Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LIGHT RESPIRATION IN SIX ESTUARINE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES: CONTRASTS UNDER PHOTOAUTOTROPHIC AND MIXOTROPHIC GROWTH CONDITIONS 1

The photoresponse of respiration was examined in six estuarine phytoplankton species grown at a limiting irradiance in the presence or absence of glucose. Cellular respiration rates in the dark, at the growth irradiance, and at saturating light levels were higher in glucose‐grown cultures than in photoautotrophic cultures. Glucose uptake also affected the relationship between incident irradiance and gross respiration rate, and the specific respiratory pathways that contributed to the respiration versus irradiance (R vs. I) response. The energy‐conseming Mehler reaction contributed largely to light‐stimulated respiration in photoautotrophic (energy‐limited) cultures. However, the energy‐dissipating alternative pathway was the predominant form of respiration measured in mixotrophic (energy‐sufficient) cultures. Based on these and previous observations, a model of phytoplankton R us. I response is presented, in which the relative contributions of different light respiratory processes (cytochrome pathway respiration, alternative pathway respiration, chlororespiration, Mehler reaction) are dependent on the incident irradiance and cellular energy content.
Growth and forage quality of three Bromus species native to western Canada

There is growing interest in revegetating disturbed areas with native plant species; thus seed sources for appropriate native species need to be developed. In this study, we compared growth and forage quality of three native Bromus species (Bromus carinatus, B. ciliatus, and B. anomalus) collected in central Alberta with growth and forage quality of three domestic forage species (B. riparius Rehm., B. inermis Leyss., and Dactylis glomerata L.). Eight establishment year-locations were used for experiments conducted between 1993 and and 1996 at six locations in western Canada. Seedling establishment measured in 4 year-locations indicated that all native Bromus species established as well as the domestic bromegrasses, and that B. carinatus exceeded seedling establishment of the domestic bromegrasses. Bromus carinatus either yielded the same or less dry matter (DM) that the domestic bromegrasses, the same or more than D. glomerata, and more than B. ciliatus or B. anomalus. Bromus carinatus was either as tall .
Low‐temperature storage and cold hardiness in two populations of the predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza, differing in diapause intensity

Abstract. The potential for medium‐time, low‐temperature storage was compared in diapausing larvae of two populations of Aphidoletes aphidimyza, a predatory midge used to control aphids in greenhouses. During 4 months of storage, no statistical decrease of survival rate (c. 75%) was observed in the population Palamos (field collected). However, a significant decrease (below 50%) was recorded in the population Biobest (commercial, selected for the best performance in greenhouses). Measuring physiological parameters related to the rate of diapause development revealed that the larvae of the population Palamos (in contrast to Biobest) showed a significant metabolic suppression even at the relatively high temperature of 17°C, a slower rate of glycogen depletion during storage at 3°C and a longer duration of diapause development (a higher intensity of diapause, collectively). A higher capacity for survival at subzero temperatures (cold hardiness), in either the supercooled or frozen state, was also found in the Palamos population. It is suggested that the higher survival at low‐temperature storage might be linked directly to the higher diapause intensity. It remains unclear, however, whether and how the performance during low‐temperature storage is linked to the capacity for cold hardiness.
Sensory feedback in the control of mouthpart movements in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

ABSTRACT. When imposed movements were applied to one or both mandibles of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, the other mouthparts moved in synchrony with the mandibles. This occurred in the presence or absence of food, and when the mandibles were driven at a higher or lower frequency than that seen during normal feeding. Electromyogram recordings from the mandibular closer muscles revealed bursts of activity at the same frequency as the imposed movement. This activity occurred during mandibular closing. Burst length was a function of driving wavelength. At low driving frequencies (less than 0.5 Hz), smaller bursts were seen prior to the longer closing burst; a series of similar small bursts was seen when the mandibles were held in the open position. When one mandible was driven, closer muscle activity was largely confined to that side. In the presence of food, however, activity was seen in both closer muscles. A possible mechanism for this is described. After destruction of the campaniform sensilla on the ventral surface of the mandibles, the bursts of activity in the mandibular closers, seen when the mandibles were held open, were replaced by continuous activity. This suggests that the function of these sensilla is to inhibit motor output to the closer muscles when the tension becomes high. When feeding on relatively incompressible food the closer muscle burst length increased, although chewing frequency did not alter. This effect was also produced by loading the mandibles artificially. A model for the feedback control of this behaviour is proposed.
Níveis de água, nitrogênio e potássio por gotejamento subsuperficial em cana-de-açúcar

The objective of this work was to define the optimal irrigation, nitrogen and potassium levels in sugarcane, cultivar RB867515, applied by subsurface drip, in the first ratoon, to maximize stem, sugar and alcohol yield. The experiment was carried out on Plinthaquox soil in the county Uniao, Piaui State, Brazil, during the 2008/2009 agricultural season. The treatments consisted of: irrigation levels including rainfall (W1, 767.5; W2, 898.5; W3, 971.0; W4, 1,053.0; and W5, 1,154.0 mm) and nitrogen and potassium levels(N1,44.0; N2, 78.0; N3, 111.0; N4, 144.0; N5, 178.0; K1, 44.0; K2, 67.0; K3, 89.0; K4, 111.0; and K5, 133.0 kg ha-1). The experimental design used was a randomized complete block with two replicates, in a 5x5x5 (Wx N x K) 1/5 fractional factorial arrangement. Maximum stem yield ((207.4 Mgha-1)is reached with 1,154.0 mm of water associated with 114.2 kg ha-1 of N and 60.1 kg ha-1 of K2O.Maximum sugar (25.3 Mgha-1) and alcohol (20.0 m3 ha-1) yield is achieved with 1,154.0 mm associated with levels of 90.0 kg ha-1 of N and 60.0 kg ha-1 of K2O.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Regulates Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 and of Its Co-receptor Neuropilin-1 in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells*

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) modulates gene expression in endothelial cells and is angiogenic in vivo. TNF-α does not activate in vitro migration and proliferation of endothelium, and its angiogenic activity is elicited by synthesis of direct angiogenic inducers or of proteases. Here, we show that TNF-α up-regulates in a dose- and time-dependent manner the expression and the function of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) as well as the expression of its co-receptor neuropilin-1 in human endothelium. As inferred by nuclear run-on assay and transient expression of VEGFR-2 promoter-based reporter gene construct, the cytokine increased the transcription of the VEGFR-2 gene. Mithramycin, an inhibitor of binding of nuclear transcription factor Sp1 to the promoter consensus sequence, blocked activation of VEGFR-2, suggesting that the up-regulation of the receptor required Sp1 binding sites. TNF-α increased the cellular amounts of VEGFR-2 protein and tripled the high affinity125I-VEGF-A165 capacity without affecting theK d of ligand-receptor interaction. As a consequence, TNF-α enhanced the migration and the wound healing triggered by VEGF-A165. Since VEGFR-2 mediates angiogenic signals in endothelium, our data indicate that its up-regulation is another mechanism by which TNF-α is angiogenic and may provide insight into the mechanism of neovascularization as occurs in TNF-α-mediated pathological settings.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF ANABAENA VARIABILIS (CYANOPHYCEAE) TO INSTANTANEOUS EXPOSURE TO VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND TEMPERATURE 1

Light intensity and temperature interactions have a complex effect on the physiological process rates of the filamentous bluegreen alga Anabaena variabilis Kütz. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis increased with increasing light intensity from 10°C at 42 μE·m−2·s−1 to 35°C at 562 μE·m−2·s−1. The light saturation parameter, IK, increased with increasing temperatures. The maximum photosynthetic rate (2.0 g C·g dry wt.−1·d−1) occurred at 35°C and 564 μE·m−2·s−1. At 15°C, the maximum rate was 1.25 g C·g dry wt. −1·d−1 at 332 μE·m−2·s−1. The dark respiration rate increased exponentially with temperature. Under favorable conditions of light intensity and temperature the percent of extracellular release of dissolved organic carbon was less than 5% of the total C fixed. This release increased to nearly 40% under combinations of low light intensity and high temperature. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the interaction of light intensity and temperature on photosynthetic rate. The interactive effects were represented by making the light‐saturation parameters a function of temperature.
ECODYNAMICS OF OIL-DEGRADING BACTERIA AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MARINE MIXED POPULATIONS IN THE DEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM COMPOUNDS

ABSTRACT Ecological studies, screening of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, and studies of the potentials of various single and mixed bacterial populations in the utilization of petroleum compounds were carried out to understand the microbial hydrocarbon degradation process in marine ecosystems. Populations of hydrocarbon utilizers were larger in coastal regions than in pelagic environments. Ecological observations indicated that oil-degrading bacteria were ubiquitously distributed in both temperate and tropical environments, irrespective of oil-polluted and unpolluted ecosystems. Bacteria were grown with n-tetradecane, pristane, propylbenzene, phenanthrene, and crude oil as the sole carbon source; and substrate specificities of the purified strains were characterized. Based on the assimilation characteristics of the isolated strains, an artificial mixed-culture system was constructed. Biodegradation of crude oil by the natural mixed population was found to be higher than by the artificial mixed population.
Influence of Seedling Age at Transplanting on Rice Performance

With the advent of high-yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties on the cost of Peru, the question arose as to how these short-statured plant types react to delays in transplanting, a common situation in the field because of uncertain water supply. A field experiment conducted in Lambayeque, Peru evaluated two short-statured varieties, ‘IR8’ and ‘IR5,’ with the tall, traditional ‘Minabir’ variety at transplanting dates from 30 to 105 days after seeding and at three seedbed growth rates. IR8 produced the highest grain yield (12.0 tons/ha) when transplanted at 30 days after seeding. Yields decreased linearly at the rate of 125 kg/ha per day of delayed transplanting beyond 30 days. Minabir showed less-pronounced yield decreases up to 75 days after seeding. Slowing seedbed growth of IR8 through water and N stress produced significant yield increases when transplanted at 75 and 90 days after seeding. Delayed transplanting reduced plant height and dry matter production, caused flowering shortly after transplanting in some cases, and decreased panicle production and the number of fertile grains per panicle. Seeding density had no effect on yields. The experiment showed that the short-statured plant types are more sensitive to delays in transplanting than the tall ones, but that the new varieties can outyield the tall varieties when transplanted up to 90 days after seeding.
Biogeographic congruence in the south Pacific

Ever since J. D. Hooker's famous 'Introductory Essay' to Flora NOVE-Zelandise, a classical problem in biogeography has been to give a casual explanation of southern hemisphere distribution patterns. An attempt is made to see whether the cladograms for the circum-Pacific areas (South America, New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia) are congruent. The area cladograms are derived from Nothofagus (Fagacae), Embothriinae (Protaceae), Oreobolus (Cyperaceae), Cyttaria (Helotiales) and Eriococcidae (Homoptera). The resulting general area cladogram showing southern South America as the sister-area to New Zealand, south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, and Tasmania plus south-eastern Australia as sister-areas to New Zealand are compared with different geological hypotheses for the area. The biological area cladogram is shown to be congruent with widely different geological hypotheses.
Quantifying land use and disturbance intensity in forestry, based on the self‐thinning relationship

Forest management and disturbances affect forest soils and biomass carbon stocks, emissions to the atmosphere, and radiative forcing. The conventional approaches to quantifying the intensity of land management based on net primary productivity (NPP) are limited because they lack a sound ecological basis. These limitations are especially evident for forests. This study proposes a new way of characterizing the degree of management and disturbance in forest stands that do not experience a change in classification, i.e., they remain forests. The proposed index, called land use and disturbance intensity (LUDI), uses the relationship between stand density and diameter at breast height for a relatively unmanaged/pristine baseline forest and different management schemes, in conjunction with the self-thinning relationship, to calculate the difference between potential and actual biomass storage. The LUDI distinguishes between the long and short timescales associated with management and disturbance. This capacity sets it apart from the conventional NPP-based approaches currently used to quantify the disturbance intensity. The study uses a semi-qualitative validation approach to demonstrate that the proposed index reproduces textbook knowledge on management and disturbance intensity. However, our quantitative approach that distinguishes between timescales adds insight into the effects of forest management on the living biomass stock. Further, data from the German national forest inventory were used to demonstrate that the proposed index does not require knowledge about the management scheme. Although LUDI is constrained to aboveground living biomass, we believe that the approach is useful in the context of broadening our capability in large-scale management reconstruction and through this understanding the effects of land use on the carbon cycle, beyond effects of deforestation and afforestation.
Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes (diabetes) is characterized by accelerated cognitive decline and higher dementia risk. Controversy exists regarding the impact of metformin, which is associated with both increased and decreased dementia rates. The objective of this study was to determine the association of metformin use with incident dementia and cognitive decline over 6 years in participants with diabetes compared with those not receiving metformin and those without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted of N = 1,037 community-dwelling older participants without dementia aged 70–90 years at baseline (the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study). Exclusion criteria were dementia, major neurological or psychiatric disease, or progressive malignancy. Neuropsychological testing measured cognitive function every 2 years; a battery of tests measured executive function, memory, attention/speed, language, and visuospatial function individually. These were used to determine the measure of global cognition. Incident dementia was ascertained by a multidisciplinary panel. Total brain, hippocampal, and parahippocampal volumes were measured by MRI at baseline and 2 years (n = 526). Data were analyzed by linear mixed modeling, including the covariates of age, sex, education, BMI, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, smoking, and apolipoprotein Eε4 carriage. RESULTS Of n = 1,037, 123 had diabetes; 67 received metformin (DM+MF) and were demographically similar to those who did not (DM-noMF) and participants without diabetes (no-DM). DM+MF had significantly slower global cognition and executive function decline compared with DM-noMF. Incident dementia was significantly higher in DM-noMF compared with DM+MF (odds ratio 5.29 [95% CI 1.17–23.88]; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Older people with diabetes receiving metformin have slower cognitive decline and lower dementia risk. Large randomized studies in people with and without diabetes will determine whether these associations can be attributed to metformin.
Soil Phosphorus Availability and Pearl Millet Water-Use Efficiency

The effects of P and water stress on transpirational water-use efficiency (WUET) of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cv. ICTP 8203 were studied in outdoor pot and growth chamber experiments. Plants were grown outdoors under semiarid conditions in covered pots containing 85 kg of acid, P-deficient Betis sand (sandy, siliceous, thermic Psammentic Paleustalf). Pots were given 0-7.77 g P/m² (equivalent to 0-70 kg P/ha), water stressed or not stressed, and plants harvested at 14-d intervals. Significant main and interactive effects on WUET due to P level, water treatment, and harvesting date occurred. The slope of the curve relating DM to cumulative transpiration increased with P level and water stress when data from all harvests were pooled. In the growth chamber, WUET of non-water-stressed plants ranged with increasing P level from 3.22 to 9.12 g/kg at 29 d after sowing (DAS) in pots containing 6 kg soil, and from 0.84 to 9.24 g/kg at 49 DAS in pots containing 18 kg soil. The ratio of leaf net photosynthetic rate to transpiration (WUEgas) at 500 µmol/m² per s photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) ranged from 1.88 µg/mg for plants receiving no P to 10.25 µg/mg for those receiving 0.31 g P/6 kg soil. Between PPFD levels of 500 and 2000 µmol/m² per s plants receiving no P increased WUEgas to only 3.60 µg/mg, whereas those receiving higher levels of P increased WUEgas to as much as 18.2 µg/mg. It was concluded that water supply in semiarid environments cannot be effectively managed for improved crop production without addressing soil fertility constraints.
Tumor necrosis factor-α and CD40L modulate cell surface morphology and induce aggregation in Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma cells

Interaction of CD40L and its cognate receptor is an essential component of B-lymphocyte signaling, affecting various aspects of B-cell differentiation pathways and immunoglobulin gene expression. However, much less is known about the biological consequences of B-cell signaling through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and its cognate receptors TNF-R1 and 2. We used Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma cell line as a model system to study the direct effects of these cytokines on B cells. Treatment of Ramos cells with either TNF-α or CD40L, but not with interleukin (IL)- 4, interferon (IFN)-γ and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, resulted in enhanced cell aggregation and enhancement of adherence to glass cover-slips. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Ramos cells have a polarized cell surface morphology and exhibit at least 3 cell surface morphological domains: microvilli, filopodia and ruffled membranes. The cells adhered to the glass matrix through multiple filopodia/podopodia-like cell processes and demonstrated distinct ruffled-like membrane projections on their opposite pole. Induction by TNF-α or CD40L, but not with IL-4, IFN-γ and TGF-β, resulted in increased number and complexity of both types of membrane projections. TNF-α and CD40L upregulated the expression of the adhesion molecule intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the Fas receptor on Ramos cells, without affecting the expression levels of membrane immunoglobulin M or its secretion rate. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry demonstrated that Ramos cells expressed TNF-R1 but very little if any TNF-R2, indicating that TNF-α exerted its effects on Ramos cells through the former receptor.
Early myeloid cells are high producers of nitric oxide upon CD40 plus IFN‐γ stimulation through a mechanism dependent on endogenous TNF‐α and IL‐1α

Bone marrow contains nonadherent low‐density wheat germ agglutinin‐positive (Fr3‐WGA+) cells that release large amounts of NO and show natural suppressor activity if stimulated with activated T cells. We have assessed the involvement of CD40‐derived signals in NO production and their cytokine requirements. Production of NO by Fr3‐WGA+ cells in co‐culture with activated T cells is inhibited by a competing CD40 soluble fusion protein. Fr3‐WGA+ cells express the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and release NO following CD40 plus IFN‐γ activation. Production of NO through CD40 is strictly dependent on endogenous TNF‐α and / or IL‐1α, since it is inhibited by neutralizing these cytokines or blocking the TNF receptor (p55). Both cytokines are transcribed when Fr3‐WGA+ cells are stimulated by CD40 signaling plus IFN‐γ, although TNF‐α remains below detection limits in stimulated Fr3‐WGA+ cell cultures. Phenotypic studies combined with data on intracellular iNOS expression and cell sorting indicate that NO‐producing cells are CD40, CD31 (ER‐MP12), CD11b (Mac‐1)low, ER‐MP20 (Ly‐6C) and Gr‐1 (Ly‐6G) positive, consistent with myeloid progenitors. The results point to early myeloid cells as an important cell source of NO once triggered by activated T cells through CD40 and IFN‐γ‐derived signals, in a mechanism involving the production of TNF‐α and / or IL‐1α.
Impacts of Dietary Vitamins and Trace Minerals on Growth and Pork Quality in Finishing Pigs

【Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the effect of inclusion levels or deletion of vitamin-trace mineral (VM) premixes on growth performance and pork quality in finishing pigs. In exp. 1, a total of ninety-six crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;85.09{\pm}3.12kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding triaL Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 50% (Control), 100%, 150%, and 200% of NRC (1998) requirements for vitamins and trace minerals. In exp. 2, a total of one hundred and eight crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;84.76{\pm}0.58kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding trial. Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 0% (Control), 200% VM, and 200% vitamin E and Se listed in NRC (1998) requirements. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) were the highest at 150% VM addition level (quadratic, p】