Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-core profiles of137Cs,134Cs,60Co and210Pb in sediment near the Rhône River (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea)

Various anthropogenic radionuclides and210Pb were analyzed in a 4.3-m-long core, sampled near the Rhône River mouth in March 1991, to evaluate the extent of industrial releases that accumulate in this area. The whole core was significantly marked by radionuclide inputs from the nuclear facilities located along the river (137Cs,134Cs,60Co). Irregular profiles in natural and artificial radionuclides should be related to variations in their respective inputs from the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea. Minimum concentrations were found during high flow periods. Using both the137Cs/134Cs profile in the core and the range of this ratio in Rhône waters, mean apparent accumulation rates were estimated to range between 37 cm yr−1 and 48 cm yr−1. This core would then represent a sedimentary record over a 7–10 year period. However, the presence of a signal from the Chernobyl accident, which occurred on April 26, 1986, was not clearly observed in the core. Inventories of both artificial and natural radionuclides were greater than expected from atmospheric inputs. The increased sedimentation occurring in close vicinity to the mouth of the Rhône River is thus responsible for trapping of elements transported by the river to the Mediterranean Sea. In this area, inventories of artificial radionuclides are well in excess of aerial deposition from Chernobyl and atmospheric weapons tests and are linked primarily to industrial releases.
Quantitative Variations in the Nuclear DNA and Phylogenesis of the Amphibia

SUMMARYUsing blood smears, stained with Feulgen's reaction, a study has been made of the nuclear DNA content of an Apode, thirteen species of Urodela and twenty-three species of Anura, certain of which belong to old and important families on account of the complex phylogeny of these Amphibia.The results of this study emphasize the existence of extensive interspecific variations in the amounts of DNA in the Amphibia, as well as certain facts of possible systematic interest: the Urodela possess greater amounts of nuclear DNA than most of the Apoda and the Anura; however, some of the more primitive species existing today (genus Hynobius) have DNA amounts that are relatively low in the order; in the Amphibia, the variations in the DNA amounts do not seem to be correlated with the behaviour of the phylogeny but seem rather to reflect phenomena of redundancy.The theories that have been put forward so far on the significance of the quantitative variations in the DNA of the Amphibia seem to be at least partly con.
Current level of reproductive performances in Japanese Black cows

A set of 313,169 reproduction records of Japanese Black cows calving between 1987 and 1996 were collected in nation widely Japan to investigate the current level of reproductive performances and the factors influencing the performances such as calving interval, first calving age, services per conception, calving difficulty, non-gestation period and gestation length. All the records of reproductive performances are outcome of artificial insemination. The means of first calving age, calving interval, non-gestation period and gestation length were 25.0 months, 389.9, 101.9 and 287.5 days, respectively. Services per conception were 1.41 and degree of calving difficulty was 1.07, which suggests most of the calving, did not need assistance. There were chronological tendencies that first calving age became younger while calving interval became longer. Differences in reproductive performance were found for seasons and calving numbers. Calving interval became shorter towards the fourth calving but became longer afterwards. The cows calving in May had the shortest calving interval followed by those in April and June and first calving age had a similar tendency. The cows with the standard body condition score showed more favourable reproductive performances compare with those with rather fatty or thin body condition scores. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 8 : 1098-1102)
PCo-A analysis of strawberry germplasm used in European breeding programs, based on evaluation of DNA polymorphism of investigated plants.

The level of genetic relatedness of ninety-six strawberry cultivars, released in different breeding centres of seventeen countries, was estimated based on analysis of their DNA polymorphism. Five hundred fifty-eight polymorphic amplicons, with a size range from 80 to 2600 bp, were generated in PCRs carried out on the template of DNA isolated from plants representing all analyzed cultivars. In RAPD reactions, polymorphic bands covered 58% of the total number of PCR products, while in ISSR, SSR and selective AFLP, the polymorphic DNA fragments covered 75%, 70% and 67% of all amplicons, respectively. Data concerning DNA polymorphism were assembled using the PCo-A method (Principal Component Analysis), and then referred to information about country of origin and pedigree described by the breeders. The results showed that contemporary breeding uses genetic resources in a very narrow range. Consequently, the cultivars released in individual breeding centres presented a very close relationship and were grouped in one, or at most two, genetic clusters.
Hot-air drying of whole fruit Chinese jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Miller): physicochemical properties of dried products

Summary Drying characteristics of whole fruit was studied as distinct from fruit slices. Taking Chinese jujube as an example, shrinkage, density, vitamin C, colour and rehydration of whole fruit were measured in hot-air drying at 50, 60 and 70 °C. Unlike fruit slices or lumps where shrinkage volume typically equals the volume of removed water, volumetric shrinkage of Chinese jujube was much more than the volume of removed water. Change in shrinkage with moisture content was described using three linear regions. Increased drying temperature increases the retention of vitamin C and the extent of browning, while decreasing shrinkage and the density. The findings are useful for industrial drying of whole fruit of Chinese jujube but also possibly extend to drying of other drupes.
Cardiac physiology in tunas. II. Effect of ryanodine, calcium, and adrenaline on force–frequency relationships in atrial strips from skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis

Force–frequency relationships and the dependence upon extracellular calcium as a source of activator calcium were investigated using atrial strips from the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). At 25 °C, active force generation increased over a stimulation range of 0.2–1.6 Hz and declined at higher stimulation frequencies. Ryanodine, a blocker of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, decreased active force by ~30% but did not alter the shape of the force–frequency curve. Uniform contractions were maintained up to stimulation rates of 3.0 Hz following ryanodine application, compared with 3.4 Hz under control conditions. Active force increased with increasing extracellular calcium concentration in a concentration-dependent manner with greatest sensitivity over the range of 1.0–5.0 mM calcium. Activation duration decreased with increasing extracellular calcium concentrations up to 5.0 mM and with increasing contraction frequency up to 1.0 Hz. Relaxation duration also was reduced with increasing extr.
Short communication. Abscisic acid is not necessarily required for the induction of patchy stomatal closure

application of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) to the leaf ( Terashima et al., 1988; Daley et al., 1989; Mott, Patchy stomatal closure was observed in leaves of 1995), Mansfield et al. (1990) discussed heterogeneous transgenic plants of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia produ- concentrations of abscisic acid on the leaf blade or a cing antibodies that block the action of abscisic acid. heterogeneous sensitivity of stomata to ABA as possible Stomatal patchiness was induced by leaf detachment explanations for the induction of stomatal patchiness. and subsequent water loss. Stomatal closure was fol- Schroeder and Hagiwara (1990) concluded from their lowed by an irreversible reduction of maximal chloro- results that the sensitivity of stomata to ABA can vary phyll fluorescence. The degree of deviation from the to a large degree. A/c i -curve is correlated with steady-state diffusion Recently, transgenic tobacco plants were produced conductance before leaf detachment. It is concluded which express large amounts of single chain antibodies that a heterogeneous sensitivity of stomata to abscisic that block ABA and are hypersensitive to water stress acid is not directly involved in the induction of patchy (Artsaenko et al., 1995). Such plants were regarded as stomatal closure. being of interest in order to test whether ABA is functionally involved in the induction of stomatal patchiness. In
Influence of Culture Eh on the Growth and Metabolism of the Rumen Bacteria Selenomonas ruminantium, Bacteroides amylophilus, Bacteroides succinogenes and Streptococcus bovis in Batch Culture

SUMMARY: One facultatively and three strictly anaerobic rumen bacteria were grown in pH-controlled anaerobic batch cultures in which the E h of the medium was regulated by the addition of titanium (III) citrate solution at values below −50 mV and potassium ferricyanide above −50 mV. Growth occurred over a wide range of E h, with the maximum limit being +360, + 250, +175 and +414 mV for Selenomonas ruminantium, Bacteroides amylophilus, Bacteroides succinogenes and the aerotolerant Streptococcus bovis, respectively. Changes in E h had little influence on the growth yield or ratios of fermentation end-products in these bacteria over a fairly wide range, although the specific growth rate of all species tended to decline at E h values above 0 mV. Abnormal, elongated forms of Sel. ruminantium and B. succinogenes predominated at high E h. It was concluded that O2, and not a high E h, is the toxic factor in “oxidized” anaerobic growth medium, and that it would not normally be necessary to regulate E h closely in experiments where the growth and metabolism of these bacteria is under study, provided that O2-free conditions were maintained.
EFFECT OF SEASON, SOIL FAUNA AND WATER CONTENT ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF CATTLE DUNG PATS

Experiments were carried out with artificially-placed, cattle dung pats to determine the effects of season, soil fauna and water on their disappearance. The method involved processing whole pats so as to overcome problems due to the existence of distinctly different zones within the mass of dung. Weight loss measurements were used to measure the loss of dung. The organic matter, nitrogen and mineral ion contents of the dung were measured to determine if qualitative changes occurred in the faeces during decomposition. Dung pats set up in early autumn disappeared more rapidly than pats put out in spring. In both seasons the most rapid changes occurred when the pats were subject to irrigation as well as the natural rainfall. By contrast, pats covered for the duration of the experiments suffered the smallest dry wt losses and minimal changes in all the other parameters which were measured. No differences were observed in the rate of change in pats placed on a fine mesh netting, which excluded earthworms and other large soil invertebrates, and pats which were placed on a large mesh netting. Leaching of mineral ions from the dung was only significant when the pats were also losing substantial amounts of dry matter. These data are discussed in relation to patterns of cattle dung decay elsewhere in the world.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Some Sylviidae Species Based on Complete mtDNA cyt b and Partial COI Sequence Data

Members of the passerine family Sylviidae are distributed widely around the Old World and the phylogenetic relationships of many species still remain controversial. In this study, we investigated the phylogeny and relationships among 37 species of 11 genera by analyzing DNA sequences obtained from the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) and partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes. The data were analyzed by maximum-likelihood analysis and Bayesian inference. The results demonstrate that the current genus Phylloscopus is non-monophyletic, while Seicercus is synonymized with Phylloscopus or is a group within the genus Phylloscopus. We may conclude that within Phylloscopus there are close relations between P. magnirostris and P. borealis; among P. proregulus, P. yunnanensis, P. pulcher and P. maculipennis, as well as among P. occisinensis, P. schwarzi, P. armandii, P. collybita and P. fuscatus. Monophyly of the genus Cettia could not be corroborated; it is closely related to the genera Abroscopus and Tesia. However monophyly of Acrocephalus is supported. Furthermore, the close relationships between Sylvia and Zosterops and among Prinia, Orthotomus and Cisticola are also supported.
A method for nitrate collection for δ15N and δ18O analysis from waters with low nitrate concentrations

Recently, methods have been developed to analyze NO3- for δ15N and δ18O, improving our ability to identify NO3- sources and transformations. However, none of the existing methods are suited for waters with low NO3- concentrations (0.7-10 µM). We describe an improved method for collecting and recovering NO3- on exchange columns. To overcome the lengthy collection loading times imposed by the large sample volumes (7-70 L), the sample was prefiltered (0.45 µm) with a large surface area filter. Switching to AG2X anion resin and using a coarser mesh size (100-200) than previous methods also enhanced sample flow. Placement of a cation column in front of the anion column minimized clogging of the anion column by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulation. This also served to minimize transfer of unwanted oxygen atoms from DOC to the 18O portion of the NO3- sample, thereby contaminating the sample and shifting δ18O. The cat-AG2X method is suited for on-site sample collection, making it possible to collect and re.
THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON OXYGEN DEBT AND GLYCOGEN RESERVES IN TROUT

Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, conditioned to fast-flowing water, differ from untrained fish in several ways. The trained fish are able to acquire an oxygen debt three times as large as the untrained ones. Almost twice as much of the available glycogen in muscle can be used up during short bursts of swimming. The trained fish have higher levels of blood haemoglobin and relatively larger hearts. Following fatigue, the recovery of glycogen in muscle and liver is more rapid. The data suggest a modus operandi for short but severe bursts of swimming. The two critical factors are: (a) initial energy supplies and (b) tissue buffers. The former preclude the exhaustion of the muscle; the buffers allow a large utilization of the fuel, i.e., a large excess of lactic acid and, consequently, a large oxygen debt. Since even in trained trout only 70% of the muscle glycogen is used, fixed acid probably limits the stamina in both groups of fish.
Gill Morphometrics of the Lampreys Lampetra fluviatilis (L.) and Lampetra planeri (Bloch)

Morphometric measurements have been made on various gill components of different stages in the life cycle of the anadromous parasitic lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, and its nonparasitic derivative Lampetra planeri. The total gill area, expressed in terms of body weight, of both larval (1462–2717 mm2 g–1) and adult (1402–2337 mm2 g–1) L. fluviatilis are greater than those previously recorded in the rather meagre literature on lamprey gill measurements and are comparable with those found in the most active teleosts. The gills of the two Lampetra species are apparently identical in the larval stages and those of metamorphosing and adult L. planeri are similar to those of metamorphosing L. fluviatilis. Although the pharyngeal arrangement of lampreys differs greatly from that of teleosts, there are many features of the gills indicative of convergence between the two groups. Thus, in a given stage in the life cycle of lampreys, the secondary lamellae on either side of the filaments also alternate, become more widely spaced as the filament length increases and increase in area as the body weight becomes greater. Furthermore, the fractional cumulative increase in secondary lamellae area along a line following the presumed direction of water flow is also represented by a sigmoid curve. While at metamorphosis the pharynx becomes considerably modified to accommodate the change from a unidirectional to a tidal respiratory water flow, the total gill areas of the ammocoete are similar to those of metamorphosing stages which have attained adult characteristics. However, there are clearly differences in some of the components that influence and contribute towards the total gill area. Thus, in terms of body weight, the number and total length of the filaments and the total number of secondary lamellae, together with the number of secondary lamellae found on a given distance of filament, are greater in late metamorphosing stages, while the reverse is true for the average bilateral area of the secondary lamellae which is considerably greater in ammocoetes.
Economic analysis of commercial goose breeding by small family farms

This paper concentrates on revealing the economic significance of geese commercially raised by community in Kars province, which is very famous for geese reproduction in Turkey. In the survey, the hatchery efficiency has been determined to be 65.9% while the mortality rate after hatching is 8.7%. The survey revealed that small businesses on goose breeding typically are not profitable. However, because women are mostly in charge of taking care of geese, demanding no wages in return, the labour cost is very low, increasing the business profitability of goose breeding in this area. Consequently, the results of the survey have indicated that in order to increase performance of goose breeding and to raise the level of profit, contemporary goose breeding facilities, including infrastructure, should be constructed, and those who deal with goose breeding need to be trained in the technical aspects of production.
The β Subunit Determines the Ion Selectivity of the GABAA Receptor*

The γ-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptor is a chloride-conducting receptor composed of α, β, and γ subunits assembled in a pentameric structure forming a central pore. Each subunit has a large extracellular agonist binding domain and four transmembrane domains (M1–M4), with the second transmembrane (M2) domain lining the pore. Mutation of five amino acids in the M1–M2 loop of the β3subunit to the corresponding amino acids of the α7nicotinic acetylcholine subunit rendered the GABAA receptor cation-selective upon co-expression with wild type α2 and γ2 subunits. Similar mutations in the α2 or γ2 subunits did not lead to such a change in ion selectivity. This suggests a unique role for the β3subunit in determining the ion selectivity of the GABAAreceptor. The pharmacology of the mutated GABAA receptor is similar to that of the wild type receptor, with respect to muscimol binding, Zn2+ and bicuculline sensitivity, flumazenil binding, and potentiation of GABA-evoked currents by diazepam. There was, however, an increase in GABA sensitivity (EC50 = 1.3 μm) compared with the wild type receptor (EC50 = 6.4 μm) and a loss of desensitization to GABA of the mutant receptor.
Activity and mobility of Corophium volutator: A field study

The distribution of the intertidal amphipod Corophium volutator is heterogeneous at scales of cm to km. Whilst habitat preferences, interspecific and intraspecific interactions are factors affecting patterns of heterogeneity, these are moderated by mobility. A field investigation of small‐scale (cm to m) mobility was carried out on the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, during immersion and after the ebb of the tide. Observations on immigration to, emigration from and activity within small areas of sediment indicated that mobility is low, but animals that do move are adult males which crawl over the sediment rather than swim. These individuals moved only short distances and they frequently re‐used existing burrows. This movement is probably related to reproductive behaviour. The low mobility and the short distances moved indicated that mobility has little impact on at least large and intermediate scale heterogeneity, but shows that small‐scale patterns are constantly dynamic in time and space.
Occurrence of Mycoplasma‐like Organisms in Parenchyma Cells of Cuscuta odorata (Ruiz et Pav.)

In shoots of the dodder Cuscuta odorata mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO) were observed to occur in nearly all mature sieve elements. Their frequency within the sieve elements varied from a few organisms to high concentrations. In addition, MLO, were found in other cell types. By identifying these cells and investigating the location in the vascular tissue three different types of cells infected with MLO could be distinguished: (1) phloem parenchyma cells, (2) parenchyma cells separating the five vascular bundles of C. odorata and (3) cells in the outer region of the vascular system next to the cells looking like an endodermis. Within the cells of the types 2 and 3, MLO occurred in large numbers and at different morphological structures. , Therefore, we assume that the MLO multiply in these cells.
Nine new species of Timonius (Rubiaceae) from Kinabalu Park, Borneo

Nine new species of Timonius (Rubiaceae) from Kinabalu Park are described: T. abanii , T. beamanii , T. bullatus , T. kinabaluensis , T. leopoldii , T. ophioliticus , T. pannosus , T. stenolobus , and T. tambuyukonensis . Of the nine species, six are likely to be endemic to the Kinabalu massif, and four appear to occur exclusively on ultramafic soils.
Low-molecular-weight carbohydrate biosynthesis and the distribution of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in marine environments

Rates of accumulation of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates have been measured for a range of cyanobacteria subjected to hyperosmotic stress (upshock). Synthesis of the disaccharides sucrose and trehalose was more rapid than that of the heteroside glucosyl-glycerol in all strains. The rates of synthesis of organic solutes may affect the distribution of cyanobacteria in natural saline waters:strains that produce either sucrose or trehalose in response to increased external salinity are often found in brackish habitats where the salinity regime is unstable and rapid organic solute synthesis may be advantageous. In contrast, cyanobacteria that synthesize glucosyl-glycerol are more commonly isolated from environments of less variable salinity.
Effects of Change in Catchability on Sampling of Juvenile and Adolescent Banana Prawns, Penaeus merguiensis de Man

To provide the information necessary for optimizing sampling strategies, the effects of tidal, diurnal, lunar and seasonal cycles on the catchability of juvenile and adolescent banana prawns, P. merguiensis, were examined in the Norman River and in the inshore coastal zone of the Gulf of Carpentaria. A major part of the large variability in catches in both environments was attributable to marked tidal periodicity in catchability. In the river, large catches of juvenile P. merguiensis were taken only at or near the time of low water during both the neap and spring tide periods. Smaller prawns (< 12 mm carapace length) tended to be even more restricted to the time of low water than were larger prawns. This phase shift in catchability of larger prawns was particularly evident in the offshore sampling where large catches of adolescent prawns were made only at high water. Both the number and size of prawns caught also varied considerably with water depth. The reasons for the marked differences in catchability throughout a tidal cycle are not clear, but it is obvious that sampling can be restricted in time, thus providing much more consistent data with a minimum of effort.