Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observations on Stomata and Hairs on Vegetative and Floral Organs in the Tribe Trifolieae (Family Papilionaceae)

The structure of stomata and hairs and stornatal ontogeny are described in 12 species of the tribe Trifolieae. Stomata may be paracytic, anisocytic, diacytic, haplocytic, and of transitional forms between diacytic and paracytic types. The most frequent types are paracytic, anisocytic, anomocytic and haplocytic. In any one species the most frequent type varies with the organ, and the pattern throughout the plant is not the same in every species. In general anomocytic stomata are most frequent on both surfaces of leaflets, and paracytic on stems.and petioles. On this basis the members of this tribe seem to have some uniformity. The ontogeny of stomata with subsidiary cells is mesogenous or meso- perigenous, or rarely perigenous. Anomocytic stomata are perigenous. The number of subsidiary cells is increased by (i) wall formation in the subsidiary cells, (ii) neighbouring perigenes assuming the form of subsidiary cells, or (iii) both processes operating in the same stoma simultaneously. Abnormalities such as contiguous stomata, stomata with one guard cell, and arrested development of stomata are occasionally met with. Hairs may be glandular or eglandular ; both types are present in all organs, except in a few cases. Some uniformity in the members of the tribe is also observed in the structure of glandular and eglandular hairs.
Forcible eviction and prevention of recruitment in the clown anemonefish

How big an animal group will be depends on how the group's size is regulated and on the costs and benefits of living in the group. To determine which individuals regulate group size of the clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, I investigated the strategies involved in the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of its groups. Groups composed of a single breeding pair and of zero to four nonbreeding subordinates occupied individual sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica), which provided the fish with oviposition sites and protection from predators. Group size increased linearly with anemone size. I used the residuals of this relationship as a measure of the degree of saturation of each anemone. Residents evicted low-rank subordinates and prevented the recruitment of additional subordinates at anemones with a high degree of saturation, but not at anemones with a low degree of saturation. These strategies indicate that residents control group membership of their subordinates, and suggest that residents might incur costs from the presence of subordinates in more saturated anemones. In general, whenever residents can control group membership, the prevention of recruitment and the eviction of subordinates will set an upper limit on group size. Copyright 2003.
Abordagem de redes por cliques: aplicação a redes de coautoria

Some social networks consist of links between groups of actors mutually connected, forming a clique. The classical approach with indexes of Social Network Analysis does not take into account this peculiarity. We introduce new indices of cohesion based approach for cliques, and rethink the concept of network density. We applied this index to two co-authorship networks: one formed by researchers who published in journals of mathematics education and the other by researchers from a post-graduate program in computational modeling. We made a comparative and contextualized analysis to show the applicability and capability indices in the treatment of data from social networks. Resumo. Algumas redes sociais consistem em ligações entre grupos de atores mutuamente conectados que formam uma clique. A abordagem clássica com ı́ndices da Análise de Redes Sociais não leva em conta esta particularidade. Introduzimos novos ı́ndices de coesão baseados na abordagem por cliques, e ressignificamos o conceito de densidade da rede. Estes foram aplicados a duas redes de coautoria: uma formada por pesquisadores que publicam em periódicos de Educação Matemática e outra por pesquisadores de um Programa de Pós-Graduação em Modelagem Computacional. Uma análise comparativa e contextualizada é feita para mostrar a aplicabilidade e a potencialidade dos ı́ndices, no tratamento de dados de redes sociais.
Studies of the variability of the hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1β (HNF‐1β / TCF2) and the dimerization cofactor of HNF‐1 (DcoH / PCBD) genes in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus and β‐cell function

Mutations in the homeodomain‐containing transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1β (HNF‐1β) are known to cause a rare subtype of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY5), which is associated with early‐onset progressive non‐diabetic renal dysfunction. To investigate whether mutations in HNF‐1· are implicated in the pathogenesis of MODY or late‐onset diabetes with and without nephropathy in Danish Caucasians we examined the HNF‐1β (TCF2) and the dimerization cofactor of HNF‐1 (DCoH, PCBD) genes for mutations in 11 MODY probands, 28 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy, and 46 type 2 diabetic patients with an impaired β‐cell function by combined single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and heteroduplex analysis. Analysis of the promoter and nine exons including intron‐exon boundaries of the HNF‐1β gene revealed one novel silent polymorphism and three previously reported intronic variants. The silent polymorphism (I91I) was found in one patient with late‐onset type 2 diabetes. One of the intronic variant (IVS6+26T→C) was examined further. Among 584 type 2 diabetic patients the allelic frequency was 13.1% (11.2‐15.0%) compared to 11.6% (8.6‐14.5%) in 229 glucose tolerant control subjects (NS). No difference in insulin secretion during an OGTT was seen between carriers of the different IVS6+26T→C genotypes among the 229 middle‐aged control subjects, nor among 302 glucose tolerant 60‐year‐old Danish Caucasians. Mutation analysis of the four exons comprising the DCoH gene revealed a previously described A→G polymorphism located in the 3′ untranslated region, which was not investigated further. In conclusion, mutations in HNF‐1β and DCoH are not a major cause of MODY or late onset type 2 diabetes in Danish Caucasian subjects. Hum Mutat 18:356–357, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ammonia and poultry welfare: a review

Atmospheric ammonia is a major aerial pollutant of poultry buildings. The current exposure limits for ammonia of 25 ppm are set on the basis of human safety rather than animal welfare. This paper reviews the evidence for ammonia exposure affecting various aspects of poultry welfare. The reviewed evidence suggests that ammonia exposure (1) causes irritation to the mucous membranes in the eyes and the respiratory system; (2) can increase the susceptibility to respiratory diseases; and (3) may affect food intake, food conversion efficiency and growth rate. The behavioural effects of ammonia on poultry have recently been investigated and suggest that there may be a threshold for ammonia detection or aversion at or below the current exposure limit. The available evidence for the effects of ammonia on poultry welfare should be considered when setting future guidelines for ammonia exposure in poultry houses.
An Improved $Z$ -Source Inverter

This paper proposes an improved Z-source inverter topology. Compared to previous Z-source inverter topology, it can reduce the Z-source capacitor voltage stress greatly, and has an inherent limitation to inrush current. The control strategy is exactly the same as the previous one, so all existing control strategies can be used directly. Soft-start strategy is also proposed to avoid the inrush current and resonance between the Z-capacitors and the Z-inductors. Comparison between the proposed and previous topologies is also presented. Analysis, simulation, and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the new features of the improved topology.
Quantification of metallothionein as a biomarker for cadmium exposure in terrestrial gastropods

A useful cadmium saturation method, the cadmium-Chelex assay, is adopted and modified for quantification of metallothionein induction and protein cadmium saturation in midgut gland of cadmium-exposed Roman snails (Helix pomatia). The assay is based on denaturation of nonmetallothionein, cadmium-binding ligands; complete saturation of metallothionein by adding excess amounts of nonradioactive cadmium; and chelating of excessive amounts of cytosolic metal by the Chelex-100 cation exchange resin. After short-term cadmium feeding, snails quickly responded by showing rising metallothionein levels, protein concentrations in the midgut gland increasing from about 300 {mu}g/g tissue (wet weight) to 750 {mu}g/g within a period of 2 d. At the same time cadmium loading of protein rose from 20% in control snails to 50% saturation in exposed individuals. After long-term cadmium exposure, maximal metallothionein concentrations of about 1,000 {mu}g/g tissue (wet weight) and a relative metallothionein cadmium saturation of 70% were reached in midgut glands of exposed snails. It is proposed that metallothionein quantification in H. pomatia might be used as a tool for biomarker studies in three ways. First, the slope of metallothionein induction might be used as a biomarker for incipient cadmium exposure and for the responsiveness of an invertebrate to metal exposure stress. Second, themore » steady-state level of metallothionein concentration in the midgut gland of H. pomatia might serve as an integrating biomarker reflecting single or repeated exposure events occurring over a prolonged period of time. Third, the percentage cadmium saturation of metallothionein could be utilized as a biomarker indicating if and by how much the detoxification capacity of H. pomatia is becoming exhausted due to elevated cadmium exposure. « less
Atlas of the Pannonian and Pontian ostracods from the eastern area of the Pannonian Basin

The present paper is neither dogmatic, nor authoritative. In my view, palaeontology is a humanistic discipline which – apart from describing the hard skeleton (the palaeontologic species) and beyond it – attempts to suggest the time when the fossil species existed, their way of life, the morphologic change (called adaptation) they went through and, sometimes, show the evolution of life. Show how life grows. This work seeks to inquire, question, generate as many questions as possible, targeting new research. It is an Atlas and not a Monography, a monographic work. Hence, there is no description of the figured species (except for the new ones), since they had been described, in detail, by their authors. This work is meant for the bold and the openminded scientist.
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices

Abstract: This chapter aims to give the basics of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. First, the basic operation of interdigital transducers (IDTs) is discussed. The delta-function model is introduced, and the coupling-of-modes theory is adopted to allow for the influence of SAW reflection in the analysis. Next, SAW transversal filters are discussed. We explain their basic operation and design, and then their achievable performances are discussed. It is also shown that some of the difficulties caused in traditional SAW transversal filters can be overcome by the use of unidirectional IDTs. Finally, SAW resonators are discussed. After giving their basics, an overview of RF filters using SAW resonators is given.
Ameliorative effect of 10-gingerol on drug induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

In the present study, the ameliorative hepatoprotective effect of 10-gingerol (5 and 10 mg/kg)was examined in albino rats using the model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by diclofenac sodium (DCFS). Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of DCFS in a dose of 150 mg/kg. Rats received 10-gingerol by i.p. injection for 6 consecutive days before induction of hepatotoxicity. Animals were sacrificed at 6 h post intoxication and blood and liver samples were obtained. Liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically. It was found that injection of DCFS to rats induced hepatic damage that was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of marker enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin in serum. The liver homogenate of intoxicated animals had increased levels of the malondialdehyde (MDA). Histological data presented marked damaged in sections of liver form DCFS-treated rats. Intraperitoneal dosing of 10-gingerol (10 mg/kg) to rats for 6-days before DCFS-intoxication reversed the altered serum parameter near to normal and silymarin control values. The elevation of MDA level in liver homogenate was significantly inhibited by 10-gingerol. In addition, 10-gingerol attenuated DCFS-induced hepatic histological alterations. Key words: Diclofenac sodium, 10-gingerol, lipid peroxidation, hepatotoxicity, histopathology.
The Impact of Coherence on Persistent Rule-Following in the Face of Reversed Reinforcement Contingencies

Rule-governed behavior has long been associated with generating insensitivity to direct contingencies of reinforcement. This insensitivity to environmental changes has also been implicated in human psychological suffering. From a behavior analytic perspective, rule-following is a verbal behavior, and thus has been suggested to be potentially affected by the level of coherence within the verbal stimuli involved. In this explorative study, 216 participants received a rule that differed in terms of its coherence based on experimental training. The active conditions did not differ significantly in rule persistency, but differed from the control condition that was less rule-persistent. Rule-persistence was found to be significantly correlated with stress and anxiety in the control condition. A post-hoc interpretation of the findings is provided.
Inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate activation of inositol tris-phosphate receptor Ca2+ channel by ligand tuning of Ca2+ inhibition

Inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate (IP3) binding to its receptors (IP3R) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activates Ca2+ release from the ER lumen to the cytoplasm, generating complex cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration signals including temporal oscillations and propagating waves. IP3-mediated Ca2+ release is also controlled by cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration with both positive and negative feedback. Single-channel properties of the IP3R in its native ER membrane were investigated by patch clamp electrophysiology of isolated Xenopus oocyte nuclei to determine the dependencies of IP3R on cytoplasmic Ca2+ and IP3 concentrations under rigorously defined conditions. Instead of the expected narrow bell-shaped cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) response centered at ≈300 nM–1 μM, the open probability remained elevated (≈0.8) in the presence of saturating levels (10 μM) of IP3, even as [Ca2+]i was raised to high concentrations, displaying two distinct types of functional Ca2+ binding sites: activating sites with half-maximal activating [Ca2+]i (Kact) of 210 nM and Hill coefficient (Hact) ≈2; and inhibitory sites with half-maximal inhibitory [Ca2+]i (Kinh) of 54 μM and Hill coefficient (Hinh) ≈4. Lowering IP3 concentration was without effect on Ca2+ activation parameters or Hinh, but decreased Kinh with a functional half-maximal activating IP3 concentration (KIP3) of 50 nM and Hill coefficient (HIP3) of 4 for IP3. These results demonstrate that Ca2+ is a true receptor agonist, whereas the sole function of IP3 is to relieve Ca2+ inhibition of IP3R. Allosteric tuning of Ca2+ inhibition by IP3 enables the individual IP3R Ca2+ channel to respond in a graded fashion, which has implications for localized and global cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration signaling and quantal Ca2+ release.
Especialização fisiológica de Puccinia triticina no Brasil em 2002

A ferrugem da folha e uma das principais doencas que afetam a cultura do trigo (Triticum aestivum). Nas regioes triticolas da Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai, Uruguai e Bolivia tem ocorrido todos os anos epidemias da molestia, as quais podem ocasionar perdas de ate 50% no rendimento de graos de cultivares suscetiveis, se nao for efetuado controle com fungicidas. No Chile, a importância da molestia tem aumentado, especialmente em cultivares de trigo de inverno. Na maior parte dessa regiao o patogeno esta presente durante todos os meses do ano, o que favorece o surgimento precoce da molestia, o desenvolvimento de epidemias, e a selecao e fixacao de novas racas, sendo frequente a superacao da resistencia em cultivares comerciais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as racas do fungo causador da ferrugem da folha do trigo que ocorreram no Brasil durante a safra de 2002 e determinar sua frequencia, distribuicao geografica e alteracoes de virulencia. Foram identificadas 38 combinacoes de virulencia, agrupadas em 12 racas distintas, de acordo com o sistema brasileiro. Esse conjunto representa um grande espectro de virulencia, abrangendo todos os genes da serie diferencial, embora a Lr16 e Lr21 a virulencia tenha se expressado em nivel intermediario. Duas novas combinacoes de virulencia foram identificadas, as quais correspondem, respectivamente, aos codigos SPJ-RS e MFT-CT/MFT-HT, de acordo com o sistema norte-americano de nomenclatura. O gene Lr19 ainda continua efetivo para resistencia a todas as racas, assim como as combinacoes de genes (Lr3+Lr9), (Lr9+Lr16), (Lr9+Lr3ka), (Lr9+Lr21), (Lr16 + Lr24).
A comparison of methods for studying pressure and solute potentials in xylem and also in phloem laticifers of Hevea brasiliensis

In this study, several ways have been examined to measure latex pressure, including some novel methods, with the aim of finding better methods than are presently available. A novel method, similar to the pressure probe as used for single cells, has been applied to laticifers, exerting a back-pressure to prevent exudation. The type of capillary bubble manometer developed by Bourdeau and Schopmeyer for resin pressures (1958) and then used for latex pressures by Buttery and Boatman (1964, 1966) has been improved and the construction and standardization of bubble manometer gauges for routine field use has been greatly simplified. It is concluded that the back-pressure method in its present state of development provides neither sufficient rapidity nor precision on account of the slow response time. This method does not justify the two operators needed. The requirement for relatively large quantities of escaping latex limits its applications and, in certain instances, pressurization might be incomplete. Nevertheless, it has provided some additional confidence in the accuracy of the other methods because readings can often be repeated many times on a single puncture, which is impossible with a bubble manometer. Also the gauge used is linear and therefore more accurate at high pressures than a bubble manometer. The newly designed Buttery and Boatman gauge requires fewer parts and utilizes standard plastic pippetor tips. These greatly speed and simplify construction of the gauges, which are needed in large numbers as they are essentially disposable. These gauges have proved to be remarkably reliable, even with minimal latex volumes, and have always indicated the highest latex pressures of all methods used at a particular site, suggesting that leakage rates are minimal at the junction between gauge and laticifers. The plastic tip holders facilitate the manual insertion of these delicate gauges into the tree bark. Xylem sap is contaminated by phloem sap if collected from petioles using a pressure bomb. However, this problem can be overcome in stems by bark ringing. Alternatively, the vacuum extraction method can be used which does not seem to suffer from this contamination problem. Several ways have been tested to maximize the reliability of latex serum samples for analysis in a vapour osmometer. Pressure and solute components of water potential can be integrated to give total water potentials. Centrifugation provides the best method to remove rubber particles in Hevea latex : valid osmotic potentials of serum can be made providing appropriate precautions are observed.
Habitat Use and Susceptibility to Predation of Four Prairie Stream Fishes: Implications for Conservation of the Endangered Topeka Shiner

Abstract Local extirpations of the federally endangered Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka) have been linked to the introduction of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). However, because other native minnow species have persisted at these locations, our objective was to test whether Topeka Shiners were more susceptible to predation by Largemouth Bass than other native minnows. We conducted behavioral observations of Topeka Shiners, Red Shiners (Cyprinella lutrensis), Bluntnose Minnows (Pimephales notatus), and Common Shiners (Luxilus cornutus) in an indoor experimental stream, in which we examined the interactive effects of cover and the presence of a predator on longitudinal and lateral position, height in water column, cover use, and activity of these minnows. Significant differences in habitat use and response to bass were observed among species, but there was no evidence to suggest that Topeka Shiners would be more susceptible to predation than other native species. Subsequent experiments in outdoor experimental streams that allowed Largemouth Bass to forage on an assemblage of these four minnows indicated that consumption rates across species were similar, further suggesting that Topeka Shiners were not more susceptible to predation than the other minnows. Although our experiments suggest that Largemouth Bass randomly prey on this guild of minnows, the added mortality and potential indirect effects of this introduced predator likely have negative effects by further reducing the abundance of already rare Topeka Shiners.
Apparent Effects of Light Pollution on Singing Behavior of American Robins

Abstract Astronomers consider light pollution to be a growing problem, however few studies have addressed potential effects of light pollution on wildlife. Sunlight is believed to initiate song in many bird species. If light initiates song, then light pollution may be influencing avian song behavior at a population level. This hypothesis predicts that birds breeding in areas with large amounts of artificial light will begin singing earlier in the day than birds in areas with little artificial light. Birds in highly illuminated areas might begin singing earlier than did birds in those same areas in previous years when artificial light levels were known to be, or were presumably, lower. Also, birds should begin singing earlier within a site on brightly lit nights. In 2002 and 2003 I documented initiation of morning song by breeding American Robins (Turdus migratorius) in areas with differing intensity of artificial nocturnal light. I compared my observations among sites and against historical studies. Robin populations in areas with large amounts of artificial light frequently began their morning chorus during true night. Chorus initiation time, relative to civil twilight, was positively correlated with amount of artificial light present during true night. Robin choruses in areas with little, or presumably little, artificial light have almost never begun during true night, instead appearing to track the onset of civil twilight. Proliferation of artificial nocturnal light may be strongly affecting singing behavior of American Robins at a population level.