Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alkalinity changes and coral reef calcification1

In estimates of coral reef calcification based on alkalinity anomalies, interference from changes in the concentration of ions such as nitrate, ammonium, and sulfate typically is likely to cause errors of <5%. In the particular case of the open lagoon, the error from sulfate reduction could be as high as 15%.
Elevated temperatures interact with habitat quality to undermine survival of ectotherms in climatic refugia

Large‐scale effects of climatic fluctuations can be masked by local microclimatic variability, allowing species to retain fragments of their original ranges. However, downscaling predicted ecological effects of climate change to local scales and individual species comprises a key knowledge gap. As temperature modifies both abiotic and biotic processes, the fate of refugial populations may depend on interactions of temperature with susceptibility of organisms to other factors, rather than on the impact of temperature alone. To explore this, we examined whether temperature regulates the sensitivity to hypoxia of an aquatic glacial relict, Mysis salemaai, an opossum shrimp.
Role of the Ascorbate–Glutathione Cycle in Paraquat Tolerance of Rice

Abstract Out of 1,343 mutant lines of rice mutated by sodium azide from the parental Japonica-type variety ‘Tainung 67’ (TNG67), a paraquat-susceptible line 1192 and a paraquat-tolerant line 72 were selected using whole seedlings at the four-leaf stage and leaf segments at the tillering stage as test materials. Further selection from progenies of these two mutant lines yielded the susceptible 1192-11 (S) and tolerant 72-16 (T), which were studied herein. Chlorophyll fluorescence, electrolyte leakage, and lipid peroxidation were measured for leaf segments of rice following treatment with 0.1 mM paraquat. A comparison of these responses among the three rice lines (TNG67, 72-16, and 1192-11), revealed a higher tolerance to paraquat in the tolerant mutant line 72-16 and the parental variety TNG67 than in the susceptible mutant 1192-11. Analysis of the antioxidative system in paraquat-treated leaf segments showed that the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) and the ratio of GSH to total glutathione increased by 3.5-fold within 6 h after treatment (HAT) and up to 5-fold 9 HAT in the T line, as compared with the S line. In view of the high activities of both dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) in paraquat-treated leaves of TNG67 and the T line, the antioxidative effect of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle is hereby proposed to play an essential role in paraquat tolerance of rice. Pretreatment of rice segments with spermine enhanced DHAR and GR activities as well as paraquat tolerance of the S line. These results suggest that the activity of ascorbate–glutathione cycle induced by spermine is involved in rice tolerance to this herbicide. Although kinetics studies showed no significant difference among the three rice lines in paraquat inhibition of GR, a lower affinity of enzyme to substrate (Km) in TNG67 and the T line and a higher maximal reaction rate (Vmax) in the T line for the oxidized glutathione substrate (GSSG) were detected. These observations further implicate the importance of glutathione reductase in paraquat tolerance of rice. Nomenclature: Paraquat; rice, Oryza sativa L.
The breeding of Crepidula fornicata (L.) in the River Blackwater, Essex

The chain-forming prosobranchiate gastropod Crepidula fornicata is not indigenous to British waters, but has been introduced during the last 70 or 80 years, probably from North America, upon imported oysters, and, during this period, has spread to most of the oyster beds on the south-east and south coasts of this country (see Orton, 1950b, for a recent discussion of its present distribution). In spite of the interest shown in this species because of its detrimental effect upon oyster culture, and because of its well-known change of sex from male to female, little is known in the literature of its breeding habits here, or in North America. Conklin (1897) states that the spawning period in New England lasts from early summer to about mid-August, no larvae being found in late August. Murie (1911), in discussing the introduction of this species, elaborates upon Conklin's observations, and gives evidence that females, in samples of Crepidula taken from the River Colne in May and September 1898, contained spawn beneath their shells. Orton (1912a, p. 438) states that he is ‘informed by Professor Conklin that American Crepidulae begin to spawn in May and possibly in April, whilst English Crepidulae begin to spawn in early March’. In a footnote, he adds ‘Crepidula spawned in tanks at Plymouth in early February’.
Accuracy and precision of age estimation of crappies

Abstract A collection of known-age black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappies P. annularis (ages 1–5) was used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of ages estimated from otoliths and scales by readers of varying experience levels. Age estimation accuracy for black crappie otoliths averaged 99.6%, whereas accuracy for scales was 77.6%. Accuracy of age estimates from white crappie otoliths averaged 98.5%, whereas accuracy of estimates from scales averaged 80.4%. For both species, age estimation precision was higher for otoliths than for scales. Reader bias (e.g., difference between true age and estimated age) tended to be greater for scales than otoliths in both species. Bias in otolith age estimation was minimal and only apparent for age-5 crappies, which were consistently underaged. Bias in scale age estimation was most apparent for age-4 and age-5 crappies, which were also typically underaged. Reader experience influenced the degree of precision and bias; experienced readers produced mor.
Effects of prey‐size and predator‐instar on the predation of Daphnia by Notonecta

Abstract. 1. Attack rates and handling times are measured by a series of separate functional response experiments for each instar of Notonecta glauca attacking four size classes of Daphnia magna as prey. The resulting attack rate and handling time surfaces are complex, with maximum attack rates for small predators attacking small prey, and large predators attacking large prey. Adult Notonecta have lower attack rates than the two previous juvenile instars (4 and 5).
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on nitrogen pools and soil communities under grazed pastures

Abstract Nitrogen (N) fertilizer increases pasture production in New Zealand in a near linear manner and affects pasture composition, soil below-ground communities and N losses. We monitored N fertilized plots established in long-term low-fertility pasture over different time periods to compare changes in N availability on below-ground soil communities (particularly ammonia-oxidizing archaea [AOA] and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria [AOB] as they appear to be sensitive to change). Although the most significant effects were seen in the 30 gN (300 kg/ha) treatment, there were indications that even 5 gN had effects on archaea. AOA gene copies dominated in control and 5 gN treatments but decreased in the 10 gN treatment. The ratio of AOA to AOB in 10 gN was lower and more similar to 30 gN suggesting that the AOA/AOB ratio may be a sensitive indicator of change in N status. In the 30 gN treatment, both the soil C/N ratio and the fungal phospholipid fatty acids were reduced (consistent with changes in DNA profiles) and microbes were suppressed. The number of AOB gene copies significantly increased in this treatment and corresponded to a switch from ammonium-N to nitrate-N as the dominant inorganic form of N in the 56-day incubation. This was consistent with increased soil ammonium-N and nitrate-N concentrations, leading to increased nitrate-N leaching that occurred at a threshold of between 10 gN and 30 gN, and suggesting that, with 30 gN, nitrification and nitrate leaching are influenced more by AOB than archaea. Generally there was no significant change in mesofauna, microfauna or bacterial DNA profiles with the treatments. In a high-fertility pasture, DNA profiles for bacterial, fungal and archaeal groups clustered away from low-fertility pasture suggesting that changes in soil communities, with increased soil fertility, take more time to be fully expressed.
Learning to Work on a Cruise Ship: Accounts from Bali.

This article looks at motivations and both formal and informal learning contexts for well-educated young Balinese from poorer areas who enrol in cruise ship training colleges. The major motivations were getting a high income and helping the family. While basic hospitality and tourism skills are acquired, trainees also named other capacities such as politeness, confidence and tricks such as juggling as advantageous. The work on board was acknowledged to be arduous and demanding. Physical and mental preparation was needed. On retirement from a cruise ship career, savings enable them to start a small business in Bali. However, many such small enterprises fail. We identify the need for further short course training and other support in post-cruise ship work business planning and management.
Differential regulation of the barley (Hordeum vulgare) transcripts B22E and B12D in mature aleurone layers

Previously, B12D and B22E have been characterized as Barley aleurone and embryo (Balem) transcripts, expressed during seed maturation and embryo germination. The open reading frame of B12D cDNAs encodes a protein of unknown function highly conserved in mono- and dicotyledonous species, while B22E encodes a metallothionein-like protein. Several slightly different B22E transcripts have earlier been identified. Our objective was to investigate the number of B12D genes, and B12D and B22E expression patterns in mature aleuronc. Genomic Southern hybridization and primer extension experiments suggest the presence of a B12D gene family in barley with at least 8 or 9 members. B12D transcripts can also be identified in the starchy endosperm, and a primer extension analysis indicates that some of these genes are expressed in the starchy endosperm only. A number of genes appear to be transcribed in all tissues investigated: starchy endosperm, pericarp, immature and mature embryos and aleurone, and mature aleurone incubated with GA 3 . One B12D gene, HvB12Dgl, was isolated and shown by particle bombardment with a promoter-GUS construct to be transcriptionally active. The HvB12Dgl promoter contains elements similar to those of the gibberellic acid response complex (GARC). B12D transcripts are found in the aleurone of imbibed embryoless grains, while B22E transcripts are barely detectable. However, both transcripts are up-regulated by the presence of the germinating embryo. For B22E this effect is not mimicked by applying GA 3 exogenously to imbibed embryoless grains, while the B12D transcript level increases 2- to 3-fold, at most. On the other hand, ABA can suppress B12D expression. Our investigations indicate that gibberellic acid may not be directly involved in the up-regulation of all transcripts induced in the aleurone during germination.
Karyological Notes on the Southern Short-tailed Shrew, Blarinella wardi (Mammalia, Soricidae)

Karyological data for the southern short-tailed shrew, Blarinella wardi, were obtained from 3 specimens collected on Mt. Laojun, Lijiang District, Yunnan Province, China. We examined 35 metaphases of B. wardi. The diploid number (2n) was 32 and the fundamental autosome number (NFa) was 58. The karyotype consisted of 10 M and 4 SM pairs, one small A pair, one medium-sized M X chromosome, and one small SM Y chromosome. The autosomal complement contained one pair of M chromosomes (no. 10) bearing a secondary constriction on the proximal long arm. The range of diploid number in the genus Blarinella indicates 32 to 44. In comparison with previously reported data on the karyotype of B. griselda, the secondary constriction on one pair of metacentric and biarmed sex chromosomes are considered affinal characters of the genus Blarinella.
Zooplankton and Potential Fish Production in Lake Ontario

We calculated the annual production of epilimnetic crustacean zooplankton in Lake Ontario from data on the abundance of each species and its eggs, and from predictions of egg development times. Bosmina longirostris is the most productive species at the nearshore stations whereas Diacyclops thomasi is the most productive offshore. Total crustacean zooplankton production is fairly uniform throughout the lake, both nearshore and offshore, with the possible exception of somewhat reduced production at the western end of the lake. Average total production was estimated at 15 g∙m−2∙yr−1. Using a recent estimate of particle-size-conversion efficiency in Lake Ontario, obtained from data on contaminant concentrations in aquatic biota, we predicted potential fish production in the lake for various sizes of fish. From published data on the commercial fish harvest from 1910 to 1930, a time period when commercial production was at a maximum, we estimate that the past commercial harvest for pelagic species may have been.
THE ANATOMIC SITE OF THE TRANSEPITHELIAL PERMEABILITY BARRIERS OF TOAD BLADDER

An examination of the mucosal epithelium of the urinary bladder of the toad reveals that the two major cell types which abut on the urinary surface, the granular and mitochondria-rich cells, also contact the basement membrane. Thus, the epithelium functions as a single cell layer. Although basal cells are interpolated between the granular cells and the basement membrane over a large portion of the epithelium, they do not constitute an additional continuous cell layer. This finding is consistent with extensive physiological data which had assumed that the major permeability barriers of this epithelium were the apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of a single layer of cells.
Reactive Transport Modelling By Using Euleria-Lagrangian Methods Based on Mixing

Joaquim Soler 1,2, Jesús Carrera 1, Maarten Saaltink1,2, and Albert Nardi3 1GHS, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC) Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain 2GHS, Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC-BarcelonaTech), Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain 3AMPHOS XXI, Passeig de Garcia Fària, 49, 08019 Barcelona, Spain e-mail address: quimsoler15@gmail.com
Survey of oviducal gland structure and function in elasmobranchs

We report the results of a comparative survey of the structure and function of oviducal glands (OG) of selected elasmobranch fish with differing modes of reproduction using light and scanning electron microscopy, e.g., Scyliorhinus canicula, S. stellaris, Raja erinacea, R. eglanteria, R. clavata, Squalus acanthias, Mustelus canis, and Urolophus jamaicensis. Oviducal glands consistently display four fundamental zones regardless of the type of reproduction of the particular species. The zones correspond to lamellae that extend full width across the gland lumen. Formerly, zones of OG were designated as albumen secreting and shell secreting. This oversimplified terminology does not accurately apply to all species. We have adopted the terminology recently introduced (Hamlett et al. [1998] Cybium, in press) that refers to the four basic zones on a morphological basis rather than on a purported function that may not be applicable across species lines. This allows comparisons to be accurately made between species. Oviducal glands have a proximal club zone, papillary zone, baffle zone, and terminal zone. Variations in the makeup of each zone may show species variability, but the fundamental organization is maintained. The club and papillary zones replace the former designation of the albumen zone. The club zone is so named because of its shape when viewed in transverse section with the light microscope. Similarly, the papillary zone is characterized by a papillary or conical profile when viewed in section. The club and papillary zones are responsible for producing the various jelly coats that surround the egg. The baffle zone produces the various types of egg investments seen in elasmobranchs. In oviparous species, such as the sharks S. Canicula and S. Stellaris and the skates R. Erinacea, R. Eglanteria,and R. Clavata, tubular glands produce secretory components that pass to secretory ducts. Secretory ducts are confluent with a spinneret that has paired baffle plates that manipulate the secretory material as it emerges from the secretory duct. Secretory material from adjacent secretory ducts blends in transverse grooves that extend across the full width of the gland, thus one transverse groove is responsible for one secreted layer. The yellow spotted stingray, U. Jamaicensis, is unusual in that it does not produce an egg investiture other than jelly coats and therefore lacks baffle plates. Despite variations among species, the capsule-producing OG we studied seems to use the same basic assembly process to produce tough, flexible, and selectively permeable egg capsules, candles, or egg envelopes. This involves the extrusion of a capsule material through dies, each of which opens between two baffle plates and extrudes a flattened ribbon containing precisely and complexly orientated molecules. The dies discharge into transverse grooves in the main lumen of the gland, each groove thus secreting a single lamella of the egg covering. J. Exp. Zool. 282:399–420, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic Structure of a Plasmopara viticola Population in an Isolated Italian Mountain Vineyard

In this paper we investigated the genetic population structure of Plasmopara viticola, the causal organism of downy mildew on grapevines (Vitis spp.). We selected an isolated and newly established mountain vineyard, where the disease was observed for the first time. As soon as disease symptoms appeared, they were collected (three samplings) and they were genetically analysed by means of four microsatellite markers. Our study revealed that a human-mediated allochthon oosporic import, rather than naturally immigrating secondary propagules, presumably provided the starting inoculum that initiated the very mild epidemic. Fifteen genotypes initiated the disease during three of the at least seven infection periods. Genotypes participating in the epidemic showed a very variable and strain-specific aptitude in generating secondary lesions. Only two genotypes multiplied asexually and generated some tens of secondary lesions, probably because of the unfavourable climatic conditions of the mountain region. The mountain P. viticola population appeared with a poor gene pool, genetically separated and isolated-by-distance from the valley natural stocks as well as recently established by a founder effect event.
Assessment of cephalometric features, dental arch dimensions, dental age in a group of patients with thalassemia major

Introduction: Thalassemia is one of the most common worldwide genetic disorders in which there are overgrowth of the skull, rodent face, protrusion and spacing of maxillary anterior teeth, open bite, progressive reduction of bone mass, retardation in general skeletal growth and teeth development are there (exists). Quantitative assessments of the skeletal morphology of patients with thalassemia major are rare therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate cephalometric skeletal and dental features, dental arch dimensions and teeth development in relation to bone mineral density and vitamin D in a group of Egyptian patients with thalassemia major relative to healthy control age and gender matched. Patients and Methods: This study was carried on 94 thalassemia patients (46 male and 48 female) compared with 120 subjects (age and gender matched healthy control 60 male and 60 female). Age ranged from 6 to 12 year. For each patient some cephalometric skeletal and dental measurements, dental arch dimensions, vitamin D, DXA scan to measure bone mineral density and dental age was done. Results: All thalassemic patients had a significant hyper-divergent growth pattern leading to steep mandibular plane, increased anterior facial height and decreased posterior facial height, Short mandibular body, short ramus length, * Lecturer of Orthodontic, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Egypt Egyptian Orthodontic Journal 2 Volume 46 – December 2014 shorter arch width and shorter arch circumference when compared with healthy control, Class II malocclusion with an average ANB angle of 7.5 degree. The retardation of dental development in thalassemic male and female equal to (1.011 and 0.791 year) respectively. Thalassemic male showed significant negative correlation between (CA-DA) and BMD. Conclusions: In all thalassemic patient skeletal Class II dental base relation, shorter dental arch dimensions significant retardation in dental age, very low level of vitamin D and reduced bone mineral density had found.
Determination of free fatty acids in crude palm oil, bleached palm oil and bleached deacidified palm oil by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

A rapid method for quantitative determination of free fatty acids from crude palm oil to bleached palm oil (BPO) and then distilled BPO and refluxed BPO by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy is described. A partial least square (PLS) model was calibrated to predict the FFA content of palm oil samples based on the spectral range of 1,729.89–1,694.48/cm. Multivariate calibration step was carried out by comparing the FFA values predicted by PLS model to the values obtained from the official American Oil Chemists' Society method. The resulting PLS calibrations were linear and the root mean standard error of cross-validation was 0.063 with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9898. The results indicated that FTIR spectroscopy is an efficient, rapid and accurate method for determining the FFA content in palm oil.
Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Tempeh as Reveal by Amplified Ribosomal Intergenic Sequence Analysis

Tempeh is an Indonesian traditional fermented food produced using Rhizopus as a starter culture. In practice, however, the starter culture as well as fermentation processes would yield a polymicrobial fermentation, which generated a unique tempeh flavor and texture. This condition makes Indonesian tempeh as one of the most complex fermented food, while at the same time would make it difficult to scale up tempeh production with uniform quality and consistency. The aim of this study was to compare a number of tempeh microbial communities employing Amplified Ribosomal Intergenic Sequence Analysis (ARISA). Fresh tempeh samples were obtained from tempeh producers in Java and Moluccas. 16S rRNA gene libraries and DNA sequencing were employed to analyze further the nature of bacterial diversity in two selected tempeh samples. The results of our study showed that different tempeh producer possessed different Bacterial ARISA (BARISA) or fungi ARISA (FARISA) profiles. However, BARISA profiles were found to be more discriminative than FARISA, and therefore BARISA would be more useful for tempeh genetic fingerprint or barcoding.