Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synopsis of the Saicinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) of America North of Mexico, with the Description of a New Species of Saica from the Eastern United States

A new species of Saica is described from eastem United States. The forewing, male genitalia, and apex of the male and female abdomen are illustrated. A key to the Saicinae in America north of Mexico is provided and notes are provided for the other members of the subfamily in this geographic area. This is the second in a series of papers dealing with the Saicinae of the Western Hemisphere. The subfamily Saicinae is distributed throughout the world with 21 genera and 140 species listed by Maldonado-Capriles (1990). The subfamily attains its greatest species diversity in Southeast Asia and Africa where about 47 species and 35 species, respectively, have been described. In North America the subfamily is small, being represented by only three genera and five species, including the one described below. In this paper a new species of Saica is described from eastern North America and a key is provided to separate the saicine species recorded from America north of Mexico. Information on distribution and habits of the other species in the subfamily is provided. Label data for the holotype is quoted exactly using a slash (/) to indicate separate lines of a label and a semicolon to indicate separate labels. Measurements are in millimeters; measurements in parentheses are of the holotype. The following abbreviations are for institutions and their curators who kindly lent material used in this study: CBB-Cheryl B. Barr (private collection), Louisiana State
Effect of bisphenol A on the cauda epididymis of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of quercetin: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Background Bisphenol A is a compound released into the environment. It affects male reproductive organs. Quercetin is an antioxidant substance that attenuates various disorders induced by environmental contaminants. Aim of the study To study the effect of bisphenol A on histological structure and immunohistochemical expression of antioxidant glutathione reductase enzyme in cauda epididymis of adult male albino rats, and to evaluate the possible protective effects of quercetin. Materials and methods Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups: control group 1, group 2 receiving bisphenol A, group 3 receiving quercetin, and group 4 receiving bisphenol A and quercetin. After 8 weeks of the experiment, blood was collected for serum testosterone assessment and rats were killed. Cauda epididymis was prepared for histological and immunohistochemical study. Epididymal sperms were obtained to assess sperm concentration and percentage of normal and abnormal sperm forms. Results Control group 1 showed positive immune reaction of glutathione reductase in cauda epididymis. Group 2 receiving bisphenol A showed structural and ultrastructural degenerative changes in addition to negative immune reaction of glutathione reductase, and a significant decrease in serum testosterone, sperm concentration, and percentage of normal sperm forms associated with a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal forms. Group 3 was not apparently different from group 1 in histological and immunohistochemical reaction. In group 4, quercetin prevented most of changes in cauda epididymis, glutathione reductase, sperms, and testosterone level. Conclusion Bisphenol A resulted in degenerative changes in cauda epididymis of adult male albino rats. Quercetin prevented most of the changes, suggesting its possible protective effect.
Seed predation, pathogens and germination in primary vs. secondary cloud forest at Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador

Abstract: Because the fate of the seed rain has long been shown to be critical to understanding forest recruitment and regeneration, seed predation, seed pathogens and germination among different species was examined in primary (closed-canopy vs. tree-fall gap) and in secondary (banana vs. sugarcane vs. seeded pasture) cloud forest at Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador. I found (1) seed predation took more seeds than either seed pathogenic disease or germination for all tree seed species and in both forests, where the level of seed loss to predation was greatest in the closed-canopy primary forest, second largest in the tree-fall gaps and less in recovering banana, sugarcane and pasture; (2) for pathogens these trends were reversed; and (3) most seeds, that were not taken by predators or pathogens, germinated. Cecropia sp. seeds in the tree-fall gaps and Otoba gordoniifolia seeds in both closed-canopy forest and tree-fall gaps were the most significantly different among all treatments in primary forest and Solanum ovalifolia seeds in banana fields and Piper aduncum in all fields were the most significantly different among all treatments in secondary forest. I conclude that forests may recover faster after human disturbance (here agriculture) than after natural disturbances (here tree-fall).
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SHORT-HORNED LIZARD PHRYNOSOMA HERNANDEZI IN SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

We examined the distribution and abundance of the short-horned lizard Phry- nosoma hernandezi in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. Historical records and anecdotal observations were compiled, and new surveys were conducted in 1995 and 1996. A total of 41 individuals, mostly young-of-the-year, were captured in the West Block of the Park in these years. The habitat used by lizards here was juniper dune terrain similar to that inhab- ited by the species in Alberta. Distribution in the West Block appeared to be restricted to the Frenchman River Valley. Twelve adult and subadult lizards were captured in the East Block of the Park in 1995 and 1996, mostly on gentle slopes in the lower reaches of Rock Creek Coulee within 4 km of the 49th parallel. The habitat in the East Block is mixed-grass prairie. Voucher specimens in collections, literature records and anecdotal accounts of this species in Saskatch- ewan almost all originate within the areas examined in this study, indicative of a restricted range in Saskatchewan.
Chronic Toxicity of Paraquat on Liver and Gill Electrolyte in The Catfish ClariasGariepinus

The chronic effect of paraquat on the catfish Clariasgariepinus was assessed by comparing the changes in electrolytes in the organs (gills and liver) of a control group (0.00mg/L) and toxicant exposed groups (2.00mg/L, 4.00mg/L, 6.00mg/L and 8.00mg/L). The levels of the electrolytes were determined on 20 fishes of 220.50 ±15.33g mean weight and 30.43 ± 1.22 mean total length. The value of the chloride ions in the gills and the liver were significantly (P>0.05) lower than the control value except at 8.00ml/L.The value of sodium ion in the gills showed increase in levels and was significant (P>0.05) at 6.00mg/L but the case was reverse in the liver where decrease in levels was observed in all the treatment groups. Significant (P>0.05) higher values were observed in potassium levels in the treated groups in the gills when compared to the control values ,while in the liver, no significant (P>0.05) changes were observed. The result of this study shows that paraquat can cause marked changes in electrolytes levels of the fish and therefore can be used as a biomarker of aquatic pollution and toxicity.
Physical Correlates of Insular Species Diversity: the Insects of the Hawaiian Islands

The species numbers of the naturally occurring insect faunas of the Hawaiian Islands were examined by regression analyses. Extremely significant positive results were found for regressions of number of species per island against island area and elevation. These probably reflect the increasing heterogeneity (habitat diversity) on larger islands. The number of genera against area also supports this ecological explanation, through reducing the influence of speciation. Analyses of number of species against age were confounded by the reduced area and habitat diversity on the older (eroded) islands. Area is the best predictor of species diversity in the Hawaiian Islands. The number of single-island endemic species, and the species/genus ratio against island age, area, and elevation suggest that speciation is fostered by habitat diversity, speciation opportunity, and complex topography (acting as physical isolating mechanisms). These results support the observation that rates of speciation are explosive on younger islands because these harbor more products of genetic differentiation because of more habitat heterogeneity-diversity acting in concert with relaxed competition and reduced natural selection.
Short Communication: Quality of ewe and goat meat cured product mantas. An approach to provide value added to culled animals

Oliveira, A. F. , Rodrigues, S. , Leite, A. , Paulos, K. , Pereira, E. and Teixeira, A. 2014. Short Communication: Quality of ewe and goat meat cured product mantas. An approach to provide value added to culled animals. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 459-462. The effect of species on quality of a cured meat product (mantas) was analyzed in eight culled ewes and eight culled goats. Carcasses were aged at 4°C for 4 d, deboned, salted for 96 h and dried for 48 h. Samples (in triplicate) from the longissimus dorsi (LD) were analyzed for pH and water activity (aw). Samples of cured LD were subjected to chemical analyses. It was possible to conclude that cured goat meat had higher moisture content (P<0.001) than cured ewe meat, 44 and 51%, respectively. Directly related to the moisture content, a higher total, saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated fat content (P<0.001) was found in ewes. The others chemical determinations did not present differences (P>0.05) for the species effect.
Experimental oral infection of rainbow trout with spherical bodies of Ichthyophonus hoferi cultivated.

Experimental oral infection of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri with multinucleate spherical bodies of Ichthyophonus hoferi cultivated was carried out. Rainbow trout orally injected with thick walled multinucleate spherical bodies cultivated in MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum showed 100% infection and 90% cumulative mortality at 16•Ž water temperature for 25 days. However, those orally injected with spherical multinucleate hyphal terminal bodies cultivated in TGC containing 1% rainbow trout serum showed no infection and no cumulative mortality. The former showed the same symptoms such as darkness of the skin colour, perforation in the body surface and/or nodular white spots in several internal organs and so on as in the naturally infected fish. Amoeboblasts which underwent endogenous cytoplasmic cleavage were also observed in the liver of the rainbow trout infected artificially.
Comparison of the Growth Rate of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in a New Zealand Stream with Experimental Fish in Britain

(1) Comparison of the growth rate of brown trout, Salmo trutta L. , fed to satiation under experimental conditions in Britain with that of fish at the same size and temperature under natural conditions in a fast-growing population in the Horokiwi Stream in New Zealand showed that, although there was good general agreement, there were two important differences. (2) At temperatures below 13 ? C, trout in some parts of the Horokiwi grew more rapidly than experimental fish of the same size at the same temperature. Between 13 ? C and 19.5 ? C, growth in the Horokiwi was again more rapid than that of experimental fish, but appeared to decline with rising temperature. It was not possible to determine the temperature at which Horokiwi fish ceased to grow but it seemed likely to be above 19.5 ? C, the limit for the experimental fish. (3) It is possible that there has been genetic selection for more rapid growth and a higher temperature limit in the Horokiwi trout; the population is derived from a very small initial liberation in 1885 and the temperature range is slightly above that in British streams. An alternative explanation for the more rapid growth by the Horokiwi fish is that the experimental conditions did not allow the fish to achieve the maximum growth rate of which they were intrinsically capable, even though they were fed to satiety.
Functional partitioning of local and distal gene expression regulation in multiple human tissues

Studies of the genetics of gene expression have served as a key tool for linking genetic variants to phenotypes. Large-scale eQTL mapping studies have identified a large number of local eQTLs, but the molecular mechanism of how genetic variants regulate expression is still unclear, particularly for distal eQTLs, which these studies are not well-powered to detect. In this study, we use a heritability partitioning approach to dissect the functional components of gene regulation. We make use of an existing method, stratified LD score regression, that leverages all variants (not just those that pass stringent significance thresholds) to partition heritability across functional categories, and we extend this method to partition local and distal gene expression heritability in 15 human tissues. The top enriched functional categories in local regulation of peripheral blood gene expression included super enhancers (5.18x), coding regions (3.73x), conserved regions (2.33x) and four histone marks (p<3x10-7 for all enrichments); local enrichments were similar across the 15 tissues. We also observed substantial enrichments for distal regulation of peripheral blood gene expression: super enhancers (1.91x), coding regions (4.47x), conserved regions (4.51x) and two histone marks (p<3x10-7 for all enrichments). Analyses of the genetic correlation of gene expression across tissues showed that local gene expression regulation is largely shared across tissues, but distal gene expression regulation is highly tissue-specific. Our results elucidate the functional components of the genetic architecture of local and distal gene expression regulation.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION IN SETTLEMENT AND RECRUITMENT OF INTERTIDAL BARNACLES

I examined the spatial and temporal partitioning of variation in settlement and early survival of an intertidal barnacle, Tesseropora rosea. Monthly, for 3 yr, I monitored the density of newly settled barnacles (<30 d old) and new recruits (30-60 d old) on each of three spatial scales referred to as: within sites (i.e., replicate areas within 3 M2), among sites within shores (i.e., six sites arrayed horizontally in the mid-intertidal region, with 20-50 m between adjacent sites), and among shores (seven headlands along the New South Wales coast with 11-555 km between them). Sites and shores were initially chosen to be as similar as possible with respect to height in the intertidal region, density of adult Tesseropora, and wave exposure. All observed variation was, therefore, within-habitat variation and not readily related to any of the factors already known to affect the density of settlers or their subsequent survival, such as exposure or intertidal level. There was significant variation in the densities of settlers and recruits on all spatial scales at any given time. Variation among months and among years was also great at any given spatial scale. There were no simple, consistent trends, however, in the variation within any spatial or temporal scale, i.e., variation at any spatial scale interacted strongly with that for any temporal scale. The shores x years interaction (the interaction of large-scale spatial with large-scale temporal variation) produced dominant year-classes on some shores in some years and on other shores in other years. Proportional survival of new settlers also varied significantly on all spatial and temporal scales mon- itored. Thus, much residual patchiness exists in the spatial and temporal distributions of barnacles <60 d old. Previous authors investigating the structure and maintenance of rocky intertidal communities have played down the fact that settlement and recruitment of the component species vary greatly on different scales. Yet, such variation should be explicitly incorporated in the development of theory for marine populations and communities.
Reply

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Nursery plant production controlled by prohexadione-calcium and mechanical treatments in strawberry cv. ‘Honeoye’

Summary Responses to an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) at 0.01% (w/v), applied at three different times during nursery plant production, was tested in June-bearing strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) cultivar ‘Honeoye’ under cool-climate, long-day conditions. The effects of mechanical manipulation, detaching runner plants from the mothers, were also tested on the same dates. The treatment dates were 12 August, 24 August and 2 September 2004 which corresponded to day-lengths of 16, 15 and 14 h, respectively. After lifting on 11 November, and sorting into size categories, the plants were cold-stored and their performance was subsequently investigated under greenhouse conditions. Mother plant growth was decreased by the first two Pro-Ca treatments. A Pro-Ca application on 12 August also decreased the number of runners, and the total number of daughter plants was reduced by 30%. This reduction was highest in the smallest plant category, which was the most abundant.All Pro-Ca treatments increased the dry mass of the crown and the roots of plants in the smallest size category. The Pro-Ca treatment on 12 August enhanced crown-branching in the largest size category, and increased the number of inflorescences in these plants when grown in the greenhouse. All Pro-Ca treatments increased the number of flowers in inflorescences of plants in the smallest size category. In contrast, plant production did not benefit from the detachment of runners from mothers, suggesting that this nursery practice has no advantageous consequences.
Interaction effects of phosphorus and zinc on their uptake and 32P absorption and translocation in sweet corn (Zea mays var. Saccharata) grown in a tropical soil

Zinc (Zn) and Phosphorus (P) interact with each other and this interaction can result in impact on the yield of corn plants. This study was conducted to examine the effect of different levels of Zn and P on the yield, Zn and P concentration and uptake, chlorophyll content and percentage of P derived from fertilizer of corn plants in a tropical soil. Sweet corn grown in pot culture containing all combinations of Zn at levels of 0.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg kg−1 soil and P at levels of 0.0, 50.0, 100.0 and 200.0 mg kg−1 soil as ZnSO4.7H2O and KH2PO4, respectively and harvested at 28 days after transplanting. Dry matter yield increased with P supply, while Zn application did not show any significant effect on this parameter. The Zn and P uptake by shoots increased with increasing Zn and P application into the soil. The Zn concentration in shoots decreased with increasing P supply but P concentration and uptake enhanced. Phosphorus (P) induced Zn deficiency in this study mostly related to the dilution effect. Chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with P supply. The percentage of P derived from fertilizer reduced with increasing Zn application, although P uptake by shoots was unchanged.
The effect on Citrus fruit of excluding pollinating insects at flowering and implications for breeding new seedless cultivars

Summary Experiments were conducted with orchard and container-grown trees of 33 Citrus cultivars in which pollinator insects were prevented from visiting flowers. Seventeen cultivars set fruit under orchard conditions when insects were excluded from flowers by mesh bags, while 16 others failed to develop fruit. Of the cultivars that set fruit in bagged limbs, four gave seedless and 13 gave seeded fruit. In addition, two pollen-sterile hybrids of ‘Imperial’ mandarin ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange set seedless fruit when insects were excluded at flowering, but developed seeded fruit in open-pollinated situations, or when controlled cross-pollinations were made. One of these hybrids was used to demonstrate that wind was not a pollen vector. Glasshouse experiments confirmed the results obtained for some of the cultivars tested in the orchard. Variation in anther position relative to the stigma among five cultivars suggested that self- or auto-pollination can occur without vector intervention. ‘Ellendale’ tangor, as well as ‘Imperial’ and ‘Kara’ mandarins were shown to be capable of autonomic, parthenocarpic fruit development. The results are discussed in terms of screening for parthenocarpy when breeding new seedless Citrus cultivars.
The History of the Holocene Vegetation in Northern Spain from Pollen Analysis

1 Pollen diagrams from four peatbogs and a marshland located in the Atlantic and Mediterranean zones of north-central Spain are described, and their correlation is used to define a Holocene pollen reference sequence for the region. 2 Two main variants may be defined for the reference sequence: a northern variant, characterized by the predominance of deciduous trees, corresponds to sites under Atlantic temperate and moist climatic influence and a southern variant, with lower deciduous tree diversity, corresponds to sites under Mediterranean and continental climatic conditions. A vegetation gradient from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean side may be inferred from the pollen analysis. 3 A compilation of 14C dated pollen diagrams from the northern Iberian Peninsula is used to plot maps for the Holocene spread of the principal tree genera. 4 Quercus, Corylus, Alnus, Taxus and Pinus had a wide distribution in the northern Iberian Peninsula during pre-Holocene times, as patchy refugia situated at medium elevations. They spread from these refugia at different times depending on climatic, geomorphological and successional conditions. Fagus, Abies and Carpinus could have spread through the Pyrenees. 5 Anthropogenic disturbance at the range limit of Fagus, Abies and Carpinus is probably responsible for their present geographical distribution. 6 The present-day Pinus silvestris forests growing in the Iberian Cordillera, southern Pyrenees and Cantabrian Cordillera have a local origin and may constitute the Mediterranean mountain pine forest altitudinal zone, not previously described for the Iberian Peninsula.