Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in disturbance type and nutrient availability favour different functional traits across three co-occurring montane wetland systems in eastern Australia

Three co-occurring temperate montane non-riparian freshwater wetland communities of the New England Batholith of eastern Australia were chosen to test differences in resource allocation to select functional traits. Each of the wetlands was tested against inferred gradients of nutrient availability, fire and disturbance frequency. Collated functional trait data on 563 native vascular plant taxa known to occur in bogs, fens and lagoons were used against a centrally weighted means redundancy analysis. Traits included life form, plant height, leaf area, fruit size, seed size, mono- or polycarpy, storage organs, fruit type, vegetative spread and geographic range size. Where disturbances were moderate to low in frequency and habitats persistent, tolerance and in-situ permanence traits were favoured. With high nutrient availability and a low disturbance regime polycarpic species with large leaves that allow for larger fruit development were more common. Under low nutrient availability and a moderate disturbance regime, persistence was shifted to a longer lived polycarpic life history that includes woody taxa with increased seed size and a greater diversity of fruit types. In frequently inundated habitats, with shifting windows of available habitats, avoidance was the best strategy. Here persistence shifts to long-lived soil stored diaspores and a monocarpic life history with rapid vegetative growth to capture above ground spatial resource within temporary habitats.
The effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery on lipid profile of rats fed a high fat diet

Background and Objectives: Decrease in serum lipids by dietary or pharmacological intervention prevents progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery (Apium graveolens) on lipid profile of rats fed a high fat diet. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. The control group received saline with high-fat diet and treatment groups did hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/BW with high fat diet by gavage over a 30-day period. Afterwards, the serum levels of lipids (triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and VLDL) were determined. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test using SPSS15 software. Results: Hydro-alcoholic extract of celery significantly decreased cholesterol and LDL in treatment groups compared with control group (P≤0.05); but had no significant effects in serum levels of triglyceride, HDL, and VLDL (P>0.05). Conclusions: Probably celery consumption due to the antioxidant properties leads to appropriate changes in serum lipid profiles and reduces them. Therefore it could be useful in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. © 2014 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved.
Antimicrobial activities of various Cirsium hypoleucum extracts

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of various extracts from the herbs of Cirsium hypoleucum were screened by microdilution method against both the standard and the isolated strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Additionally, both Herpes simplex (HSV) and Parain-fluenza viruses (PIV) were used for the determination of antiviral activity of the herb extracts of this plant by using Vero cell line. Ampicillin, ofloxacin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, acyclovir and oseltamivir were used as the control agents. The data obtained from antiviral activity screening showed that remaining water fraction had significant activity against HSV. Additionally, methanol extract, ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against isolated strains of S. aureus at 32 μg/ml concentration. However, no significant activity was observed with any of the extracts obtained from antifungal and antibacterial activity.
Identifying Escherichia Coli factors that selectively bind the mRNA of secreted proteins

In this study we assay that the mRNA encoding secreted proteins; periplasmic protein propyl isomerase chaperone SurA and the phosphatase phoA would preferentially interact with several proteins rather than Ffh secretion factor. As well as the secreted proteins, the mRNAs encoding the cytosolic proteins cytoplasmic protein 3-isopropyl malate dehydrogenase (IsodH) and gMP reductase have the same interactions. We performed the pull-down assays using SurA mRNA as bait that showed that mostly interested proteins corresponding to the Staphylococcus aureus SRP protein and S. aureus FtsY-like Protein. Therefore, the Nucleoid-associated protein, YbaB and Multifunctional conjugation protein TraI were recognized. Curiously, we were able to identified the following proteins; the fused protein chain initiation factor 2 (IF-2), DEAD/DEAH box helicase protein, multifunctional conjugation protein TraI, Acetyltransferase GNAT family protein I and 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase enzyme that interact with the cytosolic IsodH mRNA. Particularly, it was found that the least enzyme involved in functions associated with mRNA translation in the case of in E. coli and thus involved in the regulation of mRNA products. As well as 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase enzyme the ATP-dependent helicase Lhr also has a role in mRNA contro. Beside the previous finding, in the case of the PhoA mRNA many proteins such as Poly (A) polymerase I enzyme (PAPI), 30S ribosomal protein S10, 50S ribosomal protein L28, Putative type II secretion system L-type protein YghE and Fumarate and nitrate reduction (FNR) regulatory protein were found. The key factor, Ffh, however was not amongst them. Ideally, direct binding experiments with a purified Ffh and cloning of the Ffh gene would be conducted for the further direction.
Sulfentrazone adsorption and mobility as affected by soil and pH

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate soil adsorption and mobility of sulfentrazone. Sulfentrazone is a new phenyl triazolinone herbicide intended for use in soybean. Adsorption was evaluated through a soil solution technique, and mobility was evaluated with soil thin-layer chromatography. Experimental variables included soil, sulfentrazone concentration (adsorption study only), and pH. Adsorption was influenced by all experimental variables; however, pH had the greatest effect. Adsorption generally decreased in response to increasing pH. However, the greatest decrease occurred above the pKa of sulfentrazone (i.e., 6.56). Mobility generally reflected adsorption.
Sustainability of urban coastal area management: A case study on Cide

ABSTRACT The coast along an urban area, when it is healthy, can play a role in the city, affecting the urban identity, enriching the visual aspects of life there, and overall affecting the quality of life in a positive way. Management and planning recommendations for the coast of Cide are presented. Cide is feeling the effects of rapid changes in land use. Studies conducted with geographic information systems (GISs) in order to analyze this process have shown that the natural structure of the user area of a coast changes over time. In particular, change manifests itself in an increase in construction, forests, and people living there. As for coastal planning, research priorities in the Cide coastal area, including some external environmental factors such as the social and economic factors affecting coastal development, were investigated. A method based on land use classification has been developed in the GIS environment. The data were supported by surveys conducted with residents. Based on the GIS results, Cide’s valuable agricultural land in coastal sand dune fields and forests have been determined; that the dominant type of land use in the study includes 3,336 ha of forest, accounting for 74% of the total area.
Mortality, Transmitter Retention, Growth, and Wound Healing in Juvenile Salmon Injected with Micro Acoustic Transmitters

AbstractA cylindrical micro acoustic transmitter (AT; weight in air = 0.2 g) has been developed for injection into the peritoneal cavity of fish. Laboratory studies can provide tagging guidelines to minimize the effects of implantation techniques and transmitter burden (transmitter weight expressed as a proportion of fish weight) before use of the AT in field studies. To establish guidelines for minimizing tagging effects, we examined response variables (mortality, transmitter expulsion, growth, and wound healing) for micro AT-injected juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha over a wide range of sizes (65–104 mm FL). The overarching goal was to determine a minimum size threshold at which the adverse effects of micro AT injection on fish are minimized. Juveniles (n = 700) were separated into four treatments: (1) AT injection, (2) injection of an AT and a PIT tag (AT+PIT), (3) injection of visible implant elastomer (marked control), and (4) unmarked (true) control. Fish were evaluated once per week.
Limitations and Relevance of Biological Nitrogen Fixation during Postglacial Succession in Cordillera Darwin, Tierra del Fuego, Chile

ABSTRACT We tested the main hypothesis that nutrient accumulation during late stages of postglacial succession would decrease nutrient limitation of diazotrophic activity. We tested this hypothesis by adding carbon (C), phosphorus (P), and molybdenum (Mo) independently or in combination, and nitrogen (N) only to symbiotic, epiphylls on bryophytes, and free-living diazotrophs in three stages of glacier foreland succession in Cordillera Darwin (55°S), southern South America. Experiments were run in spring 2013 and 2014 and in autumn 2015. Diazotrophic activity (DA) was assessed by the acetylene reduction assay. Results showed no effect of C, P, or Mo added either singly or in combination in the spring incubations. During autumn, DA was enhanced by adding a mix of C, P, and Mo to the symbiotic N2-fixing Gunnera magellanica from young successional sites, while in the late successional sites, adding C and Mo alone to the diverse bryophyte carpet on the forest floor enhanced DA. Nitrogen added as ammonium sulfate had a strong negative effect on N2 fixation by free-living diazotrophs in the spring and autumn samples from the late successional site, in the bryophyte carpet from the early successional site (autumn), and in Pseudocyphellaria freycinetii of the midsuccessional site (spring). As in other high-latitude biomes, symbiotic and epiphyllous associations and free-living diazotrophs play a crucial role in the incorporation of new N to postglacial subantarctic forest ecosystems, especially in recently exposed substrates that are strongly limited by nutrient availability in soils. The increasing rates of glacier melting in southern South America is exposing new substrates to microbial colonization, including diazotrophic bacteria. In this environment, largely free of reactive N from atmospheric sources, new ecosystems are rapidly developing on deglaciated surfaces, provided that key elements such as Mo and P and C are present in the substrates.
Molecular Detection of Virulence Genes and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Raw Beef Sold in Abeokuta, South-West Nigeria

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important food-borne pathogen that can cause diarrhea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, virulence genes and antibiotic resistance patterns of E. coli O157:H7 in raw beef meat sold in Abeokuta, South west Nigeria. One hundred and twenty samples of raw beef meat were collected from four abattoirs and examined for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. The virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eaeA and hlyA) were detected in E. coli O157:H7 isolates by polymerase chain reactions. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates were determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Of 120 samples analyzed, 8 (6.67%) were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, with highest prevalence rate (2.5%) found in beef samples collected from Rounder abattoir. The virulence genes (stx 1 and stx 2 genes) were detected in 7 (87.5%) of E. coli O157:H7 isolates while no eaeA and hlyA genes were found. All the E. coli O157:H7 isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol and sensitive to ciprofloxacin and streptomycin. The results of this study revealed that raw beef meat could be potential vehicles of transmitting multi-drug resistant, shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 to humans. Keywords : Pathogen, E. coli O157:H7, virulence genes, antibiotic-resistance, beef meat
Canadian Arctic Archipelago Conspecifics Flower Earlier in the High Arctic than the Mid-Arctic

Premise of research. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is experiencing unprecedented climate change with temperatures rising at a rate that is twice the global average. The rapidly rising temperatures will likely impact plant phenology dramatically. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is remote and difficult to reach, and there are few insights into the phenology of its plants. Data on current Arctic plant flowering times and how they vary across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are needed to form a baseline to facilitate studies on the impact of climate change on Arctic plant phenology. Methodology. We recorded the flowering times of 26 species from 12 families that are common to high-Arctic (lat. 81°N) and mid-Artic (lat. 63°N) locations in Nunavut, Canada, in 2013 and 2014. We compared differences in flowering times and flower abundance between the two locations and identified factors that might explain the differences. Pivotal results. Species flowered at the same time or earlier and for a shorter duration at the high-Arctic location than at the mid-Arctic location. Different sublocales at a location explained more of the variation in flowering time than did mid- versus high-Arctic location or elevation. Peak flowering occurred one-third of the way through flowering. Plants at the mid-Arctic location produced more flowers per plant than did plants at the high-Arctic location. Relative order of species’ flowering is consistent between the mid- and high-Arctic locations and between years. Conclusions. Earlier flowering times of more northerly conspecifics are contrary to what might be expected given that temperatures are colder at the high-Arctic location than at the mid-Arctic location and that flowering time for a species is influenced by cumulative temperatures above a threshold. Our results suggest that plants at the northern location might be evolutionarily adapted to the shorter growing season and that plants have phenotypic plasticity across sublocales.
Evaluation de la qualité biologique des eaux du Nahr el Jaouz (Liban) : application des méthodes indicielles

Cette etude est basee sur l'application de diverses methodes biologiques permettant de determiner la qualite des eaux du Nahr el Jaouz. Il s'agit d'indices de diversite et de similitude, des deux indices biotique IB et biologique normalise IBGN. et de l'indice diatomique ID. Les resultats obtenus ont permis de distinguer : i) un troncon depuis la source jusqu'en amont du village de Tannourine. presentant une faune benthique relativement riche et diversifiee et une flore diatomique oligosaprobe. traduisant une bonne qualite des eaux ; ii) un troncon en aval de Tannourine correspondant a la zone des rejets des eaux usees ou les valeurs des differents indices sont faibles et ou on note une abondance des Chironomides ; une auto-epuration s'ensuit dans cette partie du cours superieur, ameliorant la qualite de l'eau et la diversite specifique iii) un cours moyen et inferieur presentant une deterioration de la qualite des eaux due essentiellement aux conditions climatiques et hydrologiques ; les valeurs des indices de qualite sont faibles, surtout pour le cours inferieur.
Gelatin extraction from Kumakuma (Brachyplathystoma filamentosum) skin using the liming method

Gelatin extraction process from Kumakuma (Brachyplathystoma filamentosum) skin was optimized using a calcium hydroxide solution. The gelatin obtained was characterized through scanning electron microscopy and analyses of yield, gel strength, color, viscosity, amino acid profile, melting point, foaming capacity, and emulsifying capacity. The optimized conditions were defined over ten days of pre-treatment at 50°C. This condition resulted in desirability of 0.965 and yield and gel strength values of 20.24% and 221 g, respectively. Glycine was the main amino acid both in the fish skin (11.68%) and in the gelatin obtained (23.39%). Gelatin had extendable and consistent gel characteristics and its microstructure showed even threads with small gaps throughout, which is favorable for the food industry. Key words: Residue, fish, pre-treatment, gelatin, gel strength.
Genetic And Neural Mechanisms Underlying Ethanol-Related Behaviors In Drosophila melanogaster

Author(s): Devineni, Anita | Advisor(s): Heberlein, Ulrike | Abstract: Ethanol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs in the world. Ethanol consumption produces short-term changes in behavior as well as long-term adaptations that can lead to addiction. The mechanisms underlying both acute and chronic responses to ethanol are still not fully understood. Human and rodent studies have suggested that acute ethanol sensitivity may be related to risk of alcohol abuse, and that the same genes often regulate both types of behavior. In this thesis I have used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced behavior. In Chapter 2, I show that flies prefer to consume food containing ethanol and that this ethanol preference may represent a new model for studying addiction-related behavior. In Chapter 3, I examine the relationships between acute ethanol sensitivity, ethanol tolerance, and ethanol consumption preference by measuring these behaviors in a set of Drosophila mutants. I found that ethanol tolerance and preference were positively correlated, suggesting that the development of tolerance might be one factor contributing to the increase in ethanol consumption that we observe over time. Finally, in Chapter 4 I characterize sex differences in acute ethanol responses in Drosophila, which also occur in humans. I identify two genes, fruitless and tank, that regulate ethanol responses in a sexually dimorphic manner, and I show that these genes define distinct sets of neurons that interact to regulate ethanol sensitivity. Overall, this work has helped to expand the repertoire of behavioral assays available to study ethanol-related behavior in flies, shed light on the relationships between different ethanol-induced behaviors, and identified two new genes and corresponding sets of neurons that regulate acute ethanol responses.
Improving Wheat and Soil Productivity Through Integrated Nutrient Management and Efficient Planting System

A field experiment was conducted for two years (2007-08 and 2008-09) at NBPGR, New Area Farm, IARI, New Delhi during rabi seasons to developed improved wheat and soil production system through integrated nutrient management (INM) and efficient planting system (EPS)in split plot design (SPD) with 20 treatment combinations. Treatments were consist of two planting systems (conventional and FIRB) and 10 fertility treatments viz., control, RDF, 75% RDF + FYM, 75% RDF + FYM + Zn, 75% RDF + FYM + Biofertilizer (BF) , 75% RDF + FYM + BF + Zn, RDF + FYM, RDF + FYM + Zn, RDF + FYM + BF and RDF + FYM + BF + Zn. The yield contributing characters of wheat viz., number of spikes / plant and number of grains/ spike were recorded significantly higher when the crop was supplied with combined application of RDF or 75% RDF along with FYM, biofertilizer and zinc over control and treatment receiving RDF only. In case of wheat yield, 10.8 and 11.3 per cent higher yield were registered with FIRB planting system over conventional system during 2007-08 and 2008-09. However in case of integrated nutrient management, RDF + FYM + BF + Zn treatment produced 50.39 and 52.73 q/ha wheat yield respectively. The grain and straw yields increased significantly with treatment RDF + FYM + Zn over control and RDF alone. The increase in grain yield with application of RDF + FYM + BF + Zn over RDF alone was 16.8 and 14.1 per cent during 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively. The treatment receiving fertilizer showed a higher harvest index over unfertilized control. No significant difference between planting systems was recorded in respect of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon status of soil after harvest of crop during both the years of investigation. However, a higher net positive NPK balance under FIRB planting was observed over conventional planting system. A lower bulk density in the surface soil was observed under FIRB planting system as compared to conventional planting system during both years of field study. Although, lower bulk density surface soil were observed under treatment receiving combined application of inorganic fertilizer and organic manures, the differences were no significant during the years, 2007-08 and 2008-09. The FIRB system of planting and combined application of RDF or 75% RDF along with FYM, biofertilizers and zinc not only gave higher productivity and profitability of wheat but also have positive effect on soil physico-chemical properties which resulted into better rhizospheroc environment.
Fleischqualität bei Reh- und Schwarzwildbret unter dem Einfluss von Blatt- und Rauschzeit

The meat quality of wild game that is free is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors which are difficult to register.The seasonally limited rutting season shows better results. In this study, the meat quality of 114 roe deer and 105 wild boars from the south-eastern part of Brandenburg was analysed. 27,2 per cent of roe deer and 32,4 per cent of wild boars were shot during mating period. The characterisation of the meat quality was performed by determining the pH-value, the water-binding capacity and the amount of residual blood of roe deer in the M. semimembranosus and M. longus colli and of wild boars in the M. semimembranosus, M. pectoralis and M. longus colli. In the study, the pH-values in the M. semimembranosus (5,66) and M. longus colli (5,95) of roe deer shot during the mating period were higher compared with game shot out of mating period (5,47 and 5,77). The water-binding capacity of roe deer shot during mating period was slightly lower in the M. semimembranosus (Q = 0,66) and in the M. longus colli (Q = 0,51) compared with game out of mating period (Q = 0,68 and 0,52). But these differences were not relevant. The mating period did not influence the residual blood content in the examined muscles. Considering the mating period (November to February) the measured pH-value differences were irrelevant. The water-binding capacity of wild boars shot during mating period was slightly lower in the M. semimembranosus (Q = 0,57) in comparison with the other wild boars (Q = 0,60). There were nearly the same values in the M. pectoralis (Q = 0,51) and in the M. longus colli (Q = 0,47). Analogous to roe deer the mating period did not have any influence on the residual blood content in the examined muscles.