Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Infections with Baculovirus penaei in the White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda) as a Bioassay

Infections of the virus Baculovirus penaei (BP) have historically impacted penaeid shrimp production in both hatcheries and ponds. BP causes cytopathological alterations and mortality in at least four species, including Penueus vannamei. This study established experimental infections with BP in laboratory-reared P. vannamei. The most useful protocol involved BP infection in third substage protozoea (P3) induced by feeding virus-contaminated material to rotifers and, in turn, feeding those rotifers to the shrimp larva. Infections were also established by delivering virus-containing brine shrimp to mysis (M) and postlarval (PL) stages. When virus originating from infected adults and juveniles was fed to P3's, the shrimp exhibited patent infections with hypertrophic nuclei, polyhedra, free virions, and occluded virions five or six days after being fed the virus. In contrast, when the source of virus material was from bioassay larvae rather than from adults and juveniles, similar patent infections developed in P3's by one to two days. A significant mortality in the resulting M's and PL's was associated with the infections with short but not long prepatent periods. In experimentally infected shrimp, examination by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed extensive viral infection in many cells in the anterior midgut and as many as 80–90% of the proximal and medial hepatopancreatic tubular cells. Free and occluded virions capable of producing disease ruptured into the gut lumen soon after infections became patent. Tests conducted in 1 L Imhoff cones, 160 L spat-cones, and aquaria all produced infections, usually with a prevalence of 100%. The system provides a useful method to detect and assay for infective agents, to amass infective material for research purposes, and to assess the biology of and host response to the virus under different conditions.
Host infestation patterns of the massive liana Hydrangea serratifolia (Hydrangeaceae) in a Chilean temperate rainforest

As competition from lianas reduces fitness of host trees, lianas could influence community composition and structure if potential host species differ in susceptibility to infestation. We quantified infestation frequencies of Chilean temperate rainforest tree species by the massive liana Hydrangea serratifolia (H. et A.) F. Phil (Hydrangeaceae), which climbs using adhesive adventitious roots, and examined relationships with host light requirements and stem diameter. We recorded presence or absence of H. serratifolia in a random sample of 515 trees ≥10 cm diameter. Fifty-four per cent of trees were infested by at least one individual of H. serratifolia. Although there was significant interspecific variation in infestation frequency, this variation was not systematically related to light requirements of host tree species. Probability of infestation increased with diameter for most host tree species, and old trees were found to be infested by a wide range of liana size classes, including some stems <2 cm diameter. This evidence supports the proposal that lianas which attach by adhesive roots can colonize host stems of any size.
Requirement for Interaction of PI3-Kinase p110 alpha with RAS in Lung Tumor Maintenance

RAS proteins directly activate PI3-kinases. Mice bearing a germline mutation in the RAS binding domain of the p110 alpha subunit of PI3-kinse are resistant to the development of RAS-driven tumors. However, it is unknown whether interaction of RAS with PI3-kinase is required in established tumors. The need for RAS interaction with p110 alpha in the maintenance of mutant Kras-driven lung tumors was explored using an inducible mouse model. In established tumors, removal of the ability of p110 alpha to interact with RAS causes long-term tumor stasis and partial regression. This is a tumor cell-autonomous effect, which is improved significantly by combination with MEK inhibition. Total removal of p110 alpha expression or activity has comparable effects, albeit with greater toxicities.
Is polychaete diversity in the deep sublittoral of an Antarctic fiord related to habitat complexity

Seventy−six species of Polychaeta were found in 19 quantitative samples col− lected in the deep sublittoral (200-500 m) of Admiralty Bay (South Shetlands). Three as− semblages were distinguished by similarity analysis (clustering, nMDS). The soft bottom in depths from 200 to 300m was strongly dominated by Maldane sarsi antarctica and had very low species richness and diversity. The second assemblage was distinguished in the areas of the sea floor in the same depth range but with aggregations of Ascidiacea and Bryozoa. It was again characterized by high abundance of Maldane sarsi antarctica, but showed signif− icantly higher species richness and diversity. Diversity of polychaete feeding guilds was also high in these areas. This pattern was probably associated with an increased habitat complexity due to the presence of dense aggregations of large suspension feeders. High spe− cies richness and diversity was also noted in the third assemblage, associated with the deep− est sublittoral (400-500 m) of Admiralty Bay. This is the area characterized by very stable environmental conditions, where the assemblage was dominated by Tharyx cincinnatus, Sternaspis sp. , Maldane sarsi antarctica, and Asychis amphiglypta.
An evaluation of genetic analyses, skull morphology and visual appearance for assessing dingo purity: implications for dingo conservation

The introgression of domestic dog genes into dingo populations threatens the genetic integrity of ‘pure’ dingoes. However, dingo conservation efforts are hampered by difficulties in distinguishing between dingoes and hybrids in the field. This study evaluates consistency in the status of hybridisation (i.e. dingo, hybrid or dog) assigned by genetic analyses, skull morphology and visual assessments. Of the 56 south-east Queensland animals sampled, 39 (69.6%) were assigned the same status by all three methods, 10 (17.9%) by genetic and skull methods, four (7.1%) by genetic and visual methods; and two (3.6%) by skull and visual methods. Pair-wise comparisons identified a significant relationship between genetic and skull methods, but not between either of these and visual methods. Results from surveying 13 experienced wild dog managers showed that hybrids were more easily identified by visual characters than were dingoes. A more reliable visual assessment can be developed through determining the relationship between (1) genetics and phenotype by sampling wild dog populations and (2) the expression of visual characteristics from different proportions and breeds of domestic dog genes by breeding trials. Culling obvious hybrids based on visual characteristics, such as sable and patchy coat colours, should slow the process of hybridisation.
Avaliação da eficiência da mistura pronta de glyphosate + 2,4-D no controle da Commelina virginica L. em citros

In citrus orchard of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, one of the most employed post-emergency herbicide for weed control is glyphosate. However, when this herbicide is applied alone and at the recommended rates, it has been observed a selection of the weed Commelina virginica L. due to its great tolerance and the elimination of other weeds. Because of that, other chemicals must be studied to solve the problem. In this particular case, the herbicide should be sistemic and have a low toxicity to the operator and to the citrus trees. This work was conducted to study the efficacy of a ready mixture of glyphosate + 2,4-D compared to the products sprayed alone in orange orchards [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]. The phytotoxicity effects were studied too. The experiment was carried out in Catanduva, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a ten years old orange orchard, with 8,0 x 6,0m spacing. On february, 20 th, 1991, the herbicides were sprayed directly on 15-60cm height Commelina during its flowering. The results showed that the ready mixture was better in Commelina control than other treatments. No significant differences were observed for the rates greater than 0,60 + 0,80 kg a.i./ha. The results reinforced the sinergism theory within both products. None of the treatments caused visual phytotoxicity to orange trees.
Production of a proteinaceous phytotoxin by Ascochyta rabiei grown in expressed chickpea sap

Production of the solanapyrone toxins by Ascochyta rabiei is nutrient dependent. When grown on a medium consisting entirely of expressed sap from the aerial parts of young chickpea plants (PSM). only low concentrations of the solanapyrones were produced (< 24 μM). However, toxicity of 4-day-old culture filtrates to isolated cells of chickpea leaflets was comparable with that obtained from 12-day-oId culture filtrates on Czapek Dox nutrients supplemented with chickpea seed extract or cations—media that are conducive to solanapyrone production. The additional toxic component which peaked at 4 days in culture was heat labile, losing about 50% of its activity on boiling for 10 min. Affinity for solid-phase extraction media, precipitation with ammonium sulphate and acetone, ionization properties and UV absorption characteristics suggested that the toxin was a polypeptide. The toxin was purified by solid-phase extraction, acetone precipitation and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C2 column. Hydrolysis of the purified toxin yielded 14 amino acids, and calculation of the numbers of residues of each amino acid suggested a molecular mass of 7, 551 Da, A band corresponding to this molecular mass was present on SDS-PAGE gels. However, both the native peptide and its hydrolysate contained a compound that reacted with p-anisaldehyde suggesting the possibility of a glycosidic moiety.
Isolation and characterization of five microsatellite loci in the ponerine ant Pachycondyla inversa (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

We characterized five polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci for the neotropical ponerine ant Pachycondyla inversa . The variability was initially tested in 19 workers from nine colonies from a Brazilian population. We found five to 12 alleles per locus, with observed heterozygosities between 0.72 and 0.95. The allele size ranged from 73 to 197 bp. The primers also successfully amplified DNA at all five loci in the closely related species P. villosa .
Premature death in parasitized Listronotus bonariensis adults can be caused by bacteria transmitted by the parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae

During experiments to determine the impact of the introduced parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the Argentine stem weevil Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (Col.: Curculionidae), it was discovered that weevils frequently died prior to development of the parasitoid. It was postulated that this premature mortality could be caused by an ingress of pathogens in the puncture wounds created during parasitoid oviposition. This hypothesis was tested using the pathogenic bacterium Serratia marcescens Bizio as a model indicator of bacterial transmission by the parasitoid. When the bacteria were injected with a pin, simulating parasitoid attack, 92% of weevils died. Weevils exposed to parasitoids contaminated with bacteria suffered significantly higher mortality than those exposed to parasitoids untreated with bacteria. W hen parasitoids and weevils were confined in Petri dishes on filter paper contaminated with S. marcescens , there was significantly higher weevil mortality than in d.
Overcoming linearisation errors in calculating bacterial growth rates

When we calculate population dynamics parameters for microbial plankton, we normally jump back and forth between biomass productivities (P*, ∆biomass vol–1 time–1) and specific growth rates (μ, time–1) (Ducklow 2000). At each of those steps, there is the possibility to make calculation errors by assuming productivities as rates that are independent from the standing biomass. That is, exponential processes (no matter how close μ is to zero) may be linearised. In a recent note, Kirchman (2002) has addressed this issue by comparing 2 different equations used to calculate bacterial growth rates from changes in biomass over time. I will readdress this issue and derive somewhat different conclusions. I will assume that exponential growth is an inherent property of microbial populations. Visualisation of this growth in natural conditions may be masked. As an example, when predators are removed, bacteria often increase exponentially (Weisse & Scheffel-Möser 1991, del Giorgio et al. 1996). Thus, in situ changes in bacterial biomass may be masked by loss factors that counterbalance growth. However, this does not mean that the microbes are not following the laws of exponential growth. In any case, exponential growth is the basic assumption of the dynamics of planktonic microbial populations and is used in calculations, experiment interpretations and modelling efforts. I will also assume that the radioactive leucine incorporation technique (Kirchman 1993, Kirchman & Ducklow 1993) estimates gross bacterial assemblage production. If one further assumes balanced growth and that the bacterial assemblage behaves like a population, the specific bacterial growth rate (μ) can be calculated. The production (P) after a time ∆t will be:
Creep-recovery of bread and correlation to sensory measurements of textural attributes

ABSTRACT Bread crumb firmness has been studied extensively with many instruments. Other texture attributes like springiness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness can be obtained through sensory analysis or by texture analysis using texture profile analysis. In this study, mechanical analysis (MA) was used to study the creep-recovery of several commercial breads. A descriptive panel was used to analyze these attributes and the results were correlated to MA measurements. With use of a small probe force in the linear viscoelastic portion (50 mN), bread sensory firmness was correlated quadratically to MA creep deformation (r2 = 0.77) and sensory springiness was correlated quadratically to the combination of MA recovery percentage and its rate (r2 = 0.82). With use of a large probe force in the nonlinear viscoelastic portion (600 mN), bread cohesiveness was correlated linearly to the MA recovery percentage (r2 = 0.98). These results indicate that the creep-recovery test can be used to determine some texture attribut.
Geographic variation in dynamics of an annual plant with a seed bank

1. Most population dynamics studies are geographically restricted, yet species ranges are large. We performed multiyear roadside surveys of the sunflower, Helianthus annuus, at two locations that differ in precipitation (eastern Kansas, KS; western Nebraska, NE). Our goals were to (i) document if there was geographic variation in dynamics and evaluate the role of habitat variables and the landscape matrix; (ii) determine the likely amount of occupiable habitat and (iii) explore the role of seed banks in dynamics.
Relationship between Endogenous Factor and Decrease in Color Formation of Low Quality Pork

To clarify the reason for the decrease in CFR (color forming ratio) of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) porcine muscle, the effect of simulation of the PSE conditions on cooked cured meat color was investigated in fractionated components from porcine skeletal muscle, 24 hr postmortem. Although the solubility of total proteins and heme pigments markedly decreased in sarcoplasm by this treatment, no decline in CFR of the sarcoplasm could be observed when compared to the controls. A similar tendency was observed in both high- and low-molecular weight fractions of sarcoplasm. On the other hand, myofibrils simulated the PSE conditions in the presence of myoglobin significantly decreased CFR, and the extent of this decline was nearly consistent with the case of whole muscle. The reasons for the decrease in CFR of PSE muscle are discussed.
Virus–like particles and endophytic bacteria in Paraphysomonas and Chromophysomonas (Chrysophyceae)

An ultrastructural investigation has shown the presence of icosahedral virus–like particles (VLPs) in three species of Paraphysomonas and one species of Chromophysomonas. The VLPs appear to be responsible for the sudden collapse of enrichment cultures of these species. The possible relationship with particles in other algae which are known to be true viruses is discussed. Endophytic bacteria were also observed in two species of Paraphysomonas, where they occurred within distensions of the nuclear envelope. This is the first report of endophytic bacteria in this location in the algae.
Analysis of twinning in flying-foxes (Megachiroptera) reveals superfoetation and multiple-paternity

Abstract Published records of twinning and superfoetation in monotocous wild mammals are rare. Flying-foxes (Pteropodidae, Megachiroptera) occasionally produce twin offspring, fraternal twins, as well as superfoetation twins. Superfoetation occurs where a foetus is conceived when there is a foetus already developing. The resultant twins may be months apart in developmental stages so that one twin is usually born prematurely. Here, we review the current literature available on twinning and superfoetation in flying-foxes, and describe nine occurrences of multiple conceptions in Australian Pteropus species. Differences in sex and age of offspring clearly showed that most resulted from simultaneous or serial ovulations, not zygote splitting, thus excluding monozygous twinning. Additionally, an example of superfoetation is genetically analysed using six highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, to show multiple-paternity of superfoetation twins. Multiple births by flying-foxes are rare, leading the authors to conclude that the polyovulation constraint theory, found in the Microchiroptera, is not applicable in flying-foxes. The rare occurrence of additional ovulations do not usually produce additional live offspring. Post-ovulatory constraints, including the extra energetic demand twins place on a female flying-fox, are implicated in preventing successful production of multiple offspring.
Impact of pulse exposure to methoxychlor on flagfish (Jordanella floridae) over one reproductive cycle

A 7.5- to 15-min pulse of the insecticide methoxychlor is currently used to control larval emergence of the blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in several river systems of western Canada. Our chronic life-cycle study with flagfish (jordanella floridae) tested whether pulse exposure to methoxychlor would alter either the survival, wet weight gain, and reproduction of first-generation fish, or the survival and wet weight gain of their offspring. Flagfish were pulse exposed for 2 h to 0, 0.25, 0.70, 1.84, or 4.00 mg methoxychlor∙L−1 either once, at 8 d of age, or twice, at 8 and 71 d of age. While mortality and wet weight gain were inconsistent indicators of methoxychlor impact, reproductive characteristics were highly sensitive. Mean daily egg production, total egg production, and time to steady spawning of first-generation fish, as well as hatchability and incidence of abnormalities in their offspring, were all adversely affected by a single 2-h exposure of 8-d-old juveniles to concentrations of methoxychlor ≥ .
Using the Past to Inform the Present: The Influence of Folklore on CEO Leadership

This paper examines how contemporary interpretations of CEO leadership are influenced by folklore. The study utilised a constructivist grounded approach to examine the interplay between leadership and social context. The findings disclosed that New Zealandâ€™s colonial legacy transmitted via folklore contributed to the formation of an institutionalised interpretative schema informing CEO leadership. The social processes within this schema contain aphorisms that act to define the CEO role and how it is enacted. The study addresses an identified gap in the literature by providing an examination of the influence of context on CEO leadership.
Evaluation of the Palaearctic Eurithia consobrina (Diptera: Tachinidae) as a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Canada

The evaluation of Eurithia consobrina (Meigen) as a candidate for introduction against bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in western Canada included studies of its host range, distribution, synchronization with host, constancy, abundance and life history in Europe. In addition, its diapause induction and its coldhardiness were compared with those of the target host M. configurata and its native tachinid parasitoid, Athrycia cinerea (Coq.). E. consobrina was found to fit criteria for a successful biocontrol agent reasonably well. It also had the potential to fill a largely unoccupied niche in the parasitoid complex of M. configurata. E. consobrina has a facultative diapause of the long-day type, similar to A. cinerea, but is less sensitive to diapause-inducing conditions. E. consobrina is at least as coldhardy as A. cinerea and more coldhardy than M. configurata. Laboratory exposures to temperatures of 0 C for 140 days apparently selected for greater coldhardiness, and.
Determination of intracellular Ca2+ in cells of intact wheat roots: loading of acetoxymethyl ester of Fluo-3 under low temperature

Summary Loading of Ca2F -sensitive fluorescent probes into plant cells is an essential step to measuring activities of cytoplasmic free Ca2F ions with a fluorescent imaging technique. A major barrier to the loading of the fluorescent probes into plant cells using the acetoxymethyl (AM) esters of the Ca2F -sensitive dyes is the presence of cellwall associated esterases. These esterases hydrolyse the esterified form of the fluorescent probes, rendering the probes membrane-impermeable. A novel non-invasive loading protocol was described in this paper to load the Ca2F -sensitive fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM ester into apical cells of intact wheat roots by incubating the roots in Fluo-3/AM ester solution at 4°C for 2 h followed by 2-h incubation in the dye-free solution at 20°C. The incubation at low temperature inhibited extracellular hydrolysis of Fluo-3/AM ester but had less effect on diffusion of membrane-permeable Fluo-3/AM ester across the plasma membrane, because hydrolysis of Fluo-3/AM ester by extracellular esterases is a chemical process (high Q 10), while diffusion of Fluo-3/AM across the plasma membrane is a physical process (low Q 10). The Fluo-3/AM ester, accumulated in the root cells during the low temperature incubation, was then cleaved by intracellular esterases during the incubation at 20°C, releasing the membraneimpermeable Ca2F -sensitive Fluo-3 in the cytoplasm. The root cells loaded with Fluo-3 showed strong intracellular fluorescence under confocal microscopy. The fluorescence from the root cells was sensitive to the Ca2F ionophore and hydrogen peroxide, indicating that the intracellular fluorescence was due to intracellular Ca2F ions.