Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of the corticosteroid stress response and effect of differentially enriched live feed on growth, lipid composition and acute stress tolerance of larval Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

The ontogeny of the corticosteroid stress response was examined in hatchery-reared Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Pooled whole-body samples of larvae at rest and following a 30 second (s) air exposure were taken at multiple intervals throughout development from 2 days pre-hatch up to metamorphosis at 59 days post-hatch (dph). Extracted samples were analysed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay kit, which was subsequently validated for use with whole-body samples. A significant increase in whole-body immunoreative corticosteroid (IRC) concentration in response to the air-exposure stress was observed in larvae at hatch (0 dph), which likely indicates the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis (HPI) and thus the endogenous production of Cortisol by the larvae at this time. Two stress hyporesponsive periods (SHRP) were detected, between 0-30 dph and at 50 dph, and likely correspond with two critical periods of neurological and immunological development, during which the production and release of Cortisol is restricted. Potentially stressful aquaculture procedures should be avoided during these SHRPs. -- The effect of differentially enriched live-food organisms, rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), and brine shrimp (Artemia sp.), on the lipid content, growth and stress tolerance of larval Atlantic cod was also examined. The lipid and fatty acid content of larval tissue was directly related to the lipid and fatty acid content of enriched live feed. Larvae fed rotifers and Artemia enriched with elevated proportions of the highly unsaturated fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid; 22:6ω3), AA (arachidonic acid; 20:4ω6), and ω6DPA (docosapentaenoic acid; 22:5ω6) showed best overall growth and survival following an acute 15 s air-exposure and transfer stress. Differences in post-stress survival between treatments were most likely attributable to variations in larval EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid; 20:5ω3)/AA and DHA/DPA content. Corticosteroid levels remained elevated in larvae with maximal post-stress survivorship, and may indicate the requirement of larval cod for a prolonged rise in Cortisol following a stress event. Suggested DHA/EPA/AA ratios for rotifer and Artemia enrichments that yielded best growth and stress tolerance in Atlantic cod larvae were 7/2/1 and 5/2/1 respectively.
Ontogenic Changes in the Rates of Amino Acid Transport from Seawater by Marine Invertebrate Larvae (Echinodermata, Echiura, Mollusca)

Transport rates of amino acids were deter mined for larvae of different ages of the echiuran worm Urechis caupo, the gastropod Haliotis ruftscens, the bi valve Crassostrea gigas, and the sea urchin Strongylo centrotus purpuratus. All larval forms showed an in crease in the transport rate of amino acids during deveb opment. Trochophores of U. caupo increased their rate of net flux for each of 5 amino acids (100 nM each) by a factor of 1.6 and 2.2 during 1â€"3 days and 4â€"8 days, respectively, for two independent cultures. In H. rufes cens, the maximum transport capacity (Jmax) for alanine increased 3-fold during the 24 h required for the trocho phore to develop into a veliger. In C. gigas veligers, there was a 9-fold increase in the maximum transport capacity for alanine during larval development from an 80 @tm to a 300 sm larva. In sea urchins, the prism-stage larvae (2- day-old) had an alanine transport system with a K@ of 1.9 @tM and a Jmaxof 8. 1 pmol larva'h'. The kinetics of alanine transport in the pluteus-stage (4-day-old) were best described by two systems (System I: K1 = 1.0 zM with a imaxof5.6 pmol larva'h'; System II: K@ = 132.0 @.tM with a Jmaxof 8.4 pmol larva'h'). In larvae of C. gigas, the relationship between the rate ofalanine trans port and body size was described by the equation, bog Jmax (pglarva'h') = 1 . 6894(X) + (â€"0.5937), where X is the shell length in @tm. It is illustrated that the albometric increase in respiration rates, during the growth of bivalve
Organ Infectivity of Toxoplasma gondii in Interferon-γ Knockout Mice

To determine the influence of interferon (IFN)-γ on the organ infectivity and on the genetic susceptibility of susceptible (C57BL/6) and resistant (BALB/c) strains after peroral infection with cysts of Toxoplasma gondii, IFN-γ knockout (KO) mice in C57BL/6 and BALB/c backgrounds were utilized. The kinetics of the changes in T. gondii abundance were evaluated with a quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction assay in various organs at different times after peroral infection. In IFN-γ KO mice, a T. gondii-specific gene, SAG1, was detected in all organs examined, and the protozoan proliferated much more actively than in wild-type mice. The abundance of T. gondii was much higher in mesenteric lymph nodes and the heart than in other organs. In contrast, in the nervous system organs and kidneys, only a weakly detectable reaction was observed. Toxoplasma gondii grew at a more rapid rate in the organs of IFN-γ KO C57BL/6 mice than in the organs of IFN-γ KO BALB/c mice during the course of infection. Destruction of the IFN-γ gene showed remarkable effects on the infectivity in both susceptible and resistant mice.
Aberrant pattern formation in myosin heavy chain mutants of Dictyostelium

In mutant Dictyostelium strains that fail to accumulate the myosin heavy chain (MHC A), development is relatively normal up to the tight aggregate stage but is arrested prior to formation of the apical tip (DeLozanne and Spudich 1987, Knecht and Loomis, 1987). We show that in aggregates formed by such MHC A deficient (MHC A-) strains the proportions of pstA and pstB cells, the two prestalk cell types, and of prespore cells are similar to those found during normal development but their distribution is radically different. During the initial stages of normal slug formation, pstA cells move to the tip, pstB cells accumulate in the base and prespore cells occupy the remainder of the aggregate. In the aggregates initially formed by MHC A- mutants pstA cells are present in a central core, pstB cells are present in the cortex and prespore cells lie sandwiched between them. Eventually, cells within the cortex differentiate into mature stalk cells but spores are never formed. Mixing experiments, in which MHC A- cells are allowed to co-aggregate with an excess of normal cells, show that MHC A- prestalk cells enter the aggregate relatively normally but are unable to enter the slug tip or to migrate into the stalk at culmination and that MHC A- prespore cells accumulate in the lower part of the spore head during culmination. Thus MHC A- cells appear to be able to move within the multicellular aggregate but are incapable of participating in normal morphogenesis. The structures formed by MHC A- cells are very similar to those of the agglomerates that form when wild-type cells are developed in roller-tube culture, conditions that result in loss of the polarity imparted by the presence of an air-water interface. We propose formation of such a structure by MHC A- cells to be a default response, caused by their inability to undertake the shape changes and intercalatory cell movements that are necessary to form and extend the tip.
Revalidating the Taiwanese Self-Regulation Questionnaire (New TSSRQ) and Exploring Its Relationship With College Students’ Psychological Well-Being

Self-regulation (SR) is a vital trait whereby people adapt to the environments and achieve goals, yet measurements of general SR remain scant in Asian countries. Due to insufficient items in several dimensions, in this study we revised and revalidated our previous work of the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Taiwanese college students (TSSRQ) by incorporating student perspectives and aspects of affective/motivation regulation. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we validated the “New TSSRQ” which contained 39 items in seven factors, including Proactiveness (PA), Self-Management (SM), Goal Setting (GS), Mindfulness (MF), Goal Attainment (GA), Adjustment (AD), and Motivation (MO). Subsequently, we explored the correlation between New TSSRQ dimensions and those of the Scale of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) as a source of validity evidence. Findings indicated that SR and PWB are highly correlated, especially for Mindfulness and Proactiveness dimensions. Implications of this study were discussed along with practical suggestions to leverage college students’ mindfulness, proactiveness, and self-regulation in general.
The physics of the warming of Lake Tanganyika by climate change

Climate warming over the 20th century has increased the density stratification and stability of Lake Tanganyika, a deep rift valley lake. Here we examine the physical processes involved in and affected by the warming of the lake, and we discuss effects on lake productivity. The rate of net heat absorption by Lake Tanganyika has been 0.4 W m−2 since 1913, twice the rate in the global ocean, indicating stronger climate forcing in the East African region. Lakes warm through increased incoming long‐wave radiation. While lakes in general will increase heat outputs in a warming climate, heat outputs will increase more slowly in deeper lakes than in shallower lakes. Temperatures have increased by 0.2°C at 1000 m in depth, in part because of reduced cool marginal inflows, while water surface temperatures have increased by about 1.3°C. This differential heating over depth has increased the density gradient through the water column, reducing the potential for vertical mixing and thereby limiting nutrient fluxes to the phototrophic zone. An increase in transparency, indicating a reduction in productivity as a result of the reduced vertical mixing, occurred both in Lake Tanganyika and in Lake Malawi, a similar deep tropical lake in which warming has also been documented.
THE BIOLOGY AND PHEROMONE-BASED MONITORING OF THE DRIEDFRUIT MOTH, VITULA EDMANDSAE SERRATILINEELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

Abstract In western Canada, three wax-infesting moth species are serious pests of honey bee products, Vitula edmandsae serratilineella Ragonot, Achroia grisella (F.), and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). The latter two species are found only in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, while the driedfruit moth (sometimes called the bumble bee wax moth), V. edmandsae, is found throughout western Canada. Three female-produced pheromone components of V. edmandsae were identified as (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol, and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol, and field tested. Pheromone baits were used in traps outdoors and in bee equipment storage facilities in the Fraser and Okanagan valleys of British Columbia. The peak indoor trapping period occurred during May in the Okanagan Valley, while catches in indoor traps in the Fraser Valley were negligible throughout the entire trapping period. Catches in outdoor traps peaked during July in both regions. Traps baited with (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, alone or in binary combination with (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol, were significantly more attractive to male V. edmandsae than all other treatments tested. At one apiary, cumulative moth catch from a trap line 1.0 m from hives was significantly greater than that from a trap line 4.5 m away. The results suggest that a pheromone-based monitoring and control program for V. edmandsae is feasible. Résumé Dans l'ouest du Canada, 3 espèces de papillons s'attaquant à la cire causent des dommages aux produits de l'abeille; ce sont Vitula edmandsae serratilineella Ragonot, Achroia grisella (F.), et Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). Ces 2 dernières ne sont trouvées que dans la vallée du Fraser en Colombie Britannique, alors que V. edmandsae est retrouvé partout dans l'ouest canadien. Trois composantes d'une phéromone produite par les femelles ont été identifiées et testées sur le terrain; il s'agit des (Z-E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol et du (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol. Des appâts à base de phéromone ont été placés dans des pièges à l'extérieur et dans des entrepôts d'équipement d'apiculture dans les vallées du Fraser et de l'Okanagan en Colombie Britannique. La période de piégeage maximum à l'intérieur a eu lieu en mai dans la vallée de l'Okanagan, alors que les captures à l'intérieur sont demeurées négligeables dans la vallée du Fraser tout au long de la période de piégeage. Les captures à l'extérieur ont atteint un sommet en juillet dans les deux régions. Les pièges appâtés au (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, seul ou en combinaison binaire avec le (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol, se sont avérées significativement plus attirants pour les mâles de V. edmandsae que tous les autres traitements testés. A un endroit, le nombre cumulé de papillons capturés le long d'un transect de pièges placés à 1 m des ruches s'est avéré significativement plus élevé que celui d'un transect situé à 4.5 m. Ces résultats indiquent qu'un programme de surveillance et de répression de V. edmandsae faisant usage de phéromones serait réalisable.
MICROFLORA ASSOCIATED WITH DIESEL POWERED GENERATORS CONTAMINATED SOIL ARENA OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO AND ODUDUWA UNIVERSITIES IN ILE -IFE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

A total of sixty-five bacterial and fifteen fungal species were isolated from the soil contaminated by diesel oil around power generators in Obafemi Awolowo and Oduduwa Universities both at Ile-Ife, Osun State. Ten soil samples were taken from each university and microflora from them were identified by appropriate biochemical tests and morphological identification. Seven bacteria and fungi genera each were isolated from both top and deep soil. Bacillus species were the most predominant bacteria from the samples with 57%, Staphylococcus 14%, Neisseria 9%, Micrococcus 9%, Corynebacteria 6%, Klebsiella 3%, Lactobacillus 2% while Aspergillus species were the most predominant of the fungal isolate being 80%, Penicillium 16%, Cunninghamella 1%, Humicola 1%, Beauveria 1%, Gibellula 1%. It is then concluded that organisms that thrive commonly in all samples of soil analysed particularly Aspergillus and Bacillus spp can be developed as seed microflora for bioremediation of oil spilled contaminated soil. Keyword: Isolates, Bioremediation, diesel, contamination, microflora.
Seasonal variability and inter-specific differences in hatching of calanoid copepod resting eggs from sediments of the German Bight (North Sea)

Hatching experiments were conducted on sediment samples collected on seven cruises between March 2002 and February 2003, at four stations near Helgoland (54 � 11 0 N, 7 � 53 0 E). Samples were incubated for up to 12 months and examined weekly for calanoid copepod nauplii. 12807 nauplii hatched in total. Of these 36.43% were stage N1 (pooled), 44.08% were Temora longicornis (stage N2 and older), and 17.96% were Centropages hamatus (stage N2 and older). Some Acartia spp. and an unidentified species were found, too. Hatching varied significantly between sampling dates. At three stations, counts of all nauplii peaked in samples taken in April, while at one station the maximum was recorded in the sample collected in October. The seasonal pattern of hatching was similar in T. longicornis and C. hamatus. In March, April, October and February numbers of all nauplii were initially low, but increased over the following 2‐3 weeks. In June, August and December, however, average numbers were comparatively high at first, but declined thereafter. In three of the four samples that were incubated for 12 months nauplii hatched from the sediment for the entire experimental period. Temora longicornis and C. hamatus displayed clearly distinct patterns of hatching in these long-term incubations.
Good DNA from bat droppings

ABSTRACT Amplification of a mitochondrial DNA fragment was used to compare the efficiency of five methods for extracting DNA from bat droppings. The Qiagen DNA Stool Kit, which yielded > 90% mtDNA amplification success, was chosen to extract DNA from 586 samples taken over two years in three French colonies of the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). Samples, for which mtDNA amplification was successful, were subject to the multiplex amplification of eight microsatellite loci. This resulted in > 95% amplification success over 12,592 PCRs. Allelic dropout (ADO) and false allele (FA) rates were low, and consequently, sample and locus quality indexes (QI) were high. These results demonstrate that large scale noninvasive studies of bat colonies are possible.
Archive of SID The Effect of Orally Administered L-carnitine on Testis Tissue, Sperm Parameters and Daily Sperm Production in Adult Mice

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate body and testis weight, testis tissue, counts, motility, viability, morphology, and chromatin quality of epididymal sperm, as well as the testicular spermatid number (TSN) per gram of testis, and daily sperm production (DSP) in L-carnitine treated mice. Materials and Methods: In the present study, adult male NMRI mice (mean age of 4 weeks) were administered L-carnitine by gavage for two weeks. The experimental groups received 1mg L-carnitine/100 μl deionized water and 10 mg L-carnitine/100 μl deionized water, respectively. The control group did not receive L-carnitine. All samples were assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Sperm morphology was assessed with papanicula staining. Sperm chromatin quality was assessed using anilineblue staining. The left testes were fixed in Bouins solution for histological examination and the end slices were stained with hematoxilin and eosin (H&E). The right testis was homogenized, and TSN and DSP were calculated with an improved neubauer haemocytometer and respective formula. Results: Administration of L-carnitine induced significant reduction in body weight (p<0.05) and an increase in tchromatine quality (p<0.05). Amongst the other parameters no significant differences were observed in all groups. Conclusion: These results show that oral administration of L-carnitine to mice with normal spermatogenesis does not have any significant effect on the reproductive systems. Thus, L-carnitine seems to be ineffective in normospermic animals.
2,4-D and Sclerotinia minor to control common dandelion

Abstract Integration of two or more methods in a weed control strategy may produce a positive interaction. In this study, sequential applications of sublethal rates of 2,4-D and the plant pathogen Sclerotinia minor were assessed for integrated control of common dandelion. S. minor was prepared as a granular treatment of fungal-colonized barley grits. Treatments of 2,4-D (25 or 50% of the recommended field rate) and S. minor treatments (20, 40, or 60 g m–2 rate) were applied alone or sequentially with a 3 wk interval. Fourteen days after inoculation (DAI), sequential applications of either rate of 2,4-D with 40 or 60 g m–2 of S. minor caused greater damage than either treatment alone (P = 0.05). By 21 and 28 DAI, control from 60 g m–2 of S. minor alone was equivalent to any of the sequential treatments (P = 0.05). At all assessment times, the combination of either rate of 2,4-D and 20 or 40 g m–2 of S. minor caused damage equivalent to or greater than that caused by 60 g m–2 of S. minor alone (P = 0.05). According to Colby's test for interactions, 19 of 24 assessments of the sequential treatments were synergistic. Therefore, sequential treatments of sublethal rates of 2,4-D and S. minor can interact positively to increase damage. This synergistic interaction may reduce the rate of either component required for adequate levels of control, possibly decreasing the cost or volume of use of herbicides in traditional weed control strategies. Nomenclature: 2,4-D; barley, Hordeum vulgare; common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Weber TAROF.
Biological studies on Bracon brevicornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on different host larvae

The present work was carried out to study the biological aspect of B. brevicornis when reared on different hosts (Ephestia kuehniella, Galleria mellonella, Corcera cephalonica, Sesamia cretica, Spodoptera littoralis and Pectinophora gossypiella). Our Results assured that the type of host had great impact on the durations of the immature stages and longevity of the parasitoid. The highest & lowest incubation periods were when reared the parasitoids on Pectinophora gossypiella (45.75±1.4hours) and E. kuehniella (39.87±0.95 hours) respectively, the difference was insignificant at the other hosts. Duration of larval stages was significant shorter when parasitoid reared on S. cretica (1.86±0.079 days) than the rest hosts. The longer pupation period was recorded when parasitoid reared on Pectinophora gossypiella (7.6±0.13 days), but was insignificant on the other hosts. The highest duration period of immature stage was when reared B.brevicornis on P. gossypiella (12.75±0.74 days) but insignificant difference when reared on G.mellonella [ 9.16±0.22 days ] and S. cretica [ 9.91±0.14 days ]. The mean duration of male longevity of parasitoids was longer when reared on E. kuehniella (15.73±0.73 days) and shorter when reared on C.cephalonica (11.75±0.51 days). The mean duration of female parasitoids was highest when reared parasitoids on S. cretica (19.6±0.51 days). The total number of eggs laid per female of B.brevicornis during its life span was highest on Galleria mellonella (268.88±19.65 eggs), and lowest on C.cephalonica (78.1±10.63 eggs). A percentage of eggs hatchability was significantly lowest when reared on S. littoralis (0.09±0.02642 %) than when reared on the other hosts, while percentage of emergence was insignificantly different when reared on Sesamia cretica (87.36±3.92 %) and Pectinophora gossypiella (87.02±3.85 %).
Evaluation of Protein Composition of Game Meat in Latvian Farms and Wildlife

The meat of wild animals is highly favourable for human health because it has lower SFA content than domestic animals but higher protein content. In recent years consumption and assortment of game meat products has significantly increased. Deer farms are being established. There have been few investigations of the biochemical composition of game meat, therefore, the aim of the investigation was to evaluate protein composition of game meat in Latvian farms and wildlife. The investigations were carried out in different regions of Latvia. The chemical analyses of 76 samples were made, i.e. wild deer (18), farm deer (12), roe deer (16), elk (18), wild boar (12) meat samples were collected after hunting in the Vidzeme and Latgale regions of Latvia. Protein, amino acids and the content of connective tissue (4-hidroxiproline) were determined in the studied samples. Protein protein ranged from 22.21-23.59%. The content of connective tissue ranged from 2.22% in elk meat up to 3.09% in roe deer. The sum of essential amino acids in game meat samples was determined from 27.06-45.70 g 100 g −1 . Elk meat had the highest protein content and lowest content of connective tissues among the game meat.
Effect of female weight on reproductive potential of the predator Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret, 1852) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The objective of this work was to determine the fecundity of the predator Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) females of two weight classes aiming to define, which one presented higher productivity in the laboratory. Males and females of B. tabidus were reared from nymphs fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae in laboratory. Females of B. tabidus weighting 95 to 150 mg and those with 160 to 220 mg constituted two treatments. Oviposition period and numbers of egg masses, eggs and nymphs per female of B. tabidus were higher in the treatment with heavier females, while the periods of preoviposition, between egg mass laying, egg incubation and number of eggs per egg mass, besides the percentage of nymphs hatched and adult longevity were similar between treatments. Heavier females of B. tabidus presented better productivity and for this reason they should be used in programs of mass rearing this predator.