Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning and characterization of a potentially protective chitinase-like recombinant antigen from Wuchereria bancrofti

While there is no direct evidence demonstrating the existence of protective immunity to Wuchereria bancrofti infection in humans, the presence of individuals, in populations in areas where infection is endemic, with no clinical evidence of past or current infection despite appreciable exposure to the infective larvae, suggests that protective immunity to filarial parasites may occur naturally. Earlier work indicated that such putatively immune individuals generated antibodies to a 43-kDa antigen from larval extracts of the related filarial parasite Brugia malayi that was recognized by only 8% of the infected population. With rabbit antiserum raised against this 43-kDa antigen, this current study identified a recombinant clone, WbN43, with an insert size of 2.3 kb, from a W. bancrofti genomic expression library. The recombinant fusion protein was differentially recognized by the putatively immune individuals but not by the infected patients. The coding sequence (684 bp) from the 5' end had significant sequence similarity to chitinases from Serratia marcescens, Bacillus circulans, Streptomyces plicatus, and B. malayi. Peptide sequencing of the expressed product also defined a chitinase-like sequence. Molecular characterization indicated WbN43 to be a low-copy-number gene, with expression predominantly in infective larvae and microfilariae but not in adult parasites.
Primer Notes

In recent years, microsatellite markers have been increasingly used for genetic studies of plants, mainly for genome mapping of crop plants. However, there have been relatively few studies of natural plant populations using microsatellites, although they could make a significant contribution to understanding the genetic structure (Chase et al. 1996; Dow & Ashley 1996). In plant populations, gene flow mainly occurs when pollen or seeds are dispersed, for example, and this could be estimated with great accuracy using microsatellite markers. Camellia japonica L. , a broad-leaved evergreen woody plant, is widely distributed in Japan (on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands) and at the southern and western coasts of the Korean Peninsula. The species is an abundant plant over most of its range and is an important component of the broad-leaved evergreen forests of the region. In this study, microsatellite markers in C. japonica were developed by screening random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles to avoid time-consuming screening of genomic libraries. The objective was to analyse seed and pollen dispersal, and parentage, of C. japonica (factors expected to have strong influences on genetic structure of the species) in an old-growth forest on Tsushima Island, Nagasaki. Genomic DNA in C. japonica was extracted using a modified CTAB method (Murray & Thompson 1980) from leaves of a specimen at the Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, Kukizaki, Ibaraki, and from individuals on Tsushima Island. RAPD fragments were then amplified in a PTC-100 thermocycler (MJ Research) in a reaction mixture (25 μL) containing 1 × PCR buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.3, 50 mM KCl, 100 mM of each dNTP, 0.02% Triton X-100 and 0.01% gelatin), 2 mM MgCl2, 1 U Taq polymerase (Gibco BRL), 200 nM random primer (OPERON), and 80 ng of template DNA. The amplification cycle consisted of an initial 3 min denaturation at 94 ¡C, followed by 35 cycles of 1 min denaturation at 94 ¡C, 1 min annealing at 36 ¡C and 2 min extension at 72 ¡C, with a final 3 min extension at 72 ¡C. The resulting products were separated on 2% agarose gels and transferred to nylon membranes. In this study, the DIG nonradioactive nucleic acid labelling and detection system (Boehringer Mannheim) was used for Southern hybridization. DIGlabelled oligonucleotides 5'-DIG(CT)20-3' and 5'-DIG(CA)203' served as probes. Hybridizing fragments were purified by band-stab PCR (Bjourson & Cooper 1992) and cloned into pCRII vectors (Invitrogen). Transformants were selected by blueÐwhite screening followed by PCR screening. Selected inserts were PCR amplified and sequenced on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer using a Taq DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit (PE/ABI). PCR primer pairs were designed according to the sequence data, using the computer program OLIGO (National Biosciences). After PCR optimization, one primer of each successful pair was fluorescently labelled. Molecular Ecology (1999) 8, 335Ð346
Interaction between Hormones, Light, and Nutrition on Extension of Lateral Buds in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin, and indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) contained in lanolin were applied in various combinations and concentrations to decapitated stems and petioles and to buds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. GA3 applied alone usually promoted growth of main stems and laterals but this was by no means consistent and occasionally it acted in the opposite way. IAA applied alone reduced lateral bud extension slightly, but not consistently; however, when applied with GA3 or GA3 plus kinetin, it often markedly inhibited the promotion caused by these compounds. On occasions, however, GA3 and IAA acted synergistically to promote and sometimes to inhibit lateral shoot growth. Kinetin alone showed few significant effects on lateral shoot growth but applied with GA3 it often dramatically increased GA3-induced growth of main stems and laterals. The diversity of these results, which parallels that found in the literature, was shown to be partly dependent on the point of hormone application and age of the plant or bud, on concentration of hormone and on light intensity or nutrition. However, no meaningful relationships were found and it is concluded that growth of laterals and main stems is dependent on a hormone balance which can be critically modified by a wide range of internal and external factors the nature of which is still to be determined.
Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenol Content of Brassica oleracea Varieties

ABSTRACT Reasons for beneficial medicinal benefits to humans from cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) needs clarification. The research examined beneficial phytochemicals in cabbage that activate and stabilize antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms in humans. Methanolic extracts of red cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata f. rubra [MERC]), green cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata [MEGC]), cauliflower (B. oleracea L. var. botrytis [MEC]), and broccoli (B. oleracea L. var. italica [MEB]) were analyzed for antioxidant activity (AA) using different in vitro assays and polyphenol content. The AA was tested by radical scavenging activity of extracts against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical, ferric reducing power, and ferrous ion chelation assay. The antioxidant activity from all assays was in the order MERC > MEGC > MEB > MEC. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highest and lowest for MERC (2.26 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]·g−1 fresh weight [FW] and 1.43 mg rutin equivalent [RE]·g−1 FW) and MEC (0.83 mg GAE·g−1 FW and 0.42 mg RE·g−1 FW), respectively, as were antioxidant assays. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses of extracts indicated presence of phenolic acid and flavonoid compounds confirming in vitro antioxidant behavior. There may be a rational for use of B. oleracea, especially red and green cabbage, in phytomedicine as a food supplement against diseases that involve free radicals.
A photometric study of β Cephei stars. II. Determination of the degrees L of pulsation modes

The wavelength dependence of photometric amplitudes is used as a means of identifying the degrees l of pulsation modes of β Cephei stars studied in an earlier paper. To this end, an expression for the photometric amplitude of a non-rotating pulsating star is derived in terms of the wavelength of the radiation received and the degree of the pulsation mode involved. The derivation differs from earlier derivations in that the specific radiation intensity is considered instead of the outward normal radiation flux. Furthermore, the effects of the non-radial components of the Lagrangian displacement on the local surface element of the star are taken into account. The angular dependence of the specific radiation intensity is determined by a limb-darkening function
Constraint-Based Categorial Grammar

We propose a generalization of Categorial Grammar in which lexical categories are defined by means of recursive constraints. In particular, the introduction of relational constraints allows one to capture the effects of (recursive) lexical rules in a computationally attractive manner. We illustrate the linguistic merits of the new approach by showing how it accounts for the syntax of Dutch cross-serial dependencies and the position and scope of adjuncts in such constructions. Delayed evaluation is used to process grammars containing recursive constraints.
The New World grass‐thrips genus Plesiothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and its palaeotropical relationships

Morphological character states displayed by Plesiothrips Hood, a New World genus of grass‐living thrips, are assessed. This assessment indicates that Plesiothrips shares more character states with genera from Southeast Asia, including the Trichromothrips genus‐group, than with any New World Thripinae. Sorghothrips sakagami (Kudo) comb. n. is removed from Plesiothrips; Taeniothrips aberrans Crawford syn. n. is considered a new synonym of Plesiothrips amblycauda Hood; and an illustrated identification key is given to 16 Plesiothrips species for which females are known.
A bird community of lowland rainforest in New Guinea. I. Composition and Density of the Avifauna

The birds in a lot of 2.5 ha of lowland rainforest at Brown River, Papua New Guinea were studied for two years. In the plot 165 species were recorded at an estimated density of 690 birds per 10 ha. Most species were sedentary and there were few migrants. Montane forms occurred as temporary visitors to fruiting or flowering trees, or as outliers of communities in nearby foothill forest. The proportion of frugivorous species is much higher than in other tropical regions, for which lack of mammalian competition is considered the main reason. he lowland avifauna of New Guinea is considered more a continental avifauna than a depauperate island one.
Heterospecific pollen transfer from an exotic plant to native plants: assessing reproductive consequences in an Andean grassland

Background: The presence of exotic plants increases the heterospecific pollen (HP hereafter) received by native plants and reduces their reproductive output. Aims: We assessed whether the exotic herb Echium vulgare (Boraginaceae) increased HP and reduced seed output of the native plants Phacelia secunda (Boraginaceae) and Stachys albicaulis (Lamiaceae) in an Andean locality, central Chile. Methods: The presence of HP was studied in native plants growing with and without co-existence with the exotic E. vulgare. A complementary hand pollination experiment was carried out to assess whether E. vulgare pollen reduced the reproductive success of native plants. Results: In the presence of E. vulgare, 17.3% and 3.7% of P. secunda and S. albicaulis individuals that coexisted with the exotic species received HP. For P. secunda, the number of conspecific pollen grains decreased in invaded patches compared with non-invaded patches; no differences were observed for S. albicaulis. The pollen of E. vulgare negatively affected the reproductive success of S. albicaulis but not that of P. secunda. Conclusions: The presence of HP cannot be predicted from the presence of exotic plants alone, and other factors, such as flower morphology, could explain the greater HP transfer in P. secunda (actinomorphic flowers) than in S. albicaulis (zygomorphic flowers). A higher negative effect of E. vulgare pollen on P. secunda versus S. albicaulis could be related to the phylogenetic resemblance between the exotic donor and native recipient plant because pollen-stigma compatibility may be evolutionary conserved through common lineages.
Optimal design of nonlinear model predictive controller based on new modified multitracker optimization algorithm

The controller design for the robotic manipulator faces different challenges such as the system's nonlinearities and the uncertainties of the parameters. Furthermore, the tracking of different linear and nonlinear trajectories represents a vital role by the manipulator. This paper suggests an optimal design for the nonlinear model predictive control (NLMPC) based on a new improved intelligent technique and it is named modified multitracker optimization algorithm (MMTOA). The proposed modification of the MTOA is carried out based on opposition‐based learning (OBL) and quasi OBL approaches. This modification improves the exploration behavior of the MTOA to prevent it from becoming trapped in a local optimum. The proposed method is applied on the robotic manipulator to track different linear and nonlinear trajectories. The NLMPC parameters are tuned by the MMTOA rather than the trial and error method of the designer. The proposed NLMPC based on MMTOA is compared with the original MTOA, genetic algorithm, and cuckoo search algorithm in literature. The superiority and effectiveness of the proposed controller are confirmed to track different linear and nonlinear trajectories. Furthermore, the robustness of the proposed method is emphasized against the uncertainties of the parameters.
T1‐Weighted MRI shows stage‐dependent substantia nigra signal loss in Parkinson's disease

In the published article the absolute values of the area measurements of T1 hyperintense substantia nigra (SN) were incorrectly calculated. The correct values are as follows (adjusted mean 6 standard error [95% confidence interval]): for controls, 22.2 6 2.6 mm [16.7–27.6 mm] and for Parkinson’s disease (PD), 9.3 6 2.9 mm [3.4– 15.3 mm], with similar or slightly improved statistical difference (F1,21 1⁄4 10.6; P <.01; F3,21 1⁄4 4.3; P < .05); instead of, for controls, 43.5 6 5.2 mm [32.5–54.4 mm] and for PD, 17.3 6 5.7 mm [5.2–29.3 mm], F1,21 1⁄4 10.8, F3,21 1⁄4 4.0, P <. 05 (see Results, page 1635). The correct values for the exploratory subgroup comparison are as follows: 4.4 6 3.2 mm (n 1⁄4 4, advanced disease) and 12.6 6 5.6 mm (n 1⁄4 6, early-stage disease), instead of advanced disease 9.4 6 8.3 mm and early stage disease 23.1 6 9.9 mm. The correct values for the univariate analysis of variance are as follows: F2,21 1⁄4 7.9, P <. 01; instead of F2,21 1⁄4 7.3, P <. 01 (see Results, pages 1635–1636). The correlation with disease severity also remains significant: (UPDRS, F1,21 1⁄4 12.1, P <.01; disease duration F1,21 1⁄4 6.2, P <.05). An updated version of the 2-dimensional measurements in Figure 2 is shown below.
Confocal image analysis of three-dimensional intracellular protein distribution: Application to cyclin A distribution in lymphoid cells

This paper proposes to evaluate, in tonsil lymphoid cells, the intracellular distribution of cyclin A, a protein involved in the cell cycle regulation. Serial sections of anti-cyclin A labelled cells were optically acquired with a confocal laser scanning microscope. On these serial sections, three-dimensional image analysis was applied, essentially by extending previous methods from the two-dimensional to the three-dimensional field. Sieving techniques derived from mathematical morphology were used to extract cluster- and spot-shaped cyclin A structures. Subsequently, measurements were performed to estimate cell surface and volume, cyclin A contents, cyclin A patterns and cytoplasmic or nuclear cyclin A localization. Results were finally submitted to a principal component analysis which ordered the cells in such a way as to satisfy human visual perception. Cyclin A distribution appeared to vary greatly, and in a continuous way as no group was obviously shared. Some typical patterns, such as spotted cyclin A were observed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and three-dimensional analysis appeared as a relevant method to quantitatively investigate the subcellular distribution of proteins with respect to the fundamental three spatial dimensions of cells.
Effects of tidal periodicities and diurnal foraging constraints on the density of foraging wading birds

ABSTRACT In intertidal zones, tidal cycles reduce water depths and provide areas of shallow water where wading birds can forage for aquatic prey (water depths 0–50 cm). However, a bird that forages diurnally can make use of only a portion of the tidal cycle, which can limit fulfillment of energetic demands. Furthermore, daily and biweekly (spring–neap) tides may compound effects on shallow-water availability for foraging birds. However, the relative effects of daily and biweekly tidal periodicities on the foraging ecology of wading birds are seldom investigated due to a lack of appropriate tools. Therefore, we developed a tidal simulation model to provide dynamic spatiotemporal estimates of the availability of water depths that are within the upper and lower bounds of the birds' foraging water depth limits (“shallow-water availability”). We studied two wading bird species, the Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), a daytime-only forager, and the Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis), which feeds both diurnally and nocturnally, to evaluate the relative effects of daily and biweekly tides on shallow-water availability and on patterns in abundance of foraging birds. Seasonal foraging surveys (n = 38; 2011–2013) were conducted by boat along a 14-km transect adjacent to extensive intertidal flats in the lower Florida Keys, USA. For both species combined, biweekly tides resulted in a 0.61- to 6.09-fold change in abundance, whereas daily tides resulted in a 1.03- to 5.81-fold change in abundance. Diurnal shallow-water availability was not consistently correlated in magnitude or direction with spring–neap tidal cycles because differences in tide height between consecutive low tides were larger than changes in tidal amplitude from spring–neap tide cycles. Thus, the strong response by birds to the spring–neap tide was likely driven by mechanisms other than diurnal shallow-water availability alone.
Purification and properties of three (1→3)-β-d-glucanase isoenzymes from young leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Three (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39) isoenzymes GI, GII and GIII were purified from young leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare) using (NH4)2SO4 fractional precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing and gel-filtration chromatography. The three (1-->3)-beta-D-glucanases are monomeric proteins of apparent M(r)32,000 with pI values in the range 8.8-10.3. N-terminal amino-acid-sequence analyses confirmed that the three isoenzymes represent the products of separate genes. Isoenzymes GI and GII are less stable at elevated temperatures and are active over a narrower pH range than is isoenzyme GIII, which is a glycoprotein containing 20-30 mol of hexose equivalents/mol of enzyme. The preferred substrate for the enzymes is laminarin from the brown alga Laminaria digitata, an essentially linear (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan with a low degree of glucosyl substitution at 0-6 and a degree of polymerization of approx. 25. The three enzymes are classified as endohydrolases, because they yield (1-->3)-beta-D-oligoglucosides with degrees of polymerization of 3-8 in the initial stages of hydrolysis of laminarin. Kinetic analyses indicate apparent Km values in the range 172-208 microM, kcat. constants of 36-155 s-1 and pH optima of 4.8. Substrate specificity studies show that the three isoenzymes hydrolyse substituted (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans with degrees of polymerization of 25-31 and various high-M(r), substituted and side-branched fungal (1-->3;1-->6)-beta-D-glucans. However, the isoenzymes differ in their rates of hydrolysis of a (1-->3;1-->6)-beta-D-glucan from baker's yeast and their specific activities against laminarin vary significantly. The enzymes do not hydrolyse (1-->3;1-->4)-beta-D-glucans, (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan, CM-cellulose, insoluble (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans or aryl beta-D-glycosides.
Patterns of evolution and multidimensional systematics in graylings (Lepidoptera: Hipparchia)

The difficult and controversial attribution of Hipparchia (Parahipparchia) populations to species or subspecies rank led us to use a comparative, quantitative approach to clarify evolutionary and taxonomic relationships among taxa. Seventeen populations from the Mediterranean area belonging to nine presumptive species or subspecies were sampled, and multivariate analyses were employed to study three character sets: allozymes, morphometric profiles of male genitalia, and quantitative descriptors of wing pattern and shape. Comparative analyses of distance matrices, trees and ordination patterns enabled us to outline evolutionary relationships among taxa and to assess the relative value of each character set. Congruent relationships among taxa were obtained from allozymes and male genital morphometries, suggesting that divergence in genital morphology is a fairly good marker of the overall genetic divergence. On the other hand, discordant results from wing pattern descriptors suggest these might be subjected to different evolutionary trajectories and rates because of their particular adaptive significance, and might not represent reliable tracers of phylogeny.
A unifying approach to reasoning by analogy

There has been, and still is, much interest in several disciplines in reasoning using analogy and similarity. Recent efforts in psychology and artificial intelligence have seen the development of general analogical reasoning mechanisms, which work on a variety of symbolic analogies from various domains. It is in the context of this work that this dissertation presents a unifying framework for analogy and similarity, which is designed to accomodate all current general theories and models of analogy. The approach places models of analogy into a unifying framework comprised of seven stages and four types of similarity. This framework allows current models to be assessed and compared, and deficiences observed. A new general model for analogy, which fits within this framework, is presented, overcoming many of the observed deficiences with other models. A computer program which embodies most of the key features of the new model is described, and the results of its application to several example analogies shown.
Differentiation-inducing activity of tubeimoside I in human erythroleukemic K562 cells

AIM: To examine the differentiation-inducing effect of tubeimoside I on human erythroleukemic K562 cells.METHODS: The growth inhibitory activity of tubeimoside I was evaluated with K562 cells.Trypan blue exclusion,morphological observation,cytochemistry were used to observe the features of erythroid,granulocytic,and megakaryocytic lineages differentiated from K562 cells.Using Western blot analysis,we studied alterations in c-myc and c-fos expression accompanying tubeimoside Iinduced differentiation of K562 cells.RESULTS: Tubeimoside I inhibited the proliferation K562 cells and induced the differentiation of K562 cells into the erythrocyts.It could down-regulate c-myc and upregulate c-fos,and the steps were found to be the early events of K562 cell differentiation mediated by tubeimoside I.CONCLUSION: Tubeimoside I can induce the differentiation of K562 cells into the erythrocytes,and down-regulation of c-myc and up-regulation of c-fos which are the early responses of K562 cells to the induction of differentiation mediated by tubeimoside I.
A Model of Personal Automobile Insurance Shopping Intentions (PAPSI)

This research employs factor and multiple regression analyses to develop the Personal Automobile Policy Shopping Intentions Model (PAPSI). Extant research is combined with the results of nine nominal grouping sessions to produce 82 independent variables for this investigation of their relationships with the near-term shopping intentions of standard personal automobile (PAP) insureds. It is concluded that a some of PAP insureds’ variance in shopping intentions can be explained by the variables that entered the PAPSI equation.