Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation of selected wheat cultivars under salt stress

Antioxidants and dietary fibers are compact sources that are recommended for healthy diets in whole grain foods. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and lipid peroxidation was measured among 15 cultivars of wheat which are commonly used in Pakistan and the effect of salt stress was also evaluated. The results revealed that different concentrations of wheat (25, 50, 75, 150 and 300 µg/ml) in control and under salt stress (that is, electrical conductivity, 2 EC, 4 EC, 8 EC and 16 EC) showed antioxidant activity. The inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) values of different cultivars of wheat ranged from 22.9 to 27.01 µg/ml. On the basis of comparison of scavenging percentage of non-stress and stressed wheat groups at different doses of salt, we have concluded that LU26-CTR, PAS-90, BARS, NARC, WAFAQ, LISANI, SEHAR, MEHRAJ, GA-02 and SHAFAQ are salt tolerant varieties. The change of phenolic content suggests that wheat uses antioxidant properties of phenolics as a mechanism of salt stress. Whereas, the lipid peroxidation data has indicated that LU26-CTR, PAS-90, BARS, NARC, FSD-08, PIRSBAK-09, SEHAR, SH-03 and GA-02 are salt resistant varieties as they showed a less percentage increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) content) compared to control at different doses of salt. Key words: Antioxidant activity, phenolic content, salt stress, lipid peroxidation, wheat cultivars.
Isolation and composition of milk fat globule membrane material

Summary Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) material was isolated from commercial pasteurized milks and pasteurized creams using a procedure specifically adapted for these products (McPherson et al. 1984a). Pasteurized cream membranes contained higher lipid levels while pasteurized milk membrane material had lower lipid contents than fresh raw MFGM. Electrophoretic analysis showed that membrane material from both commercial products contained, in addition to native MFGM polypeptides, significant amounts of β-lactoglobulin with lower levels of caseins and other skim-milk components. The incorporation of β-lactoglobulin was more pronounced in pasteurized cream membranes. Examination of the lipoprotein complexes present in these membrane preparations by linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed that pasteurized milk membrane material had a similar profile to fresh raw MFGM except that preferential binding of skim-milk components was found in some of the lipoprotein fractions. Pasteurized cream membranes showed considerably different density gradient patterns with only 2 lipoprotein fractions present, of which the major one was a low density complex.
Extraction of water from Eucalyptus trees for analysis of deuterium and oxygen‐18: laboratory and field techniques

This study investigated a methodology for sampling and extracting water from Eucalyptus spp. for analysis of stable isotopes of water. Firstly, water of known isotopic composition was extracted from stems of seedlings of Eucalyptus spp. by azeotropic distillation using three solvents (hexane, toluene and kerosene) in laboratory and glasshouse experiments. Kerosene and toluene gave the most accurate extractions, with a small negative bias (∼-2‰ for δ2H and ∼-0.4‰ for δ18O) due to incomplete extraction. This bias was not evident in further experiments, using kerosene, where water was extracted from stems and roots that had been pre-treated in a manner that more closely reflected field conditions. Secondly, variation in δ2H in trees was investigated in the field to determine an accurate and convenient place for sampling. There was no significant difference in δ2H between water extracted from trunk sapwood and whole twigs, even twigs close to leaves, in samples taken from four Eucalyptus spp. at two field sites. The results mean that the most convenient part of the tree can be sampled. Also, there was little difference in δ2H between sapwood and heart-wood samples, although small increases (∼ 2‰) in δ2H were observed in bark of trunks and twigs. Tree roots (15–25 mm diameter) had similar δ2H values to the surrounding soil in many cases, especially surface (<0.2 m depth) roots, rather than having δ2H values similar to twigs of the trees. These roots were absorbing water from surrounding soil, but not contributing significant quantities of water to the tree canopy. Thus, the δ2H of root water is not a good indicator of the isotopic composition of water in the upper parts of Eucalyptus trees.
Is eutrophication really a major impairment for small waterbody biodiversity

Eutrophication remains a major stress for freshwater biodiversity. Its deleterious consequences on biodiversity are well documented for large waterbodies. However, the impact of eutrophication may differ in smaller waterbodies, such as ponds and small lakes, which generally support naturally high levels of nutrients in lowlands. Furthermore, this response could depend on the scale considered, from local (individual waterbody, alpha diversity) to regional (the network of waterbodies, gamma diversity). It is also unclear whether the richness of threatened species responds in the same way as the richness of the whole assemblage. The present study investigates local- and regional-scale consequences of eutrophication on taxonomic richness (all taxa) and conservation value (threatened taxa) in temperate lowland small waterbodies. Five taxonomic groups were investigated: macrophytes, gastropods, water beetles, adult dragonflies and amphibians, in a set of natural waterbodies and a set of enriched waterbodies covering a large nutrient gradient from mesotrophic to hypertrophic conditions. Globally, our study did not reveal consistent, systematic responses to eutrophication. For macrophytes, the richness and conservation value suffered from eutrophication at both local and regional scales. In contrast, for amphibians and gastropods, eutrophication did not impair biodiversity at the local nor the regional scale. Dragonflies and water beetles showed intermediate situations, with an impairment by eutrophication varying according to the type of waterbodies considered. At the regional scale, each trophic status, even the nutrient richest, brought an original contribution to biodiversity. Synthesis and applications. The management of eutrophication for small lowland waterbodies has to be considered differently than for lakes. For an individual waterbody (the local scale), nutrient enrichment is not necessarily a major impairment and its impact depends on the taxonomic group considered. Conversely, at the landscape scale, eutrophication is a major pressure on small waterbody biodiversity, especially because nutrient-rich small waterbodies are dominant in the landscape. Therefore, conservation efforts should integrate the notion of pond regional networks or ‘pondscapes’, where the regional biodiversity is supported by a mosaic of trophic conditions, and promote the presence of less rich waterbodies.
Relationship Between Udder Measurements and The Linear Scores for Udder Morphology Traits in Kivircik, Tahirova and Karacabey Merino Ewes

Summary This study was conducted to defi ne the udder morphology and subjectively assessed by the use of linear scores in 156 ewes of Tahirova, Kivircik and Karacabey Merino breeds. Udder morphology was evaluated with respect to data in mid-lactation (90 days). Udder morphology was assessed for: the traits measured were teat length, teat angle, rear udder depth, udder circumference, udder length, udder width and udder volume. Linear scores were assessed for: teat placement, udder depth, degree of separation and degree of suspension of the udder. Analysis of variance was calculated by using of SAS statistical package. Correlations between udder measurements and linear scores were computed for individual examined breeds separately. Subjectively assessed udder measurements for udder circumference, udder length, teat angle and udder volume determined high correlations with actual measurements of the respective traits on udder in all examined breeds (rp=0.477- 0.729). Linear scores for udder depth and degree of suspension of the udder were highly correlated (rp= 0.714; 0.357; 0.343 for Tahirova; Kivircik and Karacabey Merino ewes). In conclusion, signifi cant different were determined in udder characteristies linear udder traits and phenotypic correlations in Tahirova, Kivircik and Karacabey Merino ewes.
The Gir cattle breed of India - characteristics and present status

The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts of Gujarat. The breeding tract lies between 20°5’ and 22°6’ north latitude and 70° and 72° east longitude. The total cattle population of Saurashtra region i.e., breeding tract of Gir cattle is 2.5 million and Gir breed accounts for 37 percent of total cattle population in the region. The body of Gir animals is well proportioned. Udder in cows is well developed and round. The body weight at one year of age was 138 kg in males and 136 kg in females. Adult body weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth in cows averaged 313 kg, 120 cm, 125 cm and 160 cm, respectively. Age at first heat and calving averaged 1 149 and 1 534 day, respectively. Average dry period and inter-calving period were 123 and 423 days, respectively. Heifers received an average 1.07 inseminations for successful conception whereas cows received 1.64 inseminations per conception. Total lactation milk yield averaged 2 063 litres in an average lactation period of 326 days. Average milk yield in 300 days was 1 930 litres. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 litres. Average fat percentage in the milk ranged between 4.69±0.04 and 4.97±0.02. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality (3.63 percent). The Gir cattle breed of India characteristics and present status
Author response to comments of Referee 1

Controlled manipulation of environmental conditions within large enclosures in the ocean, so-called pelagic mesocosms, has become a standard method to explore potential responses of marine plankton communities to anthropogenic change. Among the challenges of interpreting mesocosm data is the often uncertain role of vertical mixing, which usually is not observed directly. To account for mixing nonetheless, two pragmatic assumptions are common: either that the water column is homogeneously mixed or that it is divided into two water bodies with a horizontal barrier inhibiting turbulent exchange. In 5 this study, we present a model-based reanalysis of vertical turbulent diffusion in the mesocosm experiments PeECE III and KOSMOS 2013. Our diffusivity estimates indicate intermittent mixing events along with stagnating periods and yield simulated temperature and salinity profiles that are consistent with the observations. Here, we provide the respective diffusivities as a comprehensive data product in the Network Common Data Format (NetCDF). This data product will help to guide forthcoming model studies that aim at deepening our understanding of biogeochemical processes in the PeECE III and KOSMOS 1
Competition and Habitat Shift in Two Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)

The bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) in small ponds feeds on relatively large prey associated with the vegetation. However, in the presence of the green sunfish (L. cyanellus) it shifts to feeding on smaller, less preferred prey in the open water column. The mechanisms responsible for this habitat shift were examined by experimentally confining both species, alone and together, in homogeneous patches of the preferred habitat (vegetation). When confined together in the vegetation the green sunfish exhibited higher survivorship, growth rates, and amount of food in the stomachs than the bluegill. The bluegill fed on smaller items and consumed more benthic prey than did the green sunfish. The presence of the congener did not alter the food habits of either species or the growth rates of the green sunfish in relation to species stocked alone. Presence of the congener did affect the growth rates of the bluegill. Overlap in the diet was 70o when these species were confined to the vegetation as compared to 44% in an earlier study where habitat separation was permitted. The green sunfi'sh is more of a sit-and-wait predator and is able to utilize a wider food size spectrum than the bluegill. This results in a strong asymmetry in the competition function favoring the green sunfish in the vegetation. However, in the open water column the distribution of food sizes is truncated and this provides a competitive refuge for the bluegill which handles small foods more efficiently. The bluegill appears to be more flexible in its habitat use while the green sunfish is more aggressive and limited in the habitats utilized. Comparisons with studies of habitat shifts in salmonids suggest that the competitive mechanisms outlined are of general relevance in fish communities. Consideration of the relation between habitat structure, the correlated distribution of food sizes, and species morphology provides a framework for specifying the occurrence of habitat shifts and which species of the interactive set will shift.
The Role of the Dorsomedial Nucleus (DM) of Intercollicular Complex with Regard to Sexual Difference of Distance Calls in Bengalese Finches

Abstract The acoustic structures of distance calls in sexually mature Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica) show distinct sexual differences. We conducted a neuroethological study to identify the neural mechanism in the brain by which sexually mature male and female birds produce these acoustically different distance calls. Bilateral lesions of the dorsomedial (DM) nucleus of the intercollicular complex, known as the midbrain vocal center, eliminated distance calls in sexually mature males and females, but electrical stimulation of the DM in males and females induced calls that showed sexual differences and were acoustically similar to the distance calls of males and females. These results confirm that the DM in both sexes is one of the nuclei of the vocal control system that controls calling behavior. Neural tracer was injected into the DM in order to identify sexual differences in the neural input and output connections in the DM. Anatomical tracing of DM revealed the existence of labeled somata in the ipsilateral robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) in males. After bilateral RA lesions, however, males produced distance calls that were acoustically similar to female distance calls. These results suggest that the DM is one of the nuclei which generate the distance call patterns of both sexes, and that the neural information from the RA to the DM change the distance call pattern of male.
Evaluating the genetic effects of the invasive Ocenebra inornata on the native oyster drill Ocenebra erinacea

Studies focusing on the effect of invasive species on the genetic diversity of native marine invertebrates remain scant. Here we report diversity among French populations of the intertidal gastropod Ocenebra erinacea (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled in the presence and absence of the invasive Ocenebra inornata (Recluz, 1851). Between 1999 and 2004, a total of 352 individuals of O. erinacea was collected from 15 sites, five of which had the invasive present, and genotyped at the mitochondrial locus cox1. No statistical difference was observed between polymorphism levels recorded within native populations exposed to the invasive, compared with populations sampled in the absence of O. inornata. No sign of native population decline was detected in response to the invader. While significant shifts in native O. erinacea population sizes have previously been reported in the literature, genetic effects may take longer to accumulate, or may be undetectable without a larger panel of genetic markers. By contrast, large genetic distances and significant population differentiation were recorded between Atlantic and Mediterranean O. erinacea samples, suggesting that these populations have distinct evolutionary histories. Comparison of genetic divergence within the closely related genus Nucella suggests that the Atlantic populations of O. erinacea and those from Thau Lagoon in the Mediterranean may belong to different species or subspecies.
Predation on Moose Calves by European Brown Bears

Abstract In North America, brown bears (Ursus arctos) can be a significant predator on moose (Alces alces) calves. Our study in Sweden is the first in which brown bears are the only predator on moose calves. Bears and moose occurred at densities of about 30/1,000 km2 and 920/1,000 km2, respectively, and bears killed about 26% of the calves. Ninety-two percent of the predation took place when calves were <1 month old. Bear predation was probably additive to other natural mortality, which was about 10% in areas both with and without bears. Females that lost their calves in spring produced more calves the following year (1.54 calves/F) than females that kept their calves (1.11 calves/F), which reduced the net loss of calves due to predation to about 22%.
Spatial and temporal variations of phytoplankton chlorophyll a and suspended participate matter in Mayagiiez Bay, Puerto Rico

Monthly measurements of chlorophyll a (Chl-a), suspended paniculate matter (SPM), light penetration and salinity were taken from March 1990 to February 1991. These parameters were sampled at three different transects with respect to the Afiasco, Yagtlez and Guanajibo river discharge in MayagUez Bay, off the western coast of Puerto Rico. A reduction in salinities occurred at all stations from August to November, and corresponded with high precipitation and large river discharge. Maxi- mum Chl-a values were registered at inshore stations during the rainy season. Maximum values of SPM were recorded in October and November, the minimum values were found from March to June. The spatial correlation between Chl-a and SPM was significantly positive for the entire study period, but the temporal relationship was not significant. The relationship between Chl-a and SPM may reflect the relationship between nutrients and SPM, and the physiological adaptations of phytoplankton to light intensity.
Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 Scoring System in Predicting the Prognosis of Death in Pediatric Patients with Clinical Sepsis

Introduction. Sepsis is still one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in children in industrialized and developing countries. Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 (PELOD 2) score aims to assess the degree of organ system disorder. In addition, PELOD score 2 also has a close relationship with death and can detect any organ dysfunction even in patients with low mortality. This study aims to determine the relationship between PELOD 2 score with the death of patients in pediatric surgical cases with clinical sepsis at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Hospital (RSMH) Palembang. Methods. An observational analytic study with a cohort design was conducted at the Mohammad Hoesin Hospital in Palembang from August 2017 to December 2017. There were 30 samples of pediatric patients with clinical sepsis who met the inclusion criteria. Data frequency and distribution are explained in tabular form. The relationship between PELOD 2 score (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2) with death was analyzed by the Fisher Exact test. Survival rates are obtained by analyzing survival using Kaplan meier. Data analysis uses SPSS version 18.0. Results. In this study, the results showed that there were no differences in age, weight, height and sex between groups with mortality and life outcomes (p> 0.05). With the Fisher Exact test, it was found that there was a significant relationship between PELOD 2 score and mortality in pediatric
Age validation of canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) from off the Oregon coast (USA) using the bomb radiocarbon method

The alternating translucent and opaque banding pattern in canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) otoliths, aged using a break-and-burn methodology, are annual markings. To validate age assignment, we compared measured radiocarbon levels in canary rockfish otolith cores with a reference chronology developed from known age Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). An average 2- to 3-year phase shift was detected between the canary rockfish and a Pacific halibut reference chronology that was likely the result of differences in the regional oceanography or underageing bias. The assumption of ageing bias consistency was tested with two sampling designs. The first design controled for age-related ageing error, and the second design related birth year to estimated age. No change in the magnitude of ageing bias as a function of age was detected.
Plastid genomes and deep relationships among the commelinid monocot angiosperms

The commelinid monocots comprise the orders Arecales (A), Commelinales (C), Poales sensu Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III (APGIII) (P), Zingiberales (Z), plus the unplaced family Dasypogonaceae (D), collectively containing numerous economically and ecologically important species and encompassing enormous morphological diversity. Commelinids are supported as monophyletic based on anatomy and molecular data; however, relationships among major commelinid groupings conflict among previous studies, representing a long‐standing problem in monocot systematics, with major implications for interpretations of character evolution. In more recent analyses, with whole‐plastome sampling largely focused on Poales, areas of conflict remain, suggesting the need for closer investigation of relationships and support. Here, we increased sampling of plastomes among non‐Poalean commelinid orders to investigate deep nodal support. Analysis of 83 plastid genes recovered relationships as ((A, D) (ZC, P)) with robust support, regardless of reconstruction method (parsimony/likelihood). However, conflict among genes was evident when grouped by genomic region. Cumulative analyses of genes ranked by decreasing numbers of informative characters indicated continued fluctuation in support, even as small genes were added to a nearly complete matrix, contrary to the expected pattern of stabilization in support. Topology tests among major commelinid groups suggested that the data were not powerful enough to reject all alternatives. This study provides clues to the limits of the plastid genome for resolving deep relationships among the commelinid monocots.
Systematics and Evolution of Syncephaly in American Vernonieae (Asteraceae) with Emphasis on the Brazilian Subtribe Lychnophorinae

Abstract— A phylogenetic hypothesis of American Vernonieae based on three molecular regions (ITS, ndhF, rpl32-trnL) and on a morphological dataset reveals the existence of four main lineages. Three of these lineages correspond, with a few adjustments, to subtribes Chrestinae, Lychnophorinae, and Vernoniinae. The fourth lineage, which has never been recognized at a taxonomic rank due to the lack of morphological characterization, is mainly composed of taxa usually included in Lepidaploinae and Elephantopinae as well as a number of genera traditionally placed in other subtribes (Chrestinae, Piptocarphinae, and Vernoniinae). The relationships between these lineages are still not satisfactorily resolved. In order to keep the Lychnophorinae monophyletic, two small subtribes (Centratherinae, Sipolisiinae) and three monotypic genera (Albertinia, Blanchetia, and Gorceixia) have to be transferred to Lychnophorinae, which has the presence of heliangolide in aerial parts as a synapomorphy. Even though syncephaly has been historically used to delimit the subtribe Lychnophorinae, our results show that this character probably appeared independently three or four times in the evolution of American Vernonieae. The formation of the syncephalium, in each case, seems to be related to different biological functions: attractive (Chrestinae), disseminative (Rolandrinae), or protective and, to a lesser extent, attractive (Lychnophorinae).