Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trophic-niche of the Leaf Cutter Bee Megachile (Moureapis) maculata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT: According to their trophic-niche breadth, bees can be classified as polylectic if they collect pollen from a wide variety of plant species or oligolectic if they obtain pollen from only a few species which usually belong to the same genus or even family. In this study, we measured the trophic-niche of Megachile maculata as well as its breadth in southeastern Brazil. Samples of pollen from nests were used to identify the plants visited by this bee. We found 11 different pollen grain types. Asteraceae occurred at high frequency (97.36%); 84.09% belonged to Baccharis and 12.31% to the genus Vernonia. Trophic-niche breadth of M. maculata varied little over the study period. The highest trophic-niche breadth was found at the end of the dry season and the lowest in November, at the beginning of the rainy season. We concluded that M. maculata is an oligolectic species and Baccharis and Vernonia are important pollen sources.
Assessment of Vascular and Lymphatic Vessels Density in Benign Vascular Lesions Using CD34 and D2-40 Immunohistochemical Markers

Background: Vascular tumors and malformations, comprising a broad category of lesions often referred to as vascular anomalies. Hemangioma, represents a variety of vascular lesions (both malformations and tumor), while lobular capillary hemangioma is a common vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes that occurs mainly in children and young adults. Lymphangiomas are malformations of the lymphatic system. At the level of light microscopy the small lymphatics vessels may be similar to capillaries and sometimes are only tentatively identified by the nature of their contents or by immunohistochemical staining procedure. This study aimed to assess the vascular and lymphatic vessels density in benign vascular lesions using CD34 and D2-40 immunohistochemical markers. Materials and Methods: Twenty two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of Hemangioma/vascular malformation, thirty of lobular capillary hemangioma and another twenty of lymphangioma. Results: Lymphatic vessel density expressed by D2-40 immunomarker was found in all cases with mean (24.01±14.74) in lymphangioma ,for lobular capillary hemangioma it was (12.67±6.66) and for hemangioma was (9.77±6.82) where as the mean of microvessel density count measured by CD34 immunomarker was (49.87±31.97) for lobular capillary hemangioma , in hemangioma it was (37.42±23.40) and (25.90±12.23 ) for lymphangioma. Conclusions: All vascular lesions are a mixture of blood and lymphatic vessels with different proportions, hemangioma shows high percentage of blood vessels and lymphangioma shows high percentage of lymphatic
Flavonols and sesquiterpenoids from outer bark and leaves of Croton polycarpus Benth. (Euphorbiaceae)

Some known flavonols from the outer bark polar fraction of the native species Croton polycarpus Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) were isolated and quercetin, quercitrin and rutin were identified as the most abundant constituents. From this sample, a clean TLC non polar subfraction (A-1) obtained by CC, afforded several isomeric compounds, which were characterized by GC-MS/EI and its results conduct to a group of eighteen sesquiterpenoids with a unique Rf value in TLC; among them, one sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with molecular weight (MW) of 200 g/mol (C15H20), two with MW 202 g/mol,(C15H22), thirteen with a MW of 204 g/mol (C15H24) and two sesquiterpenols with MW 220 g/mol (C15H24O) were determined. From its fresh leaves essential oil obtained by two methods, hydro-distillation and supercritical CO2 extraction, other terpenoids were identified, where the first one process was more efficient (1.5% DM yield) than the last one, and it was selected for a pilot study. This is the first report about chemical composition of the native species C. polycarpus, and the analysis of sesquiterpene isomerism is very important to recognize its structural diversity and similar chemical behavior.
The impacts of predators and parasites on wild bumblebee colonies

1. The study of wild bumblebee nests has been hindered by the difficulty in locating and observing them. Here, 47 wild nests were located using a sniffer dog and volunteers. The entrances to 32 nests were filmed continuously to identify successful nests (those that produced gynes) and observe vertebrate species interactions.
Historical biogeography of Sri Lankan mangroves

Mangroves are a group of genetically unrelated plant taxa of angiosperms that occur in inter-tidal habitats in sheltered tropical coastlines. Biogeographically, mangrove areas are categorized into two regions: Sri Lanka is situated in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region where the plant diversity is significantly greater than in the Caribbean, West Pacific and Atlantic regions (CWPA). More than half the number of mangrove plant species that are exclusive to mangrove areas in the IWP region occur in the Sri Lankan mangrove areas that cover only about 16,000 ha. Being located in the land-sea interface, identification of mangrove areas and plant taxa endemic to mangrove ecosystems is ambiguous as plants that occur in non-mangrove areas too occur in mangrove habitats. This paper presents an insight into aspects relevant to resolving this ambiguity. Accordingly, 24 true mangrove species and a hybrid have hitherto been reported from Sri Lanka, out of which two are reported only once by a single researcher. Processes pertinent to historical biogeography of mangroves in Sri Lanka are discussed in the light of current hypotheses and knowledge base.
SELÊNIO E VITAMINA EM DIETAS PARA TILÁPIAS Oreochromis niloticus

Dentre as especies de peixes que demonstram potencial para o cultivo no Brasil, a tilapia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) e considerada a especie mais produtiva. Essa especie apresenta diversas vantagens, entre elas: rapido crescimento, maior rendimento de file, resistencia a baixa qualidade de agua e boa aceitacao no mercado consumidor. Na nutricao de peixes varios sao os aspectos a serem avaliados em uma racao. O selenio e a vitamina E fazem parte de um sistema de defesa antioxidante multicomponente. Este sistema protege as celulas contra os efeitos adversos das especies reativas de oxigenio e outros radicais livres que iniciam a oxidacao. Alem disso a suplementacao de Vitamina E na dieta proporciona um maior desempenho produtivo, efeitos positivos nos parâmetros imunologicos dos peixes e resistencia ao estresse. O selenio e um elemento que possui margem estreita entre os niveis de exigencia e toxidez. As exigencias sao baixas, mas se nao atingida, podem comprometer o sistema antioxidante e causar graves consequencias para o metabolismo do animal. A capacidade do peixe em acumular selenio nos tecidos pode tornar a carne de pescado um interessante alimento funcional para a nutricao humana, especialmente como boa fonte de selenio. A especie tilapia do Nilo tem um nivel de exigencia especifica de selenio e vitamina E que nao pode ser satisfeito somente pelo ambiente aquatico. Desta forma uma correta suplementacao na dieta de minerais e vitaminas podera garantir um maior desempenho, proporcionando uma melhor qualidade de carne e melhor aceitacao no mercado.
Conservation of differentiation but transformation of initiation in hippocampal neurogenesis

The dentate gyrus in the hippocampal formation is one of few regions in the brain where neurogenesis persists in the adult, and is therefore studied in the context of neurodevelopment and regenerative medicine. However, the relationship between developmental and adult neurogenesis has not been studied in detail. Here, we used extensive and unbiased single-cell RNA-seq to reveal the molecular dynamics and diversity of cell types in perinatal, juvenile and adult mice. We found clearly distinct quiescent and proliferating progenitor cell types, linked by transient intermediate states to neuroblast stages and fully mature granule cells. The molecular identity of quiescent and proliferating radial glia shifted after postnatal day 5, and was then maintained through postnatal and adult stages. A similar shift was observed for granule cells at P20. In contrast, intermediate progenitor cells, neuroblasts and immature granule cells were nearly indistinguishable at all ages. These findings demonstrate the fundamental continunity of postnatal and adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and pinpoint the early postnatal transformation of radial glia from embryonic progenitors to adult quiescent stem cells.
Rediscovery of the ‘Lost’ Snake Phalotris multipunctatus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Paraguay with Behavioral Notes and Reference to the Importance of Rancho Laguna Blanca for Its Conservation

Abstract: Phalotris multipunctatus was previously only known from the type specimens collected from two widely disparate localities in the Cerrado of southeast and central Brazil over 36 years ago. Here, it is documented to occur in Paraguay from two specimens recently collected at the highly diverse Rancho Laguna Blanca. Live coloration is described and notes on unusual defensive behaviors are provided, along with the first live image of the species. It is considered highly likely that the species is critically endangered in Paraguay, and probably globally endangered. The importance of Rancho Laguna Blanca for the conservation of this poorly-known burrowing snake and other rare Cerrado reptiles is highlighted, along with the imminent threats to its existence.
Different prevalence of yersiniae on pig carcasses in three slaughterhouses in Latvia

The aim of the present study was to detect yersiniae species and their prevalence on carcasses of slaughter pigs. A total amount of 90 surface swabs of pig carcass were collected in three slaughterhouses in Latvia. All the samples were tested with direct plating, selective enrichment and cold enrichment according to the ISO and NCFA methods. Colonies, which resembled yersiniae on CIN agar plates, were confirmed with API 20E kit. Y. enterocolitica strains were bio-serotyped. In total, non-pathogenic yersiniae – Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, Y. kristesenii and Y. fredriksenii, and pathogenic yersinia – Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3 species and/or bioserotypes were isolated from pig carcasses. The prevalence of non-pathogenic and pathogenic yersiniae on pig carcasses was 52 and 9 %, respectively. Non-pathogenic yersiniae were isolated in all three slaughterhouses, while pathogenic Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 in two slaughterhouses. In total, the prevalence of yersiniae on carcasses was 56 %, 66 % and 60 % in slaughterhouses A, B and C, respectively. The prevalence of non-pathogenic yersiniae in slaughterhouses B and C was significantly higher than in slaughterhouse A (p<0.05). The prevalence of pathogenic yersiniae was significantly higher in slaughterhouse A, than is slaughterhouses B and C (p<0.05).
Tracking forest attributes across Canada between 2001 and 2011 using a k nearest neighbors mapping approach applied to MODIS imagery

Mapping Canada’s forests is a significant challenge given their extent and the inter-provincial differences in forest inventories. We created new sets of nationally consistent forest attribute maps for the years 2001 and 2011 by building upon previously published work, with the objective to determine if sequential maps of forest attributes could be used to quantify changes over time. We first refined our previously published methodology of using the k Nearest Neighbors (kNN) prediction method and MODIS spectral reflectance data as predictive variables. The maps were generated using improved reference data set and a new analytical kNN workflow. We then evaluated 2001 to 2011 changes in two key attributes, aboveground biomass and percent tree cover, on pixels identified from published sources as having undergone fire, harvest or post-disturbance regrowth during that period. For all three change types, average changes in both aboveground biomass and percent tree cover between 2001 and 2011 matched expectatio.
Determinants of Farmers’ Participation in Formal Credit Markets in Rural Rwanda

Abstract Access to credit is a necessary ingredient for policies aiming at transforming rural economies, particularly for a largely subsistence agricultural economy such as Rwanda. Despite the increasing number of formal financial institutions penetrating rural areas in the country, access to credit among the majority of agricultural households remains limited. This study assesses micro-level factors influencing Rwandan farmers’ participation in formal credit markets as borrowers, using Rwamagana District as an illustrative case. Survey data of 185 farm households were employed in a binary Logit regression analysis. The results reveal that the likelihood of farmers participating successfully in formal credit markets increases with education, off-farm incomes, and agricultural extension, and decreases with the presence of informal financial systems in the neighbourhood. The study concludes with key rural development policy recommendations.
Structural features of species of Asteraceae that arouse discussions about adaptation to seasonally dry environments of the Neotropics

Seasonally-dry environments of the Neotropics, such as the South American Chaco, exert selective pressures on vegetation through a pronounced water defi cit. We describe the underground system and leaf anatomy of three species of Asteraceae from the Brazilian portion of the Chaco (Pterocaulon purpurascens Malme, Wedelia trichostephia DC., and Pectis gardneri Baker), aiming to describe their structural and adaptive features using standard plant anatomy techniques. Pterocaulon purpurascens and W. trichostephia exhibited slightly thickened xylopodia, with gemmiferous character and self-grafted stem shoots; Pectis gardneri displayed a slightly-thickened tuberous root with storage substances. Longitudinal sequences of cells with highly thickened walls forming globular protrusions were found throughout the extension of the periderm of Pectis gardneri, while senescent trichomes were found in the periderm of W. trichostephia. Schyzogenous aerenchyma was found in P. purpurascens. Aquifer cells, composing vascular rays of secondary phloem and xylem, are reported for this species. Leaves of the three species are perennial and amphistomatic, with aquifer cells in a variety of tissues. Pectis gardneri exhibits a “Kranz-type” anatomy with lignifi ed bristles with stomata. Th e features described for the species play important role in water uptake and/or storage, which prevent excessive water loss during environmental or physiological stress periods.
Genotyping and phenotyping of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)R.Br.] hybrids and their parental lines

Title of Thesis : Genotyping and phenotyping of Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)R. Br. ] hybrids and their parental lines. Full Name of the Degree Holder : SUMAN Admission Number : 2010A92D Title of the Degree : Doctor of Philosophy Name of Discipline : Genetics & Plant Breeding Name and Address of Major Advisor : Dr. A. K. Chhabra Principal Scientist, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-125004, India Degree Awarding University : CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-125004, (Haryana), India Year of Award of Degree : 2016 Major Subject : Genetics & Plant Breeding Total Number of Pages in Thesis : 70 + v + IV Number of Words in Abstract : 179
Heterosis and combining ability for yield and yield attributing traits of parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under poly-net house conditions

The present investigation entitled “Heterosis and combining ability for yield and yield attributing traits of parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under poly-net house conditions” was carried out at Research Farm of Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2015-17. Eight parthenocarpic gynoecious inbred lines of cucumber were crossed in a diallel fashion (excluding reciprocals) to produce twenty eight cucumber hybrids. The observations were recorded for eleven traits, viz. fruit weight, total soluble solids, fruit length, fruit diameter, vine length, number of fruits per plant, flesh to seed cavity ratio, days to first fruit harvest, days to last fruit harvest, number of seeds per fruit and yield per plant. The analysis of variance indicated significant difference among all the genotypes for all the traits except number of seeds per fruit. The combining ability analysis revealed that mean squares due to gca and sca were significant for almost all the traits, indicating the role of both additive and nonadditive gene action in inheritance of these traits. The cross combinations PBRK-4 x PBRK-12, PBRK-4 x PBRK-9 and PBRK-4 x PBRK-8 were found to exhibit high heterosis over commercial check (Multistar) for yield per plant. The parental line PBRK10 was observed to be the best general combiner for five characters, viz., fruit weight total soluble solids, fruit length, vine length and flesh to seed cavity ratio and second best combiner for days to last fruit harvest, whereas PBRK4 was found to be the best general combiner for number of fruits per plant, days to first fruit harvest and yield per plant. The cross combination PBRK-4 x PBRK-12 was found to be the best specific combiner for number of fruits per plant and yield per plant, PBRK-12 x PBRK-7 for fruit weight and fruit diameter and PBRK-10 x PBRK-1 for fruit length. The cross combinations PBRK4 x PBRK12, PBRK4 x PBRK9 and PBRK9 x PBRK1 exhibiting high positive heterosis for yield per plant along with high sca effects can be used for developing F1s. The genetic components of variation revealed that most of the characters, except fruit weight, fruit length and number of fruits per plant were governed by non-additive gene action and hence can be improved through heterosis breeding.
Influence of zypmite on productivity and nutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) crop under rainfed condition Chhattisgarh plain region

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zypmite fertilizer along with di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) in study. The application of Zypmite exhibited in growth, yield, nutrients uptake and availability of nutrient in soil. Zypmite response, the maximum number of branches (25.8 p-1), test weight (18.5 gm) and grain yield (17.10 q ha-1) was observed with 50 kg P2O5 through DAP + 40 kg S through Zypmite (T6). The nitrogen (69.52 kg ha-1) and phosphorous (7.89 kg ha-1) uptake was also found maximum under T6 and minimum in control (T1). The potassium (39.27 kg ha-1) and sulphur (7.85 kg ha-1) uptake was observed maximum under 50 kg P2O5 through DAP + 20 kg S through Zypmite (T5). After harvesting of crop, available nutrient status was observed higher available nitrogen (243.0 kg ha-1) under T6 and available phosphorous was significantly higher in T2 and T9 (18.0 kg ha-1) as compared to control. Availability of potassium in all treatments was significantly not influenced during both years. The sulphur availability in soil was significantly influenced among treatment and found maximum (23.0 kg ha-1) under 40 kg sulphur through Zypmite (T7). It was observed that Zypmite and chemical fertilizers, enhanced yield and higher uptake of nutrient as well as improved soil fertility.
Optimum Sample Size to Estimate Mean Parasite Abundance in Fish Parasite Surveys

Summary To reach ethically and scientifically valid mean abundance values in parasitological and epidemiological studies this paper considers analytic and simulation approaches for sample size determination. The sample size estimation was carried out by applying mathematical formula with predetermined precision level and parameter of the negative binomial distribution estimated from the empirical data. A simulation approach to optimum sample size determination aimed at the estimation of true value of the mean abundance and its confidence interval (CI) was based on the Bag of Little Bootstraps (BLB). The abundance of two species of monogenean parasites Ligophorus cephali and L. mediterraneus from Mugil cephalus across the Azov-Black Seas localities were subjected to the analysis. The dispersion pattern of both helminth species could be characterized as a highly aggregated distribution with the variance being substantially larger than the mean abundance. The holistic approach applied here offers a wide range of appropriate methods in searching for the optimum sample size and the understanding about the expected precision level of the mean. Given the superior performance of the BLB relative to formulae with its few assumptions, the bootstrap procedure is the preferred method. Two important assessments were performed in the present study: i) based on CIs width a reasonable precision level for the mean abundance in parasitological surveys of Ligophorus spp. could be chosen between 0.8 and 0.5 with 1.6 and 1x mean of the CIs width, and ii) the sample size equal 80 or more host individuals allows accurate and precise estimation of mean abundance. Meanwhile for the host sample size in range between 25 and 40 individuals, the median estimates showed minimal bias but the sampling distribution skewed to the low values; a sample size of 10 host individuals yielded to unreliable estimates.
Relationship between the abundance of aphids and their natural enemies in cereal fields and landscape composition

We investigated, over the course of two years, the association between the abundance of aphids and their natural carabid enemies and landscape, which may help in the development of effective strategies for reducing the incidence of aphid outbreaks in agricultural crops. This was undertaken in 12 wheat and 12 maize fields each year in an agricultural landscape in western France. Our study area was characterized by hedgerows surrounding arable fields and permanent grassland. Some areas have not changed much for several decades, while field enlargement and removal of hedges occurred in some areas following agricultural intensification. This paper aims to determine if the abundance of aphids in crops (either directly, or indirectly via their natural enemies) is associated with the landscape around fields and if so, is it dependent on the landscape scale considered. We observed that the abundance of aphids in fields was associated with landscape composition at a large scale (500 m and 800 m). There was a positive correlation between the abundance of aphids and the proportion of the area under woodland and grassland at these scales. There was a negative correlation between the abundance of carabids and the proportion of grassland and hedgerow around crop fields. The species richness of carabids was positively correlated with the proportion of hedgerows. We found that the abundance of aphids in wheat fields was negatively and in maize fields positively associated with the proportion under grass strips. At a large scale carabid abundance in both types of culture was positively correlated with the proportion under grass strips.