Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The systematics of land crabs of the genus Gecarcoidea and recognition of a pseudocryptic species, G. humei, from the eastern Indian Ocean (Crustacea : Decapoda : Gecarcinidae)

Abstract. The gecarcinid genus Gecarcoidea H. Milne Edwards, 1837 is currently represented by two species from the Indo-West Pacific – the widely distributed purple land crab, G. lalandii H. Milne Edwards, 1837, and the red crab endemic to Christmas Island, G. natalis (Pocock, 1889). One species, G. humei (Wood-Mason, 1874), described from the Nicobar Islands, has had a confused taxonomic history, but was treated as a junior synonym of G. lalandii by Türkay (1974) in his revision of the family. In this study, using molecular as well as morphological characters, we show that G. humei is a valid species. Gecarcoidea lalandii and G. humei have distinct non-overlapping distributions throughout much of their range, with G. lalandii occurring in most of South-east Asia and the West Pacific, while G. humei is known only from the eastern Indian Ocean. On Christmas Island, in the eastern Indian Ocean, however, all three species are present. As a result, Christmas Island is the only locality where all extant species of Gecarcoidea are found. The three species can also be separated by differences in live colours and patterns, as well as proportions of the carapace, male abdomen, ambulatory legs and third maxillipeds, and details of the orbits and male first gonopods.
Trophic structure alters consequences of environmental warming

Climate warming can directly affect traits and demographic rates of organisms. However, individuals are embedded in complex networks of ecological interactions with other members of the community, allowing for a range of direct and indirect effects that depend on the trophic structure of the community. Here we show that effects of warming (i.e. increase in mean temperature) on a given species can strongly depend on the community context and trophic complexity of the system. Specifically, we manipulated the presence/ absence of two competing tadpole species and their dragonfly predators to simulate different food webs of increasing complexity that were exposed to ambient or warmed conditions. We found that warming dramatically reduced herbivore (tadpole) survival in the absence of strong interspecific competition and predation, but it had no measureable effect on demographic rates on the dominant competitor in more complex communities where it was exposed to interspecific competition and predation. Conversely, our results also indicate that warming reduced the strength of interspecific competition and predation in our system. These results suggest that trophic complexity could potentially buffer climate change effects on populations and emphasize that we often cannot predict the effects of changes in abiotic conditions on a given population without accounting for the community context.
Listening to speech induces coupling between auditory and motor cortices in an unexpectedly rate-restricted manner

The relation between perception and action remains a fundamental question for neuroscience. In the context of speech, existing data suggest an interaction between auditory and speech-motor cortices, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. We fill a basic gap in our understanding of the sensorimotor processing of speech by examining the synchronization between auditory and speech-motor regions over different speech rates, a fundamental parameter delimiting successful perception. First, using MEG we measure synchronization between auditory and speech-motor regions while participants listen to syllables at various rates. We show, surprisingly, that auditory-motor synchrony is significant only over a restricted range and is enhanced at ~4.5 Hz, a value compatible with the mean syllable rate across languages. Second, neural modeling reveals that this modulated coupling plausibly emerges as a consequence of the underlying neural architecture. The findings suggest that the auditory-motor interaction should be interpreted rather conservatively when considering phase space.
Physiological responses of Medicago truncatula growth under prolonged hypoxia stress

Flooding is an important environmental factor restricting plant growth and productivity throughout the world. Growth, organic solute accumulation and proteolytic activity of Medicago truncatula were determined in hydroponically grown plants exposed to hypoxia during 30, 45 and 60 days. Obtained results showed that hypoxia until 45 days have no significant impact on the dry matter production. However, after 60 days of treatment, a decrease in the shoot and root growth was observed. In addition, a development of adventitious roots is shown in the hypocotyle of treated plant. In fact, the water content varied in response to the hypoxia. The soluble carbohydrates content was still stable on the shoot of treated plant until 45 day. Whereas, it was registered that the content of non-reducing soluble sugar present almost all of total soluble sugars, and that the accumulation of this sugars fraction in more important in the roots of hypoxia plants in comparison to the aerial organs. The proline content measured in stressed plants was increased with time over control plants. Contrary, hypoxia decreased the total endopeptidase activity in M. truncatula roots. It could be concluded that M. truncatula can be support the prolonged hypoxic stress by developing adventitious roots and accumulating proline.
Optimal Cross-Sectional Sampling Strategy for Red Oak Borer (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Scars within Northern Red Oaks

We used dendrochronological techniques to develop an optimal sampling strategy for the purpose of investigating the history of red oak borer (Enaphalodes rufulus [Haldeman]) population patterns within northern red oaks (Quercus rubra L.). We cut the entire length of three northern red oak tree boles into cross-sections, sanded top and bottom surfaces of each cross-section, and dated all scars within each bole. Our goal was to devise a strategy to reduce the amount of bole sampled without compromising the data necessary to accurately estimate historical population patterns of red oak borer. When we tested four possible sampling strategies and compared them with the entire-tree data sets from which they originated, we found no statistical differences in the distribution of scar counts by year. We also assessed processing time and found that compared with sampling an entire host bole, sampling strategies that include the lower 20% or 30% of boles would reduce labor efforts by 55–63%. We suggest that development of similar sampling methods for other bark or wood-boring species may be possible if the relationship between insect life history and annual tree-ring formation, as well as the general spatial and temporal distribution of insect evidence within trees, is known.
Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Chickens with Colibacillosis in Yazd, Iran

Background: The antibiotic resistance is considered as one of the biggest public health concerns in most countries. The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli isolated from chickens with colibacillosis in Yazd, Iran. Methods: A total of 200 carcasses of Ross chickens with colibacillosis were collected from farms located around Yazd, central Iran. After autopsy, specimens were collected from air bags of carcasses using sterile swaps and transferred immediately to the laboratory. After microbiological culture, the isolates were confirmed by the conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates were determined by disk diffusion method. Results: Out of 200 specimens, 100 (50%) E. coli isolates were identified and confirmed by PCR method. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed the highest resistance against nalidixic acid (100%), enrofloxacin (87%), ciprofloxacin (86%), and erythromycin (82%), respectively. Also, the highest susceptibility was seen for colistin (100%), meropenem (94%), and gentamicin (93%), respectively. Conclusion: In this study, multidrug resistance was observed in avian pathogenic E. coli isolates that represents the heavy usage of these drugs in poultry flocks in Yazd, central Iran. Improper or overuse of antibiotics usage for treatment of the poultry diseases could play an important role in spreading of the antimicrobial resistance genes among pathogenic bacteria from human and animals especially through food chain.
Evaluation of the GenoType ® NTM DR for Subspecies Identification and Determination of Drug Resistance in Clinical M. abscessus Isolates

Introduction: A new line probe assay, the GenoType® NTM DR, has been developed for subspecies identification and detection of resistance to macrolides and aminoglycosides in clinical Mycobacterium abscessus isolates. We studied the performance of the test compared to DNA sequencing and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST). Methods: 48 clinical M. abscessus isolates collected between 2015 and 2016 were identified to the subspecies level and analysed for erm (41) genotype, rrl and rrs gene mutations by Sanger sequencing. Broth micro dilution was performed for pDST of Clarithromycin and Amikacin. The results were compared to those of the GenoType® NTM DR assay. Discordant results were further analysed by repeat pDST and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: 35 isolates were identified as M. abscessus subsp. abscessus , 6 as M. abscessus subsp. bolletii , and 7 as M. abscessus subsp. massiliense based on rpoB sequences. Concordance of GenoType® NTM DR results with Sanger sequencing was 92% for subspecies identification and 100% for erm (41), rrl, and rrs genotypes, respectively. GenoType® NTM DR and pDST results matched in 98% for Clarithromycin resistance and in 96% for Amikacin resistance when repeat pDST results were taken into account. Conclusion: The new GenoType® NTM DR assay is a valuable test for subspecies identification of M. abscessus isolates and detection of defined mutations conferring resistance to Amikacin and Clarithromycin. Discrepancies between the line probe assay and pDST mainly relate to variations in phenotypic test results.
The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Oxygen Utilization by Complex IV: Preliminary Insights

Background: The protein complexes of the electron transport chain have been linked to the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM), but the interplay between DM and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) is not well understood. In this study, using a rat DM model, we evaluated the effect of DM on liver and kidney mitochondria, looking specifically at the characteristics of oxygen consumption by complex IV; we also studied the effects of DM on the protein composition of liver and kidney mitochondria. Methods: One hundred eighty rats, 60 at a time, were divided into two equal groups and diabetes induced in one group by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 45 mg/kg. One-third of each group was sacrificed at 1 month intervals and mitochondria were isolated from the liver and kidney. Using the mitochondria isolated, the rate of oxygen consumption by complex IV was compared for the DM and control rats by use of polarographic assay. In addition, the protein composition of liver and kidney mitochondria of the DM and control rats was compared by SDS-PAGE. Results: The study found that for mitochondria from the DM liver, the characteristic biphasic pattern of oxygen consumption disappeared after 1 month, was restored after 2 months but disappeared again by the end of 3 months. The mitochondria from the kidney showed decreased activity but retained its biphasic nature until the end of 3 months. In addition, the study found that compared to the controls, mitochondria from both the liver and kidney of the diabetic rats showed alterations to the distribution of medium and low molecular weight proteins. Conclusions: The results suggest that in uncontrolled diabetes, critical adverse alterations to liver mitochondria may occur quite early. It seems that initially the body might be able to compensate for these changes but the compensation is temporary. J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;7(1):18-24 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem375w
Different Dietary Source of Non-Starch Polysaccharides Supplemented with Enzymes Affected Growth and Carcass Traits, Blood Parameters and Gut Physicochemical Properties of Broilers

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different dietary source of Non-starch polysaccharides supplemented with enzymes on growth, carcass and physiological characteristics of broilers. A total number of 625 unsexed broiler chicken (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, 5 replicates and 25 birds per each unit, using a CRD statistical design. Treatments were included control, wheat (W), wheat+ enzyme (WE), barley (B), and barley+ enzyme (BE). Total feed intake and body weight gain were significantly increased, but feed conversion ratio decreased by diets supplemented with enzymes rather diets without enzymes (P<0.05). The inclusion of W and B in diets led to significantly decreased in carcass yield and the percentage of breast, leg, fat pad, and liver compare to the control (P<0.05). The percentage of pancreas was higher in W and B diets than control or enzyme supplemented diets (P<0.05). Serum levels of glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (CHO) significantly decreased in diet contained W and B (P<0.05). Digesta viscosity significantly increased, but pH decreased after feeding the chickens by W and B diets rather control (P<0.05). The results of present study have shown that supplementation of W and B with multi-enzymes completely restored the situation and neutralized the negative effects of W and B on growth and carcass traits, blood parameters and gut physicochemical properties of broiler chickens.
Prevalence and Seasonal Frequency and Pattern of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytical infection in children

Background: Intestinal protozoan parasites are widely prevalent causing considerable medical and public health problem in developing countries. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica , are among the major intestinal parasitic agents ,where they are responsible for morbidity and mortality in children. Aim of the study: This study was subjected to emphasize the problem of intestinal infection with Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica among children aged less than 12 years attending Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children, and to visualize its distribution according to age and sex and the seasonal fluctuation. Methods: A total of 732 patients aged less than 12 years with diarrhea (413 males and 319 females) , attending Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children , were subjected to stool examination by direct smear with normal saline and logal's iodine (This technique was performed according to (1), during the period from the beginning of January 2012 till the end of December 2012. Results: Among the 5670 patients attending to the hospital due to gastroenteritis and their stool samples examined, intestinal Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were reported in 732 ( 12.9 %). The overall prevalence of the infection of each of the two parasites were Endameba histolytica 332 (5.85%) and Giardia lamblia 381(6.71%). There was significant relation (p> 0.05) between infection rate of these parasite with each of gender ,male 413 (13.56%) and females 319 (12.14% ). The overall monthly incidence of parasites showed significant seasonal fluctuations peak incidence of E.histolytical (E.H) occurred during December 11.18% and the lowest was during march 3.29% ,but peak incident of G.lamblia (G.L ) occurred in February 14.65% and the lowest in may 4.18%.
Assessment of water quality and health risks for toxic trace elements in urban Phewa and remote Gosainkunda lakes, Nepal

ABSTRACT The concentration of 13 metals (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) and their associated health risk assessment was performed for two Himalayan lakes, urban Phewa and remote Gosainkunda, from Nepal. Water Quality Index (WQI), Metal Index (MI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index, and Cancer Risk were calculated in order to evaluate the water quality of these lakes. Correlation analysis revealed that Mn and Fe were derived from natural geological weathering processes and Pb, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd might have originated from anthropogenic sources. The results revealed that WQI of the remote lake fell into excellent water quality and urban lake fell into poor water quality, which is also supported by the MI calculation. Moreover, the HQ of Mn in urban lake showed values greater than unity suggesting its health risk to the local inhabitants. The cancer index values indicated “high” risk due to Cr, whereas Cd possesses “very low” cancer risk on local population residing nearby areas. This study provides the useful database and suggests for the regular assessment and policy formulation for safeguarding the natural water bodies in the region.
Identification of a putative 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase from Pinus taeda

The gene encoding the protein 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACC synthase) has been extensively studied in plant species because of its role in regulating the formation of the plant hormone, ethylene. Although the ACC synthase gene has been heavily studied in angiosperms, it has never been cloned from a gymnosperm species. This dissertation presents the cloning of a gene, PTACS-1, with high homology to ACC synthase, from Pinus taeda (loblolly pine), a commercially important tree in the southern U.S. Additionally, a shorter nearly identical transcript, PTACS-1s was identified. Expression of the PTACS-1 and PTACS-1s transcripts was measured using quantitative PCR in tissues throughout the tree, and in response to known elicitors of ACC synthase gene transcription. Further, the expression of PTACS-1 and PTACS-1s were monitored in response to known elicitors of compression wood, a reaction wood formed in gymnosperms. Putative roles for PTACS-1 in compression wood development are discussed. INDEX WORDS: ACC synthase, compression wood, ethylene biosynthesis, Pinus taeda, mechanical stress, gravisitmulation. IDENTIFICATION OF A PUTATIVE 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE SYNTHASE FROM PINUS TAEDA: EVIDENCE FOR ROLES IN SIGNALING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPRESSION WOOD
Integrated disease management of anthracnose of cowpea caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum.

Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L.) is the most important legume and vegetable crop grown in India. Most of the promising cowpea cultivars are under a great threat for profitable cultivation due to the attack of several abiotic and biotic factors viz. , Fungi, bacteria, virus and nematodes. The major losses of cowpea are covered by fungi, in which anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is more important. The experiment on integrated disease management of cowpea anthracnose disease under field conditions with twelve treatments and three replications using fungicides and bio-agent formulations was conducted during 2013-14 and 2014-15. The mean of analysis of two years data revealed that the three foliar sprays of Thiophenate methyl (0.1%) at 10 days interval from initiation of the disease gave average minimum disease intensity (10.63%) and maximum edible pod yield (11.34 q/ha). This was followed by foliar sprays of Difenaconazole (0.06%) which gave average 16.94 per cent disease intensity and pod yield 9.99 q/ha. From the table it is cleared that the fungicides belonging to Trizole groups are more effective.
Superoxide Dismutase 2 Overexpression Attenuates Effects of Ischemia Reperfusion-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction

ii Acknowledgements . iii Vita . iv Introduction . 1 Clinical Significance . 1 General Effects of Ischemia Reperfusion . 2 Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress . 3 Downregulation of Mitochondrial Respiration . 4 SOD2 as an Antioxidant . 5 Methods . 6 Animals . 6 Langendorff Heart Preparation . 6 Mitochondrial Isolation . 7 Oxygen Consumption and ATP . 7 Measurement of Electron Transport Activity . 8 Measurement of Krebs Cycle Enzyme Activity . 10 Measurement of Glutathione Peroxidase Activity . 11
The platypus nest: burrow structure and nesting behaviour in captivity

Abstract. The platypus nesting burrow, where females lay eggs and rear their young, has not been well studied. We have little knowledge of its structure and the process of construction. This study aimed to investigate nesting behaviour of breeding females and to describe the structure and features of the burrow. We used infrared cameras to record behaviour of captive breeding female platypuses during the nest-building period, over nine years. After the young had become independent, we excavated 11 nesting burrows and mapped their structural features. Nesting behaviour was observed 7–15 days after mating and was an indicator of gravidity. Females invested an average of 8 h 18 min over 3.5 nights, gathering and transporting wet nesting material to their burrows. The nests were composed mostly of native mat-rush leaves. Nesting burrows varied in length from 3.2 to 10.4 m. They contained narrow tunnels, ‘pugs’ of backfilled earth, dead ends, multiple entrances and a chamber at the end that contained the nest. Appropriate nesting sites and nesting materials must be provided to female platypuses for captive breeding programs to succeed.
BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF RESISTANCE TO Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) IN WILD RELATIVES OF CHICKPEA

The present studies on “Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in wild relatives of chickpea” were carried out at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, during 2014-16. A total of 20 accessions (15 wild relatives and five varieties of cultivated chickpea) were used to evaluate the mechanism of resistance to H. armigera. Under field conditions, during post-rainy seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16, all genotypes of wild relatives of chickpea recorded less number of H. armigera larvae, low visual leaf damage rating and per cent pod damage compared to cultivated chickpea. The genotypes IG 70012, PI 599046, IG 70022, PI 599066, IG 70006, IG 70018 (Cicer bijugum), ICC 506EB, ICCL 86111 (resistant checks), IG 72933, IG 72953 (C. reticulatum) IG 69979 (C. cuneatum) and IG 599076 (C. chrossanicum) showed high levels of antixenosis for oviposition of H. armigera under multi-, dual- and no-choice cage conditions. Studies on detached leaf assay revealed that the genotypes IG 70012, IG 70022, IG 70018, IG 70006, PI 599046, PI 599066 (C. bijugum), IG 69979 (C. cuneatum), PI 568217, PI 599077 (C. judaicum) and ICCW 17148 (C. microphyllum) showed less damage rating and low larval weights compared to susceptible checks. Larval survival was greater on the wild relatives than on the cultivated chickpea. Detached pod assay studies revealed that all wild relatives of chickpea exhibited less damage rating, lower per cent pod damage and lower percentage of weight gained by third-instar larva compared to cultivated chickpea. Survival and development of H. armigera on artificial diet impregnated with lyophilized leaf powders revealed that all wild relatives of chickpea genotypes showed high levels of antibiosis to H. armigera compared to cultivated chickpea in terms of lower larval survival, per cent pupation and adult emergence, decreased larval and pupal weight, prolonged larval and pupal developmental periods and reduced fecundity.