Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nematode diversity in soil from a field trial with decomposing Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 protein

The quality of decomposing plant materials may affect the soil community structure. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of decomposing Bt cotton and its isoline on soil nematode diversity. Bt cotton (06Z604D), isoline (99M03) and HART 89M (local non-Bt cotton cultivar) were planted for two seasons in a completely randomized block design in a confined field trial at Mwea, Kenya. After harvest the plant material was incorporated into soil and the nematode diversity was determined. The presence of Bt protein was evaluated using ELISA and insect bioassays. Abundance of bacteria feeding nematodes was significantly (p<0.05) high but to a smaller extent in the Bt cotton plots (53.7% and 52% in the first and second season respectively) than in isoline (42.8% and 45% in the first and second season respectively). Insect bioassays detected Bt protein in the Bt cotton plots during the entire decomposition period in both seasons. There were no significant differences in nematode trophic groups composition between isoline and HART 89M. The effect of Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ac protein in decomposing Bt cotton litter on soil nematodes was minimal. The study provides a basis for future studies on the impact of genetically engineered plants on soil nematodes in Kenyan agroecosystems.
Short‐term dynamics of oxygen and carbon in productive nearshore shallow seawater systems off Taiwan: Observations and modeling

The diurnal to weekly dynamics of carbon and oxygen in two productive tropical–subtropical nearshore shallow water systems were investigated using a combination of time‐series observation and modeling. The two sites, Aodi (121.93°E, 25.06°N) and Nanwan (120.85°E, 21.91°N), were characterized by limited freshwater input, strong tidal advection and, at Nanwan, upwelling. The diurnal ranges were 96–234 µmol kg−1 for dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), 8.9–42.2 Pa for partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and 37–239 µmol kg−1 for dissolved oxygen. The diurnal variability increased from spring to neap tidal states at both sites. A model accounting for gas exchange, biological activities, tidal advection, and upwelling was developed to assess the biophysical interactions modulating the biogeochemical dynamics. The strongest driver of the diurnal variability was the net ecosystem production of the benthic‐dominated nearshore ecosystem. Tidal advection buffered the accumulation of biological effects and the intensified dispersion lowered the diurnal amplitudes at spring tides. Tide‐induced upwelling at Nanwan increased the surface inorganic carbon, and its decreasing intensity resulted in declines in DIC and pCO2 from spring toward neap tide. The maximum community photosynthetic rates at Aodi and Nanwan were 295 and 120 mmol C m−2 h−1, with ecosystem respiratory rates of 122 and 53 mmol C m−2 h−1. The two autotrophic ecosystems were sinks for atmospheric CO2 during the study period, with the average air–sea fluxes being −0.30 and −0.56 mmol C m−2 d−1 for Aodi and Nanwan.
Nutrient fluxes in litterfall and decomposition in four forests along a gradient of soil fertility in southern Ohio

To determine how soil nutrient availability influences nutrient cycling, fluxes of nutrients through litterfall and decomposition were determined for four forest stands similar in all respects except soil nutrient availability and microclimate, within Neotoma Valley, a small watershed in southern Ohio, U.S.A. Litterfall varied from 10 to 60% among sites while nutrient concentrations and masses in new leaf litter varied as a function of extractable soil nutrient levels. Mass loss from litterbags was significantly higher in more fertile sites. Stepwise regression indicated that initial litter nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were strongly correlated with relative decomposition rate while lignin concentration and microclimate variables were only correlated weakly. Thus, both litterfall nutrient transfers and decomposition rates were under the control of soil nutrient levels. Nitrogen was immobilized in litter at all sites during the 1st year of decay; litter from more fertile sites mineralized nitrogen.
Karyotypes of four wild Paeonia species from Greece

The karyotypes of eight wild Greek Paeonia taxa were studied, viz. P. clusii ssp. clusii (2n = 10, 20), P. clusii ssp. rhodia (2n = 10), P. mascula ssp. mascula (2n = 20), P. mascula ssp. hellenica (2n = 20), P. mascula ssp. icarica (2n = 20), P. mascula ssp. russi (2n = 10), P. peregrina (2n = 20) and P. parnassica (2n = 20). P. mascula and P. clusii have a very similar haploid chromosome complement, x = 5, including three metacentric chromosomes, one submetacentric and one subtelocentric. In the chromosome complements of the tetraploid P. peregrina and P. parnassica the same chromosome types are included but their karyotype differ from those of the former two species by a number of characters. The main karyotype differences are concerned with the size differentiation of the chromosomes which in the case of P. peregrina has resulted in the diploidization of the tetraploid karyotype. From the individuals examined, six were found to have abnormal karyotypes suggesting chromosomal exchanges. These structural aberrations in which mainly submetacentric and subtelocentric chromosomes are involved have also been described and discussed.
Effects of experimentally increased calcium levels in the litter on terrestrial snail populations

Summary This study investigates some short-term effects (5 weeks) of calcium, added to the forest floor, upon the local terrestrial snail populations. Shell sand (400 g/0.25 m 2 ) was added in a natural nemoral mixed oak forest near Kristiansand, southern Norway. The results show a significant increase in both individual (from 144 to 355) and species (from 13 to 17) numbers of snails per 0.25 m 2 during the experiment. No significant change occurred in the controls (from 203 to 136 and from 14 to 9, respectively), even though the data suggest a reduction in numbers. Soil samples for chemical analysis were also taken. Positive correlations between snail abundance and amount of calcium, pH-values, and soil base saturation were evident, whereas a negative correlation with amount of phosphorus could be seen. We conclude that addition of calcium to the forest floor in these woods will change the chemical composition of the litter layer and increase the direct availability of calcium to the snails.
Regulation of Cutaneous Malignancy by γδ T Cells

The localization of γδ T cells within epithelia suggests that these cells may contribute to the down-regulation of epithelial malignancies. We report that mice lacking γδ cells are highly susceptible to multiple regimens of cutaneous carcinogenesis. After exposure to carcinogens, skin cells expressed Rae-1 and H60, major histocompatibility complex–related molecules structurally resembling human MICA. Each of these is a ligand for NKG2d, a receptor expressed by cytolytic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. In vitro, skin-associated NKG2d+ γδ cells killed skin carcinoma cells by a mechanism that was sensitive to blocking NKG2d engagement. Thus, local T cells may use evolutionarily conserved proteins to negatively regulate malignancy.
Perfil hematológico de cabras Saanen e mestiças (1/2 Saanen e 1/2 Anglo-nubiana) criadas em clima tropical do Ceará

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of climatic conditions on the hematological profile of Saanen and mixed-breed (1/2 Saanen x 1/2 Anglo-Nubian) goats, as well as to define reference values for these animals bred in Ceara, Brazil. Thirty goats were utilized and blood samples were collected monthly during the rainy (February to May) and dry (August to November) periods to obtain an erythrogram a leukogram. The averange were compared by the t-Student test and Mann Whitney test, with parametric and non-parametric distribution of the data, respectively, where p 0.05). The RBCs and segmented neutrophils displayed a negative correlation with air temperature, but positive with relative humidity and rectal temperature (p<0.05). The hematocrit positively correlated with air temperature and respiratory rate (p<0.05). The leukocytes and lymphocytes showed a negative correlation with rectal temperature (p<0.05). It was therefore concluded that Saanen females are more affected by climatic variations and that the rainy season has a greater negative impact on hematological parameters. The values obtained could serve as a reference for these genotypes in Ceara.
Effects of Low-dose Electron Beam Irradiation on Respiration, Microbiology, Color, and Texture of Fresh-cut Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes (Cucumis melo) in three separate trials were cut into 1-inch cubes and irradiated at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, or 1.5 kGy; 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or 0.7 kGy; and 0, 0.3, 0.6, or 0.9 kGy, respectively. They were then stored in air at 3 °C for up to 20 days, and respiration rate, measured as carbon dioxide (CO2) production, microbiological counts [total plate count (TPC) and yeast and molds], texture, and color were measured during storage. Respiration rates were initially higher in irradiated cantaloupe. After 8 days, respiration was similar between irradiated and control fruit. Irradiation moderated increases in respiration in a dose-dependent manner. Highest irradiation doses resulted in initial TPC reductions of 1.5 log compared to the non-irradiated controls, and also prevented the 2.5 to 3 log TPC increases seen in controls after 10 to 11 days of storage. Texture differed on day 1, when controls were most fi rm, but irradiation maintained greater fi rmness than controls after day 7. Irradiation of fresh-cut cantaloupe has potential for shelf life extension and for integration with modifi ed atmosphere packaging systems.
Vibrational Sounding by the Pupal ParasitoidPimpla (Coccygomimus) turionellae:An Additional Solution to the Reliability–Detectability Problem☆

Abstract We investigated the ability of the pupal parasitoidPimpla turionellaeto find a simulated host (cigarette filters) hidden within paper cylinders. A pronounced concentration of ovipositor insertions on the concealed filter demonstrated the ability of the parasitoid to locate hidden hosts in the absence of chemical and visual cues. On the basis of laser–Doppler vibrometer studies, we assume that the parasitoid uses self-produced vibrations to locate the filter within the paper cylinder. Parasitoids showed this ability with cylinders made out of 17, 48, and 80 g paper. However, the total number of ovipositor insertions decreased with increasing paper weight. Based on these results, we propose that ovipositor insertion byP. turionellaemight be induced by the contrast in resonance between hollow and solid sections of the substrate, rather than by the solidity of the substrate as such. We discuss this form of vibrational sounding as an additional solution to the reliability–detectability problem faced by host seeking (pupal) parasitoids.
Haematological changes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Paper includes results ofinvestigations and haematological studies, conducted on broodstock andoffspring of Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) growthÂ at SCDP Nucet -DA¢mboviA£a. Research aimedÂ haematologicalparameters and the performance of growingÂ forÂ parents and twogenerationsÂ of fryÂ by natural reproduction rearingÂ inÂ different conditions: group I - fingerlingsÂ reared inÂ natural environment (age about 80 days), and group II - fingerlingsÂ reared inÂ aquariums at 20 Â° C for 120 days. Growth of Nile tilapia in the naturalenvironment was accomplishedÂ exclusivelyon natural feed and in the aquarium on the basis of the use of a particularfeed (Aller Tilapia XS, 33% PC). Blood investigations consisted in determiningthe level of the main parameters (Hb., RBCs) and index derived erythrocytes(MCH), correlated with leukocytes. Results obtained will be use the achievementof a database, to detect possible changes in the physiological state determinedby growing conditions, food, age and stress for intervention and timely removalof disturbances appear in their growth environment.
Los Crocodylia fósiles de la Argentina

A synopsis of the knowledge about fossil Crocodylia from Argentina is given. The Triassic Protosuchidae, the Jurassic Teleosauridae and Metriorhynchidae, the Cretaceous Notosuchidae, Baurusuchidae and Dolichochampsidae, and the Cenozoic Crocodylidae, Alligatoridae, Gavialidae and Sebecidae are analized. The distinguishing anatomical characters and the possible relationships with other Crocodylia are discussed for each group. The most important aspects of their geographic and stratigraphic distribution are also pointed out. The evolutionary history of Argentine Crocodylia is incompletely known, and the relationships between families are not well understood. The fossil Crocodylia, specially those with living representatives, are considered good indicators of specific environmental conditions.
The diurnal vertical dynamics of Cape hake and their potential prey

The Cape hakes Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus are dominant predators over the Namibian shelf. They are found in a water column that includes myctophids and other mesopelagic fish, euphausiids and cephalopods. Together with their cohabitant potential prey, hake are known to undertake diurnal vertical migrations, aggregating near the bottom during daylight, but migrating off the bottom at night. An attempt to determine the underlying mechanisms of this diurnal migration by means of underwater acoustics and trawling was made at a single location on the central Namibian shelf at a depth of 350 m during four consecutive days in April 1996. Large M. capensis, 50–75 cm total length, dominated just over the sea bed, whereas 30–40 cm M. paradoxus were most abundant 5–50 m off the bottom, suggesting that the smaller M. paradoxus had to remain higher in the water column to avoid being eaten by the larger M. capensis. Large hake of both species preyed preferentially on fish, whereas the smaller hake preferred e.
Revision of the Pseudobryopsis/Trichosolen complex (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) based on features of gametangial behavior and chloroplasts

Abstract Two combinations of features exist in species of the Pseudobryopsis/Trichosolen complex (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta): (1) gametangia are separated from the supporting branch by a plug and are emptied after liberation of gametes; chloroplasts are small and have no pyrenoids; and (2) gametangia have a protoplasmic connection to the supporting branch during their entire development and are refilled with protoplasm after liberation of gametes; chloroplasts are large and have evident pyrenoids. Culture studies in Pseudobryopsis oahuensis Egerod and Trichosolen duchassaingii (J. Agardh) Taylor showed that these species differ considerably in chloroplast features and gametangial behavior. Examination of herbarium material of P. blomquistii Diaz-Piferrer, T. duchassaingii (J. Agardh) Taylor, P. gracilis Womersley et Bailey, P. longipedicellata Blomquist et Diaz-Piferrer, P. mauritiana Borgesen, T. molassensis Bucher et Norris, P. myura (J. Agardh) Berthold, P. oahuensis Egerod, P. parva Dawson, P. planklo.
PHYLOGENETIC POSITION OF SYMBIODINIUM (DINOPHYCEAE) ISOLATES FROM TRIDACNIDS (BIVALVIA), CARDIIDS (BIVALVIA), A SPONGE (PORIFERA), A SOFT CORAL (ANTHOZOA), AND A FREE‐LIVING STRAIN

The genus Symbiodinium is the commonly observed symbiotic dinoflagellate (zooxanthellae) that forms mutual associations with various marine invertebrates. Numerous studies have revealed that the genus is comprised of a group of diverse taxa, and information on the phylogenetic relationships among the genus’ members is increasing. In this study, small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) gene sequences were determined for 15 more Symbiodinium strains from 12 relatively unstudied host taxa (Indo‐Pacific tridacnids, cardiids, sponge, and soft coral), 1 hitherto unreported free‐living Symbiodinium strain, and 4 other Symbiodinium strains from four other host taxa (Indo‐Pacific zoanthid, foraminifer, jellyfish, and mid‐Pacific hard coral). Their respective phylogenetic positions were inferred, and strains that are either closely related to or distinct from previously reported Symbiodinium taxa were revealed. The cultured Symbiodinium strains isolated from individuals of six species of tridacnids and three species of cardiids all had identical ssrRNA gene sequences, are closely related to S. microadriaticum Freudenthal, and are indistinguishable from the RFLP Type A strain previously reported. However, the ssrRNA gene sequences of clam symbionts that were obtained via gene cloning were different from those of the cultured isolates and represent strains that are close to the RFLP Type C strains. The Symbiodinium‐like dinoflagellate from the Indo‐Pacific sponge Haliclona koremella De Laubenfels is distinct from any of the Symbiodinium taxa studied and may be similar to the symbiont previously isolated from the stony coral Montipora patula Quelch. The isolates from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum Quoy et Gaimard and from the zoanthid Zoanthus sp. are both very closely related to S. pilosum Trench et Blank. The free‐living Symbiodinium isolate is very closely related to the symbiont isolated from the Indo‐Pacific foraminifer Amphisorus hemprichii Ehrenberg, which in turn is distinct from the Red Sea strain isolated from a similar host. Theisolate from Cassiopeia sp. is different from S. microadriaticum F. , the type species harbored by Cassiopeia xamachana Bigelow, and is instead very closely related to S. pulchrorum Trench isolated from a sea anemone. The symbiont from the stony coral M. verrucosa Lamarck is a sister taxon to the symbionts isolated from the foraminifera Marginopora kudakajimensis Gudmundsson and Sorites orbiculus Forskål. These data suggest that polymorphic symbioses extend from cnidarians to some bivalve, foraminifer, and jellyfish host species.
Effect of Prior Distributions on Accuracy of Genomic Breeding Values for Two Dairy Traits

The ideal method to estimate direct genomic values (DGV) would calculate the conditional mean of the breeding value given the genotype of individuals at each quantitative traits locus (QTL). In this study we compare accuracies of DGV obtained using three different prior distributions of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects (normal, Student’s t and double-exponential) in simulated data, to understand the extent of reduction in DGV accuracy when the prior distribution does not match the true distribution of QTL effects. We then apply the methods in a real dataset of 1149 Australian Holstein-Friesian bulls, both to find the prior distribution that is most robust across traits and to make interpretations about the true distribution of QTL effects. Methods using normal and Student’s t prior distributions had fixed hyper-parameters, whereas hyper-parameters for double-exponential prior distribution were conditional to the data. Using the Student’s t distribution for the prior distribution of SNP effects gave the largest estimates of SNP effects in the presence of QTL with large effects in both simulated and real data, and achieved the best accuracies of DGV in both datasets. The double-exponential distribution resulted in higher shrinkage of SNP effect estimates, even when a large true effect was present. The normal distribution resulted in the greatest degree of shrinkage of estimated effects, and gave the lowest accuracies. The amount of information of the data analyzed might still be inadequate to estimate these hyper-parameters accurately. A Student’s t distribution with fixed hyper-parameters was the best approximation of the QTL distribution for the two dairy traits analyzed.
Profiling and Curing from Shigella Spp Isolated from Plasmid Diarrheal Patients

Problem statement: Shigellosis is a common infectious disease especially in underdeveloped countries. The bacteria are primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route. The inflammatory process of acute Shigella infection affects the colon and is characterized clinically by fever, cramping abdominal pain with frequent loose stools that might contain mucus, pus and blood. Approach: This study determined the susceptibility of Shigella isolates to antibiotics. Afterward, plasmid isolation from pathogenic Shigella will carried out to achieved information concerning to the presence of plasmid DNA in Shigella isolates. Plasmid curing will be done to seek correlation between resistance to antibiotics and plasmid occurrence in Shigella. Results: We found that the incidence of diarrhea in male is almost similar to female. The distribution of Shigella spp. , in male more than in female represented 54.54 and 45.46% respectively. Conclusion: Approximately 89.5% of the diarrhea cases had no bacterial pathogen, suggested of probability of viral infection.
Effect of protein concentration on rates of thermal denaturation of whey proteins in milk

The effects of varying the concentrations of total protein, whey protein, and casein on levels of thermal denaturation of four main whey protein fractions in skim milk, namely immunoglobulins, serum albumin/lactoferrin, β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin, were examined by gel permeation fast protein liquid chromatography. On heating at 80 °C, the rates of denaturation of the individual whey proteins in skim milk increased with total protein concentration and, to a lesser extent, with increasing whey protein concentration. The levels of denaturation of the whey proteins were not affected by increasing micellar casein concentration but decreased markedly when the casein concentration was reduced below that in skim milk. In milks from different cows, rates of denaturation of individual whey proteins were not affected by β-lactoglobulin phenotype but were higher in milk from cows in late lactation. Keywords: Whey protein; denaturation; aggregation
Isolation and characterisation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S13-3 as a biological control agent for anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S13-3 was isolated from soil as a biological control agent for anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. In vitro bioassay demonstrated that S13-3 suppressed C. gloeosporioides mycelial growth. The biocontrol activity of S13-3 toward grape ripe rot caused by C. gloeosporioides was confirmed in a vineyard. S13-3 also reduced the severity of strawberry anthracnose caused by C. gloeosporioides on detached strawberry leaves. The finding that S13-3 showed tolerance to some chemical pesticides and copper suggested that S13-3 could be applied before and/or after chemical pesticide or Bordeaux mixture treatment in the field. S13-3 possesses ituD and lpa-14 genes, both of which play a role in iturin A production, in its genome and expressed their transcripts during culture. Iturin A production by S13-3 was detected in the culture medium and its concentration was 0.064 mg/mL in the medium after culture for 6 days, suggesting that the antagonistic activity of S13-3 toward C. gloeosporioides may depend on iturin A production. Due to the inhibitory effects of S13-3 on anthracnose caused by C. gloeosporioides, S13-3 is expected to contribute to the further improvement of integrated pest management systems against C. gloeosporioides, and to potentially reduce the amounts of chemical fungicides used in the field.