Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whey protein aerated gels as a new product obtained using ambient temperature magnesium and iron(II) induced gelation

The objective of the research was to obtain aerated gels by magnesium and iron(II) ion induced gelation of preheated whey protein isolate dispersions. Preliminary research allowed finding conditions of the pH, protein, and ion concentrations to produce aerated gels capable of holding air bubbles. A novel method applying gelation and aeration process simultaneously was used. Aeration using a laboratory mixer at 2000 r.p.m. produced stronger aerated gels than using a homogenizer at 8000 r.p.m. The gelation process was monitored using an ultrasound viscometer and a constant increase of dynamic viscosity was noted. A different aerated gel microstructure was observed for magnesium and iron(II) induced gels, which probably resulted in differences in the texture and viscosity, as well. The aeration process decreased hardness. In some cases texture parameters correlated with the viscosity measured using an ultrasound viscometer. Aerated whey protein gels could be applied as matrices for food applications or to controlled release of active ingredients.
Comparison of empirical models depicting density of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and relative leaf area as predictors of yield loss in maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary The outcome of crop-weed competition should be predicted as early as possible in order to allow time for weed control measures. Maize grain yield losses caused by interference from Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed) were determined in 1991 and 1992. The performance of three empirical models of crop-weed competition were evaluated. Damage functions were calculated based on the weed density or relative leaf area of the weed. In the yield loss-weed density model, values of I (percentage yield loss at low weed density) were relatively stable for similar emergence dates of A. retroflexus across years and locations. Estimated maximum yield loss (A) was more variable between locations and may reflect environmental variation and its effect on crop-weed competition, at least in 1991. The two-parameter yield loss-relative leaf area model, based on m (maximum yield loss caused by weeds) and q (the relative damage coefficient) gave a better fit than the single-parameter version of the model (which includes only q). In both relative leaf area models, the values of q varied between years and locations. Attempts to stabilize the value of q by using the relative growth rate of the leaves of the crop and weed were successful; however, the practical application of such relative leaf area models may still be limited owing to the lack of a method to estimate leaf area index quickly and accurately.
Efeito da idade de corte sobre a composição bromatológica e as características da silagem de cana-de-açúcar plantada em dois espaçamentos e três idades de corte

The objective of this experiment was to identify the effect of row spacing (0.90 m and 1.30 m) and harvesting ages on the chemical composition and characteristics of sugarcane silage and productivity of the RB72-454 variety sugarcane. The experiment was carried out from November 2004 to January 2006. Treatments consisted of a combination of 0.90 m and 1.30 m row spacing and harvesting ages were 240 days (plant-cane), 180 days (regrowth) and 420 days (plant-cane). A randomized block experimental design was used, with five replications per treatment. The experimental silos were PVC pipes with individual covers, stored in a ventilated place for 90 days. The data analysis demonstrated there was no significant effect of the row spacing on the sugarcane chemical composition. The harvest age had significant effect on contents of dry matter, crude protein, mineral, neutral fiber detergent, acid fiber detergent, lignin and obrix. Reduction in the cell wall constituents was observed with the maturation of the plant, because of the increase in soluble carbohydrates. The silage showed increased protein content and cellular wall constituent because of the use of the soluble carbohydrates in the fermentation process. The nutritive composition not was affected by row spacing. Sugar cane harvesting at 240 and 180 days resulted in greater nutritive losses during ensiling.
In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium alternifolium (wt) Walp

The study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity (by both in-vitro and in-vivo) of both chloroform and methanol root extracts of Syzygium alternifolium(wt) Walp. Methods used for the studies are In-vitro measurement of 5-lipoxygenase inhibition and in-vivo measurement of rat paw edema and ear edema in rats, acetic acid induced writhing response and heat induced pain. Our findings clearly indicate that S. alternifolium chloroform root extract showed 5-LOX inhibition activity similar with the standard drug, Zileutin. In in-vivo anti-inflammatory studies, S. alternifolium chloroform root extract exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to the S. alternifoliummethanolic root extract. Similar results were observed in the acetic acid induced writhing model and radiant heat induce model. Hence, it was concluded that S. alternifoliumchloroform root extract exhibited more degree of efficacy in comparison to the S. alternifolium methanolic extract and good in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory effect. Key words: Syzygium alternifolium, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), analgesia, inflammation.
Species traits explain recent range shifts of Finnish butterflies

This study provides a novel systematic comparative analysis of the species characteristics affecting the range margin shifts in butterflies towards higher latitudes, while taking phylogenetic relatedness among species into account. We related observed changes in the northern range margins of 48 butterfly species in Finland between two time periods (1992–1996 and 2000–2004) to 11 species traits. Species with positive records in at least ten 10 km × 10 km grid squares (in the Finnish National Butterfly Recording Scheme, NAFI) in both periods were included in the study. When corrected for range size change, the 48 butterfly species had shifted their range margins northwards on average by 59.9 km between the study periods, with maximum shifts of over 300 km for three species. This rate of range shifts exceeds all previously reported records worldwide. Our findings may be explained by two factors: the study region is situated in higher latitudes than in most previous studies and it focuses on the period of most prominent warming during the last 10–15 years. Several species traits exhibited a significant univariate relationship with the range margin shift according to generalized estimation equations (GEE) taking into account the phylogenetic relatedness among species. Nonthreatened butterflies had on average expanded their ranges strongly northwards (84.5 km), whereas the distributions of threatened species were stationary (−2.1 km). Hierarchical partitioning (HP) analysis indicated that mobile butterflies living in forest edges and using woody plants as their larval hosts exhibited largest range shifts towards the north. Thus, habitat availability and dispersal capacity of butterfly species are likely to determine whether they will be successful in shifting their ranges in response to the warming climate.
Antihyperglycemic Profile of Trichosanthes dioica. Seeds in Experimental Models

Abstract Natural remedies from medicinal plants are considered to be effective and safe alternative treatments for diabetes mellitus. The current study deals with the effect of a single oral dose of the aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica. Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae) seeds in different diabetic animal models. Evaluation of the antihyperglycemic effect in normal, subdiabetic, and mild diabetic animal models is based on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies. The graded doses of the extract, viz., 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), were administered orally. It was found that the blood glucose concentration decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. was found to be most effective with a maximum fall of 30.4% at 6 h during FBG studies in normal rats. However, the GTT studies showed the maximum reduction of 26.6% at 5 h in normal rats. Moreover, in case of subdiabetic and mild diabetic rats, the observed reduction in blood glucose levels was 32.8% and 35.9%, respectively, at 3 h during GTT. The data clearly reveal the significant antihyperglycemic profile of Trichosanthes dioica. seeds.
Disruption of transforming growth factor β signaling and profibrotic responses in normal skin fibroblasts by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ

OBJECTIVE In fibroblasts, transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) stimulates collagen synthesis and myofibroblast transdifferentiation through the Smad intracellular signal transduction pathway. TGF beta-mediated fibroblast activation is the hallmark of scleroderma and related fibrotic conditions, and disrupting the intracellular TGF beta/Smad signaling may provide a novel approach to controlling fibrosis. Because of its potential role in modulating inflammatory and fibrotic responses, we examined the expression of the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) in normal skin fibroblasts and its effect on TGF beta-induced cellular responses. METHODS The expression and activity of PPAR gamma in normal dermal fibroblasts were examined by Northern and Western blot analyses, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and transient transfections with reporter constructs. The same approaches were used to evaluate the effects of PPAR gamma activation by naturally occurring and synthetic ligands on collagen synthesis and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression. Modulation of Smad-mediated transcriptional responses was examined by transient transfection assays using wild-type and dominant-negative PPAR gamma expression constructs. RESULTS The PPAR gamma receptor was expressed and fully functional in quiescent normal skin fibroblasts. Whereas ligand activation of cellular PPAR gamma resulted in modest suppression of basal collagen gene expression, it abrogated TGF beta-induced stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. This response was mimicked by overexpressing PPAR gamma in fibroblasts, and was blocked by a selective antagonist of PPAR gamma signaling or by transfection of fibroblasts with dominant-negative PPAR gamma constructs. Furthermore, PPAR gamma ligands abrogated TGF beta-induced expression of alpha-SMA, a marker of myofibroblasts. Stimulation of Smad-dependent transcriptional responses by TGF beta was suppressed by PPAR gamma despite the absence of a consensus PPAR gamma-response element in the targeted promoters. Ligand-induced activation of fibroblast PPAR gamma had no effect on protein expression of cellular Smad3 or Smad7. CONCLUSION By abrogating of TGF beta-induced stimulation of collagen gene expression, myofibroblast transdifferentiation, and Smad-dependent promoter activity in normal fibroblasts, PPAR gamma may play a physiologic role in the regulation of the profibrotic response. Furthermore, our results suggest that PPAR gamma activation by pharmacologic agonists may represent a novel approach to the control of fibrosis in scleroderma.
The Origin of Higher Clades: Osteology, Myology, Phylogeny and Evolution of Bony Fishes and the Rise of Tetrapods

Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations 1. Introduction and Aims 2. Methodology and Material 3. Phylogenetic Analysis 3.1 Cladistic Analysis, Diagnosis for Clades Obtained, and Comparison with Previous Hypotheses 4. Comparative Anatomy, Higher-level Phylogeny and Macroevolution of Osteichthyans-A Discussion 4.1 Brief Summary of the Phylogenetic Results Obtained in the Cladistic Analysis 4.2 Comparative Anatomy, Homologies, and Evolution of Osteichthyan Cranial Muscles 4.3 Cranial Muscles, Zebrafish, and Evolutionary Developmental Biology 4.4 Comparative Anatomy, Homologies and Evolution of Osteichthyan Pectoral Muscles 4.5 Origin, Homologies and Evolution of the Weberian Apparatus 4.6 Myological versus Osteological Characters in Phylogenetic Reconstructions: A New Insight References Plates 1-7 Index
Production of High Quality Fish Oil by Thermal Treatment and Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysis from Fresh Norwegian Spring Spawning Herring By-Products

There is an increasing demand for omega-3 containing fish oils. By-products from fish fillet production can be utilized for the production of fish oils and be a valuable source of omega-3 for human consumption. The aim of this work was to evaluate industrial processes for production of quality oil for human consumption made from Norwegian spring spawning herring by-products. A mobile production plant was used to compare two industrial processes, thermal treatment (wet rendering) and enzymatic protein hydrolysis, for production of oil from herring by-products immediately after filleting. Results show that high quality herring oil can be produced from fresh by-products. The use of by-products immediately after filleting resulted in a low amount of free fatty acids for all the produced oils (below 0.4%). Thermal treatment at 70°C resulted in an oil with lower oxidation status and higher stability compared to the oils produced by enzymatic protein hydrolysis. Nevertheless, both processing methods gave a crude oil of high quality compared to crude oils on the market.
Floral and reproductive biology of Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link (Droseraceae)

We studied the floral and reproductive biology of Drosophyllym lusitanicum (Droseraceae), a species endemic to the western Iberian Peninsula and northwest Morocco. Flowering lasted from March to August, peaking in April. The species is clearly homogamous, with pollen germination and stigma receptivity occurring even in preanthesis. This was reflected in the high rates of fruit set and seed set in bagged inflorescences. Fructification did not differ significantly between different pollination treatments, although we did find differences between some treatments in the numbers of viable seeds per flower and fruit. However, seed weight did not differ significantly. The importance of self-pollination over cross-pollination was also supported by the low percentages of fructification (24.67%) after emasculation and open pollination. Metameric deviations were seen in flowers, although this abnormality was not translated as any reproductive benefit or disadvantage (fructification, number or weight of seeds) in comparison with normal flowers.
Regulating the Regulator

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens are almost exclusively expressed on immune cells such as dendritic cells and activated macrophages. It is known that their expression is necessary for the activation of lymphocytes and for a healthy immune response. The master transcription factor CIITA, which switches on class II MHC gene expression, must itself be regulated. In a Perspective, Mach discusses how this master transcription factor may be regulated by binding to the signaling molecule guanosine triphosphate (GTP) (as described in this issue by Harton et al .)
Detecting selective sweeps in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster

The goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the selective sweep models and the statistical and computational methods that disentangle selective sweeps from neutrality. In the Introduction of the thesis I review the literature on the main approaches that have been developed in the last decade to separate selective sweeps from neutral demographic scenarios. Methods on complete and incomplete selective sweeps are reviewed as well as selective sweeps on structured populations. Further, I analyze the effects of past demographic events, especially bottlenecks, on the genealogies of a sample. Finally, I demonstrate that the ineffectiveness of separating selective sweeps from bottlenecks stems from the lack of robust statistics, and most importantly from the similar genealogies that bottlenecks and selective sweeps may generate locally on a recombining chromosome. In the first chapter I introduce a method that combines statistical tests in a machine learning framework, in order to disentangle selective sweeps from neutral demographic scenarios. The approach uses support vectormachines to learn examples from neutral scenarios and scenarios with selection. I demonstrate that the novel approach outperforms previously published approaches for a variety of demographic scenarios. The main reason for the performance difference is the usage of the scenarios with selection, that are not analyzed by classical statistical methods. In the second chapter of the thesis I present an application of the methods on detecting a selective sweep in the African population of D. melanogaster. Demographic history and ascertainment bias schemes have been taken into account. Results pinpoint to the HDAC6 gene as a target of recent positive selection. This study demonstrates the variable threshold approach, which remedies the tendency of some neutrality tests to detect selective sweeps at the edges of the region of interest. In the third chapter I present the results of the analysis of selective sweeps in multi-locus models. I assume that a phenotypic trait evolves under stabilizing or directional selection. In contrast to the classical models of selective sweeps, the evolutionary trajectory of an allele that affects the trait might belong to one of the three categories: it either fixes, disappears or remains polymorphic. Thereafter, I analyze the properties of coalescent trees and neutral polymorphism patterns that are generated from each of the three categories. I show that for the majority of simulated datasets selection cannot be detected unless the trajectory is either fixed or close to fixation.
Comparison of reliability of catch-at-age analyses using auxiliary survey estimates of relative or absolute recruitment

J'ai utilise des simulations basees sur une peche au chalut de la veuve (Sebastes entomelas) pour comparer la fiabilite des analyses des captures selon l'âge a l'aide d'estimations fournies par des releves auxiliaires portant sur le recrutement relatif ou absolu. On posait que ces estimations du recrutement avaient un coefficient de variation (CV) de 0, 25 ou 50%. Les analyses des captures selon l'âge ont ete effectuees annuellement a compter de la 8 e annee d'un horizon de gestion de 20 ans, a partir des donnees de la 7 e a la 19 e annee sur les captures selon l'âge et de celles fournies par les releves. Les erreurs dans la taille estimee du stock etaient autocorrelees; elles etaient souvent grandes dans la periode de la 8 e a la 12 e annee, mais elles baissaient considerablement a partir du moment ou on disposait de 12 a 15 annees de donnees. A des CV de releves se chiffrant a 25-50%, une estimation precise (±20%) de la taille du stock etait environ deux fois plus probable lorsqu'on mesurait l'abondance absolue plutot que l'abondance relative. Il arrivait frequemment que des resultats similaires soient obtenus pour des releves imprecis de l'abondance absolue (CV = 50%) et pour des releves plus precis de l'abondance relative (CV = 25%). A cause du plus grand degre d'erreur dans l'estimation de l'abondance et dans l'etablissement des quotas de capture, les projections demographiques variaient davantage quand on se fiait a un releve de l'abondance relative. Dans un cas (taux cible de mortalite par peche de 0,25, CV du releve de 25%), on a pu estimer de facon fiable les projections lineaires relatives a la biomasse a l'aide de donnees sur l'abondance, qu'elle soit relative ou absolue.
Organic matter and benthic metabolism in euphotic sediments along shallow sub-tropical estuaries, northern New South Wales, Australia

Sediment organic matter (OM), chloropigments and benthic metabolism (oxygen, carbon dioxide and alkalinity fluxes) were investigated along 3 sub-tropical Australian estuaries during different seasons. Significant rates of benthic productivity occurred throughout the year in the study estuaries, especially in the lower reaches where sediments were commonly net autotrophic. Benthic microalgae (BMA) contributed up to 20% of the total carbon content in the lower estuary sands, while organic matter was dominated by phytodetritus and allochthonous material in the middle to upper estuaries. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) incubations were carried out on surface sediments to investigate labile carbon contents. SOD normalised to sediment carbon content (SOD mol C -1 ) confirmed a much higher proportion of labile OM in the lower estuary sediments due to a predominance of living BMA, while the OM pool in the upper and middle estuaries was relatively more degraded. SOD mol C -1 correlated well with both the C:N and the chlorophyll:pheophytin ratios of surface sediments, providing 3 independent measures of sediment OM quality. Comparisons between SOD and benthic community respiration rates (O 2 fluxes) measured in sediment core incubations suggested that oxygen demand due to the oxidation of reduced sulphur compounds formed a significant fraction of the O 2 flux, and that fluxes may be enhanced by bioturbation. O 2 and TCO 2 respiration rates were overall poorly correlated and suggested that benthic metabolism is characterised by periods of anaerobic mineralisation (TCO 2 :O 2 > 2) during periods of high OM supply, followed by aerobic respiration and reoxidation (TCO 2 :O 2 1 to 2) as OM supply waned. At many sites throughout the study TCO 2 :O 2 flux ratios were less than 1 and coupled with alkalinity uptakes, indicating that either sulphide oxidation or nitrification may be significant influences on the benthic fluxes. These processes cause a net drawdown on O 2 effluxes that can lead to significant underestimations of benthic productivity. As such, the use of CO 2 and O 2 fluxes yield distinctly different measures of benthic metabolism.
Chloroplast phylogeography of a temperate tree Pteroceltis tatarinowii (Ulmaceae) in China

Abstract Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim. (Ulmaceae), one of the most widespread temperate canopy trees in mainland China, is the sole representative of the genus Pteroceltis. To illuminate the biogeographic and demographic history of this temperate tree species, we carried out a survey of chloroplast DNA sequence variation (trnS‐trnG and psbA‐trnH) within and among 28 populations (284 individuals in total) representing most of the distributional range of the species. Based on a total of 13 haplotypes identified, P. tatarinowii was found to harbor surprisingly high levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity (hT= 0.71; πT= 2.83 × 10−3), possibly associated with its long evolutionary history and wide‐scale geographical distribution. Significant chloroplast DNA population subdivision was detected (GST= 0.898; NST= 0.938), suggesting low levels of recurrent gene flow through seeds among populations and significant phylogeographical structure (NST > GST, P < 0.05). The ancestral haplotypes show clear‐cut geographical distribution, and most regions possess a unique set of haplotypes, suggesting multiple potential refugia of the species occurring in montane areas of South China. The haplotype mismatch distributions analysis indicates that populations from North China underwent a spatial northward expansion, which might reflect one of the repeated Pleistocene south‐to‐north shifts of temperate deciduous forest in North China following cold periods.