Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON THE PRESENCE OF A FEEDING HORMONE IN THE NEMATOCYST OF HYDRA PIRARDI

1. It is not necessary to postulate an environmental hormone in order to explain the feeding response in hydra. Since nematocysts which are removed from the tissues of the hydra do not retain small molecules (methylene blue) which they readily accept and bind in the intact animal, it is suggested that during nematocyst discharge, in addition to the introduction into the prey of a toxic material, a certain substance or substances leak from the butt of the nematocyst capsule and diffuse into the surrounding medium. This substance(s) is capable of stimulating mouth-opening when it comes into contact with the hypostome. Dilute concentrations of the substance which will not elicit a feeding response are found to do so if the tentacles are stimulated mechanically. This explains how a few stenoteles, when discharged into an actively wriggling prey animal, are sufficient to stimulate mouth-opening.2. Although there is evidence that GSH is not the specific evocator of the feeding response in hydra in nature, more .
Comparative efficacy of the conventional and automated methods for determining neutral and acid detergent fiber

Different methods are available to determine fiber content in feeds. However, information about the accuracy of this methods for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber ADF contents estimation (obtained with the use of TNT-100 nylon filtering bags) is very limited related to the large number of ruminant feed analysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the automated and conventional Van Soest methods to determine NDF and ADF contents for bovine cattle and feed supplements. Four classes of samples (tropical forage, maize silage hybrid, concentrated supplements and bovine cattlecattle) were evaluated for NDF and ADF contents using conventional and automated methods. Analysis involved a hierarchical factorial scheme with an entirely randomized design executed with repetitions. It was concluded that the automated method procedure generated similar results when compared to the conventional method for the determination of NDF contents in tropical forage, bovine cattle and maize silage samples, although is not recommended for samples with a high starch content. This system was not efficient for ADF determination in the evaluated samples.
A reassessment of trends in the North Sea Large Fish Indicator and a re-evaluation of earlier conclusions

S. P. R. , S. I. , J. C. , G. J., Guirey, E. J., Fraser, H. M. , and Fryer, R. J. 2012. A reassessment of trends in the North Sea Large Fish Indicator and a re-evaluation of earlier conclusions. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 343–345. Previous analysis of the Large Fish Indicator, the basis for the North Sea “ﬁsh communities” EcoQO, suggested a strong recovery between 2001 and 2008. Discovery of a mistake in this earlier analysis now suggests that this recovery is not as strong as ﬁrst thought, but reanalysis of the corrected data still supports the majority of conclusions drawn in the original paper.
Vitamins, Flavonoids, and Phenolic Acid Levels in Early- and Late-ripening Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars from Turkey

This study aimed at determination of vitamin (A, E, C, b-carotene, and lycopene), phenolic, and flavonoid contents in apricots at different stages of ripening using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of ripening in terms of phytochemical contents was investigated. Early period apricots showed 2.5 to three times higher level of vitamins (A, E, C, and b-carotene, and lycopene) in all types of apricots than others (P < 0.05). Early-ripened cultivar, Boccuia, showed the highest level of vitamins, although a higher level of vitamin C was measured in late-ripened cultivar Levent (P < 0.05). No lycopenes were determined in late-period apricots in contrary to early- and middle-period apricots. Levels of phenolics and flavonoids were measured in all types (3-B-Q-D, procyanidin B1, B2, B3, caffeic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, epigallocatechine, catechine, epictechine, chlorogenic acid, ferrulic acid, and routine) and statistical deviation of all types was noted (P < 0.05). Among all, the cultivar Ozal showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (45,843.00 mg·g L1 dry matter) in all ripening periods, where middle-ripened cultivar Adilcevaz showed the lowest level of p-coumaric acid (7.93 mg·g L1 dry matter content base).
Trophic niche overlap of two sympatric owl species (Asio otus Linnaeus, 1758 and Tyto alba Scopoli, 1769) in the North-Western part of Romania

The analysis of the pellets belonging to two sympatric owls (long-eared owl Asio otus and barn owl Tyto alba) from the Cefa Nature Park in the northwestern part of Romania) showed a clear predominance of small mammals, in diet of both species. A certain degree of specialization can be noted in the case of A. otus preying preferentially on Microtus arvalis. On the other hand, T. alba, consumes large quantities of common voles and constitutes only 31% of its total food source. Both species consume the occasional bird and represents less than 1% of its total prey. The standard Levins Index of the niche for T. alba (0.37) shows that the trophic niche-width is considerably larger in the case of A. otus (0.17). The barn owl subsists off of a much more diverse diet compared to the long-eared owl (16 vs 9 prey species). The two owl species live sympatricaly, using the same habitats, despite the existence of a considerable dietary overlap, but they avoid competing with each other by using different niches.
In-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of arthrito

The study was done to evaluate the efficiency of Arthrito at different concentration for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity by HRBC membrane stabilization method and inhibition of protein denaturation method. HRBC membrane stabilization method was chosen for this experiment because of its simple, reliable, less toxic and less time consuming. HRBC membrane stabilization was similar to lysosomal membrane which influences the process of inflammation. In this experiment arthrito shows its membrane stabilizing activity over all concentration that was important for inflammation. Diclofenac sodium which was used as a standard drug in the experiment shows maximum membrane stabilization as well as protein denaturation property. To limiting the inflammatory response lysosomal membrane was important because it helps the inhibition process by inhibit the release of lysosomal constituents of activated neutrophil. The extracellular release of bactericidal enzymes and protease which are the active constituents of neutrophil can cause tissue inflammation and damage. The stabilization of erythrocyte membrane implies that that arthrito can also stabilize lysosomal membrane. Protein denaturation was the main causes of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis condition. Production of auto antigen in certain rheumatic disease was important for inflammation as well as arthritis. Arthrito was capable to control the production of auto antigen and inhibit the denaturation of protein. Thus, Arthrito is very important for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity.
Oral Deformities in Tadpoles of the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Caused by Conditions in a Polluted Habitat

In this experiment, we tested for a causative relationship between the site in which bullfrogs developed during the embryonic and early larval period and presence of oral deformities. We reciprocally transplanted fresh egg masses of bullfrogs collected from the coal ash-polluted site and an unpolluted reference pond to test the main and interactive effects of the site in which tadpoles developed and the site inhabited by the parents, on the frequency of oral deformities in tadpoles.
Virulence of Rhizoctonia oryzae and R. solani AG-8 on wheat and detection of R. oryzae in plant tissue by PCR

Rhizoctonia oryzae and R. solani anastomosis group (AG)-8 both cause root rot of wheat and barley, but R. oryzae has been considered secondary in importance to R. solani AG-8 on these cereals in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Of 19 isolates of R. oryzae, 12 caused both preemergence damping-off of wheat and a significant reduction in root biomass of 21-day-old seedlings in natural soil at 12 degrees C, whereas 7 isolates induced minimal or no damage to wheat under these growth conditions. R. solani AG-8 had no effect on seedling emergence and seminal root development, but four of eight isolates tested caused severe root rot of wheat. Thus, R. oryzae and R. solani AG-8 may cause distinctive and different damage as pathogens of wheat, and their relative importance may vary among field sites and with the developmental stage of the host plant. The nucleotide sequence of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions was divergent between the two species; therefore, the oligonucleotide primers RO1 and RO2 were developed from sequences within ITS1 and ITS2, respectively, that are unique to R. oryzae These primers amplified a 511-bp fragment from DNA of R. oryzae but not DNA from any intraspecific group of R. solani or from binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. A polymerase chain reaction protocol with the RO1 and RO2 primer set was used to detect R. oryzae in wheat roots and is a suitable method to diagnose this fungus.
Molecular, morphological and pathogenic characterization of six strains of Metarhizium spp. (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) for the control of Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Aegorhinus superciliosus is an important pest on blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and other fruit trees. The use of entomopathogenic fungi as Metarhizium spp. has been evaluated for the control of this insect, but variability has been observed among different strains. The aim of this study was to characterize six promising strains of Metarhizium spp. for the control of A. superciliosus. The studied strains were QuM173c, Qu-M363, Qu-M171a, Qu-M156a, Qu-M421, and Qu-M430, all of which belonged to the Chilean Collection of Microbial Genetic Resources (ChCMGR) of the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), Chile. Molecular characterization was made by sequencing the ITS region (Internal Transcribed Spacers, ITS-5.8S rDNA). The morphology of conidia was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy and radial colony growth was evaluated in potato dextrose agar (PDA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), agar enriched with larvae of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (GA), and agar enriched with adults of A. superciliosus (AA). Pathogenicity was studied based on mortality of adults of A. superciliosus inoculated with conidia. Sequencing of the ITS-5.8S rDNA region indicates that the strains belong to the clade of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae, except for Qu-M171a, which was identified as M. anisopliae var. lepidiotum. Conidia average length for the six strains was 5.09 µm and average conidia width was 1.92 µm. Radial colony growth differences were observed between strains (p < 0.01) and between different growth media (p < 0.01). The strains exhibited the highest colony growth in the GA medium, while in the AA medium they showed the lowest (p < 0.01). Pathogenicity tests show that Qu-M430 reached a 90% mortality rate (p < 0.01). Results show that there is variability between the studied strains, which is expressed in their morphology, molecular characteristics and pathogenicity towards A. superciliosus.
Insecticidal Properties of Ginger, Zingiber officinale against Earias vittella Fab.

Studies on the insecticidal properties of ginger, Zingiber officinale roots against Earias vittela were conducted in CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India under laboratory conditions. First instar larvae were allowed to feed on okra fruits treated with methanolic extract and its fractions for 48 h and then restored to normal food. Different parameters like larval period (10.7–17.3 days), larval weight (28.5–65.8 mg), pupation (14.4–83.3%), pupal period (8.3–17.0 days), adult emergence (7.8–77.8%) were adversely effected and increased larval mortality (12.2–78.9%). In consumption and utilization studies, consumption index ranged from 3.40 in 2.0% benzene to 8.64 in 2.5% methanol. Similarly growth rate (0.11–0.41 mg per day), efficiency of conversion on ingested food (1.5–7.7%), approximate digestibility/assimilation efficiency (61.0,92.4%) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (1.6–9.2%) also differed significantly. Food deterrence affects were also studied by using fourth instar larvae on weight basis. The antifeedancy ranged from 9.4% in 0.5% hexane to 46.3% in 2.0% chloroform fraction.
Mammalian Faunal Succession through the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in Western North America

The late Professor Minchen Chow started his career in vertebrate paleontology with a team of scholars working to clarify the biostratigraphy and paleogeography of Paleocene-Eocene change in mammalian faunas. The Paleocene-Eocene transition is the time of first appearance of artiodactyls, perissodactyls, and primates (APP taxa) in the fossil record. Recognition of the Paleocene as an epoch separate from the Eocene started to be accepted in 1911 following discovery of a new Clarkforkian latest-Paleocene mammalian fauna at Polecat Bench in western North America. Later the Paleocene-Eocene boundary was shown to include an interval with dwarfed mammalian lineages. A Paleocene-Eocene carbon isotope excursion (CIE) was discovered coincident with both mammalian dwarfing and the first appearance of APP taxa. This enabled global generalization of the CIE, which was linked in turn to the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). The PETM is a global greenhouse warming event that had transient effects on the earth's climate and biota, but also profound lasting effects on the biota. Much of what we know about mammals in relation to the CIE and PETM we have learned through high-resolution study of the exceptional stratigraphic record flanking Polecat Bench, where Professor Chow worked early in his career and where his ashes now lie.
Directed melanocyte migration: the role of Stem cell factor, cytoskeleton and focal adhesions

Cell adhesion and migration are critical for the development of multicellular organisms and the maintenance of tissue integrity. This thesis explores the roles of the growth factor "Stem Cell factor and its receptor c-kit, in the process of cell migration and developmental patterning. In addition changes of the cytoskeleton and adhesion receptors of the family of integrins were analysed by live cell imaging and quantitative dynamic analysis. The thesis focusses on the specific contributions of the author to this field of cell adhesion, migration and morphogenesis.
Parasitism and Predation of Stink Bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs in Sorghum in Georgia

Stink bugs, including the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), and the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), are responsible for losses of millions of dollars in reduced yields and costs of control on major vegetable and agronomic crops. Indeed, total losses for stink bugs during 2008 were estimated at $4.1 million for cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , in the U.S (Williams 2009, http://www.entomology. msstate.edu/resources/tips/cotton-losses/data/2008/2008loss.html). Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench, has been shown to be an effective trap crop for N. viridula in cotton in farmscapes in which cotton is adjacent to corn, Zea mays L. , and peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. , in Georgia (Tillman 2006, Environ. Entomol. 35; 771 783). The number of N. viridula adults parasitized by Trichopoda pennipes (F.) was highly correlated with the number of stink bug adults in the sorghum trap crop, and percent parasitization of N. viridula adults by this parasitoid could reach up to ^70% in this habitat. These results indicate that the addition of strips of sorghum in these farmscapes resulted in localized aggregation of N. viridula which lead to an enhanced numerical and functional response of T. pennipes. This paper is a report on parasitism and predation of N. viridula and E. servus eggs in sorghum trap crops in these farmscapes. Parasitism and predation of stink bug eggs were evaluated in sorghum trap crops located in Irwin Co., GA.The study was conducted in a corn-cotton farmscape in 2002 and 2006, 4 corn-cotton and peanut-cotton farmscapes in 2004, and 3 peanut-cotton farmscapes in 2005. The experimental design and sampling scheme for the 2002 egg study were the same as previously described for the 2002 trap crop experiment, and the experimental design and sampling scheme for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 egg studies were the same as previously described for the 2004 trap crop experiments (Tillman 2006). All recommended agricultural practices for production of sorghum were followed (Mask et al. 2010, http://www.aces.edU/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0502). No insecticides were applied for pest insects during the experiments.
Distribution of Membranes and the Cytoskeleton During Cell Plate Formation in Pollen Mother Cells of Tradescantia

The cellular pattern and distribution of membranes have been analyzed during cytokinesis in pollen mother cells of Tradescantia and compared with those of actin microfilaments (MFs) and microtubules (MTs). Membranes have been stained with DiOC6(3) and MFs with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin (RP); analysis has been carried out on the confocal laser scanning microscope. MTs have been visualized as birefringent elements in the polarized light microscope. The results show that when the interzone first appears in mid anaphase it contains an even distribution of membranes. However, by late anaphase these elements have been cleared away, leaving the interzone largely devoid of DiOC6(3)-positive material. MTs, are found throughout this zone, while MFs appear in two non-overlapping sets on both sides of the cell equator. Thereafter membrane elements reappear in the interzone, but only along the equatorial line of the forming cell plate. Presumably these equatorial elements are composed of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi vesicles, since the larger organelles, including amyloplasts and mitochondria, are excluded from the phragmoplast. MFs, like MTs, arrange preferentially normal to the cell plate, forming a dense array on both sides, but being absent from the zone occupied by the membranes. By contrast, the parallel set of MTs, while excluding larger organelles from the phragmoplast, intermingle with the membrane elements in the cell equator. As cytokinesis proceeds membranes continue to concentrate on the cell plate as indicated by its marked increase in staining with DiOC6(3). From a consideration of spatial and temporal organization of the phragmoplast components it is reasonable to suggest that both cytoskeletal components participate in the aggregation of vesicles that give rise to the cell plate. Membranes, on the other hand, through the provision of surface binding sites and/or through the regulation of the cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration, might be involved in the assembly and stabilization of the cytoskeleton.
Nutrient supply and the production and biomass of algae in four Washington lakes

Plankton algal biomass was linearly related to phosphorus supply when biomass was normalized for water retention time. Thus, there seems to be no "critical" nutrient supply rate below which there is complete assimilation by the food web, although summer productivity often remains high. Uptake and growth occurred even at very low nutrient concentrations in a mesotrophic lake. However, algal biomass accumulated in proportion to increases in nutrient supply and productivity, because blue green algae were increasingly favored as the supply rate, particularly of P04-P, was raised, and net phytoplankton including blue greens, were poorly utilized by zooplankton. As eutrophication continues the plankton algae proportionally increase because of greater nutrient supply and increased blocking of nutrients to higher trophic levels.
Patient and Staff Attitudes Toward Clothing Restrictions on a Pediatric Psychiatric Unit

Abstract Introduction Pediatric psychiatric inpatients are among the most vulnerable individuals in society. While the use of seclusion and restraint is well chronicled in the field of research in this population, there is limited literature describing the effects, meaning, and attitudes of mandating the wear of clothing in hospital settings. This research explores the phenomenon of the practice of mandatory wear of hospital-issued clothing and its meaning to patients and the awareness and attitudes of this practice among staff caring for this population. This research aims to improve understanding of the experiences of patients regarding this practice at a large, urban hospital providing care for children using a mixed methods design. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological analysis was conducted through individual interviews with adolescent patients (N = 5) on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Additionally, a cross-sectional self-reported questionnaire examined the awareness and attitudes toward this practice among unit staff (N = 41). The patients’ attitudes toward clothing restrictions was predominantly negative, noting a lack of self-expression, feeling like a mental health patient, desires to wear ones’ personal clothing, and feelings of shame and punishment. Among the staff there was a modest correlation between age, number of years practicing as a health professional, and years practicing in a pediatric setting with feelings of a need for a change in the clothing policy to allow patients to wear their own clothing on admission. Staff age and number of years working at the institution demonstrated a modest correlation between awareness of legal statutes regarding patients’ rights to their own clothing. This research found a readiness among staff to adopt a clothing policy that would permit patients to wear their own clothing on admission, which would improve the negative experiences described among the patients in the sample. Funding No Funding
Application of gum arabic for coating of dried mango slices.

Mango (Mangifera indica) fruit of kitshenar variety which is grown in wide areas in Sudan was used in this study to investigate the effect of processing treatment and storage period on the quality of dried mango slices (finger). Mango fruits of kitshenar variety were washed carefully, peeled manually and then sliced into (fingers). Mango slices were divided into three portions, the first portion coated with (25% w/v) Gum Arabic purified solution plus (5% w/v) sugar, the second portion was treated with sodium metabisulphite solution 2000 p.p.m concentration and the third portion was left without any treatment (control). Mango slices of each treatment were speeded on aluminum trays with an equal distribution and dried at room temperature under moving fan for seven days and then the dried products were packed in (polythene) plastic socks then placed inside cartoons and stored at room temperature for nine months. The results showed that the treatment with sodiummetabisulphite solution was the best in keeping the nutritive value of mango slices (ascorbic acid). The results indicated that the best treatment which prevented browning was Gum Arabic addition. The study of the effect of storage periods at room temperature on some properties of mango slices (fingers) showed there was a marked loss of some nutrients (e.g. ascorbic acid, sugars).