Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPETITION IN REGULATING PLANT SPECIES ABUNDANCE ALONG A SALINITY GRADIENT

Current theories differ in their predictions concerning the effects of interspecific interactions on species growth and distribution along environmental gradients. In this study, we examined the influence of competition on species composition across a salinity gradient. This work involved three common fresh and brackish marsh species. The three species, Spartina patens, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Panicum hemitomon, differ in salt tolerances but are commonly found in overlapping zones across coastal marsh gradients in the southeastern United States. Plants were grown in a greenhouse under four salinity treatments (0, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg), in monocultures and in three-species mixtures. Data from the monocultures and mixtures were used to examine the importance of competition in regulating community composition and species' growth. Results for individual species were significantly different when grown in monoculture vs. the three-species mixture. While with increasing salinity community dominance shifted toward the most salt-tolerant species, Spartina patens, competition was found to alter community composition equally over all salinities. However, the responses of individual species demonstrated a very different pattern; the relative importance of competition in influencing individual growth differed substantially depending on the salinity tolerances of species. These results support the contention that, as abiotic stress increases, competition becomes less of a limiting factor in regulating the abundance of a species. However, the role of competition at the community level is the sum of the individual species' responses and may or may not vary with the level of abiotic stress.
Minimizing Charging Delay for Directional Charging in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks

The discovery of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technologies makes charging more convenient and reliable. Among all the existing WPT technologies, directional WPT is more efficient and has been successfully applied to supply energy for wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs). However, the state-of-the-art methods ignore the anisotropic energy receiving property of rechargeable sensors, resulting in energy wastage. In order to address this issue, in this paper, we point out that the received energy of a sensor is not only relative to the distance, but also relative to the angle between the sensor and the charger’s orientation in directional WPT. Towards this end, we derive a pragmatic energy transfer model verified by experiments. In particular, we focus on a Minimal chArging Delay (MAD) problem to reduce chArging delays. To obtain the optimal solution, we formulate the problem as a linear programming problem. Moreover, we introduce a method of charging power discretization, which significantly reduces the search space and bounds the performance gap to the optimal one with a $\displaystyle \frac{1}{1-\epsilon^{2}}$ approximation ratio. Besides, a merging method is introduced for a more practical application scenario. Finally, we demonstrate that our methods outperform the Set Cover baseline method by an average of 34.2% through simulations and experiments.
Determination of crop coefficients and optimum irrigation schedules for bidi tobacco and pearl millet crops in central Gujarat

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is used to determine the water requirement of the crop and developing irrigation schedules. Measurement of ETc being difficult, the same is commonly estimated using the meteorological data. A common procedure for estimating ETc is to first estimate reference crop evapotranspiration (ETc) from weather data and then to apply empirical crop coefficient (Kc), i.e. the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Different methods have been attempted by many scientists to estimate the ETc for different crops in different climatic conditions (Khandelwal et al. 1999; Pandey et al. 2008; Gorantiwar et al. 2011). For estimating ET0, PenmanMonteith method is most preferred as it suits a wide variety of climatic conditions (Kashyap and Panda, 2001; Khandelwal & Pandey, 2008; Sahoo et al. 2009). The FAO adopted this method as a global standard (Allen et al. 1998). Sikka et al. (2001) also used this method of computing ET0 because of its better performance in hilly region of Nilgiris. Although crop co-efficient values for different crops grown under different climatic conditions as suggested by Doorenbos and Pruitt (1977) are used where locally measured data are not available; Allen et al. (1998) have suggested that these values need to be derived empirically for each crop based on the local conditions.
Liver Cancer Stem Cells

Son yillarda yapilan arastirmalar; bircok tumorun az miktarda da olsa kok hucre benzeri ozellik iceren hucreler, bir diger degisle kanser kok hucreleri icerdigini gostermektedir. Kanser kok hucreleri ile ilgili arastirmalar ve buna bagli ortaya cikan son derece hizli gelismeler; gerek hekimlerin gerekse bilim insanlarinin bir diger onemli konu uzerinde yogun sekilde calismaya baslamalarina sebep olmustur: Kanser kok hucrelerini hedef alan yeni tedavi stratejilerinin gelistirilmesi. Bu alandaki arastirmalarin sonuclari; kanserin invazyonu, metastazi ve tekrarlamasini onlemede kanser kok hucrelerini hedef alan tedavi yaklasimlarinin son derece basarili olabilecegini ortaya koymaktadir. Karaciger kanseri; tum kanser turleri arasinda 5. sirada yer almaktadir. Kansere bagli olumlerde ise 3. sirada yer almaktadir. Hepatoselluler karsinomanin ilerlemesinde kanser kok hucrelerinin cok onemli rolu oldugu gosterilmistir. Karaciger kanser kok hucrelerinin tanimlanmasi, diger tumor hucrelerinden ayrilabilmesi ve bu hucreleri hedef alan yeni tedavi sekillerinin gelistirilebilmesi konularinda cok onemli gelismeler vardir. Bu derlemede; son yillarda bu alanlarda yapilan calismalar esas alinarak karaciger kanser kok hucrelerinin ozellikleri ve bu hucreleri hedef alan yeni tedavi yaklasimlari ozetlenmektedir.
Expression of biological active VHH camelid single domain antibody in transgenic tobacco

Functional VHH single domain antibody lacking light chains occur naturally in Camelidae. The single domain nature of VHH gives rise to several unique features when compared to antigen-binding derivatives of conventional antibodies. The level of expression in Escherichia coli was found to be too low for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, there is a need to examine other production systems such as plants. Several plants are the facile and economic bioreactor for large-scale production of industrial and pharmaceutical agents like proteins and antibodies. Here, we have selected tobacco as the host plant because of large scale production capability and many other advantages such as greater safety and lower production costs when compared to animal-based systems. In this study, we have subcloned VHH gene into pBI121 using phasmid pCANTAB5E. The new construct was used to transform the Agrobacterium strains C58GV3101 and LBA4404. Agrobacterium strain C58GV3101 showed a higher virulence on leaf disks of Nicotiana tabacum (NC25). Transgenic tobacco plants were then developed by introducing VHH gene under the control of CaMV 35S promoter. The presence of the VHH antibody gene in the plant genome was verified by PCR analysis and Southern hybridization experiments. Northern blot analysis showed that the genes coding for the VHH could be expressed in tobacco plants. Three lines of transgenic plant that expresses high levels of mRNA were screened in a further analysis. The expression of VHH was then observed in transgenic plants by ELISA using the specific antibody developed, the results showed three to five folds higher than non-transgenic tobaccos.
Song Structure and Function of Mimicry in the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen): Compared to Lyrebird (Menura ssp.)

This paper compares two species of songbird with the aim of elucidating the function of song and also of mimicry. It attempts to understand why some birds mimic and takes as examples the lyrebird (Menura sp.) and the Australian magpie {Gymnorhina tibicen). Mimicry by the magpie and its development has been recorded and analysed. The results show that magpies mimic in the wild and they do so mimicking species permanently settled in their own territory. So far 15 types of mimicry have been identified. One handraised Australian magpie even developed the ability to vocalise human language sounds, words and phrases. Results show that mimicry is interspersed into their own song at variable rates, not in fixed sequences as in lyrebirds. In one case it was possible to show an extremely high retention rate of learned material and a high plasticity for learning. Spectrogram comparisons of sequences of mimicry with the calls of the original species, and comparison of magpie mimicry with lyrebird mimicry is made. Both species may justifiably vie for the position of the foremost songbirds of Australia, and both are territorial, yet the function, structure and development of song are different in the two species. It is argued that possible functions of mimicry are related not only to social organisation but also to the niche each species occupies. Territoriality may go some way to explaining the complexity of song but not necessarily the different functions of mimicry or the varying degrees of complexity of communication. We need to ask what conditions may foster development of complex communication patterns in avian species.
Endocrine Regulation of Spermatogenesis in Teleost Fish

Mitotic proliferation of spermatogonia, meiosis of spermatocytes, and the restructuring of round spermatids into flagellated spermatozoa (spermiogenesis), are hallmark events of spermatogenesis. The process is fuelled by stem cells that either selfrenew or produce spermatogonia committed to further development. Germ cells always require the close contact with Sertoli cells. These somatic cells, but not germ cells, express receptors for androgens and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thus functioning as interface between hormones and the developing germ cells. In Japanese eel, for example, gonadotropin or 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT; a typical androgen in fish) stimulation induces complete spermatogenesis ex vivo, and spermatogonial proliferation is in part mediated by Sertoli cell-derived activin. In fish LH, but also FSH, stimulates steroidogenesis. Since FSH but not LH circulates in sexually immature salmonids, increased FSH signalling may be sufficient to initiate spermatogenesis by activating both Sertoli cell functions and 11KT production. Fish testes also produce testosterone (T), which exerts negative feedback effects on FSH-dependent signalling and on steroidogenesis. The balance between T and 11-KT production and plasma levels therefore is important. Besides inducing spermatogonial proliferation, 11-KT also induces meiosis and complete spermiogenesis in tissue culture. However, it is not known yet by what mechanisms 11-KT stimulates the passage of germ cells through these more advanced stages of development.
Performance Evaluation of Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Network

cognitive radio is a technology which uses primary user and secondary users. Primary users are the licensed spectrum and secondary users are the unlicensed spectrum. In cognitive radio Spectrum sensing is a challenging task. Energy detection is one of the spectrum sensing technique for cognitive radio. In this paper we analyze the performance of energy detection technique to detect primary user (PU). Simulation results show that the probability of detection increases when signal to noise ratio increases. It is also observed that the detection probability decreases when the bandwidth factor increases.
Optimized Provisioning of Edge Computing Resources With Heterogeneous Workload in IoT Networks

The proliferation of smart connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices is bringing tremendous challenges in meeting the performance requirement of their supported real-time applications due to their limited resources in terms of computing, storage, and battery life. In addition, the considerable amount of data they generate brings extra burden to the existing wireless network infrastructure. By enabling distributed computing and storage capabilities at the edge of the network, multi-access edge computing (MEC) serves delay sensitive, computationally intensive applications. Managing the heterogeneity of the workload generated by IoT devices, especially in terms of computing and delay requirements, while being cognizant of the cost to network operators, requires an efficient dimensioning of the MEC-enabled network infrastructure. Hence, in this paper, we study and formulate the problem of MEC resource provisioning and workload assignment for IoT services (RPWA) as a mixed integer program to jointly decide on the number and the location of edge servers and applications to deploy, in addition to the workload assignment. Given its complexity, we propose a decomposition approach to solve it which consists of decomposing RPWA into the delay aware load assignment sub-problem and the mobile edge servers dimensioning sub-problem. We analyze the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm through extensive simulations and highlight valuable performance trends and trade-offs as a function of various system parameters.
A protein from maize labeled with azido‐IAA has novel β‐glucosidase activity

Summary A biologically active and photolabile auxin analog, 5'-a~ido-tf-~H]indoIe-3-acetic acid ([3H]N~lAA), was used to search for auxin-binding proteins in cytosolic extracts from maize coleoptiles (Zea mays L.) and identified a protein with a molecular mass of 60 kDa @So). Binding of PH]N31AA is highly specific as demonstrated by competition analysis with functionally relevant auxin analogs. pS0 is found in coleoptiles and roots of etiolated maize seedlings and was detected in cytosolic as well as in microsomal fractions. The protein binds to 1 -naphthylacetic acid (1-NAA) sepharose and is eluted with auxins. A purification scheme resulting in homogenous p60 protein was devised and it was shown that p60 has P-D-glucoside glucohydrolase activity (E.C.3.2.1.21). The hydrolytic activity of p60 for the synthetic substrate gnitrophenyl-p-D-glucopyranoside is diminished by 1 -NAA p60 shows high substrate specificity since it hydrolyzes indoxyl-O-glucosidel but not p-(I ,4)-cellobiose, IAA-inositol or IAA-amino acid conjugates. The present data suggest that p60 might be involved in the hydrolysis of auxin conjugates.
Factors affecting soldier allocation in clonal aphids: a life-history model and test

Aphid species using a defensive soldier caste offer us the opportunity to study allocation decisions by eusocial groups, without the hindrance of genetic dissimilarity between colony members, which often impair studies involving Hymenopteran or Isopteran systems. When the entire aphid clone is considered the adaptive unit of organization, understanding soldier allocation strategies is tantamount to understanding the outcome of the tradeoff between clonal growth (i.e., asexual reproduction) and clonal defense. Under this framework, we present the results of a dynamic programming effort aimed at determining the optimal ontogeny of defensive allocation strategies by eusocial clonal organisms. We consider the allocation decision for clones with both obligately and facultatively sterile soldiers, under various levels of predation, and favorable and unfavorable ecological conditions. We test predictions of the model with the eusocial aphid, Pemphigus spyrothecae. Our model predicts that defensive investment should be dependent on the time of the season, with clones discounting defense nearer the end of season. Defensive investment should also vary inversely with clonal productivity and be sensitive to the current state (e.g., level of defense) of the clone. Census data collected in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, conform to patterns of clonal composition derived from allocation decisions generated in the model. Finally, qualitative predictions about patterns of clonal organization under "good" and "poor" ecological conditions were upheld by comparing clones in preferred and less-preferred galling sites. Copyright 2004.
Demand-Aware Network Design with Minimal Congestion and Route Lengths

Emerging communication technologies allow to reconfigure the physical network topology at runtime, enabling demand-aware networks (DANs): networks whose topology is optimized toward the workload they serve. However, today, only little is known about the fundamental algorithmic problems underlying the design of such demand-aware networks. This paper presents the first bounded-degree, demand-aware network, ct-DAN, which minimizes both congestion and route lengths. The designed network is provably (asymptotically) optimal in each dimension individually: we show that there do not exist any bounded-degree networks providing shorter routes (independently of the load), nor do there exist networks providing lower loads (independently of the route lengths). The main building block of the designed ct-DAN networks are ego-trees: communication sources arrange their communication partners in an optimal tree, individually. While the union of these ego-trees forms the basic structure of cl-DANs, further techniques are presented to ensure bounded degrees (for scalability).
What is the basis of pederin polymorphism in Paederus riparius rove beetles? The endosymbiotic hypothesis

Paederus riparius (Coleoptera:Staphylinidae) females are polymorphic with regard to their ability to synthesize the hemolymph toxin pederin, a character confined to that sex: (+)‐females endow their eggs with pederin whereas (−)‐females lay eggs devoid of the substance. When reared without access to conspecifics, (+)‐females can only be obtained from (+)‐mothers. Ingestion of (+)‐eggs during larval development, however, enables the offspring of (−)‐females to also become (+)‐females. This is only the case if untreated (+)‐eggs are eaten, while sterilized (+)‐eggs do not alter larval fate as (−)‐females. The character can thus be transferred to unrelated specimens. These experiments suggest that microorganisms might be involved in the biosynthesis of this unusual compound. Pederin appears to be the first defensive substance in insects traceable to endosymbionts.
Natural killer cells activated in a human mixed lymphocyte response culture identified by expression of Leu-11 and class II histocompatibility antigens

Lymphoid cells with natural killer (NK)-like function, morphology, and antigenic phenotype have been identified in a mixed lymphocyte culture generated by co-culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with an allogeneic human B lymphoblastoid cell line CCRF-SB. The majority of these mixed lymphocyte (MLR)-response activated NK cells express the Leu-11 surface antigen, but do not express certain T cell- associated antigens (Leu-1, Leu-3, and Leu-4) or the mature monocyte specific antigen, Leu-M3. Unlike most freshly isolated Leu-11+ human NK cells, the MLR-activated Leu-11+ cells expressed class II major histocompatibility antigens, DR and DC. Concomitant with expression of class II gene products, the Leu-11+,DR+ NK cells demonstrate enhanced cytotoxicity against the NK-sensitive tumor cell line K562. The presence of mitotic cells in the Leu-11+,DR+ population and the acquisition of increased levels of transferrin receptor on the cell surface were further indicators of activation of these cells. The direct precursors of the MLR-activated Leu-11+,DR+ cell were Leu-11+ cells that lacked expression of another NK-associated antigen Leu-7, i.e., Leu-7-,11+. These studies provided a definitive identification of the "NK-like" cell in MLR cultures and thus allow quantitation and isolation of these cells for further study.
Studies on the Onset of Leydig Precursor Cell Differentiation in the Prepubertal Rat Testis

Abstract Leydig cells of the adult rat testis differentiate postnatally from spindle-shaped cells in the testis interstitium during the neonatal-prepubertal period. Which spindle-shaped cell types are the precursor for Leydig cells and the stimulus for initiation of their differentiation are, however, two unresolved issues. In the present study, our objectives were to identify unequivocally which spindle-shaped cells are the precursors to Leydig cells and to test whether the initiation of their differentiation into Leydig cells depends on LH. Testes from fifteen groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4 per group) from 7–21 days of age were fixed in Bouin solution and embedded in paraffin. Immunoexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD), cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), 17α-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450c17), and LH receptors (LHR) in interstitial cells (other than fetal Leydig cells) was observed using the avidin biotin method. Of all spindle-shaped cell types in the testis inters.
Gameworld Interfaces

Computer games usually take one of two approaches to presenting game information to players. A game might offer information naturalistically, as part of the game's imaginary universe; or it might augment the world of the game with overlays, symbols, and menus. In this book, Kristine Jrgensen investigates both kinds of gameworld interfaces. She shows that although the naturalistic approach may appear more integral to the imaginary world of the game, both the invisible and visible interfaces effectively present information that players need in order to interact with the game and its rules. The symbolic, less naturalistic approach would seem to conflict with the idea of a coherent, autonomous fictional universe; but, Jrgensen argues, gameworlds are not governed by the pursuit of fictional coherence but by the logics of game mechanics. This is characteristic of gameworlds and distinguishes them from other traditional fictional worlds. Jrgensen investigates gameworld interfaces from the perspectives of both game designers and players. She draws on interviews with the design teams of Harmonix Music (producer of Rock Band and other music games) and Turbine Inc. (producer of such massively multiplayer online games as Lord of the Rings Online), many hours of gameplay, and extensive interviews and observations of players. The player studies focus on four games representing different genres: Crysis, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberian Wars, The Sims 2, and Diablo 2. Finally, she presents a theory of game user interfaces and considers the implications of this theory for game design.
PARTIAL PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTIN METHYLESTERASE FROM ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS) CV. PERA-RIO

The enzyme pectin methylesterase (PME) from orange was extracted and partially purified by filtration on Sephadex G-100. The extraction buffer for orange PME was borate-acetate containing 0.4 M NaCl. Orange PME showed optimum pH at 8.0 and optimum temperature at 50C. The PME enzyme was completely inactivated after 1 min of incubation at 90C. The specific activity increased in the presence of 0.15 M NaCl or 0.025 M Na 2 SO 4 , 0.10 M KCl, 0.025 M K 2 SO 4 , 0.05 and 0.1 M NH 4 Cl. Lithium chloride and Li 2 SO 4 inhibited the enzymatic activity at all concentrations studied. The Km and V max value of PME were 0.36 mg/mL and 5.26 μmol/mL-mg protein, respectively.