Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive Potential and Biological Characteristics of the Parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Depending on Parasitoid-Host Ratio

Abstract This study assessed the biological characteristics of Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with different densities of female parasitoids with Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) caterpillars. Third instar caterpillars of D. saccharalis were exposed to C. flavipes females at parasitoid to host ratios of 1:1, 3:1, 6:1, 9:1, and 12:1, with 5 replications. The parasitism of C. flavipes was 90% at 3:1 ratio, and the emergence was 100% for all densities. The life cycle of C. flavipes ranged from 18.17 ± 0.26 to 18.93 ± 0.50 d with the densities of 12:1 and 1:1 parasitoid to host. The higher progeny of C. flavipes (87.38 ± 2.07 and 67.18 ± 2.57 individuals per D. saccharalis caterpillar) were obtained at the densities of 3:1 and 6:1, respectively. The sex ratio of parasitoid per D. saccharalis caterpillar ranged from 0.12 ± 0.05 to 0.66 ± 0.02 between the parasitoid to host densities of 12:1 and 3:1, respectively. The density of 3:1 C. flavipes females per D. saccharalis caterpillar was found to be optimal for propagation of the parasitoid.
Wound healing: cellular mechanisms and pathological outcomes

Wound healing is a complex, dynamic process supported by a myriad of cellular events that must be tightly coordinated to efficiently repair damaged tissue. Derangement in wound-linked cellular behaviours, as occurs with diabetes and ageing, can lead to healing impairment and the formation of chronic, non-healing wounds. These wounds are a significant socioeconomic burden due to their high prevalence and recurrence. Thus, there is an urgent requirement for the improved biological and clinical understanding of the mechanisms that underpin wound repair. Here, we review the cellular basis of tissue repair and discuss how current and emerging understanding of wound pathology could inform future development of efficacious wound therapies.
Extensive geographical variation in testes size and ejaculate traits in a terrestrial-breeding frog

Ejaculate traits vary extensively among individuals and species, but little is known about their variation among populations of the same species. Here, we investigated patterns of intraspecific variation in male reproductive investment in the terrestrial-breeding frog Pseudophryne guentheri. Like most anurans, breeding activity in P. guentheri is cued by precipitation, and therefore the timing and duration of breeding seasons differ among geographically separated populations, potentially leading to differences in the level of sperm competition. We, therefore, anticipated local adaptation in sperm traits that reflect these phenological differences among populations. Our analysis of six natural populations across a rainfall gradient revealed significant divergence in testes and ejaculate traits that correspond with annual rainfall and rainfall seasonality; males from the northern and drier edge of the species range had significantly smaller testes containing fewer, smaller and less motile sperm compared with those from mesic central populations. These findings may reflect spatial variation in the strength of postcopulatory sexual selection, likely driven by local patterns of precipitation.
Filtering of species specific song parameters via interneurons in a bush cricket's brain

In this doctoral thesis intracellular recordings of identified auditory neurons in the brain of a bush cricket are presented for the first time. Single cell recordings were carried out in the species Ancistrura nigrovittata (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878) with special emphasis on filtering properties for the conspecific song. The coding of carrier frequency, intensity and temporal pattern was examined in local brain neurons and in intersegmental neurons for a comparison with the behavioural responses to these parameters. Spike activity of five types of ascending intersegmental neurons was acquired from the axonal terminals, which allowed a correlation to earlier results obtained from the dendrites. The response characteristics found in both recording sites are widely similar (closest in AN3), although differences have been observed. These are e.g.: (i) filter properties in the spike activity of AN1 and AN2 to some pulse durations, which closely correlate to the female behaviour (ii) graded potentials in TN1 s axon with the capability to facilitate the amplitude of action potentials in a graded manner close to the presynaptic output site (iii) a physiological and a morphological description in the brain, of a so far unknown intersegmental neuron (ANx) that processes ultrasound stimuli. A characterisation of ten types of local auditory brain neurons is given, whereby novel as well as known response properties with a surprisingly high degree of redundant filter mechanisms are found. These are e.g.: (i) a spike frequency filter and a redundant frequency dependent inhibition in LBN1 resulting in a response that has a closer correlation to the female behaviour than found in the spiking of its presynaptic neuron (AN1) (ii) the narrowly tuned activity of LBN2 to conspecific signals of both sexes - representing a channel that indicates species specific communication in the surrounding area (iii) the tracing of auditory processing on subsequent levels up to a third order interneuron including a switch of excitation to inhibition (iv) a greater variety of selective responses to ultrasonic stimuli and temporal parameters than described for thoracic neurons (v) secondary spike activity following stimulation with a latency of ca. 600 ms and graded potentials exhibiting remarkably long time constants of several hundred milliseconds. Several of these mechanisms lead to a closer correspondence of neuronal activity to species specific behaviour than found in the thorax.
Gonadal and epididymal sperm counts of growing Ossimi rams in Upper Egypt.

ددعل خبربلاو ةيصخلاب نمايحلا نوزخم ةسارد ثحبلا اذه ىف مت 48 تحوارت ىميسوأ ركذ نم مهرامعأ 6 نم رثكأ ىلا 24 طويسأ رزجمو ةرواجم ةعرزمب ةحوبذمو ارهش . تنيبو ىلامجإ نم نيركذ ةيصخ ىف ةرم لولا نمايح دوجو ةساردلا 5 رمع دنع روكذ 7 8 روهش نم ةرتفلا للاخو 8 12 جيسن نم مارج لكل نمايحلا ددع ىف ةحضاو ةدايز كانه ناك ارهش رمع ىتح ةدايزلا لدعم فعاضت مث ةيصخلا 15 ارهش . اذه دعب تظحول ىتلا ةدايزلا نأ نيبت دحاولا مارجلا ةدحول اهجيسن ةيجاتنا ىف هنع ةيصخلا نزو ةدايزل ناك رمعلا . كانه تناك ءانثأ ءاضعلاا هذه نزو عم ةثلاثلا خبربلا ءازجأو ةيصخلا نوزخم ةدايز ىف ةديطو ةقلاع نم رثكأ ىتح عساتلا رهشلا نم ومنلا ةرتف 24 ارهش . ةبسن خبربلا ليذ ىوتحا 64.1 , % 80.7 % ىرمع دنع خبربلا ىف نمايحلل ىلكلا نوزخملا نم 9 , 18 ىلاوتلا ىلع ارهش . رمعلا مدقتب خبربلاو ةيصخلا نزو نيب ةيونعم ةديطو ةقلاع دوجو ثحبلا تايئاصحا تنيب ةمدقتملا تاناويحلا ىف نمايحلا نم ةيلامجلاا امهتايوتحمو خبربلاو هيصخلا نازوأ نيب كلذكو دعب ةصاخ رمعلا ىف 18 رمعلا نم ارهش .
New and revised descriptions of the immature stages of some butterflies in Sri Lanka and their larval food plants (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Part 1: Sub-family Danainae

The immature stages of the 12 species of butterflies of the subfamily Danainae and their larval food plants in Sri Lanka are presented. The immature stages of six species and their larval food plants are documented for the first time. The immature stages of the remaining six species that have been previously described from Sri Lankan material are compared to findings of the current study and additional observations are presented. For these six species, new larval food plants are reported for the first time. For two of these species, larval food plants previously reported in Sri Lanka are confirmed. This study provides the basic information for further studies on the biology of these species. It also provides information for conservation management programs for butterflies in Sri Lanka.
Changes in the Migration Phenology of Massachusetts Birds 1940–2013 in Relation to Temperatures along the Atlantic Flyway

Abstract Climate variables affect the phenology of bird migration, and anthropogenic climate change has likely resulted in shifts in these phenological patterns. Warmer springtime temperatures could lead to birds arriving earlier to northerly latitudes in North America. We modeled the effect of temperature with 74 years of data on first arrival for 84 bird species in Worcester County, MA. We found migratory bird species have shifted their arrival to Worcester County an average of 0.11 days per year earlier, with short-distance migrants having stronger shifts (an average of 0.18 days earlier per year) than long-distance migrants (an average of 0.06 days earlier per year). Our results add to a body of literature regarding the potential impacts of climate change on bird migration phenology. We supply support for the notion that some species are temporally shifting their migration in response to warming springtime temperatures. These shifts may be mismatched with resource availability and thus could negatively affect populations and communities. Consequently, it is important to understand patterns in bird migration phenology in order to inform adequate conservation strategies.
Male-Biased Sex Ratio of Adult-Sized Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) Migrating to High-Latitude Summer-Restricted Foraging Grounds in the Northwest Pacific1

Abstract: Although part of the life history of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the northwest Pacific population has been documented, there is still a paucity of data regarding their spatiotemporal ecology at the local level. The Sanriku Coast is known to be the high-latitude foraging grounds (39° N) for loggerhead turtles of the northwest Pacific population. This site is located far north from the northernmost loggerhead rookeries (>400 km) and more than 10 years of surveys have found that loggerhead turtles migrate there only in the summer. To better understand the spatiotemporal ecology of this population along the Sanriku Coast, the present study investigated the sex of 164 loggerhead turtles captured as bycatch along the Sanriku Coast between 2013 and 2017 by measuring the external morphology and serum testosterone concentrations. These analyses suggested that most of the adult-sized turtles in the Sanriku foraging grounds were males (few females), whereas both sexes of immature-sized turtles migrated to this Coast. This is possibly because migration to the Sanriku Coast is restricted to summer due to the seasonal sea surface temperature shift, and this period overlaps with the nesting period. Therefore, only immature turtles and adult males may be able to migrate. Understanding sex differences in spatiotemporal ecology should contribute to conservation practice in this population, where global warming, together with the turtle's temperature-dependent sex determination, can be expected to reduce the proportion of male hatchlings in the future.
Assessing the effect of genetic and anatomic variation of Cucurbita rootstocks on vigour, survival and yield of grafted melons

Summary Melon (Cucumis melo L.) ‘Arava’ was grafted onto 22 experimental Cucurbita rootstocks including intra- or interspecific hybrids to examine scion-rootstock compatibility and to correlate plant performance under greenhouse and field conditions. The commercial Cucurbita ‘TZ-148’ rootstock and non-grafted plants were used as controls. Numbers of leaves, stem length and plant fresh weights were recorded three weeks after planting. Vegetative growth of the grafted plants varied markedly, indicating differences in compatibility between the scion and rootstocks. A positive correlation was found between number of leaves, stem length and fresh weight of melon plants. No significant advantage in vegetative growth was found in melons grafted onto intra- or interspecific hybrid rootstocks. Stem diameter and number of vascular bundles of the rootstock did not correlate with scion plant fresh weight. Twelve selected rootstocks out of the 22 tested were grown in the field during the spring and autumn, to determine if there is an association between the plant performance in the greenhouse and fruit yield under field conditions. Positive and significant correlations were found between greenhouse growth parameters and fruit yield under field conditions. It is suggested that testing grafted melons under greenhouse conditions could be a useful tool for preliminary testing of scion-rootstock compatibility.
Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Secretome From Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reveal New Mechanisms for the Modulation of Inflammation and Immune Activation

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been used in over 800 clinical trials with encouraging results in the field of transplant medicine and chronic inflammatory diseases. Today, Umbilical Cord (UC)-derived MSC are the second leading source used for clinical purposes, mainly due to its easy access and superior immune modulatory effects. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of immune suppressive activities have not been fully understood, research over the last decade strongly suggests that MSC-mediated benefits are closely related to activation of secretome networks. Nevertheless, recent findings also point to cytokine-independent mechanisms as key players of MSC-mediated immune modulation. Here, we set up a robust in vitro immune assay using phytohemagglutinin- or anti-CD3/CD28-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in cell-to-cell interaction or in cell-contact independent format with UC-MSC and conducted integrated transcriptome and secretome analyses to dissect molecular pathways driving UC-MSC-mediated immune modulation. Under inflammatory stimuli, multiparametric analyses of the secretome led us to identify cytokine/chemokine expression patterns associated with the induction of MSC-reprogrammed macrophages and T cell subsets ultimately leading to immune suppression. UC-MSC transcriptome analysis under inflammatory challenge allowed the identification of 47 differentially expressed genes, including chemokines, anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules found also in UC-MSC-immunosupressive secretomes, including the novel candidate soluble IL-2R. This study enabled us to track functionally activated UC-MSC during immune suppression and opened an opportunity to explore new pathways involved in immunity control by UC-MSC. We propose that identified immunomodulatory molecules and pathways could potentially be translated into clinical settings in order to improve UC-MSC-therapy quality and efficacy.
Scrutinizing the Criteria for Character Strengths: Laypersons Assert That Every Strength Is Positively Morally Valued, Even in the Absence of Tangible Outcomes

This study examines Peterson and Seligman’s (2004, p. 19) claim that every VIA character strength “(…) is morally valued in its own right, even in the absence of obvious beneficial outcomes”. Although this criterion assumes a pivotal role in distinguishing character from personality, no previous study has investigated its validity. Based on what Peterson and Seligman (2004) have provided us with, we describe how we built our study around indirectly testing every strength’s assumed moral evaluation, in which inclinations toward deontology (e.g., “torture is wrong regardless of tangible positive outcomes”) and consequentialism (e.g., “torture can be good if it accounts for more positive than negative outcomes”) may play a critical role. We used Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) handbook to construct four ultra-short stories for every strength: the stories depict various agents engaging in strength-related behavior (e.g., a young student courageously stepping up against school bullies). We prompted participants to rate these and twelve anchor stories multiple times as to whether the agents acted morally correct: In the first block, the actions’ consequences were undetermined while in the second block, the actions had either positive, negative, or mixed consequences, which we used to compute proxies of participants’ inclinations toward deontology and consequentialism. The ratings of N = 230 German-speaking laypersons suggest that the criterion stands: participants perceived every strength as positively morally valued when consequences were undetermined, and positive consequences did not account for or increase this effect. However, moral value seems to come in degrees, and some strengths were valued more strongly than others (top five: judgment, honesty, kindness, fairness, and hope). Furthermore, specific character strengths (measured by self-report) were connected with more positive evaluations (e.g., endorsing spirituality was connected with rating spirituality as more positively valued). Both deontology and consequentialism were connected with more positive evaluations, and we suggest two hypotheses to explain how such inclinations can lead to perceiving character strengths as positively valued. Our findings highlight the importance of scrutinizing the criteria for character strengths, and our experimental paradigm can offer a template to further investigate character strengths’ moral evaluation and other fundamental assumptions in upcoming studies.
Cytomegalovirus-Mediated T Cell Receptor Repertoire Perturbation Is Present in Early Life

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent herpesvirus, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is endemic from infancy. The T cell response against CMV is important in keeping the virus in check, with CD8 T cells playing a major role in the control of CMV viraemia. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*44:03-positive individuals raise a robust response against the NEGVKAAW (NW8) epitope, derived from the immediate-early-2 (IE-2) protein. We previously showed that the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire raised against the NW8-HLA-B*44:03 complex was oligoclonal and characterised by superdominant clones, which were shared amongst unrelated individuals (i.e., “public”). Here, we address the question of how stable the CMV-specific TCR repertoire is over the course of infection, and whether substantial differences are evident in TCR repertoires in children, compared with adults. We present a longitudinal study of four HIV/CMV co-infected mother-child pairs, who in each case express HLA-B*44:03 and make responses to the NW8 epitope, and analyse their TCR repertoire over a period spanning more than 10 years. Using high-throughput sequencing, the paediatric CMV-specific repertoire was found to be highly diverse. In addition, paediatric repertoires were remarkably similar to adults, with public TCR responses being shared amongst children and adults alike. The CMV-specific repertoire in both adults and children displayed strong fluctuations in TCR clonality and repertoire architecture over time. Previously characterised superdominant clonotypes were readily identifiable in the children at high frequency, suggesting that the distortion of the CMV-specific repertoire is incurred as a direct result of CMV infection rather than a product of age-related “memory inflation. ” Early distortion of the TCR repertoire was particularly apparent in the case of the TCR-β chain, where oligoclonality was low in children and positively correlated with age, a feature we did not observe for TCR-α. This discrepancy between TCR-α and -β chain repertoire may reflect differential contribution to NW8 recognition. Altogether, the results of the present study provide insight into the formation of the TCR repertoire in early life and pave the way to better understanding of CD8 T cell responses to CMV at the molecular level.
A preliminary study of natural radioactivity ingestion from cassava grown and consumed by inhabitants around a cement production facility in the Volta region, Ghana

Research in the surroundings of industrial facilities on environmental radiation protection and determination of contamination of natural radionuclides in soil and crops samples are of very great importance for the protection of human health. In this study, gamma spectroscopic system was used to measure 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil and cassava samples collected from different farms in the north, north-east and east directions from the Diamond Cement Factory. With the exception of 40K which is far lower, the 226Ra and 232Th activity concentration in the soil were adjudged comparable to global average. On the otherhand, the concentrations in the cassava samples were found to be higher than what was observed in two high radiation areas under similar studies in Nigeria. In the evaluation of radionuclide uptake by the cassava, the concentration ratio revealed higher values for 226Ra and 232Th when compared with data compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Measurement results together with cassava consumption rates were used to estimate total annual effective dose of the natural radionuclides due to consumption by inhabitants surrounding the cement facility. It was observed that an annual effective dose of 1.23mSv/y obtained for the study is above the annual dose limit set by the International Convention for Radiological Protection (ICRP) for the general public, indicating a human health risk for the cassava consuming population in the study area. The study recommended further studies by food regulatory authorities and also suggests the education of the cassava consuming public on best practices to safeguard their health.
Learning Language, Learning Culture: Teaching Language to the Whole Student

Purpose: This article develops a conceptualization of language pedagogy that engages the whole student. Instead of teaching language as if it were just a collection of grammar and vocabulary, we need to think about language as extending into many aspects of life and engaging whole people. Design/Approach/Methods: This article builds an original conceptualization of language learning and teaching that imagines language learning as a tool for developing whole people. It brings together research on learning culture through language, together with cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), to develop a vision for language learning and human development. Findings: When we teach language, we should be helping people participate in ways of life. This goes beyond knowledge of subject matter, and it goes beyond any simple type of well-being. Language learning can immerse students in others’ worlds, and it can foster empathy and understanding across social and political divides. But it can do so only if we base our research and pedagogy on an adequate account of language and culture. Originality/Value: In our rapidly changing, increasingly interconnected contemporary world, we need a more dynamic conception of culture than has typically been used to design language teaching and learning. This article draws on CHAT, especially the ideas of dialogue and critique, to develop an account of language pedagogy that can engage the whole student.
GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND DRY-MATTER DISTRIBUTION OF A TOMATO CROP AS AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENT

SummaryGreenhouse tomato plants, cvs Carmen and Diva, were grown during autumn and winter in two non-heated polyethylene greenhouses having similar values of incoming solar radiation and different air temperatures. Daily radiation fell to values blow 8.4 MJ m–2 day–1 after the 131 d from sowing. Daily amplitude of air temperatures differed by 3.8 K between greenhouses when minimum air temperatures were higher than 18°C. Periodically destructive measurements were conducted for a period of 154 d from sowing to determine the number of leaves, trusses and developed fruits per plant, leaf area and dry matter of shoot organs. The number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence varied between 4 and 6, suggesting this variable is negatively correlated with radiation, but positively with temperature. The number of leaves decreased after the 130 d from sowing while the number of fruits per plant continued to increase during the same period. Total dry matter was similar in both greenhouses, despite the difference.