Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crude protein, crude fiber, tannin, and oxalate concentrations of 33 Astragalus species.

Piant introduction collections grown at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station for preliminary evaluation and seed increase were evaluated for crude protein, crude fiber, tannin, oxaiates, and readily detectable alkaloids. Sixty-eight Astrugalus accessions representing 33 species and 1 unidentifled accession had a range of 8.2 to 24.2% crude protein, 113 to 28.6% crude fiber, 4.2 to 10.0 mg/g tannin,and 0.15 to 1.10% oxalntes. Species with more than 18% crude protein and less than 28% crude fiber (i.e., comparable to good quahty alfalfa (Medicago sativa) bay) and acceptable levels of tannin and oxaiate were A. canadensis, P.I. 19978 and A. siliquosus, PI. 330696. None of the accessions tested gave a positive Dragendorff reagent color test for alkaloids. Some of the species reported are known to be selenium accumulators and/or contain toxic nitro-compounds that may be damaging to grazing animals. A. siliquosus is a species that contains nitro-compounds and will accumulate selenium.
Allozyme diversity within and among populations of three ungulate species (Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Sus scrofa) of southeastern and Central Europe

75 red deer, 121 roe deer, and 155 wild boars from several sampling sites in Bulgaria were examined for genetic variability and differentiation at 40-43 isozyme loci by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. For comparison with Central European populations 103 red deer, 106 roe deer and 70 wild boars from sampling sites in Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, and France were screened additionally. Mean P (proportion of polymorphic loci, 99 per cent criterion) in the red and the roe deer was 18.6 % (sd 2.3 %) and 17.8 % (sd 0.8 %), respectively. Mean H (expected average heterozygosity) was 5.9 % (sd 1.3 %) in the former and 5.9 % (sd 1.0 %) in the latter. In both species, P- and H-values in the Bulgarian, Slovenian, and Slovakian populations were among the highest as yet detected in these species
Grazing on Caulerpa Racemosa var. Cylindracea (caulerpales, chlorophyta) in the mediterranean sea by herbivorous fishes and sea urchins

The grazing on the invasive Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman et Boudouresque has been studied in the Gulf of Marseilles. After three years of field observations, we have determined that the grazing began at the end of summer and increased in autumn when the extent of C. racemosa meadows was at a maximum. The Mediterranean herbivorous fish, Boops hoops and Sarpa salpa, essentially grazed on Caulerpa racemosa in late summer and early autumn. The regular sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus and Sphaerechinus granularis also consumed C. racemosa. The feeding behaviour of S. granularis was generalist with 31.2% ± 2.9 of C. racemosa in gut contents. The consumption of C. racemosa by the more selective sea urchin P. lividus was lower (9.8% ± 2.5 of C. racemosa in gut contents). Grazing activity was very limited in space and in time (end of summer and autumn) and quickly compensated by the enhancement of the stolon ramification of C. racemosa, so the consumers identified at Marseilles do not seem able to limit the spread of this introduced species.
Bunch yield of interspecific hybrids of American oil palm with oil palm in the juvenile phase

To identify superior genotypes, 42 progenies of interspecific hybrids between American oil palm and oil palm were evaluated in an area with incidence of bud rot. The following variables were assessed: total bunch yield (TBY), number of bunches (NB) and mean bunch weight (MBW) from the third to the sixth year of cultivation and estimates of genetic parameters obtained by REML/BLUP procedures. High heritability values ​​of the evaluated traits were observed. The gain estimates for TBY were 14.49% for the selection of the five best progenies and 33.36% for the selection of the five best trees, considering multiplication by cloning. A medium correlation was observed between TBY and NB, a high correlation between TBY and MBW and a negative high correlation between NB and MBW. The results indicate a high expectation of gains with selection for TBY.
Campylobacter detection in broiler ceca at processing: A three‐year, 211‐flock survey1

&NA; Campylobacter is associated with live broilers and chicken meat products. There is some discussion in the literature about the possibility that Campylobacter prevalence in broilers could be affected by season or weather conditions. The objective of this study was to measure the flock prevalence of Campylobacter by sampling cecal contents from multiple flocks in one commercial slaughter plant over the course of 3 years. Two‐hundred‐and eleven discrete cecal samples, each from a different flock, were cultured for Campylobacter. Weather data, collected daily at a nearby University of Georgia experiment station, was used for testing for potential relationships between environmental conditions and Campylobacter detection. Fifty‐five percent of flocks were found to be Campylobacter‐positive. No clear trend was uncovered for Campylobacter prevalence related to mo of yr or daily maximum temperature. Furthermore, no significant relationship was noted between prevalence of Campylobacter and rainfall on the d of slaughter (P = 0.52) or the total rainfall during the grow‐out period (P = 0.37).
Complete chloroplast genomes of Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum officinarum and Miscanthus floridulus (Panicoideae: Andropogoneae) reveal the plastid view on sugarcane origins

Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid cultivar) ranks among the world's top 10 food crops and annually provides 60–70% of the sugar produced worldwide. Despite its economic importance there has been no large-scale systematics study of genus Saccharum and the existing model of sugarcane origins has remained largely unchallenged for almost 50 years. For the first time, we have assembled the complete plastid genomes of Miscanthus floridulus (first report for this genus), Saccharum spontaneum and Saccharum officinarum allowing us to elucidate the phylogenetic origins of Saccharum s.s. species. We demonstrate that Saccharum s.s. is divided into four species, with S. spontaneum diverging from the remainder of the genus about 1.5 million years ago and S. robustum diverging 750,000 years ago. Two separate lineages, one leading to S. officinarum and the other leading to modern hybrid cultivars diverged from S. robustum 640,000 years ago. These findings overturn all previous hypotheses on sugarcane origins, demonstrating that sugarcane's antecedents could not have arisen by human action. All modern cultivars share a common Polynesian origin, whereas Old World canes, S. barberi and S. sinense, cluster as a distinct S. officinarum lineage. This makes modern cultivars a distinct species of genus Saccharum, and we formally propose the name Saccharum cultum for the ancestor of all lineages currently classified as Saccharum hybrid cultivars.
Bait preference for remote camera trap studies of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)

Estimating population size is crucial for managing populations of threatened species. In the Top End of northern Australia, populations of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), already affected by livestock grazing, inappropriate burning regimes and predation, have collapsed following the spread of the toxic cane toad (Rhinella marina). Cane toads are currently invading the Kimberley, where they pose a threat to quoll populations. To manage these populations, we need reliable methods for detecting and estimating quoll abundance. We deployed camera traps with lures containing tuna, peanut butter or no bait and found that baited cameras performed better than the unbaited control. Cameras with a tuna lure detected more individuals than cameras baited with peanut butter or no bait. Cameras with a tuna lure yielded more photographs per quoll than those baited with peanut butter or no bait. We identified individual quolls from unique spot patterns and found multiple photographs improved the accuracy of identification. We also found that population estimates for the sample area derived from camera trapping were consistent with those from live trapping using mark–recapture techniques.
Isolation and Characterization of Antibiotic and Exoenzymes Producing Actinobacteria from Guts of Fungus-Cultivating Termites (Macrotermes Michaelseni)

Termites are an important group of insects that harbor a complex community of gut microbes which contribute to digestion and termite nutrition. Fungus-cultivating termites harbour dense populations of bacteria and archaea in the gut. Actinobacteria are known to produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites including many commercially important enzymes and antibiotics. The aim of this study was to isolate Actinobacteria from guts of fungus-cultivating termites Macrotermes michaelseni using solid KMM1 medium and screen for their ability to produce industrially useful enzymes and antibiotics. The isolates were characterized using morphological, physiochemical, biochemical and molecular methods. A total of ten isolates were obtained. The isolates produced amylases, lipases, proteases and esterases. All the isolates, apart from KMM1, KMGC6, KMGC8 and KMGT9 produced gelatinases, xylanases and cellulases. All the isolates showed inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The isolates grew well at pH 6 and temperature of 40oC. They preferentially utilized glucose and did not require sodium chloride for growth. Analysis of partial sequences of 16S rRNA genes confirmed isolate KMM2, KMM3, KMM4, KMM5, KMGC7, KMGC8 and KMGT10 belonged to the genus Streptomyces while KMM1 and KMGC6 were close relatives of Bacillus. These results confirmed that guts of fungus-cultivating termites harbor Actinobacteria that can produce enzymes and antibiotics.
The Effect of Lowering Plasma Cholesterol by Reishi Extracts and Its Possible Mechanism

We evaluated the plasma cholesterol lowering effect of Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) extracts. Reishi hot-water and ethanol extracts lowered plasma cholesterol and promoted fecal cholesterol excretion in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. We also assessed the influence of Reishi extracts on micellar solubility of cholesterol. Reishi hotwater and ethanol extracts both decreased micellar solubility of cholesterol, and the ethanol extract exhibited the greatest effect. These results suggest that Reishi extracts lower plasma cholesterol in part because of the decreased micellar solubility of cholesterol. (Received Nov. 18, 2015 ; Accepted Feb. 15, 2016)
Comparative study of the karyotypes of two Vigna sub species

The chromosomes of the two Vigna sub species were individually identified in order to gain insight into variations in the chromosome morphology that may contribute to interspecies cross incompatibility. Diploid chromosome number of 22 was established for V. unguiculata (TVu14476) while V. unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var. pubescens was different with mitotic chromosome number of 23. The total lengths of chromosome ranged from 2.0 – 5.2 μm. Identification of individual chromosomes was carried out using chromosome length, ratio between arms and centromeric positions. The 11 pairs of homologues were classified as metacentric, submetacentric, subtelocentric and acentric using a centromeric index which was between 0 and 50. Idiograms were constructed for each Vigna sub species based on the average length of each chromosome. Key words: Triploid, metaphase and mitosis.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Some Natural and Trade Iraqi Honey against MRSA Staphylococcus Heamolyticus Isolated from Some Burned Patients in Misan City

The study is aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of both natural Iraqi honeys (Sidr, Eucalyptus) and trade honey sample against MRSA Staphylococcus heamolyticus isolated from burned patients in alsader hospital-misan city then were analyzed between (October to December in 2015). The samples were taken in order to determine the bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility. The isolates of Staphylococcus heamolyticus were tested against 5 different antibiotics by a disk diffusion method 100% of the Staphylococcus heamolyticus isolates were resistant to the Optochin, Lincomycin, Ampicillin, Amphotercin, while the inhibitory effect of Amikacin antibiotic were (24mm) on MRSA Staphylococcus heamolyticus. Total antibacterial activity was evaluated by measuring the clear zone around the well. Honey samples were tested in different concentration (75%, 50 %, 25%, 10% and 100%). However, the results showed the absences of inhibitory zone to both natural and trade honeys type on MRSA Staphylococcus heamolyticus tested bacteria after dilution of(25% Sidr honey sample, 50% Eucalyptus honey sample, 50% Trade honey sample), while Sidr honey sample have more effective in 75%v/v concentration against MRSA Staphylococcus heamolyticus tested bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the Sidr honey sample were also determined. Finally cytotoxicity evaluating toward human RBC, the results revealed the Iraqi honeys sample have not any cytotoxicity in all concentration. The good antimicrobial potency of sidr and Eucalyptus Iraqi honeys could potentially be used as therapeutic against MRSA Staphylococcus heamolyticus as an alternative to the costly antibiotics.
Evidence of carnivore gnawing on Pleistocene and Recent mammalian bones

Based on inspection of gnawing damage done to bones of modern prey animals, sets of typical damage types or patterns are recognized for certain elements. The presence of these damage patterns suggests carnivore activity even when bones exhibit no identifiable tooth marks or other obvious sign of gnawing. Observations are made of these damage types on bones of Pleistocene and Recent North American mammals, including Bison, proboscidean, Alces, Equus, Cervus, and Rangifer. Damage to the following elements is briefly described: antlers, vertebrae, scapulae, humeri, ulnae, radii, femora, tibiae, metapodials, and innominates.
Application and characterization of magnetic chitosan microspheres for enhanced immobilization of cellulase

Abstract In this study, a unique carrier magnetic chitosan microspheres (MCTS) was simply synthesized by anchoring Fe3O4 onto chitosan for direct immobilization of cellulases cross-linked by gluteraldehye. The structure and morphology were characterized using FT-IR, TGA, VSM and SEM. The optimum immobilization conditions were investigated: immobilized pH 7.0, amount of enzyme 15 mL (0.1 mg/mL), immobilization temperature 30 °C, immobilization time 5 h. At optimum conditions, MCTS achieved maximum enzyme solid loading rate of 73.5 mg/g, while recovery of enzyme activity approached to 71.6%. In the recycle test, immobilized cellulases operated without significant loss in its initial performances after 3 cycles, which indicated that immobilized cellulases can be regenerated and reused. The immobilized enzyme has better values of thermal and storage stability than that of free enzyme. Therefore, MCTS may be considered as a candidate with potential value of application in large-scale operations for cellulases immobilization.
ALLOMETRY IN NORMAL AND REGENERATING ANTENNAL SEGMENTS IN DAPHNIA

The law of allometry[See equation in the PDF file]was found to be applicable to both normal and regenerating antennal segments in Daphnia magna.The growth rate of the regenerating segments increases as the level of injury approaches the proximal end of the segment until a critical point is reached, after which the rate decreases. As long as the level of injury is distal to the critical level, the growth rate is such that the regenerating segments tend to approach the length of the normal segment simultaneously as full growth of the animals is attained.The significance of the constant b in the law of allometry is discussed.
Analysis of the Nearshore Fish Community in a Northeast Florida Estuary

Abstract The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR), located in Northeast Florida, serves as an ideal estuarine habitat for many economically and ecologically important species of fish and crabs. As climate change affects Florida ecosystems, the replacement of Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass) marshes by northward-moving mangroves is possible. A change in the dominant vegetation has the potential to alter organic carbon inputs, which can lead to a shift in the primary and secondary consumers in the area. An assessment of the fish community is needed in the systems where the change from Smooth Cordgrass to mangrove is the most likely in order to determine which species and which breeding populations will be affected. We conducted a biodiversity survey over the course of 24 months to document the seasonal and spatial patterns in species richness, seasonal abundance, and size of species caught. From May 2013 to April 2015, we used a 15.24-m seine net to sample 8 sites within the GTMNERR. Comparable to many other estuaries, the catch per unit effort and species richness decreased in the colder winter months and rose through spring and summer. Temperature was the main factor that controlled the species assemblage, with some species recorded only during certain months of the year, while salinity was a minor parameter. Certain species were correlated with colder seasons, i.e., Leiostomus xanthurus (Spot) juveniles and Menidia spp. (silverside), or negatively correlated with other species, i.e., Spot and Fundulus similis (Longnose Killifish). Temperature and species interactions can be useful in tracking specific populations and the effects of anthropogenic influences in this system.
Efficacy of diatomacious earth in amelioration of aflatoxininduced toxicity in broiler chicken

The ability of Diatomacious earth (DAE) in reducing the toxic effects of aflatoxin (AF) in broiler diet was evaluated. DAE was supplemented @ 400 and 800 mg kg-1 of feed along with 0.5 and 1 ppm of AF kg-1 of feed. Healthy unsexed day old broiler chicks (n=360) were assigned to 9 groups comprising of control and treatment groups. Feeding of AF resulted in significantly lower feed intake as well as body weight gain and increase in feed conversion ratio in comparison to the control groups. Supplementation of DAE in aflatoxin mixed diet significantly reduced the deleterious effects of AF on growth parameters. Feeding of AF alone caused significant decrease in serum levels of total proteins, albumin, triglycerides and cholesterol. However, significant increase was found in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, BUN and creatinine in AF fed broilers. Supplementation of DAE to the AF mixed feed ameliorated the adverse effect of AF on the serum biochemical values by causing increase in serum total proteins, albumin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels. In addition, a significant increase was recorded in AST, ALT, ALP, BUN and creatinine levels in DAE supplemented broilers. The study concluded that diatomaceous earth is an effective adsorbent to decrease the negative effects of aflatoxin in broiler chicken.
Fish, Toledo urban streams, São Francisco Verdadeiro River drainage, upper Paraná River basin, state of Paraná, Brazil

In the Toledo metropolitan area there are many small headwater streams which suffer the influence of the urban development (pollution, deforestation, introduction of non-native species). The list of fish species in these sites is important for the knowledge on biodiversity in similar environments. Samples were taken bimonthly from October 2007 to February 2009 in three sites (headwater, middle and mouth) along of the three streams within urbanization gradient in the city of Toledo. A total of 27 fish species ascribed to 18 Genera, six Orders and 11 Families were collected, among which four species are non-native species, and seven are probably new to the science.
Identification of quercetin from fruits to immediately fight zika

Zika virus is spread mainly by the bite of an infected mosquito, which can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, thus leading to birth defects including more than microcephaly. It has been recently estimated that one-third of the world population will be infected by Zika in the near future, but unfortunately so far there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. In particular, the special concern on the vaccine treatment to Zika and Dengue arising from antibody-dependent enhancement strongly emphasizes the key role of its NS2B-NS3 protease (NS2B-NS3pro) as a target for anti-Zika drug discovery/design due to its absolutely-essential role in viral replication. In response to the current global health emergency triggered by the Zika outbreak, we successfully obtained several active forms of Zika NS2B-NS3pro and further attempted to discover its inhibitors from eatable plants and traditional herbal medicines to immediately fight Zika. Here, for the first time, we discovered that quercetin, a flavonoid extensively existing in many fruits and vegetables, effectively inhibits Zika NS2B-NS3pro. We further quantify its inhibitory activity with IC50 of 26.0 ± 0.1 µM; and Ki of 23.0 ± 1.3 µM. As quercetin has been extensively found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains, our discovery would benefit the public to immediately fight Zika.
Assessment of patterns of temperature-dependent sex determination using maximum likelihood model selection

Abstract Sex determination in some reptiles is independent of egg incubation temperature and is called genotypic sex determination (GSD). In many other reptiles, sexual phenotype is dependent on incubation temperature. This phenomenon is called temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). TSD is categorized by three patterns, based on the majority sex produced at lower and higher incubation temperatures, named MF for Male-Female, FM for Female-Male, or FMF for Female-Male-Female. When large numbers of eggs are incubated at many different incubation temperatures, the assessment of TSD pattern is unambiguous, but when few eggs or few incubation temperatures are used, the categorization of TSD pattern is less straightforward. We propose a new methodology based on maximum likelihood model selection that evaluates and ranks the performance of four descriptive models of sex determination for discrete datasets. This method has the added benefit of giving standardized definitions of two commonly reported parameters of TSD: the pivotal temperature and the transitional range of temperature. Standardization of analyses will help facilitate cross-species meta-analyses of TSD in reptiles.
Influence of light on the swimming speed of coregonids in subarctic lakes

Swimming speed of pelagic whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and vendace (Coregonus albula) was studied in two subarctic lakes at 69°N in northern Norway in June, August and September 2000. At this latitude, the light regimechanges strongly during the summer months, from 24 hrs of daylight in June to 14 hrs in September. Swimming fish were monitored by a bottom mounted split-beam echosounder, and the hydroacoustic traces were analysed with software designed for fish track analysis. Fish tracks were smoothed using a locally weighted algorithm before estimating swimming speeds. The swimming speed was strongly influenced by light. Average swimming speed was highest in periods with low incident light or crepuscular light (16-18 cm s - 1 ) and lowest in darkness (8-10 cm s - 1 ). A positive relationship between fish size and swimming speed was observed during daylight, but not during periods of darkness.