Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk

Combustion processes are considered to be the main source of the dioxin emission in the Baltic region. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its derivatives, pentachlorophenyl laurate (PCPL) and sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) are known as precursors of dioxins. The research was conducted to obtain the first data on the concentration of PCDD/Fs and PCP in the bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk. Toxicity (the Microtox® test) as well as several sediment parameters have been examined.In the surface layer of bottom sediments from the Port of Gdansk, all congeners of PCDD/Fs have been detected using GC-MS/MS. The highest concentration was obtained for OCDD (224.0–271.0 pg g−1 d.w.) and HpCDD (51.0–36.0 pg g−1 d.w.). The content of ΣPCDDs prevailed over ΣPCDFs. This may indicate that anthropogenic pollution from the land-based thermal sources has the strongest impact on the concentration of dioxins in the port sediments. The concentration of 17 dioxin congeners (WHO-TEQ) did not exceed the probable effect level (PEL) of 21.5 pg TEQ g−1 d.w. The concentration of PCP ranged from bellow the LOD (< 0.85 ng g−1 d.w.) to 12.4 ng g−1 d.w. The positive correlation between toxicity and physico-chemical properties of the analyzed bottom sediments confirms that these parameters are important in terms of environment contamination.
Visuomotor coordination in the newt (triturus viridescens) after regeneration of the optic nerve

It has been shown that normal vision with accurate spatial localization of small moving objects may be recovered in adult urodele amphibians after regeneration of the optic nerve (Stone and Zaur, '40). Whether the normality of the restored vision is due to selcctive synaptic termination of the regenerating optic fibers on the same central neurons to which they were originally connected, or instead, to a purely functional reorganization after indiscriminate regeneration of the optic fibers has remained a problem. An explanation on the former basis has been disfavored by abundant evidence that regenerating nerve fibers do not show selective termination (Langley and Hashimoto, '17 ; Dogliotti, '35; Weiss, '41 a ; Kilvington, '41). On the other hand the fixed persistence of maladaptive reactions following 180 degree rotation of the retinal field (Sperry, '43) indicates an extreme rigidity in the functional organization of the visuomotor system of urodeles and would seem to discredit an explanation in terms of relearning or other functionally adaptive processes. Neither explanation has been definitely excluded, however, particularly the latter, since
CRC 'Regional Combinations' project — effects of genetics and growth paths on beef production and meat quality: experimental design, methods and measurements.

As a component of the second term of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cattle and Beef Quality, a project to further test and validate the effects of varying nutritional growth paths pre-finishing and slaughter on cattle of varying genetic potential for meat yield and eating quality was designed and implemented. This project, ‘Regional Combinations’, was a multi-site experiment, using Bos taurus cattle generated at 4 locations across southern Australia. The design of imposing different growth paths between weaning and finishing on cattle with specific genetic potential is common across sites. Treatment and interaction effects on beef production and meat quality were examined within and across sites. This paper describes the experimental designs, generation of experimental cattle at the various sites and the measurements, collection and storage of the data for multi-site analyses.
Mate and Nutrient Limitation of Egg‐laying in a Polyandrous Shorebird

Spotted Sandpipers are unusual among animals in that a female's annual reproductive effort is regulated primarily by her ability to obtain mates. Males provide most of the parental care in this species. We recorded data on the abundance of food, and on the timing, number, and size of eggs laid by marked females over a 9-yr period on an island in central Minnesota, USA. The onset of egg-laying varied from year to year in association with the abundance of flying insects early in the season. After laying began, there was no relationship between food abundance and the number or size of eggs laid, the time taken to produce a clutch, or the intervals between clutches. The rate of egg- laying per female was affected, however, by rates of nest predation and by the operational sex ratio, which became increasingly female-biased over the season. Females ceased laying eggs in early July, even in years when food and mates were still available. We conclude that nutrient availability acts as a proximate factor in determining the onset of breeding, and that it may have been an ultimate factor causing cessation of egg-laying. Within the season, however, the reproductive rate of individual females is primarily determined by competitive interactions with other females for males. Thus both intra- and intersexual selection have important effects on fitness in this species.
Morphological variation in a small Thalassiosira species (Bacillariophyta) under different culture regimes

Abstract The structure of a small marine planktonic centric diatom belonging to the genus Thalassiosira was characterised using electron microscopy; and data on its ultrastructure, autecology and initial valve formation are provided here. Although our specimens shared some characteristics with Thalassiosira proschkinae sensu lato, they differed from the type in their permanent lack of areolae and in being constitutively weakly silicified, regardless of the silicate concentration in the medium. Valve areolation in our Thalassiosira isolate was less pronounced than in many other members of the genus and varied with salinity. The most significant effect of changing salinity was that the areola pattern becomes more diffuse, so that it was more difficult to observe areolae even at the margin of the valve. A decrease in salinity also induced changes in cell size, number of marginal fultoportulae and surface architecture. Cells in very low salinity (2) died after 24–48 h. Low silicate in the culture medium affected cell diameter (10% increase in the presence of added silicate). Putative auxospores and initial cells were found in some of the cultures, and some interesting variations in the valve morphology of initial cells were observed.
Short-term effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on nitrogen mineralization and trophic structure of the soil ecosystem in forest clearcuts in the southern interior of British Columbia

Ammonium sulphate and an ammonium sulphate-ammonium phosphate mixture were applied at 200 kg N ha-1 and 200 kg P ha-1 at three clearcut sites within the Interior Cedar-Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone in southern British Columbia. N mineralised under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, nitrification, biomasses of fungi and bacteria,the abundance of protozoa, and the trophic structure of nematode communities were studied at 4, 12, 16, and 28 mo after fertilisation. Nitrogen mineralised under aerobic conditions was greater in fertilised soil than in non-fertilised soil at 4 and 16 mo after fertiliser applications. Nitrification also increased after fertilisation. Fertilisation did not affect bacterial or fungal biomasses, but did increase the ratio of bacterial biomass/fungal biomass, the abundance of bacterivorous nematodes, and the ratio of bacterivorous nematodes/fungivorous nematodes. Thus, the fertiliser-induced increase in N mineralization appears to have been the result of increased bacterial decomposition .
Substituição do milho pela casca de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) em rações completas para caprinos: consumo, digestibilidade de nutrientes e ganho de peso

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the substitution of corn by cassava peel (CP), in complete rations for growing goats, on the nutrients intake, nutrient digestibility, average daily weight gain and the economical analysis of the rations. Twenty four females Saanen were used, with medium initial weight of 24,20± 2,28 kg and medium age of 10 months. The animals received a complete ration with 59% of hay of Coast-cross (Cynodon dactylon L.) (7,08% PB) and the treatments consisted of the substitution of the corn for the cassava peel, in growing levels (T0 = 0%; T33 = 33%; T66 = 66%; T100 = 100%). The experiment was in randomized block design with four treatments and six replicates. The medium daily intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), carbohydrates no fibrous (FNC) and total carbohydrates (TC) presented a decreasing linear effect, while the acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake presented a quadratic effect, with the substitution of the corn for the CP. Already for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake there were not significant differences. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and gross energy (GE) presented a decreasing linear effect. The medium daily weight gain were: 97,70; 83,33; 45,90 and 23,84 g/animal, respectively, for the treatments T0; T33; T66 and T100. The economical analysis of the experiments rations shows that is economically viable to use until the level of 33% of substitution of the corn for CP.
Mergers and acquisitions in the Indian banking sector: A study of selected banks

In the present era of global economy, Mergers and Acquisitions have become the most widely used business strategy of corporate restructuring and strengthening to achieve greater market share, long term profitability, entering new markets, capitalising on economies of scale etc. The present paper evaluates the effects of merger and acquisitions on the financial performance of the selected banks in India. Pre and post merger comparison is conducted on selected variables to analyse the effectiveness of mergers and acquisitions on the banks. Two cases of merger and acquisitions have been taken randomly as sample for the study, first the merger of ICICI bank and The Bank of Rajasthan, and second the merger of HDFC bank and Centurion Bank of Punjab. The results of the study indicate that there is a positive impact of mergers and acquisitions on the financial performance of the selected banks.
REACTIONS OF CAPTIVE HARBOR PORPOISES (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) TO PINGER‐LIKE SOUNDS

Pingers on gill nets can reduce bycatch of harbor porpoises. If harbor porpoises habituate to pingers, the effect may be reduced or lost. Two captive harbor porpoises were exposed to three sound types. All sounds were in the frequency band from 100 kHz to 140 kHz, 200 ms long, and presented once per 4 s. The source level was 153 dB re 1 μPa RMS at 1 m. Each session consisted of a 10-min presound, a 5-min sound, and a 10-min postsound period. Behavior was recorded on video and on dataloggers placed on the dorsal fin of one animal. The loggers recorded heart rate, swimming speed, dive duration, and depth. The animals responded most strongly to the initial presentations of a sound. Surface time decreased, the heart rate dropped below the normal bradycardia, and echolocation activity decreased. The reactions of both animals diminished rapidly in the following sessions. Should the waning of responsiveness apply to wild animals, porpoises may adapt to the sounds but still avoid nets, or the bycatch may increase after some time. The success of long-term use of pingers may then depend on the variety of sounds and rates of exposure.
Genetic Variation in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Throughout Its Range

The amount of genetic differentiation between stocks of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was estimated from electrophoretically detectable protein loci expressed in skeletal muscle and liver. Variant alleles at 13 of these loci were detected among nine samples covering most of the species range: North America, Greenland, Iceland, Barents Sea, Norwegian coastal waters, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea. A very low amount of genetic differentiation was observed among stocks. Only two loci (LDH-3 and PGI-1) showed large statistically significant heterogeneity of allele frequencies between samples. Standard genetic distances (Nei) between these samples based on 10 variable loci ranged from 0.00015 to 0.01072 with Baltic cod as the genetically most divergent sample. There was a highly significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance for the samples from the Atlantic suggesting that a substantial gene flow has occurred between these stocks with geographic distance being an inhibiting factor. The relat.
PHENOTYPIC GROUPS OF PLASMOPARA HALSTEDII (DOWNY MILDEW) BASED ON INTERACTIONS WITH SUNFLOWER PLANTS

Phenotypic groups including pathogenic, morphological and genetic characteristics for 50 Plasmopara halstedii (downy mildew) isolates belonging to seven races based on interactions with sunflower plants were revealed. Pathogenicity for pathogen isolates were analysed in sunflower plants showing different levels of resistance. Based on the reaction for the P. halstedii isolates to sunflower hybrids varying only in Pl resistance genes, there were three identified groups based on virulence reaction. Index of aggressiveness was calculated for pathogen isolates and revealed the presence of significant differences between isolates of 100 and 3xx races (more aggressive) and isolates of 710 and 7xx races (less aggressive). Morphological analyses were carried out on zoosporangia and sporangiophores for P. halstedii isolates produced on the surface of cotyledons in sunflower plants infected thought roots. There were no groups based on the morphology of zoosporangia and sporangiophores for pathogen isolates. Genetic relationships were detected between pathogen isolates using 12 EST-derived markers. There was no intra-race genetic variation, but five genetically-identified groups were detected among pathogen isolates of all races. Combining data of pathogen’s variation with variability in sunflower to arrive at durable resistance against P. halstedii was discussed.
Polyphyly of Tragopogon porrifolius L. (Asteraceae), a European Native with Intercontinental Disjuncts

Tragopogon L. comprises 150 species from Eurasia, with three diploids well established in North America (T. porrifolius, T. dubius, and T. pratensis). ITS, external transcribed spacer, and plastid sequence data indicate that T. porrifolius is polyphyletic. One lineage is phylogenetically well separated from other collections identified as T. porrifolius. This lineage is widespread in North America and Europe, includes the cultivated salsify, and has been considered T. porrifolius ssp. porrifolius. It is distinct from other T. porrifolius in having longer ligules and an additional set of chromosomal satellites. This “salsify” lineage is one parent (with T. dubius) of the North American allotetraploid T. mirus. Collections identified as T. porrifolius ssp. australis and ssp. cupani appear together in a clade well removed from ssp. porrifolius. These subspecies do not appear to have been introduced into North America. Available data suggest that ssp. cupani comprises both diploid and putative allotetraploid populations; hence, as currently described, this subspecies may encompass a previously unrecognized species. Additional samples of T. porrifolius not classified to subspecies, from both Europe and North America, form a third lineage and appear with collections of several species from Europe, including specimens identified as T. longirostris (which itself may not be monophyletic), another purple‐flowered Tragopogon. This lineage appears to represent an unrecognized species and indicates that an additional species of Tragopogon has been introduced into North America.
The effect of cold shock and deep-freezing on ram spermatozoa collected by electrical ejaculation and by an artificial vagina

Spermatozoa collected with an artificial vagina (AV) were more resistant to cold shock as judged by motility and staining reaction than when ejaculated electrically (EE). Dilution of AV spermatozoa in AV seminal plasma caused some increase in susceptibility to cold shock, particularly as judged by motility scores, but the evidence suggests that EE seminal plasma renders spermatozoa more susceptible than does AV seminal plasma. Spermatozoa exposed to cold shock immediately after collection were most permeable to Congo red and became increasingly impermeable when incubated at 30°C; the increase in resistance of AV spermatozoa was greater than that of EE spermatozoa. When 10 successive ejaculates were collected from rams by the artificial vagina there was no great change in volume but the spermatozoal concentration declined. After cold shock, the percentage of unstained spermatozoa fell to very low levels by the fifth ejaculate and there was also a decline in motility. The viability of semen thawed after freezing to –79°C by rapid freezing method was better than when a slow freezing method was used, particularly when the semen was collected with an artificial vagina.
Seed and Establishment Limitation: Effects on Plant Diversity in an Amazonian Rain Forest

Recruitment limitation (seed limitation and establishment limitation) has been proposed to contribute to the maintenance of high diversity of plants in tropical forests. This hypothesis suggests that diversity is maintained by slowing down competitive exclusion. In this study we: (1) quantified the relative importance of seed limitation and establishment limitation on recruitment for 4–7 species, testing the impact of seed predators and competition; (2) evaluated the effect of recruitment limitation on the diversity of seedling communities: if recruitment limitation is a diversity‐promoting mechanism, then removing the limitation should have a negative effect on diversity. To evaluate the magnitude and effects of recruitment limitation we used data from 400 seed traps, we executed seed addition experiments with and without vertebrate exclusion, and we conducted seedling transplant experiments during 2 yr in an Amazonian rain forest in Colombia. On the basis of seed traps, we found that seed limitation was strong; however, seed addition experiments showed that establishment limitation is more important than seed limitation for recruitment in all species considered. The addition/transplant experiments did not affect diversity of the surrounding seedlings, lending no support to the theory that recruitment limitation affects diversity. Establishment limitation was stronger at the seed–seedling transition than in older seedling transitions, as shown by high survival in the seedling transplants experiment. We found that seed dispersal increases regenerating plant diversity, and that predation is an important factor affecting seed establishment. We highlight the role of animals in these processes and therefore in the maintenance of diversity in tropical rain forests.
Effects of Beer and Hop on Ionotropic γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors

Beer induced the response of the ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA receptors) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, indicating the presence of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-like activity. Furthermore, the pentane extract of the beer, hop (Humulus lupulus L.) oil, and myrcenol potentiated the GABAA receptor response elicited by GABA. The GABAA receptor responses were also potentiated by the addition of aliphatic esters, most of which are reported to be present in beer flavor. Aliphatic esters showed the tendency to decrease in the potentiation of the GABAA receptor response with an increase in their carbon chain length. When myrcenol was injected to mice prior to intraperitoneal administration of pentobarbital, the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time of mice increased additionally. Therefore, the beer contained not only GABA-like activity but also the modulator(s) of the GABAA receptor response. Keywords: Beer; GABA; GABAA receptor; hop; myrcenol
The breeding status of the Merlin Falco columbarius in Britain in 1993–94

Earlier this century there were widespread reports, but little detail, of declining Merlin populations in Britain. A partial survey in 1983–84 resulted in an estimate of 550–650 breeding pairs. Local studies have since reported increases, decreases and stability in Merlin populations. Against this background the RSPB organized the second breeding survey of Merlins in Britain during 1993 and 1994, to estimate the population and assess regional trends. This survey located 796 breeding pairs of Merlins and estimated a further minimum of 24 pairs from areas previously well surveyed, 53% of the known breeding range. For the remainder of the range an extrapolated estimate of 471 pairs with 95% confidence limits of 288–680 pairs was calculated following survey of 36 10-km National Grid squares. A number of checks were made on survey efficiency and accuracy. It is recommended that a rounded figure of 1300 ± 200 pairs of breeding Merlins be used as the revised population estimate for Britain. In all areas where co.
Response of galling invertebrates on Salix lanata to reindeer herbivory

Browsing and defoliation often increase the densities of insect herbivores on woody plants. Densities of herbivorous invertebrates were estimated in a long-term grazing manipulation experiment. More then 30-yr-old fences allow us to compare densities of invertebrate herbivores on Salix lanata in areas heavily grazed and areas lightly grazed by reindeer. The number of gall-forming insects (Pontania glabrifons) and gall-forming mitts were higher on the heavily grazed shrubs than on lightly grazed shrubs. In contrast to most short-term studies, the heavily grazed S. lanata had shorter current annual shoots. No difference in leaf size, leaf nitrogen content, or C:N ratio between grazing intensities were detected. However, the enhanced natural delta N-15 value indicates that heavily grazed shrubs get a higher proportion of their N directly from reindeer faeces. Lear weight per unit area and relative fluctuating asymmetry of leaf shape increased in heavily grazed S. lanata. Enhanced relative fluctuating asymmetry might indicate higher susceptibility to herbivores. Long-term grazing seems to increase the density of invertebrate herbivory in the same way as short-term grazing, even if the plant responses differ substantially.
In vitro fertilization of porcine oocytes with spermatozoa preserved in Kiev extender at 18°C.

Fertilizing ability of liquid stored boar spermatozoa was examined by in vitro fertilization techniques. Sperm-rich portions of fresh boar ejaculates were diluted to 4 •~ 108 spermatozoa/ml with Kiev extender and stored at 18•Ž for up to 5 days. The stored spermatozoa were washed with a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium (TYH) and preincubated at 37•Ž for 4 hr at various sperm concentrations to achieve capacitation. The highest fertilization rates (98•`100%) were obtained when Day 0 or Day 1 spermatozoa were preincubated at high sperm concentrations (2•`4 •~ 109 sperm/ml). At low sperm concentrations (2.5•`5 •~ 108 spem/ml), Day 1 spermatozoa showed significantly higher fertilization rates than Day 0 spermatozoa, suggesting that the sperm capacitation was partly progressed during liquid storage. Marked decrease in fertilization rates was observed when Day 2 spermatozoa were used for in vitro fertilization (0•`44%). Only a few eggs were fertilized with Day 3 spermatozoa (0•`16%) and none was fertilized with Day 5 spermatozoa.