Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival of Bb12 and La5 in synbiotic milk

Purpose – The aim of this study is to produce non‐fermented symbiotic milk with natural taste and to evaluate the effect of prebiotics including inulin, lactolose and galacto‐oligosaccharides (respectively in 0.6, 0.4 and 1.6% w/w) on probiotics count of Lactobacillus acidophilus (La‐5) and Bifidobacterium bifidus (lactis) (Bb‐12) in cooled pasteurized milk.Design/methodology/approach – The probiotic cultures (count: 109 CFU/mL, dosage: 0.01% w/v) and prebiotics were added to 2.5% fat milk in Pegah pasteurized milk factory. The chemical properties of milk and the survival of La5 and Bb12 were studied at 4°C during ten days.Findings – Results of sensory evaluation tests showed that none of the symbiotic samples were acceptable after ten days. So the minimum acceptance time of the samples was seven days except for the lactolose one. When compared to the control sample, at day 0, the viable counts for both L. acidophilus La‐5 and B. bifidus(lactis) Bb‐12 significantly increased in the symbiotic milk by addit.
Unusually severe symptoms are a characteristic of the current epidemic of mosaic virus disease of cassava in Uganda

Summary Mosaic disease (MD) is more severe in cassava plants infected within the area of the current epidemic in northern and central Uganda than to the south of the affected area. This difference in severity was recorded within a single cultivar as well as amongst the mixtures of cultivars found commonly in farmers' fields. An increase in severity also occurred as the epidemic passed through localities. Varietal or agroecological factors coincident with the area of the epidemic are therefore unlikely to cause the increased severity. The severe disease could also be graft and cutting transmitted and could super-infect mildly diseased plants. Both mildly and severely diseased plants gave positive reactions in ELISA tests to antisera prepared against African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and an unusually severe form of ACMV or a closely related geminivirus is likely to be the cause of the severe mosaic disease. The epidemic also involves increased populations of the whitefly vector of ACMV, Bemisia tabaci, and possible hypotheses are presented as to how these phenomena may be related.
Nitrogen Metabolism in Rice Cultivated Under Seasonal Flush of Nitrate

Abstract Two rice varieties, a land race (Piaui) and an improved variety (IAC-47), were cultivated in pots in a system that simulates the seasonal nitrate flushes in tropical soils. Piaui plants did accumulate more in the shoots than IAC-47, especially in the sheaths. Piaui plants have also shown a low nitrate reductase activity (NRA) at the early stages of growth, what may be and advantage for the accumulation of . Piaui plants showed a higher content and a lower NRA in the flag leaves at anthesis, while IAC-47 on the contrary showed lower content and higher NRA at anthesis. The data indicated that Piaui plants have apparently a higher N-use efficiency than IAC-47 plants do. This ability results in higher content of grain protein, even when growing in poor soils. These results suggest this to be related to a superior capacity of Piaui plants to take up from low nutrient soils, and store it in the reserve pools during the early stages of growth and development.
Présence d’Aethomys (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae) au Tchad et analyse morphométrique préliminaire du complexe A. hindei

Un specimen d'Aethomys est signale pour la premiere fois au sud du Tchad. Il est compare, pour sa morphologie externe ainsi que ses caracteres dentaires et crâniens, a differentes formes du complexe A. hindei. Des analyses statistiques multivariees (ACP et AFD) mettent en evidence la variabilite morphometrique importante de ce genre grâce a l'etude d'une serie d'Aethomys sp. de RCA. Le statut des differentes formes geographiques (A. alghazal, A. norae, A. helleri, A. medicatus, A. stannarius) est discute
Protective efficacy of Mucuna pruriens extract on Epichlorohydrin induced toxicity in epididymis of albino rats

The protective effects of seeds of Mucuna pruriens on epichlorohydrin (ECH)-induced toxicity in epididymis and epididymal sperms of rats were studied. Different doses of ECH and M. pruriens (75 and 100 mg kg−1, respectively) were administered daily, orally for 70 days. Group I animals served as control. Group II and III rats received ECH (75 or 100 mg kg−1 body weight, respectively) alone. The group IV and V rats received a combination of both ECH and the seed extract of M. pruriens at 75 or 100 mg kg−1 body weight. Group VI rats was administered only the extract of M. pruriens 100 mg kg−1 body weight. At the end of the experiment (71st day), rats were sacrificed and sperm collected from epididymis were used for the assessment of sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility. Administration of ECH produced a reduction in epididymal sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, while lipid peroxidation was increased. ECH produced a decrease in the levels of protein, acid phosphatase, sialic acids, and increased the level of alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol. The administration of M. pruriens to ECH-treated rats resulted in a protective effect.
β‐Catenin expression in human neural cell lines following exposure to cytokines and growth factors

β‐Catenin acts as a key mediator of the Wnt/Wingless signaling pathway involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Recent studies have shown that an unstable interaction between β‐catenin and the mutant presenilin‐1 induces neuronal apoptosis, and that β‐catenin levels are decreased in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since activated microglia and astrocytes play a role in the process of neuronal degeneration in AD, the cytokine/growth factor‐regulated expression of β‐catenin in human neural cell lines, including NTera2 teratocarcinoma‐derived differentiated neurons (NTera2‐N), IMR‐32 neuroblastoma, SKN‐SH neuroblastoma and U‐373MG astrocytoma, was studied quantitatively following exposure to epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, interferon (IFN)‐γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) (dbcAMP) or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA). β‐Catenin mRNA expressed constitutively in all of these cell lines was unaffected by treatment with any factors examined. In contrast, β‐catenin protein levels were reduced markedly in NTera2‐N cells by exposure to dbcAMP, EGF or bFGF, and in U‐373MG cells by treatment with dbcAMP or PMA, but were unaffected in any cell lines by BDNF, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IFN‐γ or TGF‐β1. These results indicate that β‐catenin is expressed constitutively in human neural cells and downregulated at a protein level by a set of growth factors in a cell type‐specific manner.
The family and subfamily classification and New Zealand genera of Pythidae and Scraptiidae (Coleoptera)

ABSTRACT. The family Pythidae is defined on adult and larval characters to include the subfamilies Pythinae and PllipalPlnae. Trachelostenidae stat.n. is excluded. Relationships of Pythidae, Boridae, Trictenotomidae and SalPlngidae (s.l.) are analysed. Strong resemblances between some PllipalPlnae and Pyrochroidae appear to have arisen through convergent evolution. Adults and larvae of the New Zealand genera Techmessa, Techmessodes and Exocalopus are described. In Scraptiidae, adults of the New Zealand genera Nothotelus and Phytilea, and the larva of Nothotelus, are described. Type data are given for all described New Zealand species of these families. The following new synonymies are established: PllipalPlnae (Abdullah, 1964)=Techmessinae Paulus, 1971. Exocalopus pectinatus Broun, 1893=nitidiceps Broun, 1910. Techmessa concolor Bates, 1874=attenuata Broun, 1893=rugicollis Broun, 1910=unicolor Paulus, 1971. Techmessa telephoroides Bates, 1874=varians Broun, 1893. Techmessodes Plcticornis (Broun, 1880)=distans (Sharp, 1882). Techmessodes versicolor Broun, 1893=cephalotes Broun, 1910. The following genera are reassigned to the families indicated: Ischyomius to Trictenotomidae (from Pythidae or Melandryidae). Phytilea to Scraptiidae (from Oedemeridae or Anthicidae). Pseudananca to Aderidae (from Oedemeridae). Scraptogetus (=Metasclera) to Aderidae (from Scraptiidae, Oedemeridae or Anthicidae).
Touchy and Bushy: Phenotypic Plasticity and Integration in Response to Wind Stimulation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Thigmomorphogenesis, or touch response, is a widespread and ecologically significant, yet understudied, form of phenotypic plasticity in plants. I investigated uni‐ and multivariate differentiation for plasticity in response to mechanical stimulation induced by wind in several populations of Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae). I set out to test specific hypotheses based on three different scenarios predicting patterns of character correlations among morphological and life history traits in this annual opportunistic weed. A complex model of phenotypic integration, including developmental correlations and trade‐offs, fit the data remarkably well, with little variation from the environment. Wind was found to influence only the degree of branching of the plant, which had a direct effect on a component of fecundity. When exposed to no or little wind, the overall phenotypic similarities among populations seemed random; sustained winds clearly elicited distinct phenotypic syndromes, with eight populations developing a highly “bushy” (branched) phenotype, one population failing to do so, and two more showing intermediate phenotypes. Arabidopsis thaliana seems to be characterized by few and distinct plasticity syndromes, which may help our understanding of the ecology and evolution of phenotypic plasticity better than what can be achieved with more widely plastic species where distinctive patterns are difficult to recognize or to relate to specific ecological conditions.
A Sap-transmissible, Defective Form of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Summary After multiple sap transmissions two isolates of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) lost the characteristic particles, and amorphous, more or less diffuse masses were observed in the cytoplasm of cells. The amorphous material, which had previously been described associated with normal virus particles, could also be found in pellets from extracts of infected plants. Isolates of the ‘amorphous’ type had the same thermal inactivation point as those of the normal ‘particulate’ type. It is suggested that the ‘amorphous’ type is a defective form of TSWV.
Genomic organization of the human thyroid hormone receptor α (c-erbA-1) gene

Abstract The thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA or c-erbA-1) gene belongs to a family of genes which encode nuclear receptors for various hydrophobic ligands such as steroids, vitamin D, retinoic acid and thyroid hormones. These receptors are composed of several domains important for hormone-binding, DNA-binding, dimerization and activation of transcription. We show here that the human THRA gene is organized in 10 exons distributed along 27 kbp of genomic DNA on chromosome 17. The position of the introns in human THRA is highly conserved when compared to the chicken gene despite their differing lengths. The N-terminal A/B domain as well as the 5' untranslated region is encoded by two exons. Interestingly, each of the putative zinc fingers of the receptor DNA-binding domain is encoded by one exon and the hormone-binding domain is assembled from three exons. The two last exons of the gene are alternatively spliced to generate two different messenger RNAs. In addition, we confirm that another gene, belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, ear-1, overlaps with the 3' region of THRA in an opposite transcriptional orientation.
The effectiveness of broad-scale legal minimum lengths for protecting spawning biomass of Haliotis rubra in Tasmania

A legal minimum length (LML) aims to protect spawning biomass but the implementation uncertainty associated with broad-scale LMLs is rarely assessed. LML estimates can require both growth and maturity data; however, growth data is often lacking and this can limit the estimation of an appropriate LML. To overcome the shortfall in growth data, a method is introduced for inferring growth parameters from size at maturity data. In this way, fine-scale theoretical LML estimates were obtained in the absence of empirical growth data. A total of 252 populations of blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) were examined and, of those, 46 were identified as having a relatively lower level of protection because they matured at larger sizes. These 46 populations are potentially at greater risk of over-fishing as a consequence of implementation uncertainty. Furthermore, the majority of the 46 populations were in an economically valuable region of the fishery. With extensive data on size at maturity, the relative risk to recruitment potential can be assessed and equalised across a fishery.
Predation Risk and Opportunity Cost of Fleeing While Foraging on Plants Influence Escape Decisions of an Insular Lizard

Cost-benefit models of escape behaviour predict how close a prey allows a predator to approach [flight initiation distance (FID)] based on cost of not fleeing (predation risk) and cost of fleeing (loss of opportunities). Models for FID have been used with some success to predict distance fled (DF). We studied effects of foraging opportunity cost of fleeing and examined differences between age-sex groups in the omnivorous Balearic Lizard, Podarcis lilfordi. Balearic lizards forage on the ground for invertebrate prey and climb the thistle Carlina corymbosa to forage on its inflorescences. We studied escape behaviour in three experimental groups, with human beings as simulated predators: lizard foraging above ground on C. corymbosa, foraging on the ground away from thistles and on the ground with cut inflorescences. Flight initiation distance was shorter for lizards with cut inflorescences than for (1) lizards above ground due to the greater risk above ground due to conspicuousness of black lizards on yellow flowers; and (2) lizards on ground away from flowers due to the cost of leaving while feeding. The only age-sex difference was slightly greater FID for adult males than subadults, presumably because larger adult males are more likely to be attacked by predators. Other potential factors affecting this difference are discussed. Experimental group and age-sex group did not interact for FID or DF. Because lizards foraging on inflorescences above ground fled to the base of the plants to refuge provided by spiny thistle leaves, their DF was shorter than in the other groups, which fled across the ground, usually without entering refuge. DF did not differ between groups on the ground or among age-sex groups. The predicted shorter DF for lizards with cut inflorescences than on ground without inflorescences did not occur. We hypothesize that the opportunity cost was small due to the abundance of blooming thistles and that DF may be less sensitive to opportunity cost than FID.
The influence of time and temperature on molecular gut content analysis: Adalia bipunctata fed with Rhopalosiphum padi

Gut content analysis is a useful tool when studying arthropod predator‐prey interactions. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to examine how detection of prey DNA in the gut content of predators was influenced by digestion time and temperature. Such knowledge is critical before applying PCR‐based gut content analysis to field collected predators. Larvae of the two‐spotted ladybeetle (Adalia bipunctata L.) were fed with the bird cherry‐oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) at either 21°C or 14°C. After consuming one aphid, the predators were allowed to digest the prey for a range of time periods up to 24 hours. The influence of temperature on A. bipunctata feeding behavior was also recorded. From the fed larvae, total DNA was extracted and PCR reactions with R. padi specific primers were run. The number of A. bipunctata that tested positive for R. padi DNA was negatively related to the length of digestion time. Temperature influenced larval feeding behavior but did not have a significant effect on R. padi DNA detection. After pooling the data from both temperature treatments we estimated the time point when R. padi DNA could be amplified from 50% of the fed A. bipunctata by PCR to be 4.87 hours. With such a rapid decrease in prey DNA detection success, positive PCR reactions will most likely be the result of predation events occurring shortly before capture. If a defined digestion temperature range has proven not to influence prey detection, PCR data obtained from predators collected within that particular range can be interpreted in the same way.
Behaviour of specialist and generalist caterpillars on plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Abstract. 1 Foraging patterns of specialist (Junonia coenia Hubner: Nymphalidae) and generalist (Spilosoma congrua Wlk.: Arctiidae) caterpillars on five genotypes of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.: Plantaginaceae) were examined in an experimental garden. 2 Movement by the specialists reflected declining availability of new leaves. When direct sunlight was available, these caterpillars were usually exposed to it. 3 Although the generalists also preferred new leaves, they spent less than 50% of their time on the plantain and changed location more frequently than the specialists. They often hid at the base of plants or under leaves. 4 Plant genotype influenced the apparency of the specialists and damage by the herbivores.
Measurement of total phenolic content in wine using an automatic Folin–Ciocalteu assay method

Summary Measuring the total phenolic content in wine is important in estimating the taste and health benefits of wine. We developed an automatic Folin–Ciocalteu (F-C) method to reduce processing times (3 min), human errors and waste volume as compared it to the manual method. The gallic acid standard responded linearly up to 5000 μg mL−1, and the wine dilution series responded linearly between four- and sixteenfold dilutions. Anthocyanins showed slower reaction rate compared with wine, gallic acid and quercetin, while ascorbic acid showed the fastest rate. Fructose and glucose at the 10% level showed approximately 8% interference in port wines, and the interference was thought to be negligible in most dry wines containing <1% sugar. Total phenolic contents ranged between 1600 and 3300 μg mL−1 by the automatic method and were approximately 20% less than those by the manual method, except in pink wines which was nearly identical. The regression analysis of the phenolic contents showed a very linear relationship between the methods (r2 = 0.97***). This automatic method was thought to be efficiently adopted in wine testing laboratories as a fast and reproducible assay.
A Generalized Multi-Group Discriminant Function Procedure for Classification: an Application To Ten Groups Of Yam Species

Multivariate Analysis (MVA) is based on the Statistical principle of Multivariate Statistics which involves observation and analysis of more than one Statistical outcome variables at a time. Classification in Multivariate analysis deals with developing a statistical rule for allocating observation to one or more groups. A closely associated multivariate technique is discriminant analysis which predicts group membership for an observation. Fishers (1936) developed a technique (Fishers Linear Discriminant Function) that optimally discriminate only two groups. The challenges of developing a mathematical based procedure with some underlying distribution for multiple groups have remained a task to be accomplished as it only exist in theory but not in practice. Owing to these challenges, this work introduces and suggests a mathematical procedure that is based on combinatorial analysis which gave rise to All Possible Pair of functions and allocation rules for a multiple group case. The developed procedure was generalized and applied to both real and simulated data. The developed procedure gave a higher accuracy rate for the real and simulated data under various sample sizes when compared with other conventional methods. It is therefore recommended that the All Possible Pair procedure could be a better approach in situations of any multivariate data structure. Key Words : Discriminant, Function, Classification, combination, Accuracy Rate.
The Genographic Project Public Participation Mitochondrial DNA Database

The Genographic Project is studying the genetic signatures of ancient human migrations and creating an open-source research database. It allows members of the public to participate in a real-time anthropological genetics study by submitting personal samples for analysis and donating the genetic results to the database. We report our experience from the first 18 months of public participation in the Genographic Project, during which we have created the largest standardized human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) database ever collected, comprising 78,590 genotypes. Here, we detail our genotyping and quality assurance protocols including direct sequencing of the mtDNA HVS-I, genotyping of 22 coding-region SNPs, and a series of computational quality checks based on phylogenetic principles. This database is very informative with respect to mtDNA phylogeny and mutational dynamics, and its size allows us to develop a nearest neighbor–based methodology for mtDNA haplogroup prediction based on HVS-I motifs that is superior to classic rule-based approaches. We make available to the scientific community and general public two new resources: a periodically updated database comprising all data donated by participants, and the nearest neighbor haplogroup prediction tool.
An Improved Method of Making Epidermal Imprints

A rapid and simple way to make imprints of plant epidermal structure for microscopic study is described. Rhoplex AC-33, a viscous emulsion of acrylic polymers, is applied to the tissue, allowed to dry to a transparent film, then peeled off, and placed on a microscope slide. The film records excellent structural detail and is relatively permanent. Rhoplex is non-toxic to the plant, and repeated imprints can be made for studies of guard cell movement or of epidermal cell development. Photomicrographs of various epidermi are presented.
Effects of sublethal concentrations of isoxaben on the development of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis

Agricultural pesticide exposure is one factor implicated in the decline of amphibian abundance in aquatic ecosystems. Isoxaben is a cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor mainly used for roadside weed control, suggesting that isoxaben can run off during rain events and potentially affect amphibian development. This study followed the development of African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) tadpoles exposed to different environmentally relevant concentrations of isoxaben. No significant adverse effects were observed on days to metamorphosis or size and weight at metamorphosis. This reinforces the conclusion that isoxaben herbicide application at low environmental concentrations is not a substantial risk to wildlife.