Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary supplementation with the microalgae Parietochloris incisa increases survival and stress resistance in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry

Dietary enrichments with the arachidonic acid (ARA)-rich microalga, Parietochloris incisa, on the survival of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry were examined. Diets were applied via Artemia enrichment to fish from two commercial farms for 34 and 36 days of experimental period (trials 1 and 2, respectively). In trial 1, Artemia nauplii were enriched with dry biomass of whole algal cells at 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg mL−1. Fry fed with Artemia enriched with 0.4 mg mL−1 demonstrated the lowest mortality rates (24% and 1% in farms 1 and 2, respectively) compared with controls (36% and 13% in farms 1 and 2, respectively). In trial 2, fry were fed with Artemia, enriched with whole algal cells (0.4 mg ml−1), algal hexane extract (HE; containing primarily ARA-rich triacylglycerols and β-carotene; 0.19 mg ml−1) or the extraction residue (0.28 mg ml−1). Acute stress (5 min air exposure) was applied after 18 days. The lowest mortality was recorded in the whole alga-fed group (av. 26% and 2.6% in farms 1 and 2, respectively), with a slightly, but not significantly higher mortality in the HE-fed group (av. 29% and 6.2% in farms 1 and 2, respectively). Elevated lysozyme was associated with the reduced mortality. Overall, the use of P. incisa as a dietary supplement for guppy fry during their first month of life enhanced their survival and stress resistance.
Diversity of Monogenoidea parasitizing scombrid fishes from Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil

Eleven known species of Monogenoidea were found parasitizing six different species of scombrid fishes collected from Rio de Janeiro coast, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean: Capsala biparasitica , Capsala katsuwoni , Capsala notosinense , Nasicola brasiliensis , Nasicola klawei , Allopseudaxinoides euthynni , Sibitrema poonui , Hexostoma albsmithi , Hexostoma euthynni , Hexostoma keokeo and Hexostoma sibi . Katsuwonus pelamis is reported as a new host to A. euthynni and Thunnus obesus to H. albsmithi . Capsala notosinense, A. euthynni, H. albsmithi and H. sibi are referred for the first time in Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Morphological and morphometric features are presented for each species.
Purification and characterization of prophenoloxidase from cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Phenoloxidases are oxidative enzymes, which play an important role in both cell mediated and humoral immunity. Purification and biochemical characterization of prophenoloxidase from cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were carried out to study its biochemical properties. Prophenoloxidase consists of a single polypeptide chain with a relative molecular weight of 85 kDa as determined by SDS–PAGE, MALDI–TOF MS and LC–ESI MS. After the final step, the enzyme showed 71.7 fold of purification with a recovery of 49.2%. Purified prophenoloxidase showed high specific activity and homology with phenoloxidase subunit‐1 of Bombyx mori and the conserved regions of copper binding (B) site of phenoloxidase. Purified prophenoloxidase has pH optima of 6.8 and has high catalytic efficiency towards the dopamine as a substrate in comparison to catechol and L‐Dopa. The PO activity was strongly inhibited by phenylthiourea, thiourea, dithiothreitol and kojic acid.
Ontogeny and phylogeny of the mesopodial skeleton in mosasauroid reptiles

Abstract Current phylogenies of mosasauroid reptiles are reviewed and a new phylogeny examining aigialosaur interrelationships presented. Patterns of mesopodial ossification and overall limb morphology are described for adult mosasauroids. Ossification sequences are mapped onto a phylogeny in order to assess the distribution of ontogenetic characters. Consistent and ordered distributions are found. Based on the phylogenetic distribution of ossification patterns, an overall mesopodial ossification sequence for mosasaurs is proposed. Carpal sequence: ulnare – distal carpal four (dc4) – intermedium – dc3 – radiale or dc2 – dc1 or pisiform and dc5. Tarsal sequence: astragalus – distal tarsal four or calcaneum. Skeletal paedomorphosis is recognized as a dominant pattern in the evolution of mosasauroid limbs. Apomorphic characters of skeletal paedomorphosis, apparent in most taxa, reach extremes in tylosaurs. Arguments for the presence of a single proximal cartilage in the tarsus of mosasaurs are made. This cartilage is presumed to include ossification centres from which both the astragalus and calcaneum will ossify.
The Innervation of the Gut of the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

1. The extrinsic and intrinsic innervation of the trout gut has heen examined by using methylene blue, osmium tetroxide, and silver staining techniques. 2. Left and right vagus nerves penetrate the oesophageal wall and run between the longitudinal and circular muscle-coats of the stomach, but do not reach the intestine. Branches of these nerves anastomose with each other and become incorporated into Auerbach'a plexus. Pericellular endings of vagal fibres are found about enteric neurones in the stomach, while some fibres end directly on the striated muscle-cells of the oesophagus. 3. A single, fine, anterior splanchnic nerve anastomoses along the major branches of the coeliaco-metenteric artery to supply both the stomach and intestine. Moat of the splanchnic fibres pass directly into the smooth muscle-coats, but some fibres run into the aubserous plexus. 4. Two posterior autonomic nerves provide separate innervation of the rectum. 5. Three main types of nerve-cells have been distinguished in the gut by their distribution as well as structure. ( a ) Small uni-, bi-, and multi-polar cells (10-15 µ in diameter) form the main body of Auerbach's plexus, lying between the muscle-coats. Throughout moat of the gut they are not arranged in true ganglia, since only from 1 to 3 neuronea occur at the nodes and many cells lie singly along the internodal connectives. ( b ) A smaller number of large multipolar neuronea (30-60 µ in diameter) lie half-embedded in the longitudinal muscle along the whole length of the gut, their principal axons passing down to lie between the muscle-coats in Auerbach's plexus. ( c ) A third cell type consisting mainly of large mono- or bi-polar cells (30-70 µ in diameter) contributes to Auerbach's plexus in the stomach only and is associated with the endings of vagus nerve-fibres. 6. Bundles of nerve-fibres pass down through the circular muscle-coat from Auerbach's plexus to join a loosely arranged plexus of nerve-fibres, the submucous plexus; but unlike Meissner's plexus of mammals, which occupies a similar region, no nerve-cells are present. 7. Nerve-endings, some of which may be sensory, are located at the bases of the mucous epithelial cells and are continuous with fibres forming a prominent subepithelial plexus from which fibres pass to both submucoue and Auerbach's plexusea. 8. A subaeroua plexus and ‘interstitial cell network’ are also present in the fish gut. 9. A quantitative study of nerve-cell densities in different regions of the trout gut revealed density peaks of 93 cells per square mm and 170 cells per square mm in the posterior cardiac stomach and anterior duodenum respectively. The ratio of small large neurone types in Auerbach's plexus is about 20 to 1 in all regions. The total number of nerve-cells in the whole gut was calculated to be about half a million.
The integration of plant phenology and land use data to create a GIS-assisted bioclimatic characterisation of Bavaria, Germany

Background: Since phenology is a good bio-indicator of temperature the latter is often used in phenological analyses. However, whilst meteorological data are difficult to interpolate from point measurements at the desired resolution, region-wide digital data, e.g. elevation models or land cover data, are usually readily available. Aims: The potential of environmental variables, other than meteorological data, to create a bioclimatic classification of landscapes at the mesoscale was tested by the joint use of spatial data and the flowering dates of Forsythia suspensa at 70 phenological stations in southern Bavaria, Germany. Methods: A linear discriminant analysis was carried out to identify relevant land use variables that were correlated with phenology and, using these results, to regionalise the observed flowering dates within the framework of a Geographic Information System. Results: The generated map represented dates of onset at the regional scale, mostly influenced by the extent of impervious (hard, sealed) surfaces and forest, altitude and distance to urban areas. Thus, we overcame restrictions resulting from the difficulties of spatially interpolating available climatological data, and from the limited number of phenological datasets. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the selected variables were capable of adequately modelling regional bioclimatic zonation, and that phenology was a useful proxy of regional climate variation arising from both natural and anthropogenic factors.
Association of bean rust and common bacterial blight epidemics with cropping systems in Hararghe highlands, eastern Ethiopia

Surveys of common bean rust and common bacterial blight (CBB) diseases were conducted in the Habro, Chercher and Wobera areas of the Hararghe highlands, Ethiopia during the 1998 and 1999 cropping seasons in four different bean cropping systems. Intercropping constituted 91% of the cropping systems. Bean proportions in intercropping ranged from 13 to 55%. In intercropping, the mean rust incidence and severity was reduced by 25 and 16%, respectively, compared with sole cropping. Similarly CBB incidence was reduced by 29% while severity was reduced by 20%. Single and multiple variable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association of rust and CBB diseases with cropping systems and practices, geographical areas, cropping years and altitude. The analyses indicated that cropping system, geographical area and cropping year were important variables and affected both rust incidence and severity. In Habro during 1998 there was a high probability of rust incidence and severity greater than 25%. The probability of rust incidence and severity exceeding 25% inHabro was about 11 and4 times greater than in Chercher and Wobera areas, respectively. Less than 50% bean proportions in intercropping were significantly associated with low (<25%) rust severity. Similarly geographical area, altitude and cropping system affected CBB incidence and severity. In Habro and at lower altitudes there was a high probability ofgreater than 25% CBB incidence and severity. Bean plants at podding and or maturity were closely associated with high rust and CBB severity. Intercropping systems were more associated with lower CBB and rust intensity than sole cropping.
Phenology of a Batrachospermum population in a boreal pond and its implications for the systematics of section Turfosa (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract Phenology of a population of the freshwater rhodophyte genus Batrachospermum section Turfosa was examined in a small pond in Newfoundland, Canada from November 1993 to November 1994. The gametophyte was perennial; percent cover peaked in summer and was correlated with maximal water temperature and day length. Carpogonia and spermatangia were confined largely to the upper half of the branches and were observed throughout the year, except in October and November 1994 when monospore production predominated. Spermatangia were observed to occur only on the involucral filaments of the carpogonial branch, indicating a high probability of self-fertilization. The density of carposporophytes reached a peak in January, followed by maximum incidence of chantransia germlings in February and May. None of the phenological features of Batrachospermum was significantly correlated with temperature or photoperiod. Gametangia and monosporangia were always on separate thalli. Chromosome counts and relative fluorescen.
Proximate and anti-nutrient contents of Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) subjected to different fermentation methods.

CA the study, performed the statistical analysis, the protocol, the first draft of the manuscript and managed literature searches. managed the analyses of the study and literature searches. ABSTRACT Aim: The study aimed to ascertain the effect of different fermentation methods and time on the proximate and reduced the anti-nutrient 18.11±0.50% to 21.10±0.49% and 22.47±0.48% after 24 h and 48 h respectively. No significant difference ( P =0.05) was observed after 72 h of fermentation. While solid fermentation significantly ( P =0.05) increased protein content from 18.11±0.50% to 19.08±0.01% after 72 h. Both fermentation methods significantly ( P =0.05) reduced crude fibre and increased fat content respectively. Soluble carbohydrate decreased significantly ( P =0.05) from 63.72±0.39% to 58.17±0.87% after 48 h of liquid fermentation. Anti-nutrient (trypsin inhibitor, tannin, oxalate and phytate) contents decreased significantly ( P =0.05) more in liquid state fermentation than in solid state fermentation. Trypsin inhibitor unit significantly ( P =0.05) reduced from 72.18±0.00 mg/g to 12.28±0.38 mg/g and 24.17±0.01 mg/g after 24 h of liquid and solid fermentation respectively. However, a significant ( P =0.05) increase was observed in trypsin inhibitor content after 48 h of both fermentation methods. Conclusion: The research has revealed that 24 and 72 h liquid and solid fermentation of Kersting’s groundnut significantly ( P =0.05) enhanced the proximate content. The anti-nutrient contents also reduced significantly ( P =0.05) in liquid fermentation.
Sorption of the Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium (REE-Y) in calcite: the mechanism of a new effective tool in identifying paleoearthquakes on carbonate faults

A new tool for identifying paleoearthquakes on carbonate faults has been successfully tested on two carbonate faults in southern Europe (the Magnola Fault in Italy and the Spili Fault in Greece): the Rare Earth Element and Yttrium (REE-Y) method (Manighetti et al., 2010; Mouslopoulou et al., 2011). The method is based on the property of the calcite in limestone scarps to absorb the REE and Y from the soil during its residence beneath the ground surface (e.g. before its exhumation due to earthquakes). Although the method is established, the details of the enrichment mechanism are poorly investigated. Here we use published data together with new information from pot-experiments to shed light on the sorption mechanism and the time effectiveness of the REE-Y method. Data from the Magnola and Spili faults show that the average chemical enrichment is ∼45%, in REE-Y while the denudation rate of the enriched zones is ∼1% higher every 400 years due to exposure of the fault scarp in weathering. They also show that the chemical enrichment is significant even for short periods of residence time (e.g., ∼100 years). To better understand the enrichment mechanism, we performed a series of pot experiments, where carbonate tiles extracted from the Spili Fault were buried into soil collected from the hanging-wall of the same fault. We irrigated the pots with artificial rain that equals 5 years of rainfall in Crete and at temperatures of 15C and 25C. Following, we performed sorption isotherm, kinetic and pH-edge tests for the europium (Eu), the cerium (Ce) and the ytterbium (Yt) that occur in the calcite minerals. The processes of adsorption and precipitation in the batch experiments are simulated by the Mineql software. The pot experiments indicate incorporation of the REE and Y into the surface of the carbonate tile which is in contact with the soil. The pH of the leached solution during the rain application range from 7.6 to 8.3. Nutrient release like Ca is higher in the leached solution at lower temperature (15C) probably due to higher calcite solubility (higher dissolved CO2(g) content) and to less adsorption capability of the soil in elevated temperatures. The isotherm sorption modeling showed that REE(CO3)2 precipitation is the dominant mechanism in the incorporation of REE into calcite, while the kinetic tests showed instant REE sorption (within few hours). Our experiments show that pH>7.5 and temperatures ∼25 ̊C favor REE-Y sorption on calcite surface. Hence, due to the REE-Y fast interaction with carbonate scarp face and the low denudation rate due to later weathering, the REE-Y method is considered a reliable method for tracing paleoearthquakes along carbonate fault scarps when the scarp is in contact with soil at temperate climates. The resolution of identifying frequent paleoearthquakes with low residence time in contact with soil is also considered high.
Cleavage and isolation of the outer sheath of Treponema phagedenis by treatment with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

Treatment of the cells of Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter with 50 μM N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) containing 0.25 M NaCl partially cleaved the outer sheath and exposed the protoplasmic cylinder and periplasmic flagella. The wall-membrane complex appeared to be more resistant to DCCD than the outer sheath. The outer sheath, which had been partially cleaved and released from the cells into the isosmotic medium by treatment with DCCD, was isolated and purified by differential centrifugation followed by centrifugation on a linear sucrose density gradient. The purified outer sheath preparation, which consisted of vesicles with a triple-layered membranous structure, was composed of protein (40.2%), phospholipid (39.7%) and carbohydrate (11.4%). The purified outer sheath vesicles were seen to have a polygonal array upon electron microscopic observation of negatively stained preparations.
Improved Rooting and Acclimatization of Micropropagated Hazelnut Shoots

Microshoots of four hazelnut genotypes grown in vitro on Nas and Read medium (NRM) containing various combinations of CuSO 4  5H 2 O and myo-inositol were success- fully rooted and acclimatized ex vitro without any need of in vitro hardening treatments. Dipping of shoot bases in 1000 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution for 5 or 10 seconds followed by placement of shoots in plant growth regulator free NRM gave rise to forma- tion of roots as early as 8 days. Shoots treated for 5 and 10 seconds rooted similarly, and depending on genotype, 88% to 98% rooting was observed within 15 days after treatment with IBA. Ex vitro survival of shoots three months after in vitro-root induction was 73% when shoots were treated with IBA for 5 seconds and 66% when shoots were treated for 10 seconds. The highest ex vitro survival rate (97%) 3 months after root induction was observed when shoots were treated with IBA solution for 10 seconds, and then cultured directly in peat pellets. Shoots developed good roots, and grew up to 70 cm in height 3 months after root induction. The potential use of rooting and acclimatization protocol for commercial micropropagation of hazelnut is presented.
Observations on the biology of the common torpedo (Torpedo torpedo, Linnaeus, 1758) and marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata, Risso, 1810) from Egyptian Mediterranean waters

The reproductive biology and diets of Torpedo torpedo and T. marmorata from Egyptian Mediterranean waters are described. Males and females reached a maximum size of 39.1 and 40.8 cm total length (TL), respectively, in T. torpedo and 38.6 and 61.2 cm TL, respectively, in T. marmorata. The size at maturity of males of T. torpedo and T. marmorata is 18 and 25.5 cm TL, respectively, and of females, is 22 and 35.5 cm TL, respectively. Both species exhibit aplacental viviparity. T. torpedo has a restricted breeding season, and individual females appear to breed annually, whereas T. marmorata females appear to have a more extended reproductive cycle (probably breeding every two years). In both species, males are capable of mating every year. In T. torpedo, mating occurs between December and February, ovulation in March-April, and parturition in late August and September after five to six months of gestation. Individuals of T. marmorata mate between November and January, ovulate between December and February, and give birth the following December after 10-12 months of gestation. Mean embryos sizes are 7.3 cm TL (range 4.6-8.2 cm TL) for T. torpedo and 8.5 cm TL (range 5.8-10.1 cm TL) for T. marmorata. Observations in Egyptian Mediterranean waters show a strong correlation between ovarian and uterine fecundity and the length of the mother in both species. Fish are an important component of the diet of the two species, as, to a lesser extent, are crustaceans for T. torpedo and cephalopods for T. marmorata. Juveniles eat a wide variety of food items, whereas adults feed only on fish.
Spatial and temporal patterns of light attenuation among lakes of the Mackenzie Delta

SUMMARY 1. The seasonal dynamics of light attenuation, and the relative roles of total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chlorophyll as light attenuators among two sets of lakes in the Mackenzie Delta, were assessed during the open-water periods of 1998 and 1999. 2. The first set consisted of 40 spatially discrete lakes where the frequency of flooding with river water was controlled by sill height (‘sill-set lakes’). The second set consisted of a chain of six lakes connected to a main river channel (frequently flooded, all with same frequency), but where riverine influence was controlled by the distance from the channel connection point (‘chain-set lakes’). 3. As the flooding frequency of lakes decreased (sill-set), and as the distance from the channel connection point increased (chain-set), lake water became increasingly transparent and the stability (decreasing temporal variability) of underwater light increased. 4. The effect of flooding on transparency was greater in years with a high minimum summer water level. However, the effect of river flooding on lake water transparency was damped more by an increase in the frequency and duration of flooding than by an increase in distance from the channel connection point. 5. The index of scattering was linearly related to TSS over the common range of concentrations in both sets of lakes. The specific attenuation coefficient for TSS (and scattering) increased substantially from the most turbid to the most transparent waters. 6. During the summer, DOC provided an approximate index of water colour in the sill-set lakes but not in the chain-set lakes, where the gradient of DOC ran counter to the gradient of water colour. The specific attenuation coefficient for water colour was roughly constant among both sets of lakes. 7. Calculations of partial attenuation show that, during the spring flood peak, TSS is the dominant attenuator among most lakes, other than those with high sills or positioned far from channel connection points. During the lengthy summer period of open water, however, water colour appeared to be the most important light attenuator among almost all of the lakes in the central delta, with chlorophyll a of only minor importance. 8. Lakes of the Mackenzie Delta may be quite sensitive to changes in climate and ultraviolet-b (UV-b) radiation in the circumpolar arctic because of the role of DOC as an attenuator of photosynthetically active radiation and UV-b irradiance and as an energy source for microbial foodwebs in this system.