Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Redescription and Phylogenetic Reinterpretation of the Fossil Lizard Hoburogekko suchanovi Alifanov, 1989 (Squamata, Gekkota), from the Early Cretaceous of Mongolia

ABSTRACT Additional information about one of the oldest known gecko-like lizards, Hoburogekko suchanovi from the Early Cretaceous of Mongolia, is provided in light of recent advances in the understanding of gekkotan osteology. The phylogenetic affinities of this taxon were assessed by adding it into an existing morphological data set of 224 taxa coded for 364 characters. The effects of character ordering and scoring on tree topology and the composition of Gekkonomorpha were also explored. The results of the analysis indicate that Gekkonomorpha is highly unstable and additional revision of stem gekkotans (e.g., Parviraptor, Gobekko) is required to refine the basal relationships of this clade. Like modern gekkotans, Hoburogekko possess a tubular frontal bone. In contrast to extant gekkotans, the Meckelian canal is only partially fused and may represent an incipient form of the gekkotan condition. The posterior shelf of the maxilla is wider than in modern gekkotans, perhaps related to a plesiomorphically large jugal. The short, rounded snout may indicate a lifestyle as found in some modern gekkotans found in equivalent xeric environments to the inferred paleoenviroment of the Höövor (Mongolia) locality during the Early Cretaceous.
Fire research for conservation management in tropical savannas: Introducing the Kapalga fire experiment

Fire is a dominant feature of tropical savannas throughout the world, and provides a unique opportunity for habitat management at the landscape scale. We provide the background and methodology for a landscape-scale savanna fire experiment at Kapalga, located in Kakadu National Park in the seasonal tropics of northern Australia. The experiment addresses the limitations of previous savanna fire experiments, including inappropriately small sizes of experimental units, lack of replication, consideration of a narrow range of ecological responses and an absence of detailed measurement of fire behaviour. In contrast to those elsewhere in the world, Australia's savannas are sparsely populated and largely uncleared, with fires lit primarily in a conservation, rather than pastoral, context. Fire management has played an integral role in the traditional lifestyles of Aboriginal people, who have occupied the land for perhaps 50 000 years or more. Currently the dominant fire management paradigm is one of extensive prescribed burning early in the dry season (May-June), in order to limit the extent and severity of fires occurring later in the year. The ecological effects of different fire regimes are hotly debated, but we identify geo-chemical cycling, tree demography, faunal diversity and composition, phenology, and the relative importance of fire intensity, timing and frequency, as critical issues. Experimental units (‘compartments’) at Kapalga are 15–20km2 catchments, centred on seasonal creeks that drain into major rivers. Each compartment has been burnt according to one of four treatments, each replicated at least three times: ‘Early’- fires lit early in the dry season, which is the predominant management regime in the region; ‘Late’- fires lit late in the dry season, as occurs extensively in the region as unmanaged ‘wildfires’; ‘Progressive’- fires lit progressively throughout the dry season, such that different parts of the landscape are burnt as they progressively dry out (believed to approximate traditional Aboriginal burning practices); and ‘Unburnt’- no fires lit, and wildfires excluded. All burning treatments have been applied annually for 5 years, from 1990 to 1994. Six core projects have been conducted within the experimental framework, focusing on nutrients and atmospheric chemistry, temporary streams, vegetation, insects, small mammals, and vertebrate predators. Detailed measurements of fire intensity have been taken to help interpret ecological responses. The Kapalga fire experiment is multidisciplinary, treatments have been applied at a landscape scale with replication, and ecological responses can be related directly to measurements of fire intensity. We are confident that this experiment will yield important insights into the fire ecology of tropical savannas, and will make a valuable contribution to their conservation management.
PCR based detection of Phomopsis vexans (Sacc. & Syd.) - The causative agent of leaf blight and fruit rot disease of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Leaf blight and fruit rot disease of brinjal ( Solanum melongena ) caused by the fungal pathogen Phomopsis vexans is the most prevailing diseases responsible for the significant yield loss in many Brinjal growing regions of India. The survey conducted during 2008-2010, seven (07) isolates of Phomopsis vexans causing leaf blight and fruit rot disease in different areas of Karnataka were isolated, identified and confirmed by Koch’s postulates. Identification of Phomopsis vexans by conventional culture method was time consuming and laborious. Hence, PCR based detection assay was used to detect the pathogen from DNA samples obtained from fungal isolates. Universal primer pairs designed from internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 (5'-CGGATCTCTTGGTTCTGGCA-3') and ITS4 (5'-GACGCTCGAACAGGCATGCC-3') of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the genus Phomopsis were used for PCR. The study revealed the amplification of expected 553bp PCR products in all the DNA samples isolated from different isolates of Phomopsis vexans confirming their association in leaf blight and fruit rot disease of Brinjal. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijls.v7i1. 8173 International Journal of Life Sciences 7(1): 2013; 17-20
From a Case Study to a Theoretical Basis for Tsetse Control

The paper presents a way of estimating average daily mortality rates of female tsetse from ovarian age distributions. This technique was applied to monthly biconical trap samples of G. palpalis taken during and after insecticidal campaigns in the Bouaflé region of Ivory Coast. A clear inverse relationship is demonstrated between the annual mean number of females per trap per sample at 10 separate sites, and the mean annual mortality rates calculated for them. Local variation in the impact of insecticides is explained in terms of the grouping of the sites either side of a level of natural mortality above which tsetse populations cannot be sustained through reproduction alone. p ]A theoretical model for density dependent population growth is presented and applied to a particular control situation, that of the sterile insect release method. The model demonstrates that the effectiveness of any particular level of induced sterility (or mortality) is crucially determined by the natural resilience of the target population.
Effects of Reduced Ambient Pressure and Beam Oscillation on Gap Bridging Ability during Solid-State Laser Beam Welding

In recent decades, beam welding processes have been set up as a key technology for joining applications in automotive engineering and particularly in gearbox manufacturing. Due to their high beam quality, energy efficiency, reliability as well as flexible beam guidance, modern solid-state lasers offer numerous advantages, but also pose increased requirements on the production and positional accuracy of the components for the joining process. In particular, small-focus diameters present a challenge for components with process-induced tolerances, i.e., disc carriers in automatic transitions. Furthermore, welding processes utilizing solid-state lasers show an increased spatter formation during welding at high welding speeds. Accordingly, the primary objective of the presented work consists in extending the current areas of application for solid-state laser beam welding in gearbox manufacturing through an improved process reliability regarding tolerance compensation and spatter formation. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to describe the effects of a dynamic beam oscillation in combination with a reduced ambient pressure in the process environment on both gap bridging ability and spatter formation during the laser beam welding of case hardening steel. For basic process evaluations, laser beam welding at reduced ambient pressure and laser beam welding with dynamic beam oscillation were initially studied separately. Following a basic process evaluation, samples for 2 mm full-penetration-welds with varying gap sizes were analyzed in terms of weld seam geometry and weld spatter formation.
Macrobenthic community structure and distribution in the Zwin nature reserve (Belgium and The Netherlands)

Distribution and structure of intertidal macrobenthic communities in the Zwin nature reserve, a lagoonal inlet consisting of marsh and tidal flat habitats, was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Macrobenthos community structure was related to environmental characteristics and discussed in the framework of the implemented extension of the nature reserve. Based on explorative multivariate techniques, five different sample groups (SGs) were distinguished, which were, in general, located in different habitats of the Zwin nature reserve. The ecologically most important SGs consisted of the highest macrobenthic density, diversity and highest densities of Nereis diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana; these important prey species for wading birds and fish occurred in the deep tidal inlet channels. This habitat was characterized by fine to medium sand sediment and strong tidal currents, guaranteeing water renewal at each high tide. Other SGs were found in less and erratically submersed and thus stressed areas (i.e. tidal pond, salt pans and shallow flats). These assemblages were characterized by typical r-strategists (i.e. Capitella capitata and Polydora cornuta) and typical supralittoral, mobile species (i.e. Orchestia gammarellus and Collembola spp.). Being ecologically most important, the extension of wide, tidal creeks should be a prime target within the future development and management of the nature reserve.
Telomere Functions in the Translocation Heterozygote, Rhoeo spathacea

The permanent translocation heterozygote, Rhoeo spathacea shows a characteristic ring of all chromosomes at metaphase-I of male meiosis. Elimination of bivalent formation completely due to extreme heterozygosity poses a special problem for reductional division at meiosis-I where the maternal and the paternal sets need to be separated to different poles. Unlike bivalent meiosis, the functions of SC formation, pairing and recombination required for reductional segregation have to be fulfilled by only telomeres which are the only areas of contact among the chromosomes in the ring. The participation of telomeres in these events assumes significance in view of the balanced lethal gene system imposed by translocation heterozygosity, and the particular requirement that only alternate chromosomes segregated to the same pole results in fertile pollen. This paper throws some light on the telomere functions in R. spathacea in the light of our present understanding of telomere biology. The prospects of using R. spathacea as a model organism to dissect molecular aspects of several telomere related functions are also discussed.
Blood Cells in the Bone Marrow of the Chick Before and After Hatching

Abstract DURING the course of certain studies on the resistance of chicks to the pullorum disease (Roberts, Severens, and Card, 1939), data were collected on the blood cell activity in the bone marrow of chicks during the period of six days before hatching and seven days after hatching. The data presented here show the quantative changes in the blood cells of the bone marrow and circulation during this critical period in the development of the chick. METHODS Blood samples for cell counts of the circulating blood were drawn from the vitelline vein in the case of embryos and from the wing vein in case of hatched chicks. The chicks were killed with ether and both femurs and tibiae were dissected from the chicks and embryos. As soon as all adhering tissue had been removed from the bones, they were split in half along their longitudinal axis and immediately immersed in oxalated .
Metazoan parasites of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi lalandi, in New Zealand: Prevalence, intensity, and site preference

Abstract The prevalence and intensity of metazoan ectoparasites on the skin and gills of kingfish, Seriola lalandi lalandi (Carangidae), collected from White Island (n = 32), Ranfurly Banks (n = 7), and Three Kings Islands (n = 7), is reported. Kingfish were host to two monogenean and four copepod ectoparasite species, Benedenia seriolae, Zeuxapta seriolae, Caligus lalandei, Caligus aesopus, Neobrachiella spp. , and Lernanthropus spp. , respectively. B. seriolae and C. lalandei infect the skin, whereas the remaining parasites were located on the gills. All parasites exhibited considerable variability in the prevalence and intensity of infection. A few kingfish were completely devoid of C. aesopus, Neobrachiella spp. , and/or Lernanthropus spp. , whereas others were infected by moderate numbers of these species. However, all kingfish were infected by B. seriolae and Z. seriolae. Therefore, it appears that acclimation of wild kingfish from the east coast of New Zealand's North Island into captivity will lead to the transfer of both B. seriolae and Z. seriolae, and that effective quarantine measures will be required to avoid introducing these parasites into broodstock systems. The site preferences of B. seriolae, Z. seriolae, and C. aesopus were also investigated. B. seriolae exhibited a preference for attachment on the lateral surfaces of the skin behind the dorsal fin, but forward of the anal fin. Z. seriolae displayed a preference for attachment on gill arches 2 and 3, particularly in gill filaments located in the upper regions of the buccal cavity. C. aesopus most commonly occurred on the gill arch.
Dynamics of dissolved nutrients in forest floor leachates: comparison of a natural forest ecosystem with monoculture tree species plantations in south-east Ethiopia.

Abstract The dynamics of nutrients in water passing through the forest floors of two plantation forests (Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus globulus) and an adjacent natural forest were monitored over a one year period at Munesa, Ethiopia. The results showed that, in all forest types, after K, Ca and Cl were the most abundant nutrients leached from the forest floor to the mineral soil. The concentration of N03−N in the natural forest was about 10 times higher than that of NH4−N, but 8 and 3 times higher than that of NH4−N under Eucalyptus and Cupressus, respectively. No significant differences in concentrations of most of the nutrients were observed among forest types, but magnesium and N03−N were significantly higher under the natural forest and Eucalyptus than under Cupressus. Except for NH4−N, which was depleted in relation to throughfall in the natural forest, the concentrations of all other nutrients were enriched in litter leachate in relation to both rainfall and throughfall. However, with the exceptions of NO3−N in all forest types, Ca under Cupressus and PO4−P under Cupressus and Eucalyptus, all measured nutrient fluxes from the forest floor to the mineral soil decreased in relation to throughfall fluxes. Generally, the results show that despite the differences in tree species composition among the forest types the organic layer acted as a sink for most of the nutrients coming via throughfall.
Recurrent Selection for Grain Protein in Hard Red Spring Wheat

Grain protein concentration (GPC) of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important because it partially determines bread-making properties and nutritional value of wheat flour. Ten hard red spring wheats selected for high GPC and other traits were intermated to form the initial population. Twenty to 25 F 3 lines were selected and recombined to initiate each successive cycle. Selection intensity for the parents of each cycle ranged from 3.5 to 8%. Four cycles of recurrent seclection for increased GPC were evaluated. Direct response to selection for GPC and indirect responses of agronomic and bread-making quality traits were determined. About 50 random F 3 -derived lines from Cycles 0, 2, and 4 were evaluated at two locations for 2 yr to provide an estimate of gain from selection. The average realized gain for GPC was 2.7% per cycle of selection. Flour protein concentration, mixogram water absorption, and kernel hardness increased linearly with selection for GPC. Although recurrent selection effectively increased GPC linearly over cycles, this gain was associated with lower grain yield. We observed a linear decrease in grain yield of 3.2% per cycle at the target location, but no linear trend was detected at the other location. Lines which combine high GPC and high grain yield may be useful as germplasm sources
Assessment of cereal nitrogen requirements derived by optical on-the-go sensors on heterogeneous soils

Variable N management is one of the most promising practices of precision agriculture to optimize nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) and decrease environmental impact of agriculture. The objective of this study was to test the performance of fertilization in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) determined by reflection measurements of on-the-go sensors under heterogeneous field conditions. In 2004 geo-referenced yield and N fertilization data were collected in four heterogeneous fields in southern Germany. Nitrogen demand of plants was determined throughout the growing season and the corresponding amount of N fertilizer was broadcast with the N-Sensor (Yara, Germany) in real-time. The sensor uses the red edge position (720-740 nm) as an indicator of crop N status and relates this to crop N demand. The sensor algorithm is designed to stimulate plant growth in areas with low biomass and reduce risk of lodging in areas with high biomass. Fertilization was evaluated by calculating site-specific N balance maps to delineate zones with N surplus in the soil. The results revealed some general limitations of this sensor approach in areas with yield-limiting factors other than N. Nitrogen surplus above 50 kg ha -1 was calculated for subfield areas dominated by shallow soils. The results of this study indicated that sensor-based measurements can be used efficiently for variable N application in cereal crops when N is the main growth-limiting factor. However, the causes for variability must be adequately understood before sensor-based variable rate fertilization can safely be used to optimize N side-dressing in cereals.
Functional F1-ATPase Essential in Maintaining Growth and Membrane Potential of Human Mitochondrial DNA-depleted ρ° Cells*

F1-ATPase assembly has been studied in human ρ° cells devoid of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Since, in these cells, oxidative phosphorylation cannot provide ATP, their growth relies on glycolysis. Despite the absence of the mtDNA-coded F0 subunits 6 and 8, ρ° cells possessed normal levels of F1-ATPase α and β subunits. This F1-ATPase was functional and azide- or aurovertin-sensitive but oligomycin-insensitive. In addition, aurovertin decreased cell growth in ρ° cells and also reduced their mitochondrial membrane potential, as measured by rhodamine 123 fluorescence. Therefore, a functional F1-ATPase was important to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential and the growth of these ρ° cells. Bongkrekic acid, a specific adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) inhibitor, also reduced ρ° cell growth and mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, ρ° cells need both a functional F1-ATPase and a functional ANT to maintain their mitochondrial membrane potential, which is necessary for their growth. ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by F1 must provide ADP3− at a sufficient rate to maintain a rapid exchange with the glycolytic ATP4− by ANT, this electrogenic exchange inducing a mitochondrial membrane potential efficient enough to sustain cell growth. However, since the effects of bongkrekic acid and of aurovertin were additive, other electrogenic pumps should cooperate with this pathway.
Recurrent Water Deficit and Epigenetic Memory in Medicago sativa L. Varieties

Global DNA methylation changes in response to recurrent drought stress were investigated in two common Greek Medicago sativa L. varieties (Lamia and Chaironia-Institute of Ιndustrial and Forage Crops). The water deficit was implemented in two phases. At the end of the first phase, which lasted for 60 days, the plants were cut at the height of 5 cm and were watered regularly for two months before being subjected to the second drought stress, which lasted for two weeks. Finally, the following groups of plants were formed: CC (controls both in phase I and phase II), CD2 (Controls in phase I, experiencing drought in phase II), and D1D2 (were subjected to drought in both phase I and phase II). At the end of phase II, samples were taken for global DNA methylation analysis with the Methylation Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism (MSAP) method, and all plants were harvested in order to measure the fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots. The variety Lamia responded better, especially the D1D2 group, compared to Chaironia in terms of root and shoot dry weight. Additionally, the shoots of Lamia had a constant water status for CD2 and D1D2 group of plants. According to DNA methylation analysis by the MSAP method, Lamia had lower total DNA methylation percentage after the second drought episode (D1D2) as compared to the plants CD2 that had experienced only one drought episode. On the other hand, the total DNA methylation percentage of Chaironia was almost the same in plants grown under recurrent drought stress conditions compared to control plants. In conclusion, the decrease of DNA methylation of Lamia stressed plants probably indicates the existence of an epigenetic mechanism that may render drought tolerance.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, a paucity of data exists in respect of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) regarding the dietary adaptations they should make. Methods: In a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted in 2017, questionnaires were administered during structured interviews with 75 participants in five MHD-units in Bloemfontein to assess socio-demographics and KAP regarding the ‘renal’ diet. Results: The median age was 50.5 years; 70.7% of participants were male. Overall, 49.4% scored low (< 50%) on knowledge regarding restricted foods, food content of restricted minerals, and phosphate binders; 60.0% reported negative attitudes towards the diet, and 61.4% reported poor adherence practices. Participants with tertiary education (28.0%) had significantly higher knowledge scores than participants with only primary school education (6.7%) (95% CI 3.9%; 73.5%), or those who had only partially completed secondary school (17.3%) (95% CI 6.3%; 64.0%). Only 21.0% reported having received written, and 30.7% verbal, nutrition education in their home language, while 24.0% reported never receiving nutrition education in either their home or second language. Having received nutrition education in a home language and/or second language was associated with significantly higher knowledge scores (95% CI 3.7%; 49.5%). Most (77.3%) reported zero to one consultation with a dietitian per MHD year (NKF-K/DOQI recommends at least three/MHD year). Conclusion: This population on MHD presented with poor KAP regarding the ‘renal’ diet, and inadequate involvement of dietitians in their treatment. Receiving nutritional education in a first or second language significantly increased knowledge of, and insight into, the required dietary adaptations.