Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Ehrlichia ruminantium in Ruminants in Central Sudan Using Polymerase Chain Reaction

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia ruminantium (causative agent of heartwater disease) in ruminants in Al Gezirah State (central Sudan) using PCR technique. A total of 170 blood samples spotted on filter paper were collected, 100 from sheep, 40 from goats, 20 from cattle and 10 from camels. DNA was extracted and amplified using the specific primers (HH1F and HH2R) for amplification of the target sequence (980 bp fragment) of pCS20 gene, the conserved gene region of all E. ruminantium strains. The study revealed a prevalence rate of 3.0% (3/100) among sheep and no one of goats, cattle and camels was positive for E. ruminantium. Two of the three positive sheep had shown clinical signs of heartwater while the third was apparently healthy. This study concluded that the heartwater disease exists in the central Sudan but may be of a low prevalence. More investigations of the disease in other regions of the Sudan using pCS20-PCR are recommended.
The influence of caudofemoral musculature on the titanosaurian (Saurischia: Sauropoda) tail skeleton: morphological and phylogenetic implications

Due to their abundance, taxonomic and morphological diversity, wide range of body sizes and broad geographical distribution, titanosaurian sauropods were one of the most important Cretaceous herbivorous dinosaur groups. Consequently, titanosaurs constitute one of the best samples in which to evaluate the relationship between bony structures and unpreserved soft-tissues within Sauropoda. We reconstruct the morphology and interpret the implications of selected soft-tissues associated with the titanosaurian caudal skeleton. These tissues, especially the M. caudofemoralis longus (CFL), exerted a considerable influence on the anatomy of the caudal vertebrae and haemal arches. In all studied titanosaurian taxa, the reconstructed caudofemoral musculature corresponds to one of three principal morphotypes that accord with previously recognised phylogenetic patterns within the clade. Basal titanosaurians had an elongate M. CFL that extended for much of the proximal half of the tail; in saltasaurines, this muscle was much shorter. Non-saltasaurine lithostrotians exhibited an intermediate condition. Furthermore, the differing position of the fourth trochanter, and therefore, the insertion of the caudofemoral muscles, among various titanosaurian taxa suggests distinctions in the locomotor function of these animals.
Interactive effects of salinity, high light, and nitrogen starvation on fatty acid and carotenoid profiles in Nannochloropsis oceanica CCALA 804

Flexible responses of lipid metabolism to changes in cultivation conditions characteristic of oleaginous microalgae of the genus Nannochloropsis render them a promising source of triacylglycerols for biodiesel (under nutrient-deprivation and high-light stress) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5, n-3) (under nutrient sufficient conditions). We investigated the responses of fatty acid and pigment profile in the euryhaline Nannochloropsis oceanica CCALA 804 to the combined stresses of high light (HL), salinity (0, 27, and 40 g/L NaCl) and nitrogen deprivation. The growth in nitrogen-replete medium under HL triggered a rapid acclimation of the microalgae to the HL stress in a salinity-dependent manner associated with a moderate decrease of EPA proportion of total FA. Nitrogen starvation (i) slowed the biomass accumulation, (ii) enhanced the production of reserve lipids at the expense of chloroplast lipids, and (iii) triggered photoprotective responses of pigment apparatus in N. oceanica. Regardless of cultivation conditions, the stress-induced changes in pigments and fatty acid profile were highly coordinated. Nitrogen-starvation promoted total FA accumulation on the background of a marked decline in EPA and light-harvesting Car as well as up-regulation of violaxanthin cycle with concomitant rise in non-photochemical quenching. Zero-NaCl conditions appeared to be beneficial for biomass and EPA accumulation and alleviated, especially under nitrogen starvation, the effects of salinity stresses (the decline in biomass accumulation rate, content of light-harvesting carotenoids and EPA, and photosynthetic efficiency). Strategies of N. oceanica acclimation to stresses of different nature and their possible implications for the biotechnology of this species are discussed.
Local species richness of Central European hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae): a lesson taught by local faunal lists

Published quantitative descriptions of local species assemblages represent a rich and little explored source of information exploring macroecological patterns. We used this source of data to estimate determinants of syrphid species richness in Central Europe. We examined the influence of three census‐related covariates and five environmental variables on the observed or standardized (by rarefaction) species richness of 163 local syrphid assemblages. We also compared a large data set collected by a single author with a compilation of various sources. The covariates had mostly significant effects: increasing sample size and increasing sampling effort caused an asymptotic increase in species richness. The most effective collecting technique was entomological net, followed by malaise and colour traps. After taking into account the influence of covariates, the effects of geographical environmental variables (altitude, latitude and longitude) were more important than the effects of habitat variables. Syrphid richness exhibited a hump‐shaped response to altitude and a latitudinal peak in the central areas of Central Europe. Our approach illustrates the potential of literature data for studying large‐scale variation among local species assemblages.
Resazurin Reducing Time as an Indicator of Bovine Semen Fertilizing Capacity

Summary Resazurin was tested as a possible indicator of fertilizing capacity. The test for reduction time was made by using 11mg. of resazurin dye in 200ml. of distilled water. One-tenth ml. of this solution was added to 0.2ml. of undiluted semen and incubated at 45° C. Time required for reduction to pink, the first endpoint, and reduction further to white was recorded for 924 semen samples from 45 bulls representing the Guernsey, Jersey and Holstein breeds. The relationship of the pink and white endpoints to survival at 3.3 and 45° C. (94 semen samples), initial motility (564 semen samples), concentration (558 semen samples) and methylene blue reduction time (376 semen samples) was high. The time required to reduce to pink in unincubated semen showed a highly significant correlation of −0.141 to non-return rate on 371 semen samples which were used for 20 or more first and second services. The white endpoint showed a slightly higher correlation of −0.169, as compared with −0.151 for the pink endpoint when the semen was incubated for 30min. at 45° C. before making the test.
The metabolism of [14C]β-carotene and the presence of other carotenoids in rats and monkeys.

The metabolism of beta-carotene has been studied in both rats and Rhesus monkeys, following the oral administration of [14C]beta-carotene in olive oil supplemented with 1 mg/mL alpha-tocopherol. In the rats, peak serum accumulation of [14C]retinol occurred 4 h after a single oral dose, but we were not able to detect [14C]beta-carotene in rat sera at any time up to 72 h after dosing. Small amounts of [14C]beta-carotene were found in the livers, although 88-94% of the recovered radioactivity was localized in the retinol fraction after saponification. Although radioactivity was also found in fractions other than beta-carotene and retinol, the amounts were too small to allow characterization. In the monkeys, peak accumulation of [14C]retinol in serum occurred between 8 and 24 h after supplementation. Some [14C]beta-carotene was also present. Most of the absorbed radioactivity was stored in the liver as [14C]retinol, although 2-8% was present as [14C]beta-carotene. Other organs also contained [14C]beta-carotene, confirming the ability of the monkey to absorb intact beta-carotene. In addition, monkey livers and other organs were found to contain lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene, presumably arising from dietary sources.
Modern pollen samples from alpine vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau

1 A set of 316 modern surface pollen samples, sampling all the alpine vegetation types that occur on the Tibetan Plateau, has been compiled and analysed. Between 82 and 92% of the pollen present in these samples is derived from only 28 major taxa. These 28 taxa include examples of both tree (AP) and herb (NAP) pollen types. 2 Most of the modern surface pollen samples accurately reflect the composition of the modern vegetation in the sampling region. However, airborne dust-trap pollen samples do not provide a reliable assessment of the modern vegetation. Dust-trap samples contain much higher percentages of tree pollen than non-dust-trap samples, and many of the taxa present are exotic. In the extremely windy environments of the Tibetan Plateau, contamination of dust-trap samples by long-distance transport of exotic pollen is a serious problem. 3 The most characteristic vegetation types present on the Tibetan Plateau are alpine meadows, steppe and desert. Non-arboreal pollen (NAP) therefore dominates the pollen samples in most regions. Percentages of arboreal pollen (AP) are high in samples from the southern and eastern Tibetan Plateau, where alpine forests are an important component of the vegetation. The relative importance of forest and non-forest vegetation across the Plateau clearly follows climatic gradients: forests occur on the southern and eastern margins of the Plateau, supported by the penetration of moisture-bearing airmasses associated with the Indian and Pacific summer monsoons; open, treeless vegetation is dominant in the interior and northern margins of the Plateau, far from these moisture sources. 4 The different types of non-forest vegetation are characterized by different modern pollen assemblages. Thus, alpine deserts are characterized by high percentages of Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia, with Ephedra and Nitraria. Alpine meadows are characterized by high percentages of Cyperaceae and Artemisia, with Ranunculaceae and Polygonaceae. Alpine steppe is characterized by high abundances of Artemisia, with Compositae, Cruciferae and Chenopodiaceae. Although Artemisia is a common component of all non-forest vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau, the presence of other taxa makes it possible to discriminate between the different vegetation types. 5 The good agreement between modern vegetation and modern surface pollen samples across the Tibetan Plateau provides a measure of the reliability of using pollen data to reconstruct past vegetation patterns in non-forested areas.
Revision of Chaetodipus arenarius (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)

Chaetodipus arenarius is an endemic species of the Baja California Peninsula. It has undergone taxonomic changes in the last few years. Today, two species, C. arenarius and Chaetodipus dalquesti, are formally recognized with an unknown range for each. However, genetic analysis showed the possible presence of a third species. The objectives of this study were to use molecular data (cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III genes) to determine how many genetic groups are present in C. arenarius in the Baja California Peninsula; if these groups have morphological characteristics that could be used to distinguish them; if the genetic groups have limited distributions; identify taxonomic implications; and establish if there are any associations amongst genetic groups and different habitats. Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, distance optimality criteria, and minimum spanning network indicated three monophyletic groups with high genetic differences (5.54–13.59%). These groups are morphologically diagnosable based on pelage and morphometric characters and geographical range. The three genetic groups correspond to three taxa previously described as subspecies or species. Based on our results, these should be considered to be different species: C. arenarius occupies the most extreme habitats with hot summers; C. dalquesti occupies the moistest coastal areas in the southern part of the peninsula, and Chaetodipus siccus is restricted by mountain ranges to the isolated Los Planes Basin and Cerralvo Island.
Baculovirus Infection of Cultured Kuruma Shrimp,Penaeus Japonicus in Japan (魚病に関する国際セミナ-)

Microscopical findings from moribund Kuruma shrimp larvae, Penaeus japonicus, showed no evidence of any polyhedral inclusion bodies in either squash preparations of the affected mid-gut gland or in preparations stained by Vago-Amargier's method.Pathological changes were remarkable cellular necrosis and collapse of mid-gut gland. It was noted that nuclear hypertrophy and collapse always followed these cellular changes.Electron microscopical findings showed cytoplasmic collapse of mid-gut gland cells and the nuclear hypertrophy resulting in karyorrhexis, as well as virions and incomplete viral particles representing virogenic stages in the affected nuclei. The average length and diameter of virions was 310 nm and 72 nm respectively, and length of the nucleocapsids was 250 nm.Infectivity trials carried out employing oral and water borne inoculations revealed high cumulative mortality to healthy shrimp larvae.
Comparison of Vocalisations of Australian Falcons and Elanine Kites

Vocalisations were recorded from seven species of Australian raptors; five species of falcons: the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Black Falcon F. subniger, Australian Hobby F. longipennis, Australian (Nankeen) Kestrel F. cenchroides and Brown Falcon F. berigora, and two species of Elanus kites, the Black-shouldered Kite E. notatus and Letter-winged Kite E. scriptus. Each species produced structurally distinct vocalisations in different behavioural contexts. Calls were generally harsh or harmonic, of wide frequency range, with the greatest acoustic energy between 1.1-6 kHz. All species produced vocalisations when disturbed or physically restrained. The Elanus kites have very similar vocalisations, showing striking similarities in the structure of their distress calls.
Review of Acutipula Crane Flies of Taiwan, with Descriptions of New Species and Immature Instars (Diptera: Tipulidae: Tipulinae: Tipula)

ABSTRACT Taiwanese species of the crane fly subgenus Tipula (Acutipula) Alexander, 1924, are reviewed. Six species are recognized with two species being newly described: T. (A.) barbigeraand T. (A.) furcifera, both from Nantou. Tipula (A.) shirakii Edwards, 1916, previously considered a synonym of T. (A.) quadrinotata Brunetti, 1912, is recognized as a valid taxon. The female of T. (A.) kuzuensis Alexander, 1918, is described for the first time. DNA barcode sequences for 12 species of T. (Acutipula) are investigated and maximum likelihood trees resulting from the analyses are presented. The external anatomy of the last instar larva and pupa of T. (A.) shirakii is described and illustrated. Comments concerning the biology and habitats of larvae are presented. A taxonomic key is provided to identify all species recorded in Taiwan, and their distributions are briefly discussed.
ABSOLUTE AGE OF PRE‐CAMBRIAN ROCKS IN WYOMING AND MONTANA *

A number of absolute-age determinations from the Cordilleran region of the western United States (Aldrich et a l , 1956; Aldrich et al., 1958; G i h and Kulp, 1960) established that a widespread rock-forming event occurred about 1350 million years (m.y.) ago. These measurements were made on rocks in the region from central Arizona to southernmost Wyoming. Gast el a,? (1958) demonstrated that a regional metamorphism affected rocks in the Beartooth Range (Montana to Wyoming) 2700 m.y. ago and that this event probably extended to the Bighorn Range. The purpose of the present preliminary study was to establish the extent of the 2700-m.y. -old rocks and to ascertain whether any rock-forming events between the ages 1350 m.y. and 2700 m.y. might be found. The rock samples used in this study were collected by us in the summer of 1957. The experimental procedures employed in this study were essentially similar to those previously described (Gast et a,? ., 1958). Isotope-dilution analyses employed enriched SrB6 and Rbs7 tracers. Most of the isotope-ratio measurements were made on the mass spectrometer described by Gast el al. (1958). Some measurements were made on a Metropolitan Vickers MS-5 mass spectrometer in the Department of Geology at Oxford University, Oxford, England. Part A lists the very old ages of central and western Wyoming. Parts B, C, and D list the younger ages from the areas surrounding this old region. Geographic locations of the samples are shown in FIGURE 1. The determinations in TABLE 1, Part A, and in FIGURE 1 show that rocks older than 2400 m.y. probably cover a substantial part of the state of Wyoming. With the exception of Samples 2 and 3, the ages in TABLE 1, Part A, are fairly consistent. However the variation seen among the different samples studied here, from 2370 m.y. to 2720 m.y. , is considerably greater than that found by Gast et a,? (1958). A number of samples, particularly biotites, give ages significantly younger than those reported for the Beartooth region. Three samples from Death Canyon, collected within 200 feet of each other, have been studied. Coexisting muscovite and microcline from a pegmatite intruding a biotite gneiss gave ages of 2660 m.y. and 1990 m.y. respectively. Biotite from the surrounding gneiss yields an age of 1360 m.y. Finally, pegmatitic biotite
Effets du froid sur les stades précoces de développement du maïs (Zea mays L.) (synthèse bibliographique)

Introduction. Le mais est une plante presentant une grande importance economique. Malgre son origine tropicale et sa grande sensibilite aux basses temperatures, elle est aujourd’hui cultivee dans une large gamme de latitudes. Afin de conserver des rendements competitifs, de nombreuses adaptations genetiques et culturales ont du etre mises en place. Litterature. La reponse des plantes aux stress environnementaux tels que la secheresse ou le froid a ete largement etudiee. Cet article resume les avancees et les connaissances actuelles concernant les effets des temperatures froides non gelives sur les plantes de mais, depuis la germination jusqu’a la transition florale. Le froid modifie la phenologie de la plante mais aussi sa productivite generale, notamment par son impact negatif sur la photosynthese. La croissance est affectee et des stress secondaires osmotique et oxydatif affectent les processus cellulaires. Conclusion. Une meilleure connaissance des effets du froid permet d’envisager des strategies d’amelioration de la tolerance des plantes par diverses approches physiologiques, genetiques ou moleculaires.
ANALYSIS AND EXPRESSION OF AL-TOLERANT GENES FROM SOYBEAN [Glycine max (L.) Merryl] ON FORAGE CROPS AND Escherichia coli

n order to analyze and to study expressions of the Al-tolerant genes, we have examined five clone genes that were isolated from soybean cv. Lumut. Soybean cv. Lumut and Slamet, Centrocema pubescens, Pennisetum purpureum and Escherichia coli were selected for futher analysis. Based on the DNA sequencing, searching enzyme restriction sites and searching DNA homology with the genebank database; the clones encoding: (1) Catalase (gmali12, that function as an antioxidant), (2) Proliferating cell nuclear antigen like protein/PCNALP (gmali15, that involved as one of transcriptional regulator in the eucaryotic cell cycle), (3) Growth hormone (gmali22, this gene may play a role on stimulation of cell growth/development), (4) Amine oxidase (gmAO, genebank accession number AF313622, a gene that function as amine oxidation and/or antioxidant), and (5) Aminoacyl peptidase (gmAP, genebank accession number AF091304, a serine protease gene). Expressions of the clone genes either on forage crops or Escherichia coli indicated that all of the clones are basic genes, but its expression increased with aluminium induction (Al-induced genes) and involved in detoxification to Al stress. From this research, we also found similar responses between oxidative stress and Al stress to gene responses.
Oxygen isotope ratio of leaf and grain material correlates with stomatal conductance and grain yield in irrigated wheat

Theory (Craig and Gordon 1965; Dongmann et al. 1974; Sternberg et al. 1986; Farquhar and Lloyd 1993) suggests that the oxygen isotope ratio (d 18 O) of plant material should reflect the evaporative conditions under which the material was formed, so that differences in stomatal conductance should show up in plant d 18 O. To test this theory we measured the oxygen isotope ratio of organic matter from flag leaves at anthesis and grain at harvest from eight cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under irrigation in each of three seasons in Mexico. The cultivars ranged widely in stomatal conductance and in average grain yield, with which conductance was positively correlated. Supporting theory, the oxygen isotope ratio of flag leaves (d 18 Ol) was found to correlate negatively with stomatal conductance for two of the three seasons. The significant correlations are consistent with high conductance cultivars having lower leaf temperatures and kinetic fractionation factors, and higher vapour pressure fractionation factors and Peclet numbers, all of which combine to result in less enriched d 18 Ol. Yield (grain weight per square meter) was also found to be significantly negatively correlated with d 18Ol in two of the three seasons. d 18 Ol was as good a predictor of yield as stomatal conductance, and significantly better than carbon isotope discrimination. Correlations between grain d 18 O (d 18 Og) and physiological parameters were less clear. Significant negative correlations between d 18 Og and stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and yield were found only during the first season. By measuring the oxygen isotope ratio of cellulose extracted from leaf samples, the difference in fractionation factors (ecp) for cellulose and whole leaf tissue was assessed. ecp was found to be variable, and more negative when d 18 Oc and d 18 Ol were lower. Cultivar means for d 13 C and d 18 O of whole leaf material were found to be significantly positively related, and the factors required to produce such a relationship are discussed.