Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic Analysis of Nuclear Ribosomal ITS/5.8S Sequences in the Tribe Millettieae (Fabaceae): Poecilanthe-Cyclolobium, the core Millettieae, and the Callerya Group

Abstract The taxonomic composition of three principal and distantly related groups of the former tribe Millettieae, which were first identified from nuclear phytochrome and chloroplast trnK/matK sequences, was more extensively investigated with a phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS/5.8S sequences. The first of these groups includes the neotropical genera Poecilanthe and Cyclolobium, which are resolved as basal lineages in a clade that otherwise includes the neotropical genera Brongniartia and Harpalyce and the Australian Templetonia and Hovea. The second group includes the large millettioid genera, Millettia, Lonchocarpus, Derris, and Tephrosia, which are referred to as the “core Millettieae” group. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS/5.8S sequences reveals that Millettia is polyphyletic, and that subclades of the core Millettieae group, such as the New World Lonchocarpus or the pantropical Tephrosia and segregate genera (e.g., Chadsia and Mundulea), each form well supported monophyletic subgroups. The third lineage includes the genera Afgekia, Callerya, and Wisteria. These genera are resolved as a basal subclade in the inverted-repeat-lacking clade, which is a large legume group that includes the many well known temperate and herbaceous legumes, such as Astragalus, Medicago and Pisum, but not any other Millettieae. Communicating Editor: Jerrold I. Davis
Influência da estação do ano nas características do sêmen e na concentração de hormônios em touros Nelore e Simental

ABSTRACT The influence of four seasons per year on semen characteristics and levels of testosterone and cortisol in Nelore and Simental bulls was studied. Five Nelore and five Simental bulls extensively managed, at 48-72 months old were evaluated for sexual soundness using physical and morphological characteristics of semen and serum levels of testosterone and cortisol. In Simental bulls there was decreased motility and vigor of semen (P<0.05) during winter. There was a correlation (P<0.01) between testosterone x motility (0.69) and testosterone x vigor (0.57) in the Simental breed and cortisol x motility (0.68) and cortisol x vigor (0.65) in Nelore the breed. The effect of seasons during the year changed the semen quality with increased sperm motility and vigor in spring-summer in Simental bulls. The cortisol level decreased in autumn in Nelore bulls. Keywords: bull, testosterone, cortisol, semen, seasonality INTRODUCAO  A baixa eficiencia reprodutiva em touros pode ser causada por mudancas climaticas que afetam a gametogenese (Vale Filho, 2001). A queda na qualidade do semen pode ocorrer em razao do
Biology and Host-Range Testing of Laricobius kangdingensis sp. n. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a Newly Discovered Predator of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae)

The biology and host-specificity of Laricobius kangdingensis sp. n. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a new predator of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae) were investigated and compared with that of a related predator of HWA, L. nigrinus Fender. Adults became active in June 2003; the males emerged first and in greater numbers than the females. The sex ratio of female to male was 1: 1.1. Laricobius kangdingensis sp. n. has four larval instars. The total number of eggs laid between 7 July 2003 and 7 August 2004 was 1327. Mean lifetime fecundity per female was 196.4 ± 53.4 eggs and 97.9 eggs for the P1 (parental gen.) and F1 generations, respectively. In comparison, lifetime fecundity for F1 L. nigrinus was 100.8 ± 89.6 eggs. Developmental rates were studied in fall 2003 and spring 2004. Combined with data gathered previously at 12 and 15oC in early 2003, the 6, 9, and 18oC data were used to determine lower temperature development thresholds for the egg (2.8oC), larval (1.6oC), and pre-pupal (5.8oC) stages. The egg and larval thresholds are lower than those observed for L. nigrinus. Laricobius kangdingensis sp. n. individuals completed development only at 12 and 15oC; however, these adults did not emerge from aestivation after pupation.
Biology and defensive adaptations in Rodatus major (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its prey, Monophlebulus pilosior (Hemiptera: Margarodidae)

The biology of the Australian coccinellid Rodatus major (Blackburn) and its prey, the hemipteran margarodid Monophlebulus pilosior (Maskell), are described. New predators and a new parasite of M. pilosior are recorded. Rodatus major makes use of elaborate and distinctive defensive adaptations and behaviour to protect itself from predators. They include cryptic coloration, aposematic behaviour, production of wax by larvae, production of a large, thick protective covering concealing the pupa and resembling an M. pilosior ovisac, and reflex bleeding. It is the only known coccinellid species in which both prepupa and pupa are hidden by a protective shroud of wax threads. Rodatus major has a specialized feeding behaviour. Its potential as a biological control agent is assessed. It is only the second Australian margarodid-feeding coccinellid to be studied, Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant) being the first.
A System Dynamics Examination of the Willingness of Villagers to Engage in Illegal Logging

Abstract Much of the work of illegal logging in Indonesia is carried out by villagers. Several factors determine villagers' willingness to participate in such activities. Chief among these are: (1) the need for income, (2) the fact that other villagers (and non-villagers) are already illegally logging, and (3) the realization of loss of community control over traditional forest areas. These factors form the basis of feedback loops, which trap villagers in illegal logging systems, which will likely result in the disappearance of a major source of livelihood. Ideas for system dynamics model structure were obtained from field reports and interviews with stakeholders. These ideas were examined using causal loop diagrams to represent different views of illegal logging. One village level view was formulated as a quantified system dynamics model using Vensim software. The model allows examination of scenarios, which might alter system behavior. The model is a tool for understanding consequences of various proposed strategies to control illegal logging. These strategies include enforcement of laws, strengthening of community rights, the prevention of outside labor in local forests, and the provision of alternate sources of income. This is part of a larger effort to describe and analyze illegal logging using system dynamics modeling.
Bioactive Surface Structure and Bio-Absorption of Human Dentin Granules Designed by the Supersonic Demineralization and Biomimetic Coating Technique

Demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) granules with excellent biocompatibility were designed using extracted human teeth by the cooling-pulverizing and supersonic demineralizing technique. Extracted teeth were pulverized together with saline ice at 12,000 rpm of a ZrO2 blade for 30 s in a ZrO2 vessel. The pulverized granules having 0.5-2.0 mm in granular size were dissolved by the supersonic treatment at 120 W and 38 kHz or 600 W and 28-100 kHz in 2.0 % HNO3 solutions to obtain partially or completely DDM granules. Dissolution efficiencies of the pulverized granules increased with increasing the supersonic time. At 600 W, dissolution efficiencies for DDM treated at 28 kHz were higher than those at other frequencies. The Ca/P molar ratios of the granules were 1.60-1.66, suggesting that partial DDM granules were composites of Ca2+-deficient hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen. At 120 W, as supersonic time increased, asperity on the surfaces of granules became outstanding due to elution of mineral components. At 45 min, DDM granules were completely demineralized and the weight decreased to about one-fifth. Hard asperity on surfaces and micro-crack were observed. Partially or completely DDM granules were implanted into the subcutaneous tissues of the back region of rats. At 4 weeks, completely DDM granules had a little smaller and more irregular shape than partially DDM ones. Infection and exclusion of DDM granules were not recognized, but inflammatory cell invasion was seen through bio-absorption of DDM due to the enzyme-digestion. To improve surface activity of DDM, DDM granules were soaked at 309.5 K and pH 7.40 in a simulated body fluid. At 48 h, HAp nano-crystals were almost homogeneously coated on the surfaces of completely DDM granules, while at 144 h, porous bone-like apatites were found. The HAp nano-crystals coating for DDM granules would form bioactive surface with specific pore structure and chemical nature.
Histopathological Changes in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Experimentally and Naturally Infected with Channel Catfish Virus Disease

Two groups of fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), one experimentally infected with channel catfish virus disease by transmission through water, and the other collected during an active epizootic, were examined histologically. Previously unreported pathology of pancreatic and brain tissue is described. The virus elicits a histopathological response similar to that reported for the salmonid viruses.
Passion and Profit

Within the specific subset of collecting-in-general which is called philately, the twilight zone between exchange for one’s hobby (swapping) and professional trade is occupied by enthusiastic collectors who also act as dealers. This article seeks to describe and understand the informal economy of philatelic amateur trade via an economic anthropological perspective by studying particular cases of adult collectors in the Netherlands. It shows how the market can be critical in economically reproducing an endeavour without diluting its cultural ‘spirit’. A major question is: what distinguishes amateur trade in philately from the trading practices of professionals? The representations and praxis of philatelic amateur dealers gain relevance within the present-day context of many western societies: people now live longer, there are increasing instances of early retirement, and also a high proportion of unemployed people. Within this context - a conjunction between a cultural phenomenon which has long existed and the specific socio-economic conditions of today - amateur dealers create their own jobs and, in so doing, construct their own social identity.
A Comparative Analysis of Hungarian Robinia and Milkweed Honeys Based on Their Chemical and Physical Characteristics

Sugar composition, pH, invertase and diastase activity and colour of 7 robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and 8 milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) honey samples were compared, all purchased from producers and wholesalers. Milkweed honeys proved to be of darker colour and more acidic. The two unifloral honeys showed statistically significant differences between their diastase and invertase activities, milkweed honey showed higher enzyme activity values than robinia honey. The fructose to glucose ratio was 1.58 in case of robinia honey and 1.28 in case of milkweed honey. There was also a significant difference between the di- and trisaccharide content of the two unifloral honeys.
Genetical study on tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) for yield and quality parameters

Studies on tossa jute (Corehorus olitorius L.) were taken up to ascertain the genetic architecture of fibre yield, its components and quality parameters from 11 x 11 diallel analysis. The combining ability analysis revealed that both additive and non-additive gene action were involved in the inheritance of all the characters. However, preponderance role of additive variances was marked for basal diameter and rest of the characters were governed by mainly non-additive variance excepting fibre percentage where both the variances were effective. Among the parents JRO-524 and KEN/DS/060C exhibited significant gca effects for fibre yield, plant height, node number, green weight, stick weight, fibre percentage and fibre fineness. TAN/SM/040C and TAN/NY/013C showed lowest peroxidase activity. Eight hybrid combinations exhibited high mean and significant sea effect for fibre yield and most of the yield component characters and five hybrid combinations showed significant lower peroxidase activity. Most of the sea effects involved parents with high x high or high x low gea effects. KEN/SM/024C x JRO-3670, JRO-524 x NPUYPT/026C, KENIDS/060C x TANIX/112C crosses are produced better quality fibre for textile purpose.
Ovum pick-up and in vitro production technology in field conditions in the North East of Argentina

Abstract The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production technology in field conditions in buffalo and crossbreed cattle. This study represents the first trial of in vitro fertilization carried out in North East Argentina. Buffalo (n=11) and bovine (n=3) donors underwent Ovum pick-up twice per week for 2 weeks. The equipment was hand-made, resulting in the impossibility of controlling the aspiration pressure. A higher number of cumulus-oocyte-complexes were recovered in bovine vs buffalo (6.3 vs 3.6 per donor respectively). In bovine the quality of the COCs was also superior (53.9 vs 26.6 % of highest quality COCs in bovine and buffalo respectively). A significantly higher incidence of denuded oocytes was found in buffalo (38.0 vs 11.8 %), indicating a higher sensitivity of buffalo oocytes to mechanical damages. Despite the poor oocyte quality and the suboptimal culture conditions, the latter related to the lack of lab facilities, buffalo embryo cleaved (35.7 %) and developed up to the tight-morula stage (22.5 %). This preliminary trial sets the basis for future studies in Argentina.
The Picophytoplankton in Three Chinese Lakes of Different Trophic Status and Its Relationship to Fish Populations

ABSTRACT A year-round comparison was made of the picophytoplankton populations in three lakes of different trophic status (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and hypereutrophic), as well as in experimental enclosures stocked with various densities of fish. Picophytoplankton abundance was significantly different between the hypereutrophic lake and the oligotrophic lake (P<0.018) and between the hypereutrophic lake and the mesotrophic lake (P<0.021), whereas the difference between the mesotrophic and oligotrophic lakes was not significant (P<0.745). The effect of total nitrogen: total phosphorus ratio on the abundance of picophytoplankton was demonstrated in the oligotrophic lake, but such effect did not manifest itself in the other lakes or in the experimental enclosures. The average annual picophytoplankton population sizes in the three lakes in 1995–1998 were correlated with estimated fish abundance (r=0.824, n=9, P=0.006). The results of enclosure experiments demonstrated that the abundance of picophytoplankton increased with the stocking density offish (r=0.619, n=8. P=0.100).
Climate change drives speciation in the southern rock agama (Agama atra) in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

Aim Vicariance has played a major role in the evolution of the southern rock agama, Agama atra (Reptilia: Agamidae), and it is hypothesized that habitat shifts will affect small‐scale patterns of gene flow. The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is known for high levels of diversity and endemism; thus we set out to investigate whether genetic structuring of CFR populations of A. atra corresponds to regional environmental shifts.
Free flight capacity determination in a sustained flight tunnel: effects of age and sexual state on the flight duration of Prostephanus truncatus

Abstract. Adult Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) steering anemotactically upwind to a pheromone source in a wind tunnel, respond normally to, and alter their ground speed according to the direction and speed of, the movement of ground patterns beneath them. By manipulating this optomotor reaction component of their behaviour, studies were conducted on their flight duration. The results show a great deal of individual variation in flight duration, and the general data on single flights were skewed towards short flights. Pre‐reproductive and inter‐reproductive male and female beetles flew significantly longer than older beetles that had passed their peak of reproduction. There was no significant difference in the flight duration of male and female beetles at any age. The overall results suggest mat younger P. truncatus are capable of long‐distance flights, and support the proposition that flight could be important in the spread of the beetle.
Hidden Markov analysis describes dive patterns in semiaquatic animals

Existing methods of dive analysis, developed for fully aquatic animals, tend to focus on frequency of behaviors rather than transitions between them. They, therefore, do not account for the variability of behavior of semiaquatic animals, and the switching between terrestrial and aquatic environments. This is the first study to use hidden Markov models (HMM) to divide dives of a semiaquatic animal into clusters and thus identify the environmental predictors of transition between behavioral modes. We used 18 existing data sets of the dives of 14 American mink (Neovison vison) fitted with time-depth recorders in lowland England. Using HMM, we identified 3 behavioral states (1, temporal cluster of dives; 2, more loosely aggregated diving within aquatic activity; and 3, terminal dive of a cluster or a single, isolated dive). Based on the higher than expected proportion of dives in State 1, we conclude that mink tend to dive in clusters. We found no relationship between temperature and the proportion of dives in each state or between temperature and the rate of transition between states, meaning that in our study area, mink are apparently not adopting different diving strategies at different temperatures. Transition analysis between states has shown that there is no correlation between ambient temperature and the likelihood of mink switching from one state to another, that is, changing foraging modes. The variables provided good discrimination and grouped into consistent states well, indicating promise for further application of HMM and other state transition analyses in studies of semiaquatic animals.
Antimicrobial Effect of Portulaca oleracea Extracts on Food-Borne Pathogens

【This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of Portulaca oleracea extracts against food-borne pathogens. First, the Portulaca oleracea was extracted with methanol at room temperature, and then further fractionated by using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the Portulaca oleracea extracts was determined using a paper disc method against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The ethyl acetate extracts of Portulaca oleracea showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. There was also a synergistic effect of the combined extracts of Portulaca oleracea and Indigofera kirilowii as compared to each extract alone. Finally, the growth inhibition curve of ethyl acetate extracts of Portulaca oleracea against Staph­ylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae was determined The ethyl acetate extract of Portulaca oleracea showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at the concentration of 4,000 ppm. The 4,000 ppm of ethyl acetate extract from Portulaca oleracea, retarded the growth of S. aureus by more than 24 hand Shigella dysenteriae up to 12 h at $37^{\circ}C$ . 】
Field Evaluation of Certain Synthetic Py rethroids Against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Chickpea

Experiments were laid out during 1989–91 to evaluate the field efficacy of synthetic pyrethroids, namely, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and fenvalerate in comparison to the conventional insecticide, endosulfan at the farm attached to Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindhu University, Varanasi. Lowest per cent pod damage and the maximum grain yield were recorded from the 0.0135% cypermethrin treatment during both the years.
Isolation and characterization of Bacillus subtilis KS1 for the biocontrol of grapevine fungal diseases

Abstract Bacillus subtilis KS1 was isolated from grape berry skin as a biological control agent against grapevine fungal diseases. KS1 was identified as a new strain of B. subtilis according to morphological, biochemical, and genetic analyses. In vitro bioassay demonstrated that KS1 suppressed the growth of Botrytis cinerea (the casual agent of grape grey mold) and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (the casual agent of grape ripe rot). The biocontrol activity of KS1 against grapevine fungal diseases in vineyards was evaluated over a 3-year span (from 2007 to 2009). Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, was reduced on berry skins and leaves by treatment with KS1. The KS1 genome possesses ituD and lpa-14 genes, both of which play a role in iturin A production followed by iturin A production in the culture. In contrast, mutants lacking both genes lost the antagonistic activity against B. cinerea and C. gloeosporioides and the activity in iturin A production, suggesting that the antagonistic activity of KS1 against grapevine fungal pathogens may depend on iturin A production. As KS1 showed tolerance to various chemical pesticides, chemical pesticides could be applied before and/or after KS1 treatment in vineyards. Due to its potential as a biological control agent against grape downy mildew, KS1 is expected to contribute to the further improvement of integrated pest management systems and to potentially reduce the amount of chemical fungicides applied in vineyards.
Rediscovery of Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mainland Mississippi, with an Analysis of Associated Seeds and Vegetation

Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille) was considered to be a relatively common species in central and southern Mississippi before the introduction of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri, and before subsequent area wide control measures, but it has not been reported from the mainland since the mid 1930's. Recent collections in a relic sandhill community in Smith County have resulted in the rediscovery of this species in central Mississippi. Colony characteristics and microhabitat of P. badius are described. Observations of P. badius and other ant species found walking on the P. badius craters are provided. Seeds found in middens and caches were identified, and charcoal pieces found on the mounds were identified and measured.