Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
De Novo Assembly and Characterization of the Transcriptome and Molecular Discovery in Capsicum Annuum L. R597

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most economically and agriculturally important vegetable crops on the globe. However, the genomic resources of Pepper (Capsicum spp.) were scarcity, and only a few nucleotide sequences could be obtained in public databases. In this study, we examined transcriptome in C.annuum R597. More than 66million of high quality reads were generated using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. Approximately 6 Gbp of data were generated, and de novo assembled into 96, 340 unigenes, with an N50 of 989 bp. The average length of unigenes was 651 bp. Based on sequence similarity search with known protein database, 51, 053 (53.0%) showed significant similarity to know proteins in Nr database, and 33, 766 (35.0%) had BLAST hits in Swiss-Prot database. Among the annotated unigenes, 26, 050 of C.annuum R597 unigenes were assigned to GO term annotation, and 28, 428 were found to have COG classification. In addition, a total of 14, 279 unigenes were assigned to 270 KEGG pathways. Moreover, a total 5, 960 SNPs, 5, 426 SSRs, and 2, 199 InDels were detected as potential molecular markers in pepper. Our study enriches the genomic resources of Pepper (Capsicum spp.) and provides powerful information for future studies. The availability of this ample amount of information about the transcriptome and SSRs, SNPs and InDels in pepper could server as valuable for studies on the agronomic traits and identification of molecular mechanism such plant resistance.
The programming of circadian flight‐activity in relation to mating and the gonotrophic cycle in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti

ABSTRACT. The circadian flight activity of female Aedes aegypti (L.) changes after insemination and during the course of the gonotrophic cycle. Virgin females attain a high level of spontaneous activity within 3–4 days of adult emergence; in LD 12:12 there are peaks of activity at the beginning and end of the light phase. Inseminated females are less than 20% as active as virgins, but exhibit a similar daily pattern. After blood‐feeding, inseminated females become almost totally inactive for about 48h and then show a unimodal pattern of activity which is consistent with oviposition behaviour; after oviposition they revert to the basic inseminated pattern and level of activity. Blood‐fed virgin females continue to show a high level of spontaneous activity. It is suggested that insemination has the general effect of raising the threshold for activity and that it is necessary before blood‐fed females can switch to the gravid behaviour programme. Blood‐fed uninseminated females thus continue with behaviour which will maximize the probability of insemination.
Anisakids (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from ringed seal, Pusa hispida, and bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus (Mammalia: Pinnipedia) from Nunavut region

As many Arctic fish species are intermediate hosts of anisakids, they are present in the diet of the ringed seal, Pusa hispida, and the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus. Parasitic nematodes from the stomachs of 66 seals caught in the Nunavut region (Canada) from two communities (Arviat and Sanikiluaq) from October 2007 to January 2008 have been examined in order to identify the epidemiological risk for Inuit communities who consume traditional food. In Arviat 2428 anisakids were observed in 37 seals, while in Sanikiluaq 316 Anisakidae were isolated from 29 seals. The worms were treated with a host tissue, washed in deionized water and stored until analysis in 70% ethanol. The parasites were divided into three parts. The anterior and posterior parts were stored in 70% ethanol containing 5% glycerol and were examined using a light microscope by evaporation of the ethanol/glycerin mixture. The central parts were prepared for molecular identification by fixing in 70% ethanol. Using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method, the following members of the family Anisakidae were identified: Contracaecum osculatum A and C and Pseudoterranova bulbosa. In the studied material, more adult worms were noted than larval stages. The most numerous nematodes were P. bulbosa, and mixed infection was observed. The mean prevalence of anisakids infection was 43.2% in the Arviat and 37.9% in the Sanikiluaq communities.
Fiber Optic Spectrophotometry of Color Changes in Cooked Chicken Muscles

Abstract A fiber optic spectrophotometer with a continuously variable interference filter monochromator was used to measure the absorbance spectra of breast and leg meat from chickens. At less than 450 nm, absorbance was very high in both red and white muscles. In each spectrum, an absorbance peak at 560 nm due to myoglobin was detected. These peaks were of greater magnitude in red muscles than in white muscles. Thorough cooking by baking and pressure frying caused a marked drop in absorbance at all visible wavelengths above 500 nm. The absorbance peak of myoglobin was greatly reduced after cooking.
Modeling of copepods with links to circulation models

An important step towards realistic models of the marine ecosystem is the coupling of biological and circulation models. While the modelling of the lower trophic levels has made progress in the last years the description of stage-resolving zooplankton is still in a preliminary state. The paper presents a zooplankton model which includes the lower trophic levels of the food web and which can be embedded in a circulation model in a consistent manner. The model has two sets of zooplankton state variables, the biomass and number of individuals of the stages. The model is used to simulate rearing tank experiments under constant environmental conditions. A link to oceanic conditions, with coupling to the lower levels of the food web and annual variations of temperature, is studied by a simple box model version. As the ‘modelcopepod’ we choose Pseudocalanus, but the model can be applied to other species in a straightforward way.
Techniques of flavonoid identification.

As a follow-up to Dr Markham's highly successful publication, The Systematic Identification of Flavonoids (1970) co-authored with T.J. Mabry and M.B. Thomas, this book presents a more extensive, up-to-date and thorough guide to techniques used in flavonoid research. The techniques are discussed in the approximate order in which they are normally needed by the researcher and extensive cross-referencing is used throughout to guide the reader to the next recommended technique. Techniques covered include: chromatography, recrystallization, UV-visible spectroscopy, hydrolysis and product analysis, derivation degradation, H-NMR, C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The book, as a self-contained laboratory manual, contains extensive tabulations of reference data, discusses examples of a wide range of spectra, and features diagrams of flavonoid structures, reaction schemes and apparatus. Of special interest and importance to the beginner are the tables of trivial names, the list of sources of flavonoid standards and a discussion of the means for proving a new flavonoid identical to a known standard.
Unravelling Species Relationships and Diversification within the Iconic California Floristic Province Sages (Salvia Subgenus Audibertia, Lamiaceae)

Abstract In the California Floristic Province (CA-FP) and nearby deserts, 19 species of Salvia (Lamiaceae, Mentheae) form a small radiation but an important component of the chaparral and desert communities. Traditionally, two groups within these Californian Salvia have been recognized (usually treated as sections), but relationships within each, to each other, and to other Salvia are unclear. Phylogenetic relationships of all species, with multiple accessions for most, were obtained using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) markers. Ancestral character state reconstruction of both vegetative and floral features was done on the resulting nrDNA tree. Biogeographical analysis of the groups within the CA-FP and adjacent floristic provinces was done in BioGeoBEARS and species diversification assessed with BAMM. Significant conclusions drawn from the study include: 1) California Salvia should be classified into two monophyletic sections, Audibertia (15 species) and Echinosphace, (four species) in the new subgenus Audibertia; 2) subg. Audibertia and the Neotropical subg. Calosphace are sister clades, most closely related to Asian groups, and are likely Asian in origin; 3) nrDNA provides a fairly resolved tree for subg. Audibertia with all species monophyletic; 4) cpDNA and nrDNA trees are strongly incongruent and provide evidence that hybridization and chloroplast capture have played an important role in the evolution of subg. Audibertia; 5) ancestral character reconstruction of states in habit, possession of spines, calyx lobing, and staminal features highlights a complex (sometimes convergent) evolutionary history of this iconic CA-FP lineage; 6) subg. Audibertia arose in desert areas and more recently diversified into the southwestern California region and adjacent regions with the formation of the Mediterranean-like climate; and 7) this diversification exhibits a slight decrease in speciation and an increase in extinction rates over the group's 11 million year history.
Sugarcane sucrose metabolism: scope for molecular manipulation

Improvement of the sucrose content of commercial sugarcane by conventional breeding has reached a plateau, primarily due to the narrow gene pool, and the potential to introduce novel genes or manipulate native genes to influence metabolism may have significant application. This review reports on progress in developing new, and optimising existing, transformation processes for sugarcane, and confirms that the requisite molecular tools for modifying sugarcane metabolism are as yet poorly developed when compared with those currently being applied to dicotyledonous model and crop species. Drawing from the considerable base of biochemical research into sucrose metabolism in sugarcane, a number of target steps for metabolic manipulation are reviewed. Specifically, we review current research into the physiological and biochemical elucidation of the key processes of sucrose synthesis, transport and cleavage. Given the focus of this review on molecular manipulation, particular emphasis is placed on the status of research into the isolation of genes encoding the key enzymes and transporters in the sucrose accumulation process.
Mutant presenilins specifically elevate the levels of the 42 residue β-amyloid peptide in vivo: evidence for augmentation of a 42-specific γ secretase

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is endoproteolytically processed by BACE1 and γ-secretase to release amyloid peptides (Aβ40 and 42) that aggregate to form senile plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The C-terminus of Aβ40/42 is generated by γ-secretase, whose activity is dependent upon presenilin (PS 1 or 2). Missense mutations in PS1 (and PS2) occur in patients with early-onset familial AD (FAD), and previous studies in transgenic mice and cultured cell models demonstrated that FAD-PS1 variants shift the ratio of Aβ40 : 42 to favor Aβ42. One hypothesis to explain this outcome is that mutant PS alters the specificity of γ-secretase to favor production of Aβ42 at the expense of Aβ40. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we studied Aβ40 and 42 levels in a series of transgenic mice that co-express the Swedish mutation of APP (APPswe) with two FAD-PS1 variants that differentially accelerate amyloid pathology in the brain. We demonstrate a direct correlation between the concentration of Aβ42 and the rate of amyloid deposition. We further show that the shift in Aβ42 : 40 ratios associated with the expression of FAD-PS1 variants is due to a specific elevation in the steady-state levels of Aβ42, while maintaining a constant level of Aβ40. These data suggest that PS1 variants do not simply alter the preferred cleavage site for γ-secretase, but rather that they have more complex effects on the regulation of γ-secretase and its access to substrates.
Occurrence of Euphorbia ringspot virus in Euphorbia milii cv. splendens in Venezuela

Euphorbia milii cv. splendens plants with leaf mosaic and flower colour breaking symptoms in Caracas, Venezuela, were shown to contain potyvirus-like particles. Degenerate Potyviridae primers were used in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify and sequence the 3′-terminal region of the virus. Nucleotide sequence of the obtained amplicons was 99% identical to that of Euphorbia ringspot virus (EuRV) isolates deposited in the GenBank database. A simple step RT-PCR assay with degenerate primers was used to readily identify the virus in field samples. This is the first report of EuRV infecting E. milii in Venezuela.
Phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial properties of n-butanol seed extract of Garcinia kola -

Objective: Phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the n-butanol seed extract of Garcinia kola was investigated against some bacterial isolates. Methods: Six (6) bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella. typhi, E. coli and P. aeroginosa were use to investigate the anti bacterial activity, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results: The phytochemical analysis of the n-butanol seed extract indicates the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins. The extract exhibited significant inhibitory action against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The zone of inhibition exhibited by the extract against the tested organisms ranged between 7 and 19 mm while zone of inhibition exhibited by tetracycline as the standard antibiotics ranged between 19 and 32 mm. On the other hand, MIC against the bacterial isolates (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) was 100 and 200 mg/ml, while MBC was 100, 200 mg/ml. Conclusion: The n-butanol extract of Garcinia kola has antibacterial activity hence validating the folkloric claims and application of the decoction of Garcinia kola in the management of some bacterial infections especially of the oral cavity and dental caries by traditionalists and herbalists in Africa especially in Nigeria.
Impact of climate change on grassland production and soil carbon worldwide

The impact of climate change and increasing atmospheric CO2 was modelled for 31 temperate and tropical grassland sites, using the CENTURY model. Climate change increased net primary production, except in cold desert steppe regions, and CO2 increased production everywhere. Climate change caused soil carbon to decrease overall, with a loss of 4 Pg from global grasslands after 50 years. Combined climate change and elevated CO2 increased production and reduced global grassland C losses to 2 Pg, with tropical savannas becoming small sinks for soil C. Detection of statistically significant change in plant production would require a 16% change in measured plant production because of high year to year variability in plant production. Most of the predicted changes in plant production are less than 10%.
Absence of species replacements between permanent and temporary lentic communities in New Zealand

Abstract The species composition of lentic communities often shifts along hydroperiod gradients, in part because temporary-habitat specialists replace closely related permanent-habitat specialists. These replacements reflect tradeoffs between traits that facilitate coexistence with permanent-habitat predators and those that prevent desiccation. The evidence for species replacements and the underlying tradeoffs is considerable in North America, but few studies have explored this pattern in other regions. We compared benthic communities in permanent and temporary habitats on the South Island of New Zealand. Ordination across 58 sites showed that community composition was distinctly different between the 2 types of habitats. Assemblages in permanent habitats had >2× the number of species as those in temporary habitats. We found little evidence for temporary-habitat specialists; i.e., species in temporary communities were a nested subset of those in permanent communities. Quantitative sampling at 12 intensively studied sites revealed that chironomids, water bugs, beetles, and crustaceans accounted for 90% of the biomass in temporary, but only 14% of the biomass in permanent habitats, which were dominated by mollusks, annelids, caddisflies, and odonates. Damselflies, dragonflies, caddisflies, and several other large-bodied taxa common in permanent habitats were absent from most temporary habitats. We propose 2 explanations for the absence of species replacements in these groups in the New Zealand habitats that we studied. First, drying is unpredictable within and between years, perhaps precluding the evolution of temporary-habitat specialization. Second, fish predation on benthic invertebrates, a driver for phylogenetic diversification in North America, appears to be comparatively weak in New Zealand. Comparative studies across a range of climates and faunas will be needed to identify the ecological and phylogenetic contexts that favor evolution of generalists vs specialists along permanence gradients.
A STUDY OF RATES OF GROWTH OF YORKSHIRE, LACOMBE, LANDRACE, AND CROSSBRED PIGS FROM BIRTH TO 200 LB

Growth records were obtained from 12 research establishments across Canada for pigs fed according to current (1960–63) recommendations of nutrition and management. Growth curves showing age in days and weight in pounds are presented for the various breeds and crossbreds, for between-station comparisons, for comparison of upper and lower quartiles in purebred pigs, and for comparison of growth rates of purebreds with that of Yorkshires of 20 to 25 years ago.Age at 200 lb averaged from 152 to 187 days, among 10 stations for the Yorkshire breed. Pigs of each of the pure breeds reached 200 lb about 3 weeks earlier than that indicated in previous studies. Crossbred pigs of each of four different crosses grew more rapidly than average Yorkshires, some reaching 200 lb in 140 days and having gains in excess of 2.3 lb/day during the finishing period. Yorkshire, Lacombe, and Landrace pigs had similar growth curves. The upper quartile averaged 1.8 and the lower 1.4 lb/day gain between 100 and 200 lb weights. Slow-ma.
Description of two new species of Myersinella (Rotifera: Monogononta: Dicranophoridae) from the Mediterranean

Two new species of rotifers belonging to the Dicranophoridae are described from marine psammon collected at a depth of 30–40 m in the Mediterranean near the island of Elba, Italy. Myersinella uncodonta sp. nov. is characterized by two colourless eyespots; single, incurved acute apical rami teeth; two needle-shaped, slightly incurved elongate unci; manubria with forked head and crutched cauda; outer margin of rami angular postero-laterally. Myersinella longiforceps sp. nov. is characterized by two large red eyespots; a pair of extremely elongated, gouge-shaped apical rami teeth; two short, needle-shaped unci; manubria with forked head and double-crutched cauda; outer margin of rami rounded laterally, tapering towards fulcrum. This is the first report of the genus Myersinella from marine environments.
Unusual Mass Stranding of Atlantic Yellow-Nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos), Petrels and Shearwaters in Southern Brazil

Abstract. Mass strandings of seabirds occur frequently on many beaches worldwide and commonly involve penguins, petrels, shearwaters, and prions, among others. Large numbers of stranded albatrosses are rarely reported. In this paper, an unusual stranding event that involved five species of Procellariiformes, predominantly the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos), is described in southern Brazil. Carcasses and debilitated specimens of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses (n = 125), unidentified petrels/shearwaters (Procellariidae; n = 63), White-chinned Petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis; n = 52), Great Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis; n = 11), Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus; n = 4) and Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis; n = 1) were found stranded between 15 and 22 March 2013. Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses (n = 20) and White-chinned Petrel (n = 1) were found alive and remained in the rehabilitation center for a few days before being released. A total of at least 256 birds were affected during the 8 days of the event, but a larger number likely remained undetected. Rescued Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses were not emaciated, and the causes of their stranding remain unknown. Equal or greater numbers of stranded petrels had been recorded previously in the area, but strandings of a large number of albatrosses are unusual in southern Brazil and elsewhere.
Incidence and biology of Arcotheres tivelae (Crustacea: Decapoda) in Amiantis umbonella (Bivalvia: Veneridae) on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran

The occurrence of pinnotherid crab Arcotheres tivelae in the bivalve mollusc Amiantis umbonella was investigated for one year on the Bandar Abbas coast (Persian Gulf, Iran). Specimens of A. umbonella were collected monthly from two transects from April 2007 to March 2008 and were investigated for presence of the Arcotheres tivelae. Infestation frequency of A. tivelae was 9.18% in a sample of 893 clams. From a total of 89 specimens of crabs, only eight were male. They were observed in late February and early March, all of them but one in association with female crabs. There was no significant difference between the sexes of the infested clams that pea crabs choose as a host. The mean carapace width of the crab A. tivelae was 7.7 ± 1.7 mm and the mean length of the Amiantis umbonella was 39.84 ± 8.93 mm. Clams in the mid and low tidal zones were more infested. There was no significant relationship between clam length–crab width (R2 = 0.28). The mean fecundity of crabs was 2517 ± 864 eggs. Infection caused a reduction of flesh weight of clams. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of crabs' occurrence and the temporal variability of water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH in different months. This study provides the first report of the distribution of pea crabs A. tivelae in A. umbonella, a new clam host record in Iran.
Digestibility of Sweet Potato Raw Starches by Glucoamylase

Three crude glucoamylase preparations from Rhizopus sp. , Chalara paradoxa and Aspergillus sp. K-27 were used to determine the digestibility of raw starches from eight sweet potato varieties. Granule sizes and amylose contents were also measured. The average granule sizes ranged between 10.5 and 14.2 μm. The amylose contents varied between 18.2 and 21.8%. The hydrolysis rates for the raw starches by any of the three glucoamylases were similar. However, starch of the variety Hi-starch had a slightly lower hydrolysis rate than other starches when Rhizopus sp, enzyme was used.