Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioural Effects of the Shelter Design on Male Guinea Pigs

To improve the welfare of group-housed male guinea pigs during the acclimatization period, which is whenÂ social groups are formed, different designs of shelters were tested, one shelter having one entrance to a singleÂ compartment â€“ a Box for group hiding â€“ and the other having individual entrances to a compartmentÂ in the cage â€“ a Garage for single hiding. Both were studied to evaluate whether they had any affect on theÂ behavioral levels. Behavioural and weight data were collected during five of the seven days of the acclimatizationÂ period. Data were tested against the Mann-Whitney U and Variance Analysis test. Results demonstratedÂ that males in cages with the garage spent more time inside the shelter ( P =0.0004), while males inÂ cages with the box spent more time resting ( P =0.000), feeding ( P =0.0043) and drinking ( P =0.0022) onÂ the open floor, and yet there was no difference in individual weight between treatments at the end of theÂ study. Males in cages with garage experienced a more rapid establishment of the social hierarchy ( P =Â 0.0024) by being involved with a lower number of social interactions. The conclusion from the presentÂ study is considered to show that males in cages with the garage were able to avoid unnecessarily high levelsÂ of stress and aggression caused by territorial defence while the hierarchy was established. Â
Den ecology of the Arctic fox in northern Alaska

During July and August 1962, 50 Arctic fox dens were studied on The Teshekpuk Lake Section of the Alaskan Arctic Slope. Depth to permafrost and soil texture govern location of fox dens in low. ice-core mounds with a minimum mound height of 1 m necessary for the establishment of a successful den. Soil temperatures at den sites were higher than those in nearby non-den habitats. The presence of the fox den alters plant growth near the burrow, changing the typical tundra community into a lush, vigorous one dominated by grasses.
Reinterpretation of a remarkably well preserved pterosaur soft tissue from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil

ABSTRACT The identification of some pterosaur bones and associated soft tissue from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil is a controversial issue. The specimen (DGM 1475-R) was previously mistaken as part of a forearm and the associated soft tissue was misinterpreted as part of the wing membrane near the radius and ulna. However, the bones described as the “radius and the ulna” are in fact the proximal part of a left humerus and a rib. The scapula, coracoid, and other ribs are also present. SEM analysis shows that there is no duplication of any layer (e.g., epidermis) and that structural fibers (except muscle fibers) are absent, contrary to what would be expected in a transverse section of wing membrane. This suggests that the soft tissue is part of the integument near the shoulder girdle and thorax, and is not part of the soft tissue primarily involved in flight (=wing membrane).
Measuring pear psylla population density (Cacopsylla pyri L. and C. pyricola Förster): review of previous methods and evaluation of a new technique

Following the survey of the proposed and applied methods the wash-down procedure has been evaluated to collect the pear psylla larvae (Cacopsylla pyri Linnaeus and C. pyricola Forster) in order to establish their population density. To select the larvae the shoots or flowers should be washed-down by water containing 1% detergent. To concentrate larvae, the detergent solution was strained through filter paper. After that it is possible to count exactly the number of larvae by using dissection microscope. By this way the total number of the developing larvae occurring in the flowers or on the shoots could be established. By the application of this method, it is possible to obtain real data about the absolute population density and its changes, as well as the susceptibility or tolerance of the pear cultivars to pear psylla. The data provided by the wash-down method was compared with the traditional limb beating method.
Programmed cell death in wheat starchy endosperm during kernel development

Wheat starchy endosperm is fated to die prior to seed maturation. To reveal the death process of wheat starchy endosperm, morphological variations of the nucleus, the breakage of nuclear DNA, the activities of enzymes related to starch synthesis and antioxidization, and grain weight were investigated. Results showed that wheat starchy endosperm death consisted of two main steps: Nucleus degeneration and subsequent denucleated cell development. Nucleus degeneration showed deformation, chromatin condensation, nuclear envelope disruption, and nuclear residue formation from the degenerative nucleus, which were typical features of programmed cell death (PCD), along with starchy endosperm development. Evans blue staining indicated that starchy endosperm cell death occurred asynchronously among the starchy endosperm cells with initiation points randomly distributed in the endosperm tissue. Enzymes related to starch synthesis and anti-oxidization showed high activities and grain weight increased during nucleus degeneration and denucleated cell development stages. These results suggested that the death of wheat starchy endosperm is a special form of PCD. Key words: Wheat, starchy endosperm cell, programmed cell death, endosperm development, nucleus degeneration, denucleated cell development.
Influence of cultivars and levels of nitrogen on yield, nutrient uptake and residual nutrient status of soil in semi dry rice

A field experiment was conducted for two successive years on sandy loam soil in order to evaluate the yield, nutrient uptake and residual nutrient status of semi dry rice as influenced by the rice cultivars and N levels. The result reveals that rice cultivar PMK 1 produced higher grain yield due to the higher uptake of N, P2O5 and K2O. Residual nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status of soils were less where the cultivars PMK 1 and ACM 37 were raised. Application of higher level of 125 kg N ha−1 to semi dry rice improved grain yield, nutrient uptake and higher residual post harvest soil fertility status as compared to application of nitrogen at lower levels.
Diversity of fungi associated with estuarine sedge Cyperus malaccensis Lam.

Six tissues of mature sedge (rhizome, leaf, basal stem, middle stem, top stem and bract) and middle stem portions of three age groups (mature, senescent and standing dead) of Cyperus malaccensis were assessed for fungi on plating without and with surface sterilization. In nonsurface sterilized tissues, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum were common, while Chaetomium sp. , Nigrospora oryzae, Penicillium crustosum and Sordaria fimicola in surface sterilized tissues. In age groups, A. niger, F. oxysporum, N. oryzae and Trichoderma harzianum were dominant in non-surface sterilized, while P. crustosum in surface sterilized stem segments. The frequency of occurrence of fungi between two methods in tissue and age groups did not significantly differed (P > 0.05). The diversity of fungi was highest in basal stem in non-surface sterilized, while in middle stem in surface sterilized tissues. Stem tissues of mature sedge showed the highest diversity than senescent and standing dead plants in both methods. Rarefaction curves of non-surface sterilized rhizome and leaf showed increasing trend, while it was in surface sterilized rhizome and bract. In both methods, tissues of mature plants showed the highest species richness. The Jaccard’s index revealed highest fungal similarity between middle stem and top stem in non-surface sterilized (67%) and between middle stem and bract in surface sterilized (67%) tissues. It was least in stem tissues of sterilized mature vs. standing dead plants (17%), while highest between non-sterilized senescent vs. standing dead plants (58%). Estuarine sedge, C. malaccensis seems to be collateral host for many pathogenic fungi of paddy and vegetables.
Yield production and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under shallow groundwater use in semi-arid region

As a free water resource, groundwater is extensively used for agricultural purposes. This is sometimes referred to as underground irrigation. Two-year lysimetric experiments from 2009 to 2011 were conducted in order to determine the effects of different shallow water table levels without any supplementary irrigation on water requirements, yield production and water-use efficiencies of three wheat cultivars namely W33g, Cross Alborz and Bahar. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block factorial experiment design with three replicates at the Razi University Lysimetric Research Station, Iran. Nine treatments were applied to each experiment by maintaining groundwater EC of 5 dS m−1, with different water table levels of 0.6, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. The results showed the highest and lowest groundwater uses by wheat for water table depths of 0.6 m and 1.10 m, during the experimental years, respectively. For all wheat cultivars, the average groundwater contributions were found to be 70.90% (5 mm day−1), 67.85% (4.3 mm day−1) and 63.4% (3.6 mm day−1) for water table levels of 0.60, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. Finally, the results showed the highest yield production and groundwater-use efficiency under water table levels of 0.80 m for all the three wheat cultivars.
Botulinum Toxin for Paramedian Interpolated Forehead Flaps

Abstract The forehead skin closely resembles the texture and color of the midface region. As such, the use of a paramedian forehead flap to repair a midface defect provides optimal cosmesis; however, the donor forehead site may be left with an undesirable scar in a highly visible region of the face. Cutaneous surgeons possess a variety of traditional techniques intended to minimize scarring. We have found that the addition of 50 units of botulinum toxin at the time of wound closure has improved scar outcomes for patients undergoing reconstruction with paramedian interpolated flaps. Possible mechanisms for the efficacy of botulinum toxin lie in its ability to chemically paralyze the frontalis muscle and glabella complex. This immobilization leads to a reduction in unwanted wound tension during the most vulnerable first few days of healing.
A study on the Antioxidative and Antimicrobial Activities of the Citrus Unshju peel Extracts

Antioxidative and antimicrobial activities were carried out on the Citrus Unshju peel solvent extracts in order to discover new functional activities. The amounts of polyphenol in 70% metanol extract (MtEx) was measured as 836.8 mg% in Citrus Unshju peel. The EDA (electron donating ability) of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.1% MtEx in Citrus Unshju peel were measured as levels of 81.3, 86.0 and 89.6%. The nitrite scavenging effects of Citrus peel were also determined as the levels of 34.4% (pH 1.2) and 19.5% (pH 7.0). The pH of react solution was more acidic, the nitrite scavenging effect was more increased. The order of antioxidatives was shown as TBHQ > BHT > TOC > ChEx > EaEx > EtEx > WaEx > Control in corn germ oil and TBHQ > ChEx > EaEx > BHT > EtEx > WaEx > TOC > Control in canola oil. A number of the extracts were certified to have antimicrobial activities for a small number of micro-organisms, similar gram negative and positive micro-organisms. According to the results above, it was summerized that Citrus Unshju peel had the higher total polyphenol, EDA, nitrite scavenging effects and antimicrobial activities. Also isolated extract from ChEx and EaEx had high antioxidative, these effects were very similar to that of α-tocopherol and BHT. It would be proposed that Citrus peel can become a new natural source for antioxidative agents in future food industry.
Diversity of Spectrum and Management of Animal-Inflicted Injuries in the Pediatric Age Group: A Prospective Study from a Pediatric Surgery Department Catering Primarily to the Rural Population

Introduction: Animal-inflicted injuries continue to be a major health problem worldwide. In developing countries, the outcome of such injuries, especially in children may be poor. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the diversity of spectrum and management of animal-inflicted injuries in the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study on animal-inflicted injuries in children between 1 to 15 years of age over a period of 12 months. Data on various parameters such as age and sex, animal species involved, provoked/unprovoked, mechanism of injury, time of injury, prehospital care, injury-arrival interval, pattern and type of injury, trauma score, body region injured, treatment given and complications were collected and analyzed. Results: Fifty-two children with animal-inflicted injuries were included, constituting <1% of all trauma cases seen during the study period (male:female = 2:1). The mean age of the cohort was 9.65 years. Domestic animals were responsible in 41 children (78.84%) and wild animals in 11 children (21.16%). Dog bite was the most common (57.69%). Penetrating injury was observed in 40 (76.9%) and blunt injury was observed in 12 (23.1%). The musculoskeletal system was the most common organ-system injured affecting 36 children (69.23%). Thirty-five children (67.3%) after minor treatment were discharged. Seventeen children (32.7%) required admission. Thirty-four children (65.38%) underwent surgical procedures. Wound debridement was the most common procedure performed. Wound infection was observed in 20 children (38.46%) and was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in delayed presenters. The length of hospital stay for the admitted children ranged from 3 to 28 days. Conclusion: Animal-inflicted injuries are rare in children and have a wide spectrum of presentation. Severe injuries require extensive resuscitation and expert surgical care. Mild injuries can be managed conservatively with the use of proper dressings, antibiotics, and analgesics.
Sensilla on the Antennal Flagellum of Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae)

Abstract The antennal receptors of Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Male and female antennae share five sensillum types: Böhm bristles, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, sensilla ampullacea, and uniporous contact chemoreceptors. Contact chemoreceptors make up ≈85 and 78% of the total sensilla on male and female antennae, respectively. On the most proximal flagellomere of the antennae, contact chemoreceptors are located in a shallow depression on the ventral surface. The number of contact chemoreceptors increases toward the distal end, covering two thirds of the circumference of each flagellomere. Contact chemoreceptors seem to be innervated by two sensory dendrites that terminate near the tip. In longitudinal section, a single subterminal pore is seen to be associated with each sensillum. Males had significantly more uniporous sensory pegs than females on the proximal half of the antennae. These receptors may play an important role in mate identification, suggesting that a female-released contact pheromone may be used by this insect. The putative function of these sensilla types is discussed.
A Revised Classification of the Phylinae (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae): Arguments for the Placement of Genera

ABSTRACT As a companion to the tribal-level phylogenetic analysis of Phylinae by Menard, Schuh, and Woolley (2013), a comprehensive generic classification of the subfamily is presented. Names used in the work of Menard et al. (2013) at the tribal/subtribal levels are documented in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1999). The new tribal-level names Coatonocapsina, Decomiini, Exocarpocorini, Keltoniina, and Tuxedoina are introduced; the long unused or seldom-used tribal-level names Cremnorrhini Reuter, 1883, Exaeretina Puton, 1975, Nasocorini Reuter, 1883, Oncotylina Douglas and Scott, 1865, and Semiini Knight, 1923, are used and rediagnosed; Phylini Douglas and Scott, 1865, is given a more narrow conception than in previous classifications and the subtribe Phylina is recognized; Pilophorini Douglas and Scott, 1865, is conceived more broadly to include Lasiolabops Poppius and Dilatops Weirauch; Auricillocorini Schuh, 1984, is treated as a junior synonym of Hallodapini Van Duzee; and Pronotocrepini Knight, 1929, is treated as a junior synonym of Cremnorrhina, Reuter, 1883. Comments are made on some of the genera included in the analyses of Menard et al. (2013) and arguments are presented for the placement of all remaining genera of Phylinae, some of which are placed as incertae sedis—particularly within Phylina—because of insufficient evidence to place them with confidence in any currently recognized tribe/subtribe. Lapazphylus Carvalho and Costa, 1992, is treated as a junior synonym of Nicholia Knight, 1929; Schuhistes Menard, 2010, is treated as a junior synonym of Parasciodema Poppius, 1914; Linacoris Carvalho, 1983, is transferred from the Orthotylinae to Phylinae, Hallodapini; and the status of Parapsallus Wagner, 1952, is revised.
Phylogenetic relationships among Heliconiinae genera based on morphology (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae)

Phylogenetic relationships among Heliconiinae genera are proposed based on early-stage and adult morphology. Parsimony analyses of forty-nine species in twenty-nine genera indicate that Heliconiinae can be divided into four main groups: (1) Pardopsis, Acraea and Actinote; (2) Cethosia plus Neotropical genera; (3) Oriental genera and (4) fritillaries. Analyses of adult characters suggested that Oriental genera form a monophyletic group, whereas those of adult plus early-stage characters artificially split this group into three separate lineages. Our character set does not contain enough phylogenetic information to resolve relationships among fritillary genera with confidence, and further studies of this group are needed. The classification of the Heliconiinae is revised based on our results.
Characterization of Clostridium perfringens Isolated from Poultry

3 Abstract: Clostridium perfringens organisms have an economic concern in poultry production. The goal of this study was to characterize C. perfringens isolated from poultry farms. Intestinal and liver samples were collected from apparently healthy and diarrheic chickens (n=120), ducks (n=90) and turkeys (n=90) aged 1-10 days old. C. perfringens was isolated from 33.3, 33.3 & 42.2% of apparently healthy chickens, ducks and turkeys respectively and 75, 66.7 & 62.2% from diarrheic chickens, ducks and turkeys respectively. Toxigenic isolates were typed using dermonecrotic test and PCR. Out of the 157 isolates 107 (68.2%) produced toxins. Toxigenic C. perfringens isolates collected from chickens were type A (53.8%) and type D (15.4%). While turkeys isolates were belonged to type A (38.3%), type D (19.1%) and type C (10.6%). The majority of toxigenic ducks isolates were type A (48.9%) followed by type C (17.8%). Diversity of 16 C. perfringens isolates were investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Also a trial was done to describe the C. perfringens toxins by SDS-PAGE. The results illustrated the diversity of C. perfringens isolates and the prevalence of these pathogens in poultry production sites.
Survival of Red-headed Woodpeckers' (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) nests in northern New York

ABSTRACT Populations of Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) have declined throughout much of their range. Conservation management to arrest declines or increase populations is difficult, because many aspects of the species' demography remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we monitored Red-headed Woodpeckers' nests on Fort Drum Military Installation, in northern New York and modeled daily nest survival rate as a function of temporal and habitat-specific covariates. Red-headed Woodpeckers had low overall nest survival rates (nest survival = 32%), and predation was the leading cause (82%) of nest failure. Cavity concealment had the greatest influence on daily nest survival rate, whereby nests with greater vegetative structure surrounding (within 1 m2 of) the nest cavity had higher survival rates, likely because of reduced nest predation. Our estimates of Red-headed Woodpeckers' nest survival were lower relative to other portions of their range and suggest that, at local scales, low reproductive rates near the periphery of the species' distribution may limit population growth.
Susceptibility of oat genotypes to Fusarium crookwellense Burgess, Nelson and Toussoun infection and mycotoxin accumulation in kernels

MIELNICZUK ,E . , KIECANA ,I . P ISSN 0006-3088. (Biologia). ISSN 1335-6399 (Biologia. Section Cellular and Molecular Biology). Field experiments with 10 cultivars and 4 lines of oat were performed during three years (1996, 1997 and 1998) in South-Eastern part of Poland. Panicles of oat were inoculated with a conidial suspension of Fusarium crookwellense, which caused a reduction in yield by 32%, the 1000 kernel weight (TKW) by 23% and the number of kernels per panicle (NK) by 24%. F. crookwellense was able to accumulate nivalenol (NIV) in kernels at an average level of 0.15 mg/kg (from 0.1 to 0.37). The highest susceptibility to scab caused by F. crookwellense was found for genotypes Farys, German and STH 2795, whereas cv. Slawko exhibited the highest resistance to F. crookwellense in terms of yield, TKW and NK reductions after inoculation.
Traditional medicinal plants used by Kunama ethnic group in Northern Ethiopia

Utilization of medicinal plants is almost as old as the history of mankind. Semi-structured interview, guided field walk, group discussion and market survey were used to collect ethnobotanical data in Tahitay Adiyabo and Kafta Humera districts in northern Ethiopia. A total of 47 informants (30 males and 17 females) were selected purposefully from three sub-districts: Lemlem (n = 27), Adi-Goshu (n = 10) and Hilet-Coca (n = 10). A total of 115 species of medicinal plants were collected and identified for treating 59 humans and livestock ailments. The most commonly used plant parts for herbal preparations were roots (35.5%) and leaves (21.74%) and were administered through oral, dermal, ocular, nasal and vaginal routes in decreasing order. Oral application (58 preparations, 50.43%) was the highest and most commonly used route of application followed by dermal application (35 preparations, 30.43%). Kunama tribes are rich in medicinal plant species and the associated indigenous knowledge. Future studies should focus on phytochemical extraction of herbal drugs for their efficacy and possible toxicity. Key words: Kunama, KaftaHumera, Tahitay Adiyabo, ethnobotany, traditional medicine.