Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Requirements of Pleurotus florida (Mont.) Singer, A Nigerian Mushroom

The requirements for mycelial growth of Pleurotus florida, a Nigerian edible mushroom was carried out. The carbon nitrogen ratio of 5:1 was found to be the most suitable for the vegetative growth followed by 4:1 ratio and the least was 1:5. The most suitable vitamin for the mycelial growth was thiamine followed by pyridoxine while the least was cobalamine. With regard to phytohormones, gibberellic acid was found to be the best for the mycelial growth followed by indole acetic acid (IAA) while the poorest was 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. Calcium was found to be the best required macro nutrient while zinc was the best micronutrient. The implication of these results was discussed.
Interpopulation variation in Chrysoperla carnea reproduction: implications for mass‐rearing and storage

To determine whether diverse populations and biotypes of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) can be mass‐produced and stored under uniform conditions, we assessed reproduction in five North American populations, four from the carnea biotype and one from the mohave biotype. Non‐diapause adults from the carnea biotype varied significantly in only one aspect of reproduction, viz., the preoviposition period, whereas the duration and rate of oviposition, as well as fecundity, did not vary significantly. Relative to the carnea populations, the mohave population typically had delayed oviposition and a lower rate of oviposition; however, its oviposition period was long, and thus its fecundity differed only from that of the most productive carnea populations.
Genetic Relationships among Selected Crested Wheatgrass Cultivars and Species Determined on the Basis of AFLP Markers

The crested wheatgrass complex (Agropyron spp. Gaertn) consists of persistent, drought tolerant, tussock grasses, which originate from the steppes of central Asia and are of importance as range grasses on the Great Plains of North America. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to examine the interpopulation relationships and to compare variances within and among 12 populations from four Agropyron spp. [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn, Agropyron desertorum (Fisch ex Link) Schlut, Agropyron fragile (Roth) Candargy and Agropyron mongolicum Keng. ] and two interspecific hybrid populations. Euclidean distances were calculated on the basis of marker polymorphism and a cluster analysis was performed on these populations. Fairway, Parkway, and S9240 grouped closely, and it is likely that these are the only true A. cristatum populations included in this study. Hycrest, CD-II, and Kirk grouped loosely between A. cristatum and A. desertorum. This confirms the hybrid nature of Hycrest and CD-II but may indicate that Kirk is incorrectly classified as A. cristatum, but is rather a hybrid. Agropyron desertorum cv. Nordan clustered loosely between A. cristatum and A. mongolicum, which is in agreement with the suggestion that A. desertorum is an alloploid of A. cristatum and A. mongolicum. The cultivars Vavilov, Douglas, and Ephraim clustered with A. desertorum. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was conducted on 15 individuals from six of the populations (Fairway, Parkway, S9240, Kirk, Hycrest, and Nordan). The majority (88%) of the AFLP variance was within populations, which was expected in these outcrossing populations; however, significant differences were still detected among all six populations. Relationships among the six genotypes were the same for the bulk and individual plant (AMOVA) analysis, suggesting that bulked samples can be used for phylogenic studies of different populations.
Mapping cumulative human impacts to California Current marine ecosystems

Quantitative assessment of the spatial patterns of all human uses of the oceans and their cumulative effects is needed for implementing ecosystem‐based management, marine protected areas, and ocean zoning. Here, we apply methods developed to map cumulative impacts globally to the California Current using more comprehensive and higher‐quality data for 25 human activities and 19 marine ecosystems. This analysis indicates where protection and threat mitigation are most needed in the California Current and reveals that coastal ecosystems near high human population density and the continental shelves off Oregon and Washington are the most heavily impacted, climate change is the top threat, and impacts from multiple threats are ubiquitous. Remarkably, these results were highly spatially correlated with the global results for this region (R2= 0.92), suggesting that the global model provides guidance to areas without local data or resources to conduct similar regional‐scale analyses.
Operation and function of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the illuminated leaf

Respiratory activity of plants in the light, measured as carbon dioxide release from the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle or oxygen consumption by the respiratory chain, is generally reported to lie between 25 and 100% of that in the dark. While this has been interpreted as evidence for an inhibition of respiration during photosynthesis, an increasing body of evidence indicates that mitochondrial respiration plays an important role in photosynthetic tissues. Historically, the view from experiments using specific respiratory inhibitors has been that oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria provides the cytosol with adenosine triphosphate even in the light. However, functioning of TCA cycle reactions is also required for the export of carbon skeletons necessary for nitrate reduction in the cytosol. In addition, export of TCA cycle-derived reducing equivalents may also be necessary for photorespiration (for hydroxypyruvate reduction in the peroxisomes). The work with respiratory inhibitors has recently been complemented by a range of transgenic experiments that provide direct evidence for the importance of the TCA cycle in the illuminated leaves. These transgenesis experiments hint at an important role for ascorbate in coordinating the major pathways of energy metabolism within the leaf and are in keeping with current thinking that redox signals emanating from the mitochondria are important in setting the cellular machinery to maintain overall redox balance. In this review we intend to synthesize recent experimental data to postulate a model of the function of the TCA cycle in the illuminated leaf.
Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the large‐billed scrubwren (Sericornis magnirostris)

We isolated 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the large-billed scrubwren Sericornis magnirostris from genomic libraries enriched for (AAGG)(n) and (AACC)(n) repetitive elements and characterized them in 11 individuals. The number of alleles ranged from four to 15 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.14 to 0.91. These markers will be useful to address questions concerning population genetic structure and models of speciation.
Cougar population characteristics in southeastern British Columbia

We studied a cougar (Puma concolor) population from May 1985 to November 1987 on a 540-km 2 study area in southeastern British Columbia (BC) to collect detailed ecological data to assist in refining regional species management. We used capture-recapture and radiotelemetry techniques, observed 34 different cougars, and estimated winter population densities of 3.5 cougars/100 km 2 (1985-86) and 3.7 cougars/100 km 2 (1986-87). Sex ratios of 20 kittens and 12 adults did not differ significantly from equality (P > 0.05). Kittens made up 55-58% of the population each winter. Mean litter size was 3.1 ± 1.2 [SD] kittens/litter (n = 7). Birth intervals were 15-23 months. Eight juveniles dispersed 12-163 km from the study area. Mortality was 5.3% of the population the first winter, and 15% the second winter. Four of 7 mortalities were human-related (vehicular) despite the area being closed to hunting. Home range sizes of 4 resident females were 31 ± 10 km 2 [SD] in winter, 35 km 2 ± 14 in summer, and 55 km 2 ± 25 yearly with low or no home range overlap. Two resident males yearly home ranges averaged 151 km 2 . No male home range overlap was documented.
Aerial emissions from poultry production

Aerial emissions from poultry production may affect bird performance, cause respiratory ill health in stockmen and are a source of environmental pollutants. Recent measurements of the concentrations in, and emissions from, poultry houses are presented. Control of aerial emissions must be integrated with other environmental parameters that determine the profitability and sustainability of poultry production.
Genetic indicators of herbicide stress in the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas under experimental conditions

This study examined use of the oyster Crassostrea gigas as a bioindicator of experimental pollution caused by two concentrations of five pesticides (atrazine, isoproturon, alachlore, metolachlore, and diuron) used in agricultural and urban activities. The effect of these pesticides on the genetic structure of the marine bivalve was studied as part of an environmental biomonitoring project. This research was performed on two natural estuarine populations sampled along the French Atlantic coast as part of an ongoing monitoring program to survey the ecosystem of Brittany using two approaches: identifying the genetic markers based on the alleles and genotypes associated with pollution effects, and searching for a correlation between these markers and the sensitivity or tolerance of individuals under stress conditions. Results indicate a differential survival of individuals subjected to the various pollutants examined. The sensitivity of alleles and genotypes to environmental stress can be assessed based on the significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies observed between resistant and sensitive individuals when subjected to the pesticides. This genetic study included examination of five enzyme systems (Ak, Pgi, Cap, Pgm, and Mdh) involved in physiologic processes. A total of six alleles and five genotypes at three loci (Ak, Pgi, and Pgm) were identified as being markers of resistance or sensitivity. It is hypothesized that these markers could be used as potential genetic markers in estuarine ecosystem monitoring.
Control of Phellinusweirii in Douglas-fir stumps by the fumigants chloropicrin, allyl alcohol, Vapam, or Vorlex

Four fumigants (chloropicrin, allyl alcohol, Vapam, and Vorlex), applied to holes in Phellinusweirii (Murr.) Gilb. infested Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stumps, eliminated the fungus from the stumps and most roots. No significant difference in effectiveness was noted among the chemicals. Stump size and condition were probably the factors which most influenced the effectiveness of the treatments. Fumigants merit further study for eliminating P. weirii from stumps and roots of Douglas-fir to reduce losses from this fungus.
The role of cuticular waxes and surface roughness in determining the insecticidal efficacy of deltamethrin and dimethoate applied as emulsifiable concentrates to leaf surfaces

Abstract Previous work has shown that insecticide residual toxicity to arthropods on foliage varies strongly with leaf type. Although several aspects of leaf morphology could influence insecticide toxicity, the possible role of leaf waxes, which could influence bioavailability, has not previously been investigated. In this study, the influence of leaf wax cover on the residual toxicity of deltamethrin and dimethoate was investigated using the standard test arthropod Folsomia candida Willem (Collembola: Isotomidae) as a surrogate for soft-bodied leaf-dwelling insects. Sixteen leaf types were studied, representing a wide range of crop species. Deltamethrin efficacy increased with increasing leaf surface wax cover. No such relationship was observed, however, for the more polar insecticide dimethoate. Leaf surface roughness was examined using atomic force microscopy and was also observed to influence the efficacy of deltamethrin. The increased efficacy of deltamethrin may be attributed in part to the acquisition of insecticide-contaminated wax particles by F. candida walking over treated leaf surfaces. We provide a regression equation to describe the relationship between wax content, surface roughness and the response of F. candida to deltamethrin-treated leaf surfaces. We discuss the implications of our findings for the risk assessment of pesticides in IPM, in particular concerning the choice of leaf substrates for use in toxicity screening tests with natural enemies.
Revision of the genus Vadumasonium Kammerer (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae)

The genus Vadumasonium Kammerer, 2006 (Braconidae: Brachistinae: Diospilini), formerly known only from the Nearctic region, is revised and a second species is described from England and Germany: V. vardyorum sp. n. The genus is new to the Palaearctic region and we report the first host record for the genus. A key to similar genera of the Diospilini and to both species is given.
Geographic allozyme variation in Atlantic white-cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (Cupressaceae)

Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P. is an important wetland tree species occurring along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Substantial decline over the past two centuries has led to interest in the geographic pattern of genetic variation of the species, as it affects both restoration and ongoing management. We examined the extent and distribution of allozyme variation among 31 populations throughout the species' range. Averaged across populations, the mean number of alleles per locus (A) was 1.94, the effective number of alleles per locus (Ae) was 1.31, expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.16, and the proportion of polymorphic loci (P) was 63.6%. Significant population differentiation was apparent, with FST = 0.085. Using analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), we were able to ascribe 6% of the total variation to differences between varieties. We identified three main geographical regions: (1) Atlantic Coastal, (2) peninsular Florida, and (3) Gulf Coast. Within the Gulf Coast region, three s.
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease in New Zealand: field test of a disease-host model

An earlier published model, parameterised from qualitative data from Europe and detailed observations of the first simple epidemic in Australia, gave a good fit to longer-term (3 year) data from New Zealand, without any re-tuning of parameters. Changing some of the unknown disease parameters further improved the model's fit, but two problems remained. Firstly, predicted proportions seropositive are too high if rabbit densities are as low as observed, and if the proportions seropositive are correct then the predicted densities are too high. Secondly, observed rabbit densities do not show obvious peaks of recruitment, as predicted by the model with and without RHD. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are suggested, and initial trials with the model suggested that a novel transmission mechanism involving both direct (rabbit to rabbit) and indirect (via free-living virus) transmission may help explain both high suppression and low antibody levels. The main conclusions from the original model remain unaffected by its testing against new data, namely: rabbit populations are likely to be suppressed in the long term by about 75%; the pattern of epidemics is determined largely by intrinsic disease behaviour rather than seasonality, though the latter may tune this to some extent; there tend to be yearly epidemics; percentages of rabbits infected at any one time are low (around 5%) but this does not imply low impact; maternal antibodies have little effect on RHD dynamics; RHD may persist in low-density as well as high-density populations but give less suppression; and additional control may eradicate disease, at least temporarily.
Splice variant 3, but not 2 of receptor protein‐tyrosine phosphatase σ can mediate stimulation of insulin‐secretion by α‐latrotoxin

α‐latrotoxin (α‐LTX) binds to several cell surface receptors including receptor protein‐tyrosine phosphatase σ (RPTPσ). Here we demonstrate that transient overexpression of the short splice variant 3 conferred α‐LTX induced secretion to hamster insulinoma (HIT‐15) cells. In contrast, the long splice variant 2 containing four additional extracellular fibronectin‐III domains was inactive in secretion or in a single cell assay. Toxin‐sensitive (MIN6) and toxin‐insensitive (HIT‐T15) insulinoma cell lines as well as PC12 cells expressed similar amounts of endogenous short RPTPσ splice variant suggesting that this receptor does not play a role for toxin‐sensitivity. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capture Myopathy - 2 Techniques for Estimating Its Prevalence and Severity in Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus

Two field techniques (pathology score and necrosis score) are presented for estimating the prevalence and severity of capture myopathy in red kangaroos, Macropus rufus. Both are based on the amount of necrotic (pale) muscle found in a carcass at post-mortem examination. These techniques are compared for 232 experimental animals. Results indicate that either technique will provide a satisfactory assessment of the severity of capture myopathy. The necrosis score technique also provides quantitative data on distribution of the necrotic muscle in the carcass. A relationship between the amount of necrotic muscle and the clinical consequences for a kangaroo is also demonstrated.
Researches on gastric interdigestive pressure activity: methods, analysis and interpretation.

Aims: To give researches on gastric interdigestive pressure activity, including gastrointestinal (GI) physiological motility recording method, data processing and analysis method, as well as to give reasonable interpretation on how to generate such gastric pressure activity. Study design: Basic application study. Place and Duration of Study: School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), between June 2010 and October 2011. Methodology: We introduced a telemetric method to get the gastric physiological pressure activity inside the GI tract and the general process for processing such gastric Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) pressure activity including the process of abnormal value removing, medians of five-three-Hanning (53H) weighted average smoothing, and the fluctuation frequency estimation. Results: Using the process of abnormal value removing, medians of five-three-Hanning (53H) weighted average smoothing, and the fluctuation frequency estimation, we well obtained gastric interdigestive pressure activity (MMC). Conclusion: The methods introduced in the paper including abnormal value removing, the 53H weighted average smoothing, and the fluctuation frequency estimation were helpful for researches on gastric interdigestive pressure activity. Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 2(2): 122-131, 2012 123
Identification and Quantification of Protein Glycosylation

Glycosylation is one of the most abundant posttranslation modifications of proteins, and accumulating evidence indicate that the vast majority of proteins in eukaryotes are glycosylated. Glycosylation plays a role in protein folding, interaction, stability, and mobility, as well as in signal transduction. Thus, by regulating protein activity, glycosylation is involved in the normal functioning of the cell and in the development of diseases. Indeed, in the past few decades there has been a growing realization of the importance of protein glycosylation, as aberrant glycosylation has been implicated in metabolic, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic diseases. Thus, the identification and quantification of protein-borne oligosaccharides have become increasingly important both in the basic sciences of biochemistry and glycobiology and in the applicative sciences, particularly biomedicine and biotechnology. Here, we review the state-of-the-art methodologies for the identification and quantification of oligosaccharides, specifically N- and O-glycosylated proteins.
Molecular tools to investigate Rhizoctonia solani distribution in soil

Real-time PCR protocols were developed to detect and discriminate 11 anastomosis groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia solani using ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (AG-1-IA, AG-1-IC, AG-2-1, AG-2-2, AG-4HGI+II, AG-4HGIII, AG-8) or β-tubulin (AG-3, AG-4HGII, AG-5 and AG-9) sequences. All real-time assays were target group specific, except AG-2-2, which showed a weak cross-reaction with AG-2tabac. In addition, methods were developed for the high throughput extraction of DNA from soil and compost samples. The DNA extraction method was used with the AG-2-1 assay and shown to be quantitative with a detection threshold of 10−7 g of R. solani per g of soil. A similar DNA extraction efficiency was observed for samples from three contrasting soil types. The developed methods were then used to investigate the spatial distribution of R. solani AG-2-1 in field soils. Soil from shallow depths of a field planted with Brassica oleracea tested positive for R. solani AG-2-1 more frequently than soil collected from greater depths. Quantification of R. solani inoculum in field samples proved challenging due to low levels of inoculum in naturally occurring soils. The potential uses of real-time PCR and DNA extraction protocols to investigate the epidemiology of R. solani are discussed.
Ecological correlates of the threat of extinction in Neotropical bird species

Predicting the threat of extinction aids efficient distribution of conservation resources. This paper utilises a comparative macroecological approach to investigate the threat of extinction in Neotropical birds. Data on ecological variables for 1708 species are analysed using stepwise regression to produce minimum adequate models, first using raw species values and then using independent contrasts (to control for phylogenetic effects). The models differ, suggesting phylogeny has significant effects. The raw species analysis reveals that number of zoogeographical regions occupied, elevational range and utilisation of specialised microhabitats were negatively associated with threat, while minimum elevation and body mass were positively associated, whereas the independent contrasts analysis only identifies zoogeographical regions as important. Confining the analysis to the 582 species restricted to a single zoogeographical region reveals elevational range and number of habitats occupied to be negatively correlated with threat whether the analysis is based on the raw data or on independent contrasts. Analysis of four contrasting zoogeographical regions highlights regional variation in the models. In two Andean regions the threat of extinction declines as the elevation range across which the species occurs increases. In the presence of substantial human populations on high Andean plateaus, a species with a greater elevational range may be more likely to persist at some (relatively) unsettled altitudes. In Central South America, the strongest predictor of threat is minimum elevation of occurrence: species with a lower minimum are less threatened. The minimum elevation result suggests that lowland species experiencing an ecological limit to their minimum elevation (min. elevation >0 m) may be more at risk than those not experiencing such a limit (min. elevation = 0 m). Finally, in southern Amazonia, where there is little altitudinal variation, the only weak predictors of threat are body size, larger species being more threatened, and number of habitats, species occupying more habitats being less threatened. These contrasting results emphasise the importance of undertaking extinction risk analyses at an appropriate geographical scale. Since the models explained only a low percentage of total variance in the data, the effects of human‐mediated habitat disturbance across a wide range of habitats may be important.