Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Removal of indoor tobacco smoke under light and dark conditions as affected by foliage plants.

The efficacy of three species of indoor plants (Spathiphyllum spp., Ficus elastica and Syngonium podophyllum) for the removal of environment tobacco smoke (ETS) particulate matter (PM) in the light and dark and changes in physiological responses (photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration) of the plants to ETS was assessed. Cigarette smoke was generated in sealed chambers to give an initial concentration of ～182 ㎍ㆍm? ³ and after normalization (10 min) the concentrations of various size categories (PM₁? , PM 1.0 , and PM 0.5 ) were determined. ETS PM diminished with time due to adsorption and sedimentation. However, the decrease was accelerated by the presence of indoor plants in both the light and dark. Removal efficiency varied among species and was not correlated with leaf area. Spathiphyllum spp. had the highest removal efficacy on a leaf area basis among the species tested in both light and dark conditions, and removal was more efficient in the light than in the dark. In the dark there was little difference in removal efficiency among species or in respiratory rate. The removal efficiency in the light was higher in species with higher photosynthetic rates, suggesting that photosynthesis may be involved in the accelerated removal.
Antagonistic activity of marine sponges associated Actinobacteria

Objective: To focus on the isolation and preliminary characterization of marine sponges associated Actinobacteria particularly Streptomyces species and also their antagonistic activities against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methods: The sponges were collected from Kovalam and Vizhinjam port of south-west coast of Kerala, India. Isolation of strains was carried out from sponge extracts using international Streptomyces project media. For preliminary identification of the strains, morphological (mycelial colouration, soluble pigments, melanoid pigmentation, spore morphology), nutritional uptake (carbon utilisation, amonoacids influence, sodium chloride tolerance), physiological (pH, temperature) and chemotaxonomical characterization were done. Antimicrobial studies were also carried out for the selected strains. Results: With the help of the spicule structures, the collected marine sponges were identified as Callyspongia diffusa, Mycale mytilorum, Tedania anhelans and Dysidea fragilis. Nearly 94 strains were primarily isolated from these sponges and further they were sub-cultured using international Streptomyces project media. The strains exhibited different mycelial colouration (aerial and substrate), soluble and melanoid pigmentations. The strains possessed three types of sporophore morphology namely rectus flexibilis, spiral and retinaculiaperti. Among the 94 isolates, seven exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities with maximal zone of inhibition of 30 mm. The nutritional, physiological and chemotaxonomical characteristic study helped in the conventional identification of the seven strains and they all suggest that the strains to be grouped under the genus Streptomyces. Conclusions: The present study clearly helps in the preliminary identification of the isolates associated with marine sponges. Antagonistic activities prove the production of antimicrobial metabolites against the pathogens. Marine sponges associated Streptomyces are universally well known for their synthesis of many bioactive compounds such as antibiotics, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and food grade pigments. They also have certain biotechnological applications like probiotics and single cell proteins. These marine Streptomyces bioactive metabolites can be the futuristic solution for the dreadful diseases.
Impediments to New Improved Maize Variety Testing and Release in Selected Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Before farmers can benefit from new improved maize varieties with novel genetic information, new maize varieties have to undergo performance testing, registration and approval. The registration procedures require that new maize varieties must pass the tests for value for cultivation and use (VCU) and standardized tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS). To meet the minimum requirements for variety release, public and private sector maize breeding programs routinely assemble breeding nurseries and evaluate variety performance in National and Regional Performance Trials (NRPT) with the objective of generating important agronomic data to identify the best maize varieties for release. In spite of intensive variety evaluation in regional and national trials, only few maize varieties have been registered and released annually in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) denying farmers access to new improved varieties. The purpose of this study was to identify constraints hampering the registration and release of elite maize germplasm and make recommends on how to quicken the deployment of elite germplasm to smallholders’ farmers. A survey was conducted on the varietal testing and release systems in 14 selected countries (Angola, Benin. Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana. Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia. and Zimbabwe) in SSA. The results from the study show that regulations on variety testing and release procedures in the various countries are overlapping and rigid hindering the deployment and commercialization of new improved maize germplasm. The study also showed that varietal release rates fluctuated between countries with South Africa having the highest number of varietal release rates per year and some countries failing to release a single variety per year.
The phylogenetic analysis of Acrossocheilus paradoxus among the acrossocheilus base on complete mitochondrial DNA sequence

Abstract In our research, we used 17 sets of primers to amplify the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Acrossocheilus paradoxus. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16 597 bp and deposited in the GenBank with accession numbers KT751364. The gene arrangement and transcriptional direction were similar to other bony fishes which contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNAs) and a major non-coding control region. Most genes were encoded on the H-strand, except for the ND6 and 8 tRNA genes, encoding on the L-strand. The nucleotide skewness for the coding strands of A. Paradoxus (GC-skew= −0.24, AT-skew = 0.07) is biased toward A and C. The negative GC-skew ranges from −0.35(ND6) to −0.21(CO1) and the AT-skew showed more positive varying from −0.23(ND4L) to 0.42(ND6). The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Acrossocheilus clustal together as one group.
Neoalbatrellus subcaeruleoporus sp. nov. ( Scutigeraceae ) from western North America

Neoalbatrellus subcaeruleoporus is described as a new species. Its systematic position is supported by molecular and morphological analyses, and a key to the three Neoalbatrellus species is provided. A revised key to American and European species of Scutiger sensu lato (Albatrellopsis, Albatrellus, Laeticutis, Neoalbatrellus, Polypus, Polyporoletus, Polyporopsis, Scutiger s.s., Xanthoporus, and Xeroceps) is appended.
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) foraging responses to agricultural land use and abundance of insect prey

Throughout North America, many species of aerial insectivorous birds have exhibited steep declines. The timing of these declines coincides with changes in agriculture, perhaps signaling a causal link. Increased agrochemical use, wetland drainage, and cropping intensity may indirectly influence insectivores by reducing the abundance of insect prey. Our objective was to determine whether changes in insect abundance and biomass on agricultural landscapes in the Canadian Prairies influence the foraging behaviour of breeding Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)). Swallows were studied at five sites with varying levels of agricultural intensity in Saskatchewan, where insect abundance and biomass were monitored daily with passive aerial samplers. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology was employed at Tree Swallow nest boxes to investigate adult foraging behaviour. Foraging rates (number of nest visits/h) were slightly higher on agricultural sites than at grassland sites, and were positiv.
Plant diversity in hedgerows amidst Atlantic Forest fragments

Hedgerows are linear structures found in agricultural landscapes that may facilitate dispersal of plants and animals and also serve as habitat. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among diversity and ecological traits of woody plants, hedgerow characteristics (size, age, and origin), and the structure of the surrounding Atlantic Forest landscape. Field data were collected from 14 hedgerows, and landscape metrics from 1000-m buffers surrounding hedgerows were recorded from a thematic map. In all sampled hedgerows, arboreal species were predominantly zoochoric and early-succession species, and hedgerow width was an important factor explaining the richness and abundance of this group of species. Connection with forest vegetation did not explain richness and abundance of animal-dispersed species, but richness of non-zoochoric species increased in more connected hedgerows. These results suggest that hedgerows are probably colonized by species arriving from nearby early-succession sites, forest fragment edges, and isolated trees in the matrix. Nonetheless, hedgerows provide resources for frugivorous animals and influence landscape connectivity, highlighting the importance of these elements in the conservation of biodiversity in fragmented and rural landscapes.
In Vitro Propagation of Vanilla planifolia

In vitro shoot proliferation of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andr.) by axillary branching was achieved in a basal medium consisting of Murashige and Skoog salts supplemented with (per liter) 0.1 mg thiamine-HCl, 0.5 mg pyridoxine-HCl, 100 mg i-inositol, 0.5 mg nicotinic acid, 2.0 mg glycine, 1 g casein hydrolysate, 30 g sucrose, 8 g agar, and 0.5 mg 6-benzylamino purine (BA). Rooted shoots were established successfully in the greenhouse using an organic medium (redwood bark chips).
The genus Amalda in New Caledonia (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Olividae, Ancillinae)

— Four new species and one subspecie s are described from deep water in the New Caledonian region : Amalda fuscolingua, A. aureomarginata, A. coriolis, A. bellonarum and A. hilgendorfi richeri. A. montrouzieri (Souverbie, 1860) is redescribe d and discussed . SEM photographs of radulae are included. Résumé. — Quatre espèce s et une sous-espèc e nouvelles à'Amalda sont décrites de la région néocalédonienne , d'où le genre n'étai t jusqu'ici connu que par la présenc e d'A. montrouzieri (Souverbie, 1860). Cette espèce des fonds blancs du lagon est redécrit e et son statut discuté. A. aureomarginata n. sp. , A. fuscolingua n. sp. et A. hilgendorfi richeri n. ssp. sont des espèce s bathyales de Nouvelle-Calédonie , où elles vivent sur des fonds durs et grossier s entre 300 et 600 m; A. coriolis n. sp. n'est connu que des plateaux sommitaux des bancs Capel et Kelso, en mer du Corail, vers 150-300m de profondeur ; A. bellonarum n. sp. est une espèce de la pente du plateau Chesterfield-Bellon a entre 45 et 240 m. R. N . KILBURN, Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. P. BOUCHET, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.
Effects of copper enrichment on survival, growth and photosynthetic pigment of seedlings and young plants of the eelgrass Zostera marina

ABSTRACT Copper (Cu2+) is an essential nutrient for plants but toxic at high concentrations. We subjected seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina to different seawater Cu concentrations (3, 4, 5, 10, 30 and 50 µg l−1) for over 30 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Natural seawater without added Cu (3 µg l−1) was used as reference seawater. We measured plant response in terms of survivorship, morphology, growth, productivity and leaf pigment concentration. Survival analysis combined with morphological, dynamic and productive assessment suggested that the optimum seawater Cu concentration for the establishment of Z. marina seedlings and young plants is 4 μg l−1. The photosynthetic response of young plants to copper enrichment, including an increase in chlorophyll content under low Cu concentration treatment but significant decrease when treated with high concentrations of Cu, is similar to those reported for other seagrass species. NOEC (no observed effect concentration), LOEC (lowest observed effect concentration) and LC50 (lethal concentration that caused an increase in mortality to 50% of that of the control) values of seedlings were significantly lower than those of young plants, implying a reduced Cu tolerance to high concentrations (>10 μg l−1). This study provides data that could prove helpful in the development of successful eelgrass restoration and conservation.
Contracted but effective: production of enantiopure 2,3-butanediol by thermophilic and GRAS Bacillus licheniformis

The production of chemicals with chiral groups through chemical methods is attractive but difficult to perform. Optically active 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) can provide two chiral groups and has special applications in asymmetric synthesis. However, the chemical production of 2,3-BD from nonrenewable resources is expensive to perform and results in a mixture of three stereoisomeric forms. Enantiopure 2,3-BD production through green biotechnological routes is thus rather desirable. In this work, we introduced a “SAME” (Screening, Analysis, Mutation, and Evaluation) process to achieve efficient microbes for chiral chemicals’ production using 2,3-BD as a target molecule. Bacillus licheniformis MW3, a GRAS and thermophilic strain, was firstly selected as a promising host. The mechanism of stereoisomer formation of 2,3-BD in B. licheniformis MW3 was then investigated. Two stereospecific 2,3-BD dehydrogenases (BDHs), 2R,3R-BDH (encoded by gdh) and meso-BDH (encoded by budC), were identified to be responsible for the production of (2R,3R)-2,3-BD and meso-2,3-BD. Two metabolically engineered strains, B. licheniformis MW3 (ΔbudC) and B. licheniformis MW3 (Δgdh), were constructed for the production of (2R,3R)-2,3-BD and meso-2,3-BD, respectively. After 42 h of fermentation, 123.7 g L−1 (2R,3R)-2,3-BD was synthesized using B. licheniformis MW3 (ΔbudC); while 90.1 g L−1meso-2,3-BD was synthesized after 32 h using B. licheniformis MW3 (Δgdh). Because of their high levels of production and biosecurity, these engineered B. licheniformis strains might have potential in the commercial production of enantiopure (2R,3R)-2,3-BD and meso-2,3-BD. The contracted but effective “SAME” process might serve as an alternative method for other chiral chemicals’ production.
Foraging Behavior of Native Honeybee (Apis Cerana F.) and European Honeybee (Apis Mellifera L.) on Flowers of Common Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum M.) in Chitwan, Nepal

This paper is the findings of the research conducted on foraging behavior of Native honeybee ( Apis cerana F.) and European honeybee ( Apis mellifera L.) on flowering buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) inside the cage during November 2012 to 2013 at Meghauli, Chitwan, Nepal. Apis cerana F. started their foraging activities early in the morning (8.24 ± 0.50 AM) and ceased late in the evening (5.18 ± 0.20 PM) in comparison to Apis mellifera L. , which started foraging at 8.29 ± 0.50 AM and ceased at 4.56 ± 0.50 PM. The total duration of foraging per day was more in Apis cerana F . than Apis mellifera L . , i.e . 8.34 ± 0.90 hours per day in Apis cerana F. and 8.25 ± 0.90 hours per day in Apis mellifera L . That means A. cerana F. was 1.8% more efficient on foraging duration than A. mellifera L. Similarly, the number of Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L. entering into the hive in five minutes was the highest (51.69 ± 0.45 in Apis cerana F., and 62.81 ± 0.45 in Apis mellifera L.) at 12 Noon while lowest (11.24 ± 0.11 in Apis cerana F., and 5.89 ± 0.11 in Apis mellifera L.) at 5 PM and no activity was started at 8 AM. Likewise, the number of Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L. bees outgoing from the hive in five minutes was the highest (42.67 ± 0.98 in Apis cerana F . and 48.71 ± 0.98 in Apis mellifera L . ) at 12 Noon and the lowest (4.31 ± 0.07 in Apis cerana F. and 2.39 ± 0.07 in Apis mellifera L.) at 5 PM. The number of buckwheat flower visited by Apis cerana F. was highest at 10 AM while by Apis mellifera L. it was highest at 12 Noon. But, for both species of honeybees it was lowest at 4 PM. There was more time spent by Apis mellifera L. (2.37 seconds) per flower than Apis cerana F. (1.95 seconds) during floral visit. So, Apis cerana F is efficient in foraging and hence in pollination on buckwheat than Apis mellifera L suggesting buckwheat cultivation along with bee farming especially Apis cerana F. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(2): 236-239
An investigation into the molecular identity of the KATP channel of vascular smooth muscle

The molecular identity of the K At p channel of vascular smooth muscle was investigated using a variety of methods. RT-PCR was used to investigate the expression of K Atp subunit mRNA. Kir 6.1, 6.2, and SUR 2B transcripts were detected in all vascular smooth muscle preparations, SUR 1 was detected in mesenteric artery. Expression at the protein level was determined, in femoral artery cells, using an immunohistochemical technique, visualizing stained cells with confocal miscroscopy. Antibodies specific for Kir 6.1, 6.2 and SUR 2B, 2A, subunits were used and all resulted in staining. Using a Xenopus expression system cloned KATP channel currents were characterized. Differences in channel activation, via metabolic poisoning, were found to be dependent on the SUR subunit. The compound PNU-37883A was found to be selective for the Kir subunit, with channels comprising Kir 6.1 being more sensitive to inhibition by this compound than Kir 6.2. Kir 6.x chimeras were constructed to identify a possible site of modulation/binding and a region of the C-terminus was identified which was important in the channels response to the compound. The differences in sensitivity of channels with Kir 6.1 and 6.2 are similar to those reported for vascular smooth muscle and skeletal or cardiac muscle, providing further evidence that the Kir 6.1 subunit is involved in forming the K Aj p channel of vascular smooth muscle. However, the other evidence provided here doesn’t rule out the possibility of heteromultimeric KATp channel formation in vascular smooth muscle.
Factors affecting germination of Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) seeds from the xeric forest.

Araucaria araucana es una conifera dioica endemica de la Patagonia de Argentina y Chile. Los arboles femeninos producen semillas grandes que son dispersadas desde febrero a mayo. Aunque se destaca la importancia de esta especie por su valor biologico y cultural, el conocimiento sobre algunos aspectos de su autoecologia es limitado, en particular en el extremo xerico de su distribucion. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron evaluar el efecto de la temperatura y de tratamientos pre-germinativos sobre la germinacion de semillas del bosque xerico de A. araucana. Se trabajo en camara de crecimiento considerando seis temperaturas, desde 10°C a 35°C, con intervalos de 5°C. Las temperaturas cardinales de germinacion minima y maxima, y las optimas son, respectivamente: 15°C, 30°C y 25°C. Para evaluar el efecto de tratamientos pre-germinativos se consideraron 5 tratamientos: imbibicion en agua destilada, escarificacion mecanica total, escarificacion mecanica parcial, escarificacion quimica y control. El uso de tratamientos pre-germinativos duplico el porcentaje de germinacion respecto del control. Para maximizar la germinacion de semillas de A. araucana se recomienda realizar un tratamiento pre-germinativo de imbibicion en agua destilada e incubar las semillas a 25°C.
Drip Irrigation Management and Scheduling for Vegetable Production

Proper management of vegetable drip-irrigation systems requires knowledge of soil hydraulic characteristics, plant-growth and water-use characteristics, and evaporative demand. The resultant schedule must integrate these properties and conform to existing irrigation system and cultural constraints. Irrigation management must be coupled with the fertilizer management program to avoid excessive water applications that leach plant nutrients. Because drip irrigation applies water to discrete locations along the plant row, limited irrigated areas can result, and this is an important consideration for irrigation system design, cultural practices and management, and irrigation system operation and management.
The impact of selenium application on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems in Zea mays roots treated with combined osmotic and heat stress

ABSTRACT Selenium (Se), regarded as an antioxidant, has been found beneficial for plants growing under stressed conditions. To investigate whether the Se application helps to improve stress tolerance, sodium selenite (Na2SeO3 · 5H2O, 5–15 μM) was hydroponically applied to Zea mays variety OSSK-713-roots under heat and/or PEG-induced osmotic stress (25% PEG-6000) for 8 h. The individual/combined stress caused accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While only superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with heat stress alone, the activities of SOD, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased under PEG exposure. The combination of these stresses resulted in an induction of both SOD and CAT activities. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels were also high in all the stress treatments, especially under the combination treatment. Addition of Se not only improved the activities of SOD, APX and glutathione reductase (GR) in stress-treated roots, but it also changed the activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). The findings reveal that Se has a positive effect on heat and/or osmotic stress mitigation mainly by regulating the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, especially in PEG-treated plants. Under the combined stress treatment, addition of 5 µM of exogenous Se was most effective.
RECONSTRUCTING LAGRANGIAN VELOCITY GRADIENTS IN INHOMOGENEOUS TURBULENT FLOWS FROM COARSE-GRAINED SIMULATIONS

The detailed dynamics of small particles and droplets in turbulent flows are not directly accessible in standard large-eddy simulations because the relevant small-scale physics is unresolved. This paper aims to demonstrate a technique for recovering unresolved velocity gradients along Lagrangian paths, which are important for a number of micro-physical applications. Stochastic models previously used for Lagrangian velocity gradients in isotropic turbulence are adapted to work alongside large-eddy simulations under the assumption that the unresolved turbulence is approximately locally isotropic. The technique is demonstrated for a turbulent channel flow by explicitly filtering a DNS simulation at Reτ = 1000 from the Johns Hopkins Turbulence Databases for use as a ‘perfect LES’ solution. The results of the stochastic model are then compared to particle tracking results from the full DNS solution. This demonstrates that the stochastic models developed for Lagrangian velocity gradients in isotropic turbulence can be implemented as a practical tool for large-eddy simulations in a wide range of engineering and geophysical flows.