Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local old olive landrace varieties in Israel—Valuable plant genetic resources in olive cultivation

It is assumed that the cultivation of olive trees started in the East Mediterranean in the third millennia BCE. Throughout history and until recently, successful olive clones were maintained vegetatively and were grafted either on seedlings or on spheroblasts removed from the base of the trunk. It therefore can be hypothesized that local old olive trees, older than 500 years might represent an ancient gene pool. Modern terminology categorizes local genotypes into four main variety groups. However, in traditional terminology these were further differentiated into 27 cultivars according to their phenotypic traits. This genetic diversity, along with the fact that olive trees have been cultivated in a wide range of environmental conditions, might also suggest that adaption to specific conditions played a major role in the selection of rootstocks and scions. We therefore consider it important to start a conservation program of this valuable genetic resource that can be used in future breeding programs.
Efficacité d'un exutoire de dévalaison pour smolts de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.) et comportement des poissons au niveau de l'aménagement hydroélectrique de Bedous sur le Gave d'Aspe étudiés par la technique de marquage-recapture et par radiotélémétrie

Deux experimentations ont ete conduites en 1995 et 1998 au niveau de la prise d'eau de l'amenagement hydroelectrique de Bedous sur le Gave d'Aspe afin de tester l'efficacite d'un exutoire de devalaison pour smolts de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.). Le dispositif de devalaison est situe en rive droite a proximite immediate du plan des grilles. Le debit moyen alimentant l'exutoire a varie au cours de l'etude de 0,4 m 3 /s a 1,2 m 3 /s ce qui correspond a 1,6 % a 4,3 % du debit turbine. L'efficacite du dispositif a ete evaluee grâce a la technique de marquage-recapture. Le comportement des smolts dans le canal d'amenee a ete suivi par radiotelemetrie. L'efficacite de l'exutoire (moyenne : 17 %) s'est revelee tres faible en 1995 a cause de conditions hydrauliques defavorables. Un mur deflecteur a ete mis en place en 1997 afin de modifier l'ecoulement dans le canal et ameliorer le guidage des poissons vers l'entree du dispositif de devalaison. L'efficacite de l'exutoire est passee a 55 %. Le comportement des poissons a l'amont immediat des grilles de prise d'eau est tres dependant des conditions hydrodynamiques dans le canal d'amenee. L'efficacite de l'exutoire semble croitre avec la longueur des poissons, la proportion des classes de taille inferieures a 19 cm etant plus faible sur les poissons pieges que sur les poissons lâches. Cette selection est tres certainement liee a 'espacement relativement important des barreaux des grilles de la prise d'eau (30 mm) qui malgre le courant tangentiel au plan de grilles demeurent plus permeables aux individus les plus petits. L'eclairage de l'entree de l'exutoire ne parait pas avoir d'influence sur les deplacements des poissons radiomarques dans le canal d'amenee, le facteur hydraulique etant preponderant. Il modifie cependant les rythmes de passage des poissons par l'exutoire.
Compensation potential in six depleted groundfish stocks from the Northwest Atlantic1

Compensatory responses are important because they increase spawning stock biomass (SSB) growth rates in depleted fish populations. We analyze recruits per spawner (R/SSB) and spawners per recruit (SSB/R) data from six well-studied depleted, or depleted and recovering, Northwest Atlantic groundfish stocks for evidence of compensatory responses. All stocks had periods of high R/SSB at low SSB; however, R/SSB showed considerable variability, and significant compensatory responses were only found in two stocks. For compensation in SSB/R, relationships were significant for three of the stocks. We examined the potential impact of compensation in R/SSB and SSB/R on SSB growth rate and concluded that SSB/R could have a greater potential impact on enhancing SSB growth rate in depleted stocks. Overall, cod (Gadus morhua) populations showed greater compensation than flatfish, mainly due to the lower potential in flatfish to increase SSB/R. This suggests that cod are more resilient to overfishing than are flatfish. E.
The effect of cryoprotectants during freezing or freeze drying upon properties of washed mechanically recovered broiler meat

Mechanically recovered meat (MRM) from broilers was washed three times with water and subjected to either slow or rapid freezing or freeze-drying with, or without, the presence of cryoprotectants. Both freezing and freeze-drying reduced the functionality of the MRM when no cryoprotectants were used. Sorbitol/sucrose showed some protection of gel forming ability of frozen samples whilst sorbitol/sucrose with tripolyphosphate gave stronger gels after freezing or freeze-drying than fresh samples. Most of the loss of functionality during freezing or freeze-drying was caused by loss of solubility of myosin and to a lesser extent actin. This was supported by DSC studies. The combined presence of sorbitol/sucrose/tripolyphosphate restored most functional properties of the frozen or freeze-dried material to that of the fresh material.
Carapace and mandibles ontogeny in the Dendrobranchiata (Decapoda), Euphausiacea, and Mysidacea (Crustacea): a phylogenetic interest

The ontogeny of the carapace and the mandibles has been studied for one species of Dendrobranchiata (Decapoda), four species of Euphausiacea, and three species of Mysidacea (one species of Lophogastrida and two species of Mysida). The protocephalic origin of the carapace, which arises from the antennar tergite, is confirmed. During larval development the progressive dorsal insertion of the carapace leads to the opening of the tergites of both cephalic and thoracic segments. The opening of the eight thoracic segments (TS) occurs in Euphausiacea and Decapoda only, and is done in three steps (TS1; TS1TS3 or TS1TS4; TS1TS8). In adult Mysidacea, the insertion of the carapace exhibits two levels of evolution (opening of TS1 in Gnathophausia species and of TS1TS4 in the others). Thus, in the larvae of Euphausiacea and Decapoda, the most evolved taxa, the progressive insertion of the carapace corresponds to the carapace locations in the adults of the most ancient taxa, i.e., Mysidacea. The location of the int.
Adubação nitrogenada em milho e capim-xaraés sob plantio direto e preparo convencional em sistema agrossilvipastoril

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of the maize and xaraes palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha 'Xaraes') crops in intercropping, grown in no-tillage and conventional tillage, in an agrosilvopastoral system, with the application of different nitrogen topdressing rates. The experiment was conducted in a maize crop area with the forest species "mulateiro" (Calycophyllum spruceanum). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, in a split-plot arrangement with two systems of soil management (no-tillage and conventional tillage with heavy disk) allocated to the plots and five rates of nitrogen topdressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1 N) to the subplots, totaling ten treatments. Maize grain yield responded linearly to N application in area of ​​conventional tillage. In no-tillage area, the dose of 165 kg ha-1 N topdressing was necessary to obtain satisfactory yields. Nitrogen topdressing in maize crop until the dose of 200 kg ha-1 N does not influence xaraes palisade grass yield when intercropped between the lines, after maize harvest.
Photoperiod and circadian rhythmicity in testicular response of the tree sparrow

Investigation on the mechanism of photoperiodic time measurement in regulation of reproduction was done on the male tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Photosensitive sparrows were divided into three different groups (one control and two experimental). They were photostimulated by subjecting them to artificial long days, i.e. 14L/10D for 30 days. The control group was continued under 14L/10D while the experimental groups were transferred to either short days (9L/15D) or continuous darkness (DD) for another 30 days. Observations at 10-day intervals revealed that the birds of control group continued testicular growth. Gonadal growth did not persist, and regression was observed upon transfer of photostimulated birds of experimental groups to 9L/15D or DD. Further, there was no significant difference in the testicular volume of the birds under DD and 9L/15D. These results clearly suggest the involvement of an endogenous circadian rhythm in photoperiodic gonadal responses of the tree sparrow and are consistent with the Bunning hypothesis. They are also in agreement with the avian external coincident model of photoperiodic time measurement.
Condutividade elétrica e lixiviação de potássio do exsudato de grãos de café: alguns fatores que podem influenciar essas avaliações

Os procedimentos de avaliacao comercial da qualidade do cafe sao baseados em parâmetros subjetivos, pois dependem de sensacoes e habilidades pessoais, adquiridas com muitos anos de experiencia. Assim, a complementacao dos procedimentos em uso com a adocao de metodos fisicos e quimicos tornaria mais objetiva a determinacao da qualidade do cafe. A determinacao da condutividade eletrica e da lixiviacao de potassio dos graos tem sido considerada por varios pesquisadores como bons indicadores da integridade do sistema de membranas celulares. Porem, varios fatores podem influenciar essas avaliacoes. Diante desse contexto foi montado um experimento para avaliar alguns fatores que podem influenciar na determinacao da condutividade eletrica e lixiviacao de potassio de exsudatos de graos de cafe. Neste trabalho, estudou-se a influencia do tamanho dos graos e dos tipos de defeitos na determinacao da condutividade eletrica e a lixiviacao de potassio. Amostras de cafe (Coffea arabica L), cultivar Acaia do Cerrado MG 1474 foram submetidas a estas analises. Em relacao ao tamanho dos graos de cafe sem a retirada de defeitos, verificou-se que as menores peneiras apresentaram maiores valores de condutividade eletrica e lixiviacao de potassio, o que nao foi observado quando se retiraram os defeitos dessas amostras. Em relacao aos defeitos verificou-se a seguinte ordem crescente de condutividade eletrica: graos normais, verdes, brocados e ardidos semelhantes aos pretos. Em relacao a lixiviacao de potassio, verificou-se o mesmo comportamento, com excecao dos graos verdes e brocados que apresentaram valores semelhantes. A presenca de graos defeituosos influencia de maneira significativa as determinacoes de condutividade eletrica e lixiviacao de potassio de exsudatos de graos, podendo fornecer interpretacoes inadequadas quanto a qualidade do cafe analisado.
Further studies on the sexuality of the hermaphroditic teleost Diplodus sargus, with particular reference to protandrous sex inversion

Histological events associated with the process of sex inversion are described in the protandrous teleost Diplodus sargus reared in captivity. This species possesses typical sparid ovotestes in which the testis and ovary occur in separate zones. After spawning, the testicular tissue within the bisexual gonad undergoes regressive changes such as spermatogonial degeneration, deposition of yellowish pigment and proliferation of connective cells and fibres. At the same time ovarian tissue begins to develop. Transitional individuals were 26–7% of examined fish, while the other 73–3% were functional males.
Mechanisms of Neuroligin Function in Inhibitory Postsynaptic Differentiation

The establishment of accurate synaptic transmission underlies neural network processing and nervous system function. The organized deployment of specialized synaptic machinery is a key cellular process that shapes the synapse and its transmission properties, yet the molecular mechanisms involved in assembling the synaptic apparatus are largely unknown. This work has focused on the role of Neuroligins, a family of postsynaptic adhesion molecules, in mediating differentia- tion of inhibitory, GABAergic and glycinergic, postsynapses.Evidence is provided indicating that the central role of Neuroligin 2 in the assembly of the inhibitory postsynapse is mediated through a molecular interaction with the inhibitory scaffolding protein Gephyrin, and a specific activation of the signaling protein Collybistin. Neuroligin 2 is shown to be critical for proper inhibitory post- synaptic scaffold recruitment in neurons and, together with Gephyrin and Collybistin, sufficient to mediate the recruitment of GABAA receptors.A novel Gephyrin-binding motif characteristic of the Neuroligin protein family was identified. As all Neuroligins were shown to have the capacity to bind Gephyrin, it is possible that several Neuroligin paralogues have auxiliary functions at the inhibi- tory postsynapse. In accordance with this notion, the stoichiometry and composi- tion of Neuroligin oligomers was determined in neurons to be dimeric and both homo- and heteromeric. Additionally, cellular mechanisms were identified which regulate the assembly and trafficking of Neuroligin oligomers, and evidence was provided indicating their potential involvement in Autism pathology.
Measurements of the Forces in Protein Interactions with Atomic Force Microscopy

Protein interactions with ligands or other proteins are controlled by a complex array of intermolecular forces. Although the interaction energies and intermolecular forces which contribute to the stabilization of the protein complex can be inferred indirectly from thermodynamic and kinetic approaches or be calculated with molecular simulation, recent progress in atomic force microscopy (AFM) has made it possible to quantify directly the ranges and magnitudes of the interaction forces between protein and other molecules. AFM has proved its value not only for resolving the topographical structure of protein samples, but also for probing the forces that control protein interactions or mechanical properties of proteins under physiological conditions. The objective of this review is to describe the uses of AFM in the determination of the forces that control biological interactions, focusing especially on protein-ligand and protein-protein interaction modes. We first consider measurements of the specific and the nonspecific forces that jointly control protein interactions. The review then indicates the theoretical background of AFM force curves and presents the great variety of force measurement modes that can be performed with this technique. In addition, some of the most recent studies in determining the unbinding forces and mechanical properties of proteins with AFM are reviewed and the available theoretical aspects necessary for the comprehension of the experiments have been provided.
Geographical identification of the vulnerable groups during COVID-19 crisis: the typhoon eye effect and its boundary conditions

Although some studies suggest the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with negative consequences on physical health, our knowledge about the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on individual mental health is still nascent. This study uses typhoon eye theory to offer insights in helping clinical psychiatrists to screen people with well-being issues during COVID-19 outbreak. We collected survey data from working adults across different geographical areas in China on 20 and 21 February 2020 during the outbreak of COVID-19. The sample contains 308 working adults, who were in various parts of China, with varying distance to the epicenter of Wuhan. The distance of individual adults to the epicenter was negatively associated with life satisfaction ({beta} = -0.235, 95% CI -0.450 to -0.020, p = 0.032). This association between distance and life satisfaction was significant only for adults who were young or had smaller family sizes. For example, the negative relationship was strongest when the individuals were in the age bracket of 20 years old (15.7%; {beta} = -0.703, 95% CI -1.098 to -0.307; p = 0.001) and single (32.3%; {beta} = -0.767, 95% CI -1.125 to -0.408; p < 0.001). Our results that well-being deteriorates by the distance from the epicenter for specific groups of people help guide mental healthcare providers towards the regions that are further away from the epicenter in the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, our results indicate the practitioners should be cautious of using typhoon eye effect for individuals who were older or had a larger family size.
The roles of filters in the photophores of oceanic animals and their relation to vision in the oceanic environment

In many of the photophores found in deep-sea fishes and invertebrates, light filters containing pigments lie between the tissues that generate light and the sea. The loss of light within such filters has been measured throughout the visible spectrum for a variety of animals. These filters differ greatly in their spectral absorption characteristics and do not all contain the same pigments. All those from ventral photophores have a transmission band in the blue corresponding to the daylight that penetrates best into oceanic waters. For two fishes it is shown that the light generated inside their photophores is a relatively poor spectral match for the ambient submarine daylight while the light emitted into the sea, after passing through the filters, is a good match. For a third fish a similar improvement in ‘colour match’ is brought about not by passing the light through a filter containing pigments but by reflecting the light into the sea by a blue mirror. All these observations support the hypothesis that the ventral photophores are used for camouflage. Malacosteus niger Ayres 1848 is an oceanic fish which emits red light from a large suborbital photophore. The red light generated inside the photophore is largely absorbed by a coloured filter over its external surface which transmits only a band of light of wavelengths around 700 nm. This is a waveband which is heavily absorbed by oceanic sea water. It is shown, however, that animals that can emit and are sensitive to such far-red light will have very great advantages in being able to see without being seen. The ranges over which such red light can be useful for vision are, however, relatively small. The nature of the pigments found in these various photophores is discussed. It is also calculated that the intensities of penetrating daylight are such that visual acuity could be fairly good down to considerable depths in the mesopelagic zone.
Tumor invasion as non-equilibrium phase separation

The early malignant tumor invades surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) in a manner that depends upon material properties of constituent cells and ECM. Biophysical mechanisms remain unclear, however. Using a multicellular spheroid embedded within an engineered three-dimensional matrix, we show here the potential for coexistence of solid-like, fluid-like, and gas-like phases of the cellular collective described by a jamming phase diagram. Depending upon cell type (MCF-10A vs. MDA-MB-231) and ECM density (1 to 4 mg/ml collagen), cancer cells within the spheroid display a variety of collective behaviors, including a non-migratory jammed phase and a migratory unjammed phase. At a critical collagen density, unjammed cancer cells at the spheroid periphery transition in an almost switch-like fashion between distinct modes of invasion. In the case of MDA-MB-231, for example, we find that when ECM density is 2 mg/ml or smaller single cells and cell clusters scatter from the spheroid periphery in the form of discrete gas-like particles, but when ECM density is 3 mg/ml or greater these cells flow collectively from the spheroid periphery in continuous fluid-like invasive branches. These findings suggest coexistence within the spheroid mass of multiple material phases of the cellular collective –solid-like, fluid-like, and gas-like– in a manner that is superficially similar to common inanimate multiphasic systems at thermodynamic equilibrium, but here arising in living cellular systems, all of which are displaced far from thermodynamic equilibrium. We conclude that non-equilibrium phase separation based upon jamming dynamics may provide a new physical picture to describe cellular migratory dynamics within and invasion from a tumor mass. TWO-SENTENCE SUMMARY Using a multicellular spheroid embedded within an engineered three-dimensional matrix, we show here the potential for coexistence of solid-like, fluid-like, and gas-like phases of the cellular collective described by a jamming phase diagram. Depending upon cell type and matrix density, moreover, invasion into matrix from the tumor periphery can switch from a continuous cellular collective that flows like a fluid to discrete cells that scatter individually like a gas.
Susceptibility of ten fish species to electroshock-induced mortality

Abstract Ten species of fish were exposed to homogeneous electric fields of 60-Hz pulsed DC in water having an ambient conductivity of 100 μS/cm. A range of voltage gradients was used for the electroshock, and the percentage of fish dead after 1 h was determined. A logistic model was used to compare species, and the voltage gradient that was lethal within 1 h to 50% of the fish (LV50) was computed. Except for blackbanded darters Percina nigrofasciata (juveniles and adults) and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (adults), all fish were newly transformed juveniles, which for some species are more sensitive to the lethal effects of electroshock than are younger or older fish. The most susceptible species was the blackbanded darter (LV50 = 1.7 V/ cm), followed by largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (LV50 = 3.0 V/cm), striped bass Morone saxatilis (LV50 = 4.0 V/cm), and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (LV50 = 4.1 V/cm). Species of intermediate susceptibility were the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss .
Toxoplasmose em animais silvestres e domésticos da região de Botucatu, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Os Autores analisaram soros de 47 Cannis familiaris, de 9 Felis cattus, de 64 Didelphis marsupialis aurita, de 9 Dasypus novemcinctus, de 4 Cabassous tatouay e de 29 Rattus rattus, atraves da reacao de imunofluorescencia indireta, para pesquisar a presenca de anticorpos anti Toxoplasma gondii. Estes foram encontrados apenas em C. familiaris (63,8%) e em D. m. aurita (4,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, os Autores sugerem que novas pesquisas nesta area sejam realizadas, para que se conheca melhor a importância epidemiologica de varias especies animais na disseminacao da toxoplasmose.
Surface, planktonic, and benthic foraging by juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in turbid laboratory conditions

We investigated the effect of turbidity on the foraging behaviour of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the laboratory. We assessed visual ability by measuring the reaction distance of juvenile chinook to planktonic adult Artemia prey. Chinook exhibited a log-linear decline in reaction distance with increasing turbidity. These results were similar to those obtained by workers for other species. We also determined the effect of turbidity on the foraging rate of juvenile chinook for surface (Drosophila), planktonic (Artemia), and benthic (Tubifex) prey across a range of turbidity levels (< 1,18, 35, 70, 150, 370, 810 NTU). Foraging rates were reduced at higher turbidities for all three prey. However, for surface and benthic prey, foraging rates were also low in clear water, while highest rates were attained at intermediate turbidity levels (35–150 NTU). We suggest that increased feeding rate in turbid conditions reflects a reduced potential risk to predators.