Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinal variation in developmental time and viability, and the response to thermal treatments in two species of Drosophila

The present study first addressed the question of whether developmental time (DT) and viability (VT) vary clinally along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in Drosophila buzzatii, an autochthonous specialist and the generalist invasive Drosophila melanogaster. Coincident and positive altitudinal clines across species and, direct and inverse latitudinal clines were observed for DT in D. melanogaster and D. buzzatii, respectively. Opposing latitudinal and altitudinal clines were detected for VT only in D. melanogaster. The patterns observed along altitudinal gradients prompted us to investigate whether flies living at lowland and highland environments may respond differentially to thermal treatments consisting of regimes of constant and alternating temperatures. Flies reared at higher mean temperature developed faster than at lower mean temperature in both species. By contrast, the response in VT differed greatly between species. Highland D. melanogaster were more viable than lowland regardless the treatment, whereas, in D. buzzatii, highland flies were more viable than lowland in alternating thermal regimes and the reverse was true in treatments of constant temperature. The results obtained suggest that thermal amplitude may be an important factor that should be considered in investigations of thermal adaptation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95, 233–245.
Heavy metals in the Konin lakes system

The aim of the current research project was to analyze the contents of heavy metals in tissues of Vallisneria spiralis (L.), Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea), and Dreissena polymorpha (Pall.) and in the bottom sediments of the Konin lakes system located in the vicinity of the Konin and P¹tnow power plants (central Poland). It was determined that the mussels occurring in the studied lakes accumulate higher quantities of heavy metals in comparison with species from the same family that occur in unpolluted lakes. V. spiralis cumulated higher quantities of zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead than did submerged vegetation in basins that were not exposed to power plant pollution. The contents of lead and copper in the bottom sediments of the Konin lakes system exceed levels that are accepted as the norm for Polish lakes.
Impact of Edge Habitat on Summer Home Range Size in Female Pumas

ABSTRACT Results of recent studies have indicated that the amount of edge habitat in an area may be an important factor in determining home range size of pumas. We tested this hypothesis with data on home ranges of pumas in southern Idaho/northwestern Utah. The study area is highly fragmented into forest patches and sagebrush open areas. We tested three predictions: (1) the percent of edge would be negatively related to home range size, (2) the amount of edge habitat in the home ranges of pumas would be similar, regardless of the size of the home range and (3) there would be more edge habitat within home range boundaries than in general areas of similar size. Home range size (90%) varied from 29.8 to 118.7 km2. The percent of edge within home ranges was negatively correlated with home range size (F = 22.3, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.53), but amount of edge habitat within the home ranges was not. The mean percent of edge within home range boundaries (16.0 ± 1.4 (se) %) was significantly greater (t = 2.88, P = 0.006) than general areas of similar size (11.3 ± 1.2%). We concluded that the amount of edge within an area was influencing the size of home ranges. We proposed that pumas needed a certain minimum amount of edge (hunting habitat) to successfully hunt their prey and that the amount of “catchable” prey was more important than just general prey abundance.
Thymidine incorporation in Lake Cisó: Problems in estimating bacterial secondary production across oxic-anoxic interfaces

Heterotrophic bacterial activity was measured by means of the 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation technique in Lake Ciso, a small holomictic lake with anoxic hypolimnion. We tested several methodological questions across the vertical profile: TdR concentration at which maximal incorporation is reached, linearity of incorporation and isotope dilution, during holomixis and stratification periods. The TdR concentration at which maximal incorporation is reached changed seasonally and vertically. During holomixis, maximal incorporation was not always reached at concentrations up to 40 nM. Uptake was always linear in short incubation times and decreased from epi- to hypolimnion. The isotope dilution technique indicated a degree of participation in DNA synthesis higher than 50%, although a linear relationship between the inverse of 3H-TdR incorporation and increasing ‘cold’ thymidine concentration was not always observed. Autoradiographic experiments showed a low percentage of bacteria taking up 3H-TdR in both aerobic and anaerobic samples. The percentage of total labeled bacteria seemed to be generally higher in the metalimnion (11% maximal value) than in the hypolimnion. Labeled Amoebobacter and Chromatium cells were detected in field samples. Amoebobacter cells photoassimilated TdR in culture. Therefore, our results show that 3H-TdR incorporation is not an appropriate technique to estimate bacterial secondary production in anaerobic systems and in oxic-anoxic interfaces.
Fungos endofíticos isolados de ápices caulinares de pupunheira cultivada in vivo e in vitro

Losses of micropropagated plants occur in its majority due to presence of microorganisms responsible for plant death both in culture beginning and plant establishment in field. Two years in vitro cultivated pejibaye shoot tips, showed the presence of fungi colonies after transference for new culture medium. This paper aimed at identifying fungi, by classical taxonomy and by molecular methods, present in shoot tip of healthy pejibaye plants, cultivated in the field, and to compare them with isolated ones of in vitro plants. The isolates of endophytic fungi community of the in vitro plants were Fusarium oxysporum, Neotyphodium sp. and Epicoccum nigrum; from the in vivo plants were Fusarium sp. , F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, Colletotrichum sp. , Alternaria gaisen, Neotyphodium sp. and E. nigrum. The seven species of fungi were reinoculated in host plant, revealing different behaviour. Neotyphodium sp. and E. nigrum established an endophytic interaction with the host; the other fungi acted as pathogens causing decrease in seedlings development when compared to the non-inoculated plants. Species acting as endophytes present a potential use in biocontrol of pejibaye pathogens.
Olfactory responses of Rhopalosiphum padi to three maize, potato, and wheat cultivars and the selection of prospective crop border plants

Understanding host plant volatile – aphid interactions can facilitate the selection of crop border plants as a strategy to reduce plant virus incidence in crops. Crop border plant species with attractive odours could be used to attract aphids into the border crop and away from the main crop. As different cultivars of the same crop can vary in their olfactory attractiveness to aphids, selecting an attractive cultivar as a border crop is important to increase aphid landing rates. This study evaluated olfactory responses of the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), to three cultivars each of maize [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)], potato [Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae)], and wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)] with the aim of selecting an attractive crop border plant to reduce the incidence of the non‐persistent Potato virus Y [PVY (Potyviridae)] in seed potatoes. Volatiles emitted by the crop cultivars were collected and identified using coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Quantitative and qualitative differences were found among cultivars. Behavioural responses of alate R. padi to odours of the cultivars and synthetic compounds identified from the plants were determined with a four‐arm olfactometer. Rhopalosiphum padi was attracted to odours emitted from maize cultivar 6Q‐121, but did not respond to odours from the remaining eight crop cultivars. Volatile compounds from maize and wheat cultivars that elicited a behavioural response from R. padi and contributed to differences in plant volatile profiles included (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate (attractant) and α‐farnesene, (E)‐2‐hexenal, indole, and (3E,7E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyltrideca‐1,3,7,11‐tetraene (TMTT) (repellents). We conclude that maize cv. 6Q‐121 is potentially suitable as a crop border plant based on the behavioural response of R. padi to the olfactory cues emitted by this cultivar. The findings provide insight into selecting crop cultivars capable of attracting R. padi to crop border plants.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New Isatin Derivatives

Some new 3-[(5-benzylidene-2-phenyl)-3, 5-dihydro-4-H-imidazol-4-one-3-(4bezoylhydrazono)]-indole-2-ones (VIII) have been synthesized from different isatinhydrazones (II) by condensing with 2-phenyl-5-benzylidene- 3-N (4-acetyl phenyl)-1, 5-dihydro-imidazol4-one (VII). Their chemical structures have been confirmed by IR, 1 HNMR, MASS and by elemental analysis. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of compounds was done by the disk diffusion technique. Among the compounds tested, the compound with 5-Br substitution showed the most favourable antimicrobial activity.
The Pro12Ala Polymorphism in PPAR γ2 May Confer Resistance to Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been implicated in adipocyte differentiation. Recently it was reported that heterozygous deficiency of PPARγ led to the protection from high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in an animal model. A Pro12Ala polymorphism has been detected in the human PPARγ2 gene. Since this amino acid substitution may cause a reduction in the transcriptional activity of PPARγ, this polymorphism may be associated with decreased insulin resistance and decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a case-control study of the Pro12Ala PPARγ2 polymorphism in Japanese diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The frequency of Ala12 was significantly lower in the diabetic group. In an overweight or obese group, subjects with Ala12 were more insulin sensitive than those without. These results suggest that the PPARγ is a thrifty gene and that the Pro12Ala PPARγ2 polymorphism protects against type 2 diabetes in the Japanese.
CALCIUM RETARDS PHYSIOLOGICAL COLLAPSE AND SUBSEQUENT MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF MUNG BEAN (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) SPROUTS

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) sprouts, when germinated in water with no added calcium, were prone to physiological collapse of the cell walls below the cotyledonary hook. Growth of the collapsing hypocotyls gradually decreased until it stopped completely as the collapsed area extended cross-sectionally. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that extensive microbial degradation of the collapsed area of the low-calcium hypocotyl ensued by day 4 of germination. In contrast, at the same stage of germination, bacteria were essentially absent on sprouts germinated with calcium added to the water either as CaCl2, or Ca(NO3)2. Even by day 7 the calcium-treated hypocotyls remained intact and without any visual microbial degradation although bacteria were present on the surface of the seedlings. It is concluded that mung bean sprouts are very sensitive to physiological collapse with subsequent microbial degradation of the hypocotyl especially at temperatures above 20 °C. Therefore, it is recommended that w.
Cadmium-induced changes in growth and antioxidative mechanisms of a medicine plant (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)

The responses of a medicine plant (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) to different cadmium (Cd) levels in the nutrient medium were studied. The results showed that the high Cd concentrations accumulated in roots and shoots of L. japonica, which increased ediblesecurity risk of the plant. The chlorophyll content showed slightly increase in plants exposed to 5 mg L-1 Cd, but decreased exposed to higher Cd concentrations. The variation in chlorophyll content in plants in relation to Cd concentrations in medium is considered as a good biomarker for Cd stress. Elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves and roots indicated the plants were subjected to Cd-induced oxidative stress. As a defensive mechanism, the cooperation of superoxide dismutases (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidases (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and catalases (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) may play an important role in plant tolerance to Cd. These enzymes activity showed significant increase by exposure to low Cd concentrations, indicating some acclimation effect, but decrease by exposure to high Cd concentrations implicating a potential injury to the plant. Key words: Antioxidant enzyme, growth, cadmium, Lonicera japonica Thunb. , tolerance.
MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPOILAGE OF AVOCADO PEAR, Persea americana FRUITS

The microorganisms associated with the spoilage of Avocado pear, Persea americana fruits, purchased fresh from various markets in Benin City were investigated. The pour plate method was used for the isolation. A total of nine species of microorganisms were isolated and identified in this study. They comprise of seven bacterial and three
Regeneration of Chlorophytum amaniense ‘Fire Flash’ Through Indirect Shoot Organogenesis

Chlorophytumamaniense Engl. 'Fire Flash' is a popular exotic ornamental foliage plant as a result of its unique coral-colored midribs and petioles and tolerance to interior low light levels. Currently, demand for propagative materials exceeds the availability of seeds. This study was intended to develop an in vitro culture method for rapid propagation of this cultivar. Leaf and sprouted seed explants were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with different cytokinins with 1.1 mM a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or 2.3 mM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Leaf explants showed poor responses in callus production and no adventitious shoots were obtained. Callus formation frequencies from sprouted seeds were 71% and 85% when induced by 9.8 m MN 6- (2-isopentyl) adenine (2iP) with 1.1 m MN AA and 9.1mM N-phenyl-N#-1,2,3-thiadiazol- 5-ylurea (TDZ) with 1.1 mM NAA, respectively. Adventitious shoots occurred after the induced calluses were subcultured on the same concentrations of TDZ or 2iP with NAA. Shoot formation frequencies from calluses cultured on TDZ with NAA and 2iP with NAA were 92% and 85%, and the corresponding mean shoot numbers were 37 and 31 per piece of callus (1 cm 3 ), respectively. Adventitious shoots rooted at 100% after transferring to the basal medium containing 4.4 mM 6-benzylaminopurine ( BA) with 2.7 mM NAA. Plantlets, after transplanting to a soilless substrate were easily acclimatized in a shaded greenhouse under a photosynthetic photon flux (PPF ) density of 200 mmolm -2 s -1 . Regenerated plants
Osteosclerosis in the Extinct Cayaoa bruneti (Aves, Anseriformes): Insights on Behavior and Flightlessness

Abstract. Many studies on avian microanatomy have established a relationship between high bone compactness (i.e., considerable degree of osteosclerosis) and diving behavior. Greatest degrees of compactness have been observed in the femora and humeri of fossil and extant penguins, femora of Hesperornis Marsh, and Polarornis gregorii Chatterjee, and to a somewhat lesser degree, in the humeri of flightless Pan-Alcidae. Within Anatidae, humeral and femoral compactness among diving species is greater than among non-diving ones, whereas flightless diving species have a greater degree of compactness than their volant close relatives. In Cayaoa bruneti Tonni, an extinct flightless foot-propelled, diving anatid with extreme forelimb reduction, femoral osteosclerosis is as great as that of penguins. Osteosclerosis in the femur of both foot- and wing-propelled divers could be part of the consequences of flightlessness and a result of selection to counter buoyancy.
When is a fishery sustainable

Despite the many scientific and public discussions on the sustainability of fisheries, there are still great differences in both perception and definition of the concept. Most authors now suggest that sustainability is best defined as the ability to sustain goods and services to human society, with social and economic factors to be considered along with environmental impacts. The result has been that each group (scientists, economists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc.) defines “sustainable seafood” using whatever criteria it considers most important, and the same fish product may be deemed sustainable by one group and totally unsustainable by another one. We contend, however, that there is now extensive evidence that an ecological focus alone does not guarantee long-term sustainability of any form and that seafood sustainability must consistently take on a socio-ecological perspective if it is to be effective across cultures and in the future. The sustainability of seafood production depends no.
Active oxygen species and antioxidants in seed biology

Active oxygen species (AOS) are involved in various aspects of seed physiology. Their generation, which occurs during seed desiccation, germination and ageing, may lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage, resulting in seed deterioration. However, cells are endowed with detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant compounds that scavenge AOS and participate in seed survival. The detoxifying mechanisms play a key role in acquisition of desiccation tolerance of developing seeds, completion of seed germination and seed storability. However, AOS must also be regarded as molecules intervening in cellular signalling. They are involved in growth processes occurring at early embryogenesis during seed development, and participate in the mechanisms underlying radicle protrusion during seed germination. AOS might also have a regulatory function in the changes in gene expression during seed development, dormancy and germination. Their interplay with other molecules, particularly with hormones such as abscisic acid, suggests that they should be considered as key components of an integrated signalling network involved in many aspects of seed physiology.
Prelocabc: A Novel Predictor of Protein Sub-cellular Localization Using a

Sub-cellular localization of proteins is crucial for the dynamic life of cells. Its ascertainment is an important step to elucidate proteins’ biological functions. Various experimental and computational methods have been developed for this purpose. Using a Bayesian model, we integrated five sub-modules based on different protein features, such as homology, amino acid composition, sorting signals and functional motifs, to predict sub-cellular localization of non-plant eukaryotic protein. This method has higher accuracy and Matthew’s correlation coefficient values than previous algorithms against five independent test datasets, and is able to predict efficiently nine major sub-cellular compartments for both single-localized and multiple-localized proteins. As an application, we also combined this method with the proteome mass-spectrum quantitative information, improving the performance of PreLocABC dramatically. This method has been developed into an online prediction system (PreLocABC). Users may submit their protein sequences online, and the prediction results for protein sub-cellular localization will be returned. The web interface of PreLocABC is available at http://61.50. 138.123/PreLocABC.
OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF FRESH AND HEAT‐PROCESSED DARK AND LIGHT MUSCLES OF MACKEREL (Scomber scombrus)

Oxidative stability of light and dark comminuted muscle of raw and thermally processed mackerel stored at 4C was studied over a 21 day period by monitoring changes in conjugated dienes (CD) and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. The quantity of headspace (HS) volatiles, propanal, and hexanal as well as the ratio of aliphatic to olefinic (Rao) or diallylmethylene (Rad) protons in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 NMR) spectra of oils were determined. The content of CD of light and dark ground mackerel muscle samples exhibited a consistent increase over the entire storage period. Furthermore, secondary oxidation products as reflected in the TBA values and content of propanal, hexanal and HS gases, generally, showed a gradual increase in their level. The concentration of propanal, the dominant volatile of the HS gases, increased markedly up to day 6 of storage, but afterwards began to decline continuously. A similar trend was noted for hexanal, but at a lesser extent. The Rao and Rad values in the 1H NMR spectra of lipids from all stored samples increased constantly during storage. In all samples, the dark ground muscle exhibited a higher degree of oxidation than its light counterpart. Furthermore, heat-processed dark comminuted muscle oxidized faster than its raw counterpart while generally an opposite trend was observed for the light ground muscle.
Indifferent Philosophy versus Almighty Authority: On consistency, consensus and unitary taxonomy

Abstract The ability of the taxonomic community to heed Charles Godfray's wake‐up call to create ‘unitary’ taxonomic systems and make them available on the internet is hampered by real difficulties over achieving taxonomic consistency, and a cultural reluctance amongst systematists to embrace consensus. This paper explores these issues by examining the taxonomic history of an African milkweed butterfly, Amauris damocles sensu lato. Recent differences of opinion over the classification of this insect relate to fundamental differences in the theory and practice of systematics, from creationism through authoritarianism to cladistics, differences of a kind that will forever bedevil the distributed taxonomic system. If practical unitary schemes are to emerge, then the taxonomic community will need to adopt new ways of managing and recording taxonomic change, and develop a more responsible attitude towards the needs of others who are dependent of the primary products of systematics ‐names, and the classification schemes they symbolize.
Experimental rearing and growth of planktonic Octopus vulgaris from hatching to settlement

The common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, weighing 1.4 mg at hatching and reared in the laboratory (mean 21.2 °C), doubled their weight roughly every 8.5 days to a mean of 173.2 mg after 60 days when they became benthic. Changes in paralarval allometry during development were strongly marked in the case of arm length: suckers were added and the arms grew concomitantly from day 10 and growth rate accelerated from day 20. Neither cannibalism nor schooling behaviour occurred during the planktonic stage. Survival rate to settlement was 8.9%. The paralarvae of O. vulgaris exhibited presettlement reflexes from day 36 and settled between days 47 and 54, suggesting considerable potential for dispersal. Comparison of these results with previous studies suggests that paralarvae settle when they reach a critical size irrespective of age, and that the duration of the planktonic period is probably temperature dependent. After settlement, octopuses still bore Koelliker organs, lacked papillae on the body surface, were capa.