Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
STORAGE OF EXPORTED U.S. CORN AND GRAIN SORGHUM IN TROPICAL CLIMATES

Forty–three samples of exported U.S. corn were collected at destination ports in tropical, subtropical, or near–subtropical climates and 39 of the corresponding origin samples were collected at U.S. ports. The samples were examined to determine the particle–size distribution and level of mold infection. Twenty samples of exported U.S. sorghum were collected at destination ports in tropical or sub–tropical areas and were analyzed for mold infection. The level and pattern of infection by storage molds were consistent with reports from export customers that U.S. grain sorghum is stable in destination storage under tropical conditions whereas U.S. corn often exhibits heating and deterioration soon after export. The frequency of deteriorated grain lots and the rate of deterioration appear to have seasonal characteristics. The mean “export condition” of U.S. corn was determined and used as the initial condition for physical simulations of storage under tropical conditions. In export–condition corn stored at 25.C to simulate highland tropical conditions, little heating or deterioration occurred in two months. In export–condition corn stored at 30.C to simulate lowland tropical conditions, mold biomass doubled and significant increases in mold infection rates were observed in untreated corn. In these trials, cleaning the corn to remove fine material had little effect on the rate or incidence of deterioration. The application of a commercial mold inhibitor suppressed the rate of heating and new infections during two months of simulated tropical storage at 30.C, but did not appear to affect the total mold biomass produced.
Functional Homology and Functional Variation in Evolutionary Cognitive Science

Most cognitive scientists nowadays tend to think that at least some of the mind’s capacities are the product of biological evolution, yet important conceptual problems remain for all scientists in order to be able to speak coherently of mental or cognitive systems as having evolved naturally. Two of these important problems concern the articulation of adequate, interesting, and empirically useful concepts of homology and variation as applied to cognitive systems. However, systems in cognitive science are usually understood as functional systems of some sort. Thus, to be able to talk about functional systems being homologous requires having a solid, adequate, and empirically articulated concept of functional homology—and the same is true about functional variation. Here I construct an original concept of functional homology that, in my view, adequately systematizes a number of actual uses of the word “functional homology” in a variety of biological disciplines and in ethology. I also propose a number of criteria for the empirical application of the concept that are analogous to the criteria that are currently used in comparative biology, ethology, and (possibly) molecular developmental genetics. Then I construct a concept of functional variation on the basis of this concept of homology.
Application of rumen microbial genome information to livestock systems in the postgenomic era

Sequencing the genomes of individual rumen microbes and determining the function of their encoded genes promises to transform our understanding of the microbiology of the rumen. The diversity and density of microbes in the rumen, and our inability to culture the majority of rumen microbes, limit current genome studies to only a small fraction of the microbes present in this environment. Nevertheless, genomes of fibre-degrading organisms are beginning to reveal a previously unexpected abundance of genes encoding glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases, which could be used to enhance fibre digestion in the rumen. Additionally, genome sequencing of a rumen methanogen is identifying conserved genes within the methanogenic archaea that may serve as targets for their inhibition and therefore reduction of methane emissions from ruminants. The problem of rumen microbe culturability can be overcome by a new approach called metagenomics, in which microbial DNAs are extracted from rumen samples and sequenced independent of cultivation. In the future, sequencing individual genomes and metagenomic libraries is likely to capture much more of the microbial DNA in the rumen and, coupled with postgenomic studies on gene and protein expression, is likely to enhance our knowledge of the microbial component of ruminant digestion.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): genetic differentiation of North American and European populations

Atlantic salmon populations show low levels of genetic differentiation relative to other salmonid species, when surveyed by allozymes, and with mitochondrial DNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA markers. Here we report the application of three novel microsatellite VNTR loci to population differentiation in Atlantic salmon. A total of 232 microsatellites, cloned from Atlantic salmon, were classified as perfect, imperfect, and compound repeats. Microsatellite length, as in other teleosts, was significantly larger than published mammalian microsatellites. Primers for PCR amplification of three salmon microsatellites were designed. Allele frequencies, degree of polymorphism, and heterozygosity were estimated for five populations from Nova Scotia, Canada, and from Europe. Nei's genetic distances of 0.02–0.9 were observed among populations. There was a clear discrimination between Canadian and European fish based on unique alleles present at two loci. These Atlantic salmon primers also amplify presumably homologous lo.
Effect of the addition of trisodium citrate and calcium chloride during salting on the rheological and textural properties of Cheddar-style cheese during ripening

The effect of addition of trisodium citrate (TSC) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) on the textural and rheological properties of Cheddar-style cheese was investigated. Cheese curds were salted (2.5%) with NaCl (control) or NaCl supplemented with either TSC or CaCl 2 with a constant ionic strength. Casein-bound calcium phosphate decreased upon addition of TSC and increased upon addition of CaCl 2 . Addition of CaCl 2 resulted in increased hardness. Addition of TSC resulted in reduced hardness but more elastic cheeses at high temperatures. The addition of TSC or CaCl 2 at salting had a significant effect on cheese rheology and texture.
Age-dependent morphometric changes of different parts of small and large intestines in the ross broilers -

To study morphometric changes of different parts of small and large intestines with age, 100 Ross broiler chickens were divided into five age groups: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days. The following parameters of intestines were analysed: the duodenal length (DL), and weight (DW), jejunal length (JL), and weight (JW), ileal length (IL), and weight (IW), caecal length (CeL), and weight (CeW), colon length (CoL), and weight (CoW), alimentary canal length (AL), and weight (AW), with relation to the birds’ body weight (BW). The weights of all the various parts of small intestine in the 10 days group had significantly higher values for bigger females, compared to the smaller males, whereas in other age groups that males, larger than females, were more than females. As the age increased, all the indices of relative values of intestinal parameters decreased. In all age groups, the highest and lowest weights, lengths and all the intestinal parameters indices were belonged to jejunum and colon respectively. All the intestinal weight and length parameters were highly correlated with body weight and alimentary canal length. These findings suggest that morphometry of alimentary canal might be one of the major determining patterns of growth in a bird species, especially in different ages.
Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Elephantopus tomentosus. Ethanol Extract

Abstract The current study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Elephantopus tomentosus. L. (Asteraceae) ethanol extract (ET). In the experiment, total antioxidant capacity, reducing capacity, DPPH* and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and Fe3 +-induced lipid peroxidation inhibiting activities of ET were determined. The results indicated that ET exhibited antioxidant (1 mg/mL ET was equal to 2.1 mM TEAC), lipid peroxidation inhibition, hydrogen peroxide, and free radical scavenging activities. The hepatoprotective activity of ET was studied using CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats. Oral administration of ET (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as observed from the serum level of the liver enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and also from the histopathologic study. The total phenolic content in the lyophilized ethanol extract is approximately 10%. The results of the current study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of E. tomentosus. might be ascribable to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.
Identifying rice fields at risk from damage by the greater flamingo

Summary 1 Since the early 1980s, greater flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber roseus have been reported to cause damage to the rice fields of the Camargue, south-eastern France. 2 We tested whether some rice fields had landscape features that were more attractive to flamingos than others, using data from the period 1993–97 and from 1978 different paddies. Discriminant function analysis (DFA), logistic regression (LR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to identify the environmental variables best explaining flamingo incursions. 3 The most accurate models (LR) gave 75% prediction success and used as predictors the surface area of rice fields, the presence of contiguous damaged fields, the presence of wooded margins and the distance to natural marshes. 4 Our study suggests that it is possible to identify accurately fields at risk from damage in order to concentrate scaring methods. We also suggest that planting hedges should be promoted, and wood cutting discouraged, in high-risk areas. Following our study a programme of planting of hedges by the Natural Regional Park of the Camargue started at the beginning of 2000. 5 Our work reveals how presence–absence modelling can have clear applications in managing important species that sometimes cause negative impacts locally.
Revision of Aplanopsis , Pythiopsis , and ‘subcentric’ Achlya species ( Saprolegniaceae ) using 18S rDNA and morphological data

Analysis of 18S rDNA sequence and morphological data indicate that Achlya s. lat. is polyphyletic. Aplanopsis spinosa and Achlya species with subcentric oospores and laterally applied antheridia are transferred to Newbya gen. nov. The relationship of Calyptralegnia and Aplanes androgynus to Newbya is discussed. Molecular data support morphologically based conclusions concerning the relatedness of Pythiopsis and Aplanopsis terrestris. Achlya truncatiformis nom. nov., is provided for material previously identified as Achlya recurva. The following new combinations within Newbya are made: N. pascuicola (type species), N. apiculata, N. braziliensis, N. curvicollis, N. megasperma, N. oblongata, N. oblongata var. gigantica, N. oligacantha, N. polyandra, N. recurva, N. spinosa, and N. stellata combs nov.
The effects of osmotic pre-sowing treatment on laboratory germination in a range of wild flower species

Summary Sown seed of many wild flower species have slow or delayed germination which can allow unsown and undesirable species to colonise a prepared site. Ideally all seed sown should germinate immediately. Priming seed in an inert osmoticum can improve synchronisation and speed of germination. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of priming on a selection of 60 wild flower species from a total of 21 different families. The majority of the species selected were common constituents of commercial seed mixtures. Seeds were primed in the light at 15CC for 14 days in a polyethylene glycol ‘6000’ solution giving an osmotic potential of either -10 or -15 bars. Priming had a highly significant effect on speed of germination reducing the median germination time by 2.8 ± 0.27 days in the -10 bar treatment and 1.6 ± 0.27 days in the -15 bar treatment. At the species level, 28 species had significantly reduced median germination times following priming. Priming significantly enhanced the final germination percentage in 15 species and significantly reduced it in eight species, with the adverse effect being more pronounced at -15 bars than at -10 bars. Non-hierarchical cluster analysis showed no clear patterns in response to priming either in relation to the comparative ecology or the plant family of the species tested, with the possible exception of the Leguminosae species. Only one out of six members of this family showed any enhancement in germination rate or percentage. The study demonstrates that a priming treatment could improve speed of germination, in a wide range of commonly sown semi-natural grassland species.
Effects of extended absence of flooding on the fish assemblages of three floodplain lagoons in the middle São Francisco River, Brazil

In the Neotropics, a large proportion of fish communities of large rivers use floodplain as habitats for feeding, reproduction, and refuge. An evaluation was made of the effects of extended dry periods on the species richness, abundance and local extinction of fish species in three marginal lagoons in the middle Sao Francisco River, southeastern Brazil. The studied lagoons fail to receive river floods during the study period (1994-1996). A gradual reduction in richness and abundance was observed in all lagoons. Migratory fish species had the highest probability to become extinct in the two lagoons that remained with large water volume. Species tolerant to low levels of dissolved oxygen had the lowest probability of local extinction in the lagoon showing an abrupt reduction in water volume. Similar changes to those observed in the current study are likely to occur in the floodplains if dams would be constructed in this segment of the river. Adequate water releases from Tres Marias reservoir, located upstream, should be considered as a management tool for producing episodic flooding on the marginal lagoons of the region.
Germination Response of the Epiphytic Cactus Rhipsalis baccifera (J. S. Miller) Stearn to Different Light Conditions and Water Availability

In the forest canopy, seeds of epiphytic plants encounter heterogeneous environments created by a combination of factors such as solar radiation, humidity, and host characteristics. Germination requirements may explain the species distribution in the canopy; however, more knowledge is essential. Germination of Rhipsalis baccifera, a widespread tropical epiphytic cactus and representative of the humid montane forest in Mexico, was 80% or higher with far red, red, and white light and close to 0 in darkness. Germination was light saturated at very low photon flux density of only 13.5 μmol m−2 s−1. Germination decreased gradually at low water potentials and with increased storage time. After storage for 1 yr, no seeds germinated. Seeds have the ability to germinate in both the internal and external positions of the tree crowns. The germinative requirements of R. baccifera indicate that it could colonize a wide range of light conditions in the canopy; however, substrate humidity and seed age could limit germination.
Growth and mortality rates of brown mussels Perna perna (Linnaeus) in Kwazulu-Natal: a comparison between sites and methods using non-parametric length-based analysis

Three non-parametric, length-based methods were used to estimate growth and total mortality rates of Perna perna at five sites along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Monthly samples were split into quarterly intervals to estimate variances. Pauly's growth performance index (Φ')values obtained using the ELEFAN I method were significantly lower than those using SLCA or PROJMAT. A multiple comparison of group means divided site-specific growth rates into two groups; one group of sites had a mean Φ' of 3.92 (95% confidence interval CI 3.83–4.02) and the other group had a mean Φ' of 4,11 (95% CI 4,02–4,19). Seasonality was marked at three sites and growth was slower during winter (annual monthly sea temperature range 4,7°C). Total mortality estimates were positively correlated with growth rate estimates, which made between-site comparisons difficult; the mean was 1,53·year− (95% CI 1,07–1,99). Variation within regions seems to override any latitudinal trend in growth rate of P. perna along the South African coast.
Inbreeding depression and family variation in a social insect, Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

In bumble bees, only a few colonies dominate reproduction at the end of a season such that successful families are likely to experience episodic inbreeding. We compared the fitness of 33 Bombus terrestris colonies resulting from 188 brother–sister matings (“inbred”) to that of 43 outbred colonies (from 183 outbred matings). Large among-family variation appears to be a key feature that characterizes all main steps in the life cycle of B. terrestris. Hibernation survival and colony foundation of queens varied strongly among maternal lines (P>0.001). Mating with a brother significantly reduced a queen's hibernation survival and colony foundation success by varying degrees (6% vs 23%). The effect on hibernation survival was not found when including the date of mating into the analysis: queens that mated and hibernated early in the season survived hibernation more frequently than those that mated later (P=0.001) irrespective of mating treatment. Furthermore, maternal family lines differed significantly in their response to inbreeding with respect to colony size, caloric investment into sexuals, and the Shaw-Mohler fitness index. Some family lines even showed outbreeding depression. On average, inbred colonies were significantly smaller (coefficient of depression δ=0.20) but there was no inbreeding depression for reproductive output or cumulative fitness. Thus, as a population, B. terrestris is likely to cope with inbreeding episodes. However, among-family variation in the effects of inbreeding intensifies the differential representation of families in the population.
Attitude: A Determinant of Agricultural Graduates' Participation in Videoconferencing Technology

The study envisaged to evaluate the attitude of agricultural graduates towards Videoconferencing (VC) technology. Study focused at persuasion stage of adoption process of innovations. A Likert-type-scale was developed, which consisted of 23-items. The scale instrument had four sections, viz., training, distance learning, agricultural communication and extension management. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (? =0.85) of reliability test was measured. Instrument was administered to randomly selected, seventy agricultural graduates of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India during 2006-07 academic years. Attitude survey proved insightful with agricultural students. They had positive attitude in applied areas of VC technology, viz. training, distance learning, agricultural communication and extension management. Significant difference between users and non-users of VC technology was observed. Users had significant positive attitude towards VC technology. An enhanced understanding of attitudes is imperative before effective intervention strategies to moderate attitudes for enhancing acceptance and implementation of VC technology. Including transfer of agricultural innovations, VC can be encouraged in services like training, distance education, extension management, communication, administration, health, education and knowledge sharing. For these, infrastructure available within National Agricultural Research System (NARS), India can be effectively utilized for learning and technical counseling. This study adds value to the body of knowledge in evaluation and theory building from attitude perspective. As standard methodology is lacking to comprehend mindset of agricultural students, it will serve foundation for other future investigations.
Development of a 16S rRNA-based Probe for Clostridium ramosum, C. spiroforme and C. cocleatum and its Application for the Quantification in Human Faeces from Volunteers of Different Age Groups

A 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probe was developed for the quantitative detection of Clostridium ramosum, C. spiroforme and C. cocleatum in human faecal samples from volunteers of different age groups using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Some strains of C. spiroforme are able to produce binary toxins, while C. ramosum is believed to play a role in the conversion of bilirubin to urobilinogen. Little is known about the role of C. cocleatum in the intestinal tract. Previous enumerations of these clostridia were done by culture techniques. The probe was designed using 16S rRNA sequence data of reference strains and was shown to be specific. Application of the probe to faecal samples showed an increase of C. ramosum from <1×107 to 1.3×109 cells/g of wet weight faeces, in 0.5–1-month and 7–10-month-old babies, corresponding to <0.01% to 3.5% of the total microbiota, respectively. The percentage of C. ramosum decreased to 0.2% of all bacteria present in the faeces of children between 3 and 4 years old. An increase to 0.9% of the total microbiota was observed again in faecal samples from elderly subjects. C. spiroforme and C. cocleatum are present at an average of 0.2% until the age of 4 years. None were observed in babies younger than 6 months. In adults and elderly volunteers (>75 years) the percentage declined to 0.02%. The results indicate that C. spiroforme and C. cocleatum do not play a numerically important role in faecal samples of adult healthy volunteers. C. ramosum is a numerically important member of the microbiota around the time of weaning of infants. Keywords: faeces, microbiota, 16S rRNA, probe, fluorescent in situ hybridization, weaning, bacteria, Clostridium.
Sea urchins of the genus Gracilechinus Fell & Pawson, 1966 from the Pacific Ocean: Morphology and evolutionary history

Abstract Gracilechinus is a widely distributed genus of regular echinoids with a centre of species diversity in the North Atlantic (five of 10 species). Only three species of this genus are known from the Pacific Ocean: Gracilechinus multidentatus, G. euryporus and G. lucidus. The first two species were previously assigned to the genus Echinus, which differs from Gracilechinus in ambulacral tuberculation. According to our data, all three Pacific species possess ambulacral tuberculation characteristic of the genus Gracilechinus and differ from each other in the structure of the valves of tridentate pedicellariae and primary spines. Assignment of these three species to the genus Gracilechinus is also confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of the 657 bp fragment of the COI gene. The COI tree provides evidence for the validity of the genera Gracilechinus and Echinus and agrees in general with morphological data. Among species of Gracilechinus, two lineages are distinguished on the COI tree, differing in the shape of the tridentate pedicellariae valves. One lineage comprises only the North Atlantic species Gracilechinus alexandri, the other one includes the North Atlantic, South Atlantic and Pacific species. The genus Gracilechinus apparently originated in the North Atlantic and only representatives of the second lineage have penetrated the South Atlantic and the Pacific.