Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recommended Avian Toxicity Reference Value for Cadmium: Justification and Rationale for Use in Ecological Risk Assessments

ABSTRACT The understanding of Cd impacts to avian species has been improved by recent studies and the extensive literature review completed as part of the development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Ecological Soil Screening Levels (Eco-SSLs). Therefore, we sought to update the Cd toxicity reference value (TRV) for birds used by regulatory agencies and resource trustees in California for predictive ecological risk assessments. We surveyed the available literature sources, particularly TRVs between the currently used TRV (0.08 mg/kg/d) and the Eco-SSL TRV (1.47 mg/kg/d) to identify the lowest, ecologically relevant no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) for oral exposure of birds to Cd. As a result, we identified an ecologically protective NOAEL TRV of 0.7 mg/kg/d, based primarily on renal effects in wood ducks, but supported by another study with both renal and reproductive endpoints. In addition, a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 1.0 mg/kg/d was selected based on kidney nephrosis in mallards. Overall, these updated TRVs incorporate more recent studies on Cd toxicity in birds while establishing thresholds based on ecologically relevant endpoints.
Planting Date Influence on Soybean Agronomic Traits and Seed Composition in Modified Fatty Acid Breeding Lines

A primary focus for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] breeders recently has been the development of cultivars with improved oil qualities such as reduced palmitic acid (16:0) and linolenic acid (18:3). A backcross breeding program was used to develop five low 16:0, two low 16:0 + 18:3, and one low 18:3 modified fatty acid breeding lines (MFALs). Research objectives were (i) to determine planting date effects on fatty acid content in the eight MFALs and (ii) to compare the MFALs to parental cultivars for seed composition and agronomic traits. The eight MFALs and four control cultivars were evaluated at two planting dates at Clemson, SC, in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Planting dates were chosen to simulate full season and double crop planting dates for South Carolina soybean production. Agronomic traits including seed yield, plant height, lodging, maturity date, seed size, and seed quality were measured, and seeds were analyzed for protein, oil, and fatty acid levels. Planting date had a significant effect on all agronomic variables, as well as on protein, oil, and palmitic and linolenic acid. There was a decrease in palmitic acid at the late planting date, while the early planting date resulted in a decrease in linolenic acid levels. The effect of genotype was significant for all agronomic and seed composition variables measured when averaged across planting dates. It appears that planting date may be manipulated to reduce palmitic or linolenic acid of MFALs, although the extent of the reduction varies with genotype.
Phototrophy, diazotrophy and palaeoatmospheres: biological catalysis and the H,. C, N and O cycles

Photolithotrophy (use of light as energy source, CO2, as carbon source) and then diazotrophy (use of N2, as N source), became important as prebiotically-synthesized organic compounds were consumed. 13C/12C data suggest that ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase has dominated photolithotrophic CO2, fixation over the last 3.5 Ga. The long-term decline in atmospheric CO2, can be related to carbon isotope evidence for a CO, accumulating mechanism in aquatic plants over the last 100 Ma and of C4, metabolism in terrestrial plants over 10 Ma. Increasing biogenic O2, levels permitted, via an O3, UV screen, photolithotrophs to grow in high-light environments and, via O2, availability for respiration and biosyntheses, to produce large and (on land) homoiohydric plants. This greatly increased the productivity and diversity of photolithotrophy. Diazotrophy is less strongly coupled to homoiohydry and to photochemistry than is CO2, fixation. Symbiotic N2, fixation in land plants partially effects these two couplings, and permits novel methods of dealing with O2, inactivation of nitrogenase.
CRESCIMENTO DO MELOEIRO ‘PELE DE SAPO’ IRRIGADO COM ÁGUA SALOBRA COM DIFERENTES ESTRATÉGIAS DE MANEJO

No semiarido brasileiro, a escassez de agua de boa qualidade e fator limitante para a ampliacao da area irrigada. A alta disponibilidade de agua salina com custo reduzido pode ser uma alternativa viavel, quando adequadamente manejada. Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, estudar os efeitos da agua com baixa e alta concentracao de sais, no desenvolvimento do meloeiro. As plantas de melao (Cucumis melo L., cv Sancho) foram irrigadas com aguas de baixa (S1) e alta salinidade (S2) com CEa iguais a 0,5 e 4,3 dS m-1, respectivamente; sendo estas aplicadas sob diferentes estrategias de manejo, as quis sao: S1S2S2S2 – T1, S1S1S2S2 – T2, S1S1S1S2 – T3, S2S1S2S2 – T4, S2S1S1S2 – T5, S2S2S1S2 – T6 (os 1o, 2o, 3o e 4o termos dessas sequencias correspondem as aguas de irrigacao aplicadas nas fases de crescimento inicial, crescimento, frutificacao, e maturacao dos frutos e colheita, respectivamente), irrigacao com agua S1 durante todo ciclo – T7 (testemunha), irrigacoes com as aguas S1 e S2 com frequencia de 1 ou 2 dias durante o ciclo (S1 por 2 dias + S2 por 1 dia – T8 e S2 por 2 dias + S1 por 1 dia – T9) e irrigacao com agua S2 durante todo o ciclo – T10. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repeticoes. O uso de agua com baixa e alta concentracao salina aplicada nas fases fenologica da cultura em diferentes estrategias de manejo nao afetou as caracteristicas de crescimento da cultivar de melao Sancho. A cultivar Sancho tolera a salinidade da agua de irrigacao ate 4,3 dS m-1, sem perdas de crescimento e desenvolvimento.
Evolutionary species–area curves as revealed by single‐island endemics: insights for the inter‐provincial species–area relationship

The species–area relationship (SAR) between different biological provinces is one of the most interesting, but least explored aspects of the well-known species–area pattern. Following the usage that a biological province is a region whose species have for the most part evolved within it, rather than immigrating from somewhere else, we propose that islands can be considered equivalent to biological provinces for single island endemic species (SIEs). Hence, analyses of the relationships between numbers of SIEs and island area can be used as model systems to explore the form of inter-provincial SARs. We analyzed 13 different data sets derived from 11 sources, using the power (log–log) model. Eleven of the SIE–area relationships were statistically significant, explaining high proportions of the variance in SIE numbers (R2 0.57–0.95). The z-values (slopes) of the statistically significant SIE–area relationships ranged from 0.47 to 1.13, with a mean value of 0.80 (SD±0.24). All the island systems in which SIE represent >50% of species exhibited z-values for the SARs of native species higher than those deemed typical of archipelagic SARs. The SIE–area slopes are quite similar to those previously calculated for inter-provincial SARs, indicating that, when speciation becomes the dominant process adding to the species richness of assemblages, high z-values should be anticipated, regardless of the biogeographical scale of the study system.
Sheep movement on slatted floors

The effect of three factors on the movement of sheep on raised, slatted floors was tested: 1. light intensity below the floor - dark, medium, or bright; 2. alignment of battens - across or along the direction of movement; and 3. race width - 0.5 m or 1.5 m wide. Light intensity did not affect movement across the battens, but sheep were hesitant to move along the battens at medium and bright light intensities in 0.5 m wide races and at bright light intensities in 1.5 m wide races. In a Y-maze sheep showed no significant preference for moving on any of the four floor and light combinations used in six tests, but when the data were pooled, sheep showed a significant preference for moving across the direction of the battens, regardless of the light intensity below. These results suggest that movement of sheep through a shearing shed might be improved by covering the sides of the shed to exclude light from beneath the floor and by ensuring that the battens are always aligned across the direction of sheep movement.
IN VITRO STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF DIET AND MUCOSAL PH ON AMMONIA, SODIUM AND CHLORIDE TRANSPORT ACROSS THE RUMEN EPITHELIUM OF SHEEP

ABCTRACT This study was designed to investigate the possible functional adapt-ation of the rumen epithelium to concentrate feeding and to the accompany-ing decrease in the pH of rumen liquor. Concentrate feeding resulted in stimulation of net Na flux rate, ammonia absorption and conductance (Gt), and a reduction of short-circuit current (Isc) and potential difference (PDt) across the isolated rumen epithelium of sheep. Mucosal disappearance rates of total ammonia were higher than the serosal appearance rates in both hayand concentrate-fed sheep, indicating ammonia metabolism by the rumen epithelium. However, the intraepithelial metabolic rate of ammonia was higher in concentrate-fed sheep. These results support the previous reports on the dietary functional adaptation of sheep rumen epithelium. Decreasing the mucosal pH from 7.4 to 6.4 resulted in a stimulation of Na and Cl net flux rates, and a reduction of ammonia absorption. These effects could be attributed to the changes in the dissociation equilibrium (Henderson-Hasselbalch equation) of short chain fatty acids, bicarbonate and ammonia, and their consequent effects on Na/H-exchange, Cl/HCO3 -exchange and passive ammonia diffusion, respectively. It is concluded that rumen epithelium could develop some sort of functional adaptation beside the well known morphological adaptation to concentrate feeding.
Effect Of Aqueous Extracts Of Allium sativum On Some Parameters Of Oxidative Stress In Mice Brain

This invitro study investigates the effects of Allium sativum L. , Liliaceae, garlic on some markers of oxidative stress induced by hydroxyl radicals (OH - ) generated by Fenton's reaction and potentiated by L-glutamate. Garlic at doses between 50 200mg/mL significantly decreased the activities of catalase (CAT) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) in the brain tissues of experimental mice incubated with iron-hydrogen peroxide ascorbate in the absence (CAT, 3.1 ± 0.9 IU/L; AChE, 0.276 ± 0.05 ΔOD/min) or presence (CAT, 1.85 ± 0.8 IU/L; AChE, 0.135 ± 0.04 ΔOD/min) of 50mM L-glutamate (Control values: 12.5 ± 0.8 IU/L and 0.576 ± 0.09 OD/min; P Allium sativum possessed neuroprotective and anti-DNA damaging effects. Key words: Allium sativum L. , Liliaceae, garlic, oxidative stress, catalase, acetyl cholinesterase, brain tissues, mice. Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.8 2004: 13-18
Metabolismo energético en vacas durante la lactancia temprana y el efecto de la suplementación con grasa protegida

Summary Milk synthesis in the mammary gland depends on the influx of adequate amounts and proportions of nutrients. During early lactation cows have to coordinate their metabolism to cope with a huge demand for nutrients, particularly glucose production in the liver. Furthermore, an excessive mobilization of non sterified fatty acids (NSFAs) from the adipose tissue occurs during early lactation, representing a significant challenge to liver function. Understanding the complexity of energy metabolism during early lactation is critical for identifying parameters associated with dairy efficiency. Therefore, important research projects are being conducted, exploring the use of rumen protected fats to improve reproductive efficiency of the cow, milk yield, and also milk quality. Modifying the lipid profile of milk and dairy products, could contribute to healthier dietary alternatives for human consumption. Key words: energy balance, NEFAS, partition of energy. Resumen La sintesis de leche en la glandula mamaria depende de que reciba las proporciones y cantidades adecuadas de nutrientes. Las vacas en el inicio de la lactancia deben coordinar su metabolismo para hacer frente al enorme aumento en la demanda de nutrientes y particularmente de glucosa producida en el higado, ademas de la excesiva movilizacion de acidos grasos no esterificados NEFAS desde el tejido adiposo lo que presenta grandes desafios para la funcion hepatica. Por lo tanto, la comprension del metabolismo energetico en esta etapa es muy importante, ya que permite identificar puntos de partida para la modulacion de estos procesos. Por ello, la investigacion a nivel mundial esta siendo orientada hacia uso de grasas protegidas en rumen con el fin de mejorar la produccion, la reproduccion y la calidad de la leche cambiando la composicion de la grasa lactea para hacerla mas saludable. Palabras clave: balance energetico, NEFAS, particion de la energia. Resumo A sintese de leite na glândula mamaria depende das quantidades adequadas de nutrientes recebidos. Vacas no inicio da amamentacao devem coordenar seu metabolismo para lidar com o enorme aumento na demanda de nutrientes, especialmente glicose produzida no figado, alem da mobilizacao excessiva de acidos graxos nao-esterificados (NEFAS) a partir de tecido adiposo que apresenta maiores desafios para a funcao hepatica. Portanto, o entendimento do metabolismo energetico nesta fase e muito importante porque permite a identificacao de pontos a modulacao desses processos. Portanto, a nivel mundial esta-se orientando para a pesquisa, na utilizacao da gordura protegida no rumen para melhorar a producao, reproducao e qualidade do leite, alterando a composicao da gordura do leite para o tornar mais saudavel. Palavras chave: balanco energetico, NEFAS, particao de energia.
Effects of annual fires on the production of fleshy fruits eaten by birds in a Brazilian Amazonian savanna

ABSTRACT This study describes changes in the numbers of plant species fruiting during six years in I ha of Amazonian savanna on the right bank of the Tapajós River, Brazil. The work was based on fleshy fruits from tree and shrub-layer species eaten by birds. The area was burned in the first two years, protected during the following two years and burned again in the last two years. The number of tree species fruiting did not differ significantly between years with and without fire. The number of shrub-layer species fruiting was markedly reduced in years with fire, but the responses varied between species. Data on changes in shrub cover after two consecutive years of fire indicate that species also respond differently in terms of biomass lost due to fires. The two most abundant genera of shrubs, Miconia and Myrcia, had their cover reduced by up to 95% and 72% respectively. The area made available by the loss of shrubs was occupied mainly by the grass Paspalum carinatum. The fires and the decrease in the availability of fruits occurred during the season in which most species of birds breed. An interval of less than three years between fires is insufficient for shrub-layer species to recover. RESUMO Este estudo descreve mudancas no número de espécies de plantas frutificando durante seis anos em um hectare de savana amazônica à margem direita do Rio Tapajós, Brasil. O estudo baseou-se em espécies arbóreas e espécies do estrato arbustivo com frutos carnosos consumidos por aves. A área foi queimada nos dois primeiros anos, protegida de fogo nos dois anos seguintes e queimada nos dois últimos anos. O número de espécies arbóreas frutificando nāo diferiu entre anos com queimada e anos protegidos de fogo. A frutificaçāo das espécies arbustivas e herbáceas sofreu uma diminuiçāo drástica nos anos com queimada. Porém, as respostas variaram entre espécies. Dados sobre mudanças na área de cobertura de moitas após dois anos consecutivos de fogo indicam que as espécies respondem diferentemente em relaçāo a biomassa reduzida pela queimada. Os dois gêneros arbustivos mais abundantes, Miconia e Myrcia, tiveram suas áreas reduzidas em ate 95% e 72% respectivamente. As áreas reduzidas das moitas foram ocupadas principalmente pelo capim Paspalum carinatum. O peníodo das queimadas e a diminuiçāo na disponibilidade de frutos occoreu durante a estaçāo em que a maioria das espécies de aves reproduzem. Pôde-se concluir que um intervalo menor que três anos entre cada queimada nāo e suficiente para as espécies arbustivas se recuperarem.
Oxygen uptake, bacterial distribution, and carbon-nitrogen-sulfur cycling in sediments from the baltic sea - North sea transition

Abstract Chemical zonations and bacterial distribution and metabolism were studied at fourteen sediment stations in the Belt Sea, the Kattegat, and the Skagerrak. Water depths were 14-200 m and sediment types ranged from clay and silt to fine sand. The oxic zone as determined by microelectrodes was only 1.3-5.6 mmdeep while the oxidized zone (Eh > +100mV) was one to several em. Roughly 90% of the oxidized layer was thus anoxic. A pH minimum occurredjust below the oxic-anoxic interface. Subsurface nitrate maxima extended to depths of 1.5-5 cm. Total bacterial densities at the sediment surface were 0.25-108 × 108 cm-3. Bacterial distributions showed no correlation with the measured rates of aerobic or anaerobic metabolism. Oxygen uptake and sulfate reduction were positively correlated but in some sediments most sulfate reduction took place below the analyzed sediment layer of 0-15 em. The respiration rates were compared to rates of acetate and ammonia turnover measured by 14C and 15N tracer experiments, res.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α gene transfer induces cachexia and inhibits muscle regeneration

Chronic disease states are associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines that have been demonstrated to lead to severe muscle wasting. A mechanistic understanding of muscle wasting is hampered by limited in vivo cytokine models which can be applied to emerging mouse mutants as they are generated. We developed a simple and novel approach to induce adult mouse skeletal muscle wasting based on direct gene transfer of an expression vector encoding the secreted form of the murine tumor necrosis factor‐α (mTNFα). This procedure results in the production of elevated levels of circulating mTNFα followed by body weight loss, upregulation of Atrogin1, and muscle atrophy, including muscles distant from the site of gene transfer. We also found that mTNFα gene transfer resulted in a significant inhibition of regeneration following muscle injury. We conclude that in addition to being a potent inducer of cachexia, TNFα is a potent inhibitor of myogenesis in vivo. genesis 43:120–128, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testicular Responsiveness of a Wild Passerine Bird, Lonchura malabarica, to the Oral Administration of Quinalphos, an Organophosphorous Pesticide.

Quinalphos, an organophosphorous pesticide, was administered orally to sexually mature male Whitethroated Munias at different doses (5μg-, 10μg- and 20μg/100g body wt./day) for 1-, 5-, or 10 day(s). Testicular responsiveness to the treatment in each group was analyzed by comparing the testes with control (vehicle treated) birds. A significant decrease in the paired testicular weight, and in the number of seminiferous tubules containing healthy germ cells was noted following the treatment of each dose of pesticide for 5- and 10 days. A number of degenerative changes in the testicular germ cells were found in different groups of quinalphos ingested birds, but no degenerative feature could be ascribed as a marker to the level of exposure. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the testes of quinalphos treated munias was inhibited in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. A significant negative correlation was found between testicular AChE activity and percentage of degenerated germ cell containing tubules. However, no conspicuous difference was noted in the Leydig cells of the testes in the control and treated bird groups. The results of the present study indicate that ingestion of quinalphos is injurious to the gametogenic functions of the testis in a wild passerine bird and that the antigonadal action of the pesticide may be pharmacological in origin.
Recent advances in pretreatment of lignocellulosic wastes and production of value added products

This study highlights the recent advances in the treatment and value addition of lignocellulosic wastes (LCW) with main focus on domestic and agro-industrial residues. Mechanical, physical and biological treatment systems are brought into perspective. The main value-added products from lignocellulosic wastes are summarized in a manner that pinpoints the most recent trends and the future directions. Physicochemical and biological treatment systems seem to be the most favored options while biofuels, biodegradable composites and biosorbents production paints a bright picture of the current and future bio-based products. Engineered microbes seem to tackle the problem of bioconversion of substrates that are otherwise non convertible by conventional wild strains. Although the main challenge facing LCW utilization is the high costs involved in treatment and production processes, some recent affordable processes with promising results have been proposed. Future trends are being directed to nanobiotechnology and genetic engineering for improved processes and products. The paper presents state of the art review of the dual advantage of handling LCW for cleaner environment and production of renewable bio-products.
Variabilidade e controle de Phytophthora palmívora (podridão-do-pé) e controle da varíola (Asperisporium caricae) do mamoeiro (Carica papaya)

O mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.), possivelmente originario da America Central, e uma das plantas tropicais de maior importância na producao nacional e mundial de fruteiras. Este projeto visou estudar diferentes aspectos de duas doencas importantes que afetam a producao de mamao no Brasil: a podridao do pe e dos frutos (Phytophthora palmivora) e a variola (Asperisporium caricae). Uma colecao de isolados de P. palmivora foi montada para se verificar a variabilidade em termos de virulencia do patogeno em experimentos com mudas e frutos de mamoeiro. A maioria dos isolados do patogeno provenientes do mamoeiro foi altamente virulenta. O isolado proveniente de Morremia odorata foi avirulento. Alem disso, diferentes genotipos de mamao foram avaliados no campo e em experimentos em casa de vegetacao para resistencia a P. palmivora. O cultivar ? Tailândia Roxao? demonstrou ser moderadamente resistente. Conjuntamente, fertilizantes a base de fosfitos foram testados para o controle da doenca, com dois produtos (fosfito 40 % P2O5 + 20 % K2O, 150 ml/100 l; e fosfito 20 % P2O5 + 20 % K2O, 200 ml/100 l) retardando o desenvolvimento da doenca. Do mesmo modo dez isolados de Trichoderma sp. foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial como agentes de controle biologico de P. palmivora em experimentos com mudas em casa de vegetacao. Os isolados cen162 e cen235 foram os mais efetivos. Diferentes doses de nitrogenio e calcario dolomitico incorporadas ao solo em experimentos com vasos tambem foram avaliadas em relacao a sua influencia no desenvolvimento da podridao do pe em mudas de mamoeiro. O tratamento com 1,02 g de nitrogenio/kg de solo e 10,10 g de calcario/kg de solo apresentou a menor incidencia da doenca ao final de tres plantios sucessivos. Diferentes genotipos de mamao tambem foram avaliados no campo para resistencia a Asperisporium caricae. Os cultivares ? Tailândia Roxao? e ? Sekati? demonstraram ser moderadamente resistentes ao patogeno. Alem disso, onze fertilizantes a base de fosfitos foram avaliados, em experimentos no campo e em casa de vegetacao, quanto ao seu potencial como alternativa ao uso de fungicidas tradicionais para o controle da variola. Todos os produtos retardaram significativamente o progresso da doenca.