Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postharvest physiology and storage of ber

Purpose of review: This article reviews studies conducted on maturity indices, climacteric behaviour, artificial ripening, and pre- and postharvest treatments, which affect the shelf-life, packaging, storage and postharvest pathology of ber fruits. Findings: Ber fruits show climacteric respiration behaviour. Various maturity indices including colour, total soluble solids, harvesting date, days from full bloom to maturity, etc, have been characterised. The postharvest quality and shelf-life of ber fruits are influenced by both pre- and postharvest factors; plant growth regulators, stage of maturity, composition of fruits, storage conditions, type of storage and packaging have been identified as important factors. Low storage temperatures (3–5 o C) can extend the shelf-life beyond 2–3 weeks. Limitations: Ber is largely found in India and not much advanced research has been carried out on this fruit. To date standardised storage conditions are not available for commercial recommendations. Controlled and modified atmosphere use has not been investigated. Directions for further research: More attention should be focused on characterising the physiology of ber fruit, including ripening, gene expression, protein synthesis and regulation of enzymes catalysing sugar formation and translocation. Reliable maturity and international standards, with respect of quality, should be developed. Low temperature storage methods such as controlled and modified atmosphere should be studied and standardised, and ethylene management with 1-methylcyclopropene should be investigated.
Chironomidae (Diptera) Emerging from the Littoral Zone of Reservoirs, with Special Reference to Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba

The adult chironomid fauna of the littoral zone of Southern Indian Lake (SIL) was compared with that of other similar reservoir studies. A total of 158 species of adult Chironomidae were collected from the littoral zone ( depth) of SIL from 1977 to 1979, using submerged funnel traps. This number is the highest reported from reservoirs for which adult data are available. Chironomini usually were the most diverse group of Chironomidae in the reservoirs examined, accounting for approximately half the number of species collected. The abundances of Tanypodinae and Orthocladiinae appeared to decrease and increase, respectively, as reservoir trophic status changed from eutrophic to oligotrophic. Species of Chironomidae characteristic of littoral zones of new reservoirs were determined using a three-step procedure that revealed that Procladius culiciformis (Linn.), Endochironomus albipennis (Meig.), and Tanytarsus lugens Kieff. may be characteristic of reservoirs of the Palaearctic region; no species are characte.
Food Habits and Seed Dispersal by the White-Eared Opossum, Didelphis albiventris, in Southern Brazil

The food habits and seed dispersal promoted by the marsupial Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) were investigated in two forest fragments of Curitiba, southern Brazil, between February 1995 and February 1997. Forty live traps were set uniformly in the fragments for opossum captures and collection of their scats. Diet was determined by fecal analysis and seed dispersal was tested through seed germination experiments. With a total of 1842 traps set, 71 scats of the white-eared opossum were collected, and 51 contained seeds. The opossum is omnivorous, consuming invertebrates (100% of occurrence in scats), fruits (76%) and vertebrates (58%). Common animal food items were those found in the litter. Diversities of food items were similar among opossums of different age classes. Seeds of several plant species passed undamaged through the guts and remained viable. Fruits from pioneer plants were the main ones consumed. Based on these results, this omnivorous opossum must be an effective seed disperser in southern Brazil.
Using tree recruitment patterns and fire history to guide restoration of an unlogged ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir landscape in the southern Rocky Mountains after a century of fire suppression

Summary Tree age and fire history were studied in an unlogged ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir (Pinus ponderosa/Pseudotsuga menziesii) landscape in the Colorado Front Range mountains. These data were analysed to understand tree survival during fire and post-fire recruitment patterns after fire, as a basis for understanding the characteristics of, and restoration needs for, an ecologically sustainable landscape. Comparisons of two independent tree age data sets indicated that sampling what subjectively appear to be the five oldest trees in a forest polygon could identify the oldest tree. Comparisons of the ages of the oldest trees in each data set with maps of fire history suggested that delays in establishment of trees, after stand-replacing fire, ranged from a few years to more than a century. These data indicate that variable fire severity, including patches of stand replacement, and variable temporal patterns of tree recruitment into openings after fire were major causes of spatial heterogeneity of patch structure in the landscape. These effects suggest that restoring current dense and homogeneous ponderosa pine forests to an ecologically sustainable and dynamic condition should reflect the roles of fires and variable patterns of tree recruitment in regulating landscape structure.
Antioxidant Flavonoids from the Twigs of Stewartia koreana

－ In the course of screening for antioxidant compounds by measuring the radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), a total extract of the twigs of Stewartia koreana (Theaceae) was found to show potent antioxidant activity. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract led to the isolation of six phenolic compounds, ampelopsin (1), catechin (2), proanthocyanidin-A2 (3), fraxin (4), (2R, 3R)-taxifolin-3- β - D -glucopyranoside (5), and (2S, 3S)-taxifolin-3- β - D -glucopyranoside (6), as active principles. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1-6 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among them, three compounds 1-3 showed the significant antioxidative effects on DPPH, and riboflavin originated superoxide quenching activity. In riboflavin-nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT)-light system, compound 1 showed better superoxide quenching activity than vitamin C.
Amount and Type of Forest Cover and Edge are Important Predictors of Golden-Cheeked Warbler Density

Abstract. Considered endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) breeds exclusively in the juniper-oak (Juniperus ashei-Quercus spp.) woodlands of central Texas. Large-scale, spatially explicit models that predict population density as a function of habitat and landscape variables can provide important insight for its management and recovery. We used distance sampling to model detection probability and to estimate the density and abundance of singing male Golden-cheeked Warblers on Fort Hood Military Reservation. We used an information-theoretic approach to evaluate hypotheses concerning the effects of proportion of forest type and forest cover, forest-edge density, and patch size on density. We fitted generalized linear models with detection probability as an offset term to predict density as a function of the habitat and landscape variables, calculate a model-based density and abundance estimate, and map density across the area sampled. The design-based estimates were 0.39 males ha-1 and 7557 singing males. The most supported model contained proportion of forest type and forest cover, both of which had a positive effect on density, as well as forest-edge density, which had a negative effect. The model-based estimates of 0.39 males ha-1 and 7571 singing males were greater than estimates extrapolated from intensive territory monitoring. Knowledge of factors affecting Golden-cheeked Warbler density can be used to inform recovery efforts, and our density model can be used to assess the effects of various activities proposed for military training and of environmental disturbance on warbler densities.
How different is different? Defining management and conservation units for a problematic exploited species

Discontinuous genetic structure is widely used to delineate local, regional, and phylogenetic groups within species for conservation and management purposes. We used microsatellite markers to assess the genetic distinctiveness of putative stocks and populations of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Ontario waters. Analysis of spawning aggregations in eastern Lake Ontario showed fish from Chaumont Bay, New York, to be weakly differentiated from spawning whitefish in and near the Bay of Quinte, Ontario. No significant differences were found between lake- and bay-spawning aggregations within the Bay of Quinte. These same genetic tools were used to test the distinctiveness and evolutionary significance of Lake Simcoe lake whitefish as a designatable unit (DU) under guidelines established by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Although there was marked differentiation among populations from across Ontario, the Lake Simcoe population was closely allied with lake white.
Past potential habitats shed light on the biogeography of endemic tree species of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, South India

To investigate how Quaternary climatic changes affected the habitats that support endemic tree species distributions in a tropical rain forest. Based on past and present predicted species distributions, we assessed (1) whether climatic conditions may have supported species survival in the same area over the studied period, (2) the effect of ecological niche specialization on species‐specific responses, and (3) the persistence of current populations in areas that were more climatically stable over time.
THE POTENTIAL NORTHERN DISPERSAL OF THE GYPSY MOTH, PORTHETRIA DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE)

Abstract Overwintering eggs of Porthetria dispar increase their capacity to supercool during exposure to non-lethal conditioning temperatures. Measurements of supercooling points of eggs collected in Quebec and Massachusetts indicate that the gradual movement of the insect north and west from the initial point of introduction into North America has not been accompanied by natural selection for a more cold-hardy population. The protection afforded eggs by cold-hardening is, however, greatly enhanced by the placement of egg masses, typically at or near ground level, where they are subject to maximum insulation by snow cover. Examination of climatic regimes within the current area of distribution of the gypsy moth in Eurasia indicates that temperature may not be a key factor limiting its northward spread. In central Canada, in the presence of abundant snow cover, the insect may spread as far north as suitable food plants exist. This would favour extension of the range of the gypsy moth throughout the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Forest Region and much of the Boreal Forest Region of Ontario and Quebec south of James Bay.
Effects of urbanisation on disease prevalence and age structure in blackbird Turdus merula populations

Despite increasing interest in urban ecology most attention has focussed on describing changes in assemblage composition and structure along urbanisation gradients, whilst relatively little research has focussed on the mechanisms behind these changes. Ecological theory predicts that alterations in biotic interactions are particularly likely to arise, especially with regard to disease risk. Here, we report on differences in prevalence of avian malaria and tick infection and intensity in 11 paired urban and rural blackbird Turdus merula populations from across the western Palearctic. We find large and consistent reductions in tick prevalence and intensity in urban areas. There are also large reductions in the prevalence of avian malaria in many, but not all, urban areas. The proportion of first year birds in urban populations is significantly lower than that in rural ones, and across the more natural rural sites southerly populations contain fewer first years than northern ones. These patterns are expected to arise if survival rates are higher in urban areas, and are negatively correlated with latitude.
AULACASPIS YASUMATSUI (HEMIPTERA: STERNORRHYNCHA: DIASPIDIDAE), A SCALE INSECT PEST OF CYCADS RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO FLORIDA

Observations were conducted in southern Florida on Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae), a recently introduced armored scale insect native to Southeast Asia. The insect's host plants, exclusively cycads, were identified in the following genera: Cycas (Cycadaceae); Dioon, Encephalartos, Microcycas, (Zamiaceae), and Stangeria (Stangeriaceae). Cycas spp. seemed to be preferred over other cycad genera by this insect. Aulacaspis yasumatsui infested pinnae, rachides, strobili, stems, and roots of various species of cycads. It generally infested all above-ground plant parts of Cycas spp. and sometimes the primary and secondary roots to a soil depth of 60 cm. No morphological differences in the frond- and root-infesting forms were noted. At an ambient temperature of about 24.5C, eggs hatched in 8-12 days. In the field, some individuals developed to second instars in 16 days and third instars in 28 days. Third instars (mature females) laid >100 eggs. Most of the females of a generation did not live longer than 75 days. No natural enemies were observed. The scale insect populations became extremely dense and killed 100% of 15 Cycas revoluta Thunburg within a year of infestation. Between 1996 and June 1998 the insect spread from a limited area in southern Miami to various sites as far as 120 km north, probably by movement of plants.
LIFE HISTORY OF THE SAND SHRIMP, CRANGON SEPTEMSPINOSA SAY, IN A SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE ESTUARY

Abstract Body size, sex ratio and timing of reproduction of the sand shrimp, Crangon septemspinosa Say (1818), and the distribution of larvae and adults with respect to temperature and salinity, were studied in the estuary of the Kouchibouguac River, New Brunswick. Contrary to predictions, body size was not related to latitude or biogeographic zone. Reproduction in May and June by a cohort of large females, followed in summer and early fall by a cohort of smaller reproductive females, was consistent with previous reports of estuarine populations. Reproduction was continuous throughout the spring and summer, in contrast to the two distinct spawning seasons reported for other northerly populations. Larvae were most abundant in July. At least part of the adult population remained in shallow waters of the estuary throughout the summer, at temperatures up to 28°C, unlike the offshore migrations reported for most other populations during periods of warm water conditions.
Quantitative trait loci associated with stomatal conductance, leaf rolling and heading date mapped in upland rice (Oryza sativa)

summary Improving the drought resistance of high yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties for upland areas is a goal of rice breeders since upland rice relies exclusively on rainfall for water and is generally low yielding. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) which confer drought resistance promises to speed this goal. We have previously described the use of 82 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers in the genetic mapping of root growth characteristics that are potentially involved in drought resistance in a population of 178 F2 plants derived from a cross of two drought resistant upland varieties, Azucena and Bala. Here we report the characterization and QTL mapping of three other mechanisms of drought resistance, leaf rolling, stomatal behaviour and early flowering, in this population. When the youngest fully expanded leaf was excised from 12 rice varieties,‘IR20’and‘Bala’ were identified as slow at rolling. Although ‘Azucena’ rolled its leaves much faster than ‘Bala’ upon excision, stomatal resistance rose more rapidly in‘Bala’, resulting in a lower rate of water loss. By assessing leaf rolling and stomatal resistance in the F2 population, it was possible to identify QTLs for these traits. A QTL for slow leaf rolling from ‘Bala’ was found on chromosome 1. Two QTLs associated with resting stomatal conductance were found on chromosomes 3 and 12. QTLs for the rate of stomatal closure were found on chromosomes 3 and 7. In addition, it was possible to map QTLs associated with the days to heading which were found on chromosomes 3, 8 and 10. These results identify markers of potential value to breeders and are discussed in the context of previously reported data for heading date QTLs in rice and for stomatal conductance QTLs in maize.
Ecology of Three Sympatric Species of the Genus Chamaeleo in a Tropical Upland Forest in Cameroon

Abstract The three species of chameleons inhabiting the primary forest on the western slope of Mount Kupe, Cameroon, Chamaeleo montium, Chamaeleo pfefferi, and Chamaeleo quadricornis, are compared with respect to elevational distribution, diet, and body size. Chameleo montium is restricted to lower elevations and markedly separated in elevational distribution from its congeners, which are exclusively found in the submontane forest. The three species prey almost entirely on arthropods, mostly coleopterans, heteropterans, hymenopterans, dipterans, and spiders; niche breadth values that incorpate prey availability are high and suggest opportunistic feeding. Niche overlaps are high with respect to prey type, but the smallest species, C. pfefferi, differs significantly from its congeners in terms of prey volume. Body size difference is largest between the two syntopic species, C. pfefferi and C. quadricornis, and identically low to the allotopic C. montium. The results on dietary segregation and morphological similarity are in accordance with competition limiting elevational distributions of the chameleons on Mount Kupe.
Sedimentation cycles in a river-mouth tidal freshwater marsh

Tidal freshwater marshes are critical buffers that exist at the interface between watersheds and estuaries. Little is known about the physical dynamics of tidal freshwater marsh evolution. Over a 21-mo period, July 1995 to March 1997, measurements were made of biweekly sediment deposition at 23 locations in a 3.8-ha tidal freshwater marsh in the Bush River subestuary of the upper Chesapeake Bay. Biweekly accumulation showed high spatial and temporal variability, ranging from −0.28 g cm−2 to 1.15 g cm−2. Spatial variability is accounted for by habitat differences including plant associations, elevation, and hydrology. Temporal variability is accounted for by interannual climate variability, the growth cycles of marsh plants, stream-marsh interactions, forest-marsh interactions, and animal activity.
EFFECT OF GINGER SUPPLEMENTS ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS AND SPERMATOGENESIS OF MICE

The effect of an aqueous extract of ginger (Zingiberofficinale) was investigated on morphometric of seminiferous tubulestestis of mice and sperm parameters of semen for 60 male mice. They were divided into three groups of 22 mouse each, Group served as the control and was administered distilled water while experimental groups G1, and G2 were treated with 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Ginger respectively for 22 days. There was no significant difference in the body weight between control group and experimental group (G2), (100gm/L), but with decreased in experimental group, including 50gm/L (G1), however, this decrease was statistically significant in body weight (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in testes weights between the groups. The results of analyzing the changes in weighing the testes of the control group was (0.20±0.081gr), in the group(G1), 50mg/L was (0.20±0.019 gr), in the group (G2), 100mg/L was (0.19±0.088gr). Administration of 50mg/kg/mouse and 100mg/kg/mouse ginger for 22 consecutive days significantly increased Sperm motility and viability in both experimental groups as compared with the control group. The testicular histology shows no abnormality. Spermatogenic cell progeny is normal containing all cell in the progeny. This follow hypothesis that ginger have potent androgenic and antioxidant effects on the testis. the present study has demonstrated that, ginger have an antioxidant and androgenic activity in doses of 50 mg/kg/mouse and 100mg/L mouse and have a useful effects on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in mouse and have positive effect on reproductive behavior.
The Association of Fatty Acids With Breast Cancer.

Abstract : Experimental studies have shown that omega-6 fatty acids enhance and omega-3 fatty acids suppress oncogenesis. Correlational studies also indicate that breast cancer incidence is positively linked to omega-6 consumption but is negatively related to intake of omega-3 fatty acids, derived mainly from marine sources. To evaluate whether or not these fatty acids are associated with risk of breast cancer, the authors collected pre-treatment blood samples from 138 cases with histologically confirmed incident breast cancer diagnosed between 5/90 and 4/93, and 141 control women frequency matched on age who participated in a population-based case-control study of breast cancer in women under age 45. Erythrocytes (RBCs) were washed and stored at -70 deg C. Fatty acids were extracted from RBC membranes and gas-liquid chromatography was used to determine the relative proportions of specific fatty acids. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed. The relative proportions of the major omega-6 fatty acids (18:2n-6, linoleic acid; 20:4n-6, arachidonic acid), and omega-3 fatty acids (20:5n3, eicosapentaenoic acid; 22:6n-3, docosahexaenoic acid) were similar in cases and controls. Compared to the lowest quartiles (OR=1.0, reference group) of total omega-6 and total omega-3 fatty acids, women in the upper quartiles had relative risk estimates of 0.54 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.3-1.1) and 1.9 (95% CI 0.9-4.0), respectively. These results do not support the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of breast cancer in young women.
Antibiotic activity of two Anabaena species against four fish pathogenic Aeromonas species

Three organic extracts (chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) of ten cyanobacterial species (Anabaena solitaria, Anabaena variabilis, Anabaena cylindrical, Anabaena spiroides, Anabaena circinalis, Oscillatoria ornate, Oscillatoria salins, Oscillatoria tenuis, Oscillatoria rubescens and Oscillatoria prolifica) were investigated for their antibacterial activities against 4 fish pathogenic bacterial species belonging to genus Aeromonas, namely, Aer. salmonicida, Aer. hydrophila, Aer. formicans and Aer. liquefaciens using oxytetracycline as reference antibiotic. Of all cyanobacterial samples, only ethyl acetate extracts of A. variabilis and A. circinalis were proved to be the most effective against all tested Aeromonas species. Bioautographic investigation for 13 organic solvent systems indicate that the spot with Rf = 0.79 for A. variabilis and that of Rf = 0.84 for A. circinalis were the most effective. The median lethal doses (LD50) for the purified antibacterial compounds against mice were 246.67 and 231.67 mg/kg for that extracted from A. variabilis and A. circinalis, respectively.