Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid production of an in vitro anatomical model of human cerebral arteries based on CT images

A rapid production technique of an in vitro model of the human cerebral arteries based on CT scanning is presented. A 3-dimensional image of the cerebral arteries was first obtained using 3-dimensional modeling techniques. Then, a solid wax model of the cerebral arteries was rapid-prototyped with heat-melting and solvent-melting material, and embedded within liquid silicone elastomer solidifying into solid blocks. After the evacuation of the wax model following selective dissolution by heating and using the relevant solvent, a model consisting of a hollow reproduction of the wax model within the silicone block is finally obtained. This model is anatomically accurate for each individual arterial structure, and can be made in a short time without invading a living human. With the proposed technique, arteries with very complicated or high aspect structures are easily reproducible. With our technique, secondary modifications of the arterial configuration may be produced in two different manners, by modifying the corresponding part of the 3-dimensional image, or directly modifying the rapid prototyped model. These techniques are also presented. Since the arterial model presented is transparent to visible light, and gives human-like elasticity and lubrication, by using silicone elastomer as the model material, it should prove useful for a wide range of applications, such as diagnoses, surgical trials prior to practical operation and experimental investigations.
Rapid in situ measures of phytoplankton communities using the bbe FluoroProbe: evaluation of spectral calibration, instrument intercompatibility, and performance range

The FluoroProbe (FP; bbe Moldaenke, GmbH) is increasingly deployed as a means to measure in situ abundance and composition of phytoplankton communities, yet few rigorous evaluations have been made of its performance. In this study, phytoplankton strains were grown under standardized conditions to test FP performance across a range of biomass concentrations (0.2 to 20 μg chlorophyll a (chl a)·L−1). FP estimates of in vivo chl a were compared with chl a values from acetone extraction analysis. Overall, in vivo chl a detected by the FP was well correlated with extracted values (r2 = 0.85, n = 409, p < 0.0001). However, the difference between in vivo FP measures and the acetone extracted method was high in some cases. Accuracy did not change over a range of chromophoric dissolved organic matter concentrations. Calibration with each laboratory strain improved FP accuracy over the standard instrument factory settings. The performance of two different instruments was not significantly different (p = 0.38), showi.
Performance of large open-top chambers for long-term field investigations of tree response to elevated carbon dioxide concentration.

In preparation for an investigation of the effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on the two tree species Pinus radiata D. Don and Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst, the environmental conditions inside sixteen open-top chambers, of the design described by Heagle et al. (1989), were measured and compared with those outside. During a period in late summer, both air temperature and air saturation deficit were greater inside the chambers, with mean increases of 0.3? C and 0.1 kPa, respectively. The increases were closely related to solar irradiance, reaching maximum differences for temperature and air saturation deficit of 4.3? C and 0.8 kPa, respectively, when solar irradiance was greater than 1600
Diurnal and seasonal variation in methane emissions in a northern Canadian peatland measured by eddy covariance

Eddy covariance measurements of methane (CH4) net flux were made in a boreal fen, typical of the most abundant peatlands in western Canada during May–September 2007. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the magnitude of diurnal and seasonal variation in CH4 net flux, (ii) the relationship between the temporally varying flux rates and associated changes in controlling biotic and abiotic factors, and (iii) the contribution of CH4 emission to the ecosystem growing season carbon budget. There was significant diurnal variation in CH4 emission during the peak of the growing season that was strongly correlated with associated changes in solar radiation, latent heat flux, air temperature and ecosystem conductance to water vapor. During days 181–215, nighttime average CH4 efflux was only 47% of the average midday values. The peak value for daily average CH4 emission rate was approximately 80 nmol m−2 s−1 (4.6 mg CH4 m−2 h−1), and seasonal variation in CH4 flux was strongly correlated with changes in soil temperature. Integrated over the entire measurement period [days 144–269 (late May–late September)], the total CH4 emission was 3.2 g CH4 m−2, which was quite low relative to other wetland ecosystems and to the simultaneous high rate of ecosystem net CO2 sequestration that was measured (18.1 mol CO2 m−2 or 217 g C m−2). We estimate that the negative radiative forcing (cooling) associated with net carbon storage over the life of the peatland (approximately 2200 years) was at least twice the value of positive radiative forcing (warming) caused by net CH4 emission over the last 50 years.
Incidence of Grapevine Fanleaf Virus in Iran: A Survey Study and Pro duction of Virus-Free Material Using Meristem Culture and Thermotherapy

Summary The occurrence, geographical distribution and rate of incidence of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) were surveyed in 44 vineyards and nurseries in different regions of Iran. GFLV infection was confirmed by mechanical transmission onto herbaceous hosts, DAS-ELISA and IC-RT-PCR. Two thermal conditions, as well as meristem culture were used to produce virus-free material. Results confirmed the presence of GFLV in Bavanat, Shiraz, Jahrom, Maymand, Urmia, Karaj and Naghadeh. Both sanitation protocols significantly reduce the level of GFLV infection, however, a combination of meristem culture and thermotherapy produced 100 % virus-free material from the cultivars ‘Bidaneh Sefid’ and ‘Shahroodi’.
Functional responses during the early larval stages of the charal fish Chirostoma riojai (Pisces: Atherinidae) fed rotifers and cladocerans

Summary Survival during early fish larval stages depends largely upon the availability of appropriate prey. Studied were the functional responses from hatching to 6 weeks of age of whitefish (Charal) (Chirostoma riojai) larvae that were offered selected rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis and B. rubens) and cladocerans (Moina macrocopa and Ceriodaphnia dubia). The experiments were conducted in a 50 ml medium at a salinity of 2 g L−1. Each treatment used four replicates. Rotifers were introduced at densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 individuals ml−1 and cladocerans at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 4.8 and 6.4 individuals ml−1. Two larvae, previously starved for 2 h, were introduced into each test jar and allowed to feed for 45 min. The difference between the initial and final zooplankton density represented prey consumption. C. riojai larvae showed Type II functional response curves, i.e. they consumed more zooplankton with increasing prey availability; above a certain prey density (8–16 individuals ml−1 in rotifers and 3.2–6.4 individuals ml−1 in cladocerans) the consumption rate tended to stabilize in most trials. Results are discussed in relation to aquaculture.
ANTIOXIDANT, CYTOTOXIC PROPERTIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF TWO L EBANESE MEDICINAL PLANTS

2are so rich in medicinal plants such as Eryngium creticum L. and Euphorbi a macro c lada Boiss that are traditionally used in the treatment of various diseases (leukemia, asthma, skin diseases, antidot e to snake venom, tumors, etc. ). To fully realize the importance of these two Lebanese plants, we tried at first to study the phyto chemistry of three extracts ( a queous, me thanolic and e thyl acetate) from fresh leaves and stems of both plants. In a second step, the antioxidant capacity of the se three extracts from the two parts of the fresh plants using spectrophotometric analysis has been evaluated and their cytotoxicity on the MCF7 breast cancer cell line by the XTT Cell v iability technique has been studied . Our results showed that both leaves and stems of these two plants contain alkaloid, tannin , coumarin, saponin, flavonoid, polyph enol and reducing sugars in different concentrations. Moreover, b oth leaves and stems have exerted an antioxidant activity that may be due to their phenolic content and they have also inhibited the growth of cancer cell line from 68 % to 72 %. These result s showed that both plants can be considered as a good source of natural products that can be used in the prevention of several diseases.
Seasonal energy expenditures and thermoregulatory responses of moose

Metabolic rates and thermoregulatory responses were studied in adult moose (Alces alces) exposed to various ambient temperatures during winter and summer. Resting energy expenditures followed a marked annual cycle with a maximum (940 kJ kg body weight−0.75 d−1) during spring – early summer and minimum (430 kJ kg body weight−0.75 d−1) during winter. The heat increment of feeding associated with a pelleted ration was 6–9 kJ kg body weight−0.75 h−1. The energy cost of standing was 4.2 kJ kg body weight−0.75 h−1, an increment of 25% over the lying posture. Although piloerection was observed between −25 and −30 °C, metabolic rates did not increase. In contrast to their cold tolerance, moose were easily heat stressed. During winter, moose increased respiration rates when ambient temperatures rose above −5 °C. Resistance to heat load was greater for standing moose during summer; respiration rate increased above 14 °C and open-mouthed panting began at 20 °C. Energy expenditure and heart rate followed a similar ri.
Socioeconomic correlates of global mammalian conservation status

The main causes of biodiversity decline are related to human use of resources, which is ultimately triggered by the socioeconomic decisions made by individuals and nations. Characterizing the socioeconomic attributes of areas in which biodiversity is most threatened can help us identify decisions and conditions that promote the presence or absence of threats and potentially suggest more sustainable strategies. In this study we explored how diverse indicators of social and economic development correlate with the conservation status of terrestrial mammals within countries explicitly exploring hypothesized linear and quadratic relationships. First, comparing countries with and without threatened mammals we found that those without threatened species are a disparate group formed by European countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with little in common besides their slow population growth and a past of human impacts. Second, focusing on countries with threatened mammals we found that those with a more threatened mammalian biota have mainly rural populations, are predominantly exporters of goods and services, receive low to intermediate economic benefits from international tourism, and have medium to high human life expectancy. Overall, these results provide a comprehensive characterization of the socioeconomic profiles linked to mammalian conservation status of the world's nations, highlighting the importance of transborder impacts reflected by the international flux of goods, services and people. Further studies would be necessary to unravel the actual mechanisms and threats that link these socioeconomic profiles and indicators with mammalian conservation. Nevertheless, this study presents a broad and complete characterization that offers testable hypotheses regarding how socioeconomic development associates with biodiversity.
Decreased Resistance of B Cell-Deficient Mice to Infection with Toxoplasma gondii Despite Unimpaired Expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase1

The role of B cells in resistance against Toxoplasma gondii was studied using B cell-deficient (μMT) mice. Following peroral infection with 10 cysts of the ME49 strain, all μMT mice survived the acute stage of the infection but died between 3 and 4 wk after infection. In contrast, all control mice were alive at 8 wk after infection. At the stage during which μMT animals succumbed to the infection, parasite replication and pathology were most evident in their brains; small numbers of tachyzoites were also detectable in their lungs. Significantly greater numbers of T. gondii cysts and areas of inflammation associated with tachyzoites were observed in brains of μMT than in control mice. Large areas of necrosis associated with numerous tachyzoites were observed only in brains of μMT mice. Anti-T. gondii IgG Abs were detected only in sera of control mice, whereas similar levels of IFN-γ were detected in sera of both strains of mice. Amounts of mRNA for IFN-γ, IL-10, and inducible NO synthase in the brain did not differ between infected μMT and control mice. Expression of mRNA for TNF-α was increased in brains of μMT mice. Administration of polyclonal rabbit anti-T. gondii IgG Ab prevented early mortality and pathology associated with tachyzoites in the brain in the infected μMT mice. These results indicate that B cells play an important role, most likely through their production of specific Abs, in resistance to persistent active (tachyzoite) infection with T. gondii in mice, especially in the brain and lung.
Adjuvantes e assistência de ar em pulverizador de barras sobre a deposição da calda e controle de Phakopsora pachyrhizi (Sydow & Sydow)

Com o intuito de melhorar a cobertura da pulverizacao e diminuir as perdas na produtividade da cultura da soja, o estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da adicao de adjuvantes a calda combinado ou nao ao uso da assistencia de ar sobre a deposicao da pulverizacao, controle de Phakopsora pachyrhizi H. Sydow & P. Sydow, perdas de producao (peso de 1000 graos) e produtividade da cultura (kg ha-1). Dois experimentos a campo foram conduzidos na cultura da soja, variedade Conquista, safra agricola 2008/09. Um deles no delineamento em blocos ao acaso com tres doses de adjuvantes associados a um marcador cuprico combinadas a dois niveis de ar na barra de pulverizacao (0 e 29 km h-1), totalizando 6 tratamentos e 4 repeticoes. Outro experimento foi instalado no mesmo local do anterior. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com 7 tratamentos: fungicida e dois adjuvantes associados ao fungicida, combinados a dois niveis de ar na barra de pulverizacao (0 e 29 km h-1), mais testemunha, e 4 repeticoes. Apos a pulverizacao do fungicida piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole com diferentes tecnologias, procedeu-se a avaliacao da severidade da doenca atraves da estimativa da area abaixo da curva de progresso da doenca (AACPD) e da produtividade da cultura da soja. A assistencia de ar na velocidade maxima gerada pelo ventilador (29 km h-1), combinada ao fungicida piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole mais o adjuvante organosiliconado Silwet L-77 contribuiu para melhor controle da ferrugem asiatica, proporcionando incremento na produtividade e no peso de 1000 graos.
Determining a role for the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in pulmonary development

In the adult, changes in free ionized plasma calcium concentration (Ca2+ G) are monitored by the G-protein-coupled, extracellular calcium-sensing receptor, CaR, but whether CaR plays a role in lung development is unknown. CaR has the potential to be a key regulator of Ca2+ dependent cell fate during development. It is hypothesized that extracellular calcium is an important extrinsic factor that modulates the intrinsic lung developmental programme, through activation of the CaR. CaR is expressed in the developing mouse lung in the pseudoglandular phase, from embryonic day 10.5 (El0.5), with a peak of expression at El2.5 and a subsequent decrease by El8, after which the receptor is absent. Lung branching morphogenesis in vitro is sensitive to Ca2+ G, being negatively modulated by the higher, fetal (i.e., 1.7 mM) Ca2+ 0 yet optimal at physiological adult Ca2+ Q (i.e., 1.05-1.2 mM). Administration of the specific CaR positive allosteric modulator, the calcimimetic R-568, mimics the suppressive effects of high Ca2+G on branching morphogenesis while both phospholipase C and PI3 kinase inhibition reverse these effects. CaR activation suppresses cell proliferation while it enhances lung distension, fluid secretion and intracellular calcium signalling. Conditions which are restrictive to branching and fluid secretion can be rescued by manipulating Ca2+ 0 in the culture medium. Lung explant cultures from the current mouse model of CaR inactivation respond in a similar manner to Ca2+ Q and the calcimimetic R-568. These results indicate the presence of expression of a functional CaR splice variant, which is detected at El 1.5, 12.5 and 15.5 in CaR knockout lungs. The observations presented here support a novel role for the CaR in preventing hyperplastic lung disease in utero and present two potential models for its mode of action within this system.
Background losses of woody plant foliage to insects show variable relationships with plant functional traits across the globe

Despite a long history of research, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind pronounced variation in foliar losses to insects among plant species. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that plant functional traits and/or ecological strategies are good predictors of the background losses of woody plant foliage to insects (i.e. losses occurring when herbivore populations are at their ‘normal’ densities) at the global scale. We conducted a quantitative synthesis of published and original data on foliar losses of 793 species of woody plants belonging to 128 families from ca. 500 localities world‐wide, representing tropical, temperate and polar climate zones. The background foliar losses to insects varied among plant life forms, increasing from dwarf shrubs to large trees, and were higher in inherently fast‐growing species than in slow‐growing species. These patterns supported predictions of both the apparency and growth rate (resource availability) hypotheses for data combined across localities, but only outside the tropics. Foliar losses to insects slightly but significantly increased with specific leaf area (SLA) in all climate zones. No differences were noted in background herbivory between woody plant species with deciduous and evergreen foliage, with different shade tolerance and with different successional status. Synthesis. Factors affecting the distribution of herbivory among species of woody plants differed among the climate zones, and the predictive power of at least some of the theories/hypotheses addressing plant–herbivore interactions at large spatial scales varies among climates and/or biomes. The average background losses of woody plant foliage to insects across localities can be predicted from the inherent growth rate of the plant species, its life form and SLA, although these plant characteristics jointly explain only a minor part of the total variation observed in the primary data.
Evaluation of Formagraph for Comparing Rennet Solutions

Abstract A new instrument for measuring milk clotting, the Formagraph, was evaluated. Measurement is movement of small pendulums immersed in linearly oscillating samples of coagulating milk. Pendulum movements are recorded on photographic paper, producing a diagram of firmness versus time. The instrument can be used for measuring milk-clotting enzyme activity in comparison to a standard, and in constrast to the rolling bottle method, it does not require continual observation. Coagulation times measured by the Formagraph are longer than those measured by the rolling bottle method, but both methods give linear standard curves between . 2 and 1.0 rennet units/ml enzyme concentrations.
Smart screens for thyroid disrupting substances in the environment

The interaction of recombinant TR with TRE-containing double-stranded DNA duplexes was monitored using the electrophoretic shift assay (EMSA). A protein titration allowed the calculation of the K& of TR for DNA. This quantitation of the affinity of TR for DNA was subsequently measured in the presence of known T3 analogues, thus providing the basis of a TR-DNA binding assay.
Using Model-Based Inference to Select a Predictive Growth Curve for Farmed Tilapia

AbstractAquaculture presents a unique challenge to the modeling of fish growth, because the main objective is to accelerate growth for profit. Growth patterns of captive fish in well-fed conditions will diverge from that found in wild fish. For a fish-farming enterprise, overestimating growth will lead to expectations for revenue and profit that will not be realized. Underestimating growth will lead to planning for later harvest than is optimal and the unnecessary additional cost of feeding. We evaluated the performance of four candidate models—Gompertz, logistic, quadratic, and von Bertalanffy—in predicting the growth of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Each model was fitted to 20 weight-at-age data sets collected from five demonstration farms in Ghana over a 5-month period. We used the Akaike information criterion adjusted for small sample size and model weights to assess model fit. We also assessed predictive performance by comparing predicted to actual growth observed over the last month of the exp.
Whole genome association mapping identifies naked grain locus NUD as determinant of β-glucan content in barley.

s-glucan content in barley grain is an important component in determination of seed quality and end use. While high s-glucan content is considered beneficial for human food, it is undesirable in malting barley and feed. Association of s-glucan content in grain of 89 barley accessions of Latvian origin including 22 hulless accessions with 1273 high quality genome wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers was tested. P-values were calculated using mixed linear model combining Q matrix and K matrix by computer program Tassel. P-values were adjusted using Bonferroni correction. Significant associations were identified for three markers 1_0673 (114.58 cM), 2_0880 (116.68 cM) and 1_1445 (116.68 cM) on chromosome 7H bin 7. Recessive mutation in the NUD locus also located on chromosome 7H bin 7, which determines hulless barley phenotype and has been previously suspected to affect s-glucan content, was also genotyped and included in the association analysis. A significant marker – trait association was found identifying NUD gene as a major source of variation for s-glucan content in our association mapping panel.