Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Metal Doped TiO2 Nano-Composites by Sol-Gel Method and Their Structural Properties

Article history: Received 13 September 2020 Accepted 21 September 2020 Available online 28 September 2020 Metal oxide nano-composites plays a very important role in many areas of chemistry, physics and material science. This paper explains the synthesis and comparison of zinc and zirconium doped TiO2 metal oxide nano-composites and their different properties. Here the sol-gel method is used to synthesis both the nano-composites. Nano-composites have been characterized with XRD, AFM, Zetasizer & potential and FT-IR studies. XRD study revealed good crystallinity with the size range of 30 nm – 45 nm for both nano-composites. AFM studies also revealed the same. FTIR study reports the characteristics peaks of synthesised nano-composites.
The Ventilatory Response to Hypercapnia in Hibernating Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels, Spermophilus lateralis

The hypercapnic ventilatory response of golden-mantled ground squirrels was characterized on consecutive days throughout single bouts of hibernation and on the third day of hibernation bouts during the early, middle, and late portions of the hibernation season, to determine whether ventilatory responses during hibernation are a function of body temperature or hibernation depth. Our measurements confirm that the hypercapnic ventilatory response of this species during hibernation consists almost exclusively of increases in respiratory frequency (fr); tidal volume (VT) changed little. No change in fr or VT occurred as inspired CO₂ was increased from 0% to 2%. Between 2% and 8% inspired CO₂, fr increased linearly. Respiratory frequency remained constant or decreased slightly as CO₂ was elevated beyond 8%. At levels of inspired CO₂ between 10% and 13%, animals would initiate arousal from hibernation and ventilation would increase again through increases in VT and further increases in fr. No significant interbout or intrabout variations were observed in any aspect of the hypercapnic ventilatory response. These data indicate that hypercapnic ventilatory sensitivity, if not exclusively a function of body temperature, is consistent between periods of equal body temperature regardless of possible temperature-independent changes in hibernation depth.
Testing the role of heart mitochondrial stability and function in heart failure of ectotherms exposed to heat stress

i Abstract Hearts appear to be the first organs to fail in heat stressed animals. Predictions of climate change mediated increases in ocean temperatures suggest that the ectothermic heart may place tight constraints on the diversity and distribution of marine species with cardiovascular systems. For many such species, their upper temperature limits (Tmax) and respective heart failure (HF) temperatures (THF) are only a few degrees from current environmental temperatures. While the ectothermic cardiovascular system may act as an ‘ecological thermometer’, the exact mechanism mediating HF remains unresolved. This thesis hypothesised that heat-stressed cardiac mitochondria drives HF in ectotherms and first investigated this in a common New Zealand fish Notolabrus celidotos. This thesis further tested cardiac mitochondria in wrasses from cold temperate (Notolabrus fucicola) and tropical (Thalassoma lunare) habitats to explore the effects of temperature across species from differing thermal habitats. Then, utilising N. celidotus, a species’ capacity to acclimate cardiac mitochondria was assessed following acclimation to mean seasonal temperatures. Finally, this thesis compared the thermal tolerance of heart and cardiac mitochondrial function in native (Ovalipes catharus) and invasive (Charybdis japonica) paddle crabs to test the role of mitochondria in providing a species an ecological advantage. High resolution respirometry coupled to fluorimeters were used to assess the temperaturemediated changes in cardiac mitochondrial respiration, ROS and ATP production, and these changes were overlaid with the THF (27.8 ± 0.4 C) of N. celidotus. Even at saturating oxygen levels, several mitochondrial components were compromised before the onset of THF suggesting that impairment of oxygen consumption by heart mitochondria preceded oxygen limitation. Importantly, the capacity to efficiently produce ATP in the heart was limited at 25 C, and this was prior to the acute THF for N. celidotus. Membrane leakiness increased significantly at 25 C, as did cytochrome c release and permeability to NADH. Maximal flux rates and the capacity for the electron transport system (ETS) to uncouple were also altered at 25 C. These data indicate that mitochondrial membrane integrity is lost, depressing ATP synthesis capacity and promoting cytochrome c release, prior to THF. It was concluded that mitochondria can mediate HF in heat stressed hearts in fish and plays a significant role in thermal stress tolerance.
Study of imprinted genes in bovine embryos produced by assisted reproductive technologies

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been associated with abnormal pregnancies and offspring in a nwnber of mammals, inc1uding hwnans. Although the causes remain unc1ear, abnormal expression of many imprinted genes involved in fetal growth and placental development suggest an epigenetic origin. DNA methylation of cytosine residues within epG dinuc1eotides are often associated with transcriptional repression and implicated in maintaining genomic stability and also implicated in the regulation of imprinted genes, which are exclusively expressed from only one parental allele. Using a bovine interspecies model with an exonic polymorphism, we analyzed the imprinting of the maternally expressed H 19 and insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor (IGF2R) genes, and the paternally expressed SNRPN gene, in day 17 pre-implantation bovine embryos and day 40 embryonic (brain,heart,liver,muscle) and extra-embryonic (placenta) tissues derived from artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (lVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SeNT). By sequencing cDNA, we found that maternaI expression of H19 and IGF2R genes was normally bi-allelic in pre-implantation day 17 embryos, while the paternal expression of the SNRPN gene was mono-allelic , except in IVF placenta and SeNT where expression was abnormally bi-allelic when compared to AI (p<0.05). At day 40, H19 gene expression was mono-allelic in AI and IVF. SNRPN gene expression was mono-allelic in IVF and AI embryonic tissues, while bi-allelic expression was observed in IVF placenta and aIl tissues from SeNT (p<0.05). Using bisulfite mutagenesis reaction, we found that methylation levels of
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AEROBIC EFFICIENCY OF THE ATHLETES AND BLOOD LIPID PEROXIDATION

Inhaled O2 is necessary for respiratory chain functioning and ATP synthesis. Although most of the O2 utilized by the mitochondria is converted to harmless H2O, 2 to 5% of it forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) under physiological conditions. Intense physical activity leads to increase of O2 consumption about 10 to 20 times from the consumption at rest. Therefore, the intensification of oxidative phosphorylation in response to physical activity will be accompanied by increased production of ROS. As highly reactive the ROS are able to damage all biological molecules and lipids are the most vulnerable to their action. The oxidative modification of the molecules could lead to alterations in the function of cell structures and consequently to cell dead. However ROS could trigger different cell signaling pathways and play a beneficial role in adaptation to physical exercises. It is supposed that regular training leads to a gradual increase in the level of adaptation by repeated activation of antioxidant genes expression and antioxidant enzyme activity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish the possible relationship between athletes' working capacity and blood oxidative status. Twelve wrestlers (9 males and 3 females) took part in this study. They conducted a single treadmill test according to a following protocol: the duration of step was 1 min 30 sec, the initial speed was 6 km/h, and the acceleration of each step of treadmill was 1.2 km/h with a constant slope 2.5%. The maximum oxygen (VO2max) uptake was determined and the LPO after the exercise was measured spectrophotometrically in erythrocyte suspension and plasma. The results showed good aerobic efficiency of the tested athletes with maximum oxygen consumption between 45.8 to 58.9 ml/min /kg. Only two of the tested male wrestlers had maximum oxygen consumption less than 50 ml/min/kg. The three tested women also showed good aerobic efficiency with VO2max of 46.8, 47.7 and 45.8 ml/min/kg. It was found that the alteration of LPO level after a single treadmill test conduction depended on the training level of the respondents. In athletes with better training level, a lower LPO level was observed in both erythrocyte suspension and plasma. In men with maximum oxygen consumption over 50 ml/min/kg the LPO in erythrocytes was 3.78 ± 0.58 μmol/gHb and in plasma was 19.06 ± 3.11 μmol/L in comparison to men with maximum oxygen consumption less than 50 ml/min/kg where the LPO in erythrocytes was 5.17 ± 0.07 μmol/gHb and in plasma 25.60 ± 0.11 μmol/L. It could be concluded that the occurrence of LPO in athletes depends on their training level. Therefore the extent of changes in the oxidative status and in particular in blood LPO level can serve as an indicator of adaptation processes occurring in the body of the athlete as a result of the training process.
BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The effect of concentrate supplementation on milk production during an extended lactation in grazing dairy cows

Extended lactation systems where cows are milked for longer than 300 days, provide an opportunity for farmers to use the lactation potential of genetically superior cows, reduce calving and mating costs, even-out labour requirements, and/or build herd size by retaining non-pregnant cows. However, depending upon cow genetic strain and nutrition, milk production can be reduced in an extended lactation system relative to a ‘normal’ lactation of 260 to 300 days (Kolver et al., 2007; Grainger et al., 2009). Winter-feeding levels are potentially important in contributing to the success of extended lactations in a pasture-based system. Cows fed pasture-based diets have a second lactational peak during the second spring of extended lactation, coinciding with an increase in the availability and quality of pasture (Kolver et al., 2007; Grainger et al., 2009). Increased nutrition stimulates secretory activity and proliferation of mammary epithelial cells during early lactation (Norgaard et al., 2005), and strategic use of supplementation during winter pasture deficits may improve milk production responses to extended lactations through a similar mechanism. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of concentrate supplementation during winter on milk production during an extended lactation in grazing dairy cows.
Vulnerability of marine reptiles in the Great Barrier Reefto climate change

Marine reptiles are an important and well-documented component of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), comprising a single species of crocodile (Crocodylidae), six species of marine turtles (five Chelonidae and one Dermochelyidae), at least 16 species of sea snakes (Hydrophiidae), one species of file snake (Acrochordidae) and one species of mangrove snake (Colubridae). In this chapter we provide an overview of the status of the marine reptile species for which there are data, and then assess the vulnerability of these groups to aspects of climate change based on existing ecological and biological data from the three major groups (crocodiles, marine turtles and sea snakes).
Organ Metabolism and Cryoprotectant Synthesis during Freezing in Spring Peepers Pseudacris crucifer

The effects of freezing on organ metabolism were monitored over a 36-h time period at -4 C in spring-collected specimens of a freeze-tolerant frog, Pseudacris crucifer. Within 2 min after nucleation, glycogenolysis in liver was activated as indicated by elevated levels of hexose phosphates; and levels of the cryoprotectant, glucose, rose quickly thereafter. Freezing stimulated a 3.3-fold increase in liver glycogen phosphorylase a activity, and a rapid phase of liver glucose production was maintained for at least the first hour of freezing (21 imol ? g wet mass-' h-1), followed by a steady rate of glucose increase of about 3 pmol ? gwm-1 h-1. Final liver glucose levels reached 141 pmol gwm-1 after 36 h. Changes in the concentrations of hexose phosphates and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in liver indicated that glucose production was promoted by an inhibitory block on glycolysis at the phosphofructokinase reaction. Other organs accumulated the glucose exported by liver and cryoprotectant asccumulation by heart paralleled the rise in liver glucose levels. Liver energetics were not disrupted during early freezing but with prolonged freezing (4-36 h), ATP content fell, ADP and AMP increased, and energy charge, [ATP + ADP/2]/[ATP + ADP + AMP], was reduced from 0.90 in controls to 0.57 after 36 h freezing. Liver metabolism during freezing was supported by fermentative reactions with anaerobic glycolysis leading to lactate and alanine accllmnlation; concomitantly, levels of fermentable-free amino acids (aspartate and glutamate) decreased. Changes in free amino acid patterns in skeletal muscle and heart also indicated a reliance on amino acid fermentation during freezing, but additional increases in the levels of several other amino acids suggested that freezing might also elevate proteolysis. The results show a role for amino acids in anuran freezing survival and demonstrate that the biochemical mechanisms involved in con-
Advances in chronohaematology

Summary The circadian rhythms of the haemato-immune system seem to be synchronized by two clocks: the hypothalamic endogenous, and the exogenous which is based on environmental stimuli. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is not only a circadian clock, it also synchronizes peripheral oscillators and integrates light information through the retino-hypothalamic tract. The role of the “peripheral” clock genes in mature leucocytes still remains an unanswered question as well as the role of clock proteins in “non-clock” physiology. The circadian rhythms may be a basis for circannual variations, although the molecular bases of such rhythms remain a mystery. There are several hormones which have a significant impact on haematological characteristics; the finding of a lower superoxide release from granulocytes at higher melatonin levels opens up new research opportunities for melatonin therapy. Discrepancies between circadian changes in mRNAs and the appropriate protein participating in haemocoagulation and fibrinolysis may indicate that we do not know their control processes or their genetic background well, although this problem has now opened up a new area for pharmacological research. The endogenous clock facilitates an alternation in the immune system which counters external attacks in daytime and induces repair and development by night.
Acoustical Characteristics of Noise Produced by Snapping Shrimp

Some marine animals produce sounds which, under certain conditions, completely dominate the ambient noise in the sea. The snapping shrimp (not to be confused with the edible shrimp) are the most widely distributed of these animals; they are frequently less than 3 cm in length and produces the sound by snapping of the claw. Shrimp noise is likely to be found around the world in tropical and subtropical waters less than 55 meters deep wherever rock, coral, or other material on the bottom provides interstices in which shrimp thrive. This paper describing the acoustic output of the snapping shrimp (Crangon and Synalpheus) is based upon measurements made off the Southwestern and Southeastern coasts of the United States, the Hawaiian Islands, and several islands in the Southwest Pacific. Over a shrimp bed, the noise spectrum is found to be roughly independent of frequency from 2 to 24 kc (the upper limit of measurement), whereas the ambient noise normally present in the deep sea decreases with frequency. There .
Experiments on the relation between sex hormones and the growth of tapeworms (Hymenolepis diminuta) in rats.

The fact that a diet deficient in the vitamin G complex causes a stunting in the growth of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in female rats but not in male rats, reported by Chandler (1943), suggests some intricate involvement of the sex hormones with the availability or utilization of vitamins of the G complex. The inability of these tapeworms to grow in a normal manner in female rats lacking some factor or factors associated with the G complex was confirmed by Addis and Chandler (1944) and it was further shown by these writers (1946) that the nutritional factor needed by the tapeworms when growing in female rats was not any of the known components of the G complex, but was apparently present in a hydrolyzed yeast extract prepared in this laboratory. It was also shown that oral administration of liver extract reduced the stunting effect of a G-deficient diet by about one-half, indicating either that the necessary factor or factors was present in less than adequate amount, or that more than one factor was involved, not all of which existed in the liver extract. Addis and Chandler (1944) also demonstrated that a lack of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) was responsible for a marked reduction in the percentage of worms that succeed in establishing themselves in female rats, which Chandler (1943) had noted when all vitamins were withheld. To obtain further information on the relationship of the sex hormones to normal growth of tapeworms a series of experiments was performed on tapeworm growth in normal and castrated male and female rats, on complete and deficient diets, with and without administration of sex hormones, and also in pregnant rats and in immature males and females, with and without administration of sex hormones. The adult rats used were, as in previous experiments, young animals 3 to 4 months old at the beginning of the experiments. Animals that were castrated or spayed were allowed a period of about four weeks for complete recovery from the operation before being placed on their experimental diets prior to infection. Infection was accomplished by oral administration of 10 artificially reared cysticercoids per rat as described in an earlier paper (Addis and Chandler, 1944). The complete diet and vitamin-deficient diet were the same as described in that paper. Autopsies were performed 14 days after infection. The results of all the experiments are shown in Table 1.
Widespread detection of circular replication initiator protein (rep)-encoding ssDNA viral genomes in estuarine, coastal and open ocean net plankton

Circular replication initiator protein (rep)-encoding ssDNA (CRESS-DNA) viruses have been widely reported in viral metagenomic surveys and in association with invertebrate zooplankton in freshwater and marine habitats. However, there have been no systematic or quantitative studies of their distribution in marine waters. We investigated the distribution of CRESS-DNA viruses in net plankton (>64 μm) collected from geographically widespread locations, using quantitative PCR that targets viral genotypes previously recovered from soil, freshwater and estuarine free-living viruses, and viruses associated with arthropod tissues. We detected CRESS-DNA viruses in most net plankton samples except for a sample containing only the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium. Soil and freshwater plankton CRESS-DNA viruses were detected only at sites with substantial freshwater and runoff effects, while 2 CRESS-DNA viruses recovered from plankton of the Chesapeake Bay were detected in most net plankton tested. CRESS-DNA viruses recovered from marine copepods, the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia and the freshwater amphipod Diporeia were primarily detected in habitats where similar hosts were observed in zooplankton counts. Our data suggest that CRESS-DNA viruses previously recovered from invertebrate tissues and from virioplankton may be widely distributed in plankton >64 μm, providing evidence for a zooplankton origin of this viral group.
Control hormonal y molecular del desarrollo de la glándula prostática Hormonal and molecular control of prostate gland growth

Prostatic growth control and prostatic physiology are based on complex interactions among steroid hormones; specifically they are the metabolic pathways of their biosynthesis and degradation those that take part in the gland growth. Peptide hormones are also involved and growth factors and interactions between epithelium and stroma. Prostatic development is characterized by a stage of fetal induction, of ductule branching. of postnatal cell differentiation and another stage of growth during puberty. The latter, is a consequence of testicular production of testosterone (T). Conversion of T into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), catalyzed by 5-α reductase enzyme, is important for the embryonic origin of the gland. This androgenic dependence is also demonstrated in adults, on whom deprivation of this hormone leads to a drastic prostatic regression.
Effects of Storage Type and Inclusion of Sodium Propionate on Microbial Profile of Feed Ingredients Commonly Used in Pig Diets

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of storage type and inclusion of antifungal agent (sodium propionate) on microbial profile of feed ingredients commonly used in pig diets. Total of six feed ingredients (corn, wheat, soybean meal (SBM), corn DDGS, fish meal and poultry by-products) were stored in granary or feed bin with or without antifungal agent (0.30% sodium propionate) for 8 weeks period and microbial profile were investigated at the beginning of the experiment (week 0) and at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of storage. At the beginning of the experiment, microbial profile of all feed ingredients were not different (p>0.05) among ingredients stored in granary or feed bin with or without sodium propionate. Irrespective of storage type and addition of sodium propionate, salmonella was not detected in any of all feed ingredient during 8 weeks of storage period. Inclusion of sodium propionate reduced (p 0.05) on populations of staphylococci, clostridia, coliforms, total bacterial count, yeast and mold counts during any storage period. The results obtained in the present study indicated that microbial profile of feed ingredients was not affected by storage type (granary vs. feed bin), but the inclusion of sodium propionate improved the microbial profile of all feed ingredients commonly used in pig diets.