Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INTERFACIAL ENGINEERING OF BIOMASS HYDROLYSIS BY CELLULASE ENZYMES AND MECHANISTIC MODELING OF HYDROLYSIS OF CELLULOSE SUBSTRATES

FOR DISSERTATION INTERFACIAL ENGINEERING OF BIOMASS HYDROLYSIS BY CELLULASE ENZYMES AND MECHANISTIC MODELING OF HYDROLYSIS OF CELLULOSE SUBSTRATES Lignocellulosic biomass is a sustainable and renewable energy resource that can be converted to fuels and other commodity chemicals, but this conversion is currently limited by its recalcitrance to enzymatic degradation. Because of this recalcitrance, the major challenges in the commercialization of enzymatic hydrolysis processes are the relatively low hydrolysis rates, limited cellulose conversion under some conditions, and high cost of enzymes. Enzymatic hydrolysis is influenced by the structure of the biomass after pretreatment and the mode of enzyme action, but has also been shown to be enhanced by surfactant additives. The objective of this work was to elucidate the mechanism of hydrolysis by studying the activity of cellulase enzymes and the effects of non-ionic surfactant Tween-80 on the interactions of model cellulose (varying in surface morphology and crystallinity) and lignin films with cellulases. The primary tool used to measure the binding and activity of cellulase enzymes derived from Trichoderma reesei was a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The nonionic surfactant Tween-80 was found to reduce the adsorption of cellulases onto all types of cellulose films. Tween-80 had no significant effect on hydrolysis of amorphous LiCl/DMAc cellulose films whereas the hydrolysis rate decreased with increase in Tween-80 concentration for type II crystalline NMMO cellulose films. On lignin, coadsorption of Tween-80 and cellulase resulted in an apparent net reduction in the amount of cellulase adsorbed on lignin. Sequential adsorption experiments suggested that Tween80 was able to reduce and displace adsorbed cellulases. Thus, Tween-80 was found to compete effectively with cellulase enzymes for binding to hydrophobic surfaces such as lignin without significantly impeding hydrolysis of cellulose, which explains how it is able to enhance overall conversion for bulk biomass hydrolysis. To gain fundamental understanding of the hydrolysis process, a kinetic model based on the processive action of cellulase enzymes was developed and applied to QCMD data. The model makes a distinction between surface cellulose units and bulk sites that only become accessible as hydrolysis proceeds. The model predictions during binding and enzymatic hydrolysis under various scenarios are discussed along with future possible work.
Does the Beach-Spawning Grunion Eat Its Own Eggs? Eighth Graders use Inquiry-Based Investigation to Collect Real Data in a University Laboratory

Abstract A collaborative effort between a junior high school and a nearby university allowed 40 eighth-grade honors students to engage in a scientific investigation within a university laboratory. These students, with their science teachers and university researchers, gathered data on egg cannibalism in a beach-spawning fish and thereby contributed to an ongoing research project. Our objectives were to provide a scientific learning experience for the students and introduce them to a college setting. A survey, given 2.5 years after the investigation, found that most of the students had increased their interest in studying science in college.
Terrestrial Mammal Species Richness and Composition in Three Small Forest Patches within an Oil Palm Landscape in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Abstract. Small and highly degraded forest patches are usually scattered across oil palm plantation landscapes and often exist as permanent features. By using a combination of camera-trapping and line-transect methods, we evaluated the usefulness of three such forest patches (< 30 ha) for terrestrial mammal species conservation in a mature oil palm plantation located near (< 1.7 km) a large continuous tract of logged forest in eastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Of the 29 terrestrial mammal species recorded in this study, 28 were found in the continuous logged forest habitat including six species that are either large-bodied, wide ranging, locally rare or are of high conservation concern. In comparison, 18 species were recorded across the three forest patches collectively; consisting mostly of species that are widespread, well-adapted to living in highly modified habitats and of low conservation concern. The presence of small forest patches within the oil palm habitat matrix seemed to be useful to some extent for some mammal species. However, many of the species were likely only transient in this habitat. The maintenance of large continuous tracts of natural forest is critical to the continued survival of many terrestrial mammal species on Borneo, particularly for species that are of high conservation value.
Root and crown characteristics of alfalfas varying in fall dormancy

We compared root and crown characteristics of five alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) entries which differed in fall dormancy. Alfalfas were subjected to bud or mid-bloom harvests. The most consistent entry effect occurred for root and crown dry weight and root total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations. Root TNC concentration was highest and root and crown weight were greatest for the nondormant and least in the most dormant entries. Entries did not consistently differ in crown bud numbers, shoot number, or shoot origin. In October, the number of elongated crown buds were greater for a non-fall dormant alfalfa Nitro than for the most fall dormant alfalfa. Key words: Alfalfa, root and crown morphology, fall dormancy, root carbohydrates
Symbiogenesis: Mechanisms, Evolutionary Consequences, and Systematic Implications

Symbiogenesis is the extremely rare, but permanent merger of two organisms from phylogenetically distant lineages into one radically more complex organism. Three examples are exceptionally important: intracellular enslavement by an early eukaryote of an α-proteobacterium by host protein insertion to make mitochondria; later conversion of a cyanobacterium into the first chloroplast, thereby forming kingdom Plantae; and secondary enslavement of a red alga to yield more complex membrane topology in the phagophototrophic kingdom Chromista. Two other cases involved independent acquisition of green-algal chloroplasts by ancestrally phagotrophic lineages, yielding chlorarachnean algae (phylum Cercozoa, within the chromist infrakingdom Rhizaria) and euglenophyte algae (phylum Euglenozoa, within the protozoan subkingdom Eozoa). Less radically, chloroplast replacement occurred within dinoflagellate Chromista by two symbiogeneses: Green-algal or haptophyte chloroplasts replaced ancestral peridinin-containing chlorop.
Ecological Stoichiometry along a Gradient of Forest Succession: Bait Preferences of Litter Ants

We examined bait preferences of litter ants along a successional gradient of forests in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The ants preferred protein‐based baits in secondary forests, yet preferred carbohydrate‐based baits in old‐growth forests. This suggests a shift in stoichiometric balances between secondary and old‐growth forest which might have an impact on the functional interactions in these ecosystems. Therefore, the ecological services offered by secondary habitats may be quite different from those offered by old‐growth forests.
A point mutation in the γ2 subunit of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors results in altered benzodiazepine binding site specificity

Benzodiazepines allosterically modulate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) evoked chloride currents of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Coexpression of either rat γ2 or γ3, in combination with α1 and β2 subunits, results both in receptors displaying high [3H]Ro 15-1788 affinity. However, receptors containing a γ3 subunit display a 178-fold reduced affinity to zolpidem as compared with γ2-containing receptors. Eight chimeras between γ2 and γ3 were constructed followed by nine different point mutations in γ2, each to the homologous amino acid residue found in γ3. Chimeric or mutant γ subunits were coexpressed with α1 and β2 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells to localize amino acid residues responsible for the reduced zolpidem affinity. Substitution of a methionine-to-leucine at position 130 of γ2 (γ2M130L) resulted in a 51-fold reduction in zolpidem affinity whereas the affinity to [3H]Ro 15-1788 remained unchanged. The affinity for diazepam was only decreased by about 2-fold. The same mutation resulted in a 9-fold increase in Cl 218872 affinity. A second mutation (γ2M57I) was found to reduce zolpidem affinity by about 4-fold. Wild-type and γ2M130L-containing receptors were functionally expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Upon mutation allosteric coupling between agonist and modulatory sites is preserved. Dose–response curves for zolpidem and for diazepam showed that the zolpidem but not the diazepam apparent affinity is drastically reduced. The apparent GABA affinity is not significantly affected by the γ2M130L mutation. The identified amino acid residues may define part of the benzodiazepine binding pocket of GABAA receptors. As the modulatory site in the GABAA receptor is homologous to the GABA site, and to all agonist sites of related receptors, γ2M130 may either point to a homologous region important for agonist binding in all receptors or define a new region not underlying this principle.
A critical appraisal of a combined stomatal‐photosynthesis model for C3 plants

Gas-exchange measurements on Eucalyptus grandis leaves and data extracted from the literature were used to test a semi-empirical model of stomatal conductance for CO 2 , g sc = g 0 + a 1 /[(c s −Γ)(1 + D s /D 0 )], where A is the assimilation rate; D s and c s are the humidity deficit and the CO 2 concentration at the leaf surface, respectively; g 0 is the conductance as A → 0 when leaf irradiance → 0; and D 0 and a 1 are empirical coefficients. This model is a modified version of g sc = a 1 A h s /c s first proposed by Ball, Woodrow & Berry (1987, in Progress in Photosynthesis Research, Martinus Mijhoff, Publ., pp. 221-224), in which h s is relative humidity. Inclusion of the CO 2 compensation point, Γ, improved the behaviour of the model at low values of c s , while a hyperbolic function of D s for humidity response correctly accounted for the observed hyperbolic and linear variation of g sc and c i /c s as a function of D s , where c i is the intercellular CO 2 concentration. In contrast, use of relative humidity as the humidity variable led to predictions of a linear decrease in g sc and a hyperbolic variation in c i /c s as a function of D s , contrary to data from E. grandis leaves. The revised model also successfully described the response of stomata to variations in A, D s and c s for published responses of the leaves of several other species. Coupling of the revised stomatal model with a biochemical model for photosynthesis of C 3 plants synthesizes many of the observed responses of leaves to light, humidity deficit, leaf temperature and CO 2 concentration. Best results are obtained for well-watered plants
Spatial and temporal patterns in the food web structure of a large floodplain river assessed using stable isotopes

We assessed naturally occurring stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) for available food resources and consumers in the mainstream channel of the Mississippi River. Isotopic ratios were assessed for organic sources and organisms at two different sites during a fall, spring, and two summer seasons. Terrestrial C4 plants did not appear to be an important carbon source for consumers in the mainstream channel. A mixing model, IsoSource, indicated that terrestrial C3 vegetation, suspended algae, and epixylon were at times important food resources for large river consumers. Many consumer signatures fell outside the mixing polygon defined by these sources, indicating that there was a 13C-depleted food resource for which we did not account. We could not distinguish precisely whether downstream allochthonous and autochthonous carbon, or in situ production, was the dominant food resource supporting consumers in these systems. However, our data suggest that in situ organic matter sources can be .
Aquatic Hyphomycetes in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga - PEFI, São Paulo, Brazil

In the State Park Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga - PEFI, located in the city of Sao Paulo, samples of submerged mixed leaf litter were collected monthly from 10 sites with different levels of eutrophication, from October 2003 to April 2005. Some abiotic factors, such as pH, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were simultaneously measured in 20 cm deep water at each site. The leaf litter samples were washed in laboratory, cut into 1 cm2 pieces and incubated in Petri dishes containing distilled sterile water for five to seven days at 15 °C to 20 °C. Twenty-four aquatic Hyphomycete species were identified, with predominance of Anguillospora crassa Ingold, Lunulospora curvula Ingold, Tetrachaetum elegans Ingold and Camposporium pellucidum (Grove) Hughes. First reports for South America are: Anguillospora filiformis Greathead, Dendrospora erecta Ingold and Pyramidospora casuarinae Nilsson. These species, as well as Tetracladium setigerum (Grove) Ingold, Tricladium splendens Ingold and Varicosporium elodeae Kegel, are reported for the first time in Brazil. According to the multivariate analysis, the occurrence of the aquatic Hyphomycetes was mainly influenced by the trophic level of the aquatic environments.
Soy protein concentrate as a protein source for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) diets: effects on growth and amino acid metabolism of postlarvae

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a dietary amino acid imbalance, originating from the use of a soy protein concentrate (SPC) as the major protein source, on the growth performance and amino acid metabolism of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) postlarvae. Senegalese sole (85.6±24.6 mg wet weight) were fed one of two experimental diets: one based on fish meal (FM) and another based on SPC. Diets were isonitrogenous (around 56% crude protein) and isoenergetic. Diet acceptability was very good and the growth rate was 6.9% day−1 for sole eating the FM diet and 6.0% day−1 for sole eating the SPC diet. Mass-specific ammonia excretion and the activities of selected amino acid metabolic enzymes (ALAT, ASAT and GDH) did not present significant differences between treatments, although this may have been due to the high variability found for these parameters in the SPC treatment. This variability may suggest different capacities of individual fish to adapt to the possible methionine dietary deficiency. The utilization of amino acids as a substrate for lipogenesis does not seem to be affected by the dietary protein source, since NAPDH-generating enzymes (G6PD and ME) had similar activities in both treatments. Amino acid metabolism in Senegalese sole postlarvae seems to be slightly affected by the dietary protein source. Nevertheless, the changes induced by the SPC diet do not seem to impair growth, at least at the high dietary protein level used in this experiment.
Use of Tropical Dry Forests and Agricultural Areas by Neotropical Bird Communities

Agricultural activities represent a global threat to biodiversity, yet little is known about the relative importance of different agricultural land uses in relation to their wildlife communities. We explored bird community structure, diversity, and composition in a landscape dominated by primary tropical dry forest, and in three agricultural systems (i.e., tree orchards, herbaceous cropfields, cattle pastures) to evaluate the way in which birds use different habitats within the landscape. Tropical dry forests had the highest species richness and community evenness, although the bird community in tree orchards was also relatively species rich and even. Cattle pastures had more bird species than cropfields but both habitats were comparatively species poor with low evenness. Our results are related to habitat structure and the spatial location of sites within the landscape matrix. Based on our observations, we recommend including native tree species within agricultural systems and surrounding areas to provide additional resources for birds. Finally, we suggest promoting natural recruitment of native trees and shrubs within cattle pastures to provide suitable habitat for species that use tropical dry forest plants.
The Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Thyme Essential Oil on Serum Biochemical Indices in Mahua Broiler Chickens

A 42-day trial was undertaken to study the effect of different dietary levels of thyme essential oil (TEO) on serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. Seven hundred and sixty-eight selected one-day-old Mahua broilers were divided into 8 dietary treatment groups with an addition of 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 mg/kg of thyme essential oil respectively, with 4 replicate pens per treatment group (24 birds each). The feeding programme included a starter diet until day 21 and a finisher diet from day 22 until day 42. The results suggested that TEO markedly increased serum total proteins and globulins on day 21, significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase activity (P≤0.05), the albumin-to-globulin ratio, and serum urea on day 21 and 42, and in particular it improved high- density lipoproteins on day 21 and 42 (P≤0.05). In conclusion, TEO can promote protein metabolism, enhance lipolysis and strengthen the immune function. Furthermore, after a comprehensive analysis, the ideal range of the essential oil addition to the broiler feed proved to be between 0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg.
A NEW BASAL GLYPTODONTID AND OTHER XENARTHRA OF THE EARLY MIOCENE CHUCAL FAUNA, NORTHERN CHILE

Abstract Three cingulates from the early Miocene Chucal Fauna of northern Chile (ca. 17.0–19 Ma; Santacrucian SALMA) are described. A dasypodid, represented by isolated osteoderms, a partial rostrum, and postcranial bones, resembles Stenotatus patagonicus (Eutatini), but is ca. 20% smaller (similar in size to Prozaedyus) and may represent a new Stenotatus species. Two isolated peltephilid osteoderms are referred to cf. Peltephilus sp. A new glyptodontid, Parapropalaehoplophorus septentrionalis, is represented by a mandible, ca. 25% of the carapace, a femur, and other postcrania. This new species differs from other glyptodontids in its dentition (triangular n1-3 and distobuccally elongaten 2-3), mandible (unexpanded angle, vertical coronoid process), osteoderms (absent/poorly defined peripheral figures, large principal figure positioned along posterior edge), and femur (highly elevated greater trochaner). A second specimen may represent P. septentrionalis or a closely related species. No sloths have yet been collected at Chucal. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of glyptodontids—the first for the group—suggests that Glyptatelinae and Propalaehoplophorinae are paraphyletic and that Parapropalaehoplophorus is an early diverging glyptodontid, not closely related to other Santacrucian species. The revised faunal list for Chucal, which includes 18 mammals and one frog, is depauperate compared to coeval Patagonian faunas. This fauna probably occupied a relatively open, seasonal habitat. Endemism in the Chucal xenarthrans parallels that in other mammal groups, indicating significant latitudinal provinciality in South America during the early Miocene. Furthermore, the record of a glyptodontid basal to a radiation matches patterns observed in other Chucal groups (e.g., chinchilline rodents, mesotheriine notoungulates).
The effect of level and frequency of concentrate feeding on the performance of dairy cows of different yield potential

SUMMARY An experiment has been made using adult lactating cows in a randomized block design to study the effectiveness of basing feeding during the first 20 weeks of lactation on yield predicted from that obtained during the 8–12th days of lactation. Cows were classified as high yielding (HY) or low yielding (LY). The levels of feeding were identical within each yield group during the first 8 weeks of lactation but during the 9th to the 20th week two different levels of concentrate feed (HP and LP) were used. Over the 20-week period concentrates were offered in two or five daily feeds. Thus the effect of two levels and two frequencies of feeding on feed intake, milk yield and composition, and on live-weight change were studied. Cows in the HY group achieved a mean daily peak yield 2·6 kg higher than predicted while those in the LY group achieved the predicted mean peak daily yield. There was no significant effect of level of feeding on the 20-week milk yield but there was a significant effect on the yield of the LYLP class in weeks 9–20. Frequency of feeding had no significant effect on yield in either high-low-yielding cows. There was no significant effect of level of feeding on milk composition but low-yielding cows gave milk with a higher fat percentage than high-yielding cows. Five-times-a-day feeding also produced milk with a higher fat percentage than twice-a-day feeding. Live-weight changes were small and the largest variation was recorded in highyielding cows. The number of days from calving to first service was not significantly different for the two yield groups but there was a significant effect of level of feeding.
The Population Biology of Large Brown Seaweeds: Ecological Consequences of Multiphase Life Histories in Dynamic Coastal

Seaweed population biology has received far less attention than trophic dynamics, yet is critically important in establishing and maintaining algal communities. Complex life histories of habitat-forming kelps and fucoids, including spores, gametophytes, gametes, and microscopic and macroscopic benthic stages, must be considered within the context of their highly dynamic nearshore environments. We evaluate differences within and between kelps and fucoids in life histories as they affect population biology; dispersal and potential limitations in population establishment; macroscopic stages and variations in survival and longevity affecting stand structure; and microscopic stage responses to disturbance and variation in the physical environment. We suggest that the commonly made comparisons of seaweeds with terrestrial seed plants are misleading because of large differences in morphology, environments, and the ephemeral nature of propagule banks in the sea. We conclude that progress in understanding algal populations depends on better knowledge of microscopic stages and on feedback through density-dependent reproductive processes, dispersal, and settlement.