Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The response of native, herbaceous species to ozone: growth and fluorescence screening

summary Ozone concentrations in many parts of Europe exceed the proposed UN-ECE Critical Levels for the protection of ecosystems but there is so little known about the effects on native, herbaceous species, that it is presently impossible to judge what effect, if any, these concentrations are having on this group of plants. This paper reports the results of an initial screening of 32 taxa that was used to select a small number of species for further work. All were exposed to 70 nl 1−1O3 given for 7 h d−1for two weeks and the response measured in terms of mean relative growth rate (R), the allometric root/shoot coefficient (K), and changes in induced chlorophyll fluorescence (FR). Only six species showed visible symptoms but 14 showed a significant reduction in R. There was no relationship between the extent of visible symptoms and growth reduction, confirming that visible symptoms are often of little value in determining growth sensitivity to O3 stress. There were marked differences within genera and within species; a population of Plantago major collected in Athens showed no effects, while a Derbyshire population, with a 24% reduction in R, was the most sensitive of taxa tested, including Bel-W3 tobacco which has been specifically bred for O3 sensitivity. There was a significant regression of R% change on the R of controls (R%= 12.4−10.4 ×R, P= 0.0007, r=−0.56), implying that > 30% of the variation in response between taxa was related to the inherent R; faster growing taxa tending to show a greater reduction in R on exposure to O3. It is tentatively suggested that this may be related to differences in stomatal conductance. Ozone caused a significant shift in K in 14 taxa, with many of the biggest changes being in grasses. Although O3 reduced K in some taxa, contrary to several published accounts, it increased it in others, and in some there was an effect on K with no effect on R. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Chlorophyll fluorescence was examined as a tool for detecting O3 stress. The maximum rate of rise of induced fluorescence, FR, was very sensitive to O3 but showed a complex pattern of response dependent on species and time. Most taxa showed a significant change in FR, even when there was no effect of the O3 on R or K. Whilst the sensitivity of FR makes it a useful method for in vivo detection of O3 stress, the complexity of the response makes it very difficult to quantify and use for comparisons between species.
Original article Optimisation of pectin acid extraction from passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) using response surface methodology

Summary Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40–90 � C), pH (1.2–2.6) and extraction times (10–90 min), with and without skins using a 2 4 factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 � C and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.
Grizzly bear–human conflicts in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, 1992–2000

Abstract For many years, the primary strategy for managing grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) that came into conflict with humans in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) was to capture and translocate the offending bears away from conflict sites. Translocation usually only temporarily alleviated the problems and most often did not result in long-term solutions. Wildlife managers needed to be able to predict the causes, types, locations, and trends of conflicts to more efficiently allocate resources for pro-active rather than reactive management actions. To address this need, we recorded all grizzly bear–human conflicts reported in the GYE during 1992–2000. We analyzed trends in conflicts over time (increasing or decreasing), geographic location on macro- (inside or outside of the designated Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone [YGBRZ]) and micro- (geographic location) scales, land ownership (public or private), and relationship to the seasonal availability of bear foods. We recorded 995 grizzly bear–human conflicts in the GYE. Fifty-three percent of the conflicts occurred outside and 47% inside the YGBRZ boundary. Fifty-nine percent of the conflicts occurred on public and 41% on private land. Incidents of bears damaging property and obtaining anthropogenic foods were inversely correlated to the abundance of naturally occurring bear foods. Livestock depredations occurred independent of the availability of bear foods. To further aid in prioritizing management strategies to reduce conflicts, we also analyzed conflicts in relation to subsequent human-caused grizzly bear mortality. There were 74 human-caused grizzly bear mortalities during the study, primarily from killing bears in defense of life and property (43%) and management removal of bears involved in bear–human conflicts (28%). Other sources of human-caused mortality included illegal kills, electrocution by downed power-lines, mistaken identification by American black bear (Ursus americanus) hunters, and vehicle strikes. This analysis will help provide wildlife managers the information necessary to develop strategies designed to prevent conflicts from occurring rather than reacting to conflicts after they occur.
Correlation between clinicopathology and expression of heat shock protein 72 in human primary lung carcinomas

Heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) is highly expressed in cancer tissues. Recent studies indicate the possible roles of HSP72 in the development and progression of different carcinomas, but detailed information is still ambiguous. The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between clinicopathology and immunolocalization of HSP72 in human primary lung carcinoma. The expression of HSP72 was studied in 96 human primary lung carcinomas with or without metastasis, as well as in tissues adjacent to cancer by way of immunohistochemistry. The distribution of HSP72 immunoreactive was examined by continuous cell counting in restricted fields by pathology photograph analysis. HSP72 immunoreactivities were detected in 90 of 96 primary tumors (93.7%). The expression of HSP72 has a correlation with the differentiation of primary lung carcinoma. HSP72 expression in lung carcinomas with lymph node and organ metastasis was significantly higher than those with nonmetastasis. The results indicate that there exists a significant correlation between the expression of HSP72 and the progression of primary lung carcinomas. HSP72 expression were significantly associated with the presence of tumor infiltration, lymph node and remote metastasis. The expression characters of HSP72 in primary lung carcinoma may contribute to study the pathogenesis and progression of lung carcinoma.
Diagnostic accuracy of the risk of malignancy index 1 compared to the more recent IOTA ADNEX model in discriminating benign from malignant adnexal masses: a multi-centric study

Background: Identification of the nature of an adnexal mass can ensure optimum management. Single parameters as well as diagnostic models using a combination of several parameters are in use. The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) consortium has developed and published the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model, which differentiates between benign and malignant masses. Authors conducted this study with the aim of finding a cut off value for this model in the study population and comparing the diagnostic accuracy of this model to that of the risk of malignancy (RMI). Methods: Women with adnexal masses admitted to the 3 medical college affiliated hospitals for surgical management were included in this study. Appropriate investigations were done to calculate the RMI-I and ADNEX score for each participant. A cut off score for the ADNEX model was determined and diagnostic accuracy tests were done for comparison.Results: At a cut-off of 29 for the ADNEX model and 200 for RMI model the sensitivity was 75% and 77.8, specificity 100% and 80.6%; Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 100%and 60%; Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 91% and 90.6%; Positive Likelihood ratio of infinity and 4 and a negative Likelihood Ratio of 2.8 and 2.5 respectively.Conclusions: The ADNEX model rates higher than the RMI in almost all tests of diagnostic accuracy and can be used for triaging, framing a referral policy and prioritizing surgery.
Control of Mosquitoes in Catch Basins in Connecticut With Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus sphaericus, and Spinosad

Abstract Catch basins are a major source of Culex pipiens pipiens, Cx. restuans, and Aedes japonicus in northeastern USA. VectoBac® CG (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis [Bti]), VectoLex® CG (Bacillus sphaericus [Bs]), and VectoBac® 12AS (Bti), each applied at maximum label rate of 1.8 g, 1.8 g, and 0.193 ml per catch basin, respectively, significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 1 wk. The dosages on the labels for treatment of mosquito larvae in catch basins, where mosquito breeding is continuous, are not adequate for providing long-term control in the northeastern USA without the need for frequent retreatment. When applied at 3 times the maximum label rate, VectoLex CG, VectoBac 12AS, and VectoBac CG significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 5, 4, and 2 wk, respectively. A single application of VectoMax™ WSP (Bti + Bs) (1 pouch containing 10 g) per catch basin significantly reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae in catch basins in 2008, but numbers of 3rd and 4th instars in treated catch basins at 21 days after treatment had increased to 40% of the numbers in untreated catch basins. A 2nd treatment of 1 pouch per catch basin reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae to near zero for the next 4 wk, into the middle of September 2008. In 2009, VectoMax applied as 1 pouch per catch basin on July 1 and again on August 18 significantly reduced the numbers of healthy pupae throughout the summer until the end of September. A 2nd application of VectoMax to catch basins is likely needed during summer, when rainfall averages 13.7 in. (∼34.25 cm) during June through September, to keep the numbers of Culex and Ae. japonicus significantly reduced to lower risk of human exposure to West Nile virus. The application of 1 Natular™ XRT tablet, each weighing approximately 40.5 g (6.25% spinosad), to individual catch basins in 2009 significantly reduced the total numbers of larvae for 5 wk.
Predicting the stage of decay of decomposing leaves by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

To study mineral cycling in forest ecosystems, it is essential to know the decomposition rate of the litter. This study attempted to predict directly, by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy, the stage of decomposition of leaf litter expressed as the percentage of ash-free litter mass remaining (LMR). Leaf litter of 10 different species, with varied initial compositions and at different stages of decomposition produced by incubation in the laboratory under controlled conditions, were used in this study. The LMR calibrations were carried out on half of the samples of the various populations (all species, woody species, broad-leaved species, trees, broad-leaved trees, oaks, deciduous trees, and evergreen trees). The standard error of cross validation varied between 1.69 and 3.01. Predictions were carried out on the other half of the samples of each population; the standard error of prediction varied between 2.35 and 3.77, with a r2 (coefficient of determination) of 0.97 to 0.99. The calibration equations .
The Thermal Physiology of the Feathertail Glider, Acrobates Pygmaeus (Marsupialia:Burramyidae).

Feathertail gliders are small arboreal marsupials from south-eastern Australia. Laboratory studies found that body temperature was labile and varied by 3.5°C throughout the day. Body temperature (Tb) control was stricter at low ambient temperature (Ta). Within the narrow thermal neutral zone (TNZ, 34.0-35.1°C), the basal metabolic rate was 2.11 W kg-0.75 (mean body mass 14.0 g) which is 13% lower than expected for a marsupial. Mass specific thermal conductance decreased with T, and the fleshy gliding membranes did not appear to contribute to the insulation. Huddling in groups of four or eight significantly reduced an individual's energy use. During torpor, Tb fell to close to Ta, the lowest Tb being 6.9°C, but torpor rarely lasted longer than 24 h. Groups of feathertail gliders often became torpid and showed a similar pattern of oxygen use during torpor to that seen in individuals. Some groups contained both torpid and normothermic individuals. This situation may benefit the torpid animals by reducing the cost of arousal and increasing the rate of rewarming.
pH-dependent transport of rubidium by the constitutive potassium uptake system TrkA of Escherichia coli K-12

Genetically distinct transport systems catalyze the extrusion of Na + ions and the accumulation of K + ions by cells of Escherichia coli K-12 [1-3]. In this organism the constitutive TrkA system is the main system by which the cells accumulate K + [3,4]. Despite its importance, little is known about the mechanism by which the TrkA system functions, except that it is electrogenic [5], and requires for activity a high transmembrane proton-motive force, as well as a high level of cytoplasmic ATP [6,7], or another metabolite [8]. It is essential for the elucidation of the mechanism of the TrkA system to measure both net and unidirectional K + fluxes across the cytoplasmic membrane catalyzed by the enzyme. However, the isotope 42K+, with which such measurements can be made, is a strong y-radiation emitter, and has a half-life of only 12 h. It would, therefore, be convenient to use 86Rb+ instead of K +, but Rhoads et al. [9] have reported that the E. coli TrkA system has a twelve-fold higher specificity for K + than for Rb +.
Low intakes of dietary fiber and magnesium are associated with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cohort study

Abstract Background Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have insulin resistance (IR) which may be worsened by obesity. The roles of dietary intake and activity are unclear. Our objectives were to determine whether (a) high caloric intake or inactivity explains obesity in PCOS, and (b) dietary composition is associated with PCOS phenotypes. Methods Eighty‐seven women with PCOS and 50 women without PCOS participated in this cohort study at a reproductive medicine center. Data collected included 3‐day food and physical activity records, anthropometrics, and metabolic and hormonal assays. Results Women with PCOS had increased body mass index (BMI) but similar caloric intake and activity to women without PCOS. There were no differences in protein, carbohydrates, fat, or glycemic load consumption, but women with PCOS consumed less fiber (medians: 19.6 vs. 24.7 g) and less magnesium (medians: 238.9 vs. 273.9 mg). In women with PCOS, those with IR consumed less fiber, less magnesium, and greater glycemic load than those without IR (medians: 18.2 vs. 22.1 g, 208.4 vs. 264.5 mg, 89.6 vs. 83.5). Fiber intake of women with PCOS was negatively correlated with IR, fasting insulin, glucose tolerance, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Magnesium intake was negatively correlated with IR, C‐reactive protein, and testosterone, but positively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Fiber intake and BMI accounted for 54.0% of the variance observed in IR. Conclusions Obesity in women with PCOS could not be explained by overeating or inactivity. Increasing dietary fiber and magnesium intakes may assist in reducing IR and hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS.
Influence of the Width of the Peripheral Growth Zone on the Radial Growth Rate of Fungal Colonies on Solid Media

SUMMARY: Growth of colonies of Rhizopus stolonifer, Mucor racemosus, Actinomucor repens, Absidia glauca, Geotrichum lactis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus wentii, A. niger and two strains of A. nidulans were studied. The radial growth rate (K r) of these colonies was found to be a function of the length (w) of the leading hyphae spanning the colony's peripheral growth zone and the specific growth rate (α) of these hyphae. Thus K r = ωaL w. The peripheral growth zone is the region in which hyphae are able to contribute protoplasm to the apical extension of the colony's leading hyphae. The width of the peripheral growth zone remained constant with time but varied from 423 μm. for G. lactis to 8660 μm. for R. stolonifer. The specific growth rate of the hyphae in the colony's peripheral growth zone appeared to be identical to the organism's maximum specific growth rate in submerged culture. The width of the peripheral growth zone was not influenced by temperature or by adding an inhibitor to the medium but did vary with glucose concentration. An observed difference between the radial growth rates of the two strains of Aspergillus nidulans, which had almost identical specific growth rates in submerged culture, was found to be correlated with a difference between the widths of their respective peripheral growth zones. Although there was a significant difference in the length of the apical cells and hyphal compartments of the leading hyphae of these strains, the growth zone of the hyphae of each strain contained 16 septa; it is suggested that the strains differ in the frequency of septum formation but not in the rate at which the septa become plugged.
Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Protein Predicts Survival in Patients with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Urinary Tract

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), identified as one of the transcription factors, has been found to play an essential role in oxygen homeostasis. HIF-1 is a heterodimer composed of HIF-1α and HIF-1β. Increased levels of HIF-1α have been reported during the carcinogenesis and progress of several tumors. We investigated the prognostic importance of HIF-1α expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. In 127 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract, we examined its expression (using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization), and also its relation to the expression of p53 oncoprotein, as well as to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity, microvessel density, clinicopathologic parameters, and clinical outcome. A positive expression of HIF-1α protein was recognized in 55.1% of samples, the expression being apparent within the nucleus in tumor cells. HIF-1α protein expression correlated with grade, growth pattern, p53 oncoprotein expression, and PCNA index, but not with stage. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between HIF-1α protein expression and both overall and disease-free survival rates in the univariate and multivariate analyses (in all tumors and in invasive tumors). A positive expression of HIF-1α mRNA was recognized in 69.6% of 125 samples which were available, the expression being apparent within the cytoplasm in tumor cells. The positive expression of HIF-1α mRNA by in situ hybridization correlated significantly with HIF-1α protein expression by immunohistochemistry. HIF-1α mRNA expression only correlated with pattern of growth (P = 0.0078). In conclusion, the detection of HIF-1α protein would seem to be of value in informing the prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.
Evaluating the effects of risk on the economics of juvenile spacing and commercial thinning

The temporarily increased fire hazard that is believed to result from the process of thinning is included in a single-stand model for assessing the economic benefits of juvenile spacing. Formulas for the expected net present value and the land expectation value are given along with methods for determining the age of financial maturity and the optimal rotation age. A numerical example is given to illustrate the degree of loss due to the increased fire risk. The problem of commercial thinning when the risk of fire is present is addressed using continuous-time models. It is shown how, when the fire hazard is exogenous to the thinning activity, the problem reduces to one of deterministic optimal control with the discount rate adjusted upward by an amount equal to the fire hazard rate. In the case when the fire hazard increases whenever thinning is taking place, it is shown that in general the optimal thinning policy is qualitatively different from that which is optimal in the no-risk case and involves periods.
The Control of Leaf Expansion

INTRODUCTION 267 CELL DIVISION AND CELL ENLARGEMENT 269 Cell Divi si on 269 Cell Expan sion . 272 The Gra ss Leaf . 273 THE MECHANICS OF ENLARGEMENT 273 The Ro le o f the E pidermi s 273 In terce llu la r S pace s and Their S i gn ificance . 275 THE MECH ANISM OF LEAF CELL GROWTH . 276 Biophy sica l Con sideration s. 276 The Pha se olu s Prima ry Leaf Sy stem . 278 REGULATION BY LIGHT 279 The Light Environment . 279 E ffect s of Light Quantity . 280 E ffects of Ligh t Qua lity . 282 The Ro le o f Ph ytochrome 283 WATER AND LEAF EXPANSION . 284 Me thodo log ica l Difficu lties 284 E ffec ts on Cell Divi sion 285 Cell En largement and Turgor Contr ol 285 A bsci sic Acid an d Leaf Gro wth . , . 288 CONCLUSIONS . 289
Assembly and promoter analysis of variant-specific surface protein (vsp) genes of Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia undergoes antigenic variation of variant-specific surface proteins (VSPs) that are encoded by a family of ~150 vsp genes only one of which is expressed at a time. The vsp gene promoters have not been previously studied. A comparison of the upstream non-coding region of vsp genes shows that they lack the AT-rich regions found in other Giardia gene promoters. We have determined that the core promoters of vsp A6 and vsp C5 genes extend from -57 to + 6 and -50 to + 6 respectively. Through linker scanning analysis, we have also identified regions within the vsp A6 core promoter important for promoter activity that span -7-3, -12-8, -17-13 and -42-38. There is no sequence similarity in the upstream regions of the previously characterized vsp genes that were analyzed, with the exception of a seven nucleotide region that encompasses the translation initiation site: Py A A T G T T. We have demonstrated that the four nucleotides flanking the start codon are essential for promoter activity. This result suggests that it may be an Inr element, which by definition determines the site of transcription initiation. In addition, this element loosely resembles the metazoan Inr consensus: Py Py A A/T Py Py. Using 5′ RACE I have determined that for two vsp genes, the translation and transcription start sites are synonymous and reside within this conserved element. However, we were unable to identify protein factors that bind this region using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. A search for characteristic VSP motifs, such as CRGKA, amongst identified ORFs in the Giardia genome assembly in turn identified 180 ORFs which may be VSPs.