Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of the twilight period and different sampling methods on catch of Gobiids (Gobiidae) at four locations in the inshore parts of the Danube River

The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of two different methods for fish sampling and to assess the influence of the twilight period on the catch of gobiids along the Danube River in Serbia. The samplings were performed by electrofishing and beach seining in inshore parts of the Danube River with water depth up to 120 cm at four locations: Novi Sad, Belgrade, Tekija, and Prahovo, in October 2012 and September 2013. At each location, the samplings were performed at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 and 20:30. Totally, 539 gobiids were caught. The highest number of specimens (218) was registered at Tekija, while lower numbers were registered at Belgrade (192) and Prahovo (117), and only 12 specimens were caught at Novi Sad. The catch of the round goby Neogobius melanostomus and monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis was more efficient by beach seining than by electrofishing, whereas the catch of the tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris was more efficient by electrofishing. Both methods had similar efficiency in catching the bighead goby Ponticola kessleri and racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus. The species diversity and number of the caught specimens were the highest at 18:30. All five species were recorded at Belgrade, Tekija and Prahovo, while only the monkey goby and racer goby were caught at Novi Sad. The methods used in this study showed good efficiency in catching gobiids, especially at dusk. Even though these methods are difficult to apply in certain habitats, they could be highly relevant in the regular monitoring of gobiids along the inshore parts of rivers.
Biomass Production and Environmental Considerations from Reed Canarygrass Fertilized with Organic Residues in Northern Environments

Agronomy Journa l • Volume 110 , I s sue 2 • 2018 Biomass annual crops compete for production sites with those used for producing feeds and foods, increase risks of pollution associated with the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, are expensive, and have a less than desirable energy balance. In Canada, approximately 54% of the potential agricultural land has major limitations for crop production (Environment Canada, 1978). Although they are considered marginal for annual crops, they have significant potential for biomass production from perennial grass crops. Reed canarygrass is a high-yielding cool-season C3 species, is well adapted to the cooler regions and marginal soils of the northern areas of North America. Its growth characteristics make it suitable for biomass production (Wrobel et al., 2009; Olmstead et al., 2013). Reed canarygrass has been assessed as an energy crop in Canada (Massé et al., 2011), the United States (Casler et al., 2009; Nadeem Tahir et al., 2011), and in several northern European countries (Landström et al., 1996; Geber, 2002; Christian et al., 2006; Lehtomäki et al., 2008; Kukk et al., 2011; Heinsoo et al., 2011; Allison et al., 2012; Butkutė et al., 2014). The timing of the reed canarygrass harvest has been shown to affect the energy production from its biomass (Massé et al., 2011). Cool-season perennial grass crops have the potential to use N from organic amendments efficiently (Schmitt et al., 1999; Lamb et al., 2005; Chantigny et al., 2007). Fertilization management of perennial grass crops, in the context of biomass production, must be optimized for economic and energetic reasons (Sanderson et al., 2006). In a recent study, we showed that municipal biosolids and liquid swine manure are valuable sources of N for biomass production from old grass fields in the northern agricultural areas of Canada (Bélanger et al., 2017). Most studies of N fertilization of reed canarygrass were conducted in the context of forage production with harvests at younger stages of development than those to be used in the context of biomass production. The use of municipal biosolids and liquid swine manure on reed canarygrass used for biomass biomass production and environmental considerations from reed canarygrass Fertilized with Organic residues in northern environments
Enrichment of table eggs with functional ingredients

The research was conducted on 120 laying hens of Tetra SL provenience, which were divided into two experimental groups (K and P), with 60 laying hens in each group (12 replications, 5 hens per replication). The control group was fed standard diet, while laying hens of experimental groups were given modified diet supplemented with 5% of oil mixture, 0.5 mg/kg organic selenium, 200 mg/kg lutein and 200 mg/kg vitamin E. Portion of n-3 PUFA was significantly better in designed eggs than in conventional eggs (3.76% and 1.69%, P<0.001). Ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA in experimental group was more than twice as favorable as in the control group (5.91 vs. 13.34; P<0.001). Content of selenium, lutein and vitamin E in designed eggs was statistically significantly higher than in conventional eggs (P<0.001). The content of selenium in egg yolks in conventional eggs was 0.053 μg/g and in designed eggs 0.143 μg/g, and in egg whites 0.387 μg/g and 0.662 μg/g, respectively (P<0.001). Lutein content increased from 12.44 μg/g inconventional eggs to 104.95 μg/g in designed eggs, while vitamin E increased from 12.5 μg/g to 19.82 μg/g egg yolk.
Male but not female zebra finches with high plasma corticosterone have lower survival

The glucocorticoid axis is essential for coping with predictable and unpredictable environmental variation. Despite this vital function, attempts to link individual variation in the glucocorticoid axis to survival have yielded mixed results, which may be due to endocrine variation caused by uncontrolled variation in environment and life‐history traits such as reproductive effort. We therefore studied the link between the glucocorticoid axis and long‐term survival using captive non‐breeding zebra finches. We quantified the relationship between survival over a three‐year period and plasma corticosterone concentrations: (1) baseline, (2) stress‐induced, (3) after induction of negative feedback via dexamethasone injection and (4) after maximal adrenal stimulation via adrenocorticotropin hormone injection. Only stress‐induced corticosterone predicted survival, with higher concentrations being associated with lower survival. However, this effect differed significantly between the sexes, being present only in males. Stress‐induced corticosterone concentration is the sum of baseline corticosterone and the corticosterone increase in response to the standardized stressor, and both components were similarly associated with male survival in a model that included both variables. This implies that baseline corticosterone itself also exerts an effect on male survival, but this was only revealed when the stress‐induced corticosterone increase was included in the model, presumably because this increased statistical power. Given that corticosterone concentrations are highly repeatable in our study population and independent of manipulated foraging conditions, these data suggest that endocrine stress reactivity may be a major component determining male life span, presumably also in wild populations. A plain language summary is available for this article.
Feeding habits of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the North Pacific from 2011 to 2013

In the present study, we analysed the stomach contents of 585 bigeye tuna (BET; Thunnus obesus) caught in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition zone, a high-productivity region in the western North Pacific Ocean, to describe feeding habits and prey size. We identified 46 prey species belonging to 40 genera. Fish otoliths and squid beaks found in stomachs were used to calculate prey body length and weight from allometric relationships. The percentage index of relative importance (%IRI) was calculated from the mean percentage of occurrence, number and weight of each prey species. Squid and fish were the main prey of BET in the sampling area and the highest %IRI prey species during the survey was Eucleoteuthis luminosa (luminous flying squid; 7.6%), followed by Gonatopsis makko (mako armhook squid; 4.8%) and Magnisudis atlantica (duckbill barracudina; 2.3%). The %IRI of E. luminosa decreased and that of M. atlantica increased with increasing BET body length. The size of prey fish increased with increasing BET size, whereas the size of prey squid was similar across BET size. The results indicate ontogenetic shifts in the feeding habits of BET in the study area. These data provide fundamental information that will improve our understanding of oceanic food webs in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition zone, an important foraging area for many pelagic species.
Effects of Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Ipomoea asarifolia (Convolvulaceae) in Doxorubicin and Isoproterenol-Induced Toxicity in Rats

For decades, remedies derived from plants have been used in the prevention, management and treatment of various disease conditions based on their richness in secondary metabolites which are responsible for diverse pharmacological activities. This is the case especially in the rural regions of the world where dwellers have no access to orthodox drugs or cannot afford them. It has been reported that plants have an innate ability to biosynthesize a wide range of non-enzymatic antioxidants capable of attenuating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage which has been identified as the root cause of the development and progression of several diseases. Active components of plants have also been harnessed over the past years as new drugs and/or lead compounds. The search for new drugs from plants has been on the increase in recent times based on the need to provide more therapeutic options in the treatment of various diseases. Another germane motivation is the discovery and development of new drugs and standardized phytomedicines with minimal side effects and better efficacy, and which are affordable, compared to currently available orthodox drugs.
Advances in role of organic acids in poultry nutrition: A review

Anti microbial drug resistance concerns scientists all around the world epically one used as livestock feed additives. Feed grade antibiotics are given in non therapeutic doses which lead to survival of pathogenic microbes which in turn develop drug resistance, thus necessitating researchers to search for alternative ways to feed grade antibiotics besides doing least compromise on growth parameters. Organic acids are used in poultry to lower the pH of intestinal tract which favours good microbes which in turn suppress pathogenic microbes thus evicting the use of antibiotics. They are used in poultry diets and drinking water to elicit a positive growth response, improving nutrient digestibility, performance and immunity in poultry. Literature shows that organic acids have more or less pronounced antimicrobial activity, depending on both the concentration of the acid and the bacterial species that is exposed to the acid. The variability in response of organic acids and its possible mechanisms are discussed. Scope of this paper is to provide a view of the use of organic acids in the prevention of enteric disease in poultry, the effect on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), immunity and performance of broiler or laying hens. In the current review beneficial as-pects of organic acids along with different dose combinations are discussed to promote its optimum utilization in poultry nutrition and production.
Effect of sub-lethal lead exposure at different salinities on osmoregulation and hematological changes in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sub-lethal lead concentrations on serum osmolality, Na+ and Cl− levels, and hematological parameters in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) at different salinity levels. The serum osmolalities (SO) were not significantly different at any of the salinity levels in the control fish, while in Pb-exposed fish the SO increased with increasing salinity. The concentrations of serum Na+ and Cl− in both the control and Pb-exposed fish increased with increasing salinity. The levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) in the control fish were not significantly different at any of the salinity levels. Meanwhile, the levels of RBC, Hb, and Ht in Pb-exposed fish increased with increasing salinity levels. The levels of RBC (at 0 and 5 ppt) and Ht (at 0, 5 and 10 ppt) in Pb-exposed fish were lower than in the control fish. The levels of Hb in Pb-exposed fish were lower than in the control fish at all salinity levels. The levels of WBC in the control fish increased with increasing salinity, while its levels in the Pb-exposed fish decreased with increasing salinity. The levels of WBC in the Pb-exposed fish were higher than in the control fish at 0 and 5 ppt.
Dynamic stability during level walking and obstacle crossing in children aged 2–5 years estimated by marker-less motion capture

In the present study, dynamic stability during level walking and obstacle crossing in typically developing children aged 2–5 years (n = 13) and healthy young adults (n = 19) was investigated. The participants were asked to walk along unobstructed and obstructed walkways. The height of the obstacle was set at 10% of the leg length. Gait motion was captured by three RGB cameras. 2D body landmarks were estimated using OpenPose, a marker-less motion capture algorithm, and converted to 3D using direct linear transformation (DLT). Dynamic stability was evaluated using the margin of stability (MoS) in the forward and lateral directions. All the participants successfully crossed the obstacles. Younger children crossed the obstacle more carefully to avoid falls, as evidenced by obviously decreased gait speed just before the obstacle in 2-year-olds and the increased in maximum toe height with younger age. There was no significant difference in the MoS at the instant of heel contact between children and adults during level walking and obstacle crossing in the forward direction, although children increased the step length of the lead leg to a greater extent than the adults to ensure base of support (BoS)-center of mass (CoM) distance. In the lateral direction, children exhibited a greater MoS than adults during level walking [children: 9.5%, adults: 6.5%, median, W = 39.000, p < . 001, rank-biserial correlation = −0.684]; however, some children exhibited a smaller MoS during obstacle crossing [lead leg: −5.9% to 3.6% (min–max) for 4 children, 4.7%–6.4% [95% confidence interval (CI)] for adults, p < 0.05; trail leg: 0.1%–4.4% (min–max) for 4 children, 4.7%–6.4% (95% CI) for adults, p < 0.05]]. These results indicate that in early childhood, locomotor adjustment needed to avoid contact with obstacles can be observed, whereas lateral dynamic stability is frangible.
Hunting high or low: body size drives trophic position among and within marine predators

A positive relationship between body size and trophic position amplitude is expected based on mobility and gape size. Using a dataset of marine consumers’ diet, we illu minated mechanisms driving the relationship between consumers’ body mass (a proxy for body size) and trophic position parameters within and among populations. We found that across a body size gradient, maximum trophic position increased, while minimum trophic position did not vary, resulting in a positive relationship between species body size and trophic position amplitude. However, using single individuals as data points, we found a positive correlation between trophic position and body mass. The correlation was stronger for larger species, indicating that as mean species body size increased, there was an increasing tendency for smaller individuals to forage on lower levels and larger individuals to forage mainly on higher levels. Therefore, the wider variation in trophic positions we observed for larger species is possibly related to an ontogenetic diet shift in size-structured populations. Our results corroborate the idea that on an individual level larger consumers do not show a positive relationship between body size and diet niche breadth, and support the notion that ontogenetic niche differences can drive the amplitude of trophic position among marine predator species.
Effect of triclosan exposure on mortality and behavioral changes of Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio

ABSTRACT Triclosan (TCS), a chemical used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in many detergents, soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, antimicrobial creams, toothpastes, and an additive in various plastics and textiles. The behavioral changes at different TCS concentrations (0.001–0.002–0.005–0.01–0.02–0.05–0.1–0.2–0.5 mg/L) were determined for the each test organisms in the study. The synthetic freshwater has temperature 20 ± 2°C, dissolved oxygen 7.0 ± 2 mg/L, pH 7.0–8.0. All experiments were replicated three times, in 14 h light, 10 h dark incubations, 10 fishes were put to each aquarium. In hourly and daily observations, times of dead and number for Poecilia reticulata, Danio rerio were recorded. Behavioral changes of Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio were observed, such as fast-moving, uncontrolled swimming, trying to escape out of the water, vertical action to the water surface, loss of balance, respiratory difficulties, chills, and inversion.
Geminivirus Replication Protein impairs SUMO conjugation of PCNA at two acceptor sites

Geminiviruses are DNA viruses that replicate in nuclei of infected plant cells using the plant DNA replication machinery, including PCNA (Proliferating cellular nuclear antigen), a cofactor that orchestrates genome duplication and maintenance by recruiting crucial players to replication forks. These viruses encode a multifunctional protein, Rep, which is essential for viral replication, induces the accumulation of the host replication machinery and interacts with several host proteins, including PCNA and the SUMO E2 conjugation enzyme (SCE1). Post-translational modification of PCNA by ubiquitin or SUMO plays an essential role in the switching of PCNA between interacting partners during DNA metabolism processes (e.g. replication, recombination, repair, etc.). In yeast, PCNA sumoylation has been associated to DNA repair involving homologous recombination (HR). Previously, we reported that ectopic Rep expression results in very specific changes in the sumoylation pattern of plant cells. In this work, we show, using a reconstituted sumoylation system in Escherichia coli, that tomato PCNA is sumoylated at two residues, K254 and K164, and that co-expression of the geminivirus protein Rep suppresses sumoylation at these lysines. Finally, we confirm that PCNA is sumoylated in planta and that Rep also interferes with PCNA sumoylation in plant cells. Importance SUMO adducts have a key role in regulating the activity of animal and yeast PCNA on DNA repair and replication. Our work demonstrates for the first time that sumoylation of plant PCNA occurs in plant cells and that a plant virus interferes with this modification. This work marks the importance of sumoylation in allowing viral infection and replication in plants. Moreover, it constitutes a prime example of viral proteins interfering with post-translational modifications of selected host factors to create a proper environment for infection.
Weight status change from birth to childhood and the odds of high blood pressure among Chinese children

Background It is well documented that birth weight and childhood weight are associated with the blood pressure (BP) levels in childhood. However, the impact of weight status change from birth to childhood on BP among children is less well described. We aimed to assess the association between changes in weight status from birth to childhood and high BP in childhood. Methods and results Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Jinan, China, and a total of 5,546 children aged 6–17 years were included in this study. Based on the birth weight status [high weight (> 4,000 g) vs. normal weight (2,500–4,000 g)] and childhood weight status during the survey period [high weight (overweight and obesity) vs. normal weight], children were assigned into four groups: persistently normal weight (normal birth weight and normal childhood weight), resolved high weight (high birth weight but normal childhood weight), incident high weight (normal birth weight but high childhood weight), and persistently high weight (high birth weight and high childhood weight). After adjustment for sex and age, BP in childhood was more responsive to current body mass index (BMI) than birth weight. After adjustment for the potential covariates, compared with children who had persistently normal weight from birth to childhood, those with incident high weight (odds ratio [OR] = 3.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.29–4.57) and persistently high weight (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 2.71–4.57) were associated with the increased odds of childhood high BP. However, children who had resolved high weight did not have significantly increased odds of high BP in childhood (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.59–1.25). Conclusion The association of BP with recent BMI was stronger than with birth weight. Children who had incident or persistently high weight from birth to childhood had increased odds of high BP in childhood, whereas the odds was not significantly increased among those with high birth weight but changed to normal weight in childhood. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining an appropriate weight in the early lifetime for the prevention of high BP and other related diseases, especially for those with high birth weight.
Recovery linked to life history of sessile epifauna following exclusion of towed mobile fishing gear

1. The use of reserves as conservation tools is widespread. However, evaluating the effectiveness of reserve implementation for long- lived species has been problematic as it requires sampling programmes over long timescales that are appropriate to species’ longevity and recovery rates. In the sea, towed bottom fishing gears alter the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by benthic communities and habitats. Marine reserves have been used to manage these impacts but our understanding of the drivers of their effectiveness for the conservation of temperate reefs is incomplete. 2. We examined the effectiveness of marine reserves for recovery of temperate reef fauna in relation to their life history. We used an underwater video to sample six species with different life histories across 60 sites that varied in the duration of protection from towed mobile fishing gear at 0, 1, 8 and 10 years. 3. Species with a high dispersal potential and less habitat specific requirements such as soft corals and king scallops recovered to close to their carrying capacity in <3 years. In contrast, the longer- lived Ross coral and pink seafans increased in abundance but had not fully recovered; with their projected recovery time being 17–20 years. 4. Ongoing recovery was evident for long- lived species as their mean body size increased significantly across all treatments, whereas shorter- lived species such as queen scallops did not change in size and were assumed to have fully recovered. 5. Synthesis and applications . This study shows that the recovery rates of biota depend on life- history factors, such as larval longevity and dispersal potential. Recovery for species that had low dispersal potential and specific habitat requirements was slow and could take >20 years. This suggests activities such as bottom trawling or dredging should be avoided where such species occur if their conservation is an objective. In contrast, species with high dispersal potential and less habitat specific requirements had shorter recovery timescales of c. 2- 3 years and would be more amenable to managed trawl frequencies in areas where activities such as fishing occur.