Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caspase‐12 and ER‐Stress‐Mediated Apoptosis

Abstract: The labyrinth of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) interweaves the cytosol and connects to the nucleus, mitochondria, and the plasma membrane. In the lumen of the ER, the essential function of lipid synthesis, Ca2+ storage, folding, and maturation of proteins take place. Therefore, the tight regulation and maintenance of ER homeostasis is vital. Disturbance of the Ca2+ homeostasis during hypoxia, or imbalance between the demand and capacity of the protein‐folding apparatus, initiates an adaptive response of the cell, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR, ER stress response). As a result, ER‐localized chaperones are induced, protein synthesis is slowed down, and a protein degrading system is initiated. However, if the ER stress cannot be alleviated, it culminates in apoptosis. This paper reviews the newly outlined signaling pathways of the unfolded protein response and describes the central role of caspase‐12 in the initiation of cell death. The complex role of the ER and its signaling pathways provides a novel angle on apoptosis research and may offer a key to apoptosis‐associated diseases.
Ecology of wildlife rabies in Europe

1 The number of wildlife rabies cases has increased in Europe in recent years. We review the epizootiology of wildlife rabies in Europe, paying special attention to recent changes to the situation of two important vector species: the red fox and the raccoon dog. Red fox Vulpes vulpes has been the main vector of rabies since 1945, but the number and proportion of raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides cases has rapidly increased during the past few years, particularly in north-eastern Europe. 2 The transmission rate (average number of susceptible animals infected by each rabid animal) is critical for rabies spread and is partly determined by population density. Both raccoon dogs and foxes live in pairs. Foxes also live in family groups. Pairs and groups share their territories. Home range size usually correlates negatively with population density. Fox home ranges are 50–1500 ha, those of raccoon dogs 150–700 ha. The threshold value for rabies spread among foxes is estimated to be 0.63 individuals/km2. Although fox density in eastern and northern Europe may be lower than this, the pooled density of foxes and raccoon dogs exceeds the threshold density. 3 Animal movements, especially dispersal of young, pose a risk for rabies spread. Although the likelihood of an epizootic is highest where fox and raccoon dog densities are highest, rabies may spread fastest where population densities are lower, because dispersal distances tend to correlate negatively with population density. 4 Oral vaccinations have been more effective in rabies control than culling foxes. Where two vector species exist, vaccination should be conducted twice a year, because most raccoon dogs disperse in autumn but some foxes do not disperse before mid- or late winter. 5 New rabies models, based on two vector species and their interaction, and which take into account the hibernation period of raccoon dogs, are needed for north-eastern Europe.
Effects of cell-cell adhesion on migration of multicellular clusters.

Collections of cells exhibit coherent migration during morphogenesis, cancer metastasis, and wound healing. In many cases, bigger clusters split, smaller sub-clusters collide and reassemble, and gaps continually emerge. The connections between cell-level adhesion and cluster-level dynamics, as well as the resulting consequences for cluster properties such as migration velocity, remain poorly understood. Here we investigate collective migration of one- and two-dimensional cell clusters that collectively track chemical gradients using a mechanism based on contact inhibition of locomotion. We develop both a minimal description based on the lattice gas model of statistical physics, and a more realistic framework based on the cellular Potts model which captures cell shape changes and cluster rearrangement. In both cases, we find that cells have an optimal adhesion strength that maximizes cluster migration speed. The optimum negotiates a tradeoff between maintaining cell-cell contact and maintaining cluster fluidity, and we identify maximal variability in the cluster aspect ratio as a revealing signature. Our results suggest a collective benefit for intermediate cell-cell adhesion.
Poachers and Forest Fragmentation Alter Seed Dispersal, Seed Survival, and Seedling Recruitment in the Palm Attalea butyraceae, with Implications for Tropical Tree Diversity 1

We examined the interaction between a palm and two bruchid beetles along with several mammal species to explore how poachers and habitat fragmentation may indirectly alter the spatial pattern of seed dispersal, seed predation, and seedling recruitment in central Panama. The large, stony endocarps of Attalea butyraceae decay slowly and bear distinctive scars when opened by rodents or beetles. We determined the final distance between endocarps and reproductive trees (which we call an ecologically effective dispersal distance), the predation status of each endocarp, and the distance between seedlings and reproductive trees. The 68 focal trees were divided among 14 sites and four levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Levels of disturbance included full protection from poachers, light and heavy pressure from poachers, and small island habitat fragments. Ecologically effective seed dispersal distances were greatest for protected sites, intermediate for lightly poached sites, and shortest for heavily poached sites and habitat fragments. Seed predation by rodents increased with distance to the nearest reproductive Attalea and was greatest for fully protected sites, intermediate for lightly poached sites, and least for heavily poached sites and habitat fragments. Seed predation by beetles reversed the patterns described for seed predation by rodents. Total seed predation by beetles and rodents combined was independent of distance, greatest for fully protected sites, and lower for poached sites and habitat fragments. Seedling densities were always greatest close to reproductive trees; however, the increase in seedling densities close to reproductive trees was minimal for fully protected sites, clearly evident for poached sites, and pronounced for habitat fragments. Increased seedling recruitment near conspecific trees may in time reduce tree diversity where humans disrupt mammal communities.
Network Modelling of Criminal Collaborations with Dynamic Bayesian Steady Evolutions

The threat status and criminal collaborations of potential terrorists are hidden but give rise to observable behaviours and communications. Terrorists, when acting in concert, need to communicate to organise their plots. The authorities utilise such observable behaviour and communication data to inform their investigations and policing. We present a dynamic latent network model that integrates real-time communications data with prior knowledge on individuals. This model estimates and predicts the latent strength of criminal collaboration between individuals to assist in the identification of potential cells and the measurement of their threat levels. We demonstrate how, by assuming certain plausible conditional independences across the measurements associated with this population, the network model can be combined with models of individual suspects to provide fast transparent algorithms to predict group attacks. The methods are illustrated using a simulated example involving the threat posed by a cell suspected of plotting an attack.
Sirodesmin PL biosynthesis in Phoma lingam tode

The biosynthesis of sirodesmin PL (1) in the fungus Phoma lingam Tode has been investigated using different labelled precursors : [1-14C]-, [1-13C]-, [1,2-13C2]-acetates, L-[U-14C]serine, L-[U-14C]tyrosine, [14C] phomamide (3) or [14C]cyclo-L-tyrosyl-L-serine (4). A scheme is proposed in agreement with the demonstration of the mevalonic origin of the tetrahydrofuranone ring, the incorporation of radioactivity from serine and tyrosine, and the easy conversion of the two cyclodipeptides (3) and (4) into sirodesmin PL (1).
Effect of air exposure on ammonia excretion and ammonia content of branchial water of the crab Cancer pagurus

C. pagurus (mean weight 280 g) was exposed to air for 18 h at 16–18°C in presence of a small volume of filtered seawater (FSW = 45 ml) and then reimmersed. Ammonia excretion rate was measured and the amount of ammonia that accumulated in branchial water and haemolymph during emersion was evaluated. During the whole emersion period, ammonia that was released into both FSW (42 μmoles·crab−1) and branchial water (< 11 μmoles·crab−1) amounted to 6% of the pre-emersion release, at the very most. In the first 5 min immediately following reimmersion, a large burst of ammonia output (203 μmoles·crab−1) was observed. Neither ammonia stored in branchial water and haemolymph nor breakdown of urate accumulated in haemolymph can account for it. As this burst was not the result of an increase in metabolism only, its potential sources are discussed. Following this burst, ammonia excretion rate returned to its pre-emersion value within the next 1 h. Then, ammonia excretion rate again increased; this second increase was relatively moderate and lasted for 2–3 h. Recovery was fully achieved within 8 h. The ammonia excess that was excreted during recovery was mainly released at the onset of re-immersion. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparacion de la escala de memoria de Wechsler-III y el test de aprendizaje verbal España-Complutense en el daño cerebral adquirido: validez de constructo y validez ecologica.

Tras sufrir un daño cerebral adquirido (DCA), las secuelas relacionadas con la memoria son muy frecuentes, a veces intensas y crónicas, y generadoras de la mayor discapacidad a largo plazo [1,2]. La evaluación de la memoria no sólo pretende estudiar el tipo, la intensidad y la naturaleza de los problemas, sino también conocer cómo se manifiestan en la vida diaria [3]. Desde un enfoque cuantitativo, tradicional o de laboratorio, la escala de memoria de Wechsler-III (WMS-III) [4] pretende medir los déficits de memoria verbal y visual. Por el contrario, el test de aprendizaje verbal España-Complutense (TAVEC) [5] surge desde una perspectiva de la memoria cualitativa, funcional o ecológica, y su objetivo es predecir el rendimiento del afectado en tareas de memoria en la vida diaria. Ambos están estandarizados en población española. El empleo habitual en la clínica de la WMS-III y el TAVEC suscita algunos interrogantes sobre sus características psicométricas, especialmente respecto a su validez predictiva, que tan importante es para planificar la rehabilitación basada en la comunidad. Este estudio pretende analizar la validez de constructo de la adaptación al español de la WMS-III y el TAVEC a través de su convergencia y desde modelos teóricos científicamente relevantes, y profundizar en su validez predictiva usando modelos de regresión y contemplando tres parámetros funcionales (inserción laboral, discapacidad y dependencia) valorados formalmente por organismos competentes.
PHYLOGENETIC COVARIANCE PROBABILITY: CONFIDENCE AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS

The correlation that exists among multiple cladograms is often taken as evidence of some underlying macroevolutionary phenomenon common to the histories of those clades and, thus, as an explanation of the patterns of association of the constituent taxa. Such studies have various forms, the most common of which are cladistic biogeography and host-parasite coevo- lution. The issue of confidence has periodically been a theoretical consideration of vicariance biogeographers but in practice has been largely ignored by others. Previous approaches to as- sessing confidence in historical associations are examined here in relation to the difference between simple-event and cumulative probabilities and in relation to the restrictiveness of joint hypothesis testing. The phylogenetic covariance probability (PCP) test, a novel approach to assessing confi- dence in hypotheses of historical association, employs the empirical protocol of Brooks parsimony analysis (BPA) in an iterative, computer-intensive randomization routine. The PCP value consists of the frequency with which a solution as efficient or more efficient than the observed hypothesis of correlated phylogeny is achieved with random associations (e.g., of parasites and hosts or of taxa and areas). Because only the associations, and not the contributing phylogenies, are subjected to randomization, the test is not prone to certain criticisms leveled at other cladistic randomization routines. The behavior of the PCP test is examined in relation to eight published studies of his- torical association. This test is appropriately sensitive to the degrees of freedom allowed by the number of contributing clades and the number of taxa in those clades, to the extent of noncor- related associations in the observed hypothesis, and to the relative information content contrib- uting to that hypothesis. (Biogeography; BPA; coevolution; confidence; historical associations; ran- domization.) Although biogeography and host-para- site association studies are relatively com- mon, rarely is there an attempt to quantify the strength of the support for historical association. Borrowing from correlation analysis, an r value provides an estimate of the goodness of fit of a function. Con- fidence in the relationship is expressed in terms of a P value, the probability that an equally efficient result could be achieved by chance. In questions of historical asso- ciation, the notion that congruence be- tween independently derived cladograms is fundamentally a probabilistic issue has been widely acknowledged (Metcalf, 1929: 4; Rosen, 1978:160; Brooks, 1979:303, 1981: 229; Nelson, 1979:8; Nelson and Platnick, 1981:312; Mitter and Brooks, 1983:85), as is the notion that discovering the extent of historical association is fundamentally an exercise in determining the degree of cor- relation between the associates' phyloge- netic histories (Kellogg, 1913:158; Brooks, 1979:300, 1981:235, 1988:249; Nelson and
A predictive model for Covid-19 spread applied to eight US states

A compartmental epidemic model is proposed to predict the Covid-19 virus spread. It considers: both detected and undetected infected populations, medical quarantine and social sequestration, release from sequestration, plus possible reinfection. The coefficients in the model are evaluated by fitting to empirical data for eight US states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York State, and Texas. Together these states make up 43% of the US population;some of these states appear to have handled their initial outbreaks well, while others appear to be emerging hotspots. The evolution of Covid-19 is fairly similar among the states: variations in contact and recovery rates remain below 5%;however, not surprisingly, variations are larger in death rate, reinfection rate, stay-at-home effect, and release rate from sequestration. The results reveal that outbreaks may have been well underway in several states before first detected and that California might have seen more than one influx of the pandemic. Our projections based on the current situation indicate that Covid-19 will become endemic, spreading for more than two years. Should states fully relax stay-at-home orders, most states may experience a secondary peak in 2021. If lockdowns had been kept in place, the number of Covid-19 deaths so far could have been significantly lower in most states that opened up. Additionally, our model predicts that decreasing contact rate by 10%, or increasing testing by approximately 15%, or doubling lockdown compliance (from the current $\sim$ 15% to $\sim$ 30%) will eradicate infections in the state of Texas within a year. Extending our fits for all of the US states, we predict about 11 million total infections (including undetected), 8 million cumulative confirmed cases, and 630,000 cumulative deaths by November 1, 2020.
Therapeutic potential of A1 adenosine receptor ligands: a survey of recent patent literature

Background: In recent years, a number of companies, universities and other institutions have invested in research on new molecules acting as agonists, antagonists and enhancers on A1 adenosine receptors (ARs) and in the evaluation of their new therapeutic applications. Objective: To review recent patenting activity on this topic. Methods: The first part of this article describes the compounds patented, subdivided by functional activity, and the second part the most relevant therapeutic applications or new uses for A1 AR ligands, with a focus on compounds in or soon to be in clinical trials. Conclusion: Although a number of potential therapeutic applications are proposed in the recent literature, at present, in the authors' opinion, very few A1 ligands are close to coming on the market, probably due to limited selectivity towards the target tissue or organ.
EVALUATION OF TOMATO GENOTYPES AGAINST MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA INFECTION

The reaction of seven tomato genotypes to Meloidogyne incognita infection was studied in the greenhouse. Three weeks old tomato seedlings grown in clay pots were inoculated with 5000 eggs freshly isolated from galled roots of tomato cultivar Money Maker. The plants were allowed to grow for 60 days. At harvest the root system was graded at 0 to 5 scale for galls and egg masses. Meloidogyne incognita was able to infect, cause root galling, and reproduced on all the seven tomato genotypes. All the genotypes were susceptible to nematode infection. Tomato cv. PB-8 and PB-28 were susceptible with gall index of 4 while all other five genotypes namely Round-41, Riogranade, Round small-127 and PB-47 were highly susceptible with gall index of 5.
Tooth wear in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus), and its potential influence on diet selection, digestion and population parameters

As teeth wear in eastern and western grey kangaroos, the pattern of enamel ridges changes. This affects the amount of available cutting edges and consequently the masticatory efficiency. These kangaroos also have molar progression. There is evidence for the independence of rates of tooth wear and molar progression, and variation is found in the maximum amount of wear attained by teeth both within and between populations. This variation has the potential to affect diet selection, digestion and population parameters.
Plant diversity, species turnover and shifts in functional traits in coastal dune vegetation: Results from permanent plots over a 52-year period

Question: What is the relationship between plant diversity and species turnover in coastal dune vegetation plots? How is the long-term change in species composition of vegetation plots related to shifts in functional traits, and what does it tell us about the dominant processes? Location: Coastal dunes, the Netherlands. Methods: Our data set comprised 52 years of vegetation data from 35 permanent plots in grassland/scrub/woodland vegetation. Vegetation dynamics were described in terms of changes in species composition and abundance, and shifts in 13 functional traits related to resources capture and forage quality, regeneration and dispersal. Results: Species turnover in the plots was high, because of local extinction and colonization. Species-rich plots were more stable in terms of species abundance and composition compared with species-poor plots. Over time, the plots converged with respect to their abiotic conditions, as reflected by Ellenberg indicator values – indicating that the prevailing process was succession. The high species turnover reflected high invasibility: accordingly, the relative importance of annuals increased. Most newcomer annuals, however, were competitive generalists of little conservation value. The functional trait analysis allowed us to unravel the complexity of effects of disturbances and succession, and yielded information on the processes driving the observed vegetation dynamics. Conclusions: In this study, small-scale species turnover was negatively related to species diversity, indicating more stability in species-rich communities. Regarding shifts in trait diversity, unifying filters appeared to be more dominant than diversifying filters. Counteracting this homogenization process poses a challenge for nature management
Influence of Landscape Diversity and Agricultural Practices on Spider Assemblage in Italian Vineyards of Langa Astigiana (Northwest Italy)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate spider assemblages of the Italian vineyards of Langa Astigiana (northwest Italy). Pitfall trapping and standardized hand collecting were combined to have an overall idea of the spider fauna living in this agroecosystem. A total of 138 samples for pitfall sampling and 92 for hand collecting sites were collected at 23 different times over a period of 2 yr (2003 and 2004). The vineyards differ mainly from agricultural practices (certified organic production, production according to EEC’s Council Regulation 2092/91 on biological agriculture and intensive production) and for the heterogeneity of landscape matrix surrounding them. We studied the influence of these two factors on spider assemblages applying canonical correspondence analysis and multiresponse permutation procedures (MRPPs). Significant results of MRPP were analyzed in terms of hunting strategies. Significant differences are found among groups according to both landscape heterogeneity and agricultural practices, the first resulting more significantly. Analyzed in terms of hunting strategies, an increase in landscape heterogeneity seems to provide an increase in ambush spiders and specialized predators, whereas an increase in sheet web weavers seems to be related to homogeneous landscapes.
On the requirement of vitamin E in fast and slow growing chickens: Experiments with broiler and Leghorn‐type chickens

Zusammenfassung Der Vitamin E-Bedarf von schnell und langsam wachsenden Kuken (Broilern und Hahnchen des Leghorntyps) In einer vergleichenden Untersuchung uber den Einflus der Wachstumsrate auf den Bedarf an Vitamin E wurden Broiler (schnelles Wachstum) und Hahnchen des Leghorntyps (langsames Wachstum) verwendet. Die Tiere erhielten entweder eine fettarme Basaldiat (3,6% Fett, 0,4% Linolsaure) oder eine mit 10% re-esterifizierten Triglyceriden (14,2% Fett, 4,9% Linolsaure) angereicherte Basaldiat. Der Gehalt an Vitamin E war in beiden Diaten gering (< 1 ppm). Der Selengehalt lag bei 0,14 ppm. Der mit Fett angereicherten Basaldiat wurden steigende Mengen dl-α-Tocopherylacetat in Konzentrationen von 0, 12,5, 25, 50 und 100 ppm zugegeben. Nach 6 Wochen Versuchsdauer zeigten die Broiler ein durchschnittliches Gewicht von 1299 g, wahrend Hahnchen des Leghorntyps durchschnittlich 590 g wogen. Dieses verdeutlicht den bestehenden Unterschied hinsichtlich des Wachstumspotentials. Mit Hinblick auf die Vitamin E-Zugabe in der Diat, zeigte keiner der gemessenen Parameter signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Broilern und Hahnchen des Leghorntyps. Eine gemeinsame Empfehlung hinsichtlich des Vitamin E-Gehalts im Futter erscheint aus diesem Grund gerechtfertigt. Die Tiere, die die Basaldiat ohne zusatzliches Fett erhielten, zeigten einen zufriedenstellenden Ernahrungszustand. Die Anreicherung des Futters mit Linolsaure hatte einen gesteigerten Bedarf an Vitamin E zur Folge. Dieses machen die Befunde hinsichtlich des Vorkommens von Enzephalomalazie und Muskeldystrophie sowie die Untersuchungsergebnisse der Parameter Hamatokrit, Hamolyseeigenschaften der Erythrozyten und Aktivitaten der Enzyme CK und GOT deutlich. Der Bedarf an Vitamin E scheint zwischen 12,5 und 25 mg dl-α-Tocopherylacetat zu liegen. Unabhangig von der aufgenommenen Menge an Vitamin E, zeigten Broiler im Vergleich zu Hahnchen des Leghorntyps eine signifikant geringere Aktivitat des Enzyms GSH-Px (18,0 ± 0,84 vs 26,9 ± 1,05 mKat/ml).