Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in three North American barn owl (Tyto alba) populations using DNA fingerprinting

I studied the genetic diversity of a small population of common barn owls (Tyto alba) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. DNA fingerprinting was employed to assess the level of genetic variation in the BC population compared to two other barn owl populations in North America, California and Utah. Two different multilocus probes, Jeffreys' 33.15 and per, were used with the restriction enzyme Haelll. These probes yielded sufficient variation at minisatellite loci to assess the general level of relatedness both within and between populations. The number of scorable bands on each fingerprint was significantly higher when probed with per than when probed with Jeffreys' 33.15, but both probes resulted in similar band sharing patterns, and neither showed any apparent linkage. Band sharing between each pair of individuals on a gel was calculated as In^Kjif^ + nB),' where n A and wB are the number of bands in the fingerprints of individuals A and B, and n A B is the number of bands shared by A and B. Band sharing coefficients were significantly higher in the BC barn owl population than in the California or the Utah populations, indicating less genetic variation in the BC population compared to the other two. Between population band sharing was highest between Utah and California, reflecting more genetic similarity between those two populations. The results indicated that the genetic variation in the BC population is still within the range of other viable populations. Levels of organochlorine and PCB residues in barn owl livers also have dropped consistently since 1975 (Appendix 1). To conserve Canada's barn owls, it will be important to continue monitoring genetic variation in the BC population and to maintain barn owl habitat in the Fraser Valley.
A Multicenter Experience with Single Agent Bortezomib in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Reveals Marked Differences in Sub-Type Sensitivity to Proteasome Inhibition.

To date, we have treated 51 patients (pts.) on an ongoing multicenter phase II study of botezomib in pts. with indolent NHL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The average number of cycles received per patient was four. This includes 19 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), 23 with MCL, 5 with small lymphocytic lymphoma-CLL type; and 4 with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). All patients were required to sign an informed consent and have adequate hematologic counts (i.e. an ANC of > 1500 cells/ml and a platelet count > 50,000/ml). All but one patient had received some form of treatment prior to receiving bortezomib, including: CHOP +/− R (60%); CVP +/− R (20%); or some other purine analog based treatment program (15%). Patients were treated at a dose of 1.5 mg/m 2 on Days 1, 4, 8 and 11 every 21 days. No Grade IV toxicities were noted, and the most common Grade 3 toxicity was lymphopenia. Three pts. experienced grade 3 sensory neuropathy. Re-staging studies were routinely performed every two cycles. The overall response rate was 55%, though there is considerable variability among the subtypes both in the response rate, and time to response. One of 5 pts. with SLL experienced a partial remission, in contrast to all 4 patients with marginal zone lymphoma who experienced a partial remission. In most of these latter cases, patients experienced tumor shrinkage after 2 to 4 doses. While all pts. are in active follow-up, one has sustained the response in excess of 10+ months, the other in excess of 18+ months. Of 23 pts. with MCL, the response rate among the evaluable pts. is 56%. While most of these pts. are in active follow-up, the shortest duration of remission was 6 months, the longest 19 months. Patients typically responded by the second cycle, or didn’t respond. Two patients have received 3 additional courses of therapy, achieving a PR on each re-treatment. In FL the response rate is 60%, including one CR and one Cru. These pts. responded later in treatment, typically after the third cycle and later. To date, the median duration of response has not been reached. These data continue to support the activity of bortezomib in pts. with select sub-types of NHL, and raise the merits of potential re-treatment in responding pts.
Contribution to the systematics and zoogeography of the East-African Acomys spinosissimus Peters 1852 species complex and the description of two new species (Rodentia: Muridae)

We revised the taxonomic status of the putative Acomys spinosissimus complex based on the comparative study of specimen collections from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, DR Congo and South Africa, by means of analysis of external morphology, craniometry, enzymes, mitochondrial DNA sequences and karyology. Our results confirm that A. spinosissimus represents a complex of species with seemingly non-overlapping distribution ranges. The distribution range of A. spinosissimus appears to be restricted between the Zambesi and Limpopo Rivers, while the reinstated A. selousi (that includes A. transvaalensis) occurs further to the South (i.e. northern limit seemingly just north of the Limpopo River). The investigated populations north of the Zambezi River are morphologically and genetically distinct from A. spinosissimus and A. selousi. Based on this evidence, we described Acomys muzei sp. nov. and Acomys ngurui sp. nov., each one occurring separately along one side of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Finally, we lacked sufficient information to describe a third new species from the area north of the Zambesi River.
Agro-morphological characterization of maize inbred lines

Diversity observed among the tested inbred lines is important for maize breeding programs. In order to characterize maize inbred lines, an experiment on sixty inbred lines planted in four rows of five meter length plot size was conducted at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from September 2010 to February 2011. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis of the data revealed a wide range of variability among these inbred lines. These inbred lines grouped in cluster five namely RML-55, RML-18, RL-25, RL-17 and RL170 had 2.6 days anthesis-silking interval. These inbred lines consisted of 163.27 cm plant height with 82.36 cm ear height, 9.90 tassel branch number, 37.63 cm tassel length, 52.6 days for tasseling and 55.2 days for silking parameters. These inbred lines may be utilized as good candidates for the development of hybrid and open pollinated varieties.
Droughts may increase susceptibility of prairie dogs to fleas: incongruity with hypothesized mechanisms of plague cycles in rodents

Plague is a reemerging, rodent-associated zoonosis caused by the flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis. As a vector-borne disease, rates of plague transmission may increase when fleas are abundant. Fleas are highly susceptible to desiccation under hot-dry conditions; we posited that their densities decline during droughts. We evaluated this hypothesis with black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in New Mexico, June–August 2010–2012. Precipitation was relatively plentiful during 2010 and 2012 but scarce during 2011, the driest spring–summer on record for the northeastern grasslands of New Mexico. Unexpectedly, fleas were 200% more abundant in 2011 than in 2010 and 2012. Prairie dogs were in 27% better condition during 2010 and 2012, and they devoted 287% more time to grooming in 2012 than in 2011. During 2012, prairie dogs provided with supplemental food and water were in 23% better condition and carried 40% fewer fleas. Collectively, these results suggest that during dry years, prairie dogs are limited by food and water, and they exhibit weakened defenses against fleas. Long-term data are needed to evaluate the generality of whether droughts increase flea densities and how changes in flea abundance during sequences of dry and wet years might affect plague cycles in mammalian hosts.
The Business School ‘Business’: Some Lessons from the US Experience*

US business schools dominate the business school landscape, particularly for the MBA degree. This fact has caused schools in other countries to imitate the US schools as a model for business education. But US business schools face a number of problems, many of them a result of offering a value proposition that primarily emphasizes the career-enhancing, salary-increasing aspects of business education as contrasted with the idea of organizational management as a profession to be pursued out of a sense of intrinsic interest or even service. We document some of the problems confronting US business schools and show how many of these arise from a combination of a market-like orientation to education coupled with an absence of a professional ethos. In this tale, there are some lessons for educational organizations both in the US and elsewhere that are interested in learning from the US experience. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2004.
Trade-off between Desiccation and Predation Risk in the Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea wilderae)

There has been increased attention on amphibian declines over the past two decades, and many researchers agree that the primary factor responsible for this decline is habitat fragmentation and degradation. A number of studies have begun to address the impacts of forest management practices on amphibian populations; however, information about behavioral responses of amphibians to forestry practices such as logging is still needed. Using laboratory experiments, I investigated the behavioral choices of Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamanders (Eurycea wilderae) when presented with dry and moist environments (representing logged and unlogged forests) both with and without predators. When no predator was present, E. wilderae preferred a moist environment. When a predator was present in the moist environment, the adult E. wilderae preferred to remain in the less suitable dry environment, while juveniles displayed no clear choice. After logging, E. wilderae are faced with a decision between two adverse environments, with either decision likely resulting in a local population decline. Determining amphibians’ behavioral responses to forest management practices is an important step to developing management plans for forest-dependent species.
In silico Prediction and Experimental Confirmation of B-cell Epitopes for Molecular Serology of Chlamydia spp.

ii Acknowledgments . iv List of Abbreviations . ix CHAPTER 1 Literature Review 1.1 Biology of Chlamydiae . 1 1.2 Taxonomy of Chlamydiae . 4 1.3 Importance of Chlamydia spp. 10 1.4 Genetic-, Bioand Sero-variants of Chlamydia spp. 12 1.5 Need for Specific Serological Assays . 16 1.6 Problems with Current Serological Assays . 18 1.7 Research Rationale and Objectives . 22 REFERENCES . 23 CHAPTER 2 Chlamydia species-specific Serological Assays 2.
Capillary and low inertia spreading of a microdroplet on a solid surface

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Factors Affecting the Resting and Postflight Body Temperature of Little Brown Bats, Myotis lucifugus

The body temperature (Tb) of freshly captured, adult female little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) was investigated using two ambient temperature (Ta) regimes. Exposure Ta's began with 12 C at 0600 hours and were gradually raised to either 22 or 32 C. Body temperatures were measured at 1600 hours. In general, lactating females did not attain as high a Tb as did pregnant or postlactating bats. Bats caged in clusters of seven to 12 animals had significantly greater Tb's than bats caged singly. Seasonal acclimatization over the 3-mo reproductive period was evident at the lower test Ta's. The Tb of M. lucifugus appeared to be a facultative and graded response to recent environmental conditions and the effect of those conditions on the foraging success of the bats. The Tb of bats immediately after foraging flights was strongly correlated with Ta, but feeding period (first or second), date, cloud cover, and age (adult vs. juvenile) also explained some of the variation in postflight Tb.
Lab-on-Chips for Cellomics: Micro and Nanotechnologies for Life Science

1: Microfluidic devices for cellomics H. Andersson and A. van den Berg 2: Pretreatment of biological samples for microchip analysis J. Ferrance, J. Landers 3: Liposomes as cellular model systems L Locascio, W. Vreeland, A. Jahn, and M. Gaitan 4: A versatile chip-based tool for the controlled manipulation of microparticles in biology using high frequency electromagnetic fields C. Duschl, P. Geggier, M. Jager, M. Stelzle, T. Muller, T. Schnelle, G. Fuhr 5: Microelectroporation in cellomics B. Rubinsky 6: Patch clamp microsystems T. Lehnert and M. Gijs 7: Using lab-on-a-chip technologies to understand cellular mechanotransduction D. Pirone and C. Chen 8: Analysis of apoptosis on chip F. Wolbers, C. Haanen, H. Andersson, A. van den Berg and I. Vermes 9: On chip single cell cultivation systems K. Yasuda 10: Human embryonic stem cells and microfluidics V. Abhyankar and D. Beebe 11: Cellular and subcellular analysis on chip H. Lu, K. Jensen 12: Microfluidic cell culture devices Y. Sakai, E. Leclerc , and T. Fujii 13: Micromachined bioreactor for in vitro cell self-assembly and 3D tissue formation K. Domansky, A. Sivaraman and L. Griffith
Radiographic findings of digital bones and joints in lame cattle of Shiraz area.

A radiographic study on bone and joint disorders was carried out on 77 cases of lame cattle in some dairy farms of Shiraz area. Various radiographic findings of digital region were recorded as: osteomyelitis, exostosis, alteration of bone density, calcified soft tissue, rotation of phalanges, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, joint bony ankylosis, luxation and angulation. In 70% of the lame cattle, radiographic findings of bone and joint were observed.
Large-scale transcriptome-wide profiling of microRNAs in human placenta and maternal plasma at early to mid gestation

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly seen as important regulators of placental development and opportunistic biomarker targets. Given the difficulty in obtaining samples from early gestation and subsequent paucity of the same, investigation of the role of miRNAs in early gestation human placenta has been limited. To address this, we generated miRNA profiles using 96 placentas from presumed normal pregnancies, across early gestation, in combination with matched profiles from maternal plasma. Placenta samples range from 6 to 23 weeks’ gestation, a time period that includes placenta from the early, relatively low but physiological (6–10 weeks’ gestation) oxygen environment, and later, physiologically normal oxygen environment (11–23 weeks’ gestation). We identified 637 miRNAs with expression in 86 samples (after removing poor quality samples), showing a clear gestational age gradient from 6 to 23 weeks’ gestation. We identified 374 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs between placentas from 6–10 weeks’ versus 11–23 weeks’ gestation. We see a clear gestational age group bias in miRNA clusters C19MC, C14MC, miR-17 ~ 92 and paralogs, regions that also include many DE miRNAs. Proportional change in expression of placenta-specific miRNA clusters was reflected in maternal plasma. The presumed introduction of oxygenated maternal blood into the placenta (between ~10 and 12 weeks’ gestation) changes the miRNA profile of the chorionic villus, particularly in placenta-specific miRNA clusters. Data presented here comprise a clinically important reference set for studying early placenta development and may underpin the generation of minimally invasive methods for monitoring placental health.
Sources of Productivity Changes of Commercial Banks in Developing Economy: Evidence from Malaysia, 1998-2003

Applying a non-parametric Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) method, this paper attempts to investigate the productivity changes of Malaysian banks during the post crisis period of 1998-2003. Our results suggest that: (1) Malaysian banking sector have exhibit productivity regress of 6.3% and that the productivity regressed during the period of study was largely attributed to Technological (6.1%) rather than Technical Efficiency (0.2%) regress. (2) Malaysian banks regardless of size have exhibit productivity regress ranging from 1.5% to as high as 10.0% and (3) The smallest bank in our sample is too small to reap the benefits of economies of scale, while the largest bank in our sample, is too large to be scale efficient.
Levels of escherichia in seafood in domestic trade and their antibiotic resistance pattern

Bacteriological quality of fish/shellfish sold in retail outlets in and around Cochin, India was studied. The TPC for the different samples varied from 5.5 to 8.5 log cfu/g. The total Enterobacteriaceae count varied from 2.5 to 6.5 log cfu/g. The lactose fermenters count and total coliforms count varied from 2 to 6 log cfu/g. Seafood samples had Escherichia coli count ranging from 2 to 5.5 log cfu/g. The faecal streptococci count was between 2 to 5 log cfu/ g. The majority of the E.coli isolates showed a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index of more than 0.5, suggesting that they may be from high risk sources. Only a low percentage of samples were acceptable for human consumption as per Indian Standards for market sold fresh fishes. Higher count of microbial indicator organisms confirms possible presence of bacteria of public health significance and demands stringent improvement in handling and sanitary practices in the markets.
Case studies in symmetric key cryptography

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Effects of feeding organic and inorganic acid blends on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in young broiler chickens

One hundred and ninety-six Ross chicks with an initial body weight of 40.30±0.22g were used to study the effects of different crude protein levels supplemented with dietry organic and inorganic acids on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The chicks were caged in pens of seven animals each, and had ad libitum access to feed and water. The chicks were divided into 4 groups: Control -22% crude protein basal diet; T1:22% crude protein basal diet + Organics™; T2:20% crude protein basal diet + Organics™; T3:18% crude protein basal diet + Orgacids™. The apparent digestibility of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus was calculated using Ti02. The birds fed with Control, T1 and T2 had better growth performance and feed conversion ratio than T3. The diets added with acidifiers had better digestibility of crude protein, phosphorus and calcium. In conclusion, the chickens fed with Control, T1 and T2 had better weight gain than 18% CP with acid blends. However, similar growth performance was found between Control, T1 and T2. T1 and T2 had lower FCR than Control and T3. Better growth performance in Control, T1 and T2 is mainly attributed to the better digestibility of nutrients such as crude protein, phosphorus and calcium. There was a reduction of 17% SBM used in the diet when Control diet was compared with T2 diet.
Cellular mechanism and computational modeling of the conductive arterial hyperpolarization/dilation

Evoked focal hyperpolarization and dilation (e.g., by ACh) can conduct along a small artery thus activate a fast blood flow surge; but the mechanism for such conduction remains unclear. Using intracellular and whole‐cell recording of guinea pig arterial cells and mathematical modeling, we found: (1) The resting potentials (RP) of sampled cells showed a bimodal distribution peaked near −75 and −40 mV. A cell initially having a low RP may swiftly shift to a high RP state and vice versa. Such shifts between the two RP levels were mimicked by wash‐in and ‐out of Ba2+ (≤100 μM). Whole‐cell I/V showed an inward rectification that was sensitive to [K+]o and Ba2+. (2) ACh induced a robust hyperpolarization or outward current at ~−40 mV, that was blocked by a 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid plus Ba2+in smooth muscle cells. (3) Data of dual cell recording and cell labeling indicated a gap junction coupling among the vessel cells. (4) Whole‐cell I/V curves of dispersed cells could be math‐modeled by a sum of two voltage‐dependent (Kir, KDR) and three voltage‐independent ion currents. (5) Inputting the five currents’ conductance means and their random variations into GHK zero‐current equation, and letting our custom‐written software seek individual RPs, we reproduced a bimodal RP distribution peaked near −75 and −40 mV. With timed alteration of ion conductances, the computation also simulated regenerative fast RP shift between the two RP levels. We conclude: 1) The arterial cells express abundant inward rectifier K+‐channels (Kir), which critically underlies the regenerative RP shift due to its unique voltage dependency. 2) Together with the gap junction coupling and Na‐K‐pump energy replenishing mechanism, the artery satisfies the minimal requisites for non‐decay conduction of the hyperpolarization/dilation. Supported by grant of NIH NIDCD DC004716.
SITE DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) CORONAVIRUS NSP 15 ENDORIBONUCLEASE

Site Directed Mutagenesis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Cornavirus Nsp 15 Endoribonuclease (April 2006) K. Maravet Baig Department of Biology Texas A&M University Fellows Advisor: Dr. Linda A Guarino Department of Biology, Biochemistry, and Entomology In 2002-2003 SARS Coronavirus (SARSCoV) spread throughout the world resulting in a 10% death rate. With little known about SARS-CoV, research must be done in order to understand the viral mechanism for structure based drug design in the future. The purpose of this research is addition to the current body of knowledge concerning SARS-CoV proteins, especially that of the Nsp15 endoribonuclease and its activity. Nsp15 is a non-structural protein of SARS-CoV with endoribonuclease activity. Nsp15 recognizes and cleaves at uracil with a Mn cofactor; (Endoribonucleases cut in the interior of RNA strands). It was hypothesized that the uracil recognition may be indicated by four conserved asparagine residues. To test this, one of the conserved asparagine residues was mutated for analysis. Site directed mutagenesis of Nsp15 with a QuickChange kit was performed. The 4 asparagine, N, was mutated to alanine in one sample and to serine in another sample, making N4A and N4S mutants respectively. The 4 amino acid was chosen due to the