Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AMMONIA REMOVAL AND BIOMASS CHARACTERISTICS OF ALGINATE-IMMOBILIZED Scenedesmus obliquus CULTURES TREATING REAL WASTEWATER

The ammonia removal efficiency, growth, biomass pro- duction, chlorophyll a, protein and lipids content of the microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus immobilized in alginate in semi-continuous bioreactors for the treatment of secon- dary effluent was evaluated. Six 35 h experimental cycles were run. The growth of algal cells in the alginate matrix was not inhibited and the exponential growth rates were 0.273 d -1 and 0.374 d -1 for cycles II and III, respectively. Biomass harvest levels of 833.3 - 937.5 mg l -1 dry weight showed a high protein and lipids content. The low cell den- sity in the first cycles allowed the cells to grow satisfacto- rily; in subsequent cycles, nitrogen removal and protein and lipids content decreased probably due to nitrogen and light limitation after 181 h of experimentation. The high pH reached within reactors appeared to have contributed to NH3 stripping from the medium of 37%-59% of the total initial ammonia. Part of the available nitrogen was incorporate into new protein (10.6 to 11.4 mg N l -1 ); but this was not only due to ammonia uptake, since one part of this is lost to the atmosphere. These results suggested that immobilized S. obliquus cells can be used as secondary treatment proc- ess for domestic wastewater and biomass with higher pro- tein and lipid content than free cell cultures can be produced.
Heterozygous mutation to Chd8 causes macrocephaly and widespread alteration of neurodevelopmental transcriptional networks in mouse

The chromatin remodeling gene CHD8 represents a central node in early neurodevelopmental gene networks implicated in autism. We examined the impact of heterozygous germline Chd8 mutation on neurodevelopment in mice. Network analysis of neurodevelopmental gene expression revealed subtle yet strongly significant widespread transcriptional changes in Chd8+/− mice across autism-relevant networks from neurogenesis to synapse function. Chd8+/− expression signatures included enrichment of RNA processing genes and a Chd8-regulated module featuring altered transcription of chromatin remodeling, splicing, and cell cycle genes. Chd8+/− mice exhibited increased proliferation during brain development and neonatal increase in cortical length and volume. Structural MRI confirmed regional brain volume increase in adult Chd8+/− mice, consistent with clinical macrocephaly. Adult Chd8+/− mice displayed normal social interactions, and repetitive behaviors were not evident. Our results show that Chd8+/− mice exhibit neurodevelopmental changes paralleling CHD8+/− humans and show that Chd8 is a global genomic regulator of pathways disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Investigating neural connectivity of corticomotor networks in ataxia telangiectasia: improving our understanding of the clinical phenotype

The human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative condition occurring in 3 per million live births. The disease is characterised by neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, radiosensitivity, cell cycle checkpoint defects, genomic instability and cancer predisposition among patients. The most debilitating aspect of the disease is progressive cerebellar ataxia, which represents the hallmark neuropathological condition of A-T. At present, long term therapy to cure or prevent progressive symptoms of A-T are not currently available. While short term treatment to alleviate symptoms associated with immunodeficiency and deficient lung function are available to patients, the predisposition to cancer and the progressive neurodegeneration associated with A-T cannot be prevented with such efforts. To gain a more informed understanding of the A-T condition, research has focused on clinical, genetic and immunological aspects of the disorder; however, minimal attention has been directed towards identifying altered brain structure and function using imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging studies in A-T are limited to structural MRI imaging, where various radiological anomalies in patients are reported as clinical case studies. While these studies provide a detailed focus on the morphological and histopathological conditions of A-T, they provide limited insight into the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and loss of neural motor network connectivity among patients. In other ataxic diseases such as Friedrich’s ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia, the use of high-resolution MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has given valuable insight into the microstructural tissue environment, and the loss of white matter integrity of motor networks due to abnormal neurodevelopmental and/or progressive neurodegenerative conditions associated with the disease. Such imaging approaches have not yet been extended to the study of A-T, and could provide important new information regarding the relationship between the ataxia-telangiectasia gene mutation (ATM) and loss of motor pathway integrity in A-T patients.
Genetic relationship of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from different sources by PFGE and flaA typing

Abstract: Thirty-one Campylobacter jejuni isolates (22 from various local sources, 9 from imported chicken meats) weresubtyped with PFGE and flaA typing to investigate their genetic relatedness. Based on a 90% similarity criterion, 23 and 21genotypic patterns were formed by PFGE and flaA typing, respectively. The discriminatory indices for PFGE, flaA typing, anda composite analysis of PFGE and flaA typing were 0.9785, 0.9527, and 0.9871, respectively. Similar patterns in compositeanalysis were observed between sources (cattle and chicken, and cattle and human), indicating that reservoir animals mayhave been the source of human campylobacteriosis. Therefore, strict hygiene measures from farm to table should beimplemented to prevent diseases due to C. jejuni in humans.
Comparison of Pellet-Group Counting Methods to Estimate Population Density of White-Tailed Deer in a Mexican Tropical Dry Forest

Wildlife species population density estimation is important from both ecological and management perspectives. The pellet-group counting method has been used to evaluate density of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This species is an important component of human diet in tropical habitats. The objectives of this study were to: 1) compare density estimates using four methods: counts in circular plots (FSC, Fecal Standing Crop and FAR, Fecal Accumulation Rate), and counts in transects (LT, Line Transect and ST, Strip Transect); 2) simulate the effect of increased sampling effort on density and precision, and; 3) evaluate the effort required to detect changes in population density using LT. From 2006 to 2007, we intensively sampled a 1 km2 quadrant in a Mexican tropical dry forest. The results indicate that all four methods produce similar mean population density estimates. However, estimates of precision were dependent on sample size which in turn was associated with the particular counting method used. In descending order of estimate precision, the methods ranked as: LT, ST, FSC, and FAR. To detect population changes of < 20%, we suggest the establishment of 5 to 22 transects (LT) of 390 m during the dry season. To reduce bias in density estimation, it is important to obtain defecation and pellet decomposition rates in the study site.
Rat Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes as a Surrogate for Expression of TCDD Inducible Genes

Miller, Brian Douglas. Rat Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes as a Surrogate for Expression of TCDD inducible genes. (Under the direction of John F. Roberts, Ph.D.) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is persistent in the environment and the food chain resulting in a chronic exposure to human populations. The effects of this known human carcinogen are evaluated by measuring various TCDD-inducible endpoints. Cytochrome P450 1B1, a recently identified TCDD responsive gene, shows inducibility in both the rat and humans that is similar to Cytochrome P450 1A1, a widely accepted marker for TCDD responsiveness. In order to evaluate a Sprague Dawley rat model to predict human tissue effects with easily accessible human tissue, such as peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), rat PBL and granulocyte CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 expression were compared to expression among several tissues. Two treatment groups were used: an acute group, dosed with a 540 ng/kg single daily dose over a 3-day period followed by a day 4 sacrifice, and a chronic group, dosed biweekly with 7.6 ng/kg/day for 15 weeks. Competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to show
Short communication Molecular phylogenetic aYnities of the simakobu monkey (Simias concolor)

), or pig-tailed snub-nosed langur, is one of four endemic primate species on theMentawai Islands oV the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia,and is currently considered a monotypic genus (Brandon-Jones et al., 2004; Miller, 1903). This species, like manyother colobines, is a specialized folivore found in tropicalrainforests. The simakobu monkey is a member of the“odd-nosed” group of Asian colobines, an informal group-ing that also includes the proboscis monkey of Borneo(
Dimorfismo y Proporción Sexual de Poblaciones Naturales de Adultos de Rhyssomatus nigerrimus 1

Abstract. The weevil Rhyssomatus nigerrimus Fahraeus is a pest that feeds on pods and plants of soybeans in Northwestern and Southeast Mexico. It is important to determine sexually dimorphic characters of R. nigerrimus for rapid separation of sexes for bioecology, behavior, and control studies. The objective of this work was to determine the sexual dimorphism and ratio of R. nigerrimus adults. The sexual proportion between males and females was approximately 1:1. We concluded that it is possible to separate adults of R. nigerrimus by sex based on secondary sexual characters, especially the mucro on the protibia.
From weed biology to successful control: an example of successful management of Ludwigia grandiflora in Germany

Summary Ludwigia grandiflora (water primrose), a native to the Americas, is one of the most important invasive alien aquatic plants in Europe. In Germany, a first population was found in an oxbow lake of the River Leda in Lower Saxony, north-western Germany, in 2004. Ludwigia grandiflora formed both dense monospecific patches and mixed stands with native plants. A study on the biology of L. grandiflora documented that the plants regrow in spring from vegetative means only, even though viable seed production occurred. Hand weeding was successfully tested in different sampling sites as a sustainable management tool and subsequently used for the management of this species. Within 3 days, more than 99% of the biomass (25 tonnes of fresh mass) was harvested in 2013. Afterwards, a one-day post-treatment in the same year, two-one-day treatments in 2014 and one-one-day treatment in 2015 were made to harvest the regrown plants. After the first year, plant regrowth occurred only in one extremely muddy site, while in more than 99% of the water body, L. grandiflora was eradicated. Even though L. grandiflora was not completely eradicated from the water, a total eradication seems achievable within the next few years. The study documented the difficulties in the management of aquatic weeds, particularly in heterogeneous habitats with varying sediment structure. Management measures must be adapted to the infested habitat and species biology, which is mandatory for successful management of all aquatic weeds.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Entylia carinata (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the treehopper species, Entylia carinata, was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing method. The completely assembled mitochondrial genome is 15,483 bp long. The genome follows the typical invertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one A + T-rich region. Two tandem repeats were also identified within the A + T-rich region.
Effects of sampling effort on estimates of the structure of replacement networks

Aims Important aspects of plant community dynamics depend on interactions between plant species which affect the processes of recruitment and the replacement of dead individuals by new ones. These interactions blend in the replacement network of the community. The qualitative and functional structure of replacement networks can provide insights on community stability properties. The goal of this study was analysing how sampling effort affects estimates of different descriptors of replacement networks. Location Mixed Pine-Oak forests in Southern Spain. Methods We sampled the replacement networks of nine forest patches. In each forest we surveyed 16 plots of 25 x 25m, locating all the saplings of woody species and noting whether they were recruiting under the canopy of some plant species or in open interspaces. Using the replacement networks from the plots of each forest we constructed curves relating network descriptor estimates to sampling effort. Additionally we calculated the completeness of basic network elements (number of species and interactions) using rarefaction and extrapolation techniques. Results Number of species (S) and connectance (C) stabilized within our range of sampling effort. The estimates of S reached completeness values above 97%. However, the number of interactions in the network (L) and the mean number or interactions per species (k) did not stabilise although the estimates of L reached completeness values above 86%. With few exceptions, the parameters describing the functional structure of the network and those related to community stability stabilized within our range of sampling effort. Conclusions Our results suggest that most replacement networks descriptors in the studied forests can be reliably estimated from samples of around 1 ha. Since plots used in forest ecology are commonly around that size, replacement network monitoring can be easily incorporated in forest ecology studies as a highly cost-effective tool to explore community dynamics. The reliability of replacement network estimates will allow both a solid foundation for further developments and also a straightforward comparison of results obtained from multiple communities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Changes in the queen conch (Strombus gigas L.) population structure at Banco Chinchorro, Quintana Roo, Mexico, 1990-1997

Changes in the queen conch population structure from 1990-1997 were analyzed. Density and length-frequency data were collected in four fishing sites within Banco Chinchorro, using four random sample units of 100 m 2 . All conchs contained in the sample unit were measured for shell length and returned to the bottom. Von Bertalanffy's growth parameters, natural mortality, and total mortality were calculated. There was a significant decrease in conch density over the years. The highest density (2.651 conchs m -2 ) occurred in 1992 at Cayo Norte and lowest occurred in 1994 (0.108 conchs m -2 ) and 1997 (0.006 conchs m -2 ) at Isla Che. There were significant differences in mean shell length (SL) between years. In 1994 mean SL was 229.30±2.07 mm; in 1997 mean SL was only 128.30 ± 3.23 mm and 99.31% of conchs were lesser than 200 mm SL. No significant differences in the L∞ were detected from 1990-1997, but K had higher values in 1997 (K = 0.45) indicating presence of a juvenile population, with a higher natural mortality (M = 1.06). Conch stock at Banco Chinchorro is overexploited and if the levels of harvesting continue the fishery is predicted to collapse in a short period. A total ban of five years is proposed and more conservative management measures are recommended in order to maintain a sustainable conch fishery.
Development of Nine Microsatellite Markers for Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Hong Kong Newt) Through Shotgun Sequencing and Cross-species Amplification in Other Asian Salamandrids

Abstract: The Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) is a tropical stream-dwelling salamandrid native to Hong Kong and coastal areas of Guangdong Province, China, inhabiting small rocky hill streams and surrounding forests. It is categorized as “near threatened” on the IUCN Red List because of range-wide habitat degradation and vulnerability to over-exploitation for the pet trade. Nine novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and characterized using Illumina paired-end shotgun sequencing. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 10 to 19 (median=14). Cross-species amplification was attempted in four species of Asian newt: Cynops ensicauda, Pachytriton granolosus, Paramesotriton chinensis, and Tylototriton shanjing, which included two species of conservation concern, with varying degrees of success. The nine novel markers can be used to quantify genetic variability among isolated populations and have potential forensic applications in a number of Asian newt species that are highly threatened by over-exploitation throughout their ranges.
Carbonate mineralogy of a tropical bryozoan biota and its vulnerability to ocean acidification

ABSTRACT Decreasing pH levels in the world’s oceans are widely recognized as a threat to marine life. Bryozoans are among several phyla that produce calcium carbonate skeletons potentially affected by ocean acidification (OA). Depending on species, bryozoan skeletons can consist of calcite, aragonite or have a bimineralic combination of these two minerals. Aragonite is generally more soluble in seawater than calcite, making aragonitic species more vulnerable to OA. Here, for the first time we use Raman spectroscopy to determine the mineral composition of a tropical bryozoan biota. Compared with bryozoan biotas from higher latitudes in which calcite predominates, aragonite was found to occur in a much higher proportion of the 22 cheilostome bryozoan species collected from the shorelines of Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia, where 46% of species are calcitic, 41% aragonitic and 13% bimineralic. All but one of the aragonitic or bimineralic species belong to the ascophorans, whereas calcitic skeletons characterized most of the anascans, many of which are primitive ‘weedy’ malacostegines. These results suggest a relatively high vulnerability of tropical bryozoan faunas to OA, with the weedier taxa likely to be least impacted.
Phylogenetic Revision of Tephritomyia Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), With Description of 14 New Species

Abstract Tephritomyia Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a fruitfly genus currently with eight species, all of which develop in flowerheads of Echinops L. spp. (Asteraceae: Cardueae). Most species in the genus are restricted to the Afrotropical Region, but T. despoliata (Hering), T. lauta (Loew), and T. sericea Munro are found only in the Palearctic Region. Tephritomyia lauta was reared from Echinops viscosus DC. but no information on the life history of any other species has been available so far. The phylogeny and geographic origin of the genus have not been studied to date. In the present work, we revise Tephritomyia based on a thorough morphological and cladistc study of all the species, and provide keys and illustrations for all of them. We describe 14 new species, and provide the first descriptions and illustrations of immature stages for this genus. Host-plant records are given for 12 species, including new records for T. lauta. Tephritomyia xiphias Bezzi is assigned to nomina dubia. Our cladistic analysis supports the monophyly of Tephritomyia as defined here, and the limitations of a morphology-based cladistic analysis of this genus are discussed. We conclude that Tephritomyia originated in Africa, and hypothesize that it is most speciose in the Afrotropics as a result of weaker competition over host plants (Echinops spp.) than in other zoogeographic regions.
THE CHROMOSOMES OF PSEUDOCOCCUS NIPÆ

1. The diploid number of chromosomes in Pseudococcus nipae is ten in both sexes.2. In the maturation of the egg, five tetrads are formed and reduction is probably normal.3. In the spermatogenesis, five chromosomes are developed before the others, and these tend to remain grouped together.4. No tetrads are formed, and in reduction five chromosomes go to one pole (supposedly those evolved first) and five to the other.5. Explanation of this seemingly anomalous behavior is to be sought in the fact that five of the chromosomes carry sex chromatin.6. The case is not so much to be regarded as an illustration of Weismann's ideal type of reduction, as an exceptional example of reduction due to unusual sex chromatin distribution.
Effects of feed pattern and dissolved oxygen on growth of filamentous bacteria

The association of filamentous microorganisms with bulking in activated sludge systems has been well documented by a number of researchers.1"3 Papers published during the last 15 years have broadened understanding of the filamentous bulking phenomenon and have suggested remedial control actions.4"6 Several papers concluded that reactor feed patterns have a large impact on sludge settleability and on the predominance of fil amentous versus nonfilamentous growth in an activated sludge system.7"9 Eikelboom10"12 used microbial morphology and staining techniques to develop reliable procedures to identify, by type, filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge. By identifying filaments found in various bulking sludges and investigating prevalent process conditions, Eikelboom discovered that certain filament types could act as indicator organisms for those process conditions.11 More recently, Strom and Jenkins13 conducted a laboratory examination of sludge samples from a number of U. S. wastewater treatment plants and attempted to correlate filament types with various process conditions. That study con cluded, for example, that the growth of Type 02 IN, Sphaerotilus spp. , Type 1701, Type 1863, and Thiothrix (also a sulfide in dicator) is stimulated by maintenance of low reactor dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, while, M. Paricella, Nocardia spp. , and Type 0041 filaments predominate in activated sludge sus pensions with low food-to-microorganism ratios (F:M). This paper provides results of an investigation of the responses of Type 1863 and "protruding from the floe" Type 0961 (Ei kelboom nomenclature12) filament growth to changes in reactor feed pattern and DO concentration. The purpose of the inves tigation was to gain more information on plant process condi tions that enhance the growth of various filamentous microor ganisms and on organism response to alteration of those con ditions.
Proteins and Peptides as Antioxidants

In recent years, the role of protein in the diet has been acknowledged worldwide. Dietary proteins become a source of physiologically active components, which have a positive impact on the body’s function after gastrointestinal digestion. Bioactive peptides are inactive in the sequences of their parent protein, but can be produced by one of three methods such as chemical hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, and microbial fermentation of food proteins (Lahl and Braun, 1994). However, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries the enzymatic hydrolysis method is preferred in order to avoid the residual toxic chemicals in the products. The physicochemical conditions of the reaction media such as temperature and pH of the protein solution must then be adjusted in order to optimize the activity of the enzyme used. Proteolytic enzymes from microbes, plants, and animals can be used for the hydrolysis process of proteins to develop bioactive peptides (Simpson, 1998). Bioactive peptides usually contain 3–20 amino acid residues, and their activities are based on their amino acid composition and sequence CONTENTS