Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Host plants and relative abundance of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species in the Solomon Islands

Tephritid fruit flies were surveyed using male lure Steiner traps and by collection of host fruits over a 4-year period (June 1994-June 1998) throughout the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. The purpose of the survey was to determine which species were present, which were most abundant, and which commercial and non-commercial fruits were hosts for fruit flies. A total of 1 051 493 fruit fly specimens were collected in 1726 trap collections from 117 sites. Sixty-three per cent of trap collections were made on the island of Guadalcanal. Overall, 37 fruit fly species were recovered from trap samples, with 79% and 21% of specimens from cuelure and methyl eugenol traps, respectively. The species most common in cuelure traps were Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner) (mango fly), B. moluccensis (Perkins), B. simulata (Malloch), Dacus solomonensis Malloch and B. redunca (Drew). The species most common in methyl eugenol traps were B. umbrosa (Fabricius), B. froggatti (Bezzi) and B. pepisalae (Froggatt). With the exception of B. cucurbitae (Hendel), all common species were recovered in all provinces. B. cucurbitae was the only non-indigenous fruit fly species collected. The number of fruit fly species recovered in each island group was significantly and positively related to trapping intensity. A total of 2527 fruit samples were collected to determine host relationships for fruit flies. Tephritid fruit flies were reared from fruits of 25 of the 67 commercial plant species sampled. However, fruit-survey data indicated that there were only four economic species in the Solomon Islands: (i) B. frauenfeldi; (ii) B. umbrosa; (iii) B. cucurbitae; and (iv) D. solomonensis. Bactrocera frauenfeldi was identified as the only generalist fruit fly species present, and many potential export crops were not hosts for any fruit fly species. These facts emphasise the importance of effective quarantine measures to prevent the accidental introduction of exotic fruit fly pests that might limit or complicate the development of an export industry for fruits and vegetables.
Comparative demographic impacts of ''info-chemicals'' and exploitative competition: an empirical test using Daphnia magna

1. Crowding `info-chemicals', metabolites released into the environment that act as signals to conspecifics as well as other organisms, have often been shown to cause phenotypic plasticity in cladoceran life-history traits including morphology, reproductive strategy and sex induction. Effects on population demography and diversity, however, have not been examined directly. 2. Replicate laboratory populations of the zooplankter, Daphnia magna, were started with 250 juveniles and allowed to develop for 8 weeks in 10 L flow-through aquaria with food levels of 1 mg CL–1. Two crowded water treatments from different clonal sources were compared with untreated water as a control. 3. The presence of crowding chemicals affected initial population structure, through reduction in parthenogenetic female body lengths, brood sizes and juvenile densities. However, the timing of population density maxima and subsequent population structure, clonal composition and diversity were similar among all treatments. 4. Clonal richness remained slightly higher in untreated populations because of increased prevalence of rare clones. 5. Exploitation competition had greater impact on population structure than the relative concentration of crowding chemicals, indicating that density dependent effects were mediated primarily by competition for common resources. 6. Crowding info-chemicals may play a greater role in community structure than in single species population structure because of taxonomic diversity in species' response that may be unrelated to the source species density.
Estimativa da área foliar de Sida cordifolia e Sida rhombifolia usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

Leaf area estimate may contribute to understand the relationship of interference between weeds and crops. The objective of this research was to obtain a mathematical equation to estimate Sida cordifolia and Sida rhombifolia leaf area based on linear measures of leaf blade. Correlation studies were conducted between real leaf area (Af) and dimensional leaf blade parameters such as leaf length (C) and maximum leaf width (L). Around 200 leaf blades of each species were analyzed, collected from several agro-ecosystems at Sao Paulo State University, in Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The statistical models evaluated were: linear Y = a + bx; simple linear Y = bx; geometric Y = axb; and exponential Y = abx. All the evaluated models can be used for S. cordifolia and S. rhombifolia leaf area estimation. For practical purposes, the simple linear regression model is suggested using the C*L multiplication product and taking the linear coefficient equal to zero. Thus, an estimate of S. cordifolia leaf area can be obtained using the equation Af = 0.7878*(C*L) with a determination coefficient of 0.9307 and S. rhombifolia leaf area by using the equation Af = 0.6423*(C*L) with a determination coefficient of 0.9711.
Embryo and larval development of Iranian Near Eastern Brown Frogs, Rana macrocnemis pseudodalmatina Eiselt & Schmidtler, 1971 (Amphibia: Ranidae), in Alang Dareh Forest, north-eastern Iran

Abstract In 2001 we studied the morphological development of the Near Eastern Brown Frog, Rana macrocnemis pseudodalmatina. 327 egg clutches were found at low water depths on the edges of Alang Dareh pond on 14 January 2001. The surface water of the pond was frozen on some days, and we also observed several egg clutches and males of R. m. pseudodalmatina which were frozen. The first larvae hatched on 23 January 2001. Cannibalism was observed among these tadpoles. Metamorphosis takes place from early April to late June. The external morphology, variations in ontogeny, and scanning electron microscopy of the oral disc were studied in tadpoles of Rana macrocnemis pseudodalmatina. Tadpoles in all stages possess a labial tooth row formula (LTRF) of 3(2)/4(1). Small denticles were present on the distal portion of each tooth in the oral disc. There were also some abnormal denticles on some teeth. In addition, 8 embryo stages, 10 larval stages and the oral disc were drawn. Morphological larval data were provided to help diagnose this closely related complex of Brown Frogs (R. macrocnemis).
Quality assessment using River Habitat Survey data

1. A representative sample of habitat features from rivers in the UK and Isle of Man has been generated by River Habitat Survey (RHS) during 1994–1997. This baseline reference provides a sound basis for describing the physical character and assessing the habitat quality of 500 m lengths of river shown on 1:250 000 scale maps and classified for water quality purposes. 2. The use of a standard field method, with associated accreditation controls, stratified random sampling strategy and computer database all provide a robust foundation for habitat quality assessment. The outputs have a sound statistical basis and satisfy the practical needs of river management as well as providing policy-makers with relevant information. 3. Within the UK, sites of national, regional, or local importance for wildlife habitat quality can be determined, using criteria based on the presence of features of known conservation interest. The occurrence, individually, of rare features, or rare combinations of representative features, can also be used to identify sites of particular regional or local importance for their river habitat quality. 4. A habitat quality assessment (HQA) scoring system, based on features considered to be of wildlife importance can be used to compare sites surveyed by the RHS method. However, for meaningful results this comparison must involve the same river type. 5. For completeness, the HQA scores for a given river type can be calibrated using known top quality sites. For individual sites, HQA scores should be used in conjunction with a measure of artificial modification to the channel. A simple Habitat Modification Score (HMS) system can be applied to RHS data for this purpose. 6. RHS can be further developed to define and predict the likely distribution of sites which satisfy the known habitat requirements of certain aquatic and riparian species. It can also provide the basis for better understanding of the spatial relationships between geomorphological processes and habitat type. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limitation of collared lemming populations during a population cycle

Collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) fluctuate cyclically in abundance on the Kent Peninsula, Northwest Territories, Canada. We tested whether predation was a necessary limiting factor of the lemming population in summer during the peak and decline phases (1996 and 1997) of the cycle. We reduced predation by means of a fence and an overhead mesh of monofilament line over 11 ha, completed late in the summer of the increase phase (1995). We used mark-recapture and radio-telemetry to investigate differences in demography between this predator exclosure and three control areas. Neither proportions of reproductive animals, nor sex ratio, nor net distances moved between trapping sessions differed significantly between the Exclosure and Controls. Adults were larger in the Exclosure than on Controls throughout the experiment; female juveniles born in the first summer litter of the peak were also larger within the Exclosure by August. Density was much higher in the Exclosure than on Controls in both 1996 and 1997. While density declined in 1997 on Controls, it first declined but then rose in the Exclosure; hence the population decline was reversed within the experimental area. Most mortality was due to predation in all three summers, but survival was significantly higher within the Exclosure only in the decline phase. We conclude that predation was necessary to limit the population in the peak and decline summers, but that the magnitude of the limitation was greater in the decline. Out results demonstrate that predation depresses peak and minimum densities of Dicrostonyx and further shapes the population cycle by extending the duration of the decline.
Alterations in Enzyme Activities in Leaves after Exposure of Plectranthus Sp. Plants to 900 MHZ Electromagnetic Field

ABSTRACT Accelerated and widespread use of different communication systems and modern electronic equipment increases exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and raises serious concerns about the biological and health-related effects of RF radiation. Numerous studies document various biological effects of RF radiation. However, most of these findings derive from epidemiological, animal and in vitro studies while only a few investigate effects of RF radiation on plants. The purpose of our study was to investigate the alterations in enzyme activities in leaves after exposure of plants Plectranthus sp. to 900 MHz EMF and their dependence on the time elapsed after exposure. Plectranthus is the largest South African genus of plants belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). The ornamental herbaceous plant Plectranthus sp. was used as a model plant for investigating the effects of 900 MHz EMF. Plants were exposed whole body for 1 hour to EM radiation from GSM mobile phone (carrier frequency 902 MHz, 2 W pulse output power) at 20 cm distance from the antenna. Alterations in activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in leaves were registered immediately after the end of the exposure and 1, 2 and 24 hours later. Irradiation of plants induced different alterations in enzyme activities depending on the time elapsed after irradiation. Immediately after exposure the activity of the three investigated enzymes decreased, but increased at 24th hour. In conclusion, the data provide evidence that plants perceive and respond to electromagnetic fields and are a good model to study the effects of mobile phone radiation.
Effect of grinding temperature on hydroperoxide and off-flavor contents during soymilk manufacturing process

Hydroperoxides and n-hexanal of soymilk made at different temperatures in the soybean grinding process were investigated. Both hydroperoxides and n-hexanal showed maximum amounts at 30 °C, 37.78 μmol/g, and 1.94 mg/g, respectively. However, at 3°C and 80 °C, amounts of hydroperoxides were about half of that at 30 °C, N-hexanal showed high correlation with hydroperoxides except for at 80°C. It suggests that controlling the grinding temperate is effective to reduce hydroperoxidation and off-flavor content. Protein solubility, an important index of soymilk, was decrensed as the temperature increased. Grinding soybeans at low temperature is considered an economical method to produce soymilk having less off-flavor and high protein. soybaean, hydroperoxide, lipoxygenase, soymilk, n-hexanal.
Perforation Plate Strucrure in Comptonia Peregrina (Myricaceae)

The sequential development of vessel elements in the primary and secondary xylem of Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult. was studied. Scalariform, transitional, simple and scalaroid perforation plates were common in this species. The structural variation of these plates was interpreted on the basis of some developmental factors such as: I) width of the ceJl face and the distance between helical gyres; 2) type and distribution of secondary wall material in the form of strand, sheet or both; 3) localised and differential deposition of wall material and bar breakdown. These factors may work alone or in combination to determine the perforation plate structure.
FUNGAL COMMUNITIES IN ATTACHED ASH BRANCHES

Summary Attached dead and partly living ash branches of (Fraxinus excelsior) were cut from mature trees and the three-dimensional structure of their decay communities analyzed. The communities were characterized by three Ascomycotina, seven Basidiomycotina and two Deuteromycotina, which varied in their ecological roles. The Ascomycotina Daldinia concentrica (Bolt: Fr.) Ces. & DeNot. and Hypoxylon rubiginosum Pers. : Fr. were pioneers growing in partly living or recently dead wood but causing only slow decay. D. concentrica is very combative and was apparently often able to persist until the wood was well decayed. Peniophora limitata (Fr.) Cooke was also probably a pioneer but tended to be found mainly in middle or terminal regions, as did Peniophora quercina (Fr.) Cooke on the few occasions that the latter was found. Both P. limitata and P. quercina caused extensive white rot. Exidia thuretiana was found fruiting on the bark but was not isolated from wood and appeared to cause cambial death. An unidentified ascomycete was also found in small superficial regions associated with bark death or wounds. Peniophora lycii (Pers.) Hohn & Litsch and Peniophora violaceolivida were secondary invaders usually found in distal regions which were subject to desiccation. Radulomyces confluens (Fr.) M. P. Christ was found in two branches in similar positions to P. limitata and P. quercina; its role was not completely clear but it was probably acting as a secondary colonizer. Mycoacia uda (Fr.) Donk was isolated once from terminal regions where it was replacing other species. In addition two Deuteromycotina, Phomopsis platanoidis Died, and a sterile unidentified sp. , were isolated on a number of occasions, the former apparently resulted in little decay, although the latter was often found in decayed wood.
The Albumin Immunological and Nei Electrophoretic Distance Correlation: A Calibration for the Saurian Genus Anolis (Iguanidae)

The correlation between Nei electrophoretic and albumin immunological distance is highly significant for the lizard genus Anolis (r = 0.829, P < .001). Deterministic comparisons of the slopes of the regression lines for Anolis and some mammals are significantly different. This observation emphasizes the importance of calibrating this relationship for specific taxonomic groups.
Xylanase production by Aspergillus awamori under solid state fermentation conditions on tomato pomace

In this work, tomato pomace, a waste abundantly available in the Mediterranean and other temperate climates agro-food industries, has been used as raw material for the production of some hydrolytic enzymes, including xylanase, exo-polygalacturonase (exo-PG), cellulase (CMCase) and α-amylase. The principal step of the process is the solid state fermentation (SSF) of this residue by Aspergillus awamori. In several laboratory experiments, maximum xylanase and exo-PG activities were measured during the first days of culture, reaching values around 100 and 80 IU/gds (international units of enzyme activity per gram of dried solid), respectively. For CMCase and α-amylase production remained almost constant along fermentation, with average values of 19 and 21.5 IU/gds, respectively. Experiments carried out in a plate-type bioreactor at lab scale showed a clear positive effect of aeration on xylanase and CMCase, while the opposite was observed for exo-PG and α-amylase. In general, xylanase was the enzyme produced in higher levels, thus the optimum conditions for the determination of the enzyme activity was characterized. The xylanase activity shows an optimum pH of 5 and an optimum temperature of 50 ºC. The enzyme is activated by Mg2+, but strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and Cu2+. The enzymatic activity remains quite high if the extract is preserved in a range of pH from 3 to 10 and a temperature between 30 ºC to 40 ºC.
La truite commune (Salmo trutta L.) dans le Redon, un petit affluent du lac Léman : caractéristiques des géniteurs de truite de lac (1983-1988) et premières données sur l'impact des relâchers d'alevins nourris

L'etude precise les caracteristiques (âge, croissance) des geniteurs de truite de lac echantillonnes cinq annees consecutives sur le Redon, un petit affluent (10 km) du lac Leman (58.240 ha). Les jeunes geniteurs de 2 ou 3 ans representent 73 % des mâles contre seulement 33 % des femelles. L'examen des ecailles montre l'existence de 1 (type 1 : 56 %), 2 (type 2 : 43%) ou 3 ans (type 3 :1 %) de croissance initiale lente "type riviere". La longueur totale retromesuree a 1 an est significativement plus elevee (129 mm) pour les geniteurs de type 1 que celle (100 mm) des geniteurs de type 2. Un lot de 6.000 alevins, nourris en pisciculture jusqu'a 4 cm, issus de geniteurs de truite de lac et marques, a ete deverse en aout 1983 dans la partie aval du Redon. Les geniteurs de truites de lac issus de ce petit lot representaient une part importante (46 % des femelles et 22 % des mâles) de la cohorte d'adultes correspondante remontant frayer dans le Redon.
Non‐linear transmission and simple models for bovine tuberculosis

1. A new model is presented for a possum–tuberculosis (TB) system (Trichosurus vulpecula–Mycobacterium bovis) that is both realistic and parsimonious. The model includes a phenomenological treatment of heterogeneity of risk for susceptible hosts, similar to that used in insect host–parasitoid systems. 2. Parameter values for the model reflect current knowledge and differ significantly from those in other recent models of this system. Associated with these structural and parametric changes are substantially different predictions for the dynamics and control of TB in possums. 3. The model predictions include (i) only limited host suppression due to the disease (< 10%, cf. several earlier simple models for TB in both possums and badgers); (ii) asymptotically stable disease dynamics (cf. homogeneous-mixing models that predict either extremely weak stability such that disease fails to recover when host density is temporarily reduced, or oscillatory behaviour and potential elimination of disease following such a perturbation); (iii) TB that is harder to control than in the homogeneous-mixing model equivalents, in line with practical experience; and (iv) a threshold host density for disease elimination that differs substantially from the host equilibrium density in the presence of disease. 4. Homogeneous-mixing models are unable to reproduce this behaviour, whatever parameter values are chosen. Heterogeneous-mixing models with non-linear transmission may therefore be worth consideration in other endemic wildlife disease systems, as is now commonplace for insect–parasitoid and insect–pathogen ones.
Foyer de cas autochtones de chikungunya à Montpellier, septembre-octobre 2014

En octobre 2014, 12 cas autochtones de chikungunya (11 cas confirmes et 1 cas probable) sont survenus a Montpellier, ville colonisee par le moustique vecteur Aedes albopictus depuis 2010. Un cas importe du Cameroun, vivant dans le meme quartier que les cas autochtones, a ete identifie comme le cas index. Les investigations epidemiologiques et les nombreux traitements de lutte antivectorielle realises dans le quartier et autour des lieux frequentes par les cas lors de leur periode viremique ont contribue a contenir l’epidemie. Alors que le systeme national de surveillance renforcee du chikungunya et de la dengue etait, au meme moment, fortement impacte par l’epidemie de chikungunya en cours dans les Caraibes, ce premier foyer d’importance en Europe depuis l’epidemie de 2007 en Italie est consecutif a un cas importe d’Afrique. Cet episode rappelle que le risque d’epidemie de chikungunya est bien reel pour la population europeenne.
MKK3/6-p38 MAPK Signaling Is Required for IL-1β and TNF-α-Induced RANKL Expression in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Coupled bone turnover is directed by the expression of receptor-activated NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce RANKL expression in bone marrow stromal cells. Here, we report that IL-1beta and TNF-alpha-induced RANKL requires p38 mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation for maximal expression. Real-time PCR was used to assess the p38 contribution toward IL-1beta and TNF-alpha-induced RANKL mRNA expression. Steady-state RANKL RNA levels were increased approximately 17-fold by IL-1beta treatment and subsequently reduced approximately 70%-90% when p38 MAPK was inhibited with SB203580. RANKL mRNA stability data indicated that p38 MAPK did not alter the rate of mRNA decay in IL-1beta-induced cells. Using a RANKL-luciferase cell line receptor containing a 120-kB segment of the 5' flanking region of the RANKL gene, reporter expression was stimulated 4-5-fold by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha treatment. IL-1beta-induced RANKL reporter expression was completely blocked with specific p38 inhibitors as well as dominant negative mutant constructs of MAPK kinase-3 and -6. In addition, blocking p38 signaling in bone marrow stromal cells partially inhibited IL-1beta and TNF-alpha-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Results from these studies indicate that p38 MAPK is a major signaling pathway involved in IL-1beta and TNF-alpha-induced RANKL expression in bone marrow stromal cells.
Spray-drying for the production of dried cultures

This review emphasises the importance of spray-drying as an under-used but promising technique to preserve viable and active starter cultures and also, potentially, probiotic cultures. The knowledge concerning the production of spray-dried starter cultures is discussed. Different drying techniques and micro-organisms have been investigated for their survival through the drying process. During drying and subsequent storage in the dried state, bacteria are subjected to several stresses, which have already been described as causing damage to cells, leading to the loss of cellular viability and activity. Some studies found that several factors/strategies can confer improved cellular viability.