Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indicator systems for assessment of the virological safety of treated drinking water

Conventional methods cannot detect the viruses of prime importance, and are too expensive, complex and slow for routine quality surveillance. Coliform bacteria generally used as indicators of virological quality, may also have shortcomings because viruses have been recovered from drinking waters which meet conventional coliform limits, and some viruses may be more resistant to certain disinfection conditions. However, the shortcomings of coliforms can be overcome by the inclusion of additional indicator organisms. Indicator systems consisting of various combinations of standard plate counts, coliphages, faecal streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , acid-fast bacteria and clostridia proved reliable and practical for surveillance of the virological safety of drinking water supplies, even those derived by the direct reclamation of wastewater. The combination of indicator systems depends on factors such as the quality of the raw water, the treatment processes, and the efficiency of operation. Despite practical and reliable features of available indicator systems, further refinement is essential. This would include analyses at higher frequency and results in less time, ideally in the form of continuous early-warning alarm systems. Equally important is technology which is within reach of the limited financial resources and expertise of those parts of the world which suffer most from waterborne diseases.
Investigation of BACE1 as a stress-induced regulator of neuronal metabolism

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Yield, forage quality, residue nitrogen and nitrogen fixation of different forage legumes.

Fixed nitrogen accumulated by legumes is the main nitrogen source for organic farming systems. Knowledge about the amount of fixed nitrogen, its pathways into forage yield, crop residues, soil-N and yield formation of the following crop is needed for designing crop rotations. In a field experiment conducted in Northern Germany differently managed (cut, mulched) legumes (red clover, alfalfa, white clover) in pure stands and in mixture with a companion grass (Lolium perenne) have been grown to determine Yield, forage-quality, N2-fixation and residue nitrogen. Cropped grass/legume reached higher N2-fixation than mulched. While green manure grass/legume left up to 296 kg ha-1 of N in mulch, stubble and roots on the field, most cropped grass/legume mixtures left less than 120 kg N ha-1 in crop residues. Cropped swards showed higher N2-fixation than the mulched mixtures. Swards with red clover or alfalfa reached higher legume contents and harvestable biomass than swards with white clover. Conclusions The results show that biomass production, forage yields, residue nitrogen and N fixation of grass/legume mixtures can be influenced by various combinations of legume species and management. The factors listed have to be considered carefully when planning crop rotations.
Triterpenes from Maytenus macrocarpa and Evaluation of Their Anti-HIV Activity

A set of pentacyclic triterpenes has been isolated from the bark of Maytenus macrocarpa (Celastraceae). It includes two new olean-12-ene derivatives, namely 3β, 22α-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid (1) and 22α-hydroxy-olean-12-en-3-oxo-30-oic acid (2), and the new urs-12-ene derivative 3-(E)-coumaroyluvaol (7), along with 10 known compounds possessing olean-12-ene, urs-12-ene, lupane and friedelane skeletons. The structures have been elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, as well as ESI-MS analysis. All isolated compounds were tested for anti-HIV activity in C8166 cells infected with HIV-1MN. The most active compound was 22α-hydroxy-12-en-3-oxo-29-oic acid (triterpenonic acid A, 4), with an EC50 value of 1 μg/mL and a selectivity index of 35.
Characterization of Smallholder Sheep and Goat Farming in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria

The study was conducted to investigate and describe the smallholder sheep and goat production in Bauchi. Data collated was subjected to simple descriptive statistics. The results showed that majority (61.25%) of the farmers were males, and mainly adults (85.00%) attaining the age of twenty five years or more. About 57.00% of the farmers sourced their foundation stock through purchase while others obtained them through inheritance (7.20%), gift (13.60%) and other sources (27.20%). Farmers kept more sheep (58.75%) than goats (41.25%). The results also revealed that the extensive/ free-range (53.75%) was the predominate system of rearing sheep and goats. This was followed by those who practised the semi-intensive system (30.00%). The rest (16.25%) being for the farmers who used the improved production system. Farmers used various shelter conditions for keeping their animals; concrete house (21.25%), mud (23.75%), pen/tethering (35.00%) and no provision of housing (20.00%). However, majority of the farmers (65.00%) breed their animals through uncontrolled natural breeding method, while others relied on the natural controlled breeding method. There was no single farmer that was practising the artificial means of breeding. Most animals (52.23%) had poor body condition score (BCS 1 & 2), 39.03% average, 8.38% and 0.36% fat and obese respectively. Only about 30.0% of the farmers had all-year round feed and water supply to the animals and the rest complained of scarcity of either feed or water at point in time. There was a large number (63.75%) of farmers who give feed supplements, and a lot of farmers (51.25%) have no veterinary services in the business of keeping sheep and goats. The results showed that the major ectoparasites in the area were ticks, fleas and lice with incidence rates of 46.52, 19.79 and 10.34%, respectively. About 23.35% of the animals were free from these parasites. Disease occurrence showed that enteritis, foot rot, fracture/ dislocation, helmenthosis, mange/scabies, nutritional disorder, PPR, pneumonia and others having incidence rates of 8.39, 13.55, 3.87, 25.80, 5.16, 7.10, 20.65, 5.80 and 9.68%, respectively. These diseases occurred mainly (49.68%) in both dry and wet seasons. Others occur only in the dry (20.00%) or wet (30.32%) seasons. The average amount spent annually on diseases was generally less than ₦500 per animal. The study showed that animals under small – holder farming are exposed to numerous hazards, characterized by poor housing and nutrition, high incidence of diseases, poor breeding methods, among others. It is, therefore, suggested that great improvement in the husbandry of these animals should be realized if these constraints are successfully removed to enhance their productivity.
Life History Invariants: Some Explorations of Symmetry in Evolutionary Ecology

Part 1 Introduction - invariants imply deeper symmetries: introduction (with examples) population dynamics fitness and life history evolution inheritance and sex allocation relative timing (and body size) variables life history theory for the a.M number allometry philogenetic methods book layout - a short summary. Part 2 Sex allocation: introduction and overview sex allocation under the Fisher inheritance symmetry simultaneous hermaphroditism sex reversal - breeding sex ratio dioecy - population sex ratio with environmental sex determination. Part 3 Alternative life histories - mostly about males: bluegill sunfish salmon ESS theory - symmetric beginnings ESS theory - asymmetric beginnings one non-intuitive prediction. Part 4 Indeterminate growth: fish aquatic invertebrates reptiles a life history theory for the Beverton-Holt invariants. Part 5 Determinate growth - mostly about mammals: empirical patterns for female mammals theory - the basic . 25 scaling theoretical interpretations one special invariant - a.M a mortality cost of reproduction? sexual dimorphism in adult body size. Part 6 Population dynamics: rmax allometry Fowler's rules. Part 7 Senescence (ageing): determinate versus indeterminate growth sex-changing fish pollen grains alternative male life histories.
Evaluation of the productivity of white and coloured improved goats in the Kujawy-Pomerania province in comparison with the domestic population

The aim of the study was the analysis of the condition of goat breeding and husbandry in the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and in country. The results concerning milk and reproduction performance of goats from this region can be used for working out a regional breeding programme. The following was taken into account in this study: the number of White and Coloured Improved goats covered by the performance recording, number of goats entered in the flockbooks, milk performance results for the Kujawy-Pomerania Province as well as for Poland for the years 1996–2009, using the information published by the Central Animal Breeding Station and the documentation of the Regional Association of Sheep and Goats Breeders in Bydgoszcz. The number of flocks of White Improved goats covered by the performance recording in our country decreased from 170 in 1996 to 0 in 2009. A similar downward tendency was observed for the number of goats under milk recording. In the Kujawy-Pomerania Province, the number of goats under milk recording increased from 45 in 1996 to 289 in 2007, and fell to zero from 2008. Analysing the population of Coloured Improved goats, it turned out that, on average, in the whole country, the number of flocks of this breed increased from 17 in 1997 to 23 in 2004, and then decreased to 1 flock in 2009. Similarly, the number of goats under milk recording increased from 175 in 1997 to 917 in 2004 and then fell to 22 in 2009. In the analysed period, the extension of lactations, increased yields of milk, fat and protein and similar contents of these components in milk were found in White and Coloured Improved goats.
Discovery of a new burrow associate of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), the Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)

Ecosystem engineers play an important ecological role because they modify habitats which are subsequently used by numerous other organisms (Dale and Beyeler, 2001; Wright and Jones, 2004). Burrowing tortoises are considered ecosystem engineers because they construct burrows that are subsequently used by a multitude of heterospecifics (Jackson and Milstrey, 1989; Kaczor and Hartnett, 1990; Kinlaw and Grasmueck, 2012). The Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is a large, semifossorial species which inhabits the Mojave Desert, one of the hottest and driest ecoregions in the North American southwest. The burrows of Desert Tortoises often reach lengths up to 2.0 meters (Burge, 1978) with dens being as long as 1.5–10 meters (Woodbury and Hardy, 1940) and can reach depths of >2 meters below the surface. These constructs provide refuge from the desert’s intense dryness, extreme high and low temperatures, and predators (Woodbury and Hardy, 1948; Luckenbach, 1982). Some species, such as Desert Woodrats (Packrat; Neotoma lepida) and Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia), are known to cohabitate or take over abandoned Desert Tortoise burrows, further excavating them and/or rearing young within
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides : structure, chemical synthesis, biogenesis, and interaction with host cells

-1. Lipid A structure (A. Silipo, A. Molinaro). - 2. Structure of the lipopolysaccharide core region (O. Holst). - 3. Structure of O-antigens (Y.A. Knirel). - 4. Chemical synthesis of lipid A and analogues (S. Kusumoto). - 5. Chemical synthesis of lipopolysaccharide core (P. Kosma, A. Zamyatina). - 6. Genetics and biosynthesis of lipid A (C.M. Stead, A.C. Pride, M.S. Trent). - 7. Pathways for the biosynthesis of NDP sugars (Y. Hao, J. Lam). - 8. Lipopolysaccharide core oligosaccharide biosynthesis and assembly (U. Mamat, M. Skurnik, J.A. Bengoechea). - 9. Genetics, biosynthesis and assembly of O-antigen (M.A. Valvano, S.E. Furlong, K.B. Patel). - 10. Lipopolysaccharide export to the outer membrane (P. Sperandeo, G. Deho, A. Polissi). - 11. Evolution of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes (M.M. Cunneen, P.R. Reeves). - 12. The molecular basis of lipid A and Toll-like receptor 4 interactions (G.L. Hold, C.E. Bryant). - 13. Modulation of lipopolysaccharide signalling through TLR4 agonists and antagonists (F. Peri, M. Piazza, V. Calabrese, R. Cighetti). - 14. Lipopolysaccharide interactions with plants (G. Erbs, M.-A. Newman)
A new species of large auk from the Pliocene of Belgium

A new species of fossil auk, Alca stewarti from the Kattendijk Sands Formation (early Pliocene) of Belgium is described. Preserved elements of this new species include humeri and ulnae, all of which are longer than those of the largest auk currently known, the recently extinct Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis). The relative proportions and structure of these wing elements, together with our estimates of body mass and wing loading suggest that this new species was capable of flapping flight. We consider the biomechanical implications for a large flighted auk, and speculate on the lifestyle and appearance of this new species. We also estimate the likely flight speed and flapping frequency of Alca stewarti.
Artificial mixing of spermatozoa from honeybees and evidence for sperm competition.

SummaryIn each of 6 experiments, about 300 μl of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) semen was diluted, mixed, and used to inseminate about 20 queens. The mixture for each experiment contained a portion of genetically marked sperm. Since the queens were also genetically marked, one could estimate the ratio of marked and unmarked sperm in each queen by counting her marked and unmarked progeny. The objective was to determine if each queen received equal proportions of marked sperm. In two experiments having semen mixtures with about 50% marked sperm, the 95% confidence interval for percent marked progeny was ±9·7% among the 22 queens in group 1 (semen was diluted 1:1 and stirred for 3·5 min) and ±9·0% among the 16 queens in group 6 (semen diluted 1:40 and centrifuged). The confidence intervals were similar and both were significantly greater than ±4·5% (expected 95% confidence interval when sampling a perfect mix with 500 workers from each queen) (P<0·0l). In experiments having a very low frequency of marked sperm.
Screening of bacteriocin producing lactic acid bacteria from Kung-Som

A total of 48 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibited antagonistic activity against Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei JCM1157 or Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from fermented shrimp, KungSom and screened for bacteriocin production. Strain K1N1 and K2N7 exhibited antimicrobial activity toward L. sakei subsp. sakei JCM1157 after excluding inhibition due to organic acids and hydrogen peroxide. Complete inactivation in antimicrobial activity was observed after treatment of cell-free supernatant with trypsin and -chymotrypsin. Both strain K1N1 and K2N7 were identified as Lactobacillus pentosus based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Maximum bacteriocin production by L. pentosus K1N1 and K2N7 were detected in the early stationary phase of growth.
Naturalization of Cakile edentula (Brassicaceae) on the beaches of Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands - the first record for the species from the Kuril Islands.

a Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1, Amakubo, Tsukuba, 305-0005 JAPAN; b Kushiro City Museum, 1-7, Shunkodai, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 085-0822 JAPAN; c Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 JAPAN; d Sakhalin Branch of Botanical Garden-Institute, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 25, ul. Gorkogo, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Box 34, 693023 RUSSIA; e Institute of Biology and Soil Sciences, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Prospekt 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022 RUSSIA; f The Hokkaido University Museum, Kita10, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0810 JAPAN *Corresponding author: t-fukuda@kahaku.go. jp
Sex Allocation in a Solitary Bee: A Behavioural Ecology Approach

Organisms reproducing sexually face the question of how to allocate investment to offspring between the sexes. My research objective was to evaluate the impact of ecological factors on maternal allocation decisions related to size, sex and number of offspring produced. Empirical and theoretical work was carried out using the alfalfa leafcutter bee, Megachile rotundata. Decreased resource levels resulted in lower maternal investment per daughter and fewer offspring produced; investment per son and sex ratio were unaffected. Increased flight distance required to obtain resources resulted in decreased investment per individual daughter and son, overall production of offspring and proportion of daughters produced. Using a dynamic state variable model to determine optimal maternal investment, I found optimal offspring size was controlled by the shape of maternal fitness return curves while sex ratio was influenced by numerous ecological factors. In conclusion, ecological factors appear to be important determinants of maternal investment in offspring.
Conditions Required for Calcium-Induced Release of Calcium from the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Calcium ion itself has been shown1>-6> to be capable of inducing a release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in skinned skeletal muscle fibres.7 > This gives a basis for a certain form of propagation of contraction observed in skinned fibres,8 and also for more-or-less synchronized repetitive spontaneous release of calcium from the SR in skinned fibres.5~ s~ However, physiological significance of the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism is not yet clear, primarily due to a lack of quantitative information about the effect of calcium, although possible physiological roles of calcium ion in this context in excitation-contraction coupling of cardiac muscle3~ or of skeletal muscle° have been pointed out. It seemed, therefore, very important to further investigate the process of stimulation of the SR by calcium ion itself to obtain more quantitative information. Methods. Single fibres were obtained from iliofibularis muscles of African clawed toads, Xenopus laevis and skinned in a relaxing solution. Experimental conditions and procedures were almost the same as previously described.5> '9~ Briefly, the amount of calcium in the SR of a skinned fibre at anytime was estimated by releasing it almost completely by means of a high concentration of caffeine, usually 25 mM, and measuring the magnitude of resulting isometric contraction of the fibre. Radioisotope experiments verified that most of calcium in the SR was actually released in this way. To avoid a longlasting contracture that may damage the fibre seriously, and to prevent the released calcium ions from going back to the SR, caffeine treatment was made in the presence of an appropriate concentration of EGTA (ethyleneglycol-bis((3-aminoethylether) -N-N'-tetraacetic acid, GEDTA), usually 2 mM. When the effect of a concentration of free calcium ion was to be observed, a high concentration of calcium buffer with total 10 mM EGTA was used. Otherwise, the free calcium ion concentration in
Innate Immunity of Airway Epithelium and COPD

The mammalian immune system consists of two branchesinnate and adaptive immune systems and together they provide protection against infection. Innate immunity is a first line of host defense and is responsible for immediate recognition of pathogens to prevent microbial invasion. In addition innate immune responses also stimulate adaptive immune system (Medzhitov and Janeway, 1997). Cellular components of innate immune system include mucosal epithelial cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, basophils, eosinophils and others. The airway mucosa represents the body’s largest mucosal surface and is the first point of contact for inhaled microorganisms, environmental pollutants, airborne allergens and cigarette smoke (Diamond et al., 2000). Airway mucosa provides protection against potentially hazardous inhaled factors by multiple mechanisms. For instance, mucus secreted by the airway epithelium covers the apical surface of airway epithelium and traps inhaled microorganisms, allergens and particulate material. The trapped material is then cleared by mucociliary escalator away from lungs and towards the pharynx. Tight junctions between the polarized airway epithelial cells restrict the paracellular movement of solutes and ions, and prevent pathogens from gaining access to the submucosal compartment. In addition to its role as a physical barrier between environmental factors and internal milieu, airway epithelial cells also play a critical role in bridging innate and adaptive immune defenses (Hammad and Lambrecht, 2011; Kato and Schleimer, 2007). Airway epithelial cells express number of innate immune receptors also known as pattern recognition molecules, which recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS) to initiate appropriate innate defense mechanisms. This includes elaboration of antimicrobial molecules, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruits and activates other mucosal innate immune cells. The responses of activated innate immune cells lead to recruitment of immune cells into epithelium or airway lumen and initiate adaptive immune responses. Continuous exposure to environmental stimuli, such as cigarette smoke, noxious gases or other environmental hazards may lead to prolonged and aberrant activation of airway epithelial cells resulting in excessive expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit large number of inflammatory cells into airway lumen. This in turn leads to persistent inflammation, airway damage and abnormal repair, impaired innate immune responses. There are reports suggesting that exposure to cigarette smoke also
Sex Determination in Fish

Introduction Gonadal origin, eggs and sperm Chromosomes and heterogamety Prevalence of gonochorism Escape from Muller's ratchet Multiple parentage and genetic diversity Prelude Cytogenetics and Sex Chromosomes Chromosomes and genomes Cytogenetics Heterogamety Hybridization and Sex Ratio Extent of hybridizations Hybrid identification Viability and fertility Introgressive hybridization Sex ratio Gynogenesis and Consequences Gynogenics types Purity of gynogenics Survival and gamety Fertility and F1 sex ratio Sex ratio and departures Androgenesis and Autosomes Production methods Survival Fertility Overriding autosomes Triploidy and sterility Types of triploids Survival and sex ratio Male's fertilizability Female sterility Tetraploidy and polyploidy Survey and history Scope for polyploidization Tetraploid types True induced tetraploids Polyploidy Intraploid hybridizations Unreduced "gamete bank" Allogenesis and xenogenesis Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) PGC transplantation system PGCs in hybrid embryos PGCs in heterospecific embryos Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) Renewal of SSCs SSC transplantation system Relevance of PGCs and SSCs Surgical gonadectomy Sex changers and hermaphroditism Extant of hermaphroditism Sex change in gonochores Sex allocation Sex changing age Genetic or environment? Unisexualism and reproductive modes Mutational meltdown Exploration of reproductive modes Squalius alburnoides Males in unisexuals Genetic sex determination Molecular markers Sex chromosomes Sexonomics Sex changers Polygenic sex determination Concluding remarks