Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Biosynthesis of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid in Higher Plants: II. Formation of 14C-δ-Aminolevulinic Acid from Labeled Precursors in Greening Plant Tissues 1

δ-Aminolevulinic acid was accumulated by greening cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L. var. Alpha green) cotyledons, barley ( Hordeum sativum var. Numar) leaves, and bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Red Kidney) leaves in the presence of various 14 C-labeled precursors and levulinic acid, a competitive inhibitor of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase. The radioactivity in the accumulated δ-aminolevulinic acid was measured. The most effective labeled precursors were the 5 carbon dicarboxylic compounds glutamate, glutamine, and α-ketoglutarate. 14 C-Labeled glycine and succinate were relatively poor. The carboxyl and the methylene carbons of glycine were incorporated into δ-aminolevulinic acid to about equal extent. The carboxyl carbon of glutamate was incorporated almost as well as the internal carbons of the same compound. These results are inconsistent with the succinyl CoA-glycine succinyl transferase (δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase) mode of δ-aminolevulinic acid production. When the same experiments were performed on turkey blood (which, as avian blood in general, possesses δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase), δ-aminolevulinic acid was labeled most effectively from glycine-2- 14 C, moderately well from glycine-1- 14 C and glutamate-3,4- 14 C and not at all from glutamate-1- 14 C. It appears probable that greening higher plant tissues possess an alternate route to δ-aminolevulinic acid in which the carbon skeleton of glutamate (and α-ketoglutarate) is incorporated intact into the first committed metabolite of the chlorophyll pathway.
Effect of lipoxygenase activity and red seed coat on rice bran deterioration

BACKGROUND: Many studies have suggested that the main reason for rice bran deterioration is the effect of lipase, but there have been fewer reports about the effect of lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and red seed coat on rice bran deterioration. In this study, several rice bran materials with white or red coat and different LOX isozyme activities and near isogenic lines about the colour of coat and LOX isozymes were subjected to accelerated aging experiments, during which their fatty acid values were monitored. RESULTS: Rice bran materials with different LOX isozyme activities and colour of coat showed different changes in fatty acid value during aging. Red coat with high LOX-1,2 and low LOX-3 activity caused the fatty acid value to increase at a lower rate than white coat with low LOX-1,2 and high LOX-3 activity, while the latter caused the fatty acid value to increase at a lower rate than white coat with low LOX-1,2,3 activity. The results for the near isogenic line further confirmed the role of LOX isozyme activity and the colour of coat in rice bran deterioration. CONCLUSION: It can be inferred that high LOX isozyme activity is beneficial to delay rice bran deterioration; for example, high LOX-1,2 activity is essential for red rice bran storage, while high LOX-3 activity is essential for white rice bran storage. The results of this investigation may be helpful in further studies of the mechanism of rice bran deterioration. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
In-class activity comparing standard errors as a function of sample size with SPSS

aUniversité d’Ottawa Abstract This vignette presents an in-class demonstration to introduce the notion of standard error. The students must be able to compute means using SPSS. They must also be able to eye-ball standard deviation from a list of numbers. In doing the activity, they will be exposed to sampling. The demonstration uses a random number generator so that each student faces a different dataset simulating IQs from a single group of participants. Factors affecting standard errors (sample size and population variance) are explored. Finally, the actual formula for standard error is then compared to the roughly estimated standard deviation of the sample means.
Particle Acceleration and Transport during 3D CME Eruptions

We calculate particle acceleration during coronal mass ejection (CME) eruptions using combined magnetohydrodynamic and test-particle models. The 2.5D/3D CMEs are generated via the breakout mechanism. In this scenario a reconnection at the “breakout” current sheet (CS) above the flux rope initiates the CME eruption by destabilizing a quasi-static force balance. Reconnection at the flare CS below the erupting flux rope drives the fast acceleration of the CME, which forms flare loops below and produces the energetic particles observed in flares. For test-particle simulations, two times are selected during the impulsive and decay phases of the eruption. Particles are revealed to be accelerated more efficiently in the flare CS rather than in the breakout CS even in the presence of large magnetic islands. Particles are first accelerated in the CSs (with or without magnetic islands) by the reconnection electric field mainly through particle curvature drift. We find, as expected, that accelerated particles precipitate into the chromosphere, become trapped in the loop top by magnetic mirrors, or escape to interplanetary space along open field lines. Some trapped particles are reaccelerated, either via reinjection to the flare CS or through a local Betatron-type acceleration associated with compression of the magnetic field. The energetic particles produce relatively hard energy spectra during the impulsive phase. During the gradual phase, the relaxation of magnetic field shear reduces the guiding field in the flare CS, which leads to a decrease in particle energization efficiency. Important implications of our results for observations of particle acceleration in the solar coronal jets are also discussed.
Logistics Development in European Countries: The Case of Poland

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to show the diversity of logistics development in European countries at the national and regional level, taking into account the countries of Western, Central and Eastern Europe. The focus is on the development of logistics in Poland, a country with a special location in Europe between Germany, the leader in European and global logistics, and Russia. Design/Methodology/Approach: Research includes changes in the volume of freight transport by air, rail, road and sea in 33 countries in 2010-2018. Spatiotemporal analysis of statistical data with the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and ArcMap 10.5 is proposed. Findings: Logistics in Europe is strongly diversified in national and regional terms. In most countries, logistics developed for all modes of transport during the period considered. The development of the logistics system in Poland mainly involved road, rail and sea transport. Air transport of goods increased to a lesser extent. The integration process of Central and Eastern European logistics with German logistics is visible. Practical Implications: The contribution of the research is to show the general interrelationships between logistics policy and initiatives at the national level and changes in the volume of freight transport across the most important transport branches. Originality/Value: Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to represent the changes occurring in logistics in Europe. Identification of countries and regions with different logistics development models and paths.
Zygosporogenesis in Gilbertella persicaria

Zygospore development in Gilbertella persicaria (Eddy) Hesseltine was studied by light microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Cell walls of apically conjugating progametangia lose their separate identities in the fusion septum. Gametangial septa are formed, asynchronously to synchronously, on either side of the fusion septum by the centripetal coalescence of vesicles. Secondary thickening of these septa is more rapid and continues longer on the side towards the zygospore. The multilayered wall of the zygosporangium ultimately consists of outer and inner primary walls, a warted layer, and a smoothing or tertiary layer. Ahyaline quaternary layer with conical projections (zygospore wall) is formed within the zygosporangium. The observations obtained are correlated with existing ultrastructural information on zygosporogenesis in the Mucorales.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Food Products and Clinical Samples

Abstract Listeria monocytogenes has a ubiquitous distribution in nature and could contaminate food of animal origin, causing severe infections in humans. Till present, little is known about the antibiotic resistance profiles of these strains in Romania. The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 37 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from animal derived foods and from clinical samples. Food samples were collected from meat and dairy products, between 2009 and 2013. Clinical samples were collected from patients with septicemia, meningitis/meningo-encephalitis, abortion cases and newborns, hospitalized during April 2010 - April 2013 in three medical institutions from Bucharest: Babes Hospital, Elias Hospital, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INBI) Matei Bals. All tested isolates exhibited resistance to cephalosporins and nalidixic acid; one strain isolated from boiled shell snails was resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The resistance to the first choice antibiotic ampicillin in L. monocytogenes strains isolated from severe infections is underlining the need of in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing of each clinical isolate to establish the efficacy of different antibiotics, as well as of extended epidemiological studies to highlight the resistance profiles of L. monocytogenes strains circulating in our country. Rezumat Listeria monocytogenes are o distribuţie ubiquitară în natură şi poate contamina produsele alimentare de origine animală, provocând infecţii severe la om. Până în prezent există foarte puține date cu privire la profilurile de rezistenţă ale tulpinilor circulante în România. Scopul acestui studiu a fost determinarea pattern-urilor de rezistenţă la antibiotice ale unor tulpini de L. monocytogenes (n=37) izolate din produse alimentare de origine animală şi din probe clinice. Probele din alimente (carne şi produse lactate), au fost colectate în perioada 2009-2013. Probele clinice au fost recoltate de la pacienţi cu septicemie, meningită/meningo-encefalită, cazuri de avort spontan şi nou-născuţi, spitalizaţi în perioada Aprilie 2010 - Aprilie 2013 în trei Instituţii Medicale din Bucureşti: Spitalul Elias, Spitalul Victor Babes si Institutul Naţional de Boli Infecţioase (INBI) Matei Bals. Toate tulpinile testate au prezentat rezistenţă la cefalosporine şi acidul nalidixic; o tulpină izolată din melci fierţi a fost rezistentă la Trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol. Rezistenţa unora dintre tulpinile analizate la ampicilina, antibiotic de elecţie pentru terapia infecţiilor cauzate de L. monocytogenes, subliniază necesitatea testării in vitro a sensibilitatii la antibiotice a fiecarui izolat clinic pentru a stabili eficienţa diferitelor antibiotice, precum şi a unor studii epidemiologice extinse în scopul stabilirii profilurilor de rezistenţă ale tulpinilor de L. monocytogenes circulante în ţara noastră.
Near-ultraviolet radiation guides the emerged hatchlings of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta (Linnaeus) from a nesting beach to the sea at night

Hatchling sea turtles (Caretta caretta) emerge from their beach nests at night and crawl seaward immediately, even where the sea is not visible to them. This sea-finding ability of hatchlings is one of the outstanding phenomena of animal orientation. The primary sea-finding mechanism is an orientation towards light, and blindfolded hatchlings could not find the sea. Hatchlings of loggerhead turtles avoid yellow and orange light and are strongly attracted to light in the near-ultraviolet to green part of the spectrum. Here we demonstrate in experiments at a nesting beach that (1) loggerhead hatchlings orient to near-ultraviolet radiation, and (2) the intensity of near-ultraviolet radiation is always higher seaward than landward on all nights. These results are consistent with long-term monitoring data that show emergence of loggerhead hatchlings takes place during any phase and position of the moon. To prevent mis-orientation of hatchlings, roads, and human settlements fronting turtle nesting beaches should use lights that do not emit near-ultraviolet radiation.
Sexual Dimorphism in Wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota, Florida

We examined sexual dimorphism in external morphometric characters from 19 male and 32 female bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) that were physically mature. These animals are long-term residents of the coastal waters near Sarasota, Florida, and were examined as part of an ongoing capture-release project. Males were significantly larger than females in 20 of 29 measurements; only one of eight measurements of the head showed significant absolute dimorphism. Proportional dimorphism (i.e., dimorphism corrected for body size) was less pronounced; only four linear measurements and three girth measurements exhibited significant differences between sexes. In addition, scarring of the dorsal fin occurred more frequently on males than on females. The occurrence of sexual dimorphism in this population of bottlenose dolphins is consistent with the model of a polygamous mating system.
An alteration in transcription patterns of mitochondrial genes in alloplasmic lines of Brassica rapa

The accumulation of transcripts of mitochondrial genes in young buds was examined in euplasmic and alloplasmic lines of Brassica rapa for the `mur' system of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). Southern blotting analysis revealed the general absence of restriction fragment length polymorphism between Diplotaxis muralis, the donor of cytoplasm, and each of three sterile alloplasmic lines, indicating that the rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA might not be caused by the nucleus of B. rapa. However, different Northern hybridization patterns were detected when coxI and nad3 were used as probes. Production of the 2.5-kb transcript of coxI and a reduction in levels of the transcript of nad3 in the sterile alloplasmic lines were clearly under the control of the nucleus of B. rapa. No such differences in patterns of transcripts were detected in the leaves. This observation suggests that some factor(s) or gene(s) in the nucleus of B. rapa acts in an organ-specific manner to alter the size of transcripts in the mitochondria of the donor cytoplasm without any structural changes in the mitochondrial genome. Further studies are required to clarify whether or not the unique transcripts in the young buds induce a CMS event.
Índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedades vasculares periféricas

Introduccion: El indice de riesgo nutricional geriatrico es un instrumento simple y exacto que permite identificar a pacientes hospitalizados con este riesgo. Objetivo: Valorar la prevalencia de riesgo nutricional en pacientes ingresados por presentar una enfermedad vascular. Metodos: Se evaluaron de forma transversal 102 pacientes mayores de 18 anos (65 % hombres) ingresados de forma consecutiva entre octubre y diciembre de 2018 en el Instituto Nacional de Angiologia y Cirugia Vascular en La Habana Cuba, independientemente de la enfermedad de base y que estuvieran de acuerdo en participar en el estudio. La variable principal de salida fue la proporcion de pacientes con riesgo nutricional: riesgo alto ( 98); las variables secundarias resultaron la edad, el sexo, el indice de masa corporal y la concentracion de albumina. Resultados: El 12,9 % (intervalo de confianza 95 %: 6,2-19,6); el 16,8 % (9,4-24,2) y el 22,8 % (14,5-31,3) de los pacientes presentaron un riesgo nutricional alto, moderado y ligero, respectivamente. Solo el 47,5 % (37,6-57,4), de los pacientes no presento riesgo nutricional. La edad y el sexo no mostraron correlacion con el riesgo nutricional; la concentracion de albumina y el indice de masa corporal y el indice de riesgo nutricional si se asociaron de forma importante (R 2 : 0,98 y 0,59, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de pacientes con riesgo nutricional es elevada en el ambito hospitalario y puede evaluarse por intermedio del indice de riesgo nutricional geriatrico.
Dynamic Role of Mother Empowerment in reducing malnutrition among children: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, two out of five children are malnourished and malnutrition causes almost half of the child deaths (45%). Mothers are the primary caretaker of children's health, but unfortunately, most of the mothers, are not empowered in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the role of mother’s empowerment in the reduction of malnutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) among children under five years of age in twenty-two Sub-Saharan African countries. Cross-sectional data from the most recent Demographic Health Survey (2011-2016) of twenty-two countries are used to analyze the relationship between mother's empowerment and child malnutrition through the binary logistic regression analysis. Results show that the countries with low empowerment, the prevalence of malnutrition is high. Mother empowerment is found to be a statistically significant predictor in reducing malnutrition. Mother’s education, body mass index, and age at first birth proved to be a strong predictor for reducing malnutrition. Household wealth index and household locality also have a statistically significant impact on the reduction of malnutrition. At the household level, malnutrition of children can be minimized by empowering boosting their self-esteem, self-confidence, economic resources, social resources, awareness and decision making.
Phytofabrication of silver nano particles using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract and their antibacterial and anticancer activity through oxidative damage

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have found prominence in different fields such as medicine, catalysis, nanoelectronics, textile field, pollution and water treatment due to their unique attributes. Applications of AgNP are increasing rapidly in the medical purpose including drug delivery, treatment, diagnosis, medical device coating. Various chemical and physical methods are used to synthesize the AgNP conventionally. However, these processes are expensive and also have side effects. To solve these problems by modification in synthesis process for safer and more efficiency, synthesis of biogenic AgNP from plant extract, known as Green Nanotechnology, have come to play a very crucial role, In this study, we have reported the green synthesis of AgNP using Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaf extract, which act as reducing agent as well as capping agent. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized and their antibacterial and anticancer activities were observed. The development of brown color by the addition of Tulsi signifies the formation of silver nanoparticles. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, XRD and zeta potential were applied to estimate the quantitative formation of silver nanoparticles. FTIR analysis was used to reveal that the AgNPs were stabilized by eugenols, terpenes, and other aromatic compounds present in the leaf extract. The antimicrobial and anticancer properties of AgNPs were assessed by various in vitro cellular assays. Our present study confirms that AgNP can be used as a dual therapeutic option for combating pathogenic microbial strains as well as hepatocellular cancer.
Dopamine and iron mediated fragmentation of galactocerebroside and cardiolipin in micelles

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) have been used to study dopamine and iron mediated free-radical transformation of lipids in their hydrophilic parts. It has been shown that the action of the dopamine/Fe2+ system on galactocerebroside or cardiolipin, which are the components of mixed micelles, results in formation of ceramide or phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylhydroxyacetone, respectively. These data, when combined with results obtained using the ascorbate/Fe2+/H2O2 oxidizing system with the same substrates, demonstrate that the formation of these products proceeds via an OH-radical induced fragmentation taking place in polar moiety of the starting lipids.
EFFECT OF WATER SALINITY ON TISSUE MINERALISATION IN PENAEUS VANNAMEI (BOONE, 1931)

A 45-days indoor laboratory trial was performed with juveniles of Penaeus vannamei (3.11±0.64 g) to evaluate the effect of salinity on mineral contents in different tissues. Juveniles of P. vannamei were acclimatised to different salinity levels of 3, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60‰, using sea salt or freshwater at the rate of 2‰ per day from the original salinity. A total of 45 pre-acclimatised shrimps were taken for each treatment with three replications. At the end of the experimental period, shrimps were dissected to remove hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton after collecting haemolymph; which were subjected to mineral analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Calcium deposition was reduced by 55 and 40% in muscle and exoskeleton, respectively, whereas it increased by 142% in hepatopancreas of shrimp reared in 60‰ compared to 20‰ salinity. Magnesium and sodium content increased with increasing salinity in all the tissues except in muscle. Of all the macro elements, phosphorus (7.66 to 9.17 g kg-1 ) was high in muscle and calcium was predominant in exoskeleton (44.30 to 79.98 g kg-1), while sodium dominated in haemolymph (159.34-327.73 mmol l-1) compared to other elements. Shrimps reared in various salinities did not show significant difference in nutritional value in terms of mineral content in muscle. Results indicated that P. vannamei is a very efficient osmoregulator in low saline environment, in particular at 10 to 30‰ compared to the extreme high saline environment (60‰).
Dairy manure compost improves soil and increases tall wheatgrass yield

Confined animal feeding dairy operations have generated excess amounts of manure, creating a need to identify alternative uses for this plant nutrient source. The objectives in this study were to (i) study the effect of composted dairy manure on Windthorst soil (fine, mixed, active, thermic Udic Paleustalfs), (ii) evaluate two soil testing methods for measuring P when composted dairy manure is applied, and (iii) determine tall wheatgrass [Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Barkworth & Dewey 'Jose'] yield response to six rates of composted dairy manure and two rates of inorganic N fertilizer. A randomized complete block design experiment arranged in a split-plot with four replications was initiated in 2001. Main plots received a single application of composted dairy manure at rates of 0, 11.2, 22.4, 44.8, 89.6, and 179.2 Mg ha -1 , which were incorporated before planting tall wheatgrass at the rate of 17 kg ha -1 . Subplots received annual split applications of inorganic N at 224 or 336 kg ha -1 . Composted dairy manure averaged across the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 growing seasons increased soil organic matter (OM) 54%, pH 55%, infiltration rate 550%, P 480%, and K 84% in this soil. The improved soil properties increased dry matter (DM) yields each growing season (2002-2003 and 2003-2004) up to 96 and 58%, respectively. Tall wheatgrass had similar crude protein (CP) (158-231 g kg -1 ), DM yields (3858-9536 kg ha -1 ), P concentrations (1.4-2.8 g P kg -1 ), and P removal rates (5.4-26.7 kg ha -1 ) compared to other cool-season perennial grasses.