Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of ABA and CaCl2 on GABA accumulation in fava bean germinating under hypoxia-NaCl stress

Effects of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and CaCl2 on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation of germinated fava bean under hypoxia-NaCl stress were investigated. Exogenous ABA resulted in the enhancement of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity as well as GABA content in cotyledon and shoot. CaCl2 increased both enzyme activities in shoot and GABA content in cotyledon and shoot. ABA downregulated GAD expression in cotyledon and radicle, while upregulated that in shoot; it also upregulated DAO expression in each organ. CaCl2 upregulated GAD expression in cotyledon, while downregulated that in radicle. However, it upregulated DAO expression in shoot, downregulated that in radicle. ABA inhibitor fluridon and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid inhibited GAD and DAO activities significantly so that inhibited GABA accumulation through reducing ABA biosynthesis and chelating Ca2+, respectively. However, they upregulated GAD and DAO expression in varying degrees. These results indicate that ABA and Ca2+ participate in GABA biosynthesis in fava bean during germination under hypoxia-NaCl stress. Graphical abstract ABA and Ca2+ involved in GABA accumulation in fava bean sprout under hypoxia-NaCl stress by regulation of GABA biosyntheses genes expression and enzymes activity.
Dynamics and kinematics of ant locomotion: do wood ants climb on level surfaces?

SUMMARY The biomechanics of running in small animals have remained poorly characterized because of the difficulty of recording three-dimensional ground reaction forces. Available techniques limit investigations to animals with a body mass above 1 g. Here we present, for the first time, single-leg ground reaction forces of ants (body mass 10 mg), measured with a custom-built miniature force plate. We investigated forces and high-speed kinematics for straight level runs (average speed: 8.4 cm s–1) of Formica polyctena workers. The major finding was that the time course of ground reaction forces strongly differed from previous observations of larger insects. Maximum vertical force was reached during the first third of the tripod contact phase. During this period the body was decelerated predominantly by the front legs. Subsequently, the front legs pulled and accelerated the body. This `climbing' type of stride may be useful on the bumpy and unstable substrates that the animals face in their natural habitats, and may therefore also occur on level ground. Propulsive forces were generated predominantly by the front and hind legs. Dragging of the gaster on the substrate resulted in a breaking momentum, which was compensated by the legs. Future investigations will reveal, whether the identified pattern is due to specialization.
Phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone forms nitric oxide as a result of its FE(III)-catalyzed hydrolysis or hydroxyl radical adduct formation.

Phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) is commonly employed in spin-trapping studies. We report here evidence that PBN in aqueous solutions is decomposed by two pathways leading to the generation of nitric oxide (.NO). The first pathway is by hydrolysis of PBN, which is strongly catalyzed by ferric iron. The second pathway is via PBN-hydroxyl radical adduct formation. NO was trapped in the presence of cysteine and ferrous iron to form a [(cys)2Fe(NO)2]-3 complex, which was measured by use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. A concomitant metabolite, benzaldehyde, was detected from both reaction mixtures. We propose that PBN is hydrolyzed by Fe3+ or attacked by hydroxyl radical, leading eventually to a common transient species, tert-butyl hydronitroxide [t-BuN(O.)H], which is further oxidized to a . NO source, t-BuNO. Our data imply that PBN may decompose to . NO when used in biological models with oxidative stress conditions.
Employee Share Ownership Plans: A Review

This paper reviews the main strands of research on employee share ownership over the last forty years. It considers research findings in the literature on types of share ownership, the incidence of share ownership plans, the ‘determinants’ of the use of share plans by companies, influences upon employee participation in share plans, the effect of share ownership on employee attitudes and behaviour, the effect on company performance, and the relationship between share ownership plans and other forms of employee participation. The paper does not provide a comprehensive review of the literature on these topics: instead it highlights the main findings that have emerged in the literature to date, and suggests some avenues for future research. It is suggested that majority worker ownership is different in character and effects from ‘mainstream’ minority employee share plans in large companies but the literature has tended to conflate the two. It is argued that future research needs to distinguish the various forms of employee share ownership if the impact of share ownership is to be more precisely calibrated.
Prepaid Telecom Customers Segmentation Using The K-Mean Algorithm

The scope of relationship marketing is to retain customers and win their loyalty. This can be achieved if the companiesâ€(tm) products and services are developed and sold considering customersâ€(tm) demands. Fulfilling customersâ€(tm) demands, taken as the starting point of relationship marketing, can be obtained by acknowledging that the customersâ€(tm) needs and wishes are heterogeneous. The segmentation of the customersâ€(tm) base allows operators to overcome this because it illustrates the whole heterogeneous market as the sum of smaller homogeneous markets. The concept of segmentation relies on the high probability of persons grouped into segments based on common demands and behaviours to have a similar response to marketing strategies. This article focuses on the segmentation of a telecom customer base according to specific and noticeable criteria of a certain service. Although the segmentation concept is widely approached in professional literature, articles on the segmentation of a telecom customer base are very scarce, due to the strategic nature of this information. Market segmentation is carried out based on how customers spent their money on credit recharging, on making calls, on sending SMS and on Internet navigation. The method used for customer segmentation is the K-mean cluster analysis. To assess the internal cohesion of the clusters we employed the average sum of squares error indicator, and to determine the differences among the clusters we used the ANOVA and the post-hoc Tukey tests. The analyses revealed seven customer segments with different features and behaviours. The results enable the telecom company to conceive marketing strategies and planning which lead to better understanding of its customersâ€(tm) needs and ultimately to a more efficient relationship with the subscribers and enhanced customer satisfaction. At the same time, the results enable the description and characterization of expenditure patterns for services that are continuously growing. Also, the study demonstrates this analysis model is efficient for a large customer base.
Phytochemical and Antibacterial properties of the seedof watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon seed was evaluated for its phytochemical and antimicrobial potentials. Crude extract of the seeds was obtained using hot water, cold water, ethanol and methanol. Test organisms were screened to confirm their viability and identities using standard microbiological methods. Extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity using the standard disc diffusion assay method against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus. All the seed extracts showed evidence of antibacterial properties. Hot water extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 14mm diameter zone of inhibition whereas ethanol and methanol extracts showed the lowest against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with 8mm diameter zone of inhibition. Watermelon seed showed low antimicrobial activity when compared to the result of the commercial antibiotics. The analysis for phytochemical constituents was performed using generally accepted laboratory techniques for quantitative determinations. The constituents analyzed for were tannins, saponins, flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides, oxalates and alkaloids. Alkaloid had the highest concentration of about 1.23% whereas cyanogenic glycoside had the lowest of about 0.00237%. There was a correlation between the phytochemical levels and the antimicrobial activities. The low level of phytochemicals explains the low antimicrobial activities of extracts of watermelon seeds.
Cytochrome P450 2B1 Mediates Complement-dependent Sublytic Injury in a Model of Membranous Nephropathy*

Membranous nephropathy is a disease that affects the filtering units of the kidney, the glomeruli, and results in proteinuria accompanied by loss of kidney function. Passive Heymann nephritis is an experimental model that mimics membranous nephropathy in humans, wherein the glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) injury induced by complement C5b-9 leads to proteinuria. We examined the role of cytochrome P450 2B1 (CYP2B1) in this complement-mediated sublytic injury. Overexpression of CYP2B1 in GECs significantly increased the formation of reactive oxygen species, cytotoxicity, and collapse of the actin cytoskeleton following treatment with anti-tubular brush-border antiserum (anti-Fx1A). In contrast, silencing of CYP2B1 markedly attenuated anti-Fx1A-induced reactive oxygen species generation and cytotoxicity with preservation of the actin cytoskeleton. Gelsolin, which maintains an organized actin cytoskeleton, was significantly decreased by complement C5b-9-mediated injury but was preserved in CYP2B1-silenced cells. In rats injected with anti-Fx1A, the cytochrome P450 inhibitor cimetidine blocked an increase in catalytic iron and ROS generation, reduced the formation of malondialdehyde adducts, maintained a normal distribution of nephrin in the glomeruli, and provided significant protection at the onset of proteinuria. Thus, GEC CYP2B1 contributes to complement C5b-9-mediated injury and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of passive Heymann nephritis.
Wavelength-division demultiplexing using photonic crystal waveguides

We demonstrate a new device concept for wavelength division demultiplexing based on planar photonic crystal waveguides. The filtering of wavelength channels is realized by shifting the cutoff frequency of the fundamental photonic bandgap mode in consecutive sections of the waveguide. The shift is realized by modifying the size of the border holes. Simulations and an experimental realization of a four-channel coarse wavelength division demultiplexer are described.
Measurement of Nontariff Barriers

NOTE: This is an excerpt of a larger document (to be published as a book) that is not available as a working paper. The excerpt includes only the Table of Contents and Chapter 1. In this study, done for the OECD, we assess currently available methods for quantifying nontariff barriers (NTBs) and make recommendations as to those methods that can be most effectively employed. We focus both on the conceptual issues arising in the measurement of the different types of NTBs and on the applied research that has been carried out in studies prepared by country members of the OECD Pilot Group and others seeking to quantify NTBs.
Financial Risks and Research Contracts in a Model of Endogenous Growth

This paper examines researchers' choices between either collaborating with venture capitalists (Regime C) or going independently (Regime I), and how their interaction affects long-run endogenous growth, in an economy characterized by incomplete contracts and financial market imperfections. Both research and production require labor and physical capital. We find that an improvement in financial regulation leads to a higher rate of innovation under Regime I. In contrast, an improvement in R&D incentives for researchers in Regime C can coincide with either an increase or a decrease in the long-run rate of innovation, due to the holdup problem in post bargaining over created value. We also rank the growth rates in the two regimes under different contractual and financial environments. Finally, we find that conflicts can arise when entrepreneurs choose one regime based on investment incentives but the other regime provides a higher growth rate.
City of Uruk 3000 B.C. : using genetic algorithms, dynamic planning and crowd simulation to re-enact everyday life of ancient Sumerians

Virtual reality reconstructions of ancient historical sites have become a valuable technique for popularising science and visualising expert knowledge to general audiences. Most such reconstructions only re-create buildings and artefacts and place them in the context of the virtual environment, but what is often missing in such simulations is the ability to see how ancient people lived their daily life in these environments. Our presented case study shows how the use of genetic algorithms and simulation of physiological needs helped us to populate the 3D reconstruction of the city of Uruk with a large crowd of intelligent agents simulating daily life of ancient Sumerians in Uruk.
Monetary Policy Force Effect By Means Of Banks Money Creation

In the context of modern economy, banks play an essential role for sustainable growth, by ensuring economy with financial resources and driving impulses of monetary policy to economy. Monetary authorities influence significantly the bank's ability to fulfill this role. Thus, to achieve macroeconomic objectives, there is promoted particular monetary policy and are implemented various practical regulations for banks. In this article, we want to identify the existing relationship between monetary policy followed by the authorities and the ability of banks to create money with its impact on various practical regulations.
Phospholipid composition and a polybasic motif determine D6 PROTEIN KINASE polar association with the plasma membrane and tropic responses

Polar transport of the phytohormone auxin through PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carriers is essential for the spatiotemporal control of plant development. The Arabidopsis thaliana serine/threonine kinase D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) is polarly localized at the plasma membrane of many cells where it colocalizes with PINs and activates PIN-mediated auxin efflux. Here, we show that the association of D6PK with the basal plasma membrane and PINs is dependent on the phospholipid composition of the plasma membrane as well as on the phosphatidylinositol phosphate 5-kinases PIP5K1 and PIP5K2 in epidermis cells of the primary root. We further show that D6PK directly binds polyacidic phospholipids through a polybasic lysine-rich motif in the middle domain of the kinase. The lysine-rich motif is required for proper PIN3 phosphorylation and for auxin transport-dependent tropic growth. Polybasic motifs are also present at a conserved position in other D6PK-related kinases and required for membrane and phospholipid binding. Thus, phospholipid-dependent recruitment to membranes through polybasic motifs might not only be required for D6PK-mediated auxin transport but also other processes regulated by these, as yet, functionally uncharacterized kinases. Summary: The Arabidopsis kinase D6PK, which phosphorylates auxin efflux carriers, is targeted to the basal cell membrane by binding to polyacidic phospholipids.
An analysis of brand creation of sport organisations

In the last decades, the idea of branding products or services of every kind be-came an integral part of the management repertoire. Meanwhile, a further devel-opment towards so called luxury brands or even premium brands can be observed in this fi eld. In addition to this, more and more brand managers place emphasis on sectors like culture, social services or even sports. With regard to this, Gladden et al. state in an exploration about the future of North American major professional team sports that “2000 to 2010 will be the decade in which team management activities evolve from a focus on winning as a means of realizing short-term profi ts to a focus on strategic management of the team brand as a means of realizing long-term appreciation in franchise value” (Gladden/Irwin/Sutton, 2001).
H Uptake and Extrusion by Nitella clavata.

Very high rates of H(+) extrusion by internodal cells of Nitella clavata Kutz were measured after acid loading at pH 4.6. The highest rate observed, 160 picomoles per square centimeter per second, was more than twice the rate of photosynthetic bicarbonate utilization under saturating light. These results are consistent with the recently proposed hypothesis that bicarbonate is not taken in directly but is protonated at the exterior surface; the CO(2) thereby formed diffuses preferentially into the cell because of the asymmetric concentration gradient.The H(+) taken up, about 150 nanomoles per square centimeter in 2 hours, was distributed in three fractions: 30% in the cell wall, 40% in the cytoplasm, and 30% in the vacuole. This was concluded from the kinetics of the H(+) release by intact cells and isolated walls, and from the pH decrease of the vacuolar sap.The cytoplasmic H(+) was extruded rapidly, with a half-time of about 2 minutes when the external pH was 5.7 or higher. The extrusion of the vacuolar H(+) only proceeded at a measurable rate when the [K(+)] in the medium was raised to 20 millimolar; the half-time was about 100 minutes. There was little H(+) extruded when the external pH was 5.0.
Reduction of the third boundary value problem by means of harmonic functions

— a(s)<t> = h(s) on 3D. (lb) Here <£„ denotes the normal derivative of 0 in an outward direction. In [1] the theory of analytic functions of a complex variable was used to reduce (1) to a first boundary value problem. Since an analytic function of a complex variable is equivalent to two conjugate harmonic functions, it seems plausible that the method of [1] could be carried out using only harmonic functions and remaining completely in the domain of real numbers. To do this in general is not as easy as it might seem primarily because the separation of the solution obtained there into real and imaginary parts is somewhat involved. In the present paper, we shall indicate some special cases in which it is possible to instrument the ideas in [1] using only harmonic functions. In the last section we also mention a generalization of the method of complex variables to more general types of boundary value problems. 2. Reduction to a first boundary value problem. Under conditions to be formulated below, (1) can be reduced to a first boundary value problem as follows. First find a nonconstant harmonic function, u(x, y), which is constant on 3D. (u may have singularities.) Let v(x, y) be the conjugate of u. Then in a neighborhood of 3D, at least,
Observations: Building Brand Equity by Managing the Brand's Relationships

ABSTRACT This paper is one of 18 selected by the Editorial Review Board of The Journal of Advertising Research to be a ‘classic’ - an article that has withstood the test of time. First published in 1992, Blackston looks at the definition and meaning of brands, and contends that as corporate brands become more prominent players in consumer marketing so will the importance of the twin pillars of relationship marketing - trust in the brand and customer satisfaction.
Localisation automatique de champs de saisie sur des images de formulaires couleur par isomorphisme de sous-graphe

RÉSUMÉ. Cet article présente une approche permettant la localisation de champs de saisie sur des images couleur de formulaires. Ces champs sont localisés grâce à une modélisation structurelle représentant leur contexte. Dans un premier temps, les zones informatives sont ex-traites. Les formulaires sont ensuite représentés par des graphes au sein desquels les nœuds représentent des rectangles de couleur uniforme tandis que les arcs modélisent les relations de voisinage. Finalement, le voisinage de la région d’intérêt à localiser est également représenté par un graphe. Une recherche d’isomorphisme de sous graphe vise à localiser le graphe modé-lisant le voisinage de la région d’intérêt au sein de la représentation structurelle du document cible. Une expérimentation est réalisée sur une base de 130 images de document. Les résultats montrent l’efﬁcacité de la méthode même si la position de la région d’intérêt est variable. ABSTRACT. This paper presents an approach for spotting textual ﬁelds in colored forms. We proceed by locating these ﬁelds thanks to their neighboring context which is modeled with a structural representation. First, informative zones are extracted. Second, forms are represented by graphs in which nodes represent colored rectangles while edges represent neighboring links. Finally, the context of the queried region of interest is modeled as a graph. Subgraph isomorphism is applied in order to locate this ROI in the structural representation of a whole document. Evaluated on a 130-document image dataset, experimental results show up that our approach is efﬁcient and that the requested information is found even if its position is changed. MOTS-CLÉS : Localisation de champs, Documents couleur, Isomorphisme de sous-graphe.
Developing country capital structures and emerging stock markets

In the developing world financing patterns vary greatly from what we observe in developed countries. In the poorest developing countries firms rely mostly on internal resources and informal credit markets for financing. This paper seeks to investigate the impact of emerging stock markets on the financing patterns of developing country corporations. The focus is to test whether equity markets and banking systems are complements or substituteds in providing financing to corporations. It is possible to answer this question by investigating capital structures of firms across a sample of countries with different levels of stock market development. If equity is substituted for debt financing one would expect countries with less developed stock markets to have higher leverage. However, if the opposite is true and there is complementarity between equity markets and banks, leverage would increase as stock markets become more developed. This paper discusses key properties of debt and equity contracts in financing decisions and reviews the literature on capital structure to identify relevant factors, other than stock market development, that may affect the financing pattern of corporations. It also presents preliminary empirical findings and identifies directions for further research.