Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rearrangements of F-actin during Stomatogenesis Visualised by Confocal Microscopy in Fixed and Permeabilised Tradescantia Leaf Epidermis

: New details of F-actin organisation in leaf epidermal and stomatal cells were revealed by rhodamine — and fluorescein — phalloidin staining of fixed epidermal peels of Tradescantia virginiana and visualisation by confocal microscopy. Non-specialised epidermal cells contain highly organised arrays of fine cortical actin filaments aligned in transverse or oblique orientations. In interphase guard mother cells (GMCs), the arrangement of cortical F-actin changes on the periclinal and anticlinal cell walls at different times during differentiation. Initially, cortical F-actin on the periclinal surfaces is oriented transversely and F-actin is evenly distributed around the anticlinal walls. Following polarisation of the adjacent subsidiary mother cells (SMCs), actin in GMCs concentrates on the lateral anticlinal walls, but not on the transverse walls. Subsequently, F-actin on the periclinal walls reorients to radial and then longitudinal. Organisation of F-actin in SMCs appears to be influenced by the adjacent GMCs and co-ordination in F-actin arrangements in cells of the stomatal complex continues through to the formation of the guard cell pair. Our studies indicate that actin bands marking the division site in prophase cells, and detected in microinjected living material, are a particularly labile subset of F-actin. Actin bands were difficult to preserve, even when aldehyde fixation was avoided, in contrast to all interphase and mitotic F-actin.
The incidence of pathogens in honey bee (Apis mellifera L) colonies in Finland and Great Britain

En Finlande, la mortalite hivernale des colonies d'abeilles approche couramment 15%. Les causes de ces pertes sont nombreuses mais, avec la propagation recente de Varroa jacobsoni Oud dans la plupart des pays europeens, le role des infections secondaires, en particulier des viroses, dans la mortalite des colonies est devenu de plus en plus apparent. Etant donne le peu d'informations disponibles sur la presence d'infections virales en Finlande, tout changement dans la frequence des virus, lie a l'installation recente de V jacobsoni, est difficile a mettre en evidence
suggests a reassessment of our theories "torpidity" in birds and mammals. concerning the evolutionary status of Voluntary Hypothermia in Reptiles

Studies on lizards in laboratory thermal gradients which are not shut down at night reveal complex thermoregulatory behavior. Maintenance of the high, characteristic levels of body temperature known for active lizards may be abandoned. Low levels, which incapacitate the lizards, are seleted. Evidence of complex responses of the "thermostat" at a reptilian level of organization
Dispersal and spatial scale affect synchrony in spatial population dynamics

A large body of theoretical studies has shown that synchrony among populations is critical for the long-term persistence of species in fragmented habitats. Although the effects of dispersal and environmental factors on synchrony have been investigated theoretically, empirical studies of these relationships have been lacking. We explored the interplay between environmental and demographic factors (fecundity, survival, dispersal) on population synchrony for 53 species of birds. We show that the interspecific differences in mean synchrony were determined by global environmental factors whose action was probably mediated by the abundance of each species. After removing the effect of these global factors on synchrony, the residual synchrony was strongly correlated with dispersal distance. The relationship between dispersal and synchrony was stronger for the species nesting in wet habitats than for those nesting in dry habitats. Our results indicate that different factors synchronize bird populations at different spatial scales, thus highlighting the role of scale in understanding spatial population dynamics and extinction risks.
Wastewater treatment using an iron nanocatalyst supported on Fique fibers

Abstract. Treatment of industrial wastewater for bleaching and removal of heavy metals using heterogeneous, economic and feasible processes has been a topic of interest at industrial scale. Currently, sciences such as nanotechnology have potentiated the properties of composite materials, which have enabled the use and implementation of nanoparticles as active phase in catalysts and adsorbent materials. Particularly, iron nanoparticles have been used in the removal of heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic through operations such as adsorption and they have been used in advanced oxidation processes in which, Fenton process of degradation and mineralization of water from textile industries is performed. In addition, the current need to generate products and processes with sustainable basis has made possible the implementation of the use of natural fibers as potential matrices of composite materials. For this reason today much of the research has focused on the use of lignocellulosic materials, in order to exploit the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of cellulose. In this MSc thesis, a catalytic material was developed from the use of fique fiber as support of iron nanoparticles. A pretreatment of the raw fiber was performed in order to create the appropriate chemical an physical conditions on the fiber surface to support the iron; a functionalization process was carried out to further improve the anchorage to the surface; finally, wet impregnation was used to incorporated iron nanoparticles on the support surface. A detailed characterization of the synthesized material was performed via by gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental analytical methods. This MSc thesis also explore potential applications in the treatment of wastewater, in which promising results were found with respect to degradation and mineralization of azodyes such as Orange II and the removal of heavy metals such as mercury. Both applications were analyzed in order to understand the relevant variables involved during the adsorption and reaction processes.
Effects of an Insecticide and Potential Predators on Green Frogs and Northern Cricket Frogs

Abstract Worldwide amphibian population declines have occurred in the last few decades and have been attributed to a range of factors including introduced species and chemical contamination. Anuran species may differ in their susceptibility to declines based on life-history characteristics, leading to different probabilities of decline and conservation statuses. In this experiment, we looked at two anuran species, Northern Cricket Frogs (Acris crepitans) and Green Frogs (Rana clamitans), reared in mesocosms containing a common invasive or introduced potential predator (Rusty Crayfish, Bluegill Sunfish, or triploid Grass Carp) and imidacloprid, a common insecticide. We found that anurans differed in their sensitivity to these factors. Cricket Frog survival was significantly reduced with imidacloprid exposure, whereas Green Frogs were not. Abundance of both amphibian species was reduced in the presence of predators, particularly the fish. Our study suggests that Cricket Frogs may be especially sensitive to the insecticide imidacloprid, as well as fish predators, and that these factors could contribute to their population declines.
The conductivity of milk—the effect of the volume and degree of dispersion of the fat

Summary The conductivity of raw and homogenized milks was measured using apparatus capable of high precision. The effect of fat content was examined and found to conform to the established behaviour for a polydisperse suspension of nonconductors in a homogeneous conducting medium. Homogenization of the milk over a range of pressures was found to have no measurable effect on the conductivity.
Growth and carcass fatness of ewe, wether, ram and cryptorchid crossbred lambs reared at pasture: effects of weaning age.

The effects of weaning age and sex on growth, the carcass fatness and dressing percentage were studied in grazing Dorset x (Border Leicester x Merino) lambs. Entire male (ram and cryptorchid) lambs grew significantly (P<0.001) faster from marking to slaughter than did either wethers or ewes. They were also leaner than wethers, which were in turn leaner than ewes (mean ¦ s.e. GR tissue depth: 11.4 ¦ 0.16, 13.9 ¦ 0.22 and 16.3 ¦ 0.23 mm, respectively, at a carcass weight of 19.7 kg). Across all sex groups, the GR measurement increased 1.2 ¦ 0.03 mm per kg increase in carcass weight. An earlier weaning (at 13-15 weeks of age) reduced (P<0.001) liveweight gains. There was also a small reduction (P<0.05) in the GR measurement associated with the earlier weaning, particularly in ewe and wether lambs. The dressing percentage of wethers increased with increasing liveweight over the entire range of weights. However, in ewes and entire males, there was little change in dressing percentage with increasing liveweight above 40 kg. An earlier weaning was associated with a small reduction in dressing percentage.
Effects of Defaunation on Fermentation Characteristics, Degradation of Ryegrass Hay and Methane Production by Rumen Microbes In Vitro When Incubated with Plant Oils

This study was conducted to examine the effects of defaunation (removal of live protozoa) on fermentation characteristics, degradation of ryegrass hay and CH4 (methane) production by rumen microbes when incubated with plant oils (SO, sunflower oil and LO, linseed oil) in vitro. Sodium lauryl sulfate (0.000375 g/ml) as a defaunation reagent was added into the culture solution and incubated anaerobically up to 24 h at 39℃. pH from defaunation was increased for all treatments from 6 h incubation times (p<0.01-0.001) compared with those from fauantion. Concentration of ammonia-N from defaunation is higher than that from faunation at 3 h (p<0.001), 12 h (p<0.05) and 24 h (p<0.001) incubation times. Defaunation decreased (p<0.01-0.001) total volatile fatty acid concentration at all incubation times. Molar proportions of C2 (acetate, p<0.05-0.001) and butyrate (p<0.01-0.001) were also decreased by defaunation at all incubation times. Molar proportion of C3 (propionate), however, was increased by defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.001). Thus the rate of C2 to C3 was decreased by defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.001). Defaunation decreased ED (effective degradability) of dry matter (p<0.001) and ED of neutral detergent fiber (p<0.001) of ryegrass hay. Defaunation decreased total gas, CH4 production, CH4 % in total gas and CH4/CO2 at all incubation times (p<0.001). Oil supplementation decreased total gas (p<0.05-0.001), CH4 production (p<0.001) and CH4 % in total gas (p<0.001) compared with control at all incubation times. The result of this study showed that defaunation combined with oil supplementation may cause an alteration of microbial communities and further medicate the fermentation pattern, resulting in both reduction of degradation of ryegrass hay and CH4 production. No difference, however, was observed in all the examinations between SO and LO.
WATERLOGGING AND PETIOLE EPINASTY IN TOMATO: THE ROLE OF ETHYLENE AND LOW OXYGEN

SUMMARY Waterlogging the soil promotes epinastic growth of tomato petioles and increases the concentration of ethylene which can be extracted from various parts of the shoot. These concentrations exceed those normally required to promote epinasty when applied to the shoots of non-waterlogged plants. Waterlogging also results in a rapid decline in the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the soil water. Low concentrations of oxygen around the roots of plants growing in nutrient solution promote epinastic growth and also increase ethylene concentration in the leaves. Experiments with detached shoots indicate that the root system is required for the response to low O2concentrations to develop. Ethylene concentrations in the soil can increase during waterlogging to levels which may allow sufficient movement into the shoot to stimulate epinasty. Treatment with substances which can inhibit the action of ethylene, such as carbon dioxide or 7-chloro-4-ethoxycarbonylmethoxy-5-methyl-2, 1,3-benzothiadiazole also inhibit the epinastic response in waterlogged plants, in plants with low O2 concentrations around the roots and in plants treated with ethylene. The internal level of carbon dioxide in the lower leaves is little affected by waterlogging for up to 96 h.
THE INFLUENCE OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM IN KENYA

Organizations all over the world face significant difficulties with regards to strategy implementation process as most strategies fail to produce superior performance for the firm due to poor implementation. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of strategy implementation on organizational performance of public sector in Kenya. This was accomplished through the following study objectives; to establish the role of strategic leadership on organizational performance in public sector organizations; to assess the influence of organization structure on organizational performance in the public sector; to determine how organizational culture influence organizational performance in the public sector; to examine the role of strategic human resource allocation on organizational performance in the public sector in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design in which respondents were sampled using stratified sampling technique in the six operational agencies under ministry of Tourism. The study targeted the personnel in charge of middle and senior management. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as correlation and regression analysis was done on the study variables. The findings of the study reveal that all the independent variables had a positive correlation with organizational performance. Leadership had a positive and significant influence on organizational performance (r =.513, P = .001), organization‟s structure had a positive but insignificant influence on organizational performance (r = .276, P= .085), culture had a positive but insignificant influence on performance (r = .285, P = .075), and human resources strategies had a positive and significant influence on organization performance (r =.329, P = .038). Strategic leadership and human resource were the only factors that positively correlated and were significant in influencing organizational performance. The study also established that although organizational structure and culture affected organization performance, they were not significant in explaining observed variations. All the factors combined attributed to 69.3% of the observed variance in organization performance. The study concluded that despite the positive correlations among the study factors and organization performance, only strategic leadership and human resources were statistically significant at p=0.05 and p=0.038 respectively. The study recommended that managers should: strive to become role models to their subordinates; inspire subordinates by providing meaning and challenge to work; stimulate subordinate efforts to become innovative & creative; and pay attention to each individual‟s need for achievement of growth and performance.
Feeding biology of the flatfish Citharichthys spilopterus (Bothidae) in a tropical estuary of Mexico

The flatfish Citharichthys spilopterus Gunther 1862 is the most common bothid in the coastal lagoons of the Gulf of Mexico. The objective of the present study was to describe the trophic biology of this species in the tropical coastal lagoon of Tampamachoco, Mexico. For the diet analysis, we used multivariate discriminant analysis and trophic niche breadth. The morphological analysis showed that the features of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity, the large stomach and the short intestine of this flatfish relate to a carnivorous habit. The overall diet showed that this species is a third-order consumer, feeding mainly on fish (52%, mainly gobies) and crustaceans (36%, mostly decapods). Diet and trophic niche breadth showed no significant differences between sexes (P > 0.1). By contrast, there were significant ontogenetic differences in the diet and trophic niche breadth, where larger C. spilopterus were almost entirely piscivorous and showed the narrowest trophic niche. As the flatfish grew in size there was a trend toward the consumption of larger prey. The importance of copepods and peracarids correlated inversely with flatfish size (P < 0.001), but fish prey correlated directly to flatfish size (P < 0.001). Likewise, there was an inverse significant correlation between niche trophic breadth and flatfish size (P < 0.005). There were also significant seasonal differences in the diet (P < 0.02), related to the availability and vulnerability of prey in the lagoon during the dry and rainy seasons. However, the trophic niche showed no significant differences between seasons. Finally, we discuss the advantages of discriminant analysis applied to evaluate differences among diets of fish groups when compared with other bivariate and multivariate techniques.
Ten-year comparison of different soil managements in Satsuma orange orchard

In order to compare the effects of different soil managements on the growth and yield of Satsuma orange trees, and on the physical and chemical properties of soil, field experiments were conducted for 10 years at the Ehime Fruit Tree Exp. Sta.1. One of experiments was started in 1952 with 4-year-old trees grown on the sloping diluviatic land. The tree growth estimated from the volume of tree crown in the 10th year, was superior both under the bur clover sod and under the orchard grass with partial clean cultivation, then medium both under the wheat straw mulch and under the weed sod, and inferior under the clean cultivation. The total yield of fruit was best under the bur clover, then better under the weed, and bad both under the orchard grass and under the straw as same as under the clean cultivation.2. Humus content and pore space in the soil increased markedly both under the bur clover and under the straw than under the clean cultivation. The trend extended deeper in the subsoil under the bur clover than under the straw. The pH and exchangeable Ca and Mg levels in the soil had the tendency to rise up greatly under the bur clover. The exchangeable K content of the soil was increased under the straw, though it was not closely related to the K content of leaves.3. In the 7th year, nitrate nitrogen content of the soil was greatest under the bur clover, followed by the straw and the clean cultivation in the order. It was, however, less under the bur clover than under the clean cultivation, if the sod was not frequently mowed. Mineralization of soil nitrogen was most active in either surface soil under the sod or mulch. The N content of leaves, however, had no connection with the total inorganic or nitrate nitrogen content of the soil.4. In the other experiments of 1952-1961, 18-year-old trees grown on the flat field, and on the terraced field were used. The effect of the hay mulch was observed with the former, and that of the weed sod with the latter. As the results, no distinct difference of fruit yield existed between the clean cultivation and these two soil management systems in the first 5 years, while in the second 5 years these two systems were slightly superior to the clean cultivation.
Factores asociados a la depresión en personas mayores de 75 años de edad en un área urbana

espanolIntroduccion: La presencia de sintomas depresivos en los mayores es un problema importante de salud, se puede considerar como la alteracion de la salud mental, mas frecuente en ancianos en los paises desarrollados. Se asocia al sufrimiento y a un incremento de la prevalencia y mala evolucion de los problemas de salud. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de la depresion y factores asociados en personas mayores de 75 anos de la ciudad de Castellon de la Plana.Material y metodos: Estudio observacional, transversal y analitico, realizado mediante cuestionario sobre una muestra de 400 individuos mayores de 75 anos residentes en la comunidad, que fueron seleccionados mediante muestreo intencionado durante el ano 2015.Resultados: Prevalencia de sintomas depresivos 30,5%, las mujeres los presentan en mayor proporcion (40,1%). Los mayores que viven solos presentan en mayor medida sintomas de depresion 26,6% frente al 16,1% (p= 0,011). La buena autopercepcion de la salud se relaciona con menor proporcion de sintomas depresivos y en relacion a la fragilidad, los individuos no fragiles presentan sintomas depresivos en menor proporcion (12,1%) que los fragiles (30,8%) y los prefragiles (57%) p EnglishIntroduction: Depression in older adults is a major health problem, and it is considered the most common psychiatric disorder among this population in developing countries. It is associated with suffering and increased prevalence and poor evolution of health problems. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of depression and related factors in people over the age of 75 years in the city of Castellon de la Plana, Spain.Methodology: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study in which a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 400 community-dwelling older adults over the age of 75 and who were selected using purposive sampling in 2015.Results: the overall prevalence of depression symptoms was 30.5%, a percentage higher among women (40.1%). Older adults living alone presented more symptoms of depression, 26.6% compared with 16.1% (p = 0.011). Good self-perceived health was related to fewer depression symptoms. Non-frail individuals presented lower rates of depression symptoms (12.1%) than frail (30.8%), and pre-frail individuals (57%) p
Molecular dynamics simulation of sphingomyelin bilayer

Besides phosphatidylcholines and cholesterol, sphingomyelin molecules are the most important lipid species in the biological membranes, and their role has recently been emphasized in various membrane phenomena, such as domain formation. Here, a multinanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study was performed at physiological temperature for a hydrated bilayer system, consisting of 128 palmitoylsphingomyelin (16:0-SM) molecules. Analysis of the structural parameters of the system indicates that 16:0-SM bilayer is in a mixed state of liquid-crystalline and condensed phases, which results in considerable ordering in the hydrocarbon chain region. The simulation also revealed major differences in the hydrogen-bonding properties between the sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine molecules. In the future, MD simulation studies are also likely to shed light on the detailed structural properties of the lateral membrane domains of mammalian cells, termed rafts, which form because of association of sphingolipid.
CB1 receptor inverse agonist pharmacotherapy for metabolic disorders

The cannabinoid‐1 receptor (CB1R) has been implicated in the control of energy balance based on its anatomical localization, the interaction among the endocannabinoid system and other transmitter systems, and the appetite‐enhancing effect of tetrahydrocannabinol. Recent development of CB1R inverse agonists indicated that these agents inhibit food intake, increase energy expenditure, and reduce fat mass. This article reviews the preclinical and clinical efficacy of several CB1R inverse agonists and provides a perspective on the use of CB1R inverse agonists in studies of obesity and metabolic disorders. The compounds reviewed here are no longer in clinical development for obesity. Drug Dev Res 70:566–576, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.