Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecology of Foliicolous Lichens at the ‘Botarrama’ Trail (Costa Rica), a Neotropical Rainforest. IV. Species Associations, their Salient Features and Their Dependence on Environmental Variables

Abstract A community ecology approach using an association of species test and a principal component analysis resulted in the recognition of two major and two minor foliicolous lichen communities in a neotropical rainforest. The major communities arc governed by microclimatic factors, one characteristic of the shady understorcy and the other confined to light gaps. The minor communities are due to subtle phorophyte preferences towards palm and dicot leaves. The shady understorey community is dominated by the families Anhoniaceae, Opegraphaceae, Tnchoihdiaceae and Pilocarpaceae, which predominantly have Phycepeltis as their phycobiont, thin thalli, abundant sexual reproduction, small ascospores produced in high numbers, and pyenidial conidiomata. The light-gap community is mainly composed of the families Gomphillaceae and Ectolechiaceae, with Trebouxia as their phycobiont, thickly crystalline or whitish, dispersed thalli, frequent asexual reproduction, large ascospores produced in low numbers, and specialized campylidia and hyphophores as conidiomata. Phycobiont, thallus structure, and the mode of reproduction are considered as adaptations to different microsites, whereas the shape and size of ascospores and conidia seem to be of less importance. The foliicolous lichen communities reflect the spatial and temporal structure of the forest, in particular the continuity of the shady understorey in comparison to the discontinuity of the light gaps. While the formation of the shady understorey community follows more deterministic patterns, the light-gap community exhibits high stochasticity.
Development of Flagella by Proteus mirabilis

SUMMARY: The sequence of flagellar development accompanying differentiation during multiplication in a plate culture of Proteus mirabilis was investigated with the electron microscope and the negative-staining technique; the sequence of development can best be seen from the electron micrographs. The first flagella were produced towards the end of the first hour, and increased to a peak at about 6 hr and then decreased. The bacteria changed from coccoid to rod-shaped to elongated forms; the latter measured up to 80 μ, in length and were equipped with several thousand flagella. On the basis of measurements of flagellar complement, the elongated forms (or swarmers) can be regarded as ‘flagellin-factories’. The fine structure of both flagella and fimbriae was examined and several new features were seen, in particular certain structures at the bases of both appendages. The diameter of Proteus fimbriae was found to be about 40 A.
Review of flavonoids and other phenolics from fruits of different tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars.

BACKGROUND: Tomato, one of the most important vegetables worldwide, contains a range of flavonoids and phenolic acids in addition to lycopene, which are regarded as potentially useful compounds with respect to health benefits. Composition data in fresh tomatoes vary due to genetic and environmental factors and cultural practices. Breeding programs aim to produce tomatoes with enhanced levels of flavonoids and other phenolics. RESULTS: The present paper gives an overview of flavonoids, stilbenoids and other phenolics reported to occur in tomato fruits. Contents are reported for a wide range of cultivars and types. Metabolism of phenolics during fruit maturation and tissue location are described, and an overview of measured contents is given. Effects of environmental conditions and cultural practices are estimated using available literature. Recent literature on transgenic tomatoes is included, and possibilities for regulating phenolic contents in tomatoes are discussed. CONCLUSION: The literature review clearly discloses a rapidly growing interest in flavonoids and other phenolics in tomato fruits and products made thereof. This is particularly connected to the antioxidant properties of these compounds as well as other possible health effects. Choice of cultivar and effects of environment and agronomic practices are important factors with respect to phenolic qualities and quantities of tomatoes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of ochratoxin A on coccidiosis-challenged broiler chicks

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on broiler chicks challenged with Eimeria tenella oocysts. Two hundred day-old, unsexed Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of five replicates and ten chicks per replicate, making the following treatments: group I: control; group II: OTA (1 mg/kg) daily through feed; group III: coccidia (orally inoculated with 50,000 E. tenella oocysts/chick on day 21); group IV: OTA (1 mg/kg) daily through feed + coccidia (orally inoculated with 50,000 E. tenella oocysts/chick on day 21). Six birds from each group were slaughtered on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th day post infection. The results showed higher mortality with severe gross lesions in caecum and a greater number of faecal oocysts in groups III and IV. The gross lesions observed in group IV were characterised by distension of caecum with blood-tinged content indicative of haemorrhagic typhlitis with mucosal tissue debris. Microscopically,.
CLIMATE CHANGE, SPRING TEMPERATURES, AND TIMING OF BREEDING OF TREE SWALLOWS (TACHYCINETA BICOLOR) IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Abstract Several European studies have indicated advances in breeding dates of birds in the last 30 years, which authors attributed to climate change. In North America, Dunn and Winkler (1999) reported a continent-wide advance of five to nine days in breeding dates of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) between 1959 and 1991. I present results of an intensive study of Tree Swallows breeding on and near Long Point, Ontario, at four sites monitored 1969–2001, 1977–1986, 1978–2001, and 1987–2001. Local air temperatures varied among sites, according to distance from Lake Erie, but there was no significant regional trend in April and May temperatures between 1969 and 2000. Median and 10th percentile dates of clutch initiation by females that were at least two years old varied among years by up to 20 days overall and 18 days within sites, and differed by 0–14 days between sites in the same year. There were no significant differences in average timing of laying among the 1970–1980, 1980–1990, and 1990–2000 periods. Nevertheless, there was a significant trend towards earlier laying in 1990–2000, which was attributable to exceptionally early laying and warm May weather in 1998–2001. Across all sites, median dates of clutch initiation were strongly correlated with average daily maximum temperatures in the first four, five-day periods in May, but clutches at one site were initiated three days earlier than predicted by temperatures alone. I estimate that climate warming of 5°C in May could result in an average advance of about seven days in the median date of laying of Tree Swallows at those sites. My results indicate that spring temperatures are strongly correlated with timing of laying, but show that spring temperatures have not increased in the Long Point region and timing of the breeding season has not advanced throughout North America.
Zur Kälteresistenz der Kleinen Roten Waldameise Formica polyctena Foerst. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract Aspects of cold resistance of the red wood ant Formica polyctena Foerst. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) 1F. polyctena isn't able to tolerate freezing within the body tissues; ice formation limited to the crop content on the other hand doesn't impair vitality. 2The cold resistance of the wood ants is due to supercooling. The supercooling point of workers is about −13 °C. 3The survival rate decreases if the time of exposure to deep temperatures is prolonged. In moist nest-material the mortality is higher than in dry one. 4The seasons have only little influence on cold resistance, while the physiological state of workers is important: Young workers with well developed fatty bodies and ovaries stand lower temperatures than older workers with degenerated ovaries. The filling of venom sac and the intestine do not affect the supercooling point. 5Queens and workers of F. polyctena are more cold-resistant than the male ants. 6The cold resistance of F. polyctena is sufficient to hibernate without frost injuries in an intact nest. Zusammenfassung 1) Ein Gefrieren der Korpersafte und -gewebe wird von Waldameisen nicht ertragen; eine auf den Kropfinhalt beschrankte Eisbildung dagegen beeintrachtigt die Uberlebensfahigkeit nicht. 2) Die Kalteresistenz der Waldameisen beruht auf der Fahigkeit zur Unterkuhlung; der Unterkuhlungspunkt liegt bei Arbeiterinnen von Formica polyctena im Mittel bei - 13 °C. 3) Die Uberlebensrate bei Minustemperaturen sinkt mit zunehmender Dauer der Kalteeinwirkung ab. In feuchtem Nestmaterial ist die frostbedingte Sterberate deutlich hoher als in trockenem Milieu. 4) Die Jahreszeit beeinflust die Hohe der Kalteresistenz nahezu nicht; dagegen spielt der physiologische Zustand der Arbeiterinnen eine wichtige Rolle: Reservestoffreiche Jungarbeiterinnen mit wohlentwickelten Ovarien sind kalteresistenter als altere Arbeiterinnen mit degenerierten Eischlauchen. Der Fullungsgrad des Darmtraktes ist fur die Lage des Unterkuhlungspunktes offensichtlich bedeutungslos. 5) Mannchen sind gegen Frost empfindlicher als die weiblichen Kasten. 6) Die Kalteresistenz der Waldameisen reicht vollig aus, um in einem intakten Nest den Winter ohne Schaden zu uberstehen.
Human development, climate change, disasters and conflict: linkages and empirical evidence from the last three decades

The main aim of this research paper is to contribute to the current academic debate about the relationship between disasters and conflict. If a catastrophe can actually affect the current political stability of a country, what can we learn in order to minimize the negative effects of such events? Is there a relationship between conflicts and disasters and how are they connected? If any, is this relationship positive or negative? Using a quantitative analysis this research aims to answer these questions. More precisely this paper builds a robust armed conflict explanatory model and tests whether disasters (in many of its forms) have an effect on conflict. In addition to the above and taking into consideration the increased risk of hazards due to climate change, this research also tests whether climate-related disasters have a different effect on conflict. The novelty of this research lies in merging different approaches and including the Human Development Index in a conflict explanatory model. This novelty leads to interesting results. The findings of this research show that there isn´t a statistically significant relationship between these two variables and therefore it is not possible to state (in a general manner) that disasters trigger, intensify or reduce conflict. This result empathizes with a strand of thought that argues that there isn't a statistical relationship between disasters and conflict and that conflict depends generally on other deep determinants.
Estrogen and progesterone induce persistent increases in p53-dependent apoptosis and suppress mammary tumors in

Introduction Treatment with estrogen and progesterone (E+P) mimics the protective effect of parity on mammary tumors in rodents and depends upon the activity of p53. The following experiments tested whether exogenous E+P primes p53 to be more responsive to DNA damage and whether these pathways confer resistance to mammary tumors in a mouse model of LiFraumeni syndrome. Methods Mice that differ in p53 status (Trp53+/+, Trp53+/-, Trp53-/-) were treated with E+P for 14 days and then were tested for p53-dependent responses to ionizing radiation. Responses were also examined in parous and age-matched virgins. The effects of hormonal exposures on tumor incidence were examined in BALB/c-Trp53+/- mammary tissues. Results Nuclear accumulation of p53 and apoptotic responses were increased similarly in the mammary epithelium from E+Ptreated and parous mice compared with placebo and age
Molecular analysis of a stress-induced cDNA encoding the translation initiation factor, eIF1, from the salt-tolerant wild relative of rice, Porteresia coarctata.

The analysis of plant response to stress is an important route to the discovery of genes conferring stress tolerance. Protein synthesis is very sensitive to salt stress and proteins involved in this process may be an important determinant of salt tolerance. The halophytic plant, Porteresia coarctata Tateoka, is a close relative of Oryza sativa L. , and has the ability to withstand sudden changes in the soil salinity. The translation initiation factor 1 (PceIF1) cDNA was isolated from the leaves of P. coarctata that had been subjected to a high-salt treatment (150 mm NaCl). An expression study showed that the abundance of eIF1 transcripts increased to a maximum level 5 d after stress induction and then decreased to levels similar to leaves of control (unsalinised) plants. This gene was also up-regulated in exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and mannitol treatments, suggesting that its induction is related to the water deficit effect of high salt. Our studies showed that expression levels of eIF1 transcripts might form a convenient indicator for monitoring a stress-responsive mechanism that operates in the leaves of P. coarctata.
Fertilization of boreal forest reduces both autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration

The boreal forest is expected to experience the greatest warming of all forest biomes, raising concerns that some of the large quantities of soil carbon in these systems may be added to the atmosphere as CO2. However, nitrogen deposition or fertilization has the potential to increase boreal forest production and retard the decomposition of soil organic matter, hence increasing both tree stand and soil C storage.
Photosynthetic limitations in olive cultivars with different sensitivity to salt stress

Olive ( Olea europea L) is one of the most valuable and widespread fruit trees in the Mediterranean area. To breed olive for resistance to salinity, an environmental constraint typical of the Mediterranean, is an important goal. The photosynthetic limitations associated with salt stress caused by irrigation with saline (200 m M ) water were assessed with simultaneous gas-exchange and fluorescence field measurements in six olive cultivars. Cultivars were found to possess inherently different photosynthesis when non-stressed. When exposed to salt stress, cultivars with inherently high photosynthesis showed the highest photosynthetic reductions. There was no relationship between salt accumulation and photosynthesis reduction in either young or old leaves. Thus photosynthetic sensitivity to salt did not depend on salt exclusion or compartmentalization in the old leaves of the olive cultivars investigated. Salt reduced the photochemical efficiency, but this reduction was also not associated with photosynthesis reduction. Salt caused a reduction of stomatal and mesophyll conductance, especially in cultivars with inherently high photosynthesis. Mesophyll conductance was generally strongly associated with photosynthesis, but not in salt-stressed leaves with a mesophyll conductance higher than 50 mmol m - - 2 s - 1 . The combined reduction of stomatal and mesophyll conductances in saltstressed leaves increased the CO 2 draw-down between ambient air and the chloroplasts. The CO 2 draw-down was strongly associated with photosynthesis reduction of saltstressed leaves but also with the variable photosynthesis of controls. The relationship between photosynthesis and CO 2 draw-down remained unchanged in most of the cultivars, suggesting no or small changes in Rubisco activity of saltstressed leaves. The present results indicate that the low chloroplast CO 2 concentration set by both low stomatal and mesophyll conductances were the main limitations of photosynthesis in salt-stressed olive as well as in cultivars with inherently low photosynthesis. It is consequently suggested that, independently of the apparent sensitivity of photosynthesis to salt, this effect may be relieved if conductances to CO 2 diffusion are restored.
Self-cross-linkable hydrogels composed of partially oxidized alginate and gelatin for myocardial infarction repair

Calcium cross-linked alginate hydrogel has shown positive results for the treatment of myocardial infarction in both acute and chronic rat models. However, cross-linked alginate hydrogels possess poor mechanical properties, uncontrollable degradation, and poor cell adhesion and infiltration. In this study, covalent cross-linking of partially oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel was developed for myocardial infarction treatment, as compared to cross-linked alginate hydrogel and saline. Specifically, the gelation process, mechanical properties, and biodegradation of both cross-linked alginate hydrogel and oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel were examined in vitro and in vivo; and a rat myocardial infarction model was developed by injecting hydrogel into hearts, and postinjection, echocardiography was performed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. Matrix metalloprotease-2/9 activity was also examined by in situ zymography on frozen slices of the treated hearts. Based on the results, that both hydrogels enhanced scar thickness and attenuated heart remodeling compared with the saline control group and that, compared to cross-linked alginate hydrogel, oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel exhibited the increased mechanical strength, enhanced angiogenesis, and stronger cell-recruiting capacity. It has also been illustrated that oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel–treated hearts have much weaker cardiac remodeling, enhanced extracellular matrix accumulation, and reduced matrix metalloprotease activity than cross-linked alginate hydrogel–treated ones. All results suggest oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel may be more suitable for the myocardial infarction treatment.
Incorporating phylogenetic uncertainty on phylogeny‐based palaeontological dating and the timing of turtle diversification

Methods improving the performance of molecular dating of divergence time of clades have improved dramatically in recent years. The calibration of molecular dating using the first appearance of a clade in the fossil record is a crucial step towards inferring the minimal diversification time of various groups and the choice of extinct taxa can strongly influence the molecular dates. Here, we evaluate the uncertainty on the phylogenetic position of extinct taxa through non‐parametric bootstrapping. The recognition of phylogenetic uncertainty resulted in the definition of the Bootstrap Uncertainty Range (BUR) for the age of first appearance of a given clade. The BUR is calculated as the interval of geological time in which the diversification of a given clade can be inferred to have occurred, based on the temporal information of the fossil record and the topologies of the bootstrap trees. Divergence times based on BUR analyses were calculated for three clades of turtles: Testudines, Pleurodira and Cryptodira. This resulted in extensive uncertainty ranges of topology‐dependent minimal divergence dates for these clades.
Effect of cross‐tolerance between endotoxin and TNF‐α or IL‐1β on cellular signaling and mediator production

Abstract: Endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] tolerance suppresses macrophage/monocyte proinflammatory‐mediator production. This phenomenon also confers cross‐tolerance to other stimuli including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL)‐1β. Post‐receptor convergence of signal transduction pathways might occur after LPS, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α stimulation. Therefore, it was hypothesized that down‐regulation of common signaling molecules induces cross‐tolerance among these stimuli. LPS tolerance and cross‐tolerance were examined in THP‐1 cells. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases and degradation of inhibitor κBα (IκBα) DNA binding of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), and mediator production were examined. In naive cells, LPS, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β induced IκBα degradation, kinase phosphorylation, and NF‐κB DNA binding. LPS stimulation induced production of TNF‐α or TxB2 and degradation of IRAK. However, neither TNF‐α nor IL‐1β induced IRAK degradation or stimulated TNF‐α or TxB2 production in naive cells. Pretreatment with each stimulus induced homologous tolerance to restimulation with the same agonist. LPS tolerance also suppressed LPS‐induced TxB2 and TNF‐α production. LPS pretreatment induced cross‐tolerance to TNF‐α or IL‐1β stimulation. Pretreatment with TNF‐α induced cross‐tolerance to LPS‐induced signaling events and TxB2 production. Although pretreatment with IL‐1β did not induce cross‐tolerance to LPS‐induced signaling events, it strongly inhibited LPS TNF‐α and TxB2 production. These data demonstrate that IL‐1β induces cross‐tolerance to LPS‐induced mediator production without suppressing LPS‐induced signaling to MAP kinases or NF‐κB activation.
Individual differences in response to an open field test by the guppy—Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

Guppies Poecilia reticulata (Peters) were subjected to repeated measures of 5 min duration, on an open field test. The major measures were the number of times a fish changed sections, the number of different sections entered regardless of how many times they entered a section and the ratio of inner to outer sections entered. The activity scores were on a continuous distribution from fish to fish and for the males correlated highly with the ratio of inner to outer movements, but not so for the females. All fish showed a preference for the outer rings compared to the inner rings. There was a non–significant tendency for the male activity to increase during each test, but to wane as the number of tests increased. The females showed a variation of activity which may be associated with their ovarian cycle, but the various activity measures tended not to correlate with each other during the cycle and also failed to correlate with various published cycles of physiological ovarian activity.
Therapeutical properties of cow milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus casei

Milk is an excellent source of well balanced nutrients and also exhibits a range of biological activities that influence digestion metabolic responses to absorbed nutrients, growth and development of specific organs, and resistance to disease. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity of cow milk was evaluated. In the present study, the high ACE-inhibitory activity of 79% was found in milk fermented withthe combination of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus casei. Our results clearly demonstrate that the cow milk hydrolysate have antioxidant activity. It showed strong scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical with IC50 value of 231 µg/ml. And in the total reducing assay method, milk hydrolysate showed significant antioxidant activity. The fermented milk hydrolysate also inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Key words: Cow milk hydrolysate, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, anti-bacterial activity.