Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological, genetic and behavioural analyses of a hybrid zone between the ground beetles carabus lewisianus and C. albrechti (Coleoptera, Carabidae) : asymmetrical introgression caused by movement of the zone?

We analysed the putative hybrid zone between the ground beetles Carabus lewisianus Breuning and C. albrechti Morawitz from the Kanto and Tanzawa Mountains in central Honshu, Japan, using morphological, genetic, and behavioural data. Canonical discriminant analysis of three external and five genital morphological characters revealed an apparent morphological gap, suggesting restricted sympatry in the contact zone. RFLP and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial gene ND5 revealed that haplotypes originating from C. lewisianus introgressed extensively into C. albrechti. Fitting tanh curves to morphological (external and genital) and genetic characters showed differential cline widths and centres, suggesting stronger selection for genital morphology with narrower cline widths, and extensive introgression of the nuclear genes responsible for external characters relative to those controlling genital morphology into the range of C. albrechti. Linkage disequilibria between the morphological characters did not differ from zero, suggesting sufficient recombination occurred in the zone but the effect of small sample sizes was not negligible. Mate choice trials demonstrated that males showed a weak but not significant preference for conspecific mates. We interpret these patterns as evidence for (1) partial reproductive isolation presumably by postmating processes; (2) selection against intermediate genital morphologies, and (3) independent responses of the characters to different evolutionary forces that may cause movement of genital clines and introgression of the mitochondrial gene and external morphology. The movement of the boundaries may have resulted in the particular species distribution patterns in the study area. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 79–94.
Human herpes virus and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder and according to the WHO it is estimated that 36 millions of people worldwide currently suffer from AD. Genetic and environmental factors interact in a complex interplay that might affect pathogenic mechanisms leading to age-related neurodegeneration. The hypothesis is that the presence of allelic polymorphisms in selected genes affecting individual brain susceptibility to infection by the herpes virus family during aging, may contribute to neuronal loss, inflammation and amyloid deposition. Herpes virus family show features relevant to AD, since they infect a large proportion of human population, develop a latent form persisting for several years, are difficult to eliminate by immune responses especially when latency has been established and are able to infect neurons. The association between AD and herpes viruses infection has been investigated. In particular the investigation focused on CMV, EBV and HHV-6 in DNA samples from peripheral blood of a large cohort of patients with clinical diagnosis of AD and age matched CTR, from a longitudinal population study, and DNA samples from brain tissue of patients with neuropathological diagnosis of definitive AD. An association between the presence of EBV and HHV-6 DNA from PBL positivity with the cognitive deterioration and progression to AD has been focused. Moreover, IgG plasma levels in CTR and AD to these viruses were tested. CMV and EBV IgG plasma levels were higher in elderly subjects that developed clinical AD at the end of the five year follow up. Our findings support the notion that persistent cycles of latency and reactivation of herpes viruses may contribute to impair systemic immune response and induce altered inflammatory process that in turn affect cognitive decline during aging.
Blackheart development following chilling in fruit of susceptible and resistant pineapple cultivars

Smooth Cayenne, a widely grown commercial cultivar of pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.), is susceptible to the internal browning disorder known as blackheart (also referred to as endogenous brown spot or internal browning). This disorder is induced by chilling and results in browning of the flesh and core of the fruit due to the oxidation of phenolic substances by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. The hybrid pineapple cultivar Hawaiian Gold (53-116) is reported to be resistant to blackheart. Fruit of both Hawaiian Gold and Smooth Cayenne were stored for 14 days at 0, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 23˚C, followed by 7 days at 23˚C. Blackheart symptoms were observed in the flesh of Smooth Cayenne fruit chilled at 10˚C and they were progressively less severe at lower chilling temperatures, with no symptoms observed in the flesh of fruit chilled at 0˚C. Increased blackheart symptoms were observed in the core of the fruit at temperatures below 6˚C. Blackheart symptoms were not observed in the flesh of Hawaiian Gold fruit chilled at any of the temperatures tested, but some symptoms were observed in the core tissue at temperatures between 0 and 6˚C. Increased polyphenol oxidase activity was induced by chilling in the flesh of Smooth Cayenne fruit but not in the flesh of Hawaiian Gold. The levels of phenolics and juice pH were similar in the 2 cultivars. The results indicate that Hawaiian Gold fruit are resistant to blackheart in the flesh, at chilling temperatures of between 0 and 23˚C. The unexpected observation that blackheart symptoms were restricted to the core of both Smooth Cayenne and Hawaiian Gold fruit following chilling at 0˚C may have useful implications for the pineapple-processing industry.
Molecular evolution of Cinetochilum and Sathrophilus (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea), two genera of ciliates with morphological affinities to scuticociliates

Zhang, Q. , Miao, M. , Strüder‐Kypke, M. C. , Al‐Rasheid, K. A. S. , Al‐Farraj, S. A. & Song, W. (2011). Molecular evolution of Cinetochilum and Sathrophilus (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea), two genera of ciliates with morphological affinities to scuticociliates. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 317–325.
Transitions Effect on Basketball Matches Results

The purpose of this study is to analyze basketball matches, identifying the effect of transitions from offense to defense and vice versa on the results of FIBA Africa Champions Cup for men (2016), regarding the first three places. The researcher followed the descriptive method to analyze these matches using Utilius® vs advanced version 4.5. 8. The results showed that the very quick transition offense "one to three seconds" and normal transition offense "four to five seconds", had positive effect on the basketball matches results, helping players score points easily. Furthermore, the very quick transition defense "Zero second" and quick transition defense "one to three seconds" had positive effect on basketball matches results, helping the players prevent their opponents from scoring points, and make easy blocks and rebounds. Subsequently, this study concludes that the very quick, quick and normal transitions have a great effect on the results of basketball matches.
Intercropping of different vegetables and field spices with brinjal (Solanum melongena)

A 2 year field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1991-92 and 1992--93 to study the performance of brinjal (Solallum melollgena L.) as a main crop and its intercropping with 'Pusa Desi' radish (Raphanus salivus L.), 'Pusa Parvati' french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L), 'White Vienna' knolkohl (Brassica oleracea L. var gongylodes L.), ‘Methi 47' fenugreek (Trigermala foenum- graecum L.) and local coriander (Coriandrum salivum L.). The highest yield of brinjal (16.23 (onnes/ha) was recorded in the monocrop (brinjal alone), followed by brinjal + french bean (16.08 tonnes/ha). In terms of benefit; cost ratio, brinjal + french bean intercropping was most remunerative (1.99).
Distribution, Biology and Ecology of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Congress Grass) an invasive species in the North-Western Indian Himalaya (Himachal Pradesh)

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a native plant of sub-tropical America and it is rapidly invading in the North-Western Indian Himalaya (Himachal Pradesh), from last two decades onwards. Here, it invaded up-to 2000 m altitude from mean sea level and drastically effecting native plant resources in the invaded habitats. The density and dominance of the P. hsterophorus has been higher in the summer and was nearly absent during the winter season in the NW Himalaya. The average height of the plants of P. hysterophorus was recorded up-to 2.09 ± 0.27 m and its root system deep up-to 17.32 ± 4.03 cm below the ground level. It produced an enormous number of seeds which will help in its invasion in to various habitats. It was measured that one single plant of Parthenium produced more than 7397 ± 81.42 seeds during one season. The seeds were lighter in weight and were 2.31 ± 0.02 mm in length and 1.03 ± 0.01 mm in width. In the NW Himalaya P. hysterophorus completed its two life cycles in one year, that is, from March to June and from July to November. Key words: Invasive species, North-Western Himalaya, Parthenium hysterophorus
Eco-physiological and molecular manipulation of leaf-level primary and secondary metabolism by arthropod herbivory

Herbivory reduces leaf area, disrupts the function of leaves, and ultimately alters yield and productivity. Herbivore damage to foliage typically is assessed in the field by measuring the amount of leaf tissue removed and disrupted. This approach assumes the remaining tissues are unaltered, and plant photosynthesis and water balance function normally. However, recent application of thermal and fluorescent imaging technologies revealed that alterations to photosynthesis and transpiration propagate into remaining undamaged leaf tissue. This review briefly examines the indirect effects of herbivory on photosynthesis, measured by gas exchange or chlorophyll fluorescence, and identifies four mechanisms contributing to the indirect suppression of photosynthesis in remaining leaf tissues: severed vasculature, altered sink demand, defense-induced autotoxicity, and defense-induced down-regulation of photosynthesis. We review the chlorophyll fluorescence and thermal imaging techniques used to gather layers of spatial data and discuss methods for compiling these layers to achieve greater insight into mechanisms contributing to the indirect suppression of photosynthesis. We also elaborate on a few herbivore-induced gene-regulating mechanisms that modulate photosynthesis and discuss the difficult nature of measuring spatial heterogeneity when combining fluorescence imaging and gas exchange technology. Although few studies have characterized herbivore-induced indirect effects on photosynthesis at the leaf level, an emerging literature suggests that the loss of 1 Reprinted with permission from Nabity PD, Zavala JA, and DeLucia EH. 2009. Indirect suppression of photosynthesis on individual leaves by arthropod herbivory. Annals of Botany. 103:655-663. 12 photosynthetic capacity following herbivory may be greater than direct loss of photosynthetic tissues. Depending on the damage guild, ignoring the indirect suppression of photosynthesis by arthropods and other organisms may lead to an underestimate of their physiological and
Studies on Host Plants, Development, and Distribution within Plants of the Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum(Westwood)

This study was conducted to investigate the host plants in greenhouse, developmental periods at different temperatures and distribution patterns on cucumber of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum(TV) in . Host plants of 39 species belonging 27 families only in the greenhouse were recorded in 1984. Longevity of adult was 26.8 days and number of eggs per female was 305 eggs at . The eggs, larval and pupal periods were 8.2, 8.3, 7.5 days respectively at . The threshold temperature of development from egg to larva was . Survival rates from eggs to adults at were 70.3%, 58.0% and 66.4%, respectively. Adults and eggs were found only on the apical leaves of cucumber plants within 40 days after transplanting. On the other hand, larva distributed on the middle leaves and pupa on the lower leaves.
Restoring Wetland Habitats with Cows and other Livestock

At first glance this may not read like a recipe for bog turtle conservation. Yet, in the marshes, fens, and wet meadows of northwestern New Jersey, it has shown remarkable promise. The federally-threatened bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) is a tiny species, small enough to wade in the puddle of a cow’s hoof print. A single turtle can bring as much as $1200 in the illegal pet trade. Although New Jersey still harbors a significant concentration of bog turtles, a suite of native and exotic plants is rapidly degrading the mucky fens and wet meadows where the turtles thrive. Once established, these plants can rapidly replace the native herbaceous communities that the turtle depends on for its survival with dense, shaded monocultures. Without intervention, New Jersey will likely lose 40 percent of its bog turtle populations in the next twenty years.
Stability in the patterns of long‐term development and growth of the Canadian spruce–moss forest

Aim The spruce–moss forest is the main forest ecosystem of the North American boreal forest. We used stand structure and fire data to examine the long‐term development and growth of the spruce–moss ecosystem. We evaluate the stability of the forest with time and the conditions needed for the continuing regeneration, growth and re‐establishment of black spruce (Picea mariana) trees.
Maximal Mandibular Movements among Tanzanian Children.

Aim: To determine the maximal mandibular movements among Tanzanian children. Subjects and Methods: Analysis of archived data from 869 subjects aged 31⁄2 -16 years of whom 51% were girls. The emergence status of the permanent teeth was determined and classified into four categories. The study variables were maximal mandibular movement capacity vertically, in laterotrusion and protrusion. Results: The mean maximum mandibular opening ranged from 43.8 to 55.8 mm between emergence stages of the dentition. The mean values for maximal mandibular movements in laterotrusion and protrusion ranged between 6.3 mm and 7.9 mm at the lowest and highest emergence stage among girls and boys. The mean of the maximum mandibular opening for both sexes increased with the emergence stage of the dentition. Conclusion: Sex and emergence stage of the dentition had significant influences on mandibular maximum opening, laterotrusion and protrusion. Similar studies on maximal mandibular movements in different Tanzanian children strata are recommended.
New species and chorological notes of click beetles from the Palearctic Region, especially from the Middle East (Coleoptera, Elateridae).

Thirty-four new species of click beetles belonging to the genera Lacon, Agriotes, Elathous, Athous (Orthathous), Dima, Reitterelater, Peripontius, Tolphorea, Porthmidius, Melanotus, Cardiophorus, Dicronychus and Craspedostethus are described from Israel, Jordan, Tadzhikistan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Lebanon, Croatia, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Oman. New chorological records for many species of the genera Lanelater, Agrypnus, Lacon, Hemicleus, Heteroderes, Neopristilophus, Prosternon, Agriotes, Nothodes, Reitterelater, Mulsanteus, Peripontius, Synaptus, Idotarmonides, Isidus, Melanotus, Cardiophorus, Dicronychus, Craspedostethus and Plastocerus, and photos of the genitalia or the habitus of certain species are published for the first time. A Nearctic species, Heteroderes nicholsi Notman, is recorded from Israel.
Diversità delle comunità parassitarie intestinali in tre popolazioni di volpi

Riassunto - Le comunita parassitarie intestinali (nematodi e cestodi) di 298 volpi provenienti da tre zone diverse sono state confrontate in termini di ricchezza e diversita. I pacchetti intestinali sono stati raccolti in due annate venatorie consecutive: 89 provenienti dall’Altopiano di Asiago (Vi) (habitat “di montagna”), 100 dal Comune di Calci (Pi) (habitat “collinare”) e 109 da 5 Comuni della provincia di Ferrara (habitat “pianeggiante”). Le volpi di pianura si differenziano nettamente dalle altre due popolazioni, piu simili fra loro, mostrando una minor prevalenza ed intensita d’infestazione ed una minor diversita della comunita parassitaria. A livello di ricchezza, le volpi di pianura presentano un numero totale di specie maggiore (4 nematodi e 4 cestodi) rispetto alle altre due popolazioni (4 nematodi e 2 cestodi), ma un significativo minor numero di specie per soggetto (massimo 3 vs. 5). I parassiti a ciclo diretto, tutti nematodi, sono responsabili di differenze principalmente quantitative, mentre i parassiti a ciclo indiretto (cestodi + Pterigodermatitis affinis) sono responsabili di differenze anche qualitative. L’analisi discriminante e in grado di classificare correttamente il 67.45% dei casi. In particolare il 93% delle volpi di pianura e classificato come tale, ma le percentuali scendono al 66% ed al 40% nelle volpi rispettivamente di montagna e di collina. I parassiti che contribuiscono maggiormente a “discriminare” le popolazioni fra loro sono Uncinaria stenocephala e Toxocara canis, presenti in tutte e tre popolazioni, ma con prevalenza ed intensita significativamente diverse, Pterygodermatites affinis e Taenia polyacantha per le volpi di montagna, Mesocestoides sp. per le volpi di collina, Spirometra erinacei europei e Taenia crassiceps per quelle di pianura. Vengono discussi i probabili fattori responsabili delle differenze riscontrate.
Thermodynamic properties of water adsorption from orange peels

Orange peels are a promising agroindustry-waste that can be implemented in the extraction and production of pectin, as dietary fiber in food formulations, and as a biopolymer for metal adsorption in water treatment. The present work, therefore, aims to study the adsorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of the water adsorbed from orange peels ( C. sinensis cv. Brazilians) at six different temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C) in the water activity range of 0.020 to 0.853. The GAB model was applied in modeling the experimental adsorption isotherms of orange peels, obtaining statistical values of R 2 = 0.996. Differential and integral thermodynamic properties of water sorption for orange peels were determined by the analytical derivation of the water activity with respect to the temperature from GAB model. Results of the differential thermodynamic properties showed an energetic interaction zone of water molecules with the material. Furthermore, integral thermodynamic properties showed an equilibrium zone controlled by the orange peel enthalpy and entropy. Finally, the orange peel power adsorption information can be used as a point of reference for the controlled process in the different application areas.
Effects of Bioassay and Age on Amino Acid Digestibility and Metabolizable Energy of Soybean, Sunflower and Canola Meals

These experiments were conducted to determine metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibilities of soybean meal, sunflower meal and canola meal in broiler chickens by using titanium oxide as indigestible marker in intact or caecectomized cockerels. Ileal and total tract digestibility of amino acids were measured using broiler chickens, moreover, digestibility were also determined in the intact and caecectomized cockerels. The mean excreta apparent and true digestibility of amino acid in broiler and intact cockerel were 76.99, 78.07 and 84.18, 88.35 for soybean meal 92.16, 92.84 and 78.09, 85.94 for sunflower meal and 69.82, 70.22 and 86.47, 88.50% for canola meal respectively. The mean values of ileal apparent and true digestibilities (standardized ileal digestibility) of amino acid in broiler were 72.18, 73.12 for soybean meal; 47.48, 48.47 for sunflower meal and 62.05, 62.45% for canola meal respectively. The mean values of apparent and true digestibilities of amino acid obtained from caecectomized cockerel and broiler were 80.34, 84.45 for soybean meal, 74.48, 82.47 for sunflower meal and 84.74, 87.12% for canola meal respectively. The experiments shown that apparent amino acid digestibility of soybean (9 to 11%), sunflower (34 to 50%) and canola meals (19 to 27%) from broiler (excreta and ileum), were lower than those intact and caecectomized cockerel. The result of experiments indicated that apparent metabilizable energy (AME), True metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), True Metabolizable Energy (TME) and Nitrogen correction of True Metabolizable Energy (TMEn) values for canola and sunflower meals at 21 and 42 d broiler were significantly higher than cockerels. However, data shown that amount of metabolizable energy obtained from canola and sunflower meals were higher than those of broiler excreta or ileal and caecectomized cockerels.
Seasonal variation of chlorophyll a in the South China Sea from 1997–2010

This study aims to document the seasonal cycle of chlorophyll a interannual variability and to determine the dynamic framework for understanding the mechanisms that produce it. We investigated the variation in sea surface chlorophyll a concentration from autumn 1997 to summer 2010 in the South China Sea using the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor products. Using the Season-Reliant Empirical Orthogonal Function method, we revealed the interannual and seasonal variations and their dependency on climate variability. The time coefficient of the first mode shows a sudden drop in 2007. Corresponding season-reliant empirical orthogonal function (spatial pattern) is the largest in the southern centre in the autumn, which can be explained by a large increase in chlorophyll a concentration during which Typhoon Hagibis passed through. The second mode reflected an anomalous event of low phytoplankton biomass in the western center of the sea during the summer of 1998 and 2010 due to an El Niño event. Time coefficient is negatively related with the Multivariate El Niño–Southern Oscillation Index. The third mode revealed an interannual variability of chlorophyll a in the region to the northwest of Luzon Islands, which appeared from autumn to the next spring. To better understand the chlorophyll a variation off the South Vietnam coast, we analyzed the summer chlorophyll a variability in this local region solely using the Empirical Orthogonal Function method.
Stem cell biology of the human prostate epithelium : implications for prostate carcinogenesis

The phenotypic and biological characteristics o f prostate epithelial cell subpopulations are reviewed together with their implications for epithelial differentiation and prostate carcinogenesis. Keratin (K) expression analysis can differentiate between at least four prostate epithelial cell types. Basal cells express high K5, low K18 (K5++/18+) and a subgroup co-express K14 (K5++/14++/18+). Luminal cells express high K18 levels (K18++), while K5 (K5+/18++) is observed in focal cell clusters. Androgen-induced prostate regeneration in rats and in vitro human studies indicate that subgroups o f basal cells (K5++/14++/18+) are progenitors o f intermediate (K5/18) and terminally differentiated cells (K18++), which is in agreement with the high proliferative activity in basal cells and the occurrence o f apoptosis particularly in luminal cells. Prostate cancer is composed o f exocrine, neuro-endocrine and intermediate cells. In androgen-deprived tumours the proportion o f intermediate and neuro-endocrine cells is enriched suggesting these cells are androgen-independent for their survival/ renewal and might govern androgen-independent expansion o f prostate cancer. We conclude that evidence is accumulating for a stem cell function o f basal cells in the human prostate epithelium. Although putative stem cells are absent in prostate carcinoma, intermediate cells might by progenitors o f prostate carcinogenesis and targets for androgen-independent prostate cancer progression.