Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developments in social evolution and virulence in parasites

The study of social evolution and virulence in parasites is concerned with fitness consequences of trade-offs between parasite life history traits and interactions between parasite species and/or genotypes with their hosts. I develop our understanding of social evolution and virulence in parasites in several ways. (1) I review empirical evidence for the fundamental predictions of virulence-transmission trade-off theory and demonstrate that the fit between theory and data is primarily qualitative rather than quantitative; that parasites differ in their degree of host generalism, and this is likely to impact virulence in four ways. (2) I take a comparative approach to examine the underlying causes of an observed statistical variation in the size of parasite infectious doses across taxa, revealing that mechanisms used by parasites to infect hosts are able to explain variation in both infectious dose and virulence. (3) I formally compare data on human pathogens to explain variation in virulence across taxa, revealing that immune subversion and not growth rate, explains variation in virulence. This allows me to predict that immune subverters and not fast growing parasites are likely to cause the most virulent clinical infections. (4) Using bacteria and their naturally infecting viruses (bacteriophage), I take an experimental approach to investigate the consequences of coinfection for parasite life history traits, and find that viruses cultured under a mix of single infections and coinfections evolved plasticity; they killed hosts more rapidly when coinfecting, and this resulted in high fitness under both single infection and coinfection conditions. (5) I experimentally investigate how selection within and between hosts and patches of hosts affects the fitness and virulence of populations of these viruses. I find that limited host availability favours virulent, faster killing parasites with reduced transmission; suggesting high, rather than low, virulence may be common in spatially structured host-parasite communities.
Keanekaragaman Dan Biologi Reproduksi Parasitoid Telur Wereng Coklat, Nilaparvata Lugens Stal (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stal (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is a major pest of rice. Egg parasitoids attacking N. lugens can be used as biological control agent. The aims of this study was to study the diversity and abundance of egg parasitoids of N. lugens. Parasitoids were collected by placing rice plants (30 days old) infested by eggs of N. lugens in 5 m x 25 m rice field with a distance of 10 m between pants. Rice plants were exposed for two days in the field. After 2 days, rice plants were brought to Biological Control Laboratory and the leaves were cut 12 cm from above. Rice plants were kept in 8 cm x 50 cm plastic (mica) cages until adult stage of parasitoids emerged. Collections of parasitoids were done 3 times with two days span between trapping. Results showed that altogether, there were 4.156 individuals parasitoids captured that belonged to four family, and six species, i.e. Anagrus nilaparvatae (Mymaridae), Anagrus sp. (Mymaridae), Cyrtogaster near vulgaris (Pteromalidae), Tetrastichus formosanus (Eulophidae), Gonatocerus sp. (Mymaridae), and Oligosita sp. (Trichogrammatidae). Oligosita sp. and A. nilaparvatae were dominant of egg parasitoid of N. lugens. Abundance of Oligosita sp. is highest among other egg parasitoids of N. lugens.
A New Species of Balaenophilus (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), an Ectoparasite of a Sea Turtle in Japan

Abstract Balaenophilus umigamecolus n. sp. , the second species known at present in the aberrant harpacticoid family Balaenophilidae, has been collected from the neck skin of a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta in the aquarium of the Kushimoto Marine Park Center, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. This is the first record of copepods occurring on a sea turtle. This new species differs from Balaenophilus unisetus, which has been recorded only as an associated species on baleen plates of baleen whales, in its small size, the number of apical claws of leg 1, the setal arrangement of leg 4, and the length of the caudal rami. Gut contents indicate that the copepod scrapes the skin of the host sea turtle directly for food.
Density-dependent changes in reproductive parameters and condition of southern Benguela sardine Sardinops sagax

The sardine Sardinops sagax population in the southern Benguela has undergone substantial fluctuations in size over the past 50 years, collapsing from an apparently large population in the 1950s to low levels in the mid-1960s, remaining low for the next two decades, and recovering from the late 1980s to a population size that is now similar to or larger than that which occurred during the 1950s. Marked changes in condition and reproductive parameters of sardine have also occurred during this period; condition and standardised gonad mass are higher and length-at-maturity is lower at low population size compared with high population size. The correspondence between the temporal patterns in condition, reproductive parameters and population size are strongly suggestive of density-dependence, and indicate a compensatory response arising from reduced intra-specific competition. This is likely to have resulted from greater per capita food intake, improved body condition and hence faster growth, thus enabling fish to achieve maturation at a presumably younger age and smaller size. Biological parameters did not vary in or out of phase with time-series of sea surface temperature in the southern Benguela, weakening the hypothesis of environmentally mediated changes in these parameters and hence providing support for the hypothesis of a direct density-dependent response by sardine.
Influence of Summer and Autumn Nutrition on Body Condition and Reproduction in Lactating Mule Deer

Abstract Recent work suggests that availability and quality of forage in late summer and early autumn, a time when female ungulates face multiple energetic demands, is critical to reproduction in wild ungulates. Therefore, we examined direct links between nutritional quality of diets, body condition, and reproduction of lactating mule deer. Using captive mule deer, we tested the hypothesis that females consuming diets with lower digestible energy (DE; kJ/g) would have lower DE intake rates (DEI; MJ/day), have less body fat and muscle, have later estrus cycles, and have lower pregnancy and twinning rates. Deer fed lower DE diets had lower DEI during summer and autumn. In turn, deer with lower DEI, regardless of diet DE, had lower body mass, body fat, and muscle thickness. When nutritional quality of diets began to decline earlier in the summer, relationships between food quality, DEI, and body condition were stronger. Although DEI did not influence estrus date for deer that became pregnant before 21 December, deer with lower DEI had a lower probability of becoming pregnant and had a lower probability of producing twins. Measures of body condition in October (i.e., body mass, body fat, and muscle depth) predicted pregnancy and twinning rates in mule deer. Serum concentration of hormones leptin and Insulin Growth Factor 1 were not good predictors of body condition or reproduction. These findings suggest that managers concerned with productivity of mule deer populations should consider focusing on assessing and improving quality of forage available in summer and autumn.
Effects of Age, Breed, Sex and Muscle on Certain Mineral Concentrations in Cattle

Concentrations of K, Na, Fe, Zn, Ca, Cu and Mg were determined in the longissimus dorsi, semimembranosus and diaphragm muscles. In 94 market weight animals the average concentrations of the elements in ppm of wet weight in the three muscles ranged as follows: Cu, 0.70–1.66; Fe, 18.0–38.1; Ca, 23.8–30.2; Zn, 26.8–40.5: Ma. 198–248: Na. 528–708: and K. 3060–3840. The concentrations of all seven elements in the diaphragm muscle were significantly different from those in the other two muscles. The Cu, Fe, Zn and Mg contents in the longissimus dorsi were significantly different from those in the semimembranosis. Sex and breed differences were less pronounced. In a group of 20 mature cows, Fe, Ca, Zn, Mg and Na were affected by age.
Sensitivity of Two Salamander (Ambystoma) Species to Ultraviolet Radiation

Abstract Increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation reaching the Earth's surface has been implicated in amphibian declines. Recent studies have shown that many amphibian species have differences in sensitivity depending on developmental stage. Embryos and larvae of Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander) and larvae of Ambystoma talpoideum (Mole Salamander) were exposed to five simulated UV-B treatments in controlled laboratory experiments to determine the relative sensitivity of different lifestages. Hatching success of the embryos exceeded 95% in all treatments; however, the larvae of both species exhibited greater sensitivity to UV-B exposure. Older larvae of A. maculatum that were not exposed to UV-B as embryos were more sensitive than larvae that had hatched during exposure to UV-B. Growth of surviving larvae of A. maculatum was significantly reduced as UV-B intensity increased, whereas growth of A. talpoideum was unaffected. These results were compared to ambient UV-B conditions in natural environments. It appears that the embryo stage is relatively unaffected by UV-B levels observed in natural habitats, probably because of protection from vegetation, organic matter in the water column, oviposition depth, and egg jelly. The larval stage of these species may be at greater risk, particularly if there is an increase in UV-B radiation exposure caused by increases in water clarity and/or decreases in dissolved organic carbon.
Field evaluation of Amaranthus species for seed and biomass yields in southern Italy

Amaranth is a crop with a potentially increasing cultivation area. Little information is available on amaranth cultivation in Mediterranean environments and in southern Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic traits and assess the grain and biomass yield responses of 11 genotypes belonging to 5 Amaranthus species, provided from the USDA-ARS, National Plant Germplasm System. There was wide diversity in agronomic traits among Amaranthus species and among genotypes within the same species. The accessions belonging to A. cruentus had the shortest growing cycle followed by A. hybridus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus and, finally, A. hybrid that had the longest growing season. The A. cruentus accessions reached maturity more quickly than the other species. The total above-ground dry matter ranged from 15 to 23 t ha-1 with A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, and A. hybridus being the most productive. The stem plus branches dry matter was well correlated to the plant height (r2 = 0.75**). The tested amaranth genotypes showed appreciable biomass production that can thus be regarded as an interesting secondary product after seed harvesting. Grain yield and components varied among species and accessions. A. hypochondriacus showed the highest yield per plant (55.4 g) followed by five accessions belonging to A. cruentus and A. hybridus (26.4 g on average). Considering together their shorter growing season and their higher grain production, the five accessions belonging to A. cruentus species appear to be better adapted to Mediterranean environments and southern Italy as compared to the other species.
Effects of intramuscular fat deposition on the beef traits of Japanese Black steers (Wagyu)

Effects of intramuscular fat deposition on the chemical composition, tenderness, and free amino acids (FAA) concentration of beef were studied using various classified carcasses of 21 Japanese Black (Wagyu) steers. The Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) No., judged on the market in 1998, and fat content, ranged from 2 to 10 and 4.8 to 39.0% in the M. longissimus thoracis, respectively. Moisture content was negatively correlated with the fat content (r =−0.98, P < 0.01). In contrast, protein content was relatively constant up to approximately 23% fat, corresponding to BMS No.4, and decreased as the fat content increased. Cooking loss was also constant up to approximately 28% fat, corresponding to BMS No.4, and markedly decreased with fat content increase. The beef in these cases were, however, classified into BMS No. around 9 and 11, respectively, according to the BMS model in 1988. A negative correlation was found between the shear-force value and the fat content (r =−0.83, P < 0.05). Most FAA concentrations on the wet weight of meat were correlated negatively with the fat content, except glutamine, and this negative relationship was still observed when the concentrations were recalculated on the basis of protein. These results indicate that higher marbling Wagyu beef (above approx. 23% fat) would have an extremely lower content of protein, which would partly explain the lower cooking loss and FAA with fat increase. In addition, some other reasons not relating to protein content (e.g. high fat content preventing the breakdown of protein to FAA) seem to explain the negative correlation between fat and FAA.
Gelling Properties of Atlantic Croaker Surimi Processed by Acid or Alkaline Solubilization

Textural properties of gels from Atlantic croaker surimi recovered by isoelectric precipitation, following acid (AC) or alkaline (AL) solubilization, were compared to that 25 of conventionally washed (CW) surimi. Gel strengths were in the order of AL>AC>CW, with higher gel strength and deformability induced by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) addition. None of the surimi treatments evidenced endogenous TGase activity. Salt (2% NaCl) addition had variable effects. Proteolysis was evident by SDS-PAGE in gels from all treatments when preincubated at 30 or 40 °C. 30
LOCAL AND REGIONAL DIVERSITY IN A PATCHY LANDSCAPE: NATIVE, ALIEN, AND ENDEMIC HERBS ON SERPENTINE

Metacommunity models predict that communities in patchy environments will show different patterns of diversity than communities in continuous habitats. The species richness of herbs was measured in 24 small patches (0.5–3 ha) of serpentine soil and 24 equivalently spaced sets of sampling sites on four large areas (>5 km2) of serpentine soil in the North Coast Ranges of California. Patchy and continuous sites were compared with respect to local diversity (species richness within 5 × 50 m transects), regional diversity (species richness at all 24 sites combined), and among-site differentiation (average proportion of species unshared between any one site and the other 23 sites of its kind). For all herb species together, regional diversity and average local diversity were higher on small patches, mainly because of a significantly higher number of alien species. For the subset (14%) of herb species that were endemic to serpentine, regional diversity was similar on patchy and continuous sites, but it was parti.
TARSAL SCOPULA SIGNIFICANCE IN ISCHNOCOLINAE PHYLOGENETICS (ARANEAE, MYGALOMORPHAE, THERAPHOSIDAE)

Abstract Tarsal scopula condition and carapace length were studied for eighteen Ischnocolinae species. For cladistic analysis a matrix of 20 terminals and 30 characters of representatives of Ischnocolinae, Theraphosinae, Aviculariinae, Harpactirinae and Trichopelmatinae were analyzed using Nona 2.0 computer software. The matrix was analyzed in four different ways: 1. each tarsal scopula (legs I–IV) coded as separate characters; 2. one character with six ordered states; 3. one character with six independent states; 4. without tarsal scopula character. The first two matrices result in one tree with the same indices (L = 72; CI = 0.54; RI = 0.74) and topology: Part of Ischnocolinae is monophyletic (H. rondoni(S. longibulbi(I. algericus+Catumiri))) and the other representatives (Oligoxystre and Genus 1) form a distinct monophyletic group with Theraphosinae, Harpactirinae and Aviculariinae. There are no homoplasies in tarsal scopula evolution in the second cladogram. The other two cladograms show less resolution for the Ischnocolinae than the two first cladorams. The tarsal scopula condition appears to have no relation to spider size (t =−0.80433; P = 0.438247) and should be used in phylogenetic analysis of Ischnocolinae because it provides information on the character variability within the subfamily.
Trophic Structure, Reproductive Success, and Growth Rate of Fishes in a Natural and Modified Headwater Stream

The impact of removing riparian vegetation, channel straightening, and fluctuations in flow regime on trophic structure, reproductive success, and growth rate of fishes was assessed in a natural (Jordan Creek (JC)) and modified (Big Ditch (BD)) headwater stream in east-central Illinois. Shallow habitats and organic substrates increased more in BD than JC during low flow periods in summer. Insect densities in JC were highest in late spring, declining to low levels by late summer. Insect densities in BD were high throughout summer. Fish in JC were predominantly benthic insectivores and insectivore–piscivores; trophic structure, age structure, and biomass were stable between years and seasons; recruits made up a small and stable portion of community biomass and were primarily insectivore–piscivores and generalized insectivores; younger age-classes were in shallow riffle habitats. Adult fish and recruits in BD were predominantly generalized insectivores, omnivores, and herbivore–detritivores; the last two wer.
Urastoma cyprinae in natural and cultured mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis LmK) populations in México

The turbellarian Urastoma cyprinae (Urastomidae) was found parasitizing Mytilus galloprovincialis in natural beds and culture long-lines at Ensenada, Baja California, north-west Mexico. The parasite caused some damage to the gills of the host. Prevalence was monitored between January 1995 and January 1996 and ranged from 0 to 100% according to sampling locality. Mussels from polluted water at the Ensenada pier showed a low prevalence rate (0-13%) and intensity of infection (0-5 parasites/host). Cultured mussels showed the highest prevalence (50-100%) and intensity of infection (0-84), while mussels from the upper intertidal zone of an exposed rocky shore showed intermediate prevalence (10-87%) and intensity of infection (0-20). This is the first report of U. cyprinae in mussels from the Pacific coast of North America.
Genome screening of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is caused by T cell sensitisation of the intestine to cereal prolamins, which results in a range of mucosal abnormalities that may lead to malabsorption.1 The population prevalence in western countries is ∼1 in 200.2–4 Evidence for an inherited predisposition to coeliac disease comes from studies of first degree relatives of patients and studies of twins.5,6 A strong association is seen between coeliac disease and the HLA-DQ (α1*05, β1*02) heterodimer (DQ2) which is present in approximately 95% of patients,7–9 compared with 20-30% of healthy subjects.10,11 The difference in concordance rates between monozygotic twins and HLA identical sibs (80-100% v 25%) implicates non-HLA genes in the genetic predisposition to coeliac disease.11 The overall relative risk in sibs is at least 20 and is therefore four-fold higher than that attributable to HLA alone under model of inheritance.7 Genome linkage searches carried out on Irish,12 Italian,13, and UK14 coeliac disease families have identified a number of potential sites for the location of non-HLA linked genes. The putative candidate loci detected in the three studies are, however, largely inconsistent and the findings have not been replicated in other populations.15–19 Here we report the results of a genome screen of 24 multiplex families with coeliac disease and discuss the findings of this study in relation to previously published analyses. Twenty-four families with two or more members affected with coeliac disease were recruited for this study (fig 1). Nine of these families (Nos 1, 3, 4, 6, 30, 32, 39, 43, and 44) have been used in a previous study of candidate regions.16 All the families were of northern European ancestry. Twelve of the families were recruited from the UK, nine from Sweden, two from Switzerland, …
Effect of Pre-treatment Techniques on Physical, Mechanical and Durability Properties of Oriented Strand Board Made from Sentang wood (Melia excelsa Jack)

25%, 50% and 25%, respectively. Methane di-isocyanate (MDI, Type H3M) resin was used as an adhesive in amount of 7%. The amount of paraffin used was 1% based on oven dried strand. The strands were immersed in hot water at 80 °C for 2 hours, immersed in 2.5% of CCB preservative solution for 48 hours and steamed at 126 °C at 1.4 kg.cm -2 pressure for 1 hour prior to be blended with adhesive. The results indicated that OSB manufactured mostly consisted of quarter round and flat strands with high slenderness ratio and high aspect ratio. Pre-treatment of strand by immersing strands in hot water, immersing in preservative solution and steamed resulted in improvement of water absorption of board, some mechanical properties and dura- bility of OSB. Introducing 2.5% CCB preservative on the OSB significantly improved durability of OSB against termite attack but did not influence the strength of OSB. Untreated OSB, OSBs prepared from pre- served strands and steamed strands can be used for exterior application, while OSB prepared from hot water immersed strands only can be used for interior application. All OSB parameters manufactured in this experiment were superior when compared with the minimum requirement of CSA 0437.0 standard for Grade O-2 OSB.
Habitat Use, Site Fidelity, and Movement of Adult Striped Bass in a Southern New Jersey Estuary Based on Mobile Acoustic Telemetry

Abstract To determine individual patterns of habitat use, site fidelity, and movement, adult striped bass Morone saxatilis (n = 81; mean fork length = 70.8 cm [range, 48.3-95.3 cm]) were implanted with individually coded acoustic transmitters and tracked with a mobile hydrophone from July 2003 through July 2005 in Mullica River-Great Bay estuary in southern New Jersey. Striped bass in this small coastal bay-estuarine system preferred deeper water near shorelines and were found at the same location 56.6% of the time. In fact, the persistence of individual home ranges at the scale of meters was observed within and among years. When fish were moving, their pattern was characterized by sporadic swimming followed by long periods of little movement. Seasonally, movement in the estuary was highest in April, followed by two secondary peaks in October and December. Daily movement was highest around sunset. Mobile telemetry demonstrated important dynamics in habitat use, site fidelity, and estuarine movements that .
Comparative Molecular and Conventional Detection Methods of Babesia equi (B. Equi) in Egyptian Equine

2 Abstract: Theileria equi is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan parasite and one of the causative agents of equin e piroplasmosis. Blood is collected from a total of 100 horses. Three diagnostic methods: microscopical examination, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were compared in detecting T. equi. The results showed that the prevalence rate of T. equi in examined horses was 18%, 30% and 26% by using microscopic examination, ELISA and PCR, respectively.Clinical, hematological and biochemical studies were evaluated in examined horses. Significant decrease in hematological parameters was observed along with an increase in some biochemical parameters. The results of PCR assay showed its importance in the diagnosis of the carrier infected cases more than with the conventional techniques. The microscopic examination was used only in acute cases of the disease.
'Necton' sulla- a preliminary agronomic evaluation.

‘Necton’ sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) is a perennial forage legume with potential to provide high quality, non-bloating feed. This trial examined the effect of grazing intensity and frequency on sulla over one year. Annual dry matter yields ranged from 7.4 to 18.0 t/ha. There was no difference in the yield of hardand lax-grazed plots but grazing in late autumn significantly decreased plant density and yield.