Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Egg signaling: the use of visual, auditory and chemical stimuli

The fundamental biological function of avian eggshells is to enclose an incubation environment in which an embryo can develop (Roberts and Brackpool 1994). However, birds have evolved a number of eggshell traits that are capable of transmitting information to a variety of receivers, from incubating parents through to predators and brood parasites. Communication of information consists of three parts: the sender, the signal itself and the receiver. Not all features will have a signalling function but may still be used as a cue by a receiver (e.g. a predator or a brood parasite). A signal is an act, or structure, which has evolved to indicate the quality of a signaller and it functions to change the behaviour of the intended receiver. A cue is a feature of the external world used by a receiver to decide on its future actions (Hasson 1994; Maynard Smith and Harper 1995). A cue can be a signal if it is deliberately communicating that information to the receiver. Overwhelmingly, research into egg signalling has concentrated on the appearance of the eggshell, namely its colouration and pigmentation (Figure 11.1). Although this chapter will largely focus on this subject, we will also discuss other ways in which eggs may be acting as signalling cues. The first section of this chapter will focus on the acquisition of colouration and will explain the main hypotheses for its functional significance. The second section will discuss how eggs can be used as signals by the reproductive female (and possibly the developing embryo), the nature of signals that eggs are able to convey, and the identity of receivers who interpret these signals.
An Entropy-Based Formulation for the Support of Sustainable Mass Customization 4.0

Industry 4.0, an information and communication umbrella of terms that includes the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems, aims to ensure the future of the manufacturing industry competing in a proper environment of mass customization: demand for short delivery time, high quality, and small-lot products. Within this context of an Industry 4.0 mass customization environment, success depends on its sustainability, where the latter can only be achieved by the manufacturing efficiency of the smart factory-based Industry 4.0 transforming processes. Even though Industry 4.0 is associated with an optimal resource and energy productivity/efficiency, it becomes necessary to answer if the integration of Industry 4.0 elements (like CPS) has a favorable sustainability payoff. This requires performing energy consumption what-if analyses. The original contribution of this paper is the use of the entropy-based formulation as an alternative way of performing the initial steps of the energy consumption what-if analyses. The usefulness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by comparing the results of a discrete-event simulation model of mass customization 4.0 environment and the values obtained by using the entropy-based formulation. The obtained results suggest that the entropy-based formulation acts as a fairly good trend indicator of the system’s performance parameters increase/decrease. The managerial implications of these findings are presented at the end of this document.
Influence of predator cues on terminal investment in courtship by male Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract Sexual signals play a critical role in mate attraction, but fitness benefits of signal production depend on a number of external and internal influences. Sexual signaling can be energetically expensive, and has potential to attract unwanted attention from predators. Male brushlegged wolf spiders, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) (Araneae: Lycosidae), actively signal to females in the leaf litter habitat during their spring breeding season, but face a tradeoff between current and future reproduction as the season progresses. The terminal investment hypothesis predicts that with fewer available females, increasing risk of predation, and stronger influence of senescence as the season progresses, males should take greater risks to secure mating. We explored this idea by exposing males of increasing ages to female cues alone or female cues combined with predator cues. We found little or no direct evidence to support the terminal investment hypothesis in this species, in that males across all ages essentially ceased active courtship in the presence of predator cues, that is, there was no age related increase in courtship investment in the presence of predator cues. However, we found distinct evidence of senescence in males based on age-related changes in behavior, which has not previously been directly explored in this species. While males maintained similar levels of active courtship across all age classes (in the absence of predator cues), older males increased their relative investment in maintenance behaviors (grooming) and decreased non-courtship display behaviors such as tapping and leg raises. These findings suggest that studies of male behavior in this species should be carefully designed to control for age-related variation in behavioral response.
Growth and Survival of Salmonella montevideo on Tomatoes and Disinfection with Chlorinated Water.

The survival on tomato fruits ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) of a rifampicin-resistant strain of Salmonella montevideo (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] isolate G4639), the alleged source of the 1993 multistate outbreak of salmonellosis, was affected by inoculum dose and inoculation site (unbroken surface or wounds and stem scars), as well as by the medium (distilled water, Butterfield's buffer, or trypticase soy broth [TSB]) used to deliver the bacterium, This bacterium inoculated at 4 log10 CFU (colony forming units) per site in distilled water survived for 20 h on tomato skin. However, comparable survival occurred at the stem scars and growth cracks with smaller inoculum doses (3 log10 CFU). The bacterial populations increased rapidly on puncture wounds and tomato slices but decreased on the unbroken surface and stem scar. With unbroken skin and approximately 4 log10 CFU per site, the population survived for at least 48 h but could not be consistently detected after 5 days. By contrast, the stem scar population survived for at least 7 days and decreased only 1 to 2 log10 units. The inherently low pH of the tomatoes did not inhibit bacterial growth. Treatment with 100 ppm of aqueous chlorine for up to 2 min failed to kill all bacteria at these inoculation sites. This was especially true when the bacterial suspensions were prepared in TSB. TSB supported better bacterial survival and/or growth and also protected against the bactericidal effect of aqueous chlorine.
Characterization of lipid components in the whole cells and plasma membranes of baker's yeast

The aim of this work was to analyze the lipid composition of the whole ceIls and plasma membrane of commercial baker's yeast. Baker's yeast contained 6.7 % of total lipids in dry biomass. Phosphatidylcholine was by far the most abundant phospholipid of the whole cells and plasma membrane. In the neutral lipid composition of the whole cells, steryl esters were present in the highest concentration, which corresponds to the stationary growth phase. The content of ergosterol in the whole cells and plasma membrane was several times lower than for laboratory grown strains. Palmitoleic and oleic acid prevailed significantly in the fatty acid composition of the whole cells, making 81 % of total identified acids. They were the principle acids in the plasma membrane as well. An interesting feature of both the whole cells and plasma membrane was a high concentration of very long chain fatty acid, C26:0. The results of this study suggest that the analyzed baker's yeast has a high freeze-tolerance, which could make it suitable for frozen dough.
Characterization of protein fractions and antioxidant activity of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.).

Chia seed ( Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual herbaceous plant categorized under Lamiaceae family. Chia seeds were investigated as a source of proteins and natural antioxidants. It is a potential alternative source of high quality protein, fats, carbohydrates, high dietary fibre, vitamins and mineral elements. The objective of this study was to evaluate chia seed from protein content and antioxidant acivity and highlight the quality of this pseudocereal. A crude protein, moisture content, content of protein fractions, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase activity of chia seeds and food products containing chia seeds were determined. The protein content of chia seeds ranged from 2.9% to 4.6% dry matter from that albumins and globulins ranged from 54.6% to 62.8%. Chia is poor in a prolamines (<15%). Various chia seeds showed differences in their SOD activity and exhibited the high antiradical activity against 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). The highest antioxidant capacity was found in sample chia seeds from Bolivia (1.46 mM TEAC.g -1 in the dry matter) and the lowest values of antioxidant activity was estimated in sample chia seeds from Argentina (1.05 mM TEAC.g -1 in the dry matter). The highest SOD activity was determined in sample chia from Argentina (2191.8 U.g -1 in the dry matter). The lowest SOD activity was found in sample chia-bio from Argentina (754.0 U.g -1 in the dry matter.). It makes them potentially suitable for use in the gluten-free diet of coeliac people and it can be used as a potential ingredient in health food because of its high antioxidant activity.
Levantamento da flora apícola em área de cerrado no município de Floriano, estado do Piauí, Brasil

Knowing the bee-associated flora of a given region is fundamental to the rational practice of apiculture. We aimed to identify the bee-associated flora in the experimental farm of Colegio Tecnico, at Floriano municipality, Piaui state, Brazil, as well as to characterize plant habits and record the flowering period of the species. We also wished to analyze whether there is any relationship between the species flowering period and climatic factors. Data were collected every 15 days from September 2011 to July 2012, in a zig-zag trail of ca. 3 km that borders two apiaries. The presence of bees and the forage resource were registered. We identified 163 plant species belonging to 40 families. Forty-six of these species are potentially beekeeping, the Fabaceae being the most species-rich family (32.6%). Of all beekeeping plant species, 50% are herbs, 13% are subshrubs, 13% are shrubs, 10.9% are lianas, and 13% are trees. The flowering peak of beekeeping species extends from March to May. In December and January, there was a low number of species at flowering stage. Herbaceous species, which had a great beekeeping importance, flowered for a longer period. The vast majority of these intense-flowering herbs are considered weeds. There was no relationship between the number of species at flowering stage and climatic factors. Our results provide subsidies for better hive management, with information on the bee-associated plant species of the region nearby the apiary.
Molecular basis of the DExH-box RNA helicase RNA helicase A (RHA/DHX9) in eukaryotic protein synthesis

ii Dedication . vi Acknowledgments . vii Vita . ix List of Tables . xiii List of Figures . xiv Chapter 1: The trRNPs of Eukaryotic Translation Control . 1 Overview of Eukaryotic Translation . 2 Initiation, mRNA activation and ribosome recruitment . 2 Initiation, the significance of DExH/D-box RNA helicases . 3 Initiation, scanning and start codon recognition . 13 Initiation, 60S subunit joining and formation of elongation-competent 80S ribosomes . 16 Initiation, variations to the central theme . 18 Elongation . 22
Transition from pelagic to demersal phase in early-juvenile nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus: Pigmentation, squamation, and ontogeny of diet

Early-juvenile Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, were collected offshore, in tidal passes, and in shallow bank habitats in the southern Exuma Cays, Bahamas, during winter in 1993 and 1994, encompassing a complete transition from pelagic to demersal phase. Collected fish were examined in terms of pigmentation, squamation, and ontogeny of diet during settlement. While pelagic, during January and February, early juveniles were uniform in their pigmentation, but varied considerably in scale development. Once settled into macroalgal bank habitats, during February, demersal early juveniles were uniform in scale development, but varied in pigmentation. Complete settlement pigmentation and scale development were first observed in February and March, respectively. The diet of pelagic juveniles was dominated by calanoid and poecilostomatoid copepods, and decapod larvae. The diet of demersal post-settlement juveniles was dominated by gammaridean amphipods and harpacticoid copepods. Six months later, shortly before E. striatus are thought to vacate macroalgal habitats, early juveniles were collected, to examine ontogenetic shifts in diet during their tenure in macroalgae. Although gammarideans continued to dominate the diet at that time, isopods and mysids increased in importance. In settlement habitats, feeding success may be related to the development of settlement coloration. Ecological adaptation to settlement habitats appears to be relatively rapid: the transition from pelagic to demersal phase appears to be completed within 1 wk.
Demand of pregnancy in advanced age: A challenge to fertility specialists

The couples of advanced age nowadays are requesting for the promotion of fertility for the first time quite more than what it was before. This is because of career making of men and women, increased divorce, and re-marriage. Physicians dealing with infertility problems are facing a lot of challenges in this regard. The diminished fecundity in advanced age is a routine happening. That is because of diminished ovarian reserve and there may be more aneuploidy in the oocytes or problem with the male gametes, so far as the genetic constitution, fertilizability, and motility are concerned. Research is going on all over the world in this regard, and the present way out is egg donation for elderly women with poor ovarian reserve. Though in a certain percentage of cases, in elderly women, natural conception is possible with or without ovulation induction, in males, usually fertility remain for long, even up to the advanced age, and reproductive assistance in the form of intracytoplasmic sperm injection is required with very poor sperm quality.
Role of Toxin Concentration and Second Carbon Source in Microbial Transformation of Aflatoxin B1 by Flavobacterium aurantiacum.

The aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins which contaminate a variety of foods and feeds. The bacterium Flavobacterium aurantiacum NRRL B-184 has been previously shown to be effective in degrading aflatoxin B1) in liquid test medium as well as in several food types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an added nutrient source and added aflatoxin on the ability of F. aurantiacum to degrade aflatoxin B1. Radioactively labeled aflatoxin B1 was added to test solutions containing cells in phosphate buffer or tryptic soy broth. Nonlabeled aflatoxin B1 was also added to similar flasks. Analysis of radioactive CO2 and water- and chloroform-soluble portions of the cell supernatant fluids revealed that neither added nutrients nor added nonlabeled toxin had a significant influence on the microbial transformation of aflatoxin B1 These results suggest that the microbial degradation of aflatoxin by F. aurantiacum is probably a mineralization phenomenon and not a co-metabolism. The ability of this organism to detoxify aflatoxin without the need for exogenous energy sources could be important to future endeavors attempting to use the organism, or the mechanisms responsible, in fermentation reactions.
Use of probiotics in diets of animal or vegetable origin for broilers

Objetivo . Evaluar el uso de probioticos en dietas con ingredientes de origen animal o vegetal sobre las variables productivas de pollos de engorde de 1 a 42 dias de edad. Materiales y metodos . Fueron utilizados 1056 pollitos de un dia de edad, machos de linaje Ross 308, distribuidos en un diseno experimental completamente al azar en un arreglo factorial 2X4 (dieta de origen animal o vegetal) y cuatro promotores (antibiotico, dos probioticos y un control negativo) con 6 repeticiones y 22 aves por unidad. Resultados . A los 7 dias de edad hubo diferencia (p<0.05) en el consumo diario de alimento, peso y ganancia de peso y a los 14 dias para peso, ganancia de peso y mortalidad entre las dietas. La conversion alimenticia de 1 a 7 dias tuvo interaccion (p<0.05) entre los tipos de dieta y los promotores. Hubo diferencia (p<0.05) para el peso y la ganancia de peso a los 14 dias de edad entre los promotores. A los 21 dias de edad la mortalidad presento diferencia (p<0.05) para el tipo de dietas; el peso, ganancia de peso, consuno diario de alimento y conversion alimenticia presentaron diferencia para los promotores. A los 28, 35 y 42 dias de edad la mortalidad y el indice de eficiencia productiva presentaron diferencia (p<0.05) entre el tipo de dietas. Conclusiones. El tipo de dieta y de promotor de crecimiento no afectan las variables productivas; sin embargo, la viabilidad mejora con las dietas de origen animal. Objective. Evaluate the use of probiotics in diets whit ingredients of animal or vegetable origin in production variables of broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. Materials and Methods . Were used 1056 one-day-old chicks, male, of lineage Ross 308, divided in to an experimental randomized design in 2X4 factorial arrangement, two origin of diet (animal or vegetable) and four promoters (antibiotic, two probiotics and a negative control) whit 6 replicates and 22 birds per unit. Results. At 7 days old there was a difference (p<0.05) in daily food intake, weight and weight gain and 14 days for weight, weight gain and mortality among diets. The feed conversion of 1-7 days did interaction (p<0.05) between types of diet and promoters. There was a difference (p<0.05) for weight and weight gain at 14 days of age between promoters. At 21 days of age presented mortality difference (p<0.05) for the type of diets; weight, weight gain, daily feed together and feed conversion showed difference for 5337 developers. At 28, 35 and 42 days old mortality and productive efficiency index showed difference (p<0.05) between the types of diets. Conclusions . The type of diet and growth promoter did not affect production variables, however, the viability improvement animal diets.
Nesting habitat selection influences nest and early offspring survival in Greater Sage-Grouse

ABSTRACT Adaptive habitat-selection theory predicts that individuals should use habitats that maximize lifetime fitness. However, trade-offs between life-history stages, environmental variability, and predator–prey dynamics can interact with individual preferences, which may result in individuals selecting suboptimal habitats. Understanding the distinction between adaptive and maladaptive animal use of habitat is central to effective species conservation, because use of maladaptive habitat is counter to conservation objectives. Our objectives were to assess whether habitat characteristics selected by Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were correlated with increased production of fledged young. We monitored 411 nests and 120 broods from 234 females between 2004 and 2012 in central Nevada, USA. We determined which habitat characteristics were selected as nesting habitat and assessed whether these characteristics influenced nest success and early offspring survival. The relationships between characteristics selected at nest sites and metrics of reproductive success were variable, in that certain characteristics (e.g., forb cover, amount of pinyon–juniper woodlands) were correlated with higher nest survival and chick survival, but other characteristics (e.g., amount of sagebrush, residual grass height) did not improve reproductive success. Despite variability among predictor variables, we found a positive effect of selection of fine-scale habitat characteristics on nest (βNS-Local = 0.14, 85% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–0.23) and chick survival (βCS-Local = 0.39, 85% CI: 0.27–0.50); however, we did not find that selection of broad-scale habitat characteristics predicted reproductive success (βNS-Landscape = −0.04, 85% CI: −0.15 to 0.06; βCS-Landscape = 0.06, 85% CI: −0.06 to 0.18). Additionally, nest-site selection was more predictive of chick survival than of nest survival, which suggests that females' selection of nesting habitat was based primarily on its qualities as brood-rearing habitat. Together, these findings suggest that nest-site selection may be influenced by more than increased reproductive success, or that there is a landscape-level pattern to local-scale habitat characteristics.
THEMED SECTION: MEDIATORS AND RECEPTORS IN THE RESOLUTION OF INFLAMMATION REVIEW

Resolution of inflammation has historically been viewed as a passive process, occurring as a result of the withdrawal of pro-inflammatory signals, including lipid mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Thus, most anti-inflammatory drugs have traditionally targeted primarily mediator pathways that are engaged at the onset of inflammation. Only recently has it been established that inflammation resolution is an active process with a distinct set of chemical mediators. Several clinical and epidemiological studies have identified beneficial effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for a variety of inflammatory diseases, yet without mechanistic explanations for these beneficial effects. Resolvins and protectins are recently identified molecules that are generated from w-3 PUFA precursors and can orchestrate the timely resolution of inflammation in model systems. Dysregulation of pro-resolving mediators is associated with diseases of prolonged inflammation, so designing pharmacological mimetics of naturally occurring pro-resolving mediators offers exciting new targets for drug design. This review describes the discovery and synthesis of these novel lipid mediators, their receptors and mechanisms of action, and summarizes the studies to date that have uncovered roles for resolvins and protectins in disease states. British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) 158, 960–971; doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009. 00290.x; published online 7 July 2009
Habitat distribution in the Great Tit Parus major in relation to reproductive success, dominance, and biometry

This study compares reproductive success, dominance, and biometrical variables for Great Tit populations in deciduous and coniferous forest in an attempt to establish whether the birds are distributed between habitats of different quality in a despotic or ideal free manner. No critical differences could be found in reproductive output, and male birds breeding in different habitats did not differ in resource holding potential (RHP). Therefore the distribution of Great Tits over habitats of different quality seems to be in accordance with Fretwell's Ideal Free Distribution model. No relationship was found between body size and social behaviour but the oldest individual had the greatest chance of winning conflicts. Some differences in biometric measurements between habitats were observed. Similar observations have been interpreted in earlier papers as evidence that large individuals possess high RHP. Since no relationship was found between body-size and RHP, it is concluded that such differences do not necessarily imply that Great tits are distributed in a despotic way. Generally birds were smaller in the coniferous habitat. A variant of the Ideal Free Distribution model where individuals choose the habitat to which they are morphologically adapted, may be a possible explanation.