Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological roles of crayfish in freshwater and terrestrial habitats

Crayfish are the dominant decapods in many freshwater, and even terrestrial, habitats, playing important community roles through their large size, mobility, behaviour and omnivory. Both density and size affect their ecosystem impacts. Many crayfish require a heterogeneous habitat with refuges for survival of different life stages. Life history patterns can be explained in terms of the selective pressures of the habitat and competition. Crayfish may tolerate broad temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity ranges. Crayfish key roles and attributes in ecosystems include indicators or surrogates for water quality, bioindicators for communities or habitats, keystone controllers of trophic webs and ecological engineers. Protected crayfish may also act as umbrella species for the conservation of communities. Their main habitat templets are cool or warm high quality streams and lakes, warm lower quality wetlands, semi-terrestrial swamps and temporary wetlands (burrowers), and cave ecosystems. In high quality waters, K selection may be a strong driver, while r selection may dominate in lower quality biotopes.
Grower perceptions of native pollinators and pollination strategies in the lowbush blueberry industry

Abstract Pollinator declines and dependence on insect pollination, particularly in fruit and vegetable crops, creates a pressing need to understand growers' interactions with pollinators and factors affecting pollination strategies. At present, many growers are dependent on commercial honey bees (Apis mellifera), but diversified strategies may be necessary to secure adequate crop pollination in the future. As of yet, little social science research exists on pollination practices. This article presents the results of a survey of lowbush blueberry growers in Maine. The survey was part of a five-year pollination security study focusing on four fruit and vegetables crops in the Northeast US. The survey assesses grower perceptions of native pollinators' effectiveness and their perceptions of native pollinators' contribution to fruit set. Results indicate a widespread perception among growers of native pollinators' importance. While native pollinators are not effective enough to replace rented honey bees for three-quarters of the industry, they are broadly seen as an important form of insurance in poor weather when honey bees' effectiveness is reduced. The main obstacle to greater utilization of native pollinators found in this study was uncertainty over native pollinators' contribution to yield and the associated difficulty monitoring native pollinators' population size. Scientists and extension experts must work to reduce these obstacles before more widespread use of native pollinators will occur.
Vegetation Change in Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Deviation from the Historical Cycle

ABSTRACT Water-level change is integral to the structure and function of Great Lakes coastal wetlands, and many studies document predictable relationships between vegetation and water level. However, anthropogenic stressors, such as invasive species, land-use change, and water-level stabilization, interact to shift the historical cycle (of native vegetation migration up- and down-slope) toward dominance by invasive Typha species. Knowing from earlier studies that water-level stabilization alters the historical vegetation cycle, we asked if similar shifts can occur where water levels are not stabilized. Using historical aerial photographs of three coastal wetlands (in Lake Michigan's Green Bay, Wisconsin), we determined that habitat dominated by Typha species has expanded to eliminate wet meadow habitat. Between 1974 and 1992, linear regressions showed strong, significant relationships of both meadow area (R2 ≥ 0.894; p < 0.02) and marsh area (R2 ≥ 0.784; p < 0.05) to water level in all three wetlands. In 2000, meadow area was below that predicted by the historical pattern due to the landward advance of marsh habitat during a year of decreasing water levels. In the same period, land use in the wetland watersheds converted from agriculture to urban. Urbanization and the replacement of native Typha latifolia by the invasive hybrid Typha xglauca may have overwhelmed the beneficial impact of water-level fluctuation. The documentation of vegetation shifts, as herein, is an essential step in the process of preserving and restoring ecological integrity.
DNA methylation level of promoter region of activating transcription factor 5 in glioma

Transcription factors, which represent an important class of proteins that play key roles in controlling cellular proliferation and cell cycle modulation, are attractive targets for cancer therapy. Previous researches have shown that the expression level of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) was frequently increased in glioma and its acetylation level was related to glioma. The purposes of this study were to explore the methylation level of ATF5 in clinical glioma tissues and to explore the effect of ATF5 methylation on the expression of ATF5 in glioma. Methylation of the promoter region of ATF5 was assayed by bisulfite-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing analysis in 35 cases of glioma and 5 normal tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was also performed to detect ATF5 mRNA expression in 35 cases of glioma and 5 normal tissues. Clinical data were collected from the patients and analyzed. The percentages of methylation of the ATF5 gene in the promoter region in healthy control, patients with well-differentiated glioma, and those with poorly differentiated glioma were 87.78%, 73.89%, and 47.70%, respectively. Analysis of the methylation status of the promoter region of the ATF5 gene showed a gradually decreased methylation level in poorly differentiated glioma, well-differentiated glioma, and normal tissues (P<0.05). There was also a significant difference between well-differentiated glioma and poorly differentiated glioma (P<0.05). ATF5 mRNA expression in glioma was significantly higher than that in the normal tissues (P<0.05). This study provides the first evidence that the methylation level of ATF5 decreased, and its mRNA expression was evidently up-regulated in glioma. 中文概要目的研究临床胶质瘤标本中激活转录因子5 (ATF5) 启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态及临床意义。 创新点首次发现在胶质瘤标本中ATF5的甲基化水平下调, 其表达水平下调。 方法收集35临床胶质瘤组织及5例急性脑外伤组织作为对照, 应用亚硫酸盐测序技术检测ATF5的甲基化水平, 并结合临床病理资料进行分析;实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应 (qRT-PCR) 检测所有标本中ATF5mRNA的表达水平变化。 结论5例正常脑组织、10例低级别胶质瘤及25例高级别胶质瘤的甲基化比例分别为87.78%、73.89%和47.70% (图2), 两组相比差异有统计学意义 (P<0.05;图3a和3b);qRT-PCR结果表明, 与对照相比, 胶质瘤标本中ATF5表达水平上升 (P<0.05;图3d)。 综上所述, 胶质瘤组织中ATF5基因启动子区CpG岛的甲基化状态对该基因的表达有重要意义。
Morphology of bull testes and seminal vesicles in relation to testicular androgens

Correlations were studied between various morphological and functional characteristics of the testis and seminal vesicle in bull calves and bulls, ranging in age from 28 days to 17½ years. Data obtained by the analysis of testosterone and androstenedione in the testes, and of fructose and citric acid in the seminal vesicles, were related to results of gross anatomical and histological measurements of these organs. The mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules was adopted as a means of assessing testicular function, since it was shown that this diameter is related to the weight of the testis as a whole (r = 0.92, P < 0.001), to the arrangement of the interstitial tissue, and to definite stages in the differentiation of the seminiferous epithelium . At 28 days, when the bull testis is relatively inactive, both as regards spermiogenesis and the endocrine function, the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules was 48 μ. At the age of 90 days, coinciding with the appearance of spermatogonia in the testes, and just prior to the marked increase in fructose and citric acid formation in the seminal vesicles, it was 66 μ. At about 4½ months, when the androstenedione/testosterone ratio falls abruptly, the tubular diameter increased to more than 90 μ. By 7½ months, when the first spermatozoa appear in the tubules, it had risen to 177 μ. A significant correlation was established between the growth and secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules in bull testes. Correlation coefficients were established between the tubular diameter and the following: the weight of the seminal vesicles, r = 0.95, P < 0.001; the contents o f fructose and citric acid in the seminal vesicles, r = 0.81, P = 0.01 to 0.001; and the concentrations of fructose and citric acid in the seminal vesicles, r = 0.82 and r = 0.76, respectively, P = 0.01 to 0.001.
The effect of various rootstocks on triploid watermelon yield and quality

One of the problems related to intensive watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var lanatus, Thunb) yield is the increase of soil-borne diseases. The grafting technique is an alternative for reducing losses from these pathogens, making watermelon crops possible in areas where soil-borne diseases are a limiting factor. Two experiments were established for two years in “Almeria-type” plastic greenhouses in Almeria, Spain, to evaluate the influence of four rootstocks on cv. Reina de Corazones triploid watermelon yield and quality. These experiments did not use pollinating varieties. Ovary development was achieved with N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (CPPU) plant growth regulator at a concentration of 200 mg.L -1 . Experiments were conducted under plastic greenhouses in the spring of 2003 and 2004. RS-841 and Shintoza (both Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) were the rootstocks with the highest percentage of plants affected by nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Reina de Corazones obtained its highest yield when grafted on PI-296341-FR Citrullus lanatus var citroides, with very low levels of parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). None of these rootstocks significativelly affected the quantity of total soluble solids, presenting values above 11.17o Brix.
α-Keto and α-Hydroxy Branched-Chain Acid Interrelationships in Normal Humans

Plasma concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, and those of leucine's and isoleucine's transamination products alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KICA) and alpha-keto-beta-methylvaleric acid (KMVA), respectively, are known to increase after a protein meal or during extended fasting, but little or no increase in the concentration of valine's transamination product, alpha-ketoisovaleric acid (KIVA), has been observed under these conditions. To determine whether this could be explained by the conversion of KIVA to its alpha-hydroxy analogue, we measured the plasma concentrations of KICA, KMVA and KIVA, as well as their alpha-hydroxy analogues [alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA), alpha-hydroxy-beta-methylvaleric acid (HMVA) and alpha-hydroxyisovaleric acid (HIVA)], in normal volunteers immediately after a protein meal or during a 60-h fast. We also determined the oxidoreduction equilibrium constants for HIVA/KIVA and HICA/KICA and their extent of plasma protein binding. In subjects in the postabsorptive state, the plasma concentrations of KICA and KMVA were 100 times those of HICA and HMVA, whereas that of KIVA was only twice that of HIVA. Shortly after a protein meal, KICA and KMVA concentrations increased significantly by 30 and 60%, respectively, whereas that of KIVA decreased by 25% (P < 0.05). HICA, HMVA and HIVA concentrations did not change. During prolonged fasting the plasma concentrations of all six metabolites increased gradually. The high plasma keto/hydroxy acid ratios were not related to their K(eq), which favored alpha-hydroxy analogue formation. The reduction of the branched-chain alpha-keto acids to their alpha-hydroxy analogues seems to take place too slowly to attain thermodynamic equilibrium. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Foreword

Nearly 15 years ago, Bronfenbrenner (1977) cautioned us that our understanding of child development was based on "the strange behavior of children in strange situations with strange adults for the briefest possible periods of time" (p. 513). A parallel can be drawn about our understanding of families. It is fair to conclude that our knowledge of families, particularly of those with an infant or child who has developmental delays or disabilities, is often based on small slices of their behavior and views collected in unusual and often difficult circumstances devoid of context and gathered through brief exchanges and measures of questionable psychometric properties that are constructed, administered, and interpreted by individuals with their own views, biases, and purposes. Nonetheless, as early interventionists, we value families a great deal—perhaps more than do our colleagues working with older children and youth with disabilities. This value we place on families and their role in promoting the development and well-being of their offspring brings us face-to-face with their diversity. The realization of this diversity presents us with multiple and complex challenges, tensions, and uncertainties. This issue is devoted to identifying and articulating some of those challenges and tensions, and in some instances, providing guarded guidance about how to approach the uncertainties. However, if readers are looking for pat solutions, they will be disappointed. These articles raise many questions— important questions; they call on us to be reflective, sensitive, responsive, and data-based. They do not let us find simplicity where little appears to exist. They do not rely on rhetoric when it is a disservice, and they do not encourage or maintain stereotypes about families and family diversity. And, as extra reward, they are uniformly interesting, informative, and instructive.
Dual mechanism for APC/C activation by integrated ubiquitylation and dephosphorylation

The Anaphase Promoting Complex (APC/C) is a multi-subunit ubiquitin ligase that is essential for cell cycle progression. Ube2S and Ube2C are dedicated APC/C E2-conjuating enzymes that build ubiquitin chains upon mitotic substrates. Two critical outcomes exist for this activity. First, proteins that have fulfilled their mitotic roles are removed by proteasomal degradation. Second, ubiquitylation is required to disrupt inhibitory binding of the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) to APC/C through the promotion of CDC20 degradation, thereby silencing the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Surprisingly, however, depletion of Ube2S and Ube2C does not prevent mitotic exit. We decided to perform a Ube2S genetic interaction screen in order to better understand the functional importance of the E2 enzymes in mitosis. We discovered that Ube2S activity is essential for cell survival when one of several regulators of kinetochore-microtubule dynamics is depleted, such as the mitotic kinesin Kif18A. Co-depletion of Ube2S with one or more of these regulators results in a prolonged or permanent prometaphase arrest dependent upon the SAC. These data suggest a role for Ube2S and the APC/C in prometaphase, a time in which APC/C activity has been thought to be low. Further analysis of Ube2S in prometaphase has revealed that Ube2S contributes heavily to proper oscillatory movement of kinetochores. We also examined changes in APC/C composition when its ubiquitylation activity had been compromised, to mimic Ube2S depletion. We found that when APC/C activity is limited in prometaphase, phosphatases interact with APC/C in a Cdc20-dependent manner. Furthermore, removal or depletion of phosphatase activity results in decreased ubiquitylation of APC/C substrates and subsequent stabilization of proteins such as geminin. Reduced APC/C activity when dephosphorylation is blocked is likely due to less activity of Ube2S and to loss of co-activator function by CDC20. Taken together, these data have identified a necessary, integrated function for ubiquitylation and phosphatase activity in the regulation of cell division.
Highways block gene flow and cause a rapid decline in genetic diversity of desert bighorn sheep

The rapid expansion of road networks has reduced connectivity among populations of flora and fauna. The resulting isolation is assumed to increase population extinction rates, in part because of the loss of genetic diversity. However, there are few cases where loss of genetic diversity has been linked directly to roads or other barriers. We analysed the effects of such barriers on connectivity and genetic diversity of 27 populations of Ovis canadensis nelsoni (desert bighorn sheep). We used partial Mantel tests, multiple linear regression and coalescent simulations to infer changes in gene flow and diversity of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. Our findings link a rapid reduction in genetic diversity (up to 15%) to as few as 40 years of anthropogenic isolation. Interstate highways, canals and developed areas, where present, have apparently eliminated gene flow. These results suggest that anthropogenic barriers constitute a severe threat to the persistence of naturally fragmented populations.
Boron in Human Nutrition and its Regulations Use

According to the literature, there are increasingly more scientific data regarding the boron importance in the human nutrition. The request for boron supplements has become more significant due to the following two discoveries: boron transport within the animal cell and the cellular signaling of some bacteria by a sugar borate complex. It is necessary to establish the benefits and the toxicity of boron consumption for humans and animals, although a biological function of boron has not been defined yet. In addition, it is important to know the legal regulations for boron use worldwide, its physiological effects and health uses.
Lie algebroids, non‐associative structures and non‐geometric fluxes

In the first part of this article, the geometry of Lie algebroids as well as the Moyal‐Weyl star product and some of its generalizations in open string theory are reviewed. A brief introduction to T‐duality and non‐geometric fluxes is given. Based on these foundations, more recent results are discussed in the second part of the article. On the world‐sheet level, we will analyse closed string theory with flat background and constant H‐flux. After an odd number of T‐dualities, correlation functions allow to extract a three‐product having a pattern similar to the Moyal‐Weyl product. We then focus on the target space and the local appearance of the various fluxes. An algebra based on vector fields is proposed, whose structure functions are given by the fluxes. Jacobi‐identities for vector fields allow for the computation of Bianchi‐identities. Based on the latter, we give a proof for a special Courant algebroid structure on the generalized tangent bundle, where the fluxes are realized by the commutation relations of a basis of sections. As reviewed in the first part of this work, in the description of non‐geometric Q‐ and R‐fluxes, the B‐field gets replaced by a bi‐vector β, which is supposed to serve as the dual object to B under T‐duality. A natural question is about the existence of a differential geometric framework allowing the construction of actions manifestly invariant under coordinate‐ and gauge transformations, which couple the β‐field to gravity. It turns out that Lie algebroids are the right language to answer this question positively. We conclude by giving an outlook on future directions.
Transformation of Bacillus subtilis by DNA bound on clay in non-sterile soil.

Chromosomal DNA from Bacillus subtilis and different forms of plasmid pHV14 (covalently closed circular (CCC), linear monomer (M), and linear multimer (LM)) were adsorbed and bound on the clay mineral montmorillonite. After extensive washing of the clay-DNA complexes with DNA buffer (pH 7.5), approx. 25% of the chromosomal DNA, and approx. 30, 90, and 5%, respectively, of the CCC, M and LM form remained bound. Chromosomal and plasmid DNA bound on clay were capable of transforming competent cells, with different specific activities. The clay-DNA complexes persisted in non-sterile soil and retained transforming ability up to 15 days after their addition to the soil. DNA bound on montmortillonite was protected from the activity of EcoRI, supporting the evidence that DNA adsorbed on soil components was resistant to degradation by nucleases.
Regulation of Stem Cell Metabolism by the Lin28/let-7 Axis

This thesis is focused on two fundamental aspects of stem cell metabolism: (1) the role of Lin28 in programming stem cell metabolism, and (2) how metabolism in turn fuels and governs pluripotency. Our studies led us to discover that the stem cell factor Lin28a promotes organismal overgrowth by enhancing glucose metabolism in mice, corroborating discoveries that LIN28B polymorphisms influence human height. Subsequently, we discovered that the Lin28/let-7 pathway controls glucose metabolism by orchestrating the upregulation of multiple components of the insulin-PI3K-mTORsignaling pathway, particularly in skeletal muscle. Since let-7 accumulates with aging, our discoveries suggest that antagonism of let-7 could represent a new strategy for treating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. During these studies, we also observed that Lin28a enhances tissue regeneration when expression is reactivated in adult tissues. Regeneration capacity has long been known to decline with aging, but why juvenile organisms show enhanced tissue repair has been unexplained. We found that Lin28a reactivation improved the regrowth of skin, hair, cartilage, bone and mesenchyme after injuries. Let-7 repression was necessary but insufficient to explain these phenotypes. In parallel, Lin28a bound to and enhanced the translation of mRNAs for several oxidative enzymes, thereby increasing OxPhos. Lin28a-mediated tissue repair was negated by OxPhos inhibition, whereas a pharmacologically-induced increase in OxPhos promoted wound repair. Thus, Lin28a
PROTECTED SPECIES AND NEW ENGLAND FISHERIES: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

Abstract Protected species issues are an integral part of New England fishery management. Significant interactions of marine mammals and sea turtles with commercial fishing gear have been documented for many years. Statutes and regulations governing commercial fishery/protected species interactions provide for conservation and recovery of protected marine species. Some species of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish are listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all marine mammals are managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Both these statues have provisions linking them to commercial fisheries and provide varied strategies for reaching conservation goals. Interactions of protected species with commercial fishing gear range from direct entanglement, capture, and disruption of normal behaviors, to adverse modification of critical habitats. For the foreseeable future of New England fisheries, it is likely that wherever protected species and fishing activity co-occur, interactions will continue. Management trends include increased stakeholder involvement, close coordination with fishery management, and emphasis on technological solutions to interaction problems.