Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A preliminary analysis of the gene all0012 of Anabaena PCC 7120

The genes coding for methyltransferase during the maturation of phycobilisomes in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 and Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 were indentified and named CpcM. Using bioinformatics methods, it was found that a probable methyltransferase gene denoted all0012, because of its highly similarity, is likely to be the molecule that edits and modifies the b-subunit in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. The present study was intended to analyze the probable functions of gene all0012. After bioinformatic analyses, we constructed an appropriate heterologous all0012 expression carrier and the characteristics of expression were evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Afterwards, a deletion mutant was characterized via a shuttle vector by means of triparental transformation. Intact phycobilisomes were separately isolated from null mutant and wild-type strains and their absorption spectra were compared. To further analyze possible functions of all0012, null alleles of cyanobacteria were cultured in the same specific conditions as the wild type under various intensities of light. The absorbance properties of the null mutant were very similar to those of the wild-type. Meanwhile, a dramatic photosensitization difference was observed under high-level illumination, which is similar to the phenotype of methylation-deficient strains observed in previous research. This study suggests that the gene may play an important role in the methylation of the b-subunit of phycobiliprotein.
Convective systems observed by ground-based radar during the seasonal march of Asian summer monsoons in the middle of Thailand

Understanding the characteristics of clouds is essential to support disaster mitigation and improvement of cultivation planning. Convective systems (CS) are a major contributor to the total number of rain systems over the tropics. In this study, the spatio-temporal characteristics of CSs extracted from instantaneous ground-based radar observations in Phetchabun, in central Thailand, were investigated during the seasonal march of Asian summer monsoons from July to September of 2010. The Open Source Library for Weather Radar Data Processing (Wradlib) was used to create gridded radar reflectivity at instantaneously observed times at a constant altitude of 3 km above the mean sea surface level. The geometric properties of the largest CS, such as echo size, fitted ellipse, and centroid, were also extracted and analyzed by applying the OpenCV library in a Python environment. CS classification produces two classes of CSs based on their speed, stationary and propagating. Propagating CSs are most frequent in August, accounting for 20% of the total number. Additionally, the propagating CSs in August cover relatively larger areas and produce stronger radar echoes than others, while stationary CSs in August have relatively more elongated forms. Classifying CSs based on direction, previous instantaneous scans show that the westerly class dominates across the study area, especially in August. Moreover, the westerly class is associated with stronger radar echoes compared to the easterly class. Additionally, the average speed of the easterly class has a tendency to decrease toward the end of the rainy season. The hot spot area with regard to CS severity has been identified as being in the southwest part of the study area.
Use of different salting techniques in Halloumi cheese: Effect on sensory, microbiological and chemical properties

In this study Halloumi cheese samples were produced from 1:1 mixtures of ewe's and cow's milk. Cheese samples were divided into two groups. Samples of the first group were dry salted and then vacuum packed. Next group samples were ripened in tin packs containing brine solution of 13% salt content. The changes in chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the samples were investigated during the ripening period. It was found that the samples of the first group had higher dry matter and fat contents and acidity values but lower salt and ash contents than the samples of second group. It was also observed that salt and ash contents and acidity values increased in both groups during the ripening period while pH values decreased. In microbiological view, coliforms, total viable, yeast and mould counts were higher in the first group than in the second one. Coliforms decreased in both groups during the ripening period. On the other hand, total viable, yeast and mould counts decreased in second group. According to sensory evaluations, the first group samples were more preferred. The yield of cheese was determined as 15.40%.
Direct greenhouse gas emissions of the game industry in South Africa

Previous greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories did not include game as an emissions source. Recently game farming has become a recognized commercial enterprise in the agricultural sector in South Africa, contributing approximately R10 billion to the sectorial gross domestic product. The objective of this study was to estimate methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from privately owned game animals based on international recognized methodologies. The emissions were calculated on the basis of a large stock unit (LSU) selecting different quality diets. Daily enteric methane emissions were estimated as 0.28, 0.22, and 0.18 kg CH4/LSU/day consuming diets of 55%, 65% and 75% digestibility, respectively. The game industry contributed an estimated 131.9 Giga grams (Gg) of methane annually to agricultural emissions with the provinces of Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape being the three largest contributors with 43.4, 37.3 and 21 Gg methane, respectively. The total privately owned game population was estimated at 299 1370 animals, utilizing 20.5 million hectares. Keywords : Methane, nitrous oxide, wildlife, emission factors
Extractability and bioavailability of phosphorus from soils amended with poultry litter and poultry litter ash

Recycling poultry litter as a soil amendment is important to mitigate environmental problems associated with poultry waste. The application of poultry litter (PL) and poultry litter ash (PLA) may vary in their contributions to soil P concentration. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of PL and PLA on maize (Zea mays L.) biomass and P uptake in sand dune and masa soils. For this purpose, PL was ashed at 600 o C. Both PL and PLA were applied at the rate of P 100, 200 and 300 kg ha -1 . Results showed that soils amended with PLA were richer in available P and produced higher maize biomass than PL-treated soils. Plant growth increased under increasing application of PL and PLA. Masa soil produced higher biomass yield than sand dune soil. The burning practice also appeared to affect the elemental concentration of maize shoot. Plants under PLA treatments exhibited higher concentration of nutrients (P, Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Zn and Cu). However, N concentration was higher in PL-treated plants. With increasing application rate, concentrations of elements were substantially increased. Soils after amendment were also analyzed for extractable P using deionized water, Olsen, Bray 1, Mehlich 1 and DTPA extraction procedures. Total P was determined in acid digestion. Except water-soluble P, all extractions released higher P in PLA- than PL-amended soils. The amount of soil P was directly related to the application rate. For litter or littertreated soils, P extraction methods differed in the order of Mehlich 1 > DTPA > Olsen > Bray 1 > water. Increases in EC and pH of the soils were noted after harvest due to ash application. Phosphorus availability was highly correlated with plant biomass. This experiment signifies the potential use of incinerated PL as P source for crops.
Gluten contamination of cereal foods in Canada

Summary Persons suffering from celiac disease (CD) must avoid foods containing gluten or those contaminated with wheat, barley, or rye. This study was designed to estimate gluten contamination of cereal-based foods available in Canada, whether labelled gluten-free or not. About half of the 148 foods sampled were labelled as gluten-free. According to R5-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), twenty-three cereal-based foods (or 15%) contained more than 20 mg of gluten per kg, including sixteen regular and seven gluten-free foods, the latter being the least contaminated. When used in combination with R5-ELISA, AOAC-ELISA (not detecting barley) was a simple and efficient tool to roughly estimate the nature of the gluten contamination, which was later confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for barley, and wheat/barley/rice. Rice-, corn- or quinoa-based foods were the safest for celiac patients. In addition to misleading food labelling for both gluten-rich and gluten-free foods, critical issues for persons with CD included foods made with oats or buckwheat (contaminated with wheat and barley gluten) in addition to those, such as breakfast cereals, specifically enriched with barley malt ingredients.
Life at low oxygen tensions: the behaviour and physiology of Nautilus pompilius and the biology of extinct forms

Nautilus can survive for long periods in water of very low oxygen content. Below a PO2 of around 25 mm Hg activity becomes intermittent, with brief periods of jet propulsion punctuating longer (typically 15–20 min) periods at rest. During these inactive periods ventilatory movements cease and the heartbeat slows to one or two cycles of very low amplitude per minute. The onset of an active period is heralded by an increase in heartbeat frequency and amplitude and a resumption of visible ventilatory movements. The large blood volume and very high oxygen affinity of the blood pigment apparently ensure that the animal accumulates sufficient oxygen during the resting intervals to fuel the brief active periods. Recovery, even after prolonged exposure to near anoxic conditions, is very rapid if the animal is exposed to well-aerated water. These capacities are not only related to a strategy of defence by withdrawal but would also allow Nautilus to exploit environments where the low oxygen content might limit competition from most fish and crustaceans. It is argued that a Nautilus-like physiology and behaviour could well have contributed to the success of extinct ectocochleate forms, living in oceans that were, by and large, less well oxygenated than now. The downward extension of oxygen-rich water and progressive elimination of hypoxic regions from the continental shelves during the Mesozoic may have contributed to the extinction of the ectocochleates by opening up the hitherto hypoxic environments, which they were adapted to exploit, to the more strictly aerobic high metabolic rate competitors and predators that eventually replaced them.
Toxicity of some pyrethroids to the adult desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria forsk

The toxicity of a number of topically applied pyrethroids has been tested against adult male desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria: the most potent proved to be 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (+)-trans-chrysanthemate (bioresmethrin) with a weighted mean LD50 of 4.0 μg/g. The remaining compounds may be ranked in order of toxicity as follows: 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate (resmethrin) > 4-allyl-2,6-dimethyl-benzyl(+)-trans-chrysanthemate > 4-allylbenzyl (+)-trans-chrysanthemate > 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl (+)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate > 2,3,4-trimethylbenzyl (+)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate > 2,4-dimethylbenzyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate; 2-methylbenzyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate. A small factor of synergism (4.2) was obtained with bioresmethrin following pre-treatment with sesamex, but with resmethrin the synergistic ratio (1.6) was of little practical significance.
Comparison between concentrated complete diets and self‐selection for feeding sexually‐maturing pullets at hot and cold temperatures

Abstract 1. Pullets in late growth and early lay were maintained at hot (25° to 35°C) or cold (6° to 16°C) ambient temperatures and either fed complete diets or allowed to self‐select nutrients from separate energy‐ and protein‐rich foods. 2. Manipulating the metabolisable energy (ME) and/or nutrient density (ND) of complete layer diets failed to improve egg output at hot temperatures to that obtained at cold temperatures. 3. At both temperatures self‐selection increased protein, but not ME, intake. This increased egg output and body weight gain at the hot, but not cold, temperatures. At the hot temperatures pullets fed by self‐selection were the only ones to gain weight between sexual maturity and 28 weeks of age. 4. Nutrient intake patterns, related to each pullet's physiological age of sexual maturity, identified distinctive changes in protein intake and the selected protein: ME intake ratio of pullets fed by self‐selection. Pullets attempted to maintain a preferred protein:ME intake ratio, irrespectiv.
Mechanisms involved in rapid swelling of sesame (Sesamus indicum) pollen

Abstract Mature pollen from dehisced anther of sesame (Sesamus indicum L.) have 12 furrow apertures. Pollen were hydrated with distilled water and it was found that upon hydration pollen swelled in less than a second. Macallum's staining solution revealed that the potassium (K) existed only at the furrow aperture areas of pollen. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) verified staining results of K at the furrow aperture areas of pollen. These results demonstrate that sesame pollen swell instantly upon hydration in water and there could be a relationship between K, located at the furrow aperture area, and rapid swelling of pollen.
The metabolism of 14C‐glucose by neurons and astrocytes in brain subregions following focal cerebral ischemia in rats

To provide insights into the effects of temporary focal ischemia on the function of neurons and astrocytes in vivo, we measured the incorporation of radiolabel from [U‐14C]glucose into both glutamate and glutamine in brain subregions at 1 h of reperfusion following occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 or 3 h. Under the experimental conditions used, 14C‐glutamate is mainly produced in neurons whereas 14C‐glutamine is generated in astrocytes from 14C‐glutamate of both neuronal and astrocytic origin. Radiolabel incorporation into both amino acids was greatly decreased. The change in 14C‐glutamate accumulation provides strong evidence for substantial reductions in neuronal glucose metabolism. The resulting decrease in delivery of 14C‐glutamate from the neurons to astrocytes was probably also the major contributor to the change in 14C‐glutamine content. These alterations probably result in part from a marked depression of glycolytic activity in the neurons, as suggested by previous studies assessing deoxyglucose utilization. Alterations in 14C‐glucose metabolism were not restricted to tissue that would subsequently become infarcted. Thus, these changes did not inevitably lead to death of the affected cells. The ATP : ADP ratio and phosphocreatine content were essentially preserved during recirculation following 2 h of ischemia and showed at most only moderate losses in some subregions following 3 h of ischemia. This retention of energy reserves despite the decreases in 14C‐glucose metabolism in neurons suggests that energy needs were substantially reduced in the post‐ischemic brain. Marked increases in tissue lactate accumulation during recirculation, particularly following 3 h of ischemia, provided evidence that impaired pyruvate oxidation probably also contributed to the altered 14C‐glucose metabolism. These findings indicate the presence of complex changes in energy metabolism that are likely to greatly influence the responses of neurons and astrocytes to temporary focal ischemia.
Neospora caninum seropositivity in cattle breeds in the South Fluminense Paraíba Valley, state of Rio de Janeiro

The infection by Neospora caninum of different cattle breeds in dairy properties in two municipalities of the South Fluminense Paraiba Valley, state of Rio de Janeiro, was evaluated. Considering a sampling universe of 2,491 cows, blood samples were collected from 563 dairy cows in 57 farms, which were randomically selected in proportion to the number of animals, using a random stratified sampling system. For each property the number of selected cows was proportional to the herd size. Abortion or other reproductive disorders were not considered as criteria for selecting the animals, and seropositivity was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A high association (p=0.006) between seropositivity and racial patterns was found. The analysis revealed that in comparison of pure black-and-white Holstein cows versus Zebu (p=0.0028), Holstein cows showed 2.65 times greater odds for seropositivity. In the same way, by comparing black-and-white Holstein versus Zebu + crossbreed Zebu/Holstein (p=0.01), it was noted that there is 2.23 times more chance for seropositivity in Holstein cattle. There were no significant differences concerning the comparison of Holstein cattle versus crossbreed Zebu/Holstein (p=0.08) or Zebu versus crossbreed Zebu/Holstein (p=0.11). This study supports the hypothesis that there is a close association between cattle breeds and the frequency of infection by N. caninum.
Postulation of virulence groups and resistance factors in the quinoa/downy mildew pathosystem using material from Ecuador

Twenty downy mildew isolates were collected in south, central and north Ecuador and inoculated on seedlings of 60 quinoa lines. A scale for scoring quinoa downy mildew infections was developed. Four virulence groups and three resistance factors were identified. In southern Ecuador only isolates of virulence group 2 were collected, while in the central region only virulence group 4 was found. In the north of Ecuador isolates of all four virulence groups were collected. Resistance factor R3 was found most frequently in seedlings of 13 high-yielding Ecuadorian quinoa lines. No effective resistance against group 4, the most virulent group, was observed. Lines ECU-288 (susceptible), ECU-291(R1), ECU-470 (R2) and ECU-379 (R3) could be used as a preliminary quinoa differential set for identifying downy mildew virulence groups.
EFFECTS OF MEAL SIZE ON OTOLITH RECOVERY FROM FECAL SAMPLES OF GRAY AND HARBOR SEAL PUPS

Recovered otoliths from pinniped feces provide valuable information on diet composition and prey size. We studied the effect of meal size on otolith recovery from the feces of one harbor and eight gray seal pups. Each of 11 experiments comprised a half-ration meal, a period of fecal collection, a 1.5-or double-ration meal again followed by a period of fecal collection. A significantly lower percentage of Atlantic herring otoliths were recovered from half-ration meals (25%± 12.5% in the harbor seal, 8.6%± 6.9% in eight gray seals) than from 1.5- or double-ration meals (62.5%± 3.1 % in the harbor seal, 32.8%± 23.5% in gray seals). Meal size also significantly affected the percentage of Atlantic cod otoliths recovered from gray seal feces (65.0%± 26.3% from half ration, 98.3%± 2.9% from 1.5 ration). For both size meals, recovered cod otoliths were more significantly eroded than herring otoliths. The development of correction factors to account for the effects of digestion will need to consider the distribution of meal sizes of free-ranging pinnipeds.
Investigating geographic variation in clutch size using a natural experiment

Summary 1Clutch sizes generally increase with latitude, and are smaller at southern latitudes compared with equivalent northern ones. 2Descriptions of such patterns and attempts to identify their causal mechanisms are complicated as different species, with different ecological traits are often compared in different regions. We reduce such problems by using the introduction of 11 passerine species from the UK to New Zealand as a natural experiment to explore interspecific geographical variation in clutch size. 3Nine species have significantly smaller clutches in New Zealand than the UK. Seasonality, measured both by climate and how birds respond to variation in resource availability, is also lower in New Zealand. Comparing across species, the magnitude of clutch size change is unrelated to the magnitude of reduced seasonality that each species experiences. 4Such observations are partly compatible with Ashmole's hypothesis that areas with high seasonality have large clutch sizes (higher winter mortality results in a breeding population that is significantly lower than the environment's carrying capacity, and hence in extra resources for rearing chicks). However, additional data on seasonal changes in resource availability and population densities, combined with comparative data on survival and nest predation rates, are required to evaluate fully the mechanisms generating smaller clutches in the southern hemisphere. We discuss the potential determinants of geographical variation in the patterns of temporal variation in clutch size.
Effects of microbial inoculant on fermentation of poor quality alfalfa

Abstract To determine effects of a microbial inoculum on the fermentation characteristics of poor quality alfalfa, second cutting alfalfa was cut and allowed to deteriorate in the field for 10 d before ensiling into 200-L steel drums. Addition of the inoculum resulted in the application of 7000 to 10,000 viable anaerobic bacteria to each gram of wet forage. Inoculant consisted primarily of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis , and Pediococcus acidilactici attached to a dried whey and calcium carbonate-based carrier. Microbial inoculation did not affect changes in pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, nonprotein N, or NH 3 N. Inoculation caused some differences in microbial growth trends as evidenced by high numbers of total anaerobes after ensiling for 4 d and lower numbers of acid-tolerant anaerobes during the 1st wk after ensiling on inoculated than on control silage. High numbers and a wide diversity of bacteria were found on deteriorated forage prior to ensiling. Lactic acid bacteria populations shifted from homolactic to heterolactic type fermenters and from Streptococcus spp. to Lactobacillus spp. as the fermentation progressed.
Virulence of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus is associated with the larger RNA segment (RNA segment A)

Abstract. Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) contains two segments of double- stranded RNA (the larger RNA segment, A; and a smaller RNA segment, B). The IPNV- Buhl isolate belongs to the VR299 serotype, and eel virus European (EVE) is serologically the same as the Ab serotype. IPNV-Buhl is virulent to rainbow trout fry, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), whereas EVE is avirulent. To determine the genetic basis for the difference of the virulence, intertypic reassortants were made between IPNV-Buhl and EVE. The reassortants with the genotypes of P/E (segment A of IPNV-Buhl and segment B of EVE) and E/P (segment A of EVE and segment B of IPNV-Buhl) were studied for their pathogenicity to rainbow trout fry. The P/E reassortant was highly virulent, similar to the IPNV-Buhl parent (P/P), while the E/P reassortant was avirulent, as was the EVE parent (E/E). A high level of viral replication was observed in almost all organs of the fry infected with the P/E reassortant and the IPNV-Buhl parent. In contrast, viral replication was restricted to the epidermal cells of the fry infected with the E/P reassortant and the EVE parent. The results demonstrate that the larger RNA segment (RNA segment A) of IPNV is related to cell tropism in vivo and is responsible for virulence in rainbow trout fry.
THE PHYLUM ARCHAEOCYATHA

1. The Archaeocyatha are, geologically speaking, a short‐lived group, characteristic of the carbonate‐shelf and reef environments of the Lower Cambrian and early Middle Cambrian. They are found in all continents, excepting South America but including Antarctica. They are the only animal phylum that has become extinct.