Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Heavy Metals in Tissues of Freshwater Fish in Lithuania

concentrations of pb, cd, cu, zn, Fe, ni, cr, Mn and v (hMs) were determined in flesh, fishbone, liver, gill and intestine of 20 freshwater fish (perch, roach, silver bream, semi-bream, chub, smelt, tench and pike) netted in various lithuania fresh waters. 90% of fish flesh samples were contaminated with pb at the concentration below the maximum tolerable level of
Plant community responses to nitrogen addition and increased precipitation: the importance of water availability and species traits

Global nitrogen (N) enrichment and changing precipitation regimes are likely to alter plant community structure and composition, with consequent influences on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Responses of plant community structure and composition to N addition and increased precipitation were examined in a temperate steppe in northern China. Increased precipitation and N addition stimulated and suppressed community species richness, respectively, across 6 years (2005–2010) of the manipulative experiment. N addition and increased precipitation significantly altered plant community structure and composition at functional groups levels. The significant relationship between species richness and soil moisture (SM) suggests that plant community structure is mediated by water under changing environmental conditions. In addition, plant height played an important role in affecting the responses of plant communities to N addition, and the effects of increased precipitation on plant community were dependent on species rooting depth. Our results highlight the importance and complexity of both abiotic (SM) and biotic factors (species traits) in structuring plant community under changing environmental scenarios. These findings indicate that knowledge of species traits can contribute to mechanistic understanding and projection of vegetation dynamics in response to future environmental change.
Combining ability and heterosis for phenologic and agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.) under drought conditions in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Borno State, Nigeria

Five International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) drought tolerant and open pollinated varieties (OPVs) (lines) and four local varieties with various level of susceptibility to drought (testers) were used. These maize varieties were crossed using a line x tester mating design during the 2007 cropping season to determine the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA); also the level of heterosis was investigated. Parental lines and hybrids were evaluated in Biu in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. Results from the analysis of variance and combining ability shows that there was high and significant level (P< 0.05) of genetic variability among the parental lines used and their hybrids in days to tasseling, days to silking, anthesis silking interval (ASI), plant height, ear height, weight of cobs, dehusked cobs and grain yield, thus suggesting the possibility for genetic improvement. The study established that, there were significant (P<0.05) differences of GCA effects of parents and that of SCA effects of hybrids. Estimates of GCA were consistently lower than SCA effects in almost all the traits evaluated. This suggests that high performing hybrids such as EVDT-99WSTRQPMC0 x EX-DAMBOA WHITE, EVDT-99WSTRC0 x EX-DAMBOA YELLOW andTZE-COMP 3 DTC 1 x EX-DAMBOA WHITE may be used to develop potential varieties. The parents: EVDT-99WSTRC0, EVDT-99WSTRQPMC0, TZE-COMP 3 DTC 1 and EX-BIU WHITE were identified as the best general combiners in terms of GCA for days to tasseling, days to silking, ASI, plant height, ear height, dehusked cobs and grain yield. Keywords: Maize, combining ability, additive, non-additive genetic effects, drought tolerance African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(24) 2400-2406
Evidence that thermostable direct hemolysin of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is composed of two subunits

Kanagawa phenomenon of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Correlates closely to human pathogenicity of this ~rganism [1,2]. Obara [3] isolated a thermostable direct hemolysin from culture filtrates of Kanagawa i henomenon-positive strains and suggested that this emolysin is responsible for human pathogenesis. Attempts to purify the thermostable direct hemolysin have been made by several workers [3-8] and it has been reported that the thermostable direct hemolysin has several biological activities; that is, enterotoxicity i[9,10], cytotoxicity [11,12] and cardiotoxicity [ 13-16]. To study the structure of the thermoStable direct hemolysin, we examined the subunit Structure of the purified thermostable direct hemolysin and found that it was composed of two subunit molecules of approx. 21 000 daltons.
Diel and Semi-lunar Cycles in the Swimming Activity of the Intertidal, Benthic Amphipod Corophium volutator in the Upper Bay of Fundy, Canada

Abstract Although movement of individuals has important consequences on population dynamics and various ecological interactions, it is often difficult to quantify fully. We investigated the temporal variation in the number of the amphipod Corophium volutator swimming in the water column during periods of immersion over an intertidal mudflat in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, in spring-summer 2006. Swimming is an important mode of dispersal, since the number of swimming amphipods can peak at over 30,000 individuals within a 20-cm-diameter, stationary plankton net over a period of immersion of ∼4 h. Amphipods swim throughout spring-summer, but abundance in the water column is less in May than in the other months. As well, amphipods swim during the day and night, but the number swimming shows periodicity in relation to diel time of high tide, with peaks when high tides occur around 1:45 am. Finally, the number of amphipods swimming shows periodicity in relation to lunar cycles, with peaks around the time of new moon and full moon. We developed a statistical model describing the swimming activity of C. volutator based on month, diel time of high tide, and day of the lunar calendar. The model accurately predicts the timing of peaks, but does not predict well the amplitude of the highest peaks. Overall, the model gives a very good approximation of the number of swimmers (61% of the variation is explained) and provides a strong basis for future modeling of spatial population dynamics of C. volutator.
Assessment of Honey Plant Resources through Pollen Analysis in Coorg Honeys of

Pollen analysis of honey samples collected from Coorg district of Karnataka state was undertaken to gather information regarding the bee forage plants and to determine the prevailing bee-plant relationship. In the present investigation, 20 honey samples were collected from Apis cerana and Apis dorsata colonies during January 2010 to April 2011 from bee hives located at 14 locations of Coorg district. A total of 91 pollen types belonging to 42 families were identified. The dominant pollen types were Coffea sp. , Cocos nucifera, Aster sp. , Scheffleria sp. , Syzygium sp. , Terminalia sp. , Brassica sp. , Croton sp. , Oryza sativa, etc. Among the pollen types observed, 53.84% were tree species and the most preferred. The highest contribution for nectar and pollen source for honeybee in the study area belonged to the Fabaceae and Asteraceae. This paper discusses the honey plant resources, potentialities for commercial beekeeping in Coorg district and also the importance of honeybees in the forest and agriculture ecosystem.
POPULATION STRUCTURE, GROWTH, MORTALITY, AND SIZE AT SEXUAL MATURITY OF PALAEMON GRAVIERI (DECAPODA: CARIDEA: PALAEMONIDAE)

Abstract Population characteristics such as population structure, growth, mortality, and size at sexual maturity of P. gravieri inhabiting warm temperate waters were investigated using size-frequency distribution data (January 1999 to December 2000). Sexual differences for carapace length/total weight and carapace length and total length were statistically significant in the intercept of the regressions in the former relationship and the slope in the latter, respectively. Population size based on size-frequency distribution between female and male and between two years were described. Population density was high in March and April during two years of sampling. Sex ratio was biased toward females for most of the months sampled. Growth was continuous and seasonally oscillated throughout the year. Adult females were larger and grew faster than males. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for two-year pooled samples between females and males were estimated as L∞ = 23.20, K = 0.8, C = 0.4, WP = 0.1, Rn = 0.269, t0 = −0.016 (females); L∞ = 18.59, K = 0.704, C = 1.00, WP = 0.2, Rn = 0.326, t0 = −0.023 (males), respectively. Instantaneous total mortality (Z) for two-year pooled samples were estimated by the equation y = −3.92x+11.89 (n = 10, r = 0.920) for females and y = −2.41x+10.57 (n = 9, r = 0.976) for males, respectively; sexual maturity was estimated to be at 7.89 mmCL (carapace length).
PHENOLOGY OF THE SAN JOSE SCALE (HOMOPTERA: DIASPIDIDAE) IN NEW YORK STATE APPLE ORCHARDS,

Abstract Pheromone trapping studies from 1979 to 1981 showed that there were two periods of San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), male flight activity annually in western New York apple orchards. Spring flight, which resulted from overwintering black caps, began at ca. 94–140 degree-days (base 10 °C from 1 March) and occurred during bloom in the apple varieties studied. First generation crawlers emerged at ca. 360 degree-days. Second generation crawlers emerged at ca. 890 degree-days and were active throughout September. Regression analyses showed a logistic relationship between crawler density and fruit infestation, and inverse linear relationships between pheromone trap catches and San Jose scale infestation levels within trees. Résumé Des études de piégeage à la phéromone effectuées de 1979 à 1981 ont révélé 2 périodes annuelles de vol des mâles au pou de San José, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), dans les vergers de l'ouest de New York. Le vol de printemps originant du stade hivernant a commencé à environ 94–140 degrés-jours (base 10 °C à partir du 1 mars) et s'est produit durant la floraison des variétés étudiées. Les larves errantes de la première génération ont émergé à environ 360 degrés-jours. Les larves errantes de la seconde génération ont émergé à environ 890 degrés-jours, et sont restées active durant tout le mois de septembre. Des analyses de régression ont révélé une relation logistique entre la densité des larves errantes et l'infestation des fruits, ainsi que des relations linéaires inverses entre les nombres capturés au piège à phéromone et les niveaux d'infestion intra-arbres.
Molecular characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in an agricultural soil and in potato roots

SUMMARY - Molecular characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in an agricultural soil and in potato roots - The symbiosis between plant roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been shown to affect both the diversity and productivity of agricultural communities. In this study, we characterized the AMF communities of Solanum tuberosum roots and of the bulk soil in two close areas of Italy, in order to verify if the land use practices selected any particular AMF with specificity to potato plants. The AMF large subunit rDNA genes (LSU) were subjected to nested PCR, cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. A hundred and eighty-three LSU rDNA sequences were analyzed and 8 monophyletic ribotypes, belonging to Glomus groups A and B, were identified. AMF communities differed between bulk soil and potato roots, as one AMF ribotype, corresponding to Glomus intraradices, was much more frequent in potato roots than in soils. Overall results, concerning the biodiversity of AM fungal communities in roots and in bulk soils from the two studied areas, suggested that potato were preferentially colonized by one AM fungal species, G. intraradices. RIASSUNTO - Caratterizzazione molecolare di funghi micorrizzici arbuscolari in un suolo agricolo e nelle radici di patata - La simbiosi fra le piante ed i funghi micorrizici arbuscolari (AMF) puo influenzare la biodiversita e la produttivita delle comunita agricole. In questo studio abbiamo caratterizzato la comunita AMF in radici di Solanum tuberosum e nei suoli di due aree italiane allo scopo di verificare se le pratiche agricole abbiano contribuito a selezionare particolari ceppi di AMF con specificita verso le piante di patata. Il gene codificante la subunita maggiore dell’rDNA fungino (LSU) e stata utilizzato come stampo in una nested PCR, clonato, sequenziato ed sottoposto ad analisi filogenetica. Dall’analisi di 183 sequenze sono stati identificati 8 ribotipi monofiletici appartenenti al genere Glomus gruppo A e B. Differenze fra le comunita fungine dei suoli e delle radici di patata sono state evidenziate, ed un ribotipo, corrispondente a G. intraradices, era molto piu frequente nelle radici di patata che nei suoli. I risultati ottenuti suggeriscono che le patate sono preferenzialmente colonizzate da una specie di AMF, G. intraradices.
Dynamics of photosynthetic picoplankton in a subtropical estuary and adjacent shelf waters

Dynamics of Synechococcus (Syn), Prochlorococcus (Pro) and picoeukaryotes (Euk) was studied at 92 stations in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent shelf waters in the winter of 2006 using flow cytometry. The average cell abundance of photosynthetic picoplankon (Pico) was 104 cells/ml. Picoeukaryotes was the dominant group in the inner estuary where Pro was absent. Synechococcus was dominant in the coastal and open waters. The proportion of Pro was higher in the open than in the coastal waters. The change of Pico community structure from the inner estuary to the open waters is related to the changes in hydrochemical dynamics. The vertical variations in the abundance and community composition of Pico were not significant. The abundances of Pro and Syn were positively correlated with temperature, salinity and pH, whereas they were negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO), suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon) concentrations. But the correlations between %Euk (as of total pico) and these environmental factors were opposite to those between the abundance of prokaryotic cells (Pro and Syn) and the environmental factors. %Euk had significant negative correlations with temperature, salinity and pH, and positive correlations with DO, SSC and nutrients. There were differences in the niches between prokaryotic cells and picoeukaryotes. Prochlorococcus and Syn were dominant in the warm waters with high salinity, low SSC and low nutrient concentrations, while %Euk was higher in the cold waters with low salinity, high SSC and high nutrient concentrations. Results of principal component analysis and regression analysis indicated that the relationship between the abundances of Pico and the environmental factors was a compound function (y = b0(b1)x), and that between the abundances of Pro, Syn or %Euk and the environmental factors was a linear function.
The growth of eel fed with different protein level and protein-energy ratio

ABSTRACT The study was aimed to determine the optimum dietary protein level and energy protein ratio which can optimize growth performance of the eel A. bicolor bicolor on nursery phase. Four treatments and three replications were applied in this study. The treatments were P1, containing 37.66% protein with energy protein ratio 14.75 kcal GE/g (37.66%; 14.75 kcal GE/g), treatment P2 (41.30%; 13.51 kcal GE/g), treatment P3 (45.38%; 12.27 kcal GE/g), and treatment P4 (49.60%; 11.31 kcal GE/g). Eels used for this study were 6.5±0.3 g in average body weight. Eels were reared in a series of aquaria with dimension 90×40×40 cm 3 and filled with 100 L of fresh water. Total weight of eel stocked in aquarium were 400 g. Eels were fed until satiated twice a day at 8 am and 4 pm for 60 days. The result showed that different protein level and energy protein ratio was significantly affected growth performance (feed consumption, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein retention, and lipid retention), protein and fat of whole body eels at confident limit of 5%. In contrary, there was no significant different on the survival rate, hepatosomatic index, ash content, and nitrogen free extract of the body eel. The optimal growth performance was reached by dietary protein level and energy protein ratio of 45.38%; 12.27 kcal GE/g and 49.60%; 11.31 kcal GE/g. Keywords: Anguilla bicolor bicolor , energy protein ratio, feed, growth performance, protein ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan menentukan kadar protein dan rasio energi protein optimum yang dapat meningkatkan kinerja pertumbuhan ikan sidat A. bicolor bicolor fase pendederan. Empat macam perlakuan dan tiga ulangan digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Perlakuan tersebut adalah P1 yang mengandung protein 37,66%; dengan rasio energi protein 14,75 kkal GE/g (37,66%; 14,75 kkal GE/g), perlakuan P2 (41,30%; 13,51 kkal GE/g), perlakuan P3 (45,38%; 12,27 kkal GE/g) dan perlakuan P4 (49,60%; 11,31 kkal GE/g). Bobot rata-rata ikan sidat yang digunakan adalah 6,5±0,3 g. Ikan sidat dipelihara dalam akuarium berukuran 90×40×40 cm 3 dengan volume air 100 L. Total bobot ikan yang digunakan dalam setiap akuarium adalah 400 g. Ikan sidat diberi pakan sekenyangnya dengan frekuensi dua kali sehari yaitu pukul 08.00 dan pukul 16.00 WIB selama 60 hari. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa pemberian kadar protein dan rasio energi protein pakan berbeda, memberikan pengaruh nyata (P 0,05) terhadap tingkat kelangsungan hidup, indeks hepatosomatik, kadar abu, dan bahan ekstrak tanpa nitrogen (BETN) tubuh ikan sidat. Kinerja pertumbuhan optimal dicapai oleh kadar protein dan rasio energi protein pakan 45,38%; 12,27 kkal GE/g dan 49,60%; 11,31 kkal GE/g. Kata kunci: Anguilla bicolor bicolor , kinerja pertumbuhan, pakan, protein, rasio energi protein
Effect of auxin types on In vitro and ex vitro rooting and acclimatization of grapevine as influenced by substrates

Transferring micropropagated plantlets from in vitro to in vivo conditions is a critical step because plantlets have under-developed cuticle and stomata which result in wilting due to low humidity, fungal attack and bleaching in high light intensities. The resumption of terminal growth indicates successful establishment which is a change from mixotrophy to autotrophy. The survival of Vitis vinifera cvs. 2A-Clone and Red Globe plantlets rooted in vitro was 86.66 and 83.33%, respectively and the established plants showed a well-defined root system. Plantlets rooted in vivo by auxin pulse were easier to transfer and acclimatize with a survival percentage of 96.66 and 79.92 for 2A-Clone and Red Globe, respectively but the rooting was of fibrous type with few main roots and less number of root hairs. Coco-peat in combination with sand and soil was better for quick acclimatization and establishment (97.5 and 95% survival for 2A-Clone and Red Globe respectively) of the micropropagated plantlets.
28-Homobrassinolide-Induced Exaggerated Growth, Biochemical MolecularAspects of Brassica Juncea L. RLM-619 Seedlings under High TemperatureStress

The present study was pertaining to study the mechanism and signaling of BRs under high temperature stress in Brassica juncea L. plants. Results advised that high temperature stress reduced the shoot length, root length, fresh weight of the plants but 28-homobrassinosteroids (28-homoBL) treatment reduced the toxic effect of high temperature stress by improving the same of B. juncea L. plants. To ascertain these free radical scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Peroxidase (POD), Ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and Indole acetic acid oxidase (IAAO) and lipid oxidation (MDA) were assayed along with photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars. All studied scavenging enzymes activities were ameliorated by the homoBL treatments. The pigments decreased under temperature stress were also protected by homoBL treatments. Proteins profiling by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) were also studied to know the behavior of proteins under temperature stress as well as with the treatment of homoBL. Protein bands disappeared in temperature stress while in the presence of homoBL treatment existing proteins displayed more accumulation leading to the appearance of new bands. Native-PAGE of SOD, CAT and POD suggested the presence of in isoenzymic forms in cells. Application of different concentration of homoBL increased intensities of these isoenzymes under temperature and normal condition as compared to control untreated seedlings. The gene expression of SOD and CAT also suggested that synthesis these enzymes were decreased under high temperature stress but ameliorated with the treatment of homoBL. Present study demonstrated that 28-homoBL have stress-ameliorative properties in B. juncea seedlings exposed to high temperature stress by improving seedling growth and enhancing protein content as well as activities of SOD, CAT, APOX, PPO and IAA Oxidase. Further, it was suggested by decreasing the MDA content after the treatments of 28-homoBL. This study demonstrate the culmination of BR’s as an anti-stressor for protection of plant exposed to high temperature stress but extensive studies are still needed to know the various aspects related to stress and role of brassinosteroids in regulating them at molecular and signaling level.
Reports of Kroyeria Species Collected from South African Waters with Notes on the Host—Parasite Associations

There are 21 species in the genus Kroyeria of which nine have been reported from hosts caught off South Africa. Host—parasite associations were reported for K. dispar, K. papillipes and K. sphyrnae. Kroyeria specimens were collected from the gill filaments of elasmobranch hosts, fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol and the prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance calculated. Kroyeria lineata from Mustelus palumbes constitutes a new host and geographical record, K. rhophemophaga from Galeorhinus galeus a new geographical record and K. carchariaeglauci from Carcharhinus amboinensis an additional new host record. Except for K. dispar, Kroyeria species generally display low parasite loads on their hosts. Prevalence varied between 11.8% (Cl: 1.5–36.4%) and 94.4% (Cl: 86.4–98.5%). Mean intensity and mean abundance values ranged from four to 72.8 (SE 11.1) individuals per infected host and from 0.7 (SE 0.5) to 65.7 (SE 10.5) individuals per examined host, respectively. All Kroyeria species examined display an aggregated distribution pattern. This study confirms previous suggestions that Kroyeria species are generally host specific, with only a few species found on multiple hosts.
The Vocal Repertoires of Six Honeyeater (Meliphagidae) Species from Adelaide, South Australia

Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) are prominent members of the avifauna in Australia, typically with four to five resident species in any area. We recorded vocalisations from six species resident around Adelaide in South Australia: the Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata, Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera, Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala, White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus, New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae and Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera. The larger honeyeaters (Red and Little Wattlebird) produced characteristically harsh vocalisations covering a wide range of frequencies. Crescent and White-plumed Honeyeaters had a varied and complex repertoire of calls and songs which were quite musical in nature. Noisy Miners and New Holland Honeyeaters produced vocalisations dominated by simple single note whistles. Each species had specific vocalisations emitted in different contexts: alarm, distress, begging and contact calls as well as song. Alarm and distress calls of the six species had common characteristics and typically induced responses from other honeyeater species.