Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific transgenerational effects of early developmental conditions in a passerine

Most studies dealing with the trade-off between offspring number and quality have overlooked the long-term consequences for the progeny. High investment in offspring number usually results in an increased competition among nest mates. The deterioration of the early developmental conditions, due to this increased competition, can impair individual quality over the long term, and subsequently affect survival and lifetime fecundity. Moreover, the consequences of the allocation rule to offspring number vs. quality can extend across generations and give raise to grandparental effects. These transgenerational trade-offs have been explored rarely. In the present study, we manipulated the breeding effort of captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) by offering them enlarged or reduced broods. Offspring reared under these conditions were allowed to breed freely in an outdoor aviary, during their entire lifespan. Second-generation fledglings whose mother was raised in enlarged broods were in lower body condition than offspring whose mother was raised in reduced broods. However, second-generation fledglings were not affected by the brood size experienced by the father. These results show that the solution of parental dilemma, whether producing a small number of high quality offspring or a large number of poor quality descendants, must take into account the long-term transgenerational effects acting on grandchildren. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 91, 469–474.
α1-Adrenergic Receptors: New Insights and Directions

The adrenergic receptors play a key role in the modulation of sympathetic nervous system activity as well as a site of action for many therapeutic agents. The α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes (α1A-, α1B-, α1D) are the prime mediators of smooth muscle contraction and hypertrophic growth, but their characterization in both binding and function have lagged the other adrenergic family members. Although they are derived from a related ancestral gene and all nine adrenergic receptor family members bind the endogenous ligands, epinephrine and norepinephrine, with roughly similar affinities, there are major differences in the mode of binding, second messenger utilization, and physiological effects of the α1-subtypes compared with β- or α2-subtypes. Here, we review the recent literature on aspects of its binding pocket and how it differs from the β-adrenergic receptor paradigms. We also review the signaling components and aspects of its function and provide new insights into its roles in smooth muscle, growth, neurological, and cardiovascular function.
VIRGIN ISLANDS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COOPERA TIVE

Over the past two decades, there has been a serious decline in the seagrass beds in Francis and Maho Bays, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. These beds provide habi tat and :food for one of the largest populations of the endangered species of sea turtles, Chelonia mydas L. , the green sea turtle, in U.S. jurisdiction. The population size was estimated at 50 subadult turtles. These turtles exert heavy grazing pr~ssure on the leaves of their preferred food, the seagra''';s Thalassia, in the bays. In addi tion to grazing pressure, the seagrass beds are seriously disturbed by the increasing number of boats that anchor in the seagrass, damaGing roots and rhizomes. Up to 10% of the seagrass beds in the bays is presently damaged by anchors. The effects of the grazing and anchor damage were evident in the extremely low productivity of the fragile, achlorotic, short and narrow Thalassia leaves. A carrying capaoi ty for the turtle population was calculated based on this productivity and the feeding requirements of the turtles, estimated by observing turtles directly and remotely using radiotelemetry. The carrying capaci ty was estimated at 11-31 subadult turtles, indicating that the population may be in danger of decline. The grazing behavior of the turtles differed from the patterns reported previously in that the turtles fed throughout the day without taking characteristic midday breaks in feeding. This difference may be in response to the poor quali ty and quanti ty of food provided by the seagr3.sses in the bays. Although anchor scars in the bay recovered little during the course of the st'ldy, some recovery of Thalassia occurred inside fences that excluded anchor damage and turtles. After 3 months, Thalassia blades inside the fences were significantly longer than outside and the productivity per shoot increased. In order to protect the turtle population from further habitat degradation, it will be necessary to reduce the damage done by boats in anchor ing the seagrass beds in the bays.
125th Anniversary Review: Developments in brewing and distilling yeast strains

Progress during the past 25 years regarding our knowledge of brewer's yeast strains is considered. This is not a comprehensive review but rather focuses on some specific areas. These areas include a brief description of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics as applied to brewer's yeast strains. This review subsequently considers differences between ale and lager yeast strains, the uptake and metabolism of wort sugars and amino acids, yeast flocculation, yeast management between fermentations and yeast strain genetic stability. The question of process intensification, with particular attention to high-gravity brewing, is also addressed. Fermentation systems and processes are considered with an emphasis on novel procedures for stirred fermentations. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Effect of Continuous Imidazolinone Herbicide Use on Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Populations in Peanut1

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted from 1994 through 1996 to evaluate the effects of imazapic applied postemergence (POST) at 0.05 and 0.07 kg ai/ha, imazethapyr applied preplant incorporated (PPI) or POST at 0.07 kg ai/ha, and metolachlor applied PPI at 1.7 kg ai/ha on yellow nutsedge control, nutsedge tuber density, and peanut yield. All herbicides controlled yellow nutsedge at least 75% after 3 yr. Imazapic at 0.05 and 0.07 kg/ha controlled yellow nutsedge more consistently than did imazethapyr or metolachlor. Imazethapyr applied POST controlled yellow nutsedge more effectively than did imazethapyr applied PPI. Yellow nutsedge tuber densities in herbicide-treated plots were 51 to 75% less than in untreated control plots. Plots treated with imazapic, imazethapyr applied POST, and metolachlor resulted in higher peanut yields than did untreated control plots. Nomenclature: Imazapic; imazethapyr; metolachlor; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. #3 CYPES; peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. ‘GK-7’. Additional index words: ALS inhibitors, efficacy, tuber density. Abbreviations: EPOST, early postemergence; POST, postemergence; PPI, preplant incorporated; PRE, preemergence.
The Aggregation and Fibrillation of α-Synuclein

α-Synuclein is a small (14 kDa), abundant, intrinsically disordered presynaptic protein, whose aggregation is believed to be a critical step in Parkinson's disease (PD). The kinetics of α-synuclein fibrillation are consistent with a nucleation-dependent mechanism, in which the critical early stage of the structural transformation involves a partially folded intermediate. Although the basis for the toxic effects of aggregated α-synuclein are unknown, it has been proposed that transient oligomers are responsible, possibly by forming pores in membranes. In this Account, I discuss our investigations into the molecular basis for α-synuclein aggregation/fibrillation, including factors that either accelerate or inhibit fibrillation, effects of molecular crowding, oxidation, point mutations, and lipid membranes, as well as the variety of conformational and oligomeric states that α-synuclein can adopt. It is apparent that neuronal cells must have a very fine balance of factors that control the levels and potential.
Emergence of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) from seed in Mediterranean-climate forest in response to overstorey, site, seedbed and seed harvesting

The effects of overstorey, type of site, seedbed, seeding date and seed harvesting by vertebrates and invertebrates on the emergence of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) seedlings were studied experimentally in the northern jarrah forest of Western Australia. Seed harvesting by small vertebrates substantially reduced emergence, whereas invertebrates only slightly reduced emergence. Ninety per cent of seed was removed within 1 day when it was on the soil surface and in the open, whereas seed removal was insignificant when the seed was covered by soil. Vertebrates harvested seed more effectively when the understorey and litter were removed and the seed was more visible on the soil surface. Seed harvesting by small vertebrates had less impact on a site where there had been bauxite mining, possibly because the surrounding area was being revegetated with large numbers of seed and the area afforded poor cover for vertebrates. Emergence was less where the overstorey was removed compared to where it was retained, and on the rehabilitated bauxite mined site compared to the forest sites. There was no difference in emergence between the low and high quality forest sites and so the emergence phase could not fully explain the variation in abundance off. marginata seedlings on different quality sites. Post emergence events are likely to be important in explaining this difference between low and high quality sites.
Parasite glycoconjugates. Part 5. Blockwise approach to oligo(glycosyl phosphates): chemical synthesis of a terminal tris(glycobiosyl phosphate) fragment of Leishmania donovani antigenic lipophosphoglycan

The model tetramannosyl triphosphate 7 and the hexaglycosyl triphosphate 8, which is a terminal fragment of the phosphoglycan portion of Leishmania donovani lipophosphoglycan, have been synthesized. Elongation of the chain was performed using the glycosyl hydrogenphosphonate method to couple together two phosphodiester blocks.
The potential of Miscanthus to sequester carbon in soils: comparing field measurements in Carlow, Ireland to model predictions

Growing bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus has the potential to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions by the replacement of fossil fuels and by storing carbon (C) in the soil due to land use change. Here we compare direct measurements of soil organic C fractions made in Carlow (Ireland) to model predictions made by RothC and a cohort model. Our results show that when Miscanthus is grown on land previously under arable agriculture, the soil organic C will increase to a level above that of native pasture, as Miscanthus organic material is shown to have a slow decomposition rate. In addition we demonstrate that for measured organic C, fractions of different lability are similar to the C pools used in RothC. Using the model predictions from RothC and Miscanthus yields from MISCANFOR, we predict that in Ireland, changing the land use from arable to Miscanthus plantations has the potential to store between 2 and 3 Mg C ha−1 y−1 depending on the crop yield and the initial soil organic C level.
Inhibitory Effects of Goishi Tea against Influenza Virus Infection

We investigated the possible anti–influenza virus function of Goishi tea, which is a Japanese traditional microbial fermented tea, in in vitro and in vivo tests. We found that Goishi tea hot water extract (GTE) inhibited hemagglutination caused by influenza A/ Puerto Rico/ 8/ 34 (PR8, H1N1) and influenza A/ Guizhou/ 54/ 89 (Guizhou, H3N2) viruses, viral growth in Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells caused by PR8, and viral infection of mice caused by nasal inoculation of PR8. Furthermore, we investigated the functional fractions of GTE and found that a high-molecular-weight fraction of GTE inhibited viral adsorption to MDCK cells and that low-molecular-weight fractions inhibited subsequent stages of infection, such as viral invasion, genomic multiplication, and release, after adsorption. These results indicate that GTE exerts an inhibitory property against influenza virus infection by inhibiting various stages of infection.
A snapshot of cannibalism in 0‐group Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in a marine pond

Summary Cannibalism in 0-group Atlantic cod (Codas morhua) was investigated in a semi-natural marine pond using stomach content analysis . About 6000 individuals were eradicated by rotenone treatment of the pond in November 1991 . Total lengths of cod ranged from 7 . 4-28.8 cm with a median of 14 . 4 cm. The proportion of cannibalistic cod in the population was estimated at 1.3%. Cannibalism accounted for a daily loss of 1 . 1 % of the population . The frequency of cod with >,2 cod prey per stomach was higher in the population compared with a Poisson model. Predator-prey length ratios ranged between 1 . 6 and 3 . 2 when estimated from otolith-length relationships . Chesson's 1983 a-index indicated that cannibalistic cod had a positive selectivity for conspecifics < 9 . 0 cm in total length .
Factors predictive of response to interferon‐α therapy in hepatitis C virus type 1b infection

Interferon‐α (IFN‐α) has been used to treat hepatitis C Virus (HCV)‐induced infection but has been effective in only about half of all patients. It is suggested that the different responses to IFN‐α treatment in HCV infection may be influenced by HCV genotypes, HCV RNA titer at the beginning of IFN‐α therapy, and the sequences of the interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR). However, there have also been reports showing that these have no relation to an IFN‐α effect. In a previous study, it was found that the nucleotide sequence variation in the hypervariable region (HVR) 1 of the HCV could predict the effect of IFN‐α. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to determine the predictive factors of IFN‐α therapy. Twenty‐six patients with HCV infection were treated with IFN‐α. Among these, 13 patients recovered after 3 to 6 months of IFN‐α treatment, although the other 13 patients showed no response after 6 months of treatment with IFN‐α. In order to determine the predictive factors of IFN‐α therapy, the ALT levels, HCV genotypes, HCV serum titer, and the quasispecies of HVR 1 were compared between responders and non‐responders. It is suggested that the variation in the HVR 1 and HCV serum titer can be used to predict the effect of IFN‐α. J. Med. Virol. 66:481–187, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Competitive Effects of Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum halepense and Cyperus rotundus on Cotton and Mustard

SUMMARY In a short-term competition experiment in large containers, growth of cotton planted 3 weeks after bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) or purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), was severely reduced; after 10 weeks of competition, weedy cotton weighed only 15 per cent of the weed-free control. Cotton sown before weeds, or weeds planted before cotton, were only slightly affected by competition. Highly significant negative correlations were found between growth parameters of cotton and weeds. Inhibiting effects, and in some cases transitory stimulation, were produced on mustard seedlings by leachate from weed-infested soil and by extracts from subterranean weed parts, suggesting that the competitive effects of perennial weeds are due to nutrient depletion and to biologically active substances.
Antifungal isolates database of amphibian skin-associated bacteria and function against emerging fungal pathogens

Microbial symbionts of vertebrate skin have an important function in defense of the host against pathogens. In particular, the emerging chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, causes widespread disease in amphibians but can be inhibited via secondary metabolites produced by many different skin-associated bacteria. Similarly, the fungal pathogens of terrestrial salamander eggs Mariannaea elegans and Rhizomucor variabilis are also inhibited by a variety of skin-associated bacteria. Indeed, probiotic therapy against fungal diseases is a recent approach in conservation medicine with growing experimental support. We present a comprehensive Antifungal Isolates Database of amphibian skin-associated bacteria that have been cultured, isolated, and tested for antifungal properties. At the start, this database includes nearly 2000 cultured bacterial isolates from 37 amphibian host species across 18 studies on five continents: Africa, Oceania, Europe, and North and South America. As the research community gathers information on additional isolates, the database will be updated periodically. The resulting database can serve as a conservation tool for amphibians and other organisms, and provides empirical data for comparative and bioinformatic studies. The database consists of a FASTA file containing 16S rRNA gene sequences of the bacterial isolates, and a metadata file containing information on the host species, life-stage, geographic region, and antifungal capacity and taxonomic identity of the isolate.
Power line noise suppression using N-path notch filter for EEG

Power line noise is one of critical problems in biosensing. Various approaches utilizing both analog and digital techniques has been proposed. However, these approaches need active circuits with wide dynamic range. This paper proposes the use of N-path notch filter as a power line noise filter. However, the notch depth in a conventional N-path notch filter is limited by the number of path. A new N-path notch filter with additional sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit is proposed. Simulation results using 0.18um CMOS process parameter show a more than a 40-dB suppression is achieved using the proposed circuit. Negative resistance is applied to reduce the total capacitance by approximately 90%.
Accumulation of local pathogens: a new hypothesis to explain exotic plant invasions

Recent studies have concluded that release from native soil pathogens may explain invasion of exotic plant species. However, release from soil enemies does not explain all plant invasions. The invasion of Ammophila arenaria (marram grass or European beach grass) in California provides an illustrative example for which the enemy release hypothesis has been refuted. To explore the possible role of plant–soil community interactions in this invasion, we developed a mathematical model. First, we analyzed the role of plant–soil community interactions in the succession of A. arenaria in its native range (north-western Europe). Then, we used our model to explore for California how alternative plant–soil community interactions may generate the same effect as if A. arenaria were released from soil enemies. This analysis was carried out by construction of a 'recovery plane' that discriminates between plant competition and plant–soil community interactions. Our model shows that in California, the accumulation of local pathogens by A. arenaria could result in exclusion of native plant species. Moreover, this mechanism could trigger the rate and spatial pattern of invasive spread generally observed in nature. We propose that our 'accumulation of local pathogens' hypothesis could serve as an alternative explanation for the enemy release hypothesis to be considered in further experimental studies on invasive plant species.
Diets of Larval Flatwoods Salamanders, Ambystoma cingulatum, from Florida and South Carolina

Abstract The Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) was listed as a federally threatened species because loss and alteration of adult and larval habitats caused population declines. Current management plans for this species must include maintenance of appropriate larval habitat. However, much of the natural history of this species is poorly known. Our objective was to evaluate the diet of A. cingulatum larvae. We examined stomach contents of 122 larvae collected from Florida and South Carolina. We identified and measured invertebrate prey and estimated biomass using length-mass relationships. Crustaceans, mostly isopods (Caecidotea), amphipods (Crangonyx), cyclopoid copepods, and cladocerans (primarily Simocephalus and other daphnids) were the most abundant prey. Isopods and amphipods also dominated stomach content biomass because of their relatively large size. Stomachs of small A. cingulatum larvae had significantly higher numbers and proportions of cladocerans and smaller numbers and proportions of isopods compared to larger larvae (P < 0.05). Smaller larvae also had significantly lower amounts and proportions of isopod biomass in their guts compared to large larvae (P < 0.05). We found Hedruris siredonis, a parasitic nematode, in ∼11% of stomachs examined; this is a new host record for this parasite. Our results indicate that larvae feed primarily on freshwater crustaceans, particularly isopods, copepods, cladocerans, and amphipods. Management activities that adversely impact freshwater crustacean communities in breeding habitats, such as pesticide use or introductions of predatory fish, could adversely impact remaining populations of this salamander.
Activation and Modification of Slpr-Mediated JNK Signaling

Human diseases such as spina bifida are caused by a failure in cell morphogenesis and tissue fusion. Dorsal closure in the Drosophila embryo is a model for these tissue closure processes where proper Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling is necessary. JNK activity is required in the leading edge cells of the epithelial layer to modulate the cytoskeleton and cell shape, allowing the epidermis to close on the dorsal side of the embryo. The mixed lineage kinase (MLK), Slipper (Slpr), is the JNKKK which is responsible for activation of the pathway during dorsal closure. The pathway components that regulate Slpr, as well as upstream activation signals, are not yet identified. We have examined the involvement of the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen (Msn) to act as the JNKKKK in the JNK pathway during dorsal closure through a direct interaction between Msn and Slpr. By observing phenotypes of recombinant and heterozygous mutants of slpr and msn, we have examined the genetic interactions. Also, by using a non-biased screen, we have investigated unknown regulators of the Slpr-mediated JNK pathway which have an effect on dorsal closure. These techniques have begun to identify regulatory interactions of molecules within the JNK pathway, and have narrowed down regions of chromosome two which may contain new modifiers further regulating JNK signaling, in order to provide a robust and highly regulated tissue closure event.
Sentiment Analysis and Education

This paper describes the detailed approach on how to classify and analyze the polarity or opinion (e.g. positive, negative, or neutral) of a given document, text-span or sentence. The experiments with various methods showed that the best performance can be achieved with the combination of both baseline and feature-based model. In addition, we have shown the potential application of this work in diverse fields.
Insecticide resistance in the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): influence of crop rotation and insecticide use.

Crop rotation is an important and effective management tactic for the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Colorado potato beetles in rotated potato, Solanum tuberosum L. , fields tend to have lower frequencies of pesticide resistance than in nonrotated fields. One explanation that has been suggested for this phenomenon is that resistant beetles disperse less readily than susceptible beetles, and that crop rotation thereby selects for susceptibility. However, a comparison of resistance frequencies and farm practices indicates that insecticide treatment histories have a greater influence on resistance than crop rotation. Crop rotation may indirectly reduce selection for resistance by reducing the number of insecticide treatments. No evidence that crop rotation selects against resistant beetles was found.