Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
El consumo de fitosteroles ¿un arma de doble filo?

Phytosterols are plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol. The most common phytosterols are s-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. They are present in many foods but mainly in nuts and vegetable oils. They compete with cholesterol absorption decreasing the cardiovascular risk. Recent studies have associated the intake of 0.63-3g/day of phytosterols with lowering serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. The same decrease has been observed in apolipoprotein B. These results suggest that dietary phytosterols are useful for protection against cardiovascular disease. Because of this they have been incorporated in relatively high quantities into spreads and margarines. However, negative effects have also been reported. Among them, a significant decrease in the absorption of several lypophilic antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids and tocopherols, which may counterbalance the protective cardiovascular effect of phytosterols. In this paper the results of several selected studies relating phytosterol consumption and plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins and antioxidants are reviewed. More studies are needed to establish if it is necessary to supplement with such antioxidant compounds the diet of people consuming phytosterols for therapeutical purposes.
Patterns of Plant Species Diversity in California: Relation to Weather and Topography

The gamma diversity patterns of California vegetation including the total flora and its various life-form and taxonomic subdivisions can be largely explained in the statistical sense by climatic and topographic variables, and thus serve as a reasonable test of several of the proposed environmental hypotheses of diversity regulation. The actual relationship between environment and diversity patterns is more complex than ordinarily supposed. Topographic heterogeneity has a strong effect on patterns of the total flora and most subdivisions. Weather variables account for the bulk of the diversity patterns in the models used, but the results are unexpected in that favorableness indices (mean weather variables) are generally more important than indices of seasonality or irregularity. The results obtained in this study together with similar observations in other situations suggest that favorableness hypotheses deserve more theoretical and empirical attention.
Expression Profiling and Bioinformatic Analyses of a Novel Cold Stress-Regulated and Chloroplast-Targeted Protein from Triticum Aestivum and Aegilops Tauschii

Cold acclimation is a multigenic trait that allows hardy plants to develop efficient tolerance mechanisms needed for winter survival. To determine the genetic nature of these mechanisms, several cold-responsive genes of unknown function were identified from cold-acclimated wheat ( Triticum aestivum ). To identify the putative functions and structural features of these new genes, integrated genomic approaches of data mining, expression profiling, and bioinformatic predictions were used. We herein report the structural heterogeneity of cDNAs, distribution, and low temperature-specificity and Protein structure of the identified Wcor14 gene. Analyses of the cDNA and genomic DNA sequences by Vector NTI 9.0 software, suggested that, Wcor14 and its related sequences constitute a small multigene family with different intron sizes. The deduced WCOR14 polypeptide is a hydrophobic polypeptide with 140 amino acids (MW=13.5 kDa), showed high homology to the previously identified wheat and barley COR proteins. No homologous sequences were found in other organisms suggesting that this family is specific to the plant kingdom. The highly homologous signal peptides of WCOR14, BCOR14b and WCS19 contained one putative 14-3-3 protein recognition motif. In this motif, S-residue was predicted as a phosphorylation site and besides this, four other putative phosphorylation sites in WCOR14 were predicted by the NetPhos version 2.0 software. Comparative analyses of gene expression profiling shows that the expression of this gene is correlated with the development of freezing tolerance in cereals.
La Régénération caudale des Urodèles (Induction et réactivité du territoire)

Chez les Batraciens, le processus de restitution le plus complet apparait lors de la regeneration de la queue, au cours de laquelle l9ensemble du systeme axial se reconstitue (Stefanelli, 1959). Pourtant, depuis longtemps, seule la regeneration caudale des Anoures a ete bien etudiee. Celle des Urodeles n9a ete l9objet d9une analyse approfondie qu9a une epoque recente (Holtzer, 1959). Les processus reparateurs dans les deux groupes d9Amphibiens sont loin deetre identiques. Il y a, en premier lieu, une difference de destinee entre la queue du tetard, organe larvaire disparaissant a la metamorphose, et l9appendice caudal d9une larve de salamandre ou de triton qui, apres des remaniements mineurs, s9integre dans le corps de l9adulte. La reg9neration caudale des Anoures est caracterisee par la preponderance de la croissance chordale qui allonge le regenerat (Needham, 1952). Seules se reforment les parties presentes au niveau d9amputation (Luscher, 1946).
Almost all known sauropod necks are incomplete and distorted

Sauropods are familiar dinosaurs, immediately recognisable by their great size and long necks. However, their necks are much less well known than is often assumed. Surprisingly few complete necks have been described in the literature, and even important specimens such as the Carnegie Diplodocus and Apatosaurus, and the giant Berlin brachiosaur, in fact have imperfectly known necks. In older specimens, missing bone is often difficult to spot due to over-enthusiastic restoration. Worse still, even those vertebrae that are complete are often badly distorted—for example, in consecutive cervicals of the Carnegie Diplodocus CM 84, the aspect ratio of the posterior articular facet of the centrum varies so dramatically that C14 appears 35% broader proportionally than C13. And even in specimens where the cervicodorsal sequence is preserved, it is often difficult or impossible to confidently identify which vertebra is the first dorsal. Widespread incompleteness and distortion are both inevitable due to sauropod anatomy: large size made it almost impossible for whole individuals to be preserved because sediment cannot be deposited quickly enough to cover a giant carcass on land; and distortion of presacral vertebrae is common due to their lightweight hollow construction. This ubiquitous incompleteness and unpredictable distortion compromise attempts to mechanically analyze necks, for example to determine habitual neck posture and range of motion by modelling articulations between vertebrae.
Selection against Mastitis and Cell Count in Dairy Cattle Breeding Programs

Abstract Different selection strategies were studied to improve milk traits and to reduce the frequency of clinical mastitis and somatic cell count. The results indicate that it is better to use both clinical mastitis and somatic cell count in the selection index to improve the resistance of animals to mastitis and to improve the quality of milk. Selection for protein yield simultaneously with selection against mastitis or somatic cell count would result in increased milk, fat and protein yields, increased protein content, decreased fat content and decreased frequency of clinical mastitis and somatic cell count. Maximizing the total net economic profit based on the current pricing system in Finland would not decrease somatic cell count or frequency of clinical mastitis.
Ultrastructure of Vestures on the Vessel Wall in Some Species of Prosopis (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

Ultrastructural characteristics of the vessel wall of fourteen Argentinian species of Prosopis L. were studied with SEM and TEM.Branched and 'wart-like' vestures are present on the inner surface of the vessel. TEM observations permitted to define them as outgrowths of the secondary wall covered by an electron dense layer, probably composed of polysaccharides.
Analisis Perbedaan Manajemen Laba Sebelum Dan Sesudah Konvergensi International Financial Reporting Standard (Ifrs)

This study aims to provide empirical evidence of whether there are differences in earnings management before and after konverensi International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in all companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. To prove this hypothesis, this research can be done by calculating the value of accrual earnings management, Abnormal operating cash flow, and the value of abnormal production costs. This study has the entire study sample manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange during the four years from 2010 until 2013. These samples were determined by the method of purposive sampling So acquired 49 companies over a period of 4 years. The type of data that is used in the form of secondary data obtained from www.idx. co.id. Data collection techniques used is the engineering documentation. The analysis used in this study by using Paired Sample T-test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results of the test showed that the first hypothesis there is no significant difference in accrual earnings management before and after the convergence of IFRS. Furthermore, the second hypothesis, there is no significant difference in the real earnings management through operating cash flow. And the third hypothesis, there are significant differences in real earnings management through production costs. It can be concluded that the accounting standards menerapan the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Indonesia, there are companies that perform earnings management after IFRS. Which means that the convergence of IFRS has not fully provide the positive goal to reduce earnings management. Based on the research results, it is suggested for further research should perform analysis on the same topic, adding that discussions with taxation. Keywords: Accrual earnings management, real earnings management through operating cash flows, and real earnings management through production costs before and after the convergence of IFRS.
Studies of cattle and sheep eating leaf and stem fractions of grasses. 1. The voluntary intake, digestibility and retention time in the reticulo-rumen

Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) were cut as 6 and 12 week regrowths, dried, chopped, and separated into leaf and stem fractions by using a gravity separator. Each of the eight diets was offered to four cattle and eight sheep fitted with a ruminal cannula to measure voluntary intake and digestibility of the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Possible deficiencies of protein and minerals were minimized in this study by feeding casein and a mineral supplement. The total DM, OM and NDF contents of the rumeno-reticulum (rumen) were measured by manually emptying the rumen and the values used to estimate retention times of DM, OM and NDF. Cattle consumed 35% more leaf than stem fraction. Sheep consumed 21 % more leaf. When the daily voluntary intake was expressed as g/kg0.9 the intake was similar for cattle and sheep. The higher intake of the leaf fraction was associated with the shorter time that it was retained in the rumen of both cattle and sheep. Leaf and stem fractions were digested to the same extent by cattle. There was also no difference in the digestibility of leaf and stem fed to sheep. The digestive efficiency of sheep was 0.033 lower than that of cattle for both DM and NDF. Cattle retained all diets for longer periods in the rumen than did sheep. This difference was associated with the higher digestive efficiency of the cattle. It was concluded that both cattle and sheep consumed more leaf than stem fractions of grasses, and that the higher intake of leaf was associated with the shorter time that it was retained in the rumen and not by differences in digestibility as such.
Phylogeography of the parasitic fly Batrachomyia in the Wet Tropics of north-east Australia, and susceptibility of host frog lineages in a mosaic contact zone

Parasites could differentially impact intraspecific host lineages due to genetic, phenotypic, ecological, or behavioural differences between the lineages, or the development of reproductive isolation between them. Batrachomyia (Diptera: Chloropidae) are flies that exclusively parasitize Australian frogs, and in the Wet Tropics rainforest of north-east Australia larvae are largely restricted to the green-eyed tree frog Litoria genimaculata (Anura: Hylidae). This frog species consists of two highly divergent genetic lineages that overlap in two nearby, but independent, contact zones. At one contact zone there has been extensive phenotypic divergence and speciation between the lineages whereas, at the other contact relatively lower levels of phenotypic divergence and reproductive isolation suggest that speciation has not occurred. In the present study we tested: (1) whether the deep phylogeographic divergence between northern and southern host populations is mirrored by congruent genetic structuring in the parasite populations and (2) whether the host lineages are differentially impacted by parasitism. We found that the two divergent frog lineages are parasitized by a single lineage of Batrachomyia, which exhibits strikingly little phylogeographic structuring. We found a significant difference in Batrachomyia prevalence between the host lineages at mixed lineage sites in both contact zones, with the magnitude and direction of this effect being consistent in both. The pattern did not differ between the two contacts even though recent phenotypic divergence and speciation has occurred between the lineages at one contact but not the other. Taken together, this suggests a fundamental difference in susceptibility between the genetically divergent host lineages. Using weight relative to body length as a measure of body condition, we found no differential impact of parasitism on the body condition of each host lineage, and no evidence that parasitism impacts the body condition of the host in general.
Competitive ability, body size and geographical range size in small mammals

Why are some species widespread and abundant while others are restricted and rare? Darwin (1859 ) and others have claimed that some species have become widespread because they are competitively dominant over related, geographically restricted species. An alternative hypothesis is that wide‐ranging species are ecological generalists that have been able to opportunistically colonize many kinds of new, disturbed and/or marginal habitats, whereas related narrow‐ranging species are ecological specialists that competitively dominate specific kinds of relatively stable habitats/resources. We tested these opposing hypotheses using small mammals, for which considerable data on competitive interactions and geographical range sizes are available.
EXIGÊNCIAS DE FÓSFORO DISPONÍVEL PARA AVES COM O USO DO FOSFATO MONOAMÔNIO

The objective of this work was to evaluate the phosphorous requirements (Pd) when monoammonium phosphate (MAP) is used as a phosphorous (P) source for broilers in the starter phase (1 to 21 days). We used 800 male chicks at one day old, in a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with five Pd levels (0.28, 0.34, 0.40, 0.46 and 0.52%) and two Ca levels (1.00 and 0.60), totaling ten treatments and eight replicates. Significant interaction was observed between the phosphorus and calcium levels from the diet, in the performances traits, bone ashes and P retention and excretion. Utilizing the level of 1.0% Ca in the diet, the best results of performance and bone ashes were founded when the levels of 0.42% and 0.439% Pd were used, respectively. Better contents of bone ashes were observed with the use of 0.60% Ca in the diet only when the lowest level of P was used. When the MAP was utilized as a source of P in the diet for broilers in the starter phase, the use of the 0.43% of Pd and 1.00% of Ca is enough to promote better performance and bone mineralization. KEYWORDS: bone mineralization; broiler; performance; phosphorus source.
Optimal larval density and quality control aspects in mass rearing of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zell. (Lep., Phycitidae)

For the production of Ephestia kuehniella, 5 different infestation densities, ranging from 0.046 g to 0.292 g eggs of flour moth per kg rearing medium were compared. At the 2 highest densities the control of the temperature in the rearing trays was more difficult and the development of the flour moth population less homogeneous than at the 3 lower densities. The emergence period of the adults was therefore longer the higher the infestation density was at the beginning. The infestation density affected negatively the individual pupal and adult weight and the emergence rate of the pupae. On the other hand, the egg production, expressed as proportion of the adult weight, and the quality of the produced eggs (individual weight and hatching rate) were not affected. At the highest infestation density, a distinct larval mortality was observed. The best result was achieved with an infestation of 0.185 g per kg medium: the production was of 77.3 g adults and 11 g eggs per kg rearing medium. The article presents some practical tools for the control of the Mediterranean flour moth production system.
Using satellite telemetry and aerial counts to estimate space use by grey seals around the British Isles

Summary 1 In the UK, resolving conflicts between the conservation of grey seals, the management of fish stocks and marine exploitation requires knowledge of the seals’ use of space. We present a map of grey seal usage around the British Isles based on satellite telemetry data from adult animals and haul-out survey data. 2 Our approach combined modelling and interpolation. To model the seals’ association with particular coastal sites (the haul-outs), we divided the population into subpopulations associated with 24 haul-out groups. Haul-out-specific maps of accessibility were used to supervise usage estimation from satellite telemetry. The mean and variance of seal numbers at each haul-out group were obtained from haul-out counts. The aggregate map of usage for the entire population was produced by adding together the haul-out-specific usage maps, weighted by mean number of animals using that haul-out. 3 Seal usage was primarily concentrated (i) off the northern coasts of the British Isles, (ii) closer to the coast than might be expected purely on the basis of accessibility from the haul-outs and (iii) in a limited number of marine hot-spots. 4 Although our results currently represent the best estimate of how grey seals use the marine environment around Britain, they are neither definitive nor equally precise for all haul-outs. Further data collection should focus in the south-west of the British isles and aerial counts should be repeated for all haul-outs. 5 Synthesis and applications. This work provides environmental managers with current estimates of grey seal usage and describes a methodology for maximizing data efficiency. Our results could guide government departments in licensing marine exploitation by the oil industry, in estimating grey seal predation pressure on vulnerable or economically important prey and in delineating marine special areas of conservation (SAC). Our finding that grey seal usage is characterized by a limited number of hot-spots means that the species is particularly suited to localized conservation efforts.
Effect of Nitric Oxide on Platelet Progeneitor Growth, Posttranslational Modification of Protein, and Function

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO), formed through the action of nitric oxide synthase of platelets, which upon exposure to oxy-gen-free radical forming peroxynitrite, could be involved in posttranslational modification of platelet intra- and extracellu-lar proteins. Platelet proteins modified through nitrotyrosylation and the S-nitrosylation can play very important roles in controlling platelet function. Keywords: Nitric oxide, platelet aggregation, platelet, nitrotyrosylation. INTRODUCTION Platelets play an important role in hemostasis and throm-bosis. Following injury to blood vessels and in certain patho-logic conditions, platelets adhere to the exposed sub-endothelial connective tissue, particularly to collagen, before aggregating and releasing several biologically active sub-stances. Many factors appear to modulate adherence of plate-lets to the exposed collagen and the ensuing aggregation process, but the precise sequence of events that leads to ag-gregation and the release reaction has not been firmly estab-lished. The interactions of platelets with vessel wall matrices have been the primary focus of numerous studies. Platelets possess many receptors including integrin and non-integrin receptors that interact with matrix type I collagen and type III collagen. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyzes the conversion of arginine to citrulline and nitric oxide (NO). There are three known isoforms of nitric oxide, inducible (iNOS), neural (nNOS) and endothelial (eNOS). It is well documented that platelets contain eNOS although the presence of nNOS has also been reported. Nitric oxide (NO) has also been reported to be involved in the collagen-platelet interactive process [1]. The role of NO in cellular signaling has become one of the most rapidly growing areas in biology. In many instances NO mediates its biological effects by activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing the cyclic 3’, 5’-guanosine mono-phosphate (cGMP) content of cells. Before the recognition of NO as an endogenously produced signal transducer, others and we had reported that collagen causes platelets to gener-ate the cGMP and that dibutyryl cyclic 3’, 5’-guanosine mo-nophosphate enhances platelet aggregation in the presence of sub-threshold amounts of collagen [2]. Interestingly, the generation of NO occurs only upon stimulation of platelets with collagen, but not with ADP or thrombin [2, 3]. We cor-roborate that collagen stimulated platelet aggregation results in the generation of NO by the platelets themselves.
Effect of distance from forest edge on regeneration of red spruce and balsam fir in clearcuts

Les auteurs ont quantifie la regeneration d'epinette rouge (Picea rubens Sarg.) et de sapin baumier (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. ) a differentes distances de lisieres boisees intactes, dans des forets de montagnes et des forets de basses terres coupees a blanc, afin de determiner l'influence de la taille des perturbations sur la densite et la distribution des tiges. La regeneration du sapin dans les coupes a blanc (0,8-5,3 tiges/m 2 ) representait seulement de 6 a 20% de celle presente dans les forets intactes correspondantes. Les plus faibles densites se retrouvaient generalement aux plus fortes distances de la lisiere boisee (50-100 m), la ou la densite des semences etait la plus faible. Au contraire, la regeneration d'epinette etait semblable pour les coupes a blanc et la foret intacte (0,07-1,4 tiges/m 2 ), du en grande partie a une meilleure dispersion des semences. La densite de l'epinette en regeneration etait partout largement inferieure a celle du sapin (habituellement <20% de celle du sapin), mais les differences entre les especes etaient plus importantes dans les forets intactes, ou la regeneration du sapin etait 5-53 fois superieure a celle de l'epinette. Ces differences etaient les plus faibles dans les regions les plus eloignees de la lisiere boisee, ou la regeneration de sapin n'etait que 1,1-3,4 fois superieure a celle de l'epinette. Pres de la lisiere, de 5 m a l'interieur a 5 m a l'exterieur de la foret, la regeneration de sapin et d'epinette etait positivement associee a la presence d'arbres de la meme espece dans le couvert.