Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost and mitigation of insecticide resistance in the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

Abstract. A common assumption in models of insecticide resistance evolution is the association between resistance and fitness costs in the absence of insecticides. There is empirical evidence of such associations, but their physiological basis (and mitigation) is little investigated. Pyrethroid‐resistant populations of the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) offer this opportunity. Pyrethroid resistance in this species was initially observed in five Brazilian states by 1995, but the phenomenon apparently decreased and did not spread to other regions, probably due to the occurrence of a fitness disadvantage in resistant individuals in the absence of insecticides. The present investigation aims to verify whether differences in respiration rate and fat body morphology are related to differences in rate of development in Brazilian populations of S. zeamais resistant to insecticides, and thereby provide evidence for the existence (or not) of a physiological fitness cost acting against insecticide resistance in maize weevils. This may occur due to a possible energy trade‐off between insecticide resistance and other physiological processes associated with development and reproduction. To achieve this, studies of the rate of development, respiration and fat body cytomorphology are carried out in one insecticide‐susceptible (from Sete Lagoas) and two resistant populations (from Jacarezinho and Juiz de Fora) of S. zeamais. The resistant population from Jacarezinho shows that higher body mass is associated with higher energy reserves (larger trophocyte area) for development and reproduction, as well as for insecticide resistance. However, the resistant population from Juiz de Fora does not appear to have large enough energy allocation for insecticide‐resistance expression and development and/or reproductive performance, suggesting a trade‐off between resistance and other life history traits.
Optical Indications of Spontaneous Electrical Activity and Functional Organization of Pacemaking Area in the Early Embryonic Chick Heart

In the early phases of cardiogenesis of the chick embryo, paired cardiac primordia are brought together at the midline and begin to fuse with each other at the 7-somite stage of development. This process results in the formation of the primitive tubular heart, which begins beating spontaneously at the middle period of the 9-somite stage in the embryo. In these early stages, however, because the myocardial cells are extremely small and fragile, it is technically difficult or impossible to impale them with microelectrodes. This problem has seriously hampered conventional electrophysiological studies on the very early embryonic heart. Using a 10 X 10or 12 X 12-element photodiode array and a voltage-sensitive merocyanine-rhodanine dye, we have monitored spontaneous electrical activity (FIG. 1), and, with a combination of multiple-site optical recording and graphic methods, we have assessed quantitatively the pacemaking area in the early embryonic precontractile chick heart (FIG. 2). Thus we were able to monitor spontaneous action potentials optically, for the first time, in the prefused chick cardiac primordium at the 6-somite stage of development. ’ The action-potential-related optical signals detected from the cardiac primordium were extremely small in size and were concentrated in a small well-defined area. These results show that spontaneous electrical activity is generated first in the prefused cardiac primordium. As development proceeds to the 9-somite stage, both the size of the action potential-related optical signal and the extent of the electrically active area increase dramatically, and the pacemaker site can be identified. The pacemaking area is basically circular in shape with a size estimated to be about 1200-3000 pm’. ’ In the 7to early &somite embryonic hearts, the location of the pacemaking area is not uniquely determined, and as development proceeds to the 9-somite stage, the pacemaking area becomes confined to the left preatrial tissue. These observations suggest that the pacemaking area is composed of about 60150 cells in the early embryonic precontractile chick heart, and that a population of pacemaking cells, rather than a single cell, serves as its rhythm generator. In addition, the regional gradient of pacemaker activity in the early embryonic precontractile chick heart was determined quantitatively. ) The absorption changes
Emulsion and Pasting Properties of Resistant Starch with Locust Bean Gum and their Utilization in Low Fat Cookie Formulations

In this study, emulsion and pasting properties of resistant starch (RS) preparations with/without locust bean gum and their utilization in low fat cookies were investigated. The acid-hydrolysed corn starch sample was autoclaved, stored at 95° C for 0, 2, 3, and 4 days for formation of RS preparations I, II, III, and IV, respectively. RS preparations had significantly lower peak and breakdown and higher trough viscosities than hydrolysed starch. RS preparations with gum resulted in a cold thickening capacity. While native and hydrolysed starches had deteriorative effect on emulsion capacity and stability of the soy protein, RS preparations (with/without gum) did not have a deteriorative effect. Reduction of shortening caused significant decrease in spread ratios of control cookies with/without gum. However, utilization of RS preparations in low fat cookies caused significant increases.
Assessing sobriety and successful membership of Alcoholics Anonymous

Aims This study aimed to identify appropriate measures of successful membership of Alcoholics Anonymous and to investigate membership patterns and perceptions of sobriety across sociodemographic categories of AA membership. Design This study employs a cross‐sectional survey design. All research participants were members of Alcoholics Anonymous based in the community. Participants Seventy‐seven participants from nine individual AA groups returned questionnaires. These compare favourably in relation to age, gender, and length of membership and time since last alcoholic drink with previous samples of AA members. Measurements All data were collected by means of a self‐completion questionnaire which included open‐ended questions on respondents' understanding of successful AA membership along with closed questions on meeting attendance, 12‐stepping activity and length of membership. Findings Successful AA membership was associated with sobriety as well as longevity of membership, attendance at AA meetings and commitment to 12‐step work. There were few differences across sociodemographic groups in perceived successful membership. Conclusions Simple measures of success, as suggested by previous authors and volunteered here by AA members themselves, which have the advantage of not illustrating bias according to sociodemographic group can be easily employed in further research with this population.
Both Ca2+-Protein Kinase C Pathway and cAMP-Protein Kinase A Pathway are Involved in Progesterone Production in FSH- and LH-stimulated Cumulus Cells during In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

We investigated the role of cAMP-Protein kinase A pathway and Ca2+-Protein kinase C pathway which were activated by FSH and/or LH in the progesterone production by cumulus cells during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. The level of progesterone in the medium in which COCs had been cultured for 24 hr without FSH was 7.8 ± 1.5 ng/ml. The addition of FSH significantly increased the progesterone level in a dose-dependent fashion during 24-hr cultivation of COCs; a plateau was detected in 0.02 μg/ml, but no significant increase in the level of progesterone was observed in the medium in which COCs had been cultured for 24 hr with 1 or 10 μg/ml LH. When COCs were cultured with both 0.02 μg/ml FSH and 1.0 μg/ml LH for 24 hr, the maximal level of progesterone was detected. The effects of the addition of LH to FSH-supplemented medium on the response of cumulus cells were affected by the suppression of the Ca2+-Protein kinase C pathway. Forskolin-induced progesterone production was not affected by suppression of the Ca2+-Protein kinase C pathway but was reduced by Protein kinase A inhibitor. These results showed that Ca2+-Protein kinase C pathway in cumulus cells stimulated by FSH, enhanced LH-induced progesterone production via a cAMP-Protein kinase A dependent pathway.
Effect of desiccation on the photosynthesis of seaweeds from the intertidal zone in Honshu, Japan

Intertidal seaweeds are periodically exposed during low tide and thus experience extreme levels of desiccation. The physiological activity of seaweeds changes during this water loss process. This study examined how desiccation affects the photosynthesis and respiration of seaweeds from different intertidal levels, and whether the ability to retain photosynthesis and respiration rates during desiccation varies among these species. Photosynthesis and respiration rates of 12 species of seaweeds were measured under various levels of desiccation, using an infrared CO2 gas analyzer. High levels of drought negatively affected photosynthesis, while most species showed initial rises in photosynthetic rates. The ability to retain photosynthesis and respiration activities under desiccation conditions varied among species. These physiological responses were not related to the intertidal level at which these species occur, but to their ability to prevent water loss. The species with lower rates of water loss had slower declines in the rate of photosynthesis and respiration.
Regulatory Interactions between the Amino Terminus of G-protein βγ Subunits and the Catalytic Domain of Phospholipase Cβ2*

We previously identified a 10-amino acid region from the Y domain of phospholipase Cβ2 (PLCβ2) that associates with G-protein βγ subunits (Sankaran, B., Osterhout, J., Wu, D., and Smrcka, A. V. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 7148–7154). We mapped the site for cross-linking of a synthetic peptide (N20K) corresponding to this Y domain region to Cys25 within the amino-terminal coiled-coil domain of Gβγ (Yoshikawa, D. M., Bresciano, K., Hatwar, M., and Smrcka, A. V. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 11246–11251). Here, further experiments with a series of variable length cross-linking agents refined the site of N20K binding to within 4.4–6.7 Å of Cys25. A mutant within the amino terminus of the Gβ subunit, Gβ1(23–27)γ2, activated PLCβ2 more effectively than wild type, with no significant change in the EC50, indicating that this region is directly involved in the catalytic regulation of PLCβ2. This mutant was deficient in cross-linking to N20K, suggesting that a binding site for the peptide had been eliminated. Surprisingly, N20K could still inhibit Gβ1(23–27)γ2-dependent activation of PLC, suggesting a second N20K binding site. Competition analysis with a peptide that binds to the Gα subunit switch II binding surface of Gβγ indicates a second N20K binding site at this surface. Furthermore, mutations to the N20K region within the Y-domain of full-length PLCβ2 inhibited Gβγ-dependent regulation of the enzyme, providing further evidence for aGβγ binding site within the catalytic domain of PLCβ2. The data support a model with two modes of PLC binding to Gβγ through the catalytic domain, where interactions with the amino-terminal coiled-coil domain are inhibitory, and interactions with the Gα subunit switch II binding surface are stimulatory.
Palm kernel cake supplemented with cassava flour waste as energy source for pigs

Thirty six (36) growing crossbred (Large White X Landrace) pigs (16.14±0.67kg) were used to determine the effect of replacing maize by palm kernel cake (PKC) supplemented with two levels of cassava flour waste (CFW) on the chemical composition of the diets, performance, economy of the production, serum metabolites and hematological values of the growing pigs. Two levels of CFW (20%PKC+10%CFW and 20%PKC+20%CFW) were included in the diets of growing pigs to replace 40% maize inclusion on a weight to weight basis in the 42-day feeding trial. The chemical composition of the diets revealed the increase of 74.4-77.6% in the crude fibre content over the control diet with a resultant decrease 10.9-11.7% in the energy concentrations in the test diets. The average daily weight gains, feed efficiency and protein utilization were comparable between the treatment groups. The cost of feed / kg live weight of pigs reduced (P<0.05) significantly at the two levels of supplementation resulting in comparable economic gains at the two levels of replacement. The serum and hematological indices were similar between the groups, but groups differed for serum urea N and creatinine values. PKC supplemented with CFW can be efficiently utilized as energy source by growing pigs without depressing performance in an attempt to reduce the cost of feeding.
Biodiversity and extracellular enzymatic activity of heterotrophic bacterial communities in Bardawil Lagoon, Egypt

The biodiversity of heterotrophic viable bacteria (209 isolates) in the hypersaline Bardawil Lagoon, Egypt, was studied. Composition and extracellular activities of viable culturable heterotrophic bacteria (VCHB) in the water and in non-colonised and seagrass-colonised sediments of Bardawil Lagoon were determined bimonthly during 1997 and 1998. The average ± SD total Kjeldhal nitrogen was 1.69 ± 0.44 mg l−1 in water, 335.95 ± 19.22 mg kg−1 in colonised sediments, and 215.5 ± 16.0 mg kg−1 in non-colonised sediments. Exoenzymatic bacterial activity (glycosidase) presented a seasonal trend with average values of 1.02 ±0.16 μM cm−3 min−1 in colonised sediment samples and was 0.36 ± 0.27 μM cm−3 min−1 in non-colonised sediments. Mean of VCHB was 4 017 ± 565 cfu g−1 and 1 195 ± 242 cfu g−1 for colonised and non-colonised sediments, respectively. Bacterial isolates from Bardawil Lagoon water and sediments yielded a wide diversity of VCHB: a total of 209 different species, belonging to 13 genera from the water and 12 genera from the sediments.
17O-NMR. of Enriched Acetic Acid, Glycine, Glutamic Acid and Aspartic Acid in Aqueous Solution. I. Chemical Shift Studies†

The 17O-NMR. chemical shifts of the enriched amino acids glycine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid were measured in aqueous solution as a function of pH. High magnetic fields are necessary to resolve the α, β- and α, γ-carboxyl resonances of aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively. The chemical shifts of acetic acid were measured for comparative reasons. Ionization constants and titration shifts were obtained by nonlinear least-squares fits to one-proton titration curves. The average excitation energy approximation is discussed in terms of the observed changes in 17O-shielding on deprotonation. No intramolecular association between the α-amino group and the α-carboxyl group in the zwitterionic form is required to explain the high-frequency shift of the carboxylate ion. Also no indication of an intramolecular association between the α-amino group and the side-chain carboxyl groups of aspartic acid or glutamic acid was found.
Advances and applications of occupancy models

The past decade has seen an explosion in the development and application of models aimed at estimating species occurrence and occupancy dynamics while accounting for possible non‐detection or species misidentification. We discuss some recent occupancy estimation methods and the biological systems that motivated their development. Collectively, these models offer tremendous flexibility, but simultaneously place added demands on the investigator. Unlike many mark–recapture scenarios, investigators utilizing occupancy models have the ability, and responsibility, to define their sample units (i.e. sites), replicate sampling occasions, time period over which species occurrence is assumed to be static and even the criteria that constitute ‘detection’ of a target species. Subsequent biological inference and interpretation of model parameters depend on these definitions and the ability to meet model assumptions. We demonstrate the relevance of these definitions by highlighting applications from a single biological system (an amphibian–pathogen system) and discuss situations where the use of occupancy models has been criticized. Finally, we use these applications to suggest future research and model development.
Fatal Septicemia and Meningitis due to Morganella morganii in a Patient with Hodgkin's Disease

A unique case of spontaneous Morganella morganii meningitis in a patient with stage IV Hodgkin's disease, following hematogenous spread from the urinary tract, is described. Late initiation of appropriate antibiotic treatment was probably responsible for the fatal outcome. This case illustrates the pathogenic potential of M. morganii in immunocompromised hosts.
Decreased GATA3 mRNA Expression in Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) Infection

GATA3 is a specific T-cell transcription factor involved in the expression of T-cell receptor (TCR). In order to characterize the relationship between HTLV-1 infection, which has been reported to be associated with down-regulation of genes belonging to the TCR/CD3 complex, and the transcription factor GATA3, we evaluated, by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the expression of GATA3 gene in HTLV-1 carriers and individuals with related diseases. The study included 4 asymptomatic carriers, 2 patients with adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL), 1 patient with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM)/tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) and 7 healthy blood donors. A considerable decrease in the expression of the GATA3 mRNA was observed in all subjects infected by HTLV-1 and no expression of GATA3 mRNA was observed in 1 subject with ATLL and in 1 with HAM/TSP.
Comparative Effects of Moxifloxacin and Clarithromycin on the Normal Intestinal Microflora

Twelve healthy male subjects age range 24–40 y participated in the investigation. The trial was divided into 2 35-d periods. The 2 treatment regimens were: (i) 1×400 mg moxifloxacin tablet in the morning and 1 placebo tablet in the evening for 7 d; and (ii) 1×500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the morning and 1×500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the evening for 7 d. Each subject received firstly 1 treatment regimen and secondly the other treatment regimen. The wash-out period was 6 weeks between the two treatment regimens. Moxifloxacin caused significant decreases of enterococci and enterobacteria during the administration period while the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were not affected. No impact on peptostreptococci, lactobacilli, Veillonella, Bacteroides or fusobacteria was observed, while bifidobacteria and clostridia decreased during moxifloxacin administration. The microflora was normalized after 35 d. Clarithromycin caused significant reduction of Escherichia coli while the numbers of enterococci, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas increased markedly. No significant changes in the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were noticed. In the anaerobic microflora bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and clostridia were suppressed, while no changes in peptostreptococci, Veillonella, Bacteroides and fusobacteria were found. The microflora was normalized in all volunteers after 35 d.
PROBLEMS IN DETECTING CHAOTIC BEHAVIOR IN NATURAL POPULATIONS BY FITTING SIMPLE DISCRETE MODELS

In order to predict the long-term qualitative dynamics of natural populations with discrete generations, ecologists have used short-term field data to estimate the param- eters of simple difference-equation models whose behaviors are then examined. Three problems complicate the model-fitting approach: (1) the parameter estimates, and hence the predicted dynamics, may be sensitive to the estimation procedure used; (2) different models may fit the data equivalently well and yet make different predictions about pop- ulation behavior; and (3) even when the best-fit parameters are used, a simple model may fail to capture the observed dynamics of the field population. I illustrate these problems using data from published insect life-table studies. I then discuss the limitations these problems impose upon the prediction of the qualitative behavior of natural populations by means of simple best-fit models. I conclude that, given these limitations, inferences about the presence or absence of chaos in natural insect populations that rely on simple best-fit models are premature.
Explaining the distribution of Pinus spp. in a Canadian boreal insular landscape

To evaluate the respective contributions of habitat, fire regime and colonization-extinction processes to the distribution of northern Pinus species, we investigated the distribution of P. banksiana (jack pine), P. resinosa (red pine) and P. strobus (white pine) on 117 islands of Lake Duparquet in northwestern Quebec. Stepwise logistic regressions indicated that the extent of xeric areas on the islands was the sole factor predicting jack pine distribution. The distribution of white pine was predicted primarily by the combined effects of distance to the shoreline and elevation, with a smaller effect of area of xeric habitat. The distribution of red pine was predicted by other populations of red pine nearby, with a slightly smaller effect of the combined effects of distance to shoreline and elevation. None of the species completely saturates all available islands nor is any restricted to specific, very exposed aspects. The results suggest that pine is more frequent on islands with characteristics that promote lightning strikes and thus higher fire occurrence. However, absence of pine in several islands may not be explained by abiotic characteristics or recent fire history. The presence of very small populations, together with low invasion potential, suggests that the observed distribution is mainly driven by the process of random extinction. A disequilibrium between present and past fire regimes may explain why northern pines have discontinuous distributions inside their range limits.
Pea aphid dropping behavior diminishes foraging efficiency of a predatory ladybeetle

Antipredator defensive behaviors are a well‐studied and often crucial part of prey life histories, but little has been done to quantify how such behaviors affect natural enemies, their foraging, and their effectiveness as biological control agents. We explored how the generalist predatory coccinellid Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) affects the dropping behavior of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), and in turn, how that defensive behavior affects the foraging efficiency of the predator. Experimental arenas that allowed or prevented pea aphid dropping were compared to determine how dropping influences the foraging of multiple life stages of H. axyridis: second instars, fourth instars, and adults. Dropping reduced predation on aphids by all ladybeetle life stages. Despite older predators inducing more dropping, aphid dropping reduced predation by approximately 40% across all ladybeetle life stages. Aphid dropping and predator consumption of aphids were both correlated with how much the predator moved, which also increased with predator life stage. We suggest that the high rates of dropping induced by H. axyridis and the subsequent decrease in H. axyridis foraging efficiency may partially explain why H. axyridis is less effective at controlling pea aphids than it is at controlling other aphid species that do not drop.