Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) extract on growth performance, body composition and haematological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus)

The effect of dietary fluted pumpkin extract on growth, body composition and haematological profile was investigated in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Fingerlings of about 5.23-5.44 g were fed diets supplemented with four concentrations ((2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 gkg−1) of fluted pumpkin extract powder for eight weeks. Fish fed supplemented diets showed significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization over the control (0 gkg−1 fluted pumpkin extract powder) treatment. The highest specific growth rate (0.79±0.10% per day) and best food conversion ratio (0.98±0.14) were obtained in fish fed 2.5 gkg−1 fluted pumpkin extract powder diet. No differences occurred in fish carcass moisture, protein or crude lipid content among the treatments (p>0.05). Similarly no differences occurred in white blood cells among the treatments (p>0.05) but there were greater improvement in the white blood cells of fish fed on dietary fluted pumpkin extract powder compared to the fish fed the control diet. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with fluted pumpkin extract powder improved growth rate, feed utilization, white blood cells and survival of Nile tilapia O. niloticus fingerlings.
Influence of temperature and moisture on growth of Gloeotinia temulenta and infection of annual ryegrass.

ermination, growth, and sporulation of Gloeotinia temulenta increased at temperatures of 5-20 C and then declined. No germination or growth occurred at 30 C. Germination of conidia slowed with decreasing water potential, although 95-100% germination occurred by 24 h at potentials of 0.0 through -4.0 MPa. Radial growth on potato-dextrose agar amended with sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or sucrose declined with decreasing water potentials through -9 to -10 MPa. Conidia were abundant with sucrose as an osmoticum but not with KCl or NaCl (.)
Studies on the integration of sensory information by the nervous system of the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura

Multiple extra‐cellular recording electrodes were used to study information transfer within the nervous system of the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura subsequent to sensory stimulation. Experiments were carried out on minimally dissected whole animals or single arms and photic, mechanical and chemical stimuli were applied in a controlled fashion. Stimuli of all modalities that were above a threshold that could be considered threatening gave rise to activity conducted rapidly (80 cm/sec) and relatively unchanged throughout all radial nerve cords and the circumoral nerve ring. This activity does not produce motor output within the muscular effector systems but appears to produce a state of alert within the animal. Lower levels of stimulation produce activity that is conducted more slowly at about 35 cms/sec and in a decremental fashion. All motor output, whether it is associated with feeding or escape, is driven by this slower conducted activity. There is habituation to repeated stimuli but the timecourse varies.
Autumn Migration Dynamics of the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) at the Reda Mouth (Southern Baltic)

Autumn Migration Dynamics of the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) at the Reda Mouth (Southern Baltic) The study was conducted between 1996 and 2000 at one of the most important stopover sites for waders migrating along the southern Baltic coast. Everyday counts and trapping were performed between mid-July and the end of September. This period covered almost the whole period of adult migration, and a little more than a half of the total period of passage of juveniles. The majority of adults passed the study area between mid-July and the third decade of August. After this period adults were still observed among migrated Dunlins, but their number was rather small. In all seasons except 1996 second-year Dunlins migrated earlier than older birds, however migration periods of both groups overlapped to a large extent. First juveniles were recorded among migrating Dunlins as early as in the second decade of July. They belonged to the Baltic subspecies C. a. schinzii. The number of juveniles showed conspicuous increase not earlier than in the last decade of August, when birds of C. a. alpina arrived. The intra-seasonal changes in numbers of adults and juveniles showed a clear wavy structure. Two waves seem to be the most common pattern of juvenile migration in the Baltic area. Different factors which might influence the observed variation of migration patterns are discussed. Among them the most important aspects seem to be differences in migration timing between adult males and females and different geographical populations. Also local environmental conditions and weather situation on a route preceding a particular study site might influence the migration timing.
Effects of extrusion cooking on the dietary fibre content and Water Solubility Index of wheat bran extrudates

Summary Instant study was an attempt to elucidate the suitability of wheat bran for extrusion cooking and to check the effect of different extrusion parameters on the dietary fibre profile as well as on water solubility index. Response surface methodology was used to optimise the extrusion parameters. From results, it was concluded that extrusion cooking had a positive effect on total and soluble dietary fibre. Whilst the insoluble dietary fibre decreased appreciably with the varying processing parameters, the decrease in insoluble fibre and increase in soluble fibre were probably due to disruption of covalent and noncovalent bonds in the carbohydrate and protein moieties leading to smaller and more soluble molecular fragments. Additionally, water solubility index was greatly enhanced by varying extrusion temperature and screw speed. Conclusively, the findings suggest the usefulness of extrusion cooking to beneficially modify the wheat bran for value addition.
The Use of the Prague Classification System in the Reporting of Barrett’s Surveillance Endoscopies

Aims: The Prague classification for the reporting of Barrett’s oesophagus has been validated in previous studies and is recommended by the British Society of Gastroenterologists (BSG) in their latest guidelines. In this short study we aim to audit the adherence to the use of this system in endoscopy reports produced in a busy teaching hospital in the UK. Methods: We retrospectively audited all the reports for endoscopies performed as surveillance for patients with known Barrett’s oesophagus within a six month period. These reports were examined as to whether or not the Prague classification system was employed. Results: Sixty-seven reports were inspected and six were excluded as Barrett’s was not seen. Twenty-six of the 61 reports studied (43%) used the Prague classification system. The remainder used descriptions and length measurements felt appropriate by the endoscopist. Conclusions: The BSG guidelines emphasise the importance of measuring Barrett’s using a standard methodology. The rationale for this include aiding communication, increasing the level of diagnostic confidence and providing an estimate of the risk of adenocarcinoma development based on segment length. The use of the Prague classification is validated, explicit and consensus driven. Short Research Article Bodington and Jaunoo; BJMMR, 13(10): 1-4, 2016; Article no.BJMMR. 24283 2 However our study demonstrates that only 43% of endoscopy reports use the Prague system. The reason for this lack of adherence is unclear and may benefit from further study.
The Value of Offshore Secrets – Evidence from the Panama Papers

We exploit one of the largest data leaks to date to study whether and how firms use secret offshore vehicles. From the leaked data, we identify 338 listed firms as users of secret offshore vehicles and document that these vehicles are used to finance corruption, avoid taxes, and expropriate shareholders. Overall, the leak erased $174 billion in market capitalization among implicated firms. Following the increased transparency brought about by the leak, implicated firms experience lower sales from perceptively corrupt countries and avoid less tax. We estimate conservatively that one in seven firms have offshore secrets.
Dietary Mixing in a Generalist Herbivore: Tests of Two Hypotheses

It has been demonstrated in several taxa that generalists grow better when they ingest a mixed diet than when they are restricted to just one or two items, but there are few cases that provide definitive evidence for how this benefit is achieved. Two hypotheses are addressed concerning the possible benefits of feeding on a variety of foods: (1) mixing foods increases the quality of the overall diet by improving the nutrient balance and (2) mixing improves the diet due to dilution of any one plant secondary compound. The generalist grasshopper Schistocerca americana was used in a series of experiments distinguish between the two hypotheses. Experiments using artificial foods with complementary nutrients demonstrated that dietary mixing improves growth while the amount ingested is decreased. Nutritionally identical foods with differing plant secondary compounds led to different growth rates, but insects able to mix generally grew at intermediate rates. Experiments with domestic or wild plant mixtures gave results generally closer to the pattern found with complementary nutrients than the pattern found with differing poisons, but both hypotheses are supported to some extent.
The role of fungi in weathering

No rock at the Earth's surface escapes weathering. This process is the primary source of all the essential elements for organisms, except nitrogen and carbon. Since the onset of terrestrial life, weathering has been accelerated under the influence of biota. The study of biological weathering started at the end of the 19th century. Although the role of bacteria (Eubacteria, Archaea) has attracted a lot of interest, until recently the role of fungi has largely been neglected. More recently, however, fungal weathering has become an increasingly important focus of biogeochemical research.
Population structure and dynamics of Orchestia montagui (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in the Bizerte lagoon (northern Tunisia)

Abstract The population structure and dynamics of Orchestia montagui Audouin, 1826 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae) were studied from the supralittoral zone of Bizerte lagoon for 1 year. Monthly field surveys were performed from July 2006 to June 2007. Individuals sampled were categorized by sex, size and abundance on each sampling date. Abundance varied during the study period, with a noticeable decrease in November. Ovigerous females were found throughout the year. The sex ratio changed throughout the year but, overall, the population was male biased. Analysis of the size frequency polymodal distribution suggested the presence of six cohorts on the first sampling date and 10 new ones during the next 11 months. Lifespan was estimated at 6–7 months. Cohorts born in summer and autumn tend to live longer than those born in winter. At this study site, O. montagui appeared as a semiannual species, with iteroparous females producing at least two broods, and exhibited a bivoltine life cycle.
Response of Spawning Lake Sturgeons to Change in Hydroelectric Facility Operation

Abstract Spawning of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens was documented from 1987 to 1992 below the Prickett hydroelectric facility on the Sturgeon River, a tributary to Portage Lake, Michigan. Lake sturgeons were captured at the spawning site with dip nets during periods of reduced flow. A change in the spawning characteristics of the population was noted that corresponded to a change in the operation of the hydroelectric facility. In 1987 and 1988 the facility operated in a peaking mode, which resulted in large daily fluctuations in river flows. The years 1989 and 1990 were years of transition, and in 1991 and 1992 the facility released near run-of-the-river (ROR) flows. Under near-ROR flows, which were more natural, adult lake sturgeons spent 4–6 weeks less at the spawning sites, 74% more fish were observed, weights were greater due to a 68% increase in number of females, and fish had increased reproductive readiness. The change in flow regime was the result of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rel.
Olfactory preferences in newborn lambs: possible influence of prenatal experience.

The present study examined whether prenatal chemosensory experience influenced chemosensory-based orientation behaviour in newly-born lambs. Two experimental strategies were developed in order: (i) to analyse the responsiveness of lambs to odours extracted from the prenatal environment (experiments 1 and 4) and to odours their were never exposed to (experiment 2), and (ii) to analyse the neonatal consequences of a prenatal exposure to a novel odorant (experiment 3). In experiment 1, when simultaneously presented with amniotic fluid (AF) and distilled water in a double-choice test, lambs displayed a clear attraction to AF. In experiment 3, two groups of lambs received differing exposure to citral in utero: group I lambs were born to ewes fed a citral diet and group 2 lambs were born to ewes never exposed to citral (CI). They were assessed in a double-choice test contrasting CI and AF (experiment 2 indicates that CI was neither attractive nor aversive in naive lambs). Although control lambs showed a clear preference for AF over CI, those exposed to CI prenatally did not orient discriminately to either stimulus, suggesting that prenatal experience with CI may alter postnatal responsiveness to it. Experiment 4 tested the ability of lambs to discriminate between the chemosensory qualities of samples of own vs alien AF; lambs oriented preferentially to their own AF. These findings suggest that prenatal chemosensory experience may be stored by lambs for some time after birth and influence their search behaviour.
Effect of photoinhibition during bottle incubations on the measurement of seasonal primary production in a shallow coastal water

Primary productivity in Vineyard Sound. Massachusetts (USA), a shallow well-mixed coastal water, was determined at monthly intervals during May-October. 1981. Over the course of each study day fresh samples first were obtained at 3 h intervals and then incubated until sunset with timecourse measurements of Hl4C0; uptake made at frequent intervals. Two seasonal patterns of 14C uptake were apparent. First, rapid initial uptake of I4C over each incubation during the spring and fall was followed by reduced uptake during periods of strong sunlight. The duration over which rapid uptake was sustained was a function of the prevailing light intensity at the start of the incubation. Under these conditions estimates of near surface primary productivity based on summing total production over the first 3 h of each back to back incubation were higher by 50 to 130 % than estimates based on single end-point measurements from full-day incubations. During summer, however, uptake of I4C was linear throughout each incubation when both total daily irrad~ation and temperature were maximal so that the 2 techniques for estimating productivity led to comparable results. The reasons for these seasonal differences in the pattern of I4C uptake are unclear, but may be related to changes in temperature or phytoplankton species, or both. Our results for a shallow well-mixed water are in general accord with the conclusion of Harns (1980) that when vertical mixing is sufficient to prevent prolonged exposure of phytoplankton to photoinhibiting light intensities at the surface, photoinhibition could be far more pronounced during a bottle incubation than is occurring in the water column.
REVIEW: FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIATION OF CELLS IN THE ANTERIOR AND INTERMEDIATE PITUITARY GLANDS

Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated that in the adult rat and human anterior pituitary glands that one cell might be devoted to the production of one hormone with the exception of FSH and LH. In addition, the intermediate lobe cells are exclusively positive for ACTH. In studies of rat and human fetal pituitary glands, ACTH was the first hormone to appear in both anterior and intermediate cells, followed by other hormone-producing cells. As the hypothalamic tropic hormones appear later than the corresponding pituitary hormones, it was considered that the pituitary cells might differentiate toward hormone production independently of the hypothalamus and that hypothalamic tropic factors might be necessary to maintain or promote hormone production. This is supported by studies on human anencephalic pituitaries and cultured rat pituitary primordial cells.
Feeding mechanisms in conodonts and the function of the earliest vertebrate hard tissues

The outcome of the debate over conodont feeding mechanisms has important implications for hypotheses of early vertebrate relations and the evolution of vertebrate hard tissues. The lack of consensus regarding feeding and element function stems from the lack of thorough testing of functional hypotheses. The results of analysis of conodont skeletal ontogeny demonstrate that conodonts were not suspension feeders and support hypotheses of a toothlike function.
Molecular identification and distribution of mangrove oysters ( Crassostrea) in an estuarine ecosystem in Southeast Brazil: implications for aquaculture and fisheries management

This study investigated the existing species of Crassostrea in the natural environment, farming systems and artificial spat collectors at a protected estuarine area in Brazil, through PCR-RFLP of mitochondrial 16S rRNA. Among 450 samples collected in the natural environment, 303 were C. brasiliana and 147 C. rhizophorae. Oysters present in the rocky subtidal zone were C. brasiliana. However, both species occurred on mangrove roots in the intertidal zone. Farm-raised samples included only C. brasiliana. It was observed that attached specimens in commercial collectors had a banding pattern distinct from C. brasiliana and C. rhizophorae, indicating the presence of a third species in the estuary. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that these specimens are clustered with the oysters from Pacific and Indian Oceans, and genetically close to the oysters of Beihai, China (0.3% genetic distance). Oysters obtained from the seed capture showed 17.8% distance of in relation to C. brasiliana, 17.6% for C. rhizophorae and 10.3% for C. gigas, demonstrating high genetic divergence from these species. The occurrence of an exotic species in the Cananeia estuary may have strong ecological and economic implications which require new guidelines for farming, conservation and sustainable fisheries management for the native oyster species.
Life Cycle and Secondary Production of Mayflies and Stoneflies in a Karstic Spring in the West Carpathians

This study focused on life strategies of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera species found in a karstic spring stream at the Malé Karpaty Mts. (West Carpathians, Slovakia), which is characterized by low thermal fluctuations throughout the year (6–10 °C). We examined the life cycle and secondary production of three mayfly species (Baetis alpinus, Baetis rhodani and Rhithrogena semicolorata) and three stonefly species (Protonemura nitida, Protonemura hrabei and Nemurella pictetii). We found an unusually slow univoltine cycle for P. nitida and an asynchronous life cycle for B. alpinus, with first-stage nymphs occurring almost all year round. Uncommonly low abundances of B. rhodani were found, which indicates that the population lives at its ecological limit. Moreover, for the first time we acquired and analysed the data on secondary production of P. nitida, which reached the highest values (3335 mg DW m-2 y-1) among all investigated species. In summary, the total annual secondary production of the mayfly community (889 mg DW m-2 y-1) was seven times lower than the annual secondary production of the stonefly community (6233 mg DW m-2 y-1).
Effects of Dietary Fiber and Benzoic Acid on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Reduction of Harmful Gases, and Lipid Profiles in Growing Pigs

Abstract We assessed the possibly synergistic effects of dietary fiber (DF) and benzoic acid (BA) in growingfinishing pigs. In total, 96 growing pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 22.82 (±0.24) kg were selected and provided the dietary supplements based on their BW in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment, with the respective factors being fiber (low vs. high; 140 g/kg, 160 g/kg NSP, respectively) and BA (0, 5 g/kg benzoic acid) in six replicate pens consisting of four pigs per pen. Sugar beet pulp was used as a DF source, at 50 g/kg of the diet. All diets were formulated to contain 14.44 ME MJ/kg and 190 g/kg CP. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and reduction of harmful gases and serum metabolites. There was no significant difference in feed intake and weight gains during treatments. Fiber levels and benzoic acid addition did not affect the dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy digestibility. Also, no interaction was found between fiber level and benzoic acid treatment. There was no difference in NH3, but RSH and H2S gases emissions show significant reduction with fiber and benzoic acid treatment. Serum metabolites, including lipoprotein and cholesterol, were also apparently unaffected by these treatments. Thus, the addition of 50 g sugar beet pulp per kg of growing feed as a DF source and the addition of BA had no significant impact on the growth performance of pigs during the growth period.
Antimicrobial Activity of Senna alata Linn.

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and organic extracts of the roots and leaves of Senna alata were studied using the cup plate agar diffusion method. All the extracts demonstrated considerable activity against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and some fungi with the organic extracts showing higher activity than the aqueous extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the methanol extracts ranged between 6-20 mg/ml and 25-100 mg/ml for bacteria and fungi respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the extracts contained tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids and phenols. The results obtained show the basis for the local usage of S. alata Linn as an antimicrobial. Keywords : Senna alata, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical analysis, antibiotics East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Studies Vol. 10 (1) 2007: pp. 17-21
Melanins and melanogenesis

An introduction to melanin research melanin producing cells tyrosinase natural and synthetic melanins eumelanins neuromelanin pheomelanins and trichochromes pigment cell metabolism - enzymatic and chemical control genetic and hormonal regulation of melanogenesis photobiology and photochemistry of melanogenesis.