Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
African Rhino Specialist Group report/Rapport du Groupe Spécialiste des Rhinos d’Afrique

A recent survey within the last known range of the West African black rhino Diceros bicornis longipes in northern Cameroon has failed to locate any sign of their continued presence although many signs of poaching activity were recorded. Drs Isabelle and Jean-Francois Lagrot spent four months in early 2006 patrolling 2500 km between Faro National Park and Bouba N’Djida National Park without success. Enquiry among 21 hunting guides also drew a blank. While Paul Bour of Association Symbiose will be in the field until the end of 2006 checking reports from the field, the outlook for this subspecies does not look good.
Thermodynamic stability of porcine β-lactoglobulin. A structural relevance

The proposed biological function of b-lactoglobulins as transporting proteins assumes a binding ability for ligands and high stability under the acidic conditions of the stomach. This work shows that the conformational stability of nonruminant porcine b-lactoglobulin (BLG) is not consistent with this hypothesis. Thermal denaturation of porcine BLG was studied by high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry within the pH range 2.0–10.0. Dependences of the denaturation temperature and enthalpy on pH were obtained, which reveal a substantial decrease in both parameters in acidic and basic media. The denaturation enthalpy follows a linear dependence on the denaturation temperature. The slope of this line is 9.4 ± 0.6 kJAEmol )1 AE K )1 , which is close to the denaturation heat capacity increment DdCp ¼ 9.6 ± 0.5 kJAEmol )1 AEK )1 , determined directly from the thermograms. At pH 6.25 the denaturation temperatures of porcine and bovine BLGcoincide, at 83.2 � C. At this pH the denaturation enthalpy of porcine BLGis 300 kJ AEmol )1 . The denaturation transition of porcine BLGwas shown to be reversible at pH 3.0 and pH 9.0. The transition profile at both pH values follows the two-state model of denaturation. Based on the pH-dependence of the transition temperature and the linear temperature dependence of the transition enthalpy, the excess free energy of denaturation, DdG E , of porcine BLGwas calculated as a function of pH and compared with that of bovine BLG derived from previously reported data. The pH-dependence of DdG E is analysed in terms of the contributions of side-chain H-bonds to the protein stability. Interactions stabilizing native folds of porcine and bovine BLGare discussed.
Linking vertebrate species richness to tree canopy height on a global scale

Aim In this paper we explore global links between tree canopy height and species richness of amphibians, birds and mammals. We follow the ideas first laid out by MacArthur and MacArthur in 1961 who found that in the eastern USA higher tree canopies supported more bird species, which they attributed to an increase of available niches as forests grow taller. We test if their findings can be generalized over large regions and other taxa by employing novel methods and using current datasets. Location Global Methods We used the global distribution maps of the three above taxa to infer species richness. Our tree canopy height information was derived from remotely sensed LiDAR data. The analysis was conducted globally and within biogeographical realms. We modeled richness, using tree canopy height and other environmental correlates, with generalized additive models and geographically weighted regressions. Results Globally, tree canopy height proved to be of lesser importance in explaining species richness patterns compared to other environmental drivers. Within biogeographical realms, tree canopy height was found to be a more important predictor of diversity in the Neotropic and Australian realms. Regional patterns show that tree canopy height has an important effect on diversity of amphibians throughout the world and in several tropical regions across taxa. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) explains more of the variation in richness both globally and within most regions. Main Conclusions Overall, tree canopy height is not an important predictor of diversity. However we highlight its relative importance in particular locations and settings.
Biology and Development of Acrolepiopsis assectella (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae) in Eastern Ontario

Abstract Leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella, recently became established in the Ottawa Valley, where it significantly damages garlic, leek, and onion (Allium L., Liliaceae) crops. At a threshold of 7 °C, populations in eastern Ontario require 444.6 day-degrees to develop from egg to adult. Pheromone-trap data identify spring, early-summer, and late-summer flight periods of overwintered 1st- and 2nd-generation adults, respectively. Depending on ambient temperatures, the life cycle takes 3–6 weeks in the field, with three generations possible. Management strategies such as application of reduced-risk foliar insecticides and use of row covers require precise timing to target appropriate life-cycle stages. Implementation windows can be determined by incorporating pheromone-trap data and ambient air temperature into a life-cycle development model. A proposed integrated pest management program will involve the use of pesticides, mechanical barriers, and classical biological control.
The Development of the Vertebral Column in Mammals, as Illustrated by Its Development in Mus musculus

The research work to be described was carried out upon the suggestion of Prof. E. W. MacBride. Some justification for it may be found in the prevailing dual conception of the mode of development of the vertebral column in mammals, since notwithstanding the researches of Remak (1851), Rosenberg (1876), Froriep (1886), Weiss (1901), Bardeen (1905), Barge (1915) and others, opposing views are held as to whether or not the vertebrae of mammals are segmental structures. The work of Froriep maintains that they are; that of Weiss, Bardeen and others that they are not. The aim of the present investigation is to attempt to impart some finality to the argument and to settle the controversy that exists concerning the relation between the sclerotomes and the membranous and cartilaginous incipient vertebrae with the intervertebral accessorial structures. An attempt has been made to indicate the nature of the modifications effected in the region of the atlas and axis, and special consideration has been given to the so-called pro-atlas. In addition, the nature and number of the occipital segments have been observed, and the part played by these in the formation of the occipital region of the cranium has received attention.
Scale effect and bimodality in the frequency distribution of species occupancy

Community patterns in species-by-site matrices provide valuable clues for inferring ecological processes at work. One such pattern is the occupancy frequency distribution (OFD) depicting the frequency distribution of row sums (i.e., occupancy) with a quarter OFDs of bimodal forms. Another pattern that also reflects the structure of row sums is the ranked species occupancy curve (RSOC), and has been shown to imply a 50% of bimodality in OFDs. The use of RSOCs has been advocated in literature over the OFD based on two conclusions from a 6-model inference using only 24 matrices: (i) RSOCs have two general forms, with half representing bimodal OFDs; (ii) there are no effects of spatial and study scales on RSOCs of different forms. Using a much more representative dataset of 289 matrices, I cast doubt on these two conclusions. A missing but dominant RSOC model (the truncated power law) is added. The number of species and the nestedness of the community differ significantly among matrices of different RSOC forms; however, the number of sites and the taxa in the studies do not differ among RSOC or OFD forms. The quarter OFDs of bimodal forms is reassured, with the least frequent occupancy consistent with Raunkiaer’s law of frequency. Importantly, a RSOC is mathematically transferrable to an OFD, with the derivative of the occupancy ranking curve being equal to the negative reciprocal of the occupancy frequency. Based on the type of the community (null versus interactive) and site environment (homogenous versus heterogeneous), four scenarios are needed to identify pre-inferring assemblage mechanisms. The results highlight the need for shifting research from the emphasis of marginal sums to the analysis of matrix structure for an in-depth understanding of the community assemblage patterns and mechanisms.
Transgenic tobacco-bearing p-cV-ChMTIIGFP gene accumulated more lead compared to wild type

Heavy metal pollution, including lead (Pb), is a common global pollution problem. Transgenic (p-cVChMTIIGFP) and non-transgenic (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Petit Havana SR-1) tobacco plants grown for 6 weeks in pot experiments containing 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg Pb kg·soil -1 were investigated. Lead toxicity symptoms, chlorophyll content, dry weight, and Pb concentration of plants were measured in order to evaluate phytoremediative potential of the plants. Neither plant showed any toxicity symptoms during the growth period. The p-cV-ChMTIIGFP tobacco plant accumulated more Pb (5.6 mg·kg -1 ) than the wild type tobacco (3.6 mg·kg -1 ). Therefore, the transgenic p-cV-ChMTIIGFP tobacco has promising potential for reclaiming slightly lead-contaminated soils.
Atypical βs haplotypes are generated by diverse genetic mechanisms

The majority of the chromosomes with the βS gene have one of the five common haplotypes, designated as Benin, Bantu, Senegal, Cameroon, and Arab‐Indian haplotypes. However, in every large series of sickle cell patients, 5–10% of the chromosomes have less common haplotypes, usually referred to as “atypical” haplotypes. In order to explore the genetic mechanisms that could generate these atypical haplotypes, we extended our analysis to other rarely studied polymorphic markers of the βS‐gene cluster, in a total of 40 chromosomes with uncommon haplotypes from Brazil and Cameroon. The following polymorphisms were examined: seven restriction site polymorphisms of the ϵγδβ‐cluster, the pre‐Gγ framework sequence including the 6‐bp deletion/insertion pattern, HS‐2 LCR (AT)xR(AT)y and pre‐β (AT)xTy repeat motifs, the GC/TT polymorphism at −1105–1106 of Gγ‐globin gene, the C/T polymorphism at −551 of the β‐globin gene, and the intragenic β‐globin gene framework. Among the Brazilian subjects, the most common atypical structure (7/16) was a Bantu 3′‐subhaplotype associated with different 5′‐sequences, while in two chromosomes a Benin 3′‐subhaplotype was associated with two different 5′‐subhaplotypes. A hybrid Benin/Bantu configuration was also observed. In three chromosomes, the atypical haplotype differed from the typical one by the change of a single restriction site. In 2/134 chromosomes identified as having a typical Bantu RFLP‐haplotype, a discrepant LCR repeat sequence was observed, probably owing to a crossover 5′ to the ϵ‐gene. Among 80 βS chromosomes from Cameroon, 22 were associated with an atypical haplotype. The most common structure was represented by a Benin haplotype (from the LCR to the β‐gene) with a non‐Benin segment 3′ to the β‐globin gene. In two cases a Bantu LCR was associated with a Benin haplotype and a non‐Benin segment 3′ to the β‐globin gene. In three other cases, a more complex structure was observed that can be considered as a hybrid of Benin, Bantu, Senegal, or other chromosomes was observed. These data suggest that the atypical βS haplotypes are not uncommon in America and in Africa. These haplotypes are probably generated by a variety of genetic mechanisms including (a) isolated nucleotide changes in one of the polymorphic restriction sites, (b) simple and double crossovers between two typical βS haplotypes or much more frequently between a typical βS haplotype and a different βA‐associated haplotype that was present in the population, and (c) gene conversions. Am. J. Hematol. 63:79–84, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Revision of Afrotropical Chyromyidae (Excluding Gymnochiromyia Hendel) (Diptera: Schizophora), with the Recognition of Two Subfamilies and the Description of New Genera

ABSTRACT An account is provided of the family Chyromyidae in the Afrotropical Region and taxonomic characters are re-examined and discussed. A division of the family into two subfamilies, Chyromyinae and Aphaniosominae subfam. n. , is proposed and a cladistic analysis corroborates the generic concepts. Illustrated keys are provided to aid identification of both sexes of all included species. African species in the genus Gymnochiromyia Hendel have been reviewed elsewhere (Ebejer 2008b) and are not included in the current revision. Five new genera are described, viz. Krifomyia gen. n. , Oroschyromya gen. n. , Notiochyromya gen. n. , Paraphaniosoma gen. n. and Tethysimyia gen. n. Aphaniosoma sexvittatum Lamb, 1914, is newly assigned to Paraphaniosoma gen. n. and Aphaniosoma deemingi Ebejer, 1996, to Tethysimyia gen. n. Rhicnoessa minutissima Bezzi, 1908, previously removed from Canacidae (as Tethininae) and placed in Chyromyidae by Munari in 1994, is re-examined and newly assigned to Krifomyia gen. n. , Chyromya dubia Lamb, 1914, to Oroschyromya gen. n. and C. sexspinosa Lamb, 1914 to Notiochyromya gen. n. The following 27 species are described as new: Oroschyromya affinis sp. n. , O. bicolor sp. n. , O. elgonae sp. n. , O. elongata sp. n. , O. fusciceps sp. n. , O. gracilipes sp. n. , and O. peruncinata sp. n. ; Notiochyromya filigera sp. n. , N. lucida sp. n. , N. monticola sp. n. , and N. tripunctata sp. n. ; Somatiosoma awashensis sp. n. , S. grandicornis sp. n. , S. messumensis sp. n. , and S. setipygum sp. n. ; Aphaniosoma aethiops sp. n. , A. aldabrensis sp. n. , A. atriceps sp. n. , A. conspicuum sp. n. , A. flavescens sp. n. , A. frequens sp. n. , A. gaiasicum sp. n. , A. kirkspriggsi sp. n. , A. micropygum sp. n. , A. pullum sp. n. , A. trilobatum sp. n. , and A. ugabensis sp. n.
Pyramidellidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) collected during the Dutch CANCAP and MAURITANIA expeditions in the south-eastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean (part 2)

The species of the Pyramidellidae collected during several expeditions in the south-eastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean are listed, with locality data, depth ranges, and notes on nomenclature, systematics and distribution. The samples classified with the genera Eulimella (partly), Anisocycla, Syrnola, Chrysallida and Odostomella are dealt with in this paper. In total 70 species are reported from the research area, 24 of which are described as new to science. A lectotype of Obeliscus gracillima Smith, 1872 (= Eulimella variabilis de Folin, 1870) and neotypes of Chrysallida multicostata (Jeffreys, 1884) and Jaminia obtusa Brown, 1827, are designated.
Terrestrial nematodes from the Galapagos Archipelago. 7. Description of Tylocephalus nimius sp. n. and new data on the morphology, development and behaviour of T. auriculatus (Butschli, 1873) Anderson, 1966 (Leptolaimina: Plectidae)

Description est donnee de Tylocephalus nimius sp.n. , provenant des iles de Santa Cruz et Floreana, caracterise par des cornes mesurant 12-14 μm et des expansions cephaliques depassant considerablement les soies somatiques les plus anterieures. T. auriculatus est redecrit sur des specimens provenant d'echantillons de sol et d'un elevage derive sur plaque d'agar. Pendant la prise de nourriture de T. auriculatus, la region labiale se balance dans le plan dorso-ventral dans un mouvement oscillant, continu et independant de la locomotion du corps. L'hypothese est formulee que cette espece et les autres Wilsonematinae se sont specialises a balayer les bacteries collees aux surfaces planes des elements microscopiques du sol. De plus, les observations morphologiques et ontogeniques suggerent que cette espece ne passe que par trois stades juveniles, avec une metamorphose marquee de la region labiale pendant les premiere et deuxieme mues.
Behavior of grazing European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in a semi- extensive production system

S.M. Hodgkinson, F. Matus, and I.F. Lopez. 2013. Behavior of grazing European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in a semi-extensive production system. Cien. Inv. Agr. 40(1):193-199. In the semi-extensive farming systems that are used to raise European wild boar in countries such as Chile, the behavior of the animals in paddocks has not been studied and is important for managing the system. The objective of the present study was to determine the proportion of time that grazing wild boar spent on different activities and the distribution of these activities during the day. The study was conducted in paddocks containing Cynodon dactylon, Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis. A total of 35 purebred European wild boars with a liveweight (average + SEM) of 37.4 + 1.11 kg with noserings were used in the study. The animals were in the paddocks from 08:30 h until 16:30 h, after which they had free access to a commercial diet for one hour and were kept in a barn until the following day. The activity of each animal was observed every 5 minutes throughout the grazing period, with the activities categorized as grazing, rooting (either with the snout or foot), walking, running, playing, lying down, drinking or other activities. Overall, throughout the grazing time, the animals spent 26% of their time grazing, 17% rooting, 7% walking, 3% playing, 2% drinking and 44% lying down. When the animals entered the paddock in the morning, they grazed intensively, as 74% of observations were of grazing during the first half hour. Gradually the observations of grazing decreased, reaching the lowest number between 12:00 and 12:30 h, when only one animal was observed to graze at one timepoint. The number of animals observed lying down gradually increased over the morning. In the afternoon, the proportion of animals grazing gradually increased, reaching a maximum of 27% of animals grazing at 15:00 h. Over an 8-hour period with access to pasture, European wild boar spent a significant amount of time grazing (26%). The intensity of grazing was high when they first entered the paddock and decreased gradually over the next four hours, increasing slightly again toward the end of the 8-hour period.
Estimation of quantitative genetic and stability parameters in maize under high and low N levels.

AB It is important to breed maize (Zea mays L) cultivars with high performance under variable N levels. We studied the effect of N levels and estimated quantitative genetic parameters for grain yield, quality, and other traits, and examined stability of performance for grain yield in diverse Chinese maize germplasm. From 2006 to 2008, each year 20 and in total 30 maize hybrids, including commercial hybrids currently grown in this region and other ex¬perimental hybrids as well as high-oil hybrids, were tested using nine environments (location-year combinations) in North China Plain. In each environment, two replicated trials were grown: one under high N application rate (HN, 225 kg N ha-1) and the other under low N application rate (LN, no N fertilization). Compared to HN, grain yield was significantly reduced (35.6%) under LN level, as well as kernel number per ear, 1000-kernel weight, plant and ear heights, and protein concentration. In the analysis over environments under each N level, genotypic variance was significant and heritability was high for all traits. In the analyses across N levels and environments, genotypic variance was significant for all traits and larger than the genotype × N and/or environment interaction variance components except for protein concentration. In stability analyses across N levels, hybrids differed for their linear response to environments, and some showed dissimilar response under HN and LN levels. Our results indicated that breeding maize adapted to variable N levels is feasible with the Chinese germplasm available in the summer breeding programs in North China Plain. Multi-environment tests are required to identify hybrids with high grain yield under variable N conditions, and examining yield stability separately under HN and LN would be useful.
Effect of Bentonite Supplementation on Nitrogen Metabolism from Diets Containing Urea in Cattle

In an in vitro study three substrates viz. concentrate mixture with different levels of urea (a), synthetic diets with urea (b) and urea treated straw (c) supplemented with bentonite (0, 2, 3, 4 and 6% w/w) were evaluated. IVDMD and IVOMD did not differ Irrespective of diet or level of bentonite. Ammonia -N concentration from concentrate mixture containing 1% urea decreased with the increase in bentonite level, however, at the other levels of area it remained similar irrespective of bentonite level. The peak ammonia-N level was lower at all the levels of bentonite than those without bentonite but in synthetic diets as well as in treated straw no such variation was recorded.
Saurian malarial parasites in eastern Panama.

SYNOPSIS Plasmodium gonatodi sp. nov. is described from Gonatodes albogularis fuscus of eastern Panama. It is characterized by elongate gametocytes and polymorphic schizonts containing 12-46 nuclei when apparently mature. Both proerythrocytes and erythrocytes are commonly parasitized, host cells are hypertrophied and distorted, and their nuclei are displaced. Prematuration sexual stages may be irregularly shaped and larger than mature gametocytes. Plasmodium diploglossi Aragao and Neiva, 1909 is reported from Mabuya mabouya in eastern Panama, and Plasmodium morulum sp. nov. is described from this host. P. morulum usually parasitizes immature erythrocytes, and is characterized by lenticular or oval to round gametocytes, and schizonts with 14-40 nuclei usually arranged in a globular mass. Host cells are slightly hypertrophied and distorted, and their nuclei are usually displaced. Inoculation of infected blood into clean hosts produces numerous schizonts in white cells as well as in the erythrocyte series. Pigment in both P. gonatodi and P. morulum, if present, consists of a few minute dark dots which do not meet the polarized light test for hemozoin.
GENERATION OF CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES IN VITRO

Separation of cells by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity was utilized to investigate the physical properties of cytotoxic thymus-derived lymphocytes (CTL) generated in long-term mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC). In kinetic studies, CTL were found almost exclusively in the large cell fractions at the peak of the response on day 4, whereas the majority of CTL in day 14 MLC had the sedimentation properties of small lymphocytes. Reculture until day 14 of cells fractionated on the basis of size on day 4 indicated that the small CTL were derived exclusively from cells which had been large on day 4. Re-exposure of day 14 MLC cells to the original stimulating alloantigens resulted in significant cell proliferation and rapid regeneration of CTL activity. Cell fractionation experiments demonstrated that the cells in the day 14 MLC population which responded to the secondary allogeneic stimulus were small T lymphocytes, and that these cells rapidly developed into large, highly cytotoxic CTL following stimulation. Moreover, by restimulating on day 14 fractions which were selected on the basis of size on day 4, it was found that the responding small lymphocytes were themselves the progeny of cells which were large at the peak of the response. Since CTL and CTL progenitors showed concomitant changes in physical properties with time, the possibility exists that they belong to the same cell lineage, and hence that CTL can differentiate into cells which are no longer cytotoxic, but capable of mounting an anamnestic response.