Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First report of live deep-water cnidarian assemblages from the Malta Escarpment

Abstract A recent geo-marine survey of the Malta Escarpment revealed for the first time the existence of live cnidarian assemblages at about 300 m depth. These associations have been observed by means of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during surveys carried out on the upper part of the Malta Escarpment. The assemblages established on hard bedrock were chiefly composed of the antipatharian Leiopathes glaberrima. The Malta Escarpment is known to have been successfully colonised by deep-water scleractinian assemblages until the last glacial age. However, no living specimens had been observed, and only specimens of dead but relatively fresh Dendrophyllia cornigera had been reported. This area of the Mediterranean Sea, which connects the deep Ionian basin to the western Mediterranean, is largely unknown and in clear need of thorough exploration.
Processo germinativo e vigor de sementes de Cedrela odorata L. sob estresse salino

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the viability and the vigor of Cedrela odorata L. seeds. The experiment was conducted at conditions of laboratory (temperature medium from 28 oC and humidity medium of 84 %), under continuous light where four replicates of 25 seeds were put to germinate on blotting paper and moistened with solutions of NaCl, KCl and CaCl 2 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM). The parameters analysed were: germination, first germination count, germination speed index, primary root and hypocotyl length and dry weight matter of the seedling. The adverse effects of salt stress on germination and seedling vigor of ‘cedro’ are indeed evident from the concentration of 25 mM NaCl, KCl and CaCl 2 , indicating that their use in saline environments may be limited. The ‘cedro’ seeds are more sensitive to CaCl 2 and KCl compared to NaCl, the effect of salinity was more aggressive on the germination and vigor than in seedling vigor.
Thermal Stability of Onconase and Some Mutant Forms

Onconase is a small globular protein of the pancreatic ribonuclease superfamily. It is an important molecule because it possesses a selective antitumor activity. The interesting finding is that onconase has a high thermal stability, with a denaturation temperature close to 90d`C at pH 6.0. A detailed comparison between the tertiary structures of onconase and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease has been accomplished in order to identify the molecular determinants of the high stability. The results of differential scanning calorimetry measurements confirm that the mutant forms of onconase, designed to be less stable than the parent enzyme, exhibit lower denaturation temperatures. In particular, the disulfide bridge at the C-terminus of onconase seems to play a pivotal role in stability.
Prostaglandin F2α and its receptor as activators of human decidua

Prostaglandins produced by the intrauterine tissues of both mother and fetus (myometrium, decidua, placenta, chorion, and amnion) are involved with all of the physiologies of parturition (membrane rupture, cervical dilatation, myometrial contractility, placental separation, and uterine involution). For parturition to occur, however, the intrauterine tissues need to first be activated to prepare for the work of labor, then stimulated to initiate labor. Prostaglandins normally are considered to be stimulators of the physiologies of labor. This review presents evidence that one prostaglandin, PGF2alpha, and its receptor, FP, are also activators, especially of the decidua. Stimulated by cytokines, the decidual synthesis of PGF2alpha and the expression of FP lead to increased matrix metalloproteinase activity, further enhancement of cytokine activity, increased decidual oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expression, decreased progesterone responsiveness, and possibly, enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. These collective actions prepare the decidua for its role in parturition.
Sonographic and Histologic Outcomes of Adnexal Torsion

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the success of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adnexal torsion before surgery and to define its histological diagnosis and results in different age periods. Material and Methods: This study was carried out with a retrospective examination of 130 patients clinically suspected as adnexal torsion between January 2008 and May 2012. The success of sonography in the diagnosis of adnexal torsion was investigated by diagnostic tests. 70 cases confirmed by surgery were divided into 3 groups. Children and adolescents under 18 years of age were classified as Group 1, reproductive women Group 2 and postmenopausal women Group 3. In these 3 groups, mass size, type, histological diagnosis and outcome of adnexal torsion were defined. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound were 84.3%, 78.3%, and 81.5%, respectively. There were significant differences in the presence of ultrasonic hallmarks among the true positive, false positive, and false negative cases of adnexal torsion. Adnexal torsion was identified in 70 cases. The majority of cases were found to occur in the reproductive period (47 of 70). Teratoma was the most common histological diagnosis in children and adolescents, while normal ovary was in the reproductive period. In the postmenopausal period, the most common histological diagnosis was cystadenoma, but the malignant ovarian tumor was observed in 2 of 10 cases. Conclusion: We conclude that ultrasonography performed by a specialized obstetrics and gynaecology ultrasound unit plays an important role in the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion. Most adnexal torsions occurred in women of reproductive age, and the right side was dominant. The spectrum of histological diagnosis varied at different ages.
Histological and histochemical changes in the gonads and epididymides of the male Soft‐shelled turtle, Trionyx sinensis

The seasonal testicular changes in the Soft-shelled turtle, T. sinensis, show a well-marked temporal differentiation between the functional activity of the seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue. In the March-April breeding period, the interstitial cells are large and lipid-free, with rounded turgid nuclei and a strongly positive reaction to tests for A5-3P-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. As might be expected with such histochemical manifestations of high androgen secretory activity, the epididymis is also highly developed during this period. In contrast, the seminiferous tubules are regressed, spermatogenetically inactive, and heavily lipoidal. Fertilization is achieved by spermatozoa discharged from the epididymidal canals. Immediately following the breeding period, the interstitial tissue atrophies and becomes strongly lipoidal and negative to tests for 3P-HSD. This interstitial regression is accompanied by the regression of the epididymides and a concomitant recrudescence of seminiferous tubule activity. The latter rapidly become depleted of their lipid and become strongly positive to tests for 3P-HSD. Spermatogenesis resumes, and the seminiferous tubules become filled with representatives of all the germinal stages by the end of May. In early autumn there is a cessation of spermatogenesis, and, as the epididymides recover under the influence of a recovering androgen secretion by the redeveloping interstitial cells, the spermatozoa become evacuated from the tubule-lumina to the epididymidal canals, where they remain until the succeeding breeding season. The seasonal histochemical events are discussed in relation to the basic pituitary-gonadal regulation of testicular function.
Systematics of white‐toothed shrews (Crocidura) (Mammalia: Insectivora: Soricidae) of Taiwan: Karyological and morphological Studies

We define the species boundaries of white-toothed shrews (genus Crocidura) in Taiwan using karyological and morphological characteristics. Ninety-nine animals were obtained from all over Taiwan at capture rates usually less than 10%. Three species are recognized by distinct cytotypes: Crociduru uttenuata tanakae 2n = 40, FN = 56; Crocidura suaveolens hoslefti 2n = 40, FN = 50; Crocidura kurodai 2n = 40, FN = 54. A suite of six morphological characters diagnose the three species: shape of skull, position of incisive foramina, shape of fourth upper premolar, shape of pinna, tail vibrissae, and foot pads. A species key and notes on the life history of each species are provided. Finally, we discuss chromosomal evolution and biogeography of Crociduru in East and South East Asia.
Conditional Effect of the Deletion of eshA on Streptomycin Production in Streptomyces griseus IFO13350

The eshA gene was originally found to encode a protein required for the extension of sporogenic hyphae during submerged spore formation in Streptomyces griseus NRRL B-2682. An eshA-disrupted strain of S. griseus IFO13189 was reported to be conditionally deficient in streptomycin production and aerial mycelium formation. Our previous transcriptomic analyses indicated that AdpA, a global transcriptional regulator of morphological and physiological differentiation, induced eshA (SGR1270) transcription in S. griseus IFO13350. Here, we examined the transcriptional regulation of eshA by AdpA and the involvement of eshA in the morphological and physiological differentiation of S. griseus IFO13350. Transcriptional analysis by S1 nuclease mapping showed that eshA was transcribed throughout growth on solid medium. In contrast, no eshA transcription was detected in an adpA deletion mutant. Recombinant His-tagged AdpA bound to a region upstream from the eshA promoter in vitro. However, mutation of the AdpA-binding sequence did not affect the transcription of eshA in vivo, indicating that AdpA indirectly activates eshA transcription. Streptomycin production by an eshA deletion mutant grown on TSB plates was lower than that of the wild-type strain. However, the eshA deletion mutant grew and formed aerial mycelia and spores following the same time course as the wild-type strain on various media.
Archaeological Ground Point Filtering of Airborne Laser Scan Derived Point-Clouds in a Difficult Mediterranean Environment

Digital terrain models (DTM) based on airborne laser scanning (ALS) are an important source for identifying and monitoring archaeological sites and landscapes. However, a DTM is only one of many representations of a given surface. Its accuracy and quality must conform to its purpose and are a result of several considerations and decisions along the processing chain. One of the most important factors of ALS-based DTM generation is ground point filtering, i.e., the classification of the acquired point-cloud into terrain and off-terrain points. Filtering is not straightforward. The resulting DTM is usually a compromise that might show the surface below very dense vegetation while losing detail in other areas. In this paper, we show that in very complex situations (e.g., strongly varying vegetation cover), an optimal compromise is difficult to achieve, and more than one filter with different settings adapted to the varying degree of vegetation cover is necessary. For practical reasons, the results need to be combined into a single DTM. This is demonstrated using the case study of a Mediterranean landscape in Croatia, which consists of open areas (agricultural and grassland), olive plantations, as well as extremely dense and evergreen macchia vegetation. The results are the first step toward an adaptive ground point filtering strategy that might be useful far beyond the field of archaeology.
A reappraisal of the Scaridiidae (Rotifera, Monogononta)

The morphology, systematics and distribution of the rotifer genus Scaridium Ehrenberg, 1830 are revised. The genus is transferred from Notommatidae to Scaridiidae, which is reinstated. In all, five species are recognized, two of which, S. montanum sp. n. and S. grandis sp. n. , are new to science. Descriptions, a brief biometrical analysis and a key to the species are provided. Scaridium longicaudum (O.F. Müller, 1786) is cosmopolitic, S. bostjani Daems & Dumont, 1974 is probably a cosmopolitic warm stenotherm, S. elegans Segers & De Meester, 1994 is pantropic, S. montanum sp. n. occurs in the Mediterranean region and S. grandis sp. n. is recorded from Cameroon, Nigeria and Thailand.
Flow disruption by an animal-tube mimic affects sediment bacterial colonization

Simple flume experiments iiemonstrate that local flow perturbations by a protruding animal-tube mimic can cause a significant increase in bacterial colonization at the sediment-seawater interface. The occurrence and extent of this increase depend on properties of the viscous sublayer adjoining the bed-specifically, its spatial and temporal continuity, and its thickness relative to tube height. In the field homologous tube effects on bacterial colonization and abundances are likely to be common. These effects are postulated to be important to larval recruitment, community composition, the nutrition of deposit feeders, and sediment dynamics.
Isolation and Identification of Flavonoids from Arctiumlappa Stem and Study the Hepatoprotective Effecton Acetaminophen Induced Liver Damage

The present study investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of crude extract of Arctiumlappastem(E-ALS) and isolated total flavonoids(ITF) from the stem, With qualitative and quantitative determination of flavonoids by HPLC.Twenty four local adult male rabbitswere used in this study which divided into four groups(6animal in each group), Control-1(C1) as control group, Control-2(C2):treated with 300mg/kgparacetamoladministrated for one week, Group 1(G1): 300mg/kg paracetamol administrated for one week +Orally 250mg/kg of E-ALSadministrated daily for 4 weeks, Group 2(G2): Orally 300mg/kg paracetamol administrated for one week +Orally 50mg/kg of ITFdministrated daily for 4 weeks. The results identified five types of flavonoids for the first time in plant stem (Rutin, Myricetin, Quercetin, Apigenin, Kaempferol) with quantified determination for the concentration of each type of flavonoids in E-ALS and also in ITF which identified the same five flavonoids. The hepatoprotective effect of E-ALS and ITF were observed by monitoring the antioxidant parameters and activity of liver enzymes. The results obtained from this study showed that the levels of glutathione-GSH, Glutathione peroxidase GPX and Glutathione-S-Transferase-GST were significantly (P ? 0.05) decreased in C2 treated with paracetamol as comparing with C1, with significant (P ? 0.05) elevation of alanine aminotransferase-ALT activity and non-significant effect on Aspartate aminotransferase-AST, while the level of GSH and GPX were significantly (P ? 0.05) elevated in G1 and G2 treated with E-ALS and ITF respectively as compared with C2, in which the levels of GSH and GPX are less than the levels in C1 and G1. Otherwise the levels of GST, ALT and AST significantly (P ? 0.05) decreased in G1 and G2 as compared with C2. These findings show the hepatoprotective properties of E-ALS and IFT against liver injury induced by paracetmol and also the protective role of anti-oxidative defense system of flavonoids in the two extracts.
Effect of temperature on the phenology and grain yield of Sorghum bicolor

When grown under controlled high temperature conditions United States sorghum cultivars exhibited depressed grain yield in comparison with yield at moderate temperatures. High temperatures (day/night 33/28°C) between germination and initiation resulted in low grain yield. High temperatures at initiation and during the early phases of panicle development did not reduce floret production. In plants exposed to high temperatures before initiation, high temperatures late in the panicle development stage induced floret abortion, and even moderate temperatures after anthesis were associated with embryo abortion. The adverse effect of high night temperatures on grain yield is likely to be associated with inadequate assimilate availability to support dark respiration.
Pistacia terebinthus as a dietary supplement for laying hens

The aim of this study was to explore the potential of Pistacia terebinthus (terebinth) seed meal as a dietary supplement for laying hens. One hundred and ninety-two Babcock 30-week-old laying hens were assigned to one of six treatments (n = 32) with four replicates (n = 8). The hens were fed diets containing 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% terebinth seed meal for eight weeks. Weekly egg production, feed consumption, egg weight, and egg mass were recorded. Egg quality was assessed at the beginning, middle and end of the study. Blood sampling was carried out on 12 birds from each treatment. Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index were determined. Egg production was greater from hens fed 3% and 4% terebinth than those in the other treatments. Egg weight was increased by supplementation with 2% or more terebinth. Feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, eggshell breaking strength, yolk colour, Haugh units, concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, phosphorus and calcium in serum, and total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and the oxidative stress index did not differ across treatments. It is concluded that dietary terebinth seed supplementation generated positive effects on egg production and egg weight without adverse effects on egg quality or the metabolism of the hen.Keywords: antioxidant, egg production, egg quality, feed consumption, serum biochemistry
Metabolism of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the ovine rumen. II. Some factors affecting rate of alkaloid breakdown by rumen fluid in vitro.

When the pyrrolizidine alkaloids heliotrine and lasiocarpine were incubated in vitro with sheep's rumen contents, a common metabolic product was formed. This compound was also found as an end-product of metabolism in the rumen contents of sheep fed on a ration containing the plant Heliotropium europaeum. Previously described rumen metabolites of the Heliotropium alkaloids were 1-methylenepyrrolizidine derivatives, e.g. l-goreensine. The newly found product represents a further stage of reduction of l-goreensine in which the 1-methylene group has been replaced by a 1-methyl group. This compound has been identified as 7s-hydroxyla- methyl-8s-pyrrolizidine, a previously unknown pyrrolizidine derivative.
Adaptive Responses to Accelerating Costs of Movement: A Bioenergetic Basis for the Type-III Functional Response

An investigation of the bioenergetic basis of the type-III functional response reveals that increases in the velocity of filtering or in the velocity of prey search occurring with increased food density may lead to type-III responses and are adaptive if rates of energy expenditure above the standard metabolic rate accelerate with velocity. Such costs are typical of movement in water, suggesting possible differences in the dynamics of aquatic and terrestrial foraging. When type-III responses are driven by changes in the optimal value of foraging-effort variables, the "stabilizing range" of the response for one food type is accompanied by increases in the rate of feeding on all other food types in the optimal diet. These indirect interactions between prey species sharing a common predator resemble competition and may therefore counteract any direct stabilizing effect that the type-III response has on the population dynamics of the prey.
Latina college students’ experiences in STEM at Hispanic-Serving Institutions: framed within Latino critical race theory

Abstract In the last 20 years, Latina undergraduate college students have increased their enrollment and degree attainment. However, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines Latinas remain highly underrepresented. The study aims to gain more insight into the roles that peers, faculty, and family play in Latina students' persistence in STEM fields at two selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Using Latino Critical Race Theory, Latinas reflected on their experiences in male-dominated STEM disciplines.
Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy presenting as optic neuritis

Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) is an outer retinal disorder characterized by the acute loss of visual functions. Herein, we report a case of AZOOR presenting features mimicking optic neuritis. A 17-year-old healthy male reported fogginess in the right eye for 2 weeks. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Results of a color vision test and pupillary reaction were unremarkable. Funduscopic examination revealed a subtle hyperemic disc surrounded by hyperpigmentation in the right eye. Visual field examination confirmed an enlarged blind spot in the affected eye. Fundus autofluorescence imaging revealed zonal hyperautofluorescence around the optic disc. Fluorescein angiography showed optic disc staining and a window defect in the retinal pigment epithelium. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated loss of the ellipsoid line at the corresponding hyperautofluorescent region. All these characteristics indicated a diagnosis of AZOOR. However, the prolonged P100 wave observed through visual-evoked potential examination, hyperintensity T2 signal at the retrobulbar optic nerve through magnetic resonance imaging, and mild hyperemic optic disc along with optic disc staining through fluorescein angiography resemble the characteristics of optic neuritis. Because the clinical features of AZOOR are similar to those of optic neuritis, ophthalmologists should be able to differentiate between these two diseases to achieve a timely and correct diagnosis.