Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of differential coffee tree hosts for Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br. with RAPD markers

Eighteen clones of differential coffee tree hosts for Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br. were characterized with RAPD markers. The genetic distances were estimated and the genealogical origin of the clones compared to data of marker- based clusters. Thirty-five primers identified 158 polymorphic loci of RAPD markers. The cluster based on the matrix of genetic dissimilarity values was compatible with information on the genealogical origin cited in literature. Specific markers for a number of clones were identified, and a combination of 12 RAPD markers allowed the characterization of the studied clones.
The Butterflies of Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary — Biodiversity and Extinction in a Forest Fragment in Ghana

The butterfly fauna of the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana is reviewed in detail. The Sanctuary covers just 1.9 km2 but only parts are truly forested. It is situated in the extreme north of the original forest zone and is currently isolated from any larger forests by some 50 km of derived savanna and farmbush. It has survived only because it provides the essential habitat for two species of monkey that are revered by the local communities. Surveys indicate that the present butterfly fauna is about 375 species, which is impressive for a tiny forest in far from pristine condition. Comparison with other forests in Ghana indicates that it would have contained about 500 species when it was part of a larger, contiguous forest system. It would thus seem that the small size and increasing isolation has so far led to a loss of no more than 125 species (25 % of its original fauna), which includes most of the endemic and rarer species in the country. A larger number of butterflies appears to survive in small forest fragments than is the case with birds. Continued monitoring would be interesting in its own right, but also because forest fragments are potentially important as stepping stones between the increasingly isolated major forests of Ghana.
A Sensitive Measure of the Process of Change in a Child Maltreatment Prevention Program

There is a substantial deficit of sensitive measures of parental discipline in the area of prevention, generally, and in child maltreatment prevention specifically, despite reports that over a million children experience maltreatment in the United States every year. Part of the challenge in locat- ing such measures is the impossibility of obtaining accurate observational measures of the degree of harsh discipline, unless extremely large populations are used. The majority of studies on harsh discipline have dealt with this problem by using self-report instruments or proxy obser- vation tasks (such as observing mother-child interactions in a compliance framework). The most well-known self-report instruments, such as the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner, 1986), are constructed to measure parental pathology in maltreating parents rather than to identify par- ents who might benefit from preventive endeavors. In contrast, there are no well standardized measures of mother-child interaction that document a sensitivity to the presence of harsh disci- pline, possibly due to the clear pressure of social desirability problems. This paper outlines a daily self-observation measure of parental disciplinary behavior in the form of a diary. This self- monitoring instrument offered data on the overall feelings and disciplinary behaviors used daily following each session on parenting group interventions. The study showed a gradual decrease in physical punishment and a gradual increase in planned ignoring across treatment, as these were introduced as part of an ongoing curriculum. The use of an explicit technique, such as time- out, increased abruptly rather than gradually and effects were seen only after specific instruction. Advantages and future applications of this kind of ongoing self-observation measure of treat- ment progress are described.
Resistance in Rutabagas to the Cabbage Maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Resistance in plants to the cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché), has not been investigated extensively. Glasgow (1925) and Whitcomb (1944) compared the percentages of infestation of species of cruciferous crops and varieties of cabbaage. Whitcomb (1944) attributed differences in degree of injury among 13 cabbage varieties t o resistance in the plants rather than to repellent action during oviposition. He observed that the faster-growing varieties of cabbage were more susceptible to injury. The investigations reported herein were designed to determine if rutabagas had resistance to the cabbage maggot.
Upgrade of the ALICE Readout & Trigger System

ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is preparing a major upgrade of its experimental apparatus, planned for installation in the second long LHC shutdown (LS2) in the years 2018-2019. These plans are presented in the ALICE Upgrade Letter of Intent submitted to the LHCC in September 2012. This document describes the overall readout and trigger architecture of the upgrade, the radiation environment, as well as the common electronics projects, specifically the SAMPA ASIC and the Common Readout Unit. In addition the document discusses the upgrade plans for the following ALICE subdetectors: Muon Tracking Chambers (MCH), Muon Identifier (MID), Transition Radiation Detector (TDR), Time of Flight Detector (TOF), Fast Interaction Trigger (FIT) and Zero Degree Calorimeter (ZDC). The inclusion of the Electromagentic Calorimeter (EMC), Photon Spectrometer (PHO), High Momentum Particle identifier (HMP) and ALICE Cosmic ray detector (ACO) into the upgrade architecture is discussed as well.
Predator-induced stress changes parental feeding behavior in pied flycatchers

Many vertebrate species alter their reproductive behavior under stressful conditions. Available evidence in wild birds suggests that under food limitation, parents reduce overall provisioning rate while increasing selectivity of food distribution within brood in favor of senior siblings. However, how acute stressors such as predation risk influence the magnitude and direction of changes in parental provisioning is poorly understood. In this study, a small passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), was used as a model species to investigate parental provisioning strategies when exposed to different types of predators. Parents reduced provisioning rates remarkably when exposed to a predator of adults, whereas no behavioral change was observed when nest predation was imitated. Under normal conditions, parents preferred senior chicks to juniors. In contrast to experiments with food limitation, parents allocated food equally to senior and junior siblings under predation risk, irrespective of the type of a predator. No sex-related differences in parental provisioning strategies were found. We conclude that parents alter several aspects of their behavior in response to fear stress. If danger to parents occurs repeatedly, temporal reductions in provisioning rates may have cumulative and potentially harmful consequences on offspring performance. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Effect of weight, sex and hunting period on fatty acid composition of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat from wild boar

The study examined the influence of weight, sex and month of hunting on the fatty acid composition of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat from 49 free ranging wild boars hunted in Lithuania during the winter season. A total number of 27 and 25 fatty acids were identified in the intramuscular fat and subcutaneous tissue of wild boars, respectively. The weight of the wild boar had mainly affected only the levels of separate fatty acids both in the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat. Higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) were found in the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat of males compared with females. The effect of both weight and sex on the levels of fatty acids was higher in the subcutaneous fat than in the intramuscular fat. Weight, sex and hunting month had no effect on PUFA/SFA and n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratios in the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat. The atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indexes and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio in subcutaneous fat were more favorable in females compared with males and in the January hunting season than in November and December.
Differential regulation of Estrogen Receptor (ER)α and ERβ in primate mammary gland

Estrogen, mainly estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) are essential for the growth and differentiation of the breast, but their roles in breast cancer are highly debated. To understand how E2 and P influence cell proliferation and differentiation, it is essential to know how their receptors are regulated. Because of limited tissue availability, little is known about regulation of the two estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and the two progesterone receptor isoforms (PR-A and PR-B) in the normal human breast. What we know comes from rodent studies, which are not always pertinent for the human breast. We report now on regulation of gonadal hormone receptors during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and lactation in rhesus monkey mammary gland and on the relationship of these receptors to proliferation. We found that ERα but not ERβ is down-regulated when E2 levels increase and when cells enter the cell cycle. PR-B but not PR-A is expressed in proliferating cells. Thus under normal conditions, the ratio of ERα to .
Semen Characteristics and Oxidative/Antioxidati in Semen and Serum of Male Rabbits Supplemented with Antioxidants during Heat Stress

Heat stress (HS) often blamed for suboptimal reproductive efficiency and is a worldwide problem, which inflicts heavy economic losses reflected in limiting the breeding season of rabbits to be normally from September to May in northern hemisphere and subtropical regions. The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of summer heat stress and the alleviating effect of some antioxidants on semen characteristics and the serum and seminal plasma oxidative/antioxidative status of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit bucks. Forty-eight fertile NZW white bucks were randomly divided into six equal groups (n=8), first two groups served as control (summer heat stressed and winter) groups, the others, orally administrated ascorbic acid 40 mg/kg bw/d, zinc methionine 10 mg/kg bw/d, coenzyme Q10 10 mg/kg bw/d and L-carnitine 40 mg/kg bw/d. Blood and semen samples were collected once weekly among experimental period. Routine spermogram was performed. Lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity in both serum and seminal plasma were assayed. The climatic data were continuously recorded among the experimental period and the weekly average temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. Summer HS adversely affected both qualitative and quantitative traits of spermogram but bucks remain within fertile limit. Thiobarbiric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed a significant increase while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase showed significant decreases. Contrary to our expectation, selected antioxidants did not restore these parameters to their winter levels. It was concluded that zinc and L-carnitine were found to be the most beneficial antioxidants in the relief of spermogram of HS-induced effects. Serum and seminal plasma oxidative/antioxidant statuses followed an identical pattern in response to heat stress. Taking the current results into consideration, it can be stated that an adequate reproductive performance in NZW rabbit bucks can be achieved in summer and from the scientific point of view, it is not obligatory to stop breeding in summer months.
Community Structure and Distribution Pattern of Intertidal Invertebrate Macrofauna at Some Anthropogenically Influenced Coasts of Kathiawar Peninsula (India)

Present communication reports the community structure and distribution pattern of intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at four shores of the Kathiawar peninsular coastline off the Arabian Sea (India). The selected shores have different levels of human activities. Present report tests three hypotheses; that is, (i) distribution of invertebrate macrofauna in these shores is influenced by space and time, (ii) abiotic factors have a profound influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofaunal assemblages, and (iii) human activities influence the community structure of the intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at these shores. To test these hypotheses, spatiotemporal variations in different ecological indices were studied. A total of 60 species from six phyla were considered for the study. High species diversity was recorded during winter and monsoon seasons in almost all the shores studied. It was also evident that a few environmental factors had a cumulative influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofauna. Significant spatial variations in the species diversity and evenness were also observed. Though the shores studied have similar coast characteristics and climatic conditions, they face different levels of human activities. Therefore, the observed variations in the intertidal faunal assemblage were possibly caused by anthropogenic stress.
Molecular characterization of fowl adenoviruses associated with hydro-pericardium syndrome in broilers

1 Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA. 2 Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan. 3 Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, G.C University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. 4 Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan. 5 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, ABHA, Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia.
The Endocrinology of Spermatogenesis in Birds III. Effect of Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism

Abstract THE role of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine, in reproduction in mammals has received considerable study especially in the female. In poultry, the effect of thyroxine or thyroidectomy has been confined chiefly to problems of growth and egg production. In a previous paper (Kumaran and Turner, 1949) it was indicated that the gonadotrophic hormones of the anterior pituitary act upon homologous components of the gonads. One might expect that hypo- or hyperthyroidism would influence spermatogenesis and the secretion of the male hormone by the interstitial cells of Leydig as a result of the effect upon the gonadotrophic hormone secretion just as these hormones influence the maturation of the ovum and the hormone secretion of the ovary. There has been no suggestion that the thyroid hormone stimulates either spermatogenesis or male hormone secretion directly, i.e. has gonadotrophic hormone-like activity, but rather that in stimulating increased functional activity in either the male or .
Effect of ethephon on hardening of Pachystroma longifolium seedlings

Immediately after planting, tree seedlings face adverse environmental and biotic stresses that must be overcome to ensure survival and to yield a desirable growth. Hardening practices in the nursery may help improve seedling stress resistance through reduction of aboveground plant tissues and increased root volume and biomass. We conducted an assay to quantify changes in the morphogenesis following application of ethephon on seedlings of Pachystroma longifolium (Ness) I. M. Johnst.during hardening. The results showed no effect of the ethephon treatments on the number of leaves but a reduction of up to 50% in seedling height increment, and an increase in stem diameter increment of up to 44% with the 600 mg L -1 ethephon treatment, which consequently altered seedling Dickson Quality Index. Our results indicate that ethephon may help to promote desired morphological changes that occur during seedling hardening in nurseries.
Observations on the biology of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) from Veraval

The length-weight relationship for Nemipterus japonicus was not significantly different between sexes, hence the common regression equation for the species was calculated as log W = 4.88606 + 3.00437 log L. The K n values were calculated separately for males and females in relation to various months. Females attain 50% maturity at 155 mm. Intraovarian investigations indicated that the spawning period of this species extends from September to April, with a peak during September-November. The fecundity ranged from 10,260 to 184,960 and increased with the increase in the length and weight of fish. Sex ratio showed preponderence of males, with a male to female ratio of 2.2:1. In general, feeding intensity appeared to increase from September to May. This species is a carnivore, feeding mainly on crustaceans, teleosts, annelids, molluscs and echinoderms.
Acute and chronic toxicity of pawpaw ( Carica papaya ) seed powder to adult Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus Linne 1757)

This experiment determined the toxicity of pawpaw seed powder to adult tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, the most cultivable fish species in Africa. The 96 h static bioassay experiment was conducted to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) for adult Nile tilapia, to pawpaw seed, Carica papaya. Two hundred live, and apparently healthy O. niloticus measuring 11.5 - 14.6 cm total length and 65.6 - 112.4 g were used for the experiment. Eighteen (75 x 45 x 45 cm) glass tanks of 121.5 litres capacity each were filled with 50 litres aerated unchlorinated well water. The toxicant was introduced at different concentrations in triplicate per treatment. The 96-h LC50 of pawpaw seed powder to adult tilapia is 4.2 mg/l with 95% confidence limit of 31.86 – 93.81 mg/l and the maximum admissible toxicant concentrations ranges between 0.042 - 0.42 mg/l, while the total mortality occurred in the concentration of 8 mg/l within 24 h exposure period. Toxic reaction exhibited by the fish includes erratic movement, air gulping, loss of reflex, discolouration, molting, loss of scale, and haemorrhage. The pathologic lesion of gill, skin, liver and kidney includes different level of degeneration of cells, lamellar hyperemia, hyperthrophy of gill arch, shrinkages and dermal erosion and necrosis of skin, while hyperplasia, disarrangement of hepatic cell, necrosis and vacuolation occurred in liver and kidney of adult tilapia O. niloticus. Damages became severe with increasing concentration of C. papaya to fish and time of exposure. There was no significant changes in the water quality during the experiment; the result obtained before the test, during the test and after the test were found close to the water quality parameters of the control. Results of the tests provided baseline information and established safe limits of using C. Papaya seed powder as an antifertility agent in controlling excessive breeding of tilapia in fish farm.
Re: Germline BRCA1 Mutations and a Basal Epithelial Phenotype in Breast Cancer

A basal epithelial phenotype is found in not more than 15% of all invasive breast cancers. Microarray studies have shown that this phenotype is associated with breast cancers that express neither estrogen receptor (ER) nor erbB-2 (HER2/neu) (i.e., ER/erbB-2-negative tumors). The ER/erbB-2- negative phenotype is also found in breast cancers occurring in BRCA1 mutation carriers (i.e., BRCA1-related breast cancers). We tested the hypothesis that BRCA1-related breast cancers are more likely than non-BRCA1/ 2-related breast cancer to express a basal epithelial phenotype. Among 292 breast cancer specimens previously analyzed for ER, erbB-2, p53, and germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, we identified 76 that did not overexpress ER or erbB-2. Of the 72 specimens with sufficient material for testing, 40 expressed stratified epithelial cytokeratin 5 and/or 6 (5/6). In univariate analysis, the expression of cytokeratin 5/6 was statistically significantly associated with BRCA1-related breast cancers (odds ratio = 9.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.9 to 43; P =.002, two-sided Fisher's exact test). Thus, germline BRCA1 mutations appear to be associated with a distinctive breast cancer phenotype.
TAXONOMIC AND DISTRIBUTIONAL NOTES ON PERLESTA TEAYSIA, P. GOLCONDA, AND P. SHAWNEE (PLECOPTERA: PERLIDAE)

Perlesta napacola DeWalt is shown to be a junior synonym of P. teaysia Kirchner & Kondratieff. The egg of P. golconda DeWalt & Stark is illustrated with scanning electron microscopy for the first time, and a significant range extension is presented and discussed for P. shawnee Grubbs.
A new statistical tool to predict phenology under climate change scenarios

Climate change will likely affect the phenology of trophic levels differently and thereby disrupt the phenological synchrony between predators and prey. To predict this disruption of the synchrony under different climate change scenarios, good descriptive models for the phenology of the different species are necessary. Many phenological models are based on regressing the observed phenological event against temperatures measured over a fixed period. This is problematic, especially when used for future predictions because the paradoxical situation could arise that the phenological event occurs before the period over which temperature is measured. Such models are unable to predict population variation in phenology. Here, we propose a ‘proportional hazards model’ to describe phenology and illustrate it with an example from breeding time in birds. This type of model circumvents the above‐mentioned problems and is generally applicable for describing phenology, which is essential when assessing the ecological impact of climate change.
Population Genetics of Ambystoma jeffersonianum and Sympatric Unisexuals Reveal Signatures of Both Gynogenetic and Sexual Reproduction

Abstract Some unisexual invertebrates engage in low levels of sex with related sexual species, and this raises the possibility that unisexual vertebrates have a similar capability. In this study, I compared the population genetic signatures of a triploid population of unisexual salamanders in the genus Ambystoma and sympatric sexual A. jeffersonianum to investigate the degree to which clonal reproduction is occurring in this natural unisexual population. Analysis of nine microsatellite loci revealed extremely high allelic and genetic diversity in both the A. jeffersonianum and triploid populations, indicating that strict clonal reproduction is unlikely to be occurring among these unisexuals. In contrast, significant linkage disequilibrium for all pairs of loci, high heterozygote excess, and large variation in FIS values across all microsatellite loci (range of FIS = −0.710 to −0.157) in the triploid population indicate that gynogenesis is the most common but not exclusive form of reproduction occurring in unisexual Ambystoma. This study provides the best evidence thus far that unisexual Ambystoma are utilizing a complex mode of reproduction that has features of both sexual and asexual reproduction.