Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional suppression of ribosomal DNA with phase separation

Single-molecule imaging and tracking reveal how rRNA transcription is regulated by phase separation in the nucleolus. The nucleolus is a nuclear body with multiphase liquid droplets for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription. How rRNA transcription is regulated in the droplets remains unclear. Here, using single-molecule tracking of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) and chromatin-bound upstream binding factor (UBF), we reveal suppression of transcription with phase separation. For transcription, active Pol I formed small clusters/condensates that constrained rDNA chromatin in the nucleolus fibrillar center (FC). Treatment with a transcription inhibitor induced Pol I to dissociate from rDNA chromatin and to move like a liquid within the nucleolar cap that transformed from the FC. Expression of a Pol I mutant associated with a craniofacial disorder inhibited transcription by competing with wild-type Pol I clusters and transforming the FC into the nucleolar cap. The cap droplet excluded an initiation factor, ensuring robust silencing. Our findings suggest a mechanism of rRNA transcription suppression via phase separation of intranucleolar molecules governed by Pol I.
Sexing adult and fledgling Lesser Black-backed Gulls from morphometrics

ABSTRACT Gulls are monomorphic in plumage characteristics but show a sexual size dimorphism where males are larger than females. In this study, we use discriminant function analyses (DFA) and generalised linear modelling (GLM) to provide sexing criteria based on morphometrics for adult and fledgling Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus in Iceland. Males were significantly larger than females in all variables measured and this was the case for both age classes. For DFA the best sexing model for adults included skull length, bill depth and tarsus length and classified correctly 99.1% of the individuals sampled. For GLM only two variables, skull length and tarsus length, were needed for 100% classification of adult birds. The best sexing model for fledglings included skull length and tarsus length and classified correctly 89.4–91.5% of the individuals sampled, depending on the method. Individual sexing probability was much higher for adults than for fledglings, independent of the method used. However, individual sexing probability for adult birds was higher from applying GLM than from DFA. Higher success of GLM in assigning birds to the correct sex, higher individual sexing probability and more direct methodology to obtain a sexing probability make GLM an appropriate and recommended method for sexing birds.
Ocorrência e fatores de risco para Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em ovinos da região de Guarapuava, Paraná, Brasil

A toxoplasmose e neosporose sao doencas que podem afetar os animais de producao causando perdas economicas significativas. Sabendo disso, foram determinados os fatores de risco e a ocorrencia de anticorpos anti- Toxoplasma gondii e anti- Neospora caninum em 81 ovinos de sete propriedades da regiao de Guarapuava, Parana, Brasil. A pesquisa de anticorpos foi realizada por meio da Reacao de Imunofluorescencia Indireta (RIFI) e foi observada uma frequencia de 40,74% para T. gondii e de 3,70% para N. caninum . Os fatores de risco pressupostos para ambas as infeccoes foram: o contato direto dos ovinos com felinos, para T. gondii , e com caes para N. caninum , presenca de aborto no rebanho e o acesso de outras especies animais ao mesmo bebedouro dos ovinos. Por meio do Teste Exato de Fisher foram calculados o IC (95%), Odds ratio e o valor de p , os quais nao revelaram associacao entre a ocorrencia de anticorpos e os fatores de riscos analisados. Pode-se afirmar que os protozoarios T. gondii e N. caninum estao presentes entre os rebanhos de ovinos dessa regiao.
Experimental evidence of damage to benthos by bottom trawling with special reference to Arctica islandica

In Kiel Bay (Western Bahic), benthos samples were taken at 20 m water depth using rectangular botanical dredges fixed to the otter boards of an 80 ft Sonderborg standard trawl to document possible effects of trawl fishery on the benthic fauna. Thin-shelled bivalves like Syndosmya (Abra) alba, Mya spp. and Macoma calcarea, as well as the starfish Asterias rubens were damaged by otter-boards to a high extent. Thick-shelled bivalves such as Astarte borealis and Corbula gibba, however, seem to be more resistant to mechanical stress of bottom-trawl fishery. Musculus niger, an epibenthic species, is probably only resuspended and dislocated. The rate of damage to Arctica islandica, Macoma baltica and Macoma calcarea is related to their body size. Large specimens are more affected than smaller specimens due to the unfavourable relationship between shell surface and shell thickness. The size distribution of Arctica islandica in heavily trawled areas of Kiel Bay shows reductions in the upper size class in these areas.
Breeding Behaviour and Embryonic Development of Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Induced breeding experiments of Nikishigoi (koi carp), Cyprinus carpio were conducted in mature males and females by administrating a single intramuscular injection of ovaprim at a dosage of 0.3mL/kg weight. Spawning was observed six hrs after the injection at ambient temperature (26-28℃). The fertilized eggs were adhesive and transparent with diameter ranging between 0.9mm and 1.10mm. Incubation period was 73.00hrs. The hatchlings were transparent and measured 2.7-2.9mm, with a large oval head, a well defined yolk sac and short tail. The yolk got fully absorbed within 3 days and by this time mouth formation was complete and the larvae started exogenous feeding. After 20 days the length of fry ranged between 10mm and 12mm and after 35 days length of the fingerlings ranged from 30-35mm and appeared just like an adult in all respects except sexual maturity.
Assessment of Aedes sierrensis as a vector of canine heartworm in Utah using a new technique for determining the infectivity rate

Both Aedes sierrensis and Dirofilaria immitis have recently become established in Utah. We evaluated the vector potential of this Aedes sierrensis strain using a new technique for detecting Dirofilaria immitis in individual mosquitoes. Survival of Aedes sierrensis females after bloodfeeding did not differ from that of Ae. triseriatus but infective Ae. sierrensis produced significantly more L3 nematodes. This observation and epidemiological data support the hypothesis that Ae. sierrensis is the vector of canine heartworm in Utah. Infectivity was determined by counting infective-stage parasites that migrated into the medium after individual mosquitoes were decapitated or crushed in the wells of tissue culture plates. Complete recovery of infective-stage nematodes was attained in 60-74% of the mosquitoes and 77-93% of all L3 were collected with this technique. There were few false negatives. High recovery rates (mean = 89%) were also obtained for mosquitoes treated en masse.
Visible Morning Flight of Neotropical Landbird Migrants at Cape May, New Jersey

-We studied the autumn morning flight of Neotropical migrants for two years at Cape May, New Jersey. A majority (86%) of the 24,378 identified Neotropical migrants were warblers, while thrushes (0.01%) rarely made morning flights. A disproportionately large number of migrants was seen on the day of and the day following cold fronts. Only 23% of all Neotropical migrants flew on days not associated with cold fronts, and nearly 12% flew in rain. Morning flights of Neotropical migrants commenced in late July, and 72% passed before 15 September. All migrants flew north. At Cape May, 87% of visible morning flight occurred within 2 h after sunrise. We examine several hypotheses advanced to explain morning flight and reverse migration, and conclude that the morning flight of Neotropical landbird migrants at Cape May probably consists of a combination of birds returning to land from the ocean, birds compensating for lateral drift incurred during the previous night's migration, and birds seeking habitat in which to rest and forage. Topography may dictate the direction of morning flight. We suggest that researchers in North America commence studies of autumn passerine migration in late July and that researchers studying habitat selection by migrant passerines wait 2 to 3 h after sunrise before conducting surveys to avoid sampling birds undertaking morning flight. Received 18 March 1991, accepted 13 January 1992. THE MORNING FLIGHT of nocturnally migrating songbirds occurs in several locations in North America (Gauthreaux 1978, Bingman 1980, Hall and Bell 1981) and Europe (Alerstam 1978, Lindstrom and Alerstam 1986). In the autumn of 1988 and 1989, we studied the morning flight of Neotropical migrant songbirds at Cape May Point, New Jersey (38? 56'N, 74? 58'W). We sought to determine which species undertook morning flight, study their flight behavior, and describe the seasonal and diel timing of their morning flight. In addition, we examined the influence of weather frontal systems on the number of birds observed flying. In 1988, we conducted a daily transect survey through representative vegetation types to compare the species composition of birds remaining in the habitat to that of birds migrating out. This comparison allowed us to determine which of the Neotropical migrants undertook morning flight and which did not. With our data, we examine seven of the hypotheses Richardson (1982) listed to explain northbound migration in the fall, as well as Bingman's (1980) onward-migration hypothesis for diurnal passerine migration. I Present address: Department of Ornithology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA. The fact that so many species and such large numbers of migrants participate in morning flight strongly suggests that this behavior is an integral part of migration. Our study examines the function of morning flight. In addition, morning flight has important implications for researchers studying both seasonal timing of passerine migration and use of stopover habitat by passerine migrants.
Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Substratespezifität, Aktivierung und Inaktivierung von Lipoxygenasen in Getreideextrakten

Etude des proprietes biochimiques et des conditions optimales de pH et temperature pour les lipoxygenases de mais, ble, orge, triticale et seigle. On met en evidence dans chaque extrait un inhibiteur thermostable actif sur la lipoxygenase de l'extrait et sur celle des autres cereales
Trinexapac-ethyl Does Not Increase Total Nonstructural Carbohydrate Content in Leaves, Crowns, and Roots of Tall Fescue

Turfgrass growth regulators (TGRs) are an effective means of reducing vertical shoot growth and the production of clippings of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Recently, using TGRs has been suggested as a way to acclimate or precondition turfgrass to stress conditions, possibly through total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) accumulations and altered TNC partitioning. The TNC may accumulate in response to growth suppression associated with the TGR application. The objective of this study on tall fescue was to determine the effect of a single trinexapac-ethyl (TE) application on tissue weight and on TNC concentration and weight in leaves, crowns, and roots when sampled 6 to 7 weeks following TE application. This sampling time was chosen to coincide with the 28- to 56-day callback schedule that professional lawn care personnel follow when working with tall fescue. In 1995, a high level of turfgrass maintenance was used, consisting of N applications at 49 kg.ha -1 per month and two mowings per week, while in 1996 a moderate level was used, consisting of N applications at 24 kg.ha -1 per month and one mowing per week. Though TE provided reasonable inhibition of clipping growth for a 4-week period during both years, we observed no increase in tissue weight or in TNC concentration or weight in leaves, crowns, and roots when sampled 6 to 7 weeks after treatment.
Syringophiloidus bucerotidus sp. nov. (Acari: Syringophilidae), a new quill mite species parasitizing hornbills (Aves: Bucerotidae) in the Sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT A new species of parasitic quill mite, Syringophiloidus bucerotidus Skoracki et Sikora sp. nov. is described based on the mite material collected from contour feather quills of six hornbill species (Bucerotiformes: Bucerotidae): Horizocerus hartlaubi (Gould) [type host] and H. albocristatus (Cassin) from D.R. Congo, Tockus flavirostris (Rüppell) and T. fasciatus (Shaw) from Cameroon, T. deckeni (Cabanis) and Lophoceros pallidirostris (Hartlaub et Finsch) from Tanzania. This is a first record of the family Syringophilidae on birds of the order Bucerotiformes. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A4327B33-4AA5-49A2-90E1-98C6C36245E0
Fermentation of omega-3 and carotenoid producing marine microorganisms

The objective of the thesis was to understand and develop the process of fermentation in marine microorganisms for the production of omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids. Among marine microorganisms, thraustochytrids that belong to phytoplankton group was identified as sources of omega-3 fatty acids and other valuable co-products. In this research, more efficient and cost-effective production of omega-3 oils and other value added products was discussed by addressing the below key objectives. Fermentation strategy using lower cost raw materials, particularly carbon. Screening for new strains that can naturally produce high levels of PUFAs together with useful co-products that can be harvested along with the omega-3 oil.
Allometric Partitioning Theory Versus Optimal Partitioning Theory: The Adjustment of Biomass Allocation and Internal C-N Balance to Shading and Nitrogen Addition in Fritillaria unibracteata (Liliaceae)

ABSTRACT Fritillaria unibracteata is a classic perennial alpine herb. In this study, we examined it's responses to shading (SH) and nitrogen addition (NA), as well as its correlation with internal C-N balance to detect how it adjusted to the changes of habitat conditions. Randomized block experiment was carried out in the field in Chuanbeimu Research Station in Songpan County, Sichuan Province, China (32°09′54″N, 103°38′36″E, altitude 3300 m a.s.l.). Two growing seasons after NA and SH, Fritillaria unibracteata's total plant biomass decreased significantly, with the proportion of biomass allocated to aboveground significantly increased. In addition, in this study, under both SH and NA treatments, Fritillaria unibracteata increased its biomass allocation to above-ground, which consisted with optimal partitioning theory. Moreover, Fritillaria unibracteata's biomass allocation was significantly correlated with its internal C-N status, regardless of nitrogen and light condition. We conclude that Fritillaria unibracteata optimizes its biomass allocation between root and shoot by adjusting its internal C-N balance, which would not be changed by the specialized resource storage organ-bulb.
Development of Field Diagnostic Tools for and Characterisation of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum, Causal Agent of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt

Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm) is the causal agent of Xanthomonas Wilt (XW) of Bananas. It is currently the greatest threat to the existence and production of bananas in Uganda and other neighboring countries. XW on banana is able to cause about 80-100% field losses. There are currently no known chemicals, herbicides or resistant banana cultivars that can be used to control this disease. Despite awareness efforts among farmers, this disease continues to bring down the yield of bananas in growing areas. This is also due to the fact that symptoms caused by XW are similar to, and often indistinguishable from those caused by manageable common banana diseases such as Fusarium wilt. The key control strategy of XW is immediate destruction of infected plants. There is therefore need for early and accurate detection of Xcm: an onsite field detection tool. There are currently PCR (polymerase chain reaction) laboratory based assays and antibody based systems that are used for detection of this bacterium. This study developed another antibody-based system: an ELISA polyclonal antibody assay for Xcm formatted in to a lateral flow device (LFD). This study also introduces a new pathovar, Xanthomonas vasicola pv musacearum, to the species Xanthomonas vasicola and therefore carried out large scale comparative pathogenicity testing of the X.vasicola pathovars on maize, banana and sugarcane. This study further characterized a new collection of Xcm isolates from Western Uganda to determine their genotypes based on a subset of the 86 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms that divided Xcm isolates into two major sublineages (I&II) as previously reported (Wasukira et al, 2012).
Flavonoids in leaves of black cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC. subvar. viridis cv Serotina) grown on different soils and at different elevations [Tuscany]

Leaves of black cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC. subvar. viridis cv. serotina) from plants grown on soils developed from two parent materials (sandstone and calcareous marl) and at different elevations were collected and analysed to evaluate their flavonol content. Eight different flavonols, kaempferol and quercetin derivatives, were identified. HPLC/DAD quantitative analyses showed that both elevation and soil characteristics affect the amount of flavonols in the leaves. The total flavonol content was higher in plants from sandstone soils than in those from calcareous marl soils, and in both cases, it increased with the elevation of the sampling location.
CHARACTER DISPLACEMENT VIA AGGRESSIVE INTERFERENCE IN

Ecological character displacement occurs when sympatric species compete with one another, resulting in morphological divergence. Theoretically, character displace- ment can evolve from a number of ecological interactions, such as exploitation, interference, or predation, but most examples describe species competing exploitatively for limiting resources (typically food). Here I report a case of character displacement evolving from aggressive behavioral interference, found in a well-studied system of terrestrial salamanders of the genus Plethodon. Using geometric morphometrics, I found parallel shifts in head shape from allopatry to sympatry in both P. jordani and P. teyahalee, and found significantly greater morphological divergence in sympatry relative to allopatry. Both findings are con- sistent with ecological character displacement. I also show a significant association between morphology and aggressive behavior, demonstrating a direct link between interference competition and morphology. I present a modified set of the criteria for character displace- ment that are appropriate for discriminating character displacement via aggressive inter- ference from other possible evolutionary mechanisms. For this example, empirical support satisfying five of the six criteria for character displacement is found. These results provide evidence that morphological variation can be generated by mechanisms other than resource exploitation, which has profound implications for interpreting patterns of biological di- versity.
Association Mapping for Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Chinese Asparagus Bean Germplasm

Fusarium wilt (FW) is an important vascular disease attacking asparagus bean [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata Sesquipedalis Group] in China. The level and genetic variability of FW resistance in the Chinese asparagus bean germplasm remains elusive. In the current study, FW resistance was assessed across a natural population consisting of 95 asparagus bean and four African cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata Unguiculata Group] accessions. The disease index (DI) based on the severity of leaf damage (LFD) and vascular discoloration (VD) varied highly across the population and the highly resistant varieties used for vegetable are very limited. Genome‐wide association study identified 11 and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with LFD and VD traits, respectively. These SNPs were distributed on nine linkage groups of the asparagus bean genome and each accounted for less than 5% of the phenotypic variation. Overall, the nonstandard vegetable (NSV) subgene pool harbors favorable alleles in a higher frequency than the standard vegetable (SV) subgene pool. Individual NSV‐type accessions tend to possess a greater number of favorable alleles than the SV‐type ones. A SNP marker 1_0981 was converted to a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker to facilitate future breeding. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association mapping (AM) study in asparagus bean. The results obtained suggests that resources for FW resistance is relatively limited in the SV subgene pool; hence, introducing resistant alleles from the NSV accessions into currently leading SV cultivars will be important to improve FW resistance of the latter.
Failure of Chloro-S-triazine-Derived Compounds to Induce Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Responses in Viv

The potential estrogenic activities of atrazine and simazine were investigated in vivo using the immature female Sprague-Dawley rat uterus and in vitro using the estrogen-responsive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and the estrogen-dependent recombinant yeast strain PL3. Animals that were dosed with 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg of atrazine or simazine alone for 3 consecutive days did not exhibit any significant increases in uterine wet weight while decreases in cytosolic progesterone receptor (PR) binding levels and uterine peroxidase activity were observed. 17 beta-estradiol (E2)-induced increases in uterine wet weight were not significantly affected by cotreatment with either chemical; however, some dose-independent decreases in E2-induced cytosolic PR binding and uterine peroxidase activity were observed. In vitro, atrazine and simazine did not affect basal or E2-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation or the formation of nuclear PR-DNA complexes as determined by gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In addition, these chloro-S-triazines did not display agonist activity or antagonize E2-induced luciferase activity in MCF-7 cells transiently transfected with a Gal4-human estrogen receptor chimera (Gal4-HEGO) and a Gal4-regulated luciferase reporter gene (17m5-G-Luc). Moreover, the estrogen-dependent PL3 yeast strain was not capable of growth on minimal media supplemented with atrazine or simazine in place of E2. Collectively, these results indicate that the reported estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects elicited by these chemicals are not mediated by the estrogen receptor.
Mites of the subfamily Parasitinae (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) in the British Isles

Synopsis The mites of the subfamily Parasitinae in the British Isles and the Channel Islands are revised. Thirty-six species belonging to nine genera are recorded of which one is new to science and fourteen are new to the British fauna. Habitat and distributional data are given and keys to the genera and species for deutonymphs, males and females are provided. The taxonomy includes eleven new specific synonyms and five new combinations.