Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The social feather duster worm Bispira brunnea (Polychaeta: Sabellidae): aggregations, morphology and reproduction

ABSTRACT The fan worm Bispira brunnea is one of the most attractive sabellid polychaetes from Caribbean coral reef areas and it is exploited for ornamental purposes. An understanding of the structure of its aggregations, morphology and reproductive biology will provide information required to facilitate artificial propagation of this species. Ten aggregations were collected in October 2013, February and March 2014 in the Majahual reef lagoon, Mexican Caribbean. Whole aggregations were examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and the histology of oogenesis was determined. Aggregations were composed of 24–56 individuals and included juveniles and adults. The adults (5–20 mm) did not display any noticeable form of sexual dimorphism. In B. brunnea both sexual (hermaphroditism or gonochorism) and asexual reproduction occurred at the same time within the population: 92.71% reproduced sexually and 52% by architomy. The buds produced by architomy were inside the parental tube, at three regenerative stages. The sex ratio was 36.75% males, 33.11% females, 22.84% hermaphrodites and 7.28% unknown (gametes not seen). Gametes were distributed in the last thoracic segments and throughout the abdomen. Oogenesis was extra-ovarian, development followed four discrete stages and the oocytes were small and asynchronous (60.97 μm in diameter). Sperm morphology was adapted to external fertilization in the water column. Sequential (protandrous) hermaphroditism is suggested to occur in B. brunnea. The pyramidellid ectosymbiont mollusc Odostomia (Eulimastoma) caniculatum is recorded here for the first time as being associated with a sabellid worm.
Anti-herpes simplex virus type-1 activity of Eleusine indica methanol extract

Aims: The present study is aimed at determining the antiviral activity of Eleusine indica whole plant methanol extract. Methodology and results: Whole dried plants were extracted with methanol and the solvent was evaporated using a rotary evaporator. The crude methanol extract was previously shown to have antiviral activity towards herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with selective index (SI = CC50 / EC50) of 12.2. The extract was further studied for the possible mode of action including pretreatment, attachment, penetration or virucidal activity. The observations suggested that E. indica crude methanol extract protects cells from HSV-1 infection, inhibits virus from docking to the surface of the cells and penetrating into the cells, as well as modifying virus through the virucidal effect. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Methanol extract of E. indica is safe with antiviral potential as a prophylactic agent, inhibits viral attachment, penetration and virucidal effect.
Demographic evaluation of translocating the threatened northern quoll to two Australian islands

Abstract Context. Translocation is widely used to help avoid extinction of species from threatening processes. A fundamental objective of translocation is to establish self-sustaining populations; estimating demographic parameters is critical to assessing success of these programs and can also be used to support future management actions. Aims. We estimated demographic parameters to evaluate the success of translocating the northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus to two islands (Astell and Pobassoo), in response to the threat posed by the introduced cane toad Rhinella marina on the Australian mainland. Methods. We used capture–mark–recapture methods to monitor both populations at regular intervals from initial release in 2003 until 2009 and a one-off survey in 2014. Key results. Relative abundance (trap success) increased exponentially in the first 4 years, declined, and then stabilised in subsequent years. The population of female northern quolls on Astell Island peaked in 2006 with an estimate of 3640 (95% CI 3022–4257), and on Pobassoo Island the peak was 2007 with 617 (95% CI 531–703) females. In 2014 the population had decreased to 2193 (95% CI 1920–2467) on Astell and 451 (95% CI 359–543) on Pobassoo. Apparent survival and body condition decreased significantly following the population peak, possibly related to density dependence. Conclusion. Both populations of northern quolls reached their regulation phase after going through establishment and growth phases, which included exceeding carrying capacity. The pattern was similar between the populations. Implications. Increased survival and recruitment at threat-free translocation sites contributes to successful establishment of self-sustaining populations.
Female sex pheromone of Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Identification and field evaluation

Athetis lepigone has been recorded in many countries in Europe and Asia, but it had never been documented as an agricultural pest until 2005. For the purpose of using the sex pheromone to control this pest, we conducted a study to identify the sex pheromone of A. lepigone by gas chromatography with an electroantennographic detector (GC‐EAD) and GC coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. Three pheromone candidates were detected by GC‐EAD analysis in the extracts of the female sex pheromone gland, and two candidates were identified as (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate (Z7‐12:OAc) and (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc) in a ratio of 1:5 by mass spectral analysis of natural pheromone components and dimethyl disulphide adducts. In the field male trapping test, the traps baited with the binary blend captured high number of males, while traps with single component hardly caught males, indicating that the two components are essential for the male attractiveness. In addition, the optimum ratios of Z7‐12:OAc and Z9‐14:OAc were determined as 3:7–7:3, and the best doses for the binary blend (at ratio of 3:7 between Z7‐12:OAc and Z9‐14:OAc) were 0.25–0.5 mg/trap, based on the number of male catches. The identification of a highly attractive sex pheromone will help in developing efficient strategies for monitoring and control of A. lepigone.
Morphological and molecular characterization of native isolates of Trichoderma and its potential biocontrol against Phytophthora infestans

El presente trabajo muestra la caracterizacion morfologica y molecular de 10 cepas nativas de Trichoderma (TL2, TL4, TL5, TL6, TX7, TX8, TT6, TF8, TF10 y TJ6) y su relacion filogenetica, asi como su capacidad de biocontrol contra Phytophthora infestans. Los resultados de la caracterizacion molecular al amplificar la region ITS1-ITS4 del ADN ribosomico nuclear y un fragmento del gen tef1α mostraron que de las 10 cepas, seis corresponden a Trichoderma asperellum (TL2, TL4, TX7, TX8, TT6 y TF8) y cuatro a T. harzianum/Hypocrea lixii (TL5, TL6, TF10 y TJ6). El analisis filogenetico por maxima parsimonia demostro que existe una estrecha relacion entre las cepas de estos dos grupos. Las pruebas in vitro de biocontrol entre el antagonista y el patogeno indicaron diferencias significativas (p<0.05). La cepa TX8 registro el mayor porcentaje (98 %) de inhibicion, mientras que TL4 fue la de menor porcentaje (49 %). Las cuatro cepas de H. lixii (TL5, TL6, TF10 y TJ6) presentaron capacidad de inhibicion media (55-66 %).
Beyond gene dictation in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression and its therapeutic implications

In recent, mechanisms behind transition from normal epithelium to premalignancy and finally to oral carcinoma have been linked to genetic and epigenetic multistep process. These epigenetic changes are heritable, potentially reversible, and presented as epigenetic signature normal and carcinoma cells. Such epigenetic alterations have been suggested as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small noncoding RNAs. These extragenetic changes have been reported to play a role in the modulation of several key signaling, regulatory, and repair routes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and other carcinomas. In this review, we summarize scientific developments in the last decade, substantiating the role of extra- and beyond genetic molecular signatures in OSCC progression, and potential biomarker and implications in chemotherapy intervention.
EFFICACY OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AS POST HARVEST GRAIN PROTECTANTS AGAINST CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS (F.) AND SITOPHILUS ZEAMAIS MOTSCH.

A study was conducted to estimate the efficacy of extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Aristolochia ringens, Colocasia esculenta and Morinda lucida as post harvest protectants of maize and cowpea seeds against Sitophilus zeamais Mots. and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) respectively. The study was conducted in the laboratory at ambient temperature of 28±2oC and relative humidity of 75±5%. The extracts of these plants were made using ethanol as solvent and were prepared at concentrations of 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%. Untreated seeds and solvent treated seeds served as controls. At 2.0% concentration, all the extracts achieved high rate of insects mortality as they all achieved above 98% death of S. zeamais and C. maculatus within four days of exposure. The results obtained from this work showed that only the extract of A.
Xibalbanus cozumelensis, a new species of Remipedia (Crustacea) from Cozumel, Mexico, and a molecular phylogeny of Xibalbanus on the Yucatán Peninsula

A new species belonging to the crustacean class Remipedia is described from an anchialine cave system on the island of Cozumel (Mexico), and is illustrated and compared morphologically and molecularly (CO1 and 16S) with closely related taxa. Xibalbanus cozumelensis sp. nov., the first remipede described from Cozumel, is morphologically similar to Xibalbanus tulumensis (Yager, 1987) from the Yucatan Peninsula, but the two species are genetically separate from each other (about 10% in CO1). A phylogenetic (Bayesian) analysis of Yucatan remipede populations based on CO1 and 16S placed them in a monophyletic Xibalbanus (in Xibalbanidae fam. nov.), with X. cozumelensis as most closely related to X. tulumensis . The Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel have been separate since approx. early Cenozoic (~65 Ma), which suggests allopatric speciation for X. cozumelensis sp. nov. and X. tulumensis . However, the comparatively low genetic divergence between the two species may indicate that there has been gene flow between ‘mainland’ Yucatan and Cozumel long after the geological separation of the two landmasses, e.g., in cave systems under the sea bed, either continuously or sporadically, for example during the Last Glacial Maximum when the sea level was about 120 m lower than today.
Expenditure, investment, and acquisition of energy in southern elephant seals

Information on the expenditure and investment of energy in southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina , was collected during breeding and molt over four field seasons at South Georgia. Weight and body composition changes of mothers, pups, and breeding males were monitored during the breeding season. These changes were also measured in adult females, before and after the 70-day period when animals fed at sea between breeding and molt. During this period, information on foraging movements and behavior was gathered using purpose-built satellite-relay data loggers. Body composition changes were measured using isotope dilution techniques. Breeding energetics information is discussed in relation to the evidence for differential investment in male and female pups. Large females produce larger pups, both at birth and weaning. Male pups are born larger than female pups. However, there is no evidence that mothers invest more energy (either relative or absolute) in male pups after birth once female size and birth weight are taken into account. Foraging movements and diving behavior are discussed in terms of the oceanography of the foraging area and possible constraints placed by prey consumption on the seals' dive behavior. We suggest that the long distance travel of females to distant feeding locations may be advantageous in providing for the requirements for reliable food sources in a long-lived, uniparous mammal. Dive characteristics changed during the different phases of activity in foraging animals in relation to the average daily velocity of the animal, water depth, and undersea topography.
Phoretic mite Neocypholaelaps indica Evans infests inflorescences of Pachysandra axillari Franch. and its pollinators, Apis cerana Fabricius

In this study, we report that the phoretic flower mite Neocypholaelaps indica can infest flowers of Pachysandra axillaris and Apis cerana in Yunnan, China. We suggest that beekeepers, researchers and regulators should be aware of this species to regulate its potential harm to beekeeping and output of crops in China.
Molecular Detection of Virulence Genes of Escherichia Coli O157 Isolated from Different Sources

Escherichia coli O157 is recognized as an important foodborne pathogen responsible for sporadic cases to serious outbreaks worldwide. The morbidity and mortality associated with several recent outbreaks due to STEC have highlighted the threat this organism possess to public health. Bacteriological examination of 671 samples collected from cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, milk and water showed that 34.3% (230/671) were positive E. coli. Out of 230 isolates of positive E. coli, (16) isolate were identified by vitek2 system as E. coli O157 (6.9%) with high incidence in cattle samples (20%) then chicken and water samples (13.6%) and (12.5%) respectively. On the other hand, there were no isolates from ducks samples for E. coli O157 and with low percent (7.8%) from raw milk samples and (1%) from sheep samples. The application of PCR for screening of virulence genes (sxt1, sxt2 and eaeA) in E. coli O157 isolates revealed that out of 16 isolates of E. coli O157 there were (9), (6) and (16) were positive for stx1, stx2 and eaeA, respectively. This study concluded that molecular identification by PCR for detection of E. coli O157 virulence genes is rapid, specific and accurate approach in studying the actual role of these genes in disease pathogenicity.
Behavior and water needs of sesame under different irrigation regimes: Analysis of growth

The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth of sesame BRS 196 CNPA G4 in different irrigation depths (305, 436, 567 and 698 mm), applied on the basis of crop evapotranspiration– ETc (the depth of 567 mm was equal to 100% ETc). It was conducted at Embrapa Cotton, in Barbalha County, Ceara State, Brazil, 2012. The experiment was in randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in plots with three replications. The ETc was calculated by multiplying the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), determined by the Penman-Monteith method, by the crop coefficients (Kc), recommended for each phenological stage of the crop and by FAO. For the other irrigation treatments, the ETc was multiplied by 0.4, 0.7 and 1.3 (40, 70 and 130% of ETc). Primarily, height, stem diameter, leaf area and leaf area index were measured at 27, 48, 69 and 90 Days After Emergence (DAE), and then the absolute and relative growth rates in height, stem diameter and leaf area were estimated. It was concluded that height, stem diameter, leaf area and leaf area index of sesame BRS 196 CNPA G4 increased with irrigation; the highest growth occurred until 70 or 75 DAE, and the greatest growth was obtained, in general, in 698 mm of irrigation depth. Key words: Sesamum indicum L. , evapotranspiration, growth rates, water stress.
Combinação Linear de Estatísticas de Teste para Sensoriamento Espectral Cooperativo

Resumo— Os detectores GRCR (Gershgorin radii and centers ratio) e GID (Gini index detector) foram recentemente propostos como soluções simples e robustas para o sensoriamento espectral cooperativo centralizado. Neste artigo se propõe a estatística de teste híbrida WGG (acrônimo para weighted GRCR-GID), a qual é formada pela combinação linear das estatísticas de teste GRCR e GID. Demonstra-se, por meio de um elevado número de resultados numéricos, que o WGG agrega as vantagens de ambos os detectores base, atingindo desempenho pouco inferior ao GRCR na ausência de percurso dominante e pouco inferior ao GID na presença de percurso dominante.
Quantitation assay of hepatitis C virus RNA using real-time PCR technique

Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of acute and chronic infections leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A real-time PCR analysis has been employed successfully for both basic research and clinical applications. The ability to monitor the real-time progress of the amplification greatly improves the PCR-based quantitation of Hepatitis C virus RNA. The study was determine the viral load of hepatitis C virus RNA by real-time PCR technique and the influence of the gender on HCV viral load. The presence of HCV antibodies were assessed in clinically suspected HCV infection patients using commercial HCV Ab ELISA test kit, then all positive test were tested for detection and quantitative of HCV RNA by real-time PCR at Public Health Laboratory in Erbil, Iraq. Among 445 patients of HCV sero positive with ELISA screening test, RNA HCV was detected in 195(43.82%) patients by quantitative realtime PCR. Based on the distribution of viral load, 38.97% of patients had viral loads of 10 6 IU/ml, 0.51% had viral loads between 10 8 and 10 9 IU/mL, and 6.67% had 10 3 IU/ml. In conclusion, the highest rate of HCV was detected among sero positive males.
Evaluating the role of morphological characters in the phylogeny of some trypanosomatid genera (Excavata, Kinetoplastea, Trypanosomatida)

Over the last three decades, it has been progressively assumed that morphology has become obsolete for trypanosomatid systematics. Traditional taxonomy, based on the occurrence of specific kinds of cell morphotypes during life cycles and the morphometry of such cells, is often rejected by molecular phylogenies inferred mostly from 18S rDNA alone or combined with GAPDH. In such context, we hypothesized the affinities of 35 representatives of seven trypanosomatid genera from separated and combined cladistics analyses of morphological and 18S matrices. Morphology is shown to be more consistent and to have stronger synapomorphy retention than the 18S data. The strict consensus of cladograms from separated analyses was mostly unresolved, while combined analysis produced a meaningful and robust phylogenetic pattern, as evidenced by partition congruence index, Bremer support and frequencies of groups present/contradicted. The results (1) corroborate the separation of Angomonas and Strigomonas from Crithidia, which is now shown to be monophyletic, (2) support the revalidation of the genus Wallaceina, and (3) place the genera Herpetomonas, Leptomonas and Phytomonas within a single clade. Overall, we demonstrate the belief that morphological characters are inferior to molecular ones for trypanosomatid systematics is a consequence of neglecting their inclusion in phylogenetic analyses.
Phenotypic characterization of draft donkeys within the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon

Data on age, sex, coat color, liveweight (LW), heart girth (HG), trunk length (TL) and height-at-withers (HW) for 743 donkeys within the Sudano-Sahelian region of Cameroon were recorded. The ages of the donkeys ranged from 0 to 13 years. The effect of age on liveweight, height-at-withers, heart girth and trunk length was highly significant (p 0.05). Male donkeys were generally heavier than female donkeys from 0 to 3 years of age. Thereafter, female donkeys became heavier than males (p < 0.002). The average liveweights of adult (6-13 years old) female and male donkeys (132.5 ± 2.3 and 123.2 ± 2.1 kg, respectively) may not have had any significant practical implications on the working capacity of the sexes, given that non visible pregnant female donkeys might have been included in the study. As a result, regression equations established for the estimation of liveweight were not gender discriminative. Consequently, the best prediction equations for donkeys' liveweights within the Sudano-Sahelian region were: - LW = HG2.826/4434.7 (adjusted R2 = 0.84) for one best fit variable with LW in kilograms and HG in centimeters. When trunk length, or height-at-withers, was considered for one best fit variable in the equation, the adjusted R2 values were 0.78 and 0.66, respectively; - LW = HG1.947. TL-0.845/3834.8 (adjusted R2 = 0.86) for two best fit variables with TL in centimeters. The inclusion of HW as a third variable in the equation did not modify R2 significantly. (Resume d'auteur)
Practical diets with essential oils of plants activate the complement system and alter the intestinal morphology of Nile tilapia

The effect of the essential oils (EOs) of peppermint, Mentha piperita L. , and tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel, on the haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters and intestinal morphology of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. , was evaluated. Fish (58.09 ± 5.87 g) were fed 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg of each EO and sampled on days 7, 14, 30 and 60 after starting supplementation. The haematological and biochemical parameters were not altered by the supplementation of EOs compared to the control (p > .05). With regard to the immunological parameters, the activation of the complement system of fish fed 250 mg/kg peppermint and 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg tea tree EOs were significantly higher compared to the control after 60 days of feeding (p < .05). The complement system plays an essential role in innate immunity and contributes significantly to the acquired immune response; thus, its activation through supplementation with EOs is promising for the formulation of nutritional additives in aquaculture. Regarding intestinal morphology, fish fed 250 mg/kg tea tree EO presented higher villus size compared to all other groups (p < .05), which represents a healthier gut. These fish present a larger intestinal surface, which can result in better absorption and utilization of the nutrients. Based on the responses found in this study, both EOs were considered promising for the formulation of feed additives for Nile tilapia.
Effects of surfactant and limited irrigation on forage yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

To evaluate the response of alfalfa to limited irrigation and surfactant application, an experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The experimental treatments were arranged as split plots based on a complete randomized block design with three replications. The limited irrigation treatments comprised of replenishment of 100%, 75% and 50% of weekly evaporation and plant water requirements (based on evapotranspiration and plant Kc value) assigned to the main plots. Water treatments of control (water alone) and water + surfactant (Golden Igrri Aid) were assigned to the subplots. The qualitative characteristics of alfalfa forage were recorded at 10% flowering stage. The result of the experiment showed that as the severity of limited irrigation increased crude protein percentage significantly increased, while the other traits were not affected under stress conditions. Additionally the forage yield followed a decreasing trend by enhancing the water scarcity. Surfactant application at limited irrigation treatments (75% and 50% irrigation), indirectly increased crude protein (CP) yield, reduced the neutral digestive fiber (NDF) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) percentage. The highest forage yield (7500 kg/ha) under limited irrigation treatments was achieved by providing of 75% weekly evaporation and plant water requirement + surfactant. Based on the results of this experiment, irrigation treatment of 75% weekly evaporation and plant water requirements + surfactant was best recommended and justified from agronomic and economical point of view.