Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural stability and architecture of vines vs. shrubs of poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum

To learn whether vine stems are less structurally stable than shrub stems, I studied the architecture, anatomy, and mechanics of western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), a plant that grows as a vine when provided with external support but otherwise as a shrub. I assessed the relative structural stabilities of vines and shrubs, and the relative importance of stem morphological vs. material properties for this structural stability using the following types of information: abovegound architecture and biomass distribution, and geometric, anatomical, and material properties of the stems. Shoots that were supported by a fence (vines) had a lower proportion of their dry mass in primary stem and had more aboveground dry mass, more leaves, and a greater total length of stem than did unsupported shoots (shrubs). Both growth forms had about the same proportion of their biomass at a given relative height above the ground. Supported shoots were taller and had lower stem taper (change in radius per unit length .
Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment to inactivate aerobic microorganisms on alfalfa seeds

The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) process involves pressurizing CO2 in a chamber which generates liquid phase of carbon dioxide. Pressurized liquid CO2 has a strong extraction capability of organic and inorganic compounds. The recent studies have also demonstrated that antimicrobial effect of SC-CO2 due extraction some cellular components of microorganisms. The efficacy of a supercritical carbon dioxide treatment on alfalfa seeds contaminated with Escherichia coli K12 was tested at 2000, 3000, and 4000 psi at 50C. Samples were treated for 15, 30, and 60 min at each pressure. After pummeling the seed samples in 0.1% peptone water, the initial and final Escherichia coli and total aerobic bacteria on the seeds were determined by plating on 3M Petri Films. After 48 h of incubation at 37 C, the colonies were enumerated. Treated seeds were evaluated in terms of germination characteristics. For aerobic plate count, the effect of pressure in the range of 2000–4000 psi was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) even though 85.6% inactivation was achieved at 4000 psi for 60 min. For E. coli, the reductions for 2000, 3000, and 4000 psi treatments for 15 min were 26.6, 68.1, and 81.3%, respectively. As the time was increased from 15 to 60 min at 4000 psi, the percent E. coli reduction increased from 81.3% to 92.8%. The percent germination for all treatments was over 90%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the germination rate of treated and untreated seeds. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatments demonstrated a reduction of E. coli K12 and total aerobic counts without affecting the germination characteristics of alfalfa seeds (p < 0.05). This study was a step in the direction of improving safety of alfalfa seeds used to produce fresh sprouts, which have been the cause of several outbreaks.
DISTRIBUTION AND CYCLING OF NUTRIENTS IN A NATURAL PINUS BANKSIANA ECOSYSTEM

Data on dry matter and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents and movements in soil and ground vegetation in a 30-yr-old natural Pinus banksiana Lamb. stand in northern Ontario are presented, together with previously published aboveground data. Dry matter and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents of trees were 90,700; 165; 14; 82; 112; and 18 kg/ha, respectively- less than in many Pinus spp. of comparable age in other parts of the world. A comparison with nutrient contents in younger (20 yr) and older (65 yr) stands on the same site indicated that most nutrient accumulation in vegetation takes place in the first decades of stand develop- ment. Annual nutrient uptake by all vegetation was 32 kg N, 2 kg P, 18 kg K, 21 kg Ca, and 3 kg Mg per hectare. Between 71 % and 89% of the elements taken up annually by trees were returned to the soil by litterfall and leaf wash. There was a buildup of forest floor organic matter with stand age and N, P, and Mg accumulated in this material faster than the other elements. Soil reserves of plant-available or mineralizable nutrients were maintained by nutrient re- plenishment from precipitation and vegetation-soil nutrient cycling. Thus, we conclude that removal of elements from the ecosystem by logging or burning should not result in significant impoverishment of this site.
Effects of alkali treatment and heat treatment in the presence of fructose on digestibility of food proteins as determined by an immobilized digestive enzyme assay (IDEA)

Mise en oeuvre d'un systeme comprenant deux bioreacteurs, un contenant de la pepsine, le second de la trypsine, de la chymotrypsine et des peptidases intestinales pour evaluer le degre de racemisation des acides amines et la formation de lysinoalanine (traitement alcalin), ainsi que les consequences de la reaction de Maillard (traitement thermique) sur la digestibilite de proteines d'origine vegetale ou animale
The pattern of frost‐hardening of leaves of winter cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis cv. Clause 30)

Summary The suitability of an electrical conductivity assay of leaf material for determining frost hardiness in winter cauliflower was established. The assay was used to monitor the changes in hardiness of field-grown plants during two seasons at two sites. Levels of frost hardiness were related to mean air temperature over the 7-day period prior to sampling (r = 0.6008, P< 0.001). There was no clear disjunction of any temperature to indicate a threshold temperature of hardening. Dehardening occurred in spring and during mild spells in winter. In the mild regions where this crop is grown commercially it is likely that plants are not fully hardened for much of the winter. This may facilitate curd growth but may put the crop at risk from frost damage.
Diversidad de los hemoparásitos Plasmodium y Haemoproteus en algunas especies de aves de los Andes colombianos

El Neotropico presenta una de las avifaunas mas ricas del mundo asociada a la gran variedad de ecosistemas producto de la heterogeneidad topografica y climatica. Como parte de esta zona megadiversa, los Andes colombianos presentan un escenario prometedor para la investigacion en hemoparasitos aviares, poco estudiados en tierras altas en todo el mundo. El orden Haemosporida incluye especies causantes de malaria aviar y parasitos relacionados, los cuales han sido implicados con la mortalidad de aves en cautiverio asi como en la disminucion poblacional de especies endemicas en Hawaii. Este estudio evaluo la diversidad de los generos Haemoproteus y Plasmodium presentes en aves de la region Andina de Colombia; utilizando en conjunto la determinacion morfologica de las especies y la identificacion de linajes de citocromo b. En total se determinaron 14 morfoespecies de las cuales seis son nuevas para el mundo y se da la descripcion de una de ella: Plasmodium (Novyella) unalis sp. nov. Tambien se da la redescripcion de Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) lutzi un parasito que solo habia sido reportado en tierras bajas. Las especie Plasmodium (N.) unalis y P. (H.) lutzi resultaron geneticamente relacionados con Plasmodium (N.) vaughani y P. (H.) relictum respectivamente, parasitos de amplia distribucion geografica y de hospederos. Se reportan tambien 25 linajes de citocromo b de los cuales 18 no han sido reportados previamente. En cuanto a la concordancia entre identificacion morfologica y molecular, el marcador citocromo b mostro ser util para la determinacion de especies, a pesar de su baja resolucion filogenetica. El genero Plasmodium presento diferencias en las especies entre tierras altas (este estudio) y las reportadas previamente en tierras bajas neotropicales. Finalmente se consideraron las diferencias entre los parasitos que infectan aves residentes y migratorias, encontrandose que existen linajes restringidos a residentes y otros a migratorias boreales; solo un linaje fue compartido entre estos tipos de aves, sin embargo este parasito no fue encontrado en aves boreales no-migratorias; indicando que el linaje compartido no cuenta con un ciclo de transmision establecido en la region boreal. Las diferencias en fauna aviar y vectora pueden estar restringiendo la transmision de linajes parasitos foraneos en Colombia.
Intraspecific sex-pheromone variability in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae).

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Intraspecific sex-pheromone variability in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) Pierre Anglade, Jacques Stockel, I.W. G.O. Cooperators
The effects of burst swimming on aerobic swimming in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Burst swimming in fish results in a marked metabolic acidosis. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) blood was shown to have a marked Root shift, such that burst swimming and the subsequent metabolic acidosis should impair oxygen delivery to the tissues and, therefore, aerobic swimming capacity. Burst swimming was found to have no effect on aerobic swimming capacity in Chinook salmon and it is concluded that any effects on aerobic swimming, of the induced metabolic acidosis following burst swimming, was offset by the release of catecholamines.
Sex‐ and tissue‐related expression of two types of p450 aromatase mRNA in the protandrous black porgy, acanthopagrus schlegeli, during sex reversal: Expression profiles following exogenous hormone administration

Abstract Cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens and plays an important role in reproduction and development in vertebrates. We investigated the expression patterns of ovarian P450arom (P450aromA) and brain P450arom (P450aromB) mRNA during sex change in black porgy. Maturity was divided into seven stages from male to female (immature testis, mature testis, testicular portion of mostly testis, ovarian portion of mostly testis, testicular portion of mostly ovary, ovarian portion of mostly ovary, and mature ovary). P450aromA expression was significantly higher in the ovarian portion of mostly‐ovarian stage fish, and P450aromB expression was highest in the brain of black porgy with mostly‐ovarian gonads. Histology showed that testicular tissues were disintegrated with the development of ovarian tissue associated with an increase in the expression of the two P450arom mRNAs during sex change. Interestingly, among various tissues, P450aromA was only expressed in the ovary, and P450aromB was only expressed in the brain. To understand the role of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and estradiol (E2), we injected exogenous hormone (GnRH analogue [GnRHa] and E2) into immature black porgy. In the GnRHa group, expression of the two P450arom genes decreased 12 h after injection, and expression of the two P450arom genes were significantly higher at 6 d after E2 injection. These results provide useful baseline knowledge on the mechanism of natural sex change in black porgy.
Cellular and biochemical alterations in L6 myoblast cells induced by 6‐aminonicotinamide

Abstract The effects of antimetabolite 6‐AN (6‐amino nicotinamide) on viability and morphology of L6 myoblast cells have been investigated. 6‐AN (100 μM) induced a time‐dependent decrease in cell viability with respect to the untreated control cells. Following 6‐AN administration the viability rate started to decline sharply, reaching about 23% of the untreated control cells at 48 h. Inverted phase‐contrast microscopy revealed that 6‐AN caused characteristic morphological changes such as irregularly elongated and stellate shape of cells, round‐shaped nucleus, cytoplasmic vacuolization, irregular cell arrangements and formation of large spaces among cell clusters. The concentrations of ATP and NAD+ in the 6‐AN treated cells were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. In contrast, the concentration of AMP was significantly increased by the 6‐AN treatment. Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in 6‐AN treated cells were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. The activities of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase in 6‐AN treated cells were significantly lower (p<0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. The results suggest that 6‐AN caused marked reduction of cell viability and alterations of some important metabolites and enzymes.
YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF EDIBLE MEAT FROM MALE BROILERS AS INFLUENCED BY DIETARY PROTEIN LEVEL AND AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

Two experiments were undertaken to investigate yield and composition of various carcass parts when male broilers were fed diets varying in level of dietary protein and methionine and lysine supplementation. Birds fed a low protein diet (16%) showed little difference in performance or carcass characteristics when compared with a similar diet supplemented with 0.17% DL-methionine. A comparison of diets containing 17, 20 and 23% dietary protein demonstrated that birds on the 17% diet had less carcass protein and more carcass fat than the higher protein diets. However, supplementation of the 17% diet with methionine and lysine resulted in weight gain and carcass composition values similar to the higher protein diets. At similar body weights, birds fed the higher levels of protein or birds fed diets supplemented with essential amino acids resulted in higher levels of carcass protein accretion. Breast meat accounted for approximately 30% of total carcass meat; however, it would contribute close to 50% of total .
Fontes de gordura ômega-3 e ômega-6 sobre a digestibilidade aparente de novilhas de corte confinadas - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1834

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different fat sources supplements on apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicelluloses (HEM), and organic matter (OM). Twenty three 20 months old and 351 kg of initial body weight crossbreed heifers (½ Red Angus ½ Nelore) were used during 28 days. The heifers were allotted into a completely randomized design in three different treatments: Linseed supplement, omega-3 source (LIN); Protected fat, omega-6 source (PFA), and No fat supplement (NOF). The acid insoluble ash was used as internal indicator. NDF and ADF apparent digestibility (61.02% and 56.05%, respectively) were not affected by fat sources. DM and OM digestibility were higher for LIN (69.23% and 70.95%) and PFA (69.69% and 72.57%) diets in relation to NOF (67.39% and 68.28%). For CP digestibility, LIN was higher than NOF, but PFA did not differ from these. PFA promoted higher EE digestibility compared with LIN and this was higher to NOF. LIN presented higher HEM digestibility in relation to the others.
Molecular changes associated with tuberisation in Solanum tuberosum. Differential expression of α‐tubulin isotypes

Changes in gene expression that occur in the stolon tips of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Record during tuberisation were investigated. Protein extracts from stolon tips at various stages in the tuberisation process were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A number of quantitative and qualitative changes in polypeptide composition accompanied the very early stages of tuberisation. In vitro translation of RNA extracted from stolon tips also revealed quantitative and qualitative changes associated with tuberisation. Immunoblotting of protein extracts with monoclonal antibodies raised against α- and β-tubulin showed quantitative changes in the relative level of β-tubulin, but not α-tubulin, as the stolon tips tuberised. Changes in the pattern of α-tubulin isotype expression were shown to occur at early stages in the tuberisation process.
Some influences of CO2 enrichment, nitrogen nutrition and competition on grain yield and quality in spring wheat and barley

Spring wheat and spring barley were grown in elevated atmospheric CO 2 in controlled environments. Wheat was grown in monoculture and in competition with three weed species. In monoculture, wheat had 30% more grain yield and 28% less grain nitrogen in elevated compared to ambient atmospheric CO 2 . In competition, wheat had no significant increase in yield with elevated atmospheric CO 2 . In competition, grain nitrogen concentration was reduced in response to CO 2 with the largest reduction occurring with the smallest competitor and the smallest reduction occurring with the largest competitor. Spring barley was grown in monoculture at three nitrogen fertilizer supplies
Declining fecundity and factors affecting embryo quality in the American lobster (Homarus americanus) from the Bay of Fundy

Recent perturbations in ecosystem and environmental dynamics in the habitat of the American lobster have led to increases in abundance, with unprecedented high landings in some regions. Despite the commercial value of this species, surprisingly little is known about maternal and environmental influences on its reproductive output. We measured fecundity and embryo quality in 1370 ovigerous lobsters from the Bay of Fundy, Canada, during 2008–2013. Female size was generally positively correlated with fecundity (P < 0.001), although some of the very large (and presumably old) females brooded significantly fewer eggs than expected. Egg energy content and lipid content and composition exhibited significant annual differences, indicating environmentally based variation. The most striking difference was a 31% decline in fecundity from 2008 to 2013 (8%–10% per year). We hypothesize that recent warming trends could be responsible for reduced fecundity. Decreased fecundity may be a cause for concern for future recru.
Pharmacokinetic Study of Capecitabine in Monkeys and Mice; Species Differences in Distribution of the Enzymes Responsible for its Activation to 5-FU

Capecitabine, a new orally available fluorpyrimidine carbamate, is converted to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by three sequential reactions involving the enzymes carboxylesterase, cytidine (Cyd) deaminase, and pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase). In the present study the plasma level profiles of capecitabine and its metabolites were investigated after single and repeated oral administration to monkeys and mice. The activities of the three enzymes were also determined in several tissues of humans, monkeys, mice, and rats. Capecitabine was absorbed rapidly and converted to 5-FU in both monkeys and mice after a single oral dosing. The concentration of the intact drug and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5'-DFCR), 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR), and 5-FU were declined rapidly, as reflected by short half-lives of less than 1 hour in monkeys and 1-4 hours in mice. The AUCs of 5-FU were much lower than those of the intact drug and other metabolites, approximately 10 to 50-fold lower than that for 5'-DFUR expressed on a molar basis. In monkeys, the AUC and Cmax for capecitabine and its metabolites were dose related, and the AUC ratio for 5-FU to 5'-DFUR was independent of the dose. 5'-DFUR and the intact drug were prevalent in the plasma, and the 5'-DFCR level was slightly lower. In the monkey plasma, α-fluoro-β-alanine, a catabolite of 5-FU, was one of the main metabolites and showed relatively longer half-lives (5-7 hours). In mice, 5'-DFCR and the intact drug predominated in the plasma, and 5'-DFUR levels were lower than those. The AUCs of capecitabine, 5'-DFCR, and 5'-DFUR were dose related and similar in both genders during repeated daily oral dosing for 5 weeks in monkeys and mice. These values were not affected by repeated administration. The unique distribution of three 5-FU generating enzymes was found with interspecies deference. In humans, carboxylesterase was almost predominantly located in the liver. The monkey showed patterns of the enzyme activities that were the most similar to those in humans. In mice, the distribution patterns of carboxylesterase and Cyd deaminase were different from those in humans; however, mice have all three enzyme activities needed to generate 5-FU. On the contrary, in rats, extremely low Cyd deaminase activity was observed. The plasma level profiles of capecitabine and its metabolites were consistent with the observed activities of these enzymes in each species. Therefore, it seems that the monkey is the most suitable animal to use for predicting pharmacokinetics and safety of capecitabine in humans.
Mapping Fiber and Yield QTLs with Main, Epistatic, and QTL × Environment Interaction Effects in Recombinant Inbred Lines of Upland Cotton

Most agronomic traits of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are quantitatively inherited and affected by environment The importance of epistasis as the genetic basis for complex traits has been reported in many crops. In this study, a linkage map was constructed by means of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from 7235×TM-1. Main effects, epistatic effects, and environmental interaction effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling fiber and yield component traits were determined by mixed linear model based QTL mapping in two to four environments. Sixteen main effect QTLs for 12 traits and 19 digenic interaction QTLs for 12 traits were detected. The amount of variation explained by the QTLs of main effect was larger than the QTLs involved in epistatic interactions. Among seven QTLs having QTL × Environment (QE) interaction effects, five produced significant additive effects and two did not, but only one interaction showed significant additive × additive × environment (AAE) interaction effects. Some QTLs with large effects detected in specific environments could be assodated with environmental response elements.
A new classification for plant phenology based on flowering patterns in lowland tropical rain forest trees at La Selva, Costa Rica

A new classification and conceptual framework for plant phenology are proposed to resolve problems in describing tropical patterns. A long-term (12 yr) survey of flowering in 254 lowland tropical rain forest trees of 173 species from the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica showed highly diverse, irregular, and complex patterns. Analysis of this survey data relied primarily on graphical analyses that provide data representation methods rather than numerical summaries that provide data reduction methods. The classification differs from previous ones in three ways. It uses, as the primary criterion, frequency of the time series, based on explicit time and amplitude scales, so that irregular temporal sequences are revealed. It features a system of subsidiary classes based on other quantitative descriptors: regularity, duration, amplitude, date, and synchrony. Finally, the conceptual framework separates patterns at each level of analysis so that adding the time series at one level produces a time series for the next higher level. Levels are hierarchical from the flower to the individual, population, and community with additional non-nested levels such as the guild. The four basic classes-continual, subannual, annual, and supra-annual--are applied to patterns at any level of analysis. The classification system provides a logical framework for quantitative description of phenological behavior leading to more standardized comparisons. Thus we can see that tropical phenology differs from temperate phenology in two major ways. In tropical species, the nature of the pattern may change from one level of analysis to the next, which is not typical of temperate species. In many tropical species, phenological patterns vary more widely over the geographic range of a species than they do in temperate species.