Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NONLINEAR PROCESSES OF INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM SIGNALING AS A TARGET FOR THE INFLUENCE OF EXTREMELY LOW-FREQUENCY FIELDS

Theoretical analysis of peculiarities of reception of weak extremely low-frequency periodic signals by calcium-dependent intracellular regulatory systems was performed on the reduced “minimal” model for calcium oscillations suggested by Goldbeter et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 1461–1465, 1990). The model considered the following calcium-dependent processes: the rise in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) due to calcium ionophore A23187 action on a cell, activation of the Ca2+ entry through calcium channels in the plasma membrane by the initial rise in [Ca2+]i, and the Ca2+ release from intracellular stores by the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism. Calcium channels of plasma membrane were chosen as a target for the modulating signal and an additive noise influence in the model. An increase in [Ca2+]i under the influence of the modulating signal was demonstrated to depend not only on the amplitude and frequency of this signal, but also on the phase of the signal with respect to a momentary chemical stimulation of the cell. Such an effect was found only at high strengths of chemical stimulation and with a particular sequence of delivery of the chemical and electromagnetic stimuli. An increase in noise intensity led to magnification of the mean level of [Ca2+]i in a narrow frequency range by the mechanism of stochastic resonance. Under the influence of a modulating periodic signal, the gradual increase in strength of chemical stimulation induced a system transition from regular to chaotic behavior, and then to induced periodic oscillations. A boundary of the transition from chaotic to periodic oscillations corresponded to a “threshold” of sensitivity of calcium-dependent intracellular signaling systems on [Ca2+]i to the influence of the modulating signal. Results of the theoretical analysis led us to conclude that the narrow-band response of a system to an external electromagnetic signal is determined purely by nonlinear properties of the system.
Biological and environmental characteristics of three cosmopolitan mosses dominant in continental Antarctica

Bryum argenteum, B. pseudotriquetrum and Ceratodon purpureus are the predominant mosses in Victoria Land, continental Antarctica. All have cosmopolitan distributions and are widespread throughout Antarctica with wide ecological amplitudes resulting in considerable morphological variation. They are well adapted to tolerate the physiological stresses imposed by the severe environment. This study investigates aspects of their growth, physiology and survival in response to habitat constraints, especially hydrology. Their distribution is controlled almost exclusively by moisture availability. Each species tends to predominate in a specific zone along hydrological gradients, with B. pseudotriquetrum on moist soil, C. purpureus on drier soil, and B. argenteum on unstable stream margins, fluvial deposits and the marginal capillary zone. Where conditions are optimal, each species can form a turf 6–10 cm thick. Nutrient status of the soil does not appear to be an important determinant in the distribution pattern within communities. The thermal regime of the moss turf varies according to its moisture content; for a period of ca. six weeks during the summer, with the frequent long spells of 24-h sunshine, temperatures remain above 0 °C for much of the time even though air temperatures are frequently below the freezing point. This allows growth and metabolic activity to proceed continuously at a relatively rapid rate for quite long periods. Annual shoot incremental growth can exceed 3.5 mm in each species. Growth of B. argenteum may be inhibited by UV- B radiation. The optimal temperature for photosynthesis in each species is around 15 °C, but significant carbon fixation occurs at 5 °C. Photosynthetic rates at 5, 10 and 20 °C were B. argenteum > B. pseudotriquetrum > C. purpureus.
Zur Genesis des myozytären Bewegungsapparates

Living beings not only have measurable, but also unmeasurable (psychologic) dimensions. The latter are illustrated by the directing of the myocytic locomotor apparatus. All parts of the morphologic and physiologic reflex arch obey determined psychic influences about which can be drawn conclusions upon behavior. The analysis of these influences reveals the reflex arch to be a response angel, the perception or sentiment side and the expression or feeling side of which are governed by the vertex as the switching or decision center. The origin of the two sentiments (delight and dislike) and the two feelings (hate and love) is derived biologically.
Isotropic growth of spores and salt tolerance in Aspergillus nidulans

We report an investigation into the relationship between Aspergillus nidulans mutations sltA1 and agaA50 conferring salt sensitivity and arginase deficiency, respectively, and the ability of spores to swell and commence germination. Spores from both mutant strains exhibited uncontrolled swelling at pH 5.5 in the presence of arginine as the nitrogen source. The controlled swelling of spores from a salt tolerant strain under these conditions was disrupted by the Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor amiloride. Swelling in the presence of amiloride was associated with an elevation in the concentration of arginine within the spores of each strain tested. The possible consequences of alterations in the arginine economy of the spore for colony establishment in osmotically challenged habitats are discussed.
Effect of dietary coriander oil and vegetable oil sources on fillet fatty acid composition of rainbow trout

Randall, K. M. , Reaney, M. J. T. and Drew, M. D. 2013. Effect of dietary coriander oil and vegetable oil sources on fillet fatty acid composition of rainbow trout. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 345–352. A 16-wk feeding trial was conducted to examine the effect of adding coriander oil to vegetable oil (VO) diets on the bioconversion of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) to arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) in rainbow trout. The experimental treatments were a 4×2 factorial arrangement of diets using four dietary oils (fish, flax, canola and camelina oils) and two levels of coriander oil (0 and 5 g kg−1 inclusion levels). Twenty-four tanks of triploid female rainbow trout (130 g initial weight; n=3) were used in the experiment. The experiment lasted 112 d during which fish were fed to satiation twice per day. The fatty acid composition of fillets from coriander-fed fish had increased concentrations of 20:5.
Characterization of serine proteinase inhibitors in dry seeds of cultivated pasture grass species

Abstract A survey of proteinaceous inhibitors of the serine proteinases, bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin, that are extractable from dry seeds of several cultivars of pasture grasses has been undertaken. Using crude extracts, most cultivars screened contained inhibitors of chymotrypsin, whereas trypsin inhibition was not detectable. Seeds from four cultivars, Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Ruanui, Lolium × boucheanum cv. Grasslands Greenstone, Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cultivars Grasslands Roa and Grasslands Garland, that contained more potent chymotrypsin inhibition were purified further. After gel filtration chromatography, both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibition could be observed in all four cultivars, and each separated into two discrete native molecular weights; one of ca. 20–22 kDa and one of ca. 8–10 kDa. However, activity staining, after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed an array of iso-inhibitors with molecular weights that ranged from ca. 3 kDa to 20 kDa. One of these, a dual trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor of ca. 12 kDa that is present in all four cultivars examined, was purified to homogeneity from F. arundinacea cv. Grasslands Garland using anhydro-trypsin affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. The protein was found to comprise two closely related peptides and N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed highest identity with a trypsin inhibitor identified in rye (Secale cereale) seeds.
The mitochondrial genome of the water spider Argyroneta aquatica (Araneae: Cybaeidae)

We sequenced nearly the entire mitochondrial genome of Argyroneta aquatica, a wholly underwater‐living spider, thereby enhancing the available genomic information for Arachnida. The confirmed sequences contained the complete set of known genes present in other metazoan mitochondrial genomes. However, the mitochondrial gene order of A. aquatica was distinctly different from that of the most distant Chelicerata Limulus polyphemus (Xiphosura), probably because of a series of gene translocations and/or inversions. Comparison of arachnid mitochondrial gene orders for the purpose of phylogenetic inference is only minimally useful, but provides a strong signal in closely related lineages. To test the basal relationships and the evolutionary pattern of tRNA gene rearrangements among Arachnida, phylogenetic analyses using amino acid sequences of the 13 protein‐coding genes were performed. An interesting feature, the five 135‐bp tandem repeats and two 363‐bp tandem repeats, was identified in the putative control region. Although control region tandem repeats have been reported in many other arachnid and metazoan species, this is the first time it has been described in spiders.
Patterns of nematode diversity at hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise

The diversity and abundance of meiofauna in quasi-quantitative samples collected from Bathymodiolus mussel beds in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent field on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) was studied with particular reference to nematodes. Copepods, polychaetes and nematodes were found to be the most abundant meiofaunal taxa at all sites processed so far. Species richness (S = 4 – 6), Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H’log e = 0.9 – 1.5) and Pielou’s eveness indices (J’ = 0.5 – 0.8) were similar at all sites. Six different species of nematode were identified, both sites exhibiting a dominance of Monhystrid species. Cluster analysis of Bray-Curtis similarities using group-average linkage on standardised data shows that samples from Train Station and East Wall separate out at around the 45% similarity level. This separation results from the different abundances of nematode species present at both sites and the exclusive presence of Thalassomonhystera sp. B at Train Station and Anticoma sp. A at East Wall. A pot sample from a mussel bed at “Oasis” at 17 deg 25’ S on the EPR exhibits approximately 30% similarity with the NEPR samples as a result of higher abundance and species richness of nematodes. To date, meiofauna have seldom been included in ecological studies at vents and it is therefore not clear to whether patterns of faunal zonation and biogeography similar to those known in megafauna are also present in this size class. Future work may reveal possible large-scale variation in nematode species richness.
Molecular phylogeny of the apocritan wasps: the Proctotrupomorpha and Evaniomorpha

Phylogenetic relationships among the apocritan wasps were investigated using comparative sequence data from the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The gene fragment contained three length polymorphic regions. Relationships that were not sensitive to the alignment procedure are discussed, but should be considered as preliminary only. Maximum parsimony analysis recovered the Evaniomorpha (sensu Rasnitsyn, 1988) as a monophyletic group, with the pattern of relationships Ceraphronoidea + (Evanioidea + [Megalyroidea + Trigonalyoidea]). The Proctotrupomorpha (sensu Rasnitsyn, 1988) were also recovered as a monophyletic group, while the Proctotrupoidea were recovered as paraphyletic. The Proctotrupoidea were only monophyletic if the Platygastroidea and Chalcidoidea were included (i.e. Proctotrupomorpha). Relationships of the Proctotrupomorpha that were supported by this analysis included Diapriidae + (Platygastroidea + Chalcidoidea), and the Vanhorniidae falling inside the Proctotrupidae. However, resolution of other relationships within the Proctotrupomorpha was less reliable, as indicated by low decay indices and low bootstrap proportions. Similarly, the placement of the Cynipoidea relative to the other apocritan lineages was also not recovered confidently.
The Ubiquity of Small Species: Patterns of Local and Global Diversity

Abstract Small organisms (less than 1 millimeter in length) tend to have a cosmopolitan distribution. This is a consequence of huge absolute population sizes rather than any inherent properties of particular taxonomic groups. At the local scale, the diversity of small species exceeds that of larger organisms, but at the global scale this relation is reversed, because endemism is largely responsible for the species richness of large organisms. For small organisms, the relationship between species and area is flat, and a latitudinal diversity gradient is absent or weak. These patterns are explained by some of the assumptions underlying the unified neutral community model.
Late Holocene opening of the forest tundra landscape in northern Québec, Canada

Aim Previous studies conducted at the tree line in northwestern Quebec suggested that the forest tundra was created over the last 3000 years by deforestation as a result of the combined action of forest fires and climatic cooling. Our objectives were to: (1) validate at a larger spatial scale the time frame of the last 3000 years; (2) verify if the opening process was more pronounced during particular time periods; and (3) confirm that fire was the triggering mechanism. Location Seventeen lakes from the forest tundra of northern Quebec. Methods Pollen records were analysed to determine the date of landscape opening, as interpreted by the time of decrease towards present-day values of the ratio of Picea pollen percentage to pollen percentage of the taxa typical of open forest tundra landscapes ( Betula , Ericaceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae). Results Landscape opening in northern Quebec started c . 3220 cal.  (calibrated years before present) and was more pronounced between c . 2040 and 890 cal.  . No spatial pattern was observed in the dates of landscape opening. Main conclusions The suggestion that landscape opening in the forest tundra occurred over the last 3000 years was validated at the scale of northern Quebec. A period of more pronounced opening was identified between 2040 and 890 cal.  and could be related to increased fire occurrence. Absence of a spatial pattern in the dates of landscape opening provides further confirmation that fire was the triggering
Abnormalities in Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Ovule Development

Abnormalities in avocado (Persea americana) ovules at blossoming are explained by demonstrating their possible origin at some stage of ovule development. Degeneration of the embryo sac at the micropylar site may occur at the four-nucleate stage or at egg-apparatus organization, prior to or after the filiform apparatus has formed. The time of occurrence of degeneration decisively determines the appearance of the degenerate remnants. The absence of an embryo sac and the presence of a double embryo sac originate at the earliest stages of the nucellar primordium; a third abnormality, compartmentalization, is assumed to originate at the megaspore tetrad stage.
Regulation of IGFBP-5 and Osteoblast Functions by Nuclear Factor I

Bone formation is a complex process that requires a wide array of molecules in order to properly occur. Mesenchymal stem cells, which can be differentiated into adipocytes, myoblasts, fibroblasts and chondrocytes, can also give raise to osteoblasts under the activation of osteoblastic factors. Previous in vitro studies have shown that the transcription factor family NFI, regulates the mRNA expression of IGFBP5, stimulator of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, in human osteoblasts. Moreover, the knockout Nfix model displays impaired endochondral ossification. We evaluated the role of the Nfi gene family in osteoblast differentiation using the MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast in vitro model for osteoblast differentiation. Nfix mRNA levels increased during MC3T3-E1 osteoblast differentiation induced by ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. Stable knockdown of Nfix in MC3T3-EI cells was accomplished using lentiviral shRNA vectors. Cells stably transduced with a validated shRNA vector targeting Nfix or a nontargeting shRNA vector grown in differentiation media were observed to have delayed mineralization compared to control cells. mRNA transcript levels of osteocalcin (Ocn), bone sialoprotein (Bsp) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2) were significantly decreased in Nfix deficient calvarial osteoblasts. Promoter-luciferase reporter assays also showed that transient transfection of MC3T3-E1 cells with a plasmid
Effect of two herbal polyphenol compounds on human amylin amyloid formation and destabilization

Human Islet amyloid polypeptide gathering in the β-cell of the pancreas has been implicated in the pathology of type 2 diabetes. Inhibition of the formation of amylin fibrils could be therapeutic aims for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, the fluorimetric assay was used to examine the role of two herbal polyphenol compounds including Rosmarinic acid and Curcumin on amyloid formation and destabilization of human amylin amyloid under near-physiological circumstances. The results showed that after 192 h incubation by shaker incubator at 37°C, Rosmarinic acid at 10 and 40 µM repressed amylin amyloid formation by 18.6 and 19.3% respectively (P<0.05), and the similar values of Curcumin inhibited the formation of β-sheet structure by 17.2 and 29.9%, respectively (P<0.05). The obtained data also confirmed that amyloidal sheet opening was induced by Rosmarinic acid and Curcumin significantly (P<0.05). It was concluded that islet amyloid cytotoxicity to β-cells may be reduced by these two herbal extracts and these compounds should be key molecules for the development of the therapeutics for diabetes mellitus. Key words: Amylin, diabetes, rosmarinic acid, curcumin, amyloid.
LIFE CYCLES IN ARTHROBACTER PASCENS AND ARTHROBACTER TERREGENS

Two soil organisms, Arthrobacter pascens and Arthrobacter terregens, the first producing a growth-promoting substance, the "terregens factor", and the second requiring it, pass through a complex morphological life cycle. Two kinds of aged cells are found of which, on transfer to fresh medium, one forms a cystite which 'germinates' and looses free cells from a ruptured tube, the other follows the usual course of 'normal' cell division. The similarity in form to that of the type species Arthrobacter globiforme is quite distinct.
Factors influencing a firm's decision-making on the introduction of new services: a case study of Airbus Industrie

The main objective of this paper is to explore the various factors that have had a major influence upon Airbus Industrie's decision making concerning the introduction of a direct dispatch support service. A project was conducted by the company to assess its feasibility. This dispatch support service is essential for the daily flight operations which was until recently left to big airlines and specialised computer companies. The data were acquired through extensive interviews with and company documents from the project team members and the director of customer support services of Airbus Industrie in France. Case studies analysis regarding the company and the project are presented. Among the strategic environmental and operational factors identified in this research, a firm's commitment to a long-term relationship with customers has been found to be the most important influential factor upon the firm's decision-making.
An iconometrographic representation of the growth of the central nervous system in man

HISTORICAL NOTE In connection with the general discussion of the purposes of iconometrography given in this paper, a few notes may be presented on the development of this powerful and flexible method. Iconometrography is not new. It may be said to have been used in a simple form by A. Durer (1528, 1557). It was certainly employed in one fugitive plate by Crisbstomo Martinez, probably before 1690. This plate was reproduced in 1692 and in 1780. A modern copy has been published by Frank ('20). Hueter (1865) made use of the method in a study on the growth of the thoracic skeleton. W. His (1880-1885) seems to have been the first investigator to make use of both linear and areal iconometrographs. The former illustrates the development of the digestive tract. The latter consists of determinations of the area of the upper and lower extremities. The method was employed by Langer (1884) to the study of the growth of the skull, by Holl (1898) to the growth of the facial skeleton, and with great success by Merkel (1882, '03) to the study of the growth of the skeleton. The method has been greatly extended in recent years by the development of volumetric or tridimensional iconometrographs, such as are used in this paper. The application of iconometrography to serial or ranked observations is a separate branch of the method that need not be discussed here. The term iconometrography (from E ~ x ~ z ) , a likeness, picture or, more particularly, a conventionalized image; phtQov, the measure; and yQd$Eiv, to draw) is used to replace the earlier term
Pfiesteria shumwayae (Pfiesteriaceae) in New Zealand

Abstract Pfiesteria shumwayae Steidinger et Burkholder is now known to be present in New Zealand and occurs in estuaries around the country. The presence of Pfiesteria was initially determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based detection assay, using oligonucleotide primers targeted at ribosomal DNA extracted from estuarine water and sediments. Presence was confirmed by isolation from fresh sediments in the presence offish (Oreochromis mossambicus), followed by identification by scanning electron microscopy. The New Zealand isolates of P. shumwayae were ichthyotoxic in bioassays, but there is no historic evidence offish kills in New Zealand associated with the dinoflagellate.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Lipid Profiles in Holstein Dairy Cattle with Displaced Abomasum: Before and After Surgical Operation

The study aimed to describe the pattern of changes in clinical findings and lipid metabolism profiles in dairy cattle with displacement of the abomasum (DA) from day 0 until day 30 after operation. The study was conducted on DA cattle (n= 25) belonged to dairy farms in Hokkaido area, Japan. Cows were examined and sampled at days 0 (operation), 7 and 30. They were clinically and biochemically examined to estimate BCS and many serum biochemical constituents such as lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and aspartate amino transferase (AST). Based on blood BHBA at day 0, DA cows were classified into three categories; DA only (<1.2 mmol/l), DA with subclinical ketosis (DA SCK) (1.2-2.4 mmol/l) and DA with clinical ketosis (DA CK) (≥2.5 mmol/l). The changes in the pattern of serum biochemical constituents throughout this study indicated recovery of diseased cows and significant effect of surgical operation. Serum biochemical constituents returned to their physiological values indicating that these cows were restoring their normal physiological status. This was reflected through a significant (P＜0.05) elevation of LCAT, apoB-100, and cholesterol and a significant (P＜0.05) reduction in AST, NEFAs and BHBA (Not in DA group), in all DA groups particularly at day 30 when their values compared with those at day 0. The current study also recorded no remarkable changes (P＞0.05) between the diseased groups except for NEFA and BHBA (at day 0 between DA group and the other two groups) at any of the three sampling days.