Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel ballast water heating technique offers cost-effective treatment to reduce the risk of global transport of harmful marine organisms

Ten billion tonnes of shipping ballast water are carried around the world annually. This provides an inadvertant mechanism for the transfer and dispersal of harmful bacteria, toxic dinoflagellates, seaweeds, molluscs, starfish, crabs and fish (Rigby and Hallegraeff 1996). Establishment of nonindigenous and harmful organisms have resulted in significant ecological and environmental damage and also pose a threat to human health through Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, and possibly even Cholera outbreaks (McCarthy and Khambaty 1994). As a result of these concerns, the International Maritime Organisation has recognised shipping ballast water as an international pollutant of major consequence and is currently developing a set of draft regulations for potential use in future international shipping operations. These guidelines will require ships to undertake appropriate management or treatment operations to minimise the risks of ballast water introductions. Ballast water exchange at sea in organism-depleted deep ocean waters is currently the recommended treatment option, although this technique has some limitations (Rigby and Hallegraeff 1994). Here we show how a novel, cost-effective heating technique using waste heat from the ship's main engine can be used to kill many unwanted organisms. Heated water flushed through 1 of the ballast tanks in an ocean trial resulted in destruction of all the zooplankton with very limited survival of the original phytoplankton. The original organisms were essentially reduced to flocculent amorphous detritus.
Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide impairs the performance of root‐feeding vine weevils by modifying root growth and secondary metabolites

Predicting how insect crop pests will respond to global climate change is an important part of increasing crop production for future food security, and will increasingly rely on empirically based evidence. The effects of atmospheric composition, especially elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2), on insect herbivores have been well studied, but this research has focussed almost exclusively on aboveground insects. However, responses of root‐feeding insects to eCO2 are unlikely to mirror these trends because of fundamental differences between aboveground and belowground habitats. Moreover, changes in secondary metabolites and defensive responses to insect attack under eCO2 conditions are largely unexplored for root herbivore interactions. This study investigated how eCO2 (700 μmol mol−1) affected a root‐feeding herbivore via changes to plant growth and concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phenolics. This study used the root‐feeding vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus and the perennial crop, Ribes nigrum. Weevil populations decreased by 33% and body mass decreased by 23% (from 7.2 to 5.4 mg) in eCO2. Root biomass decreased by 16% in eCO2, which was strongly correlated with weevil performance. While root N concentrations fell by 8%, there were no significant effects of eCO2 on root C and N concentrations. Weevils caused a sink in plants, resulting in 8–12% decreases in leaf C concentration following herbivory. There was an interactive effect of CO2 and root herbivory on root phenolic concentrations, whereby weevils induced an increase at ambient CO2, suggestive of defensive response, but caused a decrease under eCO2. Contrary to predictions, there was a positive relationship between root phenolics and weevil performance. We conclude that impaired root‐growth underpinned the negative effects of eCO2 on vine weevils and speculate that the plant's failure to mount a defensive response at eCO2 may have intensified these negative effects.
Expression of E-Cadherin, β-Catenin and APC protein in Canine Colorectal Tumours

The present study aimed at evaluating, through immunohistochemical staining, E-cadherin, β-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) expression and distribution in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine colon and rectum, and at correlating the protein expression with the histological grade of malignancy. In order to obtain a more thorough evaluation of the APC/β catenin complex, both proteins were also assessed for colocalization in neoplastic cells through double immunofluorescence staining. Immunohistochemical investigation showed a marked decrease of E-cadherin and APC expression in malignant tumours, while a lack of membranous β-catenin distribution and a cytoplasmic positivity, rather than a decrease of expression, was observed in less differentiated carcinomas. Confocal laser microscopical observation showed cytoplasmic β-catenin distribution solely in APC- negative cells, demonstrating that the correct β-catenin distribution on the cell membrane can be APC dependent, as in human colorectal carcinomas. Therefore, the changes in adhesion molecules can play a very important role both in colorectal carcinogenesis and in malignant progression; moreover, these proteins can also be considered powerful prognostic tools in veterinary oncology.
Insecticide resistance mechanisms in three sucking insect pests of tea with reference to North-East India: an appraisal

Tea is prepared from the tender leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis (L.). In sub-Himalayan tea plantations of North-East India, different management practices are followed to protect the tea crop against different sucking insect pests such as Helopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae), Empoasca flavescens (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Most plantations are managed conventionally through the use of different organo-synthetic insecticides, whereas some are managed organically by using herbal and microbial insecticides. In conventional tea plantations, organo-synthetic insecticides of different functional groups (organochlorines, organopho- sphates, synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids) are routinely applied round the year to keep the sucking insect pest populations under control. A variety of defence mechanisms, including enzymatic detoxification systems (carboxylesterases, glutathione S-transferases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases), physiological tolerance and behavioural avoidance, protect insect herbivores from these hazardous compounds. Insect pests have evolved mechanisms to degrade metabolically (enzymatically) or otherwise circumvent the toxic effect of many types of chemicals synthesized as modern insecticides. The extent to which insects can metabolize and thereby degrade these toxic or otherwise detrimental chemicals is of considerable importance for their survival in an unfriendly chemical environment. These mechanisms continue to evolve as insects attempt to colonize new plant species or encounter newer molecules of synthetic insecticides. The level and type of detoxifying mechanisms differs greatly, which, therefore, results in varying toxicity among different stages, species and populations. Variation in detoxifying enzyme activity is responsible, in part, at least for the selective toxicity of different insecticides, the development of resistance to insecticides and the selection of host plants. Overexpression of these detoxifying enzymes, capable of metabolizing insecticides, can result in higher levels of metabolic tolerance/resistance to synthetic insecticides.
A PCR‐BASED TEST TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL FOR MICROCYSTIN OCCURRENCE IN CHANNEL CATFISH PRODUCTION PONDS 1,2

Microcystis aeruginosa is a common form of cyanobacteria (blue‐green algae) capable of forming toxic heptapeptides (microcystins) that can cause illness or death. Occasionally, blooms of cyanobacteria have caused toxic fish‐kills in catfish production ponds. We have developed a PCR test that will detect the presence of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria. Microcystin producers are detected by the presence of the microcystin peptide synthetase B gene (an obligate enzyme in the microcystin pathway), which appears to be present only in toxin‐producing cyanobacteria. These PCR amplifications can be performed in multiplex using purified DNA from pond waters or by two‐stage amplification from native water samples. A synoptic survey of 476 channel catfish production ponds from four states in the southeastern United States revealed that 31% of the ponds have the genetic potential to produce microcystins by toxic algae.
Degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides by rumen bacteria and fungi

The rumen is inhabited by a dense and diverse microbial population consisting of obligate anaerobic bacteria, archaea, fungi and protozoa. The major structural polysaccharides of the plant cell wall become available as a source of energy to the host animal only through the activities of the rumen microflora. Cell walls consist of cellulose fibrils embedded in a matrix of other polysaccharides (hemicellulose and pectin) with varying amounts of lignification. Cellulose is the most widely distributed and abundant polysaccharide in plants. Although it is a linear polymer of glucose, its hydrolysis usually requires the combined action of different enzyme activities. The matrix polysaccharides vary in composition and structure. Xylan chains, for example, are substituted with arabinose and acetyl or methylglucuronic acid and enzymatic conversion of xylan to its monomeric components also requires the participation of several enzyme processes. In addition to cellulose, xylans and pectins, hemicelluloses such as xyloglucans, arabinans and p1 ,3-glucans may be present together with protein material. Consequently, to degrade the plant cell wall, rumen microorganisms must produce a wide array of enzymes differring with respect to the bonds they cleave, their substrate specificities and their mode of action. Gene cloning and DNA
Nectar secretion in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in different soil conditions

The fragrant basil flower (Ocimum basilicum L.) is enthomophylic, with nectar storage at a depth suitable for the proboscis length of the honey bee. Owing to the position of stamens, pollen can be easily collected by the ventral side of the bee's body. Despite the fact that basil is acknowledged to be a good melliferous plant, predominantly visited by honey bees, there is little information about its nectar production. The quality and quantity of nectar secretion is influenced by numerous endogenous and external factors (Farkas and Orosz-Kovács, 2003). Species specific endogenous factors include the size, shape, position and age of a flower, as well as the duration of flowering. Nectar production is also strongly affected by environmental factors, such as microclimate, soil properties, day length and general site conditions, including altitude and latitude. The complex interaction between these factors strongly affects a plant's capacity for nectar secretion (Vogel, 1983). This study was conducted to analyse the influence of diverse soil conditions on diurnal and seasonal dynamics of nectar secretion in basil, aiming to estimate its melliferous potential. Ten basil seedlings at the two leaf stage were transplanted into experimental pots (46.5 x 19 x 14.5 cm) filled with three different soils (eutric cambisol, fluvisol and humoglay) taken from the basin of the Sava river situated in the northern part of Serbia. Three pots of each soil were used. The experiment was conducted during the flowering period of 2003, in the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade. The physical (texture) and chemical properties (pH, total carbon, humus and carbonates) of the soils were determined by standard methods. The texture of fluvisol was estimated as a sandy loam (63.88 % sand), and it contained 5.82% CaCO3, 3.07% humus, 1.78% total carbon, and was slightly alkaline (pH 7.85). The eutric cambisol exhibited a loam structure, was slightly acid (pH 6.16), was slightly carbonated (CaCO3: 1.49%), rich in humus (5.15%) and rich in total carbon (C: 2.98%). The texture of the humoglay varied from sandy loam to clayey loam and clay, and it was slightly alkaline (pH 7.62), and it contained 1.28% carbonates, 2.52% humus and 1.46% total carbon. Nectar secretion was measured directly by the microcapillary method (McKenna and Thomson, 1988) using 0.5-0.6 mm diameter microcapillaries. Inflorescences were covered with fine mesh (20 x 20 cm) for 12 hours prior to nectar removal (from the evening of the previous day) and between daily measurements, to prevent access by flower visitors. Individual flowers were marked at the bud stage and the nectar was collected in the second day of flower life. Nectar was taken from five randomly chosen plants of each pot, and the length of the nectar column was measured immediately in the field. The nectar volume expressed in μl per flower (n = 15, per soil type) was calculated as:-
Character association studies of seedling traits in different wheat genotypes under moisture stress conditions.

Wheat improvement in rainfed areas requires reliable assessment for drought tolerance. Forty three diverse wheat genotypes including local land races (LLR) were screened following completely randomized design under controlled condition at PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi during 2011. Different concentrations of PEG-6000 were used to induce moisture stress at germination and seedling stage. Data revealed a decreasing trend in values for all traits with the increasing concentrations of PEG-6000. The genotypes showed higher values for germination percentage, germination rate index (GRI), root length, shoot length, coleoptile length, seedling vigor index, fresh root weight, dry root weight, fresh shoot weight and dry shoot weight under normal condition. The genotype, Faisalabad-2008 had the highest germination percentage (100) and germination rate index (17.73), Lasani-2008 showed maximum value for root length (18.28 cm), Chenab-70 attained maximum shoot length (12.05 cm) and dry root weight (0.169 g), LLR-14 showed maximum value for coleoptile length (4.08 cm), Pak-81 exhibited maximum value for seedling vigor index (1892.6) and dry shoot weight (0.251 g), 99FJ-03 showed the highest value for fresh root weight (0.269 g) and maximum fresh shoot weight (0.350 g) was observed for Seri-82. Whereas minimum germination percentage (72.50) and fresh shoot weight (0.212 g) was observed for LLR-21. The genotype LLR-17 showed minimum values for GRI (10.72) and fresh root weight (0.144 g), LLR-32 exhibited minimum root length (11.00 cm) and dry root weight (0.109 g), WC-25 attained minimum shoot length (7.64 cm) and minimum coleoptile length (2.41 cm) was recorded for Chakwal-50. LLR-29 and LLR-30 had minimum seedling vigor index (1288.5) and dry shoot weight (0.118 g) respectively. Correlation studies revealed considerable and positive correlation among seedling traits. Root length showed significant correlation with coleoptile length (0.80) and fresh root weight (0.82). Fresh root weight showed considerable correlation with fresh shoot weight (0.89) and dry shoot weight (0.90).
Fish behavioral types and their ecological consequences

Fish have proven to be model organisms for the study of animal personalities, and a rich literature documents consistent interindividual behavioral differences in a variety of species. However, relatively few studies have examined the ecological consequences of such consistent interindividual differences in behaviors in fish or other organisms, especially under field conditions. In this review and perspective, we discuss the factors that may lead to the formation and maintenance of behavioral types in fish populations. We then examine what is known about the effects of personality variation on individual growth and survival, breeding behaviors and reproductive success, habitat use, diet, and ontogenetic niche shifts, migration and dispersal, as well as potential consequences for species interactions and ecosystem functioning. We focus as much as possible on studies conducted under natural or seminatural conditions, as such field studies are most relevant to elucidating the ecological consequences of behav.
Intraepithelial Expansion of Bladder Cancer

A meUor problem in the management of bladder cancer is the high risk for recurrence of bladder tumors after transurethral resection. This has generally been attributed to the attachment and subsequent expansion of exfoliated hunor cells to the traumatized bladder wall. An ill vitro cocllltivation model was used to study the implantation and growth ofhul11an tumor cells in traumatized murine urotheliul11. Furthermore, ,ve investigated in a time course cxperiment whether stimulation of the regenerative activity of the normal urothelium by a growth Hlctor could affect implantation and subscqucnt growth of bladder tumor cells. After inoculation on injured confluent cuihIres of murine urotheiiUJl1, human T24 and SD bladder carcinoma cells preferentially attached to the denuded areas. SD cells expanded into the normal urotheliull1 as a sharply demarcated hnnor, while T24 cells infiltrated as single cells. Treatment of the prill1aty urotheliull1 with epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated the proliteration of the primary urotheliul11 and reduced the implantation and growth of T24 considerably. EGF reduced the implantation of the SD tumor cells but could not prevent the further expansion at the expense of surrounding normal urotheliull1, Since EOP had no effect on migration or proliferation of SD or T24 cells, its modulation of expansive growth is 1110st probably due to all increase in the regeneration of normal urotheliulll. This shIdy suggests that recurrence of transitional cell carcinomas might in some instances bc inhibited by stimulation of the regeneration of traumatized urotheliu1l1. The reported in \'itro cocultivation model Illay be useful for studying additional factors involved in illtracpithelial expansion of carcinoma ceiJs,
Interactions between marine mammals and pelagic longline fishing gear in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean between 1992 and 2004

The U.S. East Coast pelagic longline fishery has a history of interactions with marine mammals, where animals are hooked and entangled in longline gear. Pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) are the primary species that interact with longline gear. Logistic regression was used to assess the environmental and gear characteristics that influence interaction rates. Pilot whale inter-actions were correlated with warm water temperatures, proximity to the shelf break, mainline lengths greater than 20 nautical miles, and damage to swordfish catch. Similarly, Risso’s dolphin interactions were correlated with geographic location, proximity the shelf break, the length of the mainline, and bait type. The incidental bycatch of marine mammals is likely associated with depredation of the commercial catch and is increased by the overlap between marine mammal and target species habitats. Altering gear characteristics and fishery practices may mitigate incidental bycatch and reduce economic losses due to depredation.
Using dietary medium-chain triglycerides to improve post-weaning performance of pigs.

Eighty-four weaned piglets were used to determine the effects of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT; predominately C8 to C10) and coconut oil in diet of weaner pigs on the incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea and production indices. To this effect, seven treatments were used: (i) Negative control diet (no antimicrobials), (ii) Positive control diet (antibiotic + ZnO), (iii) 0.625% MCT diet, (iv) 1.25% MCT diet, (v) 2.5% MCT diet, (vi) 5% MCT diet and (vii) a diet with coconut oil at 5%, according to a randomised complete block arrangement of treatments. There were 12 replicates per treatment. Pigs were housed individually in wire-mesh floored cages, in an environmentally controlled room and fed the experimental diets for 14 days, and then a follow-on (Phase 2) weaner diet for the following 14 days after which time the experiment ceased. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water. Daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were calculated on weekly basis. A blood sample was collected from 6 ‘focus’ pigs on days 7 and 14 of the experiment and plasma analysed for triglycerides, glycerol, NEFA and glucose levels and neutrophil and lymphocyte count, and for growth hormone activity on samples collected on day 14 only. There was a complete lack of diarrhoea in this experiment, so the proposition that MCT/coconut oil would have antibacterial effects could not be tested. Results showed that there was no difference between experimental diets on pig performance up to 4 weeks post-weaning. Blood metabolites measured were similar between pigs from different treatments except GH which was significantly higher (P=0.019) in pigs fed 1.25% MCT compared to the positive control pigs. Neutrophil counts were significantly lower in the positive control pigs than pigs fed 0.125% or 2.5% MCT, and lymphocytes count significantly higher in the positive control compared to negative control pigs or those fed 0.125% or 2.5% MCT.
LIFE HISTORY AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO TIME CONSTRAINTS IN A DAMSELFLY

Time constraints, imposed by seasonality, are common to life histories. Re- cent theory in evolutionary ecology predicts independent behavioral and life history re- sponses to such constraints, but this theory remains largely untested. In our two experiments on the damselfly Lestes congener we experimentally alter individual's perception of their proximity to a time constraint and ask whether their behavior and life history respond in the directions predicted by theory. We altered larval perception of their position in the season with light regime. In one group, we hatched larvae from winter diapausing eggs in a light regime that mimics a relatively early time in the season. In the other group we hatched larvae in a light regime that mimics a late time in the season. In the late (time constrained) group, larvae would have very little time to complete development and reach a large size so that they could attain their full reproductive potential prior to winter. In the first experiment, the behaviors we assess are activity rate, which is an indicator of foraging effort and willingness to take risks, and cannibalism, which is a component of the mortality risk of foraging. As predicted, time-constrained larvae increased their activity rates, perhaps in an attempt to increase weight gain, and as a result they suffered higher rates of canni- balism. In the second experiment, we measured development rate as the rate of molting and age at maturity. As predicted, time-constrained larvae accelerated development rate and thereby matured at a significantly earlier age and smaller size. Our analysis demonstrates that the behavioral and life history responses of these larvae were independent, in the sense that the life history responses did not result from the behavioral responses.