Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Androgens in the Ovarian Microenvironment

Within the ovarian follicle, the theca interna (here­ after abbreviated to theca) and granulosa cells are the principal steroidogenic cell types. Between themthey synthesize and secrete the 3 major classes of ovarian steroids: progestins (C21), androgens (C19), and estrogens (C18). Theca cells, stimulated by lu­ teinizing hormone (LH), convert steroid precursors to progesterone and progesterone to androgens but have only a limited ability to aromatize androgens to estrogens. Granulosa cells, on the other hand, have abundant aromatase activity and readily con­ vert androgen to estrogen when stimulated by fol­ licle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Although they syn­ thesize progestins, granulosa cells are unable to convert C21 steroids to androgens. Instead, thecal androgens diffuse into the granulosa cell compart­ ment where they are used as substrate for conver­ sion to estrogens. This cooperation between theca and granulosa in the biosynthesis of steroids is the basis of the "two-cell, two gonadotropin" model for control of steroidogenesis by the ovarian follicle. Traditionally, we are most familiar with the extraovarian functions of steroid hormones as they are carried throughout the body by the circulatory sys­ tem. However, it is becoming evident that ovarian steroids also have intraovarian actions by which they regulate follicular activity. There is considera­ ble evidence that estrogens have stimulatory effects on the ovary, 5 but far less is known about the regulatory roles C21 and C19 steroids play. There have been reports that androgens have no physiologic function, apart from that as substrate for aromatase, in the maturation of preovulatory follicles. Zeleznik and colleagues have shown that the antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide has little or no effect on FSH induction of enzyme activity or LH receptors in diethylstilbestrol (DES)-primed, hypophysectomized, immature rats, which suggests that androgens are not essential for FSH to initiate de­ velopment of antral follicles. In support of this hy­ pothesis, Neumann and associates demonstrated that cyproterone acetate, another antiandrogen, does not disrupt estrous cycles or interfere with ovulation in adult rats. In addition, Lyon and Glenister have reported that tfm/o mice, a strain in which females carry a gene conferring androgen resistance, have normal reproductive cycles; follicular matura­ tion, conception, and pregnancy occur. There has been increasing evidence recently in support of the hypothesis that androgens are in­ volved in the control of follicular development. Spe­ cific androgen binding sites have been identified in granulosa cell cytoplasm and binding of andro­ gen to these receptor-like proteins has been shown to result in translocation to the cell nucleus. Al­ though androgens have been commonly associated with follicular atresia, there is now good experi­ mental evidence that androgens exert positive in­ fluences on follicular growth and development. In this review, we will document evidence for
Application of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) Analysis to Listeria monocytogenes: A Review of Methodology and Results

Abstract Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses have been found to be powerful molecular methods for differentiating isolates of a given bacterial species. When applied to Listeria monocytogenes, both methods have been found highly effective in tracking isolates involved in food borne outbreaks of listeriosis and in identifying routes of contamination in food processing plants. Among the two methods, PFGE is considered somewhat superior in discriminatory power. However, the use of two or more independent random primers with RAPD is considered to result in a level of discrimination equal to that of PFGE. When results from both methods are combined, a maximum level of discrimination that exceeds that obtained with both methods independently can be achieved. Individually, both methods far exceed the discriminatory power of serotyping and phage typing of L. monocytogenes strains in that serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b, represent over 90% of all human isolates, and phage typing at times has allowed typing of no more than about 50% of isolates. In addition, both RAPD and PFGE on occasion have been found to be superior to ribotyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, and restriction enzyme analysis of L. monocytogenes isolates.
Evolution des taux de croissance juvénile d'espèces forestières sous trois régimes expérimentaux de compétition

Résumé En étudiant l’évolution des taux de croissance en diamètre et en hauteur au cours des premières années de la succession secondaire, on a déterminé que le bouleau jaune (Betula allegltaniensis Britton) est l’espèce commerciale la plus compétitive et la mieux adaptée au site à ce stade de la succession. L’érable à sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) est globalement le moins efficace, le hêtre à grandes feuilles (Fagus granrli/olia Ehrh.) se montrant un peu plus compétitif que lui. Cette croissance juvénile très rapide semble confirmer la dominance passagère du bouleau jaune dans la succession et laisse présager sa régression au profit de l’érable à sucre pour reformer la communauté originale d’avant la coupe, l’érablière à bouleau jaune et hêtre à grandes feuilles. Il est donc peu probable que les tendances observées actuellement se poursuivent jusqu’au stade final.
Scientific Report on the Belgian Expedition to the Great Barrier Reef in 1967. Nematodes IX Four new species of Quadricoma Filipjev (Nematoda, Desmoscolecida)

The following species are described: Q. papillata sp.n. , characterized by its head‐shape with broad truncated anterior end and in males by the possession of 2 single short, stout ventral genital papillae situated anterior to the middle of the body; Q. lizardiensis sp.n. , closely related to Q. papillata but distinguished from the latter by its head‐shape with a pronounced distally widened anterior border and the absence of genital papillae in the male; Q. freudenhammeri sp.n. , characterized by its head‐shape with an anteriorly tapering naked front part with thickened, sclerotized cuticle and a rounded posterior part covered with thin cuticle and by the stoma with cheilorhabdia; Q. noffsingerae sp.n. , characterized by its head‐shape with widened truncated anterior border surrounding 6 sometimes protruding lips, each with a tube‐like papilla and by the position of the ocelli situated along the posterior half of the long cylindrical oesophagus.
The Influence of Parent Material on Vegetation Response 15 years after the Dude Fire, Arizona

This study examined the effects of two types of parent material, sandstone and limestone, on the response of vegetation growth after the 1990 Dude Fire in central Arizona. The operating hypothesis of the study was that, given the right conditions, severe wildfire can trigger vegetation type conversion. Overall, three patterns emerged: (1) oak density increased by 413% from unburned sites to burned sites, with the highest densities occurring on sandstone soils; (2) weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula Nees), a very aggressive non-native grass species seeded after the fire, now makes up 81% of the total herbaceous cover in the burned area; and (3) bare ground cover is 150% higher and litter cover is 50% lower in the burned area. Soil analysis was not definitive enough to differentiate impacts between parent materials however it was useful in quantifying the long-term impact of the fire on soils. The results of this study support the idea that catastrophic fire events can trigger vegetation type conversion and that perennial, non-native species used in rehabilitation efforts can persist within the ecosystem for long periods of time. Hence, the recovery period needed for the Dude Fire site to revert back to a pine-oak dominated forest could be on the scale of many decades to centuries.
Preliminary Investigations on the Biology and Ecology of the Parasites and Predators of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)

During 1953 and 1954, experimental plots were set up on two sites in eastern England and regular fortnightly samples were taken in an attempt to evaluate the degree of control of the Cabbage Aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), exerted by its parasites and predators.The plot at each site consisted of a block of 5 rows of 40 plants and each main sample consisted of a sample of three leaves (one upper, one middle and one lower leaf) from 25 per cent. of the plants. Two such samples (A & B) were taken at each visit and were so arranged that the plants were sampled in strict rotation. The leaves were taken back to the laboratory and sample A was used to assess the number of Aphids, the other for an assessment of parasitism. The Aphids were removed from sample A and put into 95 per cent. alcohol and counted. The mummies were removed from sample B and put into labelled tubes. The leaves from sample B were then kept in insect-proof containers and examined daily for the next fortnight. All mummies which formed were removed and sorted. The insects which emerged from the mummies were killed, sexed and recorded. Predators taken from this sample were identified and recorded and used for further experiments. The validity of counting Aphids from one sample and parasites and predators from another was investigated by a series of “check-samples” taken from arbitrary plots in the fields. A shorter method for assessing parasitism was tried, using a sub-sample of the main sample, and an explanation is given for the disparity between the two sets of results.
Characteristics of American Crow Urban Roosts in California

American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) roost in urban areas across the United States creating problems resulting from fecal droppings, noise, and health hazards. With little information about roosts, managers have been unable to respond to questions from the public about roost problems or design control programs. We counted crows flying into Woodland, California, to roost, surveyed roosts for occupancy, and recorded features of 87 roost trees and 62 randomly selected nonroost trees from August 1992 through July 1994. Some crows roosted in town all year, with peak abundance from September through January. Roost trees had greater height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and crown diameter and volume than nonroost trees (P < 0.001 all cases). Most roost trees were located over an asphalt or concrete substrate (P < 0.001) in commercial areas of the city, rather than in residential areas (P < 0.001), and were subjected to greater disturbance from vehicles and people (P < 0.01). Ambient light levels and interior canopy temperatures during winter were greater at roost trees than nonroost trees (P < 0.001 both cases). There were seasonal changes in roost trees selected with an increased (P < 0.001) use of deciduous trees (elms [Ulmus spp.], mulberries [Morus spp.], oaks [Quercus spp.], and ashes [Fraxinus spp.]) in residential areas during summer months as opposed to the concentrated use of evergreen oaks, alders (Alnus spp.), and conifers (Pinus spp. and Sequoia spp.) in commercial areas during winter. We developed a logistic regression model with 4 variables that correctly classified status of 85% of roost or nonroost trees.
Alimentação de peixes: proposta para análise de itens registrados em conteúdos gástricos

Sirlei Terezinha Bennemann, S. T. ; Casatti, L. and Oliveira, D.C. Fish feeding: a proposal for analysis of the stomach content. Biota Neotrop. May/Sep 2006 vol. 6, no. 2, http://www.biotaneotropica. org.br/v6n2/pt/abstract? article+bn01206022006. ISSN 1676-0603 This study aimed to test a simplified protocol for feeding fish analysis. For this, the food items found in the gastric contents of six freshwater fish species (Astyanax paranae, Phalloceros caudimaculatus, Loricariichthys platymetopon, Moenkhausia intermedia, Schizodon intermedius, and Plagioscion squamosissimus) were quantified by weight (%) and dominance (%). Using the quantification by weight for each food item, the IAi (Feeding Index) was calculated and further compared with the dominance (D) using the Morisita-Horn similarity coefficient. The food items with higher values of IAi were also those with the largest dominance values. The general similarity between IAi and dominance (D) was high, varying of 87% (A. paranae) to 99% (P. caudimaculatus, L. platymetopon, S. intermedius, and P. squamosissimus), showing that dominance can replace composed indexes calculation. The graphic representation of weight and dominance against the frequency of occurrence showed that both are adequate to identify the most important food items, revealing that dominance may alternatively be used instead of prey items weighting, simplifying the data collection and analysis. When the objective of the trophic study is to identify the food items that stand out in quantitative terms or investigate specialization/generalization tendencies, we recommend the use of the dominance in combination to graphic methods.
Influence of Cardiolipin on Lager Beer Dimethyl Sulfide Levels: A Possible Role Involving Mitochondria?

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is an important flavor compound in American and European lagers, so brewers strive to control its level in their products. Although the main approach to controlling DMS involves judicious selection of malting and wort production regimes to control one of its precursors, S-methyl methionine (SMM), DMS formation during fermentation by yeast caused by an enzyme coined “dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductase” cannot be overlooked. During the process of altering the wort carbohydrate spectrum from one predominantly made up of maltose to one much richer in glucose through adjunct changes, a significant reduction in beer DMS levels was noted. An investigation into malt SMM levels demonstrated no significant reduction in this main precursor, suggesting other mechanisms could be involved. Since it is known that glucose inhibits the development of both mitochondria and their unique lipid, cardiolipin, we speculated that this organelle could be involved. Through a series of replicated incubation experiments aimed at altering cardiolipin content in yeast, it was found that beer DMS levels at the end of fermentation were moderately higher (approx. 10 μg/L) under incubation conditions that promote cardiolipin formation, i.e., incubation in glycerol and l-thyroxine. In comparison, conditions that limit cardiolipin formation (control and inositol incubation) resulted in lower DMS levels (P < 0.05). Assuming equal losses due to CO2 stripping during fermentation, these results suggest a possible role involving yeast mitochondria. Two suggestions are provided, of which we believe the latter is most likely based on DMSO- and methionine sulfoxide (MetSO)-addition experiments conducted within this study. First, if a true bacterial-like DMSO reductase protein were responsible, then defects in iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) formation or protein maturation would be likely, because ISCs are catalytic sites for electron transfer of Fe-S proteins. However, due to complete MetSO inhibition of DMSO reduction to DMS in the yeast strain studied, it seems more plausible that this was the result of decreased MetSO reductase activity, specifically an MsrB protein, which is speculated to be localized to the mitochondria, and that somehow the cardiolipin composition of the mitochondrial membrane is involved.
Caracterização das frações que constituem as proteínas e os carboidratos, e respectivas taxas de digestão, do feno de capim-tifton 85 de diferentes idades de rebrota

ABSTRACT - The chemical composition, crude protein fractions (A, B1, B2, B3 and C) and total carbohydrate fractions (A, B1,B2 and C), and respective degradation rate of B1, B2 and B3 protein fractions and A + B1 and B2 carbohydrate fractions of Tifto n 85bermudagrass hay from plants harvested with 28, 35, 42 and 56 days of regrowth, fertilized with 75 kg/ha/cut of N, were evaluat ed. Theprotein content of hays from 28 to 56 days of regrowth ranged from 17.58 to 12.58%. The values of A, B1, B2, B3 and C protein f ractionspresented between 22.1 and 35.53%; 0.24 and 4.55%; 30.37 and 31.34%; 26.55 and 36.62%, and, 5.75 and 6.76%, respectively, as apercentage of the total crude protein, in the hays with ages between 28 and 56 days of regrowth. The degradation rate of B1, B2 andB3 protein fractions presented between 0.319 and 1.324; 0.0724 and 0.0936, and, 0.0077 and 0.012 h -1 , respectively, in the hays withages between 28 and 56 days of regrowth. The total carbohydrates content ranged from 72.98 to 78.77%, for the hays with 28 to 56days of age. The values of A, B1, B2 and C carbohydrate fractions presented between 2.73 and 5.44%; 1.91 and 2.35%; 77.49 and 8 0.59%,and, 13.59 and 17.87%, as a percentage of total carbohydrates, in hays with ages between 28 and 56 days of regrowth. The degrad ationrate of the A + B1 and B2 carbohydrate fractions presented between 0.181 and 0.20, and 0.04 and 0.0466 h
The Effect of Knowledge about Drugs and HIV/AIDS on Teenagers’ Premarital Sexual Behaviors in Yogyakarta

This study aims at describing: (1) the effect of knowledge about drugs on tenth grade students’ premarital sexual behaviors, (2) the effect of knowledge about HIV/AIDS on tenth grade students’ premarital sexual behaviors, and (3) the simultaneous effect of knowledge about drugs and HIV/AIDS on tenth grade students’ premarital sexual behaviors (students of public high schools in Yogyakarta). This study used quantitative approach. This study’s population was all the tenth grade students of public high schools in Yogyakarta which were 2.240 students in total. The samples were 226 students from 9 high schools. This study result showed: (1) there is a negative influence of knowledge about drugs (X1) on premarital sexual behaviors (Y), (2) there is a negative influence of knowledge about HIV/AIDS (X2) on premarital sexual behaviors, and (3) there is a negative influence of knowledge about drugs (X1) and HIV/AIDS (X2) on premarital sexual behaviors (Y). This negative influence indicates that premarital sexual behaviors can be suppressed by increasing students’ knowledge on the danger of NAPZA and HIV/AIDS.
Dear Dr. Woulds, We thank you for your earlier suggestions to clarify our manuscript and the reviewers for their suggestions and favourable evaluation of our manuscript “Food selectivity and processing by the cold-water coral

Cold-water corals form prominent reef ecosystems along ocean margins that depend on suspended resources produced in surface waters. In this study, we investigated food processing of C and N labelled bacteria and algae by the 10 cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa. Coral respiration, tissue incorporation of C and N and metabolic-derived C incorporation into the skeleton were traced following the additions of different food concentrations (100, 300, 1300 μg C l) and two ratios of suspended bacterial and algal biomass (1:1, 3:1). Respiration and tissue incorporation by L. pertusa increased markedly following exposure to higher food concentrations. The net growth efficiency of L. pertusa was low (0.08±0.03), which is consistent with their slow growth rates. The contribution of algae and bacteria to total coral assimilation was proportional to 15 the food mixture in the two lowest food concentrations, but algae were preferred over bacteria as food source at the highest food concentration. Similarly, the stoichiometric uptake of C and N was coupled in the low food treatment, but was uncoupled in the high food treatment and indicated a comparatively higher uptake or retention of bacterial carbon as compared to algal nitrogen. We argue that behavioural responses for these small-sized food particles, such as tentacle behaviour, mucus trapping and physiological processing, are more likely to explain the observed food selectivity as 20 compared to physical-mechanical considerations. A comparison of the experimental food conditions to natural organic carbon concentrations above CWC reefs suggests that L. pertusa is well adapted to exploit temporal pulses of high organic matter concentrations in the bottom water caused by internal waves and downwelling events.
THE LIGHT PROMOTED GERMINATION OF THE SEEDS OF CHENOPODIUM ALBUM L. III. EFFECT OF THE PHOTOPERIOD DURING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLANTS ON THE DORMANCY OF THE PRODUCED SEEDS

SUMMARY The effects of three photoperiodical conditions during the growth of the mother-plants of Chenopodium album L. on the induction of dormancy in their seeds were determined: a long-day cycle of 18 hours light (LD), a short-day cycle of 8 hours light (SD) and a short-day cycle with an interruption of one hour red fluorescent light in the middle of the dark period (SDR). The course of the germination behaviour of the seeds during dry storage at room temperature and the morphological differences between the seeds revealed the presence of two types of seed dormancy. LD and SDR can induce the first type but only during the period after full flowering of the plants. It is concluded that the level of the active form of phytochrome (Pfr) has an important regulating function during this induction. It is discussed whether it depends on an inhibitor present in the embryo-perisperm complex of the seeds. The second type of dormancy can be induced only by LD conditions. The plants are sensitive to this effect during the complete life cycle. Its induction seems to be related to the length of main light period per cycle and so probably to the photosynthetic activity of the plants. It is correlated with a thick seed-coat and a low seed-weight, and depends on these morphological characteristics. After about three months of dry storage only the second type is present in the seeds, the first one has been inactivated or has disappeared.
JINGLE – IV. Dust, H i gas, and metal scaling laws in the local Universe

Scaling laws of dust, H i gas, and metal mass with stellar mass, specific star formation rate, and metallicity are crucial to our understanding of the build-up of galaxies through their enrichment with metals and dust. In this work, we analyse how the dust and metal content varies with specific gas mass (MH i/M⋆) across a diverse sample of 423 nearby galaxies. The observed trends are interpreted with a set of Dust and Element evolUtion modelS (DEUS) – including stellar dust production, grain growth, and dust destruction – within a Bayesian framework to enable a rigorous search of the multidimensional parameter space. We find that these scaling laws for galaxies with −1.0 ≲ log MH i/M⋆ ≲ 0 can be reproduced using closed-box models with high fractions (37–89 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) of supernova dust surviving a reverse shock, relatively low grain growth efficiencies (ϵ = 30–40), and long dust lifetimes (1–2 Gyr). The models have present-day dust masses with similar contributions from stellar sources (50–80 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and grain growth (20–50 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). Over the entire lifetime of these galaxies, the contribution from stardust (>90 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) outweighs the fraction of dust grown in the interstellar medium (<10 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). Our results provide an alternative for the chemical evolution models that require extremely low supernova dust production efficiencies and short grain growth time-scales to reproduce local scaling laws, and could help solving the conundrum on whether or not grains can grow efficiently in the interstellar medium.