Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape‐scale sexual segregation in the dry season distribution and resource utilization of elephants in Kruger National Park, South Africa

This study compared the dry season distribution of elephant bull groups and mixed herds and the resources driving these distributions within Kruger National Park, South Africa. It is important to understand what resources drive the distribution of elephants as this may be of relevance to understanding and managing their impact. It is also important to distinguish between resource use by bull groups and mixed herds because their impact on the habitat may differ. Our results indicated that sexual segregation, both in space and in resource selection, did occur in Kruger Park. Bulls roamed more widely in the park, and although their distribution and resource use overlapped with mixed herds, they also occurred in areas that mixed herds apparently did not, or could not, utilize in the dry season. This gave rise to areas used exclusively by bulls but no areas used exclusively by mixed herds. Lower collective feeding requirements as a result of smaller group size, wider habitat tolerance, and increased mobility as a result of bigger body size, as well as conflict avoidance with musth bulls in areas with mixed herds, might have been some of the reasons for bull groups roaming more widely and for the establishment of separate bull areas. Rivers were an important resource driving both the distribution of the mixed herds and bull groups, but with the mixed herds occurring closer to these resource hot spots than the bull groups. Tree cover proved important for mixed herds, probably because of the importance of shade and the higher nutritional requirements of the smaller‐sized cows and calves. Artificial waterholes might have opened up previously unutilized areas for bulls in the dry season, especially on the grassy basaltic plains in the north of the park. However, the distribution of the mixed herds suggested that they did not occur in higher densities in areas surrounding waterholes.
Growth Characteristics, Bio-chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Benthic Diatom Grammatophora marina from Jeju Coast, Korea

Benthic diatoms are known as a good food for shellfish in nature and in commercial hatchery of Jeju Island, Korea. Grammatophora marina is commonly found as dominant benthic micro-algae in Jeju coastal waters throughout the year. To know the best growth conditions of this species, culture was done in terms of three parameters; water temperature, salinity and nutrients. Each parameter was controlled by temperature of 15, 20 and 25°C; salinity of 25, 30 and 35 psu; and nutrient concentrations of 50, 100 and 200%. F/2 media was used with artificial seawater for the culture, which was continued for two weeks with L:D cycle 12:12 by using fluorescent light. Maximum specific growth rate was recorded 1.68 d ‐1 at temperature of 25°C with salinity of 35 psu and nutrient concentration of 200% on 6 th day during the culture period. Maximum biomass was also observed 4.9 × 10 5 cells mL ‐1 in the same condition. This species may belong to the euryhaline and eutrophic habitat with warm condition. For nutritional aspects of this species, protein, lipid and carbohydrate were measured. The value of protein, lipid and carbohydrate was 4.96%, 15.82% and 5.65%, respectively. The antioxidant activities of 80% methanolic extract were 46.7%, 23.7% and 23.8% on DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylydrazy) radical, superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, respectively. Percentage metal chelating activity was 81.2%. Enzymatic extracts of Alcalase and Ultraflow showed remarkable scavenging activities on DPPH radical (86.5% and 57.2%, respectively), and superoxide anion scavenging activities were 45.3% and 41.4% from Kojizyme and Viscozyme extracts, respectively. Extract of Protomex revealed 24.8% activity on hydrogen peroxide and Neutase showed 30.8% on hydroxyl radical scavenging effects. Celluclast and Viscozyme extracts showed 33.2% and 32.1% activities on nitric oxide scavenging, respectively, while Alcalase showed 61.5% on metal chelating. This species contains higher lipids among the biochemical compounds and higher metal chelating activities from both 80% methanolic and enzymatic extracts.
Autologous corneal patch on perforated herpetic corneal ulcer

A corneal perforation is a potentially visually devastating condition. Prompt closure or sealing of the perforation is crucial to prevent loss of vision as well as to maintain the integrity of the eyeball. The management of corneal perforations can be quite challenging. We report A 77-year-old male presented with Repeated red eye in the right eye for two years complicated By Preperforative corneal descemetocele dating back two months before his admission of corneal perforation of herpetic origin. Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was not possible because of the unavailability of corneal tissue so the patient underwent autologous corneal patch grafting. There was gradual adherence and uptake of the corneal tissue into the surrounding cornea along with significant clearing over the next few months the examination at 2 months showed a BCVA of 2/10 with a quiet eye and a temporal corneal opacity. The current case shows that in the absence of corneal tissue and in selective emergency situations, an autologous corneal patch graft can be considered as a viable alternative in the treatment of full-thickness corneal perforations. Key Word: Corneal patch; perforation ; herpes; Ulcer; . -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 13-05-2020 Date of Acceptance: 26-05-2020 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Studies on the mosquito populations from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Mosquito prevalence was studied in three areas of Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu viz., North Coimbatore, Gandhipuram and Kavundampalayam. Culex quinquefasciatus, C. pseudovishnu, C. gelidus and Armigeres subalbatus are prevalent in the study area. Results indicated that C. quinquefasciatus was the predominant species in North Coimbatore followed by C. pseudovishnu, whereas A. subalbatus was the predominant species both in Gandhipuram and Kavundampalayam areas.
Respiration

G C N C E R E S P I R E I L R L N O I T A L U C R I C C H O U S C N N C A R B O N A U A I C B X L I H U E F O P N T E A O L T S N O A L A I C O S M E S O G U G N U L L N S I U O R E O N H I E E L E O E T L G O O D I C A L A T Y L L A O L B X S H N T R A C H E A L E O I Y T T O Y T I S S U H I V B C G R A R H V Y I E S X T L I V E E E B T A E S A T E N A N A N A R R I N A I S N I E E A L S M B H E A R T N V O V S N L O D I O X I D E Y R E T R A S
Capelin larvae (Mallotus villosus) and community structure of zooplankton off the coast of northern Norway

Capelin larvae (Mallotus villosus) and mesozooplankton were collected in May 2001 in the southern part of the Barents Sea. During the period of hatching and first feeding, capelin larvae experience high mortality rates. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms influencing larval survival, we monitored a selected site for 10 days using a variety of different sampling approaches. Hydrological parameters conductivity-temperature-depth-fluorescence (CTDF) were recorded and zooplankton samples obtained simultaneously using MOCNESS at three time periods. The mesozooplankton consisted essentially of copepods (85%), dominated by Calanus finmarchicus. The zooplankton community consisted of different assemblages derived from different areas (i.e. different water masses; Atlantic and coastal). Capelin larvae were found in surficial coastal waters. Copepod nauplii and C. finmarchicus were less abundant in coastal waters where small copepodites (such as Acartia spp. and Temora longicomis) were found together with early stages of coastal invertebrates that are possible prey for capelin larvae. We suggest that capelin larvae base their foraging on small prey organisms frequently found among the coastal zooplankton and that these larvae are less dependent on the propagation of the recruiting generation of C. finmarchicus present from April to June.
3D Confocal LSM Study of Bacterial Penetration of Tissue Cells

An abrupt change from anaerobic intestinal to aerobic peritoneal environment for Bacteroides fragilis may result in peritonitis. Its interaction with Hela cell monolayers examined this proposition. Beforehand, growth of B. fragilis was poised at different levels of oxidation-reduction potential. Image segmentation using the confocal laser scanning microscope enabled location of microorganisms in relation to tissue cells. A three-dimension assembly was devised from reconstruction of computed images based on homogeneity criterion optimisation. Cytoplasmic regions fully explored by the computer revealed presence of bacteria in the assembly. Apparently, pathogenic potential of B. fragilis depends on an anaerobe/aerobe environmental flux during the process of infection.
Applying Freezing Test to Quantify Cold Acclimation in Medicago truncatula

Understanding cold acclimation (CA) is important for concurrently improving autumn yield and winter survival in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Medicago truncatula Gaertn. , an annual relative of alfalfa, could be used to determine genetic bases of CA, if the ability and conditions required for its CA are determined. The major objective of this study was to develop a laboratory screening procedure to quantify CA in M. truncatula. Two genotypes, Jemalong-6 and W6 5018, were grown in nonacclimation (NA) and three CA regimes (CA1, CA2, and CA3). CA was quantified by measuring freezing tolerance (LT50 (the freeze temperature at which 50% injury occurred)), as estimated by ion leakage (IL) from leaf tissues. The percentage of injury and LT50 were derived from freeze injury data. Cold-acclimated plants had reduced stem length, number of leaves, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and root dry weight compared with control. Root-to-shoot ratio was higher in cold-acclimated than in control plants. These results indicate the clear initiation of acclimation response in cold-acclimated plants. Average LT50 temperatures were -3, -8, -7.8, and $ -12.5 8C in NA, CA1, CA2, and CA3 regimes, respectively. While 80% injury was induced by -7 8C in NA plants, -20 8C only induced an average of 52% injury in CA3 plants. While the percentage of injury was lower in Jemalong-6 than in W6 5018 for all CA regimes, CA3 regime was most effective in distinguishing CA ability of the two genotypes. Our results demonstrated the capability of M. truncatula to cold acclimate under the controlled CA regimes and the possible use of IL as a rapid laboratory method to quantify CA.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, and Antiradical Activities of Cyclotrichium Niveum (BOISS.) Manden and Scheng

In Turkish kitchen, Cyclotrichium niveum, which is consumed as a dietary supplement, have been extensively used in soup and food for their odor and flavor. The present study examines the possible antioxidant, antimicrobial and radical scavenging capacity of Cyclotrichium niveum (Boiss.) Manden and Scheng. In order to evaluate antioxidant and radical scavenging activity different in vitro methodologies such as 2,2´-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH·) free radical scavenging, total antioxidant activity by ferric thiocyanate, total reducing power by potassium ferricyanide reduction method, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferrous ions chelating activities were used. In addition, antimicrobial and antifungal activity of the both extracts tested against twenty five microorganisms. Total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids contents in water extract of Cyclotrichium niveum (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng (WECN) and ethanol extract of Cyclotrichium niveum (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng (EECN) were determined.
Synergistic effects of supplementation of dietary antioxidants during growth on adult phenotype in ring‐necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus

Summary 1. Oxidative stress may provide a proximate link between investment in growth and/or reproduction and investment in self-maintenance. Dietary antioxidants, such as carotenoids and vitamin E, provide potentially important roles in regulating these trade-offs. Recent work suggests that carotenoids may have synergistic effects in combination with non-pigmentary antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E) on the expression of sexually selected traits in adulthood. However, these studies involved the supplementation of antioxidants to adults so did not take account of early life-history effects. 2. Here, we test the independent and combined roles of supplementation of carotenoids and vitamin E during early growth in regulating the expression of traits in adulthood, in ring-necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus. Individuals supplemented with a combination of carotenoids and vitamin E were larger at adulthood than individuals receiving other treatment diets (including vitamin E or carotenoids alone), but there were no differences in ornament expression, immune function, the swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin or levels of oxidative damage. 3. This shows that there are synergistic early life-history effects of these dietary antioxidants on body size at adulthood and suggest that the allocation of limited antioxidant resources are prioritized towards traits that increase competitive ability rather than sexual attractiveness in this strongly sexually selected species.
Adhesion of N-Methacryloyl-ω-Amino Acid Primers to Collagen Analyzed by 13C NMR

Previously, we reported that the strength of the interaction between N-methacryloyl-w-amino acid (NMωA) primers and dentinal collagen exhibited a strong correlation with the bond strength of the resin to etched dentin. To determine the pertinent functional groups of the amino acid residues in the dentinal collagen, to which the amide and/or the carboxylic acid groups of the NMwAs are adsorbed, we used 13C NMR techniques-primarily through the observation of spin-lattice relaxation times, T i—to investigate the adsorption characteristics resulting from the interaction of NMwAs with a model oligopeptide for collagen, (PPG)5. The addition of NMωAs to a collagenous solution resulted in a decrease in the T 1 values of the carbonyl carbons attributed to the carboxylic acid of the C-terminal Gly and to the third amide of the N-terminal Pro residues in the (PPG)5 molecule, thus reflecting the formation of hydrogen-bonded interactions.
Geoffroy's cats at the northern limit of their range: activity patterns and density estimates from camera trapping in Bolivian dry forests

We used camera traps to survey Geoffroy's cats, Oncifelis geoffroyi, at six dry forest sites in Bolivia. Cumulative activity patterns across all sites are principally nocturnal though the species is active by day in both summer and winter. At two sites the number of captures and recaptures was sufficient to estimate abundance using the software Capture, and in turn a population density of 9–40 per 100 km2 for the two sites. Geoffroy's cats are present in all dry forest types surveyed: Chaco savannas, Chaco dry forest, Chaco transitional forest, Chaco‐Chiquitano transitional forest, Chaco‐Cerrado transitional forest and Chiquitano dry forest. They are most abundant at the driest site, the only one with grassland formations and where ocelots are absent. Camera trapping records tend to be more numerous in the dry season, suggesting seasonal changes in behavior and habitat use. Resumen Empleamos trampas‐cámara para muestrear Oncifelis geoffroyi en seis sitios ubicados en bosques secos de Bolivia. El patrón de actividad en todos los sitios es principalmente nocturno, pero la especie puede estar activa de día en verano como en invierno. En dos sitios tuvimos suficiente capturas y recapturas para estimar abundancia usando el programa Capture, y luego una densidad poblacional de 9–40/100 km2 para los dos sitios. Oncifelis geoffroyi está presente en todas los tipos de bosques secos muestreados: sabanas chaqueñas, bosque seco chaqueño, bosque transicional chaqueño, bosque transicional Chaco‐Chiquitano, bosque transitional Chaco‐Cerrado, y bosque seco Chiquitano. Es más abundante en el sitio con menor precipitación, el único sitio con formaciones de pampas y donde es ausente Leopardus pardalis. Se tiene más registros con trampas‐cámara en la época seca, sugiriendo cambios estacionales en comportamiento y uso de hábitat.
EVALUATION OF LIVER FUNCTION MARKERS AMONG WORKERS IN JEWELLERY UNITS

Objectives: Jewellery making unit workers are exposed to potent toxic chemicals and heavy metals during the manufacturing process. Various alloys are used during the manufacturing process of gold in which silver is used in higher concentration. The induction of metallothioneins (MTs) might occur due to the occupational exposure to heavy metals. Hence, the relationship of silver or MTs with liver function markers were investigated. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the jewellery making units located in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. A total of 211 participants [exposed (n = 158) and control (n = 53)] were included for the study and their liver function markers namely alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, total/direct bilirubin and total cholesterol were estimated. Levels of serum silver and MTs were also assessed. Results: There were significant (p<0.05) increases of serum silver, MTs, ALT, AST, total cholesterol, total/direct bilirubin and significant (p<0.05) decrease of ALP, total protein and albumin in exposed groups compared to control group. Levels of MTs were positively correlated with ALT, AST, total cholesterol, total/direct bilirubin and were negatively correlated with albumin, total protein and ALP. Conclusion: The significant changes of liver function enzymes were observed due to the prolonged period of exposure to silver. However releases of these markers were in the normal range which might be due to the induction of MTs. The elevated levels of MT in the serum compared to control group pointed out that it might provide a cellular defense strategy against silver.
Molecular characterization of Trichoderma longibrachiatum 21PP isolated from rhizospheric soil based on universal ITS primers

Trichoderma species are morphologically very similar and were considered for many years as a single species. A new strain Trichoderma longibrachiatum 21PP was isolated from a rhizospheric soil sample collected from Kaushambi district of an Indian State (Uttar Pradesh). The universal primers (ITS-1& ITS4) were used for the amplification of 28S rRNA gene fragment that produced a sharp band of about 700 bp on the gel. The amplified gene fragment was then sequenced (664 bp) and then deposited in GenBank with the Accession No. JX978542. Thus, the molecular identification of the specified strain enabled us for further characterization as this strain of Trichoderma species can be used as a biocontrol agent against pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium, Alternaria, Sclerotinia, etc. It is proposed that the identified strain T. longibrachiatum 21PP be assigned as the type strain of a species of the genus together with the 28S rRNA gene sequence search in Ribosomal Database Project, small subunit rRNA and large subunit rRNA databases.
Larval development and metamorphic transformation of the feeding system in the kleptoparasitic snail Trichotropis cancellata (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda)

Trichotropis cancellata Hinds, 1849 has a planktonic larval stage that feeds on microalgae and a benthic stage that feeds both by ctenidial suspension feeding and by stealing food ("kleptoparasitism") from several species of suspension-feeding, tube-dwelling polychaete worms. We used scanning electron microscopy, histological sections, and observations on live animals to document the sequence and timing of morphogenetic events during larval and metamorphic development of T. cancellata. These data were compared with other accounts of gastropod development to test for differences in the timing of developmental events among feeding larvae of two major gastropod clades: the caeno gastropods and heterobranchs. In T. cancellata, as in feeding larvae of previously studied caenogastropods, components of the post-metamorphic body plan differentiate at an earlier stage of larval development (relative to times of hatching and ability to undergo metamorphosis) than in feeding heterobranch larvae. Metamorphosis of T.
Molecular characterization of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 isolated from coastal water of Arabian Gulf

The mechanism of pathogenic Vibrio cholerae to cause disease depends on the expression of virulence factors such as a potent cholera toxin (CT), and pilus colonization factor (toxin co-regulated pilus; TCP). The gene’s molecular characterization provides V. choleraeecology of the genes information about the ecology of V. cholerae which is an autochthonous inhabitant of aquatic environment as well as pathogenic for humans. ThectxAB and tcpA genes are known to play a significant role in maintaining virulence in V.cholerae, and these genes are believed to be exclusively associated with clinical strains of O1 and O139 serogroups. In this study, we examined the presence of virulence genes, including ctxA and tcpA (Classical and El Tor), as well as toxR and the genes responsible for O-antigen biosynthesis and for generation of serotype-specific determinants located in the rfb region in the V. cholerae chromosome. Out of 23 suspected V. cholerae isolated from Arabian Gulf coastal water of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia only one isolate was detected and harbored tcpA (El Tor), O1rfb and toxR genes. This study demonstrates the transfer of virulence genes among environmental strains of V. cholerae which appears to constitute an environmental reservoir of virulence genes, thereby providing new insights into the V. cholerae ecology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of V. cholerae from Arabian Gulf coastal water environment. Key words: Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139, virulence genes, PCR, Arabian Gulf water.
Emergence and initial development of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) seedlings with different substrate compositions

The seedlings quality is one of the most important factors in the implantation of new orchards. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the emergence and initial development of Cape gooseberry seedlings with different substrate compositions. The experiment was performed in the experimental area of Federal Technological University of Parana, Campus of Dois Vizinhos, Brazil. The experimental design used was a randomize block design, with four replications, being evaluated the following substrates: Soil + chicken manure (2:1 v/v); soil + chicken manure + sand (2:1:1); soil + humus + vermiculite (2:1:1); soil + humus (2:1) and Macplant® (commercial substrate). The emergence percentage, number of leaves, height of plants, dry mass of root system and dry mass of the shoot system was evaluated. The substrate compound by soil + humus + vermiculite and the substrate compound by soil + humus allowed higher emergence of plants, however not contributing for the development of the Cape gooseberry seedlings. Nevertheless, the substrate with soil + chicken manure and the substrate with soil + chicken manure + sand only provided the initial development of the seedlings. On the other hand, the use of the substrate Macplant® must be avoided in the propagation of this culture. Key words: Exotic fruits, propagation, germination, Macplant®, vermiculite.