Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vertical migration, entrainment and photosynthesis of the freshwater dinoflagellate Peridinium cinctum in a shallow urban lake

Vertical migration, entrainment and photosynthesis of Peridinium cinctum were investigated in the Torrens Lake, South Australia. Cell distribution was a function of swimming speed, shear velocity and the surface mixed layer depth. During the morning, when the wind speed was low, cells migrated upwards, at a velocity of 2.35 � 10 � 4 ms � 1 and accumulated at 0.7 m (827 � mol m � 2 s � 1 at 13:00 h). After 13:00 h, cells migrated downwards to 3.3-3.6 m at 1.85 � 10 � 4 ms � 1 . A s wind speed increased in the afternoon, the shear velocity of the surface mixed layer exceeded the swimming speed, leading to a homogeneous cell distribution within the surface mixed layer. Below the surface mixed layer, a deep chlorophyll maximum persisted. The observations were found to fit in an entrainment function ( ), where if > 1, cells are disentrained, and if < 1, cells are entrained. The maximum effective quantum yield of photosystem II (F 0 v/F 0 m) was used as an index to monitor the photosynthetic performance of P. cinctum and the ratio of bottle (fixed depth) to lake F 0 v/F 0 m indicated whether or not migration or mixing was enhancing photosynthesis or preventing photoinhibition. A small (0.1-0.2 units) but significant depression in F 0 v/F 0 m was observed in P. cinctum in bottle and lake surface samples during stratified conditions. However, this recovered to initial values later in the day. The ratio of bottle to lake F 0 v/F 0 m was consistent with P. cinctum migration patterns. A comparison between modelled daily photosynthetic rates of the observed migrating and a theoretical homogeneous population revealed that migration would not increase photosynthetic rates within the Torrens Lake. The net rates of O2 production in the water column from dawn to dusk for the migrating and evenly distributed cell populations were 2574 and 3120 mg m � 2 , respectively.
A New Species of Gymnotus (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae) from Uruguay: Description of a Model Species in Neurophysiological Research

Abstract Gymnotus omarorum is described from coastal and interior drainages of Uruguay, where it is locally abundant in streams and lagoons, and is not known to occur sympatrically with congeners. This species has been used for more than 30 years as a model organism in neurophysiological research, where it has been referred to as G. carapo or G. cf. carapo. Gymnotus omarorum is a member of the G. carapo species group, with which it shares the presence of two pores in the dorsolateral portion of the preopercle, irregular (wavy) dark pigment bands which usually become broken and/or lose contrast with the ground color through growth, a clear patch at the caudal end of an otherwise darkly pigmented anal fin, and more than four arrowhead-shaped (anteroposteriorly compressed) teeth in the anterior portion of the dentary. Gymnotus omarorum is readily differentiated from other members of the G. carapo species group by the following unique combination of character states: a short distance to first ventral lateral-line ramus (39–45% TL vs. 47–58%), few pored scales to first ventral ramus (27–35 vs. 40–78), many ventral lateral line rami (16–37 vs. 0–14), and ovoid (vs. elongate) scales on the posterior portion of body.
Predicting Grassland Recovery with a State and Transition Model in a Natural Area, Central Alberta, Canada

ABSTRACT: Temperate grasslands worldwide have been reduced to remnants as a result of urban, rural, and oil and gas activities. One of the largest remaining tracts of temperate grassland is located in central Alberta, Canada: a provincial protected natural area known as Rumsey Block. Although Rumsey Block has been protected from urban and rural development, oil and gas activities have been allowed. We analyzed the change in plant communities from several oil and gas disturbances over an eleven-year period. We developed a state and transition model displaying consequences of disturbances from grazing and oil and gas development on rough fescue grassland, considered the reference stable state. Transitions were no, light, or moderate grazing and minimum oil and gas disturbance, such as plow-in pipelines, small area well sites (<25 m2) and sites seeded with native species or left to natural recovery. Triggers, causing change from rough fescue grassland to altered states, were heavy grazing, and moderate to major oil and gas disturbances, such as topsoil stripping and seeding with introduced species. Within the reference state, three plant communities were identified, varying from rough fescue (Festuca hallii) grassland to grazing-induced variations where shortbristle needle and thread (Hesperostipa curtiseta) became dominant. Two altered states were identified: Introduced Grasses and Native Grasses. All altered states were deemed to have crossed a threshold requiring complete eradication of species and reseeding. Based on these results, we recommend minimum disturbance in grasslands, such as light grazing, plow-in pipelines, small areas well sites, and natural recovery.
The economic and social impacts of environmental change on fishing towns and coastal communities: a historical case study of Geraldton, Western Australia

For decades, many Australian coastal communities have been changing, in varying degrees, from traditional “fishing towns” to “mining”, “tourism”, or “retirement” towns. However, environmental changes, such as climate change, have increased the vulnerability of these communities and their capacity to continue to successfully adapt is unknown. A framework for the assessment of socio-ecological vulnerability is used to provide information on the response to change in Geraldton, Western Australia. Geraldton has traditionally been a port and fishing town and has recently become a hub for the expanding mining industry. An innovative historical assessment of adaptive capacity using sustainable livelihoods analysis with indicators of social, economic, human, financial, physical, and natural capital is used to calculate socio-ecological vulnerability over time. The framework integrates adaptive capacity with environmental change, resource dependence, and the socio-economic importance of the fished species during four census years: 1921, 1954, 1981, and 2011. The earlier years are characterized by high adaptive capacity and low socio-ecological vulnerability in keeping with strong economic growth and low unemployment rates following the First and Second World Wars. The years 1981 and 2011 showed markedly higher socio-ecological vulnerability and lower adaptive capacities. This result was due to progressively greater exposure to climate change and the high socio-economic importance of fished species, as well as relatively poor physical, social, and natural capital. With continuing environmental and economic change, the fishing industry and the broader Geraldton population is likely to become increasingly vulnerable. Proactive rather than passive adaptation may speed the recovery and reduce a decline in the fishing industry and local economies. The paper briefly discusses potential adaptation in Geraldton which may be useful as a guideline for other coastal communities.
Development of a VIGS vector based on SACMV for genomic studies in tobacco and cassava

Cassava is a major food crop in sub-Saharan Africa where it is mostly cultivated by small scale farmers. Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a major cause of pathogen-associated yield loss in Africa and it is caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs). The genomic structure of CMGs consists of two genomic molecules, DNA-A and DNA-B, enclosed in a twinned icosahedral capsid. South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV) is a CMG endemic to South Africa. SACMV infection in a plant triggers post transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS), a resistance mechanism intended to target viral mRNA post transcriptionally and to prevent viral proteins translation. SACMV and CMGs, in general, encode silencing suppressors that allow them to escape PTGS from the host. Using the ability of viruses to induce PTGS against their own mRNA, the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology was developed. It involves using viruses as silencing vectors for functional genomics. In this study, SACMV-A partial dimer infectious clones were constructed to contain one copy of the coat protein (AV1) and was used to construct a SACMV-A VIGS vector and used to silence NbNOA1 in N. benthamiana, the model plant system for geminivirus infection studies. SACMV-A VIGS vector was constructed by replacing a portion of AV1 from SACMV-A infectious partial dimer with a multiple cloning site (MCS). A 403 bp of N. tabacum su-gene was introduced to silence the su gene in N. benthamiana and cassava. Silencing of su-gene in N. benthamiana and cassava resulted in bleaching of leaves, a phenotype observed in su-gene null mutations. SACMV-A VIGS vector was also used to silence NbNOA1 in N. benthamiana, a gene involved in disease resistance in N. benthamiana against the fungi Colletotrichum lagenarium and whose homolog in Arabidopsis, AtNOA1, is involved in disease resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Attempts to amplify NbNOA1 homolog from cassava were unsuccessful, using AtNOA1 specific primers, and as a result NOA1 silencing experiments were not carried out in cassava. Positive silencing of NbNOA1 was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR at 14, 21 and 28 dpi. SACMV viral load in silenced plants was quantified at 14, 21 and 28 dpi using absolute quantitative PCR and was found to be elevated in plants infected with the silencing SACMV-A VIGS vector bearing the NbNOA1 than in plants infected with an empty VIGS vector. These results suggest a possible role of NbNOA1 in SACMV disease resistance in N. benthamiana.
Reproductive biology of Protium spruceanum (Burseraceae), a dominant dioecious tree in vegetation corridors in Southeastern Brazil

We investigated the reproductive biology of Protium spruceanum (Benth.) Engler in vegetation corridors of secondary Atlantic forest in Lavras, southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The reproductive phenology was investigated fortnightly over a one year period. Floral biology studies involved pollen viability analysis, nectar production, stigmatic receptivity, pollen tube growth, visiting insect species and visit rates. The small, pale yellowish flowers (0.3-0.4 cm diameter) are functionally unisexual and organized in dense inflorescences (ca. 45 flowers). P. spruceanum presented annual flowering between September and November. Staminate flowers supplied a high percentage of viable pollen (90.6%) and relatively abundant nectar (x = 4.5 μL). Pistillate flowers produced only nectar to flower visitors (x = 4.0 μL). The effective pollinators were Apis mellifera and Trigona sp. (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Pollen tubes of cross-pollinated flowers were observed entering the ovaries 48 h after pollination. The fruiting season is from October to March, with a peak in November, coinciding with the rainfall peak. Ecological implications of these findings, and alternative arguments to explain the high genetic diversity at regional landscape are discussed.
Characterization of microsatellite loci for red‐necked grebesPodiceps grisegena

decrease of 2 bp for SEB30 were found with the fluorescent method. Allelic sizes were systematically corrected in order to adjust both methods. In order to estimate microsatellite variation and polymorphism in redfish DNA, 30 individuals of each taxa were screened. DNA from each individual was extracted from muscle tissue using the Chelex extraction method (Walsh et al. 1991). All loci showed high variability. The total number of alleles per locus varied between 12 and 46 (Table 2). This also translated into high gene diversity, with a mean overall expected heterozygosity (HE) varying between 0.500 and 0.960 depending on locus and taxa (Table 2). These values are comparable to those found in other marine fish (de Garca Len et al. 1995; Rico et al. 1997; Ruzzante et al. 1996).
Phosphate uptake and transport in Agrostis capillaris L Effects of non-toxic levels of aluminium and the significance of P and Al speciation

Investigations on the effects of low levels of Al on P adsorption, uptake and translocation in seedlings of the indigenous grass Agrostis capillaris were undertaken. Apparent uptake and transport of H 2 32 PO 4 from nutrient solutions containing 10 or 100 mmol m -3 phosphate were characterized as functions of time and concentration. Experiments on 32 P uptake and transport in solutions containing no Al (control) or Al ranging from 3.7 to 185 mmol m -3 at pH ranging from 4.3 to 4.6, showed that in 10 mmol m -3 P, effects of Al at 3.7 and 37 mmol m -3 on the size of the initial uptake shoulder were small, but some increase in subsequent P uptake to the roots was observed, though transport to the shoots was suppressed
Evaluation Effects of Clove Methanol Extract on Methane Production in the in vitro Condition

2 Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different levels of Clove Methanol Extract (CME) on methane production in ruminant with practical diets. Two experimental diets (diet1: 100% forage and diet 2: 100% barley) were used to investigate effects of 3 levels of CME (0, 0.5 and 1 ml) on methane production at 2, 4, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation. Gas production was continuously measured by EX-TEC HS 680 GC. Cumulative gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation periods. Data processed in excel and analyzed using SAS statistical analyze software. Result show that Clove methanol extract in initial time of incubation (2 and 4 h) not affects on the decreased of methane production, but increase incubation time CME significantly decreased methane gas volume in two diets and all of CME levels and could significantly decrease methane volume in the treatment. According to result we coul d suggest CME for improve methane production in the in vitro condition and need further research for application CME in field of ruminant nutrition.
Characterizing ARS2 localization and function in differentiating myoblasts

Supervisory Committee Dr. Perry L. Howard, Department of Biology and Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology Supervisor Dr. Robert D. Burke, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology Departmental Member Dr. Leigh Anne Swayne, Division of Medical Sciences Outside Member ARS2 is a member of the nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC) that is critical for a number of RNA processing pathways. The emerging model is that ARS2 acts as a master regulator of RNAPII transcript maturation by bringing capped RNA substrates together with the appropriate processing machinery. ARS2 is essential for early mammalian development but it remains unclear precisely how ARS2 functions in stem and progenitor cell maintenance and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to answer basic questions about the localization and function of ARS2 in muscle progenitor cells. Here I describe the localization of ARS2 in proliferating myoblasts and post-mitotic differentiating myotubes and show that disruption of ARS2 expression levels by knockdown or overexpression results in impaired myogenic differentiation. I also discovered a new isoform of ARS2 that is localized exclusively in the cytoplasm and found preliminary evidence that ARS2 is required for nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). This study includes the first evidence that an ARS2 isoform is expressed in the cytoplasm and opens the door for the discovery of new ARS2 functions beyond its reported roles in the nucleus.
Fucoxanthin extraction and fatty acid analysis of Sargassum binderi and S. duplicatum

Fucoxanthin has been successfully extracted and purified from two species of Malaysian brown seaweeds, namely S. binderi and S. duplicatum. The purity of the fucoxanthin is >99% as indicated by HPLC analysis. Fucoxanthin content, total lipid and fatty acid composition of the seaweeds showed that both samples contained a considerable amount of fucoxanthin and total lipid. The amount of fucoxanthin and total lipid contents of S. duplicatum (1.01 ± 0.10 and 21.3 ± 0.10 mg/g dry-weight, respectively) was significantly higher than those of S. binderi (0.73 ± 0.39 and16.6 ± 4.10, respectively). Both types of seaweeds also contained a considerable amount of unsaturated fatty acids. However, in terms of docosahexanoic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid contents, S. duplicatum was found to be higher (0.76, 2.55, 13.64, 5.81 and 5.35%, respectively) than S. binderi (0.70, 1.82, 9.13, 6.37 and 4.39%, respectively). For saturated fatty acids, palmitic (C16:0) was found to be the major fatty acid in both samples studied.
Brevispina tasii (Brevispinidae) n. fam., n. gen., n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Stenophoroidea) Parasitizing the Crane Fly Tipula umbrosa (Diptera: Tipulidae: Tipulinae) from East Texas Leaf Litter

ABSTRACT: Brevispina tasii (Brevispinidae) n. fam. , n. gen., n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Stenophoroidea) is described from the crane fly Tipula umbrosa Loew, 1863 (Insecta: Diptera: Tipulidae: Tipulinae) collected from the Sam Houston National Forest, Watson Lakes, Walker County Texas, U.S.A. This family is distinguished from the existing families within Stenophoroidea by gamontic (precocious) association, oocysts that dehisce unchained by expulsion en mass in response to hyaline epicyst constriction, and development that is synchronized with and dependent upon host development. On the basis of these observations, a new family is described and the taxonomic status of existing tipulid gregarine taxa is revisited herein.
Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of sapota (achras sapota linn.) fruit

Sapodilla (Achras sapota Linn.) belongs to the family Sapotaceae and is used in the traditional system of Indian medicine. In this study, the nutritional quality and antioxidative activity of sapodilla juice with reference to its chemical composition were investigated in vitro. Chemical composition analysis of sapodilla juice revealed that it is a rich source of sugars, proteins, ascorbic acid, phenols, carotenoids and minerals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca and K. Sapodilla juice also showed potential antioxidative activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals and superoxide radicals. Sapodilla juice inhibited the free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in a liposome model system. Total reducing-power assay revealed the potential reducing power of sapodilla juice. It is concluded that the radical-scavenging potential of sapodilla juice is due to the nutrients it contains, such as phenols, carotenoids and ascorbic acid.
Instability of plasmid‐encoded citrate permease in Leuconostoc

M. KIHAL, H. PRÉVOST, M.E. LHOTTE, D.Q. HUANG AND C. DIVIÈS. 1996. The conversion from citrate positive (Cit+) to citrate negative (Cit‐) phenotype of six strains of Leuconostoc mesetiteroides was followed during growth in milk and buffered or unbuffered MRS medium at 30 or 37°C. High rate of loss of Cit+ phenotype was observed. The Cit‐ phenotype was found to be linked to the loss of 22 to 23 kb plasmids. All Cit‐ mutants isolated from Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. cremoris 195 reverted spontaneously to the Cit+ phenotype. Hybridization experiments using a 0.8 kb fragment of the citP gene of Leuc. mesenteroides showed that all the plasmids which were lost in Cit‐ mutants encoded for a citrate permease. However, neither plasmid nor genomic DNA from Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. cremoris 195 hybridized with the citP probe.
Non-carcass parts and carcass composition of high dairy genetic merit Holstein, standard dairy genetic merit Friesian and Charolais × Holstein-Friesian steers

The increased use of Holstein genetic material in the dairy herd has consequences for beef production. A total of 24 spring-born calves comprising 8 Holsteins (HO), 8 Friesians (FR) and 8 Charolais × Holstein-Friesians (CH) were reared from calfhood to slaughter. At the end of the second grazing season they were assigned to a 3 (breeds; HO, FR and CH) × 2 (slaughter weights; 620 and 730 kg) factorial experiment and finished indoors. After slaughter carcasses were classified for conformation and fatness, all organs and non-carcass parts were weighed, and the right side of each carcass was dissected into fat, bone and muscle. Non-carcass parts, carcass weight, kill-out proportion, carcass conformation score and m. longissimus area were 405, 398 and 368 (s.e. 8.31) g/kg empty body weight, 355, 344 and 383 (s.e. 9.4) kg, 509, 520 and 545 (s.e. 8.99) g/kg, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.1 (s.e. 0.16), 7616, 7096 and 9286 (s.e. 223.4) mm2 for HO, FR and CH, respectively. Corresponding proportions of carcass muscle and fat were 631, 614 and 656 (s.e. 8.4), and 165, 200 and 165 (s.e. 10.5) g/kg. Increasing slaughter weight increased the proportion of total non-carcass parts, carcass weight, carcass fat score and fat proportion, and reduced carcass muscle and bone proportions. It is concluded that differences in kill-out proportion between the two dairy breeds was primarily due to the lower proportion of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in FR, and the higher kill-out proportion of CH was mainly due to lower proportions of GIT, internal organs and internal fat. In terms of beef production, HO and FR were broadly comparable for most Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 47: 41–51, 2008
Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV) infects Vasconcellea cauliflora

Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV) e um dos tres virus descritos infectando mamoeiros (Carica papaya L.) no Brasil. Vasconcellea cauliflora (Jacq.) A. DC. , antes denominada de Carica cauliflora (Jacq.), e uma reconhecida fonte de resistencia natural ao Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), causador da "Mancha Anelar" ou "Mosaico" do mamoeiro. Neste estudo e demonstrado que V. cauliflora pode ser infectada por PLYV mediante inoculacao mecânica. Esta e a segunda hospedeira de PLYV descrita ate o momento. Por ser infectado por PLYV, mas nao PRSV, esta especie da familia das Caricaceas pode ser utilizada para separacao destes virus quando em infeccao mista numa planta de C. papaya
A Multifactor Analysis of Polymicrobial Wound Pathogenic Biofilms Using Conventional Assays, Nanoscale Imaging, and a Microfluidic Platform

A Multifactor Analysis of Polymicrobial Wound Pathogenic Biofilms Using Conventional Assays, Nanoscale Imaging, and a Microfluidic Platform Eric Birkenhauer Advisor: University of Guelph Professor S. Neethirajan This thesis investigates Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogenic wound biofilms through a multifactor analysis. P. aeruginosa and MRSA are commonly found in chronic wound biofilms. Chronic wounds are of major concern to healthcare systems and medical professionals as they are costly to treat and often become infected. Co-culture biofilm studies are relatively novel. Quantitative results (P < 0.05) show that P. aeruginosa and MRSA act competitively, with P. aeruginosa being the dominant species. Co-culture biofilms were shown to produce less biofilm biomass than their mono-culture counterparts. Examination of microbial adhesion kinetics to various materialsurfaces using Kelvin probe force microscopy revealed that both microorganisms preferred adhesion to positively charged surfaces. Measurements of cell surface potentials revealed significant changes upon adhesion to different material-surfaces and from co-culturing. Chemotaxis experiments using a nanoporous microfluidic platform showed that wound relevant cytokine VEGF acts as a chemoattractant and influences the swimming dynamics of P. aeruginosa.