Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological control of mushroom brown blotch disease using antagonistic bacteria

Button mushroom brown blotch disease is one of the most important and devastating diseases in Iran which is caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii. To screen antagonistic bacteria against this pathogen, major mushroom cultivation centres in Iran were surveyed and samples were taken from compost, soil cover and button caps with or without visible symptoms. In total, 120 bacteria were isolated on the basis of their morphology and pathology on excised tissue blocks of the fresh Agaricus bisporus. Among all tested bacteria, thirty-six isolates produced variable inhibition zones and reduced the symptom incidence on tissue blocks of A. bisporus. The most effective antagonistic bacteria caused almost 100% inhibition of pathogenic bacterium. To confirm the identification of antagonistic bacteria, RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) of five antagonistic strains (A1, A2, A3, A4 and A6) were amplified using primer sets of long amplicon primers (LAPS) and LAP27. The polymerase chain reaction products of the strains A1, A3 and A6 were sequenced. Based on phenotypic, biochemical and molecular characteristics, the bacterial antagonists were identified as P. putida (A1), P. reactants (A2 and A6), P. fluorescens (A3 and A4) and Bacillus subtilis (A5), respectively. In all four criteria including weight of the diseased and healthy caps, per cent disease severity and per cent disease incidence, the treatment 2 (P. fluorescens A4) was the most effective from among T1, T3, T4 and T5 treatments. Overall results of this study suggest that bacterial antagonists may be potential biocontrol agents for biological promotion of the health and growth of button mushroom.
Measurement of the quantity of lactose passing into mammary venous plasma and lymph in goats and in a cow

Summary Lactose in the plasma of 12 lactating goats and one cow with healthy udders has been measured by a sensitive and specific enzymic assay. Mean values (±S.E.) for arterial and venous concentrations were 52±11 µM and 70±11 µM respectively. Simultaneous measurement of mammary blood flow, milk yield and milk lactose concentration showed that 2·70±0·25% (mean±S.E.) of the total lactose production passed into the plasma. This rose to 42·7% in a goat when milking was suspended for 46 h. No lactose was found in the plasma of male and non-lactating female goats, but it was detected 4 days before parturition in a nulliparous goat.
Enhancement of biomass and hydrocarbon productivities of Botryococcus braunii by mixotrophic cultivation and its application in brewery wastewater treatment.

Successful production of mixotrophic algae allows the integration of both photosynthetic and heterotrophic components during the diurnal cycle. This reduces the impact of biomass loss during dark respiration and decreases the amount of organic substances utilization during growth; these features infer that mixotrophic production can be an important part of the microalgae to biofuels process. Mixotrophic mode provides an effective way to cultivate Botryococcus braunii with high cell density and short cultivation cycle because exogenous carbon sources, in especial, organic carbon sources, such as sodium acetate, glucose and sucrose can stimulate the biomass production of the alga remarkably. The biomass and hydrocarbon volumetric productivities were promoted significantly by the mixotrophic cultivation of B. braunii compared with the photoautotrophic group, even though the hydrocarbon contents under mixotrophic conditions were not increased in pace with the biomass contents. The present study suggested that coupling the cultivation of mixotrophic microalgae and organic wastewater treatment is a potential way to produce microalgae biomass, accumulate hydrocarbon and remove organic and inorganic salts.
Review of the ecology of Australian urban fauna: A focus on spatially explicit processes

Cities have a major impact on Australian landscapes, especially in coastal regions, to the detriment of native biodiversity. Areas suitable for urban development often coincide with those areas that support high levels of species diversity and endemism. However, there is a paucity of reliable information available to guide urban conservation planning and management, especially regarding the trade-off between investing in protecting and restoring habitat at the landscape level, and investing in programmes to maintain the condition of remnant vegetation at the local (site) level. We review the literature on Australian urban ecology, focusing on urban terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. We identify four main factors limiting our knowledge of urban fauna: (i) a lack of studies focusing at multiple ecological levels; (ii) a lack of multispecies studies; (iii) an almost total absence of long-term (temporal) studies; and (iv) a need for stronger integration of research outcomes into urban conservation planning and management. We present a set of key principles for the development of a spatially explicit, long-term approach to urban fauna research. This requires an understanding of the importance of local-level habitat quality and condition relative to the composition, configuration and connectivity of habitats within the larger urban landscape. These principles will ultimately strengthen urban fauna management and conservation planning by enabling us to prioritize and allocate limited financial resources to maximize the conservation return.
Fundamentals Of Engineering Tribology With Applications

Tribology is the study of the principles of friction, wear and lubrication of machine elements. As a branch of mechanical engineering and materials science, tribology deals with the design of f luid containment systems like seals and gaskets, and lubrication of surfaces in relative motion. The study of tribology helps in better understanding of design and maintenance of machine elements such as bearings, gears, cam-followers, hard disk drives, seals, pumps, compressors, etc. In order to calculate the load support required by bearings, there is a need to study the structure and nature of f luid f low.
BAT ACTIVITY IN AN URBAN LANDSCAPE: PATTERNS AT THE LANDSCAPE AND MICROHABITAT SCALE

Relatively little attention has been devoted to the urban ecology of bats (Chiroptera) despite their ecological importance. Although previous studies have indicated that urbanization has a negative effect on the abundance of bats and bat activity, this relationship may differ among regions. We monitored bat activity during 1997–1999 in 15–20 natural areas distributed across a 3500-km2 area spanning the Chicago metropolitan area in northeastern Illinois. Our objectives were to elucidate relationships between landscape and microhabitat characteristics and bat activity. Bat activity was correlated with visual estimates of abundance. Among adjacent land-use classes, industrial/commercial use was positively related to bat activity in 1997 and 1999, and the predominant rural land use, agriculture, was negatively associated with bat activity in 1998. Proportion of woodland habitat within study areas was positively related to bat activity in every year. There was a positive relationship between agricultural land .
Microsatellite DNA variation in wild populations and farmed strains of turbot from Ireland and Norway: a preliminary study

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus is the focus of a rapidly expanding aquaculture industry, while at the same time wild catches appear to be in decline. As a preliminary investigation into the effects of hatchery rearing, genetic variation at three polymorphic microsatellite loci was assessed in two wild populations and two farmed strains of turbot, from Ireland and Norway. Although a considerable loss of rare alleles was observed in the Irish farmed strain, no statistically significant reductions were found in mean heterozygosity or allelic diversity in farmed strains compared to wild populations. Significant genetic heterogeneity was found between wild and farmed samples from each country but not between the two wild populations. Genetic differentiation between the farmed strains was presumed to be caused by drift in the hatcheries. The utility of these particular microsatellite loci in comparing these samples and the importance of molecular genetic testing of farmed strains is stressed.
Occurrence of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Here we report the finding of two mycosporine-like amino acids (shinorine and Porphyra-334) in both a culture of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa isolated from Lake Taihu (China) and a natural phytoplankton sample collected from this lake which included Microcystis spp. Our results are the first to clearly document the occurrence of these UV-sunscreen compounds in a freshwater bloom-forming cyanobacterium.
Metmyoglobin reducing ability and visual characteristics of nine selected bovine muscles

Metmyoglobin Reducing Ability and Visual Characteristics of Nine Selected Bovine Muscles. (December 2004) Jason Monroe Behrends, B.S., Texas Tech University; M.S., University of Kentucky Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jeffrey W. Savell Nine bovine muscles (m. adductor, m. gluteobiceps, m. gluteus medius, m. longissimus lumborum, m. longissimus thoracis, m. psoas major, m. semimembranosus, m. supraspinatus and m. semitendinosus) were removed from beef carcasses (n = 18) to study the affects of muscle, grade, and display time on color stability. Carcasses represented two USDA quality grades (Choice and Select) equally. Muscles were cut into steaks at 10 d postmortem and displayed under retail conditions for 7 d. Percent fat had a muscle × grade interaction as muscle reacted differently based on grade. The m. gluteobiceps, m. gluteus medius, and m. semitendinosus from Choice carcasses tended to be higher in percent fat than those from Select carcasses. Percent metmyoglobin increased from d 1 to d 7. High color stable muscles (e.g., m. longissimus lumborum and m. longissimus thoracis) displayed the least percent metmyoglobin. Generally most muscles displayed high metmyoglobin reductase activity throughout retail display. Aerobic reducing ability for low color stability muscles were high on d 1 and decreased dramatically by d 7, whereas high color stability muscles (m. longissimus lumborum and m. longissimus thoracis) showed an increase in aerobic reducing ability before
Relationship between the ATP content measured at three imbibition times and germination of onion seeds during storage at 3, 15 and 30°C

The possibility of using ATP content as an indicator of seed quality was studied in onion seeds {Allium cepa cv. Wadenswil). The percentage germination and ATP content of imbibed seeds were compared during 145 weeks of storage at three temperatures (3, 15 and 30 °C). ATP content, which was undetectable in air-dried seeds (moisture content: 9%, w/w), increased rapidly as a function of imbibition time, as did the fresh weight and respiration rate, reaching a steady-state level after about 17 h. After 36 weeks of storage, the rate of ATP formation was greater for the seeds stored at 3°C than for those kept at 15 and 30 °C. Furthermore, the onset of ATP synthesis was delayed. These phenomena, which are likely to be an expression of seed ageing, are useful indicators, allowing the prediction of the loss of seed viability before the decrease in percentage germination which occurred beyond 36 weeks of storage. In addition, the correlation between ATP content and germination capacity of seeds during 145 weeks of storage was excellent (r=0.95 at 15°C and 0.97 at 30 °C), provided that a 17 h-imbibition time, specific for onion seeds, was chosen. These results are discussed in terms of the controversy concerning the correlation between the ATP content and germination percentage of seeds.
The setae of Austropotamobius pallipes (Crustacea: Astacidae)

The author presents here the results of an introductory study into the setal armature of the British species of crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet, 1858). Using an ordinary optical microscope, it is demonstrated that a considerable variety of setae exist on the body and appendages of A. pallipes. These setae are described, and their distribution indicated. The setae fall into two main groups: (1) Setae with relatively thick walls and inconspicuous ampulla, and having no basal septum. (2) Those setae with relatively thin walls, a well-developed ampulla and basal septum. Further subdivisions of these two groups are made on the bases of outgrowths and outlines of the setal wall. Finally, the significance of the distribution and the variation, is discussed in relation to crayfish behaviour and function, linking the observed morphological facts with the results of some current electro-physiological experiments performed on related decapods.
Growth and biochemical profile of juvenile mussels (mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk) fed on different algal diets

The food value of different microalgal diets to juvenile Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk was assessed. Three different marine microalgae species (Tetraselmis suecica, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Phaeodactylum tricornutum) were fed singly and in various mixtures. Composition of the mixtures was based on the dry weight of(n~cells. Significantly higher growth rates in length and volume were obtained with diets containing T. suecica. Differences in food value between diets containing T. suecica and the remainder also were observed in terms of growth in dry and organic weights, gross growth efficiencies and condition indexes. All these parameters were correlated significantly with each other. The biochemical profile of the mussels also was modified by the diet. Mussels fed on diets containing D. tertiolecta showed increased levels of carbohydrales. Growth rates , gross growth efficiencies and condition indexes were correlated significantly with the protein and lipid deposited as body constituents, and lipid content (%DW) of the mussels. In the diets of higher growth, 44-47% of algal protein supplied was deposited as body protein, against 4.2-4.5% of Jipids and 33-64% of carbohydrates.
A new species of day gecko from high elevation in Sri Lanka, with a preliminary phylogeny of Sri Lankan Cnemaspis (Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae)

A new species of Cnemaspis (Sauria, Gekkonidae) from the highlands of central Sri Lanka is described. The species is distinctive relative to all other recognized Sri Lankan congeners in possessing enlarged subcaudal scales that are pentagonal to hexagonal in shape, in having 12 femoral pores and no precloacal pores, and in its dorsal pattern of chevrons. The species is most similar to the Indian C. jerdonii. Molecular data support both the distinctiveness of this taxon with respect to other Sri Lankan day geckos and its affinities with C. podihuna and C. scalpensis. Cnemaspis kandiana and C. tropidogaster do not appear to be reciprocally monophyletic. Cnemaspis modiglianii, recently described from Pulau Enggano, near Sumatra, is also a member of the C. kandiana clade.
Evaluation of Osteopontin in Combination with Bone Turnover Markers for the Assessment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Aims: Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, has an important impact on the lives of postmenopausal women, owing to the increased risk of fractures. Although bone mineral density (BMD) is the standard criteria used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, but BMD provides a slow and static picture of skeleton whereas, the biochemical markers of bone turnover (BTM) can provide dynamic status of bone remodeling and rapid measurement of skeletal metabolism. Osteopontin (OPN), a glycoprotein has been implicated in bone remodeling by activating the resorption process. Combination of osteopontin with classical bone turnover markers can enhance the confidence of detecting osteoporosis and predicting fracture risk. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: We included 120 females (60 postmenopausal, age >45 years and 60 from childbearing age 25-45 years) and excluded all conditions affecting bone metabolism. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to measure levels of bone markers in serum. Results: Bone markers were significantly higher in postmenopausal group of patients. Osteopontin was found to be positively correlated with osteocalcin (r=0.82), bALP (r=0.76), CTX (r=0.62) and DPD (r=0.49) and it was negatively correlated with BMD lumbar spine (r= -0.71) indicating a significant correlation (p<0.0001). The osteopontin and osteocalcin combination showed highest sensitivity (94%) and specificity (88%), closely followed by that of osteopontin and bone alkaline phosphatase combination. Conclusion: High levels of osteopontin in postmenopausal women are associated with low BMD, raised levels of bone turnover markers and fractures. When used in combination with other bone turnover markers, it can provide an accurate assessment of osteoporosis and fracture risk.
Biochemical Studies on Post‐Ripening of Banana

Some fundamental studies were undertaken in order to get some insight into the process of post-ripening of banana by studying the changes in carbohydrate metabolism and the changes in respiratory mechanism during the course of banana ripening. 1.During the course of banana ripening, it is concluded that sucrose is synthesized first directly from starch and subsequently hydrolyzed into glucose and fructose in the post-climacteric stage. In this process phosphorylase appears to be the main enzyme involved in the breakdown of starch. 2.During the course of post-ripening, water content of the flesh increases gradually. Soluble pectin increases four times in the climacteric stage, and then decreases. Tannin content remains unchanged. 3.No peroxidase activity is detected through each stage of ripening, but considerable intensity of catalase activity is detected. The catalase activity in pre-climacteric banana is stronger than that in the climacteric. 4.The entire terminal oxidase of preclimacteric banana flesh is cyanide-resistant, but as the climacteric stage reaches, one-fifth of it becomes cyanide-sensitive. Malonate poisoning appeares to occur to a very little extent. 5.Citrate acts as a substrate toward the respiratory system of preclimacteric tissue, but as an inhibitor toward that of ripe banana. An interpretation is made on these effects of citrate. 6.With the aid of the uncoupling agent, 2,4-dinitrophenol, it is shown that the respiratory rate of the preclimacteric but not of the climacteric banana flesh is limited by the capacity of the phosphate transfer system. ATP-ase develops during the course of ripening and appeares to be a factor which put forth the respiratory increase in the climacteric stage. This behavior is belived to be the general feature of the catabolism of reserve substances like starch.
Isolation and Characterization of Antibiotic Producing Microorganisms from Soil Samples of Certain Area of Punjab Region of India

Soil samples containing antibiotic producing organism are commonly employed for the production of suita ble antibiotics. Isolated antibiotic may be bactericidal or bacteriostatic in nature. In the present investigation, antibiotics producing microorganisms were isolated from soil and tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegtitis, Proteus vulgris and Bacillus subtilis. Disc diffusion method, agar well method, streak agar method and biochemical methods have been employed to investigate the antibiotics producing microorganisms. Out of twelve isolates, two isolates; No. 5 and No. 6 were found suitable in inhibition of the growth of S. aureus and P. vulgris and zone of inhibition were found to be in ranging between 11 and 12mm respectively. The present work suggests that soil isolates, having antibiotic prod ucing properties can be utilized commercially after proper standardization.
Crop traits related to weed suppression in water-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L)

Abstract Resistance to herbicides and the lack of viable control options have led to an interest in increasing the role of crop competition as a weed management tool in water-seeded rice production. Weed-suppressive rice cultivars have been suggested as a tool that could improve weed control and reduce the reliance of growers on herbicides. Field studies were conducted at Biggs, CA, in 1999 and 2000 with six to eight semidwarf rice cultivars to identify water-seeded rice traits related to the suppression of watergrass growth. Cultivars S-201 and M-302 were the most suppressive in both years. The dry weight (DW) of watergrass grown with the most suppressive cultivar was only 16% in 1999 and 57% in 2000 of the DW of watergrass grown with the least suppressive cultivar. Rice leaf area and root DW in weed-free plots were linearly related to watergrass DW in both years. Weed-suppressive traits were not inversely correlated with rice yields in monoculture; competitive cultivars also had high yields. This study suggests that an indirect selection program, based on traits that can be identified early in the season under weed-free conditions, has great potential for developing more competitive cultivars for water-seeded rice. Nomenclature: Early watergrass, Echinochloa oryzoides (Ard.) Fritsch ECHOR; late watergrass, Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf) Koss. ECHPH; rice, Oryza sativa L.
Mosquitoes as Bioindicators of Forest Degradation in Southeastern Brazil, a Statistical Evaluation of Published Data in the Literature

The data of 20 mosquito surveys performed in areas of tropical forest in southeastern Brazil were analyzed by means of multivariate statistical procedures (correspondence analysis and cluster analysis). The results are interpreted in relation to the degree of degradation reported for each forest in the collecting sites, allowing the selection of species or groups of species that act as good indicators of local environmental changes. By this approach the different localities were scaled along a gradient of anthropogenic modifications correlated with a particular mosquito fauna. The resulting model allows to classify different woods in southeastern Brazil according to their state of preservation, by means of their mosquito species. Four bioindicators for the particular levels of forest degradation in southeastern Brazil are proposed: Kerteszia, Aedes scapularis, Mansoniini and Haemagogus.
Determination of Total Pigments in Red Meats

The presence of turbidity in the aqueous extracts invalidated the results in the spectrophotometric determination of total pigments in meat. The present study showed that the turbidity was caused by certain protein and lipid fractions and was eliminated by the amphiphilic property of these compounds. For that purpose, the aqueous extract was treated with trichloroethylene; after stirring and centrifugation, a thin layer was observed in the interphase, together with a completely unclouded aqueous extract. This layer was formed by proteins, cholesterol, glycerides, and phospholipids. Values of total pigments are reported in different cuts of bovine, ovine and porcine meat.
Chromolaena odorata in livestock nutrition.

This paper seeks to review the nutritional values of Chromolaena odorata (C.O.), an erstwhile obnoxious plant. The food and medicinal values of this plant, aside from its agronomic importance were mentioned as part of the introductory pieces of information on its use in livestock production. The plant has assumed an enigmatic status of sort, to the herbalists, the agronomists and the livestock nutritionists alike, but recent research efforts as reviewed in this article, such as its use in the formulation of layers diets, its influence on performance, nutrient digestibility, mineral utilization, blood and biochemical indices of monogastrics as well as its acceptance and high preference score recorded on the West African dwarf goats are quickly changing the perception of the plant as a noxious weed to one of immense medicinal and nutritional potentials only waiting for mankind to continue to tap and benefit from.