Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interferência e nível de dano econômico de Brachiaria plantaginea e Ipomoea nil na cultura do feijão comum

The researches about the impact of weed interference on crops are usually performed with a single weed species, when in reality there are numerous. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interference of Brachiaria plantaginea and Ipomoea nil on the grain yield of French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and to determine the economic weed threshold (EWT) of each species on the crop. Two field experiments were conducted with bean cultivars 'IPR Grauna' (Black group) and 'UTF-06' (Carioca group) in coexistence with random proportions of mixed infestations of B. plantaginea and I. nil. Multiple regression models were used to determine the interference abi1lity of each weed species on crop productivity. The interference ability of each plant of I. nil corresponded to 2.6 and 0.25 of each B. plantaginea, dependent on the relative proportions on the weed community and on the conditions of each experiment. Cultivar 'IPR Grauna' showed higher competitive ability than 'UTF-06'. The EWT was dependent on the relative proportion of each weed species in the community and was reached under low infestation (<16 plants m-2) in all conditions tested and simulated.
Fossil Species of the Diatom Genus Tetracyclus (Bacillariophyta, `Ellipticus' Species Group): Morphology, Interrelationships and the Relevance of Ontogeny

The diatom genus Tetracyclus Ralfs (Bacillariophyta) is composed largely of extinct, freshwater species many of which have been used as stratigraphic markers across several continents under the assumption that they are relatively widespread and confined to precise geological epochs. Until recently the taxonomy of the genus relied almost exclusively on the shape and dimensions of the preserved siliceous valves. This study forms part of a revision of the entire genus. In this paper the morphology of fossils from the \`ellipticus' species group is discussed. Significant to this study is the relative usefulness of diatom valve dimensions and overall shape, seen here in the context of siliceous morphogenesis and the appearance of particular valve \`shapes' at particular stages in their life cycles. In addition, alternative ways of representing character data have been applied to establish whether the \`ellipticus' species group is monophyletic with respect to the genus. Results suggest that the \`ellipticus' species group is not monophyletic and that the elliptical shape of valves is better viewed as a variable property of ontogeny.
Branchiomyosis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Behiera Governorate with Trials for Treatment

A total number of 100 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected from Edco private fish farms in Behiera governorate during the period between July and September 2013 and screened for branchiomyces infection. The infected fish were suffering from respiratory distress (resulted from gill tissue damage); gasping air from the water surface, rapid movement of operculum and massive mortality, which resulted in the loss of 90% of the collected fish. Squash preparations from the infected gill tissue revealed brown, broad, branched and non-septated hyphae. On Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) media with 10% duck decoction showed bright white colonies after 2 days which reached its maximum growth 8 days post inoculation. Microscopical examination of stained growth with Lactophenol cotton blue, branched hyphae at their tips were identified which were characteristic for Branchiomyces sp. The causal pathogen was identified as Branchiomyces demigrans, in which the diameter of spores and non-septated hyphae were 4-10 μm and 16-24 μm, respectively. The fungus was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Experimental infection and rei-solation of fungus revealed the same findings of natural infection. Clotrimazole was more effective than clove oil, while using both of them revealed higher lysozyme activity and phagocytic activity. Histopathological examination from naturally and experimentally infected fish gills revealed non-septated hyphae and spores were embedded in between affected gill tissues, which confirmed that the isolated organism was Branchiomyces demigrans
Origem botânica de cargas de pólen de colmeias de abelhas africanizadas em Piracicaba, SP

This study aimed to identify the botanic origin of pollen loads collected by Africanized honeybees. In Piracicaba (SP), during four seasons of the year, five honeybee colonies were installed with a frontal pollen collector in each one. The palinological preparation was done by the use of acetolysis and identified and counted approximately 900 pollen grains per sample. From the pollinic composition, the richness, diversity indexes and equitability were calculated. Throughout the year, 81 pollinic types were found, belonging to 32 botanic families, being Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae the ones with the biggest frequency of pollinic types (≥5 pollinic types) and, Myrtaceae, the family with two pollinic types (Eucalyptus sp. and Myrcia sp.), among the nine most common types in the samples (> 10%). The biggest richness of pollinic types was during summer, and the biggest diversity and equitability was during spring. Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae and Myrtaceae are the most important botanic families as polliniferous sources in Piracicaba - SP.
Factors affecting tadpole growth: Development of a rearing system for the Neotropical leptodactylid Physalaemus pustulosus for ecotoxicological studies

The frog Physalaemus is potentially useful for ecotoxicological studies in the Neotropics, and on the large and neglected family Leptodactylidae. The biology of adults and foam nests is well known but larval growth is little studied, with previous estimates of 40-60 days to metamorphosis. We investigated multiple factors affecting growth and development (water change; water flow; diet type; substrate type; background colour; temperature; container hygiene; aeration; tadpole age; tadpole relatedness) to develop a laboratory rearing system, which finally achieved better than 95% survival and 95% metamorphosis of survivors by 18 d after collection of nests. The final system comprised 10 tadpoles L−1 (360 m−2) in 1 L still water (changed every 3 d) or 2 L flowing water (flow 2-3 L d−1) 4 cm deep at room temperature of 27°C, with 10 g L−1 puddle soil dried at 110°C, and fed ad libitum on pellet fish food. The soil was the most important factor, giving faster growth and development than even warm water (33°C). Pellet food improved dissolved oxygen (DO) compared to flakes and was simpler to use, but gave similar tadpole performance (survival and growth). Aeration was not necessary; this increased DO but did not affect tadpole performance, and neither did background colour or mixing tadpoles from different nests.
Factors influencing to nipa Nypa fruticans endosperm in canned food production

Nypa fruticans (nypa palm) is found in the upstream estuarine zone forming extensive stands along brackish to tidal freshwater creeks and rivers. It is fast growing especially in fresh water. Total phenolics, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacities present in endosperm of Nypa fruticans. We examine several factors possibly affecting to nipa Nypa fruticans endosperm in canned processing. Nipa is selected carefully before getting endosperm. To avoid the browning reaction, its endosperm should be rinsed thoroughly and blanched in CaCl2 at different concentrations and times. Then it’s arranged into can and poured by mixtures with different ratios (sugar-acid-pulp: water). Product is then pasteurized at different temperatures and times. Our results show that blanching nipa endosperm by CaCl2 solution 0.3% in 1 minute can prevent the browning reaction as well as keep its firm structure. Mixing nipa endosperm with a compound including 18% soluble dry matter; 0.08% acid citric; ratio of pulp: water, 40%: 60% gives the best product sensory value. Pasteurization performed at 100 0C within 4 minutes will not affect to sensory value and product shelf-life.
Physicochemical parameters of Amazon Melipona honey

Stingless bees produce a honey that is different from the Apis honey in terms of composition. There aren't enough data to establish quality control parameters for this product, mainly due to lack of research results. The aim of this work is to evaluate some physicochemical parameters that can be used for the characterization and for the quality control of the Meliponinae honey. Four different samples were collected in the Amazon region of Brazil in 2004 (Melipona compressipes manaoense bee and Melipona seminigra merribae bee). Honey analyses were performed as described by the official methods. The mean results were: moisture (30.13%), pH (3.65), acidity (24.57 mEq/kg), water activity (0.75), fructose (31.91%), glucose (29.30%) and sucrose (0.19%). These results reinforce the need for a specific regulation for stingless bee honey. This will only be feasible when enough data is available to establish upper and lower limits for the physicochemical parameters used for quality control.
Variation in reproduction and production of Poll Dorset ewes

Poll Dorset ewes were joined to Booroola Merino (n = 22) or Trangie Fertility Merino (n = 26) rams in single sire joinings during late summer/autumn of 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981. Rams were changed each year and there were 1678 individual ewe joinings. A maximum of 527 ewes were used in any one year, and they represented 14 studs and varied in age, reproductive history and liveweight. The traits, litter size, maternal lamb survival, lambs weaned per ewe lambing and weight of lamb weaned per ewe lambing (kg at 100 days) were analysed for the effect of year, stud, age, lambs born and ewe liveweight. Litter size averaged 1-37, maternal lamb survival 0.70, and number of lambs weaned per ewe was 0.94. There were large variations in the reproductive traits due to year and stud and lesser effects due to age. Each extra kilogram of ewe liveweight at joining increased litter size by 0.012 and weight of lamb weaned by 0.39 kg, but had no significant effect on maternal lamb survival or number of lambs weaned. Multiple-bearing ewes weaned 0.72 more lambs and 16 - 2 kg more lamb weight than single-bearing ewes. Lamb survival was similar for singleand multiple-bearing ewes. Greasy fleece weight averaged 2.2 kg ewe-' and single bearing ewes produced 0.19 kg/ewe more than multiple-bearing ewes. Dystocia caused 53% and starvation/mismothering/exposure caused 23% of lamb deaths; the proportion of deaths due to starvation/mismothering/exposure increased with increasing ewe joining liveweight. The large variation between studs in reproductive performance partly reflected genetic differences between Poll Dorset flocks which could be exploited. Estimates of heritabilities ranged from 0.06 to 0.14 ¦ 0.10 for the reproductive traits and were 0.10 ¦ 0.12 for ewe liveweight and 0.16 ¦ 0.20 for greasy fleece weight. However much of the between stud variation may also have arisen from early environmental effects. Estimates of repeatability ranged from 0.06 to 0.l5 ¦ 0 05 for reproduction traits and were 0.44 ¦ 0.06 for ewe liveweight at joining and 0.56 ¦ 0.08 for greasy fleece weight.
Behavioural responses of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) juveniles to free amino acid solutions

This study analysed the attraction/avoidance responses of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) juveniles to 20 free L-amino acid solutions, 0.001 M. We used aquaria with two parallel compartments with a water flow of ≈ 300 mL min−1 in each compartment. During each trial, the flow of clean water in one compartment was replaced for 3 min by a test solution of free amino acids. We counted the number of fish in each compartment every 30 s for 3 min and also used a qualitative assessment to characterise the sturgeon's searching behaviour. Daphnia water extracts were used as a positive control. Treatments and positive and negative controls (clean water) were replicated 10 times each. Solutions of alanine and glycine elicited the strongest food searching responses. This was confirmed by comparing the numbers of fish in test and control compartments. Leucine, histidine, cysteine, isoleucine and proline evoked low positive responses, which were confirmed by a quantitative assessment. Aspartic acid, tyrosine and glutamic acid evoked negative responses. The highest negative effects were evoked by glutamic acid. Therefore, alanine and glycine can be considered as attractants and glutamic acid as a repellent for Persian sturgeon juveniles.
Selfing, sexual polymorphism and microsatellites in the hermaphrodititic freshwater snail Bulinus truncatus

Studies on the evolution of self–fertilization and sexual polymorphisms (the co–occurrence of several sexual morphs in a species) have focused on plants. Aphally, a sexual polymorphism occurring in gastropods, offers the opportunity to extend study of these issues to animals. We present progeny–array analyses of the selfing rate and correlated matings in the tropical freshwater snail Bulinus truncatus. This study is based on 447 offspring originating from 57 families and five natural populations. To overcome the lack of allozyme polymorphism, four polymorphic microsatellite markers were used. Selfing rates higher than 78 per cent were detected in all populations, and no correlation with the aphally ratio (the proportion of individuals lacking the male copulatory organ per population) was evident. Outcrossing was detected in 17 families only, and individual outcrossing rates were variable and did not depend on the sexual morph of the mother. These results illustrate the power of microsatellites for detailed genetic studies, indicate that high selfing rates may have a strong genetic basis, and unexpectedly suggest that phally polymorphism may be neutral with respect to selfing.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE PATTERNS AND FETAL GROWTH OF ATLANTIC WALRUSES (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS ROSMARUS) IN FOXE BASIN, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA

We examined the reproductive tracts of 79 female Arlantic walruses (Odohenus rosmarus rosmarus) caught in July and August by Inuit hunters in northern Foxe Basin, NWT, Canada. We found no evidence of past or present ovulation in animals less than 5 yr old, but the poor representation of juvenile and adolescent animals precluded statistical analysis of the average age of maturity. The ovulation frequency of 64 mature females (0.52) indicated biennial ovulation, while the pregnancy rate (0.33) and birth rate (0.30) suggested that females gave birth once every three years. The sex ratio of 17 fetuses was not significantly different from 1:1. Fetuses increased 2.9 mm d-1 in crown-rump length and 0.12 g1/3 d-1 in mass over the range of collection dates. Based on the inverse regressions of fetal growth, implantation occurred in late June early July.
Consequences of Pulsed DC Electrofishing and Air Exposure to Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Electrofishing, a technique widely used for fish collection, is a procedure that is often followed by handling and air exposure before fish are released. In this study the pathological and physiological consequences of capture with pulsed DC (pDC) electroshock with and without the additional disturbance of air exposure were examined on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Electroshocked fish showed no evidence of direct mortality, and skeletal damage was only induced under the most severe conditions (~600-g fish, 600 V, 20 or 40 s). Physiological disturbances induced by pDC, in the absence of physical damage, consisted of lactacidosis and stimulation of the interrenal stress response. The acidosis was likely induced by tetany during immobilization and apnea during immobilization and early recovery. In fact, the physiological disturbances induced by pDC were similar in magnitude and duration to 2–3 min of exhaustive exercise and generally more severe than responses previously reported for nonpulsed (i.e., .
Anaerobic production of polyunsaturated fatty acids by Shewanella putrefaciens strain ACAM 342

The fatty acid composition of cultures of Shewanella putrefaciens strain ACAM 342 grown aero-bically and anaerobically at 15°C and 25°C were analysed by capillary gas chromatography. The bacterium was found to produce the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 18:2ω3, 18:3ω3 and 20:5ω3 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at both growth temperatures. This result suggests that the bacterium possesses both the aerobic and anaerobic pathways for unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, where an alternate terminal electron acceptor(s) is utilised in the absence of oxygen.
PLANKTON COMPOSITION, ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY IN HILSA (TENUALOSA ILISHA) MIGRATORY RIVERS OF BANGLADESH DURING SPAWNING SEASON

Hilsa ( Tenualosa ilisha ) is one of the flagship diadromous fish species of Bangladesh that migrate only through the Ganges‐Meghna river system route. The biological profile of plankton from the Padma, Meghna and Tetulia reference river sites during 2011 spawning season of hilsa showed that in total of 58 taxa of plankton were present. Of which, 19 taxa (32.76%) were of phytoplankton and 39 taxa (67.24%) of zooplankton. Phytoplankton group belonged to Cyanophyceae (6 taxa), Chlorophyceae (7 taxa) and Bacillariophyceae (6 taxa) while zooplankton including Protozoa (10 taxa), Rotifera (19 taxa), Copepoda (4 taxa), Cladocera (5 taxa) and Ostracoda (1 taxon). The average abundance of plankton was recorded as 194.05 ± 82.58 indiv/l. The highest abundance of total plankton (692 indiv/l) was observed in Godagari, Rajshahi (Station 3) and was lowest (4.00 indiv/l) in Charghat, Rajshahi (Station 2). The highest abundance (49 indiv/l) of total zooplankton was observed in Godagari and lowest (1 indiv/l) in Charghat with mean value of 19.46 ± 4.12 indiv/l. The highest species richness (SR = 45) was observed in Daulotkhan, Vhola (Station 9) and the lowest (SR = 3) in Charghat (Station 2), with mean value of 17.10±4.408. Shannon‐Weiner species diversity index (Hʹ) ranged from 3.334 in Daulotkhan (Station 9) to 1.5 in Charghat, (Station 2) with mean value of 2.717 ± 0.147. Based on the plankton profile it may be concluded that the biological quality of hilsa migratory river was not alike throughout the route which may restrict the migration up to up steam and spontaneous spawning of hilsa. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/dujbs.v21i2. 11516 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 21 (2): 177-189, 2012 (July)
In vitro precultivation of tobacco affects the response of antioxidative enzymes to ex vitro acclimation

Summary Both growth under elevated CO 2 (CE) conditions and/or treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) during acclimation to ex vitro conditions and precultivation in vitro in tightly closed glass vessels (G-plants) or ventilated Magenta boxes (M-plants) affected activities of antioxidative enzymes of tobacco 28 days after the transfer. Single treatment with 5 μmol/L ABA immediately after transplantation caused an increase in net photosynthetic rate and in the content of chlorophyll a , and decreases in the activities of glutathione reductase, Mn-SOD, peroxidases, malic enzyme (ME), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6P-DH) in both types of plantlets. Contrary to this, CE effects were dependent on the plant origin and promoted activities of peroxidase, ME, and G6PDH were observed more in M-plants than in G-plants. Effects of a single ABA treatment lasted throughout the whole acclimation and alleviated transplantation shock more efficiently than CE, irrespective of plant precultivation. However, under combined treatment (CE+ABA) CE effects prevailed over ABA.
The landscape of drug discovery in atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia: a survey from patenting activity

Background/objective: Patenting activity now and over the past decade in the fields of atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia was used to assess targets and mechanisms of active interest and to identify trends in current scientific and clinical research. Patents can be considered an index of the perception in a field of the potential value and feasibility of an approach. Methods: Two hundred patents published over 11 months claiming an indication of atherosclerosis or dyslipidaemia were analysed in detail. Two major groups were considered, lipid/metabolic and vascular/inflammation, reflecting scientific and clinical activity in the field. Mechanistic subgroups within these were identified. The analysis was amplified by reviewing the trends for the two groups as a whole over the past 10 years, and also for specific targets within groups. Results/conclusions: Patenting activity in both groups increased over the first half of the past decade and has remained at peak level for lipid/metabolic targets. However, activity for vascular/inflammation targets has significantly decreased. Overall, mechanisms that raise plasma high density lipoprotein predominated. The trends are assessed for their relationship to current scientific and clinical work.
Factors controlling nitrate and ammonium accumulation in mustard (Sinapis alba) seedlings

Prolonged application of ammonium as a source of nitrogen leads to serious physiological and morphological disorders in many plants, including mustard (Sinapis alba L,) seedlings (ammonium toxicity syndrome). Ammonium tolerance was previously observed in mustard seedlings in the presence of considerable amounts of nitrate in the medium. In the present study, the question was addressed as to what extent accumulation of nitrate and ammonium occurs in the mustard seedling and how this relates to ammonium toxicity and tolerance. Emphasis was on light control of accumulation in the attached cotyledons. Both NQ3 and NH4 became strongly accumulated in the mustard cotyledons once the concentration in the medium exceeded 1 mM, In the cotyledons, we measured concentrations > 30 mM in the case of nitrate and > 50 mM in the case of ammonium 4 days after sowing. Accumulation of inorganic nitrogen in the mustard cotyledons did not depend on photosynthesis nor on intact chloroplasts. However, the rate of nitrate accumulation was strongly stimulated by light, operating through phytochrome, while ammonium accumulation was not affected by light in short-term experiments, i,e, within 24 h and only weakly (and probably indirectly) in long-term light. We conclude that strong interaction between NQ3 and NHJ is characteristic for accumulation of inorganic nitrogen. In the presence of NQ3, accumulation of NH3 is diminished and, to a lesser extent, vice versa. Using [15N]-labelling it was found that incorporation of inorganic nitrogen into organic compounds was stimulated strongly whenever nitrate and ammonium were provided simultaneously. It appears from the data that accumulation of nitrate is strictly controlled by the mustard cotyledons while the accumulation of ammonium is not. The data indicate that the level of ammonium is governed primarily by the rate of ammonium assimilation. Stimulation of ammonium assimilation by simultaneously applied nitrate appears to explain nitrate-mediated ammonium tolerance in the mustard plant.