Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L1 Protein Expressed in Plasmid- and Baculovirus-Based Systems in Insect Cells.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with specific types of papillomas, lesions at particular anatomic sites, and malignancies. The HPV16 and HPV18 have been shown to play a role in a variety of carcinomas. The most documented HPV-associated cancer is cervical carcinoma. Suitable antigens are needed to be identified for the diagnostic tests and vaccines and the expression of L1 recombinant protein should be accelerated in papillomaviruses. Therefore, in this study, the expression of the L1 protein of HPV16 was evaluated and compared in insect cells using a plasmid and a baculovirus system. The expression of the L1 protein of HPV16 in insect cells was investigated using a plasmid (InsectDirect) and a baculovirus system (BacMagic). The expressed recombinant proteins were purified from the Sf9 lysate using Ni-NTA resin columns. The characterization of recombinant L1 protein expressed in both systems (BacMagic and InsectDirect) was performed using immunofluorescence, SDS-PAGE, western blot, and dot blot. The yields of the purified proteins from the plasmid- and baculovirus-based systems (10 ml culture; 107 cells) had the ranges of 455-495 µg/ml and 1.44-1.6 mg/ml as analyzed by spectrophotometer, respectively. The SDS-PAGE analysis of purified proteins revealed that the recombinant proteins with the expected size of 58 KDa were produced in both InsectDirect and baculovirus systems. A high degree (95%) of purification was achieved using this system as observed in SDS-PAGE. The purified L1 protein in the baculovirus system was clearly more efficient than the InsectDirect system. The results of this study indicate that the BacMagic system is an appropriate tool for large scale protein production and provides an alternative to the traditional baculovirus system. In addition, the InsectDirect system might provide a rapid and dependable pointer of whether a protein can be successfully produced in a baculovirus system. Both InsectDirect and BacMagic systems present remarkable savings in cost and time.
The efficacy of increasing doses of Samorenil® in the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei infected albino rats.

The efficacy of increasing doses (3.5, 7.0, 14, and 21 mg/kg) of Samorenil®; a diminazene based trypanocide was investigated in albino rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei . Thirty albino rats were used for the study. The rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Groups III, IV, V, VI were infected with 1.0 x 106 trypanosomes intraperitoneally and were later treated at day 9 post infection with 3.5, 7.0, 14 and 21 mg/kg of samorenil® respectively. Group I served as negative control (uninfected untreated) while Group II served as positive control (infected untreated). The parameters monitored for the therapeutic assessment of the increasing doses of Samorenil® were parasitaemia, rectal temperature, packed cell volume (PCV), and body weight. Following treatment, there was complete aparasitaemia at 96 hours post treatment in all the infected treated rats. There was also an improvement in the clinical condition of the experimental rats. Four rats in the positive control (group II) (infected untreated) died by day 35 post infection and the remaining one died at day 70 post infection. Relapse infection however occurred at days 35, 49, and 63-post treatment in groups treated with 3.5, 7.0, and 14 mg/kg respectively. There was no relapse infection in the group treated with 21 mg/kg. It was thus concluded that there may be merit in using higher doses of Samorenil® in the treatment of trypanosomosis. The possible toxic effect of these higher doses however needs to be further investigated to ascertain the safety or otherwise of the higher doses used. Keywords :Efficacy, Samorenil®, Trypanosoma brucei , Rats. Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (2) 2007 pp. 24-32
A new family of froghoppers from the American tropics (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Epipygidae)

ABSTRACT Froghoppers (Cercopoidea) are divided into three families: spittlebugs or Cercopidae, which are efficient spittle-producers; Clastopteridae (including subfamily Machaerotinae, new status), inefficient spittle-producers and tube-dwellers; and the new-world tropical Epipygidae, a new family known only from small numbers of adult specimens. Epipygidae are probably single-brooded, with shortlived adults that appear to rely mainly on stored body fat as an energy source. Unlike the related spittlebugs they probably lay exposed eggs and have free-living nymphs. The new genera Epipyga (typespecies Eicissus tenuifasciatus Jacobi) and Erugissa (type-species Erugissa pachitea sp. nov.) are described and Epipyga cribrata (Lethierry), a new combination from Aphrophora, plus Eicissus decipiens Fowler and twenty-seven undescribed species are included in the family.
Minimizing marker mass and handling time when attaching radio-transmitters and geolocators to small songbirds

ABSTRACT Radio-transmitters and light-level geolocators are currently small enough for use on songbirds weighing <15 g. Various methods are used to attach these markers to larger songbirds, but with small birds it becomes especially important to minimize marker mass and bird handling time. Here, we offer modifications to harness materials and marker preparation for transmitters and geolocators, and we describe deployment methods that can be safely completed in 20–60 s per bird. We describe a 0.5-mm elastic sewing thread harness for radio-transmitters that allows nestlings, fledglings, and adults to be marked with the same harness size and reliably falls off to avoid poststudy effects. We also describe a 0.5-mm jewelry cord harness for geolocators that provides a firm fit for >1 yr. Neither harness type requires plastic or metal tubes, rings, or other attachment fixtures on the marker, nor do they require crimping beads, epoxy, scissors, or tying knots while handling birds. Both harnesses add 0.03 g to the mass of markers for small wood-warblers (Parulidae). This minimal additional mass is offset by trimming transmitter antennas or geolocator connection nodes, resulting in no net mass gain for transmitters and 0.02 g added for geolocators compared with conventional harness methods that add >0.40 g. We and others have used this transmitter attachment method with several small songbird species, with no effects on adult and fledgling behavior and survival. We have used this geolocator attachment method on 9-g wood-warblers with no effects on return rates, return dates, territory fidelity, and body mass. We hope that these improvements to the design and deployment of the leg-loop harness method will enable the safe and successful use of these markers, and eventually GPS and other tags, on similarly small songbirds.
Using Artificial-Reef Knowledge to Enhance the Ecological Function of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations: Implications for Fish Abundance and Diversity

As the development of large-scale offshore wind farms (OWFs) amplifies due to technological progress and a growing demand for renewable energy, associated footprints on the seabed are becoming increasingly common within soft-bottom environments. A large part of the footprint is the scour protection, often consisting of rocks that are positioned on the seabed to prevent erosion. As such, scour protection may resemble a marine rocky reef and could have important ecosystem functions. While acknowledging that OWFs disrupt the marine environment, the aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of scour protection on fish assemblages, relate them to the effects of designated artificial reefs (ARs) and, ultimately, reveal how future scour protection may be tailored to support abundance and diversity of marine species. The results revealed frequent increases in abundances of species associated with hard substrata after the establishment of artificial structures (i.e., both OWFs and ARs) in the marine environment. Literature indicated that scour protection meets the requirements to function as an AR, often providing shelter, nursery, reproduction, and/or feeding opportunities. Using knowledge from AR models, this review suggests methodology for ecological improvements of future scour protections, aiming towards a more successful integration into the marine environment.
The dynamics of peat accumulation on bogs: mass balance of hummocks and hollows and its variation throughout a millennium

This study concerns the mass balance in hummocks and hollows on three ombrotrophic boreonemoral bogs in both a short (ca 10 yr) and long (1000 yr) time scale. Nitrogen, 14 C, and 210 Pb are used to establish detailed time scales and to estimate productivity and decay losses in four different microtopographical units: hummocks with either Sphagnum or lichens and hollows with either Sphagnum lawns or bare hollows, The accumulation of N and 210 Pb was greater in hummocks than in hollows. The litter input was higher in Sphagnum hummocks (170-210 g m -2 yr -1 ) than in lawns (110-145 g m - 2 yr -1 ) while its decay rate (0.011-0.014 yr -1 ) did not differ. The arotelm was deeper in Sphagnum hummocks than in lawns but because of less compaction in lawns, neither residence time (80-100 yr) nor decay losses (70-75%) differed. Productivity in lichen hummocks and bare hollows was insignificant and the mass balance negative. It is concluded that the higher productivity in Sphagnum hummocks maintains the microtopography on the mire surface. The mass balance in hummocks will determine not only the development in hollows but also the rise of the ground water mound, and the height increment of a bog. The addition of mass to the catotelm has generally been less in hollows than in hummocks. Since 800 BP the overall input to the catotelm has decreased from about 150 to < 50 g m -2 yr 1 due to longer residence time increasing losses through decay in the acrotelm from < 20% to 70% and is the result of either climatic changes or autogenic processes in the bog ecosystem. Before recent centuries the whole bog surface must have been covered with Sphagnum mosses, forming an overall input of litter as large as in the recent Sphagnum hummocks and lawns. Due to the present lesser cover of peat forming mosses (20-50% of the surface), the recent overall input of peat-forming litter is only 50-65 g m -2 yr -1 , The bogs no longer act as sinks for carbon since the input of carbon only just covers the losses as CH 4 and CO 2 .
Desempenho e retenção de nitrogênio de frangos de corte dos 22 aos 42 dias alimentados com rações com diferentes níveis de cálcio e suplementadas com Fitase

Com o objetivo de avaliar os niveis de calcio na racao suplementada com enzima fitase para frangos de corte de 22 a 42 dias de idade, foi conduzido um experimento com 600 frangos de 21 dias da linhagem Hubbard-MPK, distribuidos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial cinco x dois (niveis de calcio da dieta x sexos), com tres repeticoes de 20 aves por parcela. A racao basal foi balanceada para atender as exigencias nutricionais das aves, conforme o NRC (1994), exceto para o calcio, cujos niveis foram 0,40; 0,59; 0,78; 0,97 e 1,16%, suplementada com Fitase. Aos 35 dias de idade, duas aves de cada tratamento foram transferidas para gaiolas de metabolismo para coleta total das excretas durante quatro dias. O consumo de racao e o ganho de peso foram de 12,8 e 16% respectivamente, e superiores (P 0,05) para o consumo de racao, ganho de peso e conversao alimentar em razao dos niveis crescentes de calcio nas racoes. A digestibilidade da materia seca foi melhor com o nivel de 0,88% de calcio, e a maior retencao de nitrogenio foi obtida com 0,70% de calcio na racao suplementadas com fitase. Conclui-se que o aumento dos niveis de calcio em racoes suplementadas com fitase para frangos de corte dos 22 aos 42 dias de idade nao afeta o desempenho dos mesmos, e niveis muito baixos de calcio reduzem a digestibilidade da materia seca e retencao de nitrogenio das racoes.
A comparison of ocean model data and satellite observations of features affecting the growth of the North Equatorial Counter Current during the strong 1997–1998 El Niño

Abstract. Descriptions of the ocean's role in the El Nino usually focus on equatorial Kelvin waves and the ability of such waves to change the mean thermocline depth and the sea surface temperature (SST) in the central and eastern Pacific. In contrast, starting from a study of the transport of water with temperatures greater than 28 ∘ C, sufficient to trigger deep atmospheric convection, Webb ( 2018 ) found that, during the strong El Ninos of 1983–1984 and 1997–1998, advection by the North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC) had a much greater impact on sea surface temperatures than processes occurring near the Equator. Webb's analysis, which supports the scheme proposed by Wyrtki ( 1973 , 1974 ) , made use of archived data from a high-resolution ocean model. Previously the model had been checked in a preliminary comparison against SST observations in the equatorial Pacific, but, given the contentious nature of the new analysis, the model's behaviour in key areas needs to be checked further against observations. In this paper this is done for the 1987–1988 El Nino, making use of satellite observations of SST and sea level. SST is used to check the movement of warm water near the Equator and at the latitudes of the NECC. Sea level is used to check the model results at the Equator and at 6 ∘ N in the North Equatorial Trough. Sea level differences between these latitudes affect the transport of the NECC, the increased transport at the start of each strong El Nino being associated with a drop in sea level at 6 ∘ N in the western Pacific. Later rises in sea level at the Equator increase the transport of the NECC in mid-ocean. The variability of sea level at 6 ∘ N is also used to compare the strength of tropical instability waves in the model and in the observations. The model showed that in a normal year these act to dilute the temperature in the core of the NECC. However their strength declined during the development of the strong El Ninos, allowing the NECC to carry warm water much further than normal across the Pacific. The results of this paper should not be taken as providing proof of the hypotheses of Wyrtki ( 1973 , 1974 ) or Webb ( 2018 ) but instead as a failure of a targeted study, using satellite observations, to disprove the hypotheses.
Inverted Responses of the Carbon Cycle to Orbital Forcing in Mesozoic Periplatform Marginal Basins: Implications for Astrochronology

Astrochronology depends on the faithful record of insolation forcing in climatic proxies, including the carbon isotope composition measured on bulk carbonates (δ13Ccarb). In marginal basins close to carbonate platforms, the source of carbonate is varied, which can impact the record of the astronomical cycles in the δ13Ccarb signal. We compare here the δ13Ccarb values together with detrital and weathering proxies before and during a crisis in the platform carbonate production (Weissert event, Valanginian, ~135 Ma) to document how a change in the carbonate source can affect the record of the orbital forcing by the carbon isotope system. The level of burial diagenesis was insufficient to alter the clay mineral assemblages, which are linked to cyclic changes in weathering conditions. The δ13Ccarb values correspond to the values measured in other parts of the basin, which experienced various levels of burial diagenesis, suggesting that they also reflect a paleoenvironmental signal. In marl beds, the δ13Ccarb values increase with detrital and kaolinite content, suggesting that humid/arid cycles controlled the evolution of the δ13Ccarb signal in marl beds. Before the Weissert event, the δ13Ccarb values in the limestone beds increase with CaCO3 content and arid conditions. This can reflect the change of type of carbonate produced in shallow‐marine environments and exported to the basin. These environmental changes disrupted the record of the eccentricity cycles in the δ13Ccarb signal. The sources of carbonate must therefore be clearly identified and documented before using the δ13Ccarb series for orbital tuning in hemipelagic areas close to carbonate platforms.
Gender differentials in the Use of Instructional Models in Enhancing Adolescents’ Interest and Achievement in Voter Education Contents of Senior Secondary School Government Curriculum

The study determined gender effect in the efficacy of group investigation and jurisprudential inquiry instructional models in enhancing adolescent students’ interest and achievement in voter education related contents of senior secondary school Government curriculum. The study adopted quasi-experimental non-equivalent pre-test, post-test control group design. Sample for the study consisted of 165 SS II students drawn from senior secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the intact classes from each of the schools that were assigned to the two experimental groups. Data collected using Multiple Choice Government Achievement Test (MCGAT) and Government Interest Inventory (GII) were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions and ANCOVA for testing the hypothesis at P < 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that both group investigation and jurisprudential inquiry models were effective in enhancing interest and achievement of male and female students in voter education related contents in senior secondary school Government curriculum. However, group investigation proved more efficacious. These findings were exhaustively discussed with recommendations on how to manage gender factor in using student-centred instructional models in enhancing students’ interest and achievement.
The growth responses to weather of simulated vegetative swards of a single genotype of Lolium perenne

SUMMARY The influence of ambient weather conditions on the regrowth and morphology of a perennial ryegrass sward, over the period May–October 1972, was assessed by following the performance in the field of a succession of vegetative, single genotype, simulated swards previously grown under standard conditions. Crop growth rates estimated from largely non-destructive measurements of growth components (leaf extension, leaf weight/length ratio, tillering rate and tiller density) agreed with, and were more precise than, rates determined from harvests; the components having the greatest influence on growth rate were leaf extension and leaf weight/length ratio. Leaf extension and appearance were closely dependent on temperature; leaf weight/length was only slightly affected by the weather. The growth rates of total above ground parts, especially of herbage above the cutting height, were largely determined by temperature and initial leaf-area index, and insensitive to insolation. At higher temperatures, a greater proportion of assimilates was partitioned into herbage growth.
Seasonal Variations in Concentrations of Mercury in Axial Muscle Tissue of Largemouth Bass

Abstract Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides were collected from Lake Lillinonah and Pickerel Lake, Connecticut, during three sampling periods in 1996: spring (May 14–15); summer (Jul 22–30); and fall (Oct 10–17). Total mercury concentrations ranged from 0.106 to 2.293 μg/g in Lake Lillinonah and from 0.456 to 1.762 μg/g in Pickerel Lake. In both lakes, there was a significant positive relationship between total mercury concentration and length and age during each season. Mean mercury concentrations adjusted for length were significantly different among seasons in Pickerel Lake (P = 0.0002) and Lake Lillinonah (P = 0.0006) and were 26–43% higher during spring than summer and fall in both lakes. Mean mercury concentrations adjusted for age were significantly different among seasons in Lake Lillinonah (P = 0.02) but not in Pickerel Lake (P = 0.06). In Lake Lillinonah, mean mercury concentrations adjusted for age were significantly higher during spring than during fall (P < 0.017). These results suggest th.
Seasonal Population Fluctuations of Cowpea Aphid Aphis Craccivora Koch and its Predatory Coccinellids

In two study seasons, viz. summer (March to May) and “kharlf” (August to October) 1984 at Bangalore, India, populations of Aphis craccivora Koch on cowpea increased rapidly with crop growth and their peak coincided with peak pod formation. The activity of predatory coccinellids started 1 to 3 weeks after the appearance of aphids. The peak predator population more or less coincided with the peak aphid population. Highly significant positive correlations were found between weekly aphid and predator populations in the two seasons. The prey to predator ratio reached higher values 2 weeks after the incidence of the aphid, during peak pod formation stage and at the time of harvest. Amongst the predatory coccinellids, Menochilus sexmaculatus (F.) was predominant in both seasons constituting 77–88% and 83–95% of total predator population during summer and “kharif”, respectively. The study demonstrated a prey-dependent predator growth, often lagging behind that of the prey, pressing the need for alternate control methods that can be integrated into the management strategy considering the weather factors such as rainfall. RésuméUne etude faite en ètè (Mars-Mai) et entre les mois d’Avril et Octobre 1984 a Bangalore en Inde sur les populations d’Aphis craccivora Koch sur les pois a donné les resultats suivants. Les populations d’A. craccivora Koch augmentaient rapidement avec les cultures en croissance et que d’autre part les pics des insects coincidaient avec ceux de la formation de la cosse de cette plante. L’activité de coccinellides connu comme predateur commencait une à deux semaines après l’apparence des aphides. Le pic de la population des predateurs coincidait avec celui de la population des aphides. Des correlations significatives et positives entre les populations d’aphides et de predateurs pendant une semaine existaient durant les deux saisons. La proportion entre la proie et le predateur a atteint les valeurs maximales deux semaines après l’incidence des aphides, pendant le stage de la formation des cosses ainsi que pendant la recolte. Parmis les coccinellides predateurs-Menochilus sexmaculatus (F.) etait predominant pendant les deux saisons et constituaient respectivement 77-88% et 83-95% de la population totale des predateurs. Cette etude demontra une croissance des predateurs dependante de celle de la proie. Des strategies nouvelles sont necessaires pour lutter contre l’A. craccivora Koch parceque leur nombre croit plus vite que celui du predateur.