Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro pharmacological properties and composition of leaf essential oils and extracts of selected indigenous pelargonium (geraniaceae) species

Despite commercial interest and ethnobotanical data, the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of a number of indigenous Pelargonium species remain unexplored. Twenty-one Pelargonium species, from the section Pelargonium, were included in this study. The volatile compounds of 13 species were extracted by hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The essential oil data was chemotaxonomically informative confirming taxonomic relationships between P. graveolens and P. radens; P. papilionaceum and P. vitifolium and between P. panduriforme and P. quercifolium. New chemical affinities were established among P. betulinum, P. hispidum and P. scabrum; P. capitatum (provenance WSBG), P. glutinosum and P. quercifolium (provenance SBG) and among P. graveolens, P. radens and P. tomentosum. The non-volatile compounds were extracted with acetone and the extracts were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The representative flavonoid patterns of the Pelargonium species indicated that P. betulinum, P. capitatum, P. graveolens, P. hispidum, P. panduriforme and P. vitifolium have numerous similarities in their chemical profiles. Pelargonium scabrum and P. sublignosum share definite chemical patterns. The HPLC fingerprints of P. papilionaceum and P. vitifolium were chemically diverse. A microdilution bioassay was performed on the acetone extracts and the essential oils to assess their antimicrobial (both bacterial and fungal) potential. The essential oils and extracts were more selective for the Gram-positive test pathogens than for the Gramnegative bacterium. The crude extracts of P. glutinosum (provenance SBG), P. pseudoglutinosum, P. scabrum and P. sublignosum exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria (B. cereus and S. aureus) with P. pseudoglutinosum exerting the highest activity (MIC = 0.039 mg/ml). The essential oils showed reduced antimicrobial activity compared to the plant extracts. Using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, exceptional anti-oxidant activity was observed for the crude extracts of P. betulinum and P. crispum (IC50 values of 4.13 μg/ml and 4.49 μg/ml, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid, IC50 = 4.72 μg/ml). The essential oils of P. quercifolium showed the greatest inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity (IC50 = 33.24 μg/ml
Concentrations of Airborne Pollen Grains in Eskisehir City (Turkey)

Pollen grains found in the air of Eskisehir were studied for two years (January 2000-December 2001) with a Durham sampler. During this period, a total of 47,082 pollen grains belonging to 45 taxa were recorded. Of these 45 taxa, 26 belonged to arboreal and 19 to non-arboreal plants, of which 19,141 were identified in 2000 and 27,941 in 2001. Of the total number of pollen grains, 81 % were arboreal and 18 % non-arboreal, while 1 % could not be identified. The majority of the investigated pollen grains as families came from Pinaceae, Chenopodiaceae/ Amaranthaceae, Cupressaceae, Gramineae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Oleaceae, Cruciferae, Compositae, Urticaceae, Ulmaceae, Cistaceae, Moraceae, with the genera being Salix, Quercus, Ailanthus, Fraxinus, Fagus, Populus, Platanus, Cedrus, Artemisia, Corylus, Plantago, Juglans, Acer and Carpinus respectively. Pollen concentrations reached their highest levels in May (54.36 %).
Biology and Development of Sturmiopsis parasitica (Diptera: Tachinidae) on Different Species and Populations of Maize Stemborers in Zimbabwe and an Assessment of Its Suitability for Redistribution in Africa

The tachinid larval parasitoid Sturmiopsis parasitica (Curran) has a wide distribution in eastern, southern and West Africa where it attacks several species of cereal stemborers. Its development on Busseola fusca Fuller (four populations), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson was evaluated in Zimbabwe in the laboratory. The parasitoid's larviposition patterns and ways to induce its early emergence from diapausing host larvae inside which it overwinters were also studied. Irrespective of the inoculation method used, the four B. fusca populations were equally suitable for parasitoid development. Chilo partellus was a partially suitable host while S. calamistis was completely unsuitable. Mated female parasitoids commenced larviposition at eight days after mating, with a peak being attained on day 15. Placing field-collected diapausing B. fusca larvae in fresh maize stems or in moistened dry stems could bring forward the emergence of S. parasitica from diapausing hosts. The implications of the current findings on the suitability of S. parasitica as a redistribution candidate in Africa are discussed.
EFFECT OF MONONCHUS AQUATICUS AND ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA DEVELOPMENT ON CHILLI.

Root-knot development caused by Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Jawala significantly declined in the presence of the predatory nematode Mononchus aquaticus Coetzee. The severity of root-knot infection was greatly reduced when chopped leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and castor (Ricinus communis L.) were incorporated into the soil. Improvement in plant growth was positively correlated with the level of nematode control.
Environmental variability alters the relationship between richness and variability of community abundances in aquatic rock pool microcosms

Abstract The effect of species richness on the temporal variability of communities and populations continues to inspire investigations and debates; however, few empirical studies have addressed the crucial question of how the relationship between richness and variability changes along a gradient of environmental variability. We determined the relationship between species richness (S) and variability (coefficient of variation, CV) for both community and population abundances of aquatic invertebrates inhabiting 49 tropical coastal rock pools that differ in environmental variability. When all pools are considered, results support the hypothesis that variability in community abundance decreases with increases in species richness. In contrast, abundances of individual populations in more speciose communities vary no more than in species-poor communities. Richness-community variability relationships were detected in rock pools with low environmental variability (as measured by a multivariate index of environmental variability) and in rock pools with low variability in specific physicochemical variables, i.e., temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The presence of richness-variability relationships in the less environmentally variable rock pools and not in the more variable rock pools suggests that environmental variability may play an important role in modulating richness-variability relationships.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF RAW AND COOKED JACKBEAN (Canavalia ensiformis) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS.

Jackbean (Canavalis ensiformis) is a tropical legume which has shown potential as source of forage and seed. The seed contains up to 32 % CP. But as with other tropical legumes, the raw seed contains toxic substances. A 42-day feeding trial was conducted to compare the effect of raw and cooked jackbean on the performance of weaner rabbits. Raw Jackbean seeds were dried and milled and incorporated at 10 and 20 % dietary levels respectively while another batch was cooked for 40 minutes, dried, ground and incorporated also at 10 and 20 % dietary level respectively and each diet fed to 8 rabbits. At dietary level of 20 %, raw jackbean significantly (P<0.05) depressed performance of rabbits (ADG 16.2g/d vs 20.5 for the control). Cooking for 40 minutes improved the nutritive value of jackbean for weaner rabbits up to 20 % dietary level (ADG of 26.7 and 21.9 g/day for 10% and 20% levels respectively).
Antipredator Responses of Free-Ranging Pit Vipers(Gloydius shedaoensis, Viperidae)

Abstract Few quantitative data are available on the ways in which venomous snakes respond to humans. We took advantage of extraordinarily high numbers of endemic pit vipers on the small island of Shedao in northeastern China, to quantify snake responses. We approached free-ranging pit vipers in their ambush sites (either in trees or on the ground) and recorded their behavior. The snakes' responses to our approach depended upon (1) the intensity of the stimulus; (2) attributes of the snake (size class, body temperature, whether it had fed recently); and (3) the snake's location (in an arboreal or terrestrial site). Most snakes tolerated close approach. Juvenile pit vipers struck more often than adults, and warmer snakes were more likely to flee, display, or strike rather than rely on crypsis. Snakes on the ground were more likely to flee or strike than were those in trees. Many of the same patterns were seen in our laboratory trials. For example, striking was more frequent in juveniles than adults, in hotter snakes, and in snakes that displayed (tail-vibrated). Both strike speeds and tail-vibration rates increased with body temperature. Responses of Shedao pit vipers to human approach differ from those reported for other snake species.
Ontogenetic Changes in Diet and Intestinal Morphology in Semi-Terrestrial Tadpoles of Nannophrys Ceylonensis (Dicroglossidae)

Abstract Semi-terrestrial tadpoles of the Sri Lankan dicroglossid rock frog (Nannophrys ceylonensis) feed by scraping the surface microfilm from the wet rocks on which they live. Gut content analysis of 40 tadpoles revealed microflora, microfauna, detritus, and mineral particles. Conspecific eggs and tadpoles were rarely also found in the tadpoles' guts. Absolute gut length decreased by 59% between Gosner stages 26 and 42, and the number of gut coils decreased as well. Tadpoles of N. ceylonensis shift from primarily herbivory to primarily carnivory as they develop, with the greatest shift occurring from Gosner stages 32 to 34. This dietary shift is correlated with a decrease in the length of the gut and the number of gut coils. Precocious metamorphosis of the alimentary tract to accommodate a carnivorous diet may facilitate tadpole survival and growth in a heavily shaded terrestrial environment with relatively low primary productivity.
Palaeobiology and evolution of the late cenozoic freshwater Molluscs of the Turkana basin: Iridinidae Swainson, 1840 and Etheriidae Deshayes, 1830 (Bivalvia: Etherioidea)

Synopsis The palaeobiology of the Late Cenozoic freshwater molluscs that inhabited the Omo‐Turkana Basin, situated in the eastern branch of the East African Rift System (Ethiopia, Kenya), remains poorly documented. Here we revise the taxonomy and palaeobiology of the bivalve superfamily Etherioidea from this region and discuss some palaeohydrological implications. In the Iridininae (Mutela, Pleiodon), the genus Iridina Lamarck, 1819 is revived for elongated iridinids with a denticulated hinge, since all fossil Iridininae of the Omo‐Turkana Basin and most Miocene‐Early Pleistocene Iridininae elsewhere in Africa have denticulate hinges that are not comparable to those of modern Mutela. In addition to the ubiquitous Etheria elliptica (Etheriidae), 11 iridinids are described, five of which are new to science, namely Chambardia feibeli, Iridina turkanica, I. omoensis, I. browni and Pleiodon bentoni. Most species do not show lacustrine adaptations and are/were part of a widespread East African fauna. This confirms the highly unstable character of the Pliocene‐Holocene aquatic ecosystems in the Omo‐Turkana Basin. Indications for intralacustrine speciation are only observed in the Late Pliocene‐Early Pleistocene long‐lived (∼25o ka or longer) Palaeolake Lorenyang. Williamson's (1981) evolutionary model for the Omo‐Turkana Basin molluscs does not apply to the Etherioidea.
Thermal denaturation of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in cheese whey: effect of total solids concentration and pH

SUMMARY Measurements of residual native protein remaining after heat treatment of cheese whey have been made using quantitative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results have been expressed in terms of kinetic constants. The effect of concentration was investigated up to 3 times the normal total solids content, dialysis treatments were used to study the effect of non-protein constituents, and the effect of pH was studied at pH 4, 6 and 9. The results indicated that increased total solids (TS) concentration slowed the denaturation of β-lactoglobulin A and B (β-lg A, β-lg B) but hastened the denaturation of α-lactalbumin (α-la). However, increased lactose concentration slowed the denaturation of both α-la and β-lg, perhaps by preventing formation of heat-induced complexes. Increased Ca concentration, up to 0.4 mg/ml, tended to slow the denaturation of both proteins, but further increase in Ca up to 0.9 mg/;ml produced little effect. The rate of denaturation of both α-la and β-lg was slower at pH 4 than at pH 6 or 9, and was probably slowest at the isoelectric point. However, not all the changes associated with pH could be explained in terms of net molecular electrostatic charge. The genetic variants of ′β-lg showed different heat stabilities – below 90 °C β-lgA was more stable than β-lgB, but above 90 °C the situation was reversed at all TS concentrations, and pH 6. However, at pH 4 and 9, °-lgA was less stable than °-lgB over the entire temperature range at normal concentration.
Innovations in Hibiscus and Kosteletzkya (Malvaceae, Hibisceae)

ABSTRACT The combinations Hibiscus moscheutos L. subsp. lasiocarpos (Cavanilles) O. J. Blanchard, H. clypeatus L. subsp. cryptocarpos (A. Richard) O. J. Blanchard, and H. clypeatus subsp. membranaceus (Cavanilles) O. J. Blanchard are validated for a central North American plant taxon, a Cuban plant taxon, and a Bahamian plant taxon, respectively. The name H. grandiflorus Michaux is lectotypified. A new name, Kosteletzkya semota O. J. Blanchard, is established for the West African K. stellata Hutchinson & Dalziel, a later homonym. The neotype of the Philippine endemic K. batacensis (Blanco) Fernández-Villar is changed. Two well-known species, K. virginica (L.) C. Presl ex A. Gray of eastern North America and K. pentacarpos (L.) Ledebour of Eurasia, are synonymized under the latter name.
Protein Profiles and Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Gülhane Military Academy Hospital in Turkey

The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from various clinical specimens in Gulhane Military Medical Academy, in Ankara, Turkey. In 1997, at this hospital, the percentage of S. aureus among all nosocomial isolates was 20% and the percentage of MRSA among these S. aureus isolates was 51%. Both sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Native-Page (N-PAGE) were used for typing MRSA isolates which have common antibiotic susceptibility test results. MRSA isolates were also evaluated according to the whole-cell proteins (WCPs) and filtrate proteins (FPs). Using these methods, we concluded that all of the MRSA strains are from the same clonal group. These results are consistent with the results of our previous study.
Growth Promotion of Highbush Blueberry by Fungal and Bacterial Inoculants

Additional index words. rhizobacteria, Pseudomonas corrugata , Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Gliocladium virens, Trichoderma harzianum, Vaccinium corymbosum Abstract. The highbush blueberry cultivar Bluecrop was inoculated with potential plant growth-promoting (PGPR) candidates, including bacterial inoculants Pseudomonas fluorescens (Migula) (strains Pf 5, PRA 25, 105, or 101), Bacillus pumilus (Mayer and Gottheil) (strain T4), Pseudomonas corrugata (Roberts and Scarlett) (strain 114), and fungal isolates Gliocladium virens (Miller et al., Von Arx) (strain Gl.21) and Trichoderma harzianum (Rifai) (strain T 22). Addition of G. virens to pasteurized soil increased leaf area and the number of leaves produced in a 4-month growth period, as well as shoot content of P, Zn and Cu in 1997. Treatment with P. fluorescens Pf 5 increased leaf area and stem diameter. In nonpasteurized soil, plants inoculated with G. virens had greater leaf area, stem diameter, shoot and root dry weight, and more leaves per plant. These results demonstrate the potential of G. virens for increasing growth when used to inoculate blueberry plants in the nursery or at transplanting.
Produtos de acerola: estudo da estabilidade de vitamina C

o C apresentaram teores de 1.314±6 e 1.322±2 mg vit.C/ 100g, respectivamente, representando uma perda de, aproximadamente, 3% e o suco apresentou uma perda de 32%, correspondendo a um teor final de 673±17mg vit.C/100g. Palavras-chave: armazenagem; congelamento; suco; polpa; frutas; rotulagem; cinetica. SUMMARY WEST INDIAN CHERRY PRODUCTS: STUDY OF VITAMIN C STABILITY. West indian cherry is a very perishable fruit and its vitamin C content is its principal nutritional appeal. Brazilian legislation admits a 20% variation in the nutrient content from the one specified on the label. Due to this requirement the initial vitamin C content and losses during storage should be known in products. Vitamin C stability in pasteurized pulp and west indian cherry in natura, both frozen and stored at -12 o C e -18 o C and of the pasteurized juice stored at room temperature, were determined during four months. Frozen pulps had no significant vitamin C degradation during this period and fruits in natura showed first order kinetics degradation and zero order for the juice. After four months, west indian cherry fruits stored at -12 o C and -18 o C showed 869±12 and 1.223±148 mg vit.C/100g, representing losses of 43% and 19%, respectively. Pulps at -12 o C and -18 o C showed a 1.314±6 and 1.322±2 mg vit.C/100g, respectively, representing approx. 3% losses and the juice
Trematodes of the genus Renicola from birds in British zoos, with descriptions of two new species

Summary. A number of cases of infection of the kidneys in birds by trematodes of the genus Renicola Cohn, 1904 is reported and two new species of the genus are described. One of them, Renicola pelecani sp. n. , has been found in both the White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus phillipensis). The other, Renicola sloanei sp. n. , has been found in a number of species of penguin. It has also been found in a Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) from Sussex, this being the first record of a Renicola from a wild bird in Great Britain.
Migration, Trauma, PTSD: A Gender Study in Morrison's Jazz

Toni Morrison is a master of trauma literature, but trauma theory and a gender response to trauma remain largely unaccounted for in her migration literature, specifically Jazz (1992). In Jazz, two migrant women are affected by the same trauma, a crime of passion. But they choose different coping strategies. This causes a fundamental change to their mental health. Toni Morrison's migrant women are not only faced with migration stress factors, but also exposed to trauma. Managing migration stress factors in the receiving society and dealing with trauma within the migrant community demand appropriate coping strategies. Migration and segregation dissociate the black migrant community from the receiving society. Trauma and stigma, on the other hand, marginalize migrant women within the African- American community. Consequently, migration, segregation, trauma and stigma lead to isolation. Lack of social ties and social identity is associated with different mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main aim of this study is to identify major elements of trauma theory in Toni Morrison's Jazz. Furthermore, this article explores the coping strategies that female characters use to deal with trauma. Although extensive research has been carried out on Jazz, no single study exists which adequately covers, migration, trauma, coping strategies and PTSD as they affect the female characters. The novelty of this paper lies in its inter-disciplinary approach to gender and mental health with reference to migration literature.
Clear-Sky Surface Solar Radiation and the Radiative Effect of Aerosol and Water Vapor Based on Simulations and Satellite Observations over Northern China

The distribution and trend of clear-sky surface solar radiation (SSR) and the quantitative effects of aerosol and water vapor are investigated in northern China during 2001–2015 using radiation simulations and satellite observations. Clear-sky SSR in northern China is high in summer and low in winter, which is dominated by astronomical factors and strongly modulated by the seasonal variations of radiative effects of aerosol (ARE) and water vapor (WVRE). The larger variation of WVRE than ARE indicates that water vapor plays a more important role in moderating the seasonal variation of clear-sky SSR. Clear-sky SSR shows an overall decreasing trend of –0.12 W/m2 per year, with decrease more strongly than –0.60 W/m2 per year in west-central Shandong and increase (about 0.40 W/m2) in south-central Inner Mongolia. The consistency of spatial distribution and high correlation between clear-sky SSR and ARE trend indicate that the clear-sky SSR trend is mainly determined by aerosol variation. Dust mass concentration decreases about 16% in south-central Inner Mongolia from 2001 to 2015, resulting in the increase in clear-sky SSR. In contrast, sulfate aerosol increases about 92% in west-central Shandong, leading to the decreasing trend of clear-sky SSR.
Revision of the Dipodomys Merriami Complex in the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract The kangaroo rat Dipodomys merriami occurs widely over the Baja California peninsula, inhabiting all the arid and sandy lowlands. Its range encompasses diverse climatic, edaphic, and vegetation zones, including 2 islands. The 11 taxa recognized in the merriami complex in this region almost 50 years ago remain valid to the present. The 2 island forms originally were described as different species, and have been treated in different ways by subsequent authors. In this investigation we used a genetic analysis of 2 mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COIII), to study patterns of genetic structuring in this species throughout the peninsula. We supplemented existing morphometric and pelage color data with new data, and integrated these data sets into a phylogenetic analysis. Finally, we explored how our results compared with the existing taxonomic arrangement of species and subspecies. Our phylogenetic analyses of molecular data used the concatenation of 1,140 base pairs (bp) of the Cytb gene and 690 bp of the COIII gene; cladograms were generated using maximum-parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian inference procedures. A hierarchy of nested clades was produced, the highest level of which revealed 2 reciprocally monophyletic clades separated by 20 mutational steps. There is a Southern Clade extending north to the Vizcaíno Desert in the west and San José Island in the east, and a Northern Clade that includes all the populations farther to the north. At a shallower level, the Southern Clade contains 4 subclades, including the populations of San José and Margarita islands, whereas the Northern Clade is composed of 3 subclades. Adding the morphometric and pelage coloration data sets to the analyses resulted in support for the 11 previously recognized taxa arranged in a single species, Dipodomys merriami, but with improved understanding of how the subspecies relate to each other. As is increasingly appreciated, our investigation supports a comprehensive approach involving multiple data sets that are sensitive to a wide temporal range of evolutionary history for phylogenetic reconstruction.