Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Plasmodium and Salmonella co-infection in a murine model

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Plasmodium and Salmonella co-infection in LACA mice. The parasitaemic level, bacterial load, histological alterations and levels of oxidants/antioxidant activity were measured. Co-infected mice had a high parasitaemic level, increased bacterial load, and died earlier than Plasmodium-infected mice. Histologically, co-infected mice had more architectural damage in the liver, spleen, kidney, and brain than the control groups. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased and the activities of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were decreased in all organs of co-infected mice compared to the control groups, indicating depression of the antioxidant defense system. The present study demonstrates more severe histological and biochemical alterations in co-infected mice, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis for selection of appropriate treatments and reducing the likelihood of further complications.
Maternal Transfer of Organochlorine Compounds in Salmonines to Their Eggs

To investigate relationships between the concentrations of lipophilic organochlorine compounds in salmonine fish and their eggs and the role of lipids in maternal transfer of these compounds, muscle tissue and fertilized eggs from chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) were analyzed using gas chromatography. The concentrations of organochlorine compounds in the muscle tissue of the gravid fish were significantly correlated with the concentration of these compounds in the eggs (P < 0.01). Egg lipid concentrations were species specific, poorly correlated with muscle tissue lipid concentration, and did not appear to influence organochlorine compound transfer to the eggs. Total concentrations of PCBs and p,p′-DDE concentrations in chinook salmon eggs and total concentrations of PCBs, p,p′-DDE, and dieldrin in lake trout eggs were significantly correlated with the concentrations of these compounds in the muscle tissue of the gravid fish. Consequently, spatial difference.
Low carbon/nitrogen ratio increases laccase production from basidiomycetes in solid substrate cultivation

Basidiomycetes are laccase producers used for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic byproducts in fermentative processes and could be used on biofuel production or ruminant feeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrations of non-protein nitrogen sources on laccase production and mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus blazei. The fungi were grown on soybean hulls to which urea (U), ammonium sulfate (AS) or mixture of AS:U (1:1) were added to achieve carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios of 5, 15, 20 or 30. The average longitudinal mycelial growth was measured and laccase activity was determined by the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. Higher C/N ratios increased mycelial growth and decreased laccase production. The highest activities were obtained with a C/N ratio of 5. P. ostreatus, L. edodes and A. blazei produced more laccase when AS, AS:U and U, respectively, were added. In addition, C/N ratios lower than 30 induced laccase syntheses, inhibited mycelial growth and were a better condition for pre-hydrolysis of plant residues.
Synopses of North American Invertebrates. XXI. The Nemerteans

THE Nemerteans embrace a highly specialized group of flatworms, the most characteristic features of which are the soft extensible body without indication of external segmentation, the highly developed eversible proboscis, the straight intestine, opening at the posterior end of the body, and the absence of any distinct body cavity. The body is commonly long, flattened, and ribbon-like (Cerebratulus), filiform (Cephalothrix, Lineus), broad and flat (Drepanophorus), thick and rounded (Euborlasia), or short and cylindrical (Tetrastemma), but in nearly all forms is extremely extensible and may often be contracted to one tenth the length of the fully extended worm. In size there is the greatest variation found in any group of worms, for there are minute species (Tetrastemma) but 5 mm. long and a half millimeter thick when sexually mature, while another (Li'ncus longissimus) may become
Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Acute Nausea and Vomiting Induced by Chemotherapy among Breast Cancer Patients

Background & Aim: Approximately 75 of patients with cancer experience acute nausea and vomiting (24 hours after chemotherapy). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of auricular acupressure in relieving acute nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Methods & Materials: This study was a posttest only randomized clinical trial conducted on 48 women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy in Imam Khomeini and Hazrat Rasoul Akram hospital. Before chemotherapy and after obtaining informed consent, the patients were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. Intervention group received routine medications for controlling nausea and vomiting as well as auricular acupressure. Meanwhile, the control group received only the routine medications. The data were gathered using demographic and Morrow Standard questionnaire; and were compared using statistical tests in the SPSS-21. Results: The results showed that using auricular acupressure led to a decrease in the number and the intensity of nausea at acute phases (P=0.001). Acupressure application did not lead to any complications in the patients. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, using auricular acupressure on Shenmen, Point zero, stomach, Brainstem, and cardia points can relieve nausea and vomiting at acute phase of chemotherapy. It is suggested that nurses use this pressure technique as a complementary treatment for relieving nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Â© 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved.
Cloze and Editing Tasks: Are They Effective in Teaching Lexical Collocations?

Many recent researchers support the use of collaborative output tasks in L2 classrooms. This study compared the effects on the learning of English lexical collocations of two types of output tasks (reconstruction cloze task and reconstruction editing task). It aimed to see whether doing the tasks collaboratively led to greater knowledge of the target collocations than doing the same tasks individually and also whether the type of task would make a difference. The study was conducted in two intact intermediate adult English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classrooms. The participants had to complete four editing tasks or four cloze tasks either individually or collaboratively, and they were asked to take a vocabulary knowledge scale test administered before and after the treatment. The results revealed that completing the tasks collaboratively (in pairs) led to a greater gain of collocation knowledge than completing them individually. The results, also, showed a significant difference between the effects of two task types, with the editing tasks being more effective than the cloze tasks in the learning of lexical collocations.
Response of eucalypt species to fertiliser applied soon after planting at several sites

Summary Forestry organisations in several Australian States co-operated to establish a series of field trials in 1971–72 designed to improve current knowledge on eucalypt nutrition. Six fertiliser treatments and a single seedlot of E. globulus were used in all trials and other species, selected for local suitability, were included in some of the trials. A response in growth was recorded to nitrogen, phosphorus or a combination of the two at all sites. No additional response was obtained to potassium with or without trace elements. The nature of the response was determined by site factors rather than species. Whilst the effect of fertiliser on the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the foliage was not great, the effect on the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus was often substantial. It is postulated that there is an optimum ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus in the foliage of eucalypts for maximum growth. The data in this paper indicate that this ratio is about IS for E. globulus and E. sieberi. Trees w.
Egg-pupal and larval-pupal parasitism in the parasitoid Gronotoma micromorpha (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae)

I examined the effects of host age at oviposition, from 0 to 4 days (egg to mature larva), on emergence rate and developmental period of the leafminer parasitoid Gronotoma micromorpha (Perkins) (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) under laboratory conditions in the host Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). No significant difference was found in the emergence rates of G. micromorpha among the host ages examined. However, the developmental period of G. micromorpha was significantly shorter when ovipositing into 3- or 4-d-old L. trifolii. The occurrence of thelytokous parthenogenesis in G. micromorpha was confirmed. The results show that G. micromorpha is an egg-pupal and larval-pupal parasitoid, utilizing a wide range of host stages in which oviposition can occur and progeny can complete development.
From two dimensions to three: the use of multibeam sonar for a new approach in fisheries acoustics

We present a methodology applying multibeam sonar for three-dimensional (3D) observation of fish schools that enhances the conventional use of vertical scientific echo sounders. The sonar we employ has 60 beams of 1.5° each. Its working frequency is 455 kHz. It is applied on a vertical plan normal to the vessel route, observing from the surface line to the bottom with a range set to 100 m. The sampled volume is 14 times larger than the volume observed with vertical echo sounding. The contribution of this new methodology to fisheries acoustics is detailed for school classification, internal school structure, spatial distribution of schools, fish behaviour, and biomass estimates. For each of these points, we present some preliminary results with the aim of defining the real progress in fisheries acoustics research as a result of 3D acoustics. Finally, we present a list of technical and methodological improvements that we are developing in order to make multibeam sonar fully adapted to fisheries acoustics.
Use of organic acids and salts to control postharvest diseases of lemon fruits in Egypt

Abstract Postharvest diseases caused by Geotricum candidum (sour rot), Penicillium digitatum (green mould), and P. italicum (blue mould) are the most important negative factors affecting handling and marketing of citrus fruits in Egypt. The effect of organic acids (ascorbic, benzoic, citric and sorbic) as well as organic salts (potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate) were evaluated on the growth of causal agents and their disease incidence under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Complete inhibition was observed in the linear growth of all tested fungi when exposed to benzoic, citric and sorbic organic acids at concentrations of 4% and 2% of either sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate, respectively. Minimizing the tested concentration of organic acid down to 2%, the tested fungi fluctuated in their response such that only benzoic and sorbic acids could completely inhibit the growth of either P. digitatum or P. italicum only. Different organic acids and salts showed various levels of either protective or therapeutic effect for coated lemon fruits against mould infection whatever the time of their artificial inoculation under in vivo conditions. All treated fruits showed reduction in sour rot and green and blue mould diseases when compared with untreated fruits. Complete inhibition of mould incidence was obtained in coated lemon fruits with 4% of water or wax mixtures of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate 24 hours before inoculation. Also, high reduction in mould incidence was observed in lemon fruits coated with the same concentration at 48 hours after inoculation under the same conditions. On the other hand, the tested organic acids showed a lesser effect on mould incidence. Moreover, they were more effective against mould incidence when dissolved in water than wax, that only 4% of water mixture of sorbic and benzoic acids showed 100% protection against mould incidence. Furthermore, the severity of infection records followed the same trend. The present findings demonstrate that potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate have potential as environmentally friendly products, nontoxic postharvest fungicides against sour rot, green and blue mould incidence of stored citrus fruits and could be suggested for commercial use in packing-houses in consideration to their wide consumption as safely food preservatives.
The Chaetognatha Community of the Agulhas Current: Its Structure and Related Properties

An objective technique was used to identify and study related groups of chaetognath species from the Southwest Indian Ocean off the coast of the Republic of South Africa. Groups or community—type data agreed with, corroborated, and extended the scope of data on single species, multiple species and hydrographic conditions. The most representative groups were from the data of the N70V—nets which formed 3 groups. The 1st (or main) group was composed of 9 species and was distributed as a unit almost solely in the upper 200 meters of oceanic waters, and occurred in neritic waters only when > 1 to 2 species were absent. This agrees with and corroborates individual species data as each was, according to its distribution and abundance, a resident of the general ocean and each showed, except 3 species found predominantly in deeper waters, a positive correlation with the flow—pattern of the Agulhas current. The 2nd (or associate) group of 3 species was found 61% of the time at mixed—water stations, the best of thes.
Serogroup Distribution of Rhizobium Leguminosarum in Peas in the Palouse of Eastern Washington1

The serogroup distribution of Rhizobium leguminosarum in peas (Pisum sativum L. cv. ‘Alaska’) was determined for a Palouse catena in the summer of 1976. Three major serogroups were found, although the distribution was uneven across the catena. Thirty-four and thirty-eight percent of the nodules on the bottomland and north slope, respectively, were of serogroup WA-01, whereas it comprised only 5 to 12% of the root nodule population on the south slope and ridgetop, respectively. Serogroup WA-02 distribution of 81 to 89% was dominant for the ridgetop and south slopes. Only on the bottomland and soil did serogroup WA-03 represent a sizeable portion (12%) of the root nodule population. Nine Palouse catenas were selected as study sites in the summer of 1977 to determine the geographical distribution of the three serogroups of R. leguminosarum. The three serogroups represented > 94% of the root nodules sampled. Chisquare analysis suggested that serogroup distribution was related to temperature, moisture, and slope position on a catena. Microclimate as well as macroclimate were responsible for serogroup distribution in the Palouse. Cooler temperatures and higher soil moisture appeared to favor serogroup WA-01, as its largest population existed in the northern part of the Palouse, and on north-slope and bottomland soils. Population of serogroup WA-02 was maximum under the warmer and drier conditions of the southern and western Palouse as well as on south slopes and ridgetops. No pattern was found for the distribution of serogroup WA-03.
The effect of nitrogen and growth regulators on stem and root characteristics associated with lodging in two cultivars of winter wheat

The effects of nitrogen and plant growth regulators (stem shorteners) on root and shoot characteristics associated with lodging resistance were investigated in two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars of contrasting lodging resistance: the susceptible Galahad and the resistant Hereward. The morphology and mechanical strength of the stems and anchorage systems grown at two levels of nitrogen and with or without growth regulators were measured and related to the incidence of lodging recorded in a field trial. In both cultivars high levels of nitrogen increased the height of the stem, thereby increasing the 'self-weight' moment transmitted into the ground and weakened both the stems and the anchorage coronal roots. As a result, the anchorage strength was also reduced, plants failing in the root system in simulated lodging tests. Growth regulators, in contrast, had little effect on the bending strength of the shoots and root systems, but reduced plant height so that the overturning moments generated by the weight of the shoot were less. There were also differences between cultivars: Galahad plants had weaker anchorage due to the smaller number and lower strength of the coronal roots. The morphological and mechanical measures were used to calculate a safety factor against both stem and root lodging. Five factors were found to influence the safety factors, these were: cultivar type, the type of lodging, the rate of nitrogen and growth regulator application, and time, being lowest in Galahad plants at high levels of nitrogen and without growth regulators and at grain filling when the ears were heaviest. This was consistent with the observed pattern of lodging: root lodging occurred at grain filling and only in Galahad which had been treated with high nitrogen rates, most strongly in plants without growth regulators.
The role of IL6 and ESR1 gene polymorphisms as immunological factors of pregnancy maintenance

Aim. The study is aimed at the evaluation of the association of IL6 gene -174G/C polymorphism and ESR1 gene -397C/T polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) pathogenesis and at the investigation of the ESR1 gene -397C/T variant regulatory significance for the IL6 gene function. Methods. A case group of 75 women with RPL history and a control group of 106 unrelated healthy women, who have given birth to at least one child conceived in natural way, were genotyped by a PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results. There was no significant difference in IL6 -174G/C or ESR1 -397C/T genotype and allele frequencies between the case and control groups. Combined genotype distribution analysis showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower frequency of individuals homozygous for both IL6 -174G and ESR1 -397C alleles in case group (0.026) comparing to control (0.094). Conclusions. Genotype comprising IL6 -174G and ESR1 -397C alleles in homozygous state may be considered as a genetic marker of successful pregnancy maintenance during gestation early stages.
Summer survey of dugong distribution and abundance in Shark Bay reveals additional key habitat area

The first standardised summer aerial survey of dugongs within Shark Bay in Western Australia, and the fourth in a series of surveys of this area, was undertaken during February 2002. This survey returned a population estimate of 11021 ± 1357 (s.e.), a result similar to the first two winter surveys in 1989 and 1994 but considerably lower than the 1999 survey. Distribution was markedly different in this survey compared with all previous surveys, which were conducted during winter, confirming that dugongs within Shark Bay undertake a seasonal migration driven by changes in sea surface temperature. In addition to this distribution pattern it was identified that 24% of the population during summer occurred within an area known as Henri Freycinet Harbour. That is, while dugongs have been reported in this south-western region of the bay previously in summer, this is the first time that the substantial size (2629 ± 780, s.e.) of the summer dugong population has been quantified. Differences in the population estimate between the 1999 survey and this survey may be explained through large-scale movement patterns of dugongs between Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf to the north, patterns that should be considered in the management of dugongs for the entire region.
Micropropagation of Plumbago zeylanica Linn

ABSTRACT A rapid and highly effective method for plant micro-propagation from vegetative shoot buds was established for the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica Linn. Multiple shoots were proliferated from nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with kinetin or N6-benzyl adenine (0.25–1.0 mg/l). Excised shootlets cultured on hormone-free basal medium rooted within 4 to 7 days. Successful transfer of the rooted shoots to potting soil has been accomplished with 100 percent survival.
THE GROUND-SPIDER GENERA SETAPHIS, TRACHYZELOTES, ZELOTES, AND DRASSYLLUS (ARANEAE: GNAPHOSIDAE) IN ISRAEL

ABSTRACT Gnaphosid spiders from Israel of the genera Setaphis, Trachyzelotes, the species-rich Zelotes, and Drassyllus have been revised. Thirty-six species, more than in the whole of Central Europe, are recognized, including 16 species new to science and six that have never before been recorded from this region. All types and pertinent non-type material deposited in a great number of European collections have been re-examined, and the systematics, ecology, and the Zoogeographie distribution of all taxa treated are discussed. Many species have never been adequately described, and detailed illustrations of diagnostic characters along with updated records are provided for each species. The following new synonyms are defined: Zelotes longestylus (Caporiacco, 1936), Z. caporiaccoi Roewer, 1951, and Z. stylus Di Franco, 1992 = Setaphis fuscipes (Simon, 1885); Zelotes costatus Denis, 1952 = Trachyzelotes bardiae (Caporiacco, 1928) new combination; Zelotes inauratus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872) and Z. tristiculus (O.P.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF THREE CODOMINANT SUCCESSIONAL ANNUALS

Setaria faberii, Abutilon theophrasti, and Polygonum pensylvanicum growing together in a 1-yr successional field exhibit differing daily patterns of leaf water potential; S. faberii develops and maintains more negative water potentials than A. theophrasti, and P. pensylvanicum maintains much less negative water potential than either species. Setaria faberii and P. pensylvanicum do not light-saturate at 1.1 X 10 lx irradiance while A. theophrasti approaches light saturation at 8 x 10' lx, indicating that the species are adapted to high light intensities of the open field. In the field, leaf temperatures are maintained appreciably below air temperatures and are in the range of temperatures consistent with near-maximal photo- synthetic rates. Under optimal conditions the rates of photosynthesis are 38, 24, and 18 mg C02 * dm2 * h1 respectively for S. faberii, A. theophrasti, and P. pensylvanicum. Setaria faberii maintains near-maximum photosynthesis down to water potential of -12 bars, photosynthesizes at 30% of maximum at -24 bars, and recovers from potentials of -50 bars. In A. theophrasti photosynthesis remains unchanged to -10 bars, and becomes negligible at -26 bars. In P. pensylvanicum photosynthesis begins to decline sharply at potentials of -6 bars; it becomes negligible at -18 bars; and the plants die at -20 bars. The root systems of the three species grow in different parts of the soil resource: the root system of S. faberii is fibrous and shallow; the tap root of A. theophrasti is sparsely branched and extends to intermediate depths; the tap root system of P. pensylvanicum is moderately branched in the upper soil layers and pro- liferates mostly below the rooting zone of the other two species. The three species have evolved differing intercompenstory mechanisms for habitat ex- ploitation. One apparent niche difference among the species that allows for their coexistence is the exploitation of various levels of the soil and consequently different moisture resources.