Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autogeny induced by a nonsteroidal ecdysone agonist tebufenozide in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

The effects of tebufenozide, a nonsteroidal agonist of ecdysone, on egg development and reproduction in the anautogenic mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Culicidae, Diptera) are examined. The study population originates from Hyderabad, India. A dose‐dependent toxicity is observed when varying concentrations (10 µg L−1 to 10 pg L−1 ) of a flowable formulation of tebufenozide, known as Mimic 2F, are applied to first‐instar larvae in water. The median lethal dose (LC50) against larvae is very low at 1.29 ng L−1 H2O. Doses below the LC50 induce vitellogenesis in the females that subsequently emerge, and these females lay eggs autogenically (without blood feeding). Autogenous egg clutches are laid through three ovarian cycles. The number of eggs laid in each clutch is lower compared with an anautogenous clutch. An autogenic population has been maintained for over 15 generations after the primary induction, during which time the females have not been allowed to feed on blood. By comparison, doses higher than the LC50 inhibit ovarian development. There is a gradual degeneration of the ovaries, and the females die approximately 20 days after imaginal ecdysis without commencing vitellogenesis. The results are discussed in relation to the endocrine and nutritional regulation of vitellogenesis in C. quinquefasciatus, and the possibility of using tebufenozide to regulate populations of some species of mosquito .
Life history of Phytoseiulus macropilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Mononychellus planki (Acari: Tetranychidae) on common bean leaves (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.)

Mononychellus planki (Tetranychidae) is a phytophagous mite present mainly on common bean, soybean and cottonweeds in Central and South America. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Phytoseiidae) is a predatory mite commonly associated with tetranychid populations in South and Southeast Brazil. This study tested the hypothesis that M. planki is an alternative prey enhancing the survival of P. macropilis when Tetranychus urticae is absent in the environment. Initially, we determined the predator’s food preference, and then evaluated the biology of P. macropilis studied on M. planki as prey. In food preference experiments, P. macropilis was given a choice between leaf discs with eggs of T. urticae or M. planki. For biology studies, common bean leaf discs were cut and placed on moistened filter paper in plastic plates. Our results suggest that M. planki is a suitable food for P. macropilis on native vegetation and in soybean crops in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The Influence of Ambient Nitrate, Temperature, and Light on Nitrate Assimilation in Sudangrass Seedlings

Seedlings of Sundangrass (Sorghum Sudanese [Piper] Stapf.) were grown 10 to 13 days of age in a nutrient solution containing nitrate and then placed under treatment conditions for 24 h before assays of nitrate assimilation were begun. Nitrate uptake was determined by its disappearance from the ambient solution. In vivo reduction of nitrate was determined by the overall balance between the amount taken up and the change in tissue concentration of nitrate during the experiments. Nitrate reductase activity was determined from tissue slices. In vivo reduction was strongly regulated by uptake in response to time and ambient nitrate concentration, temperature and light. Nitrate reduction responded to the concentration of nitrate supplied by uptake and by a storage pool, since reduction often exceeded uptake. Nitrate reductase activity in tissue slices was exponential in initial response to increasing temperature. After a 24-h equilibration period at each temperature, the activity was lower at higher temperatures. In contrast, actual reduction of nitrate increased linearly with increasing temperature between 15 and 24°C in the plants equilibrated 24 h at each temperature. Nitrate uptake and reduction were greatly inhibited under low light conditions, with reduction inhibited more than uptake. , The effect of ambient nitrate, temperature, and light on the nitrate assimilatory processes help to explain observations reported on nitrate accumulation by Sudangrass forage.
Ecology and evolution of sympatric sticklebacks (Gasterosteus): evidence for a species-pair in Paxton Lake, Texada Island, British Columbia

Two forms of Gasterosteus coexist in Paxton Lake on Texada Island, British Columbia. One form (benthic) is predominantly a littoral, benthic forager, whereas the other form (limnetic) is an open-water plankton feeder. The benthic form is large (up to 90 mm in standard length), with a stout body, a wide mouth, relatively few short gill rakers, and a greatly reduced number of lateral plates and dorsal spines. The entire pelvic girdle is absent in about 80% of adults. In contrast, the limnetic form is slim bodied, with a narrow mouth, numerous long gill rakers, and normal lateral plates, dorsal spines, and pelvic girdle. In laboratory crosses, Paxton Lake benthic and limnetic sticklebacks breed true and this suggests that they represent separate gene pools rather than a foraging polymorphism. The differences in morphology and allele frequencies between the two forms have remained stable for over two decades (about 20 generations), yet discriminant function analysis indicates that about 1% of the adult stickl.
Resistance of some rose cultivars to the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Some rose cultivars such as City of Belfast are more resistant to the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) than others. Data from life tables and behavioural studies indicate that the reason for resistance may be physiological-chemical as well as the physical structure and colour of the flower. Some rose odours repelled F. occidentalis .
Pollen‐Mediated Gene Flow from Blue Aleurone Wheat to Other Wheat Cultivars

Cross-pollination among wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars historically has not been a major concern for wheat producers. However, with the introduction of genetically engineered wheat, there may be a need to ensure genetic purity, which will require knowledge of the frequency and distance that pollen-mediated gene flow can occur in wheat. This information will be necessary to develop (i) isolation distances that maintain predictable degrees of genetic purity in seed wheat production and (ii) practices to manage pollen-mediated gene flow in commercial wheat production. Field experiments were conducted from 2000 to 2003 at five locations in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington to determine the potential for pollen-mediated gene flow among winter wheat cultivars. Each experiment was designed as a Nelder wheel with 16 equally spaced rays extending away from a central pollen source of blue aleurone wheat. Each ray was 46 m long and contained two rows each of an early- and late-flowering soft white wheat cultivar. Seed samples were collected at 1.8-m intervals along each ray and examined for blue seed, which indicated successful hybridization with the pollen source. Although blue seed was found in some samples at all five locations, most samples (98%) contained no blue seed. Pollen-mediated gene flow generally was in the direction of the prevailing wind and tended to occur more often at the sites with lower temperature and higher humidity during pollination. The maximum distance that gene flow was detected was 42 m from the pollen source and the maximum outcrossing in an individual sample was 0.45%. At four locations, no outcrossing was detected beyond 30 m from the pollen source; however, at one site, 13% of the blue seed was found between 30 and 42 m. Pollen-mediated gene flow potential may differ for other wheat cultivars and environmental conditions. Depending on the required genetic purity standards for wheat seed, an isolation distance of 45 m or more may be required.
Prevalence of xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Netherlands: retrospective analysis of samples from an established cohort

Objective The presence of the retrovirus xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been reported in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Considering the potentially great medical and social relevance of such a discovery, we investigated whether this finding could be confirmed in an independent European cohort of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Design Analysis of a well defined cohort of patients and matched neighbourhood controls by polymerase chain reaction. Setting Certified (ISO 15189) laboratory of clinical virology in a university hospital in the Netherlands. Population Between December 1991 and April 1992, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 76 patients and 69 matched neighbourhood controls. In this study we tested cells from 32 patients and 43 controls from whom original cryopreserved phials were still available. Main outcome measures Detection of XMRV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by real time polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the XMRV integrase gene and/or a nested polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the XMRV gag gene. Results We detected no XMRV sequences in any of the patients or controls in either of the assays, in which relevant positive and negative isolation controls and polymerase chain reaction controls were included. Spiking experiments showed that we were able to detect at least 10 copies of XMRV sequences per 105 peripheral blood mononuclear cells by real time as well as by nested polymerase chain reaction, demonstrating high sensitivity of both assays. Conclusions This study failed to show the presence of XMRV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome from a Dutch cohort. These data cast doubt on the claim that XMRV is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome in the majority of patients.
High Incidence of Diabetes after Stroke in Young Adults and Risk of Recurrent Vascular Events: The FUTURE Study

Background Diabetes diagnosed prior to stroke in young adults is strongly associated with recurrent vascular events. The relevance of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and incidence of diabetes after young stroke is unknown. We investigated the long-term incidence of diabetes after young stroke and evaluated the association of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose with recurrent vascular events. Methods This study was part of the FUTURE study. All consecutive patients between January 1, 1980, and November 1, 2010 with TIA or ischemic stroke, aged 18–50, were recruited. A follow-up assessment was performed in survivors between November 1, 2009 and January 1, 2012 and included an evaluation for diabetes, fasting venous plasma glucose and recurrent vascular events. The association of diabetes and IFG with recurrent vascular events was assessed by logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex and follow-up duration. Results 427 survivors without a medical history of diabetes were included in the present analysis (mean follow-up of 10.1 (SD 8.4) years; age 40.3 (SD 7.9) years). The incidence rate of diabetes was 7.9 per 1000 person-years and the prevalence of IFG was 21.1%. Patients with diabetes and IFG were more likely to have experienced any vascular event than those with normal fasting glucose values (OR 3.5 (95%CI 1.5–8.4) for diabetes and OR 2.5 (95%CI 1.3–4.8) for IFG). Conclusions Diabetes or IFG in young stroke survivors is frequent and is associated with recurrent vascular events. Regular screening for IFG and diabetes in this population, yields potential for secondary prevention.
Effect of age on reproductive attributes of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

The effect of both male and female age was investigated on certain reproductive attributes, viz. mating incidence, mating duration, fecundity, percent egg viability, ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods and reproductive rate, of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius). Females started mating at the age of 8 hours post‐emergence (PE) and males at the age of 2 days PE. Mating in the laboratory was a male‐dominated phenomenon. The mating duration and reproductive rate of 10‐day‐old females when mated with males of varying ages increased up to the male age of 60 days, and thereafter decreased, whereas, fecundity, egg viability and ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods increased up to the male age of 50 days, and thereafter declined. However, when females of varying ages were mated with 10‐day‐old males, fecundity and reproductive rate increased up to 40 days of female age, respectively, then decreased. The ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods increased with increasing age of females. Mating age for optimal reproductive output was 10J50‐day‐old males and NE to 40‐day‐old females. Reproductive cessation in males was recorded after 50 days PE, whereas in females at the age of 40 days PE. Higher mating durations lead to elevated reproductive rates. Delay in the reproductive phase was positively correlated with longevity. The results of this study may aid mass multiplication of this ladybird by identifying and promoting usage of adults of optimal age. Our results also enhance our understanding of the effect of age on reproductive attributes in ladybirds.
Effect of Chronic Heat Stress on Performance and Oxidative Damage in Different Strains of Chickens

Heat stress (HS) causes poor growth, immunosupression and high mortality, through physiological dysfunction. We have reported that ‘acute’ HS increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle of broiler chickens (Cobb), but that this is not for the case for males of the laying-type white leghorn (WLH) strain of chickens (Mujahid et al., 2005b). We have now studied the effects of ‘chronic’ HS on performance and oxidative damage to skeletal muscle in different strains of chickens. Meat-type male chickens (Ross and Cobb) and male laying-type chickens (WLH) of 14d of age were arranged according to a factorial design (3 strains×4 conditions): control (24°C), cyclic (32-24-32°C: 32°C for 8h/d, 32-24-32HS), constant (32 and 34°C, 32HS and 34HS, respectively) for 14d. Feed consumption and body weight gain were measured. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in skeletal muscle was measured colorimetrically with BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalent. Body weight gain and feed consumption for the 3 strains (Ross, Cobb and WLH) were decreased by 32HS and 34HS, but not by 32-24-32HS. The decrease in weight gain of WLH chickens for the 32HS and 34HS conditions was smaller than for broiler chickens (Ross and Cobb). The 32HS and 34HS groups showed slightly enhanced MDA levels (P<0.05) in the skeletal muscle of all 3 strains, but not for the 32-24-32HS group. The results suggest that depression in growth performance due to chronic heat stress is more evident in meat-type chickens (Ross and Cobb) than male laying-type chickens (WLH), and that reduction in the performance are associated with enhancement of oxidative damage to skeletal muscle.
Morphological and molecular studies of Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (Cyanobacteria, Nostocales) from South American water blooms

Werner V.R. , Laughinghouse IV H.D. , Fiore M.F. , Sant'Anna C.L. , Hoff C. , Santos K.R. d.S. , Neuhaus E.B. , Molica R.J.R. , Honda R.Y. and Echenique R.O. 2012. Morphological and molecular studies of Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (Cyanobacteria, Nostocales) from South American water blooms. Phycologia 51: 228–238. DOI: 10.2216/11-32.1 Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (Komárek) Werner, Laughinghouse IV, Fiore & Sant'Anna comb. nov. was originally described as Anabaena torques-reginae Komárek from planktonic populations of Cuban eutrophic environments, characterized by twisted trichomes with spherical akinetes adjacent to the heterocytes. Recently, using molecular analyses, all planktonic Anabaena Bory ex Bornet & Flahault morphospecies were transferred into the genus Dolichospermum (Ralfs ex Bornet & Flahault) Wacklin et al., including Dolichospermum torques-reginae (Komárek) Wacklin et al. However, by a polyphasic characterization of strains of Anabaena reniformis Lemmermann and Aphanizomenon aphanizomenoides (Forti) Horecká & Komárek (=Anabaena aphanizomenoides Forti), these planktonic species were reclassified into Sphaerospermopsis Zapomělová et al. Our study's main objective was to characterize morphologically and molecularly cyanobacterial populations identified as Dolichospermum torques-reginae, observed in different aquatic ecosystems in South America. The 16S rRNA gene of two Dolichospermum torques-reginae strains (ITEP-024 and ITEP-026) was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed for the first time. The morphological and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the affiliation of the studied populations with the genus Sphaerospermopsis and, consequently, were denominated as Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae. Furthermore, geographic distribution, ecology, and toxicity of the species are discussed. It was observed in different aquatic environments, natural and artificial, tropical and subtropical in Brazil, temperate in Argentina, and tropical in Colombia, suggesting a wide distribution in South America. It normally occurred in dense freshwater blooms, although it was also found in water with low salinity. Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae toxic blooms have been reported in tropical water bodies in northeastern Brazil.
Relationship between susceptibility to neonicotinoids and population dynamics of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Efficiency of imidacloprid and thiametoxam on population growth parameters of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was assessed using three bioassay methods including; residual, starvation and FAO dip methods. Aphids were assayed under laboratory conditions at 23 ± 2°C, photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) and 70% relative humidity. Aphids were transferred to sprayed leaves and Petri dishes in residual and starvation methods, respectively. There was no feeding for the aphids in starvation method. In FAO dip method, insects were dipped for 5 s in pesticide solutions and then transferred to fresh leaves. Results revealed that LC50 values calculated with the starvation and residual methods were respectively 15 and 11% more than FAO dip method (for imidacloprid) and 22 and 18% (for thiametoxam). The LC50 value in starvation method was 3% more than the residual method. Calculated LC50 in starvation and residual methods with imidacloprid respectively caused 160 and 34% increase in intrinsic rates of increase (r m) and net reproductive rate (R 0) in comparison with FAO dip method. Generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) were respectively 59 and 62% less than those in FAO dip method. In contrast, thiametoxam (LC50 concentration) in starvation and residual method lead to 9 and 67% increase in r m and R 0 parameters compared to FAO dip method. However T and DT were respectively 65 and 92% less than mentioned parameters in FAO dip method. There was not any significant difference between life table parameters calculated by residual and starvation bioassay methods.
Induced Abortion in Nigeria

Objective : To obtain information on societal attitude to the issues of family planning, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, adoption of children and laws relating to them. Design : Focused group discussions. Setting : Twelve subgroups in the urban and rural areas of Ogun State, Nigeria were identified, and focus group sessions held for each subgroup. Subjects : Males and females, with their ages ranging from 15 years to above 50 years drawn from different segments of the community. Intervention : A set of guidelines/questions for the FGD were developed, field-tested and used. Main outcome measures : Rich information on such relevant issues as family planning, unwanted pregnancy, abortion and adoption of children, and the laws relating to them. Results : Participants felt that there was high prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and abortion particularly among youths. They had high level of awareness of contraceptives and attributed its low use to negative side-effects, high cost and provider bias. More Christians than Muslims favoured planning of pregnancies. Majority of the respondents had negative perception of induced abortion. Some of them supported abortion if the education of the young girl would be disrupted, if paternity of pregnancy is in dispute, or if it would save the family from shame as in rape or incest. Participants supported the enactment of laws that would make adoption of unwanted children easier. Conclusion : There is a need for policymakers to address the issue of abortion and unwanted children, and enact acceptable abortion and adoption laws to protect the rights of women and children in Nigeria.
Modeling Persistent Interest Rates with Volatility-Induced Stationarity

It is well-known that interest rates are extremely persistent, yet they are best modeled and understood as stationary processes. These properties are contradictory in the workhorse Gaussian affine term structure model in which the persistent data often result in unit roots that imply non-stationarity. We resolve this puzzle by proposing a term structure model with volatility-induced stationarity. Our model employs a level-dependent conditional volatility that maintains stationarity despite the presence of unit roots in the characteristic polynomial corresponding to the conditional mean. An empirical macro-finance application is presented. We obtain term premia that are economically plausible and consistent with survey data. Compared to the Gaussian affine term structure model, we improve out-of-sample forecasting of the yield curve.