Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Trigger Neuronal Survival in a Human Alzheimer Disease Model By Modulating BDNF Pathway

In engineering and materials science, nanotechnology has made significant advances in the reduction of free radical damage. Despite such advances, there has been little application to biomedical problems. Cross-disciplinary interactions and the application of this technology to biological systems has led to the elucidation of novel nanoparticle antioxidants. Oxidative stress and free radical produc- tion are associated with neurodegenerative conditions, including aging, trauma, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, etc. The antioxi- dant properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles show promise in the treatment of such diseases. Recent reports suggest that CeO2 and other nanoparticles are potent, and probably regenerative, free radical scavengers in vitro and in vivo. In this work, the effects of CeO2 nanopar- ticles on an in vitro human AD model are investigated. The validation of new therapeutic agents implies the understanding of their mechanisms of action, therefore the following parameters were investigated under nanoparticles treatment: cell viability, cell death, neu- rite atrophy, neuronal marker localization and the expression of factors, i.e. PPARs, BDNF, TrkB, involved in the signal transduction pathways of neuronal survival. The data obtained, demonstrate that CeO2 nanoparticles do not act as mere anti-oxidant agents, but they seems to affect, directly or indirectly, signal transduction pathways involved in neuronal death and neuroprotection, raising the possibility of their use as therapeutic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
Fluctuating asymmetry and herbivory in two ontogenetical stages of Chamaecrista semaphora in restored and natural environments

Reintroduced environments represent stressful conditions to plants that can be observed in different ways. We evaluated the relationships between fluctuating asymmetry (FA), herbivory, and plant ontogeny of Chamaecrista semaphora (Fabaceae) under natural and restored habitat conditions. The patterns of leaf FA and herbivory by folivorous insects (chewing) on saplings and mature plants in each habitat were determined. No relationship was found between FA and herbivory on the two ontogenetic stages in both environments, suggesting that FA did not represent an indicator of stress. The frequency and amount of leaf area removed by folivores were higher in saplings compared to adult plants under the natural habitat, while the opposite trend was observed on restored habitat for adult plants. The restored habitat did not represent an environmental stress condition to C. semaphora, indicating that this endemic plant may represent a good candidate to restoration programs in harsh environments. However, we observed great differences in leaf FA and herbivory among individuals within habitats. Knowledge on plant quality, competition, physiology, and interactions with natural enemies are highly needed to support long lasting programmes on restoration of harsh environments.
HIGH DISPERSAL CAPACITY OF CLADOCERAN ZOOPLANKTON IN NEWLY FOUNDED COMMUNITIES

The relative importance of local and regional factors to community buildup is a key question in community ecology. Dispersal capacity is an important regional determinant but is very difficult to assess. Instead, measuring colonization rates in newly created habitats can provide a reasonable approximation of dispersal capacities. We monitored cladoceran zooplankton colonization rates in 25 newly dug and isolated pools. During the first 15 months, an average of 4.2 cladoceran species colonized each pool. In total, 20 different species were found during this period in the pools, representing 40% of the total species richness observed during summer in well-established cladoceran communities in water bodies in the immediate neighborhood (within 3 km) of the studied new pools. Our results reveal high colonization rates of newly created habitats by cladoceran zooplankton, reflecting a high dispersal capacity in this group of organisms. We discuss these results in light of the extent and ecological and evolutionary impact of dispersal in aquatic organisms.
Intra-annual climate variability and malaria transmission in Nigeria

Abstract This study develops an integrated innovation for malaria early warning systems (MEWS), based on vulnerability monitoring, seasonal climate variability data, and epidemiologic surveillance. The main aim of the study is to examine the relationship between intra-annual climate variability and malaria transmission in Nigeria. For this study, climatic conditions considered suitable for the development of the malaria parasite and its transmission through the mosquito stage of its life cycle are temperatures within the range from 18°C to 32°C. Below 18°C the parasite development decreases significantly, while above 32°C the survival of the mosquito is compromised. Relative humidity greater than 60% is also considered a requirement for the mosquito to survive long enough for the parasite to develop sufficiently to be transmitted to its human host stage. The research findings show that seasonality of climate greatly influences the seasonality of malaria transmission. Specifically, rainfall plays an important role in the distribution and maintenance of breeding sites for the mosquito vector. Rainfall and surface water is required for the egg laying and larval stages of the mosquito life cycle and monthly rainfall above 80 mm is considered a requirement. Also, it is temperature that regulates the development rate of both the mosquito larvae and the malaria parasite (Plasmodium species) within the mosquito host. Relative humidity and temperature play an important role in the survival and longevity of the mosquito vector. This study is in conformity with the findings of the IPCC (2001) that malaria is caused by four distinct species of the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, which are most abundant in tropical/subtropical regions, although they are also found in limited numbers in temperate climates.
Study of different climatic conditions to assess the role of solar radiation in reference crop evapotranspiration equations

This study aims to assess radiation-based models versus the FAO Penman–Monteith (FPM) model to determine the best model using linear regression under different weather conditions. The reference evapotranspiration was estimated using 22 radiation-based methods and was compared with the FPM. The results showed that the Stephens method estimates the reference evapotranspiration better than other methods in the most provinces of Iran (nine provinces). However, the values of R2 were more than 0.9930 for 24 provinces of Iran. The radiation-based methods estimated the reference evapotranspiration near the Caspian Sea better than other regions. The most precise methods were the Berengena–Gavilan, Modified Priestley–Taylor, and Priestley–Taylor methods for the provinces ES (center of Iran), GI and GO (north of Iran) and the Stephens–Stewart method for IL (west of Iran). Finally, a list of the best performance of each method has been presented to use other regions and next research steps according to the values of mean, maximum, and minimum temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, elevation, sunshine, and wind speed. The best weather conditions to use radiation-based equations are 23.6–24.6 MJ m−2 day−1, 12–20°C, 18–24°C, 5–13°C, and <180 hour month−1 for solar radiation, mean, maximum, and minimum temperature, and sunshine, respectively.
Soft sediment as a constraint on the spread of the zebra mussel in western Lake Erie: Processes and impacts

The zebra mussel ( Dreissena ), inadvertently introduced to the Great Lakes in 1986, has since expanded to cover most of the shallow-water, hard substrates in Lakes Erie and Ontario. Colony densities exceed 300,000 per m2 in some bedrock areas of western Lake Erie. The objective of this study was to investigate the spread of zebra mussel onto soft sediment areas of the western basin of Lake Erie and to identify natural controls on the large-scale colonization of such sediments. Combined side scan sonar, underwater video imagery, and direct diver observation showed three modes of viable zebra mussel colonies in soft substrates: 1) attachment to zebra mussel shell debris deposited in linear troughs (stripes); 2) attachment to shells built up over hard substrates intermittently covered by soft sediments (footballs); and 3) as isolated clumps (druses) attached to dropstones, unionid clams, or their shells. Their spatial distribution suggests that zebra mussel expansion onto soft sediments is supplied primarily by nearby hard substrate areas. Zebra mussel populations living on soft sediment have the normal size distribution as those found on hard surfaces, often with a bimodal or trimodal character, representing cohorts of different ages. At the sites studied, there was a large proportion of dead shells, suggesting colonization over an extended period, as well as a relatively high mortality rate due to burial by periodic catastrophic sedimentation after storms. This vulnerability and the need to be near to source areas make it unlikely that the zebra mussel ( D. polymorpha ) will continue to expand into areas of soft sediment remote from hard substrate areas. The impact of the zebra mussel colonies on important textural properties of the substrate was not dramatic, but median grain diameter was significantly finer, organic carbon significantly higher, and sediment consistency more clayey below zebra mussel mats. Metal content was generally higher in the samples below zebra mussel mats, but the differences were statistically significant only in the case of iron and maganese. However, the sediment concentrations of metals at all sites were much greater than those at the remote Mid-basin site that was barren of zebra mussels, suggesting an overall metal enrichment near zebra mussel colonies.
Avaliação da substituição do milho pelo resíduo seco da extração da fécula de mandioca sobre o desempenho de novilhas mestiças em confinamento

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the total replacement of corn with a dry residue extracted from cassava starch on production of crossbred heifers in feedlot. Thirty crossbred heifers averaging 21 months of age and 325 kg of body weight were distributed in two experimental groups and then housed in two stalls. Both groups were submitted to a pre-trial period of 49 days, in which animals received ad libitum sorghum silage and 1.05% of body weight as concentrate (19.67% CP) composed of soybean meal, corn, and urea. In this period, daily weigh gain (DWG) averaged 1.08 kg for both groups. The experimental period lasted 57 days with animals averaging 378 kg of body weight. At the beginning of the experimental period, one group remained receiving the pre-trial diet while the other was fed ad libitum sorghum silage and 1.18% of body weight as concentrate (18.12% CP) containing dry cassava byproduct rather than corn. Daily weight gain was significantly higher for heifers fed corn-based concentrate (0.97 kg) compared to those receiving dry cassava byproduct-based concentrate (0.78 kg). In addition, dry matter intake and feed conversion were both lower on heifers fed the diet containing dry cassava byproduct.
The development of species-specific SCAR markers for delimitation of Calypogeia species

Abstract The genus Calypogeia belongs to one of the most difficult groups of leafy liverworts, with about 90 species. Nine species of the genus are currently known from Europe: C. azurea, C. integristipula, C. neesiana, C. suecica, C. muelleriana, C. sphagnicola, C. fissa, C. arguta, and C. azorica. Recently, another species, morphologically resembling C. muelleriana but genetically distinct from it, was detected using isozyme markers. In the present study, C. muelleriana and C. sp. nov. were further characterized by 13 and 14 specific inter-simple sequence repeat band patterns, respectively. Nei’s genetic distance between the two species was 0·61. Three species-specific bands were converted into sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The first SCAR primer pair amplified a product of 360 and 600 bp in C. muelleriana and C. sp. nov., respectively. The two other SCAR markers were diagnostic for other European Calypogeia species.
Studies on terrestrial interface processes in arid areas, China

In the present paper, we have elucidated the importance of energy and water cycling in arid areas to investigate global climate and local economics. Then, we were concerned with the physical arguments as how to stratify the soil, and the stability of the numerical scheme in the mathematical model for predicting temperature variation and water motion. Furthermore, we discuss the methods to estimate evaporation in arid areas. Numerical simulation of energy and water cycling at the Acsu Observatory, CAS, Xinjiang province and Shapuotou Observatory, CAS, Ningxia Province are conducted as case studies. The results show that the laws of terrestrial processes are rather typical in these arid areas. Planting drought-endurable trees can alleviate unfavourable conditions to a certain extent. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.
INFECTION PROCESS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI Metarhizium anisopliae IN THE Tetranychus kanzawai (KISHIDA) (TETRANYCHIDAE: ACARINA)

The importance of fungal attack to acarina has been observed but not yet on Tetranychus kanzawai . When infected mite, either within in a same species or even in a different species of entomopathigenic probably have similar signs and simptoms to mites. Characteristic of entomopathogenic fungus to Tetranychus kanza-wai was investigated. Three selected isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae , from Philippines and Indonesia were evaluated. The following aspects were investigated: (1) Bioassay tes of virulence, (2) Koch Postulate and (3) Infection process on each fungus against mite. Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae was 1.4 X 10 3 , 7.2 X 10 2 , 5 X 10 2 PIB per ml on Ma4, Ma5 and Ma6, respectively. On Koch Postulates, Reinoculation and reisolation of all seven isolates from infected T. kanzawai showed definite signs of infection. This demonstrated its entomopathogenic capacity. In this experiment, adult mites were sprayed with 10 8 per ml concentrations of conidia observed under light microscope and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The result found T. kanzawai was very susceptible to three isolates M . anisopliae . In the end of the trials, fungal growth was detectable as early as 2 until 4 days of observation. Infection process with microphoto-graph and Scanning Electro Microscopy showed attachment, germination and penetration, extrusion and conidiogenesis fungal form. Keywords: Infection, Tetranychus kanzawai , Metarhizium anisopliae , Light micros-copy, Scanning Electro Microscopy (SEM) Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Identificação morfométrica de pequenos mamíferos usando tubos de pegadas no Cerrado

An alternative method for identifying and inventorying rodents and marsupials inhabiting forests and grasslands of Brazilian Cerrado is presented and discussed. Ink tracking tunnels were designed according to the size of target species and used to build a reference collection of small mammal footprints composed of 1408 footprints belonging to 251 individuals from 30 species (21 rodents and nine marsupials). Sherman traps and ink tracking tunnels were used to conduct inventories in gallery forests. Footprints obtained in ink tracking tunnels were digitalized and compared with those in reference collection using Discriminant Analysis (DFA). DFA allowed good footprint differentiation, even among congeneric species. In DFA analysis, the first two axis were related to size and arboreality. The efficiency of ink tracking tunnels was higher (track-success = 31%) than conventional trapping (trap-success = 14%) in inventories. Ink tracking tunnels gave a good description of the small mammal community of gallery forest by detecting rodents and marsupials of different habits, including trap-shy species. This paper also discusses advantages and limitations of ink tracking tunnels use in inventories and ecological studies, and concludes that this technique can be efficient in long-term studies and in rapid inventories as a complementary technique for trapping.
Immunohistochemical study of cadmium-induced metallothionein in the seminal vesicle coagulating gland, ampullary gland and Cowper's gland of the rat

Metallothionein (MT) induction after cadmium administration in the seminal vesicle, coagulating gland, ampullary gland and Cowper's gland of the rat was immunohistochemically investigated. 1 week after castration, ten-week-old male Wistar rats were injected with testosterone propionate (1 mg/rat) once a day until the end of the experiment. After 3 weeks, rats were injected daily with a physiological saline, 0.3 mg/kg of Cd, and 0.9 mg/kg of Cd. There was no significant difference between each of the four tissue weights in the three groups. MT localization was observed mainly in the basal cells of the seminal vesicle, ampullary gland and Cowper's gland, and in the epithelial cells of the coagulating gland. MT was induced by cadmium administration mainly in the basal cells of the seminal vesicle, ampullary gland and Cowper's gland, and in the epithelial cells of the coagulating gland. Immunohistochemically, differences were observed in MT induction in the cells between the coagulating gland and other three glands, and MT was thought to prevent cellular damage from toxic metals.
Intrabreed polymorphic information content of microsatellites in cattle and sheep

Eight ovine and eleven bovine microsatellites were amplified in unrelated individuals from five breeds of sheep and cattle respectively. Polymorphic information content (PIC) was calculated for each breed. It was shown that the common practice of using genotypes from several breeds to calculate PIC for a livestock species can give misleading PIC values for a given breed. Key words: Microsatellite, polymorphic information content
Grain yield and water use: relative performance of winter vs. spring cereals in east-central Saskatchewan.

Changing economic conditions have provided strong incentives for grain producers to choose the most profitable cereal crops to grow. We determined grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), fall rye (Secale cereale L.), hard red spring (HRS) wheat, Canada prairie spring (CPS) wheat, amber durum (Triticum turgidum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under no-till systems. Over 60% of yield variability existing among site/years was due to water use or evapotranspiration (ET) in semiarid east-central Saskatchewan. Mean grain yield increased by 16.3 kg ha−1 with each millimetre of increase in ET. Barley produced 3748 kg ha−1 of grain on average, or 21% higher than winter wheat, 27% higher than CPS wheat, 39% higher than rye or durum, and 50% higher than HRS wheat. Average yields differed less than 5% between winter wheat and CPS wheat, but in water-stressed environments, CPS wheat had 19 to 34% lower grain yield than winter wheat. In one of the five cases where winter.
Analysing differences among animal songs quantitatively by means of the Levenshtein distance measure

The Levenshtein or string edit distance is an objective measure of the difference between two strings of elements. Levenshtein distance analysis has previously been applied to humpback whale songs, where it provided a quantitative measure of song change from year to year. This analysis is extended and a first approach to a robust statistical test is developed. The statistical test addresses the central issue whether two groups of songs (either from different individuals, different groups or different years) belong to the same population of songs or are significantly different. This is accomplished through derivation of the Kohonen median song sequence, which has the smallest possible summed Levenshtein distance to all songs of the group. By a simple t-test or nonparametric equivalent it is tested whether the median distance to the Kohonen median song sequence of a second group is significantly larger, which indicates that the groups are different. The test is expanded to handle multiple comparisons among several groups of songs.
A novel culture technique for scleractinian corals: application to investigate changes in skeletal δ18O as a function of temperature

A novel experimental protocol is described that assists investigations of the effect of environmental parameters on records from the carbonate skeletons of scleractinian corals. It involves the culture of coral colonies on glass slides so as to time the skeletal deposition and environmental records precisely. The value of the technique is demonstrated via calibration of the relationship between skeletal δ 18 O and seawater temperature in 2 species of coral obtained from the Gulf of Aqaba. Colonies were grown at 5 temperatures between 21 and 29°C. For Acropora sp. this relationship gave a slope of -0.27‰ °C -1 , a value close to previous estimates. The δ 18 O signature of Stylophora pistillata displayed a high variability between colonies and gave an average slope much lower than previous estimates (-0.13‰ °C -1 ). These data may indicate a taxonomic difference and the need to re-examine the systematics of this genus. Nevertheless, such variability in colonies of a single species or of a set of closely related species may have implications for the use of coral skeleton as proxy records.
Recent Changes in Patch Characteristics and Plant Communities in the Jalca Grasslands of the Peruvian Andes

Habitat loss and fragmentation are considered major threats to biodiversity, especially in tropical mountain ecosystems. Most studies focus on the relationships between biodiversity and patch characteristics such as patch size, connectivity or degree of contrast with the surrounding matrix, but leave the rate of change within these variables little explored. We analyzed the importance of changes in patch characteristics over time on species diversity and species composition in the paramo of northern Peru, a tropical grassland ecosystem, locally known as jalca. We obtained land use/cover maps for 1987 and 2007 spanning an area of 6300 km2, and quantified land use change, jalca patch characteristics and their proportional changes over 20 yr. In 2009, 371 vascular plant species were recorded in 92 plots, each plot representative of single patches. Between 1987 and 2007, jalca cover decreased from 47 to 35 percent due to encroaching agriculture. This activity showed an upward shift probably favored by climate change. The number of jalca patches increased, mean patch size decreased, and the patches showed a higher contrast with the surrounding matrix. Multiple linear regression failed to show that species diversity relates to changes in patch characteristics. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that species composition relates to the degree of contrast between the patch and its surrounding matrix and its changes through time. We concluded that changes in patch characteristics are important only for species composition. This study highlights the importance of considering matrix management with a long term perspective for conservation efforts.