Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short‐term exposure to 17α‐ethynylestradiol decreases the fertility of sexually maturing male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The synthetic estrogen 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2) is a commonly used oral contraceptive that has been increasingly detected in sewage effluents. This study determined whether EE2 exposure adversely affected reproduction in sexually maturing male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We exposed male trout to graded water concentrations of EE2 (10, 100, and 1,000 ng/L) for 62 d leading up to the time of spawning. Semen and blood plasma samples were removed from each fish. Semen was used to fertilize groups of eggs from one nonexposed female. As a measure of fertility, eggs were incubated for 28 d after fertilization to determine the proportion that attained the eyed stage of embryonic development. Additional endpoints also measured included sperm motility, spermatocrit, gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices, testis histology, and circulating plasma levels of the sex steroids 17α, 20β‐dihydroxyprogesterone (17,20‐DHP) and 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT). Exposure to 1,000 ng/L of EE2 caused complete mortality of the treatment group by day 57. Exposure to lower EE2 water concentrations (10 and 100 ng/L) caused an increase in sperm density, while a significant reduction in testis mass was observed only in the 100‐ng/L exposure group. Most significantly, semen harvested from fish exposed to 10 and 100 ng/L EE2 caused an approximately 50% reduction in the number of eggs attaining the eyed stage of embryonic development. Plasma levels of 17,20‐DHP in exposed fish were roughly twice the level of the controls, while levels of 11‐KT were significantly reduced in fish exposed to 100 ng/L EE2. These results suggest that sexually maturing male rainbow trout are susceptible to detrimental reproductive effects of short‐term exposures to environmentally relevant levels of EE2.
NANOSTRUCTURE OF THE DIATOM FRUSTULE AS REVEALED BY ATOMIC FORCE AND SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

The cell wall (frustule) of the freshwater diatom Pinnularia viridis (Nitzsch) Ehrenberg is composed of an assembly of highly silicified components and associated organic layers. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the nanostructure and relationship between the outermost surface organics and the siliceous frustule components of live diatoms under natural hydrated conditions. Contact mode AFM imaging revealed that the walls were coated in a thick mucilaginous material that was interrupted only in the vicinity of the raphe fissure. Analysis of this mucilage by force mode AFM demonstrated it to be a nonadhesive, soft, and compressible material. Application of greater force to the sample during repeated scanning enabled the mucilage to be swept from the hard underlying siliceous components and piled into columns on either side of the scan area by the scanning action of the tip. The mucilage columns remained intact for several hours without dissolving or settling back onto the cleaned valve surface, thereby revealing a cohesiveness that suggested a degree of cross‐linking. The hard silicified surfaces of the diatom frustule appeared to be relatively smooth when living cells were imaged by AFM or when field‐emission SEM was used to image chemically cleaned walls. AFM analysis of P. viridis frustules cleaved in cross‐section revealed the nanostructure of the valve silica to be composed of a conglomerate of packed silica spheres that were 44.8 ± 0.7 nm in diameter. The silica spheres that comprised the girdle band biosilica were 40.3 ± 0.8 nm in diameter. Analysis of another heavily silicified diatom, Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehrenberg) Grunow, showed that the valve biosilica was composed of packed silica spheres that were 37.1 ± 1.4 nm and that silica particles from the girdle bands were 38.1 ± 0.5 nm. These results showed little variation in the size range of the silica particles within a particular frustule component (valve or girdle band), but there may be differences in particle size between these components within a diatom frustule and significant differences are found between species.
Contribution of hyphae and roots to uranium uptake and translocation by arbuscular mycorrhizal carrot roots under root-organ culture conditions

Here, the respective contributions of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices and carrot (Daucus carota ) roots to the uptake and translocation of uranium (U) were quantified and compared. The U absorption by the AM fungus and roots was observed by growing mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots in two-compartment Petri plates. The central compartment allowed growth of roots and extraradical fungal hyphae. The external compartment (EC), which was labelled with 0.1 mum(233) U, allowed growth of: hyphae only (hyphal compartment, HC), both mycorrhizal roots and hyphae (root hyphal compartment, RHC), or nonmycorrhizal roots (root compartment, RC). The U concentration was 5.5 and 9.6 times higher for hyphae than for the mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots, respectively, both developing in the EC's. Translocation of U was similar for the RHC and the HC systems, and was 8 times higher for these two systems than for the RC system. These results indicate that the U flux rate was higher in fungal hyphae than in roots, while the intraradical hyphae may significantly contribute to the U immobilization by mycorrhizal roots.
Intraspecific brood mixing and reduced polyandry in a maternal mouth-brooding cichlid

Microsatellite loci were used to evaluate the level of polyandry and intraspecific brood mixing in Protomelas cl. spilopterus, a paedophagous, maternal mouth-brooding tichlid from Lake Malawi, Africa. We found that broods were fertilized by one to three males, which was a reduced level of multiple paternity compared to other mouth-brooding cichlids. Low density of breeding males and the risk of intraspecific predation are likely explanations for reduced polyandry. Intraspecific brood-mixing was found in four out of the six broods examined, with the proportions of foreign fry ranging from 6% to 65%. The potential origins of brood mixing are discussed, although no firm conclusions can be drawn given the limited behavioral observations for this species.
Rearing of Juvenile Chinook Salmon in Nonnatal Tributaries of the Lower Fraser River, British Columbia

Abstract Juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were collected from May to June 1980 in seven nonnatal tributaries of the lower Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. The juveniles were collected predominantly in pools and had migrated 0.4–6.5 km up the nonnatal tributaries to reach the rearing areas. In 1981, two of the tributaries, Nathan Creek and the Brunette River, were sampled every 2 weeks from late February to late June. During this period, the mean fork lengths of juvenile Chinook salmon increased from 45 to 80 mm in Nathan Creek and from 44 to 68 mm in the Brunette River. The use of nonnatal rearing areas is of importance to the survival and productivity of juvenile Chinook salmon in the Fraser River.
Artificial rearing of Nezara viridula (L.) and N. antennata Scott (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with semi-solid meridic diets

Semi-solid meridic diets for rearing two related species of Pentatomidae, Nezara viridula and N. antennata, were developed. For N. viridula, development times from second nymphal stadium to adult were 27.6 to 28.2 d for females and 26.8 to 27.5 d for males reared on the meridic diets at 25°C. The nymphal survival rate of N. viridula on the diets was more than 87%. Body weight at adult emergence ranged from 157.6 to 160.1 mg for females and from 123.1 to 128.3 mg for males. The pre-oviposition period was 20.8 to 25.8 d at 25°C when fed on the meridic diets, longer than when fed on peanut and soybean seeds. Fecundity and egg hatchability of the bugs fed on the meridic diets were almost the same as those for bugs fed on seeds. Casein was the only ingredient of the meridic diets essential for nymphal development of N. viridula. Nymphal duration of N. antennata fed on the meridic diet was 31.1 d for females and 29.2 d for males at 25°C, not much different from those fed on seeds. The pre-oviposition period of N. antennata fed on the meridic diet was 23.3 d at 25°C.
Two New Antimetabolites of Biotin: α-Methyldethiobiotin and α-Methylbiotin

Two new antimetabolites of biotin were isolated from culture filtrates of Streptomyces lydicus: β-methyldethiobiotin and β-methylbiotin. 14C-biotin or 14C-pimelic acid was not incorporated into either of these antimetabolites by the growing culture. Neither of the compounds could substitute for the biotin requirement in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both compounds had a strong and rather specific antimicrobial effect against mycobacteria. Their antimicrobial activities were reversed by biotin. Both compounds had an affinity for avidin.
Mate Selection Based on Genetic Relatedness of Loggerhead Turtles in Captivity

Abstract The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is listed as an endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and this is critical for the maintenance of future genetic diversity. For the conservation of this species, it is important to understand the relationships between sexual selection and gene flow in the evolution of biodiversity. It is, however, virtually impossible to study sexual selection in such an oceanic species in the field. We investigated the relationships between mate preference and genetic relatedness of reproductively active loggerhead turtles (n = 7) kept in a tank at an aquarium using 4 different estimators of pairwise genetic relatedness (r) based on the genotypes at 23 microsatellite loci. Although relationships between total number of courtship behavior and r were not significant in the 4 estimators, there were significant and consistent inverse relationships between cumulative duration of mountings and r in all of the estimators. In addition, significant or marginally significant relationships were found between mean r for each female and number of sires in her successive clutches in 3 of the 4 estimators. However, we found no evidence that more distantly related pairs produced more offspring than the assumption of random mating except for 1 estimator or any relationship between r of parents and their reproductive success (hatchability). Based on these results, the most parsimonious explanation is that loggerhead turtles in the tank tend to prefer their mate(s) according to genetic relatedness but that the extent of female mate selection and the relationship between mate selection and fitness still remain debatable.
Growth analysis of timothy grown with varying N nutrition

Nitrogen fertilization increases yield of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) but little knowledge exists on the effect of N fertilization on the growth processes of field-grown timothy. The objective of this study was to analyze the growth of timothy fertilized with increasing rates of N in spring and summer and, in particular, to determine the relative importance of radiation interception and radiation-use efficiency in explaining the differences in shoot growth caused by N deficiency. In two separate experiments conducted in spring 1993 and summer 1994, shoot growth, leaf area development, radiation interception and radiation-use efficiency of timothy grown with four N rates (0, 70, 140 and 210 kg N ha−1 in 1993; 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha−1 in 1994) were determined using weekly sampling. Maximum leaf photosynthesis was also measured. The maximum shoot growth and LAI were reached with 140 kg N ha−1 in the spring of 1993 and 120 kg N ha−1 in the summer of 1994. The rates of N fertilization required to produce .
Influence of Soybean Seed Size and Position on the Rate and Duration of Filling1

Information on factors influencing the rate and duration of seed growth is needed to understand completely yield production. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship of seed size and the timing of pod development to the rate and duration of seed growth in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). Field studies were conducted for 2 years (1974-75) on a Maury silt loam soil (Typic Paleudults) utilizing five cultivars of varying seed size: ‘Kanrich’, 234 mg/seed; ‘Williams’, 171 mg/seed; ‘Cutler 71’, 165 mg/seed; ‘Custer’, 129 mg/seed; and ‘Essex’, 114 mg/seed. Each year the rate of dry matter accumulation in the seed was measured on the first and the last pods to develop on each cultivar. Kanrich had the highest seed growth rate (7.96 mg seed−¹ day−¹); Essex the lowest rate (3.64 mg seed"1 day1), and the other cultivars had rates intermediate between Kanrich and Essex. Seed growth rates were relatively constant across the early and late pods. The duration of the effective filling period (EFP) was less for the late pods on the indeterminate cultivars (Kanrich, Williams, Cutler 71, and Custer), and this resulted in slightly smaller seed. There was no difference in the length of the EFP among the five cultivars used. Air temperatures during the filling period were lower in 1974 than in 1975, and the low temperatures were associated with low seed growth rates, a long EFP and large seed. These data suggest that the rate of seed growth is partially determined by the genetic makeup of the seed. The direct relationship between seed growth rates and seed size provides an explanation of the negative correlations frequently observed between seed size and the number of seed produced by the plant.
Autonomic Function Tests in Asthmatics of Age 25-46 Years in Central India

Introduction: Increased parasympathetic drive in asthmatics is observed by many researchers. However, some have found increased sympathetic activity and others found it decreased. Material and Methods: A case–control study was planned including 30 asthmatic patients and 30 age-matched non-asthmatics as controls. Spirometry and autonomic functions were tested, and results of the mean difference were compared using the Student t-test. Results: Out of 30 asthmatics, 76% were in mild-to-moderate grade of asthma on the basis of their forced expiratory volume in the first second % values. Rise in diastolic blood pressure with cold pressor test was significantly less in asthmatics than controls (5.66 ± 3.415 and 11.73 ± 4.49 mmHg; P < 0.001). The mean Valsalva ratio in asthmatics was significantly less than in controls (1.158 ± 0.116 and 1.418 ± 0.645; P < 0.05). Galvanic skin resistance in asthmatics was significantly more than in controls (589.8 ± 268.12 and 328.75 ± 165.07; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Thus, from our study, there was increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic drive in patients with bronchial asthma as compared to controls.
Effects of season and fire on the diversity of hypogeous fungi consumed by a tropical mycophagous marsupial

Despite the importance of fire in many natural systems, knowledge of how fire affects the relationship between hypogeous fungi and mycophagous mammals in fire-prone environments is limited. Using experimental fires, we examined consumption of hypogeous ectomycorrhizal fruit-bodies by an endangered tropical mycophagist, the northern bettong Bettongia tropica Wakefield, in north-eastern Australia. Fungus was the major dietary component (56%) throughout all seasons, both before and after fire. At least 35 hypogeous taxa were consumed. Number of taxa consumed during different seasons was similar, but was significantly higher on unburnt sites than on burnt sites. Similarly, diversity of taxa per faecal sample was significantly greater on unburnt sites, but also increased irrespective of fire from wet season to dry season. Cluster and principal component analyses were used to examine patterns in consumption of fungal taxa. The greatest differences in dietary composition were between the period immediately after fire on burnt sites (early wet season) and all other season and treatment combinations. This difference was due to increased consumption of taxa in the fire-adapted family Mesophelliaceae and reduced consumption of the genus Elaphomyces. Principal component analysis revealed two major gradients in consumption. The first accounted for 32% of total variance and described change in consumption of taxa with season. The second accounted for 24% of total variance and described change in consumption of taxa before and after fire. Despite taxon-specific changes in consumption of hypogeous fungi, the body condition of bettongs did not change significantly between seasons or in relation to fire, suggesting that bettongs were never compromised in their optimal fungal intake. Our data show that the northern bettong has a flexible response to fire and could be best thought of as a fire-adapted marsupial. We therefore propose a precautionary approach to fire management of bettong habitat; at the present time this would include maintaining the recent fire regime of low to moderately intense fires every 3–4 years.
Optimization and Partial Purification of Bacteriocins from Enterococcus spp. Indigenous to Pakistan

This study was conducted to optimize bacteriocin producing enterococcal strains isolated from indigenous fermented dairy products of Pakistan. Isolates IJ-06, IJ-21, and IJ-31 were identified as Enterococcus faecium and IJ-11 was identified as Enterococcus faecalis. All of these enterococcal isolates were catalase, gelatinase negative, and non-hemolytic on sterile sheep blood. Bacteriocin production trials confirmed E. faecium IJ-06, IJ- 21, and IJ- 31 as the potential producer of bacteriocin showing antimicrobial activity in cell-free supernatant (CFS). E. faecalis IJ-11 displayed activity after partial purification. Optimization of culture conditions for the production of bacteriocin by the selected strains showed that maximum production was achieved at 35–37°C with 1% inoculum after 16 h of incubation and at pH 7–8. The molecular mass of the partially purified enterocins falls in the range of 4.5–4.7 kDa. These enterocins were close to class IIa of bacteriocins and were highly active against Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and other closely related strains.
Offspring sex ratio skew in the sexually monomorphic house martin Delichon urbicum

Sex ratio at conception may be under selection pressure, given that male and female offspring differ in the cost of production or generate different fitness returns under specific conditions. We studied adjustments in the primary, secondary and tertiary sex ratio in house martin Delichon urbicum, which is a sexually monomorphic, socially monogamous, colonial bird. Males of this species engage in extra-pair copulations with heavy males acquiring the highest fertilization success. We analyzed variation in the sex ratio in relation to clutch size and parental characteristics including body condition, wing length, as well as length and pigmentation of the white rump patch during three breeding seasons. The only variable which significantly explained the variation in the sex ratio was wing length of the social father and mother. The proportion of sons among offspring was positively correlated to wing length of the social father and negatively correlated to mother wing length. Social father wing length positively correlated with mean brood body mass at fledging, which may suggest that females that mated with long-winged males produced sons, which acquired the highest total fertilization success. Consequently, our results indicate that house martin females may adaptively adjust offspring sex composition at egg laying in relation to the characteristics of their social mate. The ratio of sons to daughters in a given batch of offspring may be an important component of the individual fitness, and as such, is expected to be under natural selection. Fisher (1930) predicted that sex ratio should not deviate from 1:1 if males and females require the same level of investment. If, however, one of the sexes
Driving forces for fuelwood choice of households in developing countries: environmental implications for Bangladesh

Energy planning is an important task for every nation. Understanding the energy preferences of households influences a major part of energy planning and policy. In the preference system, socio-economic driving forces act critically, dictating energy use. Thus, the present study was undertaken to understand the socio-economic driving forces for energy preferences in developing countries, considering the Energy Ladder and the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. Results show that biomass still plays a vital role in meeting energy demand in many regions of developing countries, and household income is the most common factor in energy preference. However, the macro-economic condition is the primary driving force. With this understanding, the study argues that Bangladesh is still in the first half of the inverted U-shaped EKC for energy use at household level, and also confirms that the Energy Ladder is true at the second stage of the EKC in Bangladesh. Finally, the study suggests that alternative shorter paths in the EKC for energy use should be developed in Bangladesh. The study will be important for energy policy and planning in Bangladesh.
Identification and biological activity of lectins of different subunit composition isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris L var athropurpurea

Protein concentrate, albumin (AF) and globulin fractions (GF) (60.2, 42.3 and 69.7% of protein content, N x 5.40, respectively) were obtained from raw seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris var athropurpurea (PHVa) cultivated in northern Spain. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the isolectins were present solely in the AF while the GF was entirely lectin-free. Affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE were used to separate and identify lectins of different subunit composition: E 4 + E 3 L, E 2 L 2 , El 3 and L 4 (in g : 0.12, 0.03, 0.03 and 0.44, respectively, from 2.9 g of PHVa meal). In this cultivar the amount of E 4 was negligible. With the methodology followed in this study the L 4 isolectin could not be isolated from the AF and it was determined by densitometry. The biology activities of these PHVa phytohaemagglutinins-erythroagglutinating and lymphocyte transformation activities-were assessed in rat and human cells. There was a direct correlation between the erythroagglutinating activity and the E subunit composition of the isolectins using rat red blood cells. The lymphocyte transformation activity of the isolectins with human peripheral blood lymphocytes was correlated with the L-subunit content in the lectins. However, the relationship between lymphocyte transformation activity and lectin profile with rat lymphatic node lymphocytes was not as straightforward as expected.