Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Genetic Diversity in Natural and Hatchery Populations of Indian Major Carps (C. catla and L. rohita)

This study deals with the characterization of three populations (two hatchery and one natural) of Indian major carps Catla catla and Labeo rohita from different locations in India. The genetics of Indian major carps has been completely obscure and this is the first report on comparative allozyme variations in natural and hatchery population. The total 10 biochemical genetic markers used to measure interspecific and intraspecific level of diversity. The allele frequency data indicate different level of genetic variability in three populations. The hatchery population exhibited least polymorphism, low level of heterozygosity and genetic diversity.
Control analysis of metabolic networks

The mathematical background of the connectivity relations of metabolic control theory is analysed. The connectivity relations are shown to reflect general properties of total differentials of reaction rate vi, flux J, and metabolite concentration Xj. Connectivity relations hold for any metabolic network in which all vi are homogeneous functions of enzyme concentration Ei. This notion allows established algebraic methods to be used for the formulation of connectivity relations for metabolic systems in which numerous constraints are imposed on metabolite concentrations. A general procedure to derive connectivity relations for such metabolic systems is given. To encourage a broader audience to apply control theory to physiological systems, an easy-to-use graphical procedure is derived for formulating connectivity relations for biochemical systems in which no metabolite is involved in more than one constraint.
Cost analysis of a satellite terminal for forest fuel supply in Finland

ABSTRACT As forest fuel demand increases, new logistical solutions are needed. Most of the increase in use is expected to take place in large heat and power production units which set special requirements for the supply as both procurement volumes and transport distances increase. Biomass fuel terminals broaden the spectrum of available supply options by offering cost-effective large-scale biomass storage and processing options for securing the fuel supply in all conditions. This study aimed to study different costs of a satellite terminal and to produce important concept and cost information for developing forest fuel logistics based on future terminals. The figures indicate that terminals do not create direct cost benefits per se: direct supply chains are more economical compared to supply through terminals. However, there are several indirect benefits that can be reached via fuel supply through terminals: regional fuel procurement can be widened to a national scale, security of supply increases through easily available storages, large supply volumes can be delivered by an individual operator, prices remain more stable and a more even quality of delivered fuel can be achieved.
POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE MULTIMAMMATE RAT MASTOMYS HUBERTI IN AN ANNUALLY FLOODED AGRICULTURAL REGION OF CENTRAL MALI

Abstract A capture–mark–release program was run for 3 years in a rice-growing area of the inner delta of the Niger River in central Mali to monitor population dynamics of a major pest species, the multimammate rat Mastomys huberti. The abundance pattern showed a phase of low-to-medium abundances (June 2000–March 2002) leading to a peak (October 2002) followed by a dramatic crash ending in total population disappearance induced by general flooding of the area in October 2003. Reproduction started well after the end of the rainy season, contrary to observations for this genus elsewhere. Survival was very low between the end of the rainy season and the middle of the dry season, then high during the rest of the dry season. The annual flood of the Niger River was found to have a major influence on population and spatial dynamics of M. huberti in this area by eliminating available ground surface in high-flood years, thus causing local extinction, and by delaying the onset of reproduction to the beginning of the dry season. Overall, the dynamics of multimammate rats in the inner delta of the Niger River appeared to be linked to rainfall and flooding patterns in a complex way. Maximum demographic growth appeared to be associated with intermediate levels of flood height, consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.
Comparative Haematological Parameters of the Bagrid Catfish (Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus) and the African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) from Asejire Dam in Southwestern Nigeria

The aim of the present study was to investigate and establish reference ranges for haematological values for Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from Asejire Dam in Southwestern Nigeria and compared it with that of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from the same dam. In the present work hematologic indices (RBC, WBC, Ht, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC), were determined using standard methods. The mean ± SEM and range were established. RBC, Hb, lymphocyte and MCV differs significantly between the Bagrid catfish and the African catfish.
Failure of microsatellite's cross-species amplification in common ground beetle Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger)

In the present paper, we describe results of cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in wing dimorphic carabid Pterostichus melanarius - model species for diverse ecological studies. In particular wing dimorphism determined genetically, with simple Mendelian fashion and discovery of brachyptery gene provides unique opportunities to study gene flow within metapopulation. One hundred individuals originating form nine island populations of Mamry Lake archipelago were studied. Using PCR primers from five different species of Carabidae, especially including closely related species – Pterostichus oblongopunctatus we failed to establish firm ground of population genetic tool for the beetle. We review works on crossspecies amplification in invertebrates and show that success of cross-species strategy among coleopteran species from different genus is rather highly doubtful. We present procedures and results that that might be of importance for ecologists tempted by scientific opportunities given by P. melanarius.
The influence of body mass on daily movement patterns and home ranges of the collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus)

While the determinants of animals' space use have been addressed in a large number of studies, its intrasexual variability has received only limited attention. By means of radiotelemetry we found body mass to influence home-range size and distance moved by adult collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) in northeast Greenland. Male body mass was positively correlated with home-range size. Distance moved by both males and females was also correlated with body mass, but with opposite trends: male movement distances increased with body mass, while female movement distances decreased. This may reflect the fact that larger females occupy the most favourable habitats, i.e., the habitats that minimize the need for movement, and thus exposure to predators, without limiting the food supply. The variability in male home range size and distance moved resulted in variability in the number of females accessible to each male. Larger males had access to more females, and hence, body mass was indirectly important for.
A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF ENTOMOGENOUS NEMATODES TO CONTROL THE AFRICAN SUGARCANE STALK BORER ELDANA SACCHARINA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

A species of Heterorhabditis and two species of Steiner­ nema were isolated from soil in Natal. A third species of Steinernema was obtained from a dead beetle grub. Larvae of Eldana saccharina Walker were more susceptible to the Heterorhabditis and, to a lesser extent, one of the Steiner­ nemaspecies than to the other species. Pupae of eldana were less susceptible than larvae to the Heterorhabditis and this Steinernema species. The Heterorhabditis sp. was tested against eldana in the field by spraying infested sugarcane with various concentrations and volumesof an aqueoussus­ pensionof the infective stage of the nematode. Theseranged from 50 to 8 000 infectives ml- ' and 50 to 200 ml stalk'. Large volumes of water and very large numbers of nema­ todes were required to achieve moderate control of eldana.
Does Predation or Moisture Explain Distance to Edge Distribution of Soil Arthropods?

Abstract Ecological trap theory suggests that greater predator activity occurs along edge habitat, thereby reducing prey abundance. Alternatively, environmental gradients associated with edge habitat may be responsible for changes in prey abundance irrespective of predator spatial distribution. To test these alternative hypotheses, I measured the distance soil arthropods were to edge of boxes (21 × 9.5 cm) placed on the forest floor of prairie (precipitation-limited; 1977–1999) and boreal forest (moderate precipitation; 2000–2001) sites. Predator theory predicted that in either environment predatory groups would be located close to edge and herbivore/detritivore groups would not be distributed different from random. In support of this hypothesis, in the precipitation-limited environment 7 of 11 soil arthropod groups were distributed as predicted; however, only 7 of 13 groups followed predator predictions in the moderate-precipitation environment. In support of the environmental gradient hypothesis, 22 of 24 soil arthropod groups were distributed as predicted. Here, all hard-bodied groups, with the exception of snails, were located closer to edge than expected and all soft-bodied groups, with the exception of slugs, were not located closer to edge than expected indicating possible avoidance of external dryness. Tests of these two hypotheses were confirmed with similar results using a regression method to determine if distribution declined from edge to interior. In conclusion, the results did not support the predation hypothesis and instead supported the environmental gradient hypothesis with moisture the likely explanation for the distribution pattern of soil arthropods.
Preparation for Action

PREPARATION FOR ACTION The Negotiating Committee, under the joint chairmanship of Sir Russell Brain and Dr. A. B. Davies (acting for Dr. A. Talbot Rogers), is meeting the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland on Friday of this week. This is nearly a year after the B.M.A. informed the Minister that the profession intended to make a claim for more pay in view of the increase in the cost of living since March, 1951. Since February last year the two sides have exchanged several letters, the Ministers have met the profession's negotiators on one occasion only, and the profession has backed up its insistence that the Government has a moral obligation to continue acting on the Spens recommendations by sending the Ministers a carefully argued legal statement of the case. But the Ministers have refused to acknowledge that the translation of the Spens recommendations into the changing postwar value of money was to be a continuing operation. In fact they have followed the example of a succession of Ministers who since 1948 have tried to ignore what is implicit in the reports of two interdepartmental committees, the recommendations of which
WY14,643, a PPARα Ligand, Has Profound Effects on Immune Responses In Vivo1

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors with diverse actions. PPARα and PPARγ are expressed in different lymphocyte subpopulations. Recently, we have observed that PPARα ligands elicit augmented IL-4 expression in cultures of mitogen-activated splenocytes. The following studies were undertaken to characterize the in vivo effects of WY14,643, a PPARα ligand. Our studies demonstrate that oral administration of WY14,643 markedly reduces splenocyte number in immunized and nonimmunized C57BL/6 mice. Mice fed WY14,643 display impaired IgG responses to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35–55 (pMOG35–55), following immunization with pMOG35–55/CFA. Following in vitro restimulation with pMOG35–55, splenocytes harvested from WY14,643-fed mice demonstrate impaired production of IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α despite similar proliferative responses. We also demonstrate higher expression of PPARα in B than T cells. Finally, to obtain an understanding of the cause of splenocyte depletion with fibrate therapy, we studied the effect of WY14,643 on apoptosis of activated splenocytes. WY14,643 in vitro induces apoptosis in lymphocytes and this effect appears to occur in a PPARα-independent manner. Thus WY14,643, a fibrate, is a profound immunosuppressive agent.
Cell surface elemental composition of Microcystis aeruginosa: high-Si and low-Si subpopulations within the water column of a eutrophic lake

Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (10 kV microprobe) was carried out to determine the surface elemental composition of single cells of Microcystis aeruginosa within mixed phyto- plankton preparations, sampled at different depths (0-8 m) within a stratified eutrophic lake. Mean elemental concentrations (mmol kg-1 dry weight) throughout the sampled water column were: magnesium, 125; silicon (Si), 1864; phosphorus, 341; sulphur, 122; chlorine, 88; potassium, 282; calcium, 63. Although some significant differences in elemental composition occurred with depth, the underlying pattern was one of relative uniformity within the top 8 m of the water column. At each depth, the frequency distribution of Si was bimodal, indicating two distinct subpopulations of cells with cell surface Si concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mmol kg-1 (overall mean 112, low-Si cells) and from 1000 to 6800 mmol kg-1 (overall mean 3649, high-Si cells). The two subpopulations occurred mixed together within individual colonies, and both included dividing and non-dividing cells. Both cell types had a wide range of sizes, but high-Si cells reached a higher maximum size in both dividing (diameter greater by 0.90 µm) and non-dividing (difference of 0.44 µm) cells. This difference in size is consistent with Si being present as a surface layer (up to 0.2-0.4 µm in thickness) in high-Si cells. Support for the presence of a surface layer of Si (with aluminium (Al)) is also provided by correlation analysis (Si and Al are significantly negatively correlated with other cell elements), principal component analysis (Si and Al occur as a distinct subgroup) and lower mean concentrations of elements (other than Al) in high-Si cells (due to reduced X-ray contribution from the cell interior). The proportion of high-Si cells in the water column was locally high in the 2 m depth sample, and had an overall value of 40.5% for the whole data set. The biological significance of high- and low-Si cells is not known.
Therapy for Whipple's disease—authors' response

number of DNA copies by real-time quantitative PCR assay, compared with the number of DNA copies at day 0 of the experiment. MICs were defined as the minimal antibiotic concentrations allowing complete inhibition of bacterial growth. This was determined by measuring DNA copies using quantitative PCR assay when compared with a growth control at the beginning of the experiment. The MICs for the two strains of T. whipplei ranged from 0.5 to 1 mg/L for sulfadiazine versus 0.5 mg/L for sulfamethoxazole (Figure 1 shows an example of MIC determination for sulfadiazine and the Twist strain). Therefore, sulfadiazine is as effective as sulfamethoxazole in vitro. In view of these new in vitro data, we believe that it is time to change from co-trimoxazole to sulfadiazine. Currently, two clinical studies are in progress to evaluate treatment strategies using either a combination of doxycycline (2 100 mg/day) with hydroxychloroquine (600 mg/day) associated with a sulphonamide in the case of neurological involvement (i.e. a positive PCR in CSF and/or neurological symptoms), or induction therapy with parenteral ceftriaxone, or a carbapenem for 14 days followed by 1 year of treatment with oral co-trimoxazole. We suggest only using a sulphonamide if the patient has neurological symptoms or a positive T. whipplei PCR assay on CSF. In our experience, preliminary results with this regimen are encouraging. Because sulfadiazine has better penetration into CSF, a longer plasma and CSF half-life, and higher plasma concentrations compared with sulfamethoxazole, this compound may be valuable in the treatment of Whipple’s disease when a sulphonamide is required. In conclusion, with advances in knowledge of T. whipplei, the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease will be easier and more accurate than previously found. The evidence used to form past recommendations has been impaired by the lack of information on, for example, inclusion criteria and follow-up methods.
Lamb survival: a new examination of an old problem

The overall aim of this project is to identify genetic markers for lamb survival. This paper reports the results from the first stage of the investigation aimed to identify the primary causes of lamb death from parturition to three days of age for highly fecund flocks. Flocks in the study consisted of 9 breeds and 12,000 breeding ewes and were located in New Zealand regions; Southland, Otago and Manawatu. All lambs were tagged and identified to their dam and sire. Lambs dead at birth and up to three days of age were collected (n = 1529), weighed, measured and examined by post mortem to determine cause and time of death. Primary causes of lamb death included: dystocia, starvation/exposure, amnion over nose, organ rupture, disease, and unknown. The mean mortality rate from birth to weaning for the 20 flocks studied was 14 ± 0.6% (SEM) in singles, 16 ± 0.3% in twins and 29 ± 0.6% in triplets. The study showed that the predominant primary cause of lamb deaths from parturition to three days of age was dystocia (difficult births). The dystocia rate was highest for dead single lambs (57 ± 4.2% SEM) (P < 0.05), where there was an unexpectedly high incidence for dystocia for dead twin (46 ± 1.7% SEM) and triplet lambs (48 ± 2.3% SEM). This suggests that dystocia as a primary cause of lamb death may be underestimated within highly fecund sheep flocks. The high death rate from dystocia in twin and triplet lambs has not been previously reported and is currently under further investigation.
The effect of thyroid activity on adult rat spermatogenesis

Summary The influence of hypo- and hyper-thyroidism on spermatogenesis was studied in 60-day-old adult male Wistar rats. To confirm hypo- and hyper-thyroidism, the concentration of plasma thyroid hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay. The hypothyroid state, induced by administration of 25 mg/kg/day methimazole for 5 successive days, resulted in significant decrease in the number of Sertoli cells, sperm count, Leydig cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. The hyperthyroid state, induced by administration of 1 mg/kg/day L-thyroxine for 10 successive days, increased the number of Sertoli cells, sperm count, Leydig cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. Serum levels of FSH and LH and testosterone were also evaluated. Hypo- and hyper-thyroidism had no effects on the concentrations of FSH and LH, while the concentration of testosterone was significantly increased in hyperthyroid state; it decreased in hypothyroid state in comparison with the control euthyroid rats. In conclusion, our data indicated that hypo- and hyper-thyroidism affect spermatogenesis through their effects on germinal, interstitial and Sertoli cells but not through the pituitary-gonadal axis.
Mutation

A mutation is a DNA change that is recorded durably and passed on to the offspring. A number of mutations in germ cells have detrimental effects for they often cause hereditary diseases. Likewise, mutations that accumulate in body cells can generate cancers. Nevertheless, a large number of mutations are neutral in their normal environment. The few advantageous mutations that occur are generally maintained. Mutations that arise at random are constantly sifted through by a selective environment. This dual process works as the driving force of evolution.
Differences in the Effects of Selective Logging on Amphibian Assemblages in Three West African Forest Types

Making generalizations about the impact of commercial selective logging on biodiversity has so far remained elusive. Species responses to logging depend on a number of factors, many of which have not been studied in detail. These factors may include the natural forest conditions (forest types) under which logging impacts are investigated; but this question has so far remained unexamined. In a large‐scale replicate study we aimed at clarifying the relationship between logging and forest types on leaf litter frogs. We contrast three distinct and naturally occurring forest types, including wet evergreen, moist evergreen and semi‐deciduous forests. Selectively logged sites were compared with primary forest sites for each forest type. We found that the response of frog communities to logging varies in different forest types. In the wet evergreen forest, richness was higher in logged forest than primary forest, while diversity measures were not different between logged and primary forest habitats. In the moist evergreen, richness and diversity were higher in selectively logged areas compared with primary forest habitats. In the semi‐deciduous, logged forests were characterized by drastic loss of forest specialists, reduced richness, and diversity. These results indicate that the net effect of logging varies with respect to forest type. Forest types that are characterized by adverse climatic conditions (i.e., low rainfall and protracted dry seasons) are more likely to produce negative effects on leaf litter anuran communities. For comparisons of the impact of logging on species to be effective, future research must endeavor to include details of forest type.
Influence of Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, and Nitrogen Deficiencies on the Growth and Development of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Seedlings

Plant mineral nutrition is a vital area of research to understand the mineral needs of plants, especially crops, and increase crop yields. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and nitrogen (N) deficiencies on the growth and development of sorghum and sunflower. Fedeficient sorghum and sunflower plants had slightly reduced plant height, root length, and leaf numbers. Leaf chlorosis and necrosis is extreme in sorghum leaves compared to sunflower leaves which exhibited slight leaf chlorosis and necrosis limited to their edges. K-deficient sorghum and sunflower plants exhibited slightly reduced plant height and leaf number but highly reduced root length. Mg-deficient sorghum plants had similar plant heights, leaf number, and root length; however, their leaves were chlorotic with necrotic spots. In contrast, Mg-deficient sunflower plants had highly reduced plant height, leaf number, and root length, and had stunted growth, brown, necrotic, and chlorotic leaves. N-deficient sorghum and sunflower plants had severely reduced plant height, leaf number, and root length. These plants exhibited extreme stunted growth and leaf chlorosis. The symptoms obtained here are in agreement with characteristic symptoms of plant mineral nutrition deficiencies for Fe, K, Mg, and N reported in the previous studies. The results presented here are very important to a better understanding of the impact of mineral deficiency on sunflower and sorghum plants.