Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth-rate responses of Volvox aureus Ehrenb. (Chlorophyta, Volvocales) to variability in the physical environment

An analysis of the dynamic responses of a population of Volvox aureus to artificially-imposed alternations in mixing and stratification in a large limnetic enclosure (“Lund Tube” C, Blelham Tarn) is presented. The rates of population increase are shown to be regulated largely through the propagation of daughter colonies that are subsequently released into the medium. The efficiency of propagation is measured in terms of the numbers of developing daughter colonies in parent colonies at any time and the time required for their maturation prior to release. Efficiency of propagation increased when the vegetative population was unmixed and decreased when it was mixed through an optically-deeper water column. Self-regulation of vertical position in the depth profile also influences propagation and, hence, the rate of population increase.
The molecular basis of mengovirus hemagglutination

Mengovirus is a small neurotropic picornavirus that may also cause myocarditis and diabetes. The ability of the virus to bind and enter particular cell types is the major determinant of tissue tropism and depends’on surface features of the virus capsid and the presence of suitable cell receptors. Hemagglutination, the ability of the virus capsid to agglutinate erythrocytes, is a model system for cell-virus interactions. The goal of this thesis is to determine the molecular basis of mengovirus hemagglutination. Mengovirus 37A is a heat stable, hemagglutination-positive variant which is virulent in mice. Two mutants 280 and 205, isolated from 37A by acriflavine mutagenesis, are unable to agglutinate erythrocytes, possess a small plaque phenotype, and are avirulent in mice. Two revertants of 205 have regained the hemagglutination-positive phenotype of 37A but retain the small plaque size and avirulence of mutant 205. The molecular basis of mengovirus hemagglutination was determined by comparison of the nucleotide sequences determined by cDNA and consensus RNA sequencing of the capsid coding region of 37A, mutants 280 and 205, and revertants 205-A7 and 205-D2. Two nucleotide differences were found in the 1D capsid between the hemagglutination-positive mengovirus (37A, 205-A7 and 205-D2) and the hemagglutination-negative mutants 280 and 205. These base changes result in the replacement of arginine 231 and proline 232 with lysine and serine residues in the mutants. A computer model of the mengovirus model based on the atomic structure of the M variant of mengovirus predicts that the change from proline to serine at residue 232 will alter the position of residue 231 on the capsid surface. Two discrepancies were found between the cDNA sequence and the consensus RNA sequence of 205 indicating that sequencing a single cDNA clone is not sufficient to determine a true consensus sequence. Consensus RNA sequencing was extended into the 5’-noncoding region of the genomic RNAs. A single base difference was found between 37A and 280 and 205, 205-A7, and 205-D2. Eleven coding changes were identified in the 1B, 1C, and 1D capsid coding regions between 37A and the M variant. Several of these changes are in positions which may affect capsid stability. THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF MENGOVIRUS HEMAGGLUTINATION by Linda Margaret Mann A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana
The influence of dissolved organic carbon on primary production in northern lakes

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in lakes are changing globally, but little is known about potential ecosystem impacts.We evaluated the relationship between DOC and whole‐lake primary production in arctic and boreal lakes. Both light extinction (inhibits primary production) and nutrient availability (stimulates primary production) are positively and nonlinearly related to DOC concentration. These nonlinearities create a threshold DOC concentration (4.8 mg L−1), below which the DOC‐primary production relationship is positive, and above which the relationship is negative. DOC concentration varies maximally between regions, creating a unimodal relationship between primary production and DOC that emerges at broader scales because arctic lakes largely fall below the threshold DOC concentration, but boreal lakes fall above it. Our analysis suggests that the impact of DOC trends on lake primary production will vary across lakes and regions as a result of contrasting baseline conditions relative to the DOC threshold.
Value Relevance of Control-based Consolidated Financial Statements

The study examines whether the switch from ownership-based guidelines for control under SSAP-8 to the principles-based guidelines (power and benefits) of FRS-37 increased the value relevance of consolidated financial statements in New Zealand. The adoption of FRS37 led to an increase in value relevance of consolidated assets and liabilities (at the 5 percent level). Only weak evidence was found to support the view that FRS-37 was not effective (less value relevant) for entities with a large number of subsidiaries (as a proxy for investment complexity) and associates are less value relevant. The is evidence that investors view noncontrolling as a liability, which does not support its presentation as equity (under IFRS 10).
Glycogen metabolites and meat quality in feed-restricted re-fed beef heifers

Twenty-four Hereford crossbred heifers weighing 222 kg (22 kg SD) and aged 226 d (13 d SD) on day 0 were used to investigate the effects of feed restriction (period 1) followed by realimentation (period 2) on hepatic and longissimus muscle glycogen metabolites and meat quality. The heifers were randomly assigned in equal numbers to either ad libitum feeding (ADLIB) or maintenance feeding for 92 d followed by realimentation (REST), and serially slaughtered over a wide range of liveweights (200–460 kg). The concentrations of glycogen, its metabolites, and the total glucidic potential (GP) were determined from portions of the caudate lobe of the liver and the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle. Meat quality assessment of the longissimus thoracis (LT) was done by objective means. Hepatic glycogen concentration was lower (P = 0.05) in REST than in ADLIB heifers, and GP tended to show a similar pattern (P = 0.07). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of glycogen or its metabolites in the LL.
Xanthoparmelia pseudohungarica in Spain

The genus Xanthoparmelia (Vain.) Hale (including Neofuscelia Essl.) currently includes more than 800 species (Blanco et al. 2004, 2005), 21 of which have been recorded in the Iberian Peninsula (Llimona & Hladun 2001). During recent studies of the lichen flora of Castilla y León by the first author, a rare, loosely adnate or vagrant, terricolous Xanthoparmelia has been found at two localities in Burgos province. Although a collection (VAL-Lich 20080) from one of the localities (Fresnillo de las Dueñas) was previously reported as the American species X. vagans (Nyl.) Hale (Pérez-Ortega et al. 2002), this collection has now been redetermined as X. pseudohungarica (Gyeln.) Hale.
Effects of divergent selection for growth on egg quality traits in Japanese quail

The experiment was designed to investigate the impact of selection for increased body mass on external and internal egg quality traits of Japanese quail. Three hundred and sixty Japanese quail, divergently selected over three generations for different body mass at 4 weeks of age, were used. Quail were homogeneously divided into three groups each consisting of 120 birds: high body mass (HBM), low body mass (LBM) and Control. ANOVA was used to detect the effect of selection on egg quality. In addition, correlation between external and internal egg quality traits was measured. Our results revealed that HBM quail laid heavier eggs (P = 0.03 compared with LBM but not significantly different with Control quail) with a higher external (shell thickness, shell weight, eggshell ratio and eggshell density, P = 0.0001) and internal egg quality score (albumen weight, P = 0.003; albumen ratio, P = 0.01; albumen height, yolk height, yolk index and Haugh unit, P = 0.0001) when compared with both the Control and LBM. The egg surface area and yolk diameter were significantly higher in HBM when compared with the LBM but not with the Control line. Egg weight was positively correlated with albumen weight (r = 0.54, P = 0.0001), albumen ratio (r = 0.14, P = 0.05), yolk height (r = 0.27, P = 0.0001), yolk weight (r = 0.23, P = 0.002), yolk diameter (r = 0.14, P = 0.05) and yolk index (r = 0.21, P = 0.005) but was negatively correlated with yolk ratio (r = –0.16, P = 0.03). Our results indicate that selection for higher body mass might result in heavier eggs and superior egg quality.
An Overview of Hexabathynella (Crustacea, Syncarida, Parabathynellidae) with the Description of a new Species

A new species of the cosmopolitan genus Hexabathynella is described from Spain. This new species has four setae on the expopod of the uropod, the rest of the species in the genus have between one and three. The endopod of the uropod has two smooth setae of similar length and one plumose seta, these characters only appear in the new species within the genus. The antennal organ in the males is shown to be a new unique character for the genus. It is the third species of this genus that has been found in Spain. To date the genus consists of 18 species in the world. A key for identification of the 18 species of Hexabathynella is provided. It is the only cosmopolitan genus of Bathynellacea and it is distributed in Europe (nine species), Africa (one species), South America (two species), North America (three species) and Australia and New Zealand (three species).
Influence of Rhizobacterial Inoculation on Growth of the Sweetpotato Cultivar

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is the most important of local tuber crops in Malaysia. It is usually planted on marginal soils such as peat and sandy soils. Malaysian consumes a lot of sweetpotato and its production requires high fertilizer input, which can lead to increased production cost and environment problems. The use of bio-fertilizer and bioenhancer such as N2 (nitrogen) fixing bacteria and beneficial micro-organism can reducechemical fertilizer applications and consequently lower production cost. The pot experiment was conducted to determine the influence of rhizobacterial isolates on the response of sweetpotato plant growth. A total of five rhizobacterial isolates capable of producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were used. Four of the isolates were collected from sweetpotato rhizosphere and one isolate was imported. Cuttings of sweetpotato cultivars melaka and oren were planted in plasticpots containing alluvium soil. Cultures of the rhizobacterial isolates were inoculated at planting time, two and four weeks after planting. Plants were harvested 60 days after planting. The results showed that, three of isolates significantly increased the plant growth and the N, P, K, Ca and Mg uptake of sweetpotato cultivar.
Zwei neue Miriden, Dichrooscytus inermis von Cyprus und Orthonotus creticus von Kreta (Heteroptera, Miridae)

Dichrooscytus inermis n. sp. is described from the Troodos Mountains on Cyprus. Orthonolus creticus n. sp. is based on material from Crete. The relationship of these new species with other species of the genera concerned is discussed. A subdivision of Orthonotus Stephens in four species-groups is proposed.
Wolverines (Gulo gulo luscus) on the Rocky Mountain slopes: natural heterogeneity and landscape alteration as predictors of distribution

A species’ occurrence can be influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors; disentangling these is a precursor to understanding the mechanisms of distribution. Anthropogenic factors may be especially important at contracting range edges. We test this premise for wolverines (Gulo gulo luscus L., 1758) at the edge of their Rocky Mountain range in Alberta, Canada, a mosaic of natural heterogeneity and extensive landscape development. As wolverines have a suspected negative response to human activity, we hypothesized their occurrence on the Rockies’ slopes is predicted by a combination of natural and anthropogenic features. We surveyed wolverines at 120 sites along a natural and anthropogenic gradient using hair trapping and noninvasive genetic tagging. We used abundance estimation, generalized linear, and hierarchical models to determine whether abundance and occurrence was best predicted by natural land cover, topography, footprint, or a combination. Wolverines were more abundant in rugged areas protected.
Parasitosis zoonóticas en mascotas caninas y felinas de niños de educación primaria del cono norte de Lima, Perú

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e quantificar as especies de parasitas que apresentam as mascotes caninas e felinas de criancas em idade escolar em tres escolas estatais da zona norte de Lima, Peru. Para isso, recolheram-se amostras de fezes de 131 caes e 49 gatos de ambos sexos e diferentes idades. As amostras foram analisadas mediante a tecnica da sedimentacao espontânea em tubo (TSET) e exame direto. Alem disso, recolheu-se informacao sobre praticas de potencial risco na relacao dos criancas - animal de companhia atraves de um estudo epidemiologico. Em caes, 20,6% foram positivos a Toxocara canis, 7,6% a Giardia sp. , 4,6% a Diphylidium caninum e 0,8% pa Diphyllobothrium pacificum. Em gatos, reportaram-se 14,3% de positivos a Toxocara canis e 2,0% a Ancylostoma sp. No que diz respeito a relacao crianca - animalde companhia, de 124 entrevistados, 79,0% das criancas beijavam o seu animal e/ou deixavam receber lambidelas, 82,3% partilhavam o alimento com os caes e 88,7% nao desparasitava periodicamente os animais. Para alem disso, 28,2% dos inquiridos mencionaram que os animais dormiam na mesma habitacao da crianca, 66.9% referiu que o animal defecava dentro da casa e 29.0% observaram vermes nas fezes. Devido a importância zoonotica dos parasitas encontrados, considera-se necessario estabelecer um programa educativo-sanitario com a finalidade de prevenir a possibilidade de infeccao com parasitas zoonoticos nesta populacao.
Investigations on Transcript Sizes, Steady State mRNA Concentrations and Diurnal Expression of Genes Encoding Fucoxanthin Chlorophyll a/c Light Harvesting Polypeptides in the Centric Diatom Cyclotella cryptica

fcp Cyclotella cryptica, fcp a/c the fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 fcp4 fcp6/fcp7/fcp12 fcp4 fcp6/fcp7 fcp12 fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 fcp1/fcp2/fcp3/fcp5 fcp4 Cyclotella cryptica fcp6/fcp7/fcp12 Cyclotella cryptica a b c a b c a/c fcp a/c
Physical forcing of nitrogen fixation and diazotroph community structure in the North Pacific subtropical gyre

Dinitrogen (N2) fixing microorganisms (termed diazotrophs) exert important control on the ocean carbon cycle. However, despite increased awareness on the roles of these microorganisms in ocean biogeochemistry and ecology, the processes controlling variability in diazotroph distributions, abundances, and activities remain largely unknown. In this study, we examine 3 years (2004–2007) of approximately monthly measurements of upper ocean diazotroph community structure and rates of N2 fixation at Station ALOHA (22°45′N, 158°W), the field site for the Hawaii Ocean Time‐series program in the central North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG). The structure of the N2‐fixing microorganism assemblage varied widely in time with unicellular N2‐fixing microorganisms frequently dominating diazotroph abundances in the late winter and early spring, while filamentous microorganisms (specifically various heterocyst‐forming cyanobacteria and Trichodesmium spp.) fluctuated episodically during the summer. On average, a large fraction (∼80%) of the daily N2 fixation was partitioned into the biomass of <10 μm microorganisms. Rates of N2 fixation were variable in time, with peak N2 fixation frequently coinciding with periods when heterocystous N2‐fixing cyanobacteria were abundant. During the summer months when sea surface temperatures exceeded 25.2°C and concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite were at their annual minimum, rates of N2 fixation often increased during periods of positive sea surface height anomalies, as reflected in satellite altimetry. Our results suggest mesoscale physical forcing may comprise an important control on variability in N2 fixation and diazotroph community structure in the NPSG.
Evidence of Range Expansion of Eastern Coyotes, Canis latrans , in Labrador

Eastern Coyotes were first documented in central Labrador in 1995 and have recently been recorded in coastal Labrador and at three additional locations in central and western Labrador. Here we document additional records indicating range expansion and the possibility of an established population. We also examine the future management of the species in Labrador and its possible effect on this northern ecosystem.
Below-ground competition drives the self-thinning process of Stipa purpurea populations in northern Tibet

Questions Above-ground, below-ground and individual mass–density relationships for perennial herbs were examined along a natural precipitation gradient in northern Tibet. We asked: (1) how do the self-thinning exponents respond to variation in precipitation; and (2) what mechanisms drive the observed population self-thinning? Location The alpine grassland of northern Tibet. Methods Forty-seven fenced sites along a precipitation gradient were established and surveyed in 2011 and 2012. Data (geographic coordinates, elevation, and vegetation information) were collected for Stipa purpurea populations at each site. Population self-thinning exponents were estimated using reduced major axis regression. Results The self-thinning exponents for below-ground (−1.27, −0.47) and individual biomass (−1.26, −0.46) increased with increasing mean annual precipitation, but those for above-ground biomass decreased with precipitation (0.18, −0.25). Soil resources (moisture and nutrients) are a more important constraining factor for below-ground components than light is for above-ground components. Root competition for below-ground resources dominated in S. purpurea population self-thinning. The driving force of density regulation changed from above-ground competition to below-ground competition with increased drought stress. Our results indicate that an increased root/shoot ratio was linked to enhanced below-ground competition and weakened above-ground competition. Our study further confirmed the hypothesis that plant populations in different environments exhibit different biomass allocation patterns, which, in turn, leads to different biomass–density relationships. Conclusions Our study revealed the mechanisms of population self-thinning for perennial herbs in the extreme environment of northern Tibet, where below-ground processes play a critical role in regulating population self-thinning. Our study also advances understanding of the interactions between above- and below-ground processes, providing baseline knowledge useful for local grassland management.
The Role of Nanofactories in Quorum Sensing

his article focuses on two types of nanofactories, magnetic and antibody, and how they can be used to affect the quorum sensing abilities of bacteria cells. Possible future implications of this technology are also discussed. A nanofactory is a nanoscopic device that is capable of binding to a cell and influencing the way it functions. Quorum sensing is used to coordinate the group behaviour of bacterial cells, particularly in large colonies (Frederick, 2010). More specifically, it helps colonies of bacteria to coordinate gene expression (Frederick, 2010).
Color and Phenolic Changes of Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Made by Simultaneous Yeast/Bacterial Fermentation and Extended Pomace Contact

Simultaneous yeast/bacterial fermentation in Cabernet Sauvignon musts converted malic acid in four and nine days by commercial processing and microvinification, respectively. Malolactic fermentation during primary fermentation permitted efficient production of young Cabernet Sauvignon wines free of undesirable odors. Extended pomace contact of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at optimum maturity produced wines with different color densities, anthocyanin concentrations and total phenol contents when measured by spectrophotometric methods to wines made by the traditional Australian fermentation. Although color densities of extended pomace treatments were higher than microvinification controls (traditional ferment) after fermentation, by 400 days they were similar. The extended pomace contact technique did not result in tannic wine styles but produced wines with good color stability at an early production stage with potential to develop more complex wine characteristics.
Effect of founding events on coat colour polymorphism of Apodemus speciosus (Rodentia: Muridae) on the Izu Islands

To infer the evolutionary mechanism of phenotypic variation among isolated island populations, we investigated coat colour and genetic variation in the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) on the Izu Islands (Ohshima, Niijima, Kouzushima, and Miyakejima). Coat colour in the most remote population (Miyakejima) was unique and significantly darker than that in the other populations. Ohshima that is closest to the source population showed variation in coat colour within its population. Phylogeographical analyses using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers suggested that the island populations (except Kouzushima) were founded sequentially from the closest Ohshima to remote Niijima and Miyakejima during or before the penultimate interglacial period. Secondary gene flow from the source population was rare and occurred only for the closest (Ohshima) population. In addition, we found that an amino acid mutation in the Agouti signalling protein gene (Asip) was associated with coat colour variation among the island populations. The mutation was rare in the source population but completely fixed in the Miyakejima population. The phenotypic and genetic variation suggested that severe reduction of genetic variation and changes in allele frequency as a result of sequential colonization (i.e. the founder effect) had significant effects on colour polymorphism. The findings of the present study suggest that the founder effect, in addition to natural selection, facilitated the morphological changes below the species level over a relatively long time scale. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113, 522–535.
Nonenzymatic Softening Mechanism of Collagen Gel of Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

HSC (sea cucumbers treated by high pressure steam) were easy to degrade during storage, even if microorganism and endogenous enzyme were inactivated. To explore the softening mechanism of HSC, packaged samples were stored at 37C for 33 days. The hardness value decreased sharply from 374.60 to 35.00 gf in 33 days, as well as springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and restorability. The proportion of transverse relaxation time (T23) increased from 0.841 to 0.917 in 24 days, indicating that the proportion of free water ascended significantly. Nuclear magnetic resonance images showed that part of bound water in body wall transformed into free water in 18 days. Collagen fibers were broken in 27 days as Van Gieson stained images showed. Ammonia nitrogen and e-amino group increased significantly, and free hydroxyproline level also increased from 8.33 to 24.12 μg/g, indicating the degradation of HSC. Therefore, softening of HSC may be caused by moisture migration, break of collagen fiber and degradation of collagen. Practical Applications High pressure steam treatment can inactivate microorganisms and enzymes without affecting the flavor and nutrition of sea cucumbers. However, sea cucumbers treated with high pressure steam (HSC) can also degrade after being stored for several days. This restricts the development of sea cucumber products. Therefore, it is important to study the nonenzymatic softening mechanism of HSC during storage. This will be a basis for the study in resolving the autolysis of sea cucumbers.