of [18F]6 was greater than 99% and the specific radioactivity 298 GBq/µmol (8052 Ci/mmol) at end of synthesis.
Cloning and Comparison of Prolactin Promoter in Galliformes

To investigate the mechanism regulating transcription of the prolactin (PRL) gene in avian species, the PRL promoter region in Ceylon junglefowl, Japanese quail, ring-necked pheasant, turkey, Indian peafowl and helmeted guineafowl were cloned and sequenced. In each species, approximately 4,800-5,900bp were sequenced. The PRL promoters of 7 galliformes including red junglefowl were found to have, on average, 91.2% sequence identity over the entire region and 97% sequence identity was observed in the proximal promoter (from the initiation codon (+55) to -130). Moreover, average of sequence identities was 91.6% among 11 avian species (7 galliformes, duck, Java sparrow, budgerigar and ostrich). In the PRL proximal promoter, putative Pit-1 binding site and vasoactive intestinal peptide response element were conserved among avian species. These results suggest that that the mechanisms involved in gene expression of PRL may be conserved in Galliformes.
THE DEVELOPMENTAL BASIS FOR SEXUAL EXPRESSION IN CERATONIA SILIQUA (LEGUMINOSAE: CAESALPINIOIDEAE: CASSIEAE)

The flowers of Ceratonia siliqua, an anomalous caesalpinioid legume in the tribe Cassieae, are unusual in being unisexual and in lacking petals. Inflorescence development, organogeny, and flower development are described for this species. All flowers are originally bisexual, but one sex is suppressed during late development of functionally male and female flowers. Ceratonia siliqua is highly plastic in sexuality of individuals, inflorescence branching pattern, racemose or cymose inflorescences, bracteole presence, terminal flower presence, organ number per whorl, missing floral organs, pollen grain form, and carpel cleft orientation. Order of initiation is: five sepals in helical order, then five stamens in helical order together with the carpel. Each stamen is initiated as two altemisepalous primordia that fuse to become a continuous antesepalous ridge; in some flowers, the last one or two stamens of the five may form as individual antesepalous mounds. Petal rudiments are occasional in mature flowers. Position of organs is atypical: the median sepal is on the adaxial side in Ceratonia, rather than abaxial as in most other caesalpinioids. This feature in Ceratonia may be viewed as a link to subfamily Mimosoideae, in which this character state is constant.
Simulation of growth processes

In this paper we discuss mathematical, numerical and atomistic models of growth at surfaces through a number of examples. I t is shown how such models have often been successful in predicting the structures th a t are observed experimentally. Different kinds of models are often complementary to each other. Mathematical models can give guidance on the long-time behaviour of the system but often need help from more detailed simulation to decide w hat to assume about the underlying microscopic processes. Despite their success, such models still have a long way to go. In particular, they need to address the question of how to predict the effective properties of coatings. Here experimental data are not always available, and guidance from theory is greatly needed.
A practical method for induced moulting of caged layers that combines full access to feed and water, dietary thyroactive protein, and short day length

This paper reviews and presents data suggesting that the use of thyroxine (T4) to induce moult in poultry may be a viable alternative to previous methods involving feed withdrawal or feed avoidance. Studies completed in wild and domestic avian species have indicated that T4 is associated with the natural moulting process. Four experiments, spanning the range from using a purified, injectable form of T4 to a cost effective commercially available product, iodinated casein (economical source of T4) that can be fed to hens via a standard poultry ration, are presented. Since hens have full access to the diet during the induced moult, it is hoped that the procedure will be acceptable both to the poultry industry and to organizations concerned about the welfare of birds during this period of their annual cycle.
Pathogenicity of some ectotrophic fungi with Phialophora anamorphs that infect the roots of turfgrasses.

At 28 C, Magnaporthe poae was highly pathogenic to 8-wk-old turf of P. pratensis and Poa annua and to 7-yr-old turf of P. pratensis, exhibiting symptoms of summer patch disease. Gaeumannomyces incrustans was mildly pathogenic to P. pratensis and P. annua, whereas G. cylindrosporus or Phialophora graminicola were parasitic but not pathogenic to the same hosts. M. poae also was pathogenic to Agrostis palustris, Festuca rubra var. commutata, F. arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Hordeum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Avena sativa and Secale cereale
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Whole Bovine Blood and Its Relationship to Some Colligative Properties

Hydrolysis of whole bovine blood with papain was studied, relating degree of hydrolysis (DH), with time, at temperatures ranging from 30°C to 60°C, pH 7 to 9, substrate concentrations of 4.5 to 8%, and enzyme concentrations of 2 to 8% with respect to the substrate. The effect of DH on the freezing point depression, water activity, and viscosity was evaluated. Freezing point depression is a suitable method to monitor the progress of hydrolysis, since it is easy to measure, and has good correlation with the conventional pH-stat technique.
Partial characterization and molecular cloning of a closterovirus from sweet potato infected with the sweet potato virus disease complex from Nigeria.

Flexuous, filamentous, viruslike particles with a modal length of 950 nm were consistently observed in leaf dip preparations of Ipomoea setosa infected with the whitefly-transmitted component of the sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) from Nigeria. Ultrastructural examinations of infected tissue from I. setosa revealed membrane-enclosed vesicles containing fibrillar material in the phloem parenchyma, which are indicative of clos- terovirus infections. These structures were also present in thin sections prepared from SPVD-infected I. setosa tissue (.)
Clavispora opuntiae, a New Heterothallic Yeast Occurring in Necrotic Tissue of Opuntia Species

We describe Clavispora opuntiae, a new cactophilic species of yeast with a wide distribution in necrotic tissue of Opuntia species. The more than 200 strains recognized thus far come from eastern Australia, Hawaii, Venezuela, Spain, various islands in the Caribbean Sea, Mexico, and southwestern areas of the United States. The new species is heterothallic and occurs in nature exclusively in the haploid state. Upon conjugation of complementary mating types, asci are produced with one or two clavate, warty ascospores (as observed by electron microscopy) that are very rapidly released from the asci. Testing for mating types has indicated that one mating type (arbitrarily designated h+ predominates in Australia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Montserrat, whereas in all other areas both mating types are found, sometimes in the same plant. The guanine-plus-cytosine content range for the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acids of 11 strains is 43.0 to 44.1 mol% (average, 43.5 mol%; standard deviation, 0.4 mol%). The type strain of C. opuntiae is strain UCD-FST 77-279 (= ATCC 42172 = CBS 7068), and the complementary mating type is strain UCD-FST 78-540A (= ATCC 42173 = CBS 7069).
Isolation of the vitellogenin-binding protein from locust ovaries

A rapid, efficient procedure for the isolation and purification of the vitellogenin binding protein from locust ovarian membranes is described. After solubilization with the nonionic detergent octyl-β-D-glucoside and removal of the detergent, the binding protein is subjected to affinity chromatography on vitellogenin coupled covalently to Affi-Gel 15. The binding protein is eluted with suramin and EDTA at low pH value. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 156,000 in the eluted fraction. By ligand blotting this polypeptide could be identified as the vitellogenin binding protein. It retains its high-affinity binding properties. The specific binding of vitellogenin increases from 4.8 μg (intact ovarian membranes) to 170.9 μg (affinity purified binding protein) per mg membrane protein, which corresponds to a purification factor of 35.
The taxonomy of the highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum.

Four hundred and ninety seven highbush blueberry specimens belonging to Vaccinium § Cyanococcus were collected from 56 sites in eastern North America. Numerical, cytological, and experimental analyses suggest that the highbush group should be recognized as a single polymorphic species, namely V. corymbosum L. Furthermore I postulate that the group originated in northern Florida from a hybrid swarm which resulted when V. tenellum came into contact with V. darrowii during the Pleistocene. At present the species is still acquiring characteristics through introgression with its lowbush congeners.
Tectono-stratigraphy of the Dampier Sub-basin, North West Shelf of Australia

Abstract The Dampier Sub-basin, an inboard rift system of the Northern Carnarvon Basin in the North West Shelf, Australia, underwent two major phases of continental rifting in the Late Paleozoic and in the Latest Triassic to Late Jurassic. Six tectono-stratigraphic megasequences separated by regional unconformities have been identified: (1) Pre-Late Carboniferous Pre-rift 1; (2) Late Carboniferous to Late Permian Syn-rift 1; (3) Early to Latest Triassic Post-rift 1; (4) Latest Triassic to Early Late Jurassic Syn-rift 2; (5) Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Post-rift 2; and (6) Early Cretaceous to Present-day passive margin megasequences. The Late Paleozoic rifting produced a series of planar extensional faults on the eastern flank, some of which were later rotated by the Latest Triassic to Late Jurassic WNW–ESE extension to low-angles (c. 30°). This Mesozoic extension was localized above a NE–SW-trending basement structure, resulting in en échelon inboard rift basins and overlapping boundary fault systems. The study outlines an updated basin tectono-stratigraphic model for the Dampier Sub-basin and provides new insights for structural evolution associated with the development of the North West Shelf passive continental margin of Australia.
Chemical Composition, Digestibility of Crude Fiber and Gross Energy, and Metabolizable Energy of Whole Paddy Rice of Momiroman

The experiment was carried out to determine the chemical composition, digestibility of crude fiber (CF), gross energy (GE), and metabolizable energy (ME) of Momiroman paddy rice (PR) (Momiroman is a kind of feed rice cultivar). The chemical composition of PR was 5.11% crude protein (CP), 1.83% ether extract, 68.04% nitrogen-free extract and 10.54% CF on air dry basis. The GE of PR (3.77 kcal/g) is close to that of corn. Although the value of CP was low and that of CF was high, this GE value suggests that PR can probably be used as a feasible alternative grain source in poultry diets. Eight 15-wk-old male Cochin layer chickens (weighing 2.5 kg) housed in individual cages were used to determine the true digestibility (TD) and ME. The TD of CF and GE were 38.65% and 80.35%, respectively. Apparent ME and true ME were 2.79 and 3.02 kcal/g on air dry basis, respectively. The apparent ME values of PR was slightly lower than that of corn in chickens. The present results would provide new information for poultry diet formulations and suggest that PR can probably be used as a good alternative cereal grain source in poultry diets, and can replace corn.
Determination of Transglutaminase Activity Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometer

An improved fluorometric assay for determining the activity of the microbial transglutaminase (TGase) in the culture medium samples has been developed. The assay procedure measures the fluorescence enhancement due to the incorporation of monodansyl cadaverine (Substrate A) into pentafluorophenylester of CBZ-Gln-Gly (Substrate Q) at λexc. 260 nm and λem 538 nm. The effect of the competitive inhibitors in the culture medium samples on TGase activity was determined. The assay was combined with HPLC method for determining enzyme activity as an international unit (IU). Enzymatic reaction was monitored by HPLC and the rate of product formation was measured via amine substrate consumption rate. A conversion factor was obtained using HPLC and fluorescence spectrophotometer data together. This was formulated for quantification of TGase activity as IU using fluorometric assay reported in this study. The detection limit of the assay was determined as 0.0014 IU (0.5 mg). TGase activity remained linear upto the enzyme concentraion of 20 mg. This technique dramatically decreases the incubation time of enzyme to a few minutes of activity measurement.
Unemployment

20 In both policy debates and the popular press, discussions of the employment situation in the U.S. tend to focus heavily on the overall civilian unemployment rate. But the overall unemployment rate is just one aspect of the employment situation, and a focus on this one number can conceal interesting and important changes in the employment outlook for different groups in the labor force. This Weekly Letter discusses some of the characteristics of u.S. unemployment that are important for the appropriate design of labor market policies and for the design of monetary policies aimed at controlling inflation.
Compositional Change of Pu-erh Tea during Processing

13C-NMR analysis of hot water extracts of samples during Pu-erh tea processing showed that carbohydrates and amino acids as well as catechins were digested during the microbial fermentation process and the main constituents of the made-tea were caffeine, gallic acid, and 2-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-myo-inositol. Volatile components analysis by GC and GC-MS showed abundant production of various methoxybenzene derivatives. Three strains of basidiomycete (Basidiomycetes spp.) isolated from Pu-erh tea were confirmed to autonomously produce l,2-dimethoxy-4-methyl and l,2,3-trimethoxy-5-methylbenzenes.
A preliminary investigation into honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination of canola (Brassica napus cv. Karoo) in Western Australia

The aim of this preliminary experiment was to evaluate the effect of distance from the apiary on pod yield in canola. Beehives were used at a density of 1.28 hives/ha. The results showed that the number of pods/plant decreased as distance from the apiary increased, when plant height and branch number were used as explanatory variables. Multiple linear regression indicated a predicted pod loss of 15.3 pods/plant over a distance of 1000 m from an apiary. This was equivalent to a 16% loss based on an average of 59 plants/m2 and average pod production of 5666 pods/m2 from this experiment. For a 2 t/ha crop this would be equivalent to about 320 kg/ha. The results are only indicative because of the variation in the crop studied and lack of replication, but may, in fact, be a conservative estimate.
Cloning, Expression, and Preparative Application of a Mutated, Bifunctional α(2→3/8)‐Sialyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni

Recombinant, truncated α(2→3/8)‐sialyltransferase Δ32Cst‐II from Campylobacter jejuni ATCC43438 and its mutant Δ32Cst‐II (S53N177N182) were cloned and overexpressed as His‐tagged proteins in Escherichia coli on a preparative scale. In order to explore their substrate tolerance as well as their potential for preparative applications, type I [Galβ(1→3)GlcNAc (1a) and Siaα(2→3)Galβ(1→3)GlcNAc (2a)] and type II substrates [Galβ(1→4)GlcNAc (1b) and Siaα(2→3)Galβ(1→4)GlcNAc (2b)] were investigated. The wild‐type Δ32Cst‐II showed α(2→8)‐activity only with type II substrates, whereas the mutant Δ32Cst‐II (S53N177N182) acts as a bifunctional α(2→3/8)‐sialyltransferase with type I and II acceptor substrates.
The Insulinogenic Index in Secondary Diabetes

Summary The insulinogenic index was investigated as a possible means for distinguishing between prirnary and secondary diabetes. This index is defined as the ratio.1 IRI/. 1 glucose, where IRI is the plasma immunoreactive insulin level determined after the administration of a prescribed oral glu cose load. The insulinogenic index values as measured 30 minutes after a 50 grn glucose load were as follows in normal subjects and those with primary diabetes: normal, 1.43 ± 0.17 (Mean ± SEM); mild diabetes, 0.39 ± 0.08; and mode rate diabetes, 0.08 ± 0.02. In certain diseases associated with abnormal glucose tolerance, the values were as folIows; pheochromocytoma, 0.18 ± 0.12, acromegaly associated with severe glucose intolerance, 0.16 ± 0.08; acromegaly asso ciated with mild glucose intolerance, 0.54 ± 0.20; and liver cirrhosis, 0.59 ± 0.10. These va lues were not significantly different from those in primary diabetes. On the other hand, in other diseases associated with abnormal glucose tolerance a marked difference was noted as folIows: hyperthyroidism, 1.01 ± 0.20; Cushing's syndrome, 1.37 ± 0.42; steroid dia betes, 1.22 ± 0.32; acute hepatitis, 1.16 ± 0.31; and chronic hepatitis, 1.48 ± 0.34. It was concluded, therefore, that in the latter cases, the insulinogenie index is a supplementary tool for distinguishing between primary and secondary dia betes.
Unhealthy Retirement?*

We investigate the causal effect of retirement on health and cognitive abilities by exploiting the panel dimension of the first two waves of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the variation between and within European countries in old age retirement rules. We show evidence of substantial heterogeneity in the effect of retirement across occupational groups. In particular, we find that retirement increases the age-related decline of health and cognitive abilities for most workers. On the other hand, we find evidence of a positive immediate effect of retirement for those employed in jobs characterized by a high level of physical burden.
Rational Ignorance in Education

Plagiarism appears to be a common problem among college students, yet there is little evidence on the effectiveness of interventions designed to minimize plagiarism. This study presents the results of a field experiment that evaluated the effects of a web-based educational tutorial in reducing plagiarism. We found that assignment to the treatment group substantially reduced the likelihood of plagiarism, particularly among student with lower SAT scores who had the highest rates of plagiarism. A followup survey suggests that the intervention reduced plagiarism by increasing student knowledge rather than by increasing the perceived probabilities of detection and punishment.