Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia damping-off of tomato by Bacillus subtilis combined with Burkholderia cepacia

Bacillus subtilis strain RB14-C and Burkholderia cepacia strain BY were used in combination to control damping-off of tomato plants caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Microcosm tests showed complete inhibition of R. solani growth on filter disks buried in soil added with the mixture of both bacteria. Single BY inhibited the fungus, but not completely, and RB14-C had only slight inhibitory effect on pathogen growth. The efficacy of this combining treatment was checked in pot experiments, where bacteria were applied to the soil in several combinations: RB14-C and BY together 4 days before seed planting, RB14-C 4 days and BY 2 days before seed planting, RB14-C 4 days and BY immediately before seeds. The effect of these treatments on population of R. solani in soil and infection of plants was compared with the activity of single application of each agent. All bacterial treatments significantly decreased damping-off of tomato plants. The best control was obtained when BY was added 2 days after RB14-C. In this treatment plant protection was significantly higher than that obtained in other combined applications and obtained by single strains, except BY added to the soil 4 days before seed planting. The lowest suppression indicated BY introduced to the soil before seed planting. RB14-C only slightly decreased number of R.solani in the soil. In contrast, BY drastically reduced population of the pathogen. However, there was not a clear relation between decrease of pathogen density in soil and the rate of plant infection. The results show that combination of B. subtilis RB14-C with B. cepacia BY can lead to greater damping-off suppression than biocontrol exhibited by these strains used separately, but the effect of combining bacterial agents was clearly related to the order in which both agents were introduced.
Optimization of the fermentation of whey by Lactobacillus casei

Optimization studies have been carried out for the production of L-lactic acid from the fermentation of whey by Lactobacillus casei. Two Statistical Designs, a full 24 Factorial Design and a full 32 Factorial Design, have been used to determine the most suitable values of the operational variables for obtaining the maximum lactic acid production rate. The variables selected for study were temperature, pH, lactose concentration, and inoculum concentration. Among them only temperature and pH were found to affect the response significantly. A second-order polynomial empirical model relating both the response (lactic acid production rate) and the variables was formulated. The maximum acid production rate was found when the values of pH and temperature were 5.4 and 38°C, respectively. All conclusions are restricted to the experimental range studied.
Interleukin-10 (−1082G/A) gene promotor polymorphism in Egyptian non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients: relation to other prognostic factors

Background and Objectives Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important immunoregulatory cytokine in. It is part of a balanced network of cytokines and can be cancer promoting (immunosuppressive; stimulation of cell proliferation) or cancer inhibiting. The present study aimed at investigating possible association between IL10 (-1082G/A) gene promoter polymorphism in a sample of Egyptian Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients and its relation to other prognostic factors. Design and Methods A case control study was carried out on fifty NHL patients at first diagnosis and twenty age and sex- matched normal controls. Results There was statistically insignificant correlation between IL10 (-1082G/A) genotype and age (P = 0.631), ESR (P = 0.087), serum LDH (P = 0.623), serum albumin (P = 0.108) serum β2 microglobulin (P = 0.578), and hemoglobin (P = 0.696) in patient group. The frequency of IL10-1082G allele was found to be higher in patients with NHL(28.3%) as compared with control subjects (12.5%)(P = 0.298) , with a higher frequency of IL-10-1082GG/GA genotypes in the former population (13.1%, 30.4%) versus (5.0%, 15.0%) χ2P = 0.073. Conclusion The frequency of IL10-1082G allele was found to be higher in patients with NHL as compared with healthy controls, which is translated into a higher frequency of IL-10-1082GG/GA genotypes, thus may be associated with higher risk of developing NHL. There was no significant correlation between IL-10 polymorphism with other prognostic factors.
Plio-Pleistocene Carnivora of eastern Africa: species richness and turnover patterns

This paper presents an up-to-date and detailed overview of the Plio-Pleistocene fossil record of Carnivora in eastern Africa. Major events in the carnivoran lineages present in the region are discussed and stratigraphic ranges of all species-level taxa are provided. The compiled data are used for quantitative analyses of species richness and turnover. Sampling is considered to be adequate for the interval 3.6–1.5 Mya, and poorer in the half-million-year time slices before and after this interval. Species richness peaks around 3.6–3.0 Mya and declines gradually from that time until the end of the time period analysed. Calculation of origination and extinction rates indicate that there are two peaks of origination: at 3.9–3.3 Mya (although the earlier half of this interval is biased through poor sampling) and at 2.1–1.8 Mya. The origination rate is zero in the interval 3.0–2.4 Mya. The extinction rate peaks at around 3.0 Mya after which it falls slightly, remaining nearly constant until 1.8 Mya, after which it increases considerably. The data support the hypothesis that the modern carnivoran guild of eastern Africa originated relatively recently, mostly within the last million years. There is no support in these data for a turnover pulse in Carnivora between 3 and 2 Mya. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 144, 121–144.
Abstract

Serum IgE against storage mite antigens in dogs with atopic dermatitis Arlian, L. G. , Schumann, R. J., Morgan, M. S. & Glass, R. L. (2003) Serum immunoglobulin E against storage mite allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis. American Journal of Veterinary Research 64, 32-36
Wage Discrimination When Identity Is Subjective

In Brazil, different employers report different racial classifications for the same worker. We use the variation in race across employers to estimate the relationship between race and wages. Workers whose reported race changes from nonwhite to white receive a wage increase; those who change from white to nonwhite realize a symmetric wage decrease. As much as 40 percent of the racial wage gap remains after controlling for all individual characteristics that do not change across jobs. We formally test, and reject, the hypothesis that our results are driven by misclassification. We also evaluate several mechanisms that could explain our findings.
The haptonema as a food-capturing device: observations on Chrysochromulina hirta (Prymnesiophyceae)

Abstract It is shown that the haptonema plays an important role as a food capture and transport device in the processes of phagocytosis in the marine flagellate, Chrysochromulina hirta Manton (Prymnesiophyceae). The capture offood and its transport by the haptonema were observed only when the cells were swimming with the haptonema fully extended forward and the two flagella beating backwards alongside the body of the cell. Food particles become attached and adhere to the haptonema. They then move down to a particular point on the haptonema, the particle-aggregating centre, where they accumulate. The cell stops swimming, and the aggregated food moves toward the tip of the haptonema. After the food aggregate reaches the tip, the haptonema bends and delivers it to the lateral posterior surface of the cell. The food aggregate is then translocated to the posterior end of the cell, where it is taken into the cell by phagocytosis. The haptonema bends even when it does not carry any particles, suggesting that it .
Northern Apennines

The Apennines provide one of the most complex and controversial orogenic belts of the Mesozoic-Tertiary system. The structure of the belt is critical for understanding of the history of Tethys and the Mediterranean, the relationships of Europe and Africa, the foreshortening between opposing plates, as well as the fundamental mechanism of orogenic development. An understanding of the fundamental geological features of this area is essential to full analysis of world-wide tectonic movement. The Northern Apennines have been the subject of intensive investigations in recent years, particularly from the viewpoint of the genesis of the allochthonous, sedimentary rocks—largely the ‘Argille Scagliose’ of Merla (1951). The complex structural arrangements of these strata, which are commonly flysch rocks with included ophiolites and olistostromes, have been produced mainly by submarine gravity sliding. The inner (or internal) margin of the orogen lies between Corsica and the islands of the Tuscan archipelago: the latter have Apenninic structures whilst north-east Corsica has west facing Alpine structures. The outer (external) margin lies beneath the alluvium of the Po valley and is conveniently placed at a line of positive structures between Ferrara and Crema. Beneath the Adriatic, the margin is as yet unknown. The width of the belt between these margins varies from 100 km (Genoa-Piacenza Apennines) to 400 km (South Tuscany to Ancona) and averages 220 km. Segment: this has a length of 420 km and stretches from near Genoa to Ancona. The north-west limit is the Sestri-Voltaggio line, a probable strike-slip fault separating the Allochthon Complex from
Temperature and starvation effects on food exploitation by Argentine ants and native ants in New Zealand

The abundance and distribution of an invasive species is influenced by its relative ability to find resources under a variety of conditions. We examined the exploitative ability of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile (Mayr)), in comparison with two common New Zealand ant species Monomorium antarcticum (Fr. Smith) and Prolasius advenus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Fr. Smith), using maze trials under different temperature and starvation regimes. Our results showed temperature significantly affected the mean time to discover food resources, but different species responded differently to changes in temperature. A change in temperature from 23°C to 13°C resulted in an approximately 8‐fold increase in the time to discover food for native P. advenus, but discovery times remained relatively similar for invasive Argentine ants. Starvation did not significantly influence the ability of species to find food. Argentine ants consistently located and recruited to food faster than the native species. We examined for variation in walking speed under the experimental conditions as a mechanism for our results. The results revealed Argentine ants and P. advenus to have similar walking speeds at each temperature‐starvation treatment and both were faster than M. antarcticum. However, Argentine ants had rates of turning or returning to the nest that were lower than the native species. This result suggests that Argentine ants show greater ‘exploratory willingness’ or ‘novelty seeking’ behaviour. Our results suggest that Argentine ants are able to discovery and exploit resources more efficiently than these native species under a wide spectrum of environmental and physiological conditions. Such relative efficiencies have likely contributed to the success of this invader.
Reproductive performance of growth-enhanced transgenic coho salmon

Abstract The reproductive performances of growth-enhanced transgenic, hatchery, and cultured nontransgenic coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were examined to investigate the consequences of reproductive interaction between growth hormone (GH)–transgenic fish and wild fish that may occur if transgenic salmon escaped into the natural environment. We examined adult morphological phenotypes, gamete quantity and quality, in vitro offspring production, courtship and spawning behavior, male competitive behavior, and transgene transmission to offspring. Transgenic, hatchery, and cultured nontransgenic fish required 2, 3, and 3 or 4 years, respectively, to reach sexual maturation. No differences in male gamete quantity or in vitro offspring production were observed. Transgenic females were more fecund than hatchery females but had smaller eggs. Fewer transgenic females spawned than hatchery females under experimental conditions, and transgenic females displayed consistently low levels of courtship behavior. In nonc.
Intrinsic competition between the parasitoids Eretmocerus mundus and Encarsia formosa in Bemisia tabaci

Immature stages of Eretmocerus mundus Mercet and Encarsia formosa Gahan (both Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) compete in larvae of their host, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Laboratory tests were carried out on excised tree tobacco leaves, exposing B. tabaci nymphs to one of the parasitoid species alone or to both species, one after the other, to obtain multi‐parasitization. Parasitization by E. mundus and E. formosa was allowed on specific host stages in order to obtain interactions between different immature stages of the two parasitoids (eggs, and first, second, and third instars). The outcome from each multi‐parasitization treatment was verified by analysing data on parasitoid adult emergence. Observations under a stereomicroscope and dissections of multi‐parasitized hosts were also performed in order to demonstrate any factors potentially determining the outcome of competition. Eretmocerus mundus clearly prevailed over E. formosa when multi‐parasitism occurred. A higher percentage of adults emerging from multi‐parasitized hosts belonged to this parasitoid species (68.0–88.9% depending on the treatment). The lowest percent emergence by E. mundus (68.0%) and total percent emergence of parasitoid adults (52.2%) were obtained when E. mundus first instars interacted with hosts parasitized by E. formosa third instars. Observations and dissections showed that first‐instar E. mundus induced mortality in E. formosa immatures at penetration into the hosts, although they encountered greater difficulty in exploiting hosts inside which E. formosa had reached the third stage of development. In contrast, development of E. formosa immatures was not immediately inhibited if parasitization took place on hosts inside which E. mundus larvae had already penetrated. In this case, however, E. mundus also prevailed over E. formosa (72.5% of the emerged adults). Implications for the use of these parasitoid species against B. tabaci in biological control programmes are discussed.
Micromolluscs in Japan: taxonomic composition, habitats, and future topics

Studies of micromolluscs are essential in the malacology of the 21st century. Our understanding of molluscs has been chiefl y based on large-sized species, and there are little-known taxa that comprise only of small-sized species. In Japan, an obvious change occurred from classic conchology to more advanced microscopic work in the 1990s, but further research must be accelerated to reveal the entire fauna. In this review, a summary of the current state of knowledge is given for all known micromolluscan families distributed in Japan. Since the 1990s new micromolluscs have been described from various microhabitats such as the undersides of half-buried boulders, burrows of other invertebrates, submarine caves, sunken wood, deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. These are promising habitats for more intensive sampling in addition to unexplored environments. Basic taxonomy is still necessary in advancing biological studies at all levels including anatomy, molecular phylogenetics, development, ecology, and paleontology. The importance of micromolluscs is also rising in the fi eld of conservation biology, especially with regard to endangered and introduced species. The genus Lepetella (Lepetellidae) is recorded for the fi rst time from Japan.
An intimidating ornament in a female pipefish

A sexually selected signal may serve a dual function being both attractive to mates and deterring rivals. Presently, there are few unambiguous demonstrations of an ornament functioning in both a mate choice and mate competition context and none regarding female ornaments. We have shown earlier that a temporary ornament, a striped pattern, in a sex-role reversed female pipefish, Syngnathus typhle, attracts males. Here we show that this ornament also intimidates rival females: in one experiment a male could interact with either 1 or 2 females. Latency until copulation was longer when 2, rather than 1, females were present. Moreover, when 2 females were present, competition lasted longer and time until mating took place increased when females displayed their ornaments more equally. In another experiment, a focal female could see 1 stimulus female and 1 stimulus male, the latter 2 being unaware of each other. The ornament of the stimulus female was manipulated, either strengthened by being painted black or left unaltered by being sham-painted. As a result, focal females experiencing black-painted stimulus females decreased courtship as well as competitive activities compared with focal females seeing sham-painted females. Moreover, focal females seeing black-painted females displayed less of their own ornament compared with controls. This decrease was due to a decrease in display toward males rather than to stimulus females. Thus, this female ornament indeed has a dual function, attracting mates and deterring rivals. In addition, the social costs invoked by this intimidating effect on rivals may help to maintain signal honesty.
Efficient Transgene Expression in Chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura, by Using the Promoter of a Gene for Chrysanthemum Chlorophyll-a/b-binding Protein

We investigated the usefulness of the promoter of a gene for chrysanthemum chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein (Cab) for transgene expression in the chrysanthemum Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura. We used the promoter region of a Cab gene isolated from the chrysanthemum-wild species D. japonicum Makino. The 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) or the Cab promoter was fused to the β-glucuronidase gene (gus) and introduced into the chrysanthemum. We obtained 300 putative transformants (115 with 35S/gus and 185 with Cab/gus). GUS assay of the leaves of the in vitro plants revealed that 9.6 % (11/115) of the putative plants to which 35S/gus had been introduced and 24.3 % (45/185) of the putative plants to which Cab/gus had been introduced were GUS-positive. Southern blot analysis showed that even the GUS-negative plants harbored the gus gene in their genomes. The Cab promoter expressed the transgene more efficiently than the 35S promoter and could be used for transgene expression in chrysanthemum leaf tissues.
c‐Jun Contributes to Amyloid β‐Induced Neuronal Apoptosis but Is Not Necessary for Amyloid β‐Induced c‐jun Induction

Abstract : The role of gene expression in neuronal apoptosis may be cell‐ and apoptotic stimulus‐specific. Previously, we and others showed that amyloid β (Aβ)‐induced neuronal apoptosis is accompanied by c‐jun induction. Moreover, c‐Jun contributes to neuronal death in several apoptosis paradigms involving survival factor withdrawal. To evaluate the role of c‐Jun in Aβ toxicity, we compared Aβ‐induced apoptosis in neurons from murine fetal littermates that were deficient or wild‐type with respect to c‐Jun. We report that neurons deficient for c‐jun are relatively resistant to Aβ toxicity, suggesting that c‐Jun contributes to apoptosis in this model. When changes in gene expression were quantified in neurons treated in parallel, we found that Aβ treatment surprisingly led to an apparent activation of the c‐jun promoter in both c‐jun‐deficient and wild‐type neurons, suggesting that c‐Jun is not necessary for activation of the c‐jun promoter. Indeed, several genes induced by Aβ in wild‐type neurons were also induced in c‐jun‐deficient neurons, including c‐fos, fosB, ngfi‐B, and iκB. In summary, these results indicate that c‐Jun contributes to Aβ‐induced neuronal death but that c‐Jun is not necessary for c‐jun induction.
Successional and mature stands in an upper Andean rain forest transect of Venezuela: do leaf characteristics of woody species differ?

Changes in morphological and anatomical leaf characteristics of woody plant species along an altitudinal gradient as well as between a late-successional and mature upper montane rain forest were examined. For leaf size, the Raunkiaer-Webb classification system was applied. The mature-forest transect comprised eight plots of 0.1 ha between 2300 and 3300 m asl, the successional-forest transect, four plots between 2400 and 2750 m asl. The latter comprised structurally heterogeneous vegetation patches. For each plot the proportions of leaf size classes and of the different categories of leaf shape, margin, and apex were calculated. Leaf size and the proportion of drip-tips decreased with increasing elevation. Serrate leaf margins were more prominent at higher elevations. Stomatal density, leaf thickness and related anatomical characteristics did not show significant trends. Differences between the mature and successional forest plots were generally slight. The advanced age of the successional forest probably led to a convergent development of leaf characteristics. Se examinaron los cambios morfológicos y anatómicos foliares de diferentes especies de plantas leñosas tanto a lo largo de una gradiente altitudinal así como también comparando un bosque húmedo altimontano sucesional tardío con un bosque maduro. Para la clasificación del tamaño foliar se aplicó el sistema de Raunkiaer-Webb. El bosque maduro comprendió ocho parcelas de 0,1 ha distribuidas entre los 2300 y 3300 m snm, mientras que el bosque sucesional incluyó cuatro parcelas entre los 2400 y 2750 m snm. El último se compuso de manchas de vegetación estructuralmente heterogéneas. Para cada parcela se calcularon las proporciones de las clases de tamaño foliar y de las diferentes categorías de forma, margen y ápice foliar. El tamaño foliar y la proporción de hojas con ápice gotero decaen con el incremento altitudinal. En altitudes superiores se presenta una mayor abundancia de hojas con margen aserrado. En cuanto se refiere a la densidad de estomas, el grosor foliar y características anatómicas relacionadas, no existen tendencias significativas. Debido a la falta de diferencias obvias entre el bosque maduro y bosque sucesional, se puede suponer que la edad avanzada del bosque sucesional probablemente condujo a un desarrollo convergente de las características foliares.
MARINE MAMMAL NOISE-EXPOSURE CRITERIA: INITIAL SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

An expert panel reviewed the expanding literature on marine mammal (cetacean and pinniped) auditory and behavioral responses to sound exposure to develop comprehensive, scientifically based noise exposure criteria [Aquatic Mammals 33(4)]. They used precautionary extrapolation procedures to predict exposure levels above which adverse effects (both physical and behavioral) could be expected. Due to the paucity of data on long‐term exposures, criteria were developed for single exposure events only. Marine mammals were broken into functional hearing groups. Exposure types were lumped into three broad classes (single pulses, multiple pulses, and nonpulses). Levels estimated to induce permanent noise‐induced hearing loss were determined for each of 15 sound type/animal group combinations. For example, injury criteria for pinnipeds in water exposed to multiple pulses were 186 dB re 1 μPa2 ‐s (weighted SEL) and 218 dBpk re 1 μPa (unweighted peak SPL). Discrete behavioral disturbance thresholds could only be deter.