Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological ecology of lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta) in an enriched CO2 environment

Relatively little work has been done to evaluate the effects of chronically high levels of carbon dioxide on growth and physiology of woody plants. In this study, seedlings of lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var. latifoliaEngelm.) were grown for 5-month periods at 330, 1000, or 2000 μL CO2•L−1. Height growth; leaf area production; biomass of leaves, stems, and roots; and photosynthetic responses to changing light, moisture, and CO2 concentration were measured. Significant differences between treatments were found in mean seedling height on all measurement dates. Seedlings grown at 1000 μL CO2•L−1 were tallest, with seedlings grown in 2000 μL•L−1 intermediate between the control (330 μL•L−1) and 1000 μL•L−1 treatments. The same relationship was found in production of total leaf surface area. Increased leaf surface area yields a productive advantage to seedlings grown at concentrations of CO2 up to 2000 μL•L−1 even if no increase in net photosynthesis is assumed. Biomass of stems, roots, and secondary .
Serological tests for foot-and-mouth disease in bovine serum samples. Problems of interpretatio n

Summary : When fully susceptible animals are infected with foot-andmouth disease for the first time the results of serological tests are usually unequivocal. Problems arise when animals have been previously infected or vaccinated with other foot-and-mouth disease virus types. The finding, in free-living African buffalo in Mozambique and South Africa, of serum neutralising titres to types O, A and Asia 1 viruses equal to or even greater than those against the SA T virus types was unexpected and led to further investigations. Although the reason for such high titres must remain speculative, it was concluded they were not the result of infection with those particu­ lar types, but were heterotypic responses following multiple infections with other prevalent types, i.e. the SAT viruses. The interpretation of serological results in the absence of a known history of disease or vacci­ nation is discussed.
Feeding larvae of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) with live prey or microencapsulated diet: linear growth and protein, RNA and DNA content

A commercial microencapsulated diet was used as a total or partial replacement of live prey for feeding larvae of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum), a potential alternative finfish species for coldwater marine aquaculture. Growth performance (morphometric measurements and biochemical composition) and nutritional condition (RNA/DNA ratios) of larvae fed live prey (Brachionus plicatilis Muller), a microencapsulated diet or a mixed diet of live prey and microcapsules were compared. Newly hatched larvae were unable to digest microencapsulated diet; live prey at initial feeding was required for their survival and growth. Larvae offered a mixed diet showed slower growth than larvae fed exclusively with live prey. However, at the onset of stomach differentiation, RNA/DNA ratios (indicators of protein synthesis potential) of the larvae fed both diets became similar. We suggest that, at that stage (size 5.5–6.3 mm), enzymatic activity had developed enough to allow digestion of inert food. As the RNA/DNA ratio is a good indicator of nutritional condition, it appears to be an interesting tool for the assessment of diet adequacy in marine larval feeding technology.
EFFECT OF CYP2E1 INDUCTION BY ETHANOL ON THE IMMUNOTOXICITY AND GENOTOXICITY OF EXTENDED LOW-LEVEL BENZENE EXPOSURE

Potential additive effects of ethanol consumption, a common life-style factor, and lowlevel benzene exposure, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, were investigated. Ethanol is a potent inducer of the cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme, which bioactivates benzene to metabolites with known genotoxicity and immunotoxicity. A liquid diet containing 4.1% ethanol was used to induce hepatic CYP2E1 activity by 4-fold in female CD-1 mice. Groups of ethanol-treated or pair-fed control mice were exposed to benzene or filtered air in inhalation chambers for 7 h/d, 5 d/wk for 6 or 11 wk. The initial experiment focused on immunotoxicity endpoints based on literature reports that ethanol enhances high-dose benzene effects on spleen, thymus, and bone marrow cellularity and on peripheral red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. No statistically significant alterations were found in spleen lymphocyte cellularity, subtype profile, or function (mitogen-induced proliferation, cytokine production, or natural killer cell lytic activity) after 6 wk of ethanol diet, 0.44 ppm benzene exposure, or both. This observed absence of immunomodulation by ethanol alone, a potential confounding factor, further validates our previously established murine model of sustained CYP2E1 induction by dietary ethanol. Subsequent experiments involved a 10-fold higher benzene level for a longer time of 11 wk and focused on genotoxic endpoints in known target tissues. Bone marrow and spleen cells were evaluated for DNA-protein cross-links, a sensitive transient index of genetic damage, and spleen lymphocytes were monitored for hprt -mutant frequency, a biomarker of cumulative genetic insult. No treatment-associated changes in either genotoxic endpoint were detected in animals exposed to 4.4 ppm benzene for 6 or 11 wk with or without coexposure to ethanol. Thus, our observations suggest an absence of genetic toxicity in CD-1 mice exposed to environmentally relevant levels of benzene with or without CYP2E1 induction.
Studies on enhanced post-illumination respiration in microalgae

The extent of enhanced post-illumination respiration (EPIR) has been investigated in a number of microalgae. Respiration rates, as determined by O2 consumption, were enhanced (in a11 but one case) by 50-140% following pre-exposure to high photon flux compared to rates obtained for steady-state dark respiration. The extent of EHR was dependent more on photon flux than on duration of exposure. although the latter did have some effect. In Isoclzrysis galbana and Chaeroceros calcitrens. EPIR effects were also demonstrated using ( '"C)COl evolution. In Z.gdbarm. release of CO2 from cells pre-exposed to a period of high photon flux was most rapid from carbohydrate and low-molecular-weight metabolites. Data obtained from Thalassiosira weisflogii indicate that cells grown at low photon flux are more susceptible to EHR than those grown under high photon flux. These results are discussed in the context of various hypotheses that have been proposed regarding the mechanism of EPIR effects.
Stability of resistance to cassava brown streak disease in major agro-ecologies of Uganda

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is the most devastating disease of cassava in southern, eastern and cntral Africa, and can cause up to 100% yield loss. Limited progress has been made in breeding for host plant resistance due to limited knowledge on the resistance variability to the disease. Reaction of promising cassava genotypes to CBSD in multi-environments are also unknown. Therefore, this study intended to: (1) Identify additional sources of resistance to CBSD; (2) Determine the stability of resistance to CBSD, and (3) mega-environments for screening resistance to CBSD. Field evaluation of 19 genotypes was conducted in RCBD with three replications at three agro-ecologies of Uganda for two cropping cycles. Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and (GGE) biplot models were used to analyze genotype-environment interactions. Based on mean field reaction, the six best genotypes identified for resistance to CBSD were: TZ/06/140, TMS30572, TZ /06/130, N3/66/1, N3/58/1 with N3/104/3 and N3/66/1 being the most stable. While N3/66/1, N3/58/1 and N3/104/3, Mzungu and Kigoma Red were reported to be putative new sources of resistance to CBSD in Uganda. Genotypes (G), Environments (E), and GxE interactions were all significant, with no genotype exhibiting complete resistance. The significant result for GxE interaction to CBSD indicates the need for multi-environment screening and is suggestive of quantitative nature of CBSD resistance. Key words: Cassava brown streak disease; resistance, GxE interaction, discriminatory ability.
Resistance to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Astract: This research was conducted to investigate the bean resistance against Tetranychus urticae in Khomein region, Iran, in two parts. At first, the study was initiated by screening 458 chiti bean Phaseolus vulgaris germplasm for their resistance to T. urticae in field experiments among several planting seasons, during 2005-2008. In these experiments, foliar damage was measured according to CIAT 1-9 damage, intervals 8 and 15 days after plot infestation. The second, 15 genotypes were found to be resistant to the infestation by T. urticae. From these resistant genotypes, the four most resistant bean genotypes, KS21247, KS21181, KS21212 and KS21189, were chosen for investigation of their underlying resistance mechanism in greenhouse tests, during 2008-2010. To antixenosis mechanism of resistance, 200 adult mites were released in the center of five potted bean plants of four different resistant genotypes and one susceptible control genotype (KS21258). Mites were counted 24 and 48 h after releasing. The genotype KS21189 could be defined as preference, while KS21247 was not preferred by the mites. Antibiosis was studied on excised leaf discs (4cm ) of the same five bean genotypes mentioned above in 80 2 replicates for each genotype. Adult mites were reared on these discs and life parameters were determined. Based on the life-table comparisons, both KS21247 and KS21181 were found to be less favorable for the mite development.
Influence of carbon source on the production of exopolysacharides by Rhizobium sullae and on the nodulation of Hedysarum coronarium L. legume

The exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by species of the Rhizobium genus are essential for establishing symbiotic nitrogen fixation with legumes. Rhizobium strains were isolated from the wild plant Hedysarum coronarium L. collected in Constantine, Algeria. The effect of carbon source on the production of EPS and the infectivity of the bacteria were studied for the different Rhizobium isolates. Strains were cultivated on YMA where mannitol was replaced by different sugars. Good bacterial growth was found for sorbitol, sucrose, glucose and maltose. High production of EPS is obtained in the presence of mannitol, sucrose and maltose. Infectivity of the isolates was influenced by the carbon source; high infectivity was recorded in the presence of mannitol and sucrose. A relationship between carbon source, EPS production and nodulation capacity was observed. Key words: Rhizobium sullae, Hedysarum coronarium, exopolysaccharides (EPS), symbiosis.
CircRNA Role and circRNA-Dependent Network (ceRNET) in Asthenozoospermia

The role of circRNA in reproduction is under investigation. CircRNAs are expressed in human testis, spermatozoa (SPZ), and seminal plasma. Their involvement in embryo development has also been suggested. Asthenozoospermia, a common cause of male infertility, is characterized by reduced or absent sperm motility in fresh ejaculate. While abnormal mitochondrial function, altered sperm tail, and genomic causes have been deeply investigated, the epigenetic signature of asthenozoospermic derived SPZ still remains unexplored. CircRNAs may take part in the repertoire of differentially expressed molecules in infertile men. Considering this background, we carried out a circRNA microarray, identifying a total of 9,138 transcripts, 22% of them novel based and 83.5% with an exonic structure. Using KEGG analysis, we evaluated the circRNA contribution in pathways related to mitochondrial function and sperm motility. In order to discriminate circRNAs with a differential expression in SPZ with differential morphological parameters, we separated sperm cells by Percoll gradient and analyzed their differential circRNA payload. A bioinformatic approach was then utilized to build a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA network. With the aim to demonstrate a dynamic contribution of circRNAs to the sperm epigenetic signature, we verified their modulation as a consequence of an oral amino acid supplementation, efficacious in improving SPZ motility.
Environmentally Sustainable Food Consumption: A Review and Research Agenda From a Goal-Directed Perspective

The challenge of convincing people to change their eating habits toward more environmentally sustainable food consumption (ESFC) patterns is becoming increasingly pressing. Food preferences, choices and eating habits are notoriously hard to change as they are a central aspect of people’s lifestyles and their socio-cultural environment. Many people already hold positive attitudes toward sustainable food, but the notable gap between favorable attitudes and actual purchase and consumption of more sustainable food products remains to be bridged. The current work aims to (1) present a comprehensive theoretical framework for future research on ESFC, and (2) highlight behavioral solutions for environmental challenges in the food domain from an interdisciplinary perspective. First, starting from the premise that food consumption is deliberately or unintentionally directed at attaining goals, a goal-directed framework for understanding and influencing ESFC is built. To engage in goal-directed behavior, people typically go through a series of sequential steps. The proposed theoretical framework makes explicit the sequential steps or hurdles that need to be taken for consumers to engage in ESFC. Consumers need to positively value the environment, discern a discrepancy between the desired versus the actual state of the environment, opt for action to reduce the experienced discrepancy, intend to engage in behavior that is expected to bring them closer to the desired end state, and act in accordance with their intention. Second, a critical review of the literature on mechanisms that underlie and explain ESFC (or the lack thereof) in high-income countries is presented and integrated into the goal-directed framework. This contribution thus combines a top-down conceptualization with a bottom-up literature review; it identifies and discusses factors that might hold people back from ESFC and interventions that might promote ESFC; and it reveals knowledge gaps as well as insights on how to encourage both short- and long-term ESFC by confronting extant literature with the theoretical framework. Altogether, the analysis yields a set of 33 future research questions in the interdisciplinary food domain that deserve to be addressed with the aim of fostering ESFC in the short and long term.
Constant-Length Labelling Schemes for Faster Deterministic Radio Broadcast

In this paper, we consider the problem of broadcast from a specified source node in a known synchronous radio network. In 2019, Ellen, Gorain, Miller and Plc showed that this is possible if each node in the network only stores 2 (carefully chosen) bits of information. They proved that in an n-node network, their algorithm ensures that the broadcast completes within 2n-3 rounds. We show that storing only a small constant number of additional bits, it is possible to broadcast significantly faster when the source eccentricity, D, of the network is o(n). We begin by presenting a modification of Ellen, Gorain, Miller and Pelc's algorithm that stores 4 bits per node and completes within O(√Dn) rounds. Then we define a class of broadcast algorithms that includes both these algorithms and prove that any algorithm in this class requires Ω(√nD) rounds. Next, we show (non-constructively) that there exists a broadcast algorithm which stores only 3 bits of information per node, but completes within O(D log n+log2 n) rounds. Finally, using ideas from Chlamtac and Weinstein (1991), we show how to construct the relevant information and do almost as well, giving an algorithm using 3 bits per node that runs in O(D log^2 n) rounds.
Selection Criteria in the Search for a Sperm Donor: Internal Versus External Attributes

Despite extensive literature on female mate choice, empirical evidence on women’s preferences in the search for a sperm donor is scarce, even though this search, by isolating a male’s genetic impact on offspring from other factors like paternal investment, offers a naturally 'controlled' research setting. In this paper, we work to fill this void by examining the rapidly growing online sperm donor market, which is raising new challenges by offering women novel ways to seek out donor sperm. We not only identify individual factors that influence women’s preferences but find strong support for the proposition that inner values are more important in these choices than exterior values. We also find evidence that physical factors matter more than resources or other external cues of material success, perhaps because the relevance of good character in donor selection is part of a female psychological adaptation throughout evolutionary history. The lack of evidence on a preference for material resources, on the other hand, may indicate the ability of socialisation and better access to resources to rapidly shape the female decision process. Overall, the paper makes useful contributions to both the literature on human behaviour and that on decision-making in extreme and highly important situations.
COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE OPPORTUNISTIC MACROALGAE CLADOPHORA VAGABUNDA (CHLOROPHYTA) AND GRACILARIA TIKVAHIAE (RHODOPHYTA) UNDER EUTROPHIC CONDITIONS 1

In a eutrophic embayment (Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts), Cladophora vagabunda (L.) van den Hoek occurs in thick (sometimes > 1 kg dry wt ‐m−2), nearly monospecific unattached mats in deeper regions (2 m), whereas Grac‐ilaria tikvahiae McLachlan is largely restricted to shallow (<1 m) areas. We explored these distribution patterns, investigating competitive interactions between these opportunistic species by varying the limiting resource, photon flux density (PFD), and species composition under conditions of N sufficiency in microcosms. Under lower biomass loadings, neither species showed a difference in growth rates in single‐ and mixed‐species stands. With a 25% increase in initial biomass loading, Gracilaria tikvahiae had significantly higher growth rates under saturating PFD and consistently showed greater performance when grown in single‐species rather than in mixed‐species stands. While growth rate was 2×greater for C. vagabunda in single‐species than in mixed‐species stands at saturating PFD, this pattern was reversed under limiting irradi‐ances. In mixed‐species stands at high PFD (comparable to shallow regions of the bay), the growth rate of G. tikvahiae was over 4×higher than that of C. vagabunda. Cladophora vagabunda grew at a faster rate than G. tikvahiae only in the low PFD, mixed‐species treatment. Results of this study suggest that the observed distributional patterns of these macroalgae are due in part to interspecific exploitative competition but that tolerance of low PFD by C. vagabunda has led to dominance of these species in distinctive regions of the embayment.
A fuzzy logic model with genetic algorithm for analyzing fish stock-recruitment relationships

A new fuzzy logic model with a genetic algorithm is developed that overcomes some of the inherent uncertainties in the fish stock-recruitment process. This model is applied to stock-recruitment relationships for the Southeast Alaska pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and the West Coast Vancouver Island Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) stocks. In both examples, the annual mean sea surface temperature is used as an environmental intervention in the model. The fuzzy logic model provides the functional relationship between the number of fish spawners and the sea surface temperature that is used to reconstruct the historical fish recruitment time series and also to predict the number of fish that will recruit in the future. Globally optimized genetic learning algorithms are used to find the optimal values of the parameters for the fuzzy logic model. The results from this fuzzy logic model are compared with results from both a traditional Ricker stock-recruitment model and a recent artificial neural network m.
Investigation of Human IFITM3 Polymorphisms rs34481144A and rs12252C and Risk for Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Severity in a Brazilian Cohort

Influenza is a major public health problem that causes acute respiratory infection in humans. Identification of host factors influencing in disease outcome is critical for recognition of individuals with increased risk. Investigations on the role of rs34481144A and rs12252C IFITM3 polymorphisms in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 severity is not yet conclusively determined. This study aimed to evaluate such polymorphisms frequencies and IFITM3 levels in an infected Brazilian cohort of 314 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases and its putative association with clinical, epidemiological and virological data. Individuals were clinically classified into mild, severe and fatal cases. IFITM3 polymorphisms were detected by specific Taqman probes in real time PCR reactions. IFITM3 levels were determined by quantitative real time PCR. Thus, the different clinical groups presented similar distribution of rs34481144 and rs12252 genotypes and allelic frequencies. There was no significant association between the polymorphisms with severity of disease by using distinct genetic models. Additionally, geographic distribution of mutants showed that rs34481144A allele was more predominant in Brazilian Southern region. In contrast, rs12252C allele presented similar frequencies in all regions. Individuals with the distinct rs34481144 and rs12252 genotypes showed similar levels of IFITM3 and viral load in their respiratory specimens. Furthermore, IFITM3 levels were comparable in the distinct clinical groups and were not correlated with influenza viral load in analyzed samples. Thereby, rs34481144A and rs12252C polymorphisms were not associated with severity or mortality of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection nor with IFITM3 transcript levels and influenza viral load in upper respiratory tract samples in a Brazilian cohort.
BLOOD METABOLIC PROFILE OF THE DUBROVNIK SHEEP – CROATIAN ENDANGERED BREED

The Dubrovnik sheep is the most endangered Croatian indigenous sheep breed. The aim of the paper was to determine the blood metabolic profile and which blood metabolites can be used in nutritional status assessment of the Dubrovnik sheep. The investigation was conducted with 10 sheep of the Dubrovnik sheep breed at the average age of 3 years, during summer feeding season. The sheep were fed pasture and meadow hay. In the blood of the Dubrovnik sheep were determined the higher concentrations of sodium and chloride (175.40 and 128.60 mmol/l), and biochemical indicators (cholesterol – 2.34 mmol/l ; triglycerides – 0.42 mmol/l ; total proteins – 79.70 g/l and albumins – 32.40 g/l), as well as lower concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and iron (1.31 mmol/l and 23.52 μmol/l) in comparison with the physiological values. Activities of enzymes and thyroid hormones in the blood of sheep ranged within physiological limits. Determined levels of most minerals (except inorganic phosphorus and iron) and biochemical indicators showed to an adequate supply of sheep with minerals, protein and energy and the possibility of lack of water during hot summer months. Blood metabolic profile is suggested to use as a reliable criterion in sheep nutritional status assessment.