Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biophysical Dispersal Dynamics of the Blue Crab in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina

REYNS, NATHALIE BRIGITTE. Biophysical dispersal dynamics of the blue crab in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. (Under the direction of David B. Eggleston). For many species such as the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, successful estuarine recruitment to juvenile nursery habitats is dependent on the biophysical processes experienced during dispersal of the early life stages. The goal of this study was to determine how blue crab primary (postlarval) and secondary (early juvenile) dispersal occurs within a predominately wind-driven estuary, Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, USA. We (1) characterized circulation patterns in Pamlico Sound during the fall blue crab recruitment months over two consecutive years using current meters (2) sampled during multiple 24 h periods to relate spatiotemporal water column distributions of postlarval and early juveniles blue crabs with circulation patterns, and used a hydrodynamic model to recreate dispersal trajectories from eastern (inlet) to western sound nursery habitats and (3) examined the environmental (wind, diel cycle, tidal phase) and biological (ontogenetic, density-dependent) factors that contribute to early juvenile blue crab secondary dispersal from near-inlet nursery habitats. During our study, surface currents responded synchronously to wind-forcing by generally flowing in the same direction as the wind. Particle-tracking simulations suggested that dispersal from Oregon and Hatteras Inlets to across-sound nursery habitats resulted from the combined use of tidal and wind-driven currents. Simulation results and observed crab distributions further indicated that Oregon Inlet was the primary supplier of postlarval blue crabs (dispersing in surface waters at night) throughout Pamlico Sound, as postlarvae ingressing through Hatteras Inlet were not retained within our study area. Furthermore, Oregon Inlet supplied early juvenile blue crabs (dispersing in bottom waters at night) to northwestern sound habitats, while crabs from Hatteras Inlet dispersed to midand eastern-sound regions. Results from our study in near-inlet settlement habitats confirmed the importance of tides to mediating dispersal partway into Pamlico Sound, as early juvenile blue crabs responded to increasing conspecific density in settlement habitats by using flood-tide transport near the inlets to rapidly leave these habitats. Based on our findings, we make recommendations regarding the prioritization of nursery habitats for conservation and fisheries management. BIOPHYSICAL DISPERSAL DYNAMICS OF THE BLUE CRAB IN PAMLICO SOUND, NORTH CAROLINA
MICROBIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES IN WESTERN HERZEGOVINA

Mikroorganizmi su kljucni pokretaci sinteze i mineralizacije organske tvari tla te je vrlo znacajno istražiti nacin njihova funkcioniranja u određenim tipovima tala razlicitog stupnja antropogenog djelovanja. Glavni cilj ovih istraživanja je procjena biogenosti razlicitih tipova tala na lokalitetima Capljine, Citluka i Ljubuskog kao i određivanje zastupljenosti celulolitickih mikroorganizama te najznacajnijih fizioloskih grupa mikroorganizama ukljucenih u kruženje dusika. Tijekom istraživanja, proucavan je utjecaj razlicitih ekoloskih faktora u interakciji sa tipom vegetacije na dinamiku i sastav mikrobne populacije. Na osnovi dobivenih rezultata za ukupan broj mikroorganizama utvrđeno je da su istraživana tla zapadne Hercegovine osrednje biogenosti u povrsinskom sloju, a slabe u potpovrsinskom sloju. Utvrđen je znacajan utjecaj godisnjeg doba, dubine tla kao i njihove interakcije na broj amonifikatora. Zastupljenost nitrifikatora u vecini istraživanih tipova tala relativno je slaba i ovisi o pojedinim pedosistematskim jedinicama kao i godisnjem dobu. Prisutnost asimbioznog fiksatora dusika, bakterije Azotobacter chroococcum utvrđena je samo u nekim istraživanim tipovima tala. U svim tipovima tala utvrđena je veca zastupljenost celulolitickih gljiva u odnosu na celuloliticke bakterije.
Brief Review Gating Mechanism of K ATP Channels: Function Fits Form

Based initially on their prominence in the squid giant axon, their useful pharmacology, and subsequently on being the first cloned K channels, voltage-gated K (Kv) channels have received the lion’s share of attention to their biophysical properties. Kv and Ca-activated K channel kinetics and gating mechanisms have been analyzed, and modeled, in exquisite detail (Hille, 2001). Inward rectifier K (Kir) channels have received less attention, and perusal of the literature indicates that there is still no common understanding of kinetic mechanisms in Kir channels. It is our contention, however, that one is in reach. Amongst Kir channels, ATPsensitive (K ATP ) channels are uniquely regulated by cytoplasmic nucleotides and specific pharmacological agents. As such, they play a critical role in coupling cellular metabolism to electrical activity, and are major drug targets in pancreatic, vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle (Ashcroft, 1988; Nichols and Lederer, 1991). We would argue that these unique properties also permit elucidation of important features of channel gating that are relevant to the whole class of Kir channels. The molecular mechanisms of K ATP channel regulation have occupied many groups for the last twenty years. Kinetic measurements have led to mathematical models of gating, mutagenesis has indicated relevant molecular elements, and crystallization of various K channel subunits and domains now provides templates for the channel structure. Distilling a consistent model of channel activity and regulation from this broth of data is the challenge for the field, and the topic of this Brief Review. The K ATP channel is formed from four Kir6.2 pore‐
Epidemiology of Paenibacillus larvae, causative agent of American foulbrood

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), a damaging disease of honey bees (Apis mellifera) with a global distribution. AFB infects the honey bee larvae through spore-contaminated larval food and once infected the larvae will die within twelve days. AFB infection leads to the eventual death of the honey bee colony. In many countries the best control method is thought to be the destruction of the colony, to destroy the hardy, infectious spores. Therefore infection nearly always leads to the death of the colony. In the UK cases of the disease have decreased in recent years due to statutory control methods, however sporadic outbreaks occur each year. Many advances have been made in our knowledge of the mechanisms of infection by P. larvae in recent years however, a high resolution, standardised method of strain typing is required to track disease spread and understand outbreak sources. This thesis describes the development of the first multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for P. larvae. MLST is the gold standard for pathogenic bacteria typing. It is based on the sequencing of sections of 6-10 housekeeping genes. MLST is standardised, as primer and allele sequences can be made available for other researchers. The new MLST scheme was used to describe previously undetectable patterns of distribution at a global level as well as at a national level. Humans and bees are implicated in the movement of the disease over different spatial scales. Using the MLST scheme a diverse group of isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing. For the first time multiple genomes were compared within and between genotypes. The ability of the MLST scheme to describe relationships amongst sequence types (STs) was tested by comparing phylogenies based on core genes and MLST sequences. I describe the discovery of seven plasmids in four STs previously unknown to harbour plasmids.
The serotonin transporter knock-out rat: a review

This chapter dicusses the most recent data on the serotonin transporter knock-out rat, a unique rat model that has been generated by target-selected N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) driven mutagenesis. The knock-out rat is the result of a premature stopcodon in the serotonin transporter gene, and the absence of the serotonin transporter has been confirmed at mRNA, protein, and functional levels. The serotonin transporter (SERT) plays a crucial role in serotonin reuptake and its absence has a huge effect on serotonin neurotransmission – exemplified by increased extracellular serotonin levels, reduced serotonin tissue/platelet/blood levels, and reduced evoked serotonin release – yet the animals appear normal and do not differ from wildtype littermates in respect to breeding and health. Behavioral phenotypes are only apparent when the animals are exposed to certain stimuli. For instance, the serotonin transporter knock-out rat displays increased stress sensitivity in a variety of anxiety- and depression-like tests, such as the elevated plus maze test and the forced swim test. Also remarkable, while general activity is not changed, the knock-out rats show a “neurotic-like” exploratory pattern. In line with the serotonin hypothesis of impulsivity, which argues that there is an inverse relationship between the two, serotonin transporter knock-out rats show reduced motor impulsivity in the five-choice serial reaction time task, and a reduction in social interaction during play and aggressive encounters. Interestingly, abdominal fat seems to be increased in the knock-out rat, despite normal body weight. Pharmacological compounds also elicit genotype-dependent responses in the knock-out rats.
Nutritional composition of fruit of four date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)cultivars grown in Haryana, India

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the nutrient composition of four varieties of date fruit. The results of the study indicated that the variety Shamran had highest protein (2.77%) content and the variety Medjool the lowest (1.88%). Fat and crude fibre contents of date fruit varieties ranged from 0.17 to 0.50% and 1.71 to 2.22%, respectively. The variety Medjool had lowest amount of total soluble sugars (67.49g/100g) and reducing sugar (61.31g/100g). All the varieties of date fruit differed non-significantly among themselves for their non-reducing sugar content. The variety Khadrawi had the highest amount of starch content. Total dietary fiber (11.70g/100g) and soluble dietary fiber (3.34g/ 100g) were highest in variety Hillawi . All the four varieties of date fruit differed significantly from each other for their total dietary fiber content and soluble dietary fiber content. The varieties Khadrawi (8.46%), Hillawi (8.35%) and Shamran (7.94%) had significantly (p≤0.05) higher insoluble dietary fiber as compared to variety Medjool (4.25%). The variety Shamran had highest amount of calcium (195.33mg/100g) and zinc (1.81mg/100g). The variety Medjool contained lowest amount of calcium (70.33mg/100g), iron (1.91mg/100g) and potassium (713mg/100g) while the highest amount of phosphorus (52.66mg/100g). A non-significant (p≤0.05) difference was observed in magnesium content of all the varieties. Polyphenol content of date fruits from different varieties ranged from 228.79 to 253.21 mg/100g.
Germination ecology of three endemic species (Inula confertiflora, Hypericum quartinianum and Lobelia rhynchopetalum) from Ethiopia

Des tests de germination de graines de trois especes endemiques d'Ethiopie. Inula confertiflora. Hypericum quartinianum et Lobelia rhynchopetalum, ont ete effectuees a differents regimes de temperatures et sous differentes qualites de lumiere. Les graines ont rapidement germe sous de larges spectres de temperatures: 15-30°C pour Inula confertiflora et Hypericum quartinianum et 10-25°C pour Lobelia rhynchopetalum. Les graines de ces trois especes ont presque egalement bien germe a constante (20°C) et fluctuante temperature (20/12°C, 12 heures chaque). La tres petite dimension des graines, leur vitesse elevee de germination dans de larges mesures de temperature constante, aussi bien qu'a temperature fluctuante de 20/12°C suggere que les especes ont evolue avec des caracteristiques qui leur permettent de germer rapidement et d'occuper des trouees formees recemment avant que la competition avec d'autres especs ne devienne une menace pour leur survie. Toutefois, la germination etait reduite pour les trois especes quand les graines ont ete incubees dans le noir ou sous une feuille. Une dormance secondaire a aussi ete induite pour des graines de I. confertiflora et L. rhynchopetalum mises a incuber dans le noir et sous feuilles quand elles ont ete reexposees a la pleine lumiere du jour. La reduction ou l'inhibition de la germination dans le noir ou sous feuille et l'induction d'une dormance secondaire sont des mecanismes qui empechent la germination des graines tandis qu'elles sont enterrees profondement dans le sol ou dispersees sous dense canopee. Ces mecanismes favoriseraient l'etablissement d'une banque du sol qui pourrait etre une reserve potentielle pour la future generation de l'espece en periode de perturbation.
Effects of jet aircraft overflights on parental care of peregrine falcons

Concerns voiced by resource managers caused us to examine the hypothesis that low-altitude jet aircraft overflights affect parental care by peregrine falcons. Specifically, we studied effects on nest attendance, time-activity budgets, and provisioning rates of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrines) breeding along the Tanana River, Alaska in 1995, 1996, and 1997. We detected subtle effects of jet overflights on peregrine falcon parental behavior, but found no evidence that overall attendance patterns differed depending on exposure to overflights. Nest attendance and time-activity budgets of peregrine falcons during periods of overflights differed from those of peregrines at reference nests (nests rarely overflown). Differences depended on stage of the nesting cycle and gender. During the incubation and brooding stages of the nesting cycle, males attended the nest ledge less when overflights occurred than did males from reference nests. Females attended the nest ledge more during overflown periods compared to females from reference nests. Additionally while females were still brooding nestlings, they were less likely to be absent from the nest area during periods when overflights occurred than females from reference nests. Although we found differences in nest attendance and time-activity budgets between overflown and reference nests, we did not observe differences between periods with overflights and periods without overflights at the same nests. Nor did we detect a relationship between nest attendance and floe number of overflights occurring within a given time period, the cumulative number of above-threshold noise events at each nest, or the average sound-exposure level of overflights. Furthermore, we found no evidence that nestling provisioning rates were affected by overflights.
Pathogenicity of Ten Gallibacterium Anatis Isolates in Commercial Broiler Chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of G. anatis infection in commercial broiler and layer chickens in El-behira and Alexandria governorates, Egypt. A total of 64 chicken flocks (53 broiler, 6 layer and 5 breeder flocks) suffering from rales, sneezing and decreased egg production (in layer and breeder flocks) were examined by collecting swabs from trachea, oviduct and ovarian tissues. The molecular identification for the suspected samples, using PCR primers targeted the 16S rRNA (1133fgal) and 23S rRNA (114r) genes revealed 23.43% (15/64) positive isolates of G. anatis. The in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing was done and revealed that almost all isolates were sensitive to cefotaxime, norfloxacin, doxycycline and florfenicol. According to the clinical signs, PM lesions and histopathological lesions in commercial broiler chickens infected experimentally there was a significant differences in the pathogenicity in commercial broiler chickens among the 10 isolates used.
Forest degradation and invasive species synergistically impact Mimusops andongensis (Sapotaceae) in Lama Forest Reserve, Benin

Harvesting of Non‐Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) can threaten target species, especially those with limited distribution and density. Exploited species also face threats from habitat fragmentation, fire, and invasive species. We assessed the impact of human disturbances and invasive species on the population of a key multipurpose NTFP species, Mimusops andongensis, in Lama Forest reserve (Benin). The densities of adult trees and regenerative stems decreased with increasing degradation. Mimusops andongensis contributed less to total tree density with increasing human disturbance. There were significantly fewer M. andongensis recruits with increasing cover of invasive Chromolaena odorata. Smaller diameter individuals predominated in non‐degraded and moderately degraded sites while in degraded sites, the structure showed a negative exponential trend with the density of small diameter individuals being less than two trees/ha. Larger individuals were also rare in degraded sites. The low density of both mature trees and seedlings in degraded sites may undermine the long‐term viability of M. andongensis, despite existing protection against NTFP harvesting and other anthropogenic pressures. Management should emphasize facilitating recruitment subsidies and limiting the presence of C. odorata.
Don't Be Fobbed Off: The Substance of Beer Foam—A Review1

A suitable head on a beer is one of the first characteristics by which consumers judge the quality of their beer; thus it is of vital importance to brewers. Beer foam quality is characterized by its stability, adherence to glass, and texture, which are inherently determined by the quality of the barley and hop raw materials used for beer production. In addition, beer production processes, addition of foam palliatives, packaging and method of dispense influence the basic foam quality determined by the raw materials. Elevated levels of key malt proteins and hop acids generally influence foam quality positively, while the inclusion of excessive levels of lipids, protein modification, and ethanol generally reduce foam quality. The primary objective of this review is to identify malt components that can be manipulated to produce beer foam of superior quality.
STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF THE ANTI-BAX FUNCTION OF THE PRION PROTEIN

The Prion Protein (PrP) prevents Bax activation in primary human neurons and in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. To identify the PrP elements necessary for this anti-Bax function, we performed structure-function analyses on cytosolic PrP (CyPrP). Partial but not complete deletion of the N-terminal BH2-like octapeptide repeats (BORs) abolish CyPrP’s anti-Bax function. Deletion of the third and last -helix (PrP23-199) eliminates CyPrP’s protection against Bax-mediated cell death, as do further C-terminal deletions. Substitution of helix 3 residues K204, V210, and E219 by prolines inhibits the anti-Bax function of CyPrP while replacement of these three residues by alanines causes a loss of function only for the K204A mutant. Expression of PrP’s helix 3 displays anti-Bax activity in both MCF-7 cells and human neurons. Together, these results indicate that although the BOR domain is implicated, helix 3 is necessary and sufficient for the anti-Bax function of CyPrP. Identification of helix 3 as the structural element for the anti-Bax function thus provides a molecular target to modulate PrP’s anti-Bax function in cancer and neurodegeneration.
FIRST REPORT OF PAPAYA RINGSPOT VIRUS INFECTING CARICA PAPAYA IN ARGENTINA

Papaya plants (Carica papaya L.) with severe leaf mosaic and deformation symptoms were observed and collected in the Formosa, Corrientes and Misiones provinces of northern Argentina. These symptoms were similar to those induced by Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-P) (Tripathi et al., 2008). Electron microscopy observations of leaf dip preparations from symptomatic papaya leaves revealed typical flexuous potyvirus particles of ca. 800×12 nm (Francki et al., 1985). Papaya leaf extracts from affected plants were mechanically inoculated on healthy papaya plants, which showed typical symptoms of the disease. The presence of the virus in symptomatic plants was tested and confirmed by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), using a specific PRSV antiserum (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). Total RNA was extracted using RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with specific PRSV coat protein gene primers: BoCP_Fwd 5’-TCCAAGAATGAAGCTGTGGACGCTGGTT-3’ and BoCP_Rev 5’-TYAGTTGCGCATACCCAGGAGAGAGT-3’. The RT-PCR amplicons of the expected size were purified and directly sequenced in both directions at Macrogen Inc. (Seoul, Korea). BLASTn analysis of the sequenced fragments (828 bp) (GenBank accession Nos. KX385113 to KX385116) showed 97 to 98% nucleotide sequence identity with previously reported PRSV-P isolates from Brazil (AF344642, JQ755427, JQ755424). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of PRSV in papaya plants in Argentina. Due to the devastating effects of PRSV in papaya (Tripathi et al., 2008) and the recent increase of cultivation area in northern Argentina, it becomes necessary to implement management strategies to control this disease and avoid the introduction of the virus into new production areas.
Prescribed burning is an effective and quick method to conserve rare pyrophilous forest‐dwelling flat bugs

Fire suppression and reduced volumes of dead wood have led to a major decline in pyrophilous and saproxylic insects in Fennoscandian boreal forests. As a consequence, several species are currently seriously threatened. Flat bugs (Heteroptera, Aradidae) is an important invertebrate group that includes several pyrophilous species, including many threatened ones. We explored whether specific conservation measures – prescribed burning and retention forestry – can facilitate the survival of flat bugs in managed forests. The large‐scale field experiment consisted of a burning treatment (yes/no) and four levels of logging intensity (clear‐cut, retention levels of 10 and 50 m3 ha−1, and unharvested controls). The data included 1224 individuals of 12 species, sampled over a 4‐year period. Burning increased the species richness and abundance of the pyrophilous species. Two Red‐Listed and very rare pyrophilous species, Aradus angularis J. Sahlberg (Vulnerable) and A. laeviusculus Reuter (Near Threatened), were abundant after burning. The number of non‐pyrophilous flat bugs collapsed after burning but they re‐colonised the stands quickly, becoming as abundant as at the unburned stands. Logging increased the abundance of flat bugs only when retention forestry was applied. This study shows that pyrophilous flat bugs are quickly able to locate recently burned forests and that these forests are important for their survival. The effect of fire is, however, transient at the stand level and pyrophilous species disappear almost completely quickly after fire. To maintain these species, recently burned forests with a sufficient volume of retention trees should be available continuously at the landscape level.