Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Anatomy and Three-Dimensional Geometric-Morphometric Study of the Bony Labyrinth of Bibymalagasia (Mammalia, Afrotheria)

ABSTRACT Plesiorycteropus (Malagasy aardvarks) is the sole genus belonging to an extinct mammalian order, the Bibymalagasia, that lived in Madagascar in the Quaternary. Its systematic and phylogenetic position is controversial because Plesiorycteropus morphologically resembles aardvarks (Tubulidentata), whereas a recent molecular analysis proposed that it belongs to Tenrecoidea, along with Tenrecidae (tenrecs and otter shrews) and Chrysochloridae (golden moles). This context of competing phylogenetic hypotheses is stimulating for the investigation of new characters for phylogenetic inferences. Here we used the noninvasive methods of micro-computed tomography scanning, digital reconstruction, and three-dimensional geometric-morphometric analysis of shape to investigate the morphology of the bony labyrinth (osseous inner ear) of the holotype skulls of both known species of Bibymalagasia: Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis and P. germainepetterae. Firstly, by comparisons with their extant relatives, we find that the characters of the bony labyrinth that distinguish P. madagascariensis and P. germainepetterae could only represent intraspecific variation. Secondly, we find that the bony labyrinth of Bibymalagasia is distinctive from those of other Afrotherians examined, supporting their ordinal distinctiveness. Indeed, the principal component analysis on labyrinthine shape data shows that the bony labyrinths of both Plesiorycteropus species are in fact intermediate between those of tubulidentates and other Afrotherian insectivores. Finally, we investigated the evolution of the secondary common crus (partial fusion of the lateral and posterior semicircular canals) in Afrotherians and found that this character is present in tubulidentates and potamogaline tenrecs, supporting the hypothesis that its presence is primitive for Afrotherians. In contrast, Plesiorycteropus displays the derived condition (i.e., loss of the secondary common crus).
Anti-Trypanosomal Alkaloids from Xymalos Monospora

From an extract of the stem bark of Xymalos monospora, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (1), three benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (mollinedine, 1-(p-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-methylenedioxyisoquino-line, doryafranine), and an aporphine alkaloid (N-methyllaurotetanine) were isolated. These compounds were tested for growth inhibitory activity against bloodstream forms of three strains of African trypanosomes. In vitro IC50 values starting from 1.8 μg /mL were obtained.
Generalized Approach to Landscape-Wide Seasonal Forecasting with Temperature-Driven Simulation Models

Determining and depicting the landscape-wide outcome of temperature-dependent ecological processes is important in the study of spatial patterns in insect ecology as well as in the efficient deployment of human and material resources for pest management. A generalized approach is proposed that consists of a temperature-driven simulation model that uses data from a limited number of strategically located points in the landscape as its input. Elevation, slope, and aspect are varied systematically for each point. Air temperature data are obtained as both real-time and climatic average data, matched with simulation points on the basis of distance, elevation, and climatic zones. Differences in latitude and elevation are compensated for with lapse rate transformations. Slope and aspect are combined into a single exposure expression, and overheating is calculated on the basis of incoming solar radiation. Landscape-wide projections of features in model output are obtained by algebraic transformation of a digital elevation model of the landscape, using a multiple regression equation relating the output feature to latitude, longitude, elevation, and exposure. The various sources of error involved in seasonal forecasting in insect ecology and management, as well as an outline of the procedure required to test the validity of landscape-wide projections, are discussed through a case study of the phenology of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens).
NOTE: Base Composition of Deoxyribonucleic Acid from Nannocystis exedens (Myxobacterales)

The base composition of the deoxyribonucleic acid of 11 strains of Nannocystis exedens varied between 70 and 72 mol% guanine plus cytosine (G+C). Therefore it falls into the G+C range known from other myxobacteria, i.e., 67 to 72 mol%.
The redox centers in the molybdo iron‐sulfur flavoprotein CO dehydrogenase from the thermophilic carboxidotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas thermocarboxydovorans

The redox centers in the molybdo iron-sulfur flavoprotein CO dehydrogenase from the thermophilic bacterium Pseudomonas thermocarboxydovorans were identified and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). One mol of the 279-kDa dimer contained 1.9 mol of Mo, 2.2 mol of FAD, 6.9 mol of Fe and 6.7 mol of labile sulfide. The molybdenum cofactor is composed of a 1:1 mononuclear complex of molybdopterin-cytosine dinucleotide and the Mo ion. EPR spectroscopy revealed signals typical for Mo(V), FADH•, and type I and type II [2Fe-2S] centers.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Provenance Variation in Autumn Cold Hardiness: Adaptation or Acclimation?

We tested autumn frost hardiness in three Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) provenances originating from different altitudes at two trial plots in Slovakia (Vel’ký Lom at 450 m a.s.l., Mutne-Zakamenne at 1,250 m a.s.l.) in a spinoff experiment of the IUFRO 1964/68 Inventory Provenance Experiment with Norway spruce. Two approaches were used to assess hardiness: the electrolyte-leakage method based on artificial freezing, and measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. The frost injury index at -20°C differed between provenances, with a significant provenance-by-plot interaction. In material from the lower-altitude Vel’ký Lom trial plot, the high-elevation TANAP provenance exhibited much lower frost injury than the middle-elevation Habovka and low-elevation Beous provenances. In material from the high-altitude Mutne-Zakamenne trial plot, all three tested provenances showed approximately the same degree of frost injury. At -80°C no differences between provenances were observed, and the trees growing at the high-elevation site exhibited lower average frost injury than the trees at Vel’ký Lom. Most parameters of the kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence followed the same trends as frost injury, and differed significantly between plots. We suggest that the observed differences resulted from acclimation of trees to the conditions of the trial plots rather than from adaptation through natural selection.
Quantificação da biomassa em uma Floresta Estacional Decidual em Itaara, RS, Brasil.

This work was carried out in the city of Itaara-RS, Brazil. The present work has as main objective the quantification of the above ground biomass. To do so, it had been cut down 20 trees and they were distributed in 5 different diameter classes. The trees had been separated in the components stem timber, stem bark, branches and leaves. In each fraction, samples for determination of humidity had been removed, of each component determined the dry weight. The estimate of the biomass was done by the use of the equation log y = b 0 + b 1 . log DAP. The total production of above ground biomass was 210,0 Mg ha - 1 . In this estimate, the branches had corresponded to 48,8% of the above ground biomass, followed by the shafts wood with 43,3%, bark with 5,4% and the leaves with 2,4%.
Mosquito species distribution and larval breeding habitats with taxonomic identification of Anopheline mosquitoes in Korea

In 2005, adult and larval mosquito surveillance was conducted at selected sites in Korea to associate larval habitats with species distribution of mosquitoes of the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group (An. sinensis, An. lesteri, An. pullus, An. belenrae and An. kleini) and other mosquito species. Anopheles specimens belonging to the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group were identified to species level by molecular confirmation using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)‐2 within nuclear ribosomal (r)DNA. A total of 6644 mosquitoes from resting and light trap collections (4451; 67.0%) and larval collections (2193; 33.0%) comprising 32 species and nine genera (Culex [11], Anopheles [8], Ochlerotatus [5], Aedes [3], Armigeres [1], Coquillettidia [1], Mansonia [1], Tripteroides [1] and Lutzia [1]) were collected. Larval habitats were characterized into 14 categories. Of a total of 4534 Anopheles spp. collected (3766 resting and light trap collections and 768 larval collections), Anopheles sinensis (3194; 70.4%) was the most frequently captured, followed by An. kleini (813; 17.9%), An. pullus (299; 6.6%) and An. belenrae (129; 2.8%). Four species of Anopheles (An. lesteri, An. sineroides, An. koreicus and An. lindesayi) were infrequently collected (<3.0%) at all sites surveyed by all methods of collection. Anopheles kleini, An. pullus and An. belenrae were collected in greater proportions in malaria high‐risk areas north of Seoul, and were infrequently collected in other parts of Korea, where An. sinensis was the predominant Anopheles spp. captured. A total of 2110 culicine mosquitoes (685 adult collections and 1425 larval collections) comprising 24 species and eight genera were collected.
First reports of the genus Nigrobaetis Novikova & Kluge (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Madagascar and La Reunion with observations on Afrotropical biogeography

Nigrobaetis colonus sp. n. and Nigrobaetis cryptus sp. n. are described from La Reunion and from Madagascar, respectively. This is the first report of the genus from either island and is the first description of a mayfly from La Reunion. These amazing discoveries are of biological importance for the understanding of colonisation processes of the islands in the Western part of the Indian Ocean. The first record of mayflies from La Reunion, a young (<3My) volcanic island, proves the potential of mayflies to disperse over long distances. Recently, Nigrobaetis bethunae Lugo-Ortiz & de Moor, 2000 was described from southern Africa (from the border between Namibia and Angola); new reports from eastern South Africa are provided, which greatly extend the distribution range of this species.
The Effect of Phenothiazine on the Weights of Worm-free Sheep and Goats

A total dose of 30 gm. of phenothiazine, given as tablets in one dose of 15 gm. and three of 5 gm. to three goats and six sheep known to be worm-free, had no effect on the weights of the animals in comparison with equal numbers of worm-free controls, over a period of 15 weeks from the first dose. It is concluded that weights can validly be used as a criterion of anthelmintic efficacy; they not only constitute an obvious economic criterion, but also are statistically more sensitive than egg-counts when subjected to analysis of covariance.
The selective florivory of Erioscelis emarginata matches its role as a pollinator of Philodendron

Flowers commonly face the dilemma of needing to be attractive to pollinators but unattractive to nectar robbers or florivores. When the pollinator has chewing mouthparts, there is also a considerable risk of the pollinator consuming the flowers. Scant field records indicate that the florivorous beetle Erioscelis emarginata (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cyclocephalini), which pollinates Philodendron spp. , feeds selectively on the sterile staminate flowers. Here, the hypothesis was tested that E. emarginata prefers sterile staminate flowers of Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott and Philodendron melinonii Brongn. ex Regel (Araceae) over fertile flowers. This study also examined whether such a preference exists regardless of the proportion of fertile vs. sterile flowers in each Philodendron species. Analysis of nutritional and defensive compounds plus scanning electron microscopy on each flower type were performed. The feeding preference of florivores for either P. bipinnatifidum or P. melinonii was also examined. In both species, sterile flowers were significantly more consumed than fertile ones. The sterile zone of P. bipinnatifidum was significantly larger than that of P. melinonii, and sterile staminate flowers of both plants were consumed at similar rates. Calcium oxalate was markedly low in sterile flowers, which also presented smaller papillae than the other flowers. This study presents evidence that the balance between pollination and florivory has most likely evolved through a strong feeding preference for less‐defended sterile flowers regardless of the size of the sterile zone.
IN SITU RUMINAL DEGRADATION OF FOLIAGE WITH VARYING pH LEVELS FROM SELECTED TREES AND SHRUBS

In situ (nylon bag) technique was used to investigate the effects of forage pH level and rumen pH manipulation on rumen degradability of foliages from selected trees and shrubs. Six forages - Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium), Madre de agua (Trichanthera gigantea), Acacia (Samanea saman), Gmelina (Gmelina arborea), Robles (Cassia siamea) and Santol (Sandoricum koetjape) - were analyzed for their pH level and were categorized as low, medium and high pH; consequently, two samples in each category were used in the study. The study was set-up in a completely randomized design. The pH level of forages significantly influenced dry matter disappearance (DMD) in the first 24 hours of incubation, such that forages with medium to high pH levels generally showed higher values than those with low pH levels. The DMD after 48 hours of incubation appeared to be more affected by the characteristics of the forages influencing degradability rather than their pH levels. The addition of acetic acid to bring the rumen pH into an ideal level of 6.0-6.4 increased DMD, indicating the beneficial effects of rumen pH manipulation on forage digestibility.
Fire reduces Pinus pinea distribution in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the recovery of Pinus pinea in forested areas that have burned in the last 30 years. The main objectives of the study were (i) to analyze the success of the regeneration of P. pinea in areas with the presence or absence of surviving adult trees and (ii) to investigate whether or not the post-fire response of P. pinea may affect its present distribution. We analyzed the survival of adult P. pinea trees and the regeneration of P. pinea seedlings in 8 areas burned by wildfires in Catalonia (northeast Spain) between 1979 and 2001. This study shows that the inability of seedlings to establish after fire, together with the short seed dispersal distance of this species and the low level of seedling survival, renders the natural regeneration of P. pinea in burned areas difficult. A comparison of the presence of P. pinea in plots located in burned and unburned areas throughout its distribution area in Catalonia indicates that its presence at the regional level is clearly reduced after fire. Moreover, in the areas where it persists, tree density and cover are smaller than in unburned areas. This decrease of P. pinea forests is exacerbated by the increase in surface area burned by forest fires during recent decades in the Mediterranean basin and by decreasing profits associated with this species as a consequence of the falling value of its pine kernel. Nomenclature: Bolós et al., 1990.
Mean-variance investment and contribution decisions for defined benefit pension plans in a stochastic framework

In this paper we investigate the management of a defined benefit pension plan under a model with random coefficients. The objective of the pension sponsor is to minimize the solvency risk, contribution risk and the expected terminal value of the unfunded actuarial liability. By measuring the solvency risk in terms of the variance of the terminal unfunded actuarial liability, we formulate the problem as a mean-variance problem with an additional running cost. With the help of a system of backward stochastic differential equations, we derive a time-consistent equilibrium strategy towards investment and contribution rate. The obtained equilibrium strategy turns out to be a good candidate for a stable contribution plan. When the interest rate is given by the Vasicek model and all other coefficients are deterministic, we obtain closed-form solutions of the equilibrium strategy and efficient frontier.
Bioresponsive polymer therapeutics containing coiled-coil motifs

Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) conjugates of peptides, proteins and an aptamer are in routine clinical use as first generation nanomedicines. Here a new family of polymer therapeutics based on PEG conjugates containing a coiled-coil peptide motif as a molecular switch are proposed. The coiled-coil motif is adopted by many naturally occurring proteins/peptides, including transcription factors key to cancer progression (E2F1/AP-1) and Ebola virus proteins (VP35/GP2). These were chosen as the first targets, however there is potentially a much wider role for this novel family of therapeutics. First studies selected coiled-coil motif peptide sequences (using computational prediction software and published literature) that were then synthesised using a solid phase approach, purified and characterised. To facilitate subsequent PEGylation, peptides were engineered to include an N-terminal cysteine residue. mPEG-maleimide (-5,500 g mol 1) was then conjugated site-specifically via the cysteine thiol. A purification method optimised using cation-exchange chromatography enabled the removal of both unreacted mPEG-maleimide and free peptide purity was > 95 % for each conjugate. Proof of concept was obtained with mPEG-FosWc, which was designed to inhibit coiled-coil heterodimerisation of native c-Jun and c-Fos proteins (AP-1). 1H, 15N HSQC spectroscopy confirmed target hybridisation of heterodimeric coiled-coils FosWc : c-Jun and mPEG-FosWc : c-Jun. In addition, both NMR and CD spectroscopy showed that both heterodimers adopted very similar structures under physiological conditions, irrespective of the presence or absence of PEG. Further studies using fluorescently labelled conjugates investigated cellular uptake in MCF-7 cells, and biological activity was assessed using the MTT assay with and without the use of a cationic transfection reagent. These studies demonstrate the potential of mPEG-coiled-coil motifs as therapeutic agents. However, demonstrating reproducible biological activity was not possible with the intracellular targets. Investigating the biological activity of the conjugates designed to target the extracellular Ebola virus fusion proteins remains an exciting prospect.
Deneddylation and fungal development - Regulation of Nedd8 protein modification by DenA and the COP9 signalosome

Ubiquitin dependent protein degradation is a common principle in eukaryotic organisms to control appropriate temporal and spatial protein levels. Abnormal regulation leads to embryonic lethality in plants, insects and mammals and is responsible for the development of certain types of cancer in humans. Substrate specificity of degradation is mediated by E3-ubiquitin ligases, of which most contain a cullin as the core component. Cullin containing ligases are regulated by covalent modification with the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8. The COP9 signalosome (CSN) and the deneddylating protein 1 (DEN1) are two abundant deneddylases capable of removing Nedd8 from CRLs. This study employs the fungal model organism Aspergillus nidulans to explore the function of deneddylation for development. (i) The homolog of DEN1 in the fungus, DenA, was identified and the developmental function was investigated. Genetic experiments revealed a crucial function of denA for the promotion of asexual development and the repression of sexual fruit body formation in the presence of light. Biochemical studies, as well as molecular and genetic analysis clearly indicate a deneddylase activity of DenA. Double deletion of denA and csnE results in a strain that can only grow vegetative. Impairment of asexual as well as sexual development in the double knock-out suggests that some developmental functions are shared between the two deneddylases. Both, denA and csnE deletion strains display distinct phenotypic characteristics, but overlap in their inability to inhibit the initiation of sexual development in light. This converges in a physical interaction between DenA and the CSN complex that is presumably involved in controlling the balance between the two deneddylases on the protein level. The results indicate a crucial function of deneddylation for the coordination of fungal development. This requires distinct functions of DenA in terms of asexual spore formation and of CSN to proceed beyond the primordial stage of sexual development. Orchestrated function of both deneddylases is required for the light-dependent inhibition of sexual fruit body formation. (ii) Furthermore the CSN complex was studied with regard to the dynamics of complex formation in vivo. Functional, tagged versions of CsnA and CsnD were explored for their ability to recruit the remaining subunits of the CSN in co-purification experiments. CsnA recruited six additional subunits in most experiments, but failed to pull-down the catalytic active subunit CsnE. CsnD co-purified with all other seven subunits when expressed in the wild type background. Deletion of csnG in the corresponding strain completely abolished the ability of CsnD to recruit any of the additional CSN subunits. These data suggest that the fungal CSN exists primarily as holo-complex, whereas sub-complexes are hardly maintained in vivo.
Fauchaldonuphis, a new genus for the enigmatic polychaete Diopatra paradoxaQuatrefages, 1866

A new genus, Fauchaldonuphis, is erected for the enigmatic polychaete Diopatra paradoxade Quatrefages, 1866 from the Mozambique Channel. It is characterized by the possession of long anterior chaetigers and parapodia, with long protrusile distally spinous capillary chaetae and bidentate hooks. Embryos being brooded in the parental tube are described. The relationships of Fauchaldonuphis with other genera of Onuphidae based on larval and adult characters are discussed.
Multiple immune abnormalities in tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin-α double-deficient mice

To investigate the roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT)-alpha in the development and function of the immune system, the Tnf and Ltalpha genes were simultaneously inactivated in mice by homologous recombination. These mutant mice are highly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes infection and resistant to endotoxic shock induced by the combined administration of D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Their splenic microarchitecture is disorganized, characterized by the loss of the clearly defined marginal zone, ill defined T and B cell areas, and absence of MAdCAM-1 and reduced ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Mac-1 expression. They are devoid of peripheral lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, and show a strong reduction of IgA+ plasma cells in the intestinal lamina propria. The alymphoplasia is accompanied by a marked B lymphocytosis and reduced basal lg levels. Ig depositions in the renal glomerulus and a strong up-regulation of MHC class I antigen expression on endothelial cells of different tissues are observed. The primary humoral immune response towards sheep red blood cells reveals a defective IgG isotype switch, while that against vesicular stomatitis virus is normal. The cytotoxic T cell responses are attenuated, although still effective, against vaccinia, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-ARM) and LCMV-WE. In conclusion, the combined inactivation of Tnf and Ltalpha confirms their essential role in the normal development and function of the immune system.