Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluación económica de las estrategias de mitigación de gases de efecto invernadero en sistemas de producción de patata

espanolEl incremento de temperatura de nuestro planeta asociado al efecto invernadero antropogenico promueve interes por la busqueda de estrategias de mitigacion de gases de efecto invernadero. Puesto que la agricultura es un sector responsable de casi una quinta parte de las emisiones globales, es necesario identificar que medidas podrian aplicarse, cual es su potencial de mitigacion y el coste estimado de la aplicacion de cada medida. Nuestro estudio responde a estas preguntas comparando la produccion de patata en dos sistemas productivos bien diferenciados y a partir de datos reales de campo. En una primera fase este trabajo calcula la huella de carbono en sistemas de produccion modernos de la mecanizacion agricola y el uso de energia para el riego (localizados en Espana) y en sistemas productivos que integran menos tecnologias (localizados en Peru). Los resultados muestran que en los casos de estudio de ambos paises el ciclo de nitrogeno representa la primera fuente de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, seguido de energia para riego y combustible para la mecanizacion. Posteriormente este estudio evalua las acciones de mitigacion mediante el analisis economico de Curvas de Costes Marginales de Mitigacion. Dichos resultados demuestran que el manejo del fertilizante nitrogenado es la mejor alternativa para reducir la huella de carbono debido a su mayor potencial de reduccion de emisiones y menores costes de mitigacion equivalentes. Finalmente el estudio aporta un marco metodologico que puede ser facilmente aplicado a otros cultivos EnglishThe temperature rise of the planet associated with anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions promotes interest for strategies to mitigate them. Since agriculture is a sector responsible for nearly a fifth of global emissions, it is necessary to identify measures to be applied, what is their mitigation potential and the estimated cost of implementing each measure. Our study addresses these questions by comparing the production of potato in two distinct production systems and with actual field data. In a first step, this paper calculates in a modern agricultural system the carbon footprint of mechanization and energy use for irrigation (located in Spain) and in less productive systems that integrate less technologies (located in Peru) . The results show that in the case studies in both countries the nitrogen cycle represents the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, followed by energy fuel for irrigation and mechanization. Subsequently this study evaluates economically the mitigation actions through Marginal Abatement Cost Curves. These results demonstrate that the management of nitrogen fertilizer is the best alternative to reduce the carbon footprint because of their greater potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their lower equivalent mitigation costs. Finally, the study provides a methodological framework that can be easily applied to other crops.
Exploring soil microbial 16S rRNA sequence data to increase carbon yield and nitrogen efficiency of a bioenergy crop

Crop residues returned to the soil are important for the preservation of soil quality, health, and biodiversity, and they increase agriculture sustainability by recycling nutrients. Sugarcane is a bioenergy crop that produces huge amounts of straw (also known as trash) every year. In addition to straw, the ethanol industry also generates large volumes of vinasse, a liquid residue of ethanol production, which is recycled in sugarcane fields as fertilizer. However, both straw and vinasse have an impact on N2O fluxes from the soil. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is a primary concern in biofuel sustainability. Because bacteria and archaea are the main drivers of N redox processes in soil, in this study we propose the identification of taxa related with N2O fluxes by combining functional responses (N2O release) and the abundance of these microorganisms in soil. Using a large‐scale in situ experiment with ten treatments, an intensive gas monitoring approach, high‐throughput sequencing of soil microbial 16S rRNA gene and powerful statistical methods, we identified microbes related to N2O fluxes in soil with sugarcane crops. In addition to the classical denitrifiers, we identified taxa within the phylum Firmicutes and mostly uncharacterized taxa recently described as important drivers of N2O consumption. Treatments with straw and vinasse also allowed the identification of taxa with potential biotechnological properties that might improve the sustainability of bioethanol by increasing C yields and improving N efficiency in sugarcane fields.
Processing of bottom‐fermented gluten‐free beer‐like beverages based on buckwheat and quinoa malt with chemical and sensory characterization

Typical beer contains significant amount of gluten, and being the third most popular beverage worldwide, the commercial production of its gluten-free form is of rising interest. This research aimed to prepare bottom-fermented beverages from buckwheat and quinoa and to explore their physical, chemical and sensory properties. Compared with barley, the analysis of brewing attributes of buckwheat and quinoa showed a lower malt extracts, longer saccharification times, higher total protein and fermentable amino nitrogen content and higher values of the iodine test and colour. Fermentability values, the wort pH and the soluble protein content were similar for barley and buckwheat, but different for quinoa, whereas only values of viscosity and beverage pH were similar between barley and quinoa. Both beverages, especially the quinoa beverage, contained a superior level of metal cations. The fermentable carbohydrate content in the buckwheat wort was comparable to barley but lower in quinoa; however, worts derived from both pseudocereals contained predominantly glucose. The amino acid content of the buckwheat wort was similar to barley, whereas the content in the quinoa beverage was almost twice as high. The content of volatile compounds commonly associated with beer aroma was comparable between the barley and buckwheat beverage but significantly lower in the quinoa; however, the latter contained some distinctive volatile substances not found in the other beverages. The organoleptic perception of the buckwheat beverage was better than that of the quinoa, although both showed a good general acceptance. In general, buckwheat appears quite similar to barley, whereas quinoa shows many unique properties. Copyright (c) 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Predisposición hereditaria de padecer melanoma en familias uruguayas. Resultados preliminares

* Asistente del Departamento Básico de Medicina y de la Cátedra de Dermatología. † Ayudante de Clase del Departamento Básico de Medicina. ‡ Profesora Agregada del Servicio de Oncología Clínica y Coordinadora de la Unidad de Oncogenética del Hospital de Clínicas. § Ex Ayudante de Clase del Departamento Básico de Medicina. ¶ Ex Asistente de la Cátedra de Dermatología. †† Ayudante de Investigación del Departamento Básico de Medicina. ‡‡ Profesor Adjunto de la Cátedra de Dermatología. §§ Profesor Agregado de la Cátedra de Dermatología e integrante de la Unidad de Melanoma del Hospital de Clínicas. Correspondencia: Dra. Alejandra Larre Borges Av. Italia s/n piso 1, Cátedra de Dermatología, y piso 15, Departamento Básico de Medicina. Montevideo, Uruguay. Correo electrónico: alelarre@hc.edu. uy Recibido: 18/9/06. Aceptado: 29/12/06. Esta investigación recibió financiación parcial por parte de la Comisión Honoraria de Lucha contra el Cáncer. De los resultados de la misma y de las opiniones expresadas en la presente publicación son responsables únicamente los autores. Resumen
Avaliação de extratos vegetais no controle de Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Acari: Tetranychidae) em laboratório

Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Acari: Tetranychidae) was already referred to as the second pest in importance to the coffee tree Conillon, regarded as more sensitive to the mite than Arabic. The application of synthetic pesticides in its control may provoke negative impacts to both environment and man. Alternatively to the use of such chemicals, others less impacting have appeared as for example, plant extracts. The present work was intended to evaluate the effect of plant extracts collected in the southern region of Minas Gerais on the mortality of the mite O. ilicis . The experiments were carried out on coffee tree leaves detached of plants. 79 extracts with four replicates of ten adult females were tested. The application of the chemicals in every test was done in Potter tower. With the most promising plant extracts, selected in previous trials, tests of ovicidal, topic, residual and different concentration effects were performed. The extracts of Annona squamosa L; Calendula officinalis L; Coffea arabica L, Ricinus communis L; Ginkgo biloba L and Nepeta cataria L. caused increased mortality in the residual effect test and presented no ovicidal effect to O. olicis. The obtained results show that the extract of A. squamosa was the most toxic to O. ilicis in the different tests accomplished.
Deep-sea benthic biodiversity.

The life that inhabits ocean depths beyond the continental shelves is unfamiliar even to most biologists. Samples of deep-ocean sediments typically contain representatives of a dozen phyla but most deep-sea animals are small and live below the sediment surface. In contrast to the graphs showing the perceived species population presented before the 1960s the new sampling method demonstrated the existence of large numbers of species in the deep sea. In the context of regional species diversity no single theory can account for the high diversity in the deep sea. Several major features of the deep sea contribute to its relatively high diversity. These include the following: 1) absence of widespread disruption of habitat; 2) patchy food resources; 3) disturbance; and 4) large area. But deep-sea floor vastness and remoteness makes it appear attractive as a waste disposal area. Moreover the potential effect of toxic compounds that have been found to accumulate in deep-sea sediments is a serious cause for concern. The establishment of long-term stations to better understand the interactions of deep-sea organisms with their natural environment and to monitor the potential effects of pollution are necessary to provide the information required for wise management of ocean resources.
Variation at RFLP loci in Lactuca spp. and origin of cultivated lettuce (L. sativa)

We have examined 67 accessions of Lactuca sativa L. and five related species for variation at restriction fragment length polymorphism loci. Fifty-five clones were used to probe genomic DNA digested separately with three restriction endonucleases; this defined 143 loci. Variation in L. sativa was sampled in detail. Lactuca sativa is closely related to L. serriola but not to any of the other species in this survey: L. saligna, L. virosa, L. perennis, and L. indica. However, Lactuca sativa is not a direct extraction from the sampled populations of L. serriola; other L. serriola populations or some other unknown entities were involved in the evolution of cultivated lettuce. Numerous genetic differences characterized each cultivated type, suggesting a polyphyletic origin for L. sativa.Key words: Lactuca sativa, lettuce, genetic variation, phylogeny, restriction fragment length polymorphism.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCE

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for longevity traits in Finnish pig populations. Analyzed traits were length of productive herd life (LPL), total number of parities (TNP), total number of piglets born (TNB), total number born alive (TBA) and stillborn (TSB), percentage stillborn (SB%), total number of piglets dead before weaning (TPM), mortality percentage (PM%), and total number weaned (TNW). Data contained litter records from 29 805 Finnish Landrace and 25 807 Finnish Yorkshire sows. Variance components were estimated using the AI-REML method. Heritability estimates varied from 0.06 to 0.11 in Finnish Landrace and from 0.09 to 0.12 in Finnish Yorkshire. Genetic correlations were high (> 0.9) between LPL, TNP, TNB, TBA, and TNW, and low between piglet mortality traits (SB% and PM%) and other longevity traits. The obtained heritability estimates indicate that there is sufficient genetic variation for selection.
Study of amino acids as nitrogen source in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

All five L‐amino acids tested (L‐serine, L‐lysine, L‐leucine, L‐cysteine and L‐arginine) were used by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as sole nitrogen source. Among these, L‐Cys was special as it has not been reported before. While these amino acids could be used in the dark only in the presence of acetic acid, in conditions of light they could support the growth of C. reinhardtii without the supplementation of acetic acid. When cultured in the TAP‐N medium, the chlorophyll content was found to be lower in the dark, but higher in the light for the cells grown with L‐Arg than with other four amino acids. Exogenously supplied L‐Ser and L‐Lys did not accumulate in the cells, demonstrating that they were used by supplying ammonium to the cells from the activity of an extracellular deaminase. Further results showed that the induction of the extracellular deaminase activity required a period of nitrogen starvation, regardless of the medium containing acetic acid or not. Results also showed that the uptake of L‐Cys was similar to L‐Leu, most likely via passive diffusion. When L‐Cys and L‐Leu were supplied together to the nitrogen‐starved cells, the absorption of L‐Cys did not affect the uptake of L‐Leu.
Genetic endangerment of wild Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus?

Summary Domestic chickens were derived from the wild Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus. A survey of 745 museum specimens of Red Junglefowl suggests that most wild populations have been contaminated genetically by introgression of genes from domestic or feral chickens. A male eclipse plumage, which appears to be an indicator of pure wild genotypes, was found in populations in the western and central portions of the species's range, but not in the easternmost populations. Eclipse plumages probably disappeared from extreme south-eastern Asia and the Philippines prior to the advent of intensive scientific collecting (about 1860) and have not been observed in Malaysia and neighbouring countries since the 1920S. Populations exhibiting eclipse plumages were found in north-eastern India as late as the 1960s, but the dense human populations there make their continuing genetic integrity uncertain. These data suggest that surveys of wild and captive populations should be undertaken to assess the genetic integrity of this species. A re-evaluation of the conservation status of Red Junglefowl might then follow.
Ammonium recycling limits nitrate use in the oceanic subarctic Pacific

Seasonal and die1 changes in nutrient concentrations and nitrogen assimilation rates were used to assess the effects of NH,+ on NO,- assimilation. Surface-water NO,- concentrations ranged from 6 to 17 ah4 while NH. ,+ concentrations ranged from 0 to 0.4 PM. Total N assimilation ranged from 84 to 732 nM d-r but showed no seasonal trend. NH,’ and urea concentrations were < 1% of total dissolved inorganic N, but use of this “regenerated” N still accounted for 44-89*/s of total N assimilation. Rates of NO,- assimilation were negatively correlated with ambient NH,+ concentrations, and concentrations of NH. , + between 0.1 and 0.3 PM caused complete inhibition of NOsassimilation, NO,- was more important as a source of N in spring than in summer. We attribute this pattern to a summer increase in turnover rates for NH;‘. Turnover times for the dissolved NH,+ pool were half as long in August as in May. Grazing and recycling in the euphotic zone apparently both play significant roles in preventing depletion of NO,- in the oceanic subarctic Pacific.
A Region of ςK Involved in Promoter Activation by GerE in Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT During endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis, the DNA binding protein GerE stimulates transcription from several promoters that are used by RNA polymerase containing ςK. GerE binds to a site on one of these promoters, cotX, that overlaps its −35 region. We tested the model that GerE interacts with ςK at the cotX promoter by seeking amino acid substitutions in ςK that interfered with GerE-dependent activation of the cotX promoter but which did not affect utilization of the ςK-dependent, GerE-independent promoter gerE. We identified two amino acid substitutions in ςK, E216K and H225Y, that decrease cotXpromoter utilization but do not affect gerE promoter activity. Alanine substitutions at these positions had similar effects. We also examined the effects of the E216A and H225Y substitutions in ςK on transcription in vitro. We found that these substitutions specifically reduced utilization of the cotXpromoter. These and other results suggest that the amino acid residues at positions 216 and 225 are required for GerE-dependentcotX promoter activity, that the histidine at position 225 of ςK may interact with GerE at the cotXpromoter, and that this interaction may facilitate the initial binding of ςK RNA polymerase to the cotX promoter. We also found that the alanine substitutions at positions 216 and 225 of ςK had no effect on utilization of the GerE-dependent promoter cotD, which contains GerE binding sites that do not overlap with its −35 region.
Investigation of mechanisms that suppress non-allelic homologous recombination

Repetitive DNA is present in the eukaryotic genome in the form of segmental duplications, tandem and interspersed repeats, and satellites. Repetitive sequences can be beneficial by serving specific cellular functions (e.g. centromeric and telomeric DNA) and by providing a rapid means for adaptive evolution. However, such elements are also substrates for deleterious chromosomal rearrangements that affect fitness and promote human disease. Recent studies analyzing the role of nuclear organization in DNA repair and factors that suppress nonallelic homologous recombination have provided insights into how genome stability is maintained in eukaryotes. In this review we outline the types of repetitive sequences seen in eukaryotic genomes and how recombination mechanisms are regulated at the DNA sequence, cell organization, chromatin structure, and cell cycle control levels to prevent chromosomal rearrangements involving these sequences. 1 Published in Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2012, 47(3):297-313
A cost‐effective method of assessing thermal habitat quality for endotherms

The conservation of many endothermic species depends critically on the availability of suitable retreat sites, yet we know little about the variation in thermal quality of such microhabitats. Studies of thermal habitat suitability for birds and mammals must account for the effect of endothermic heat production on their microclimates. For example, endotherms may significantly raise the air temperature in their retreat sites and this effect must be considered when assessing retreat site quality. We devised an inexpensive means by which to construct pseudo-endothermic ‘environmental temperature’ models with the use of disposable heat pads. We applied this technique to investigate thermal aspects of nest box design, illustrating the potential positive and negative effects of nest box insulation depending on the environmental context. We suggest that, from a thermal perspective, the avoidance of heat stress is an important and underappreciated issue in the retreat site selection of endotherms.
Direct activation of p34cdc2 protein kinase without preceding phosphorylation during meiotic cell cycle in mouse oocytes

During the late phase of the first and the second meiotic cell cycles, the phosphorylated form of p34 cdc2 was not detected and sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatase, did not inhibit the activation of histone H1 kinase, whereas it inhibited the activation of the kinase and dephosphorylation of p34 cdc2 during the early phase of the first meiosis and mitotic cell cycle. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of p34 cdc2 is not a prerequisite for its activation. The significance of the absence of phosphorylation in meiotic cell cycle is discussed
Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands: manipulating soil nutrients, exotic annuals and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns

Summary 1Ecological invasions are often associated with persistent changes to underlying ecological processes. Restoration of invaded communities is dependent on manipulation of these processes to favour the target species composition and impart resistance to further invasion. We applied these principles to extensively degraded grassy woodlands in temperate agricultural regions of Australia, where widespread invasion by mediterranean annuals is related to altered ecological processes such as soil nutrient cycling. 2We investigated carbon supplementation and spring burns, in association with re-establishment of native perennial grasses, as potential management tools for manipulating nitrogen cycling, soil seed banks and establishment conditions in degraded woodland understoreys. Through these mechanisms we aimed to enhance native cover and increase resistance to invasion by exotic annuals. 3In two contrasting degraded remnants, repeated sucrose applications temporarily reduced soil nitrate to inferred pre-European levels, which dramatically reduced growth of exotic annuals and enhanced native perennial abundance. Repeated spring burns did not reduce soil nitrate but reduced exotic annual grasses through effects on soil seed banks and/or establishment conditions. 4Spring burns and carbon supplements both significantly enhanced establishment of Themeda australis, a dominant tussock grass prior to European settlement. Combinations of T. australis seed addition and either spring burning or carbon supplements enhanced native plant abundance more effectively than treatments without seed addition. 5Within 18 months of their establishment, T. australis seedlings significantly reduced soil nitrate in some treatments, providing a preliminary indication that re-establishment of a dense sward of this species may restore ecosystem function to a low-nitrate state that favours native perennials over exotic annuals. 6Synthesis and applications. Ecological restoration can be viewed as targeted intervention in species–environment interactions, whereby ecological conditions are manipulated to enhance establishment or vigour of key species, and these species in turn help restore ecological processes that favour the target species composition. In grassy ecosystems re-establishing a perennial sward of appropriate native tussock grasses may be critical for restoring pre-disturbance nitrogen cycles and improving resistance to invasion by exotic annuals. Carbon supplements and spring burns facilitate this process through complementary mechanisms.
Origin and Prevalence of Campylobaeter jejuni in Poultry Processing.

Investigations of two chicken processing plants in The Netherlands have shown that large contamination with Campylobacter jejuni can exist on birds, equipment, hands of processing-line workers and in air samples from the processing facility. This contamination appeared only to be of intestinal origin. Intestinal contents of birds to be processed contained up to 107 C. jejuni per gram. Contamination of birds was reduced during scalding at 58°C, but this reduction was not always observed at 51.8°C. The number of C. jejuni on carcasses increased during defeathering and evisceration. Large numbers of C. jejuni were washed off the carcasses when a spinchiller was used. When air-cooling was employed, C. jejuni in some instances died off, probably due to drying. End-products from these chicken processing plants contained C. jejuni in 50% of carcasses and 75% of livers.