Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urbanisation alters the flow of energy through stream food webs

Anthropogenic changes in the aquatic environment can influence macroinvertebrate communities, interfering with species richness and diversity. Few studies have investigated the effect of urbanisation in streams using a food web approach. The aim of this study was to describe the food webs of aquatic macroinvertebrates in streams located in urban and preserved areas of the Atlantic Rainforest domain. Sampling was conducted in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August–September) of 2012. The streams were characterised with respect to their environmental conditions. Macroinvertebrates were sorted and identified in the laboratory and gut contents were examined. Trophic relationships were plotted in consumer–resource food webs and network properties were used to compare the two sets of streams. Food webs in urban streams had higher linkage density and connectance, but consumers had fewer items in their guts, which may indicate reduced flow of energy and more unstable food webs. The base of the food webs in each land‐use type were also quite different, with higher amounts of plant detritus in preserved streams and fine detritus in urban streams. This study shows that preserved areas offer better conditions for the development of macroinvertebrates, resulting in more stable trophic structures when compared with environments under higher anthropogenic influence.
Inhibitory effects of quinizarin isolated from Cassia tora seeds against human intestinal bacteria and aflatoxin B1 biotransformation

The growth-inhibitory activity of Cassia tora seed-derived materials against seven intestinal bacteria was examined in vitro, and compared with that of anthraquinone, anthraflavine, anthrarufin, and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone. The active constituent of C. tora seeds was characterized as quinizarin, using various spectroscopic analyses. The growth responses varied depending on the compound, dose, and bacterial strain tested. At 1 mg/disk, quinizarin exhibited a strong inhibition of Clostridium perfringens and moderate inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus without any adverse effects on the growth of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. bifidum, B. longum, and Lactobacillus casei. Furthermore, the isolate at 0.1 mg/disk showed moderate and no activity against C. perfringens and S. aureus. The structure-activity relationship revealed that anthrarufin, anthraflavine, and quinizarin moderately inhibited the growth of S. aureus. However, anthraquinone and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone did not inhibit the human intestinal bacteria tested. As for the morphological effect of 1 mg/disk quinizarin, most strains of C. perfringens were damaged and disappeared, indicating that the strong activity of quinizarin was morphologically exhibited against C. perfringens. The inhibitory effect on aflatoxin B 1 biotransformation by anthraquinones revealed that anthrarufin (IC 50 , 11.49 μM), anthraflavine (IC 50 , 26.94 μM), and quinizarin (IC 50 , 4.12 μM) were potent inhibitors of aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-epoxide formation. However, anthraquinone and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone did not inhibit the mouse liver microsomal sample to convert aflatoxin B 1 to aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-epoxide. These results indicate that the two hydroxyl groups on A ring of anthraquinones may be essential for inhibiting the formation of aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-epoxide. Accordingly, as naturally occurring inhibitory agents, the C. tora seed-derived materials described could be useful as a preventive agent against diseases caused by harmful intestinal bacteria, such as clostridia, and as an inhibitory agent for the mouse liver microsomal conversion of aflatoxin B, to aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-epoxide.
Extracción y reciclaje de elementos nutritivos por cosecha de Eucalyptus globulus en Uruguay

Las plantaciones comerciales de Eucalyptus globulus extraen altas cantidades de elementos nutritivos, aunque la proporcion exportada luego de la cosecha es relativamente baja. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron: a) cuantificar la concentracion y distribucion de elementos nutritivos en diferentes componentes de cosecha de E. globulus; b) cuantificar las tasas de descomposicion de residuos de cosecha en el tiempo, y el potencial reciclaje de elementos nutritivos al suelo. En una plantacion de 10 anos de edad sobre un Typic Hapludert se cosecharon 24 arboles con DAP y altura promedio. Se cuantifico la biomasa aerea y la extraccion total de nitrogeno, fosforo, potasio, calcio y magnesio en trozas, ramas, corteza y hojas. Durante 24 meses se midio la descomposicion de restos mediante muestreos periodicos. Las trozas descortezadas representaron 77,5 % de la biomasa aerea, y las proporciones de elementos nutritivos exportadas con ellas fueron 32, 45, 19, 18 y 33 % de nitrogeno, fosforo, potasio, calcio y magnesio, respectivamente. Las mayores concentraciones de elementos nutritivos se encontraron en corteza y hojas. La descomposicion promedio de los restos fue 30 % de la biomasa aerea inicial. Las hojas perdieron la mayor proporcion de biomasa (68 %) y elementos nutritivos al termino de 24 meses, mientras que la corteza fue mas resistente a la descomposicion. El potasio se libero de los restos rapidamente, mientras que el calcio mostro la menor perdida. Las disminuciones de nitrogeno, fosforo y magnesio fueron mas graduales, proporcionales a las tasas de descomposicion. El descortezado en el sitio evita la exportacion de importantes cantidades de elementos nutritivos.
Microbial catabolic pathways for complex aromatics

This thesis concerns the microbial degradation of recalcitrant aromatic compounds, and the enzymes responsible for that degradation. The two foci are guaiacylglycerol-βguaiacyl ether (GGE), which is a model compound representing a key intermediate in the deconstruction of lignin, and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), which is a widely used component of explosives. The degradation of these compounds is of interest both because of the insights it provides into the evolution of catabolic pathways and because of the potential uses of the microbes and enzymes involved in chemical manufacturing and environmental bioremediation. Chapter 1 reviews the existing literature on the microbial degradation of lignin and nitroaromatic explosives such as DNAN, including consideration of their potential industrial applications. Chapter 2 describes the isolation and characterization of the GGE degrading Erythrobacter sp. SG61-1L strain and compares it with the GGE degradation activity of the previously isolated Sphingomonas sp. SYK-6. SG61-1L was found to degrade GGE significantly more rapidly than SYK-6, although the same pathway appeared to operate in both strains. The first step in GGE degradation by SYK-6 had previously been shown to be catalysed by four stereospecific dehydrogenases and I found seven homologous genes in the SG61-1L genome. These thirteen genes were heterologously expressed in E. coli and the activities of their products were studied with the four stereoisomers of GGE. Two of the SG61-1L enzymes in particular had higher activities for the four GGE isomers than any of the four SYK-6 enzymes. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the GGE dehydrogenase activity of the two strains was mainly confined to a particular subclade of classical short chain dehydrogenases but two enzymes from other clades of these dehydrogenases were also found to have significant GGE activity. Chapter 3 describes the mineralization of DNAN by Nocardioides sp. strain JS1661 and the identification and characterization of a complex demethylase enzyme in this bacterium which catalyses the cleavage of the methyl group on DNAN. The hydrolytic removal of the methyl group forms methanol and 2,4-dinitrophenol, which is
Aggressiveness of Ganoderma boninense and G. zonatum isolated from upper- and basal stem rot of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Malaysia.

Currently, the most known devastating oil palm disease throughout South-east Asia is basal stem rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma boninense. However, there is insufficient information on G. zonatum which also has been associated with the BSR, and upper stem rot (USR). Thus, this study reports pathological symptoms and degree of aggressiveness amongst G. zonatum and G. boninense of USR and BSR on oil palm seedlings. All the Ganoderma isolates tested showed positive signs of infection on the seedlings at 12 and up to 24 weeks after inoculation. However, the symptoms of infection on the seedlings were indistinguishable amongst the Ganoderma species tested. In fact, they showed significantly different degree of aggressiveness in terms of area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), epidemic rate, severity of foliar symptoms (SFS), disease severity index (DSI), stem bole necrosis and primary roots necrosis. The present findings suggested that G. zonatum of USR was the most aggressive, followed by G. zonatum and G. boninense of BSR, and G. boninense of USR was the least aggressive. Hence, a new mechanism of control strategies is urgently required to contain the disease from spreading especially for USR and also for G. zonatum in Malaysia.
Diapause induction in Trichogramma telengai: the dynamics of maternal thermosensitivity

Transferring Trichogramma telengai Sorokina (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from 17 to 30 °C or vice versa at different stages of pre‐imaginal development shows that the pupa (particularly late pupa) is a sensitive stage of the maternal thermal response. During this period, even a relatively short period (1–2 days) of cold or heat exposure results, correspondingly, in a marked increase or decrease in the percentage of diapausing progeny. Thus, the maternal thermal response has the same features of sensitivity as those of the previously investigated maternal photoperiodic response, suggesting that photoperiodic and thermal responses share the same mechanism. For the practice of rearing and storage Trichogramma as a biocontrol agent, it is important to note that even relatively short‐term environmental heating (i.e. for one to several days) immediately before adult emergence can drastically decrease the percentage of diapausing progeny.
Recherches sur l'oncomiracidium des Capsalidae (Monogenea)

Nous avons etudie en detail les cellules ciliees et la chetotaxie de la larve de Benedenia monticelli (Parona y Perugia, 1895), parasite de Mugil cephalus L.Nos observations sur l’oncomiracidium de Trochopus pini (Van Beneden et Hesse, 1863) et Entobdella soleae (Van Beneden et Hesse, 1863) prouvent qu’il y a un plan commun d’organisation de ces structures chez ces Capsalidae.Ce plan est different de celui mis en evidence chez les Dactylogyroidea d’une part et les Polyopisthocotylea d’autre part.Le type chetotaxique Capsaloidea est original et represente, peut-etre un schema ontogeniquement plus avance comme le sont chez ces Monogenes l’armature du hapteur et la disposition du systeme excreteur.
OPTN gene Mutation in Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Purpose: We have evaluated the mutations of the OPTN gene, which has been reported to be associated with the normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: The OPTN gene was analyzed in 53 patients with NTG and 40 normal subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of each patients, exon 5 and exon 6 of the OPTN gene were amplified by PCR and DNA sequencing was performed. Results: No mutation was found in normal subjects. But three kinds of point mutation (G412A, C459T in exon 5, G577C in exon 6) were found in 7 patients with NTG. Conclusions: We report the novel point mutations of OPTN gene in NTG patients. This shows the possibility of diagnosis of NTG by detecting the mutation of OPTN gene.
Diversity and Composition of Plant Functional Groups in Mountain Forests of the Lishan Nature Reserve, North China

Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to characterize the composition and distribution of forest vegetation within the Lishan National Nature Reserve (LNNR), Shanxi Province, China. The LNNR is located at E111o05'43”-111o56'29”, N35o29'07”-35o23'10”, and is part of the Zhongtiao mountain range. Forest vegetation was sampled from 58, 10 m×20 m plots along an elevation gradient from 1,400 to 2,100 m. Floristic and environmental data of different functional groups, such as trees, shrubs, saplings and herbs, were analyzed using CCA; and the changes of species richness, diversity and evenness of different functional groups were analyzed in relation to environmental variables. Overall, all the functional groups of forest vegetation showed a statistically significant correlation with elevation and soil Cu. Responses to other environmental gradients differed among the four groups of plants analyzed. Tree layer showed a correlation with soil P, shrubs and herbs showed a correlation with soil organic matter and N, while saplings showed a correlation with slope and aspect. Elevation was the most important variable in terms of variations in species diversity. Species richness, evenness, and diversity of different functional groups showed a similar responding model to changes in elevation, i.e. the maximum diversity occurring at intermediate elevations. Of the functional groups analyzed, trees were most important in maintaining species evenness within communities, while shrubs and herbs were significant in maintaining species richness within communities of the LNNR.
Timing of longleaf seedling release from over topping hardwoods: A look 30 years later

Significant dij$rerellces in longleaf pine (Pinus pal- ustris) growth among early and delayed seedling release treatments were recorded at age IO, but these d~ferences had disappeared upon reexamination at age 31. A study begun in 1949 inch&d six release treatments: complete seedling release from overt+@% hard- woods at ages I, 2, 3, 4, and 8 years, plus an unreleased check. Treatments were randomly applied among six 0.1 -acre p&s in each of sir blocks, which included both poor and average sites. Seedling o! evelopment was observed through age 10. When pines in five surviving blocks (two poor site, three average sue) were remeasured in. I979 at age 31, there were no signtjiint differmces among release treatments in average tree heights and di&eters or stand basal areas and volumes. The check treatment had signifuantly lower tree heights, stand densities, and stand volumes than any release treatment.
Do morphometrics and allozymes reliably distinguish Africanized and European Apis mellifera drones in subtropical Mexico?

SUMMARY Drones reared in colonies of honey bees (Apis mellifera) of European (EHB) and Africanized (AHB) origin were characterized using morphometrics and allozyme analyses. 17 characters of the forewing were compared at the univariate and multivariate level using principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, Mdh and Hk allozyme frequencies were compared between both drone types. Only 5 forewing characters were statistically different between the two drone types and PCA failed to separate clearly AHB from EHB drones. The Hk allele 1 was more frequent in EHB drones compared with AHB (P < 0.01). However, the frequencies of the Mdh1 allele in EHB drones from Yucatan was intermediate between AHB and EHB drones from an Africanized-free zone (P < 0.01). These results suggest that, for Yucatecan populations, Hk is more informative concerning the African or European origin of drones than Mdh. Evidence of undetected levels of africanization with morphometrics alone and the non-neutrality and high within-population variation of the Mdh loci make the use of these techniques questionable as a diagnostic of africanization in drones from the Yucatan. The use of Hk in combination with mitochondrial and/or nuclear DNA markers would be of more value to analyse the dynamics of male production, seasonal abundance and male releases in drone congregation areas in Yucatan.
Unexplored Amazonian diversity: rare and phylogenetically enigmatic tree species are newly collected

The Amazon is renowned to hold an unprecedented, yet poorly­known or unexplored plant diversity. This study aimed to report new collections on five rare or little­known and phylogenetically enigmatic trees, Aguiaria excelsa (Malvaceae, Bombacoideae), Hylocarpa heterocarpa (Humiriaceae), and the papilionoid legumes Monopteryx uaucu , Petaladenium urceoliferum , and Uleanthus erythrinoides , that became available after recent fieldwork in the western and central Brazilian Amazon region. All five genera, except for Monopteryx , are monospecific and represented in herbaria by only the type or at most few collections made more than 30 years ago. Comments on morphological affinities, never­seen­before photographs, and a distribution map of all species are given. A lectotype for U. erythrinoides is here designated. We also provide a complete taxonomic description for P. urceoliferum , whose pods until presently were unknown. Since these genera are missing branches in the molecular phylogenetic trees of Leguminosae, Humiriaceae, and Malvaceae, the opportunity to include them in future phylogenetic studies will certainly clarify the evolutionary history and taxonomy of their respective families.
Photoperiodic control of the annual cycle in birds and comparison with mammals

This review attempts to describe how birds perceive photoperiod and how this controls their physiology so that breeding and moult occur at the appropriate times of year, and to contrast this with the situation in mammals.The breeding seasons of birds tend to be shorter and more asymmetrical with respect to change in photoperiod than those of mammals. In mammals, the eyes, pineal gland and a circadian clock interact to produce a daily pattern of melatonin secretion that changes seasonally. This is used to time gonadal maturation and regression. In birds, the eyes and pineal are not involved. Instead, photoreceptors within the hypothalamus directly interact with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones to regulate GnRH secretion. In most non-tropical birds, GnRH secretion increases as photoperiod increases leading to gonadal maturation. Later, long photoperiods inhibit GnRH synthesis, which results in gonadal regression and photorefractoriness. This dual role of long photoperiods, firstly increasing GnRH secretion and then inhibiting GnRH synthesis, leads to asymmetry of breeding seasons. Long photoperiods also cause prolactin secretion, and this may act to fine tune the timing of gonadal regression in advance of the decrease in GnRH synthesis. Prolactin may also induce the slight asymmetry in the breeding seasons of non-photorefractory species. In tropical and opportunistic birds, endogenous circannual rhythmicity may play a more pronounced role. Moult is also caused by long photoperiods, but in addition, there is a close physiological relationship with breeding, such that moult normally starts immediately after breeding ends. The nature of this relationship remains unclear.
Used Toothbrushes: Microbial Evaluation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Associated Bacteria

Aims: Toothbrush has been universally accepted as the most effective tool for removing harmful plaque and bacteria from mouth. On average, colonization of bacteria is reduced by 88.8% as a result of brushing. Toothbrush if not properly taken care of before, during and after use may serve as a vector for the re-introduction of potential pathogens into the oral cavity. This study therefore aimed at investigating the microbial quality of used toothbrushes among selected students of a Tertiary Institution in Ile-Ife, Nigeria as well as the antibiotic susceptibility profiles and adherence property of the associated bacteria. Methodology: Fifty used toothbrushes were collected from students in sterile nylon and transported to Laboratory for processing within an hour of collection. The bacteria were isolated and characterized by conventional biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using the disk diffusion test according to the Clinical and Standard Laboratory Institute guidelines. Phenotypic adherence property of the isolates was investigated using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) method. Original Research Article Osungunna and Oyajoju; BMRJ, 15(2): 1-9, 2016; Article no.BMRJ. 26824 2 Results: These revealed the presence of six genera of bacteria namely: Bacillus spp, Staphylococcal spp, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Citrobacter spp and Serratia spp. Bacillus flexus was the predominant Gram-positive species accounting for 30.9% while Klebsiella oxytoca accounts for 26.5% as the predominant Gram-negative species. All the isolates were multidrug resistant. However, 22% of the isolates were adherent as they produced black crystalline colonies in Congo Red agar. Conclusion: The study concluded that toothbrush should be adequately taken care of to prevent it from serving as vector for infection and re-infection of mouth.
Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Value: Economic Value Added as the Intervening Variable

This research study is aimed to find out whether Economic Value Added (EVA) mediates the relationship between Good Corporate Governance (GCG) and firm value, and mediate the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and firm value. The sample used in this research is mining sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period 2013-2017. The statistical method used is multiple linear regression with path analysis to solve the mediate variable. The research findings revealed that EVA does not mediate the relationship between GCG and firm value, and does not mediate the relationship between CSR dan firm value. Although EVA does not serve as the mediator, it influences firm value. Keywords: GCG, CSR, EVA, firm value, mining companies.
The concentration of serotonin in normal human serum as determined by an improved method.

Abstract By blocking the destruction of serotonin with added ascorbic acid reproducible concentrations of serotonin in the serum are obtained, and a substantial recovery of serotonin added to whole blood can be demonstrated. The mean concentration of serum serotonin by this method in 50 normal persons was 0.21 μg per milliliter, with a range of 0.10 to 0.32 μg per milliliter (± 2 S.D.). Previously noted low and variable concentrations of serotonin in serum are believed to be due to substantial destruction of serotonin prior to assay.
Flow cytometric analysis of avian natural killer cell activity

Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system and are classified as large granular leukocytes. In this review, a functional and repeatable protocol to measure NK cell activity in avian blood samples is discussed. The cell line LSCC-RP9, a retrovirus transformed B cell line, is used as the target cells. The basic methodology involved incubation of effector cells, containing NK cells, with labelled LSCC-RP9 cells. A red fluorescent DNA dye (propidium iodide) was added to label the target cells that had their plasma membrane permeabilised by NK activity. Results were analysed by flow cytometric technique to determine percent cytotoxicity of various effector to target cell ratios. The cells that showed both red and green fluorescence were the dead target cells. Three other cell populations were also visible: live target cells (green), live effector cells and dead effector cells. Based on this technique, immunomodulation in NK cell activity due to factors such as nutrition or environment can be determined in different species, including avian species.