Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability of xylem sap flow in mature beech (Fagus sylvatica) and its diurnal dynamics in relation to microclimate

The spatial and diurnal variability of sap flow in a mature beech tree (Fagus sylvatica L.) was investigated on days with different climatic conditions (sunny, cloudy, rainy), during the summer. Sap flux density (v) was measured with six heat field deformation probes placed around the stem circumference. Each probe measured v at six sapwood depths. Daily v exhibited clear radial variation, and the shape of the radial profile of v differed substantially among circumferential positions. At some positions, daily v decreased monotonically towards the stem centre, whereas at others it showed an almost monotonic increase. Hence, the conducting sapwood area of the beech was highly asymmetrical. At all positions, conducting sapwood reached beyond the deepest sampled sapwood depth, precluding correct estimations of total sap flow. The radial profile of v also differed among measuring days. A general trend was that the inner sapwood contributed relatively more to total sap flow under better weather conditions. Besi.
Actinomadura oligospora sp. nov., the Producer of a New Polyether Antibiotic

A new species of Actinomadura, which was isolated from soil collected in India, is characterized by sparse aerial mycelia, yellowish gray to brown vegetative mycelia, a carbohydrate utilization pattern of adonitol, cellobiose, glucose, and ribose, unique physiological characteristics, and the production of a new polyether antibiotic. Whole cells contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and madurose, but do not contain nitrogenous phospholipids or mycolic acids. The name proposed for this new species is Actinomadura oligospora, and the type strain is strain A80190.1 (= NRRL 15878).
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Fractions of Mentha Spicata L. (Lamiaceae)

Total antioxidant activity (TAA) and cytotoxic effect of four solvent fractions of ethanol extract of Mentha spicata L. were estimated. Relative antioxidant activity (RAA) was also determined relative to quercetin and L-ascorbic acid. Polyphenolics (phenolics and flavonoids) and pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) were quantitated and expressed as mg/g of the ethanol fraction. The ABTS/HRP/H2O2 decoloration method was used to estimate the total antioxidant activity. Cytotoxic effect on human prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) was assessed by MTT assay. The TAA was highest for ethyl acetate fraction (83%) followed by aqueous (75%), chloroform (51%) and hexane (47%) fractions. RAAs of ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were equal to quercetin and ascorbic acid but less in hexane and chloroform fractions. Phenolics and flavonoids were higher in ethyl acetate (54 and 22 mg/g), aqueous (32 and 24 mg/g) and chloroform (30 and 16 mg/g) fractions compared to the hexane (14 and 15 mg/g) fraction. Chlorophyll and carotenoids were higher in chloroform fraction (29 and 7 mg/g) than in ethyl acetate (13 and 5 mg/g), hexane (14 and 3 mg/g) and aqueous (5 and 0.9 mg/g) fractions. Cytotoxic effect against PC-3 cell line was found to be highest for the chloroform fraction and lower for the aqueous fraction. Polyphenolic content and TAAs of the ethanol fractions were positively correlated. Similarly pigment content and cytotoxic effect of PC-3 cells were positively correlated.
The effect of accelerations in light increase on the phototactic downward swimming of Daphnia and the relevance to diel vertical migration

The effect of relative increases in light intensity on photobehaviour was studied in the hybrid Daphnia galeata x hyalina. We first carried out a series of experiments to study the influence of fish kairomone on several response variables of light-induced swimming. With fish kairomone present, an increase in the percentage of reacting daphnids to 100% was found at almost all ecologically occurring relative light change rates that were above: threshold. The relationship between the relative increase in light intensity (stimulus) and the time expiring between the onset of the stimulus and the start of the downward swimming response was not influenced by fish kairomone, nor did kairomone alter the functional relationship between stimulus strength and downward displacement velocity, although velocity increased. During the previous experiments, various light change rates were applied, but per test run these rates were constant. The natural relative light increase in the early morning consists of continuously increasing relative light change rates, turning into decreasing rates after the maximum is reached similar to 30-45 min before sunrise. In a second series of experiments, one step-increase in the rate of the relative light change was applied. We found that displacement velocity was higher than that expected if the second rate of increase had been given alone. Taking into account the newly found stimulus- acceleration effect, light-induced swimming might explain the amplitude of diel vertical migration found in lakes. [KEYWORDS: Behavior; hyalina; copepod]
Genotypic and phenotypic variability in Vernonia galamensis germplasm collected from eastern Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the centre of origin and diversity of Vernonia galamensis, which is a new potential industrial oilseed crop. Seeds of Vernonia are rich in vernolic acid, a naturally epoxidized fatty acid with unique chemical (epoxy) and physical (low viscosity) properties. Vernolic acid is a useful raw material for manufacturing paints and coatings. No effort has been made so far in Ethiopia or elsewhere to improve this plant. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in three contrasting agroclimatic zones (Alemaya, Harar and Babile) using eight accessions to assess the genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficients of variation, to estimate broad sense heritability (h2B) and genetic advance (GA) as a per cent of the mean for 17 pheno-morphic and agronomic traits. Considering GCV, h2B and GA (as per cent of the mean) simultaneously as the best estimators of the amount of advance expected from selection, secondary head number (28·90, 0·90 and 56·60), secondary branch number (13·90, 0·67 and 51·97), and seed number per head (15·97, 0·72 and 27·92) gave the highest values at Alemaya, Harar and Babile, respectively. This shows that a satisfactory selection program for improvement of these characters is possible in V. galamensis var. ethiopica at each specific location.
First Description of the Nest, Eggs, Young, and Breeding Behavior of the Great Antpitta (Grallaria excelsa)

Abstract We provide the first description of the nest, eggs, young, and breeding behavior of the Great Antpitta (Grallaria excelsa) in Yacambu National Park, Venezuela. The nests (n = 3) were large, bulky, open-cup structures composed of a dense assortment of live and dead mosses, rootlets, wet leaves, small stems, detritus, and live and dead fern fronds, and were lined with a thick mesh of black rootlets and rhizomorphs. Nests were built >3.8 m above the ground in live trees where dense clusters of aroid plants, epiphytes, and lianas secured them to either a vertical fork or against the trunk itself. Both adults participated in nest building; incubating two unmarked, turquoise eggs; and feeding nestlings. Mean nest attentiveness (time spent on the nest/total video time when corrected for human disturbance) was 98.8 ± 1.8% SD, and nestling feeding rates were low (one visit by each adult/5 hr total video time).
Leafroller oviposition on larval host plants

Caged greenheaded leafroller (Planotortrix excessana (Walker)) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana (Walker)) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) adults were provided with the leaves of known larval host plants to determine the relative amount of oviposition on the different hosts. Relative to apple leaves, lightbrown apple moth oviposited fewer eggs on narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), and blackberry (Rubus strigolosus agg.) and equal numbers on poplar (Populus nigra L.). Greenheaded leafrollers laid more eggs on poplar leaves than on apple leaves. Close examination of the likely factors determining oviposition sites revealed that hairs on the dorsal leaf surface could affect the choice of oviposition sites. Lightbrown apple moths therefore tended to oviposit more frequently on the less hairy mature leaves of apple shoots compared to more hairy, emerging leaves which had a greater density of dorsal surface leaf hairs. Arrangement of host plant leaf clusters may.
Characterisation of Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV-8b) Strain Concerning the Geographic Analysis and Pathological Lesions Associated with Inclusion Body Hepatitis in Broiler Flocks in Turkey

Abstract Introduction Fowl adenovirus can cause important diseases in chickens such as inclusion body hepatitis, hepatitis hydropericardium syndrome, and gizzard erosion and ulceration. Inclusion body hepatitis has been regularly reported from many countries. This is the first case report from Turkey, describing an outbreak of inclusion body hepatitis in broiler farms due to fowl adenovirus-8b (FAdV-8b). Material and Methods Broiler flocks with mortality about 10% were visited in Turkey, and necropsy was performed on dead birds. Samples were subjected to PCR assay to detect FAdV and other viral pathogens. After sequencing, phylogenetic analysis was performed and the nucleotide sequences of hexon genes were compared with the FAdV sequences data available in GenBank. Results Clinical signs such as anorexia, depression, ruffled feathers, huddling, and greenish diarrhoea were observed. Mortality started at the 8th day of age and ranged from 10% to 14%. Necropsy showed severe hepatitis, jaundice, and pancreatitis. The main necropsy findings included a pale, enlarged, haemorrhagic, and friable liver along with swollen and haemorrhagic kidneys and spleen. PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of fowl adenovirus serotype 8b (FAdV-E). Conclusion This is the first report on characterisation and the pathological lesions associated with FAdV in broilers in Turkey. Our findings suggest that FAdV strains could be an emerging pathogen in Turkish broilers and could actively contribute to hepatitis and immunosuppression.
Unidirectional hybridization at a species’ range boundary: implications for habitat tracking

Aim Introgressive hybridization between a locally rare species and a more abundant congener can drive population extinction via genetic assimilation, or the replacement of the rare species gene pool with that of the common species. To date, however, few studies have assessed the effects of such processes at the limits of species’ distribution ranges. In this study, we have examined the potential for hybridization between range‐edge populations of the wintergreen Pyrola minor and sympatric populations of Pyrola grandiflora.
Upset with the refugee policy: Exploring the relations between policy malaise, media use, trust in news media, and issue fatigue

Abstract In this paper, we introduce the concept of policy malaise, which refers to citizens’ dissatisfaction with the way political institutions and processes handle specific problems such as the refugee issue in Germany. Based on a representative online panel survey with two waves conducted in 2016 and 2017 (N = 836), we explore the occurrence of policy malaise among the German population and its relation to issue-specific media use, trust in news media, and issue fatigue. First, the results indicate that policy malaise toward the refugee issue is widespread in Germany. Second, we found that media use relates differentially to policy malaise: While high exposure to public broadcasting was negatively associated with policy malaise, we found the opposite for private broadcasting. Third, policy malaise is higher for people who experience issue fatigue and lower for people who trust the news media. Finally, trust in media reinforces the negative and positive relations between media use and policy malaise. Implications concerning the associations between policy malaise and political alienation in its broader sense are discussed.
IMMUNOLOGICAL INDUCTION OF INCREASED VASCULAR PERMEABILITY

Two mechanisms have been described whereby rabbit platelets in vitro may be induced to release their contained histamine by the reaction of antigen and antibody. Both processes require the participation of the complement system. In the first, the adherence of platelets to particulate antigens such as zymosan or erythrocytes which have fixed complement through the third component was followed by histamine release. Plasma lacking C6 activity was fully active in this system. In the second mechanism, the reaction of soluble antigen with antibody in the presence of plasma also caused release of histamine from platelets and platelet clumping was observed. The release process, which appeared to follow the adherence of platelets to the immune complex, required the action of C6 and perhaps the later-acting components. No evidence could be obtained that a soluble factor was produced which caused the release. Instead, an inhibitor of the release process was detected after incubation of antigen, antibody, and plasma. Antibody preparations capable of giving complement-dependent PCA reactions in rabbits were also shown to induce the release of histamine from platelets in vitro.
Characterization of hydatid cyst fluid from ruminants and humans by SDS-PAGE in Punjab, Pakistan.

Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, New Campus, Lahore. Department of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lhr. Health Services Academy, Islam Abad Provincial Diagnostic Laboratory, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Lahore, Punjab. Corresponding Author E. mail: aftab.anjum@uvas.edu. pk,
Genetic Variation in Glutenin Protein Composition of Aestivum and Durum Wheat Cultivars and Its Relationship with Dough Quality

Genetic variability of high molecular weight glutenin subunits and low molecular weight glutenin subunits composition at the Glu-1 loci in Triticum aestivum L. , and T. durum L. , wheat was studied using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction based markers. The end use quality of wheat is mainly influenced by the composition of glutenin protein. Aestivum cultivar GW-273 showed highest gluten index (94.4%) and sedimentation value (61 mL). GW-273 and GW-322 showed highest Glu-1 score of 10 out of 10, indicating superior dough quality for bread making. Results from glutenin protein separation using electrophoresis revealed that selected Indian wheat cultivars were abundant in high molecular weight glutenin subunits AxNull allele, which is responsible for poor quality. Gene specific polymerase chain reaction using high molecular weight glutenin subunits and low molecular weight glutenin subunits primers showed Dx5 and Dy10 in only two cultivars GW-273 and GW-322, which is responsible for good dough quality. Sequencing of high molecular weight glutenin subunits Dx5 gene fragment showed four cysteine at the N-terminal end. Cysteine residues are helpful in intermolecular disulfide bond formation among different glutenin and gliadins proteins leading to good elasticity of dough.
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in some fruits and vegetables from Burkina Faso

Levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC), proanthocyanidins (PAs) and antioxidant activities among sixteen fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in Burkina Faso were determined. Levels of TPC ranged from 0.21 to 3.33 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of fresh matter. The highest contents in TPC were found in hot chili pepper, okra, lemon, spinach, onion, while the highest contents in PAs were found in spinach (3.52 mg), onion (2.35 mg), okra (1.27 mg), hot chili pepper (1.11 mg), tomato (0.54 mg) and garlic (0.46 mg). Antioxidant activities ranged from 0 to 9 µmol per gram of fresh weight, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The highest values of TEAC were found in garlic (9.6 µmol), okra (3 µmol), spinach (2.2 µmol), tamarind (2.2 µmol) and onion (2.1 µmol). These data revealed that, some local fruits and vegetables from Burkina Faso are potential sources of bioactive compounds.
Secret lives of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger 1815): as revealed by GPS tracking collars

The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is a nocturnal and shy species, which has proven difficult to study in the field; consequently, data about its behavioural biology are almost absent from the scientific literature. However, recent advances in global positioning system (GPS) technology mean that it is now possible to study the socio-spatial dynamics of this species in the field. In the present study three related maned wolves (an adult pair and their juvenile female offspring) were monitored by GPS tracking collars for a 6-month period, which included the birth of a litter of pups to the adult pair. The three GPS collars were programmed to record the position of the wearer every 2 h (simultaneously for all three individuals). Analyses of the data from the three individuals showed that the female had the largest home range, then the male and finally the juvenile. Furthermore, there was considerable overlap in home-range use by all three individuals. The home ranges of the adult pair also varied in relation to the birth of pups (decreasing dramatically and then showing a slow increase). During the night, which is the normal period of activity for this species, the three individuals avoided contact with each other. However, during the day, the adult pair usually slept together and their juvenile slept within a few hundred metres of their location. The distance travelled at night was greatest for the female, then the male and finally the juvenile. These data suggest that (1) the social bond between the male and female is strong, (2) maned wolves are highly tolerant of their juvenile offspring, even in the case of new pups being born, and (3) that maned wolves do not hunt together and, in fact, avoid each other when hunting.
CHANGES OF FATTY ACIDS IN LARVAE OF THE WHEAT BLOSSOM MIDGE, SITODIPLOSIS MOSELLANA (GEHIN) (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) *

Abstract The changes of fatty acids in larvae of the wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin) at different periods were examined by gas choromatography. There were 10–16 kinds of fatty acids, of which the predominant ingredients were palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids which were more than 95% in total fatty acids, stearic acid (C18:0) about 2%‐3.5% and any of the others was less than 1%. The fatty acid compositions increased from mid‐May, when larvae of the wheat blossom midge left the wheat‐ears and fallen on the ground, to April of next year before pupating and emerging. No arachidic acid (C20.0) was discovered in over‐summering, over‐wintering as well as inactive over‐wintered larvae. The content of saturated fatty acids in over‐summering, overwintering as well as inactive over‐wintered larvae were less than those of in active over‐wintered larvae and wheat‐ear larvae. Therefore, changes of the arachidic acid and the proportions of saturated fatty acids/unsaturated fatty acids could be used as one of the biochemical criteria to determine the active state and the degree of diapause in larvae of the wheat blossom midge.
Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of lipopolysaccharide isolated from Salmonella Enteritidis and its potential use for production of polyclonal antibody

In the present study, the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Salmonella Enteritidis were investigated by in vivo and in vitro methods. The mean lethal dose of 50% death (LD50) was determined by a Probit test as 450-µg/mouse after 72 h post-treatment of LPS. Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK), baby hamster kidney (BHK), mouse fibroblastic cell-lines (L929), and hybridoma cell lines were treated with different amounts of LPS (0–100 µg/ml) cultivated for 72 h in 24 well tissue culture plates. Morphological investigation was done with inverted microscope after Giemsa staining. The results suggested that MDBK, BHK, and L929 cell lines were resistant to LPS cytotoxicity due to lack of the specific membrane receptor unlike hybridoma cells. After immunisation, one priming and seven booster's diluted sera (1:100) antibody level was found to be 2.00 ± 0.06–2.41 ± 0.07 optical density (OD) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on day 142. This result indicated that the LPS, instead of whole bacteria, have potential application in the immunisation.
Serins respond to anthropogenic noise by increasing vocal activity

Increasing levels of anthropogenic noise interferes with the acoustic communication of birds. Adaptive shifts in song characteristics (frequency and amplitude) and in the spatial and temporal patterns of singing behavior in the face of noise pollution have been documented. We provide evidence for another response, increased time spent singing, in a successful suburban bird, the serin Serinus serinus. Serins increased the proportion of time spent singing at posts in relation to changes in noise levels both in space and in time up to a threshold at approximately 70 dBA, whereas time spent at singing posts was not related to noise levels. This response could be related to the characteristics of the serin's song (high pitch and presumably low metabolic and neuromuscular costs) that would reduce the relative effectiveness of song shifts. However, vocal activity decreased sharply above the 70 dBA threshold, suggesting that this strategy is costly. Because singing time may trade off with vigilance time, our data suggest that bird populations in noisy city environments may face an increased challenge for survival compared with quiet areas, even for species whose song characteristics reduce the interference of urban noise with acoustic communication. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) products on seedling growth of shisham dieback

In present study, the efficacy of different neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) products namely neem oil, neem seed decoction, neem seed without coat, neem seed coat and neem leaf extract were tested for in vitro growth of shisham seedlings inoculated with Fusarium solani isolated from shisham dieback. Two concentrations (5 and 15%) of each neem product were used in the study. Three different methods were employed for neem products application that is, spray, direct mixing in soil and injected at root zone of shisham seedlings. Neem products used as spray increase the growth of inoculated shisham seedlings as compared to injected at root zone or mixed with soil. Neem oil (15%) used as spray increased root and shoot length and weight of inoculated shisham seedling (28.667 and 34.000 cm) (2.300 and 2.966 g) followed by neem seed decoction (25.000 and 29.667 cm) (1.967 and 2.566 g), neem seed without coat (22.667 and 28.333 cm) (1.867 and 1.900 g) and neem leaf extract (19.000 and 27.667 cm) (1.600 and 1.800 g) as compared to untreated and inoculated shisham plants (0.332 and 0.766 g), respectively. All the neem products showed significant reduction in the growth of shisham seedlings. Neem oil, neem seed decoction, neem seed without coat and neem leaf extract also decreased percent disease intensity as compared to untreated control. The results showed that neem products have potential for the management of shisham dieback.