Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental and long-lasting consequences of neonatal dexamethasone treatment: impact of early handling

Exposure to increased glucocorticoid levels during development is known to have enduring consequences for brain function and behaviour throughout the lifespan. Perinatal dexamethasone administration, a common treatment for prematurityassociated respiratory disorders and an example of such enhanced glucocorticoid exposure, has been shown to result in adverse side effects on the developing nervous system, leading to long-lasting alterations in endocrine and behavioural phenotype. In the current study we investigated the development of these alterations in male Long Evans rats. Rat pups were injected with dexamethasone or saline on postnatal days 1, 2 and 3. In experiment I, body weight, eye opening and fur development were measured during the postnatal period. In adulthood animals were tested for spatial learning, stress responsiveness, and contextual fear conditioning. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in growth retardation, an altered pattern of fur development and accelerated eye opening. However, we did not observe alterations in behavioural and endocrine phenotype in adulthood. Therefore, we investigated a potential interaction of the effects of dexamethasone treatment with those of neonatal handling, which was an inevitable component of our experimental design. Thus, we included in experiment II an untreated nonhandled control group. We report that these non-handled controls displayed reduced pre-pulse inhibition, motor performance and spatial learning in addition to a prolonged endocrine stress response, compared to handled animals (both saline and dexamethasone-treated). We conclude that neonatal handling resulted in profound phenotypic alterations throughout the lifespan, potentially protecting against dexamethasone-induced alterations.
A Description of Deinonychus antirrhopus Bite Marks and Estimates of Bite Force using Tooth Indentation Simulations

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of a specimen of Tenontosaurus tilletti from the Cloverly Formation that bears lesions we interpret as bite marks of Deinonychus antirrhopus. Some of the bite marks are in the form of exceptionally deep punctures through the long bone cortices. These provide a rare opportunity to estimate the bite-force capacities of this taxon through tooth indentation simulations. These experiments showed that approximately 4100 N of bite force were required to generate one of the bite marks, and 8200 N would have been generated simultaneously at a distal-most tooth position. These values are higher than those reported for large carnivoran mammals but similar to values recorded for comparably sized crocodilians. Although current evidence does not indicate how D. antirrhopus actually used its claws and teeth to acquire prey resources, it is clear that large individuals were capable of generating forces great enough to bite through bone.
Skeletal malformations in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858): gross morphology and radiographic correlation

Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a flatfish of increasingly interest in aquaculture in recent years. The establishment of the production requires the determination of the optimal conditions for development, growth and welfare of the sole in tanks. One important problem in cultured Senegalese sole is the presence of skeletal malformations that alter the morphology of the fish and cause the consumer's rejection. In contrast to the external study of the fish, the radiographic imaging allows to observe the existing types of deformities. The objective of this study was to define a straightforward evaluation method of skeletal alterations in Senegalese sole by means of computed radiography (CR). Fish between 255 and 352 days after hatching were randomly sampled, categorized according to their external appearance by the farm staff, and CR evaluated. Based on our previous research on skeletal malformations in Senegalese sole, we assessed the changes in the vertebrae and vertebral arches, processes and spines. Deformities varied from slight loss of structure of a single vertebra, to multiple vertebral deformities, fusions and alterations in intervertebral spaces that may result in lordosis/kyphosis or scoliosis. Anomalies in the abdominal region, caudal region and caudal complex were given a score: zero, absence of deformities; one, minor malformations; two, major malformations without altering body shape; and three, severe skeletal changes modifying gross morphology of the fish. An overall score for each fish was assumed as the highest number obtained in the three regions. The results showed that the caudal complex was the region with higher rate of deformities, usually minor; more severe malformations appeared in the caudal region. A high number of anomalies without effect on the external morphology were observed, and some gross changes in body shape did not correspond to bone alterations. CR allows the characterization of externally undetectable deformities in juvenile sole in a direct way, and is useful to discern the evolution and influence of the malformations on the gross morphology.
Life strategies in an elmid (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae) community from a first order stream in the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil.

Life strategies in an elmid (Insecta: Coleoptera) community from a first order stream in the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil. The elmid fauna of a first order section of a stream at the Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, was studied. Quantitative samples of the litter from pools, litter from riffles, sand, and stones, were taken in each of the four seasons. Based on the biomasses of the most abundant species, two life cycle patterns were recorded. Heterelmis sp. had its young larvae predominating in summer and later instars appearing in winter. On the other hand, Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882 presented
Transaction using Multiaccount Embedded ATM Card

The idea behind this work is that to add more then one bank account in an ATM card, so that the user need not carry more cards with them and complication of handling passwords. Here in this one we embedded more then one bank account so that the user can transact as she/he wish with a swipe. In addition to this convivence factor provided by multiaccount ATM we also provide enhance security features. Every time a card is swiped the user is intimated with a help of a GSM module. The GSM module sensor SMS to the user asking him/her to set a password of his/her choice. The same, registered password is to be entered through keypad and the amount is provided only if both the passwords match. The system also provides an option of choosing between several banks. The user can select which bank he desires to perform truncation with. This selection of choice is enabled by programming the keypad. Keywords— ATM, banks, fingerprint, smartcard, user authentication, PIN, transaction.
Spatial and Probability Distribution of Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Egg Mass Populations in Dry Bean

Abstract The spatial pattern and probability distribution of Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, egg masses were studied in four dry bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. , fields near Scottsbluff, NE, during the 1994 and 1995 growing seasons. Sampling was conducted in a regular and uniform grid to guarantee coverage of the field. The experimental unit in all fields was 0.30 row-m, and five measurements were made at 0.76-m intervals. A total of 12,290 locations was sampled. Geostatistics and discrete statistics were used to describe the egg mass distribution. Regression was used to detect and separate macroscale trends from the microscale variation. The presence of macroscale variation indicated a significant edge effect with ovipositing females moving into dry bean fields from their overwintering sites. The microscale variation estimated from the estimated residuals from regressions to estimate trends was studied using semivariograms for all fields. Semivariograms strongly indicate that Mexican bean beetle eggs are randomly distributed across the field and that this random distribution holds across 10-fold differences in population densities. As a result of the significant macroscale trends observed, we conclude that egg mass densities may be greater in areas of the field near edges adjacent to beetle overwintering sites. The probability distribution that best fit the data was the negative binomial. Our results illustrate the importance of scale in discussing and characterizing distribution. Although there is evidence of edge effect at the field level, there is no evidence of spatial dependence between egg samples at the sampling region level. At an even lower level, the egg mass itself, eggs are aggregated.
Purification and characterization of secreted acid phosphatase in phosphorus‐deficient Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis roots responded to the absence of an exogenous phosphate source with an increase in the specific activities of secreted acid phosphatases. Increases in enzyme activity were revealed beginning 2 days after P-withdrawal, reaching a maximum at 6 days. We characterized the secreted acid phosphatase. Two proteins, migrating at 52 and 63 kDa in SDS-PAGE, co-purified with the activity. Purified enzyme had a pH optimum of 5 and a pI of 5.9. In addition to the general phosphatase substrate, p-nitrophenyl-phosphate, the enzyme readily hydrolysed pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, ATP and PEP. Low or negligible activity was observed with glucose-1P, fructose-1P and phytic acid. The activity of the purified secreted acid phosphatase was stimulated by calcium and inhibited by molybdate, phosphate, fluoride, vanadate and nitrate. Activity was not inhibited by tartrate. The substrate profile and the biochemical properties suggest that Arabidopsis secreted acid phosphatase may have a role in mobilizing organic phosphate in the soil.
Northern white-cedar ecology and silviculture in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada: a synthesis of knowledge

Sustainability of the northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) resource is a concern in many regions throughout its range because of regeneration failures, difficulty recruiting seedlings into sapling and pole classes, and harvesting levels that exceed growth. Management confusion has resulted from the scarcity of research on northern white-cedar ecology and silviculture, particularly because northern white-cedar is an anomalous tree species. This article synthesizes recent and historical northern white-cedar literature, with a focus on ecology, regeneration, cedar-wildlife interactions, and silviculture. Although a number of past studies have produced contradictory findings, some generalizations of use to the practitioner can be made: northern white-cedar is of small stature, slow growing, decay prone except on cliff sites, and found in both early- and late-successional stands. Northern white-cedar appears to be a highly variable species that can adapt to a wide range of environmental stresses. Because management of this resource has proven difficult, northern white-cedar silvicultural guidelines are needed throughout its range.
TOXICOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHT Oxidative Signaling in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The article by Johnson et al. on the role of antioxidant signaling pathways in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) merits further discussion. This group hypothesized that alterations in oxidative signaling may be involved in the development of EAE and multiple sclerosis (MS). Their laboratory has performed extensive characterization of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway and the Nrf2 knockout mice. Building upon their previous studies, they have extended their characterization of the Nrf2-ARE system in an autoimmune inflammatory model of MS by crossing the Biozzi ABH mice with Nrf2 knockout mice. These hybrid mice allowed a direct test of their hypothesis and were crucial for the success of these studies. In this study, the authors demonstrate that the loss of Nrf2 exacerbates the development of EAE, suggesting that Nrf2 may represent a common pathway and that activation of Nrf2 may attenuate pathogenesis of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
Using sedimentary diatoms to identify reference conditions and historical variability in shallow lake ecosystems in the Yangtze floodplain

The reference condition and historical variability of aquatic ecosystems are key ecological characters for understanding the dynamic and ecological assessment of wetland systems. Based on high-resolution chronological sequences of diatom records from 10 lakes in the Yangtze floodplain, this study aims to determine their ecological and chemical reference conditions, the historical variability and its controlling factors. Mesotrophic species Aulacoseria granulata, along with non-planktonic species Fragilaria spp. , Navicula spp. , Cocconeis placentula, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cymbella spp. etc, were most abundant in the reference samples (1800–50). Accordingly, a relatively high chemical reference (50 µg L–1 in diatom-inferred total phosphorus concentration) was defined. The degree of floristic change comparing present with reference samples reveals that six of the 10 lakes have undergone significant ecological changes. The historical variability in those lakes was found to be regulated by the distance from the Yangtze River (negatively) and the lake catchment area (positively). This reflects the mechanism driving ecological change in floodplain lakes: the ecological conditions were sensitive to the nutrient input from the catchment and disturbance by the Yangtze River. This study demonstrates the robustness of palaeolimnological techniques in reconstructing the historical ecological characters of lake ecosystems, which may provide essential information for the management of wider types of wetland.
Assessing performance constraints in penguins with externally-attached devices

Externally-attached transmission and logging devices have greatly helped elucidate the biology of free-living animals over the last 50 yr. However, such devices may hinder animals so that the behaviour monitored is not representative of unequipped conspecifics. We suggest that if animals are equipped with devices of varying size, the change in recorded parameters with size can be used to extrapolate to the condition in unencumbered animals. Use of this approach with Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae showed that unequipped birds are predicted to range farther, swim faster, dive deeper and be more efficient underwater than equipped birds. The derived data not only set baseline information for the species concerned but also allow us to put the deleterious effects of the devices into perspective.
Reference data of clinical chemistry, haematology and blood coagulation parameters in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Juvenile cynomolgus monkeys are valuable models for studying human diseases. Reference data of clinical chemistry, haematology and blood coagulation parameters of juvenile cynomolgus monkeys are very important for clinical diagnosis and conducting research. In this study, 72 blood samples (obtained from 35 males and 37 females) and 20 blood samples (obtained from 10 males and 10 females) were used to determine normal data of clinical serum chemistry, haematological profiles and normal blood coagulation parameters in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys. Seventeen markers of clinical serum chemistry, twenty-nine markers of haematology and two parameters of blood coagulation were analysed. These data may provide valuable information for veterinarians and investigators using juvenile cynomolgus monkeys in research on disease treatment and in experimental studies.
Annual Q10 of soil respiration reflects plant phenological patterns as well as temperature sensitivity

The temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (SR) is often estimated from the seasonal changes in the flux relative to those in soil temperature, and subsequently used in models to interpolate or predict soil fluxes. However, temperature sensitivities derived from seasonal changes in SR (from here on denoted seasonal Q10) may not solely reflect the temperature sensitivity of SR, because seasonal changes in SR can also be affected by other seasonally fluctuating conditions and processes. In this manuscript, we present a case study of how the seasonal Q10 of SR can be decoupled from the temperature sensitivity of SR. In a mixed temperate forest, we measured SR under vegetations with different leaf strategies: pure evergreen, pure deciduous, and mixed. Seasonal Q10 was much higher under deciduous than under evergreen canopies. However, at a shorter time scale, both vegetation types exhibited very similar Q10 values, indicating that the large differences in seasonal Q10 do not represent differences in the temperature sensitivity of the soil metabolism. The seasonal Q10 depends strongly on the amplitude of the seasonal changes in SR (SRs), which, under the particular climatic and edaphic conditions of our forest study site, were significantly larger in deciduous forest. In turn, SRs was positively correlated with the seasonal changes in leaf area index (LAIs), a measure of the deciduousness of the vegetation. Thus, in this temperate maritime forest, seasonal Q10 of SR was strongly influenced by the deciduousness of the vegetation. We conclude that the large differences in seasonal Q10 were not entirely due to different temperature sensitivities, but also to different seasonal patterns of plant activity in the evergreen and deciduous plants of this site. Some coniferous forests may be more seasonal than the one we studied, and the deciduous–evergreen differences observed here may not be broadly applicable, but this case study demonstrates that variation of plant phenological process can significantly contribute to the seasonality of SR, and, hence, calculated Q10 values. Where this occurs, the seasonal Q10 value for SR does not accurately represent temperature sensitivity. Because the strong seasonal correlation between SR and temperature does not necessarily imply a causal relationship, Q10 values derived form annual patterns of SR should be used with caution when predicting future responses of SR to climatic change.
Survey for viruses in lentil and chickpea crops in Pakistan.

In an intensive survey of lentil and chickpea fields and research stations plots carried out in the Punjab province of Pakistan in 1997, more than 6505 plant samples were collected and tested by tissue-blot immunoassay (TBIA) for the presence of 14 different viruses. Overall, about one in five plants of lentil was virus infected, 15 % of fields having incidences higher than 50 %. In contrast, incidences of infection were mostly low in chickpea. Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) followed by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, genus Cucumovirus, family Bromoviridae), both of which are aphid-transmitted and seed-borne in chickpea and lentil, were the most abundant viruses in lentils, and also occurred in chickpea. Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CCDV, genus Mastrevirus, family Geminiviridae), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV, genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) and 'chickpea luteovirus' (family Luteoviridae) were common in chickpea fields and were present in lentil. Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV, genus Nanovirus) was occasionally found in lentil and chickpea fields, and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV, genus Alfamovirus, family Bromoviridae) in chickpea fields. Counting plants with virus symptoms greatly underestimated virus incidence in lentil crops but was a better guide to virus occurrence in chickpea. Because of associated yield losses, the high incidences of infection in lentils are cause for concern for lentil production. Virus incidence was sometimes sufficient within individual chickpea fields to be of concern.
An Heuristic Framework for Identifying Multiple Ways of Supporting the Conservation and Use of Traditional Crop Varieties within the Agricultural Production System

This paper reviews and discusses how studies on (i) on-farm diversity assessment, (ii) access to diversity and information, (iii) extent of use of available materials and information, and (iv) benefits obtained by the farmer or farming community from their use of local crop diversity, are necessary to identify the different ways of supporting farmers and farming communities in the maintenance of traditional varieties and crop genetic diversity within their production systems. Throughout this paper two key themes are emphasized. First, any description or analysis within the four main areas (assessment, access, use and benefit) can, and most probably will, lead to a number of different actions. Second, the decision to implement a particular action, and therefore its success, will depend on farmers and the farming community having the knowledge and leadership capacity to evaluate the benefits that this action will have for them. This in turn emphasizes the importance of activities (whether by local, national and international organizations and agencies) of strengthening local institutions so as to enable farmers to take a greater role in the management of their resources.
Enhancement of in Vitro Human Immune Function by Allium sativum L. (Garlic) Fractions

AbstractAqueous garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract and the polar and thiosulfinate fractions were evaluated for their effects on the immune function of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. The thiosulfinate fraction was found to contain diallyl thiosulfinate (allicin), allyl methyl and methyl allyl thiosulfinates and tranj-l-propenyl allyl thiosulfinate. The aqueous extract and the polar fraction increased interleukin-1 production, and the thiosulfinate fraction enhanced natural killer cell activity. The aqueous garlic extract, polar and thiosulfinate fractions increased interlenkin-2 production. Neither the agueour nor the fractions stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis.
Utilización del PECTIMORF y BIOBRAS-16 en la embriogénesis somática de la papa

With the application of PECTIMORF and BIOBRAS-16, somatic embryos were obtained in potato ( Solanum tuberosum, L ) c.v. Desiree, of 40 days old callus obtained from stem micropropagated plants. These were used as possible substitutes for crop regulators used in culture media for the induction of somatic embryos. The culture media was composed for 10ml.l -1 of Murashige and Skoog salt, 0.1mg. l -1 ANA, 0.1mg. l -1 kinetin, 0.5mg. l -1 thiamine, 2.5mg. l -1 cistein, 100mg.l -1 mioinositol, 20g.l -1 sucrose and 2.0g. l -1 agar. Four culture medias were tested in distinct combinations that contained different concentration of PECTIMOR and BIOBRAS-16 as substitute of auxins and cytokinins. After 90 days, the results obtained showed the possibility of substituting the auxins (0.5mg.l -1 ANA) and the cytokinins (0.5mg.l -1 kinetin) in the culture media, because the application of PECTIMORF at 3.2mg. l -1 and BIOBRAS-16 at 1.0mg. l -1 , gave friable callus, high fresh weight (more than 1.4g) and a brownish color at the end of the process, moment in which the somatic embryos of different phases, appeared at the surface of the callus. Keywords: brasinoesteroids, callus, oligopectate, somatic embryo