Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the decrease in photosynthesis on desiccation of mosses from xeric and hydric environments

Three moss species [Tortula ruraliformis (Besch.) Grout. Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) Schaegr and Dicranella palustris (Dicks.) Crund. ex. E. F. Warb. (D. squarrosa (Starke) Schp. ] collected from a range of habitats differing in water availability were desiccated in controlled conditions. All species became photosynthetically inactive when dried below a water content of 100–200% dry weight. Only Tortula ruraliformis, a moss from arid sand dunes. was able to recover fully to pre-desiccated rates of photosynthetic electron transport during subsequent rehydration. The rate of recovery was influenced by irradiance during desiccation. Mosses from hydric habitats showed some resumption of photosynthetic electron transport (following rehydration) if dried in the dark. but did not do so if dried even in low light. In these circumstances the mosses showed evidence of lasting photoinhibition of photosynthesis after rehydration. The desiccation-tolerant T. ruraliformis became significantly photoinhibited only when continually exposed to high irradiance (1200 μmol m−2 s−1) in the hydrated state. If allowed to desiccate whilst exposed to high irradiance this species showed less evidence of photoinhibition after rehydration, and was not at all affected by desiccation in low irradiance. Photon flux absorption in dry moss was 50–60% less than that in hydrated moss as a result of leaf curling. However, the reduction in absorption of photosynthetically active radiation cannot account for the total loss of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and variable chlorophyll fluorescence observed in the desiccated mosses.
Algal sedimentation in relation to phytoplankton periodicity in Rostherne Mere

Algal remains recovered from sediment traps in Rostherne Mere, Cheshire, broadly reflected the phytoplankton periodicity and suggested that the turbulent resuspension of sedimented material occurs infrequently. Quantitative comparisons between the standing crops and the algal fluxes intercepted by sediment traps indicated that the cylindrical traps yielded accurate estimates when operated in weakly turbulent waters but apparently exaggerated the fluxes when operated in turbulent conditions.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis of slender salamanders genus Batrachoseps (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), from central coastal California with descriptions of four new species

Plethodontid salamanders of the genus Batrachoseps comprise a clade of morphologically similar, elongate species whose great genetic diversity is being revealed through molecular studies. We used allozymes and mtDNA sequences to study variation in 62 populations from central coastal California, treated most recently as members of the B. pacificus complex. Analyses of mtDNA data identify four lineages that are well differentiated from each other and do not form a monophyletic group. Instead, the central coastal lineages are multiply paraphyletic with respect to the southern California members of the pacificus group. Marked allozymic differences show that these four lineages are strongly differentiated, although some limited gene exchange may have occurred in the past. Each lineage is also morphologically distinctive, but the differences between them are subtle. Because these lineages appear to be evolving independently, we describe them as new species: B. luciae, B. incognitus and B. minor, distributed parapatrically from north to south in the Santa Lucia Mountains of coastal Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, and B. gavilanensis, occurring mainly inland from the range of B. luciae, centered on the Gabilan Mountains, but also extending to the Pacific coast at the north end of the range of the complex, along the northern border of Monterey Bay. Although no sympatry is known among any of the new species, B. luciae and B. gavilanensis are narrowly parapatric. Furthermore, all but B. luciae occur in sympatry with other members of the genus in at least a part of their geographic ranges. The new species may have arisen vicariantly with respect both to each other and to related forms in southern California, in part as a result of the dramatic tectonic movements that have characterized the last 15 million years of geological history in western North America.
Relationship between diet composition and body mass index in a group of Spanish adolescents

The dietary patterns of sixty-four adolescents (thirty-seven young men and twenty-seven young women) between 15 and 17 years of age were examined by analysis of food, energy and nutrient ntakes, over a period of 5 d, including a Sunday. Adolescents were dentified for inclusion in two study groups: (1) overweight and obese subjects (O) with a BMI (kg/m2) ≥ 75th percentile, and (2) subjects of normal weight (NW) with BMI < 75th percentile. The study was designed to investigate the differences between the energy and nutrient intakes of NW and O adolescents. No differences were found in energy intake between NW and O adolescents. However, O subjects derived a greater proportion of their energy from proteins (19.8% v 16.4% for NW subjects) and fats (45.4% v. 38.7% for NW subjects), and less from carbohydrates (34.6% v. 44.6% for NW subjects). Also, O subjects consumed significantly larger amounts of cholesterol. In order to prevent obesity and avoid the disorders associated with this condition, it appears necessary not only to regulate energy intake, but also to control the composition of the diet. Given that it is during infancy that feeding habits are developed, it is important to ensure that correct habits are acquired. Special attention should be given to improving the dietary habits of overweight and obese children and adolescents.
Avaliação de variedades de mandioca para consumo humano

This work aimed to select new cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties for human consumption as fresh roots. A total of twenty six varieties were evaluated after eight, ten and twelve months after planting. Parameters were assessed as follow: root productivity, starch, dry matter and cyanide contents, cooking and post-harvest deterioration. Root productivity, starch and dry matter contents varied among varieties and among harvest period. Nearly 81% of the varieties presented cyanide content within the acceptable limits for consumption as fresh roots (less than 100 mg/kg of raw pulp), by the enzymatic method. Only eight varieties presented cooking up to 30 minutes during the experimental evaluation in all harvest period. All varieties tested behaved as susceptible to post-harvest deterioration when stored under environmental conditions. Correlations between starch and dry matter contents (r = 0.9826) and between harvest periods and cooking (r = 0.7304) were positive. Correlation between starch content and cooking was negative (r = -0.0570). Varieties Tres meses and Caiabana were the best for human consumption as fresh roots.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Is Synthesized Endogenously in Lactating Dairy Cows by Δ9-Desaturase

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring anticarcinogen found in milk fat and body fat of ruminants. Although CLA is an intermediate in ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic acid, we hypothesized that its primary source was from endogenous synthesis. This would involve Delta(9)-desaturase and synthesis from trans-11 18:1, another intermediate in ruminal biohydrogenation. Our first experiment supplied lactating cows (n = 3) with trans-11 18:1 by abomasal infusion and examined the potential for endogenous synthesis by measuring changes in milk fat CLA. By d 3, infusion of trans-11 18:1 resulted in a 31% increase in concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat, demonstrating that an active pathway for endogenous synthesis of CLA exists. Our second experiment examined the quantitative importance of endogenous synthesis of CLA in lactating cows (n = 3) by abomasally infusing a putative stimulator (retinol palmitate) or an inhibitor (sterculic oil) of Delta(9)-desaturase. Infusion of retinol palmitate had no influence on milk fatty acid desaturation, and yield of CLA in milk fat was not altered. However, sterculic oil infusion decreased the concentration of CLA in milk fat by 45%. Consistent with Delta(9)-desaturase inhibition, the sterculic oil treatment also altered the milk fat concentration of other Delta(9)-desaturase products as indicated by the two- to threefold increase in the ratios of 14:0 to 14:1(,) 16:0 to 16:1 and 18:0 to cis-18:1. Using changes in the ratio of 14:0 to 14:1 as an indication of the extent of Delta(9)-desaturase inhibition with the sterculic oil treatment, an estimated 64% of the CLA in milk fat was of endogenous origin. Overall, results demonstrate that endogenous synthesis of CLA from trans-11 18:1 represented the primary source of CLA in milk fat of lactating cows.
Infection process of Bipolaris sorokiniana on wheat leaves is affected by silicon

The supply of silicon (Si) to wheat plants may potentiate their resistance against infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana. Considering that there is no information regarding how Si affects the infectious process of this fungus on wheat leaves, this study intended to investigate, using light and scanning electron microscopy, the effects of Si supply on the infection process of B. sorokiniana on wheat leaves at tissue level. For that, leaf segments of -Si and +Si plants were prepared. The number of necrotic brown cells and the degree of browning of necrotic cells were determined for each infection site. As results, it was found that the number of brown epidermal cells and the frequency of infection sites showing browning were significantly lower on leaves of +Si plants. On the leaves of -Si plants, an intense dissolution of the wax layer also occurred and hyphae were found inside the disorganized epidermal cells. On leaves of +Si plants, degradation of the wax layer was observed only in areas close to conidia. Within 96 hours after inoculation, a dense network of hyphae had colonized the leaf surface of -Si plants, in striking contrast to +Si plants, for which only sparse hyphae were found.
Effect of T3 or T4 challenge on inner‐ and outer‐ring deiodination of T3 and T4 in the liver, kidney, and gill of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The effects of feeding 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3)- and L-thyroxine (T4)-supplemented diets for 3 days on the plasma T3 and T4 concentrations and on the plasma outerring (5′D) and inner-ring (5D) deiodination of T4 and T3 were studied in vitro for the liver, gill, and kidney of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at 12°C. Trout were sampled 24 hr after their last meal. T3 treatment increased plasma T3 but did not alter plasma T4. T4 treatment did not alter plasma T3 or T4. In untreated trout, T45′D activity to form T3 occurred in all 3 tissues; T45D activity to form 3,3′,5′-T3 (rT3) was not significant, T35D activity to form 3,3′-T2 (diiodo-L-thyronine) was low, and T35′D activity to form 3,5-T2 was barely detectable. A low-Km T45′D (T4 concentration = 0.65 nM) was confirmed in liver and gill, and a high-Km T45′D (T4 concentration = 12 nM) was confirmed in liver and kidney. For liver, T3 feeding depressed both low-Km and high-Km T45′D isozymes, but induced T45D and T35D; T4 feeding depressed only the high-Km T45′D and increased T35′D slightly. For gill, T3 feeding depressed the low-Km T45′D and induced T45D; T4 feeding increased T35′D. For kidney, T3 feeding depressed the high-Km T45′d and induced T35′D; T4 feeding depressed the high-Km T45′D and increased T35′D. We conclude that in response to either a T3 or a T4 challenge, trout tissues employ several T3 homeostatic mechanisms. Responses to a T3 challenge included (1) depression of both low-Km and high-Km T45′D activities to decrease production of T3, (2) elevation of T45D activity to direct T4 substrate to rT3, and (3) elevation of T35D activity to degrade T3 to 3,3′-T2. In contrast, responses to a 4-fold greater dietary T4 challenge were restricted primarily to depression of high-Km T45′D activity in the liver and kidney. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SIWALIK BOVID

A detailed systematics of the siwalik Bovids has been worked out as a result of which 20 genera and 33 species have been identified. Of these, 11 species are new to science. These are: Miotragoceurs dhokpathanensis, Pachyportax ginanteus, Selenoportax dhokpathanensis, S. tatrotensis Proamphibos, dhokawanensis, Bublus bathygnathus, Antilope intermedius, Gazella padriensis. 2. Status and position of the Siwalik and some non-Siwalik genera and species has been reviewed and the following changes have been made. i). Sterpsiportax has been synonymised with Miotragoceurs by Solounias( 1981) to which agree. ii). Sterpsiportax chinjiensis has been synonymised with the species . S. gluten. S. gluten has been transferred to the genus Miotragocerus. iii). Tragocerus rugosifrons is removed from Tragocerus and has been transferred to the genus Tragoportax. iv) Tragocerus browni, which had been transferred to Miotragocerus by Gentry (1974) and to Tragoportax by Solounias(1981) has been resurrected. v). Pachyportax latidens var . dhokpathanensis has been regarded as invalid. vi). Selenoportax lydekkeri which was considered doubtful by Gentry (1974) has been regarded as a valid species of the genus. vii) Protragocerus . gluten-praecox (pilgrim) gentry (1974) has been regarded invalid and Helicoportax praecox has been resurrected. viii). Helicoportax, which was synonymised with Protragocerus by gentry (1970), with Miotragocerus by Solounias (1981) has been resurrected. ix) Tragoportax islami which was considered by gentry (1970) to be doubtful, has been regarded as a valid species of the genus Tragoportax. x). The sub-genera Bison( Bison), B. (Simobison), B. (Superbison), B. (Platycerboison), B. (Giantobison) and B. (parabison) may be regarded as invalid and the genus Bison in treated as full genus. 3. The Following material is being described for the first time in following species. i). P2 M1 in Phachyportax latidens. ii). A fragment of the right horn-core in Ruticeros pugio. iii). P4-M1 in Bison sivalensis iv). M1 in Antilope subtorta. 4. Probable evolution, migration and extinction of the Siwalik forms have been discussed. The salient features are: i). Pachyportax originated in Siwalik region. Pachyportax nagrii has been regarded as the most primitive species of the genus. ii). Selenoportax originated in the Siwalik region and S. vexillarius has been regarded as the most primitive species of the genus. iii). Proamphibos originated in Siwalik region. P. lachrymans has been regarded as the most primitive species of the genus. iv). Bubalus originated in the Siwalik region. It is absent Europe and Africa. The hitherto referred material from Africa by Duvernoy(1851), Seeley (1891) and Lonnberg (1933) has been transferred t the genus Pelorovis by Gentry (1978) to which I agree. v). Bison originated in Asia probably in the Siwalik region. Bison crassicornis has been regarded as the most primitive species of the genus vi) Antilope originated in the Siwalik region and A. planiscornis is the most primitive species of the genus.
Studies on the haemopoietic stem cells of mouse foetal liver

Cells obtained from the blood-forming organs of donor animals and injected, under appropriate conditions, into heavily irradiated mice, can colonize, among other organs, the spleen of the hosts, giving rise to discrete and differentiated nodules of haemopoietic tissue (Till & McCulloch, 1961). It has been demonstrated that the number of nodules is directly proportional to the number of injected cells and that such nodules may be regarded as clones arising from single cells (Till & McCulloch, 1961; Becker, McCulloch & Till, 1963). The postulate of classical haematological theories (Maximov & Bloom, 1934; Ferrata, 1935) that a proportion of the cells in blood-forming organs is capable of indefinite division with renewal of the stem line and of differentiation into mature blood cells has thus been experimentally demonstrated. Whether colony-forming cells should actually be regarded as the very primitive stem cells of the haemopoietic tissues (McCulloch, 1963; Lewis & Trobaugh, 1964) or as the earliest step of a differentiative haemopoietic line (Kay & Davies, 1964) has not yet been fully agreed upon.
Age and Growth Parameters of Red Bandfish (Cepola rubescens L., 1766) in İzmir Bay

The age and growth parameters of red bandfish (Cepola rubescens L.,1766) were determined from the specimens collected in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea) between January 1996 and February 1997. Mean length at age data from otolith readings were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation: for females, L\infity=78.48 cm, K=0.17 y-1, to=0.0972 y, W\infity=110.00 g, K=0.10 y-1, to=0.1033 y and for males L\infity= 83.22 cm, K=0.16 y-1, to=0.0888 y ; W\infity=129.83, K=0.0818 y-1, to=-0.4117 y. Length-weight relationships was estimated for males and females to be W=0.07723 L1.11217 and W=0.029154 L1.38434, respectively. The observed mean total length and weight were in accord with the theoretical estimated values. Four distinct age groups in the population of males and five age groups in females were identified.
Effect of dietary nettle extract on pig meat quality

Summary The effect of nettle extract supplement for fattening pig feed on meat quality was assessed on 42 pigs initially weighing about 60 kg and about 110 kg at the end of the experiment. All pigs were fed with a standard finisher feed mixture with no supplement in group I (control) and supplemented with 500 mg or 1000 mg of nettle extract per 1 kg of feed in groups II and III, respectively. Commercial water extract from common nettle containing 5.6 mg of tannins per 1 kg was used as a supplement. The meat of pigs receiving a higher dose of extract contained significantly more protein and less fat than those from both remaining groups. A supplement of nettle extract increased the lightness of meat and stabilized meat color for 6 months of storage at n20∞C. Moreover, it slightly improved meat oxidative stability during frozen storage and raised polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content mainly due to diminishing monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content. It was claimed that water extract from nettle had a positive effect on meat quality improving oxidative stability and the polyunsaturated / saturated fatty acids ratio.
Atmospheric Deposition and Heavy Metal Contamination in an Organic Farming System in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Region of India

Increased consciousness about agricultural sustainability and health risks associated with agrochemicals has lead organic farming to be a globally emerging alternative farm practice. We report the effect of atmospheric deposition on soil quality and heavy metal contamination of agricultural produce under an organic farming system using wheat and corn as test crops. Data obtained in the open field (OFO) were compared with a plastic-covered glass-house-grown system (OFG). The results showed that depositions of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn increased with time. Soil porosity, water holding capacity, microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), alkaline phosphatase, and FDAase activity decreased, whereas the bulk density and contents of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn increased over time in open plots receiving atmospheric deposition. Concentrations of metals in grains in OFO crops exceeded the safe limits of Indian standards and were three to sixfold higher than those recorded in OFG plots. These results indicate that atmospheric deposition of heavy metals can have a destabilizing effect on soil fertility in organic farming and can greatly increase the dietary intake of toxic metals. This may have long–term implications for human health as well as for agricultural sustainability. The data presented here have particular concern for developing countries, where unprecedented urban–industrial growth and consequently increased input fluxes of heavy metals will continue for decades to come.
Developmental specific isozyme expression in peach.

To determine the earliest developmental stage at which isozyme screening could be accomplished, 10 isozyme systems were examined in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] for differential expression during development. Differences in isozyme expression based on stage of development were detected in nine systems. The earliest stage for complete screening of most isozymes examined is in 1-month-old seedlings. The significance of these results relative to genetic mapping is discussed
Resistance to Haustorial Development of Two Mistletoes, Amyema preissii (Miq.) Tieghem and Lysiana exocarpi (Behr.) Tieghem ssp. Exocarpi (Loranthaceae), on Host and Nonhost Species

Seeds of two mistletoe species, Amyema preissii and Lysiana exocarpi, were inoculated onto host and nonhost species, and haustorial development was examined. Resistance to haustorial penetration was observed in the bark and xylem. Bark resistance took one or all of three forms: (1) mechanical resistance; (2) production of wound periderm; and (3) abnormal changes in host tissues surrounding the mistletoe haustorium. Xylem resistance included physical constraints on haustorial growth and abnormal changes in host tissues surrounding the haustorium. Bark resistance to A. preissii occurred on all nonhost species, and mistletoe haustoria failed to penetrate the bark of all nonhost species except Geijera linearifolia. In the latter case, A. preissii haustoria reached host xylem, but further development was hindered by xylem resistance. No resistance was recorded on Acacia nyssophylla, the host species of A. preissii. Bark resistance to L. exocarpi was observed in haustoria growing on the two major host species, Heterodendrum oleifolium and Myoporum platycarpum, and haustorial development on these two species was delayed for up to 3 mo compared with other host species. While no bark resistance was observed in haustoria growing on the three nonhost species, Exocarpos aphyllus, Eucalyptus oleosa, and G. linearifolia, all three species showed resistance by the xylem to haustorial development. No xylem resistance, however, was recorded on the three host species, A. nyssophylla, H. oleifolium, and M. platycarpum.