Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building environmentally sustainable food systems on informed citizen choices: evidence from Australia

To address imminent concerns of global food security and agricultural sustainability, international research activities are increasingly focusing on ways of improving the food system's efficiency and effectiveness at providing nutritious food for all in an environmentally sustainable manner. A significant component of this will involve understanding and ultimately influencing people's dietary choices. However, for people-oriented intervention strategies to be effective, the gaps between existing behaviour and what is required for environmentally sustainable and healthy food choices must be specified. This paper identifies priority areas for behavioural change in relation to the types of food purchased, how they have been produced and the individual's food provisioning behaviour. In order to determine the most effective ways to influence people's consumption behaviour in light of these priority areas, the authors conducted a pilot study on a group of 163 Australians who would be expected to be ‘early adopters’ of a sustainable diet. Results show that only around 1 in 10 are presently actively engaged in reducing the environmental impact of their diets in these priority areas. Hence, there is a significant need to engage many more people in sustainable dietary behaviours. Furthermore, it was found that areas where interventions are most likely to have the largest impact, based on high cost to the environment and likelihood of citizens changing their behaviour, are reducing the amount of food waste generated in the household and lowering the amount of junk food eaten.
Ultrastructural Development of Chromoplasts in Valencia Oranges

The development of chromoplasts from chloroplasts during ripening of Valencia oranges was followed with the electron microscope. The chloroplasts in the young, green fruit of Valencia were similar in structure to those in leaves of other plants. During ripening, there was a breakdown of the internal membrane system, the grana-fretwork system, and large, osmiophilic globules were formed. These globules apparently formed from breakdown products of the granal membranes as well as from carotenoids synthesized during ripening. During ripening, membranes developed from invagination of the inner part of the limiting membrane of the plastids. These membranes may be associated with chlorophyll that is synthesized during ripening. The breakdown of the grana-fretwork system seemed to be independent and not influenced by the limiting membrane of the plastid.
A COMPARISON OF MONENSIN AND CHLORTETRACYCLINE IN HIGH-CONCENTRATE AND HIGH-FORAGE DIETS FOR IMPLANTED AND NONIMPLANTED FINISHING STEERS AND HEIFERS

In a factorial design experiment, 452 steers and heifers were fed ground forage or rolled grain-based diets supplemented with chlortetracycline (CTC) or monensin (MON). The effects of implanting steers with either 200 mg progosterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (PEB) or 36 mg resorcylic acid lactone (RAL) and heifers with 200 mg testosterone propionate and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (TEB) were also determined. On average, grain-fed cattle gained faster (P < 0.01) than forage-fed cattle, requiring 13 days less to reach finished condition. They also required 13% less feed per unit gain (P < 0.01) and dressed out 1.29 percentage units higher than forage-fed cattle but "cut out" only 0.4 percentage units higher, returning $18.78 more per head to labor. Heifers, averaging across all other treatments, gained slower (P < 0.05), required 6.7% more feed per unit gain but dressed out and "cut out" as well as steers, to return $7.39 less to labor per head. Cattle fed diets supplemented with MON took 4 days longer to .
Biological activities of phytosterols with particular attention to their effects on lipid metabolism

The hypocholesterolemic effect of plant sterols (phytosterols) that relies on lowering the intestinal absorption of both dietary and endogenous cholesterol has been known since the middle of the twentieth century. Due to this fact, many food products, mostly margarines, have been enriched with phytosterols and used in management of moderate hypercholesterolemia. Phytosterol-enriched margarines enable effective therapy of moderate hypercholesterolemia with dosage of around 3 g phytosterols per day. A higher dose is not recommended due to the possibility of interference of phytosterols with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The characteristic feature of phytosterolemia (sitosterolemia) is enhanced absorption of phytosterols which in consequence leads to premature atherosclerosis. The objective of this review is to discuss the results of available studies concerning metabolic effects of phytosterols with a closer look at their impact on lipid metabolism in humans.
Genetic variation for resistance to ear rots and mycotoxins contamination in early European maize inbred lines.

Ear rots caused by Fusarium spp. are a major concern in many maize (Zea mays L.)-growing regions of the world. Our objectives were (i) to evaluate a set of European maize inbreds for resistance to ear rots and mycotoxin concentrations, (ii) to estimate variance components and heritabilities, and (iii) to compute correlations among resistance traits. Forty-two inbreds were evaluated for resistance to F. graminearum in four environments, and 21 inbreds were evaluated for resistance to F. verticillioides in three environments, under artificial inoculation. Data were recorded on severity of Gibberella (AGER) and Fusarium ear rots and accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, and fumonisins. Artificial inoculation was effective particularly for Gibberella ear rot. Genotypic and genotype x environment interaction variances were generally significant. Heritability estimates were moderate to high. Disease severity had strong correlations with respective mycotoxin concentrations. Selection for resistance is expected to have favorable correlated response for mycotoxins particularly with respect to AGER and DON (r p = 0.94). We recommend conducting initial selection on the basis of visual ratings and evaluate the selected elite material for mycotoxin concentrations.
Farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices of rice crop and pest management at Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines

A survey of 150 rice farmers in three municipalities of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines, carried out in June 1998, aimed to assess the farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rice crop and pest management. The survey revealed that: 54% of the farmers fall within a narrow age range (31-50 years), the majority having 11-30 years of rice farming experience; they are of average literacy; and they have large households. Non-farm activity such as woodcarving was the most common source of additional income. The majority of farmers planted a single crop of rice per year and followed traditional cultivation practices. Major rice crop production constraints were drought due to the El Nino phenomenon and insufficient irrigation infrastructure. Zinc deficiency was widespread. Major, non-insect pests known to farmers were earthworms, rats, golden apple snails, and house sparrows. These pests damage either the rice plant or the terrace wall. Earthworm damage to the terrace wall is most obvious. Farmers had very little exposure to integrated pest management and new rice technologies.
Voltage‐Dependent Ionic Currents in Dissociated Mudpuppy Taste Cells

Although taste receptor cells from a variety of species have been studied with intracellular microelectrodes, the mechanisms involved in the production of the taste receptor potential are unknown. Recent studies on the large taste cells of amphibians have shown that taste cells are electrically excitable and can generate action potentials in response to current injection and chemosensory stimulation. ’,2 In this study, we have applied the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp recording technique to enzymatically dissociated Necturus taste cells so that the voltage-dependent currents underlying the action potential could be identified and characterized in isolation. We report here that mudpuppy taste cells have voltage-dependent K+, Na’, and Ca2+ currents. Taste cells were isolated from the surrounding nongustatory lingual epithelium by incubating the stripped lingual epithelium in collagenase (Type 3; 1.5 mg/ml) for 30 minutes or until the nongustatory epithelium could be gently peeled from the underlying connective tissue, isolating the more adhesive taste buds on prominent papillae. The isolated taste buds were then dissociated in Ca2+-free amphibian physiological saline containing trypsin (0.5 mg/ml) for 10 minutes. Taste cells were drawn into fire-polished glass pipettes and plated onto concanavalin A-coated glass coverslips. Whole-cell currents were recorded from isolated taste cells and nongustatory surface epithelial cells. Surface epithelial cells had no voltage-dependent currents in response to depolarizing voltage steps to + 80 mV from a holding potential of 100 mV. In sharp contrast, taste cells had transient inward currents, followed by sustained outward currents in response to depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of 100 mV (FIG. 1A). The sustained outward current usually activated at -60 to -20 mV, reached a peak between 10 and 20 msec after onset of the voltage pulse, and did not inactivate for at least 10 seconds. When depolarizing voltage steps did not exceed 0 mV, the outward current was completely blocked by 8 mM TEA, by substituting KCl in the pipette with CsCl, or by replacing Ca2+ in the bath with Ba2+. The pharmacology, kinetics, and voltage dependence of this current suggest that it is carried by K+ ions and that it is a major component of the resting conductance of taste cells.
Current Issues in Research on Fumonisins, Mycotoxins Which May Cause Nephropathy

The fumonsins are a series of mycotoxins produced by the ubiquitous corn (maize) contaminant, Fusarium moniliforme, and several other Fusarium species. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the major component of the fumonisins, causes leukoencephalomalacia in horses, pulmonary edema in swine and hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and chronic interstitial nephritis in rats. Also, consumption of corn-derived food products contaminated with F. moniliforme has been correlated with increased risk of human esophageal cancer in epidemiological stumes in South Africa and China. In the kidneys of rodents, dietary exposure to FB1 produces a dose-related non-inflammatory nephrosis with regeneration at low doses. Individual cells die by induction of apoptosis. The fumonisins have chemcal structures analogous to sphingosine, a putative intracellular regulatory molecule, and a component of sphingolipids. The alkylamine structure of FB1 makes possible sensitive high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays based on pre-column de.
The Grass Snake in Britain

A questionnaire survey to investigate the grass snake's status in Britain showed that, while in some areas it was still abundant, in others it had declined and continued to do so, mainly through habitat destruction and collecting. The author concludes that, because of its special habitat requirements, this snake could easily become an endangered species in Britain, unlike the adder which can occupy many marginal habitats.
Female phonotaxis and frequency discrimination in the bushcricket Requena verticalis

ABSTRACT. The male bushcricket, Requena verticalis, calls with a signal containing two predominant frequencies, 16 kHz and 28 kHz. A synthesized call, made from a template of the natural call, was played to females under conditions of a two‐speaker trial on a flat arena. Orientation pathways to a speaker emitting only a 16 kHz signal were more circuitous than the pathways made by females orientating to a speaker emitting only a 28 kHz signal. Females preferred a signal with both carrier frequency peaks present within the song to a signal with only a 16 kHz or 28 kHz carrier frequency, when the signal containing a double peak was kept at equivalent absolute intensity to that with a single peak. Females chose signals containing a more powerful high frequency peak over a signal in which both peaks were balanced. For the higher peak, they were able to differentiate between frequencies with a separation of 8 kHz but not of 4 kHz. They were unable to differentiate between frequencies with a separation up to 8 kHz in the lower peak when one frequency was held at 16 kHz; however, when this frequency was held at 18 kHz, females were able to distinguish between frequencies with a difference of 4 kHz. (N.B. 18 kHz is 2 kHz above the mean value for this frequency within the natural population.) We conclude that females are choosing males on the amount of power in the higher frequency range of their song and that this may be equivalent to a close calling male in the field.
Dietary fibres in oilseed rape: Physiological and antinutritional effects in rats of isolated IDF and SDF added to a standard diet

Zusammenfassung Faserstoffe in Olsaatrapsmehl: Der physiologische und antinutritive Effekt von IDF und SDF in einer Standarddiat bei Ratten Aus zwei Rapssamenvarietaten, einer teilweise gelb und einer normal braun gefarbten Fruhjahrsart, beide mit sehr geringem Gehalt an Erucasaure und Glukosinolat, wurden unlosliche und losliche Fraktionen von Faserstoffen isoliert. Die gleichen Faserstoffe wurden aus Schalen sowie aus einem Extraktionsmehl des braunen Rapssamens nach enzymatischer Aufarbeitung in wassrigem Milieu gewonnen. In einem Bilanzversuch wurden die isolierten Nahrungsfaserstoffe in jeweils zwei Konzentrationen an Ratten verfuttert: 2 und 6% unlosliche Fraktion sowie 0,8 und 2,4% losliche Fraktion in der Trockensubstanz. Die Konzentrationsunterschiede in den Diaten wurden durch Zusatz von Maisstarke ausgeglichen. Als Versuchsparameter wurden Futterverwendung, wahre Proteinverdaulichkeit, biologische Wertigkeit, Nettoproteinverwertung sowie verdauliche Energie herangezogen. In beiden Samenvarietaten war der Gehalt an Gesamtfaserstoffen gleich hoch, jedoch erwies sich das Verhaltnis von loslicher zu unloslicher Fraktion als unterschiedlich. Wie erwartet lag der Anteil an Faserstoffen, insbesondere der unlosliche Anteil, in den Schalen wesentlich hoher als in einem Rapssamenmehl nach Entfernung der Schalen. Es ist anzunehmen, das der Hauptgrund fur den negativen Einflus der Nahrungsfaserstoffe auf die Proteinverdaulichkeit (N × 6,25) im Zusammenhang mit einer schlechten Zuganglichkeit des an Faserstoffe assoziierten Stickstoffs steht. Weiterhin stimuliert der fermentierbare Anteil der loslichen Fraktion der Faserstoffe das mikrobielle Wachstum und somit erhoht sich die Ausscheidung des Stickstoffes mikrobieller Herkunft. In der vorliegenden Studie an Ratten konnten Ergebnisse fruherer Untersuchungen an Ferkeln bestatigt werden, in denen ein negativer Einflus unloslicher Faserstoffe aus Rapssamen-extraktionsmehl auf die wahre Proteinverdaulichkeit beobachtet wurde. Losliche Faserstoffe zeigen keinen Einflus auf die Verdaulichkeit der Energie, obwohl die Konsistenz der Faeces nach Verabreichung dieser Faserstoffe sehr viel schleimiger war. Ebenfalls konnte eine erhohte Flatulenz beobachtet werden, welche bei Futterung von unloslichen Faserstoffen nicht auftrat. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Untersuchung zeigen, das der Gehalt an Faserstoffen im Rapssamenmehl hoch ist. Gleichzeitig sind diese Faserstoffe von schlechter Verdaulichkeit. Letzteres ist der Hauptgrund fur eine geringe Energiedichte. Da ein groser Anteil des Stickstoffs im Rampssamenmehl mit der Faserstofffraktion assoziert ist, ergibt sich ebenfalls eine relativ geringe Proteinverdaulichkeit.
Comparative studies of the phytoextraction capacity of five aquatic plants in heavy metal contaminated water.

The uptake capacity of the aquatic plants (Salvinia natans Kunth., Eichhornia crassipes Mart., Lemna minor L., Elodea canadensis Michx., Pistia stratiotes L.) was analyzed in phytoextraction of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+. It was attend to study the plants capacity comparatively using mono and multimetallic systems. In particular, the chlorophyll, protein and carotenoids contents were studied during heavy metals uptake, in order to observe the stress effect on plants. The results obtained for the monometallic system showed that Salvinia natans Kunth. accumulated the highest quantity of Cu2+ (4.72 mg/g), Zn2+ (2.23 mg/g) and Cd2+ (1.90 mg/g). The leaves of Lemna minor L. accumulated the highest concentration of Cu2+ (10.80 mg/g) and Cd2+ (2.78 mg/g) in multimetallic system. The water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) translocated the highest quantity of Zn2+ in its roots (4.80 mg/g). The chlorophyll and the carotenoids levels decreased under the stress of heavy metals in both systems, while protein content increased under the influence of Cu2+ and Cd2+, but decreased for Zn2+. The studied hydrophytes proved to be useful in the uptake of heavy metals in monometallic system and much more effective in the multimetallic system and showed great potential for further applications in the industrial and commercial wastewater treatments.
A revised synonymy of Telmatochromis temporalis (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika (East Africa)

The taxonomic status of the nominal species Telmatochromis temporalis, T. lestradei, T. burgeoni and Julido chromis macrolepis has been reviewed. The synonymy of T. lestradei with T. temporalis is confirmed. A comparison of Telmatochromis burgeoni with Telmatochromis temporalis revealed no significant differences either. Hence T. burgeoni is considered synonymous with T. temporalis. Examination of the type of Julidochromis macrolepis showed it to be conspecific with Telmatochromis dhonti and not with T. temporalis, as had been suggested.
Effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur Nutrition on Nitrogen assimilating Enzymes in Soybean Roots and Nodules

Soybean is an important legume crop with high protein content but deficient in sulphur (S) containing amino acids viz methionine and cysteine. Soybean protein quality can be improved by nutrient fertilization. Present studies report the effect of nitrogen (N) and S nutrition on nodulation, activities of ammonia assimilating enzymes and biochemical parameters in soybean roots and nodules. Nitrogen as urea @ 31.25 kg ha−1 and sulphur as gypsum @ 20 kg ha−1 alone significantly increased nodule number, fresh and dry weight per nodule, root length and nodular leghemoglobin content whereas total soluble proteins, free amino acids, glucose and sucrose content did not vary significantly in nodules and roots. Treatment of N or S significantly increased glutamate dehydrogenase activity in cytosol and bacteroidal fractions from 70 to 90 days after sowing whereas aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate synthase, glutamine synthetase and alanine aminotransferase activities showed non-significant variations in roots at different stages of development under the influence of N or S alone or their combination. Results suggested that N and S could improve nodulation and vegetative growth in soybean but ammonia assimilating enzyme activities in roots/nodules did not vary significantly.
Anoxic aggregates - an ephemeral phenomenon in the pelagic environment?

Radial microscale distributions of oxygen and pH were studied in ca 1.5 mm large laboratory-made aggregates composed of phytoplankton detritus and fecal pellets. Microsensor measurements were done at spatial increments down to 0.05 mm in a vertical flow system in which the individual aggregates stabilized their position in the water phase according to the upward flow velocity. The aggregates were surrounded by a diffusive boundary layer with steep gradients of oxygen and pH. They were highly heterotrophic communities both under natural light conditions and in darkness. pH was lowered from 8.2 in the surrounding water to 7.4 in the center of an anoxic aggregate. Sulfide was not detectable by use of sulfide microelectrodes in anoxic aggregates, and methanogenic bacteria could not be detected after PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification using archaebacterialspecific primers. The oxygen respiration rate decreased exponentially over time with a of 2.3 d. Theoretical calculations of the volumetric oxygen respiration rate needed to deplete oxygen inside aggregates was compared to the density of organic matter in natural marine aggregates. These calculations showed that carbon limitation of heterotrophic processes would limit anoxic conditions to occurring only over a few hours, depending on the size of the aggregates. Therefore slow-growing obligate anaerobic rnicroorganlsms such as sulfate reducing bacteria and methanogenic bacterla may be limited by the relatively short persistence of anoxia in marine aggregates.
Model of current pathways in electrical water bath stunners used for poultry

Abstract 1. The paper explains the use and method of operation of electrical water bath stunners, and explains the possible current pathways through a single bird and through a number of birds. 2. A mathematical model has been formulated to demonstrate the effects of bird resistance and physical attitude of the bird on the current received by individual birds in a water bath stunner. 3. The model shows that readings from ammeters installed in series with commercial stunners, or the values shown on voltmeters, are not an accurate indicator or a guarantee that individual birds are effectively stunned. 4. The model demonstrates the need for a stunner to supply a constant current to each bird, rather than operate at a constant voltage where the current which the bird receives is dependant upon its own resistance.
Genetic relationships between fertility and pathogenicity and virulence to rice in Magnaporthe grisea

The genetic relationships between fertility and pathogenicity and virulence to rice in Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Yaegashi & Udagawa were examined in four initial-generation and two second-generation families. Two isolates of M. grisea, highly virulent to rice, were crossed with fertile isolates that are pathogenic on weeping love-grass (Eragrostis curvule) and goose-grass (Eleucine indice). Approximately 30 progenies from each of the four initial-generation families were evaluated for mating type, fertility, pathogenicity, and virulence to rice differential cultivars. Most of the progenies were either nonpathogenic to rice or produced intermediate infection types. The expected 1:1 segregation for female fertility was not observed in progenies of the initial-generation families. Two highly virulent isolates, and one fertile isolate that produced small grey flecks on one rice cultivar, were selected from one of the initial-generation families as parents for two second-generation families. Nearly one-third.
Karyological and Nuclear DNA Variation in Iranian Endemic Muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus)

Muskmelon is one of the important vegetable crops in Cucurbitaceae. Karyotypic analysis and flow cytometric (FCM) measurements of DNA C-values of 20 Iranian endemic muskmelon populations are being reported for the first time. Root tips were examined for karyological studies and fresh young leaves of the muskmelon samples and the standard reference (Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, 2C DNA=4.45 pg) stained with propidium iodide (PI) for FCM measurements. All populations examined were diploids (2n=2x=24), having a mean chromosome length (TL) of 1.36 μm (1.15–1.60 μm), volume (TCV) of 1.03 μm3 (0.73–1.63 μm3) and chromatin length (X) of 32.77 μm (27.56–38.43 μm). FCM measurements showed the mean nuclear DNA content (2C-value) of 0.64 pg (0.53–0.71 pg) and monoploid genome size of 313.4 Mbp (262–350 Mbp). Significant positive linear regression was found between 2C DNA amount and latitude.