Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-pollination barriers and their role in asymmetric hybridization in Rhinanthus (Orobanchaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Several barriers against hybrid formation exist, and their combined action can affect the evolutionary outcomes of hybridization. To explain the asymmetrical introgression observed between two bumblebee-pollinated plant species (Rhinanthus angustifolius and R. minor), we focused on post-pollination barriers and ethological isolation of hybrids. METHODS We studied pollen competition in conspecific and heterospecific crosses on both species and analyzed germination rates of hybrid and pure seeds. We also measured bumblebee visitation rates to hybrids relative to their parents using potted Rhinanthus placed in populations of each parental species. KEY RESULTS In mixed pollinations, there was a conspecific siring advantage in both species, but no difference in pollen tube growth rates in either cross type. F(1) seeds with a R. angustifolius maternal plant germinated poorly, while those with R. minor as the maternal parent germinated better than pure seeds. Interestingly, bumblebees treated hybrids almost as equal to the background species and more often rejected the nonresident Rhinanthus. In a R. angustifolius background, bumblebees preferred R. angustifolius, but visited hybrids more often than R. minor. In contrast, visitation rates were similar on a R. minor background. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that hybridization rates in Rhinanthus remain low because of several leaky barriers that make R. minor the maternal parent of most F(1) offspring. Preference for R. angustifolius and the equal treatment of F(1) and background species by bumblebees induce a visitation pattern that directs gene flow toward R. angustifolius when this species predominates.
Characterization of Escherichia coli strains with gapA and gapB genes deleted

We obtained a series of Escherichia coli strains in which gapA, gapB, or both had been deleted. Delta gapA strains do not revert on glucose, while delta gapB strains grow on glycerol or glucose. We showed that gapB-encoded protein is expressed but at a very low level. Together, these results confirm the essential role for gapA in glycolysis and show that gapB is dispensable for both glycolysis and the pyridoxal biosynthesis pathway.
Ecology of Alopoglossus angulatus and A. atriventris (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in western Amazonia

Ecology of Alopoglossus angulatus and A. atriventris (Squamata, Gymnophthal- midae) in western Amazonia. We studied the ecology of Alopoglossus angulatus and A. atriventris in western Amazonia. Both species are found in leaf litter of lowland tropical forest, but A. angulatus tends to be found near water whereas A. atriventris is found in terra firme forest. Both tend to be active in shade on sunny and cloudy days. Body size of adults differs (A. angulatus larger), but species differences in size- adjusted morphology are minor. Sexual dimorphism exists in relative head length (males larger) only in A. atriventris. Diets are similar, with roaches, spiders, grasshoppers/crickets, and springtails dominating the diet. Overall, these lizards are similar ecologically even though they occur together at many sites. Leaf litter and shaded forest appear to be requisites for survival at the local level.
Inhibitors of NO‐synthase and donors of NO modulate kainic acid‐induced damage in the rat hippocampus

The effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine and 7‐nitroindazole, and the NOS substrate L‐arginine on kainic acid (KA)‐induced microglial reactivity and stress response were studied in the hippocampus 7 and 1 days after KA, respectively. Density of peripheral‐type benzodiazepine receptors was measured as an index of microglial reactivity. Histological damage in hippocampus was evaluated at 7 days by neuronal counting. KA increased the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) versus controls. Administration of either 7‐nitroindazole (25 mg/kg) or Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine (20 and 50 mg/kg) 24 hr before KA, further increased Bmax. This later effect was abolished by L‐arginine (1 g/kg), which given 24 hr before KA decreased Bmax to control values. Also, KA‐induced HSP72 stress response was attenuated by pre‐treatment with L‐arginine. Histological evaluation showed reduced cell numbers in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus in groups receiving KA, either alone or in combination with 7‐nitroindazole. Administration of L‐arginine before KA attenuated neuronal loss in CA3 but not CA1. A clear protective effect was observed, however, in CA1 and CA3, in rats receiving both L‐arginine plus 7‐nitroindazole before KA. The results show that the combination of a NO substrate with a NOS inhibitor reduces the neurotoxic effects of KA in the rat hippocampus. This study suggests that extremely fine regulation of NO levels in the different neural cell types can modulate excitotoxicity. J. Neurosci. Res. 59:797–805, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Interacts with Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K*

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, a component of viral nucleocapsid, has been shown to modulate cellular and viral promoter activities. To identify potential cellular targets for HCV core protein, a human liver cDNA library was screened for core-interacting proteins using the yeast two-hybrid system. Among the proteins identified was heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), which has been demonstrated to be a transcriptional regulator. The interaction of HCV core protein with hnRNP K was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase fusion protein binding assay, protein-protein blotting assay, and coimmunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, these two proteins were shown to be partially colocalized in the nucleus. The hnRNP K-binding site in HCV core protein was mapped to the region from amino acid residues 25–91, a hydrophilic area near the N terminus. The HCV core protein-binding domain was located within amino acid residues 250 to 392, which contain the three proline-rich domains, of hnRNP K. Furthermore, HCV core protein relieved the suppression effect of hnRNP K on the activity of the human thymidine kinase gene promoter. The specific binding of HCV core protein to hnRNP K suggests that multiple functions of hnRNP K may be disrupted by the core protein during HCV infection and thus explains, in part, the pathogenesis of HCV.
Fusion heating in a deuterium-tritium tokamak plasma.

Evidence for fusion heating in the core of a deuterium-tritium (D-T) tokamak plasma is reported for the first time. Electron temperature profile data were analyzed for differences between D-T, D, and T plasmas in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor. Data from D and D-T plasmas with similar plasma parameters were averaged to minimize isotopic effects. The electron temperature in D-T plasmas was systematically higher than in D or T plasmas. The temperature difference between D-T and D plasmas with similar confinement times is consistent with alpha-particle heating of electrons. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
Operational Radioactivity Evaluation of ITER Diagnostic Neutron Activation System

At the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a neutron activation system is foreseen to measure neutron fluence on the first wall and to evaluate total fusion power from ITER plasma. This system utilizes the method of counting gamma radiation from the metal sample irradiated by the neutron flux at the irradiation end located near the plasma. Evaluation of the operational radioactivity of the sample, which has been induced during ITER operation, is necessary in order to determine sample material, mass, and the appropriate irradiation time. Neutronic calculations are performed to evaluate operational activity of the sample. Activation of the sample is calculated according to the irradiation time for various sample materials such as Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Nb, and Cu and by assuming that the samples are irradiated at the midplane inboard region where the neutron flux is one of the strongest.
Effect of a nonuniform magnetic field on a two-dimensional electron gas in the ballistic regime.

The single-particle electronic structure of a two-dimensional electron gas in a nonuniform magnetic field B consists of states that propagate perpendicularly to the field gradient \ensuremath{\nabla}B and have a remarkable time-reversal asymmetry. In one of the allowed directions the propagation has free-electron character and is confined to a narrow one-dimensional channel localized about the region where \ensuremath{\Vert}B\ensuremath{\Vert} is minimum. In the opposite direction, the Landau states propagate throughout the rest of the sample with a velocity proportional to \ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\nabla}B${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Vert}}}^{1/2}$.
Agent Negotiation in Water Policy Planning

With the growing demand for water, and many challenges related to water availability, food security, pollution, and environmental degradation, it becomes imperative to establish good water policy planning for a sufficient supply of water consumption. This paper presents a general problem-solving framework for modeling multi-issue agent negotiation in water policy planning via fuzzy constraint processing. All participants involved in water policy planning are modeled as agents. Agent negotiation is formulated as a distributed fuzzy constraint satisfaction problem. Fuzzy constraints are used to define each participant's professional views and demands. The agent negotiation simulates the interactive process of all participants' water policy planning. This approach provides a systematic method to reach an agreement that benefits all participants' water policy planning with a high satisfaction degree of fuzzy constraints, and move towards the deal more quickly since their search focuses only on the feasible solution space. An example application to Negotiation for Water Policy Planning is considered to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Use of flow cytometry to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of silver‐containing wound dressings against planktonic Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Silver‐impregnated wound dressings continue to be routinely used for the management of infected wounds, or wounds that are at risk of becoming infected. The ability of antimicrobials that have been incorporated into wound dressings to kill microorganisms within the dressing requires appropriate evaluation using in vitro models. In vitro models that have been exploited for this purpose have included the corrected zone of inhibition and the log reduction assay. However, these and other related culturable‐based assays are purported to have poor correlation with the overall microbicidal barrier activity of an antimicrobial wound dressing. This is because culturable‐based methods only retrospectively indicate bacterial cell death and do not take into account viable but nonculturable states of microorganisms. Consequently, it was the purpose of this study to show that the use of flow cytometry, in conjunction with Syto® 9 and propidium iodide, could be used as a method for accurately evaluating and comparing the antimicrobial barrier efficacy of a silver alginate and a silver carboxymethyl cellulose dressing on individual bacterial cells without the need for the use of culturable assays. When a comparison of antimicrobial barrier efficacy on individual planktonic Staphylococcus aureus cells in a simulated wound fluid assay was made between each dressing, enhanced antimicrobial efficacy (as showed by the percentage of dead to alive bacterial cells) of the silver alginate dressing was shown. When Pseudomonas aeruginosa was exposed to both silver‐containing dressings, equivalent kill rates were showed for up to 4 days. This result was not significantly different (p<0.05). By utilizing the use of flow cytometric assays, the antimicrobial barrier efficacy of wound dressings can be accurately evaluated enabling differentiation to be achieved between individual dead and live bacteria. The flow cytometric assay is considered a significant advancement to the traditionally used culturable‐based methods that are presently used for antimicrobial barrier efficacy testing on planktonic microorganisms.
Paraoxonase-2 Is a Ubiquitously Expressed Protein with Antioxidant Properties and Is Capable of Preventing Cell-mediated Oxidative Modification of Low Density Lipoprotein*

The oxidation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and cell membrane lipids is believed to play an integral role in the development of fatty streak lesions, an initial step in atherogenesis. We have previously shown that two antioxidant-like enzymes, paraoxonase (PON)-1 and PON3, are high density lipoprotein-associated proteins capable of preventing the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) (Reddy, S. T., Wadleigh, D. J., Grijalva, V., Ng, C., Hama, S., Gangopadhyay, A., Shih, D. M., Lusis, A. J., Navab, M., and Fogelman, A. M. (2001)Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 21, 542–547). In the present study, we demonstrate that PON2 (i) is not associated with high density lipoprotein; (ii) has antioxidant properties; and (iii) prevents LDL lipid peroxidation, reverses the oxidation of mildly oxidized LDL (MM-LDL), and inhibits the ability of MM-LDL to induce monocyte chemotaxis. The PON2 protein was overexpressed in HeLa cells using the tetracycline-inducible (“Tet-On”) system, and its antioxidant capacity was measured in a fluorometric assay. Cells that overexpressed PON2 showed significantly less intracellular oxidative stress following treatment with hydrogen peroxide or oxidized phospholipid. Moreover, cells that overexpressed PON2 were also less effective in oxidizing and modifying LDL and, in fact, were able to reverse the effects of preformed MM-LDL. Our results suggest that PON2 possesses antioxidant properties similar to those of PON1 and PON3. However, in contrast to PON1 and PON3, PON2 may exert its antioxidant functions at the cellular level, joining the host of intracellular antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from oxidative stress.
Modulation of the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass by dopexamine and epidural anesthesia

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory reaction. Microcirculation‐dependent alteration of the gut mucosal barrier with subsequent translocation of endotoxins is a postulated mechanism for this inflammatory response. This study was designed to elucidate whether two different approaches to modulate splanchnic perfusion may influence systemic inflammation to CPB.
Regulation of de Novo Purine Biosynthesis by Methenyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase in Neuroblastoma*

5-Formyltetrahydrofolate (5-formylTHF) is the only folate derivative that does not serve as a cofactor in folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism. Two metabolic roles have been ascribed to this folate derivative. It has been proposed to 1) serve as a storage form of folate because it is chemically stable and accumulates in seeds and spores and 2) regulate folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism by inhibiting folate-dependent enzymes, specifically targeting folate-dependent de novo purine biosynthesis. Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (MTHFS) is the only enzyme that metabolizes 5-formylTHF and catalyzes its ATP-dependent conversion to 5,10-methenylTHF. This reaction determines intracellular 5-formylTHF concentrations and converts 5-formylTHF into an enzyme cofactor. The regulation and metabolic role of MTHFS in one-carbon metabolism was investigated in vitro and in human neuroblastoma cells. Steady-state kinetic studies revealed that 10-formylTHF, which exists in chemical equilibrium with 5,10-methenylTHF, acts as a tight binding inhibitor of mouse MTHFS. [6R]-10-formylTHF inhibited MTHFS with a Ki of 150 nm, and [6R,S]-10-formylTHF triglutamate inhibited MTHFS with a Ki of 30 nm. MTHFS is the first identified 10-formylTHF tight-binding protein. Isotope tracer studies in neuroblastoma demonstrate that MTHFS enhances de novo purine biosynthesis, indicating that MTHFS-bound 10-formylTHF facilitates de novo purine biosynthesis. Feedback metabolic regulation of MTHFS by 10-formylTHF indicates that 5-formylTHF can only accumulate in the presence of 10-formylTHF, providing the first evidence that 5-formylTHF is a storage form of excess formylated folates in mammalian cells. The sequestration of 10-formylTHF by MTHFS may explain why de novo purine biosynthesis is protected from common disruptions in the folate-dependent one-carbon network.
Prospective screening for pediatric mitochondrial trifunctional protein defects in pregnancies complicated by liver disease.

CONTEXT Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome are serious complications of pregnancy. Studies in families with recessively inherited mitochondrial trifunctional protein defects documented an association between these maternal illnesses and fetal deficiency of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase; this enzyme resides in the alpha subunit of the trifunctional protein and catalyzes the third step in long-chain fatty acid beta oxidation. OBJECTIVE To estimate the frequency of fetal long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency in pregnancies complicated by AFLP or HELLP syndrome. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS Cohort study in which 108 consecutive blood samples from women who developed AFLP or HELLP syndrome, from their offspring, or from their partners were referred to our laboratory for molecular screening from January 1997 to December 2001. Twenty-seven women had AFLP and 81 had HELLP syndrome. We screened the DNA for mutations in the alpha subunit of the trifunctional protein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Presence of mutations that cause 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency in the offspring. RESULTS We detected mutations causing pediatric long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency in 5 families (19%) with maternal history of AFLP (95% confidence interval, 9%-54%). The maternal allele carried a prevalent glutamic acid 474 to glutamine (E474Q) mutation. The paternal allele carried the E474Q mutation in 3 families and a stop codon mutation in the other 2 families. Only 1 woman with HELLP syndrome was heterozygous for the E474Q mutation; no mutations were detected in the newborn. CONCLUSION The association between AFLP and the E474Q mutation in the fetus is significant. Screening newborns for this mutation in pregnancies complicated by AFLP could allow early diagnosis and treatment in newborns and genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies in affected families.
Introduction: The syntax of nominals and noun phrases

The noun phrase was long a neglected area within research in modern syntactic theory. Studies tended to focus instead on the clause and less attention was paid to the internal structure of the noun phrase. The early studies would often take an interest in the properties of noun phrases only in so far as they interacted with clausal morpho-syntax. Nominalisations were then subject to some early studies, as in Chomsky (1970) and work inspired by it.
Genotype Distribution of Local Chicken Crosbred in Poultry Breeding Centre Temanggung-Central Java

This study was aimed to conduct in genotype distribution of local chicken crosbred in Poultry Breeding Centre Temanggung-Central Java. Total amount of 41 blood sample from different offspring were used. The parameter observed are genotype distribution of pre albumin (Pab), albumin (Alb), transferrin (Tf), post transferrin (Ptf), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and amylase (Amy-1) loci through each of distribution of genotype and gene frequency. Genotype distribution calculated by sum of genotype revealed at each individual. Gene frequency counted by Warwick et al. (1990), genetic differentiation are determined by using heterozygosity (h) and average of heterozygosity (H) according to Nei (1987). Based on identification of gel electrophoresisi indicate that local chicken crosbred had two allele allele at each loci observed and could not obtain different allele. The result of this study showed that there were no significant (P> 0,05) genotype distributiom among local chicken crosbred in Poultry Breeding Center-Temanggung
DEVELOPMENT OF A CALIBRATION METHODOLOGY OF THE PATIENT DOSE CALIBRATOR

The kerma-area product (PKA) is a useful quantity to establish the reference levels in diagnosis of conventional X ray examinations. A KAP meter can be calibrated in laboratory or in situ, where it is used. The patient dose calibrator (PDC) is a new equipment from Radcal that measures PKA. It was manufactured following the IEC 60580 recommendations. The aim of this study was to calibrate the PDC in order to use it as a standard device for calibration of KAP meters. The materials used were: a radiation system, the PDC, a monitor ionization chamber and an RC6 ionization chamber. The monitor ionization chamber was calibrated against the RC6 secondary standard ionization chamber. After that, the PDC was calibrated using the monitor ionization chamber as reference. The calibration of the PDC in radiation standard beams allows the determination of a special procedure to calibrate the KAP meter. Its behaviour demonstrates low energy dependence and it can be used as a reference instrument to calibrate clinical KAP meters.
Earliest spontaneous activity differentially regulates neocortical GABAergic interneuron subpopulations

Although less than one quarter of all neurons in the cerebral cortex are GABAergic, these neurons are morphologically diverse and their physiological complexity decisively moulds the network physiology. An important question is how different subpopulations of GABAergic neurons are regulated numerically during development. In rat neocortical cultures, neuronal precursors continue to divide, generating both GABAergic and non‐GABAergic neurons. In vitro generated GABAergic neurons form a population of uniquely small, mostly fusiform neurons that differ in size and morphology from older, in situ generated, large stellate GABAergic neurons. In a large series of experiments we investigated the impact of neuronal activity on the development of these two subpopulations of GABA interneurons present in cortical networks during the first 2 weeks in vitro. Here we show that a moderate increase in the generation of GABAergic neurons was achieved by blocking activity with tetrodotoxin, indicating that intrinsic spontaneous activity inhibits GABAergic neurogenesis in culture. Antagonists to ionotropic glutamate receptor and/or GABAA receptor did not significantly alter GABAergic generation but agonists to these receptors showed a time‐sensitive regulation of the size of small and large GABAergic neuronal subpopulations. Further, our results indicate that alterations of cell generation by activity manipulations might be overwritten by later activity effects on the survival of GABAergic cell populations.