Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High variability in the expression of circadian rhythms in a cave beetle population

Cave-dwelling organisms belong to widely different evolutionary lineages but they show parallel or convergent evolution in several morphological and physiological traits such as elongated appendages, lower metabolism, specialized sensory systems, loss of eye and pigmentation. Circadian rhythms in locomotor activity have already been documented in hypogean insects but ultradian rhythmicity in cave-dwelling organisms has been reported only by recent authors. We selected Laemostenus latialis as a good candidate to investigate the biological clock functioning in a species thought to be at its beginning of the process of cave evolution in the darkness. We based our analysis on inferential methods used here to obtain the quantitative resolution of the rhythm features. An automatic electronic device was developed to this purpose so to continuously monitoring the general locomotor activity of individual cave-dwelling beetles. We found significant locomotor rhythms to be present and that Laemostenus maintained a 24-h circadian rhythm but with a different amplitude. We observed two different and opposite behavioural patterns: the “Rhythmic group” showed a typical circadian rhythmicity of surface-dwelling animals with a surprisingly and extremely stable circadian period and with a restricted variance and a high amplitude. Differently, within the “arrhythmic group” we have observed an evanescent circadian period with high variability in tau, a larger variance and a lower amplitude. DFT spectral analysis showed the presence of ultradian rhythms with several significant peaks in the range 1–10 h and a main peak at 12 h, similar to those found in mysid crustaceans, cockroaches and mice. Ultradian rhythm looked independent from the circadian one and we did not observe any regularity. Further experimental studies are still needed to track the variation of this trait along the process of adaptation to cave life, particularly in closely related populations and species of troglophilic animals.
Recovery of protein-rich byproducts from sweet potato stillage following alcohol distillation

Sweet potato can yield 1000 gallons of ethanol/acre compared with 250-300 gal/acre for corn. Sweet potatoes of normal, relatively high, and very high dry-matter contents were fermented to ethanol. Pectinase was necessary to decrease viscosity before fermentation for economic processing, especially for varieties of normal and relatively high dry-matter contents. Attained yield of ethanol was 90% of theoretical value. After ethanol was distilled, residual stillage was separated by screening and centrifugation into filter cake, centrifuged solids, and stillage solubles. Filter cake and centrifuged solids had crude protein contents (nitrogen x 6.25, dry basis) of 22-32% and 42-57%, respectively, and accounted for 44-85% and 0-17% of total sweet potato nitrogen. Sweet potatoes and their fermented products had 4.3-7.6 g of lysine/16 g of N and are expected to have good nutritional value. This practical method to ferment sweet potato for ethanol and to recover valuable protein-rich byproducts may have commercial potential. (Refs. 19).
Produção do tomateiro em função de doses de nitrogênio e da adubação orgânica em duas épocas de cultivo

A producao de frutos de tomateiro em resposta a doses de nitrogenio e a adubacao orgânica foi avaliada em dois experimentos de campo conduzidos na primavera-verao e no outono-primavera, em 1999. Os experimentos foram instalados Universidade Federal de Vicosa, em solo da classe Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Câmbico. Em ambos, as doses de N aplicadas, na forma de nitrocalcio, foram 0, 110, 220, 440 e 880 kg/ha e as doses de materia orgânica, na forma de esterco bovino curtido, foram 0 e 8 t/ha. Os experimentos seguiram o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, no arranjo fatorial 5x2, com quatro repeticoes. A produtividade foi influenciada pelas doses de N, nos dois niveis de materia orgânica, nas duas epocas. No experimento de primavera-verao, as maximas producoes total, comercial e extra foram 44,78; 25,10 e 23,52 t/ha, obtidas com as doses de 530,2; 464,2 e 434,8 kg/ha de nitrogenio, respectivamente, sem adicao de materia orgânica; e 45,75; 25,87 e 24,53 t/ha, obtidas com as doses de 574,2; 513,3 e 599,8 kg/ha de nitrogenio, respectivamente, com adicao de materia orgânica. No experimento de outono-primavera, as producoes foram 99,37; 78,87 e 69,93 t/ha, obtidas com as doses de 525,4; 533,9 e 557,5 kg/ha de nitrogenio, respectivamente, sem adicao de materia orgânica; e 108,74; 87,08 e 78,09 t/ha, obtidas com as doses de 589,6; 575,3 e 557,4 kg/ha de nitrogenio, respectivamente, com adicao de materia orgânica. A adicao de materia orgânica ao solo aumentou a dose do adubo nitrogenado necessaria a obtencao das maximas producoes total, comercial e extra de frutos de tomate, em ambas as epocas de plantio.
THE STRUCTURE AND RESISTANCE TO METHYLATION OF 1,2-β-GLUCANS FROM SPECIES OF AGROBACTERIA

The structures of extracellular polysaccharides produced by the plant pathogens Agrobacterium tumefaciens (2 strains), A. rhizogenes, A. radiobacter, A. ruhi, A. gypsophilae, and A. pseudotsugae were investigated. Polymeric material was formed in good yield from all organisms except A. gypsophilae. Periodate oxidations of the polysaccharides and their sodium borohydride reduction products indicated linear 1,2-glucopyranose structures for A. tumefaciens (2 strains), A. rhizogenes, A. radiobacter, and A. rubi polymers. Optical rotational considerations led to the assignment of β-configurations. The linear structure for the A. radiobacter polysaccharide was confirmed by the isolation, after partial acid hydrolysis, of five 1,2-linked oligosaccharides with chain lengths of two to six. Periodate and chromatographic data indicated that the polysaccharide from A. pseudotsugae contained glucose and galactose and 1,6- as well as 1,2-glycopyranose links. It is noteworthy that the polysaccharides from the genus Agro.
Extracellular polysaccharides produced by a tropical cryptophyte as a carbon source for natural bacterial populations

The extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) released by a freshwater cryptophyte, Cryptomonas tetrapyrenoidosa were characterized and their degradation by heterotrophic microbial populations from the same habitat, a tropical eutrophic reservoir, was evaluated. The EPS were purified by anion exchange column chromatography, the monosaccharide composition was determined by gas-chromatography, and the linkages of the monosaccharides by GC-MS. The EPS were separated by anion exchange into two different acidic fractions with completely different compositions. Fraction 1 was a complex branched heteropolysaccharide dominated by fucose, N-acetyl glucosamine, mannose and galactose. Fraction 2 showed a less complex pattern, which was composed mainly of 1,3-linked glucuronic acid and 1,3-linked galactose. We monitored the concentrations of the monosaccharides in the EPS during microbial degradation using Sepharose CL6B gel filtration and PAD-HPLC. After seven days, the main EPS were degraded into galactose-rich lower molecular weight carbohydrates, evidencing degradation in two steps. The decay patterns of the monosaccharides varied and, in the higher molecular weight (Fraction A), fucose and galactose were degraded more rapidly than rhamnose, glucose and man/xyl. In Fraction B, although the decay coefficients were lower and more homogenous, fucose and rhamnose were degraded more rapidly than galactose, glucose and man/xyl. In spite of the complexity of the EPS, and the specialized degradation pattern, the natural microbial community from the Barra Bonita reservoir was able to degrade the entire polysaccharide mixture in about 21 days.
Effects of stream restoration and management on plant communities in lowland streams

1. We evaluated restoration success on macrophyte species diversity and composition in lowland streams using communities in 30 naturally meandering stream reaches in the western part of Jutland, Denmark, as reference target communities. Fuzzy set clustering was used to examine the floristic and environmental similarity among reaches, whereas fuzzy set ordination was used to relate floristic patterns to environmental variables. 2. Two major groups of streams were identified based on their floristic composition. One group consisted of reference and restored reaches and the other of the majority of channelised reaches. We found that management exerted a strong influence on the macrophyte communities and that the identified groups were related to differences in management intensity. 3. Our results also indicate that bank morphology and bed level affected macrophyte communities in the streams, particularly the richness and abundance of terrestrial species. The analyses performed suggest that shallow and wide banks allow for a larger migration of species from the stream banks into the streams, thereby enhancing species diversity within the stream channel. 4. The results of this study suggest that macrophyte communities in channelised lowland streams can recover following restorative interventions given that stream management (i.e. weed cutting and dredging) is minimised and that stream banks are reprofiled to improve the lateral connectivity between the stream and its valley.
Comparative effects of inducers on metamorphosis of the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas and the great scallop Pecten maximus

Variable postlarval mortalities have been recorded regularly in Pecten maximus hatcheries. In an attempt to resolve this problem, the role of physical factors on spat development and the ability of neuro‐transmitters to increase metamorphosis have been considered. Although such investigations have been widely reported on oysters, few studies have been carried out on Pectinidae. The present work evaluates the effects of epinephrine, L‐Dopa and jacaranone on the metamorphosis of Crassostrea gigas and P. maximus. At concentrations of 1–10mgl‐1 (5.5–55 μM), epinephrine increased the rate of metamorphosis significantly in both species (30 to 60%). When exposed to this compound, 90% of cultchless C. gigas spat were found, while no free P. maximus spat were observed. L‐Dopa and jacaranone were less effective on both species with a maximal 10 to 15% increase in metamorphosis at 2.5 μM. Compared to C. gigas, P. maximus was less sensitive to chemical inducers and, thus, the use of neurotransmitters for inducing met.
Atmogener N‐Eintrag in Boden und Pflanze am Standort Bad Lauchstädt: Ergebnisse aus 15N‐Gestützten direktmessungen (ITNI‐System) im Vergleich zur indirekten Quantifizierung aus N‐Bilanzen des Statischen Dauerdüngungsversuches

Die durchschnittliche N‐Emission betrug in Deutschland Anfang der 90er Jahre 2,1 Mill, t N/a (Ammoniak/Ammonium und NOx). Daraus resultiert unter Berücksichtigung von Ex‐ und Import von Stickstoff in der Atmosphäre bei Annahme einer gleichmäßigen Verteilung über die gesamte Bundesrepublik eine durchschnittliche N‐Deposition von 45 kg/ha*a. Über die Höhe der tatsächlichen jährlichen N‐Deposition und dessen Verteilung herrscht jedoch noch große Unsicherheit. Die üblichen Bestimmungsmethoden, Wet Only‐ und Bulk‐Sammler, lieferten jedoch nur Werte von ca. 30 kg N/ha *a. Diese Werte beinhalten nicht die gasförmige Deposition und die direkte N‐Aufnahme durch die Pflanze. Zur exakten direkten Bestimmung des gesamten atmogenen N‐Eintrages in das System Boden‐Pflanze wurde daher das IT? ‐Meßsystem (ITNI = Integral Total Nitrogen Input) entwickelt. Es basiert auf der 15N‐Isotopenverdünnungsmethode, d.h. anstatt die deponierten Stickstoflkomponenten der Atmosphäre zu markieren, was in Feldversuchen nicht möglich ist, wird in einem Gefäß mit Pflanzenbewuchs (Boden‐Pflanze‐System) ein [15N]Ammoniumnitrat‐Tracer eingesetzt und die Verdünnung dieses 15N‐Tracers durch den aufgenommenen atmogenen Stickstoff als Maß für die eingetragene N‐Menge gemessen. Mit diesem System wurden in den Jahren 1994 bis 1998 am Standort Bad Lauchstädt Gesamt‐N‐Einträge von durchschnittlich 64 ±12 kg/ha und Jahr gemessen. Eine Möglichkeit der indirekten Bestimmung des gesamten atmogenen N‐Eintrages in das System Boden‐Pflanze ergibt sich aus der Stickstoffbilanz von langjährigen Feldversuchen ohne N‐Düngung. Für den “Statischen Düngungsversuch Bad Lauchstädt”; erhält man danach jährliche Stickstoffdepositionen von 50–60 kg/ha und Jahr und bestätigt damit die mit dem ITNI‐System gemessenen Werte. Ferner wird diese Größenordnung durch andere Dauerfeldversuche in Deutschland und Europa erhärtet.
Temporal Patterns of Territorial Behavior and Circulating Testosterone in the Lapland Longspur and Other Arctic Passerines

We studied territorial aggression in relation to circulating testosterone levels in free-living birds of four species in northern Alaska. The Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus , is an abundant breeding passerine on the arctic tundra. Unlike many passerines at lower latitudes, male Lapland longspurs do not defend a “multiple-purpose territory” that serves to provide nest sites, food and shelter. Rather, after arrival on the breeding grounds, they perform aerial display flights over a loosely denned “nest area” for a very brief period of two days or so, showing tolerance of other males. This song display may be involved in courtship. During this phase, male longspurs show a brief and pronounced peak in circulating testosterone levels, and are not aggressive toward simulated territorial intrusions (STIs). Males then “guard” their sexually receptive mates for about ten days, during which they are highly aggressive toward STIs, but do not sing as much. During the next phase, incubation, the males become very tolerant of conspecific males. Their circulating testosterone levels decline to baseline levels, and they generally do not sing or display aggression in response to STIs. Three other passerines, the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii , American tree sparrow, Spizella arborea , and savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis , show patterns of territorial aggression typical of species studied at lower latitudes. Welldefined territories are defended for several weeks, during which there is a prolonged peak in plasma concentrations of testosterone. These three species continue to sing and display aggression even late in the season, unlike the longspurs. The peak of testosterone in the longspurs occurs simultaneously with the peak in song display, while in mid-latitude species it occurs with the peak in reproductive aggression. These data suggest that the interrelationship of testosterone and aggression in Lapland longspurs may be different from that of passerines with multiple-purpose territories, and may be related to the constraints of breeding in the open arctic tundra.
Effects of encapsulated rabbit mesenchymal stem cells on ex vivo expansion of human umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

The expansion of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB MNCs) was investigated in a novel co-culture system by means of encapsulation of rabbit bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in alginate beads (Alg beads). Three kinds of media were applied and the experiments lasted for 7 days. The total nucleated cell density was measured every 24 h. Flow cytometric assay for CD34+ cells and methylcellulose colony assays were carried out at 0, 72 and 168 h. It was found that the encapsulated MSCs illustrated remarkable effects on UCB MNCs expansion regardless of whether serum is present in culture media or not. At the end of 168 h co-culture, the total nucleated cell number was multiplied by 15 ± 2.9 times, and CD34+ cells 5.3 ± 0.3 times and colony-forming units in culture (CFU-Cs) 5.6 ± 1.2 times in the serum-free media supplemented with conventional dose of cytokines, which was very similar to the results in the containing 20% serum media. While in the control, i.e. MNC expansion without encapsulated MSCs, however, total nucleated cells density changed mildly, CD34+ cells and CFU-Cs showed little effective expansion. It is demonstrated that the encapsulated stromal cells can support the expansion of UCB MNCs effectively under the experimental condition.
Evaluation of the cost of restoration of male fertility in Brassica napus

Gynodioecy frequently results from the interplay of mitochondrial cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nuclear fertility-restoration genes. Models suggest that maintaining cytonuclear gynodioecy requires that restorer genes incur a cost to fitness because otherwise they would increase toward fixation. Direct tests of costs of restorer alleles require knowledge of the underlying genetics of sex determination. We use a well characterized CMS system in Brassica napus L. to measure aspects of fitness in four lineages that vary in whether they carry the pol CMS gene or male-fertile cytoplasm (cam), and whether they carry the Rfp restorer of pol or Rfn restorer of the nap CMS gene. As expected, plants with pol CMS and only the Rfn restorer experienced reduced flower size, stamen length, and pollen counts. Plants with pol and the Rfp restorer showed incomplete restoration with shorter stamens than both lines with cam cytoplasm and reduced pollen counts compared with plants with cam cytoplasm and the Rfp restorer.
Understanding How Students Use Physical Ideas in Introductory Biology Courses

The University of Maryland (UMD) Biology Education and Physics Education Research Groups are investigating students’ views on the role of physics in introductory biology courses. This paper presents data from an introductory course that addresses the fundamental principles of organismal biology and that incorporates several topics directly related to physics, including thermodynamics, diffusion, and fluid flow. We examine how the instructors use mathematics and physics in this introductory biology course and look at two students’ responses to this use. Our preliminary observations are intended to start a discussion about the epistemological issues resulting from the integration of the science disciplines and to motivate the need for further research.
Tail skin of the dipnoan Neoceratodus larva: fine structure and differentiation

The fine structure of the tail skin oflarval Neoceratodusforsteri, between stages 40 and 50 (Kemp, 1982), is described and where applicable specific cellular components are compared and contrasted with comparable ones in the skin of adult dipnoans, teleosts and larval and adult amphibians. The epidermis of the early developing tail, within the range studied, differentiates a variety of different cell types. Surface epithelial lucent and vacuolated lucent cells and basal cells are distinguished, and goblet (mucous) cells, Merkel cells and macrophages appear in the epidermis towards the end of the series. Below a poorly developed collagenous basement lamella, immature melanophores with premelanosomes are present, and likewise there are non–myelinated nerves, some striated muscle fibres, capillaries and mesenchymal fibroblasts. The tail epidermis is innervated by naked neurites from the beginning of the series, and the earliest recognizable Merkel cell is in synaptic association with neurites.
Characteristics of Microorganisms Isolated from Blood Cultures at a University Hospital Located in an Island Region During 2003∼2007

Background: The referral hospital is somewhat isolated from the mainland due to its island status; thus, microorganisms isolated from blood cultures might have a distinct pattern in their frequency and antibiogram. We attempted to uncover these characteristics. Methods: The isolates from blood cultures at the Cheju University Hospital during 2003∼2007 were analysed. After inoculation in aerobic and anaerobic bottles, blood specimens were cultured using BacT/ Alert system, and the isolates were identifieded and antimicrobial susceptibilities were tested using Vitek II system. Results: The overall positive rate of blood cultures was 9.6% and contamination rate was 3.6%. The most commonly isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Gram positive rod, gram negative cocci, and anaerobes were not isolated, but fungi were isolated in 0.6% of blood cultures. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 68.0% in 2003, 41.4% in 2004, 48.1% in 2005, 54.5% in 2006, and 65.2% in 2007. The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) was 0% in 2003 and 2004, 16.7% in 2005, 10.0% in 2006, and 9.5% in 2007. Conclusion: The most commonly isolated pathogens were similar to those from other hospitals, but the isolation rates of MRSA and VRE by year showed different patterns. Also, gram positive rods, gram negative cocci and anaerobes were not isolated. To help the choice of empirical antibiotic treatments, we need complementary measures to upgrade microorganism isolation systems and further studies including the monitoring of antibiotic use. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2008;11:11-17)
Caulerpa racemosa: adaptive varieties studied by fatty acid composition (Northern Adriatic Sea, Vrsar, Croatia)

Total lipids and fatty acid composition were monitored seasonally in exposed and sheltered Caulerpa racemosa settlements along the coast of St Juraj island (Vrsar, Croatia). The underlying sediment in the exposed area was characterized by a lower content of total lipids (0.63 ± 0.18 mg/g d.w.) and coarser grain sizes (median particle diameter [Md] = 1319.5 µm) in comparison to sediment of the sheltered area (0.89 ± 0.06 mg/g d.w.; Md 378.9 µm). Despite the proximities of both populations studied, and, hence, both experiencing similar exposure to seasonal fluctuations, the algal responses were different. Total lipid changes and fatty acid composition of the related settlements indicated the differences in thallus condition during summer of 2004 and to some extent different strategies in cold adaptation during winter 2005. In August 2004, the bad condition of thalli at the sheltered site, expressed by low unsaturation (UNS/SAT 0.45), resulted from its sexual propagation state, in contrast to the advanced condition of vegetative propagation state at the exposed site (UNS/SAT 1.1). The poor thallus condition was related to its slower development at the sheltered habitat, having correspondingly lower biomass. Furthermore, at this site little or no difference in total lipids was observed with season. During the winter period (min. temp. 7.7°C) both settlements altered their fatty acid composition by increasing unsaturation (UNS/SAT up to 1.8), but a pronounced winter peak in total lipids occurred at the exposed site. Under similar environmental conditions, the C. racemosa in this study developed different strategies in cold adaptation and propagation state as a consequence of apparently varying impact of the hydrodynamism at these two proximate sites. This study suggests the mode in which exposure impacts the growth cycle of C. racemosa in temperate regions.
Distribution and hybridization between Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Argentina

To better undesrtand the distribution of Culex pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus in Argentina, samples were collected from six localities situated in a North-South line from Castelli (Chaco Province) to Puerto Madryn (Chubut Province). Identification was based on the morphology of male genitalia. Only Cx. quinquefasciatus was found in Castelli and Esperanza, while in Rosario, 95.3% belonged to this species and 4.7% represented hybrid forms. Southern samples included only Cx. pipiens. With the purpose of verfying if Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus hybridize, different crosses between the two species were perfomed. All crosses produced viable egg rafts. Hatching ranged from 70 to 100%, except in one cross, female Cx. pipiens x male Cx. quinquefasciatus, where a high incompatibility was observed (11.1%hatch). The F1 hybrids obtained all crosses were fertile. The finding of hybrid forms in nature can be interpreted as evidence for subspecific status of Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus in Argentina.