Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SEISMIC EVALUATION OF CODE DESIGNED STEEL PLATE SHEAR WALLS UNDER MAINSHOCK-AFTERSHOCK EARTHQUAKE SEQUENCES

Structures are often subjected to sequences of mainshock and aftershocks during their service life. Strong aftershocks have been known to cause extensive structural damage and losses of human lives in addition to the damage and losses of the mainshock. Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have recently attracted considerable interest as a promising lateral-resisting system in seismic-prone regions. The SPSWs consist of steel beams and columns with a thin infill steel plate. The unstiffened thin plates are expected to buckle at low seismic loads and develop tension field action that enables favorable ductility and energy dissipation. The American Institute of Steel Construction's Seismic Provisions prescribe a capacity-based design methodology that uses SPSWs as primary seismic force resisting systems, and require the design of SPSWs to be consistent with the design requirements for other ductile steel seismic force resisting systems. This paper presents numerical analysis of a code-designed eight-story SPSW building that was subjected to consecutive mainshock-aftershock earthquake events. Ground motions developed for the SAC project were selected and scaled to simulate the main shock events at maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level, and large aftershocks events at design base earthquake (DBE) level. Nonlinear response history analysis using the finite element program OpenSees were conducted to investigate the performance of the code designed SPSWs. It was demonstrated that the designed SPSW has good performance under mainshock-aftershock sequences.
Diffraction Enhanced Phase Contrast Imaging of a Kitten Deciduous Tooth using Coherent X-ray Source

Wavelength-tunable monochromatic Parametric x-ray (PXR) was generated at the Laboratory for Electron Beam Research and Application (LEBRA) at Nihon University. Using the LEBRA-PXR, phase contrast imaging was carried out. Phase contrast images of a kitten deciduous tooth were taken by diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) method. The results showed that LEBRA-PXR is a high coherent x-ray and is suitable for phase contrast imaging.
Trophic consequences of differential performance: ontogeny of oral jaw‐crushing performance in the sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus (Teleostei, Sparidae)

Studies in the field of ecomorphology aim to delineate the role of anatomy in determining an organism's ecological niche. Although an extensive literature exists correlating trophic morphology with biological role, surprisingly little research has investigated the causal relationship between morphological variation and differential feeding performance. This study examines the possible role of oral jaw-crushing performance in moulding diet in an ontogenetic series of sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus (Sparidae: Teleostei). By comparing potential niche, as determined by anatomical predictions of force production, with realized niche, as determined by field studies investigating prey use in the natural environment, we were able to assess to what degree maximal capabilities affected resource use. Evidence strongly suggested that oral jaw-crushing force was an important determinant of diet in these fishes. All oral jaw elements, as well as force produced by the adductor mandibulae complex, scaled with positive allometry, which was consistent with the increase in hard prey taken. There was a significant correlation between increased force production and increased durophagous habit. Lastly, the force used to feed in nature increased at the same rate as the predicted maximum force generated by the adductor mandibulae complex. Studies such as this one speak directly to the relationship between maximum functional potential and actual patterns of resource use.
Quantification of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae, within plant roots by competitive polymerase chain reaction

An assay based on the competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to quantify Glomus mosseae , an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, within plant roots. Using previously designed G. mosseae specific primers, a heterologous internal standard was constructed by amplifying Pseudomonas DNA under low stringency annealing conditions. Co-amplification of G. mosseae and internal standard DNA within leek root extracts provided accurate quantification of target DNA. Colonization of leek roots by G. mosseae was monitored in a comparative study by competitive PCR and microscopy, a conventional method of quantification. These two methods gave closely parallel data for G. mosseae colonization from three different inoculum levels over a 6 week period. Results indicate that competitive PCR is a sensitive and accurate method of quantification. The major advantage of competitive PCR over microscopy is that it can quantify specific AM fungi.
A molecular view of archaeal diversity in marine and terrestrial hot water environments

Molecular phylogenetic survey of naturally occurring archaeal diversities in hot water environments was carried out by using the PCR-mediated small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) sequencing. Mixed population DNA was directly extracted from the effluent hot water or sediment of a shallow marine hydrothermal vent at Tachibana Bay, or the acidic hot water of hot spring pools at Mt. Unzen, in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Based on the partial rDNA sequences amplified with an Archaea-specific primer set, the archaeal populations of hot water environments consisted of phylogenetically and physiologically diverse group of microorganisms. The archaeal populations were varied in each sample and subject to its environmental conditions. In addition, the large number of archaeal rDNA sequences recovered from hot water environments revealed the distant relationship not only to the rDNA sequences of the cultivated thermophilic archaea, but also to the sequences of unidentified archaeal rDNA clones found in other hot water environments. The findings extend our view of archaeal diversity in hot water environments and phylogenetic organization of these organisms.
Antibodies to transforming growth factor-β2 peptides: Specific detection of TGF-β2 in immunoassays

AbstractPolyclonal antibodies have been raised to synthetic peptides corresponding to several regions of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2). All antisera were tested for their ability to react with either the native or reduced forms of both TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Western blots, and immunoprecipitation assays. On Western blots, antisera raised to a peptide corresponding to residues 50–75 of TGF-β2 specifically detected 5 ng TGF-β2, while antisera raised to regions 1–30 and 79–108 cross-reacted with TGF-β1. Anti-P 50–75(2) also localized TGF-β2 in murine placenta in immunohistochemical studies. In immunoprecipitation assays with either iodinated TGF-βs or with media conditioned by cells labeled with [35S]Jcysteine, both anti-P 50–75(2) and anti-P 79–108(2) specifically immunoprecipitated TGF-β2 under reducing conditions only, while anti-P 79–108(2) also reacted with TGF-β1. None of the TGF-β2 peptide antibodies was able to block receptor binding of either TGF-β1 or 2. A.
Importance of Deoxyribose Degradation Assay for Evaluating Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity of Punica Extract

Punica granatum L. (Family: Punicaceae), commonly known as pomegranate (Anar) has been used traditionally as medicine to treat a number of diseases and disorders. Various parts of the plant and their active constituents are known to possess diverse biological activity. However, little is known about the antioxidant potential of pomegranate fruit peel, which is otherwise considered as waste. Therefore, the concentration-dependent hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of Punica granatum seed and peel extracts (alcoholic and aqueous) using deoxyribose degradation assay were analyzed and compared. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity at different concentrations of extract (10 to 250 μg/mL) both in presence and/or absence of ascorbic acid and ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid was determined. It was observed that a higher concentration of extract suppresses scavenging activity and lower promotes antioxidant property. Based on the observations, it may be inferred that pomegranate extract, especially from the spent/waste prt, has a strong antioxidant property as assessed by its property of scavenging hydroxyl radical formation.
Canopy Structure and Nutritive Value of Limpograss Pastures during Mid‐Summer to Early Autumn

Cattle (Bos spp.) grazing warm-season, perennial grasses in the lower Southeast USA often gain at a slower rate during mid-summer to early autumn than they do before or after this season. This has been observed with «Floralta» limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf et C.E. Hubb. ], and speculation is that low average daily gains (ADG) may result from changes in canopy structure or herbage nutritive value. During four consecutive 21-d periods beginning in July 1987 and 1988, a study was conducted on Pomona sands (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Ultic Haplaquods) to detect periods of low ADG on rotationally grazed limpograss, and to determine if changes in canopy structure or herbage nutritive value occurred concurrently (.)
Tillage Systems for Production of Small‐Grain Pasture

The objective of this study was to compare conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-till (NT) establishment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) forage for stocker calves (Bos taurus). Animal performance was analyzed as a completely randomized design using the mixed procedure of SAS. In the 2002-2003 study, grazing-d ha -1 was greater (P < 0.01) for CT than RT, but NT did not differ (P = 0.08) from CT and RT, while gain ha -1 was not affected (P ≥ 0.42) by tillage treatment. During 2003-2004, grazing-d ha -1 was identical for all pastures, but gain ha -1 of NT was greater (P = 0.05) than CT and RT. Grazing-d ha -1 was greater (P = 0.05) for NT than CT and RT in 2004-2005 and gain ha -1 tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for NT than CT and RT. During 2005-2006, grazing-d ha -1 of CT was greater (P = 0.03) than RT, but gain ha -1 did not differ (P ≥ 0.81) among treatments. Establishment of small-grain pasture using NT and RT was as successful as CT when timely fall rains promoted small grain emergence and growth, while NT was superior to CT and RT when fall rains are delayed and soil water profile can be maintained by summer chemical fallow.
Dispersal and gene flow in the habitat-forming kelp, Ecklonia radiata: relative degrees of isolation across an east-west coastline

Characterising patterns of dispersal and gene flow in habitat-forming organisms is becoming a focal concern for conservation and management strategies as anthropogenic impacts drive change in coastal ecosystems. Here, we use six microsatellite markers to characterise dispersal and gene flow across the South Australian distribution of the habitat-forming kelp Ecklonia radiata. Populations of E. radiata on subtidal reefs in South Australia were highly genetically structured on large (100s of km, FST = 0.211) and small (10s of km, FST = 0.042) spatial scales with the extent of differentiation positively correlated with geographic distances among populations. Neither the presence of oceanic currents nor intervening rocky reef habitats appeared to facilitate widespread gene flow. There was a trend for island populations to be more genetically differentiated from those on the mainland and to have slightly greater levels of heterozygosity than mainland populations. Our results show relatively low dispersal and gene flow suggesting that recovery following kelp loss may be slow. Such information not only provides insights into relative rates of recovery, but may also identify which populations may be best used for propagation and restoration efforts.
Morphological diversity and biogeography of procolophonids (Amniota: Parareptilia)

A recent phylogenetic analysis of procolophonid parareptiles is used as the basis for a study of morphological diversity (disparity) in these amniotes. Disparity values are compared in three groups of procolophonids (a paraphyletic series of basal taxa and two monophyletic sister groups: procolophonines and leptopleuronines), two ecophenotypic assemblages (one based upon inferred diet – non high-fibre versus high-fibre species; the other based upon cranial sculpture – non horned versus horned species), and two temporal assemblages (Lower Triassic versus Middle and Upper Triassic). The mean disparity values are comparable in the case of temporal and ecophenotypic assemblages. High-fibre species are marginally less disparate than non high-fibre species. The combined Middle and Upper Triassic species are slightly less disparate than Lower Triassic species. Finally, horned species are only slightly more disparate than non-horned species. The paraphyletic series of basal taxa and the leptopleuronines show similar disparity values, marginally higher than those for procolophonines. Phylogenetic analysis is also used to reconstruct the biogeographical history of procolophonids. Both ancestral area analysis and dispersal–vicariance analysis show that South Africa was the most likely ancestral area for procolophonids as a whole. North China – either as a single area or in combination with Russia or South Africa – was the most likely ancestral area for the leptopleuronine–procolophonine clade.
Genetic and Behavioral Evidence for Restricted Gene Flow among Coastal Cutthroat Trout Populations

Abstract Using a genetic and tag–recapture study, we assessed the geographic scale of population structuring and dynamics of gene flow in collections of coastal cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki clarki in Washington State. Tests for genotypic differentiation at 10 microsatellite loci were significant for all pairwise comparisons among 10 collections from Hood Canal creeks separated by about 2–100 km. Similarly, F-statistic analogues indicated that low but significant population structure existed among the nine anadromous collections (ϑST = 0.030, ρST = 0.029). Results from tests for isolation by distance revealed significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Previously published genetic data at six common loci from 14 coastal cutthroat trout collections across Washington were incorporated for some additional analyses. When analyzing all 22 anadromous collections at the six common loci, estimates of population structure increased to 0.088 for ϑST and 0.081 for ρST. All collections wer.
Micropropagation of Paulownia taiwaniana from mature tissues

The apices of small branches and their lateral shoots which emerged after the removal of branch tips were excised from an 8 yr old tree of P. taiwaniana. Both meristem tissues, 0.5-0.8 cm long, were cleaned under running tap water for 30 min, followed by sterilization in 70% ethanol for 30 s and then in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite in a supersonic vibrator for 10 min. Finally the tissues were washed 3 times in sterile distilled water.
VARIABILITY, SPECIFICITY AND EVOLUTION OF GROWTH GRADIENTS IN THE SPECIES COMPLEX JAERA ALBIFRONS (ISOPODA, ASELLOTA)

[La relation d'allometrie est utilisee pour analyser et comparer 48 populations du complexe Jaera albifrons (Isopode). Les 8879 individus analyses comprennent des mâles des cinq especes, des femelles de trois especes, et des hybrides interspecifiques des deux sexes. Dans chaque population, une variable synthetique de taille, calculee pour chaque individu, est utilisee comme reference au lieu de la longueur du corps utilisee precedemment. Cette valeur est obtenue par projection des points individuels sur la premiere composante d'une analyse en composantes principales. Dans la moitie des populations la premiere composante absorbe plus de 99% de la variabilite totale. Par cette methode, le gain en homogeneite des gradients de croissance est considerable. Les gradients de croissance etablis pour les mâles des differentes populations montrent une grande homogeneite intra-specifique et des differences faibles mais significatives entre les especes. Les gradients de croissance sont identiques pour les femelles, quelle que soit l'espece, mais differents de ceux des mâles. Une tentative pour reconstituer l'evolution des gradients de croissance a ete faite. , La relation d'allometrie est utilisee pour analyser et comparer 48 populations du complexe Jaera albifrons (Isopode). Les 8879 individus analyses comprennent des mâles des cinq especes, des femelles de trois especes, et des hybrides interspecifiques des deux sexes. Dans chaque population, une variable synthetique de taille, calculee pour chaque individu, est utilisee comme reference au lieu de la longueur du corps utilisee precedemment. Cette valeur est obtenue par projection des points individuels sur la premiere composante d'une analyse en composantes principales. Dans la moitie des populations la premiere composante absorbe plus de 99% de la variabilite totale. Par cette methode, le gain en homogeneite des gradients de croissance est considerable. Les gradients de croissance etablis pour les mâles des differentes populations montrent une grande homogeneite intra-specifique et des differences faibles mais significatives entre les especes. Les gradients de croissance sont identiques pour les femelles, quelle que soit l'espece, mais differents de ceux des mâles. Une tentative pour reconstituer l'evolution des gradients de croissance a ete faite. ]
Limited divergence among populations of rice striped stem borer in southeast China caused by gene flow: Implications for resistance management

Abstract Rice striped stem borer (RSSB, Chilo suppressalis) is a serious lepidopteron pest occurring in rice ecosystems of Asia and Europe. Genetically modified (GM) insect‐resistant Bt rice has been developed to deter lepidopteron pests including RSSB. The concern of resistance evolution to the Bt toxin by the pests under commercial cultivation of GM Bt rice and the need of effective management of the resistance encourage the studies of genetic variation and divergence, as well as gene flow of RSSB populations. We analyzed 13 RSSB populations fed on water‐oats or rice plants, respectively, from southeast China applying the fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprints. A generally moderate level of genetic variation was detected in the populations, as estimated by Nei's genetic diversity (0.27) and Shannon's index (0.42). The FST and amova values indicated a low level (∼12%) of genetic divergence among the RSSB populations. A relatively frequent gene flow (an average Nm = 2.62) was detected among the 12 RSSB populations, which may explain the limited genetic divergence among the rice‐feeding populations. This explanation gains support by the assignment test of the corresponding populations, suggesting that a considerable proportion of individuals was contributed from non‐native populations. Our results revealed that the moderate level of genetic diversity combined with relatively frequent gene flow among RSSB populations across a large geographical range may slow down the resistance evolution of the RSSB populations, given that a proper measure of resistance management is taken.
A novel technique for the enumeration of bacteriophage from water

A novel method has been developed for concentrating and enumerating bacteriophages in water. Host bacterial cells are added to water samples to adsorb phage and then the infected bacteria are collected by centrifugation at 4000 rev./min for 30 min. The pellets are resuspended in small volumes and assayed for phages using the agar-overlay method. This procedure was more successful than three established techniques in recovering Bacillus phages from seeded samples of tap water. It also gave efficient recovery of phages from samples of river, lake and sea-water.
Random partitions in population genetics

One of the most striking results of recent theoretical research in population genetics is the sampling formula associated with the name of W. J. Ewens, who enunciated it in 1972, since which time it has been shown to hold for many different population models. This asserts that, if a sample of n gametes is taken from a population, and classified according to the gene at a particular locus, then the probability that there are a1 alleles represented once in the sample, a2 represented twice, a3 thrice, and so on, is given for some positive value of θ by the expression Pn(a1,a2., an) = n! /θ(θ+1). (θ+n─1) ∏nj=1 ﴾θaj/jajaj ! ﴿. Most of the models for which this has been established share three broad features: (a) the size of the population is large compared with n, and the expected total number of mutations per generation is moderate (and in fact differs from θ by a constant factor depending on the reproductive mechanism), (b) the population is in statistical equilibrium under mutation and genetic drift, with selection at the locus playing a negligible rôle, and (c) mutation is non-recurrent, so that every mutant allele is a completely novel one.
Cytogenetics of three parthenogenetic Psocid species (Psocoptera, Psocomorpha)

A novel method was applied to study chromosomes and their behavior in female meiosis in three parthenogenetic psocid species (Psocoptera). Two of these species Valenzuela flavidus (Steph.), Caeciliusidae and Peripsocus subfasciatus (Rambur), Peripsocidae displayed a triploid chromosome number 3x=27 while the third species Trichadenotecnum majus (Kolbe) was diploid (2n=18). In all species meiosis consisted of only a single, mitosis-like maturation division, i.e. meiosis was of apomictic type. Models for the formation of polyploid parthenogenetic forms are discussed.
Effect of dietary cornstarch levels on growth performance, digestibility and microscopic structure in the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei reared in brackish water

The ability of Litopenaeus vannamei (initial mean weight: 0.96 ± 0.02 g) to utilize different levels of cornstarch was examined in terms of growth indices, body composition, digestibility and microscopic structure of the hepatopancreas. Six isonitrogenous semipurified diets were fed to satiation to shrimp for 8 weeks in triplicate tanks (30 shrimps per tank) connected to a natural brackish water (6–8 g L−1) recirculating system. Diets contained different levels of cornstarch (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 g kg−1) as the source of carbohydrate and were balanced using cellulose. Weight gain (WG), survival rate and feed conversion rate (FCR) were considerably affected by cornstarch levels of diets. The highest WG (453.6 g kg−1) and best FCR was observed in shrimp fed the 150 g kg−1 (cornstarch level) diet and was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed diets containing 250–350 g kg−1 cornstarch. However, the survival rate reached maximum in shrimp fed the 100 g kg−1 diet (96.7), some 30% higher than the lowest rate, which was found in shrimp fed the 250 g kg−1 diet. Body lipid tended to be higher in shrimp fed diets with higher cornstarch levels. The apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fat increased with increasing levels of cornstarch and, hence, decreasing levels of cellulose. In addition, histological study on shrimp fed 10–350 g kg−1 diets exhibited histological changes. The overall conclusion was that the optimum cornstarch level may be set at 100–200 g kg−1 when the diets contain 380 g kg−1 protein.