Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA LEAVES IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

Summary The present study was aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of Euphorbia hirta leaves extract in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of leaves of the E. hirta were orally tested at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 21 days in normal and alloxan induces diabetic mice and blood glucose level was measured with glucometer. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and total proteins levels were also evaluated in normal and alloxan induces diabetic mice. Oral administrations of the both extracts significantly decreased blood glucose level. Chronic effects of the extracts on serum biochemistry were also studied and it was found that serum cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase levels were decreased significantly by both the extracts and glibenclamide but HDL levels and total proteins were found to be increased after treatments.
Pollination density - effects on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in Betula pubescens Ehrh. in northern Sweden.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased pollination enhances the probability of'pollen competition'in Betula pubescent. In an in vitro test, the germination of pollen from three B. pubescens trees, increased with increasing pollen density (r2 = 0·82, 0·81 and 0·82, respectively). Pollen tubes grew at different rates in styles when testing different paternal/maternal combinations. Evidence was obtained to suggest that these differences might be attributed to both maternal and paternal effects. Further, increasing the number of tubes per style tended to increase the length of the longest tube per style, but had no significant effect on the mean length of the tubes. The r values, for the correlations of lengths with numbers of pollen tubes per style, were lower in two natural B pubescens populations than in the data from a controlled pollination experiment, is concluded that selection among male gametes may occur after supplementary pollination in B. pubescens, but in natural situations, pollen deposition is usually too low for pollen Selection to be a common occurrence.
Socio-economic analysis of sand smelt fishermen fishing boat owner of Iznik lake (Bursa/Turkey)

In this study, sand smelt production capacity of Iznik Lake, economical analysis of fisheries and socio-economical structure of fishermen was investigated. There are four fisheries cooperatives, two in A°znik and two in Orhangazi, active in the lake. Length of fishing boats used varied between 6.00 to 9.00 meter and all of them are motorized. Sand smelt fishermen ages ranged between 27-64 and among them 63.33% graduated from primary school, 20.00% from secondary school, 10.00% from high school, 6.67% from university. Fishermen can be categorized in two groups of dependence on fisheries. First group (33.67%) is belonging to high dependence group since their income is originating only from fishing and second group 63.33% is earning money from both fisheries and agriculture. 73.33 % of fishermen have a social security. Catching capital of fishermen in the lake consists of boat (45.45%) and fishing gear (54.55%). Calculated gross income from fisheries activities is approximately 36 167.00 and costs are 25 650.00 YTL for per fisherman. As a result, sand-smelt fishermen of the lake are working in a more professional way than fishermen of other lakes.
Screen space features for real-time hatching synthesis

In this paper we propose a real time hatching synthesis algorithm. Hatching lines are placed evenly in screen space, their direction and bending are controlled by screen space features that can describe the underlying geometry well. We examined several features that can be easily obtained using common render packages, or can be computed from common geometry data. These include lighting coeﬃcients, screen space depth or normal vectors, tone gradients, screen-projected projected normal vector directions, and the principal curvature directions. We examined several typical models to ﬁnd the strength and weakness of each approach. We implemented the algorithm on the GPU using OpenGL and GLSL shaders, and achieved real time performance.
Two strains of Gordonia terrae isolated from used engine oil- contaminated soil utilize short- to long-chain n-alkanes

degrade a wide range of hydrocarbon (HC) compounds. Samples were taken from soil contaminated with engine oil using mineral salt medium (MSM). Taxonomic classification of two isolates, using the Biolog Microbial Identification System, revealed that they are actinomycetes belonging to the suborder Corynebacterineae. Nucleotide sequences from amplified 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates (designated as G1 and G2) are two different strains of Gordonia terrae. The isolates are capable of degrading HCs specifically n-alkanes as demonstrated by HC utilization fingerprints and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCT MS) experiments. Their capability to grow on a wide range of saturated HCs is attributed to the presence of the alkane hydroxylase (alkB) gene. The isolation of these bacteria has added the limited number of species that are able to degrade shortto long-chain saturated alkanes.
LiDAR-supported estimation of change in forest biomass with time-invariant regression models

A single a priori chosen linear regression model with two alternative error structures is proposed for model-assisted (MA) and model-dependent (MD) estimation of state and change in aboveground tree biomass (AGB, Mg·ha−1) in three forest strata in the Valer forest in southeastern Norway. Field data of tree height and stem diameter were collected in 145 permanent 200 m2 circular plots. Concurrent LiDAR data were collected for the entire forest. The regression model includes two LiDAR-based explanatory variables: the mean of canopy height raised to a power of 1.5 and the standard deviation of canopy heights. A nearest-neighbour thinning of the 2010 LiDAR data to the density of the 1999 data was implemented to counter density effects in the explanatory variables. Estimates of change based on a single regression model were more accurate than estimating change from year-specific models (and no data thinning). A canopy height dependent correlated error structure was preferred over a partitioning of the error to.
Inhibition by EDTA of Growth of Lactobaclilus casel in the Folate Microbiological Assay and Its Reversal by

When we used plasma containing EDTA as an anticoagulant, the growth of Lacto bacillus casei was inhibited in the folate microbiological assay involving use of 300 p.L of assay mixture in a 96-well microtiter plate (1-3). We postulated that this inhibition was caused by EDTA chelation of manganese, iron, and magnesium ions, all of which are essential for growth of L. casei (4, 5). The singlestrength medium manufactured by Difco Laboratories (Detroit, MI) contains manganese, iron, and magnesium in concentrations of 25, 20, and 450 /LmolIL, respectively. Therefore, we tested the effect of adding either manganese, iron, or magnesium to the medium to reverse the growth inhibition of L. casei caused by EDTA. Figure 1 (top) shows L. casei response curves to (6S)-5HCO-H4PteGlu with various concentrations of EDTA. Inhibition of L. casei growth became obvious at an EDTA concentration of 0.65 mmollL. We considered that 2.6 mmol of EDTA per liter would be the maximum concentration possible if we used 50 tL of plasma per assay from 4.0 mL of whole blood drawn into a tube containing 10.5 mg of disodium EDTA. Addition of manganese or iron to the assay mixture restored the full growth of L. casei in the
EVIDENCE FOR CAROTENOID PIGMENTS IN THE FACIAL BANDS OF TWO MANGROVE CRAB SPECIES FROM SINGAPORE

The blue-green facial bands in two species of mangrove crabs, Perisesarma eumolpe (De Man) and Perisesarma indiarum (Tweedie) (Fig. 1), are known to be important in mate and/or species recognition and are believed to convey the physical 'quality' of the individual. For colour to be an effective indicator of quality, there has to be a direct production cost of the colour. Carotenoid-based pigments in animals fulfill these criteria. Being unable to biosynthesize carotenoids de novo, animals rely on dietary supply to achieve carotenoid-based pigmentation; therefore their presence can reflect foraging ability. Facial band tissues of Perisesarma eumolpe and Perisesarma indiarum were extracted and analysed for carotenoids using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results confirm the presence of carotenoids in the facial bands of both species.
MOBILE ANESTHESIA UNIT FOR IMPLANTING RADIOTRANSMITTERS IN BIRDS IN THE FIELD

Abstract We designed a mobile anesthesia unit for surgically implanting radio transmitters in birds in the field. This minimizes the amount of time individuals undergoing the procedure are kept from their normal activities. Two units were designed and tested. In 2000, we successfully implanted radio transmitters in 40 white-winged doves in Kingsville, Texas, using a surgical unit carried in the bed of a truck. In 2002, we successfully implanted 39 white-winged doves in Waco, Texas, using a surgical unit carried in the cargo area of a minivan. The success of both trials indicates this method has great potential for use for numerous avian species while minimizing impacts to individuals being studied.
The effect of breeding success on nest and colony fidelity in the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) in Otago, New Zealand

Abstract Both individual breeding success and breeding success of conspecifics can be used to indicate breeding-site quality and thus to determine site fidelity. Using data taken from two adjacent colonies differing in quality, we studied site fidelity of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) at two spatial scales: the nest and the colony. We tested for the effect of individual breeding success, nest type (natural and nest boxes) and mate change on nest fidelity. Nest fidelity was highest for penguins with high breeding success and for those that bred with the same partner as in the previous year. Within the same colony, penguins were more faithful to boxes than to natural nests. We tested for the effect of both individual and conspecific breeding success on colony fidelity. Over the five years of study, there were no recorded movements of breeding birds between the two study colonies. There was no evidence for any effect of conspecific breeding success on colony fidelity. Individual breeding success was found to have an effect on colony fidelity: successful breeders were more likely than unsuccessful breeders to return to breed in the colony the subsequent year.
Route Use and Survival of Juvenile Chinook Salmon through the San Joaquin River Delta

Abstract The survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon through the lower San Joaquin River and Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta in California was estimated using acoustic tags in the spring of 2009 and 2010. The focus was on route use and survival within two major routes through the Delta: the San Joaquin River, which skirts most of the interior Delta to the east, and the Old River, a distributary of the San Joaquin River leading to federal and state water export facilities that pump water out of the Delta. The estimated probability of using the Old River route was 0.47 in both 2009 and 2010. Survival through the southern (i.e., upstream) portion of the Delta was very low in 2009, estimated at 0.06, and there was no significant difference between the Old River and San Joaquin River routes. Estimated survival through the Southern Delta was considerably higher in 2010 (0.56), being higher in the Old River route than in the San Joaquin route. Total estimated survival through the entire Delta (estimated only in 2.
Thermosensitive period for sexual differentiation of the gonads of the flatback turtle (Natator depressus Garman)

Temperature-dependent sex determination has previously been reported for the flatback turtle (Natator depressus). The present study investigates the thermosensitive embryonic developmental stages for the sexual differentiation of this species. Groups of eggs incubated initially at constant temperatures of 26, 29 and 32°C were shifted once during incubation from either a constant masculinising temperature (26 or 29°C) to a constant feminising temperature (32°C) or vice versa. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that the effect of temperature and the timing of the thermosensitive period are dependent upon the specific temperature utilised during incubation. The thermosensitive developmental stages at masculinising temperatures were different to those of feminising temperatures. For the 26 to 32°C temperature shift, the thermosensitive period was confined to a single developmental stage (Stage 24). Ovarian development was determined at a later developmental stage than testicular development.
Association Mapping of Endosperm Colour in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum).

Association mapping (AM), based on linkage disequilibrium, is a complementary strategy to traditional quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for describing associations between genotypes and phenotypes in crop plants. Yellow endosperm colour, an important quality trait in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum), was studied to determine the potential of AM to (1) identify previously reported QTL using a genome wide scan and (2) to determine allelic association of the phytoene synthase 1 (Psy1) gene using a candidate gene analysis. At present, a number of QTL for endosperm colour have been identified, and phytoene synthase, the initial enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, has been associated with QTL on the group 7 chromosomes which are considered to play a significant role in expression of yellow pigment concentration. CIE 1976 b*, a light reflectance measurement, and water-saturated butanol extracted pigments were assessed on a collection of 93 elite accessions from a variety of geographic origins, and genotyped with 245 markers. Population structure was assessed using genetic distance and Bayesian model based approaches, identifying five subpopulations consistent with breeding origin and pedigree. Association analysis identified significant associations with yellow endosperm colour on all chromosomes, including several previously identified QTL as well as new regions for genomic dissection. Pairwise LD mapping of Psy1-B1 and Psy1-A1 located the genes to chromosomes 7B and 7A respectively, to regions which have previously been identified for yellow pigment concentration QTL. The results of this study indicate that AM can be used to complement traditional QTL mapping techniques, and identify novel QTL for further study.
Using Variational and PDE Methods for the Existence of Origami Models with Given Boundary Conditions

A tool based upon PDEs is developed to investigate the existence of an Origami model satisfying given boundary conditions. A mapping giving an Origami model is characterized by the condition of local rigidity, corresponding to a first-order system of nonlinear PDEs, which is solved subject to the prescribed boundary conditions. The variational approach is to minimize the equation residual plus vanishing regularization. The resulting optimality condition is solved by a steepest descent evolution equation. The discretization employs finite elements on unstructured grids conforming to the irregularity of a solution emerging near a fold. Existence of minimizers is proved together with the convergence of minimizers with vanishing regularization to an Origami model, provided one exists with the given boundary conditions.
Utilization of intron-flanking est-specific markers in the phylogenetic analysis and parentage identification of Rhododendron species and hybrids

Intron length polymorphisms were used to investigate relationships among eight Rhododendron L. species (R. catawbiense Michaux., R. minus Michaux., R. ponticum L., R. keiskei Miquel., R. arboreum Sm., R. dichroanthum Diels., ssp. scyphocalyx Cowan., R. maximum L. and R. dauricum L.) and two hybrid cultivars (i.e., R. 'PJM' (R. minus var. minus x R. dauricum) and R. 'Chionoides' (R. ponticum x unknown)). A total of 27 of these markers were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among the species and draw inferences about the parentage of the cultivars, which is partially unknown. In general the expressed sequence tag-polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) marker-based phylogenetic map of the eight species is congruent with the currently accepted morphology-based classifi cation of these species at the subgenus as well as the section level. However, the constructed phylogenetic tree revealed that, at the subsection level, two species, R. arboreum (subsection Arborea Sleum.) and R. dichroanthum (subsection Neriifl ora Sleum.), are grouped under the same "clade" (80% bootstrap score), suggesting that these species are more closely related than indicated in the current classifi cation system that places them in separate subsections/clades. Moreover, our phylogenetic analysis of the three species belonging to section Ponticum G. Don. demonstrated a closer phyloge- netic relationship between R. ponticum and R. maximum (bootstrap score of 74%) than between these species and R. catawbiense; such observation is consistent with a recent phylogenetic analysis of section Ponticum by Milne (2004) using the sequences of a chloroplast gene. Parentage analysis for the two cultivars confi rmed the interspecifi c lineage of R. 'PJM' and provided genetic support for the speculated R. ponticum and R. maximum parentage of R. 'Chionoides'. Our results indicate that, in addition to their use in mapping studies, intron-fl anking EST-based PCR markers are valuable tools for conducting phylogenetic and parentage analyses and/or gene fl ow studies.
Dynamics of Polynesian Subsistence: Insights from Archaeofauna and Stable Isotope Studies, Aitutaki, Southern Cook Islands1

Abstract: Human colonists of Remote Oceania readily took advantage of the naive virgin fauna encountered on previously uninhabited islands, a bounty that was quickly depleted. Subsequent developments in Polynesian subsistence economies were more subtle, varied, and complex. These features are illustrated in a comparison of two quite different subsistence archives from the postcolonization period: archaeofaunal assemblages and stable isotope (&dgr;13C and &dgr;15N) records of humans, pigs, and dogs from the same archaeological contexts. The samples come from four stratified sites, with a total of 22 distinct occupational strata that represent a 600-year period on the small (18.4 km2) almost-atoll of Aitutaki in the southern Cook Islands. Benefits and challenges of integrating these quite different records are considered in the context of specific findings, with implications for subsistence studies elsewhere. In particular, differences in formation processes, taxonomic resolution, and contrasting spatial and temporal scales represented by each record are highlighted. A complex, multiscalar picture of subsistence change emerges, showing variability within and across the three species and the two subsistence archives. Findings support prior interpretations that established (not colonial) settlements are represented by the currently known Aitutaki archaeological record. Within the relatively stable and largely anthropogenic food web, humans occupy a central position throughout the sequence. Through time, a reduction in fishing and decreased consumption of marine carnivores is indicated; these changes are likely to be an outcome of both repeated storm events and considerable shoreline disruption in the fourteenth century A.D., and cultural decisions about the relative costs and benefits of various fishing activities vis-à-vis other subsistence needs. An apparent reduction in variability of pig diets in late prehistory could reflect interspecific competition between pigs and their human managers, although small sample sizes constrain interpretations. Overall, use of two quite different subsistence archives provides a more robust, but also more complex, view of subsistence change across individuals and communities on Aitutaki.
The timing and synchrony of seasonal breeding in the marsupial, Antechinus stuartii: interaction of environmental and social cues

Antechinus sp. have a short, highly synchronous, annual winter breeding season. Females are sexually receptive for approximately three weeks but ovulations of most females of a population occur within three or four days. In order to investigate the cues used for the timing and synchronization of this seasonal breeding, male and female A. stuartii were kept under two artificial photoperiod conditions and under four social conditions. An artificial long-day photoperiod inhibited reproduction for both males and females but short days did not facilitate breeding for either. Short-day photoperiod reduced and slightly delayed the normal seasonal rise in androgen concentrations of the males. Isolated females in natural photoperiod ovulated asynchronously, whereas isolated females which received pheromonal cues from urine and feces from females housed with other females ovulated in synchrony with them. These social cues mediating the synchrony of ovulation could not control the timing of seasonal breeding in the absence of the proper endogenous and environmental cues. The latter cues, however, did not allow for very precise timing.
Physiology of Mycorrhizal Relations in Plants

For a deeper insight into the physiology of mycorrhizal relations it is necessary to investigate not only the mycorrhizal associations but also their associate partners. Although mycorrhizae occur in most higher plants, their physiology has been studied extensively only in orchids and some forest trees. Since 1936, when Burgeff (15a) published his last work on the mycorrhizal relationships in orchids, only a few contributions concerning this subject have appeared. Recent investigations have been limited largely to the ectotrophic and ectendotrophic mycorrhizae in forest trees. The earlier literature concerned with studies on mycorrhizal relations in plants has been reviewed comprehensively by Rayner (106) and Hatch (43). A general review of these problems was recently written by Kelley (48) while Harley has reviewed some aspects of ectotrophic mycorrhizae (38) and of endotrophic mycorrhizae (39), respectively.
Isolation and characterization of an antimicrobial endophytic bacterium ME-2 from mulberry twig in China

An antimicrobial endophytic bacterium strain, ME-2, was isolated from fresh mulberry twig tissues, and was identified. In addition, antimicrobial activities of the isolated strain were evaluated against Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Beauveria bassiana and Mycoid bacillus using the antagonism test method. The results showed that, strain ME-2 was gram-positive, aerobic, motile, nitrate-reduction-positive, spore-formation-positive, methyl-red-negative, 0.6-0.7 × 1.5-1.6 μm long and rods. The strain could utilize D-glucose, D-lactose, sucrose, starch, citrate, gelatin and casein, and it was slightly halophilic with growth occurring at 10% (w/v) NaCl. According to the morphological, biochemical and physiological properties and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene, the strain was identified as Bacillus subtili (GeneBank accession No. JQ900623). Moreover, the results also showed that strain ME-2 exhibited strong antimicrobial activities against B. thuringiensis (76.0%), E. coli (69.8%), S. aureus (45.8%), B. bassiana (64.2%) and M. bacillus (86.3%). It was concluded that, strain ME-2 and its antimicrobial materials might be considered as a potential antimicrobial agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.