Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stage-specific functional response of predaceous ladybird beetle, Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Functional response of different larval instars, adult males and females of the predacious coccinellid, Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant), was evaluated under laboratory conditions to varying density of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer. The life stages of H. eucharis exhibited a curvilinear Type II functional response. The fourth instar larva of H. eucharis consumed more aphids (34.06 aphids/day each) due to its larger size and greater voracity as compared to first instar larva (14.73 aphids/day each), second instar larva (25.73 aphids/day each), third instar larvae (29.06 aphids/day each), adult female (28.06 aphids/day each) and adult male (22.06 aphids/day each). The search rate and handling time estimated for different stages of H. eucharis showed that the fourth instar had higher search rate, whereas the handling time showed the opposite trend as search rate. The results suggested that fourth instar larva of H. eucharis is the efficient predator for the biological control of A. pomi . Further field-based studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Comparative Ecophysiology, Chemotaxonomy and Ichthyotoxicity of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) from Australia and Japan

The raphidophyte flagellate Chattonella Marina from South Australia that was associated with the mortality of farmed tuna in April 1996 was successfully cultured. This study investigates ecophenotypic variation in physiology, chemotaxonomy and ichthyotoxicity of Australian and Japanese C. marina. Australian C. marina had similar temperature and salinity requirements to the Japanese strain but was adapted to higher light intensities than the Japanese strain. This differentiation was reflected in high concentrations of mycosporinelike amino acids (MAA's), especially the antioxidant MAA mycosporine-glycine, in the Australian cultures. Mycosporine-glycine was absent in the Japanese strain which instead used a violaxanthin:zeaxanthin cycle to moderate inhibition by high PAR irradiance. Ecophenotypic variations in lipid profiles were also observed between Chattonella strains from different geographic locations. Fatty acid and sterol profiles allowed for a clear discrimination between the raphidophyte genera Chattonella, Heterosigma, Fibrocapsa and Olisthodiscus, but exhibited little differentiation between C. marina, C. antiqua and C. subsalsa. Sterol and fatty acid profiles do not support the separation of C. antiqua and C. marina as distinct species. Sterol signatures, which may be useful as chemotaxonomic markers, were identified. Lipid composition correlated more closely to recent molecular classification of raphidophytes than classification based upon carotenoid pigments. Previous research on ichthyotoxic principles of C. marina has focused on production of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a brevetoxin-like compound and free fatty acids. This study found that Chattonella marina produces levels of the ROS superoxide 100 times higher than most algae, which is partially controlled by electrons donated through photosynthetic electron transfer. Differing superoxide production and toxic effects on zooplankton and fish are documented between different geographic strains of C. marina and light treatments. These results suggest a synergistic effect between ROS and an ichthyotoxin, and cannot be explained on the basis of these mechanisms of toxicity on their own. Our investigations into Australian C. marina demonstrate an absence or only very low concentrations of brevetoxin-like compounds by LC-MS techniques and negative mouse bioassays. All raphidophyte species were found to have high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which tested positive as a potential ichthyotoxin using damselfish as a model organism. EPA produced a similar mortality and fish behavioural response to that of intact C. marina cells while superoxide alone was not sufficient to cause fish mortality. However, superoxide in combination with low concentrations of EPA accelerated fish mortality. Implications of this work for mitigating the impact of Chattonella algal blooms on finfish aquaculture are discussed.
Effect of crop establishment methods and irrigation scheduling on growth and yield of rice

Field experiment was carried out at Soil and Water Management Research Institute, kattuthottam, Thanjavur during rabi season of 2016-2017 to study the effect of crop establishment methods and irrigation scheduling on growth and yield of rice. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replication. The treatments comprised of three establishment methods viz., direct seeded rice, non puddled machine transplanted rice and puddled transplanted rice in main plots and seven irrigation scheduling practices in sub plots viz., alternate wetting and drying at 10 cm depletion of ponded water, alternate wetting drying at 15 cm depletion of ponded water, alternate wetting and drying at 20 cm depletion of ponded water , alternate wetting and drying at 10 cm depletion of ponded water and submergence at flowering, alternate wetting and drying at 15 cm depletion of ponded water and submergence at flowering, alternate wetting and drying at 20 cm depletion of ponded water and submergence at flowering and irrigation on the day of disappearance of ponded water. It was found that direct seeded rice recorded significantly higher plant height, DMP, productive tillers m, number of grains panicle, and grain yield compared to puddled transplanted rice and non puddled transplanted rice. Among the various irrigation scheduling practices, irrigation on the day of disappearance of ponded water recorded higher growth and yield parameters and it was on par with alternate wetting and drying at 10 cm depletion of ponded water and submergence at flowering. Crop establishment method and irrigation scheduling contributed significant influence on growth and yield of rice.
INFLUENCE of SOME CLIMATE MODIFICATION TREATMENTS on GROWTH, BIOCHEMICAL and GENETIC VARIATION BASED on PROTEIN and ISOZYME MARKERS in (Stevia rebaudiana)

Stevia rebaudiana, is an economically important medicinal plant act as sweetener substitute for diabetic and obese people. Climate modification causes a considerable influence on the production of several secondary metabolites of plants. In the present investigation, the effect of environmental factors on genetic divergence for three varieties of Stevia rebaudiana (Spanti; China and Eg1) by using differential response for different climate modification (black net, white net and plastic cover in comparing to without cover treatment (control) was studied. Data indicated that the application of different modification treatments showed that the use of nets had significant effect on air and substrate temperature and light intensity as well as relative humidity. In the same context, vegetative growth traits and biochemical analyses for stevioside and rebaudioside content had significant effects according to climate modification treatments. Electrophoresis banding patterns of total protein and isozyme (peroxidase) were obtained to characterize genetic relationship for both different treatments and genotypes. Based on the resolved soluble protein profiles it could be detected 11 and 13 polymorphic unique bands for different treatments and genotypes, respectively. The percentage of polymorphism for all studied treatment and varieties was 100 %. 12 and 13 polymorphic bands were detected in Isozyme marker (peroxidase) analysis for different treatments and genotypes, respectively. However, black net treatment and Spanti variety has the highest polymorphism percentage 100% by using cluster analysis of banding pattern for examined treatments and genotypes based on similarity index and UPGMA resulted four distinct clusters.
Pharmacogenetics for T2DM and Anti-Diabetic Drugs

The potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) gene encodes Kir6.2 protein, the inwardly rectifying potassium channel, which is a complex of two subunits [2]. ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels critically control insulin secretion by coupling metabolism to electrical activity [3]. The ┚-cell channels are assembled, with tetradimeric stoichiometry, from two structurally distinct subunits: inwardly rectifying K-channel subunit (KIR6.2) and the regulatory sulfonylurea receptor subunit-1 (SUR1). Some studies showed that the KCNJ11 E23K (Lys23Glu, 67 G>A, rs5219) polymorphism could affect insulin secretion and T2DM susceptibility by influencing the sensitivity of the KATP channel to ATP [4-6]. E23K promotes development of T2DM by increasing the threshold ATP concentration, thus inducing over activity of pancreatic ┚-cell KATP channels and inhibiting insulin secretion [7]. E23K markedly affected channel gating, significantly reduced the time spent in long inter burst closed states. Meta-analysis of all case-control data showed that the E23K allele was associated with T2DM [8]. The E23K variant was associated with a reduction in estimates of glucose-induced serum insulin levels in middle-aged glucosetolerant subjects. This result is in accordance with the recent in vitro finding that the E23K variant is associated with a reduced ATP sensitivity of the Kir6.2/SUR1channel complex [4, 7]. T2DM patients with one A allele of the KCNJ11 E23K polymorphism seem to be more sensitive to repaglinide as compared with individuals with the GG genotype [9].
Improving the Students' Ability in Writing Descriptive Text Through Guided Questions Technique at the Second Grade of SMPN 23 Bandar Lampung

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melihat perbedaan kemampuan menulis siswa setelah diajarkan menggunakan teknik guided questions. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Sasaran penelitian ini sebanyak 30 siswa kelas dua di SMPN 23 Bandar Lampung. Tes menulis digunakan sebagai alat pengambilan data. Analisis data menggunakan Paired Sample T-Test. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan yang signifikan pada pretest dan posttest dalam penulisan teks deskriptif siswa. Dapat disarankan bahwa teknik guided questions memfasilitasi siswa untuk meningkatkan kemampuan menulis mereka.The aim of this study was to explore whether there was the difference of the students' ability in writing descriptive text after they were taught through guided questions technique. This research was quantitative research. The subjects of this research were 30 students at the second grade of SMPN 23 Bandar Lampung.The writing test was administrated as the instrument of the research. The data was analyzed by using Paired Sample T-Test. The result showed that there was a statistically significant difference of students' writing ability between the pre test and the post test. This suggests that guided questions technique facilitates the students to improve their writing ability.
Dual Role of TLR3 in Inflammation and Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Immunity may be regarded as the most sophisticated part of the tissue repair process. In order to reach the “restitutio ad integrum” of tissues while minimizing the general consequences of external aggression, multicellular organisms have evolved mechanisms that allow rapid detection of non-self or injured self. Early recognition represents the first stage of protection against pathogens that enables any cell to elicit promptly various forms of protective responses that altogether represent the so-called “innate immune response”. In addition, the innate immune response turns on two types of specialized effector immune cells responsible for the adaptive immune response, the T and the B lymphocytes
Qualitative Exploration of Ebola Risk Perception among Mortuary Workers in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Aim: To explore the risk perception of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among mortuary workers in Nigeria. Study Design: A qualitative research approach method, using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), conducted among 36 mortuary workers in Ibadan. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between October and November 2014 in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Methodology: A structured moderating approach with a non-directive style was developed. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to explore participants’ ideas and opinions. The FGD guide consisted of five sections. Each section was framed to probe into the following issues: (1). Knowledge of EVD (2). Participant’s attitude to EVD (3). Adherence to infection control practices (4). Risk perception of EVD; and (5). Behavioural predisposition to the risk of mortuary-related infections. A total of six FGD sessions were conducted among 36 mortuary attendants, drawn from Short Communication Adamu and Lawani; AJRID, 1(1): 1-9, 2018; Article no.AJRID. 41888 2 two government and four private health facilities in Ibadan. Six participants made up each focus group and one focus group discussion was conducted at a time in the respective health facilities. Results: The qualitative exploration of mortuary workers revealed gaps in the knowledge of workers with regards to EVD, the high-risk perception of mortuary workers to Ebola virus disease and the unavailability of PPE in conducting autopsies and daily operations. In addition, a poor attitude to convalescent individuals and certain harmful behavioural practices in the morgue were revealed as key findings. Conclusion: Efforts at bridging the knowledge gaps concerning EVD among mortuary workers should be sustained, despite the decline in Ebola outbreaks. It is also recommended that standard precautions should be followed when handling corpses due to the risk of infection.
Seasonal changes in distribution and abundance of the fish fauna in the two estuarine systems of Strymonikos gulf (Macedonia, Greece)

Fifty-five fish species representing 20 families were recorded in the two estuarine systems of Strymonikos Gulf. Twelve of them were freshwater, while 43 were estuarine and near-shore marine species. Forty-three species were caught in the Strymon estuarine system, nine of which were freshwater (20.9%), and 29 in the Rihios estuarine system, five of which were freshwater species (17.5%). The euryhaline Pomatoschistus marmoratus was the dominant species throughout the whole sampling period in the Strymon system but the highest relative abundance was recorded for Liza ramada in May 1999 (4,738 ind./1,000 m2). The highest species richness in the Strymon system was observed in September 1997 with 16 species and the lowest in January 1998 with only two species. In the Rihios system, the freshwater species Rhodeus sericeus was the most abundant one during the months of its presence and exhibited the highest CPUE value (38,833 ind./1,000 m2) recorded in this study. Species richness in the Rihios system peaked in July 1998 (18 species). Species richness and total abundance in the two sites were both found to increase during the warm seasons of the year (summer and autumn) following the water temperature fluctuations almost immediately. The season- ality of temperature changes was also found to determine the temporal changes of species composition of the overall fish community.
Effects of sodium hypochlorite, ethanol and culture medium on seed germination of Paulownia species.

Germination of both mature and immature seeds of P. fortunei, P. kawakamii, P. tomentosa and P. taiwaniana was stimulated by soaking seeds in 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solution for 15 minutes. Pretreatment of the seeds with 70% ethanol for 1 min before soaking in sodium hypochlorite solution and 1 drop of Tween 20 per 100 ml resulted in higher germination percentages than sodium hypochlorite treatment alone. MS medium inhibited germination of mature seeds, but germination of immature seeds was not affected to the same extent. Analyses of the effect of individual components of MS medium on the germination of P. tomentosa revealed that sucrose, total salts and some macronutrients were the major inhibitory factors. Paulownia seeds should therefore be germinated in sterile water before transferring to MS medium for in vitro growth.
Dendritic cells: sensors of extreme antigen dilutions and role in immunity against Salmonella typhimurium infections

Homeopathy is considered as a complementary medical discipline, which is gaining rapid popularity in the western world. In Europe and the United States, an average of 25% of the population has at some point sought homeopathic treatment or advice. Nevertheless, there is no real empirical evidence supporting that it has a measurable biological effect. A number of homeopathic medications use substances diluted many times beyond Avogadro’s number, making it impossible to explain how any biological effect of such dilutions could be brought about in the first place. Basic scientific research addressing this subject is minimal. To date, no studies exist that have investigated whether such low or ultra-low dilutions of antigen might influence immune response development. Dendritic cells are the surveyors of the immune system. They constantly sample their surrounding microenvironment through pinocytosis and phagocytosis and alert the immune system at the first sign of danger. With the aid of cytokine protein and co-stimulatory molecule expression DCs direct naïve CD4 T cells towards a range of phenotypes, including Treg, Th1, Th2, and Th17 phenotype. As, such we hypothesised that DCs are an excellent candidate cell to test
Habitat selection and foraging behaviour of breeding Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola : a comparison between contrasting landscapes

Diet, feeding behaviour and habitat selection of breeding Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola were studied by radiotracking birds from March to July in two contrasting situations: a 171-ha lowland plantation of Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Beech Fagus sylvaticus and pine Pinus sylvestris/P. nigra in Derbyshire, central England, and an area of c. 900 ha of fragmented, naturally regenerating birch Betula pendula/B. pubescens woodland and hill margin in an upland glen in Angus, northeast Scotland. Earthworms were the most important diet component of adults and chicks in terms of biomass at both sites (50–80%), the rest comprising mainly spiders, harvestmen and beetles. In spring both sexes flew c. 1 km after dusk to feed on fields at night, with up to 94% of nocturnal radiolocations on fields in March, dropping to 18% in July. This behaviour probably reflected seasonal changes in the relative availability of earthworms in fields and woodland. Diurnal home range sizes were similar at both sites and the mean size of 30-day ranges was 62 ± 20 ha (± se), although Woodcock changed locations regularly and areas used for feeding on a daily basis were typically smaller than 1 ha. In the lowland plantation, Sycamore with Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis ground cover was highly used relative to availability. In the upland margin study area, the same held for dense sapling-stage birch. These habitats appear to represent a compromise between food availability and protection from avian predators. Recently documented changes in the structure of British woods during the last 30 years, suggestive of reduced management and increased grazing/browsing, are likely to have been detrimental to breeding Woodcock.
Effects of polymorphisms in the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor axis on intrauterine and postnatal growth

CONTEXT: Intrauterine and postnatal growth influences future risks for metabolic syndrome. Body size and blood pressure (BP) are polygenic traits. The role for genetic variations in growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis genes on intrauterine and early childhood growth and blood pressure, as well as gene loci identified through Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether common variations in the genes of the GH-IGF axis associate with antenatal growth and birth size and play a role in the determination of body size and blood pressure at 3 years of age STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women from white European families were recruited by the University College London Fetal Growth Study (n = 774). Fetal growth was measured by ultrasonography at each trimester. Postnatal growth data were collected prospectively at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of age. BP was measured at 3 years of age. Genotyping was performed by a combination of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, KBioscience Competitive Allele specific PCR genotyping System (KASP) analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The GHR exon 3 deletion genotype was significantly associated with birth weight and placental weight. IGF1 SNPs did not demonstrate significant consistent longitudinal association with parameters investigated. IGF2 SNPs were significantly associated with intrauterine growth (rs680), birth weight (rs680), placental weight (rs680) and BP (rs3842759) at 3 years of age. Several SNPs in genes found to be associated with adult BMI and BP from GWAS were significantly associated with early childhood size (MTCH2, SH2B3), body composition (SH2B1, TMEM18) and BP (FTO). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that several polymorphisms in the GH-IGF axis and in GWAS-identified genes for adult BMI and BP are significantly associated with intrauterine and early childhood size and BP at 3 years of age.
Growth of eight Pacific abalone families at three temperatures

Growth rates, measured as shell length and body weight daily growth, were studied in the eight families of Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino, reared at 12, 16 and 20 ℃ for 40 d respectively. The results show that J1Rh family grew the best at 12 ℃, with growth rates of (32.88 ±4.66) μm/d and (5.24 ± 1.84) mg/d. C1Jm family had the highest growth rates of (58.00 ±2.00) μm/d and (9.71 ± 1.21) mg/d at 16 ℃. J1Jm family ranked the first at 20 ℃, with growth rates of (66.00 ± 1.76) μm/d and (10.99±0.34) mg/d.RjRh family had the slowest growth rates at all three temperatures. Shell length growth rates were 18.25, 33.00 and 43.13 μm/d respectively, while body weight growth rates were 2.47, 2.56 and 4.75 mg/d respectively. Both temperature and family had significant effect on growth rates (P＜0.05). At 16 and 20 ℃, maternal effects on growth rates were not significant (P＞0.05), but paternal effects on growth rates were significant (P＜0.05). Results of this study indicate genetic difference among the families and importance of selecting male breeders in the commercial hatchery.