Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Instrumental and Sensory Texture Measurements of Fresh and Stored Apples to Cell Number and Size

During storage, many apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) genotypes lose their desirable textural qualities, but some like 'Honeycrisp', maintain their sensory Crispness and Firmness. To understand this differential response of genotypes to postharvest changes in texture, reliable and quantifi able methods of texture measurement are needed. This study integrated data from a snapping test, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and sensory panels to study postharvest textural changes and to predict sensory textural attributes of Firmness, Crispness, Mealiness, and Juiciness. Three separate analyses on fresh, stored, and combined fresh and stored fruit data yielded different predictors for the same sensory attributes. Change in Crispness during storage was successfully predicted by change in Work during storage. Cell number and size were related to fresh fruit texture and its maintenance during storage. Unique textural properties of 'Honeycrisp' were found to be inherited by its progeny. Apple fruit texture and fl avor are important
Circadian, neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral effects of polychromatic light in humans.

Abstract In the last eighteen years there has been the identification of a novel photopigment, melanopsin, and its subsequent localization to human intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Since melanopsin’s peak sensitivity is in the short wavelength portion of the visible spectrum (from 447 nm to 484 nm), there has been a steady increase in studies investigating the physiological effects of blue light. This thesis examines polychromatic light mixtures of blue light for circadian, neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral effects in humans. White blue-enriched fluorescent lamps were tested at equal photon densities for increased efficacy for melatonin suppression, increased alertness, and circadian phase shifting. Results demonstrated that compared to white fluorescent light, blue-enriched fluorescent light was significantly stronger for suppressing melatonin and resulted in significantly reduced subjective sleepiness. Blue-enriched light, however, was not significantly stronger in eliciting circadian phase-delay or increasing objective measures of alertness. Next, blue-appearing narrowband solid-state light was examined for its ability to acutely suppress nocturnal melatonin as well as enhance cognitive performance and alertness in healthy men and women when compared to dim white lighting. The results demonstrated that narrowband blue solid-state light was significantly stronger for melatonin suppression compared to dim white light. Subjective and objective assessments of alertness, however, were not significantly increased by blue-enriched light exposure. The final study tested the hypothesis that certain combinations of light wavelengths are additive or opponent to the photoreceptor system that mediates the melatonin suppression. The results demonstrated that the melatonin suppression responses to dual narrow bandwidth light combinations were not significantly different from single wavelength exposures. Taken together, the results suggest that melanopsin sensitivity is not the sole consideration for predicting the efficacy of white polychromatic lighting. The different effects of blue light on alertness, circadian phase-shifting and melatonin suppression imply a either a context dependent sensitivity and/or differential involvement of the classical photoreceptors in these light responses.
Essential oil of Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare L. and Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart from Moldova: content and chemical composition.

Different genotypes of Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare L. and Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart have been evaluated. The quantitative characters vary in dependence of genotypes and subspecies. The plants height is 65-80 cm that is composed from 100-115 floral stems for ssp. vulgare and 120-240 for ssp. hirtum. Inflorescences of O.vulgare ssp. vulgare have 15-18 ramifications, O.vulgare ssp. hirtum 20-30. Flowers are white (ssp. hirtum) or pink (ssp. vulgare). The content of essential oil separated by hydrodistillation in case of O.vulgare ssp. vulgare varies between 0.108% and 0.249% and O.vulgare ssp. hirtum 2.409% 5.422%. GC GC-MS analysis attested 41 monoand sesquiterpenes for O.vulgare ssp. vulgare, which constitutes 97.78% of the oil. The O. vulgare ssp. hirtum essential oils is composed from 24 to 31 components depending on the genotype. The range of identification is 99.07-99.90%. Germacrene D (17.01%); β-caryophyllene (13.05%); carvacrol (11.65%); sabinene (9.78%); transocimene (9.38%); cis -ocimene (6.03%), and γ-elemene (4.10%) are the major components of O.vulgare ssp. vulgare oil. Essential oil of all genotypes of O.vulgare ssp. vulgare represents one chemotype-germacrene D/β-caryophyllene/carvacrol/trans-& cis-ocimene/γ-elemene. The major components of the essential oil of the O.vulgare ssp. hirtum genotypes include carvacrol (67.67-85.85%), p-cymene (3.64-9.33%) or γterpinene (8.22%). Thus, the O.vulgare ssp. hirtum genotypes are divided into three chemotypes: carvacrol/p-cymene; carvacrol/p-cymene/γ-terpinene; carvacrol/γ-terpinene/p-
Observations on the Growth of the Claspers and Cloaca in Raia clauata Linnaeus

In the course of work on the life-history and biology of the Raiidæ in the English Channel, and especially of R. clavata, the most important species commercially (4, p. 9 et seq.), it has been found necessary to attempt to disentangle the migrations of sexually mature fishes from those of juvenile individuals by means of marking experiments. In both sexes sufficiently small individuals could with safety be written down as juveniles and the largest of both sexes as adults. There remained, however, a considerable but ill-defined range of sizes (different in the two sexes) within which might be found fishes of all stages—juveniles, adolescents and adults.
Effects of larval antlions Euroleon nostras (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) and their pits on the escape‐time of ants

Abstract. Pit‐building antlions are predators with a unique predation strategy, namely using pitfall traps constructed in loose sand to catch prey. Here, prey escape‐time in the field is measured by introducing ants into one of four different treatment arenas. The first treatment lacks pits and antlions, the second includes 10 antlions that did not build pits, the third comprises eight artificially constructed pits, and the fourth is a treatment of eight antlions in pits and two without pits. Their pits are of a similar size to those used in the third treatment. When antlions are present without constructing pits, they impede the dispersal of prey. The mean escape‐time for one half of the released ants is twice as long with antlions present as without them. When pits are present, the time taken for one half of the released ants to escape the predator is more than 10 times as long as when pits are absent. Escape‐time from artificial pits is three times that from nonpit building antlions. Pits hinder the escape of ants and therefore increase the amount of time that the prey is available for capture. In the area where the pits are occupied by antlions, escape‐time is four times longer than in a treatment with similar sized artificial pits. Thus, it appears that not only a pit, but also the presence of antlions influences the capture success.
Breeding sounds of male Padogobius nigricans with suggestions for further evolutionary study of vocal behaviour in gobioid fishes

The male Arno goby Padogobius nigricans courts ripe females by emitting sounds at a high rate, mainly from the nest hollow. Laboratory observations revealed that each sound is an almost pure tone wave showing marked amplitude modulation and decrease of frequency throughout its length. The mean tone frequency averaged 79.4 Hz and the sound duration averaged 327 ms. Both these sound parameters were significantly affected by the temperature of the water. Acoustic behaviour during sexual interactions was compared for tank-confined males and males from a community group. The fact that acoustic activity of the male peaked when the female stayed motionless at the nest entrance suggested that the sound emitted by the male P. nigricans has a role as an advertising signal. Observation of spawning behaviour showed the emission of sounds by the male rapidly diminished and eventually ceased shortly after the beginning of oviposition. Thus, the male sound seems not to be a functional component of the spawning behaviour. Finally, data on vocal behaviour of this species were examined within a comparative framework, also taking into consideration phylogenetic relationships between Italian freshwater gobies.
Ocean Acidification Decreases Growth and Development in American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Larvae

Ocean acidification resulting from the global increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration is emerging as a threat to marine species, including crustaceans. Fisheries involving the American lobster (Homarus americanus) are economically important in eastern Canada and United States. Based on ocean pH levels predicted for 2100, this study examined the effects of reduced seawater pH on the growth (carapace length) and development (time to molt) of American lobster larvae throughout stages I–III until reaching stage IV (postlarvae). Each stage is reached after a corresponding molt. Larvae were reared from stage I in either acidified (pH = 7.7) or control (pH = 8.1) seawater. Organisms in acidified seawater exhibited a significantly shorter carapace length than those in control seawater after every molt. Larvae in acidified seawater also took significantly more time to reach each molt than control larvae. In nature, slowed progress through larval molts could result in greater time in the water column, where larvae are vulnerable to pelagic predators, potentially leading to reduced benthic recruitment. Evidence was also found of reduced survival when reaching the last stage under acidified conditions. Thus, from the perspective of larval ecology, it is possible that future ocean acidification may harm this important marine resource.
Evaluation of biodegradable mulches for production of warm-season vegetable crops.

While plastic soil mulches are widely used in vegetable crop production, removal and disposal of these plastics at the end of the growing season is costly and environmentally unsound. This trial assessed the field performance of several colors of corn-starch-based biodegradable mulches for the production of warm season vegetable crops (sweet corn, zucchini, cantaloupe, pepper and eggplant) over three cropping seasons in Saskatchewan. The clear and wavelength selective types of mulch most commonly produced beneficial effects on the rate of crop development and yields. This may be attributed to these mulch types enhancing soil temperatures, especially early in the growing season. There were no appreciable differences in the soil temperatures or crop growth and yield responses on the biodegradable mulches as compared with the same color of standard low-density polyethylene mulch. The biodegradable mulches were easy to apply and were readily incorporated into the soil at the end of the growing season. Althoug.
Assessing the threonine-to-lysine ratio of female broilers from 14 to 28 days of age

Abstract Diets for straight-run broiler flocks are often formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of male broilers, assuming this will cover the nutrient needs of the females. Delineating the nutrient needs of female broilers may allow for a more precise formulation and may lead to a reduction in associated feed cost, particularly when feeding sexes separately. A study was designed to simultaneously evaluate the dietary needs of Lys and Thr of a high-yielding female broiler from 14 to 28 d of age. Dose-response diets were accomplished via the diet-dilution technique, and were formulated to provide a range from 0.84 to 1.24% and 0.46% to 0.86% standardized digestible Lys and Thr, respectively. Requirement estimates ranged from 1.06 to 1.11% for standardized digestible Lys, depending on the parameter and the statistical method used, whereas Thr requirement estimates ranged between 0.73 and 0.79%. In addition to the aforementioned requirement estimates, Thr-to-Lys ratios of 69 for BW gain and 70 for FCR were calculated.
Effects of time-of-day and caffeine ingestion on mood states, simple reaction time, and short-term maximal performance in elite judoists

The purpose of this study was to examine the ergogenic effect of caffeine ingestion on the diurnal fluctuations of mood states, simple reaction time, and muscle power during the Wingate test. Twelve elite judoists (age: 21.1 ± 1.2 years; body mass: 83.8 ± 8.2 kg; height: 1.8 ± 0.6 m), participated in the present study. Mood states and simple reaction time, and peak and mean powers (P peak, P mean) during the Wingate test were measured during four separate sessions in a randomized design: at 07:00 and 17:00 h after placebo or caffeine ingestion (i.e. 5 mg/kg). The results of the present study revealed an increase in the anxiety, vigor, and fatigue and a decrease in the simple reaction time after the caffeine compared to the placebo ingestion at 07:00 and 17:00 h. Moreover, the results indicated that the diurnal variation of P peak and P mean was reduced after the ingestion of the caffeine in comparison with the control session by an increased performance only at 07:00 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, caffeine ingestion is recommended in the morning to minimize the diurnal fluctuations of short-term maximal performance.
Four new Pseudosinella (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from La Rioja, Spain

Four new species of Pseudosinella from La Rioja, Spain are described and illustrated. They are P. logrognensis sp. nov., P. leivaensis sp. nov., P. gutierrezae sp. nov. and P. torcuatoensis sp. nov., which were found in soils of different field crops. Identification keys are given for some of them, based on the chaetotaxy or the number of eyes, in order to compare the new species with those having 5 + 5 eyes.
Trade‐offs between longevity and pathogen resistance in Drosophila melanogaster are mediated by NFκB signaling

The innate immune response protects numerous organisms, including humans, from the universe of pathogenic molecules, viruses and micro‐organisms. Despite its role in promoting pathogen resistance, inappropriate activation and expression of NFκB and other immunity‐related effector molecules can lead to cancer, inflammation, and other diseases of aging. Understanding the mechanisms leading to immune system activation as well as the short‐ and long‐term consequences of such activation on health and lifespan is therefore critical for the development of beneficial immuno‐modulating and longevity‐promoting interventions. Mechanisms of innate immunity are highly conserved across species, and we take advantage of genetic tools in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to study the effects of acute and chronic activation of immunity pathways on pathogen resistance and general fitness of adult flies. Our findings indicate that fat body specific overexpression of a putative pathogen recognition molecule, peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP‐LE), is sufficient for constitutive up‐regulation of the immune response and for enhanced pathogen resistance. Primary components of fitness are unaffected by acute activation, but chronic activation leads to an inflammatory state and reduced lifespan. These phenotypes are dependent on the NFκB‐related transcriptional factor, Relish, and they establish a mechanistic basis for a link between immunity, inflammation, and longevity.
Effects of patent Echinostoma caproni infection on the sterol composition of the digestive gland-gonad complex of Biomphalaria glabrata as determined by gas-liquid chromatography

ABSTRACT Sterols in the digestive gland-gonad (DGG) complex of Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda) infected with patent larval stages of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) versus uninfected control snails were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. The major sterol present in both populations was cholesterol, 59% in the infected snails and 51% in the controls. Infected snails contained the same phytosterols as the controls—desmosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol–but the percent composition was reduced. The reduction was significant for both campesterol and stigmasterol.
Pigmentation and eye migration in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) larvae: new findings and hypotheses

Atlantic halibut juveniles, which have been fed Artemia during larval development, frequently demonstrate malpigmentation and impaired eye migration. This is in contrast to the high percentage of normally developed larvae fed copepods, reared under similar conditions. Nutrition is therefore an important component influencing larval development. Analyses of the nutrient composition of Artemia and copepods show that Atlantic halibut larvae fed Artemia probably receive sufficient amounts of vitamin A by converting canthaxanthin, while iodine may be deficient, possibly leading to interrupted thyroid hormone synthesis. An unbalanced fatty acid composition, such as high levels of arachidonic acid and low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, can be another limiting factor in Artemia. Vitamin A, fatty acids and thyroid hormones have all been shown to affect pigmentation in flatfish. They are ligands to nuclear receptors, thyroid hormone receptors, retinoic acid receptors, retinoic X receptors and peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors, which are members of the superfamily of steroid hormone receptors. The receptors interact with each other to promote gene expression that modulates proliferation and differentiation of cells. Our hypothesis is that these interactions are important for development during flatfish metamorphosis. Very little data exist on the topic of impaired eye migration. However, energy limitation, iodine deficiency and an unbalanced fatty acid composition have been proposed as possible explanations. Here, we review the literature on development of pigment cells and the possible mechanisms behind the effects of vitamin A, fatty acids and thyroid hormone on pigmentation and eye migration during development of Atlantic halibut larvae. 2 : featfish larvae, Atlantic halibut, pigmentation,
A JUVENILE PARASAUROLOPHUS (ORNITHISCHIA: HADROSAURIDAE) BRAINCASE FROM DINOSAUR PROVINCIAL PARK, ALBERTA, WITH COMMENTS ON CREST ONTOGENY IN THE GENUS

Abstract An incomplete braincase of a juvenile lambeosaurine hadrosaurid (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) is recognized as the second and smallest cranial specimen of Parasaurolophus from the Belly River Group (Campanian), Alberta, Canada. This specimen provides the first information on the ontogeny of the skull roof and autapomorphic tubular crest in this widely recognized yet poorly known taxon. In addition to the distinctive morphology of the cranial crest, Parasaurolophus is characterized by a suite of skull roof characters associated with crest development that manifest at small size, including verticalization of the nasal frontal joint at the base of the crest. Although the crest is not preserved in the specimen described here, the distinctively thickened and steeply angled frontal platform indicates that the crest and facial profile were significantly different from the equivalent juvenile stages of corythosaurin lambeosaurines (Corythosaurus, Hypacrosaurus, Lambeosaurus), which resemble one another closely. Parasaurolophus therefore appears to deviate from the well-known corythosaurin mode of cranial crest growth early in ontogenetic development.
Effects of highway fencing and wildlife crossings on moose Alces alces movements and space use in southwestern Sweden

Abstract Use of exclusion fencing is an effective method to reduce moose-vehicle collisions, and exclusion fences are commonly erected along Swedish highways. However, exclusion fences may pose a threat to the viability of wildlife populations because they serve as barriers to individual movements and may limit accessibility to resources. Various types of wildlife crossings intended to reduce road-kills and increase habitat connectivity across fenced highways have been constructed throughout the world. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these crossing structures with respect to movements before, during and after construction of highways and exclusion fencing. We studied movements of 24 GPS-collared moose Alces alces before, during and after an existing two-lane road was reconstructed to a fenced four-lane highway with three wildlife crossings designed for moose. We recorded 135 movements across the highway during 8,830 moose-monitoring days. Of these, 47 occurred before the construction began, 76 occurred during the construction, and 12 occurred after the highway was fenced. All movements registered after the fencing occurred across two of the three wildlife crossings. The average number of highway crossings per moose-day decreased by 67-89% after fencing. The number of moose-vehicle collisions decreased after the exclusion fencing, but the fenced highway served as a barrier to moose movements even though three wildlife crossings were created. Thus, exclusion fencing may reduce moose mortality and provide safer conditions for automobile travellers, but the fencing may have a negative impact on moose accessibility to resources, gene flow and recolonisation rates.
Genetic analysis of live weight and ultrasonic fat and muscle traits in a hill sheep flock undergoing breed improvement utilizing an embryo transfer programme.

Genetic parameters for pre-weaning live weights and ultrasonic scanning measurements were estimated from a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep undergoing an embryo transfer programme. Maternal environmental effects could be evaluated without confounding with maternal genetic effects because embryos were transferred to unrelated recipient ewes. The data for the study were collected over a 7-year period (1993-1999) and related to a conventional hill farming system. The data were from 1465 lambs, the progeny of 60 sires, 263 donors and 784 recipient ewes. The only exception to the conventional farming system was at mating time when embryos were collected from selected donor ewes, following superovulation, and transferred to unrelated recipient ewes. Maternal environmental effects were important for birth weight (BW), 4-week weight (W4) and weaning weight (WW) but of less importance for ultrasonic fat depth (UFD), muscle depth (UMD) and muscle width (UMW). The heritabilities of the pre-weaning weights were moderate (0·17 to 0·23). The heritabilities of UFD and UMD were 0·44 and 0·27 respectively and were higher than found in previous similar studies. The heritability of UMW was low, 0·06. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among the pre-weaning weight traits were positive and moderate. There was a positive genetic ( + 0·25) and phenotypic ( + 0·24) correlation between UFD and UMD. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between BW and W4 and the scanning traits (UFD, UMD and UMW) were close to zero, and the correlations of WW with UFD, UMD and UMW were positive. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the importance of maternal environmental effects for lamb weights up to weaning and also suggest that genetic improvement for carcass composition in some populations of extensively reared hill sheep could be achieved more rapidly than previously thought possible.