Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a progressively earlier pupping season of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden Sea

Common seals Phoca vitulina give birth in the Wadden Sea area during the summer months. We provide evidence that the pupping season has advanced in date in this region. Analysis of stranding dates of recently-born, orphaned pups admitted for rehabilitation, revealed a shift of, on average, 0.88 days per year over the period 1974–2008, yielding a total advance of 26 days. Although the pupping season has become progressively earlier, there were no indications of any negative impact on the weight of the pups, nor was there an increase in the proportion of seals with a lanugo coat. These observations suggest that the most likely explanation for the change in phenology of the pupping season is a corresponding change in the timing of cessation of the period of delayed implantation. It is suggested that shifts in phenology could reflect an adaptive response of the animals to altered local circumstances. The latter may in turn be induced by larger scale phenomena such as food availability or climate change.
Influence of dietary Bacillus subtilis C-3102 spores on live performance of broiler chickens in four controlled pen trials

SUMMARY Four trials were conducted to evaluate Bacillus subtilis spores as a direct-fed microbial for improving broiler performance. In trials 1 to 3, straight-run Cobb 500 broiler chicks were grown to 42, 42, and 39 d, respectively, to evaluate diets containing Calsporin (0.05%; contributing spores at 0.003% level), an alternative growth promoter, compared with control basal diets. The additive significantly increased BW in all experiments (average +0.113 lb or +2.90%) and decreased feed conversion ratio in 2/3 trials (average 3 trials −0.027 lb of feed/lb of body weight or −1.46%) without affecting mortality. In trial 4, on new litter with a used litter covering and relatively high stocking density (0.67 ft 2 /bird or 0.0622 m 2 /bird), Ross × Hubbard HiY equal mixed-sex chicks were grown to 49 d of age. On all sides of pens, 34 in. high corrugated paper was used to prevent crossover of test additive but provided minimal ventilation and caused wet litter. Chick quality was substandard due to omphalitis. Bacillus subtilis spores (0.003%) treatment gave best BW and feed conversion results (+0.446 lb or +8.66% and −0.146 lb of feed/lb of body weight or −6.92%) compared with control treatment though not significantly better than bacitracin-methylene disalicylate (BMD) (55 ppm) or Bacillus subtilis spores plus BMD. Mortality was significantly lower in control than the combined additive treatment (in which no culling and large differences in growth increased mortality of weaker chickens). Bacillus subtilis spores improved broiler chicken BW and feed conversion ratio and in a direct comparison successfully replaced BMD.
Effect of leucaena supplementation level, and provision of urea, on utilisation by sheep of Rhodes grass hay

Tarramba leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Tarramba) foliage had per kilogram dry matter, 169 g protein and 29.8 g condensed tannins. Its value as a supplement, given either with or without urea, to sheep given a low-quality Callide Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide) hay was studied. Six rumen fistulated sheep (mean +/- s.d. liveweight, 34 +/- 1.4 kg) were used to compare 6 dietary treatments in an incomplete latin square design. Rhodes grass hay was given ad libitum either alone, or with urea 7 g/day (U), or with leucaena 150 g/day (L150), or leucaena with urea (L150U), or leucaena 300 g/day (L300), or leucaena with urea (L300U). Digestible organic matter intake was increased significantly by leucaena supplementation although digestibility of the whole diet did not alter. Rumen fluid ammonia-N was not altered by leucaena supplementation, but was increased by urea. This suggests that Tarramba foliage protein has some resistance to ruminal degradation. Liquid and solids passage rates were not affected by the treatments. Microbial nitrogen supply to the intestine (g/day), and the efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (g/kg organic matter apparently digested in the rumen), were increased by leucaena supplementation (P<0.01). Microbial protein synthesis was the only response in which 300 g/day air-dry Tarramba foliage gave improved results over 150 g/day.
A new Specklinia (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Costa Rica and Panama

A new species of Specklinia from the Cordillera de Talamanca in southern Costa Rica and western Panama is described and illustrated. Specklinia absurda most closely resembles Specklinia fuegi. It differs from that species in the pendent, single flowered inflorescence, whitish yellow sepals with red-pink veins and yellow apex, red petals with translucent margins, pandurate-trilobed, unguiculate lip with a distinct papillose isthmus below the anterior lobe, and reniform, erose, erect lateral lobes, with a Y-shaped thickened, hirsutulous apical callus. The affinities of this species to other Specklinia species are discussed.
Morphological and physiological alterations induced by lactofen in soybean leaves are reduced with nitric oxide

O lactofen e um herbicida difenileter recomendado para controlar plantas daninhas de folhas largas em campos de soja (Glycine max) e seu mecanismo de acao e a inibicao da protoporfirinogenio-IX oxidase (Protox), que atua na biossintese de clorofilas. Essa inibicao resulta em um acumulo de protoporfirina-IX, o que leva a producao de especies reativas de oxigenio (ROS), causando estresse oxidativo. Consequentemente, podem ocorrer manchas, enrugamento e queima das folhas, o que leva a paralisacao temporaria do crescimento da cultura. Porem, o oxido nitrico (NO) atua como um antioxidante na eliminacao direta das ROS. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, por meio de avaliacoes fitometricas e bioquimicas, o efeito protetor do NO em plantas de soja tratadas com o herbicida lactofen. Plantas de soja foram pre-tratadas com diferentes doses de Nitroprussiato de Sodio (SNP), substância doadora de NO, e entao pulverizadas com 168 g a.i. ha-1 lactofen. O pre-tratamento com SNP foi benefico, pois o NO reduziu os sintomas de injuria causados pelo lactofen nos foliolos jovens e manteve baixos teores de acucares soluveis. Porem, o NO proporcionou crescimento mais lento das plantas. Desta forma, posteriores estudos sao necessarios para elucidar os mecanismos de acao do NO na sinalizacao do estresse promovido pelo lactofen na cultura da soja.
Loess Ecosystems of Northern Alaska: Regional Gradient and Toposequence at Prudhoe Bay

Loess-dominated ecosystems cover {approx} 14% (11,000 km{sup 2}) of the Arctic Coastal Plain and much of the northern portion of the Arctic Foothills. Knowledge of this poorly known ecosystem is important for sound land-use planning of the expanding developments in the region and for understanding the paleoecological dynamics of eolian systems that once dominated much of northern Alaska. A conceptual alkaline-tundra toposequence includes eight common vegetation types and associated soils and vegetation downwind of the Sagavanirktok River. Properties of loess tundra important for land-use planning include: (1) its high ice content, which contributes to its susceptibility to thermokarst; (2) high salinities, which hamper revegetation efforts; and (3) presence of certain plant species such as Dryas intergrifolia, which are particularly sensitive to disturbance. The loess gradient provides a natural analogue for road dust, and extensive disturbance associated with oil-field development.
The Impact of Interference Between Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl and Tomato Mosaic Viruses on Tomato Plants

The interference between tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (TYLCV) and tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV), has great effect on concentration and infectivity of both viruses in infected plants as well as on tomato yield. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid hybridization (NASH), enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and biological assay, it was found that TYLCV or ToMV had high concentration in inoculated tomato plants. While, it had low concentration in TYLCV inoculated tomato plants when inoculated at the first, followed by ToMV inoculation, 15 days later or when the two viruses were inoculated at once. Also, low virus concentration was obtained when tomato plants inoculated with ToMV at first followed by TYLCV inoculation 15 days later. Concerning the external symptoms, it was found that the reduction of TYLCV external symptoms were in ascending order when ToMV, TYLCV or both viruses were inoculated at first. In addition, it was observed that, ToMV was suppressed in all treatments followed by increase with plant age. In contrary to that of TYLCV, ToMV symptoms increased in descending order respectively. The distribution of TYLCV was existent in all parts of inoculated plants. The height and yield of tomato plants also affected by the interference between the two viruses in which this affect depended on which virus was inoculated at first. In general, the effect of two viruses on decreasing tomato yield was more than when the two viruses were found individually.
Recommendations for conducting the in vivo alkaline Comet assay

The in vivo alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay, hereafter the Comet assay, can be used to investigate the genotoxicity of industrial chemicals, biocides, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The major advantages of this assay include the relative ease of application to any tissue of interest, the detection of multiple classes of DNA damage and the generation of data at the level of the single cell. These features give the Comet assay potential advantages over other in vivo test methods, which are limited largely to proliferating cells and/or a single tissue. The Comet assay has demonstrated its reliability in many testing circumstances and is, in general, considered to be acceptable for regulatory purposes. However, despite the considerable data published on the in vivo Comet assay and the general agreement within the international scientific community over many protocol-related issues, it was felt that a document giving detailed practical guidance on the protocol required for regulatory acceptance of the assay was required. In a recent meeting held in conjunction with the 4th International Comet Assay Workshop (Ulm, Germany, 22‐25 July 2001) an expert panel reviewed existing data and recent developments of the Comet assay with a view to developing such a document. This paper is intended to act as an update to the more general guidelines which were published as a result of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Test Procedures. The recommendations are also seen as a major step towards gaining more formal regulatory acceptance of the Comet assay.
Embryo culture of Fraxinus ornus and Sorbus domestica removes seed dormancy

We herein describe a rapid method to break seed dormancy of flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus L.) and service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) by using embryo culture techniques, because seeds of these trees commonly exhibit some degree of dormancy (Hartmann et al., 1990). Mature fruits of service tree and flowering ash were harvested during Fall 1989 from several widely spaced trees growing in their natural habitat: Las Cuevas de Vinromá (Castellón) and La Fuente del Enebro (Valencia), respectively. Seeds of service tree were isolated by fruit maceration in water and floatation (viable seeds sink and nonviable seeds and pulp float). Viable seeds were then blotted and allowed to dry for 3 to 4 days at room temperature (18 to 20C). Seeds of flowering ash were removed from hand-detached fruits. Following seed extraction, seeds (7% to 9% moisture content) were stored at 4C in dehumidifiers with silica gel. The germination medium consisted of 3% sucrose and 0.7% Difco-Bacto agar in distilled water (pH of 5.8). The medium was autoclaved at 120C for 20 min and then pensed (25 ml/dish) in glass petri dishes (100 × 15 mm). Before culture, seeds were sterilized by immersion in 70% ethanol for 30 sec followed by 30 min in 3% NaOCl with 0.1% Tween-20 and rinsed several times with sterile distilled water. One lot of intact seeds from each species (control) was placed onto the germination medium (10 seeds per dish). The remaining seeds were kept either in sterile-distilled water, a filter-sterilized solution of 11.5 μM gibberellic acid (GA3), or a sterile solution of 100 mg·liter each citric and ascorbic acids for 24, 48, or 72 h at 26 ± 2C. Once imbibed, the seeds were again sterilized (1% NaOCl with 0.1% Tween-20 for 15 min) and rinsed in sterile-distilled
Factors Influencing Bangkok People Purchase Intention towards Tesco Lotus House Brand Products

This study aimed to determine factors influencing Bangkok people purchase intention towards Tesco house brand products. The study was a quantitative research using Cronbach’s Alpha, Descriptive and Inferential Statistics to determine the reliability of questionnaire analyze demographics information and test hypotheses, respectively. There were 412 questionnaires distributed to samples who live in Bangkok and never been bought Tesco Lotus house brand products Purposive sampling, quota sampling and convenience sampling were employed in this study. The findings presented that there were three variables that had a significant effect on purchase intention which were price, trust and perceived value. However, there were no influence of product, store brand image, and brand awareness toward purchase intention. Moreover, there is no significant mean difference in purchase intention regarding Tesco Lotus house brand among Bangkok people with different monthly income levels.
GENETIC AND GROWTH PROFILES OF THREE SPECIMENS OF SWORDFISH (XIPHIAS GLADIUS) TAGGED AND RECAPTURED IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

,SUMMARY This paper presents an analysis of the genetic and growth patterns of three swordfish specimens (two males and one female) tagged with traditional tags and later recaptured over a period of time ranging from 2.7 to 5.4 years. Two of these specimens were tagged and recaptured in the NW Atlantic, while the third individual was tagged and recaptured in the NE Atlantic. These three specimens were genotyped for four micro-satellite loci and were analysed together with additional genotyped specimens from Atlantic and Mediterranean areas using a Bayesian cluster analyses. The results suggest that the three recaptured swordfish have a genetic profile that is characteristic of the Atlantic. The growth patterns were seen to differ in two of the specimens analysed (male and female): the male was assumed as a single ring pattern, while the female was assumed as a mostly double ring pattern. The age estimation of these two specimens according to these premises could be accommodated to previous growth studies. The third specimen which is known to be a male at least 6 years of age, tagged and recaptured in the NW Atlantic, was not possible to accommodate to previous growth studies. The examination of genetic data in combination with tagging-recapture information may facilitate the study of aspects related to individual and stock specific growth and elucidate the patterns of ring formation on the hard parts (spines). It would be advisable to enhance the tagging-recapture protocols of swordfish and to include the routine sampling of tissues and hard parts in all the recaptures made by the different fleets.
Pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa) germination and emergence as affected by environmental factors and seeding depth

Abstract Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effect of light, temperature, solution pH, solution osmotic potential, and oxygen concentration on pitted morningglory germination and radicle plus hypocotyl elongation, and seeding depth on its subsequent emergence. Daily exposure of seed to natural light resulted in lower germination than in darkness, whereas germination was not influenced by brief exposure to red or far-red light. Germination occurred over a wide range of constant temperatures, from 7.5 to 52.5 C, with optimum germination between 20 and 25 C. Germination occurred at solution pH range of 3 to 10 and was optimal from pH 6 to 8. Radicle plus hypocotyl elongation was influenced by the interaction of temperature and solution pH. A combination of acidic medium (pH 6) and high temperature (30 C) resulted in the greatest radicle plus hypocotyl length of 7.6 cm after a 7-d incubation. Germination and radicle plus hypocotyl elongation, averaged over the 15 and 30 C temperature, decreased with increasing moisture stress, with less than 3% normalized germination at −1.0 MPa. Germination was 29, 40, and 51% at 2, 10, and 20% oxygen, respectively, averaged over 15 and 30 C. Germination of seed lying on the soil surface covered with filter paper or without any cover was similar, averaging 64%. Normalized emergence, relative to germination on the soil surface, decreased with increasing burial depth to 4% emergence at 10 cm, with a mean emergence depth of 4.1 cm, averaged across two soil types. Nomenclature: Pitted morningglory, Ipomoea lacunosa L. IPOLA.
IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS OF HAMELIA PATENS

An alarming increase in bacterial strains resistant to existing antimicrobial agents demands a renewed effort to seek agents effective against pathogenic bacteria resistant to current antimicrobials. Hamelia patens extracts was studied for antibacterial and antifungal activity against various clinical isolates of the bacteria and fungi, in varying concentration by Agar well diffusion method and serial dilutions. The extracts showed pronounced concentration dependent antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and also antifungal activity. Various extracts of Hamelia patens inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas flurescens, Escherichia coliand Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternata. Six extracts of Hamelia patenswere analyzed for their antioxidant activity by Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The six extract along with the reference sample , Gallic acid were further analysed to determine toal phenolic content by Folin – Ciocalteau method. The data obtained in the in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of all extracts.
Utility and Accuracy of Template-Directed Dye - Terminator Incorporation with Fluorescence - Polarization Detection for Genotyping Singl e

There are little independent data avai l able about how well single nucleotide pol y morphism (SNP) genotyping technologie s perform in the typical molecular genetic s laboratory. We evaluated the utility and a c curacy of a widely used technology, tem plate-directed dye-terminator incorporatio n with fluorescence-polarization detectio n (FP-TDI), in a sample of 177 SNPs selecte d solely on the basis of map location. Gen o types were generated without optimizatio n using standard protocols. Overall, 81% o f the SNPs we studied generated readabl e genotypes by FP-TDI. Thirty-two SNPs wer e genotyped in duplicate by PCR-RFLP or fl u orescent dye-terminator sequencing. Out o f a total of 631 duplicate genotypes, no tru e discrepancies were detected. The true erro r rate has a 95% chance of lying between 0 and 6 out of 1000 genotypes. We also teste d for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg Equ i librium in 33 SNPs genotyped in 50 unrela t ed individuals, and no significant deviation s were detected. Our FP-TDI data were read i ly adaptable to automated genotype callin g using our own method of cluster analysis , which assigns a probability score to eac h genotype call. We conclude that FP-TDI i s both efficient and accurate. The method ca n easily fill the needs of SNP genotyping pr o jects at the scale typically used for regiona l or candidate-gene association studies.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Indole-3-Acetic Acid During Induction of Adventitious Root Formation from Cotyledon Explants of Walnut

Cotyledon explants of walnut (Juglans regia) have been shown to generate adventitious roots on growth regulator-free medium. The spatial distribution of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and its dynamic changes during adventitious root formation were investigated using an in situ immunohistochemical approach. Before root induction, IAA signal was distributed throughout the freshly excised cotyledon explants. During provascular bundle differentiation, the IAA signal was mainly located in the provascular bundles. At the stage of annular meristematic zones formation, the IAA signal was mainly distributed in the meristematic zones and decreased in the vascular bundles and cotyledonous parenchyma. As primordia formed, the IAA signal became localized in the root primordia and gradually disappeared in the meristematic zones. In emerging roots, the IAA signal was mainly localized in the root cap and root meristem. These results suggest that accumulation of IAA in the provascular bundles may induce vascular differentiation and the increase in IAA through meristematic zones may be responsible for the adventitious root formation from walnut cotyledons. The direct evidence presented here indicates that IAA accumulated in the meristematic zones is not the sole signal needed to induce adventitious root.
Identification of enzymes potentially involved in the formation of the oocyst wall of coccidian parasites

The Coccidia are a group of single-celled, protozoan parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa. Adaptable and widely distributed, they are able to reproduce asexually and sexually within their host, causing serious diseases in poultry, livestock, pets, wildlife and people all over the world. One of the defining features of the group is the oocyst, which is the end-point of sexual reproduction and is pivotal for transmission of these parasites. Oocysts are surrounded by a wall, which has a chemical structure that enables them to persist for long periods in the environment until ingested by new hosts. The resilience of the oocyst wall has been attributed to the formation of dityrosine cross-links between tyrosinerich proteins that originate in the sexual stages (gametocytes) of the parasite. These tyrosine-rich proteins are processed into smaller proteins, then undergo oxidation to form the dityrosine bonds as they are incorporated into the oocyt wall matrix. The hypotheses investigated in this study were that: processing of tyrosine-rich proteins is via proteases; and catalysis of dityrosine crosslinking is via oxioreductases. The aim of the thesis was to identify proteases and oxioreductases that are expressed specifically in gametocytes as they transform into oocysts. The poultry coccidian, Eimeria tenella, was chosen as the model for this study because of the availability of a genome database and reliable methods to purify gametocytes and oocysts of this parasite. Bioinformatic analyses identified 45 potential proteases in the E. tenella genome. However, expression of only three subtilisin-like serine proteases was up-regulated in gametocytes, as revealed by qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of one, EtSUB2, was specific to the sexual phase of development and localised within the cytoplasm of macrogametocytes, adjacent to the wall forming bodies that store tyrosine-rich proteins prior to their incorporation into the oocyst wall. Data mining of the E. tenella database also identified five genes coding for oxioreductases. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the relative transcript abundance of three of these, amine oxidase 2, glutathione peroxidase and an oxioreductase, was increased dramatically in gametocytes. All three proteins could be detected specifically in macrogametocytes within infected caeca of chickens, displaying a punctate distribution in the cytoplasm of the parasite. Thus, this thesis identifies candidates for two putative enzymatic steps in the generation of chemical bonds that are crucial for the formation of oocyst walls and, therefore, the completion of the lifecycle of coccidian parasites. These enzymes are potential targets for novel parasite control strategies.