Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Small GTPase Rac3 Interacts with the Integrin-binding Protein CIB and Promotes Integrin αIIbβ3-mediated Adhesion and Spreading*

There are only three human isoforms of the small GTPase Rac, which together regulate a variety of cellular processes, including those related to actin cytoskeletal reorganization. A role for Rac3 in integrin-mediated adhesion and spreading has not been defined. We here report that CIB, a protein that binds to the αIIbβ3 fibrinogen receptor, interacts exclusively with activated (V12) Rac3 but not Rac1 or Rac2. Binding of V12Rac3 to CIB was mediated by the C-terminal end of Rac3 and by Rac3 membrane localization. Adhesion of cells on fibrinogen was accompanied by a specific increase in the levels of Rac3 but not Rac1 or Rac2 in the Triton-insoluble fraction of the cell. Also, CIB co-localized with active Rac3 to the periphery of cells adhering to fibrinogen. Expression of V12Rac3 and CIB stimulated αIIbβ3-mediated adhesion and spreading on fibrinogen. Moreover, adhesion through αIIbβ3 caused a marked increase in the levels of endogenous GTP-bound Rac3 but not Rac1. These combined results strongly implicate Rac3 and CIB in integrin-associated cytoskeletal reorganization during αIIbβ3-mediated adhesion.
The Role of Peripheral Metabolism in Androgen Action

The studies of Siiteri, MacDonald, and their col­ leagues 3 have emphasized the importance of the peripheral aromatization of androstenedione (A) and testosterone (T) to estrone (E2) and estradiol (E2) as a source of estrogen in both preand post­ menopausal women. Studies revealed a correlation between obesity and the percent conversion of A to E1, suggesting that adipose tissue may be an important site for this conversion. Age was also found to correlate with the conversion of A to E1, and postmenopausal obese women were found to have a higher percent conversion than premeno­ pausal women with similar degrees of obesity. Direct evidence that adipose tissue contains the enzymes to convert A and T to E1 and E2 has been documented by several laboratories using homogenates of subcutaneous adipose tissue. In vivo studies by Longcope and associates using a forearm perfusion technique suggested that muscle as well as adipose tissue was an important site of aromatase activity. These authors found very little aromatization in splanchnic tissue. The aroma­ tization of androgens which takes place in potential target tissues such as breast, endometrium, and hair follicles raises interesting questions re­ garding the biologic role of this locally formed es­ trogen in the growth and development of normal tissue or in the transformation of normal tissue to pathologic states, such as benign breast disease or endometrial hyperplasia.
Stable isotopic composition of otoliths in identification of spawning stocks of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) in Puget Sound

Otoliths of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) were collected from Puget Sound, Washington, and were analysed for oxygen and carbon isotope ratios (δ18O and δ13C). It was expected that if adult herring spawn at different localities with different δ18O and δ13C values, these isotope variations would constitute a natural tag that can be used to distinguish the herring spawning stocks. For a test project, we took aragonite powder samples from the surface of otolith nuclei and the second summer otolith rings, respectively. Isotopic composition of otolith nuclei from the Georgia Strait had lowest isotope values (from 8.2 to 2.0 VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) in δ18O and 6.8 to 3.9 VPDB in δ13C), significantly different from those collected from two southern Puget Sound spawning grounds (from 3.9 to 0.9 VPDB in δ18O and 5.6 to 2.0 VPDB in δ13C). This isotopic identification is consistent with the biological observation and the actual sample collection. Stable isotopic information extracted from th.
Daily variation of carbon flux in soils of Populus euphratica forests in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River

In order to lucubrate the daily variation of respiration in soils of Populus euphratica forests and analyze its relationship with environmental factors in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River, the LI-8100 instrument of soil CO2 flux system was used to measure the parameters of soil carbon flux and air temperature 10 cm above ground surface along the profiles of Usyman, Archy River, Yengisu and Karday and the relationships between the soil carbon flux and the soil moisture content were analyzed. The nonlinear regression analysis was carried out with the software SPSS13. 0. We observed that: (1) soil respiration began to be restrained when the air temperature was up to 30°C 10 cm above the ground surface; (2) the rates of soil respiration under the forests of Populus euphratica were significantly different at various moisture contents, the soil carbon flux was high along the Usyman profile, which has a high soil moisture content, and it was low along the profiles of Archy River, Yengisu and Karda.
Intergeneric hybridization between Taeniatherum and different genera of Triticeae, Poaceae

Intergeneric crosses were carried out between the 3 subspecies of Taeniatherum caput-medusae (2x) and 30 different species (33 different cytotypes) representing 11 genera of the Triticeae. Seed set was obtained in 15 combinations, but only 6 of them resulted in adult plants. In the combination with Hordeum bulbosum (2x), a haploid of T. caput-medusae was obtained as a result of selective elimination of the H. bulbosum chromosomes. All other hybrid plants were morphologically intermediate between the parents. They were highly sterile with low pollen fertility caused by very low chromosome pairing at meiosis and without any seed set. The few hybrid plants obtained and the lack of pairing at meiosis support that Taeniatherum is a distinct genus within the Triticeae.
Effects of Prelay Supplementations of Graded Levels of Alphamune R G on the Performance of Laying Hens

This study was carried out to determine the effects of age at prelay (15 and 19 weeks) and dietary supplementation of graded levels of Alphamune G (0.00, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06%) on laying performance of pullet chickens. The experiment period was 17 weeks and completely randomized design was employed. Feed intake, nutrient retention, weight gain and feed to gain ratio values were similar (p > 0.05) among birds fed the different dietary inclusion levels of Alphamune G. Hen day production, Haugh unit and Albumen height were significantly high (p < 0.05) for laying hens of fed the control diet. There was also interaction effect of Alphamune G and Age. The interaction of Alphamune G and Age gave the highest value in laying hens of group B fed the 0.05% diet when compared to the control. However, birds fed the 0.06% Alphamune G inclusion level gave the best result in terms of Production characteristics, Cost to benefit ratio expressed as Cost of feed to produce a Dozen Egg and Egg Quality. Also birds of group B gave better results than that of group A except in the Haugh unit value.
Differential Glycosylation Regulates Processing of Lipoprotein Receptors by γ-Secretase*

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) belongs to a growing number of cell surface proteins that undergo regulated proteolytic processing that culminates in the release of their intracellular domain (ICD) by the intramembranous protease γ-secretase. Here we show that LRP1 is differentially glycosylated in a tissue-specific manner and that carbohydrate addition reduces proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain and, concomitantly, ICD release. The apolipoprotein E (apoE) receptor-2 (apoER2), another member of the LDL receptor family with functions in cellular signal transmission, also undergoes sequential proteolytic processing, resulting in intracellular domain release into the cytoplasm. The penultimate processing step also involves cleavage of the apoER2 extracellular domain. The rate at which this cleavage step occurs is determined by the glycosylation state of the receptor, which in turn is regulated by the alternative splicing of an exon encoding several O-linked sugar attachment sites. These findings suggest a role for differential and tissue-specific glycosylation as a physiological switch that modulates the diverse biological functions of these receptors in a cell-type specific manner.
In Vitro Synthesis of Peptidoglycan by β-Lactam-Sensitive and -Resistant Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Effects of β-Lactam and Other Antibiotics

The synthesis in vitro of peptidoglycan by Neisseria gonorrhoeae was studied in organisms made permeable to nucleotide precursors by treatment with ether. Optimum synthesis occurred at 30°C in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-maleate buffer (0.05 M; pH 6) in the presence of 20 mM Mg2+. The incorporation from uridine 5′-diphosphate-N-acetyl-[14C]glucosamine into peptidoglycan, measured after precipitation of the cells with trichloroacetic acid, was sensitive to the β-lactam antibiotics, bacitracin, diumycin, and tunicamycin and relatively resistant to spectinomycin and tetracycline. Differences in sensitivity between preparations from a β-lactamase producer and a laboratory segregant derived from it were not great. Synthesized peptidoglycan was also fractionated into sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble and -insoluble portions. β-Lactam antibiotics at concentrations equivalent to the minimal inhibitory concentrations for growth of the organisms did not inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis, but rather caused a small enhancement. At higher concentrations, above about 0.5 μg/ml, incorporation into sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble material was progressively inhibited, whereas the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble product increased greatly, more than compensating for the loss of the precipitable fraction. Similar observations were made with three strains, and also with the β-lactam clavulanic acid, normally considered as a β-lactamase inhibitor rather than as itself an effective antibiotic.
Tail breakage frequency as an indicator of predation risk for the aquatic snake Natrix maura

It is difficult to measure predation risk for secretive animals such as snakes. The frequency of tail breakage has been suggested as a parameter for measuring predation risk in these reptiles. Consequently, we hypothesise that tail breakage frequency is expected to vary intraspecifically between populations submitted to different numbers of predators, probably, to different predation risk. The colubrid snake Natrix maura has adapted to living on fish farms, which are protected from aerial predators by wire mesh, so that these farms provide researchers with a predator-exclusion scenario. We measured tail breakage frequency in this snake on a fish farm and compared the results with data from three populations in natural settings in the Iberian Peninsula under assumed higher predation risk from a complete community of predators. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that snake body size and predator exclusion affected the probability of tail breakage, while sex had no effect. We found an ontogenetic increase in the frequency of tail breakage, a general pattern in snakes and, notably, marked differences between populations according to predation risk: snakes from the fish farm showed a low frequency of tail breakage (5.1%), whereas snakes from natural habitats, with five-fold more potential predators on average, demonstrated a higher frequency of tail breakage (18.7%). We conclude that tail breakage frequency is a reliable indicator of predation risk in this aquatic snake.
BUSHLAND MODIFICATION AND STYLES OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT : THEIR EFFECTS ON BIRDS IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

Variation in bird assemblages associated with forest clearing and urbanisation in the greater Brisbane area was assessed by counting birds in sites within six habitat categories: large remnants, small remnants, no- understorey remnants, canopy suburbs (original trees present), planted suburbs, and bare suburbs. Total bird abundance and species richness were generally highest in canopy suburbs. Individual species showed many significant abundance differences among the habitat types, and were classified into three major response categories: bushland species (3 in summer, 13 in winter), tolerant species (13 in summer, 13 in winter), and suburban species (12 in summer, 11 in winter). The commonly proposed notion that urbanisation results in lowered bird species richness and increases in introduced species is broadly consistent with the observed differences between bare suburbs and large remnants. However, it does not adequately describe the situation in the planted and canopy suburbs, where there was high species richness and extremely high abundance of some native species (including noisy miners, lorikeets, friarbirds, and butcherbirds) but low abundance of a majority of the species common in the original habitats (including fantails, wrens, whistlers, and other small insectivores). Retained forest remnants are essential for the latter group. Urban plantings of prolifically flowering native species do not reverse the effects of deforestation, but promote a distinctive group of common native suburban bird species. Origins of the urban bird assemblage are discussed.
Comparison of two instruments (G2 Tenderometer and a Lloyd Texture analyser) for measuring the shear force of cooked meat

A comparison of the peak shear force results for a Lloyd texture analyser and a G2 Tenderometer was undertaken using both sheep and beef meat. The G2 is a new version of the Tenderometer developed originally by the Meat Industry Research Institute of New Zealand and uses an electric linear motor to compress the sample, but still retains the blunt wedge-shaped ‘tooth’. By comparison the Lloyd texture analyser can be used with a shearing head derived from the Warner–Bratzler type of head. Analysis of sheep samples (n = 148) and beef samples (n = 192) of the same size revealed that the average G2 Tenderometer shear force results were ~1.3 times those for the Lloyd when testing less tender samples. An examination of the repeatability within cook block samples for these less tender sub-samples revealed a coefficient of variation of ~12% for both the Lloyd and Tenderometer instruments. For the more tender samples, the average results for the two instruments did not differ significantly, but for less tender samples it was observed that the results for the Tenderometer were more variable than those for the Lloyd texture analyser. Data on shear force generated by the G2 are not equivalent to that generated by the Lloyd and use of the G2 requires more replicates to be tested per sample to achieve an equivalent level of precision to that of a Lloyd texture analyser. As a guide only, G2 Tenderometer values can by multiplied by 0.75–0.80 to give approximate Lloyd results if required for samples of average toughness, otherwise the following model can be used Lloyd = 2.49 Tenderometer0.72.
Studies on the inflorescence of wild oats (Avena fatua)

Some observations and experiments were carried out on inflorescences of wild oats, Avenafatua L. (Poaceae). Results of these studies indicate that the distal spikelets are initiated and mature earlier than those in the proximal positions. In each spikelet, the primary floret matures earlier than the secondary floret. However, the less mature secondary floret drops from the spikelet sooner. The awn in mature florets is geniculate and shows a characteristic twisting movement depending on the availability of moisture in the atmosphere. The movement of awns results in periodic dislodging of mature florets from spikelets. The basipetal maturity of spikelets in the panicle, the acropetal maturity of florets in each spikelet, and the premature separation of florets aided by the awn movement produce caryopses of variable maturity and are of considerable significance in the reproductive biology of wild oats.
Phase determination from direct sequencing of length‐variable DNA regions

For diploid organisms, haplotype determination usually requires sequencing cloned polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products or comparing the genotypes of several individuals. We found out that phase could be reconstructed from direct sequencing of mixed PCR products by combining for each individual the complementary information contained in its forward and reverse chromatograms, provided these products had different lengths. When applied to the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from corals of the genus Pocillopora, this new method allowed us to identify two dominant sequence types in some specimens; however, sequencing cloned PCR products from the same specimens yielded more variants, including possible PCR-generated recombination artifacts.
Bat road casualties and factors determining their number

Abstract This paper examines 167 records of 14 bat species killed on roads in Poland. Regional differences in the species composition of road traffic accident records resulted from differences in the structure of local bat faunas. Young-of-the-year individuals (ind.) were killed significantly more often than adults. The highest mortality occurred in August and in the first half of September during intense dispersal of young bats. The highest incidence of road casualties was noted in places where roads crossed bat flyways, especially at junctions with forest edges and tree alleys. The rate of mortality depended on the habitat. It was highest where roads approached tree stands (up to 6.8 ind./km/year) or crossed a forest (2.7 ind./km/year) and lowest within densely built-up areas of Warsaw (0.3 ind./km/year). The mean was 1.5 ind. /km/year in an 8-km section of a road near Warsaw. Road mortality depended on the hunting strategy of bats, in particular on the height of their flight. Road casualties were frequent for the low-flying gleaner, Myotis daubentonii (39.5% of the records), but rare for the high-flying aerial hawker, Nyctalus noctula (1.9%).
Plant resistance and nuclear polyhedrosis virus for suppression of the fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The susceptibility of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae to nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) was studied in relation to host plant resistance in corn, Zea mays L. In laboratory tests, freeze-dried silks of resistant (Zapalote Chico) and susceptible (Stowell's Evergreen) corn lines were incorporated into artificial diets. Larvae treated with the virus before they were held individually on the test diets showed significantly higher mortality due to NPV on the diet containing resistant silks than on the diet containing susceptible silks. When larvae were fed on test diets for 6 days before they were treated with the virus, the larvae grew larger and were less susceptible to the NPV on the diet containing susceptible silks than on the diet containing resistant silks. In a field test comparing five lines of corn with a spectrum of leaf-feeding resistance to fall armyworm, larvae growing on the most susceptible line had the lowest mortality due to NPV. Thus, the susceptibility of fall armyworm larvae to NPV was inversely related to the growth and vigor of the larvae, which was directly related to the susceptibility of the host plant. Therefore, the fall armyworm NPV should be more effective when used on resistant lines of corn than on susceptible lines.
Selection response for molecular markers associated with anthocyanin coloration and low-temperature growth traits in crested wheatgrasses

Hycrest is an outcrossing tetraploid cultivar of crested wheatgrass developed from a hybrid between an induced tetraploid form of Fairway (Agropyron cristatum) and natural tetraploid Standard (A. desertorum). The CD-II cultivar was selected from cv. Hycrest on the basis of vigorous vegetative growth and green leaf coloration during early spring. This study examines the selection response of molecular markers associated with anthocyanin coloration (AC), growth habit (GH) and other traits in Hycrest, CD-II, and two second-generation polycross (PX2) populations derived from three purple-leaf selections and three green-leaf selections of Hycrest. AC was positively correlated with prostrate GH and inversely correlated with plant height and leaf width in the experimental PX2 populations. Of the 578 AFLP markers surveyed, 13 showed pleiotropic effects on GH and AC in the PX2 populations. In all cases, marker alleles associated with prostrate GH also enhanced AC. Four of these 13 markers also showed large selecti.
Combination of Mating Disruption and Granulosis Virus for Control of Codling Moth in Bulgaria

An application of mating disruption by use of Ecodian CP dispensers (ISAGRO, Italy) in combination with the granulosis virus product Carpovirusine 2000 (Arysta LifeScience, France) against Codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella, was tested near Plovdiv, Central South Bulgaria. In 2007, the method was applied in an orchard where in the previous year fruit damage reached 18.7% and the CM population was high, as indicated by 3.83 diapausing larvae per tree. Carpovirusine was applied 11 times in the trial plot in combination with Ecodian CP dispensers installed twice during the season. Before harvest, fruit damage in the trial plot amounted to 0.9% and the overwintering population in autumn 2007 was only 0.46 larvae per tree. At the same time in the reference orchard, where 15 insec- ticide treatments were applied during the season, fruit damage before harvest reached 12.3% and the hibernating population was 7.97 larvae per tree. So, it has been confirmed that combination of both methods might be an effective tool for control of codling moth in the orchards with high population density and resistance to conventional insecticides. This study is being continued.
Feasibility of Ultrafiltration for Standardizing Protein in Milk

Abstract In the future the worldwide dairy industry will need more sophisticated standardization of market milk, protein standardization, along with the fat standardization which has been carried out in many countries for years. For many reasons, the standardization of protein content similar to that of fat content seems justified. Such action calls, however, for the establishment of standards of identity which could be a further elaboration of the universally accepted Code of Principles. Establishing such a standard is a major challenge which the dairy industry in all countries will have to meet, and the sooner negotiations are started the better. The naturally occurring variations in composition are known well; the possible modifications are beyond computation. Experiments show that ultrafiltration is a feasible method for standardizing protein content in milk. Protein adjustments by ultrafiltration are possible over a relatively broad range without detectable organoleptic consequences. We estimate that for whole milk (3.5% fat) the protein can vary from 1.5% to more than 6.5%; for half-skimmed milk (1.5 to 1.8% fat) from 1.75% to 6.5%, and for skim milk from 3.1% to 6.4%. This leaves a broad field for technological exploitation and regulatory decisions. The producers of ultrafiltration equipment believe that satisfactory industrial scale set ups are at hand, although some details need further improvement, especially automatic control systems. No technical obstacle seems to prevent the use of this technology. The major problem in standardizing the protein content of milk seems to be political.
Variability in the distribution of photoassimilates along leaves of temperate Gramineae

SUMMARY Gradients of photoassimilates were determined at various positions along the length of mature leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Lolium temulentum L. Attached leaves showed greater accumulation in the tip region. This distribution was reversed in excised leaves illuminated uniformly on the adaxial surface. Internal transport of assimilate was detected both by sub-dividing excised leaves prior to illumination and by the administration of 14CO2 to the tips. The results are discussed in terms of the heterogeneity likely to occur in bulk extracts of leaf tissue and the ability of environmental perturbations to alter the balance of assimilates within leaves as well as their overall concentrations.