Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TOXINS PRODUCED BY BENTHIC DINOFLAGELLATES

Nine species of benthic dinoflagellates collected in subtropical waters were cultured, extracted, and tested for mouse lethality, ichthyotoxicity, and hemolytic activity. Hemolytic activity was detectable in all species, but the activities of Amphidinium carteri, A. klebsi, and Gambierdiscus toxicus were outstanding. G. toxicus showed the most potent mouse lethality. Two hemolytic constituents of A. carteri were determined to be mono- and di-galactoglycerolipids. Maitotoxin, produced by G. toxicus, was suggested to have a molecular weight of 3402 ± 2 (m/z). Two potent toxins against mice were isolated from Prorocentrum lima and identified as okadaic acid and 5-methylene-6-hydroxy-2-hexen-1-okadaate.
Habitat use of the Pacific Sheath-Tailed Bat (Emballonura semicaudata) on Aguiguan, Mariana Islands

We tested for differential habitat use by Pacific sheath-tailed bats (Emballonura semicaudata) in three major vegetation types on Aguiguan, Mariana Islands. Acoustic surveys of bat activity were conducted on a 370-m grid with 50 stations that covered the entire island. We controlled for a variety of extraneous factors through sampling design and use of a generalized linear model. Bat activity was significantly higher in native and nonnative forests than in non-forest habitats. There was no significant difference between activity levels in the two forest types. However, our sample size in non-native forest was limited to seven stations, thus the conclusion that non-native forest is an important habitat for the species should be viewed with caution. Our finding that E. semicaudata may be reliant on forest is critical because forests on Aguiguan are threatened by feral goats.
Evolutionary Genetics of the Hymenoptera

The order Hymenoptera is of great size and possesses a number of notable charac­ teristics: wide diversity among life patterns of its members, extraordinary repeated evolution of social forms, arrhenotoky (origin of males from unfertilized eggs), and male haploidy. These characteristics interact with manifold aspects of the genetic biology of the group, including karyotype evolution, speciation, and population genetics. These various topics are reviewed below; other genetical and evolutionary areas are covered elsewhere (30, 90, 115, 130, 158-160, 169).
Aquatic macrophytes in Adirondack (New York) lakes: patterns of species composition in relation to environment

A study of aquatic vegetation of 31 small, dilute, and unproductive lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York shows that macrophyte species composition is primarily related to variation in pH and associated factors. Among the lakes, surface water pH ranged from 4.5 to 7.8; conductivity ranged from 11.9 to 58.7 μS/cm. Relationships between aquatic vegetation and environmental factors were studied using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Submersed and floating-leaved taxa were analyzed separately from emergent taxa. Correlations between DCA axis 1 and pH-related factors (pH, alkalinity, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, conductivity, elevation) were strong for both submersed plus floating-leaved and emergent taxa. No significant correlations were found with water color, transparency, or trophic status indicators (total P and chlorophyll a). Between-lake variation in composition of aquatic vegetation in Adirondack lakes follows a pH "complex-gradient. " Influences of elevation, morphometry, and substrate are secondar.
Characterization and Classification of Some Apple Growing Soils of Kashmir

Apple (Malus domestica, Borkh), the premiere table fruit is grown all over the world in temperate climate. In India Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Himachal Pradesh are the principal fruit-growing states. In fact J&K has significant position in horticultural map of India with an area of 2.05 lakh hectares, contributing 89% of total fresh fruit production in the state (Anonymous 2004). Its cultivation was previously confined to Karewas and Kandi areas, but due to high economic returns farmers have started growing apples on low-lands too which has resulted in the production of poor-quality fruits. The physiographic features like slope aspect, relief and the altitude have pronounced effect on physical and chemical proper­ ties and also on the nutrient supplying capacity of the soils, thereby influencing growth, yield and quality of fruit. The information with regard to the impact of slope, altitude and aspect on the difference in mor­ phology, physico-chemical properties of apple-grow­ ing soils are scanty. Therefore, an attempt has been made to characterize and classify these soils.
In Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Extracts and Compounds from Uvaria scheffleri

Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and leaves of Uvaria scheffleri Diels (Annonaceae) exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (wild strain), Aspergillus fumigatus (wild strain), and a Penicillium species (wild strain). The ethanol extract of the stem bark was also active against Candida albicans (Strain H6392). The dichloromethane extract of the leaves showed the highest antifungal activity and in addition it showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571). Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract of the leaves yielded nine known compounds. They included a 1 : 1 mixture of stigmasterol (1) and β-sitosterol (2), which showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Others were 3-farnesylindole (3), 2′,6′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxy-chalcone (4), 2′-hydroxy-3′,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone (5), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone (6), 5,7,8-trimethoxyflavanone (7), and a 3 : 2 mixture of 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxychalcone (8) and 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (9). Compound 7 and the mixture of compounds 8 and 9 showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418, MIC 125 µg/ml) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 125 µg/ml), respectively. The mixture of compounds 8 and 9 was also active against Candida albicans (MIC 31.25 µg/ml), Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and the Penicillium species (MIC 1000 µg/ml). We conclude that Uvaria scheffleri extracts contain compounds with antifungal and antibacterial activity. The activities observed in this study are weak. Based on previous studies, it is being speculated that, possibly, the most active compounds were lost during fractionation. Further work to isolate more antifungal and antibacterial compounds is suggested.
Newman Lake restoration: A case study. Part I. Chemical and biological responses to phosphorus control

Abstract In the late 1960s and early 1970s, summer and fall blooms of cyanobacteria began to occur in Newman Lake, Washington (zavg: 5.6 m, zmax: 9.0 m); through the next decade, these blooms intensified and became an annual occurrence. Community efforts in the mid-1980s sparked a Restoration Feasibility assessment of the lake and watershed that indicated total annual gross phosphorus loading of at least 3000 kg, with a major portion (∼83%) attributable to internal recycling associated with summer hypolimnetic oxygen depletion. Implementation activities began September 1989, with watershed controls and a whole-lake alum treatment, followed in 1992 by installation of a Speece cone for hypolimnetic oxygenation and in 1997 by addition of a dual-port, microfloc alum injection system. Average summer volume-weighted total phosphorus has declined from prerestoration levels exceeding 50 μg-P/L to an average of 21 μg-P/L over the past 7 years (15–28 μg-P/L). Most notably, peak annual biovolumes of cyanobacteria and their representation within the phytoplankton community have decreased substantially, with increased prevalence of diatoms, green and golden-brown algae. A clearwater phase following spring blooms of diatom and/or golden-brown algae has occurred during those last 7 years, although this phenomenon was observed in the prior three decades. Overall, the restoration has been a success, and lake response to nutrient reduction at Newman Lake is consistent with worldwide observations that emphasize the need for long-term perspectives and commitment in lake restoration and management. Continuation of internal load controls and increased emphasis on external nutrient abatement will be necessary to continue the positive water quality trends despite future development increases and land use changes.
Comparative Morphology and Behaviour of A1 and A2 Isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi

Studies of morphology, physiological behaviour and pathogenicity indicated that some significant differences existed between isolates of the A1 and A2 compatibility types of Phytophthora cinnamomi from native plant communities in Australia. The majority of A1 isolates produced zoosporangia more rapidly and in greater numbers than A2 isolates, and zoosporangia were produced evenly on mycelial discs of A1 isolates whereas they occurred mostly at the perimeter of similar discs in the case of A2 isolates. Chlamydospores were produced more rapidly by A1 than A2 isolates, and in the former tended to be of an even size and were frequently single, whereas in A2 isolates the size was extremely variable and production was usually in clusters. Both compatibility types showed similar temperature-growth optima, but the mean growth rate of A1 isolates, over the range 15-30°C, was less than that of A2 isolates. Both types responded similarly to high temperature treatments and to a range of osmotic potentials and both showed similar pathogenicity to lupin and Pinus radiata seedlings. While both compatibility types showed similar reactions to a number of inhibitors, the growth of A2 isolates was inhibited more by rose bengal and pyronin G than that of A1 isolates. Thus, although significant differences were recorded, there was a general similarity of behaviour of isolates of both compatibility types and there were no striking differences from the recorded behaviour of the fungus in other countries.
Mechanisms of Pinus radiata growth suppression by some common forest weed species.

In a trial designed to quantify the reduction of Pinus radiata D.Don growth caused by a range of weed species, tree seedlings were grown weed-free or with herbaceous broadleaves (a volunteer mixture of species from which grasses were excluded), Cytisus scoparius L. (broom), Ulex europaeus L. (gorse), Buddleja davidii Franchet (buddleia), Holcus lanatus L. (Yorkshire fog) plus Lolium multiflorum L. (Italian ryegrass), Lotus uliginosus Schk, (lotus), or Cortaderia selloana (Schult) Asch. et Graeb. (pampas). Water and nutrient levels were varied by factorial irrigation and fertiliser treatment. After 3 years tree stem volume was greatest in weed-free, lotus, gorse, and grass treatments and least with buddleia and pampas. The effect of herbaceous broadleaves and broom was intermediate. It was concluded that tall, fast-growing, weed species reduced P. radiata growth by restricting light availability to tree crowns. No convincing evidence was found to link the large growth losses with interference in water or nutrient supply.
Dietary β-Carotene Absorption by Blood Plasma and Leukocytes in Domestic Cats

Three experiments were conducted to study the uptake of oral beta-carotene by blood plasma and leukocytes in domestic cats. In Experiment 1, mature female Tabby cats (12 mo old) were given once orally 0, 10, 20 or 50 mg of beta-carotene and blood taken at 0, 12, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and 72 h after dosing. Concentrations of plasma beta-carotene increased in a dose-dependent manner. Peak concentrations were observed at 12-24 h and declined gradually thereafter. The half-life of plasma beta-carotene was 12-30 h. In Experiment 2, cats were dosed daily for six consecutive days with 0, 1, 2, 5 or 10 mg beta-carotene. Blood was sampled once daily at 12 h after each feeding. Daily dosing of cats with beta-carotene for 6 d resulted in a dose-dependent increase in circulating beta-carotene. Experiment 3 was designed to study the uptake of beta-carotene by blood leukocytes. Cats were fed 0, 5 or 10 mg of beta-carotene daily for 14 d. Blood leukocytes were obtained on d 7 and 14 to determine beta-carotene content in whole lymphocytes and in subcellular fractions. Blood lymphocytes took up large amounts of beta-carotene by d 7 of feeding. Furthermore, beta-carotene accumulated mainly in the mitochondria (40-52%), with lower amounts accumulating in the microsomes (20-35%), cytosol (15-34%), and nuclei (1.5-6%). Therefore, domestic cats readily absorb beta-carotene across the intestinal mucosa and transfer the beta-carotene into peripheral blood leukocytes and their subcellular organelles. beta-Carotene uptake kinetics show that some aspects of beta-carotene absorption and metabolism in cats are similar to those of humans.
Comportement thermo-hydro-mécanique des agrégats d'enrobés compactés non saturés

Les Agregats d’Enrobes (AE) proviennent de la demolition des chaussees. Leur reemploi est une alternative aux materiaux vierges, et reduit l’impact environnemental. Le projet ORRAP developpe un recyclage a froid des AE sans addition de liant, en couche d’assise de chaussees a faible trafic. Les charges routieres repetees causent des degradations : ornierage et fissuration par fatigue. L’objectif de la these est d’etudier le comportement thermo-hydro-mecanique d’AE. Une campagne d’essais triaxiaux a ete menee a plusieurs temperatures, teneurs en eau et frequences, afin de caracteriser les comportements permanent et resilient. A partir des resultats experimentaux, le comportement resilient a ete decrit par un premier modele analytique elastique non lineaire, puis par un second viscoelastique. Le module resilient a ete predit par des simulations numeriques aux elements discrets, avec un modele de contact viscoelastique. Finalement, deux planches d’essais experimentales ont ete construites.
Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Psammophis schokari (Serpentes) in North Africa based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

ABSTRACT The snake Psammophis schokari has a widespread distribution across North Africa, and in Morocco/Western Sahara is represented by three different morphotypes: striped, unicoloured and the Western-Sahara morph. ND4 mitochondrial DNA sequences from 28 specimens comprising 20 P. shokari, two P. aegyptius, one P. elegans, two P. sibilans, one P. condanarus and two outgroups were analysed. Within P. schokari we identified four genetic lineages (Morocco/Western Sahara, Mauritania, Algeria and Israel) with a genetic divergence ranging from 4–5%, less than that typically found between different species. Surprisingly, Moroccan/Western Sahara and Algerian lineages are the most divergent ones. This geographic substructuring may be due to severe climate changes in the Sahara desert between the Miocene and Pleistocene associated with expansion/contraction phases of this desert. Psammophis aegyptius is the sister-taxon of Psammophis schokari with a high level of genetic divergence between them (10.7%) supporting the recognition of P. aegyptius as a distinct species. The three Moroccan/Western Sahara colour morphotypes form one genetic lineage, indicating that colour pattern does not reflect a different phylogenetic history, and is probably an ecological adaptation to the local environment.
The study and early evaluation of resistance of banana accessions for wilt disease caused by fusarium oxyporum f.sp. Cubense VCG 01213/16 (TR4)

Fusarium wilt is one of main diseases of banana in Indonesia. This disease has destroyed banana plantation in almost all parts of Indonesia and it is difficult to be managed by agronomic and chemical controls. However, some species/cultivars show tolerance or resistance to Fusarium wilt. It indicates that those species/cultivars have resistance genes in their genomic DNA. The evaluation of banana plants for Fusarium wilt resistance can be carried out artificially using young plants from tissue culture. The objectives of this research were to evaluate young acclimatized tissue culture plants for Fusarium wilt resistance and to study the resistance mechanism of plant to Fusarium wilt disease. The experiment used five banana accessions; there were Calcuta-4 (AAw), Ketan (AAB), Klutuk (BB), Kepok (ABB) and Ambon Hijau (AAA), and double compartment for planting system. Before planting on the plastic cup containing sterile sand medium, roots of the plantlets were dipped in 10 6 conidia suspension of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense for five minutes. All of the cups containing inoculated plants were put on the plastic trays. The data were collected five weeks after planting. Base on the value of DSI (disease severity index) of RDI (rhizome discoloration index) and LSI (leaf symptom index), accessions will be categorized into highly susceptible, susceptible, tolerant and resistant. Result showed that Klutuk, Calcuta-4, Ketan and Kepok were categorized as tolerant, while Ambon Hijau was susceptible. All of tolerant accessions had symptom on leaves (LSI) and/or rhizome (RDI) at low level, and they still grew well.
A Redescription of a Rare Chordate, Metaspriggina walcotti Simonetta and Insom, from the Burgess Shale (Middle Cambrian), British Columbia, Canada

Until recently, our understanding of the earliest history of the fish has been fragmentary in terms of the fossil record and conjectural with respect to many details of phylogeny. Fortunately, significant new information has become available in recent years, most notably from the discoveries of at least three taxa of agnathan fish from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstatte of Yunnan, China (Shu et al., 1999, 2003; Shu, 2003; see also Hou et al., 2002; Hou et al., 2004, p. 192–193; Zhang and Hou, 2004). Two of the taxa ( Haikouichthys and Zhangjianichthys ) are represented by numerous specimens, but it is noteworthy that amongst the forty-odd Burgess Shale-type occurrences apart from the Chengjiang Lagerstatte, chordates (or indeed cephalochordates and urochordates) are otherwise unknown. The one exception is the Burgess Shale itself, characterized by the rather enigmatic Pikaia gracilens (Conway Morris, 1982, 1998) and the much rarer chordate described herein. Apart from this exceptionally preserved material, the fossil record effectively only begins in the Ordovician (e.g., Sansom et al., 2001, 2005; Sansom and Smith, 2005), in as much putative fish scales from the latest Cambrian (Young et al., 1996) may be better interpreted as arthropodan (see Smith et al., 2001, p. 78). The difficulties of interpreting what is overall an extremely patchy record are further compounded by the fact that the relevance to this early history of the extant agnathan hagfish and lamprey has remained (and indeed to some extent remains) problematic, given the uncertainty as to which of the presumed archaic features have been over-printed by specializations for modes of life that might have had little counterpart in the ancestral forms. The relative abundance of agnathans from the Chengjiang Lagerstatte, but near total absence from equivalent fossil deposits, raises important and related …
Introduction of novel legume crops in Serbia: White lupin (Lupinus albus)

The renewed interest in introducing white lupin in Serbia is its high crude protein content in grain dry matter of nearly 400 g kg-1, which makes it a potential supplement for soybean meal in animal feeding. The only collection of white and other lupins in Serbia is maintained at Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, with about 200 accessions of 10 species, containing about 70 accessions of white lupin. The accessions with high tolerance to alkaline soil reaction of about pH=8 in a carbonated chernozem in Novi Sad regularly formed two orders of pods and grains and produced grain yields of more than 5 t ha-1, 45 t ha-1 of green forage and 8 t ha-1 of forage dry matter. The first Serbian white lupin breeding programme carried out at Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad has resulted in developing cultivars Vesna and Panorama, registered in 2008.
The Importance of Ship Hull Fouling as a Vector of Species Introductions into the North Sea

Ships have long been recognized as a major vector for the introduction of non-native and harmful organisms. From 1992 to 1996 a shipping study was undertaken in Germany, focusing on the fauna transported by ships, to assess the importance of species introductions by international shipping traffic. Ballast water, tank sediment or hull fouling of 186 vessels was sampled. A total of 257 species were identified, ranging from Foraminifera to Teleostei, and 57% of the species sampled were considered to be non-native to the North Sea region, originating from elsewhere in the world including the north eastern Atlantic (west of the English Channel). Non-native species were recorded in 38% of all ballast water samples, 57% of all sediment samples and 96% of all hull samples, indicating that hull fouling is an important vector of introduction. Four species (1.6%) of unknown origin (cryptogenic species) were identified. The potential for establishment in the North Sea region of all non-native species found was classified into three categories based on the degree of similarity of climatic conditions in the North Sea and the donor region. Based on this criterion 19 of the species found in the fouling communities on ships' hulls were deemed to have a high potential for establishment in the North Sea.
Characterization of Okra Germplasm and Their Genetic Divergence in The Gangetic Alluvium of Eastern India

Eighteen okra genotypes of diverse origin were grown in a randomised complete block design during spring-summer and rainy seasons. Morphological characterization was done as per documented descriptors. The data collected on 15 characters were subjected to analysis of variance. Wide variations have been observed in most of characters studied except number of lateral branches per plant, node at first flowering, fruit diameter, number of ridges per fruit and crude protein content of the fruit. Genotypes were categorized according to disease reaction by disease index scale. By multivariate analysis (Mahalanobis D2 technique), the genetic divergence among the genotypes were quantitatively measured. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters by this technique. There was no relationship between clustering pattern and ecogeographic distribution. The effect of genetic divergence on the choice of parental stock in hybridization was discussed.
PMQR determinants among clinical isolates of ESBL and Amp C producing Serratia marcescens in Mansoura University Hospitals: A 6-year study

Background: Plasmid mediated quinolone resistant determinants (PMQR) are found to be of clinical relevance because it causes decreased quinolones sensitivity. Quinolones are valuable antibiotics against intrinsically resistant Serratia marcescens. Purpose: To determine the occurrence of PMQR determinants qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr and qep and their relation with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and / or Amp C- producing Serratia marcescens. Material and Method: One hundred and eleven Serratia marcescens were tested for resistance to five quinolones by disc diffusion method. Testing for qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr and qep was carried by multiplex PCR. Whereas ESBL and Amp C production were evaluated by double disc synergy test and cefoxitin Hodge test respectively. Results: Out of 111 Serratia marcescens , 51 (45.9%) were resistant to one or more of the used quinolones. Among Serratia marcescens isolates, 13 (11.7%) were ESBL producers while 5 (4.5%) were Amp C producers. Multiplex PCR confirmed the presence of PMQR determinant in 14 (12.6%) isolates of Serratia marcescens. Serratia marcescens positive for qnr determinants were detected as qnrA and qnr B in 3 and 10 isolates respectively whereas one isolate co harbored aac(6')-Ib-cr and qnrA. Among 13 ESBL producers, 3 and 5 isolates were positive for qnrA and qnr B respectively (8/13, 61.5%). Whereas one isolate co- expressed aac(6')-Ib-cr and qnrA was associated with Amp C production (1/5, 20%). Conclusion: This study indicated that PMQR play significant role in the occurrence and expansion of fluoroquinolone resistance in Serratia macrscens. Moreover they are closely associated with ESBL and Amp C producers.