Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Allele-Specific Expression of the IL-1α Gene in Human CD4+ T Cell Clones 1

A number of reports have described the monoallelic expression of murine cytokine genes. Here we describe the monoallelic expression of the human IL-1α gene in CD4+ T cells. Analysis of peripheral blood T cell clones derived from healthy individuals revealed that the IL-1α gene shows predominantly monoallelic expression. Monoallelic expression was observed in Th0, Th1, and Th2 cell clones. In addition, we demonstrate monoallelic expression in T cell clones from rheumatoid arthritis patients derived from synovial fluid of the knee joint, suggesting that the occurrence of this phenomenon is not different from that in clones derived from healthy individuals. The finding of monoallelic expression of a cytokine gene in human CD4+ T cell clones provides evidence for allele-specific silencing/activation as another layer of regulation of IL-1α gene expression.
Geographical location, climate and land use influences on the phenology and numbers of the aphid, Myzus persicae, in Europe

Aim The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of the relationship between the spatial patterns of an important insect pest, the aphid Myzus persicae, and aspects of its environment. The main objectives were to determine the predominant geographical, climatic and land use factors that are linked with the aphid's distribution, to quantify their role in determining that distribution, including their interacting effects and to explore the ability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to provide predictive models.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF LIPIDS WITH LIGHT AND CHLOROPHYLL MEASUREMENTS IN FRESHWATER ALGAE AND PERIPHYTON 1

Lipid content and lipid class composition were determined in stream periphyton and the filamentous green algae Cladophora sp. and Spirogyra sp, Sterols and phospholipids were compared to chlorophyll a (chl a) as predictors of biomass for stream periphyton and algae. Chlorophyll a, phospholipids, and sterols were each highly correlated with ash‐free dry mass (AFDM) (r2 > 0.98). Stream periphyton exposed naturally to high light (HL) and low light (LL) had chl a concentrations (μg chl a‐mg−1AFDM) of 7.9± 0.7 and 12.4 ± 2.9, respectively, while the sterol concentrations of these HL and LL stream periphyton (1.6 ± 0.4) were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Periphyton exposed to an irradiance of 300 μmol photons·m−2s−1 in the laboratory for 60 h had 5.6 ± 0.55 μg chl a·mg−1 AFDM, but the same periphyton exposed to 2% incident light for the same amount of time had 11.0 ± 0.56 μg chl a·mg−1 AFDM. Sterol concentrations in these periphyton communities remained unchanged (1.5 ± 0.3 μg·mg−1AFDM), Similar results (i.e. changes in chl a but stability of sterol concentrations in response to irradiance changes) were also found for Cladophora and Spirogyra in laboratory experiments. Sterols can be quantified rapidly from a few milligrams of algae and appear to be a useful predictor of eukaryote biomass, whereas cellular levels of chl a vary substantially with light conditions. Phospholipids (or phospholipid fatty acids) are considered to be a reliable measure of viable microbial biomass. Nevertheless, phospholipid content varied substantially and unpredictably among algae and periphyton under different light regimes. Irradiance also had a significant effect on storage lipids: HL Cladophora and HL periphyton had 2 × and 5 × greater concentrations of triacylglycerols, respectively, compared to their LL forms. HL and LL algae also differed in the concentration of several major fatty acids. These light‐induced changes in algal lipids and fatty acids have important implications for grazers.
Response of seed·propagated geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum L. H. Bailey) to application of flurprimidol

In 1998 and 1999 flurprimidol spray applications to seed-propagated geranium ( Pelargonium x hortorum L.H.Bailey) cultivars were made to evaluate efficacy and identify optimum concentration of flurprimidol. Growth retardant was applied as a single spray at O, 7,5, 15 and 22,5 mg L -1 , when plants were 9-13 cm in height. The response of plants to flurprimidol application varied depending on geranium cultivar. At the time of flowering the plants sprayed with flurprimidol at concentrations of 7,5, 15 and 22,5 mg L -1 were significantly shorter than the untreated ones. The plant diameter, floret diameter, floret peduncle length and inflorescence diameter of geranium treated with flurprimidol were significantly smaller than those of the control plants. Flurprimidol hastened flowering of geranium cultivars 'Suzan Improved', 'Pinto Salmon' and 'Ringo 2000 Violet' by 5-8 days in 1999 but had no significant effect on days to flowering in 1998. The chemical name used: a-(1-methylethyl)-a-[4-(trifluoromethyloxy)-phenyl]-5-pyrimidine-methanol (flurprimidol).
Prioritising conservation areas using species surrogate measures: consistent with ecological theory?

Summary 1. Surrogate species measures of biodiversity (SSB) are used worldwide in conservation prioritisations. We address the important question whether the ideas behind SSB are consistent with current knowledge on distribution patterns of species, as reflected in theories of community assembly. 2. We investigated whether assumptions necessary for successful functioning of SSB (nested species assemblages, cross-taxon congruence, spatio-temporal consistency) were supported by predictions from either niche or neutral community models. 3. We found a general mismatch between ideas behind SSB and ecological community theory, except that SSB based on complementarity may be consistent with niche-based theory when gradients in species composition are strong. 4. Synthesis and applications. The lack of a necessary scientific foundation may explain the disappointing results of empirical tests of SSB. We argue that site selection should be based on costs and opportunities within complementary environmental ⁄ land units, rather than expensive inventories of unfounded surrogate species.
Neither silverfish nor fowl: the enigmatic Carboniferous Carbotriplura kukalovae Kluge, 1996 (Insecta: Carbotriplurida) is the putative fossil sister group of winged insects (Insecta: Pterygota)

We revise the type material of the enigmatic fossil insect Carbotriplura kukalovae Kluge, 1996 from the Pennsylvanian of the Czech Republic. Multiple errors in the original description are documented and corrected. C. kukalovae is regarded as a possible transitional fossil link between Zygentoma and Pterygota. Carbotriplurida is therefore elevated to ordinal rank and considered as putative fossil sister group of Pterygota. The paranotal theory of the origin of insect wings and the parachute theory of origin of insect flight are briefly discussed and further corroborated. Testajapyx thomasi from the Pennsylvanian of Mazon Creek is tentatively considered as Dermaptera rather than Diplura.
Applying Bayesian spatiotemporal models to fisheries bycatch in the Canadian Arctic

Understanding and reducing the incidence of accidental bycatch, particularly for vulnerable species such as sharks, is a major challenge for contemporary fisheries management. Here we establish integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA) and stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) as two powerful tools for modelling patterns of bycatch through time and space. These novel, computationally fast approaches are applied to fit zero-inflated hierarchical spatiotemporal models to Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) bycatch data from the Baffin Bay Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) gillnet fishery. Results indicate that Greenland shark bycatch is clustered in space and time, varies significantly from year to year, and there are both tractable factors (number of gillnet panels, total Greenland halibut catch) and physical features (bathymetry) leading to the high incidence of Greenland shark bycatch. Bycatch risk could be reduced by limiting access to spatiotemporal hotspots or by .
Rapid evolution of pathogenicity within clonal lineages of the potato late blight disease fungus

Seventy-seven isolates of the potato and tomato late blight disease pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, from the United States, Canada, and northwestern Mexico, were tested for pathogenicity to nine potato and three tomato cultivars carrying different genes for resistance. Based on previous analyses of mating type, allozyme, and DNA fingerprint data, these isolates had been assigned to eight different clonal lineages. When the total pathogenic variation was partitioned into within- and among-lineage components using the Shannon information statistic, most (63%) of the variation was due to differentiation among lineages ; only 37% of the total pathogenic diversity was due to variation within lineages. Older lineages had more pathogenic variation than did those that were more recently introduced into the United States and Canada. Isolates pathogenic to all of the potato differential cultivars were found within two lineages ; four isolates infected all of the potato and tomato differentials tested. Variation within lineages is probably the result of rapid evolution after migration, and suggests that mutation rates at pathogenicity loci are higher than those at the molecular loci that defined each genotype. Mutation, selection, and genetic drift have probably all contributed to the pathogenic variation observed within clonal lineages of P infestans in the United States and Canada.
Comparison of superovulatory effect of equine chorionic gonadotrophin and follicle stimulating hormone on embryo production in crossbred (Boer × Katjang) goats.

An experiment was carried out using 25 crossbred does to evaluate the efficacy of gonadotrophin sources on ovarian responses during superovulation. Oestrus was synchronised by inserting CIDR for 14 days and 125 μg of PGF2α was injected intramuscularly on Day 11. All the donor does were divided into 2 groups, namely Groups 1 and 2 with the respective treatments of 1500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) through a single intramuscular injection and 200 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) through multiple intramuscular injections. Gonadotrophin treatments were initiated from 1 day before the CIDR removal. For ovulation synchronisation, 1000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) were injected intramuscularly through two equal dosages on Days 15 and 16. Ovarian responses of both treatments were evaluated on Day 7 after CIDR removal. In both treatments, all the does showed sign of oestrus and responded to the treatments by ovulating at least 4 follicles. After signs of oestrus were detected, the doe was placed in a pen with a buck male for natural mating. Average number of embryo recovery, corpus luteum, anovulatory follicles and unfertilised oocytes for Groups 1 and 2 were 0.53 vs. 2.0, 6.73 vs. 6.40, 13.00 vs. 13.70 and 1.53 vs. 1.80, respectively. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed between groups. In conclusion, superovulatory treatment using eCG was comparable with that of FSH in producing embryos in the crossbred goats; however, further studies are needed to conclude about the effectiveness of gonadotrophin source for goat superovulation under local condition.
Relative Perfect Secrecy: Universally Optimal Strategies and Channel Design

Perfect secrecy describes cases where an adversary cannot learn anything about the secret beyond its prior distribution. A classical result by Shannon shows that a necessary condition for perfect secrecy is that the adversary should not be able to eliminate any of the possible secrets. In this paper we answer the following fundamental question: What is the lowest leakage of information that can be achieved when some of the secrets have to be eliminated? We address this question by deriving the minimum leakage in closed-form, and explicitly providing "universally optimal" randomized strategies, in the sense that they guarantee the minimum leakage irrespective of the measure of entropy used to quantify the leakage. We then introduce a generalization of Rényi family of asymmetric measures of leakage which generalizes the g-leakage and show that a slight modification of our strategies are optimal with respect to an important class of such measures. Subsequently, we show that our schemes constitute the Nash Equilibria of closely related two-person zero sum games. This game perspective provides implicit solutions for a wider set of structural constraints and asymmetric entropies. Finally we demonstrate how this work can also be seen as designing a universally optimal channel given a specified prior.
Condição corporal, variação de peso e desempenho reprodutivo de vacas de cria em pastagem nativa no Pantanal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body condition score (BCS) on reproductive performance of beef cows before and after calving and to evaluate the calving probability using body condition score and weight variation during critical periods of the cow reproductive cycle. From 2001 to 2005, the body condition score was recorded in 248 multiparous cows raised in native pastures, submitted to different supplementation treatments (mineral mixture only - control; dry supplement; liquid supplement and liquid supplement for cow and calves). Weighing and body condition evaluation were made on a 1-9 point scale in August (prepartum period, 60-90 days before parturition) and January (postpartum and reproductive period). A reproduction score was created in function of the body scores in four consecutive years. Except for the treatment, the other factors (body condition score in the prepartum and postpartum periods and cow age) influenced the reproduction score. Thus, the calving probabilities were estimated for all cows. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the calving probability in function of the exploratory variables over time. Calving probability higher than 80% was obtained when cows scored 5,5 before calving. In relation to weight, the results showed that about 60% of calving cows maintained or gained weight in the postpartum period, leading to increase in the rebreeding probability. Similar situation occurred with single cows; however, the calving probability was lower. These results indicate that the calving probability using BCS is better estimated before calving. Furthermore, it indicates the presence of cows more adapted to the Pantanal climatic and feeding conditions than others.
Studies on the Formation of Uricase by Streptomyces :Part IV The Uptake of Urate by the Cells

Urate uptake by a strain of Streptomyces sp. was studied using the cells previously induced uricase with urate. Optimum pH’s for the urate uptake were 6.5 to 8.5 and optimum temperatures 30 to 40°C. Urate was not accumulated in the cells but released into the medium as allantoin and the urate uptake seemed to be correlated with uricase activity of the cells. Urate uptake activity of the cells, however, differed from uricase activity extracted from the cells in the following points: 1) the urate uptake showed a relatively broad pH-activity curve, 2) it was not inhibited by the substrate in higher concentrations and followed a saturation kinetics, 3) it was not affected by borate ion, and 4) it was inhibited by propionate, iodoacetate, uranyl acetate and toluene which did not inhibit the enzyme activity. It was also inhibited by KCN and competitively by xanthine. The uptake activity was not affected by energy sources and by inhibitors of energy metabolism. It was suggested that the urate uptake might be med.
Effet du niveau et de la nature de l'azote dégradable sur la digestion ruminale d'un régime à base d'ensilage de maïs chez la vache laitière

Four diets differing in level and source of nitrogen were given in a 4 x 4 latin square design using four dairy cows canulated in the rumen and duodenum. A low N diet (T-, 17.4 g N/kg DM) with only 17 g of degradable N per kg of fermentable OM (FOM) (covering 73% of microbial requirements) was supplemented with up to 21.6 g/kg DM and 22 g/kg FOM (covering 95% of microbial requirements) of increasing levels of preformed amino acids. Three mixtures of urea and casein [100:0 (U); 50:50 (UC) and 0:100 (C)] were used in order to supply 30, 15 and 0% of the total N of the diet as urea-N. The four diets (66% maize silage) were isoenergetic and were offered 95% of ad libitum twice daily. OM and NDF digestibilities in the total digestive tract and in the rumen did not differ between T- and U diets. These digestibilities increased linearly with the proportion of casein-N in the diet but the response remained low. The levels and the source of degradable N did not affect the non ammonia nitrogen (NNA) flow into the duodenum, the microbial N flow and the efficiency of microbial synthesis. NNA flow exceeded N intake for all diets but the net recycling into the rumen was markedly higher for the LN diet (+110 vs +31 g/day). This is related to a lower excretion of urea-N in urine (22 vs 80 g/day). These results suggest that in cows fed at 95% of ad libitum, the shortage of degradable N hardly affects the digestion of the diet and that the supply of preformed amino acids is not an important limiting factor for bacterial growth when maize silage based diets are fed. Therefore, the supplementation with such preformed carbon chains is not of practical interest.
CHANGES IN THE MICROFLORA COMPOSITION OF GOAT AND SHEEP MILK DURING LACTATION

The aim of this work was to determine extend of microbial contamination of raw milk in individual seasons. Raw goat milk (3 farms) and sheep milk (2 farms) were analyzed. Milk was produced on farms of different way of farming and with a different number of milked animals. Samples were taken during lactation three terms in the beginning, middle and end of lactation. In milk, following groups of microorganisms were determined by standard methods: total count of microorganisms (TCM), psychrotrophic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli), enterococci, aerobic and anaerobic thermoresistant microorganisms (TMRae, TMRan), micromycetes (yeast and moulds). In goat milk, the following numbers of microorganisms were detected: total count of microorganisms (TCM) from 10 5 to 10 9 CFU x mL -1 , lactobacilli from 10 2 to 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , bacteria fam. Enterobacteriaceae from 10 1 to 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , enterococci from 10 1 to 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , thermoresistant aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms (TMRae and TMRan) from units to 10 3 resp. 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , psychrotrophic microorganisms from 10 1 to 10 6 CFU x mL -1 , micromycets from 10 1 to 10 4 CFU x mL -1 . In the sheep milk, the following numbers of microorganisms were determined: TCM from 10 5 to 10 6 CFU x mL -1 , lactobacilli from 10 3 to 10 6 CFU x mL -1 , bacteria fam. Enterobacteriaceae from 10 1 to 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , enterococci from 10 1 to 10 4 CFU x mL -1 , TMRae and TMRan from units to 10 5 CFU x mL -1 , psychrotrophic microorganisms from 10 4 to 10 6 CFU x mL -1 , micromycets from 10 2 to 10 4 CFU x mL -1 . From the above mentioned results, the following conclusions can be suggested. The bacterial counts of raw goat and sheep milk are highly variable and influenced by a number of important factors in the course of lactation and year (temperature, health, secondary contamination etc.). The bacterial numbers are not affected by the stage of lactation. High numbers of microorganisms in goat and sheep milk may be primarily caused by the insufficient cleaning and sanitizing of milking equipment or low hygiene of hand milking. An important role may also act the cooling rate of milk and purity of cooling eguipment.
Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulation maintains bone mineral density in mice

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potent anti‐inflammatory drugs, but their use is limited by their adverse effects on the skeleton. Compound A (CpdA) is a novel GC receptor modulator with the potential for an improved risk/benefit profile. We tested the effects of CpdA on bone in a mouse model of GC‐induced bone loss. Bone loss was induced in FVB/N mice by implanting slow‐release pellets containing either vehicle, prednisolone (PRED) (3.5 mg), or CpdA (3.5 mg). After 4 weeks, mice were killed to examine the effects on the skeleton using quantitative computed tomography, bone histomorphometry, serum markers of bone turnover, and gene expression analysis. To assess the underlying mechanisms, in vitro studies were performed with human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and murine osteocyte‐like cells (MLO‐Y4 cells). PRED reduced the total and trabecular bone density in the femur by 9% and 24% and in the spine by 11% and 20%, respectively, whereas CpdA did not influence these parameters. Histomorphometry confirmed these results and further showed that the mineral apposition rate was decreased by PRED whereas the number of osteoclasts was increased. Decreased bone formation was paralleled by a decline in serum procollagen type 1 N‐terminal peptide (P1NP), reduced skeletal expression of osteoblast markers, and increased serum levels of the osteoblast inhibitor dickkopf‐1 (DKK‐1). In addition, serum CTX‐1 and the skeletal receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio were increased by PRED. None of these effects were observed with CpdA. Consistent with the in vivo data, CpdA did not increase the RANKL/OPG ratio in MLO‐Y4 cells or the expression of DKK‐1 in bone tissue, BMSCs, and osteocytes. Finally, CpdA also failed to transactivate DKK‐1 expression in bone tissue, BMSCs, and osteocytes. This study underlines the bone‐sparing potential of CpdA and suggests that by preventing increases in the RANKL/OPG ratio or DKK‐1 in osteoblast lineage cells, GC‐induced bone loss may be ameliorated. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Contemporary ecology and stable isotope geochemistry of benthic foraminiferids in the Celtic Sea

The primary aim of this thesis was to assess the value of foraminifera in downcore studies of shelfsea stratification using both assemblage and geochemical characteristics. An examination of the modern distribution of foraminifera in the context of stratification in the Celtic Sea and comparison of these distributions with measured environmental variables was undertaken to this end. In addition, several species were examined for their stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition with reference to the ambient bottom and porewaters. Cruises were run to the Celtic Sea in July, 1995 and July-August, 1996, during which hydrographic data, water and surface sediment samples were collected from 138 stations. Fifty-three samples were subsequently analysed for grainsize, geochernical and foraminiferal properties, while the water samples were analysed for oxygen isotopic composition. A total of six multicores were extracted and sectioned. Each section was analysed for porewater carbon isotopic composition and foraminiferal content. Selected foraminifera from both the surface and subsurface samples were analysed for the oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of their test calcite. Statistical analyses of the foraminiferal data indentifed four distinct assemblages which have potential for palaeostratification studies. The mixed-type assemblage included Cibicides lobatulus, Ammonia beccarfi, Quinqueloculina seminulum, Textularia bockii and Spiroplectammina, wrightfi. The stratifiedtype assemblages included Bulimina marginata, Hyalinea balthica, Nonionella turgida and Adercotryma glomeratum while Stainforthis fusiformis was diagnostic of the front. Bulimina gibba, Elphidium excavatum forma selseyensis and Eggerelloides scabrus defined an eastern asseblage. It is believed that the true controls on these assemblages are oxygen and food supply. Ammonia beccarii precipitated its test in oxygen isotopic equilibrium while Q. seminulum was consistently, negatively offset by approximately 0.5 O/oo. This demonstrates the potential of these species in palaeo-temperature and particularily, palaeo-stratifcation studies. The 'microhabitat effect' was examined for several species of foraminifera but was not observed.