Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVOLUTIONARY TRENDS IN THE GENUS GINKGO

Three main independent phylogenetic groups within Ginkgoales, consisting of different families, are suggested. It is considered impossible to deduce the genus Ginkgo from any other genus by means of fossil evidence known at present. The oldest finds of Ginkgo date from the Lower Jurassic. During the Cretaceous, increasing polymorphy in foliar remains indicates the rise of new species. During the Lower Cretaceous there also appears a type of leaf known both as G. adiantoides and as G. paradiantoides. This leaf is from the gross morphological and the anatomical point of view almost identical with the Tertiary and Recent Ginkgo populations, thus making a direct ancestry between the present-day Ginkgo and those of the Lower Cretaceous likely. By Lower Tertiary times a considerable reduction has taken place leaving only one gross morphological type of leaf, that of G. adiantoides. This is suggested to be identical with G. biloba. Although there is no positive evidence, it can be assumed that the final reduction of the genus, to its present-day East Asiatic home, has taken place during the Pleistocene period.
Nutritional value of Hydrothermally processed Citrullus lanatus seeds in the Diet of Clarias gariepinus

This study was designed to investigate the nutritive value of hydrothermally processed watermelon seed ( Citrulus lanatus ) meals in the diet of Clarias gariepinus . Five diets of 35% crude protein containing watermelon hydrothermally processed for 0,10,20,30 and 40 minutes were formulated and fed to the experimental fish at 5% of their body weight for 56 days. The results obtained revealed that growth increased as the time of processing prolonged, it is concluded that hydrothermal processing of Citrulus lanatus for up to 40 minutes improve digestibility of the feed in the diet of Clarias gariepinus .
Feeding and housing management practices of dairy animals in Rajnandgaon of Chhatisgarh plain

Data were collected from 300 farmers from rural area covering 20 villages of all 9 blocks and 100 farmers from Rajnandgaon city to study. The information was collected from respondents on feeding and housing management practices of dairy animals by a questionnaire prepared. In urban area significantly (P<0.01) higher (26%) number of farmer provide green fodders throughout the year in comparison to rural farmers(2.33%). Maiority of the farmers (99.66%) did not prefer chaffing of fodder in rural areas, whereas, in urban area only 6% preferred it. Almost all farmers of rural (100%) and urban area (93%) sent their animals out for grazing. Farmers in rural(73%) and urban(67%) area fed their livestock with crop residues like paddy straw, wheat straw and lakhdin (Lathyrus) straw. In rural area (96%) farmers fed their livestock with only brans and chunnies as a substitute of concentrate mixture. However, 4% farmers provided their animals with balanced feed. In urban area significantly (P<0.01) higher number of farmers provided balanced cattle feed to their animals, and 100% farmers purchased it from local market. Significantly higher number (97.33%) of farmers of rural area provided common salt to their animals in comparison to 27% urban farmers. Significantly (P<0.01) higher number of farmer provided mineral mixture in urban area as compared to no farmer in rural area. The housing managemental practices adopted in majority of cases were unhygienic, unhealthy and not according to the recommendation in rural areas as compared to urban area. There is need to provide knowledge of scientific feeding and housing management practices to the farmers through extension education programme.
Expression analysis and immunohistochemical localization of putative tumor suppressor QM homologue from the cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapae

The tumor suppressor, QM has been cloned and characterized from eukaryotic organisms including humans, vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and yeast. However, no study on Pieris rapae QM (PrQM) has been reported to date. In this study, cDNA encoding a putative QM protein (PrQM) was obtained from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of the Pieris rapae cDNA library. Phylogenetic analysis of PrQM showed high similarity of amino acid sequence with other putative homologues identified from Heliothis virescens (95%), Bombyx mori (92%), Plutella xylostella (92%), Drosophila melanogaster (89%) and Polyrhachis vicina (85%), indicating that QM is highly conserved among insects. Semi‐quantitative PCR datasets revealed that PrQM transcripts are highly expressed in head, silk gland, integument and fat body, with pronounced expression observed during the egg stage. The coding region of the PrQM gene was cloned into the pET28 (+) expression vector and the recombinant protein purified by His‐tag affinity chromatography was used for antibody production. Western blotting with the anti‐PrQM antibody detected a single band corresponding to the expected molecular weight of both endogenous (26 kDa) and recombinant (29 kDa) PrQM. Furthermore, immunohistochemical and confocal microscopic analysis with the anti‐PrQM antibody showed that the QM gene is highly expressed in the cytoplasm of fat body, gut and Malpighian tubules in virus‐uninfected control larvae, but down‐regulated at 4 days post Pieris rapae granulovirus (PiraGV) infection. These data show that PrQM is negatively regulated upon virus infection and suggests a putative immunomodulatory function.
INFLUENCE OF LAND USE TYPES ON OCCURRENCE OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN THE HIGH ALTITUDE REGIONS OF MT. KENYA

A survey was carried out to establish the effects of Land Use Types (LUT) on Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF). AMF spore abundance and colonization were evaluated. The percentage root colonization was assessed in trap plants only. AMF were identified and enumerated from spores extracted directly from field soils. Soils were sampled from 60 points occurring in three windows in central Kenya. A total of 16 AMF species were isolated and 15 distinguished to species status. The spore community was dominated by Acaulosporaceae, and Glomaceae. Land use type had no significant (p<0.05) effect on AMF spore abundance or root colonization. However trends were observed with land use with napier and tea recording the highest AMF spore abundance; LUT with fallow/pasture, maize and coffee with intermediate spore abundance and LUT with natural forest and planted forest with the least spore abundance. The reverse was observed for root colonization with highest colonization in natural and planted forest and the less in the remaining LUT. This is with the exception of LUT with tea which maintained both high spore abundance and slightly high colonization. Soil factors were significantly (p< 0.01) in LUT. However, the relationship between spore abundance and soil nutrients was not statistically significant (p<0.05). There was however a slight evidence of effect showing phosphorus and acidity, with coefficient values -1.29 and -0.48 respectively, to have negative relationship with AMF spore abundance. The similarity of land use types was high (r = 0.716) and was not by chance. However, similar LUT did not necessarily having similar spore abundance or soil nutrient factors. Hence implying the possibility of other factors such plant species and management as major in influencing AMF occurrence and soil nutrients factors. The study maintains phosphorus and acidity to have negative influence on AMF, spore abundance and root colonization brought out similarities in land use intensities. There is a clear suggestion that spore abundance and AMF colonization are able to detect variations in land use intensity. There is also an indication that AMF species spore abundance is a response to stress with the Glomaceae and Acaulosporaceae responding faster to harsh conditions by producing spores, hence are able to remain and dominate disturbed landscapes longer
Tree Growth and Regeneration Dynamics at a Mountain Ecotone on Changbai Mountain, Northeastern China: Which Factors Control Species Distributions?

Abstract: To improve our understanding of climate-driven long-term dynamics of eastern Asian mountain forests, we used field surveys and dendrochronological techniques to examine regeneration density, growth rate of mature trees, and growth sensitivity to climate of 3 common coniferous tree species at their respective altitudinal distribution limits on Changbai Mountain, northeastern China. The studied species were Manchurian fir (Abies nephrolepis, distributed between 780 and 1750 m asl), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis, 780 and 1300 m asl), and Jezo spruce (Picea jezoensis var. komarovii, 1000 and 1750 m asl). Regeneration densities did not differ significantly among the elevations except for Jezo spruce, which showed a significantly lower regeneration density at 1000 m asl as compared to 1300 and 1750 m asl. All 3 species showed a significantly higher basal area increment (BAI) at the middle part of their distribution ranges than at their limits. The growth of Manchurian fir and Jezo spruce exhibited higher sensitivity to precipitation than to temperature at their lower distribution limits, and the inverse pattern was observed at the upper limit. In all cases the correlations between growth and the respective climate variable were positive, except for the correlation between Jezo spruce growth and precipitation. Growth of Korean pine was positively correlated with spring temperature and summer moisture at its lower distribution limit and with summer temperature at its upper limit. Our study suggests that elevational limits of forest vegetation were likely constrained by climate factors affecting growth of dominant species rather than those controlling regeneration density.
A revision of the South American gekkonid lizard genus Homonota Gray. American Museum novitates ; no. 2193

The relationships of the South American gekkonid lizard genus Homonota Gray cannot be determined with any degree of certainty on the basis of the external characters used in the present study. A distributional list and artificial key to all the New World gekkonoid genera are presented as possible aids to future intergeneric studies. The genus Homonota is redefined, and Cubina Gray and Wallsaurus Underwood are considered synonyms. A detailed description of each recognized species is presented, based on external meristic and measurable characters. A new species is described from San Juan Province, Argentina. The nine recognized species appear to form three natural groups on the basis of the arrangement and form of the scales that cover the dorsal body surfaces.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN POLA MAKAN SIAP SAJI (FAST FOOD) PADA MAHASISWA PROGRAM STUDI ILMU KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT STIKes HANGTUAH PEKANBARU

Fast food is food available in quick time and ready, a kind of food packed , easily served , practical as fried chiken , hamburgers or pizza and in the form of a side dish pauk in packs instant noodles , canned sardines , nuggets , or also corn flakes as food for breakfast. Consume fast food if consumed in the number of many not good for the long term can trigger the emergence of various disease, like diabetes and coronary heart, hypertension. The effect cannot be felt in the short term but in the near term a long. This research is to find out what connected diet of fast foods astudents IKM STIKes Hang Tuah Pekanbaru the year 2015. The kind of research this is observational analytic with the design cross sectional . Population in this study a total of 678 students , study sample this is a student prodi hpi in the second semester II, IV , and VI who a total of 153 . The sampling method of technique used was random sampling . The analysis used is univariat analysis and bivariat chi-square with the who uses a tool in the form of the questionnaire measuring ` Besed on the results ofresearch shows the majority of respondents having a pattern of eating junk 91 (59,9%), signitifikan relationship between knowledge and there are nutrition white a pettren of eating fas food (P value 0,000, POR= 4,340), attitude(P value 0,011, POR =2,475), pocket money (P value 0,025, POR= 2,651 ). The advice in this research was for college students STIKes Hang Tuah Pekanbaru join a seminar health and increase knowledge health by receive information health to understood from consume fast food.
Abundance and diversity of soil mites (acari) along a gradient of land use types in Taita Taveta, Kenya

The abundance and diversity of soil mites was monitored along a gradient of land use types (LUTs) during the wet seasons in soils of Taita Taveta, Kenya. Sampling of mites from soils was carried out in eight LUTs which included maize-based system (Zea mays), coffee (Coffea Arabica), horticulture, napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), fallow, pine (Pinus patula), cypress (Cypressus lusitanica), natural forest. LUT significantly influenced abundance, richness and diversity of the soil mites. During the short rains the diversity of soil mites increased in the order napier < maize-based system < horticulture < coffee < fallow < natural forest < pine forest < cypress plantation while the long rains season abundance increased in the order maize-based system < coffee < horticulture < napier < natural forest < fallow < pine forest < cypress forest. Higher abundance, richness and diversity of the mites was observed in the less disturbed forest ecosystems unlike the agro-ecosystems, which are often disturbed with intensive cultivation A total of 37 families were recorded with 20 oribatid families, 10 mesostigmatid families and 7 prostigmatid families. The families that ranked highest in abundance across the LUT were Scheloribatidae, Oppidae (Oribatida) and Rhodacaridae (Mesostigmata). LUT influenced significantly (P<0.05) the abundance and diversity of soil mites where intensification lowered the diversity and abundances resulting in less complex mites community structures.
The distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in relation to time since wildfire and vegetation structure in south-eastern Australia

Vegetation undergoes a natural succession after wildfire. Following an initial flush of vegetation, when light and other resources become limiting, the stand structure rapidly reaches a maximum. As a result, vegetation structure does not form an even distribution over the landscape, but rather a patchwork pattern. The position and characteristics of a patch of habitat in the landscape may be critical in determining the faunal composition. In this paper a sequence of ‘habitat complexity scores’ (which describe vegetation structure independently of plant species) collected over 20 years following a wildfire was utilised to estimate vegetation structure in relation to time since fire. This information was compared with data collected over the same period on medium-sized and large grounddwelling mammals to examine the response of mammals to changes in vegetation structure. Models are presented of the response of ground-dwelling mammals to time since wildfire and to changes in habitat complexity scores, with predictions up to 25 years after wildfire.
Assessment of Introduced Prickly Sculpin Populations in Mountain Lakes in Two Areas of Western Washington State

Abstract Short-distance (i.e., < 100 km) introductions of diminutive fish species are often not well documented but may have important ecological consequences. Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper), which are native to lowland habitats of the Pacific Northwest, have been introduced in some mountain lakes of western Washington State. The ecology of six introduced populations of prickly sculpin was investigated through daytime minnow trapping, diet analysis, and age and growth analysis. Results of minnow trapping indicated prickly sculpin were abundant in each lake (Nisqually River lakes, mean = 11.3 individuals/trap; Dry Bed Lakes in Satsop River basin, mean = 1.9 individuals/trap). Prickly sculpin diet in the Nisqually River lakes was composed primarily of micro-crustaceans (92% by number of all prey items; dominated by copepods and cladocerans), chironomids, mollusks, and sculpin In the Dry Bed Lakes, the diet was composed primarily of caddisflies, oligochaetes, and micro-crustaceans. In native lentic habitats, prickly sculpin primarily consume macroinvertebrates with the rare occurrence of micro-crustaceans in the diet. Similar to native populations, prickly sculpin in the mountain lakes reached sizes greater than 150 mm total length; however, their growth rates were slower. In conclusion, prickly sculpin were common in the mountain lakes, consumed a variety of prey types and sizes, and grew to a relatively large size; therefore, this species may have important effects on the ecosystem of these lakes. However, additional assessment of their native and introduced distribution and ecology is needed to better understand their potential as an invasive species.
Relationships of the swallowtail 'genera' Agehana Matsumura, Chilasa Moore and Eleppone Hancock (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

The Old World groups of Papilionini with apparent New World ancestors are reviewed. The Chinese 'Agehana' Matsumura is transferred from a subgenus of 'Chilasa' Moore to a subgenus of 'Pterourus' Scopoli. The Indo-Papuan 'Chilasa' and Australian 'Eleppone' Hancock are treated as sister-genera derived from ancestral 'Heraclides' Hubner. Dispersal is suggested to be Beringian in 'Pterourus (Agehana)' and Gondwanan in 'Chilasa' and 'Eleppone'.
The Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis Induced by Allium flavum L. and Synergistic Effects with New‐Synthesized Pd(II) Complex on Colon Cancer Cells

Considering that induction of apoptosis is one of the main strategies in cancer therapy, the molecular mechanisms of cytotoxic effects of Allium flavum L. on colon cancer cell lines were investigated and applied in single and co-treatments with new-synthesized Pd(II) complex. The analysis of chemical composition identified caffeic acid glycosides as the most dominant phenolics in A. flavum extract. In all investigated extracts, A. flavum showed cytotoxic effects on colon cancer cells (IC50 = 1.64–84 μg/mL) but not on healthy cells. Combinations of plant extracts with Pd(II) complex caused lower IC50 values and better proapoptotic activity. Pd(II) complex induced high percentage of necrosis in a single treatment, but in the combination with plant extracts it had better proapoptotic and lower necrotic activity. Treatments and co-treatments induced higher O2− production and influenced apoptosis biomarkers, leading to Fas protein overexpression and activation of caspases 8 and 9. Practical Applications In view of the achieved anticancer properties, insufficiently investigated Allium flavum L. is a promising candidate for developing new anticancer compounds and deserves further research and scientific validation. This study has great impact on investigation of new anticancer substances from natural source, focuses on the importance of using plants as the source of medicinal drugs, contributes to the development of the appropriate therapy and gives contribution in both scientific and practical means. Because of its synergistic actions with the newly synthesized chemical anticancer agent and ability to reduce side effects (thus reducing necrotic activity of Pd[II] complex), A. flavum can be used as a dietary food supplement or supplement to chemotherapy perhaps in combination with currently used chemotherapeutics or in some strategies in cancer therapy. This finding is also important from a nutritional point of view because this extracts contain significant amounts of bioactive constituents, which provide health benefits.
Antibacterial peptides - key players in host defense at epithelial surfaces

Innate host defense mechanisms at epithelial surfaces are important to prevent bacterial invasion. Streptococcus pyogenes, group A streptococcus (GAS), has an affinity for epithelial cells and cause pharyngitis. During streptococcal pharyngitis, high concentrations of the chemokines CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL11/I-TAC were found in tonsil fluid. Similarly, these chemokines were produced by activated pharyngeal epithelial cells in vitro. CXCL9/MIG was the predominant chemokine and also the most potent in killing GAS. Epithelial recognition of GAS, or its important virulence factor protein M1, was demonstrated by an increased production of CXCL9/MIG. Stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines induced a high antibacterial activity against GAS, both in the incubation medium and retained on the cell surface. Knockdown of CXCL9/MIG-production resulted in a decreased antibacterial activity. The soluble antibacterial activity was dependent on IFN-γ and mediated by a variety of antibacterial chemokines and antibacterial peptides. SIC, a released protein of GAS inhibited the antibacterial effect of both CXCL9/MIG, and of incubation medium from stimulated cells. The virulent GAS, but not the commensal Finegoldia magna, induced an immune response in keratinocytes, as exemplified by an increase in CXCL9/MIG-expression. The F. magna protease SufA degraded CXCL9/MIG into fragments not bactericidal to the bacterium itself, but to GAS. Additionally, F. magna adhesion factor, FAF, inhibited the antibacterial effect of CXCL9/MIG. Taken together, the epithelium recognizes pathogens, but not commensals, and a bactericidal response is initiated. The response is dependent on IFN-γ, and mediated by antibacterial peptides, where the IFN-γ- inducible antibacterial chemokine CXCL9/MIG is important.
The importance of forests to protect medicinal plants: a case study of Khadimnagar National Park, Bangladesh

The article describes the status, distribution, diversity, and curative values of medicinal plants in Khadimnagar National Park, a protected area in northeastern Bangladesh. A stratified random sampling method was applied for the quantification of plants and we collected information on utilization patterns through direct observation and by interviewing older respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 1684 plants of 50 species (42 families) were recorded to possess curative values. Of the 50 species, 22 trees, 12 shrubs, 10 herbs, and 6 climbers and 6 grass species were found belonging to 17, 10, 9, and 6 families, respectively. The low lands were found most favorable for medicinal plants (40%) followed by middle of the hill (34%). Plants identified within the area were used for the treatment of 69 ailments. For medicinal preparations and treating various ailments, above-ground parts of plants were used more often than below-ground parts. Shannon–Wiener diversity, species diversity, and species richness indices were calculated. Medicinal plants used by the community seemed to be sustainable, but commercial extraction of some valuable species was found unsustainable. This calls for urgent conservation measures by the relevant authorities to maximize the sustainable use of these vital resources in the study area.
Chipping whole trees for fuel chips: a production study

A time and motion study was conducted to determine the productivity and cost of an in-woods chipping operation when processing whole mall-diameter trees for biomass. The study removed biomass from two overstocked stands and compared the cost of this treatment to existing alternatives. The treatment stands consisted of a 30-year-old longleaf pine stand and a 37-year-old loblolly pine stand. In the longleaf pine stand, 71% of the trees removed were less than 5 in. dbh. In the loblolly pine stand, approximately 81% of the stems removed were less than 5 in. dbh. The harvesting system consisted of conventional ground-based harvesting equipment and a three-knife chipper that processed the biomass into fuel chips. The average production time to fill a chip von was 24.61 minutes. The chip moisture content averaged 94.1 1% (dry basis). Using machine rates and federal labor wage rates, the in-woods cost of producing fuel chips was $9.1 8/green ton (gt). The cost of the biomass chipping operation ($1 5.1 8/91), including transportation, compared favorably to existing alternative treatments of cut-and-pile or mulching.