Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of a Stress-Dependent Plastidial D 12 Fatty Acid Desaturase from the Antarctic Microalga

An acclimation to the changing physicochem- ical conditions and high amount of D 12 -unsaturated fatty acids of the Antarctic Chlorella vulgaris NJ-7 prompted us to speculate about the involvement of D 12 -fatty acid desaturases (FAD) in its adaptation to the extremely unfavorable ambience. A full-length cDNA sequence, designated CvFAD6, was isolated from C. vulgaris NJ-7 via RT-PCR and RACE methods. Sequence alignment showed that the gene was homologous to corresponding D 12 -FAD from other eukaryotes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it was grouped with plastidial D 12 -FAD with conserved histidine boxes. Yeast cells transformed with a plasmid construct containing CvFAD6 coding region accumulated a considerable amount of linoleic acid (18:2D 9,12 ), normally not present in wild-type yeast cells, suggesting that the isolated gene encodes a functional D 12 enzyme. The correlation between the accumulation of CvFAD6 and temperature has been examined by real time PCR. The analysis showed a constant expression of CvFAD6 from 25 to 15 C whereas a fourfold increased from 25 to 4 C. Moreover, CvFAD6 transcription was more sensitive to saline stress since a 20-fold increase at 6% NaCl was detected. Our data demonstrate that CvFAD6 is the enzyme responsible for the D 12 fatty acids desatu-
Polygyrid land snail phylogeny: external sperm exchange, early North American biogeography, iterative shell evolution

A fresh assessment of reproductive behaviour and anatomy, combined with new allozyme data, results in a phylogenetic hypothesis for the 23 polygyrid genera that differs substantially from previous attempts. Analyses based on this phylogeny suggest that (a) evolutionary transition from internal to external sperm exchange occurred only once in polygyrids, with unusual functional intermediates still extant; (b) polygyrid biogeographic history paralleled that of plethodontid salamanders, with hypothesized vicariance events at about 145, 120, 65 and 40 MA, and, dispersal events at about 55 and 40 MA; and (c) iterative shell evolution occurred despite a phylogenetic constraint on ontogenetic whorl-expansion rate.
A mouse strain defective for αβ versus γδ T cell lineage commitment

As a result of a transgene insertion and chromosomal deletion, a mutant mouse strain has been found that is defective in the lineage commitment step that produces a balance of ab and gd T cells. The mice produce a reduced population of ab CD4 T cells and almost no ab CD8 T cells. Within the CD4 and CD8 populations in the thymus there exist abnormal subsets that express the gd TCR. These gd TCR-expressing cells populate the peripheral lymphoid organs such that up to 75% of the CD8 T cells in the lymph nodes and spleen express a gd TCR. Further analyses indicate that the regulation that prevents dual TCR expression has been impaired. The locus of insertion and deletion was mapped to chromosome 10 26 cM. We have analyzed the entire locus and, in addition, the gene expression changes in early thymocytes were analyzed by gene array technology. The analysis of this mutant strain indicates that the ab versus gd lineage decision can be profoundly disregulated independently of successful gene rearrangements.
Application of the Extended Grunwald-Winstein Equation to Solvolyses of n-Propyl Chloroformate

Application of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation to solvolyses of n-propyl chloroformate in a variety of pure and binary solvents indicates an addition-elimination pathway in the majority of the solvents but an ionization pathway in the solvents of highest ionizing power and lowest nucleophilicity. For methanolysis, a solvent deuterium isotope effect of 2.17 is compatible with the incorporation of general-base catalysis into the substitution process. Activation parameters are consistent with the duality of mechanism. Very modest positive salt effects are observed on adding chloride or bromide salts to the ethanolysis.
Environmental, genetic and cellular toxicity of tenuazonic acid isolated from Alternaira alternata

Alternaria alternata, an important pathogen of many plants, produces tenuazonic acid (TeA) with bioactivity to microbes, plants and animals. TeA is one of the main mycotoxin to humans and other organisms. Using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Vicia faba root tip and three mammalian normal cell lines as target materials, environmental toxicity, genetic toxicity and cytotoxicity of TeA were examined. The growth and chlorophyll concentration of C. reinhardtii were inhibited at above 100 g/ml concentration, with EC50(G) of 310.36 g/ml and EC50(Chl) of 294.27 g/ml. The micronuleus test results indicated that MCN‰ was >15‰ only at higher concentrations. TeA inhibited the proliferation and total protein contents of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts (3T3 cells), Chinese hamster lung cells (CHL cells) and human hepatocytes (L-O2 cells) at concentrations ranging from 12.5 - 400 g/ml. Of the three cell lines, 3T3 cells were the most sensitive to the toxin (EC50(24h) = 41.64 g/ml), followed by CHL cells (EC50(24h) = 59.33 g/ml), and L-O2 cells (EC50(24h) = 85.98 g/ml) had the lowest sensitivity.
Influence of genotype and geography on shell shape and morphometric trait variation among North Atlantic blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) populations

The influence of geography and genotype on shell shape (outline) and trait (morphometric) variation among North Atlantic blue mussels and their hybrids has been examined. Shape differences among reference taxa (Mytilus trossulus, Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis) were consistent with an association between taxon-specific genes and shape genes. Newfoundland M. edulis × M. trossulus populations and northern Quebec M. trossulus populations exhibited an uncoupling of taxon-specific genes from shape genes, whereas Nova Scotia M. trossulus populations and SW England M. edulis × M. galloprovincialis populations exhibited an association between taxon-specific genes and shape genes. We found no evidence of a geographic effect (NE versus NW Atlantic) for shape variation, indicating that the genotype effect is stronger than any geographic effect at macrogeographic scales. Pronounced differences were observed in trait variability consistent with an association between taxon-specific genes and trait genes in European populations, and trait divergence of New York M. edulis from all European mussels. Trait variability in mussels from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and northern Quebec indicated an uncoupling of taxon genes from trait genes, whereas trait variability in SW England M. edulis × M. galloprovincialis populations was consistent with background genotype, indicating a strong association between taxon genes and trait genes. A pronounced macrogeographic split (NE versus NW Atlantic) regardless of taxonomy was observed, indicating that geography exerts a greater influence than genotype on trait variation at the macrogeographic scale. This is consistent with pronounced within-taxon genetic divergence, indicative of different selection regimes or more likely of different evolutionary histories of mussels on either side of the North Atlantic. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 875–897.
Social Mating System and Sexual Behaviour in Captive Emus Dromaius novaehollandiae

Summary Previous studies based on field observations have described the sexual behaviour of emus, but the social mating system of the species remains uncertain because of the lack of quantitative and detailed data. We therefore placed individually identified birds, 33 females and 27 males, in a large free-range pen (2.5 km2) and recorded their behaviour twice weekly for 11 weeks, from the beginning of the laying period until all the males had begun incubating. The behaviour of both birds involved in a stable pair relationship was recorded in detail during 16 sets of one- hour observations. Over 70% of males and females were classified as ‘socially monogamous’, but 7% of males and 3% of females were classified as ‘socially polygamous’. Also, 15% of the females were engaged in sequential polyandry. Within the pair, the females were the most active in pair formation and maintenance, directed their behaviour primarily towards their mate, and also protected access to their mate. Conversely, before they began incubating, the males were prompt to court females other than their mates and often walked away from their mates. Factor analysis reinforced these observations showing that female behaviour is mainly directed towards the mate whereas male behaviour has a major promiscuous component. We concluded that the social mating system of the emu is of a monogamous type but a few individuals are promiscuous—the males before they start incubating, and the females after their mate has started incubating. In addition, there are significant numbers of extra-pair copulations. The potential contribution of this relatively small proportion of promiscuous behaviours to the reproductive success of individuals cannot be assessed from behavioural studies and remains to be established by techniques that permit determination of chick parentage.
Potentiation of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Artisanal Honeys Using Specific Heat Treatments

The effect of temperature on the phenol content, flavonoids content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) in five artisanal honeys of different floral origins was investigated. The total phenol and total flavonoid content showed either linear or quadratic curves (P < 0.05) for heat treatment according to the origin of the honey. For HMF, all of the honeys displayed linear behavior with the heat treatments. All of the honeys had linear responses to temperature (P < 0.05) and antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH. The antioxidant activity measured as the ABTS showed either a linear or quadratic (P < 0.05) curve response depending on the floral origin. The profile of the correlation coefficients between the bioactive compounds (phenols, flavonoids and HMF) and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) was different for each type of honey. It is possible to enhance the antioxidant activity of artisanal honeys with a specific heat treatment. Practical Applications Currently, nutraceuticals use honey for its antioxidant activity. It is important to preserve and improve these properties for the consumer during the processing of honey. In this study, it was found that each honey should be heat treated specifically because each honey has different bioactive compounds according to its floral origin. For some honeys, the thermal behavior of the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity was quadratic, with the greatest activity at 70C, whereas for other honeys, the behavior was linear, with the highest bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity at 80C. To enhance the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of artisanal honeys, each honey should be treated at a different temperature depending on their linear or quadratic behavior.
Research status of ultrasound-guided radiotherapy for tumors

Image-guided techniques are critical to improving the accuracy of radiotherapy for tumors. Ultrasound images have been gradually applied in the set-up verification of clinical radiotherapy and adaptive radiotherapy because of the real-time, reproducible and non-radiative characteristics. In this paper, the application of ultrasound image-guided technology in radiotherapy was classified and analyzed, and the latest research progress was introduced. Key words: Neoplasm/ultrasound-guided radiotherapy; Research status
Departmental action teams: Empowering students as change agents in academic departments

Supporting and sustaining positive educational change is an area of increasing focus in higher education and remains a persistent challenge. Using student partnerships is one promising way to help promote these much-needed changes. This case study focuses on Departmental Action Teams (DATs), which are groups of faculty, students, and staff working together in the same department to make sustainable improvements to undergraduate education. Here we focus on DATs from four different departments, across two research-intensive universities in the USA, to draw attention to the important roles that students play as change agents in these groups. We also reflect upon the inherent challenges in building partnerships that incorporate meaningful power sharing to effect educational change
LEAD AND NICKEL ACCUMULATION IN IRIS PUMILA: CONSIDERATION OF ITS USEFULNESS AS A POTENTIAL BIOINDICATOR IN THE NATURAL PROTECTED AREA OF DELIBLATO SANDS, SERBIA

In this work, we investigated the suitability of the threatened species, Iris pumila L. , as a possible bioindicator of traffic pollution in its natural habitats (mostly protected areas and natural reserves). We examined its potential to accumu- late lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in polluted habitats, and the genetic variability for this capability, since it is an important facet of bioindicator suitability. We estimated the concentrations of Pb and Ni in the leaves of 17 I. pumila clones (genotypes) grown in one of their natural habitats, the unpolluted semi-arid habitat of the protected Deliblato Sands Special Natural Reserve, and in the leaves of 18 Iris pumila full-sib families grown in an experimental plot in a heavily polluted urban loca- tion in Belgrade, Serbia. Comparison of the contrasting habitats by one-way ANOVA analysis showed that both Pb and Ni concentrations were significantly higher (six-fold) in the I. pumila leaves collected from plants grown in the polluted urban habitat. Two-way ANOVA (randomized block design) analysis performed on the full-sib families grown in the urban loca- tion failed to detect significant genetic variation for metal accumulation in I. pumila leaves. A significant block effect on the concentration of Ni in leaves was detected, indicating responsiveness to microenvironmental variability. These results sug- gest that I. pumila can serve as a good indicator of traffic pollution in protected areas. The response is stable since genetic variability of I. pumila populations does not appear to influence its role as an indicator greatly.
A collective education mentorship model (CEMM): Responding to the TRC calls to action in undergraduate Indigenous health teaching

In this paper, a Collective Education Mentorship Model (CEMM) is described by four non-Indigenous students who co-created and undertook a program with this model for an undergraduate-level university experiential learning experience centred around Indigenous health. This model is framed around shared teaching of students by various collaborators/mentors and built upon the values of collaboration, mentorship, reciprocity, and capacity building. Based on feedback from the students and collaborators involved in this experience, this model appears to be a promising means of better situating students as partners in experiential learning through the redefinition of student-supervisor roles, responsibilities, and the sharing of power. Furthermore, this model appeared to create more diverse experiences for students and minimized supervisor burden. Although this model was created specifically for the education of trainees in Indigenous health, it can be further adapted for other student placements and programs where these assets would be beneficial.
Techniques for detecting genetically modified crops and products

The cultivation of genetically modified crops is becoming increasingly important; more traits are emerging and more acres than ever before are being planted with GM varieties. The release of GM crops and products in the markets worldwide has increased the regulatory need to monitor and verify the presence and the amount of GM varieties in crops and products. Labeling legislation and trade requirements differ from one country to another, leading to the necessity for the development of reliable and sensitive analytical methods for detection, identification and quantification of GM varieties in crops and their products. GM crops and their products can be identified by detecting either the inserted genetic material at DNA level, the resulting protein or phenotype. Several analytical methods such as methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting the inserted DNA, immunological assays for detecting the resulting protein, or using bioassays to detect the resultant phenotype have been developed. So far only PCR has found broad application in GMO detection as a generally accepted method for regulatory purposes. Presently, real-time PCR can be considered as the most powerful tool for the detection and quantification of GM crops and products.
New Principle of Busbar Protection Based on Active Power and Extreme Learning Machine

In order to improve the reliability of busbar protection, a new fast busbar protection algorithm based on active power and extreme learning machine is proposed. By performing S-transformation on the fault voltage and current traveling wave, the active power amplitude within 0.1 ms after the fault is obtained. Simulate different fault types in the busbar area and build a bus fault feature vector sample set. The intelligent model of fault learning of extreme learning machine is established, and the sample set is used for training and testing to realize bus fault area identification. The simulation results show that the proposed busbar protection method can identify faults in the busbar area sensitively and reliably.
Evaluating of the activity antioxidant and fatty acids profile of lychee seeds (Litchi chinensis SONN.)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to characterize lychee seeds regarding their centesimal composition, and also to evaluate their antioxidant potential and fatty acid profile.Design/methodology/approach – To obtain the extract, dehydrated and grinded seeds were extracted with ethyl alcohol for 30 min, at a proportion of 1:3 of seeds:ethyl alcohol, under continuous agitation, at room temperature. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant subjected to a rotoevaporator at 40oC aiming to determine, by direct weighing, the extract dry matter yield.Findings – The largest found values went to the total carbohydrates (72.75 percent). In the oil from the lychee seeds there was a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, the main component being linoleic, considered an essential fatty acid.Research limitations/implications – Implies the identification of compounds biativos extracted from seeds of tropical and subtropical fruits, and to prevent certain types of diseases.Originality/value – The .
Soil animals influence microbial abundance, but not plant–microbial competition for soil organic nitrogen

1. In a microcosm experiment we examined the effects of individual species of microarthropods, and variations in microarthropod diversity of up to eight species, on soil microbial properties and the short-term partitioning of a dual-labelled organic nitrogen source (glycine-2-13C-15N) between a grassland plant, Agrostis capillaris, and the soil microbial biomass, to determine how soil fauna and their diversity influence plant–microbial competition for organic N. 2. We hypothesized that variations in the diversity of animals would influence the partitioning of 15N inputs between plants and the microbial biomass, due to the effect of animal grazing on the microbial biomass, and hence its ability to sequester N. 3. Certain individual species of Collembola influenced the microbial community of the soil. Folsomia quadrioculata reduced microbial biomass, whereas Mesaphorura macrochaeta enhanced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of A. capillaris roots. Effects of increasing species richness of microarthropods on microbial biomass and AM colonization were detected, but these effects could be interpreted in relation to the presence or absence of individual species. 4. Microbial uptake of added 15N was not affected by the presence of any of the individual species of animal in the monoculture treatments. Similarly, increasing diversity of microarthropods had no detectable effect on microbial 15N. 5. Root and shoot uptake of 15N was also largely unaffected by both single species and variations in diversity of microarthropods. However, one collembolan species, Ceratophysella denticulata, reduced root 15N capture when present in monoculture. We did not detect 13C in plant tissue under any experimental treatments, indicating that all N was taken up by plants after mineralization. 6. Our data suggest that, while single species and variations in diversity of microarthropods influence microbial abundance in soil, there is no effect on microbial or plant uptake of N. Overall, these data provide little support for the notion that microbial-feeding soil animals are regulators of microbial–plant competition for N.
Heterozygous fitness effects of clonally transmitted genomes in waterfrogs

The European waterfrog Rana esculenta (RL‐genotype) is a natural hybrid between R. ridibunda (RR) and R. lessonae (LL) and reproduces by hybridogenesis, i.e. it eliminates the L‐genome from the germline and produces gametes only containing the clonally transmitted R‐genome. Because of the lack of recombination, R‐genomes are prone to accumulate spontaneous deleterious mutations. The homozygous effects of such mutations become evident in matings between hybrids: their offspring possess two clonal R‐genomes and are generally inviable. However, the evolutionary fate of R. esculenta mainly depends on the heterozygous effects of mutations on the R‐genome. These effects may be hidden in the hybrid R. esculenta because it has been shown to benefit from spontaneous heterosis. To uncouple clonal inheritance from hybridity, I crossed R. esculenta with R. ridibunda to produce nonhybrid offspring with one clonal and one sexual R‐genome, and compared their survival and larval performance with normal, sexually produced R. ridibunda tadpoles. Because environmental stress can enhance the negative effects of mutation accumulation, I measured the performance at high and low food levels. There was no indication that tadpoles with a clonal genome performed worse at either food level, suggesting that at least in the larval stage, R. esculenta benefits from heterosis without incurring any costs because of heterozygous effects of deleterious mutations on the clonally transmitted R‐genome.
Botryosphaeria dothidea and Other Fungi Associated with Excoriose and Dieback of Grapevines in Portugal

In a study of fungi associated with symptoms of excoriose in Portugal, the most prevalent ones were found to be Botryosphaeria dothidea and Phomopsis viticola. In artificial inoculations, these two fungi infected grapevines causing dark lesions on the shoots and bud mortality. They were re-isolated from the shoot lesions and necrotic buds. Two further species of Botryosphaeria, namely B. obtusa and B. stevensii, were also isolated and they caused small lesions on wounded shoots but did not infect unwounded shoots. B. dothidea was also isolated from grapevines with a dieback of the trunk. These isolates were more virulent on young shoots and one-year-old canes than the ones from grapevines with excoriose. Zusammenfassung Bei einer Studie uber die Pilzarten, die mit den Symptomen der Excoriose in Portugal assoziiert sind, wurden Botryosphaeria dothidea und Phomopsis viticola am haufigsten isoliert. Nach kunstlichen Inokulationen von Rebpflanzen verursachten diese Pilzarten dunkle Lasionen an den Trieben sowie das Absterben der Knospen. Sie konnten auch aus Trieblasionen und nekrotischen Knospen reisoliert werden. Zwei weitere Botryosphaeria-Arten, B. obtusa und B. stevensii, wurden auch isoliert, sie verursachten kleine Lasionen bei verletzten Trieben, nicht jedoch bei unvertetzten. B. dothidea wurde auch aus Rebpflanzen isoliert, die das Vertrocknen des Stockes zeigten. Diese Isolate waren noch virulenter gegen die jungen Triebe und die einjahrigen Pflanzen als die Isolate von Rebpfianzen mit Excorciose.