Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Leaf Surface Anatomy of Woody Species of Tamaulipan Thornscrub, North-Eastern Mexico and its Possible Relation with Taxonomic Delimitation and Drought Resistance

A comparative study has been undertaken during May to July, 2016 in Forest Science Faculty Experimental Research Station, UANL, Mexico on the leaf surface anatomy of 30 native woody species of the Tamaulipan Thorn Forest and its utility in taxonomy and possible adaptation to the prevailing semiarid conditions. The results showed the presence of large variability in several leaf anatomical traits viz., waxy leaf surface, type of stomata, its size, and distribution. Some of the species possess special traits related to adaption in the environments such as waxy leaf surface, sunken stomata, the absence of stomata on the adaxial and or abaxial surface, thereby reducing loss in transpiration mentioned before. The presence of waxy leaf surface in most of the species such as Amyris texana, Celtis pallida, Guaiacum angustifolium, Acacia berlandieri, Karwinskia humboldtiana could help in the reflectance of solar radiation, thereby keeping leaf temperature cooler. The species have been classified on the basis of various traits which can be used in species delimitation and adaptation to the semiarid condition such as waxy leaf surface, absence or sparse stomata on the leaf surface, sunken stomata. The species identified as better adapters to semiarid environments on the basis of the presence and absence of stomata on both adaxial and abaxial surface such as: Berberis chochoco, Celtis laevigata, Condalia hookeri, Diospyros palmeri, Diospyros texana, Ebenopsis ebano, Ehretia anacua, Forestiera angustifolia, Havardia pallens, Helietta parvifolia, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Sargentia greggii, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Zanthoxylum fagara. Research is needed to confirm water relations and drought resistance of these selected species. Art ic le History
Seasonal Incidence of Major Insect and Mite Pests of Jasmine

Jasmine is considered as the "Queen of fragrance" which belongs to the family Oleaceae. The genus Jasminum comprises of more than 200 species and is mostly tropical in distribution (Abdul Khader and Kumar, 1995). It is exquisitely scented to soothe and refresh, and is one of the oldest fragrant flowers cultivated by man. Jasmine flower is native to India cultivated in 12,250 ha with a production of 65,230 tonnes of loose flowers and 1,700 tonnes of cut flowers. Karnataka is the highest producer of jasmine flowers and during the year 2014 produced 43,600 MT of jasmine flower in 6,600 ha (Anon., 2014). India exports jasmine flowers to the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Gulf. In South India, large quantities of jasmine flowers are used by women folk for adorning their hairs. The flowers are also used for the production of perfumes and attars (Arumugam et al., 2002).
Genetic Studies for Yield and Yield Components in Inter-Specific Hybrids (G. hirsutum × G. barbadense) of Cotton Over Environments

The knowledge of genetic structure and mode of inheritance of quantitative and qualitative traits helps the breeders to employ suitable breeding method for improvement of these traits. Combining ability analysis is an important tool for selection of the desirable parents together with the information regarding nature and magnitude of gene action controlling quantitative and qualitative traits. The information on gene action and combining ability over locations (pooled) helps in identifying the best combiners which may be hybridized to produce superior stable heterotic cross combinations or to produce transgressive or recombinant segregants in F2 and subsequent generations. The entire genetic variability observed in the analysis for each trait was partitioned into its components i.e., general and specific combining ability (Sprague and Tatum, 1942). General combining ability (gca) is used to designate the average performance of a line in hybrid International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 8 (2017) pp. 1722-1735 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
The role of NFκB-dependant gene expression in regulating the growth of developing peripheral neurons

The principal aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB) in the developing nervous system. NFkB is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that plays a key role in regulating the expression of genes involved in a variety of cellular processes, including innate and adaptive immune responses, stress responses, cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. In the nervous system, NFkB plays a role in regulating neuronal survival and has been implicated in learning and memory. As the elaboration and modification of neuronal processes is thought to be an important anatomical change underlying learning and memory, a major aim of the thesis was to investigate of the potential role of NFkB signalling in the control of neuronal morphology. This was done by pharmacological and genetic interference with NFkB signalling in populations of cultured peripheral sensory and sympathetic neurons. In sensory neurons of the nodose ganglion of newborn mice cultured with BDNF, inhibiting NFkB activation with super-repressor IkB-oi, BAY 11-7082 (IkB-cx phosphorylation inhibitor) or N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (proteosomal degradation inhibitor) or inhibiting NFkB transcriptional activity with kB decoy DNA substantially reduced neurite arbour size and complexity while having no effect on survival. This novel role of NFkB signalling in regulating neurite growth and morphology was found to be restricted to neurons cultured from mice between the ages of E18 and PI, a stage of development immediately after the phase of naturally occurring neuronal death when the processes and connections of the remaining neurons are extensively modified and refined. Monitoring NFkB dependent transcriptional activity with a GFP reporter revealed a basal level of activity that was unaffected by BDNF. NFkB was also found to be involved in promoting neurite growth from nodose neurons grown with CNTF, but not when these neurons were grown with the related cytokine LIF. Investigating the potential role of NFkB signalling in regulating the growth of sympathetic neurites was complicated by the fact that NFkB signalling is involved in
Meta-replication reveals nonstationarity in multi-scale habitat selection of Mexican Spotted Owl

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic environmental changes are leading to habitat loss and degradation, driving many species to extinction. In this context, habitat models become increasingly important for effective species management and conservation. However, most habitat studies lack replicated study areas and do not properly address the role of nonstationarity and spatial scales in determining factors that limit species occurrence under different environmental settings. Here we provide an optimized multi-scale framework for analyzing habitat selection of the threatened Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) between 2 meta-replicated study areas: the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico, and the Mogollon Plateau, Arizona. The optimized scales of habitat variables strongly differed between the 2 study areas. Percent cover of mixed-conifer was more strongly associated with the relative likelihood of Mexican Spotted Owl occurrence in the Sacramento Mountains than in the Mogollon Plateau. Topographic covariates strongly explained variance in the habitat model in the Mogollon Plateau, but not in the Sacramento Mountains. Topographically constrained habitat availability may be affecting the relative likelihood of owl occurrence in the Mogollon Plateau, but not in the Sacramento Mountains. In the Sacramento Mountains, suitable habitat and owl distributions show dissimilar spatial autocorrelation patterns, indicating that the relative likelihood of occurrence may be influenced by factors in addition to habitat. Owl distribution shows a periodic spatial pattern, suggesting that the relative likelihood of owl occurrence in the Sacramento Mountains might be influenced by territoriality. Differences in habitat relationships between the 2 study areas suggest that management strategies should be tailored to local conditions. This study underscores the advantage of scale optimization and replicated studies in analyzing nonstationary habitat selection.
Movement patterns of an endangered fishery species, Lithognathus lithognathus (Sparidae), and the role of no-take marine protected areas as a management tool

Understanding movement behaviour is essential for effective management of fishery species. Dart tags were used to study coastal movement patterns of white steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus, an overexploited seabream (Sparidae) in South Africa. In total, 6 962 fish (190–1 080 mm fork length) were tagged throughout the species’ distributional range, in four long-term fish-tagging programmes. The predominant behaviour recorded was residency, with relatively short-ranging movements. More than 60% of the 351 recaptured fish were recaptured within 1 km of their tagging site, some of which were at liberty in excess of three years. Most of the juveniles (93.9%), subadults (71.7%) and adults (64.0%) were recaptured within 10 km. Occasional long-distance movements of up to 800 km were recorded. Recapture distances were positively, but weakly, correlated with fish fork length (n = 257 fish measured at recapture; r2 = 0.166, p < 0.001). Low levels of connectivity among coastal areas suggest that large-scale annual spawning migrations, as previously hypothesised for this species, are unlikely, which raises the possibility of multiple spawning sites. Seventy-seven percent of L. lithognathus tagged within three marine protected areas (MPAs) were recaptured within the same MPA, suggesting that area closures provide protection for L. lithognathus through the post-estuarine juvenile, subadult and adult life stages. We confirm that the country’s current network of coastal MPAs plays a vital role in sustaining this species, and suggest that additional closures, or otherwise substantial reductions in catch rates, are necessary for the species’ recovery.
OXIDATIVE STRESS SUPPORTS BLOOD PRESSURE AND SYMPATHETIC ACTIVITY IN RENOVASCULAR HYPERTENSION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ascorbic Acid (Vit C) on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in renovascular hypertensive rats. Moreover, we compared alterations in the mRNA expression of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Sintase (nNOS), Angiotensin receptor (AT‐1) and interleukin 1â (IL‐1â) in the brainstem. Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats (6 weeks after renal surgery ‐ Goldblatt hypertension model ‐ 2K‐1C). Animals were divided in control (C, n= 6) and hypertensive group (GII, n= 6). Vit C was infused (250 mg/kg, IV) over a 6 minutes infusion period and MAP, HR and RSNA were monitored along 60 minutes. The mRNA expression of nNOS, AT‐1 and IL‐1â were analyzed in the brainstem tissue by RT‐PCR technique. Acute infusion of Vit C in 2K‐1C produced a significant decrease in MAP from 157 ± 7 to 120 ± 19 mmHg in the first minute after infusion. No changes in HR were observed. The reduction in MAP was followed by a significant decrease in RSNA (18 ± 6%). The same Vit C infusion in normotensive rats did not produce any changes in MAP, HR and RSNA. The hypertensive animals presented a significant upregulation in nNOS expression in the brainstem (2.3 AU) compared with Control group (1.3 AU). The AT‐1 and IL‐1â expression were reduced in hypertensive rats compared with normotensive rats (GII 0.15 vs C 0.81 and GII 0.12 vs C 1.1; p<0.001) respectively. Our results suggest a possible role of oxidative stress in the etiology of renovascular hypertension.
Evaluation of larvicidal efficacy of Annona reticulata (leaf) and Psoralea corylifolia (seed) extracts against larvae of Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi at Mysore

Mosquito borne diseases such as dengue, malaraia, lymphatic filariasis, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis etc have intruded the globe since time immemorial. The present scenario for commanding the mosquitoes is aimed at application of target and stage specific, cost effective and biodegradable phytoproducts as these are reported to be safer for non- target organisms including man. It is in this regard, the present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Annona reticulata leaf and Psoralea corylifolia seed extracts against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi by employing the WHO bioassay method. The extraction process was carried out with a Soxhlet apparatus employing petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol as solvents. The results show that, the chloroform extracts of Annona reticulata was significantly effective against Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi with LC50 values of 58.73 ppm, 83.09 ppm and 100.83 ppm respectively (P<0.05). Likewise petroleum ether extracts of Psoralea corylifolia was significantly effective against Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi with LC50 values of 65.47 ppm, 58.40 ppm and 93.85 ppm respectively among all the above solvents (P<0.05). Thus the crude chloroform extracts of Annona reticulata and petroleum ether extracts of Psoralea corylifolia with good larvicidal efficacy could be considered for further characterization in order to explore the possible larvicidal efficacy on vectors.
Flight in Drosophila : I. Flight Performance of Tethered Flies

1. Apparatus has been devised to record the principal parameters of the flight performance of tethered fruit-flies in a wind tunnel. 2. Typically these flies achieve level flight (lift = weight) at 200 cm. /sec. and a body angle of + 10°. Lift varies directly with body angle except at very high angles; the stroke parameters are invariant with body angle. 3. Evidence is presented suggesting that these measurements are applicable to free flight. 4. The adaptive significance of the absence of a ‘lift-control reaction’ in fruit-flies is discussed.
Genetic variability, selection parameters and their association analysis for yield and its component traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to estimate genetic variability, selection parameters and their association analysis for nine traits of wheat, 15 hybrids were synthesized in a 6×6 diallel fashion excluding reciprocals. Analysis of variation established significant relationship for most of the traits that reveals existence of genetic variability for these traits. The PCV values were greater than GCV indicating little influence of environment in expression of traits. High value of heritability along with genetic advance was observed for days to maturity. Genotypic correlations found to be greater than phenotypic correlations for all the traits. Days to maturity (0.63), number of productive tillers per plants (0.202), number of spikelets per spike (0.732) and number of grains per main spike (0.410) exhibited the positive direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, selection for grain yield via these traits will be effective.
Molecules of somatosensory map plasticity

Sensory maps are representations of the sensory epithelia in the central nervous system. They are the products of sensory information about the environment and the neural dynamics (e.g. attention, motivation, expectation, experience, learning and memory) that shape functional circuits in the brain. Encoding the sensory world as maps is efficient, as map formation effectively groups neurons that most commonly interact with each other. This organization decreases metabolic costs, reduces cable length, minimizes long-range connectivity, increases processing speed without altering conduction velocity and enables topographic reorganization of the sensory representations. Despite the intuitive explanatory power behind sensory maps as being neuronal precursors to sensory perception, and the plasticity of sensory cortices as neural correlates of perceptual learning, the molecular mechanisms that regulate plasticity of sensory maps are not well understood. Here we perform a meta-analysis of transcriptional and translational changes during altered sensory organ use to nominate the major molecular correlates of experience-dependent map plasticity in the primary somatosensory cortex. We argue that brain plasticity is a systems-level response that involves all the major cell classes in the brain, from neuron and glia to non-neuronal cells including vascular epithelia, although the molecular pathways and temporal regulation of gene expression upon altered sensory experience depend on the cell-class. Using molecular pathway analyses, we further propose a gene regulatory network that could couple activity-dependent changes in neurons to adaptive changes in neurovasculature, and finally we show that transcriptional regulations observed in major brain disorders target genes that are modulated by altered sensory experience. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms of experience-dependent plasticity of sensory maps might help to unravel the cellular events that shape brain plasticity in health and disease.
EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS NAA, GA3 AND ETHREL ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF PHALSA (Grewia asiatica L.) cv. „LOCAL‟”

“Effect of plant growth regulators NAA, GA3 and Ethrel on growth, yield and quality of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) cv. „Local‟” Name of student: Major Advisor: Patel Hiren T. Dr. A.V. Kotecha DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE B. A. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY ANAND – 388 110
Protective effect of β-glucan and glutamine on intestinal and immunological damage in mice induced by cytarabine (Ara-C)

Porsani M.Y. H. , Paludetti M. , Orlando D.R. , Peconick A.P., Costa R.C. , Oliveira L.E. D. , Zangeronimo M.G. & Sousa R.V. 2017. Protective effect of β-glucan and glutamine on intestinal and immunological damage in mice induced by cytarabine (Ara-C). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 37(9):977-983. Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: mariporsani@hotmail.com Recently, glutamine and β-glucan have been demonstrated to play an important role in modulation of the immune system and in promoting intestinal health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this intervention on inflammatory responses and intestinal health in mice orally pretreated with soluble Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived 1,3/1,6-β-glucan (80mg/kg) with or without glutamine (150mg/kg) and then challenged with cytarabine (Ara-C) (15mg/kg). Improvements in villi and crypts were not observed in the β-glucan group. The intestinal morphometry in the glutamine group showed the best results. β-glucan in combination with glutamine presented the highest values of IL-1β and IL-10 and lowest values for leukocytes and INF-γ. Based on these results, combined β-glucan and glutamine pretreatment reduced intestinal inflammation and improved the immune response after Ara-C challenge.
ADVANCES IN THE PROPAGATION OF RAMBUTAN TREE

ABSTRACT - The reality of Brazilian fruit farming is demonstrating increasing demand for sustainable information about native and exotic fruit, which can diversify and elevate the efficiency of fruit exploitation. Research on propagation of fruits tree is very important so that it can provide a protocol for suitable multiplication of this fruitful. Due to the great genetic diversity of rambutan plants, it is recommended the use of vegetative propagated plants. This research aimed to evaluate the propagation of rambutan by cuttings, layering and grafting, as well as seed germination and viability without storage. The results of this research indicate that this species can be successfully propagated by layering, grafting and seeds. We also observed that the germination percentage of seeds kept inside the fruits for six days were not influenced by the different substrates used in this experiment. Index terms : Nephelium lappaceum L, grafting, layering, cuttings. AVANCOS NA PROPAGACAO DA RAMBUTEIRA
Assessment of the Effect of Processing Methods on the Proximate Composition of Trachurus trachurus (Mackerel) Sold in Anyigba Market, Kogi State

The effects of different preservation methods (fresh, boiled, fried and smoked) on the nutritional composition, mineral composition and vitamins in Trachurus trachurus were determined according to AOAC . All processing methods revealed significant difference (p<0.05) in the various nutritional, mineral and vitamin composition. Boiling had the highest moisture content (60.01%), frying had the highest ash content (2.45%). Fresh fish had the highest level of fibre (0.07%), protein (3.86%) and carbohydrate (9.70%). Among the methods of preservation, boiled fish had the highest protein (22.71%), carbohydrate (8.20%) and smoked fish had the highest fat of 20.35%. Comparing all the methods of preservation, the fish samples had variable quantity of the various nutritional components measured. It is therefore recommended that consumers should check the appropriate diet need and go for the method of preservation that provides the best nutrient as all the methods are recommended.
Records of two introduced Penaeidae (Crustacea: Decapoda) species from Le Havre Harbour, France, English Channel

Two introduced prawn Penaeidae were collected in Le Havre Harbour, Normandy, France, on 14 August 2016: Marsupeanaeus japonicus (Bate, 1888) and Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844. M. japonicus is native to the Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea, is already present in the western English Channel; and this is the first record for the eastern part of the English Channel. The catch of P. semisulcatus represents the first confirmed European record
Record of ocellated shrimp goby, Tomiyamichthys russus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae), from the Andaman Islands, India

The ocellated shrimp goby, Tomiyamichthys russus (Cantor, 1849), is reported for the first time from the Andaman Islands, India based on a single, female specimen collected during a shore seine operation at Port Blair, South Andaman. The examined specimen is described taking into account the meristics, morphometry, sensory pore arrangement, and the papillae pattern. This finding constitutes the first report of the genus Tomiyamichthys from the Andaman Sea, with a range extension towards Andaman coast.
Most Colletotrichum species associated with tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) and mango (Mangifera indica) crops are not host‐specific

L. Cabrera, P. Rojas, S. Rojas, C. J. Pardo-De la Hoz, M. F. Mideros, G. Danies, L. Lopez-Kleine, P. Jim enez and S. Restrepo* Laboratorio de Micologıa y Fitopatolog ıa, Universidad de los Andes, Bogot a; Department of Design, Universidad de los Andes, Bogot a; Departamento de Estad ıstica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogot a; and Laboratorio de Fitopatolog ıa, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajic a, Colombia
Description and molecular phylogeny of Paramecium grohmannae sp. nov. (Ciliophora, Peniculida) from a wastewater treatment plant in Brazil

A new morphological species of Paramecium Muller, 1773, was discovered in samples of water with activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is described based on light microscopy and its phylogenetic position hypothesized from 18S-rDNA analyses. Paramecium grohmannae sp. nov. is characterized by a unique combination of features. It is a counterclockwise rotating freshwater Paramecium with body outline intermediate between “aurelia” and “bursaria” forms, two contractile vacuoles, each with one excretion pore and usually nine collecting canals; oral opening slight below body equator; macronucleus ellipsoid to obovoid, measuring ~64 x 24 μm and located in anterior half of body; one (less frequently two) globular endosomal micronuclei ~5 μm in diameter with endosome ~2.5 μm. Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new species within the P. multimicronucleatum complex.