Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Binding properties of NADPH‐protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase as revealed by detergent and ion treatments of isolated and immobilized prolamellar bodies

Prolamellar bodies were isolated from dark-grown leaves of 6.5-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Walde). The prolamellar bodies were immobilized in agarose beads to get a material suitable for studies on pigment and protein release, and to protect the membranes from mechanical breakage. The beads were treated with detergents and salt solutions of different ionic strengths and the eluates collected. Protochlorophyllide in the eluate was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Dot-blot tests were used to estimate the amount of released NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (E.C. 1.6.99.1.). Changes in ultrastructure of the treated prolamellar bodies were analysed. Release of both membrane constituents increased by treatment with detergents. With 0.2% (w/v) Triton X-100, 60% of the fluorescence from the immobilized prolamellar bodies was eluted within 30 min. Salt solutions with increasing ionic strength increased the release from 3 to 7%. The detergent treatment resulted in a complete (Triton X-100) or partial ([3-(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate, CHAPS; 1-octyl β-d-glucopyranoside, octylglucoside) loss of the highly regular structure of the prolamellar bodies. Immunogold labelling of ultrathin sections revealed the absence of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase when the regular structure was dissolved into single membranes. The regular appearance of the prolamellar bodies was altered by treatment with 0.1 M CaCl3 and 0.1 M KSCN, respectively, but not with 0.1 M KCl. Immunogold labelling showed that that enzyme was still present in the prolamellar bodies after these treatments. Despite the ultrastructural changes, the spectral properties were unchanged. Thus we conclude that NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase is firmly attached to the prolamellar body membranes and that the regular ultrastructure of the prolamellar body is partly controlled by the ionic environment.
The Role of Regulators in Mitigating Uncertainty within the Valley of Death

Abstract The essential cause of the ‘Valley of Death’ (VoD) is the reluctance of the private sector to invest in technologies which are perceived as immature. However, uncertainty about whether a new product or technology complies with regulatory frameworks may also have an important effect on private sector investments. We use the cases of the Critical Path Initiative, in the pharmaceutical industry, and the Advanced General Aviation Transportation Experiments, in the general aviation industry, to analyze the role of regulatory agencies in decreasing three different types of regulatory uncertainty along the VoD. We find that regulatory agencies play an important role as a social glue which helps coordinate industry-wide efforts. Based on the comparison between the two cases, we create theory to explain the effect of regulatory uncertainty on the shape of the VoD. Our theoretical framework may help agencies detect the major sources of regulatory uncertainty, and adapt their policies accordingly to facilitate the traverse of emerging technologies across the VoD.
Benthic metabolism and nutrient cycling along an estuarine salinity gradient

Benthic metabolism and nutrient exchange across the sediment-water interface were examined over an annual cycle at four sites along a freshwater to marine transect in the Parker River-Plum Island Sound estuary in northeastern Massachusetts, U.S. Sediment organic carbon content was highest at the freshwater site (10.3%) and decreased along the salinity gradient to 0.2% in the sandy sediments at the marine end of the estuary. C:N ratios were highest in the mid estuary (23:1) and lowest near the sea (11:1). Chlorophyll a in the surface sediments was high along the entire length of the estuary (39–57 mg chlorophyll a m−2) but especially so in the sandy marine sediments (172 mg chlorophyll a m−2). Chlorophyll a to phaeophytin ratios suggested most chlorophyll is detrital, except at the sandy marine site. Porewater sulfide values varied seasonally and between sites, reflecting both changes in sulfate availability as overlying water salinity changed and sediment metabolism. Patterns of sediment redox potential followed those of sulfide. Porewater profiles of inorganic N and P reflected strong seasonal patterns in remineralization, accumulation, and release. Highest porewater NH4+ values were found in upper and mid estuarine sediments, occasionally exceeding 1 mM N. Porewater nitrate was frequently absent, except in the sandy marine sediments where concentrations of 8 μM were often observed. Annual average respiration was lowest at the marine site (13 mmol O2 m−2 d−1 and 21 mmol TCO2 m−2 d−1) and highest in the mid estuary (130 mmol O2 m−2 d−1 and 170 mmol TCO2 m−2 d−1) where clam densities were also high. N2O and CH4 fluxes were low at all stations throughout the year: Over the course, of a year, sediments varied from being sources to sinks of dissolved organic C and N, with the overall spatial pattern related closely to sediment organic content. There was little correlation between PO43− flux and metabolism, which we attribute to geochemical processes. At the two sites having the lowest salinities, PO43− flux was directed into the sediments. On average, between 22% and 32% of total system metabolism was attributable to the benthos. The mid estuary site was an exception, as benthic metabolism accounted for 95% of the total, which is attributable to high densities of filter-feeding clams. Benthic remineralization supplied from less than 1% to over 190% of the N requirements and 0% to 21% of the P requirements of primary producers in this system. Estimates of denitrification calculated from stoichiometry of C and N fluxes ranged from 0% for the upper and mid estuary site to 35% for the freshwater site to 100% of sediment organic N remineralization at the marine site. We hypothesize that low values in the upper and mid estuary are attributable to enhanced NH4+ fluxes during summer due to desorption of exchangeable ammonium from rising porewater salinity. NH4+ desorption during summer may be a mechanism that maintains high rates of pelagic primary production at a time of low inorganic N inputs from the watershed.
Studies on reproduction in prolific ewes. 4. Sequential changes in the maternal body during pregnancy

SUMMARY Seventy-eight Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes in lamb to Suffolk rams were slaughtered serially between 50 and 145 days of gestation. The mean litter size was 2·7. The daily feeding regime aimed to provide each ewe with 15 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME) in the first month of gestation and 9·4 MJ in the second and third. Thereafter the ewes were provided with a basal intake of either 9·6 MJ (low plane, LP) or 13·4 MJ (high plane, HP) plus 1·3 MJ for each foetus. For ewes with 2, 3 and 4 foetuses the mean percentage changes in maternal body weight over pregnancy were respectively — 5, — 10 and — 14 (LP) or + 3, — 2 and — 6 (HP). Changes in weights of blood, liver and the empty gastro-intestinal tract through gestation varied with the plane of nutrition but not with number of foetuses. In contrast, udder weight at parturition was dependent on number of foetuses but not on plane of nutrition. Increased hydration of the maternal tissues in late pregnancy tended to mask concurrent losses of body fat. For example, over the last 2 months, HP ewes carrying quadruplets lost on average 1·0 kg in body weight but 5·5 kg of (chemically determined) fat. The latter was lost at a rate which increased up to an average of 170 g/day over the last 2 weeks of pregnancy. Net changes in body protein were estimated to be relatively small, but there was some redistribution, including loss from muscle and gain by the udder. There was no evidence of any demineralization of the maternal skeleton. The practical significance of the changes in body composition is discussed, in particular that of the increasing rates of loss of body fat with increasing litter size. It is suggested that the dangers implicit in these rates of fat loss must be taken into consideration when deciding on dietary regimes and the timing of breeding cycles for highly prolific ewes, or indeed when embarking on a programme of increased prolificacy.
THE DIVERSITY AND COEVOLUTION OF RUBISCO, PLASTIDS, PYRENOIDS, AND CHLOROPLAST-BASED CO2-CONCENTRATING MECHANISMS IN ALGAE

Algae have adopted two primary strategies to maximize the performance of Rubisco in photosynthetic CO2 fixation. This has included either the development of a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM), based at the level of the chloroplast, or the evolution of the kinetic properties of Rubisco. This review examines the potential diversity of both Rubisco and chloroplast-based CCMs across algal divisions, including both green and nongreen algae, and seeks to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the area and future areas for research. Overall, the available data show that Rubisco enzymes from algae have evolved a higher affinity for CO2 when the algae have adopted a strategy for CO2 fixation that does not utilise a CCM. This appears to be true of both Green and Red Form I Rubisco enzymes found in green and nongreen algae, respectively. However, the Red Form I Rubisco enzymes present in nongreen algae appear to have reduced oxygenase potential at air level of O2. This has resulted in a photosynthetic ph.
Relationships between leaf life span, leaf mass per area, and leaf nitrogen cause different altitudinal changes in leaf delta C-13 between deciduous and evergreen species

We examined the variability in stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) in leaves of two deciduous broad-leaved species and two evergreen conifer species along an altitudinal gradient in central Japan. The δ13C of the two deciduous species decreased with altitude, except near the upper distribution limit. The two evergreen species, however, showed no clear altitudinal trends for δ13C. The δ13C of the two deciduous species was positively correlated with leaf mass per area (LMA), indicating that the altitudinal variation in δ13C was controlled by LMA. Leaf nitrogen per mass (as a proxy of assimilation capacity, Nmass) was negatively correlated with LMA for the two deciduous species, while it was not correlated with LMA for the two evergreen species. Leaf life span of the two deciduous species decreased with altitude, whereas that of the two evergreen species increased. Thus, the two deciduous species had shorter-lived thinner leaves with higher Nmass at higher altitudes, and the two evergreen species had longer-l.
Towards an Effective Judicial Reform: The Market Failures in the Colombian Administrative Court System

This paper studies the problem of judicial congestion in the Colombian administrative jurisdiction. For this purpose, the study presents the judiciary as a market, and afterward, the market failures that influence congestion and delay problems. The paper establishes that congestion is the result of various flaws in the market, which some of them cannot be tackled because of their nature while others can be overcome. The paper concludes that judicial reform should aim to intervene as many flaws as possible.
El papel del modelo de la triple hélice como sistema de innovación para aumentar la rentabilidad en una Pyme comercializadora (The Role of the Triple Helix Model as an Innovation System to Increase Profitability in a SME)

Spanish Abstract: El articulo presenta el impacto a lograr por la implementacion de un proceso de transferencia tecnologica a traves de un escalamiento tecnologico, con el objetivo de generar innovaciones en procesos e incrementar la rentabilidad de una Pyme comercializadora, utilizando un sistema de innovacion llamado modelo de la triple helice, donde las interacciones entre instituciones publicas y privadas buscan producir, intercambiar, difundir y utilizar nuevos conocimientos y avances tecnologicos. Como elementos teoricos escogidos de la problematica tratada en el presente articulo, se consideraron temas como el modelo de la triple helice, transferencia tecnologica, innovacion tecnologica y escalamiento tecnologico. Para evaluar y verificar la viabilidad del proyecto, se incluyo un estudio economico-financiero que valora la rentabilidad a obtener por el desarrollo del proyecto, ademas de un analisis estadistico con la finalidad de revisar si una disminucion en los costos de produccion aumenta las utilidades, como consecuencia del proyecto. English Abstract: The article presents the targeted impact for the implementation of a technology transfer through a technological scaling up with the objective of generating innovations in processes and improving the profitability of a retailing SME by using an innovation system called triple helix model, where interactions between public and private institutions try to produce, interchange, diffuse and use new knowledge and technological advances. As theoretical elements chosen from the problem addressed in this article, subjects such as triple helix model, transfer of technology, technological innovation and technological scaling up were used. In order to valuate and verify the viability of the project, a financial analysis was included to assess the profitability to obtain from the development of the project, which was also supported by a statistical analysis with the purpose of reviewing whether a cost reduction happens as an effect produced by the increase of net income of this project.
Time spent at the colony by male and female Guillemots Uria aalge and Razorbills Alca torda

Before the 2–3 weeks prior to laying, male and female Guillemots and Razorbills spent equal time at the breeding site. Subsequently the female spent progressively more time away whereas the male increased the time spent at the site, apparently to protect it. The sexes took equal shares in incubating and brooding but the female Guillemot fed the young significantly more often than did the male. Overall, the male and female spent very similar amounts of time at the colony but the male took the chick to sea, and continued to feed it, whereas the female continued to visit the site for several weeks. Thus, overall the male invested more time in rearing the chick than did the female. This was unexpected as female Guillemots are sometimes raped by neighbours, so there may be doubt as to the paternity of chicks.
The Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP11 Controls an IκB Kinase α (IKKα)-p53 Signaling Pathway in Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)*

Post-translational modification and degradation of proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system are key regulatory events in cellular responses to various stimuli. The NF-κB signaling pathway is controlled by the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Although mechanisms of ubiquitination in the NF-κB pathway have been extensively studied, deubiquitination-mediated regulation of the NF-κB signaling remains poorly understood. The present studies show that a deubiquitinating enzyme, USP11, specifically regulates IκB kinase α (IKKα) among the NF-κB signaling molecules. Knocking down USP11 attenuates expression of IKKα in the transcriptional, but not the post-translational, level. However, down-regulation of USP11 dramatically enhances NF-κB activity in response to tumor necrosis factor-α, indicating that IKKα does not require activation of NF-κB. Instead, knock down of USP11 or IKKα is associated with abrogation of p53 expression upon exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α. In concert with these results, silencing of USP11 is associated with transcriptional attenuation of the p53-responsive genes, such as p21 or Bax. Importantly, the ectopic expression of IKKα into cells silenced for USP11 restores p53 expression, demonstrating that USP11 functions as an upstream regulator of an IKKα-p53 signaling pathway.
An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Development Assistance on Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa

The target of official development assistance (ODA) is generally focused on international poverty reduction, and the latest performance of aid in reducing income poverty deserves attention. This paper matches data from 24 sub-Saharan African countries to test the poverty reduction effects of aid led by Western developed countries in the region. The results of the study show that, first, aid, both in the current and lag periods, there is no evidence that aid can effectively reduce income poverty; second, poverty has a strong inertial effect; and thirdly, inflation is very detrimental to poverty reduction in sub-Saharan African countries. This paper argues that aid led by Western developed countries cannot reduce income poverty because of the relatively limited scale of aid, the fact that aid incentives are not entirely focused on poverty reduction, the large number of aid projects aimed at raising the welfare level of the poor rather than income levels, and the existence of other negative factors that affect aid effectiveness.
Are Governance Practices Associated with Good Results? The Case of Colombia

Since 2007 Colombian listed firms, non-financial and financial, are required to disclose their compliance to a governance country code. The compliance is interpreted as the level of governance and used as independent variable for regressions looking for the determinants of performance and dividends. The results mostly confirm a positive association of governance with performance, and a U-shaped effect of governance on dividend payout. The effect of governance is higher for non-financial firms and for large non-financial firms.
Heat stress affects flowering, berry growth, sugar accumulation and photosynthesis of Vitis vinifera cv. Semillon grapevines grown in a controlled environment

High temperatures during the growing season characterise many grape growing regions in Australia and elsewhere in the world, and impact on many processes including growth and berry development. To quantify the impact of heat on the Vitis vinifera L. cv. Semillon, potted vines were grown in controlled environments and exposed to a temperature regime of 40/25°C at flowering, fruit set, veraison and mid-ripening stages. Vegetative and reproductive development was measured throughout and leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance tracked during heat exposures. Accumulation of soluble solids was determined during ripening. Leaf growth and stem extension were unaffected by heat whereas flowers completely abscised. Berries treated at fruit set developed normally and those treated at veraison and mid-ripening stopped expanding and sugar content stopped increasing. Photosynthesis was also affected on each occasion, with rates declining by 35% and taking 12 days to recover. Up to 10 mg carbon g (berry dry weight)–1 day–1 was required for ripening after veraison. For vines heat treated at veraison and mid-ripening, net carbon acquisition rates fell to below 4 mg carbon g (leaf dry weight)–1 day–1, which is inadequate to supply berry carbon requirements. This suggests that the impacts of heat on the ripening process can be traced back to the supply of carbon.
A Simplified 'Benchmark' Stock-Flow Consistent (SFC) Post-Keynesian Growth Model

Despite being arguably one of the most active areas of research in heterodox macroeconomics, the study of the dynamic properties of stock-flow consistent (SFC) growth models of financially sophisticated economies is still in its early stages. This paper attempts to offer a contribution to this line of research by presenting a simplified Post-Keynesian SFC growth model with well-defined dynamic properties, and using it to shed light on the merits and limitations of the current heterodox SFC literature.
Central Bank Issued Digital Cash

The emergence of crypto-currencies has spurred a debate on whether central banks should themselves issue currencies in a digitised form. We investigate the technology options available for such implementations today and analyse potential drivers and inhibitors for the successful implementation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). We conclude that issuing fiat currency as centrally issued digital certificates (CIDC) is the most likely path to success for CBDC. Digital certificates are the most similar technology to issuing physical cash, and they can be secure. CIDC allow for flexible delivery approaches, where the existing economic agents can continue their existing roles. At the same time, it gives the central bank significant additional benefits. These include improved control mechanisms for its outstanding currency, more direct influence and visibility of the circulation of its currency, and improved settlement mechanisms for those dealing in their currencies.
Dynamic Pricing and Learning: An Application of Gaussian Process Regression

We consider the problem of offering an optimal price when demand is unknown and must be learned by price experimentation - a variant of the multi-armed bandit problem. In each period, the retailer must decide on a price while using knowledge already acquired to weigh the benefits of exploring other prices versus maximizing revenue. Other algorithms proposed for such problems either learn the price-demand relation for each price separately or determine the parameters of an assumed parametric demand function. We instead combine Gaussian process regression with Thompson sampling as a nonparametric learning algorithm that can learn any functional relation between price and demand. This GP-TS algorithm scales significantly better with the number of price vectors than do existing approaches, yet it makes no restrictive assumptions on the price-demand relationship's functional form. We show how to apply the algorithm to finite inventory settings that consider both single and multiple products and also to settings in which exogenous contextual information can affect prices. One advantage of the algorithm is that its performance depends not on the number of price vectors over all products but only on the number of products considered. For each setting considered here, we benchmark our approach to existing algorithms. The GP-TS algorithm's learning performance is far superior to that of its peers, especially when there are increases in the number of products to learn concurrently. Finally, we propose extensions that enable the application of our algorithm when demand follows a Bernoulli or Poisson distribution.
Impact of Social Interaction on Residential Satisfaction in Gated Communities in an Indian Context

This study aims to understand how social interaction among the residents influences residential satisfaction. The Indian private housing sector has witnessed a shift from independent houses to stand alone multifamily dwellings to the present gated communities. Gated communities came into existence with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging and wellbeing among the residents. Post Occupancy Evaluation approach was adopted to appraise the residential satisfaction of residents in 13 private gated communities in Chennai, India. Data was obtained through a questionnaire survey of 340 households from the gated communities by stratified random sampling. The data collected was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-squared test. Analysis revealed that the users expressed higher levels of satisfaction with dwelling unit indicators like spatial layout, thermal comfort and natural ventilation but were dissatisfied with the housing estate indicators namely outdoor seating adequacy and location. The inferential analysis indicated that the association between resident social interaction frequency and residential mobility is of significance. This study emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the, requirements and expectations of the users of private gated communities.