Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade-off between offspring number and offspring size in the marine copepod Euterpina acutifrons at different food concentrations

We collected females of the marine copepod Euterpina acutifrons monthly from November 1994 to January 1996 at a station located in Ria de Vigo (Spain). A trade-off between egg size and egg number was found. As food concentration measured as mean fluorescence in the water column diminished, mean number of eggs per sac carried per female decreased, whereas mean egg size increased. An experiment carried out with adult females cultured at different food concentrations confirmed the field results, and also showed that as egg size increased, there, was an increase in naupliar body length at hatching; nauplii developed faster to first copepodite stage, and net reproductive rate was higher. Therefore, the reproductive strategy of directing more energy toward offspring size rather than offspring number, at low food concentrations, clearly increases reproductive success.
Polypeptides associated with the induction of direct somatic embryogenesis in Camellia japonica leaves I. Identification of embryo-specific polypeptides

Embryogenic and non-embryogenic induced leaves of Camellia japonica, with the same shoot origin and submitted to the same culture conditions, were used to study protein changes during the induction of direct embryogenesis. The analysis of protein changes in these samples, based on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed that 91% and 56.2% of the polypeptides detected, respectively, in embryogenic and non-embryogenic induced leaves, were already present in the non-induced control eaves. The results of the differential expression of eight selected polypeptides detected in induced and non-induced leaves are presented. A spotlist report was obtained for the 9% (43) embryogenesis-associated leaf polypeptides. From these polypeptides, two polypeptides were identified which seem to be specifically associated with somatic embryogenesis in C. japonica: E1 (pl 5.6; mol. wt. 43.5) and E2 (pl 6.0; mol. wt. 25.7).
Employee spinouts, social networks, and family firms

Recently collected data show that, within any manufacturing industry, vertically integrated firms tend to have larger, higher productivity plants, account for the bulk of sales, and also sell externally most of the inputs they produce. In a weak contracting environment characteristic of developing countries, vertically integrated firms are vulnerable to employee “spinouts”: managers of input divisions can start their own firms, making customized inputs formerly provided internally subject to hold-up and capturing the profits formerly made from external sales of generic inputs. This vulnerability is shown to lead to inefficiently low entry. Vertically integrated firms can fight back by hiring managers for their input divisions who are members of networks that informally sanction hold-ups or children who keep profits “in the family” even if they spin out. This is shown to predict the association of co-ethnic networks with high rates of entrepreneurship and the prominence of family-owned business groups in developing country manufacturing.
Worker heterozygosity and immune response in feral and managed honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Genetic diversity in workers influences colony immunity in several species of eusocial insects. Much less work has been conducted to test for comparable effects of worker heterozygosity, a measure of genetic diversity within an individual. Here we present a field study using the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and sampled foraging workers throughout Western Australia. Samples were taken from feral and managed colonies, aiming to maximise the variation in worker and colony heterozygosity. We quantified worker heterozygosity using microsatellites, and tested the idea that individual worker heterozygosity predicts immune response, measured as the enzymatic activity of an antimicrobial peptide phenoloxidase (PO) and encapsulation response. We found substantial variation in worker heterozygosity, but no significant effects of heterozygosity on PO activity or encapsulation response, either on the individual or colony level. Heterozygosity was found to be higher in workers of feral colonies compared with managed colonies. Colonies kept in husbandry, as compared with colonies from the field, had significantly higher levels of PO activity and encapsulation response, providing evidence for substantial environmental effects on individual and colony immunity.
Effect of Phosphatidylcholine and Beta-Carotene Supplementation on Growth and Immune Response of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in Cool Water

The effects of nutraceuticals in improving growth and immune response of Nile tilapia in cool water were investigated. Fish were reared in two different environments: warm water (28°C) and cool water (16°C). Fish reared in warm water (control) were provided with a basal commercial diet, while fish reared in cool water were provided with either the basal commercial diet (cool water control) or diets supplemented with nutraceuticals (either phosphatidylcholine or β-carotene). Experiments were conducted over an 8-week period. Fish held in warm water had significantly higher growth (p < 0.05), but condition factor, blood hematocrit, plasma glucose, and phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells were similar to fish held in cool water. Within the cool water groups (basal vs. supplemented diet), fish did not show any significant difference in condition factor, blood hematocrit, and phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in glucose levels until the eighth week. Collectively these data indicate that a nutraceutical supplementation to the basal diet was not significantly beneficial. Despite slower growth, fish reared in cool water remained generally healthy. The observation that phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells was not significantly different suggests that disease resistance of tilapia grown in cool water may be comparable to those reared in warm water. Thus, our experiments suggest the feasibility of stocking or rearing tilapia in water temperatures as low as 16°C during cool weather, without need for supplementation to basal commercial feed.
Dry matter accumulation and water use relationships in wheat crops

In order to better understand crop growth (dry matter accumulation, DM), crop evapotranspiration (Et), and their interrelationships, we studied dryland crops of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Timgalen) sown at various dates and seeding densities in each of three years at Tamworth, N.S. W. Soil water stress was minimal before anthesis in each year, but in two years substantial stress arose before maturity. DM was increased consistently by increased plant density, and decreased at anthesis and maturity by later sowing. Crop growth rates determined over 2-week intervals around anthesis ranged from 3 to 20 g m-2 d-1, representing a range in efficiency of utilization of intercepted total solar radiation of 0.48 to 2.35%, variation which was adequately explained (R2 = 0.80) by ontogeny (days from anthesis) and Et / Ep ratio (Ep = class A pan evaporation). Et at anthesis, but not at maturity, was increased slightly by higher seedmg density; crop Et was not consistently affected by sowing date. Et / Ep over 2-week periods around anthesis was related to leaf area index, and to a lesser extent to available soil water and Ep (R2 = 0.58). For the period from the first sowing date in June or July until the middle of October, the relationship of total Et to DM production was linear and close each year, but the slope varied from 6.2 g m-2 mm-1 (cold dry year) to 14.0 g m-2 mm-1 (wet year). This variation could be attributed to annual variation in the soil evaporation component of Et, and in the ratio of DM to crop transpiration (= transpiration efficiency, TE). For 2-week periods around anthesis, TE ranged from 2.9 to 5.4 g m-2 mm-1 and was inversely related to Ep (R2 = 0.56). Provided soil evaporation can be allowed for, since it ranged from 18 to 41% of crop Et from sowing to maturity, it is argued that the crop transpirationtranspiration efficiency approach is particularly useful for analysing the growth and water use of dryland wheat.
Cloning, Expression and Characterization of a Novel Iron Superoxide Dismutase from Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

The gene fesod encoding iron superoxide dismutase from Magnetospirillum AMB-1 with a calculated 22kDa was cloned and efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The open reading frame of 597 nucleotides encoded a protein of 199 amino acids without the signal peptide sequence. Recombinant enzyme fesod was purified by IMAC (Ni2+) in a single step to electrophoretic homogeneity presented as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE. The recombinant enzyme displayed maximum activity at 25 °C, which was stable in the pH range from 5.4 to 8.2 and at temperature from 25 to 45 °C. These results suggest that fesod may have very attractive applications in cosmetics industry as an anti ageing protein in a moderate temperature range.
Trophic organization and fish assemblage structure as disturbance indicators in headwater streams of lower Sorocaba River basin, São Paulo, Brazil

Studies that investigate the relationship patterns between environmental structure complexity and fish fauna provide crucial information to stream restoration efforts. In order to test the hypothesis that streams with more complex environmental structure sustain more diverse and functionally more complex fish communities we sampled fish fauna from Sorocaba River headwater stream reaches (SE - Brazil). Reaches represented two distinct treatments: (1) a simplified reach, characterized by unstable fine substrate, clay, deeper channel and higher water velocity and (2) structurally complex reaches, characterized by coarse substrate, with gravel, pebble, rock, stems and branches and leaves inside the channel, producing a diverse pattern of microhabitat, associated with sequences of pools, runs, and riffles. Both trophic structure and taxonomic composition varied significantly between treatments. Invertivorous trophic group exclusively occurred in structurally complex reaches, which also presented greater diversity and species richness. We suggest enhancing in-stream environmental structure that suffered simplification processes due to human impacts in order to reestablish fish communities and ecossistemic functioning.
PORPHYRA REDIVIVA SP. NOV. (RHODOPHYTA): A NEW SPECIES FROM NORTHEAST PACIFIC SALT MARSHES 1

A new species, Porphyra rediviva (Bangiales, Rhodophyta), is described from the northeast Pacific based on morphological, cytological, reproductive, ecological, and molecular characters. This species occurs at high intertidal levels in salt marshes along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and northern California and exhibits a growth optimum at reduced salinity. It is further distinguished by a distinct demarcation between male and female sectors of the gametophytic thalli of epilithic specimens. The species is found most commonly in the drift or trapped in Salicornia beds, but these detached blades never have been found with sporangia or gametangia. Molecular analyses using restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of polymerase chain reaction–amplified ribosomal DNA (rDNA) show that this salt marsh Porphyra is conspecific throughout its range and is distinct from other Pacific Porphyra species with similar reproductive patterns. Based on molecular data, P. rediviva is related most closely to P. purpurea from the North Atlantic. Fixed rDNA polymorphisms between the two taxa, however, support ecological and cytological evidence that they should be considered different species.
The family Hymenochaetaceae (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) in the islands of the Aegean Archipelago (Greece)

In the frame of studying the diversity of wood-rotting macrofungi in Aegean islands, a notable Mediterranean biodiversity “hotspot”, the following hymenochaetoid species are reported for the first time in Greece: Fomitiporia erecta, Fomitiporia rosmarini, Hymenochaete fuliginosa, Inonotus cuticularis and Phylloporia ribis. The records of F. erecta and F. rosmarini are the first ever on Quercus coccifera in a worldwide context. Furthermore, they extend the known distribution of both species to the east Mediterranean region as well. The detected occurrence of P. ribis constitutes the first report of this genus for Greece; it was found on living trees and shrubs of Crataegus monogyna and Rhamnus alaternus in Andros and on Spartium junceum in Naxos. I. cuticularis was recorded on Acer sempervirens living tree trunk in Andros and on Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis in Agios Efstratios, while H. fuliginosa was detected in Ikaria on Quercus ilex. Detailed descriptions are provided for all five taxa, and the findings are critically discussed in conjunction with the relevant taxonomical literature. Furthermore, 10 additional hymenochaetoid taxa are reported together with information on their hosts and distribution in the Aegean islands.
Effect of foaming technique and mixing temperature on the rheological characteristics of fine RAP-foamed bitumen mixtures

This paper evaluates and compares the differences in the rheological characteristics of the fine aggregate matrix (FAM) portion of plant produced Foamed Bitumen Mixtures (FBMs) by means of a mechanical foaming process, and by the incorporation of zeolites in combination with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) material. This evaluation explores, for the first time, the impact of plant production variations for half-warm, warm and hot processes (i.e. mixing temperatures around 90, 120 and 160 o C, respectively) on their rheological response. A fine Virgin-HMA, a fine HMA-RAP –no foaming technique -, and a 100% fine RAP mixture were also produced for comparison purposes. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) tests were conducted on all evaluated FAM mixtures to determine their linear viscoelastic properties. Results indicate that the rheological response of the fine RAP-FBMs is influenced primarily by the contribution of the RAP binder in the total bitumen blend, and ageing of the fine RAP material, which were a function of the foaming technology and the production temperature of the materials.
Fusarium and fumonisin occurrence in Argentinian corn at different ear maturity stages.

The distribution of Fusarium species (Liseola section) and fumonisins B 1 , B 2 , and B 3 (FB 1 , FB 2 , and FB 3 ) in corn at the field stage to harvest time has been investigated. Corn samples were obtained from the 45th day after flowering to harvest stage, with 15 day intervals. A good correlation between fungal species and fumonisin contamination was observed. In particular, fumonisin contamination was higher in samples with fungal infection represented mainly by Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum, two well-known producers of fumonisins. Low levels of fumonisins were detected at the first and second samplings, when mainly Fusarium subglutinans, a fumonisin nonproducer species, was recorded. The three samplings after physiological maturity showed predominant F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum infection and a considerable contamination with fumonisins. In these samples the levels of FB 1 averaged above 1 μg/g and FB 2 and FB 3 levels showed similar values but lower than FB 1 values. This is the first report of fumonisins in Argentinian corn at field stages.
Reproductive phenology of the introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) in Tasmania, Australia

B. Schaffelke, M.L. Campbell and C.L. Hewitt. 2005. Reproductive phenology of the introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) in Tasmania, Australia. Phycologia 44: 84–94. For pest management of introduced marine species to succeed, a thorough understanding of reproductive patterns is essential. Undaria pinnatifida is an invasive macroalga that has been introduced into at least 10 countries. Reproductive phenological studies in Tasmania, Australia, were undertaken to provide much-needed quantitative information to support pest management. Zoospore release of U. pinnatifida, an annual kelp, was limited to the larger size classes of sporophytes (> 55 cm length) for most of the growing season, with the proportion of mature sporophytes increasing towards the end of the season. Small sporophytes with mature sporophylls were not observed until late in the growing season, i.e. after November. The maximum zoospore release of U. pinnatifida was 62 × 103 zoospores cm−2 sporophyll tissue h−1, corresponding to a maximum release of 4.3 × 108 zoospores sporophyte−1 h−1. Spore release rates of other kelp species are similar or higher, the latter especially in larger-sized species. Tagged U. pinnatifida individuals in the present study released zoospores for about three months before becoming senescent and disintegrating. Hypothetically, the smallest mature sporophyte would have a stipe width of 0.6 cm, corresponding to about 33 cm in total length, with a sporophyll circumference of 7.6 cm and a sporophyll biomass of 0.2 g. The zoospore release of an assemblage of introduced U. pinnatifida at the study site was estimated as 2 × 109 zoospores m−2 h−1 in the month of January (summer). The two largest size classes released the majority of zoospores. Management efforts involving the manual removal of U. pinnatifida to control this species could be rationalized by concentrating on the removal of only larger sporophytes (> 55 cm), potentially resulting in significant cost savings.
ONLINE GAMING ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN KUWAIT: PRIVATE SECTOR

The popularity of online gaming has introduced many issues and concepts that former research ascertains such as pathological gaming, gaming disorder and online gaming addiction, as some extreme gamers may exhibit some indications of addiction symptoms that are equivalent to those of more serious pathological addictions like gambling and substance addiction symptoms, as many aspects of their lives can be affected negatively. This research aims to determine whether adolescents in Kuwait are at risk of being addicted to online gaming while considering gender differences. Additionally, we explore possible correlations between academic performance and online gaming addiction. Problematic online gaming questionnaire (POGQ) was applied on a random sample of 248 adolescent students in their private schools, 158 males and 90 females, whose ages ranged from 10 to 17. Analysis was performed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), and statistical analysis.
Development of an infection model for Cercospora carotae on carrot based on temperature and leaf wetness duration.

Leaves of carrot (Daucus carota L. var. Sativa DC.), cv. Dagger, were inoculated with a conidial suspension (10 4 conidia/ml) of Cercospora carotae and incubated at various combinations of temperatures (16-32 C) and leaf wetness durations (12-96 hr). Infection was quantified by counting the number of lesions per inoculated leaf. In general, the lesion number increased with an increase in temperature and wetness duration, except at 32 C, where the lesion number decreased with an increase in wetness duration. Plants incubated at 16 and 32 C developed only 8% of the total number of lesions (all temperatures and wetness durations) (.)
Tamaño relativo encefálico e índices cerebrales en Vanellus c. chilensis (Aves: Charadriidae)

Se analizo la composicion cuantitativa encefalica y se estimaron indices cerebrales en Vanellus c. chilensis (tero o queltehue). Se estimo el volumen porcentual e indices cerebrales del encefalo total y de siete de sus componentes, como asi tambien los nucleos de relevo de las vias trigeminal, visual y acustica. El telencefalo es el componente de mayor volumen relativo, siendo el neoestriado la estructura telencefalica de tamano superior. El desarrollo del estriado propiamente dicho, tecto optico y los nucleos de relevo de las vias visual y trigeminal concuerdan con la dieta carnivora de Vanellus c. chilensis. El tamano relativo del Wulst y de los nucleos de la via acustica se asocia a las complicadas tacticas que utiliza esta especie en la defensa del nido. Los indices cerebrales de las estructuras encefalicas analizadas indican que Vanellus c. chilensis es un ave progresiva
Stereological Measurements of Cardiac Ultrastructures Implicated in Excitation-Contraction Coupling

Abstract Electron micrographs of osmium-fixed left ventricles from 200-g female rats were analyzed by stereological techniques. By the use of equations developed by H. Sitte it was possible to determine volume fractions of organelles and absolute membrane areas per unit cell volume for cellular membrane systems implicated in excitation-contraction coupling. The fractions of cell volume were: mitochondria 0.34, myofibrils 0.481, T-system 0.012, total sarcotubules 0.035, other 0.13. The membrane areas per unit cell volume (μm2/μm3) were: external sarcolemma 0.27, external sarcolemma + T-system 0.34, total sarcotubules 1.3. Diads made up 0.08 of sarcotubular volume and 0.12 of sarcotubular membrane area. 0.14 of the external sarcolemmal membrane area was involved in diadic complexes with underlying subsarcolemmal cisterns.
New data from an enigmatic phylum: evidence from molecular sequence data supports a sister‐group relationship between Loricifera and Nematomorpha

Loricifera is one of the most recently discovered animal phyla. So far, the group has been considered closely related to Kinorhyncha and Priapulida, and assigned to the ecdysozoan clade Cycloneuralia. Using Bayesian inference, we present the first phylogeny that includes 18S rRNA and Histone 3 sequences from two species of Loricifera. Intriguingly, we find support for a sister-group relationship between Loricifera and Nematomorpha. Such relationship has not been suggested previously and the results imply that a revision of our conception of early ecdysozoan evolution is required. Additionally, the data suggest that evolution through progenesis (sexual maturation of larvae) may have played an important role among the ancestral cycloneuralians. Resumen Los Loriciferos constituyen uno de los filos descubiertos mas recientemente. Hasta hoy, este taxon se ha considerado estrechamente emparentado con los Kinorrincos y los Priapulidos y se ha asignado al clado Cicloneuralios dentro de los Ecdisozoos. Presentamos aqui el primer estudio filogenetico que, mediante la inferencia bayesiana, utiliza secuencias de ARNr 18S e histona 3 de dos especies de loriciferos. Sorprendentemente, nuestros resultados sugieren una relacion de de grupos hermanos entre Loriciferos y Nematomorfos. Este parentesco no se ha propuesto con anterioridad, y estos resultados hacen necesaria una revision de las ideas sobre la evolucion de los primeros ecdisozoos. Ademas, los datos sugieren que la evolucion mediante progenesis (maduracion sexual de las larvas) puede haber tenido un importante papel entre los cicloneuralios ancestrales.
Operational Replacement Decision Model for Dairy Herds

The model is to aid the decision maker for dairy herds by optimization of replacement decisions. It is an interactive tool dealing with operational replacement decisions, namely, which cows to cull and which to enter to the herd under any given situation. The expected economic value of keeping a cow in the herd is computed by Markovian decision model and used as a basis for replacement decisions. The interactive mode enables one to consider several alternatives derived from subjective preferences and unquantifiable factors. This model has been applied to a small herd and has proved itself a significant aid for culling and replacement decision. It is being applied to a larger herd.