Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphology and Development of Immature Stage of Diadromus collaris (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an Important Endoparasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

ABSTRACT Diadromus collaris (Gravenhorst) is an important pupal parasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a major insect pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. We studied the development of immature stage of D. collaris by dissecting parasitized hosts in the laboratory at 25 ± 1°C and 50–80% relative humidity. The results show that all immature stages complete their development within the same host in 11≈12 d. The egg is hymenopteriform and appears to be anhydropic. There are four larval instars. The first instar is transparent with a sclerotized rectangular chitinous head capsule and distinct mandibles. Head capsule of the second instar turns into more isosceles trapeziumshaped. The third instar looks similar to the second instar but proportionally much larger. The sclerization and dimension of the fourth instar increases significantly. The pupa is a typical exarate form and lacks a cocoon. All life history was fully documented with detailed photomicrographs. Our study will be useful for understanding the physiological interactions between D. collaris and P. xylostella.
TESTIS FOLLICLE NUMBER AND THE HIGHER SYSTEMATICS OF MIRIDAE (HEMIPTERA‐HETEROPTERA)

Testis follicles of ninety-four mirid species are listed: subfamilies Phylinae, Dicyphinae, Orthotylinae and Mirinae have modalities of 3, 1, 2 and 7 respectively. Other features—pronotal collar, pretarsus, venation, genitalia, eggs and diploid numbers—are reviewed in the light of new information and a fresh grouping of subfamilies is suggested: Isometopinae; Bryocorinae; Mirinae + Deraeocorinae +? Cylapinae; Dicyphinae + Orthotylinae + Phylinae. The current tribal divisions in Orthotylinae are untenable and the distinction of this group from Phylinae is blurred. Membranous arolia have arisen twice in Miridae, the family originating from a nabid-like predatory ancestor. The two-celled membrane is more primitive than the one-celled, but retention of ocelli by Isometopinae is also a primitive feature. Species aberrent in follicle number include Alloeotomus gothicus and Oncotylus viridiflavus (indefinite follicle number); Stenotus binotatus and Leptopterna spp (additional follicles); Notostira elongata, Orthocephalus coriaceus and Cyrtorhinus caricis (departure from subfamily norm): Deraeocoris is polyphyletic. Analysis of feeding habits has disclosed marked intersubfamilial differences.
Brooding strategies in solitary ascidians: Corella species from north and south temperate waters

Corella inflata from the northwest Pacific coast of North America and Corella eumyota from southern New Zealand are both ovoviviparous solitary ascidians with very different methods of brood retention. Corella inflata eggs are covered with large follicle cells that are responsible for flotation. The floating eggs are trapped in the upwardly situated atrial chamber, where development ensues. Corella eumyota eggs have small follicle cells and do not float; the follicle cells produce a viscous glue that causes the eggs and embryos to stick to each other and to the right atrium. The follicle cells are not sticky when removed from the ovary but become so in about 15 min. In C. inflata, development to hatching requires 24–26 h at 13 °C and metamorphosis begins 17 h later. Corella eumyota tadpoles hatch at about 25 h at 15 °C and begin metamorphosis 11 h later. Both species retain the tadpoles well beyond hatching and release tadpoles fully competent to metamorphose. In C. inflata the tadpoles swim down and out .
Assessment of the Effect of Oil on the Potyvirus Aphid Transmission Process

Mineral oil sprays applied to plants or to artificial membranes were assessed for their effect on virus and helper component (HC), both of which are required for aphid transmission. Probing oil-treated surfaces prior to or after probing a virus-HC mixture, HC, or virus, reduced or abolished transmission. Oil also inhibited transmission when contacted after aphids had penetrated membranes which contained a virus + HC mixture. Oil had no apparent effect on aphid probing behaviour. The data support the hypothesis that oil affects the interaction of virus and HC with aphid mouthparts or alimentary tract.
Differences in Tillering of Long‐ and Short‐Leaved Perennial Ryegrass Genetic Lines under Full Light and Shade Treatments

There is uncertainty among plant breeders as to which characteristics to select for to optimize grass growth dynamics. The objective was to study the relationship between leaf length and tillering in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Two long-leaved and two short-leaved genetic lines were grown in simulated shade and near-full sunlight (control) environments. The genetic lines were New Zealand cultivars Ellett (long-leaved) and Grasslands Ruanui (short-leaved), both early flowering. The other two were late-flowering divergent selections 'LL' (long-leaved) and 'SL' (short-leaved). Differences between genetic lines in leaf length were attributable mainly to higher leaf elongation rate (LER) in the two long-leaved genetic lines, and leaf elongation duration (LED) did not differ significantly between genetic lines. Grasslands Ruanui had a higher tiller number per plant than Ellett in both light environments, explained by higher site filling but similar leaf appearance rate (A L ). In contrast, LL had a higher tiller number per plant than SL, arising from a higher A L in LL. This difference decreased during the experiment under the control treatment because SL tended to have a higher site filling ratio than LL. However, in the shade treatment, differences in tiller number between LL and SL were more mediated by A L than site filling. Therefore, selection fbr high LER and long lamina length, even though associated with reduced site filling in all treatments, did not necessarily result in reduced tiller number per plant.
Notes on British Lichenicolous Fungi: VII

Abstract Phoma evemiae sp.nov. on Evemia prunastri and Polycoccum slaptoniense sp.nov. (on Xanthoria parietind) are described as new to science. Three further species are reported from the British Isles for the first time: Dactylospora microspore Etayo,Monodictys anaptychiae (Lindau) D. Hawksw. , and Sphaerellothecium araneosum (Arnold) Zopf. Notes are also presented on Bispora lichenumDiederich, Opegrapha physciaria (Nyl.) D. Hawksw. & Coppins, Polycoccum kerneri Steiner, Pronectria xanthoriae Lowen & Diederich, Stigmidium degelii R. Sant. , and S. hagenii(Rehm) Hafellner.
THE EMBRYO OF BARLEY IN RELATION TO MODIFICATION OF THE ENDOSPERM

Differential dissection of the embryo of barley grains, followed by observation of the extent of modification and assessment of α-amylase production in the endosperm, has shown that the various organs of the embryo make the following different contributions to modification. The isolated scutellum has a very limited ability to produce α-amylase and its powers of enzyme secretion are largely restricted to the peripheral region where aleurone cells are present. The stimulus which initiates enzyme formation in the aleurone is largely derived from the nodal region of the embryo, especially from the base of the node where subsidiary rootlets are formed; the scutellum apparently lacks the means of producing this stimulus. Translocation of the enzyme-inducing hormone from embryo to aleurone takes place through the apical half of the scutellum in which vascular tissue develops; this preferred route of translocation partially accounts for the asymmetric pattern of modification normally observed. Removal of the first foliar leaf from within the coleoptile allows increased production of α-amylase in the endosperm: this leaf can be regarded as a natural consumer of gibberellin.
Hepatoprotection by palm tocotrienol‐rich fraction

Tocotrienols, a group of important phytonutrients of palm oil, have been shown to possess antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotectory, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, our objective was to examine the protective effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) from palm oil on chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals were subjected to vehicle only (control), CCl 4 only, CCl 4 + 100 mg/kg silymarin (silymarin), CCl 4 + 25 mg/kg TRF (TRF-25) and CCl 4 + 50 mg/kg TRF (TRF-50) treatments for a period of 8 wks. Results showed that daily oral administration of TRF-25, TRF-50, and silymarin prevented the elevation of serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (sGOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT), liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, as well as enhancing the liver catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in rats with hepatotoxicity. At 50 mg/kg, the hepatoprotection of TRF was as good as or better than silymarin (100 mg/kg) in normalization of oxidative stress parameters in liver injury rats. These results suggest that TRF exerts effective protection against chronic CC1 4 -induced hepatic injury in rats, and its mechanism of action could be related to reducing oxidative stress in the liver tissue.
Cellular Mechanisms Of Mammalian Liver Regeneration

ABSTRACT CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF MAMMALIAN LIVER REGENERATION Kilangsungla Yanger Ben Z. Stanger The liver is an essential organ that aids in metabolic processes, protein synthesis and detoxification of harmful substances. As the centre for detoxification, the liver is able to compensate for this routine damage with its robust regenerative ability. All vertebrate livers, for example, can make up for tissue mass loss (via surgical excision of a portion of the liver) by replication of their differentiated cells within the remnant lobes. These differentiated cells include parenchymal cells such as the hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs) and also non-parenchymal cells. Despite the proliferative capacity exhibited by hepatocytes, the mechanism for how the liver regenerates after toxin injuries is debated. The liver is thought to utilize facultative stem cells (FSCs) originating from the BECs, often referred to as "oval cells," for regeneration following toxin-based injury. However, the notion that oval cells act as stem cells has been based largely on in vitro studies and transplantation models; where lineage tracing has been employed, results have been conflicting. This thesis work employs multiple genetic tools to lineage trace the origin and contribution of various cell populations to liver regeneration in vivo. The findings reveal that contrary to stem cell-based models of regeneration, virtually all new hepatocytes come from pre-existing hepatocytes with no evidence of BECs functioning as FSCs. Instead, hepatocyte lineage tracing reveals in addition to replication, they can function as FSCs. Upon perturbations including toxin injuries, they undergo a hepatocyte-to-BEC reprogramming process in vivo. Cellular reprogramming is the ability to interconvert distinct cell types with defined factors. This phenomenon has rarely been observed in vivo without exogenous factors. However, a detailed in vivo analysis reveals hepatocytes undergoing this cellular reprogramming process in a robust and step-wise manner involving both morphological and transcriptional changes. This hepatocyte-to-BEC reprogramming requires Notch signalling, similar to how the pathway functions in BEC-specification during liver development. These results provide direct evidence that mammalian regeneration prompts extensive and dramatic changes in cellular identity under various perturbations and thus can also serve as a cellular source for various diseases and potentially for therapy involving BEC paucity and dysfunction. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/949 First Advisor Ben Z. Stanger Second Advisor Patrick Seale
INJURIES TO LICHEN ULTRASTRUCTURE CAUSED BY SULPHUR DIOXIDE FUMIGATIONS

Summary Effects of SO2 (0.05,01, 0.3 and 1.0 ppm) fumigations on the ultrastructure of the lichens Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) Brodo & D. Hawksw. and Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. were studied with a transmission electron microscope. All concentrations of SO2 caused characteristic ultrastructural symptoms. These were always observable before light microscopic and visible changes in thalli. Sulphur dioxide injury in the Trebouxia phycobiont cells of both species began as swelling and deformation of mitochondria, stretching of the chloroplast envelope and deformation of pyrenoglobuli. Later, stretching of thylakoids and degeneration of pyrenoid, chloroplast stroma, nucleus, mitochondria and cytoplasm were observable. It was typical of the later stages of SO2injury that thylakoids remained visible for a long time. The degree of injury in the algal cells increased with increasing SO2 concentration and duration of exposure. The fungal cells showed ultrastructural symptoms, swelling of mitochondria and vesiculation of the mesosome-like organelle, only at the highest concentration (1.0 ppm) of SO2. The experimental results are consistent with many earlier observations on natural material collected from industrial environments. Relationships between the ultrastructural and physiological changes caused by SO2 are discussed.
Biological control of cereal stem borers in Kenya: A cost benefit approach

Abstract Lepidopteran stem borers are the key pests of maize in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the lowland tropics, dry mid-altitude, dry transitional and the moist mid-altitude zones of Kenya, the invasive crambid Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) causes up to 73% yield loss. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) started a biological control (BC) program in 1991 to control stem borers in subsistence agriculture in Africa with emphasis on classical BC of C. partellus. The project released the braconid larval parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in 1993 in coastal Kenya, where it got established and spread to other regions. This study assesses the economic impact of the introduced parasitoid. Temporal data on percentage parasitism by the introduced parasitoid and on stem borer density were collected between 1995 and 2004. Socio-economic data was collected through administration of questionnaires to 300 farmers. Economic impact of the project was calculated as the value of the yield loss abated by the parasitoid based on a model of expected stem borer density and parasitism level. Average annual parasitism increased linearly from the time of introduction to reach 20% parasitism by 2004. The net reduction in total stem borer density over the last 10 years was 33.7%, thus abating 47.3% of yield loss. The region will accumulate a net present value of US $ 183 million in economic benefits in 20 years since release of the parasitoid. Introduction of other parasitoid species targeting the egg and pupal stages of the stem borer life cycle stages would be required for biological control to push yield loss by stem borers to an insignificant level.
Some Distinguishing Features of Models of Search Behavior and Mate Choice

We develop analytical predictions about how females should behave when either a (infinite time horizon) sequential search tactic or best-of-n rule is employed to search for mates. The likelihood that a male is rejected on first encounter with a female should decline with male quality if females use a sequential search tactic. If females employ a best-of-n rule, however, the probability that a first encountered male is rejected should not depend on male quality; the proportion of males of any quality rejected on first encounter with a female equals the proportion of females that perceive the optimal number of males to be sampled prior to mating to be more than one. The behavior of females using either rule, however, depends on the distribution of quality among potential mates. We show that a variance-preserving increase of mean male quality results in an increase of the critical value of the threshold of acceptance under a sequential search rule; that is, females become more choosy. However, such a shift is not expected to change female search behavior if a best-of-n tactic is employed. A mean-preserving increase of the variance of male quality results in an increase of n among females that employ a best-of-n rule, whereas the number of males sampled prior to mating may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged following such a shift if females use a sequential search rule. The threshold acceptance criterion under sequential search, however, increases (decreases) with a mean-preserving increase (reduction) of the variance of male quality. Patterns of resampling of males by females and the position of accepted males in a search sequence have often been used to distinguish between the best-of-n and sequential search tactics. Predictions of each pattern under a sequential search model depend on both whether the time horizon over which search takes place is assumed to be finite or infinite and whether or not recall (resampling) of previously encountered males is permitted and sometimes resemble predictions of a best-of-n model of search behavior. Because finite time horizon models of sequential search are currently poorly developed, such information is not likely to provide good evidence that females are using either rule The predictions that we derive, however, should be relatively robust to assumptions about recall and the time horizon over which sampling takes place. An experimental protocol in which mate quality is altered may consequently provide a valuable approach to the study of search behavior and mate choice.
Influence of castration and postnatal energy restriction on the contractile and metabolic characteristics of bovine muscle

Vingt-quatre veaux Montbeliards âges d'environ 3 sem ont ete repartis en 2 groupes. Le premier a recu une ration permettant un gain moyen quotidien (GMQ) de 1 167 g/j, le second a ete limite a un GMQ de 658 g/j jusqu'a la fin du sevrage, a l'âge de 4 mois en moyenne. Ensuite, jusqu'a l'abattage, les 2 groupes ont recu, a meme poids, le meme regime. La moitie des animaux de chaque groupe a ete castree a 4 mois. Des echantillons du muscle Semitendinosus (ST) ont ete preleves par biopsie sur l'ensemble des animaux, a 2 stades correspondant respectivement a un poids moyen de 140 kg (a la fin du sevrage), 305 kg (9 mois environ) et a l'abattage a un poids moyen de 541 kg (a 17 mois en moyenne). Sur ces echantillons les caracteristiques biochimiques, contractiles et metaboliques du muscle ST ont ete analysees. La castration a 4 mois n'a pas d'effet significatif sur les caracteristiques musculaires mesurees a 9 mois. En revanche, a l'abattage, 13 mois apres castration, les animaux castres par rapport aux animaux entiers, renferment moins de fibres de type IIA et plus de fibres de type IIB ; enfin, ils presentent des fibres musculaires de plus petite section. La restriction alimentaire avant le sevrage entraine des modifications des caracteristiques des fibres qui sont encore mesurables 5 mois apres le sevrage : les animaux restreints ont des fibres de plus petite section, un pourcentage de fibres IIA plus faible, et un pourcentage de fibres IIB superieur a celui des animaux alimentes ad libitum. Ces modifications n'apparaissent plus a l'abattage, 8 mois plus tard. Une restriction energetique appliquee avant le sevrage a donc des consequences reversibles sur les caracteristiques musculaires.
Brotación en encinas (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) con edades elevadas. Experiencias en el monte de Riofrío (Segovia)

Se presentan en este trabajo los resultados y conclusiones de una experiencia cuyo objetivo es comprobar la capacidad de brote de cepa y de raiz de ejemplares de encina de edades avanzadas. Esta localizada en el monte Riofrio, a una altitud de 960 m en la vertiente norte de la Sierra de Guadarrama, sobre suelos siliceos profundos. Tras estudio ecologico y dasometrico de la zona, se apean 24 ejemplares. El rango diametrico de los pies apeados va de 22,3 a 73,2 cm y sus edades estimadas varian entre 70 y 251 anos. Se analiza mediante tablas de contingencia y regresion logistica la relacion de dependencia entre el hecho de que los pies hayan brotado tras la corta y sus caracteristicas. Un periodo vegetativo despues del apeo, sobre un total de 21 pies vivos rebrotan 13, lo que supone el 62%. Cuando han transcurrido tres periodos vegetativos, el numero de pies rebrotados es de 17 (81%). De los 17 pies brotados, el 65% lo ha hecho solo de cepa, el 12% solo de raiz, y el 23% de ambas formas. La edad no parece influir sobre que exista o no brotacion, ni tampoco sobre que se produzca en forma de brotes de cepa o de raiz.
Effects of High Temperature and Poor Soil Aeration on Root Growth and Viability of Creeping Bentgrass

Turf quality declines in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) with increasing temperatures and decreasing soil aeration. This experiment examined how root activities of 'Crenshaw' and 'Penncross' were affected by high temperature and low soil aeration. Turfgrass was maintained in growth chambers at day/night temperatures of 22/15°C (optimum) or 35/25°C (high temperature, HT). Aeration treatments were: (i) adequate aeration by maintaining soil medium well-drained; (ii) low aeration (LA) induced by maintaining soil medium saturated with water. Shoot dry matter production (SDM) declined with HT + LA at 7 days of treatment (DOT) in Penncross, and at 21 and 35 DOT with HT, LA, and HT + LA for both cultivars. Reduced root dry mass was measured at 7 DOT under HT + LA, and at 21 and 35 DOT under HT, LA, or HT + LA for both cultivars. Root viability was lower after 7 DOT and 21 DOT of HT, LA, and HT + LA. Viability was reduced more in Penncross than in Crenshaw after 21 DOT with HT + LA, and 35 DOT with HT and HT + LA. Root porosity increased with LA and HT + LA, beginning 7 DOT for both cultivars, to a greater extent in Crenshaw after 21 and 35 DOT with HT + LA. The combination of HT and LA had more severe effects on viability than either HT or LA alone. Results suggest that reduction in root growth, and particularly root viability, under HT and LA could contribute to the declines and cultivar variations in bentgrass quality.
Chub mackerel larvae fed fish larvae can swim faster than those fed rotifers and Artemia nauplii

: Developmental changes of swimming speed were analysed in the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus raised on two distinct dietary regimens. One group was fed only zooplankton such as rotifers and Artemia nauplii (R group) and the other group was fed rotifers plus red sea bream Pagrus major larvae (Pm group). Fish from the Pm group grew faster than those from the R group, and both the cruise and burst swimming speeds were faster for the Pm group even when match-sized comparisons were made. Fish in the Pm group attained a standard length (SL) of 17.5 mm by day 14 and their cruise and burst swimming speeds were 5.39 SL/s and 18.45 SL/s, whereas the R group attained 17.35 mm SL by day 17 and their cruise and burst swimming speeds were 4.28 SL/s and 13.98 SL/s. The results suggest that the swimming speed of chub mackerel in the wild would develop differently depending on the food resources they happen to encounter.