Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergy between Transforming Growth Factor‐β and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α in the Induction of Monocytic Differentiation of Human Leukemic Cell Lines a

E F P is a well known regulator of cell proliferation. In contrast, much less is known about the ability of WFO to affect cellular differentiation, although it has been shown that TGFj3 can induce terminal differentiation of bronchial epithelial cells. ' We have investigated whether TGFP plays a role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of two human leukemic cell lines: the promyelocytic cell line HL-60 and the monoblastic cell line U937.
Age‐specific fecundity and life table of Trissolcus semistriatus, an egg parasitoid of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps

The effects of temperature on age‐specific fecundity and life table parameters of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus semistriatus (Nees, 1834) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) were examined under four constant temperature conditions (17, 20, 26 and 32°C), using eggs of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton, 1881 (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), an important pest of wheat, as hosts. The intrinsic rate of increase increased linearly, while the mean generation time and the doubling time decreased with increases in temperature. The net reproductive rate, however, varied without clear correlation with temperature. Fecundity tended to be higher at higher temperatures. The total number of eggs per female was estimated as 52.0 and 116.4 eggs, respectively, at 17°C and 32°C, with the highest fecundity rate during the first day of oviposition. The oviposition rate fluctuated from 4.4 to 14.3 eggs per day. Oviposition and postoviposition periods and longevity decreased when temperature increased. Maximum longevity for females was 21.6 days at 20°C, and female parasitoids lived longer than males at all temperatures. The development period ranged from 7.1 days (32°C) to 35.6 days (17°C) for males and from 8.4 days (32°C) to 37.2 days (17°C) for females. The development of female T. semistriatus required 166.7 degree‐days (DD) above a theoretical threshold of 11.8°C and the development of males required 142.9 DD above 13.1°C. The numbers of generations per year for female and male T. semistriatus, given the temperature in Tekirdag, Turkey, were estimated to be 9.0 and 8.8, respectively. The potential of the egg parasitoid for the control of E. integriceps is discussed.
Simulating form and function of root systems: efficiency of nitrate uptake is dependent on root system architecture and the spatial and temporal variability of nitrate supply

Summary 1Root-system architecture, and plastic variation in architecture and physiological function, influence the capacity of plants to acquire nutrients from non-uniform soil. Previous theoretical analyses of the relationship between root architecture and nutrient acquisition have largely assumed uniform soils and unresponsive root systems. We extend these studies by considering non-uniform nutrient supply and plasticity in root growth and uptake physiology. 2Using modelling, we investigated the growth and nitrate uptake of two extreme theoretical architectural types: dichotomous (highly branched) and herringbone (sparsely branched). Root systems with plastic or non-plastic root-growth and nitrate-uptake responses, supplied with non-uniform distributions of soil nitrate, were simulated. 3The simulated herringbone root system had a higher nitrate-uptake efficiency (NUE, nitrate-N m−3 soil) when supply varied spatially and temporally (compared with variation in space alone), and NUE was affected only by the capacity to elevate uptake kinetics locally. In contrast, the efficiency of the dichotomous root system decreased under spatially and temporally dynamic nitrate supply (compared with static supply), and was influenced only by the capacity to proliferate roots in nitrate patches. 4These results suggest that root-system NUE is not solely a function of the ion-transport characteristics of soil, but is also influenced by the transitory nature of the nutrient source and the structure of the root system.
Effects of rearing density on rainbow trout welfare, determined by plasmatic and tissue parameters

Abstract The work aimed to determine the welfare status of rainbow trout (50±15 g), intensively reared to commercial size in two concrete raceways (V1, V2) at different stocking densities, to reach final load of 40 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3, respectively. Throughout the out-phase, plasma parameters and hepatic glycogen content were determined every three months and compared with those of rainbow trout of the same age and mean weight, reared extensively (VE). At the end of the trial significant differences of the monitored parameters were found between rainbow trout reared in raceways (V1, V2) and those held in the reservoir (VE). Plasma triglycerids, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase in fish reared intensively were significantly different from fish reared in extensive conditions. The highest levels of these parameters in V1 and V2 could be justified mostly by the administration of balanced feeding and consequent modifications of energetic metabolism and in small part to the high density of the intensive rearing conditions. Transaminases (AST, ALT) increased in V1 and V2 only at the first sampling. Afterwards, the activity of these two enzymes returned to the normal range at the subsequent assays, suggesting a capacity of the rainbow trout to adapt to the severe conditions of confinement, typical of out-basins. No significant differences among groups were observed for total protein, glucose, CK and LDH. A similar situation was also shown for liver glycogen content.
Clustering of territories in the Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Territorial establishment of Wood Warblers was studied during 5 years in 1800 ha of forest in central Belgium. The total population size varied dramatically between years, with maximum of 167 and a minimum of 56 male territories. The spatial distribution of territories within the forest also differed greatly between years. Most territories were associated in clusters or chains, which were not located at the same sites every year. Females preferred males that were closer to other males, and re-productive output tended to be higher under this condition. These results could fit the optimal habitat choice hypothesis, but at variance with this concept, areas with huge infestations of caterpillars were not found to contain many Wood Warbler territories. A direct social advantage of clustering is suggested as an alternative hypothesis. Males outnumber females in some Western European populations of Wood Warblers, and males clearly improved their chances of attracting a female by aggregating in 'supersexy' commun.
Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae): An exotic polyphagous parasitoid in New Zealand

Abstract New lepidopteran hosts are recorded for the accidentally introduced polyphagous parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae). Twenty‐one host species (7 endemic, 13 exotic, and 1 undetermined) from eight lepidopteran families are known from New Zealand. Information is presented showing the impact of M. pulchricornis on Helicoverpa armigera and its associated parasitoids. The known parasitoid webs of other host species are detailed, and common elements are identified in order to indicate existing parasitoid species that may be affected by this exotic addition to the New Zealand fauna.
The Driver Behaviour Questionnaire as an Accident Predictor in Cross-cultural Countries in Qatar and Turkey: Global Public Health Problem

Background: The Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) has been extensively used as predictor of self-reported road traffic accidents. The associations between crashes and the violation and error factors of the DBQ however, might be reporting a little bias. Aim: The current study aiming to explore the driving behaviours of Qatari’s and Turkish ethnic groups and to investigate the relationship between error, violations, and lapses of DBQ and accident involvement. Materials and Methods: The DBQ instruments has been used to measure the aggressive driving behaviours leading to road accidents. The study included a representative sample of 2050 drivers and of whom 1,511 drivers agreed to participate (73.7%). A sample of 1,511 drivers from two ethnic groups; Qatar (620), and Turkish (891) completed the driver behaviour questionnaire and background information. Results: There was a significant difference found between both the countries, Qatar and Turkish, in age group, education, occupation, marital status, car type, and seat belt use (p<0.001). The Qatari drivers scored higher on almost all items of violations, errors and lapses compared to other ethnic groups, while Turkish drivers were lower on all the items. Turkish drivers (38.9%) have been involved in more accidents compared to Qatari drivers (32.9%). In terms of cause of accidents, careless driving (31.6%) and excessive speeding (28.5%) were significantly higher among Qatari drivers (p<0.001). More than one third of the studied drivers of two ethnic groups were involved in traffic violations; Qatari (26.6%), and Turkish (33.3%). The use of DBQ permitted the differentiation between deliberate deviations from safe driving practices and errors and violation due to misjudgments or lapses in focus. Conclusion: The present study revealed driver behaviour is different in two ethnic and cultural groups and scores rated differently. Qatari drivers scored higher on most of the items of violations, errors and lapses of DBQ compared to Turkish drivers in all DBQ items. The results emphasise the importance of social, socio-economic, life-style, cultural factors, general driving style and skills, differ between both countries with the respect of traffic safety.
Characteristics of dispersal in sexually mature dragonflies

Abstract. 1 The population dynamics of a natural population of Sympetrum danae (Sulzer) were studied, by means of a mark—release—recapture method, to find indications of dispersal by mature adults. Additional information on orientation and the influence of phenotype (including age), density and weather was obtained by observations under natural conditions and in a large outdoor field cage. 2 80% of all mature adults caught around the natural pond were estimated to be immigrants. Considerable immigration was confirmed by the abdomen length of unmarked matures which did not accord with that expected from the locally emerged population. Total numbers captured and the minimum number known to be alive fell sharply at the time when most individuals were mature. At the same time, new matures continued to enter and disappear from the study area at an increasing rate. 3 Dispersive behaviour (escape flights) in the field enclosure was primarily age dependent in both sexes: it occurred from an age of 25–30 days onwards. This coincides with the time‐lag between the emergence peak and increased dispersal in the field. Secondary effects on escape flights suggested that males tended to abandon low density areas. 4 Males flew relatively more southward than females.
Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata in the Mátra mountains (Hungary): New data on distribution and hybridization (Amphibia, Anura, Discoglossidae)

Fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina and B. variegata) were collected at eight locations in the Matra mountains and subjected to morphological examinations and electrophoretic investigations of nine enzymes encoded by twelve presumptive loci. Both species occurred together at one place. Another site was inhabited exclusively by B. bombina, while only B. variegata was found at the other localities. Analysis of variation at four marker loci revealed varying degrees of introgression of alien alleles in all populations. Individuals of hybrid origin prevail in most of the B. variegata samples. At Idh-1 and Aat B. variegata exhibits polymorphism for both those electromorphs fixed in northern Carpathian populations of this species and those characteristically found in western parts of its range.
Immunochemical analyses of Vibrio anguillarum strains isolated from cod, Gadus morhua L., suffering from vibriosis

Vibrio anguillarum isolates were sampled from cod fry showing clinical signs of vibriosis at different cod farms along the western coast of Norway. Except for one isolate, all were shown to cause mortality in laboratory challenge experiments. Using biochemical analysis and specific rabbit antisera (O1–O5), all the pathogenic isolates were classified as typical V. anguillarum serotype O2. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of both whole bacterial cells and purified lipopolysaccharides (LPS) showed that the LPS structures were heterogeneous. ELISA analyses using adsorbed antisera identified the presence of two different subgroups within serogroup O2, which correspond with O2a/O2α and O2b/O2β described previously.
Psychosocial Assessment of Voice Problems among Saudi Imams

Background and Objective: Imams, who lead prayers for Muslims, are considered among professional voice users. They have high vocal demand during their prayer times, Khutbah, and educating sessions for Muslims. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence of voice disorders in Imams and to analyze their psychosocial aspects in relation to their profession using the Arabic Voice Handicap Index. Setting and Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: Arabic Voice Handicap Index-10 (A-VHI-10) and a general voice questionnaire were administered to 93 Imams and 82 control subjects from Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A-VHI-10 scores were compared between both Imams and the control group. Also, A-VHI scores of Imams were compared considering different variables included in the general questionnaire. Results: Sixty-five percent of Imams reported voice-related problems. The A-VHI-10 showed Original Research Article Farahat and Mesallam; BJMMR, 11(12): 1-7, 2016; Article no.BJMMR. 22041 2 significant difference between Imams and the control group for both total score and the three VHI domains; functional, physical, and emotional. However, there was no significant difference between VHI-10 scores of the Imams group when compared considering different job-related variables. Conclusion: Sixty-five percent of Imams included in the study reported to have voice-related problems. There is a significant difference between Imams and control subjects regarding their self-perception of voice handicap. However, it appears that some psychosocial aspects of Imams’ profession have no significant impact on their voice quality.
Impact of commercial salt production on wetland quality and waterbirds on coastal lagoons in Ghana

A comparative study conducted on two saline coastal wetlands that have been developed into saltpans and two others (referred to as 'non-saltpans'), that are also saline but have no saltpans, describes the quality of lagoon water, benthic macroinvertebrates and waterbird communities characterising these wetlands. The wetlands were sampled monthly from September 2005–April 2006. Except for turbidity, which was significantly higher in the non-saltpans, (p < 0.05), all other physico-chemical parameters studied were not significantly different between the two wetland types (p > 0.05). The waterbird communities of the saltpans and non-saltpans, characterised by 48 and 50 species respectively, scored a Sorenson Index value of 0.88, indicating a high similarity. The population density of benthic macroinvertebrates in the saltpans and the non-saltpans was statistically similar (p > 0.05) but the population densities of waterbirds feeding exclusively on benthic macroinvertebrates were significantly higher in the non-saltpans (p < 0.05). Although the shallow ponds created for salt production might be providing more suitable feeding habitats for fish-eating birds, the development of these ponds has also reduced the exploitable area available to the birds feeding exclusively on invertebrates, requiring them to depend largely on the non-saltpans. Birds feeding exclusively on fish had significantly higher population densities in the saltpans (p < 0.05) than in non-saltpans. This was attributed to reduced efficiency of piscivory, due to the high turbidity associated with the non-saltpans. Waterbirds feeding on a wide range of food types showed no significant differences in their population densities (p > 0.05) in the two wetland types.
Gonad maturation, morphological and physiological changes during the first reproductive cycle of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus female

Summary Concurrent morphological, anatomical and physiological changes took place during the first reproductive cycle in the Australian red-claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus, which prepared the female for spawning and holding of the newly deposited eggs. The endopod became longer and wider than the exopod and developed a mixture of plumose and long thin simple (ovigerous) setae. Small oocytes (0.24±0.05 mm) were present in the immature ovary. The growing ovary contained two distinct oocyte populations: one consisted of small (0.55±0.07 mm), barely growing oocytes, while the other consisted of large oocytes, which increased in size continuously (0.73 to 2.55 mm) until egg laying took place. A gradual change in the relative abundance of ovarian polypeptides occurred until the late vitellogenic stage (large oocytes < 1.8 mm). Three predominant female-specific, SDS-PAGE separated, polypeptides were observed (103, 78 and 73 kDa) that may represent vitellin subunits. The most abundant carotenoid in the ovary.
Effects of Landscape Composition on Winter Survival of Northern Bobwhites

Abstract In a manipulative experiment, we tested effects of select elements of landscape structure and composition on winter survival of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) at Ames Plantation, Tennessee, USA. We hypothesized that abundance of closed canopy forested habitats (52% of the landscape) on Ames diminished usable space for bobwhite and provided usable space for a suite of important predators, thereby contributing to low winter survival. To test this hypothesis we divided a 2,217-ha portion of the property into 4 approximately equal areas. We altered landscape structure and composition by converting approximately 33% of the timber to early successional herbaceous plant communities on 2 treatment sites, which reduced percentage of landscape and edge density of closed canopy forest and increased percentage of landscape in early successional herbaceous communities, and left 2 control sites in their former composition. During one pretreatment year (1998–1999) and 3 posttreatment years (1999–2000, 2000–2001, 2001–2002), we estimated winter (15 Oct–10 Apr) survival on treatment and control sites from a radiomarked sample of 920 bobwhites. We used Cox Proportional Hazard models to test for effects of treatment (forest conversion) and covariates describing landscape structure and composition (% closed canopy forest, % early successional herbaceous, wooded edge density) on winter survival at multiple spatial scales. Winter survival on the treatment sites pooled across the 4 winter seasons was 41% compared to 32% for control sites. Additionally, for each 1 m/ha increase in closed canopy woods edge density within winter covey ranges, risk of mortality increased 0.3%. Our results suggest composition at the landscape scale and landscape structure at the local scale influence winter survival of bobwhite. Management strategies that alter composition and structure and increase usable space may be effective in mitigating winter mortality thereby altering population trajectories. Typical bobwhite management plans focus on improving quality of herbaceous vegetation structure within existing herbaceous patches, however, population processes may work at larger spatial scales influencing design and implementation of conservation programs.
Biosynthesis and Catabolism of L-Ascorbic Acid in Plants

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a vital antioxidant compound that plays a critical role in the cellular metabolism of plants and animals. Research on plant AsA metabolism experienced a significant resurgence after 1998 following the identification of AsA-deficient Arabidopsis mutants and the elucidation of a biosynthetic pathway accepted by the overwhelming majority of the plant science community. The identification and cloning of novel biosynthetic genes and the ensuing metabolic engineering of plant AsA content has however revealed a more complex picture. Additional biosynthetic routes have been identified and unexpected biochemical phenotypes were observed upon expression of animal AsA biosynthetic genes. The isolation of novel AsA conjugates from plant tissues and the evidence for long distance transport of AsA in plants have provided additional facets to its functionality. Although some progress has been made regarding the impact of AsA recycling on pool size, we still do not have a clear picture of the biochemistry of AsA degradation. This communication comprehensively reviews new developments in the AsA metabolic system and prompts directions for future research.
SOIL MICROFUNGAL CHANGES AMONG THE PROFILES OF DISTURBED CONIFER-HARDWOOD FORESTS'

This investigation compared the mycofloral populations inhabiting the organic and mineralized soil horizons, and evaluated the effect of catastrophic vegetational disturbances on their species composition, in selected upland forests in northern Wisconsin. Eight forests, part of the conifer-hardwood complex, were included in the study: three of them served as virginal reference stands, four represented secondary successional communities occupying areas that experienced severe forest fires, and one was a yellow birch forest that became established on a clear-cut area. Sample populations, obtained by the dilution plate method, were isolated from each detectable horizon in each stand. In general, the highly organic layers, especially the litter and fermentation horizons, pos- sessed the greatest number of fungal propagules as well as the greatest species diversity. With increasing depth, both the density and diversity decreased rapidly. Although many of the species were present in more than one horizon, most of them exhibited maximum densities and fre- quencies in only one of them. Thus, the populations colonizing each horizon could be charac- terized by a somewhat specific combination of prevalent species. The relatively low similarity coefficients derived from comparisons between the populations in the horizons within a stand substantiated the view that there were distinct populations. Ordination of the coefficients suggested that the soil profile could not be visualized as an edaphic dine which elicited a soil microfungal continuum. Since most of the predominant species in any specific horizon differed from those residing in overlying horizons, the establishment of a characteristic mycoflora could not be attributed to differential survival of propagules that percolate from horizons above.