Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Dopant Ions on the Electrical Conductivity and Microstructure of Polyaniline (Emeraldine Salt)

Samples of polyaniline (emeraldine salt) were prepared with different protonic acid dopants, namely, hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), perchloric acid (HClO4), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and hydroiodic acid (HI). Using the two-point probe method, it was found that the samples had ohmic behaviors in which high linear coefficients were found in the range 0.9686–0.9997. On the other hand, the electrical conductivities were measured using the Van der Pauw method. The undoped sample had a conductivity of 5x10–4 S/cm. The highest conductivity of 109.04 S/cm was observed for the HClO4-doped sample, while the lowest value (0.02 S/cm) was obtained for the HI-doped sample. These conductivities were compared with the computed energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) where it was found that they are inversely proportional to each other. Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences among the samples in terms of shapes and morphologies.
Structural stabilization by Hoechst 33258 in γ-irradiated DNA : Evidenced by spectroscopic studies

Several studies have demonstrated radioprotective effects of DNA minor groove binding ligand Hoechst 33258 (H258) in isolated DNA and cells as well as in whole body irradiated mice. The mechanism underlying Hoechst-mediated radioprotection is still under intensive investigation. In this study, we have investigated the possible changes in the local environment at binding sites and influence of Hoechst -induced structural stabilization in γ-irradiated DNA. H258 was added at two different concentrations, viz. 4 μM and 80 μ μM in irradiated DNA (800 μ μM) and the corresponding ligand to DNA ratios were R = 0.005 and 0.1 (DNA-H258) respectively. Helix to coil transition temperature ( Tm), absorption, fluorescence emission and excited state fluorescence lifetime measurements were carried out and compared with un-irradiated DNA-H258 solutions. Spectroscopic measurements indicated that the majority of spectral characteristics (spectral positions and intensity) were similar in DNA -H258 and H258-DNA complexes. The excited state fluorescence decay was double exponential having a short ( τ1) and a long (τ2) component. Their numerical values strongly depended on the ratios R = 0.005 and 0.1 and remained unaltered in irradiated solutions. This data strongly su ggested that the local environment of H258 at the binding sites in DNA remained unaltered upon irradiation and binding of H258 appeared to contribute to structural stabilization in a concentration -dependent manner.
Relationship between behavioural reactivity and feed efficiency in housed sheep

In this study we test the hypothesis that selecting sheep for a low behavioural reactivity to stressful situations will improve their metabolic efficiency, and thereby feed efficiency, during a controlled trial in an animal house. Twenty-four Merino wethers were used, 12 each from lines selected for high (HBR) and low (LBR) behavioural reactivity to stressful stimuli (human presence and social isolation). The sheep were habituated to the experimental procedures for 10 days, followed by 45 days during which voluntary feed intake was measured so that total daily energy intake was quantified. The sheep were weighed twice weekly before daily feeding. Feed efficiency was determined by measuring net feed intake, average daily weight gain and body condition score. Our hypothesis was not supported by the results of this study. There was no difference between LBR and HBR sheep in average daily weight gain or body condition score. The net feed intake of HBR sheep was lower than that of LBR sheep (P = 0.02), indicating that under the conditions of our experiment, HBR sheep were actually more feed efficient than LBR sheep. This study was carried out on sheep with steady intakes and in familiar surroundings. It is possible that LBR sheep may be more efficient than HBR sheep in more stressful situations.
Development And Characterization Of Engineered Commensal Bacteria For The Delivery Of Enzymes

The present study was aimed at development and characterization of engineered commensal bacteria for site-specific targeting of enzymes. Separation of plasmid (pJR2 and GB4) and transformation in Lactobacillus acidophilus was carried out using a reported method. Azo polymers were synthesized using water-soluble and water- insoluble monomers belonging to acrylate series. The synthesized polymers were characterized for physical appearance, solubility and film forming properties. Effect of microbial flora of colon on polymers was seen by incubating the glass cover slips coated with azo polymers in sterilized nutrient broth containing freshly voided human fecal culture suspension. Colon-specific drug delivery system was developed by mixing the bacterial pellet with skimmed milk and then coating these granules with azo- and pH-sensitive polymer. Lowering of galactose concentration and a-oxoglutaric acid concentration were monitored to in vitro characterize E. coli (56) and E. coli(797), respectively. In vivo screening of developed oral, colon-specific formulation, azo polymer coated granules of engineered E. coli(56) producing galactokinase (GK) and engineered E. coli(797) producing glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was performed on rabbits. D-galactose, which is the substrate for enzyme galactokinase and ammonium chloride, was administered intraperitoneally to all rabbits. The lowering of blood galactoselevel and urea level was observed with respect to variable time interval.
Nanodiagnostic Tools in Plant Breeding

A new plant variety, with better yield, disease resistance and quality traits, improve agricultural productivity for a growing global population. The traditional plant breeding procedures take many years. Nano genomics-based methods have enabled breeders greater precision breeding have opened up exciting new opportunities for selecting and transferring genes, which has not only reduced the time needed to eliminate unnecessary genes, but has also allowed the breeder to access useful genes from distant plants.
Plasmodium knowlesi in Human

Plasmodium knowlesi is now established as the fi fth Plasmodium species to cause malaria in humans. We de- scribe a case of P. knowlesi infection acquired in Indonesian Borneo that was imported into Australia. Clinicians need to consider this diagnosis in a patient who has acquired ma- laria in forest areas of Southeast Asia.
Notes on unusual behavioural ecology of Acanthodactylus cantoris feeding on Bufoniceps laungwalaensis

Abstract: Acanthodactylus cantoris feeding on Bufoniceps laungwalaensis in the interdunal area of barren sand dunes of Sam of the Desert National Park, Rajasthan is reported here. This reporting is unusual as A. cantoris is strictly insectivorous. The incidence is an evidence for interspecific feeding behaviour among lizards and supports the fact that A . cantoris is opportunistic and shows food preference, also in accordance with ‘ prey-size threshold rule’.
Variation in carbon isotope ratio and its relation to other traits in peanut breeding lines and cultivars from U.S. trials

13 C), of up to 19 cultivars was evaluated in Alabama, 15 N, percent carbon and nitrogen, SPAD chlorophyll content and specific leaf area corrected for solar radiation and VPD (SLARV) was determined. SLARV and SPAD chlorophyll were correlated with carbon isotope composition ( 13 C) to determine if these inexpensive measurements could be used as selection tools for WUE in breeding programs. For genotypes measured at several sites simultaneously, genetic, environmental, and genotype X environment interactions were found to significantly affect most traits. Variation among genotypes grown at single sites was also found for measured traits. Genotypes were ranked within each site according to  13 C. Lastly, SLARV, SPAD, and  13 C were correlated, but the significance and direction of the correlation was highly variable within regions and years making the use of these measurements for surrogates of WUE in U.S. breeding programs limited.
Flexible social structure of a desert rodent, Rhombomys opimus: philopatry, kinship, and ecological constraints

We tested hypotheses based on philopatry, kinship, and ecological constraints to explain sociality in a semifossorial desert rodent, the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus. Data were collected in the field in Uzbekistan in the spring and fall of 1996 and 1998--2004. Population densities fluctuated dramatically with high turnover in both males and females to reveal that dispersal and social structure were density dependent. Fewer gerbils dispersed at higher densities and members of family groups dispersed together. A majority of females lived in groups at high densities, but as population densities declined, proportionally more females were solitary. DNA analysis revealed that group-living females were genetically similar, whereas solitary females visited by the same male, as well as adult males and females in the same family group, were usually not genetically similar. Reproductive success as measured by the number of emergent pups and survival of juveniles during the summer drought was not related to group size or whether females were philopatric. A majority of females in family groups reproduced, and all females engaged in cooperative behaviors. We accepted three hypotheses to explain fluctuations in group formation in the great gerbil: variation in food abundance and distribution, habitat saturation, and kinship. We conclude that great gerbils are facultatively social. Flexible social behavior may be adaptive in unpredictable desert conditions. Females live solitarily under conditions of limited food and high mortality that disrupt social behavior and group formation and share territories with female kin under favorable conditions for survival and reproduction when kin groups can be maintained. Males adjust to the distribution of females. Copyright 2005.
Transportation techniques for massive scleractinian corals

Transportation techniques for scleractinian corals have been described mainly for fragments and small colonies. As part of a recent study on captive sexual reproduction of the Caribbean species Montastrea annularis and Diploria strigosa, we transported relatively large (max. diameter of 21 cm), heavy (max. weight of 9,200 g) colonies of both species from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, to Rotterdam, The Netherlands. A new transportation technology was applied whereby the corals were transplanted to specially designed PVC crosses to provide stabilization during transport. In two transports (November 2001 and February 2002), 100 colonies were transported submerged, in a shipping time of >35 hr. The survival rate measured 2 weeks after transport was 100%. Four and 8 months after transport, respectively, two colonies of D. strigosa died without any obvious cause. In November 2002 we observed an outbreak of Dark Spots disease (DSD) affecting two-thirds of the colonies of M. annularis. Although the colonies did not show any symptoms when they were collected, the disease most probably was transferred when the coral were transported from the field to the laboratory. The presented method is appropriate for transporting large, heavy corals–especially for scientific purposes. In general, species-specific properties, colony size, and transportation time determine which transportation method should be applied. In the future, there may be a shift toward transports of fragments, coral larvae, and primary polyps to reduce collections in the field. Zoo Biol 23:165–176, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Review Article

Over the last 20 years European social psychologists seem to have been seized by a mission a mission to slip the yoke of American academic hegemony and to construct their own European approach to social psychology. Traditional approaches are considered to be individualistic, reductionist, unduly motivational, overly cognitive, theoretically barren, empirically Baconian, and ideologically unsound. In short, traditional American social psychology is considered to be impoverished owing to an insufficient emphasis upon thesocialdintension. The influence of Henri Tajfel in championing this crusade is enormous, both at the level of his intellectual contributions and in the pragmatic development of a material infrastructure in terms of journals, book series, academic meetings and summer schools, associations, and so forth (cf. Tajfel, 1972). Sadly, in the early summer of 1982 Henri Tajfel died. During his life he edited many books (e.g. Israel & Tajfel, 1972; Tajfel, 1978,1982; Tajfel & Fraser, 1978) further evidence of his concern to foster a collective European perspective rather than to pursue his own ideas in isolation-and The Social Dimension is the last of these. Henri’s sudden and untimely death cast the future of the book in an uncertain light, but Fraser and Jaspars were fortunately able to undertake the task of ensuring its publication. By their own admission their editorial role is limited and the final work is essentially as Tajfel intended. The Social Dimension sets out to give a flavour of both the breadth and depth of those developments in social psychology over the past two decades which have occurred in Europe. Indeed the second part of the title European Developments in Social Psychology specifies this aim. It is an ambitious enterprise that has, not surprisingly, generated a book which is both lengthy and wide-ranging. There are over 700 pages, which comprise 33 chapters covering such diverse areas of psychology as: cognitive development; language acquisition; psychopathology; non-verbal communication; aggression; love, friendship and personal relationships; social rules; attitudes; ideology; intergroup behaviour; stereotypes; and second language acquisition. Although the book comes in two volumes, and each volume is subdivided into
Addressing the impact of land crabs on rodent eradications on islands

Consumption of rodent bait by land crabs, leaving some rodents unexposed, has been described as one potential reason why several rodent eradications undertaken on mesic-tropical islands have failed. Strategies to overcome the issue have been proposed but all increase the risk, cost or logistics of running an eradication operation. To quantify the impact of land crabs and assess the feasibility of achieving rodent eradication using a standard bait application rate used in temperate climates, we measured crab density, rates of bait take and exposure of rats to bait on Vahanga Atoll in French Polynesia. The two methods used to measure crab density were closely correlated and agreed with anecdotal observations, suggesting they were a reliable index of crab numbers. Rates of bait take were closely correlated with crab density providing a potential means of predicting bait take in a crab dominated ecosystem such as Vahanga, an advantage when planning a rodent eradication attempt. At some sites on Vahanga, crabs were in sufficient numbers (up to 5 900/ha) to rapidly reduce bait availability but even at these sites rats were able to access bait. The result suggests that achieving rat eradication on some mesic-tropical islands may be possible using a typical temperate climate bait application rate. However, our results should be applied with caution because we did not determine the amount of bait consumed by rats.
Iowa State University From the SelectedWorks of Emily Heaton January , 2014 Yields of Miscanthus × giganteus and Panicum virgatum decline with stand age in the Midwestern USA

For the C4 perennial grasses, Miscanthus 9 giganteus and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) to be successful for bioenergy production they must maintain high yields over the long term. Previous studies under the less conducive climate for productivity in N.W. Europe found little or no yield decline in M. 9 giganteus in the long term. This study provides the first analysis of whether yield decline occurs in M. 9 giganteus under United States. Midwest conditions in side-by-side trials with P. virgatum over 8–10 years at seven locations across Illinois. The effect of stand age was determined by using a linear regression model that included effects of weather. Miscanthus 9 giganteus produced yields more than twice that of P. virgatum averaging 23.4 1.2 Mg ha 1 yr 1 and 10.0 0.9 Mg ha 1 yr , respectively, averaged over 8–10 years. Relationships of yield with precipitation and growing degree days were established and used to estimate yields corrected for the stochastic effects of weather. Across all locations and in both species, yield initially increased until it reached a maximum during the fifth growing season and then declined to a stable, but lower level in the eighth. This pattern was more pronounced in M. 9 giganteus. The mean yields observed over this longer term period of 8–10 years were lower than the yields of the first 5 years. However, this decline was proportionately greater in M. 9 giganteus than in P. virgatum, suggesting a stronger effect of stand age on M. 9 giganteus. Based on the average yield over the period of this study, meeting the United States Renewable Fuel Standard mandate of 60 billion liters of cellulosic ethanol by 2022, would require 6.8 Mha of M. 9 giganteus or 15.8 Mha of P. virgatum. These appear manageable numbers for the United States, given the 16.0 Mha in the farmland Conservation Reserve Program in addition to another 13.0 Mha abandoned from agriculture in the last decade.
Synergistic Effect of Salvadora persica Extracts, Tetracycline and Penicillin Against Staphylococcus aureus

In the present investigation inhibitory effect of two antibiotics viz., Penicillin and Tetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus was observed separately and in combination (synergistic). It was found that the zone of inhibition was 23mm for tetracycline and 18 mm for penicillin. However, their synergistic effect was much more effective and caused an inhibition that measured 27 mm in diameter. Apart from this these antibiotics were also applied in combination with various extracts (ethanolic) of Salvadora persica, a medicinal plant of repute. The highest inhibition was noticed (31.5 mm) when S.aureus was exposed to tetracycline + Salvadora stem extract. It was followed by tetracycline + leaf extract combination of Salvadora persica with a zone of inhibition of 30.0 mm. The combination of stem and leaf extract with penicillin could not produce the same inhibitory effect as that of tetracycline and Salvadora stem and leaf extracts. However, penicillin and stem extract of Salvadora combination resulted in a ZOI which was 21.0 mm, which surpassed 18 mm ZOI recorded for both penicillin and stem extract of S.persica applied separately.
Copepod community structure related to environmental factors from a summer cruise in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia, eastern Mediterranean Sea)

We studied the summer spatial distribution of the copepod community in both the neritic and oceanic areas of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia, eastern Mediterranean Sea) coupled with environmental factors. Copepods were the most abundant zooplankton throughout the sampling period, contributing 78% of the total zooplankton. A total of 14 copepod families were identified in all stations, with an overwhelming abundance of Acartiidae and Oithonidae (39.05 and 39.09% of total abundance, respectively). Abundance of Acartia clausi and chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively correlated with salinity, suggesting that this species probably escaped the high coastal salinity (38 psu). Significant correlation determined between A. clausi and tintinnids at 50 m isobaths indicates that these planktonic ciliates probably served as a substantial food link towards higher trophic levels of this area. Conversely, Oithona nana which was well adapted to high chlorophyll-a concentrations and high salinity along the coast, showed significant correlations with Dictyochophyceae, Dinophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae, suggesting that this small copepod was capable of feeding on a wide selection of phytoplankton preys.
KChIPs and Kv4 α Subunits as Integral Components of A-Type Potassium Channels in Mammalian Brain

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels from the Kv4, or Shal-related, gene family underlie a major component of the A-type potassium current in mammalian central neurons. We recently identified a family of calcium-binding proteins, termed KChIPs (Kv channel interacting proteins), that bind to the cytoplasmic N termini of Kv4 family α subunits and modulate their surface density, inactivation kinetics, and rate of recovery from inactivation (An et al., 2000). Here, we used single and double-label immunohistochemistry, together with circumscribed lesions and coimmunoprecipitation analyses, to examine the regional and subcellular distribution of KChIPs1-4 and Kv4 family α subunits in adult rat brain. Immunohistochemical staining using KChIP-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed that the KChIP polypeptides are concentrated in neuronal somata and dendrites where their cellular and subcellular distribution overlaps, in an isoform-specific manner, with that of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3. For example, immunoreactivity for KChIP1 and Kv4.3 is concentrated in the somata and dendrites of hippocampal, striatal, and neocortical interneurons. Immunoreactivity for KChIP2, KChIP4, and Kv4.2 is concentrated in the apical and basal dendrites of hippocampal and neocortical pyramidal cells. Double-label immunofluorescence labeling revealed that throughout the forebrain, KChIP2 and KChIP4 are frequently colocalized with Kv4.2, whereas in cortical, hippocampal, and striatal interneurons, KChIP1 is frequently colocalized with Kv4.3. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses confirmed that all KChIPs coassociate with Kv4 α subunits in brain membranes, indicating that KChIPs 1-4 are integral components of native A-type Kv channel complexes and are likely to play a major role as modulators of somatodendritic excitability.
Trees, Mycorrhiza and Minerals –Field Relevance of in vitro Experiments

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are mutualistic symbionts of boreal forest trees and may mediate mineral weathering through their direct access to photosyntentically derived carbon. In soil, fungal mycelia (i) provide a large surface for nutrient uptake; (ii) induce intense colonization of nutrient rich substrates; (iii) cause local acidification and (iv) produce organic acids. Mechanisms of ectomyorrhizal fungi induced weathering in response to nutrient limiting growth conditions remains largely unresolved. This review summarizes how current knowledge on fungal weathering is affected by experimental setup and conditions, i.e., pure or symbiotic growth, nitrogen source, the mean of detecting weathering activity and species examined.
Differential protein expression in maize (Zea mays) in response to insect attack

Maize ( Zea mays ) is a major food stable in sub-Saharan Africa. However, yields are constrained by insect pests. Insect feeding induces a number of changes in genes encoding different proteins and the plant’s response can either be direct or indirect, or both. In this study, maize plants were infested with two insects with different feeding strategies (Spodoptera littoralis , chewing insect and Busseola fusca , stem borer) to investigate differential protein expression using the Proteomics technique. Infestation of S. littoralis (3rd instar larvae) resulted in 14 spots being up-regulated and 7 being down-regulated. Similarly, infestation of maize with B. fusca (3rd instar larvae) resulted in 12 spots being up-regulated and 9 spots being down-regulated. Interestingly, of those up-regulated only 9 were common to both insects, with only 4 common to both in terms of down regulation. Infestation of maize with S. littoralis resulted in a greater number of spots being up-regulated and less being down-regulated compared to maize infested with B. fusca. Unfortunately, we were unable to identify the proteins represented by these spots. Key words: Busseola fusca, down-regulation, expression, proteomics, Spodoptera littoralis, up-regulation.