Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interspecific Differences in Gill Morphology of Freshwater Fish in Relation to Tolerance of Low-pH Environments

Five species of fish were chosen to approximate the range of tolerance to low pH seen in freshwater fish. On the basis of published field and laboratory information, which was confirmed by measuring ion losses at low pH (pH 4. 0 and 3.25), the five species ranked in terms of decreasing tolerance to low pH as follows: banded sunfish (Centrarchidae: Enneacanthus obesus), yellow perch (Percidae: Perca flavescens), smallmouth bass (Centrarchidae: Micropterus dolomieu), rainbow trout (Salmonidae: Oncorhynchus mykiss), and common shiner (Cyprinidae: Notropis cornutus). Gills were analyzed for various morphological and morphometric features including lamellar surface area, chloride-cell density and mucous-cell density, sialic acid content, and depth of tight junctions. We conclude from these measurements that acid tolerance is not correlated with either the overt physical dimensions of the gills (surface area, lamellar thickness, diffusion distance) or with the degree of mucification of the surface. It may, however, be correlated with chloride-cell density and branchial ion-transport activity. This relation is interpreted as indicating that sensitivity to low pH is largely a function of the intrinsic ion permeability of the gills. Measurements on trout and perch indicate that one way of reducing ion permeability is via an increase in the depth of tight junctions between adjacent gill-pavement cells.
Virulence of Pyrenophora teres populations in western Canada

Abstract Net blotch, caused by Pyrenophora teres, is an economically important disease of barley. The pathogen has two morphologically similar but genetically distinct forms: P. teres f. teres (Ptt) and P. teres f. maculata (Ptm), which cause net form net blotch (NFNB) and spot form net blotch (SFNB), respectively. The virulence of a collection of 39 Ptt and 27 Ptm isolates collected from western Canada was evaluated by inoculating these isolates onto sets of barley differential hosts. One week following inoculation, the second and third leaves of each plant were rated for disease severity on scales of 1–10 (for Ptt) or 1–9 (for Ptm). Plants rated <5 and ≥5 were scored as resistant and susceptible to Ptt, respectively, while plants rated 1–3 and >3 were scored as resistant and susceptible to Ptm. The experiment was repeated. Cluster analysis revealed 16 and 13 distinct pathotype groups, respectively, among the 39 and 27 representative Ptt and Ptm isolates. The barley differentials CI 5791 and CI 9820 were resistant to all isolates of Ptt except one, whilst the differential CI 9214 was resistant to all isolates of Ptm except two. Therefore, the differential lines CI 5791 and CI 9820, for Ptt, and CI 9214, for Ptm, can still be considered as potentially useful sources of resistance for Canadian barley breeding programmes.
VARIATIONS IN CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF CONTACT LENS WEAR

Variations in central corneal thickness during the first year of hard, hydro‐philic or silicone lens wear are reported. The mean corneal swelling after 1/2, 3 and 6 months was 4.7‐3.0% in the first 2 groups (P < 0.001 ‐P = 0.005), but only 1.3‐0.8% in the latter group (P = 0.011 ‐ 0.050). These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001 ‐ P = 0.046) and are ascribed to a higher oxygen tension under the silicone lenses. An over‐all reduction of corneal oedema was noted after 1/2 month (P = 0.025). One year after lens fitting a similar and not significant corneal swelling was found in the 3 lens groups. In addition to an initial ‘osmotic’ adaptation our results indicate that a further corneal adaptation to hard and hydrophilic lenses may take place between 6 and 12 months after lens fitting. Development of lens intolerance was not correlated to the degree of corneal oedema after 1/2 month of lens wear.
Scientifically unacceptable concept of the Epoch of Malthusian Stagnation

In order to control the growth of human population it is helpful to understand correctly the mechanism of growth, and the first essential step is to investigate current interpretations and reject any unscientific explanations. One of such popular but questionable interpretations is the concept of the Epoch of Malthusian Stagnation. We discuss its origin, narrative and claims. We explain why this concept is scientifically unacceptable. This investigation questions also the closely-related Demographic Transition Theory, whose essential component is the assumed mechanism of Malthusian stagnation for the first stage of growth.
Accumulation of fruit phenolic compounds in red winegrape (Vitis vinifera L.) in a warm region

ACCUMULATION OF FRUIT PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN RED WINEGRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA L.) IN A WARM REGION Fruit phenolic compounds in red winegrapes are important for wine quality contributing to color, flavor, and taste, and are influenced significantly by temperature, sunlight, and water stress. This thesis research investigated the accumulation of fruit phenolic compounds when fruit ripening was shifted to the cooler portion of the growing season by crop forcing (CF) or when vines under CF were irrigated at various amounts during fruit ripening in Cabernet Sauvignon in Fresno, CA, a warmer region for winegrape production. Vines were forced to regrow by removing leaves, clusters, and laterals and hedging primary shoots to 6 nodes, irrigated at 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) prior to veraison, and then at 40, 60, 80, or 100% ETc. More hydrocinnamic acids and flavonols were present at harvest in vines under conventional practice (CP). However, skin anthocyanins were accumulated more rapidly reaching higher concentration at harvest in vines under CF than under CP due to increases of non-acylated anthocyanins. Anthocyanins of malvidin and peonidin increased in vines under CF and irrigated at 40 or 60% ETc, in comparison to those irrigated at 80 or 100% ETc due to water stress. The thesis research demonstrated that fruit quality of red winegrapes and wines can be potentially improved in warm regions by forcing vines to regrow and shifting fruit ripening to the cooler portion of the growing season as well as by post-veraison irrigation reduction to induce moderate water stress in vines under CF. Tian Tian December 2015 ACCUMULATION OF FRUIT PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN RED WINEGRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA L.) IN A WARM REGION
The Significance of Oral Contraceptives in Causing Chromosome Anomalies in Spontaneous Abortions

Abstract. The significance of oral contraceptives in causing chromosome aberrations in the fetus was studied in 246 non‐selected spontaneous abortuses using Q‐banding technique. No significant difference in the frequency of abnormal karyotypes or in the sex ratio was found between 124 abortuses of women who had taken oral contraceptives in comparison with 122 abortuses of women who had never used oral contraceptives. The study did, however, show that women who had used oral contraceptives were significantly younger than women who had not used these pills. In addition, the gestational age of the chromosomally abnormal abortuses was on the average 6 days longer in the group of women who had used oral contraceptives than in the group who had not. The difference was significant only with regard to the karyotype 45, X.
ESTIMATING PARAMETERS OF VARIABILITY, ADAPTIVE VALUE AND SELECTION COEFFICIENT IN BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER SALINITY AND DROUGHT STRESS CONDITIONS

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were computed among 14 strains of wheat under drought stress conditions during rabi 2000-01. A similar set of strains was used to compute the viability, adaptive value and selection coefficient under drought and salinity stress conditions during rabi 2001-02. Heritability estimates were low to moderate except for grain yield/plant. For grain yield/plant high heritability estimate (75.85%) was associated with higher genetic advance (20.30%). In case of present population, selection based on grain yield/plant were more fruitful. The days to 75% flowering of a strain was not always correlated with its viability. The adaptive value of a strain was the function of a genotype and the environment in which it was grown.
Reply

Sir, We would like to respond to the letter from Shukunami et al. A report by Zotz et al. described that ETP-based normalized APC sensitivity ratio (nAPC-sr) in patients with a past history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy or puerperium was not elevated significantly compared with nAPC-sr in healthy women in the blood samples obtained at least six months after thromboembolic events . However, unfortunately they did not show the changes in nAPC-sr in patients with VTE prior to the onset of VTE. On the contrary, we reported that ETP-based nAPC-sr in women during late pregnancy and puerperium was significantly elevated compared with that in non-pregnant women and women during early pregnancy. An animal experiment suggests that hormonal changes enhance ETP, as the changes in ETP in pregnant women and OC users (1). Also, we demonstrated that nAPC-sr in patients with VTE right after onset during puerperium was elevated significantly compared with that in healthy women during puerperium (2). Furthermore, we detected the marked elevation of nAPCsr prior to the onset of suprasagittal thrombosis during puerperium without marked changes in other coagulation variables (3). These observations suggest that reduced sensitivity to APC in pregnancy and puerperium is related with the onset of thrombotic events although the changes are partly related to thrombosis and/or inflammation. As Zotz et al. pointed out, the retrospective study design does not allow information to be given about possible temporary pregnancy-associated changes in ETP-based nAPC-sr prior to the thrombotic event. At present, we have not concluded that ETP-based nAPC-sr is not a risk marker for pregnancy-associated VTE as far as the temporary changes are determined in sensitivity to APC prior to thrombosis in the future. Furthermore, they also demonstrated that nAPCsr in normal healthy OC users was elevated significantly compared with that in controls. If nAPC-sr in normal healthy OC users is elevated compared with that in control, nAPC-sr in normal healthy pregnant women should be elevated because the hormonal changes in OC users are similar to those in pregnant women, as we have shown.
Notes on animal weight, cameral fluids, swimming speed, and color polymorphism of the cephalopod Nautilus pompilius in the Fiji Islands

Forty-six specimens of Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus were captured in depths varying between 100 and 500 m outside of the fringing reef near Suva, Fiji Islands. Thirty-eight of the specimens were male. Air weight per individual varied between 347 and 630 g. Sexual dimorphism in size is indicated, since mature shell modifications (approximated septa, blackened aperture) were present in two females weighing about 350 g (soft parts plus shell) and one weighing slightly over 400 g; the smallest male showing mature shell modifications weighed 496 g. All newly captured specimens were heavier than seawater, with mean weight in seawater of 1.87 g determined for twenty-five specimens. Total volumes of cameral liquid ranged between 13.5 and 0 ml. Thirteen of twenty-five sampled specimens showed less than 1.0 ml of cameral liquid from all chambers. Average cameral liquid osmolarity was lower than that observed in sampled populations of N. macromphalus from New Caledonia and N. pompilius from the Philippine Islands. Maximum swimming rates were 0.25 m/sec. N. pompilius exhibits two common color polymorphs.
Fish community structure in intertidal area of Acipenser sinensis Natural Reserve in Yangtze River estuary

In order to understand the utilization of intertidal water area by fishes, an investigation with fyke was conducted on the fish community structure in the intertidal area of Acipenser sinensis Natural Reserve in Yangtze River estuary in May, August and November 2010. A total of 28 fish species belonging to 16 families and 10 orders were collected, among which, Lateolabrax maculates, Liza haematocheila, and Cynoglossus gracilis were the dominant species. Cypriniformes had the largest species number, followed by Perciformes. The fish communities could be classified into 6 ecological groups, i.e., estuarine species, marine stragglers, catadromous species, anadromous species, marine migrants, and freshwater species, and the estuarine species and marine migrants took up distinct advantage. Cluster analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the fish communities in autumn and in spring-summer, and L. haematocheila, L. maculates, and Acanthogobius ommaturus contributed greatest to the seasonal difference. PCA indicated that the fish communities in summer were mainly determined by marine migrants, while those in autumn were mainly determined by estuarine species. The differences in the feeding and growth of the juveniles of the marine migrants and estuarine fishes could be the main reason for the significant seasonal difference in the fish communities in the study area.
DIE PSEUDOSCORPIONIDEN-FAUNA ISRAELS UND EINIGER ANGRENZENDER GEBIETE

ABSTRACT The total number of 31 species listed in this paper, gives a fairly complete picture of the Pseudoscorpionide fauna of Israel. The interest of this fauna, situated at an important zoogeographical crossroad, is emphasized. Ten new species and 3 new subspecies are described. From the three new genera established, Apolpiolum n. gen. shows close coincidence with the neotropical genus Apolpium Beier, while the new genus Paramenthus n. gen. is the first palaearctic representative of the hitherto american family Menthidae. Myrmecowithius n. gen. is closely related to the east-african genus Nannowithius Beier. A key for the identification of the 31 species from Israel is attached. A few stations from Jordan and the Sinai peninsula are also included in the present paper.
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS EQUIPMENT

Ultrasonic Equipment A pulse generator was triggered to excite a 2 MHz piezo-electric transducer 800 times per second. Electrical and mechanical damping ensured that the transducer produced bursts of ultrasonic energy only 0.5 microsecond in duration; that is one cycle at 2 MHz. Electronic switching allowed the transducer to act as both transmitter and receiver, when the equipment was in ‘echo-mode’. Alternatively when the ‘transmission-mode’ was employed, a second transducer acted as the receiver. Ultrasonic energy striking the receiving transducer was converted into an A.C. signal of the same frequency. Fluctuations in the intensity of ultrasound reaching the transducer and variations in the delay between transmission and reception of the energy resulted in analogous changes in the electrical signal. Damping of the receiving system was such that the echo from a flat, water to glass interface produced a signal only five cycles long (the fifth cycle only 10 per cent of the maximum amplitude of the echo). In order to study the range and amplitude pulsations of an echo it is necessary to isolate it from all the other echoes picked up by the receiving transducer.
A STATEMENT CONCERNING POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

Wide variations of the prevalence of postnatal depression are reported in the literature (1.2). Many studies reporting prevalence estimates have used opportunistic or convenience samples taken in hospitals or community postnatal clinics. Furthermore, some of the estimates have been based on sample size that may be too small to provide accurate estimates. One recent population study using an adequate sample size conducted in New Zealand estimated the prevalence of postnatal depression at 20% ( 3 ) . Given the importance of the problem it is essential that more precise estimates are provided (2). Using the 1993 South Australian Health Omnibus Survey which is a unique, large, representative population survey (n=3,004), it has been possible for the first time, to estimate the self-reported prevalence of severe postnatal depression (4). One thousand five hundred and thirty seven females over the age of 15 were personally interviewed and 1,102 (71.7%) had delivered at least 1 full term pregnancy. Almost 1 respondent in 5 (18.5%) indicated that they had experienced serious depression for more than 1 month after the birth of I or more of their children. Only 49.1% of those who felt seriously depressed had sought help for their depression. Help was most commonly sought from their general practitioner (28.4%), hospital doctors (4.6%), nurses or midwives (3.8%), social workers (2.1 %). self-help support groups (1.4%) and others, including friends and relatives. Although self-diagnosis and retrospective selfreporting does not necessarily fully correlate with psychometric testing during the first postnatal year, the prevalence reported is likely to be an underestimation because of possible nonself-recognition or admission of depression (3) . This study estimated the overall prevalence of postnatal depression rather than the prevalence per pregnancy and this may also have underestimated the actual prevalence. This large population study suggests a higher prevalence of postnatal depression than often reported and supports the New Zealand population estimate of a postnatal depression prevalence of 20% (3). These data support the need for the development of appropriate intervention strategies. They also reinforce the need for vigilance on the part of general practitioners and other health professionals when dealing with postnatal women.
Genetic Divergence in Triticum Durum

Genetic divergence study on 58 varieties of Triticum turgidum L. var durum with diverse sources and pedigrees, carried out in two seasons, has revealed their association into eleven and thirteen clusters The composition of clusters differed in the two seasons due to environmental interactions. Approximate configurations of the clusters based on the D2-values were prepared for both the seasons. Cluster means of different characters suggest wide range of variation for plant height, extrusion length, awn length and yield per plant. The grouping revealed instability in clusters to be due to relatively lesser divergence, whereas the widely divergent clusters remained distinct in both the seasons. Similarly these clusters revealed absence of relationship between geographical distribution and genetic divergence.
Analysis of Programmed Cell Death in the Amnioserosa, an Extra-embryonic Epithelium in Drosophila melanogaster

The amnioserosa (AS) is an epithelium that plays major roles in two crucial morphogenetic processes during Drosophila embryogenesis: Germ Band Retraction (GBR) and Dorsal Closure (DC). The AS is extra-embryonic and as such, it does not contribute to the mature embryo but is eliminated during development by programmed cell death. In this thesis, a comprehensive investigation of the timing and characteristics of the AS death and degeneration is performed. It is demonstrated that AS elimination occurs in two phases: “cell extrusion” during DC, embryonic stages 12 to 14, and “tissue dissociation” following DC, embryonic stages 15 to 16. Ten percent of AS cells are eliminated during phase one while the remaining ninety percent are removed during phase two. It is found that both cell extrusion and tissue dissociation are absent in apoptotic defective backgrounds, as well as in genetic backgrounds associated with increased class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, a key regulator of autophagy. It is also found that extrusion is enhanced two-fold in embryos expressing the pro-apoptotic reaper gene product, and that tissue dissociation also accelerates in this background. Interestingly, our observations suggest that the activation of caspase cascade is not complete until AS cells have lost apical contacts with neighboring cells. Shortly after the loss of apical contact, an apoptotic morphology including membrane blebbing, cell fragmentation, and macrophage engulfment is readily observed. Measurements of the rate of DC demonstrate that this process is protracted in backgrounds lacking extrusion, leading to the conclusion that extrusion contributes towards generating adequate AS tension required for normal DC rates. Overall, our data suggest that phase one extrusion and phase two dissociation are manifestations of the same cellular event and that both are caspase dependent. It is also demonstrated that autophagy is a key component of AS death that acts upstream of apoptosis. Strikingly, our results lead to the suggestion that autophagy may function to trigger apoptosis during the programmed elimination of this extra-embryonic tissue.
Reply

Sir, With great interest we have read the study by Sloth et al. on variations in pre-operative hemodynamics in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, showing that flow-related hemodynamic variables as well as arterial blood pressure show marked intraand inter-patient variations and are sometimes lower (or higher) than the hemodynamic goals commonly accepted in the postoperative situation. This is a remarkable study since most of our knowledge on pre-operative hemodynamics in cardiac surgery patients has been gathered during cath lab studies or in the immediate period before induction of anesthesia and not in unstressed, quietly sleeping patients. However, we do not agree with the authors’ conclusion that goal-oriented therapy may result in ‘overtreatment when compared with the pre-operative status’. Post-operative oxygen consumption and hemodynamics differ distinctly from the pre-operative state. Thus, any definition of intraand post-operative therapeutic goals cannot be simply based on the pre-operative hemodynamic state of the individual patient, but only on interventional studies that demonstrate a beneficial effect by modulating specific hemodynamic parameters. Accordingly, it has been shown that intraand post-operative optimization of cardiac stroke volume and post-operative treatment with the goals of an SvO2470% and a lactate concentration 2 mmol/l within 8 h after cardiac surgery reduced hospital length of stay and/or morbidity. In contrast, increasing the mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass to 480 mmHg revealed controversial results regarding cardiac and neurological complications. It is of note that the goal of an SvO2470% as set up by Poloenen et al. is comparable to the pre-operative mean values observed by Sloth et al. in the present study; thus, what we have learned about how to treat our patients post-operatively seems not so far from normal physiology.