Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative Humidity Effects on the Life History of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

ABSTRACT Black soldier flies, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) are of particular interest for their application in waste management such as reducing manure accumulations in confined feeding operations. Determining black soldier fly development time as a result of climatic variations will allow for optimizing their utilization as a waste management agent at landfill sites and confined animal feeding operations. To implement a black soldier fly waste management program in Canada, where seasonal variability does not support H. illucens development on a year round basis, determining maximum and minimum abiotic thresholds to sustain larval development is important. In Canadian winters, maintaining greenhouse temperatures necessary for black soldier fly development results in low relative humidity that could impact their development. The objective of this study was to determine relative humidity thresholds on egg eclosion and adult emergence. Egg eclosion success was measured at 25, 40, 50, 60, and 70% relative humidities and adult emergence success was measured at 25, 40, and 70% RH. Egg eclosion and adult emergence success increased with increasing relative humidities, while development time decreased with rising relative humidities.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is sufficient and necessary for synovial joint formation

A critical step in skeletal morphogenesis is the formation of synovial joints, which define the relative size of discrete skeletal elements and are required for the mobility of vertebrates. We have found that several Wnt genes, including Wnt4, Wnt14, and Wnt16, were expressed in overlapping and complementary patterns in the developing synovial joints, where β-catenin protein levels and transcription activity were up-regulated. Removal of β-catenin early in mesenchymal progenitor cells promoted chondrocyte differentiation and blocked the activity of Wnt14 in joint formation. Ectopic expression of an activated form of β-catenin or Wnt14 in early differentiating chondrocytes induced ectopic joint formation both morphologically and molecularly. In contrast, genetic removal of β-catenin in chondrocytes led to joint fusion. These results demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is necessary and sufficient to induce early steps of synovial joint formation. Wnt4, Wnt14, and Wnt16 may play redundant roles in synovial joint induction by signaling through the β-catenin-mediated canonical Wnt pathway.
Redevelopment of Black Oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) Savanna in an Abandoned Sand Mine in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, USA

Abstract We investigated the processes of oak-savanna redevelopment in an abandoned sand mine site in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Our Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) revealed a divergence of vegetation between the prairie and the woodland portions of the study area. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and black oak (Quercus velutina) dominated the woodland canopy. The shallow water table (0.90–1.35 m below ground surface) appeared to support the formation of tree canopy. The prairie, with deeper water table (2.09–2.62 m), was sparsely vegetated by shrubs; mostly choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), sand cherry (P. pumila) and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) without apparent tree canopy. Development of woody vegetation, black oak overstory and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) understory was initiated with the colonization of cottonwoods. No evidence was found to support the ‘facilitation effect’ of cottonwoods for black oak seedling recruitment, survival or growth. The tree canopy formation, promoted by water table depth, appeared to be the major factor for divergence in herbaceous vegetation and soil characteristics. The herbaceous vegetation was dominated by C4 and CAM species (e.g., little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium and prickly pear cactus Opuntia humifusa) in the prairie, whereas horsetails (Equisetum arvense), asters (Aster spp.) and other C3 forbs were the dominants in the woodland. Our curve-linear regressions revealed that the cover and diversity of herbaceous species reached their peaks at about 40% tree canopy. The regression analysis also showed strong correlations between the tree canopy and soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, nitrogen, phosphorus and pH. The 70-y old woodland site had accumulated 1.4% organic carbon and 820 ppm of nitrogen, similar to the ‘mature’ soil of oak-savanna/woodlands near our study site. This suggests a rapid accumulation of major nutrients during the early vegetation development. Nitrogen would likely continue to accumulate beyond the ‘mature’ level. The nitrogen enrichment, particularly under the changing climate, adds uncertainty to the future trajectory of vegetation in the oak-savanna on the Lake Michigan sand dunes.
INTROGRESSIVE HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN RHODODENDRON KIUSIANUM AND R. KAEMPFERI (ERICACEAE) IN KYUSHU, JAPAN BASED ON CHLOROPLAST DNA MARKERS

Wild evergreen azalea populations of Rhododendron kiusianum and R. kaempferi ( Ericaceae ) were analysed using a chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) PCR-RFLP marker that was used to detect introgressive hybridization in our previous study of the Kirishima Mts populations. The populations of the intermediate region in the Unzen Mts, which show phenotypic variation, were demonstrated to result from interspecific hybridization between Rhododendron kiusianum and R. kaempferi , possessing cpDNA from either R. kiusianum (1030/420 bp) or R. kaempferi (950/420/80 bp). Most individuals of Rhododendron kiusianum in the Kujyu Mts, the Aso Mts and the surrounding mountains exhibited the PCR-RFLP pattern of R. kaempferi . These results from the Kujyu Mts and the Aso Mts indicate that natural hybridization and cytoplasmic introgression from Rhododendron kaempferi to R. kiusianum have occurred in the relatively distant past. In the case of Mt Yufudake and Mt Haneyama, the Rhododendron kiusianum population retains the effects of natural hybridization with R. kaempferi in the cpDNA as well as in the variation in flower characteristics. All individuals of Rhododendron kiusianum on Mt Onogaradake in the Takakuma Mts exhibit R. kiusianum cpDNA (1030/420 bp), in spite of variation in flower colour.
Assessment of a subcellular metal partitioning protocol for aquatic invertebrates: preservation, homogenization, and subcellular fractionation

Measurements of the subcellular partitioning of trace metals have been used to predict assimilation efficiencies for metals between trophic levels and to evaluate metal detoxification mechanisms in aquatic organisms. Using field‐collected larvae of the insect Chaoborus, we assessed the performance of two preservation protocols, three homogenization treatments, and a cell fractionation protocol to determine the best combination of techniques for assessing the subcellular partitioning of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Preservation of larval samples for either 2 years at −80°C or 1 year at −80°C or −196°C had little influence on the subcellular partitioning of these metals. Using several marker enzymes, i.e., cytochrome C oxidase and citrate synthase for mitochondria, β‐hexosaminidase for lysosomes, and lactate dehydrogenase for the cytosol, we show that optimal and high‐yield homogenization is achieved using a combination of mechanical disruption using a micro‐pestle followed by vortexing and that the subsequent fractionation procedure employing differential centrifugation/NaOH digestion was effective. We conclude that the preservation and homogenization protocols as well as the fractionation procedure that we tested using Chaoborus larvae can serve as a model approach for improving current protocols and for designing protocols for previously untested biological samples.
New species of bombardier beetles of the genera Brachinus and Pheropsophus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae) from Vietnam Новые виды жуков-бомбардиров родов Brachinus и Pheropsophus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae) из Вьетнама

Eight new species of bombardier beetles are described from Vietnam: Brachinus dalatensis sp. nov., B. ovalipennis sp. nov., B. belyaevae sp. nov. (all in the melancholicus species-group), Pheropsophus (Stenaptinus) bidoupensis sp. nov., Ph. (S.) ngoclinhensis sp. nov., Ph. (S.) kalyakini sp. nov., Ph. (S.) similis sp. nov. and Ph. (S.) obliteratus sp. nov. (all in the aptinoides species-group). A key to species of the Pheropsophus aptinoides group of the Vietnamese fauna is provided.
Is "Sampling Effect" a Problem for Experiments Investigating Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Relationships?

Increasingly, those studies which are aiming to study the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function are utilising experimental designs in which species diversity is varied, with the species composition at each level of diversity being determined randomly from a predetermined species pool. Studies utilising such designs have been criticised on the basis that they are confounded by sampling effect (SE) or selection probability effect, i.e. that the treatments which have the highest diversity have a greater probability of being dominated by the most productive species of the entire species pool; however it has also been claimed that SE is a legitimate mechanism by which diversity effects may express themselves in nature. Firstly I show, using an example of a recently published study claiming to show a diversity effect, how SE can result in the identification of apparent relationships between diversity and ecosystem properties which have little meaning in the real world. I then point out that if we accept SE is a diversity mechanism operating in nature, it is firstly necessary to assume that biological communities are randomly assembled with regard to the ecosystem property being measured; this assumption is inconsistent with conventional concepts about how biological communities are organised. Finally I discuss other experimental approaches which may remove the likelihood of results of biodiversity studies from being confounded by problems associated with SE. None of those studies in which SE may contribute to the observed outcome have successfully shown a result which cannot be ascribed to artifact, and alternative experimental approaches are required in order to better understand how biodiversity loss affects ecosystems in nature.
Major Nutritional Issues in Deciduous Fruit Orchards of Northern Italy

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. fertilization, integrated fruit production, iron chlorosis, nitrogen, soil testing SUMMARY. Most deciduous fruit crops in Italy are grown in the north and especially in the eastern part of the Po River Valley (mainly in the Emilia Romagna and Veneto regions) and in the Adige River Valley (South Tyrol and Trento provinces) . Soils in the wide Po River Valley, where pear (Pyrus communis), peach and nectarine (Prunus persica), kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), plum (Prunus domestica and P. insititia), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), cherry (Prunus avium), and apple (Malus domestica) are grown, are alluvial, generally fertile, fine textured, alkaline, often calcareous and well enriched with Ca. Apple plantings are concen- trated in the Adige Valley and located on a variety of soil types, including sandy loam, loamy sand soils or sandy clay, sometimes calcareous. Integrated fruit production is gaining impor- tance and represents more than 80% of apple production in South Tyrol and about 60% of peach and nectarine production in Emilia Romagna. Under these conditions, the main objec- tives of mineral nutrition are to reconcile production and environmental concerns (minimize nutrient leaching, soil pollution, volatile emissions). In particular, fertilization aims to improve external and internal fruit quality and storage ability, reduce production costs, maintain soil fertility, avoid nutrient deficiency and excess and control tree vigor. Nitrogen applications have strongly decreased in recent years and there is a need to improve the efficiency of N fertilizers while avoiding deficiencies. Research is focussing on application technology, timing of N uptake, internal cycling of N and methods for assessing the need for N application (e.g., using estimates of native soil N availability). Early diagnosis of bitter pit is recommended for guiding applications of Ca sprays. Iron deficiency and chlorosis is a major problem in pear, peach and kiwifruit grown in alkaline and calcareous soils and Fe chelates are usually applied annually to the soil or to the canopy. Current research is focused on agronomic means for controlling the problem and on developing rootstocks tolerant to Fe deficiency.
INITIAL EFFECTS OF RABBIT HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE ON FREE-LIVING RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) POPULATIONS IN CENTRAL-WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Quarterly spotlight counts of rabbits were conducted at three sites in central-western New South Wales. These counts commenced two years before the arrival of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the winter of 1996. The existing data on quarterly rates of change in rabbit abundance for the three populations provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of RHD on rabbit demography. Prior to the arrival of RHD, all three populations underwent phases of sequential increase and decrease in each year. On the basis of these patterns, RHD had a variable influence on the demography of the three rabbit populations. In 1996–97, the density of two populations declined over an expected period of increase, while at the third site the density increased as expected from pre-RHD patterns. Twelve months after their failure to generate expected positive rates of increase the two affected populations had returned to the normal sequence of increases and decreases in density although still at comparatively low numbers.
Relapse Prevention for Sexual Offenders: Considerations for the "Abstinence Violation Effect"

Relapse Prevention (RP) is a cognitive-behavioral approach originally developed for treatment of addictions and has since become an effective and popular method for treating sexual offenders. The Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE) is a pivotal RP construct describing one's cognitive and affective response to re-engaging in a prohibited behavior. We review the literature on the AVE in both addiction and sexual offender applications. We summarize the original and subsequent formulations of the AVE for addictions and modifications adopted for its application to sexual offenders. We argue that these modifications have generally failed to characterize sexual offense relapse cycles accurately or comprehensively. In particular, these modifications fail to specify accurately the AVE's occurrence and influence in the offense cycle. In response to these limitations, we suggest future directions for AVE research in sexual offenders.
A comparison of various methods for the estimation of solids-not-fat in milk and whey

Summary The total solids (TS) content of milk was estimated using freeze-drying followed by a Karl Fischer (KF) titration. The average solids-not-fat (SNF) value for 12 milks calculated from the TS results by this method was 0·003±0·039 % lower than that calculated from the TS results by the British Standard (1963) gravimetric method (BS). The average SNF value calculated from the sum of the contents of lactose anhydride, ‘total’ protein and ash was slightly higher (+0·017±0·068 %) than that obtained from the BS method. Certain modifications of the BS method for TS gave erroneous results. Heating 1 or 2 g milk at an oven temperature of 100 °C for 5 h, however, gave results agreeing fairly closely with the BS values. For lactic (starter) casein whey the average SNF content from freeze-drying and KF titration was 0·075 % higher than that obtained by following the BS procedure (for TS in milk). Average values for the sum of the SNF constituents (including lactic acid) were 0·08–0·11 % lower than those obtained from BS method. In many of the values recorded in the literature there is an unexplained discrepancy between the SNF content calculated from the sum of the constituents and that calculated from the TS content estimated gravimetrically by an alternative British Standard (1951) method. The need for a uniform method for estimating TS is stressed.
Productive characterisation of a goat breed: Study of growth and csn1s1 gene polymorphism

SUMMARY The results of the productive characterisation of the Blanca de Rasquera goat meat breed are presented within the framework of a Conservation Programme. The 125 animals included in the study were randomly chosen from among six farms under an extensive production system and natural lactation. The growth of kids was characterised by quantifying body weight from birth to slaughter. The influence of sex and type of birth on growth was evaluated. Kids showed a good growth rate (123 g/day on average for the period 0-45 days), comparable to, or slightly lower than, other Spanish autochthonous meat breeds. As expected, the type of birth and sex significantly influenced weight and the growth of kids. A random sample of 36 individuals was analysed in relation to the αS1-casein gene (CSN1S1). A greater frequency (62.5%) was found for alleles associated with high αS1-casein quantity in milk, indicating its good potential and technological quality for cheese production.
PR-10 protein is induced by copper stress in roots and leaves of a Cu/Zn tolerant clone of birch, Betula pendula

The response of a Cu- and Zn-tolerant birch (Betula pendula) clone to copper stress was investigated. The plants were exposed to control and EC50 concentrations of Cu (0.3 and 30 μM CuSO 4 , respectively) for 7 d in hydroponic culture. Total proteins were extracted from the roots and leaves and separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The differences in protein patterns on silver- or Coomassie-stained gels were analysed. The most apparent quantitative difference was the increase in the amount of a 17 kDa polypeptide caused by Cu stress in both roots and leaves. The protein was identified as Bet v 1-Sc3 (according to the current nomenclature PR-10c) using N-terminal amino acid sequencing and on-line high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/ion trap mass spectrometry. The present results indicate that PR-10 is not only activated by pathogens but also by excessive amounts of copper ions. PR-10 proteins in birch have been reported earlier not to be induced by Ag, Li or Cd in birch suspension culture, but Cu has not been previously tested.
Coexpression of Cloned α1B, β2a, and α2/δ Subunits Produces Non-Inactivating Calcium Currents Similar to Those Found in Bovine Chromaffin Cells

Chromaffin cells express N-type calcium channels identified on the basis of their high sensitivity to block by ω-conotoxin GVIA (ω-CgTx GVIA). In contrast to neuronal N-type calcium currents that inactivate during long depolarizations and that require negative holding potentials to remove inactivation, many chromaffin cells exhibit N-type calcium channel currents that show little inactivation during maintained depolarizations and that exhibit no decrease in channel availability at depolarized holding potentials. N-type calcium channels are thought to be produced by combination of the pore-forming α1B subunit and accessory β and α2/δ subunits. To examine the molecular composition of the non-inactivating N-type calcium channel, we cloned the α1B and accessory β (β1b, β1c, β2a, β2b, and β3a) subunits found in bovine chromaffin cells. Expression of the subunits in either Xenopusoocytes or human embryonic kidney 293 cells produced high-threshold calcium currents that were blocked by ω-CgTx GVIA. Coexpression of bovine α1B with β1b, β1c, β2b, or β3aproduced currents that were holding potential dependent. In contrast, coexpression of bovine α1B with β2aproduced holding potential-independent calcium currents that closely mimicked native non-inactivating currents, suggesting that non-inactivating N-type channels consist of bovine α1B, α2/δ, and β2a.
Properties and application of egg white lysozyme and its modified preparations - a review

Lysozyme monomer exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive organisms. This phenomenon has found a practical application in the food processing industry, in medicine and pharmaceutical industry. The use of lysozyme in the food processing industry is connected primarily with its application as a natural preservative. The enzyme is widely used as a preservative for meat, fish and their products, for milk and dairy products, as well as for fruit and vegetables. The pharmaceutical industry uses this enzyme in the manufacture of adjuvant drugs for antibiotics and analgesics in viral and bacterial infections, in the treatment of leukemia and neoplastic diseases. Lysozyme is also used as a diagnostic agent, being an indicator of the occurrence and the progression of pathological changes in humans and animals. The range of the practical applications of lysozyme may be considerably extended as a result of its modification. The enzyme after modification exhibits a new specific activity in relation to Gram-negative bacteria, being a result of dimerization, with no loss of activity against Gram-positive bacteria, characteristic for the monomer, as it was indicated in studies by Ibrahim et al. [1991;1996], Lesnierowski et al. [2004] and Kijowski et al. [2006]. The dimeric form of lysozyme has been used in the treatment of bacterial and viral animal diseases. A drug produced on the basis of lysozyme dimer shows immunostimulating and immunocorrective activity.
Police Lying

PETER K. M A N N I N G PETER K. MANNING is Associate Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry at Michigan State University. He has published a number of articles m the areas of occupations and professions, deviance and control and comparative studies of health and illness (with Horacio Fabrega, Jr.) and has edited two books on youth. His work on the police, performed m part m England, will appear in a forthcoming book, Policework.
Effects of heat conditioning and dietary ascorbic acid supplementation on growth performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics in heat-stressed broilers.

Bu arastirma, sicak stresi altindaki broylerlerde erken donem sicaga alistirma ve rasyona askorbik asit ilavesinin buyume performansi, karkas ve et kalite ozellikleri uzerine etkilerini arastirmak icin yapilmistir. Toplam 320 adet erkek broyler pozitif kontrol (PC), sicak stresi (HS), erken donem sicaga alistirma (HC) ve askorbik asit ilave edilen rasyonla besleme (AA) olmak uzere dort gruba ayrilmistir. PC grubundaki broylerler deneme suresince termonotral kosullarda (24oC) yetistirilmis ve bazal rasyonla beslenmistir. HC grubu, 5 gunluk yasta 24 saat 36oC’ye maruz birakilmis, deneme suresince bazal rasyonla beslenmis ve 4-6. haftalar arasinda gunde 6 saat 35oC sicakliga maruz birakilmistir. AA grup, 500 mg/kg L-askorbik asit ilave edilen rasyonla beslenmis ve 4-6. haftalar arasinda gunde 6 saat 35oC sicakliga maruz birakilmistir. HS grubundaki broilerler, 4-6. haftalar arasinda gunde 6 saat 35oC sicakliga maruz birakilmis ve deneme suresince bazal rasyonla beslenmistir. Sicak stresinin final canli agirlik, agirlik kazanci (P<0.001), yem tuketimi, karkas randimanini (P<0.01) azalttigi, buna karsin yemden yararlanma orani ve olum oranini artirdigi (P<0.05) belirlenmistir. Sicak stresi, broiler gogus etinin kirmizilik renk indeksi (P<0.001) ve kesimden 24 saat sonra olculen pH degerini (P<0.05) azaltirken, parlaklik renk indeksi ve pisirme kaybini arttirmistir (P<0.001). Erken donem sicaga alistirma ve rasyona askorbik asit ilavesinin, sicak stresi altindaki broylerlerde final canli agirlik, agirlik kazanci, karkas randimaninda artisa ve et kalitesinde iyilesmeye neden oldugu belirlenmistir. Bu bulgular, erken donem sicaga alistirma ve rasyona askorbik asit ilavesinin, sicak stresinin broyler performansi ve et kalitesi uzerindeki negatif etkilerini onleyebilecegini gostermektedir