Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A hierarchical branching model of evolutionary radiations

A hierarchical branching model is presented that tracks diversity of lineages and paraclades simultaneously. It is based on three parameters: (1) lineage origination within a paraclade, (2) lineage origination that founds new paraclades, and (3) lineage extinction. The model assumes stochastic constancy of evolutionary rates and, therefore, exponential growth of diversity is the null expectation. The probabilistic model can be used to generate confidence intervals for exponential growth through Monte Carlo simulation. These confidence intervals can be compared to empirical curves to test the null hypothesis of exponential growth. The analytic solution for paraclade diversity gives the statistical expectation for the probabilistic model. It can be applied to empirical diversity curves of supraspecific taxa to estimate total speciation rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and the proportion of speciation events that found new paraclades. Two factors were identified with the model that may cause diversity curves for higher taxa (e.g., genera, families) to deviate from simple exponential growth during initial phases of diversification: (1) stochastic fluctuation at low diversity, and (2) taxonomic structure (i.e., species/genus ratio). These sources of variability should be evaluated before macroevolutionary explanations for specific diversity trends are invoked. Two kinds of evolutionary radiations were investigated with this model: (1) prolonged periods of low diversity (macroevolutionary lag) in cheilostome bryozoans and mammals prior to their main phases of diversification, and (2) rapid bursts in diversity of bivalves following the late Permian and end-Cretaceous mass extinctions. In all cases these patterns were found to deviate significantly from the null expectation of exponential growth lending support to previous macroevolutionary explanations. Finally, rates of speciation during radiations were compared to rates of speciation during background times for articulate brachiopods, cheilostome bryozoans, bivalves, and mammals. Speciation events that found new paraclades tend to make up a larger proportion of total speciation events during radiations compared to background times indicating that the opportunity for new adaptive zones to be filled at higher taxonomic levels is proportionately higher during these periods of increased evolutionary activity, and is not simply a result of an increased frequency of speciation.
Growth Responses of Nutrient-Stressed Cenchrus ciliaris Under Carbon Dioxide Enrichment

The response of plants to carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment is an important aspect to be thoroughly investigated in order to accurately predict the impact on resource use as well ecosystem level responses. But the extent of response of individual plant species is dependent on the underlying biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current project, the response of Cenchrus ciliaris, a C4 grass, was investigated under CO2 enrichment conditions under nutrient stress. Eco-physiological growth parameters were assessed within two plastic chambers with one chamber kept at ambient CO2 conditions (500ppm) and the second enriched with CO2 (1000ppm). Three treatments were studied: ambient (ACO2), enriched (ECO2) and alternating (alternating two weeks in each chamber; ALCO2). High atmospheric CO2 concentrations did increase shoot and inflorescence production under nutrient stress. The blade area of ECO2 plants was significantly larger than that of ALCO2 plants on the 31st of March 2010 at P=0.06 and on the 7th of April 2010 (P=0.074). Stomatal density of C.ciliaris, however, did decrease for ECO2 and ALCO2. Under ACO2, average sheath biomass was signcantly higher under nutrient stressed condition than under non-stressed condition (65.81% vs. 52.96%; respectively). Growth allocations results revealed a rush toward reproductive production for ECO2 under nutrient stress conditions.
Use of cervical inversion technique as a tamponade to control postpartum hemorrhage caused by placenta previa and placenta previa focal accreta

Aim of the work: To assess the efficacy of cervical inversion as a tamponade in controlling placental bed bleeding in cases of placenta previa and accreta. Patients and Methods: After approval of ethics committee, a descriptive prospective study was conducted among a total of 40 female pregnant women (20 with placenta previa and 20 focal accreta) who attended the inpatient clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Suez Canal University Hospital over a period of one year from April 2016 to April 2017. Preoperative assessment via history taking and clinical examination as used per hospital standard protocol with an assessment of hemodynamic stability was performed. Patients were evaluated for time needed for the technique, blood loss and postoperative hospital stay. Six weeks postoperative, follow up assessment of position of cervix by speculum examination was performed. Results: Mean age of patients was 29.2 years old. Mean time required for technique was 8 minutes and was longer with placenta accreta. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 1340.95 ml with significantly more blood loss with placenta accreta. Speculum examination six weeks postoperatively revealed normal position and normal morphology of the cervix in 32 cases (80%). Conclusion: Cervical inversion as a tamponade is apparently safe, simple, rapid and potentially effective easy to perform procedure.
Yield and Gap analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Productivity in NCR of Delhi

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Delhi laid out demonstrations for replacement of yellow rust susceptible varieties PBW 343 and WH 711 with the high yielding variety (HYV) HD 2967 of wheat with or without seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers viz. Azotobactor and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) during 2012–13 and 2013–14. Twenty five and twenty four farmers were selected randomly for demonstrating the technology during 2012–13 and 2013–14, respectively. The soil of the demonstration field was sandy loam, low in nitrogen and medium in phosphorus and potash. The major crop rotation was pearl millet-wheat and paddy-wheat. The crop was sown in 1st fortnight of November. The average yield and economics of demonstration and check plots were calculated. During the year 2012–13 the highest average yield of variety HD 2967 was observed with bio-fertilizers 59.25 q. /ha which was 5.46 per cent and 11.54 per cent more as compared to HD 2967 without bio-fertilizers (56.18q/ha) as compared to local check variety WH 711 (52.52 q/ha) under farmers practice, respectively. The average net returns of demonstrated plots under HYV HD 2967 with bio-fertilizers was 63179 and 58841 under HYV HD 2967 without bio-fertilizers which was 16 per cent and 10.5 per cent, respectively, higher than the local check variety.
PIGEON NAVIGATION: SOLVED PROBLEMS AND OPEN QUESTIONS

SUMMARY This paper attempts to illustrate recent advances in research into the navigation mechanism of the homing pigeon. Despite a good deal of polemic and a number of experimental findings which are apparently or in fact contradictory, the principal characteristics of the mechanism by which pigeons establish the home direction are now known. The information necessary for navigation is provided by olfactory stimuli originating in substances dispersed in the atmosphere. The homing capacity of pigeons deprived of olfaction and released at unfamiliar sites is always greatly reduced. W.T. KEETON'S idea, according to which anosmic pigeons are not motivated to fly, is contradicted by their long flights in all directions, and by their ability to return home from familiar sites. A correct experimentation with anosmic pigeons released at sites symmetrically distributed around the home loft, shows that in general they do not fly off in the home direction and that they often prefer a specific compass direction (pre.
Investigating Microplastic Ingestion by Zooplankton

Microplastic pollution is a ubiquitous threat in the marine environment. The ingestion of microscopic debris (<5 mm) by marine zooplankton is a phenomenon of high ecological concern. This thesis presents new information regarding the ingestion of microplastics by marine zooplankton. The calanoid copepod, Centropages typicus, abundant in North Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal waters was found to ingest Polyamide-6 Nylon powder (μ = 30 μm), Polyethylene microbeads (μ = 20 μm) and artificial rope fibres (μ = 14.76 μm) that had been labelled with RADGLO fluorescent powder (475 nm) in the presence and absence of natural prey. Feeding experiments were conducted upon four zooplankton species; Acartia tonsa, Porcellanid larvae, Calanus helgolandicus and Oithona similis. Exposure to microplastic particles resulted in an energy deficit in all species with the exception of O. similis when feeding upon a natural assemblage of algae for 24 hours, though this was only statistically significant for A. tonsa exposed to a mixture of 10 μm and 20 μm Polystyrene spheres (100 particles mL). Zooplankton displayed altered feeding behaviour. High-speed video analysis allowed for the mechanisms of microplastic detection, capture and subsequent rejection or ingestion to be observed. It was found that long-range chemodetection is unlikely to occur; rather cells are detected upon contact with setae. Individuals appear to reject microplastic particles in response to the physical properties of microplastic particles. These studies provide fundamental information on the ingestion and biological effects of microplastic debris upon zooplankton, knowledge of which is important given the key role that zooplankton play in the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels and, thus, ecosystem function. These findings provide pathways for further research and highlight the influence that feeding strategy and prey selectivity may have in determining the negative effects associated with microplastic uptake.
In Vitro Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Ability to Modulate Inflammation in Vivo

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are plastic adherent cells that are readily isolated from various sources, possess stem-cell-like properties and show unique beneficial features in in vivo models of diseases. In present dissertation we investigated the aspects of MSCs biology related to both in vitro properties and in vivo abilities to benefit in diseases. The in vitro part of the dissertation addresses the question of heterogeneity in single-cell derived cultures of human MSCs. Laser capture microdissection was used to isolate distinct inside and outside regions of the colony for RNA isolation. When assayed by microarray the cells from inside and outside regions of the colony showed distinct patterns of gene expression profile. In functional studies, however, we did not find any differences – the cells perform similarly in cloning and in vitro growth assays. In the in vivo part of the dissertation we investigated the effects of human MSCs and their secreted protein tumor-necrosis factor stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) in two models of lung injury hydrocloric-acid (HCl)-induced lung injury and bleomycininduced lung injury in mice. We showed that intraperitoneal administration (IP) of human MSCs improved lung function and inhibited inflammation in the lungs after HCl lung injury. Human recombinant TSG-6 inhibited inflammation in both, HCl-induced lung injury and bleomycin-induced lung injury, however it improved lung function only in mice injured with bleomycin. Finally we investigated the effects of MSCs administered inside the peritoneal ii cavity to explain the beneficial effects in HCl-induced lung injury. We showed that MSCs aggregated rapidly after the injection IP and preconditioned immune system by recruiting immune cells to peritoneal cavity and by triggering the production of various classes of cytokines. We utilized real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in vivo imaging to estimate the amount MSCs present in various organs of peritoneal cavity. Most of MSCs were found in omentum and mesenteric tissues, only negligible amount of cells was recovered from lymph nodes and spleen. In conclusion, the dissertation is expanding the existing knowledge about MSCs, increases our knowledge both in understanding the basic biology of the cells and their interaction with the host organism.
Vascularised Composite Allotransplantation – Basic Science and Clinical Applications

Vascularised Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) is the top rung of the reconstructive ladder, offering ‘like-for like’ functional reconstruction for the most devastating tissue loss. There are established centres across Europe, the USA and Asia. Clinical outcomes now extend beyond 20 years. To-date over 130 upper limb and 37 craniofacial VCA’s have been performed, with encouraging graft survival and clinical outcomes. Beyond hand and face transplantation novel VCA’s have been performed including: functioning allotransplantation of neck organs, penis, uterus and skull and scalp transplants. Like solid organ transplant (SOT) patients, VCA recipients are submitted to the significant side effects of lifelong immunosuppression, however in this case surgery is considered life improving rather than life saving. As clinical feasibility is now well established research focus has shifted to improve the safety profile of VCA. This has included exploring strategies to enable early detection and treatment of acute rejection, defining and better understanding chronic rejection in VCA, and ultimately aiming to induce tolerance. The aim of this review article is to give a concise overview of the clinical and basic science advances in the field of VCA, with particular relevance to the orthoplastic surgeon.
Copepod summer grazing and fecal pellet production along the Western Antarctic Peninsula

Copepods are important grazers on phytoplankton and contributors to carbon export, but their role is poorly understood in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), a region of high productivity and rapid climate warming. We conducted grazing and egestion experiments with large, dominant copepods each January from 2012 to 2014. We found higher gut evacuation rates (k), initial gut pigment and ingestion rates (I) for Calanus propinquus and Rhincalanus gigas compared with Calanoides acutus. Since k and I linearly increased with chlorophyll a for most species, ingestion rates were 4–70 times greater in more productive coastal regions than offshore, slope waters. Copepods have a low grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass (,1%) and productivity (1%, up to 11%) compared with the dominant WAP macroand microzooplankton. Egestion rates were high (0.8–37.3 mgC ind. day); however, 58% of fecal pellets are retained in the upper water column. Daily carbon rations of 1% indicated feeding on other carbon sources (protozoans and metazoans) to meet metabolic demands. However, during a coastal phytoplankton bloom, daily C rations increased to up to 13%, indicating increased reliance on phytoplankton. Future changes in the WAP plankton community may affect food web carbon flow and export.
Distribution of seabirds in the Mozambique Channel in relation to mesoscale features 1

Distribution of seabirds in the Mozambique Channel in relation to mesoscale features 1 S. Jaquemet, J.F. Ternon, S. Kaehler, J.B Thiebot, B. Dyer, E. Bemanaja, C. 2 Marteau, M. Le Corre 3 4 1: Université de La Réunion, Laboratoire ECOMAR, avenue René Cassin BP7151. 97715 5 Saint-Denis Cedex Messag 09, FRANCE 6 2: UMR EME 212 (IRD/IFREMER/UM2), Botany Department, Rhodes University. 6140 7 Grahamstown, SOUTH AFRICA 8 3: UMR EME 212 (IRD/IFREMER/UM2), SEMIR – 16 rue Claude Chappe, ZAC 2000. 9 97420 Le Port, FRANCE 10 4: Botany Department, Rhodes University. 6140 Grahamstown, SOUTH AFRICA 11 5: Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UPR 1934 du CNRS, BP 14. 79360 Villiers-en12 Bois, FRANCE 13 6 : Department of Environmental Affairs, Private Bag X2. Roggebaai 8012, SOUTH 14 AFRICA 15 7 : Institut de Biologie Appliquée, Université de Mahajanga, BP652, Ambondrona, 16 Mahajanga, MADAGASCAR 17 8 : Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, BP 400, Rue Gabriel Dejean. 97458 Saint18 Pierre, FRANCE 19 20 *: Corresponding author: sebastien.jaquemet@univ-reunion.fr, Tel: +27-46-603-8111, 21 Fax: +27-46-603-7350 22 23 E-mail addresses: sebastien.jaquemet@univ-reunion.fr (S. Jaquemet), 24 jean.francois. ternon@ifremer.fr (J.F. Ternon), s.kaehler@ru.ac. za (S. Kaehler), 25 jbthiebot@yahoo.fr (J.B. Thiebot), bdyer@environment.gov. za (B. Dyer), 26 bemanaja@yahoo.fr (E. Bemanaja), cedric.marteau@taaf.fr (C. Marteau), lecorre@univ27 reunion.fr (M. Le Corre) 28 29
Development of Drought Tolerant Double Haploid Wheat Using Biochemical Genetic Markers on In vitro Culture

2 Abstract: Embryogenic calli induced from mature embryos o f f our se lected wheat ( Triticum a estivum L.) genotypes, consisted of two do uble h aploid (D H) a nd two varieties; Giza 168 and Sakha 93 were u sed in t he study. They were s elected f rom ten DH genotypes and f ive varieties, which were g rown under drought stress at the Experimental Station of the National Res. Center and then germinated in Petri dishes under 10, 20 and 30% PEG. Significant differences of genetic responses were observed for the four wheat genotypes at 10 and 20% PEG for c allus induction, callus fresh w eight, growth i ndex, relative water content, relative tolerance percentage and regeneration efficiency. DH-1 followed by DH-2 and then Sakha 93 were superiors i n s equence for in v itro PEG-tolerance. Biochemical genetic markers, such as SDS- PAGE of water soluble and non-soluble proteins and five enzymes; EST, SOD, PRX, GOT and MDH were used to determine the genetic variations among the four wheat genotypes at 10 and 20% PEG. SDS- PAGE analyses displayed eight and four ne wly i nduced water so luble a nd non-soluble protein b ands, respectively which were expressed and s ynthesized i n response to a n altered environment (10 a nd 20% PEG). M oreover, five and eight o ther w ater so luble and non-soluble proteins were inhibited, re spectively at the two drought stress. Electrophoretic analysis of the five enzymes revealed specific appearance of some n ew i sozyme bands and l ack of several isozymes in DH-1 and DH-2 drough t-tolerant genotypes as compared with the other two wheat genotypes. As a result, proteins and isozyme polymorphisms were furnished reliable m arkers for discriminating the improved drought t olerant whe at gen otypes.
Dynamics of Dry Mass Accumulation and Nutrients Uptake in 4 Double-low Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Varieties

A field experiment was conducted to study the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake of 4 double-low rapeseed varieties.The results showed that the proportion of dry matter accumulation during the period of seedling(140 d after sowing),budding(140-170 d after sowing),blooming(170-199 d after sowing)and podding(199-212 d after sowing)were 12.7%-20.9%,15.3%-20.0%,60.3%-71.7% and-27.4%--9.1%,respectively.The uptake proportion of nitrogen(N)were 33.3%-47.8%,11.9%-14.7%,15.5%-28.1% and 17.7%-28.8%,of phosphorus(P2O5)were 23.4%-37.9%,22.5%-29.4%,32.7%-54.1% and-17.2%--3.0%,of potassium(K2O)were 24.7%-33.9%,16.2%-35.9%,31.0%-53.3% and-43.0%--23.5%,respectively.These results demonstrated that the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake trends were similar among the 4 varieties.Seedling stage was the maximum stage of nitrogen absorption,and the largest quantity of dry matter accumulation,phosphorus and potassium absorption occurred during blooming.The maximum accumulation rate of dry matter and N,P,K nutrients were all in blooming period.The amounts of N,P2O5 and K2O required by double-low rapeseed for producing every 100 kg seeds were 4.3,2.7 and 8.7 kg.Under the same fertilizer level,the seed yield of HYZ No.9 with 3 574 kg/hm2 was the highest among the 4 varieties rapeseed.The order of nutrient efficiency was ZS No.9HYZ No.9HS No.5HS No.4.
Effects of water stress on root growth, water use efficiency, leaf area and chlorophyll content in the desert shrub Calotropis procera

Calotropis procera is a spreading shrub exuding milky sap when cut or broken. It is a desert plant, grows in semi arid and arid regions. The native existence of Calotropis procera covers South West Asia and Africa. Calotropis procera is considered to be one of the most drought tolerant desert plants. A pot experiment was designed to investigate the effects of water stress on plant growth performance. The growth is expressed by root dry mass, leaf area, specific leaf area, chlorophyll content and Water use efficiency (WUE). The association between WUE and root dry weights was examined. Plants were grown under three water regimes; 80% (control), 50% and 30% of soil field capacity (FC). Plants were harvested on four occasions; 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after water stress treatments application. Water stress significantly reduced root dry weights at 80% FC more than that of 50% and 30% FC treatments. Leaf areas were also reduced under the severe water stress conditions (30%) and highest water regime (80%). The highest leaf area was recorded under the moderate water stress level (50%). A positive correlation between rood dry weights and accumulated water (R = 0.55) was observed. A significant reduction in total chlorophyll content was found in plants grown under 80% water stress treatment, while the maximum amount of chlorophyll content were recorded under the severe water stress conditions.
Desenvolvimento Gonadal de machos e fêmeas de Pseudotothyris obtusa (Ribeiro,1911) (Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae) 1 Males and females gonadal development of Pseudotothyris obtusa (Ribeiro, 1911) (Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae) 1

A elaboracao de escalas de desenvolvimento gonadal baseadas em observacoes detalhadas facilita o trabalho de campo e e de grande valia na interpretacao do comportamento reprodutivo das especies. WEST (1990) comenta que a utilizacao de escalas macroscopicas contribui para o conhecimento biologico, mas aconselha a utilizacao de analises histologicas e medicao de ovocitos, diminuindo assim, a chance de incorrer em erros. Embora a maioria dos trabalhos nao descreva a evolucao do desenvolvimento dos testiculos, o estudo do comportamento e variacoes morfologicas nas gonadas dos machos pode indicar dados importantes que ajudem a compreender o ciclo reprodutivo da especie.
Effects of Age and Sex on Diet Composition of Phrynocephalus grumgrzimailoi

We checked the contents of 220 stomachs of specimens to assess effects of age and sex on diet composition of lizard Phrynocephalus grumgrzimailoi.We weighed each stomach,identified content component,counted individuals of each food item and weighed them,then calculated the index of relative importance(IRI) based on frequency of each food item appeared,percent of each mass weight,frequency of occurrence.We found out those stomachs contain large volume of arthropod and few vegetal items.Formicidae was the most important prey item of juveniles(female: IRI=95.91;male: IRI=69.04),while Coleoptera was the most important part in the diet composition of adults(female: IRI=35.49;male: IRI=32.58). Food niche breadth of adult female,adult male,juvenile female and juvenile male was 2.15,2.40,1.21 and 1.47,respectively.The food niche overlap between male and female juveniles was highest,whereas it was lowest between adult and juvenile male.The head of adult males was longer and wider comparing with adult female,and the food items of adult male were also with large volume than adult female.The lizard prey on different food items at different ontogeny stage.The phenomenon of adults of male and female fed on different size of prey might induced by sexual dimorphism in the head size and it could reduce the intraspecific competition.