Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upper thermal limits in terrestrial ectotherms: how constrained are they?

Summary 1. Terrestrial ectotherms are likely to face increased periods of heat stress as mean temperatures and temperature variability increase over the next few decades. Here, we consider the extent to which changes in upper thermal limits, through plasticity or evolution, might be constrained, and we survey insect and reptile data to identify groups likely to be particularly susceptible to thermal stress. 2. Plastic changes increase thermal limits in many terrestrial ectotherms, but tend to have less effect on upper limits than lower limits. 3. Although comparisons across insect species have normally not taken into account the potential for plastic responses, mid-latitude species seem most prone to experience heat stress now and into the future, consistent with data from lizards and other groups. 4. Evolutionary adaptive potential has only been measured for some species; there is likely to be genetic variation for heat responses in populations, but selection and heritability experiments suggest that upper thermal limits may not increase much. 5. Although related species can differ by several degrees in their upper thermal limits, there is strong phylogenetic signal for upper limits. If these reflect evolutionary constraints, substantial molecular changes may be required to increase upper thermal limits. 6. Findings point to many terrestrial ectotherms having a limited potential to change their thermal limits particularly within the context of an average predicted temperature increase of 2–4 °C for mid-latitude populations over the next few decades.
Effect of taurine supplementation on the metabolism and body lipid‐to‐protein ratio in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Previously, we reported that methionine intake determined the taurine concentration in the liver of on-growing Atlantic salmon fed plant protein diets. Further, the methionine intake and/or the increased taurine concentration following increased methionine intake affected the liver lipid metabolism. The following study therefore aimed to test whether taurine affected the growth or the type of growth when added in high plant protein diets naturally low in taurine but equal and adequate in dietary methionine. Juvenile Atlantic salmon [initial body weight (BW) of 2 g] were fed plant protein diets (16.5% fishmeal), which were supplemented with taurine or not for a period of 56 days. As a control for growth and normal metabolism, a fishmeal-based commercial diet (68% fishmeal) was used. Supplementation with taurine to high plant protein diets had a slightly negative effect on weight gain, but the final body weight was not different. Interestingly, the pool of free amino acids in the liver and muscle was significantly higher in fish fed the supplemented diet as compared with fish fed the plant protein diet without taurine supplementation. Liver polyamine concentration was higher in fish fed the supplemented diet than in fish fed the similar diet without supplementation. Additionally, juvenile salmon fed the plant-based diet supplemented with taurine had a lower body lipid-to-protein ratio due to a reduced whole-body lipid content, while the whole-body protein content was similar between treatments. Our study thus indicates that the addition of a low concentration of taurine to high plant protein diets interacts with lipid metabolism and storage, concomitantly affecting the general metabolism as the concentrations of the free amino acids and polyamines in the liver were significantly higher. The possible reasons for these changes are discussed.
Bryophytes and macro-algal growths as a part of macrophyte monitoring in rivers used for ecological assessment

Altogether, 62 taxa of macrophytes including 18 bryophytes and 16 macro-algal growths were determined at 87 survey sites (73 rivers) representing the both ecoregions in Slovakia (Pannonian and Carpathian) during the years 2010–2013. Bryophytes represented the dominant community in the Carpathians, while the occurrence of macro-algal growths was relatively balanced in both ecoregions. Ordination analyses (DCA) showed an obvious shift within studied survey sites from vascular plants to bryophytes, while macro-algal growths were more or less uniform distributed in the whole ordination space. Based on stepwise (forward) selection in CCA, altitude and water surfaces as a land use type were the main environmental factors responsible for this pattern and explained 13.7% of the variability. Variation partitioning showed that the shares of environmental variables on the total variation decreased in the following order: both groups together 8.3% (landscape and geographical variables, physicochemical variables), followed by landscape and geographical variables (5.8%) and purely physicochemical variables which had an insignificant effect on macrophyte composition. The importance of both groups (bryophytes and macro-algal growths) in ecological assessment was also confirmed by their contribution to the mean IBMR value determined for each water body type. Anyway, our study showed that their contribution to ecological assessment is not focused only on small mountain streams where they are dominant. They may obviously affect ecological assessment also in many water body types in lowland rivers and large upland rivers as well.
Antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive effects of a commercially produced beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Swiss albino mice.

Beta-glucans are sugars that are found in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, lichens, and plants, such as oats and barley. They are polysaccharides of D-glucose monomers linked by beta-glycosidic bonds. Their major use is as a nutraceutical and it has been claimed that these compounds can act as effective immune modulators through boosting the immune system. The most active forms of beta-glucans are those comprising D-glucose units with (1,3) links and with side-chains of D-glucose attached at the (1,6) position. In dietary studies with diabetic rodent models, these compounds have been observed to lower the absorption of glucose and so lead to decreasing blood sugar levels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive effects of a commercially available beta-glucan produced from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In oral glucose tolerance tests with glucose-loaded Swiss albino mice, beta-glucan, administered orally at doses of 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg per kg body weight, inhibited increases in blood sugar levels significantly and dose-dependently. The percent inhibitions at the afore-mentioned four doses were, respectively, 33.5, 35.0, 35.7, and 38.7. In comparison, a standard anti-hyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight inhibited increases in blood sugar levels by 40.0%. As such, the results obtained with the commercial beta-glucan were comparable to that of glibenclamide, at least at the highest dose tested. In antinociceptive activity tests with acetic acid-induced gastric pain model in Swiss albino mice, beta-glucan at the afore-mentioned four doses also significantly and dose-dependently attenuated the number of writhings in mice induced by intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid. The percent inhibitions in the number of gastric writhings at the above four doses were, respectively, 36.6, 40.0, 43.4, and 60.0. A standard antinociceptive drug, aspirin, when administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, reduced the number of writhings by 40.0 and 63.4%, respectively. Thus, the result obtained with beta-glucan at the highest dose was comparable to that of aspirin at the highest dose tested. Together, the results suggest that the commercial beta-glucan used in the present study can be used for both reducing blood sugar in high blood sugar level individuals as well as to alleviate pain.
Small grain screenings in wheat: interactions of cultivars with season, site, and management practices

Small grains that pass through a 2-mm slotted screen (sievings or screenings) are one of the most important causes of price dockages of wheat in Australia because grain size variation greatly affects flour yield and commercial value. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of season, time of sowing, plant population, and applied nitrogen, and their interactions with cultivars, on small grain screenings. Twenty-one field experiments involving 16 new cultivars and elite crossbreds, and various management variables, were conducted in the medium (annual rainfall 325-450 mm) and low (annual rainfall grain number/area > grain number/head > grain yield. Cultivars differed in production of screenings in response to plant population, nitrogen fertiliser and sowing time. Harrismith was the most sensitive cultivar and Wyalkatchem was overall the most tolerant cultivar. Delayed seeding had the least effect on the screenings of cultivars Westonia, Carnamah, and Wyalkatchem. Carnamah was the most stable cultivar against higher levels of applied nitrogen, whereas Westonia required high plant numbers to contain screenings. It is concluded that cultivars can be classified according to specific sensitivities, and appropriate management practices may be suggested to growers.
Variation in fecundity in the lesser sandeel: implications for regional management

The number of eggs produced by a parental stock is central to fisheries advice on recruitment potential. However, stock based estimates of egg production may give a misleading index of recruitment potential in stocks containing several reproductively isolated populations. This paper examines the ability of length, condition and oocyte developmental stage to predict levels of potential fecundity in the sandeel, Ammodytes marinus, in three important fished areas in the North Sea. Our results indicate that regional variation in this relationship exists, with fecundity in central areas of the North Sea being higher than those found just off the north-east UK. Oocyte diameter was also found to have a significant effect on potential fecundity, suggesting a down-regulation of oocyte numbers arising from pre-ovulatory atresia, however, this effect was not apparent in every model tested. Our findings have relevance to the local sustainability of spawning components and thus the regional management of the North Sea sandeel stock.
Lake Ontario: food web dynamics in a changing ecosystem (1970-2000)

We examined stressors that have led to profound ecological changes in the Lake Ontario ecosystem and its fish community since 1970. The most notable changes have been reductions in phosphorus loading, invasion by Dreissena spp. , fisheries management through stocking of exotic salmonids and control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and fish harvest by anglers and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). The response to these stressors has led to (i) declines in both algal photosynthesis and epilimnetic zooplankton production, ( ii) decreases in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) abundance, (iii) declines in native Diporeia and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), (iv) behavioral shifts in alewife spatial distribution benefitting native lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush), threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) populations, (v) dramatic increases in water clarity, (vi) predation impacts by cormorants on select fish species, and (vii) lake trout recruitment bottlenecks associated with alewife-induced thiamine deficiency. We expect stressor responses associated with anthropogenic forces like exotic species invasions and global climate warming to continue to impact the Lake Ontario ecosystem in the future and recommend continuous long-term ecological studies to enhance scientific understanding and management of this important resource.
Modernizing governments in Transitional and Emerging Economies through financial reporting based on international standards

In the administrative reforms that countries with emerging and transitional economies are undertaking, the choice of the method to be used for government accounts evaluation is a crucial issue, as the replacement of historical cost by fair value evaluation could affect the success or otherwise of the administrative reforms in these countries. In this article, we analyse the opinions of the National Accounting Standards Setters (NASS) regarding the utility of Fair Value Accounting (FVA) proposed by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in the development of administrative reforms in transitional and emerging economies. To achieve this, we perform a survey of the Official National Accounting Standards Setters in these countries, to study the relevance and reliability of financial government reports based on fair value model. Based on the opinions of NASS in sample countries, the findings show that the implementation of fair value in Transitional and Emerging Economies could contribute to administrative reforms, mainly through the enhancement of the usefulness of government financial statements for purposes of transparency and efficiency measurement. In addition, in countries in transition, NASS opinions show that the crucial factor for the usefulness of fair value is the type of assets held by public organizations, but in emerging countries NASS think that the main factor in this respect is the existence of markets where they can be traded. Points for practitioners For public managers in Transitional and Emerging Economies, the findings of this article may be useful. The findings show how the implementation of international accounting standards can contribute to successful administrative reforms, through the improvement of financial transparency and the evaluation of the efficiency of public sector services. In addition, we identify determining factors of the usefulness of financial information for administrative reform purposes in Transitional and Emerging Economies, on an individual basis.
The boreal dwarf shrub Vaccinium vitis-idaea retains its capacity for photosynthesis through the winter

The ability to retain their photosynthetic capacity through the winter may be important for plants in boreal conditions, where the growing season is relatively short and winter temperatures fluctuate from severe freezing up to near 0 °C. The snow cover is an important protector for field-layer plants against both extreme freezing and excessive light, both of which could damage the photosynthetic apparatus. To understand the importance of wintertime photosynthetic activity for evergreen boreal dwarf shrubs, the photosynthesis of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. was monitored in field conditions for one year. A dynamic model was used to determine the relative effect of temperature on the photosynthetic capacity. Our results show that V. vitis-idaea retains its photosynthetic capacity throughout the winter: its average photosynthetic capacity in winter was almost 25% of the yearly maximum measured. Changes in photosynthetic capacity over the year reflect the changes in air temperature with a certain delay, except in.
Determinación de los valores del índice de Tei (índice de performance miocárdico) en caninos con insuficiencia cardiaca, evaluados mediante ecocardiografía Doppler

Ha sido demostrado que el indice de Tei del ventriculo izquierdo (indice de performance miocardio) puede ser de utilidad clinica para estimar la funcion de este ventriculo, incluyendo tanto la funcion sistolica como la diastolica. El proposito de este estudio fue evaluar el indice de Tei en perros con falla cardiaca (FC). El indice de Tei incremento significativamente en perros con FC, comparado con caninos sanos. En conclusion, el estudio demostro que el indice de Tei fue medible en perros y no esta influenciado por la frecuencia cardiaca, la edad ni el peso.
Using Mirrors for Visual Feedback During Early Strengthening Following a Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report

Background: Non-traumatic spinal cord injuries (NTSCI) occur commonly due to causes such as spinal cord degeneration, vascular disease, tumors or inflammation. These injuries can lead to loss of motor function and sensory impairments affecting patients’ abilities to complete Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and return to independence. Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of a mirror for feedback with early strengthening in a NTSCI patient with impaired sensation and muscle weakness in bilateral lower extremities. Case Description: A 38-year-old female with a T7 hemangioma resection, T5-6 laminectomy, and T5-T9 posterior spinal fusion was seen in a sub-acute inpatient rehabilitation facility for three weeks for lower extremity strengthening, balance training, gait training, and endurance training. Outcomes: The patient improved Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, specifically in areas of bedto-chair transfers, locomotion, and stairs. Scores improved from total assistance to modified independence for transfers and ambulation and to max assistance for stairs. Discussion: Using a mirror for feedback to improve lower extremity strengthening and to decrease the co-activation of agonist and antagonist muscle groups can be an effective and low-cost solution in the inpatient rehabilitation setting for patients with a NTSCI.
Cloning of FLOWERING LOCUS C ortholog in Wasabia japonica (Matsum.)

Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is a commercially important crop in Japan. We isolated a FLC ortholog from wasabi and named as WjFLC. Predicted amino acid sequence encoded by WjFLC showed 89% identity with FLC of arabidopsis and conserved the MADS box motif. WjFLC was expressed in young and mature leaves, apical region of lateral bud, rhizome, and root. The expression of WjFLC was high in October and reduced in November when flower buds are formed in wasabi. WjFLC may be useful in monitoring the flowering response in wasabi.
Studies on the allometric growth of the caramote prawn Melicertus kerathurus (Decapoda, Penaeidae) in Western Greece (E. Mediterranean)

The relative growth of eleven body parts (carapace length, height, width, abdominal length, height and width, rostral length and telson length) of males and females of the caramote prawn Melicertus kerathurus was studied in samples from the Amvrakikos Gulf (Western Greece, E. Mediterranean). In addition to this, the relative growth of the length and the maximum width – and consequently the surface - of the appendix masculina of males was also studied. In general, both sexes showed similar patterns of relative growth. However, the females’ body appendages were significantly greater than those of the males. A negative allometry of escaping appendages (telson), abdomen (related to the metabolic processes, rapid locomotion and reproduction), rostrum, appendix masculina (related to mating and sperm transfer) and carapace height and width was found in both sexes. The biometric studies in this species in the central and western Mediterranean are in agreement with those from the eastern part of the basin, suggesting that all the populations throughout the Mediterranean could be considered as uniform.
Game domestication for animal production in Kenya: feeding trials with oryx, zebu cattle and sheep under controlled conditions

Summary Digestibility trials were carried out with five individuals each of domesticated oryx, sheep and cattle, using three diets ranging from 12·5 to 7·4% crude protein. Feed intake, water consumption and urine production were measured. Intakes of dry matter (as g/day or g/kg W0·75/day) did not differ between diets for any species. On a metabolic weight basis the sheep and oryx ate the same amount. The cattle ate more than the sheep of all three diets, and more than the oryx in two of the three. For all three species, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre was lower when the lower quality food was given. On any single diet, significant differences in digestive efficiency for any diet component between species were few and small. Total daily intakes of water (ml/kg W0·85/day) were lower for each species when eating the diet with the lowest protein content. On each diet total intakes were significantly different in the decreasing order cattle > sheep > oryx, in the mean ratio 3·3:l·7:10. Urine production (ml/kg W0·85/day) varied slightly between diets for each species. On each diet the cattle produced significantly more urine than the sheep or oryx. The ratio of urine produced to water drunk decreased in the order oryx > cow > sheep, in the mean ratios 0·63, 0·34 and 0·27. Despite some interspecific differences in nitrogen concentration, there were few differences in the proportion of total excreted nitrogen that was lost through the urine. Calculations of evaporative water loss showed that loss of water by this avenue was significantly less in oryx than in sheep or cattle, which did not differ significantly. In the absence of any evidence of a more efficient digestion, the low metabolic intake of food by oryx suggests a low metabolic rate. The oryx's low water consumption and small evaporative loss are obvious adaptations to its desert habitat.
Anti-bacterial effect of Indian costus and sea-qust and their water extracts on some pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system

The pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system are characterized by resistance to most antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia are some of the pathogenic bacteria of the human respiratory system which often cause pneumonia and meningitis. Moreover, they are the most prominent strains of bacteria in most hospitals. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics occurs as a result of excessive usage of antibiotics in the treatment of diseases. For that reason, it is necessary to seek for medical alternatives that are safer for the treatment of these bacteria. Alternative medicine, especially, has revealed many plants and herbs that are used in the treatment for some diseases including respiratory diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the Indian Costus and sea-Qust on the pathogenic bacteria; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus and K. pneumonia . In addition, the effect of the water extracts of the Indian costus and sea-qust on S. aureus and K. pneumonia was also determined. The results showed antibacterial effect of two types of dried Costus roots on all tested bacteria, especially in high concentrations. Also, the cold or hot water extract of Indian Costus was highly effective against tested bacteria at 20 to 25% concentration, while the hot extract of sea-Qust was more effective against tested bacteria than its cold extract in all the concentrations used.
Virulence of Cryphonectria cubensis on Eucalyptus species differing in resistance.

Variability in virulence were detected among geographic isolates of Cryphonectria.cubensis (Bruner) Hodges. Inoculation studies of isolates, originally cultured from Brazil, Africa and Hawaii, in provenance of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell (resistant) and E. saligna Sm. (susceptible) showed that the variation in resistance of Eucalyptus spp. is quantitatively isolate-specific; the variation in virulence quantitatively host-specific. The practical consequences of pathogenic variability of C. cubensis and the strategies of selection and breeding of Eucalyptus for resistance is discussed.