Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of vegetation, salinity, and inundation on seed banks of oligohaline coastal marshes

Sea level rise may alter salinity and inundation regimes and create patches of open water in oligohaline coastal marshes, potentially affecting the composition and germination of seed bank species. We conducted seedling emergence experiments to: (1) examine the effects of standing vegetation on the seed banks of three oligohaline marsh communities in coastal Louisiana (dominated by Paspalum vaginatum Sw., Sagittaria lancifolia L., or Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl. , respectively); and (2) investigate the effects of salinity and inundation regime on germination of seed bank species. We also studied the effect of a temporary increase in salinity (to simulate a salt water intrusion event) on the viability of buried seeds. We found that the presence or absence of vegetation within a community affected the abundance of some species in the seed bank but had little effect on species composition. Also, the seed banks of the three communities exhibited considerable overlap in species composition and had similar species richness (10-11) and diversity (antilog Shannon-Weaver diversity index = 6.5-7.1), despite differences in vegetation type. Higher salinities and flooding reduced seedling emergence for most species; few species emerged at salinities above four parts per thousand (ppt), and only Sagittaria lancifolia and Eleocharis parvula germinated well under flooded conditions. A temporary increase in salinity did not affect species richness or seedling emergence of most species. Our results suggest that differences in vegetation may have little effect on the composition of seed banks of oligohaline marshes. However, higher salinities and greater depth and duration of inundation (anticipated as global sea level continues to rise) may decrease recruitment of seed bank species, reducing their abundance in oligohaline marsh communities.
Impact of physiological, physicochemical and biopharmaceutical factors in absorption and metabolism mechanisms on the drug oral bioavailability of rats and humans

The onset, intensity and duration of therapeutic response to a compound depend on the intrinsic pharmacological activity of the drug and pharmacokinetic factors related to its absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination that are inherent to the biological system. The process of drug transfer from the site of administration to the systemic circulation and the interspecies factors that impact this process are the scope of this review. In general, the factors that influence oral drug bioavailability via absorption and metabolism can be divided into physicochemical/biopharmaceutical and physiological factors. Physicochemical and biopharmaceutical factors that influence permeability and solubility tend to be species independent. Although there are significant differences in the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, these are not associated with significant differences in the rate and extent of drug absorption between rats and humans. However, species differences in drug metabolism in rats and humans did result in significant species differences in bioavailability. Overall, this review provides a better understanding of the interplay between drug physicochemical/biopharmaceutical factors and species differences/similarities in the absorption and metabolism mechanisms that affect oral bioavailability in rats and humans. This will enable a more rational approach to perform projection of oral bioavailability in human using available rat in vivo data.
First report of the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus episquamalis infecting grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) from New Zealand

In November 2013 the Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand, received a report of a grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) presenting reddish-white granular lesions across its body. Gross pathological examination revealed cyst-like lesions on the distal portion of the scales and proximal part of the fins. Giemsa-stained wet preparations of these lesions presumptively identified spores as Myxobolus sp. DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene further identified these spores as Myxobolus episquamalis. This is the first report of Myxobolus episquamalis infecting M. cephalus from New Zealand.
A Cross-Case Analysis of Asian American Students with Learning Disabilities

Abstract Disproportionate representation, validity of identification and assessment, and equity continue to be core concerns in the education of CLD students with disabilities. The rapid growth of the Asian American population dictates investigation of these children’s educational needs. This study therefore aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of factors related to the identification and placement of Asian American students with learning disabilities from multiple data sources including special education folders, parents, and teachers. Findings revealed that parents’ primary roles in the entire process were to attend the meetings and give consent without adequate explanation of their child’s difficulty and needs and issues of intercultural communication between teachers and parents were spotted. Both school personnel and parents failed to see how their words and behaviors were interpreted differently than they were intended and were unable to break through the barriers to better understand each other. Analyses and discussions concentrated on how parents could be involved in the process as well as cross-cultural communication issues between home and school and consequent inadequate parent advocacy. Recommendations included personalizing home-school communication, empowering parents through local community, establishing parent network, and teacher training in effective inter-cultural communication. (191)
Phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the hyphochytrid Rhizidiomyces apophysatus

The potential relationship of the uniflagellate hyphochytrids with biflagellate stramenopiles is still not clearly resolved. Thus, we have expanded the number of isolates and taxa of hyphochytrids compared. The phylogenetic analy- sis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence of Rhizidiomyces apophysatusZopf based on neighbour-joining and parsimony methods showed that Hyphochytrium catenoidesKarling and R. apophysatus are monophyletic and probably the closest relatives of the oomycetes. Our data also confirmed the monophyly of the stramenopiles, which includes heterokont algae along with nonphotosynthetic fungallike organisms, namely the Oomycota, Hyphochytriomycota, and Labyrinthulomycota.
Honey as source of natural antioxidants

Honey produced by Apis mellifera bees from plant nectar and/or from secretions of living plants or excretion of plant-sucking insects is a complex natural sweet product. This natural foodstuff is produced in almost every country, and largely consumed as food. The popularity of this complex natural sweet product has increased in recent years due to health claims, and it is considered to be a desirable ingredient in a range of different food products. It has been traditionally used for different purposes and has a great potential to serve as a natural food antioxidant and folk medicine. Honey contains numerous compounds such as organic acids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins (ascorbic acid), and aroma compounds. Honey phenolic compounds act as natural antioxidants and are becoming increasingly popular because of their potential role in contributing to human health.
SNR and MSE analysis of KLMS algorithm for underwater acoustic communications

Adaptive filters are used to alleviate the degradation caused by wind-driven ambient noise in shallow water. Underwater acoustic signals are greatly affected by ocean interference and ambient noise disturbances propagated through underwater channels. Therefore, an effective adaptive filtering system is necessary for denoising signals degraded by noise. In this paper, adaptive algorithms, such as Least Mean Square (LMS), Normalised LMS (NLMS) and Kalman LMS (KLMS) are analysed in terms of their performance with the aid of performance measure characteristics, such as Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and Mean Square Error (MSE) for various wind speeds ranging from 2m/s to 6m/s. Simulation results show that KLMS algorithms achieve remarkable performance, even in the very low SNR region, compared to LMS and NMLS algorithms. Moreover, it is observed that the output convergence is also very fast for KLMS and the performance of the KLMS algorithm is unswerving for different wind speeds.
Stellar interferometry for gravitational waves

We propose a new method to detect gravitational waves, based on spatial coherence interferometry with stellar light, as opposed to the conventional temporal coherence interferometry with laser sources. The proposed method detects gravitational waves by using two coherent beams of light from a single distant star measured at separate space-based detectors with a long baseline. This method can be applied to either the amplitude or intensity interferometry. This experiment allows for the search of gravitational waves in the lower frequency range of 10-6 to 10-4 Hz. In this work, we present the detection sensitivity of the proposed stellar interferometer by taking the detector response and shot and acceleration noises into account. Furthermore, the proposed experimental setup is capable of searching for primordial black holes and studying the size of the target neutron star, which are also discussed in the paper.
Karyotype of Chicken – Pheasant Hybrids

The karyotype of the Gallus gallus × Phasianus colchicus mongolicus hybrid was studied in mitoses obtained from peripheral blood leucocytes cultures. The culture method provided high numbers of well spread metaphase chromosomes, without overlapping and suitable for chromosome counts. The modal diploid number of chromosomes found was 78, the same as in the chicken. The hybrid constitution was confirmed by the presence of a macrochromosomal set derived from each parental species, the chicken and the pheasant. In particular, the hybrid origin of metaphases was easily determined by the morphology of two pairs of homologous chromosomes, numbers 2 and 4. The nucleolar organiser regions (NOR) encoding the 18S–5.8S–28S ribosomal DNA, were detected by the silver nitrate staining in one pair of chromosomes, as in the chicken.
The habitat and food habits of the grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

ummary Live trapping, conducted to study the habitat occupance of the grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus Desmarest, showed that the rat was dominant in woodland, scanty in open grassland, absent in the seasonally-flooded bottom part of the catena, and that colonies were situated mainly under trees and in termitaria. Field and laboratory observations showed that the rats foraged grass species in relation to the proportionate abundance of the grass species in the grass stands, the important factor determining consumption of a grass species being the distance at which it was located from the rat colony. Resume L'etude le l'occupation de l'habitat chez Arvicanthis niloticus Desmarest par piegeage a montre que la presence de ce rat est dominante dans les zones boisees, clairsemee en savane ouverte et nulle dans les parties saisonnierement submergees de la catena; l'etude a aussi montre que les colonies etaient principalement localisees sous les arbres et dans les termitieres. Des observations sur le terrain et en laboratoire ont montre que les rats se nourrissent de certaines especes de graminees selon leur abondance relative dans les stations et que le facteur principal determinant la consommation d'une espece de graminee etait sa distance par rapport a la colonie.
Transmisión experimental del virus del mal de Río Cuarto por Delphacodes kuscheli

The disease caused by the "Mal de Rio Cuarto virus" (MRCV) is one of the most important diseases among those affecting maize (Zea mays) crops in Argentina. The MRCV belongs to the Reoviridae family, within the Fijivirus genus. It is spread in nature by Delphacodes kuscheli (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). The manner of transmission of the members of this virus genus is persistent propagative. An efficient virus transmission system was arranged in order to perform the various characterisation studies. These studies were carried out with healthy vector populations raised in the laboratory. Different acquisition, latency and inoculation periods were tested and a range of differential hosts was also evaluated, by breeding in phytotrons and controlled atmosphere chambers. A sufficient number of virus-free insects could thus be obtained to perform work. Experimental transmission of MRCV was successfully accomplished under identical conditions with acquisition, latency and inoculation periods of two, 10 and one days for fine grain cereals and two, 10 and two days for maize respectively. The following species were infected in this manner: maize (Zea mays), barley (Hordeum vulgare), oats (Avena sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), rye (Secale cereale), grama rhodes (Chloris gayana) and birdseed (Phalaris canariensis). Virus detection in inoculated plants was performed by means of serological tests, electrophoresis of the dsRNA in polyacrylamide gel (which showed the 10 typical bands of the fijiviruses) and electron microscopy, which showed 60 - 70 nm isometric particles.
Effect of host condition and photoperiod on the development of Microctonus hyperodae Loan, a parasitoid of the Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel))

Abstract Microctonus hyperodae, a euphorine parasitoid of Listronotus bonariensis, was found to enter photoperiodically induced diapause independently of the seasonally determined reproductive condition of its host. Indications were that the critical daylength may be c. 12.3: 11.7 L:D, which represents a photoperiod of 13.6: 10.4 L:D.
Do Rating Agencies Benefit From Providing Higher Ratings? Evidence From the Consequences of Municipal Bond Ratings Recalibration

We ask whether credit rating agencies receive higher fees and gain greater market share when they provide more favorable ratings. To investigate this question, we use the 2010 rating scale recalibration by Moody's and Fitch, which increased ratings absent any underlying change in issuer credit quality. Consistent with prior research, we find that the recalibration allowed the clients of Moody's and Fitch to receive better ratings and lower yields. We add to this evidence by showing that the recalibration also led to larger fees and to increases in the market shares of Moody's and Fitch. These results are consistent with critics’ concerns about the effects of the issuer‐pay model on the credit ratings market.
Evaluation of Sodium Alignate as a Fat Replacer on Processing and Shelf-life of Low-fat Ground Pork Patties

Low-fat ground pork patties, LFGPP (<10% total fat) formulated with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 percent sodium alginate (SA) were processed and compositional, processing and sensory characteristics were compared with control patties containing 20% fat. The moisture content of raw and cooked LFGPP were significantly (p<0.05) higher than control patties because of greater amount of added water in the formulation. The cooking yield, moisture and fat retention also increased linearly in different treatments of LFGPP. The dimensional parameters such as gain in height, decrease in diameter and shrinkage were significantly (p<0.05) lower in LFGPP in comparison to control. Amongst the sensory attributes, flavour showed a declining trend with the increase in concentration of SA in LFGPP. However, low-fat patties with 0.1% SA rated similar to high-fat control. The lipid profile revealed 49.78 and 43.22% decrease in total lipids and cholesterol content respectively, compared to control. The calorie content was reduced significantly (p<0.05) in LFGPP. The texture profile of LFGPP with 0.1% SA was similar to that of high-fat control. The LFGPP remained stable without any appreciable loss of physico-chemical, microbiological and organoleptic quality during refrigerated storage (4±1°C) for 21 and 35 days in aerobic and vacuum packaging respectively.
Thekopsora and Chrysomyxa cone rusts damage Norway spruce cones after a good cone crop in Finland

Abstract In 2006, an excellent crop of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] cones in Finland was severely damaged by rust fungi. The distribution and frequency of infection and the fruiting and sporulation of these rusts were investigated in 9 seed orchards and 23 seed tree stands in Finland. Thekopsora areolata (Fr.) Magnus was the most common and important cone rust that significantly reduced the seed crop of orchards in southern Finland, where infections were 10–89%. In northern Finland, the frequency of infected cones was much lower in seed tree stands (0–10%) than in seed orchards. Chrysomyxa pirolata Wint. occurred less frequently in most stands, but was more common in seed orchards. Chrysomyxa ledi (Alb. & Schw.) de Bary was the most frequent cone rust in seed tree stands of northern Finland. Thekopsora areolata colonized most or all of a cone and formed aecia on both adaxial and abaxial scales, while cone infections of C. pirolata were incomplete and sporulation took place only on the abaxial scale surface, as did C. ledi. Thekopsora areolata aecia failed to sporulate during the first year of cone formation, while aecia of both C. pirolata and C. ledi sporulated. Seed formation was significantly hampered and the seed crop significantly reduced by both T. areolata and C. pirolata.
Some Grain Properties of IR36‐based Starch Mutants

Some grain properties of 20 starch mutants that were transferred from mutants of Japanese rices to IR36 (by two backcrosses to IR36) were studied. All had higher apparent amylose content (AC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) than the parent mutants, except the dull mutants, and the 82GF sugary mutant which had no amylose. All had lighter and lower density brown rices than IR36. Sugary 82GF und EM5 had high free sugars, and sugary and EM20 shrunken-1 had high fat content. Phytoglycogen content of brown rice was 34% for 82GF and 7% for EM5 sugary mutants. Amylose extender mutants had higher lysine in brown rice protein than IR36 parent. Alkali spreading value did not accurately estimate GT of these starch mutants. Milled rice of the two high amylose extender mutants 2064 and EM16 had lower Amylograph peak viscosity but higher cooked rice Instron hardness than IR36 milled rice. Einige Korneigenschaften von auf IR36 basierenden Starkemutanten. Einige Korneigenschaften von 20 Starkemutanten, die von Mutanten aus japanischem Reis auf IR36 ubertragen wurden (durch zwei Ruckkreuzungen zu IR36) wurden untersucht. Alle hatten hohere scheinbare Amylosegehalte (AC) und Verkleisterungstemperaturen (GT) als die Elternmutanten auser den dull-Mutanten und den 82GF-Sugary-Mutanten, die keine Amylose enthielten. Alle hatten hellere braune Reise als IR36 von geringerer Dichte. Sugary-82GF und EM5 hatten mehr freie Zucker, und Sugary- und EM20-Shrunken-1 hatte hohe Fettgehalte. Der Phytoglycogengehalt des braunen Reises betrug 34% bei 82GF und 7% bei den EM5-Sugary-Mutanten. Die Amyloseextender-Mutanten enthielten mehr Lysin im Braunreisprotein als die IR36-Eltern. Der Alkali-Flieswert gab keinen genauen Hinweis auf die GT dieser Starkemutanten. Der gemahlene Reis der Hoch-amyloseextender-Mutanten 2064 und EM16 zeigten niedrigere Amylograph-Spitzenviskositat, jedoch eine hohere Instron-Harte als der gekochte Reis als gemahlener IR36-Reis.
Melipona (Michmelia) capixaba, uma nova espécie de Meliponinae (Hymenoptera, Apidae) do Sudeste do Brasil

This species from the Mata Atlântica resembles Melipona lateralis Erichson, 1848 and M. seminigra Friese, 1903 from the Amazonian Region. It can be easily distinguished from the first and its nearest relalive, M. scutellaris Latreille, 1811 by having a more shining mesoscutum and from the second by the yellow facial markings.
The Use of GnRH Agonists in Breast and Gynecologic Cancers

Over the past twenty years the use of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists in clinical medicine has moved from theoretical discussions to undisputed acceptance by physicians for the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. Although the role of GnRH agonists in managing endometriosis, precocious puberty, and prostatic carcinoma are well recognized and have led to FDA approval for their use in these clinical disorders, many researchers are now exploring the possible utility of GnRH agonists in other clinical conditions. This review will focus on both the evidence from basic science research and the early clinical evaluations of the use of GnRH agonists in the treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers. In 1984 leuprolide injectable was approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostate cancer. As has previously been reported in a number of reviews, the use of long-acting GnRH agonists results in the suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis probably through a decrease in both the number and sensitivity of GnRH receptors leading to the reduction in gonadotropin levels. In the treatment of-prostate cancer this results in effective suppression of LH and testosterone levels with clinical results comparable to DES or bilateral orchiectomy. With the apparent success of GnRH agonists in the treatment of an endocrinologically sensitive neoplasm in men, the evaluation of this class of drugs in the treatment of breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies has become of increasing interest to physicians. Any evaluation of the use of GnRH agonists must also recognize that local paracrine effects of this class of drug may play an important therapeutic role in addition to the central effects of pituitary suppression. Although no direct gonadal effects of GnRH agonist have been reported in the treatment of prostate cancer, there is an increasing body of literature to support the presence of GnRH receptors and/or binding sites in a wide variety of both malignant and normal human tissue leading to the supposition of a direct, local pharmacologic effect of this class of drugs. In our discussion of the use of GnRH agonists in the treatment of breast and gynecologic malignancies, we will examine the scientific evidence for both systemic, hormonal ancl direct paracrine, localized anti-tumor effects in the context of gonadotropin down regulation.