Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In situ measurement of zoospore release and seasonality of reproduction in Ecklonia maxima (Alariaceae, Laminariales)

Zoospore release has been measured seasonally, in situ, and used to calculate an annual figure of 3·07 × 1010 spores per year from an Ecklonia maxima sporophyte. Although the plants were fertile throughout the year, fertile area per plant showed a steady increase from low values in the late summer to a peak in the spring. Spore release per unit fertile area also varied seasonally, with low release in late summer and winter, and most spores released in spring/early summer. The annual spore production is compared with other direct and indirect estimates of spore production in kelps. Despite the huge numbers of spores produced, the volume of spore material is estimated as only 5·27 cm3 of spores per plant per year. The annual spore production represents only c. 0·17% of the total production of this kelp.
Ghoongroo pig: A new found animal genetic resource of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India

A breed of pig with distinctive productive and reproductive characteristics has been identified in the eastern Sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal state, India and adjoining Nepal. The breed is known as Ghoongroo (meaning anklet in the local language). The breed is most prevalent within 88o E to 90o E longitudes and 26.3o N to 27.3o N latitudes. Two distinct climates viz., cold moist and hot humid are observed during the year. Farmers manage the animals both under stall-feeding and stall-feeding-cum-grazing systems. Simple housing principally made up of bamboo and jute stick is used with an emphasis on giving protection from the rain. The population in the breeding tract varies depending on market demand. Generally, the population varies from 8 000 to 10 0000. Pigs are black in colour with a compact body, long thick coarse hair, a long tail and an upwardly curved snout. The face is broad and flattened with large, heart shaped ear resembling that of an elephant. Average litter size at birth is11.92±0.06 and a litter size of up to eighteen is not uncommon on a low to medium plane of nutrition. Body weights at birth, five months and one year of age are 1.08±0.22, 38.91± 1.49 and 106.3±0.31 kg respectively, irrespective of sex. This unique germ plasma has the potential to replace exotic breeds from temperate zones currently used in improved pig production programs. However the breed is under constant threat due to indiscriminate Ghoongroo pig: A new found animal genetic resource of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India
Identification of Inhibitors Against BAK Pore Formation using an Improved in vitro Assay System

The pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family protein BID activates BAK and/or BAX, which form oligomeric pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane. This results in the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, initiating the apoptotic cascade. Here, we utilized liposomes encapsulating sulfo-rhodamine at a controlled temperature to improve upon a previously reported assay system with enhanced sensitivity and specificity for measuring membrane permeabilization by BID-dependent BAK activation. BAK activation was inhibited by BCL-XL protein but not by a mutant protein with impaired anti-apoptotic activity. With the assay system, we screened a chemical library and identified several compounds including trifluoperazine, a mitochondrial apoptosisinduced channel blocker. It inhibited BAK activation by direct binding to BAK and blocking the oligomerization of BAK.
Benefits and legacy of the water crisis in Brazil

In this editorial, we reflect on the benefits and legacy of the water crisis in Brazil between 2013 and 2014, which affected the water supply in many regions and especially in the southeast region, with emphasis on the conflict between the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro over the right to use the water of the Paraiba do Sul River Basin. We analyze the current state of water resource management, the integrated use of water and energy and possible solutions to expand the availability of fresh water.
A rapid direct extraction-derivatization method for determining sugars in fruit tissue

Trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of sucrose and TMS oxime derivatives of fructose and glucose were made directly from samples of freeze-dried fruit tissues without a preliminary extraction of sugars and quantified using gas chromtography. The sugars were identified by a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatographic retention times of authentic compounds. Results were quantitative and reproducible for all samples except tomatoes which had values for sucrose which were significantly more variable than those obtained for fructose and glucose. Hydrolysis of sucrose was minimized and extraction of free sugars was consistent when a 50: 1 ratio of oxime reagent (μL) per mg of dry tissue was used.
Pharmacologyonline 1: 217-228 (2009) Shahriyary and Yazdanparast

The present study focused on evaluating the effects of a methanol crude extract of Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) leaves on human platelet function in vitro and several markers of platelet coagulation, including the prothrombin time (PT), the activated partial thrombin time (APTT) and bleeding time (BT) using wistar rats and mice for in vivo pulmonary thrombosis. Human platelets were incubated with different concentrations of the test extract and then activated with thrombin. Adhesion, aggregation and spreading to the laminin-coated plates were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the control samples, most of the adhered platelets showed extensive spreading on laminincoated plates. Pretreatment of platelets with the plant extract had inhibitory effect on the secretion of adenine nucleotides and malonldialdehyde (MDA) formation. On the other hand, oral administration of the extract protected the mice against thrombotic death or paralysis induced by collagen and epinephrine in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the extract had significant effects on the coagulation parameters. Mouse tail bleeding time was significantly prolonged among the treated mice. Our results showed that the methanol crude extract of tarragon has anticoagulant and antithrombotic activity. These findings provide scientific basis for traditional use of tarragon for treatment of thrombotic diseases.
Design & Validation of BLAKE 256 IP Core

— The amount of sensitive data being transmitted over the internet has been increased due to the rapid development in communication industry. In this context, ensuring security has prime importance. One of the solutions for data security is cryptography. Hash function is an interesting and growing area in cryptography. Secure Hash Algorithms (SHA) is a family of cryptographic hash functions. BLAKE is also a hash function, which is the competitor of SHA 3. In this paper design, implementation and characterization of BLAKE 256 core is presented. Verilog HDL is used to model the hardware. Xilinx ® Virtex ® -6 FPGA (XC6VLX240T-1FF1156) is used to prototype the design.
Stock grazing of semi‐natural habitats on National Trust land

Stock grazing is essential in many habitats owned by the National Trust if their nature conservation interests are to be maintained or enhanced. In this review, the benefits of grazing cattle, sheep and other livestock in different habitat types are described, together with constraints imposed by tenancy agreements and difficulties in obtaining the most appropriate animal. The majority of upland heaths, calcareous grasslands and lowland/coastal heaths on Trust land are being grazed satisfactorily. However, the nature conservation interest of parklands is currently being eroded in part because of inappropriate grazing regimes. It is argued that the best use of stock in the future is in extensive grazing regimes.
Catastrophic mortality on inshore coral reefs of the Florida Keys due to severe low‐temperature stress

Coral reefs of the Florida Keys typically experience seasonal temperatures of 20–31 °C. Deviation outside this range causes physiological impairment of reef‐building corals, potentially leading to coral colony death. In January and February 2010, two closely spaced cold fronts, possibly driven by an unusually extreme Arctic Oscillation, caused sudden and severe seawater temperature declines in the Florida Keys. Inshore coral reefs [e.g., Admiral Reef (ADM)] experienced lower sustained temperatures (i.e., < 12 °C) than those further offshore [e.g., Little Grecian Reef (LG), minimum temperature = 17.2 °C]. During February and March 2010, we surveyed ADM and observed a mass die‐off of reef‐building corals, whereas 12 km away LG did not exhibit coral mortality. We subsequently measured the physiological effects of low‐temperature stress on three common reef‐building corals (i.e., Montastraea faveolata, Porites astreoides, and Siderastrea siderea) over a range of temperatures that replicated the inshore cold‐water anomaly (i.e., from 20 to 16 to 12 °C and back to 20 °C). Throughout the temperature modulations, coral respiration as well as endosymbiont gross photosynthesis and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II were measured. In addition, Symbiodinium genotypic identity, cell densities, and chlorophyll a content were determined at the beginning and conclusion of the experiment. All corals were significantly affected at 12 °C, but species‐specific physiological responses were found indicating different coral and/or Symbiodinium cold tolerances. Montastraea faveolata and P. astreoides appeared to be most negatively impacted because, upon return to 20 °C, significant reductions in gross photosynthesis and dark respiration persisted. Siderastrea siderea, however, readily recovered to pre‐treatment rates of dark respiration and gross photosynthesis. Visual surveys of inshore reefs corroborated these results, with S. siderea being minimally affected by the cold‐water anomaly, whereas M. faveolata and P. astreoides exhibited nearly 100% mortality. This study highlights the importance of understanding the physiological attributes of genotypically distinct coral‐Symbiodinium symbioses that contribute to tolerance, recovery, and consequences to an environmental perturbation. These data also document effects of a rarely studied environmental stressor, possibly initiated by remote global climate events, on coral‐Symbiodinium symbioses and coral reef communities.
Evaluation of protective potential of Cajanus indicus in experimental aflatoxin toxicity in broilers

The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective potential of Cajanus indicus in experimental aflatoxicosis in broilers fed a diet containing aflatoxin (AF) and Cajanus indicus leaf powder (CLP) for 42 days. A total of 168 Vencobb day old broiler chicks were fed aflatoxin (1 ppm) and Cajanus indicus leaf powder (2 g/kg). Biochemically, AF induced broilers showed significantly increased aminotransferase activities, creatinine, uric acid and significant decrease in cholesterol along with marked hypoproteinemia. However, almost normalization of biochemical alterations in CLP treated broilers against aflatoxicosis suggests the protective and restorative role of Cajanus indicus. The enhanced level of tissue lipid peroxidase in AF-induced broilers was accompanied by significant decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione, tissue protein and insignificant decrease in catalase. Supplementation of CLP lowered the level of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant status of broilers.
Epidermal transpiration and stomatal responses to humidity: Some hypotheses explored

Stomatal responses to humidity as affected by both evaporation from the epidermis and the hydraulic conductance of the transpiration stream to evaporation sites on the epidermis are discussed. Recent estimates of evaporation from the inner walls of the epidermis are too high because the cell wall surfaces were assumed completely wet, and leaves have usually been considered isothermal. It is suggested that a fall in humidity increases evaporation from the epidermis, and that stomata respond to the consequent fall in water potential. Cuticular transiration is inversely related to stomatal conductance. Thus, evaporation from the epidermis is dependent on the stomatal, boundary layer, and cuticular conductances, and on evaporation from the inner walls of the epidermis. Stomatal responses to humidity will change as the boundary layer conductance changes. The conductance of the transpiration stream is a determinant of the water potential of the epidermis. Water potentials of adjacent cells will be more similar if flow is symplastic than if it is apoplastic. It is concluded that flow in living tissues is primarily symplastic over long distances, but over shorter distances it is increasingly apoplastic, and that stomatal responses to humidity are mediated by the water potential of the whole epidermis.
A study of clinicopathological patterns of renal tumors among a Kurdish population in Kermanshah province, Western Iran

Introduction: Renal tumor is a serious public health problem which has been steadily increasing and varies in different regions. We purposed to check the clinicopathological features of renal tumors in Kermanshah (west of Iran). Materials and Methods: The ANALYSIS 24(101), January February, 2020 Medical Science ISSN 2321–7359 EISSN 2321–7367
Green Supplier Selection for Indian Cement Industry: AHP based approach

---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract Green Supplier Selection (GSS) is an important procurement activity. Selecting suppliers considering the green criteria is known as Green Supplier Selection. Environment consciousness in manufacturing has moved the procurement of materials, good and services towards adopting green practices. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is multi criteria decision making technique which has been applied for solving many complex problems in decision making. Research studies have focused in incorporating many relevant and new criteria for decision making in manufacturing environment using AHP. This research paper incorporates Analytical Hierarchy Process in developing GSS model. The developed model is applied in selecting the suppliers considering the relevant Green, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Safety criteria.
THE MESOZOIC RADIATION OF EUKARYOTIC ALGAE: THE PORTABLE PLASTID HYPOTHESIS 1

Although all chloroplasts appear to have been derived from a common ancestor, a major schism occurred early in the evolution of eukaryotic algae that gave rise to red and green photoautotrophic lineages. In Paleozoic and earlier times, the fossil record suggests that oceanic eukaryotic phytoplankton were dominated by the green (chl b‐containing) algal line. However, following the end‐Permian extinction, a diverse group of eukaryotic phytoplankton evolved from secondary symbiotic associations in the red (chl c‐containing) line and subsequently rose to ecological prominence. In the contemporary oceans, red eukaryotic phytoplankton taxa continue to dominate marine pelagic food webs, whereas the green line is relegated to comparatively minor ecological and biogeochemical roles. To help elucidate why the oceans are not dominated by green taxa, we analyzed and compared whole plastid genomes in both the red and green lineages. Our results suggest that whereas all algal plastids retain a core set of genes, red plastids retain a complementary set of genes that potentially confer more capacity to autonomously express proteins regulating oxygenic photosynthetic and energy transduction pathways. We hypothesize that specific gene losses in the primary endosymbiotic green plastid reduced its portability for subsequent symbiotic associations. This corollary of the plastid “enslavement” hypothesis may have limited subsequent evolutionary advances in the green lineage while simultaneously providing a competitive advantage to the red lineage.
Parameter Extraction for Simplified RF NMOSFET Equivalent Circuit using Spice

In the paper, a parameter extraction approach is proposed to a simplified small-signal NMOSFET equivalent circuit utilizing Cadence PSpice circuit simulator. A direct extraction procedure is realized based on the two-port Y-parameters. The computer realization of the developed extraction procedure is performed using parameterization of the model. Based on postprocessing in the graphical analyzer Probe utilizing corresponding macrodefinitions, the two-port Y-parameters are calculated. Verification of the extraction methodology is made by comparing the simulated and experimental results for the Y-parameters.
Genes affecting phenotypic plasticity in Arabidopsis: pleiotropic effects and reproductive fitness of photomorphogenic mutants

Many plants exhibit characteristic photomorphogenic shade ’avoidance’ responses to crowding and vegetation shade; this plasticity is often hypothesized to be adaptive. We examined the contribution of specific photomorphogenic loci to plastic shade avoidance responses in the annual crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana by comparing single‐gene mutants defective at those loci with wild type plants exhibiting normal photomorphogenesis. The hy1 and hy2 mutants, deficient in all functional phytochromes, were less plastic than the wild type in response to a nearby grass canopy or to a low‐red/far‐red light ratio characteristic of vegetation shade. These mutants displayed constitutively shade‐avoiding phenotypes throughout the life cycle regardless of the treatment: they bolted at an earlier developmental stage and were characterized by reduced branching. In contrast, the hy4 mutant, deficient in blue light reception, exhibited greater plasticity than the wild type in response to vegetation shade after the seedling stage. This mutant produced more leaves before bolting and more basal branches under normal light conditions when compared to the wild type. These results indicate that specific photomorphogenic loci have different and sometimes antagonistic pleiotropic effects on the plastic response to vegetation shade throughout the life cycle of the plant. The fitness of the constitutively shade‐avoiding phytochrome‐deficient mutants was lower than that of the plastic wild type under normal light, but was not different in the vegetation shade treatments, where all genotypes converged toward similar shade avoidance phenotypes. This outcome supports one key prediction of the adaptive plasticity hypothesis: that inappropriate expression of shade avoidance traits is maladaptive.
Relative Elemental Elongation Rates in the Etiolated Hypocotyl of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)-A Comparison of Straight Growth and Gravitropic Growth

Growth rates were determined throughout etiolated seedling hypocotyls of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) during straight growth and after gravitropic stimulus in terms of relative elemental rates of elongation (RELELs). In the context of an absolute elongation rate of ca. 1 mm/h, maximum RELELs of 0.12-0.13 h-1 (120-130 μm/mm/h) occurred along the apical third of the axis and tapered to zero in the basal third. RELELs did not change on either side of the hypocotyl for some minutes after it had been turned to horizontal ("zero-time"). Between 20 and 30 min after zero-time there was a rapid change in growth rates along the acropetal two-thirds of the elongating region. On the upper side, growth stopped; on the lower side, RELELs in the rapidly growing regions increased to 0.23-0.25 h-1. Differential growth then progressed basipetally into the slower growing zones. Still later, growth was initiated in basal nonelongating regions. In all regions, growth stimulation on the lower side was a demonstrated feature of differential growth leading to curvature.
<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$400~\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>m Diameter APD OEIC in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.35~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> BiCMOS

An optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) with a 400 μm diameter avalanche photodiode (APD) is present. The OEIC is designed for use in systems of optical wireless communication and communication over plastic optical fiber. The used APD reaches a quantum efficiency of 81.7% without an anti-reflection coating. In combination with the 0.35 μm bipolar complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor circuit, a data rate of 2 Gb/s can be reached with a sensitivity of -30.6 dBm (bit error rate 10-9) at a wavelength of 675 nm. The OEIC occupies an area of 960 μm × 1540 μm and is supplied with 3.3 V with a current consumption of 74 mA.
Topical Application of 17β-Estradiol Increases Extracellular Matrix Protein Synthesis by Stimulating TGF-β Signaling in Aged Human Skin In Vivo

To investigate the effects of topically applied 17β-estradiol on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in aged human skin, 17β-estradiol (0.01%) and its vehicle (70% propylene glycol, 30% ethanol) were applied to aged (68–82 y, eight females and five males) human buttock skin under occlusion for 2 wk (three times per week). Topical 17β-estradiol was found to increase the expression of type 1 procollagen mRNA and protein significantly in human aged skin in vivo . In addition, MMP-1 protein levels were reduced by topical 17β-estradiol. The expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-β type II receptor, and Sma and Mad related (Smad)3 were increased by topical 17 β-estradiol in aged human skin, and TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody inhibited 17β-estradiol-induced procollagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts. We also found that the expressions of tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 mRNA and protein, and elastic fibers in aged skin were also increased by topical 17β-estradiol. Topical 17β-estradiol also increased keratinocyte proliferation and the epidermal thickness in aged human skin. We also observed the same effects of topical 17β-estradiol in young skin. In conclusion, our results suggest that topical 17β-estradiol treatment may improve the cutaneous function of aged human skin by improving the connective tissue and increasing epidermal thickness.
CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTIONS AND LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR

Globalization has created the need for leaders to become competent in cross-cultural awareness and practice. Culture is dynamic and transmitted to others. Adler and Bartholomew (1992) contend that global leaders need to develop five cross-cultural competencies. In short, culture is the way of life, customs, and script of a group of people (Gudykunst & Ting-Toomey, 1988). A culture provides people with a set of values and assumptive beliefs as well as implicit inferences about how the world operates, which enable them to find meaning in and make sense of the events of their lives (Janof –Bulman 1989; Lakoff and Johnson 1980). There are two concepts which are closely related to culture and leadership: ethnocentrism and prejudice and have an impact on how leaders influence others. Hofstede identified five major dimensions on which cultures differ: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism–collectivism, masculinity–femininity, and longterm–short-term orientation. Business Culture differs from country to country. Even according to implicit leadership theory, individuals have implicit beliefs and convictions about the attributes and beliefs that distinguish leaders from non-leaders and effective leaders from ineffective leaders. From the perspective of this theory, leadership is in the eye of the beholder (Dorfman, Hanges, & Brodbeck, 2004). House & Javidan (2004) identified six global leadership behaviors: charismatic/ value based, team oriented, participative, humane oriented, autonomous, and self-protective.