Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diverse fiber composition of swimming muscles in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

The gross morphology and histochemistry of basal swimming muscles of the fifth pereiopod of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, were investigated. Each of the major muscles has two to three discrete branches and contains fibers ranging in colour from white to deep pink. The coloration is correlated with mitochondrial density. Deep pink fibers show intense NADH diaphorase staining, indicative of high oxidative capacity, while white fibers show very little staining, indicative of low oxidative capacity. Myrofibrillar ATPase activities are inversely correlated with oxidative capacities. The deep pink region of the levator muscle (muscle F) shows higher phosphorylase (glycolytic) activity, higher polysaccharide content and shorter sarcomere length than the white region. Such differentiation within a single muscle suggests considerable functional versatility.
Comparison of Skeletal Muscle Protein Bands among Five Populations of Bufo viridis in Turkey by SDS-PAGE

Skeletal muscle protein bands of Bufo viridis samples from 5 different populations in Turkey were investigated by SDS- PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis). The total number of skeletal muscle protein bands was 23 in Hatay, Kayseri, Rize, and Tekirdasamples, and 25 in the Mersin sample. It can be ascertained from the present study that some populations of B. viridis in Turkey could be different according to skeletal muscle protein bands and SDS-PAGE results comparing different muscle protein bands could be helpful for taxonomical investigations. Bufo viridis'in Turkiye'deki 5 Populasyonunda ‹skelet Kas› Proteinlerinin SDS-PAGE Yard›m›yla Karfl›laflt›r›lmas› Ozet: Bu cal›flmada, Bufo viridis'in Turkiye'deki 5 farkl› populasyonunda iskelet kas› protein bantlar› SDS-PAGE vas›tas›yla incelenmifltir. Toplam iskelet kas› protein band› say›s›, Hatay, Kayseri, Rize ve Tekirda¤ orneklerinde 23 olarak bulunurken, Mersin orneinde 25 protein band› bulunmaktad›r. Bu cal›flma ile, Turkiye'deki baz› B. viridis populasyonlar›n›n iskelet kas› protein bantlar›n›n farkl› olabilecei ve farkl› iskelet kas› proteinlerini karfl›laflt›ran SDS-PAGE sonuclar›n›n taksonomik incelemelerde yard›mc› olabilecei anlafl›lmaktad›r.
Nest Factors Predisposing Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Clutches to Infestation by Dipteran Larvae on Northern Cyprus

Abstract This paper reports the physical and biological nest parameters of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on northern Cyprus that predispose individual nests to infestation. All data were collected between June and September 1997, and data were analyzed using generalized linear models. The final model explained 66.5% of the total deviance, and the most significant factor was the depth to the egg chamber (deviance = 63.86, P < 0.0001). The implications of these results are discussed, and recommendations for future work are proposed.
Effect of body condition and suckling restriction with and without presence of the calf on cow and calf performance

Nutrition and suckling are largely recognised as the most important factors affecting the postpartum period and consequently the reproductive efficiency of beef cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of body condition score (BCS) and suckling restriction with and without the presence of the calf on milk production, reproductive efficiency and calf performance. Sixty-three crossbred (Angus × Hereford) multiparous cows were managed to maintain different BCS at calving and thereafter (low vs moderate; L, n = 31 and M, n = 32). Within each group of BCS (L and M) at week 9 postpartum (66 ± 0.88 days postpartum) cows were assigned to three suckling treatments (ST): (i) suckling ad libitum (S, n = 20); (ii) calves fitted with nose plates during 14 days remaining with their dams (NP, n = 22); and (iii) calves were completely removed from their dams for 14 days, and thereafter returned (CR, n = 21). Milk production was assessed by milking procedure at Day 65 (the day before onset of ST) and every 20–22 days until the end of the experiment. Cows were bled via jugular venipuncture every 28 days from Day –98 (Day 0 = calving) until Day 66. From Day 66 cows were bled every 7 days until the end of the mating period (Day 128). Concentrations of progesterone, non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate acid and insulin were measured. Presence of corpus luteum (CL) was recorded and maximum follicle diameter was measured in all cows from the onset of the ST (Day 66) and during the following 4 weeks (until Day 94) in a weekly frequency. At Day 94, more cows (P < 0.001) in NP and in CR had CL compared with S cows (68, 57 and 21% for NP, CR and S, respectively). At that time, more cows in M-BCS presented CL than cows in L-BCS (77 vs 25; P < 0.0001). Within M-BCS, there were no differences in milk production between ST groups, while L-BCS cows with NP or CR produced less milk than S cows. Calf liveweight at weaning was 159.3 ± 3.1, 150.1 ± 2.9 and 147.0 ± 3.1 kg for S, NP and CR, respectively (P < 0.001). Suckling restriction with and without the presence of the calf had similar effects on reproductive performance, milk production and calf growth, while BCS interacted with ST to influence milk production. These results indicate that temporary suckling restriction could be an excellent management tool to increase reproductive performance of cows in moderate condition.
ET come home: potential evapotranspiration in geographical ecology

Aim Many macroecological analyses are based on analyses of climatological data, within which evapotranspiration estimates are of central importance. In this paper we evaluate and review the use of evapotranspiration models and data in studies of geographical ecology to test the likely sensitivity of the analyses to variation in the performance of different metrics of potential evapotranspiration. Location Analyses are based on: (1) a latitudinal transect of sites (FLUXNET) for 11 different land-cover types; and (2) globally gridded data.
Temporal variation in chaffinch Fringilla coelebs song: interrelations between the trill and flourish

The description of within-population variation of a signal is an important first step when studying its communicative function. In chaffinches Fringilla coelebs all song types consist of two structurally different parts: the trill (a series of two to five phrases of repeated syllables) followed by a more complex end phrase, the so-called flourish (a shorter sequence of mostly non-repeated syllables). The relative durations of the two song parts have been reported to affect male and female responses in playback studies. While this suggests a communicative function of relative trill and flourish duration, within-population variation of these parameters has not yet been quantified. We recorded 3084 songs of 108 different song types from 79 individuals and measured the song, trill and flourish duration. This revealed substantial variation in duration of the two main song parts. An analysis of the variance components showed that trill duration was more variable within song types and between birds than flourish duration, but less variable between song types. Moreover, the more different phrases there were in the trill, the longer was its duration. There was more variation in trill duration within song types with relatively short flourishes. Possible communicative functions of the observed variation are discussed in the light of previous evidence from playback experiments.
BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Development of epigenomic analysis in agricultural animals

Advances made in DNA sequencing technologies over the past 15 years (Zhao & Grant 2011) have resulted in genome wide selection for production traits becoming a reality. Soon all sequence variations in each individual in closed breeding schemes will be known. What is not currently known is how to rank these variations, especially those that involve changes in gene expression rather than amino acid sequence. In order to continue making genetic progress we will need an understanding of how epigenetics affects gene expression and ultimately phenotype. Epigenetics is the study of changes in phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms include but are not limited to, DNA methylation, acetylation and methylation of histone proteins that bind and stabilise DNA, and non-coding RNA molecules. These epigenetic processes act in an interrelated manner in order to regulate gene expression (Bird 2002). One of the key determinants in the control of gene expression in mammals is DNA methylation – a mechanism known to play a central role in regulating many aspects of growth and development (Bird 2002). Aberrant DNA methylation is able to preclude normal development and lead to disease (Gopalakrishnan et al. 2008). Despite the clear importance of DNA methylation, it remains poorly understood how methylation patterns are set during development, maintained, change in response to environmental conditions, and regulate gene expression. Massively parallel DNA sequencing has recently become a vital tool in the analysis of DNA methylation and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) has proven to be effective in understanding DNA methylation landscapes (Cokus et al. 2008; Meissner et al. 2008; Smith et al. 2009). However, to date, mammalian genome-wide epigenetic studies have focused on humans and mice. Here we describe development of a RRBS protocol and bioinformatic analysis in sheep using the Carwell phenotype as a proof of principle. This phenotype is an inherited muscular hypertrophy trait which, in spite of its localisation to a well-defined 350kb region at the distal end of Ovis aries (OAR) chromosome 18 (Nicoll et al. 1998), considerable resequencing efforts, determination of imprinted inheritance and gene expression/splice variant patterns, the causative mutation has still not been identified. The commercially desirable phenotype, apparent absence of a causative mutation and known involvement of DNA methylation in a genomic imprinted region, offers a unique opportunity for use as a model system in which to develop capabilities for generating and analysing next generation bisulfite sequencing data in order to find (epi)mutations that correlate with economically important agricultural phenotypes across the whole genome.
Plasmon analysis in the Triticum-Aegilops complex

This paper reviews our results on plasmon analysis of the Triticum-Aegilops complex after presenting the background and pioneering work. 1) Genetic effects of 47 plasmons of Triticum-Aegilops accessions on 21 wheat characters were analyzed using 12 euplasmic and 551 alloplasmic lines, in which 12 common wheat genotypes and 47 plasmons were combined in all possible combinations, except for one lethal combination. Characteristics of the individual plasmons on wheat phenotypes were clarified, based on which they were classified into 15 types. 2) Plastome and chondriome diversities were studied by RFLP analyses of chloroplast (ct) and mitochondrial (mt) DNAs, respectively. Based on the data obtained, numbers of differential mutations in the plastomes and genetic distances for the chondriomes were estimated for all pairs of the plasmons, based on which their phylogenetic trees were constructed. 3) Combining the results of the above works, 47 plasmons were classified into 18 types plus five subtypes, to which plasmon symbols were assigned. 4) Differentiation of the plasmon at the diploid level and maternal lineages of the polyploid species became elucidated. 5) Referring to the genome symbols designated by previous workers, the genome-plasmon constitutions of all Triticum-Aegilops species were clarified, based on which species relationships of this complex became established, the first example of the generic level throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. 6) Origins of some polyploid species were shown to be more recent than some other relatives, three examples being Timopheevi vs. Emmer group of tetraploid wheat, Ae. triaristata vs. Ae. ovata of the Polyeides section and Ae. ventricosa vs. Ae. crassa of the Vertebrata section of Aegilops, the former being of more recent origin than the latter in each pair. 7) Possible sites of plasmagene mutations responsible for three plasmon-controlled traits were located on the plastome or chondriome phylogenetic tree. And finally, 8) some unsolved plasmon-related problems were pointed out.
Early generation testing as a means of predicting the value of specific chromosome substitutions into common wheat

Two experimental methods were used in an attempt to establish tests by which the value of whole chromosomes for substitution could be determined. The first of these, the F1 method, depended on the comparison of the performance of reciprocal F1 monosomic × disomic hybrid combinations, in which the univalent chromosome from the two different sources was tested against the uniform genetic background provided by the F1 hybrid. The second method, the F3 bulk method, involved the establishment of the chromosome pair under test in a pure state in a F3 hybrid bulk by the use of the appropriate monosomic line. This material was tested against the F3 hybrid bulk of the parental varieties in which all the chromosomes were freely segregating, and also against existing substitution lines.The F1 method demonstrated marked differences between homologous chromosomes of different varieties when they were tested in the univalent condition for the characters investigated. From these differences the homologous chromosomes of.
The Nerves and Muscles of Medusae: V. Double Innervation in Scyphozoa

1. The compensatory movements of Cyanea (Semaeostomeae) and Cassiopea (Rhizostomeae) are described. The asymmetry of these responses is not compatible with the properties of the through-conducting giant fibre net which propagates the contraction wave. 2. Stimulation experiments with Cyanea show that a second nerve net, called the diffuse net, acts locally on the muscles of the bell and delays the process of relaxation. 3. In Cassiopea , the responses of a ring of tissue containing a continuously circulating contraction wave are also evidence of a double innervation. 4. The responses of Nausithoe (Coronatae) are described and are interpreted in a similar manner. 5. In all three orders the two nerve nets are in places superimposed but are independent except where they meet at the marginal ganglia. Here the diffusenet acts irreversibly on the rhythmical units, which are known to be within the giant fibre net.
COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING AND CIRCUIT TRAINING ON HORMONAL IMBALANCE AND CARDIOPULMONARY FITNESS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy which causes metabolic disturbances in women of mostly reproductive-age. It affects 9-18% reproductive-aged women. Characteristic features of PCOS include obesity, menstrual irregularity and hyperandrogenism. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of High Intensity Interval Training and Circuit Training on women affected with PCOS. Objectives: The study is undertaken to compare the effects of High Intensity Interval Training and Circuit Training on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Materials and Methods: Thirty participants were selected according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria. The participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups, Group A (High Intensity Interval Training) and Group B (Circuit Training). In Group A, Participants were trained on a treadmill for 3 sessions/week for a total of 6 weeks. In Group B, participants were trained on both treadmill as well as cycle, along with that strengthening exercises of major muscle groups were performed for 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. FSH and LH values were taken for outcome measures. Chester Step Test is also taken as outcome measure for cardiopulmonary fitness. * Physiotherapy Intern, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam College of Physiotherapy. ** Assistant Professor in Cardio respiratory Physiotherapy, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam College of Physiotherapy. ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 438 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra. us, Email: editorijmie@gmail.com Results: The mean±SD scores of Pre-intervention and postintervention FSH of group A were group A were 10.02±3.23 and 8.75±2.19 respectively (p= <0.005). Similarly, FSH of group B are 4.28±1.56 and 4.12±1.21 respectively (p=0.2682), and LH values are 10.47±1.93 and 9.29±2.112 respectively (p= <0.005). When the group A and group B postintervention results were compared, there was no statistically significant difference seen in LH values (p= 0.4217) and hence both the groups showed equal improvement. Conclusion: The study concluded that High Intensity Interval Training and Circuit Training were both equally effective in improving hormonal imbalance and cardio respiratory fitness in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Chemical–physical and in vivo evaluations of a self-assembling amphiphilic peptide as an injectable hydrogel scaffold for biomedical applications

The self-aggregation and gelation of an amphiphilic peptide (C17H35CONH–A4G3ERGD, peptide amphiphile) were studied by light scattering, viscometry, nuclear magnetic resonance diffusometry, and atomic force microscopy. The peptide amphiphile critical aggregation concentration was evaluated to be 16 and 60 µM by light scattering and viscometry, respectively. The observed difference was attributed to the larger sensitivity of the latter technique to the presence of long fibrils. The addition of one equivalent or more of divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) to peptide amphiphile formed dense incoherent hydrogels. Based on the atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation data, both the hydrogel morphology and stiffness were independent of the cation type and peptide amphiphile concentration. However, gel stiffness increased on increasing Ca2+/peptide amphiphile molar ratio while a parallel decrease in the apparent water diffusion rate was observed by nuclear magnetic resonance diffusometry. The dispersions of endothelial progenitor cells in the peptide amphiphile hydrogels were evaluated in vivo on a rat tissue hypoxia model. Significant capillary formation at the injection site was observed by tissue appearance and histological examination, which indicated endothelial progenitor cell/peptide amphiphile hydrogel-enhanced angiogenesis in ischemic tissue.
THE UPTAKE OF PARAQUAT BY SOIL FUNGI

SUMMARY The mucoraceous fungi, Mucor hiemalis and Zygorhynchus heterogamous, are considerably more susceptible to paraquat than the imperfect species, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium frequentans. The inhibitory effect of increasing levels of paraquat on hyphal extension, dry matter production and spore germination are much more marked in Mucor and Zygorhynchus. When grown on media containing paraquat, the mycelia of these species contain approximately twice as much of the herbicide as those of Aspergillus or Penicillium. Feeding (14C-methyl)-paraquat confirms that twice as much activity is accumulated by the susceptible species. It is suggested that susceptibility to paraquat is associated with the degree to which the herbicide accumulates in the mycelium.
Primary and secondary resource pulses in an alpine ecosystem: snow tussock grass (Chionochloa spp.) flowering and house mouse (Mus musculus) populations in New Zealand.

Context. Rodent populations in many parts of the world fluctuate in response to resource pulses generated by periodic high seed production (masting) by forest trees, with cascading effects on predation risk to other forest species. In New Zealand forests, populations of exotic house mice (Mus musculus) irrupt after periodic heavy beech (Nothofagus spp.) seedfall. However, in alpine grasslands, where snow tussock grasses (Chionochloa spp.) also flower and set seeds periodically, little is known about house mouse population dynamics. Aims. Our primary objective was to test for an increase in alpine mouse density following a summer when snow tussocks flowered profusely. We also estimated mouse density in adjacent montane forest over 2 years, and assessed mouse diet, to predict their potential impacts on native species. Methods. Flowering intensity of Chionochloa was assessed by counting flowering tillers on permanent transects (2003–06). Mouse density was estimated with capture–mark–recapture trapping in alpine (2003–07) and forest (2003–04) habitats. Mice were also collected and their stomach contents analysed. Flowering or fruiting of alpine shrubs and herbs, and beech seedfall at forest sites, were also measured. Key results. Chionochloa flowered profusely in austral summer 2005/06. Between autumn (May) and spring (November) 2006, mean alpine mouse density increased from 4 ha–1 to 39 ha–1, then declined to 8 ha–1 by autumn (May 2007). No mice were captured in 768 trap-nights during the following spring (November 2007). Prior to the mouse irruption, mouse density was consistently higher at alpine (0.4–4.0 mice ha–1) than at montane forest (0.02–1.8 mice ha–1) sites (in 2003–04). Alpine mouse diet was dominated by arthropods before mast flowering, and by seeds during it. Conclusions. The density and dynamics of alpine mice in relation to intensive snow-tussock flowering were similar to those in New Zealand beech forest in relation to beech masts. Implications. We predict the timing and duration of periods of heightened predation risk to native alpine fauna, as the result of pulses in mouse density and likely associated pulses in the density of stoats (Mustela erminea), a key exotic predator.
Engineering plant glucosyltransferases for biotechnological production of useful glucosides

Curcumin glucosyltransferase (CaUGT2) isolated from cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus exhibits unique substrate specificity, but its K m value for UDP-glucose is higher than that for curcumin. In contrast, the K m value of NtGT1b for UDP- glucose is much lower than that of CaUGT2. To improve the catalytic function of CaUGT2, a combination of domain swapping and site-directed mutagenesis was carried out. Exchange of the PSPG-box of CaUGT2 with that of NtGT1b led to complete loss of enzyme activity. A chimeric protein in which the PSPG-box of CaUGT2 was replaced with the mutated PSPG-box (Arg378Cys) from NtGT1b exhibited significant decrease in the K m value for UDP-glucose without losing the substrate specifi - city toward curcumin. A possible role of the particular cysteine in the catalytic function of CaUGT2 is discussed.