Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol composition of dinoflagellates. II. Lepidodinium chlorophorum, Karenia brevis, and Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, three dinoflagellates with aberrant plastids

The intact molecular forms of mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG, respectively), two important chloroplast membrane lipids, were determined via positive-ion electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry and positive-ion electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for Lepidodinium chlorophorum, Karenia brevis and Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, three dinoflagellates with non-canonical plastids lacking the typical dinoflagellate carotenoid pigment peridinin, along with Tetraselmis sp. , Emiliania huxleyi and Navicula perminuta, three algae with shared common ancestors, respectively, to these aberrant, tertiary plastids. Lepidodinium chlorophorum and K. brevis were found to possess 18:5/18:5 MGDG (sn-1/sn-2 regiochemistry), a form observed in several peridinin-containing dinoflagellates, along with forms of MGDG and DGDG not found in peridinin-containing taxa. Lepidodinium chlorophorum was found to possess 18:5/16:4 MGDG and 20:5/16:4 DGDG, and K. brevis was found to possess 18:5/14:0 MGDG and DGDG as forms of these lipids. Kryptoperidinium foliaceum was not observed to produce any C18 fatty acids within its forms of MGDG and DGDG; 20:5/16:3 MGDG and 20:5/16:2 DGDG were the two predominant forms. The MGDG and DGDG composition of the K. foliaceum/N. perminuta pair was almost an exact match, whereas in the L. chlorophorum/Tetraselmis sp. and K. brevis/E. huxleyi pairs, the MGDG and DGDG compositions were similar in some respects, but not others. The significance of these findings, along with the MGDG and DGDG composition of the putative tertiary endosymbionts, is discussed in the context of the evolution of the plastids of these organisms.
A comparison of the RUSLE, EPIC and WEPP erosion models as calibrated to climate and soil of south-central Chile

Adequate modelling of soil erosion is important for conservation planning, especially in developing countries where there is increasing competition for limited soil resources. In this study, the RUSLE, EPIC and WEPP models were used to estimate soil erosion from small grain production in south-central Chile, a region having a Mediterranean type climate and volcanic soils with distinctive properties compared to non-volcanic soils. The models were compared for their consistency with historical rates of erosion and those calculated using the previously calibrated USLE model. Of the models, WEPP permitted the most adequate parameterization for both climate and volcanic soil, and calculated erosion rates that were in overall agreement with field and USLE values.
Haloplasticity of black seabream (Mylio macrocephalus): Hypersaline to freshwater acclimation

Black seabream (Mylio macrocephalus) were acclimated to various salinities (50, 33, 12 and 6‰) for eight months. Acclimation of fish to 6‰ for eight months allowed successful adaptation to freshwater (0‰) for a further 21 days without mortality. This is the first report of freshwater acclimation of a “true” marine fish for an acceptable experimental duration. Osmoregulatory and metabolic strategies were characterized via alterations in branchial chloride cell (CC) numbers and surface ultrastructural morphometrics along with changes in serum chemistry, muscle moisture, liver glycogen and branchial, renal, hepatic and intestinal enzyme activities. Branchial CC numbers were elevated in 50 and 6‰ environments; however, freshwater acclimation resulted in return to low numbers. Branchial Na+-K+-ATPase activity was generally higher in 50 and 33‰ environments and exhibited a declining trend in 12 and 6‰ environments. Freshwater acclimation resulted in a marked elevation in branchial Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Elevated CC exposure areas were typically found at salinity extremes. Serum Na+, Cl– and muscle moisture content did not vary between groups acclimated from 50 to 6‰. Freshwater acclimation resulted in significant hyponatremia, hypochloremia and muscle hydration. Branchial ICDH activity was lowest in a 12‰ environment and highest at salinity extremes. Renal Na+-K+-ATPase exhibited lower activity in 12 and 6‰ and was markedly elevated in 0‰. Enzyme activities of both liver and kidney indicated elevated gluconeogenic activity in freshwater-adapted fish. Total intestinal Na+-K+-ATPase activity tended to decline in lower salinities; however, lowest activity was found in fish adapted to 12‰. Na+-K+-ATPase activities in different segments of the intestine may reflect the osmoregulatory role of this organ in varying salinities. The data indicated efficient homeostatic control in Mylio macrocephalus acclimated from hypersaline to freshwater environments and clearly demonstrates the haloplasticity of this marine fish species. J. Exp. Zool. 283:226–241, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estudo da interação genótipo × ambiente sobre características de crescimento de bovinos de corte utilizando-se inferência bayesiana

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype × environment interaction for weaning and yearling weights, daily weight gain from weaning to 12 months of age and the growth performance in Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) beef cattle estimated by a principal components analysis including those three traits. The environment was defined by season of birth (first and second semesters of the year). Genetic parameters were estimated by bayesian method with the Gibbs sampler using bivariate analyses (considering the trait in each of the two seasons as a different one) and models that included the fixed effects of year and month of birth, sex and age of cow (linear and quadratic) and the random effects of animal and residual. The results suggested that genetic evaluation and selection in Canchim beef cattle for the traits studied should consider the genotype and season of birth interaction.
Development of the red rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, from egg to juvenile

Abstract Mature red rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii were air freighted from the North Island, New Zealand to Japan in 1985. During most years since, egg extrusion has taken place during November and December and egg hatching from February to April. In the main experiment, phyllosomas were cultured in 100‐litre containers. Each container had an upwelling system, connected either to a Nanno‐chloropsis culture tank (Experiment 1) or to a coral sand filter tank (Experiment 2). Artemia nauplii and mussel gonad were the main foods provided. The numbers of 1st, 5th, and 15th instars were 12 000, 1500, and 137 respectively in Experiment 1, and 1500, 99, and 67 in Experiment 2. The intervals between Instars 1–4 and 4–14 were 43 and 175 days respectively for Experiment 1, and 43 and 169 days for Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, nine phyllosomas (13–15th instar) died during metamorphosis to the puerulus and a single 17th instar metamorphosed 303 days after hatching, 19 days later moulting into the juvenile. In Experiment 2, six 17th instar larvae metamorphosed 293 days and more after hatching, with all dying over the following 3 days. In an ancillary experiment, 30 phyllosomas were cultured in each of two 30‐litre tanks containing microalgae: survival was higher, 20% and 43% reaching Instars 14/15 and six metamorphosing after 212–274 days. In all experiments, the developmental sequence was generally consistent with that for larvae from the field. Gill buds appeared at the 13th instar and gills were complete at the 17th instar. Improved culture methods are required to reduce late‐stage mortalities.
Analyses of Genetic Variation in Populations of Oregon Chub, a Threatened Floodplain Minnow in a Highly Altered Environment

Abstract The Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri is a small floodplain minnow endemic to the Willamette River basin of western Oregon. Historically the species was widely abundant and probably relied on periodic floods for dispersal and genetic exchange among populations. The species has declined substantially in the past 100 years due to habitat alterations and the introduction of nonnative species and is currently listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Information on the level of genetic variation within and among populations did not exist when the species was listed or when a recovery plan was being developed. In this study, we used a suite of nine microsatellite loci to characterize genetic variation within and among 16 sampling locations and provide information to help guide future recovery efforts. Even though many locations are presently isolated from one another, we observed relatively high levels of genetic variation within collections. Temporal samples revealed that the levels.
Groundwater biodiversity in Europe.

SUMMARY 1. The spatial patterns of groundwater biodiversity in Europe remain poorly known, yet their knowledge is essential to understand local variation in groundwater assemblages and to develop sound conservation policies. We explore here the broad-scale distribution of groundwater biodiversity across Europe, focussing on obligate subterranean species. 2. We compiled published distributional data of obligate subterranean aquatic taxa for six European countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain), and conducted a detailed biological survey of six regions (one in Belgium, two in France, one in Italy, one in Slovenia and one in Spain). Based on this data set, we mapped spatial patterns of biodiversity in Europe on a cell grid with 0.2 · 0.2 � resolution. 3. As of mid-2006, the total number of described stygobiotic species in the six countries was 930 and the total number of genera with at least one described stygobiotic species was 191. The total number of sampling sites where at least one stygobiont had been collected was 4709, distributed in 1228 of the 4668 grid cells covering the study area. 4. Groundwater stygobiotic biodiversity was dominated by Crustacea with 757 species in 122 genera. Insects were represented by only two species of a single genus of dytiscid beetles restricted to south-eastern France. 5. The geographic distribution of stygobionts was extremely heterogeneous. Stygobionts were recorded in 26% of the 4668 grid cells and only 33 cells had more than 20 stygobiotic species. These 33 ‘hot-cells’ of groundwater species richness clustered in seven hotspots. 6. Endemicity was very high, with 43% of the total number of stygobiotic species restricted to a single cell, i.e. <500 km 2 . 7. Hotspots defined by rarity, number of genera, number of genera with only one species known in Europe, or number of monospecific genera differed markedly in ranking from those based on species richness. However, a core of four hotspots emerged in all cases: one stretching across Slovenia and northeastern Italy, one in the French Pyrenees, one in the
The floral inoculating protocol: a simplified Arabidopsis thaliana transformation method modified from floral dipping

The floral dip protocol mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most widely used transformation method for Arabidopsis thaliana. The “floral dip” process in which A. thaliana flower buds are dipped in an Agrobacterium cell suspension requires large volumes of bacterial cultures grown in liquid media, large shakers and centrifuges, and experimental space for them. These factors limit the number of transformations that can occur at once. We established that A. thaliana can be transformed by inoculating 5 μl of Agrobacterium cell suspension in flower buds, thus avoiding the use of large volumes of Agrobacterium culture. Using this modified protocol, we obtained 15–50 transgenic plants per transformation from each pot containing 3 A. thaliana plants. The protocol is satisfactory to be used for subsequent analyses. This simplified method, without floral dipping, which requires large volumes of Agrobacterim culture, offers as efficient a transformation as previously reported protocols. This method reduces the required workload, cost, time, and space. Furthermore, an important aspect of this modified protocol is that it allows many independent transformations to be performed at once.
Economic Feasibility of Variable‐Rate Nitrogen Application Utilizing Site‐Specific Management Zones

Variable-rate technology (VRT) has been developed to variably apply crop inputs to manage in-field variability. Although growers have begun to adopt VRT, its profitability is uncertain in N management. The objective of this study was to assess the economics of uniform vs. variable-rate N fertilizer application under two N application scenarios (farmer vs. custom applications). On-farm studies were conducted on two continuous corn (Zea mays L.) fields in northeastern Colorado under furrow and center-pivot irrigation during the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons. The N management strategies were uniform, grid-based, site-specific management zone-constant yield goal (SSMZ-CYG) and site-specific management zone-variable yield goal (SSMZ-VYG). Profit and loss software was used to analyze the economics of each N management strategy and determine which N strategy was most profitable. Results from three site-years consistently indicated that less total N fertilizer (6-46%) was used with the SSMZ-VYG N management strategy when compared with uniform N management. Net returns from the SSMZ-VYG N management strategy were $18.21 to $29.57 ha -1 more than uniform N management. Results of this study suggest variable-rate N application utilizing site-specific management zones are more economically feasible than conventional uniform N application.
Obtenção e uso das plantas medicinais no distrito de Martim Francisco, Município de Mogi-Mirim, SP, Brasil

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar um inventario das plantas medicinais conhecidas e usadas pela populacao do distrito de Martim Francisco, Municipio de Mogi-Mirim, SP, bem como conhecer seus empregos e sua importância na comunidade. Foram amostradas aleatoriamente 50 unidades domiciliares. Apenas um dos adultos responsaveis pela casa (homem ou mulher) foi entrevistado, atraves de questionarios. As plantas citadas foram coletadas e fotografadas paralelamente a aplicacao dos questionarios. O material botânico foi identificado e depositado no Herbarium Rioclarense (HRCB). Ao todo, foram catalogadas 107 especies botânicas, predominantemente herbaceas e cultivadas, distribuidas em 40 familias, sendo as familias Lamiaceae e Asteraceae as mais representativas. Os indices de diversidade (H' = 4,07; e = 0,87) foram altos, se comparados aos obtidos em outros trabalhos no interior do Estado de Sao Paulo. Na preparacao dos remedios, as folhas foram a parte da planta mais utilizada e a decoccao a principal forma de preparo. A via oral foi a mais empregada para a administracao dos medicamentos e as doencas mais frequentemente tratadas por remedios caseiros referem-se aos Sistemas Digestivo e Respiratorio. Nao existe um rigor na posologia e na duracao do tratamento, ficando este a criterio do habito de cada pessoa entrevistada. As plantas que apresentaram indice de importância relativa e concordância de uso acima de 60% foram: boldo (Plectranthus barbatus Andrews), capim-santo (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf), hortela (Mentha sp. 2) e poejo (Cunila microcephala Benth.).
Changes in decomposition rates and Collembola densities during the forestry cycle in conifer plantations

1. Conifers have a tendency to produce detrimental changes in the soil that suppress decomposition. It is also possible that clear-felling and the short plantation rotation (40–50 years), usual in Britain, will eventually cause nutrient depletion. Decomposition rates are important in determining the level of nutrients available, to both the crop and the soil invertebrate community, and this study has compared them at three stages during the plantation cycle. 2. Cotton cloth buried in the soil of open areas decomposed at twice the rate of cloth buried in the soil of closed canopy plantations. 3. The rate of decomposition in the soil layer 0–80 mm from the surface was 1·5 times that in the 81–160 mm layer. 4. In young plantations, the decomposition rate of cloth decreased with an increase in the age of the plantation. It is suggested that the decrease in decomposition rate with plantation age is associated with increased shading and a decrease in the amplitude of the diurnal temperature cycle. 5. Springtail (Collembola) densities were high in spring on an open area and decreased in summer. The opposite occurred in the closed canopy plantation. Drying on the exposed open area is suggested as the cause of the decreased summer densities. 6. On the site where Collembola densities were monitored, decomposition rates were higher in the upper soil layer of the closed canopy plantation than in an open area. It is probable that this was due to the upper layers on the exposed area drying, rather than to the high Collembola densities checking fungal decomposition. 7. The nutrient release that accompanies decomposition has potential importance for the rate of growth of the conifer crop. This preliminary study suggests that the decomposition rate is highest in the years immediately after felling, probably favouring the establishment of the next rotation. 8. This study has not detected suppression of decomposition on open or clear-felled areas in Hamsterley Forest (NZ0530), suggesting that present planting and harvesting methods are appropriate and should continue. However, further investigation of the interactions between fungi, meso- and macrofauna is needed to understand both nutrient cycling and the invertebrate community structure in plantation forestry.
Exploiting sensory ecology to reduce seabird by-catch

Abstract In a previous study, we reported that deploying small amounts of biogenic oil derived from the livers of school sharks (Galeorhinus galeus) was effective in reducing the numbers of seabirds attending fishing vessels and seabird diving activity in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. This seabird assemblage was numerically dominated by Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes) and the globally vulnerable Black Petrel (Procellariaparkinsoni). The results suggested that the oil deterrent operated via an olfactory or chemesthetic mechanism. Here we compare the deterrent effects of shark- liver oil with three other fish oils, in the Flesh-footed Shearwater-Black Petrel assemblage. We also report on trials assessing the deterrent efficacy of shark-liver oil and one other fish oil in an assemblage including four species of albatrosses (Diomedea spp., Thalasarcche spp.), Southern and Northern Giant-Petrels (Macronectes giganteus and M. halli), and Cape Petrels (Daption capense). Shark-liver oil was the most effective deterrent of the four fish oils tested in the Flesh-footed Shearwater—Black Petrel assemblage, but it did not deter albatrosses, giant-petrels or Cape Petrels from attending vessels. Thus, the deterrent was effective only on burrow-nesting seabird species. These results may provide further support for our speculation that the deterrent operates via an olfactory mechanism, while corroborating other work linking life-history characteristics of seabirds to their sensory ecology. We recommend research to investigate the mechanism and active ingredients by which shark-liver oil deters some species of seabirds. We also suggest testing fish oils on White-chinned (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and Grey (Procellaria cinerea) Petrels, and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus), as well as in other areas occupied by Flesh-footed Shearwaters, to assess further potential for this natural oil or its ingredients to reduce by-catch of seabird species globally.
Chemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Juniperus Sabina L. and Juniperus foetidissima Willd. Essential Oils

Abstract The extracted essential oils from Juniperus Sabina berries and branchlets of male and female as well as the leaves of male, female and fruits of Juniperus foetidissima growing in Iran, were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and screened for bacteriostatic and fungistatic activities. The defatted ethanol extract of fruits and leaves of both plants were examined for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Although the fruits and leaves of male and female plants of J. Sabina and J. foetidissima were quite rich in the amounts of flavonoides (except for the fruits J. Sabina), they were generally poor in the amounts of alkaloids, tannins and saponins. Thirty compounds (representing 95.7 % of the total oil) in the oil of the fruits of J. Sabina, as well as 34 and 32 compounds (representing 97.2 and 96.3 % of the essential oils compounds respectively) in the oils of leaves of male and female of the plant were identified respectively. Analysis of the essential oils of the leaves of male and female trees and fruits of J. foetidissima leads to identify 39, 39 and 36 compounds (representing 95.7, 98.6 and 97.5 % of the total essential oils compounds respectively) in the oils respectively. Although there are differences in the oils yields and various compounds in the essential oils of fruits and leaves of male and female plants of both J.sabina and J. foetidissimacomparison of the GC-MS analysis of these oils showed a similarity between the components of the oils obtained from different parts of the each plants. The major components of the essential oils of fruits and leaves of male and female plant of J. Sabina evaluated in this study were sabinene (48.6, 21.5 and 24.3 %), α-pinene, (8.1, 14.7 and 6.2 %) and myrcene (10.8, 6.8 and 7.6 %)respectively. Sabinene (37.1, 19.9 and 16.8%), α-pinene, (29.9, 22.2 and 18.6%) and limonene (11.8, 20.9 and 13.6 %) were the main compounds of the oil of the fruits and leaves of male and female trees of J. foetidissima essential oils respectively. Comparison of the MIC values shows that all the tested essential oils have weak antimicrobial activity against the tested strains (Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus,) except for the fruits of J. foetidissima which has not any antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Escherichia coil and Pseudomonas aeroginosa(>50mg/mL). However the leaves and fruits of J. sabina also did not show any antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeroginosa(>100 mg/mL). The MIC values of J. foetidissima leaves (male and female) against microorganisms ranged from 3.125 to 6.25 mg/mL, except for S. aureus which was 25 mg/mL. The MIC values of J. sabina against B. subtilis, C. albicans, S. aureus (fruits) and E. coli (leaves) was 3.125 and against S. aureus (leaves) 6.25 mg/mL.
Behavioral Beliefs about Cesarean Section According to the Theory of Planned Behavior in Pregnant Women

Background and purpose: Cesarean delivery on maternal request is so common in Tehran, Iran. Behavioral beliefs have an important role in the intention of selective cesarean and could influence the choices for educational training. The aim of this study was to determine the behavioral beliefs about cesarean section based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in pregnant women. Materials and methods: A qualitative study with purposive sampling was designed in which data was collected through in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed. Content analysis was performed in which exploratory interviews were performed according to the principles of TPB. Afterwards, the information was coded and each interview was analyzed. Results: A total of 36 women (mean age 27.8 ± 4.5) was interviewed. Two main themes were extracted from the interviews: positive and negative beliefs about cesarean section. Then four sub themes were explored including long term and short term complications, and long term and short term advantages of cesarean section. Conclusion: In this study women had both true and false beliefs about caesarean section. Thus, health care providers should be aware of misunderstandings about caesarean section among pregnant