Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric Effect on the Nonlinear Force-Displacement Relationship of Awl-Shaped Serpentine Microsprings for In-Plane Deformation

Even when made by brittle materials, awl-shaped serpentine microsprings (ASSMs) were found to have a nonlinear displacement–force relationship similar to springs made by ductile material. It is found that the nonlinear displacement–force relationship is due to the geometry and dimensions of the ASSMs. The geometric effect of the nonlinear force–displacement relationship of ASSMs for in-plane motion was investigated. A theoretical solution was derived to analyze this nonlinearity. By successfully fabricating and measuring an ASSM, the theoretical results agreed well with the experimental results. The results indicated that ASSMs have a nonlinear force–displacement relationship, which is similar to that of hardening springs. The taper angle has a significant effect on the nonlinear displacement of ASSMs. When the taper angle was small, no obvious effect appeared on the nonlinearity of the microsprings with different numbers of turns. When the beam length increased, the critical force for nonlinear deflection decreased.
Toxicant and parasite challenge of Manz intermittent slow sand filter

Safe potable water is a luxury that is generally unavailable to the majority of rural and suburban populations of developing, underdeveloped, and often developed countries. Important considerations in the development and maintenance of safe water supplies is the availability and use of efficient, inexpensive, and appropriate technology for removing microbial hazards, parasites, and toxicants. The Manz intermittent slow sand filter was known to be user friendly, small enough to fit into the smallest kitchen, and could remove up to 97% of the fecal coliforms present in the raw water before treatment by the Manz filter. This filter was evaluated for its ability to remove parasitic cysts and toxicants as well as bacteria. Using two different filters and two different water supplies our results indicated that the intermittent slow sand filter could remove 83+% total heterotrophic bacterial populations, 100% of Giardia cysts, 99.98% of Cryptosporidium oocysts, and 50–90% of organic and inorganic toxicants when administered in concentrations varying from 10–>100× environmental pollution levels. Methodology details are provided in the paper. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 14: 217–225, 1999
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of the Human Mitochondrial β-Ketoacyl Synthase

A human β-ketoacyl synthase implicated in a mitochondrial pathway for fatty acid synthesis has been identified, cloned, expressed, and characterized. Sequence analysis indicates that the protein is more closely related to freestanding counterparts found in prokaryotes and chloroplasts than it is to the β-ketoacyl synthase domain of the human cytosolic fatty acid synthase. The full-length nuclear-encoded 459-residue protein includes an N-terminal sequence element of ∼38 residues that functions as a mitochondrial targeting sequence. The enzyme can elongate acyl-chains containing 2–14 carbon atoms with malonyl moieties attached in thioester linkage to the human mitochondrial acyl carrier protein and is able to restore growth to the respiratory-deficient yeast mutant cem1 that lacks the endogenous mitochondrial β-ketoacyl synthase and exhibits lowered lipoic acid levels. To date, four components of a putative type II mitochondrial fatty acid synthase pathway have been identified in humans: acyl carrier protein, malonyl transferase, β-ketoacyl synthase, and enoyl reductase. The substrate specificity and complementation data for the β-ketoacyl synthase suggest that, as in plants and fungi, in humans this pathway may play an important role in the generation of octanoyl-acyl carrier protein, the lipoic acid precursor, as well as longer chain fatty acids that are required for optimal mitochondrial function.
Biological and Molecular Characterization of Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from Iran

Summary A total of twelve Newcastle disease virus isolates recovered from different outbreaks in Iran were analyzed for in vivo pathogenicity, biological property and amplification of F cleavage site gene. Intracerebral pathogenicity index varied from 1.7 to 1.96 while the intravenous pathogenicity index was more than 2.0. The mean death time value for all the isolates ranged from 39.6 to 68.8 hours. All the isolates except 2, hemagglutinated bovine erythrocytes whereas only one of the isolates agglutinated the equine erythrocytes. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the F cleavage site gene of all isolates. Based on mean death time the Newcastle disease virus isolates could be placed in mesogenic or velogenic group.
Effect of NaOH Treatment on the Flexural Modulus of Hemp Core Reinforced Composites and on the Intrinsic Flexural Moduli of the Fibers

This paper describes the potential of using hemp core waste in the composite industry. These lignocellulosic residues can be used to produce environmentally friendly and economically viable composites and improve the overall value chain of hemp production. To this purpose, hemp core residues were alkaline treated at different NaOH concentrations and then mechanically defibrated. Hemp core fibers were mixed with polypropylene and injection molded to obtain testing specimens. The effect of sodium hydroxide on the flexural modulus of composites was studied from macro and micro mechanical viewpoints. Results showed remarkable improvements in the flexural modulus due to the presence of hemp core fibers in the composites. At a 50 wt % of reinforcement content, increments around 239%, 250% and 257% were obtained for composites containing fibers treated at a 5, 7.5 and 10 wt % of NaOH, respectively. These results were comparable to those of wood composites, displaying the potential of hemp core residues. The intrinsic flexural modulus of the hemp core fibers was computed by means of micromechanical analysis and was calculated using the ratios between a fiber flexural modulus factor and a fiber tensile modulus factor. The results agreed with those obtained by using models such as Hirsch and Tsai–Pagano. Other micromechanical parameters were studied to fully understand the contribution of the phases. The relationship between the fibers’ intrinsic flexural and Young’s moduli was studied, and the differences between properties were attributed to stress distribution and materials’ anisotropy.
Association of the Sweetpotato Whitefly with a Silverleaf Disorder of Squash

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), was associated with symptoms of a silverleaf disorder of acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cvs. Table King Bush and Table Ace) in cage studies in the greenhouse. Symptoms appeared on un- infested leaves that developed after plants were infested with the whitefly. When the infested lower leaves were removed and the young leaves protected from infestation with insecticides, new growth was asymptomatic or nearly so and symptomatic leaves remained symptomatic. Symptom expression was related more to nymphal density than to adult density since the relationship between log nymph density and symptoms was linear when adult densities were equal.
Development of ZSM-22/Polyethersulfone Membrane for Effective Salt Rejection

ZSM-22/polyethersulfone membranes were prepared for salt rejection using modelled brackish water. The membranes were fabricated via direct ZSM-22 incorporation into a polymer matrix, thereby inducing the water permeability, hydrophilicity and fouling resistance of the pristine polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. A ZSM-22 zeolite material with a 60 Si/Al ratio, high crystallinity and needle-like morphologies was produced and effectively used as a nanoadditive in the development of ZSM-22/PES membranes with nominal loadings of 0–0.75 wt. %. The characterisation and membrane performance evaluation of the resulting materials with XRD, BET, FTIR, TEM, SEM and contact angle as well as dead-end cell, respectively, showed improved water permeability in comparison with the pristine PES membrane. These ZSM-22/PES membranes were found to be more effective and superior in the processing of modelled brackish water. The salt rejection of the prepared membranes for NaCl and MgCl2 was effective, while they exhibited quite improved water flux and flux recovery ratios in the membrane permeability and anti-fouling test. This indicates that different amounts of ZSM-22 nanoadditives produce widely divergent influences on the performance of the pristine PES membrane. As such, over 55% of salt rejection is observed, which means that the obtained membranes are effective in salt removal from water.
MEJORAMIENTO EN Capsicum AL VIRUS DEL MOSAICO DEFORMANTE DEL PIMENTÓN (PEPDMV) IMPROVED OF Capsicum TO "DEFORMING PEPPER MOSAIC VIRUS" (PEPDMV)

In order to incorporate resistance to deforming pepper mosaic virus (PepDMV) in three commercial varieties of Cayenne, Habanero and Tabasco peppers, several crosses were made with PepDMV- resistant pepper lines selected under artificial and field conditions. A total of 36 F1 hybrids obtained from these crosses were self pollinated to produce F2 seed. The F2 plants were planted under greenhouse conditions for mechanically inoculation with the virus. The virus-resistant plants selected in these tests were advanced until the F4 generation. The selected resistant lines have variable levels of capsaicin, and yield potential, but some lines possess commercial fruit types.
The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Isopoda, Aegidae (Crustacea)

The isopod family Aegidae of the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone is monographed. Six genera are present in the region: Aega Leach, 1815 with eight species, Aegapheles gen. nov. with seven species, Aegiochus Bovallius, 1885 with 16, Epulaega gen. nov. with two, Rocinela Leach, 1818 with nine, and Syscenus Harger, 1880 with five species. Thirty-nine of the 45 species are named, including two new species of Aega, two new species of Aegapheles, nine new species of Aegiochus, six new species of Rocinela, and one each of Epulaega gen. nov. and Syscenus; all but seven species are new records for the New Zealand marine fauna. Sixteen of the named species, approximately 40%, are endemic, but that figure is likely to drop, as many other large species are known to have extended distributions. Three species are removed from the New Zealand fauna: Aega novizealandiae Dana, 1853 and Aega cyclops Haswell, 1881 are regarded as nomina dubia and or misidentifications; Rocinela orientalis Schioedte & Meinert, 1879b is regarded as an uncorroborated record. The Barybrotidae is reinstated to family rank. A phylogenetic analysis of Aega was conducted using PAUP*, and a new generic classification is proposed, with Aegiochus Bovallius, 1885 revalidated, the subgenus Rhamphion Brusca, 1983 placed in synonymy with Aegiochus, and two new genera, Aegapheles gen. nov. and Epulaega gen. nov., described. To allow clear characterisation of certain New Zealand species, it was necessary to partially redescribe some Southern Ocean species: Aegiochus crozetensis (Kussakin & Vasina, 1982), Aegiochus uschakovi (Kussakin, 1967), and Aega punctulata Miers, 1881; descriptive notes and figures are also provided for Aega angustata Whitelegge, 1901, Aegiochus plebeia (Hansen, 1895) and Syscenus intermedius Richardson, 1910. Supplementary description and figures are given for the Antarctic species Aegiochus antarctica (Hodgson, 1910) and Aegiochus glacialis (Tattersall, 1921). Placed in synonymy are: Aega edwardsii Dollfus, 1891 (= A. punctulata), Aega giganteoculata Nunomura, 1988 (= Aegiochus vigilans (Haswell, 1881)), Aega koltuni Kussakin, 1967 (= Aegiochus antarctica (Hodgson, 1910)) and Syscenus pacificus Nunomura, 1981 (= Syscenus latus Richardson, 1909); Aega tumida Nunomura, 1988 is considered to be indistinguishable from Aegiochus spongiophila (Semper, 1867). Species brought out of synonymy are: Aega punctulata Miers, 1881 and Aega urotoma Barnard, 1914. Keys are provided to the marine genera and to the named New Zealand species.
Importance of Alternative Predators of Pear Suckers (Cacopsylla Pyri) in Organic Versus IPM Pear Orchards

Pear suckers (Cacopsylla sp. or pear psylla) are widely considered to be the most important pest in pear orchards. Sustainable control of pear psylla relies on their natural suppression by beneficial arthropods and a well-tuned integration of crop protection treatments. Predatory bugs (Anthocoris sp.) are efficient predators of pear suckers, playing a crucial role in the control of pear psylla summer generations. However, their poor presence early and late in the season and their high mobility makes it difficult for growers to build up persistent predatory bug populations in their orchards to efficiently control pear psylla the whole season. Therefore, we investigated alternative natural enemies which potentially play an important role in the suppression of pear psylla, especially during early spring and autumn. To this end, a large-scale monitoring study was executed comprising extensive samplings throughout the year in fourteen pear orchards, and comparing psylla as well as beneficial fauna population developments between organic and IPM pear orchards. Organic orchards clearly displayed a lower pear psylla pressure correlating with higher proportions of specific predator populations, in particularly velvet mite (Trombidiidae) and spider (Araneae) populations. In addition, predation of C. pyri was verified by PCR-based gut content analysis. The outcome was analyzed in light of different treatment schedules, providing insights in potential side-effects of crop protection treatments on the composition of beneficial fauna in pear orchards.
The Effect of Saponin Consumption on Cholesterol Metabolism in Wistar Albino Rats

The effect of saponin on total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, free fatty acids and body weight changes were investigated in male Wistar albino rats. Three groups of six male Wistar albino rats each were placed on a 21-days diet supplementation. The control group was given 60g of normal grower's mash daily and the experimental groups were fed 60g of feed containing a mixture of the mash and soya bean flour (10g and 20g of flour respectively on daily basis. Water was given ad labium to the animals. The animals were sacrificed on the last day of feeding experiment and results show non significant (P 0.05) relative to the control. The study showed the cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol lowering effects of saponin in Wistar albino rats with no corresponding change in plasma free fatty acids hence saponin could be utilized in therapeutic management of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Notes on the status of Kuhl's Lorikeet Vini kuhlii in the Northern Line Islands, Kiribati

Summary Kuhl's Lorikeet Vini kuhlii has a precarious status reflected by its disjunct distribution in the Pacific, with surviving populations in the Northern Line (Kiribati) and Austral Islands (French Polynesia) some 3,000 km apart, possibly as a result of Polynesian trade in red feathers. The species is extinct in the southern Cook Islands. On Rimatara (Austral Islands), where it is believed indigenous, it is still common but the recent introduction of the Rattus norvegicus is of concern. In the Northern Line Islands, R. rattus appears to have all but extirpated the lorikeet on Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), but one small population has apparently survived for over 70 years, an explanation for which may guide in situ conservation of Vini lorikeets on ship-rat-infested islands elsewhere. The arid and unpredictable climate of Kiritimati (Christmas Island) may preclude the establishment of lorikeets. Only on Teraina (Washington Island), where over 1,000 V. kuhlii survive, are there no confirmed threats and good in situ conservation potential.
PLAT2010 Conference Abstracts

In order for students to take control of their learning and in effect become self-regulated learners they need to understand what good performance is, be able to judge accurately how their performance compares to good performance, and understand what they need to do to improve performance. Higher-achieving students are more likely to engage actively in and self-regulate their learning, but we argue that even ‘at risk’ students have the potential to become self-regulated learners. However, anecdotal and research evidence has indicated that lowand high-performing students differ in their capacity to understand the requirements of assessment within academic tasks. This discrepancy has been attributed to differences in motivation but also in cognitive processing, in that poorer-performing students have difficulty in understanding and objectively applying set criteria to their own work. Consequently, an understanding of assessment criteria and student cognitive processing is important for aiding students in their course performance. This project investigated differences in ability to understand and apply assessment criteria among a cohort of final-year psychology students within the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. The aim in this field study was to assess differences in the cognitive grasp of performance measurement between students with high academic ability and students with relatively lower academic ability. In particular, the project examined students’ capacity to reflect upon and assess their own and other students’ work against set marking criteria. Specifically, the hypothesis was that weaker-performing students were more generous or tended to grade themselves higher in comparison to stronger-performing students. Participants included 64 third(and final-) year psychology students, 52 females and 12 males, completing the core unit History and Theories of Psychology within the Bachelor of Psychology degree. Results indicated that higher-performing students were significantly more accurate in predicting their academic performance than lower-performing students.
New Short Splice Variants of the Human Cardiac Cavβ2 Subunit

Two new short splice variants of the Ca2+ channel β2 subunit were cloned from human heart poly(A)(+) mRNA. The 410-amino acid β2f subunit is encoded by exons 1A, 2A, 3, 4, 12, 13, and 14 of the human Cavβ2 gene and lacks the protein kinase A phosphorylation site, the β-interaction domain (De Waard, M., Pragnell, M., and Campbell, K. P. (1994) Neuron 13, 495–503), 40% of the β-SH3 domain, and 73% of the guanylate kinase domain of the putative membrane-associated guanylate kinases module (McGee, A. W., Nunziato, D. A., Maltez, J. M., Prehoda, K. E., Pitt, G. S., and Bredt, D. S. (2004) Neuron 42, 89–99), and helix α3 of the α1-subunit binding pocket (Van Petegem F., Clark, K. A., Chatelain, F. C., and Minor, D. L., Jr. (2004) Nature 429, 671–675). The β2g transcript has two potential initiation codons. With the second ATG codon, it generates the 164-amino acid β2Δg subunit encoded essentially by the distal part of exon 14, and thus β2Δg completely lacks any of the above motifs. Immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed stable association of β2f and β2Δg with the α1C subunit. The plasma membrane localization of β2f and β2Δg was substantially increased by co-expression of the α1C,77 and α2δ subunits. In COS1 cells, β2f and β2Δg increased plasma membrane targeting of the pore-forming α1C subunit and differentially facilitated (β2f > β2Δg) the voltage gating of otherwise silent Cav1.2 channels. We conclude that it is unlikely that the β-interaction domain, membrane-associated guanylate kinases module, and the α1-subunit binding pocket helix α3 are essential for the interaction of the α1C and β2 subunits and suggest that in addition to the α1-subunit binding pocket helices α5 and α8, a yet unresolved C-terminal β2 region plays a crucial role.
Bumblebee Foraging Responses to Variation in Floral Scent and Color in Snapdragons (Antirrhinum: Scrophulariaceae)

Abstract We examined the roles of floral scent and color in attracting bumblebees (Bombus spp.) to snapdragon flowers (Antirrhinum, Sonnet cultivar). Corolla color differences covaried with differences in floral scent emissions in two inbred lines of snapdragon. White-flowered plants emitted methyl cinnamate, a scent compound not produced by yellow flowered plants, but lacked methyl benzoate, one of the major floral volatiles of the yellow-flowered line. Qualitative scent differences between the two lines were eliminated by applying the complementary scent compounds to filter paper wicks placed within the corollas. Laboratory analyses were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to verify appropriate modification of floral scents by this method. Two randomized arrays of control and scent-augmented flowers were visited by freely-foraging bumblebees in subalpine meadows in Colorado. Overall, yellow-flowered plants received more pollinator visits and had more flowers foraged per plant visit than did white-flowered plants. The addition of sweet-smelling methyl benzoate or spicy methyl cinnamate neither stimulated nor deterred bumblebee visits to either flower color.
Synthesis and Antifungal Potential of Fe (III) Complexes of 2-Hydroxy-1 -naphthalanilines

Refluxing of 2-hydroxy-1 -naphthalanilines (Ia-VIa) with FeCl3 resulted in the formatton of fespecttve iion complexes (Ib-VIb). On the basis of analytical data and IR studies, a 1:3 metal lo llgand stoichiometry has been suggested. The complexes (Ib-Vlb) along with the precursor naphthalanilines were screened for antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and dolletotrichum capsici by spore germination onhibition method. It has been observed that complexation with iron enhances the antifungal potential of the parent compounds manifold.
Evaluation of pea screenings and canola meal as a supplementary protein source in barley-based diets fed to growing-finishing pigs

The effects of substituting canola meal (CM) and ground pea screenings (PM) for soybean meal (SBM) in barley (B)-based diets were determined with a factorial design using 60 male castrates (3 pen−1) over the period 25–97-kg average liveweight. The five mash diets (B/SBM, with 15% SBM; B/CM, with 18.7% CM; B/CMp, with 12.4% CM + 14.1% PM; B/PMc, with 6.1% CM + 28.3% PM; and B/PM, with 42.5% PM) contained 2.4% supplement (minerals and vitamins) and were fed ad libitum. Growth rate (821, 845, 850, 880 and 812 g d−1, respectively, P 0.10). Compared with the SBM-fed pigs, using CM reduced the dressing percent, carcass grade, apparent digestibility of energy and nitrogen but increased liver weight (P < 0.01). The B/PM diet may have been deficient in isoleucine for pigs in the initial weeks, but subsequent performance was not impaired. Compared with B/CM-fed pigs, B/PM pigs had higher carcass grades .
Mass turnover and heterochrony events in response to physical change

Abstract The thoughts and writings of Stephen Jay Gould have had an enormous impact on the shaping of macroevolutionary theory. The notion of punctuated equilibria (Eldredge and Gould 1972) remained prominent throughout his work. It also unleashed a storm of debate in paleontology and evolutionary theory. A second theme that recurs throughout Gould's opus is heterochrony (evolution by changes in the rates and timing of ontogenetic events, sensu Gould 1977a). His analyses of these two subjects have inspired many of us to explore further and add to them. My contribution discusses their expansion to encompass large numbers of lineages through long time, and the relationship of punctuated equilibria and heterochrony to physical environmental change, and to each other.