Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological characterization of Oscillatoriales (Cyanobacteria) from Ross Island and southern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Field populations of Oscillatoriales, from fresh and saline lakes and ponds, and from terrestrial habitats, are characterised on the basis of their morphology and morphometry. Fifteen morphotypes are recognized principally from the following characteristics; cross-sectional shape of the trichome, presence or absence of a calyptra on the apical cell, occurrence or otherwise of numerous trichomes within a common sheath, and trichome width distribution. Where possible morphotypes are assigned to traditional species described by earlier investigations of algae in the Ross Sea region and a reassessment is made of the early descriptions, in some cases using material from the identical locations to the original collections. The following traditional species are described; Lyngbya murrayi, Microcoleus vaginatus, Oscillatoria deflexa, O. koettlitzi, O. priestleyi, O. sancta, Phormidium autumnale and P. subproboscidea. Intraspecific morphotypes of M. vaginatus, O. priestleyi and P. autumnale are recognised on the basis of trichome width. A new species and variety of Crinalium (Crow) Winder, Stal & Mur, a genus characterized by flattened trichomes, are described from cryoconite ponds on glaciers. C. glaciale sp. nov. possesses wide, straight trichomes in contrast to C. glaciale var. helicoides nov. var. in which trichomes are narrower and helically coiled.
Release of Intracellular Solutes by Four Soil Bacteria Exposed to Dilution Stress

The physiological mechanisms utilized by soil bacteria for acclimation to sudden increases in soil water potential are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the physiological responses of soil isolates of Pseudomonas chlororaphis, P. fluorescens, Bacillus pumulis, and Streptomyces griseus to a sudden increase in solution water potential (dilution). Bacterial isolates were cultured at a low solute water potential (-3.0 MPa) and subjected to rapid water potential increases of 0.5 to 2.0 MPa. The small amount of protein and DNA released by a 2.0 MPa dilution suggests that water potential increases up to 2.0 MPa did not cause significant cell lysis. In response to dilution, intracellular solutes were released into the extracellular environment rather than polymerized into osmotically less-active compounds or catabolized to CO 2 . In general, the Gram-positive isolates B. pumulis and S. griseus were more tolerant to dilution than the Pseudomonas spp. , since dilution had no effect on culturability, and the amount of solutes released was small (<10% of the intracellular solute pool). The Pseudomonas spp. released a maximum of 22 to 26% of their amino acid pool and 54 to 60% of their low molecular weight neutral sugar pool. The amounts of amino acids and low molecular weight carbohydrates released and the reduction in culturability was, in general, proportional to the magnitude of dilution. Pseudomonas fluorescens tolerated a 0.5 MPa water potential increase, but water potential shocks of greater magnitude resulted in a large reduction in culturability and an increase in the amount of solutes released. These results suggest that a potential source of mineralizable C following the wetting of dry soils is the release of organic compatible solutes from the microbial community.
Intraspecific Variation in the Amino Acid Content of Floral Nectar

In order to evaluate the constancy of amino acid composition and concentration, several randomly collected samples of genuine floral nectar from different flowers of several plant species were analysed. Although there seems to exist a rough pattern of species-specific nectar amino acid composition, amino acid concentration varied strongly from sample to sample. Apart from the lack of constancy in concentration of floral amino acids, our samples do not show amino acid concentration values as assigned typical for the pertinent pollination mode by other workers.
Endogenous cytokinin levels and metabolism of zeatin riboside in genetic tumour tissues and non-tumourous tissues of tobacco

The cytokinin content of stem tissues, primary genetic tumours (excised from 2-month-old plants) and 3-week-old in vitro cultured genetic tumour tissues derived from Nicotiana glauca (Grah.) ×langsdorffii (Weinm.) and N. suaveolens (Lehm.) ×langsdorffii (Weinm.) hybrids and stem tissues derived from 2-month-old N. suaveolens and N. langsdorffii plants has been analysed by radioimmunoassay. Stem tissues of tumour-prone hybrids contain high cytokinin levels (3–3.7 nmol g−1). This increase is caused mainly by increased levels of cytokinin nucleotides, particularly those of zeatin nucleotide (0.5 nmol g−1) in stem tissues of parent plants and 2.4 nmol g−1 in stem tissues of hybrids). All other tissues contain lower cytokinin levels (0.7–1.7 nmol g−1). Cytokinin bases and ribosides are major compounds in cultured tumour tissues while the nucleotides are dominant cytokinins in all freshly excised tissues from parent plants and their hybrids. In a separate study, the metabolic fate of supplied [3Hj-zeatin riboside. which is inactivated mainly by sidechain cleavage, has been studied. The results collectively suggest that cytokinins may be involved in tumourigenesis.
Traffic Noise and Inequality in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

ABSTRACT It is widely known that prolonged exposure to high levels of traffic noise has several health effects. While scholarship in environmental justice has explored the environmental equity hypothesis in a wide range of areas, whether the spatial distribution of traffic noise is equitable among different racial and socioeconomic groups has rarely been explored, especially in the United States. This article addresses this lacuna by examining this relationship in the Twin Cities Metro Region, Minnesota. Traffic data from the Minnesota Department of Transportation were used to model the propagation of traffic noise over the study area and aircraft noise contour lines were added to account for aircraft noise. Inequities associated with exposure to chronic traffic noise were investigated using selected demographic and socioeconomic variables from the U.S. Census 2000. Statistical analysis was based on a regression model that addressed spatial autocorrelation. Results indicate that there is an association between noise levels and household income, median household value, the percentage of non-white residents, and the percentage of the population less than 18 years of age.
Laboratory studies on volatilization and mineralization of 14c‐p,p'‐DDT in soil, release of bound residues and dissipation from solid surfaces

Abstract In support of field data, laboratory studies were conducted on volatilization, mineralization and binding of 14C‐p,p'‐DDT in soils at Sao Paulo. Incubation of soil for 6 weeks did not result in volatilized organics or mineralization; with >95% extractable radiocarbon in the form of p,p'‐DDT. Small amounts of bound residues (1.8%) were detected in soil. These data confirm the very slow dissipation of DDT in the field which presumably relates to the acidic pH of soil (4.5–4.8). Bound 14C‐residues in soils treated with 14C‐p,p'‐DDT at Praia Grande and Sao Paulo could be released (5–21%) by sulphuric acid treatment. The released residue had the composition: 69–90% DDT, 7–32% DDD and 0–3% DDE. Incubation of soil bound 14C‐residues with fresh inoculum for 3 months did not result in release of 14C. Dissipation from wooden surfaces was fairly slow. After 20 weeks, 74% of the applied radioactivity could be recovered; 44% hexane‐non‐extractable.
Species–people correlations and the need to account for survey effort in biodiversity analyses

Positive regional correlations between biodiversity and human population have been detected for several taxonomic groups and geographical regions. Such correlations could have important conservation implications and have been mainly attributed to ecological factors, with little testing for an artefactual explanation: more populated regions may show higher biodiversity because they are more thoroughly surveyed. We tested the hypothesis that the correlation between people and herptile diversity in Europe is influenced by survey effort.
The effects of land use intensification on soil biodiversity in the pasture

A long-term multidisciplinary study of pasture agroecology is currently being conducted in Nova Scotia, Canada. The objective is to examine the relationship between above -ground and below-ground functional diversity, and the effects on agroecosystem productivity. The experimental design consists of four treatments of decreasing land use intensity, applied in the context of management intensive grazing. Treatments include: (1) clipping and harrowing following each grazing rotation (intensive); (2) clipping only once following the first defoliation; (3) grazing every second rotation; (4) grazed only once a year (extensive). Samples were taken from each treatment once during May, July, and September 2005. Edaphic characteristics and plant diversity were measured, as well as microarthropod, nematode, protist, and bacterial functional group diversity and abundances. Significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatment were observed on percentage of bare soil, plant species and functional diversity, and bacterial funct.
Concentration and recovery of the bacteriocin nisin from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

This investigation compared various techniques to concentrate and recover nisin from Lactococcus lactis cells. Centrifugation, combined with pH manipulation, was initially investigated as it is known that nisin will adsorb to producer cells at pH 6.5 and desorb at pH < or = 3.0. Unfortunately, centrifugation stripped producer cells of nisin even at pH 6.5; therefore a milder separation process (microfiltration) was evaluated. Results using a medium (LTB) containing peptone, tryptone, yeast extract, NaCl, Na2HPO4 and glucose demonstrated that nisin could be at least partially concentrated with cells via microfiltration. However, when a filtered stillage‐based medium was used, nisin production was boosted to levels which exceeded the holding capacity of producer cells, resulting in release of nisin from cells at pH 6.5. Since it appears unfeasible to use producer cells for nisin recovery, an alternative may be to separately immobilize cells/ fragments in a re‐usable column to act as a ‘resin’ to adsorb nisin. Microfiltration could then be used to release nisin from cells, with nisin recovered by passing the permeated material through the immobilized‐cell columns at pH 6.5.
Security strategies for microservices-based application systems

Microservices architecture is increasingly being used to develop application systems since its smaller codebase facilitates faster code development, testing, and deployment as well as optimization of the platform based on the type of microservice, support for independent development teams, and the ability to scale each component independently. Microservices generally communicate with each other using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which requires several core features to support complex interactions between a substantial number of components. These core features include authentication and access management, service discovery, secure communication protocols, security monitoring, availability/resiliency improvement techniques (e.g., circuit breakers), load balancing and throttling, integrity assurance techniques during induction of new services, and handling of session persistence. Additionally, the core features could be bundled or packaged into architectural frameworks such as API gateways and service mesh. The purpose of this document is to analyze the multiple implementation options available for each individual core feature and configuration options in architectural frameworks, develop security strategies that counter threats specific to microservices, and enhance the overall security profile of the microservices-based application.
Spatial–temporal relationships between two euphausiid species in the Ross Sea

This paper summarizes the results obtained during the Italian marine Antarctic expeditions to the Ross Sea in November and December 1994, December 1997, and January 2000. The distribution and abundance of the two krill species (Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias) are shown in relation to the degree of ice cover, and a potential mechanism is presented that allows the coexistence of the two similar species in the same region. The surveys indicate that the northern and north-western areas of the Ross Sea are largely dominated by Euphausia superba, while the southern and south-western areas are dominated by Euphausia crystallorophias. The two krill populations show some overlap in the central part of the Ross Sea, where the distribution of the two species appears related to the ice cover. The biomass centroids of the two krill species seem to move northward associated with the ice edge retreat in summer. The centroid of the Euphausia superba biomass moves much faster and further than that of Euphausia crystallorophias and reaches ice-free waters at the edge of the Ross Sea in summer. This suggests that the spatial extent of the Euphausia superba population may extend beyond the Ross Sea, and a portion of this population may spread into the ocean waters starting in early January. In contrast, the Euphausia crystallorophias population appears to be restricted to the Ross Sea.
Evolutionary Pinnacle: Social Evolution in Ants.

Ants represent a pinnacle of social evolution in that all species are highly eusocial, except for some that have secondarily lost this social system. Eusocial species have a reproductive division of labor, and highly eusocial species have overlap of generations and have reproductives and worker helpers that are morphologically distinct. Many ants, and many termites, go further and have elaborate caste systems, in which nonreproductives are further differentiated morphologically. Whence came this marvel
Coronary revascularization in robotic cardiac surgery

Robotic surgery has evolved worldwide after 2000s. In cardiac surgery, totally endoscopic robotic endoscopic surgery has been frequently performed in mitral/tricuspid valve pathologies, atrial septal defects, coronary revascularization, and intracardiac tumors. In this review, we discuss robotic approach to coronary revascularization and surgical technique in patients with ischemic heart disease in the light of literature data.
Bat species richness and abundance in tropical rain forest fragments and in agricultural habitats at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Faced with the rapid and extensive conversion of tropical rain forests to pasture lands and agricultural fields and with the need to preserve the remaining mammalian fauna, it is imperative to determine how the different species that form the mammalian community have responded to the anthropogenic alterations of their natural habitats. To provide data in this direction, we sampled bats in 45 forest islands, in 20 agricultural habitats representing five types of vegetation (cocoa, coffee, mixed, citrus and allspice), in four live-fence sites and in four pasture sites at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Sampling effort resulted in the capture of 2587 bats representing 35 species. In forest habitats we detected 32 species. We did not capture any bats at the four pasture sites, but the at the other agricultural habitats studied, we captured 38% of the bats and 77% of the species recorded. Thirty-four percent of the species recorded were present at the live-fence habitats. Isolating distance was an important variable influencing species richness in forests and in agricultural habitats. Only 10% of the species recorded occurred in all the habitats studied, but 77% of the species occurred in a habitat other than rain forest. Recaptures of bats indicated inter habitat movements in the fragmented landscape. We discuss the conservation value for the bat fauna of agricultural islands of vegetation as elements reducing isolating distances among forest fragments.
Effect of fertilizer rate and form on the recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer applied to wheat in Syria

15N-labelled fertilizer was applied at different rates (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N ha−1) and in different forms (urea or ammonium sulphate) to wheat grown in Syria in three seasons (1991/92, 1992/93 and 1994/95). Recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer in the above-ground crop at harvest was low (8–22%), with the amount of 15N-labelled fertilizer recovered in the crop increasing as the rate of application increased. Fertilizer application caused a significant increase in the amount of unlabelled soil N in the crop, suggesting that the application of N fertilizer caused a ‘real’ added nitrogen interaction. Recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer in the crop was unaffected by the form of the fertilizer. On average 31% (14–54%) of the 15N-labelled fertilizer remained in the soil at harvest, mostly in the 0–20 cm layer. At the lowest application rate (30 kg N ha−1) most of the residual fertilizer was as organic N, but at the higher application rates (60 and 90 kg N ha−1), a greater proportion of the 15N-labelled fertilizer was recovered as inorganic N, presumably as the result of top-dressing N in dry conditions in the spring. The amount of 15N-labelled fertilizer remaining in the soil increased as the fertilizer rate increased, but was unaffected by the form of fertilizer applied. Losses of 15N-labelled fertilizer were large (>35%), probably caused by gaseous losses, either through volatilization of N from the calcareous soil, or through denitrification from wet soils rich in organic residues. N fertilization strategies in the West Asia/North Africa (WANA) region should take note of the low recovery of N fertilizer by the crop in the season of application, and the resultant large quantities of residual fertilizer.
Genetically determined variation in seed germination and field emergence of Brassica oleracea

SUMMARY The germination and field emergence levels and germination rates were measured of Brassica oleracea seed lots obtained by outcrossing the progenies of two half diallels to a single pollen parent. Analysis of variation of the seed lots classified according to their maternal grandparents showed that both general and specific combining abilities were important in accounting for the observed differences; the observed performance of many of the seed lots was satisfactorily accounted for by their grandmaternal parentage. The capacity to give high levels of germination was not necessarily related to the capacity to give high relative field emergence levels, maternal grandparents apparently differing in their ability to contribute to these two characters.
The occurrence of crassulacean acid metabolism among vascular epiphytes from Central Panama.

The occurrence of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) among the epiphyte flora of the lowland forest on Barro Colorado Island (BCJ), Panama, was investigated. A total of 116 species was included, i.e. about 2/3 of the known epiphyte taxa. As judged from the carbon isotope ratios and the absence of Kranz anatomy, indications of CAM were found in 29 species of three families, Orchidaceae (20), Bromeliaceae (7), and Cactaceae (2). We estimate that about 25% of the epiphyte flora of BCI are CAM plants. CAM was most prevalent in exposed sites, but even in the understorey two epiphyte species engage in CAM.
Edible oleogels in food products to help maximize health benefits and improve nutritional profiles

Summary Organogelators such as 12-hydroxystearic acid and ethylcellulose have been shown to structure vegetable oils at levels below 8%. The resultant gels retain the fatty acid profile of the vegetable oil, yet provide solid-like properties that can successfully replace saturated fats in a variety of food products including cookies, creams, and frankfurters and sausages. Furthermore, organogel technology can be used for the controlled or delayed release of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. With the development of food grade organogelators, this will allow for the use of oleogels in a large variety of food and pharmaceutical applications.
Genome-Wide DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood and Long-Term Exposure to Source-Specific Transportation Noise and Air Pollution: The SAPALDIA Study.

BACKGROUND Few epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) on air pollutants exist, and none have been done on transportation noise exposures, which also contribute to environmental burden of disease. OBJECTIVE We performed mutually independent EWAS on transportation noise and air pollution exposures. METHODS We used data from two time points of the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA) from 1,389 participants contributing 2,542 observations. We applied multiexposure linear mixed-effects regressions with participant-level random intercept to identify significant Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) sites and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in relation to 1-y average aircraft, railway, and road traffic day-evening-night noise (Lden); nitrogen dioxide (NO2); and particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter <2. 5μm (PM2.5). We performed candidate (CpG-based; cross-systemic phenotypes, combined into "allostatic load") and agnostic (DMR-based) pathway enrichment tests, and replicated previously reported air pollution EWAS signals. RESULTS We found no statistically significant CpGs at false discovery rate <0.05. However, 14, 48, 183, 8, and 71 DMRs independently associated with aircraft, railway, and road traffic Lden; NO2; and PM2.5, respectively, with minimally overlapping signals. Transportation Lden and air pollutants tendentially associated with decreased and increased methylation, respectively. We observed significant enrichment of candidate DNA methylation related to C-reactive protein and body mass index (aircraft, road traffic Lden, and PM2.5), renal function and "allostatic load" (all exposures). Agnostic functional networks related to cellular immunity, gene expression, cell growth/proliferation, cardiovascular, auditory, embryonic, and neurological systems development were enriched. We replicated increased methylation in cg08500171 (NO2) and decreased methylation in cg17629796 (PM2.5). CONCLUSIONS Mutually independent DNA methylation was associated with source-specific transportation noise and air pollution exposures, with distinct and shared enrichments for pathways related to inflammation, cellular development, and immune responses. These findings contribute in clarifying the pathways linking these exposures and age-related diseases but need further confirmation in the context of mediation analyses. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6174.
THE EFFECT OF ACCLIMATION AND GLYCEROL INJECTION ON MORTALITY AND PUPATION IN LARVAE OF EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA AFTER EXPOSURES AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Larvae of Ephestia kuehniella acclimated at 0° and 6° showed greater ability to survive at –10° or –6° than larvae transferred directly from 20°. Injection of glycerol further increased the survival rate. Acclimation did not affect the ability to pupate after exposure at low temperatures. Regardless of previous acclimation increasing larval mortality rates, however, were always accompanied by reduced ability of surviving larvae to pupate. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG DER EINFLUSS VON AKKLIMATISATION UND GLYZEROL-INJEKTION AUF MORTALITAT UND VERPUPPUNG BEI LARVEN VON EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA UNTER DER WIRKUNG NIEDRIGER TEMPERATUREN Bei 0° und 6° akklimatisierte Larven von Ephestia kuehniella zeigten ein groseres Vermogen, niedrige Temperaturen, –10° und –6°, zu uberleben als Larven, die unmittelbar von 20° ubertragen wurden. Eine Injektion von Glyzerol hatte eine noch grosere Wirkung auf das Uberlebensvermogen als die Akklimatisation. Das Verpuppungsvermogen der uberlebenden Larven nahm nach verlangerter Expositionszeit bei –10° und –6° ab. Ungefahr dasselbe Verhaltnis wurde zwischen Mortalitat und Verpuppung gefunden, ohne Beziehung auf fruhere Akklimatisierungs- oder Versuchstemperaturen. Es scheint daher, das nur das Uberlebensvermogen und nicht die Verpuppungsfahigkeit von der Akklimatisierungstemperatur beeinflust wird.