Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feeding behaviour of the asteroid Meyenaster gelatinosus in response to changes in abundance of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus in northern Chile

Between winter 1996 and autumn 1997, the prey spectrum and feeding behaviour of the sea star Meyenaster gelatinosus (MEYEN, 1834) and the seasonal abundance of the dominant benthic macrofauna were analysed in: (1) a shore-fringing seagrass meadow and (2) an adjacent sand-gravel benthic system of Tongoy Bay (central-north Chile). Of 524 sea stars collected, 130 (25 %) had food in their stomachs or were feeding on the scallop Argopecten purpuratus (LAMARCK, 1819), snails Calytraea trochiformis (BORN, 1778), Tegula luctuosa (ORBIGNY, 1841), and T. eryomphala (JONES, 1844), and small epifauna constituted by the polyplacophora Chiton spp. , gastropods such as Nassarius gayi (KIENER, 1835), Nucula pisum (SOWERBY, 1835), Turritela cingulata (SOWERBY, 1825) and Mitrella unifasciata (SOWERBY, 1832). The scallop A. purpuratus suffered an intensive commercial harvest during the study period which decreased significantly its abundance in both habitats. Before harvesting. A. purpuratus constituted the principal prey for M. gelatinosus in the seagrass habitat, whereas all prey types were equally distributed in the sea star's diet in the sand-gravel habitat. After harvesting, the frequency of occurrence of the scallop in the stomachs of the sea star in the seagrass habitat decreased and was substituted by small epifauna. Furthermore, in the seagrass habitat after harvesting, the breadth of the feeding-niche of the sea star increased. indicating that the sea star became more of a generalist feeder. In the sand-gravel habitat alter harvesting, the diet composition remained unaltered, but M. gelatinosus showed an inverse tendency, specialising on the scallop. Additionally, M. gelatinosus increased its feeding preferences on A. purpuratus in both habitats (especially in sand-gravel) when the abundance of the scallop declined. M. gelatinosus feeds on a wide size-range (4 to 14cm) of the scallop with a marked dominance of larger size classes. Our results confirm, in part, the observations of local fishermen of Puerto Aldea regarding the possible negative impact of M. gelatinosus on the standing stock of the commercially exploited scallop.
Gas exchange and water relations of evergreen and deciduous tropical savanna trees

The purpose of this study was to investigate gas exchange characteristics, water relations and vascular hydraulic properties of 2 evergreen and 2 drought deciduous tree species. In addition, carbon isotope ratios of leaf tissue were measured to further evaluate water use efficiency. Our main hypotheses are that: 1) the vascular system of the evergreen trees is more efficient than the vascular system of the deciduous species for water transport; 2) the structural basis for the high efficiency in water transport of the evergreen species is more related to the cross-sectional area
Handling RealPaver’s Output by Interval Automata Compilation

Interval-based solvers are useful for various applications, but their output is not always succinct nor easy to handle. We propose a target compilation language designed to represent the solution set of a constraint network such that the compiled form is compact and allows to process a number of common operations in polytime. We also show a way to compile the solution set into our language by using the trace of an interval-based solver, RealPaver.
Generation of inducible hepatitis C virus transgenic mouse lines

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the causative agent of most cases of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affecting more than 170 million people world‐wide. Progress in elucidating the nature of HCV and the development of new therapeutic strategies is hampered fundamentally by the absence of adequate small animal models simulating natural HCV infection. The creation of conditional mouse lines with the tetracycline‐controlled gene expression system holds new perspectives for simulation of wild‐type HCV infection in a small animal model. Transgenic mice were established with tetracycline‐inducible coexpression of HCV core or HCV open reading frame (ORF) and luciferase. In long‐term induction experiments, mice were examined for immunopathological changes after expression of HCV proteins. Inducible and liver‐specific expression of transgenes was detected by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, luciferase assay and in vivo imaging of bioluminescence of luciferase in genetically modified mice. Ectopic expression levels were determined quantitatively in the liver, kidney, heart and spleen of mice in the induced and non‐induced state. During long‐term induction an elevation of aminotransaminases (ALT) was observed only in HCV core/ORF‐expressing mice, but HCV‐specific immune response was not confirmed by in vitro immunological assays. The histology of liver sections provided evidence of steatosis, which was correlated with an inflammatory response. The inducible HCV‐transgenic mouse lines provide further evidence of liver pathogenesis in the presence of inflammation during liver‐specific expression of HCV proteins and offer new insights into the effects of temporally and spatially controlled protein expression of HCV. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1103–1112, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SECRETION OF GLYCOSIDASES IN HUMAN EPIDIDYMAL CELL CULTURES

The dynamics of glycosidase secretion was evaluated in human epididymal cell culture. Epithelial cells from caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis were isolated from tissue obtained from patients undergoing therapeutic orchidectomy due to prostatic carcinoma. The activities of a -glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, b -glucuronidase, and a -mannosidase were analyzed in conditioned culture media. Glycosidase activity was significantly higher in corpus and/or cauda than in caput epididymis. There was a time-dependent increase in enzyme activities that was maximal between 10 and 14 days of culture in all epididymal regions. Epididymal glycosidases are secreted by cultured epithelial cell from human epididymis with an increase toward the distal regions of this organ, which may be related to the dynamics of sperm maturation. Cultures from different epididymal regions may represent a valuable tool to study of human epididymal function.
Winter survival in northern Peromyscus maniculatus

Winter survival of Peromyscus maniculatus in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta, was examined in relation to sex, age, population density, size of family groups, body size, and residency status to determine the factors responsible for low winter mortality in northern populations. Young-of-the-year mice survived much better (≈ 50%) than old (> 1 year old) mice (≈ 25%) but no other factor had a significant effect on survival. We conclude that low resource competition may enhance winter survival in northern populations.
A REVISED ESTIMATE OF THE IRON USE EFFICIENCY OF NITROGEN FIXATION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE MARINE CYANOBACTERIUM TRICHODESMIUM SPP. (CYANOPHYTA) 1

Estimates of the iron use efficiency (IUE) for diazotrophic plant growth have been used to suggest iron limitation of marine N2 fixation. However, in the course of these inferences, neither the physiological complexity of these estimates nor the specific physiological parameters of marine diazotrophs were evaluated. Here, a semiempirical prediction of the IUE of diazotrophic growth for Trichodesmium was computed from considerations of the Fe content and reaction rates of the nitrogenase complex and PSI:PSII ratios, as well as field measurements of Mehler activity, cellular Fe‐superoxide dismutase activity, and diel variability in C and N2 fixation. With a PSI:PSII ratio of 1 and 48% Mehler activity, the instantaneous IUE (0.33 mol C fixed·mol cellular Fe− 1 ·s− 1 ) was only 4‐fold lower than that calculated for a phytoplankter growing on reduced N. We computed a range of daily integrated IUE values from 2900 to 7700 mol C·mol Fe− 1 ·d− 1 , accounting for the diel variability in C and N2 fixation as well as the uncertainties in cyanobacterial nitrogenase biochemistry and PSI:II ratios of field‐collected Trichodesmium. The lowest observed Fe‐superoxide dismutase:C quota of 2.9 (μmol:mol) suggests a maintenance requirement for this enzyme. The maintenance Fe:C requirement of 13.5 μmol:mol (derived from cultures of Trichodesmium IMS 101) and values of the IUE yielded an Fe requirement ranging from 27 to 48 Fe:C (μmol:mol) to achieve a diazotrophic growth rate of 0.1 d− 1 . Based on these predicted requirements, the Fe:C contents of Caribbean Sea and most North Atlantic Ocean populations sampled thus far exceed that required to support the observed rates of N2 fixation.
THE USE OF EBASTINE, A MAST CELL BLOCKER, FOR TREATMENT OF OLIGOZOOSPERMIA

The effect of mast cell blocker (ebastine) on semen quality was evaluated in 15 idiopathic oligozoospermic males. Ten milligrams/day of ebastine was administered orally for 3 months. Nine cases (66.7%) showed definite improvement in the semen quality. The wives of 3 patients (20%) became pregnant within 6 months of the initial treatment. It would appear that mast cell blocker (ebastine) significantly improves semen quality in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia.
Genetic and Morphological Differentiation between Dwarf and Normal Size Forms of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeafotmis) in Como Lake, Ontario

Normal and dwarf size forms of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Como Lake, Ontario, were sampled at spawning time and examined for differences in electrophoretic, mtDNA, and morphological characteristics to test the hypothesis of reproductive isolation and provide clues regarding evolutionary origin. Of the 36 enzyme loci examined, 33 were fixed for the same alleles in both dwarf and normal lake whitefish. At the three polymorphic loci, allele frequencies were not statistically different between dwarfs and normals. mtDNA analysis revealed five different haplotypes. The same mtDNA haplotype was the most common in both dwarf and normal lake whitefish, but there was a statistically significant difference in haplotype frequencies between the two size forms. Discriminant and principal component analyses demonstrated highly significant morphological differences between dwarfs and normals. Because the two size morphs spawn in the same place at the same time, it is most likely that genetic differences.
Antioxidant activity of some foods containing phenolic compounds

This study was designed to determine the total phenols (TP) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of some liquid and solid plant foods that are commonly consumed in Turkey. Total phenols were analysed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activities of these compounds in aqueous phase were assessed by measuring their direct ABTS . – radical scavenging abilities. Total phenols varied from 68 to 4162 mg/l for liquid foods and from 735 to 3994 mg/kg for solid foods. TAA of liquid and solid foods ranged between 0.61-6.78 mM and 0.63-8.62 mM, respectively. Total antioxidant activities of foods were well correlated with total phenols (r 2 = 0.95). According to content of total phenols per serving, liquid foods were in the order of black tea > instant coffee > coke > red wine > violet carrot juice > apricot nectar > Turkish coffee > grape molasses > sage > white wine > linden flower, and solid foods were in the order of red grape > raisins > tarhana > dried black plum > dried apricot > grape > fresh paprika > fresh black plum > Urtica sp. > cherry > fresh apricot > paprika pickle > paprika paste.
Effects of the Structure of Poly(vinyl alcohol) on the Dehydrogenation Reaction by Poly(vinyl alcohol) Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. 113P3

Poly(vinyl alcohol) dehydrogenase (PVADH-S) purified from Pseudomonas sp. 113P3 dehydrogenized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), but the enzyme reaction was significantly affected by changing the properties of PVA, in terms of saponification degree, ethylene content, polymerization degree, tacticity, and 1,2-glycol content. The apparent Vmax/Km value of PVA containing to mol% ethylene was over 10-fold greater than that of PVA. The hydrophobicity of PVA-related polymers might be important in the affinity for the PVADH-S.
A MODIFIED ACROSOME INDUCTION TEST

Many types of acrosome induction tests require special equipment and reagents that are not available to most clinicians; thus, simpler tests seem desirable. A modified acrosome induction test has been developed that uses basic reagents and a light microscope, which are available in most office settings. A hypoosmotic swelling test and a double stain (Bismark brown and rose Bengal) were combined to evaluate the viable acrosome reaction (AR) among 74 infertile men and 42 control men. The study included 34 infertile males without varicoceles, 20 with nonrepaired varicoceles and 20 with repaired varicoceles. On each test day, a specimen from a fertile donor was run as a control. The spontaneous acrosome reaction was recorded in semen before and after capacitation. The final % viable acrosome reaction equaled the capacitated value minus the spontaneous value for whole semen. The mean % viable AR among the control specimens was 16% with no values less than 10%. This mean value for controls was significantly greater than the mean % viable AR in each patient group. There were no overlaps in the 95% confidence intervals. When the study group was stratified according to normal acrosome induction tests or >10% viable AR, 30 patients had a normal test and 44 had abnormal tests. Six patients with varicoceles and an abnormal acrosome induction test had a varicocelectomy, and 2 (33%) converted their acrosome induction test to normal after at least 6 months of follow-up. Nine patients had in vitro fertilization (IVF), 3 had a poor result, and all had an abnormal acrosome induction test. Six had a good result with IVF and all 6 had a normal acrosome induction test. Thus, the acrosome induction test described in this report may be performed in any office laboratory to detect subtle male factor problems. The results may be helpful for planning IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or varicocele surgery for infertile men.
Studies on germination conditions and antioxidant contents of wheat grain

Germination time and conditions for wheat grain were studied to determine optimum conditions that would maximize the production of antioxidants. Wheat grains were first steeped in water for 24 or 48 h, followed by incubation in the dark for 9 d at 98% RH and 16.5°C. The changes in the concentration of vitamins C and E, β -carotene, ferulic acid and vanillic acid were monitored over the germination period. Vitamins C and E and β -carotene were barely detectable in the dry grains. However, upon germination the concentrations of these antioxidant vitamins steadily increased with increasing germination time, reaching their peaks after 7 d at 550 μ /g for vitamin C, 10.92 μ g/g for α -tocopherol, and 3.1 μ g/g for β -carotene. Concentrations of ferulic and vanillic acids were also increased, reaching their maxima after 7 d at 932.4 μ g/g and 12.9 μ g/g, respectively. The grains steeped for 48 h before germination became wet, sticky, yellow-brown color with acidic smell after 7 d. These results suggested that wheat grains steeped for 24 h and germinated for 7 d would produce the most desirable sprouts with respect to antioxidant concentrations and sensory properties.
Genetic epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis

Abstract Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is defined as an inflammatory arthritis (IA) associated with psoriasis and is usually negative for rheumatoid factor. This ambiguous definition has impeded research into this subject, but as yet no agreed definition or classification criteria exist for PsA. Furthermore, there are those who question whether PsA exists as a distinct disease, or is a mere coincidence of inflammatory arthritides such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis with psoriasis. The pathogenesis of both IA and psoriasis is complex, involving interactions between many different genes and environmental etiological factors. It is likely that PsA is also a complex disease. The identification of genetic susceptibility factors unique to PsA over and above those that contribute to IA or psoriasis alone would put an end to speculation as to whether PsA exists as a distinct disease. In addition, it may aid in the development of novel therapies which target PsA specifically. This review summarizes the approaches taken to identify PsA susceptibility genes, and outlines some interesting regions which may harbor PsA susceptibility genes.
Central dieback of the dryland bunchgrass Eragrostis curvula (weeping lovegrass) re-examined: The experimental clearance of tussock centres

Experiments were conducted to investigate: (1) tiller recruitment within the interior of Eragrostis curvula tussocks, with and without litter removal; and (2) effects of moderate defoliation on tiller recruitment within the interior of the clump. Tiller recruitment within the interior of non-defoliated plants was significantly (p<0·01) increased by litter removal. When field-grown plants were defoliated, the tillering rate was greater (p<0·01) in plants with litter retained than those with litter removed 91 days after defoliation. When the greenhouse-grown plants were defoliated, tiller recruitment was greater (p<0·05) in plants with litter retained than those with litter removed during the first 13 weeks after defoliation. Tillering in the non-defoliated plants was less (p<0·05) than in defoliated plants with litter retained. Litter removal or moderate defoliation stimulated basal tillering by opening up the canopy and providing more light available to the basal buds. Therefore, the central dieback is not simply a natural consequence of tillering pattern; resource depletion within the interior may be a contributing factor to this phenomenon.
Genetic diversity and spatial subdivision of Populus tremuloides (Salicaceae) in a heterogeneous landscape

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), a clonal angiosperm, is the most geographically widespread tree in North America. It is generally thought that most extant populations in the western interior of Canada and the United States became established shortly after glacial retreat, but sexual recruitment then effictively ceased owing to inimical climatic conditions. Six populations of trembling aspen were studied in the prairie and montane environments of Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. Vegetative tissues were analyzed for electrophoretically detectable variation in 13 enzymes encoded by 14 polymorphic loci and three monomorphic loci. All populations maintained high levels of interand intrapopulation diversity (P = 0.891; H = 0.319; A = 2.4). The mean fixation index, F, was -0.102, indicating some deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Genetic differentiation (FST = 3.0) was apparent in this ecologically diverse, but geographically small-scale, spatial setting. It is suggested that the maintenance of diversity in the absence of frequent modern-day recruitment, and resistance to further geographic differentiation in this spatially heterogeneous environment reflect occasional seedling establishment through "windows of opportunity" and more importantly, the species' clonal morphology. The phalanx growth form and concomitant physiological integration between ramets combine to spread the risk of death and buffer the effects of selection over time and space.
Rain more important than windchill for insulation loss in Svalbard reindeer fur

Heat transfer through dry and wet Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) summer and winter midback fur samples was studied in a wind tunnel. A light wetting water spray simulated heavy fog, mist or light rain, while heavy soaking simulated heavy rain. Wind velocities ranged from 0 to 10 m.s-1. Calf fur samples were from June, August and March. Adult fur samples were females from August and March. There was no evidence for increased heat loss from lightly wet fur relative to dry fur. Calm air conductance decreased for calf fur (P’s 0.05). Further, wind coefficients and regressions for lightly wet fur were similar or below those for dry fur. A thin water film forming on the fur surface may have caused this. It is unlikely that a light rain, fog or mist would cause increased heat loss for Svalbard reindeer, and no increase of metabolic heat production would be needed to maintain thermoregulation. Only the simulated heavy rain dramatically raised heat loss from the fur samples examined regardless of age or season, e.g., heavy soaking increased calm air conductance for all furs (P’s 0.05). Desuden var vindkoefficienter og regressionslinjer fra let fugtige pelsprove meget lig de torre pelsprove, eller mindre. Dette kan vaere forarsaget af en tynd vandhinde pa pelsprovens overflade. Formodentlig vil der ikke forekomme oget varmetab hos Svalbard rensdyr ved taet tage eller stovregn, hvilket betyder at stofskiftet ikke oges for at bibeholde termobalancen. Kun kraftig regn, ogede varmetabet fra samtlige prover uanset dyrets alder eller arstid. Dette blev pavist ved at vindstillekonduktansen var steget (P’s < 0.05), antageligt forarsaget af det tilfojet fordampningsvarmetab fra pelsens overflade, samt en reduktion af indfanget stilleluft i selve pelsen. Vindchill var af meget lille betydning idet vindkoefficienter generelt var lig nul. Dette medforer at oget vindhastighed kun oger varmetabet meget lidt i vade pelsprove. Kraftig regnvejr giver storre tab af isolation end en ogning i vindhastighed for Svalbard rensdyr, undtagen kalve under en maneden gamle, som bliver udsat for et dramatiske isolationstab som folge af en kombination af kraftig regnvejr og vindfaktor. I bade tor eller vad tilstand har Svalbard rensdyr tilsyneladende en bedre isolation end andre underarter af rensdyr.
Simulation of Space Vector Modulation in PSIM

Space Vector modulation technique was originally developed as vector approach to PWM for Three Phase inverter. Space vector modulation has become one of the most popular and important technique for three phase VSI, Brushless DC motor, switched reluctance motor and permanent magnet motor. It is a more sophisticated technique for generating sine wave that provides a higher voltage to the motor with lower total harmonic distortion. It confines space vectors to be applied according to the region where the output voltage vector is located. In this paper various advantages of Space vector are verified and also a comparison between SVPWM and Sine PWM for three phase 2 level VSI is discussed. Index Terms — Pulse width modulation, Direct current, and space vector PWM and Total harmonic distortion.
Fish host range of seven isolates of Cryptocaryon irritans (Ciliophora)

Host specificity of the marine ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans was investigated using seven parasite isolates and six experimental fish species. The low degree of host specificity of C. irritans to teleost fish has been confirmed. Furthermore, five fish species occurring outside the geographical range of this parasite were also susceptible to infection; three of these could be at risk to Cryptocaryon through aquaculture practices.
THEME 1 HUMAN CELL BIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron destruction, with emerging evidence of a persistent inflammatory process. One potential driver of ongoing inflammation may be activation of endogenous retroviruses, as has been proposed for other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Inflammation might be induced by endogenous retroviral proteins or result from an immune response directed against the viral proteins. However, no evidence for an immune response to endogenous retroviruses in individuals with ALS has been reported.