Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Documentation of Physiochemical Parameters of the Folkloric Medicinal Plant Pisonia grandis R.Br. Reared under Greenhouse and Local Environment Conditions

Medicinal plants represent the eternal kindness of almighty for the perpetuation of life in the universe. Pisonia grandis R.Br. is a flowering plant of the four O’clock family Nyctaginaceae, commonly called lettuce tree. The medicinal potential of the plant is well established and is documented by many workers. The present study is aimed to document the physiochemical parameters of the plant P. grandis reared under green house and local environment conditions. Standard methods were adopted for the physiochemical analyses. Physiochemical parameters of leaves, stem and roots of P. grandis revealed that the plant parts are a rich source of metabolites, micro and macro nutrients, minerals, fibers and proteins. Toxic metal contamination in leaves stems and roots of P. grandis are within the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. All feasible documentation obtained from the current investigation makes it a wholesome record on physiochemical parameters of the folkloric medicinal plant P. grandis.
Geographical and annual variations in the proportion of extended diapausing individuals of Illiciomyia yukawai (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) with reference to an adaptive significance of its bimodal emergence pattern

Illiciomyia yukawai (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) induces leaf galls on Illicium anisatum (Schisandraceae) and exhibits 1‐year (yr) and 2‐yr type life history patterns. Geographical and annual variations in the proportion of 2‐yr to 1‐yr type individuals of I. yukawai were studied from 1977 to 1994 and in 2008, 2009 and 2014. An analysis of geographical variation at 13 different census fields indicated that the proportion of 2‐yr type individuals significantly increased with the decrease of mean annual temperature reflected by altitudinal and latitudinal gradients. However, a multiple regression analysis indicated that the annual variation in the proportion was not correlated with temperature, gall density, abundance of host resources or parasitism by hymenopteran parasitoids. Thus, we eliminated the effects of these external factors that have been thought to determine the annual variation. We need to take alternative intrinsic factors, instead of external factors, into consideration to explain the annual variation. The fall of galled leaves occasionally caused a higher mortality of 2‐yr type individuals than those of 1‐yr type. Nevertheless, 2‐yr type individuals exist. We considered that the existence of 2‐yr type individuals of I. yukawai has an adaptive significance to diversify risks against catastrophic events such as the serious shortage of host buds and high percentage of parasitism that happen more frequently than the high mortality caused by the fall of galled leaves.
Germination Requirements of Hovenia dulcis Seeds

The Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis Thunb.) is grown for ornamental (2, 4), for medicinal and secondary products (4, 6), and for fruit production (5). It is analogous to cashews in that the peduncles are the edible portion of the plant. Seeds of H. dulcis require acid scarification for germination (1, 2, 4), but the literature does not indicate the need for stratification. Germination varies from “uniform germination in 16 days” (2), to ≍ 40% germination (4) following scarification. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum duration of acid scarification and whether stratification would enhance germination.
Metabolic protein interactions in Bacillus subtilis studied at the single cell level

We have investigated protein-protein interactions in live Bacillus subtilis cells (a bacterium). B. subtilis’ natural habitat is the soil and the roots of plants, but also the human microbiota. B. subtilis is used worldwide as a model organism. Unlike eukaryotic cells, bacteria do not have organelles and therefore it was thought that the interior of bacteria is an unorganized mess. But bacteria do have a ‘skelet’: the cytoskeleton. More and more is known about the organization inside bacteria and it turns out that many proteins have a specific location in the cell. Protein complexes might be the bacterial equivalent of eukaryotic organelles. Earlier research suggests that protein complexes have a transient nature; they are formed when necessary and fall apart afterwards. During this research we studied the dynamics of a few protein complexes; of some proteins involved in sugar metabolism. This has been studied here in live bacteria with a miroscope. The method that we used to study protein-protein interactions is called FRET (Forster Resonance Energy Transfer). The principle of FRET can be explained with two stem forks. When one stem fork is excited it starts to vibrate; thereby spreading a wave. A second stem fork can absorb this wave if it is nearby and will start to vibrate with the same frequency. We have labeled sugar metabolism proteins with green and red fluorescent proteins (‘our two stem forks’). If we can observe the red protein after exciting the green protein, then we have proven that the sugar metabolism proteins interact.
Response of sideoats grama to anim al saliva and thiamine.

Highlight: Sideoats grama plants clipped to various heights and frequencies were used to compare plant growth response to additions of animal saliva and thiamine. Comparisons were also made between plants which were either grazed or clipped. Results indicated that plants will respond to additions of thiamine when they are clipped at a moderate intensify (6 inches) and frequency (6 weeks). Plants did not respond to thiamine or saliva when clipped to three inches regardless of the frequency. Plants grazed by cattle, sheep or goats had significantly higher growth rates than clipped plants. Caution should be taken in interpreting data when mechanical clipping is substituted for grazing.
Biogenesis of transport carriers

A chemical called Ilimaquinone (IQ) was identified based on its ability to convert the mammalian Golgi apparatus into small uniform size vesicles. We reasoned IQ hyper activates a membrane fission reaction and thus suitable for understanding this process. This reaction required a serine/threonine kinase called PKD. Surprisingly, PKD was found to control the biogenesis of transport carriers at the Trans Golgi Network (TGN) that are destined to cell surface. Other exit routes from the Golgi membranes were PKD independent. PKD binds diacylglycerol (DAG) and Arf1, and promotes the production of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI4P). PI4P in turn recruits ceramide transfer protein (CERT) and the oxysterol binding protein (OSBP). The binding of Arfaptin1 to the TGN also requires PI4P. Arfaptin 1 contains a domain that has the ability to assemble into an amphipathic helix; PKD phosphorylates within this region and dissociates Arfaptin 1 from the TGN. PKD thus regulates membrane curvature by controlling the dynamics of the BAR domain containing Arfpatin 1 at the TGN. PKD also regulates the association of CERT and OSBP by phosphorylation. Altogether this suggests that PKD regulates the levels of PI4P, ceramide and sterols at the TGN, and important for transport carrier biogenesis. We have tested this hypothesis directly by affecting the levels of the ceramide product Sphingomyelin at the TGN. Perturbing the balance of Sphingomyelin inhibited transport carrier formation at the Golgi membranes without affecting the fusion of incoming carriers. These findings highlight the role of lipid homeostasis in transport carrier formation. Altogether, the discovery of IQ as a Golgi vesiculating compound has been valuable for revealing the mechanism of transport carrier biogenesis during protein secretion.
Muscodor vitigenus anam. sp. nov., an endophyte from Paullinia paullinioides

Muscodor vitigenus, anam. sp. nov., is described as a deuteromycetous (mycelia sterilia) endophytic species of Paullinia paullinioides. a liana, bearing a genetic relatedness to the ascomycetous group Xylaria. No fruitingbodies or spores have been observed. The hyphae (0.71-2.14 μm dia) frequently intertwine to form stalk-like strands (9.1-145.5 pm dia) that branch as well as form other intricate structures such as perfectly coiled loops (62 μm dia). Often, a matrix substance forms between the hyphae. The species is related to Xylariaceae by virtue of 96% homology of its 18S rDNA (1815 bp) to representative members of this group. In addition, ITS1, 5:8S, and ITS2 sequences (595 bp) of M. vitigenus showed close relatedness to several Xylaria spp. including X. enteroleuca, and X arbuscula at the 90% level. High similarities of 18S rDNA and ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA and phylogenetic analysis showed that M vitigenus is taxonomically related to Muscodor albus and Muscodor roseus. While M. albus and M. roseus produce a musty odor resulting from a mixture of volatile compounds, including naphthalene derivatives, M. vitigenus produces the scent of moth balls which is naphthalene.
Temperature and humidity tolerances of the ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Temperature and humidity tolerances of the ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) were examined in a series of laboratory experiments. LT 5 0 values for worker ants ranged from 2.0 h at 45°C and 97% RH to 43.7 h at 15°C and 55% RH. Mean 24 h mortality ranged from 5.7 to 100% for 15°C and 55% RH and 45°C and 75% RH, respectively. At 97% RH, ghost ants tolerated the greatest range of temperatures, with 24 h mortality of <30% between 15 and 35°C. The importance of temperature and humidity tolerance to ghost ants is compared with other urban insect pests of tropical origin.
Effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum supplemental diets on growth performance, stress resistance and immune response of juvenile kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus Bate

The present study was conducted to determine effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum (HK-LP) on juvenile kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus. A feeding trial was conducted with five dietary levels of a preparation containing 20% HK-LP (HK-LP Prep), 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg diet, and the test diets were fed to shrimp juveniles (initial weight about 4.9 g) for 60 days. After termination of a feeding trial, seven shrimps were selected randomly and fed the same test diets to monitor concentration of phosphorus and nitrate in rearing water, microbial community in rearing water and feces excreted from shrimp. Tolerance to salinity stress and immune response were measured 7 h after a low salinity exposure (from 35 ppt to 0 ppt). The results showed that the shrimp received HK-LP Prep at 100 and 1000 mg/kg diet significantly grew faster than control group (P<0.05). Significantly better feed efficiency was also found at 1000 mg/kg compared to that in control. However, there were no significant differences in survival, feed intake, phosphorus and nitrate excretion, and bacteria count in both rearing water and feces. The cumulative mortality index to the low salinity stress test at 100 and 1000 mg/kg level was significantly lower than that in control group. In general, total haemocyte count, viable cell and rate of phagocytic activity decreased in all shrimp groups after the low salinity shock, but those parameters received HK-LP Prep at 100 and 1000 mg/kg were significantly higher than other groups. This study demonstrated that HK-LP enhanced the non-specific immune defense system of kuruma shrimp, providing them with higher resistance to the stress and better immune response. The application of oral HK-LP is one of the environmental friendly approaches for sustainable shrimp culture compared to the use of antibiotics and chemicals.
Nasal Mucosa in Allergic Rhinitis Allergen Drives Class Switching to IgE in the

IgE-expressing B cells are over 1000 times more frequent in the nasal B cell than the peripheral blood B cell population. We have investigated the provenance of these B cells in the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis. It is generally accepted that expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase and class switch recombination (CSR) occur in lymphoid tissue, implying that IgE-com-mitted B cells must migrate through the circulation to the nasal mucosa. Our detection of mRNA for activation-induced cytidine, multiple germline gene transcripts, and (cid:1) circle transcripts in the nasal mucosa of allergic, in contrast to nonallergic control subjects, however, indicates that local CSR occurs in allergic rhinitis. The germline gene transcripts and (cid:1) circle transcripts in grass pollen-allergic subjects are up-regulated during the season and also when biopsies from allergic subjects are incubated with the allergen ex vivo. These results demonstrate that allergen stimulates local CSR to IgE, revealing a potential target for topical therapies in allergic rhinitis. The Journal of Immunology, 2005, 174: 5024–5032.
Mecanismo de resistencia a quinolonas en cepas de Salmonella typhimurium

The mechanism of quinolone resistance in 42 food-borne strains of Salmonella typhimurium which showed nalidixic acid resistance was investigated. Analysis of outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides from both quinolone-susceptible and resistant did not shown any differences among the clinical isolates tested. A 285 bp PCR fragment containing the quinolone resistance determining region of the gyrA gene and a 237 bp PCR fragment containing the region of parC homologous to the quinolone-resistance determining region of the gyrA gene, were sequenced. All the resistant strains presented a change at Ser-83 to Phe in the GyrA protein, but no changes were observed in the ParC protein. These findings indicate that this mutation in gyrA gene plays a major role in the acquisition of nalidixic acid resistance in clinical isolates of S. typhimurium.
Performance of Broilers Reared under Monochromatic Light Emitting Diode Supplemental Lighting

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED) or white fluorescent lamps on the growth performance of broilers reared in open houses. Two hundred broilers (Ross 308) were sexed and divided into four treatments, according to sex and supplemental light source: T1, males under green LED; T2, males under fluorescent lamps; T3, females under green LED; and T4, females under fluorescent lamps, totaling 50 birds per treatment with five replicates each (n=10). Broilers of both sexes received natural light during the day and supplemental lighting (fluorescent or LED) during the night, according to age. Individual body weight, mortality, and feed intake were recorded weekly per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and the European Efficiency Index (EEI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated differences (p< 0.05) in female body weight in week 6, (2202.31 ± 32.93g green LED vs 2191.08 ± 62.13g fluorescent lamp), but no differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were detected. However, the use of green LED promoted higher EEI in males in weeks 5, 6, and 7, and in females in week 5 (p < 0.05). Green monochromatic LED may be used for supplemental lighting of male broilers reared in open houses with natural light. Its use for female broilers is recommended if the birds are marketed up to 5 weeks of age.
Ultraviolet radiation-induced photodegradation and 1O2, O2-. production by riboflavin, lumichrome and lumiflavin.

: Although UVA (320-400 nm) is considered less harmful to skin as compared to UVB (290-320 nm) and UVC (200-290 nm) radiation, certain endogenous chromophores may enhance UVA-induced cutaneous reactions by largely O2-dependent photodynamic reactions. Photodegradation pattern and singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion radical (O2-.) producing capacity of riboflavin (RF), lumiflavin (LF) and lumichrome (LC) were examined to assess their phototoxic potential under UVA. Photolysis of RF upon exposure to UVA, UVB or UVC revealed considerable degradation to LF and LC with a near identical spectral pattern of photodegradation between 250-500 nm. Both LF and LC were stable to UVA (3 J/cm2) and UVB (400 mJ/cm2), whereas RF was photodegraded by 30 and 20%, respectively, under similar irradiation conditions. UVA-sensitized LF and LC respectively, produced nearly 15% higher and 60% lower yield of 1O2 in comparison to RF, whereas, O2-. was generated predominently by RF. Both RF and LF thus appeared to be potential chromophores for evoking deleterious effects of UVA in normal human skin.
Musty Odour Problems in Lake Biwa 1982-1987

This paper discusses the results obtained by two research groups investigating the musty odour problem in Lake Biwa during the years 1967 to 1987. The study has shown that the problem is caused by the growth of three species of planktonic blue-green algae in the southern lake. These algae produce as metabolites either 2-methyl-isoborneol (MIB) or geosmin and it is these compounds which give rise to the musty odour. Recently the musty odour problem has expanded from western to eastern part in the southern lake. The occurrence of the problem has also changed from spring to early summer and more recently it has begun to appear also during the autumn months. The maximum concentrations for geosmin and MIB, 1,050 and 860 ng/l, recorded for the lake occurred in the autumn of 1985.
Favoriser la participation citoyenne dans les villes intelligentes grâce aux interfaces ambiantes et persuasives

Ces dernieres annees, les pouvoirs locaux prennent de plus en plus conscience de la necessite d’impliquer les citoyens autour des problemes urbains dans leur demarche pour devenir une ville intelligente. Cependant, ils eprouvent souvent des difficultes a proposer des methodes de partic- ipation adaptees. Le but de la recherche doctorale presen- tee ici est d’explorer comment les interfaces ambiantes et persuasives peuvent impliquer les citoyens dans la reflex- ion et la creation de solutions autour de deux problemes urbains que sont le bien-etre et la mobilite.
Herbicides in surface water bodies - behaviour, effects on aquatic organisms and risk assessment

Pesticides play a very important role in reducing losses and maintaining quality in crop production. Although positive effects of pesticide use are undeniable, adverse effects are frequent. This has led to a comprehensive reevaluation of the benefits of pesticide use and potential adverse effects on human health and the environment before placing them on the market. The fact that pesticides are designed to be toxic and are deliberately introduced into the environment, makes them a very important and strictly regulated group of pollutants. The most commonly used group of pesticides are herbicides, and their detection in surface water bodies has been repeatedly reported. In spite of being designed to be toxic to target species, adverse effects on other inhabitants of aquatic environments have also been observed. In order to prevent negative environmental effects, the registration process for active substances and plant protection products involves predictive environmental risk assessments (ERA). Reliable assessment of long-term effects on non-target species, natural populations and ecosystems is a priority and ERA process is constantly being improved.
Effects of body condition at calving and peri-parturient nutrition on the composition of milkfat produced by grazing dairy cows in early lactation

Two grazing experiments, in which the body condition score (BCS) of dairy cows and their nutrition either before (high energy or high protein concentrates) or after (levels of high energy concentrates) calving were varied, were conducted at Kyabram, in northern Victoria, during the spring of 2001 (Experiment 1) and 2002 (Experiment 2). In each year, 72 cows calved between August and early September, and milk samples were collected in mid-late September and mid-late October to determine treatment effects on some aspects of milkfat composition. In experiment 1, increasing BCS at calving decreased (p<0.05) medium chain saturated fatty acids (C 10:0 - C 14:0 ), palmitic acid (C 16:0 ) and total saturated fatty acids and increased (p<0.05) oleic acid (C 18:1 ) in September. In October, increasing BCS at calving decreased (p<0.05) palmitic acid (C 16:0 ) and the long chain saturated fatty acids, and increased (p<0.05) stearic acid (C 18:0 ) and oleic acid (C 18:1 ). Increasing the amount of concentrates fed in early lactation resulted in a reduction (p<0.05) in the proportions of short and total long chain fatty acids, and an increase (p<0.05) in the medium and a number of the C 18 unsaturated fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the total trans C 18:1 fatty acids in September. In October, the effects of concentrates were the same for the short and medium chain fatty acids, otherwise there were less consistent effects. In experiment 2, precalving nutrition had no influence on any of the fatty acids in milkfat at either sampling time. Body condition at calving had similar effects on fatty acid composition in September as those recorded in experiment 1, with the exception that linolenic acid (C 18:3 ) and CLA were significantly (p<0.05) reduced as body condition increased. Unlike experiment 1, the only effect of BCS on fatty acid composition in October in experiment 2 was that the proportions of medium chain fatty acids increased (p<0.05) as BCS increased. In terms of physical characteristics (only measured in experiment 2), milkfat was softer earlier in lactation than subsequently, and thin cows produced milk with higher solid fat content than fat cows at 10°C (p<0.05). The implications of these effects on milkfat composition for nutritional and physical functionality are discussed.
Caulerpa section Sedoideae (Chlorophyta, Caulerpales) from the Kenyan coast

The Caulerpa's with spherical, clavate, turbinate or peltate branchlets collected by the authors along the Kenyan coast from 1985 to 1988 are described and illustrated. They include Caulerpa lentillifera as well as several «varieties» of C. racemosa: var. clavifera, var. laetevirens, var. lamourouxii, var. occidentalis, var. peltata, var. turbinata. Their variability is discussed and an identification key is provided
Colonization of islands in a north-boreal Finnish lake by land birds

Recensements effectues pour 41 iles dont la taille varie de 0,5 a 885 ha; 43 especes d'oiseaux terrestres identifiees dans l'archipel du lac Inari. Habitat preferentiel et succes de la colonisation lie a l'habitat
Present and historical occurrence of metazoan parasites in neogobius kessleri (Pisces: Gobiidae) in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River

Metazoan parasites of bighead goby Neogobius kessleri (Gobiidae, Teleostei) collected from the Bulgarian section of the River Danube were investigated during 2005-2006. Seventeen parasite species were identified: Triaenophorus crassus, Proteocephalus sp. , Apophalus donicus, Diplostomum sp. , Apatemon cobitidis proterorhini, Holostephanus cobitidis, Nicolla skrjabini, Pseudochetosoma salmonicola, Gyrodactylus proterorhini, Pomphorhynchus laevis, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, Raphidascaris acus, Anguillicola crassus, Eustrongylides excisus, Streptocara crassicauda, Anodonta anatina and Pseudoahodonta complanata. Parasite infection of N. kessleri in Bulgaria has previously been recorded only by N. skrjabini, P. laevis and Contracoecum bidentatum. We report fifteen new parasite species for N. kessleri in Bulgaria and a new host record for seven parasite species. The parasite community was characterised by the dominance of four species; P. laevis, G. proterorhini, N. skrjabini and P. complanata comprised over 97% of all parasites collected. The importance of bighead goby parasite fauna for parasite dispersal is discussed.