Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Book Reviews

This book's first sentence states clearly the purpose and the problem. "This volume brings together two phenomena which at first glance are seemingly quite antithetical, slavery and tourism. " (p. 1). In order to attain the purpose two books have been combined. The first is a brief history of slavery, or more accurately of the three centuries or so of the Atlantic slave trade, which was only one episode in that, until recently, near universal and ubiquitous practice. The second is a study of how that episode has been, and is now, interpreted especially to tourists in the places that produced, used and profited from the slaves. Both books were worth writing and are well worth reading. However, as Dann and Seaton themselves admit in the first introductory chapter, the attempt to combine the two phenomena raises more questions than they, or indeed others, can answer at present.
Javno Mnenje in Javnomnenjske Poizvedbe

Povzetek Članek analizira institucionalno umeščenost javnomnenjskega poizvedovanja znotraj političnega sistema in sistema množičnih medijev ter implikacije, ki jih ima institucionalizacija javnega mnenja v obliki poizvedb za konceptualizacijo pojava. Poglobljeni intervjuji z novinarji in uredniki treh slovenskih dnevnikov (Dela, Dnevnika in Večera) ter anketa na vzorcu slovenskih politikov in novinarjev so uporabljeni za osvetlitev subjektivnih odzivov na institucionalno umeščenost poizvedovanja. Avtor trdi, da je enačenje rezultatov poizvedb z javnim mnenjem teoretsko nevzdržno in celo nedemokratično, da pa instrument poizvedb sam ni inherentno nedemokratičen. Analiza institucionalne umeščenosti poizvedovanja in subjektivnih odzivov nanjo nakazuje, da so možne drugačne, demokratičnejše, rabe poizvedovanja. Te bi se morale odpovedati enačaju med javnim mnenjem in rezultati poizvedb.
Phylogenetic relationships of Clerodendrum s.l. (Lamiaceae) inferred from chloroplast DNA

Seventy-nine accessions representing forty-seven taxa of Clerodendrumn s.l. (Lamiaceae) and seven putative outgroup genera are included in an analysis of chloroplast DNA restriction sites for ten enzymes. Parsimony analysis of 456 potentially informative characters identifies four large discrete clades (Clades I-IV) within Clerodenidruim s.l. and shows that Clerodendruim s.l. is polyphyletic. Clades I and II comprise Asian and African taxa respectively. Clade III comprises coastal species from Africa, Asia and central America and presents an hypothesis of relationship within Clerodendrutm that has not previously been explicit in classifications of the genus. Clade IV, comprising subg. Cyclonema and sect. Konocalyx (subg. Clerodendrrnm pro parte) emerges as a lineage distinct from the rest of Clerodendrtni. Traditional sections Squamnata, Odontocalyx (subg. Clerodendrutm), Cyclonenia and Stacheocymosa (subg. Cycloinema) are well-supported mono- phyletic groups. Subgenus Clerodenidrutm and sections Clerodendrutm and Axilliflora (subg. Clerodendrnm pro parte) are shown to be polyphyletic. The polyphyly of Clerodendruni s.l. is also supported by a separate analysis of chloroplast ndhF sequences, in which a smaller sampling of Clerodendruman is included in a broader sample of labiate genera. The ndhF sequence data suggest that Tetraclea belongs in Clade I of Clerodendruni and support the monophyly of the recently circumscribed subfamily Teucriodeae.
Estimation of root biomass based on excavation of individual root systems in a primary dipterocarp forest in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract: Precise estimation of root biomass is important for understanding carbon stocks and dynamics in tropical rain forests. However, limited information is available on individual root masses, especially large trees. We excavated 121 root systems of various species (78) and sizes (up to 116 cm in dbh), and estimated both above- and below-ground biomass in a lowland primary dipterocarp forest in the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. A tree census was conducted in four research plots (each 0.2 ha) and stand-level biomass was estimated. We examined relationships between tree size parameters and masses of coarse roots (roots ≥5 mm in diameter) and derived a dbh-based allometric equation. The amounts of coarse roots that were lost during excavation were corrected. Coarse-root biomass before and after correction for lost roots was estimated to be 63.8 and 82.7 Mg ha−1, indicating that significant amounts of roots (23%) were lost during the sampling. We also estimated the biomass of small root (<5 mm) by applying pipe-model theory. The estimate, 13.3 Mg ha−1, was similar to another estimate of small roots, 16.4 Mg ha−1, which was obtained directly by the soil-pit sampling method. Total below-ground (BGB) and above-ground biomass (AGB) was estimated to be 95.9 and 536 Mg ha−1, respectively. The biomass-partitioning ratio (BGB/AGB) was about 0.18. In conclusion, the dbh-based allometric equation for coarse roots developed in this study, which kept good linearity even including the data of larger trees, might be useful for evaluating below-ground carbon stocks in other stands of similar forest (old-growth dipterocarp) in South-East Asia.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization Analysis of Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase Gene from Dunaliella parva

Pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) catalyzes the reversible conversion of AMP, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and pyrophosphate (PPi) to ATP, pyruvate and inorganic phosphate (Pi). It is a key enzyme in gluconeogensis and photosynthesis that is responsible for reversing the reaction performed by pyruvate kinase in Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas glycolysis. A cDNA clone for the Dunaliella parva PPDK was isolated by sequencing. Then the 3'-RACE and 5'-cDNA amplification were conducted based on the obtained sequence. The molecular characterization of the PPDK gene was described.The Dunaliella parva PPDK gene cDNA sequence was 3249 bp, which contained 2595 bp coding region and 654 bp 3'-untranslated regions. The deduced amino acid sequence of Dunaliella parva PPDK showed significant homology to the known PPDK from Volvox carteri and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This study provided foundation for further research on the function analysis and overexpression of PPDK genes. To our knowledge this is the first reported.
Susceptibility of Plant Species in Coastal Dune Vegetation of South-western Australia to Killing by Armillaria luteobubalina

Estimates of the susceptibility of plant species of coastal dune vegetation tokilling by Armillaria luteobubalina Watling & Kilewere obtained from the occurrence of mycelial sheaths of the pathogen beneaththe bark of the root collars of dead plants in 62 disease centres.Dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida) outnumbered monocotyledons (Liliopsida), being81% of the 330 plant species found in disease centres in coastalvegetation. Fifty-one percent of the species were from five Magnoliopsidafamilies with the largest number of species from the Myrtaceae and Proteaceae.Eleven percent of the species were from three Liliopsida families with thelargest number of species from the Cyperaceae. Thirty-four percent of speciesoccurred in three or more disease centres. Thirty-eight percent, or a total of125 of all species, were killed by A. luteobubalina incoastal vegetation. Hosts on which the pathogen did not reach the root collarwould not have been detected. The largest number of species killed were fromthe Proteaceae (26% of species killed) followed by Myrtaceae,Epacridaceae, Papilionaceae and Mimosaceae. Only 6% of species killedwere from the Liliopsida. The distribution of species frequency and thosekilled by infection is positively skewed, with 40% of species notkilled in any centre and 8% killed in greater than 75% of thecentres in which they occurred. The percentage of disease centres in which aspecies occurred and was killed by A. luteobubalina issignificantly linearly correlated with mortality rating and relativeimportance. Cross-tabulation of species by disease centres in which plantswere killed provided the opportunity to classify the relative susceptibilityof plant species to killing by A. luteobubalina.
Recent evidence on the persistence of fund performance—A note

This note highlights recent evidence on the persistence of fund performance in South Africa, throwing new light on the 1985–1995 study conducted by Meyer (1997). Our analysis on the persistence of South African fund performance is based on the General Equity category of unit trusts over the period 1995-August 2001. Examining performance persistence across consecutive years, we found evidence of fund performance persistence. This latest evidence seems to be primarily driven by the consistently superior performance of some top performers (rather than persistent poor performers). It seems that there are managers who have significant skill, to the extent that they have systematically been able to outperform their peers. Interestingly this evidence is similar to evidence forthcoming from studies conducted in the USA. As a confirming exercise, we considered the impact of investing in historical top quartile performers, second quartile performers etc., rebalancing annually and accumulating returns during the subsequent year of “unseen” performance data. The results are indeed surprising and compelling. Contrary to popular local belief, selecting historical top quartile performers yielded vastly superior performance results to a wide range of alternate combinations. Interestingly the second best strategy was that of a passive peergoup benchmarking approach.
Effects on Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) of a Chronic Exposure to Waterborne Selenium

The 96-h and 9-d LC50s of selenium for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) averaged 8.1 and 6.5 mg∙L−1, respectively. A sublethal exposure of rainbow trout from the newly fertilized egg stage until 44 wk posthatch to 4.4–53 μg∙L−1 of waterborne selenium resulted in a variety of subtle responses. Significantly increased mortality of eyed eggs was observed at selenium concentrations greater than or equal to 28 μg∙L−1 and decreased red blood cell volumes and cellular blood iron at concentrations greater than or equal to 53 and 16 μg∙L−1, respectively. Although the highest eyed egg mortality at 47 μg∙L−1 selenium was double that of control, total mortality was only 6.5%. Similarly, the blood parameters decreased from control levels by a maximum of 30% and the fish appeared to be compensating for these changes by increased erythropoiesis. Overall, the fish responded to selenium exposure at concentrations between 100 and 250 times the normal background concentrations in surface waters but the level of response was .
Direct observation of bis-sulfur ligation to the heme of bacterioferritin

X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to examine the ligation of the heme of Azobacter vinelandii bacterioferritin scrupulously cleaned of non-heme iron. We find that the iron of the protoporphyrin IX of the protein has two axial sulfur ligands at 2.35 A, with four nitrogen ligands at 1.97 A. This result confirms the previous suggestion of Cheesman et al. (Nature 1990, 346, 771-773; Biochem. J. 1992, 786, 361-367.), on the basis of less direct spectroscopic techniques, that the heme of bacterioferritin is ligated by a pair of methionine ligands. To date, this mode of coordination is unknown in any other heme protein
A new Hymenophyllum hybrid from the British Isles: Hymenophyllum × scopulorum F.J. Rumsey & F.J. Roberts (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (L.) Sm. × H. wilsonii Hook., Hymenophyllaceae)

Abstract A new hybrid filmy-fern Hymenophyllum × scopulorum F J Rumsey & F J Roberts hybr. nov., is described from the Bewcastle Fells, Cumbria, v.c. 70 and its distinguishing features given. Although an allopolyploid derivative of this cross and a putative backcross hybrid are known from Madeira, this represents the first confirmed discovery of the F1 hybrid between the two native European Hymenophyllum species. The distribution and ecology of the parental taxa and hybrid are discussed and its mode of origin considered.
Ability of moderately halophilic bacteria to control grey mould disease on tomato fruits

Tomato is one of the leading crops in Tunisia in terms of weight consumed (20 kg/per person/year). Preserving the quality of the fruit from field to consumer is essential to successful marketing. Grey mould rot induced by Botrytis cinerea is an important cause of postharvest loss depending on season and handling practices. We describe here the ability of halotolerant to moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from different Tunisian Sebkhas (hypersaline soils) to protect fresh-market tomato fruits from B. cinerea. The tomatoes tested were at two different stages of ripening, (i) mature-green and (ii) red. Six strains significantly reduced growth of the pathogens from 67% to 87%. The effectiveness of these antagonists was also confirmed on green tomatoes; in which the fruit rot protection rate ranged from 74% to 100%. The antagonists were characterized by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. The halotolerant effective isolates were identified as belonging to one of the species Bacillus subtilis (M1-20, J9) or B. licheniformis (J24). One effective moderately halophilic isolate (M2-26) was identified as Planococcus rifietoensis. These strains are a source of hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinases, proteases, laminarinases, amylases, lipases and cellulases. For comparison, 12 halotolerant or moderately halophilic strains obtained from DSM culture collection were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against B. cinerea on tomato fruits. The most effective strains were Halomonas subglaciescola, Halobacillus litoralis, Marinococcus halophilus, Salinococcus roseus, Halovibrio variabilis and Halobacillus halophilus with a percentage of grey mould rot reduction ranging from 71% to 97%. Inoculation of mature-green tomatoes by the bacterial antagonist of Halobacillus trueperi resulted in no disease development. Our results indicate that the use of halotolerant to halophilic micro-organisms should be helpful in reducing grey mould disease of stored tomatoes.
Stable isotopes in jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) beaks to estimate its trophic position: comparison between stomach contents and stable isotopes

Stomach contents and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope analysis were used to evaluate trophic relationships of jumbo squid, Dosidicus gigas. Buccal masses, beaks and stomach contents of large and medium maturing-sized jumbo squid and muscle from its main prey, the myctophid Benthosema panamense, were collected in the Gulf of California, Mexico during 1996, 1997 and 1999. Both the quantified C and N-isotope ratios in muscle, and stomach content analysis revealed that larger-sized maturing squid showed a higher trophic position than medium-sized individuals. However, a discrepancy between stomach contents versus stable isotope analyses was found in evaluating trophic relationships. Simple dilution models as a function of growth were used to estimate the C and N renewal dietary shift for jumbo squid. Estimates of the initial C and N pools in D. gigas with an initial age of 70 days and 210 days indicated isotopic shifts of 32% after a threefold biomass increase and 25% after a fourfold biomass increase, respectively. Additionally, beak samples of jumbo squid were evaluated as an alternative tissue to estimate squid trophic position using stable isotopes. The results showed a significant correlation between stable isotope ratios from muscle and beak samples. Muscle isotope values were higher than beak by 1% and 4% for δ13C and δ15N respectively. A test with jumbo squid beaks collected from a stomach of a stranded sperm whale confirmed the viability of this method.
Editorial

Given the “information explosion” in a real sense, albeit through virtual connections, it eventually became necessary for online publishers to have a more reliable and consistent means of identifying documents than by way of the original URLs and web pages. Consequently, the concept of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) was introduced to locate ‘objects’ on the internet regardless of changes in websites. The DOI is a system for identifying content within the digital environment and provides a mechanism for managing intellectual content and metadata so that, even though information about a digital object might change over time, its DOI will not.
Molt cycle of male snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio , from observations of external features, setal changes, and feeding behavior

Male snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio, 67-94 mm carapace width (CW), were held in laboratory conditions over a 6-month period and examined regularly for changes in shell rigidity, shell color, ecdysial suture, setal development, and feeding behavior. Softening and decalcification of the cheliped merus, posterior carapace, and first abdominal segment occurred during premolt. Hardening of these areas and the mouthparts and dorsal carapace together with changes in the ecdysial suture and shell color were useful for defining postmolt stages. Setal changes at the tip of the maxilliped exopodites provided a reliable method for defining premolt stages. Crabs stopped feeding 3-6 weeks before molt and for 3-4 weeks after molt. From these results a description and definition of the different stages of the molt cycle was developed which included information on the duration of each stage. The implications of the findings to the snow crab
Angiotensin II-induced growth of vascular smooth muscle cells requires an Src-dependent activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor1

Angiotensin II-induced growth of vascular smooth muscle cells requires an Src-dependent activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Background Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent stimulus of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), the archetypal mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase are critical steps in Ang II-induced mitogenic signaling. However, the mechanism involved in the activation of these kinases upon binding of Ang II to its receptor is poorly understood. Methods In the present study, we examined the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in Ang II signaling in VSMCs employing immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis, kinase immunocomplex assay, and [ 3 H]-thymidine incorporation. Results A time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR in response to Ang II was observed that was mediated by the Ang II type 1 receptor. This trans activation of the EGFR was blocked in the presence of PP1, an inhibitor of the intracellular Src-like tyrosine kinases. The tyrphostin AG 1478, a selective EGFR antagonist, inhibited both Ang II- and EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR. Furthermore, Ang II induced the binding of the adaptor protein Shc to the EGFR, leading to phosphorylation of Shc. In addition, the same nanomolar concentrations of AG 1478 that were effective in EGF signaling blocked the Ang II-induced activation of ERK and PI3 kinase in a dose-dependent manner. Proliferation of VSMCs, detected by measurements of DNA synthesis, following stimulation with Ang II was potently inhibited in the presence of AG 1478 or PP1. Conclusions Our data suggest that EGFR serves as a role in mitogenic signaling following stimulation with Ang I through a ligand-independent and Src-dependent trans activation of the EGFR. Furthermore, we demonstrate this trans activation as a pivotal step in Ang II-induced activation of MAP kinase and PI3 kinase, as well as growth of VSMCs.
Biochemical and haematological responses in African catfish Clarias gariepinus following chronic exposure to NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser

The indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilisers to boost plant productivity has resulted in negative consequences in aquatic ecosystems. The effects of chronic exposure to NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser at 0.40, 0.80 and 1.60 g l−1 on the haematological and biochemical responses of Clarias gariepinus were determined under a static renewal bioassay for a period of 56 days in April–June 2013. There was a reduction in haemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and haematocrit, while mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration increased in exposed fish compared to the control. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the levels of the parameters examined in exposed fish and the control. However, a mixed trend was observed in the leucocyte differentials. In addition, glucose, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly increased while protein levels were reduced (p < 0.05) in the plasma throughout the exposure period. Prolonged exposure of C. gariepinus juveniles to NPK can lead to physiological dysfunction in the fish.
PHYLOGENY OF THE DUMONTIACEAE (GIGARTINALES, RHODOPHYTA) AND ASSOCIATED FAMILIES BASED ON SSU rDNA AND INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER SEQUENCE DATA

Small subunit (SSU) rDNA was sequenced for 25 species in 19 genera of the Gigartinales (Rhodophyta). As well, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced, and a data matrix of 36 morphological characters was constructed for 16 species of Dumontiaceae. Phylogenetic trees were calculated from a multiple alignment of the SSU sequence data to infer relationships between species of Dumontiaceae and other gigartinalean taxa. The SSU analysis produced a polyphyletic Dumontiaceae. Notably, Acrosymphyton failed to associate with the included Gigartinales, let alone the Dumontiaceae, supporting an earlier proposal to remove it to a new family. The analyses were equivocal about the phylogenetic affinities of Dudresnaya, which clustered with the Kallymeniaceae, and the affinities of the Indo‐West Pacific Gibsmithia, Kraftia, and Dasyphloea, the last‐mentioned clustering with the Antarctic Gainiaceae, and these four taxa with Portieria (Rhizophyllidaceae). Further investigations are necessary to resolve relationships among these taxa. Rhodopeltis, a genus recently moved to the Dumontiaceae from the Polyideaceae, showed a weak association with the remaining northern Dumontiaceae. The final group consisted of cold‐temperate Northern Hemisphere species. Phylogenetic analyses using a combination of SSU, ITS, and morphological data within this clade produced two strongly supported clades, a Dilsea/Neodilsea clade and a Cryptosiphonia/Dumontia clade. Dilsea is derived from a paraphyletic Neodilsea and may itself be polyphyletic. Atlantic and Pacific isolates of Dumontia contorta clearly showed sufficient divergence to warrant recognition as distinct species, and Dumontia alaskana, sp. nov. is proposed for the Pacific species.