Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
When and how do predator starting distances affect flight initiation distances

The distance separating predator and prey when the predator begins to approach, starting distance, was recently shown to affect flight initiation distance in many bird species, raising questions about the effect's generality, variation with ecological factors, and economic basis. I studied the effect in two lizard species that forage by ambush and escape into nearby refuges. Monitoring costs during approach are absent because ambushers remain immobile while scanning for prey and predators. Risks are minimized because of the proximity to refuge. Flight initiation distance increased weakly with starting distance in Sceloporus virgatus Smith, 1938 significantly only at rapid approach speed. It was not significant in Urosaurus ornatus (Baird and Girard, 1852) at slow approach speed. Flight initiation distance is predicted to increase with starting distance, owing to monitoring costs and assessment by prey of greater risk during prolonged approaches. The significant effect in S. virgatus, which lacks monitorin.
Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Antibacterial Activity of Chitosan Extracted from Shell of Crab Paratelphusa hydrodromous

In this study, chitosan was extracted from fresh water crab Paratelphusa hydrodromous shells. In order to determine physico-chemical characteristics of the extracted chitosan, the yield, water and fat binding capacities were measured. In addition, the antibacterial activity of chitosan against Yersinia ruckeri fish pathogenic bacteria was investigated in this study. The results showed that chitosan solution at 0.5 g/kg markedly inhibited the growth of Yersinia ruckeri fish pathogenic bacteria. The results of the study indicate that crab shells are a rich source of chitosan as 38.23 of the shell's dry weight is consisted of this material. Extracted chitosan were exhibited a lower molecular weight and higher water and fat binding capacities Overall, the results indicated that chitosan was a potential bactericide against bacterial fish pathogen yersinia ruckeri.
Detection of Three DNA‐Binding Proteins from Lupine Mitochondria1

To investigate the mechanism of transcription in plant mitochondria, proteins displaying binding activity to mitochondrial plasmid promoters were studied. We have identified a conserved nonanucleotide motif at the 5′ end of a Lupinus albus mitochondrial plasmid transcript. Three proteins with molecular masses of ca. 25, 30, and 48 kD interacted with ds oligonucleotides, representing different parts of the plasmid promoter. Proteins with molecular masses 25 and 30 kD seem to represent two components of a heterodimer. The DNA‐binding activities of these proteins have been confirmed by electrophoretical mobility shift assay (EMSA), SDS‐PAGE, Southwestern, and UV cross‐linking assays. The specificity of DNA‐binding reaction was examined by competition experiments.
Exploring underlying mechanisms driving the onset of stress-induced insulin resistance

Physical and psychological stressors trigger activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis that leads to enhanced secretion of glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol. Moreover, chronic activation of this pathway may elevate oxidative stress that is linked to the onset of insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Our laboratory previously found that oxidative stress increases ux through metabolic circuits such as the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), in e ect increasing its modi cation of target proteins post-transcriptionally with O-GlcNAc moeities. This in turn may alter protein function and contribute to the onset of myocardial insulin resistance and impaired contractile function. Since the underlying mechanisms linking chronic stress to cardiometabolic pathophysiology are poorly understood, we hypothesised that cortisol elicits myocardial oxidative stress, HBP activation, and decreased glucose uptake (due to attenuated glucose transport functionality) with detrimental outcomes, i.e. insulin resistance and apoptosis. To investigate this hypothesis we established an in vitro model using HL-1 cardiomyocytes, with which we evaluated the degree of O-GlcNAcylation and oxidative stress in response to a range of time-dose treatments with dexamethasone (synthetic glucocorticoid). Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the sarcolemma was also assessed. In agreement with the literature, results suggest that GLUT4 translocation is signi cantly decreased subsequent to dexamethasone treatment. Although no signi cant di erences were observed with regards to oxidative stress or O-GlcNAcylation, the data show that dexamethasone increased the latter with a maximal e ect after two hours exposure to the 10−6 M dose. Although our results were not conclusive, the data suggest a potential novel link between dexamethasone exposure, HBP activation and decreased GLUT4 translocation. Based on our ndings we propose that detrimental e ects of chronic stress on the heart may be mediated by increased HBP ux. Given that glucocorticoid excess and GLUT4 dysregulation have been associated with insulin resistance (and related metabolic derangements and diseases), these results provide new targets for potential therapeutic agents. ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
NESTED-PCR ISOLATION OF BAR GENE FROM A RESISTANT-BASTA HERBICIDE STREPTOMYCES COELICOLOR EGY

Resistance of Streptomyces isolate against Basta (Bialophos) herbicide was tested on three doses of Basta (2, 4 and 6g/L) in starch nitrate agar medium (SNAM). The stressed cultures were studied to find gene confers resistance for herbicide. The bar gene was isolated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the culture. This local isolate was identified as Streptomyces coelicolor Egy. Almost 450pb amplified DNA fragment was cloned at ELORI and Hind III sites in plasmid pAHC25 with gus genes. The construct was transformed into coli strain DH5α.
Atmosphere–Ocean Coupling and Atlantic Cod Migrations: Effect of Wind-Forced Variations in Sea Temperatures and Currents or Nearshore Distributions and Catch Rates of Gadus morhua

Coastal upwellings and downwellings forced by alongshore winds on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence were associated with variability in onshore movements and inshore daily catches of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Mean cod densities in the zone offshore from the trap sites, determined by hydroacoustic integration scaled by an in situ dual beam determined mean backscatter, ranged from 2.6 to 82.7 fish/105 m3. Cod were located where sea temperatures ranged from −0.5 to 8.5 °C. Catches were nil where temperatures were outside this range. Cod were located at depths which correlated with the strength of alongshore currents (r = −0.55). A path analysis model with predictors alongshore wind stress and current, sea temperature, and cod density accounted for 76% of the variance in catch. Cod abundance in the offshore zone accounted for the most variance independent of other factors (27%). Sea temperature and currents accounted for 15 and 13%, respectively. Peaks in catch (to 1500 kg/d) coincided with maxim.
High milk production and good fertility in modern dairy cows: the results of some recent research items.

The present manuscript summarizes the research, which is currently going on in our department regarding the interaction between negative energy balance (NEB) and fertility in modern high yielding dairy cows. In this work, it has been clearly demonstrated that nearly 50% of the recently calved dairy cows suffer from one or another ovarian dysfunction during the preservice postpartum period. Both clinical signs of a significant negative energy balance as well as the occurrence of puerperal disorders were main risk factors to suffer from these ovarian problems. In the following research using repeated ovum pick sessions it was demonstrated that homeorhetic changes of metabolites known as typical indicators of the negative energy balance, were reflected in the follicular fluid of the dominant follicle during the immediate postpartum period. Based on in vitro experiments it was furthermore shown that these metabolites were able to affect bovine granulosa cells at concentrations, which were found in the in vivo study. The latter opens perspectives in elucidating the question why high yielding dairy cows express less heat symptoms and why modern dairy cows are at an increased risk to suffer from postpartal ovarian dysfunctions such as cystic ovarian disease. Besides the effect on granulosa cells, studies were also carried out to investigate the effect of elevated levels of non esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) on the reproductive competence of the oocyte. In these studies it was demonstrated that NEFAs at levels, which could be found in vivo within the follicular fluid of the dominant follicle during NEB, may influence fertility of high yielding dairy cows by hampering the oocyte maturation as expressed in lower fertilization rates and subsequently lower cleavage and blastocyst development. The latter opens possibilities to explain the worldwide mentioned decreasing fertility results seen in modern high yielding dairy cows
Physiological and biochemical responses of ultra-dry storage of Elymus dahuricus seeds

The silica gel drying method was utilized to reduce the moisture content of Elymus dahuricus seeds from an original content of 9.03 to 7.69, 6.10, 4.97, 4.47, 3.83, 2.58 and 1.26%. After sealing the seeds in aluminum foil bags, they were placed at -4°C, 4°C, room temperature and 45°C to store for 12 months and to identify their physiological and biochemical indicators. Results indicate that ultra-dry storage can: 1) Improve the storability and membrane permeability of E. dahuricus seeds, 2) increase the activity of E. dahuricus SOD, POD and CAT, and 3) lower MDA content. Moderate ultra-dry storage at room temperature can reach the conserved effect of low-temperature without intense ultra-drying. Therefore, the moderate ultra-dry can be use as effective measure for the conservation of E. dahuricus germplasm resources. Key words: Elymus dahuricus, ultra-dry storage, moisture content.
Response of Three Conifer Species to Enhanced UV-B Radiation; Consequences for Photosynthesis

InvestigationswerecarriedouttofindwhetherenhancedultravioletradiationinfluencestheTaxus, Thuja and Juniperusgenerausedingardenarchitecture. �SeedlingsafewyearsoldweresubjectedtoUV-B� at a 16 kJ m -2 �day -1 dose for several weeks. carbohydrate contents (monosaccharides and sucrose), levels ofchlorophyllsandchlorophylla fluorescence were analyzed, and the variable/maximal fluorescence (F v / F m )�andtheRf d�-� vitalityindexwerecalculated. � InTaxus andJuniperus nonegativeeffectswerefoundin� carbohydrateaccumulationandevenincreasedchlorophyllaandblevelswerenoted. �After�6-9�weeksof� irradiationtheamountofthesepigmentsinJuniperusneedleswasasmanyastwofoldhigher. �Underthein- fluence of uv -B a 50% reduction of monosaccharide accumulation was found only in Thuja, after�3�weeks�
Systèmes agroforestiers à cacaoyers et transition capitaliste : l’exemple du Centre-Cameroun

Cocoa production in Cameroon has devel-oped from complex agroforestry systems. After a long period of stagnation from 1963 to 1993, production doubled over the next two decades. Which are the farm-ers driving the growth and dynamics of cocoa production? What are the strategies and production methods behind their suc-cess in reviving the sector and doubling production over such a short time? To find answers to these questions, we organised semi-directive interviews with 82 farmers representing the different types of plan-tations in central Cameroon, the country’s main cocoa-growing region. Our results show that the production boom in the study area is largely based on the rise of capitalistic farming based on salaried labour, with a new type of plantation owner investing large amounts of financial capital, of urban provenance, to create large-scale plantations along pioneer fronts. These findings led us to analyse developments in these agroforestry sys-tems with a closer focus on interactions between the different forms of production (family farms, salaried labour, capitalist ventures) and between the new patterns of capital accumulation developing in both rural and urban areas.
Mitochondrial rieske protein, are you a real hypoxic sensor in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells?

It is well established that hypoxia causes vasoconstriction in pulmonary arteries (HPV), which serves as an important physiological mechanism to preserve the sufficient matching of regional alveolar ventilation and pulmonary, but may also result in pulmonary hypertension when alveolar hypoxia becomes global. While the molecular mechanisms underlying HPV are incompletely understood, there is extensive evidence to indicate that mitochondria are involved in hypoxic sensing to mediate hypoxic cellular responses in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). In this study, we have found the activity of isolated mitochondrial complex III from mouse pulmonary arteries is significantly increased during hypoxic stimulation. Hypoxia results in a large increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well in isolated mitochondrial complex III. Rieske protein knockdown by siRNAs blocks hypoxia‐induced increase in the activity and ROS formation of isolated mitochondrial complex III from mouse PASMCs, while gene overexpression of rieske protein produces an opposite effect. Interestingly, we have also shown that the iron chelator desferrioxamine blocks hypoxic increase in the activity and ROS formation of isolated complex III from mouse pulmonary arteries. Overall, our data indicate that mitochondrial complex III rieske protein may function as a major hypoxic sensor to affect ROS generation leading to hypoxic cellular responses in PASMCs.
Comparison of soil microbial communities between high and low yield organically managed orchards

TM and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) analysis were used to evaluate soil microbial communities for eight typical organic orchards in Beijing, China. These included high- and low-yield agricultural sites for four types of fruit orchards: pear, peach, apple and grape. The soil properties including soil organic matter (OM), soil pH, soil total nitrogen (TN), soil available phosphorus (AP), soil available K (AK), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil bulk density, soil porosity, microbial biomass and microbial activities were investigated. There were significant higher microbial biomass and lower bulk density in the soils of high-yield orchards than that in low-yield orchards. Differences between the paired soils of high- and low-yield orchards were highly associated with the average well colour development and total PLFAs.
Secure Computation Outsourcing for Inversion in Finite Field

With the widespread of cloud service and the popularity of mobile devices, more and more researchers are working on the technologies that can securely outsource expensive computation tasks to a single semi-trusted cloud server. Inversion has always been considered one of the most basic and prohibitively expensive arithmetic operations in cryptographic system based on ﬁnite ﬁeld or elliptic curve. In this paper, we construct two algorithms for secure outsourcing inversion operation with the help of single and untrusted cloud server. The ﬁrst algorithm, named Inv , is designed for secure outsourcing single element’s inversion. The second algorithm, named MInv is designed for secure outsourcing multiple elements’ inversion. Compared with using the extended Euclidean algorithm, the client can achieve higher efﬁcacy by using the ﬁrst proposed algorithm Inv. The efﬁciency of the second proposed algorithm on the cloud side is superior to invoking the ﬁrst algorithm multiple times. At the same time, there is no increase in computational burden on the client side. The formal security analysis shows that our algorithms satisfy the security of veriﬁability, input-privacy, and output-privacy. Furthermore, we simulate our proposed algorithms to evaluate its performance. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed algorithms are valid and practical.
Investigating the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in monocytes and its modulation by extracellular nucleotides

The chemokine CCL2 activates its cognate receptor CCR2 to orchestrate monocyte trafficking towards infected, inflamed, and injured tissues during immune responses and the development of inflammatory disease. However, despite research into this area being plentiful, CCR2 antagonists have lacked clinical efficacy. A possible explanation for this may be that other chemoattractants such as extracellular nucleotides steer monocyte trafficking and compensate for a loss in CCR2 function. This study therefore intended to (i) determine the mechanisms involved in CCL2/CCR2-mediated monocyte signalling and function and (ii), examine the requirement of purinoceptor signalling for CCL2/CCR2-mediated monocyte signalling and function. Human monocytic THP-1 cells and PBMCs were employed as models to assess CCR2 activation indirectly by intracellular Ca2+ release, cell migration, and cell adhesion to vascular endothelium. Techniques such as lentivirus-mediated gene-knockdown, RT-PCR, and HPLC complemented these studies. A pharmacological approach indicated a requirement of CCR2, Ca2+, Gαi/o-type G-proteins, PI3K, PLC, IP3Rs, RyRs, SERCA, DAGL, DAGK, and PKC for CCL2-mediated monocyte signalling and/or function. Initial observations from apyrase studies indicated an involvement of extracellular nucleotides in CCL2/CCR2-mediated monocyte signalling and function. Pharmacological experiments also indicated that although P1, P2X1, P2X4, P2X7, P2Y1, P2Y11, P2Y12, and P2Y13 purinoceptors were unlikely to play a major role, P2Y6 and CCR2 engaged in crosstalk. Cross-desensitisation experiments and studies on P2RY6-knockdown THP-1 cells supported this finding and indicated that a blockade of P2Y6 signalling was likely to affect the capacity of monocytes to migrate and adhere in response to CCL2. Moreover, these findings indicated that P2Y6 and CCR2 crosstalk in monocytes was likely to involve ATP release. The findings in this thesis suggest that the CCL2/CCR2 axis is important for monocyte signalling and function and that P2Y6 engages in crosstalk with CCR2. Taken together, these findings may prove relevant in the search for future therapies for monocyte-associated inflammatory diseases.
RAPD-PCR BASED STUDY OF JUMPING SPIDERS FROM AGRICULTURAL FIELDS OF AMRAVATI DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA (INDIA)

The current study deals with the genetic diversity of jumping spiders using molecular markers. A total 831 scorable bands were produced using six random primers for the 23 species of jumping spiders belonging to saltisidae family. Out of all screened primers, OPN 16 produced 265 scorable bands and OPP 9 produced 164 polymorphic bands. Remaining primers (OPA 2, OPA 3, OPA 4 and OPA 5) showed 100 per cent polymorphism with 139, 84, 84 and 85 bands respectively. With few exceptions the phylogenetic relationship of jumping spiders using UPGMA and NJ approach was in agreement with the classical systematics. The present study is the first report from India that describes the genetic relatedness
REVISION OF THE GENUS INSULAMON NG & TAKEDA, 1992 (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: POTAMIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTION OF FOUR NEW SPECIES

Four new species of Insulamon Ng & Takeda, 1992, are described, adding on to the one and only known species Insulamon unicorn Ng & Takeda, 1992. While the latter could be only confi rmed by further records from the island of Busuanga, all Palawan Island records, including juvenile specimens previously designated as paratypes of I. unicorn, are herein referred to as different species. The characters of all species of the genus, namely male fi rst and second pleopods, telson, mouthparts, and carapace are described in detail and illustrated. A key to the Insulamon species is provided.
How does nest-box temperature affect nestling growth rate and breeding success in a parrot?

Abstract Climate change is predicted to affect many species by reducing range, habitat suitability and breeding success. Cavity-nesting species, already threatened by deforestation and declining natural hollows, may be particularly at risk because they are limited in nest-site location, and climatic alterations may further reduce usability of natural cavities. It is therefore essential to determine how cavity-users may be affected. We recorded internal nest-box temperatures and modelled the relationships of four temperature parameters (relating to mean temperature, variability in temperature, low temperature extremes and high temperature extremes) with breeding success and nestling growth in an Australian cavity-nesting parrot, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). We found that less extreme low temperatures resulted in heavier nestlings; however, higher mean temperatures tended to result in lighter nestlings. Greater temperature variability tended to reduce fledging success; however, no temperature variables had a clear effect on clutch size or hatching success. Our findings indicate that there may be a complex relationship between nestling growth and temperature, and although less extreme cold temperatures may benefit nestlings, continued increases in mean temperature and variability may have negative consequences.
Bacterioplankton community resilience to ocean acidification: evidence from microbial network analysis

Author(s): Wang, Y; Zhang, R; Zheng, Q; Deng, Y; Van Nostrand, JD; Zhou, J; Jiao, N | Abstract: © International Council for the Exploration of the Sea 2015. Ocean acidification (OA), caused by seawater CO2 uptake, has significant impacts on marine calcifying organisms and phototrophs. However, the response of bacterial communities, who play a crucial role in marine biogeochemical cycling, to OA is still not well understood. Previous studies have shown that the diversity and structure of microbial communities change undeterminably with elevated pCO2. Here, novel phylogenetic molecular ecological networks (pMENs) were employed to investigate the interactions of native bacterial communities in response to OA in the Arctic Ocean through a mesocosm experiment. The pMENs results were in line with the null hypothesis that elevated pCO2/pH does not affect biogeochemistry processes. The number of nodes within the pMENs and the connectivity of the bacterial communities were similar, despite increased pCO2 concentrations. Our results indicate that elevated pCO2 did not significantly affect microbial community structure and succession in the Arctic Ocean, suggesting bacterioplankton community resilience to elevated pCO2. The competitive interactions among the native bacterioplankton, as well as the modular community structure, may contribute to this resilience. This pMENs-based investigation of the interactions among microbial community members at different pCO2 concentrations provides a new insight into our understanding of how OA affects the microbial community.