Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prickly pear cacti pests and their control in Mexico.

Opuntia spp. , known by Mexicans as nopal, represents historically one of the most important biotic elements of Mexico. This natural resource has been and is being used for multiple purposes. Some of the current uses include: food for humans as both vegetable and fruit, forage for animals, source for alcoholic beverages, sweetener, live fences, industrial products such as cosmetics and dye, and as a medical source against diabetes and other diseases. Its cultural and natural values have been reflected in paintings, ancestral Indian codes, and old writings; thus its historic relevance is quite apparent. Furthermore, it is depicted both in the Mexican national seal and flag where it represents the very characteristic feature of Mexican culture and society. Opuntia spp. are distributed throughout the American continent and Mexico is considered a center of diversity as these species are well adapted to the arid and semiarid conditions of Mexico. Here we summarize and discuss briefly the most important insect pest species and one snail species which currently are considered as serious pests of cultivated Opuntia spp. in Mexico, and, thus require control measures. The control of these pest species is mainly through chemical pesticides and currently at least a dozen types of insecticides are being applied.
Effects of Drought on CAM and Water Relations in Plants of Peperomia carnevalii

Abstract The mechanisms underlying the drought tolerance of Peperomia carnevalii Steyermark (Piperaceae), a succulent herb growing in the understorey of seasonally dry forests, were examined. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was studied in the field and laboratory, and measurements of water status were made in plants subjected to drought in the greenhouse. Nocturnal acid accumulation and day and night-time CO 2 assimilation rates were greatest in watered plants and decreased in drought. The proportion of CO 2 recycled through CAM in droughted plants, with nocturnal CO 2 uptake close to zero, was higher than in watered plants. Maximum quantum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence remained unchanged during drought, but the PSII quantum yield at the photosynthetic photon flux density at which the plants were grown was significantly decreased. Leaf anatomy consists of a chlorophyll-less hydrenchyma located beneath the upper epidermis, and a two-layered mesophyll. Leaves nearer to the apex are thinner than those nearer to the base of the shoot. Drought caused a reduction in leaf thickness due to shrinkage of the hydrenchyma, but not of the mesophyll. This was associated with the occurrence of a gradient of osmotic potential between these tissues. Comparison of water loss from thin leaves of watered and droughted plants, either partly defoliated at the lower nodes or intact, suggested that water moved from the thick to the thin leaves. This process was related to the occurrence of a gradient of water potential between the thick and the thin leaves. Drought tolerance in P. carnevalii is achieved by the operation of CAM and the occurrence of water movement within and between leaves.
Effects of Variable Food Supply on the Body Condition of Breeding Tawny OwlsStrixaluco in Southern Finland

Body condition of boreal species of vole-eaters seems to vary in accordance with fluctuating vole populations. Tawny owls Strix aluco of temperate origin were studied to reveal if they show a similar pattern during nestling period near the northern limit of the species' range. The body condition of tawny owls was not considerably affected by the annual fluctuations of small voles indicated by regional vole indices and local prey samples. There were some significant relationships with some alternative prey but the variation in the body condition of owls was largely explained by the bird's age, time of the season, and stage of the nestling period. Old birds that bred earlier in the season were in better condition than young ones that bred later. Due to alternative prey, the body condition seemed to be relatively resistant to the effects of variable foraging conditions as expected for a generalist species of southern origin.
Cold acid fast staining method: Efficacy in diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Ziehl Neelson, a carbol fuschin based stain, using the 3 component hot process is a standard staining technique for staining sputum smears for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We evaluated a 2 step cold staining method for detection of acid fast bacilli in sputum smears. 1836 sputum samples from patients of pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. Smears were prepared from each sample and slides were simultaneously stained by both methods and examined. The 2 step cold stain method was found to be equally sensitive as the ZN method detecting 20% of cases, when the primary stain was kept for a period of 20 min. The CS method also has the advantage of being simple, economical and less cumbersome and in the procedure of staining, heating, a much too precise step in ZN method for large scale application, is eliminated. The CS method may therefore prove as a good alternative for diagnosis of M.tuberculosis, particularly in smaller laboratories and peripheral centers where there is limitation of the funds and equipments.
81. Variations in the Solids-not-fat Content of Milk. III. The Lactation Yield and Factors Affecting it

1. The influence of the age of cows on the milk yield and on the milk solids is traced. The milk yield reaches a maximum at about the sixth lactation and then declines. The concentration of fat and solids-not-fat shows a gradual decline from the first lactation onwards. 2. During lactations in which the yield is below the normal productivity of a cow, the quality of the milk also tends to be subnormal.
Does Urbanization Filter Birds on the Basis of Their Biological Traits

Abstract Urbanization leads to the biotic homogenization of global avifauna. We hypothesized that urbanization acts as a filter on species traits and, therefore, that urban passerines share biological traits explaining their capacity to tolerate urban constraints. We investigated 18 biological traits of passerines related to their general biology, distribution, breeding, and morphometry. In a regional analysis conducted on passerine data from one Swiss and 11 French cities (regional analysis), we identified urban adapters (tolerant species) and urban avoiders (intolerant species), and compared their traits. In a local analysis conducted on passerine data of 13 woodlands located along a short rural-urban gradient, we identified groups of species associated with particular vegetation structures within or particular landscape structures around woodlands. We associated each of these species groups with a tolerance level to urbanization and compared their traits. Regional analysis revealed that urban adapters prefer forest environments, are sedentary, omnivorous, widely distributed, high-nesters with large wingspans. Urban avoiders seem to allocate more energy to reproduction than do urban adapters, to the detriment of adaptation to new environments such as urban areas. Local analysis did not reveal any link between traits and species tolerance levels. At large spatial scales, urbanization seems therefore to act as a filter on species traits. However, the urban constraints that filter species at such large scales do not seem to be the same ones that determine species distribution at local scales. Analyses of traits are powerful tools to understanding regional community composition between urban and rural areas.
Effect of Nigella Sativa on poultry health and production: A review

Incidences of antibiotic residues and drug resistance against pathogenic organism are common due to inclusion of antibiotics in poultry diet. It is the dire need of the time to use natural and effective alternative to synthetic antibiotics. Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed could be the most suitable alternative to antibiotics in poultry nutrition. Nigella sativa not only promote bird’s health
Natural ventilation and surface temperature distribution of piglet crate heated floors

This research had the objective of evaluating the influence of the natural ventilation on the surface temperature distribution of heated crates. The research used six crates from a farrowing room in a commercial swine production farm located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Three crates were heated using a heat mat while the other three had the environment heated by incandescent light bulbs (200W) fixed on the lateral wall. The surface temperature of the crate's floor (1.55x0.55m) was registered in 36 points, distributed in 18 quadrants (0.26x0.18m) using an infrared thermometer in three different conditions of the room's natural ventilation: opened, semi-opened, and closed lateral curtain. The isotherms and the temperature distribution of the floor heat were processed using the SURFER® (1995), and the statistical analysis was done using the MINITAB® (Statistical., 2002). It was found that the room's natural ventilation had a significant influence on crate floor surface temperature distribution. The crate with a heat mat system provided higher temperatures and led to a more homogeneous surface temperature distribution.
In vitro degradation of 10 mono-and sesquiterpenes of plant origin by caprine rumen micro-organisms

The extent of disappearance of 10 mono- and sesquiterpenes in presence of mixed rumen micro-organisms has been measured in 24-h batch cultures. The molecules that were tested are frequently found in the plants consumed by ruminants in highland pastures (limonene, β-myrcene, β-ocimene, α-pinene, sabinene, γ-terpinene and thymol) or are potential markers of the diet (camphene, β-caryophyllene and α-copaene). All terpenes were tested at 2 µL mL−1, except α-copaene and thymol, which were tested at 0.9 µL mL−1 and 2 mg mL−1, respectively. Camphene and thymol were not degraded to a significant extent. The disappearance of part of β-caryophyllene, (−)-limonene and γ-terpinene could not be attributed to the direct action of rumen micro-organisms but rather than to an effect of the extracellular medium. In contrast, a third group of one sesquiterpene (α-copaene) and four monoterpenes (myrcene, β-ocimene, α-pinene and sabinene) was extensively degraded by rumen micro-organisms, at rates of 1.6, 4.5, 3.5, 4.8 and 5.4 µmol mL−1 inoculum day−1, respectively. The preliminary exposure of rumen micro-organisms to a specific blend of essential oils compounds, containing mainly thymol, guajacol and limonene, increased the extent of disappearance of γ-terpinene only. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Original Article Effects of Salinity Stress on Growth and Biochemical Constituents of the Halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum

The present investigation was made to study the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on growth, biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzymes of the seedlings of Sesuvium portulacastrum. The plant could survive a wide range of 100-1000 mM NaCl concentrations. The upper limit for the survival of the seedlings were upto 600 mM NaCl. The maximum amount of fresh and dry weight were recorded at 600 mM NaCl concentration. Beyond 600 mM NaCl, the growth parameters reduced drastically. Organic compounds such as amino acids and sugar decreased upto optimum level of 600mM NaCl concentration. The starch and chlorophyll content increased upto 600mM NaCl. Beyond these levels the content decreased marginally. The proline content increased with the increasing concentration of the salt. The antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) increased up to the optimum level of 600mM NaCl concentration and beyond these levels the contents decreased marginally.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz © 2011 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved
Multivalent structure of an αβT cell receptor

Whether there is one or multiple αβT cell antigen receptor (TCR) recognition modules in a given TCR/CD3 complex is a long-standing controversy in immunology. We show that T cells from transgenic mice that coexpress comparable amounts of two distinct TCRβ chains incorporate at least two αβTCRs in a single TCR/CD3 complex. Evidence for bispecific αβTCRs was obtained by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting and confirmed on the surface of living cells both by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and comodulation assays by using antibodies specific for TCRβ-variable regions. Such (αβ)2TCR/CD3 or higher-order complexes were evident in T cells studied either ex vivo or after expansion in vitro. T cell activation is thought by many, but not all, to require TCR cross-linking by its antigen/major histocompatibility complex ligand. The implications of a multivalent (αβ)2TCR/CD3 complex stoichiometry for the ordered docking of specific antigen/major histocompatibility complex, CD4, or CD8 coreceptors and additional TCRs are discussed.
Comparison of the Intestinal Bacterial Flora in Healthy and Intestinal-diseased Seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus , Hippocampus erectus , and Hippocampus spinosissimus

This investigation examined the intestinal microbial flora among healthy and intestinal-diseased seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus, Hippocampus erectus, and Hippocampus spinosissimus by utilizing polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and densitometric analysis. Results demonstrated that 16 disparate DGGE bands belong to six major bacterial groups, which were Vibrionace, Enterobacteriacea, Rhodobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Alcaligenaceae. It was found that Vibrionaceae was the dominant population among the healthy and intestinal-diseased seahorses. Vibrio ponticus strain XJ3 and Vibrio neptunius strain WT82, especially V. ponticus strain XJ3 of high abundance, were identified for the first time in seahorses and concluded to be intestinal disease pathogens because of their co-existence in three intestinal-diseased seahorse species and other reported fish or oyster. In comparison, uncultured bacterium clone Alcaligenaceae, Vibrio sp. , uncultured bacterium clone Rhodobacteraceae, Serratia nematodiphila strain, and Serratia marcescens strain comprised the basic intestinal bacterial flora of all healthy seahorses. This study is the first to report the presence of S. nematodiphila in seahorses.
Impact of acid and oxgall on antibiotic susceptibility of Probiotic Lactobacilli

The present study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of 13 Lactobacillusstrains to 14 antibiotics and to evaluate the impact of some gastrointestinal stressful conditions, particularly acid and bile stress, as well as acid adaptation on their antibiogram profiles. The strains tested were 2 of Lactobacillus acidophilus, 1 Lb. delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus, 2 Lb. casei, 1 Lb. casei paracasei subsp. paracasei, 1 Lb. delbrueckii subsp.lactis, 4 Lb. plantarum and 2 Lb. rhamnosus. In control trails, the majority of the strains tested were susceptible to ampicillin, penicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, novobiocin and nisin A, but resistant to vancomycin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin and nalidixic acid. Lactobacilli strains showed variable susceptibility to cloxacilline and tetracycline. Acid-adaptation (strains adapted to grow at pH 4.0) resulted in increased resistance to cloxacilline, erythromycin and tetracycline, in strain dependent manner. Acid- stressed (exposure to pH 2 for 90 min at 37˚C) lactobacilli appeared to be more resistant to ampicillin, cloxacilline, chloramphenicol and tetracycline compared with un-stressed strains. In the presence of 0.3% (w/v) oxgall, lactobacilli became more susceptible to aminoglycosides and slightly resistant to cell wall-targeted antibiotics. However, oxgall stress (exposure to 0.3% (w/v) oxgall for 90 min at 37˚C) slightly modified antibiogram profile depending on the strain tested. Results reported in this study showed that acid and oxgall stresses could substantially modify antibiotic susceptibility/resistance profile of lactobacilli, which may thus affect their probiotic capacity especially when used along with antibiotics. Keywords: probiotics, lactobacilli, antibiotic susceptibility, acid, oxgall.
Conditioning of appetitive behavior in the Hymenopteran parasitoid Microplitis croceipes

Work on insect learning has made ample use of conditioned behaviors in single learning tasks. Parasitic wasps are particularly suited to study more complex learning processes, as they alternate between host searching and foraging for sugar sources. We here describe a set of behaviors that unambiguously represents sugar feeding in the Hymenopteran parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Furthermore, we demonstrate that this parasitoid can be conditioned to exhibit these behaviors in response to odor stimuli previously associated with feeding. In conjunction with a previously described ovipositor probing response in this species, our findings constitute the first instance in which multiple conditioned behaviors representing feeding and reproduction have been identified for one insect species. This provides a valuable tool for the study of multiple task learning.
Inter-annual variability in abundance and community structure of zooplankton south and north of Iceland in relation to environmental conditions in spring 1990-2007

An 18 year zooplankton time series from two standard sections differing in hydrographic conditions (Subarctic Water north of Iceland and Atlantic water south of Iceland) was examined in relation to hydrography and phytoplankton dynamics, and large-scale climatic changes in the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The long-term mean zooplankton abundance was higher in south (∼160 000 individuals m -2 ) than that in north of Iceland (-120 000 individuals m -2 ). Abundance fluctuated markedly between years. Copepods (mainly Calanus finmarchicus and Oithona spp.) dominated the zooplankton, comprising >60-70% of the plankton in most years. Among the copepods, C. finmarchicus was more abundant in south of Iceland (∼20-70%) than to the north (∼10-60%). Abundance and community structure were related to environmental variables using regression and multivariate techniques (principal component analysis and redundancy analysis). Temperature and salinity were the most important environmental variables in explaining the differences in species composition in north and south of Iceland, with species and groups like Podon leuckarti and cirripede larvae being relatively abundant to the south, and C. hyperboreus to the north of Iceland. A significant year-to-year variability in community structure was observed both to the south and to the north, with salinity and used nitrate dictating the variability to the south and temperature to the north (Monte Carlo permutation tests, P< 0.05). In neither region was a unidirectional temporal trend in species composition.
POSTFLEDGING DEPENDENCE PERIOD OF MIGRATORY GOLDEN EAGLES (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS) IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, ALASKA

Abstract The postfledging dependence period is not well documented for many species of raptors, including Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). From 1997 to 1999, we used satellite telemetry to estimate the length of the postfledging dependence period, and the finite survival rate of fledglings during that period, for migratory Golden Eagles in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Length of the postfledging dependence period averaged 50.1 days and ranged from 39 to 63 days. The post- fledging dependence period was longer for Golden Eagles that hatched earlier, but hatching date did not influence the date they departed their natal area. Average date of departure from the natal area was 25 September. The departure period spanned a 17-day period from 15 September to 5 October, and coincided with a series of environmental changes including decreases in day length, temperature, and prey diversity. Probability of survival during the postfledging dependence period was 0.98 (95% CI = 0.94 to 1.00). Período de Dependencia Posterior al Emplumamiento de Aquila chrysaetos en el Parque Nacional y Reserva Denali, Alaska
Supplementation of Clove Essential Oils and Probiotic to the Broiler’s Diet on Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Components

This study was carried out to determine the effect of different levels of clove essential oil, as a natural growth promoter and probiotic on performance, carcass traits and serum components of broiler chickens. A total of 240 straight run day-old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were distributed randomly into five groups. Each group was subdivided into four replicates with 12 chicks each. The control diet, diet with probiotic protexin®, and diets supplemented with 150, 300 and 450 ppm clove essential oil were fed to the chickens. The results showed that from 11-22 days, feed intake (FI), and body weight gain (BWG) were increased significantly in control group compared to the other groups. However, from 23-42 d and 0-42 days of the experiment, feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were increased significantly in broilers fed 450 ppm clove essential oil compare to those of control group (P 0.05). The results revealed significant decrease in total cholesterol concentration in diets supplemented with probiotic and 450 ppm clove essential oil at 21 day of age (P<0.05). Total cholesterol concentration, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and cholesterol / high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio at 42 day of age were significantly improved in probiotic protexin® group compare to those of other groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 450 ppm clove essential oil improved feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) a nd decreased total cholesterol concentration (P<0.05). Probiotic could decrease serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol / high density lipoprotein (HDL) and improve HDL / LDL at day 42 broiler chickens (P<0.05).
Hemerotrecha banksi (Arachnida, Solifugae), a diurnal group of solifuges from North America

Abstract The Hemerotrecha banksi group is revised and the status of the genus Hemerotrecha is examined. The female of H. truncata Muma 1951 is described for the first time, and five new species are named: H. hanfordana, H. kaboomi, H. prenticei. H. pseudotruncata, and H. vetteri.
Effect of ultrafiltered fractions from casein on lactic acid biosynthesis and enzyme activity in yoghurt starter cultures

Summary In this work, five ultrafiltered fractions (UFs) with molecular mass less than 3 kDa (kilo-daltons) from casein hydrolysates treated with alcalase, flavourzyme, neutrase, papain and trypsin, respectively, were obtained. The effect of five UFs on the fermentation for lactic acid (LA) production by mixed cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb) during 72 h of cultivation was investigated. Compared with the control, LA production was, respectively, enhanced by 23.66%, 39.01%, 29.74%, 49.64% and 47.40% with the supplement of UF-A, UF-F, UF-N, UF-P and UF-T at 24 h. The possible mechanism of LA production enhanced was elucidated by the time course analysis of the specific activity of glucokinase, phosphoglucose isomerase, 6-phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase during fermentation process. In addition, the results obtained showed the diverse influence of five UFs on the bacterial fermentation was attributed to their different amino acid distribution.