Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing Guidelines for Evaluation of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Food Additives in Females

The original Redbook issued by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982 pro-vided guidelines for testing the effects of direct food additives and color additives on mothers and developing embryos. The tests included brief teratol-ogy/developmental toxicity studies and longer studies spanning several generations called multigeneration reproduction studies. In 1993, the draft version of Redbook II was made available for public comment. In it, the revised chapter on reproduction and developmental toxicity is the result of extensive literature review and public comment. It includes discussions of the major mani-festations of an effect on the developing organism — death, structural anomaly, altered or retarded growth, and functional deficiency — and evaluation of these manifestations with respect to dosage and other factors. Additional test end-points and developmental landmarks are included and evaluated. The use of the degree of maternal toxicity in assessing fetotoxicity or embryotoxicity is discussed. FDA's revised guidelines for developmental toxicity and multigeneration reproduction studies are described and compared with current EPA draft guidelines and the guidelines issued by the OECD.
FINE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE RAT METRIAL GLAND: I. EFFECT OF PROSTAGLANDIN F2α ON THE GRANULATED METRIAL GLAND CELLS

The morphological changes of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells were investigated in 10-day, 14-day, 19-day pregnant, and post partum rats, using light and electron microscopy. The effect of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on the pregnant uterus was also examined. The GMG cells began to appear at day 10 and reached their maximum number at day 14. On the 19th day of pregnancy myelination and vacuolation of the granules were noted in these cells, which subsequently seemed to degenerate. After parturition, most of the degenerated GMG cells were shown to be phagocytized by macrophages. PGF2α given at day 14, caused similar, but more abrupt, changes of the GMG cells. In addition, it was demonstrated that some of the remaining GMG cells were replaced by myoblasts which contained myofilaments in the cytoplasm.An autoradiography (ARG) technique was employed to detect the PGF2αreceptors. Developed silver grains were found in the GMG cells and in smooth muscle cells, but there were no receptors found in the interstitial tissue.Immunohistochemical staining with rabbit anti-rat relaxin serum showed a very strong reaction in luteal cells, as has been reported in the literature. The GMG cells had a similar reaction, although weak compared to the luteal cells.These results may indicate that the GMG cells originate from the smooth muscle cells and are associated with contraction and relaxation of the pregnant uterus.
The implications of selective logging and forest fragmentation for the conservation of avian diversity in evergreen forests of south-west Ghana

The urgent global objective of developing sustainable tropical forestry management practices, which also target biodiversity conservation, requires rapid comparative studies that address both biogeography and logging practices. This paper examines avifaunal implications (focusing on species diversity and composition) of forest fragmentation and selective logging, by comparing 15 selected reserved forests in south-west Ghana. The regeneration time since last logging varied from 0 (logging continuing) to 21 years, with one unlogged site as control. Extraction levels ranged between 0.20 and 3.75 trees per ha (mean 0.90). Bird sampling involved understorey mist-netting and standardized line-transect walks, which respectively accumulated 8,348 captures and 22,452 single records of 147 species. Mist-net data showed that understorey bird diversity was positively correlated with logging intensity up to c. 3 trees per ha, reflecting increased influx of open-land species and a persistence of forest obligates during the first 5 years after logging. The overall abundance of forest interior species tended to decrease 5–10 years after logging, but recovered fairly well thereafter. Canopy birds were generally more logging-resilient. Rare forest obligates with high conservation importance were found to be equally abundant in virgin and logged, large forests, whereas these birds were poorly represented in small heavily logged forests. The results are compared with findings from other regions, and conservation implications and constraints are discussed in a global perspective. Finally, recommendations on size-related sustainable extraction levels and regeneration time are presented for the Upper Guinea Forest.
Broad‐scale satellite Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data predict plant biomass and peak date of nitrogen concentration in Arctic tundra vegetation

Questions Is the satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) an adequate proxy for the timing of the peak in plant nitrogen concentration in an Arctic tundra system? Can NDVI be used to reliably assess seasonal changes in aboveground plant biomass? Location The south plain of Bylot Island, an Arctic tundra ecosystem north of Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada (73°08′ N, 80°00′ W). Methods Using plant data collected every 2 wk throughout the summer in 1991, 1993–1996 and 2006–2008, we assessed the relationship between four NDVI indices (AVHRR satellite data at 1-km2 spatial resolution) and the date of peak nitrogen concentration in wetland graminoid plants, which represents seasonal variability in plant quality. We also examined the relationship between NDVI and the seasonal changes in aboveground live plant biomass. Results Three out of the four NDVI metrics that we tested were significantly related to date of peak nitrogen concentration. The strongest relationship was found with the date at which NDVI values reached 50% of their annual maximum (r2 = 0.87). We also found a positive exponential relationship between NDVI and aboveground biomass of plants (r2 = 0.58), though this relationship was strongest early in the growing season. Conclusions NDVI can be used as a proxy to determine date of peak nitrogen concentration in some tundra plants, and can thus be a reliable measure of the yearly changes in the timing of the availability of high quality food for herbivores. To a lesser extent, NDVI can also be used to assess seasonal change in plant biomass. This study provides additional support for the use of broad-scale satellite-derived NDVI to assess seasonal changes in habitat quality for herbivores.
The conservation implications of spatial and temporal variability in the diurnal use of Bahamian tidal mangrove creeks by transient predatory fishes

Mangrove creeks have a range of functional roles in tropical seascapes, but their use as feeding and refuge areas for commercially and ecologically important transient predators is poorly understood. This study used video cameras to investigate the diurnal use of three Bahamian mangrove creeks by transient predators during a 2-month period. More than 500 fishes from 10 species were recorded, including elasmobranchs, reef-associated fishes, and nearshore specialists. A multivariate analysis indicated that movement of the transient predator assemblage was not significantly linked to any abiotic variable and did not vary among creeks. Generalized linear mixed-effects models of the four most abundant transient predators demonstrated species-specific variations in creek use. Sightings of Caranx ruber and Negaprion brevirostris varied significantly among the three creeks. Furthermore, C. ruber was seen most frequently close to high tide, while N. brevirostris was seen more frequently with increasing time since sunrise and during higher tidal ranges. Sphyraena barracuda and Tylosurus crocodilus were seen most frequently just after low tide. All three creeks appear to be functionally important for transient predators, but these species exhibit considerable spatio-temporal variability in how they use this habitat. Mangrove creeks are threatened by a range of anthropogenic stressors, and are frequently a target of conservation initiatives. The species-specific spatial variability in creek use demonstrates that simply including representative creeks in marine protected areas could exclude functionally important areas. Furthermore, development that alters tidal cycles in creeks is likely to have significant impacts on transient predators, and underscores the need for restoration and conservation of hydrological flow.
Polymyxin B Nonapeptide: Conformations in Water and in the Lipopolysaccharide-Bound State Determined by Two-Dimensional NMR and Molecular Dynamics

Polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMN) is a derivative of polymyxin B, an alpha, gamma-diaminobutyric acid-rich decapeptide from Bacillus polymyxa that displays antimicrobial and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-antagonistic activities. The conformations of PMN in aqueous solution as well as in the LPS-bound state have been studied by 1H two-dimensional nmr methods in conjunction with molecular dynamics techniques. The aqueous structure of the free peptide is characterized by a type II beta-turn centered around D-Phe5 and Leu6, and an inverse -turn at Thr9. The LPS-bound conformation of PMN was studied by transferred nuclear Overhauser effect experiments. The essential features of the cyclic portion of free aqueous PMN are mostly preserved when the peptide is bound to LPS; however, the linear dipeptide fragment as well as the side chains of the heptatpeptide ring show a conformational change and a reduction in mobility. The LPS-bound PMN structure was used to construct a model of the lipid A-polymyxin B (decapeptide) complex, which allows the rationalization of several experimental observations concerning the binding of polymyxin to, and consequent neutralization of, the toxicity of LPS, and may be of value in the rational therapeutic targeting of endotoxin.
Clone size in American aspens

The area of two clones of Populus tremuloides Michaux in the Fish Lake Basin, Sevier County, Utah, was determined using aerial photographs combined with ground delineation using leaf, bark, and stem characteristics. The clones occupied 24.9 acres (10.1 ha) and 106.8 acres (43.3 ha) and contained about 15 000 and 47 000 ramets, respectively. Other clones up to an estimated 200 acres (81.0 ha) were observed in the vicinity and in other areas of the central and southern Rocky Mountains. In contrast, the largest P. tremuloides clone in eastern North America whose boundary has been verified was 3.8 acres (1.5 ha). Populus tremuloides and P. grandidentata Michaux clones of eastern North America are generally small, typically less than 0.1 acres (0.04 ha) in size. The large size of many western clones is probably due to the establishment of few seedlings, periodic fires promoting suckering, expansion over a long time period, and little competition with conifers or other vegetation. Small size of most eastern Nor.
Invasion history of North American Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense

Aim Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense– Cardueae, Asteraceae) is one of the worst invasive plants world‐wide. Native to Eurasia, its unintentional introduction into North America now threatens the native flora and is responsible for enormous agricultural losses. The goals of this study are to: (1) reconstruct the evolutionary history of C. arvense and estimate how often it may have colonized North America, (2) compare the genetic diversity between European and North American populations to detect signs of demographic bottlenecks and/or patterns of population admixture, and (3) conduct bioclimatic comparisons to infer eventual niche shifts following this species’ introduction into North America.
MEASUREMENT OF INTERACTION STRENGTH IN NATURE

▪ Abstract Understanding and predicting the dynamics of multispecies systems generally require estimates of interaction strength among species. Measuring interaction strength is difficult because of the large number of interactions in any natural system, long-term feedback, multiple pathways of effects between species pairs, and possible nonlinearities in interaction-strength functions. Presently, the few studies that extensively estimate interaction strength suggest that distributions of interaction strength tend to be skewed toward few strong and many weak interactions. Modeling studies indicate that such skewed patterns tend to promote system stability and arise during assembly of persistent communities. Methods for estimating interaction strength efficiently from traits of organisms, such as allometric relationships, show some promise. Methods for estimating community response to environmental perturbations without an estimate of interaction strength may also be of use. Spatial and temporal scale may .
Sequence diversity in the coat proteins of Papaya ringspot virus isolates originating from different locations in India

Diversity in Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) isolates was determined by analyzing amino acid sequences of coat protein of 28 isolates originating from five different geographical locations. PRSV isolates from central, eastern, northern, southern and western India were highly heterogeneous in CP length (275-289 amino acids) and amino acid sequences (up to 23%). Among all the isolates, KA4, INU-01 and AP2 from southern India were unique. Maximum heterogeneity was observed in southern isolates (up to 23%), followed by central (up to 11%), eastern and northern (up to 10%)and western (up to 7%) isolates. Though PRSV isolates were grouped into three clusters, there was lack of relationship between variability and geographical origin of the isolates. The present study suggests that location - specific strategy may have to be developed to manage PRSV.
Effects of ion beam irradiation on the regeneration and morphology of Ficus thunbergii Maxim

Shoot explants cut from aseptically grown Ficus thunbergii plants were irradiated with 12 C 5� , 12 C 6� and 4 He 2� ion beams of 10 to 200 Gray (Gy). After irradiation, the explants were allowed to regenerate. The regeneration frequency (RF), or percent explants bearing regenerated shoots to the total number of explants irradiated, decreased in a dose- dependent manner. Morphological changes in leaves and stems were observed in regenerants. The morphological change frequency (MF), or percent regenerants bearing morphologically changed shoots to the total number of regenerants peaked at 15 to 25% at the dose of each ion beam that gave an RF of about 80% (except for 4 He 2� ). A negative correlation was observed between the linear energy transfer (LET) and ion beam dose both in RF and MF. The present results strongly suggest that ion beam irradiation can induce mutations in the genome of F. thu nbergii.
A temperature index model to estimate long-term freeze-risk of satsuma mandarins grown on the northern coast of the gulf of Mexico

Estimates of long-term freeze-risk aid decisions regarding crop, cultivar, and rootstock selection, cultural management practices that promote cold hardiness, and methods of freeze protection. Citrus cold hardiness is mostly a function of air temperature, but historical weather records typically contain only daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperatures. A mathematical model was developed that used Tmax and Tmin to estimate air temperature every hour during the diurnal cycle; a cold-hardiness index (CHI500) was calculated by summing the hours ≤10 °C for the 500 h before each day; and the CHI500 was regressed against critical temperatures (Tc) that cause injury. The CHI500 was calculated from a weather station located within 0.1 km of an experimental grove and in the middle of the satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) industry in southern Alabama. Calculation of CHI500 was verifi ed by regressing a predicted CHI500 using Tmax and Tmin, to a measured CHI500 calculated using air temperatures measured every hour for 4 winter seasons (1999-2003). Predicted CHI500 was linearly related to measured CHI500 (r 2 = 0.982). However, the slope was a little low such that trees with a CHI500 = 400, near the maximum cold-hardiness level achieved in this study, had predicted Tc that was 0.5 °C lower than measured Tc. Predicted and measured Tc were similar for nonhardened trees (CHI500 = 0). The ability of predicted Tc to estimate freeze injury was determined in 18 winter seasons where freeze injury was recorded. During injurious freeze events, predicted Tc was higher than Tmin except for a freeze on 8 Mar. 1996. In some freezes where the difference in Tc and Tmin was 3.0 °C), moderate freezes by foliage kill and some stem dieback (1.0 °C ≤ Tc - Tmin ≤ 3.0 °C), and slight freezes by slight to no visible leaf injury (Tc - Tmin < 1.0 °C). The model was applied to Tmax and Tmin recorded daily from 1948 through 2004 to estimate long-term freeze-risk for economically damaging freezes (severe and moderate freeze ratings). Economically damaging freezes occurred 1 out of 4 years in the 56-year study, although 8 of the 14 freeze years occurred in two clusters, the fi rst 5 years in the 1960s and 1980s. Potential modifi cation of freeze-risk using within-tree microsprinkler irrigation and more cold-hardy cultivars was discussed.
Diet authentication in sheep from the composition of animal tissues and products

There is currently an increased consumer demand for information on herbivore production factors, particularly animal diet. To meet these demands, producers and commercial entities develop specifications via quality certifications. There is therefore a need for analytical tools that may guarantee that the specification commitments have been fully met or to help with constructing them. The present paper reviews the current state of knowledge concerning diet authentication in sheep meat and milk, the different approaches that have been investigated, some leading examples concerning the discrimination of contrasting feeding situations, together with the persistence of some diet markers in the event of changes in animals' diet. The nature of the diet strongly influences the composition of the animal tissues and products, which is due to specific compounds that are directly transferred from the feed to the end product or that are transformed or produced by rumen micro-organisms or the animal's metabolism under the effect of specific diets. Some of these compounds can therefore be used as diet markers. Compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, volatile compounds and ratios of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope are potential tracers in meat and milk or animal tissues of animal feeding diets. Moreover, differences in meat and milk composition induce differences in their optical properties, and therefore in their spectral features, which can also be used for diet authentication. These techniques have already allowed discrimination among products obtained in contrasting feeding conditions. Intermediate situations, for example in case of modification of the animal's diet, may be less easily recognized and may require a combination of tracing methods. In particular, the persistence of tracers when animals are stall-fed a concentrate-based diet after pasture and its implications for traceability are discussed. Finally, further directions for research are highlighted.
Gibberellic acid-induced fruit set of rabbiteye blueberry following freeze and physical injury

In a series of experiments, gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) was applied to rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) under field and greenhouse conditions to determine if fruit set could be improved following physical or freeze injury to flowers. In field experiments, physically damaged flowers (i.e., corollas and styles removed, styles only removed, or ovaries lanced) of'Climax' and 'Tifblue' treated with GA 3 (4% ProGib at 250 mg.liter -1 ) set substantially more fruit than nontreated, damaged flowers. Under greenhouse conditions, GA 3 applied postfreeze to 'Tifblue' and 'Brightwell' resulted in increased fruit set compared to unsprayed control plants of the same cultivars. Freeze-damaged plants had substantially reduced fruit set overall but to a much lesser extent for GA 3 -treated plants than for those not treated with GA 3 . Individual fruit weight was reduced by GA 3 applications, as was berry seediness. Results from these greenhouse and field trials suggest that GA 3 can be used to salvage a blueberry crop following a moderate freeze durine bloom.
Roles of weathered bedrock and soil in seasonal water relations of Pinus Jeffreyi and Arctostaphylos patula

In the southern Sierra Nevada, California, relatively thin soils overlie granitic bedrock that is weathered to depths of several metres. The weathered granitic bedrock is porous and has a plant-available water capacity of 0.124 m 3 ·m -3 , compared with 0.196 m 3 ·m -3 for the overlying soil. Roots confined within bedrock joint fractures access this rock-held water, especially during late summer when overlying soils are dry. We sought to determine seasonal soil and bedrock water changes in a Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev & Balf.) plantation and to examine concurrent effects on the water relations of Jeffrey pine and greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula Greene). In 1996, plant-available water in the 75 cm thick soil was depleted by late June, with soil water potential (ψ soil ) -2.2 MPa. Thus, the bedrock, not the soil, supplied water to plants for the remainder of the dry season. Higher values of, and smaller fluctuations in, seasonal predawn pressure potential (ψ predawn ) for Jeffrey pine indicated that it is deeply rooted, whereas active roots of greenleaf manzanita were inter - preted to be mostly within the upper 100 cm. The extra rooting volume supplied by weathered bedrock is especially important to pine relative to manzanita.
Three sides

In acute infectious conjunctivitis the general practitioner has to distinguish a bacterial cause from a viral one to select the patients who are most likely to benefit from antibiotic treatment. The doctor makes this distinction on the basis of the presenting signs and symptoms. Additional diagnostic investigations, such as a culture of the conjunctiva, are seldom done, mainly because the result is delayed a few days. Most treatment trials show that a bacterial pathogen can be isolated from the conjunctiva in only half of patientswithclinicallydiagnosedacutebacterial conjunctivitis. However, general practitioners prescribe antibiotics in most cases of acute infectious conjunctivitis. Although the subject has never been investigated in a primary care setting, studies on suspected acute bacterial conjunctivitis show that topical antibiotics improve the five day remission rate by only 31% compared with placebo. Therefore, in a primary care population, more than half of all patients with acute infectious conjunctivitis may receive unnecessary and not always effective antibiotic treatment. This prescription policy may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, induce side effects, and lead to medicalisation and increases cost. Can general practitioners differentiate between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis on the basis of signs and symptoms? Major ophthalmological textbooks list several signs and symptoms as being diagnostic for the cause of acute infectious conjunctivitis. The involvement of one eye, followed a few days later by the other eye, and the presence of an enlarged preauricular node are said to be signs indicating a viral cause. The involvement of the other eye within 24-48 hours is said to indicate a bacterial cause. A papillary or (pseudo)membranous conjunctivitis is suggestive of a bacterial origin, whereas a follicular conjunctivitis is said to suggest a viral origin. A mucopurulent or catarrhal discharge is said to be most commonly seen in bacterial or chlamydial conjunctivitis, whereas watery discharge is supposed to be more typical of a viral conjunctivitis. In most treatment trials on bacterial conjunctivitis the defined criteria for inclusion are purulent or mucopurulent discharge and conjunctival hyperaemia. How evidence based are these assertions? We planned a systematic review to assess the evidence on the diagnostic impact of these and other signs and symptoms.