Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting morphological and molecular variation in Coralliophila meyendorffii (Muricidae, Coralliophilinae)

© The Malacological Society of London 2001 Gastropods belonging to several families are known to be specialist feeders upon cnidarians. Coralliophila meyendorffii (Calcara, 1845) is a muricid neogastropod (Coralliophilinae) commonly occurring in the northeastern Atlantic (including the Mediterranean sea). Contrary to the usual habit of most coralliophiline species, C. meyendorffii feeds upon a wide range of cnidarian prey. Two main morphological forms are encountered (Figs 1–4), which show discrete differences in size, ecology (cnidarian prey) and reproductive biology (shell length at sex change). A large sized form (adult females 8–40 mm length) is found associated with sea anemones, feeding by boring into the stalk wall. Females with egg capsules in the mantle cavity are encountered above a size of approximately 8–10 mm, at which sex change is assumed to occur. A small form (adult females 4–9 mm length) is found on scleractinians (solitary such as Balanophyllia europaea or colonial such as Cladocora coespitosa), feeding by inserting the proboscis inside the stomodeum and possibly sucking out the predigested content. Sex change is assumed to occur when shell length reaches 3–4 mm. The constancy in the differences in size, ecology and reproductive biology, and the absence of observed intermediates between the two forms was striking and suggested the analysis of their specific status by other independent markers. We had much difficulty in assaying coralliophilines by standard allozyme electrophoresis, since we obtained very weak staining of enzymes or no evidence of activity at all. Similar problems have been encountered by other workers RESEARCH NOTES
In vitro multiplication of Ocimum gratissimum L. through direct regeneration

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid system for regeneration of the important medicinal plant, Ocimum gratissimum L, from nodal explant. Single node explants were inoculated on basal MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium containing 3% (w/v) sucrose, supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for direct plant regeneration. Maximum numbers of shoot (14.3± ± ± ±1.5) were observed on the medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.25 mg/l IAA after four weeks of culture. Regenerated shoots were separated and rooted on same half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of IAA alone for three weeks. Well-developed complete plantlets were transferred on to specially made plastic cup containing soilrite. Acclimatized plantlets were successfully grown in garden soil.
Maximize the Benefit from Date Pits for Production Activated Carbon and using it for Removing Peroxides from Fried Oils

The present study was aimed at improving the quality of fried sunflower oil. Synthetic (Magnesol XL) natural (agriculture wastes of date industry) were used to absorb the oxidation products of fried sunflower oil. The mineral (Si, Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, Mn, and Cu) of the aforementioned substances were determined. The physico-chemical properties of non-fried, fried and fried-treated sunflower oil were determined. The frying process was carried out at 180oC ± 5oC for 16h, 4h heating per day for four consecutive days. The fried sunflower oil was treated with synthetic, natural and activated carbon of date pits at level 2%. A set of nutritional experiments was conducted in which rats administrated standard diets were containing non-fried, fried and fried-treated oils with adsorbent materials. The safety limits of the fried-treated oils were determined by measuring the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatatse (AP), and levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol of rat sera. The results indicated that Magnesol XL, diatomaceous earth and activated carbon of date pits contained Si + Mg + Si + Mn + Ca and Si +Mg + Ca as the basic metals, respectively. Frying of sunflower oil led to significant increase in physico-chemical properties. Treatments of fried sunflower oil with the aforementioned substances greatly improve the quality of fried oil. Also, the results highlight the potential effect of Magnesol XL, diatomaceous earth and activated carbon of date pits in improved rat liver (AST, ALT and AP) and levels of sera constituents were similar to those of rats given non-fried oils.
Parentage of endemic Sorbus L. (Rosaceae) species in the British Isles: evidence from plastid DNA

The parentage of polyploid Sorbus species in the British Isles was investigated using plastid DNA microsatellites. Four hundred and fifty-three samples from 30 taxa were screened using six microsatellite fragments, which gave 28 haplotypes. The haplotypes formed groups clearly related to the ancestral diploids Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, and Sorbus torminalis. Species in the Sorbus aria group all had Aria haplotypes (with the exception of one English S. aria), species in the Sorbus anglica group had an Aucuparia haplotype, and species in the Sorbus latifolia group had a Torminalis haplotype. Sorbus intermedia had an Aucuparia haplotype. This indicated that the hybridization events that led to the formation of species in the S. anglica and S. latifolia groups usually did so with S. aria s.l. as the pollen-donating (paternal) parent. The polyploids S. anglica, Sorbus bristoliensis, Sorbus croceocarpa, Sorbus decipiens, Sorbus devoniensis, Sorbus hibernica, Sorbus lancastriensis, Sorbus leptophylla, Sorbus leyana, Sorbus minima, Sorbus rupicola, Sorbus subcuneata, Sorbus vexans, Sorbus whiteana, Sorbus wilmottiana, and three unnamed taxa may each be derived from a single maternal lineage. The polyploids Sorbus eminens, Sorbus porrigentiformis, and S. latifolia have multiple maternal lineages. The two primary diploid hybrids S. × thuringiaca and S. × vagensis have arisen many times independently. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 291–304.
Acoustic Features of the Weeping Lizard's Distress Call

The study of acoustic communication in lizards has been restricted and mainly focused on Gekkota. The rest of the lizards, Unidentata, are generally considered voiceless, although there are sparse reports on vocal sound production in members of different families. We analyzed the spectro-temporal characteristics of the distress calls emitted by the Unidentata lizard, Liolaemus chiliensis (the weeping lizard; Liolaemidae), the only species of this highly diverse genus (>220 species) that vocalizes. We also explored the relationships of the call characteristics with the sex and size of the individuals. The vocalizations of L. chiliensis are highly diverse and complex compared to any known call produced by Unidentata lizards. They exhibit pronounced frequency modulations, various nonlinear phenomena, and harmonics that extend into the ultrasonic range. Fundamental frequency and call duration are correlated with body size, and males emit louder but simpler calls (i.e., with less nonlinear phenomena) than females. Based on the characteristics of the vocalizations, we discuss their potential role for startling predators and/or alerting conspecifics to predation risk.
Fuel taxes and the poor : the distributional effects of gasoline taxation and their implications for climate policy

Fuel Taxes and the Poor challenges the conventional wisdom that gasoline taxation, an important and much-debated instrument of climate policy, has a disproportionately detrimental effect on poor people. Increased fuel taxes carry the potential to mitigate carbon emissions, reduce congestion, and improve local urban environment. As such, higher gasoline taxes could prove to be a fundamental part of any climate action plan. However, they have been resisted by powerful lobbies that have persuaded people that increased fuel taxation would be regressive. Reporting on examples of over two dozen countries, this book sets out to empirically investigate this claim. The authors conclude that while there may be some slight regressivity in some high-income countries, as a general rule, fuel taxation is a progressive policy particularly in low income countries. Rich countries can correct for regressivity by cutting back on other taxes that adversely affect poor people, or by spending more money on services for the poor. Meanwhile, in low-income countries, poor people spend a very small share of their money on fuel for transport. Some costs from fuel taxes may be passed on to poor people through more expensive public transportation and food transport. Nevertheless, in general the authors find that gasoline taxes become more progressive as the income of the country in question decreases. This book provides strong arguments for the proponents of environmental taxation. It has immediate policy implications at the intersection of multiple subject areas, including transportation, environmental regulation, development studies, and climate change. Published with Environment for Development initiative. (Less)
Effects of dietary probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on growth performance and serum IgG concentration of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic and/or prebiotic supplementation on growth performance and serum IgG concentrations in broilers. One thousand two hundred one-day old Ross-308 broiler chicks of mixed sex were randomly divided into four treatment groups of 300 birds each. The treatments were: Starter diets: 1) Unsupplemented control diet; 2) Probiotic (Bio-Plus 2B® 0.05%); 3) Prebiotic (Bio-Mos® 0.2%); 4) Probiotic and Prebiotic mixture (Bio-Plus 2B® 0.05% and Bio-Mos® 0.2%). The grower diets were: 1) Control with no supplements; 2) Probiotic (Bio-Plus 2B® 0.05%); 3) Prebiotic (Bio-Mos® 0.1%); 4) Probiotic and Prebiotic mixture (Bio-Plus 2B® 0.05% and Bio-Mos® 0.1%). Each treatment group was further sub-divided into five replicates of 60 birds per replicate. The chicks were fed the broiler starter diet for the first 21 d and the broiler grower diet between days 22 and 42. Dietary probiotic and/or prebiotic supplementation did not significantly affect body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, carcass weight, carcass yield or concentration of immunoglobulin (IgG) in the serum. However, feed conversion ratio was improved significantly in the supplemented treatments compared to the unsupplemented control. Probiotic and/or prebiotic supplementation did not significantly affect any of the examined parameters except for an improved feed conversion ratio. Keywords : Probiotic, prebiotic, broilers, performance South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (1) 2008: pp. 21-27
Statistical study of oxygen+ transport from the cusp to the plasmasheet

1 I N T R O D U C T I O N 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Geomagnetic Storms 5 1.3 Ionospheric Ions 6 1.4 Transport and Acceleration of Cusp-Origin Ions 10 1.5 Solar Cycle 11 1.6 Summary 12 2 I N S T R U M E N T A T I O N 14 2.1 Cluster Mission 14 2.1.1 CODIF 15 2.1.2 FGM 17 2.1.3 EFW 17 2.2 Solar Wind and Auxiliary Data: ACE 17 2.3 Geomagnetic Disturbance Indices: OMNI 18
A Dual Response Choice Experiments (DRCE) design to assess rabbit meat preference in Catalonia: A Heteroescedatistic Extreme-Value Model

Our paper analyzes consumer preferences toward fresh rabbit meat and alternative marketing formats for rabbit meat. The empirical analysis uses consumer-level questionnaires to elicit information regarding consumer attitudes toward rabbit meat in Catalonia (Spain). We use the Dual Response Choice Experiment (DRCE) design which allows for analyzing forced and unforced options in choice experiments using the same sample. The Heteroscedastic Extreme- Value (HEV) model is used due to its relaxation of the restrictive assumption made in the Multinomial Logit Model regarding the identically distributed error term across alternatives. Our results demonstrate a higher preference for rabbit meat from “Catalan” origin followed by higher quality certification information. Convenience and “ready to eat” products made from rabbit meat may help bolster increased consumption. An effective communication campaign is needed to educate individuals regarding the health characteristics of rabbit compared to other types of meat. Furthermore, results demonstrate that the ordering of attributes is not significantly different from forced and non-forced choices obtained from the DRCE design. However, significant differences on the magnitude of the preferences for some attributes’ levels are found.
Effect of date of sowing and irrigation on seed yield, yield attributes and water use of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal.

Chickpea, an important winter pulse crop is cultivated in Gangetic plains of West Bengal after harvesting of kharif rice. This field experiment was conducted at Kalyani (22"56DN latitude and 89"£ longitude), West Bengal for two consecutive years o/2005-06 and 200607 during winter season to study the effect of date of sowing and irrigation regime on seed yield, yield attributes and water use of chickpea. Results revealed that 1" date of sowing (2(/h Novemver) was found better in terms of seed yield (1454.83 kg ha1 ). Number of pods planf 1
pH, Hardness, and Humic Acid Influence Aluminum Toxicity to Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Weakly Alkaline Waters

Juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed for either 96 h (acute) or 16 d (subacute) to various combinations of aluminum and hardness concentrations or aluminum and humic acid concentrations between pH 7.14 and 8.58. Aluminum-induced mortality was higher at weakly alkaline pH (7.95–8.58) (attributed to up to 10-fold higher filterable aluminum concentrations) than near-neutral pH (7.14–7.64). Growth rates were higher in 16-d hardness tests at weakly alkaline pH (0.188–1.600% of initial weight∙d−1) than for fish exposed to similar aluminum concentrations at near-neutral pH (−0.535–0.756%∙d−1). This suggested that polymeric and colloidal forms of aluminum were more potent than soluble forms in restricting growth. Hardness and humic acid appeared most protective to trout against subacute aluminum toxicity. Cumulative mortality of trout exposed to 1.50 mg aluminum∙L−1 at 103 or 20 mg∙L−1 hardness as CaCO3 was 10 and 45%, respectively. Hardness did not significantly protect against aluminum-indu.
Efficacy of laryngeal mask airway i-gel in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery

Objective To assess the efficacy of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) i-gel used in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 21-64 yr, weighing 4590 kg, undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery, were randomized into 2 groups ( n = 30 each):LMA i-gel group (group Ⅰ) and LMA Supreme group (group S) . Mallampatti test was performed before operation in both groups. Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion of propofol (target plasma concentration 2.5-4.0 μg/ml) and remifentanil (target plasma concentration 3-6 ng/ml) . After the patients lost consciousness, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was given to facilitate the LMA insertion. LMA i-gel and LMA Supreme were inserted in I and S groups respectively. A gastric tube was inserted through the drain tube of the LMA. In group S the air was injected into the cuff to make intracuff pressure reach 60 cm H2O after successful LMA insertion. The LMA placement time, the number of attempts of LMA insertion, the number of attempts of gastric tube placement, the airway sealing pressure, the parameters of hemodynamics and ventilation, and complications (sore throat, odynopliagia,hoarseness) were recorded. The fiberoptic laryngoscopy scores were assessed after successful LMA placement. The anesthesia time and recovery time were also recorded. Results There was no significant difference in the anesthesia time, recovery time, LMA placement time, fiberoptic bronchoscopy scores and the parameters of hemodynamics and ventilation between the two group. The success rates of LMA and gastric tube placement were 100% in both groups. The airway sealing pressure was significantly higher, while the incidence of sore throat and odynopliagia was significantly lower in group I than in group S. Conclusion LMA i-gel provides adequate ventilation during operation with fewer complications and can be used effectively for gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Key words: Laryngeal mask; Respiration,artificial; Laparoscopy
Effect of Nitrogen forms under INM approach on a Vertisols of Chhattisgarh plains

Effect of Nitrogen forms under INM approach on a Vertisols of Chhattisgarh plain was studied under long-term fertilizer experiment during kharif 2019 at research farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). The experiment comprised of different levels or doses of NPK fertilizers alone and in combination with zinc sulphate, farmyard manure (FYM), blue green algae (BGA) and green manuring (GM) was laid out in randomized block design with four replications and ten treatments viz. Control (T1), 50, 100, 150% NPK (T2, T3, T4, respectively), 100% NPK + ZnSO4 (T5), 100% NP-K (T6), 100% N-PK (T7), 100% NPK + FYM (T8), 50% NPK + BGA (T9) and 50% NPK + Green manure (T10). Different nitrogen form was estimated after urea applies. Application of 100% NPK + FYM significantly highest available nitrogen (252 kg ha), a decreases of available N was observed at increase in the depth of soil from 0-15 to 15-30 cm. Ammonical N (142 and 134 mg kg) was recorded highest at 0-15cm respectively, after urea applied 24 and 48 hrs. Application of 150% NPK had higher content of ammonical nitrogen. Nitrate N (212 and 217 mg kg) was recorded highest in 150% NPK at 0-15cm after 24 and 48 hrs respectively. Highest grain and straw yields of rice was recorded when 150% NPK (6970 and 8364 kg ha, respectively). The yield of rice had highest correlation with Ammonical N (r=0.802**) followed by available N (r=0.731**) and Nitrate N (r= 0.570**).
Human urine-derived stem cells protect against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model via exosomal miR-146a-5p which targets IRAK1

Rationale: Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) that is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and for which specific treatments are lacking. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) and their exosomes against IRI-induced AKI to explore the potential of these cells as a new therapeutic strategy. Methods: USCs were derived from fresh human urine. Cell surface marker expression was analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the characteristics of the stem cells. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to generate a lethal renal IRI model. One dose of USCs (2×106 cells/ml) or exosomes (20 µg/1 ml) in the experimental groups or saline (1 ml) in the control group was administered intravenously immediately after blood reperfusion. Blood was drawn every other day for measurement of serum creatinine (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The kidneys were harvested for RNA and protein extraction to examine the levels of apoptosis and tubule injury. In vitro, the hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) model in human kidney cortex/proximal tubule cells (HK2) was used to analyze the protective ability of USC-derived exosomes (USC-Exo). Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, superoxide dismutase activity, and malonaldehyde content analyses were used to evaluate oxidative stress in HK2 cells treated with USC-Exo after H/R. Exosomal microRNA sequencing techniques and bioinformatics analysis were used to search for enriched miRNAs in the exosomes and interacting genes. The interaction between miRNAs and the 3' untranslated region of the target gene was detected using a dual luciferase reporting system. The miRNA mimic and inhibitor were used to regulate the miRNA level in HK2 cells. Results: Treatment with USCs led to reductions in the levels of sCr, BUN, and renal tubular cell apoptosis; inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells; and protected renal function in the rat IRI model. Additionally, USC-derived exosomes protected against IRI-induced renal damage. miR-146a-5p was the most abundant miRNA in exosomes obtained from the conditioned medium (CM) of USCs. miR-146a-5p targeted and degraded the 3'UTR of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) mRNA, subsequently inhibited the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling, and protected HK2 cells from H/R injury. USC transplantation also upregulated miR-146a-5p expression, downregulated IRAK1 expression and inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the kidney of the rat IRI model. Conclusions: According to our experimental results, USCs could protect against renal IRI via exosomal miR-146a-5p, which could target the 3'UTR of IRAK1 and subsequently inhibit the activation of NF-κB signaling and infiltration of inflammatory cells to protect renal function. As a novel cell source, USCs represent a promising non-invasive approach for the treatment of IRI.
Do Warming Temperatures Influence Yield Response to Higher Planting Density?

This study explores how warming temperatures influence corn yield response to planting density. Using 1990-2010 field trial data from Wisconsin and econometric models with a variety of specifications, we find that warming temperatures reduce the yield benefits of increasing planting density. However, these adverse warming effects are smaller for genetically-modified (GM) corn varieties with rootworm (RW) resistant traits. Consistent with previous studies, these results support the notion that varietal improvements through genetic modification may have paved the way for higher planting densities in US corn production. Moreover, our results imply that expected in-season temperatures are important considerations when making planting density decisions.
Oil spill modeling of diesel and gasoline with GNOME around Rajaee Port of Bandar Abbas, Iran

Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas is one of the important-oil transport hubs in Persian Gulf and any oil spill incidents can result in pollution, which impact on human habitats and the marine environment. Oil spill trajectory modeling is a tool which applied to increase the knowledge about oil spill fate. The GNOME model is a physical model which indicates the oil spill movements on sea water and potential risk areas. The model inputs include GIS data, time of spill release, release duration, spill chemistry and physical characteristics of wind and current data. Two scenarios for 10 and 200 bbl of diesel and gasoline spills are run on the model. Both the general Persian Gulf circulation which is from the south west and the local wind direction cause to move the oil spills toward the Bandar Abbas coast and Qeshm Island that pollutant these areas. Both regions are very valuable economic and environmental zones. They have known as risk places due to the oil spills that release from Rajaee Port in this study. The model results can assist organizations in preparing their emergency management systems for responses in the potential risk areas.