Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexing of hyoid bone based on shapes

Introduction: The present study is to identify the sex of hyoid bone by studying various shapes of hyoid bone, and weight before and after defatting, were taken. Material: The material used in the present study includes 100 hyoid bones of adult male and female of 15-75 years of age group, procured from the cadavers brought to mortuaries for post mortem to Govt. General Hospitals of Hyderabad, and photographs of dried bone, to compare the shapes. Method: The bone was weighed with the help of chemical balance. The various shapes of the hyoid bone were noted and photographed individually and in groups. The readings were tabulated. Result: It was noticed that all the measurement were greater in males than in females. Males have mostly v shaped hyoid bone and females have mostly u shaped hyoid bone. Our findings co-related well with earlier workers, from diverse population groups. Conclusion: Data acquired by this study will contribute to the knowledge available about anthropometric parameters of South Indian population and may hopefully help in racial and medico-legal applications.
Influence of Management Practices on Selected Cowpea Growth Attributes and Soil Organic Carbon

Cowpea is a multi-purpose nitrogen fixing crop that can be grown as a vegetable, grain legume and a fodder. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth response of cowpea to different cropping systems at different locations and determine nitrogen fertilization on cowpea growth and soil organic carbon content. Three cropping systems were used, namely, maize-cowpea rotation, cowpea monocropping and maize-cowpea intercropping at three locations (Potchefstroom, Taung, and Rustenburg) in South Africa during 2011/12 and 2012/13 planting seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at two rates where no application was the control at all locations and application according to soil analysis recommendation for maize requirement was applied at each location. The variables measured for cowpea growth were days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity, number of leaves and nodules per cowpea plant. Soil organic carbon was determined for each treatment. The results showed that, maize-cowpea rotation and monocropping reached days to 100% flowering and maturity significantly earlier compared to intercropping. Cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg reached days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity significantly earlier than cowpea planted at Taung. Cowpea planted at Taung had significantly higher number of nodules per plant than cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg. There was also a positive correlation between soil organic carbon and cowpea growth. It is concluded that the positive effect of cowpea in agronomic systems is enhanced by the correct cropping system, although it is affected by location.
Ecophysiology of the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium

The marine non-heterocystous cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is a major contributor to the marine nitrogen cycle and thus is important for parameterizations for nitrogen fixation in Ocean Biogeochemical Circulation Models. Published information on ecophysiological characteristics of Trichodesmium is summarized in a literature review. The most commonly applied nitrogen fixation measurement technique (Acetylene Reduction Assay) is improved by providing previously unavailable ethylene gas solubility coefficients that are required to accurately calculate nitrogen fixation rates. The role of temperature for diazotrophic growth of Trichodesmium is assessed and a future decline in the fixed nitrogen input by Trichodesmium within this century is predicted. Further, Trichodesmium growth and N2-fixation as a function of light intensity are assessed and synthesized in a simple numerical model to describe nitrogen input into seawater by Trichodesmium. Overall, this thesis contributes to the mechanistic understanding of nitrogen fixation by the marine non-heterocystous cyanobacterium Trichodesmium.
Intraspecific Genetic Diversity of Two Black Fly Species (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India using DNA Barcode Based RFLP Analysis

The population genetic diversity of two black fly species (S. (S.) gurneyae and S. (S.) nilgiricum) was investigated along an elevational gradient in two hills of South India by mitochondrial gene sequence of cytochrome coxidase subunit I (COI) based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). By comparing the similarity of the bands produced by three restriction endonuclease enzymes, the genetic distance was calculated among sampling sites. The mean Kimura two parameter divergences of two black fly species between sampling sites was observed less than 13% and the higher genetic differentiation occurred at higher elevational sites (>1000 m). These result suggest that hypothesis of speciation is related with higher elevational site in black flies.
Loss of BRCA1 in Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Induces a Novel Mechanism of Senescence

Early events in BRCA1-associated tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. To understand the immediate consequences of BRCA1 loss of function, we modeled BRCA1 loss of function in vitro using normal primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). We have found that in HMEC, loss of BRCA1 results in a novel type of senescence. Loss of BRCA1-induced senescence is not associated with DNA damage or p53 upregulation. We find that p53 protein levels are down regulated due to proteasome-mediated degradation. Although p53 levels are down regulated, we find that BRCA1 loss induced expression of a number of p53-dependent anti-oxidant genes. In particular we uncovered that SESN2, a p53 downstream target gene, inhibits loss of BRCA1 induced ROS and activates autophagy. In contrast to human fibroblasts, we found that loss of BRCA1 induced senescence is p53 independent, and can occur in the absence of ROS upregulation and autophagy induction.
Integrating occurrence data and expert maps for improved species range predictions

Aim Knowledge of species geographical distributions is critical for many ecological and evolutionary questions and underpins effective conservation decision-making, yet it is usually limited in spatial resolution or reliability. Over large spatial extents, range predictions are typically derived from expert knowledge or, increasingly, species distribution models based on individual occurrence records. Expert maps are useful at coarse resolution, where they are suitable for delineating unoccupied regions. In contrast, point records typically provide finer-scale occurrence information that can be characterized for its environmental association, but usually suffers from observer biases and does not representatively or fully address the geographical or environmental range occupied by a species. Innovation We develop a new modelling methodology to combine the complementary informative attributes of both data types to improve fine-scale, large-extent predictions. We use expert delineations to constrain predictions of a species distribution model parameterized with incidental point occurrence records. We introduce a maximum entropy approach for combining the two data types and generalize it to Poisson point process models. We illustrate critical decision making during model construction using two detailed case studies and illustrate features more generally with applications to species with vastly different range and data attributes. Our methods are illustrated in the Supporting Information and with a new R package, bossMaps, that integrates with existing generalized linear modelling and Maxent software. Main conclusions Our modelling strategy flexibly accommodates expert maps with different levels of bias and precision. The approach can also be useful with other coarse sources of spatially explicit information, including habitat associations, elevational bands or vegetation types. The flexible nature of this methodological innovation can support improved characterization of species distributions for a variety of applications and is being implemented as a standard element underpinning integrative species distribution predictions in the Map of Life (https://mol.org/).
QTL MAPPING OF PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT RESISTANCE AND APHID RESISTANCE IN SOYBEAN

QTL MAPPING OF PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT RESISTANCE AND APHID RESISTANCE IN SOYBEAN By Zhongnan Zhang Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] is one of the most important crops worldwide. As the largest soybean producer, the United States produces $40.2 billion US dollar worth soybeans in 2011. Biotic stresses such as soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Phytophthora root rot (PRR), sudden death syndromes (SDS) and soybean aphids are threatening soybean production and plant health. Three independent projects were performed to identify genetic resistance against PRR, caused by Phytophthora sojae; to identify genetic resistance against soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura; and to develop breeder-friendly simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to facilitate marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding for PRR resistance and aphid resistance. In the first project, a major locus Rps1 was identified for resistance to PRR in Michigan elite soybean E00003 (Glycine max) through a genetic mapping approach. A bi-parental mapping population was evaluated in the greenhouse for PRR resistance against P. sojae races 1, 4, and 7, in 2009 and 2010 using a modified rice grain inoculation method. The heritability of the PRR resistance ranged from 83% to 94%. A major locus contributing 50% to 76% of the phenotypic variation was detected within a 3 cM interval in the Rps1 region. Based on the specific responses to the tested races, this locus was determined to be Rps1k. Two SSRs and three SNPs were found located within the predicted functional gene and are highly associated with PRR resistance in the
Characterization of pathogenicity determinants in Escherichia coli strains isolated from weaned piglets in Vietnam

Deux cent quarante-neuf souches d'E. coli isolees de porcelets sevres au Vietnam (38 de noeuds lymphatiques mesenteriques de porcelets presentant des signes cliniques de maladie de l'oedeme (MO), 107 des feces de porcelets presentant des diarrhees post-sevrage, et 104 des feces de porcelets sains contemporains) ont fait l'objet d'une recherche par PCR des genes codant pour les verotoxines VT1, VT2 et VT2e, les enterotoxines ST-I, ST-II et LT-I, les adhesines F4, F5, F6, F18 et F41 et l'intimine (Eae). Parmi les isolats de MO, 13 souches (34.2 p.100) dont 12 de serogroupe 0139 et une 0141 presentaient les marqueurs typiques VT2e et F18 et etaient verocytotoxiques in vitro. Onze souches de cette collection presentaient des marqueurs de souches enterotoxinogenes : ST-II et/ou LT-I et parfois F4 (6 souches). Des souches VT2e/F18 typiques de MO n'ont ete isolees que chez 5,7 et 1,9 p.100 des porcelets diarrheiques et sains respectivement et tous ces isolats presentaient en outre les genes ST-I, ST-II et LT-I, mais aucun n'appartenaient aux serogroupes 0138, 0139 ou 0141. Des combinaisons de ST-I, ST-II et LT-I ont egalement ete retrouvees respectivement chez 6.5 et 15,4 p.100 des isolats de porcelets diarrheiques et sains, sans association a F4 ou a F18. Dans ces collections, F5, F6, F41, Eae et VT1 n'ont jamais ete mis en evidence. Nos resultats suggerent que la MO au Vietnam est principalement associee a des souches de serogroupe 0139, mais que des souches vero- et enterotoxigeniques n'appartenant pas aux serogroupes classiques O138/O139/O141 circulent dans les porcheries et pourraient etre des sources d'elements genetiques mobiles pour des souches typiques et adaptees, inductrices de MO.
Avian Haemosporidian blood parasite infections at a migration hotspot in Eilat, Israel

Abstract Haemosporidian blood parasites are frequent amongst passerines. Though they often do not cause detectable consequences to host health, however, their presence or absence and also their prevalence across host populations may potentially carry meaningful information about the health, stress, body condition and viability of bird individuals or populations. The study of migratory birds captured in Eilat, Israel, allowed us to evaluate the prevalence of blood parasite infections in a wide range of both migrant and resident species in spring (N = 1,950) and autumn (N = 538) of 2004 and 2005. According to blood film microscopy, Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. were more prevalent in the spring than in the autumn (0.289, 0.082 vs. 0.132, 0.033, respectively), whilst Plasmodium spp. exhibited a slight opposite trend (0.034, 0.056). All other parasites (such as trypanosomes, microfilaria and haemococcidians) were rare. During the spring seasons, prevalences were significantly higher in migrant than in resident species, whilst this difference was only marginally significant in the autumn. Given that Eilat is a migration hotspot for several Palearctic passerine species, the present descriptive study may hopefully serve to set the baseline values for future long-term epidemiological monitoring.
Increasing the regional availability of the Standardized Precipitation Index: an operational approach

The need to use a length of rainfall records of at least 30 years to calculate the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) limits its application in several Drought Early Warning Systems of developing countries. Therefore, in order to increase the number of weather stations in which the SPI may be applied, this study quantified the difference among SPI values derived from calibration periods (CP) smaller than 30 years in respect to those computed from the 30-year period of 1985 – 2014 in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil (time scales ranging from 1 to 12 months were considered). The correlation, agreement and consistency of SPI values derived from CP ranging from the last 30 to 21 years have been evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Lilliefors test indicated, for all CP, that the 2-parameter gamma distribution may be used to calculate the SPI in the State of Sao Paulo. The normality test indicated that, even for the period of 1985 – 2014, the normally assumption of the SPI series is not always met. However, it was observed no remarkable difference in the rejection rates of the normality assumption obtained from the different CP. Finally, both absolute mean error and the modified index of agreement indicated a high consistence among SPI values derived from the calibration period of 1991 – 2014 (24 years) in respect to those derived from the 30-year period. Accordingly, it is possible to use weather stations with rainfall records starting in 1991 (or earlier) to calculate, in operational mode, the SPI in the State of Sao Paulo.
Assessing the efficiency of protected areas to represent biodiversity: a small island case study

SUMMARY Protected areas (PAs) have been selected using either subjective or objective criteria applied to an extremely limited subset of biodiversity. Improved availability of species distribution data, better statistical tools to predict species distributions and algorithms to optimize spatial conservation planning allow many impediments to be overcome, particularly on small islands. This study analyses whether 219 species are adequately protected by PAs on Pico Island (the Azores, Portugal), and if they are as efficient as possible, maximizing species protection while minimizing costs. We performed distribution modelling of species’ potential distributions, proposed individual conservation targets (considering the context of each species in the archipelago and their current conservation status) to determine the efficiency of current PAs in meeting such targets and identify alternative or complementary areas relevant for conservation. Results showed that current PAs do not cover all taxa, leaving out important areas for conservation. We demonstrate that by using optimization algorithms it is possible to include most species groups in spatial conservation planning in the Azores with the current resources. With increasing availability of data and methods, this approach could be readily extended to other islands and regions with high endemism levels.
Morpho-molecular diversity of Bipolaris oryzae causing brown spot of paddy

Brown spot of paddy caused by Bipolaris oryzae is a threat to paddy cultivation across the globe. An extensive survey was conducted during kharif seasons of 2012, 2013 and 2014 and 116 isolates of B. oryzae were isolated from the diseased specimens collected from different geographical locations of India representing major rice growing regions. The isolates were charactaerized for morphological traits like colony characters, colony diameter, and sporulation. On the basis of colony morphology and growth pattern on PDA, these isolates were grouped into 8 different categories. Based on colony diameter, all these isolates were grouped into 3 different categories of slow, moderate and fast growing isolates. Maximum sporulation was observed in isolates from Bihar and Jharkhand while the least sporulation was seen in isolates from Gujarat. The molecular characterization carried out on 20 representative isolates using random apmlified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) revealed variability in the isolates. These differences were also observed when cluster analysis was carried out. Out of 20 RAPD and 20 ISSR primers, 5 RAPD and ISSR primers each gave very nice reproducible banding patterns. Polymorphism ranged between 54.0-100% in RAPD markers while it was from 49.2-100% with ISSR markers. This is the first study in our country wherein isolates representing all major rice growing areas of the country has been taken into consideration for variability study and it was observed both by morphological and molecular methods.
Efficacy of Certain Feed Additives for the Prevention of Campylobacter jejuni Infection in Broiler Chickens

In this study, the efficacy of acidifiers (lactic and formic acids) and probiotic preparations containing Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) and Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in reducing of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infection in broiler chickens was investigated. One hundred and three day old broiler chicks were used. Three birds were euthanized for C. jejuni re-isolation at day old. One hundred chicks were assigned into 4 equal groups each, 25 birds. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were fed on ration containing acidifiers, P. acidilactici and S. boulardii, respectively, from day old till 5 weeks old. Chicks of group 4 were fed on plain ration (control). At 2 weeks of age, each bird was orally challenged with C. jejuni. Groups were kept for 3 weeks recording signs and mortalities. Faecal swabs were collected at different intervals for C. jejuni shedding. Liver and intestine were collected weekly for C. jejuni re-isolation. At 5 weeks of age, all birds were subjected for post-mortem lesions scoring of C. jejuni. Results cleared more severe signs of greenish diarrhea in control than treated birds with no mortalities in all groups. Significant (p<0.05) reduction of C. jejuni shedding and re-isolation rates as well as lesions scoring was seen in groups treated with S. boulardii and P. acidilactici followed by acidifiers over control birds. In conclusion, both acidifiers and probiotic preparations greatly reduced and eliminated C. jejuni infection in broiler chickens.
Selected meat and fattening features and sperm quality in young purebred and hybrid boars

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the selected semen quality features and daily gains and meatiness of boars at the beginning of their reproductive use in one of the animal local artificial insemination centre in Pomerania region, Poland. The study was performed on 158 PLW, PL and Duroc × Pietrain hybrid boars in the age of 9 to 14 months. The following features were analysed: ejaculate volume (cm3), sperm concentration (×106 · cm–3), percentage of progressive motility sperm, the total number of sperm in the ejaculate, mean standardised daily gain, intravital meatiness and selection index. The study has shown that the semen from hybrids, in comparison to the purebreds, was characterized by the higher concentration and motility of sperm but the mean volume of ejaculate was lower which resulted in the general lower amount of sperm in ejaculates. The hybrids had also the highest daily gains. With the similar meatiness in all the three groups, the highest selection index was noted for the PLW boars. The positive relationships were found between the ejaculate volume, total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and daily gains, meatiness and selection index. The negative relationships were found for these parameters compared to sperm concentration. The results indicate that it is possible to obtain the good quality boar semen simultaneously with maintaining the correct rate of body growth and meatiness.
A new species of Pliotaxidea (Mustelidae; Carnivora) from California

The skull, jaws, dentition, and partial postcranial skeleton of a new extinct species of Nearctic Pliocene badger, Pliotaxidea garberi n. sp. , are described from the late Hemphillian deposits of the Mehrten Formation of central California. Pliotaxidea is di- rectly ancestral to the extant badger, Taxidea Waterhouse. P. garberi, in dental characters, is morphologically closer to T. taxus (Schreber) than is P. nevadensis (Butterworth), but specializations in the dentition suggest that P. garberi is not in a lineage leading directly to T. taxus. Limb elements of P. garberi closely resemble corresponding elements of T. taxus. Development of the humerus and other elements of the forelimb indicate hypertrophy of certain muscles in P. garberi and imply that this animal was as fossorial as is the Recent species. An analysis of the relative lengths of the hindlimb elements in some genera of the Mustelidae in conjunction with locomotary adaptations reinforces the apparent fossorial adaptations of P. garberi.
Correlates of seed size in a subalpine meadow on the east part of the Tibet plateau1

Abstract: We test hypotheses that can account for the variation in seed size in a database of 229 species from a subalpine meadow on the east part of the Tibetan plateau. Information on seed mass, plant height, dispersal mode, onset of flowering, and family membership is included. We use general linear models to consider not only the primary correlations between seed size and each variable, but also overlap patterns among correlations to determine whether particular relationships arise as a result of indirect correlations through other variables. The strongest association of seed size is with family membership, and the variation accounted for by family membership overlaps with that accounted for by plant height, dispersal mode, and onset of flowering. Similarly, we find that there are overlaps in the seed-size variation explained both by plant height and dispersal mode and by plant height and onset of flowering. However, there is no association in the variation in seed size accounted for by plant height and onset of flowering. Family membership, plant height, dispersal mode, and onset of flowering have significant associations with seed size independently of the other variables measured. We cannot give a logical explanation for the relationship between seed size and onset of flowering.