Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid In Situ Enumeration of Physiologically Active Bacteria in River Waters using Fluorescent Probes

In situ enumeration methods utilizing fluorescent probes were used to estimate the number of physiologically active bacteria in river water. Two fluorogenic compounds, 5-cyano-2, 3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC) and 6-carboxy fluorescein diacetate (6CFDA), were chosen for direct epifluorescent microscopic detection of active bacteria. CTC is a soluble redox indicator which is reduced by respiring bacteria to fluorescent CTC-formazan crystals. 6CFDA is hydrolyzed by nonspecific esterases to produce the fluorescent compound, 6-carboxy fluorescein. Estimates of the number of active bacteria identified by these fluorescent probes were compared with those obtained with the plate count method. Bacteria with respiratory activity, as determined by CTC reduction, accounted for approximately 10% of the total bacteria at oligotrophic sites and 15 to 20% at eutrophic sites. These values exceeded those obtained with the plate count method. Estimates of enzymatically active bacteria, as determined by 6CFDA hydrolysis, were also higher than those obtained with the plate count method, constituting 40 to 50% of the total bacteria at both oligotrophic and eutrophic sites. These results indicate that some non-culturable bacteria retain physiologic activity and may play an important role in the ecosystem.
The densest terrestrial vertebrate

An understanding of the abundance of organisms is central to understanding ecology, but many population density estimates are unrepresentative because they were obtained from study areas chosen for the high abundance of the target species. For example, from a pool of 1072 lizard density estimates that we compiled from the literature, we sampled 303 estimates and scored each for its assessment of the degree to which the study site was representative. Less than half (45%) indicated that the study area was chosen to be representative of the population or habitat. An additional 15% reported that individual plots or transects were chosen randomly, but this often indicated only that the sample points were located randomly within a study area chosen for its high abundance of the target species. The remainder of the studies either gave no information or specified that the study area was chosen because the focal species was locally abundant.
Morphological and physiological sexual selection targets in a territorial damselfly

1 Several morphological and physiological traits may shape fitness through the same performance measure. In such cases, differentiating between a scenario of many‐to‐one mapping, where phenotypic traits independently shape fitness leading to functional redundancy, and a scenario where traits strongly covary among each other and fitness, is needed. 2 A multivariate approach was used, including morphological and physiological traits related to flight ability, a crucial performance measure in flying insects, to identify independent correlates of short‐term mating success (mated versus unmated males) in the territorial damselfly Lestes viridis. 3 Males with higher flight muscle mass, higher relative thorax mass, and more symmetrical hindwings, all traits presumably linked to manoeuvrability, were more likely to be mated. Unexpectedly, although relative thorax mass is often used as a proxy for flight muscle mass, both traits were selected for independently. Mated males had a higher thorax fat content than unmated males, possibly because of enhanced flight endurance. 4 The finding of several independent targets of sexual selection linked to flight ability is consistent with a scenario of many‐to‐one mapping between phenotype and performance. Identifying such a scenario is important, because it may clarify situations where animals may show suboptimal values for some phenotypic traits shaping a performance measure, while still having high performance and fitness. We argue in the discussion that the functional approach of sexual selection provides a potent tool for examining unresolved issues in both sexual selection theory, as well as life‐history theory.
Effects of White Clover Inclusion on Turf Characteristics, Nitrogen Fixation, and Nitrogen Transfer from White Clover to Grass Species in Turf Mixtures

Abstract An irrigated field trial was conducted to test the effects of white clover in three turfgrass species (perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass) on color, clipping yield, and botanical composition and to estimate nitrogen (N)2 fixation and N transfer from white clover to associated turfgrass species under different N‐fertilization conditions in 1999–2002. Nitrogen fertilizers significantly increased color ratings in all observations. Grass–white clover mixtures had better color ratings than pure grass at all sampling dates and seasonal averages in unfertilized conditions. Fertilized pure grass plots yielded significantly more than control plots in all turfgrass species. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect clipping yield greatly in turfgrass–white clover mixtures. Nitrogen application significantly decreased white clover percentage in the harvested clippings in second and third year. Nitrogen fertilization increased tissue N concentration positively in all turfgrass species grown alone. In contrast, N fertilization did not greatly affect tissue N concentration of either turfgrass species or white clover in the mixtures. Nitrogen fixation of white clover was estimated as 24.6, 30.7, and 33.8 g m−2 year−1 in perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass, respectively. The total estimated N2 fixation gradually decreased with increasing N fertilization. Nitrogen transfer from white clover to the associated turfgrass varied from 4.2 to 13.7% of the total N that the white clover fixed annually.
On the Evolutionary Stability of Dispersal to Sink Habitats

A recurring theme in the literature of population regulation is that surplus reproduction in high-quality "source" habitats is exported to low-quality "sink" habitats (Anderson 1970; MacArthur 1972; Lidicker 1975, 1985a, 1985b; Van Horne 1983). Two recent innovative papers by Pulliam (1988) and Pulliam and Danielson (1991) have shown that equilibrium densities in both kinds of habitats can be maintained by an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) of habitat selection. Yet the basic idea that populations exist indefinitely in habitats in which mortality exceeds recruitment seems counter to other evolutionary models that argue convincingly for habitat specialization (Rosenzweig 1974, 1981, 1985; Holt 1985). I show that emigration to sink habitats is likely to be an ESS only if there is reverse migration back to the source. Further, I propose that source-sink systems may have evolved not so much as evolutionarily stable dispersal strategies, but rather as necessary outcomes of other strategies that lead to the production of surplus recruits. Pulliam partitioned habitat into compartments uch that subpopulations living in source habitats produce a surplus of descendants (A > 1), whereas subpopulations in sinks produce a deficit (A < 1). The overall growth rate of all compartments is zero at equilibrium (X = 1). The density in the sink is maintained by emigration from the source. The model assumes that source habitats are characterized by a relatively large number of high-quality sites at which individuals produce, during their lifetime, more offspring than that habitat can accommodate (Pulliam 1988; Pulliam and Danielson 1991). Because the number of breeding sites is also assumed to be limited, surplus recruits select those remaining sites that maximize their fitness, even if the offspring are unable to replace themselves. As long as there is surplus reproduction in the source, individuals following the habitat-selection rule, "never occupy a poorer breeding site when a better one is available" (Pulliam 1988, p. 657), will, at equilibrium, continue to colonize sink habitats. In Pulliam's model, evolutionary stability is achieved through the assumptions of surplus reproduction and limited high-quality breeding sites. One interpretation of the model is that this EES has evolved from the rewards of colonization of sink habitats by individuals from surplus reproductive sources. Surplus reproduction,
Diseases of black wattle in South Africa - a review.

SYNOPSIS Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) is an economically important plantation tree in many parts of the world. In South Africa it is mainly planted for the production of tannins and high quality pulp. Wattle trees are affected by various diseases, some of which have led to devastating losses and the termination of planting programmes. The potential threat of new black wattle diseases in South Africa is of concern. The threat of disease is enhanced by the fact that A. mearnsii is planted in monoculture. This review provides a summary of A. mearnsii diseases caused by fungi, with special reference to the South African situation.
Population Size, Pollination and Breeding System of Silene stockenii Chater (Caryophyllaceae), an Annual Gynodioecious Species of Southern Spain

: The distribution area, phenology, sex polymorphism, floral characteristics and breeding system of Silene stockenii (Caryophyllaceae), a narrowly endemic annual species of southern Spain, were studied. Only five populations were found in a total area of 2 ha. Silene stockenii is a gynodioecious species with fully female, fully hermaphrodite and intermediate plants bearing hermaphrodite, male-sterile, and partially male-sterile flowers. Male-sterile flowers are typically smaller than hermaphrodites. Nectar production was significantly higher in hermaphrodite plants and during the female phase of hermaphrodite flowers. The red flowers appear during the spring (March-May) and are pollinated by long-tongued Bombyliidae. Hand pollinations revealed that the species is self-compatible; however, natural self-pollination is rare due to marked protandry. Hand pollination significantly increased the number of seeds per fruit and seed set, indicating limited pollination in the field. In controlled pollinations female plants of S. stockenii produced higher seed set than hermaphrodite plants, but in freely pollinated plants fruit set and seed production was similar in both morphs, indicating that pollinators do not discriminate in favour of hermaphrodite plants.
73 PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE MAJOR CELLULAR PROTEINS OF BOVINE TROPHECTODERM CELL LINES DERIVED FROM IVP, PARTHENOGENETIC, AND NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS: REDUCED EXPRESSION OF ANNEXIN I IN NUCLEAR TRANSFER-DERIVED CELL LINES

Trophectoderm cell lines were established from 8-day in vitro-cultured embryos of cat- tle derived from fertilization (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT), or parthenogenetic activation (P) of in vitro-matured oocytes and from five 8-day-old in vivo (V) embryos. The most abundant cellular proteins of 5 V-, 16 NT-, 12 P-, and 16 IVF-derived cell lines were compared by 2D-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry; that is, the unaltered thiourea/urea extract of each cell culture was analyzed. Common protein spots (n = 118) were examined, and 95% were identified with significant scores from protein and gene database searches. Of the proteins detected and identified, actin and cytokeratin-8 were found to be the most abundant. Other prominent cellular proteins were metabolic enzymes such as aldose reductase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase, triosephosphate isomerase, cytoskeletal interacting proteins transgelin and stratifin, anti-oxidant proteins peroxire- doxin 1 and anti-oxidant protein 2, and the calcium-dependent lipid-binding proteins annexins I and II. In comparative analysis of the 2D-gels, the NT-derived trophectoderm had less annexins I and II in comparison to the IVF- and P-derived trophectoderm. Because annexins I and II are abundant in the placenta and have functions important to the main- tenance of placentation, the down-regulation of the annexin genes in the cultured NT trophectoderm may be related to the frequent failures of NT pregnancies. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Methods of Estimating Larval Fish Mortality from Daily Increments in Otoliths

Abstract Two methods are presented for estimating instantaneous daily mortality rates of larval fishes with otolith-increment data. The first involves construction of a histogram of the numbers of daily increments per larva from a sample of larvae, and estimation of mortality from the decline in the loge-transformed increment-frequency curve. The second approach is to convert larva lengths to number of increments with a growth curve derived from otolith data, and then to estimate mortality from the descending limb of a loge-transformed increment-frequency histogram. Counts of daily increments in otoliths of larval anadromous alewives Alosa pseudoharengus collected from a coastal Massachusetts pond were used to compare results from these two methods with results from a third method that uses the decline in catch per unit effort of larvae through time. The estimate of instantaneous daily mortality for larval alewives from otolith methods was 0.122, which was an average rate for larvae 6.0 to 13.9 mm total l.
Contingency factors on the success of services for social integration and job placement schemes

The success of a strategy depends, to a large extent, on the contingency factors that condition the functioning of an organisation. This study presents empirical research to contrast the existence of a significant relationship between the implementation of a particular strategy (in this case, related to the management of job placement and social insertion schemes) and a set of given structural parameters or contingency factors, in particular, the organisational structure of the firm such as time with the firm, firm size, technology used and organisational culture. The empirical analysis is applied to the strategies used by local development and employment officers with regard to the management of job placement and social integration schemes.
Effect of integrative reminiscence therapy on depression, well-being, integrity, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in older adults

Reminiscence therapy is a psychological intervention for older adults to remembering and interpreting life events that were experienced at some time in the past. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the extent of integrative reminiscence intervention effects, with the aim to produce statistically significant reduction in depression symptoms, and significant improvement in psychological well-being, life satisfaction, self esteem, and integrity were examined. Thirty-four healthy elderly participated in the intervention that was implemented in eight sessions. To evaluate the effects of the program, a quasi-experimental design was applied with pretest and posttest evaluations comparing the intervention group with a control group on a waiting list. In comparison to control group, individuals in treatment sample of older adults in an integrative reminiscence group demonstrated statistically significant reduction in depression symptoms and a significant improvement in self-esteem, integrity, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being.
Effects of a juvenile hormone analogue, pyriproxyfen, on the apterous form of soybean aphid (Aphis glycines)

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsamura, is an eastern Asian soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] pest which can reduce soybean yield. We determined the effects of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue, on development, mortality, longevity and fecundity of A. glycines under laboratory conditions. Distance Insect Growth Regulator, containing ∼11.2% pyriproxyfen, was applied at two concentrations, 50 and 150 mg/l, to first and fourth instar nymphs. When first or fourth instar A. glycines were treated with pyriproxyfen, some nymphs became supernumerary‐molted nymphs with 1–3 extra molts or were sterilized. Mortality of treated first instar nymphs was >68% greater than the control group and longevity was reduced by >40%. The higher concentration of pyriproxyfen reduced fecundity of first instar nymphs when they reached adulthood by ∼79%. Pyriproxyfen similarly affected fourth instar nymphs. Mortality of treated fourth instar nymphs was ≥15% greater than the control group and longevity was reduced by >24%. Both concentrations of pyriproxyfen lowered the fecundity of fourth instar nymphs by >27%. Pyriproxyfen also had other sublethal effects on fourth instar nymphs which became apparent when they molted to adulthood. In a few instances they developed wing pads and many produced dead, deformed or abnormal neonates that lacked appendages.
Plasticity in feeding selectivity and trophic structure of kelp forest associated fishes from northern Chile

Una de las principales formas en que las especies interactuan con su medio ambiente es a traves de la alimentacion, consumiendo directamente una fraccion de los componentes del habitat circundante. El propio habitat, a su vez, puede determinar la conducta de forrajeo y los tipos de alimentacion de sus depredadores. Para investigar la relacion entre la disponibilidad de alimento y la composicion de la dieta de los peces asociados a habitat dominados por macroalgas pardas, se estimo la abundancia de las presas potenciales tanto especies sesiles como moviles y se comparo con la dieta de las especies de los peces en cuatro diferentes sitios de la costa del norte de Chile. Se determino la dieta de los peces y su plasticidad alimentaria mediante la comparacion entre la disponibilidad de presas con los itemes presentes en los estomagos de los peces que fueron capturados por de red de enmalle y arpon de mano. Ademas se calculo el indice de selectividad alfa de Manly y el grado de sobreposicion de la dieta de los peces costeros. Los resultados muestran que la utilizacion de las presas por los depredadores es afectada principalmente por la disponibilidad de presas potenciales. La mayoria de los peces asociados a las macroalgas difieren en su dieta en consonancia con la disponibilidad de los recursos a escalas locales, con la excepcion de dos especies carnivoras tales como Pinguipes chilensis (Valenciennes, 1883) y Paralabrax humeralis (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828), cuya dieta no cambio entre los sitios estudiados. Las diferencias en la dieta de las especies son explicadas por los cambios en los recursos bentonicos que varian entre los sitios de estudio. Once de las 12 especies de peces asociados a los bosques de macroalgas pardas mostraron algun grado de selectividad de presas de origen bentonico. Se concluye que la habilidad de los peces de cambiar sus preferencias de alimentacion y, por tanto, la particion de los recursos bentonicos puede obedecer a las adaptaciones para coexistir en un ambiente dinamico como aquel dominado por bosques de macroalgas pardas.
Vibrio tubiashii sp. nov., a Pathogen of Bivalve Mollusks

The genotypic and phenotypic properties of six strains that were isolated during two unrelated incidents of a bacterial disease of bivalve mollusk larvae were compared with phenotypically similar Vibrio species. The strains of this bivalve mollusk larval pathogen are distinct from other Vibrio spp. phenotypically and as determined by deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization and are described here as Vibrio tubiashii sp. nov. The base composition of the overall deoxyribonucleic acid is 43 to 45 mol% guanine plus cytosine. All strains of V. tubiashii degrade xanthine and tyrosine extracellularly. Strain ATCC 19109 is designated the type strain of V. tubiashii.
Exploring habitat use by cheetahs using ecological niche factor analysis

Understanding the basis of habitat choice having important implications for explaining the distribution of organisms, as well as helping to differentiate between habitats of different quality for effective management. In this study, the effects of sex, age and reproductive status on habitat use patterns of cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus in the Serengeti plains were explored using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA). Our results showed that gender and territoriality did not affect patterns of habitat use. However, females tended to be more specialized when they were young than when they were older, displaying a more restricted ecological niche. Likewise, older females without cubs were more specialized than the same adult females with young cubs. This result did not hold for younger females. Altogether, the ENFA approach allowed us to (1) use the large amount of incidental sighting data collected over 12 years on cheetah spatial distribution; (2) identify the importance of reproductive status and age on the relationship between animals and their habitat; (3) further demonstrate that ENFA is applicable in a wide range of situations, including for exploring individual variation in niche definition.
Differential Regulation of Chemokine Expression by Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Agonists

Chemokine-mediated inflammatory cell infiltration is a hallmark of asthma. We recently demonstrated that glucocorticoids and β2-agonists additively or synergistically suppress tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-induced production of chemokines eotaxin and interleukin-8 (IL-8), respectively, in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells, which may partly explain their combined benefits in asthma. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) also modulate inflammatory gene expression. We reported here that the PPARγ agonists 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) and troglitazone, but not PPARα agonist WY-14643, inhibited TNFα-induced production of eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) but not IL-8. Eotaxin inhibition was transcriptional and additively enhanced by the glucocorticoid fluticasone and the β2-agonist salmeterol, whereas MCP-1 inhibition was post-transcriptional and additively and synergistically enhanced by fluticasone and salmeterol, respectively. Coimmunoprecipitation revealed that 15d-PGJ2 induced a protein-protein interaction between PPARγ and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in TNFα-treated HASM cells, which was enhanced by fluticasone and salmeterol. 15d-PGJ2, fluticasone, and salmeterol all inhibited TNFα-induced histone H4 acetylation at the eotaxin promoter and NF-κB p65 binding to the eotaxin promoter and induced PPARγ and GR association with the eotaxin promoter, as analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Our data suggest that chemokine expression in HASM cells is differentially regulated by PPARγ agonists and that the interaction between PPARγ and GR may be responsible for the additive and synergistic inhibition of chemokine expression by PPARγ agonists, glucocorticoids, and β2-agonists, particularly the chromatin-dependent suppression of eotaxin gene transcription. The interaction may have wide applications and may provide a potential target for pharmacological and molecular intervention.
Use of compositional analysis to distinguish farmed and wild gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Riassunto Orate selvagge e allevate: differenze chimico-bromatologiche e riconoscimento del metodo di produzione. La ricerca ha lo scopo di valutare e di confrontare tra loro le caratteristiche chimico-bromatologi che e le proprietà nutrizionali di lotti di orate differenti per il metodo di produzione, nell’intento di identificare taluni indicatori atti a consentirne il riconoscimento. In considerazione dei risultati ottenuti le orate allevate possono essere differenziate dai soggetti pescati in virtù del più abbondante contenuto in lipidi del tessuto muscolare, del superiore quantitativo in acidi grassi monoinsaturi ed in acidi grassi polinsaturi facenti parte della serie n-6 e al tempo stesso in relazione alla minore quantità percentuale di acidi grassi appartenenti invec alla serie n-3 riscontrata nella porzione commestibile.