Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root bacterial endophytes as potential biological control agents against fungal rice pathogens

Abstract The present work was carried out to investigate the potential of 100 rice endophytic bacteria for the biocontrol of five fungal rice pathogens in a controlled environment. As well as, isolates with antagonistic activity were also characterized in terms of production of some plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. Twenty-three isolates repressed the mycelial growth of some fungal rice pathogens (70–96% inhibition). The results illustrated that production ability of PGP traits was different among biocontrol isolates. Higher % of the isolates was positive for generation of ACC deaminase, IAA, and activity of cellulase and pectinase. The effective isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus. This strain also colonized root of rice seedlings and increased root fresh weight (31.4%) and shoot dry weight (28.2%) in vitro. These results showed that endorhiza of rice harbors effective antagonistic bacteria with multiple PGP traits which can be used as a potent biocontrol or biopromoting agent in rice plant.
Prenylated flavones from some Indonesian Artocarpus and their antimalarial properties.

Artocarpus, locally known as “nangka-nangkaan”, is one of the important genera of family Moraceae. The plants belong to this genus grow endemically and also cultivated throughout Indonesian region. In this study, a phytochemical study on three species of Artocarpus, namely A. heterophyllus, A. elasticus and A. lanceifolius, has been carried out, and the biological effects of the isolated compounds against Plasmodium palcifarum strain K1 and 3D7 have been evaluated. The phytochemical investigation of these plants resulted, three new prenylated flavones, trivially named artoindonesianin E-1 (1), artoindonesianin Z-4 (2) and artoindonesianin Z-5 (3), beside seventeen known prenylated flavones. Antimalarial effect of some selected isolated flavone derivatives showed that artonin E exhibited very strong inhibition (IC50 0.1 mg/mL) against K1 strain in comparison against 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 0.3 mg/mL). A related prenylated flavone, namely 12-hydroxyartonin E, exhibited strong inhibition (IC50 0.9 mg/mL) against K1 strain, but weak inhibition (IC50 14.3 mg/mL) against 3D7 strain. Those two compounds were the member of 3-prenylflavone type. In addition, the other isolated flavone derivatives showed moderate inhibition with IC50 respectively 2.1, 1.6, 3.6, 1.3, 6.7 and 2.1 mg/mL against both the strain of P. falciparum, except for flavanone-3-ol derivative (dihydromorin), which had no inhibition.
The identity of Myotis punensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Currently twelve species of Myotis Kaup, 1829 (Vespertilionidae: Myotinae) are recognized from South America, with several other named taxa regarded as synonyms, among them Myotis punensis J.A. Allen, 1914. This name was first regarded as a junior synonym of Myotis albescens (E. Geoffroy, 1806) and subsequently of Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821). To address the taxonomic status of the holotype of M. punensis, we compared it to all South American species in the genus. The fringe of hairs on the trailing edge of the uropatagium, the fur color, and external and skull dimensions all suggest M. punensis should be treated as a junior synonym of M. albescens
STUDIES ON SPECIES OF OIDIODENDRON, HELICODENDRON, AND STACHYBOTRYS FROM SOIL

Oidiodendron nigrum Robak was recorded for the first time from soil. The method of conidial production was examined and it was found that thick-walled endospores were produced within the parental hyphal walls rather than a simple fragmenting and rounding-off of sporiferous hyphae. An isolate of Helicodendron tubulosum from soil was found to differ from previously described isolates in the production of a second phialospore-type conidial stage and in the ability of mature helicoid spores to fragment at maturity into a number of smaller functional units. Isolates corresponding to Stachybotrys cylindrospora Jensen were examined and found to be distinct from Stachybotrys atra with which it had previously been regarded as synonymous.
Morphological Characters of Australian Scolopendrid Centipedes, and the Taxonomy and Distribution of Scolopendra Morsitans L. (Chilopoda:Scolopendridae:Scolopendrinae).

Introductory remarks are given to proposed systematic revisions of Australian scolopendrid genera; subfamilies of the Scolopendridae and the Australian scolopendrine genera are keyed; and morphological characters and terminology are discussed. The Australian component of the widespread species, Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758, is redescribed from over 1000 specimens and its distribution is mapped. Comparative taxonomic characters of S. morsitans and the closely related species S. laeta Haase, 1887, are illustrated. The variation exhibited in eight morphological characters in samples of S. morsitans from seven areas in Australia is discussed in relation to the variation in samples of S. laeta, including some of its colour-forms, and to the variation in another scolopendrid, Ethmostigmus rubripes (Brandt, 1840).
Reproductive Biology of the Cownose Ray in the Charlotte Harbor Estuarine System, Florida

Abstract The Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus is an abundant species in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, but its reproductive biology is not completely known because of the difficulty of obtaining year-round samples in large portions of its range where the species is migratory. To address this knowledge gap, Cownose Rays were studied in a subtropical estuarine system where rays are available year-round. Size at maturity and reproductive cyclicity were assessed using 140 females and 151 males. For females, the size at 50% maturity was 701 mm disk width (DW) based on ovary length and weight, maximum follicle diameter, and mating wounds and scars; the size at 100% maturity was 712 mm DW. For males, the size at 50% maturity was 681 mm DW based on clasper morphology, testis length and weight, and epididymis width; the size at 100% maturity was 712 mm DW. Overall testis size (length and weight) and mean testis lobe diameter peaked up to 2 months prior to ovary size and maximum follicle diameter, indicating that males were preparing to inseminate females during the entire parturition and mating period.Mating behaviors and fresh mating wounds were observed mostly between April and June. Ovulation peaked in May, and parturition occurred primarily in March and April after an 11–12 month, single-embryo gestation period, suggesting that females are synchronous in Charlotte Harbor. Size at birth was 202–383 mm DW. Concurrent vitellogenesis and gestation indicated a clearly defined annual reproductive cycle that may be completed within the estuary. Understanding reproductive life history in wide-ranging species such as the Cownose Ray is useful in the short term for making sound management decisions and for future comparison as the effects of global climate change are realized.
Integration between Steinernema feltiae and some of environmental friendly compounds to control Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The efficacy of different concentrations of the commercial neem-based insecticide, Nimbicidine® and the ecdysone agonist compound Methoxyfenozide (RH-2485), was evaluated against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). RH-2485 and Nimbicidine® significantly (p < 0.001) reduced adult longevity by 2.7 and 1.9 d at the higher concentrations tested, respectively, but no significant differences were observed at low concentration. The tested compounds strongly affected the reproduction of S. littoralis by producing a high percentage of sterility. Fecundity and fertility were significantly affected by both insecticides. No egg laying has been recorded with the higher concentration 0.5% of Nimbicidine® and 0.1 ppm of RH-2485, while no significant (p > 0.05) difference was noticed on total number of eggs laid by the female when lower concentration 0.0001 ppm of RH-2485 was applied in the same stage as compared to the control. In the second part of this study, the invasion rate of Steinernema feltiae was affected by the addition of both Nimbicidine and RH-2485 to the diet of experimental host. At higher concentration of both compounds, the invasion rate was decreased despite the infection rate, while the percentage of invading nematodes increase to 56.7% with the combination treatment indicating a considerable improvement in the efficacy of S. feltiae nematode applied in combination with the lower concentration of Nimbicidine® over that of nematode alone. On the other hand, the invasion of S. feltiae to the insects that were fed on the diet with the addition of ecdyson compound was strongly decreased with increasing concentration of RH-2485 in host diet.
Erasing the Scarlet Letter: How Positive Media Messages About Sex Can Lead to Better Sexual Health Among College Men and Women

ABSTRACT This study explores how positive media messages about sex can lead to better sexual health among young adults (college students at a large university, N = 228) by de-emphasizing sensation seeking, condom embarrassment, and stigma. Employing social learning theory and normative influence frameworks, the research found that college-age women had higher stigma (β =.22, t = 3.37, p <.001 for felt stigma) and lower sensation seeking (β = –.34, t = −3.17, p <.01). Participants exposed to more media in some forms (e.g., news reading, β = –.131, t = −1.94, p =.05) had less felt self-stigma. Thus, exposure to media, such as TV and media, and positive messages could encourage healthy sexual behavior in young women (around college age).
Didymodon lainzii (Pottiaceae) a new species from the tropical seasonally dry forests of Ecuador and Peru

Abstract A new moss species, Didymodon lainzii J. A. Jiménez & M. J. Cano, is described and illustrated from south-western Ecuador and north-western Peru. It is characterized mainly by its linear-lanceolate to oblong-triangular and incurved leaves when dry, plane and bistratose margins above midleaf, the yellowish color in KOH, a hyaline area of rectangular cells on ventral surface of the costa, transverse section of the costa with 2–4 layers of guide cells and without ventral stereids. Its distinction from, and relationships with, some closely related species within the genus are discussed.
The Problem of Environment and Selection

Situations involving an interaction between genotype and environment may be treated by the methods of genetic correlation, if only two different environments are considered. Formulation of the genotype-environment interaction in terms of a genetic correlation leads easily to a solution of problems connected with selection. In this way a precise answer can be given to the question whether it is better to carry out selection in the environment in which the improved breed is required eventually to live, or in some other environment more favorable to the expression of the desired character. Performance in the two environments is regarded as two different characters which are genetically correlated. Selection for one character will then bring about a correlated response of the other character. The magnitude of this correlated response may then be compared with that of the direct response to selection for the desired character itself. The ratio of the correlated to the direct response may be expressed in a simple formula involving the square roots of the two heritabilities and the genetic correlation. It is possible for the correlated response to be greater than the direct response, but it seems probable that this will seldom happen. The expectation of a great increase of heritability would be the only justification for favoring selection in an environment other than the one in which the improved breed is required to live.
Inhibition of Potassium Uptake and Regulation of Membrane-Associated Mg2+-ATPase Activity of Pea Roots by Aluminium

The uptake of K+ by pea decreased markedly by the treatment with AICl3. The decrease was alleviated by the co-treatment with Ca2+. The membrane associated with ATPase which was isolated from pea roots, was considered to be the plasma membrane enriched by the natures of associated ATPase. The activity was highly dependent on the presence of Mg2+, but not Ca2+ and the optimum activity was observed at neutral pH. The activity was inhibited by diethylstilbesterol, N,N’ -dicyclohexyl carbodiimide. and vanadate. Rather specific requirement of ATP was observed when ATP acted as a substrate. The membrane-associated ATPase was competitively inhibited by AICl3 added to the assay medium with respect to ATP. The rate of inhibition by Al at various pHs was parallel with that of the activity in the absence of AI. Various chemicals were tested for the alleviation of the inhibition of membrane-associated ATPase by AI. Tripolyphosphate, citric acid, glucose 6-phosphate, pyrophosphate, glutamic acid, and malic acid restore.
The effect of annual shearing time on wool production by a spring-lambing Merino flock in south-eastern Australia

Time of shearing affects many aspects of wool production and sheep health but no study has examined these factors concurrently in a spring-lambing, self-replacing Merino flock in southern Australia. A 5-year field experiment compared wool production in spring-lambing Merino ewes and their progeny shorn at different times and managed under commercial conditions in south-eastern Australia. Groups of 200 adult ewes were shorn in December, March or May, and their progeny were shorn in December or October, March or June, or May or July, respectively. There was no consistent association between time of shearing and the staple strength of wool (P = 0.73). December-shorn ewes produced significantly lighter and finer fleeces (average 19.1 μm, 3.0 kg clean weight) than did March-shorn ewes (19.4 μm, 3.1 kg). Fleeces from ewes shorn in May were of similar weight to those from March-shorn ewes (3.1 kg), but they were of significantly broader diameter (19.7 μm). In young sheep, desirable changes in some wool characteristics for each shearing group were offset by undesirable changes in others. On the basis of median historical (1991–2006) wool prices, shearing ewes in March and their progeny first in June produced the greatest total value of wool over a sheep’s lifetime ($161/head). The wool values per head for other shearing times were as follows: March (weaners)–March (ewes): $158; October–December: $157; December–December: $153; July–May: $151; and May–May: $148. Thus, December and March shearing were appropriate alternatives for maximising wool value produced from a self-replacing Merino flock in south-eastern Australia, whereas May was a less preferable shearing time because it always produced wool of lesser value.
Botanical and Cytological Studies of Monodora tenuifolia Benth.

This study investigated branching pattern, ecology of occurrence, palynology, cytology and phenology of Monodora tenuifolia using standard techniques. The branching pattern determines the shape of the canopy, which may be irregular when growing in the shade, or round when growing in the open. The pollens are tetrads, 10.15 µm in diameter, with pollen fertility of 92.24% (determined by using Cotton Blue in Lactophenol) and pollen tube germinability of 65.83%. Two simultaneous cytokineses were studied and the events of meiotic cell division were observed to synchronize. The chromosomes were well paired at pachynema as associations of regular bivalents, paired of ring 11 or rod 11, though univalents were occasionally observed. Monodora tenuifolia has the chromosome number equal to 2n = 16, showing a karyotypic formular of 1 acro (large) + 2 submet (medium) + 2 met (medium) + 2 acro (medium) + 1 met (small) chromosome in the 2B Stebbins category. The results indicate that the tetrad pollen grain of Monodora tenuifolia is an advantage, since up to four pollen tubes could be seen developing from the some pollen grains, while the karyotype is asymmetrical.
Introduction

Not so long ago, when a concerned family member called for help with a drinking or drug-using loved one, most of us as practitioners had few good options available. We could suggest some version of an “intervention” popularized by the Johnson Institute (Johnson, 1973, 1986), but family members were often unwilling or unable to follow through with the secret planning and ultimate confrontation this model required. Further, although currently in vogue, as seen in the television show “Intervention” on the Arts & Entertainment channel, the success rate of this clinical strategy is actually quite low. According to Stanton (2004), who reviews the available outcome studies of intervention methods, the success rate ranges from 0-36% (p. 170). The average across available studies is actually 20%, or only one person in every five. And, even if the model is fully deployed, the addicted loved one often finds ingenious ways to circumvent the process. The inevitable return to abuse, then, is demoralizing for all concerned (Dundas, 2006). Of course, we could always suggest the Al-Anon route (White & Savage, 2005), but this too had its drawbacks. Families did not want to abandon their loved ones to their own devices. They were not willing to “detach with love,” if this meant putting their addict at extreme risk. They actually wanted to help, despite our pious warnings about the
Delocalization of γ-tubulin due to increased solubility in human breast cancer cell lines

The centrosome is the major organelle responsible for the nucleation and organization of microtubules into arrays. Recent studies demonstrate that microtubules can nucleate outside the centrosome. The molecular mechanisms controlling acentrosomal microtubule nucleation are currently poorly defined, and the function of this type of microtubule regulation in tumor cell biology is particularly unclear. Since microtubule nucleation is initiated by the gamma-tubulin protein, we examined the regulation of gamma-tubulin in a panel of human breast tumor cell lines, ranging from non-tumorigenic to highly aggressive. We have identified a more dispersive subcellular localization of gamma-tubulin in aggressive breast cancer cell lines, while gamma-tubulin localization remains largely centrosomal in non-invasive cell lines. Delocalization of gamma-tubulin occurs independently from changes in protein expression and is therefore regulated at the post-translational level. Subcellular fractionation revealed that tumor cell lines show an aberrantly increased release of gamma-tubulin into a soluble cytoplasmic fraction, with the most dramatic changes observed in tumor cell lines of greater metastatic potential. Extraction of soluble gamma-tubulin revealed acentrosomal incorporation of gamma-tubulin in cytoplasmic microtubules and along cell junctions. Moreover, acentrosomal delocalization of gamma-tubulin yielded resistance to colchicine-mediated microtubule collapse. These findings support a model where the solubility of gamma-tubulin can be altered through post-translational modification and provides a new mechanism for microtubule dysregulation in breast cancer. Gamma-tubulin which is delocalized from the centrosome can still clearly be incorporated into filaments, and defines a novel mechanism for tumor cells to develop resistance to microtubule-targeted chemotherapies.
Using Salt and Microbial Transglutaminase as Binding Agents in Restructured Fish Products Resembling Hams

: Restructured products were obtained from fish paste of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by massaging and cooking in ham presses. Assayed were 3 levels of salt (0 as control, 1, or 2%) and 3 levels of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase). Changes on solubility of pastes, mechanical properties, WHC, and SDS-PAGE of the cooked product were evaluated. MTGase needed the addition of NaCl to improve the mechanical properties of these restructured products. Better textural properties were obtained with 2% NaCl. Adding 0.3% of MTGase and 1% NaCl obtained a low-salt, homogenous restructured meat block with 2773 g hardness, 29106 g/cm gel strength, 0.233 cohesiveness, and 11.6% extracted water.
Predictions on the effect of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exclusion on water quality, zooplankton, and submergent macrophytes in a Great Lakes wetland

We conducted a study to examine the relationship between common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exclusion, water quality, zooplankton, and submergent macrophytes. Twelve 50-m2 in situ experimental enclosures were installed in degraded Cootes Paradise Marsh during the carp spawning period in 1995. Enclosures were stocked with two or three carp of similar size, ranging from 13 to 59 cm and in total biomass from 23 to 2100 kg/ha. Turbidity, total phosphorus, and total ammonia concentrations increased predictably with total carp biomass in the enclosures. Although carp had no direct effect on zooplankton community structure, increased turbidity and nutrient load associated with carp activity resulted in reduced total zooplankton biomass. We developed a relationship between species richness and water turbidity for 19 wetlands in the Great Lakes basin which indicated that above an apparent threshold of 20 NTU, there were less than five species of submergent plants, while a more diverse community existed in less turbid s.
Larvicidal Activity of Crude Aqueous Extracts of Solenostemma argel Against Mosquito Larvae

ABSTRACT Crude aqueous extracts of dried fruit pericarp, flower, root, and stem of Solenostemma argel (Del.) Hayne were tested for larvicidal activity against the third instar larvae of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Extract of the fruit pericarp was most effective with LC50 of 0.49 mg/ml at 24 h. The LC50 of crude aqueous extracts of flower, root and stem for mosquito larvae were 1.74 mg/ml, 3.02 mg/ml, and 3.98 mg/ml, respectively.
Proofreading of DNA Polymerase η-dependent Replication Errors*

Human DNA polymerase η, the product of the skin cancer susceptibility gene XPV, bypasses UV photoproducts in template DNA that block synthesis by other DNA polymerases. Pol η lacks an intrinsic proofreading exonuclease and copies DNA with low fidelity, such that pol η errors could contribute to mutagenesis unless they are corrected. Here we provide evidence that pol η can compete with other human polymerases during replication of duplex DNA, and in so doing it lowers replication fidelity. However, we show that pol η has low processivity and extends mismatched primer termini less efficiently than matched termini. These properties could provide an opportunity for extrinsic exonuclease(s) to proofread pol η-induced replication errors. When we tested this hypothesis during replication in human cell extracts, pol η-induced replication infidelity was found to be modulated by changing the dNTP concentration and to be enhanced by adding dGMP to a replication reaction. Both effects are classical hallmarks of exonucleolytic proofreading. Thus, pol η is ideally suited for its role in reducing UV-induced mutagenesis and skin cancer risk, in that its relaxed base selectivity may facilitate efficient bypass of UV photoproducts, while subsequent proofreading by extrinsic exonuclease(s) may reduce its mutagenic potential.