Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal stability enhancement of Candida rugosa lipase using ionic liquids

The thermal stability of Candida rugosa (C. rugosa) lipase was investigated and compared in n-hexane, benzene, dibutyl-ether as well as [bmim]PF6 and [omim]PF6 ionic liquids and the effect of solvent polarity and water activity were evaluated. Deactivation of the enzyme followed a series-type kinetic model. First order deactivation rate constants and the ratios of specific activities were determined and the kinetics of deactivation were studied. Among the organic solvents, the best stability was observed in n-hexane with a half-life of 6.5 h at water activity of 0.51. In ionic liquids, however, even longer half lives were obtained, and the enzyme was stable in these solvents at 50°C. The highest half-life times were obtained in [bmim]PF6 (12.3 h) and [omim]PF6 (10.6 h). A direct correlation was found between solvent polarity and thermal stability since the higher the polarity of the solvent, the lower was the stability decrease at 50°C comparing to that at 30°C.
The behavioural response of lactating Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) to over-snow vehicles: a case study

Over-snow vehicles are used extensively at Antarctic scientific research stations. Adult female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826)) also utilise the fast-ice and are therefore often exposed to vehicular activity, with the potential of affecting their behaviour. Guidelines for vehicular travel have been developed to minimise disturbance to Antarctic wildlife; however, these guidelines have not yet been scientifically tested. To examine the efficiency and sensitivity of existing guidelines used within the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT), we conducted drive-by experiments of two types of over-snow vehicles. The results of these experiments showed that the probability of a lactating Weddell seal looking at the vehicles and the duration of the seals’ looking at the vehicles were dependent on the distance between vehicles and seals, the position of the pups in relation to its mother, and the distance the adult female was from the water. Although the seals apparently perceived the vehicles to be a threat, no seals fled in response to vehicle activity. We propose that the existing guidelines used in the AAT could be amended to increase separation distances between vehicles and breeding Weddell seals if the goal of management is to ensure that Weddell seal behaviour is unaffected by vehicle travel.
The seasonal dynamics of six species of Dorvilleidae (Polychaeta) in the harbour of La Spezia (Italy)

In the harbour of La Spezia (Italy) six polychaete species belonging to the family Dorvilleidae are present. The population dynamics of Dinophilus gyrociliatus, Ophryotrocha hartmanni, O. japonica, O. labronica, O. puerilis and Schistomeringos rudolphii has been studied from August 2002 to August 2003. The density of each species was considerably different and during the year there was a species succession that alternated in dominating the community. The role of the life-history characteristics of each species and environmental conditions in determining the population dynamics are discussed.
The Growth and Development of Montane Species at Near‐Freezing Temperatures

Studies were conducted to determine species response to low—temperature environments. Apical development was found to progress at near—freezing temperatures throughout the winter except when the plants were encased in a solid soil—ice matrix. Claytonia lanceolata and Nemophila breviflora shoots developed above the soil surface, under snow cover. In both species, chlorophyll content was inversely proportional to depth of snow cover. Spectrophotometric analysis of light penetration through snow indicated about 10% penetration through shallow layers (ca. 3.5 cm), and 0.01% through layers of 69 cm. C. lanceolata, Orogenia linearifolia, and Erythronium grandiflorum plants developed complete floral structures during the winter months, these being protected by leaves or an apical sheath (Orogenia). See full-text article at JSTOR
Microbial fuel and chemical production using sweet potatoes.

Bioconversion of renewable resources into useful chemicals and fuels is of great interest in scientific research. This is mainly because of the gradual depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing price of oil. The objective of this research is to produce biologically based chemicals and fuels from sweet potatoes. The sweet potato is a crop of choice because it has a high starch content and is rich in β-amylase, which converts long chained starch into readily used maltose units, making it a good energy and carbon source for bacteria. A Fluidized Bed Bio-Reactor (FBBR) was used as a fermentation tank, in which bacteria were metabolizing and converting sweet potatoes into end products, such as fuel ethanol and hydrogen gas. On the other hand, plate counts were used to estimate the number of viable cells in a reactor. Any increase in the number of cells would be an indication of increasing cell density, which would imply increased microbial activity and hence elevated gas and chemical production by the microbes used in the reactor. Gas Chromatography (GC) was used to analyze the end products, i.e. in separating components of the liquid mixture into pure components. This was the key to establishing which gases and liquids were produced during FBBR operation. GC analysis revealed that 5% ethanol, 2.5% acetic acid, 2% propionic acid and 3% butyric acid were produced. Hydrogen and methane were also produced in amounts that were not measured.
Molecular characterisation of paraflagellar rod protein gene (PFR) of Trypanosoma evansi

Paraflagellar rod (PFR), the major constituent proteins of flagellum, is restricted to kinetoplastids, euglenoids and dinoflagellates. Owing to their strategic location and invariable nature the proteins are considered as prospective vaccine targets. The present communication reports molecular cloning of the coding sequences of PFR1 and PFR2 genes, the two important constituent proteins of PFR of Trypanosoma evansi, Izatnagar isolate. The cloned nucleotide sequence of PFR1 revealed 99.8% sequence homology between the Izatnagar and China isolates with a single nucleotide change at position 867 bp of PFR1 open reading frame (ORF). The nucleotide sequencing data also revealed 99.8, 82.1, 79.9 and 72.9% sequence homology with Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania infantum and Crithidia daenei, respectively. The cloned nucleotide sequence of PFR2 gene revealed 99.9% sequence homology between the Izatnagar and China isolates with a single nucleotide change at position 928 bp of PFR2 ORF of Izatnagar isolate. The PFR2 nucleotide sequence also showed 99.9, 82.4, 75.3 and 74.8% sequence homology with the published sequence of T. brucei, T. cruzi, L. infantum and C. fasciculata, respectively. The conserved nature of various PFR genes present in kinetoplastids could be exploited for development of a protective vaccine against multiple Trypanosoma species.
A relascope for measuring canopy cover

Angle count or relascope sampling has traditionally been used in forestry to estimate stand basal area. In this paper, we present an extension to the basal area relascope, the crown relascope, which differs from the normal relascope in that the relascope's slot is very high and wide. We describe the theoretical basis of the instrument and present results from a field test in which a crown relascope with a basal area factor of 250 m 2 /ha (0.025) was used to estimate canopy cover of 73 sample plots in northern Finland. The crown relascope estimates had a root mean square difference of 9.3% and an average difference of -3.1% when compared with estimates obtained with the control method, line intersect sam- pling using the Cajanus tube. The results indicated that the crown relascope is a quick and fairly reliable instrument for canopy cover estimation, especially in relatively sparse forests where crown overlap is insignificant and visibility does not limit an efficient use of the instrument. Resume´ : L'echantillonnage par balayage sous angle constant ou l'echantillonnage a l'aide du relascope a traditionnelle- ment eteutiliseen foresterie pour estimer la surface terriere du peuplement. Dans cet article, nous presentons une nouvelle
The ultrastructure of the flagellate Chrysochromulina spinifera (Fournier) comb. nov. (Prymnesiophyceae) with special reference to scale production

Abstract An investigation into the ultrastructure of Chrysocamponula spinifera Fournier is reported. Attention is drawn to the unusual method of production of the long spine scales and the marked similarity in cell structure between Chrysocampanula Fournier and Chrysochromulina Lackey. In view of their similarities Chrysocampanula spinifera Fournier has been transferred to Chrysochromulina Lackey as Chrysochromulina spinifera (Fournier) comb. nov.
Analysis of the Telomere Shortening in the Cloned Caprine Cultured Cell Line, CPF-1, Derived from Placenta of Shiba Goat (Capra hircus)

As a prerequisite for the production of cloned goats by nuclear transfer from the cultured somatic cells, we established cloned fibroblast cell lines, CPF-1 and other related CPF subclones from the placenta of the Shiba goat. CPF-1 cells ceased to proliferate at and about the 51st population doubling level (PDL) when the morphological signs of senescence, such as an unusual increase in cell volume, became obvious. The mean surface area of a cell at 51PDL was about 3 times greater than that of an early-passage cell (3PDL) (p<0.001). When the CPF-1 cells at 14PDL were subjected to chromosomal analysis, 49.3% of the cells turned out to be of normal diploid chromosomal constitution (2n=60). All the chromosomes were of acrocentric types. Part of the reason for the rather high incidence of aneuploidy might be due to the well-known technical difficulty in preparing good chromosomal spreads in the caprine cells. We analyzed the rates of telomere length shortening in the CPF-1 cells, according to the number of passages and culture periods. The telomere length in the late-passage cells became approximately 1/2.5 of that of the early-passage cells (p<0.05). The estimated mean rate of telomere shortening in the CPF-1 cells was approximately 260 bases per PDL and faster than the values (50-200 bases/PDL) so far reported in the literature for other types of cells. Furthermore, in the CPF-1 cells the replicative capacity was exhausted when the mean telomere length reached approximately 7.5 kb which is significantly longer than the values generally obtained in other cultured cell lines. The reasons for the observations have not yet been clarified.
The effects of stand density on frequency of filled seeds and fecundity in lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.)

In lodgepole pines self- and cross-pollination initiate the development of seeds with equal frequency, but self-pollination results in filled seeds only 17% as frequently as cross-pollination. A study of the frequency of initiation of seed development and filled seeds in 17 stands of lodgepole pine differing in spacing and growth form of trees indicates that both the quantity of pollen produced by a tree and the density of conspecific individuals influence the frequency of filled seeds. Moreover, the positioning of a cone relative to the top and bottom or windward and leeward sides of a tree influences the frequency of filled seeds. Genetic markers used in controlled crosses indicate that cross pollen fertilizes significantly more than half the filled seeds resulting from crosses with equal mixes of self and cross pollen. The effect of density of conspecifics and growth form of trees on the frequency of filled seeds gives an adaptive basis for the facultative shift in sex ratio in lodgepole pine. It also .
A new species of Aurospio (Polychaeta, Spionidae) from the Antarctic shelf, with analysis of its ecology, reproductive biology and evolutionary history

Recent field expeditions to the Antarctic shelf and surrounding basins have included substantial benthic sampling, revealing a diverse benthic infauna, including many previously unknown taxa. We describe a new species of spionid polychaete from the West Antarctic Peninsula shelf, Aurospio foodbancsia sp. n. , which constitutes as much as 70% of the polychaete community at some locations. This species is morphologically very similar to the wide-spread deep-sea species Aurospio dibranchiata, and we revise the generic description of Aurospio to include this new species. We also present new records of A. dibranchiata from the Antarctic shelf/slope and the abyssal equatorial Pacific, including the deepest observations yet recorded. Aurospio foodbancsia sp. n. does not appear to undergo seasonal cycles in abundance, gametogenesis or recruitment, in contrast to observations on A. dibranchiata by other authors which suggest seasonal production of planktotrophic larvae. Our examination of several hundred specimens of A. foodbancsia sp. n. also revealed the presence of a parasitic turbellarian embedded within the body cavity. Morphological comparisons suggest close affinities between A. foodbancsia sp. n. and the exclusively deep-sea congener, A. dibranchiata. Phylogenetic analysis of the Spionidae based on available 16S and 18S rRNA gene data also supports this relationship, suggesting a possible historical linkage between Antarctic shelf and deep-sea taxa.
Encephalization and the evolution of longevity in mammals

Allometric principles account for most of the observed variation in maximum life span among mammals. When body‐size effects are controlled for, most of the residual variance in mammalian life span can be explained by variations in brain size, metabolic rate and body temperature. It is shown that species with large brains for a given body size and metabolic rate, such as anthropoid primates, also have long maximum life spans. Conversely, mammals with relatively high metabolic rates and low levels of encephalization, as in most insectivores and rodents, tend to have short life spans. The hypothesis is put forward that encephalization and metabolic rate, which may govern other life history traits, such as growth and reproduction, are the primary determinants directing the evolution of mammalian longevity.
A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities

Context. There is an increasing reliance on the use of camera-trap technologies for surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals. Camera trapping may, however, also have significant applications for broad-scale surveys of small mammals. Aims. The present study aims to compare results from camera-trapping surveys to those of the more traditional live-trapping techniques. Specifically, it aims to test the effectiveness of the techniques for detecting species, and the cost effectiveness of both approaches. Methods. Surveys were conducted across 36 sites in the Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia, between April and July 2009. At each site, independent surveys were conducted for small mammals by using a combination of Elliot and cage trapping, then camera trapping. Results for the two different approaches were compared for both their ability to generate small-mammal presence data and their cost effectiveness. Key results. Camera-trapping surveys of 36 sites in the Grampians National Park compared favourably with those of live-trapping surveys. Similar species were detected across the sites, and camera trapping was a considerably more cost effective than live trapping. Conclusions. Camera-trapping surveys of small terrestrial mammals may provide a new and cost-effective technique for surveying terrestrial small mammals. This is particularly the case when presence data are the main requirement of the survey, with no requirement to capture and tag animals. Implications. Given the cost-effective nature of camera trapping, there is potential to use this approach to increase the level of replication and spatial coverage of small-mammal surveys. Improving the replication and spatial coverage of studies has the potential to significantly increase the scope of research questions that can be asked, thus providing the potential to improve wildlife management.
Predominant nitidulid species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) associated with spring oak wilt mats in Minnesota

Nitidulids are primary vectors of the oak wilt pathogen, Ceratocystis fagacearum (Bretz) Hunt, in the north-central United States. Species of adult nitidulids associated with different ages of oak wilt fungus mats on red oaks (Quercus rubra L. and Quercus ellipsoidalis E.J. Hill) during spring in east-central Minnesota were determined. The exoskeletal surfaces of representative specimens were assayed for the presence and abundance of the pathogen. Six species comprised 94% of 2542 adults, representing at least 12 species, collected between 1994 and 1996. Of these six species, Colopterus truncatus Randall and Epuraea corticina Erichson were the most abundant ones on immature mats (94% of 154 nitidulids). They were also more abundant than the other species on mature mats (77% of 868 nitidulids). Carpophilus sayi Parsons was the most common species (28% of 1134 nitidulids) on aging mats, while Carpophilus sayi and three Glischrochilus species (Glischrochilus sanguinolentus (Oliv.), Glischrochilus fasciatus (.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-α Gene (PPARA) Influence the Conversion From Impaired Glucose Tolerance to Type 2 Diabetes

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) α, a transcription factor of the nuclear receptor superfamily, regulates fatty acid oxidation. We evaluated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PPAR-α gene (PPARA) with the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes in 767 subjects of the STOP-NIDDM trial in order to investigate the effect of acarbose in comparison with placebo on the prevention of diabetes. In the placebo group, the G (162V) allele of rs1800206 increased the risk for diabetes by 1.9-fold (95% CI 1.05–3.58) and was associated with elevated levels of plasma glucose and insulin. The effect of this allele on the risk of diabetes in the placebo group was enhanced by the simultaneous presence of the risk alleles of the PPAR-γ2, PPAR-γ coactivator 1α, and hepatic nuclear factor 4α genes (odds ratios 2.2, 2.5, and 3.4, respectively). In the acarbose group, subjects carrying the minor G allele of rs4253776 and the CC genotype of rs4253778 of PPARA had a 1.7- and 2.7-fold increased risk for diabetes. Our data indicate that SNPs of PPARA increase the risk of type 2 diabetes alone and in combination with the SNPs of other genes acting closely with PPAR-α.
Comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of rice endosperm from different non-glutinous rice varieties

The physicochemical properties of four non-glutinous rice varieties (Junambyeo, Hwayoungbyeo, Namcheonbyeo, and Andabyeo) were analyzed. The rice starch granules from Junambyeo and Hwayoungbyeo varieties were loosely packed with larger air spaces between granules than that of Namcheonbyeo and Andabyeo. The Junambyeo variety exhibited the highest total amino (840.69 ng/mg) and oleic (47.16%) acids content, the fastest rate of hydrolysis (58.34%), and the lowest blue value (0.18). The highest sugar (0.32-4.28 ώg/g), mineral (89.48-3592.00 ppm) contents, and viscosity values were found in Namcheonbyeo rice, while the Andabyeo variety showed highest pasting and blue (0.22) values and lowest amino acid content (402.10 ng/mg). No substantial difference in X-ray diffraction pattern was observed among the rice varieties analyzed. This study illustrates the wide variation in the chemical composition of non-glutinous rice varieties. The results of which could be used by food processors in assessing the quality of non-glutinous rice with a specific property suitable for specialty food processing.
Fruit Growth Induced by Benzyladenine in Cucumis sativus L. : Influence of Benzyladenine on Cell Division, Cell Enlargement and Indole-3-acetic Acid Content

Introduction Fruit growth can be regulated by plant hormones and some plant hormones can induce fruit growth when applied exogenously to unpollinated flowers (9, 16). Auxins can cause such parthenocarpic fruit development in cucumber (8, 21). Also, auxin transport inhibitors can stimulate parthenocarpic fruit set in cucumber (5, 14), possibly by blocking auxin movement down the flower pedicels and thus increasing auxin concentration in the ovaries (1, 21). BA has also been reported to induce parthenocarpic fruit development in cucumber (8, 13) although the mechanism of its growth promoting effect remains unclear (17). Cell division and cell enlargement are important factors influencing the capacity of fruit to import assimilates, and thus the regulation of these factors are critical for fruit growth (2, 3, 4). Despite numerous studies on induction of parthenocarpy by application of growth substances, few efforts have been made to relate the applied growth substances to the endogenous growth substance complement of the young fruits (9). Accordingly, the present work studied the effects of BA on cell number, cell size and endogenous IAA level in cucumber fruit. IAA was quantified by ELISA which could reportedly give an accurate result as analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (6, 20).
A new method for observing the morphology of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae

A new procedure using chlorazol black E has been developed for staining vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in cleared roots. In a comparative study, chlorazol black E was found to be much superior to previously used stains (acid fuchsin, trypan blue, aniline blue) for showing details of internal hyphae and particularly arbuscules. This clearing and staining procedure, combined with Nomarski interference contrast microscopy, revealed details of arbuscule structure not evident with previous techniques. Field-collected samples were also stained well by this procedure. The procedure should allow more accurate assessment of roots for colonization by vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
Pathogen Inactivation In Cow Manure Compost

During aerobic composting of animal manure, microbial activity within the mixture generates heat and metabolic by-products that inactivate zoonotic pathogens. Although it is recognized that the type and level of microbial activity will vary with the nutrient availability of different compost ingredients, the degree to which these changes could impact pathogen inactivation is of interest. Towards that goal, the purpose of this study was to determine inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in compost laboratory-scale bioreactor systems formulated to different initial carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratios with cow manure, straw, and cottonseed meal. The C:N ratio did not significantly affect the time to inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, Escherichia coli O157:H7 survived for significantly (P < 0.05) longer periods of time in 40:1 C:N systems than in 30:1 or 20:1 systems even though the cumulative heat exposures were statistically similar in the systems. An increase of pH values to 8 to 9 occurred initially for 40:1 C:N systems, whereas the pH of the 20:1 and 30:1 systems initially declined to 5.5 to 6 before increasing to 8 to 9 after 2 days of composting.