Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sub-lethal effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner on larvae of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Sub-lethal effects of commercially formulated Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. tenebrionis and B. thuringiensis var. kurst were investigated on second instar larvae of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Feeding, development and survival to adulthood were examined after exposing larvae to B. thuringiensis (400 ppm) treated potato foliage. Significant difference was observed between the treatments for all of the studied traits at p = 0.01%. Eight days after the release of the larvae, larvae weights on B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (400 ppm)-treated foliage and control foliage were 18.30 ± 1.01 and 158.00 ± 3.36 mg, respectively. Mortality rates during developmental stages (larvae and pupae) on B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (400 ppm)-treated foliage and control foliage were 86.00 ± 2.45 and 26.00 ± 4.00%, respectively. The longest developmental time (larvae and pupae) was observed on B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (400 ppm)-treated foliage with means of 30.18 ± 2.18 days and the least developmental time was observed on control with means of 19.44 ± 1.00 days. The results from this study indicate that the overall mortality caused by the application of B. thuringiensis-based insecticides will be higher than the estimated amounts, because high levels of mortality occurring during the later larval stage and the pupae stage in the B. thuringiensis-contaminated groups are often neglected.
CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF ADENYLATE CYCLASE AND GUANYLATE CYCLASE IN THE PARIETAL CELL OF GUINEA PIG GASTRIC GLAND

Adenylate cyclase (ACLase) and guanylate cyclase (GCLase) were studied in the gastric parietal cells of guinea pigs fed ad libitum and/or starved using the recently improved cytochemical method introduced by Fujimoto et al. (1981). Generally, GCLase activity was intense in comparison with ACLase activity in the parietal cell. In both, acid-secreting parietal cell and nonsecreting parietal cell, the reaction products indicating both ACLase activity and GCLase activity were recognized on the cytoplasmic side of the basal and lateral membranes, and the lateral apical membrane showing the cell junction with a prominent tight junction. The activity on the basal membrane was stronger than that on the lateral membrane. There was no difference in the intensity of cyclases' activity between the acid-secreting parietal cell and the non-secreting parietal cell in general. GCLase activity was also observed on some tubulovesicles in the non-secreting parietal cell.These findings suggest that the hormone-sensitive cyclase system is mainly localized on the basal membrane of the cell and that the tight junction of the parietal cell is regarded as the specialized junction.
Mulching Effects on Runoff, Soil Erosion, and Crop Response on Alfisols in Western Nigeria

Soil quality and resilience characteristics determine productivity, sustainability, and risks of soil and environmental deg- radation. Soil surface management, comprising residue mulch and tillage methods, affects soil quality and resilience. Field experiments were conducted in western Nigeria on soils prone to erosion and degradation to evaluate the effects of mulch rates on runoff, soil erosion and crop yield. Effects of five mulch rates (4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 Mg/ha/season of rice straw mulch) with notill on crop response were compared with that of plow till treatment on field runoff plots for four consecutive years from 1981 to 1984. Runoff and soil erosion effects of different mulch rates were measured for only 1981 and 1984. Maize grain yield was significantly affected by mulching in 1 out of 3 seasons, and was the highest at 5.4 Mg/ha for 4 Mg/ha mulch rate and the lowest at 3.5 Mg/ha for 1 Mg/ha mulch rate, a difference of 54%. Soybean grain yield was significantly higher at 1.4 Mg/ha for 4 Mg/ha mulch rate than 0.8 Mg/ha for 1 Mg/ha mulch rate, a difference of 62.5%. Mean cowpea yield was the highest at about 1 Mg/ha for 4 Mg/ha mulch rate and the lowest at 0.7 Mg/ha for unmulched plots. Runoff and soil erosion were lower in 1981 than in 1984, with higher losses generally for the plow till treatment. The index of relative mean annual soil erosion was in the order 100 (plow till), 35.1 (0 Mg/ha mulch rate), 25.0 (1 Mg/ha mulch rate), 30.9 (2 Mg/ha mulch rate), 20.8 (3 Mg/ha mulch rate), and 16.1 (4 Mg/ha mulch rate). Reductions in soil erosion by mulching were due both to decreased runoff and to lower sediment concentration in R. Lal is affiliated with the School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.
Intra-Industry Information Transfers and the Post-Earnings Announcement Drift

This study examines the role of intra-industry information transfers in the analyst forecast-based post-earnings announcement drift. I find that subsequent same-industry-peer earnings announcements influence a firm's post-earnings announcement drift if these subsequent announcements confirm the firm’s initial earnings surprise and the firm’s industry exhibits ex-ante positive (common effect) intra-industry information transfers. The results suggest that underreaction to industry-specific information contributes to analyst forecast-based post-earnings announcement drift.
Field Studies on the Oxygen Requirements of Certain Fresh‐Water Fishes

The relations of fishes to the dissolved gases of their habitat, especially the determination of minimum oxygen tensions for various species, are problems of utmost importance and consequently have received considerable attention from biologists. However, since the majority of previous studies have been performed under laboratory conditions, it seemed desirable to supplement this work by field studies. The following report presents a summary of the writer's investigations oin the delimitation of oxygen thresholds for various species of fishes under field conditions.
THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN WEEDS: 12. Dipsacus sylvestris Huds.

Dipsacus sylvestris Huds. , wild teasel, is an introduced weed of pastures, abandoned fields and roadsides occurring in widely-spaced but very dense patches in southern Ontario, Quebec, northeastern U.S.A. , and northwestern U.S.A. Original research and information from other studies are incorporated into a summary of the biology of this fugitive plant species.
Natural History Observations on Bipalium cf. vagum Jones and Sterrer (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida), a Terrestrial Broadhead Planarian New to North America

Abstract An increasing number of exotic terrestrial planarian species have established populations worldwide. In North America, the most prominent invasive flatworms are three members of the broadhead planarian genus Bipalium. Herein we report observations on the morphology, predatory behavior, and reproduction of Bipalium cf. vagum, new to this continent and report its occurrence in Florida and Texas. Individuals of this species have a distinctive combination of head shape and pattern of dark dorsal pigmentation (large head spots, complete collar, and prominent median stripe) that distinguishes them from other members of the genus. Although the other North American species of Bipalium feed on earthworms, B. cf. vagum feeds exclusively on terrestrial mollusks. Their predatory behavior includes following mucus trails and subduing the prey by capping the prey's head with the flatworm's anterior end and wrapping the prey's foot in the body of the planarian. Members of this species reproduce via egg capsules that contain small numbers of offspring. Because this is the first land planarian reported in North America that is a predator of mollusks, native land snails and slugs are unlikely to have effective defenses against it. Therefore, we should continue to monitor its geographic spread and potential ecological impact.
Patterns and timing of diversification in a tropical montane butterfly genus, Lymanopoda (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

Species distributions are a product of contemporary and historical forces. Using phylogenetic and geographic data, we explore the timing of and barriers to the diversification of the Andean butterfly genus Lymanopoda (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae). Clade and species level diversification is coincident with Andean orogeny and Pleistocene glaciation cycles. Lymanopoda has primarily diversified within elevational bands, radiating horizontally throughout the Andes with occasional speciation across elevational boundaries, often associated with ecotones. Narrow elevational ranges and infrequent speciation into adjacent elevational strata suggest that expansion across elevational gradients is relatively difficult. These results are similar to those found in studies of other Andean taxa.
Dietary Cholesterol-Induced Hyperlipidemia Modulates Lipid Synthesis in Rabbit Monocytes.

Lipid synthesis in monocytes isolated from rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet and subsequently a low-cholesterol one was examined. Rabbits were fed diet containing 2.5% (w/w) cholesterol for 3 weeks and then transferred to a normal diet for another 6 weeks. The total and free cholesterol levels in the blood increased up to 3 weeks and then steadily decreased. Esterified cholesterol increased only during the first week on the high-cholesterol diet and then decreased throughout the remainder of the experimental period. Lipid synthesis, as assessed by [11 4C]acetate incorporation , was significantly reduced in monocytes isolated from animals on the high-cholesterol diet. This reduction in lipid synthetic activity continued another 3 weeks even after cessation of the high-cholesterol diet and then lipid synthesis was rather increased significantly. Specifically an increase in cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis was observed when animals were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 3 weeks and then allowed to recover for another 6 weeks.
Influence of fish size and water temperature on the metabolic demand for oxygen by barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), in freshwater

Oxygen demand by all animals is driven primarily by their needs for sustaining metabolism. Typically, larger animals require more oxygen and cellular fuel to carry out respiration than smaller animals. This relationship in most cases is not linear and is usually described by a coefficient and exponent (e.g. axb): the exponent b showing the relationship between live-weight and energy/oxygen demand and is often termed the metabolic body weight (MBW) exponent, while the coefficient (a) tends to be temperature specific and describes the relationship between MBW and maintenance metabolic energy and oxygen demand at that specific temperature. Across all temperatures (range 26.0–32.0°C), the relationship between barramundi (Lates calcarifer) live-weight (x; g) and relative oxygen consumption as standard metabolic rate (y; mg O2 kg−1 h−1) at 29.4±1.5°C (mean±SD) was described by the exponential curve: y=710.19 x−0.3268, R2=0.6875 (n=222 assessments). Examination of the same data but on a gross oxygen consumption (mg O2 h−1) basis showed a relationship between live-weight (x; g) and gross oxygen consumption (y; mg O2 h−1) that was described by the exponential curve: y=0.710 x0.6732, R2=0.9033. Evaluation of the combined relationship between fish live-weight (y; g) and water temperature (x; °C) on gross oxygen consumption rate (z; mg O2 h−1) was described by the equation: z=(−20.7818+1.4017x−0.0227x2) ×y0.673.
— Zur Morphologie und Funktion des — Helodiden-Aedoeagus (Col.)1

The structure and function of the aedeagus were investigated in 9 genera of the family Helodidae, most thoroughly in Helodes and Cyphon. On the basis of this investigation, the different types of tegmen and penis represented within the family are described. The tegmen of the Helodidae, which is either entirely devoid of a sclerotized "basal piece" or possesses only rudiments of such, may be divided into three main types; in addition there are a few quite aberrant cases. The penis (median lobe), more interesting from the standpoint of comparative morphology, is extremely diversified. A separation between two main types could however be maintained: one represented by genus Helodes alone, the other by all remaining genera. The Helodes type is more primitive, though at the same time rather specialized in certain details. The second penis type is still more specialized. Its main characteristic is a separate triangular sclerite (a "trigonium") situated ventrally in the distal part of penis. In certain genera it is cleft medially into a pair of moveable appendages ("prosthemata"). A splitting of the penis apex into two lobes ("parameroids") occurs in most species of Helodes, but also among the majority of remaining genera. The evolution of the penis from a supposed primitive initial form towards the Helodes type on one side and the highly specialized type represented by certain species of Cyphon on the other, is outlined and discussed. The importance of a gradual change of the copulatory method for this evolution is particularly stressed. The morphology of the aedeagus as basis for the systematics of the Helodidae is briefly treated. The investigation was also extended to cover representatives of other families, generally regarded as related to the Helodidae. Most of them possess an aedeagus of a rather primitive trilobed type. Deviating from this pattern are the Dascillidae, with the penis completely cleft into one dorsal and one ventral sclerite, and also the Psephenidae. In this family, the penis is supplied with a separate sclerite, apparently homologous with the "trigonium" of the Helodidae and with a similar evolution.
Responses to shading in Chenopodium album: the effect of the maternal environment and the N source supplied

To study the effect of the maternal environment and N sources in responses to shading in Chenopodium album L. , seeds from plants grown at an ambient red/far red (R/FR) ratio (1.07) or a low R/FR ratio (0.39) were germinated in a greenhouse at ambient light. At 34 d after sowing (d.a.s.), they were exposed to either ambient R/FR (0.98) or low R/FR (0.21) progeny light treatments and fertilized with 2.7 mmol/L nitrogen supplied at 1:3 or 3:1 NO3 : NH4+ ratios. Two harvests were performed at 67 and 113 d.a. s. At each harvest, stem elongation traits and biomass of plant organs were recorded. In the first harvest, tissue N% and free NO3-N concentrations were analyzed. In the first harvest, plants from the low R/FR maternal treatment were heavier and taller than the maternal controls when grown at an ambient R/FR and with a high NO3 supply. At the second harvest this difference persisted in most of the conditions tested. Stem elongation and relative biomass allocation to the stem increased in the low R/FR tr.
Synergistic Activation of the Human Type II 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase Promoter by the Transcription Factor Steroidogenic Factor-1/Adrenal 4-binding Protein and Phorbol Ester*

Steroidogenic factor-1/adrenal 4-binding protein (SF-1/Ad4BP) is an orphan nuclear receptor/transcription factor known to regulate the P450 steroid hydroxylases; however, mechanisms that regulate the activity of SF-1/Ad4BP are not well defined. In addition, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the human steroidogenic enzyme, type II 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD II), the major gonadal and adrenal isoform. Regulation of the 3β-HSD II promoter was examined using human adrenal cortical (H295R; steroidogenic) and cervical (HeLa; non-steroidogenic) carcinoma cells. H295R cells were transfected with a series of 5′ deletions of 1251 base pairs (bp) of the 3β-HSD II 5′-flanking region fused to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene followed by treatment with or without phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA). CAT assay data indicated that the region from −101 to −52 bp of the promoter was required for PMA-induced expression. A putative SF-1/Ad4BP regulatory element, TCAAGGTAA, was identified by sequence homology at −64 to −56 bp of the promoter. Cotransfection of HeLa cells with the −101 3β-HSD-CAT construct and an expression vector for SF-1/Ad4BP increased CAT activity 49-fold. Subsequent treatment with PMA induced an unexpected synergistic increase in transcriptional activity 540-fold over basal. Mutation of the putative response element (TCAATAA to TCAATAA) abolished SF-1-induced CAT activity and the synergistic response to PMA. Gel mobility shift assays confirmed that SF-1/Ad4BP interacts with the putative element and transcripts for SF-1/Ad4BP were detected in H295R cells by Northern analysis. These data are the first to demonstrate 1) regulation of a non-cytochrome P450 steroidogenic enzyme promoter by SF-1/Ad4BP, 2) a powerful synergistic effect of PMA on SF-1/Ad4BP-induced transcription, and 3) the importance of the SF-1/Ad4BP regulatory element in the regulation of the 3β-HSD II promoter.
Potential of kefir as a dietetic beverage – a review

Purpose – Kefir, the self‐carbonated beverage, possesses nutritional attributes due to its content of vitamins, protein and minerals and therapeutic attributes contributed by its antibacterial spectrum, gastro‐intestinal proliferation, hypocholesterolemic effect, anti carcinogenic effect, L(+) lactic acid content, β‐galactosidase activity and bacterial colonization. Inclusion of kefir in the diet as a dietetic beverage may confer nutritional and therapeutic advantages to the consumers.Design/methodology/approach – By reviewing the literature the chemical, microbiological, nutritional and therapeutic characteristics of kefir have been highlighted to justify its consumption as a dietary beverage.Findings – Kefir grains, kefir starter and kefir beverage vary considerably in microflora of bacterial and yeasts. The nutritional attributes of kefir are due to its chemical ingredients such as vitamins, protein and minerals and fermentation induces further enhancement in its nutritional profiles. Kefir exhibits va.
Contaminación de aguas subterráneas con nitratos y coliformes en el litoral sudoeste del Uruguay

Durante 1996 a 1999 se tomaron 50 muestras de aguas superficiales y 355 de aguas subterraneas en zonas agricolas del sudoeste del Uruguay. El objetivo fue evaluar el nivel de nitrato y coliformes en las mismas, asi como identificar las fuentes de contaminacion. En todas las muestras se determino la concentracion de Nitrato, y en 144 muestras de aguas subterraneas se analizo ademas la concentracion de coliformes totales y fecales. Se registraron algunas caracteristicas de los pozos, como profundidad, antiguedad, tipo de construccion, y distancia a posibles fuentes localizadas de contaminacion, Las aguas superficiales tuvieron siempre concentraciones de nitrato muy inferiores a 10 mg N L -1, el nivel critico por debajo del cual el agua se considera apta para el consumo humano. Las aguas subterraneas tuvieron concentraciones de nitrato entre 1 y 93 mg N L-1, y la variable mas asociada con este resultado fue la distancia del pozo a fuentes localizadas, siendo los pozos mas cercanos los mas contaminados. Las otras caracteristicas de los pozos estuvieron menos relacionados con el nivel de contaminacion. Un resultado similar se obtuvo para los coliformes fecales, aunque en los pozos contaminados la relacion entre coliformes y nitrato fue inversa. Esto implica que la probabilidad de un pozo de estar contaminado con uno u otro polutante es mayor de lo que se podria inferir de estudios asados en solo uno de estos. Al menos para las zonas de Studio, las altas concentraciones de nitrato en algunos pozos parecen originarse de fuentes localizadas y no de fuentes agricolas.
COOKING EFFECTS ON FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF CULTURED SEA BASS (DICENTRARCHUS LABRAX) FILLETS

In this research, the effects of different cooking processes (grilling, baking, frying and microwave cooking) on fatty acid composition of cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets were investigated. Fatty acid composition of sea bass fillets was not significantly changed by grilling, baking and microwave cooking. Fried in sunflower oil, the sea bass fillets absorbed C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 and lost saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The lowest n-3/n-6 ratio was found by frying method. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study investigates which cooking method is best to maintain PUFA composition and includes useful information for nutritional programs and instructional presentations to benefit people of all ages and classes, and with a variety of health conditions. These features make it important for the food industry, academic studies on food composition or nutrition, clinical, community, foodservice and research dieticians, who help promote good health through proper eating. It is also useful for similar academic studies and to prepare tables of compositions of food for clinical use.
Crinkles in connectivity: combining genetics and other types of biological data to estimate movement and interbreeding between populations

Marine species generally have large population sizes, continuous distributions and high dispersal capacity. Despite this, they are often subdivided into separate populations, which are the basic units of fisheries management. For example, populations of some fisheries species across the deep water of the Timor Trench are genetically different, inferring minimal movement and interbreeding. When connectivity is higher than the Timor Trench example, but not so high that the populations become one, connectivity between populations is crinkled. Crinkled connectivity occurs when migration is above the threshold required to link populations genetically, but below the threshold for demographic links. In future, genetic estimates of connectivity over crinkled links could be uniquely combined with other data, such as estimates of population size and tagging and tracking data, to quantify demographic connectedness between these types of populations. Elasmobranch species may be ideal targets for this research because connectivity between populations is more likely to be crinkled than for finfish species. Fisheries stock-assessment models could be strengthened with estimates of connectivity to improve the strategic and sustainable harvesting of biological resources.
Freezing temperatures and exposure times during bud break and shoot elongation influence survival and growth of containerized black spruce (Piceamariana) seedlings

Spring frosts frequently cause significant damage to conifer seedlings during bud flushing and shoot elongation in forestry nurseries. To insure adequate protection, levels of frost sensitivity must be known during these stages of development. Eight- or 9-month-old containerized black spruce seedlings (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP) were submitted to freezing temperatures of 0° to −10 °C for 1–6 h at the following stages: (1) nonswollen terminal buds, (2) swollen terminal buds, (3) terminal bud scales bursting, needle tips emerging, and (4) shoots elongating, 1−5 cm. After freezing, seedlings were grown for 130 days in a greenhouse. Seedling survival was estimated; dead seedlings discarded; and damage to buds, needles, and roots as well as diameter and shoot increment were measured on the remaining seedlings. Frost sensitivity increased as buds flushed and new shoots elongated. Decreased seedling and bud survival was noted with increasing time of freezing exposure and decreasing temperature in stages 2, 3, and.