Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosimulation and Visualization

Abstract: Hemodynamics plays an important role in cardiovascular disorders, and the authors are applying numerical and experimental studies of cerebrovascular blood flow to the creation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. In particular, this study aims to investigate the effects of cerebrovascular geometry on hemodynamics, such as flow pattern, wall shear stress distribution, and pressure. This report consists mainly of two parts: numerical study of blood flow in the artery extracted from computer tomography data, and numerical and experimental studies of a curved pipe model. The simulation was conducted by using a finite element method; the experiment was conducted by particle imaging velocimetry. Numerical and experimental results are compared and both show similar secondary flow behavior.
Suppression of α-glucosidase gene by RNA interference can increase resistance of Culex quinquefasciatus to Bacillus sphaericus binary toxin

Bacillus sphaericus binary toxin displays a specific toxicity towards Culex spp. larvae. Resistance of Culex quinquefasciatus to B. sphaericus is associated with the reduction or absence of 66-kDa α-glucosidase, a binary toxin receptor, in larval midgut microvilli. In this study, long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting the α-glucosidase gene was used to suppress the expression of α-glucosidase in Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae and the consequences of the suppression was investigated. Three sets of dsRNAs, dsGRi1, dsGRi2, and dsGRi3, which are homologous to distinct regions of α-glucosidase gene, were delivered to mosquito larva by feeding with dsRNA–chitosan particles. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that the expression of α-glucosidase mRNA was reduced by 43% in larvae fed with dsGRi3–chitosan, compared to those fed with dsgfp–chitosan particles. Western blot analysis revealed a 7–17% reduction of α-glucosidase protein expression in larvae fed with dsGRi–chitosan. Mortality rates of larvae that received dsRNAs–chitosan particles were only 45–62% compared to those that received dsgfp–chitosan particles. These results indicate that α-glucosidase is essential for the toxicity of B. sphaericus binary toxin to Cx. quinquefasciatus.
Suprabasal α5β1 integrin expression stimulates formation of epidermal squamous cell carcinomas without disrupting TGFβ signaling or inducing spindle cell tumors

During epidermal chemical carcinogenesis benign papillomas convert to squamous cell carcinomas, some of which undergo epithelial‐mesenchymal conversion to highly malignant spindle cell tumors. TGFβ inhibits early stages of carcinogenesis but promotes the spindle cell phenotype in later stages. One hallmark of spindle cell tumors is upregulation of the α5β1 integrin fibronectin receptor. To examine the significance of altered α5β1 integrin expression, we induced tumors in transgenic mice expressing α5β1 in the suprabasal epidermal layers. Invα5β1 mice developed threefold more papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas than wild‐type (Wt) littermates; however, no spindle cell tumors or increased metastases were observed. Suprabasal expression of the α6β4 integrin increases squamous cell carcinoma formation and decreases TGFβ sensitivity while α3β1 may have the opposite effect. In contrast, nuclear phosphoSmad2 labeling in Invα5β1 epidermis and tumors was indistinguishable from Wt, and suprabasal α5β1 did not block TGFβ‐induced Smad2/3 translocation or growth inhibition in cultured keratinocytes. We conclude that upregulation of α5β1 does not predispose the epidermis to undergo conversion to spindle cell tumors and that the mechanism by which α5β1 influences susceptibility to carcinogenesis is independent of perturbed TGFβ signaling. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro studies on the reduction of nitrate by rumen liquor

A study has been made, using five artificial rumens, of the reduction of nitrate by rumen liquor in the presence of different substrates—cellulose, glucose and dried grass. It has been shown that the presence of easily utilizable carbohydrate (glucose) promotes a speedy reduction of nitrate to nitrite but that other factors—probably hydrogen donators in the dried grass—may also be involved. The further reduction of nitrite to ammonia and the uptake of the latter to form protein have also been noted where these reactions occurred.
Population ecology of house mice in unstable habitats

SUMMARY (1) The relationships between habitat change and house mouse populations were studied by monthly live trapping in a corn-wheat-hay rotation on a small Maryland farm. (2) Population density reached 53.0/ha in a wheat/hay field in October and 25.4/ha in corn in September. Populations increased by immigration as wheat or corn grew and ripened and decreased by emigration as hay became tall and dense. (3) Survival rates were high in winter in the relatively stable habitat of the wheat/hay field; they were low throughout the summer in both fields, and were reduced by corn harvest, less so by wheat harvest. If they were related to population density or increase, or to breeding condition, the relationships were obscured by the overriding influence of habitat change. (4) In the spring, when the population in the hay field 'crashed,' essentially the entire population moved -from long-established ranges in the hay field to the field of ripening wheat, where new ranges were established. In the new field, fewer than 3000 of the old associations between individuals persisted. (5) Individual mice maintained home ranges (88.1 + 6.1 m in length) in the same general area during their residence in a field. Ranges shifted from month to month, perhaps in response to changes in populations and habitat; exploratory travels and other movements also modified home range behaviour. (6) Minimum life expectancy (residence time) was greater from November (4-5 months) than from June/July (1-2 months). Maximum individual age was 17 months. (7) The demographic pattern fell at the r extreme of the r-K continuum. Mice bred from May to October, matured and produced litters rapidly, produced several litters in a season, and had a high turnover rate. (8) It was concluded that migration was a primary mechanism of population regulation in the cropfield mosaic and that it was driven by habitat change, a system in contrast to those described for house mice in confined conditions.
Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activities of Toona Sinensis Roem Leaves as Affected by Drying Methods

Toona sinensis Roem (also known as Chinese toon) is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. The effects of different drying methods (including freeze drying, 65C hot air drying and solar drying) on the antioxidant activities of the toon leaves were investigated. Water and methanol extracts of leaves dried with all three methods exerted up to 94% 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and showed better reducing powder than butylated hydroxyanisole and α-tocopherol at the level of 0.8 mg/mL. While methyl gallate was only detected in methanol extracts (99–395 μg/g), the highest amount of gallic acid was found in water extracts (3.21–4.58 mg/g) for its higher polarity. The addition of dried toon leaves reduced the lipid oxidation as represented by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in toon barbecue sauce; the TBARS values after 4 months of storage for freeze-dried, hot air-dried, solar-dried and control samples were 1.13 ± 0.16, 1.42 ± 0.06, 1.58 ± 0.09 and 2.14 ± 0.09 ppm, respectively. Practical Applications With Toona sinensis Roem (Chinese toon), although many beneficial properties of toon leaves can be found in the scientific literature, the academic results can hardly be used for the manufacture of commercial products. Toon barbecue sauce, containing solar-dried toon leaf powder prepared by primitive solar drying in the countryside, is an important vegetarian food product in Taiwan. There is no known research that has been conducted to investigate the effects of solar drying on the quality of the toon leaves and on the antioxidant properties of the sauce. The present research compared the quality of solar-, hot air- and freeze-dried toon leaves and the resulting toon barbecue sauce. The results can serve as guidelines for the toon barbecue sauce manufacturers to make products with better functional properties.
IκB proteins: structure, function and regulation

Abstract The Rel/NF-κB transcription factors represent the paradigm of regulation of transcriptional activation through subcellular localization. In unstimulated cells, NF-κB exists in an inactive state in the cytoplasm complexed to the inhibitory IκB molecules. Upon stimulation, IκB is rapidly degraded, freeing NF-κB to translocate to the nucleus and to activate the expression of its target genes. In this chapter, we will summarize what is known about the structure of IκB molecules, their functions, the mechanisms of IκB degradation, and the most common upstream signaling pathway (that is, serine phosphorylation) that leads to IκB degradation. Finally, we will discuss alternative mechanisms for induction of NF-κB through regulation of IκB activity.
Reproductive biology of the shore crab Carcinus maenas (Decapoda, Portunidae): a macroscopic and histological view

A histological study of the reproductive cycle of male and female shore crabs, Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus), was performed monthly on the South West coast of Ireland (from December 2006 to July 2008). The calculated sex ratio deviated from equality, 1:0.53, revealing a strong male bias. A system was devised, based on screening of tissue sections, to describe and stage gametogenic development. Histological examinations revealed that ovarian development occurred biannually, with a primary winter cycle in which the larger crabs reproduced and a secondary summer cycle, when smaller crabs reproduced. An association was observed where more of the larger specimens were caught in the summer months and the smaller specimens in the winter months, which inversely correlated with the segregated breeding cycles. There was strong evidence that mature male crabs could potentially copulate year round since all mature specimens, collected throughout the year, contained viable spermatozoa. Developmental stages of oogenesis and spermatogenesis were described to develop a practical gonadal index for this portunid crab, providing information on the biology of this species, which will be of benefit for fisheries management.
Resting Metabolic Rate and Social Status in Juvenile Giant Freshwater Prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Forty post-larval giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were weighed, measured, marked and placed in groups of 4. Social interactions were screened daily, moults were recorded and the nature and stability of dominance interactions characterised. Half of the prawns were screened for resting oxygen consumption before group formation. In most groups, one or two individuals ('dominants') consistently won the majority of interactions in which they were involved, while others ('subordinates') consistently lost; the remainder were classified as of intermediate social status. Prawns lost more fights on the day before a moult, but despite this, rank was retained after moults. Neither initial size nor growth rates varied with status, but prawns that became dominant had significantly higher resting metabolic rates before group formation than those that became subordinate. Thus in M. rosenbergii the outcome of aggressive interactions can be predicted from the metabolic physiology of the animals although whether the relationship is causal remains to be determined.
Influence of mass trapping on the population dynamic and damage‐effect of bark beetles 1, 2

In extensive experiments during a period of 5 years we could prove that 1. the population density could not be substantially influenced by a massive and continuous mass trapping with pheromone baited traps neither of Ips typographus nor of Trypodendron lineatum; 2. the protection of an object by this method is in case of the first‐named insect possible but against the second one not; 3. the number of bark beetles on a given place is not exclusively decisive for the attack of trees; the monitoring in a certain time and the forecast based on this date have therefore a vague character; 4. there is a good correlation between the manner of forest management on the one hand and the population density of bark beetles or the number of attacked trees, respectively, on the other: the so‐called clean‐management is the best, probably the most reliable and at long sight also the most reasonable method against the propagation and the attack of the bark beetles.
Relationships between yield of sweet corn and northern leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum

Relationships between yield of six sweet corn hybrids that differed in resistance to northern leaf blight (NLB) and severity of NLB were examined in field experiments done in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Severity of NLB was assessed on an individual leaf basis and was weighted by the proportion of the total leaf area accounted for by each leaf. Three leaves (the primary ear leaf and the leaves immediately above and below the primary ear) accounted for about 33-40% of the total leaf area (.)
An Innovative Crop–Forage Intercrop System: Early Cycle Soybean Cultivars and Palisadegrass

Agriculture and livestock integration is a sustainable practice that improves both crop yield and pasture recuperation/formation. However, to achieve success it is important to identify crop cultivars more adapted to intercropping with grasses. Th erefore, the objective was to evaluate nutrient concentration and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) cultivars with diff erent life cycles as aff ected by palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich) Stapf) intercropped in the same furrow at diff erent depths, in a no-till system, as well as dry matter production and protein concentration of palisadegrass pasture. Experiments were performed during two growing seasons, on a Typic Haplorthox, at Botucatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Th e experimental design was a randomized block, arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, with six replications. Treatments consisted of two cropping systems (sole cropped soybean; soybean and palisadegrass intercropped) and four soybean cultivars (super-early cycle (Monsoy 6101), early cycle (Embrapa 48), normal cycle (BRS 133), and late cycle (Emgopa 313)). Life cycle duration of the soybean had a marked eff ect, and only early cycle soybean were successful intercrops. Intercropping palisadegrass with super-early or early soybean cultivars were viable options to crop-livestock integration, because they did not aff ect both soybean or palisadegrass yield. In addition, with these cultivars, it was possible to cultivate grain and then aft erward more time for cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) grazing in the same area, providing greater revenue compared to sole soybean cropped or in the intercropping with longer cycle cultivars.
Effects of Cadmium Stress on the Plankton Communities of Experimental Ponds

Abstract Experimental ponds were used to determine the impact of a single low-level addition of cadmium on naturally occuring plankton communities. Cadmium (as CdCl2) was added to two ponds to create nominal concentrations of 5 μgCd/1 and two ponds served as non-addition controls. Plankton responses were then monitored for 31 days. Cadmium concentrations declined rapidly in treated ponds to < 1 μg/1 by day 10. Biomass and productivity of the phytoplankton community were slightly lower in treated ponds immediately following cadmium addition, but by day 10 had returned to control pond levels. The zooplankton community exhibited a wide range of responses. Simocephalus serrulatus populations were virtually eliminated in treated ponds initially, but later recovered. In situ and laboratory bioassays verified this decreasing effect of cadmium with time. Populations of another cladoceran, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, were enhanced in the cadmium ponds; it appeared earlier and was more abundant on each date sampled. C.
Genetic sketch of the six population groups of Rajasthan: a study based on 12 autosomal loci

Rajasthan lies on the northwest border of India, and has acted as a major route for human movements since prehistoric and historic times. The present study was conducted to gain an insight into inter-and intrapopulation affinities or variations among the six population groups of Rajasthan. DNA samples from 221 unrelated individuals belonging to six endogamous population groups of Rajasthan, including both tribal (Bhil, Damaria, Garasia, Mina and Saharia) and caste populations (Rajput) were screened for 12 DNA (seven Alu indel and five RFLP) markers. All the loci were found to be polymorphic in all the studied populations. The GST values which determine the genetic differentiation between the population ranges from 1.5% in LPL to 8.7% in APO. This study suggests that the population groups of Rajasthan are genetically close to other Indian populations, reflecting a common genetic unity among the Indian populations. The study also indicates European gene flow into the populations studied in this paper.
Biological control of peach twig blight (Monilinia laxa) with Penicillium frequentans

In 1986 and 1988 various preparations of spores and or mycelium of the antagonist Penicillium frequentans, alone or in alternation with captan were applied to field-grown peach trees inoculated with Monilinia laxa, the cause of twig blight. Some preparations of P. frequentans containing nutrients gave significant reductions in severity of disease (from 38 to 80%) over control, comparable to that given by captan. Combinations of P. frequentans and captan gave a level of control similar to or less than that given by the antagonist or chemical alone. Populations ofP. frequentans on shoots were monitored after application in 1986. When applied with nutrients, levels of P. frequentans on shoots remained higher than when the fungus was applied in the absence of nutrients. In a glasshouse experiment the effect of P. frequentans treatments on twig blight was influenced by the type and amount of M. laxa inoculum applied.
An assessment of historic human impact on south-eastern Australian environmental systems, using late Holocene rates of environmental change

The late Holocene of south-eastern Australia was typified by stable climate, vegetation and sedimentary regimes, in relative equilibrium with Aboriginal land use and fire management. The arrival of Europeans, with the associated vegetation clearance, introduction of exotic plants and animals, notably for grazing and agriculture and a change in fire regimes, resulted in changes in vegetation and sedimentary patterns. Impacts varied in type and magnitude through the region and evidence of impacts that is preserved varies with sedimentary setting. Here we take a number of proxy measures of vegetation change, fire history, erosion and weathering from six sediment sections across south-eastern Australia and use an index to measure overall rate of change. This shows that the vegetation and environmental systems of south-eastern Australia have been very sensitive to human impact following European settlement.
Interspecific relationship between the Japanese horned beetle and two Japanese stag beetle species

The Japanese horned beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus septentrionalis and the Japanese stag beetles Lucanus maculifemoratus maculifemoratus and Prosopocoilus inclinatus inclinatus generally occur syntopically and aggregate on oak tree surfaces that exude sap. Securement of these sap sites might be directly linked to male reproductive success. Among the three species, it is likely that males of T. d. septentrionalis are dominant in occupation of feeding sites because of their larger body size. However, there is no clear evidence of this superiority. Moreover, if T. d. septentrionalis is dominant, the mechanism by which the two stag beetle species secure the feeding sites remains unclear. In the present study, I used body mass to compare the body size among males of T. d. septentrionalis, L. m. maculifemoratus and P. i. inclinatus. Further, to clarify the interspecific relationship between the horned beetle and the two stag beetles, I investigated the seasonality of emergence pattern of males at the feeding sites in the field. Comparison of body mass and observation of fighting behavior revealed that males of T. d. septentrionalis have an apparent superiority over males of the two stag beetle species. The seasonal emergence patterns of the two stag beetle species at the feeding sites showed bimodal distributions, and avoided the peak of emergence in T. d. septentrionalis. My results suggest that the two stag beetle species exhibit mate‐securing tactics by emerging at the feeding sites early and late during the breeding season, in order to avoid encountering T. d. septentrionalis.
Phytoseiid Mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) on Plants in Trostyanets Dendrological Park (Ukraine)

Phytoseiid Mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) on Plants in Trostyanets Dendrological Park (Ukraine) Species composition and distribution of phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) are studied studied on plants in Trostyanets state dendrological park NAS of Ukraine (Trostyanets village, Ichnya region, Chernigiv oblast, Ukraine) for the first time. Mites of twenty phytoseiid species from nine genera were found. Frequency of occurrence of each species is estimated as well as their relative biotopic allocation to both vegetation type and plant species. Клещи-фитосейиды (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) на растениях дендрологического парка (Украина) Впервые установлен видовой состав и распределение клещей-фитосейид (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) на растениях Государственного дендрологического парка НАН Украины (с. Тростянец, Ичнянский р-н, Черниговская обл., Украина). Выявлены 20 видов 9 родов семейства, рассчитаны встречаемость и относительная биотопическая приуроченность каждого зарегистрированного вида клеща к типам растительности и видам растений.
SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS IN THE NON-NATIVE FLORA OF CALIFORNIA, USA1

ABSTRACT Economic and ecological problems brought by the invasion of non-native species can be prevented in part by identifying patterns in the invasion process. We tested hypotheses that address variation in the spatial, taxonomic, and temporal distributions of non-native floras in the large and diverse geographic area defined as California. Analyses reveal that in time, 79% of all non-native species will occur in disturbed habitat; polyploidy is not correlated with geographic spread; the Poaceae and Brassicaceae are the most broadly represented families across elevations; introductions increase from all geographic regions from 1925 to 1969, but more recently from Asia, Australia, Africa, South Africa, and South America; and more than 50% of all alien taxa recorded prior to 1925 have become widespread. Some taxa without native representatives contain some of the worst invaders in the flora, thus we suggest that control efforts should be directed to recent arrivals without native representation. Our conclusions support the need to control the spread of non-natives early in the invasion process but also emphasize the need to control invasions from a floristic perspective, both locally and regionally.