Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study on the ability of tropical micro-crustaceans to feed and grow on cyanobacterial diets

Controlling noxious phytoplankton blooms by biomanipulation largely depends on the presence of large-sized (.3000 mm) generalist grazers, not common in the tropics. Therefore, we compared the ability of small ( 2000 mm) microcrustaceans Ceriodaphnia dubia, Moina macrocopa, Daphnia pulex, Simocephalus vetulus and Heterocypris incongruens to feed and grow on cyanobacterial diets. We studied their feeding preferences on phytoplankton from natural lake water with a dominance of Microcystis sp. , Fragilaria sp. or Planktothrix sp. to which we added Scenedesmus acutus. Also tested were the ability of D. pulex, S. vetulus and H. incongruens to reduce cyanobacterial densities by grazing, and the rate of grazing and demographic responses of S. vetulus and H. incongruens on diets of S. acutus, Microcystis sp. and Planktothrix sp. All species fed on small colonies of Microcystis sp. , but not on filamentous Planktothrix sp. or colonial Fragilaria sp. Simocephalus vetulus and H. incongruens were generalists and most capable of reducing cyanobacterial densities. Demographic variables of S. vetulus, but not H. incongruens, were significantly lower on the cyanobacterial diet; for instance, the population growth rates were between 0.07– 0.2 day on cyanobacterial diets, but 0.31 on S. acutus while for H. incongruens they ranged between 0.07 and 0.08 day, regardless of whether the diet was a cyanobacteria or S. acutus. Our study warrants further tests on the ostracod H. incongruens in order to test its efficacy in reducing cyanobacterial densities in shallow tropical ponds.
Composición química del aceite esencial de Piper hispidum Sw. y actividad antimicrobiana sobre Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson y Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Pammel) Dowson

The essential oils are a potential alternative to the control of phytopathogenic bacteria. The aims of this work to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of Piper hispidum Sw. and to established its antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Pammel) Dowson. The composition of the leaves essential oil of this plant, obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, was researched by Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The antibacterial effect of the essential oil was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. The essential oil (yield 0,17%) is a complex oil that have trans- α- bisabolene (11,28%) as the principal component and there are others like: β-pinene (8,2%), α-pinene (4,76%), allo-aromadendrene (4,92%), (-) spatulenol (3,65%) and L-linalool (3,61%). The oil shown a weak antibacterial activity against X. campestris pv. campestris and strong against X. albilineans, for that it is may consider as a candidate for the management of this last bacterium.
High Gravity Brewing by Continuous Process Using Immobilised Yeast: Effect of Wort Original Gravity on Fermentation Performance

ABSTRACT J. Inst. Brew. 113(4), 391–398, 2007 The present work evaluated the influence of all-malt wort orig-inal gravity on fermentative parameters and flavour-active com-pound formation during primary fermentation of high gravity brewing by a continuous process using a lager yeast immobilised on a natural carrier obtained from brewer’s spent grain (the main brewery by-product). The all-malt worts with original gravity (OG) ranging from 13.4 to 18.5°Plato were prepared by diluting a very-high-gravity wort (20°Plato) with sterile brewery water. The continuous assay was carried out in a bubble column bio-reactor with a total working volume of 5.2 litres, at 15°C, using a constant gas flow rate of 250 mL/min (200 mL/min of CO 2 and 50 mL/min of air) and a dilution rate of 0.04 h -1 (residence time of 25 h). The results indicated that as the wort OG was in-creased, the ethanol concentration of the outflowing beer in-creased. On the other hand, the continuous fermentation of the most concentrated worts (16.6 and 18.5°Plato) resulted in beers with unbalanced flavour profiles due to excessive ethyl acetate formation. The immobilised cell concentration appeared to be nearly independent from increasing wort OG.
An Independent Observation of Facultative Parthenogenesis in the Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Abstract Among reptiles, reproduction in the absence of males is often assumed to result from long-term sperm storage. Through the application of molecular genetic tools, biologists are beginning to recognize that facultative parthenogenesis can also explain such reproductive events in snakes. We observed a Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) give birth to a stillborn neonate and four infertile ova after 9 yr in isolation from male snakes. To test the hypothesis that the neonate was produced asexually, we screened a panel of 10 microsatellite loci to genotype the mother and her offspring, as well as wild-caught individuals in the mother's population of origin, to assess the probability of paternity. Confirming prior research on Copperheads that suggests parthenogenesis by terminal fusion automixis, we found that four heterozygous maternal loci were homozygous in the neonate. We calculated the probability of a random male from the population as a sire to the neonate to be 2.32 × 10−13 by using the population allele frequencies and the genotype of the neonate. These results further confirm that Copperheads are facultatively parthenogenetic and suggest that this reproductive mode may be general within the species.
Characterization and expression of Fusarium graminearum endo‐polygalacturonases in vitro and during wheat infection

This study investigated the expression and characterization of two polygalacturonases (PG1 and PG2) of Fusarium graminearum during infection of wheat spikelets; after purification, these were demonstrated to be products of two unique endo-pg genes annotated in the genome database of F. graminearum. Both genes (Fgpg1 and Fgpg2) were expressed in vitro and during spike infection. PG1 had a greater specific activity, with a maximum at pH 5–7, was largely secreted in liquid culture and clearly detectable in the infected ovary tissue. PG2 was more active at pH 7–7·8, was poorly secreted in liquid culture and faintly detectable in infected ovaries. Both PG-encoding genes were maximally expressed 24 h after wheat spikelet infection, paralleling the expression of a pectin lyase (Fgpnl1) gene; they anticipated the expression of a xylanase gene (FgxylA) that was induced only 48 h after infection with a maximum at 96 h. These data strongly indicate F. graminearum-secreted PG activity at an early stage of wheat infection.
LIPID AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF TWO SPECIES OF ABALONE, HALIOTIS DISCUS HANNAI INO AND HALIOTIS DIVERSICOLOR REEVE

Analyses of lipid profile and fatty acid compositions of muscle and viscera of two commercially cultured abalone, namely Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, have been carried out. The total lipid levels of the viscera of both abalone were much higher than those of muscle. Phospholipids were the predominant lipid components in muscle, whereas triacylglycerol in viscera. The major fatty acids identified in muscle and viscera were C16:0, C18:0, C20:4n–6, C20:5n–3 and C22:5n–3. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) accounted for over 40% of total fatty acids, and C20:4n–6 and C20:5n–3 were the most abundant PUFAs. Moreover, different fatty acid compositions were found between the muscle and viscera. Compared with muscle, viscera contained higher percentage of 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid and C18-PUFA, but lower percentage of C22-PUFA and dimethyl acetals. This study would increase awareness of the nutritional value of these two abalone and also contribute some important information to abalone aquaculture. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis diversicolor Reeve are the main commercially farmed species of abalone and have become the most important species of molluscan mariculture in China and occupied the important position in terms of commercial value among farmed molluscan products. This study analyzed the lipid profile and fatty acid compositions of muscle and viscera of the above two abalone species. The results would provide some useful nutrition information for the consumption and aquaculture of abalone. Meanwhile, the viscera of abalone are rich in total lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acid, indicating that the viscera would have great potential of exploitation and comprehensive utilization in lipids.
Chemical modification of lactase for immobilization on carboxylic acid-functionalized microspheres

Abstract Surface interactions between an enzyme and support influence the retention of activity after immobilization. Chemical modification of enzymes prior to immobilization may be used to alter these interactions and enhance activity retention. Lactase (A. oryzae) was covalently conjugated to P(S/V-COOH) microspheres, with surface carboxylic acid densities of 9 μeq/g and 137 μeq/g, using carbodiimide chemistry. Under optimum pH and temperature conditions, activity retention was greater when the enzyme was conjugated to microspheres containing a lower density of surface carboxylic acid groups (32% activity retention) than when the enzyme was conjugated to microspheres having a greater density of surface carboxylic acid groups (11% activity retention). Chemical modification of lactase carboxylic acid groups with glucosamine prior to immobilization was evaluated as a means to increase activity retention. Under optimal conditions, modification resulted in a 17% decrease in soluble enzyme activity compared to the native enzyme. However, immobilization of the modified enzyme yielded 85% and 64% activity retention after conjugation to microspheres with a lower and higher density of surface carboxylic acid groups, respectively. The results suggest that increases in surface carboxylic acid density on the carrier promote the loss of lactase activity after immobilization, and chemical modification of the enzyme with glucosamine provides a means to retain catalytic activity after attachment to these supports.
Extreme food webs: Foraging strategies and diets of scavenging amphipods from the ocean’s deepest 5 kilometers

We explore hypotheses that alternate foraging strategies, diet, or nutrient partitioning could help explain the success of scavenging Lysianassoids (Amphipoda) in hadal oligotrophic trenches (depths of 6–11 km) by examining the nutritional strategies of four lysianassoid species (Eurythenes gryllus, Scopelocheirus schellenbergi, Hirondellea dubia, and Uristes sp. nov.) collected with baited traps (6.3‐10.8 km) from the oligotrophic Tonga and Kermadec Trenches (southwest Pacific Ocean). Diets and foraging strategies were examined by use of (1) the nascent DNA‐based analysis of hindgut contents, which provides a ‘snapshot’ of recently ingested organisms, and (2) natural abundance isotopic signatures, which reflect the source of nutrition and relative trophic position. The scavenging guild exhibits remarkable trophic plasticity, and each amphipod species employs alternate foraging modes, including detrivory or predation, to supplement necrophagy. The nutritional strategies of some species appear to shift with age, depth, and even between trenches. Thus, there is no single ubiquitous hadal food web; rather it is influenced by depth and overlying surface productivity. Isotopic data suggest that coexisting species partition the dietary items, providing evidence of competition among members of the scavenging guild. The extreme foraging flexibility of scavenging amphipods may ultimately contribute to their success in severely foodlimited hadal ecosystems.
Motivational Determinants of Sexting

Sexting, defined as the exchange of sexually explicit contents among adolescents and young adults using electronic media, has become a popular topic of interest in the wider public. This paper proposed a theoretical model to explain motivational determinants of sexting behaviour. We reviewed sexting literature to show how multiple empirical confirmed motivational factors can be modelled within our framework. By analysing empirical research, we posited a set of individual characteristics and contextual characteristics that explain sexting behaviour. We offered a systematic review of motivational determinants relevant to capture sexting behaviour and guidelines for future research in this area. We intended by this theory to organize prior research into a more theoretically satisfying approach to study sexting and to encourage researchers to expand the model and use it in future studies.
On the pelagic occurrence and dispersal of the benthic amphipod Corophium volutator

Field data on the pelagic occurrence of Corophium volutator were obtained in 1981–82 in the Dollard (Ems estuary). The pelagic population density averaged over a tidal half cycle was in the range 0–15 m-3. The pelagic population represents about 0.06% of the benthic population. On most sampling days pelagic occurrence resulted in a net flood surplus transport.
Methylation of tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A and BRCA1 in primary epithelial ovarian cancer

The methylation features of plasma tumor suppressor gene promoters in patients with primary Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) were analyzed in the present study. The methylation status of tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and RASSF1A in primary EOC tissues and plasma was detected by Methylation-Specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) to analyze the correlation of methylation and clinical as well as pathological parameters of EOC. The methylation proportion of tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 and RASSF1A was 17.1 and 42.9% in EOC tissues, respectively. There was positive correlation between BRCA1 methylation and histological stage, RASSF1A and clinical stage or histological stage. Meanwhile, the methylation proportion of BRCA1 and RASSF1A was 8.7 and 30.8% in the plasma of EOC patients, respectively. But, the methylation proportion of plasma BRCA1 and RASSF1A was 33.3 and 53.3% in EOC patients with abnormal BRCA1 and RASSF1A methylation in EOC tissues. The methylation ofBRCA1 and RASSF1A promoters may participate in the occurrence and development of primary EOC. The methylation proportion of plasma BRCA1 and RASSF1A is coincident with that in tumor tissues, and thus plasma DNA can effectively reflect the features of primary EOC. Key words: Ovarian neoplasms, plasma DNA, tumor suppressor gene, methylation, promoter.
Biomass of picea abies (L.) Karst. in midwestern bohemia

The distribution of tree biomass was investigated in 3 even‐aged Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) stands aged 57, 78 and 106 years in midwestern Bohemia. The results of sample tree analyses were used to derive prediction equations for tree biomass components using the allometric model Y=A1 x XA2 , where Y is mass, and X is the measure of tree size (diameter at breast height, height, crown length) or stem sapwood area at breast height. The distribution of needle mass according to age, and the relationship between dry matter of foliage and annual current stem wood volume increment were investigated. The total amounts of stand biomass components were calculated using the diameter and height distribution, and tree biomass prediction equations. The results were compared with data of several authors.
Topographic wetness index predicts the occurrence of bird species in floodplains

Selecting informative variables is crucial for species distribution modelling and ecological studies in general. Proxies quantifying water accumulation may have suitable properties because hydromorphy partly determines plant and animal communities. Topographic wetness index (TWI) was developed to locate wetlands but has largely been ignored from ecological studies despite the value of these areas for biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. We assessed here the ability of TWI to predict the occurrence of grassland passerines and tested different settings to determine which was the best predictor for our dataset.
Combined effects of γ-radiation and ethylene oxide in human diploid fibroblasts

Human diploid VH-10 fibroblasts were pre-exposed to gamma-rays and then treated with ethylene oxide (EtO). In the reverse experiment, the cells were pretreated with EtO and then exposed to gamma-rays. Two different dose rates of gamma-rays were used: a low dose rate (LDR, 0.66 Gy/min) and a high dose rate (HDR, 10 Gy/min). Cell killing, mutagenicity and DNA double-strand breakage were studied in both types of experiment. The induction of mutations in the HPRT locus was studied by selection in medium containing 6-thioguanine. DNA double-strand breakage, measured as fraction of activity released (FAR), was investigated using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Concerning mutagenesis, it was found that pre-exposure of the cells to gamma-radiation (1 Gy) followed by treatment with EtO (2.5 mMh) led to an additive co-interaction, irrespective of dose rate. On the other hand, the reverse experimental procedure (pretreatment with EtO followed by gamma-ray exposure) resulted in an antagonistic effect, which was most pronounced when the HDR was applied. In the latter case, the resultant mutant frequency was two times lower than the sum of the mutant frequencies after the individual treatments. However, the effect of the combined treatment on FAR was different: FAR increased with both combinations of agents used compared with the separate and hypothetically expected effects. Moreover, the HDR exposure led to an additional increase in FAR compared with the LDR one.
The Diverse Role of Ldb1 in Cell Differentiation and Mouse Embryonic Development

textabstractDuring the development of the mouse embryo tightly regulated differentiation pathways lead to the formation of the tissues and organs of the adult animal. The role of Ldb1 during embryonic development and in particular during hematopoiesis and neural development will be the focus of this thesis. The first chapter of this thesis is a general introduction that covers the initial stages during the formation of the mouse embryo, the onset of hematopoiesis in the extra-embryonic tissues followed by the emergence of HSCs in the intra-embryonic PSp/AGM and the shift of hematopoiesis initially to the fetal liver and finally the bone marrow. In addition the chapter includes an overview of the signalling pathways and transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Finally Ldb1 is introduced as a member of multi-protein complexes that regulate gene expression and cell differentiation and as a facilitator of long range interactions in transcription regulation. In the second chapter the phenotype of the Ldb1-/- mouse is described in detail. The deletion of Ldb1 was found to be detrimental for embryonic development as the resulting phenotype is characterized by early embryonic lethality and severe defects. Mouse expression arrays were used in order to gain insight into which development regulatory pathways and factors were misregulated in the absence of Ldb1. In the third chapter the role of Ldb1 in early hematopoietic development and the emergence of the hemangioblast was investigated in detail with the use of an Ldb1-/- ES cell line that was differentiated into embryoid bodies. Mouse expression arrays were used in order to establish which factors act downstream of Ldb1 in the regulation of hematopoiesis in the mouse embryo. In the fourth chapter the role of Ldb1 in neural development was investigated with the use of the Ldb1-/- ES cell line that was differentiated into Neural Stem Cells (NSCs). Mouse expression arrays were used to determine the position of Ldb1 in the hierarchy of factors that are involved in the emergence of the NSCs. In the fifth chapter the role of Ldb1 in cell differentiation and transcription regulation is discussed in detail and applications of the present findings into future directions are proposed.
Inhibitory effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae) essential oil and beta-pinene on the growth of dematiaceous moulds

Os fungos dematiaceos sao microrganismos patogenicos capazes de agir como agentes etiologicos de micoses com diferentes graus de severidade. Este estudo avaliou a efetividade do oleo essencial de Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume e b-pineno em inibir o crescimento de varias cepas de fungos dematiaceos (Alternaria brassicola, Cladosporium herbarium, C. resinae, C. cladosporioides, Chaetomum globosum, Curvularia, Fonsecaea compacta, Piedraia hortae). Os ensaios antimicrobianos foram conduzidos atraves da determinacao da Concentracao Inibitoria Minima-CIM utilizando-se da tecnica de difusao em meio solido, bem como atraves da observacao da interferencia dos valores de CIM sobre o crescimento micelial radial fungico ao longo de 14 dias. Os valores de CIM encontrados para o oleo essencial de C. zeylanicum oscilaram entre 63 e 125 µL/mL. b-pineno apresentou um valor de CIM de 125 µL/mL para a maioria das cepas fungicas, entretanto C. resinae e C. globosum mostraram-se resistentes a todas as concentracoes ensaiadas. Os valores de CIM encontrados para C. zeylanicum e b-pineno apresentaram intenso efeito fungicida notado por uma total inibicao do crescimento micelial de C. cladosporioides e F. compacta ao longo de 14 dias de exposicao. Estes resultados mostraram o intenso potencial antifungico do oleo essencial de C. zeylanicum e b-pineno, os quais poderiam ser considerados em um uso racional em formulacoes farmaceuticas utilizadas para a terapia de algumas micoses, particularmente, aquelas causadas por fungos dematiaceos.
Isolation and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species from declining Rubus anglocandicans

Rubus anglocandicans is the most widespread and abundant blackberry species within the European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) aggregate in Western Australia (WA). European blackberry is also one of the 32 Weeds of National Significance in Australia. A disease recorded as 'blackberry decline' was first observed in some blackberry sites in WA in 2006. A disease survey was conducted in the Manjimup-Pemberton region along the Warren and Donnelly River catchments in WA between 2010 and 2012. Phytophthora amnicola, P. bilorbang, P. cryptogea, P. inundata, P. litoralis, P. multivora, P. taxon personii, P. thermophila and a P. thermophila × amnicola hybrid were recovered from declining and adjacent decline-free sites, as well as from streams and rivers. Phytophthora cinnamomi was isolated from dying Banksia and Eucalyptus species from two non-decline sites. Of these species, P. bilorbang and P. cryptogea were more pathogenic than the others in under-bark inoculations using excised stems (primocanes), in planta primocane inoculations in blackberry growing wild in native forest stands, and in glasshouse pot trials. It was concluded that blackberry decline is a complex syndrome and Phytophthora species, in particular P. bilorbang and P. cryptogea, together with temporary inundation, are major biotic and abiotic factors contributing to blackberry decline.
Single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of MYF5 gene of the camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The myogenic factors (MYF) 5 and 6 are integral to the initiation and development of skeletal muscles and to the maintenance of their phenotypes. Thus, they are candidate genes for growth and meat qualityrelated traits. The MYF5 gene is expressed during proliferation of myoblasts and comprises 3 exons: 500, 76 and 191 bp long. Genomic DNA was isolated from the camel hair using NucleoSpin Tissue kit. Two animals of each of the six breeds namely, Marecha, Dhatti, Larri, Kohi, Sakrai and Cambelpuri were used for sequencing. For PCR amplification of the gene, a primer pair was designed from homolog regions of already published sequences of farm animals from GenBank. Results showed that exon 1 comprising of 422 bp of the dromedary MYF5 gene was more homologous (94%) to the cattle than the dog and human. However, phylogram showed that a small number of mutations had been experienced by dromedary camels at their MYF5 gene and was more near to human than other farm animals.