Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural modification of waxy, regular, and high‐amylose maize and hulless barley starches on partial acid hydrolysis and their impact on physicochemical properties and chemical modification

Waxy (WX), regular (RA), and highâamylose (HA) maize and hulless barley (HB) starches were subjected to partial acid hydrolysis with 1.0 and 2. 2âN HCl for 30â240âmin. In both starches, the extent of hydrolysis with 1.0âN HCl followed the order: HA>WX>RA, whereas with 2. 2âN HCl, the order was: HA>WX>RA (maize) and WX>HA>RA (HB), respectively. The relative crystallinity increased (HA>WX>RA) and the Xâray pattern remained unchanged, whereas the swelling factor decreased (WX>RA>HA in maize and WX>HA>RA in HB) at both acid concentrations. Starches hydrolyzed with 1.0âN HCl exhibited increased gelatinization temperatures (WX>RA>HA in maize, WX>HAââ¼âRA in HB), a narrower gelatinization temperature range (WX>RA>HA in maize, WX>RAââ¼âHA in HB) and a decreased gelatinization enthalpy (WX>HA>RA in maize and HB). Acid hydrolysis increased the accessibility of the phosphorylating reagent into the amorphous regions. The extent of phosphorylation was more pronounced (maize>HB) in starches hydrolyzed with 1.0âN HCl for 60â90âmin. The bound phosphorus content (BPC) followed the order: HA>WX>RA in maize and HB starches hydrolyzed with 1.0âN HCl for 240âmin. In both starches, the extent of cationization was not influenced either by acid concentration or hydrolysis time. In general, acid hydrolysis significantly affected the reactivity of starch towards phosphorylation, where the optimum hydrolysis condition differed with starch source. The results would benefit the starch industry, since the amount of the phosphorylating reagent required for increasing thermal stability and/or freezeâthaw stability could be decreased substantially, if starches are subjected to partial acid hydrolysis prior to derivatization.
Genomic and cDNA microsatellites from apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

We developed primers for the amplification of 24 polymorphic nuclear microsatellites in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Thirteen loci originated from three genomic libraries enriched for TC, TG and AAG motifs. Eight loci were developed from three fruit EST (Expressed-Sequence-Tag) libraries and three from a leaf cDNA microsatellite-enriched library. There were up to nine alleles per polymorphic locus in 12 different cultivars. No difference in allele numbers were shown between cDNA and genomic-source loci. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.65 (range: 0.15–0.87). Mendelian segregation was confirmed for all loci. These markers should be helpful for diversity studies, genome mapping and cultivar identification in apricot and related species.
Studies on Marsupial Reproduction. 1. General features and techniques.

Previous work on the reproduction of marsupials is mentioned briefly and the taxonomy of Setonix brachyurus Quoy and Gaimard, the animal chosen for this investigation, is discussed. The feeding in captivity, surgery, methods of taking vaginal smears, and histological methods are described. Anatomically the reproductive system of Setonix is similar to that of other marsupials. There are two ovaries, two uteri, and two lateral vaginae. The vaginal culs-de-sac are connected to the urogenital sinus, forming a pseudo-vaginal canal which remains open after the birth of the first young. The reproductive system differs from that of the true kangaroos and resembles that of the rat kangaroos in possessing an anterior vaginal expansion. Some preliminary observations on breeding are recorded, with some details of growth rates, feeding, etc. of pouch young.
Diversidade e estrutura comunitária de cerrado sensu stricto em afloramentos rochosos no parque estadual dos Pireneus, Goiás

(Diversity and community structure of cerrado sensu stricto on rocky outcrops of the Pireneus State Park, Goias). This study was conducted within the Pireneus State Park and its objective was to analyse the floristic composition and community structure of the woody layer of the cerrado sensu stricto on rocky outcrops and to compare with other places. The study area is located at 15°48'42"-47" S and 48°52'40"-63" W, with average altitude of 1,310 m. Ten 20 m × 50 m (1,000 m2) plots were randomly located and all woody individuals of 5 cm diameter at 30 cm from the ground level were identified and measured. Sixty five species belonging to 51 genera and 35 families were found. The richest families in species were: Myrtaceae (eight spp.), Fabaceae (seven spp.) and Melastomataceae (six spp.). The 12 species with highest VI were responsible for more than 50% of total density and dominance. The density was 1105 individuals ha-1 and basal area was 11.03 m2 ha-1. Shannon's diversity index (H') was 3.65 nats ind-1. These values are high and are within the range of other studies in cerrado sensu stricto. TWINSPAN classification of the Pireneus State Park's plots showed that this cerrado is composed by species characteristics of the site like Schwartzia adamantium (Cambess.) Bedell ex Giraldo-Canas, Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Mull. Arg. and Clusia burchellii Engl. , generalist species of "cerrado region" and also by species more common in gallery forests, and present similar structure to this vegetation in other edaphic conditions.
CHEMICAL PROFILE OF SELECTED SPECIES OF MICROALGAE WITH EMPHASIS ON LIPIDS 1

The lipid profile of seven species of unicellular eukaryotic microalgae grown under controlled conditions was studied with emphasis on the hydrocarbons and the fatty acids as part of a search for oil‐producing algae. Green, slow‐growing colonies of Botryococcus braunii Kutz contained the highest lipid content of 45% based on the organic weight, with an increase to 55% under nitrogen deficiency and with no effect of sodium chloride stress. Ankistrodesmus sp. Thomas, Dunaliella spp. , Isochrysis sp. , Nannochloris sp. Thomas, and Nitzschia sp. Chapman contained an average of 25% lipids under nitrogen sufficient conditions. Nitrogen deficiency resulted in significant increase in the lipid content in all species but Dunaliella spp. , which produced a higher content of carbohydrates. Significant low amounts of acyclic hydrocarbons were detected only in Botryococcus braunii Kutz and not in the other algae. The major hydrocarbon fractions in nitrogen deficient Botryococcus braunii Kutz, Dunaliella salina Thomas, Isochrysis spp. and Nannochloris sp. Thomas were cyclic and branched polyunsaturated components which were identified as various isoprenoid derivatives. The polar lipid composition of glycolipids and phospholipids of all species investigated was fairly typical of photosynthetic eukaryotic algae. Fatty acid composition was species specific, with changes occurring in the relative amounts of individual acids of cells cultivated under different conditions and growth phases. All species synthesized C14:0, C16.0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids; C 16:4 in Ankistrodesmus sp. Thomas; C18:4 and C 22.6 in Isochrysis sp. ; C16:2, C16:3 and C20:5 in Nannochloris sp. Thomas; C16:2, C16:3 and C20:5 in Nitzschia sp. Chapman. Nitrogen deficiency and salt stress induced accumulation of C18:1 in all treated species and to a lesser extent in Botryococcus braunii Kutz. The low production of hydrocarbons under optimal growth conditions and the high production of hydrocarbons under limited growth conditions cannot support the notion that microalgae can be utilized as biosolar energy converters for the production of liquid fuel, but point to the availability of a variety of neutral and polar lipid products.
Linking the Land and the Lake: A Fish Habitat Classification for the Nearshore Zone of Lake Ontario

Abstract: The nearshore zones of the Great Lakes provide essential habitat for biota and are perhaps the region of the lakes most susceptible to human impacts. The objective of our study was to develop a fish habitat classification for the nearshore zone of Lake Ontario based on physical characteristics of that zone, land cover in the surrounding watershed, and fish community patterns. Nearly 80% of the spatial variation in fish community data was described by 2 physical variables (average fetch and bathymetric slope of the nearshore zone) and 2 land-cover variables (urban/industrial development and mixed forest cover) in adjacent watersheds. These variables are likely to be surrogates for other conditions in the nearshore, such as wave action, circulation, vegetation, and water quality. A 12-group fish habitat classification was developed from those variables. Validation and significance tests identified similarities and differences among the fish communities in the classes and indicated that the number of classes should be collapsed to 3: exposed, sheltered, and developed/urbanized. In general, the western basin of the lake was developed, the central region was exposed, and the eastern region of the lake was a mix of exposed and sheltered classes. These results highlight that even in lakes as large as Lake Ontario, the nearshore fish community is influenced by watershed land cover, and emphasize that management or restoration of the nearshore ecosystem in lakes will require integration of aquatic, watershed, and land-cover management.
Organization of Mitochondrial-Nucleoids in BY-2 Cultured Tobacco Cells

The molecular organization of mitochondrial-nucleoids (mt-nucleoids) isolated from BY-2 cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cells was analyzed. Fluorescence microscopy using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) revealed that isolated mt-nucleoids retained the compact structural organization as that observed in vivo. Treatments of mt-nucleoids with DNase I, proteinase K and 2 M NaCl resulted in the disappearance, partial swelling, or complete dispersion of their DAPI-fluorescence, respectively, whereas treatment with RNase A did not affect their compact appearance. These results suggest that the compact structure of mt-nucleoids is maintained by electrostatic interaction between DNA and proteins. When mt-nucleoids that were treated with micrococcal nuclease (MNase) were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, a ladder-like electrophoretic pattern of DNA, whose minimum fragment size was about 75 bp, was observed. This result suggests the presence of nucleosome-like, repetitive structures in the mt-nucleoids. Treatment of mt-nucleoids with increasing concentrations of NaCl gradually solubilized various proteins, including those with DNA-binding activities, which was accompanied by gradual dispersion of the mt-nucleoid structure. This result suggests that a variety of DNA-binding proteins with differing degrees of binding strength are present in the mt-nucleoids, and are involved in the compact organization of DNA-protein complexes at various levels. Detailed analyses of mt-nucleoids by Southwestern blotting, SDS-DNA PAGE, and DNA-cellulose affinity chromatography revealed the presence of many different DNA-binding proteins in the 2 M NaCl-soluble fraction of mt-nucleoids, which are expected to be involved in the compact organization of mt-nucleoids at various levels.
Evolutionary Rates and Host Defenses Against Avian Brood Parasitism

Experiments investigating host defenses against the brood parasitism of the brown-headed cowbird revealed that, within most species, nearly all individuals either accept or reject cowbird eggs. Therefore, species are easily designated as "accepters" or "rejecters". The results of these experiments differ somewhat from data on natural cowbird parasitism, where some species seem to be variable in their response. However, much of what appears in natural cowbird parasitism to be variable expressions of host defenses are probably not responses specific to cowbird parasitism but are manifestations of standard avian behavior patterns. I hypothesize that few intermediate species exist, because host defenses are selected so strongly that the time span over which any species shows an intermediate rejection rate is of short duration. Hence, the number of species in transition from accepter to rejecter is always low. Most accepters did show low rates (less than 20%) of apparent rejection to experimental cowbird parasitism, but it is not likely that all these species are currently beginning the transition to rejecter species. Like most observed rejections of natural cowbird parasitism, these rejections by the accepters were probably not expressions of evolved host defenses but of behaviors related to other facets of breeding. The hypothesis that species rapidly become fixed for rejection is tested by a model that derives the selection coefficient for the two alternative character states of acceptance and rejection. Parameters in the model are the probability of being parasitized, P, and values for the reproductive outputs of parasitized anal unparasitized accepter and rejecter individuals. The model is difficult to apply to present-day rejecters. However, the selective value that rejection will have when and if it evolves in current accepter species can be calculated by assuming that, once a bird removes a cowbird egg, its eggs have the same probability of success as if a cowbird egg had never been present. Selection coefficients for hypothetical rejection behavior in the four best-studied accepter species range from . 14 to . 34. Making certain assumptions about the genetic determinants of rejection behavior and using these selection coefficients to calculate rates of gene substitution results in a range of 20-100 years as the time necessary for these species to change from accepters to rejecters. Features of the present-day rejecter species indicate that the selection coefficients in these species could have been high enough to have resulted in similarly rapid rates of gene substitution. The high selection coefficients calculated and the rapid rates of gene substitution estimated support the hypothesis explaining the scarcity of species with intermediate rates of rejection of cowbird eggs.
The spermatogenesis of crustaceans. VII. Review of spermatozoon of the crayfish Astacus astacus (Malacostraca, Decapoda, Macrura, Reptantia)

The star-like spermatozoon of Astacus astacus consists of a spheroidal central body around which various prolongations of same, denominated spines, are arranged. In the interior of the gamete the following parts may be distinguished: (1) The acrosomic region, formed by a complex vesicle, or thick-walled, helmetshaped body, whose opening is orientated towards the nuclear region. In the interior of the vesicle different structures can be appreciated. (2) The nuclear region, which is formed by a large cupuliform nucleus limited by a double membrane. In the nucleoplasm numerous bundles of microtubules, mixed with noncondensated chromatin fibers, are found. (3) The laminar region, present in other Decapoda, is practically nonexistent. Within the spines of these spermatozoa, only microtubules can be observed. The morphology of this crayfish is similar to that presented by Brachiura, another group of Reptantia.
Reflectance of Wheat Cultivars as Related to Physiological Growth Stages1

Crop yield predictions are based on a comparison between the rate of growth of the current crop and the normal crop-calendar. Remotely sensed reflectance data provide an indication of the amount of plant growth. In this investigation, we followed the seasonal changes in reflectance of three cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as related to their physiological development. Reflectances over the 0.45 to 2.50-µ/m wavelength intervals were measured with a ground-based spectroradiometer between planting and maturity of wheats planted on Hidalgo sandy clay loam (Typic Cakiustolls) soil in south Texas. After plants covered about 25% of the ground area, all reflectance curves had the characteristic shape for vegetated surfaces. Wheat plants seldom reach the eight leaf layers required for infinite reflectance in the near-infrared plateau (0.75 to 1.35 µ/m) wavelengths. Consequently, reflectance at these wavelengths were closely related to stage of physiological development as long as the plants were developing leaves, regardless of their rate of maturity. Dwarf, early Mexican cultivars (‘Anza’ and ‘Penjamo’) that were not daylength-sensitive progressed through physiological stages more rapidly than did a tall, later maturing, daylength-dependent cultivar (‘Nadadores’). Reflectance in the near-infrared plateau increased as plants of all cultivars developed physiologically until they reached Feekes growth Stage 9. Growth Stage 9 represents the stage at which the last ligule has appeared and the plant goes into the booting stage. The lower leaves began to turn brown, lose chlorophyll, and mature, resulting in a decrease in the number of actively reflecting leaf layers with a consequent decrease in reflectance within the near-infrared plateau wavelengths. Reflectance at other wavelength bands are not sensitive to the stage of physiological growth. Knowledge of the stage of plant development through a crop season will improve the accuracy of yield predictions made prior to harvest.
Conservation of Insect Diversity: a Habitat Approach

Abstract: Neither time nor resources exist to design conservation plans for every species, particularly for little‐studied, noncharismatic, but ecologically important taxa that make up most of biodiversity. To explore the feasibility of basing conservation action on community‐level biogeography, we sampled a montane insect community. We addressed three issues: (1) the appropriate scale for sampling insect communities; (2) the association of habitat specialization—perhaps a measure of extinction vulnerability—with other ecological or physical traits; and (3) the correlation of diversity across major insect groups. Using malaise traps in Gunnison County, Colorado, we captured 8847 Diptera (identified to family and morphospecies), 1822 Hymenoptera (identified to morphospecies), and 2107 other insects (identified to order). We sampled in three habitat types—meadow, aspen, and conifer—defined on the basis of the dominant vegetation at the scale of hundreds of meters. Dipteran communities were clearly differentiated by habitat type rather than geographic proximity. This result also holds true for hymenopteran communities. Body size and feeding habits were associated with habitat specialization at the family level. In particular, habitat generalists at the family level—taxa perhaps more likely to survive anthropogenic habitat alteration—tended to be trophic generalists. Dipteran species richness was marginally correlated with hymenopteran species richness and was significantly correlated with the total number of insect orders sampled by site. Because these correlations result from differences in richness among habitat types, insect taxa may be reasonable surrogates for one another when sampling is done across habitat types. In sum, community‐wide studies appear to offer a practical way to gather information about the diversity and distribution of little‐known taxa.
Starch-Binding Domain Affects Catalysis in Two Lactobacillus α-Amylases

ABSTRACT A new starch-binding domain (SBD) was recently described in α-amylases from three lactobacilli (Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus manihotivorans). Usually, the SBD is formed by 100 amino acids, but the SBD sequences of the mentioned lactobacillus α-amylases consist of almost 500 amino acids that are organized in tandem repeats. The three lactobacillus amylase genes share more than 98% sequence identity. In spite of this identity, the SBD structures seem to be quite different. To investigate whether the observed differences in the SBDs have an effect on the hydrolytic capability of the enzymes, a kinetic study of L. amylovorus and L. plantarum amylases was developed, with both enzymes acting on several starch sources in granular and gelatinized forms. Results showed that the amylolytic capacities of these enzymes are quite different; the L. amylovorus α-amylase is, on average, 10 times more efficient than the L. plantarum enzyme in hydrolyzing all the tested polymeric starches, with only a minor difference in the adsorption capacities.
Ultrastructure and histochemistry of secretory ducts in Artemisia campestris ssp. maritima (Compositae)

The histochemical characterization of the oleoresin produced by secretory ducts of Artemkiu campestris ssp. maritima revealed the presence of terpenoids (essential oils, resiniferous acids and probably steroids), alkaloids and fatty acids, eventually polyacetylenes. The ultrastructural study of A. campestris ducts enabled us to consider that the secretory activity begins very early during the duct development. The oleoresin deposited in the duct cavity is produced by epithelial and sub-epithelial cells that contain, at the secretory phase, a great amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) surrounding plastids with few thylakoids. These organelles may play an important role in the oleoresin production, the SER probably being responsible for some steps in the biosynthesis of oleoresin components and for the transport of the secreted material towards the plasmalemma. Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria probably have a role in the synthesis of steroids. After secretion, the duct glandular cells degenerate progressively. The extrusion process of secretion may be considered mero-holocrine.
A Pectinase‐deficient Ralstonia solanacearum Strain Induces Reduced and Delayed Structural Defences in Tomato Xylem

It has been suggested that oligogalacturonides (OGAs) released by bacterial pectinases can induce plant defence responses. To test this hypothesis, resistant tomato cultivar LS-89 and susceptible cultivar Ponderosa were inoculated with either wild-type Ralstonia solanacearum strain K60 or a pectinase-deficient triple mutant K60-509, which lacks endo-polygalacturonase PehA, exo-poly-alpha-d-galacturonosidase PehB, and pectin methylesterase Pme. K60 induced structural defence responses, including electron-dense materials (EDMs) in vessels and apposition layers (ALs) in parenchyma cells adjacent to xylem vessels colonized by bacteria in LS-89 stems. In contrast, LS-89 infected with K60-509 did not have any EDMs in vessels at 4 days after inoculation (DAI), and had them only rarely at 7 DAI. In LS-89 infected with K60-509, ALs were rarely observed in parenchyma cells adjacent to vessels at 4 DAI, and while they were present at 7 DAI, they were thinner than ALs induced by K60. The bacterial density in LS-89 stems infected with K60-509 was lower than in stems infected with K60 at 4 DAI, but the strains reached similar population sizes by 7 DAI, showing the pectinase-deficient mutant colonized resistant stems more slowly than did the wild-type strain. Vessels infected with K60-509 contained fewer EDMs at 7 DAI than were observed at either 4 or 7 DAI in vessels colonized by K60, although bacterial density in the xylem tissues containing K60-509 at 7 DAI was about the same as in the xylem tissues containing K60 at 4 DAI. Neither the wild-type strain nor the pectinase-deficient mutant induced these histopathological changes on susceptible cultivar Ponderosa. These results indicate that R. solanacearum pectinases play some role in eliciting histopathological changes in LS-89, likely by releasing OGAs that trigger plant structural defences.
Environmental Salinity: Its Failure to Influence Growth of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar\Parr

Growth of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr was studied at environmental salinities of 0.1, 10, and 20‰ in relation to daily rations of 0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.2, and 2.9% of dry body weight. Instantaneous growth rates and food conversion efficiencies for fish in each salinity were similar. Maintenance ration was slightly more in 20‰ than in either the salinity approximately isosmotic with blood (10%) or in fresh water (0.1%).