Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 1. Archostemata - Myxophaga - Adephaga.

As the publisher indicates, this book is a completely updated and translated edition of the author’s famous 1995 book ‘‘Atlas zur Biologie der Wasserinsekten’’. The original title was generally not available in the US and, of course, it was written in German! I concur strongly with the forward to this book written by the distinguished professor, Vincent H. Resh: ‘‘This book is both a pleasure to study or just to peruse’’. The great appeal of this book is the 912 illustrative and often stunning scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs and 156 additional text figures. The SEMs are exceptionally clear and carefully chosen to depict specific characteristics. All orders of aquatic and semiaquatic insects from around the world are treated from the Collembola or springtails to ichneumon ‘‘diving wasps’’. Coverage of the orders emphasizes respiratory and osmoregulatory adaptations, developmental cycles, and unique morphological features. The subheadings throughout the book are useful, allowing quick reference. Examples for each order are usually the taxa that are unique or remarkable in exhibiting features of great interest to the aquatic biologist. For instance, the text provides enlightening discussions of the function of chloride cells found in stonefly larvae; how the chrysomelid beetle Macroplea bites into a stalk of Potamogeton to release a bubble of oxygen to be incorporated into its plastron by hydrophobic antennae; the remarkable mating behavior of the nonwinged female water moth Acentria ephemerella; and illustrations of the 152 adhesive devices on the foreleg of a male dytiscid beetle! I want to emphasize that the plethora of information provided in this book should be incorporated in any course on aquatic entomology, ecology, or stream biology of aquatic insects. In addition, this book provides numerous useful literature citations for each order of aquatic and semiaquatic insects, several of which are not included in North American textbooks. The authors succinctly summarize the important findings of these often-classic citations. The cost of the book is very reasonable; however, it appears the book is not available through common US outlets, and may have to be ordered directly from the publisher. As a superb reference, this book should be on the shelves of anyone who is interested in aquatic insects or aquatic biology.
Tolerance and behaviour of the mysid shrimp Tenagomysis novae‐zealandiae to low dissolved oxygen

Abstract Estuarine hypoxia (<4.0 mg O2/litre) caused by eutrophication has been linked to mass mortality of fish and Crustacea. However, there is little information on the hypoxia tolerance of New Zealand's estuarine mysid shrimps and/or if these species exhibit behavioural and physiological responses to low dissolved oxygen. Laboratory experiments demonstrated the native mysid shrimp Tenagomysis novae‐zealandiae was tolerant of dissolved oxygen levels of 4.0 mg O2/litre and 1.5 mg O2/litre, but very sensitive to levels <0.5 mg O2/litre. Mortality occurred within 22 min when dissolved oxygen levels decreased to 0.5 mg O2/ litre, although the 7 h LC50 value for T. novae‐zealandiae was calculated to be 1.11 mg O2/litre. There was a clear relationship between T. novae‐zealandiae activity and decreasing dissolved oxygen levels. Reduced activity appears to be a strategy of T. novae‐zealandiae to tolerate moderate hypoxia (4.0 and 1.5 mg O2/litre). However, this behaviour was unsuccessful at 0.5 mg O2/litre, as all test organisms demonstrated erratic behaviour and escape responses immediately before loss of equilibrium and mortality.
Growth and Energy Imbalance During the Development of a Lecithotrophic Molluscan Larva (Haliotis rufescens)

Larvae of the gastropod Haliotis rufescens are classified as â€œ? �nonfeedingâ€ because they cannot cap ture particulate foods. However, for only 1out of5 inde pendent cultures was a net decrease observed in dry or ganic weight during the complete period oflarval devel opment (5 to 7 days). In fact, there were net increases in dry organic weight from the oocyte (day 0) to the newly formed veliger larva (2-day-old). These weight increases during early development could be explained by in creases in the amounts of specific biochemical compo nents of the larvae, relative to oocytes. The metabolic rates oflarvae were measured (oxygen consumption) and used to compare (i) the required energy for development with (ii) the energy supplied from the catabolism of bio chemical reserves. This analysis revealed that the cost of development for larvae could not be explained by the rates of use of the energy stores initially present in the oocyte. Larvae, from two independent cultures, could only supply 25% or 71% oftheir energy requirements by the use of internal reserves. Larvae of H. ruftscens can not use particulate foods and, thus, this energy resource cannot be invoked. Estimates of the contribution that dissolved organic material in seawater could provide to larvae, showed that this pool of exogenous material could supply the missing energy. It is suggested that â€œ? �nonfeedingâ€ larvae can feed, but that their only avail
Bacteria in Relation to Milk

I send the following notes in view of the interesting questions raised by the case. CLINICAL HISTORY I was called early one morning to see a man aged 66, who had been in great abdominal pain all night. The pain was widely diffused all over the abdomen, the bowels had been well opened twice the previous day, the temperature was normal, and the pulse 96 and rather weak. 1 found a very distended bladder, but the patient expressed no desire to pass water. He had passed it on retiring to bed for the night, after a day during which he had felt particularly well and energetic. (It so happened that I had examined him 10 days previously, when attending another member of the family. He then complained of vague abdominal pain, but there was no question of constipation or urinary difficulty, and palpation showed no abdominal tumour. I accordingly advised x-ray investigation if tlhe pain persisted, but within a day or two he stated it had quite gone.) I gave him morphine gr. 1/6, and ordered a prolonged hot bath. After some thirty minutes he passed about 4 oz. of urine. I then felt able to leave him and went to my surgery. Upon my return he had passed no more urine, and the abdomen was still very distended. I decided to tie in a size 5 Jaques catheter. Visiting him again 6 hours later I found that 30 oz. of urine had come away. He was, however, looking iller than before, the abdomen was still very distended, and I could feel a mass in the abdomen to the left 6ide, which I thought was separate from the bladder. I felt a further opinion was necessary, and called in a surgical colleague. Unfortunately it was not possible to arrange the consultation for a further 3 hours, and When we visited the patient his bladder had again apparently made it difficult to be certain about the diagnosis of the second tumour. It was decided to take him into hospital, and again slowly drain the bladder. By this time the patient was obviously very ill, but the temperature was still normal, though the pulse had risen to 110 and was " thready " in nature. Overnight catheterization showed a completely empty bladder, and no urine was secreted for 48 hours. Thus it became evident that the tumour felt was not a distended bladder. An x-ray examination of the abdomen brought the following report from the radiologist. "Considerable gas distension of the stomach. No gas distension of the small intestine. No evidence of intestinal obstruction from x-ray. " A Ryle's tube was passed, and constant suction applied. After 48 hours he was completely comfortable. Some flatus had been passed after enemata, but he was still markedly distended. The Ryle's tube by this time was discharging considerable quantities of upper jejunal contents, so the evidence of an upper intestinal obstruction was definite.
Histopathological Studies of Fowl Pox in Bantams

There was an outbreak of avian pox infection in a flock of bantams (Gallus domesticus) with gross lesions of erosions, crusts and nodules on the comb, eyelids, oral mucosa, legs and toes. In histopathological study eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were visualized by light microscope in epithelial cells of the cutaneous nodules. Electron microscopy revealed numerous pox virions in the inclusion body.
Potential improvements to current methods of recognizing single targets with a split-beam echo-sounder

The precision of in situ target-strength (TS) estimates generated by TS analysers is directly related to the ability of single-target detectors to reject multiple echoes in dense aggregations. The rejection performance of five single-target detection algorithms, utilizing phase, amplitude, and echo duration information from a split-beam echo-sounder as rejection criteria, were tested by simulation for target pairs randomly generated in a three-dimensional resolution volume. Each algorithm was also tested for selection bias. It was found that all five algorithms accept multiple echoes preferentially when they are in phase. Of the phase methods, that which used the standard deviation in phase rejected the multiples most effectively, while the echo duration method performed relatively poorly. A method which relies on the magnitude of amplitude differences between split-beam elements performed well, particularly for stronger targets. Another advantage of this method is that it also preferentially accepts out-of-phase multiples, thus partly compensating for its bias towards multiples which are in phase. We conclude that implementation of algorithms using either the standard phase deviation or the amplitude difference will lead to a significant improvement in single-target detection. The performance of the amplitude difference technique is particularly encouraging, considering the potential improvements possible by using averaging techniques to minimize the influence of noise.
Leaf Epidermal Micromorphology of Portulaca L. Species Found in Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Micromorphology of three species of Portulaca was carried out with the help of light microscopy to determine variations within the species which would aid in correct identification of the plants. Epidermal cells are polygonal with sinuous anticlinal walls in all the three species. Length of epidermal cells of P. grandiflora Hook. is higher than P. oleracea Linn. and P. quadrifida Linn. The leaves of P. quadrifida are epistomatic while the remaining species are amphistomatic with paracytic stomata in all the three species. Mean stomatal index and stomatal frequency are more in P. quadrifida while the mean size of stomata (both length and width) is larger in P. grandiflora for both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Based on the diagnostic features, an artificial indented key is prepared.
Development of cheese bread with the addition of guar gum and xanthan gum as a substitute for partial fat.

Cheese bread (pão de queijo) is a traditional Brazilian product that is consumed widely in Brazil. There is also currently a trend towards exportation to foreign markets. Cheese bread dough is gluten-free and consequently it represents an alternative for people suffering from celiac disease. The aim of this study was to develop cheese breads with added guar gum and xanthan gum as partial fat substitutes to produce low-calorie bread, with reduced up to 55% of soybean oil and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of frozen and baked cheese bread. Xanthan gum, guar gum, and a mixture of both gums in various proportions (0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75%), as well as reduced soybean oil of standard, were added. The analysis of the moisture, pH, specific volume and density of the frozen and baked cheese bread dough was performed. The addition of xanthan gum resulted in better characteristics than guar gum or a mixture of both gums. The formulations containing xanthan gum had higher moisture retention and better texture in the frozen dough, as well as higher volume and lower density, which are desirable characteristics in baked bread. The treatments with the addition of xanthan gum and 55% reduction of partial fat (soybean oil) provided better moisture, density and specific volume to the baked bread and offer the possibility of developing low-calorie bread with much of the fat content of standard commercial formulations replaced.
Genetic diversity (RAPD) in natural Lithuanian populations of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to examine the genetic diversity and structure of ten natural Lithuanian common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) populations. A total of 99 trees were studied using six arbitrarily selected primers. Seventy-six RAPD bands ranging in size from 0.45 to 2.8 kbp were scored for analysis. Differences in the level of DNA polymorphism among the populations were established. The percentage of the polymorphic DNA fragment in the ten populations studied varied from 57.9 to 92.1%. The estimates of Shannon’s phenotypic diversity index ranged from 0.312 for the Pakruojis population to 0.532 for the Silute population, averaging to 0.44. Most of the genetic variations were found among individuals within the populations, while the interpopulation variance component accounted for 8.3% (P = 0.001). The low interpopulation differentiation implies an extensive gene flow among them. Genetic differences among the populations appeared due to the frequency differences of amplified fragments rather than to the absence or presence of particular RAPD bands. Both the principal component analysis and UPGMA cluster analysis of genetic distance values revealed a varying degree of separation among the populations with a considerable overlap among them; however, the clusters did not precisely reflect the geographic position of the populations. A medium-to-strong negative correlation between population genetic diversity characteristics and the longitude and climate continentality index of population locality was found to indicate existence of a clinal trend and a higher genetic diversity in more maritime West Lithuania.
Calhex231 Ameliorates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Inhibiting Cellular Autophagy in Vivo and in Vitro

Background/Aims: Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis, an initial factor of cardiac hypertrophy, is regulated by the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and is associated with the formation of autolysosomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Calhex231, a CaSR inhibitor, on the hypertrophic response via autophagy modulation. Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in 40 male Wistar rats, while 10 rats underwent a sham operation and served as controls. Cardiac function was monitored by transthoracic echocardiography, and the hypertrophy index was calculated. Cardiac tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or Masson's trichrome reagent and examined by transmission electron microscopy. An angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established and used to test the involvement of active molecules. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined by the introduction of Fluo-4/AM dye followed by confocal microscopy. The expression of various active proteins was analyzed by western blot. Results: The rats with TAC-induced hypertrophy had an increased heart size, ratio of heart weight to body weight, myocardial fibrosis, and CaSR and autophagy levels, which were suppressed by Calhex231. Experimental results using Ang II-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes confirmed that Calhex231 suppressed CaSR expression and downregulated autophagy by inhibiting the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent-protein kinase-kinase-β (CaMKKβ)- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway to ameliorate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Conclusions: Calhex231 ameliorates myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure-overload or Ang II via inhibiting CaSR expression and autophagy. Our results may support the notion that Calhex231 can become a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.
Indications of the effects of climate change on the pelagic fishery of Lake Kariba, Zambia–Zimbabwe

The pelagic fishery of Lake Kariba comprises the introduced clupeid, Limnothrissa miodon, from Lake Tanganyika. The annual fishery catches grew logistically from 1974, when commercial fishing began. It peaked at 37 000 tonnes (estimated mean sustainable yield = 40 000 tonnes) around 1990 and declined steadily thereafter. A piecewise regression of Limnothrissa catches against time gives a breakpoint around 1987–1988. Regressions of Limnothrissa against air temperature and lake temperature gave breakpoints of 34.8 and 28.7 °C, respectively. Other studies indicate that Lake Kariba has warmed by close to 2 °C, with accompanying changes in thermal stratification. The lake phytoplankton is now dominated by Cyanophyceae, particularly Cylindrospermum raciborskii. The lake zooplankton population has greatly diminished. These data are similar to the results obtained for Lake Tanganyika (Nature 2003; 424, 766–8). In the Lake Tanganyika study, the declining pelagic fishery has been attributed to reduced food availability resulting from a reduced phototrophic zone depth, as well as epilimnion nutrient recharge from reduced mixing. The warming observed in Lake Kariba and its environs is consistent with the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). While the effects of global warming have been observed in large natural lakes, this is the first study in which global warming has affected the ecosystem of a large impoundment.
Segregation of genotypically diverse progeny from self-fertilized haploids of the Chinese straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea

The electrophoretic karyotype of the Chinese straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea , was determined. The haploid strain V34 of V. volvacea has 15 chromosomes ranging in size from 1.4 to 5.1 Mb. No chromosomal polymorphism in terms of size and number was seen in either of two growth stages: vegetative mycelia or fruit-body gill tissues. DNA fingerprints were prepared by the arbitrarilyprimed polymerase chain reaction. Those obtained from different stages during fruit-body morphogenesis were identical. However, variation in DNA fingerprints was evident in protoplast regenerants derived from the same vegetative mycelium. Thus the haploid mycelium of strain V34 is heterokaryotic but the bulk genotype is stable during fruit-body development. F1 and F2 progenies germinated from the haploid, uninucleate basidiospores from self-fertilized fruit bodies also regularly segregate a range of mycelial morphological variants as well as phenotypic variation revealed by DNA fingerprints. We overview the known mechanisms to generate genetic variation and propose a novel mechanism that could account for the 1:1 segregation ratio of self-fertile to self-sterile progeny regularly obtained from selfed Volvariella volvacea fruit bodies.
Reconstructing reticulate relationships in the polyploid complex of Leucanthemum Mill. (Compositae, Anthemideae)

The genus Leucanthemum consists of ca. 56 taxa occurring mainly in Southern and Central Europe. While there are 19 diploid taxa (2n = 2x = 18) the rest of the genus is formed by an unbroken polyploid chain ranging from tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36) to dokosaploid (2n = 22x = 198). Because of richness in polyploids this genus provides an ideal study system to examine various aspects of polyploidy. This thesis is the starting point to unravel phylogenetic relationships within the whole genus. In this study sampling of all recognized taxa in the genus Leucanthemum is provided with the main aim to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. The thesis is divided into three chapters with focus on: 1) phylogeny of diploids and homoploid hybrid speciation incidence, 2) phylogeny of all taxa including polyploids, 3) phylogeny and evolutionary processes within L. glaucophyllum group and closely related species. Phylogenies are reconstructed with usage of low-copy nuclear genes sequenced by 454 sequencing accompanied by chloroplast markers. Species tree is constructed in the first Chapter together with species network and hybrid index for all diploid taxa. It reveals that Leucanthemum is monophyletic and that fifteen out of nineteen diploid taxa experienced homoploid hybrid speciation or severe gene flow among species. As a consequence the particular branches in the phylogeny gain rather low support but with robust division of diploids into two groups present in all analyses. In the second Chapter the phylogeny of all taxa is reconstructed as species network which recovers high level of reticulation among them with main finding that taxa from the same geographic area show affinity irrespective of their ploidy level. The third Chapter focuses in more detail on a smaller group of high polyploids related to a decaploid L. glaucophyllum. With reconstruction of species network, nested clade analysis on chloroplast network, and AFLP clustering it brings insights into relationships in this group. It also sheds light on the phylogeography of L. pallens and suggest that gene flow among the same and different ploidy levels is likely occurring. Furthermore new octoploid race is found in Esterell Massif and its relation to other taxa is discussed. The results pinpoint hybridization as one of the major processes in the evolution of the genus Leucanthemum. It influences speciation on the diploid level, enables formation of polyploids and contributes to the reticulate evolution among them in general, and specifically in taxa related to L. glaucophyllum.
Estimating digestibility and faecal output in lambs using internal and external markers

Summary Twenty fine-wool, ruminally cannulated lambs (average weight 45–9 kg) were used in a completely random design to evaluate the ability of three internal markers to predict dry matter digestibility and two external markers to estimate faecal output. Lambs were allotted randomly to one of four diets: 100% prairie hay (PH), 100% lucerne hay (LH), 50% prairie hay:50% sorghum grain (PS) and 50% lucerne hay: 50% sorghum grain (LS). The trial consisted of a 14-day adaptation period followed by a 7-day total faecal collection period. Feed and faecal samples were subjected to 96 h ruminal fluid and 48 h acid-pepsin digestions, followed by extraction with acid detergent (IVADF) or neutral detergent (IVNDF) solution. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) calculated from feed:faeces ratios of IVADF, IVNDF and acid detergent lignin (ADL) was compared with in vivoapparent digestibility. Ytterbium-labelled forage (YLF) and dysprosium-labelled faeces (DLF) were pulse-dosed via ruminal cannulae, and faecal Yb and Dy excretion curves were fitted to a one-compartment, agedependent model for estimation of faecal output, paniculate passage rate (PPR) and mean gastrointestinal retention time. In vivoDMD in lambs fed PH was greater (P <005) than DMD calculated from IVNDF, IVADF and ADL. In lambs fed LH and LS, in vivoDMD did not differ (P >005) from marker estimates. In vivoDMD for lambs fed PS did not differ from IVNDF or IVADF estimates but was greater than (P <005) the ADL estimate. No differences (P> 005) were observed in recovery among the three internal markers for any of the diets. Faecal output for lambs fed PH did not differ {P >005) from marker estimates but was overestimated by 15 to 20% by YLF and DLF. Faecal output for lambs fed LH was similar to the estimate from YLF, but less than (P <0–05) the estimate with DLF. For lambs fed PS, faecal output did not differ from marker estimates, but YLF and DLF values were 16% lower and 17% higher, respectively. No significant differences were observed in actual and estimated faecal output for lambs fed the LS diet. Estimates of PPR with DLF were numerically greater than YLF estimates for all diets except LS. Correspondingly, mean gastrointestinal retention time was less (P <005) for DLF compared with YLF for all diets except LS.