Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterosis and combining ability in indian bean {Lablab purpureus (L.) sweet}

Heterosis and combining ability for 12 characters including pod yield per plant in Indian bean were studied in diallel crosses involving eight diverse genotype, excluding reciprocals. The hybrid JIB (P) 4 x Danitiwala Local found highly heterotic foe pod yield per plant (105.16%), plant height (25.82%) and for pod girth (28.25%). The components of variances due to gca and sca revealed the predominance of additive gene action for all the characters under study. The entry JIB (P) 4 was found to be good general combiner for pod yield per plant and number of pods per plant. The crosses JIB (P) 4 x Dantiwada Local and JIB (V) 7 x JIB (V) 15 were identified as the best combinations which could be exploited for improving pod yield in Indian bean.
Sampling Design for Early Detection of Aquatic Invasive Species in Great Lakes Ports

We evaluated a pilot aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection monitoring program in Lake Superior that was designed to detect newly introduced fishes. We established survey protocols for three major ports (Duluth-Superior, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay) and designed an adaptive cycle for routine evaluation of survey performance. Among the three ports, we found both similarities (species richness) and differences (introduced species detectability, species detection efficiency) with respect to AIS survey performance. Despite those differences, our analysis indicated potential for increasing detection efficiency at all three ports by exploiting differences in fish assemblages and sampling gears to increase rare species encounters. Using this information in the adaptive cycle, we demonstrate the ability to improve AIS detection efficiency. Our pilot monitoring program with its adaptive cycle of assessment, refinement, and implementation provides a performance-based approach to increase AIS detection eff.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, IRRADIANCE AND DIURNAL PERIODICITY ON GROWTH AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE DIATOM NITZSCHIA AMERICANA; LIGHT‐SATURATED GROWTH 1

The physiological response of an estuarine clone of Nitzschia americana Fryx3ell was measured under experimental conditions of temperature and salinity which represent the average range of these variables in the Cape Fear River Estuary, North Carolina. The influence of temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30°C) and salinity (8, 15, 20, 26, 32‰) on specific growth rates, μ, and parameters of photosynthesis‐irradiance curves, α, and Pmax were measured during maximum and minimum rates of diurnal photosynthesis using axenic semi‐continuous batch cultures maintained at an irradiance saturating for photosynthesis (140 μE m‐2·s‐1). There was an increase in μ with increasing temperature up to a broad uptimum (25 ± 2.5°C), above which μ gradually declined. At the predicted optimum temperature of 25°C, μ increased as a linear function of salinity. oth light‐limited (α) amd light‐saturated (Pmax) rates of photosynthesis increased as salinity decreased. The effect of temperature on a and Pmax was complex and dependent on salinity. Pmax exhibited a diurnal periodicity, whereas estimates of a were not significantly different between sampling periods. Growth efficiencey opf N. americana, calculated as the ratio between specific growth rates and rates of gross photosynthesis, increased with an increase in salinity with a maximum at the predicted optimum temperature and salinity of 25°C and 32‰, suggesting and uncoupling between photosynthesis and growth at nonoptimum growth conditions.
ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC FRACTION OF ADHATODA VASICA IN A549 CELL LINE

Objective: To characterize and standardize the ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica (AV) and evaluate its antioxidant potential in vitro, and to study its free radical scavenging effect in A549 cell line. Methods: Antioxidant activity of AVE through DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activity, H2O2, NO and Lipid peroxidation assays were carried out. Results: In A549 cell line, the NO scavenging ability of AVE was analysed through NO production measurement. IC values of ethanolic extract through DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activity, H 2 O 2 50 , NO and lipid peroxidation assays were found to be 64, 200, 54, 62, 40 and 340 µg/ml, respectively. The reducing power was found to increase in a concentration dependent manner. AVE (1 - 2µg/ml) scavenged NO radicals (11% and 28% in comparison to control). Conclusion: The present study showed the ethanolic extract of AV to be a good oxygen radical scavenger and a natural source of antioxidants. AVE showed significant nitric oxide radical scavenging activity in A549 cell line. Keywords: Adhatoda vasica, Phytochemicals, Flavonoids, Tannins, Antioxidant potential.
Biomass and litterfall of Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata in the mangrove forest of Gazi Bay, Kenya

Biomass and (leaf) litter production of stands of Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal were assessed in an East African mangrove forest. Inundation frequency of the R. mucronata stand was twice a day (on average 575 min day-1), whereas the C. tagal stand was inundated only during spring tides (on average 116 min day-1). The highest above-ground biomass (24.9 ± 4.0 kg dry weight m<.-2) was present in the R. mucronata stand, in which leaf litter production was 2.51 ± 1.15 g DW mw2 day-1. Above-ground biomass and leaf litterfall in the C. tagal stand were 4.01 ± 0.34 kg DW m-2 and 1.05 ± 0.49 g DW m-2 day-1, respectively. There was a distinct seasonal pattern in litterfall in both stands, with lower litterfall values in the wet season. Chloride concentrations were relatively high in senescent leaves, compared with those in green leaves. The decreased litterfall during the wet periods may be related to a reduced accumulation of chloride in the leaves. The difference in inundation frequency between the R. mucronata and C. tagal stands is expected to cause a more substantial tidal export of fallen leaves from the R. mucronata stand. As nitrogen resorption before defoliation was similar for C. tagal (50.9%) and R. mucronata (50.1%), tidal flushing may cause larger nitrogen losses from the R. mucronata stand.
Incidence of Rodent Pests in Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and their Management

Infestation pattern and extent of damage by rodent pests and their management in cumin crop using secondgeneration anticoagulant rodenticides were studied at farmers' fields in Jodhpur district. Monthly trapping throughout the crop season revealed presence of four species, viz., Tatera indica (45.16%), Meriones hurrianae (29.03%), Gerbillus gleadowi and, an arboreal species, Funambulus pennanti (25.81%). Damage to cumin crop was almost on par at the vegetative growth stage and flowering stage, recording 11.00 and 13.50% reduction in plant stand, respectively. Efficacy of two anticoagulant rodenticides viz., difethiaone (0.0025%) and bromadiolone (0.005%) was evaluated by two census methods simultaneously, viz., live burrow count (LBC) and census baiting (CB). Two treatments of either of the anticoagulants, one at vegetative growth and another at flowering stage, resulted in >80% reduction in pest rodent population. Cost:benefit ratio obtained with bromadiolone (0.005%) baiting was 1:10.8. Thus, poison baiting with anticoagulant rodenticides may be practiced twice at (i) vegetative growth and (ii) flowering stage, for effective rodent management in cumin.
Biología de Venerupis pullastra (Montagu, 1983) y Venerupis decusata (Linné, 1767) (Mollusca, Bivalvia), con especial referencia a los factores determinantes de la producción

En esta memoria se estudia la biologia de dos de las especies de moluscos bivalvos de mayor importancia economica en Galicia: venerupis pullastra y venerupis decussata en aquellos aspectos que tienen una influencia directa sobre la produccion de ambas especies determinandose entre otros factores la epoca de reproduccion, la edad de primera puesta, el crecimiento, la mortalidad natural y variacion estacional del estado de condicion aplicandose en cada caso diversas tecnicas de estudio cuyos resultados se comparan. Los resultados obtenidos se aplican al calculo de la produccion en ambas especies determinandose sus tallas optimas de explotacion
Polychaete species captured in sediment traps moored in northwestern Mediterranean submarine canyons

Sediment traps were placed in the water column both inside and in the vicinity of three northwestern Mediterranean submarine canyons. The sediment traps with 12 rotary collectors were deployed on mooring lines 30 and 500 m above the sea floor, and were sampled fortnightly. Polychaete worms (Anelida) and hydromedusae (Cnidaria) were the most abundant zoological taxa captured. Whereas hydromedusae and three of the polychaete species were clearly planktonic organisms, 16 polychaete species were adult benthic forms without special adaptations for swimming, and sometimes also had a large biomass. Four of the 19 polychaete species are described as new species: Aricidea (Allia) longisetosa sp. nov., Paradoneis hirsuta sp. nov., Ophelina margaleffi sp. nov., and Exogone (Parexogone) canyonincolae sp. nov. The rich collection of polychaetes obtained leads us to postulate that these animals are supported by a continuous flux of organic matter, and that they are adapted to the rigorous physical conditions that may occur between the seafloor and the bottom water. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155, 1–21.
Dehydration Stress in the Wolf Spider Schizocosa ocreata (Araneae: Lycosidae): Tolerance, Resistance, and Coping Mechanisms

ii Dedication.v Acknowledgements . vi Vita.vii List of Tables.ix List of Figures.x Chapter 1: Introduction to dehydration stress: what are the challenges and how do animals respond? 1 Chapter 2: Dehydration Tolerance in the Wolf Spider Schizocosa ocreata: A comparison of survivorship, body water content and critical water loss, and water loss rates between sexes.10 Chapter 3: Behavioral coping mechanisms to dehydration stress in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata.30 Chapter 4: Physiological responses to water loss in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata: the role of octopamine in dehydration stress.48 References.64
DIET COMPOSITION AND FEEDING INTENSITY OF WILD ZIGZAG EEL, MASTACEMBELUS ARMATUS

Mastacembelus armatus is a commercially important, large sized, popular freshwater fish. The dietary composition and feeding intensity of the fish was observed for a period of 12 months. The fish fed on varieties of food items viz. fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, debris and mud that respectively obtained as 16.60, 14.75, 10.78, 8.50, 8.28, and 13.52 percent in average. During the study period 80.94% fish showed active feeding. In case of categorized feeding intensity 48.54% stomachs were found full, 16.14% were moderately full, 16.25% were semifull, 12.40% were semi-empty and 6.67 % were empty. The fish also showed monthly variation in feeding intensity.
Metabolism of Selenoamino Acids and Contribution of Selenium Methylation to Their Toxicity

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and a toxicant for animals. Selenocystine (CySeSeCy) and selenomethionine (SeMet), selenoamino acids, are one of the chemical forms in which selenium exists in foods. This review summarized recent studies on the relation of toxicity and metabolism of selenite, CySeSeCy and SeMet in experimental animals. Hepatotoxicity is caused by repeated oral administration of CySeSeCy. CySeSeCy is metabolized by reduced glutathione (GSH) and/or glutathione reductase to hydrogen selenide (H2Se) via selenocysteine-glutathione selenenyl sulfide (CySeSG). The H2Se is a key intermediate in the methylation process of inorganic and organic selenium compounds. Accumulation of H2Se resulting from inhibition of the Se-methylation metabolism, the detoxification pathway of selenium, is found in animals following repeated oral administration of a toxic dose of CySeSeCy. The Se-methylation inhibition is caused by a reduction in the Sadenosylmethionine (SAM) level due to the repression of methionine adenosyltransferase activity. The excess of H2Se produced by inhibition of methionine adenosyltransferase contributes to the hepatotoxicity caused by CySeSeCy. Moreover, SeMet is now known to be directly metabolized to monomethylselenol (MMSe) as selenide by γ-elimination enzyme in mouse liver. The disturbances in detoxification pathway of Se compounds such as methylation process may be involved in the development of selenosis.
Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics

Marine Carbon BiogeochemistryBiogeochemical Cycles and ClimateGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles in the Climate SystemOcean Dynamics and the Carbon CycleLive Long and EvolveBiogeochemistry of Marine Dissolved Organic MatterOcean Biogeochemical DynamicsMarine Ecosystems and Global ChangeBiological OceanographyNitrogen in the SeaBiogeochemistry of EstuariesInteractions of C, N, P and S Biogeochemical Cycles and Global ChangeGlobal EnvironmentComputational Science — ICCS 2004The Oceans and ClimateMarine Microbiome and Biogeochemical Cycles in Marine Productive AreasMetal Ions in Biological Systems, Volume 43 Biogeochemical Cycles of ElementsNitrogen in the Marine EnvironmentIntroduction to Marine BiogeochemistryOcean Circulation and ClimatePrimary Productivity and Biogeochemical Cycles in the SeaThe Biogeochemical Cycle of Silicon in the OceanChemical OceanographyTowards a Model of Ocean Biogeochemical ProcessesOcean Dynamics and the Carbon CycleOcean BiogeochemistryParticle Analysis in OceanographyBiogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Dynamics at Major River-Coastal InterfacesThe Ocean Carbon Cycle and ClimateSensitivity of global ocean biogeochemical dynamics to ecosystem structure in a future climateModeling Methods for Marine ScienceAn Introduction to the Chemistry of the SeaEncyclopedia of Ocean SciencesCO2 in Seawater: Equilibrium, Kinetics, IsotopesThe Biogeochemical Cycle of Silicon in the OceanKuroshio CurrentThe Mediterranean Sea in the Era of Global Change 1Ocean Biogeochemical DynamicsOcean Mixing
Evaluation of Biochemical Composition of Salt and Garlic Treated Smoke- Dried Chapila ( Gudusia chapra Hamilton, 1822) and Kaika ( Xenentodon cancila Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) Fish at Laboratory Condition (27-31 0 C)

Investigation on the effects of salt and fresh garlic extract on the biochemical-composition of smoke-dried chapila and Kaika fish showed that in fresh process condition, moisture, protein, lipid, ash and TVB-N contents were found 6.77%, 45.24%, 30.52%, 18.71% and 4.09 mgN/100g in case of salt-garlic treated smoke-dried chapila (S+G-C) and 9.57%, 62.76%, 5.37%, 22.30% and 5.97 mgN/100g in case of salt-garlic treated smoke-dried Kaika (S+G-K) fish respectively. During storage at room temperature (27-31 0 C), the percentage of moisture and TVB-N value was increased significantly (p<0.05) whereas total protein, lipid and ash contents were considerably decreased. The values of moisture (%) content and TVB-N value were increased 10.74% and 20.46 mgN/100g (16th months) in S+G-C while 11.90 % and 21.39 mgN/100g (12th months) in S+G-K respectively. The percentage of protein, fat and ash content were decreased 42.66%, 28.75% and 17.34% in case of S+G-C (16th months) and 61.91%, 4.50% and 21.71% in case of S+G-K (12th month) respectively. The study showed that natural curing agent like salt and garlic extend the shelf life of fish products and among these two types of salt-garlic treated smoke-dried fish products, Chapila fish has better shelf-life because of it fatty texture.
Effect of Transplacental and Lactational Exposure to Arsenic on Male Reproduction in Mice

3 Abstract: Sodium arsenite was orally administered to mice during pregnancy and lactation at a dose level of 0.4 ppm and spermatogenesis of next generation in adult male mice was analyzed. A significant depletion in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability and HOS-coiling was observed in mice exposed to arsenic during early stages of development with an increase in sperm abnormalities. These results indicated that exposure to arsenic during early stages of development suppresses the male reproduction in adults. Thus, it was concluded that the potential of reproduction is programmed, to some extent, in the early stages of development and hence any toxic insult during embryonic development and lactation suppresses male reproductive potential in adulthood.
VEGETATIVE EDGE EFFECTS AND POCKET GOPHER TUNNELS

Abstract Herbivory and soil movement by subterranean mammals influences structure and species composition of plant communities they inhabit. Tunnels constructed by pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius) in Kansas produced an edge effect wherein biomass of the dominant plant species, big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), increased adjacent to tunnels, then decreased, before increasing again. This wave-like phenomenon was attributed to reduction of biomass of big bluestem above tunnels releasing plants adjacent to tunnels from intraspecific competition. We tested for edge effects on vegetation over tunnels of Attwater's pocket gopher (Geomys attwateri) in a floristically diverse (>10 species of monocots, >30 species of dicots) prairie in coastal Texas. No community-level edge effect was detected; neither biomass, species richness, nor diversity of all plants, monocots alone, or dicots alone over tunnels differed significantly from that in quadrats 0 to 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 30, or 30 to 40 cm away from tunnels. Biomass of 4 individual species of plants prominent in the diet of G. attwateri did not show an edge effect. We conclude that tunnels of pocket gophers have a minor impact on plant biomass or community structure in the floristically diverse coastal prairie of Texas. This result contrasts to the negative effect of deposition of mounds above ground on plant biomass in prairies elsewhere in Texas and Kansas.
Aegyptocetus tarfa, n. gen. et sp. (Mammalia, Cetacea), from the Middle Eocene of Egypt: Clinorhynchy, Olfaction, and Hearing in a Protocetid Whale

ABSTRACT A new protocetid archaeocete, Aegyptocetus tarfa, is represented by a nearly complete cranium and an associated partial skeleton. The specimen was recovered when marbleized limestone was imported commercially to Italy and cut into decorative facing stone. It came from middle Eocene Tethyan marine strata of the Gebel Hof Formation of Wadi Tarfa in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Exceptional preservation and preparation enables study of some internal features of the skull as well as its external morphology. The skull of Aegyptocetus is unusual in having the rostrum and frontal portions of the cranium deflected more ventrally relative to the braincase than is typical for archaeocetes. This ventral deflection, clinorhynchy, is a rare specialization related to feeding or hearing that is widely distributed across mammals. Aegyptocetus has well-developed ethmoidal turbinai bones, indicating retention of a functional sense of smell. It also has cranial asymmetry, thinning of the lateral walls of the dentaries, enlarged mandibular canals, and thinning of the anterolateral walls of the tympanic bullae, indicating enhanced ability to hear in water. Neural spines are long on thoracic vertebrae Tl through T8, suggesting that Aegyptocetus was able to support its weight on land like other protocetids. This combination of terrestrial and aquatic characteristics is consistent with interpretation of protocetids as semiaquatic. The pattern of tooth marks preserved on the ribs of Aegyptocetus indicates that the individual studied here was attacked by a large shark, but it is not certain whether this was the cause of death.
An Evaluation of Containerized Plants for Strawberries Growing in a Subtropical Environment

The productivity of containerized and bare-rooted plants of strawberry (Fragaria * ananassa) was investigated over 4 years in southeastern Queensland, Australia. In the first experiment, plants in small, 75-cm3 cells were compared with bare-rooted plants of 'Festival' and 'Sugarbaby'. A similar experiment was conducted in year 2 with these two cultivars, plus 'Rubygem'. In year 3, plants in large, 125-cm3 cells were compared with small and large bare-rooted plants of 'Festival' and 'Rubygem'. Treatments in each of these experiments were planted on the same date. In the final experiment, plants in large cells and bare-rooted plants of 'Festival' were planted in late March, early April, mid-April, or early May. The plants grown in small cells produced 60% to 85% of the yields of the bare-rooted plants, whereas the yield of plants in large cells was equal to that of the bare-rooted plants. Containerized plants are twice as expensive as bare-rooted plants (A$0.60 vs. A$0.32) (A$=Australian dollar), and gave only similar or lower returns than the bare-rooted plants (A$0.54 to A$3.73 vs. A$1.40 to A$4.09). It can be concluded that containerized strawberry plants are not economically viable in subtropical Queensland under the current price structure and growing system. There was a strong relationship between yield and average plant dry weight (leaves, crowns, and roots) in 'Festival' in the last three experiments, where harvesting continued to late September or early October. Productivity increased by about 18 g for each gram increase in plant dry weight, indicating the dependence of fruit production on vegetative growth in this environment.
Effect of temperature and PH on activity of purified cellulase obtained from Aspergillus flavus

In view of the fact that temperature and pH play key role inthe activity of fungal cellulases, this experiment was designed to assess theeffect of temperature, and pH on activity of the purified enzyme fromAspergillus flavus derived from rotten wood. The characterizationof the purified cellulase enzyme of Aspergillus flavus was carried out usingcarboxymethyl cellulose, filter paper and cotton wool assays. The maximum andoptimum temperatures were 900C and 700C respectively. The pH optima werebetween 5 and 8. The enzyme retained above 50% of its original activity at 1000C for 1h and up to 80% at 80 0C for 1h. It was stable over a pH range of 5-8,and retained up to 40% of its original activity at pH 9. The study carried outshowed that the purified Aspergillus flavus cellulases demonstrated usefulproperties among which include; high optimum temperature, increased thermalstability at both acidic and alkaline pH. They also offer additional advantageas they are more rigid than meso enzymes and moreover, are more resistant tothermal and chemical denaturation. Hence are remarkable tools for developingcommercial biotechnologies and for studying protein stability.
Quantifying the Origin of Woodcock Wintering in France

Abstract Migratory birds wintering at the same location are usually coming from populations of different origins, in variable proportions. Using data from individuals banded on their wintering grounds and recovered on their breeding areas, we show that such proportions are estimable given that 1) all breeding populations are identified, and 2) the wintering population can be stratified into ≥1 more site than the number of breeding populations. We applied this technique to woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) banded while wintering in France (N = 35,000) and recovered in other European countries (N = 520). We estimated that the proportion of eastern woodcock among those wintering in France varied spatially, ranging from 70% in northwest France to nearly 100% in southeast France, and increased substantially over the last 15 years. Overall, the method appears powerful to quantify spatial variation of the composition of a population receiving individuals from various origins.