Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in Density, Shell Allometry and Growth Between Two Populations of Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae) from the Río De La Plata Basin, Argentina

ABSTRACT The invasive freshwater mussel, the mytilid Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), has a great capacity for colonizing a wide range of aquatic environments because of its dispersal ability, high fecundity and wide range of physiological tolerances. Most of the biological and ecological studies of L. fortunei, having been restricted to specific locations, lack comparative analyses among different habitats. In this investigation, we examined the differences in larval density, density in settlement plates, shell allometry, and growth between two populations from the Rio de la Plata basin, Argentina. One of the populations inhabited a heavily polluted area, whereas the other a moderately polluted area. We predicted that the density and growth of the golden mussel would be lower in the heavily polluted environment, expecting therefore to find variations in shell allometry as a consequence of differences in density and environmental conditions between the sites investigated. We accordingly found that the larval density, the density of settled individuals, and the growth were lower in the more polluted environment. We also observed allometric differences because the individuals from the moderately polluted area with higher population densities were more elongated (i.e., with a higher shell length-to-width ratio). The golden mussel tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions and can survive in many polluted water bodies where other invasive species cannot. The findings presented here support the idea that L. fortunei can inhabit heavily polluted environments, but at the expense of a significant decrease in its biologic potential.
Jetting behavior in drop-on-demand printing: Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations

The formation and evolution of micron-sized droplets of a Newtonian liquid generated on demand in an industrial inkjet printhead are studied experimentally and simulated numerically. The shapes and positions of droplets during droplet formation are observed using a high-speed camera and compared with their numerically obtained analogs. Both the experiments and the simulations use practical length scales for inkjet printing. The results show how fluid properties, specifically viscosity and surface tension, affect the drop formation, ligament length, and breakoff time. We identify the parameter space of fluid properties for producing single drops at a prescribed speed and show this is not simply a restriction on the Ohnesorge number, but that there is an additional restriction on the Reynolds number that is distinct from the Reynolds number limit associated with the prevention of splashing. This phase diagram provides more precise guidance on the space of fluid parameters for jetting single droplets in drop-on-demand inkjet printers.
The effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin use in the initial treatment of chronic periodontitis

Introduction/Objective. The objective of the study was to investigate whether there are differences in therapeutic effect between initial treatments of chronic periodontitis [scaling and root planning (SRP)] alone and SRP in conjunction with injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) application, comparing clinical parameters after three months. Methods. Twenty-four patients with chronic periodontitis who had at least two sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ? 5 mm on contralateral side participated in the study. Using a split-mouth design, the patients were treated with SRP + I-PRF (study group) or SRP only (control group). The clinical parameters, clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival margin level (GML), PPD, bleeding on probing, and plaque index, were recorded on both sides. Results. Compared to baseline, both treatment modalities demonstrated an improvement in investigated clinical parameters. The mean value of CAL was reduced from 1.97 ? 0.75 (0.25? 3.31) to 1.07 ? 0.44 (0.12? 1.78) in the study group, whereas it decreased from 1.81 ? 0.66 (0.42? 2.96) to 1.48 ? 0.55 (0.22? 2.30) in the control group. Similarly, the corresponding values for GML and PPD showed statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.040 and p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion. Regardless the limited number of patients in the study, initial periodontal therapy in conjunction with injectable platelet-rich fibrin proved to display significant improvement in all clinical parameters compared to initial periodontal therapy alone.
Properties of an extracellular adhesive polymer from the marine bacterium, Shewanella Colwelliana

Shewanella colwelliana, a marine bacterium which grows in association with oysters, has been found to produce an unusual extracellular polymer which mediates irreversible adhesion of the bacterium to surfaces. Production of the polymer was enhanced when the bacterium was grown on marine agar, overlaid with a dialysis membrane, and seeded with a liquid suspension of the cells. Purified exopolymer was shown to contain Ca, S, P and Si (40–45%), lipid (10%), carbohydrate (15–35%) and protein (<5%). Glucose was the predominant component of the carbohydrate moiety. Uronic acids were not detected. The exopolymer forms a loose capsule that surrounds the bacterium, demonstrated by light and electron microscopy.
Periodic mass flights of Apis laboriosa in Nepal

La biologie d'Apis laboriosa F. Smith est peu connue ; un seul vol en masse periodique (VMP) a ete mentionne pour ces abeilles. Nous avons donc recherche si ces VMP etaient des phenomenes exceptionnels ou s'ils se produisaient regulierement chez A. laboriosa. Les recherches ont ete menees au Nepal dans la chaine de I' Himalaya. Le premier site, une falaise comportant 16 nids d'Apis laboriosa, etait situe sur les pentes de l'Annapurna et le second, avec 53 nids, etait pres de Kodari sur un col de la frontiere tibetaine. On a enregistre au total 120 VMP effectues par les ouvrieres d'Apis laboriosa sur une periode de huit jours. L'activite de VMP durait de trois a cinq minutes, entre 10:00 h et 15:00 h. Pendant les conditions meteorologiques convenables les ouvrieres de 50 a 81 % des colonies ont effectue des VMP. Les ouvrieres de differents nids accomplissaient leur VMP a des periodes de la meme journee separees de plusieurs heures. Les ouvrieres de la meme colonie les accomplissaient a une heure variable au cours de jours successifs. Alors que les ouvrieres de certaines colonies n'ont effectue aucun VMP durant plusieurs jours, d'autres en ont effectue deux a trois par jour. Les ouvrieres accomplissant deux VMP par jour demarraient leur premier vol a la meme heure, ou meme plus tard, que celles qui n'en effectuaient qu'un seul. On n'a pas trouve de correlation entre la temperature de l'air a des heures donnees de la journee et le nombre de VMP. L'observation suggere que les conditions microclimatiques a la surface du rideau d'abeilles qui protege le nid ne sont pas les facteurs qui determinent l'heure des VMP. Nous pensons que les conditions internes de la colonie, comme la quantite de couvain ou le nombre de jeunes abeilles, sont des facteurs qui determinent l'activite de VMP. Les resultats montrent que chez A. laboriosa les VMP ne sont pas exceptionnels mais des phenomenes normaux qui se produisent par jours ensoleilles.
Machine Learning to Ensure Data Integrity in Power System Topological Network Database

Operational and planning modules of energy systems heavily depend on the information of the underlying topological and electric parameters, which are often kept in database within the operation centre. Therefore, these operational and planning modules are vulnerable to cyber anomalies due to accidental or deliberate changes in the power system database model. To validate, we have demonstrated the impact of cyber-anomalies on the database model used for operation of energy systems. To counter these cyber-anomalies, we have proposed a defence mechanism based on widely accepted classification techniques to identify the abnormal class of anomalies. In this study, we find that our proposed method based on multilayer perceptron (MLP), which is a special class of feedforward artificial neural network (ANN), outperforms other exiting techniques. The proposed method is validated using IEEE 33-bus and 24-bus reliability test system and analysed using ten different datasets to show the effectiveness of the proposed method in securing the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) module against data integrity anomalies. This paper highlights that the proposed machine learning-based anomaly detection technique successfully identifies the energy database manipulation at a high detection rate allowing only few false alarms.
Latitudinal patterns in consumption of woody plants by snowshoe hares in the eastern United States

Previous studies have documented large-scale spatial variation in palatability of woody plants to snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus, but clear latitudinal gradients have not been demonstrated. We conducted a series of' feeding trials designed to compare palatabilities of woody plants that differed either in latitude of collection, geographic distribution, or stage of development. Tests were conducted using three species of birches (Betula) and two species of aspens (Populus) found in the eastern United States within the range of snowshoe hares. When presented with conspecific juvenile- and mature-stage twigs of species with predominantly boreal distributions, hares generally avoided juvenile-stage twigs, whereas little discrimination was evident between juvenile- and mature-stage twigs with nonboreal distributions
Características morfológicas dos Grãos de Polem das principais Plantas Apícolas

This paper deals with the studies of pollen grain characters from 78 honey plants, belonging to 68 genera of 28 families, three of them belonging to the class of Monocotyledons and 25 to the class of Dicotyledons. Pollen grains of 72 species were collected directly from fresh material (flowers opening in laboratory). Pollen of the six species were collected from herbarium material. All pollen grains were treated by acetolysis method and mounted in glycerine jelly stainde with basic Fuchsine. Zeiss microscope was used in examen and for mensuration. Ten grains were measured (five in equatorial view and five in polar view and five in polar view). This number was considerated satisfactory according to preliminar statistical: analysis of variance. For each species was determinde the average and standard error and coefficient of variability of mensuration of equatorial and polar diameter. FAEGRI & IVERSEN'S master key of-pollen grains was used. According to it ten groups of pollen grains were obtained as following: Polyades, Tetrads, Inaperturate, Fenestrate, Stephanocolpate, Tricolpate, Monocolpate, Stephanocolporate, Tricolporate, Periporate, Stephanoporate, Triporate, Monoporate. Grains of each were separated using other characters like sculpture of exine, size of grain, polar area, width of furrow, type and number of spines, etc. This made possible to organize a key for using the pollen grains to identify the species of honey plants studied. The results showed that most for all species of honey plants belong to tricolporate type. This type occurs in high dicotyledon families like: Compositae, Cucurbitaceae, L.abiatae, . Verbenaceae, Myrtaceae. Leguminosae (Caesalpinoideae and Papilionoideae) and Cruciferae. It was also found that, in some families the size of pollen grains of diferent species were more or less uniform, and in others they were not. The spines were more commum in families like Compositae, Malvaceae and Sterculiaceae. Pollen grains in Myrtaceae were easily identified by its uniform characters. The characters of width of the meridional furrow related with the width of inter-furrow were used as a worthy characteristic to identify pollen grains.
A new perspective on Punctelia subrudecta (Parmeliaceae) in North America: previously rejected morphological characters corroborate molecular phylogenetic evidence and provide insight into an old problem

Abstract In North America the names Punctelia subrudecta and P. perreticulata have variously been applied to corticolous sorediate Punctelia specimens with lecanoric acid and a pale lower surface. ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 sequence data were generated from a geographically and morphologically broad sampling from within these specimens, and a molecular phylogeny was inferred. A combined approach using morphology, geography, and phylogeny was used to circumscribe three distinct species in North America, one of which is described as new to science (P. caseana), one of which is finally confirmed for the continent (P. jeckeri), and one whose original circumscription is validated (P. perreticulata). The phylogeny inferred from ITS sequence data supports the taxonomic value of the following morphological characters for distinguishing species in this group: presence/absence of pruina; conidium type and length (although see discussion of P. jeckeri), and presence/absence of scrobiculae on the upper surface. A key to the North American species of Punctelia is provided.
Seasonal variations in diet selection of Nguni goats: effects of physical and chemical traits of browse

Goats select some browse species more than others, given options. Seasonal trends of diet selection of Nguni goats indexed by intake were investigated in cafeteria-style experiments. The relationships between diet selection and plant chemical/physical traits of Vachellia nilotica, Vachellia robusta, Dichrostachys cinerea, Euclea crispa, Rhus lancea and Ziziphus mucronata, representing abundant species were studied in the dry and rainy seasons. Seasonal changes in browses affected diet selection. Selection of long shoot species, which were concomitantly broad-leafed, was higher than species with short shoots. Selection was higher for spineless than spinescent species. Diet selection correlated positively with increased leaf mass. In the rainy season, cellulose positively correlated with intake, number of bites and browsing time, whereas in the dry season, cellulose correlated with bite size. Diet selection tended to be driven more by shoot morphology and leaf mass than by either spinescence or plant chemistry. Plant chemical influence on diet selection was diverse in both seasons and showed no definite trend, whereas spinescence had no significant effect on short-term intake. The results represent important input to goat production and range forage species management.
Modeling the Influence of Rainfall and Temperature on the Phenology of Infection of Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar, Larvae by the Fungus Entomophaga maimaiga

Abstract A computer model driven by daily maximum-minimum temperature and rainfall records was developed to investigate the influence of weather on times when gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar, can become infected by the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga. In the model, gypsy moth eggs are hatched and neonates are exposed primarily to germinating resting spores in the soil during the spring. Risk of infection is related to forest floor moisture. Larval and fungal development follows a degree-day model. When larvae become 4th instars, they can again become infected by resting spores because they hide in the litter during daylight hours. If rain falls when infected caterpillars die, the fungus sporulates, producing conidia. The number of conidia produced is assumed to directly influence the probability of infection of other larvae. The model was run using weather records from 1990 through 1992. Predicted times of infection were compatible with estimated fungal recruitment rates and changes in field disease prevalence rates. Assumptions about infection mechanisms in the model are discussed as they relate to the real world.
Crude protein electrophoresis of seeds of ten species of Solanum L

Seeds of mature fruits of ten species of Solanum were collected from the gardens near the screen house, Botany Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Crude seed proteins were extracted from them and characterised using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Inter and intra specific qualitative and quantitative protein bands depicting some degree of relationships among the taxa were observed. The degree of variation in bands as a measure of genetic divergence of Solanum species is discussed. Electrophoretic mobility of seed proteins revealed different combinations of bands at various distances from the anode was taxon specific and could be used in separating Solanum species Keywords : Solanum species, Polyacrylamide electrophoresis, Taxonomy. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 257-262
Medium, Explant and Genotype Factors Influencing Shoot Regeneration in Oilseed Brassica spp.

The effects of culture media, explants and genotypes on shoot regeneration in oilseed Brassica species were examined in this study. The maximum shoot regeneration frequency was obtained in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3 mg l−1 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.15 mg l−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. The addition of 2.5 mg l−1 AgNO3 was very beneficial to shoot regeneration in B. napus and Ag2S2O3 (10 mg l−1) was even superior to AgNO3 (2.5 mg l−1). Explant age, explant type and carbon source also significantly affected shoot regeneration. Four-day-old seedlings of cotyledonary explants showed the maximum shoot regeneration frequency and number of shoots per explant. Of the four explants – peduncles, hypocotyls, cotyledons and leaf petioles – cotyledons produced the highest shoot regeneration frequency (56.67 %). Four carbon sources – glucose, maltose, starch and sucrose – were compared for their respective effects on shoot regeneration from cotyledonary explants. Sucrose appeared to be the best carbon source for shoot regeneration with the highest shoot regeneration frequency (76.00 %). Considerable variation in shoot regeneration from cotyledonary explants was observed both between and within Brassica species. The shoot regeneration frequency ranged from 10.00 % for cv. R5 (B. rapa) to 83.61 % for cv. N1 (B. napus). Two B. napus, one B. carinata and one B. juncea cultivars exhibited shoot regeneration frequency higher than 70 %. In terms of the number of shoots produced per explant, B. rapa showed the highest variation, ranging from 5.64 for cv. R3 to 1.33 for cv. R5. Normal plantlets were regenerated from all induced shoots and developed normally. The regenerated plants were fertile and identical with the source plants.
THE DEMISE OF A CLASS OF PROTISTS : TAXONOMIC AND NOMENCLATURAL REVISIONS PROPOSED FOR THE PROTIST PHYLUM MYXOZOA GRASSE, 1970

The phylum Myxozoa has been considered to comprise two classes, Myxosporea Butschli, 1881 (primarily of fishes) and Actinosporea Noble in Levine et al., 1980 (primarily of aquatic oligochaetes). About 10 years ago it was demonstrated that the life cycle of Myxobolus cerebralis Hofer, 1903 (Myxobolidae: Platysporina) of salmonid fishes requires transformation of the myxosporean into an actinosporean stage in the oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex (Tubificidae), and that the stage infective to fish is the actinosporean spore. This type of two-host life cycle has now been demonstrated or strongly implicated for 14 myxosporean species, belonging to 6 genera in 4 families. In light of these findings, the taxonomy of the Myxozoa is revised. We propose the following: suppression of the newer class Actinosporea and the order Actinomyxidia Stolc, 1899; and suppression of all families in the Actinosporea except Tetractinomyxidae. This family and its one genus, Tetractinomyxon Ikeda, 1912, are transferred to the order.
Semi-automating the stand delineation process in mapping natural eucalypt forests

Summary For decades, aerial photo interpretation has been, and to a good extent is still, the method of choice for producing fine-scale native forest stand mapping. Recent computer techniques have eased the task of the interpreter, who is now able to delineate polygons through on-screen digitising in a geographical information system (GIS) environment. Even with these advances, a great deal of skill is required in the polygon delineation. In an effort to contribute to the automation of this process, we introduce an open-source object-based solution to the mapping of forest stand boundaries using attributes derived from digital aerial photography and laser scanning data acquired over a study area in the Victorian Central Highlands. This methodology transforms remotely sensed imagery (single or multichannel) and canopy raster layers derived from laser scanning (lidar) into polygon vector layers. It is intended that the resultant polygon layer should resemble the product derived by an aerial interpreter, without any prior knowledge of the scene. The derived product aims to produce a layer comprised of relatively homogeneous polygons all exceeding a minimum size. The derived product is meant to be a preliminary template aimed at reducing time and effort in manual digitisation. The relationship between spectral, texture and laser scanning derived features for forest stand boundary delineation and human interpreted boundaries is not straight forward. The interpreter however, can aggregate and sometimes correct the automated delineated regions by simple drag-and-click operations This approach is relatively cheap and flexible, being a workable compromise between fully automated image interpretation which requires further research for acceptable levels of accuracy and reliability, and manual segmentation and classification. Preliminary results are encouraging, both in regard to automating the process and the delivery of robust delineation of stand boundaries in native forest landscapes. Future research will focus on appropriate input resolution to reduce computation requirements and improved data fusion methods to obtain more accurate forest stand delineation.
Further Observations on the Effects of Cymbidium Mosaic Virus and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus on the Growth of Cymbidium Orchids

Two cultivars of Cymbidium orchid were mechanically inoculated with Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and Cymbidium mosaic virus (CyMV), individually and in combination, one year after transfer from in vitro culture to the glasshouse. Plant growth and disease symptoms were monitored over the following 4 years. Plants infected with CyMV showed severe mosaic symptoms with necrotic streaks and the virus was easily detectable by ELISA throughout the experiment. Plants infected with ORSV alone showed no obvious symptoms, and by the end of the experiment the virus could not be detected in the new growth using ELISA. Both viruses reduced plant growth, the effect of CyMV being more severe than that of ORSV.