Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOME ASPECTS OF OSMOREGULATION IN TWO SPECIES OF SPHAEROMID ISOPOD CRUSTACEA

1. Osmoregulatory requirements were analyzed and compared in Menzies' two subspecies of Gnorimosphaeroma oregonensis (G. o. oregonensis and G. o. lutea) and Sphaeroma pentodon Richardson.2. The mechanism of osmoregulation was studied by measuring changes in the total osmotic concentration of the body fluid after three to 48 hours' exposure to various experimental salinities ranging from fresh water to 125 per cent sea water. Changes were also measured in the field during a partial tidal cycle. The principal findings and conclusions are as follows:a. ) The body fluids of the experimental animals became either diluted or concentrated in the experimental salinities. Generally, in more dilute media (50% sea water or less), the body fluids were maintained hypertonic to the medium, while in more concentrated media (75 to 125% sea water), they were usually maintained hypotonic to the medium.b. ) The lack of weight changes in experimental salinities in experiments conducted at 16° C. indicates that dilution and con.
RAPD AND PROTEIN PROFILES OF COTTON VARIETIES

RAPD and SDS-PAGE techniques were employed for identification and genetic diversity estimation of six tetraploid (Gossypium hirsutum) and two diploid (G. arboreum) cotton cultivars. 17 RAPD primers produced 86 amplicons, out of which 55 were polymorphic having 63.95 % polymorphism and 8 primers produced variety specific bands. The maximum discriminating power was obtained from Primers OPA-17 and OPA-19. SDS-PAGE of seed storage proteins resolved into 30 bands. Out of 30 bands, only one variety specific band was found, while 12 bands were species specific and appeared only in one of the species. The discrimination power of seed protein profile was 0.53, which was less than the discriminatory power of most of the RAPD profiles generated for individual primers. Cluster analysis of both RAPD and SDS-PAGE data produced two clusters, separating diploid with tetraploid cultivars. RAPD was found to be more efficient for cultivar identification and genetic diversity estimation.
Plasticity of vacuole biogenesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The genetic analysis of vacuole biogenesis and vacuolar protein sorting in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is briefly reviewed. Vacuolar biogenesis occurs by two routes, primarily via a branch from the default secretory pathway, but also by segregation of vacuolar material directly from the mother cell to the daughter bud. This is illustrated by strains carrying the ssv17-101 mutation. This causes a dramatic defect in the segregation of vacuolar material. The plasticity of vacuolar function is demonstrated
Maximum difference analysis: a new empirical method for genome-wide association studies

Abstract The availability of high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) panels for humans and, recently, for several livestock species has given a great impulse to genome-wide association studies towards the identification of genes associated with complex traits and diseases. The frequentist and the Bayesian approach are commonly used to investigate marker associations with traits of interest. Briefly, the former is the most widely used method, being intuitive and easily to apply, whereas the latter requires deeper statistical knowledge, but has the advantage to include prior information to obtain a posterior probability of association. Both methods, however, require parameters or distributions to be set a priori by the researcher. In this work, we suggest a new empirical method for genome-wide studies (GWAS), which verifies marker-trait associations using the bootstrap resampling and Chebyshev’s inequality. This method, called Maximum Difference Analysis (MDA), was tested on a real dataset of 2093 Italian Holstein bulls with the objective of finding associations between SNPs and milk, fat and protein yield and fat and protein percentage. Results of the MDA method were compared with those obtained to a genome-wide association analysis performed using the R package GenABEL. In addition, we assessed the bovine annotated genes related to the traits under study. The MDA method was able to locate known important loci for milk productive traits, such as the DGAT1, PRLR, GHR and SCD. Moreover, some new putative candidate genes were detected. The python script of MDA procedure is available at www.animalbreeding. uniss.it.
Purification and properties of myeloperoxidase from mice leukocytes

: Myeloperoxidase from leucocytes of peritoneal exudate was isolated by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, CM-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The preparation obtained was homogenous as shown by repeated gel filtration and ultracentrifugation. The enzyme was purified 302-fold, with 16% yield. The sedimentation constant was equal to 4.05 S. Molecular weight of the enzyme, determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, constituted 135,000 daltons. Myeloperoxidase had two pH optima of activity--at pH 4.6 and at pH 7.6. Km for o-dianizidine was equal to 4.0-10(-3)M and for hydrogen peroxide--to 1.65-10(-4)M. Myeloperoxidase of mice leucocytes differed from the enzymes of leucocytes from other animal species in its distinctly lower sedimentation constant and thermolability.
Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review

ABSTRACT Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils account for more than 10% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock urine deposition drives N2O losses from these soils. It has been speculated that non-urea nitrogen compounds (UNCs) in ruminant urine could reduce or inhibit urine patch N2O emissions. However, we hypothesise that UNCs will have no effect on N2O emissions due to their potentially rapid degradation by plants and soil microbes. Our review suggests that plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are more likely to perform a role in reducing N2O emissions since many PSMs have known antimicrobial properties. Aucubin, found in Plantago, and isothiocyanates, found in Brassica, have been shown to inhibit a key step in N2O production. Future studies should explore this promising research gap by evaluating forages for potential inhibitory PSMs, assessing whether PSMs are excreted in urine after consumption, and determine whether excretal PSM concentrations are sufficient to reduce N2O emissions.
Growth responses of the reef-building coral Montastraea annularis along a gradient of continental influence in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Skeletal growth variables [density (g cm -3 ), extension rate (cm yr -1 ), and calcification rate (g cm -2 yr -1 )] were determined for annual density bands in skeletal slabs of the reef building coral Montastraea annularis. Colonies growing at the same depth (10 m) were collected from six coral reefs distributed along an environmental gradient of continental influence within the southern Gulf of Mexico. No significant differences in growth variables were evident within each reef for the period of time represented by the slabs. Variations in calcification rate are more closely linked with variations in extension rate than with variations in density. Differences among reefs were significant for the three growth variables and appeared to relate to the environmental gradient dominated by turbidity and sediment load. Density and calcification rate increased from high to low turbidity and sediment load, while extension rate followed an inverse trend. The data suggest that, as corals experience a harsher environment, they respond by extending their skeleton more with the same or less calcium carbonate, with a concomitant reduction of skeletal density. This stretching' modulation of skeletal growth may be a widespread phenomenon.
Functional properties and health benefits of bioactive peptides derived from Spirulina: A review

ABSTRACT Bioactive peptides represent specific sequences of amino acids that have biological activity with several health effects and potential applications, which can be obtained from diverse protein sources. Spirulina, the cyanobacterium known for its high protein content and therapeutic properties, has been investigated as a potential source of bioactive peptides. Some bioactive peptides derived from Spirulina are under study for their ability to offer specific health benefits, such as antimicrobial, antiallergic, antihypertensive, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. Bioactive peptide fractions from Spirulina biomass can be obtained through a series of operations, including cell lysis and protein extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, potential bioactivity screening, fractionation, and purification. Potentially, Spirulina-derived peptide fractions can be applied as nutraceutical ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals. This article reviews the functional properties and health benefits of bioactive peptides from Spirulina, and presents potential mechanisms by which bioactive components can be exploited in the development of novel foods with special health claims. In addition, this article describes recent developments in proteomics, bioactivity screening methods, and opportunities for designing future peptide-based foods.
Impact de l’essence forestière sur les processus de dégradation et d’assimilation des polysaccharides végétaux par la communauté fongique des sols forestiers

En milieu forestier, la decomposition de la matiere organique d’origine vegetale et son assimilation par les microorganismes sont des processus essentiels au bon fonctionnement des sols et du cycle du carbone. Les mecanismes impliques dans ces phenomenes de degradation sont fortement controles par les champignons saprotrophes qui secretent de nombreuses enzymes hydrolytiques afin d’acceder a leur principale source de nutriments qui se trouve sous la forme de polysaccharides (cellulose et hemicelluloses). L’hydrolyse enzymatique de ces polymeres vegetaux engendre une grande diversite de composes de faible poids moleculaire (mono- et oligosaccharides). Ces molecules penetrent dans la cellule fongique via des systemes de transporteurs membranaires dont la presence/absence et la specificite de substrat contribuent a la versatilite metabolique de ces microorganismes du sol. La nature de l’essence forestiere affecte fortement la diversite et la composition des communautes fongiques. Dans ce contexte, nous avons emis l’hypothese que les communautes fongiques selectionnees par les differentes essences forestieres different entre elles par la diversite des mecanismes qu’elles mettent en place lors du processus de decomposition de la matiere organique d'origine vegetale et lors du transport des produits de degradation ; et que de ce fait chaque communaute fongique est specifiquement adaptee a la nature de la litiere produite par l’espece vegetale consideree. Par des approches de sequencage haut-debit d’amplicons generes a partir d’ADNc environnementaux, nous avons analyse la diversite des transcrits codant des proteines fongiques impliquees a la fois dans la degradation des polysaccharides vegetaux et dans le transport des sucres issus de cette hydrolyse enzymatique au sein de sols localises sous des forets de hetres et d’epiceas. L’analyse des donnees obtenues a mis en evidence des transcrits jusqu’alors inconnus et specifiquement retrouves pour plus 80% d’entre eux sous l’un des deux couverts vegetaux conduisant ainsi a un effet significatif de l’essence forestiere sur la composition des genes exprimes par les communautes fongiques. Des transporteurs potentiellement specifiques du mannose ont ete detectes, pour la premiere fois, sous la foret d’epiceas par une approche de crible fonctionnel dans la levure de banques d’ADNc environnementaux. Or, cette essence forestiere est connue pour posseder d’importantes quantites de mannose au niveau de ses hemicelluloses. Les resultats obtenus au cours de cette these soulignent l’importance d’etudier la diversite fonctionnelle des communautes fongiques pour comprendre l’impact du couvert vegetal sur leur composition et le fonctionnement des ecosystemes forestiers
Seed density and waterfowl use of rice fields in Camargue, France

European rice fields provide potential nocturnal foraging habitat to waterfowl during winter. Agricultural practices may influence seed density and accessibility, thereby influencing the extent to which ducks use this managed habitat. To assess the potential influence of post-harvest stubble-management practices (i.e., flooding, burning, chopping, disking, plowing, and their combinations) on waste rice and weeds, and to evaluate the link of the latter 2 with nocturnal duck abundance, we conducted an experiment in rice fields of the Camargue, France. We assessed the density of available seeds 3 times across the winter, from harvest in late October to departure of the wintering ducks in early February, over 2 winters (2012–2013, 2013–2014). We monitored nocturnal duck use of the fields during the second year. Initial post-harvest rice and weed seed densities were positively correlated and highly variable. Mean seed density was not dependent on straw management procedure (i.e., burning, chopping, disking). Average rice density decreased by 89% and weed seed density by 69% between harvest and late winter. Seed depletion rate was dependent on initial seed density, and was greatest in plowed fields for rice. Winter flooding did not significantly affect seed depletion rate but was the main determinant of nocturnal duck use of the fields. Duck numbers were lower in burned fields than in chopped or disked fields. One hectare of rice field could support an average of 43 mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)-sized ducks/day for the entire wintering season (i.e., 5,202 duck-energy days/ha) given initial post-harvest seed densities. Harvested rice fields have a great potential as nocturnal foraging habitat for wintering ducks in the Camargue. Plowing should be avoided and flooding promoted to better allow ducks to use these fields. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Comparison of Vulpes lagopus and Vulpes vulpes Skulls from Sympatric and Allopatric Populations

Vulpes vulpes , the red fox, and Vulpes lagopus , the arctic fox, have tumultuous taxonomic histories. V. vulpes boasts cosmopolitan distribution, in part due to artificial introduction. In all areas, its speciali zation as a generalist allows it to adapt and thrive. The origins of the North American populations were contested. While recent studies proved the species is a long-t erm native, the valid name for these foxes is still under discussion. V. lagopus recently settled into Vulpes – previously, this derived fox resided in its own gen us. While DNA indicates V. lagopus belongs in Vulpes, the phenotypes of reds and arctics are strikingly different. However, in parts of Alaska, these two s pecies live sympatrically, in competition. V. vulpes tends to usurp V. lagopus. A recent study of tooth morphology revealed greater conservation of dental form in red foxes sharing their ranges with arctics, while another study esta blished general trends in each species’ skull dimensions. This study compares the skull shape of both species in sympatric and allopatric populations using 2D morph metrics, focusing on four regions of the skull. I investigate whether or not V. vulpes is stabilizing its skull shape in sympatric populations, and if this form is suited to a particular diet.
Water stress response after thinning Pinus contorta stands in Montana

Methods Study A r e a s . 5 Sampling P r o c e d u r e s . 10 Statistical A n a l y s i s . 15 Results Climate Measurements. 17 Leaf Water Potential and T h i n n i n g . 19 Soil Moisture and T h i n n i n g . 25 Discussion and Conclusions. 27 A p p e n d i c e s . 32 Literature C i t e d . 46
Variable mating durations in cyclopoid copepods : An adaptation to changing predation risks ?

Investigation of the mating patterns of three species of freshwater plank-tonic cyclopoid copepods (Cyclops vicinus, Mesocyclops leuckarti and Thermocyclops crassus) showed that mating behaviour, especially mating duration, depends upon ambient light conditions and sex ratio. Species which lived in upper water layers (Mesocyclops leuckarti, Thermocyclops crassus) mated more quickly than the species which lived in deeper water (Cyclops vicinus). In Cyclops vicinus, mating duration was longer in darkness compared to the light. Since a prey is more vulnerable to predation by visually hunting zooplanktivorous fish when ambient light light levels are high, the present results imply that the reduced mating duration in upper water layers or high light levels is a response to increased predation risk. In male biased trials the mate guarding phase lasted longer than in female biased trials. Thus mate guarding seems of significance in cyclopoid copepods, although re-mating is rare in this group.
Impresion 3D en el campo de la medicina

espanolLa impresion 3D es un proceso que consiste en unir diversos materiales para confeccionar objetos a partir de un modelo digital. Las impresoras 3D son una realidad mundial con di­ferentes aplicaciones en el mundo de la medicina. El objetivo de este artfculo fue informar de los beneficios de la impresion 3D aplicados al campo de la medicina. La busqueda bi­bliografica fue realizada en la base de datos Pubmed yen el Google Academico. Los resul­tados obtenidos han permitido conocer los alcances de esta nueva tecnologfa, empleada para la confeccion de 6rganos y tejidos, creaci6n de pr6tesis, implantes anat6micos, campo de la odontologfa y dosificaci6n de medicamentos. En conclusion esta tecnologfa supondra un cambio en el disefio de la confecci6n de ortesis plantares personalizadas y grandes avances y exitos en la medicina. EnglishThe 30 print is a process that consists of joining different materials to make objects from a digi­tal model. 30 printers are a worldwide reality with different applications in the world of medi­cine. The purpose of this article was to report the benefits of 30 printing applied to the field of medicine. The bibliographic search was done in the Pubmed database and in the Academic Google. The results obtained have allowed us to know the scope of this new technology, used for the manufacture of organs and tissues, creation of prostheses, anatomical implants, field of dentistry and medication dosage. In conclusion, this technology will mean a change in the de­sign of custom made orthosis and great advances and successes in medicine.
Diurnal Variations of Endogenous Steroids in the Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

Rationale: The diurnal variations of cortisol and of other upstream glucocorticoid steroids have been well described. However, diurnal variations of other steroids in the steroid synthesis pathways have not been fully addressed in the literature. Objective: To explore possible diurnal variations of several endogenous steroids. Methods: Blood samples were taken every fourth hour during 24 hours in 10 healthy drug naive pre-menopausal women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Using the LC-MS/MS technique, serum was analyzed for concentrations of glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol), androgens (androstenedione, testosterone, DHEA), pregnenes (pregnenolone, 17OH-pregnenolone), progestins (progesterone, 17OH-progesterone), and estrogens (estrone, estradiol). The concentration of the anesthetic steroid allopregnanolone was analyzed using the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique. The blood samples were divided into six time intervals; 02:01-06:00, 06:01-10:00, 10:01-14:00, 14:01-18:00, 18:01-22:00, and 22:01-02:00. Each steroid was tested for possible diurnal variation using repeated measures ANOVA for within-subject variation. Results: All steroids except the estrogens exhibited a significant diurnal variation (p<0.05). Apart from allopregnanolone, all the steroids peaked in concentration at 08:00 (e.g., just after awakening). Allopregnanolone had a flatter curve, its highest concentrations occurring throughout the day and its peak concentrations at about 12:00. Conclusions: The present study suggests that when assessing concentrations of steroids in the glucocorticoid group and those in the pregnene, androgen, and progestine groups, as well as allopregnanolone, it might be necessary to accounted for a diurnal variation. However, a possible interaction between menstrual-cycle phase and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the diurnal variations of the steroids should be confirmed by future studies.
Medium culture composition and organogenesis processes in Drosera rotundifolia

Drosera rotundifolia explants were inoculated on culture media supplemented with either single ferrofluids with different Fe 2+ / Fe 3+ , ratios or complex ferrofluids. Development took place at different natural or double geomagnetic field values. The effect of culture medium supplementation and geomagnetic field values on organogenesis and plant growth rhythm is discussed.
PATTERNS IN THE PAPIONINS

Comparative studies of intraspecific variation patterns are important in attempts to reconstruct the differential selection pressures experienced by related species and in assessing the resultant observed interspecific variation. Reconstruction of past selection depends on an as- sumption of relatively stable patterns of genetic variance and covariance through time and across related species. Models by Lande (1979) and Turelli (1988a, 1988b) lead to contrasting expectations of stability versus lability of variation patterns, respectively, at least for closely related species. I report on a comparative study of phenotypic variance and correlation patterns in seven species of papionins, including macaques, baboons, and mangabeys, in order to determine the stability of variation patterns in this group. The three-dimensional coordinates of 12 bony landmarks on the face were used in a finite- element scaling analysis in order to measure local size variation at each landmark. Variances and correlations for these local size metrics were calculated using pooled sex-specific values. Variation patterns were compared across species using vector and matrix correlations in combination with various randomization-based significance tests. Patterns of variation and correlation were generally quite similar across the seven species, al- though some differences were also apparent. The overall magnitude of correlation is also similar among species, as only a few interspecific comparisons showed significant differences. Thus, it is concluded that patterns of variation and correlation in facial morphology have tended to remain stable in this group of primates. This result should allow for reconstruction of past differential selection pressures in the clade. The pattern of similarity among correlation structures for these species showed no association with their phylogenetic relationships.