Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population size and structure of crucian carp (Carassius carassius (L.)) in two small, natural ponds in Eastern Finland

Two small (<2 ha), natural and seasonally anoxic ponds in eastern Finland were emptied of fish. The only fish species present was crucian carp, with population densities of 29300 ind. /ha in one pond (Hermanninlampi) and 3000 ind. /ha in the other (Kuikkalampi). The corresponding values for biomass were 87 kg/ha and 10 kg/ha. The production of crucian carp in Hermanninlampi was estimated as 93 kg/ha/year, yielding a P/B ratio of 1.1. The fish in both ponds were very small, with those shorter than 10 cm dominating. The growth of fish differed between the ponds; the increase in length during their first summer was 3-4 cm in both but subsequent growth was slower in the smaller pond (Kuikkalampi). The growth of fish introduced into the empty Hermanninlampi was much faster in the first summer than that of the original stock. In Hermanninlampi sexual maturity was reached in 3-4 years and the total number of eggs in a 10-cm-long female was approx. 600 and in a 20-cm female approx. 7000. A height index and Fulton's coefficient of condition are calculated for several populations and causes of variation are discussed.
Biological control of weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories: current status and future prospects

Biological control of introduced weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) began in 1911, with the lantana seed-feeding fly introduced into Fiji and New Caledonia from Hawaii. To date, a total of 62 agents have been deliberately introduced into the PICTs to control 21 weed species in 17 countries. A further two agents have spread naturally into the region. The general impact of the 36 biocontrol agents now established in the PICTs ranges from none to complete control of their target weed(s). Fiji has been most active in weed biocontrol, releasing 30 agents against 11 weed species. Papua New Guinea, Guam, and the Federated States of Micronesia have also been very active in weed biocontrol. For some weeds such as Lantana camara, agents have been released widely, and can now be found in 15 of the 21 PICTs in which the weed occurs. However, agents for other commonly found weeds, such as Sida acuta, have been released in only a few countries in which the weed is present. There are many safe and effective biocontrol agents already in the Pacific that could be utilised more widely, and highly effective agents that have been released elsewhere in the world that could be introduced following some additional host specificity testing. This paper discusses the current status of biological control efforts against introduced weeds in the 22 PICTs and reviews options that could be considered by countries wishing to initiate weed biological control programmes.
Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) Shoot Structure as Affected by Soybean (Glycine max) Interference

Shoot growth and morphology of sicklepod responded to distance of sicklepod from the soybean row and relative time of emergence of crop and weed. Sicklepod was added to soybean as either uniform stands of 26 individuals m−2 or as widely spaced individuals. Sicklepod shoot height, number of main-stem nodes, number of primary branches, and shoot dry weight were decreased at 12 wk after emergence when plants were situated closer to a soybean row. Sicklepod that emerged 7 d later than soybean were shorter statured and had fewer main-stem nodes. Virtually all sicklepod overtopped the soybean, but proximity to the soybean row or later emergence reduced shoot dry weight up to 60%. A doubling in branches originating at lower main-stem nodes on sicklepod 25 cm from the row, compared to those in the row (upper branch numbers were unchanged), was associated with a 67% increase in leaves. Sixty to 90% of lower branches reached the upper canopy and thus contributed to the number of leaves above the soybean. Early-season effects of soybean interference on sicklepod reduced lower branches and, as a consequence, leaf production above the soybean late in the season, when sicklepod has the greatest impact on soybean yield.
Life in a multi-predator environment : some considerations for anti-predatory vigilance

Animals live in environments with many types of predators, yet studies of animal behavior under the risk of predation focus almost exclusively on single-predator environments. This is especially true in an important area of study: anti-predatory vigilance. A simple exploration of vigilance shows that several "single-predator" expectations may not apply in a multi-predator environment. Two cases of vigilance are identified: predator-specific vigilance, in which the detection of a given predator requires a particular mode of vigilance, and non-specific vigilance, in which one mode of vigilance suffices for all predators. In both cases, and contrary to the single-predator situation, vigilance in a multi-predator environment may respond little or even negatively to increasing attack rates. Furthermore, predator-specific vigilance may be directed exclusively towards the most abundant predator in the environment; the "ignored" predators are nonetheless important determinants of vigilance. Finally, most studies usually focus on the most dangerous predator faced by the animal in question, but in doing so ignore the role of additional, seemingly innocuous predators as important determinants of vigilance. Studies adopting a "multi-predator" perspective promise to shed much light on the study of anti-predator behavior in general.
Shell length at sexual maturity and spawning cycle of Mytella guyanensis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from Costa Rica

A population of Mytella guyanensis from Costa Rica was studied for 12 months in order to determine shell length at sexual maturity, frecuency and duration of the spawning cycle under natural conditions. The smallest mature individual was 18 mm long. The mussels spawned from September through November and from February through April. Sexes were distinguishable in all individuals with a shell length greater than 30 mm. No evidence of protandry or hermaphroditism was observed. Sex ratios of M. guyanensis did not differ significantly of 1: 1.
Effect of dietary n-3/n-6 ratio on fatty acid composition of liver, meat and perirenal fat in rabbits

The metabolic pathways of dietary fatty acids were studied in rabbits by analysing the fatty acid profile of different tissues (liver, perirenal fat, longissimus lumborum muscle). Four groups of 24 hybrid males each were assigned to four semi-purified diets, varying in the source oflipids which differed in n-3/n-6 ratios: 180 g/kg sunflower (S), 80 g/kg flaxseed + 90 g/kg sunflower (SF), 160 g/kg flaxseed (F) and 60 g/kg fish oil (FI). The liver showed a very important role in fatty acid syntheses and was the tissue richest in long-chain (≥20 C) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) of n-3 and n-6 series. The S diet gave the highest mono-unsaturated fatty acids and n-6 LCP (respectively, 201·9 and 384·9 g/kg, P P P P
Do white spruce epicuticular wax monoterpenes follow foliar patterns

We examine the extent to which foliar monoterpenes are trapped in the epicuticular waxes as part of an investigation into their role in natural defense against folivores. We monitored concentrations in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) previous-year foliage and expanding foliage and their epicuticular waxes over the 2010 (14 trees) and 2011 (25 trees) growing seasons. In 2010, concentrations were low in the spring and increased over the summer; in 2011, they stayed low. The monoterpene profile of individual trees was similar between years and showed a consistent pattern over the growing season; in expanding foliage, δ-3-carene was only present in spring, whereas bornyl acetate increased over the growing season. Individual wax monoterpene profiles correlated with those of foliage, but the total concentration showed a different phenological pattern. Total content remained constant throughout the growing season on previous-year foliage but decreased on expanding foliage. Electron microscopy suggests .
Field storage conditions for cattle manure to limit nitrogen losses and optimise fertiliser value

Storage and application of cattle farmyard manure (CFM) can cause considerable environmental problems through nutrient losses to soil, water and air, if not properly handled. We investigated different storage conditions of CFM at field scale to reduce nitrogen (N) losses to the soil, meanwhile optimising the agronomical quality of the CFM. The treatments differed in terms of storage method (stockpiling, extensive composting or co-composting with bulking agents) and coverage (no cover, plastic or geotextile cover). Over the different treatments, the ammonium-N concentrations under the piles in the 0–90 cm soil layer amounted to a maximum of 4.2% of the initial manure N content. We were able to assess the relative importance of each of the two processes resulting in a higher mineral N concentration under the piles, i.e. direct leaching from the CFM to the soil on the one hand, and a smaller indirect effect of elevated soil temperatures (up to 37°C) under the piles resulting in higher N mineralisation in the top soil on the other hand. NH4+-N was the most important component of mineral N under all heaps due to limited oxygen diffusion to the soil. N leaching and end-product quality were affected by a combination of treatment option (i.e. storage and cover) and initial manure characteristics. When CFM was characterised by a low volumetric moisture content and high C : N ratio, so in case of straw-rich CFM or CFM with added bulking agents, composting led to the least N leaching and most stable end product. When CFM was characterised by a high volumetric moisture content and low C : N ratio, stockpiling and covering (plastic or geotextile) resulted in lower N leaching to the soil. Stockpiling and covering the CFM with a geotextile resulted in a more stable end product than did covering with a plastic.
Correlations between Plasma Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and Gene Expression of S1P Receptors with Mogenic Regulatory Factors Following Resistance Training

Background: The purpose of present study was to investigate whether Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) levels and its receptors gene expressions are correlated with MyoD and myogenin following resistance training. Materials and Methods: 24 eight-week-old male Wistar rats (190-250 gr) were randomly assigned into a control (n=12) or training (n= 2) group. The rats climbed a resistance training ladder with weights attached to their tails. The content of plasma S1P and relative mRNA expression was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Real-time PCR, respectively. Results: Resistance training increased the content of S1P in plasma (P=0.001) and changed the gene expression of S1P1, S1P2 and S1P3 receptors. There were significant correlations between plasma S1P and gene expression of S1P2, 3 receptors with gene expression of MyoD. Conclusion: S1P as a growth mediator may play an important role in skeletal muscle adaptations.
LAS BIOPELÍCULAS EN LA INDUSTRIA DE ALIMENTOS BIOFILMS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY BIOFILMES NA INDÚSTRIA DE ALIMENTOS

RESUMEN Algunos microorganismos utiles y bacterias patogenas como por ejemplo Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Escherichia, Salmonella, Listeria, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Mycobacteria, tienen la capacidad de adherirse y crecer en los alimentos y/o en las superficies que estan en contacto con ellos formando biopeliculas. Estas son significativamente importantes en el cam- po alimentario porque causan serios problemas que dificultan y perjudican las operaciones y los procesos al generar perdidas de energia, reduccion del flujo (en tuberias) y transferencia de calor, y taponamiento de poros de membranas, entre otros. Este documento considera los aspectos bio- logicos y fisicoquimicos relacionados con la formacion y desarrollo de las biopeliculas, lo cual, unido al desarrollo de metodologias de diagnostico e identificacion, permitiran desarrollar estrategias que faciliten la prevencion y control de la contaminacion en la industria de alimentos para mantener los sistemas libres de biopeliculas y favorecer la calidad y seguridad de los alimentos.
Application of System Biology Tools for the Design of Improved ChineseHamster Ovary Cell Expression Platforms

CHO cells have an impressive monopoly over other expression systems in the production of complex therapeutic proteins at large scale. There is thus a need to design superior cell lines with improved product quality and enhanced expression levels which requires an understanding of the cellular components and their interactions from a ‘systems’ point of view. With the emergence of critical ‘omics’ data sets for CHO cells which include transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, fluxomics, and glycomics; some clarity has emerged in elucidating the global regulatory mechanisms that control protein over expression. Integrating this vast amount of information with bioprocess data can help point out significant targets for cellular modification that are required for hyper production. In mammalian systems, the information flow from genes to phenotype is mediated by complex regulatory networks and mathematical modeling which incorporates this framework would also assist in the identification of crucial targets for modification. This review updates recent advancements in OMICS technologies and the synergistic use of these platforms for designing improved cell lines.
An elevational gradient study of small mammals at Caparaô National Park. South eastern Brazil

On decrit la distribution verticale et la diversite des petits mammiferes observes sur un transect a travers les montagnes d'ouest en est dans le Parc National de Caparao, au Bresil. Des echantillons ont ete pris dans les prairies de montagne, dans la vegetation arbustive de montagne, dans la foret de montagne humide, et dans cinq types de foret de moyenne altitude, le tout entre 1.000 et 2.700 m. Quatorze especes de Sigmodontinae, deux d'Echimyidae, une de Caviidae et quatre de Didelphidae ont ete collectees. La distribution verticale des especes est influencee par l'altitude et par la physionomie. La richesse des especes est influencee par des facteurs lies a la vegetation. La distribution des petits mammiferes parait etre influencee aussi par la categorie ecologique a laquelle peuvent etre rattachees les especes.
Molecular Phylogeny of Mitochondrial ATP Synthase subunit six of Mushrooms

Purpose: Various modern families of mushrooms are artificial due to morphology based characterization, since these characters may be result of parallel evolution and phenotypic plasticity. The aim of this study was to characterize various mushroom families phylogenetically based on their mitochnodrial ATP synthase sub unit six.Methods: For sequence analysis , inferring the phylogenetic tree and evolutionary characterization the protein sequences of ATP synthase sub unit six from 45 different species were used. The tree was drawn by maximum parsimony method while using the bootsrapping as a test of inferred phylogeny.Result: A phylogenetic tree was constructed from multiple aligned sequences showing bootstrap values on nodes and species codes on leaves. The analysis of data led to a single most parsimonious tree. Discussion and conclusion: The inferred tree gives an insight into the evolutionary order of various mushroom species based on their ATP synthase sub unit six. Some of the findings regarding the position of few species in the tree really draw attention and may be of great interest to the taxonomists.
Association between Circulating B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Population

Cardiovascular disease which is associated with cardiac dysfunction, usually measured with circulating levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), has been associated with incidence and progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The potential relationship of circulating physiological levels of BNP with DPN, however, has not been reported. Circulating levels of BNP were measured in 258 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and participants were divided into a DPN group (n = 61) and no DPN group (n = 197). The relationship between circulating physiological levels of BNP and DPN and other parameters was analyzed. Circulating levels of BNP were significantly elevated in T2DM patients with DPN compared to those without (P = 0.001). Circulating levels of BNP were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure (P = 0.035), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.007), creatinine (P = 0.030), vibration perception threshold values (P = 0.021), and the prevalence of diabetic foot ulceration (P = 0.039), peripheral arterial disease (P = 0.013), DPN (P = 0.032), and diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.020) and negatively with lymphocyte count (P = 0.003) and ankle-brachial index (P = 0.038), irrespective of age, sex, and body mass index. Moreover, circulating levels of BNP was an independent decisive factor for the presence of DPN after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio, 1.044; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-1.084; P = 0.024). Additionally, the higher quartiles of circulating BNP were related significantly to an increased risk of DPN compared to the lowest quartile (P = 0.003). Last but most importantly, the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the best cutoff value for circulating levels of BNP to predict DPN was 15.18 pg/mL (sensitivity 78.7% and specificity 48.2%). These findings suggest that high circulating physiological levels of BNP may be associated with the development of DPN and may be a potential biomarker for DPN in patients with T2DM.
Efficacy of Enrichment Media for Recovery of Heat-Injured Listeria monocytogenes.

The efficacy of University of Vermont (UVM) and Listeria enrichment broth (LEB) enrichment broths for the recovery of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes was determined in pure culture and in the presence of competitive microflora from chicken and Brie cheese. Both UVM and LEB were found to be effective for recovery of viable L. monocytogenes . Only UVM consistently allowed recovery of heat-injured L. monocytogenes . The different concentrations of NaCl used in these media did not account for these differences. The pH of LEB and UVM broth containing mixed microflora from chicken and Brie cheese was 5.2 to 5.7 and 6.7 to 6.8, respectively. The presence of glucose and the lack of an adequate buffering system in LEB accounted for these differences in recovery. Recovery of heat-injured cells of pure culture L. monocytogenes was reduced at pH 5.5 to 5.8, and no recovery was detected below pH 5.5 when pH adjusted LEB was used. UVM is recommended as a primary enrichment broth for recovery of heat-injured L. monocytogenes .
Characterization of Anti-anti-idiotypic Antibodies (Ab3) Induced by Immunization of Anti-idiotypic Antibodies (Ab2) Mimicking Disialoganglioside GD2

Background: Disialoganglioside GD2 is a tumor-associated antigen that is overexpressed on tumor cells of neuroectodermal origin, such as melanoma and neuroblastoma. Anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic GD2 may induce more effective immune responses than GD2 antigen itself, because they are protein antigens and are known to be able to break immune tolerance. In this study, to explore the potential of anti-idiotypic antibodies as tumor vaccines, the ability of anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2) to induce anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3) that bind to the original antigen GD2 was investigated. Methods: Six monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (1A8, 1G5, 2B6, 3A4, 3D6, 3H9) to monoclonal antibody M2058, which is a monoclonal antibody to GD2, were produced in mice. Three (1A8, 3A4, 3H9) of them were selected based on their ability to inhibit the binding of Ab1 to D142.34 (murine melanoma cell expressing GD2). These 3 different Ab2 were injected into rabbits, and rabbit Ab3 induced by each of them were characterized. Results: Ab3-containing sera from two rabbits immunized with 1A8, 3A4, or 3H9 bound significantly (P<0.05) to D142.34 but not to B78.96 (GD2-negative cell), and bound significantly (P<0.05) to isolated GD2 but not to GD1a. Ab3-containing sera from two rabbits immunized with 3A4 or 3H9 inhibited significantly (P<0.05) the binding of Ab1 M2058 to D142.34, and inhibited significantly (P<0.05) the binding of Ab1 M2058 to the Ab2. Conclusion: These results suggest that anti-idiotypic antibodies 3A4 and 3H9 have a potential to be used as vaccines against tumors expressing GD2 by inducing GD2-specific antibodies (Ab3). (Im m un e N etw ork 2003;3(2):118-125)
INNOVATION FOR GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM CEE EUROZONE CANDIDATES

This paper analyzes the European innovation framework focusing on four Eurozone candidates: Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic. In the last decades, almost two-thirds of Europeâ€™s economic growth has been driven by innovation. This idea is supported by impressive scientific findings concerning the correlation between innovation and economic growth. We believe that better innovation performance stimulates economic convergence and in the long term, facilitates the candidatesâ€™ transition towards Euro currency adoption. The countries in the study demonstrate a low innovative performance pattern, as our SWOT analysis will show. First, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development levels are far below the Union average. Secondly, there is a lack of cooperation between the academic and business sector, leading to a decreasing number of skilled personnel in the innovation industries. Lastly, these countries are suffering from an incoherent strategy aimed at reducing the productivity gap between domestic and foreign-owned firms. In order for these CEE Eurozone candidates to improve their European Innovation Score and their competitiveness, we recommend increasing investments in R&D, infrastructure, education, healthcare, clean energy and shifting towards higher value-added activities. We are also suggesting supporting digital innovation hubs, the creation of new companies, and facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses.
The influence of adapted interactive environments in current industrial interfaces aceptance

User experience is a growing field of research, which in recent years has gained considerable interest. During the last two decades, various models have been proposed to understand why users accept technologies and interactive environments. This information may be relevant for companies that are integrating technological solutions in their organizations so that they can create systems that do not generate adoption barriers and improve current industrial interfaces. This communication presents a study that analyzes the acceptance and behavioural intention to use an industrial interactive environment adapted to the users, focusing on the System Usability Scale (SUS). Based on obtained results, the study concludes that adapted interactive environments help to minimize the difficulty and effort perception.