Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rhizobacterial mediation of plant hormone status

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are commonly found in the rhizosphere (adjacent to the root surface) and may promote plant growth via several diverse mechanisms, including the production or degradation of the major groups of plant hormones that regulate plant growth and development. Although rhizobacterial production of plant hormones seems relatively widespread (as judged from physico-chemical measurements of hormones in bacterial culture media), evidence continues to accumulate, particularly from seedlings grown under gnotobiotic conditions, that rhizobacteria can modify plant hormone status. Since many rhizobacteria can impact on more than one hormone group, bacterial mutants in hormone production/degradation and plant mutants in hormone sensitivity have been useful to establish the importance of particular signalling pathways. Although plant roots exude many potential substrates for rhizobacterial growth, including plant hormones or their precursors, limited progress has been made in determining whether root hormone efflux can select for particular rhizobacterial traits. Rhizobacterial mediation of plant hormone status not only has local effects on root elongation and architecture, thus mediating water and nutrient capture, but can also affect plant root-to-shoot hormonal signalling that regulates leaf growth and gas exchange. Renewed emphasis on providing sufficient food for a growing world population, while minimising environmental impacts of agriculture because of overuse of fertilisers and irrigation water, will stimulate the commercialisation of rhizobacterial inoculants (including those that alter plant hormone status) to sustain crop growth and yield. Combining rhizobacterial traits (or species) that impact on plant hormone status thereby modifying root architecture (to capture existing soil resources) with traits that make additional resources available (e.g. nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation) may enhance the sustainability of agriculture.
The ways in which fish use estuaries: a refinement and expansion of the guild approach

This study refines, clarifies and, where necessary, expands details of the guild approach developed by Elliott et al. (2007, Fish and Fisheries 8: 241-268) for the ways in which fish use estuaries. The estuarine usage functional group is now considered to comprise four categories, that is, marine, estuarine, diadromous and freshwater, with each containing multiple guilds. Emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the terminology and definitions of the guilds follow a consistent pattern, on highlighting the characteristics that identify the different guilds belonging to the estuarine category and in clarifying issues related to amphidromy. As the widely employed term 'estuarine dependent' has frequently been imprecisely used, the proposal that the species found in estuaries can be regarded as either obligate or facultative users of these systems is supported and considered in the guild context. Thus, for example, species in the five guilds comprising the diadromous category and those in the guilds containing species or populations confined to estuaries are obligate users, whereas those in the marine and freshwater estuarine-opportunistic guilds are facultative users.
The Impact of Website Quality and Reputation on Purchasing Intention Towards
Online Shopping

In today’s scenario online business becoming a strong industry and the consumers have become more rational in decision. Present study investigates about the Impact of website quality and website reputation on Purchase Intention towards online shopping, the sample size chosen was a representation of population from 3 cities Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore and the age group chosen was 18 years to 36 years of age. The individual respondent had been used and 210 respondents were selected to collect data. The results specified that the data is highly reliable with the different values as reported by Cronbach’s Alpha test. Exploratory factor analysis was applied in which 2 factors emerged in website quality, 2 factors emerged in reputation and 2 factors emerged in purchase intention. The Regression analysis concluded and proved that there was a positive significant Impact of independent Variable i.e. website quality and website reputation on dependent variable i.e. purchase intention.
Simulating the effectiveness of three potential management options to slow the spread of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) populations in localized outlier sites

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a devastating, invasive insect pest of ash trees, Fraxinus spp. , in North America. Using a simulation model, we evaluated three potential management options to slow the spread of A. planipennis in discrete outlier sites: (i) removing ash trees to reduce available host phloem resource, (ii) girdling ash trees to attract ovipositing female beetles and destroying the trees before larvae complete devel- opment, and (iii) applying a highly effective systemic insecticide. Simulations indicate that systemic insecticide applica- tions provided the greatest reduction in the radial spread of A. planipennis. In simulations in which management options were applied only within a 300 m radius from the origin of the infestation, insecticide applications reduced the radial spread by 30% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 40% beyond the treated area. In contrast, girdling ash trees re- duced the radial spread by 15% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 20% beyond the treated area. Both of these management options significantly reduced the spread of A. planipennis when treatments were applied 1 to 4 years after in- festations were initiated. Reducing ash phloem by removing ash trees decreased population size within treated areas but did not reduce the radial spread, population size, or larval consumption of ash phloem beyond treated areas. Resume´ : L'agrile du frene, Agrilus plenipennis Fairmaire (coleoptere, buprestides), est un insecte nuisible envahissant qui est devastateur pour le frene, Fraxinus spp. , en Amerique du Nord. Al'aide d'un modele de simulation, nous avons evalue ´
TGF-β and metalloproteinases differentially suppress NKG2D ligand surface expression on malignant glioma cells

NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) are expressed by infected and transformed cells. They transmit danger signals to NKG2D-expressing immune cells, leading to lysis of NKG2DL-expressing cells. We here report that the NKG2DL MHC class I-chain-related molecules A and B (MICA/B) and UL16-binding proteins (ULBP) 1–3 are expressed in human brain tumours in vivo , while expression levels are low or undetectable in normal brain. MICA and ULBP2 expression decrease with increasing WHO grade of malignancy, while MICB and ULBP1 are expressed independently of tumour grade. We further delineate two independent mechanisms that can explain these expression patterns: (i) transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is upregulated during malignant progression and selectively downregulates MICA, ULBP2 and ULBP4 expression, while MICB, ULBP1 and ULBP3 are unaffected. (ii) Cleavage of MICA and ULBP2 is reduced by inhibition of metalloproteinases (MP), whereas no changes in the expression levels of other NKG2DL were detected. Consequently, NKG2DL-dependent NK cell-mediated lysis is enhanced by depletion of TGF-β or inhibition of MP. Thus, escape from NKG2D-mediated immune surveillance of malignant gliomas in vivo may be promoted by the inhibition of MICA and ULBP2 expression via an autocrine TGF-β loop and by MP-dependent shedding from the cell surface. Loss of MICA and ULBP2, in contrast to other NKG2DL, may be particularly important in glioma immune escape, and differential regulation of human NKG2DL expression is part of the immunosuppressive properties of human malignant glioma cells.
Experimental study on the microbial plankton community in a South American wetland (Lower Paraná River Basin) and the effect of the light deficiency due to the floating macrophytes

An experimental study using microcosms was conducted in a South American wetland, Lower ParanaRiver Basin (Argentina), to analyse the structure of the components of the microbial plankton community and the influence of the light deficiency due to floating macrophytes on this community. Two experiments were run under different light conditions; the decrease of the light penetration due to 20 floating macrophytes was simulated using different nylon mesh covers that resembled natural conditions in the lake. These studies revealed that the light deficiency favoured the replacement of obligate autotrophs by mixotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. Abundances of strictly autotrophic algae along the experiments responded to the light gradient, being maximum in the flasks without cover. Heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and ciliates increased in the microcosms, probably 25 favoured by the high food availability (picoplankton) and the lack of their predators (zooplankton). The increase of ciliates was higher in the microcosms with more light. In the first experiment, the picoplankton fraction strongly decreased after 24 h in the flasks that included all their potential predators, thus suggesting a grazing pressure on this fraction. Grazing experiments performed with fluorescent-labelled bacteria (FLB) revealed that two Cryptomonas species, which are frequent in the 30 lake (Cryptomonas erosa and Cryptomonas marssonii), can ingest bacteria.
ANALYSIS OF FIVE SWITCH SEVEN-LEVEL INVERTER WITH MODIFIED SEPIC CONVERTER FOR FUEL CELL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM

─ This paper depicts a single-phase fiveswitch seven-level inverter topology with reduced number of switching devices for Fuel Cell Energy Conversion System (FCECS). The main objective of this topology is that the number of gate driving circuits and semiconductor devices are reduced, and further condenses the size and power consumption making the inverter circuit less complex. An improved characteristic of robustness and efficiency is achieved using Multi-Level Inverter (MLI) topologies with reduced switch count and passive components. This inverter is coupled with Modified Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) structure which is more suitable for extraction of DC power from fuel cell with high voltage gain. This converter structure is also applicable to solar photovoltaic energy system. The single-phase seven-level FCECS is simulated using MATLAB Simulink and experimental result shows the features of the proposed inverter structure with high efficiency and low harmonic distortion. Index Terms─ Modified SEPIC, Multilevel Inverter, Reduced Semiconductor Devices, Fuel Cell, Total Harmonic Distortion.
Nutrient enrichment weakens the stabilizing effect of species richness

With global freshwater biodiversity declining at an even faster rate than in the most disturbed terrestrial ecosystems, understanding the effects of changing environmental conditions on relationships between biodiversity and the variability of community and population processes in aquatic ecosystems is of significant interest. Evidence is accumulating that biodiversity loss results in more variable communities; however, the mechanisms underlying this effect have been the subject of considerable debate. We manipulated species richness and nutrients in outdoor aquatic microcosms composed of naturally occurring assemblages of zooplankton and benthic invertebrates to determine how the relationship between species richness and variability might change under different nutrient conditions. Temporal variability of populations and communities decreased with increasing species richness in low nutrient microcosms. In contrast, we found no relationship between species richness and either population or community variability in nutrient enriched microcosms. Of the different mechanisms we investigated (e.g. overyielding, statistical averaging, insurance effects, and the stabilizing effect of species richness on populations) the only one that was consistent with our results was that increases in species richness led to more stable community abundances through the stabilizing effect of species richness on the component populations. While we cannot conclusively determine the mechanism(s) by which species richness stabilized populations, our results suggest that more complete resource-use in the more species-rich low nutrient communities may have dampened population fluctuations.
PCDD, PCDF, PCB and thiamine in Baltic herring (Clupea harengus L.) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus (L.)) as a background to the M74 syndrome of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Vuorinen, P. J., Parmanne, R. , Vartiainen, T. , Keinanen, M. , Kiviranta, H. , Kotovuori, O. and Halling, F. 2002. PCDD, PCDF, PCB and thiamine in Baltic herring (Clupea harengus L.) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus (L.)) as a background to the M74 syndrome of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar L.). - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 480-496. Baltic herring and sprat were sampled between October 1994 and January 1995 off the southern coast of Finland and around the A r land Islands. From this material fish of 135-159 mm in length, a size class that was assumed to be preferred as prey by Baltic salmon, were selected and grouped according to species, sex and age. Herring were 1-3 years and sprat 3-13 years old. In addition, one group of smaller, two-year-old, female sprat was selected. Thus twenty groups were formed and prepared as whole-fish homogenates. Thiamine was quantified from all homogenates, while female and male sprat and female herring were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). There were no significant differences between sexes within each species in the total thiamine concentrations, but the mean total thiamine concentration in 1 to 3-year-old herring (8.6 nmol g 1 ) was higher than that in 2 to 13-year-old sprat (6.7 nmol g 1 ). The mean-fresh-weight concentrations of total PCBs, coplanar PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were on average 2-3 times higher in 2 to 10-year-old sprat than in 1 to 3-year-old herring of a similar size, although the difference in PCDD concentrations was not significant. In sprat females there were no significant correlations between age or fat content and the fresh-weight concentrations of coplanar PCBs or PCDFs. However, the higher OC concentrations in sprat could be explained both by their higher fat content, with the younger age groups being the most fatty, and by their age, which reflects their slower growth rate. The fat-weight-based total PCB, PCDD, PCDF and coplanar PCB concentrations increased with age in sprat and, after controlling for age, there was a significant positive relationship between the fat content and the fresh-weight- based concentrations of OCs, apart from total PCBs. On a fat-weight basis the concentration of coplanar PCBs was also higher in sprat than in herring. It is concluded that the Baltic salmon is provided with an adequate supply of thiamine, at least for growth, from its two main prey species, Baltic herring and sprat. Further- more, sprat might have been the principal source of organochlorines, particularly coplanar PCBs and PCDFs, for salmon. The concentrations of these compounds were earlier found to have increased in salmon coincidently with the outbreak of the M74 syndrome.
Assessment of the Behavior of Steel-Fiber Reinforced Concrete Produced with Different Ratios of Fine-to-Coarse Aggregate

Aggregate is an important ingredient of concrete that affects both fresh and hardened properties of concrete. The properties of concrete can be enhanced or worsened by changing properties of aggregate, especially particle size distribution of aggregate. However, in the literature, the effects of particle size distribution of aggregate on the properties of concrete have been neglected for particularly Steel-Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) although packing is a very important aspect for SFRC quality. Thus, this study investigates the effects of changing particle size distribution and maximum size (Dmax) of aggregate on the workability and mechanical properties of SFRC. With this aim, three gradations and two Dmax were used to produce SFRC mixtures with constant cement dosages and water/cement ratios. Totally, nine different concrete series were tested. To observe the properties of fresh concrete, Slump and Ve-Be tests were performed. The compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths of concretes were also evaluated, and the toughness of the SFRC specimens was calculated. Based on the test results , it can be concluded that the ratio of fine-to-coarse aggregate, the void content between the aggregate particles and Dmax have remarkable effects on the properties of both fresh and hardened SFRC. In addition, the toughness of the SFRC specimens which has constant cement dosage, and water/cement ratios were influenced by those aspects of the aggregates. INTRODUCTION Approximately 75% of the concrete volume is occupied by aggregates and the aggregate properties greatly influence the performance and quality of the concrete. Lots of parameters related to the aggregates, like chemical and mineral compositions, shape, roughness, degree of weathering, specific gravity, hardness, strength, physical and chemical stability and pore structure have effects on the properties of the concrete. Moreover, particle size distribution (grading/gradation) and the maximum aggregate size (Dmax) significantly influence the fresh and hardened properties of the concrete [Mehta and Monteiro 2006; Meddah et al. 2010]. Grading is the distribution of various sized aggregate particles. The Dmax can vary, but in aggregate composition, particles of different dimensions will be existed. The grading of a given sample means that an aggregate composition is too fine, too coarse or gap-graded aggregate (lacing in a particular aggregate size). In addition, the fineness modulus is used to characterize and evaluate a grading curve with one single parameter. In other words, the higher fineness modulus is, the coarser the aggregate proportion Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies http://www.claisse. info/Proceedings.htm
INHIBITION OF THIOL-CONTAINING ENZYMES IN ERYTHROCYTES OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD

SUMMARY Lead (Pb 2+ ) is thought to enter erythrocytes through anion exchange and to remain in the cell by binding to thiol groups. Creatine kinase (CK) and adenylate kinase (AK) are two thiol-containing enzymes that exert a key role for cellular energy homeostasis in erythrocyte. δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) is the second enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway and plays a role in the pathogenesis of lead poisoning. Our objective was to study the effect of Pb 2+ on the activity of the thiol-enzymes δ-ALAD, CK and AK in erythrocytes from lead-exposed workers. The study sample comprised 22 male lead-exposed workers and 21 normal volunteers. The lead-exposed workers were employed in manufacturing and recycling of automotive batteries. Basic red-cell parameters were assayed and total white blood cell counts were performed. CK, AK and δ-ALAD activities and blood lead concentrations (BPb) were determined in all subjects. Lead-exposed individuals had significantly higher blood lead levels than controls. Both CK and δ-ALAD activity levels were significantly lower in lead-exposed individuals than in controls. Lead had no effect on AK activity. Lead-exposed individuals had lower values than the controls for several red cell parameters. These results indicate an apparent dose-effect relationship between CK, δ-ALAD activity and BPb and that lead inhibits δ-ALAD and CK activity by interacting with their thiol groups. It is therefore possible that lead disrupts energy homeostasis and may be linked with a reduction in energetic metabolism contributing to the cell dysfunction observed in these in lead-exposed individuals.
Endothelial Not Epithelial‐Cell Expression of TNF‐α is Critical for the Development of Shock Induced Acute Lung Injury (ALI): IT vs. IV

While it is clear that many cells in the lung can express/respond to the proximal inflammatory mediator, TNF‐α, in vitro/ex vivo, the cells affected in vivo in a complex pathological state such as hemorrhagic shock (Hem) and sepsis, remain poorly understood. To unravel these pathways, we used divergent routes of TNF‐α siRNA delivery to alternately suppress expression of TNF‐α in lung endothelial and epithelial cells. Initially, fluorescently labeled siRNA were used to assess the cellular targets of i.t. (naked siRNA) vs. i.v. (liposomal encapsulated naked siRNA) delivery. Confocal microscopy of lung tissue sections showed labeled siRNA delivered i.v. , primarily in endothelial cells; while i.t. , delivery showed co‐localization of fluorescence in lung epithelial (cytokeratin 18+) cells. Next siRNA against TNF‐α was administered, i.t. , to C57/BL6 mice at 2‐h post Hem, 24‐h prior to septic challenge. Lung tissue from treated mice showed no significant change in levels of the chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 and keratinocyte derived chemokine, or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) or PMN influx. In contrast, i.v. delivery produced a significant decreased IL‐6 and PMN influx into the lungs. These findings suggest pulmonary endothelial and/or other possible vascular resident cells, not epithelial cells, play a greater role in mediating the TNF‐αresponse in a mouse model of Hem/sepsis induced ALI. (NIH HL‐73525)
A Study of Crisis Management Strategies of Hotel Managers in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

SUMMARY The 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. had a devastating impact on the local hospitality industry, and tested hotel managers' preparedness for crisis management under great uncertainty and time compression. This study examines how hotel general managers handled catastrophic events, analyzes and compares empirically the impact of the terrorist attack on the human and financial aspects of the hotel industry. General managers operating hotels with different affiliations, sizes and in different locations in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area were surveyed to ascertain their crisis management and recovery strategies. The study offers an insight into crisis management strategies as performed by hotel general managers in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area and identifies strategies that can be emulated and formulated into future hotel crisis management plans.
Survival of the rumen bacterium Synergistes jonesii in a herd of Droughtmaster cattle in north Queensland

Droughtmaster steers from the CSIRO Research Station at Lansdown, 50 km south of Townsville, Queensland, were assessed at slaughter for indications of leucaena toxicity and the presence of the 3,4 dihydroxypyridine (DHP)-degrading bacterium Synergistes jonesii. This bacterium had been introduced to the herd 25 years earlier. Absence of clinical signs of ulceration of the oesophagus, absence of DHP in the urine, the presence of normal thyroid glands and the ability of rumen fluid to degrade high levels of mimosine from leucaena shoot tips in vitro all confirmed that these steers had an active bacterial culture capable of degrading mimosine and its degradation products 3,4 and 2,3 DHP. Steers had been away from the Research Station and away from leucaena pastures for long periods but had clearly not lost the bacteria or if they had, they had regained them on return to leucaena pastures on Lansdown. It is postulated that the bacteria may spread via the faeces in cattle yards and remain in the rumen for long periods, even at low levels, in the absence of leucaena in the diet. Reasons other than the effectiveness of the bacterium should be explored to explain the failure of cattle in some Queensland herds to fully degrade 3,4 and 2,3 DHP.