Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization and antioxidant potential of Andean Chlorophytes from Ecuador

Microalgae are an important bio resource for the change of the productive matrix within the energy, agricultural and food sectors. In Ecuador, there are several studies that use native microalgae for bioremediation, food production and as alternative fuels. However, it is not common to identify this macrophyte at the species level, as well as the determination of nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. Classical identification of microalgae is based on their morphology and, in general, requires experienced taxonomists to achieve specific typifications. Molecular methods allow us to perform species-level identifications based on the amplification of multiple loci, where the sequences obtained can be compared to available public databases. Amplified DNA fragments show the presence of endemic species of nutraceutical interest and, together with chemical extraction processes, can provide reliable information for use in the agricultural industry. Under this condition, the present research with endemic species of the genus Chlorella sp. , belonging to the Cayambe Coca Reserve with antioxidant potential and use for environmental remediation as functional feed for livestock farms.
Effects of Different Dietary Levels of Whey Lactose as a Prebiotic Disaccharide on the Productive Performances and Selected Indices of the Caecal Micro-Environment in Broiler Chickens

Abstract The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of three dietary levels of lactose (LAC) originating from conventional dried whey (DW) and the duration of these treatments (from 8 to 21 or to 42 days of age) on growth performance, basic post-slaughter traits and excreta quality of broiler chickens kept in cages. A secondary purpose was to investigate the effect of LAC level on some parameters of the caecal micro-environment and gross morphology in these birds. A total of 560 Ross 308 chickens (sex ratio 1:1) were assigned to 7 dietary combinations with 10 replicate cages of 8 birds per cage. The control group was fed basal diets consisting of maize, wheat and soybean meal. The other 6 groups received the same basal diets with DW added in amounts equivalent to a LAC dietary levels of 1, 2 or 3%. Only continuous feeding (day 8 to 42) with 1% and 2% levels of LAC was found to yield the overall body weight gain (BWG) during the whole 42-day rearing period, which was significantly higher than that on the control diet, with a larger share of breast meat in carcass at a 2% LAC. However, these effects were associated with greater faecal score values indicating more watery excreta compared with the control. Increasing levels of LAC augmented the relative caecal weight and length. A reduction in the caecal pH was confirmed at day 21 for birds fed 1% and 2% of dietary LAC. The lower pH values were correlated to an increased sum of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), causing large increases in the concentration of undissociated forms of individual VFA. The decline in plate counts of coliform bacteria was observed with 2% and 3% LAC, whereas the counts of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) were higher at these two LAC levels. The present findings lead to the conclusion that the dietary level of 2% LAC originated from DW is the most effective in enhancing the productivity of broilers, with moderate occurrence of undesirable side effects.
An enhanced bioindicator for calorimetric monitoring of prophage‐activating chemicals in the trace concentration range

Viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages) can either lyse bacteria directly or integrate their genome into the bacterial genome. In the latter case, the viral genome (called prophage) remains dormant, and both phages and bacteria are able to survive in this state. But the silent prophages can be reactivated by, e.g., chemicals, accompanied by the release of substantial quantities of phage particles that further infect other phage‐sensitive bacteria, thus harming ecosystems or technical systems by way of a viral bloom. Recently, a calorimetric method was developed to monitor the prophage‐activating properties of chemicals. The method evaluates the difference in the metabolic heat of the Escherichia coli bioindicator with (λ+) and without (λ−) lambda prophages under the influence of the test substances. Simulations and experiments clearly demonstrate that the sensitivity of the test can be significantly improved, when a customized mixture of λ+ and λ− E. coli strains is used for enhanced bioindication. Hence, the new method mirrors a common situation in nature, where bacteria with and without prophages coexist. In summary, a monitoring method is suggested that provides quick results (after few hours) and offers both the option for automation with low workload (requires only a few minutes) and usage of commercially available instruments.
Protein kinase modulation

(57) Abstract: The present invention provides a Lys76, Leu116, Val80 and / or equivalent position in the hydrophobic pocket of the protein kinase A, which is defined by residues including Lys111 of full-length mouse protein kinase A (PKA), hydrophobic It provides methods for identifying a compound that modulates the protein kinase activity of a protein kinase having a sexual pocket. Inhibiting the interaction between a protein kinase and interacting polypeptide comprising a hydrophobic pocket, it measured the ability of the compound to enhance or mimic, inhibit the interaction, compounds that promote or mimic is selected. Then, interacting polypeptides interacts with a hydrophobic pocket of protein kinases and or having the amino acid sequence Phe / Tyr-Xaa-Xaa-Phe / Tyr, or, or or interact with the hydrophobic pocket of protein kinases having the amino acid sequence Phe / Tyr-Xaa-Xaa-Phe / Tyr. Moreover, the protein kinase, PDK1, PKB, may be SKG or p70 S6 kinase.
3 The Interior of Jupiter Tristan Guillot

Jupiter, owing to its large mass and rapid formation, played a crucial role in shaping the solar system as we know it today. Jupiter mostly contains hydrogen and helium (more than 87% by mass), and as such bears a close resemblance to the Sun. However, the Sun has only 2% of its mass in elements other than hydrogen and heli urn (the heavy elements), whereas Jupiter has between 3 and 13%. The exact amount of these heavy elements in the planet and their distribution are keys to understanding how the solar system formed. Yet, it would seem that since the first Jupiter book was published, more than twenty five years ago, there has been little qualitative change to our vision of the interior of Jupiter, as a planet with a central dense core and a surrounding hydrogen and helium envelope (Stevenson and Salpeter 1976, Hubbard and Slattery 1976). Fortunately, several factors have led to significant quantitative improvements to that picture. Jupiter's gravity field has been measured with a better accuracy by the Voyager flybys in 1979, thereby yielding stronger constraints on the interior models. Our understanding of its atmosphere has been steadily improved, in particular by the in situ measurements of the Galileo probe in 1995, but also by the Galileo and Cassini missions, and by more accurate ground-based observations. On the experimental side, hydrogen (actually deuterium) has been successfully compressed to pressures up to several Mbar. Although the latest experiments remain controversial, this has generally led to the calculation of improved equations of state, a crucial ingredient for the calculation of interior models of the giant planet. Last but not least, the discovery of giant planets in orbit around other stars and of the related brown dwarfs has motivated more detailed studies of the evolution of substellar objects, with direct applications to Jupiter. To first order, Jupiter's interior can be described by simple arguments. Jupiter is a hydrogen-helium planet in hydrostatic equilibrium. Its interior is warm ( rv20000 K) because it formed from an extended gas cloud whose gravitational energy was converted into heat upon contraction. (It is still contracting at the rate of rv3 em per year while its interior cools by ,.,_, 1 K per million year.) This has several important consequences: The relatively warm conditions imply that Jupiter's interior is fluid, not solid. The cooling and contraction yield a significant intrinsic energy flux (revealed by the fact that Jupiter emits more energy than it receives from the Sun) that drives convection in most parts of the interior. Convection ensures the planet's homogeneity and generates the observed magnetic field through a dynamo mechanism.
Effect of zinc supplementation on hormonal and lipid peroxidation status of peri-parturient Karan Fries cows during heat stress condition

Present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Zinc (Zn) supplementation on hormonal and lipid peroxidation status of peri-parturient KF (Karan Fries) cows during heat stress. Cows were grouped as C (6), T1 (6) and T2 (6). C was fed basal diet alone; however T1 and T2 were fed with 80 ppm and 120 ppm Zn, respectively along with basal diet from 45 days pre-partum to 45 days postpartum. It was found that Zn level was significantly (P>0.05) higher in supplemented group than control. Plasma cortisol was significantly (P>0.05) reduced in T2 compared to C and T1 at calving. T3 and T4 concentration decreased at pre-partum, increased at post-partum and was significantly (P>0.01) higher in T2 followed by T1 and C. TBARS level was significantly (P>0.01) lowered in T1 and T2 compared to control at postpartum. Result indicated that amelioration of heat stress by supplementation of Zn through reduced cortisol, TBARS and improved T3 and T4 concentration.
Kill rates and predation rates of wolves on beavers

Wolves (Canis lupus) can be primary predators of beavers (Castor canadensis), but little is known about wolf-beaver dynamics. We identified kills from 1 wolf (V009) of the Ash River Pack in Voyageurs National Park from 1 April to 5 November 2015 to provide direct estimates of wolf pack kill and predation rates of beavers. We documented 12 beaver kills by V009 during the 2015 ice-free season and estimated V009 killed 22 beavers during this period. Based on the number of beavers killed by V009, we estimated the Ash River Pack removed 80–88 beavers (kill rate of 0.085–0.095 beavers/wolf/day), which was 38–42% of the beaver population in their home range during the ice-free season. Even with this substantial level of predation in 2015, the beaver population in the Ash River Pack home range increased by an estimated 43% in 2016, which suggested dispersal from more densely populated adjacent areas likely compensated for the effects of wolf predation. We have presented the first direct estimate of wolf kill and predation rates on beavers, but more research is necessary to understand how wolf predation affects beaver populations under a variety of conditions. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
THEMED SECTION: MEDIATORS AND RECEPTORS IN THE RESOLUTION OF INFLAMMATION REVIEW Lipoxins: resolutionary road

The resolution of inflammation is an active process controlled by endogenous mediators with selective actions on neutrophils and monocytes. The initial phase of the acute inflammatory response is characterized by the production of pro-inflammatory mediators followed by a second phase in which lipid mediators with pro-resolution activities may be generated. The identification of these mediators has provided evidence for the dynamic regulation of the resolution of inflammation. Among these endogenous local mediators of resolution, lipoxins (LXs), lipid mediators typically formed during cell‐cell interaction, were the first to be recognized. More recently, families of endogenous chemical mediators, termed resolvins and protectins, were discovered. LXs and aspirin-triggered LXs are considered to act as ‘braking signals’ in inflammation, limiting the trafficking of leukocytes to the inflammatory site. LXs are actively involved in the resolution of inflammation stimulating non-phlogistic phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Furthermore, LXs have emerged as potential anti-fibrotic mediators that may influence pro-fibrotic cytokines and matrix-associated gene expression in response to growth factors. Here, we provide a review and an update of the biosynthesis, metabolism and bioactions of LXs and LX analogues, and the recent studies on their therapeutic potential as promoters of resolution and fibro-suppressants.
Genome Engineering for Improved Furfural and Product Tolerance in Escherichia coli for Renewable Biofuel Applications

As engineers, we are interested in designing controlled, predictable, and maintainable strategies for performing or improving tasks. Genome engineering aims to use these same principles to design or re-design biological systems for targeted purposes. Strategies for genome engineering are no longer primarily limited by the cost of DNA synthesis or sequencing as they have been in the past. Instead, strategies are limited by not having methods to inform efficient and directed design. In these studies, we present an example of overcoming this current limitation by using various tools to identify genetic manipulations of interest, and then subsequently use these findings to motivate the directed design of cells for novel phenotypes. Initial studies are focused on elucidating genetic manipulations that confer furfural tolerance. Furfural is a key microbial inhibitor found in lignocellulosic hydrolysate, which is the proposed renewable sugar source for fermentation of sustainable biofuels that do not rely on food-based feedstocks. We transition towards engineering biofuel tolerance based upon identifications made in the furfural studies.
HaploVectors: an integrative analytical tool for phylogeography

Phylogeographic approaches are commonly used to understand historical-biogeographic patterns in the distribution of haplotypes. However, the emphasis of most tools lies on describing spatial patterns of genetic variation and assess how large are haplotypic differences among populations. An evaluation of the relative influence of environmental factors compared to pure neutral process of haplotypic distribution - a question of great interest for molecular ecologists - is less investigated, in part because appropriate tools are lacking. Here, we introduce HaploVectors, a flexible tool that allows exploring phylogeographical patterns and discriminating biogeographic, neutral and environmental factors acting to shape genetic distribution across space. Haplovectors are variables that summarize the major gradients of haplotypic distribution across a set of localities and allow weighting haplotypic frequencies by the number of mutational steps using a fuzzy weighting approach. HaploVectors is presented as an R package for computing haplotypic eigenvectors and performing null model- based tests. Investigation of HaploVectors using empirical datasets showed that the method is useful to uncover hidden patterns of haplotypic distribution, not easily detected using traditional methods. Using a plant species as study case, we demonstrate by means of HaploVectors that, even though the distribution of plant haplotypes was associated with different biogeographic regions of the Brazilian Cerrado biome, such association was not mediated by evolutionary relationships among haplotypes. The applicability of HaploVectors is broad, ranging from the pure pattern exploration and discrimination of genetic populations, to a hypothesis-testing framework that uses null-models to understand the influence of environmental factors on haplotypic distribution.
Upregulation of antioxidant and glyoxalase systems mitigates NaCl stress in Brassica juncea by supplementation of zinc and calcium

ABSTRACT Possible involvement of calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) in mitigation of salt (NaCl) stress-induced oxidative damage in Brassica juncea was investigated. Salt stress (200 mM NaCl) reduced leaf pigment synthesis and some key photosynthetic attributes including stomatal conductance and internal CO2 concentration. Exogenous application of Ca and Zn resulted in enhanced growth possibly by induction of the antioxidant defense system, resulting in improved redox state thereby favoring growth improvement. Proline accumulation (3.39-fold) was stimulated by exogenous application of Zn and Ca causing improvement in growth through enhancement in relative water content (78.46%) and increased flavonoid accumulation (86.19%). NaCl stress enhanced the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal content by 3-fold, 1.51-fold, and 2.98-fold, respectively, however, supplementation of Ca and Zn individually as well as in combination reduced the accumulation to an appreciable level. Ca and Zn treatment helped Brassica juncea plants to strengthen the antioxidant system and glyoxalase system and also enzymes of ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-Glu) cycle for better protection to membranes from reactive oxygen species. Moreover, Ca and Zn supplementation reduced the salt-induced damage by maintaining Na/K ratio through improved K uptake.
Riverina high school student's views of biotechnology

A survey investigating the knowledge and perception of biotechnology by high school students living in the rural Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia, was undertaken. Data relating to the student' preferred and trusted information sources was also gathered. This study has demonstrated that at least two-thirds of students had a good knowledge of medical biotechnology issues, however, a significant proportion of the students did have concerns about the use and/or safety of biotechnology. Nearly 90% of the respondents would like further information on biotechnology. In agreement with other surveys, the students reported an apparent lack of trust in articles from the lay press (newspapers, television, radio) and yet still report that these media as the preferred information source. Interestingly, the high school students demonstrated a higher than national average acceptance of biotechnology.
Gaze Behaviour During Sensorimotor Adaptation Parcellates the Explicit and Implicit Contributions to Learning

Successful motor performance relies on our ability to adapt to changes in the environment by learning novel mappings between motor commands and sensory outcomes. Such adaptation is thought to involve two distinct mechanisms: An implicit, error-based component linked to slow learning and an explicit, strategic component linked to fast learning and savings (i.e., faster relearning). Because behaviour, at any given moment, is the resultant combination of these two processes, it has remained a challenge to parcellate their relative contributions to performance. The explicit component to visuomotor rotation (VMR) learning has recently been measured by having participants verbally report their aiming strategy used to counteract the rotation. However, this procedure has been shown to magnify the explicit component. Here we tested whether task-specific eye movements, a natural component of reach planning—but poorly studied in motor learning tasks—can provide a direct read-out of the state of the explicit component during VMR learning. We show, by placing targets on a visible ring and including a delay between target presentation and reach onset, that individual differences in gaze patterns during sensorimotor adaptation are linked to participants’ rates of learning and can predict the expression of savings. Specifically, we find that participants who, during reach planning, naturally fixate an aimpoint, rotated away from the target location, show faster initial adaptation and readaptation 24 hrs. later. Our results demonstrate that gaze behaviour can not only uniquely identify individuals who implement cognitive strategies during learning, but also how their implementation is linked to differences in learning.
Mapping the vertical distribution of maize roots in China in relation to climate and soil texture

Optimizing water and fertilizer management for crops requires an understanding of root distribution. Maize (Zea mays L.) is currently the most widely planted cereal crop in China, yet the vertical distribution of maize roots across different regions remains unknown. The aims of this work were (i) to quantify the effects of climate and soil texture on the vertical distribution of maize roots, and (ii) to show the depth distribution of root biomass in China. We used data of maize root biomass from 11 Chinese ecological stations with discontinuous observations from 2004 to 2014 to fit the regression coefficient β for an asymptotic equation Y = 1 – βᵈ, where d is the soil depth and Y is the proportion of root biomass from the surface to depth d. A statistical model was then developed to quantify the effects of climate and soil texture on the fitted β values. Using the statistical model, we map the depth distribution of maize root biomass in China. Maize root biomass in the 0–100 cm soil depth varied by an order of magnitude at different stations, from 64 to 268 g m⁻². Maize planted in sandy soils and/or maize with high accumulated temperature for development had higher root biomass and deeper rooting systems. The fitted β values ranged from 0.785 to 0.977, which can be modeled by an integration of the accumulated temperature during the maize growing period and the soil clay and sand fractions (R² = 0.66, n = 50, P < 0.001). Up to 82% of maize planting regions in China showed shallower rooting systems where more than 90% and 95% of the root biomass occurred in the top 20 and 30 cm soil layers, respectively. Deeper rooting systems occurred in some temperate arid and temperate semi-arid regions, with less than 80% of the root biomass in the top 20 cm soil. Our findings highlighted the vertical distribution of maize roots, and underlined the spatial variability in the vertical distribution of roots across China’s planting areas of maize.
Composition and structure of soil fauna community in the Dexing Copper Mine tailings pool after revegetation

The Dexing Copper Mine is one of the largest copper mines in Asia, but few studies have reported the soil fauna community composition after revegetation. This study investigated the influence of revegetation on the soil fauna communities and structures in three vegetation restoration models (designated as I, II, and III) and in a sample without revegetation (IV) in two tailings pools of Dexing Copper Mines 1 and 2 using modified Tullgren and Baermann methods. A total of 548 individuals were collected, which belonged to 5 classes, 7 orders, 3 suborders, and 19 families. The individuals, groups, and diversity of the soil fauna were significantly affected by the vegetation restoration model. In comparison to the sample without revegetation, the samples with revegetation showed a significant increase in the number of individuals and groups of soil fauna (P < 0.01) and significantly increased functional groups of the soil fauna community (P < 0.05). The number of individuals and groups of soil fauna were the highest in sample III, which was planted with trees and covered with guest soil, and the functional groups of the soil fauna community were the highest in samples II and III, which were both covered with guest soil. In principal component analysis, a significant difference was detected in the communities of soil fauna after revegetation, and the structures of soil fauna communities were similar in samples I and IV, which were not covered with guest soil. The number of individuals and groups of soil fauna was closely related to the revegetation in the Dexing Copper Mine tailings pool. These results should help in improved handling of the environmental issues associated with mines.