Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Osmotic Dehydration Process of Bamboo Shoots in Mixtures of Sucrose and Sodium Chloride Solutions

Osmotic dehydration of bamboo shoots was carried out using a mixture of sucrose and salt solution, keeping the sugar concentration fixed at 50°Brix, while the salt concentration was varied. The main purpose of the study was to find out the effect of the various processing conditions, i.e., sodium chloride concentration (5–15% w/w), process time (30–240 min) and solution temperature of the osmotic solution (30–50C) on water loss, solids gain, rehydration ratio and sensory quality. Experiments were designed according to central composite design, with three factors each at five different levels. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum processing conditions. The process conditions for obtaining optimum osmotic dehydration were found to be in the range of 8.89–11.08% for concentration of sodium chloride in 50°Brix sucrose syrup, 34.09–44.54C for osmotic solution temperature and 72.64–104.48 min for process time. Practical Applications Bamboo shoots are popular because of its high nutrition and medicinal value. However, the shelf life of shoot is very short, and hence it cannot be stored for a long time. Osmotic drying of bamboo shoots helps preserve its nutrition for a long time. Combination of salt and sugar was found to be effective for water removal from shoots. This optimized condition can be used as a pretreatment for different drying techniques. This information may help select the osmotic agent in any industrial application for faster drying rate and to decide the type of packaging requirement for longer shelf life.
Effect of electro-acupuncture at zusanli on thermal and muramyl dipeptide-induced sepsis in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of electro- acupuncture at zusanli on scald sepsis in rats. Methods Sixty specific pathogen free(SPF)male Sprague- Dawley rats, weighing 200-250 g, aged 2-3 months were randomly divided into six groups(n= 10 each):control group(C group), muramyl dipeptide(MDP)group, lectro- acupuncture at zusanli(E) group, lectric stimulation of nonacupoint(NE)group, electro- acupuncture at zusanli+α- bungarotoxin(α- BGT) group and only scard (S)group. Sepsis after scald was induced in MDP, E, NE andα- BGT groups. Rats in group C were injected with 1 ml normal saline via the caudal vein, those in E group were given electro- acupuncture at zusanli, those in NE group electro- acupunctured at non- acupoint, those inα- BGT group were injected withα- BGT(1.0μg/kg)into the femoral vein before acupuncture at zusanli, and those in S group were only scalded. The lung specimens and abdominal aortic blood were obtained at 48 h after thermal injury. The changes of lung pathological structure were observed under light microscope and the ultrastructural changes under transmission electron microscope. The arterial blood gas, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ)and high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1) protein levels were measured. Results The acute lung injury was obvious after scald in rats. As compared with MDP group [serum TNF-α(52±8) ng/L; IFN-γ(42±6) ng/L, HMGB1(33±6)μg/L, Llactate(6.1± 1.5) mmol/L, p H(6.9±0.8)and PaO2(43±6) mm Hg(1 mm Hg= 0.133 k Pa)], electrical stimulation of zusanli significantly decreased the levels of the serum TNF-α(22±3) ng/L, IFN-γ(20 ±4) ng/L, HMGB- 1(11±3)μg/L and lactate(3.2±1.1) mmol/L(P< 0.05), increased the pH(7.3±0.9)and PaO2(60±8) mm Hg of arterial blood(P< 0.05), and alleviated the lung injury. Conclusion In a scald and MDP-induced model of sepsis in rats, electrical stimulation of zusanli could significantly ameliorate acute lung injury through activation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Key words: Point ST36; Acute lung injury; Sepsis; Scald
Changes in weight-at-length and size-at-age of mature Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) from 1984 to 2013: effects of mackerel stock size and herring (Clupea harengus) stock size

Anna H. Olafsdottir1*, Aril Slotte2, Jan Arge Jacobsen1, Guðmundur J. Oskarsson3, Kjell R. Utne2, and Leif Nottestad2 Faroe Marine Research Institute, Noatun 1, 110 Torshavn, Faroe Islands Institute of Marine Research, Nordnesgaten 33, 5005 Bergen, Norway Marine Research Institute, Skulagotu 4, 121 Reykjavik, Iceland *Corresponding author: tel: + 298 35 39 00; fax: + 298 35 39 01; e-mail: annao@hav.fo
MELANIN BASIS OF ORNAMENTAL FEATHER COLORS IN MALE ZEBRA FINCHES

Abstract The carotenoid-pigmented bill of Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) has received much recent attention as a sexually selected signal of quality, but these birds also display several sexually dichromatic plumage traits, including rust-colored cheek patches, a black breast band, and brown flanks. Black, brown, and earth-toned features in animals are thought to be produced by melanin pigments, but few studies have identified the melanin content of such colors in bird feathers. We used a series of biochemical techniques to investigate the pigmentary basis of these plumage colors in male Zebra Finches. All three feather traits contained melanin pigments, but varied in the amounts of the two basic forms of melanin (eumelanin and phaeomelanin). Black breast feathers contained predominantly eumelanin, whereas cheek and flank feathers contained extraordinarily high concentrations of phaeomelanin. Conventional methods of carotenoid analysis detected no carotenoids in either the cheek or flank feathers. Coloración Basada en Melaninas en las Plumas Ornamentales de los Machos de Taeniopygia guttata Resumen. El pico pigmentado con carotenoides de Taeniopygia guttata ha sido destacado recientemente como una señal de calidad seleccionada sexualmente, pero estas aves también presentan varios caracteres de plumaje sexualmente dicromáticos, incluyendo parches en las mejillas de color óxido, una faja pectoral negra y flancos de color café. Se cree que las tonalidades negras, cafés y color tierra son producidas por melaninas en los animales, pero existen pocos estudios que hayan identificado el contenido de melanina de dichos colores en las plumas de las aves. En este estudio empleamos una serie de técnicas bioquímicas para investigar la base pigmentaria de estos colores del plumaje en machos de T. guttata. Los tres caracteres de las plumas contaron con pigmentos melánicos, pero variaron en las cantidades de las dos formas básicas de melanina (eumelanina y feomelanina). Las plumas negras del pecho presentaron principalmente eumelanina, mientras que las de las mejillas y los flancos presentaron concentraciones extraordinariamente altas de feomelanina. Los métodos tradicionales de análisis de carotenoides no detectaron este tipo de pigmentos en las plumas de las mejillas y los flancos.
Rapid preparation of DNA from filamentous fungi

We describe a general, simple and inexpensive method for the isolation of DNA from filamentous fungi. Starting from freeze‐dried mycelium 01–015% by weight can be isolated as high molecular weight DNA suitable for restriction and ligation in 2 h. The preparation can be done in Eppendorf tubes and allows the processing of many samples in parallel. We have used the method with the basidiomycetes Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Coprinus cinereus and the ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans and others have used it with Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger and for the isolation of DNA from tomato plants.
Influence of triadimefon on the growth and development of banana cultivars

Triazole fungicide triadimefon (bayletone) is a broad systemic fungicide used in agriculture as screening agent. Triadimefon interferes with plant sterol biosynthesis leading to a changeable sterol profile, consequently morphological and cytological abnormalities. Its effect on banana cultivars was studied using shoot-tip cultures placed on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with 5 mg/L of 6-ben­zylaminopurine (BAP). The growth and proliferation of triadimefon treated shoot-tip cultures of the three-dessert banana cultivars (Hindi, Basrai and Williams) were affected compared to the control. The optimum culture conditions for root formation were obtained in the case of sub-culturing. The excised shoot cultures into Murashige and Skoog solid medium were supplemented with 1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The efficiency of root system formation decreased as fungicide concentration increased. Many variations were observed among chlorophyll, carotenoids and protein contents of triadimifon (50 mg/L) treated cultures and untreated ones. High decrease was observed among the usual sterol content of triadimifon (50 mg/L) treated shoot buds compared to the control. Keywords: Banana, cultivars, fungicides, proliferation, shoot-tips, sterol biosynthesis, triadimefon, triazoles African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(16), 1694-1701
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CARVACROL ON GROWTH KINETICS OF LISTERIA INNOCUA

Most perishable food products are stored at low temperature in order to extend their shelf-life. However, this step does not eliminate undesirable microorganisms from these products. Alternative preservation techniques such as natural antimicrobial agents are being used or investigated for their application to food products. The aim was to evaluate the antimicrobial capacity of carvacrol on growth kinetic of Listeria innocua (CECT 910T). The bacterial growth rates were obtained from viable cell counts on Tryptone Soya Agar supplemented with 0.6% yeast extract (TSA-YE). The tested concentrations of carvacrol ranged from 0.100 to 0.175 µL/mL. Control samples of bacterial growth were evaluated on the absence of carvacrol. Experimental data were fitted to the modified Gompertz equation. The kinetic parameters of bacterial growth were characterized based on the time needed to environment adaptation (λ) and on the maximum specific growth rate (µmax). Studies carried out using 10 6 CFU/mL inoculum size of Listeria innocua shown that λ and µmax were influenced by the concentration of carvacrol as antimicrobial agent (p ≤ 0.05). As the concentration of car vacrol increased from 0.100 µL/mL to 0.175 µL/mL an increment of λ of 2.752 hours and a decrease of µmax of 0.178 log/h were observed (p0.05). In conclusion, it was verified that the carvacrol showed an inhibitory effect on the kinetic parameters of Listeria innocua growth therefore it can be a natural agent to extend shelf life of foods products.
Ammonium-induzierte Veränderungen der Kalium- und Calciumhomöostase in Hirnschnitten der Maus

Hepatische Enzephalopathie (HE) ist eine komplexe neurologische Storung, die durch Leberversagen induziert wird. Als Ursache fur die HE gilt eine Erhohung des extrazellularen Ammoniums ([NH4+]o). Es gibt Hinweise, dass NH4+ die Ionen-Homoostase beeinflusst und einige der HE-Symptome scheinen nur durch diese Storungen zu entstehen. So induziert NH4+ eine Zunahme der intrazellularen Natriumkonzentration und verandert die pH-Werte in Neuronen und Astrozyten (Kelly und Rose 2010). In der vorliegende Studie wurden die NH4+-induzierten Veranderungen der extrazellularen Kalium-Konzentration ([K+]o), und der intrazellularen Calcium-Konzentration ([Ca2+]i), untersucht. Die [K+]o wurde mittels K+-sensitiven Mikroelektroden gemessen, doch jeder K+-Sensor detektiert NH4+ ebenfalls. Daher entwickelten wir eine Formel, um dieses NH4+- induzierte Artefakt herauszurechnen. In der Tat, konnten wir so zum ersten Mal die NH4+-induzierten Veranderungen der [K+]o untersuchen. Somit konnten wir zeigen, dass NH4+ einen transienten [K+]o-Anstieg im Hippocampus, in akuten Schnitten des Mausegehirns, induziert. Nach dem transienten Anstieg sank [K+]o auf den Ruhewert zuruck. Das Auswaschen des NH4+ fuhrte zu einem temporaren [K+]o-Unterschuss. Pharmakologische Experimente deuten darauf hin, dass der NH4+-induzierte [K+]o-Anstieg auf eine Verringerung des K+-Transportes durch die Na+/K+-ATPase und der [K+]o-Unterschuss durch eine erhohte Pumpaktivitat der Na+/K+-ATPase bedingt ist. Innerhalb der Astrozyten ist Ca2+ ein wichtiger Mediator der Neuro-Glia-Interaktion und der neuronalen Plastizitat. Daher untersuchten wir, im zweiten Teil der Studie, mittels Fluoreszenzmessung mit Fura-2, die Wirkung von NH4+ auf [Ca2+]i in Astrozyten der verschiedenen Hirnregionen. Astrozyten des Hippocampus und Kortex wurden durch Farbung mit dem Vitalfarbstoff SR101 identifiziert; Bergmann-Gliazellen des Kleinhirns durch ihre Morphologie. In allen untersuchten Hirnregionen induzierte NH4+ eine kleine, aber anhaltende Erhohung der [Ca2+]i, die durch eine Offnung der NMDA-R und Freisetzung von Ca2+ aus intrazellularen Speichern bedingt ist. Zusammengenommen zeigen unsere Experimente, dass NH4+ komplexe Storungen der [K+]o und [Ca2+]i induziert. Die Beeinflussung der K+ bzw. Ca2+-Homoostase, konnte zu der gesteigerten neuronalen Erregung oder zu der Storung der Neurotransmission beitragen, die wahrend der HE beobachtet werden konnen.
Vivianite represents a major sink for phosphorus in methanogenic coastal surface sediments

Studies of authigenic phosphorus (P) minerals in marine sediments typically focus on authigenic carbonate fluorapatite, which is considered to be the major sink for P in marine sediments and can easily be semi-quantitatively extracted with the SEDEX sequential extraction method. The role of other potentially important authigenic P phases, such as the reduced iron (Fe) phosphate mineral vivianite (Fe(II)3(PO4)*8H2O) has so far largely been ignored in marine systems. This is, in part, likely due to the fact that the SEDEX method does not distinguish between vivianite and P associated with Fe-oxides. Here, we show that vivianite can be quantified in marine sediments by combining the SEDEX method with microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as micro X-ray fluorescence (lXRF) elemental mapping of resin-embedded sediments, as well as scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). We further demonstrate that resin embedding of vertically intact sediment sub-cores enables the use of synchrotron-based microanalysis (X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy) to differentiate between different P burial phases in aquatic sediments. Our results reveal that vivianite represents a major burial sink for P below a shallow sulfate/methane transition zone in Bothnian Sea sediments, accounting for 40–50% of total P burial. We further show that anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) drives a sink-switching from Fe-oxide bound P to vivianite by driving the release of both phosphate (AOM with sulfate and Fe-oxides) and ferrous Fe (AOM with Fe-oxides) to the pore water allowing supersaturation with respect to vivianite to be reached. The vivianite in the sediment contains significant amounts of manganese ( 4–8 wt.%), similar to vivianite obtained from freshwater sediments. Our results indicate that methane dynamics play a key role in providing conditions that allow for vivianite authigenesis in coastal surface sediments. We suggest that vivianite may act as an important burial sink for P in brackish coastal environments worldwide. 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Studies on the enzyme system of carbohydrate metabolism in fish, 1: Properties of liver hexokinase.

Hexokinase isozymes were isolated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography from the liver extracts of the common carp, grass carp, silver carp, eel, yellowtail, and rainbow tro ut. There are four types of hexokinase isozyme in the fish liver, and the isozyme composi tion seems to be species specific: isozymes A and B (22:78) in the common carp, B (100) in the grass carp, B and C (47:53) in the silver carp, B, C and D (6:27:67) in the eel, C and D (75:25) in the yellowtail, and D (100) in the rainbow trout. From the elution patterns and Km values for glucose and ATP, it appears that fish isozymes A and D resemble mam malian isoenzymes I and III, respectively, while isozymes B and C resemble II . Isozyme D of the rainbow trout or the yellowtail is inhibited by high concentrations of glucose while the other isozymes are not. An isozyme resembling mammalian isozyme IV (glucokinase) is not detectable in fish liver. A possible relationship between hexokinase and glucose utilization in fish is discussed.
■ REVIEW : Postsynaptic Anchoring of Receptors: A Cellular Approach to Neuronal and Muscular Sensitivity

Significant progress has been made toward the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and stabilization of postsynaptic membrane specializations at the neuromuscular junction of vertebrate skeletal muscle. The emerging picture reveals a continuous molecular link from the extracellular matrix within the synaptic cleft via integral and peripheral membrane proteins to the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton. The formation and maintenance of synaptic contacts between neurons in the CNS might follow similar architectural principles but involve different molecules. The biogenesis of glycinergic postsynaptic membrane specializations depends on the widely expressed peripheral membrane protein gephyrin, which anchors the neurotransmitter receptor to underlying cytoskeletal elements in a dynamic manner. This anchoring mechanism could also contribute to the plasticity of glycinergic synapses. Other types of neurotransmitter receptors, like GABAA- and glutamate receptors, may have evolved different molecular mechanisms to ensure their localization in postsynaptic membrane specializations. The Neuroscientist 2:100-108, 1996
Chromatin preparation for ChIP-seq in Oikopleura dioica

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a widely used molecular technique for binding site identification of DNA-associated proteins in many organisms. Although well established, its use in non-model organisms usually requires extensive protocol optimisation. Here we describe an optimized protocol for collection, fixation, lysis and chromatin sonication of three developmental stages of the chordate model Oikopleura dioica, an emergent model organism for chordate developmental and evolutionary biology studies.
Distance sampling reveals Cambodia's Eastern Plains Landscape supports the largest global population of the Endangered banteng Bos javanicus

Abstract The banteng Bos javanicus is a globally threatened species of wild cattle restricted to South-East Asia. We report the first robust estimate of banteng density and population size from anywhere in the species' global range, using distance-based line transect sampling within two protected areas, Mondulkiri Protected Forest and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, which form part of the Eastern Plains Landscape, Cambodia. We surveyed 110 line transects multiple times during the dry seasons of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. In a total survey effort of 1,310 km there were 63 encounters with banteng. The mean estimate of the population across the 3,406 km2 study area is 3,200 (95% confidence interval 1,980–5,170). This suggests that the protected area complex of the Eastern Plains Landscape supports the majority of the global population of banteng. Stronger protection, both in the form of increased anti-hunting and poaching patrols and integrated land-use planning to prevent habitat loss within protected areas, is essential for securing wild cattle populations in the Eastern Plains Landscape.
Adaptation and Constraint in the Complex Life Cycles of Animals

Life cycles that incorporate discrete, morphologically distinct phases predominate among animals. One explanation for the abundance and long-term persistence of complex life cycles is that they represent adaptive mechanisms for decoupling the developmental processes that underlie morphological traits of alternative phases, thereby allowing phases to respond independently to different selective forces. Another explanation is that complex life cycles persist due to developmental constraints acting on particular phases; in particular, larvae may represent the conservation of traits of early development while adult traits evolve more freely in response to selection. A role of adaptive decoupling is generally supported by comparative data on the relative extent of morphological evolution of larvae and adults and on the frequency of elimination of phases from complex life cycles. Adaptive decoupling could result from developmental compartmentalization, and within such developmental systems, heterochrony could be a route to the deletion of a life cycle phase. The extent to which complex life cycles represent adaptive mechanisms for severing developmental linkages could be elucidated both by quantitative genetic studies comparing levels of genetic correlation among phase-specific traits and by molecular developmental studies of gene expression in alternative phases.
Abstraction Layer Based Distributed Architecture for Virtualized Data Centers

Network virtualization was envisioned to enhance the capabilities of data centers. However, existing virtual data center network architectures are unable to exploit the features of network virtualization. In this paper, we propose a distributed virtual architecture that groups virtual machines into clusters of different service types. This architecture introduces a concept named abstraction layer consisting of virtual switches that are logically grouped together to perform the role of cluster heads. The abstraction layer provides better control and management of clusters. This architecture enables several features of network virtualization such as scalability, flexibility, high bandwidth, etc. However, in this work, we evaluated the failure of servers and virtual machines to prove the efficiency and scalability of the architecture
Production of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Reprogramming of Blood Cells

Blood cells are the simple, efficient and economical source for the production of induced pluripotent cells. The discovery of induced pluripotent cells was not novel; it was pedestal on the scientific principals and technologies which have been developed over last six decades. These are nuclear transfer and the cloning of Animals, Pluripotent cell lines and fusion hybrids and Transcription Factors and lineage switching. The use of human embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicines was a breakthrough but make use of these cells arise ethical issues as they are obtained from human embryos. An alternative advancement using induced pluripotent stem cells, which mimics the embryonic stem cells has the significant gain that they replaced the embryonic stem cells. The pluripotent cells can be induced from terminally differentiated somatic cells by the Induction of only four defined factors including c-Myc, klf4, Oct4 and Sox2 which are enough to alter the fate of cell.
Effects of Fusarium species on defence mechanisms in sorghum seedlings.

Sorghum seedlings were inoculated with Fusarium proliferatum and F. thapsinum 3 days after germination. Seven days later, infected seedlings were dissected into the coleoptile, mesocotyl, seed, scutellum and root, and defence responses measured. Infection significantly increased the levels of soluble phenolics and anthocyanins, the phytoalexins apigeninidin and luteolinidin, and the enzymes peroxidase, `-1,3-glucanase and chitinase in some tissues. Constitutive levels of chitinase were high. The strongest defence responses, and highest levels of pre-formed defences, were seen in the scutellum. Responses to F. thapsinum tended to be stronger than those to F. proliferatum. The findings supported the hypothesis that the plant is able to suppress the activity of these fungi during the endophytic stage of infection.