Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between softening and the polyuronides in ripening banana fruit

Banana fruits, Musa (AAA Group, Cavendish subgroup) ‘Williams’ were ripened in air at 20°C with ethylene. Pulp began softening between days 1 and 2 of ripening and reached a maximum by the fourth day. Total pulp cell wall uronic acid and uronic acid soluble in 40 mM EDTA, 50 mM acetate, pH 4.5, also began to decrease and increase respectively between days 1 and 2. By day 8, total uronic acid had decreased from 10.2 to 4.4 mg g−1 fresh weight, and had become entirely soluble in EDTA-buffer, while EDTA-buffer-soluble uronic acid had increased from 2.3 to 4.5 mg g−1. The molecular size distribution of the EDTA-buffer-soluble uronic acid was unchanged up to day 4, when there was a slight loss in the proportion of smaller species. The average molecular size of this uronic acid did not change significantly during 8 days of ripening (relative to dextrans, Mn 36 kDa; Mw 173 kDa). The large change in total content and extractability of cell wall polyuronides that correlated with softening was inconsistent with depolymerisation by endopolygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15), reduced cross-linking of polyuronides by calcium, or extraction artefacts.
Establishing the literature base of SWPBIS research in schools with large populations of underrepresented students

Abstract For more than 20 years, the schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) literature base has been growing as it relates to implementation and sustainability across various settings and grade levels. While the research is clear that SWPBIS is an effective multitiered framework, gaps in the literature exist. Specifically, the extent to which SWPBIS has been implemented in traditionally underrepresented schools has yet to be fully examined. This systematic review of the SWPBIS literature base resulted in 46 articles that were coded across 13 variables. The number of articles highlight underrepresentation in the SWPBIS literature. Researchers demonstrated variable (a) reductions in rates of disciplinary infractions and exclusionary responses, (b) implementation with fidelity, and (c) positive student outcomes across academics, attendance, and achievement.
Growth of Lotus creticus creticus and Cynodon dactylon under two levels of irrigation

Soils with scarce plant covering are very susceptible to water and wind erosion. Two species recommended for permanent cover of soil are Lotus creticus creticus and Cynodon dactylon. The performance of both species cultivated in pure stands and in mixture and with 2 watering regimes, high (12.64 L/bag) and low (8.36 L/bag), was analysed in polyethylene bags between March and July in greenhouse conditions. With low watering the growth of both species was lower but mortality of plants was not observed. Growth of stems in L. creticus and stolons in C. dactylon did not stop with low watering. The growth of C. dactylon was higher than that of L. creticus at both watering regimes. Total root and green shoot biomass of each species was affected by watering. Green leaf area, root weight ratio, root hydraulic resistance, and watering efficiency (g biomass/L watering) differed with the combination of species. Green leaf area, root hydraulic resistance, and watering efficiency were higher in C. dactylon than in L. creticus. Root weight ratio was higher in L. creticus than in C. dactylon, but the specific length and area of roots were higher in C. dactylon than in L. creticus. Net photosynthesis rate of each species was only affected by watering regime. Performance of both species was not affected by the mixture and it has the potential to be a successful ground cover.
Milk protein polymorphisms in Brazilian Zebu cattle

Five bovine milk protein polymorphisms were studied in Zebuine cattle raised in Brazil, through horizontal electrophoresis on starch gel containing urea and 2-mercaptoethanol, using basic and acidic buffer systems. Allelic frequencies for a-La, b-Lg, aS1-Cn, b-Cn and k-Cn loci were estimated in six Gyr herds (N = 283), six Guzerat herds (N = 205), one Nelore herd (N = 17) and one Sindi herd (N = 22), all from Sao Paulo or Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Genotypic frequencies observed for each locus and breed studied are in accordance with the assumption of genetic equilibrium, demonstrating absence of high inbreeding levels for the breeds tested. The FST value found indicated significant genetic differentiation among breeds; however, the Gyr and Guzerat herds showed significantly different gene frequencies. Genetic distance estimates among zebuine breeds studied and the Holstein breed, taken as a reference for a taurine breed, showed strong differences between these two racial groups
Subjective Confidence in the Response to Personality Questions: Some Insight Into the Construction of People’s Responses to Test Items

Drawing on research on subjective confidence, we examined how the confidence and speed in responding to personality items track the consistency and variability in the response to the same items over repeated administrations. Participants (N = 57) responded to 132 personality items with a true/false response format. The items were presented five times over the course of two sessions. Consistent with the Self-Consistency Model, the confidence and speed with which an item was endorsed at its first presentation predicted the likelihood of repeating that response across the subsequent presentations of the item, thus tracking test-retest reliability. Confidence and speed also predicted the likelihood that others will make the same response, thus tracking inter-person consensus. However, confidence and speed varied more strongly with within-person consistency than with inter-person consensus, suggesting some reliance on idiosyncratic cues in response formation. These results mirror, in part, findings obtained in other domains such as general knowledge, social attitudes, and personal preferences, suggesting some similarity in the decision processes underlying the response to binary items: responses to personality items are not retrieved ready-made from memory but constructed at the time of testing, based on the sampling of a small number of cues from a larger population of cues associated with the item’s content. Because confidence is based on the consistency with which the cues support a response, it is prognostic of within-person consistency and cross-person consensus. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
The diet of feral Herpestes auropunctatus (Carnivora: Viverridae) in the Fijian Islands

On the basis of scat analysis, the diet of the mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus is described for animals living in a variety of habitats on Viti Levu, Fiji. The species eats a wide variety of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant food. Although introduced to Fiji in an attempt to control rodents, the mongoose has had little success in this respect. However, as a result of predation it may have had an adverse effect on various members of the native fauna.
Validation of Rhabditolaimus Fuchs, 1914 (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) supported by integrative taxonomic evidence

Rhabditolaimus leuckarti, type species of Rhabditolaimus, was isolated from its type host, Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), at several locations in central Europe. The position of the species among other diplogastrid nematodes was revised using morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The revealed common apomorphic features and the inferred evolutionary tree strongly indicates a close relationship between R. leuckarti and Myctolaimus. Our findings suggest that the historical classifications do not reflect the natural relationships of some diplogastrid taxa. Therefore, we reject all previous synonymisations of Rhabditolaimus and consider it to be valid within the Diplogastridae. Five species are transferred from Diplogasteroides to Rhabditolaimus. Myctolaimus sensu lato is regarded as a junior synonym of Rhabditolaimus and the following new combinations are proposed: R. anoplophorae comb. n. , R. carolinensis comb. n. , R. curzii comb. n. , R. dendrophilus comb. n. , R. erectus comb. n. , R. goodeyi comb. n. , R. inevectus, comb. n. , R. kishtwarensis comb. n. , R. macrolaimus comb. n. , R. nacogdochensis comb. n. , R. neolongistoma comb. n. , R. pellucidus comb. n. , R. platypi comb. n. , R. rifflei comb. n. , R. robiniae comb. n. , R. ulmi comb. n. , R. vitautasi comb. n. , R. walkeri comb. n. and R. zamithi comb. n.
TAXONOMY OF CHARA BRAUNII: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH 1

Results from the present study suggest that Chara braunii encompasses a complex of geographical races or incipient species that although morphologically similar, are isolated to varying degrees ranging from partial interfertility to complete reproductive incompatibility. Most of the 6 clones studied were interfertile to the extent that fertilization was followed by the development of black oospores, but subsequent germination tests disclosed that many of these either failed to germinate or gave rise to offspring that were partially or completely sterile. No support was encountered for the suggestion that C. braunii is of recent development or that it has been distributed rapidly throughout the world.
Towards the Removal of Antibiotics Detected in Wastewaters in the POCTEFA Territory: Occurrence and TiO2 Photocatalytic Pilot-Scale Plant Performance

This research aims to assess the presence of four antibiotic compounds detected in the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the POCTEFA territory (north of Spain and south of France) during the period of 2018–2019, and to relate the removal of antibiotic compounds with the processes used in the WWTPs. The performance of a photocatalytic TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant was then evaluated for the degradation of selected antibiotics previously detected in urban treated effluent. The main results reflect that azithromycin had the highest mass loadings (11.3 g/day per 1000 inhabitants) in the influent of one of the selected WWTPs. The results also show considerable differences in the extent of antibiotics removal in WWTPs ranging from 100% for sulfadiazine to practically 0% for trimethoprim. Finally, the photocatalytic TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant achieved the removal of the four antibiotics after 240 min of treatment from 78%–80% for trimethoprim and enrofloxacin, up to 100% for amoxicillin, sulfadiazine and azithromycin. The catalyst recovery via mechanical coagulation–flocculation–decantation was almost total. The Ti concentration in the effluent of the TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant was lower than 0.1% (w/w), and its release into the environment was subsequently minimized.
Factors affecting acceptance and use of online technology in Thai people during COVID-19 quarantine time

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting behavioral intention and use behavior of technologies of Thai people under the COVID-19 circumstances. 390 respondents were participated in our survey as sample size for statistical analysis. The authors utilized PLS-SEM assessment for testing the research hypotheses. Descriptive analysis revealed that Thai people in the quarantine period or work from home had suffered from a moderate to high levels of anxiety or stress. This has made Thai people increasingly use online and mobile technology or programs compared to the past. The study revealed four key factors that had significant and positive effects on the intention of users in using online technology including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, trust, and perceived risk. In addition, it indicated that behavioral intention positively affected the actual use behavior of technologies during quarantine time. The authors expect that policymakers or strategists could be used to manage the use of online and mobile technology for people, especially during the tough time.
Growth, alkaloid production, rol genes integration, bioreactor up-scaling and plant regeneration studies in hairy root lines of Catharanthus roseus

Abstract Fifteen hairy root lines of Catharanthus roseus were compared for growth, alkaloid production and shoot bud regeneration potential in relation to their morphology and pattern of rol gene(s) integration. These lines could be classified into 10 distinct morphotypes on the basis of their thickness and branching behaviour. Twelve root lines showed the presence of both rolB and rolC and two indicated the integration of only rolC. Genes rolA, B and C were only detected in N5 line. The root lines did not differ significantly for their total alkaloids content (1.10–1.30% dry wt.) but showed variations in relative concentration of ajmalicine (0.007–0.08% dry wt.), serpentine (0.01–0.08% dry wt.) and catharanthine (0.01–0.04% dry wt.). Line PG2 with highest biomass accumulation (GI = 326.73) and line PI3 with highest catharanthine content were up-scaled in 5-l bioreactor wherein a 9–11 folds increment in biomass accumulation was obtained with two folds enhancement in ajmalicine (0.029 % dry wt.) in PI3 line and appearance of a major unknown alkaloid in PG2 line. Shoot buds were induced only in line N5 on a MS + 3.0 mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l NAA which in turn showed excessive rooting and frequent in vitro flowering.
Genetic Variation and Population Divergence in the Mountain Brown Frog Rana ornativentris

Abstract Fifteen enzymes and two blood proteins encoded by 24 presumptive loci were analyzed using starch-gel electrophoresis in 136 frogs of 16 populations of Rana ornativentris and 21 frogs of a sympatric population of Rana japonica, in order to elucidate the degree of geographic divergence of R. ornativentris in Honshu and its genetic relationships to R. japonica. The UPGMA dendrogram constructed from Nei's genetic distances showed that R. ornativentris from Honshu was divided into two distinct groups, western and eastern, and that the latter split into three subgroups, southern, central and northern. Genetic divergence was distinct between western and eastern populations of R. ornativentris at three loci, PEP-A, SOD-1 and Hb-1, with the Fst values of Wright of 0.624, 0.635 and 0.876, respectively. The average value of Fst (Fst), excluding the five invariant loci, was 0.306. Nei's genetic distances among the four western populations of R. ornativentris were 0.015∼0.061, 0.043 on average. Those among the 12 eastern populations were 0.011∼0.179, 0.063 on average, whereas those between the four western and 12 eastern populations were 0.128∼0.313, 0.225 on average. The genetic distances between the 16 populations of R. ornativentris and one population of R. japonica were 0.579∼0.956, 0.793 on average. The UPGMA dendrogram showed that R. ornativentris was distinctly separated from R. japonica.
Calosphaeria canker of almond caused by Calosphaeria pulchella in Iran

Trunk diseases are a potential threat for the almond industry in Northern Iran. In a survey on fungal agents associated with almond die back and decline in East Azerbaijan province, located in Northwest of Iran, acremonium-like hyphomycete isolates with hyaline and simple conidiophores and hyaline cylindrical phialides with a finely pigmented apical region and deep, flaring collarettes were repeatedly recovered from symptomatic tissues. Fungal isolates were identified as Calosphaeria pulchella based on cultural and morphological characteristics. The identity of the species was further confirmed based on the sequence data from LSU and ITS rDNA regions. A phylogeny inferred using ITS sequence data, clustered the Calosphaeria isolates together with Calosphaeria pulchella isolates in GenBank known from Prunus persica and Prunus avium. The results of pathogenicity assay using an excised shoot method showed that Calosphaeria pulchella is highly pathogenic on almond. The distribution and host range of this new pathogen on almond and the impact of the disease on almond industry in this region remain to be studied.
EFFECT OF DIET ON THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THE COPEPOD TISBE BIMINIENSIS

Success in rearing fish depends on the nutritional content of food offered to the larvae. The aim of this study was to test the effect of diets on fatty acid composition of the copepod Tisbe biminiensis Volkmann-Rocco, 1973 as a food source. The copepods were reared in 5 l vessels with aeration at 29-31°C, salinity 30-35, and natural photoperiod of 13 hours light/11 hours dark. The copepods were fed two diets: a mixture of microalgae Thalassiosira weissflogii and commercial fish food, and only the fish food. Lipids were extracted with chloroform and methanol and esterified by acid catalysis with BF3. Three replicates were used in each treatment. Fatty acids were identified by comparison of retention times and co-injection with standard Mix C4-C24 using GC and GCMS apparatus. Thirty-one and 29 fatty acids were detected on copepods fed mixed diets and fish food, respectively. The most abundant fatty acids in copepod fed mixed a diet were C18, C16, and C12. In the other treatment, predominant fatty acids were C18, C16, and C20:2. Thirty-one and 30 fatty acids were detected in the fish food and the microalgae, respectively. The predominant fatty acids of microalgae were C18, C21, and C20:2. For fish food, the predominant fatty acids were C16, C18, and C18:1n9. Essential fatty acids were detected and EPA and DHA contents of copepods fed mixture were significantly higher compared to those fed only ration, indicating that the mixed diet provided better source of HUFA for T. biminiensis. However, its DHA level was lower than other harpacticoid copepods. This suggests that T. biminiensis either needs to be fed a better quality diet, or be enriched with some fatty acids before they are offered to the cobia larvae. The copepod T. biminiensis is capable of bio-converting fatty acid C18:0 into chains with 20 unsaturated carbons. T. biminiensis fed mixed a diet or the fish food alone showed DHA/EPA ratios of 1.3 and 3.3, respectively, suggesting that this copepod species may be suitable for use in fish larviculture.
Triassic mudstones of the Central North Sea: cross-border characterization, correlation and their palaeoclimatic significance

Abstract The Triassic of the Central North Sea is a continental succession that contains prolific hydrocarbon-bearing fluvial sandstone reservoirs stratigraphically partitioned by mudstones. Within the Skagerrak Formation of the UK sector, hydrocarbon accumulations in the Judy, Joanne and Josephine Sandstone members are top sealed by the Julius, Jonathan and Joshua Mudstone members, respectively. However, UK and Norwegian stratigraphic correlations have been problematical for decades, largely due to biostratigraphic challenges but also due to the non-uniqueness of the lithotypes and because the cross-border stratigraphic nomenclature differs and has yet to be rationalized. This study focuses on mudstones rather than sandstones to unify cross-border correlation efforts at a regional scale. The mudstone members have been characterized by integrating sedimentological, petrophysical and geophysical data. The facies are indicative of playa lakes that frequently desiccated and preserved minor anhydrite. These conditions alternated with periods of marshy, palustrine conditions favourable for the formation of dolostones. Regional correlations have detected lateral facies changes in the mudstones which are important for their seismically mappable extents, resulting palaeogeographies and, ultimately, their competency as intraformational top seals. Significant diachroneity is associated with the lithological transitions at sandstone–mudstone member boundaries and although lithostratigraphic surfaces can be used as timelines over short distances (e.g. within a field), they should not be assumed to represent timelines over longer correlation lengths. Palaeoclimatic trends are interpreted and compared to those of adjacent regions to test the extent and impact of climate change as a predictive allogenic forcing factor on sedimentation. Mudstone member deposition occurred as a result of the retreat of large-scale terminal fluvial systems during a return to more arid ‘background’ climatic conditions. The cause of the member-scale climatic cyclicity observed within the Skagerrak Formation may be related to volcanic activity in large igneous provinces which triggered the episodic progradation of fluvial systems.
A Model for Predicting Coastal Aerosol Size Distributions in Chinese Seas

Aerosol is a key factor in the study of interactions between light and radiation. In coastal environments, the diversity and complexity of aerosol components make it difficult to accurately determine their microphysical and optical properties. In this paper, the analysis focuses on the aerosol size distribution (ASD) prediction in the coasts of the South China Sea (SCS, Maoming) and the Yellow Sea (YS, Qingdao). Due to large differences in spatial scale with respect to geographical and meteorological conditions, ASD in Maoming and Qingdao showed large differences. On the basis of Navy Aerosol Model (NAM) and Piazzola et al.'s models, combined with the observation data of Maoming and Qingdao, a coastal aerosol model (CAM) was developed to predict ASD for Chinese coastal environment. The aerosol concentration is calculated by the function of fetch and wind speed. Although the aerosol distributions at the two sites are quite different, the CAM is found to be applicable to both sites. Furthermore, the CAM was used in predicting the ASDs in the SCS against the research ship Shenkuo cruise data. The model results were in agreement with the measured values in coastal zone. The model presented in this work would be a useful tool to model ASDs in Chinese coastal seas.
Vitamin E-mediated protection on methomyl-induced alterations in rat liver

The present study was carried out to observe the possible beneficial effects of Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant on methomyl-induced biochemical and histological alterations in rat liver. To carry out the investigations, animals were segregated in four different groups. Animals in Group I served as normal controls. Animals in Group II were given single methomyl dose orally in water (9 mg kg−1 b.wt). Animals in Group III were injected intraperitoneally with Vitamin E (50 mg kg−1 b.wt) for 1 week on alternate days. Animals in Group IV were administered Vitamin E 1 week before subjecting them to methomyl treatment. Animals in all the groups were sacrificed 24 h after the end of treatments. Different biochemical estimations were carried out, which included estimation of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further, to examine the oxidative damage lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and glutathione-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were estimated in liver samples. AchE activity was inhibited significantly both in serum and liver following methomyl treatment. Administration of methomyl caused a significant increase in serum AST, ALT and ALP which indicated hepatic damage. LPO was found to be significantly increased, whereas GSH levels were decreased in the liver of methomyl-treated animals. The activities of SOD and catalase were significantly decreased whereas GST and GSHPx activities were found to be elevated significantly following methomyl treatment. No significant change in the enzyme activity of GR and glutathione-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase was observed after methomyl treatment. Vitamin E supplementation was able to attenuate appreciably the methomyl-induced changes in LPO levels along with SOD and GST activities. Histopathological studies following methomyl treatment revealed that hepatocytes, were not very well delineated and nuclei showed degenerative changes. Whereas, following Vitamin E supplementation in combined treatment group nuclei showing degenerative changes become less in number. The study, therefore, concludes that Vitamin E has a potential in mitigating most of the adverse effects induced by methomyl acute toxicity.