Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Allelopathic Grasses Limit Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Mutambo? A Test with Two Species of Brachiaria Grasses

O estabelecimento de especies arboreas em areas de pastagens pode ser inibido, pelo menos em parte, pela alelopatia das gramineas, o que pode representar uma importante limitacao por alterar tanto os padroes de germinacao como os de crescimento de plântulas das especies arboreas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial alelopatico de Urochloa brizantha e U. decumbens na germinacao, crescimento e metabolismo de plântulas de Guazuma ulmifolia. Foram realizados bioensaios em que se avaliou o efeito do extrato bruto e das fracoes semipurificadas (fracao hexânica, fracao acetato de etila e fracao etanol/agua) de U. brizantha e U. decumbens, usando delineamento completamente aleatorizado, com quatro concentracoes (0, 250, 500, 1.000 mg L-1) e quatro repeticoes. As variaveis analisadas foram porcentagem de germinacao, tempo medio de germinacao, crescimento da raiz primaria da radicula e do hipocotilo, atividade da catalase e peroxidase, conteudo de clorofila e respiracao radicular. Os resultados mostraram que as duas gramineas apresentaram efeito inibitorio no metabolismo de G. ulmifolia, afetando tanto a germinacao como o crescimento de plântulas e induzindo o metabolismo de defesa. Assim, esses resultados mostraram que as especies de gramineas avaliadas tem o potencial de restringir a reintroducao de G. ulmifolia em areas de pastagem devido a competicao por interferencia.
Short-term success of a translocation of Otago skinks (Oligosoma otagense) to Orokonui Ecosanctuary

ABSTRACT Natural habitat is not always available for translocations due to habitat modification or pressure from introduced predators. We followed the release of 30 captive-bred Otago skinks (Oligosoma otagense) into a 109 m2 outdoor enclosure of artificial habitat at Orokonui Ecosanctuary in southeastern New Zealand. We evaluated the short-term success of the translocation by assessing visibility and survival of the skinks over the 3 summer months following release in spring 2013, plus survival the following spring. Skinks were visible most days, especially in warm, dry conditions. Survival was high over the first summer; 80% of skinks were seen at least once during February 2014. The following spring 63% of skinks were resighted during three surveys and breeding has since been reported. Thus, it is feasible to maintain captive-bred adults of this Nationally Endangered skink in artificially constructed, outdoor habitat in a coastal location. However, to avoid predation of juveniles by adult skinks, future translocations should avoid releasing juveniles close to adults.
Evaluation of edetate and thiamine for treatment of experimentally induced environmental lead poisoning in cattle.

Twenty mature Holstein cows were randomized into 5 treatment groups. Cows of groups 2 to 5 were given 2 mg of elemental Pb/kg of body weight for 28 days. Clinical signs of plumbism were scored, and blood for Pb, progesterone, and hematologic analyses was collected weekly. Cows also were examined weekly for anomalous ovarian cycles. Starting on study day 28, cows in group 3 were treated once daily with 2 mg of thiamine HCl/kg (IM) for 13 days, cows in group 4 were treated twice daily with 62 mg of Na2,Ca-EDTA/kg (IV) for 4 days, and cows in group 5 were given thiamine (dosage regimen the same as for group 3) plus Na2,Ca-EDTA (dosage regimen the same as for group 4). On study days 96 through 139, cows were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir and samples of blood, skeletal muscles, bones, liver, and kidneys were collected and assayed for Pb concentration. Thiamine was not effective in reducing blood Pb concentration, and treatment with Na2,Ca-EDTA and thiamine plus Na2,Ca-EDTA was effective in reducing the concentration of Pb in blood. However, treatment with thiamine was more effective than treatment with Na2,Ca-EDTA or thiamine plus Na2,Ca-EDTA in inducing remission of clinical signs of plumbism. The concentration of Pb in blood was significantly (P less than 0.05) correlated to the concentration of Pb in liver, kidneys, skeletal muscles, and bones. Significant (P less than 0.05) relationship existed between number of days from Pb exposure to slaughter and concentration of Pb in blood, liver, and skeletal muscles. Exposure to Pb did not significantly alter CBC values. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Invading Africa: a novel transoceanic dispersal by a New World ant parasitoid

An ant parasitoid wasp genus (Eucharitidae: Kapala) common in the New World exhibits the intriguing pattern of having one species distributed widely across tropical Africa and Madagascar. The unusual distribution prompted an investigation of the age, origins and diversification of the Afrotropical Kapala species. We evaluate a previous hypothesis that the species was anthropogenically introduced.
Seasonal cycles of Apis mellifera syriaca under Jordanian desert conditions

SUMMARY This experiment was conducted in northern Badia, Jordan, during 1997 and 1998, to investigate the feasibility of beekeeping in this arid region. 12 colonies of Apis mellifera syriaca were used. Half of the colonies remained in Badia during the experimental period (stationary hives), the rest were transported between the study area and the Jordan Valley (migratory hives). Results showed that colonies began their brood rearing activity in Badia during the early stages of the nectar flow and pollen yield in January, but it dropped almost to zero at the end of August. The peaks of brood rearing occurred during March and June. Maximum adult populations for the entire season were found during April and July, dropping to a minimum for the year in December. Behaviour of migratory colonies was very similar to that of the stationary colonies. Seasonal brood rearing activity and population of adult bees in both treatment groups showed the same general trend in the second year. Annual average honey production was estimated to be 10 kg per colony for stationary hives and 6 kg per colony for migratory hives.
Operationalization of bandura’s social learning theory to guide interprofessional simulation

Background and objective: In the clinical setting, health care professionals are expected to work in teams, yet, there is limited academic exposure to other allied health students and little preparation is done in traditional classrooms to practice with other allied health students. As health professionals work in an environment influenced by social interaction, interprofessional simulation (IPS) instruction may lack necessary frameworks that support professional practice. To promote collaborative learning in IPS that takes into account real interprofessional clinical situations, Bandura’s social learning theory was used as the guiding framework for this pilot simulation study. Methods: Conventional content analysis, as used in study designs to describe a phenomenon, allowed for the flow of categories to be derived from standardized debriefing sessions with nursing and social work students (N = 24). Results: Qualitative data identified three themes capturing students’ voices: effective and efficient patient care, team appreciation, and early implementation of simulation. Discussion and conclusions: Outcomes of this pilot study support the integration of a guiding framework in designing IPS for nursing and social work education that takes into account the social nature of the clinical environment through observed action and replicated behavior for requisite interprofessional skills for clinical practice.
Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth, yield and economics of field pea (Pisum sativum L.).

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of A.S. (P.G.) College, Lakhoati, Bulandshahr (U.P.) to find the out the effect of biofertilizers {Rhizobium, Azotobacter and phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB)} application on growth, yield and economics of field pea (Pisum sativum L.). The Co-inoculation of all the three bio-fertilizers i.e. Rhizobium, Azotobacter and PSB produced significantly higher growth characters as compared to absolute control and when inoculated them individually. The treatment T 8 comprising Rhizobium + Azotobacter + PSB gave highest growth in terms of plant height (45.26 cm), number of leaves/ plant (13.33), number of branches/ plant (4.20), number of nodules/ plant (38.46), fresh weight and dry weight of nodules (562.34 and 122.62 mg, respectively). The yield attributes like pod length, number of pods/ plant, number of seeds/ pod and 1000 grain weight (g) and yield of grain and straw of pea increased by co-inoculation of bio-fertilizers and were highest for the treatment in which Rhizobium, Azotobacter and PSB were coinoculated. More over the co-inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB also gave beneficial results in respect to other treatments. However, single inoculation of Rhizobium, Azotobacter and PSB produced promising results compared to control. In economic consideration, it was found that co-inoculation of Rhizobium, Azotobacter and PSB gave highest net income (Rs. 17363.6/ha) and Benefit: cost ratio (1.90) as compared to other treatments.
Production of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from Escherichia coli for development of diagnostic kit

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem, which can lead to severe liver disease mainly hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. The present investigation lays emphasis on expression of HBsAg gene in E. coli. The confirmed recombinant pET28a+HBsAg clone was transformed into E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) PlysS cells. The positive clones were used for protein expression studies and induction parameters viz., IPTG concentration, temperature, induction time and pH of the medium were standardized to produce optimum HBsAg protein yield. The highest protein expression was recorded in clone 2 when it was subjected to 1.5 μM IPTG (384 μg mL), pH at 8 (378 μg mL) and induction time for 8 h (360 μg mL) with 35 °C induction temperature. The cells pelleted was lysed by sonication and protein purification was done using fused His-tag via Ni-NTA agarose-based method. The purified protein from clone 2 was subjected for 12 % SDS-PAGE analysis. The presence of ̴27 kDa protein band confirmed the expression of HBsAg protein in E. coli which was further confirmed through western blot.
Crop, Soil, and Management Effects on Phosphorus Soil Test Levels: A Review

There is renewed interest in reducing surface water quality problems associated with excessive P concentrations. A P site index has been proposed that qualitatively ranks sites based on their potential for off-site P movement. Soil test P is one of eight site characteristics used in calculating the current P site index. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on crop, soil, and management factors which may be used as indirect measures of soil test P. Crop, soil, and management factors can influence soil test P in a variety of ways. It is quite probable that anticipated crop P removal at a particular site would reflect soil P test, and an extensive table was developed outlining P removal for numerous crops. Crops or crop rotations using relatively high P inputs will have higher soil P tests [. ]
Avaliação da toxicidade aguda pré-clínica do extrato metanólico das cascas do caule de Parahancornia amapa (Apocynaceae)

Parahancornia amapa is an endemic plant species of Amapa in the Amazon region. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of methanol extract of the bark of P. amapa. Different concentrations of the extract were added to the brine shrimps (Artemia salina) and 50% lethality concentration (LC50) was assessed. The results of the brine-shrimp assay indicated that the extract was found to be non-toxic. Acute toxicity was studied in Wistar rats (males and females) after single dose (2000 mg kg-1) by oral gavage. Food and water intake, body weight, general behavioral changes and mortality of animals were noted. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical parameters measurements. Subsequently, they were euthanized and their organs (heart, kidneys, liver and lungs) subjected to macroscopic and histopathological analysis. There was no mortality or any sign of behavioral change or toxicity observed after oral administration of the extract. Nevertheless, it was observed a significant increase (p<0.05) on water intake of female rats treated with the extract of P. amapa (127.64 mL) when compared to control group (101.93 mL). A significant increase (p<0.05) in platelet count was also observed in both male (288.00x103 mm3) and female (220.83x103 mm3) rats that received the extract when compared to their respective control groups (128.33x103 mm3; 109.50x103 mm3). Histopathological changes were not related to the treatment with extract in any of the analyzed organs. These results suggest that P. amapa extract has a non-toxic effect.
ANALISIS PENGARUH PERTUMBUHAN PDRB TERHADAP TINGKAT KEMISKINAN DI PROVINSI NTB TAHUN 2007 - 2016

PDRB merupakan total nilai barang dan jasa yang diproduksi dalam wilayah atau regional tertentu biasanya dihitung dalam satu tahun. Tingginya tingkat pertumbuhan ekonomi ditunjukkan dengan tingginya nilai PDRB. Nilai PDRB yang tinggi menunjukkan aktivitas produksi barang dan jasa di suatu daerahnya tinggi. Hal ini akan berpengaruh terhadap penyerapan tenaga kerja yang melakukan kegiatan produksi. Ini akan berdampak terhadap berkurangnya tingkat pengangguran dan kemiskinan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh pertumbuhan PDRB terhadap tingkat kemiskinan di Provinsi NTB tahun 2007 – 2016. Pendekatan penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kuantitatif dengan analisis ekonometrika dengan regresi linier sederhana dari data sekunder yang bersumber dari BPS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pertumbuhan PDRB berpengaruh sebesar 10.7 persen sisanya sebesar 80.3 persen dipengaruhi faktor lain diluar model.
ADAPTATIONS OF IMMATURE STAGES OF SPHAERIDIINAE (STAPHYLINIFORMIA, HYDROPHILOIDEA: HYDROPHILIDAE) AND STATE OF KNOWLEDGE OF PREIMAGINAL HYDROPHILIDAE

Several evolutionary trends of sphaeridiine beetles are discussed: terrestrial habits, larval developmental time, number of eggs/egg case, shape of the egg cases, prey consumption, construction of pupal chambers, reduction of the legs, development of hypopharyngeal lobes, symmetry of mandibles and labroclypeus, reduction of the ligula and fusion of stemmata. A discussion on the state of knowledge of the immature stages of Hydrophilidae at a generic level is presented; of the four most diverse zoogeographic areas, the Oriental, Australian and Ethiopian are the less known and the Neotropical is relatively well known; the Palaearctic and Nearctic are the least diverse but the best known.
Platelet behavior and aging in the circulation.

: This review of the development of knowledge concerning the fate and function of circulating platelets and our recent experiments with a radioisotope label for platelet surface glycoproteins support the hypothesis that platelets are continualy involved in reversible contact interactions for the support of endothelial integrity. These encounters result in the loss of pieces of the platelet surface membrane and could contribute to the structural and functional changes of platelet senescence. The concepts of continuous involvement of platelets in hemostatic encounters and a fixed circulating lifespan are not mutually exclusive phenomena: platelet hemostatic encounters could preferentially involve younger platelets and be mostly reversible while the metabolic machinery which determines platelet survival deteriorates in a manner unrelated to these platelet-surface interactions. Obviously the nature of platelet behavior and aging in the circulation requires much more precise definition.
Enhancement of spinal dorsal horn neuron N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor phosphorylation as the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia: Roles of protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Background Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2 through phosphorylation mediates opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and activations of protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 potentiate while activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibits opioid-induced hyperalgesia. However, the mechanism of opioid-induced hyperalgesia development and in particular the potential interplay between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and protein kinase C or calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia is unclear. Methods Remifentanil (1 µg ċ kg−1 ċ min−1) was given intravenously over 60 min in rats, followed by the infusion of either vehicle solution or the respective inhibitors of protein kinase C (chelerythrine), extracellular signal-regulated kinase II (KN93), or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (PD98059). Thereafter, the pain behaviors were evaluated by the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency. In in vitro studies, fetal spinal cord dorsal horn neurons were primary cultured in the presence of 4 nM remifentanil for 60 min, and then the remifentanil was washed out and replaced immediately by culturing in the absence or presence of chelerythrine, KN93 or PD98059, respectively for up to 8 h. The expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors subunits and their phosphorylation (NR1, NR2B, p-NR1, p-NR2B) were analyzed by Western blotting after the completion of treatments. Functional changes of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors were evaluated by electrophysiologic recordings of N-methyl-D-aspartate currents. Results Remifentanil induced significant thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, which were significantly attenuated by Chelerythrine or KN93 but not PD98059. The expressions of NR1, NR2B, p-NR1, and p-NR2B were increased significantly and progressively over time after remifentanil administration, and these increases were all significantly attenuated by either chelerythrine or KN93 but not PD98059. Intriguingly, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor functional enhancement induced by remifentanil was attenuated by Chelerythrine, KN93, and PD98059. Conclusions It is concluded that the enhancements in function and quantity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor via phosphorylation of its subunits through protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activation may represent the major mechanism whereby remifentanil induced hyperalgesia.
Reproductive success in melanistic adders: a new hypothesis and some considerations on Andren and Nilson's (1981) suggestions

After the publication of Andren and Nilson's (1981) study on reproductive success and the risks of predation in normal-coloured and melanistic adders (Vipera berus), interest in the ecological consequences of having a black colour has grown, and other studies have been published. Here, I (1) re-analyse the hypotheses proposed up to now, and (2) suggest a new hypothesis. My conclusions are: (1) black coloration is of selective advantage in female rather than in male adders, (2) one of the possible advantages of being black is that «post-partum» mortality might be lower in melanistic than in cryptic females
Expression d'une stéarate et d'une oléate désaturases chez le tournesol normal et à haute teneur en acide oléique, clonage de fragments génomiques et variabilité chez quelques Helianthus

Nous avons determine l'accumulation des transcrits de tournesol (Helianthus annuus L.) detectee avec des sondes heterologues soit de Δ9 ou de Δ12 desaturase dans des graines immatures et les tissus vegetatifs a differents stades. Nous avons detecte les transcrits de Δ9 et de Δ12 desaturases surtout dans les embryons immatures entre 12 et 20 jours apres la pollinisation, alors qu'ils sont faiblement accumules dans les autres tissus analyses. L'accumulation du transcrit du gene de Δ9 precede celle du gene de Δ12, et coincide avec l'apparition de l'activite enzymatique. Nous avons compare les niveaux d'accumulation des ARNm chez CANP3, une lignee avec le niveau normal d'acide oleique, et une lignee a haute teneur en acide oleique (HOC), apres standardisation des intensites des signaux. L'accumulation des ARNm de la Δ12 est significativement reduite chez HOC par comparaison a CANP3. Chez la variete HOC, l'activite enzymatique de la Δ12 est considerablement reduite dans les graines alors qu'elle est normale dans les feuilles. La mutation HOC est correlee a une reduction dans le niveau d'accumulation des transcrits d'un gene de Δ12 suppose graine specifique. Nous avons aussi observe que les ARNm de Δ9 et de Δ12 s'accumulent a un plus haut niveau a 26°C jour/22°C nuit qu'a 20°C jour/18°C nuit. A partir d'une banque genomique, 2 a 4 clones portant des sequences homologues respectivement a la Δ9 et a la Δ12 desaturases, ont ete soumis a l'amplification avec des amorces uniques pour chaque desaturase. Cela nous a permis d'identifier surement ces desaturases. En outre, nous avons applique le couple d'amorces unique a la Δ9 desaturase pour amplifier un fragment dans 12 especes representatives des Helianthus. La variabilite des sequences a releve un melange de deux sequences de Δ9 dans toutes les especes sauf chez H. occidentalis.
Repeatable individual variation in migration timing in two anadromous salmonids and ecological consequences

Abstract Consistent individual differences in behavior have been demonstrated for many animals, but there are few studies of consequences of such repeated behavior in the wild. We tested consistency in migration timing to and from the sea among anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and brown trout (Salmo trutta), using data from a study period of about 25 years, including more than 27,000 uniquely Carlin‐tagged individuals that migrated to sea for feeding in the spring and returned to the river in late summer for up to 13 successive years. Consistency was found between individuals across time in timing of the seaward migration. Individuals migrating early during their first migration tended to migrate early the following years, and late migrants tended to migrate late. The same pattern was found also at ascent to freshwater. Hence, this study demonstrated that individual fish in nature can differ in behavior related to migration timing and that these differences can be consistent during their lifetime. Early migrants increased their mass more than late migrants and had a higher specific growth rate. Early migrating Arctic char, but not brown trout, experienced a longer life after the first migration to sea than late migrants. In both species, maturity occurred earlier in individuals that migrated early. For brown trout, but not for Arctic char, fecundity was significantly correlated to the timing of smolt migration. Hence, the repeatable individual variation in migration timing seemed to have ecological and fitness consequences in terms of growth, longevity, timing of maturity, and lifetime fecundity.
Mechanics and the evolution and functional morphology of conchostracan carapace

Conchostracans, with a laterally compressed body enclosed between two symmetric valves, live swimming in fresh or brackish water. The carapace valve has a number of growth bands with various sculptures. The general trend of sculptural evolution is from smooth to punctate-minute polygon-medium reticulation-large reticulation, while these punctate, polygonal and various reticulate patterns may separately develop into various radial ridges. The development of sculpture can be well explained by mechanical principle. Functional morphology of carapace is discussed in the light of mechanics in this paper.