Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and survival of cowpea rhizobia in acid, aluminum-rich soils

A study was undertaken to determine whether Al-sensitive cowpea Rhizobium survives in acid, Al-rich soils. The lower pH limit for growth of 20 strains in a defined liquid medium varied from pH 4.2 to less than pH 3.6. The mean lower limit for growth was pH 3.9. Several of the strains clumped in this medium at pH 4.5. Of 11 strains that were tested for tolerance to high levels of Al in a defined liquid medium at pH 4.5, nine tolerated 75 . mu.M Al, and the other two were sensitive to levels above 15 . mu.M. Three strains, one Al-tolerant, one Al-sensitive, and one Al-tolerant or Al-sensitive depending on the presence of vitamins in the medium, were selected for studies in Al-rich sterile and nonsterile soils. These rhizobia did not survive in soils of less than pH 4.7 sterilized by /sup 60/Co irradiation. When inoculated into sterile soil at pH 4.7, the consistently sensitive strain initially failed to proliferate and then grew slowly, but populations of the other two rhizobia increased rapidly. No consistent relationship was found between the Al tolerance of these three rhizobia and their growth and survival in four acid, Al-rich soils. The data suggest that Al ismore » of minor importance to growth and survival of cowpea Rhizobium strains in acid soils. 16 references, 4 figures, 1 table. « less
Inhibition of NO⊟3 Uptake by Various Phloem-Translocated Amino Acids in Soybean Seedlings

We have examined the effect of different amino acids on NOJ uptake in 5-d-old soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Kingsoy) seedlings. Amino acids were supplied to the root either by addition to the nutrient solution, or by immersion of the tip-cut cotyledons in a concentrated solution. NO3" uptake was measured by its depletion in amino acid-free root medium. Provision of amino acid to the roots resulted in an inhibition of NO^ uptake, mainly with Asp, Glu, Asn, Arg, Ala, jSAla, less with Ser and Gin, and even less with other amino acids. Using Arg and jJAla, we have shown that the supplied amino acid accumulated in the root tissues. Immersing the cotyledons in a concentrated solution of amino acid resulted both in an enrichment of the phloem exudate and in an inhibition of NO^" uptake. With this protocol, the most important inhibition was obtained with Arg, Ala, (3Ala, Asn, Gin, Glu, Met, and Asp. Moreover, the level of inhibition was lower than that obtained with the root-feeding. The significance of such an inhibitory effect of phloem-transl ocated amino acids on NOJ uptake as a regulatory signal for matching NO^ uptake rates to N demand in older plants is discussed.
Distributed Leadership in Transformation Initiatives: The Emergence of Network Leadership

Several research studies investigated organizational transformation in particular to examine various leadership theories and styles that emerged during different chronological evolution of leadership theories. In similar context, attention has been given recently to collective/team leadership theories that depend on more collective approach to leadership. Examining organizational transformation literature and leadership theory literature is expected to lead to identifying an intersection between these important topics. This paper intends to bridge distributed leadership theory and organizational transformation theory in achieving efficient and optimal results when implementing large scale organizational transformational initiatives and examining the notion of network leadership by overlaying social network theory to the characteristics of distributed leadership, which is expected to add to the current knowledge and use by scholars and policy makers while practicing leadership in a organizations going through transformation.
Involvement of RHO GTPases and ERK in synuclein-γ enhanced cancer cell motility

Synuclein-gamma is aberrantly expressed in more than 70% of stage III/IV breast and ovarian carcinomas. Ectopic overexpression of synuclein-gamma enhanced MDA-MB-435 cell migration in vitro and metastasis in a nude mouse model. However, the mechanism of how synuclein-gamma promotes cell motility is not clear. In our previous studies, we showed that synuclein-gamma overexpression activates ERK. In the present study, we overexpressed synuclein-gamma in several breast and ovarian cancer cell lines and evaluated the effect of synuclein-gamma on the activity of small G-protein RHO family members. We found that at least one of the RHO/RAC/CDC42 GTPases showed a higher level of the GTP-bound active form. Consistent with their role in regulating the intracellular motile machinery, inhibition of the RHO/RAC/CDC42 by C. difficile Toxin B blocked cell migration in both parental cells and synuclein-gamma overexpressing cells. The ERK inhibitor U0126 also blocked the cell migration in both parental cells and synuclein-gamma overexpressing cells. Collectively, our data indicate that synuclein-gamma might be involved in late stage breast and ovarian cancer metastasis by enhancing cell motility through activation of the RHO family small-GTPases and ERK.
Metal toxicity and the p53 protein: an intimate relationship

Many metals are pivotal for the function of enzymes and proteins, but in excess can result in the formation of free radicals (ROS) that can cause damage to DNA. p53 is a tumour suppressor protein and transcription factor that can react to DNA damage to either facilitate a repair response or when the damage is too severe to initiate apoptosis and cell death. ROS can therefore activate p53, but the p53 protein itself is susceptible to oxidative changes, resulting in unfolding of the p53 protein and therefore loss of activity. In order to be active, p53 needs to bind zinc while other metals such as copper can displace zinc leading to p53 unfolding. Metal exposure can therefore result in the activation or inactivation of p53 directly and indirectly through ROS, all dependent on the type of metal and the severity of the exposure. Conversely, p53 itself can impact on ROS and affect the expression of important proteins in metal cell biology. In the current review, we have summarized the relationship between p53, ROS and metal toxicity.
The Influence of pH, Water Hardness, and Alkalinity on the Acute Lethality of Zinc to Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

The acute lethality of dissolved zinc to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was significantly increased at higher pH and lower hardness levels. Changes in pH from 5.5 to 7.0 increased zinc toxicity by factors of 2 to 5, depending on total hardness levels. A decrease in hardness from 386 to 31 mg CaCO3/L increased zinc toxicity by more than an order of magnitude at both pH levels. These effects of pH and hardness were not caused by changes in the chemical speciation of zinc. An increase in carbonate alkalinity from 8.4 to 24 mg CaCO3/L at pH 7.0 did not significantly alter zinc toxicity at either hardness level. Thus, carbonate alkalinity is not an important factor at or below pH 7.0. At low hardness, dissolved zinc was more than 10 times as toxic at pH 9.0 as at pH 5.5. Two competing mechanisms appear to operate: as the pH rises, dissolved zinc becomes increasingly toxic, but at higher pH levels it is increasingly replaced by zinc precipitate, which is of very low toxicity to fish.
Lexico-grammatical Realization of Power in The Thorn Birds

 This paper explores how the interpersonal meaning of power is realized by the lexico-grammatical patterns, taking one episode from the novel The Thorn Birds as examples. The analytical framework is drawn from systemic functional grammar. The findings suggest that as a type of interpersonal meaning, power could be realized by non-reciprocal language patterns. The finding is meant to deepen our understanding of the relation between the meaning of text and the lexico-grammatical patterns that function to realize that
Population Size, Pollinator Limitation, and Seed Set in the Self‐ Incompatible Herb Lythrum Salicaria

In reward-producing animal-pollinated plants, small populations are likely to be less attractive to pollinators than large populations. The likelihood of pollinator limitation of seed production should therefore increase with decreasing population size. I documented the number of flowering plants and plant fecundity in 18 populations of the self-incompatible, tristylous herb Lythrum salicaria within an archipelago in northern Swe- den in two consecutive years. To test the hypothesis that a positive correlation between population size and seed set is due to a higher degree of pollinator limitation in small than in large populations, I performed supplemental hand-pollinations in eight (1993) and 13 (1994) of the study populations. To test the hypothesis that common mating types are more likely than rare types to experience inadequate pollination, I compared the natural level of seed production and the effect of supplemental pollination in different style morphs in the five populations in which -10 plants per morph were included in the experiment. There was no significant correlation between population size and plant size in terms of number of floral shoots or number of flower-producing leaf nodes per shoot. However, there was a positive relationship between population size and seed production per flower and between population size and total seed number per plant. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between population size and seed production of flowers that had received sup- plemental pollination. In both years, the difference in mean seed production per flower between hand-pollinated flowers and controls decreased with increasing population size. In two of five populations, the effect of supplemental pollination differed significantly among morphs. Seed production was more likely to be pollinator limited in long-styled than in short-styled plants, but this difference could not be attributed to a preponderance of the long-styled morph in the studied populations. Results of the supplemental hand- pollinations indicate that the positive correlation between population size and seed pro- duction is a function of insufficient pollen transfer in small populations. Additional de- mographic studies are needed to determine to what extent the reduced level of seed pro- duction in small populations limits the growth of young populations, and to what extent it may threaten the local persistence of L. salicaria.
Team Formation for Agile Software Development: A Review

Rapid and unpredictable technology advancements cause a rise in demand for software products that can be delivered faster, adapt to volatile changes and save cost. Over the years, Agile Software Development (ASD) becomes more suitable as the software process that can cater to those demands while still maintaining the quality desired. With this Agile nature, it is apparent that the team that develops the software product need to have unique features as well. The team should also be formed correctly to gain effectiveness, strong performance and ultimately project success. Ineffective teams can be caused by, among others, conflict, inadequate skillset, unbalanced role assignment, lack of teamwork and non-competent team members. However, by far, the characteristics that need to be considered in forming effective teams are yet to be formalized. Thus, this study aims to identify the necessary characteristics in composing a competent team that is well balanced and can create coherent teamwork. The study involves a qualitative literature review which includes past studies about team formation specifically in the software development domain. The data were collected from online journal databases and analyzed using content analysis. From the analysis, six characteristics together with their attributes were identified as vital in team formation. Another two characteristics were also identified as influencing the six-team formation characteristics. These findings will need further empirical rigor before they can become a complete Agile Software Development team composition model. This model is believed to assist Agile practitioners in forming effective teams for their development projects.
Thermodynamics of Binding of Aromatic Amino Acids to α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins

AbstractThe thermodynamics of the binding of aromatic amino acids, i.e., tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine to α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin were investigated by microcalorimetry. Heat was evolved following the interaction of tryptophan and tyrosine with α- and β-cyclodextrins but not with γ-cyclodextrin.Phenylalanine only appeared to react with γ-cyclodextrin. Human serum albumin contains these amino acids but the heat evolves following interaction with α and β-cyclodextrins was much lower than that evolved with the individual amino acids. No heat was evolved following the interaction of γ-cyclodextrin with the albumin.
Interindividual variability in habitat use: evidence for a risk management syndrome in roe deer?

The way an individual reacts to the risk of predation or disturbance may have important consequences for its immediate and future survival. Risk is likely perceived differently by individuals in relation to among-individual differences in correlated behavioral traits, that is, syndromes or personalities. Given that animals can avoid the risk of predation/disturbance through modification of their habitat use, we might expect individuals of differing behavioral types to adopt contrasting tactics of habitat use when faced with risky or stressful situations. We studied the relationship between habitat use and among-individual variation in behavioral profile in a population of roe deer. We hypothesized that an individual’s habitat use tactics should be related to their capacity to cope with risky situations. In particular, we predicted that more reactive (risk-averse) roe deer, with relatively high behavioral response and high body temperature at capture, long flight distances and which were more vigilant during feeding, should use riskier open habitat less, particularly when risk is high. We found that although the use of open habitat during the day was negatively correlated with the indices of reactivity at capture, it was also positively correlated with indices of reactivity while foraging in open habitat. Furthermore, most of the behavioral parameters we measured were intercorrelated and moderately repeatable, potentially indexing personality traits. We conclude that there is substantial interindividual variability in how individuals manage risky situations which imposes constraints on how they are able to exploit high-risk habitats, suggesting the existence of a risk management syndrome in this large herbivore.
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF WEEDINESS IN PORTULACA OLERACEA L.

The growth responses of Portulaca oleracea plants from a central Michigan population are compared with representative populations of Portulaca grandiflora, a cultivar, and Portulaca pilosa, a plant of southern and relatively narrow distribution in this country. In comparison tests, and species show a significant interaction with photoperiod, light intensity, temperature, and soil types. Portulaca oleracea is a weed, in part because its process and pattern of growth give the plant quick response capability. In contrast to its companion species, P. oleracea uses a wide variety of photoperiods, and capsule numbers are positively correlated with amounts of light received. This weed is widely tolerant of light intensities, temperature regimes, and soil types, and the plants produce adequate levels of capsules over a wide range of these factors. In addition, individuals have the ability to produce large numbers of capsules rapidly when high levels of these factors become available.
Multisensorial Close-Range Sensing Generates Benefits for Characterization of Managed Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Stands

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides a detailed three-dimensional representation of surrounding forest structures. However, due to close-range hemispherical scanning geometry, the ability of TLS technique to comprehensively characterize all trees, and especially upper parts of forest canopy, is often limited. In this study, we investigated how much forest characterization capacity can be improved in managed Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands if TLS point clouds are complemented with photogrammetric point clouds acquired from above the canopy using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In this multisensorial (TLS+UAV) close-range sensing approach, the used UAV point cloud data were considered especially suitable for characterizing the vertical forest structure and improvements were obtained in estimation accuracy of tree height as well as plot-level basal-area weighted mean height (Hg) and mean stem volume (Vmean). Most notably, the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) in Hg improved from 0.8 to 0.58 m and the bias improved from −0.75 to −0.45 m with the multisensorial close-range sensing approach. However, in managed Scots pine stands, the mere TLS also captured the upper parts of the forest canopy rather well. Both approaches were capable of deriving stem number, basal area, Vmean, Hg, and basal area-weighted mean diameter with the relative RMSE less than 5.5% for all the sample plots. Although the multisensorial close-range sensing approach mainly enhanced the characterization of the forest vertical structure in single-species, single-layer forest conditions, representation of more complex forest structures may benefit more from point clouds collected with sensors of different measurement geometries.
Vascular Development: Similar Regulators Function in Shoot, Root, and Vascular Meristems

The development and maintenance of the procambium and cambium, together referred to as the vascular meristem, are not well understood (reviewed in [Elo et al., 2009][1]). Recently, it has come to light that, along with hormones, peptide signals are active in vascular tissue development. TRACHEARY
IOT Based Stress Detection and Health Monitoring System

The effects of stress are causing rigorous damage to the mental as well as physical state of humans. It is very difficult to identify whether a person is in stress. The person may look healthier physically but may not be in a state of good health due to the stress within the body. Their mental stability also gets affected and may further lead to chronic ailments due to persistent stress. However, it is very essential to monitor stress levels regularly which help in diagnosis of any abnormalities in the body that may lead to chronic illness in future. The Wireless networks based on IOT (Internet of Things) provides wide range of opportunities to monitor stress levels regularly and transmit the information to the concerned for immediate action. A model is designed and developed to detect the stress levels using various sensors such as heartbeat rate, blood pressure (BP), body temperature and concentration of CO2 gas. Further based on the values of these sensors, the levels of stress is calculated and the information is transmitted using IOT.
Sensory analysis of full-, reduced- and low-fat cheese elaborated with raw goat milk

The market for goat milk cheese has grown due to the new tendencies to consume innovative products, and the fact that it has provided a profitable alternative to cow milk cheese due to its inherent health-promoting attributes. The trends toward healthier eating have increased the interest in low-fat cheese (LFC). The objective of this study is to enable an understanding and provides a baseline of the effect of fat reduction on sensory analyses and consumer acceptability of cheeses made from raw goat milk with three different fat contents and ripened for 28 days using an artisanal method. Odour and flavour intensity was lower as fat decreased in cheese, and LFC and reduced-fat cheese (RFC) were firmer, friable, grainier, drier, acidic and less adhesive and sweet than full-fat cheese (FFC). Both judges and consumers preferred the FFC, mainly because of the greater intensity and the combination of this with excessive hardness and high masticability was likely the main cause of non-acceptance.
Nymphalidae, Papilionidae e Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) da Serra do Sudeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

To contribute to the knowledge on the composition and distribution of the butterfly fauna of the Southeastern region of Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), five areas at Serra do Sudeste were sampled between April/2003 and January/2004. The species composition of Nymphalidae, Papilionidae and Pieridae was compared with existing records for the contiguous areas at the foot of Serra do Sudeste and the South Coast Plain (Pelotas and surroundings). In a total of 289 net-hours of sampling at Serra do Sudeste, 2.326 individuals in 81 species were recorded: 59 Nymphalidae, 12 Papilionidae and 10 Pieridae. Literature data available for the adjacent areas lists 138 species. Putting both sources together, a total of 152 species are now registered for the Southeast Region of RS: 110 Nymphalidae, 14 Papilionidae and 28 Pieridae. Amongst these species, 14 (9%) occur only in Serra do Sudeste, and 71 (47%) only at the contiguous areas. The results demonstrate the peculiar composition of Serra do Sudeste lepidopterofauna and emphasize the biological importance of this area of Rio Grande do Sul.
Funnel Size and Lamp Wattage Influence on Light-Trap Performance

Electric insect traps, each consisting of three nested funnels and equipped with a 15-, 30-, or 40-w blacklight fluorescent lamp, were tested against a popular gravitytype trap. Capture data all tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Johannson); tomato hornwonn, M. quinquemaculata (Haworth); corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie); armyworm, Pscudaletia unpuncia (Haworth); green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say); and the families Coccinellidae and Ichneumonidae are included. In all cases the largest number of Lepidoptera were collected in the smallest funnel. This was true of some of the collections of Ichneumonidae. Collections of Coccinellidae were the greatest in the largest funnel. The collections of the green stink bug were more uniformly distributed among the three sized funnels. More insects were caught when the lamp wattage was increased, but not in direct relation to the change.
Production of $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $K_S$ mesons in U$+$U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=192$ GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider measured $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $K_S$ mesons at midrapidity in U$+$U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=192 GeV in a wide transverse momentum range. Measurements were performed in the $\pi^0$($\eta$)$\rightarrow\gamma\gamma$ and $K_S\rightarrow\pi^0\pi^0$ decay modes. A strong suppression of $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $K_S$ meson production at high transverse momentum was observed in central U$+$U collisions relative to binary scaled $p$$+$$p$ results. Yields of $\pi^0$, $\eta$ and $K_S$ mesons measured in U$+$U collisions show similar suppression pattern to the ones measured in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV for similar numbers of participant nucleons. The $\eta$/$\pi^0$ and $K_S$/$\pi^0$ ratios do not show dependence on centrality or transverse momentum, and are consistent with previously measured values in hadron-hadron, hadron-nucleus, nucleus-nucleus, and $e^+e^-$ collisions.