Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revision of polycotylid plesioaur systematics (sauropterygia plesiosauria) and description of the axial osteology of a juvenile polycotylid

The polycotylids were a clade of plesiosaurs that proliferated during the Cretaceous period. Despite recent research efforts, evolutionary relationships among polycotylid species remain unresolved. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis incorporating a large taxon sampling from the Polycotylidae was used to parse out the evolutionary relationships among the taxa. The main focus was to assign two polycotylid specimens from the Wallace Ranch to a formal species. A study on the axial osteology of the juvenile Wallace Ranch polycotylid was also performed, as the development of the axial column of a polycotylid plesiosaur has been poorly understood and may have phylogenetic implications. This study revealed that the two Wallace Ranch specimens form a well-supported clade, and feature a mosaic of character states found in currently described species, and may represent a new species. The monophyly of the genus Dolichorhynchops, was not supported in the current analysis. D. bonneri, D. tropicensis, and the Wallace Ranch specimens are more closely related to Trinacromerum. Therefore a formal redescription of the two genera Dolichorhynchops and Trinacromerum is required. The study also revealed that the three skeletons attributed to the species Polycotylus latipinnis do represent members of the same species. However, the study did not support the close relationship between D. bonneri and P. latipinnis, and that the similarity seen between the two species is attributed to a convergence in large body size. The cranial osteology of the juvenile Wallace Ranch polycotylid provides a rare insight into the development and fusion pattern of a polycotylid skull, and reveals some possible ontogenetic characters, which should be excluded from future phylogenetic analyses. After analyzing the axial osteology of the juvenile Wallace Ranch specimen, the individual was most likely a neonate at the time of death. The understanding of the morphological changes during ontogeny provides better insight into intraspecific variation in
A stepwise stochastic simulation approach to estimate life history parameters for data-poor fisheries

Coastal fisheries are typically characterized by species-rich catch compositions and limited management resources, which typically leads to notably data-poor situations for stock assessment. Some parsimonious stock assessment approaches rely on cost-efficient size composition data, but these also require estimates of life history parameters associated with natural mortality, growth, and maturity. These parameters are unavailable for most exploited stocks. Here, we present a novel approach that uses a local estimate of maximum length and statistical relationships between key life history parameters to build multivariate probability distributions that can be used to parameterize stock assessment models in the absence of species-specific life history data. We tested this approach on three fish species for which empirical length-at-age and maturity data were available (from Hawaii and Guam) and calculated probability distributions of spawning potential ratios (SPR) at different exploitation rates. The life hi.
Morphological characterization of the genital armature of male and female hybrids from crosses between Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera : Glossinidae)

The two closely related subspecies Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Gpp) and Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank (Gpg) are the predominant vectors of animal and human trypanosomosis in West-Africa (1), where they are found in distinct geographic regions. Gpp inhabits the forest galleries along the riverbanks in the humid savannah and forests, whereas Gpg is confined to the river systems of the dry and humid savannah (3). Although both subspecies hybridize readily under laboratory conditions without any inclination for assortative mating (13), there is no overlap in their distribution (2, 3). These subspecies seem to occur sympatrically only in a very narrow zone in Côte d’Ivoire, where they interact with each other (3, 7, 9). The male F1 sterility is considered to be the mechanism responsible for this narrow band of hybridization (3, 7). The taxonomic status of Gpp and Gpg as two distinct subspecies was ascertained by Vanderplank (12), based upon results from crossbreeding experiments and from the analysis of the male fly parameres. This was later confirmed by Machado (8). In the zone of Côte d’Ivoire where these populations interact, a few specimens have been collected with morphological characteristics intermediate between those of the two subspecies (3, 7). It has been assumed that these specimens were the offspring of a successful cross mating between the two subspecies, but these assumptions have never been substantiated by a more in depth analysis of the external genitalia of the hybrids. The data described in this paper contribute to a more detailed morphometrical characterization of the inferior claspers of male hybrids and the genital plates of female hybrids, descending from laboratory crosses of Gpp and Gpg.
A study of allozyme evolution in African mongooses (Viverridae : Herpestinae)

Using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, allozyme Variation at 18 protein loci was investigated in 48 specimens representing seven species of mongooses (Viverridae: Herpestinae: Cynictis penicillata, Helogale parvula, Suricata suricatta, Atilax paludinosus, Herpestes Ichneumon, Galerella sanguinea and G . pulverulenta) and one species of genet (Viverridae: Viverrinae: Genetta tigrina). Fourteen loci were Polymorphie, and ten of these varied between species. Phenetic analysis of genetic distances (Nei 1978) suggested a relatively recent and "explosive" radiation of the extant Viverridae. Ciadistic analyses (taking as outgroup the genet Genetta tigrina), involving distance Wagner trees from genetic distances (Rogers 1972), and parsimony analysis of ordered, multistate locus characters, produced congruent trees which suggested an early origin of Atilax, followed by a trichotomous split involving: 1. Galerella, 2. Herpestes and 3. a "social" lineage, comprising Helogale, Suricata and Cynictis. Aspects of the molecular phylogeny were supported by palaeontological, morphological, karyological and behavioral evidence. Owing to unequal rates of change in different lineages, phenetic and cladistic analyses of the allozyme data produced discordant trees, and the cladistic approach is to be preferred for analysing phylogenetic relationships among the mongooses.
Identification of bacteria and fungi in the solid waste generated in hospitals of Sana'a city, Yemen

A medical establishment such as hospitals and medical centers generate a sizable amount of hazardous waste. In Yemen, the hospitals' wastes are still largely mismanaged, mainly because the sector did not know what to do with the waste. The present study was undertaken to determine the bacterial and fungal agents present in different various of the hospitals' solid waste. The samples were collected from the different wards/departments and from the central storage rooms/dustbins of the hospitals in Sana'a city, Yemen. The presence of bacterial and fungal agents in the hospitals' waste was determined using the conventional bacteria, and fungi identification methods. The bacteria and fungi were detected in the hospitals' solid waste were Klebsiella spp. (9.3%) , E. coli (12.7%) , Citrobacter spp . (8.5) , Candida spp . (18.6%) , Proteus spp. (9.3%), Cladosporium werneckii spp . (19.5%), Bacillus spp. (9.3%), Aspergillus spp. (7.6%), Trichothecium spp . (0.8%), Mucor spp. (3.4%), and Acinetobacter spp . (0.8%). This study results confirmed that the prevalence types of microorganism vary based on seasonal and spatial variables.
SHORT COMMUNICATION Bacterial contaminants of salad vegetables in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Salad vegetables are essential part of people’s diet all around the world. They are usually consumed raw and often without heat treatment or thorough washing; hence have been known to serve as vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganism associated with human diseases. Fresh samples of lettuce, carrot and cucumber collected from different markets and vendors in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria were evaluated for bacterial loads using spread plate agar dilution method. Bacterial loads ranged from 1.6 x 10 6 to 2.9 x 10 8 cfu/g. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter were amongst the coliforms (lactose fermenters), while Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella and Shigella were non-lactose fermenters associated with the samples. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from majority of the samples.
Producao de leite de ovelhas Hampshire Down e Ile de France ate os 84 dias de lactacao

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a producao de leite de ovelhas das racas Hampshire Down e Ile de France, com 6 ou 8 dentes e amamentando machos ou femeas, bem como verificar o efeito do numero de cordeiros sobre a producao de leite de ovelhas Hampshire Down. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Escola da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, no periodo de junho a dezembro de 2001. A alimentacao dos animais consistiu de pastagem de grama Coastcross (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers), sendo que no periodo de menor oferta e qualidade da pastagem (Junho a Setembro), as ovelhas receberam diariamente suplementacao com 2 kg de silagem de milho e 100 g de milho grao triturado. As estimativas de producao de leite foram realizadas atraves de ordenha manual, apos aplicacao de 3 UI de ocitocina, aos 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 e 84 dias de lactacao. Nao houve diferencas (p > 0,05) para a producao de leite e para pesos das ovelhas entre as racas envolvidas, entre as idades das ovelhas e entre ovelhas Hampshire Down amamentando um ou dois cordeiros. Porem, em relacao ao sexo dos cordeiros, ovelhas amamentando machos tiveram uma producao media diaria de leite significativamente (p
White Blood Cells and Severe COVID-19: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly emerged to seriously threaten public health. We aimed to investigate whether white blood cell traits have potential causal effects on severe COVID-19 using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: To evaluate the causal associations between various white blood cell traits and severe COVID-19, we conducted a two-sample MR analysis with summary statistics from recent large genome-wide association studies. Results: Our MR results indicated potential causal associations of white blood cell count, myeloid white blood cell count, and granulocyte count with severe COVID-19, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72-0.98), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.70-0.94), and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71-0.99), respectively. Increasing eosinophil percentage of white blood cells was associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03-1.45). Conclusions: Our results suggest the potential causal effects of lower white blood cell count, lower myeloid white blood cell count, lower granulocyte count, and higher eosinophil percentage of white blood cells on an increased risk of severe COVID-19.
Effect of the first and next calvings of cows and their milk production level on the relationship between dry period length and milk yield and its composition in the subsequent lactation

Abstract. The effect cow age and milk production level was analized on the relationship between dry period length and milk yield and composition in the subsequent lactation. The GLM and CORR PEARSON procedures of the SAS package were used in the statistical calculations. It is shown that in terms of milk yield in the subsequent lactation, a dry period of 40–60 days was the most favourable. In particular in primiparous cows it was found that in terms of milk yield, shortening the dry period is less favourable than extending it beyond the 41- to 60-day standard. A dry period of 21–40 days can be offered to multiparous cows without significant milk losses in the subsequent lactation. Eliminating or shortening the dry period should exclude cows after first calving. It seems that a dry period of 21–40 days can also be offered to high-producing cows (g 8 000 kg milk) because their milk yield, in relation to cows dried for 41–60 days, was lower by 3.5 %. Shortening the dry period has a positive effect on the concentration of basic milk components such as fat and protein, causing them to increase. Dry period length had no effect on milk lactose content.
Generation mean analysis for seed yield and its contributing traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Generation mean analysis study in chickpea was undertaken to estimate the gene action operating in the inheritance of yield and its components. Six basic generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 of two crosses, namely ICCV 2 × PKV Harita and ICCV 2 × HC 5 were studied. Joint scaling test was applied to test the adequacy of additive-dominance model for the traits under investigation. Significant χ2 values indicated the presence of higher order interactions except for days to maturity in ICCV 2 × PKV Harita cross and number of primary branches per plant and number of pods per plant in ICCV 2 × HC 5 cross. The dominance component was higher in magnitude than additive component for all the characters studied along with duplicate type of epistasis in most of the cases. Both, additive, and non-additive gene action contribute significantly in the inheritance of various quantitative characters in chickpea. Moderate to high broad sense heritability and low narrow sense heritability was noticed for most of the traits studied. Further low to moderate genetic advance coupled with low genetic advance as per cent of mean was detected for most of the characters studied indicating the great influence of environmental effects. Hence, the biparental approach or inter-mating of desired segregants in early generations followed by delayed selection would be ineffective.
Lethal dose 50 (LD50) of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) cultivar Kampar.

The first stage in plant breeding program by induced mutation technique using gamma rays is to determine the lethal dose, since the radio sensitivity of each species, varieties, and genotypes are different. This research was aimed to determine the lethal dose (LD50) of gamma ray of Kampar mungbean cultivar. One hundred seeds were exposed to different doses of gamma ray, such as 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Gray, using Co as a radiation source. The LD50 was then determined and 500 seeds were exposed to the LD50 of gamma ray. The LD50 of Kampar mungbean cultivar based on number of survival plants was 619.875 Gray indicating that Kampar mungbean cultivar had low radio-sensitivity to gamma ray. The 619.875 Gray dose of gamma ray caused a delay in flowering and pods ripening periods. The same dose also resulted in the plants with higher plants, more branches, and more number of pods per plant as compared to control.
Biological aspects of silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern Arabian Sea

Reproduction, diet and growth of silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern Arabian Sea are described based on 473 specimens collected from the gillnet-cum-longline landings at the Cochin fisheries harbour during 2012–2014. The reproductive biology of 215 males and 258 females was examined while 113 stomachs were sampled to study the diet. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated using length-based models were asymptotic length (L ∞) = 309.80 cm, growth coefficient (K) = 0.10 year−1 and age at zero length (t 0) = −2.398 year. The sex ratio was significantly skewed to females. Seasonality in reproduction was not evident and in males, sexual maturity was attained at 201–223 cm total length (L T) with the size at maturity (L T50) occurring at 217.0 cm, whereas in females sexual maturity was attained at 224–231 cm L T and L T50 occurs at 226.5 cm. In total 114 embryos, in the length range of 12.2–65.1 cm were recovered from 15 pregnant females. Numbers of embryos in females were in the range of 3–13, averaging 7.6. Silky sharks of the eastern Arabian Sea feed primarily on swimming crab Charybdis smithii, with juveniles feeding principally on swimming crabs, while adults feed on actively swimming prey like squids and teleost fishes. This preliminary information on the reproduction, diet and growth should be useful to identify management strategies for silky sharks in the eastern Arabian Sea.
Effects of chitosan coating combined with essential oils on quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fillets stored at 4 °C

Summary Effects of chitosan coating combined with essential oils from clove, cinnamon and lemon grass on quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of grass carp fillets stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C were evaluated. The quality parameters (including pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), K value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, shear force and total viable count (TVC)) and antioxidant enzyme activities were analysed periodically. The results indicated that composite chitosan coatings presented better preservation effects than chitosan coating alone. In addition, chitosan–clove essential oil coating had the best quality enhancement effects among treatments by inhibiting deterioration of physicochemical quality and microbial growth and maintaining antioxidant enzyme activities of fillets during refrigerated storage. The negative correlation was observed between the changes in TBA values and antioxidant enzyme activities in fillets. Based on these findings, chitosan–essential oil coatings effectively mitigated oxidative stress and extended shelf life of refrigerated grass carp fillets.
Compatibilidade de nematÓides entomopatogênicos com produtos fitossanitàrios utilizados na cultura do cafeeiro

The objective of this work was to evaluate the compatibility of chemical pesticides used in the coffee crop with entomopathogenic nematodes, with potential for the control of coffee pests such as the coffee root mealybug Dysmicoccus texensis Tinsley. Viability and infectivity of the nematode species on Galleria mellonella larvae were evaluated 2, 5 and 7 days after contact with the chemicals. The viability of Steinernema carpocapsae, S. glaseri, S. arenarium and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was reduced by 2,4-D, acetochlor and oxyfluorfen. S. carpocapsae infectivity on G mellonella larvae was reduced by these products plus simazyn + ametryn and azafenidyn. The other nematode species also showed reduction in infectivity when in contact with several of the products evaluated; therefore, they were incompatible.
Daily survival rate of nests is lower in fruiting than non-fruiting tree species for a Hawaiian forest bird, the Kaua̒i ̒elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri)

ABSTRACT Nest-site characteristics are important drivers of nest success in birds, and are particularly important to understand in systems where anthropogenic factors may exacerbate their negative effects on population demographics. In Hawai̒i, it is suggested that forest bird nests in fruiting tree species may have higher rates of nest predation than in non-fruiting tree species, because fruit is an important dietary component of introduced rats. I assessed the differential daily survival rate (DSR) of nests of Kaua̒i ̒Elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri) on Kaua̒i Island, Hawai̒i, in fruiting versus non-fruiting tree species using generalized linear models in program MARK. Nests were located in six fruiting tree species (n = 19) and one non-fruiting species (n = 25). Nest-tree reproductive strategy was a driver of DSR (β = −1.15 ± 0.55 SE, 95% CI = −2.23–-0.07) and DSR was lower in fruiting tree species compared to the non-fruiting species (0.975 vs. 0.992, respectively). Most nest failures were attributed to predation (9 of 10 nest failures in fruiting trees versus. 2 of 6 failures in ‘ōhi‘a [Metrosideros polymorpha]), with the cause of other nest failures being unknown. My results support the hypothesis that tree reproductive strategy may contribute to the variability in DSR, but I did not have evidence (e.g., pictures) that the non-native black rat (Rattus rattus) was the primary predator in this study. I, therefore, discuss literature that supports this hypothesis, in addition to alternative hypotheses that may also explain my results.
Potentially adaptive mitochondrial haplotypes as a tool to identify divergent nuclear loci

Genetic tools are commonly used for conservation and management of at‐risk species. Individuals are often sampled from mixtures that are composed of many populations, which creates a need to assign individuals to their source. This can be problematic when the genetic divergence among source populations is weak but can be improved using adaptive genetic loci, which should show stronger levels of divergence. We previously reported a signature of positive selection in the mitochondrial‐encoded ND5 subunit of complex I in diverse taxa. The respiratory machinery of the mitochondria in salmonids is composed of more than 80 nuclear genes and there is substantial interaction between nuclear and mitochondrial expressed gene products. Recent studies report adaptive variation in mitochondrial function as well as co‐evolution between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. We used potentially adaptive ND5‐based mitochondrial haplotypes to identify nuclear loci that would display increased levels of genetic divergence compared to neutral nuclear loci in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Populations in a geographic area the size of France have previously demonstrated weak genetic divergence even after substantial discovery efforts by multiple laboratories for allozymes, microsatellites and SNPs over the last two decades. We used RAD‐based next‐generation sequencing and identified a nuclear‐encoded subunit of mitochondrial complex I that was a significant FST outlier and 14 other divergent nuclear markers that improve genetic assignment of individuals to their population of origin relative to assignments based on neutral markers alone. This work demonstrates how a known adaptive marker can be leveraged to increase the probability of identifying divergent markers for applied genetics tools that may be biologically linked to it.