Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual head structures in the Onychophora : unique modifications for sperm transfer

An extensive diversity of male extra-genital sexual structures is described from eleven recently discovered species of onychophorans from Australia. These organs are located on the dorsal surface of the head and are highly elaborate in some species. They range from a patch of variously modified dermal papillae to a deep pit adorned with hardened hooks, spikes or hollow stylets. We propose that these hardened structures are also derived from dermal papillae. In two species, spermatophores have been observed within the organ and it is speculated that they function in the mechanics of sperm transfer.
Energy Storage, Growth, and Maturation of Yellow Perch from Different Locations in Saginaw Bay, Michigan

Abstract The growth and abundance of yellow perch Perca flavescens in Saginaw Bay have varied historically. Changes in growth have been ascribed to many causes, including density and genetic composition of the fish stock, both of which are also believed to vary with location in the bay. The objectives of this study were to compare growth and maturation of yellow perch from inner and outer Saginaw Bay, to investigate the existence of different fish stocks, and to compare growth of yellow perch in Saginaw Bay to growth in other locations to determine the degree of stunting. Yellow perch were collected from four sites in inner and outer Saginaw Bay from 1983 to 1985. Size distributions differed between the inner and outer bay sites: larger and older fish were more common in the outer bay. Percentage of body water, body energy density, gonadosomatic index, and age at maturation did not differ between the inner and outer bay sites. Growth in weight, total body energy, and condition factors differed significant.
Purified Cell Wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Increases Protection Against Intestinal Pathogens in Broiler Chickens

A study was conducted to determine effects of a mannanoligosaccharide prebiotic, derived from cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on morphological development of the intestines and microbial populations of the ceca and litter. Dietary treatments included: antibiotic-free diet (CTL), diet 1 + virginiamycin (VIRG; 16.5 mg/kg feed) and diet 1 + ActiveMOS (MOS; 1.5 kg/T starter diet and 1 kg/T grower diet). Each treatment was assigned to 3 pen replicates (55 birds/pen). At day 14, 24 and 34, cecal contents were used for Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, E. coli and Campylobacter quantification whereas litter was analyzed for Campylobacter and E. coli. At same time points, jejunum samples were used in histological analysis. MOS significantly increased goblet cell number in the jejunum (p<0.05) at day 24 and 34. In contrast to the CTL and VIRG diet, MOS consistently increased cecal populations of Bifidobacteria (p<0.05) at all times. Moreover, at day 34, MOS increased cecal populations of Lactobacilli (p<0.05) and reduced E. coli and Campylobacter concentrations (p<0.05). None of the dietary treatments altered E. coli and Campylobacter concentrations in the litter. In comparison to antibiotics, MOS, therefore, improved intestinal health conditions by increasing goblet cell number into the villi membrane, stimulating growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
Is there chaos in plankton dynamics

A controversial issue in ecosystem modeling is whether the irregular fluctuations that one observes in nature are due solely to random environmental factors or whether, at least partially, a deterministic mechanism is responsible for the unpredictable behavior. This second alternative is called deterministic chaos and the issue in this paper is to decide if actual plankton time series can vindicate the hypothesis of chaotic dynamics. The near-neighbor forecasting method is a recent technique for detecting determinism in a time serin and we apply it to measurements of phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass obtained at a single station in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Although the results do not conclude the presence of chaos, they do give some support to the idea that deterministic non-linear trophic dynamics may account for at least some of the variability that is seen in the data, particularly in terms of inferring zooplankton oscillations from those of phytoplankton.
Colonization dynamics of algae in small artificial ponds

The arrival, establishment, and growth of a variety of algae were studied in a series of newly established, small (48.5 L) artificial ponds located at three sites of differing characteristics in southern Ontario, Canada: open field, edge of woods, and deep woods. Algal colonization was most rapid at the open site, within 4 days of the ponds being filled, and was slowest at the deep woods site, presumably because of a filtering effect of the surrounding terrestrial vegetation. The patterns of algal colonization and subsequent population abundances were consistent among the ponds, despite very considerable variation in both their physical and biological environments (e.g., among ponds over the 2 years of study, conductivity ranged from 20 to 890 μS, pH from 6.4 to 10.7, dissolved oxygen from 0 to 13.5 mg ∙ L−1, and water temperature from 5 to 29.8 °C). The first colonizers were airborne microchlorophytes, particularly a species of Chlorella, which may have been favoured by clear water (high light) condition.
Spatial and temporal distribution of zooplankton in Lake Trichonis (Greece)

The investigation of the zooplankton community in Lake Trichonis during a two‐year survey (September 2003–August 2005) revealed 37 invertebrate species (26 rotifers, three copepods, seven cladocerans and one mollusc larva). The seasonal distribution followed a biacmic pattern in the first year and a monoacmic in the second. Copepoda prevailed, with the calanoid Eudiaptomus driesci being the dominant species. No differences in the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton community were found. The maximum abundance of the zooplankton community was recorded in the surface 0–10 m layer and abundance decreased with depth. The most important species of rotifers follow a vertical separation pattern, while the cladocerans revealed either a seasonal succession of dominance, or a vertical separation. Although Lake Trichonis holds the basic characteristics of an oligotrophic lake, the presence of certain species typical of eutrophic lakes, could reflect a possible alteration of its trophic state.
The Human Glutamate Receptor δ2 Gene (GRID2) Maps to Chromosome 4q22

Abstract We isolated the human glutamate receptor δ2 ( GRID2 ) gene, which has 97.0% identity in amino acid sequence to the mouse glutamate receptor δ2 ( Grid2 ) gene. We subsequently mapped this gene to human chromosome 4q22 by radiation hybrid mapping and by hybridization to two overlapping human yeast artificial chromosomes that are located in 4q22. The Grid2 gene, which is mutated in lurcher ( Lc ) mice, maps to mouse chromosome 6. Thus, the mapping of the GRID2 gene to human chromosome 4q22 confirms and refines a region of synteny between mouse and human genomes.
Structural Models of Limit Dextrinase Inhibitors from Barley

Abstract Two limit dextrinase inhibitors (designated low and high pI inhibitors) isolated from barley had a high sequence homology with a protein sequence coded by a mRNA previously found in barley and thought to code for alpha -amylase-trypsin inhibitor. The inhibitors did not inhibit trypsin or alpha -amylases from malt, T. molitor (yellow mealworm) or pig pancreas under the experimental conditions where they inhibited limit dextrinase. Each inhibitor was heterogeneous and appeared to have «ragged» carboxyl ends. A molecular model of the inhibitor proteins was developed which showed that of the nine cysteine residues in the molecules, eight were likely to be involved in intramolecular disulphide bonds, leaving one free sulphydryl group. The low pI inhibitor had a major component of molecular mass 12 928 that contained a glutathione residue, probably bound to the free sulphydryl group. The high pI inhibitor had two major components with molecular masses of 12 686 and 12 744 and these may contain cysteine residues bound to the free sulphydryl group. Further analysis of the model showed structural differences between the limit dextrinase inhibitors and alpha -amylase-trypsin inhibitors of the same family.
Effects of dietary inclusion of xylooligo‐ saccharides, arabinoxylooligosaccha‐ rides and soluble arabinoxylan on the microbial composition of caecal contents of chickens

BACKGROUND: Arabinoxylan (AX)-derived preparations have raised particular interest by the suggestion that they exert prebiotic properties. Therefore an in vivo experiment was conducted to study the effects of xylooligosaccharides (XOS), arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) and soluble AX (S-AX) on several groups of gut bacteria of chickens. Chickens were fed a control diet or the same diet supplemented with 2.5 g kg−1 of XOS (average degree of polymerisation (avDP) of 3, average degree of arabinose substitution (avDS) of 0.09), wheat bran-derived AXOS (avDP 9, avDS 0.34) or wheat endosperm alkali-solubilised AX (S-AX, avDP > 6000, avDS 0.5). RESULTS: All treatment groups showed an increase in the number of caecal bifidobacteria after 2 weeks of feeding (P < 0.05), while the treatments did not impact numbers of Enterobacteriaceae and aerobic lactobacilli in the caeca relative to the control. XOS led to a tremendous increase in caecal bifidobacteria counts (108 g−1 for the XOS treatment versus 103 g−1 for the control treatment) after only 1 week of supplementation, while AXOS and S-AX led to similar strong increases in bifidobacteria counts after 2 weeks of supplementation. Addition of S-AX to the diet, but not of AXOS or XOS, led to a significantly decreased (P < 0.05) body weight gain after 2 weeks of feeding relative to animals on the control diet, consistent with its known viscosity-related antinutritive effects in chickens. CONCLUSION: Similar to XOS, AXOS selectively stimulate the presence of bifidobacteria in the caeca of chickens, establishing their bifidogenic effect as a first indicator for prebiotic potential. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Weed-suppressing rice cultivars – does allelopathy play a role?

A range of 111 rice cultivars was studied for weed-suppressing ability in field experiments with a sown infestation of Echinochloa crus-galli. Cultivars differed significantly in their ability to suppress the growth of E. crus-galli, and the differences were reasonably reproducible over three seasons. The same rice cultivars were tested in a laboratory screening for allelopathic potential, which showed significant differences in the ability to reduce root growth of E. crus-galli. Correlation between the laboratory screening and the field experiments showed that field performance could be described to some extent by E. crus-galli root length reduction in the laboratory. Plant height in the field experiment was correlated with weed biomass 8 weeks after seeding. Even among the most weed-suppressing rice cultivars, however, all heights were represented. None of the measured growth parameters from greenhouse studies could explain the distribution of weed-suppressing rice cultivars. This indicates that allelopathy in combination with competitive ability determines the weed interference outcome of a given rice cultivar.
Sake: Production and flavor

Abstract Sake, its history in Japan, the unique brewing process, and microbes concerned with the characteristics of flavor are described. The main flavor components derived mainly from the fermentation process are higher alcohols, isoamyl acetate, ethyl caproate, and phenethyl acetate. These are the compounds which give an accent to the flavor of sake. The esters are formed mainly by yeast during mash fermentation. Isoamyl acetate is produced by the reaction of acetyl CoA with isoamyl alcohol catalyzed by alcohol acetyl transferase. The enzyme, bound to the yeast cell membrane, is unstable to heat and unsaturated fatty acids. The ester formation is regulated by the amount of isoamyl alcohol produced. Acyl CoA alcohol acyl transferease catalyzes the formation of ethyl caproate from caproyl CoA and ethanol. In this reaction, the amount of caproyl CoA supplied is important. The mechanism of higher alcohol formation, including the biosynthetic pathway of amino acids and its feedback regulation, is discussed.
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THE RED ALGA PORPHYRIDIUM CRUENTUM: CORRELATION TO GROWTH RATE 1

The lipid and fatty acid composition of Porphyridium cruentum was determined as a function of light intensity, temperature, pH, and salinity. In cultures cultivated at the optimal temperature under non‐limiting light conditions, eicosapentaenoic acid was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid. When growth rate was reduced by decreased light intensity, increased cell concentration, suboptimal temperature, suboptimal pH, or increased salinity, the content of eicosapentaenoic acid decreased and that of arachidonic acid increased, the latter becoming the major polyunsaturated fatty acid.
The Uptake of Fluorescent Microspheres into the Skin, Fins and Gills of Rainbow Trout During Immersion

To elucidate the process of the uptake of suspended particles into the skin, fins and gills of rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss, 100 fingerlings were immersed in a suspension of 1μm diameter fluorescent microspheres and rinsed with water. The fate of microspheres adhering to body surface was traced for elapsed times ranging from 1 min to 24 h. Although most microspheres were removed in a 2 h-rinse with water, a few were observed by light microscopy to be located in both epidermal and dermal tissues which had microscopic injuries. As observed by electron microscopy, microspheres were taken up by migrating epithelial cells, or embedded in the dermis covered with these cells. Some of those microspheres embedded in dermis were endocytosed by macrophages. Such features were confirmed in artificial wound experiments. We conclude that microscopic injuries to trout could be an important route for the uptake of antigen administered by immersion, 2 to 24 h after fish suffer from injuries.
Ultrastructural observations of the mature megagametophyte and the fertilization in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The mature embryo sac of wheat contains an egg apparatus composed of an egg cell and two synergids at the micropylar end, a central cell with two large polar nuclei in the middle, and a mass of 20 to 30 antipodals at the chalazal end. A comparison was made of the ultrastructural features of the various cells of the embryo sac. The features included the position of the nucleus and vacuoles, the number, structure, and distribution of organelles, and the extent of the cell walls surrounding each cell. The pollen tube enters one synergid through the filiform apparatus from the micropyle. The penetration and discharge of the pollen tube causes the further degeneration of that synergid, which had already undergone changes before pollination. The second synergid does not change further in appearance following the penetration of the first by the pollen-altered tube. Half an hour after pollination at 20–25 °C, two male nuclei are seen in the cytoplasm of the egg and the central cell. At about 1 h after pollination.
Distribution and fungicide sensitivity of Colletotrichum coccodes in French potato-producing areas

Black dot, caused by Colletotrichum coccodes, is of potential concern to potato production in France as part of the tuber-blemishing disease complex. The lack of information about the actual distribution of the pathogen in potato-producing areas led to a survey of the occurrence of the disease. Black dot symptoms were observed on roots, stems and/or tubers of the 82 potato cultivars examined in 1994. A baiting bioassay, using cuttings of potato cultivars Bintje and Urgenta, revealed the presence of the pathogen in all 37 soil samples tested, which had been collected throughout the main French potato growing areas. In vitro, growth of five C. coccodes isolates recovered from diseased potatoes grown in western and southern France was severely affected by imazalil, tolchlofos-methyl and, to a lesser extent, mancozeb and thiabendazole. Conversely, iprodione, flutolanil and pencycuron were ineffective in reducing the growth of these isolates. These data indicate that C. coccodes is widespread in French potato cropping areas, that currently popular cultivars are susceptible to the disease, and that at least some of the fungicides commonly applied to seed tubers are ineffective against the pathogen. A better diagnosis of the disease, but also the insensitivity of the pathogen to several chemicals frequently used on seed tubers for controlling black or silver scurfs, might thus provide explanations for the apparent increase in black dot occurrence in recent years.
An evaluation of selective Helicoverpa armigera control options in sweet corn

Helicoverpa armigera is a serious insect pest of sweet corn in Australia and is becoming increasingly difficult to manage with conventional chemical insecticides due to resistance problems. A number of alternative H. armigera control options were evaluated in sweet corn and compared with deltamethrin and no action (control). The alternative tactics evaluated were: heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus plus Trichogramma nr. brassicae releases; Bacillus thuringiensis; and Trichogramma alone. The H. tea nuclear polyhedrosis virus + Trichogramma plots had the lowest cob damage (6.0%), followed by the B. thuringiensis plots (12.0%), Trichogramma alone plots (20.2%), control plots (23.2%) and deltamethrin plots (53.5%). There was no evidence to suggest that the Trichogramma nr. brassicae releases had any impact on H. armigera egg mortality. However, there was a large natural population of Trichogramma pretiosum in all plots. The application of deltamethrin reduced the action of these wasps and predators, resulting in higher larval infestation and significantly more cob damage. The findings indicate that the pathogens heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus and B. thuringiensis can effectively control H. armigera when their action complements high natural levels of egg parasitism, and that they have potential for use in integrated pest management programs in sweet corn.
Pigment signatures reveal temporal and regional differences in taxonomic phytoplankton composition off the west coast of Ireland

The composition of phytoplankton assemblages in April, 1998 in Galway Bay and during a summer phytoplankton bloom occurring southwest of Ireland in August, 1998, was characterized by pigments measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pigment data reflecting phytoplankton assemblages dominated by diatoms in Galway Bay and dinoflagellates in the southwest of Ireland were compared to phytoplankton cell counts. Significant relationships were found between the fucoxanthin concentrations and the diatom cell numbers (P < 0.0002 r 2 0.63) during April, and between fucoxanthin (P < 0.0001 r 2 0.79), 19'hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin (P < 0.0001 r 2 0.77) concentrations and Gyrodinium aureolum cell numbers during the summer bloom.
Global analysis of the thermal and chemical denaturation of the N‐terminal domain of the ribosomal protein L9 in H2O and D2O. Determination of the thermodynamic parameters, ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔC°p, and evaluation of solvent isotope effects

The stability of the N‐terminal domain of the ribosomal protein L9, NTL9, from Baccilus stearothermophilus has been monitored by circular dichroism at various temperatures and chemical denaturant concentrations in H2O and D2O. The basic thermodynamic parameters for the unfolding reaction, ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔC°p, were determined by global analysis of temperature and denaturant effects on stability. The data were well fit by a model that assumes stability varies linearly with denaturant concentration and that uses the Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation to model changes in stability with temperature. The results obtained from the global analysis are consistent with information obtained from individual thermal and chemical denaturations. NTL9 has a maximum stability of 3. 78±0. 25 kcal mol−1 at 14°C. ΔH°(25°C) for protein unfolding equals 9. 9±0. 7 kcal mol−1 and TΔS°(25 °C) equals 6. 2±0. 6 kcal mol−1. Cp equals 0. 53±0. 06 kcal mol−1 deg−1. There is a small increase in stability when D2O is substituted for H2O. Based on the results from global analysis, NTL9 is 1. 06±0. 60 kcal mol−1 more stable in D2O at 25 °C and Tm is increased by 5. 8±3. 6°C in D2O. Based on the results from individual denaturation experiments, NTL9 is 0. 68±0. 68 kcal mol−1 more stable in D2O at 25°C and Tm is increased by 3. 5±2. 1°C in D2O. Within experimental error there are no changes in ΔH°(25°C) when D2O is substituted for H2O.
A review of the biology of British Naididae (Oligochaeta) with emphasis on the lotic environment

SUMMARY. Naidids live in a wide range of aquatic habitats but are particularly important numerically as part of the benthic fauna of rivers with stony substrates. In general they graze on bacteria and algae although some, particularly Chaetogaster spp. , are mainly predaceous, and C. limnaei vaghini is a parasite of molluscs, chiefly Gastropoda. Food selection seems to be based largely on particle size although the food quality of the particles within the appropriate size-range influences rates of growth and reproduction. Major factors determining the distribution and abundance of naidid species are the nature of the substratum and the presence and kind of vegetation. Plants with a highly dissected form, a thick growth habit, and which permit the greatest periphyton development generally support the most abundant naidid populations. The oligochaete fauna of coarse substrates (stones and gravels) is often dominated by the Naididae but both species-richness and abundance of naidid populations are generally reduced where fine substrates (silts and muds) occur. The occurrence of worms within the substratum is also determined by its nature; naidids penetrate to depths of 20–70 cm in coarse substrates but rarely penetrate below 6 cm in mud. The principal factor limiting both depth penetration and the dominance of naidids in fine substrates is probably oxygen availability. Naidids reproduce both asexually and sexually, the former method predominating for most of the year. Asexual reproduction usually involves the budding-off of zooids but a few species fragment. Sexual reproduction is often infrequent; populations of some species produce few or no sexually mature individuals. In mature worms asexual reproduction virtually ceases. In populations that produce mature individuals there is apparently one sexual generation a year, usually occurring during the summer and autumn. Adults die soon after laying their cocoons. In general, naidids are most abundant during the summer months when rates of growth and asexual reproduction are stimulated by higher temperatures and a plentiful supply of food. A few species, however, e.g. Nais elinguis and Paranais litoralis, are more abundant in the spring. The response of naidid species to different kinds of pollution is varied but generally organic enrichment of rivers which have stony substrates results in a considerable (ten- to twenty-fold) increase in naidid abundance. Nais elinguis, N. barbata, N. communis, N. variabilis, and Chaetogaster diaphanus are often abundant in such rivers, the foremost species reaching densities of 200 000 m−2. Nais alpina, N. bretscheri, and N. pardalis appear to be relatively intolerant of organic enrichment. A substantial increase in naidid abundance is also promoted by the deposition of biologically inert particles (coal dust, china clay, sand) on the river bed. The importance of Naididae in relation to pollution surveillance of fresh waters is discussed.