Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The compositional quality and volatile compounds of samples from the blend of monovarietal olive oils cultivated in Tunisia

Summary Chemlali olive oil has been blended with oils obtained from Oueslati and Chetoui varieties to improve the quality of the former one. Parameters such as acidity, acids compositions, phenol content, oxidative stability and volatile compounds were characterised for various blends Chemlali × Oueslati and Chemlali × Chetoui. The accumulation of volatiles originating from the lipoxygenase pathway in the monovarietal oils was different and closely dependent on the genetic store of each variety. The concentrations appeared to proportionally vary according to the relative proportion of each monovarietal oil in the mixtures. The blending process improved fatty acids by increasing the oleic acid content and decreasing the palmitic and linoleic acids levels of Chemlali oil. At 40% blending, oleic acid increased from 54% to 62%, while palmitic acid decreased from 18.59% to 16% when Oueslati and Chetoui olive oil was used.
Noise in Bacterial Chemotaxis: Sources, Analysis, and Control

Bacteria navigating through a chemotactic gradient in their natural habitats or in large bioreactors are under the influence of noise (or fluctuations) inside the cells, at the interfaces of the chemical ligands with the chemoreceptors, and in the external environment that contains the chemoattractant. These sources of noise interact with one another and may strongly affect the chemotactic motility of the cells. Although bacteria have evolved filtering mechanisms, mainly through feedback loops, for intracellular noise and receptor-ligand binding noise, external filters are required for environmental noise. With Escherichia coli as a model system, these aspects are reviewed in terms of their effects on the chemosensory network, models for the filters, and optimization of Chemotaxis under noise-affected conditions. It is suggested that stochastic resonance may be a key feature determining the design of an optimal filtering strategy that encompasses all sources of noise.
TLRs Mediate IFN-γ Production by Human Uterine NK Cells in Endometrium1

The human endometrium (EM) contains macrophages, NK cells, T cells, B cells, and neutrophils in contact with a variety of stromal and epithelial cells. The interplay between these different cell types and their roles in defense against pathogen invasion in this specialized tissue are important for controlling infection and reproduction. TLRs are a family of receptors able to recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In this study, we determined the expression of TLRs on uterine NK (uNK) cells from the human EM and the extent to which uNK cells responded to TLR agonist stimulation. uNK cells expressed TLRs 2, 3, and 4, and produced IFN-γ when total human endometrial cells were stimulated with agonists to TLR2 or TLR3 (peptidoglycan or poly(I:C), respectively). Activated uNK cell clones produced IFN-γ upon stimulation with peptidoglycan or poly(I:C). However, purified uNK cells did not respond directly to TLR agonists, but IFN-γ was produced by uNK cells in response to TLR stimulation when cocultured with APCs. These data indicate that uNK cells express TLRs and that they can respond to TLR agonists within EM by producing IFN-γ. These data also indicate that the uNK cells do not respond directly to TLR stimulation, but rather their production of IFN-γ is dependent upon interactions with other cells within EM.
A Quantitative, Semiroutine Method for Determining Algal and Sedimentary Chlorophyll Derivatives

An integrated, quantitative method is described for the determination of chlorophylls and chlorophyll degradation products in freshwater phytoplankton and sediments. Prior to extraction, algal samples were concentrated by filtration through glass fiber filters while sediment samples were lyophilized. All materials were extracted in a mixture of acetone, methanol, and water (80:15:5) by ultrasonication in a glass extraction chamber refrigerated at −10 C. Extracts were filtered through solvent-resistent membrane filters, rather than centrifuged, and then fractionated without prior drying by reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography on oil-impregnated layers of kieselguhr G. Using three chromatographic systems consisting of different developing solvents and oil phases (triolein, parrafin oil, and castor oil), rapid, artefact-free separations of chlorophylls a, b, and c and 18 of their derivatives were obtained. Individual pigments were estimated by direct, in situ thin-layer scanning with a filter fluorometer.
Representación semántica de eventos sobre seguridad: un enfoque basado en lingüística

Resumen. Este artículo reporta la elaboración de una ontología mediante un pro-ceso basado en el principio de modularización. El proceso considera la modula-rización, la cual consiste en dividir un sistema de ontologías en ontologías indi-viduales con la finalidad de facilitar la reutilización, mantenimiento e integración de ontologías. El principal objetivo de este artículo es diseñar un sistema de on-tologías para la representación de eventos sobre seguridad apoyado en conside-raciones lingüísticas, el cual se enfoca en la creación de módulos desde el inicio del proceso de diseño de ontologías. El sistema de ontologías es creado de manera modular y evaluado utilizando una fase de axiomatización
Potencial de biodegradação de resíduos por Pleurotus spp.

Potential of wastes biodegradation by Pleurotus spp. The sludge generated in the water treatment plant (WTP) has many chemicals from the suspended solids and from the products added during the water treatment process. The vinasse is a waste originated from the distillation of ethyl alcohol characterized by high values of BOD, COD, turbidity, conductivity, solids, sugars and phenolic compounds. Fungi of the genus Pleurotus are decomposers organisms that through various mechanisms are able to grow and degrade compounds of complex composition, present in environmental pollutants. This study aims to evaluate the effects given by the treatment by fungi of the genus Pleurotus to a mixture of water treatment plant sludge, vinasse and bagasse from sugar cane and later applied as an agriculture additive for corn and sunflower crops. Physical and chemical analysis of the sludge and vinasse as well as standard toxicological tests concerning the waste itself and of the mixed before and after fungal treatment were performed. Plants were analyzed for fresh and dry biomass, root and shoot and chemical elements were quantified by ICP OES. Results showed that the sludge is silty clayey with high concentrations of Fe and Mn; vinasse, on the other way, was found to present high levels of BOD, COD, turbidity, conductivity, solids, sugars, sulfate, phosphate, K, Ca and Mg. Evaluating seedling at 30 days of growth, the development of Pleurotus incorporated in the mixture of the crushed waste caused an increase on the following parameters: cultivars germination rate, fresh biomass and the mean root and shoot development larger than the control. On both cultures 30 days old and treated by P. ostreatus, elements were shown to be concentrated on the roots being Al, Fe, Ca, K and SO4the most concentrated. On the shoots, the most common elements were K, Ca and SO4 . The toxicity tests showed that the toxicity of the vinasse and of the sludge, singly, was greater than the toxicity of the mixture. The toxicity of the mixture after the growth of Pleurotus was lower than the toxicity of the mixture without fungal growth.
Nitrogen deposition drives lichen community changes through differential species responses

Nitrogen (N) deposition has increased globally over the last 150 years and further increases are predicted. Epiphytic lichens decline in abundance and diversity in areas with high N loads, and the abundance of lichens decreases along gradients of increased deposition. Thus, although N is an essential nutrient for lichens, excessive loads may be detrimental for them. However, these gradients include many correlated pollutants and the mechanisms behind the decline are thus poorly known. The aim of this study was to assess effects of N deposition, alone, on the epiphytic lichen community composition in a naturally N‐poor boreal forest. For this purpose, whole spruce trees were fertilized daily with N at five levels, equivalent to 0.6, 6, 12.5, 25, and 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1, during four consecutive growing seasons (2006–2009), and changes in the abundance of lichens were monitored each autumn from the preceding year (2005). The studied lichen communities were highly dynamic and responded strongly to the environmental perturbation. N deposition detectably altered the direction of succession and reduced the species richness of the epiphytic lichen communities, even at the lowest fertilization application (6 kg N ha−1 yr−1). The simulated N deposition caused significant changes in the abundance of Alectoria sarmentosa, Bryoria spp. , and Hypogymnia physodes, which all increased at low N loads and decreased at high loads, but with species‐specific optima. The rapid decline of A. sarmentosa may have been caused by the added nitrogen reducing the stability of the lichen thalli, possibly due to increases in the photobiont: mycobiont ratio or parasitic fungal attacks. We conclude that increases in nitrogen availability, per se, could be responsible for the reductions in lichen abundance and diversity observed along deposition gradients, and those community responses may be due to physiological responses of the individual species rather than changes in competitive interactions.
Human SULT1A SULTs

Conjugation with sulfonate (SO31−) is an important pathway in the biotransformation of numerous xeno- and endobiotics such as drugs, chemical carcinogens, hormones, bile acids, and neurotransmitters. This reaction is often incorrectly referred to in the literature as sulfation (Banoglu, 2000; Klaassen et al., 1998; Li and Anderson, 1999; Zhu et al., 1993a, 1993b). Xenobiotics and endobiotics may undergo sulfonation directly (phase II metabolism: paracetamol, minoxidil) or following phase I metabolism after gaining a functional hydroxyl group (e.g., N-hydroxy arylamines). The sulfonate donor for these reactions is 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS), and the transfer of this functional group is catalyzed by a supergene family of enzymes called sulfotransferases (SULTs). In the case of the above substrates, the SULTs that catalyze this reaction are localized in the cytosolic fraction of the cell. Another class of membrane-bound SULTs, identiﬁed in the Golgi apparatus, is involved in the sulfonation of proteins, peptides, lipids, and glycosaminoglycans that affect both their structural and functional characteristics (Habuchi, 2000; Negishi et al., 2001; Niehrs et al., 1994). The focus of this review is on the emerging cytosolic forms of SULTs, for which at least 56 cDNAs and 18 gene sequences have been cloned and characterized in organisms ranging from microbes to humans (Nagata and Yamazoe, 2000; Raftogianis, 2003; Rikke and Roy, 1996). To date, ﬁve distinct gene families of SULTs have been identiﬁed in mammals: SULT1, SULT2, SULT3, SULT4, and SULT5 (Raftogianis, 2003). The SULT3 family has only been found in mouse and rabbit and has been shown to primarily sulfonate amino groups (Raftogianis, 2003). SULT5 has only been isolated from mice, and limited informa-tion is available on this family (Nagata and Yamazoe, 2000). In relation to humans, three families have been identiﬁed, consisting of ten distinct members: SULT1 —A1, A2, A3, B1, C1, C2, E1; SULT2 — A1 and B1 (SULT2B1a andSULT2B1b); and SULT4 — A1 (Raftogianis, 2003). In this review, we will concentrate on the SULT1A subfamily of enzymes that have been extensively studied and shown to be capable of metabolizing a broad range of drug, xenobiotic, and endobiotic substrates (Table 10.1). The SULT1A members have mainly been described based on their metabolic preferences as aryl, phenol, and monoamine SULTs. Although the term aryl is frequently used to collectively describe these enzymes (Bernier et al., 1994a; Duanmu et al., 2000; Nagata et al., 1997; Zhu et al., 1993a), it is technically incorrect, as it refers to the group obtained by dropping a hydrogen atom from the nucleus of an aromatic ring (e.g., phenyl). Thus in line with the new nomenclature system enunciated by Raftogianis et al. (2003), we will refer to these as members of the SULT1A subfamily.
Emergent Dynamics in Neocortical Microcircuits

Interactions among neurons can take place in a wide variety of forms. It is the goal of this thesis to investigate the properties and implications of a number of these interactions that we believe are relevant for information processing in the brain. Neuroscience has progressed considerably in identifying the diverse neuronal cell-types and providing detailed information about their individual morphological, genetic and electrophysiological properties. It remains a great challenge to identify how this diversity of cells interacts at the microcircuit level. This task is made more complex by the fact that the forms of interaction are not always obvious or simple to observe, even with advanced scientific equipment. In order to achieve a better understanding and envision possible implications of the concerted activity of multiple neurons, experiments and models must often be used jointly and iteratively. In this thesis I first present the development of a computer-assisted system for multi-electrode patch-clamp that enabled new kinds of experiments, allowing qualitatively different information to be obtained concerning the interaction of multiple neurons. In the following chapters I describe the different questions addressed and approaches utilized in the investigation of neuronal interactions using multi-electrode patch-clamp experiments. The principles behind the clustered organization of synaptic connectivity in Layer V of the somatosensory cortex are the first experimental finding presented. I then quantify the ephaptic coupling between neurons and how apparently minute signals might help correlate the activity of many neurons. Next, the ubiquity of a neocortical microcircuit responsible for frequency-dependent disynaptic inhibition is demonstrated and the summation properties of this microcircuit are then analyzed. Finally a model to explain the interactions between gap junctions and synaptic transmission in the olfactory bulb is proposed.
When polyploidy and hybridization produce a fuzzy taxon: the complex origin of the insular neoendemic Neotinea commutata (Orchidaceae)

Polyploidy and hybridization often provide genetic and phenotypic variability upon which evolutionary forces can act and are therefore considered as fundamental evolutionary processes for diversification in vascular plants, resulting in plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions. However, polyploid speciation is a complex process, potentially involving ecological divergence between lineages of different ploidies and/or genetic mixing with parental species. In the present study, we investigated the origins and dynamics of the Sicilian endemic orchid Neotinea commutata and its relationships with putative parental species. Molecular, cytogenetic and morphometric analyses revealed that N. commutata is a tetraploid derived from hybridization between N. tridentata and N. lactea. However, we also found variation in chromosome number and genome content within N. commutata, indicating that other events, including the possible replacement of the diploid progenitor N. tridentata by N. commutata, may have contributed, or still be contributing, to the evolutionary dynamics of this neoendemic taxon, which appears to be partially reproductively isolated from its progenitors. Distributional data indicate that the allopolyploid N. commutata has been able to establish and spread on the island when compared with its putative parents. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173, 707–720.
URBAN WIND TURBINES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR USE IN SLOVAKIA

Daniel Probala Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty BERG, Technic al University of Košice, Park Komenského 19, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia, daniel.probala@gmail.com Bianka Sabolová Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty BERG, Technic al University of Košice, Park Komenského 19, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia, bianka.probalova@gmail.com Matúš Jeňo Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty BERG, Technic al University of Košice, Park Komenského 19, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia, matus.jeno@tuke.sk
Modeling the dynamics of adaptation to transgenic maize by European corn borer

A deterministic population dynamics model was modified to include single-locus, 2-allele genetics to simulate strategies for delaying resistance in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), population to transgenic maize. We evaluated seed mixtures of transgenic and nontransgenic maize, 2-row strips of non transgenic plants, adjacent but separate refuges of nontransgenic maize, and rotation of nontransgenic and transgenic maize. We studied how the choice of hybrid, planting time, and weather may influence the selection of a tactic for delaying resistance to transgenic maize. Our results indicate that separate refuges are superior to seed mixtures for delaying resistance. If a high toxin dose cannot be achieved and a small fraction of homozygous susceptible and heterozygous European corn borer neonates survive on transgenic maize, then resistance can develop in 10-33% of the time required under the assumption of a successful high dose that kills all heterozygous neonates. Planting 2-row strips may be as good as separate refuges in delaying resistance, but their adoption carries greater risk because of the uncertainty surrounding movement and survival of neonates. The use of transgenic hybrids is the same whether or not they express the toxin gene in silks and kernels of maize ears. Toxin titer decline must be studied because our simulations indicate that development of resistance may be greatly hastened by this process.
Seasonal acclimation of leaf respiration in Eucalyptus saligna trees: impacts of elevated atmospheric CO2 and summer drought

Understanding the impacts of atmospheric [CO2] and drought on leaf respiration (R) and its response to changes in temperature is critical to improve predictions of plant carbon‐exchange with the atmosphere, especially at higher temperatures. We quantified the effects of [CO2]‐enrichment (+240 ppm) on seasonal shifts in the diel temperature response of R during a moderate summer drought in Eucalyptus saligna growing in whole‐tree chambers in SE Australia. Seasonal temperature acclimation of R was marked, as illustrated by: (1) a downward shift in daily temperature response curves of R in summer (relative to spring); (2)≈60% lower R measured at 20oC (R20) in summer compared with spring; and (3) homeostasis over 12 months of R measured at prevailing nighttime temperatures. R20, measured during the day, was on average 30–40% higher under elevated [CO2] compared with ambient [CO2] across both watered and droughted trees. Drought reduced R20 by≈30% in both [CO2] treatments resulting in additive treatment effects. Although [CO2] had no effect on seasonal acclimation, summer drought exacerbated the seasonal downward shift in temperature response curves of R. Overall, these results highlight the importance of seasonal acclimation of leaf R in trees grown under ambient‐ and elevated [CO2] as well as under moderate drought. Hence, respiration rates may be overestimated if seasonal changes in temperature and drought are not considered when predicting future rates of forest net CO2 exchange.
Molekularbiologische und funktionelle Charakterisierung neuer "Chicken Ig-like" Rezeptoren

Some recently described receptor families on myeloid and lymphoid cells in man and mouse have both inhibitory and activating receptors with important functions in the regulation of the immune system. Due to the lack of information regarding these receptors in other vertebrates, in the present thesis seven new members of this receptor family were identified in the chicken. All receptors identified were located on one single clone of a chicken BAC library, which indicates that they are tightly clustered on the chromosome. This localisation and the high amino acid homology suggests, that they belong to a multigene-family. Analysis of the genomic organisation showed, that the signalpeptide was split into two exons, each Ig-domain and the transmembrane region were encoded by separate exons and the long cytoplasmic tail (in case of inhibitory receptors) was encoded by two exons, the last exon containing the ITIMs. The exon/intron boundaries conformed to the gt-ag rule and the exon phases were highly conserved. In conclusion, the genomic organisation showed conserved features of mammalian Ig-like receptor genes. The novel identified CHIR were grouped into three different types of receptors. The activating CHIR-A had two extracytoplasmic Ig-domains and a short cytoplasmic tail, but a positively charged amino acid in the transmembrane region, which could associate to an ITAM-containing adaptor molecule. CHIR-A2 had a relative molecular weight of ~ 42 kDa and was detected in the mRNA of bursa, spleen, PBL, NK-cells and different macrophage- and B-cell lines. The inhibitory CHIR-B consisted of two Ig-domains and a long cytoplasmic tail with two ITIMs in it. CHIR-B2 had a relative molecular weight of ~ 46 kDa and was only detectable on B-cells by a newly produced specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). Upon Pervanadate treatment the ITIMs in the cytoplasmic tail were phosphorylated and recruited the protein-tyrosine- phosphatases SHP-1 and -2. Additionally ligation of CHIR-B2 had an inhibitory effect on the cell proliferation of a B-cell line. The potentially inhibitory and activating CHIR-AB had one Ig-domain, a long cytoplasmic tail with one ITIM in it and a positively charged amino acid in the trans-membrane region, which could associate with an ITAM-containing adaptor molecule. The only CHIR-AB homologue in the literature is KIR2DL4, that represents a highly conserved Ig-like Receptor expressed on all primate NK-cells with both activating and inhibitory function. CHIR-AB1 had a molecular weight of ~ 40 kDa and its expression on B-cells, on the B-cell line DT-40, on primary macrophages, different macrophage cell lines and on NK-cells in the gut was detected by a specific mAb.
HABITAT PREFERENCES OF PINYON-JUNIPER SPECIALISTS NEAR THE LIMIT OF THEIR GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Abstract We investigated habitat preferences for five pinyon-juniper specialists during the 1998 and 1999 breeding seasons in Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) woodlands of southwestern Wyoming. We compared avian use and availability of vegetation features using univariate and multivariate analysis to detect selection for vegetative features of pinyon-juniper specialists near the northeastern range boundary of pinyon-juniper habitat on the Colorado Plateau. Gray Flycatchers (Empidonax wrightii), Juniper Titmice (Baeolophus griseus), and Bewick's Wrens (Thryomanes bewickii) preferred woodlands with high overstory juniper cover. The Juniper Titmouse was associated with senescent trees, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) with rock outcrops and shrubs in the family Rosaceae, and Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) with pinyon pine (Pinus edulis). We suggest the geographic distribution of four of five pinyon-juniper specialists is limited by the occurrence of pinyon pine in semiarid woodlands on the northeastern Colorado Plateau. The geographic limit for Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in this region may correspond to the presence of mountain mahogany in the woodland understory. The conservation of pinyon-juniper specialists in southwestern Wyoming will benefit from the maintenance of successional processes, particularly those that perpetuate mature woodlands with a pinyon pine component.