Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delay of Fruit Softening in Forcing-cultured 'Tonewase' Japanese Persimmon by Packaging in Perforated Polyethylene Bags

'Tonewase' is an early maturity strain selected from 'Hiratanenashi', an astringent Japanese persimmon cultivar. In some districts of Japan, 'Tonewase' has been grown under forcing-culture conditions, which often results in rapid softening during postharvest distribution. In this study, we elucidated that this softening is caused by water-stress-induced ethylene that can be suppressed by reducing water loss by using perforated polyethylene bags (PPB). With or without removal of astringency by treatment with elevated carbon dioxide (CTSD method), forcing-cultured 'Tonewase' fruit produced significant amounts of ethylene two days after harvest ; thereafter, most fruit softened rapidly. This softening was markedly suppressed by treating the fruit with 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP), an inhibitor of ethylene action, which suggests the involvement of ethylene in fruit softening. Packaging 'Tonewase' fruit in PPB ranging from 0.03% to 0.3% of the total film surface area reduced water loss, retarded the commencement of ethylene production and delayed fruit softening. Immature field-grown 'Hiratanenashi' fruit behaved similarly to the forcing-cultured 'Tonewase' fruit with respect to ethylene production, softening and response to MCP treatment and PPB, whereas mature fruit under the same storage conditions produced no ethylene and remained firm during postharvest.
Occurrence and Habitat Characteristics of Burrowing Owl Nests in Gunnison's Prairie Dog Colonies of Northeastern Arizona

ABSTRACT Because Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) often nest in colonies of prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.), recent declines of Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) could adversely affect this owl, considered uncommon in northern Arizona. In 2005, we determined the colony size and burrow density of 33 active Gunnison's prairie dog colonies in grasslands of northeastern Arizona. In 2006, we surveyed these colonies to determine the presence and relative abundance of Burrowing Owls, monitored nests to estimate nest success and productivity, and studied habitat characteristics at Burrowing Owl nest burrows. The 33 mapped colonies had a mean colony size of 16.6 ha and mean burrow densities of 57.7 active burrows/ha and 122.9 total burrows/ha. Seventeen nesting pairs of Burrowing Owls were associated with 12 of 33 (36%) prairie dog colonies, producing an average of 1.7 young per nest. Burrowing Owl presence at a prairie dog colony was not related to colony size or burrow density. Occurrence of an owl nest within a prairie dog colony was positively correlated with the mean number of active prairie dog burrows, total burrows, and percent of active burrows within 50 m, and negatively correlated with distance to the nearest active and inactive prairie dog burrow, elevation, and percent slope. Eight of 17 (47%) Burrowing Owl nests were successful, with brood size averaging 5.4 young per successful nest 25–31 days after hatching. Successful nests had fewer active, inactive, and total prairie dog burrows within 50 m than unsuccessful nests, contrary to previous findings. Successful nests also were closer to the nearest road than failed nests.
The endangered maned sloth Bradypus torquatus of the Brazilian Atlantic forest: a review and update of geographical distribution and habitat preferences

1 The endemic maned sloth Bradypus torquatus is globally threatened due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation and isolation of populations. Despite increased interest in the species in recent years, information on its geographic distribution is limited and is derived mainly from a few museum species and from a survey based mostly on interviews carried out more than 20 years ago. Information on its habitat and altitudinal preferences is lacking. We therefore compile, update and review all occurrence records of this species using geographical information system (GIS) tools and produce a distribution map for the species. 2 Our compilation totalled 188 occurrence records, of which 130 (69%) were considered confirmed (museum specimens or individuals captured or seen in the field), most of which (62%) were restricted to the states of Bahia and central-south Espirito Santo (29%). The species occurs predominantly in ombrophilous forest (80%), from sea level to 1290m, but mainly (79%) below 200m altitude. 3 We used GIS techniques and the alpha shape algorithm to calculate the extent of occurrence of the species and compared the resulting map with distribution maps available in the literature. We found a great deal of variation in distribution area shape and an almost two-fold variation in distribution area size among sources. 4 We confirmed the existence of a main distribution gap between southern Bahia and northern Espirito Santo and discovered a second smaller gap between southern Espirito Santo and northern Rio de Janeiro. 5 We also confirmed that B. torquatus is sympatric with the common three-toed sloth Bradypus variegatus in a large part of the Atlantic forest and that the two species are syntopic in at least 11 locations.
Stakeholder Norms Toward Beaver Management in Massachusetts

Abstract In Massachusetts, USA, both human and beaver (Castor canadensis) population levels are increasing, beaver damage complaints are escalating, and beaver management options are restricted by the 1996 Wildlife Protection Act. We looked at the public's norms toward beavers in Massachusetts. In 2002 we sent a mail-back questionnaire to a random sample of 5,563 residents in 3 geographic regions in Massachusetts and to residents who submitted a beaver complaint to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) in 1999–2000 (47.3% overall response rate). Respondents supported some form of beaver management. As severity of beaver damage was perceived to increase, respondents were more willing to accept lethal management and control of beavers. These results emphasize the importance of how tolerance and acceptability of wildlife are influenced by the type of activity the animal is engaged in, the type of management action that is proposed, the positive or negative perception of a species in the eye of the public, and the public's preference for future population levels. A full understanding of these 4 points will help tailor management accordingly, because this knowledge can define a threshold of acceptance by the public for anticipated management actions. Restoration of full beaver management authority to the cognizant wildlife management agency would facilitate application of normative information to determine appropriate management response for minimizing conflicts between humans and beavers.
Phenotypic identification and biochemical studies of bacteria associated with rhizospheric soil of ginger (Zingiber officinale L.).

Zingiber officinale L. is a common condiment for various foods and a long history of important traditional Medicine herb for the treatment of ailments and body disorders . Soil microorganisms are very important as almost every chemical transformation taking place in soil involves active contributions from soil microorganisms. In contrast, other soil microorganisms are pathogenic to plants and may cause considerable damage to crops. Large numbers of pathogenic microorganisms are routinely found in the soil and many can infect the plant through the roots. Through the current study describes the ginger rhizome associated soilborn bacterial strains. Rhizosphere bacteria were isolated from soil around the root zones of ginger fields. This study reports results concerning the isolation and identification of bacteria on the morphological basis and biochemical analysis. Ten species of bacteria belonging to eight different genera viz., Acidovorax temperans , Arthrobacter sp. , Burkholderia pseudomallei, B. cepacia , Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii, Cupria-viridis sp. , Bacillus sp. , Flavobacterium odoratum, Oscillospira sp. were isolated and processed for identification by their enzymatic activity and carbohydrates utilization.
The Effect of Microbial Phytase on Broiler Chicken Production and Nutritional Quality of Meat

We carried out an experiment using chickens producig meat Cobb 500 form 1 to 42 days of age and microbial 6-phytase. The aim of study was to determinate the impact of microbial 6-phytase on the quality of broiler chickens production. In our experiment were used standard soybean-cereal feed mixtures. The content of the nutrients and metabolizable energy was balanced in control group in terms of the broiler chickens physiological needs. In experimental feed mixtures was reduced phosphorus content through the feed addition of dicalcium phosphate about 37.7% in starter, about 35% in grower and about 35.14% in finisher of the sdandardized physiological needs for broiler chickens. A body weight of chickens aged 42 days was 2302.0 g compared with 2197.0 g of the broiler chickens of the control group with not statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Feed conversion was 1.69 versus 1.71 of the control group. Crude protein content of breast muscle was 23.52 g per 100 g compared with 23.36 g per 100 g of the control group with not statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Crude protein content in the thigh muscle was 18.33 g per 100 g compared with 18.20 g per 100 g of the control group with not statistically significant difference (P>0.05).
Dry matter distribution in tomato and cucumber.

A model to simulate dynamically the distribution of dry matter between leaves, stem, roots and individual cucumber fruits or tomato clusters of fruits is described. The simulated dry matter distribution is regulated by the sink strengths of the plant organs. These sink strengths can be quantified by their potential growth rates, i.e. the growth rates under conditions of non-limiting assimilate supply. Potential dry weight and time from flowering until harvest of tomato clusters of fruits decreased with increasing temperature (17, 21 or 25 °C). However, the relation between sink strength (potential growth rate) and developmental stage of a cluster (time after flowering / time from flowering until harvest) appeared to be almost independent on temperature. In the model the sink strengths of leaves, stem and roots were assumed to be constant. For cucumber the dry matter distribution between leaves, stem and roots indeed was found to be independent on fruit load. The simulated dry matter distribution between tomato leaves, stem and individual clusters of fruits corresponded reasonably well to measured data from a glasshouse experiment.
Polar bear maternity denning in the Beaufort Sea

The distribution of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is circumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, but known locations of maternal dens are concentrated in relatively few, widely scattered locations. Denning is either uncommon or unknown within gaps between known denning concentration areas. The Beaufort Sea region of Alaska and Canada lies in the largest of those gaps. To understand effects of industrial development and proposed increases in hunting, the temporal and spatial distribution of denning in the Beaufort Sea must be known. We captured and radiocollared polar bears between 1981 and 1991 and determined that denning in the Beaufort Sea region was sufficient to account for the estimated population there. Of 90 dens, 48 were on drifting pack ice, 38 on land, and 4 on land-fast ice
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Notch Pathways Participate in the Tumor Suppressor Function of γ-Secretase*

γ-Secretase, a unique aspartyl protease, is required for the regulated intramembrane proteolysis of Notch and APP, pathways that are implicated, respectively, in the pathogenesis of cancer and Alzheimer disease. However, the mechanism whereby reduction of γ-secretase causes tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that γ-secretase functions in epithelia as a tumor suppressor in an enzyme activity-dependent manner. Notch signaling is down-regulated and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is activated in SCC caused by genetic reduction of γ-secretase. Moreover, the level of EGFR is inversely correlated with the level of γ-secretase in fibroblasts, suggesting that the up-regulation of EGFR stimulates hyperproliferation in epithelia of mice with genetic reduction of γ-secretase. Supporting this notion is our finding that the proliferative response of fibroblasts lacking γ-secretase activity is more sensitive when challenged by either EGF or an inhibitor of EGFR as ompared with wild type cells. Interestingly, the up-regulation of EGFR is independent of Notch signaling, suggesting that the EGFR pathway functions in parallel with Notch in the tumorigenesis of SCC. Collectively, our results establish a novel mechanism linking the EGFR pathway to the tumor suppressor role of γ-secretase and that mice with genetic reduction of γ-secretase represent an excellent rodent model for clarifying pathogenesis of SCC and for testing therapeutic strategy to ameliorate this type of human cancer.
Silica nanoparticles induced the pre-thrombotic state in rats via activation of coagulation factor XII and the JNK-NF-κB/AP-1 pathway

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) play a vital role in medical applications such as drug delivery and cancer therapy. SiNPs can translocate into the bloodstream through all the possible routes of entry. However, there have been scarce studies on the pre-thrombotic effect of SiNPs and the mechanism of the pre-thrombotic state in vivo. We specifically focused on the changes of platelet function and blood coagulation in Wistar rats after 7 consecutive days of intravenous injection of SiNPs (52 nm). The platelet aggregation assay, structural changes of platelet membrane glucoproteins, coagulation test, coagulant/anti-coagulant and fibrinolytic factors and the possible molecular mechanism of pre-thrombotic state formation were performed. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in platelet aggregation rate and platelet activation after SiNP exposure. The clotting time was significantly shortened while fibrinogen (FIB) contents were increased. There were sustained increases in coagulation factors and thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) expression induced by SiNPs. Antithrombin III (AT-III) of the SiNP-treated groups was significantly decreased while the concentrations of the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and D-dimer were elevated. The phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB/p65 (NF-κB/p65) and activator protein-1/c-Jun (AP-1/c-Jun) and the protein levels of JNK were increased after SiNP exposure. In summary, our results revealed that SiNPs induced the hypercoagulable and pre-thrombotic state in rats through the interaction between platelet activation, coagulation system hyperfunction, anti-coagulation and fibrinolytic resistance. Direct interactions between SiNPs and coagulation factor XII (F XII) and the JNK-NF-κB/AP-1 pathway might be involved in the regulation of pre-thrombotic state formation.
An ecological study of a population of Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in central Australia. II. Population dynamics and movements

Population dynamics and movements were investigated in a population of Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis, a dasyurid marsupial occupying rocky habitats in the Australian arid zone. Intra-annual cycling in abundance, activity and numbers of resident and transient individuals was not regular from year to year, although the number of residents was high compared with the number of transients. Juvenile recruitment varied between years and was as low as 18%. Densities were low (0.05–0.2 ha–1 for females and 0.05–0.3 ha–1 for males), and individuals exhibited large stable long-term ranges – mean Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) area for males was 427 m2 and for females 171 m2. The constraints of the monoestrous, synchronised reproductive strategy of P. macdonnellensis, together with the ameliorating effect of its rocky habitat, which may decrease food limitation and increase survival, seem to have produced a different pattern of population dynamics to that seen in arid-zone dasyurids that are polyoestrous plains-dwellers. The patterns of movement in P. macdonnellensis also differ from plains-dwelling species, in which individuals display high life-time mobility. The existence of large but non-drifting ranges in P. macdonnellensis may be seen as a consequence of a low but relatively predictable food supply, which precludes the necessity for individuals to shift their activity to temporary patches of high food supply, but requires them to occupy a large range to obtain enough food to meet energy requirements.
Enhancement of the innate immune system and disease-resistant activity in Cyprinus carpio by oral administration of β-glucan and whole cell yeast

The effects of dietary β- (1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast (Sacharomyces uvarum) on the immune response and disease resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila were investigated in Cyprinus carpio. β-(1,3) glucan was extracted from the yeast. Both β-(1,3) glucan and whole yeast were incorporated into the diet at 1% level and fed to common carp C. carpio for a period of 60 days. Control and treated fish were exposed to A. hydrophila on the 30th and the 60th day of the experimental period. Dietary supplementation of glucan significantly increased the white blood cell count in fish on the 60th day (2.91±0.04 × 104), and the highest nuetrophil nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) activity was also observed in glucan-fed fish (30th day). A consistent increase in neutrophil (NBT) activity was also observed in whole cell fed fish until the end of the experiment. Similarly, β-(1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast enhanced the serum lysozyme activity from the 15th day onwards but higher activity was reported on the 30th day in glucan and the 60th day in whole cell yeast-fed fish. Suplementation of β-(1,3) glucan protected the fish from A. hydrophila infection. Nearly 75–80% of the fish survived pathogen exposure (relative percentage survival). However, only 54–60% survival was observed in the whole cell-fed fish. β-(1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast protect the fish from pathogens by enhancing the cellular and humoral immune response in C. carpio.
Essential Role of p38γ in K-Ras Transformation Independent of Phosphorylation*

MAPK cascades play the critical role in regulating Ras oncogene activity by phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms. Whereas the ERK MAPK pathway is required for Ras transformation, our previous works established that the p38 activity is inhibitory to Ras signaling in both experimental and ras-mutated cancer cells (Chen, G., Hitomi, M., Han, J., and Stacey, D. W. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 38973-38980; Qi, X. , Tang, J., Pramanik, R. , Schultz, R. M. , Shirasawa, S. , Sasazuki, T. , Han, J., and Chen, G. (2004) J. Biol. Chem., 279, 22138-22144). Here we report that K-Ras activated p38γ, a p38 MAPK family member, by inducing its expression without increasing its phosphorylation and that depletion of induced p38γ suppressed Ras transformation in rat intestinal epithelial cells. This p38γ activity contrasts with that of its family member, p38α, which is activated by Ras through phosphorylation, leading to an inhibition of Ras transformation. Mechanistic analyses showed that unphosphorylated p38γ may promote Ras transformation through an increased complex formation with ERK proteins. Significantly, functional p38γ protein was expressed only in K-ras-mutated human colon cancer cells, and p38γ transcripts were ubiquitously increased in a set of primary human colon cancer tissues. These studies thus demonstrate the essential role of p38γ in K-Ras transformation independent of phosphorylation, and elevated p38γ may serve as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for human colon cancer.
A Mixture of Histidine-Dipeptides, Vitamin C, and Ferulic Acid Reduces Comet Assay Scores in Normal Middle-Aged Men.

Specific antioxidants have previously been found to target particular reactive oxygen species. For example, histidine-dipeptides neutralize hypochlorite, while ascorbic acid targets peroxynitrite and ferulic acid scavenges hydroxyl radicals. In this study, we investigated the effects of a mixture of these antioxidants on oxidative stress in middle-aged men. Seventeen male volunteers ingested an antioxidant mixture containing histidine-dipeptides, vitamin C, and ferulic acid for 8 weeks. DNA damage in peripheral leukocytes was measured at 4-week intervals using comet assays. For comparison, oxidative status in twelve normal volunteers who did not ingest the test drink (control group) were examined. DNA damage was remarkably reduced at the 8and 12week follow-ups. Plasma LDL-cholesterol levels were also reduced at 8 weeks. In contrast, notable changes in DNA damage were not observed in the control group. In addition, the antioxidant mixture administered in this trial did not produce toxic effects on the liver, kidney, or pancreatic function. Thus, such antioxidant combinations may contribute to the maintenance of health in middleaged men.
Resource allocation by the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus WH8102 in response to different nutrient supply ratios

Differences in relative availability of nitrate vs. phosphate may contribute to regional variations in plankton elemental stoichiometry. As a representative of the globally abundant marine Synechococcus, strain WH8102 was grown in 16 chemostats up to 52 d at a fixed growth rate with nitrogen–phosphorus ratios (N : Psupply) of 1–50. Initially, the phosphate and nitrate concentrations in the vessel decreased when the respective nutrient was limiting. Cell growth generally stabilized, although several chemostats had apparent oscillations in biomass. We observed extensive plasticity in the elemental content and ratios. N : Pcell matched the supply values between N : Psupply 5 and 20. The C : Pcell followed a similar trend. In contrast, the mean C : Ncell was 6.8 and did not vary as a function of supply ratios. We also observed that induction of alkaline phosphatase, the fraction of P allocated to nucleic acids, and the lipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol : phosphatidyglycerol ratio inversely correlated with P availability. Our results suggest that this extensive plasticity in the elemental content and ratios depends both on the external nutrient availability as well as past growth history. Thus, our study provides a quantitative understanding of the regulation of the elemental stoichiometry of an abundant ocean phytoplankton lineage.
Older than New Caledonia emergence? A molecular phylogenetic study of the eneopterine crickets (Orthoptera: Grylloidea)

Aim A New Caledonian insect group was studied in a world‐wide phylogenetic context to test: (1) whether local or regional island clades are older than 37 Ma, the postulated re‐emergence time of New Caledonia; (2) whether these clades show evidence for local radiations or multiple colonizations; and (3) whether there is evidence for relict taxa with long branches in phylogenetic trees that relate New Caledonian species to geographically distant taxa.