Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unravelling complexities in benthic food webs using a dual stable isotope (hydrogen and carbon) approach

1. Stable carbon isotope studies have been an essential component of research regarding the contribution of methane (CH4)-derived carbon to freshwater food webs and results have suggested that benthic macroinvertebrates in billabongs, streams and lakes may be partially, and in some instances, significantly ‘fuelled’ by methanotrophic biomass. However, the singular use of carbon isotopes can lead to ambiguous interpretations concerning the origin of carbon, especially in systems where phototrophs are likely to be using carbon respired sources and hence show more 13C-depleted values. 2. These uncertainties can be further resolved by the inclusion of additional isotopic data. Stable hydrogen isotopes are being increasingly used in food web studies with a marked advantage that sources may be isotopically distinct by one or two orders of magnitude greater than stable carbon or nitrogen, the isotopes most commonly used to delineate trophic interactions. By using hydrogen as a second biogeochemical tracer we provide further supportive evidence for the assimilation of methanotrophic microbial biomass by chironomid larvae. 3. Moreover, the hydrogen and carbon isotope values we found in chironomid tissues appear to reflect the original substrate used during methanogenesis; either acetate fermentation or carbonate reduction. Use of the former tends to result in relatively heavy carbon and light hydrogen isotope values due to kinetic isotope effects, whereas use of the latter results in relatively lighter carbon and heavier hydrogen isotope values. 4. We provide preliminary evidence to suggest that hydrogen and carbon isotope values in macroinvertebrates may be used to distinguish between CH4 formation pathways and help to explain inter-depth and inter-specific differences between co-existing chironomid species found in the same lake.
Bulbophyllum ningboense , a new species of Orchidaceae from Zhejiang, China

A new species of Ochidaceae, Bulbophyllum Thou. , B. ningboense G. Y. Li ex H. L. Lin et X. P. Li from Fenghua County of Zhejiang, China is described in this paper. The new species is morphologically similar to B. chrondriophorum (Gagnep.) Seidenf. , but differs in having pseudobulbs close to each other or apart from; leaves 12.0-15.0 mm long; scape obviously longer than blade, a joint with one membranous cybmo-sheath at mid-lower part of scape; lateral sepals 8.0-9.0 mm long; dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, 3-veined; dorsal sepals and petals glabrous at margin; petals ca. 2.0 mm long.
Demography of Clethrionomys gapperi in different habitats

Theoretical considerations indicate that habitat heterogeneity may affect vole population density dynamics. The greater the degree of habitat heterogeneity, the greater the likelihood that a vole population will show stable rather than cyclic density dynamics. A livetrapping study of Clethrionomys gapperi was conducted near Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada, to examine the effect of habitat on demography and behaviour on this species. Voles in different habitat types differed in spring and late summer density, persistence, ratio of immature to total recruits, transiency, and home range size. There was no difference in litter size of voles among habitat types. Clethrionomys gapperi is not a cyclic species and sexually mature females are territorial. In this study demography of vole populations differed greatly among habitat type and only on one grid in 1 year did the density of sexually mature females reach saturation. Therefore, in each year there was always rooom for territorial establishment of females.
The Relationship between Sugar and Amino Acid Export to the Phloem in Young Wheat Plants

Abstract The relationship between amino acid and sugar export to the phloem was studied in young wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Pro-INTA, Isla Verde’) using the EDTA-phloem collection technique. Plants grown with a 16 h photoperiod showed a rapid decrease in the concentration of sugars and amino acids in the phloem exudate from the beginning of the dark period. When plants grown with a 16 h photoperiod were kept in the dark for longer than 8 h the free amino acid content in leaves and exudate (on a dry weight basis) increased continually throughout the 72 h of darkness. During the first 24 h of darkness the sugars in the phloem exudate decreased to 30% of the initial value, and returned to the control level when plants were returned to light. When plants grown under low light intensity for 10 d were transferred to high light intensity, they showed an increase in leaf sugar content (dry weight basis) after 3 d but there were no differences in leaf free amino acid content (dry weight basis) compared to low-light plants. The sugar concentration in the phloem exudate was increased by higher light intensities, but there was no difference in the amino acid concentration of the phloem exudate, and thus the amino acid:sugar ratio in the phloem decreased in the high-light plants. The present results suggest that amino acids can be exported to the phloem independently of the export of sugars.
Mapping boron efficiency gene(s) in Brassica napus using RFLP and AFLP markers

Soil boron (B) deficiency, a world-wide problem in agriculture, exists for more than 33 million hectares of cultivated land in China. Genetic variation exists for B-efficiency among different Brassica napus germplasms. To identify genes controlling B efficiency, an F 2 population of B. napus was constructed from a cross between a high B-efficiency cultivar, Qingyou 10', and a low B-efficiency cultivar, Bakow', and then evaluated for seed yield, bolting date and maturity date under B-deficient conditions. The ratio of high B-efficiency to low B-efficiency individuals fitted the expected ratio of 3: 1, indicating a major gene controlling the B-efficiency trait. The major gene was mapped in the ninth linkage group of B. napus. Genome-wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses detected one major locus near the major gene, which explained 64.0% of the phenotypic variance. At the same time, three minor loci in three linkage groups were also detected, and these minor loci individually explained 39.2%, 32.5% and 36.9%, respectively, of the phenotypic variance. A total of 11 QTLs were detected for bolting date and maturity date, some of which were associated with B-efficiency.
DNS of a lifted spray flame in a mixing layer

Spray combustion is utilized in numerous practical equipments such as energy conversion and propulsion devices. It is therefore needed to understand the mechanism to improve the efficiency and develop the advanced systems. Recently, the characteristics of spray flames have been investigated in terms of droplet group combustion and flamelet modeling by two-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) [1–4]. The purpose of this study is to investigate the detailed behavior of a lifted spray flame by comparing with a lifted gaseous flame. DNS is applied to the lifted flames in mixing layers. The premixed and diffusion flames in the lifted flames are studied. In addition, in terms of the flamelet modeling, the flamelet behavior in the lifted flames are discussed.
First karyological and molecular study of the Hainan gymnure Neohylomys hainanensis (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae)

1 Ocean College, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai 264209, China 2 College of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China 3 Department of Biology, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 4 Laboratory Animal Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan 5 The Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan, e-mail: motokawa@inet.museum. kyoto-u.ac. jp
Inhibition of fungal spore germination by gramicidin S and its potential use as a biocontrol against fungal plant pathogens

Gramicidin S, as well as being sporicidal to Bacillus spores, also inhibits germination and emergence of fungal‐like spores of Dictyostelium discoideum. The fungal plant pathogen Fusarium nivale is also inhibited and gramicidin S, therefore, is a sporicidal and antifungal antibiotic. Considering these findings the potential use of this antibiotic and its producer organism Bacillus brevis as a biocontrol is discussed.
Mitochondrial DNA Diversity among Broodstocks of the Lake Trout, Salvelinus namaycush

Mitochondrial DNA was purified from 151 lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) representing nine brood stocks along with an additional 30 fish from two natural populations. Eighteen restriction endonucleases were employed to analyze 126 brood stock fish. Two of these enzymes (Hind III and Bam HI) were used to examine the fish from the natural populations (Hare Island (Lake Superior) and North Knife Lake (Manitoba)) and the remaining brood stock samples from the Manitou (12 fish) and Seneca (13 fish) strains. The mitochondrial genome of the lake trout was 16 800 ± 200 base pairs in length. A single heteroplasmic individual was discovered in the Manitou strain. It contained two genomes, the less frequent of which was 20 base pairs shorter than the other. The 18 restriction enzymes resolved 13 mitochondrial clones which fell into three major groups. These clonal groups, which can be identified by their Bam HI restriction phenotypes, have a specific distribution: a western Great Lakes group, a central Great Lakes .
Impaired Response of Human Pancreatic Polypeptide to Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics

Summary The secretory response of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) producing cells (PP-cells) to hypoglycemia was studied in order to clarify whether the function of PP-cells is impaired along with the dysfunction of A-and B-cells in the pancreatic islets in insulin-dependent diabetics. Hyperglycemia followed by hypoglycemia was induced by successive intravenous administration of glucose (0.5 g/kg) and insulin (0.2—0.4 U/kg) at an interval of 30 min in 8 con trols, 12 insulin-independent diabetics and 10 insulin-depen dent diabetics. During hyperglycemia no difference in the plasma HPP decline was observed between the three groups. However, "HPP-area", the index of the response of HPP to hypoglycemia, was significantly smaller in insulin-dependent diabetics, 7860 ± 3040 pg • min/ml (mean ± SEM), than either in controls, 28490 ± 4630 pg • min/ml (p< 0.005), or in insulin-independent diabetics, 21630 ±4720 pg • min/ml (p< 0.025). These results indicate that a marked impairment of HPP re sponse to hypoglycemia exists in insulin-dependent diabetes. The hypofunction of HPP producing cells together with A-and B-cells may imply that extensive destruction of pancrea tic islets plays some role in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes.
Near infrared probes for biochemical, cellular, and whole animal analysis of disease processes

The study of disease processes requires a number of tools for detection of proteins and biomarkers in cell and animal based assays. Near infrared (NIR) technologies offer the advantage of high signal without interference from background producing factors such as tissues, blood, or plastics. NIR fluorescence quenching biochemical assays employing a novel NIR quencher are homogeneous and sensitive. NIR-based immunocytochemical assays offer a means of quantitatively evaluating cell signaling pathways. The technology can be extended to the development of targeted molecular imaging agents for disease analysis in animal models. We describe here model assays for each of these categories. A fluorescence quenching caspase-3 assay was developed employing a novel, broadly applicable quencher dye suitable for use with both visible and NIR dye chemistries. An NIR cell based assay is described for assessment of phosphorylation of p53 in response to a cellular stimulus. Finally, we describe the development and application of a targeted NIR optical imaging agent for monitoring tumor growth in whole animals. The NIR biochemical and cell based assays are robust with Z' factors greater than 0.7. The use of an IRDye (R)800CW-labeled cyclic RGD peptide is presented as a model for development and application of targeted imaging agents. NIR technologies are compatible with the complete spectrum of assay needs for disease analysis and therapeutic development.
Exercise modulation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC): towards a molecular signature of healthy aging

The objective of this article was to review the biochemical basis of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) test and its applications to exercise science and promotion of healthy aging. Measurement of TAC allows evaluation of the antioxidant content of muscle, heart and other exercise-target organs. Acute non-regular physical exercise and body exposition to higher altitude have been associated with a considerable decrease of blood TAC. However, regular practice of physical activity and exercise is associated with improved antioxidant response increasing TAC levels. TAC methodologies did not address lipophylic antioxidants and have some other limitations. However, TAC is useful as a complementary test for the evaluation of antiperoxidation assays and blood, erythrocyte and cytosolic antioxidant enzyme assays (glutathion reductase, glutathion peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase). Exercise induces both molecular antioxidant and hormetic responses which have been suggested to be linked with a healthy .
Effect of herbage allowance on the efficiency of defoliation by the grazing animal

An experiment examining the relationship of daily herbage disappearance (DHD) and daily herbage allowance (DHA) is described. Cows with calves were grazed at three stocking rates on Kleingrass and Coastal Bermudagrass pastures. DHD and DHA were monitored at 14-d intervals. A significant positive linear relationship was noted between DHD and DHA (P0·25). Equations derived for Coastal Bermudagrass and Kleingrass were not significantly different and resulted in a combined equation Ŷ= 0·275X + 0·209 with an r2 vaiue of 0·27. As DHA exceeded 6–9 kg DM per 100 kg live weight, efficiency of defoliation by the cows and calves declined.
ESTAQUIA SEMI-LENHOSA: UM MÉTODO RÁPIDO E ALTERNATIVO PARA A PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS DE LIMA ÁCIDA 'TAHITI'

The effect of various concentrations and exposure times of two plant growth regulators on root formation of stem cuttings of `Tahiti' lime (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) was evaluated. Additional trials evaluated and compared root formation efficiency of stem cuttings of two sweet orange cultivars (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). The research was carried out in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, in an screen-house with an intermitent water spray system, using 10 cm long, five month old terminal semihardwood stem cuttings, without the three basal leaves. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with four replications in all trials. Data was collected 90 days after the beginning of each trial. The parameters analysed were: average number of roots per rooted cutting, percentage of rooting, percentage of callus induction, average length of the longest root, and average number of leaves per rooted cutting. The results showed that: a) rooting of `Tahiti' lime cuttings was high, above 50%, reaching up to 96% in some cases, with no effect of the application of any plant growth regulator; b) Sweet orange cuttings presented low percentage of root formation (around 0,5%), with no effect of the application of any plant growth regulator; c) there were no significant differences among the treatments for all the other parameters; d) the present study showed that plant propagation of `Tahiti' lime through stem cuttings is an efficient and fast propagation method for this Citrus species.
Phylogenetic Position of the Genus Cryptazeca and the Family Azecidae within the System of the Stylommatophora

The first data about the genus Cryptazeca were provided by Folin & Berillon (1877a) when they described azeca monodonta based on the study of two empty shells collected near Bayonne in southwestern France. Later they collected some live specimens and established the genus Cryptazeca for it, after study of its anatomy (Folin & Berillon, 1877b, 1891). This genus was included together with Ferussacia, Cecilioides, azeca (with Hypnophila), Cochlicopa, and five additional genera in the family Ferussaciidae (Pilsbry, 1908). Watson (1928) noticed that Ferussacia and Cecilioides had a sigmurethrous excretory system and placed them and the family Ferussaciidae in the infraorder Sigmurethra, whereas Steenberg (1925) and Zilch (1959) placed azeca, Cochlicopa, and Hypnophila in the family Cochlicopidae (infraorder Orthurethra). New live specimens of the genus Cryptazeca were collected in 1987 and its excretory system described as being of the orthurethrous type by Gomez & Angulo (1987). Consequently, these authors proposed to change the taxonomic position of this genus to be placed with azeca, Cochlicopa, and Hypnophila in the family Cochlicopidae. Detailed anatomical and histological studies of the reproductive system also corroborated the close relationships among Cryptazeca, azeca, and Hypnophila (Gomez & Angulo, 1987, 1990; Gomez, 1990b, 1991). Nevertheless, Schileyko (1976) considered that orthurethria was probably a primary condition for Stylommatophora, which could be retained in some taxa outside orthurethral groups. This led again to the placement of Cryptazeca within the family Ferussaciidae. As a result, the classification followed by the CLECOM project (Bank et al., 2001; Falkner et al., 2001) placed Cryptazeca (Cryptazecinae) with Ferussacia, Cecilioides, and Hohenwartiana (Ferussaciinae) within the Ferussaciidae, in the superfamMALACOLOGIA, 2010, 52(1): 163−168
Isolation from soil of symbiotic and nonsymbiotic Rhizobium leguminosarum by DNA hybridization

A procedure based upon DNA hybridization was developed for the specific detection of Rhizobium leguminosarum and its different biovars among bacteria isolated from soil. DNA colony hybridization and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with a R. leguminosarum chromosomal probe were found to be species specific for R. leguminosarum and Rhizobium etli. By using R. leguminosarum nod gene probes, biovar specificity was obtained. Of 302 soil isolates screened for their inability to grow on Luria-Bertani agar medium, 13 strains could be assigned to the R. leguminosarum species on the basis of DNA homology to the chromosomal probe and antibiotic resistance tests. Of these strains, three and two were assigned by colony hybridization and subsequent plant host specificity tests, respectively, to R. leguminosarum biovars viciae and trifolii. The eight other R. leguminosarum soil isolates lacked symbiotic information but were able to gain nodulation capacity with the acquisition of a conjugative symbioti.
Synalpheus jejuensis n. sp. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae) from Korea based on morphological and molecular study

We describe Synalpheus jejuensis n. sp. on the basis of 17 specimens collected around Jejudo Island, Korea. The new species is most similar to S. tumidomanus but can be distinguished from that species by shorter scaphocerite, upturned blunt tubercle rather than an acute spine on the superior margin of major chela, and teeth on the ventral margin of the pleura. The DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment was employed in these two species. The intraspecific sequence divergence of the COI gene of S. jejuensis n. sp. ranges between 0% and 2.1%, while that of S. tumidomanus ranges between 0.2% and 0.4%. The sequence divergence between two species is 20.1%. DNA barcoding results provide further evidence that these two species are distinct. The discovery of S. jejuensis n. sp. is biogeographically important because the species diversity of Synalpheus is low in temperate region.
Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) from the Northwest Atlantic: female reproductive rates, age at first birth, and age of maturity in males

Mean age at first birth and reproductive rates were examined in a sample of 526 female grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) reproductive tracts collected between 1968 and 1992. Age of first birth determined from reproductive tracts with a fetus was 5.5 ± 0.12 yr (mean ± SD). No trend over time was observed in mean age at first birth or in pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates determined from reproductive tracts containing a fetus were 0.18, 0.86, and 0.88 for animals aged 4+, 5+, and >6+ yr, respectively. Pregnancy rates calculated from the presence of a corpus luteum were 0.01, 0.45, 0.9, and 1 for ages 3+, 4+, 5+, and >6+, respectively. Mean age of sexual maturity of males was 5.6 yr as estimated from changes in testes mass in a sample of 89 seals collected during August–September 1992. A marked increase in testes mass was observed among animals aged 3+ yr. By age 7+ yr, virtually all males had attained sexual maturity.
Targeting human DNA polymerase α for the inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation. Part 1. Homology model, active site architecture and ligand binding

In order to understand the binding modes of human DNA polymerase α (pol α) inhibitors on a molecular level, a 3D homology model of the active site of the enzyme was proposed based on the application of molecular modelling methods and molecular dynamic simulations using available crystal coordinates of pol α relatives. Docking results for a series of known nucleotide analogue inhibitors were consistent with reported experimental binding data and offered the possibility to elucidate structure-activity relationships via investigations of active site-inhibitor interactions. Furthermore, the study could explain, at least partially, the inhibitory effect of aphidicolin on pol α. In molecular dynamics simulations, aphidicolin occupied the catalytic centre, but acted in a not truly competitive manner with respect to nucleotides. It destabilized the replicating “closed” form of the pol α and transferred the enzyme into the inactive “open” conformation. This result is consistent with recent experiments on the binding mode of aphidicolin.
Role of Gut Flora in the Transfer of Amino Acids Through a Marine Food Chain

The gut of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis has between 2 × 108 and 6 × 109 bacteria/mL of gut contents. When these bacteria are present, radioactive carbon fed to the urchins as either glucose or cellulose appears in all of the protein amino acids of the gonads. However, when the gut flora is suppressed by a mixture of antibiotics, injection of the sea urchins with radioactive glucose results in the labeling of some of the amino acids (nonessential amino acids) but not others (essential amino acids). These results imply that: (a) sea urchins have the ability to digest cellulose, probably with the aid of the gut flora; (b) intestinal microorganisms can synthesize essential amino acids; and (c) amino acids of microbial origin are available to the sea urchins. The amino acid compositions of (i) kelp (Laminaria longicruris), (ii) sea urchin intestinal microflora, and (iii) sea urchins, were determined over a yearly cycle. The amino acid composition of kelp and microbes were compared as a sour.