Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic interactions between fish and stoneflies: facilitation and interference among stream predators

A series of experiments examined rates of prey consumption by mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi) and perlid stoneflies (Agnetina capitata) separately, and when they were together in artificial streams. Two types of Ephemeroptera prey (Ephemerella subvaria and Baetis tricaudatus) were used in separate experiments. When both types of predators were present consumption of Baetis larvae was significantly less than model predictions of combined prey consumption, indicating a negative interaction between predators. Consumption of Ephemerella was significantly higher than predicted by the model indicating a positive interaction between predators. Analysis of gut contents indicated that Agnetina captured fewer Baetis larvae in the presence of sculpins, and sculpins captured significantly more Ephemerella larvae in the presence of stoneflies. Negative effects of sculpins on the number of Baetis larvae captured by Agnetina were found even when the sculpins were unable to feed. Positive effects of Agnetina on the number of Ephemerella captured by sculpins were still found even when Agnetina density was reduced by more than half. Understanding the complexity of interaction between fish and stoneflies may provide explanations for the contradiction between observed and expected results of fish removal experiments in streams.
Sources of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the colonization of an alpine krummholz environment by the weedy subalpine plant Chamerion angustifolium (fireweed)

Plant–plant interactions may increase or reduce the impact of abiotic stress on species' distributions, depending on the balance between competition and facilitation. We report on the role of a willow (Salix) shrub canopy in mediating the importance of drought stress for performance at seedling and adult life stages of the herbaceous wildflower, Chamerion angustifolium L. (fireweed). Willows form the vegetative boundary (krummholz) between subalpine and alpine life zones in the Rocky Mountains. Chamerion angustifolium is a weedy pioneer species common in subalpine vegetation and advancing upward into the krummholz in the central Rocky Mountains. A mosaic of soil moisture variation dictated spatial patterns of seed germination and seedling survival in C. angustifolium in the absence of willows. However, willows restricted the capacity of C. angustifolium to exploit natural patches of soil moisture during establishment. Seed germination, seedling survival, and net establishment success increased markedly wi.
Possible removal of prion agents from blood products during the manufacturing process

Blood products prepared from human blood theoretically risk contamination with infectious pathogens. Since recent reports now confirm the likely transmission of pathogenic prions through blood transfusion, effective measures to prevent transmission are required globally, although the prevalence of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease outside of the UK is extremely low. Many studies evaluating the manufacturing process have been conducted for the potential removal of the prion protein from plasma derivatives. In this review, we discuss the possibility of removing prions via several processing steps, especially depth and virus-removal filtration. Through a discussion of the limitations and issues associated with such studies, we hope our review will be of help for better study design in the future.
Fibrin Clot Retraction by Human Platelets Correlates with αIIbβ3Integrin-dependent Protein Tyrosine Dephosphorylation*

We have analyzed tyrosine phosphorylation associated with retraction of the fibrin clot by washed platelets in purified fibrinogen. Retraction was dependent on integrin αIIbβ3, based on absence of retraction of αIIbβ3-deficient thrombasthenic platelets. However, only a subset of αIIbβ3-blocking antibodies or peptides were able to inhibit retraction, suggesting a differential engagement of αIIbβ3 in fibrin clot retractionversus aggregation. Immunoblotting demonstrated a phosphorylated protein pattern comparable with aggregation at early time points. However, as opposed to aggregation, tyrosine phosphorylation decreased rapidly in parallel to retraction (up to 60 min). Dephosphorylation was αIIbβ3-dependent, since it was blocked by αIIbβ3-specific inhibitors and was absent in thrombasthenic platelets. Inhibition of platelet clot retraction by phenyl-arsine oxide and peroxovanadate, suggested a role for tyrosine phosphatases. Cytochalasin D and E (5 μm) blocked fibrin clot retraction and tyrosine dephosphorylation, suggesting regulation by actin cytoskeleton assembly. Tyrosine phosphatase activities were found associated with clot retraction using the “in-gel” tyrosine phosphatase assay; however, none were αIIbβ3-dependent. An 85-kDa protein and to a lesser degree “Src” showed the closest dose-dependent correlation between inhibition of tyrosine dephosphorylation and inhibition of retraction. We thus postulate that αIIbβ3 engagement in fibrin clot retraction drives, in an actin cytoskeleton-dependent manner, the interaction of tyrosine phosphatases and of the tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates 85-kDa protein and Src, the dephosphorylation of which regulates the force generation and/or transmission required for full contraction of the fibrin matrix.
Hardwood Identificatlon Using a Microcomputer and Iawa Codes

A computerised system for wood identification was developed utilising the codes of lAWA's standard list. The programs were written in Pascal for on-line processing by a main frame computer, and later modified for microcomputer. The latter system is convenient for everyday use aIthough the memory capacity is smaller than that of the former system. Several problems were found in the IAWA-list which required modification. These modifications permitted better programming and database design. This computerised wood identification system should be a helpful tool for wood anatomists.
Scaling up predator–prey dynamics using spatial moment equations

Classical models of predator–prey dynamics, commonly used in community and evolutionary ecology to explain population cycles, species coexistence, the effects of enrichment, or predict the evolution of behavioural traits, are often based on the mass‐action assumption. This means encounter rates between predators and prey are expressed as a product of predator and prey landscape densities; as if the system was well‐mixed. While mass‐action may occur at small spatial scales, spatial variances and covariances in prey and predator densities affect encounter rates at large spatial scales. In the context of host–parasitoid interactions, this has been incorporated into theory for some time, but for predators, well‐mixed or other ad hoc models are often used despite empirical evidence for intricate spatial variation in predator and prey numbers. We review the classical models and concepts, their strengths and weaknesses, and we present two recent spatial moment approaches that scale up predator–prey population dynamics from the individual or patch level to large spatial scales. Both methods include descriptors of spatial structure as corrections to encounter rates, but differ in whether or not these descriptors have dynamics that are explicit functions of movements, births and deaths. We describe how these spatial moment techniques work, what new results they have so far produced, and provide some suggestions to improve the connection of predator–prey theoretical models to empirical studies.
Thiol-ene coupling reaction of fatty acid monomers

The reactivities and reaction rates of the thiol-ene coupling reaction of 2-ethyl-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol trimercapto acetate and 2-ethyl-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol trimercapto propion .
Marker‐Assisted Backcrossing for Introgression of a Recessive Gene

Molecular markers are used to trace the presence of target genes (foreground selection) and accelerate recovery of the recurrent parent genome (background selection) in backcross programs. In this study, we present an approach for introgression of a recessive target gene from a donor into the genetic background of a recipient line by foreground selection combined with background selection for reducing the donor chromosome segment around the target gene. The goal of the proposed breeding plan is to generate with a given probability, q 2 , up to the second backcross generation (BC 2 ) at least k ≥ 1 individuals, which carry the target gene and are homozygous for the recurrent parent alleles at flanking markers, by means of a minimum number of individuals. We provide formulas for calculation of (i) the population size required in generation BC 1 and (ii) the probability of success q 2 of the breeding program in generation BC 2 . The latter depends on the number and genotype of the BC 1 individuals selected for further backcrossing and the size of their BC 2 families. The optimum allocation of individuals to generations BC 1 and BC 2 was determined by computer simulations for various map distances between the target gene and the flanking markers. Our approach is demonstrated by a numerical example and can assist breeders in the optimum design of breeding programs for marker-assisted introgression of a recessive gene.
Principles of crop modelling and simulation: II. the implications of the objective in model development

With the purpose of presenting to scientists the implications of the objective in model development and a basic vision of modeling, with its potential applications and limitations in agriculture, an integration of crop modeling professionals with agricultural professionals is suggested. Models mean modernization of the information, of the measurement process and of an efficient way to learn more about complex systems. They are one of the best mechanisms of transforming information in useful knowledge and of transferring this knowledge to others. One of the problems that impede a larger progress in modeling is the lack of communication between modelers and a frequent appearance of modelers without a global vision of reality.
Use of the Green Fluorescent Protein as a Quantitative Reporter of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mediated Gene Delivery

We have developed a novel epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-mediated gene transfer system to deliver DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to B82 murine fibroblasts transfected with the human EGF receptor gene. Streptavidin was crosslinked to poly-L-lysine, and the product was purified by a combination of affinity and cation exchange chromatography. The crosslinking and purification were confirmed by SDS-PAGE, and the product was shown by agarose gel electrophoresis to bind DNA. EGF was biotinylated, and EGF-biotin, both in the absence and presence of streptavidin-polylysine and DNA, retained the ability to bind to the EGF receptor on B82 cells with high affinity, as demonstrated by radioactive competition binding. EGF linked to polylysine was mixed with a plasmid encoding GFP, and the resulting conjugates were incubated with B82 cells. Quantification by FACS demonstrated EGF receptor-mediated GFP expression efficiency comparable to standard transfection methods. The combination of EGF, a .
Meeting Europe's climate change commitments: quantitative estimates of the potential for carbon mitigation by agriculture

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union is committed to a reduction in CO2 emissions to 92% of baseline (1990) levels during the first commitment period (2008–2012). The Kyoto Protocol allows carbon emissions to be offset by demonstrable removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Thus, land‐use/land‐management change and forestry activities that are shown to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels can be included in the Kyoto targets. These activities include afforestation, reforestation and deforestation (article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol) and the improved management of agricultural soils (article 3.4). In this paper, we estimate the carbon mitigation potential of various agricultural land‐management strategies and examine the consequences of European policy options on carbon mitigation potential, by examining combinations of changes in agricultural land‐use/land‐management.
First Record of Carpiodes velifer (Highfin Carpsucker) in the Apalachicola River, Florida

Abstract We document the discovery of Highfin Carpsucker in the Apalachicola River, FL. Three specimens were captured between river kilometer 170–171 on the Apalachicola River in the vicinity of Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam during spring 2007, The specimens were captured within a reach 0.5–1.0 km downstream from the dam and just upstream from a major spawning area for several other catostomids. This is the first record of the species east of the Choctawhatchee River, FL—AL, and is a range extension of 185 km eastward into the Florida Panhandle region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Coast.
The iron and molybdenum use efficiencies of plant growth with different energy, carbon and nitrogen sources

SUMMARY Iron has many catalytic roles in photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen assimilation; molybdenum is involved in NO3 and (usually) N2 reduction. This paper concentrates on computing the efficiency of use of Fe and Mo in growth of organisms growing with different mixtures of the major resources photons, carbon and nitrogen. This computed efficiency is defined as mol C assimilated (mol catalytic metal in the organism)-1 s-1. The efficiency is computed from the known in vivo involvement of Fe- and Mo-containing enzymes, the specific reaction rate of these enzymes, the specific rate of these enzymes in vitro, and the growth requirements for the products of the reactions, for organisms using different energy, carbon and nitrogen sources. The predicted Fe use efficiency is greater for chemo-organotrophic than for photolithotrophic growth with a given nitrogen source, and increases in the order N2 NO3- NH4+ for growth with different nitrogen sources in the presence of constant photon and carbon availability. The predicted changes with variations in nitrogen source are greater than those with variations in photon and carbon source. These predicted values may be compared with observed metal use efficiencies, defined as mol C assimilated (mol total metal in the organism)-1 s-1. Relatively few such observed values are available From the literature. For Fe in photolithotrophically growing microalgae the observed values can be as low as 16–17% of the predicted values, i.e. 83–84% of the Fe in the organism is not accounted for by known catalytic uses of Fe if the catalysts are operating at their maximum specific reaction rates. One possibly discordant prediction relates to the Fe and Mo cost of N2 fixation; the computations suggest that in vitro estimates of nitrogenase activity may be less than those sometimes found in vivo. The predictions also have possible implications for resource availability interactions (photons, carbon, nitrogen, Fe, Mo) in natural conditions.
Large‐scale biogeographic patterns of vascular plant richness in North America: an analysis at the generic level

The richness pattern of native vascular plants in North America (north of Mexico) was studied at the generic level. North America was divided into thirteen geographical regions, which were latitudinally grouped into four horizontal zones (northern, north‐middle, south‐middle, and southern zones); and longitudinally grouped into three vertical zones (eastern, central, and western zones). The native vascular flora of North America consisted of 1904 genera in 235 families and eighty‐three orders. Along the latitudinal gradient, generic richness (in terms of the number of genera) showed a striking increase with decreasing latitude. The southern zone had more than four times as many genera as did the northern zone (with a difference of 1436 genera). 93.3% of genera in the northern zone also occurred in the southern zone. Along the longitudinal gradient, the central zone had the highest generic richness and the eastern zone had the lowest, but the difference in generic richness between the two zones was only sixty‐one genera. The western and eastern zones shared 60% or more of their genera. Generic richness of vascular plants in North America was highly correlated (r=0.965) to available environmental energy (expressed by annual potential evapotranspiration).
The Alleged Toxicity of Free Fatty Acid and Nitrogen in Cod Liver Oil

Abstract COD liver oils, sold for feeding purposes, vary in color from lemon yellow to dark red, and, in a few instances, nearly black. The oils rendered by the direct steam process tend to be lighter in color than those rendered by the indirect steam method, whereas those made by the “sun rotting” process are dark red or black in color. However, there is a wide variation in the color of oils rendered by the direct steam process (Branion, 1928). The longer the interval between the time of removal of the livers from the fish and the time of extraction of the oil, the deeper is the pigmentation of the oil. As a general rule, but not always, the deeper the color of the oil the higher is its content of free fatty acid. It should be emphasized that there is, however, no apparent direct relationship between the color of an .
Attempts to eliminate from field beans the anti‐nutritive factor which reduces egg production

1. In a series of experiments with laying hens, attempts were made to eliminate the anti‐nutritive factor which reduces egg production when feeding field beans (Vicia faba L.) as a source of supplementary protein in cereal‐based diets. 2. Neither pelleting diets nor heat processing the beans by autoclaving proved beneficial. A continuous‐flow process for infra‐red heating of the seeds at 150 °C for 70 s followed immediately by flaking (micronisation) gave inconsistent results. 3. Beans having a white skin with associated low tannin content, did not support significantly higher egg production than did a normal brown‐skinned bean, thus indicating that tannin was not the main anti‐nutritive factor. 4. A cotyledon fraction, obtained by mechanical removal of the tannin‐containing skin from brown beans, did not support higher egg production than did the whole bean, and the corresponding brown‐skin fraction did not reduce egg production when substituted for cereal in the control diet. Again this indicated that t.
Biology of the preimaginal stages in trogid beetles (Coleoptera): Experimental data∗

Abstract Some aspects of larval behaviour in two species of trogid beetles, Trox bispidus (Pontoppidan) from temperate Europe and Afromorgus tuberosus (Klug) from tropical Africa, have been studied experimentally. From the results obtained it emerges that the rise of the newborn larvae towards the soil surface is imputable to a simple negative geotropism. Larval food relocation also contributes to reducing aggressive interactions at the food source. The potential range of trophic and behavioural variation seems to be larger than that expressed in nature as a rule. This can contribute to explaining, in evolutive terms, the rare cases of transgression from a uniform trophic and behavioural pattern, wich are probably at the origin of the evolutive success of the group as a whole.
New Optical Methods for Liveness Detection on Fingers

This paper is devoted to new optical methods, which are supposed to be used for liveness detection on fingers. First we describe the basics about fake finger use in fingerprint recognition process and the possibilities of liveness detection. Then we continue with introducing three new liveness detection methods, which we developed and tested in the scope of our research activities—the first one is based on measurement of the pulse, the second one on variations of optical characteristics caused by pressure change, and the last one is based on reaction of skin to illumination with different wavelengths. The last part deals with the influence of skin diseases on fingerprint recognition, especially on liveness detection.
High pressure: a tool to improve the enzymatic production of glycosides

Naringinase, an enzyme complex that expresses α -l-rhamnosidase and β -d-glucosidase activities in native state, can be used to deglycosylate natural glycosides. The selective inactivation of one of these activities will allow the biosynthesis of different bioactive compounds in a simple, effective and cheap way. In this work, pressure and temperature were the tools used to selectively inactivate the activities expressed by naringinase. The main goal was the identification of pressure–temperature conditions to acquire conditions for the maximization of enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates with different numbers of glycosidic residues. α -l-Rhamnosidase was 32-fold more resistant against inactivation at 250 MPa than at atmospheric pressure. The best pressure condition to reduce β -d-glucosidase inactivation at 75°C was 173 MPa, while in the case of α -l-rhamnosidase inactivation at 85°C, it was above 250 MPa. Moreover, a selective inactivation of β -d-glucosidase activity of naringinase was attained, allowing an easy and cheap method with which to produce prunin and other expensive glycosides. The present work highlights the effect of high pressure on enzyme protection against thermal inactivation, demonstrating its potential as a powerful tool in biosynthesis.
Quantitative Estimation of Alfalfa Insect Populations by Removal Sweeping

Insect populations were estimated from the reduction in catches in successive sweep samples taken from the same area. A model is provided which assumes that the probability of collecting an insect may change with successive samples. This model seems superior to previous models which assume a constant probability for capture. Population estimates are compared with results of D-Vac samples. Removal sweeping provided good estimates of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze), Empoasca fabae (Harris), Macrosteles fascifrons (Stal), Nabis sp. , grasshoppers, and Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville larvae. H. convergens adults were reasonably estimated in one experiment but overestimated in another case due to immigration during sampling. Estimates for Orius insidiosus (Say), Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) larvae, and Aphidius sp. were unsatisfactory. General considerations involved in obtaining optimum estimates are discussed.
Sesamol modulates ultraviolet-B-induced apoptotic and inflammatory signaling in human skin dermal fibroblasts

Aim: Sesamol (SM), a dietary phenolic phytochemical, has been shown to reduce ultraviolet-B (UVB) mediated oxidative damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective mechanism of SM against UVB-induced photoaging, inflammatory and apoptotic signaling in human skin dermal fibroblasts, adult (HDFa) in vitro . Materials and Methods: In this study, we examined the effect of SM on UVB radiation-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), DNA fragmentation, cell cycle modulation, inflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor (NF)-κB] expression, pro-apoptotic (p53, Bax and caspase-3), and anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2) expression in HDFa. We also investigated the effect of SM and/or UVB radiation on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activation by gelatin zymograpy in HDFa. Results and Conclusion: SM pretreatment prevented UVB-induced ΔΨm alteration, DNA fragmentation and down-regulated the expressions of apoptotic (p53, Bax and caspase-3) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and NF-κB) in HDFa. SM also prevented the activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner. Our data indicated the ability of SM to block UVB-induced inflammatory and apoptotic signaling in HDFa. However, further detailed mechanistic approach warrants before claiming this compound for photoprotection.