Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting seed germination of annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) in southern Australia

Abstract Annual sowthistle has become more abundant under no-till systems in southern Australia. Increased knowledge of germination biology of annual sowthistle would facilitate development of effective weed control programs. The effects of environmental factors on germination and emergence of annual sowthistle seeds were examined in laboratory and field experiments. Seeds of annual sowthistle were able to germinate over a broad range of temperatures (25/15, 20/12, and 15/9 C day/night temperatures). Seed germination was favored by light; however, some germination occurred in the dark as well. Greater than 90% of seeds germinated at a low level of salinity (40 mM NaCl), and some seeds germinated even at 160 mM NaCl (7.5%). Germination decreased from 95% to 11% as osmotic potential increased from 0 to −0.6 MPa and was completely inhibited at osmotic potential greater than −0.6 MPa. Seed germination was greater than 90% over a pH range of 5 to 8, but declined to 77% at pH 10. Seedling emergence was the greatest (77%) for seeds present on the soil surface but declined with depth, and no seedlings emerged from a soil depth of 5 cm. In another experiment in which seeds were after-ripened at different depths in a field, seed decay was greater on the soil surface than at 2 or 5 cm depth. At the end of the growing season, there was a much greater persistence of buried seed (32 to 42%) than seeds present on the soil surface (8%). Greater persistence of buried seed could be due to dormancy enforced by dark in this species. Nomenclature: Annual sowthistle, Sonchus oleraceus L. SONOL.
Gross anatomical study of the aortic ARC branches of the paca (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766)

It was described the distribution of the aortic arc in eight animals of the Agouti paca species, which were 2 adult females, 3 young males and 3 young females that came from the Wild Animal Sector at the Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences of Jaboticabal - UNESP. After natural death, the animals had their arterial vessels injected with Neoprene latex 650® coloured by a specific pigment and set in a 10% formalin solution. After dissection, it was noticed that the aortic arc gives off the left subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk. The latter originates the left carotid common artery and other trunk, that gives off the right carotid common artery and the right subclavian artery, that originates the vertebral artery, the costocervical trunk, the superficial cervical artery, the axillary artery and the internal thoracic artery, as well as it happens in the left subclavian artery. In just one animal, the left common carotid artery takes a siphon-shaped path just after its origin in the right subclavian artery. In other animals, the left common carotid artery occurs as a straight path.
Uncertainty factors in screening ecological risk assessments

The hazard quotient (HQ) method is commonly used in screening ecological risk assessments (ERAs) to estimate risk to wildlife at contaminated sites. Many ERAs use uncertainty factors (UFs) in the HQ calculation to incorporate uncertainty associated with predicting wildlife responses to contaminant exposure using laboratory toxicity data. The overall objective was to evaluate the current UF methodology as applied to screening ERAs in California, USA. Specific objectives included characterizing current UF methodology, evaluating the degree of conservatism in UFs as applied, and identifying limitations to the current approach. Twenty‐four of 29 evaluated ERAs used the HQ approach; 23 of these used UFs in the HQ calculation. All 24 made interspecies extrapolations, and 21 compensated for its uncertainty, most using allometric adjustments and some using UFs. Most also incorporated uncertainty for same‐species extrapolations. Twenty‐one ERAs used UFs extrapolating from lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) to no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), and 18 used UFs extrapolating from subchronic to chronic exposure. Values and application of all UF types were inconsistent. Maximum cumulative UFs ranged from 10 to 3,000. Results suggest UF methodology is widely used but inconsistently applied and is not uniformly conservative relative to UFs recommended in regulatory guidelines and academic literature. The method is limited by lack of consensus among scientists, regulators, and practitioners about magnitudes, types, and conceptual underpinnings of the UF methodology.
SEED PRODUCTION AND GROWTH OF MODIOLUS CAPAX CONRAD (BIVALVIA: MYTILIDAE) IN LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract The complete ontogeny and postlarval growth of Modiolus capax are described for the first time. Spawning was easily achieved by a gradual increase in water temperature (1°C/h) from 26°C to 31–32°C after exposing the breeders to air for 6 h. The veliger stage (103 ± 8 μm) was reached 23–24 h after fertilization and the low umbo stage (165 ± 9 μm) on the fifth day of culture; growth thereafter was temperature-dependent. At 28.5 ± 0.5°C, competent pediveligers (275 μm) were first observed on the tenth day of culture and on the twelfth day at 26.5 ± 0.5°C, but survival was twice (42%) that obtained at 28.5°C. Most larvae settled between 290 and 310 μm; metamorphosis took 3–4 days. For settlement, several suspended artificial substrata were tested; ropes of twisted anchovy fishing nets captured the larger percentage. However, the use of a downwelling system was the most efficient strategy for the settlement of M. capax over artificial substratum. After metamorphosis, the shell hinge slowly moved toward a more posterior position, and at 440 μm the disconch had adventitious serrated hairs. Seed growth was exponential and temperature-dependent. At 28.0 ± 0.5°C, growth ranged from 26–127 μm day−1, and from 24–63 μm day−1 at 24.8 ± 1.7°C. In both cases, survivorship from pediveliger to seed was approximately 80%.
Assessing the dynamics and ecology of marine picophytoplankton: The importance of the eukaryotic component

We assess population dynamics of picophytoplankton groups (≤2 µm diameter; Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, and picoeukaryote) at a Pacific Ocean coastal site in the Southern California Bight. Weekly sampling (August 2000 to January 2002), dilution experiments, and flow cytometric analysis were combined with an instrument‐specific calibration for cell size determination, allowing biovolume and carbon biomass estimation. Synechococcus was almost always numerically dominant, accounting for 60 6 12% of the total picoplankton cells over time. It had moderately high growth rates (0.52–0.86 d−1) and was subject to low grazing mortality (−0.14 to −0.39 d−1). Prochlorococcus growth and mortality rates were roughly balanced (0.33 ± 0.14 d−1 and −0.36 ± 0.06 d−1, respectively). Picoeukaryotes had the highest growth rates (0.71–1.29 d−1) and were responsible for, on average, 76% of net carbon production (NCP), amounting in up to 32.05 ± 1.31 µg C L−1 d−1 produced and 28.31 ± 2.61 µg C L−1 d−1 consumed. In order to better define the eukaryotic component of these populations, an isolate was characterized via small subunit rRNA gene sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, and growth experiments and was identified as the prasinophyte Ostreococcus, not previously known to the Pacific Ocean. Our results show that although picoeukaryotes do not stand out as particularly important players in this system on the basis of cell abundance, they dominate in terms of picophytoplankton biomass and trophic transfer potential of carbon in this size class.
Evaluation of growth and body traits of snailets obtained from the crossbreeding of black skinned ◊ white skinned snails (Archachatina marginata (S)) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

This study evaluated the growth and body traits of snailets or juveniles obtained from the hatching of eggs resulting from the crossbreeding of black skinned ◊ white skinned snails. The indices used were body weight, shell length, shell width, ‘mouth’ length and ‘mouth’ width. The results showed that all measured traits expressed progressive increase from hatch to week four. However, the differences observed among the mating groups for these traits were not significantly different. The results also showed that the product of the crossing was a mixture of black and white skinned snailets. This further confirms the possibility of mating between the black and white skinned snails. Interested snail farmers are encouraged to rear both black and white skinned snails.
Nitrate reductase is inhibited in leaves of Triticum aestivum treated with high levels of copper

Copper is a potent sulfhydryl reagent which can also catalyse the generation of active oxygen. Since nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) is an SH-enzyme sensitive to oxidative environments, the relations among copper, active oxygen species and nitrate reductase (NR) activity are of interest. Foliar segments of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Oasis) were floated on CuS04 solutions (up to 250 μM)for 24 h under continuous light. Copper decreased NR activity before affecting active oxygen generation as estimated by changes in oxidative parameters, including malondialdehyde, K + leakage and chlorophyll degradation. Cysteine and Na-benzoate counteracted this decrease, suggesting an oxidative damage of the enzyme in leaves exposed to high copper levels. Copper-induced NR inactivation was further studied in the partially purified enzyme. Preincubation with CuSO4 inhibited NR. Copper inhibition was reversed by subsequent incubation with EDTA, indicating that the metal bonded to key -SH groups of the enzyme. In addition, an OH-generating system (composed of CuSO4, ascorbate and H 2 O 2 ) irreversibly decreased the activity of purified NR to a greater extent than copper alone. Out results show that copper affects nitrogen metabolism by diminishing NR activity, involving a direct effect on key SH-groups and an indirect effect via attack by active oxygen species induced by the metal.
Frequency of blaKHM-1, blaIMP-1,2 and blaSPM-1 genes in clinical isolates of metallo β-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitalized burned patients in Ghotbeddin Shirazi Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of blaIMP-1, blaIMP-2, blaSPM-1 and blaKHM-1 genes in clinical isolates of MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitalized burned patients in Ghotbeddin Shirazi Center. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 210 burn wound samples from 2012 to 2013. Sensitivity of confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined for standard antimicrobial agents using disk diffusion method. Detection of MBL producing isolates was performed by the double disk synergy test (DDST) and the desired genes were detected by PCR. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Findings: By the phenotypic methods, 42 isolates (20%) were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were resistant to the most studied antibiotics including Carbapenem (100%) and were only sensitive to Colicitin (100%). 26 isolates (61.9%) were identified as MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 9 isolates (34.61%) carried the blaIMP-2 and blaKHM-1 genes. The blaIMP-1 and blaSPM-1 genes were not found in any of the isolates. Conclusion: With regards to the results, it is suggested to periodically study the reasons for antibiotic resistance in each center.
Human virus‐specific CD8+ T cells: diversity specialists

Summary: Human viruses elicit functionally highly diverse CD8+ T‐cell responses. This variation, which manifests in the memory or latency stage, includes differences in expansion requirements, migratory properties, homeostatic maintenance mechanisms, and constitutive effector properties, and it may reflect specific adaptations of the human immune system to challenges posed by individual pathogens. Longitudinal follow‐up of individuals after primary virus infections has revealed how divergent virus‐specific CD8+ T cells may develop from the initially expanded virus‐specific T‐cell effector pool. Recent findings have shown that CD8+ T cells reactive toward latent viruses may depend on other mechanisms for their homeostatic maintenance than T cells specific for cleared viruses. Whereas the latter can respond to the homeostatic cytokine interleukin‐7 (IL‐7), many persistent virus‐specific T cells, recognizing latent herpesviruses such as Epstein–Barr virus and cytomegalovirus (CMV), lack IL‐7 receptor α (IL‐7Rα) and depend on viral antigens to persist. Finally, CMV is unique in that it generates a vast pool of resting virus‐specific T cells with constitutive cytolytic effector function. The putative role of functionally diverse CD8+ T cells in protective immunity to persistent viruses is discussed in this review.
Quantitation of Spermatogenesis by Flow Cytometric DNA Measurements

Suspensions of testicular cells from rats, mice and humans have been subjected to flow cytometry (FCM) after staining with the fluorochromes ethidium bromide and mitramycin. The resulting DNA distribution patterns give valuable information about the relative quantities of cells with haploid, S-phase, diploid and tetraploid DNA content in the testis. In the present study we show some examples of how FCM can be used to monitor meiosis, and to get a quantitative assessment of spermatogenesis in animals and humans.
Inhibition of complement activation on the surface of cells after incorporation of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) into their membranes

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF), extracted from the stroma of human erythrocytes, was purified to homogeneity and incorporated into the membrane of sheep red cell complement intermediates, where its functional properties were analyzed. Incorporation of DAF into the cell membranes was temperature dependent, took place on pronase- or trypsin- treated erythrocytes, and did not depend on prior deposition of antibody, C1 or C4. Serum lipoproteins (high and low density) effectively inhibited DAF incorporation, but had no effect on the activity of DAF after its association with the cell membrane. The incorporated DAF could not be removed from the red cell surface by repeated washings in the presence of high salt concentration but was solubilized when the stroma were extracted with 0.1% Nonidet P-40. The presence of DAF in the membrane of EA did not affect the deposition of C1 and C4, but as few as 10(2) DAF molecules per cell profoundly inhibited the assembly of C3 and C5 convertases of both the classical and alternative pathways. The DAF inhibitory effect on EAC14 or EAC43 was not overcome by supplying an excess of C2 or factor B, but the alternative pathway C3 convertase could be assembled in the presence of Ni++, or nonphysiological concentrations of Mg++, which enhances the binding affinity of factor B for C3b. The DAF effect on EAC14 or EAC143 was entirely reversed by treating the cells with specific anti-DAF antibodies, showing that DAF did not alter the structure of C4b or C3b. Taken together, the experimental evidence suggests that DAF interacts directly with membrane-bound C3b or C4b and prevents subsequent uptake of C2 and factor B. DAF can function only within the cell membrane. Indeed, the decay dissociation of the C4b2a enzyme on DAF-containing sheep intermediates was not changed by varying the cell concentration. DAF-treated EA had no influence on the decay of nontreated EAC142 present in the same mixture. Moreover, the inhibitory activity of intact human erythrocytes on C4b2a was not blocked by antibodies to DAF, but was abolished by antibodies to the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1). When incorporated into the membrane of rabbit erythrocytes, human DAF inhibited their lysis by human complement. In conclusion, on the basis of these and previous results, it appears that DAF plays a central role in preventing the amplification of the complement cascade on host cell surfaces. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of Streptomyces sp. from Lonar Lake.

Antibacterial substances from actinomycetes were isolated from marine environment of Lonar Lake and characterized. Out of the 24 isolates subjected to secondary screening, 12 isolates were active against Bacillus subtilis, 13 against Staphylococcus aureus, 7 against Escherichia coli, 3 against Proteus vulgaris and 4 against Salmonella typhi. Metabolites in the extract of broth of 48 hrgrown Streptomyces spp. culture no.2 proved to have antimicrobial and cytotoxic against human lung carcinoma cell A549.
Invited Review Growth factors and remyelination in the eNS

It is now well established that the re is an inhe re nt ca paci ty wi thin the centra l ne rvous sys te m (CNS) to re myelinate areas of w hite matter that have undergone demyelinat ion. However thi s repair process is not unive rsa ll y consistent o r sustained, and pers istent demyelination occurs in a number of s ituations, most notably in the chronic multiple scleros is (MS) plaque. Thus there is a need to investigate ways in which mye lin deficits within the CNS may be restored. One approach to thi s probl e m is to inves ti ga te ways in whic h the inhe re nt remyelin at ing capac it y of the C NS may be s timul a te d to re m ye lin a te a reas of lo ng -te rm d e m yelinat ion. The express ion of growth facto rs, w hic h are know n to be invo lved in developmenta l mye linogenesis, in areas of demyelination strongly suggests that th ey a re in vo lve d in s po nt a neo us re m ye lin a ti o n . The refore de live ry of exoge nous g rowth fac to rs into a reas of pe rsis te nt d e m ye lin a ti o n is a po te nti a l therapeutic strategy fo r stimulat ing remye linat ion. This rev iew will discuss the ev idence that growth factors may have a ro le in pr o m o tin g C NS re m ye lin a ti o n b y enhancing the surviva l and stimulating the pro life ration and recrui tment of remyelinating oligodendrocytes.
The pattern of tooth plate formation in the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri Krefft

Tooth plate formation in the Queensland lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, Krefft begins with simple groups of isolated cusps, three in each tooth plate. The cusps fuse in ridges radiating from a point situated posterolingually. During growth, cusps are added to the labial ends of the ridges, and more ridges are added posteriorly, giving a total of seven in each tooth plate. Each tooth grows in thickness by the addition of layers of material, in line with the new cusps, beneath the tooth plate. The tooth plate grows outwards and is resorbed from the inner angle at the same time. The crushing surface is formed by the growth of cusps between the ridges. Angles between the ridges become progressively smaller, and angles between more posterior ridges are consistently less than between more anterior ridges. Similar but less pronounced changes in angles between ridges occur in a fossil genus, Sagenodus inaequalis, examined for comparison. Vomerine teeth grow in the same way, by fusion of isolated cusps and the addition of new cusps to one end (labial) of the tooth plate. Layers of material are also added beneath the tooth plate. The vomerine tooth plates are initially low-based with long cusps but develop into high-based low cusped incisiform tooth plates in fully grown adults. The labial dentition of the lower jaw starts to develop like the vomerine teeth, but degenerates by stage (vi) of tooth development. The single medial tooth is resorbed even earlier. The pattern of tooth plate formation described in this paper is consistent with illustrations published by Semon (1901) and Greil (1908, 1913) but the inferred developmental processes are different. Implications of the results for the Zahnreihe hypothesis of Edmund and for the phylogeny of Dipnoi are discussed.
An Improved Enzyme Immunoassay for the Detection of Salmonella

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the detection of salmonellae in foods or other samples. This assay detected Salmonella contamination within two working days after initiation, and the EIA required <2 hr to perform. The test was sensitive and specific, showing virtually no cross reactivity to other organisms. No selective enrichment was found to be necessary, as the presence of other organisms, even in much greater numbers, had no effect on the reaction. The sensitivity is such that <106Salmonella/mL were detected, and the food samples studied showed no effect on the background values and did not cause false readings.
Suprageneric relationships of galliform birds (Aves, Galliformes): a cladistic analysis of morphological characters

Of the basal clades of extant birds (Neornithes) the ‘landfowl’ or galliforms (Aves, Galliformes) are the most speciose. Cladistic analysis of more than 100 morphological characters coded at the generic level for most putative galliform genera confirms that the megapodes (‘mound builders’; Megapodiidae) are the most basal clade within the order. They are followed successively by the curassows, guans and chachalacas (Cracidae), which comprise the sister-group to all other extant Galliformes (i.e. Phasianoidea). Within this large ‘phasianoid’ clade, analyses suggest that the guineafowl (Numididae) are the most basal taxon, although monophyly of this ‘family’ is not strictly supported on the basis of the morphological characters employed. An additional major clade within the phasianoid Galliformes is recovered by this analysis, comprising the traditional groupings of New World quails (Odontophoridae) and Old World quails (‘Perdicini’), yet only monophyly of the former is supported unambiguously by morphological characters. Relationships within the remainder of the phasianoid taxa, including the grouse (Tetraonidae), turkeys (i.e. Meleagris/Agriocharus spp.) as well as other ‘pavonine’ galliforms (i.e. peafowl; Pavo, Afropavo, Rheinardia, Argusianus and Polyplectron spp.) remain largely unresolved on the basis of morphological characters, yet monophyly of the major subdivisions is supported here. Although there are a number of important differences, especially with regard to relationships within the nonquail phasianoids, the results of this morphological phylogenetic (cladistic) analysis are broadly congruent both with traditional classifications and existing molecular hypotheses of galliform phylogenetic relationships
Large Scale Landslide Effects on Two Exposed Rocky Subtidal Areas in California

Two large scale subtidal areas influenced by sediment plumes from landslides in California (Lone Tree and Big Sur) were surveyed and compared to similar areas without sediment plumes. In Lone Tree, the canopy forming kelp was Nereocystis luetkeana with abundant foliose red algae and areas with some understory brown algae. In Big Sur, Macrocystis pyrifera forests were most abundant, and the understory primarily consisted of corallines with some understory foliose red and brown algae. In Lone Tree, the species found in the impacted sites included Polyneura latissima, Nienburgia andersoniana, and Gymnogongrus platyphyllus, while Cryptopleura spp. and Gigartina spp. were most abundant in the unimpacted sites. In Big Sur, encrusting corallines were more common near the plume while the geniculate corallines were more abundant in the unimpacted sites. At both areas, brown algae were more abundant at the unimpacted sites.