Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A taxonomic revision of the genus Asiobaccha Violovitsh (Diptera: Syrphidae)

ABSTRACT The flower fly genus Asiobaccha Violovitsh is revised and 10 new species are described: A. aea Mengual & Thompson, A. albipeza Mengual, A. aquila Thompson & Mengual, A. doesburgi Mengual, A. marissae Mengual, A. maculosa Mengual & Thompson, A. notofasciata Thompson & Mengual, A. samoaensis Mengual, A. selsi Mengual and A. taronja Mengual. Moreover, lectotypes are designated for Baccha semifumosa Meijere, Baccha luteolimbata Meijere, Asiobaccha nubilipennis (Austen), A. praefica (Bezzi), A. virtuosa (Curran) and A. sauteri (Kertész), and a neotype for A. loriae (Meijere) is also designated. New synonyms are proposed: Baccha schistaceifrons Meijere and Baccha semifumosa Meijer are synonymised under Asiobaccha bicolor (Austen); Baccha luteolimbata Meijere is a junior synonym of Asiobaccha tinctiventris (Meijere); Baccha flavipes Doesburg is a junior synonym of Asiobaccha tripartita (Walker); Baccha gigas Curran is a junior synonym of Asiobaccha virtuosa Curran; and the syntypes of Baccha sulica Austen are synonymised under Asiobaccha bicolor (Austen) and Asiobaccha tripartita. Diagnoses, illustrations, synonymies and distributional data are given for all described species. Descriptions of new species as well as an identification key to all known species are also provided. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6B627B0F-9440-47F1-90F4-9AF4C7308A99
JUVENILE COMPETITIVE BOTTLENECKS: THE PERCH (PERCA FL UVIA TILIS)-ROACH (R UTIL US R UTIL US)

In size-structured populations interspecific competitors often have been sug- gested to have their greatest impact on the juvenile life stage. We hypothesized that roach (Rutilus rutilus), by virtue of their superior foraging ability on zooplankton, would cause juvenile perch (Percafluviatilis) to shift from feeding on zooplankton to macroinvertebrate prey, the prey consumed by adult perch. This should potentially increase size-class com- petition in perch, producing a competitive bottleneck at the macroinvertebrate feeding stage. To test this, we experimentally examined how roach density affected both the diet and growth of young-of-the-year (0+) and 1-yr-old (1 +) perch as well as how it affected the zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrate resource levels in 10 enclosures in a pond over a 3-mo period. The densities of 0 + and 1 + perch were held constant between enclo- sures, whereas the density of roach was varied over five density levels. A significant effect of roach density on zooplankton (cladoceran) biomass was observed over the experimental period. By the end of the experiment, the biomass of zooplankton was low in all enclosures except those without roach, and the mean size of two zooplankters, Bosinina and cyclopoid copepods, decreased with increasing roach density. In contrast, the total biomass of macroinvertebrates in the enclosures did not change with increasing roach density. There was, however, evidence that chironomids were released from predation by Sialis due to an increased consumption of Sialis by 1 + perch. As predicted from our hypothesis, 0+ perch shifted from pelagic zooplankton to benthic macroinvertebrates as roach density increased. The roach density at which 0+ perch shifted to feed on benthic prey decreased over the experimental period, but occurred at the same density of pelagic prey. The proportion of zooplankton in the diet of 1 + perch and roach also decreased with increasing roach density, with 1 + perch totally dropping zooplankton from their diet and roach shifting to plant and detrital material. Over time we observed that roach increased its utilization of plant and detrital material. We found density dependence in growth rates of roach and 0+ perch as well as 1 + perch. The growth data suggested that the main competitive effect of roach occurred during the first half of the experiment. This was related to roach's high consumption of plant material at all roach densities at the end of the experiment and to the low water temperature during the second half of the experiment.
Determinación de la calidad de las semillas de Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú almacenadas al ambiente Determination of the quality of seeds from Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru stored under ambient conditions

The quality of seeds from Leucaena leucocephala constitutes the guarantee for the future seeding of the Cuban livestock areas; on it depends, to a certain extent, the use of this important protein feed source for animals and its spreading throughout the country. The objective of this work was to determine the quality of the seeds from L. leucocephala cv. Peru, one of the most cultivated commercial varieties nowadays, through the tests recommended by ISTA. The seeds were from the storehouse of the "La Rioja" farm belonging to the Marti Livestock Firm. A completely randomized design with four replications was used. The purity (97,0 and 94,5%) as well as the moisture content (10,09 and 9,87%) were within the optimum range for the stored seeds of this forage plant (6 and 18 months, respectively) and the germination percentages corresponded to the physiological age of the seeds (71 and 26%). Nine fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Trichoderma and Pestalotia) and a bacterial one (Erwinia sp.) were detected. The viability values (93,5 and 67,7% for lot 1 and 2, respectively) are considered acceptable for the seeds from this forage plant when it is stored under ambient conditions; nevertheless, the lower value in the seeds of lot 2 may have been caused by the increase in the percentage of seeds rotten by fungi, which
DESNUTRIÇÃO PREGRESSA E/OU MANIPULAÇÃO FARMACOLÓGICA DO SISTEMA SEROTONINÉRGICO: ESTUDO COMPORTAMENTAL E DA RESPOSTA IMUNE

The repercussion on the immune response of the expression of the intraspecific aggressiveness before a stressor was investigated in rats. To the 90 days of life, the animals were divided in three groups: control group (only the immunological measurements were accomplished); foot-shock (FS) (animals individually received FS) and intraspecific aggressive response (IAR) group (animals received FS and presented IAR). For immunological measurements, blood samples were collected immediately, 7 and 15 days after FS or IAR. FS reduced the total amount of leukocytes. However, the aggressiveness was accompanied, besides the reduction of the leukocytes number, by lymphocytes decrease and neutrophils increase. Moreover, an elevation in the leukocytes number associated to an increase in the humoral immune response was also observed one week after the IAR. In this study, the expression of the intraspecific aggressiveness before a stressor seems to activate the immune system and to potentiate the antigen specific humoral response.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Coxsackie B Viruses Reveals Genomic Plasticity and Adaptation as Studied by Codon Usage Patterns

Coxsackie B viruses (CVB) are associated with serious illnesses in humans. In this study, the patterns of synonymous codon usage in CVB have been studied through multivariate statistical methods. Effective number of codons (ENC) indicates that the overall extent of codon usage bias in CVB is not significant. The relative dinucleotide abundances suggest that codon usage bias in CVB genomes is influenced by underlying biases of dinucleotide frequencies. The distribution of CVB ORFs along the plane defined by the first two axes of correspondence analysis (COA) showed that different genotypes, as well as strains known to infect different cell types, are located at different places in the plane suggesting that CVB codon usage is reflecting an evolutionary process. The results of these studies suggest that CVB genomic biases are the result of co-evolution of translation adaptation to different cell environments and probably the need to escape anti-viral cell defenses.
Impact of malathion on Drawida willsi, MICHAELSEN, a dominant earthworm in Indian rice fields. I: Survival, population dynamics, reproductive strategy and secondary production

This paper forms part of a comprehensive programme to study the impact of sublethal rates of application (single and tetra agricultural rate) on Drawida willsi Michaelsen, a dominant earthworm in Indian rice field, and deals with survival, population dynamics, reproductive strategy and secondary production. Increased reproductive activity, secondary production and turnover compensating for mortality indicate an adaptive strategy of earthworms to counter malathion stress. Analysis of the results indicates that the tetra agricultural rate of malathion is more harmful than the single agricultural rate
Visualizing hippocampal synaptic function byoptical detection of Ca2+entry through theN-methyl-D-aspartate

ABSTRACT Fura-2andimgingtechnologywere usedto detect intracellular Ca'+ changes in CA1pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices. Duringfocal synaptic stimulation, oneor morehighly localized regionsofCa2+elevation(hotspots) were detected in the dendrites. Ca2+ spreadfrom thecenter of hot spotswithpropertiesconsistent with diffusion. Severallines ofevidence indicate that these hot spots weredueto Ca2+entrythroughN-methyl-D-aspartate synaptic channels. The spatial and temporal resolution ofthe method was sufficient todetect theresponseofsingle hot spots to singlestimuli, thus providing a real-time method formonitoring local synaptic activity. Using this method, weshowthat synapses onthesame dendritedifferin their probability of response andin their facilitation prop- erties. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of thehippocampus is triggered by the entry ofCa2+ through theN-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)class of glutamate-activated channels (1, 2). This entry is thought to be localized
Influence of prescribed burning on infiltration and sediment production in the pinyon juniper woodland, Nevada.

Highlight: On arid and semiarid rangelands, areas between woody plants are named dune interspaces. Soil and litter accumulate under plants to form mounds which are called coppice dunes. The loss of soil-protecting litter after burning pinyon-juniper communities in eastern Nevada decreased ratesofwater infiltration on coppice dune soil at field capacity and increased sediment production from coppice dunes with the soil dry and at field capacity. Differences in infiltration rates and sediment production of dune interspace soil were related to preburn soil morphological differences, not to burning. Vesicular soil crusts and surface-soil bulk density of coppice dunes were not increased by burning. Coppice soil organic matter was not significantly lower on burned areas, although mean values were slightly lower than those on unburned areas. Soil-water repellency was decreased by burning. Burning is not expected to increase runoff or soil loss substantially on similar areas with coarse-textured soils, because post-burn infiltration rates on coppices in these tests exceeded rainfall rates expected from natural storms.
Inhibition of immunoglobulin e synthesis by a membrane fraction from Klebsiella pneumoniae (FMKP)

FMKp, the membrane fraction of Klebsiella pneumoniae, is the major component of a ribosomal immunostimulant that has been used in humans for more than 20 years. The aim of this study was to determine the cytokine profile induced by FMKp in human cells. The data presented show that FMKp induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and large amounts of interleukin (IL)-12 by monocytes. Moreover human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated FMKp-synthesized interferon (IFN)-γ, a potent down regulator of immunoglobulin (Ig)E production. We therefore tested whether FMKp regulates IgE production. In vitro FMKp inhibited IL-4-induced IgE synthesis by PBMCs from normal donors without affecting the production of IgG. Moreover, the efficacy of FMKp was comparable to that of CpG oligonucleotides. In contrast, the addition of keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a carrier protein used as a negative control, did not alter IgE synthesis. The effect of FMKp was partially inhibited by polymyxin B, thereby suggesting that molecules other than lipopolysaccharide were involved in the inhibition of IgE synthesis. When tested on IgE synthesis in vivo, in BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin, FMKp inhibited both total and specific IgE production. All together, these results show that FMKp induced a type-1 cytokine profile able to inhibit IgE production in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that FMKp may be a novel strategy for the treatment of IgE-related allergic diseases.
Antibacterial and Antioxidative Properties of Essential Oils from Armoise (Artemisia herbaalba), Bay (Laurus nobilis ) and Rose Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum x radens) in vitro

The prevalence of food contamination by pathogenic bacteria resulting in foodborne illness has raised concern to the food industry. In addition, oxidation in food, which affects the shelf life and quality of the food through the formation of off odor and off flavor, is another concern to the food industry. Nitrates, sulfates, benzoates of sodium and potassium, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are commonly used as preservatives in the food industry. However, long-term safety issues of synthetic preservatives in human health along with negative perception of consumers have lead researchers to find alternative natural preservatives. The purpose of this study is to find the most effective essential oil (EO) that has high inhibitory effect against pathogenic bacteria as well as high antioxidant activity among three commercially available EOs derived from armoise (Artemisia herba-alba), bay (Laurus nobilis) and rose geranium (Pelargonium capitatum x radens) plants. Antibacterial activity was tested against E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium using growth over time assay and agar diffusion spot technique. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging test, reducing power method and total antioxidant activity assay. Results showed that all three EOs showed antibacterial activity with different susceptibility. S. Typhimurium growth was completely inhibited by 0.2% of each EO whereas E. coli O157:H7 growth was completely prevented by 0.5% of each EO in growth over time assay. Among the three EOs, armoise exhibited the most effective inhibition against these two bacteria. However, rose geranium EO had the most effective inhibition against these bacteria in agar diffusion spot technique confirmed by the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC).
An improved model considering traditional network properties to assess spatial vulnerability of a network system

ABSTRACT We have recently reported a new spatial vulnerability model, which proposed two important curves (i.e., impact curve and neutral curve) and two quantified indices (i.e., absolute spatial vulnerability index and relative spatial vulnerability index) to assess the global impact of spatially local hazards on network systems (Li et al. 2015). This paper aims to further investigate and improve the practicability of the new spatial vulnerability model. As some traditional network properties, such as the shortest path, betweenness and connectivity, are often used to assess the vulnerability of network systems, this paper develops a methodology of applying traditional network properties to analyze the spatial vulnerability of network systems. To this end, we firstly describe the new spatial vulnerability model, then analyze its relationship with traditional network properties, and at last conduct a case study on the Beijing subway network to verify this relationship. The results show that, when the global impact of spatially local hazards on network systems is concerned in vulnerability assessment, the combination of some traditional network properties and the new spatial vulnerability model can deliver an effective approach.
Hormones and Reproduction in Free-ranging Snakes

The natural history of an organism is rarely discussed without including a description of its reproductive biology. An understanding of reproduction is critical for two primary reasons. First, although reproduction is not essential for the immediate survival of an individual, it is essential for the persistence of the species and is the currency of an individual’s fitness. Second, reproduction can come at a sizable energetic cost to organisms, particularly females, and these costs can represent a substantial part of annual expenditures in species where maintenance costs are relatively low (e.g., ectotherms). Therefore, reproduction typically is not a continuous endeavor, and appropriate timing of reproductive effort is critical. Timing of reproductive events is usually influenced by both internal and external cues. Prior to reproduction, an organism must be in adequate physiological condition and, even when body condition is sufficient, reproduction must be timed to take advantages of environmentally favorable circumstances (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and energy availability). The onset of reproductive activity is signaled by relatively reliable seasonal environmental stimuli such as photoperiod, temperature, or rainfall (Perrins 1970; Wingfield 1980; Perrins and Birkhead 1983; Farner 1986). These cues, which are detected by the organism at various sensory levels, are translated by the endocrine system to hormone signals that communicate the information to the reproductive system (Wingfield 1980, 1983; Wilson and Donham 1988). Hormones also regulate morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes in anticipation of future events hormones and reproduction in Free-ranging snakes Dale F. DeNardo and Emily N. Taylor
Role Of Lyn Kinase In The Pathogenesis Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The Src family kinase Lyn is predominantly expressed in B cells and plays a central role in initiating B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Lyn is associated with BCR complexes and is renowned for its role in B cell activation and proliferation. Active Lyn contributes to positive regulation of signalling through tyrosine phosphorylation of components of the BCR. Intriguingly, Lyn was also shown as a negative regulator of BCR signal transduction. Lyn plays an essential role in negative regulation of signalling through its unique ability to phosphorylate immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibition motifs (ITIM) in inhibitory cell surface receptors. ITIM phosphorylation induces the recruitment of inhibitory phosphatases such as SHP-1/2 and SHIP-1, which attenuate BCR signalling. Lyn-deficient mice have reduced number of B cells and increased numbers of myeloid progenitors. It was reported that expression and activity of Lyn in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is elevated compared to healthy B cells. Besides, higher levels of Lyn are associated with a shorter treatment-free survival of CLL patients. This rises up a hypothesis about Lyn’s significant role in B cell tumorigenesis, malignant transformation of B cells, and the balance between myeloid cells and B lymphocytes. We generated Eµ-TCL1 transgenic LYN-deficient mice (TCL1+/wtLYN-/-) and monitored them in order to identify the population of malignant B cells and to characterize the development of malignant cells in these mice in comparison with Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice (TCL1+/wtLYNwt/wt). In comparison to TCL1+/wtLYNwt/wt mice, TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice show a significantly reduced number of malignant B cells in the peripheral blood, as well as a reduced leukocyte count. Besides, TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice have significantly decreased infiltration of malignant B cells in lymphoid tissues such as spleen, liver, lymph node and bone marrow. This result is also resembled in a hepato-splenomegaly in the TCL1+/wtLYNwt/wt mice. These mice develop severe splenomegaly and hepatomegaly due to infiltration of malignant cells, while TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice do not develop hepatomegaly. The non-transgenic LYN-/- control mice develop splenomegaly due to infiltration of myeloid cells. Although TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice have hindered development of TCL1-induced CLL, preliminary data suggest it is not only due to LYN-deficiency in B cell compartment of these mice. Indeed, B cell of TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice show enhanced proliferation and better survival ex vivo compared to TCL1+/wtLYNwt/wt mice. Notably, TCL1+/wtLYN-/- mice developed a skewed microenvironment which might contribute to CLL down regulation. LYN-/- microenvironment, particularly in aged mice, does not support engraftment of TCL1-induced leukemic B cell as well as LYNwt/wt mice in our transplantation model. These results point to a complex regulation of Lyn signalling in CLL involving not only leukemic cells but also cells of the micromillieu, that needs further investigation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Phosphate Uptake by Spirodela and Lemna during Early Phosphorus Deficiency

Growth, internal P concentration and Pi uptake was investigated in sterile cultures of Spirodela oligorrhiza (Kurz) Hegelm. and Lemna major L. plants during early P-deficiency. Within 12 h of transfer to a P-deficient medium, Pi uptake rates by P-deficient (- P) plants were enhanced 30-120% compared with P adequate (+ P) controls at 1-1000 µM external [Pi]. The enhancement in Pi uptake rates with P-deficiency normally preceded, and was more pronounced than, other effects of P-deficiency such as reduced growth, reduced internal [P] and appearance of visual symptoms. Enhanced Pi uptake rates in - P compared with +P plants resupplied with Pi was more closely correlated with a fall in the internal [Pi] (r = -0.93 to -0.98) than with a fall in the concentration of three other P fractions (i.e. ester P, lipid P, and residual P). The role of tissue [Pi] in Spirodela and Lemna plants as a possible determinant of Pi uptake rates is discussed. Kinetic analysis showed that enhanced Pi uptake in -P compared with + P plants resupplied with Pi was the result of a 2-4-fold increase in V*max of two first- order systems and not by an increased affinity (i.e. reduced K*m) of the carrier for the phosphate ion.
Giardia and cryptosporidium in swedish wastewater treatment plants

The occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Swedish Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) has previously not been investigated. Giardia cysts were present in the untreated wastewater at every sampling occasion at all test sites in densities between 24-160 cysts/L, but only twice in the treated wastewater and in lower densities. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 67 % of the influent samples in densities between 16-200 oocysts/L. Oocysts were reduced by 99 % in Trollhattans WWTP with an effluent density of 2 oocysts/L. The occurrence of cysts in Henriksdals WWTP was used for an estimation of the endemic rate of giardiasis in Stockholm, giving an incidence of 2/10,000. Based on the influent-effluent densities, the (oo)cyst levels in sludge were estimated to 28 cysts/g dry weight and 15 oocysts/g dry weight. Wastewater affects the recipient Gota Alv. More than 95 % of the oocyst contamination is estimated to have another origin, probably from agricultural sources as manure and sludge run-off. Microbial risk assessments of the receiving water, Gota Alv, indicate a 0.0025/1,000 swims risk for contracting a Giardia infection. With an assumed 99.8 % reduction of oocysts in a water treatment plant, the densities in the drinking water produced from Gota Alv are estimated to cause 15 Cryptosporidium infections/10,000 inhabitants and year.