Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERISATION, IDENTIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PSYCHOTROPHIC LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ORIGINATING FROM TUNISIAN FRESH FISH

ABSTRACT One hundred sixty psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from wild and aquacultured fresh fish were identified by biochemical and molecular methods using 16S-23S rRNA spacer analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing. LAB strains were characterised according to their technological properties including acidifying capacity, antibiotic resistance and proteolytic, lipolytic and enzymatic activities, as well as antimicrobial activities, against pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in order to select the most suitable strains for use as starter cultures in the biopreservation of fresh fish and seafood products. The majority of strains displayed antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella arizonae, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus) and the dominant psychrotrophic Gram-negative bacteria in fresh fish (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas putida and Photobacterium damselae). A total of 39 isolates of LAB isolates having the most important antimicrobial activities were selected for further properties. Low proteolytic and lipolytic activities were detected for all strains using azocasein methods and fish fat, respectively. Moreover, all strains showed acidifying activity by reducing pH to less than 4.38 at 37C after 72 h. Finally, all studied LAB were resistant to penicillin, gentamicin, colistin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, erythromycin, tetracycline and streptomycin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The paper presents the identification and the technological properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in order to select the most suitable strains for use as starter cultures in the biopreservation of fresh fish and seafood products. Considering this, assessment of the effect of inoculation of selected LAB on microbiological and physicochemical properties of fresh fish stored at chilled temperature is necessary to guarantee adequate fresh seafood products safety. Therefore, these analyses can lead to develop better biopreservation strategy for fresh fish by the use of selected LAB strains.
Performance of Holstein Heifers Fed 100% or More of National Research Council Requirements

Abstract In trial 1, growth and body condition scores were compared among Holstein heifers from 3 to 6 mo of age that were fed amounts estimated to provide 100% (normal) or 115% (enhanced) of NRC recommendations for CP, metabolizable energy, Ca, P, and vitamins A and D for large heifers gaining 700 g/d. Within each group, half of the heifers were fed control soybean meal as supplemental protein source, and the other half were fed extruded soybean meal. No significant interactions occurred between nutrient amount and type of soybean meal fed, nor were there differences between growth of heifers fed the two types of soybean meal. Actual intakes were 107, 108, 125, and 124% of requirements for normal control, normal extruded, enhanced control, and enhanced extruded, respectively. Heifers on the higher nutrient concentration gained more BW and had greater increases in height, body length, and heart girth but were not over-conditioned. In trial 2, the same heifers were used from 6 to 24 mo of age; those heifers previously on the lower intake were fed a diet containing 100% of nutrients, and those previously on high intake were fed 115% of nutrients. Heifers fed the enhanced diet had greater increments in BW, length, and heart girth gain from 6 to 24 mo of age without excessive fattening and were 7 wk younger at first service and conception than those fed the normal diet. Feeding 124% of requirements from 3 to 6 mo and 115% from 6 to 24 mo of age produced heifers with greater skeletal development and BW without excessive fattening and with potential for earlier calving.
Biogeography of Banksia in southwestern Australia

Comprehensive new data bases on the taxonomy, distribution, ecology and climate of Banksia (Proteaceae) were used to study the biogeography of the sixty endemic species in southwestern Australia. They occur at the wettest coastal tip, with up to 1.5 m rainfall p.a. , 1500 km along the north coast, 1000 km along the south coast and up to 450 km inland to the desert margin, with as low as 0.2 m rainfall p.a. The largest areas (sum of 30´ lat.×30´ long. grid cells) containing banksias were under much more arid climates than those with highest species density. Species density was usually lowest at the climatic extremes. Two nodes of species richness and ten floristic groups, each with a characteristic climate, landscape, vegetation and soil types and suite of indicator and endemic species, were recognized. A case is made for resurrecting the Lesueur (northern node) and Stirling (west portion of the southern node) phytogeographic districts, together with separating the West (east portion of the southern node) from the East Eyre district. These species-rich areas coincide with nutrient impoverished sands and laterite associated with dissected uplands having low, highly sclerophyllous vegetation. The distribution of strongly serotinous species and those with persistent florets is consistent with greater reliance on fire for creating suitable recruitment conditions with increasing aridity. The distribution of needle-leaved species is only partly explained by their superior drought tolerance. A preliminary transplant trial with two Banksia species showed that their distribution was only partly restricted by their current climatic profile.
Duplications Complicate Genetic Mapping of Rf4, a Restorer Gene for cms‐C Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Corn

Previous studies of the genetics of fertility restoration for C-type cytoplasmic male sterility (cms-C) in corn (Zea mays L.) have produced conflicting results. The objective of this study was to localize the restorer gene(s) for cms-C using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Rf4, a single dominant restorer gene for cms-C found in inbred A619, was localized to Chromosome 8, ≈2 centimorgans from an RFLP marker locus, NPI114A. The presence in corn of extensive nucleotide duplication complicated the analysis. Because the region of Chromosome 8 near Rf4 is duplicated on Chromosome 3, an additional restorer gene for cms-C may eventually be found on Chromosome 3. Joint contribution of the USDA-ARS and the North Carolina Agric. Res. Serv.
Flowering phenology of myrtaceous trees and their relation to climatic, environmental and disturbance variables in northern New South Wales

Patterns of flowering phenology, which represent a partial description of food availability for nectarivores, are described for 20 species of myrtaceous trees on the mid-north coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Data were recorded monthly between 1982 and 1992 across 23 sites that comprise a variety of local environmental conditions and disturbance histories. Flowering periodicity and intensity were highly variable between species and sites, ranging from annual flowering to no flowering over the 10-year period. Cool temperatures prior to floral budding was a strong predictor of flowering for nine species. Extraordinary climatic events also influenced flowering. The period of greatest flowering for all species combined occurred 9 months after the highest monthly rainfall recorded in the survey (March 1985). An 18-month extreme drought led to poor flowering in Corymbia variegata, Eucalyptus acmenoides, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus resinifera, but recovery after the drought broke was rapid. In contrast to climate, few site-based environmental variables explained the intersite variation in flowering performance of the tree species. Site disturbance from logging at two sites during the survey did not influence flowering in the remaining canopy over following years. No species showed a negative correlation with a history of recent logging, and direct comparisons, between large- and medium-sized trees, of the percentage of foliage in flower showed no differences for any species. At the scale of a timber production forest, the negligible effect of tree size (if >10 cm diameter at breast height over bark), and high stem density resulting from selective logging, leave about half of the net harvestable area producing flowers at a similar density to unlogged forest. However, larger trees flowered more frequently than medium-sized trees in C. variegata (medium: every 5.9 years; large: every 2.3 years) and there was a trend in this direction for 13 of 17 species. Low-intensity burns and wildfires caused differing amounts of crown scorch, sometimes resulting in bud loss, but most species flowered at prefire levels 1-3 years after the disturbance. Eucalyptus microcorys and Angophora costata flowered poorly at sites that experienced frequent low-intensity burns. Regionally, blossom shortages occur through a combination of spatial and temporal patchiness in flowering and the clearing of those species that occurred on soils preferred for agriculture. On the north coast of NSW, these shortages commonly occur from late winter to spring. Species that flower reliably in this period include Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus siderophloia in late winter and E. siderophloia and E. acmenoides in spring.
Effect of fermentation on HCl extractability of minerals in Rabadi-an indigenous fermented food of India

Pearl millet flour/buttermilk mixture was fermented at 35, 40, 45 and 50°C for 3, 6 or 9 h to prepare rabadi. Fermentation at all temperatures decreased phytate P, increased non-phytate P and increased HCl extractability of P, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu; the extractability increased with an increase in the period of fermentation. The largest improvement was seen in extractability of Fe, followed by that of P, Zn, Ca and Cu. Mn extractability did not change as a result of fermentation.
Influence of N and P fertilizer application on root growth, leaf photosynthesis and yield performance of groundnut

Field experiments were carried out at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during 2000-2002 to evaluate the effect of N and P applicaiton on the root growth, leaf photosynthesis and yield of groundnut (var. Basantibadam). Four levels of N (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha) and four levels of P (0, 13, 26 and 39 kg P/ha) were the treatment variables. The trial was set up in a randomized complete block design under factorial arrangement with three replications. Application of N and P fertilizer exerted significant effects on root development, photosynthesis, yield contributing characters and pod yield of the crop. Plant receiving 60 kg N and 39 kg P/ha had larger root system, greater photosynthetic rate and better yield contributing characters that resulted in the maximum pod yield which, however, was not significantly different from N 60 P 26 treatment. Hence, it is recommended that higher yield of Basantibadam can be obtained from N 60 P 26 kg/ha in salna silty clay loam soil of Madhupur tract (AEZ 28) of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjar.v32i3. 538 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 32(3) : 369-374, September 2007
Plant Species Diversity of Highway Roadsides in Southern New England

Abstract Mowed roadsides represent a significant proportion of the grassland habitat in New England, but they receive little attention from naturalists. We sought to test the assumption that mowed roadsides are ecological wastelands dominated by deliberately seeded introduced perennial grass species. Surveys of seven sites in Rhode Island during the summer of 2008 revealed that roadsides are important refugia for grassland plants, including two species and two subspecies believed to be rare in New England. We found 80 grass and forb species, 45% of which are native. We also examined the effects of distance from the road and topography on the relative distributions of annual versus perennial species and of native versus introduced species. Perennial species cover increased with distance from the road at all seven sites, and the number of perennial species increased at five sites. The front slope had the most annual species and the most annual cover at all sites. Perennial species dominated the back slope, swale, and flat areas. Neither distance from the road nor topography had a clear effect on the distribution of native species relative to introduced species. Highway roadsides in southern New England are not an ecological wasteland, but rather are a complex upland grassland habitat reminiscent of the agricultural grasslands which dominated the region in the nineteenth century.
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activities and Protective Effects of Sideritis italica Extract on C2C12 Oxidative Stress

Aims: Sideritisitalicais a medicinal plant used for medical purposes mainly based on experiences rather than scientific evidence. Biological properties, composition of primary and secondary metabolites as well as the antioxidant capacity were investigated on samples from wild plant. Methodology: The ultrastructure of aerial parts and quantitative distribution of pigments, including chlorophylls and amino acids, as well as the main class of secondary metabolites (phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidins) wer e investigated. The extracts were tested by radical scavenging assays (DPPH, ABTS) and pharmacological assays (antiproliferative activity, effects on ROS production and protective effects against DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide) for their effects o
Environmental control of reproduction in Themeda australis

Seedlings and older plants of 30 ecological races of Themeda australis were grown under controlled conditions to determine the effect of day length and vernalization on their flowering and on the incidence of apomixis. The races ranged in origin from latitude 6°S. in New Guinea to latitude 43°S, in Tasmania. One race from New Guinea and several from the Northern Territory behaved as strict short-day plants. The more southerly races, on the other hand, and several from north Queensland were long-day plants. In some, long days were required for both initiation and development of the inflorescence, in others apparently only for initiation. Some races required long days as seedlings, but not as older plants. Races from drier inland areas tended to be indifferent to day length in their flowering behaviour. At least four races from the colder areas responded to vernalization. Both the sexual and the aposporous reproductive pathways are described. Two races were wholly sexual in their breeding system and two appeared to be almost entirely aposporous, but most were versatile, displaying both sexual and aposporous reproductive behaviour. In seven races there was some evidence that day length influenced the reproductive pathway, short days causing increased apospory in all cases, regardless of the day length requirements for flowering.
EVALUACIÓN DE INDUCTORES DE RESISTENCIA PARA EL MANEJO DE NEMATODOS FITOPARÁSITOS EN PLÁNTULAS DE PLÁTANO

Se evaluó el efecto de Fosfito de potasio, Fosetil-Al, Acibenzolar-s-metil, Ácido DL-3-aminobutírico y lixiviados de raquis de plátano, en la reducción de nematodos fitoparásitos en suelo y raíces de plántulas de plátano Dominico-Hartón y FHIA-21. El diseño experimental fue de bloques al azar con siete tratamientos, ocho plántulas por tratamiento, y cuatro repeticiones, incluyendo dos testigos: absoluto y relativo. Se registró la brotación, altura de plántulas, longitud de raíces, materia seca de raíces y nematodos fitoparásitos en 100 g de raíces y suelo. En todos los tratamientos ocurrió el 100% de brotación. La altura de plántulas y longitud de raíces no fue afectada negativamente por la aplicación de los inductores de resistencia, excepto en las tratadas con lixiviados de raquis que presentaron síntomas de fitotoxicidad. La materia seca de raíces aumentó a través del tiempo en los tratamientos con inductores y disminuyó en los testigos. La aplicación de los inductores de resistencia redujo significativamente las poblaciones de nematodos fitoparásitos en raíces de Dominico-Hartón entre 61 y 91% y en FHIA-21 entre 51 y 85%. En suelo la reducción en Dominico-Hartón osciló entre 42 y 78% y en FHIA-21 entre 38 y 72%. En ambos materiales de plátano, se registró Radopholus similis, Helicotylenchus spp. y Meloidogyne spp.
Host plant use by and new host records of apple maggot, western cherry fruit fly, and other Rhagoletis species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in western Washington state

Abstract Host plant use by apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), 1867, western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, 1932, and other Rhagoletis species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in western Washington state and northwestern Oregon was determined by rearing larvae in fruit to adults in 2004 to 2006. Rhagoletis pomonella infested apple, Malus domestica (Borkh.) Borkh. , crab apple, Malus spp. , Suksdorf's hawthorn, Crataegus suksdorfii (Sarg.) Kruscke, and English hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Also infested were apricot, Prunus armeniaca L. , and cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. , which are two new Washington host records for R. pomonella, and smooth hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata (Poiret) DC. , Japanese plum, Prunus salicina Lindl. , European mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia L. , western mountain ash, Sorbus scopulina Greene, parney cotoneaster, Cotoneaster lacteus W. W. Smith, and European cotoneaster, Cotoneaster integerrimus Medic. , which are six new host records for R. pomonella. Rhagoletis indifferens infested bird cherry, Prunus padus L. , and cherry plum, P. cerasifera, which are two new host records. Three, one, and one new host records were also determined for Rhagoletis tabellaria (Fitch), 1855, Rhagoletis zephyria Snow, 1894, and Rhagoletis completa Cresson, 1929, respectively. In the coast forest ecosystem of western Washington, the host breadth of both R. pomonella and R. indifferens are relatively broad, perhaps in part because of large fly populations. The discovery of 13 new hosts in western Washington suggests this region can yield a wealth of information on the adaptability of various Rhagoletis to diverse plants and host race formation in this genus.
Observations on the cytology and seed-proteins of various African species of Crotalaria L. (Leguminosae).

SUMMARY Mitotic metaphase plates of fifty-seven species of Crotalaria have been studied to determine the chromosome number and compare the size and shape of the chromosomes. The predominance of 2n= 16 is confirmed, but 2n= 14 is general in Section Incanae subsection Incanae and the first instance, in the Old World, of 2n= 32 is reported for C. massaiensis. The shorter and thinner types of chromosome seem most common in the apparently more derived groups of the genus, when a recent classification is adopted. Globulins extracted from thirty-six species (twenty-four also examined cytologically) and subjected to disc electrophoresis show four recognizable protein-band patterns. The two major types of pattern show reasonable correlation with the generic subdivisions and a comparable distribution to the major types of chromosome form. Evidence from both lines of investigation suggests that subsections of Incanae should perhaps be raised to sectional rank.
Density-dependent effects as key drivers of intraspecific size structure of six abundant fish species in lakes across Europe

We studied fish size structure by using mean size, size diversity, and the slope of linear size spectra of six common European fish species along large-scale environmental gradients. We further analyzed the response of these three size metrics to environmental variables and to density-dependent effects, i.e., relative estimates of abundance (catch per unit effort, CPUE). We found differences in the strength of main predictors of size structure between the six species, but the direction of the response was relatively similar and consistent for most of the size metrics. Mean body size was negatively related to temperature for perch (Perca fluviatilis), roach (Rutilus rutilus), and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus). Lake productivity (expressed as total phosphorus concentration) and lake depth were also predictors of size structure for four of six species. Moreover, we found a strong density dependence of size structure for all species, resulting in lower mean body size and size diversity and steeper size spectr.
Use of a Simplified Polymerase Chain Reaction Procedure to Detect Trypanosoma cruzi in Blood Samples from Chronic Chagasic Patients in a Rural Endemic Area

Abstract The feasibility of using DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for specific detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in human blood specimens was investigated. One hundred blood samples were collected in an endemic area of Minas Gerais, Brazil. They were submitted to DNA extraction and PCR amplification with kinetoplast DNA-specific primers using a simplified boiling procedure that linearized most minicircle molecules without the aid of chemical reagents. Samples that gave negative results were checked for possible inhibition of amplification using primers derived from a human-specific sequence, and those showing some level of inhibition were retested after a new DNA extraction. Of 86 patients previously diagnosed as chagasic by serologic techniques, 83 were positive in our PCR test (sensitivity = 96.5%), including all the xenodiagnosis-positive patients and 21 (87.5%) of 24 xenodiagnosis-negative individuals. In addition, four of six patients with doubtful serologic results were confirmed as positive by PCR. Our results suggest that the PCR may be a useful complement to serology in the diagnosis of Chagas' disease, and that it is the most powerful technique available for parasite detection in patients with chronic disease.
Operational Sex Ratios and Mating Conflict between the Sexes in the Water Strider Gerris lacustris

This is the first study to highlight the importance of individual operational sex ratio (OSR) experience in altering mating behavior and intersexual conflict over mating in insects. Reproductively active Gerris lacustris were held under highly male- or female-biased sex ratios and then tested in various treatment combinations with either male- or female-biased sex ratios. With our manipulations we disentangled the effect of experienced and ambient (mating environment) OSR, separately for females and males, which allowed the assessment of the differing contributions of male persistence and female reluctance in mating. Only male OSR experience affected the duration of mating: males from male-biased environments increased the length of copulation and postcopulatory guarding and the proportion of guarding of total duration of mating. Female-biased experience of both sexes resulted in short matings with practically no guarding, and males dismounted before females started struggling. Males from male-biased and females from female-biased environments mated a relatively long time, but 95% of these matings were terminated by the female. Females with female-biased experience resisted mating attempts more vigorously than females with male-biased experience, and males failed to mate more frequently with females from female-biased than with females from male-biased environments. Ambient OSR differences did not affect mating behavior. We conclude that theory on the impact of OSR on mating behavior should be expanded to include OSR experience, especially when males and females come from OSR environments biased toward their own sex.