Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KARYOMORPHOLOGY AND CHROMOSOME NUMBER CONFIRMATION IN URARIA PICTA (JACQ.) DC.

Karyomorphological studies performed in Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC. (Family: Leguminosae, Subfamily: Papillionida e) , an important Ayurvedic herb (Ayurvedic name: Prishni parni ) , revealed 7 (2 n = 22; 2L s m + 2L sc sm + 4M m + 2M sac + 2S sm + 8S m + 2S ac ) morphologically distinct chromosome types. The chromosomes in the species were graded ( long : L - ≥ 2.0µm ; medium : M - ≥ 1.0µm ; small : S - < 1.0µm) on the basis of absolute chromosome length ( 0.59µm to 2.625µm ) . The karyotype showed preponderance of chromosomes with metacentric (m) primary constrictions; although, it was asymmetric in nature (TF%: 37.65). Total haploid chromosome length was noted to be 12. 63µm ± 3.73. Two pairs of chromosomes in the complement were with secondary constrictions and they were associated both with short as well as long arms. The chromosome number (2 n = 22) analyzed i n root tip mitosis was in agreement to the number noted in microsporocytes ( n = 11). The confirmed number in the species is 2 n = 22.
Kleptoparasitism and the Effect of Nest Location in a Subsocial Shield Bug Parastrachia japonensis (Hemiptera: Parastrachiidae)

Abstract Females of the subsocial shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott progressively provision nymph-containing nests with drupes of the single host tree Schoepfia jasminodora Sieb. et Zull. The resource is unreliable and typically poor, and females invest considerable time in searching for suitable drupes. Earlier observations have indicated that although some females nest under the host tree, most prefer to nest far from the food source, despite the difficulty involved in transporting drupes to a distant nest. Because we have observed females stealing drupes from other females’ nests, we considered that kleptoparasitism might be a factor in determining nest site preference. A manipulated field study was carried out to clarify the prevalence of kleptoparasitism in nests close to and far from the host tree and to determine how these factors affect nest success. Surprisingly, in the year of this study, when drupes were particularly scarce, more drupes were stolen, but females still collected significantly more drupes and had greater nest success, in nests located under the host tree than in those that were 5 m away. The ecological factors relevant to kleptoparasitism and nest site choice are discussed.
Ficus Religiosa and Ficus Glomerata Extracts Exhibits Antiinflammatory Activity in the Rat

Summary The aim of the present study was to explore the probable antiinflammatory activity of different extracts of Ficus religiosa and Ficus glomerata leaves using carrageenan induced inflammation in the rat. Male Wistar rats were treated orally with normal saline [as control group] and Ficus religiosa and Ficus glomerata extracts [100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg], 60 min before 0.1 mL 1% carrageenan injection. Paw volume was measured before and 1, 2, and 3 h after the injection of carrageenan. The results were expressed as the Mean ±SEM and the statistical significance of differences between groups was analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] followed by Dunnett’s test. The subplantar injection of carrageenan caused a time-dependent paw edema in the rat. Oral administration of Ficus religiosa and Ficus glomerata extracts [100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg] inhibited paw swelling dose-dependently at 1, 2, and 3, h after carrageenan injection. We can conclude from the outcome of the present work that Ficus religiosa and Ficus glomerata extracts exert an excellent antiinflammatory effect in rats.
Molecular relationships within Bostrychia tenuissima (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

Bostrychia tenuissima King and Puttock is restricted to southern Australia and New Zealand. Previous studies in Australia have revealed two distinct patterns in the presence of osmotically active polyols. Southern populations only have D‐sorbitol whereas northern populations have both D‐sorbitol and D‐dulcitol. These polyol patterns lead to speculation on the ecotypic differentiation of these two population types. Using single‐stranded confirmation polymorphism to rapidly score plastid haplotypes, plus DNA sequencing, a 100% congruence was found between polyol patterns and plastid haplotype. Analysis of 33 B. tenuissima isolates shows that the plastid relationships closely follow biogeo‐graphic regions, with south‐eastern Australia (southern NSW and Victoria) and South Australia and Tasmania having one haplotype and central and northern NSW having two alternate haplotypes. There is an overlap at the haplotype boundary just south of Sydney, New South Wales.
Morphological variation of pallial organs at sites of differing turbidity: a case study of an arcid bivalve

We investigated morphological differences in specimens of the arcid bivalve Scapharca kagoshimensis collected from two sites differing in turbidity in the inner part of Ariake Bay. First, we confirmed if the specimens collected from the two sites were the same species by comparing the sequences of their nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) and cytchrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), since the closely related species S. inequivalvis could be distributed in one site. The results of DNA analyses showed that specimens from both sites belonged to the same species. Shell morphology, gill and posterior adductor muscle size did not differ between the two populations. However, the size of the labial palp was significantly larger in bivalves living in an area of high turbidity compared with those living in an area with low turbidity. This difference could not simply be attributed to differences in meat content because the total weight of the soft body parts did not differ between the two populations. The labial palp is an organ functioning in preingestive particle selection. Hence, the large palps would presumably be a response to high turbidity conditions in which the need for particle processes increases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating palp size flexibility in arcid bivalves, and such flexibility could be a factor enabling S. kagoshimensis to successfully exploit a wide area of shallow water in the inner part of Ariake Bay.
Feeding ecology and predatory importance of wolf spiders (Pardosa spp.) (Araneae, Lycosidae) in winter wheat fields 1

Predation by wolf spiders (Pardosa spp.) was studied for two years in two winter wheat fields in eastern Switzerland, one field being investigated each year. The following wolf spiders predominated in the investigated wheat fields: Pardosa agrestis (Westr.), Pardosa amentata (Clerck), and Pardosa palustris (L.). P. agrestis constituted ≥75 % of all Pardosa spp. observed in the field.
The effects of cattle grazing on plant-pollinator communities in a fragmented Mediterranean landscape

The main aims of this study were to assess grazing impacts on bee communities in fragmented mediterranean shrubland (phrygana) and woodland habitats that also experience frequent wildfires, and to explain the mechanisms by which these impacts occur. Fieldwork was carried out in 1999 and 2000 on Mount Carmel, in northern Israel, a known hot-spot for bee diversity. Habitats with a range of post-burn ages and varying intensities of cattle grazing were surveyed by transect recording, grazing levels, and the diversity and abundance of both flowers and bees were measured. The species richness of both bees and flowers were highest at moderate to high grazing intensities, and path-analysis indicated that the effects of both grazing and fire on bee diversity were mediated mainly through changes in flower diversity, herb flowers being more important than shrubs. The abundance of bees increased with intensified grazing pressure even at the highest levels surveyed. Surprisingly though, changes in bee abundance at high grazing levels were not caused directly by changes in flower cover. The variation in bee abundance may have been due to higher numbers of solitary bees from the family Halictidae in grazed sites, where compacted ground (nesting resource) and composites (forage resource) were abundant. The effects of grazing on plants were clearest in the intermediate-aged sites, where cattle inhibited the growth of some of the dominant shrubs, creating or maintaining more open patches where light-demanding herbs could grow, thus allowing a diverse flora to develop. Overall, bee communities benefit from a relatively high level of grazing in phrygana. Although bee and flower diversity may decrease under very heavy grazing, the present levels of grazing on Mount Carmel appear to have only beneficial effects on the bee community.
Effects of Kinetin on Transpiration Rate and Abscisic Acid Content of Water Stressed Young Wheat Plants

Effects of kinetin on transpiration rate and abscisic acid content were determined. Leaves from 9-day-old wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Weibull's Starke II) were used. —Transpiration rate decreased in excised leaves put in water, but it was maintained at a higher rate when kinetin was supplied. When excised leaves were water stressed by air-drying for 1 h, addition of kinetin resulted in a considerable stimulation of transpiration rate. The effect reached its maximum after 15 h and this level remained relatively unchanged for at least 10 h. Intact seedlings which were stressed before leaf excision, showed only a slight stimulation of kinetin on transpiration rate. — Abscisic acid content slowly increased up to three-fold in 2 days in excised leaves put in water. In excised and water-stressed leaves the abscisic acid content was reduced during the first 24 h and then increased. As the leaves were fully turgid, the increase could not have been caused by water stress. However, both in stressed and unstressed leaves kinetin addition reduced the increase in abscisic acid content. — It is suggested that the stimulation by kinetin on transpiration rate in excised and water stressed leaves was mainly due to the combined effect of (1) a reduction in the activity of endogenous cytokinins, (2) kinetin acting as a ‘substitute’ for the inactivated cytokinins but exerting a stronger effect on transpiration than the endogenous cytokinins, and (3) the ‘extra’ reduction in abscisic acid content caused by the kinetin treatment. Furthermore, the results indicate that changes in cytokinins might be partly responsible for the aftereffect on transpiration.
A synergetic control design of generator excitation and STATCOM of power systems

This paper designs a synergetic controller for an electrical power system with generator excitation and static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to enhance transient stability and voltage regulation. With the help of synergetic control theory, the simplified nonlinear model of a power system with excitation and STATCOM can be derived and used to achieve not only power angle stability, but also frequency and voltage regulations during a large perturbation (or disturbance) on the transmission lines, such as a symmetrical three-phase short circuit fault. The simulation results show that the proposed controller can improve the system transient stability under severe disturbances and achieve power angle stability as well as frequency and voltage regulations.
Lophodermella sulcigena infection in Scots pine needles and tree nutrition

Summary Needle cast infection caused by Lophodermella sulcigena on Scots pine was inventoried in a fertilization experiment. The nutrient concentration of the needles was also analysed. Some fertilization combinations increased the length of needles. High concentrations of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, correlated positively with disease incidence compared with the control plots or with the plots on which only wood ash was broadcast.
Experimental basis for prediction of cementation, water saturation and bound water volume exponents with grain size variation in fresh water fluvial reservoirs

Determination of hydrocarbon saturation in fresh water fluvial reservoirs has long been a challenge because of the complexities of the electrical conductance mechanism varying in the range from Archie, non-Archie to a severely non-Archie behavior of electrical conduction where conventional shaly sand equations breaks down. Accordingly, Archie, shaly sand and pseudo-Archie methods applied for precise computation of water saturation in these reservoirs. The only practical means at present of obtaining the realistic values of Archie parameters is by using tedious, expensive, and timeconsuming core measurements with very high sampling rate. There has been doubts about the validity of the computed constant values from such core measurements, as these measurements do not reproduce down hole conditions particularly in heterogeneous reservoirs with continuous textural variations. To overcome these limitations, all the published core data sets of Winsauer , Waxman-Smits and fresh water fluvial reservoirs of Upper Assam and Krishna Godavari Basins of India have been analyzed to develop a unified approach to take care of anomalous reduction of formation resistivity factor in all type of facies varying from Archie to severely non-Archie in fluvial reservoirs. Empirical inter relationships evolved through core data have been extended log scale with different in-situ boundary conditions particularly in shaly/silty beds. Concept of Archie bound water exponent, which equates to the cementation and saturation exponents, has been pursued for the integration of in-situ resistivity and nuclear magnetic resonance log measurements with core data in hydrocarbon zone as electrofacies of aquifer zone, generally do not make an exactly similar reference for the prediction of water filled rock resistivity in hydrocarbon zone. From the empirical relationships derived from core data, the linear correlation of tortuosity, Archie parameters and grain size has been found. Linear increase of excess conductivity with decrease of grain size is noticed on all the low salinity core measurements i.e. linear reduction of formation factor with grain size. Linear decrease of cementation and bound water exponents are noticed on all the low salinity measurements. However, these parameters are showing linear increase with decrease of grain size on high salinity measurements. Any linear relation can be easily converted into a unified volumetric average relationship with boundary conditions with reality checks in clean sands and silty/shale beds. Prediction of formation resistivity factor derived through unified volumetric average relationships are validated with actual core measured values. A generalized least square relationship to account for the surface conductance associated with grain size variation has been evolved through linear regression analysis for precise prediction of Archie parameters from core data, which can be extended to log measurements.
A new cave‐inhabiting Ptomaphaginus beetle from Sarawak (Leiodidae: Cholevinae)

Abstract. A new troglophilic species, Ptomaphaginus chapmani, is described from caves in Sarawak. it has the very unusual combination of very reduced eyes but functiobnal wings and may be interpreted as a phylogenetic relict, with characters suggesting a New World origin for this Oriental genus.
Reproduction and Growth of a Rare, Island-endemic Cavy (Cavia intermedia) from Southern Brazil

Abstract Cavia intermedia is a rare cavy, endemic to the 10-ha Moleques do Sul Island, southern Brazil. We conducted the 1st study of reproductive and growth patterns for this species in its natural environment. Based on 17 months of monthly population monitoring using capture–mark–recapture methods, females were reproductively active throughout the year. Litter size was small (1 or 2 young per litter), with well-developed offspring that weighed approximately 19% of the mass of an adult female. Sexual maturity was reached later than in other species of this genus, at around 59 days of age or 70% of adult body size. There was no evidence that longevity was longer than for congeneric species. Other than longevity, these characteristics are consistent with the island syndrome, which may contribute to the persistence of this species.
A Cross-Platform Evaluation of Privacy Notices and Tracking Practices

As online services diversify, protecting user privacy becomes more complicated since user tracking as well as presented privacy options vary across platforms. We conduct a cross-platform evaluation on three different platforms: PC browser, mobile browser, and mobile apps, which is the first study of its kind. We study the tracking behaviours, privacy notice presentation, user control options, and further privacy enhancing technologies. Our study considers the top 116 EU websites and their corresponding Android apps (available for 101 out of 116 services). The results show that the privacy consent banner is presented to the user in various and inconsistent ways across websites, browsers, and mobile apps, where the majority of these consent notices do not comply with the GDPR. In addition, most of these services start tracking the user right after the website is loaded and the app starts running, without waiting for the user to interact with the privacy consent. This behaviour can be considered not respectful to the user and is, indeed, not compliant with current regulations.
Provenanceof Palaeo-Rhine sediments fromzircon thermochronology, geochemistry,U/Pb datingand heavymineralassemblages

Sediments deposited in the Late Cenozoic basins of the Central European Rift System, including the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Lower Rhine Embayment (LRE), document the drastic extension of the Rhine’s catchment towards the Central Alps in the Late Pliocene by distinct heavy mineral assemblages. This outstanding change in principal sediment sources should be accompanied by a change towards distinctly younger (i.e. Tertiary) detrital mineral cooling ages. Therefore, it provides a particularly well-suited framework to explore the thermochronological provenance record in relation to heavy mineral assemblages. In this multi-proxy approach we (i) exploit and elaborate detrital zircon (U–Th)/He thermochronology (ZHe) for sediment provenance surveys, (ii) document shortcomings if only a single geochronological method is employed, and (iii) obtain tighter constraints on the sources of Paleo-Rhine sediments. Our results are based on Pliocene and Pleistocene sediment samples from the northern URG (drill core Ludwigshafen P36) and the LRE (lignite mine Hambach). In a Late Pliocene URG sample, Variscan and Permo-Triassic cooling ages dominate the age spectra of the ZHe and Zircon fission track (ZFT) thermochronometers. The youngest ages are Late Cretaceous and these zircons show rare earth element signatures that suggest derivation from hydrothermally affected basement rocks of the URGmargins. In contrast, a Lower Pleistocene URG sample contains significant Tertiary age components that unequivocally indicate Alpine sources. This cardinal difference coincides well with a significant change in the heavy mineral assemblage. The extension of the catchment of the Rhine towards the Central Alps is considered to occur no earlier than the latest Pliocene (i.e. after ~3.0 Ma). Despite strongly contrasting heavy mineral compositions, the Pliocene and Pleistocene samples from the LRE show largely similar ZHe and ZFT age distributions dominated by Permo-Triassic and Variscan ages. Admixture of zircon-dominated, but overall heavy mineral-poor sediment derived from local drainages of the Rhenish Massif likely explains this apparent contradiction in sediment provenance proxies. Tertiary cooling ages occur in both Pliocene and Pleistocene LRE samples. Zircon Th/U ratios and U/Pb ages reveal that the young age component in Late Pliocene sediments from the LRE is not derived from the Alps but from Oligocene trachytic members of the Central European volcanic centres of the Vogelsberg, Westerwald, and/or Siebengebirge. The integration of ZHe and ZFT techniques with zircon geochemistry and U/Pb geochronology adds the respective advantages of each method and allows for a very detailed picture of detrital zircon provenance.
The effect of immunoregulatory bacteria on the transcriptional activity of Foxp3 and RORyt genes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue with Salmonella-induced inflammation in the presence of vancomycin and Bacteroides fragilis

Background and Objectives: Intestinal microbiota is involved in the development and maintenance of immune homeostasis. This study was conducted to investigate the levels of key immunoregulatory bacteria in the intestinal wall-associated microflora and its effect on the transcriptional activity of the Foxp3 and RORyt genes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of rats with Salmonella-induced inflammation, both untreated and treated with vancomycin and Bacteroides fragilis. Materials and Methods: To determine the levels of immunoregulatory bacteria in GALT of rats Q-PCR was used to identify them by species-specific 16S rDNA genes. Transcriptional activity of Foxp3 and RORyt genes was determined using Q-PCR with reverse transcription. Results: In animals treated with both vancomycin and Salmonella, the levels of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) increased while Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii decreased. In rats that received pretreatment with vancomycin and then were infected with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, the levels of SFB increased, and the number of Bacteroides-Prevotela group, A. muciniphila, Clostridium spp. clusters XIV, IV, and F. prausnitzii significantly decreased, decreasing Foxp3 and increasing Rorγt mRNA expression. Administration of B. fragilis to animals treated with S. Enteritidis or S. Typhimurium and pre-treated with vancomycin caused a decrease in SFB and Rorγt mRNA levels and conversely, increased the numbers of the Bacteroides-Prevotela group, Clostridium spp. clusters XIV, IV, A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii and Foxp3 gene expression in GALT. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the commensal microorganism B. fragilis may provide a protective role against the development of experimental colitis, which has to be taken into consideration for further clarification of the effective therapeutic strategy of inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and necrotising colitis.
PSYCHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE SLOVAK VERSION OF THE COMPASSIONATE ENGAGEMENT AND ACTION SCALES

The goal of this study was to validate the Slovak version of a recently developed instrument, The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS; Gilbert et al., 2017), by testing its reliability and factor structure and validity by concurrently measuring the Self-compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003). The CEAS comprises three scales: Self-Compassion, Compassion to Others, and Compassion from Others. The convenience sample consisted of 638 people, aged 18 to 69 years (M=23.20, SD=6.56). Cronbach’s alphas for the total score of the three scales were between 0.65 and 0.90. Reliability indices (Omega Total, Omega Hierarchical, and Explained common variance index) indicated that Compassion to Others (ωh=0.81; ECV=0.76) and Compassion from Others (ωh=0.89; ECV=0.80), but not Self-Compassion (ωh=0.57; ECV=0.40), had a very strong single general factor. We fitted the three CEAS scales with the four models. For all three scales, the bifactor ESEM displayed the best fit. To sum up, the findings of our research show that the Slovak versions of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales could be used for measuring the two kinds of compassion, but excluding the Self-compassion scale.