Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vertebrate Paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), I: Faunal Composition, Biogeographic Relationships, and Sampling

ABSTRACT The vertebrate fauna of the Cloverly Formation has been studied for more than 75 years, but remains poorly sampled and incompletely understood. We undertook an extensive survey of the formation that resulted in the discovery of several new, highly productive vertebrate microfossil bonebeds (VMBs). Comprehensive sampling of these and other sites has nearly doubled the known vertebrate diversity of the Cloverly Formation. In addition to the comparatively well-known dinosaurs, this augmented faunal list includes hybodontoid sharks, numerous bony fishes, three lissamphibian lineages, lizards, multiple crocodylians, and several new mammal occurrences. The known Cloverly vertebrate fauna now more closely resembles those of other late Early Cretaceous formations in North America, indicating broad similarities across wide geographic areas at this time. In addition, this work underscores the important role VMBs can play in areas previously studied primarily through surface prospecting and quarrying, especially for assessing paleoecology and species diversity.
A nutrient medium for development of cell dense inoculum in mixotrophic mode to seed mass culture units of Dunaliella salina

Dunaliella salina is cultivated extensively in natural ponds or intensively in race way ponds for β-carotene production. The ponds are seeded with culture inoculum developed in laboratory conditions or in pilot plant. Because of its high light requirement for growth, D. salina cultures are very cell dilute. Therefore, a large volume of culture inoculum is required to seed mass culture units. The feasibility of culture of D. salina in mixotrophic mode to obtain cell dense inoculum was investigated with an Indian isolate – I3. The constituents of the mineral medium and their concentration were first standardized in growth assays. The optimized mineral medium was supplemented with organic carbon sources – glycerol, sodium acetate and malt extract and organic nitrogen sources – yeast extract and peptone to test for the best results of mixotrophic culture. A mineral medium with 100 mg L–1 potassium nitrate or urea, 0.35 mg L–1 potassium phosphate, 1 ml L–1 trace elements mix (Walne's medium) without borate and 12.5 % NaCl in sea water was found optimal. Malt and yeast extracts in the proportion of 1:3 g L–1 in optimized mineral medium was found to result in cell dense cultures. Mixotrophically cultured inoculum grown photoautotrophically in optimized mineral medium resulted in increased biomass production with higher carotene content than when photoautotrophically cultured. The production cycle decreased by 11 days compared to autotrophic cultures
Zoogeographical affinities and faunal relationships of bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae) in Egypt

The distributions of 229 beefly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) species across the eight Egyptian ecological zones, together with their faunal affinities to the main zoogeographical regions, were used to test the suggestion of Holt et al. (2013) that the SaharoArabian is a distinct region rather than a subregion of the Palaearctic. All Egyptian ecological zones but one have greater affiliation to the Palaearctic and SaharoArabian than to the Afrotropical region; the Gebel Elba ecological zone, the southeastern triangle of Egypt, has greater affinities with the Afrotropics. Affinities to the Saharo-Arabian region were not different from those to the Palaearctic. From its bombyliid fauna, therefore, the Saharo-Arabian region is so closely allied to the Palaearctic as to constitute merely a subregion of it. Sinai shows a high level of endemism reflecting its isolation from other parts of Egypt.
An immunocytochemical study of regulatory peptides in the amphibian gastrointestinal tract

Samples from the gastrointestinal tract of two urodele and eight anuran species were investigated by immunocytochemical methods for the presence of structures immunoreactive with a range of antisera raised to the mammalian regulatory peptides. The regulatory peptides involved were gastrin, cholecystokinin, motilin, secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, pancreatic glucagon, enteroglucagon, glicentin, neurotensin, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, Met-enkephalin, bombesin, and β-endorphin. In the majority of the species investigated, immunoreactive epithelial endocrine cells were demonstrated with the antisera to somatostatin, gastrin, enteroglucagon, and neurotensin. Motilin-containing cells were observed in a single species, Ambystoma mexicanum. Of the peptides detected within the mammalian innervation, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, Met-enkephalin, and β-endorphin immunoreactive nerve fibres were seen. The distribution of the immuno.
Annual survival of Gurney's Sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi

2RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG79 2DL, U.K. roupelliae localities in the Qwaqwa National Park and Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve in winter has been noted. Malachite Sunbirds have been observed in suburban gardens at Kestell, Bethlehem and Harrismith during the winter months and these birds are probably altitudinal migrants (Brown & Barnes 1984). These observations were supported by high reporting rates throughout the year in the eastern Free State adjacent to Lesotho, while Malachite Sunbirds, although present in the country during all months, were absent from the highest land between May and August (Fraser 1997). Maclean (1993) also considers this species a seasonal migrant from the Lesotho highlands to the eastern parts of the Free State and the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. No evidence for altitudinal migration between the northeastern Free State and Lesotho was obtained during this study, although this has been suggested (albeit without the support of ringing data) (Skead 1967;Clancey 1980;Maclean 1994; de Swardt 1995).
The occurrence of an endozoic green alga in the marine mollusc, Clinocardium nuttallii (Conrad, 1837)

Abstract Samples of mantle tissue of the Pacific common cockle, Clinacardium nuttallii (Conrad, 1837) which contained green inclusions were excised and examined using light and electron microscopy. Green tissue was found to contain intercellular aggregations of a green alga (considered a Chlorella sp.) apparently actively growing within the body of the mollusc. Algal cells were found in all stages of growth and division, and were morphologically similar to several other previously studied symbiotic Chlorella from other hosts. A thick amorphous outer layer was usually found beyond the outer cell walls of the alga, often forming a matrix enclosing several algal cells. This outer layer or matrix appeared to be of algal origin. Algal cells were also found within the amoebocytes of Clinocardium. It is suggested that the association may be considered parasitic, or at best, commensal, rather than mutualistic.
Effects of Glufosinate-Ammonium and Urea on Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Levels in Corn

Glufosinate-ammonium [butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)ammonium salt] (G-A) and urea [CO(NH 2 ) 2 ] were evaluated as foliar treatments for suppression of pre-harvest aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in corn (Zea mays). The experiment was conducted in Stoneville, MS as a randomized complete block split-plot design replicated four times. The whole plots were four commercial hybrids, two genetically modified to be resistant to G-A and two nonmodified. Twenty randomly-selected ears in each sub-plot were inoculated with a culture of F3W4 Aspergillus flavus using a pin bar. Infection by Fusarium verticillioides (= F. moniliforme) occurred naturally. The sub-plot treatments were applied as an aqueous solution (0.23 % v:v G-A, 1.13% v:v G-A, and 0.075 M urea) 60 days after silking. The experiment also included untreated controls with and without inoculation of A. flavus. Sub-plots were two rows 30 ft long, spaced 40 inches apart. The experiment was repeated four times starting in 2001 and ending in 2004. Among years, inoculated ears averaged 153.6 ppb to 257.3 ppb more aflatoxin than non-inoculated ears. Neither G-A nor urea reduced aflatoxin or fumonisin concentrations. Hybrids did not differ in yield or aflatoxin concentration. Fumonisin concentrations among hybrids ranged from 2.3 ppm to 7.5 ppm. Grain yields were less in 2004 (110 bu/acre) than 2001 (140 bu/acre) or 2002 (144 bu/acre).
Individual Differences of Ozone Resistance for Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Pinus thunbergii

Individual differences of ozone () resistance for seed production, seed germination and seedling development were examined in this study. Five in each healthy and damaged trees of Pinus thunbergii growing in air polluted area for 12 years were chosen based on visible foliar injury and growth. The cones of P. thunbergii, which were collected from healthy and damaged trees, were analyzed for physical characteristics and seeds from the cones were used to test germination percentage under treatment. The germinated seeds were continuously exposed to treatment and the lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidative enzymes were determined for both seeds and seedlings. The treatment for seed germination and seedling development were conducted at three conditions: control, 150 ppb and 300 ppb of . The non-treated seeds from the damaged trees showed 21.6% lower germination than those from the healthy ones. On the treatment of 300 ppb, seed germination decreased approximately 10% for the healthy trees and 19% for the damaged trees compared to that on the control. The seeds from the healthy trees showed significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) than those from the damaged trees. The activities of GR, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and CAT decreased along with the increasing concentration in two tree grades. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of seeds was not influenced by treatment for two tree grades. In seedling development, there were no significant differences for length and biomass of needle and root of two tree grades at both the control and 150 ppb of . At 300 ppb of treatment, however, the length and biomass of needle and stem decreased for two tree grades but no significant differences was detected in root. The seedlings from the damaged trees were more sensitive to the treatment, showing higher activities of SOD, APX, and CAT and content of MDA compared to those from the healthy tree seedlings. Our results indicate that seed germination and seedling development are vulnerable to increasing concentrations and that attention must be paid to the individual selection of tree species for reforestation.
Mycoplasma-like organisms as causal agents of potato purple top wilt in Queensland

The eggplant little-leaf agent was graft transmitted to tomato causing big-bud symptoms. Transmission from the big-bud tomato to potato by grafting or the leafhopper Orosius argentatus resulted in the development of purple top wilt symptoms. Thin-section electron microscopy revealed mycoplasma-like organisms present in the phloem sieve elements of a big-bud tomato plant and purple top wilt potato plants infected by grafting or leafhoppers. When tubers from graft-infected potato plants were planted, 73% produced spindly shoots and 44% of these later developed purple top wilt symptoms. When scions from either field-infected or experimentally infected potato plants showing purple top wilt symptoms were grafted onto tomato plants, 24% and 62% respectively developed big-bud symptoms. The results provide strong evidence for the mycoplasmal aetiology of some, if not all, potato purple top wilt in Queensland.
Measuring woody debris in the small streams of New Zealand's pine plantations

To assess the impact of harvesting on woody debris volumes in streams, a method was required with sufficient precision to provide mean- ingful evaluation and comparison of pre- and post- harvest levels of woody debris. Before harvest, woody debris volumes were measured in 24 first- to third-order stream sites in New Zealand's mature pine plantations (22-34 years of age). An adaptation of the Van Wagner line intersect method was used to measure the small woody debris 1-9 cm in diam- eter (SWD). All large woody debris >10 cm in diameter (LWD) was measured for diameter and length. Woody debris volumes in the stream chan- nel ranged from 2 to 345 m3ha~1, averaging 112 m3 ha"1 (±34,95% confidence interval (CI)). Woody debris surface areas averaged 2883 m2 ha"1 (±688), range 220-6769 m2 ha~'. Most of the woody debris volume (87%) was composed of LWD. Sixty-seven percent of the woody debris volume was located above the stream, the remainder was lying in-stream or on the floodplain. Woody debris volumes in streams of mature pine plantations in New Zealand were similar to woody debris volumes in streams of temperate native forests in New Zealand and North America. These sites will be remeasured after harvest to identify any changes in woody debris characteristics.
Effect of Distillation Time on Mentha canadensis Essential Oil Yield and Composition

Japanese cornmint(Mentha canadensisL.) isa major essential oilcrop grown in Asia, South America, and to a limited extent in eastern Europe. Japanese cornmint oil is the only commercially viable source for crystalline menthol. We hypothesized that the length of the distillation time (DT) will have an effect on Japanese cornmint essential oil content and composition. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effect of eight DTs (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 min) on essential oil content and composition. The essential oil content (0.43% to 1.06% range) reached maximum at 10 min DT; further increase in DT did not significantly increase essential oil content. The concentrations of alpha-pinene (0.14% to 0.76% range), beta-pinene (0.23-0.81), 3-octanal (0.19-0.34), limonene (0.69% to 1.53%), eucalyptol (0.06% to 0.12%), isopulegone (0.42% to 0.56%), and isomenthone (4.4% to 5.7%) were highest at 1.25 to 5 min DT and generally decreased to their respective minimums at 160 min DT. The concentration of menthone (4.3% to 6.3%) was highest at 1.25 min DT, decreased at 2.5 min, and was lowest at 10 to 160min DT.The concentration of piperitone (0.98%to 1.27%)was lowest at1.25 minDT and higher at 5 to 40 min DT compared with other DTs. The concentration of menthol (74% to 79%) was low at 1.25 min, then increased at 10 to 80 min DT, and reached a maximumat 160 min DT.Generally, the yieldof most individualessential oilconstituents was lower at 1.25 min DT relative to the other DT and reached maximum at 10 to 20 min DT. The yield of menthol was low at 1.25 to 2.5 min DT and rose at 5 min to 160 min DT. The results suggest that different DTs can be used to maximize recovery of certain constituents. Also, the results demonstrated that there are no oil yield gains after 20 min DT,whichismuchlowerthantheusualdistillationtimeof60minormore.Thisstudycan be used as a reference when comparing reports in which different DTs were used.
Motor Apparatus of Euglena Gracilis: Ultrastructure of the Basal Portion of the Flagellum and the Paraflagellar Body

Abstract The intracytoplasmic origin of the flagella in Euglena gracilis is described with particular regard to the transitional zone. Our observations are compared with those reported for Entosiphon. The structure of the paraflagellar body has been studied by diphractometric analysis. The PFB of Euglena may be described as a crystal with a monoclinic or slightly distorted hexagonal unit cell with dimensions: a = 8.9 nm; b = 7.7 nm; c = 8.3 nm; 0 = 110°.
TGF‐β in uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary ocular cancer among adults and patients with distant metastases seldom survive longer than a year. Melanomas of the eye have the advantage of growing in the special environment of an immune privileged site and it has long been shown, that the special immunosuppressive properties of the intraocular microenvironment are strongly mediated by cytokines, especially transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐beta). Here, we sought to investigate the presence of TGF‐β in surgically removed uveal melanoma specimens using immunohistochemical methods to verify possible autocrine mechanisms. Immunocytochemistry for pan‐TGF‐β and TGF‐β2 was performed on 13 melanoma specimens using an alkaline phosphatase labeling procedure. Melanocytic origin of the tumors was confirmed by HMB‐45 staining. All tissue samples exhibited positive staining using either pan‐TGF‐β or TGF‐β2 antibody regardless of cell‐type, size of the tumor, or tumor location. The intensity of staining did not vary significantly within a given tumor. All tumors stained positive against the HMB‐45 antibody. Many cytokines have been found to act on melanoma tumors. The presence of the TGF‐β2 isoform in all specimens points to progressive tumor‐growth as has been shown for melanomas of the skin. Based on our immunohistochemical findings and the immunosuppressive properties of TGF‐β, we suppose that ocular melanomas should be able to create their own immunosuppressive environment even in the uvea, which might be a non‐privileged site. Microsc. Res. Tech. 52:396–400, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Avaliação dos níveis de clorofila em folhas de tomateiro da cultivar Santa Clara, do mutante ‘firme’ e do híbrido F 1 - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i1.2110

Recently, in Vicosa (MG), a region of vegetable crop producing, tomatoes of Santa Clara cultivar, Lycopersicum esculentum (Solanaceae), that showed potential use for breeding programs, aiming to increase the shelf life of the fruit were identified. However, plants from the mutant ‘firme’ have precocious fealf senescence and reduction of the average fruit size when in homozygous background. The objective of the present study was the evaluation of the pigment levels in the leaves on different development positions and stage, utilizing the method described by Lichtenthaler (1987) and the SPAD (Soil Plant Analytical Division Value) in heterozygous mutant related to the progenitor Santa Clara cultivar and the homozygous mutant ‘firme’. Thus, two experiments containing two plants per vase grown in greenhouse and arranged at complete randomized way were set up. The data obtained through the Lichtenthaler (1987) method showed that the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments were degraded earlier in the homozygous mutant ‘firme’ in comparison to Santa Clara cultivar. While using the SPAD the heterozygous plants had similar rates of chlorophyll degradation to the Santa Clara cultivar. Based on data, it was possible to conclude that the mutation in heterozygous stage containing Santa Clara in its background had its effects on biochemical characteristics restored
Risk of attack by the bark beetle pityogenes chalcographus (L.) on living trees close to colonized felled spruce trees

The bark beetle Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) occasionally kills trees in young stands of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. Suitable breeding material, e.g. piles of fresh logging waste, may potentially increase the risk of attacks on nearby stands. In southern Sweden, young spruce were cut and piled in spring at 31 stand edges of young spruce facing clear‐cuts. Pityogenes chalcographus attacks were recorded within stand edge plots near the piles during two summers after piling. Plots randomly located along 27 stand edges without piles were used as controls. The experiment was repeated in 3 yrs. All piles were colonized by P. chalcographus early in the first summer after piling. Plots with piles had five times more attacked standing trees, and > 40 times more entrance holes than controls. Almost all attacks occurred when the piles were being colonized. Of a total of 226 attacked trees only four were killed. In conclusion, the risk of P. chalcographus killing young healthy spruce trees close to piles of breeding material is low.
Sentimientos y rendimiento en el primer curso universitario: las emociones como predictores de resultados académicos en las matemáticas y la estadística

Introduction. This study examined the predictive value of four learning-related emotions – Enjoyment, Anxiety, Boredom and Hopelessness for achievement outcomes in the first year of study at university. Method. We used a large sample ( N = 2337) of first year university students enrolled over three consecutive academic years in a mathematics and statistics course, from an undergraduate Economics and an International Business degree programs. Results. We first showed significant differences in the emotional experiences between the students who attended, and those who were absent from the final exam. Second, the present study found emotions to have a strong predictive value for student exam scores, particularly for learning hopelessness and a prior mathematics background. This relationship was consistent over three consecutive academic years. Discussion and Conclusion. Recommendations for improving educational practice have been formulated and are shared in this article.
Suspension Properties of Various Phyletic Groups of Phytoplankton and Tintinnids in an Oligotrophic, Subtropical System

The sinking rate (ψ) characteristics of a natural community of phytoplankton in the size range from 5 to 102 μn were determined. The following trends in ψ were observed: coc-colithophorids > dinoflagellates > diatoms; large cells > small cells; attenuate shapes chlorophyll-based rate; arenaceous tintinnids > organic-loricate tintinnids. Dtnoflagellate swimming rates appear to be considerably greater than their sinking rates.
Proteinase inhibition of the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk using the polymerase chain reaction

The direct detection, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), of Listeria monocytogenes added to cows' milk was inhibited at some milk concentrations. This inhibitor was moderately heat‐stable. Inhibition could be prevented by the addition of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) or proteinase inhibitors to the PCR and the evidence suggests that the inhibitor was plasmin.