Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profile of IKs During the Action Potential Questions the Therapeutic Value of IKs Blockade

The goal of this paper is two fold. First, we attempt to review the reports available on the role of I(Ks) in myocardial repolarization. Based on theoretical considerations and experimental results, it seems reasonable to assume that I(Ks)blockade will lengthen the action potential. However, results obtained with I(Ks) blockers, like chromanol 293B or L-735,821, are conflicting, since from slight lengthening to marked prolongation of action potentials were equally obtained. Although these contradictory results were explained by interspecies or regional differences, the role of I(Ks) in repolarization is a matter of growing dispute. In the second part of this study, we simulated the performance of I(Ks) during cardiac action potentials. We compared the profile of the predicted current in three mathematical models in order to determine the relative role of the current in repolarization. We studied the effect of the cycle length, action potential duration and height of the plateau on the profile of I(Ks) in epicardiac, endocardiac and midmyocardiac ventricular action potentials. The results indicate that the height of the plateau is the most important parameter to control activation of I(Ks)in cardiac tissues, and accordingly, the interspecies and regional differences observed in the efficacy of I(Ks) blockers are likely due to the known differences in action potential morphology. We conclude also that I(Ks)blockade may have unpredictable effects on the length of the action potential in a diseased heart, questioning the possible therapeutic value of drugs blocking I(Ks).
Soil environmental conditions rather than denitrifier abundance and diversity drive potential denitrification after changes in land uses

Land‐use practices aiming at increasing agro‐ecosystem sustainability, e.g. no‐till systems and use of temporary grasslands, have been developed in cropping areas, but their environmental benefits could be counterbalanced by increased N2O emissions produced, in particular during denitrification. Modelling denitrification in this context is thus of major importance. However, to what extent can changes in denitrification be predicted by representing the denitrifying community as a black box, i.e. without an adequate representation of the biological characteristics (abundance and composition) of this community, remains unclear. We analysed the effect of changes in land uses on denitrifiers for two different agricultural systems: (i) crop/grassland conversion and (ii) cessation/application of tillage. We surveyed potential denitrification (PD), the abundance and genetic structure of denitrifiers (nitrite reducers), and soil environmental conditions. N2O emissions were also measured during periods of several days on control plots. Time‐integrated N2O emissions and PD were well correlated among all control plots. Changes in PD were partly due to changes in denitrifier abundance but were not related to changes in the structure of the denitrifier community. Using multiple regression analysis, we showed that changes in PD were more related to changes in soil environmental conditions than in denitrifier abundance. Soil organic carbon explained 81% of the variance observed for PD at the crop/temporary grassland site, whereas soil organic carbon, water‐filled pore space and nitrate explained 92% of PD variance at the till/no‐till site, without any residual effect of denitrifier abundance. Soil environmental conditions influenced PD by modifying the specific activity of denitrifiers, and to a lesser extent by promoting a build‐up of denitrifiers. Our results show that an accurate simulation of carbon, oxygen and nitrate availability to denitrifiers is more important than an accurate simulation of denitrifier abundance and community structure to adequately understand and predict changes in PD in response to land‐use changes.
Forage potential of winter cereal/legume intercrops in organic farming

This research was performed to assess the potential of cereal/legume intercropping to enhance forage yield and quality when compared with cereal sole crops under the constrains imposed by UE organic farming regulations. Sole crops (SC) and intercrops (IC) of two winter cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), and two legumes, white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), were evaluated at two harvest times for dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein concentration (CPC), and nitrogen yield (NY). Yield values and dry matter concentration (DMC) were generally higher when cereals were at the hard dough compared to the late milk stage. On average, intercropping increased forage yield by 72%, NY by 190%, and CPC by 40 g kg-1, compared to cereal sole crops, but the choice of legume species affected the yield advantage and the composition of forage. Land equivalent ratio (LER) of intercrops was always higher than 1, ranging from 1.39 to 1.61. Intercropping also enhanced weed suppression, compared to sole crop.
THE FRESHWATER SNAIL GENUS SULCOSPIRA TROSCHEL, 1857 FROM JAVA, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM TASIKMALAYA, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA (MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA: PACHYCHILIDAE)

Members of the viviparous freshwater snail genus Sulcospira Troschel, 1858 occur in lotic habitats in Southeast Asia. Three species have been reported from Java, two of which (Sulcospira sulcospira and S. pisum) may have become extinct, while S. testudinaria is fairly common. Based on recent collections, here we describe a new species, Sulcospira kawaluensis, from Tasikmalaya, West Java. Shell, embryonic shell, and radula characters of the new species clearly differ from those in S. testudinaria. Sulcospira kawaluensis new species has a rather restricted occurrence near Tasikmalaya in West Java.
Variation in Melanism and Female Preference in Proximate but Ecologically Distinct Environments

Variation in pigmentation traits is an effective window to evolutionary processes due to their importance for survival and reproduction. In particular, one of the leading hypotheses for the maintenance of conspicuous pigmentation in natural populations is its signaling function in mate choice. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of melanism in poeciliid fishes of the genus Poecilia that inhabits toxic, hydrogen sulfide springs in southern Mexico and the absence of melanism from closely related populations in reference habitats lacking hydrogen sulfide. Assays of female mate preference in both habitat types were used to examine whether divergence in female preference for melanism contributes to its maintenance in hydrogen sulfide springs. We found significant variation in female preferences for melanistic males. Specifically, melanistic females from the toxic spring exhibited a significant preference for melanistic males, while non-melanistic females from the same population exhibited no preference. Females from the non-sulfidic reference population discriminated strongly against melanistic males. Preferences of melanistic females appear to be a significant force in the maintenance of melanism in sulfidic habitats and suggest a change in preference as the divergence from non-sulfidic ancestors. Potential polymorphism in preference within the hydrogen sulfide spring indicates that preference for melanistic males may not be environmentally controlled. Thus, a change in preference following divergence can promote the maintenance of variation in pigmentation within populations and between divergent habitats.
Xenorhabdus gen. nov., a Genus of Entomopathogenic, Nematophilic Bacteria of the Family Enterobacteriaceae

A new genus, Xenorhabdus, is created to accommodate large, gram-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, entomopathogenic bacteria which are intimately associated with entomogenous nematodes. The normal habitat of these bacteria is the intestinal lumen of nematodes or the body cavity of host insects into which they have been introduced by the nematodes. The genus is placed in the family Enterobacteriaceae since the bacteria possess most of the important characteristics of this family. Xenorhabdus differs from other genera of Enterobacteriaceae in large cell size, failure to reduce nitrates to nitrites, intimate association with entomogenous nematodes, entomopathogenesis, and immunological characteristics. The type species is Xenorhabdus nematophilus (Poinar and Thomas) comb. nov. (synonym: Achromobacter nematophilus Poinar and Thomas). Xenorhabdus luminescens sp. nov., a bioluminescent, entomopathogenic bacterium isolated from the intestinal lumen of an entomogenous nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, is also described. In addition to their immunological differences, the two species are dissimilar in that X. luminescens is positive for bioluminescence and catalase activity, whereas X. nematophilus is not. The type strain of X. nematophilus is ATCC 19061, and that of X. luminescens is strain Hb (= ATCC 29999).
Difficulties and advancements in developing drugs for the treatment of dengue fever

Dengue fever is caused by infections with dengue virus, the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral pathogen in humans. There are no drugs available to treat dengue virus infection. Here, we discuss the strategies and challenges to develop dengue drugs. Treating the disease pathology is hindered by a lack of understanding of the disease progression and the causes of disease symptoms such as vascular leakage. Most drug-discovery efforts have concentrated on viral targets, which have their own particular challenges. Despite various challenges, great progresses have been made towards the development of dengue therapy. Ultimately, the only way to know whether a direct-acting antiviral will be a viable approach for treating dengue patients is to test safe compounds with demonstrated antiviral activity in human trials.
Supplementation of malate level and cassava hay in high-quality feed block on ruminal fermentation efficiency and digestibility of nutrients in lactating dairy cows.

Four, lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned according to a 2x2 Factorial arrangement in a 4x4 Latin square design to study supplementation of malate level at 500 and 1,000 g and cassava hay in high-quality feed block. The treatments were as follows: T1 = supplementation of high-quality feed block without cassava hay + malate at 500 g; T2 = supplementation of high-quality feed block without cassava hay + malate at 1,000 g; T3 = supplementation of high-quality feed block with cassava hay + malate at 500 g; T4 = supplementation of high-quality feed block with cassava hay + malate at 1,000 g, respectively. The cows were offered the treatment concentrate at a ratio to milk yield at 1:2 and urea-treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. The results have revealed that rumen fermentation and blood metabolites were similar for all treatments. The populations of protozoa and fungal zoospores were significantly different as affected by malate level and cassava hay supplementation. In conclusion, the combined use of cassava hay and malate at 1,000 g in high-quality feed block with concentrates containing high levels of cassava chip at 65% DM could highest improved rumen ecology and nutrients digestibility in lactating dairy cows.
The role of protein cross-linking in soy food texture

Cross-linking in soy proteins is hypothesised to have an impact on the texture of tofu. In vitro incubation showed soy proteins and its two fractions, glycinin and β-conglycinin, were cross-linked using glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, glyceraldehyde and transglutaminase (TGA). Increasing concentration of these carbonyl compounds and TGA, and temperature of the carbonyl compounds treatment, increased the reactivity of cross-linking. Glutaraldehyde was the most reactive in forming aggregated proteins, followed by formaldehyde and glyceraldehyde. Both carbonyl moieties of glutaraldehyde are believed to be essential for the rapid cross-linking reaction. In the unfractionated soy proteins, β-conglycinin had a higher reactivity than glycinin. In in vitro incubation using TGA, soy proteins served as good substrates for TGA, in which β-conglycinin was more susceptible to TGA than glycinin in the unfractionated soy proteins. The addition of TGA, and 1 and 2 mM glutaraldehyde prior to soymilk boiling in situ resulted in a small number of cross-linked proteins, which correspond to an increase in fracture force. The addition of glutaraldehyde after soymilk boiling resulted in a slight decrease in fracture force compared to the control. At higher concentrations of glutaraldehyde (15 and 30 mM), soy proteins were mostly cross-linked, regardless of addition before or after soymilk boiling. Highly cross-linked proteins resulted in a significant decrease in the fracture force. For TGA treatment, the fracture force was increased with increasing TGA concentration from 1000 to 5000 ppm, added either before or after soymilk boiling. However, the TGA treatment showed only a small quantity of cross-linking. It is hypothesised that TGA hydrolysed glutamine of proteins to glutamate and changed the functional properties of proteins. Upon examination of the microstructure, it was found that the TGA treatment resulted in a fine-stranded network, compact structure and less porosity. These characteristics resulted in a higher fracture force. In contrast, in the glutaraldehyde treatment, the network consisted of a higher porosity, loose network and diffuse structure, which gave lower fracture force. Thus, it appears that substrate modification to the structure of the soy proteins may have a greater impact than the number of cross-links. These findings are likely to have implications for production of soy products with a wide range of textures by manipulating the soy protein properties.
Comparative Study on Carcass Characteristics of Different Genetic Groups of Spent Hen in Bangladesh

The carcass characteristics and meat yield studied using a total 20 number of cage reared spent hens of White Leghorn (WLH), White Rock (WR), Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR). There were a significant different (p<0.05) between breeds with live weight and dressed weight although it differ breed to breed. In case of dressed weight it is observed higher in RIR intermediate in BPR & WR and lower in WLH. Shank length, head weight, liver weight and gizzard weight were statistically non-significant between breeds. Shank length was statistically non-significant between breeds but shank weight was highly significant between them and highest in WR, intermediate in RIR & BPR but lowest in WLH. Viscera loss is higher in WLH then RIR and WR, BPR are in almost similar and the similar trained was found for feather loss and blood discharge. The result exhibits that the RIR carcass is the best, BPR and WR are in secon d position and the lowest is WLH in qualitative or quantitative measure not only for heavy breed but the total loss (viscera, feather and blood) is the lowest in comparison to the other three breeds. On the contrary, correlation between dressed carcass weight and abdominal fat was estimated and highly correlation was found in WLH followed by BPR, RIR and WR. If dressed carcass weight increase 1 (g) then abdominal fat increase by 0.2136 (g), 0.1297(g), 0.1819 (g) and 0.0591 (g) respectively for WLH, BPR, RIR and WR. Finally it can be concluded that the RIR carcass is the best in terms of quality and quantity. The WR & BPR are almost in similar holding second position and the lowest is WLH.
Vinhaça como fonte de potássio: resposta da sucessão aveia-preta/milho silagem/milho safrinha e alterações químicas do solo na Região Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul

A vinhaca, residuo do processo de destilacao do alcool e rica em potassio (K) e sua aplicacao ao solo pode aumentar a disponibilidade do nutriente, mas tambem provocar alteracoes nas propriedades quimicas do solo. O trabalho objetivou avaliar a viabilidade tecnica da utilizacao da vinhaca como fonte alternativa de K na sucessao aveia preta/milho silagem/milho safrinha, alem de possiveis alteracoes em atributos quimicos do solo na camada de 0-10cm. O experimento foi conduzido no Municipio de Ajuricaba (RS), no periodo 04/2010 a 06/2011. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: T1) adubacao mineral NPK; T2) N + P sem vinhaca; T3) N+P+50m3 ha-1 de vinhaca; T4) N+P+100m3 ha-1 de vinhaca; T5) N+P+150m3 ha-1 de vinhaca; e T6) N+P+200m3 ha-1 de vinhaca. Na aveia preta, foram avaliados os teores totais foliares de P, K e o acumulo de materia seca. No milho silagem, a altura de plantas, altura de insercao da espiga e a produtividade de forragem e, no milho safrinha, o peso de mil sementes e a produtividade de graos. Quanto aos atributos quimicos do solo, foi avaliado o pH, os teores de P, K, Ca, Mg e a capacidade de troca cationica. Na aveia-preta, as maiores doses de vinhaca proporcionaram os menores acumulos de materia seca, sendo 100m3 ha-1 a melhor dose observada. Para a cultura do milho, a dose de 100m3 ha-1 de vinhaca proporcionou produtividade de silagem semelhante a adubacao mineral e foi capaz de suprir a necessidade de potassio tambem para o cultivo do milho safrinha. Em relacao aos atributos quimicos do solo, nao se observaram alteracoes significativas na camada avaliada (0-10cm). A utilizacao da vinhaca como fonte de potassio mostrou-se uma alternativa tecnicamente viavel e a sua utilizacao em nivel de lavoura uma forma de descarte desse residuo.
Assurance schemes as a tool to tackle genetic welfare problems in farm animals: broilers

Farm assurance schemes can set standards to assure compliance with specific requirements relating to animal welfare. As such, standards can be set to address genetic-related welfare problems in farm animals, such as those associated with fast growth rates in meat chickens (broilers) (Gallus gallus domesticus). Based on discussions with broiler breeding companies, broiler producers and in line with published research, the RSPCA placed a maximum limit on the genetic growth rate potential of broilers that could be used within its own farm assurance scheme — Freedom Food. Despite the introduction of this requirement, the number of birds reared on the scheme increased from 25 million to 55 million per year over a three-year period, with all of these birds meeting the genetically slower growing requirement. In addition, the two largest global broiler breeding companies responded to this change in the market by each developing a genetically slower growing bird. This demonstrates that assurance schemes can have a pivotal role in tackling genetic welfare problems in farm animals, such as those associated with fast growth in broilers.
Influences of temperature and photoperiod on the breakup and spring remigration of overwintering aggregations of Euploea spp. and Tirumala septentrionis in Dawu, Southeastern Taiwan

Several species of Euploea and Tirumala danaine butterflies overwinter in a similar manner as the monarch butterfly (Chao et al. 2007). Every autumn, Euploea spp. and Tirumala spp. from all over Taiwan migrate south to hibernate. During the following spring, the butterflies leave the overwintering sites and disperse throughout Taiwan for reproduction. At an overwintering site in Dawu, Taitung County, nearly 100,000 Euploea spp. and Tirumala septentrionis (Butler, 1874) aggregated during January 2007 (See Fig. 1) and all suddenly left during 5 February–8 February. This study investigates potential triggers that may have caused the rapid migration of the danaine butterflies from their overwintering site. In Mexico, increases in temperature during the last months of overwintering (February–March) correspond with monarch butterflies becoming progressively more active (Calvert & Brower 1986). In Taiwan, behaviors of Euploea spp. , towards the end of overwintering, including sunbathing, water-drinking and nectar-drinking, are indicators that the butterflies will soon be leaving their overwintering site (Matsuka, 2002). Other factors that have been reported to affect the migration of monarch butterflies, thus marking the end of diapause, include decreasing humidity and increasing photoperiod length at the overwintering site (Calvert & Brower 1986; Barker & Herman 1976; Tuskes & Brower 1978). Similarly, Canzano et al. (2003) reported that for Euploea core and Euploea sylvester the end of diapause was related
A Model System for Coevolution: Avian Brood Parasitism

Many putative examples of coevolution do not stand up to critical analysis. A rigorous definition of coevolution requires that a trait in one species has evolved in response to a trait of another species, which trait was itself evolved in response to the first species (50, 69). This type of intimate, reciprocal evolutionary relationship is hard to demonstrate because most species interact with many other species, all of which may affect their evolution. For example, a host species is likely to be affected by many types of parasitic helminths and protozoans. Accordingly, some of its defenses will be fairly general and not attributable to any particular species of parasite. Such situations are termed diffuse coevolution, as opposed to pairwise coevolution in which adaptations have a stepwise, reciprocal nature. Unfortunately, diffuse coevolution is difficult to document because additional species may need to be considered. Also, adapting to many species may compromise adaptations to any one species so much that coevolutionary traits are weakly expressed and hard to identify. Systems in which the interacting species are few (optimally only two) provide the clearest examples of coevolution. Such systems include many mutualistic relationships and some parasite-host associations (51). Among the latter, brood parasitism provides some of the most persuasive examples of coevolution because it often involves small numbers of species.
Ticks Feeding on Animals Committed to Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers and Implications for Lyme Disease Ecology

Lyme disease has become a significant infectious disease concern in the Western United States. This study investigates the ecology and transmission of the spirochete causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, in an area of Northern California, USA by examining the host selection of different tick species and life stages. Ticks were collected from a wildlife rehabilitation center near the San Francisco Bay to investigate disease transmission and how it relates to tick and host animal ecology in the area. Tick species, tick life stage, and host species were compared to infer their relationship to local Lyme disease transmission. Despite lower than expected sample sizes, this study uncovered some evidence of novel host selection relationships, and provided an initial evaluation of this new parasite collection method. This research has allowed for valuable insight into the enzootic maintenance and cycling of spirochete populations and the relative importance of different ticks and vertebrate hosts to this process.