Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface proteins involved in transmitting extracellular signals to the interior of the cell. These membrane-spanning proteins constitute one of the most important families of drug targets. Despite their importance, the power and utility of microarray technology has not been extended to GPCRs or other membrane proteins because of issues due to immobilization - these proteins typically need to be embedded in membrane environment to maintain their native conformations. This paper describes the fabrication of GPCR microarrays by conventional robotic pin-printing and demonstrates straightforward assays for screening of ligands on these arrays. GPCRs, obtained as membrane preparations form cell lines over-expressing particular GPCRs, were arrayed using a quill-pin printer. The arrays were incubated with solutions of labeled cognate ligands and unlabeled compounds, and imaged using a fluorescence scanner. The assays conducted were designed to test: (i) the specificity of ligand binding among different families of GPCRs; (ii) the selectivity of ligand binding and inhibition among different members of a GPCR family; (iii) the affinity of ligand binding. The results showed highly selective binding of ligands to arrays of receptors, with affinities similar to those reported in the literature and obtained suing other techniques. This demonstration of membrane-protein arrays and associated assays overcomes a fundamental limitation in protein microchip technology - the lack of practical microarray based methods for membrane proteins.
The tolerance of wheat to high temperatures during reproductive growth. III. Booting to anthesis

A range of Australian and overseas wheat cultivars was grown in the naturally lighted glasshouses of the Canberra phytotron, with a standard daylnight temperature regime of 1811 3°C. Grain number per main culm ear under these standard conditions was compared with the response obtained when sets of plants were transferred to high temperature (24119"C, or 30125°C) over the period from flag leaf ligule to ear emergence (booting), or from ear emergence to the end of anthesis (pollination and fertiliz- ation). Some Australian lines such as Isis and Hybrid Titan were tolerant of high temperature at booting, while others such as Pinnacle and Olympic showed a marked sensitivity to high temperature at this stage. Cultivars from the Middle East and tropical areas were generally more tolerant of high tem- perature at booting than cultivars from regions such as North America and Europe, while the Australian lines were intermediate in their response. With the cultivar Pinnacle, it was shown that at least part of the low fertility associated with high temperature at booting was related to poor pollen development. Commencing the high temperature treatment earlier in the development of the ear and continuing this until ear emergence resulted in adaptation in the cultivar H757 from Afghanistan, which showed an increase in grain set above that of the short high temperature booting treatment. However, this contrasted with the response of the cultivar Banks when the extended high temperature treatment resulted in a further reduction, not an increase in grain set. It was shown that the presence of the rye translocation for rust resistance (1 Bl 1 R) in near isogenic lines of Condor resulted in reduced sensitivity to high temperature. This would suggest that species such as rye should be examined more closely for their sensitivity to environmental stress. Exposure to high temperature only during anthesis generally had a small effect on grain set. Some cultivars showed an increase in grain set, whereas others showed a decrease. Part of this variation may be related to the finding that under high temperature conditions, high humidity (v.p.d. 6.7 mb) could reduce grain set. However, given the normal relation between temperature and humidity in Australia, this effect is likely to be limited to glasshouse conditions.
The pathogenicity of isolates of Septoria avenae f.sp. avenae.

All isolates of Septoria avenae Frank f. sp. avenae studied were pathogenic on selected varieties of oats and there was no evidence of a differential reaction. The virulence of the isolates varied greatly and this variability was inherent in all groups of isolates. The dimensions, septations, and numbers of macrospores produced by the isolates on oat-leaf agar also varied greatly but there was no correlation between these variable characters and the disease rating of the isolates.
Role of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides in poultry nutrition

This paper reviews and presents new evidence for the role of insoluble fibre (non-starch polysaccharides and lignin) in poultry nutrition. Insoluble fibre affects gut functions and modulates nutrient digestion. Thus, digestibility of starch is higher and digesta passage rate faster when a moderate level of insoluble fibre is present in the diet. The effect of insoluble fibre on gut functions stems from its ability to accumulate in the gizzard, which seems to regulate digesta passage rate and nutrient digestion in the intestine. Furthermore, there are indications that diets high in insoluble fibre are preventative of cannibalism outbreaks in laying hens. It is hypothesized that with nutrients disappearing from the lumen faster and digesta moving through the gut quicker, birds spend longer time eating and less time pecking each other. However, the ability of insoluble fibre to exert these effects appears to be related, in part, to particle size as fine grinding diminishes its stimulatory influence on the gizzard. More research is underway on the physical and chemical structure of fibre on gut functions, nutrient digestion and bird behaviour.
CORRELAÇÕES ENTRE O TESTE HIPOSMÓTICO E A AVALIAÇÃO CLÁSSICA DO SÊMEN DE CAPRINOS

We evaluated the correlation between the assessment of the functional integrity of the sperm membrane by hypoosmotic swelling tes,t using solutions with different osmolarities, and the conventional assessments of fresh semen in goats. A total of 24 ejaculates from three goats was obtained by artificial vagina and immediately submitted to the classical evaluation. Samples were divided into five aliquots and subjected to hypoosmotic test using distilled water (0 mOsm/L), and sodium citrate and fructose solutions at different osmolarities (50; 100; 150 and 200 mOsm/L). The 100 mOsm/L solution showed the highest percentage of reacted sperm (34.8%), but distilled water was the one with the lowest values (20.8%). No significant correlations were detected between the reacted sperm verified by the hypoosmotic swelling test and other semen characteristics (P> 0.05). Nevertheless, we recommend the carry out of the hypoosmotic test by using a 100 mOsm/L sodium citrate and fructose solution to assess the functional integrity of the sperm membrane in caprine species. KEYWORDS: caprine; hyposmotic swelling test; sperm.
Comparison of the flagellar rootlets and periplast in two marine cryptomonads

The flagellar rootlets and the cytoskeletal structures of the furrow–gullet region are described for two marine species of Cryptomonas. The rootlets of the two species are very similar, but are more reduced in C. sp. θ than in C. sp. Four rootlets are present: a compound rootlet made up of a striated component of 60- to 80-nm periodicity overlain by three microtubules which extends anteriorly into the left lobe of the cell, a rhizostyle which descends to the nucleus and the posterior end of the cell, an ascending microtubular rootlet which passes anteriorly into the right lobe of the cell, and a lateral microtubular rootlet which curves around the dorsal side of the contractile vacuole. In C. sp. , the rhizostyle consists of four winged microtubules; in C. sp. θ, it is reduced to three microtubules which lack wings. In C. sp. , the ascending rootlet consists of five microtubules; in C. sp. θ, of three microtubules. In C. sp. θ, the lateral rootlet is reduced to a very short remnant. The rootlet systems of.
Uncoupled ATPase activity and heat production by the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. Regulation by ADP.

Abstract Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of rabbit skeletal muscle accumulate Ca2+ at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. The heat released during the hydrolysis of each ATP molecule varies depending on whether or not a Ca2+ gradient is formed across the vesicle membrane. After Ca2+accumulation, a part of the Ca2+-ATPase activity is not coupled with Ca2+ transport (Yu, X., and Inesi, G. (1995)J. Biol. Chem. 270, 4361–4367). I now show that both the heat produced during substrate hydrolysis and the uncoupled ATPase activity vary depending on the ADP/ATP ratio in the medium. With a low ratio, the Ca2+ transport is exothermic, and the formation of the gradient increases the amount of heat produced during the hydrolysis of each ATP molecule cleaved. With a high ADP/ATP ratio, the Ca2+ transport is endothermic, and formation of a gradient increased the amount of heat absorbed from the medium. Heat is absorbed from the medium when the Ca2+ efflux is coupled with the synthesis of ATP (5.7 kcal/mol of ATP). When there is no ATP synthesis, the Ca2+ efflux is exothermic (14–16 kcal/Ca2+mol). It is concluded that in the presence of a low ADP concentration the uncoupled ATPase activity is the dominant route of heat production. With a high ADP/ATP ratio, the uncoupled ATPase activity is abolished, and the Ca2+ transport is endothermic. The possible correlation of these findings with thermogenesis and anoxia is discussed.
Estimating the Number of Species in Microbial Diversity Studies

For decades, statisticians have studied the species problem: how to estimate the total number of species, observed plus unobserved, in a population. This problem dates at least as far back as 1943, to a paper by R.A. Fisher. These methods have found many applications in general ecology, but their importance has grown considerably in recent years, driven by the introduction of high-throughput DNA sequencing into microbial ecology. We examine the state of the art in terms of estimating the total number of taxa in a microbial population from a sample of sequences. We focus mainly on estimating the number of species within a single population (α-diversity), but we also briefly consider statistical inference for comparing the numbers of species across populations (β-diversity). We discuss the full range of statistical techniques, parametric and nonparametric as well as frequentist and Bayesian, and specific implications of their use in microbial diversity studies. We conclude with some recommendations for theo.
INFLUENCE OF POPULATION GROWTH ON CARIBOU HERD IDENTITY, CALVING GROUND FIDELITY, AND BEHAVIOR

Abstract A large barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) population (the Bering Seacoast Herd) historically ranged across southwest Alaska. The size of this herd peaked in the early 1860s but declined by the late 1880s. Caribou numbers remained low in southwest Alaska for the next 100 years. Biologists have argued that periodic dispersal has been an important factor in caribou population dynamics. However, others conclude there was no credible evidence that significant interchange between herds has ever occurred in Alaska. Since 1981, we monitored 318 radiocollared caribou and documented dramatic population growth, erratic movements, shifts from traditional ranges, and changes in migratory behavior. We also documented shifts in calving distribution that may contrast with conventional concepts of calving tradition and herd identity. Some biologists have concluded caribou herds can be considered closed populations for management purposes because the number of dispersing caribou is so small that it has no influence on population dynamics. We propose that the current definition of a herd may be appropriate for short-term management; however, over long time frames and large spatial scales, metapopulations may better describe caribou ecology and be more useful in long-term caribou conservation.
Landscape Genomics in Livestock

Keywords: Conservation genetics, livestock, landscape genomics, adaptation, molecular ecology Reference EPFL-CHAPTER-175402 URL: http://www.intechopen. com/books/analysis-of-genetic-variation-in-animals/landscape-genomics-in-livestock URL: http://www.intechopen. com/books/analysis-of-genetic-variation-in-animals Record created on 2012-03-06, modified on 2016-08-09
Reproductive skew, costs, and benefits of cooperative breeding in female wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Two current models seek to explain reproduction of subordinates in social groups: incentives given by dominants for peacefully remaining in the group (reproductive skew model) or incomplete control by dominants. These models make different predictions concerning genetic relatedness between individuals for the distribution of reproduction and the stability of cooperative breeding associations. To test these models and to further explore the relationships between reproductive skew, genetic relatedness, and investment of each participant, we performed behavioral observations of female wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) raising pups communally. Our results do not support previous models. Differences in lifetime reproductive success were significantly greater within mother--daughter pairs than within pairs of sisters or unrelated females. Subordinate females of either breeding unit did not differ in their direct reproduction. Calculations of inclusive fitness based on our results lead to the following predictions: (1) Communal nests should occur only when ecological circumstances prevent solitary breeding. (2) Subordinate females gain the highest inclusive fitness joining their mothers; they also show the highest nursing investment. (3) Mothers should accept daughters, who have no opportunity for solitary breeding. (4) Dominant sisters and unrelated females should reject subordinate females because cooperative breeding reduces their reproductive success. However, breeding units of dominant sisters and unrelated females nevertheless occur and can be explained by our finding that such females significantly reduce nursing time, which may help them save energy for future breeding cycles. Our data demonstrate that both genetic relatedness and investment skew are important in the complex evolution of reproductive skew in cooperative breeding. Copyright 2002.
Effects of controlled atmospheres on microbial spoilage, electrolyte leakage and sugar content of fresh 'ready-to-use' grated carrots.

Summary The effects of controlled atmospheres (CO2 concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 40% and O2 concentrations ranging from 21 to 1%, measured in pack) were studied on fresh ‘ready-to-use’ grated carrots, stored at 10°C. High CO2 or low O2 conditions favour the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on grated carrots, but not in a sterile carrot medium, and induce an increased potassium ion leakage. A 25% CO2 and 2% O2 atmosphere improves retention of sugars. Grated carrots were inoculated by a strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, which caused increased potassium ion leakage and exudation only under an atmosphere containing 40% CO2 and 10% O2. The origin of the spoilage of ‘ready-to-use’ grated carrots is discussed.
Social Immunity in Amphibians: Evidence for Vertical Transmission of Innate Defenses

Amphibian embryos are at risk of microbial infection. Here we find evidence that innate immune defenses, both antimicrobial skin peptides and mutualistic microbiota, of adult glass frogs, Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum, can be transmitted to embryos deposited on leaves above rain forest streams in Panama and can inhibit the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
Counting Live and Dead Bull Spermatozoa

1. An investigation has been made into the accuracy of estimates of the proportions of dead spermatozoa in diluted and undiluted bull semen, using the nigrosineosin live-dead staining technique. 2. Two operators counted 24,673 spermatozoa, in lots of approximately 200, on smears derived from a number of subsamples taken from the same ejaculate. 3. The variations between different counts made on one smear were consistent with random sampling from a binomial population; the same applied to variations between slides made from one subsample; the variation between subsamples were, however, larger than would have been expected on the basis of random sampling. 4. Undiluted semen and semen diluted 1/4 with Ringer-phosphate-fructose solution had the same mean percentage dead and precision of estimation. 5. Tables are given showing how the precision of an estimate of the proportion of dead spermatozoa in a sample varies according to the percentage of dead spermatozoa, the total number of spermatozoa counted and according to the number of subsamples taken from the original ejaculate, each subsample being used for making counts.
Population biology of Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae) from two tropical mangroves sites in northeast coast of Brazil

The aim of the present study was to characterize and compare the population biology of Ucides cordatus in two mangrove sites with different level of anthropogenic impact (Ariquinda and Mamucabas) at state of Pernambuco, northeast Brazil. Crabs were handily collected (April 2008 to March 2009) by a capture per unit effort by one person, during low tide period. Altogether, we obtained 609 specimens (334 males and 275 females, including 25 ovigerous females) in Ariquinda, and 769 specimens (421 males and 348 females, including 35 ovigerous females) in Mamucabas. Males were significantly larger and heavier than females in both mangroves. The size and weight of each sex were similar in the two populations. The overall sex ratio favoured males (1.21 males: 1 female) in both populations. Ovigerous females occurred only in summer and autumn (February through April), indicating seasonal reproduction of U. cordatus for both populations. Juveniles were more intense in autumn and winter at both sites, which are related to greater reproductive activity during the warmer months of the year. Although these mangrove sites differ in the level of human impact (Mamucabas is more impacted), both populations of U. cordatus showed similar population biology.
Use of isothiocyanates for suppression of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri ), pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)

Abstract A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the herbicidal activity of five aliphatic (ethyl, propyl, butyl, allyl, and 3-methylthiopropyl) and three aromatic (phenyl, benzyl, and 2-phenylethyl) isothiocyanates (ITCs) on Palmer amaranth, pitted morningglory, and yellow nutsedge. All ITCs were applied to soil at 0, 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 nmol g−1 of soil and incorporated. All ITCs had a deleterious effect on Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory emergence. LC50 values for Palmer amaranth emergence inhibition from aliphatic and aromatic ITCs ranged from a low of 32 nmol g−1 of soil for phenyl ITC to a high of 941 nmol g−1 of soil for propyl ITC. Pitted morningglory was slightly more tolerant than Palmer amaranth to each of the ITCs, with LC50 values for emergence ranging from 347 to 2,855 nmol g−1 of soil for 3-methylthiopropyl and butyl ITC, respectively. Yellow nutsedge was the most tolerant of the three species, with LC50 values for ethyl, butyl, benzyl, and 2-phenylethyl being greater than the highest evaluated concentration of 10,000 nmol g−1 of soil. Phenyl and 3-methylthiopropyl at 10,000 nmol g−1 of soil were the most effective ITCs against yellow nutsedge, reducing emergence by 92%. Effectiveness of the ITCs varied across structure and species, but 3-methylthiopropyl and phenyl ITC were generally the most efficacious for the three species evaluated. Nomenclature: Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. AMAPA; pitted morningglory, Ipomoea lacunosa L. IPOLA; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. CYPES.
Effects of dietary carnitine and protein energy: non-protein energy ratios on growth, ammonia excretion and respiratory quotient in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Burchell) juveniles

Two separate feeding experiments were carried out to determine the effects of dietary carnitine supplements on growth rates, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) excretion and respiratory quotient rates (RQ) in the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), juveniles fed various diets differing in protein energy:nonprotein energy ratio (PE:NPE). In Experiment 1, 540 fish (20.9 ± 1.0 g) were evenly distributed into six dietary groups and fed in duplicate aquaria (N = 12 aquaria) to apparent satiation over a 41-day period, until all fish attained an individual final weight of 156.9 ± 10.8 g. Diets were formulated to contain two levels of carnitine (80 and 660 mg kg1) and three levels of PE:NPE (0.7, 0.9 and 1.4). Sampling was divided into two size ranges, according to the predicted individual end-weight of 60 g (days 0-16) and 160 g (days 16-41). In Experiment 2, 240 fish (16.5 ± 0.2 g) were distributed in four 140-L aquaria connected to a respirometer and preconditionally fed twice a day at a restricted feeding level of 24 g kg0.8 day1 for a 25-day period (final weight of 77.5 ± 1.5 g). Four isonitrogenous diets (368 g kg1 crude protein) were formulated to contain two levels of fat (85 and 175 g kg and two levels of carnitine (40 and 600 mg kg1), in a 2 2 factorial design. From days 20-25, three respirometric trials were carried out, during which total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and RQ were determined over 24 h. In both experiments, carnitine supplemented fish accumulated 2.54 times more carnitine in their tissues than fish fed a basal level (P < 0.05). In Experiment 1, the smallest fish (<60 g) fed 660 mg carnitine showed significantly higher growth rates and lower feed conversion rates than 80 mg carnitine supplemented fish only when the dietary PE:NPE ratio was low (0.7). Additionally, dietary carnitine significantly increased protein:fat ratios in the whole body, suggesting a protein-sparing action. In Experiment 2, high carnitine supplements decreased both TAN excretion and RQ rates in fish <80 g.
Parasitoids and Pathogens of Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Southern Michigan

Abstract The density of Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) and the prevalence of its natural enemies were evaluated in southern Michigan. Third instars were collected in spring and fall and adults during the summer of 1999 and 2000 at 11 golf courses. Larvae were also collected once in fall of 2000 from 24 additional sites including golf courses (n = 8), blueberry farms (n = 7) and low-maintenance turf (n = 9). Larval density in the irrigated rough at the 11 primary golf course sites averaged 9.5/0.1 m2 (range, 3.7–21.0). At the 24 additional sites, where habitat was more diverse, Japanese beetle larval density averaged 2.9/0.1 m2 (range, 0.60–14.4). The larval parasitoid Tiphia vernalis Rohwer and the adult parasitoid Istocheta aldrichi (Mesnil) were absent from all sites in this study. Cephaline gregarines (Stictospora sp.) were the most common parasites, infecting 36.1% of all larvae in fall of 2000. The microsporidean Ovavesicula popilliae Andreadis was absent at all but two locations near Kalamazoo, MI. The bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus popilliae (Dutky) and entomopathogenic nematodes were uncommon, infecting <1% of larvae. Overall, two parasites (T. vernalis and I. aldrichi) and two pathogen (O. popilliae), reported to be widespread and epizootic in some eastern states, were absent or nearly so (O. popilliae was found at two of 35 locations) in Michigan. Stictospora sp. was found at most locations in Michigan (25/36) where Japanese beetle infestations have been active for more than 20 yr, but was scarce or absent from areas where Japanese beetle has become established in the last 10 yr.