Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Analysis of Polarization Dependence of Ultrafast Gain Dynamics in SOA’s

Nonlinear polarization rotation in semiconductor optical amplifiers has been the focus of a lot of work in the past decade. A lot of research has been devoted to this phenomenon due to its possible use in all-optical switching. It has been mentioned as a possible competitor to such established switching techniques as cross-gain modulation, cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing. The speed at which the switching can be performed is determined by the gain dynamics in the device. So far the majority of the work has focused on switching due to the relatively slow carrier density recombination, which limits the switching to the order of tens of gigahertz. If the polarization dependence of ultrafast gain mechanisms such as carrier heating and spectral hole burning can be identified and measured then there is the possibility to increase the switching speed obtainable using this process into the terahertz range. In order to further the understanding of the polarization dependence of the gain of a bulk SOA under tensile strain and to determine the plausibility of ultrafast all-optical switching using nonlinear polarization rotation an experiment is presented based on a four-wave mixing technique.
A revision of the Zenometridae (new rank) (Echinodermata, Crinoidea, Comatulidina)

Three genera of unstalked crinoids, Zenometra, Sarametra and Psathyrometra, formerly included in the subfamily Zenometrinae of the family Antedonidae, are removed and placed in a distinct family, the Zenometridae. Diagnostic features include a cavernous centrodorsal cavity, a complete basal circlet with a large central lumen and cirrus sockets with a concave fulcral bowl around the lumen. Sarametra nicobarica is synonymized under S. triserialis, which is redescribed in detail. Psathyrometra is redefined and includes only the species P. fragilis, P. congesta and P. bigradata, which are redescribed. P. erythrizon is synonymized under P. fragilis. The four other species formerly included in Psathyrometra are removed to Athrypsometra gen. n. , retained in the Antedonidae. The other genera formerly included in the Zenometrinae are considered incertae sedis in the family Antedonidae pending detailed re‐examination. Cladistic analysis using the antedonids, Poliometra prolixa (a former zenometrine) and Florometra serratissima, and the thalassometrid, Oceanometra annandalei, as outgroups produces the following tree: (O. annandalei((F. serratissima/P. prolixa)(((P. fragilis/P. congesta)P. bigradata) (S. triserialis/Z. columnaris)))).
Assignment1 of the STOP gene (MAP6) to human chromosome bands 6p12→p11 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

STOP proteins are microtubule-associated proteins acting on the stability and dynamics of microtubules. These proteins are expressed at high level in neuronal cells where they stabilize neurite microtubules. When STOP proteins are inhibited by antibody micro-injection into neuronal cells, microtubule cold and drug stability are abolished. Moreover, cells micro-injected during differentiation show impaired neurite outgrowth (Guillaud et al., 1998). Therefore STOP proteins are the unique effectors of microtubule stabilization in neurons. Recently, we have described the structure of the mouse STOP gene (Denarier et al. 1998). This gene has been assigned to the E2–F1 region of chromosome 7. Here we have determined the chromosome assignment of the human STOP gene (MAP6) by fluorescent in situ hybridization.
Toxicokinetics of Malathion in Larval Stages of the Toad Bufo arenarum (Hensel): Effect of Exogenous Spermidine

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the absorption, biotransformation, and excretion of malathion ( 14 C-methoxy) and its metabolites in larval stages of the toad Bufo arenarum (Hensel). Also, changes in malathion metabolization by the action of the exogenous polyamine spermidine were studied. Malathion clearance from the media was uniexponential, and spermidine reduced the uptake in the larvae, causing an increase in the apparent half-life of the toxicant. Concomitant with this effect, spermidine increased the level of induction of mixed-function oxidases due to malathion and caused a progressively higher malaoxon/malathion ratio. As a consequence of the higher conversion to the active metabolite malaoxon, spermidine also provoked a significant enhancement in the inhibitory effect of Malathion on acetylcholinesterase activity. [ methoxy 14 C]malathion metabolites, such as carboxylesterase and glutathione S -transferase products, were detected in the toad larvae and in the media. The excreted products of carboxylesterase activity were about 70% of the total radioactivity, and the glutathione S -transferase products (methyl glutathione) were 20–30% of the total radioactivity. No significant variations in the levels of excreted products due to the action of exogenous spermidine were detected. Malathion inhibited carboxylesterase activity, independent of the presence of spermidine in the media. In turn, glutathione S -transferase activity was induced by spermidine, but was not affected by the exposure to low concentrations of malathion for 48 h. We conclude that the presence of spermidine in the medium modifies malathion toxicokinetics, increasing its toxicity in B. arenarum larvae.
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN MODELING NUTRIENT COMPETITION IN PLANT COMMUNITIES

Soil and nutrient properties, via their influence on nutrient diffusion rates in the soil, may play a key role in determining the outcome of plant competition for nutrients. We used two models to explore the potential contributions of nutrient uptake kinetics, root density, soil properties, and nutrient type to interspecific plant competition for soil nutrients. The first model uses well-known nutrient diffusion and absorption relationships to generate soil nutrient concentration maps and nutrient uptake at the scale of individual roots (PARIS- M). A second model (PARIS-E) was developed based on a fit of the Hill equation to the output of PARIS-M. The PARIS-E model provides an accurate and simple means of de- termining the relative contributions of sink strength (root surface area X uptake kinetics) vs. space occupation (number of roots per unit area) to competition at equilibrium as modeled by PARIS-M. An analysis based on these two models suggests the following: (1) Diffusive supply (soil nutrient buffer capacity x effective diffusion coefficient) determines the relative im- portance of space occupation vs. sink strength for nutrient competition. (2) At the low range of reported values of diffusive supply, competition depends on space occupation and, therefore, the species with the most roots per unit area is the most competitive. Sink strength gains in importance as diffusive supply increases and dominates competitive interactions at the high end of the range of reported diffusive supplies. (3) The relative importance of space occupation vs. sink strength depends primarily on soil water content and soil texture, because diffusive supply is sensitive to these factors. Diffusive supply is relatively insen- sitive to nutrient type. This analysis suggests that nutrient competition models should include the effects of soil properties as a determinant of the relative contributions of sink strength vs. space occupation.
Needles

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Mutation in the porcine SERPINA7 gene and its association with boar fertility

The porcine SERPINA7 gene is considered as a positional candidate gene responsible for testis size for its location on X chromosome and its biologically critical role in the development of testis. A nonsynonymous polymorphism (His226Asn or C678A) in the ligand-binding domain of SERPINA7 has been identified, which alters SERPINA7's affinity to thyroxine and is closely associated with testis size. In this study, a primer mutagenesis strategy was developed to genotype this polymorphism in Chinese indigenous pigs and some western commercial pigs. The C allele existed in all tested Chinese indigenous and wild pigs, while the A allele is specific for western commercial breeds, indicating the occurrence of the mutation is of western origin. The correlation of this polymorphism with different boar fertility traits was assessed using a White Duroc X Erhualian intercross which included 110 F2 mature boars. The results showed that the C678A polymorphism was closely associated with testis weight and epididymis weight ( P 0.0001 and P = 0. 0016, respectively) with significant heavier testis weight and epididymis weight in boars carrying the A allele than boars with the C allele. A significant correlation was also observed between this polymorphism and total sperm in the ejaculate (P0.01) as well as semen volume (P0.05). No statistically significant association of the C678A polymorphism with sperm concentration and sperm motility was found.
The arrangement of microtrabecular network during chromatin migration process and immunolocalization of actin and myosin in pollen mother cells of David Lily

Abstract The pollen mother cells of David lily at synizesis of meiotic prophase I were studied using the light microscope and diethylene glycol distearate (DGD) embedment-free electron microscope. The results showed that there existed clear areas in front of and behind the chromatin masses undergoing migration via cytoplasmic channels (cytomixis) under light microscope. Observations of diethylene glycol distearate embedment free electron microscopy indicated that these clear areas were actually filled with microtrabecular components. Several major arrangement changes of microtrabecular network were observed as follows: When the nucleus moved aside from the center, an area filled with cytoplasmic microtrabecular network appeared behind. Later, when chromatin underwent cytomixis via cytoplasmic channels, another area filled with nuclear microtrabecular network appeared between nuclear envelope and the rear condensed chromatin, and some thick microtrabecular filaments linked the migrating chromatin masses in front; Thereafter, most of the chromatin went into a neighboring cell and mixed into a whole. Combined with immunoelectron microscopy technique, actin and myosin were co-localized in some places in the pollen mother cells (PMCs) at synizesis. The TRITC-Ph labeling method revealed a filamentous meshwork surrounding the nuclei, and that the masses of migrating chromatin were also surrounded by F-actin. These results indicated that the microtrabecular network was involved in the chromatin migration from one cell to the neighboring, and that the actinmyosin system was probably related to this process.
BIOECONOMICS OF INVASIVE SPECIES IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

When a biological invader is identified in an aquatic ecosystem, rapid response is critical, particularly if the invasive organism has the ability to spread rapidly. The first response should be to attempt to contain the invasion while further information is gathered to evaluate whether eradication is feasible. The eradication versus containment decision is studied by developing and using a stochastic dynamic programming model based on a simple biological spread function. Information requirements to calibrate the decision model for a specific invader are discussed and numerical analysis is undertaken to illustrate how the model can be used when only rough estimates of benefits and costs are available.
Review. An overview on the environmental behaviour of pesticide residues in soils

The current state of knowledge of the main aspects regarding the behaviour and fate of pesticide residues in the soil environment is reviewed in this article. Once a pesticide is introduced into the environment, whether by application, disposal, or a spill, it can be influenced by many processes. Physical and chemical properties of the pesticide, site characteristics, such as soil, geology, and vegetation, environmental conditions, crop management systems, and chemical handling practices can all affect each process. Each factor must be considered when determining the likelihood of pesticide movement and off-target effect. These fate processes can have both positive (they can bring a pesticide in contact with the target pest) and negative (leading to injury of nontarget plants and animals) influences on a pesticide's effectiveness or its impact on the environment. Processes responsible for accumulation, movement and disappearance of pesticides in the soil and the factors involved in their dynamics are assessed. Also, the environmental significance of the formation of bound residues and some techniques used currently for remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils are discussed according to the recent researches.
Creating a New University-Based Community College Leadership Program

The author describes the process for developing a new Community College Leadership (CCL) curriculum for a certificate, master's, and doctoral degree in adult and higher education. The article details the research strategy in learning about Oklahoma's community colleges, existing national community college leadership programs, relevant courses needed for a leadership emphasis, and the desired methods to deliver such courses. The author describes the additional steps undertaken to create a relationship with Oklahoma's community colleges and their leaders. A qualitative study was conducted to learn from the community college presidents what challenges, knowledge, and skills future leaders needed to possess. The overarching theme that emerged from the study was the political nature of community colleges and leadership. This political theme placed all other themes secondary to the necessity of leaders being cognizant and skilled at being political beings. Even the theme of inadequate funding was linked to politics. The article concludes with detailed information on the new curriculum and future research and practical application.
Pointwise Bayesian Credible Intervals for Regularized Linear Wavelet Estimators

ABSTRACT The regularized linear wavelet estimator has been recently proposed as an alternative to the spline smoothing estimator, one of the most used linear estimator for the standard nonparametric regression problem. It has been demonstrated that the regularized linear wavelet estimator attains the optimal rate of convergence in the mean integrated squared error sense and compares favorably with the smoothing spline estimator in finite-sample situations, especially for less smooth response functions. We investigate further this estimator, extending Bayesian aspects of smoothing splines considered earlier in the literature. We first consider a Bayesian formalism in the wavelet domain that gives rise to the regularized linear wavelet estimator obtained in the standard nonparametric regression setting. We then use the posterior distribution to construct pointwise Bayesian credible intervals for the resulting regularized linear wavelet function estimate. Simulation results show that the wavelet-based pointwise Bayesian credible intervals have good empirical coverage rates for standard nominal coverage probabilities and compare favorably with the corresponding intervals obtained by smoothing splines, especially for less smooth response functions. Moreover, their construction algorithm is of order 𝒪(n) and it is easily implemented.
Activities of Blue bull, Boselaphus tragocamelus during partial solar eclipse: a case study in captivity

A comparative study was made to observe the change in basic activities of Blue bull due to solar eclipse. The study was conducted over 3 consecutive days including the day of a partial solar eclipse (22 July 2009), 1 day earlier and 1 day after at the Zoological Garden, Alipur, Kolkata. The activities of individuals of both sexes were recorded by two observers by applying the focal animal sampling method. It was observed that the time spent in feeding, scanning, lying and social activities was increased or decreased on the day of the solar eclipse. A significant difference in some activities between normal days and the day of the solar eclipse varied among male and female individuals. It was also recorded that the average duration of scanning and lying in males increased on the day of the solar eclipse, while in females the average duration of standing, scanning and walking increased, and lying decreased, on the day of the solar eclipse. The recorded data reveals that the rate of feeding, lying and social activities of males decreased in solar eclipse hours while the rate of feeding decreased and the rate of scanning increased in females in solar eclipse hours. In conclusion, the results show changes in basic activities of Blue bull in comparison to a normal day. We may conclude that the normal cycle of the basic activities of Blue bull maintained by the biological clock system was guided to some degree by the phenomenon of the solar eclipse.
SCHOLARSHIP MATTERS

Scholarship matters. It allows faculty to fulfill the responsibilities of their three academic citizenships--in their institutions, in their disciplines, and in higher education in general. Current standards for community college faculty scholarship, however, have excluded faculty from exercising academic citizenship outside of their institutions. The sector claim to a unique teaching mission has been used to exempt or exclude community college faculty from the scholarly obligations and responsibilities understood elsewhere in higher education. The absence of generally accepted norms for scholarly production and validation at most community colleges continues to set them apart from other institutions, including those also serving non-traditional open admissions students. By discouraging externally validated scholarship, community colleges deny their faculty an appropriate voice in higher education and deny the rest of higher education the important voice of community college faculty. By encouraging scholarship that meets the tests of external scrutiny, community colleges can provide their faculty with legitimate higher education citizenship beyond the institution.
Effects of a Liquid Extract Derived from Ascophyllum nodosum on the Ultrastructure of Vitis vinifera Leaf Tissue

A liquid seaweed extract prepared from Ascophyllum nodosum was sprayed on Vitis vinifera leaves. Ultrastructural investigation of different tissues (upper and Iower lamina, main vein area) has proved the absence of major structural aberrations, and consequently the non-toxicity of the product at the recommended doses. Cells have responded to the treatment and the observed effects appear to be reversible.
QUANTILE-BOXPLOTS

ABSTRACT Two statistical graphics are introduced. The theoretical quantile-boxplot (TQBP) can be regarded as a theoretical counterpart of J. W. Tukey's boxplot. Just as the latter is well suited for comparing different data sets the TQBP is believed to be an efficient tool for comparing theoretical distributions. Its construction however depends on the ability to compute certain quantiles which often is not possible. Using simulations one can construct point estimates and confidence intervals for them and these are displayed in the empirical quantile-boxplot (EQBP). Three examples will demonstrate the potential of both graphics for educational purposes and statistical tests.
MODEST CHANGES, BIG REVOLUTIONS

In this paper we propose a psychosociological critical theory, which can be applied modestly in particular contexts such as families, organizations and communities. We use discourse analysis as an empirical action-research method, able to study and see families as protagonists with their own history and local culture. We have developed two methodologies, analysis of dominant and alternative discourses and a dialogue based on naïve questions, which have allowed the creation of a link between individual problems and social issues, and have empowered people to do something for themselves and their community. Our methodologies have led us to create a critical and reflective research to resolve psychological problems in families and, at the same time, change the attitudes of their members to more complex social problems, such as gender discrimination, violence, impunity, asymmetric power relations and racism. We propose that social researchers, in particular in Latin America, will take a reflective, critical and political stance, aimed not only at developing knowledge, but also at promoting socio-cultural changes for the families and their communities as a part of the political transformation of society.
INTER-LABORATORY COMPARISON OF PLANT ANALYSIS ACCURACY IN MEXICO

Laboratories seeking accreditation based on norm ISO 17025 are requested to satisfy several requirements such as: traceability of measurements (i.e., the use of certified reference material linked to SI units), participation in inter-laboratory comparison or proficiency testing programs, and determination of the uncertainty of the measurements. One of the objective of the present work was to evaluate the accuracy of analytical measurements conducted by Mexican soil and plant analytical facilities, using certified reference material as recommended by the metrological methods. The statistics used to evaluate the accuracy was the Mean Square Error as recommended by The Mexico's Metrological National Center (CENAM). Most laboratories did not produce reliable results. It is important to have long term programs like this and more reference materials available to achieve better accuracy. The results of the intercomparison exercises allowed to identify the laboratories that generate reliable results.
BRYOZOANS INCREASE AVAILABLE CO2 FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN GELIDIUM SESQUIPEDALE (RHODOPHYCEAE)

A possible benefit of the presence of the epiphytic bryozoan Electra pilosa (L.) for the red macroalga Gelidium sesquipedale (Clem.) Thuret et Bornet is described. Absorption spectra and photosynthetic parameters of O2 evolution vs. irradiance curves were determined for both epiphytized and nonepiphytized thalli. The absorptance of G. sesquipedale thalli for PAR was not modified by the presence of the epiphyte. Gross photosynthetic rates at saturating light were approximately doubled in epiphytized thalli. Photosynthesis by G. sesquipedale was enhanced when CO2 concentration was increased in the medium by a decrease in pH. On the other hand, an increase in pH from 8.1 to 8.7 produced a significant reduction of the O2 evolution rates indicating that G. sesquipedale has a very low capacity to use HCO3−. The decrease in photosynthesis at high pH was higher in nonepiphytized thalli than in epiphytized ones, suggesting that the amount of available CO2 is higher in the presence of E. pilosa. This positive effect was attributed to the CO2 released by respiration of the epiphyte.