Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Buffonellaria (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata): implications for biodiversity and biogeography

In this study we revise the cheilostome bryozoan genus Buffonellaria Canu & Bassler, 1927 and its Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic species, thereby addressing several existing problems. First, a lectotype for the type species, Buffonellaria divergens (Smitt, 1873) from Florida, is chosen, which proves to be distinct from the European species. Second, the two hitherto established north-east Atlantic species [Buffonellaria nebulosa (Jullien & Calvet, 1903) and Buffonellaria porcellanum Aristegui Ruiz, 1987], are redescribed, which were poorly documented until now. Third, close inspection of material, collected from Spitsbergen to tropical West Africa, using scanning electron microscopy reveals that the actual number of species, all previously referred to either B. divergens or Stephanosella biaperta (Michelin, 1848), is distinctly greater in the north-east Atlantic than has been previously acknowledged. As a result, seven new species are introduced (Buffonellaria acorensis sp. nov., Buffonellaria antoniettae sp. nov., Buffonellaria arctica sp. nov., Buffonellaria harmelini sp. nov., Buffonellaria jensi sp. nov., Buffonellaria muriella sp. nov., and Buffonellaria ritae sp. nov.), whereas two are left in open nomenclature. With the increase in number of species, the extremely broad geographical range of distribution assumed for B. divergens breaks down to numerous restricted areas. However, although most species have only been reported from a single location, B. arctica sp. nov. seems to have a fairly wide distribution in the Arctic region. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 152, 537–566.
Characterization and Distribution of Water-repellent, Self-cleaning Plant Surfaces

Abstract During the last 20 years, a wealth of data dealing with scanning electron microscopy of plant surfaces has been published. The ultrastructure of epidermal surfaces has been investigated with respect to taxonomic, as well as functional aspects. Within the latter, water-repellency has received much attention and has been well documented. Water-repellency is based on surface roughness caused by different microstructures (trichomes, cuticular folds and wax crystals), together with the hydrophobic properties of the epicuticular wax. In addition, contaminating particles are carried away by water droplets, resulting in a cleaned surface (Lotus-effect). Therefore, rough, waxy leaves are not only water-repellent but anti-adhesive with respect to particulate contamination. Based on 200 water-repellent plant species, the present paper surveys micromorphological characteristics of anti-adhesive plant surfaces. Leaves that are permanently water-repellent can be differentiated by distictively convex to papillose epidermal cells and a very dense layer of epicuticular waxes. Leaves that are water-repellent for only a limited period of time have only slightly convex epidermal cells and often have a less dense wax layer. Finally, an overview is given on the occurrence of water-repellency among different life forms and within different habitats. Water-repellency is concentrated in herbaceous species, while it is rare in trees. Among different habitats, subtropical regions, wetlands and disturbed areas appear to have more species with water-repellent leaves. The importance of roughness and water-repellency, respectively, as the basis of an anti-adhesive, self-cleaning surface, in comparison to other functions of microstructures, is discussed.
Phylogeny, biogeography and systematics of hydrothermal vent and methane seep Amphisamytha (Ampharetidae, Annelida), with descriptions of three new species

Amphisamytha has five currently recognized species. One of these, A. galapagensis has been reported from numerous hydrothermal vents and methane seeps across the Pacific Ocean. Here, a collection of Amphisamytha from a range of Pacific habitats, as well as Amathys lutzi from Atlantic hydrothermal vents, were studied using morphology and DNA sequences from mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (18S rRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a deep-sea clade comprised of the previously recognized Amphisamytha species, and three lineages that are treated as new species. The morphologically distinct Amathys lutzi was nested within Amphisamytha and the monotypic Amathys is treated as a junior synonym of Amphisamytha, with a resulting name change to Amphisamytha lutzi comb. nov. A revision of the other Amphisamytha species, the description of three new species, and a key are provided. The geographic range of the ‘cosmopolitan’ A. galapagensis is restricted to hydrothermal vents of the East Pacific Rise and the Galápagos Ridge. Amphisamytha fauchaldi, previously only known from sedimented hydrothermal vents of the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California, Mexico), is recorded from cold seeps off the coasts of Costa Rica and Oregon. Amphisamytha carldarei sp. nov. is described from hydrothermal vents of the northeast Pacific (Juan de Fuca), while A. jacksoni sp. nov. spans much of the East Pacific Rise and is sympatric with A. galapagensis for part of its range. Amphisamytha julianeae sp. nov. is found at western Pacific vent systems in sympatry with A. vanuatuensis. Relaxed molecular clock analyses were calibrated using the vicariant event involving the Farallon-Pacific Ridge in the northern Pacific Ocean. This provides mean dates for the origin of the deep-sea Amphisamytha clade at 44 or 55 million years ago, and the separation of the Pacific–Atlantic sister-species pair at 13 or 21 million years ago, depending on the tree used. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:502BC05E-FFB9-4FFB-B367-95F628AD6456
The influence of fertilization on yield of caraway, anise and coriander in organic agriculture

Many plants of Apiaceae family have long been well known because of flavorful aromatic spice and, because of its healing properties, are often used in folk medicine and in cooking. In our study three plants of this family were included: caraway (Carum carvi L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). Regarding good agro-ecological conditions for growing these plants in Serbia, and a new world trend of increasing organic agricultural production, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of application of various types of fertilizers on yield of studied plant species. The field experiment was carried out during the years of 2011 and 2012, in three localities in Vojvodina Province with the local ecotypes and six different treatments (control, ‘Slavol’, ‘Bactofil B-10’, ‘Royal Ofert’, vermicompost and NPK). The highest caraway yield was obtained by the application of biofertilizer ‘Bactofil B-10’. As regards anise and coriander the highest yield was achieved by the application of chemical fertilizer. The most effective organic fertilizers were the following: vermicompost for anise and specific poultry manure ‘Royal Ofert’ granules for coriander.
The effect of the availability of bee forage plants and environmental conditions on the nesting of Apis dorsata Fabr.

Summary Nesting of Apis dorsata Fabr. was influenced by the availability of forage plants and prevailing temperatures. There was an assured nectar and pollen supply during October to June through the flowering of more than twenty nectariferous plants, major ones being: Brassica campestris;Brassica rapa; Cajanus cajan; Moringa oleifera; Bombax ceiba; Helianthus annuus; Syzygium cumini; Emblica officinalis and Pongamia pinnata. The total numbers of nesting colonies were 28 in November and four in June coinciding with abundant food and optimum temperature in the first half and a decline later on. The greatest number of nests (35) was observed in January, at semi protected (32) and unprotected (3) sites, when minimum and maximum average temperatures were 7.8 and 24.2°C, respectively. The numbers of bee colonies at such sites in June, when the minimum and maximum temperatures were 26.8 and 33.7°C declined to four and none, respectively. May and June maximum temperature ranged between 40 to 45°C during daylight hours, and average temperature was about 11.4°C higher than November. However, in 2000, the highest number of colonies (33 and 35), was observed in January when temperature was the lowest (5.8–7.8°C).
Vimentin Expression Pattern is Different between the Flank Region and Limb Regions of Somatopleural Mesoderm in the Chicken Embryo

It is known that the chicken flank somatopleure also has a limb‐forming potential at early stages of development, but loses this potential later. Molecular changes during this process is, however, not well known. We obtained a monoclonal antibody which reacts to the flank somatopleure, but not to the wing bud, the leg bud and the neck somatopleure in the stage 22 chicken embryo. Further study revealed that this antibody is specific to vimentin. Time course of vimentin expression in the somatopleural mesoderm during the development was studied. It was revealed to be biphasic. Somatopleural mesoderm expressed vimentin at stage 10, but not at stage 16. Flank somatopleural mesoderm began to express vimentin again at stage 18, whereas limb bud mesenchymal cells did not until stage 27. The earlier re‐expression of vimentin at the flank somatopleure suggests that certain physiological changes take place in cells at this region.
Design of an Automated-Counting System of Cell Micronuclei in Micrographs

We developed and tested a system for the automatic analysis of cell images in order to identify and count micronuclei configurations in digital images from a microscope. The presence of micronuclei has been used as an indicator of DNA damage, and a fast automated analysis may be suitable for early cancer detection, for example. We describe in this work the image‐processing protocol and system comprising: acquisition, color normalization, contrast enhancement, color‐background removing, color segmentation, mathematical‐morphology filtering and restoration, morphometry, feature extraction and analysis, and counting. Among the morphological features used for discriminating micronuclei configurations, we tested compactness, area ratios and separation of selected features (ideally, a nucleus and one or more micronuclei). Among the mathematical‐morphology techniques, we used for instance a modified watershed segmentation algorithm for separating touching features. We present our results on several images, the e.
Purification and Partial Characterization of Human Cl-Esterase

Cl-Esterase was purified from the euglobulin fraction of human plasma by successive column chromatography on DEAF-cellulose, hydroxylapatite and TEAE-cellulose. The final product, purified 3500-fold with respect to serum, hydrolyzed 1, 155 μmoles of Nα-acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester per milligram of protein at pH 7.4 and 37°C in 15min. The homogeneity of the purified Cl-esterase was confirmed by ultracentrifugation and disc-electrophoresis. Its s20, W value was 4.3 and its molecular weight was determined as 113, 000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Cl-Esterase possesses esterolytic activity for both Nα-acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester and Nα-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester, and acts on human kininogen I and II releasing kinin very slowly.
Detection of Caliciviruses in young pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) with enteritis in Italy

Abstract During June 2004 a severe enteritis was reported in a farm of 21-28 day old pheasants reared in intensive conditions in North-Eastern Italy. Mortality in the flock had reached 25%. Virological investigations on cell culture of the gut content yielded reoviruses while electron microscopy examination revealed viral particles morphologically related to calicivirus in association with parvovirus-like and rod shaped virus-like particles.
Highly sensitive gold-overoxidized polypyrrole nanocomposite immunosensor for antitransglutaminase antibody

Patients with coeliac disease, a gluten intolerance autoimmune disorder, have elevated levels of antitransglutaminase antibody in their human sera. In this study, an immunosensor for the electrochemical determination of antitransglutaminase antibody was constructed. The immunosensor architecture was based on the electrostatic deposition of transglutaminase antigen on a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrosynthetic overoxidized polypyrrole and gold nanoparticles and capped the transglutaminase layer with bovine serum albumin. As a result, good surface coverage of the gold nanoparticles (~100 nm) was achieved across the overoxidized polypyrrole film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy parameters of the gold nanoparticle–overoxidized polypyrrole electrode include time constant, exchange current density, and heterogeneous rate constant. The impedimetric immunosensor exhibited a charge transfer resistance-dependent linear range with a correlation coefficient value of 0.98 and a dynamic linear range of 10−6–10−4 mg mL−1. The synergistic effect of the gold nanoparticles on the overoxidized polypyrrole formed the electronic insulator platform as a selective accumulator for the analytes surrounding the nanoelectrode. This biosensor characteristic enabled detection of antitransglutaminase antibodies at very low concentrations without the aid of a secondary label.
The Lichen Flora of Bryher, Isles of Scilly, and its Geographical Components

The Isles of Scilly (Fig. 1) lie some 45 km. south-west of the southernmost tip of the British Isles, exposed to a fetch extending from one side of the Atlantic Ocean to the other. They consist of 145 islets, five of which are inhabited, and range in size from St. Mary's, 1,619 acres (655 ha.) to Bryher, 360 acres (146 ha.). The islands are composed entirely of granite, fringed in sheltered bays by superficial deposits of blown sand. Geological evidence suggests that the Scillies were isolated from the mainland long before the advent of man, but little is known about their geological history since their origin in Permian times (King, 1954).
Effect of Some Bioregulators on the Chemical Composition of Essential Oil and its Antioxidant Activity of Egyptian Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Abstract Pot experiments were conducted in the screen of the National Research Center during two successive growth seasons 2002–2003 and 2003–2004 to study the effect of foliar application of the bioregulators, stigmasterol and/or putrescine on the chemical composition and the growth of carnation (Dianthuus caryophylus L.) plants. Essential oil production is highly integrated with the physiology of the whole plant and so depends on the metabolic state and present development differentiation programme of the synthesizing. The chemical composition and the essential oil and its antioxidant activity of the carnation flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus) was studied. Twelve volatiles were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as the main components of carnation flower fragrance signature. The major components of the volatiles found were phenyl ethyl alcohol, eugenol, hexyl benzoate, hexenyl benzoate (z), benzyl benzoate, benzoin, nootkatone, benzyl salyicylate, m-cresyl phenyl acetate, hexadecanoic acid and eicosene. The marked increase in benzyl benzoate from 12.62 to 45.04 % was obtained as a result of treating with 200 ppm stigmasterol, where as the application of 100 ppm stigmasterol together with 200 ppm putrescine reduced its amount to 3.85 % compared to untreated plants 12.62 %. The most significant variation of eugenol from (21.48 to 33.54 %) was obtained as a result of treating with 50 ppm stigmasterol and 400 ppm of putrescine, while application of other concentrations of stigmasterol and putrescine caused reduction in eugenol in comparison with untreated plants. The scavenging effect of volatile oil of carnation flowers was studied by using DPPH assay. Treating the plants with 400 ppm stigmasterol gave the highest scavenging of the oil compared to other treatments.
Manipulation of Distinct NFκB Proteins Alters Interleukin-1β-induced Human Rheumatoid Synovial Fibroblast Prostaglandin E2 Formation*

Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) up-regulates human rheumatoid synovial fibroblast (RSF) 85-kDa phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase (COX) II. Promoter regions for these genes contain a motif that closely resembles the “classic” NFκB consensus site. Immunoblot analysis identified NFκB1 (p50), RelA (p65), and c-Rel in RSF. Upon IL-1β-stimulation, p65 and c-Rel but not p50 protein levels were reduced suggesting nuclear translocation. IL-1β-induced RSF nuclear extracts contained a p65-containing complex, which bound to the classical NFκB consensus motif. An NFκB classical oligonucleotide decoy produced a concentration-dependent decrease in IL-1-stimulated PGE2 production (IC50 = ∼2 μM), indicating a role of NFκB. Utilization of antisense technology showed that p65 but not p50 or c-Rel mediated IL-1β-stimulated PGE2 formation. Treated RSF could not transcribe COX II or 85-kDa PLA2 mRNA, which reduced their respective proteins. Interestingly, stimulated IL-8 production was not inhibited by the classical NFκB decoy but was reduced by treatment with antisense to both p65 and c-Rel supporting preferential binding of c-Rel-p65 to the “alternative” IL-8 κB motif. Taken together, these data provide the first direct evidence for a role of p65 in COX II and 85-kDa PLA2 gene induction and support the IL-1 activation and participation of distinct NFκB protein dimers in RSF prostanoid and IL-8 formation.
Herring Movements in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine, 1957 and 1958

During 1957 and 1958, 137,469 herring were tagged in the southern part of the Bay of Fundy and the western part of the Gulf of Maine. These fish were immature and ranged in mean total length from 9.9 to 20.0 cm and in age from 1 to 3 years. Recovery of 3,582 (2.6%) tagged individuals showed that herring moved in and out of Passamaquoddy Bay irregularly throughout the summer and autumn with some tendency to concentrate at the head of this bay. Outward movement reached a peak in July when there was a considerable movement eastward towards Point Lepreau. Herring moved into Passamaquoddy from as far south as Grand Manan and from as far east as Point Lepreau. Little interchange of herring took place between the Passamaquoddy area and the coasts of Maine and Nova Scotia. The greatest straight-line distance from release to recovery points was 55 miles. More than half of the recaptures were made within 2 miles of the tagging sites and nearly two-thirds within 5 miles. About 28% of the recaptures were made within .
Simultaneous analysis of metabolites in potato tuber by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new method is presented in which gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) allows the quantitative and qualitative detection of more than 150 compounds within a potato tuber, in a highly sensitive and specific manner. In contrast to other methods developed for metabolite analysis in plant systems, this method represents an unbiased and open approach that allows the detection of unexpected changes in metabolite levels. Although the method represents a compromise for a wide range of metabolites in terms of extraction, chemical modification and GC-MS analysis, for 25 metabolites analysed in detail the recoveries were found to be within the generally accepted range of 70-140%. Further, the reproducibility of the method was high: the error occurring in the analysis procedures was found to be less than 6% for 30 out of 33 compounds tested. Biological variability exceeded the systematic error of the analysis by a factor of up to 10. The method is also suited for upscaling, potentially allowing the simultaneous analysis of a large number of samples. As a first example this method has been applied to soil- and in vitro-grown tubers. Due to the simultaneous analysis of a wide range of metabolites it was immediately apparent that these systems differ significantly in their metabolism. Furthermore, the parallel insight into many pathways allows some conclusions to be drawn about the underlying physiological differences between both tuber systems. As a second example, transgenic lines modified in sucrose catabolism or starch synthesis were analysed. This example illustrates the power of an unbiased approach to detecting unexpected changes in transgenic lines.
Second floor, please: the fish fauna of floating litter banks in Amazonian streams and rivers

Floating litter banks are an ephemeral habitat consisting of branches, twigs, flowers, seeds, and fruits that are trapped on the stream water surface by a variety of retention mechanisms. These heterogeneous materials form a deep layer of dead plant matter that is colonized by a variety of organisms, including fish that forage on the aquatic macroinvertebrates found in this unique habitat. In this study, we aimed to characterize which fish species occupy the floating litter banks and their trophic characteristics, as well as determine if fish assemblage composition and species richness can be predicted by the size of the floating litter banks. Fish sampling was conducted in five rivers located in the Amazon basin. Of the 31 floating litter banks sampled that contained fish, 455 individuals were recorded and were distributed within 40 species, 15 families and five orders. Siluriformes were the most representative order among the samples and contained the largest number of families and species. The fish fauna sampled was mainly composed of carnivorous species that are typically found in submerged litter banks of Amazonian streams. The fish assemblage composition in the kinon can be predicted by the volume of the floating litter banks using both presence/absence and abundance data, but not its species richness. In conclusion, kinon banks harbor a rich fish assemblage that utilizes this habitat for shelter and feeding, and may function as a refuge for the fishes during the peak of the flooding season.
Ontogenetic stages of Gymnodamaeus irregularis, with remarks on morphology of the juveniles of Gymnodamaeidae (Acari: Oribatida: Plateremaeoidea)

The juvenile stages of oribatid mites of the family Gymnodamaeidae are insufficiently known, and little information is available on the morphology of ontogenetic stages. Comparative characteristics of juvenile stages of species belonging to family Gymnodamaeidae are given based on our own data and available literature sources. Herein, the morphology of ontogenetic instars of Gymnodamaeus irregularis Bayartogtokh & Schatz, 2009 is investigated. The larva and nymphs are generally similar in their habitus. Basic characteristics in juveniles are the less sclerotized and unpigmented body with granulate surface of gastronotum, larva with 11 pairs of gastronotal setae (h3 absent) and nymphs with 10 pairs of gastronotal setae (setae la, lm and d-series absent, but setae lp and p-series present). Nymphs with ridge-like structure on prodorsum, and large excrescence on posterior end of gastronotum, bearing one pair of long (h1 ) and another pair of medium-long (p1 ) setae. All prodorsal, notogastral and adanal setae of larva and nymphs are densely barbed throughout. Conspicuous characters in the larval stage are the very long interlamellar setae, which are reduced in nymphs and adults to minute setae and the subequal lengths of gastronotal setae. All stages of nymphs carry gastronotic exuviae with reticulate granular sculpture of the previous instars. Adults are coated with thick cerotegument on the idiosoma, legs and most body setae. The sensillus is dilated in its distal part and covered with cerotegument. The notogaster has two pairs of irregular longitudinal ridge-like structures (procuticle); five pairs of notogastral setae; and a pair of strongly developed tubercles Sp on epimeral region III. Gymnodamaeus irregularis is a Western Palaearctic species, currently known from Central (East Tyrol, Austria) and Eastern Europe (Nizhny Novgorod region, Russia) and appears to be primarily an inhabitant of mosses and litter, and it prefers the xeric habitats.