Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of response to 17β‐estradiol and 17β‐trenbolone among three small fish species

Three small fish species, medaka (Oryzias latipes), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and zebrafish (Danio rerio), were exposed to an estrogen, 17β‐estradiol (E2), and an androgen, 17β‐trenbolone (TB), for 21 d under flow‐through conditions to compare the susceptibility among these three small fish species to the substances. Effects on gross morphology, including secondary sex characteristics and gonadosomatic index, as well as on blood or liver vitellogenin (VTG) levels were assessed. In E2 exposures, significant increases in estrogenic activity were observed in both sexes of all three fish species. The lowest‐observedeffect concentrations (LOECs) of E2 for VTG induction in males of medaka, fathead minnow, and zebrafish were less than or equal to 8.94, 28.6, and 85.9 ng/L, respectively. In TB exposures, we observed masculinization of secondary sex characteristics in females as a result of the androgenic activity of TB in medaka with a LOEC of 365 ng/L and in fathead minnow with a LOEC of 401 ng/L. We also found VTG reduction in females of all three fish species. These results suggest that the susceptibility of medaka to estrogenic chemicals may be higher than those of fathead minnow and zebrafish and that the susceptibility of medaka to androgenic chemicals may be almost equal to that of fathead minnow in the 21‐d fish assay.
In vitro propagation of Heliconia psittacorum through axillary bud

A three-fold increase in length and more than double in breadth of axillary buds of Heliconia psittacorum L. was successfully established in the MS medium with 5.0–6.0 mg/1 BAP, 0.05–0.1 mg/1 1AA and 1.50–2.00 mg/1 GA3. The supplementation of 2.5 mg/1 BAP, 0.2 mg/1 IAA and 2.5 mg/1 GA3 was ideal for initiation of multiple shoots and their multiplication rates. Medium supplemented with 0.75 mg/1 IAA, 0.05 mg/1 NAA gave the maximum rooting response (85%), earliest root initiation (within 21 days) and maximum number of primary (3.70) and secondary (3.90) roots.
The effect of trap colour and trap‐flower distance on prey and pollinator capture in carnivorous Drosera species

Summary The functional features of carnivorous plants’ traps have been mostly interpreted as adaptations to capture prey. Carnivorous plants that feed on insects, however, run the risk that increasing trapping effectiveness might in turn reduce reproductive success through capture of pollinators. Such a pollinator–prey conflict might play an important role in the evolution of trap features. In carnivorous plants with sticky leaves (e.g. Drosera, Pinguicula), both spatial distance between traps and flowers and their visual signals (e.g. colour, display size) likely play a role in attracting prey but it has also been suggested that they affect the risk of potential pollinators landing on a trap. It has been reported, for example, that red pigmentation in carnivorous plants may lure insect prey to traps. This idea remains controversial, however, because colour vision of most insects does not extend very far into the red part of the spectrum. We tested an alternative hypothesis, namely that red pigmentation of the trapping leaves may reduce the risk of a pollinator–prey conflict. Experiments were conducted in a natural habitat of Drosera arcturi and D. spatulata in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Using sticky model traps similar in shape to Drosera leaf traps and flowers, we investigated the effect of colour (green vs. red vs. white) and flower-trap distance (flower stalk length and leaf arrangement, that is upright as in D. arcturi vs. flat ground rosette as in D. spatulata) on composition and abundance of insects landing and being trapped. Flower-trap distance had no significant effect on the risk of pollinators being trapped but model flowers higher above the ground received more pollinator landings. Across all model traps, the number of trapped potential pollinators was significantly lower in traps with red leaves compared to green ones. The results suggest that the typical red pigmentation of the trapping leaves in Drosera may be a way to protect pollinators from being attracted and captured. However, our data also suggest that pollinator protection via red traps may come with a trade-off since total prey capture was also significantly reduced.
Computational study of a bifunctional ent-kaurene synthase from Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp.: an insight into the origin of terpenoid biosynthesis in plants

Abstract Plants produce many terpenoids including gibberellins and many commercially important secondary metabolites. The final steps of terpenoid production involve terpene synthase (TPS) enzymes. The origin of plant TPS is not known; searches for TPS showed their presence in all plant groups except algae. Although many plants have several genes in their genome that encode TPS enzymes, the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp. possesses only one bifunctional ent-kaurene synthase (PpCPS/KS), which produces both 16α-hydroxykaurane and ent-kaurene (the precursor of gibberellins). This protein shares characteristics of two unifunctional TPS of higher plants – ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS) and ent-kaurene synthase (KS). Bifunctional TPS are also found in fungi. In this study, the bifunctional PpCPS/KS has been characterized by some bioinformatics tools. Comparative analysis of PpCPS/KS with some fungal and plant TPS as well as terpenoid-producing bacterial enzymes has been performed. The results indicate that bifunctional TPS came from fungi to bryophytes, probably by horizontal gene transfer and unifunctional TPS gradually evolved from bifunctional TPS in higher plants.
Nuclear DNA Contents of Phalaenopsis sp. and Doritis pulcherrima

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Orchidaceae, endoreduplication, flow cytometry, genome size ABSTRACT. Nuclear DNA contents were estimated by flow cytometry in 18 Phalaenopsis Blume species and Doritis pulcherrima Lindl. DNA amounts differed 6.07-fold, from 2.74 pg/diploid nuclear DNA content (2C) in P. sanderiana Rchb.f. to 16.61 pg/2C in P. parishii Rchb.f. Nuclear DNA contents of P. aphrodite Rchb.f. clones, W01-38 (2n = 2x = 38), W01-41 (2n = 3x = 57), and W01-22 (2n = 4x = 76), displayed a linear relationship with their chromosome numbers, indicating the accuracy of flow cytometry. Our results also suggest that the 2C-values of the Phalaenopsis sp. correlate with their chromosome sizes. The comparative analyses of DNA contents may provide information to molecular geneticists and systematists for genome analysis in Phalaenopsis. Endoreduplication was found in various tissues of P. equestris at different levels. The highest degree of endoreduplication in P. equestris was detected in leaves.
CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN SUGARCANE

Estimates of direct and indirect effects and correlation coefficients were computed among cane yield and its component traits for 32 sugarcane genotypes grown in three environments. Cane yield was found significantly correlated with single cane weight and cane thickness. Positive and highly significant correlations were observed amongst 4 juice quality traits. High direct effect of cane thickness and internode length were observed for cane yield. Cane thickness and single cane weight emerged as the most important traits influencing cane yield.
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF BRASSICACEAE SPECIES BASED ON MATK SEQUENCES

The chloroplast gene matK, located in the intron of chloroplast trnK, encodes maturase, and variations of matK provide substantial resolution for phylogenetic analyses at intergeneric levels. Sequence data from 127 species (including subspecies and varieties) of Brassicaceae and one outgroup specie (Cleome gynandra) were used to construct the phylogeny of this family and elucidate the phylogenetic relationships therein using the neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods. The phylogenetic results generally confirmed recently established tribal alignments and indicated that most of the 27 tribes were assigned to Lineages I–III. We found that the Orychophragmus violaceus complex, including O. violaceus, O. taibaiensis, O. hupehensis, and O. diffuses, which are native to China, should be subsumed under Lineage II, and was most closely associated with the tribe Brassiceae. Arabis was confirmed to be polyphyletic and one subclade shared a sister relationship with Boechereae, while A. alpine related species formed the other clade, which was not associated with any tribes. Previous analyses placed Conringia planisiliqua in tribe Brassiceae, but it was included within Isatideae in the current analyses, supporting previous hypotheses that it was a member of this tribe.
The use of VORTEX simulation models in a long term programme of re-introduction of an endangered large mammal, the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra)

Des vingt groupes de zebres du Cap reintroduits dans des reserves, douze ont augmente, six sont restes stables ou ont diminue et deux se sont eteints. Une des raisons principales de la mauvaise performance de certains de ces groupes est due a un effectif reintroduit insuffisant. Dans les cas ou la population a augmente, l'effectif moyen reintroduit etait de 15,1, ce qui est significativement superieur (P<0,05) aux cas ou la population n'a pas augmente (8,1). Ce resultat est concordant avec ceux d'autres etudes qui montrent que le succes des reintroductions est lie au nombre d'animaux reintroduits. L'augmentation annuelle des populations pendant les 3 a 5 ans apres ]a reintroduction (0,4 %) est significativement plus basse que pendant les 3 a 5 ans suivant (9,3 %). Cela est vraisemblablement du aux effets du stress de capture, de la desintegration des groupes familiaux et de l'adaptation a un environnement nouveau. L'âge maternel n'a pas d'effet significatif sur le sex-ratio des poulains. VORTEX, un modele de simulation, est utilise comme aide a la decision pour la gestion de la population de zebres. Les vitesses de croissance de la population et les prelevements annuels obtenus grâce aux simulations sont proches de ceux observes dans le passe. Ce modele a en outre permis d'analyser les raisons de la mauvaise performance des petites populations reintroduites dans certaines reserves, d'eviter des attentes peu realistes de la part des gestionnaires des troupeaux de zebres et de souligner la necessite de commencer avec un nombre suffisant d'animaux.
Spring‐neap modulation of internal tide mixing and vertical nitrate fluxes at a shelf edge in summer

Measurements of the intra‐tidal and spring‐neap variation in the vertical flux of nitrate into the base of the sub‐surface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) were made at the shelf edge of the Celtic Sea, a region with strong internal mixing driven by an internal tide. The neap tide daily mean nitrate flux was 1.3 (0.9‐1.8, 95% confidence interval) mmol m‐2 d‐1. The spring tide flux was initially estimated as 3.5 (2.3‐5.2, 95% confidence interval) mmol m‐2 d‐1. The higher spring tide nitrate flux was the result of turbulent dissipation occurring within the base of the SCM as compared to deeper dissipation during neap tides and was dominated by short events associated with the passage of internal solitons. Taking into account the likely under‐sampling of these short mixing events raised the spring tide nitrate flux estimate to about 9 mmol m‐2 d‐1. The neap tide nitrate flux was sufficient to support substantial new production and a considerable fraction of the observed rates of carbon fixation. Spring tide fluxes were potentially in excess of the capacity of the phytoplankton community to uptake nitrate. This potential excess nitrate flux during spring tides may be utilized to support new production during the lower mixing associated with the transition toward neap tide. The shelf edge is shown to be a region with a significantly different phytoplankton community as compared to the adjacent Celtic Sea and northeast Atlantic Ocean, highlighting the role of gradients in physical processes leading to gradients in ecosystem structure.
κ-Casein Macropeptides from Cheese Whey: Physicochemical, Biological, Nutritional, and Technological Features for Possible Uses

Abstract κ-Casein macropeptide (CMP), one of the components of whey, is produced during cheese making. Whey production has grown enormously in the last three decades and will continue to grow, along with cheese production. There is an increased interest in research for new applications of food industry by-products in order to avoid their extensive elimination and negative environmental implications. In this respect, CMP has been the focus of extensive scientific research that has proven its value as a functional and bioactive peptide, as well as a source of biologically active peptides. This article evaluates the possibilities and future perspectives of the use of CMP and related peptides obtained from cheese whey from different ruminant species. Physicochemical, technological, biological, and nutritional aspects are considered, and processes for analysis, fractionation, and separation are reviewed. The objective is to help to promote further exploitation of cheese industry coproducts for the preparation of high added-value ingredients to be included in the composition of nutraceuticals or functional food products.
Sex Differences in Activity and Movements in the Pig-Nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta, in the Wet-Dry Tropics of Australia

Abstract Dry season movement patterns, home ranges, and activity was studied in a population of pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) in the wet-dry tropics of northern Australia. Compared to other turtles inhabiting lotic habitats, C. insculpta occupied considerably larger home ranges, covering up to 10 km of river. Of previously published factors influencing home range size, low productivity of the (micro) habitat may best explain the extensive home ranges in C. insculpta. Patchiness and low nutrient value of the chief food (aquatic vegetation) of C. insculpta may force turtles to cover large expanses of river to acquire sufficient energy for growth and reproduction. Females were more active, moved farther, and occupied larger home ranges than males. Home ranges of females comprised 1–4 activity centers, many of which were associated with thermal springs. We suggest that females may exhibit increased activity and movements relative to males because of sexual inequality in parental investment, where food is particularly limiting (e.g., in species with biennial reproduction). Biennial reproduction in the population allowed the examination of the influence of reproductive condition on home range size, movements, and activity. Reproductive condition did not influence home range or activity, but gravid turtles moved father between successive sightings than nongravid females. Individual data corroborate these findings, with females moving farther between successive sightings while gravid compared to while spent. Contrary to previous reports, turtles did not appear to move into estuarine areas or lowland floodplains during the wet season but moved into the riparian forest and possibly into wetlands adjacent to the main channel in the vicinity of their dry season home ranges.
Variance component estimates applying random regression models for test-day milk yield in Caracu heifers (Bos taurus Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

Random regression models (RRM) were used to estimate covariance functions for 2,155 first-lactation milk yields of native Brazilian Caracu heifers. The models included contemporary group (defined as year-month of test and paddock) fixed effects, and quadratic effect of age of cow at calving. Genetic and permanent environmental effects were fitted by a random regression model and Legendre polynomials of days in milk (DIM). Schwarz's Bayesian information criteria (BIC) indicated that the best RRM assumed a six coefficient function for both random effects and a sixth order variance function for residual structure. Akaike's information criteria suggested a model with the same number of coefficients for both effects and a residual structure fitted by a step function with 15 variances. Phenotypic, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual variances were higher at the beginning and declined during lactation. The RRM heritability estimates were 0.09 to 0.26 and generally higher at the beginning and end of lactation. Some unexpected negative genetic correlations emerged when higher order covariance functions were used. A model with four coefficients for additive genetic covariance function explains more parsimoniously the changes in genetic variation with DIM since the genetic parameter was more acceptable and BIC was close to that for a six coefficient covariance function.
Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae): A Potential Biocontrol Agent of Rice Leaf Folder

Rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis is a major pest, in many rice growing areas of Sri Lanka. Biological control of this pest is encouraged due to ill effects of insecticide application on rice ecosystem. Use of egg parasitoids is advantageous over larval and pupal parasitoids, as they could destroy pests at the egg stage. Trichogrammatoidea bactrae present in rice fields in Sri Lanka, is an egg parasitoid of rice leaf folder. This study was conducted to assess the potential of T. bactrae as a biocontrol agent for the management of rice leaf folder. T. bactrae was reared on Cocyra cephalonica and its fecundity, longevity and parasitism were assessed. Acceptance of stored host eggs and parasitoid emergence from stored parasitized eggs were examined. Dispersal ability of parasitoid was also examined. T. bactrae adults showed a mean longevity of 7.9 days (range 1-15 days) and laid 55 eggs / female during first 5 days; of which, 56 % of eggs was laid on the first day. There was a significant reduction (F=5.26; df=14; 89; P Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 26 (3): 537 - 546 (2015)
Arundo (Gramineae) in the Mediterranean reconsidered

Abstract Danin, A. : Arundo (Gramineae) in the Mediterranean reconsidered. — Willdenowia 34: 361–369. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2004 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Finding the recently described Arundo hellenica in Italy initiated a study on the identity of taxa related to A. plinii, in the field, in the literature and in several herbaria. According to the somewhat preliminary results, besides A. donax with nodding leaves, three species with upright leaves are proposed for recognition in the Mediterranean. Their distribution and ecology are still incompletely known. A. plinii in its original sense is shown to be a 1–2 m high riparian plant, so far confirmed to occur in N Italy, S France and, perhaps, NE Spain. A. mediterranea is described as a new species for the illegitimately named A. mauritanica of Desfontaines, which has hitherto been erroneously recorded as “A. plinii” and is a caespitose reed with 1–5 m long obliquely erect culms that branch already in the first year; it grows on alluvial clayey soils or high river terraces along temporary water courses of N Africa, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, Lebanon and possibly other East Mediterranean countries. A. collina, including the recently described A. hellenica, is the lowest (0.5-2 [-3] m) and most drought resistant Arundo of the Mediterranean and forms monotypic grasslands on clay in badlands, on hill slopes up to 300 m, on sides of newly constructed roads, etc. and is currently known to occur in S Italy, mainland Greece and Crete.
Long-distance movements of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from a seasonally ice-covered area, the St. Lawrence River estuary, Canada

Previous studies of harbour seal (Phoca vitulina L., 1758) movements indicate that this species is relatively sedentary throughout the year. However, few investigations have examined their movements and seasonal distribution patterns in ice-covered areas. This study used spatial analysis of ice data and movement data from harbour seals collected via satellite (n = 7) and VHF radiotelemetry (n = 15) to explore this species' spatial use patterns in a seasonally ice-covered region, the St. Lawrence River estuary, Canada. When solid ice formed within the bays of the estuary, four of the seven satellite-tagged animals (all adult males) left their summer haul-out areas, migrating 266 ± 202 km (range 65–520 km) to over-wintering sites. The seals exhibited preference for areas of light to intermediate ice conditions during the winter months; at least six of the seven seals occupied areas with lighter ice conditions than those that prevailed generally in the study area. Evidence of high abundance of potential prey.
HIGH FREQUENCY PLANT REGENERATION, IN VITRO FLOWERING OF SOLANUM NIGRUM (L.) ? AN IMPORTANT ANTIULCER MEDICINAL PLANT

An efficient protocol for direct shoot regeneration from axillary bud and shoot tip explants of Solanum nigrum is described. Healthy axillary bud, shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0.5-3.0 mg/l) or Kn (0.5-3.0 mg/l) alone or in combination with IAA or NAA (0.5-1.0 mg/l). All the explants were responded effectively for regeneration. Â Good regeneration frequencies were observed in all the combinations tested. High frequency and maximum number of multiple shoots was obtained in shoot tip culture, cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP+0.5mg/l IAA.The present investigation also describes role of auxins on successful induction of in vitro flowering from axillary bud, shoot tip and young leaf explants of Solanum nigrum . Maximum number of in vitro flowers (8) were obtained in shoot tip culture induced on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l Kn+0.5 mg/l IAA, followed Â by 2.0 mg/l Kn+1.0 mg/l IAA, where maximum of Â six (6) flowers Â per culture was obtained from Â axillary bud explant. All the in vitro raised shoots were transferred to MS rooting medium supplemented with 0.25-1.0 mg/l IBA. The best rooting response was observed in 0.5 mg/l IBA. The well rooted plantlets were transferred to polybags containing soil+vermiculite in 1:1 ratio for hardening. Finally the hardened plantlets were transferred to field conditions for maximum survivability.
Inclusion of cottonseed meal into loose mineral mix supplements increases the voluntary intake of the supplement by grazing heifers

Loose mineral mix (LMM) supplements based on ingredients such as salt, urea and minerals offered ad libitum are widely used to provide additional nutrients to grazing cattle, but it is often difficult to achieve target intakes. An experiment with heifers grazing mature tropical pasture examined the effects of substituting 80, 160 or 320 g/kg of the salt in a LMM supplement with cottonseed meal on the voluntary intake of the LMM supplements by paddock groups of heifers over 10 weeks. Average voluntary intake of a LMM containing (g/kg) 640 salt, 300 urea and 60 ammonium sulfate (40.2 g DM and 6.14 g total nitrogen/day) was increased linearly (P 0.05) by substitution of salt with cottonseed meal. In conclusion, the inclusion of a palatable protein meal into LMM increased the voluntary intake of this type of supplement.