Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of P2X7 receptor pore dilation: Pharmacological and functional consequences

The biophysical and functional properties of the human P2X7 receptor, expressed recombinantly in HEK‐293 cells or natively in THP‐1 pro‐monocytic cells, were investigated in the context of pore dilation and externalisation of mature interleukin 1β (IL1β). In HEK‐293 cells, the agonist 2′‐ and 3′‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl)‐ATP (BzATP) caused concentration‐dependent inward currents (EC50 59 μM) and with prolonged application this agonist caused a gradual increase in inward current culminating in a plateau. This increase in current was associated with pore dilation, determined by intracellular accumulation of YO‐PRO‐1. BzATP displayed increased potency at the pore‐dilated form of the P2X7 receptor (EC50 17 μM), and positive correlations between apparent receptor density and speed of pore dilation were observed. A monoclonal antibody selectively blocked current mediated by the naïve receptor, while currents through pore‐dilated receptors were not significantly affected, which together suggest a conformational change at the level of the receptor during the dilation event. The release of mature IL1β from THP‐1 cells was independent of P2X7‐mediated cell lysis, as determined by study of lactate dehydrogenase release. Moreover, using conditions designed to minimise pore dilation (using buffers containing 2 mM Ca2+ and 1 mM Mg2+), BzATP caused significant release of IL1β, but without concomitant YO‐PRO‐1 accumulation, indicating pore dilation is not required for IL1β release. In addition, short (4‐min) incubation of THP‐1 cells with BzATP (terminated by enzymatic degradation of BzATP using apyrase) resulted in significant quantities of IL1β release some 60 min later, suggesting commitment of cells to release IL1β can be triggered with only brief receptor ligation. These findings suggest that receptor expression and ligation time are critical factors for selecting multiple functional states of P2X7. Drug Dev. Res. 53:60–65, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dispersal of Spanish juniper Juniperus thurifera by birds and mammals in a fragmented landscape

Dispersal of Spanish juniper Juniperus thurifera was examined in a farming landscape of central Spain to study the effects of fragmentation on the dispersal effectiveness of the different dispersers. and the consequences for the plant. The study was conducted in two large forests (LF: 280 and 150 ha) representative of unfragmented conditions, and 18 small isolated fragments (0.1 -3 ha) which were classified in two groups: 1) F1, forest remnants with both high juniper cover and cone production (N = 5): and 2) F2, remnants in which fragmentation has caused a heavy reduction in junipers (N = 13). Cone production, disperser abundances and quantity of dispersal by birds (Turdus thrushes) and mammals (carnivores, rabbits and sheep) were estimated throughout two study years. Dispersal by thrushes was measured in three types of trees representing a decreasing attraction focus to birds: Spanish junipers with cones (SJI). Spanish junipers without cones (SJ2) and holm oaks (HO). Cone production greatly decreased from LF to F1 and F2 in both study years, affecting F2 dramatically. Thrush abundances were similar in LF and F1, but thrushes lacked or were very scarce in F2, Carnivores showed an even distribution throughout the whole area, but herbivores were relatively scarce in F2 fragments, especially rabbits, which were lacking in the fragments under 0.6 ha. Patterns of seed deposition around trees showed decreasing dispersal activity of thrushes from SJ1 (83.1% of the examined trees had seed-packets thrush pellets) to SJ2 (53.6%) and HO (23.6%.). Both distribution patterns and density of pellets were roughly similar in LF and F1. but pellets were only recorded in one (SJ1) out of 159 trees examined in F2. supporting thrushes behaved as specialist feeders and thus avoided the patches devoid of juniper cones. Average densities of pellets in LF reached 397.6 pellets ha-1, surpassing at least 30 times the quantitative effectiveness (seed-packets ha-1) of mammal dispersers. Juniper seeds were present but very scarce in the mammal faeces collected in both fragments F1 and F2. Overall, the quantitative effectiveness of carnivores was nearly 4 times lower in the fragments than in LF, and that of herbivores 11 times lower. This result is consistent with the lower availability of juniper cones in the fragments and. together the distribution of mammal abundances, fits the prediction that mammals (except rabbits) moved among landscape patches according to the total availability of food supplies. Overall, results showed that dispersal of Spanish juniper in fragments F2 is seriously impaired by the loss of their main dispersers (thrushes), and that recruitment became dependent upon mammal dispersers with a low quantitative effectiveness, namely carnivores and sheep.
A New Species of Achlya

In October i906, while studying the Saprolegniaceae of Chapel Hill, we met with a new form of Achlya in a culture taken from a small brook near the east gate of the university campus. Achlya jerax and Saprolegnia diclina developed in the same collection, but the three species were isolated, and the new form kept growing in pure cultures for over two months. A careful study was made of its growth and structure and some of the observations made are given at the end of this paper. The specific description is as follows: Achlya hypogyna, sp. nov.-Hyphae slender, tapering gradually toward the apex, at base about 35 tx in diameter, at or near tip about 8 A, in vigorous cultures reaching a length of icm. Zoosporangia nearly cylindrical, sparingly produced. Oogonia generally borne on short branches, racemosely arranged on the main hyphae, but occasionally terminating a main hypha, and very rarely intercalary; globular or rarely oblong, the walls more or less abundantly producing short, rounded outgrowths; yellow when old. Oospores I-7 (commonly 3-5), centric, diameter 24-36 tx, averaging 27-28 tL. Antheridia cut off from oogonial branches just below the oogonia, very rarely absent. Fertilizing tubes arising from the common septa and penetrating the oogonia from below (hypogynous). The absence of antheridial branches and the origin of the fertilizing tubes from the septa separating the oogonia and antheridia distinguish this from all other species of Achlya and from all other Saprolegniaceae except the Hypogyna group in Saprolegnia. In two or three cases noted a short antheridial branch arose from the main hypha near the oogonium and applied its end to the surface of the oogonium, and in one case such an antheridial branch was of diclinous origin. In all such cases, however, the characteristic sub-oogonial antheridia were also present and no fertilizing tubes were formed from the supernumerary antheridial branches. It is evident that Achlya hypogyna is closely related to A. racemosa Hildeb. , var. stelligera Cornu. ' The general habit, the structure of the oogonia, and the sub-oogonial antheridia are very much the same in both forms;
USING A FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SURVEY TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF A SPANNER CRAB RANINA RANINA FISHERY: UNIVARIATE ANALYSES AND BIOMASS MODELLING

A fishery-independent survey of the spanner crab, Ranina ranina fishing grounds off the coast of New South Wales, Australia was completed in 1988-89 and repeated in 1997-98. This survey pro vided an empirical assessment of this stock and allowed the development of a population model. The results showed the marked sexual dimorphism of this species with males generally attaining larger sizes than females and a sex ratio that was slightly biased towards females. Seventy-one to 73% of the population was found to be under the legal minimum size, male crabs comprised most of the portion of the population that was targeted by fishers and 96% of females were protected by the size limit. Comparing catch rates from the two surveys revealed large variabilities in abundances across sev eral of the spatial and temporal scales investigated. Catches of crabs (especially females) decreased during the spawning period each year (October to December). In one location (Tallows Beach) these decreases did not occur, suggesting that this site was the focus of a spawning migration. A significant 6% decrease in the relative abundances of all crabs over the 11 year period of the study and a 55% decline in the numbers of large male crabs (> 108 mm CL) provided some cause for concern. The stock was represented with a biomass dynamic model conditioned on catch and fitted to the results of the fishery-independent surveys and/or commercial catch per unit effort using non-linear optimization. The history of catches showed an increasing rate of exploitation and a decreasing index of abundance (i.e., a "one-way trip") and therefore we were unable to estimate the exploitable biomass of this stock. However, by assuming a series of growth rate scenarios of the exploitable stock, we estimated patterns of relative exploitation and stock productivity. Confidence intervals for the parameter estimates were determined using bootstrap methods. Recommending a Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for this fishery from this study is difficult because estimates of the extent to which the stock has been fished down depend upon the dataset used for the analysis and the assumed growth rate of the stock. Quantifying a TACC also requires assumptions about the objectives for the stock and the certainty of achieving that objective. The NSW spanner crab fishery must continue to operate with uncertainty about its sustainable harvest rate. Fishery-independent surveys and flexibility in the TACC will be the most effective strategies to ensure that no adverse biological, economic or social outcomes occur in this fishery.
Acaricidal Action of Water Extracts from Eysenhardtia polystachya Against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

ABSTRACT: The action of a water extract of Eysenhardtia polystachya on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus adults and larvae was studied. A stock solution of the extract was serially diluted in distilled, sterile water to obtain test concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125%, and 0.0625%, and a field trial was carried out on Cebu/Holstein F1 cattle experimentally infected with ticks. The extract was applied by spraying at a rate of 5 liters per animal per day for 7 d. The effectiveness of treatment against engorged females was assessed by measuring mortality and egg production in an adult immersion test. Although the natural extract was found to be nonlethal to adults, it had a significant effect on egg-laying at the highest concentrations, inhibiting 64.58% of oviposition. Using a larval immersion test, the extract was determined to be highly toxic to the larvae at the higher concentrations, killing 100, 99.94 ± 0.06, 99.35 ± 0.37, 99.17 ± 0.14, and 99.03 ± 0.01 at concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125%, and 0.0625%, respectively, after 72 hr of immersion. Field trial results also revealed nonadulticidal efficacy. Nevertheless, adult ticks and egg masses recovered from treated calves weighed less than those collected from untreated controls. Also, daily application of the plant extract over 7 d provided 94.82% control as measured by the index of fecundity in engorged females. Aqueous extract from E. polystachya possesses a well-defined acaricidal effect on R. microplus larvae and inhibits oviposition. These findings allow us to suggest that further extraction and characterization of the active compound(s) responsible for the observed acaricidal activity may reveal new xenobiotics for further drug-development and can contribute to our understanding of the larvacidal mechanism of action of E. polystachya extract.
The interrelation of cathodic protection and marine macrofouling

This paper presents and discusses the results of laboratory and field experiments on the interrelation of cathodic protection (CP) and marine macrofouling. Tests in the sea revealed that fouling settlements were greatly enhanced by CP. Calcareous shell‐dwelling organisms such as barnacles and oysters, and a calcareous alga, Jania rubens, were particularly prolific on cathodically protected substrata. Laboratory studies with the oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (L.), indicated that interfacial alkalinity generated by CP might enhance shell growth in the organism. The oyster reached a larger size on cathodically protected substrata than on the controls. Tests done in the presence and absence of fouling under natural conditions showed that fouling can bring about rapid decay of potential during interruption of the protective current, causing early corrosion. The implications of the findings to the performance of fixed marine and offshore structures are discussed.
Biogeografía marina de Chile continental

Por casi un siglo, varios autores han analizado los patrones de distribucion de la fauna y flora marina del Pacifico de Sudamerica y de la costa de Chile en particular, con el proposito de establecer el numero de las unidades biogeograficas presentes. Si bien los patrones generales actuales son relativamente bien conocidos, la mayoria de los estudios se ha enfocado en las discontinuidades distribucionales y en propuestas de clasificacion mas que en los factores y procesos dinamicos que han formado las unidades espaciales identificadas. Aun en el caso de las clasificaciones, las conclusiones publicadas se basan principalmente en el analisis de uno o pocos grupos seleccionados, y presentan diferencias importantes en los criterios de seleccion de los grupos, el numero de especies involucrado y la metodologia usada. Por otra parte, las discrepancias entre estudios especificos tienden a obscurecer un fenomeno relevante y de mayor escala como es la dinamica de las biotas, uno de los aspectos biogeograficos menos conocidos en Chile. En tal contexto, este trabajo presenta una revision de literatura sobre la biogeografia marina de Chile y sus aspectos asociados, con los siguientes objetivos: (a) resumir las caracteristicas oceanograficas, climaticas y geomorfologicas de la costa continental de Chile; (b) discutir 27 clasificaciones biogeograficas publicadas para la costa chilena, analizando los criterios y procedimientos usados por los autores, sus conclusiones principales, y la concordancia entre los estudios; (c) evaluar los procesos dispersivos y vicariantes asociados a los desplazamientos y modificaciones de las biotas de la region, en funcion de los antecedentes disponibles sobre las condiciones existentes y los principales eventos ocurridos durante los periodos Terciario y Cuaternario; y (d) proponer un escenario de cambio biogeografico basado en determinantes historicas y su influencia en la formacion, caracter y dinamica de distribucion de biotas en la costa chilena, con enfasis en la identificacion y naturaleza biogeografica de las principales unidades espaciales. A partir de la informacion anterior, se propone una hipotesis de clasificacion biogeografica al nivel de biotas, no necesariamente concordante con estudios previos al nivel de fauna o flora. Esta clasificacion identifica tres unidades espaciales mayores: un area sur que incluye a una biota austral (Provincia Magallanica), un area norte que incluye una biota templada-calida (Provincia Peruana), y un area Intermedia extensa (no transicional) que incluye componentes mixtos de biota sin caracter ni rango biogeografico definido. Se discute ademas la diferente naturaleza de dos zonas transicionales situadas en los limites del area Intermedia, una transicion de contacto hacia el norte y una transicion inducida hacia el sur, que se habrian generado por migraciones de biota y eventos glacio-tectonicos respectivamente
Finite size scaling et force de Casimir critique : aimants d'Ising et fluides binaires

Approaching a critical point, the divergence of the correlation length of fluctuations can be cut-off by a confinement of the system. This truncation fosters finite size effects with universal features in a class of continuous phase transitions. We are particularly interested in the Ising universality class, regrouping transitions such as the ferromagnetic/paramagnetic transition for uniaxial magnetic systems, the liquid/gas tran- sition and the demixing of binary mixtures. We will first present an introduction to critical phenomena, universality, finite-size scaling and Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising model, on which a major part of this work relies.A finite size effect that has particularly drawn attention in the past decades is the critical Casimir force. On the one hand, theoretical and numerical works on the subject have almost systematically been performed in magnetic model systems, such as the Ising or XY models. On the other hand, experimental approaches were all realized in fluid systems, such as binary mixtures or helium IV close to the superfluid transition.A motivation of this work was to bridge this gap by proposing, firstly, an experimental protocol for measuring the critical Casimir force in a magnetic layer and, secondly, a numerical approach in a Lennard-Jones binary mixture. The latter is of particular interest as it could lead the way to studying fluctuations of the Casimir force or out-of-equilibrium phenomena.
A Variable Finite Element Model of the Overall Human Masticatory System for Evaluation of Stress Distributions during Biting and Bruxism

Simulating the masticatory system during chewing, clenching and bruxism, requires the model to capture the dynamical behavior of its different components: the mandibula and maxilla, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) including the articular disc and the surrounding cartilage layers, the teeth, the periodontal ligaments (PDL), and the muscles. A considerable amount of literature has been published on individual components separately [1, 2, 3]. This contribution incorporates these elements, besides own components, into a single FE model under conditions closer to reality. Hereby the simulation is a transient analysis where the dynamic behavior of the jaw is considered, and where the reaction forces in the teeth and the joints arise from contact instead of nodal forces or constraints. The TMJ has been modeled with geometrical structures and material properties as found in the literature [2] with ensuing additional adjustments. The material properties of the PDL are calibrated to obtain a realistic forcedisplacement behavior. Geometries for the jaw and teeth were obtained through a segmentation process. Jaw motion is governed by forces from the jaw opening and closing muscles which have been positioned following proposals in the literature and are represented by Hill type muscle models. Activation levels of the muscles were employed based on previous work of the authors [3]. Analyses are executed with the FE program LS-DYNA [4]. The model currently reproduces realistic motions of the jaw during opening and closing. Reaction forces for a variety of biting tasks show good agreement with the literature. The model provides insight into the significance, or lack thereof, of particular structures such as the posterior attachments of the disc and the suprahyoid muscles during various situations. The current and future goals are to determine the stress distributions in the mandible, disc, teeth, and PDL during clenching, grinding and chewing with differently sized boluses, also when dental implants are incorporated at different positions of the mandible.
Avaliação microbiológica de amostras de mel de trigoníneos (Apidae: Trigonini) do Estado da Bahia

Honey is a product that presents antimicrobial activity attributed to physical and chemical factors. Even so, it is still possible to find many microorganisms present in this product, which can be used as quality indicators. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiologic quality of the honey produced by stingless bee species from the State of Bahia, Brazil. Fourteen samples of honey were evaluated for the moisture content, water activity, standard counting of moulds and yeasts, and presence of microorganisms of coliform group. A total of 50.0% of the samples presented standard counting of moulds and yeasts above the maximum value permmited by the Brazilian food legislation. This disqualification of samples asseptically harvested indicates the need of identification of this microbiota and its possible natural occurrence in the honey produced by this group of bees. None of the samples was disqualified regarding the counting of microorganisms of the coliform group.
Relation of β-Lactamase Activity and Cellular Location to Resistance of Enterobacter to Penicillins and Cephalosporins

The Enterobacter species E. aerogenes, E. cloacae, and E. hafnia were examined for resistance to penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives. All were resistant to benzyl penicillin, ampicillin, 6 [d(−)α-amino-p-hydroxyphenylacetamido] penicillanic acid, cephaloridine, cephalothin, and cephalexin. A significant number were sensitive to carbenicillin and 6 [d(−)α-carboxy-3-thienylacetamido] penicillanic acid. No differences among the three species were noted. The β-lactamase activity was cell-bound, and was not released by osmotic shock, toluene treatment, or diphenylamine treatment. It was rarely released into the growth medium. The β-lactamase activity was primarily directed against cephalosporin derivatives. Synthesis of β-lactamase was chromosomally mediated. Resistance to ampicillin seemed to be partly related to entry of the molecule into the bacteria since exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetate lowered the minimal inhibitory concentration.
A PERSON-CENTRED APPROACH TO THE JOB DEMANDS-CONTROL MODEL: TESTING STRAIN AND LEARNING HYPOTHESES THROUGH LPA

viii Resumo . ix Introduction . 1 Theoretical Framework . 3 Method . 12 Participants and Procedure . 12 Measures. 12 Analysis . 13 Results . 14 Correlations between variables . 14 Demands and Control Profiles . 14 Direct Strain Hypothesis . 16 Buffer Hypothesis . 17 Learning Hypothesis . 17 Discussion. 18 Study Limitations and Future Research . 19 Conclusions . 21 References . 22 Footnotes . 29 Appendices . 30
Sulphonamide Antibodies: From Specific Polyclonals to Generic Monoclonals

Polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) against eight different sulphonamides were raised in rabbits. The aromatic amino group, common to all sulphonamides, was used for linking the different sulphonamides to the carrier proteins (bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)) and enzyme (horseradish peroxidase (HRP)), using different coupling procedures. The competitive direct ELISAs (cdELISAs) developed with these antisera and HRP-conjugates showed high sensitivity (0.2- 8.0 ng ml−1 at 50% inhibition) and high specificity. The performances of these antibodies were compared with PAbs raised in mice against two sulphonamide derivatives (N 1 -[4-(carboxymethyl)-2-thiazolyl]sulphanilamide (TS) and N 1-[4-methyl-5-\[2-(4-carboxyethyl-1-hydroxyphenyl)]-azo-2-pyridyl]sulphanilamide (PS)) linked to proteins (BSA and KLH) in such a way that the common aromatic amino group was distal to the protein. In competitive indirect ELISAs (ciELISAs), these PAbs recognized several structurally different sulphonamides. The PAbs from mice immunized with TS-BSA reacted with sulphonamides containing thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl and isoxazolyl groups. The PAbs from mice immunized with PS-KLH reacted with sulphonamides containing pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, quinoxalinyl and pyridinyl groups. The spleen cells of the mice were fused with myeloma cells to obtain monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) producing hybridomas. So far, with only one of the mice (immunized with TS-BSA), this resulted in four different MAbs which recognized several sulphonamides. By use of the best MAbs (27G3A9B10 and 4E10B12B6E12) and an optimized ciELISA protocol, eight structurally different sulphonamides showed 50% inhibition at concentrations less than 100 ng ml−1 or 5 ng/well. However, other relevant sulphonamides (such as sulphadimidine, sulphatroxazole and sulphachloropyrazine) were detected at a high level only.