Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of acoustic data at two frequencies to discriminate between Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) and other scatterers

A visual classification was carried out of echo trace characteristics derived from 113 integration intervals of 1 n mi (nautical mile) each taken from the Southern Ocean in the area of South Georgia. This separated the echo traces into five categories: three biotic and two abiotic in origin. The acoustic data were subsequently analysed in detail by comparing the acoustic parameter Mean Volume Backscattering Strength (MVBS) at 120 kHz with that at 38 kHz. The three biotic categories separated visually had significantly different mean AMVBS values (δMVBS = MVBS 120 kHz - MVBS 38 kHz). To investigate if the biotic categories could be identified solely on the basis of δMVBS values, maximum-likelihood techniques were used to analyse the multimodal distribution of a further 1286 δMVBS records. These analyses allowed ranges to be defined for AMVBS which separate three biotic categories. On the basis of the target strength properties of the most likely scatterers in the region, the three categories were identified as krill, organisms larger than krill (fish or squid) and organisms smaller than krill (small zooplankton). The acoustic techniques described in this paper indicate a useful methodology in the study of Southern Ocean pelagic organisms.
Épocas de manejo químico de Brachiaria decumbens antecedendo o plantio direto de soja

Cover crop management and straw maintenance over the soil are common concerns for producers adopting the no tillage system in the cerrado region in Brazil. In order to study the influence of B. decumbens time management on soybean development and productivity under no tillage system, two assays were carried out using the cultivars BRS 154 and MG/BR 46-Conquista. For each cultivar, four B. decumbens management times prior to sowing of soybean (28, 14, 7 and 0 days) were tested using glyphosate for weed control, in three replicates for cultivar BRS 154 and four replications for MG/BR 46-Conquista, in a completely randomized design. B. decumbens dry weight and reinfestation were evaluated. Height of first pod insertion, number of pods per plant, grain moisture, weight of 100 seeds and productivity were evaluated in soybean crop. Based on the results obtained, it could be concluded that the most appropriate time for the management of B. decumbens with glyphosate is between 7 and 14 days before soybean sowing and that choice of time management of the cover crop has a decisive effect on the development and productivity of the crop.
ON THE LIOUVILLE EQUATION*

ABSTRACT This paper studies the initial value problem for the Liouville equation by using the operator semigroup theory and shows existence and uniqueness of the solution of this problem if initial data belong to some subset of L 2. *This work was completed during the author's studying at Tsinghua University under the direction of Chen Tianquan.
Cryptic α‐toxin gene in toxic shock syndrome and septicaemia strains of Staphylococcus aureus

The majority of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus that produce toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) fail to express α‐toxin, despite having a copy of the hla gene in the chromosome. The hla gene was cloned from an Hla‐ TSST‐1+ strain, Todd 555, which had been isolated from a case of toxic shock syndrome in the USA. Of the 630 bases of the Todd 555 gene sequenced, 46 differed from the hla gene sequence of strain Wood 46. The defect in α‐toxin expression was shown to be due to a nonsense mutation which converted a CAG glutamine codon in the equivalent position in the functional Wood 46 sequence to a TAG stop codon. The same mutation was present in the hla gene cloned from a human septicaemia strain (V37) isolated in Dublin. The nonsense mutation of Todd 555 was suppressed by the supE 44 mutation in Escherichia coli resulting in haemolytic activity in cell lysates. Hybrid hla genes were formed by splicing fragments of hla from Todd 555 and Wood 46. Expression of one such chimaeric hla gene in S. aureus demonstrated that the Todd 555 hla gene has a functional agr‐regulated promoter. The silent hla gene may be a cryptic gene in S. aureus.
NITRIC OXIDE, ODOUR PROCESSING AND PLASTICITY

We are pursuing a cellular and computational analysis of odour recognition and odour learning in the terrestrial gastropod Limax maximus. Two design features in the olfactory system of Limax may be common elements of generalist olfactory systems. They are 1) coherent oscillations in the second-order circuitry processing the sensory input and 2) involvement of the intercellular messenger nitric oxide in both sensory responses and the circuit dynamics of the oscillating olfactory network. The procerebral (PC) lobe of the Limax cerebral ganglion contains of order 105 local interneurons and receives direct input from olfactory receptors. Field potential recordings in the PC show a 0.7 Hz oscillation which is altered by odour input. Optical recordings of voltage changes in local regions of the PC show waves of depolarization originating at the distal pole and propagating to its base. Weak odour stimulation transiently switches PC activity from wave propagating mode to a spatially uniform activity mode. Both attractive and repellent odours cause this mode switch in PC activity. The field potential oscillation in the PC lobe depends on intercellular communication via nitric oxide (NO), based on effects of agents which eliminate or increase NO levels in the PC. Application of oxyhemeprotein or NO synthase inhibitor stops the field potential oscillation, reversibly. Application of exogenous NO using several NO donors increases the oscillation frequency. Liberation of caged NO by near UV flashes applied to preparations treated with dipotassium nitrosylpentachlororuthenate (NPR) also speeds the field potential oscillation. Nystatin perforated-patch recordings from the bursting cells in the PC presumed to drive the oscillation show that NO increases the burst frequency in these cells. These design features of the PC lobe odour processing circuitry may relate to the highly developed odour sensitivity and odour learning ability of Limax.
Chemical Contamination of Aquatic Organisms from an Urbanized River in the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary

ABSTRACT The lower 6 miles of the tidal Passaic River, part of the New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Harbor Estuary system, are contaminated with a variety of organic and inorganic chemicals as a result of more than 150 years of heavy industrialization and urbanization. The River's ecology is substantially degraded due to habitat removal/alteration, and the organisms that reside in or utilize the River are exposed to and bioaccumulate chemicals from sediments and food web interactions. We quantify in this study the extent and magnitude of chemical contamination in several fish species (representing a range of trophic levels) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). In addition, the concentration of several contaminants of concern are compared to concentrations in similar organisms from other areas of the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary, as well as available tissue-based toxicological effects benchmarks that are reported in the literature. The results suggest that a variety of contaminants are present at elevated levels in each of the species collected from the River. Several contaminants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), total DDT (2,2-bis[4-chlorophenyl]1,1-dichloroethene), copper, and mercury are present at average concentrations that exceed those from other waterways in the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. However, the concentrations of contaminants in the River, with few exceptions do not exceed available toxic effects levels as reported in the literature for these or similar fish and crustaceans. This suggests that toxicological risks from bioaccumulative contaminants in the lower Passaic River are limited to select contaminants and species.
Notes on some Australian and New Zealand Stomatopod crustacea, with an account of the species collected by the fisheries investigation ship Endeavour

Introduction Methods Acknowledgements Systematic Account Key to Australian Genera Clorida Clorida depressa Clorida microphthalma Harpiosquilla Harpiosquilla harpax Squilla Squilla armata Squilla foveolata CONTENTS "Squilla oratoria" complex, diagnostic features Squilla inomata Squilla interrupta S quilla laevis Squilla mcneilli Squilla perpensa Squilla woodmasoni Hemisquilla ensigera Manningia Manningia notialis n. sp. Odontodactylus cultrifer Protosquilla Gonodactylus Key to Australian Gonodactylus Gonodactylus graphurus Gonodactylus falcatus Gonodactylus platysoma Gonodactylus smithii Gonodactylus chiragra Hadrosquilla n. gen. Hadrosquilla perpasta Heterosquilla Key to lndo-Pacific Heterosquilla Heterosquilla (Heterosquilla) tricarinata Heterosquilloides n. subgen. Heterosquilla (Heterosquilloides) brazieri Austrosquilla n. subgen. Heterosquilla (Austrosquilla) osculans Heterosquilla (Austrosquilla) vercoi Bibliography 81 81
New materials for old problems: What can nanomaterials do for biology and neuroscience?

The emerging field of nanotechnology offers the development of new materials and methods for crucial neuroscience applications namely (a) promoting survival and growth of the neurons, and (b) monitoring physiological signals generated in the nervous system such as excitation, synaptic transmission, release of neurotransmitter molecules and cell-to-cell communication. Such bio-devices will have several novel applications in basic science, laboratory analysis and therapeutic treatments. Our goals in this field of research include (a) development of new biocompatible substrates to guide and promote neuronal growth along specific pathways; (b) designing a neuron-friendly, bio-molecule delivery system for neuroprotection; (c) monitoring of electrical activity from neuron and also from neuronal networks; (d) determining the diffusion and intracellular localization of nanomaterial interacting with neurons at high resolution; and (e) detection of release of neurotransmitter molecules by means of newly designed nanosensors. Here we describe the fabrication and use of magnetic nanotubes and nanowire electrode arrays in studies using a cell culture model of neuronally differentiating rat pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells. The magnetic nanotubes were fabricated by a template method yielding hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanotubes. These nanotubes were coupled with nerve growth factor (NGF). Vertically aligned nanowires were fabricated on glass substrates using the lithography-assisted template bonding (LATB) method. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were cultured on these nanotubes and polylysine coated nanowire electrodes. Our results showed that magnetic nanotube bound NGF was available to PC12 cells as they showed significant differentiation into neurons. PC12 cells growing on nanowires in the presence of NGF differentiated into neurons capable of synthesis and release of dopamine upon stimulation. The neurons grew healthy neurites appearing to form synapses with other neurons in the dish. These results show that the magnetic nanotubes were capable of delivering neurotrophic molecules and the nanowire electrodes are neuron-friendly, promote cell to cell communication and can be used as bio-sensors in the nervous system.
In vitro kinetics and antifungal activity of various extracts of Terminalia chebula seeds against plant pathogenic fungi

The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of various seed extracts of Terminalia chebula as an antifungal potential against certain important plant pathogenic fungi. The organic extracts of methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform at the used concentration of 1500 ppm/disc revealed remarkable antifungal effect as a fungal mycelial growth inhibitor against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea, in the range of 41.6–61.3%, along with MIC values ranging from 62.5 to 500 μg/ml. Also, the extracts had a strong detrimental effect on spore germination of all the tested plant pathogens along with concentration as well as time-dependent kinetic inhibition of B. cinerea. The results obtained from this study suggest that the natural products derived from Terminalia chebula could become an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling such important plant pathogenic fungi.
A Morphological Study of the Epitheliocystis Agent in Farmed Atlantic Salmon

Abstract During the last few years there have been several reports of epitheliocystis on farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar along the Norwegian coast, and heavy mortalities have been associated with the disease in some cases. Epitheliocystis has previously been described from juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss, juvenile lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, and several different nonsalmonid species. These studies of epitheliocystis suggest that the agent belongs to the order Rickettsiales or Chlamydiales. The epitheliocystis agent found in Atlantic salmon was an intracellular, gram-negative bacteria with three distinctive developmental stages: reticulate bodies (RB), intermediate bodies (IB), and elementary bodies (EB). All three stages were present within membrane-bound vacuoles in gill epithelial cells. The bodies were surrounded by two trilaminar membranes and contained ribosomes and nucleic acids. The nucleic acids in the IB and EB were condensed to a nucleoid, while the nucleic acids in the RB were fo.
A rapid method for assessing the viability of fungal spores1

The LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ Bacterial Viability Kit (L-7007) manufactured by Molecular Probes, Inc. (Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A.), which provides a two-colour fluorescence assay of bacterial viability, was useful for determining the viability of the hyaline spores of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. malvae, Leptosphaeria maculans, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and the thick-walled spores of Alternaria brassicae. Under blue light, viable spores fluoresced green and dead spores fluoresced red. Cells of multicellular spores fluoresced green or red according to their viability. In tests performed with S. sclerotiorum, there was no significant difference between viability as determined with the kit and in vitro germinability. With C. gloeosporioides, the proportion of spores that germinated in vitro was lower than the proportion of viable spores, indicating that not all viable spores could germinate.Key words: blackleg, black spot, two-colour fluorescence assay.
Diet Shift In the Sand Shrimp Crangon uritai Along the Estuary-Marine Gradient

Abstract Spatial and temporal variations in the diet of Crangon uritai were examined using stable isotope and stomach content analyses. The sand shrimp and its potential prey were collected from Yura Estuary (3–5 m), shallow coast (5–10 m), and deep coast (30–60 m) stations of Tango Sea from April 2006 to February 2007. The measurements of the length (carapace and total lengths) and feeding habit (stomach content and stable isotope ratios) of C. uritai showed that this shrimp changed its diet during migrations between the estuary and marine environments. This species consumes a variety of food at the lower estuary: mysid Orientomysis japonica, small crustaceans particularly amphipod Melita hoshinoi, and bivalve Veremolpa micra. The abundant mysid O. japonica at the shallow coast and juveniles of unidentified bivalve species at the deep coast were the favored food throughout the year. The δ13C and δ15N variations in C. uritai confirmed the spatial and temporal diet shift in gut content composition as the sand shrimp grow and migrate along the estuary-marine gradient.
GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE CUBIU EM DIFERENTES SUBSTRATOS E TEMPERATURAS 1

The cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) is a native arbustiva solanacea of the Amazon whose fruits present a high concentration citric acid. This study was carried to verify the effect of substrate and temperature on the germination capacity of cubiu seeds. This study was developed in the Seed Analysis Laboratories at the Agrarian Science Center at the Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (CCA-UFES), Alegre-ES, Brazil. A cinpletely randomized design was used with four repetitions of 50 seeds, in a 6x6 factorial outline, with six substrates (on vermiculite (V); between sand (EA); on paper (SP); on sand (SA); on mixture soil+sand+esterco (TAE) and paper roll (RP) and six temperatures (constant of 20, 25 and 30oC and alternated of 20-25; 25-30 and 20-30oC). The following characteristics were assessed: germination (%); emergency speed index(IVE); hard and deteriorated seeds (%); normal and abnormal seedlings (%); seedlings height (mm) and canopy and root dry matter (mg). The results showed that the substrate on sand and between sand under 20-30oC were the best conditions for cubiu seed germination.
Merochlorins A–D, Cyclic Meroterpenoid Antibiotics Biosynthesized in Divergent Pathways with Vanadium-Dependent Chloroperoxidases

Meroterpenoids are mixed polyketide-terpenoid natural products with a broad range of biological activities. Herein, we present the structures of four new meroterpenoid antibiotics, merochlorins A–D, produced by the marine bacterium Streptomyces sp. strain CNH-189, which possess novel chemical skeletons unrelated to known bacterial agents. Draft genome sequencing, mutagenesis, and heterologous biosynthesis in the genome-minimized model actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor provided the 57.6 kb merochlorin gene cluster that contains two genes encoding rare bacterial vanadium-dependent haloperoxidase (VHPO) genes. Pathway expression of two different fosmid clones that differ largely by the presence or absence of the VHPO gene mcl40 resulted in the differential biosynthesis of merochlorin C, suggesting that Mcl40 catalyzes an unprecedented 15-membered chloronium-induced macrocyclization reaction converting merochlorin D to merochlorin C.
The influence of a salient distractor in object-substitution masking

It remains unclear whether a salient distractor directly affects performance accuracy and the perceptual resolution of a target. In order to investigate this issue, the present study employed object substitution masking (OSM) to index perceptual hypothesis testing of a target. Trailing-mask duration of the four-dot mask was varied to investigate how the representation of the masked target decayed over time. Participants responded to the presence of a vertical line on a target ring that was isolated by a four-dot mask while an irrelevant salient distractor was presented in a subset of trials. The results revealed that the salient distractor only impacted performance when the mask and target offset concurrently (Experiment 1) or at short mask durations (Experiment 2). At longer mask durations performance in the distractor present condition was identical to performance in the distractor absent condition, suggesting that involuntary capture of attention did not affect OSM. These results show that the perceptual resolution of a masked target can operate independently of involuntary attentional selection.
Morphology and ontogenesis of Novistrombidium apsheronicum nov. comb. and Strombidium arenicola (Protozoa, Ciliophora): a comparative light microscopical and SEM study

Strombidium arenicola Dragesco, 1960 and Novistrombidium apsheronicum (Alekperov and Asadullayeva, 1997) nov. comb. are redescribed from marine waters of the Mediterranean Sea and Saudi Arabia, respectively, using live observation, protargol impregnation, and scanning electron microscopy. For the first time, the ontogenesis of a strombidiid, i.e. S. arenicola, is not only described using protargol-impregnated material but also documented by scanning electron micrographs. Strombidium arenicola and N. apsheronicum have an enantiotropic division mode and the somatic ciliature originates by simple division after intrakinetal proliferation of kinetids. The location of the oral primordium is, however, different in S. arenicola and N. apsheronicum, i.e. below vs. above the left portion of the girdle kinety. Since the ontogenesis of Strombidium recapitulates the dextrally spiralled girdle kinety of Novistrombidium, the latter is regarded as ancestral. The diagnosis of the genus Novistrombidium is made more precise by including the location of the oral primordium.
Least‐Squares Mapping Using Interpoint Distances

A new method for the mapping of the relative locations of organisms as points in a 2-dimensional space is presented. The proposed method is based on a least-squares estimate of the coordinates using observed distances between the objects being mapped (rather than triangulation based on horizontal angles). Only a small subset of the possible interpoint distances need be measured in order to obtain a very accurate map. The method is applied to 3 problems in mapping of trees in a forest.
THE USE OF AN INTERNAL STANDARD MOLECULE FOR DETERMINING MUTATION FREQUENCY IN RESTRICTION SITE MUTATION METHOD : SINIRLI BÖLGE MUTASYON YÖNTEMİ İLE MUTASYON FREKANSININ BELİRLENMESİ İÇİN İÇ STANDART

In order to overcome some problems associated with the effects of variables on in vitro amplification of specific DNA segments using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), an internal standard technique was included to restriction site mutation (RSM) method. The internal standard was designed with same nucleotide sequences as the target sequence but with a deletion so that differences in size could be used to distinguish the PCR products of the target and internal standard. The application of the internal standard usage in the RSM method was performed on the rat ras gene. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induced mutations were detected at frequencies 10at the H-ras gene in exon 1 at Hind III restriction enzyme recognition sequence. The use of internal standard successfully allowed the calculation of mutation frequency.
Movement patterns of male stoats Mustela erminea during the mating season: differences in relation to social status

Male stoats were tracked during the mating season using radio-telemetry. Three different movement patterns were apparent during spring. Old males (> 2 yr), roamed over extensive areas and stayed a few days in each place. Yearlings were either stationary, i.e. present in the same area for the entire spring and with a home range of about 2 km2 or they were transients and moved constantly over large areas. The movements of roamers and stationary males were more strongly influenced by the distribution of females than were the transients' movements. Movement activity showed two peaks during spring, one during late April early May, and then again during early June. Males appeared to avoid confrontations, and a meeting between two individuals was observed on only one occasion. The results of this study suggest that mate-searching behaviour is determined by social status, and that the reproductive success of a male depends on his behaviour and on the spatial and temporal distribution of receptive females.