Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Factors as Determinants in Bimodal Breathing: An Introductory Overview

SYNOPSIS. The physicochemical properties of the environment, water, air, and more or less humid soils, are extremely different and impose anatomical and physiological adaptations. Generally water breathers exchange through gills and skin; in the air breathers cutaneous respiration is generally small or negligible, and gas exchanges take place in lungs or in tracheae. The main difference between water and air as to O2 and CO2 is that O2 is much less soluble in water than CO2, whereas O2 and CO2 capacitances in air are identical and the CO2 capacitances in water and in air are similar. This results in very different CO2 tensions in waterand in air-breathers. Since air is rich in O2 compared to water, air breathers breathe much less than the water breathers, and so their Pco2's are much higher. However, at the same temperature, water- and air-breathers have about the same pH, thanks to proper adjustment of the bicarbonates. In amphibious animals, those having gill-skin exchanges with water and pulmonary exchanges with air, the proportion of O2 and CO2 exchanges are not evenly distributed among the several exchangers: the aquatic gas exchanger is the main route for the CO2 output, whereas the gas-phase exchanger is the main route for O2 uptake. An increase of temperature has several consequences: 1) decrease of the O2 and CO2 capacitances in water and, to a lesser extent, in air; 2) increase of the energy metabolism, O2 consumption, CO2 production, etc.; 3) changes of the pH of the ambient water and of the body fluids. These effects of the changes of temperature are seen in all living beings; in the amphibious animals, the increase of temperature augments the O2 uptake by the lung and the CO2 output by the branchial and/or cutaneous routes. That is to say that the temperature variations change the intensity of the gas exchanges and the distribution of O2 uptake and CO2output between the gill-skin exchanger and the lung exchanger. It is classical to oppose terrestrial life to aquatic life; the amphibious, often bimodal animals represent intermediate forms which presumably play an essential role in the evolution and transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial abode.
Temporal variations of fish assemblage in the surf zone of the Nakdong River Estuary, southeastern Korea

To assess temporal variations in fish assemblages, fish samples were collected on a monthly basis in the surf zone of the Nakdong River Estuary in 2004. Surveys were conducted at two sites during day and night neap tides using a 10-m beach seine. In total, 2397 specimens (8146.0 g) comprising 27 species and 16 families were collected during the study period. The dominant fish species were Mugil cephalus, Plecoglossus altivelis, Favonigobius gymnauchen, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, and Hyporhamphus sajori, which accounted for 84.6% of the total number of individuals. The fish sampled were primarily small species or the early juveniles of larger species. The species composition and abundance varied greatly, with a peak in the number of individuals in July (summer) and January (winter), and the peak in biomass during July (summer). The catch rate was low in the spring and autumn months due to the low abundance of the dominant species recorded. A cluster analysis revealed that the fish assemblages were characterized by distinct seasonal groups reflecting the reproductive habits of adult fishes. Fish abundance did not significantly differ between the two sites, although a significant difference in their abundance was detected between day and night, with more fish specimens collected at night than during the day at both sites. The Nakdong River Estuary is an important ecosystem for small and/or juvenile fishes, providing a habitat within the estuary suitable for their development and migration.
Investigational drugs targeting HDL-C metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, even in patients receiving statin therapy. HDL-C has a number of potential atheroprotective mechanisms, including reverse cholesterol transport. HDL-C also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and antithrombotic effects. A number of targets with the potential to raise HDL-C levels and/or increase reverse cholesterol transport have been identified. Plasma concentrations of HDL-C are the net result of the de novo production, catabolism and recycling of HDL-C particles, as well as the contribution to HDL-C from components of other lipoproteins. HDL-C levels can be modified by increasing the production of apolipoprotein A-I or by delaying the clearance of HDL-C from the plasma. Whether manipulation of these drug targets to raise HDL-C will result in cardiovascular event reduction remains to be determined.
Effect of a 2‐week intense life‐style intervention followed by 6‐month carotenoid supplementation on fat depots, aditonectin and palmitoleate: a 6‐month double blind placebo‐controlled pilot study in obese children (645.6)

Background and Objectives: Abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues (SAT and VAT) contribute to the established association between obesity and metabolic risk, likely through signaling molecules that regulate insulin resistance (IR). High molecular weight adiponectin (HMW‐ADI) and C16:1n7‐palmitoleate (PAL) play crucial roles in this respect. Carotenoids have emerged as possible adiposity ameliorating agents, but their role in the regulation of these signals and their impact on fat depots remain less clear. Method and Design: Of the 21 obese children recruited, 17 (Age = 10.5 ± 5 years) completed a randomized double blind placebo controlled study of a 2‐week intense lifestyle intervention program (LSIP) followed by 6 months of carotenoid supplementation (Jarrow Formulas CaroteneAll®). β‐carotene, HMW‐ADI, glucose, insulin and PAL were measured. HOMA‐IR was calculated and the percent change in VAT and SAT were determined by cross‐sectional multi‐slice MRI (1.5‐T; GE Medical Systems) and DEXA (QDR‐4500W; Hologic) at baseline and 6 mo.
Clone Diversity of Tetraploid Otiorhynchus Scaber in Northern Europe

Otiorhynchus scaber is a common weevil throughout northern Europe. It is tetraploid and parthenogenetic in this area. A total of 75 electrophoretically definable clones have been identified in northern Europe and they all appear to represent a monophyletic lineage. O. scaber is a flightless inhabitant of the climax community, the spruce forest. Rarefaction and similarity index has been used to measure clone diversity and its distribution. Clone diversity is highest in the Southern Boreal and the Middle Boreal zones and decreases towards north and south. The distribution of single clones appears to be associated with the biotic zonation of northern Europe. This implies that different clones are adapted to different environments.
Phylogeny of tribe brassiceae (Brassicaceae) based on chloroplast restriction site polymorphisms and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast trnL intron sequences

Using sequence data from the ITS region (internal transcribed spacers ITS-1 and ITS-2 of nuclear DNA and the 5.8 rRNA gene), chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence data from the trnL intron, and cpDNA restriction site polymorphism data, we examined the evolutionary relationships of the tribe Brassiceae (Brassicaceae). A group of approximately 50 genera, it is distinguished by the presence of conduplicate cotyledons and (or) heteroarthrocarpic fruit. cpDNA restriction site data and ITS, trnL, and combined ITS/trnL sequence data were obtained for 22, 104, 94, and 87 taxa in the tribe, respectively. Results from maximum parsimony analyses of the cpDNA and ITS and ITS/trnL sequence data showed a monophyletic origin for the tribe, with the inclusion of controversial members Calepina, Conringia, and Orychophragmus. ITS- and ITS/trnL-based clades corresponded to taxonomic subtribes: Vellinae, Zillinae, and Savignyinae; but as with previous cpDNA studies, there was little support for subtribes Brassicinae, Raphaninae, .
Elementary Software for the Hand Lens Identification of Some Common Iranian Woods

A computer program, “Hyrcania”, has been developed for identifying some common woods (26 hardwoods and 6 softwoods) from the Hyrcanian forest type of Iran. The program has been written in JavaScript and is usable with computers as well as mobile phones. The databases use anatomical characteristics (visible with a hand lens) and wood colour, and can be searched in English or Persian. Descriptions and images can be retrieved by their scientific name.
In VitroDigestion of Wheat Microstructure with Xylanase and Cellulase fromTrichoderma reesei

Abstract A three-stagein vitromodel was used to simulate the digestion of wheat in the broiler chicken. During digestion simulation, much of the wheat protein was liberated into the supernatant. Microscopic examination of the residue showed that protein could be detected only within unbroken cells. Intact starch granules were clearly visible following digestion simulation and only a small amount (ca. 8%) of glucose was released into the supernatant. The effects of enzymes fromTrichoderma reeseion wheat cell structure and the release of protein and non-starch carbohydrate were studied. Addition of cell wall degrading enzymes increased the release of proteins and non-starch carbohydrate. The hydrolysis of wheat cell walls increased with concentrations of cell wall degrading enzymes. Microscopy results were consistent with those from chemical analysis.
Crude protein and amino acid composition of honey bee-collected pollen pellets from south-east Australia and a note on laboratory disparity

Pollen pellets collected from honey bees foraging at 62 floral species were analysed for protein and amino acid content and their value for honey bee nutrition was determined. The crude protein levels of all pollen pellets analysed ranged from 9.2% for Hypochoeris radicata (flatweed) to 37.4% for Echium plantagineum (Paterson’s curse) with a mean of 25.9%. Pollen pellets from 15 species were identified as providing protein levels below those acknowledged to satisfy honey bee dietary requirements when they are the only source of pollen available to the honey bee colony. Pollens collected from species of the same genus demonstrated similar protein profiles. Isoleucine was deficient in 38% of the pollens with 69% of eucalypts and related species demonstrating a significant isoleucine deficiency.
Role of β-Lactamases in the Resistance of Gram-Negative Bacilli to β-Lactam Antibiotics

: Few studies in animal models or humans have been performed to prove that the mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in the presence of beta-lactamases is similar in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, it seems likely that different parameters will influence each other: the penetration of the antibiotic into the site of infection; the stability of the drug; and the organism responsible for the infection, which affects the type and amount of beta-lactamase released into the environment. In vitro, the different enzymatic parameters responsible for the inactivation of various compounds have been well defined. However, overall resistance to beta-lactams in the presence of beta-lactamase may also be influenced by the function of the outer membrane in gram-negative bacteria.
Variability and seasonality of the growth of some corticolous pleurocarpous mosses

AbstractField measurements of the elongation of shoots of Hypnum cupressiforme and lsothecium myosuroides reveal considerable variation. Differences in growth rates in the following situations were found to be significant: at different heights on a trunk, on different sides of sloping trunks, on different species of tree and, over a period, on different trees of a single species at a site.Monthly growth measurements of H. cupressiforme and Platygyrium repens in Wytham Wood, Berkshire, show that H. cupressiforme grows faster, but that the growth patterns of these species are similar. Most of the annual growth for 1970 and 1971 took place during the autumn and winter. Growth between April and August was very slight. The seasonality of the growth of four pleurocarpous mosses at Wychwood, Oxfordshire, was very similar to the species measured at Wytham. Comparison of seasonal growth records with climatic records for stations near Oxford shows a close correlation Qetween growth and wetness. Monthly rainfall min.
Actitud hacia la investigación en estudiantes de un grupo de instituciones educativas argentinas de nivel medio

RESUMEN Siendo que analizar las actitudes de los estudiantes permite conocer sus ideas previas y diseñar estrategias para fomentar el aprendizaje científico, esta investigación buscó (a) describir el concepto de investigación y la actitud hacia la misma en un grupo de adolescentes de los últimos años del nivel medio de instituciones educativas adventistas argentinas y (b) analizar si el sexo y la participación en feria de ciencias influyen sobre su actitud hacia la investigación. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 267 adolescentes. Se utilizó como instrumento una adaptación de la traducción realizada por Hein y Tumino (en prensa) de la “Escala de Actitudes hacia la Investigación de los Estudiantes”, de Papanastasiou (2005). Se aplicaron las pruebas U de Mann-Whitney y H de Kruskal Wallys para muestras independientes. Los resultados evidenciaron (a) diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los rangos promedios del factor dificultad (U = -2,68; p = ,007) en función del sexo de los estudiantes y (b) diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las dimensiones actitud positiva (U = -3,65; p = ,000) y ansiedad (U = -5,23; p = ,000) de la actitud hacia la investigación, según la participación en feria de ciencias. Se pudo observar una mayor percepción de dificultad hacia la investigación en las mujeres evaluadas, que en sus pares varones. Así también, se observó una mayor actitud positiva y una mayor ansiedad ante la investigación, por parte de quienes participaron en ferias de ciencias respecto de quienes nunca lo hicieron.
Isozyme Variation in Cultivated Oat and Its Progenitor Species Avena sterilis L.

Effective identification of wild accessions with potential to enhance variation for complex, low-heritability traits is a prerequisite to broader utilization of conserved genetic resources. In two previous studies, 23 enzyme systems were assayed in 405 oat cultivars (Avena sativa L. and A. byzantina C. Koch) and in 1005 accessions of the progenitor species, A. sterilis L. The objectives of the present report were to (i) compare isozymic variation in cultivated oat with a broad geographical sample of accessions of the progenitor species and (ii) propose a strategy to assist in the efficient sampling of progenitor germplasm by North American oat breeders. Avena sterilis displayed a greater level of isozymic diversity compared to cultivated germplasm based upon number and frequencies of variants. Three sampling strategies are discussed whereby a representative core of A. sterilis accessions could be selected from the progenitor germplasm pool. A combined strategy is outlined that incorporates elements of all three, with selection of accessions from (i) the center of isozymic diversity (Turkey), ii) six clusters of A. sterilis accessions identified by multivariate analysis of genetic distances between accessions without regard to provenance data, and (iii) those accessions with variants present at intermediate to high frequencies in A. sterilis from individual countries or clusters yet absent in cultivated germplasm. Selected A. sterilis accessions could be used in combining ability analyses with cultivated germplasm. Subsequent, more extensive, exploitation of the germplasm collection might be based on results from these exploratory evaluations of breeding potential.
Matrilineal kin clusters and their effect on reproductive success in the field vole Microtus agrestis

Kin clusters of philopatric females are thought to form the basic social organization of breeding females in various vole species. The spatial association between young breeding females and their mothers was studied in five 2500-m* enclosures in natural habitats during midand late breeding season in summer 1992. The mothers (founder females) were introduced into the enclosures in die beginning of the study in June, whereas the young breeding females were born within the enclosures. Matrilineal kinship was determined by using radionudides. In July-August, 58% of young breeding females were philopatric, but 82% of the mother-daughter associations broke up until August-September. Of the young females that started to breed in August-September, only 12% were philopatric Thus the kin clusters found were short Hved and few in number during the late breeding season. The reduction in the incidence of the kin clusters coincided with an increase of population density. The mean reproductive success of females breeding in kin clusters was better than that of those breeding separately. In addition, among the nonphilopatric females there was a positive, significant correlation between reproductive success and the distance to the nearest unrelated founder female. Such correlation was not found among the philopatric females.
Application of free fatty acids in animal nutrition

The description of the processes of absorption of free fatty acids in monogastric animals and in ruminants is the first part of the review. The feeding problems of free fatty acids are discussed in the second part. In pig diets is a level up 6% free fatty acids in the dry matter of the ration not disadvantageous. In the feeding of ruminants additionally free fatty acids reduce the fermentation processes in the rumen. Only protected free fatty acids (Ca‐fatty acids) are favourable in feeding systems for high yielding cows.
Heat Shock Proteins in Juvenile Steelhead Reflect Thermal Conditions in the Navarro River Watershed, California

Abstract This study examined expression levels of two heat shock proteins, hsp72 and hsp78, in white muscle of steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) parr collected between 25 July and 4 August 2000 at 11 sites in the Navarro River watershed, California. The goal was to determine whether site-specific thermal conditions were causing cellular stress responses in resident fish. The results demonstrated a highly significant sigmoidal relationship of the inducible isoform hsp72 and a linear relationship of the constitutive isoform hsp78 with water temperatures. Laboratory experiments showed that hsp72 was induced in fish from coldwater as well as warmwater sites by exposure to water at 25°C. Stream temperatures above which significantly elevated hsp72 levels were detected in field-collected fish were 18–19°C in terms of both short- and long-term averages and 20–22.5°C in terms of daily maximum averages. The highest hsp72 levels were measured at warmwater sites with the largest diurnal temper.
Delivering community benefits acts as insurance for the survival of small protected areas such as the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve, South Africa

The Abe Bailey Nature Reserve (ABNR) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa is largely unknown and offers little to attract visitors. The biological integrity of the ABNR is challenged by the urban poverty in Khutsong, the reserve’s immediate neighbour. Relations between Khutsong and the nature reserve had been hostile for decades as a result of the ‘fortress’ style of conservation protection used for the ABNR. However, this situation provided the Gauteng Directorate of Nature Conservation with an opportunity to experiment with identifying and transferring benefits to the community, as well as establishing an effective buffer zone between the nature reserve and the informal settlements of Khutsong. Following an initial rapid rural appraisal and ongoing liaison through specifically appointed project managers, an outreach programme containing two natural resource-based projects was developed. As a result, better relations were established between the ABNR and its neighbouring community for the first time since the nature reserve was established in 1977. This acted as ‘insurance’ during violent public protests and vandalism in the Khutsong border demarcation dispute (2005–2007), but may not be enough to secure the nature reserve into the future. Conservation implications: Small protected areas may not be effective in ensuring their biological integrity in the long term, but working cooperatively with existing and future neighbours is an essential strategy to optimise conservation activities in small reserves such as the ABNR.
DENDROCLIMATOLOGICAL STUDIES OF PICEA LIKIANGENSIS AND TSUGA DUMOSA IN LIJIANG, CHINA

Expansion of climate proxy records over space is needed for improving our knowledge of past climate variability. Here we report on a 112-year tree-ring chronology of Picea likiangensis (Franch.) E.Pritz. and a 165- year tree-ring chronology of Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) Eichler for the Lijiang area, northwestern Yunnan, China. Mean correlation coefficients of tree-ring width series among individual trees are 0.48 for P. likiangensis and 0.45 for T. dumosa, indicating a growth response to common environmental variability. Analysis of climate-growth relationships shows that the radial growth of P. likiangensis is mainly negatively correlated with temperature from December of the prior growth year to May of the growth year, and that of T. dumosa is mainly positively correlated with precipitation of January and May in the growth year. We further found that the chronology of T. dumosa can be used to reconstruct the May-June Palmer Drought Severity Index. The reconstruction shows that major wet periods occurred in the 1860s, 1910s and 1940s, and drought periods in 1892–1905, 1914–1924 and 1928–1938. The moisture condition of the late 20th century is characterized by a near-normal state from the 1950s to the 1970s and an increasing trend from 1982 to 2003.
Action des protéinases musculaires sur les myosines rapide et lente. Relation avec la protéolyse post-mortem dans des muscles de type contractile variable

: Sensitivity to proteolysis of fast and slow rabbit skeletal muscle myosins with cathepsins D, B, H and L and with calpains I and II was studied in various incubation conditions. Cathepsins D, B and L degraded both myosins and exhibited different specificities towards these proteins. Moreover, in each case slow myosin appeared to be less sensitive to proteolysis than fast myosin. This finding agrees well with the lower extent of protein hydrolysis observed during post-mortem ageing of meat in slow twitch pork muscles.
AGE-RELATED REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT AND SENESCENCE IN FREE-RANGING MOOSE, ALCES ALCES

A general prediction for aging placental mammals is that they should show a decline in reproductive value, and reproductive effort is therefore predicted to increase with age. To test this, we monitored known-age radio-collared females of a large ungulate, the moose (Alces alces), in a Swedish population. Female moose showed senescence in reproduction (i.e., litter size) from about 12 yr of age. Further evidence of senescence was a decrease in parental care during summer (expressed as increased offspring mortality) with the mother's age. Moreover, aging females facing a declining reproductive value increased their reproductive effort by giving birth to heavier offspring regardless of litter size. A logistic regression model showed that older moose have to give birth to heavier offspring to achieve the same offspring summer survival as that for offspring of younger mothers. This suggests that females increase their reproductive effort (by increasing offspring mass) as they get older. Furthermore, the rather intense harvest in our population may select for an increased reproductive effort in terms of litter size, which furthermore may select for an earlier onset of senescence in reproductive characters and mortality.