Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Historical Changes in the Ichthyofaunal Assemblages of the Upper Cahaba River in Alabama Associated with Extensive Urban Development in the Watershed

ABSTRACT The upper Cahaba River in Alabama has experienced extensive urban development in its watershed in recent years. To assess the effects that these developments have had on the ichthyofauna, we compared data from samples made at 12 stations by other researchers prior to 1984 to data from samples collected by us at the same sites between 1995–97. Historical collections produced a total of 44 species, whereas recent samples produced 42. Two species, the blue shiner (Cyprinella caerulea) and the Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae), have been extirpated from this system. Relative abundances of the various taxa in recent samples correlated poorly with those of historical samples, indicating that the compositions of the ichthyological communities have changed. Disturbance-tolerant cyprinids (minnows) have generally increased in percent relative abundance (PRA) in recent collections, whereas the disturbance-sensitive cyprinids have generally decreased. The PRA of percids (darters) has decreased in recent collections, especially the disturbance-sensitive species such as the coal darter (Percina brevicauda) and the greenbreast darter (Etheostoma jordani). The ichthyofaunal diversity, as measured by several indices, has decreased in recent samples. These changes in the fish populations have occurred concurrently with extensive urbanization and resultant degradation of water and habitat that has taken place in the watershed over the last 20 years.
Ovicidal activity of Couroupita guianensis (Aubl.) against cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

There is a great demand for food with increasing population of the world. Many chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used to increase crop productivity. Over use of pesticides and fertilisers has affected the environment and non-target organisms severely; minor pests have become major destructive pests. Hence, eco-friendly approaches are needed. The present study reports the effect of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extract of Couroupita guianensis on the eggs of Helicoverpa armigera. All the extracts showed ovicidal activity, and among them hexane extract showed 64.28% ovicidal activity with LC50 value of 2.62% and regression of (R 2) 83.5%. All the original data showed normality and homogeneity. The active hexane extract was fractionated; finally, eight fractions were obtained and studied at different concentrations. Among the fractions, fraction 8 showed 75% ovicidal activity with R 2 of 90%. It showed LC50 value of 322.94 ppm with χ 2 value at 0.5%. C. guianensis could be used in pest management programme.
Responses of phytoplankton and epilithon during acidification and early recovery of a lake

1. Lake 302S in the Experimental Lakes Area of Canada was acidified from pH 6.7 (1981) to 5.1 (1986). The pH was further reduced to 4.5 in 1987 and held at that level until 1991. From 1992 to 1995, the pH was allowed to increase to a target value of 5.8. 2. The response of the phytoplankton community to decreasing pH from 6.0 to 5.1 was similar to that observed in another experimentally acidified lake (223) and in other atmospherically acidified lakes. Acidification affected species diversity of both the phytoplankton and epilithon. Phytoplankton diversity was positively correlated with pH. Epilithic algal diversity was more variable and did not correlate with pH. 3. Phytoplankton biomass was enhanced by acidification as the assemblage shifted from a dominance of chrysophytes to large dinoflagellates (Gymnodinium sp. and Peridinium inconspicuum). Epilithon biomass was unaffected, but dominance shifted from filamentous cyanophytes (Lyngbya) to acidophilic diatoms (Tabellaria quadriseptata and Anomoeonis brachysira). 4. The only taxon to be similarly affected in both the phytoplankton and epilithon was the cyanobacteria, being significantly reduced below pH 5.1. During early recovery (pH 5.5–5.8), cyanobacteria increased and species present prior to acidification recolonized both habitats. 5. In the early stages of recovery, planktonic and benthic assemblages remained more similar to acidified than natural assemblages, but more profound change began at pH > 5.5.
Effects of water deficit on Mediterranean and temperate cultivars of tall fescue

Two glasshouse experiments were carried out to evaluate the morphological and physiological responses to water deficit of Mediterranean and temperate tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars. In Expt 1, 3 cultivars were studied: 2 temperate cultivars, Grasslands Advance (GA) and El Palenque (EP); and a Mediterranean cultivar, Maris Kasba (MK). Water deficit was induced in containers of 4 plants of a single cultivar by withholding water. In Expt 2, plants of EP and MK were grown together in the same container and received water daily with gradation in intensity of water deficit achieved by varying the daily water ration per container. All cultivars in each experiment exhibited commonly reported responses to water deficit, characterised by diminished evaporative surface area and increased root : shoot ratio. The response of MK was primarily morphological and MK plants had smaller plant size, higher root : shoot ratio, and a lower growth rate compared with temperate cultivars. By contrast, response of temperate cultivars was primarily physiological; stomatal conductance of temperate cultivars was lower and these cultivars had a greater tendency for leaf lamina osmotic adjustment than MK under the most stressful water deficit conditions studied. The morphological adaptations of MK were very effective in delaying the onset of water deficit in Expt 1 when plants were grown with others of the same cultivar, but rendered MK plants uncompetitive and more susceptible to water deficit in Expt 2 where plants of MK where interspersed with plants of a temperate cultivar.
Effects of varying dietary fatty acid profile on growth performance, fatty acid, body and tissue composition of juvenile pike perch (Sander lucioperca)

Pike perch (Sander lucioperca) has been identified as specie destined to diverse European inland aquaculture, but knowledge on the nutritional requirements is weak. Therefore, we investigated the effect of varying dietary fatty acid (FA) profile by partial replacement of fish oil (FO) with vegetable oils on growth, FA and body composition of juvenile pike perch. An extruded basal diet containing 59 g kg-1 crude lipids (FO) was added with 60 g kg-1 FO, 60 g kg-1 linseed oil (LO) or 60 g kg-1 soybean oil (SO). The resulting dietary FA composition differed mainly in the triglyceride fraction and was characterized by highest amounts of linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) in the LO diet and linoleic acid in the SO diet. Diet enriched with FO contained highest contents of highly unsaturated FA 20:5 n-3 (eicosapentaenic acid) and 22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenic acid). Pike perch were held in a recirculation system and each feeding group (in triplicate) was fed with experimental diets at a daily rate of 35 g kg-1 of biomass for 57 days by automatic feeders. Weight gain and specific growth rate of experimental feeding groups ranged between 18.47 and 19.58 g and 1.37-1.45% day-1 and was not affected by the dietary composition indicating that FO can be replaced by vegetable oils without negative impact on growth performance. In contrast to the whole body and muscle composition, liver tissue was affected by the varying diets. Liver tissues of fish fed diets enriched with vegetable oils showed significantly increased lipid contents of 162 (LO) and 147 (SO) g kg-1 and indicate decreased lipid utilization compared with fish fed FO diet (liver lipid content 112 g kg-1). Nevertheless, hepatosomatic index of pike perch was not influenced by dietary lipid composition. The FA profile of pike perch was generally determined by the dietary FAs.
Nucleotide variability and gene expression reveal new putative genes related to seed shattering in weedy rice.

Seed shattering is one of the main traits related with the domestication of cultivated rice and with the invasiveness and persistence of weedy rice. Two independent studies in 2006 have indicated that qSH1 in Japonica and Sh4 in Indica rice are major genes governing this trait. However, a wide variation of seed shattering occurs in weedy rice ecotypes from the same geographic region and even within the same ecotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nucleotide variability of known and putative genes related to seed shattering in cultivated rice and to identify and validate new genes related to this trait in weedy rice. The qSH1 gene was not associated with seed shattering in the evaluated genotypes. The nucleotide variability of the genes Os01g0849100 and Os08g0512400, previously identified based on a genome-wide resequencing study, was related to seed shattering in rice. The nucleotide variability of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the OsXTH8 gene, which is related to cell wall biosynthesis, was not associated with seed shattering. However, the high expression of this gene was related to the occurrence of this trait. This study evaluated jointly a series of genes involved in rice seed shattering and indicated that the genes OsXTH8, Os08g0512400 and Os01g0849100 are important for the regulation of this trait in weedy rice in addition to previously described genes. Seed shattering in weedy rice has a more complex regulation than in cultivated rice where few major genes were identified.
THE BREEDING GROUP AND SEED STORAGE: A STUDY IN POPULATION DYNAMICS

This is a report on the yearly frequencies since 1941 of blue and white flowered plants of Linanthus parryae, a conspicuous annual of the Mojave desert. Like most desert annuals, its abundance and dispersion varies greatly from year to year and from place to place in response to weather. The size of the breeding group would be expected to vary with these expansions and contractions. An initial survey (Epling and Dobzhansky, 1942) suggested that the inheritance of color depends on one pair of alleles. Having these natural markers, the species appeared to be a useful subject with which to study the effects of selection and genetic drift. The initial survey sampled a naturally delimited area of about 600 square miles. Linanthus was extraordinarily abundant in 1941 and the population was almost literally continuous throughout the area (fig. 1) . For the most part it consisted of white flowered plants. Three mixed areas were found, however, in which the color frequencies were locally highly variable. Only occasional blue individuals or small patches were observed in some parts of the white area. Subsequent sampling has shown that these mixed areas are persistent and that their limits have not materially changed. Four years sampling of the westernmost mixed area by the coarse method used in the initial survey also indicated that color frequencies tended to remain constant in very local populations. Permanently marked experimental plots were accordingly constructed within this area, which have permitted a systematic and detailed sampling of dispersion and flower color each year since 1944. The exact mode of inheritance of flower
Sexual dimorphism, extrapair fertilizations, and operational sex ratio in great frigatebirds (Fregata minor)

Across taxa, the presence of sexual ornaments in one sex is usually correlated with disproportionately great parental effort by the other. Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) are sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting morphological and behavioral ornaments, but males and females share in all aspects of parental effort. All other taxa in a clade of 237 species exhibit biparental care, but only frigatebirds exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. We tested for the presence of two factors that could contribute to the evolution of male ornaments in great frigatebirds: a high frequency of extrapair fertilizations and a male-biased opera- tional sex ratio. In 92 families sampled over two breeding seasons, there was only one extrapair fertilization. However, in both seasons, there were more males than females available for mating, and the sex ratio among individuals actively engaged in mate- acquisition behavior was strongly male biased, with typically ﬁve or six males available per female. Our results suggest that extrapair fertilizations are not responsible for the exaggeration of sexual ornaments in male frigatebirds, and that operational sex ratio may be related to sexual dimorphism in this species. Further work is needed to determine whether the male-biased operational sex ratio creates the variance in male reproductive success that would be needed to drive the evolution of male ornaments. [Behav
Polioencefalomalacia experimental em bovinos induzida por toxicose por enxofre

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical signs, the ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration and the histological lesions induced by sulfur toxicosis in cattle. Ten crossbred calves were fed an experimental diet, four without sodium sulfate (G1) and six with (G2). The calves were submitted to clinical (rectal temperature, cardiac and respiratory rate and ruminal motricity) and laboratorial (hemogram, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, ruminal fluid pH, ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration, cerebrospinal fluid and histopathological) evaluations. Rectal temperature, cardiac rate, hemogram, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, ruminal fluid pH and cerebrospinal fluid values were within normal reference ranges in animals from both groups. Ruminal hypomotricity and increased respiratory rate and ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration occurred in G2 animals. One out of six calves in G2 developed neurological signs and lesions of PEM. Two calves of each Group were euthanized. Microscopic lesions of PEM were observed in G2 animals. Histologically there were cortical neuronal necrosis and hemorrhagic lesions in basal nuclei, thalamus, midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. The experimental model consisting of a diet with high carbohydrate and low in long fiber content with high sulfur concentrations (0.52%) resulted in clinical and histological abnormalities and high ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration consistent with sulpur toxicosis in cattle.
THE EFFECT OF BREED OF SIRE ON THE ACCUMULATION OF COPPER IN LAMBS, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO COPPER TOXICITY

Lambs, 9 weeks of age, the offspring of sires of the Scottish Blackface, East Friesland, Finnish Landrace, Suffolk and Texel breeds mated to Scottish Blackface females, as a common maternal breed, were given diets containing 12 or 20 mg copper per kg dry matter for 13 weeks. Concentrations of liver copper and of copper and aspartate amino-transferase in the plasma were measured regularly, and the concentrations of copper in the kidney, mandible and cheek muscle were also measured terminally. Livers were examined for histological symptoms of copper toxicity. Wide breed variation was apparent in liver copper concentration after 6 weeks and in plasma aspartate aminotransferase concentration after 9 weeks. At slaughter, total liver copper and kidney copper concentration showed significant breed variation. For all traits, the Texel-cross lambs had the highest concentrations, followed by the Suffolk crosses, and the Blackface had the lowest. The proportion of ingested copper retained in the liver of the Texel-cross lambs was twice that of the Blackface lambs (0·137 v . 0·056), with the other breed crosses intermediate. There was a significant difference between diets for liver, kidney and mandible copper concentrations, plasma aspartate amino-transferase concentration, and for total liver copper but not for cheek muscle. Both diets produced elevated plasma aspartate amino-transferase concentration and histological symptoms of copper toxicity in the livers of some lambs. The results show large breed differences in the susceptibility to copper poisoning, some breeds being at risk when given diets containing 12mg copper per kg dry matter for long periods. There was no suggestion that breeds differed in resistance to poisoning other than through different retentions of copper consumed
Edible Film from Jack Bean Flour for Use as an Antioxidative Packaging Incorporating Extract of Green Tea

Addition of green tea’s extract in edible film’s matrix will improve film’s functionality. The film will has antioxidant properties and can protect food from rancidity and discoloration. In this research film based component was jack bean flour which has high content of carbohydrate and protein. The film had good mechanical and physical characters. The aim of this research was studying effect of green tea’s extract addition on phenolic, tannin concentration and antioxidant activity of edible film . Extract of green tea was prepared with variation of temperature (28 o C, 50 o C and 100 o C). The result showed that increasing of extraction temperature would increase phenolic content, tannin concentration and antioxidant activity. When green tea extracted at 100 o C phenolic concentration was 144.179 mg/g, tannin was 50.345 mg/g and antioksidant activity was 58.8% (DPPH inhibition). After the extract was incorporated in to edible film , total phenolic concentration of film was 113.544 mg/g, tannin was 41.842 mg/g and antioxidant activity was 45.22%. Edible film with green tea addition, showed ability in inhibiting rancidity of peanut oil whereas peroxide value and TBA (Thio Barbituric Acid) number of peanut oil was 11.5 meq O 2 /kg and 0.13 ml/g after edible film immersion in 5 days. Peroxide value and TBA number of peanut oil without edible film immersion was 20.3 meq O 2 /kg and 0.32 ml/g.
Impacts of egg and larval size on survival and growth of Atlantic cod under different feeding conditions

Large eggs (1.38 mm) of Atlantic cod reared in the laboratory produced large larvae. However, large larvae had low survival rates. Results also indicated that the first few days' of growth of cod larvae mainly resulted in an increase in mass. Exogenous feeding tended to result in faster growth than endogenous feeding. In the delayed feeding groups (larvae not fed until 67 degree-days), larvae from large eggs grew faster than those from small eggs (1.28 mm) after feeding commenced, while there was no significant difference in growth rate within feeding groups. Compensatory growth was detected in the delayed feeding groups.
Interspecific relationships in co-occurring populations of social parasites and their host ants

Myrmica ant colonies host numerous insect species, including the larvae of Maculinea butterflies and Microdon myrmicae hoverflies. Little is known about the interspecific relationships among these social parasites and their host ants occurring in sympatric populations. We investigated communities of social parasites to assess the strategies allowing them to share the same pool of resources (i.e. Myrmica colonies). The present study was carried out at five sites inhabited by different social parasite communities, each comprising varying proportions of Maculinea teleius, Maculinea nausithous, Maculinea alcon, and Microdon myrmicae. We investigated their spatial distributions, host segregation, the degree of chemical similarity between social parasites and hosts, and temporal overlaps in colony resource exploitation. Spatial segregation among social parasites was found in two populations and it arises from microhabitat preferences and biological interactions. Local conditions can drive selection on one social parasite to use a Myrmica host species that is not exploited by other social parasites. Myrmica scabrinodis and Myrmica rubra nests infested by larvae of two social parasite species were found and the most common co-occurrence was between Ma. teleius and Mi. myrmicae. The successful coexistence of these two species derives from their exploitation of the host colony resources at different times of the year. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109, 699–709.
Enhancing floral diversity to increase the robustness of grassland beetle assemblages to environmental change

Intensive grassland management has produced floristically species poor swards supporting a limited invertebrate fauna. Low cost seed mixtures can be used to increase floristic diversity and so diversify the food resource of phytophagous invertebrate. We quantify trophic links between plants and phytophagous beetles in grasslands established using three seed mixtures. Using food webs, we model secondary extinctions from the beetle communities caused by the loss of host‐plants. Plant species were eliminated according to three scenarios: (1) drought intolerant first; (2) low nutrient status first; (3) stress tolerant first. Diverse seed mixtures containing grasses, legumes, and nonlegume forbs, were more robust to secondary beetle extinctions. The highest diversity seed mixture increased robustness under scenarios of extreme drought in three out of four tested management regimes. Simple and low cost seed mixtures have the potential to promote landscape scale robustness to future environmental change for native invertebrates.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of dominant-negative Smad4 blocks TGF-β signaling in pancreatic acinar cells

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent inhibitor of pancreatic acinar cell growth. Smad4 is a central mediator in the TGF-β signaling pathway. To study the effect of Smad4 on pancreatic growth, cell cycle protein expression, and the expression of a TGF-β-responsive promoter in vitro, we constructed an adenovirus containing dominant-negative COOH terminal truncated Smad4 (AddnSmad4) downstream of the rat elastase promoter. Acinar cells expressed dominant-negative Smad4 within 8 h after infection, and expression persisted for 72 h. Mouse pancreatic acini were infected with either AddnSmad4 or control adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein, and TGF-β was added 8 h after infection. Acinar cells were then incubated for 1, 2, or 3 days, and [3H]thymidine incorporation was determined. AddnSmad4 significantly reduced TGF-β inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, with maximal effects on day 3 . AddnSmad4 also completely blocked TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor. We next examined the effects of AddnSmad4 on TGF-β-induced expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. TGF-β induced upregulation of p21Cip1, which was completely blocked by AddnSmad4. AddnSmad4 also inhibited TGF-β-induced expression of the TGF-β-responsive luciferase reporter 3TP-Lux. These results show that Smad4 is essential in TGF-β-mediated signaling in pancreatic acinar cells.