Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The genetic structure of a southern peripheral population of the snail Cepaea nemoralis

The polymorphic land snail Cepaea nemoralis reaches the southern limit of its range in Yugoslavia. The overall frequency of yellow shells is much higher than in Britain (95% compared to 54%), while the frequencies of the genes controlling the number of bands on the shell do not differ as greatly from those found in British populations. Pink shells are found most commonly in one area which is known to be a frost hollow. The frequencies of the various phenotypes shows a great deal of microgeographical variation which does not appear to be related to topography. The existence of an apparent selective response at the colour locus to gross climatic differences from the north to the south of the species’ range suggests that microclimate may be important in affecting local differentiations (‘area effects’) in shell colour morph frequency found in central populations. It is possible that the absence of such a selective response in the frequency of the banding genes in Yugoslav peripheral populations indicates that climatic selection is also less important in controlling their microgeographical differentiation.
Role for Activating Transcription Factor 3 in Stress-Induced β-Cell Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress-inducible gene and encodes a member of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors. However, the physiological significance of ATF3 induction by stress signals is not clear. In this report, we describe several lines of evidence supporting a role of ATF3 in stress-induced β-cell apoptosis. First, ATF3 is induced in β cells by signals relevant to β-cell destruction: proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and high concentrations of glucose and palmitate. Second, induction of ATF3 is mediated in part by the NF-κB and Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, two stress-induced pathways implicated in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Third, transgenic mice expressing ATF3 in β cells develop abnormal islets and defects secondary to β-cell deficiency. Fourth, ATF3 knockout islets are partially protected from cytokine- or nitric oxide-induced apoptosis. Fifth, ATF3 is expressed in the islets of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and in the islets of nonobese diabetic mice that have developed insulitis or diabetes. Taken together, our results suggest ATF3 to be a novel regulator of stress-induced β-cell apoptosis.
Pleomorphism in the Antarctic flagellate Pyramimonas gelidicola (Prasinophyceae, Chlorophyta)

Species of the genus Pyramimonas (Prasinophyceae) are a common, widespread, but minor component of the Antarctic marine phytoplankton. They are often associated with the seasonal sea-ice environment. Pyramimonas gelidicola (McFadden, Moestrup & Wetherbee, 1982) was isolated from the water column of a saline Antarctic lake, and observations on the organism’s life history as it grew in unialgal cultures were made. The alga proved to be pleomorphic: capable of producing several morphologically distinct life stages. We recorded motile single-celled quadriflagellates that formed two statistically distinct size classes, a rare uniflagellate cell-type, and aggregations of quadriflagellate cells, multilobed forms and an encystment stage. Multilobed forms and cell aggregations, never before observed in an Antarctic Pyramimonas species, are presumed to be growth medium-induced morphotypes. Multilobed forms contained an equal number of nuclei and lobes, suggesting that they are the product of asexual reproduction. Some of the morphotypes we report here may never be observed under natural field conditions, but the potential for this alga to alternate between morphotypes is clearly demonstrated.
The Catch Composition and Catch per Unit of Swept Area (CPUE) of Penaeid Shrimps in the Bottom Trawls from İskenderun Bay, Turkey

The objectives of present study were (i) to identify catch composition, (ii) to determine the CPUE, and (iii) to determine the percentage of penaeid shrimps in the total economic catch. Surveys were conducted between March 2002 and February 2003 in ? skenderun Bay (NE Mediterranean Sea). The sampling area was divided into two strata by depth and then the stratified random sampling technique was applied to collect data. During the study, Penaeus semisulcatus (de-Hann, 1844), Marsupenaeus (Penaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888), Merlicertus (Penaeus) kerathurus (Forskal, 1775), Metapenaeus stebbingi (Nobii, 1904), and Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricus, 1798) were observed in the catch composition. Among these species, M. stebbingi had the highest average catch rate (76.9%) among all total shrimp. A similar trend was observed in the total economic catch (5.1%). The mean catch per unit effort (CPUE ± SD) of the M. stebbingi (73.43±76.9 kg/km2) was significantly higher than those of the other species. M. stebbingi was caught in both strata, while CPUE was the same in both stratum I and stratum II. However, the variability in stratum I was higher than in stratum II. Hyperstability or density-dependent catchability was not observed in either of the strata for any of the species (P > 0.05).
The Awareness and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female Nurses in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women especially in developing countries. Cervical cancer screening is a cost-effective method of detecting pre-malignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. Nurses could serve as health educators on cervical cancer screening hence the need to determine their knowledge and uptake of the screening. The objective of the study was to determine the level of awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening among female nurses in Enugu. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study of 182 eligible female nurses in different health facilities in Enugu was undertaken. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Majority of the respondents was aware (98%) and had good knowledge (95.6%) of cervical cancer screening. Only a small proportion (19.8%) of the nurses had cervical cancer screening. More so, a paltry 3.3% of the nurses had cervical cancer screening for the second time. Most (68.7%) of the respondents were aware of the availability of cervical cancer screening facilities in Enugu. Major reasons for non-screening were fear of complications (36.3%) and high cost of screening (16.4%). The respondents suggested that uptake of the cervical cancer screening could be achieved through workshops/seminars (51.1%), religious activities (49.5%), mass media (31.9%) and conferences (28.0%). Conclusion: Despite the high awareness of cervical cancer screening among female nurses in Enugu, the uptake of cervical cancer screening was low. There is need for policy formulation that is aimed at reversing this ugly trend.
Effects of physical refuges on fish–plankton interactions

1.Refuges that reduce fish-induced mortality of zooplankton are considered to be key factors in controlling phytoplankton growth in lake ecosystems. In order to better understand the role of physical refuges for zooplankton on zooplanktivorous fish-plankton relationships, an enclosure experiment was run in a mesotrophic lake. Even-link systems (zooplankton and phytoplankton) and odd-link systems (zooplanktivorous fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton) were established. We also established an odd-link system with a physical refuge for zooplankton where fish predation was limited in the upper half of the enclosure. 2.Fish negatively affected density and mean body length of herbivorous zooplankton and total zooplankton, filtering rates with some intermediate effects in the presence of the refuge. A clear refuge effect was observed for the dominant herbivore, Ceriodaphnia. On the other hand, the refuge seemed to increase the vulnerability of those taxa that aggregated in upper layers of the water column. Grazing was thus reduced in both odd-link systems. 3.The lack of significant correlation between nutrient availability and phytoplankton biomass in enclosures suggested a top-down control of algal growth in our experimental systems. In both odd-link systems (‘fish’ and ‘refuge’) phytoplankton biomass was significantly enhanced, and transparency was reduced in comparison with the even-link system.
Assessing freshwater fish sensitivity to different sources of perturbation in a Mediterranean basin

The accuracy of bioassessment programmes is highly limited by the precision of the systems used to derive sensitivity–tolerance values for the organisms used as indicators. We provide quantitative support to the objective evaluation of freshwater fish species sensitivity to different sources of disturbance, accounting for co-variation issues not only between perturbations and natural gradients (especially river size), but also between different perturbations. With this aim, we performed two different principal component analyses: (i) on a general environmental matrix to obtain a perturbation gradient independent of river size effects and (ii) on human impairment-related variables to extract independent synthetic perturbation gradients. Then, we checked each species responses to those gradients to assess their sensitivity–tolerance through an available-used chi-squared analysis in the first approach and through a t-test/ancova analysis in the second one. In this way, we obtained sensitivity–tolerance which could be included in future bioassessment tools, enabling effective evaluations.
The anatomy and histology of XO human embryos and fetuses

Thirteen abortuses with a known chromosomal complement of 45 (XO) were collected. Of these, eight contained an embryo or fetus ranging in age from five weeks to four months. Various gross anatomical abnormalities were evident in the four larger specimens and these included horseshoe kidney, unicornate uterus, single umbilical artery and cystic hygroma. One specimen had bilateral cystic hygromata. In all specimens, the gross anatomical appearance of the gonad was normal and, when examined histologically, the presence of primordial germ cells could be demonstrated.
CROP GROWTH RATE AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN MUSTARD VAR VARDAN TO VARYING LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND SULPHUR

The present field experiment was conducted on Vardan variety of Indian mustard during Nov, 2003 to March, 2004 to find out the effect of various doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg/ha) and sulphur (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) on crop growth rate and various developmental characters. The results indicated that 50% flowering and 50% podding started significantly earlier in the plots fertilized with nitrogen and sulphur compared to control plot but the days to attain maturity were not affected by fertilization. The grain growth duration was significantly longer by 9 days for fertilized plots compared to control. However, crop growth rates at different stages of growth were not affected by fertilizer application.
Uptake and distribution of nickel and other metals in the hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii

Summary • Berkheya coddii is a fast-growing, high biomass nickel (Ni) hyperaccumulator plant that has recently attracted attention for its possible use in the phytoextraction of Ni. The mechanisms of Ni accumulation, however, are not well understood in this plant. • Plants were grown hydroponically in varying Ni concentrations to assess the uptake and distribution of Ni, and other metals, at the whole plant level. X-ray microanalyses (EDXA) of frozen hydrated tissues were conducted to determine the distribution of Ni at the cellular level in the leaves. • Most Ni was found in the shoots, especially in the leaves. Leaf Ni concentration increased with age, whereas older stem sections had lower Ni concentrations than new growth. EDXA analyses revealed that the cuticle of the upper epidermis had a significantly higher Ni concentration than the rest of the leaf. The Ni concentrations in the other leaf tissues were not significantly different. • This pattern of distribution contrasts sharply with some other hyperaccumulator species that commonly show a preferential accumulation of Ni and other metals in the vacuoles of the epidermal cells.
Effects of Additives on the Efficacy, Uptake, and Translocation of the Methyl Ester of Thifensulfuron

Effects of a 28% N solution containing urea and ammonium nitrate (28% UAN) on field efficacy of the methyl ester of thifensulfuron and combinations of thifensulfuron and the methyl ester of chlorimuron were investigated. Velvetleaf control and soybean injury increased as rates of thifensulfuron increased (0, 2.2, 4.4, and 5.8 g ai/ha) and as rates of chlorimuron increased (0, 4.4, and 8.8 g ai/ha). Treatments that included 28% UAN at 9 L/ha controlled velvetleaf 9% better, averaged across herbicides and rates 21 days after treatment (DAT), but also increased soybean injury. Thifensulfuron applications controlled common lambsquarters well, but control was not affected by additions of 28% UAN. In studies where 14C-thifensulfuron was applied without an additive to the second true leaf of growth-chamber-grown velvetleaf, less than 4% of that applied was absorbed 84 h after treatment (HAT), whereas treatments that included nonionic surfactant or 28% UAN absorbed 33 and 45%, respectively. When both nonionic surfactant and 28% UAN were added, plants absorbed 76% 84 HAT. Translocation 84 HAT was also greatest with both additives and the majority moved to tissues above treated leaves. The 28% UAN increased uptake of thiameturon regardless of soil fertility level.
International trends in COPD mortality, 1995–2017

Since 2016, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been the third-leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 3 million deaths (5.3% of all deaths), but with large regional variations [1]. Observed data from high-income countries (HICs) [2–5] and modelled data in two global studies [6, 7] have reported declines in COPD mortality rates since the 1990s. Globally, since 2006, modelled COPD mortality rates decreased by 21% [8]. Yet, little is known about observed trends in COPD mortality in Latin America, and more recently in Oceania and Europe. In our international study over 1995–2017, COPD mortality rates declined in most countries. Yet, in females, they remained stable in North America and increased in six countries in Europe. The number of deaths increased or remained stable in most countries. http://bit.ly/2niUQ8d
In Vitro Regeneration of High Yielding Indica Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties

The experiment was conducted to observe the regeneration potential and also to establish a suitable in vitro plantlet regeneration protocol from mature seed derived embryogenic calli of four indica rice varieties viz BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan47 and Binadhan-7 after partial desiccation treatment. Different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators were used in MS medium to observe the callus induction ability using mature embryo as explants. The percentage of callus induction frequency was highest (86.00) in BRRI dhan47 and the lowest (56.50) in Binadhan-7 Among the culture media the performance of MS +500 mgl -1 L- Proline + 2.0 mgl -1 2, 4-D + 0.8 mgl -1 BAP was better than any other media for callus induction frequency (%), rapid callusing, size of the callus (mm), texture of callus and color of callus. Among the four varieties, shoot regeneration was highest in BRRI dhan29 (84.33%) which required minimum (14.80) days to and the lowest was in Binadhan-7 (39.67%) which required maximum (15.47) days. Among the treatments, the highest (65.75%) shoot regeneration was observed with MS + 6.0 mgl -1 Kn +0.5 mgl -1 NAA which required minimum days (13.75) to develop green bud formation and the lowest shoot regeneration (56.50) was observed with MS + 2.0 mgl -1 Kn + . 05 mgl -1 NAA. BRRI dhan29 produced more number of shoots (4.67) per callus while Binadhan-7 showed minimum number of shoots (2.87) per callus. The highest number of shoot producing roots (3.66) was observed in BRRI dhan29 which showed maximum number of root per plant and the lowest (3.11) in Binadhan-7. Among the three treatments MS + 0.6 mgl -1 IBA showed highest percentage 86.67 of root followed by MS+ 0.6 mgl -1 IBA 70% and the lowest (66.7%) was in MS+ 0.4 mgl -1 IBA. The establishment rate of the plantlet in the pot was the highest (67.67%) in BRRI dhan29 and Binadhan-7 showed lowest establishment rate (51.22%) in pot. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i1. 11573 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(1): 173 - 177, 2012
Effect of ber and pomegranate plantation on soil nutrient status of typic torripsamments.

A study was conducted in arid region of western Rajasthan to determine the cumulative effect of leaf litter of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) plantations on the changes of soil nutrients below the tree canopy and their interspaces at surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–60 cm) depth. The results of the study showed that both the fruit species exerted gain in the nutrient contents in the soil below the canopy area and their interspaces. The beneficial effect of Ziziphus mauritiana in improving the soil nutrient status was however, more pronounced. Ten year after plantation of ber and pomegranate, organic carbon below the canopy increased from 0.03 to 0.39% and 0.03 to 0.25% in ber and pomegranate, respectively. Available P increased from 9.16 to 12.35; 9.16 to 10.67 kg ha−1 and exchangeable cations [cmol (p+)/kg] (Ca2+ 5.1 to 8.0; 5.1 to 6.8, Mg2+ 1.2 to 2.0; 1.2 to 2.0 and K+ 0.3 to 2.3; 0.3 to 1.9) under the canopy area of ber and pomegranate which entails the benefits of plantations in the development of dune soils. Gain in nutrient content between the interspace although was lower than the canopy area but was higher than control. Nutrient returns through litterfall followed the order N > K > Ca > P.
Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaves of Alchornea cordifolia (Schum and Thonn), Sanseviera liberica (Gerand Labr) and Uvaria chamae (P. Beauv)

The phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the leaves of Alchornea cordifolia , Sanseviera liberica and Uvaria chamae were investigated. The ethanolic extracts of the leaves of the plants were tested against human pathogens ( Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi , Shigella flexineri , Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans ). The antimicrobial activity of the plants extracts was carried out using the Agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical screening showed that the leaves of the all plant species had flavonoid, tannins and steroids. Alkaloid and phenol were found in A . cordifola and U . chamae , while saponins were observed in S . liberica and U . chamae . Averagely, the percentage phytochemical constituent of the leaves of the plants are as follows; Alkaloid (8.77-10.15), flavonoid (5.33-6.67), phenols (0.75-1.12), saponin (1.41-5.96), steroid (0.6 -3.33) and tannin (0.001-0.067). The result obtained indicated that the ethanolic extracts of the samples, showed moderate to high activity against all the tested pathogens. The inhibition zone ranged from 7.04 mm to 25.57 mm. The extracts of A . cordifolia had the highest activity on E . coli and least activity on S . aureus , while S . liberica had the highest activity on S . aureus and least on S . typhi . On the other hand, the leaves of U . chamae had the highest activity on E . coli and least on C . albicans . The concentrations of extracts were found to affect the ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of the pathogens. The higher the concentration of the extracts, the higher the concentration of the extracts, the higher the rate of inhibition f the pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 3.11 to 18.04mg/ml). The results obtained indicate that the leaves of these plants are good sources of phytochemicals and have antimicrobial activity against the pathogens tested, thus could be exploited as alternative antimicrobial drugs fr treatment of diseases caused by these pathogens.
The influence of genetic index for milk production on the response to complete diet feeding and the utilization of energy and nitrogen

Thirty-six Holstein/Friesian cows were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design randomized-block experiment to evaluate the production and nutrient utilization responses of animals of three genetic indices (cow genetic index 90 (CGI); 950, 650 and 550), each given either a complete diet (CD) or concentrate separate from grass silage through out-ofparlour feeders (OPF). The experiment included days 11 to 160 of lactation. On the CD treatment the diet was offered ad libitum with a concentrate proportion of 0.64 (dry matter (DM) basis), while on the OPF treatment the grass silage urns offered ad libitum and the allowance of concentrate was made equal to the mean concentrate intake of the CD treatment during the previous week. The concentrate was based on barley, maize gluten, molassed sugar-beet pulp, citrus pulp, soya-bean meal, fish meal and protected fat. During the experiment eight blocks each of six animals were used in metabolism studies to determine total ration digestibility, nitrogen balance and energy utilization. No significant feeding method × genetic index interactions were found in terms of food intake, milk production or nutrient utilization. Although CGI had no significant effect on total DM intake, silage DM intake increased linearly as the cow CGI increased (P Across the three genetic indices, feeding method had no significant effect on total DM intake, although silage DM intake was 0.46 kg/day higher (P