Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproduction in natural populations of the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Desmarest), in central Australia.

Reproduction in the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Desmarest), in the arid environment of central Australia is highly opportunistic, and depends on the weather through its control of the food supply for its success. This conclusion is based on the study of 460 males and 1610 females between the years 1958 and 1962. Males and females matured sexually at an average age of about 2.5 and 3 yr, respectively. Drought significantly retarded sexual maturity in females by 6.24± 1.26 months. All females bred when green herbage was abundant after good rains. However, when food was scarce during drought, many females entered anoestrus, the proportion doing so being a probit function of the severity of the drought (measured in units of "drought index" explained in the text). Half of them became anoestrous after 3-5 months of drought in summer. Drought on the more scantily grassed of the two areas studied (they were 15-20 miles apart) was 1.57 times more effective in inducing anoestrus than on the other. All pouch-young survived if good conditions held for about 8 months, but many died during drought, the proportion doing so being a probit function of the increase in severity of drought after they were born. Half of them perished after 1.5-2.5 months of drought in summer. Only 28.7% of all joeys born survived life in the pouch because of the prolonged dry weather. Pouch-young were significantly lighter, and joeys-at-heel were 13.5 ± 1.9 days older during drought than at other times. The birth of twin joeys was associated with an abundance of food. During severe drought, many females showed signs of having produced in quick succession one or more joeys which did not live long. Many of these females were anoestrous and suckling a small joey. Since most if not all females which became anoestrous did so during late pregnancy without aborting and subsequently suckled their pouch-young, it is suggested that the adaptive significance of delayed implantation is to ensure that females which have lost a joey and which are about to become anoestrous produce one more joey each. These joeys will be born well into any drought and therefore will have to live for a shorter time than older joeys to survive the drought. The advantage to the species can be gauged from the fact that 50 out of 145 females with young surviving the drought were anoestrous. The ages of their joeys averaged 60.1 ± 7.6 days.
Imazamox dissipation in two rice management systems

SUMMARY The current study focuses on the dissipation pattern of imazamox (2-[(RS)-4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl]-5-methoxymethylnicotinic acid) in a soil–water environment under the two most adopted rice management systems in Europe, conventional water seeding and dry-seeding. Changes in imazamox concentrations were studied over time in topsoil, field water, irrigation water, outlet water and ground water. The study was performed from 2010 to 2011 in one of the most important rice growing areas of Europe (Vercelli, Northwest Italy). Imazamox dissipated rapidly in both the water and soil environments. In soil, imazamox half-life ranged from 2·2 to 3·3 days in 2010 and from 2·2 to 3·1 days in 2011. In paddy water, imazamox dissipated rapidly and no important differences among the management systems were found. In addition, the study showed that despite the short half-life of imazamox, the herbicide might be transported from treated fields in outlet waters by means of floodgates. The highest concentrations in outlet waters were found in the conventional water-seeded system, at the sampling site close to herbicide spraying. Imazamox residues were even found in inlet waters, suggesting discharge of the herbicide from paddies located upstream or drift during spraying. Imazamox residues in ground waters were always below the quantification limit. Overall, the low imazamox persistence observed during the 2-year study did not allow important differences between the two systems to be revealed. To reduce imazamox discharge from treated fields in the first days after spraying, a useful practice might be to keep water inside the fields for at least a week after spraying.
A New Infrageneric Classification of Mucuna (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae): Supported by Morphology, Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography

Abstract The previous infrageneric classification of Mucuna (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) recognized two subgenera, M. subg. Mucuna and M. subg. Stizolobium, but that classification is not supported fully by molecular phylogenetic analyses, which reveal three main clades in Mucuna (rather than the traditional two). A new taxon M. subg. Macrocarpa is proposed based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis, supported by fruit characters and biogeography. Historically, the representatives of this new subgenus were considered as members of M. subg. Mucuna, but species of subgenus Macrocarpa differ from species of the other two subgenera by their longer ovaries containing a higher number of ovules and, consequently, longer pods containing more seeds, and by the different fruit length to width ratio. This study presents a new infrageneric classification of the genus Mucuna. The six species of M. subg. Macrocarpa are reviewed, and species descriptions, typifications (including five new lectotypes), a distribution map, and a species identification key are presented.
Comparative morpho-anatomical studies of cypselas of some members of the tribe cardueae (asteraceae) by LM and SEM

The cypselas of twelve species belonging to eight genera i.e. 1 species each of Arctium, Carduus, Echinops, Leuzea and Ptilostemon; 2 species each of Cartina, and Cirsium and 3 species of Centaurea have been investigated.The stable and diacritical morphological features of cypselas are the presence or absence of the collar and margin of the collar, detachment area of cypsela, structure of surface hairs, stylopodium, carpopodium and pappus bristles or scales. The pericarp is clearly differentiated into epicarpic and mesocarpic zone. The distribution of resin cavities and calcium oxalate crystals are also important for the particular taxon. Testal features are stable and diagnostic taxonomic parameter for isolation of subtribes Carduinae, Centaureinae (expect Leuzea), Echinopsidinae and Cardininae. The structure of endosperm in mature cypsela could not be used as significant taxonomic parameter. An artificial key is made for the easy identification of studied taxa on morpho-anatomical characters of mature cypselas.
MACROGNATHUS ALBUS(ORDER: SYNBRANCHIFORMES; FAMILY: MASTACEMBELIDAE), A NEW FISH SPECIES FROM KERALA, INDIA

Taxonomic analysis of three specimens of Macrognathus collected from Manimala River reveals that they present several morphological differences from their congeners. The new species is diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: body dirty white without any bands or bars, eyes are closely set, spinous part of dorsal fin originating considerably behind the end of pectoral fin; pre orbital spine absent, 29 irregular blotches present on mid dorsal line from top of operculum to base of caudal. The new species is described and compared with its relatives.
Characterization of Peripheral B Cells Expressing CLL-Associated Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ROR1 in Healthy Donors

Abstract 1787 Recent studies have described an extensive expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) on the surface of malignant B cells in patients suffering from chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). ROR1 expression has also been detected in ovarian cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, and lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting a general role of ROR1 in cancer genesis and/or maintenance. However, low levels of ROR1 mRNA or protein expression have also been found on undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, adipose tissue and on early stage of B-cells in bone marrow, but not in major adult tissues and peripheral B cells. In contrast, our results describe for the fist time expression of ROR1 on rare B cells in peripheral blood of healthy donors. Using magnetic cell sorting techniques we were able to enrich ROR1 positive B cells from PBMCs of healthy donors. The average frequency of ROR-1+ B cells in PBMCs ranged from 1×10−3 to 1×10−4. Interestingly, ROR1+ B cells revealed a heterogeneous phenotype and could further be classified into a CD19+/CD27+/CD38− and a CD19+/CD27−/CD38+ subpopulation as assessed by flow cytometry. Remarkably, in contrast to the CD27+ subpopulation the CD38+ subpopulation showed higher levels of CD5 and CD23 expression, which are both markers known to be upregulated on B cells of CLL patients. Both populations do not show elevated expression of transcription factor ZAP70 and Bcl-2 but expressed higher level of Bcl-6 compared to CD19 B cells. Bcl-6 is known to be required for pre-B cell self-renewal but has also been described to play an essential role in resistance of leukemic cells to therapeutic tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Moreover ROR1+ B cells revealed an immature and non-activated sate as evidenced by the expression of IgD and IgM, and the lack of IgG and CD69. Further functional examination and immunophenotyping of these rare cells are under investigation. We have identified rare B cells expressing the tumor-associated receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1, which are heterogenic in CD27 and CD38 expression and show an immature phenotype. We are currently assessing a potential relationsphip ROR1+ peripheral B cells and ROR1 expressing B cells in malignancies like CLL, mantel cell (MCL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Disclosures: Milleck:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Assenmacher:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Schmitz:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Jahn:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment.
Biochemical Indices in Workers engaged in Production and Formulation of Organophosphate Insecticides

The study was conducted in a unit of organized sector, engaged in production and formulation of organophosphate insecticides (triaziphos and acephate). Study population comprising of 161 workers was divided into three groups namely, control group (n = 40), maintenance group (n = 50) and exposed group (n = 71). Their blood samples were collected and analyzed for the serum activities of GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. The blood samples were also analyzed for plasma cholinesterase (pseudo cholinesterase) and erythrocyte (RBCs) cholinesterase activities. The levels of these enzyme activities were within normal limits, except the levels of RBCs cholinesterase, which were significantly inhibited (p<0.05) in exposed group subjects, indicating appreciable exposure to the pesticides from their working environment.
Investigation of replication fork progression and re-replication fork instability at the Drosophila follicle cell amplicons

The Drosophila follicle cell amplicons are a well-established model system of origin firing, and have been extensively used to investigate the cis and trans-acting elements that govern origin regulation in metazoan development. Precisely timed origin initiation from defined genomic locations also has made the amplicons a powerful model system to delineate control of replication fork progression. We utilized this system to survey fork progression across diverse genomic positions from amplicons generated at ectopic genomic positions. Comparative genome hybridization (CGH) analysis reveals fork progression varies with the position of insertion, indicating fork movement is influenced by sequence, chromatin and/or chromosome architecture. Additionally, we have developed a slope analysis tool to measure changes in fork progression between different amplicons, as well as within a single amplified site. Together the CGH survey and slope analysis can be used to discover positions that are inhibitory to fork progression and delineate intrinsic sources of fork stalling across the genome. Furthermore, we utilized the amplicons to investigate the consequences of re-replication on fork stability. We find that double-strand breaks (DSBs) are generated at positions of active replication forks, supporting the model that head-to-tail collisions between adjacent replication forks generate DSBs during rereplication. A single fork collision and collapse event would block all subsequent forks, suggesting efficient break repair is required for continued fork movement at the amplicons. To define the pathways responsible for maintaining re-replication fork elongation, we developed the half-maximum distance analysis to measure global fork progression at each site of re-replication in the absence of various DNA damage response (DDR) and repair components. We find that fork progression is reduced in various DDR mutants, suggesting the DNA damage response is essential to maintain overall fork movement during re-replication. We also have begun to define the mechanisms of DSB repair during re-replication, and find the preferred pathway is influenced by repair efficiency and amplicon position. Our analysis thus establishes the Drosophila follicle cell amplicons as a re-replication model system and suggests that DSB repair pathway choice during re-replication is governed by genomic position, reaction kinetics and repair pathway competition.
Utilization of Airlift Fermenters in the Mass Propagation of Pseudomonas and AureobasidiumSpecies for the Bioremediation of Crude Oil Polluted Aquatic Environments

This study involved the design and fabrication of airlift fermenters for the mass propagation of a consortium of three microorganisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Aureobasidium pullulans). The efficacy of the blend in the bioremediation of simulated crude oil polluted water systems environments was also tested with a view to generating more data on crude oil degrading microorganisms for bioremediation purposes. The organisms were separately grown on a gyratory shaker at 120 rpm and at 30 °C until notable growths were observed. Equal volume of the grown organisms (500 ml) of mixed culture was used as inoculum for the 4.5 L of medium in the 7 L airlift fermenter. Thereafter, this was transferred into the 45 litres medium in the 70 L fermenter until significant growth was observed at room temperature. Culture broths were withdrawn at intervals for the determination of biomass and residual hydrocarbon concentrations. The product from the 70 L fermenter was introduced into simulated polluted water systems from which samples were withdrawn weekly. Analyses for residual hydrocarbon contents were carried out using appropriate analytical techniques. The results showed that 78.5% hydrocarbon removal was observed in the 7 L fermenter after 72 h, while that of the 70 L fermenter was 97.8% after 180 h of fermentation. Polluted water sample treated with the microbes experienced 96.4% removal after 10 weeks of treatment. It was observed further that the application of NPK fertilizer biostimulant aided microbial activities in the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons than urea, cow dung and poultry droppings. The study has demonstrated that effective bioremediation of crude oil polluted water systems could be achieved through the application of biostimulants with mass propagated crude oil degrading organisms using airlift fermenter systems. Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas fluorescence; Aureobasidium pullulans; Airlift fermenter; Bioremediation; Biostimulation; Bioaugmentation.
Molecular genetics approaches to the investigation of Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial agents of gastrointestinal illness throughout the world. The clinical importance of C.jejuni has led to a number of investigations into the pathogenesis of the organism. Much controversy remains, however, about the pathogenesis of C.jejuni enteritis and the precise mechanism of infection has yet to be fully elucidated. A molecular genetic approach has yielded a great deal of information concerning the pathogenesis of other bacteria, but, until recently, such an approach has not been very successful with Campylobacter spp. In order to identify C.jejuni genes encoding potential virulence determinants, it is necessary to develop workable strategies and systems for cloning and investigating Campylobacter DNA. This thesis describes the utilisation of two different methods for the isolation of C.jejuni genes. In the first method, a Lambda ZAP II library of C.jejuni strain H132 DNA was screened with convalescent antiserum to isolate novel genes for antigenic proteins which are likely to be synthesized in vivo. The second method used PCR with degenerate oligonucleotide primers (PCRDOP) to isolate a fragment of a known conserved gene. Several Lambda ZAP II clones of C . j ejuni DNA which synthesized products recognised by convalescent antiserum were successfully isolated and rescued into the pBluescript phagemid. In vitro transcription/translation and immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that the clones could synthesize products which reacted with convalescent antiserum. The transposon, TnphoA, was used to mutagenise the ORFs and identify any which could encode exported C.jejuni peptides. It was revealed that at least three of the positive clones could produce C. jejuni proteins which were exported from E.coli. The ORFs were partially sequenced to determine any similarities with known exported products which may be involved in virulence. One of the ORFs could encode a protein with N-terminal similarity to Campylobacter flagellins and, upstream from this gene, an ORF encoding an ATP-binding transport protein was found. PCRDOP was used successfully to isolate a fragment of the C.jejuni recA gene. The fragment was sequenced and amino acid substitutions were found which may cause the RecA protein to have constitutive protease activity for the LexA repressor. The entire C.jejuni H132 recA gene was isolated by PCR and found also to lack an upstream LexA suppressor binding-site. The potential significance of these observations is discussed. It is hoped that the development of molecular genetics techniques for the investigation of C.jejuni physiology and pathogenesis will lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which Campylobacter cause disease.
Genetic Diversity in Buffalo Population of Guilan Using Microsatellite Markers

Genetic Structure of Guilan buffalo population, in the South and South western area of Caspian Sea in Iran, was characterized, using 14 microsatellite markers (CSSM019, CSSM029, CSSM033, CSSM038, CSSM041, CSSM043, CSSM047, CSRM060, CSSM061, CSSM062, CSSM070, BMC1013, BRN and ETH003). The average of observed and effective number of alleles across all loci was found to be 4.14 and 3.17, respectively. CSSM062 was the most polymorphic markers according to its effective number of alleles (4.69), expected heterozygosity (0.79) and Polymorphism information content (0.75). However, CSSM029 showed the lowest effective number of alleles (1.20), expected heterozygosity (0.50) and Polymorphism information content (0.37). Results showed that these markers were suitable in population genetics researches. The mean of observed and expected heterozygosity, Polymorphism information content and Shannon information index were equal to 0.90, 0.67, 0.61 and 1.22, respectively across all loci in the population. It was concluded that a high degree of genetic diversity exist in the Guilan buffalo populations.
Physiological Effects of Alcohol on Crayfish Escape Circuitry

Title of Document: PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON CRAYFISH ESCAPE CIRCUITRY Matthew Edward Swierzbinski, Doctor of Philosophy, 2016 Directed By: Associate Professor Dr. Jens Herberholz Department of Psychology Alcohol is one of the oldest and most widely used drugs on the planet, but the cellular mechanisms by which it affects neural function are still poorly understood. Unlike other drugs of abuse, alcohol has no specific receptor in the nervous system, but is believed to operate through GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems. Invertebrate models offer circuits of reduced numerical complexity and involve the same cell types and neurotransmitter systems as vertebrate circuits. The well-understood neural circuits controlling crayfish escape behavior offer neurons that are modulated by GABAergic inhibition, thus making tail-flip circuitry an effective circuit model to study the cellular mechanisms of acute alcohol exposure. Crayfish are capable of two stereotyped, reflexive escape behaviors known as tailflips that are controlled by two different pairs of giant interneurons, the lateral giants (LG) and the medial giants (MG). The LG circuit has been an established model in the neuroscience field for more than 60 years and is almost completely mapped out. In contrast, the MG is still poorly understood, but has important behavioral implications in social behavior and value-based decision making. In this dissertation, I show that both crayfish tail-flip circuitry are physiologically sensitive to relevant alcohol concentrations and that this sensitivity is observable on the single cell level. I also show that this ethyl alcohol (EtOH) sensitivity in the LG can be changed by altering the crayfish’s recent social experience and by removing descending inputs to the LG. While the MG exhibits similar physiological sensitivity, its inhibitory properties have never been studied before this research. Through the use of electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques, I show that the MG exhibits many similar inhibitory properties as the LG that appear to be the result of GABAmediated chloride currents. Finally, I present evidence that the EtOH-induced changes in the MG are blocked through pre-treatment of the potent GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, which underlines the role of GABA in EtOH’s effects on crayfish tail-flip circuitry. The work presented here opens the way for crayfish tail-flip circuitry to be used as an effective model for EtOH’s acute effects on aggression and value-based decision making. PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON CRAYFISH ESCAPE CIRCUITRY
Treatment with extracts of Uncaria tomentosa promotes apoptosis in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF7.

Uncaria tomentosa is a medicinal plant native to Peru which has been used traditionally for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and cancer. Some studies have shown that treatment with Uncaria tomentosa promotes repair of cellular DNA in patients treated with chemotherapy drugs, preventing mutations and cell damage. Treatment with Uncaria tomentosa also inhibits inflammatory responses by inhibiting the proliferation of T and B-lymphocytes and decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α). We have examined the effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts on the growth of malignant cells such as MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, human breast cancer cell lines and non-malignant cells such as HBL-100, HEK 293T and HSG cells. Our results have shown that treatment of malignant cells and non-malignant cells with Uncaria tomentosa extracts inhibits their proliferation and promotes cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Further, extracts produced by boiling the ground bark in 70% ethanol are much more effective than extracts produced by boiling in water. Uncaria tomentosa-ethanol extracts potently induce cellular apoptosis as measured by changes in cell morphology, chromatin condensation (Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide staining assay) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assays) within 24 h of treatment. Overall, Uncaria tomentosa appeared to kill breast cancer cells effectively in vitro by increasing cellular apoptosis.