Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial sulfur reduction in hot vents

Abstract Elemental sulfur can be reduced through different microbial processes, including catabolically significant sulfur respiration and reduction of sulfur in the course of fermentation. Both of these processes are found in thermophilic microorganisms inhabiting continental and submarine hot vents, where elemental sulfur is one of the most common sulfur species. Among extreme thermophiles, respresented mainly by Archaea, sulfur-respiring bacteria include hydrogen-utilizing lithoautotrophs and heterotrophs, oxidizing complex organic substrates. Some marine heterotrophic sulfur-reducing Archaea were found to ferment peptides and polysaccharides, using elemental sulfur as an electron sink and thus avoiding the formation of molecular hydrogen which is highly inhibiting. Moderately thermophilic communities contain eubacterial sulfur reducers capable of lithotrophic and heterotrophic growth. Total mineralization of organic matter is carried out by a complex microbial system consisting of fermentative heterotrophs, which use elemental sulfur as an electron sink, and sulfur-respiring bacteria of the genus Desulfurella, which oxidize other fermentation products, yielding only COf2 and Hf2S. The most remarkable thermophilic microbial community is the thermophilic cyanobacterial mat found in the Uzon caldera, Kamchatka, which contains elemental sulfur among the layers. Organic matter produced by the thermophilic Oscillatoria is completely and rapidly mineralized by means of sulfur reduction.
Multiple stressors on water availability at global to catchment scales: understanding human impact on nutrient cycles to protect water quality and water availability in the long term

1. Freshwater systems are subject to multiple stressors that include changing climate, changing land use, changing demands on water resources and changing nutrient cycles. Global trends suggest these stressors that impact on water availability will increase over the coming decades, and - without action - will constrain opportunities to sustain ecosystem services to deliver the Millennium Development Goals. 2. Although a key 'service' freshwaters provide is buffering inputs from the land system, predicting ecosystem response through observation and modelling is complex because nonlinear and dynamic interactions amongst a large number of constituents operate to regulate biogeochemical transformations in freshwater systems. 3. Reductionist approaches have been successful at unravelling many of the processes and some of the interactions in freshwater systems. However, reductionist approaches cannot provide the concepts or methods to understand how system properties will emerge in response to a changing climate (particularly the changing spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation); to the consequent change in water availability and water quality in the context of social drivers on the demand for water; and to feedbacks arising from nutrient cycling across a range of scales. 4. This study presents a review of the evidence for landscape-scale filtering of nutrient delivery to receiving waters and examines the role of the internal processing of nutrients at critical interfaces such as the hyporheic in attenuating nutrient loads. Analysis of research on the spatial scales and time step appropriate for catchment and water quality observations indicates the importance of small scale and short time step data for unravelling nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystems. 5. Thematic implications: leading work in the catchment and aquatic sciences on the importance of diffuse nutrient losses from land, and on nutrient cycling in freshwaters, in governing water quality and protecting water availability, is making an increasing contribution to mainstream environmental science. Critically, the evidence base is starting to grow to inform policy-related debates with respect to food security, to climate change adaptation and for sustaining ecosystem services in freshwater environments.
Alteration in Clinical, Hemobiochemical and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Egyptian Cattle Infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

The current study was carried out to study alteration in clinical, hemobiochemical and oxidative stress parameters in native cattle infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD). For this purpose twenty native cattle were used , divided into two equal groups: 10 apparently healthy cattle (control group), 10 cattle with FMD . All cattle were exposed to complete physical clinical examination, blood samples were taken.Hematological analysis revealed significant increase in MCV and MCH (p≤0.001); PCV (p≤0.01); while significant decrease in RBCs (p≤0.001) was (p≤0.001) in serum level of calcium, total protein and globulin ; while significant increase in serum phosphorus (p≤0.05) and glucose levels (p≤0.001) were observed. Nitric oxide (NO), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA fragmentation percentage were significantly increased (p≤0.001) in diseased cattle. However significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity (p≤0.001) and albumin as biomarker for antioxidant status were detected. The highest levels of MDA and NO indicate the occurrence of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation . In conclusions cattle affected with FMDV experienced strong oxidative stress. So antioxidant drugs recommended during treatment of viral diseases as FMD.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence evolution in shorebird populations.

We determined the mitochondrial control region sequences^ of five turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and three dunlins (Calidris alpina). Comparisons revealed that the central part (part II) is conserved relative to much more variable parts at the beginning (part I) and the end (part III). This pattern of sequence conservation is also found in the control regions of other vertebrates. The average sequence divergence between turnstone and dunlin was 21.8% for part I, 7.5% for part II, and 29.5% for part III. Within-species sequence divergence over the entire control region was much lower at 0.9% for turnstones and 2.0% for dunlins. In both shorebird species part III contains a repetitive sequence composed only of A and C nucleotides which has not been found in the control regions of other birds. A survey of the part I sequences of 25 turnstones and 25 dunlins sampled around the world revealed that these species have very different population genetic structures. Dunlins are not only much more differentiated in their sequences but also have a strongly subdivided population genetic structure. Pleistocene vicariant events combined with strong natal philopatry and high mutation rates of the sequences are likely responsible for this population genetic subdivision. Conversely, part I sequences of turnstones are weakly differentiated and are geographically unstructured. We argue that this is not the result of global gene flow but that, instead turnstones have recently expanded from a réfugiai population that was bottlenecked.
Miten autenttisuus ilmenee johtajien eettisessä päätöksenteossa?

Autenttinen johtajuus on itsensä tuntemiseen pohjautuva positiivinen johtajuuden muoto, jossa yksilö pyrkii toimimaan siten, että hän on aito ja rehellinen itselleen. Autenttisessa päätöksenteossa taas korostuvat eettisyys ja omien arvojen mukainen toiminta. Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitettiin, miten autenttinen johtajuus ilmenee esimiesten kohtaamissa eettisissä ristiriitatilanteissa ja miten tilanteiden ratkaisuissa näkyy autenttisen päätöksentekoprosessin vaiheita. Tutkittavat esimiehet (n = 25) työskentelivät sekä yksityisissä että julkisissa organisaatioissa, eri johtotasoilla ja eri toimialoilla. Puolistrukturoiduilla haastatteluilla kerättyä aineistoa analysoitiin teoriaohjaavan sisällönanalyysin avulla. Tulokset osoittivat, että autenttisen johtajuuden osa-alueet (itsetietoisuus, läpinäkyvyys, tasapuolinen tiedonkäsittely, sisäistetty moraali) ja autenttisen päätöksentekoprosessin vaiheet (eettisen ristiriidan tunnistaminen, vaihtoehtojen läpinäkyvä arviointi, aikomus toimia autenttisesti) olivat tunnistettavissa eettisessä päätöksenteossa. Kuitenkin vain alle puolet esimiehistä päätyi käytännössä omien arvojensa mukaiseen toimintaan. Erot aikomusten siirtymisessä toimintaan liittyivät yksilön ominaisuuksiin sekä ympäristön olosuhteisiin. Autenttisuutta johtajien eettisessä päätöksenteossa näyttääkin lisäävän se, että esimiehen yksilölliset ominaisuudet (esim. työkokemus ja reflektiokyky) ja työpaikan olosuhteet (esim. sosiaaliset suhteet) tukevat esimiehen vapautta, kykenevyyttä ja rohkeutta toimia omien arvojensa mukaisesti.
Introduction: what is ecological economics and why do we need it now more than ever

Ecological economics is a transdisciplinary effort to understand and manage the complex system of humans and the rest of nature towards the goal of mutually enhancing the wellbeing of all life. This book works to unpack this definition and propose an accompanying research, policy, and action agenda. A central challenge is that the focus of ecological economics tends to be on high-stakes, urgent, interdependent ecological, economic, and social problems in which facts are highly uncertain and values matter (Funtowicz and Ravetz, 1994). The first challenge in problem-solving, and defining an accompanying research to action agenda, is to define the desired state, which requires input from a broad, representative swath of stakeholders. The scale and interdependence of many of today’s problems requires a shared vision of the world we all want, rich and poor, North and South, East and West. Improved understanding of the existing state requires collaboration between numerous disciplines and traditional knowledge bases. Achieving solutions will require collaboration between academia, policy makers, the business sector, civil society, and nations. The creation of this book is just another point in this continuously evolving endeavour. The urgency of the problems also questions the role of scientists as merely the source of objective, value-free knowledge. In the time it takes to research a given problem, publish a study in a peer reviewed journal, and disseminate the results widely in the hopes of capturing the attention of policy makers who may then choose to act on it, continuing system change may well have made that research obsolete. If ecological economics is to remain relevant, it must transcend the traditional boundaries of academia and coproduce research and action. The transdisciplinary aspiration of ecological economics also recognizes that understanding or managing the complex, highly interdependent system we now inhabit requires the transcendence of both disciplinary and academic boundaries. It recognizes that humans are a part of nature, not apart from it. As a complex, interdependent and continually evolving whole system, the economy is fundamentally embedded within society, which is embedded within the rest of nature. It also requires a better understanding of wellbeing and sustainability. What really contributes to wellbeing? What are the relative contributions of material standard
Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extract of Entandrophragama angolense

The phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extract of Entandrophragma angolense were investigated using the agar well diffusion method. The methanolic extracts at crude level were shown in vitro to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus cremoris with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 6 to 14 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentration was 3.13 and 6.25 mg/ml for Gram positive and negative bacterial strains, respectively. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 6.25 and 12.5 mg/ml for Gram positive and negative bacterial strains, respectively. The leaf extract also had bioactive compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, saponin and cardiac glycoside which may be responsible for the biological properties of this plant. The study confirms the antibacterial potential of E. angolense. Key words: Entandrophragma angolense, antimcrobial activity, phytocheamical.
Temperature and salinity mean and variability within the subtropical front over the Chatham rise, New Zealand

Abstract Estimates are made of the mean and variability in temperature and salinity across the Subtropical Front along 178°30'E, east of New Zealand. These estimates are made from six sections taken over 5 years, but biased towards spring and autumn sampling. Monte‐Carlo simulations of the potential errors introduced by this sampling suggest that the mean fields can be reasonably well determined, but the annual cycles have large relative error. April 1999 residuals were anomalously warm and saline compared with the other five sections. These anomalies may be linked to an increased strength of the Wairarapa Eddy at that time.
Antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of aqueous extract of Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC

Numerous plants have been used in treating/managing Alzheimer’s disease in folklore. Inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes is an alternative way used in treating/managing Alzheimer’s disease. This study therefore sought to investigate the interaction of aqueous extract of Uraria picta with key enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) linked with Alzheimer’s disease in vitro. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, the total phenolic content and radical scavenging abilities were assessed in vitro. The extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in a dose dependent manner. Present in the extract are phenol and flavonoids. The extract also scavenged 2, 2 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS*) and hydroxyl radical (OH*) in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and the exhibited antioxidant properties could make U. picta extract a good means in treating/managing Alzheimer’s disease.
Biosynthesis and Functions of Fungal Melanins

Melanins are dark-brown to black pigments found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. These pigments are not essential for growth and develop­ ment, but rather they enhance the survival and competitive abilities of species in certain environments. The association of melanins with immune responses has been noted for plants (13) and invertebrates (180, 227, 239, 250). Melanin biosynthesis and function have been studied most extensively in animals, primarily because of the association of melanins with skin disorders (25,53, 188) and malignant melanomas (119). Melanins in the eye and inner ear have also received considerable attention because of their interactions with drugs (84). The synthesis of animal melanin from tyrosine by the action of tyrosinase is proven (52, 175, 270). Tyrosinase, the key enzyme in animal melanin synthesis, also occurs and is best characterized in the common mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and Neurospora crassa (136). Consequently, some researchers have been hasty to conclude that fungal melanins also are derived from tyrosine. The importance of melanins for survival and longevity of fungal propagules has been recognized for many years (126, 235). During the past ten years three additional discoveries have increased interest among plant pathologists in fungal melanins. First, unique pathways for melanin biosynthesis were discovered in both Ascomycotina (16) and Basidiomycotina (234). Second, investigators discovered a new class of fungicides that prevent direct penetra­ tion of plant tissue by inhibiting melanin biosynthesis in appressorial cells (221, 223). Third, phytotoxins were discovered that are shunt products of
Toxic effect of lead on kidney function in rat wistar.

Lead is one of the environmental pollutants that can threat the life of living creatures in many ways. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lead exposure on kidney function. Fourteen male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups; group 1 was given a tap water diet and group 2 was given 1000 ppm lead acetate in drinking water for 8 weeks. Lead concentration in blood was determined by atomic absorption. The results showed an increase of calcium in blood. The same happened for phosphaturia and calcium in rats administered with Pb compared to control group. The increase of these parameters would indicate a renal deficiency which is confirmed by a decrease of creatinine and urea in urine samples and presence of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals observed in samples of urine of exposed rats. All lead-treated rats in the present study have shown intranuclear inclusion bodies in kidney proximal tubular. The determination of the concentration of lead in the blood shows that this factor increases among treated rats. In conclusion, lead administered by oral route causes a renal deficiency to the rats. Key words: lead toxicity, nephrotoxicity, chronic lead nephropathy, urine.
Characterization and Distribution of a Cloned Rat μ‐Opioid Receptor

Abstract: We have cloned and expressed a rat brain cDNA, TS11, that encodes a μ‐opioid receptor based on pharmacological, physiological, and anatomical criteria. Membranes were prepared from COS‐7 cells transiently expressing TS11 bound [3H]diprenorphine with high affinity (KD = 0.23 ± 0.04 nM). The rank order potency of drugs competing with [3H]diprenorphine was as follows: levorphanol (Ki = 0.6 ± 0.2 nM) ≈β‐endorphin (Ki = 0.7 ± 0.5 nM) ≈ morphine (Ki = 0.8 ± 0.5 nM) ≈ [d‐Ala2, N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly‐ol5]‐enkephalin (DAMGO; Ki = 1.6 ± 0.5 nM) ⋙ U50,488 (Ki = 910 ± 0.78 nM) > [d‐Pen2,5]‐enkephalin (Ki = 3,170 ± 98 nM) > dextrorphan (Ki = 4,100 ± 68 nM). The rank order potencies of these ligands, the stereospecificity of levorphanol, and morphine's subnanomolar Ki are consistent with a μ‐opioid binding site. Two additional experiments provided evidence that this opioid‐binding site is functionally coupled to G proteins: (a) In COS‐7 cells 50 µM 5′‐guanylylimidodiphosphate shifted a fraction of receptors with high affinity for DAMGO (IC50 = 3.4 ± 0.5 nM) to a lower‐affinity state (IC50 = 89.0 ± 19.0 nM), and (b) exposure of Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the cloned μ‐opioid receptor to DAMGO resulted in a dose‐dependent, naloxone‐sensitive inhibition of forskolin‐stimulated cyclic AMP production. The distribution of mRNA corresponding to the μ‐opioid receptor encoded by TS11 was determined by in situ hybridization to brain sections prepared from adult female rats. The highest levels of μ‐receptor mRNA were detected in the thalamus, medial habenula, and the caudate putamen; however, significant hybridization was also observed in many other brain regions, including the hypothalamus.
Designing hypothetical learning trajectory for learning the importance of hypothesis testing

This study aims to design student learning trajectories in learning the concept of the importance of hypothesis testing in inferential statistics. This study used design research. Design research consists of three stages, i.e. (1) preparing for the experiment; (2) teaching experiment; and (3) retrospective analysis. This study focused on the first stage, because the main purpose of this research was to develop a series of learning activities to learn the importance of hypothesis testing in inferential statistics. The result of this study is an hypothetical learning trajectory (HLT) to find the concept of the importance of hypothesis testing in inferential statistics. HLT was designed using a realistic mathematics education (RME) approach. The context used in designing HLT is to tossed a coin to determine which football team will kick off. Using iceberg, a series of learning trajectories are designed so that students are able to find out by themselves that testing hypotheses is an important concept in proving the assumption that coin is used in balance.
An Ecosystem in Transition: Causes and Consequences of the Conversion of Mesic Grassland to Shrubland

Abstract Woody plant expansion is one of the greatest contemporary threats to mesic grasslands of the central United States. In this article, we synthesize more than 20 years of research to elucidate the causes and consequences of the ongoing transition of C4-dominated grasslands to savanna-like ecosystems codominated by grasses and woody plants. This transition is contingent on fire-free intervals, which provide the opportunity for recruitment both of new individuals and of additional shrub and tree species into this grassland. Once shrubs establish, their cover increases regardless of fire frequency, and infrequent fires accelerate the spread of some shrub species. This process has resulted in a new dynamic state of shrub–grass coexistence in the mesic grasslands of North America. Important consequences of this shift in plant life-form abundance include alterations in plant productivity, species diversity, and carbon storage. Without drastic measures such as mechanical removal of shrubs, it is unlikely that management of fire and grazing regimes alone will be sufficient to restore historic grass dominance in these ecosystems.
No genetic divergence between green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting populations from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand

Nucleotide sequences from the control region of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA were analyzed for Thai green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to reveal population genetic structure. Four primers were employed i.e. Green15552F (GTGTC CACAC AAACT AACTA CCT), Green16300R (GTCTC GGATT TAGGG GTTTG GCG), Green15579F (CTGCC GTGCC CAACA GAACA), and Green16087R (CCAGT TTCAC TGAAT CGGCA). The aligned sequences contained 438 base pairs (bp) with 254 polymorphic sites. There were 8 haplotypes assigned from the 49 green turtles sampled from the Andaman Sea (19 individuals) and the Gulf of Thailand (30 individuals). Low genetic divergence between the nesting green turtle populations of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea was detected in both haplotypic (Gst=0.00311) and nucleotide levels (Nst=0.02838) as well as genetic distance (DTN=0.016±0.003). Haplotype frequencies were not significantly different between the two nesting sites. The result was in contrast with a finding using satellite telemetry that discovered separated home ranges. Recent population separation and/or highly conservation of the studied mtDNA region might be an explanation.
The poor man’s magnetohydrodynamic (PMMHD) equations

We present a mathematical derivation of a discrete dynamical system by following a Fourier-Galerkin approximation of the 3-D incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. In this way, a 6-D map, depending on 12 bifurcation parameters, is derived as a truncated set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to characterize incompressible plasma dynamical behaviors, also conserving total energy and cross-helicity in the ideal MHD approximation. Moreover, three different subspaces, associated with long-living non-trivial solutions (e.g., fixed point solutions), have been found like the fluid, magnetic, and the Alfvenic fixed points. Our set can be seen as a Lorenz-like model to investigate MHD phenomena.
Novel cell death program leads to neutrophil extracellular traps

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular structures composed of chromatin and granule proteins that bind and kill microorganisms. We show that upon stimulation, the nuclei of neutrophils lose their shape, and the eu- and heterochromatin homogenize. Later, the nuclear envelope and the granule membranes disintegrate, allowing the mixing of NET components. Finally, the NETs are released as the cell membrane breaks. This cell death process is distinct from apoptosis and necrosis and depends on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase. Patients with chronic granulomatous disease carry mutations in NADPH oxidase and cannot activate this cell-death pathway or make NETs. This novel ROS-dependent death allows neutrophils to fulfill their antimicrobial function, even beyond their lifespan.