Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field Evaluation of the Impact of Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)–Protected Bt Corn on Foliage-Dwelling Arthropods

Abstract A 3-yr field study was conducted in Monmouth, IL, to evaluate the effect of transgenic Bt corn expressing a Cry3Bb1 protein (MON 863) on foliage-dwelling arthropods. The study employed a split-plot design with MON 863 corn and a conventional non-Bt near isoline (RX670) as the main plots and insecticide regimens (no insecticide, imidacloprid applied as seed treatment, tefluthrin applied as soil treatment, and permethrin applied as foliar treatment) as subplots. Foliage-dwelling arthropods were sampled with sticky traps during each of the 3 yr (2000–2002). The most abundant taxa collected included corn pests, such as Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), and Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch (Homoptera:Aphididae). The most abundant generalist predators captured by sticky traps were Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles), Nabidae (damsel bugs), Orius insidiosus Say (minute pirate bugs), Syrphidae (flower flies), Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (green lacewings), Macrocentrus cingulum Rienhardt (a braconid parasitoid), and Araneae (spiders). MON 863 corn had no consistent adverse impact on the relative abundance of any nontarget foliage-dwelling arthropod taxon, including predators and parasitoids. However, insecticide applications of foliar insecticide (permethrin) significantly and consistently decreased the abundance of ladybird beetles, green lacewings, and damsel bugs compared with the insecticidal seed treatment or no insecticide application. The abundance of the pest R. maidis also was observed to increase in the foliar-applied insecticide treatment. Therefore, adoption of MON 863 and the concurrent reduction in broad-spectrum foliar-applied insecticide use for control of adult Diabrotica spp. have the potential to enhance biological control within corn agro-ecosystems.
Nutrients and Chemical Residues in One- to Two-Pound Mississippi Farm-raised Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Composite samples of Mississippi farm-raised channel catfish (FRCC) fillets were analyzed at four different seasons for the following: proximate composition, cholesterol, fatty acids, eight vitamins, eleven minerals, four heavy metals and eight chemical residues. Nutrients and other compounds did not vary appreciably with season. Mississippi FRCC were higher in fat, calories and thiamin compared with USDA and wild catfish data and had much less cholesterol than previously reported. Monounsaturates comprised over half the fatty acids in FRCC and omega-3 fatty acid content was low. Chemical residues were not detectable or present in extremely small amounts.
Reconstructing the origins of praying mantises (Dictyoptera, Mantodea): the roles of Gondwanan vicariance and morphological convergence

A comprehensive taxonomic sampling of Mantodea (praying mantises), covering virtually all higher‐level groups, was assembled to reconstruct the phylogeny of the order. Sequence data were generated from five mitochondrial and four nuclear loci (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, Histone III, Cytochrome Oxidase I & II, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4, and Wingless) for 329 mantis exemplars along with seven cockroach and eight termite species. Only seven of 14 families, 14 of 33 subfamilies, and seven of 14 tribes were recovered as monophyletic, indicating that phylogeny is largely incongruent with classification. Mapping biogeographical regions on the phylogeny demonstrated that our results adhere closer to biogeographical distributions than to classification. Specific patterns in distribution suggest that major morphological convergences have confounded taxonomists’ ability to reconstruct natural groups. A major revision of higher‐level relationships is in order through a comprehensive investigation of morphology and molecular data. We found that major mantis lineages diverged prior to and during the isolation of geographical regions and subsequent ecomorphic specializations within these regions may have led to convergences in morphology. Divergence time estimation places the origin of Mantodea at the beginning of the Jurassic with most modern mantises originating on Gondwana in the Cretaceous. The first major divergence among modern mantises occurred as a result of the north–south splitting of South America and Africa. Subsequent divergences resulted from the breakup of Gondwana. The position of the Indian subcontinent appears to be central to the diversification of Afrotropical and Indomalayan mantises while Antarctica may have served as the conduit for the mantis invasions into South America and Australasia. When India separated from Antarctica and drifted north it distributed mantis lineages back into the Afrotropics and carried a diverse taxonomic assemblage to Asia.
The Variability in the Fungal Ribosomal DNA (ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8 S rRNA Gene): Its Biological Meaning and Application in Medical Mycology

The PCR amplification and subsequent restriction analysis of the ribosomal region spanning the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5,8S rRNA is accepted as a powerful method for species identification and epidemiological tracing in medical mycology. The extent of detected intraspecies variability varies among different studies. Theoretically, molecular drive may be considered as the main mechanisms contributing to the sequence unification of ribosomal gene arrays. With regards to potential interactions between molecular drive, natural selection and population dynamics, the problem of development and maintenance of intraspecies variability in rDNA region is very complex. The simple laboratory method for detection of inter- and intraspecies variability in the above mentioned region of rDNA is demonstrated on clinical isolates of fungi, the applications in clinical microbiology and environmental studies are discussed together with problems concerning the evolution of this DNA regions.
Can differential responses to nutrients explain the success of environmental weeds?

Abstract Question: The use of plant traits to predict weed impact is a long-standing goal in weed ecology. In particular, trait plasticity, i.e. the variability of a trait response to environmental change, is widely considered to contribute to weed success. However, the generality of the role of trait plasticity in determining weed impacts has never been systematically tested. Methods and location: We tested the hypothesis that high-impact environmental weeds have greater plasticity in growth responses to nutrient availability than low-impact species. In a glasshouse experiment, we supplied a complete nutrient solution at five different concentrations to seedlings of 24 species of high- and low-impact environmental weeds from south east Queensland, Australia. Results: Almost all species showed plasticity in biomass accumulation in response to the nutrient treatments, but plasticity in biomass accumulation did not differ between related high- and low-impact species. There was no evidence of nutrient-related plasticity in root:shoot allocation. Seedling survival was greater at higher nutrient concentrations, and also differed greatly between families. Survival among low-impact species was marginally (p = 0.0610) lower than among high-impact species. Conclusion: We conclude that the impact of environmental weeds in south east Queensland cannot be predicted from nutrient-related plasticity in seedling growth. The effects of nutrients on seedling survival warrant further research. Nomenclature: Stanley & Ross (1983–1989); Richardson et al. (2000).
Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Contact to Animals in Estonia

We have attempted to define the prevalence and risk factors of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae) carriage, and to characterize antimicrobial susceptibility, beta-lactamase genes, and major types of isolated strains in volunteers, with a specific focus on humans in contact with animals. Samples were collected from 207 volunteers (veterinarians, pig farmers, dog owners, etc.) and cultured on selective agar. Clonal relationships of the isolated ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae were determined by whole genome sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing. Beta-lactamases were detected using a homology search. Subjects filled in questionnaires analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression. Colonization with ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae was found in fecal samples of 14 individuals (6.8%; 95%CI: 3.75–11.09%). In multiple regression analysis, working as a pig farmer was a significant risk factor for ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae carriage (OR 4.8; 95%CI 1.2–19.1). The only species isolated was Escherichia coli that distributed into 11 sequence types. All ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae isolates were of CTX-M genotype, with the blaCTX-M-1 being the most prevalent and more common in pig farmers than in other groups. Despite the generally low prevalence of ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae in Estonia, the pig farmers may still pose a threat to transfer resistant microorganisms. The clinical relevance of predominant blaCTX-M-1 carrying E. coli is still unclear and needs further studies.
Sex-biased dispersal produces high error rates in mitochondrial distance-based and tree-based species delimitation

Abstract Species delimitation using mitochondrial sequences aims to identify species as morphological expertise and biodiversity both decline. Species delimitation in animals relies completely or in part on 2 criteria: genetic distance and reciprocal monophyly. Using coalescent simulations of populations experiencing continuous and interrupted gene flow we show that these commonly applied criteria incur both high false-positive and high false-negative error rates in species delimitation when dispersal is sex biased, as it is in most mammals. The combination of distance- and topology-based criteria will incur false-positive error rates well above 5% when ancestral effective population sizes are large and when population structure has been in place for 10,000 years or more. This effect persists even with a subtle bias in dispersal of 1 : 4 female : males dispersing in each generation. High false-positive error rates in genetic distances can be overcome by correcting for within-population sequence divergence. We argue that mitochondrial species delimitation requires additional supporting data on ecology, behavior, and morphology, as well as within-population sampling of multiple individuals to ensure that sex-biased dispersal is not the basis for the species limits proposed.
Impact of cereal aphids on wheat yields in southern New South Wales, Australia

Summary. The effect of naturally occurring aphid infestations on yield was studied using sprayed and unsprayed plots in commercial wheat crops at a number of sites in southern New South Wales, Australia. In 1990, wheat was planted in April or early May following early autumn rains. Aphids were first found in the crops 4 weeks after the wheat was sown. Numbers were generally low and only at 1 site was there a significant effect on yield. In 1991, sowing was delayed by prolonged dry weather during autumn. Most crops were planted in late May and aphids started to appear only in mid July. There was no significant effect of aphids on yield but most crops were badly affected by drought. In 1991, labelled plants at some sites were used to study the impact of varying levels of aphid infestation on yield. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of aphids and yield per plant at 1 site. In both years, aphid numbers peaked in August or September. Rhopalosiphum padiwas virtually the only aphid species found. Leaf samples were collected from 3 sites in 1990 and from all sites in 1991 and tested for barley yellow dwarf virus. The incidence of this virus was very high in 1990 but negligible in 1991. The striking difference in the incidence of barley yellow dwarf virus in the 2 years was most likely the result of later sowing times and delayed arrival of aphids in crops in 1991. Aphids may have a considerable impact on yield in early-sown wheat through transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus.
Graphene Templated DNA Arrays and Biotin-Streptavidin Sensitive Bio-Transistors Patterned by Dynamic Self-Assembly of Polymeric Films Confined within a Roll-on-Plate Geometry

Patterning of surfaces with a simple strategy provides insights into the functional interfaces by suitable modification of the surface by novel techniques. Especially, highly ordered structural topographies and chemical features from the wide range of interfaces have been considered as important characteristics to understand the complex relationship between the surface chemistries and biological systems. Here, we report a simple fabrication method to create patterned surfaces over large areas using evaporative self-assembly that is designed to produce a sacrificial template and lithographic etch masks of polymeric stripe patterns, ranging from micrometer to nanoscale. By facilitating a roll-on-plate geometry, the periodically patterned surface structures formed by repetitive slip-stick motions were thoroughly examined to be used for the deposition of the Au nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide (i.e., AuNPs, ~21 nm) and the formation of conductive graphene channels. The fluorescently labeled thiol-modified DNA was applied on the patterned arrays of graphene oxide (GO)/AuNPs, and biotin-streptavidin sensitive devices built with graphene-based transistors (GFETs, effective mobility of ~320 cm2 V−1 s−1) were demonstrated as examples of the platform for the next-generation biosensors with the high sensing response up to ~1 nM of target analyte (i.e., streptavidin). Our strategy suggests that the stripe patterned arrays of polymer films as sacrificial templates can be a simple route to creating highly sensitive biointerfaces and highlighting the development of new chemically patterned surfaces composed of graphene-based nanomaterials.
Uptake of Cadmium and the Effect on Viability of Leaf Cells in the Seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) Aschers.

The uptake of cadmium (Cd) in the leaves and lower parts of Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) Aschers. was studied in laboratory experiments. Plants were incubated in seawater with 10 −4 -10 −9 mol L −1 Cd for 16 days. The toxicity of cadium was assessed by the leaf-cell viability test. At the lower Cd concentrations (10 −9 and 10 −8 mol L −1 ) all leaf-cells remained alive up to the end of experiment. In these solutions, Cd was taken up rapidly till the 4th day, after which the tissue contents stabilized; these «equilibrium» concentrations increased along with those in the medium. At the higher Cd levels the uptake continued after the 4th or 8th day; this may be due to cellular damage and fall of leaves in the highest solution (.)
Impacts of hunting on mammals in African tropical moist forests: a review and synthesis

1Available information on the consumption of wild meat in West and Central Africa is reviewed. We show that mammals are the prime source of bushmeat, and that ungulates and rodents make up the highest proportion of biomass extracted. 2We present data on current knowledge of extraction patterns of wild mammals in West and Central Africa, and evidence that at current off-take levels, within the range states, mammals as bushmeat are being depleted on an unprecedented scale. Extraction rates are orders of magnitude higher there than in comparable ecosystems like the Amazon, and much less likely to be sustainable. 3However, basic knowledge of the biology of harvestable tropical moist forest mammals, and the consequences of hunting on mammalian communities, which permits accurate estimation of maximal production rate (the excess of growth over replacement rate), is largely unavailable, and this hinders estimation of hunting quotas and sustainability. Comparisons are made with the existing information available on Amazon basin mammals and hunting patterns reported there.
Observations on the Winter Activities of Desert Reptiles

From the nature of reptilian reactions when subjected to temperatures even slightly below the normal activity range, it is obvious that the animal's existence depends entirely on the selection of a hibernating position which will afford a guarantee against the encroachment of lethal temperatures which may occur subsequent to the moment when a lowered metabolism prevents further movement. The effectiveness of natural selection appears to have produced a fauna of exceptional capacity in the adaptive anticipation of the essential winter requirements. In desert regions, which lack the abundance of hollow logs and leaf-mold found elsewhere, only subterranean shelters appear to afford the necessary wintering conditions. Failure to locate wintering reptiles by ordinary methods of hand excavation has led inevitably to the employment of large mechanical equipment, tractors and scrapers. Opportunity for these investigations was provided for by the generosity of the University of California through a leave of absence and the allocation of necessary funds. Further invaluable help was provided by Mr. Alphonso E. Bell of Los Angeles through permission to camp on his ranch and to follow the large tractor and scraper engaged in clearing land on his desert ranch.
Survey on Antimicrobial Residues in Raw Milk and Antimicrobial Use in Dairy Farms in the Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

This survey investigated the antimicrobials most commonly used in dairy herds and antimicrobial residues most frequently detected in milk to evaluate the suitability of rapid screening tests to determine antimicrobial residues in milk. The investigation was carried out in 45 dairy herds consulting the farm administration records and in a national dairy industry collecting milk from almost all the dairy farms studied. Data were recorded on: i) treatments with drugs containing antimicrobials during the 12 months prior to the visit; ii) antimicrobial active substances present in the drugs; iii) data from routine controls to detect antimicrobial residues (52,771 samples). The antimicrobial classes most commonly used were penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and lyncosamides; the most frequently used antimicrobial not belonging to any of the previous groups was riphaximin. Sixty-four samples collected from milk trucks yielded antimicrobial residues exceeding the detection limit of the screening test used: sulphonamide residues were the most prevalent (3.4%), followed by tetracycline (0.3%) and penicillins and cephalosporins (0.03%). The antimicrobial classes most commonly used on dairy farms are the same as the residues most frequently detected in milk. The association of several commercially available rapid test kits proved satisfactory for determination of the veterinary antimicrobial drugs most used on dairy farms but at least five kits are required. Therefore, knowledge of the most frequently used veterinary drugs and periodic monitoring are required for the dairy industry to develop a targeted and effective control plan.
Two-Dimensional-Shear Wave Elastography with a Propagation Map: Prospective Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis Using Histopathology as the Reference Standard

Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether liver stiffness (LS) assessments, obtained by two-dimensional (2D)-shear wave elastography (SWE) with a propagation map, can evaluate liver fibrosis stage using histopathology as the reference standard. Materials and Methods We prospectively enrolled 123 patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy from two tertiary referral hospitals. All patients underwent 2D-SWE examination prior to biopsy, and LS values (kilopascal [kPa]) were obtained. On histopathologic examination, fibrosis stage (F0–F4) and necroinflammatory activity grade (A0–A4) were assessed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the significant factors affecting the LS value. The diagnostic performance of the LS value for staging fibrosis was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the optimal cut-off value was determined by the Youden index. Results Reliable measurements of LS values were obtained in 114 patients (92.7%, 114/123). LS values obtained from 2D-SWE with the propagation map positively correlated with the progression of liver fibrosis reported from histopathology (p < 0.001). According to the multivariate linear regression analysis, fibrosis stage was the only factor significantly associated with LS (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve of LS from 2D-SWE with the propagation map was 0.773, 0.865, 0.946, and 0.950 for detecting F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4, respectively. The optimal cut-off LS values were 5.4, 7.8, 9.4, and 12.2 kPa for F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4, respectively. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity of the LS value for detecting cirrhosis were 90.9% and 88.4%, respectively. Conclusion The LS value obtained from 2D-SWE with a propagation map provides excellent diagnostic performance in evaluating liver fibrosis stage, determined by histopathology.
Measuring misconceptions about traumatic brain injury: are existing scales misconceived?

ABSTRACT Primary Objectives The aim of this paper was to conduct a review of the misconception literature relating to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to critically review the comprehensiveness, psychometric properties and other qualities of existing scales designed to measure knowledge and misconceptions of TBI. Methods Terms relating to misconceptions, misconception scales, public perceptions and traumatic brain injury were used to identify existing scales. The initial search was expanded using the reference lists and citations of relevant articles. Main Outcomes Eight scales were identified for full review, with several sharing a common set of items. The majority of scales were designed to measure public perceptions of TBI, although some were developed for use in specific populations (e.g. sports, professional samples). Existing scales are limited by their scope and breadth of coverage, adoption of a medicalized view of TBI, scaling and scoring issues, failure to use a conceptual framework, and by numerous psychometric issues related to reliability and validity. Conclusions There are a number of weaknesses attached to existing scales. Several recommendations are made to promote and inform future scale development.
Efficacy of novel albendazole salt formulations against secondary cystic echinococcosis in experimentally infected mice

Abstract In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, expressed as a mean weight decrease of the whole echinococcal cyst mass, of novel benzimidazole salt formulations in a murine Echinococcus granulosus infection model. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally infected with protoscoleces of E. granulosus (genotype G1). At 9 months post-infection, treatment with albendazole (ABZ), ricobendazole (RBZ) salt formulations, and RBZ enantiomer salts (R)-(+)-RBZ-Na and (S)-(−)-RBZ-Na formulations were initiated. Drugs were orally applied by gavage at 10 mg kg−1 body weight per day during 30 days. Experimental treatments with benzimidazole sodium salts resulted in a significant reduction of the weight of cysts compared to conventional ABZ treatment, except for the (S)-(−)-RBZ-Na enantiomer formulation. Scanning electron microscopy and histological inspection revealed that treatments impacted not only the structural integrity of the parasite tissue in the germinal layer, but also induced alterations in the laminated layer. Overall, these results demonstrate the improved efficacy of benzimidazole salt formulations compared to conventional ABZ treatment in experimental murine cystic echinococcosis.