Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae fedArtemianauplii enriched with poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB): effect on growth performance, body composition, digestive enzymes, gut microbial community, gut histology and stress tests

The effects of feeding Artemia nauplii enriched with or without poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and/or highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae were investigated. Feeding larvae with PHB-enriched nauplii (PHB, PHB + HUFA) decreased the growth performance of the larvae. PHB affected the body composition by increasing the lipid content of the whole body and decreasing total saturated, monoenoic, n3, n6 and decosahexanoeic acid (DHA) in the larvae, indicating that the PHB addition affected lipid metabolism. A high activity of pepsin was observed in the digestive extracts of PHB treatments (PHB, PHB + HUFA), while PHB suppressed amylase activity in the intestine of the larvae. Based on molecular analysis, PHB changed the microbial community in the distal intestine of the larvae. The highest counts of goblet cells were observed in the HUFA-containing treatments (HUFA, PHB + HUFA), indicating that HUFA addition may improve the mucosal barrier defence system. The overall quality of the larvae was evaluated by exposing them to different salinities and ammonia stress levels. PHB decreased survival rates in these challenges. Our results show that optimal PHB doses for bio-encapsulation into Artemia remain to be determined for further application at the earliest larval stages of sturgeon.
MORPHOSTATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF MAASTRICHTIAN POPULATIONS OF GUEMBELITRIA FROM EL KEF, TUNISIA

Three species of Guembelitria with regular triserial arrangement are recognized in the late Maastrichtian, based on biometric measures of specimens from El Kef (Tunisia) and morphostatistical analysis. They are mainly recognized based on their test height and rate of increase in size of the chambers. Guembelitria blowi , nov. sp. is proposed for the short-spired morphotypes that were previously ascribed to Guembelitria trifolia. Guembelitria cretacea Cushman, 1933, is restricted to medium-spired morphotypes, and Guembelitria dammula Voloshina, 1961, to high-spired morphotypes. The three morphospecies have a papillate test surface, usually with pore-mounds, but some specimens exhibit imperforate papillae. The origin of this variability in the guembelitrid test surface might be linked to ecophenotypy or ontogeny, but the presence of cryptic species cannot be ruled out.
Eimeria caretta sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta (Testudines).

Eimeria caretta sp.nov. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from the feces of a stranded loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta (Testudines), rescued from the Atlantic coast near Jensen Beach, Hutchinson Island, Martin County, Florida. Oocysts are subspherical to ellipsoidal, 24.5 × 22.0 (21.4–28.0 × 18.4–24.0) μm, with a smooth, bilayered wall. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 14.3 × 8.9(12.8–16.0 × 8.2–10.0) μm, and possess a Stieda body but no substieda body. The Stieda body is unusual in that 12–20 long, thin filaments project from its surface. Sporozoites are elongate, each with two refractile bodies. The sporocyst residuum consists only of scattered granules. This coccidian is most similar to Eimeria filamentifera Wacha and Christiansen 1979 from the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, but differs because it possesses more numerous and elongate filaments associated with the Stieda body and lacks an oocyst residuum.
Resistance to Phytophthora Infestans in Three Solanum Nigrum F3 Families

Abstract Solanum nigrum is a self-pollinating, hexaploid weed and one of a few Solanaceae species native to Europe. It used to be described as a non-host for Phytophthora infestans. However, now it is known that, like its distant relatives: potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), S. nigrum can suffer from potato late blight caused by this pathogen. Both susceptible and resistant S. nigrum genotypes have been previously identified and inheritance of resistance originating from one accession has been described based on population of F2 plants and 15 F3 lines. The goal of this study was to evaluate resistance of three families of F3 lines, originating from crosses between a susceptible and three different resistant S. nigrum accessions followed by two self-pollinations. Parental accessions were tested for the spectrum of late blight resistance against 48 P. infestans isolates. The three families consisted of 106, 96 and 115 F3 lines, respectively, and from each line 20 plants were tested for resistance to P. infestans. Laboratory detached leaf assays were performed in two dates and two replications of three leaves each. Segregation of the trait within the line allowed us to distinguish hetero- and homozygous lines. In one F3 family, the ratio of resistant homozygotes: heterozygotes: susceptible homozygotes was 1:2:1, indicating that a single gene is most likely underlying the late blight resistance in this case. In the other two, observed segregations of the trait significantly deviated from this model suggesting more complex inheritance patterns.
Laboratory evaluation of certain natural compounds against the melon ladybird beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina F. attacking cucurbit plants

Neem Azal-T/S, Neudosan and Spruzit flüssig at different concentrations were evaluated against the second and fourth instar larvae of E. chrysomelina under laboratory conditions. In case of acute effects, the highest mortality was recorded when larvae were offered squash leaves treated with the highest concentration (2%) of Neem Azal-T/S, and the lowest mortality was, however recorded after treating them with the lowest concentration (0.25%). On the other hand, the second instar larvae were more susceptible to any compound at any concentration than the fourth instar one. One per cent Neudosan formulation showed the highest toxicity to both the 2nd and 4th instar larvae. As the concentration of this compound decreased the mortality percentage of treated larvae decreased to reach the minimum at the lowest concentration (0.25%). The same trend could be applied for Spruzit flüssig compound. When Neem Azal-T/S was compared with Neudosan, the later at any concentration was more toxic than the former. Generally, Neudosan and Spruzit flüssig seemed to be active against E. chrysomelina during the first three days after treatment, then, deterioration occurred among this compound. In case of latent effects, the duration of the treated fourth instar larvae of E. chrysomelina with any tested compound, was prolonged. An increase in the concentration caused prolongation of this period to reach the longest at the highest concentration. This prolongation, was more pronounced after Neem Azal-T/S treatment followed by Neudosan and Spruzit flüssig. The same trend could be applied for the duration of the pupal stage as being affected by the different concentrations of the tested compounds which were applied to the fourth instar larvae. However, adults of E. Chrysomelina treated as fourth instar larvae with high concentrations of Neem Azal-T/S showed some adult malformations. The sex ratios of adults produced from fourth instar larvae treated with different concentrations of the tested natural compounds were about 1 : 1, except for two cases; 1% Neudosan where the number of females were double the number of males and 0.5% Spruzit flüssig where the number of males were double the number of females. An increase in the concentration of any tested compound caused an obvious decrease in the percentage of emerged adults. The least emergence percentage was recorded in the case of Spruzit flüssig, followed by Neudosan and Neem Azal-T/S. Treating the fourth instar larvae with the different concentrations of the tested natural compounds significantly shortened the longevity of produced adults and decreased the fecundity.
IDENTIFICATION OF LEUKOCYTES IN HEALTHY RAT GINGIVAE BY ENDOGENOUS PEROXIDASE

Using the endogenous peroxidase reaction with the diaminobenzidine, I was possible to identify various types of leukocyte populations in the intercellular spaces of the junctional epithelium (JE) and adjacent connective tissue of healthy rat gingivae. Namely, neutrophils predominated, but monocytes and lymphocytes were few and eosinophils were very rare. No basophils were observed. Each leukocyte was identified by the number and shape of the peroxidase-positive and -negative granules at the electron microscopic level. Peroxidase was localized only in the azurophil granules of mature neutrophils and monocytes. The mature eosinophils also contained peroxidase only in the granules, which consisted of a peroxidase-positive matrix and a peroxidasenegative single discoid core in an equatorial position. No organellae of lymphocytes showed peroxidase-positive activity. In the inhibitory experiments for peroxidase of the identified leukocytes, 0.1 and 1 M KCN inhibited the peroxidase moderately and almost completely, but 0.01 M KCN and 0.01, 0.1 and 1 M 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AMT) had no inhibitory effect. The endogenous peroxidase in the granules of the leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, was sensitive to KCN but insensitive to AMT. Although I found no evidence of a direct effect of the peroxidase on foreign stimuli, my findings suggest that the various leukocytes always patrol the JE and adjacent connective tissue of the healthy rat gingivae to protect against foreign stimuli.
Male sterility in flowering plants: are plant growth substances involved?

Male sterility in flowering plants is of tremendous importance not only in molecular and developmental studies of stamen and pollen grains and evolutionary studies on the origin of dioecy, but also in its commercial application in hybrid seed production. This paper reviews the literature on the possible involvement of plant growth substances (PGSs) in male sterility, and in normal stamen and pollen development. Different experimental approaches on a number of male sterile systems and normal plants have shown that nearly all PGSs, i.e., gibberellins, cytokinins, auxin, abscisic acid, and ethylene, directly or indirectly influence the expression of male sterility. Analyses of endogenous PGSs have revealed that in male sterile plants the level and/or metabolism of more than one PGS is affected. These studies support the suggestion that it is the relative ratio of various PGSs, rather than any one substance, that is critical for normal stamen and pollen development. It is also proposed that gene-regulated male sterility is likely mediated through an altered balance of endogenous PGSs in developing flowers and stamens.
A critical assessment of ten years of on-the-ground sustainable forestry in eastern Ontario s settled landscape

Over the past 10 years, the Eastern Ontario Model Forest has been developed by partners and the local community as a means of involving a large and varied group of people in achieving sustainable forestry. In this settled landscape, with over one million residents and 88% private land ownership, involvement of local communities is a given. This critical assessment looks at outstanding issues, dynamics of the operating environment, key accomplishments and unexpected outcomes that have resulted, all in the context of Naturalized Knowledge Systems. Key words: Sustainable forestry, partnerships, criteria and indicators, state of the forest reporting, First Nations Forestry, naturalized knowledge systems, eastern Ontario
Isolation and ectopic expression of a bamboo MADS-box gene

A cDNA namedDlMADS18 was isolated from the young spikelets of the sweet bamboo,Dendrocalamus latiflorus by RACE. DNA sequence analysis showed thatDlMADS18 was composed of full ORF and 3′UTR, but without 5′UTR. The cDNA contained 1039 nucleotides and encoded a putative protein of 249 amino acid residues. The gene displayed the structure of a typical plant MADS box gene, which consisted of an MADS domain, K domain, a short I region, and the C-terminal region. Phylogenetic analysis of plant MADS box genes based on amino acid sequences revealed thatDlMADS18 was grouped into theAGAMOUS-LIKE 6 (AGL6)-like subfamily. It was most likely homologous to theOsMADS6 of rice (Oryza sativa), with 88% sequence identity for the entire amino acid sequences. TheDlMADS18 also showed relatively high amino acid sequence identity (59%) toAGL6 ofArabidopsis thaliana. To study the functions ofDlMADS18, DlMADS18 cDNA clone driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was transformed intoArabidopsis plants. Transgenic plants ofDlMADS18 exhibited the phenotypes of curled leaves, dwarfism, and early flowering with clustered terminal flowers. These results indicated thatDlMADS18 may probably be involved in controlling the flowering time ofD. latiflorus.
Size Selectivity and Bias in Estimates of Population Statistics of Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Northern Squawfish in a Columbia River Reservoir

Abstract We describe size selectivity of five types of gear, size selectivity in combined gear samples, and potential bias in estimates of population statistics of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui, walleye Stizostedion vitreum, and northern squawfish Ptychocheilus oregonensis in John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River. We sampled from 1983 to 1986 with two types of gill nets, boat electrofishers, trap nets, and rod and reel. Different gears selectively sampled different sizes of each species. Recapture rates indicated that different sizes of fish remained differentially vulnerable to capture even when samples from all gears were pooled. Vulnerability of smallmouth bass declined with increasing size. Vulnerability of walleye was not related to size. Vulnerability of northern squawfish increased with size. Size selectivity of gear resulted in estimates of abundance potentially biased by 2–16%, estimates of proportional stock density (size structure) biased by 11–46%, and estimates of annual rate of mo.
Species–habitat associations and demographic rates of forest trees

Niche-driven effects on demographic processes generated in response to habitat heterogeneity partly shape local distributions of species. Thus, tree distributions are commonly studied in relation to habitat conditions to understand how niche differentiation contributes to species coexistence in forest communities. Many such studies implicitly assume that local abundance reflects habitat suitability, and that abundance is relatively stable over time. We compared models based on abundance with those based on demographic performance for making inferences about habitat association for 287 tree species from three large dynamic plots located in tropical, subtropical and temperate forests. The correlation between the predictions of the abundance-based models and the demography-based models varied widely, with correlation coefficients ranging nearly from –1 to 1.This suggests that the two types of models capture different information about species–habitat associations. Demography-based models evaluate habitat quality by focusing on population processes and thus should be preferred for understanding responses of tree species to habitat conditions, especially when habitat conditions are changing and species–habitat interactions cannot be considered to be at equilibrium.
Biological Control of the Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in the Republic of Yemen Using Granulosis Virus: Propagation and Effectiveness of the Virus in Field Trials

A granulosis virus (PoGV) infecting the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, in the Republic of Yemen was evaluated for its use in an inundative approach to control this pest. In field trials on potatoes, the effectiveness of the virus was examined on-farm and on-station using an unpurified preparation (PoGV I) and a purified glycerine-formulated virus preparation (PoGV II). The virus infection and mortality of potato tuber moth larvae were dependent on the virus concentration applied. After application of 5 1012 occlusion bodies (OB) ha-1 of PoGV I, the proportion of virus-infected larvae increased, fluctuating between 26 and 39% 14-35 days after treatment. At a granulosis virus concentration of 5 1013 OB ha-1, clear symptoms of granulosis virus infection (milky white coloration and reduced vitality) were observed in larvae collected 11 days after treatment. A total of 70% of the fourth instar larvae collected 19 days after treatment with PoGV I were infected. Further observations revealed very hi.
Relations between acid atmospheric deposition and the surface pH of some ombrotrophic bogs in Britain

1 Analyses are presented of major ion concentrations in surface water samples, and exchangeable cations in peats, collected in November–December 1992 from 16 ombrotrophic bogs in England and Wales and one in Scotland, spanning most of the range from the lowest (Dartmoor, west Wales, west Highlands) to the highest (south Pennines, north Yorkshire) of the mean 1986–88 rainwater concentrations of hydrogen ions and non‐marine sulphate (NMS).
Genetic structure of Italian populations of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, the causal agent of corky root rot of tomato

Pyrenochaeta lycopersici is the causal agent of corky root rot, which is a serious disease worldwide that attacks the roots of tomato. A total of 139 isolates were sampled from eight locations in Italy and Israel and assigned to two molecular types (type 1 and type 2) based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. These isolates were genotyped using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to decipher the population structure. Based on this population structure analysis, three groups of P. lycopersici were identified. One group correlated to ITS type 1, while the other two correlated to ITS type 2. AMOVA indicated high genetic divergence (FST = 0� 40) between the Italian types 1 and 2. These data support the view that the two ITS types represent significant evolutionary entities, although there might be incomplete lineage sorting present. Some isolates of different ITS type were observed to have very similar multilocus AFLP profiles, and some genotypes were intermediate between the two ITS types. This suggests that parasexual hybridization between the two types has had a significant role in shaping the population structure of P. lycopersici. Finally, the average divergence among the populations within the ITS types was very high (FSC = 0� 710, P < 10 � 5 ), probably
Comment: Regulation of moose populations by wolf predation

We discuss regulation of moose (Alces alces) populations by wolves (Canis lupus) in the context of a recent article by Eberhardt (L.L. Eberhardt. 1997. Can. J. Zool. 75: 1940-1944), who contended t.
Quantifying Production of Salmon Fry in an Unscreened Irrigation System: A Case Study on the Rangitata River, New Zealand

Abstract Diversion of out-migrant juvenile salmon into unscreened irrigation and hydroelectric canals is thought to have contributed significantly to declining populations of anadromous salmonids in the Pacific Northwest but is seldom studied in detail. Here we describe a program to study the fate of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha fry diverted into the unscreened Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) on the Rangitata River, New Zealand, by trapping fish in a random sample of on-farm canals in irrigation schemes (systems) served by the RDR. The catch rate at a site 9 km below the intake was strongly related to Rangitata River flow, but catches further downstream were unrelated to flow. Most fish entering the RDR were fry or early postfry ( 70 mm FL), suggesting that many such fish became resident in the RDR for up to 3 months. Consequently, our estimate of the total number of fish leaving the RDR via on-farm c.
Emotion recognition using Speech Signal: A Review

- Speech is one of the most natural communications between human beings. Humans also express their emotion via written or spoken languages. Speech emotion is an important role to express the feeling of one’s expression. If one wants to understand the meaning of an utterance, it must be in proper emotion otherwise semantically utterance will go to the wrong direction and give wrong result. This Review paper includes different speech features consisting of fundamental frequency (f 0 ), energy signal, Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR), MFCC (Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficient), LPC (Linear Predictor Coefficient) along with the suitable classification schemes like DTW (Dynamic Time Wrapping), SVM (Support Vector Machine), GMM (Gaussian Mixture Model) and K-NN (K-Nearest Neighbour). Speech emotion recognition is particularly useful for applications which require natural man-machine interaction. Conclusion about the performance of speech emotion recognition system is discussed in the last section along with possible ways of improving speech emotion recognition systems.
Microbial Populations of Teat Ends of Dairy Cows, and Bedding Materials

Abstract The relationship between total coliform, klebsiella, streptococcal, and staphylococcal populations of common bedding materials and the organisms recoverable from the teat ends was investigated. Effects of sawdust, wood shavings, and wheat straw as bedding materials were studied in a 9 wk trial of Latin square design in which each of three five-cow groups was bedded for 3 wk on each of the beddings. Cows bedded on sawdust had greatest teat end populations of total coliforms and klebsiella. Streptococci were most numerous on straw-bedded cows. Staphylococci were more numerous on straw- and sawdust-bedded cows than on those bedded on shavings. These differences appeared to be related in a general way to bacterial populations in the beddings. Estimates of bacterial populations of both fresh and used beddings revealed differences among beddings. Differences among teat-swab counts of cow groups and among experimental periods indicated the importance of individual cow factors and uncontrolled environmental factors on teat end bacteria.