Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a narrow hybrid zone between two subspecies of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata, Asteraceae): VII. Community and demographic analyses

We examined the floristic and vegetative composition of the communities inhabited by basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata) and mountain big sagebrush (A. t. ssp. vaseyana) and their hybrids in Clear Creek Canyon near Richfield, Utah. We also examined the demographic structure of the sagebrush populations in their native habitats. The species composition, proportions of annual plants, perennial forbs and grasses, shrubs, rock, litter, bare ground and total vegetative cover differ among the parental sites and hybrid zone. Canonical correspondence analysis and ordination showed that the two big sagebrush subspecies and their hybrids are each associated with different groups of species, and occupy edaphically distinct habitats. Thus, the hybrid zone occurs at an ecotone. Moreover, the hybrid zone is not in a more disturbed habitat than the parental zones. Indeed, annuals comprise a significantly smaller fraction of the total vegetation in the hybrid zone than in either parental zone. Similarly, introduced species represent a significantly greater percentage of the plant cover in the parental areas than in the hybrid zone. We did not observe a population density trough as predicted by the dynamic equilibrium model. Our findings are consistent with the predictions of the bounded hybrid superiority model, which postulates that hybrids occupy unique habitats.
Effects of Water Temperature on Bluefin Tuna Spawning Biology in Captivity

*1 Abstract Effects of water temperature on the periodicity of spawning, egg size, and spawning time were examined for the bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis in captivity. Spawning of bluefin tuna was observed for the period between May 13 and November 10, which is a longer spawning duration than the previous reports for bluefin. The spawning pattern suggested that the initiation and duration of spawning are affected by a rapid change of water temperature (WT) from 23 ℃before spawning. The quick increase in the WT from 23 ℃induces early spawning and it continues for a longer duration. Mean egg diameter ranged from 0.90~1.06 mm and the minimum egg size was 0.83 mm. There was a strong inverse relationship between egg diameter and WT. In this study spawning was observed between 17:31-23:36. Spawning of bluefin as late as 23:30 has not been reported in past studies. A strong correlation between WT and spawning time was observed (as WT increased the time of spawning became later). In this study, it was apparent that water temperature strongly influenced the periodicity of spawning, egg size, and spawning time of bluefin. This information could be vital for managing broodstock of bluefin tuna.
Evaluating the Volatility of Market Risk of Vietnam Construction Industry After the Low Inflation Period 2015-2017

The Vietnam economy has gained lots of achievements after the financial crisis 2007-2011, until it reached a low inflation rate of 0.6% in 2015. This paper measures the volatility of market risk in Viet Nam construction industry after this period (2015-2017). The main reason is the vital role of the construction company group in Vietnam in the economic development and growth in recent years always go with risk potential and risk control policies. This research paper aims to figure out how much increase or decrease in the market risk of Vietnam construction firms during the post-low inflation period 2015-2017. First, by using quantitative combined with comparative data analysis method, we find out the risk level measured by equity beta mean in the construction industry is acceptable, i.e. it is little lower than (<) 1. Then, one of its major findings is the comparison between risk levels of construction industry during the financial crisis 2007-2009 compared to those in the post-low inflation time 2015-2017. In fact, the research findings show us market risk fluctuation, measured by equity beta var, during the post-low inflation time has increased moderately. Finally, this paper provides some ideas that could provide companies and government more evidence in establishing their policies in governance. This is the complex task but the research results shows us warning that the market risk volatility might be higher during the post-low inflation period 2015-2017. And our conclusion part will recommend some policies and plans to deal with it.
Structural Investigation of FtsK and Close Homologs

FtsK is an integral membrane DNA translocase of the Fts family found within Escherichia coli and with close homologs across many bacterial species. Some of those homologs (Tra family) are also involved in a variety of type IV secretion systems, commonly involved in bacterial conjugation and often in infection. Our work focused on the cloning, expression, purification, and crystallization of FtsK and several homologs, TrwB, TraD, and TraG, for the purpose solving the atomic resolution structure of these proteins. We prepared a variety of constructs in bacterial T7 based expression vectors for the purpose of expressing these proteins in E. coli. For the proteins that showed positive expression, the protein was solubilized with detergent and then purified through nickel-NTA affinity and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Results are shown through SEC reports and SDS-PAGE gels that indicate protein purity (by gel) and homogeneity and oligomeric state (by SEC). Many bacterial membrane based proteins, especially those of FtsK and its relatives are accesible targets for antibiotic intervention in humans as they are unique to bacterial systems. For this reason we hope that the procedures followed here may enable further development of our knowledge of these systems, that we might maintain a leg up on rapidly evolving pathogenic species.
Escherichia coli response to nitrosative stress

Previous transcriptomic experiments have revealed that various Escherichia coli K-12 genes encoding proteins of unknown function are highly expressed during anaerobic growth in the presence of nitrate, or especially nitrite. Products of some of these genes, especially YeaR-YoaG, YgbA, YibIH and the hybrid cluster protein, Hcp, have been implicated in the response to nitrosative stress. The aims of this study were to investigate sources of nitrosative stress, and the possible roles of some of these proteins in protection against nitric oxide. The YtfE protein has been implicated in the repair of iron centres, especially in iron-sulphur proteins. The previously unexplained anaerobic growth defect of the ytfE strain LMS 4209 was shown to be due to a secondary 126-gene deletion rather than to the deletion of ytfE. At the start of the project, the transcription factor, NsrR, was known to respond to low concentrations of intracellular NO, and to repress expression of ytfE, hcp-hcr encoding the hybrid cluster protein and its reductase, and hmp that encodes the flavohaemoglobin, Hmp. In this work, a biochemical assay of hcp promoter activity was developed as a reporter of intracellular NO generation. This assay was used in combination with a range of mutants to show that the major source of intracellular NO is the reduction of nitrite by the cytoplasmic nitrate reductase, NarG. Although the periplasmic cytochrome c nitrite reductase, NrfAB, and the cytoplasmic nitrite reductase, NirBD, decrease nitrosative stress by reducing nitrite to ammonia, at least one additional source of NO production from nitrite remains unidentified. An assay for NO reduction using a Clark-Type electrode was validated. Rates of NO reduction were induced 2-fold in the presence of nitrate. Lowest rates of NO reduction were found in a mutant defective in nsrR. A quadruple mutant defective in Hmp, the flavorubredoxin, NorV, NrfAB and NirBD still reduced NO at more than half the rate of the parent. This residual activity was not due to YibIH, YeaR-YoaG or YgbA. Various hcp-hcr derivatives of strains defective in NO reductases revealed a severe growth defect under conditions of nitrosative stress, but Hcp was eliminated as a possible additional NO reductase. This growth defect was substantially suppressed by a further mutation in ytfE. Growth experiments with isogenic sets of mutant defective in all combinations of hcp and ytfE in addition to deletions in hmp, norVW and nrfAB implicated both YtfE and Hcp in repair of nitrosative damage. However, weaker phenotypes of these strains in absence of nitrate or nitrite are consistent with more general roles for these proteins in the repair of damage to protein iron centres.
Modelo de seguridad IoT

El Internet de las cosas (IoT) no solo conectará computadoras y dispositivos móviles, sino que también interconectará edificios, hogares y ciudades inteligentes, así como redes eléctricas, redes de agua y gas, automóviles, aviones, etc. IoT liderará al desarrollo de una amplia gama de servicios de información avanzados que deben procesarse en tiempo real. Sin embargo, las infraestructuras y servicios de IoT presentan grandes desafíos de seguridad debido al aumento significativo de la superficie de ataque, la complejidad, la heterogeneidad y la cantidad de recursos. En este documento, presentamos un marco de seguridad de IoT para infraestructuras inteligentes como Smart Homes, Smart Grid, Smart Connected Health y otras aplicaciones basadas en IoT.
Epigenetic reprogramming of somatic cells by zygotic factors

Cloning cattle using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an inefficient process, with approximately only 5% of transferred embryos developing to live offspring. SCNT produced cattle have a high mortality rate due to a number of developmental abnormalities caused mainly by the incorrect epigenetic reprogramming of the donor cell to a pluripotent state. Conventional bovine SCNT involves fusion of a somatic donor cell into an enucleated metaphase II (MII) arrested oocyte. The resulting embryo is cultured to the blastocyst stage before being transferred to a surrogate cow to produce live offspring. Zygotes were initially thought to be unsuitable as SCNT recipients in bovine, until it was revealed that using telophase II (TII) zygotes as opposed to MII oocytes results in improved in vivo development. Metaphase zygotes have also been used successfully as SCNT recipients in mouse to produce cloned blastocysts and it has been proposed that reprogramming factors sequester in the pronuclei of interphase zygotes. Little is known about the nature the nuclear reprogramming, however a few candidate reprogramming factors have emerged recently. TCTP is known to activate key pluripotency genes (POU5F1 and NANOG) in somatic cell nuclei. It has also been identified as present in bovine oocytes with a high potential to reprogram somatic cells. Reprogramming of cell nuclei by Xenopus egg extract has found to require BRG1. Immunodepletion of BRG1 was shown to decrease the reprogramming ability of the egg extract, whist its over-expression increased reprogramming potential. HDAC1 has been found to initiate a transcriptionally repressive state in preimplantation mouse embryos possibly inhibiting transcription of reprogramming factors. Knockdown of HDAC1 using TSA is known to increase development of mouse NT embryos.
Resistance of the Indonesian woods bangkirai (Shorea laevis) and merbau (Intsia palembanica) to Formosan subterranean termite attack

Heartwood lumber from naturally-durable tree species offers alternatives to preservative-treated lumber for construction uses. In laboratory studies, we evaluated the resistance of bangkirai, Shorea laevis Ridl. (Family Diptocarpaceae), and merbau, Intsia palembanica Miq. , (Family Caesalpinaceae) heartwood of Indonesian origin to attack by the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Both no-choice tests, in which termites were presented with only a single wood wafer, and two-choice tests, in which termites were offered the choice of one of the two Indonesian woods or a wafer of susceptible Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), were performed. Bangkirai and mirbau proved to be extremely deterrent to termites, with performance comparable to preservative-treated wood.
Analysing dopamine receptor interacting proteins using the biomedical model Dictyostelium discoideum

The dopamine signalling pathway has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric conditions including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. A detailed analysis of this pathway is essential for understanding these conditions. Previous work (Zhan et al., 2008) has identified eleven novel human dopamine receptor interacting proteins (DRIPs), but their role in cell signalling remains unclear. In this project we have employed a biomedical model, Dictyostelium discoideum, to help elucidate the cellular signalling of two DRIPs, the Zizimin GEF (DRIP2) and MARK (DRIP9) proteins. Bioinformatics analysis of these proteins shows conservation of the domain structure in the human and Dictyostelium gene products. To investigate the function of these proteins during development, two Dictyostelium homologues within each family (ZizA and ZizB; MrkA and MrkC) were ablated and changes in developmental for resulting null mutants were analysed. Development was unaltered following ablation of zizA, mrkA and mrkC, however, ablation of zizB gave rise to a clear change in developmental morphology. To further understand the developmental defect of zizB, directional cell movement (chemotaxis) was analysed in the zizA and zizB null mutants. Ablation of zizA caused no gross phenotypic change in chemotaxis, whereas zizB ablation gave rise to a reduction in cell speed, directionality and aspect (roundness). Furthermore, expression studies showed zizA and zizB were constantly expressed throughout development. Overexpression of each gene (labelled with the fluorescent tag, GFP) demonstrated a cytosolic localisation the gene products, with the ZizB-GFP fusion protein additionally exhibiting enrichment of the cortex, causing a large increase in filopodia formation and a partial inhibition of cytokinesis. Analysis of protein binding partners for ZizB indicates specific interaction with Rac1A and a range of actin-interacting proteins. In conclusion this project provides the first insight into the molecular and cellular functions of Zizimin proteins, potential dopamine receptor interacting protein. Table of
Effect of bioplex-Cu on the level of biochemical indices of turkey blood

The study was carried out on 4200 turkey broilers Big 6, from which after a 3-week breeding an experimental group was separated. The group was receiving an addition of bioplex-Cu 0.5g/L of drinking water till the end of the experiment. The haematological and biochemical factors were examined in the 8th week of the turkeys life, in blood taken from the wing vein of 10 randomly chosen birds (5 cocks and 5 hens) from both experimental and control group. In the obtained samples, Ht, total protein level, α-NH 2 nitrogen, glucose, and the Cu, Fe, Zn and Ca level were determined. Also, in the bioplex-Cu and in the feeds used, Cu, Fe, Zn and Ca were determined by the spectrophotometry of atom absorption method after dry mineralization. The applied bioplex-Cu statistically significantly increased the haematocrit and glucose level. The addition of Cu also caused an increase in the concentration of this element in the plasma of turkey blood. The significantly increased Cu level did not cause interaction with other components of the feed and did not disturb the Fe, Zn and Ca absorption to the turkey blood.
Absence of Glucocorticoid Receptor-β in Mice*

Two human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms, GRα and GRβ, are derived from the same gene by alternative splicing involving exon 9 of the GR locus. The non-ligand binding isoform GRβ was proposed to act as a transdominant negative inhibitor of GRα, thus modulating glucocorticoid responsiveness of target tissues. To study GRβ in mice we characterized the genomic region around exon 9 of the murine GR gene. Sequence analysis revealed that the presumed exon 9β contained an open reading frame of 59 amino acids. In contrast, human exon 9β encoded only 15 amino acids. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction the absence of GRβ mRNA was demonstrated in all adult mouse tissues examined. To exclude the possibility that the polymerase chain reaction conditions employed were not suitable for the amplification of GRβ mRNA, we synthesized an artificial template corresponding to the presumed GRβ mRNA spanning exons 7, 8, and 9β. Various amounts of this template were added to brain cDNA preparations and as little as 25 molecules were detectable under the polymerase chain reaction conditions chosen. Since GRβ is not conserved across species its physiological significance in humans appears questionable.
The role of penicillin binding protein 4 in β-lactam resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

The role of penicillin binding protein 4 in β-lactam resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Ahang H. Mawlood Abstract Staphylococcus aureus possesses four native penicillin binding proteins PBPs (PBP1-4). Because of the structural resemblance between their natural substrate, the D-Ala-D-Ala end of the stem pentapeptide precursor, and penicillin-type antibiotics, the late stage peptidoglycan synthesizing enzymes are sensitive to penicillin. Resistance to penicillin-type antibiotics in S. aureus arises due to acquisition of an alternative PBP (PBP2A, encoded by mecA), expression of β-lactamase, or point mutations in genes encoding endogenous penicillin binding proteins, which reduces penicillin binding to the enzyme active site. The reduced sensitivity to penicillin G and cefotaxime in vitro selected mutant RS1/19 cells is likely related to PBP4 overproduction, because antibiotics that selectively inhibit PBP4 activity cause the greatest reduction in penicillin G MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), when used in combination. To test whether PBP4 overproduction is sufficient and necessary for the penicillin resistance observed in RS1/19, the pbp4 gene was cloned into a high copy number plasmid and introduced into different genetic backgrounds of S. aureus. Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that there was no difference in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin G or oxacillin, this means that increased PBP4 activity is not sufficient for resistance. Allelic replacement using double cross-over event was used to delete pbp4 in the background of RS1/19 strain. RS1/19∆ pbp4 tested in this study have a moderately increased sensitivity to cefoxitin and cefsoludin, but a marked increase in sensitivity to cefotaxim, oxacillin, and penicillin G compared to RS1/19. These data lead to the conclusion that PBP4 is necessary for the penicillin and methicillin resistance phenotype in RS1/19. In addition, PBP4 must work with a network of genes that collectively associates with the resistance observed in RS1/19 strain. The data presented here clearly shows that PBP4 is not the only factor involved in resistance in RS1/19, but that it is necessary for the full expression of resistance. It has been concluded that deletion of monofunctional trasglycosylase mgt is not essential for viability and expression of resistance in both wild-type and RS1/19strains. Future studies of RS1/19 are likely to uncover other factors that are essential for full expression of methicillin resistance in mecA negative strains of S. aureus.
Functional analyses of chlorite dismutase-like proteins from Listeria monocytogenes and Nitrobacter winogradskyi

Die Chlorit Dismutase (Cld) ist ein Schlusselenzym wahrend der Energie gewinnenden Reduktion von (Per)Chlorat zu Chlorit (ClO2-). Dabei zerlegt Cld das entstandene Chlorit zu harmlosem Chlorid (Cl-) und Sauerstoff (O2). Interessanterweise zeigten genomische und phylogenetische Analysen eine ubiquitare Verteilung von Cld-Homologen in verschiedenen prokaryotischen Linien, fur die bis heute kein (Per)Chlorat-reduzierender Phanotyp gezeigt werden konnte. Wahrend dieser Arbeit wurden die zwei homologen cld-Gene von Listeria monocytogenes und Nitrobacter winogradskyi charakterisiert. Dadurch konnten neue Einblicke in diese Proteinfamilie gewonnen werden. L. monocytogenes ist ein gram-positives human-pathogenes Bakterium, das die verschiedensten Umwelthabitate wie Erde, Silage und Wasser besiedeln kann. Des Weiteren kann dieses Bakterium diverse eukaryotische Zellen infizieren und dabei zu lebensgefahrlichen Erkrankungen speziell in immunkomprimierten und alteren Personen als auch bei Schwangeren fuhren. Die Analyse der Proteinexpression in L. monocytogenes zeigte, dass Cld im Zytoplasma lokalisiert ist, ein sehr stabiles Protein ist und dass es konstitutiv bei 28°C und bei 37°C exprimiert wird. Vergleichbar mit validierten Clds wird die Cld-Expression in L. monocytogenes unter anaeroben Wachstumsbedingungen hoch reguliert. Uberraschenderweise zeigte dieses Cld-Homolog keine Chlorit-degradierende Funktion, jedoch eine schwache Katalase-Funktion. Obwohl weitere Experimente einschlieslich verschiedener Makrophagen-Infektionsassays durchgefuhrt wurden, konnte die wahre Funktion von dieser Cld nicht gezeigt werden. Das Cld-Homolog aus N. winogradskyi ist zwar am N-Terminus verkurzt, zeigte jedoch eine starke Chlorit-degradierende Aktivitat, die im Rahmen anderer validierter Clds liegt. Diese Arbeit ist die zweite Studie uber eine funktionelle Chlorit-Dismutase aus einem Nitrit-oxidierenden Bakterium. Der Grund fur das Vorhandensein eines cld-Gens in diesen Mikroorganismen bleibt jedoch unbekannt.
THE DIET OF HARBOUR PORPOISE (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) IN THE NORTHEAST ATLANTIC

The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is probably the most abundant small cetacean in the northeast Atlantic and as such is an important top predator. It is also one of the most threatened species, particularly as a consequence of fishery by-catch. Porpoises feed mainly on small shoaling fishes from both demersal and pelagic habitats. Many prey items are probably taken on, or very close to, the sea bed. Even though a wide range of species has been recorded in the diet, porpoises in any one area tend to feed primarily on two to four main species (e.g. whiting ( Merlangius merlangus) and sandeels (Ammodytidae) in Scottish waters). Evidence for selective predation is equivocal. Many studies provide evidence of geographic, seasonal, interannual, ontogenetic or sexual differences in prey types or prey sizes, and such dif- ferences are often (speculatively) interpreted in terms of prey availability. A few studies demon- strate trends in diet selection that are consistent with changes in prey abundance. However, lack of availability of prey abundance data at an appropriate spatial and temporal scale is often a problem. Porpoise diets overlap extensively with diets of other piscivorous marine predators (notably seals). Many of the main prey species are also taken by commercial fisheries, although por- poises tend to take smaller fishes than those targeted by fisheries. Given their high abundance, porpoises clearly remove substantial quantities of fish. The literature on porpoise diets in the northeast Atlantic suggests that there has been a long- term shift from predation on clupeid fish (mainly herring Clupea harengus) to predation on sandeels and gadoid fish, possibly related to the decline in herring stocks since the mid-1960s. Evidence from studies on seals suggests that such a shift could have adverse health con- sequences. Food consumption brings porpoises into contact with two important threats - persistent organic contaminants and fishing nets, both of which have potentially serious impacts.