Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macroinvertebrate oviposition habitat selectivity and egg-mass desiccation tolerances: Implications for population dynamics in large regulated rivers

Aquatic insects exhibit complex life cycles that include egg, larval, adult, and, in some instances, pupal stages. Disturbances at any of these life stages can affect overall population dynamics. Yet, efforts to understand the effects of disturbances, such as hydrologic alterations, overwhelmingly focus on the larval life stage of aquatic insects. We evaluated the potential for load-following flows associated with hydroelectric power production to act as a population bottleneck for aquatic insects via reductions in the availability and temporal persistence of optimal oviposition habitats. Specifically, we quantified the oviposition habitat selectivity of Baetis spp. (Baetidae), Brachycentrus occidentalis (Brachycentridae), Chironomidae (Diptera), and Hydropsyche occidentalis (Hydropsychidae) downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam, Utah, USA. We found that all taxa except H. occidentalis preferentially laid eggs on large emergent substrates located along the river edge. Peak discharge associated with load-following flows substantially reduced the number of emergent substrates available for oviposition, and daily low flows exposed eggs in these habitats to desiccation and drying. When subjected to experimental drying, both Baetis and H. occidentalis eggs experienced nearly 100% mortality after 2 h, whereas most B. occidentalis remained viable after 8 h. Our paired field and experimental results are consistent with the hypothesis that load-following flows from hydroelectric dams produce a population bottleneck for aquatic insects by short circuiting recruitment processes. Environmental flows that seek to improve the health of tailwater aquatic insect populations would benefit from consideration of habitat requirements for all life stages of aquatic insects.
Circadian disruption promotes tumor-immune microenvironment remodeling favoring tumor cell proliferation

Circadian disruption promotes tumor growth by changes in circadian rhythms of immune cells, clock genes, and cell cycle genes. Circadian disruption negatively affects physiology, posing a global health threat that manifests in proliferative, metabolic, and immune diseases, among others. Because outputs of the circadian clock regulate daily fluctuations in the immune response, we determined whether circadian disruption results in tumor-associated immune cell remodeling, facilitating tumor growth. Our findings show that tumor growth rate increased and latency decreased under circadian disruption conditions compared to normal light-dark (LD) schedules in a murine melanoma model. Circadian disruption induced the loss or inversion of daily patterns of M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages and cytokine levels in spleen and tumor tissues. Circadian disruption also induced (i) deregulation of rhythmic expression of clock genes and (ii) of cyclin genes in the liver, (iii) increased CcnA2 levels in the tumor, and (iv) dampened expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21WAF/CIP1, all of which contribute to a proliferative phenotype.
Deep tree hollows: important refuges from extreme temperatures

Tree hollows constitute crucial habitats for fauna and can buffer ambient environmental conditions. The latter property should be especially relevant during extreme weather conditions, which are forecast to increase under anthropogenic climate change. We investigated the buffering capacity of Eucalyptus oleosa F.Muell. ex Miq. subsp. oleosa tree hollows in semi-arid southern Australia for 28 days under a wide range of ambient temperatures. Tree hollows provided more stable microclimates than ambient conditions, maintaining lower temperatures and higher humidity during the day and higher temperatures and lower humidity during the night. Daytime buffering capacity increased slightly with depth and we recorded a maximum buffering of 15.1°C below ambient temperatures. Maximum day time buffering capacity increased at a rate of approximately 0.6°C per 1°C increase in ambient temperature, meaning that maximum buffering capacity was reached during the hottest periods. The high buffering capacity of tree hollows suggests that old trees with deep hollows are important in facilitating the persistence of fauna during extreme weather events. Therefore, protecting old-growth forests and vegetation remnants that are rich in tree hollows is an important strategy for mitigating the impact of climate change on fauna.
Parasitism of water mite larvae (Hydrachnellae) of the genus Hydrachna on water beetles in Poland

Six species of the genus Hydrachna parasitizing beetles were found by investigations on 35150 water beetles (six families and 244 species). Hydrachna geographica, H. inermis, and H. incognita were the most numerous and were collected from 22 species of Dytiscidae and Hydrophillidae. The infestation rate varied from 0.1 to 71.4 %. The water mite parazited several species but preferred some of them. Larvae were usually found under the elytra, but the specimens of H inermis were attached on the surface of the body. The size of larvae varied from 0.15 to 5 mm. The relations between the size of larvae and the sampling suggested that the reproduction occurs from spring to summer. The investigated species of water mites chiefly colonize spring astatic waters where no typical coleopterofauna has been determined. This fact suggests that the zone of infection is separated from the zone of parasitism.
Effect of Trifluralin on Roots of Corn and Cotton

Seed of corn (Zea mays L., var. Texas 28) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., var. Deltapine smooth leaf) were planted in sand and subsequently drenched with solutions of α,α,α trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin). The levels of herbicide used inhibited growth of roots and shoots in both crops, but cotton proved more tolerant than corn. The roots failed to elongate normally, but the lateral growth that continued gave the radicle a “club-shaped” appearance, especially in corn. Stained sections of the roots were mounted as permanent slides for study. The cells at the extreme tip of the treated roots were small and dense; many were multinucleate. Immediately behind this region, the cells were abnormally large, thin-walled, and aberrant. A disorganized type of nuclear division was evident. Cell plate and cell wall formation were apparently rare. Although we found no normal sequence of mitosis in cells of treated roots, all stages of mitosis were seen in the untreated roots.
CYTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE OF THE CORPUSCLES OF STANNIUS IN THE OSMOREGULATION OF TELEOSTS

1. The effects of DCA, pitressin, water, and sodium and potassium chloride on the cytology of the corpuscles of Stannius were studied by means of Baker's acid hematein stain for phospholipids. The fresh water characin Astyanax mexicanus was used.2. Two kinds of changes in the cells of the corpuscles were brought about by the experimental procedures: degranulation, loss of cytoplasm and consequent decrease in size of cells accompanied the administration of potassium chloride, undiluted pitressin and long continued immersion in 1% sodium chloride, and hypertrophy of cells with increase in numbers and size of blackened granules accompanied the administration of water, diluted pitressin and DCA.3. Loss of staining reaction in mitochondria of kidney tubules was associated with increased secretory activity in the corpuscles of Stannius except in the case of long continued DCA administration and administration of pitressin.4. The results are interpreted as indicating a function of the corpuscles of Stannius in t.
Antibacterial activity of marine molluscs from Portonovo region

Ethanol extracts of five gastropod species were tested against nine pathogens. The extracts of (Chicoreus virgineus) hypobranchial gland and egg capsules of Rapana rapiformis exhibited broad spectral antibacterial activities. Both these extracts were also fractioned using silica gel chromatography. The egg capsule extract fractions exhibited significant activity against pathogens, so that this can be used to develop potential antibacterial drugs.
The Effect of Grants on University Dropout Rates: Evidence from the Italian Case

In this paper we evaluate the impact of need-based grants on university outcomes, using student-level administrative data from all Italian universities. We compare students receiving the grant to those who were eligible but not awarded the grant. We estimate the average treatment, using blocking on the propensity score with regression adjustment. We show that around one-third of student recipients of grants would have left university at the end of the first year in absence of the aid. Moreover, grants have a relevant impact on the probability of completing college education.
Changes of Composition and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme-Inhibitory Activity During Douchi Fermentation

Douchi is a fermented soybean food, which is popular in China. Composition and angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity of Douchi fermented with Mucor wutungkiao were studied in this work. The results showed that the nutritional potency of protein, fat, and soluble polysaccharide was improved in Douchi fermentation. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity of Douchi that ripening for 2 weeks showed the highest angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity. Then this sample was purified with Sephadex G-25 gel chromatography, and the amino acids and angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity of the purified fractions were studied. The results suggested that hydrophobic amino acids were assumed to cause the main increase of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity in Douchi.
A physical and genomic map of the prokaryote Spiroplasma melliferum and its comparison with the Spiroplasma citri map

Le genome de Spiroplasma melliferum, souche BC-3, a ete cartographie au moyen de la technique d'electrophorese en champ pulse et avec l'aide de plusieurs enzymes de restriction. Plusieurs marqueurs genetiques ont ete localises sur la carte. Le chromosome de S. melliferum contient aussi de nombreuses sequences homologues a celles de deux virus SpV1 (virus de spiroplasme). La taille du genome de S. melliferum est de 360 kpb inferieure a celle de Spiroplasma citri, souche R8A2-HP. Les genomes de deux spiroplasmes ont des organisations similaires, avec, neanmoins des indications de rearrangements chromosomiques
Litter decomposition in Afrotropical streams: Effects of land use, home-field advantage, and terrestrial herbivory

Land use can strongly affect litter decomposition, a key ecosystem process in low-order streams. Recent evidence suggests that additional drivers of decomposition rates may include: 1) home-field advantage, whereby litter decomposes faster near the site of litter origin than at distant sites; and 2) terrestrial herbivory, whereby herbivore damage to leaves induces plant defenses that influence subsequent decomposition in streams. To compare the relative importance of these 3 potential drivers of decomposition rates, we conducted a decomposition experiment in Afrotropical streams and manipulated land use (farm vs forest sites), home-field advantage (leaves decomposing in streams near vs away from site of leaf collection), and terrestrial herbivory (using leaves varying in extent of herbivore damage). We measured decomposition in both fine-mesh and coarse-mesh litter bags to compare drivers of microbial vs invertebrate-mediated decomposition. Microbial decomposition in fine-mesh bags was unaffected by the experimental treatments. In coarse-mesh bags, land use was the only factor strongly associated with decomposition rate, most likely because invertebrate shredders are absent from farm sites. We conclude that home-field advantage and terrestrial herbivory have relatively-weak effects on litter decomposition rates in Afrotropical streams compared to a major anthropogenic disturbance such as agricultural land use.
Complement Regulation on Vascular Endothelial Cells—Insights into the Pathogenesis of Thrombotic Microangiopathy

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that occurs due to defective regulation of the alternative complement pathway (AP). We developed a novel model system using Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells (BOEC), whereby the response of these cells to complement challenge could be examined under static and microfluidic conditions, in order to study aHUS pathogenesis. Complete blockade of the membrane-anchored, AP regulator CD46/MCP, associated with disease in patients, was insufficient to cause an ex vivo TMA phenotype. Increasing „complement challenge‟, mimicking additional genetic „hits‟ in complement regulation achieved the phenotype. In addition, using BOEC from patients lacking von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a hemostatic protein released from activated endothelial cells, we showed that contrary to current opinion, vWF does not amplify complement, rather regulates it. The paucity of vWF in the glomerular endothelium could explain the vulnerability of the kidney to loss of complement control in aHUS.
Towards more realistic estimates of DOM decay in streams: Incubation methods, light, and non-additive effects

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the largest pool of organic matter in aquatic ecosystems and is a primary substrate for microbial respiration in streams. However, understanding the controls on DOM processing by microbes remains limited, and DOM decay rates remain largely unconstrained. Many DOM decay rates are quantified with bioassays in dark bottles, which may underestimate DOM decay in streams because these bioassays do not include a benthic zone and do not account for abiotic factors of DOM loss, such as photodegradation and volatilization. We measured decay of labile and semi-labile DOM over 3 d in experimental streams and bottle bioassays. Incubations included 3 types of labile DOM (algal, light-degraded soil, and light-degraded plant leachates) and 2 types of semi-labile DOM (plant and soil leachates). We also quantified decay rates when labile and semi-labile DOM were mixed to test for non-additive effects, or priming, of semi-labile DOM by labile DOM. We converted dissolved organic carbon (DOC) decay rates to half-lives and uptake velocities and compared these metrics to previous studies that quantified DOC loss in bioassays or real streams. Percent DOC lost over time, or biodegradable DOC, was greater in experimental streams than in bioassays. DOC decay rates and uptake velocities did not differ between bioassays and experimental streams but were lower than in real streams. Mixing of labile and semi-labile DOM resulted in both positive and negative non-additive effects. Consistent non-additive effects were difficult to quantify because decay rates were not constant over the course of each incubation, as shown by faster decay rates calculated over the first 6 h of incubation compared to >70 h. Decay rates of leachates from natural substrates (e.g., algae and soil) incubated over short periods of time (hours–days) are needed for models that aim to quantify organic matter transformation in aquatic ecosystems with short residence times, such as rivers and streams.
Study of extraction and functional properties of rice bran protein concentrate

Rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) was prepared by chemical (NaOH, HCI) and enzymatic (Filtrase® BR) extractions and subjected to study of functional property, including nitrogen solubility, foaming capacity (FC), foaming stability (FS), emulsion capacity (EC), and emulsion stability (ES). RBPC extracted by both methods showed the lowest solubility at pH 4. The FC of RBPC extracted by chemical method was 66%, which was significantly lower (p 0.05) from that of the standard bovine serum albumin (49.20%). The ES of both RBPC and bovine serum albumin were in the range of 47-48% and also not statistically different from one another. The results obtained from this study can be used as basis information for application of RBPC as an ingredient in different food models.
Variation in Egg Size of the Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix

Variation in egg size of a population of the Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix was studied at Trondheim in Central Norway, during the period 1979-1982. No significant differences in egg volume were found neither from one year to another nor within different sized clutches, nor with laying date. The hatchability of small sized eggs and of eggs laid late in the laying order was lower than that of large sized eggs and of eggs laid early in the laying order. For all clutch sizes, a decrease in egg volume was found with increasing order of laying. All the last laid eggs (n = 39) had a smaller volume than the mean for the same clutch. The relative size of the first laid eggs (deviation from the mean for the same clutch) decreased with increasing clutch size. A significant positive correlation existed between the body weight of the hatchling and the volume of the egg from which it hatched. Both male and female hatchlings hatched from eggs of similar size, and had roughly the same body weights at hatching.
Vascular epiphytic flora of a high montane environment of Brazilian Atlantic Forest: composition and floristic relationships with other ombrophilous forests

Only a few studies regarding vascular epiphytes have been conducted in mixed ombrophilous forests (MOF) in Serra da Mantiqueira, a mountainous environment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where the relationships of epiphytic flora with other physiognomies are unknown. This study aimed to survey the epiphytes of a MOF remnant located in Serra da Mantiqueira, and to analyze the floristic relationships with ombrophilous forests of the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. The checklist was compared with 51 other areas composed of ombrophilous forests and/or ecotones with other physiognomies using UPGMA (with Sorensen index), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). We recorded 138 species, and Orchidaceae and Polypodiaceae were the richest families (51 and 23 species, respectively). The UPGMA showed the importance of physiognomy and elevation in the floristic relationships, and CCA reinforced the influence of elevation, in addition to the shortest distance to the ocean and minimum annual temperature; however, in this analysis, the physiognomies showed little influence on the relationships. The epiphytic flora of MOF of Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil has different relationships compared with the data available for shrubs and trees, suggesting a greater importance of phorophytic species than geographical distance and, to some extent, environmental variables.
Effect of Essential Oils on Aeromonas hydrophila in a Culture Medium and in Cooked Pork.

The inhibitory effects of essential oils of coriander, clove, nutmeg, and pepper towards Aeromonas hydrophila were studied in tryptic soy agar. Essential oils of clove, coriander, and nutmeg at concentrations of 500, 1,250, and 10,000 μg/ml, respectively, were effective in inhibiting the growth of A. hydrophila on tryptic soy agar. Pepper was the least active oil of which 15,000 μg/ml appeared to inhibit only a diluted culture of A. hydrophila . Behavior of A. hydrophila was also evaluated in samples of noncured cooked pork treated either with coriander or clove oil. Meat samples were packaged either under vacuum or air and stored at 2 and 10°C. Both essential oils caused a marked reduction of A. hydrophila number. In the meat samples treated with clove oil and stored at 10°C, the lethal effect was significantly enhanced by the vacuum packaging. These data suggest that essential oils of coriander and clove could be used to control the hazard of A. hydrophila in noncured cooked meat at low and increased temperatures, especially in combination with vacuum packaging.
Influence de la concentration en dioxyde de carbone sur la qualité aromatique des fraises après l'entreposage

La fraise est un fruit hautement perissable. De nouvelles techniques de conditionnement pourraient etre developpees pour ameliorer la duree de survie de ces fruits. Ces techniques, basees sur l'utilisation de films d'emballages particuliers permettent le maintien des produits en atmospheres modifiees (diminution du taux d'oxygene et augmentation du taux de dioxyde de carbone) par rapport a l'air normal
RESPONSE OF STOATS (MUSTELA ERMINEA) TO A FLUCTUATING LEMMING (DICROSTONYXGROENLANDICUS) POPULATION IN NORTH EAST GREENLAND : PRELIMINARY RESULTS FRO M A LONG-TERM STUDY

Interactions between lemmings and stoats were documented over 6 years through system atic and comprehensive surveys of lemming winter nests in a 1 000 ha study area located in North East Greenland. The surveys revealed a cyclic pattern in the lemming population. The response of stoats to the increase of the lemming population was delayed by about 18 months. The increase phase of lemmings was featured by very low stoat densities. The collapse of the lemming population in late summer 1990 happened when, as a result of an increase in the in stoat population, young stoats dispersed to their own territories and occupied the whole area. Following the crash, stoats seem to have kept the lemming popaulation at a low level until 1992, with the subsequent local extinction of stoat during winter 1992/93. The clear-cut patterns observed in NE Greenland are probably due to the simplicity of the community and may also be related to the very deep snow cover in this part of the High Arctic. As a result, the due to vertebrate predator/prey community is simply composed of stoats, lemmings and ptarmigans over more than 2/3 of the year.
Response of Pumpkin and Chinese Cabbage to Increasing Copper and Cobalt Levels in Irrigation Water on Sandy and Clay Loam Soils

A study where Chinese cabbage and pumpkin crops were grown on sandy loam and clay loam soils and irrigated with water contaminated with five levels of contamination from 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% of smelter water was carried out in a greenhouse. Copper concentration in Chinese cabbage ranged from 4.0 mg/kg in control treatments to 539.0 mg/kg in 100% contaminated water. In pumpkin, Cu ranged from 9.0 mg/kg in control to 142.0 mg/kg when irrigate with 100% contaminated water. Mean Cu in plants grown on sandy loam soil was 217.4 mg/kg dry and 79.3 mg/kg when grown on clay loam. Co in plants grown on sandy loam soil was 86.6 mg/kg and 47.0 mg/kg on clay loam soil. Increasing above ground tissue Cu in Chinese cabbage results in biomass yield decrease according to the equation Y = 7.624e -0.0016x , (R 2 = 0.74) and in pumpkin decreased according to the equation Y = 8.4895e -0.004x (R 2 = 0.58). This study suggests that Chinese cabbage tends to accumulate higher amounts of Cu and Co than pumpkin. It can be concluded from this study that irrigating crops with contaminated results in higher uptake of contaminants and reduced biomass on sandy loam than clay loam soils.