Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of a small carnivorous isopod in energy transfer.

The predatory lsopod Cirolana imposita (Barnard) inhabits kelp holdfasts off the west coast of southern Africa. Its energy contribution to kelp-bed communities was estimated. Annual production and standlng crop were 2229 and 394 kJ m-2 y-', respect~vely (P/B = 5.56). Consumption (9899), defaecation (976) and respiration (1822) rates (kJ m-' y-') were estimated experimentally and thelr relationships analyzed. The ratios between the various rates of energy transfer were used to characterize the physiological and ecological properties of the population. Assimilation efficiency ranged from 88-98 % on a natural diet of syllid polychaetes, while gross growth efficiency, net growth efficiency and P/R were calculated as 15-26 %, 55 % and 1.02, respectively. The ecological implications of the high assimilation efficiency and low metabolic rates combined with the vanous energy transfer components are discussed in relation to other members of the kelp-bed community. Although C. imposita biomass is less than half that of the commercially exploited rock-lobster Jasus lalandi~, its energy-flow contnbution to the community is estimated to be 5 times as great as the lobster's.
Effect of amount and source of vegetable oils in a high fibrous cattle diet on in vitro rumen fermentation, nutrient degradability and rumen cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration

Four diets with two vegetable oils at two different levels were evaluated for their in vitro rumen fermentation pattern, nutrient degradability and cis-9, trans-11 CLA production using a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). Control diet (C) was having roughage to concentrate in the ratio of 65:35. Treatment diets were formed by supplementing with sunflower oil (SF) and soya bean oil (SB) at 4.5 (SF4.5, SB4.5) and 6.0% (SF6, SB6) levels and incubated in RUSITEC fermenters. After seven days of adaptation period, fermentation parameters, nutrient degradability and rumen cis-9, trans-11 concentration were assessed for the next 3 days. Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was higher in effluent from diets supplemented with 6% oil compared to that of control and 4.5% oil. SF6 and SF4.5 were more effective in increasing rumen cis-9, trans-11 CLA compared with corresponding levels of soya bean oil. However, the degradability of dry matter, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and hemicellulose was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in SF6 and SB6 diets. Significantly (P<0.05) higher pH, lower proportion of acetate and butyrate and higher proportion of propionate were indicative of the aforementioned changes in the corresponding fermenters. Rumen fermentation pattern and nutrient degradability were not affected in SF4.5 and SB4.5 diets. The study indicated that vegetable oil supplementation at 6% level was deleterious for rumen fermentation and nutrient degradability despite an increase in cis-9, trans-11 CLA.
Nitrogen Dynamics and Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Rice following Straw Incorporation and Winter Flooding

Incorporation of rice (Oryza saliva L.) straw, when compared with burning, affects soil N supply by increasing N and C inputs. This study determined the effects of long-term alternative rice straw management and winter flooding on seasonal crop uptake of N, fertilizer N use efficiency (FNUE), and crop N uptake from N-labeled straw. Microplots were established on two sites in California, Maxwell and Biggs, by applying N-labeled fertilizer during Year 4 of a long-term rice straw management study. At the end of the year, 15 N-labeled straw was applied to assess crop uptake of straw N in the following season. Fertilizer use efficiency by 15 N dilution (FUE- 15 N) over the growing season at Maxwell and at final harvest at Biggs was significantly higher when straw was burned rather than incorporated. Fertilizer use efficiency by N difference was significantly greater than FUE- 15 N, suggesting an apparent added N interaction (ANI). Straw management did not significantly affect the uptake of residual fertilizer 15 N or of straw 15 N in the subsequent year. Winter flooding had no significant effect on measured parameters. Data indicate a decrease in FNUE with a concomitant and more significant increase in the plant available soil N following the change in straw management from burning to incorporation. Belowground 15 N pools appear to be a larger source of N for the following crop than aboveground residue.
Anatomia radicular de milho em solo compactado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relacao entre a estrutura anatomica das raizes de milho e os atributos fisicos de solo submetido a diferentes graus de compactacao. O estudo foi realizado em campo, no Municipio de Dourados, MS, em Latossolo Vermelho distroferrico, textura muito argilosa. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repeticoes. O solo utilizado apresentava historico de oito anos com plantio direto. A compactacao adicional do solo foi realizada por meio de trafego com trator, com uma (PDc1), duas (PDc2), quatro (PDc4) e seis passadas (PDc6) sucessivas, sobre toda a area da parcela. Houve aumento na razao entre o cortex e o cilindro vascular da raiz com o aumento na compactacao do solo. Essa razao correlacionou-se negativamente com a macroporosidade e positivamente com a densidade do solo e com a resistencia do solo a penetracao. O grau de compactacao afeta a anatomia radicular do milho, e a resistencia do solo a penetracao e o indicador fisico que melhor expressa esse efeito.
Growth and photosynthetic down-regulation in Coffea arabica in response to restricted root volume.

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants were grown in small (3-L), medium (10-L) and large (24-L) pots for 115 or 165 d after transplanting (DAT), which allowed different degrees of root restriction. Effects of altered source : sink ratio were evaluated in order to explore possible stomatal and non-stomatal mechanisms of photosynthetic down-regulation. Increasing root restriction brought about large and general reductions in plant growth associated with a rising root : shoot ratio. Treatments did not affect leaf water potential or leaf nutrient status, with the exception of N content, which dropped significantly with increasing root restriction even though an adequate N supply was available. Photosynthesis was severely reduced when plants were grown in small pots; this was largely associated with non-stomatal factors, such as decreased Rubisco activity. At 165 DAT contents of hexose, sucrose, and amino acids decreased in plants grown in smaller pots, while those of starch and hexose-P increased in plants grown in smaller pots. Photosynthetic rates were negatively correlated with the ratio of hexose to free amino acids, but not with hexose content. Activities of acid invertase, sucrose synthase, sucrose-P synthase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, starch phosphorylase, glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, PPi : fructose-6-P 1-phosphotransferase and NADP : glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase all decreased with severe root restriction. Glycerate-3-P : Pi and glucose-6-P : fructose-6-P ratios decreased accordingly. Photosynthetic down-regulation was unlikely to have been associated directly with an end-product limitation, but rather with decreases in Rubisco. Such a down-regulation was largely a result of N deficiency caused by growing coffee plants in small pots.
Alkali gelatinisation of wheat starch

Alkali gelatinisation of wheat starch was found to depend on starch and alkali concentration and was faster at higher temperatures and higher alkali/starch ratios. Viscosity of an alkaline starch slurry continued to increase after both in vitro digestibility and soluble amylose reached maximum values. Despite extensive granule swelling, deformation and bursting, birefringence was retained to some degree indicating differences in mechanism between alkali and heat gelatinisation.
Fire in the Northeast: Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future

Fire is an important disturbance process that regulates forest stand structure and species diversity in many ecosystems across the northeastern United States. Fires have promoted the growth and regeneration of shade intolerant genera throughout the Holocene, during which time humans have had a dominant influence on northeastern fire regimes. Humans have used fire for many applications including wildlife management, land clearing, and vegetation maintenance. Fire frequency increased during the periods of Native American occupation and early European colonization, but it has decreased since Native American displacement, colonist farm abandonment, and direct fire suppression, causing shifts in plant community composition toward shade-tolerant, pyrophobic species. Managers need appropriate benchmarks for using prescribed fire for restoration, especially in the face of climatic change. Salient lessons from history are: (a) fire is natural, (b) fire is cultural, (c) fire is economic, and (d) human decisions regarding fire will strongly impact the future of existing ecosystems. Fire, and how we as a society will manage it, must remain at the forefront of political discussions, policy development, and public education, while investment into research must provide the knowledge base for continued adaptive management in the face of an uncertain future.
Development, morphological characteristics and viability of temporary cysts of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Dinophyceae) in vitro

Pellicle or temporary cysts of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Böhm) Steidinger, Tester & F.J.R. Taylor and their role in bloom dynamics have not yet been adequately characterized and understood. We investigated the role of temperature- and nutrient-mediated stress as factors that could induce pellicle formation in batch cultures. Cellular features and their implications for temporary cyst viability were examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Our data suggest that temperature change is one of the key factors influencing pellicle formation, preserving viability at low temperature (i.e. 13°C). Hypnocysts (resting cysts) were not observed. During pellicle formation, motile cells generally undergo ecdysis, extrusion of cytoplasmic materials and bacteria, compaction of the nucleus and non-motility. The outermost covering of the temporary cysts shows red autofluorescence and it contains lower concentrations of chlorophyll (chl) a and no detectable chl c. The nuclear region is surrounded by transitional red bodies and other unidentified cellular structures. Temporary cysts can immediately revert back to the motile state upon exposure to optimum conditions. This is accompanied by the expansion of the nuclear region, regeneration of the chloroplasts and enlargement of the cell. Developmental changes during reversal of temporary cysts to motile forms were also observed to cause breaks in the cell covering that could serve as sites for bacterial entry. Though observed in vitro, such behaviour may also be occurring in nature especially as a response to drastic short-lived environmental changes. This is the first detailed report on the characteristics of temporary cysts of P. bahamense var. compressum.
The α4β2α5 nicotinic cholinergic receptor in rat brain is resistant to up‐regulation by nicotine in vivo

We used immunoprecipitation with subunit‐specific antibodies to examine the distribution of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that contain the α5 subunit in the adult rat brain. Among the regions of brain we surveyed, the α5 subunit is associated in ∼37% of the nAChRs in the hippocampus, ∼24% of the nAChRs in striatum, and 11–16% of the receptors in the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and superior colliculus. Sequential immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that the α5 subunit is associated with α4β2* nAChRs exclusively. Importantly, in contrast to α4β2 nAChRs, which are increased by 37–85% after chronic administration of nicotine, the α4β2α5 receptors are not increased by nicotine treatment. These data thus indicate that the α4β2α5 nAChRs in rat brain are resistant to up‐regulation by nicotine in vivo, which suggests an important regulatory role for the α5 subunit. To the extent that nicotine‐induced up‐regulation of α4β2 nAChRs is involved in nicotine addiction, the resistance of the α4β2α5 subtype to up‐regulation may have important implications for nicotine addiction.
Characterization of Spanish isolates of Pseudomonas corrugata from tomato and pepper

Pseudomonas was isolated from tomato plants with pith necrosis collected from different areas in Spain and from pepper plants with pith necrosis in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Cultural, biochemical and physiological characteristics of isolates from both hosts were similar to those of the type strain of P. corrugata. Serological heterogeneity was observed among isolates of P. corrugata in immunofluorescence tests. A plasmid of more than 273 MDa was detected in all the isolates. Inoculation of pepper and tomato plants with isolates from both hosts caused similar pith necrosis. This is apparently the first report of P. corrugata on pepper.
Response to Comments on “Calpain Mediates the Dioxin-Induced Activation and Down-Regulation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor”

In response to the comments by Dr. Richard S. Pollenz in reference to our article ([Dale and Eltom, 2006][1]), we provide the following points for discussion. Indeed, our study has built on some significant reports published by leading scientists in the AhR field, as outlined in our manuscript.
A population and habitat viability assessment for the highly endangered giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena), the largest extant endemic rodent of Madagascar

A population and habitat viability analysis (PHVA) was carried out for the Malagasy giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena), one of the key species of the highly threatened dry deciduous forests on the western coast of Madagascar. The occurrence of H. antimena is now confined to 200 km2 of fragmented but relatively undisturbed forest remnants, divided in northern and southern subpopulations. Since 1985 the habitat has declined by about 52% (1985: 42,000 ha; 2000: 20,000 ha). The annual rate of habitat decline increased from 3.9% between 1985 and 1995 to 4.4% between 1995 and 2000. Within a study area (Kirindy Forest/CFPF) in the southern subpopulation, the Hypogeomys population collapsed during the decade 1990–2000, as well as over its remaining range. An ongoing population decline within the next 100 years is predicted even if further habitat decline can be stopped within the next 5 years and no additional mortality by roaming dogs is considered. Thereby, the outcomes of two different individual‐based simulation approaches, one that was explicitly written to reflect Hypogeomys life history and VORTEX, one of the most common software packages used for this purpose, were compared. The results of the Hypogeomys model were more pessimistic, but were within the range of predictions of the VORTEX model which calculated larger standard deviations of the mean values. In both subpopulations, a slight increase in the mortality caused by roaming dogs resulted in a predicted decline to an average population size of maximal 170 individuals within 100 years with a high risk of extinction. However, the simulations indicated that the most important factor is reduction in habitat. If the actual annual rate of habitat lost continues, the extinction of the both subpopulations and therefore the entire species is predicted within 24 years.
Topography and edge effects are more important than elevation as drivers of vegetation patterns in a neotropical montane forest

Aims The high plant species diversity of tropical mountain forests is coupled with high habitat heterogeneity along gradients in elevation and topography. We quantified the effects of elevation, topography and forest edge on habitat conditions and woody plant diversity of tropical montane forest fragments. Location Tropical montane forest fragments, ‘Yungas’, Bolivia. Methods We measured microclimate and sampled soil properties and woody vegetation at forest edges and in the forest interior on ridges and in gorges along an elevational gradient of 600 m. We analysed effects of elevation, topography and forest edge on habitat conditions (i.e. microclimate, soil properties and forest structure), species richness, evenness and composition with linear mixed effects models and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Results Changes in habitat conditions were weaker along the elevational gradient than between forest interior and forest edge and between different topographies. Species richness was not affected by any gradient, while species evenness was reduced at forest edges. All three gradients affected species composition, while effects of topography and forest edge were stronger than that of elevation. Conclusions In general, effects of the 600-m elevational gradient were weak compared to effects of forest edge and topography. Edge effects shifted species composition towards pioneer species, while topographical heterogeneity is particularly important for generating high diversity in montane forests. These results underscore that edge effects have severe consequences in montane forest remnants and that small-scale variation between topographical microhabitats should be considered in studies that predict monotonous upslope migrations of plant species in tropical montane forests due to global warming.
INFLUENCE OF NAFCILLIN ON THE ENZYMIC LYSIS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

During growth of Staphylococcus aureus cells, sublethal concentrations of nafcillin induce changes in the cell wall resulting in a pronounced increase in susceptibility to lysis by lysozyme and proteolytic enzymes. Data presented demonstrate that this property of nafcillin is dose dependent, and the relatively low concentration needed to influence lysis significantly, approximately 1/80th the minimum inhibiting concentration, suggests that we are dealing with a specific and primary action on cell wall synthesis. The enhancement in lytic response observed during the logarithmic phase of growth is consistent with the hypothesis that an impairment of cross-linking in mucopeptide synthesis occurs following exposure to nafcillin. Since heat treatment (60 °C, 20 min) of nafcillin-treated cells considerably reduces lysis, the rate and extent must depend in part on the activity of one or more autolytic factors. Enzymic lysis is also enhanced by addition of sodium bicarbonate to control and nafcillin-treated suspe.
Isolation and characterization of refuse methanogens

Four mesophilic, irregular, rod‐shaped methanogenic bacteria were isolated from decomposing refuse recovered from laboratory‐scale reactors and a municipal solid waste landfill. H2/CO2 was the only substrate on which the isolates could grow in a complex medium. Isolates grew between either 25° or 30° and 45°C and between pH 6 and 8. One isolate exhibited growth at pH 5. Growth of each isolate was enhanced by yeast extract and inhibited by anaerobic sewage sludge supernatant fluid. No isolate showed greater than 25% lysis on exposure to 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) for 24 h, as is typical of methanogens with a proteinaceous cell wall. The physiological traits of the methanogens isolated here are similar to many previously characterized isolates.
Citric Acid Production by Wild and UV – Treated Strains of Aspergillus niger on Two Different Mineral Salt Media

Microbial production of citric acid by a novel Aspergillus niger EE-12 and its UV – treated strain (UV-1) were carried out in shake flask cultures using mineral salt media containing sucrose or fructose as the carbon and energy sources. The highest citric acid concentration (36.1g/l) was obtained with the UV – treated strain UV-1 after 144 hours in medium containing sucrose and this was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the concentration produced by its parent strain EE-12. Citric acid production using medium containing sucrose (Sucrose salt medium) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than from medium containing fructose (Fructose salt medium) for both organisms. Product and growth yield coefficients (Y CA/S , Y CA/F, Y CA/X , Y X/S , Y X/F ) and volumetric rates (Q F , Q S , Q CA , Q X ) were studied and compared for each of the test organisms based on the media (sucrose and fructose salt media) using students t-test analysis. This research indicated that the fungi strains are efficient for citric acid production using sucrose based medium. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijasbt.v1i3. 8358 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 1(3) 2013 : 145-153
Dynamic rheological behavior of wheat glutens during heating

Creepanddynamicrheologicaltests indicatedthatadditionofredoxadditivesdirectlyintogluten or into flour before gluten extraction resulted in differences in rheological parameters. Heating from 30 to 50 ◦ C caused a decrease in elastic modulus whereas heating above 50 ◦ C strengthened the structure as evidenced by an increase in elastic modulus. Higher elastic modulus and lower creep compliance values suggested that Hereward gluten was more highly cross-linked than Riband gluten. Glutenin seemed to be affected more than gliadin during temperature sweep experiments. Both oxidising and reducing reagents showed similar weakening effects on gluten irrespective of addition into flour or gluten. Treatment with oxidising reagents, particularly bromate, slightly delayed the temperature for the increase in elastic modulus as assessed by temperature sweep experiments. The identical effect of reducing and oxidising reagents may be attributable to the differences in mode of action and intrinsic material properties.  2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Caracterização fenológica, frutificação efetiva e produção de maçãs 'Eva' em clima semiárido no nordeste brasileiro

O presente experimento foi conduzido de agosto de 2008 a dezembro de 2009,com o objetivo de caracterizar os estadios fenologicos, frutificacao e producao de frutos de macieiras 'Eva', cultivadas em clima semiarido no Nordeste do Brasil. Dados fenologicos foram determinados em observacoes diarias, do estadio de gema dormente ao amadurecimento de frutas. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variaveis: i) a frutificacao efetiva; ii) o numero de frutos por planta; iii) a producao de frutos por planta (kg); e iv) o rendimento de frutos (t/ha). Sob condicoes de tropico semiarido, o ciclo vegetativo da maciera cv. 'Eva' foi concluido em 136 (2008) e 128 dias (2009). E possivel obter producao de macas sob condicoes tropicais semiaridas. Estudos e mais alguns anos de avaliacao sao necessarios para gerar um sistema de producao de maca sob condicoes semiaridas.
Understanding and Analysing the Coordinates of Diversity of Wetland Birds of Asan Barrage near Paonta Sahib, Northern India

The winter migratory wetland bird’s diversity of Asan barrage, Uttarakhand, India has been studied during 2005-2012. A total 60 species of wetland birds belonging to 6 orders and 13 families were observed. The findings also hints that Rudy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea is the most dominant bird followed by Common Coot Fulica atra , Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina , Common Pochard Aythya ferina and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos . It was observed that Rudy Shelduck preferred Yamuna River waters rather than the traditional still pools, ponds, reservoirs etc. The same trend was displayed by Red-crested Pochard and Great-crested Grebe. On the contrary, winter migratory birds like Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca etc were found least in number at Asan Barrage but found in impressive numbers in Haryana traditional pools, ponds. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/on.v11i2. 9599 Our Nature 2013, 11(2): 192-200