Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Benomyl and Metalaxyl on reproduction of the plant parasite (Pythium Deliense) and the mycoparasite (P. Oligandrum)

Benomyl did not inhibit the growth of isolates of Pythium deliense and Pythium oligandrum but at concentrations of 10 ppm benomyl slightly inhibited the growth of P. oligandrum. Isolate of El-U002A of P. oligandrum was more sensitive to benomyl than the isolate El-U002B. Metalaxyl inhibited the growth of all pythia studied starting from 2 ppm and completed at 10 ppm. All concentrations (2, 5 and 10 ppm) of metalaxyl caused a decline in the mycelial dry weight but the degree of this decline was more pronounced at high concentrations of the fungicide for P. deliense while all concentrations of metalaxyl inhibited the growth of P. oligandrum. Benomyl did not effect the mycelial dry weight for all the pythia investigated. Zoospore production of P. deliense was generally high after 24 h incubation at 25°C. Water amended with 2, 5 and 10 ppm benomyl did not affect the two isolates tested. On the other hand, metalaxyl inhibited zoospore production of P. deliense at all concentrations studied especially the higher ones. Zoospore production of P. oligandrum appeared in the same manner as P. deliense but high concentrations of benomyl decreased zoospore production. Oospore production of P. deliense was not affected with 2, 5 and 10 ppm benomyl by the two isolates tested. On the other hand, metalaxyl inhibited oospore production of P. deliense at all concentrations studied especially the higher ones. Oospore production of P. oligandrum appeared in the same manner as P. deliense but high concentrations of benomyl decrease oospore production.
Nesting patterns of southern flying squirrels in managed northern hardwoods

Abstract Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) use multiple nest trees for foraging and protection, but nest trees can become scarce following harvests of hardwood forests. In northern Wisconsin, the Managed Old-growth Silvicultural Study tested techniques to remediate logging impacts on forest-dependent wildlife. Three types of canopy treatments were applied (multicohort harvest [0.4-ha and 1.2-ha irregular group shelterwoods], medium gaps [18-m- and 24-m-diameter gaps], and small gaps [11-m-diameter gaps]). To evaluate the effects of treatment on nest tree selection by southern flying squirrels, we tracked 33 radiocollared southern flying squirrels once a week for 5 weeks in late summer, locating 82 nest trees (X¯ = 2.73 nest trees per southern flying squirrel [95% confidence interval: 2.28–3.18 nest trees]). Canopy treatments were important predictors of nest tree switching. Probability of switching differed by canopy treatment (listed from lowest to highest probability): multicohort harvest: 0.29 (0.17–0.42), medium gaps: 0.44 (0.32–0.56), control: 0.57 (0.41–0.73), and small gaps: 0.73 (0.61–0.85). Lower nest tree switching in the multicohort harvest compared to the small gaps likely reflected availability of habitat resources. Spatial arrangement of canopy gaps and associated effects on southern flying squirrels should be considered when planning timber harvests in northern hardwoods.
Enhanced Lipid Accumulation by Chlorella vulgaris in a Two-Stage Fed-Batch Culture with Glycerol

A large amount of crude glycerol is generated during biodiesel production, but it has little commercial value. In this study, glycerol was used to cultivate Chlorella vulgaris to recycle its surplus, and its effects on microalgal growth and lipid accumulation were investigated. Lipid production in glycerol batch culture was higher than in glucose batch culture. However, the cell growth was slow, and a lag phase was more obvious as glycerol concentration increased from 1 to 30 g L–1. A two-stage fed-batch culture was developed to achieve high cell density and lipid production in C. vulgaris. In this culture, high microalgal cell concentration was first obtained by glucose, and lipid accumulation was enhanced by later additions of crude glycerol. Lipid production and lipid content reached 1663.02 mg L–1 and 36.39%, respectively. Lipids produced by C. vulgaris were good feedstock for biodiesel production.
Genetic diversity and distinctiveness in Scottish alpine plants

Background: Many alpine plants are rare in Scotland. Their persistence depends on their ability to withstand habitat fragmentation and loss due to changes in land use, increased grazing pressure, and climate change. Aims: We use a phylogeographic approach to address the origin and genetic diversity of Scottish populations, which is relevant for their future management and protection. Methods: We review phylogeographic studies that include Scottish populations of common and rare alpine plants, and present unpublished data for eleven more species. We use results from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) studies to address the genetic distinctiveness of the Scottish populations and their levels of genetic diversity. Results: A positive correlation was found between relative rarity of each species in Scotland and the level of genetic diversity in Scottish populations compared with the species' total. Scottish populations of all species analysed except Saxifraga cernua belong to larger European/Eurasian genetic groups, and show little genetic distinctiveness. However, in S. cernua and one population of S. stellaris, we found a unique genetic group restricted to Scotland. Conclusions: The ancestors of Scottish populations probably shared refugia with other northern European/Eurasian populations during the last glacial period. The finding of unique genetic groups in two species may call for increased conservation effort targeting these particular species. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of such components also occurring in the other species. To prevent a reduction in overall genetic diversity, which again may reduce adaptive potential, it is important to maintain present distributions.
Investigation into the Mechanism of Action of Madhuca longifolia for its Anti-epileptic Activity

Background: Heart wood of Madhuca longifolia J.F. Macbr. (Sapotaceae) is used in traditional medicine of India to treat seizure. Objectives: The heart wood extract of Madhuca longifolia was investigated for anticonvulsant activity and the possible mechanism of action involved in this activity. Materials and methods: The anticonvulsant activity of the methanol extract of heart wood of Madhuca longifolia was assessed in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) - induced convulsion in mice with benzodiazepine as standard drug. Mechanistic studies were conducted using both flumazenil, a GABA A -benzodiazepine receptor complex site antagonist, and naloxone a non-specific opioid receptor antagonist. Results: Madhuca longifolia at the dose of 400 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of seizure and decreased the duration of seizures compared to saline group (p < 0.001). Flumazenil and naloxone suppressed anticonvulsant effects of Madhuca longifolia. Discussion and conclusion: It appears that Madhuca longifolia may be useful for the treatment of absence seizures and that these effects may be related to its effect on GABAergic and opioid systems. This result suggests that Madhuca longifolia possesses biological active constituents which may contribute to the anti-convulsant activity of Madhuca longifolia. This supports the ethnomedical claims of the use of plant in the management of epilepsy.
A Theoretical Recalibration of the Extragalactic H II Region Sequence

We have theoretically recalibrated the extragalactic H II region sequence and defined the theoretical boundary between objects excited by stars, and those exited by active galactic nuclei. We used both the PEGASE and STARBURST99 codes to generate the SED of the young star clusters, and MAPPINGS 3 to compute photoionization models which include a self-consistent treatment of dust physics and chemical depletion. We find that the two stellar spectral synthesis codes are in excellent agreement with each other for zero-age instantaneous age models. Also, the extragalactic H II region sequence is reproduced remarkably well by our models, provided that the clusters which excite them are all rather young (<2 Myr). This is most likely an observational selection effect. The line ratio usually used for measuring the ionization parameter, [O III] λ5007/[O II] λλ3726, 3729, is indeed a good diagnostic. Amongst other easily observed line ratios we found that the [N II] λλ6548, 6584/[O II] λλ3726, 3729 ratio gives the best diagnostic of abundance, as it is monotonic between 0.1 and over 3.0 times solar metallicity. The extragalactic H II regions are characterized by abundances 0.1-2.5 solar and ionization parameters in the range 107 < q < 108 (or U ≡ q/c in the range -3.5 < log U < -2.5).
Plant response to disturbance in a Mediterranean grassland: How many functional groups?

Data referring to changes in vegetation composition resulting from cattle exclosure and ploughing in a Portuguese pasture dominated by annuals were used to test hypotheses regarding the biology of species favoured or eliminated by disturbance in semi-natural herbaceous communities. These hypotheses were tested in two ways. First we compared the distribution of six a priori groups – grasses, small rosettes, large rosettes, small species with leafy stems, large species with leafy stems, legumes – across grazed, ploughed and undisturbed plots. In a second set of analyses we examined changes in the frequencies of individual biological attributes in response to grazing and ploughing. These analyses were carried out separately for grasses and dicot forbs. Overall, the species composition showed little response to either grazing or ploughing, though species dominance changed. This lack of responsiveness of species composition was attributed to the long history of intensive land use which has resulted in the loss of disturbance-intolerant species over entire landscapes. When considering a priori groups, small rosettes were indifferent to disturbance. grazing and ploughing showed that dominated. Large rosettes, large species with leafy stems and legumes were generally intolerant to both grazing and ploughing, though individual species may increase in response to disturbance. Small species with leafy stems were the only group favoured by grazing whereas ploughing favoured grasses. As to individual traits, grazing excluded large grass species with heavy seeds and promoted a flat rosette canopy structure and a small size, along with a moderate dormancy and protected inflorescences. In forbs, grazing favoured small species, as expected, while it excluded tall species, and, in contrast to earlier results, a rosette canopy. These attributes were consistent with responses of the a priori groups, though it would not have been possible to reconstruct groups directly from the attribute list. Ploughing had no effect on any of the forb traits. As to grass traits, flat- and short-statured species increased and heavy-seeded species decreased. Our analysis revealed two advantages of establishing plant functional classifications within life forms. Subgroups within forbs had contrasting types of behaviour. For the same trait patterns could differ within the grass group from within the forb group. Finally, this analysis emphasizes the need for plant functional classifications aiming at the identification of syndromes of co-occurring attributes rather than of lists of isolated traits of which actual combinations are not specified.
Effect of Methanolic Extract of Stem Bark of Anogeissus Leiocarpus on Liver Function of Mice Infected with Plasmodium Berghei

The effect of methanolic extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus on the liver funtion of Plasmodium berghe–infected mice was examined. Results showed that serum and liver alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin levels were higher in a group treated with 200 mg.kg−1 than those treated with 100 mg.kg−1. P. berghei infection caused noticeable liver impairment that was ameliorated by 100 mg.kg−1 of A. leiocarpus. Treatment of malaria with A. leiocarpus in doses higher than 200 mg.kg−1 body weight must be carefully monitored to avoid liver toxicity.
Changes in fish communities following recolonization of the Cedar River, WA, USA by Pacific salmon after 103 years of local extirpation

Migration barriers are a major reason for species loss and population decline of freshwater organisms. Significant efforts have been made to remove or provide passage around these barriers; however, our understanding of the ecological effects of these efforts is minimal. Installation of a fish passage facility at the Landsburg Dam, WA, USA provided migratory fish access to habitat from which they had been excluded for over 100 years. Relying on voluntary recruitment, we examined the effectiveness of this facility in restoring coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) salmon populations above the diversion, and whether reintroduction of native anadromous species affected the distribution and abundance of resident trout (O. mykiss and O. clarki). Before the ladder, late summer total salmonid (trout only) density increased with distance from the dam. This pattern was reversed after the ladder was opened, as total salmonid density (salmon + trout) approximately doubled in the three reaches closest to the dam. These changes were primarily due to the addition of coho, but small trout density also increased in lower reaches and decreased in upper reaches. A nearby source population, dispersal by adults and juveniles, low density of resident trout and high quality habitat above the barrier likely promoted rapid colonization of targeted species. Our results suggest that barrier removal creates an opportunity for migratory species to re‐establish populations leading to range expansion and potentially to increased population size. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volatile composition of the floral essential oil of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. from Nigeria

The chemical composition of essential oil obtained from the hydrodistillation of air-dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa L (Malvaceae) are reported. The components of the essential oils were analysed by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCMS). The major compounds identified in the essential oil were hexadecanoic acid (64.3%) and linoleic acid (22.7%).
Resposta de brócolis, couve-flor e repolho à adubação com boro em solo arenoso

The effects of boron fertilization on yield of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage were evaluated through a field experiment carried out on a sandy soil low in available boron. Five boron levels (0; 2; 4; 6; and 8 kg ha-1 B as borax) were applied in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage using a factorial scheme and a randomized block design with three replicates. Organic manure and chemical fertilizers, including borax, were applied in the planting furrow before seedlings transplant and plants were harvested 63 to 93 days after planting date. The yield intervals obtained with broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage varied according to the following intervals: 16.9 to 20.5 t ha-1, 21.6 to 29.6 t ha-1 and 40.5 to 46.3 t ha-1, respectively. The increase in production observed in broccoli and cabbage yield was linear with boron levels and the boron effect on cauliflower yield was quadratic. For maximum cauliflower yield (30 t ha-1) 5,1 kg ha-1 of B were necessary. Broccoli and cabbage were less sensible than cauliflower to boron deficiency and toxicity. Quality of the curds decreased when 2 or 6 kg ha-1 B were applied in cauliflower fertilization.
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety among China Chinese Students Undergoing the Laureate English Programme in INTI International University, Malaysia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between foreign language classroom anxiety (communication apprehension, test anxiety and fear of negative evaluation) among Mainland Chinese students undergoing the Laureate English Programme in INTI International University, Malaysia. The participants of this study consisted of 75 students (44 male students and 31 female students). The results showed female students have a higher value in all three components compared to male students. As for fear of negative evaluation, both male and female students showed a slight or almost no difference in the level of anxiety. The findings of this study might help teachers who are engaged in the programme to have a better grasp of how they could help the students lessen the level of foreign language classroom anxiety.
Host status of some broad bean, Vicia faba L., selections to reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis, under greenhouse conditions in Egypt

Twenty broad bean selections were screened for their relative susceptibility to the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis, under greenhouse conditions at 20 ± 5 °C. The degree of susceptibility was rated based on number of females per root system of each selection. Hence, G 3, L 47, L 49, L 52, L 57, L 71, L 92, L 99 and L 375 selections were graded as resistant hosts against the nematode infection and sex selections (G 429, L 13, L 16, L 24, L 31 and L 46) were categorised as moderately resistant. However, only the selection L 9 out of 20 selections was ranked as susceptible and four selections, namely L 50, L 101, L 241 and L 348, were rated as highly susceptible against R. reniformis infection. It was observed that reproduction of the nematode was favoured on highly susceptible and susceptible selections but inhibited on resistant ones. Therefore, all tested selections showed great variability in their reaction to the nematode infection according to the host type. Also, various plant growth parameters were discussed. Finally, the differences among the tested selections should serve as an informative resource for plant breeders and cropping systems to limit the loss due to the nematode infection.
Reverse dot‐blot detection of Thai β‐thalassaemia mutations

Summary. Pending curative therapy, newborn screening and prenatal diagnosis are essential to the management of (3 thalassaemia. Diagnosis using electrophoretic methods is difficult in the presence of composite phenotypes and high Hb F levels. Direct DNA detection of mutant alleles circumvents both problems, but the enormous diversity of β‐thalassaemia mutations poses challenges for this approach. Among PCR‐based tests, the reverse dot‐blot method enables screening several mutations with a single hybridization reaction. Unfortunately it has often been targeted to only the common mutations of a particular ethnic population, necessitating the use of more arduous detection methods for the less common mutations. We developed a reverse dot‐blot strip for the 10 β‐thalassaemia mutations, including the β‐thalassaemic haemoglobino‐pathies Hb E and Hb Malay, that account for 96% of j3 thalassaemia in Thailand, and another strip for six less common Thai mutations. The second strip precludes the need for more technically challenging methods. To avoid problems associated with secondary structure of amplified full‐length target DNA, we amplified and labelled β‐globin DNA as two shorter fragments that encompassed all known Thai mutations. Reverse dot‐blotting is a rapid, accurate method for detecting β‐thalassaemia mutations.
Analysis of the production of all homozygous lines of rainbow trout by gynogenesis

Homozygous gynogenetic (GE) rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were produced, using diploid gynogenesis with UV rays as an agent of sperm inactivation and heat shock as treatment for inhibition of first cleavage and restoration of diploid status. Their survival and growth performances were analysed in progenies from individual females, and compared with both diploid outbred control (D) and gynogenetics resulting from inhibition of meiosis II (GP). The homozygous status of GE fry was proved by electrophoretic control. Mean survival of GE groups was quite low (around 19% of D control at feeding start, vs. 63% in GP) but much depended on the founder female. A positive correlation was found between early survival of haploids and late survival of diploid GE fry from the same mother. Growth was also very reduced in both gynogenetics, though to a lesser extent (90 and 80% of D control at day 103 in GP and GE groups respectively).
Biphasic Effect of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on in Vitro Angiogenesis

Although the existence of an increasing number of angiogenesis-regulating cytokines is well documented, the response elicited by combinations of these cytokines is largely unknown. Using an in vitro model in which microvascular endothelial cells can be induced to form capillary-like tubes within three-dimensional collagen or fibrin gels, we have investigated the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. Endothelial cell invasion and capillary lumen formation were inhibited by TGF-beta 1 at relatively high concentrations (5-10 ng/ml), while lower concentrations (100 pg/ml-1 ng/ml) of TGF-beta 1 potentiated the effect of bFGF- and VEGF-induced invasion. The optimal potentiating effect was observed at 200-500 pg/ml TGF-beta 1. At invasion-potentiating doses of TGF-beta 1, lumen size in fibrin gels was markedly reduced compared to that in cultures treated with bFGF alone. These results show that TGF-beta 1 exerts a biphasic effect on bFGF- and VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vitro. Our studies support the notion that the nature of the angiogenic response elicited by a specific cytokine is contextual, i.e., depends on the presence and concentration of other cytokines in the pericellular environment of the responding endothelial cell.
Selected Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) Chewing Leaves Extract

Total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents of 21 Ethiopian khat (Catha edulis Forsk) leaves and their related antioxidant activities were determined in the extracts of the young leaves, matured leaves, and tips of tender stem near the young shoots. A simplified, rapid, and robust method was also optimized for the analysis of total tannins using ovalbumin as a precipitating agent and Folin Denis reagent as the quantification technique. Among the solvents tested, aqueous mixtures of 70 and 80% acetone and 80% methanol provided higher phenolic compounds extraction efficiency than the corresponding pure solvents and other binary mixtures. Results of the analysis revealed that total phenols ranged from 129 to 274 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of dried young leaves and 89.3 to 175 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of dried tender stem tips. Total tannin content ranged between 70.2−153 mg tannic acid equivalent/g and 49.4−103 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of the dried young leaves and tips of tender stems, respectively. Similarly, total flavonoids concentration as catechin equivalent varied between 26 to 75 and 26 to 56 mg catechin equivalent/g of dried young leaves and tips of tender stems, respectively. Khat cultivars were found to pose a substantial antioxidative activity (as ascorbic acid equivalent) ranging between 173−290 and 118−211 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g of dried young leaves and tips of tender stems near the young shoot, respectively. Matured leaves of khat accumulated a significantly lower concentration of secondary metabolites compared to the corresponding young leaves. This study reveals that khat leaves and tender stems accumulated a substantial amount of secondary metabolites, particularly tannins.