Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxygen consumption in the marine bacterium Pseudomonas nautica predicted from ETS activity and bisubstrate enzyme kinetics

The respiratory O2 consumption in aerobic bacterial cultures has been modeled from the time profiles of the in vitro activity of the respiratory electron transfer system (ETS), the bacterial protein and the concentration of the carbon source in the cultures. The model was based on the concept of bisubstrate kinetic control of the ETS throughout the exponential, steady-state and senescent phases of the cultures. In the exponential phase, the measured rates of O2 consumption and the in vitro ETS activity were closely coupled, but in the senescent phase, they were uncoupled. The in vitro ETS activity remained high even after the culture's carbon source was exhausted, while the O2 consumption fell to low levels. Based on the hypothesis that this uncoupling was caused by limitation of the intracellular ETS substrates (NADH and NADPH), a semi-empirical model incorporating a bisubstrate enzyme kinetics algorithm was formulated and fitted to the observations of the experiments. The model predicted the rate of O2 consumption throughout the different phases of the cultures with an r 2 > 0.92 (n = 9, P < 0.001) using physiologically realistic Michaelis and dissociation constants. These results suggest that plankton respiration in the field could be assessed more accurately than before by measuring the intracellular ETS substrates (NADH and NADPH), in addition to ETS activity, in plankton.
Population dynamics of notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769) from the Kaptai reservoir of Bangladesh

Population parameters of Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769) from length-frequency data collected from Kaptai Reservoir of Rangamati, Bangladesh from January, 2013 to December, 2013 were calculated by using FiSAT software. The asymptotic total length (L ? ) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated to be 34.91cm and 0.38 y ? 1 respectively. The instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F) and total mortality (Z) were estimated to be as 0.91 y ? 1 , 0.28 y ? 1 and 1.19 y ? 1 respectively. The value of exploitation rate (E) was found to be 0.24 which clearly pointed toward moderate or less fishing pressure (E<0.50) of N. notopterus in the Kaptai reservoir of Bangladesh. The recruitment of the species was found throughout the year with two peaks - one from March-April; and another from May- June. Virtual population analysis (VPA) estimated that the maximum numbers of N. notopterus were caught between 10.50 cm to 32.50 cm with maximum F value (0.80 y ? 1 ) in the mid length of 18.30 cm. During the year 2013 the total catch of N. notopterus was found to be 664.5 MT, which contributed about 7.78% of the total catch of Kaptai Lake. Relative yield per recruit (Y/R) and biomass per recruit (B/R) suggested that the natural mortality should be reduced to 0.91 y ? 1 by proper management to obtain a maximum sustainable exploitation rate (E max = 0.828) for the species in the reservoir. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/sja.v12i2. 21923 SAARC J. Agri. , 12(2): 112-122 (2014
The growth and yield of winter cereals after direct drilling, shallow cultivation and ploughing on non-calcareous clay soils, 1974–8

Summary The effects of direct drilling, shallow cultivation and ploughing on the growth of winter cereals (wheat and oats) are reported for the first 4 years of long-term experiments on two non-calcareous clay soils (stagnogleys), representative of soils occupying a large proportion of the cereal growing area of the U.K. These 4 years have been characterized by extreme contrasts in rainfall and wetness of the soil. On a Lawford series soil, with 35% clay, although the treatments affected average grain yields none of the differences was large. With additional nitrogen fertilizer, the yield after direct drilling was significantly heavier by 6% than after ploughing. On the Denchworth series, with 50% clay, 4 year average yields were also similar after direct drilling and ploughing, but in individual years the treatments had large effects. In two wet years grain yields after direct drilling were 89 and 82% of those after ploughing, but in another year they exceeded by 16% those after ploughing, where lodging had restricted grain filling. In the unusually dry season of 1975–6 yields of winter wheat after direct drilling exceeded those after ploughing (by 14 and 6% on the Lawford and Denchworth soils respectively) and this was attributed to greater availability of water and deeper rooting in the spring. In a year of heavy wheat yields (1977–8) about 10t/ha was achieved on both soils irrespective of the method of cultivation. In this year, after prolonged wet soil conditions in winter, the response to additional nitrogen fertilizer was greater after direct drilling and shallow cultivation than after ploughing. The concentration of nitrogen in the crops tended to be smaller throughout the growing season after direct drilling than after ploughing, especially on the Denchworth soil in the wettest season. The method of cultivation had no effect on the uptake of either phosphorus or potassium except on the heavier soil in the wettest year, when potassium uptake was restricted after direct drilling. The results are discussed in relation to information on soil conditions and root growth also being obtained in these experiments.
Identificação e investigação de genes diferencialmente expressos entre pacientes com leucemia mielóide crônica e indivíduos controle

XIX LISTA DE ABREVIATURAS . XXIII LISTA DE FIGURAS . XXXI LISTA DE TABELAS . XLVII SUMÁRIO . XLIX 1. INTRODUÇÃO . 55 A Leucemia Mielóide Crônica . 57 Expressão Gênica em LMC . 58 Leucemia mieloide crônica (LMC) e as vias de sinalização . 61 Adesão de granulócitos. 66 2. JUSTIFICATIVA . 69 3. OBJETIVOS . 73 Objetivos Gerais . 75 Objetivos específicos . 75 4. ASPECTOS ÉTICOS . 77 5. CASUÍSTICA GERAL DO ESTUDO . 81 CAPÍTULO I – CONSTRUÇÃO DAS BIBLIOTECAS SUBTRATIVAS SUPRESSIVAS E VALIDAÇÃO . 85 Pacientes e Métodos . 86 Pacientes . 86 Separação dos granulócitos a partir de sangue periférico . 86 Análise da separação dos granulócitos por citometria de fluxo . 87 Biblioteca Subtrativa . 89 Verificação da qualidade dos RNAs . 90 Síntese e amplificação de cDNAs . 90 Digestão com RsaI . 92 Ligação dos Adaptadores . 94 Hibridizações . 94
Inflorescence and Flower Development in the Hedychieae (Zingiberaceae): Scaphochlamys kunstleri (Baker) Holttum

Primary inflorescence bracts are initiated in a spiral phyllotactic pattern on the flanks of the inflorescence apex. A cincinnus primordium forms in the axil of each primary bract. A prophyll is initiated in the transverse plane and later extends around the periphery of the cincinnus to produce a sheathing, but not tubular, bract. The apex of the cincinnus forms a flower. Flower development begins with the enlargement and flattening of the floral apex. Sepal initiation is sequential but differs in the first two flowers of a cincinnus. The different sequences are likely the result of developmental constraints that operate at the time of sepal initiation. After initiation, the margins of the sepals become confluent and intercalary growth produces the synsepalous calyx. The periphery of the flower, interior to the sepals, now rises to form a ring primordium composed of three common petal/androecial primordia. The common primordia enlarge, flatten, and separate to produce a petal to the exterior and an androecial member to the interior. The outer androecium forms in the regions of the ring primordium left vacant by the formation of the other floral parts. The anterior outer androecial member soon ceases growth and contributes only initially to the formation of the labellum. The gynoecium shows heterochrony in its time of initiation, which occurs much earlier than in other species of Zingiberaceae. Gynoecial initiation takes place on the margins of the central flora cup, at the time of the separation of the common primordia. Three gynoecial primordia from in antipetalous positions. Septa development differs in the basal and apical portions of the ovary. At the base, the primordia grow inward and fuse to form the central axis of the ovary. At the apex, there is little radial growth of the primordia. They cease growth soon after initiation and produce a unilocular cavity. Ovules form at the junction of these two regions and project up into the cavity. Epigynous nectaries form after all other floral organs.
Predictive Model of Listeria Monocytogenes’ Growth Rate Under Different Temperatures and Acids

A response surface model of Listeria monocytogenes’ growth rate was built in this study under different temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) and acid concentrations: citric acid (0–0.4%) and ascorbic acid (0–0.4%); two ingredients which are often used in the food industry as preservatives. Mathematical validation was performed with additional samples at different conditions within the range of the model, obtaining acceptable values of root mean square error (0.0466), standard error of prediction (18.84%), bias factor (1.05) and accuracy factor (1.16). The inhibitory effect on growth was more effective with citric acid than ascorbic acid, possibly due to the major dissociation of citric acid occurring inside microbial cells. The different conditions considered in the model will potentially allow L. monocytogenes’ response to be predicted in foods having a similar composition to the chemical and physical factors set out in this paper.
The Perineorectal Reflex: The Perineorectal Reflex in Health and Obstructed Defecation

PURPOSE Many females with obstructed defecation apply digital pressure on their perineum to facilitate defecation. This study investigated the impact of this maneuver on rectal tone. METHODS Forty-five female patients with obstructed defecation were studied. Thirty-four patients (76 percent) regularly applied digital pressure on their perineum to facilitate defecation. Total colonic transit time was normal in 32 patients and prolonged in 13 patients. For comparison, 17 female controls were studied. With the subject in the left lateral position, a thin, “infinitely” compliant polyethylene bag was inserted into the rectum at 10 cm from the anal canal. Rectal tone was assessed by measuring variations in bag volume with a computer-controlled electromechanical air injection system. After an adaptation period of 15 minutes, digital pressure was applied to the anterior perineum by one of the authors (WRS). In a second recording session, the tonic response of the rectum to an evoked urge to defecate was examined. RESULTS During the application of perineal pressure, all controls showed an increase in rectal tone (mean value, 52.8 ± 19 percent). In the whole patient group, this response was significantly lower (mean value, 24.2 ± 19 percent;P < 0.001). Eight of these patients (18 percent) showed no response at all. None of them applied perineal pressure. In the remaining 37 patients (72 percent), the perineorectal reflex was present but was significantly lower (mean value, 29.8 ± 17 percent;P < 0.001). Thirty-four of these females (92 percent) stated that they applied perineal pressure on a regular basis to facilitate their defecation. All controls showed an increase in rectal tone during an evoked urge to defecate (mean value, 37.8 ± 8 percent). In the patients, this response was significantly lower (16.7 ± 6 percent). Eight of these patients showed no increase in rectal tone at all. These patients were the same patients in whom the perineorectal reflex was absent. Regarding the tonic response of the rectum to perineal pressure, no difference was found between patients with a normal colonic transit time and those with a prolonged colonic transit time. CONCLUSION Digital pressure applied on the perineum results in an increase in rectal tone. This perineorectal reflex is present, although significantly lower, in the majority of females with obstructed defecation. This observation might explain why females with obstructed defecation frequently apply perineal pressure to facilitate defecation.
Priority threat management of non-native plants to maintain ecosystem integrity across heterogeneous landscapes

Invasive non-native plants have negatively impacted on biodiversity and ecosystem functions world-wide. Because of the large number of species, their wide distributions and varying degrees of impact, we need a more effective method for prioritizing control strategies for cost-effective investment across heterogeneous landscapes. Here, we develop a prioritization framework that synthesizes scientific data, elicits knowledge from experts and stakeholders to identify control strategies, and appraises the cost-effectiveness of strategies. Our objective was to identify the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the total area dominated by high-impact non-native plants in the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB). We use a case study of the 120 million ha Lake Eyre Basin that comprises some of the most distinctive Australian landscapes, including Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. More than 240 non-native plant species are recorded in the Lake Eyre Basin, with many predicted to spread, but there are insufficient resources to control all species. Lake Eyre Basin experts identified 12 strategies to control, contain or eradicate non-native species over the next 50 years. The total cost of the proposed Lake Eyre Basin strategies was estimated at AU$1·7 billion, an average of AU$34 million annually. Implementation of these strategies is estimated to reduce non-native plant dominance by 17 million ha - there would be a 32% reduction in the likely area dominated by non-native plants within 50 years if these strategies were implemented. The three most cost-effective strategies were controlling Parkinsonia aculeata, Ziziphus mauritiana and Prosopis spp. These three strategies combined were estimated to cost only 0·01% of total cost of all the strategies, but would provide 20% of the total benefits. Over 50 years, cost-effective spending of AU$2·3 million could eradicate all non-native plant species from the only threatened ecological community within the Lake Eyre Basin, the Great Artesian Basin discharge springs. Synthesis and applications. Our framework, based on a case study of the 120 million ha Lake Eyre Basin in Australia, provides a rationale for financially efficient investment in non-native plant management and reveals combinations of strategies that are optimal for different budgets. It also highlights knowledge gaps and incidental findings that could improve effective management of non-native plants, for example addressing the reliability of species distribution data and prevalence of information sharing across states and regions. Our framework, based on a case study of the 120 million ha Lake Eyre Basin in Australia, provides a rationale for financially efficient investment in non-native plant management and reveals combinations of strategies that are optimal for different budgets. It also highlights knowledge gaps and incidental findings that could improve effective management of non-native plants, for example addressing the reliability of species distribution data and prevalence of information sharing across states and regions.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LEADER SEQUENCE ON ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LEUCOCIN A, AN ANTILISTERIAL BACTERIOCIN PRODUCED BY LEUCONOSTOC GELIDUM UAL187-22

Bacteriocin leader pepides are currently receiving much attention due to their possible functions. It is predicted that these leaders prevent cytoplasmic toxicity within the producer organism by rendering the bacteriocin inactive. Leucocin A, a class IIa bacteriocin produced by Leuconostoc gelidum UAL187-22 is synthesized with a 24 amino acid leader pepide which is cleaved during extracellular translocation. The antimicrobial activity of the leucocin A precursor, pre-leucocin A, was determined to gain insight into whether, the presence of a leader peptide has an impact on anti-listerial activity. The leucocin A and pre-leucocin A genes were generated by PCR of L. gelidum UAL187-22 plasmid DNA. Recombinant plasmids, pLcaA and pPreLcaA were isolated by cloning the amplified genes into the Escherichia coli pMAL.c2 vector, and by screening transformant colonies using blue white selection methods. The malE-LcaA and malE-preLcaA fusion genes were expressed, and resulting maltose binding fusion proteins, were purified using amylose affinity chromatography. Fractions collected, contained partially pure forms of MBP-LcaA (46.433 kDa) and MBP-preLcaA (49.088 kDa) fusion proteins. Following Factor Xa digestion, the MBP affinity tag was removed; and recombinant peptides, leucocin A and pre-leucocin A were further purified by reverese phase high performance liquid chromatography. It was determined that leucocin A was eluted with a retention time of 24.893, while pre-leucocin A was eluted with a retention time of 31.447. Fractions of pure leucocin A and pre-leucocin A were thereafter assayed for activity using a deferred antagonism assay, with Listeria monocytogenes being the indicator strain. Pre-leucocin A tested positive for antimicrobial activity. However, when compared to leucocin A it was found that the leucocin A precursor inhibits Listeria to a lesser degree than leucocin A. The relative bactericidal activities of leucocin A and pre-leucocin A was calculated at 6.0 x 10 AU and 4.0 x 10 AU. Taking this into consideration, it was estimated that the leucocin A precursor is ~66.667 % active as mature leucocin A. Hence the presence of a leader peptide does not have an influence on leucocin A antimicrobial activity.
The Molecular Biology Toolbox and Its Use in Basic and Applied Insect Science

ABSTRACT This overview examines recent progress in the application of molecular tools to the study of insect biology and the development of pest management strategies. The sequencing and annotation of insect genomes, coupled with analyses using comparative genomics, are providing new insights into the molecular underpinnings of insect-specific processes and shedding light on their evolutionary relationships. Researchers investigate the functions of insect genes using indirect approaches such as expression profiling, and direct methods such as insertional mutagenesis and RNA interference. Biotechnological applications to pest management include the development of resistant crops and trees that express insect-specific toxins, the design of microbial agents with enhanced insecticidal potency, and the engineering of insects that can transfer lethal genes to natural populations following their mass release in the field. Comparative genomics analyses also make it possible to identify insect-specific genes that can be targeted for rational insecticide design, using tools such as cell-based, high-throughput screening assays.
Training Principles and Issues for Ultra‐endurance Athletes

Ultra-endurance competition is defined as events that exceed than 6 hours in duration. The longer events rely on long-term preparation, sufficient nutrition, accommodation of environmental stressors, and psychologic toughness. Successful ultra-endurance performance is characterized by the ability to sustain a higher absolute speed for a given distance than other competitors. This can be achieved through a periodized training plan and by following key principles of training. Periodization is an organization of training into large, medium and small training blocks which are referred to as macro-, meso-, and microcycles, respectively. When the sequencing of training is correctly applied, athletes can achieve a high state of competition readiness and during the months of hard training, avoid the overtraining syndrome. A plan is executed in accordance with the following principles of training: all-around development, overload, specificity, individualization, consistent training, and structural tolerance. Training relies heavily on the athlete's tolerance to repetitive strain. Today's ultra-endurance athlete must also follow appropriate nutritional practices in order to recover and prepare for daily training and remain injury free and healthy. Rehydration after exercise, together with the timing and method of increased food intake to cope with heavy training, are essential for optimal performance. Furthermore, the treatment of soft tissue after training or racing is necessary to control inflammation.
Rooting depth and leaf hydraulic conductance in the xeric tree Haloxyolon ammodendron growing at sites of contrasting soil texture.

An experiment was conducted on Haloxylon ammodendron C.A. Mey, a small xeric tree. Soil water content, soil evaporation, leaf water potential, leaf transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were measured at the two sites that contrast in soil texture: sandy and heavy textured, 8 km apart on the southern periphery of Gurbantonggut Desert, Central Asia, during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. Leaf specific hydraulic conductance was calculated from the measurements, and root distributions of plants grown at the two sites were quantified by whole-root system excavation. In general, plants grown in sandy soil experienced better water status than in heavy textured soil. Low soil evaporation loss is not the main reason for this better plant water status at sandy site. Plants in sandy soil developed much deeper root systems, larger root surface areas and higher root: leaf surface area ratio than in heavy textured soil, which facilitated plants acquiring more water and surviving the prolonged drought period. Plants growing at light textured sites should have an advantage in acclimatising to the changed water conditions of the future. Plants at the more sandy sites have a larger buffering capacity to excessive variation in ambient conditions.
Motility patterns and mate encounter rates in planktonic copepods

Mate encounter rates in pelagic copepods depend on the characteristics of the mate detection mechanism as well as on the motility patterns and concentrations of males and females. We describe male and female motility patterns in two species (Centropages typicus and Pseudocalanus elongatus) in which the females excrete male‐attracting pheromones and in one species (Acartia tonsa) in which the mates are detected by hydromechanical signals. For both pheromone‐producing species, male and female motilities differ strongly; males are more directionally persistent and swim as fast as or faster than the females, and only at scales exceeding several centimeters do the male motilities resemble random walk. This prevents resampling of the same volume at the scale of encounter and maximizes the rate at which males encounter female signals. In contrast, female motility patterns are more similar to random walk, even at small scales. For the species depending on hydrodynamic cues and in which detection is practically symmetrical between the mates, male and female motilities are similar and can both be described as random walk, also at small scales. We develop simple encounter models and utilize information on motility patterns and mate signaling from our own observations and the literature to estimate search volume rates for pelagic copepods ranging between 0.6–3.0 mm in length. We show that pelagic copepods are capable of searching tens to thousands of liters of ambient water for mates daily, that search capacity increases approximately with the cube of copepod length for both chemical and hydrodynamic signalers, and that these impressive mate search volume rates are sufficient to sustain populations at typical adult densities.