Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paternal‐effects in a terrestrial ectotherm are temperature dependent but no evidence for adaptive effects

Global rising of average temperatures and increase in extreme climatic events may largely impact animal survival and reproduction. Yet, how variation in temperature may affect male fertility, in particular ejaculate traits, and whether this can in turn affect offspring fitness, is seldom addressed. Paternal effects may be of key importance as they could impact the rate and direction of evolutionary change in response to climate change. We tested the effects of temperature experienced by males on sperm traits, and asked whether the paternal environmental temperature affected offspring phenotype. We further explored the potential for paternal effects to be adaptive, which would occur when offspring fitness increased under the same environmental conditions experienced by the fathers. We exposed male field crickets to high or low temperatures at two life stages, either throughout development or as adults, and tested sperm traits (number and quality) and offspring fitness (hatching success and survival). We further assessed sperm traits in offspring, after they had also been exposed to the same or different temperature experienced by their father. We found that temperature affected sperm traits depending on the life-stage of individuals. When the exposure was given during adulthood, males exposed to high temperature produced less sperm and of lower quality compared to males exposed to lower temperature, while if exposure was given during development, males exposed to high temperature produced more sperm and of better quality compared to males exposed to low temperatures. Offspring fitness was significantly affected by paternal temperature, evidence for anticipatory paternal effects on sperm traits was not found. Our study indicates that temperature can mediate cross-generational effects, and that paternal effects may be mediated by changes in temperature and therefore much more widespread in nature than previously assumed.
Effects of the invasive herb Ageratina adenophora on understory plant communities and tree seedling growth in Pinus yunnanensis forests in Yunnan, China

ABSTRACT Understanding the influence of invasive species on understory communities is necessary to maintain ecosystem functions. Here, we describe the effects of different abundances of the invasive species Ageratina adenophora on the composition and structure of understory communities and on Pinus yunnanensis seedling growth under pine stands in mid-Yunnan, China. Our data show that the different abundances of A. adenophora altered species and functional diversity by changing the species composition and abundance in the understory community because of its higher specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), and leaf phosphorus concentration compared with native species. Meanwhile, the presence of A. adenophora led to changes in the patterns of species co-occurrence, with a shift from random to segregated patterns as the invasion intensity increased. Furthermore, the order of species loss under invasion was nonrandom. The LNC could be an indicative functional trait predicting the order of species loss, suggesting that species with a lower LNC were lost first with increasing invasion intensity. In addition, a high abundance of the invader A. adenophora suppressed the growth of the seedlings of native canopy trees. Our results indicate that the effect of the invasive herb A. adenophora on the understory community is associated with the nonrandom loss of species with different LNCs and that invasion also suppresses the growth of native canopy dominants.
Responses of pruning and paclobutrazol in mango (Mangifera indica L.): changes in tree vigour, flowering and phenols

Dominant vegetative phase, if not regulated, can adversely affect the mango production particularly under high density planting systems. Pruning after fruit harvest and use of paclobutrazol (PBZ) have been identified as common strategies for tree vigour regulation and productivity enhancement in mango. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of 50% pruning of current and previous season vegetative growth and PBZ (3 mL/ m canopy diameter) on tree vigour, flowering and phenol contents in three mango cvs. Raspuri, Dashehari and Amrapali. Suppression of plant height, tree girth, canopy spread, shoot length and girth was witnessed with PBZ application in trees pruned to 50% of current season growth followed by trees pruned to 50% of previous season growth and unpruned trees. Early flowering witnessed as a result of PBZ application led to advanced fruit harvest by 20.4, 13.0 and 14.7 days in trees pruned to 50% of current season growth and 18.7, 13.7 and 15 days in trees pruned to 50% previous season growth in the cvs Raspuri, Dashehari and Amrapali, respectively. Drastic increase in total phenols, total flavonoids and phenolic acid contents were observed at 75 days after PBZ application in PBZ treated unpruned trees and in trees pruned to 50% of current season growth followed by in trees pruned to 50% of previous season growth. The high levels of o-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid and salicylic acid and low levels of caffeic acid and t-cinnamic acid were observed following PBZ application in tree pruned to 50% of current season growth and unpruned trees compared to control. From the study it was apparent that the pruning of trees to 50% of current season growth and PBZ application are vital for regulating tree size, early flowering and advancing fruit harvest in mango and such beneficial effects of treatments were mediated through increases in phenols and flavonoids contents.
Studies on the Gymnocarpium robertianum complex in North America

The cytology and distribution of Gymrtocarpium robertianum (Hoffm.) Newman and G. jessoense (Koidz.) Koidz. subsp. parvulum Sarvela in North America are presented, together with the distinguishing features of these two species. Gymnocarpium robertianum is confirmed as a tetraploid species with 77=80 and the newly recognized G. jessoense subsp. parvulum also has n=80. In a previous paper (Sarvela, 1978) the senior author pointed out that of the six species of the genus Gymnocarpium in the world, two have a wide circumboreal range, G. dryopteris (L.) Newman and G. jessoense (Koidz.) Koidz. , while the third species G. robertianum (Hoffm.) Newman, has a smaller distribution area. The genus Gymnocarpium in North America was last treated by Wagner (1966). He considered there were two basic species over most of the circumboreal range to which he applied the names G. dryopteris and G. robertianum. In addition, he introduced "the apparent cross of G. dryopteris and G. robertianum" as a new species of hybrid origin with the name G. heterosporum W.H. Wagner. G. dryopteris subsp. dryopteris has been known as a tetraploid since the work of Manton (1950) and eastern Canadian material was examined by Britton in 1953 (n = ca. 80). The larger, tripinnate taxon of the Pacific Northwest, G. dryopteris subsp. disjunctum (Rupr.) Sarvela, is a diploid (n — 40) (Wagner 1966). This has been sufficient reason for some workers to recognize the diploid entity as a separate species—G. disjunctum (Rupr.) Ching— although the relationship between the diploid and the tetraploid is obscure. New investigations (Sarvela, 1980) have indicated that the Gymnocarpium robertianum complex may include as many as four taxa, i.e. two species, G. robertianum and G. jessoense, and two hybrids, G. heterosporum W.H. Wagner (G. dryopteris X roberti anum) and G. X intermedium Sarvela (G. dryopteris X jessoense). Our studies indicate that G. X intermedium is a common hybrid of wide occurrence. So much so that, when this taxon is identified by its aborted spores and reduced glandularity, many sheets and localities of G. jessoense subsp. parvulum Sarvela are eliminated from consideration. The other hybrid, G. heterosporum, is con sidered to be rare indeed.
The Role of Priming with Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles in the Response of Triticum aestivum L to Salt Stress

T HE PRESENT study investigated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Capparis spinosa extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The shape and size of the biosynthesized AgNPs were studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The study also investigated whether the biosynthesized AgNPs (as a priming agent; 1 mg L-1) has a role in the alleviation of the salt-induced toxicity of germinating Triticum aestivum L. grains grown under salt stress (25 and 100 mM NaCl). Generally, AgNPs priming stimulate the germination and growth of wheat grains. In addition, it affects the plant phytohormones balance by stimulating indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) contents and reducing abscicic acid (ABA) content. Slat stress had an inhibitory effect on wheat seedling as evident by a significant decrease in GP, growth index, pigment contents and chlorophyll stability index (CSI), auxins and cytokinins contents and a marked increase in ABA content particularly at 100 mM NaCl. All these parameters were markedly improved by AgNPs priming notably growth parameters and photosynthetic efficiency as well phtyohormones balance suggesting that AgNPs priming might has a role in the improvement of plant tolerance against environmental stresses such as salinity.
Performance of immatures of three neotropical miridae at five different temperatures, reared on ephestia kuehniella eggs on tobacco plants

Effects of temperature (16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 ± 1 °C), host plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and factitious prey (eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) on immature development of three recently found Neotropical mirids, Campyloneuropsis infumatus (Carvalho), Engytatus varians (Distant) and Macrolophus basicornis (Stal) were studied at RH 70 ± 10% and 12h photophase in climate cabinets. These mirids are being evaluated for biological control of the South American tomato borer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) and other pests on tomato. Survival of eggs of the three mirid species on tobacco was high (> 80%) at 16-28 °C, but lower (< 80%) at 32 °C. Development times decreased with increasing temperature from 16-28 °C. Nymphal survival was higher (84-96%) at 20, 24 and 28 °C than at 16 and 32 °C (46-83%). The sex ratio of C. infumatus was strongly female biased at all temperatures, whereas it was 1:1 for the other two species. The lower temperature thresholds for egg-adult development of C. infumatus, E. varians and M. basicornis were 9.4, 9.4 and 7.9 °C, and their thermal constants were 384.6, 384.6 and 476.2 DD, respectively. Temperatures between 24 to 28 °C are best for immature performance and for rearing of these mirids species. Eggs of the factitious host E. kuehniella provide adequate food for their mass production. Optimal temperatures for best mirid predator performance are similar to those for the pest T. absoluta, indicating good climate matching.
Effect of varying protein levels on growth and digestive enzyme activities of pengba Osteobrama belangeri (Valenciennes, 1844)

Pengba, Osteobrama belangeri (Valenciennes, 1844) is considered as one of the candidate species for diversification of aquaculture. However, only scanty information is available on its nutrient requirements. Hence, the present study was conducted on growth and digestive enzyme activities of pengba fry in response to different dietary protein levels. Six semi-purified isocaloric diets were formulated with different levels of protein at 5% increments (25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50%) and fed to different groups of pengba fry for a period of 60 days. Survival of fish was significantly influenced by different protein levels (p<0.05). The highest weight gain% and specific growth rate (4.17% day-1) was obtained at 45% protein level which thereafter declined. The best feed conversion ratio (1.46) was observed at 45% protein level and the highest protein efficiency ratio (2.14) was obtained at 25% protein level with significant difference (p<0.05). The crude protein content of fish was significantly affected by dietary protein levels (p<0.05) and highest was recorded at 45% protein diet. Moisture, ether extract and ash content did not show significant (p>0.05) variation among dietary treatments. The activity of proteolytic enzymes (proteases, typsin and chymotrypsin) and acid phosphatase were signicantly (p<0.05) enhanced by dietary protein levels up to 45%, which were found to decline thereafter. Amylase activity was significantly decreased as protein levels increased in the diet. Lipase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not influenced by dietary protein levels. In the present study, penbga fry fed with 45% protein diet, showed the best growth performance and highest digestive enzyme activities. The activity of digestive enzymes in the gut clearly demonstrated that the proteolytic enzymes are activated in response to dietary protein utilisation and also revealed that pengba fry may require high protein (45%) diet for better growth and survival. Second order polynomial regression analysis revealed that the maximum protein requirement of pengba fry was 45.1% (r2 = 0.90). The findings of the study is expected to have significant implications for feed development for pengba aquaculture.
Multispecies coalescent analysis unravels the non-monophyly and controversial relationships of Hexapoda

With the increase in the availability of genomic data, sequences from different loci are usually concatenated in a supermatrix for phylogenetic inference. However, as an alternative to the supermatrix approach, several implementations of the multispecies coalescent (MSC) have been increasingly used in phylogenomic analyses due to their advantages in accommodating gene tree topological heterogeneity by taking account population-level processes. Moreover, the development of faster algorithms under the MSC is enabling the analysis of thousands of loci/taxa. Here, we explored the MSC approach for a phylogenomic dataset of Insecta. Even with the challenges posed by insects, due to large effective population sizes coupled with short deep internal branches, our MSC analysis could recover several orders and evolutionary relationships in agreement with current insect systematics. However, some phylogenetic relationships were not recovered by MSC methods. Most noticeable, a remiped crustacean was positioned within the Insecta. Additionally, the interordinal relationships within Polyneoptera and Neuropteroidea contradicted recent works, by suggesting the non-monophyly of Neuroptera. We notice, however, that these phylogenetic arrangements were also poorly supported by previous analyses and that they were sensitive to gene sampling.
Extent and pattern of genetic diversity in linseed(Linum usitatissimum L) under irrigated ecology

Sixty six genotypes of linseed were analysed for the morphological traits to investigate the genetic diversity between and within the genotypes. The field data was initially subjected to analysis of variance. There were highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits indicating the presence of variability among the genotypes and the possibility to undertake cluster analysis. The phenotypic divergence and relative importance were estimated by multivariate analysis. The cluster analysis classified linseed genotypes in to nine major groups. The maximum intercluster diversity was observed between cluster VIII and V. Based on mean performance of the genotypes and intercluster distance the crosses between ICAR Sel-1 and L-9, NDC 2005-34, H660, LCK 87042, NDL2005-22, GS335 is recommended to get use full transgressive sergeants in linseed.
Experimental evaluation of influence of FADs on community structure and fisheries in coastal Kenya

Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have been widely used by commercial fisheries to increase the catchability of pelagic stocks in the open sea. FADs have the potential to enhance nearshore small-scale fisheries where stocks are often overfished. This study examined changes in catch composition, abundance, catch and effort, and aspects of diversity in Kenya's nearshore coastal fisheries after deployment of anchored fish aggregating devices (AFADs). The study combined both fishery independent and dependent methods in assessing changes in fish assemblages post-deployment. Results showed orders of magnitude increase in length, weight, commercial value, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of landed catch after deployment of FADs suggesting that FADs had a positive effect on the local fishery. Species richness at FAD sites increased post-deployment (n = 281) compared to pre-deployment values (n = 223). Simultaneous use of several complementary structural indices may be required in order to accurately describe and monitor fish assemblages around the FADs. The findings suggest that AFADs are capable of creating both short and long-term impacts on livelihoods, with the potential to deflect pressure on the overfished nearshore fish stocks. However, more research will be needed on redistribution of fish around FADs, design and placement configuration, and site selection amongst others.
Deinkability of different secondary fibers by enzymes

Abstract The efficiency and effects of enzymatic deinking using xylanase and lipase mixed with amylase (XLA) for deinking secondary fibers were investigated for mixed office waste (MOW), photocopy prints (PHOT) and old newspapers (ONP). The optical and physical properties of deinked pulps were evaluated. Changes in fiber morphology, crystallinity index and functional groups were also monitored. The results show that for non-impact prints (MOW and PHOT), a maximum deinking efficiency of 19.9 % and 13.9 % were obtained with enzymatic deinking (XLA), respectively. For ONP, conventional alkaline demonstrated the highest efficiency of 12.20 %. XLA treatment significantly improved the tensile index and tear index of MOW and PHOT but caused a slightly reduction for ONP, relative to respective blank. It was found that kink index and curl index were significantly decreased, caused a 55.6 % reduction in the kink index for PHOT and a 35.8 % reduction in the curl index for ONP. FT-IR observation show that the relative intensity of the alkaline/enzymatic-deinked pulp has changed differently according to the type of wastepaper. These results indicate the synergistic effects of xylanase, lipase and amylase making enzymatic treatment a promising method that can substitute alkaline deinking for non-impact prints.
Management of Myasthenia Gravis During Pregnancy: A Report of Eight Cases

Abstract Background The clinical course of myasthenia gravis (MG) during pregnancy is highly variable and unpredictable. The management of MG in pregnancy has not been standardized. Methods Eight cases of MG in pregnancy, who were treated and gave birth in our hospital between 2004 and 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. Results In three patients, MG deteriorated during pregnancy. Three patients discontinued their medication for MG during their pregnancy, and the other five patients continued on corticosteroid or pyridostigmine. None of the infants showed any congenital abnormalities. Interestingly, there was a trend towards lower birth weight in infants born to women who had an exacerbation of MG during pregnancy. One patient who had unstable MG before pregnancy and voluntarily discontinued the medication for MG at the beginning of pregnancy, experienced MG exacerbation at the 30th week of pregnancy and gave birth prematurely to an infant with transient neonatal MG at the 34th week. The other seven patients had uneventful full-term pregnancy. Conclusion Women with unstable MG should postpone pregnancy to avoid potential risk of MG exacerbation and adverse effects on the fetus. Medication for MG should not be stopped abruptly during pregnancy, particularly for women with unstable MG. MG during pregnancy should be closely monitored and properly controlled.
NEW INSIGHTS INTO POST-SEPSIS MUSCLE WEAKNESS ELUCIDATED USING A NOVEL ANIMAL MODEL

OF DISSERTATION NEW INSIGHTS INTO POST-SEPSIS MUSCLE WEAKNESS ELUCIDATED USING A NOVEL ANIMAL MODEL Sepsis is a severe life-threatening critical illness that damages multiple physiological systems. After hospital discharge, more than 70% of severe sepsis survivors report profound weakness which significantly impacts quality of life. Such weakness gives rise to new limitations of daily living, which ultimately leads to loss of independence in many patients. Despite wide recognition of this serious issue by clinicians and researchers alike, the mechanisms contributing to chronic skeletal muscle dysfunction after sepsis are not well understood. Lack of progress in this field is largely due to the absence of an appropriate animal model; current models are either too mild to induce muscle weakness or too severe and cause death within a few days. As such, this dissertation work first focused on establishing a clinically-relevant animal model of sepsis which yields surviving mice with chronic skeletal muscle weakness (Aim 1). This aim involved refining the cecal slurry injection model of polymicrobial sepsis in young adult animals, as well as optimizing the timing, duration, and dose of multiple therapeutic agents. The resulting resuscitation protocol was adapted for use in late-middle-aged animals, and muscle strength was evaluated using an ex vivo system which confirmed significant muscle weakness in sepsis survivors, long after sepsis was resolved. Next, using this novel model, we sought to characterize sepsis-induced long-term muscle dysfunction at the molecular level (Aim 2). The first set of experiments under this aim was designed to identify the primary global mechanism(s) (i.e. atrophy, polyneuropathy, and/or myopathy) responsible for muscle weakness in sepsis survivors. Analysis of the forcefrequency curves and specific force measurements led to the conclusion that myopathy is the primary cause. Electron micrograph observation, functional assays, and protein analysis then showed that sepsis survivors’ skeletal muscles are characterized by profound mitochondrial abnormalities and oxidative damage. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that long-term muscle weakness is apparent in sepsis-surviving animals, and the functional decline is associated with unresolved mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. This work suggests that medical treatments beyond targeting muscle wasting alone could allow sepsis survivors to regain function and return to productive lives.
Effect of Azadirachta indica Extracts on Oriental Leafworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The tropical neem tree, Azadirachta indica, has many medicinal and pesticidal properties. Virtually every part of the neem tree has been used by indigenous cultures for medicine or pest control for over 2,000 years. Neem extracts are used to treat various infections and to repel insects. In this study, the efficacy of A. indica extracts was evaluated against eggs and second instar larvae of the tropical armyworm Spodoptera litura (also known as the Oriental leafworm). We found that A. indica extracts killed 98.4% of eggs and 100% of larvae, pupae, and adults of S. litura exposed to extracts of neem leaves. Because A. indica extracts are not harmful to plants or humans, these chemicals can be used to control insects in gardens and around dwellings.