Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endohelminths of some amphibians from Northern Greece (Trematoda, Acanthocephala, Nematoda; Amphibia: Triturus, Rana, Bombina) Endohelminthen von einigen Amphibien aus Nordgriechenland (Trematoda, Acanthocephala, Nematoda; Amphibia: Triturus, Rana, Bombina)

28 specimens of 5 species of amphibians (Triturus alpestris, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Rana ridibunda, Bombino variegata) from different localities in Northern Greece were investigated regarding their endoparasitic helminths. The helminthic species are listed, and the occurrence of some species is discussed. All species records are new to Greece. KURZFASSUNG: 28 Amphibien aus 5 Arten (Triturus alpestris, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Rana ridibunda, Bombina variegata) von verschiedenen Fundorten in Nordgriechenland wurden hinsichtlich endoparasilischer Helminthen untersucht. Die Helminthenarten werden aufgelistet, das Vorkommen einzelner Arten wird diskutiert. Alle nachgewiesenen Parasiten sind Neunachweise für Griechenland.
Morphological variability of apomictic mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) in Indonesia: morphological evidence of natural populations from Sumatra and Java.

Indonesia is one of the most important mangosteen producing countries whose the growing areas are scattered on almost all of the islands. Mangosteen variability was observed based on field expeditions from 1992 to 2005. The data were collected on morphological observations on mangosteen production centres in West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Bangka/Belitung, West Java, Central Java, and East Java based on a total number of 192 mangosteen trees. The objectives of the research were to find out the variability of Indonesian mangosteen based on the morphological characters and to determine the morphological characters that can be used to distinguish mangosteen accessions. Leaves and mature fruits were observed for morphological variations. The results show that mangosteens vary in their morphological appearances. Among the morphological variations obtained, there are 11 specific characters that can be used to distinguish the apomictic mangosteen. These characters are canopy shape, mature leaf colour, number of flowers and fruits per cluster, pedicel length, fruit shape, fruit-base shape, stigma lobe shape, size, and thickness, the number of fruit segments, and rind thickness. Based on the morphological characters the mangosteen in Sumatra and Java can be divided into seven kinds. This information will be useful for researchers and will make the task of the curators easier in the area of mangosteen germplasm evaluation.
Improving gridded snow water equivalent products in British Columbia, Canada: multi-source data fusion by neural network models

Abstract. Estimates of surface snow water equivalent (SWE) in mixed alpine environments with seasonal melts are particularly difficult in areas of high vegetation density, topographic relief, and snow accumulations. These three confounding factors dominate much of the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. An artificial neural network (ANN) was created using as predictors six gridded SWE products previously evaluated for BC. Relevant spatiotemporal covariates were also included as predictors, and observations from manual snow surveys at stations located throughout BC were used as target data. Mean absolute errors (MAEs) and interannual correlations for April surveys were found using cross-validation. The ANN using the three best-performing SWE products (ANN3) had the lowest mean station MAE across the province. ANN3 outperformed each product as well as product means and multiple linear regression (MLR) models in all of BC's five physiographic regions except for the BC Plains. Subsequent comparisons with predictions generated by the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic model found ANN3 to better estimate SWE over the VIC domain and within most regions. The superior performance of ANN3 over the individual products, product means, MLR, and VIC was found to be statistically significant across the province.
From graduate schools to K-12 schools: the transformation of Chinese language teachers ---- Understanding the socialization process of novice Chinese language teachers in the U.S.

This study tried to understand how teacher education programs and the practices in American K-12 schools shaped beliefs and behaviors of Chinese language teachers through the theoretical framework of Lacey’s theory of teacher socialization. Under this overarching purpose of the study, the interactions these novice Chinese language teachers had within the contexts of their teacher training programs and K-12 schools were examined by analyzing the social strategies they applied in corresponding contexts. Seven novice Chinese language teachers with various language, educational, and work backgrounds were interviewed for this study. The findings from surveys and in-depth interviews revealed the teachers were trying to establish themselves as authorities in the profession of teaching. In addition, some seemingly contradictions on the interpretations and choices these participants made within both the contexts of graduate schools and K-12 schools disclosed these teachers’ demands on the practicality of the teacher education programs at graduate school level. The need for support, recognition, and appreciation at schools were expressed by the participants in this study as well. The findings of this study suggested that the graduate programs that collaborated teacher education with local schools would be beneficial for novice Chinese language teachers to have a smoother transition. Additionally, integrating all aspects of teacher knowledge in teacher education programs, especially the knowledge of themselves as language teachers and the teacher profession, was indicated by the findings of the study. Some contradictions on choices of social strategies between NS and NNS novice teachers of Chinese also provided some insights for school administrators in terms of understanding teacher candidates and establishing sustainable development environment for Chinese language programs in American K-12 schools.
Adult sex ratio of a wild population of springbok ( Antidorcas marsupialis ) at Nxai Pan, Botswana : short communications

Transect surveys of springbok Antidorcas marsupialis in Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana revealed an adult sex ratio of 1.86 : 1 (females : males). Circumstantial evidence suggests that this skewed ratio resulted from elevated male mortality. In a literature survey, adult sex ratios in springbok were generally skewed towards females but this skew tended to be more pronounced in areas with large predators. Further work on mortality patterns and adult sex ratios across populations is encouraged.
Protection of a live Pasteurella multocida B:3,4 vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle

Cross protection conferred by a live Pasteurella multocida B:3,4 vaccine to infection by P. multocida B:2, the haemorrhagis septicaemia causing bacteria in cattle was investigated. Intranasal aerogenic immunization and subcutaneous injection of the live vaccine were applied to groups I and II of 5 Bali cattle respectively. Another group (III) of 5 cattle were vaccinated with standard oli adjuvant killed vaccine intramuscularly. Cattle were observed for clinical signs and body temperatures were measured. Sera were collected monthly for 12 month and kept at -20 0 C for further testing by ELISA. No adverse sign was observed at cattle of groups I and II after vaccination with the live vaccine. Both intranasal and subcutaneous vaccination of live vaccine showed a similar serological response which started at month-5, peaked at month-(6-7) after vaccination and still sustained at the level above positive cut-off (88 ELISA Unit) at the end of observation month-12. Cattle vaccinated with killed adjuvanted vaccine responded earlier, peaked at 5-6 month after vaccination and declined steadily till the end of investigation. At 6 and 12 months after vaccination catlle were challenged with P. multocida B:2. All vaccinated cattle challenged at 6 months (C-1) and 12 (C-2) months after vaccination survived and showed no clinical signs. Body temperatures of all vaccinated cattle were normal and ranged from 38.1 0 C to 39.1 0 C and 38.5 0 C to 39.5 0 C for cattle chalenged at C-1 and C-2 respectively. However, there was 1 cattle of group I at C-1 showed an initial increase of body temperature to 40 0 C and decreased to normal at 42 hours after challenge. One catlle of group II had a body temperature of 40.7 0 C detected at 5 hours post C-2 and reached a normal temperature at hour-11. Both unvaccinated cattle at C-1 and C-2 died and had body temperatures of 41.4 0 C and 41.1 0 C respectively at the time of death. This investigation shows that live vaccine P. multocida B:3,4 is safe and can protect cattle from haemorrhagic septicaemia for at least 12 months. This vaccine is promising to be used to replace oil adjuvanted killed bacterin for haemorrhagic secticaemia. Key words : Live aerosol vaccine, protection, haemorrhagic septicaemia, cattle
The effect of breed on litter size and milk yield in rabbits

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of breed on litter size and milk yield in rabbits. The following breeds were analysed in the study: Californian Black (n=16), New Zealand White (n=19), Popielno White (n=24), Blanc de Termonde (n=36) and Grey Flemish Giant (n=14). The study was conducted on three consecutive litters. The litters were weighed up to 24 hours from birth and at 21 days of age to calculate the milk yield. The Grey Flemish Giant females were found to have the largest litters (9.09 pups), while the litters of the New Zealand White rabbits were the smallest (6.47). In the case of the Blanc de Termonde, Californian Black and Popielno White females, the mean litter size was 7.78, 7.50 and 7.46, respectively. The Blanc de Termonde rabbits had the highest milk yield (3.76) and the Grey Flemish Giant females had the lowest (3.18).
Pectic Enzymes Production by «Phaeomoniella chlamydospora»

Polygalacturonase and polymethylgalacturonase activity was detected in 13 strains of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora as well as in filtrates of isolates of some related fungi (Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, P. inflatipes, P. rubrigenum). Tests consisted of growth and colorimetric assays on media designed to evaluate different pectic enzymes. Phaeomoniella isolates on the same medium did not differ greatly in their morphological and cultural characters, but pectinolytic activity differed among isolates.
PHYTOPLANKTON, PHYTOBENTHOS, AND PHYTOPERIPHYTON Relationship between Algal Communities' Species Diversity and Catchment of Rivers in the Southern Russian Far East

The relationship between algal communities' species diversity and the catchment of rivers in the southern Russian Far East has been studied. The number of species, varieties, and forms of algae increased significantly according to the increase in the head river area up to 80-100 km 2 ; then this number slowed down dramatically. In general, the relationship between the number of algal taxa (D) and the catchment of the river (S, km 2 ) was described as D = 91.6S 0.194 (R 2 = 0.97).
Madera plástica con PET de post consumo y paja de trigo

El objetivo de la investigacion fue desarrollar un material compuesto de polietileno tereftalato (PET) de post consumo y paja de trigo, para la elaboracion de madera plastica. El PET es el plastico de mayor volumen y tonelaje en los rellenos sanitarios y basureros de Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; la paja de trigo es un desecho agricola en el valle de la region, lo anterior motivo la realizacion de la investigacion, pues existen en la region bajos porcentajes de reciclado del PET y paja de trigo para materiales compuestos. Se aprovechan principalmente las propiedades mecanicas del PET reforzado con paja de trigo pulverizada para elaborar el material compuesto. La madera plastica obtenida de estos dos materiales de desecho no presenta poros, se puede: taladrar, lijar, pulir, cortar con sierra manual o electrica, por lo que, puede utilizarse para la elaboracion de tarimas industriales, mesas, sillas, libreros, escritorios, entre otras aplicaciones.
A century of change in the Staten Island flora: Ecological correlates of species losses and invasions'

ROBINSON, GEORGE R. , MARY E. YURLINA AND STEVEN N. HANDEL (Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08855-1059). A century of change in the Staten Island Flora: Ecological correlates of species losses and gains. Bull. Torrey Botanical Club 121: 119-129. 1994. -We analyzed three consecutive floristic censuses of Staten Island, New York, to determine (1) the general pattern of vascular plant species gains and losses over 112 years (1879-1991), (2) the extent of increases in non-native species, and (3) ecological features that characterize those species that were lost. Over forty per cent of the original native species (53% of regionally rare and endangered species) are presently missing. Most of the losses have occurred during an accelerating period of suburbanization over the last 60 yr. At the same time, the proportion of non-native species has increased from 19% to > 33% of the flora, while average abundances of most native species apparently declined. Species from different habitats were lost in similar proportions, indicating that broad-scale habitat alteration has been the main factor in the flora's decline. Only two ecological features examined were statistically correlated with the missing species: (1) herbaceous species were more vulnerable than woody plants; (2) species reported to be uncommon in a previous census were more likely to be absent in the next. Unless conservation measures are improved, further degradation of this historically rich and varied flora can be anticipated.
Effects of Land‐Use and Tsetse Fly Control on Bird Species Richness in Southwestern Ethiopia

Successful control of tsetse (Glossina spp.)‐transmitted trypanosomiasis in the Ghibe Valley, Ethiopia, appears to have accelerated conversion of wooded grassland into cropland. Land conversion, in turn, may have fragmented wildlife habitat. Our objective was to assess the influence of the expansion of agricultural land‐use, brought about by tsetse control, on ecological properties by using bird species richness and composition as indicators of environmental impacts. We sampled bird species richness and composition (using Timed‐Species counts) and habitat structure (using field sampling and remote sensing) in four land cover/land‐use types in areas subjected to tsetse fly control and adjacent areas without control. At the height of the growing season bird species numbers and vegetative complexity were greater in the small‐holder, oxen‐plowed fields and riparian woodlands than in wooded grasslands or in large‐holder, tractor‐plowed fields. Species composition was highly dissimilar (40–70% dissimilarity) comparing among land‐use types, with many species found only in a single type. This implies that trypanosomiasis control that results in land conversion from wooded grasslands to small‐holder farming in this region may have no adverse impacts on bird species numbers but will alter composition. These results also suggest that moderate land‐use by humans (e.g., small‐holder field mosaics) increases habitat heterogeneity and bird species richness relative to high levels of use (e.g., tractor‐plowed fields). Tsetse control may be indirectly maintaining species richness in the valley by encouraging the differential spread of these small‐scale, heterogeneous farms in place of large‐scale, homogeneous farms. Nevertheless, if the extent of small‐holder farms significantly exceeds that of present levels, negative impacts on bird species richness and large shifts in species composition may occur.
Antibody Response to Escherichia Coli Lipopolysaccharide and Type III Pneumococcal Polysaccharide by Congenitally Thymusless (Nude) Mice

The concept of thymus-dependency of immune responses arose from studies of neonatally thymectomized animals and thymectomized, irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted adult animals. In addition to an impaired cellular response, these animals exhibit a depressed humoral response to some antigens, such as sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), T-2 bacteriophage and certain serum proteins, but produce a normal humoral response to other antigens, such as ferritin, Salmonella flagellar antigen and MS-2 bacteriophage (1). These results have led to a classification of antigens as either thymus-dependent or thymus-independent. There is some controversy as to whether the concept of a thymus-independent immune response which is based on the responses of thymectomized animals is valid. First, it is possible that the immune response to some antigens matures relatively early in ontogeny and appropriate thymus-derived antigen-reactive cells are seeded out from the thymus before its removal at birth.
Matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPs

ABBREVIATIONS INTRODUCTION MMP SEQUENCES TIMP SEQUENCES THREE DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES OF THE MMPS AND TIMPS ACTIVATION OF THE ZYMOGEN FORMS OF MMPS PROTEIN SUBSTRATES OF THE MMPS SPECIFICITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE MMPS INHIBITION OF THE MMPS BIOLOGICAL ROLES OF THE MMPS FUNCTIONS OF THE TIMPS BIBLIOGRAPHY PROTEIN SEQUENCE ALIGNMENTS
Collembola in Southland beech litter and soil

Collembola were sampled from litter and soil in two regrowth Lophozonia menziesii (silver beech) forests situated 25 km apart in Southland, New Zealand, as part of a larger study investigating the ecological effects of selective timber harvesting. Over 2000 specimens were collected, representing three orders, 10 families, ≥ 20 genera and ≥ 23 species. Seventeen taxa were morphologically identified at least to genus. Sequencing within the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene provided diagnostic sequences for many of the taxa, which will assist future identifications. Species belonging to the genera Quatacanthella Salmon and Spinotheca Stach, which are rarely collected in New Zealand, were present in the samples, as was the introduced species Hypogastrura purpurescens (Lubbock). The genus Vitronura Yosii is recorded in New Zealand for the first time.
The anatomical origins of migratory dendritic cells in the intestine

The intestine is exposed to a vast array of harmless dietary antigen as well as an enormous community of commensal bacteria. Alongside this harmless antigen, pathogens can enter the body via the intestinal mucosal surface. The intestinal immune system must discriminate between pathogens and innocuous antigens. Dendritic cells (DCs), present in the small intestine (SI) and colon, are fundamental in controlling intestinal immune responses; they migrate to the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and prime effector or regulatory T cells. Furthermore, DCs direct the immune response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), the Peyer’s patches (PP) and isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs). The aim of this work was to determine the anatomical origins of DCs in the MLN. First, the anatomical organisation of lymphatic vessels draining to the MLN from the SI and colon was investigated. Second, DC migration in mice lacking specific GALT was explored. Finally, the migration of DCs from PPs to the MLN was investigated. To achieve these aims, DC migration was studied using a variety of labelling methods, mice that lacked specific GALT were employed, and surgical procedures were used to collect DCs from the thoracic duct. Here, I demonstrate the anatomical segregation of DCs that migrate to the MLN from the SI and colon. This was reflected in differences in DC subset composition and antigen presentation in the SI and colon-draining nodes of the MLN. Separate analysis of MLN nodes will allow a more refined understanding of intestinal immune responses. All but one DC subset, CD103-CD11b- DCs, were still present in pseudo-afferent lymph from mice lacking both PPs and ILFs. This subset is therefore likely to originate from either PPs or ILFs. Surprisingly, CD103+CD8α+ DCs were present in these mice, showing that many CD8α+ DCs were resident in the lamina propria and are not limited to lymphoid tissue. Four DC subsets are able to migrate from the intestine in PP-null mice, suggesting that CD103-CD11b- DCs migrate specifically from ILFs. I then demonstrated that DCs migrate from PPs to the MLN. These migrating PP DCs expanded in response to a DC specific growth factor and their migration depended on CCR7 and S1P. These cells may play an important role in driving immune responses in the MLN and their manipulation could lead to advances in controlling intestinal immune responses.
Redox, Pressure and Mass Transfer Effects on Syngas Fermentation

REDOX, PRESSURE AND MASS TRANSFER EFFECTS ON SYNGAS FERMENTATION Allyson W. Frankman Department of Chemical Engineering Master of Science The fermentation of syngas (a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2) to produce ethanol is of interest as an alternative fuel. Clostridium carboxidivorans, has been found to produce higher than average amounts of ethanol and butanol from CO-rich mixtures. This project sought to determine the effects of the redox level in the solution, partial pressures in the headspace and mass transfer limitations on the products obtained through fermentation of syngas. It was determined that cysteine sulfide has a greater effect on the redox level of the media used to grow bacteria, than does the gas composition. Therefore, changing gas composition during the process will have little effect on the redox. However, addition of cysteine sulfide may vary the redox level. When cells were first inoculated, the redox level dropped and leveled at -200 mV SHE for optimal growth. In addition, cells switch from acetic acid to ethanol production after a drop of 40-70 mV in the redox level. Different sizes of reactors were used, including 1 liter reactors (non-pressurized), 50 mL bottles (20 psig) and 100 mL bottles (20 psig). The 50 mL bottles have more than double the growth rate than the 100 mL bottles (0.57 day compared to 0.20 day). Partial pressures were measured in these two sizes to determine the different consumptions and the effect of partial pressure on both growth and production of acetic acid/ethanol. It is clear that re-gassing the bottles every 12 hours to keep the pressure higher in the 100 mL bottles makes a significant difference in the growth, making them very similar to the 50 mL bottles. Both the 50 mL and 100 mL bottle were found to have essentially the same mass transfer rate (0.227 L/hr vs. 0.255 L/hr). However, because of headspace differences, there was more CO available for the 50 mL bottles (on a per liter basis) as compared to the 100 mL bottles. Mass transfer analysis proved useful in pointing out that all three reactors likely experienced mass transfer limitations such that mass transfer effects are critical to address when performing studies involving syngas fermentation.