Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Oxygen Reduction Rate and Constant Low Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations on Two Estuarine Fish

Abstract The relationship between mean lethal oxygen concentration and rate of reduction of dissolved oxygen that induces fish kills was determined for Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus). Reduction of dissolved oxygen at hourly rates of 1.00–0.08 mg/liter had no effect on the mean lethal oxygen concentrations. There was an inverse relationship between the median time to death (LT50) and rate of oxygen reduction that can be used to estimate how quickly a fish kill may occur when oxygen concentrations decrease at a constant rate. Atlantic menhaden were less resistant than spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) when both species were exposed to constant low concentrations of oxygen. The lethal threshold concentrations for Atlantic menhaden and spot at 28 C were approximately 1.1 and 0.7 mg/liter, respectively, whereas, the 96-hour, 5% lethal concentrations were approximately 1.6 and 0.8 mg/liter, respectively.
Production of labile and refractory dissolved organic carbon by zooplankton excretion : an experimental study using large outdoor continuous flow-through ponds

Des experiences realisees dans six bassins experimentaux exterieurs munis de systemes d'ecoulement continu de l'eau ont ete realisees du 6 au 31 aout 1992 pour determiner si l'activite de broutage du zooplancton peut etre une source importante de carbone organique dissous labile (COD-L) ou refractaire (COD-R) dans un lac eutrophe peu profond. Au cours des grandes variations de la concentration de la chlorophylle a liees a la pression exercee par un broutage actif du zooplancton, on a observe une nette augmentation du carbone organique dissous total (COD-T) dans tous les bassins. Par la suite, la concentration du COD-T a fluctue a des concentrations superieures a celle qui a ete mesuree dans l'eau d'alimentation, concentration qui est demeuree presque constante pendant toute la periode de l'etude. Les fluctuations de la COD-T etaient etroitement liees aux changements de densite du zooplancton. La correlation entre le taux de production de COD-L et la densite du zooplancton dans les bassins etait statistiquement hautement significative (r = 0,74, P < 0,01). Les experiences d'incubation avec des filtrats obtenus a partir de l'eau des bassins ont montre que le COD-R, defini comme etant la COD-T qui reste apres 100 jours d'incubation a l'obscurite a 20°C, etait produit durant le broutage actif par le zooplancton. La proportion de COD-R dans la COD-T etait presque constante, quels qu'aient ete les rapports des charges en N:P (5, 10 et 20, en poids) dans l'eau d'alimentation.
Effects of Hydro and Hormonal Seed Priming on Seed Germination of Milk Thistle under Saline Stress Condition

Salinity is an abiotic stress which has harmful effects on germination of many plants. Therefore, high germination rate and vigorous early growth under salty soils is preferred. Seed priming is a way to increase salt tolerance of plants. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming on germination of milk thistle under salinity condition. The treatments were 4 levels of seed priming (no priming, distilled water as hydro priming and 0.5 and 1.0 mM salicylic acid) and 5 levels of salinity (0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl and 40 and 80 mM CaCl 2 ). The experiment arranged as a factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results showed that salinity decreased germination percentage and germination rate to about 16 and 32% in 80 mM CaCl 2 level compared to control, respectively. The highest mean germination time (5.7 day) were belonged to 80 mM CaCl 2 . Radicle and plumule length significantly decreased by 80 mM NaCl and 40 and 80 mM CaCl 2 . The lowest seedling weight and seed stamina observed in 80 mM CaCl 2 . 0.5 mM salicylic acid improved all traits except mean germination time as compared to control. Salicylic acid (0.5 mM) improved radicle length under 0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl salinity levels as well as increased plumule length at the 0 and 40 mM NaCl salinity conditions.
Optimization of the production of a maltooligosaccharides producing amylase from the alkalophilic Streptomyces lonarensis strain NCL 716 using SVR Modeling

The Streptomyces lonarensis strain NCL 716 hydrolyses starch to produce a mixture of maltotriose (G3) and maltotetraose (G4) along with maltose (G2). The objective of the present work was to determine an optimum cost effective media composition for the production of α-amylase from this strain. The most influential factor was found to be starch while the least influential factor found was peptone by Plackett–Burman method. Peptone amount was kept constant throughout the fermentation. Peptone, which is one of the expensive media components was used at a concentration of 1 g/L, which made the optimum media composition cost effective. A support vector regression-based process model was developed for approximating the non-linear relationship between the fermentation operating variables and the α-amylase yield. Multicanonical Jump Walk Annealing, a stochastic optimization technique is used to obtain optimal operating variables to maximize amylase yield. The maximum amylase activity thus obtained was in good agreement with the experimental values at the optimized levels. The optimum media composition obtained by this method was: yeast extract: 4.53 g/L, starch: 20.246 g/L, K2HPO4: 0.0827%, MgSO4: 0.15%, peptone: 1 g/L. A maximum enzyme activity of 297 U/mL, which was achieved using the above approaches compares well with the activity of reported amylases producing maltooligosaccharides.
Windstorm damage and microsite colonization in two Minnesota forests

Scattered trees were uprooted, snapped, or bent during a 1983 windstorm in two northwestern Minnesota pine forests. I tested potential correlates (tree species, tree size, cause of damage) of damage type, and compared consequences of the uprooting, snapping, and bending of trees by assessing postdamage survival and by surveying formation and colonization of microsites (mounds, pits, stumps, and dead boles). Larger trees damaged directly by wind were usually snapped and killed in both study areas, regardless of tree species. Smaller trees damaged by falling neighbors were either (i) bent without sustaining mortality or forming microsites, a damage type prevalent among strong-wooded Acersaccharum and Ostryavirginiana in a Pinus–Acer study area, or (ii) uprooted, forming small mounds and pits, a damage type prevalent among weakwooded Abiesbalsamea and Picea spp. in a Pinus–Abies study area. Bent trees usually survived, at least for several years. However, uprooted and snapped trees were equally unlikely to s.
Global potential for wind-generated electricity

The potential of wind power as a global source of electricity is assessed by using winds derived through assimilation of data from a variety of meteorological sources. The analysis indicates that a network of land-based 2.5-megawatt (MW) turbines restricted to nonforested, ice-free, nonurban areas operating at as little as 20% of their rated capacity could supply >40 times current worldwide consumption of electricity, >5 times total global use of energy in all forms. Resources in the contiguous United States, specifically in the central plain states, could accommodate as much as 16 times total current demand for electricity in the United States. Estimates are given also for quantities of electricity that could be obtained by using a network of 3.6-MW turbines deployed in ocean waters with depths <200 m within 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) of closest coastlines.
Feeding ecology of four fishes from a mangrove creek in north Queensland, Australia

The feeding ecology of four species of fish is described in terms of associations of body form, feeding structures, and stomach contents; and of seasonal variations in diet. Black bream, Acanthopagrus berda (Forskal, 1775), and the hair-finned goby, Ctenogobius criniger (Valenciennes, 1837), are predominantly carnivorous; milk-spotted toadfish, Chelonodon patoca (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822), largely omnivorous; and bony bream, Anodontostoma chacunda (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822), detritivorous. The results illustrate the role of a mangrove creek in the ecology of the four species of fish and show the mangrove creek provides a nursery for A. berda and C. patoca.
Proliferation and renewal of the epithelium in the intestine of young adult anadromous sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus L.

The pattern of incorporation of [3H]thymidine in the intestinal epithelium of young adults of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L. , was examined for up to 41 days using autoradiography. Compared with haemopoietic tissue of the fat column and the epithelium of the kidney, the intestinal epithelium does not rapidly incorporate the isotope. The epithelia of the anterior and posterior intestines and the hindgut regions all undergo a proliferation which, based on changes in the labelling index through time, suggest that a renewal of the epithelium takes place in each region. Most of the cells undergoing cell division are specialized absorptive cells but, in the posterior intestine and hindgut, mucous cells also undergo a variable rate of division. Although there is a slightly greater frequency of labelled cells at the bases of the longitudinal folds, there are no definite zones of proliferation in any region of the intestine. Instead, patches of dividing cells appear throughout the height of longi.
Use of chlorophyll fluorescence to evaluate the cold acclimation and freezing tolerance of winter and spring oats

The efficiency of the excitation capture by open Photosystem II (PSII) reaction centres was measured by the F v /F m ratios in a collection of winter and spring oats in order to assess the effects of hardening and freezing on the functionality of PSII and also the suitability of a chlorophyll fluorescence-based method to screen oat cultivars for frost tolerance A significant reversible decrease in F v /F m was found in all genotypes during acclimation to low, non-freezing temperatures. F v /F m analysis appears to be an attractive test for the evaluation of frost tolerance in oats, being rapid, non-invasive and capable of monitoring a trait related to a crucial stage in the acquisition of frost tolerance. It is more sensitive and precise than other standard methods and highly correlated with field-evaluated frost damage. The measurements made during recovery 1 or 2 days after stress when the visual symptoms are not yet expressed, were especially advantageous because of the large variability in genotype response. The r-values (close to 0.8) were reduced due to the non-standard behaviour of the winter cultivar Aintree', The cold acclimation response of this genotype has been analysed in detail and the limits of artificial freezing tests are discussed.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influence decomposition of, but not plant nutrient capture from, glycine patches in soil.

• The contribution of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to nutrient capture from an organic patch, and the subsequent impact on root proliferation was investigated. • Organic patches were created with glycine labelled with 15 N and 13 C. This allowed decomposition (as 13 CO2 release) and uptake of nutrients (as 13 C and 15 N enrichments in the plant tissues) to be followed. Changes in root responses were followed in situ by the use of minirhizotrons and compared to responses in control (H2 O) patches. • Although there were differences in internal colonization and external mycelium production among the three AMF tested, none of the fungi responded to the presence of the glycine patch, and N and C capture was no different to uncolonized controls. However, the presence of glycine affected the manner in which colonized roots responded, particularly below the patch. The presence of AMF affected the decomposition of glycine. • Root responses to the presence of N-rich patches appear more important than AMF responses.
SHORT‐TERM RESPONSES OF NUTRIENT‐DEFICIENT ALGAE TO NUTRIENT ADDITION 1

Changes in net photosynthesis, dark respiration, ATP content, and some other aspects of composition were measured following phosphate or ammonium addition to cultures of the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Bréb. deficient in phosphorus or nitrogen. The deficient nutrient was rapidly taken up. Light‐saturated net photosynthesis was depressed below the pre‐addition rate during nutrient uptake and did not increase markedly above that rate until several hours after uptake was complete. Dark respiration, on the other hand, was markedly stimulated during uptake of the deficient nutrient and to a lesser extent after uptake was complete. Phosphate addition to P‐deficient cells caused a large increase in the ATP content within 2–4 h of addition, whereas ammonium addition to N‐deficient cells caused much less or no increase in ATP content. Short‐term enrichment experiments to detect nutrient limitations are evaluated in the light of these and similar results taken from the literature. The available evidence shows that photosynthetic responses cannot reliably be used in short‐term enrichments but changes in respiration or ATP content may be useful in certain circumstances.
Contrasting Patterns of Net- and Nanoplankton Production and Biomass among Lakes

The relative contribution of nanoplankton to total algal biomass was shown to be negatively correlated with total phosphorus during summer over a wide range of lakes. We hypothesize that this pattern can be explained either by changes in the relative growth rates of net- or nanoplankton with increased nutrient levels, or through the regulation of the nanoplankton biomass by herbivores, allowing disproportionate increases in netplankton biomass in more eutrophic systems. These explanations were tested by examining the relationships between net primary production (grams of carbon per cubic metre per year) and biomass (micrograms per litre) of these size fractions and total phosphorus concentrations (micrograms per litre) using literature data from lakes through-out the world. The production of the net- and nanoplankton vary similarly with total phosphorus, while the biomasses (and thus the ratios of production to biomass) of the two groups show significantly different relationships. Our results support the .
A Promoter Recruitment Mechanism for Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced Interleukin-8 Transcription in Type II Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

The alveolar macrophage-derived peptide tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) initiates pulmonary inflammation through its ability to stimulate interleukin-8 (IL-8) synthesis in alveolar epithelial cells through an incompletely described transcriptional mechanism. In this study, we use the technique of ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) to record changes in transcription factor occupancy of the IL-8 promoter after TNFα stimulation of A549 human alveolar cells. Using dimethylsulfate/LMPCR, no detectable proteins bind the TATA box in unstimulated cells. By contrast, TNFα rapidly induces protection of G residues at −79 and −80 coincident with endogenous IL-8 gene transcription. Using DNase I/LMPCR, we observe inducible protection of nucleotides −60 to −99 (the TNF response element) and nucleotides −3 to −32 (containing the TATA box). Surprisingly, extensive TATA box protection is only seen after TNFα stimulation. Using a two-step microaffinity isolation/Western immunoblot DNA binding assay, we observe that the NF-κB subunits Rel A, NF-κB1, and c-Rel inducibly bind the TNF response element; these proteins undergo rapid TNFα-inducible increases in nuclear abundance as a consequence of IκBα proteolysis. Furthermore, the peptide aldehyde N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal, an agent that blocks both IκBα proteolysis and NF-κB subunit translocation, abrogates recombinant human TNFα-inducible IL-8 gene transcription. These studies demonstrate that IL-8 is activated by a promoter recruitment mechanism in alveolar epithelial cells, where NF-κB subunit translocation is required for (and coincident with) binding of the constitutively active TATA box-binding proteins.
Corticosteroid synthesis and metabolism in birds

A review of avian adrenal gland structure and adrenocortical hormone production is provided. Glucocorticoid synthesis, transport, secretion, and clearance are discussed. An overview of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the regulation of adrenocortical function, and the change in adrenocortical function with development, is given. The diurnal rhythm of corticosterone concentration and the effects of corticosterone on metabolism, the immune system, avian behavior, and electrolyte balance are reviewed. Corticosteroid use in birds is contrasted with use in mammals, and general clinical recommendations regarding corticosteroid administration to birds are made.
Effects of restricting body weight gain or limiting the photoperiod during rearing on sexual maturity, viability and semen production in large white Turkey males

Abstract 1. Severe restriction of food from 6 to 54 weeks of age resulted in lower body weights and smaller testes weights in male turkeys. 2. As a proportion, mortality was 0.5 in turkeys fed ad libitum and 0.1 in those which were restricted. There were significantly fewer leg problems in the birds undergoing food restriction. 3. Sexual maturity was delayed 4 weeks by food restriction although semen quality was similar to that in ad libitum‐fed birds. 4. Individual semen production was lower after food restriction but, because mortality and food consumption were also lower, semen production per male housed and semen production per kg of food eaten were proportionally 0.30 and 0.32 greater in restricted‐compared with ad libitum‐fed turkeys. 5. Useable quantities of good quality semen were obtained from ad libitum‐fed turkeys at 23 weeks of age. 6. A short photoperiod (7L:17D) from 10 to 18 weeks of age in ad libitum‐fed turkeys produced more rapid development of normal semen production compared with turke.
Arsenic hyperaccumulation by different fern species

Summary • Pteris vittata was the first identified arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator. Our aim was to test whether As hyperaccumulation occurs in other fern species, and whether P. vittata collected from both contaminated and uncontaminated environments accumulates As similarly. • Three accessions of P. vittata , two cultivars of Pteris cretica , Pteris longifolia and Pteris umbrosa were grown with 0–500 mg As kg −1 added to the substrate. A second experiment compared As uptake by five common ferns obtained from commercial suppliers. • The results show that, in addition to P. vittata , P. cretica , P. longifolia and P. umbrosa also hyperaccumulate As to a similar extent. There was little difference between different Pteris species, or between different accessions of P. vittata . By contrast, Asplenium nidus , Davallia canarensis , Polypodium aureum , Polystichum tsus-simense do not hyperaccumulate As. • This study identified three new species of As hyperaccumulators in the Pteris genus and suggests that As hyperaccumulation is a constitutive property in P. vittata .
Cyclic strain induces reorganization of integrin α5β1 and α2β1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Cyclic strain has been shown to modulate endothelial cell (EC) morphology, proliferation, and function. We have recently reported that the focal adhesion proteins focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) and paxillin, are tyrosine phosphorylated in EC exposed to strain and these events regulate the morphological change and migration induced by cyclic strain. Integrins are also localized on focal adhesion sites and have been reported to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK under a variety of stimuli. To study the involvement of different integrins in signaling induced by cyclic strain, we first observed the redistribution of α and β integrins in EC subjected to 4 h cyclic strain. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) seeded on either fibronectin or collagen surfaces were subjected to 10% average strain at a frequency 60 cycles/min. Confocal microscopy revealed that β1 integrin reorganized in a linear pattern parallel with the long axis of the elongated cells creating a fusion of focal adhesion plaques in EC plated on either fibronectin (a ligand for α5β1) or collagen (a ligand for α2β1) coated plates after 4 h exposure to cyclic strain. β3 integrin, which is a vitronectin receptor, did not redistribute in EC exposed to cyclic strain. Cyclic strain also led to a reorganization of α5 and α2 integrins in a linear pattern in HUVEC seeded on fibronectin or collagen, respectively. The expression of integrins α5, α2, and β1 did not change even after 24 h exposure to strain when assessed by immunoprecipitation of these integrins. Cyclic strain‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK occurred concomitant with the reorganization of β1 integrin. We concluded that α5β1 and α2β1 integrins play an important role in transducing mechanical stimuli into intracellular signals. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:505–513. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assemblages of Dung Beetles Using Cattle Dung in Madagascar

Malagasy dung beetles have evolved with a diverse group of primates (lemurs), the largest extant native herbivores on the island. The two main radiations include the endemic subtribe Helictopleurina (65 species) and the tribe Canthonini with several endemic genera (c. 170 species), both of which occur primarily in forests and feed on lemur faeces and carrion. Cattle were introduced to Madagascar about 1000 years ago, thereby establishing a completely new type of resource (cattle dung) for indigenous dung beetles. We report three striking patterns in the occurrence of dung beetles in cattle dung based on semi-quantitative sampling at nearly 80 localities across Madagascar. First, no dung beetles have shifted to use primarily cattle dung in wet forests, in contrast to other tropical regions, where ungulate dung is a key resource for dung beetles. Second, the community in open habitats includes 21 species (three Canthonini, six Helictopleurina, one Scarabaeini, four Onthophagini, six Aphodiini, and one Didactyliini), which is only a small fraction of the species number in comparable communities in mainland Africa. Third, nearly all species using cattle dung have maximally large geographic ranges across Madagascar, in marked contrast to relatively small ranges among forest-inhabiting species. This latter point applies also to four endemic Helictopleurina species, which have shifted to cattle dung in open areas and have subsequently expanded their ranges in comparison with their relatives inhabiting forests. The most numerous species in the community is the introduced Digitonthophagus gazella. We show that the abundance of D. gazella in local communities has no noticeable effect on the species composition in the remaining community.