Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomy of Motoneurones Innervating Mesothoracic Indirect Flight Muscles in the Silkmoth, Bombyx Mori

1.The anatomy and innervation of mesothoracic indirect flight muscles, dorsal longitudinal (DLM) and dorsoventral muscles (DVM) are described. The major DLMs depress the forewing, the major DVMs elevate it. 2.The morphology of the motoneurones and unpaired median neurones (UM-neurone) innervating these muscles was investigated by back-filling with cobalt. The DLMs are innervated by eight paired motoneurones and one UM-neurone: one of these motoneurones has its cell body in the contralateral side of the mesothoracic ganglion, and the others have theirs in the ipsilateral side of the prothoracic ganglion. The DVMs are innervated by nine paired motoneurones and one UM-neurone, with their cell bodies in the ipsilateral and the median portion of the mesothoracic ganglion, respectively. 3.All of the paired DLM and DVM motoneurones have many dendritic processes, mainly in the dorso-ipsilateral neuropile of the ganglia, but the DLM motoneurones also have processes in the contralateral neuropile. 4.Each UM-neurone has its cell body in the postero-medial cortex of the mesothoracic ganglion, extending a single median neurite anteriorly to the dorsal neuropile where it bifurcates to form a right and left axon. 5.The arrangement of the mesothoracic indirect flight motoneurones in different insect orders is discussed in terms of the neural organization of the flight system.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), an alien invasive grass, reduces survival and productivity of an establishing pine forest.

A 27-month-long study was conducted to compare the impacts of Imperata cylindrica (L.) (Beauv.) and native vegetation competition on the productivity of Pinus taeda (L.) seedlings. In March 2003, 1-year-old pine seedlings were planted in the following treatments: vegetation free (VF), native competition (NC), and I. cylindrica (IC) competition. At the end of the study, only 26% of the IC seedlings survived, half of what was observed in the NC treatment. The IC seedlings had significantly smaller root collar diameter than the NC seedlings (P 0.0001) after the first growing season and by the end of the third growing season the height and stem volume index were significantly less as well (P 0.0001). After one full growing season, the NC and IC pine seedlings had 21 and 11.5% of the total biomass of the VF seedlings, respectively. After three growing seasons, the IC pine seedling total biomass was 2.4% of that of the VF seedlings and 18% of that of the NC seedlings (P 0.0001). The greatest difference was in the pine needle biomass with the IC pine needle biomass being only 11% of that of the NC. During the first growing season, the IC pine seedlings maintained the lowest levels of light-saturated net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. These results may be explained by reduced amounts of foliar nitrogen and water stress that result from I. cylindrica competition. The pines in the IC treatment had the lowest total foliar surface area and the lowest specific leaf area, which may explain the reduced productivity. Evidence from this study suggests that I. cylindrica competition significantly reduces the productivity and growth of P. taeda seedlings compared with that from native vegetation. FOR. SCI. 54(6):579–587.
STUDIES OF RETARDING AGENT FOR DECREASING STARCH RETROGRADATION IN WANKAO (RICE CURD)

WanKao (rice curd) products, included control and added pregelatinized waxy rice flour (PWRF) retarding agent, were prepared and evaluated by texture profile analysis and sensory evaluation. The results showed that the amylose complexing index of the WanKao products contained PWRF were higher than the control, and directly added α-amylase or monoglycerides. Upon storage, WanKao products contained PWRF showed higher water activity and starch digestibility than those added α-amylase or monoglycerides. The hardness and soluble starch content of WanKao products contained PWRF were significant lower than those of added α-amylase or monoglycerides and the control. The WanKao products added PWRF also exhibited softer texture during storage. For sensory evaluation, the higher score of was the added PWRF-D (contains 100 g of waxy rice flour, 200 g of water, 6% of monoglycerides and 400 mg/kg of α-amylase) WanKao product presented higher overall acceptability than that of added α-amylase, monoglycerides, and control either fresh or after low-temperature storage (5C for 5 days). As a result, the texture qualities of WanKao could be improved by the addition of the PWRF and also the staling and retrogradation rates were further retarded. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Taiwan's consumers demand for high quality WanKao products, i.e., softer, slow to staling and retrogradation, and good acceptability. Our results indicated that the qualities of WanKao could be improved by the addition of the novel retarding agent, PWRF, and the staling and retrogradation rates were further retarded.
Barcoding reveals the first record of Lamyctes africanus (Porath, 1871) in Germany (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha)

Peter Decker, Thomas Wesener, Jörg Spelda, E. Norman Lindner & Karin Voigtländer 1 Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, D-02826 Görlitz, Germany 2 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity, Center for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany 3 Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Münchhausenstraße 21, D-81247 Munich, Germany 4 Lazarusstraße 34, D-04347 Leipzig, Germany * peter.decker@senckenberg.de Bonn zoological Bulletin 66 (1): 3–10 April 2017
The application of spatial autocorrelation methods to the study of Calluna vulgaris population genetics

Spatial structure of Calluna vulgaris populations was investigated at various scales using autocorrelation statistical techniques. Intrapopulation structure has been studied by recording the genotypes at four polymorphic loci of 41 individual plants of Calluna vulgaris within a grid of 16 x 60 m, from the site of Sacrawe (High Ardenne, Belgium). The spatial correlograms gave no significant results of autocorrelation of genotypes within the grid. It is therefore concluded that at this scale there is panmictic mixing of genotypes. A short review of other similar studies show that patterns vary greatly between species. Interpopulation analyses were carried out by recording the allele frequencies of 18 populations from North Spain to Belgium in relation to their geographic position. This revealed different patterns for the different alleles studied including dines of frequencies, autocorrelation at regional scale or no detectable trends. It is concluded that autocorrelation usefully supplement other statistical methods, such a Wright's F-ST by giving information on the scales and processes involved in intra- and inter-population spatial structuring.
Screening of Nutritional Parameters for the Production of Protease from Aspergillus Oryzae

Production of protease enzyme by fungus Aspergillus oryzae was investigated. The proteolytic activity was observed when the fungus was grown in the medium containing glucose, malt extract, yeast extract, peptone, K2HPO4, MgSO4 and FeSO4. The present paper describes the screening of media components and fermentation conditions in shake flask. The organism utilized carbon sources glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, dextrin and starch among them glucose was found to be the best carbon source, for nitrogen sources various inorganic and organic media components were investigated among them peptone is found to be the best nitrogen source. 1% cottonseed followed by 2% Soya bean meal was found to be the best inducer. With optimized media two-fold increase in the protease production. The fungus growth depends on the concentration of carbon, nitrogen and salt solution, where as the enzyme production was also influenced by the culture time, pH and interaction between these two variables.
Proteoglycan Composition and Biosynthesis in Superficial and Deep Digital Flexor Tendons of Standardbred Horses

Summary Proteoglycan (PG) levels and their respective biosynthesis were determined in explant cultures taken from the mid-metacarpal (MMC) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) regions of normal equine superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. Five standard-bred horses (2-5 years old) were used and explants dissected from the MMC and MCP regions of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. The explants (3 mm2) were cultured in Ham’s F12 media supplemented with 1% FBS. After 24 h, Na2S35SO4 was added and the culture continued for a further 48 h. The media was removed and the explants were lyophilized and weighed. The explants and media were then subject to papain digestion and the DNA and sulphated glycosaminoglycans (S-GAG) concentrations and incorporation of [35S] sulphate into PGs determined by established methods. The MMC regions of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons contained less PGs than the MCP regions and these were predominantly small. The MCP regions, not only contained higher concentrations of PGs, but these were of larger hydrodynamic size. The incorporation of [35S] sulphate into PGs was also higher in explants from the MCP region. These data indicate that in those regions of equine flexor tendon, subjected to both, compression and tension, PG content and biosynthesis is higher than in regions which only transmit tensional loads. These findings are consistent with the adaptive role of tenocytes to the nature and level of the mechanical stresses imposed upon them. The proteoglycans (PGs) and DNA content and their biosynthesis were determined in cultures of expiants obtained from the mid-metacarpal (MMC) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) regions of normal superficial and deep digital flexor tendons of five standard bred horses (2– years old). It was shown that the MMC region of the superficial and deep flexor tendon contained less PGs than the MCP regions. Moreover, the biosynthesis of PGs was enhanced in the MCP explants and the size of these molecules was larger than made by cells of the MMC region.
A new greenbug virulent to E-biotype resistant sorghum

Sorghum [Sorghump bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids resistant to Biotype E greenbug [Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)] had more damage than expected when heavily infested with greenbugs during August, 1990. Greenbugs isolated from severely damaged plants of resistant sorghum in Stevens County, Kansas, were tested for virulence to Biotype-E resistant cultivars and lines of sorghum, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.)
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LITTORAL DIATOMS AND THEIR CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT IN NORTHEASTERN GERMAN LAKES AND RIVERS 1

We explored statistical relationships between the composition of littoral diatom assemblages and 21 chemical and physical environmental variables in 69 lakes and 15 river sites in the lowland of northeastern Germany. Canonical correspondence analysis with single treatment and with forward selection of environmental variables was used to detect 11 important ecological variables (dissolved inorganic carbon [DIC], Na+, total phosphorus [TP], dissolved organic carbon [DOC], total nitrogen [TN], pH, oxygen saturation, dissolved iron, SO42−, NH4+, soluble reactive silicium) and maximum water depth or Ca2+ or soluble reactive phosphorus that most independently explain major proportions of the total diatom variance among the habitats. Monte Carlo permutation tests showed that each contributed a significant additional proportion (P < 0.05) of the variance in species composition. Together, these 11 most important environmental variables explained 34% of the total variance in species composition among the sites and captured 73% of the explained variance from the full 21 parameters model. Weighted‐averaging regression and calibration of 304 indicator taxa with tolerance down‐weighting and classic deshrinking was used to develop transfer functions between littoral diatoms and DIC, pH, TP, TN, and Cl−. The DOC:TP ratio was introduced and a weighted‐averaging model was developed to infer allochthonous DOC effects in freshwater ecosystems. This diatom‐DOC/TP model was significant (P < 0.001) and explained 7.6% of the total diatom variance among the sites, surpassing the inferential power of the diatom‐TP‐transfer function (7.3% explained variance). The root‐mean‐square errors of prediction of the models were estimated by jack‐knifing and were comparable with published data sets from surface sediment diatom samples. The data set of littoral diatoms and environmental variables allows use of the diatom‐environmental transfer functions in biomonitoring and paleolimnological approaches across a broad array of natural water resources (such as floodplains, flushed lakes, estuaries, shallow lakes) in the central European lowland ecoregion.
The Effect of Disturbance Scale on Sand Dune Colonization by Lithospermum Caroliniense

The effect of varying levels of natural sand deposition on emergence and survival of seedlings of Lithospermum caroliniense (Boraginaceae) was investigated experimentally at four different distances from Lake Michigan. Nutlet mass was varied in the experiments to test for potential interactions between nutlet mass and the degree of sand deposition. On the two rapidly accreting sand dunes closest to Lake Michigan, substantial sand deposition prevented emergence of all but a few seedlings. In two other sites located in stable areas farther from the lake, emergence averaged from 55 to 72.5%. The main effect of nutlet size on emergence was significant, although no interaction with distance from the lake was noted because of the lack of sand deposition at sites distant from the lake. Survival through the first season of seedlings located in one of the stable areas was only 9%, due to desiccation and the burrowing activity of mammals. Survival of seedlings in the other stable area, located on the first dune where naturally established L. caroliniense is found, averaged 36%. Most of these individuals survived to 1985, and fared far better than naturally established individuals located at greater distances from the lake, where lake climatic effects diminish. In a separate experiment, located at the periphery of a localized disturbance known as a blowout, 2—4 cm of sand deposition favored the emergence of seedlings in the two areas closest to the edge of the disturbance. There, seedlings produced by larger nutlets had a disproportionate advantage because of their ability to emerge from greater depths. In the third site, located further from the center of the blowout in a stable area, larger nutlets had no advantage during emergence. These experiments indicate that sand deposition has favored the evolution of increased nutlet mass in L. caroliniense. It appears that a combination of lake climatic effect and moderate sand deposition is most favorable for growth and establishment of this species.
Effects of the essential oil cyclodextrin complexes on ruminal methane production in vitro

The effects of including essential oil cyclodextrin (CD) complexes on ruminal methane and hydrogen production, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and protozoa were studied in vitro. The essential oil CD complexes used in the present study were both αCD and βCD with cineol, eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint, thyme and wasabi. Diluted rumen fluid (60 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 h with the essential oil CD complex (1–40 mg as oil). Eucalyptus-αCD reduced methane production by 40% with 10 mg as oil along with decreasing the protozoal number and increasing total VFA and proportion of propionic acid. Both wasabi-αCD and wasabi-βCD reduced methane production by 85% and 97%, respectively, with 10 mg as oil, though they increased hydrogen production notably. The protozoal number was unchanged by wasabi-βCD and decreased to 50% by wasabi-αCD. Propionic acid was increased by both wasabi-αCD and wasabi-βCD. The other essential oil-CD showed no significant effect on reducing methane production. The combined use of 20 mM of fumaric acid with wasabi-αCD (1 mg as oil) caused about a 50% depression of methane production compared to the control without increasing hydrogen production. Fumaric acid was more effective than malic acid in reducing methane production. The addition of eucalyptus-αCD, wasabi-αCD or wasabi-βCD together with organic acid to rumen fluid turned out to be effective for reducing methane production with no increase in hydrogen production.
Genetic study on plasma biochemical parameters in Japanese quails

The plasma biochemical parameters such as protein, cholesterol and triglycerides were analyzed in Black strain Japanese quails and found as 4.10 g/dl, 150.72 mg/dl and 90.66 mg/dl, respectively. Sex had significant effect on plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Estimate of heritability and correlations ranged from low to high in magnitude.
Synergistic effect between AM fungus and Rhizobium in Pigeon pea.

Influence of AM fungus and Rhizobium phaseoli inoculation on Pigeon pea growth response in relation to plant height , number of nodules, dry weight of nodules, nitrogen content of the nodules , dry weight of shoot, per cent colonization, spore number, Grain yield per pot, ‘N’ and ‘P ’ content of the shoot was studied in pot culture studies. The treatments consisted of inoculation with AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) only, Rhizobium phaseoli only, dual inoculation with AM fungus and Rhizobium phaseoli and control under sterilized soil conditions. Seeds of Pigeon pea were seeded in earthen pots containing different inoculua respectively, Concentration of AM used as inoculums was 150 spores per pot, where as Rhizobium phaseoli was 10 cells ml 1. Data were counted at 45 and 90 th day after inoculation. Dual inoculation resulated in significant increase in height, number of nodules,mycorrhizal colonization than inoculation with AM fungus and Rhizobium phaseoli alone. The amount of phosphorus and grain yield increased significantly with dual inoculation than with individual inoculations.
Life-history characteristics and landscape attributes as drivers of genetic variation, gene flow, and fine-scale population structure in northern Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma malma) in Canada

The northern Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma malma) displays variable life-history types and occupies freshwater habitats with varying levels of connectivity. Here, we assayed microsatellite DNA variation in northern Dolly Varden from the western Canadian Arctic to resolve landscape and life-history variables driving variation in genetic diversity and population structure. Overall, genetic variation was highest in anadromous populations and lowest in those isolated above waterfalls, with stream-resident forms intermediate between the two. Anadromous and isolated populations were genetically divergent from each other, while no genetic differentiation was detectable between sympatric anadromous and stream-resident forms. Population structure was stable over 25 years, hierarchically organized, and conformed to an isolation-by-distance pattern, but stream-isolated forms often deviated from these patterns. Gene flow occurred primarily among Yukon North Slope populations and between sympatric anadromous and resi.
Mycoflora of Pinus banksiana and Pinus resinosa needles. II: Epiphytic fungi

The epiphytic mycoflora isolated from healthy needles of Pinus banksiana and Pinus resinosa was investigated. Approximately 75% of the fungi were present on less than 5% of the needles. The number of different fungi per needle increased with needle age on both species, but more fungi were found on P. resinosa needles. The most frequently isolated species were common primary saprophytes nonspecific to Pinus: Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium herbarum, Epicoccum purpurascens, and Hormonema dematioides. Aureobasidium microstictum, Penicillium brevicompactum, P. spinulosum, and Pithomyces chartarum are reported for the first time in the phylloplane of Pinus.
Fire weather risk differs across rain forest—savanna boundaries in the humid tropics of north‐eastern Australia

Alternative stable state theory has been applied to understanding the control by landscape fire activity of pyrophobic tropical rain forest and pyrophytic eucalypt savanna boundaries, which are often separated by tall eucalypt forests. We evaluate the microclimate of three vegetation types across an elevational gradient and their relative fire risk as measured by McArthur's Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). Microclimatic data were collected from rain forest, tall eucalypt forest and savanna sites on eight vegetation boundaries throughout the humid tropics in north Queensland over a 3-year period and were compared with data from a nearby meteorological station. There was a clear annual pattern in daily FFDI with highest values in the austral winter dry season and lowest values in the austral summer wet season. There was a strong association of the meteorological station FFDI values with those from the three vegetation types, albeit they were substantially lower. The rank order of FFDI values among the vegetation types decreased from savanna, tall eucalypt forest, then rain forest, a pattern that was consistent across each transect. Only very rarely would rain forest be flammable, despite being adjacent to highly flammable savannas. These results demonstrate the very strong effect of vegetation type on microclimate and fire risk, compared with the weak effect of elevation, consistent with a fire–vegetation feedback. This study is the first demonstration of how vegetation type influences microclimate and fire risk across a topographically complex tropical forest–savanna gradient.
Rhythmicity in life events of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

Abstract: The present laboratory experiments have been carried out to investigate rhythms in various life events, viz. mating, oviposition, hatching, moulting, pupation and eclosion, of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata under laboratory conditions. Incidences of mating and eclosion occurred mostly (66% and 73% respectively) in photophase. While oviposition, hatching, moulting and pupation occurred during scotophase with the peaks of the former two distributed between time intervals 12:00–15:00 h and 21:00–00:00 h respectively. Confinement of life events that are associated with vulnerable stages in scotophase might be an adaptation to prevent their exposure to natural enemies.
AFLPs reveal an absence of geographical genetic structure among remnant populations of pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa, Myrtaceae)

Abstract Ten populations spanning the natural geographical range of Metrosideros excelsa (pohutukawa) were analysed using AFLP. All populations were highly variable showing levels of genetic diversity similar to other long‐lived outcrossing tree species. UPGMA analysis of interpopulation genetic distances and multivariate analysis of individual multilocus genotype data showed genetic differentiation among populations, but there was no obvious relationship between genetic structure and geographical location. There was also no evidence of greater genetic variation in areas of New Zealand that have been proposed to be glacial refugia. These data provide a contrast to previously published observations on M. excelsa using chloroplast DNA, which showed that plants from putative glacial refugia exhibited higher levels of variation than those from non‐refugial areas.