Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management strategy evaluation for rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, off Victoria, Australia: Accounting for uncertainty in stock structure

Abstract The management strategy evaluation (MSE) approach was used to evaluate management strategies based on the current method of stock assessment for rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) off Victoria, Australia, and decision rules inferred from the management plan for Victorian rock lobster and past practice when selecting total allowable catches, TACs. The results are expressed in terms of whether it is possible to keep stocks above limit reference points with high probability and recover over‐exploited stocks to the target level. Three categories of management strategy were examined using the MSE, which differed in whether assessments were conducted, and TACs set, by management zone or by region within management zone. A management strategy based on conducting assessments and setting TACs by management zone is most similar to the way assessments are currently conducted and management regulations implemented for rock lobster off Victoria. However, this management strategy performed poorest in recovering stocks to target levels. Alternative management strategies which involved conducting assessments and setting TACs by region performed better, but may have practical limitations. The assessment method was found to be generally relatively accurate and precise, although estimation performance was poor/imprecise on occasion.
Divergence of β-Myosin Heavy Chain (βMHC) Expression in Fetal Rat Cardiomyocytesin Vitroand Adult Rat Heartin Vivo

Abstract The myosin heavy chain gene products are an important determinant of myocardial functional properties. Although a strong positive element (βf1) within the βMHC promoter region has previously been identified, to date no species comparisons in promoter strength have been made. To examine this question, we have used βMHC deletion constructs, containing the rat or human βf1 enhancer region, to determine expression both in vitro using rat fetal cardiomyocytes and in vivo by direct injection into adult rat heart. When reporter constructs were transfected into cultured fetal rat cardiomyocytes, the human β reporter was expressed more than 3 fold above the equivalent rat construct. Exchange of the βf1 enhancer indicated that the human sequence of the βf1 enhancer was largely responsible. However, these findings were not replicated when the reporters were injected into the adult rat heart. In the adult myocardium the levels of reporter expression were similar for the βMHC promoter reporters studied. These findings demonstrate a divergence between primary cardiomyocytes maintained in culture and the cardiomyocytes found within the intact adult heart.
Calidad bacteriológica de la leche cruda de cabra producida en la parroquia Faría, municipio Miranda, estado Zulia, Venezuela Bacteriological quality of raw goat milk produced in Faría parish, Miranda Municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela

Type and number of bacteria in milk at farm level is associated with sanitary management conditions of both, farm and animals which affects its microbiological quality. With the objective of studying the bacteriological qualiy of raw goat milk produced in the Faria civil parish, Miranda Municipality of Zulia State, 100 milk samples were collected directly from both nipples of 50 goats belonging to 10 farms and 10 samples from the milk pool of each of such farms. In the nipple samples bacteria were identified by biochemical tests while in the pool samples counts of Mesophilic Aerobic (MA), Total Coliform (TC), Psychrophilic (PS), Thermophilic (TER) and Thermoduric (TED) bacteria were performed according to APHA methods. Coliforms in these pool samples were also identified by biochemical tests. Bacteria genus aisolated from nipples were: Staphylococci sp. 54.84% from which 32.26% were coagulase negative and 22.58% St. aureus, Streptococcus 22.58% from which 19.35% were Streptococcus sp. and 3.23% were Str. agalactiae, Micrococcus 16.13% and Pseudomonas 6.45%. Average pool sample counts were: 1.8x107, 8.3x105, 2.5x103, 1.8x104 and 1.1x104 (ufc.mL-1) for MA, TC, PS, TER and TED respectively. Coliforms found were: E. coli 40%, Enterobacter sakazakii 25%, Citrobacter spp. 20%, Enterobacter spp.10% and Klebsiella 5%. From these results we concluded that in the milk of the farms tested, representatives of the Faria civil parish predominates bacteria species associated with intramammary infections. Elevated bacteria counts evidence a low bacteriological quality of this goat milk therefore making its use for raw milk fresh cheesemaking unsafe and risky for public health.
Essential fatty acid requirements of larval gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata (L.)

Two experiments were carried out to study the effect of n-3 HUFA levels in rotifers on survival, growth, activity and fatty acid composition of gilthead bream, Sparus aurata (L.), larvae. From the third to the 15th day after hatching, gilthead bream larvae received one of the three kinds of rotifers containing different percentages of n–3 HUFA. Moisture, crude lipid, saponifiable matter and fatty acid composition of total lipids of rotifers and larvae were determined. A good correlation was found between larval growth and n–3 HUFA levels in rotifers. Larval survival was also significantly improved by the elevation of the n–3 HUFA levels in rotifers. A high occurrence of hydrops was registered in larvae fed with EFA-deficient rotifers. The n–3 HUFA levels in the larvae were increased by the elevation of n–3 HUFA contents in rotifers. However, n–9 fatty acids in the larvae remained almost constant, regardless of the different 18:1n–9 contents in rotifers. Therefore, the ratio of oleic acid to n–3 HUFA, known to be an indicator of the EFA deficiency in fish, was reduced by the elevation of the n–3 HUFA levels in rotifers.
Palm snorkelling: leaf bases as aeration structures in the mangrove palm (Nypa fruticans)

Mangrove species have evolved specialized structures, such as pneumatophores, to supply oxygen to the roots, but, in Nypa fruticans, the only mangrove palm, no such structure has been reported. This study aimed to determine the adaptations of N. fruticans to the mangal habitat with special reference to the air-supplying structure. Following senescence, the rachis is abscised at the zone of junction with the leaf base. Simultaneously, lenticels develop so that, when abscission is completed, a network of mature lenticels covers the leaf base. Expansigenous aerenchyma with increasing porosity towards the stem junction occurs in the leaf base. The first two root branching orders present a subero-lignified rhizodermis and exodermis, and the cortex consists of schizo-lysigenous aerenchyma with wide lacuna, limiting radial oxygen loss and facilitating longitudinal oxygen transport to living tissues. Lifespan estimation suggests that leaf bases can live for up to 4 years following abscission, ensuring the persistence of aeration structures. This study provides structural evidence indicating that N. fruticans has evolved a unique type of air-supplying structure in the mangal habitat. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 174, 257–270.
Pseudomonas fuscovaginae sp. nov., nom. rev.

The name Pseudomonas fuscovaginae Tanii, Miyajima and Akita 1976 was omitted from the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. Therefore, this name is here revived for the organism to which it originally referred. The cells of strains of this species are aerobic, gram negative, and rod shaped with polar flagella. They oxidize glucose in oxidation-fermentation medium, and they produce a green fluorescent pigment, oxidase, and arginine dihydrolase. Denitrification, β-glucosi-dase, pit formation on polypectate gel and growth at 37°C are negative. Characteristics that distinguish this species from other fluorescent pseudomonads which are positive for arginine dihydrolase and oxidase are its ability to produce a hypersensitivity reaction in tobacco plants and its inability to utilize 2-ketogluconate or inositol. These bacteria were pathogenic to Oryza sativa and eight other species of the Gramineae. The type strain is NCPPB 3085 (= PDDCC 5940).
Length of herring larvae in relation to age and time of hatching

The lengths of newly hatched herring Clupea harengus larvae were generally larger than the lengths of embryos released from eggs on the same day. Over subsequent days, the daily increase in length was higher in groups that were released from the eggs as opposed to groups that hatched naturally. Thus by the end of the hatching period (18 days after fertilization) there were no significant differences in mean lengths.
Multi‐scale analysis of plant species richness in Serengeti grasslands

Aim To assess scale dependence between environmental factors and plant species richness. Additionally, we aimed to identify the scales at which niche relations and habitat heterogeneity, as hypothesized by A. Shmida & M.V. Wilson (1985)Journal of Biogeography, 12, 1–20, operate in the savanna grasslands that were the focus of this study.
Isolation and characterization of a novel Enterococcus faecalis bacteriophage φEF24C as a therapeutic candidate

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) has become a significant threat in nosocomial settings. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is frequently proposed as a potential alternative therapy for infections caused by this bacterium. To search for candidate therapeutic phages against Enterococcus faecalis infections, 30 Enterococcus faecalis phages were isolated from the environment. One of these, virulent phage φEF24C, which has a broad host range, was selected for analysis. The plaque-forming ability of φEF24C was virtually unaffected by differences in the clinical host strains. Furthermore, the phage had a shorter latent period and a larger burst size than ordinary tailed phages, indicating that φEF24C has effective lytic activity against many Enterococcus faecalis strains, including VRE. Morphological and genomic analyses revealed that φEF24C is a large myovirus (classified as family Myoviridae morphotype A1) with a linear double-stranded DNA genome of c . 143 kbp. Analyses of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the virion proteins, together with the morphology and the genome size, speculated that φEF24C is closely related to other myoviruses of Gram-positive bacteria that have been used experimentally or practically for therapy or prophylaxis. Considering these results, φEF24C may be a potential candidate therapeutic phage against Enterococcus faecalis infections.
Inhibition of NF-κB Activation by Peptides Targeting NF-κB Essential Modulator (NEMO) Oligomerization*

NF-κB essential modulator/IKK-γ (NEMO/IKK-γ) plays a key role in the activation of the NF-κB pathway in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Previous studies suggested that the signal-dependent activation of the IKK complex involves the trimerization of NEMO. The minimal oligomerization domain of this protein consists of two coiled-coil subdomains named Coiled-coil 2 (CC2) and leucine zipper (LZ) (Agou, F., Traincard, F., Vinolo, E., Courtois, G., Yamaoka, S., Israel, A., and Veron, M. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 27861–27869). To search for drugs inhibiting NF-κB activation, we have rationally designed cell-permeable peptides corresponding to the CC2 and LZ subdomains that mimic the contact areas between NEMO subunits. The peptides were tagged with the Antennapedia/Penetratin motif and delivered to cells prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Peptide transduction was monitored by fluorescence-activated cell sorter, and their effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation was quantified using an NF-κB-dependent β-galactosidase assay in stably transfected pre-B 70Z/3 lymphocytes. We show that the peptides corresponding to the LZ and CC2 subdomains inhibit NF-κB activation with an IC50 in the μm range. Control peptides, including mutated CC2 and LZ peptides and a heterologous coiled-coil peptide, had no inhibitory effect. The designed peptides are able to induce cell death in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells exhibiting constitutive NF-κB activity. Our results provide the “proof of concept” for a new and promising strategy for the inhibition of NF-κB pathway activation through targeting the oligomerization state of the NEMO protein.
The external ear: More attention to detail may aid syndrome diagnosis and contribute answers to embryological questions

The human pinna has a complex shape and yet the basic components of normal structure are remarkably constant between individuals. It is precocious in its appearance during embryogenesis and it has been subject to many developmental and surgical studies, yet questions remain as to its primary embryogenesis and the causes of its malformations. Unfortunately, the vast majority of clinical reports of syndromes and of individuals with dysmorphic signs provide limited and inadequate description of the external ear. Given the intricate pattern of the pinna, and hence its potential for morphological variation, we think that more attention to the specific description of ear anomalies may lead to a better appreciation of the etiology and embryology of the malformations. Furthermore, in some cases correlation with specific syndromes may provide an aid to diagnosis. Towards those ends this paper reviews some of the controversy concerning the embryology of the pinna, and discusses a number of the better‐defined anomalies of the external ear. Although it has been suggested that anomalies of the insertion and orientation of intrinsic muscles of the pinna may be responsible for variations in external ear morphology, we think it likely that in many cases the anomalous insertions may be secondary. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Water Status Changes During Development in Relation to the Germination and Desiccation Tolerance of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Seeds

Abstract Seed growth characteristics of Aesculus hippocastanum were examined in detail during development from about 70 to 140 d after anthesis (DAA), mainly in 1988 and 1989. Mean fresh and dry weights increased for both the axis and the whole seed up to the time of peak seed fall at 135 DAA with no cessation before fruit abscission. Water per seed increased up to 100 DAA, after which no further increase occurred; moisture content declined for the embryonic axis and whole seed respectively from above 75 and 65% at 95 DAA to 65 and 50% at 130 DAA. At fruit shedding in 1990 water potential values of -1·2, -2·6 and -1·1 MPa were observed for the testa, cotyledon and axis tissues respectively; relevant sorption isotherms are presented. Decreases in seed moisture content during development were accompanied by increases in desiccation tolerance and in germinability, both reaching their maximum at the time of peak seed fall. At maturity, only about 10% viability was retained on drying seed to 20% moisture content; it is confirmed that the seeds are 'recalcitrant'. The exact relationship between moisture content and germination during development was dependent on the dept of dormancy, as judged by the period of chilling required; each duration of chilling at 2°C within the range 3-12 weeks yields a curve of sigmoid shape. No germination occurred at 26°C without chilling, but nearly full germination can be observed for samples collected at 6 weeks before maximum seed fall with 12 weeks chilling. The rate of moisture loss during desiccation at 15°C and 15% rh becomes reduced during development. The ontogeny of these 'recalcitrant' seeds is compared with that of 'orthodox' seeded species and the implication of sigmoid-shaped curves for the relationship between seed moisture content and germination are considered.
Role of Encapsulation in Invertebrate Life Histories

Many benthic marine invertebrate species have mixed life histories, in which larvae emerge into the plankton to continue their development after a relatively short period of encapsulation. In such cases, the benefits of encapsulation are not obvious and are considered here. A simple probability argument is constructed which suggests that even a short period of encapsulation can significantly reduce mortality during mixed development if daily mortality rates in the plankton are below some critical level. Survival benefits of even short periods of encapsulation would be augmented further if free-living larvae were less susceptible to mortality than were free-living embryos. Encapsulation may reduce developmental mortality in mixed life cycles simply by retaining developmental stages until they are better able to avoid planktonic and benthic predation.
Karyology and cytophotometric estimation of inter- and intraspecific nuclear DNA variation in four species of Porphyra (Rhodophyta)

Abstract A cytogenetic investigation of four Porphyra species (Rhodophyta) from the temperate and tropical western Atlantic indicates that P. leucosticta Thuret in Le Jolis and P. spiralis Oliveira Filho et Coli var. amplifolia Oliveira Filho et Coli include populations with three and four chromosomes. Microspectrophotometry with the DNA-localizing fluorochrome hydroethidine was used to estimate nuclear genome sizes. Relative fluorescence (If) values for the angiosperms Antirrhinum majus Linnaeus and Arabidopsis thaliana (Linnaeus) Heynhold, and the green seaweed Cladophora albida (Hudson) Kutzing were plotted against their known DNA contents in order to derive a standard line. Mean nuclear DNA (If) values for Porphyra spermatia were extrapolated to obtain estimates of their genome sizes. The results indicate a narrow range of relatively small values (0.93–1.18 pg/2 C genome) in the isolates that were examined. Similarities in nuclear genome size for both three-and four-chromosome populations of P. leucos.
Clines revisited: The timing of pupping in the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina)

The regional variation in the pupping season of the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) was reviewed using the birth periods reported for 65 colony sites distributed over a range from 30.4d to 78.5d North latitude. The birth timing of P. v. vitulina was not related to latitude, but birthing in P. v. concolor along eastern North America exhibited a latitudinal cline. The timing of birth in P. v. richardsi varied in three distinct patterns: (1) a significant unidirectional latitudinal cline extending between Baja California and the west coast of Washington; (2) a cluster comprised of Puget Sound, Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia colonies in which birthing occurred an average of 65 days later than on the Washington coast; and (3) a cluster from northern British Columbia and Alaska which did not demonstrate a latitudinal cline. Insufficient data were available for the analysis of P. v. mellonae or P. v. stejnegeri. We found great regional variation in the timing of birth among all colonies, with mean birth dates occurring as early as 15 March and as late as 3 September. Little variation existed north of 50d. To the south of 50d, however, most of the variation could be attributed to correlation with latitude or to affiliation with the Puget Sound, Washington-Vancouver Island, British Columbia geographic area. Clinal variation in pupping could result from: (1) geographic variations in a selective factor with perhaps gene exchange between contiguous populations playing a role in smoothing the variation; or (2) for populations between Mexico and the west coast of Washington, regional variation in a non-selective environmental variable, such as photoperiod.
Studies in Bacterial Chemoreception. I. The Effect of Biogenic Amines and Cannabinoids on Bacterial Chemoreception. II. Chemotactic and Growth Responses of Marine Bacteria to Algal Extracellular Products.

Abstract : The chemotactic response of Pseudomonas fluorescens was significantly enhanced by the stimulants d-1-amphetamine and epinephrine. Acetylcholine, a physiological antagonist of epinephrine, and the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol inhibited bacterial chemotaxis. It may be possible to use bacterial chemotaxis as a bioassay in biochemical studies of drug action. The possibility that planktonic algae possess a 'phycosphere', a zone surrounding them created by the production of extracellular products which may serve as bacterial nutrients, is examined. Bacterial growth in algal cultures to which no additional organic material is added is greatest only as the cultures age and algal cell lysis becomes obvious. Marine bacterial isolates are chemotactic to filtrates from algal cultures, but the response is significant only to filtrates from old cultures. Specific compounds known to occur as algal extracellular products attract bacteria. The validity of the phycosphere concept and its potential importance to marine microorganisms is discussed. (Modified author abstract)
Comparison of a sub-arctic pleistocene glacial outwash plain to modern day arctic glacial outwash plains; does latitude and climate determine depositional processes

COMPARISON OF A SUB-ARCTIC PLEISTOCENE GLACIAL OUTWASH PLAIN TO MODERN DAY ARCTIC GLACIAL OUTWASH PLAINS; DOES LATITUDE AND CLIMATE DETERMINE DEPOSITIONAL PROCESSES Climate affects stream discharge and sediment supply on fluvial fans. Prior studies suggest river discharge, bedrock scouring and rock avalanches increase during glaciation; and river discharge and alpine sediments decrease as channel incision and over-bank flooding increases during an interglacial. A facies model of seven facies in twenty measured stratigraphic sections using Miall’s facies classification scheme was developed. Associations of facies and geometry of deposits were used to identify sedimentary structures in terms of their genetic significance. Gravel facies are interpreted as debris flows and interbedded sandy bedforms on a multi-channel flood plain. Sand facies are interpreted as aggrading channel bars, sandy bedforms and abandoned channels. A comparison of modern day glacial outwash plains at Arctic latitudes to a Pleistocene glacial outwash plain at a sub-arctic latitude demonstrated that mechanisms for producing a model of vertically successive gravel to sand facies are apparently similar enough to determine there is no detectable difference in the depositional processes and that the degree of clast roundness it is not wholly dependent on the length of the proglacial zone but is also influenced by the advance of valley glacial ice to its maxima limiting the length of the proglacial zone. Paul Raymond Troop August 2016 COMPARISON OF A SUB-ARCTIC PLEISTOCENE GLACIAL OUTWASH PLAIN TO MODERN DAY ARCTIC GLACIAL OUTWASH PLAINS; DOES LATITUDE AND CLIMATE DETERMINE DEPOSITIONAL PROCESSES by Paul Raymond Troop A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geology in the College of Science and Mathematics California State University, Fresno August 2016
Regeneration of Zea mays L. from Embryogenic Callus

Regeneration of corn (Zea mays L.) from embryogenic callus of the inbred line A188 was investigated. Immature zygotic embryos cultured on N6 medium in the dark at 25 C produced a friable, embryogenic callus. Maturation of somatic embryos was enhanced by transferring the embryogenic callus after 3 wk to medium containing 6% sucrose and lacking 2,4-D. During the next 1-2 wk, as the somatic embryos developed, the cultures were transferred to light. When appropriately cultured, between 80% and 90% of the zygotic embryo explants produced embryogenic callus and then plants. An average of seven to eight plants was produced from the callus per zygotic embryo; 70%-80% of these plants were phenotypically normal when evaluated at a height of 7-10 cm. Of ca. 100 plants grown to maturity, 90% exhibited a normal phenotype.