Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM LANNEA COROMANDELICA – AN INSILICO APROACH

Objective: The objective of this research was to isolate endophytic fungi from Lannea coromandelica having antifungal activity potential and to isolate the secondary metabolite from the dominant fungi and predict the probable mechanism behind its activity. Methods: The endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves of Lannea coromandelica by surface sterilization method. Then fungal biomass was extracted for intracellular metabolites by using ethyl acetate as solvent. The crude extract was filtered, and the filtrate was dried under vacuum at 40 °C. The filtrate was analysed for antifungal activity. The fungi which showed the maximum activity was identified and the metabolite present in the ethyl acetate extract was characterized and identified by GC - MS (Gas - Chromatography Mass-spectrophotometry) analysis. Further, these compounds were docked against the target protein Lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase to unravel and predict the probable mechanism behind the antifungal activity of secondary metabolite. Results: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were isolated and identified based on their morphological features as endophytic fungi. Among the four dominant fungi, the antifungal activity of Aspergillus flavus showed the maximum activity with an inhibitory zone of 26.22 mm against Candida albicans and 16.72 mm against Malassezia pachydermis . Further, the secondary metabolite was identified by GC - MS (Gas - Chromatography Mass-spectrophotometry) () analysis and found to be Kojic Acid, Octadecanoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic Acid, diethyl Phthlate, 3-Phenyl Propionic Acid. These compounds were docked with the target protein and were able to bind at an active site similar to that of Flucanozole a known inhibitor. Conclusion : The finding of this work clearly indicates that the metabolite produced by the endophytic fungus could be used as an alternative source of antifungal agents against clinical pathogens. Keywords : Endophytic fungi, Secondary metabolite, Antifungal activity
Enhancing Enzymatic Digestibility of Miscanthus sinensis using Steam Explosion Coupled with Chemicals

The effect of steam explosion coupled with alkali (1% sodium hydroxide, 1% potassium hydroxide and 15% sodium carbonate) or organosolv solvent (85% methanol, 70% ethanol and dioxane) on the production of sugar, changes in the chemical composition of M. sinensis were evaluated. The steam explosion co.
Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and mRNA expression profiling of paired-liked homodomain transcription factor 2 gene (PITX2) in dairy goat (Capra hircus).

摘 要 垂体同型框转录因子2(paired-liked homodomain transcription factor 2, PITX2)是Wnt/β-catenin信 号通路的重要转录因子,在动物细胞增殖、分化、器官形成、垂体发育与胚胎发育等过程中发挥着重要作 用。 本研究以西农萨能奶山羊(Capra hircus)不同组织为实验材料,利用反转录PCR、TA克隆和生物信息 学等方法克隆并分析PITX2基因序列,同时还利用实时荧光定量 PCR(quantitative Real-time PCR, qRTPCR)技术研究该基因mRNA的表达规律。 结果表明,奶山羊PITX2基因(GenBank登录号: KP721342)编 码区全长 978 bp,编码 325个氨基酸,与牛(Bos taurus)、猪(Sus scrofa)、小鼠(Mus musculus)、大鼠(Rattus norvegicus)和人(Homo sapiens)的序列同源性分别为99%、95%、90%、90%和93%;PITX2基因在公、母羊的 不同组织中均有不同程度表达,属广谱表达,其中,在公羊胰脏的表达量最高,小肠、肺和肌肉次之,在脾 中的表达量最低,且胰、肺、小肠、肌肉的表达量均显著或极显著高于其他组织(P<0.05或P<0.01);在母 羊肝脏中的表达量最高,乳腺和肺次之,脂肪中表达量最低,且乳腺组织的表达量显著高于心、肾、肌肉和 脂肪等组织(P<0.05),提示该基因可能与泌乳性能有关。 研究结果为进一步了解该基因在泌乳调控中的 作用机制提供基础资料。 关键词 奶山羊,垂体同型框转录因子2基因(PITX2),分子克隆,序列分析,mRNA表达
Linking consistent individual differences in web structure and behavior in black widow spiders

Individuals may vary consistently in their architectural makeup of the constructions they build, which might have tremendous implications for their ecology and fitness. In particular, the relationship between individual differences in architectural constructions and behavior (i.e., animal personalities) is largely unexplored. Individual black widow spiders, Latrodectus hesperus, build a 3D cobweb made up of distinctive components serving to support foraging (gumfooted lines) or antipredator protection (structural lines). To explore the relationship between individual differences in behavior and architectural constructions, we quantified 1) the level of consistent individual variation in several elements of web structure and 2) the level of consistent individual variation in foraging behavior and its relationship with web structure. We controlled for condition-dependent or environmental effects by satiating all spiders prior to assays and maintaining them in standardized conditions. Spiders exhibited consistent differences in the number of gumfooted lines they built for capturing preys and overall web weight, but not in the number of structural lines. Individuals also varied consistently in their tendency to attack a prey cue, despite all spiders being satiated. Finally, spiders producing more gumfooted lines exhibited a higher tendency to attack the prey cue. Our results suggest that the architectural constructions may impact the expression of individual behavioral differences (or animal personalities) and suggest that individual behavior and extended phenotype may be part of alternative foraging strategies in L. hesperus.
Food Resource Use and Diet Overlap of Common and Thick-Billed Murres at the Gannet Islands, Labrador

-We studied food resource use by two similar seabird species, Common (Uria aalge) and Thick-billed murres (U. lomvia), breeding sympatrically at the Gannet Islands, Labrador, to examine the overlap in their chicks' diet and thus to indirectly evaluate whether the two species were in competition for food. We used Monte Carlo randomization to establish whether murre chick diet overlap in 1996 and 1997 were greater than would be expected by chance. Diet overlap was higher than 75% in both years and was not lower than that predicted by the null model. To determine whether the two murre species' chick food resource use converged in ways other than diet composition, we compared timing of breeding, sizes of fish delivered to chicks, maximum dive depths and diurnal feeding patterns. In both years, the murres' chick-rearing periods overlapped almost exactly. The size of the principal item in their chicks' diets did not differ significantly. During one of two all-day feeding watches in 1997, the murres' chick-feeding peaks were concurrent, but during the other they were not. In 1997, foraging Common and Thickbilled murres dove to similar maximum depths. Taken together, these results suggest that chick food resource partitioning might have been negligible between Common and Thick-billed murres breeding at the Gannet Islands in 1996 and 1997. Received 5 November 1998, accepted 21 January 1998.
Dubious maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in D-simulans and evolution of D. mauritiana

Within-line heterogeneity has been found in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in two isofemale lines of D. simulans . The co-existing types, S and M, were typical of the mtDNA in D. simulans and in D. mauritiana , respectively, their nucleotide divergence per site being ca. 2·1%. Segregation analysis confirmed that some individuals in these lines were heteroplasmic and suggested incomplete maternal inheritance of mtDNA in Drosophila . Examination of other lines of D. simulans revealed that the M type of D. mauritiana occurs at 71% in Reunion, 38% in Madagascar and 0% in Kenya. This finding and interspecific sequence comparisons of both M types indicate that D. mauritiana diverged from D. simulans probably less than 240000 years ago.
Impact and distribution of bottom trawl fishing on mud-bottom communities in the Kattegat

: The Kattegat in the inner Danish waters has been trawled for at least 80 yr, but so far only few attempts have been made to quantify the trawl effort, its spatial distribution and its potential ecological impact on the benthic fauna. GIS-analyses of VMS-data from trawling in the Kattegat by both Danish (2005−2009) and Swedish (2007−2009) vessels show that 95% of all trawling occurs below 22 m depth. Most activity takes place on homogeneous benthic habitats with muddy sediment at depths below the halocline and with almost the same salinity across the entire area. Furthermore, the estimate of trawled area demonstrated that the habitats are nearly 100% impacted, and frequencies of trawling beneath 100 m depth can reach 20 events per year. Multivariate analysis of community composition could not discriminate between lightly trawled and heavily trawled areas. However, a strong habitat selectivity of the trawl activity and inter-correla-tion between trawl activity and depth-related community structures complicated interpretation of the results. Species with biological traits previously categorized as sensitive to physical disturbance showed higher abundance in areas with low trawl activity compared to areas with higher activity. Thus, the Kattegat has been impacted to an extent where areas with reference conditions for certain habitats below 22 m no longer exist. Consequently, it is unknown how the benthic communities would have appeared without trawl disturbance and, thus, difficult to determine the impact of continued disturbance.
Phenotypic variation of young-of-year bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) among microhabitats

Young-of-year bluegills were collected in different microhabitats defined by depth and the presence or absence of vegetation within the littoral zone of a 20.9 ha lake. Analysis of covariance indicated that regressions of body depth, caudal peduncle depth, and head length on standard length were significantly different among fish from different microhabitats. Bluegills collected at depths 150 cm were more fusiform but increased in length and weight at a rate similar to fish collected from intermediate depths. The consistency in these relationships between two cohorts suggests that the differences are not due to chance. Numbers of lateral line scales were significantly different between fish collected at depths > 150 cm and those collected from shallower areas. Unlike morphometric and scale number characters, numbers of soft dorsal rays, anal-fin rays, and dorsal spines differed little among habitats. The observed phenotypic differences among microhabitats indicates that individual fish tended to specialize on one habitat.
Effects of Medium Renovation and Colchicine Treatment on Embryogenesis of Isolated Microspores in Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis

Using Brassica rapa syn B campestris ssp chinensis cv Maoshan (a local variety) which had good response to microspore culture as donor plant, the experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of medium renovation and direct colchicine application on the embryogenesis of isolated microspores The chromosome ploidy level in regenerated plants derived from direct colchicine treatment of microspores was also analyzed in the present experiment The results indicated that the change of liquid NLN 10 medium with 10 % sucrose after 2 d initiation showed a significant increase in embryogenesis (by a 1 5 fold), compared to non medium renovation control In addition, the quality of embryos was greatly improved through medium change Direct colchicine treatment of isolated microspores with the concentration of 0 8 mg/L for 2 d produced the most embryos, and the highest doubling efficiency of 74 3% was obtained Whereas higher colchicine concentrations of 4～20 mg/L were unable to improve embryogenesis, and the adverse effects on embryo germination and plant regeneration were also observed
Knowledge of Vital Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth Among Dental Interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding different approaches of vital pulp therapy in deciduous teeth among dental interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: 268 Randomly selected dental interns from 5 different universities in Riyadh participated in the study. A self-designed, close-ended questionnaire was distributed to each participant. Responses were coded in a spreadsheet software and statistically analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: Majority of the participants were females, from Riyadh Elm University and treated pediatric patients on a weekly basis. No significant difference was found in knowledge with respect to gender of participants but a significant difference in knowledge was found with respect to university they studied in. Conclusion: Knowledge of dental interns in most areas of VPT like; choice of treatment in different clinical scenarios and choice of materials for each therapy was found adequate in this study.
Effects of two pre-harvest calcium treatments on physiological and quality parameters in ‘Vogue’ cherries during storage

Summary The effects of two pre-harvest spray treatments with calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentrations up to 58.5 mM on physiological and quality parameters were investigated in ‘Vogue’ cherries during storage from 1 – 23 d in air at 1° – 3.5°C, at 85 – 95% RH, in two experimental years. No foliar or fruit toxicity was observed. Ca-treated fruit showed greater firmness, lower soluble pectin content, more resistance to stem removal, and less stem browning than watersprayed control fruit during storage. Ca spraying had no effect on fruit weight, fruit size, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, Mg content, or peel colour; whereas there was an increase in Ca content and inconsistent changes in malic acid concentrations in fruits measured after 1 d in storage. Ca did not affect carbon dioxide (CO2) production rates, and showed only slight effects on the already low ethylene production rates, and on the low 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content during storage. In conclusion, treatment with 45 mM CaCl2 had positive effects on most of the quality parameters measured, with no negative effect under our particular experimental conditions.
Mixed Nitrogen Nutrition and Productivity of Wheat Grown in Hydroponics

The objective of this study was to study the effects of nitrogen (N) supplied as either mixtures of NOa and NH. or as all NOa on the final yield of spring wheat. Two separate greenhouse experiments evaluated the durum spring wheat (Triticum durum L.) cultivar 'Inbar' in 1986, and the hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestu'um L.) cultivar' Len' in 1987, Nitrogen treatments consisted of all NOa or mixtures (75/25 or SO/SO) ~ of NOa and NH. At maturity, plants were harvested, separated into leaves, stems, roots, and grain, and each part analysed for dry matter and chemical composition. Compared to plants receiving only NOa as the source of N, mixed N nutrition resulted in greater ' accumulation of whole plant reduced-N (49 to 108 % more), phosphorus (38 to 69 % more), and potassium (25 % more) for both cultivars. In all cases, plants produced higher grain yields (28 % for Len to 78 % for Inbar) when grown with mixed N nutrition than with only NO3. The yield increase was not associated with heavier grains or more grains per ear, but rather with an increase in the number of ear-bearing tillers per plant, For both cultivars, the higher yields with mixed N resulted from the production of more total biomass (36 to 76 %) as the partitioning of dry matter between plant parts was not altered by N treatment. Under the hydroponic conditions of this experiment, the utilization of both NOa and NH. resulted in greater growth, nutrient absorption, and yield than NO3 alone, which was primarily associated with an I enhancement in tiller development.
Facultative Aerial Respiration in an Intertidal Sculpin, Clinocottus analis (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)

Clinocottus analis, a common tidepool cottid fish occurring in the marine intertidal zone in central and southern California, readily tolerated exposure to air for up to 24 h. Like species of amphibious marine fish, its rate of O₂ consumption during air exposure was not different from that when in water, even after 24 h in air. Aerobic metabolism was suficient to meet resting metabolic needs, as shown by the absence of an increase in aquatic O₂ consumption rate following air exposure and the lack of accumulation of lactate as a result of 6 h of aerial exposure. Aerial release of CO₂ was high, and aerial respiratory exchange ratio (CO₂ released/O₂ consumed) was 0.82, suggesting that respiratory acidosis should not occur during air exposure. These results indicate that C. analis, although it may be emerged only rarely during low tides in nature, is able to respire in air.
Impact of the lipid environment on the protonation dynamics of bacteriorhodopsin studied with time-resolved step-scan FTIR spectroscopy

The membrane plays an important role in the structure and function of membrane proteins. We studied the influence of the lipid environment on the photocycle of the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (BR) with time-resolved step-scan FTIR spectroscopy. Proton transfer dynamics was monitored with microsecond time resolution for BR embedded in the native purple membrane as well as reconstituted into DOPC liposomes. We observed altered protonation dynamics of the Schiff base and the primary proton acceptor Asp85, revealing a faster rise as well as decay of the M state for BR surrounded by DOPC lipids. The purple membrane consists of a lipid composition that adapts better to the protein shape resulting in a stronger protein- membrane interaction as compared to the uniform DOPC lipid environment. Conformational dynamics and the correlated protonation dynamics are affected by the altered protein-membrane interaction explaining the faster photoreaction of BR in DOPC liposomes. Here we demonstrate the high sensitivity of the proton transfer dynamics to the lipid environment of BR.
Process

Abstract Process in community-based ecosystem management (CBEM) involves a fundamental reframing of human relationships with each other and with other ecosystem components. Inherent to this re-framing is a respect for diversity and for different ways of knowing, a willingness to meet others on their own terms, and a willingness to respect others' knowledge even while openly sharing one's own. CBEM process is characterized by an embracing of diverse cultural and social groups within a community, equal access to and open exchange of information, mutual learning, flexibility, and collective vision. CBEM process also is impeded by long-standing power imbalances inherent in our culture and in our governance systems. Overcoming these power imbalances will not be easy, and CBEM faces a number of process challenges. These include: lack of incentives for some parties to participate, traditionally disempowered groups, administrative bureaucracy, and legitimacy. To be sustainable, CBEM process ultimately will have to integrate the key dimensions of inclusiveness, accessibility, transparency, mutual learning, adaptability, and collective vision within existing social and governance processes.
Parental investment by the sexes in the Herring Gull: the use of energy reserves during early breeding

A sample of culled birds was used to determine weight change and size of endogenous nutrient reserves in male and female Herring Gulls Larus argentatus during the period from colony occupation to late incubation. Both sexes showed considerable variation in body condition according to breeding phase. The most striking difference between the sexes was found in lipid contents prior to laying. Whereas males tended to deplete endogenous fat, females gained fat. There was no marked change in protein reserves in either sex. It is concluded that males meet maintenance costs during courtship feeding by using a great deal of their endogenous fat while saving the proteins. This is done in favour of the body condition of the laying female, males thus equalizing the initial parental investment of the two sexes. Both sexes regained energy reserves during incubation, being in equal physiological condition when the
A Simple Greenhouse Method for Screening Salt Tolerance in Soybean

Salinity is an important limiting factor for crop production. Over 800 million ha of land globally are salt-affected. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] is moderately salt-tolerant; however, excessive salt reduces yield. Developing a quick, reliable, and inexpensive screening method is critical for soybean breeding programs. This study aimed to develop a rapid method for screening salt tolerance in soybean and to determine the best growing media and NaCl concentrations for screening. Four soybean cultivars, known as Cl– includers (‘Williams’ and ‘Dare’) or excluders (‘S-100’ and ‘Lee 68’), were screened for salt tolerance. These four genotypes were grown in soil, sand, and potting mix and treated with 0, 80, 120, and 160 mM NaCl. Treatment was initiated at the first trifoliate leaf expansion in the second true node above the unifoliate leaves. Two weeks later, leaf scorch score on a 1–9 scale (1 = no chlorosis; 9 = necrosis) was taken. Additionaly, leaf and root Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were analyzed. The clearest differences between tolerant and sensitive cultivars were obtained using 120-mM NaCl in soil. Once the best conditions to evaluate salt tolerance were established, 14 cultivars were screened to identify those with the most contrasting response. The most sensitive cultivars were Williams and ‘Clark’; the most tolerant were ‘HBK R5525’ and ‘AG5905’. To validate this method, 97 genotypes were evaluated under these conditions with differential responses. The proposed screening methodology was effective in identifying a range of sensitive and tolerant genotypes, allowing confirmation of salt tolerance in some previously reported genotypes.
Characterization of TaXPol-1, a Xylan Synthase Complex from Wheat

JIANG, NAN, Ph.D., August 2015, Environmental and Plant Biology Characterization of TaXPol-1, a Xylan Synthase Complex from Wheat (204 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Ahmed Faik It is believed that Golgi-localized, multi-protein complexes synthesize plant hemicellulosic polysaccharides. However, such complexes are not well characterized in plants, which is in sharp contrast with mammalian and yeast cells. This dissertation describes the characterization of the first hemicellulose synthase complex involved in xylan biosynthesis in wheat (named a Xylan Polymerase-1, TaXPol-1). Xylan is the most abundant plant hemicellulosic polysaccharide on Earth and plays an important role in the integrity of cell walls. It consists of a β-(1,4)-linked Dxylose backbone that can be substituted with α-(1,2)-D-glucuronic acid residues and/or αL-arabinofuranosyl residues at the C-2 and/or C-3 positions of xylose residues. A xylan synthase activity was immuno-purified from etiolated wheat seedlings and its protein composition determined by proteomics analysis. Four glycosyltransferases (GTs) were identified: CAZy GT43 family member (named TaGT43-4), GT47 family member (named TaGT47-13), and two GT75 family members (named TaGT75-3 and TaGT75-4). In addition, two new proteins were identified: a germin-like protein (TaGLP) belonging to the cupin family and a 26kDa protein annotated as vernalization-related 2 (TaVER2). Heterologous co-expression of TaGT43-4, TaGT47-13, TaGT75-3, TaGT75-4, and TaGLP in Pichia pastoris cells resulted in reconstitution of xylan synthase activity in micosomes from transgenic yeast lines. The results showed that (i) TaGT43-4 and TaGT47-13 form a central core that is necessary and sufficient for synergistic incorporation of xylose and glucuronic acid, but requires TaGT75-3 and/or TaGT75-4 (putative mutases) for synergistic incorporation of xylose and arabinose, and (ii) TaGLP was needed for optimal xylan synthase activity. Furthermore, radiolabeled products generated by microsomes from transgenic yeast cells have xylan characteristics. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and confocal microscopy were used to show that TaGT43-4 interacts with TaGT47-13, TaGT75-3, TaGT75-4, and