Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE ASE ACTYVITY IN IN CHAETOCEROS AFFINIS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE): COMPARISON WITH OTHER ESTIMATES OF NITROGEN UTILIZATION DURING NUTRIENT PERTURBATION 1

Glutamine synthftase (GS) activity was investigated in a nitratt limited continuous culture of the marine diatom Chaeloccros afTinis (Lauder) Hustedt before and after the perturbation of the culture medium with 10 μM of 15 N labelled nitrate. Parallel studies were carried out on nitrate reductase(NR). nitrate uptake and assimilation, and Ievels of cellular nitrogen containing compounds with the objective to determine the validity of the GS assay as a measure of nitrate utilization. Activities in N‐deficient cells, grown at steady state, correlated well with uptake and assimilation rates. In N‐sufftcient celts, however, during the nitrate pertirbation period, they accounted only for about 10% of the two latter rates, when ambient nitrate concentrations were high (0. 7‐10 μ). It is proposed that under these growth conditions an alternative pathway via glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was operative. At low ambient nitrate concentrations (0.1‐0.7 μM), GS activities, uptake and assimilation rates again balanced rather well. Thus, the data support the view that GDH activity is associated with high levels and GS with low levels of external or internal nitrogen.
Studies on the Cytogenetic Effect of Some Mercuric Fungicides

Two organic (ethyl mercuric chloride and mixture of ethyl mercuric chloride and phenyl mercuric acetate) and an inorganic (mercuric chloride) fungicides were tested on Allium cepa root tips. Different chromosomal aberrations were noted. Chromatid exchanges, breaks, ring chromosomes etc. showed strong mutagenic potentialities of these chemicals. Presence of polyploid cells indicated the role of fungicides in inhibiting spindle system. Binucleate cells appeared in low concentrations after long period of treatment indicating the action of the chemicals on the membrane system. These chemicals proved to be potential for causing genetic hazards in the biological system thereby justifying their banning in agriculture.
Perspective: Is this California agriculture's last century?

Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: California agriculture is the most productive and efficient in the world. Yet it is slowly shrinking. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1997 Census of Agriculture,California had 27,698,779 acres of land in farms in 1997, down 4% from 28,978,997 acres in 1992. The number of farms in the state fell from 77,669 to 74,126 during that period. Also, the number of those full-time farms (receiving all income from the farm) dwindled 2% to 39,267 (USDA 1999). This trend dates back to the 1950s. Why is California's agriculture slowly disappearing?
Formation of microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae on various crops.

In 2 pot experiments, potato (cultivars Element, Mirka, Ostara and Astarte), pea, sugarbeet, onion, flax, spring barley, faba beans, spring wheat and spring rape were inoculated with V. dahliae by root dipping or by growing the plants in artificially infested soil. In both treatments the dry matter yield and formation of microsclerotia were determined for aerial parts. In plants grown in infested soil, the DW and microsclerotia formation were determined in stubbles and roots as well. The highest numbers of microsclerotia per g plant material and per pot in the root dipping treatment were found on potato, flax and barley. The microsclerotia density on potato cv. Element, pea and barley was higher in the root dipping treatment than in the soil infestation treatment. The reverse was true for potato cultivars Ostara and Mirka. Dry matter yield of the harvestable organs of potato cultivars Element and Astarte, flax, sugarbeet and barley was lower in the root dipping treatment than in the soil infestation treatment. The greatest inter-crop differences in the microsclerotia yield/pot were in the aerial parts. Flax gave the highest numbers of microsclerotia/pot, followed by the 4 potato cultivars. The other crops had a much lower microsclerotia yield. It is suggested that the results will be useful for modelling effects of various crops on the soil population at crop and farm level.
A new Leontiniidae (Notoungulata) from the Late Oligocene beds of Mendoza Province, Argentina

The present paper deals with the leontiniid remains recovered from the Late Oligocene (Deseadan) levels of Quebrada Fiera, Mendoza Province, central-western Argentina. The material consists of an almost complete skull associated with 11 vertebrae, as well as some maxillary and mandibular fragments and postcranial elements of different individuals, enabling a life reconstruction. The comparative study allows morphological differences with respect to other Deseadan taxa to be established, such as Scarrittia, Leontinia, Ancylocoelus, Anayatherium and Elmerriggsia, leading to the proposal of the new taxon Gualta cuyana gen. et sp. nov. The new genus and species is close to Scarrittia canquelensis in having upper I1 more developed than I2–3, mainly by its greater crown-height, and the canine overlapping the P1; it differs from this species by the longer, narrower nasals, longer rostrum, I2 not reduced, P3–4 with shallow lingual sulcus, shorter cervical vertebrae, and shorter calcaneum, lacking navicular facet. The complete dentition and/or the larger I1 differentiate Gualta cuyana from Leontinia, Ancylocoelus and Anayatherium ekecoa, as well as from the Miocene Colpodon. The lingual sulcus on P3–4 is much shallower than in Scarrittia barranquensis, Leontinia, Anayatherium and Elmerriggsia. The phylogenetic analysis shows poorly resolved relationships among leontiniids; when using equal weights, the analysis shows that Gualta cuyana is more related to the species of Anayatherium and Scarrittia canquelensis, whereas under implied weights, the new taxon is basal to other Palaeogene taxa. Gualta cuyana adds to other endemic taxa of the peculiar Deseadan assemblage from Quebrada Fiera. The new leontiniid constitutes a low percentage of fossil mammals within the Quebrada Fiera fauna, as is also true for this family in Salla (Bolivia), but in contrast with some Patagonian localities or the Brazilian Tremembé Formation where leontiniids are the best-represented mammal group. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17749C84-4028-4FC8-A140-E1A6FE02466D
Toxicity of the Cryoprotectants Glycerol, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Ethylene Glycol, Methanol, Sucrose, and Sea Salt Solutions to the Embryos of Red Drum

Abstract As a basis for embryo cryostorage research, information on relative toxicities of cryoprotectants is of key importance. Both morulae and tail-bud-stage embryos of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were exposed to cryoprotectant solutions for 20 min at room temperature. Artificial seawater (ASW) at 30–32‰ was used as a medium. Embryos were exposed to solutions in a one-step addition. Toxicity was evaluated in terms of percentage hatch and 40-h survival. Maximum concentrations tolerated by morulae without significant reduction in hatch and survival were 1 M glycerol, 2 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 2 M methanol, 0.5 M sucrose, and 95‰ ASW. Ethylene glycol was toxic to morulae even at 0.25 M. Tail-bud embryos were more resistant, with maximum innocuous concentrations being 1 M glycerol, 2 M DMSO, 2 M ethylene glycol, 2 M methanol, 0.5 M sucrose, and 95‰ ASW. Serial addition and dilution of 95‰ ASW offered no advantage over a direct plunge and rinse. Maximum harmless concentrations may not afford adequat.
The decline of the otter Lutra lutra L. in Britain: an analysis of hunting records and discussion of causes

The records of one pack of Otter Hounds hunting in southwest England are examined for the period 1907 to 1971 as well as the records of all packs active in Britain between 1950 and 1976. The hunting success per unit effort varies from year to year depending on changes in hunting conditions but longer term changes can also be identified. The hunting success of the Culmstock Otter Hounds (hunting in parts of south-west England) increased steadily from 1907 to 1956 but in most of England and south Wales the success rate of the hunts declined rapidly after 1957. There was also a decline in success in northern England and southern Scotland but to a lesser extent, while in north Wales and Eire, there is no evidence for a decline. These changes are considered to reflect changes in otter populations but the extent of the decline in hunting success (to between 37% and 55% of previous levels in the southern hunts) is probably less than the actual decline in otter numbers. There are no signs of a recovery in the population but indications of a continuing decline up to 1976. The reason for the increasing population in the first half of the century in south-west England is probably the decrease in persecution since the nineteenth century. A variety of causes for the crash in the late 1950s are considered and the factor most likely to be responsible is the introduction of the dieldrin group of insecticides in 1956. Use of these compounds has been increasingly restricted since 1963 and the possible reasons for the failufe of the otter population to recover are listed but no firm conclusions can be drawn as yet.
Geographic distribution of marine reef fishes in the New Zealand region

Abstract The geographic distributions of 375 reef and reef‐associated fishes are reported for 16 regions ranging from Norfolk and Kermadec Islands in the north to Macquarie Island in the south. Species diversity was greatest at Norfolk Island (228 species) and lowest at Macquarie Island (6 species). Diversity declined linearly with increasing latitude. Most species were either widespread or had very restricted distributions. Widespread species generally ranged from Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island. The most widespread species occurred in 14 of the 16 regions. Species with restricted distributions were mainly tropical or subtropical species that occurred at one or more of Norfolk Island, Kermadec Islands, and North‐East North Island. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) identified eight groups of regions with similar species compositions. These eight groups reflected the latitudinal variation in sea surface temperature. Seven species distributional groups were recognised. Tropical (167 species) and ant.
Habitat Use by Fishes and Pacific Giant Salamanders in Small Western Oregon and Washington Streams

Abstract The habitat use patterns of juvenile salmonid fishes Oncorhynchus spp. , Pacific giant salamanders Dicamptodon spp. , torrent sculpins Cottus rhotheus, reticulate sculpins C. perplexus, and larval lampreys Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp. were examined in 30 small streams in western Oregon and Washington. Fish and salamander densities and sizes were compared between different habitat types (pools and riffles) in summer and winter. Species density, length, and diversity (richness and dominance) were also correlated with physical variables measured at the reach and watershed scales. In the summer, densities of coho salmon O. kisutch, cutthroat trout O. clarki, and larval lampreys were significantly higher in pools than in riffles (P < 0.01), whereas densities of age-0 torrent sculpins were higher in riffles than in pools (P < 0.01). In winter, densities of coho salmon, cutthroat trout, steelhead O. mykiss, and young-of-the-year trout fry were higher in pools than in riffles (P < 0.01). Cutth.
Post-Fledging Movements, Home Range, and Survival of Juvenile Eurasian Collared-Doves in Western France

Abstract. Determining factors that affect post-fledging dispersal and survival is key toward a better understanding of the population dynamics of species with a propensity for range expansion, such as the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). By radio tracking, we assessed the survival, causes of mortality, movements, and emigration of 41 juvenile Eurasian Collared-Doves, monitored in two villages from a fragmented urban and agricultural landscape in western France, 2001–2002. Thirteen weeks after fledging the doves' survival was 61% (±8% SE), and predation was the leading cause of mortality. Home ranges and distances traveled increased over time. Individuals in better body condition had larger home ranges and a higher propensity to emigrate. In addition, those originating from the smaller village had smaller home ranges and were more likely to emigrate. Our results suggest that range expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Doves should be faster in regions where urban areas are smaller but more closely spaced.
Cutting Edge: Helminth Infection Induces IgE in the Absence of μ- or δ-Chain Expression1

Infections with helminth parasites are associated with an IgE isotype switch and high serum IgE concentrations. IgE is rapidly bound by the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI), thereby sensitizing FcεRI-bearing basophils and mast cells for IgE-inducible effector functions such as IL-4 production. The development of Ab-secreting B cells is dependent on IgM and consequently, μMT mice, which lack surface IgM, are considered devoid of Abs. In this study we report the unexpected finding that C57BL/6 μMT mice generate robust IgE responses upon infection with three distinct helminth parasites, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Trichuris muris, and Schistosoma mansoni. IgE is produced despite an apparent block in B cell development and licenses basophils for IgE-induced IL-4 production. Our findings reveal the existence of an evolutionarily conserved, IgM-independent pathway for the production of IgE upon infection with helminth parasites.
The influence of experimental deformation on neurocranial Wormian bones in rats

Two hundred and twenty crania of Wistar rats were experimentally deformed. The growth of the anterior vault was restricted in one subgroup and the growth of the posterior vault was restricted in the second subgroup. Seventy-seven deformed animals survived up to the thirtieth day of age and were sacrificed. Both subgroups were compared with each other as well as with 37 surviving sham-operated animals and 51 controls, all samples being 30 days of age (group A). Additionally, 33 normal crania of animals sacrificed at 1, 10 and 20 days as well as 19 deformed crania of 10 and 20 days old were observed (group B). Chi-square and Z tests were employed. Wormian bones found in the skulls of normal growing rats apparently represent an epigenetic polymorphism. Higher frequencies of wormian bones were found in deformed crania than in sham-operated ones and controls. Experimental deformation may be an extra-genetic factor that affects the normal genetic expression of wormian bones. This concept is relevant to studies of human population differences based on discontinuous cranial traits.
Systematics of Rhizoclonium-like algae (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta) from Japanese brackish waters, based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses

Ichihara K. , Shimada S. and Miyaji K. 2013. Systematics of Rhizoclonium-like algae (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta) from Japanese brackish waters, based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Phycologia 52: 398–410. DOI: 10.2216/12–102.1 Analyses of partial small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes of Rhizoclonium-like filamentous green algae, collected from brackish waters in Japan, revealed the existence of five genetically distinct species. Four species (Rhizoclonium spp. 1–4) were closely related to Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum. The phylogenetic position of the Rhizoclonium-like sp. 5 remained largely unresolved, although LSU analyses suggested a relationship with Chaetomorpha ligustica. Rhizoclonium spp. 1 and 4 were identified as Rhizoclonium riparium and Rhizoclonium lubricum, respectively. Rhizoclonium spp. 2 and 3 were morphologically distinguishable from other Rhizoclonium species and minute Chaetomorpha species. Rhizoclonium sp. 2 exhibited a characteristically small L/D (cell length/cell diameter) ratio and large number of nuclei (3–7 per cell), while Rhizoclonium sp. 3 was characterized by unique spindle or band-like, densely arranged chloroplasts; therefore, we described them as new species, Rhizoclonium breve and Rhizoclonium confertum. Rhizoclonium-like sp. 5 was characterized by perforated chloroplasts and polypyramidal pyrenoids and was clearly distinct from known Rhizoclonium or Chaetomorpha species. Based on the phylogenetic position and morphological features of Rhizoclonium-like sp. 5, we described it as a new species of Chaetomorpha, Chaetomorpha tokyoensis.
Roots of Australian alpine plant species contain high levels of stored carbohydrates independent of post-fire regeneration strategy

The relationships between root morphology, level of stored non-structural carbohydrates and post-fire regeneration strategy were investigated in 37 Australian alpine plant species: 6 reseeders, 14 resprouters and 17 capable of both reseeding and resprouting. High concentrations of stored carbohydrate (up to 61.8% DW) were a feature of most species, with more than half of the 37 species containing non-structural carbohydrate concentrations of more than 10%. Fructan was the major reserve polysaccharide in 32 of the 37 species, with particularly high concentrations in the Asteraceae (up to 43.1%). Herbaceous species stored higher concentrations of carbohydrates and had fleshier roots than did shrub species, but swollen underground storage organs were found in only one species (Microseris scapigera sensu Willis1, Asteraceae). There was no significant relationship between post-fire regeneration strategy and either root morphology or level of carbohydrate storage, contrasting with results from drier, Mediterranean environments. Root storage of high levels of carbohydrate, and especially fructan, in Australian alpine species could therefore result from an adaptation to the alpine environment, such as a need for annual regeneration of leaf tissue in alpine conditions.
LONG-TERM CO2 ENRICHMENT OF A PASTURE COMMUNITY: SPECIES RICHNESS, DOMINANCE, AND SUCCESSION

The present study addresses responses of a pasture community to CO2 en- richment in situ. It focused on two levels of organization. We examined changes in both community properties and species-specific responses during long-term exposure to high CO2 concentration. The underlying hypothesis is that CO2 enrichment could change com- munity composition. At the community level, we observed higher species richness and lesser dominance under enriched than ambient CO2. Two species were apparently central in explaining our results, Agropyron repens and Plantago major. The cover of this first species increased only under ambient CO2. Conversely, the cover of the latter species decreased under ambient CO2 but remained stable under enriched CO2. Species were pooled into dicots and monocots to examine space acquisition. Changes in monocot cover through time were more tightly coupled with that of dicots under ambient than high CO2. Enrichment with CO2 appeared to have a positive effect on the early-successional species, preventing the complete dominance by late-successional species. In fact, under elevated CO2 early- and late-successional species were coexisting. Therefore, our results suggest the possibility that succession patterns might be altered by CO2 enrichment apparently because enriched CO2 stimulates the growth of dicots.
Relationships between environmental characteristics and macroinvertebrate communities in seasonal woodland ponds of Minnesota

Abstract We related macroinvertebrate communities and environmental variables in 66 small seasonal woodland ponds of northern Minnesota, USA. These wetlands were relatively pristine, being embedded in 50- to 100-y-old 2nd-growth forests. Macroinvertebrate taxon richness in ponds increased as hydroperiods lengthened, tree canopies opened, water pH declined, and litter input decreased. Eighteen macroinvertebrate taxa were widespread (occurred in >50% of ponds), and hydrology, water chemistry, geomorphology, vegetation, occurrence of other macroinvertebrate taxa, and presence of amphibian larvae each explained some variation in relative abundance of widespread macroinvertebrates. The first 4 axes of a canonical correspondence analysis explained 37% of total variation in relative abundance of widespread macroinvertebrate taxa. Overall, however, macroinvertebrates were remarkably unresponsive to environmental variables. Most relationships between macroinvertebrates and environmental variables were nonsignificant, and the few significant relationships observed were weak (<20% of variation). We suggest that this lack of response occurs because most macroinvertebrates in seasonal woodland ponds are habitat generalists. These species routinely endure pronounced and unpredictable environmental changes; hence, they possess a durability that makes them resistant to most natural variation in habitat conditions.
In vivo antimalarial activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Hyptis suaveolens poit on Plasmodium berghei in Mice

The ethanolic leaf extract of Hyptis suaveolens was evaluated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice. In the 4 day suppressive test, 60 male and female albino mice (weight: 18-23 g) were infected and treatment began immediately (Day 0), while administration started 72 hours post infection in the curative test. For each test, mice were divided into 5 groups of 12 animals; each group was administered one of the following: 10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg of the crude extract, 5 mg/kg of chloroquine phosphate or 0.2 ml normal saline for four consecutive days. Thin blood smears were prepared and examined microscopically under x 100 objective on day 4 to day 7 and the percentage parasitaemia were recorded. On day 7 the red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were evaluated. The extract demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition effect on the parasites with 42.76% and 18.03% at 50 mg/kg, 33.69% and 10.22% at 25 mg/kg for suppressive and curative tests respectively, while at 10 mg/kg, 22.39% and 6.06% suppression were recorded in the suppressive and curative tests respectively. The RBC, HB and PCV values decreased while there was an increase in WBC compared with that of the control. Keywords : Hyptis suaveolens , Malaria, Screening, Rodents