Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of saline hypoxia on growth and ion uptake in Suaeda maritima

The widely occurring annual halophyte Suaeda maritima experiences fluctuating salt and oxygen concentration during tidal cycles in salt marshes and shows tolerance of extreme hypoxia. The effect of saline waterlogging on growth and ion accumulation was investigated in tanks in a glasshouse where tidal flow was simulated, and in an aerated and hypoxic saline nutrient solution in a controlled environment cabinet. Laboratory data were compared with data from a survey of growth in two salt marshes. Plants in the nutrient solution grew equally well in the alternative nitrogen sources, NO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+). Hypoxia, produced in the nutrient solution by nitrogen bubbling in the absence of turbulence and using stagnant agar, reduced root growth; hypoxia in waterlogged pot media in the glasshouse also reduced shoot growth and net K(+) uptake but increased net uptake of Na(+) and Cl(-). (22)Na(+) influx into shoots was only significantly reduced by hypoxia when combined with a sudden increase in salt concentration to 200 mM NaCl. S. maritima appears to be well adapted to tolerate severely hypoxic growth conditions.
Point-of-care testing for heart-type Fatty Acid Binding Protein

When blood flow to the myocardium is acutely obstructed, a person will typically suffer more prolonged chest pain of recent onset; this is referred to as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). When the obstruction leads to myocardial necrosis (cell death), this results in an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or ‘heart attack’, and the release of a series of biomarkers from myocytes into the bloodstream. The most well-known and widely tested of these is cardiac troponin (cTn), composed of 3 subunits, C, T and I. A wide range of other biomarkers exist, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), copeptin, and heart-type Fatty Acid Binding Protein (H-FABP). H-FABP has become of particular interest in recent years because its concentration in the plasma rises much sooner after an AMI than troponin (within 3 hours, compared to 6-8 hours). The myocardial tissue content of FABP is about five-fold lower than that of myoglobin, but the reference plasma concentration of FABP is about 15-fold lower than that of myoglobin. The differences in amounts of myoglobin and FABP in heart and skeletal muscles and their simultaneous release upon muscle injury allow also the plasma ratio of myoglobin/FABP to be applied for discrimination of myocardial (ratio 4–5) from skeletal muscle injury (ratio 20–70). AMI can be subdivided into ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) based on electrocardiograph (ECG) findings. Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI) occur when the infarction is either brief or affects only a small part of the myocardium.
THE REGULATION AND PACKAGING OF SYNAPTIC VESICLES RELATED TO RECRUITMENT WITHIN CRAYFISH AND FRUIT FLY NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTIONS: VARIATIONS IN LOW- AND HIGH-OUTPUT TERMINALS

OF DISSERTATION THE REGULATION AND PACKAGING OF SYNAPTIC VESICLES RELATED TO RECRUITMENT WITHIN CRAYFISH AND FRUIT FLY NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTIONS: VARIATIONS IN LOWAND HIGH-OUTPUT TERMINALS Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS and at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of invertebrate. The characteristic similarities to CNS glutamatergic synapses in vertebrate and the anatomical simplicity of invertebrate NMJs favor the investigation of glutamatergic synaptic functions in this system. This dissertation mainly aimed to physiologically separate two functional vesicle groups, the reserve pool (RP) and readily releasable pool (RRP) within presynaptic nerve terminals of Procambarus Clarkii and Drosophila melanogaster. This was addressed in part by blocking the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) with bafilomycin A1. Various frequencies of motor nerve stimulation, exposure time, and concentration of bafilomycin A1 were examined. The low-output tonic opener NMJs in crayfish exposed to 4μM bafilomycin A1 and 20Hz continuous stimulation decreased the EPSP amplitude to 50% in ∼30min with controls lasting 3h. After activity and bafilomycin A1-induced synaptic depression, the EPSPs were rapidly revitalized by serotonin (5-HT, 1μM) in the crayfish preparations. The 5-HT action can be blocked almost completely with a PLC inhibitor, but partially with a cAMP activator. The higher output synapses of the larval Drosophila NMJ when stimulated at 1Hz or 5Hz and exposed to 4μM of bafilomycin A1 showed a depression rate of 50% within ∼10min with controls lasting ∼40min. After low frequency depression and/or exposure to bafilomycin A1 a burst of higher frequency (10Hz) can recruit vesicles from the RP to the RRP. Physiological differences in low(tonic like) and high-output (phasic like) synapses match many of the expected anatomical features of these terminals, part of this dissertation highlights physiological differences and differential modulation and/or extent of the vesicles in a RP for maintaining synaptic output during evoked depression of the RRP in crayfish abdomen extensor preparation. With the use of bafilomycin A1, the tonic terminal is fatigue resistant due to a large RRP, whereas the phasic depresses rapidly upon continuous stimulation. Upon depression of the tonic terminal, 5-HT has a large RP to act on to recruit vesicles to the RRP; whereas, the phasic terminal, 5HT can recruit RP vesicles to the RRP prior to synaptic depression but not after depression.
A Proposed Terminology of Theropod Teeth (Dinosauria, Saurischia)

ABSTRACT Theropod teeth are typically not described in detail, yet these abundant vertebrate fossils are not only frequently reported in the literature, but also preserve extensive anatomical information. Often in descriptions, important characters of the crown and ornamentations are omitted, and in many instances, authors do not include a description of theropod dentition at all. The paucity of information makes identification of isolated teeth difficult and taxonomic assignments uncertain. Therefore, we here propose a standardization of the anatomical and morphometric terms for tooth anatomical subunits, as well as a methodology to describe isolated teeth comprehensively. As a corollary, this study exposes the importance of detailed anatomical descriptions with the utilitarian purpose of clarifying taxonomy and identifying isolated theropod teeth.
Clinical, mineral and haemato biochemical studies of urolithiasis in weaner lambs

Retrospective study on necropsy data pertaining to urolithiasis in sheep was conducted to observe the epidemiological profile in semi-arid Rajasthan. Subsequently in year 2008, a total of 27 weaner lambs comprised of 23 clinically affected with urolithiasis and 4 clinically healthy lambs were undertaken to studythe mineral and haemato biochemical profile in an attempt to find out the probable cause of the menace. During the period, out of 23 diseased lambs 11 were and they subjected to post-mortem examination for confirmation of urolithiasis. The confirmed urolith cases had slightly higher Hb, PCV, TEC, RBC, WBC and epithelial casts in urine, and significantly higher serum urea creatinine, magnesium and copper compared to suspected and healthy animals. The study revealed that abnormal calcium–phosphorus ratio is predisposing the animals to urolithiasis; however; other interrelated factors needs to be explored to formulate the effective preventive measures. Key words: Urolithiasis, sheep, hematology, biochemical profile, mineral profile.
Effect of boric acid on the growth and production of β- glucosidase in Paecilomyces variotii

Boric acid was examined for antifungal activity against several species of fungi. The growth and production of β-glucosidase in several strains of fungi were tested in the media containing various concentrations of boric acid. The results obtained indicate that the growth ofTrichoderma strains was reduced with increasing amount of boric acid up to 0.3% (w/v). However, Paecilomyces variotii was able to tolerate boric acid above 0.3% (w/v) by increasing its growth. Trichoderma also showed low production of β-glucosidase as compared to P. variotii. Present study revealed that boric acid works as effective fungicide by inhibiting the production of β-glucosidase and the growth of fungi. This suggests that boric acid might be useful for the treatment of fungal infection caused by P. variotii or Trichoderma strains. Key words: Growth, β-glucosidase, boric acid, inhibition, Paecilomyces variotii.
Effects of aging and HIF‐1α deficiency on permeability of hippocampal vessels

We examined age‐related changes in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) of neural cell‐specific hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) deficient mice, which showed hydrocephalus with neuronal cell loss, to investigate an effect of neural cell‐specific HIF‐1α deficiency or hydrocephalus on vascular function. Vascular permeability of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and binding of cationized ferritin (CF) particles to the endothelial cell luminal surface, as a marker of glycocalyx, were investigated. The thickness of CF‐labeled glycocalyx was significantly decreased in the cortex in mutant mice compared with that of control mice, although it was not paralleled by increased vascular permeability. In addition, strong staining for HRP was seen around vessels located along the hippocampal fissure in 24‐month‐old mutant mice. The reaction product of HRP appeared in an increasing number of the endothelial cell abluminal vesicles and within the thickened basal lamina of arterioles in the hippocampus, showing increased vascular permeability. There were no leaky vessels in 10‐week‐old mutant mice or 10‐week‐old and 24‐month‐old control mice. These findings suggest the necessity of two factors, aging and hydrocephalus, for BBB dysfunction in HIF‐1α deficient mice. Microsc. Res. Tech. 69:29–35, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of enzymatic cross-linking of milk proteins on properties of ice cream with different composition

Summary Transglutaminase enzyme (TGase) treatment has been reported to increase the viscosity of milk and gel stiffness of yoghourt and the treatment has been suggested to replace part of the fat and proteins in dairy products. In this study, the effects of TGase on some physical, rheological and sensory properties of ice cream with different fat and stabiliser contents were studied. Five ice-cream mixes were prepared. Three of them were regular-fat mixes with 10% fat but vary in the stabiliser (0.7% and 0.2%). The other two mixes were low-fat mixes, (5% fat and 0.7% stabiliser), a control and treated sample. The mixes were pasteurised (80 °C for 15 min), cooled to 50 °C, homogenised (13.8/3.4 MPa) treated with the enzyme (at 45 °C for 2.5 h) and aged for 24 h at 5 °C before freezing. The viscosity, yield stress and consistency index (k) of all mixes were increased by the TGase treatment. The flow behaviour index (n) of regular-fat mixes changed from non-Newtonian shear thinning (n = 0.9) to non-Newtonian shear thicking or dialtant behaviour (n = 1.26). The flow behaviour index (n) of low-fat mixes did not change by the treatment. On the other hand, the time-viscosity curves at a constant shear rate of all the enzyme-treated mixes have changed from thixotropic to rheopectic (time-thickening) flow. The TGase treated ice creams were superior in all physical and organolyptic properties than their corresponding controls. The enzyme treatment compensated the low-fat or low-stabiliser in the ice cream. Moreover, tailored physical properties of ice cream could be obtained by manipulating the mix-enzyme reaction conditions and amount and type of stabiliser.
Spatial structure of commercial marine fisheries in Northwest Mexico

Erisman, B. E. , Paredes, G. A. , Plomozo-Lugo, T. , Cota-Nieto, J. J., Hastings, P. A. , and Aburto-Oropeza, O. 2011. Spatial structure of commercial marine fisheries in Northwest Mexico. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: . The spatial structure of commercial marine fisheries in Northwest (NW) Mexico was investigated using official landings data from 39 local fisheries offices in the region. Multivariate analyses revealed a clear spatial pattern in fishing activities, in which there was a positive linear relationship between the species composition of fisheries offices and both latitude and longitude. Fisheries offices formed eight distinct clusters organized by similarities in geographic location, species-group composition, and coastal habitat type. Five of the eight clusters comprised offices from the same geographic region and coastal ecosystem, and the other three clusters contained the largest industrial fishing ports in NW Mexico. The results of this study suggest that NW Mexico would benefit from an ecosystem-based management framework that focuses on the direct, spatial connection that exists between coastal habitats, harvested species groups, and fishing activities within each region. Subdivision into five separate regions is proposed, with management attention paid specially to the few industrialized ports whose fishing capacities and geographic ranges of fishing far exceed the other areas.
Essential oil content and composition of aniseed.

The field experiments were carried out during 2011 and 2012 in three localities in Vojvodina (Serbia) with the application of six different fertilizer regimes aimed at determining the content and composition of the aniseed essential oil. It was found that the average essential oil content of aniseed, obtained by hydrodistillation, was 3.72%. The weather conditions during the year and the locality had a statistically significant effect on the essential oil content, while different source of fertilizers was not statistically significant for the essential oil content and its composition. Essential oil composition was determined using GC-MS technique, and a total of 15 compounds were identified. It was found that the major component was trans-anethole, 94.78% on the average, and the coefficient of variation was 2%. The second most abundant component was γ-himachalene with 2.53% (CV 28%). All other components were present in less than 1%.
Systematics and adaptive radiation of Equatorial African lizards assigned to the genera Adolfus, Bedriagaia, Gastropholis, Holaspis and Lacerta (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

The Equatorial African group of lacertids comprises nine species which share a number of derived features and appear to constitute a holophyletic assemblage. Revision of the group using morphological characters analyzed by parsimony and compatibility methods results in the following taxonomic changes: Lacerta jacksoni = Adolfus jacksoni, Lacerta echinata = Gastropholis echinata, Bedriagaia tropidopholis = Gastropholis tropidopholis, Bedriagaia moreavi = Gastropholis prasina, the latter species being validated and removed from the synonymy of Gastropholis vittata. Adolfus jacksoni has most features in common with the hypothetical ancestor of the group, while Holaspis guentheri and the species of Gastropholis are the most derived forms. Geographical variation in Adolfus alleni is described and what is known of the ecology of the Equatorial group summarized. Most are forest dwellers with the majority of the more primitive forms living on tree boles and among litter and timber on the forest floor (Adolfus jac.
Growth performance and economics of sheep production with varying levels of rice milling waste

A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted using sixteen (16) growing Uda lambs to determine the growth performance of sheep fed varying levels of rice milling waste. Diets containing graded levels of rice milling waste replacing wheat offal at 15, 30 and 45% inclusion levels were formulated. Diet without rice milling waste served as control. Results showed that incorporating rice milling waste in the diet of growing sheep up to 45% level did not adversely affect (P>0.05) growth performance. Such incorporation led to decrease in the cost of feed /kg live-weight gain. However, animals on 30% rice milling waste diet were better compared to other treatments in terms of dry matter intake, weight gain, and cost of production. For best economic returns, rice milling waste in the diet of the growing sheep should not exceed 30%. Finally, it is recommended that more trials should be carried out with different breeds of sheep in order to ascertain the true feeding value of rice milling waste.
Molecular lineage diversity and inter‐oceanic biogeographical history in Hiatella (Mollusca, Bivalvia)

Hiatella is one of the most widespread marine bivalve genera, occurring in diverse habitats from the temperate to polar latitudes in both hemispheres, and in fossil strata since almost 150 Myr ago. Despite variation in some biological and morphological traits, characters to resolve the current systematic structure consistently across the range of the genus are not known: all samples are often referred to a single species, Hiatella arctica (L.). Exploring the systematics of Hiatella using partial sequences of three genes (mitochondrial COI, and the nuclear ANT and 28S rRNA), we find high diversity of deep lineages (11–22% p‐distance in COI), and identify at least 13 distinct taxa both by heuristic criteria (congruence of the nuclear and mtDNA data) and by coalescence‐based analyses. At several localities, two or three of these cryptic species were found in sympatry. In the framework of previous fossil evidence and of hypotheses of paleoceanographical connections, scenarios of the phylogeny and biogeographical history of the identified species at a range of different time scales are outlined. The distinction between the main North Pacific and North Atlantic Hiatella clades and systematic diversification within each of them seem to have followed a Miocene trans‐Panamanian invasion. Apart from such earlier intra‐basin diversification, the data suggest that three successive counter‐invasions from the Pacific to the Atlantic via the Arctic Ocean route have later contributed to the current North Atlantic Hiatella diversity. These invasions probably took place in connection with (i) the Great Trans‐Arctic Biotic Interchange in the Pliocene, (ii) the last interglacial period c. 120 kya and (iii) the Holocene, postdating the last glaciation. This sequence of trans‐Arctic invasions is largely analogous to that hypothesized for some other boreal‐arctic bivalves.
Life-history tradeoffs and reproductive cycles in Spotted Owls

ABSTRACT The study of tradeoffs among life-history traits has long been key to understanding the evolution of life-history strategies. However, more recently, evolutionary ecologists have realized that reproductive costs have the potential to influence population dynamics. Here, we tested for costs of reproduction in the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), and assessed whether costs of reproduction in year t − 1 on reproduction in year t could be responsible for regionally synchronized biennial cycles in reproductive output. Logistic regression analysis and multistate mark–recapture models with state uncertainty revealed that breeding reduced the likelihood of reproducing in the subsequent year by 16% to 38%, but had no influence on subsequent survival. We also found that costs of reproduction in year t − 1 were correlated with climatic conditions in year t, with evidence of higher costs during the dry phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Using a simulation-based population model, we showed that strong reproductive costs had the potential to create biennial cycles in population-level reproductive output; however, estimated costs of reproduction appeared to be too small to explain patterns observed in Spotted Owls. In the absence of strong reproductive costs, we hypothesize that observed natural cycles in the reproductive output of Spotted Owls are related to as-yet-unmeasured, regionally concordant fluctuations in environmental conditions or prey resources. Despite theoretical evidence for demographic effects, our analyses illustrate that linking tradeoffs to actual changes in population processes will be challenging because of the potential confounding effects of individual and environmental variation.
Descriptions of a new species and previously unknown males of Nesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from caves in Eastern North America, with comments on species rarity

We describe the new species, Nesticus pecki , an apparently cave-limited (but not troglomorphic) species from the southeastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau in southern Tennessee. Previously unknown males of N. dilutus Gertsch, N. stygius Gertsch, and N. furtivus Gertsch are illustrated and described. These male specimens, along with additional females, are all taken from their respective type localities. Nesticus valentinei Gertsch is considered a junior subjective synonym of N. barri Gertsch (new synonymy). Several cave-limited species in the region are single-site endemics, including N. furtivus , N. dilutus , and N. pecki . We discuss the conservation status and biological factors that may potentially threaten the continued existence of these populations.
Effects of Dietary Energy and Protein on Growth Performance and Carcass Quality of Broilers during Starter Phase

A 3x4 factorial arrangement with three Metabolizable Energy (ME) levels (12.13, 12.55, 12.97 MJ/kg) and four Crude Protein (CP) levels (20.0, 21.0, 22.0 and 23.0%), respectively, was undertaken to investigate the influence of varying levels of dietary energy and protein on broiler performance and carcass quality from 1-21 d aysof age. Six hundred 1 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 12 treatments, each of which had five replicates of 10 birds. BW of 21 days of age was significantly increased with an increase in dietary ME (p 0.05). Both ME and CP significantly improved feed efficiency (P<0.05). ME significantly affected on feed intake, while CP not affected. However, there were no significant interaction in BW, average daily gain, feed intake and feed efficiency between dietary ME and CP. Higher level of dietary ME (12.97 MJ/kg) significantly increased abdominal fat percentage when compared with lower ME (12.13MJ/kg or 12.55 MJ/kg). L* of leg meat was decreased by dietary ME, while L* of breast meat was not affected. a* of both breast meat and leg meat was increased with increasing dietary ME and CP. b* of leg meat was decreased by ME while b* of breast meat was not affected. Water-holding capacity (WHC) of breast meat was decreased by dietary ME, while increased by dietary CP. The results of present research indicated that the optimal dietary ME requirement of broilers from 1-21 days of age is 12.97 MJ/kg and the CP requirement is 21-22%.
Phylogenetic Analysis and Evolutionary Diversification of Heliotropium Sect. Cochranea (Heliotropiaceae) in the Atacama Desert

Abstract Heliotrapium sect. Cochranea (Heliotropiaceae) consists of 19 species endemic to the coastal Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru. This section has one of the most restricted geographic distributions and is the largest among the South American sections of Heliotropium. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of a total of 92 species using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast ndhF, rpsl6, and trnL-trnF sequences, and estimated the divergence times of major lineages of the group. Our results suggest that Heliotropium sect. Cochranea is monophyletic. There are two main well-supported lineages within the section: one is H. pycnophyllum, which is sister to rest of the species in the section. Within this second lineage, H. filifolium, H. glutinosum, H. krauseanum, and a large polytomous group composed of 15 species form a tetratomy. The age estimates using the penalized likelihood method suggests a minimum age of 14.0 ± 2.0 My for section Cochranea, and 4.6 ± 0.9 My for the large polytomous group within it. Heliotropium sect. Cochranea may have originated in the Miocene during the major uplift of the Andes, and then radiated in the Pliocene in the Atacama Desert.