Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to the recovery of aquatic insect communities in urban streams

SUMMARY 1. Worldwide, increasing numbers of stream restoration projects are being initiated to rehabilitate waterways modified by urbanisation. However, many of these projects have limited success in restoring stream communities. Prompted by this, we investigated previously unrecognised barriers to aquatic insect colonisation in urban streams. 2. To investigate whether the availability of suitable substrata for oviposition limited the longitudinal distribution of caddisflies, large boulders were added to the upstream reaches of one stream. Prior to the addition, more egg masses were observed downstream and this longitudinal pattern persisted subsequently. 3. Malaise trapping revealed that adult caddisfly diversity and abundance was greater downstream than upstream. Furthermore, in a previous study the authors found larval caddisflies reflected the longitudinal distribution of adults. 4. The only obvious potential obstructions between reaches were roads beneath which the stream flowed through culverted crossings. Malaise trapping was used to examine the effect of road culverts and bridges on caddisfly dispersal. Numbers of caddisflies caught declined upstream and about 2.5 · more individuals were taken in traps immediately below than above five culverts. 4. Bridges, which had a more open structure than culverts, had no significant effect on the size of catches made above and below them. 5. Road culverts could act as partial barriers to upstream flight, with consequences for larval recruitment in urban streams. We recommend that urban planners and designers of restoration projects consider possible synergistic effects of poor oviposition habitat and barriers to aquatic insect dispersal, which may be critical for the colonisation of urban headwater streams and for the maintenance of stream insect populations.
The Effect of Glycine Supplementation on Performance of Broilers Fed Sub-marginal Protein with Adequate Synthetic Methionine and Lysine

A study was conducted to determine if synthetic glycine could replace dietary protein and improve performance of commercial broilers. Nine diets were formulated per feed regimen (starter, finisher, and withdrawal). A commercial diet was used as control (Diet A). Amino acids were reduced by 15% from Diet A to obtain Diet B. Synthetic methionine and lysine were added to Diet B to bring their level equal to Diet A, and create Diet C. Three levels of synthetic glycine (0, 0.05 and 0.1%) were added to Diets A, B, and C to obtain the nine dietary treatments. Male chicks (n = 3,150) originating from Ross male x Hubbard female breeder flocks were randomly placed in 63 floor pens in an open-sided house with thermostatically controlled curtains. Floor pens were divided into 7 blocks, each block containing 9 pens. The nine dietary treatments in each feed regimen were randomly assigned to pens in each of the seven blocks on d 1 (starter), 22 (finisher), and 43 (withdrawal) of age. Mortality, feed consumption (FC), body weight (BW) and feed to gain ratio (FG) were determined. Supplementing glycine, or methionine and lysine had no effect on FC. Glycine had no influence on the BW of chicks. The BW decreased with the reduction in dietary amino acids, and increased with an increase in dietary methionine and lysine fed the amino acid deficient diet. Glycine had no beneficial effect on FG, and 0.05% glycine increased (P < 0.05) FG up to 3 weeks. Addition of synthetic glycine (0.05 to 0.1%) to the 15% amino acid deficient diet could not make up for the deficiency of dietary amino acids in broiler diets.
Análisis de la Exigencia Competitiva del Pádel en Jóvenes Jugadores

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la estructura temporal y las acciones de juego del padel en jugadores adolescentes y valorar sus niveles de frecuencia cardiaca. Se seleccionaron 16 jugadores de padel masculinos (14.24 ± 1.86 anos; 165.46 ± 7.45 cm; 58.67 ± 8.93 kg). Se evaluaron 8 partidos de padel correspondientes a un Campeonato Regional de menores. Los partidos fueron grabados utilizando una camara digital y analizando la estructura temporal de los mismos. A su vez, se registro la frecuencia cardiaca a lo largo del partido mediante un pulsometro polar. Los resultados indican un tiempo total de juego medio por set de 29-30 min., con un tiempo real de 8-9 min., una duracion media de los puntos de 9.23 seg. y una media de 6.73 golpes por punto. Finalmente, la FC media durante el juego en padel fue de 141.23 ± 10.89 lat/min, mientras que la media de FC maxima fue de 175.24 ± 16.54 lat/min y de FC minima fue de 95.45 ± 12.56 lat/min. Este tipo de analisis son de vital importancia ya que contribuye a una mejor planificacion del entrenamiento especifico en jovenes jugadores de padel. EnglishThe aim of this study was to calculate the structural characteristics and the game analysis of the practice of paddle and to calculate the heart rate levels. 16 paddle players national level (14.24 ± 1.86 years; 165.46 ± 7.45 cm; 58.67 ± 8.93 kg) were selected. We assessed 8 matches during a Young Community Tournament. The matches were taped using a digital camera, registering the temporal structure. In turn, recorded the heart rate (HR) through out the game (Polar RS400) we determined. The results indicate a total set time of 29 min., real-time game of 8-9 min., rally duration of 9.3 seg and 6.3 strokes for rally. Finally, heart rate average during paddle game was 141.23 ± 10.89 lat/min, maximum heart rate was 175.24 ± 16.54 lat/min and minimum heart rate was 95.45 ± 12.56. This type of analysis is vital importance because it contributes to better planning of specific training in young players paddle.
Responses to molasses-urea blocks of grazing sheep and sheep in yards

A total of 11 88 sheep in seven flocks on five farms were offered molasses-urea blocks under grazing conditions. After 3 weeks, 50% of the sheep had licked the blocks but there was wide variability between flocks in the proportion of sheep that licked and their average intakes. Sheep that did not lick the blocks while grazing were confined in yards and offered the blocks plus 350 g hay/sheep day-1. After 3 weeks, 81% of the sheep had licked the blocks. A second confinement period of from 2 to 4 weeks was imposed upon those sheep that had still not licked, and this resulted in 88% of them licking. The remaining seven sheep consumed the block only after being penned individually. It is concluded that special management procedures may be required to encourage grazing sheep to lick molasses-urea blocks.
COMMENTARY Cytokines in non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogenesis

Non-genotoxic liver injuryMany toxicants can cause liver injury. Some, such as diethylni-trosamine, are genotoxic and act principally by damaging DNA(1). A second more diverse group cause liver injury but arenon-genotoxic (2). Despite differences in the primary target,genotoxic and non-genotoxic hepatotoxicants frequently causetumours in the liver of experimental rats and mice (1,2). This review is concerned with evaluating the hypothesis thatcytokines may play a role in mediating the biological effectsof liver non-genotoxic carcinogens.Non-genotoxic liver toxicants constitute a diverse group ofchemicals. Some, such as carbon tetrachloride (3), cause acuteliver injury followed by regenerative hyperplasia, whereasothers cause proliferation without identiﬁable tissue damage.The latter group includes barbiturate drugs such as phenobarbit-one (PB) (4), dioxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (5,6) and the largest group, the peroxisome proliferators(PPs) (7). The induction of cell proliferation by toxicants thatcause liver injury probably underpins their common ability tocause hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas after prolongedexposure (8). During chemical-induced carcinogenesis, the tightly con-trolled balance that exists normally in tissues between cellgrowth and cell death is disrupted (9–11). Rodent hepato-carcinogenesis in response to PPs is preceded by liver enlarge-ment due to hepatocyte hypertrophy and induction of cellproliferation coupled with suppression of hepatocyte apoptosis(7,12,13). The ability of barbiturates such as PB to stimulatehepatocyte DNA synthesis in vivo has also been demonstrated(14). The capacity of non-genotoxic liver carcinogens toperturb both sides of the growth equation between cell gainand cell loss can be modelled in vitro using hepatocytesprepared from rats or mice. In such models, PPs such asnafenopin can suppress spontaneous apoptosis (15–17) andalso that induced by diverse stimuli, including transforminggrowth factor-β1. Interleukin (IL)-1 can act alongside TNFαto play a role in inﬂammation (18) and is implicated in theregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism (19), ligation of Fas orDNA damage (20). Thus, non-genotoxic carcinogens may
The Cell Tropism of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Determines the Kinetics of Plasma Viremia in SCID Mice Reconstituted with Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

ABSTRACT Most individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) initially harbor macrophage-tropic, non-syncytium-inducing (M-tropic, NSI) viruses that may evolve into T-cell-tropic, syncytium-inducing viruses (T-tropic, SI) after several years. The reasons for the more efficient transmission of M-tropic, NSI viruses and the slow evolution of T-tropic, SI viruses remain unclear, although they may be linked to expression of appropriate chemokine coreceptors for virus entry. We have examined plasma viral RNA levels and the extent of CD4+ T-cell depletion in SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood leukocytes following infection with M-tropic, dual-tropic, or T-tropic HIV-1 isolates. The cell tropism was found to determine the course of viremia, with M-tropic viruses producing sustained high viral RNA levels and sparing some CD4+ T cells, dual-tropic viruses producing a transient and lower viral RNA spike and extremely rapid depletion of CD4+T cells, and T-tropic viruses causing similarly lower viral RNA levels and rapid-intermediate rates of CD4+ T-cell depletion. A single amino acid change in the V3 region of gp120 was sufficient to cause one isolate to switch from M-tropic to dual-tropic and acquire the ability to rapidly deplete all CD4+ T cells.
Combined effect of atrazine and copper on the growth, biomass production, morphology and antioxidant response of Scenedesmus quadricauda

Abstract: In recent years, various investigations have been carried out on the toxic effects of atrazine to different algae. However, none of these studies have considered the combined effects of metals and atrazine on any microalga. The toxicity of atrazine to microalgae depends on its interaction with the physical and chemical conditions prevalent in the aquatic ecosystem at the time of exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of copper (Cu) and atrazine on the growth, biomass production, morphological variation, protein production and antioxidant enzyme responses of Scenedesmus quadricauda under controlled laboratory conditions. The combination of Cu and atrazine resulted in significantly lower growth and biomass production than Cu or atrazine alone. The ability of the alga to produce multicellular coenobia was significantly compromised after exposure to Cu and atrazine, while the proportion of unicells increased. Copper/atrazine stress stimulated total protein production and up-regulated the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione S transferase. The combination of Cu and atrazine was very toxic to S. quadricauda as it inhibited its growth, biomass production, and morphology, but increased antioxidant enzyme activities.
Light dynamics and free-to-grow standards in aspen-dominated mixedwood forests

This study examines light competition between aspen and spruce during the sequence of aspen development. Leaf area index and light transmission were measured or estimated for aspen stands from 2 to 125 years old. Light transmission was lowest at 15-25 years, and in some stands, transmission was less than 5% of above-canopy light. Hypothetical aspen stands with various stem configurations and heights were developed, and positions were identified that would meet or fail Alberta free-to-grow (FTG) standards. Light transmission was estimated at each position with the MIXLIGHT forest light simulator. Positions in canopy gaps or at the northern sides of canopy gaps had higher light. In general, however, there was little difference in available light between positions that met or failed FTG criteria. Stand density and size of aspen trees appears to be a better index to predict light transmission and spruce success in juvenile aspen stands than current FTG criteria. Key words: competition, free to grow, hardwood,.
Studies on the culturable marine actinomycetes isolated from the Nahoon beach in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

A total of 84 culturable marine actinomycetes belonging to 15 generic morphotypes were isolated from water and rock scrapings from the Nahoon beach, a coastal shore of Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The colonies showed diverse morphological characteristics and their occurrence and distribution varied with sample type. The rock scrappings yielded more actinomycetes morphotypes than the water samples. Streptomyces was most prevalent in both samples.Actinoplane, Actinosynnema, Norcadia, Norcardiopsis, Streptosporagium and Intrasporagium were present in rock scrapings but absent in water samples. Kibdellosporium was present in water sample and absent in rock scrapings. The Streptomyces isolates were selected and preliminarily screened for antimicrobial activity. The bioactive compounds of 10 most potent Streptomyces isolate was extracted twice with equal volume of ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v). The ethyl acetate extracts of the putative Streptomyces isolates showed activities against at least 6 and up to 26 of the 32 test bacteria screened. Inhibition zones were found to range between 9 and 32 mm diameters at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. The partial characterization of the crude extracts by IR spectra analysis revealed the possible presence of terpenoid, long chain fatty acids and secondary amine derivatives compounds in the extracts. We conclude that the Nahoon beach promises to be a veritable resource for diverse marine actinomycetes of potentials for bioactive compounds production and novel drug discovery. Key words: Morphotypes, occurrence, rock scrapings, IR spectral, bioactive compound.
Application of DSSAT Crop Models to Generate Alternative Production Activities Under Combined Use of Organic-Inorganic Nutrients in Rwanda

The low agricultural productivity of Rwanda reflects the poor soil fertility status caused by a low organic matter and high soil acidity that characterizes a large part of the country. Experimental trials have shown that a combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can increase crop yield. However, there are no guidelines for combined nutrients of different sources and qualities. Crop growth models can assist in the evaluation of the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) presents a collection of such crop models. The objective of this study was to determine alternative production activities through yield prediction of several crops under combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on Oxisols and Inceptisols in eastern Rwanda and to determine the best fertility management options. The DSSAT crop models were used to quantify the alternative production activities. The simulation of crop yield showed that predicted crop yield was distinctly higher than the actual yield for the current small-scale farming practices common in the region. The predicted yields for beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), and cassava (Manihot esculenta) were approximately the same for all treatments, whereas the combined application of Tithonia diversifolia and Diammonium phosphate appeared to predict higher yields for maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Yield prediction for all crops was higher on the Inceptisols than on the Oxisols because of the better chemical and physical conditions of Inceptisols. This is in line with reality.
Role of the Membrane-Proximal Domain in the Initial Stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein-Mediated Membrane Fusion

ABSTRACT We have examined mutations in the ectodomain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein gp41 within a region immediately adjacent to the membrane-spanning domain for their effect on the outcome of the fusion cascade. Using the recently developed three-color assay (I. Muñoz-Barroso, S. Durell, K. Sakaguchi, E. Appella, and R. Blumenthal, J. Cell Biol. 140:315–323, 1998), we have assessed the ability of the mutant gp41s to transfer lipid and small solutes from susceptible target cells to the gp120-gp41-expressing cells. The results were compared with the syncytium-inducing capabilities of these gp41 mutants. Two mutant proteins were incapable of mediating both dye transfer and syncytium formation. Two mutant proteins mediated dye transfer but were less effective at inducing syncytium formation than was wild-type gp41. The most interesting mutant proteins were those that were not capable of inducing syncytium formation but still mediated dye transfer, indicating that the fusion cascade was blocked beyond the stage of small fusion pore formation. Fusion mediated by the mutant gp41s was inhibited by the peptides DP178 and C34.
†Protopsephurus liui, a well-preserved primitive paddlefish (Acipenseriformes: Polyodontidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of China

Abstract †Protopsephurus liui Lu, 1994, from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China, is both the oldest and the most primitive paddlefish (polyodontid) known. It was originally described based on a partial skeleton, a partial skull, and two partial trunk regions, leaving much of the species' osteology unknown. Here, based on the type specimens and many newly discovered well-preserved skeletons, we describe this species in detail. †Protopsephurus is clearly a polyodontid based on several characters including: (1) the presence of stellate bones; (2) the presence of a series of long median dorsorostral and ventrorostral bones; (3) extreme elongation of the snout; (4) the presence of anterior, middle and posterior divisions of the fenestra longitudinalis; and (5) the presence of “microctenoid” scales (defined here). Within Polyodontidae, †Protopsephurus (which forms the monotypic series †Protopsephuri) lacks several characters derived for all other Polyodontidae (=Polyodonti). In contrast to †Protopsephuri, Polyodonti (including two fossil and two extant genera) have: (1) larger, more branched stellate bones; (2) a reduction of branchiostegals to a single element; (3) a sutural contact between posttemporal and dermosphenotic; (4) a longer anterior arm of the posttemporal; (5) a very large anterior division of the fenestra longitudinalis; (6) a loss of the pectoral fin spine; (7) the nasals reduced to little more than simple tubular ossifications; and (8) well-developed spine-like posterior projections of the subopercle. In addition, †Protopsephurus and †Paleopsephurus are apparently the only paddlefish species to have retained median elements at the rear of the skull roof (e.g., a median extrascapular bone). The presence of a sturgeon-like pectoral spine in †Protopsephurus and some †peipiaosteids suggest that paddlefishes primitively had this structure and that the mere presence of a pectoral fin spine is not synapomorphic for Acipenseridae (i.e., the pectoral fin spine could be a derived feature of Acipenseristomi sensu Grande and Bemis, 1996). Strong development of the pectoral fin spine can still be used as a derived character of Acipenseridae because it is unique to that family among Acipenseriformes. Our phylogenetic analysis here does not support the monophyly of Acipenseristomi Grande and Bemis, 1996 (a group indicating Acipenseroidei to be more closely related to †Peipiaosteidae than to †Chondrosteidae). Further detailed studies of †Chondrosteidae are needed to more definitively resolve the three taxon interrelationship problem of Acipenseroidei, †Chondrosteidae, and †Peipiaosteidae. Paddlefishes remain one of the strongest indicators of historical biogeographic connection between East Asia and North America. Fossil and living members of the family date from the Early Cretaceous and Recent in China, and from the Late Cretaceous, Early Paleocene, Early Eocene and Recent in North America.
Healthier lipid combination oil‐in‐water emulsions prepared with various protein systems: an approach for development of functional meat products

Five protein-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using sodium caseinate (O/SC), soy protein isolate (O/SPI), sodium caseinate and microbial transglutaminase (O/SC + MTG), sodium caseinate, microbial transglutaminase and meat slurry (O/SC + MTG + MS) and SPI, sodium caseinate and microbial transglutaminase (O/IPS + SC + MTG); their composition (proximate analysis and fatty acid profile) and physicochemical characteristics were examined. The lipid phase was a combination of healthy fatty acids from olive, linseed and fish oils, containing low proportions (15%) of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 47%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 36%), with a PUFA/SFA ratio >2, and a n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of 0.4. All the oil-in-water emulsions showed high thermal and creamy stability. Results of penetration test and dynamic rheological properties showed la existencia de different types of oil-in-water emulsion structures according to stabilizing system of emulsion. Those structures ranged from concentrate solution-like (stabilized only with SC) (gel strength 0.06 mJ) to gel-like (samples containing MTG) behaviours (gel strength ranged between 3.4 and 6.2 mJ). Morphological differences in the organization of the network structure were observed (by scanning electron microscopy) as functions of the protein system used to stabilize the oil-in-water emulsions.
Book Reviews

After reading Black Power-White Power in Public Education, I find that the efforts of distinguished scholars Ralph Edwards and Charles Willie demonstrate an interesting quandary in the research of racial dynamics in the administrative politics of public schooling. I use the word “quandary” for several reasons. The research methods, issues, and structure of this study are well conceived; however, the language of the study tends to subdue discussion of the human interactions within the administrative structure of Boston public schools in the late ’80s. In addition, attention to Boston’s African American political communities seems underdeveloped. Although not placid in describing the power relationships in Boston public schools, the book’s content and structure indirectly speak to the current state of academia in regards to what will be accepted as legitimate scholarship. In this review, I do not intend to chide the efforts of Edwards and Willie but to examine the relationship between academic study and the discourse of human interaction. My response to this work is not meant as a one-sided, negative critique but as an attempt to position Edwards and Willie’s work in the larger context of current efforts that engage the study of race in urban public education. Regarding venue, the authors’ choice is critical. Boston is integral to the development of any modern discussion of the political dynamics of race in urban education, and the history of the city speaks to what it means to exist in a hostile racial environment. From state-regulated desegregation plans to violence in the street, Boston’s contribution to the history of urban violence and its relationship to educational policy is paramount. For their contribution