Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selection for rate of larval development using Drosophila melanogaster cultured axenically on deficient diets

Drosophila melanogaster normally lives in an environment providing a transient food supply, and even in laboratory cultures the successive larvae which hatch quickly find the amount of available food limiting to their growth (Sang, McDonald & Gordon, 1949). Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that natural selection has favoured rapid larval development and it is not surprising that Drosophila is 'one of the fastest growing metazoa' (Gordon, 1959). This would seem to be the reason why attempts to select for rapid larval growth have been unsuccessful (Sang & Clayton, 1957; Sokal & Hunter, 1958; Clarke, Maynard Smith & Sondhi, 1961), even though larval development rate has an estimated heritability of 20-25%. What evidence there is, suggests this heritability is realized only by selection for slow development, but even this is not always achieved to the extent which the heritability estimate would imply (Sokal & Hunter, 1958). A possible reason for this second anomaly is the ability of larvae to prolong development under adverse nutritional conditions (Sang, 1959) so that selective effort would then be confounded, especially as different genotypes appear to respond variously to minor nutritional deficiencies (Eobertson, 1959). The question then arises: can development rate be altered by selection in an abnormal environment to which the organism is not yet adapted? This is the first concern of this report. If development rate can be altered by selection in an atypical nutritional environment, it is also important to know if the modification is adaptive and how far the normal biochemical processes of the organism have been changed in consequence. There is reason, therefore to alter the environment in a strictly defined way and not simply by adjusting the total food supply. In the following experiments either the supply of casein or the supply of pyridoxine, the vitamin most involved in amino-acid metabolism, has been restricted. These nutrients were chosen from the many possible, since there is no evidence (Sang, 1959) that deficiencies of other nutrients are likely to be limiting to Drosophila in nature (cf. Sang & King, 1961), although this has not yet been properly studied. The second concern of this work is therefore with an examination of pyridoxine and casein response curves of the selected larvae. Although it is known that there are differences of nutritional requirements between strains of various organisms (Williams, 1956) there is no direct evidence
Peranan Ekstrak Bangle (Zingiber cassumunar Roxb.) terhadap Produksi Nitric Oxide dan Malondialdehyde pada Mencit yang Diinfeksi Plasmodium berghei

I solasi rimpang Bangle menunjukkan bahwa terdapat kandungan bioaktif yaitu kurkumin dalam rimpang Bangle. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran ekstrak Bangle terhadap produksi Nitric Oxide dan Malondialdehyde pada mencit yang diinfeksi Plasmodium berghei . J enis dari penelitian ini adalah quasy experimental, dengan post test only control group design. Sebanyak 30 ekor mencit dibagi ke dalam 5 kelompok, masing-masing terdiri dari 6 mencit. Pemberian ekstak Bangle diberikan selama 14 hari dengan tujuan sebagai imunostimulan. Kontrol negatif diberikan aquadest, kontrol positif diinfeksi dengan Plasmodium berghei . Kelompok perlakuan1(P1) distimulasi Bangle. Kelompok perlakuan2(P2) distimulasi Bangle diterapi Artemisinin sedangkan kelompok perlakuan3(P3) diterapi Artemisinin. Terapi diberikan selama 4 hari apabila Plasmodium telah ditemukan dalam darah. Data hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna antara produksi NO serum P1 dan P2 dengan kontrol positif. Sedangkan produksi MDA serum tidak menunjukkan adanya perbedaan yang bermakna antarkelompok, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemberian ekstrak Bangle mampu meningkatkan produksi NO serum namun tidak berperan terhadap produksi MDA serum. Kata kunci : Bangle, imunostimulan, Nitric Oxide , Malondialdehyde, Plasmodium berghei
Transfer of broad host-range plasmids to sulphate-reducing bacteria

The broad-host-range, IncQ, plasmid R300B (Sm, Su) has been stably transferred to two strains of sulphate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio sp. 8301 and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans 8312), using the IncP1 transfer system of the helper plasmid pRK2013 and cocultivation of sulphate-reducing bacteria with facultative anaerobes in media provided with sulphate and nitrate ions as electron acceptors. R300B was transferred at a frequency of 10−2 to 1 per acceptor cell. The SmR marker was expressed in both sulphate-reducing bacteria strains while the SuR was expressed only in strain 8301. R300B can also be transferred back to E. coli strains provided with IncP1 plasmids taking advantage of the retrotransfer ability of these plasmids. This occurs at a frequency up to 10−4 by recipient E. coli cell.
Rendimento de carne do caranguejo-uçá, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae)

Specimens of Ucides cordatus were captured from September 1998 to September 2000 in mangroves from Iguape, SP, Brazil (24o41’25''S - 47o27’48''W) and analyzed by sex, biological period (reproductive, October to March; and non-reproductive, from April to September) and size. The meat yield of each corporal structure, and the residuals were quantified. Each crab was measured (carapace width) with a vernier caliper (0.05 mm) and their corporal structures weighed with an analytic scale (0.0001 g). Biometric variables were previously tested (normality and homoscedasticity) with indication of a statistical parametric procedure (ANOVA) at 5% significance level. Males had higher wet weight than females, the same occurring when their corporal structures were compared (p<0.05). The meat yield in males was of 25.4%, a little above than what was registered in females (21.1%); meat yield hierarchy among corporal structures was very similar between sexes and biological periods, but differing in relation to chelipeds, which were bigger in males. During the reproductive period males had a bigger meat yield due to their size when compared to males of non-reproductive period, as well as with females independently of their biological period. The expressive meat yield in males can be explained by the positive allometric growth of the chelipeds after puberty molt when this structure grows proportionally more than the body itself, accounting for 40% of the total wet weight in this gender.
Quantifying Phenology and Maturity in Crisphead Lettuce

The Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) identification key was adapted for crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to facilitate identification of phenological stages and decisions regarding field operations from seeding to harvest maturity. The original system described leaf development based on leaf count from stage 11 (1 leaf) to stage 19 (9 leaf), and head development based on percentage of expected head size reached at maturity from stage 41 to 49. The new coding leaf development stages range from 11 to 29, corresponding to the 1-leaf to 19-leaf stages. The head development stages also ranged from 41 to 49, but phenological stages near commercial maturity from 43 to 49 are now described as a function of head firmness. The important maturity traits of crisphead lettuce include head size and density. Head volume can be estimated from three diameters by using Currence’s equation, which takes into account head geometry. The firmness index obtained by hand compression gave a more precise estimate of head density than the density estimate derived from Currence’s equation or the sphere equation. Crisphead lettuce development stages and maturity traits can be easily quantified in the field for use in planning field operations and for experimental purposes.
Evaluation of efficacy and safety of liraglutide in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with continuous glucose monitoring system

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide and neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) in combination with metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). A total of 63 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were randomized into the liraglutide plus metformin group and NPH plus metformin group. They were treated for 12 weeks. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed for 72 hours in both groups before and after treatment. The parameters of blood glucose fluctuations, blood lipid and BMI were measured and compared before and after treatment. Fasting plasma glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and mean blood glucose (MBG) were decreased in both groups after 12 weeks, treatment, but there was no statistical difference in the comparison between the two groups (P>O.05). In the liraglutide group, the mean average glucose excursions (MAGE), large amplitude of glycemia excursion (LAGE), mean of daily differences (MODD), mean postprandial glucose excursion (MPPGE), TPG≤3.0 mmol/L, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL- C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly lower than those in the NPH group respectively(t=2.773,3.250,2.870,2.721,4.955,2.686,2.152, 2.310,2.342,2.048, P<0.05, respectively). The incidence of hypoglycemia episode in the liraglutide group was significantly lower than in the NPH group (χ2=4.14, P<0.05). Both groups have a good control of blood glucose for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. As compared with NPH, liraglutide can reduce the glucose fluctuation and have less hypoglycemia event, while liraglutide is superior in weight reduction, improvement of blood lipid and blood pressure. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Continuous glucose monitoring; Liraglutide; Glucose fluctuation
Comb size and color relate to sperm quality: a test of the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis

In many avian species, males display dramatic and conspicuous ornaments that serve as honest signals of quality to females. The phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis suggests that the honesty of these signals may be maintained through a link with fertility. Indeed, in some recent studies, bright coloration has been linked with better fertility and also indicates semen characteristics that influence fertility, such as sperm performance. However, most of these studies were performed on species with ornamental feather coloration, in which the ornament is produced months prior to reproduction. We tested the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis in the domestic rooster, a species where comb characteristics fluctuate on a short-term basis according to environmental and physiological conditions and thus may serve as immediate signals of quality to hens. We examined the relationships of comb size and color with measures of sperm quality, including concentration, mobility, and viability. We found that comb size was inversely correlated, whereas comb color was positively correlated with sperm viability. Thus, males with the smallest reddest combs had the highest percentage of viable sperm. Our finding that comb color signals better quality sperm supports the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis. However, the negative relationship between comb size and sperm viability indicates that females who choose larger ornaments also choose males with lower fertility, a counterintuitive behavior in terms of the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis. To understand these signals in an adaptive context, it is important to determine how each individual comb characteristic is interpreted and utilized by females during mate choice.
Shared Cache as a Service in Future Converged Fixed and Mobile Network

—Thanks to the widespread deployment of LTE and WiFi networks, connectivity at anytime, anywhere on any device is no longer a dream. However, we can hardly say that today the QoS/QoE provided by the current network is satisfactory. This is mainly caused by the separated management of the different infrastructures, which leads to sub-optimal usage of network resources. This work presents a Shared Caching System (SCS) in the context of Fixed Mobile Converged (FMC) networks that allows network-infrastructure operators to offer Caching as a Service (CaaS) to OTT service/content providers or virtual-network operators. We highlight the beneﬁts of deploying such a holistically-managed in-network caching over different type of network infrastructures.
Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Reveals Substantial Population Structure within the Endangered Black-Capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata)

Abstract. Despite being listed as endangered, substantial morphological and behavioral variation exists within Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) populations. To examine the population genetic structure of the Black-capped Petrel, we amplified Cytochrome Oxidase 1 sequences from museum specimens collected during 1970–1980 off the coast of North Carolina, USA. These sequences revealed a 1.2% fixed genetic difference between dark and light morphs. Individuals with intermediate plumage all grouped phylogenetically with the light morph. Combined with significant differences in body size and phenology, our genetic results suggest breeding isolation of the dark and light morphs. Consistent with other Pterodroma species, our results imply that the Black-capped Petrel may comprise two distinct, reproductively isolated taxa. Further knowledge about the genetic identity of birds at specific nesting colonies will be valuable for geographic delineation of populations.
Why our Family? Parental Responses to Cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a significant issue among young people both in New Zealand and internationally. To develop effective and unified prevention and intervention strategies, it is important to understand the perspectives of all parties. However, there is currently limited research on parents’ perspectives of cyberbullying. This applied research project has analysed parents’ responses to their child being cyberbullied. An anonymous, online questionnaire yielded responses to seven questions from ten participants. These qualitative responses were analysed thematically to produce overarching themes that reflect the experiences of parentswhose children have been cyberbullied. The ten participants’ responses revealed that parents have a range of emotional reactions and take a variety of actions in response to their child being cyberbullied. They also feel that multiple parties are responsible for intervening in cyberbullying. Limitations, future directions, and implications for successful home-school partnerships are discussed.
Spatio-temporal Relationships Among Adult Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Central Mississippi

Abstract We monitored 131 (99 male, 32 female) radiocollared raccoons (Procyon lotor) from January 1991 to December 1997 on the Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi. We examined inter- and intrasexual spatial relationships and temporal interactions among adults. Adult males frequently maintained overlapping home ranges and core use areas and some males maintained spatial groups that overlapped minimally with adjacent groups or solitary males, suggesting territoriality among groups. Males arranged in spatial groups were often significantly positively associated with each other; however, we observed instances of males who remained solitary and maintained exclusive home ranges and core areas. Adult females maintained exclusive home ranges and core areas during winter, but several females shared home ranges during other seasons. However, these females did not forage or den together and were significantly negatively associated with each other within shared areas, indicating that movements by these individuals were independent. Home range and core area overlap differed among seasons for males and females with neighboring or overlapping home ranges. Our findings suggest that social behavior in raccoons varies within the same protion of the landscape, ranging from solitary individuals to male social groups.
Western Veeries use an eastern shortest-distance pathway: New insights to migration routes and phenology using light-level geolocators

ABSTRACT We investigated movements of a western population of Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) breeding in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada, in 2013–2014 using light-level geolocators. We tracked 9 individuals and incorporated a state-space Kalman filter model approach to estimate movement parameters. During migration, Veeries traversed the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea with stopovers generally closer to the shorter orthodromic (great circle) route than a loxodromic (straight line) route between breeding and first wintering grounds, particularly on fall migration. Birds initially settled in the south-central portion of the Amazon basin in Brazil at sites that were 666 ± 299 km apart, suggesting low migratory connectivity. Intra-tropical movements were observed for 8 of 9 (88.9%) birds, with second wintering sites an average of 1,447 ± 472 km to the northwest (initial bearing x̄ = 316 ± 16°). Veeries typically followed a pattern of loop migration at the Gulf of Mexico, with more birds using the Yucatan Peninsula to stop and reorient toward destinations on spring migration (n = 7) vs. fall migration (n = 2). Western Veeries follow a presumed ancestral (eastern) migration route, but this route is also the shortest (great circle) route between breeding and wintering grounds, even though this route was only ~100 km shorter than the straight line route. Eight Veeries (88.9%) underwent a post-breeding, pre-migratory movement up to 628 km (x̄ = 263 ± 152 km) away from breeding territories, possibly to molt. We encourage researchers utilizing light-level geolocators to apply similar state-space modeling approaches to reduce the influence of observers and erroneous location estimates on analysis and interpretation of geolocator data.
Low and high ω-3 oils consequences rats' serum lipid fractions

1 Research Center, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. 3 National Organization for Drugs Control and Research, Cairo, Egypt. 4 Nutrition and Food Science Department, Faculty of Home Economics, Menufiya University, Egypt. 5 Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The role of disturbance in the co-existence of the evergreen Quercus ilex and the deciduous Quercus cerrioides

Abstract Question: Which is the response of the evergreen Quercus ilex and the deciduous Q. cerrioides to repeated disturbances? Location: central Catalonia (northeastern Spain), in the areas affected by two of the largest historically recorded wildfires in NE Spain: the Bages-Berguedà fire (24 300 ha forested area burned in July 1994), and the Solsonès fire (14 300 ha burned in 1998). Methods: Survival and growth of individuals of Quercus ilex and Q. cerrioides were evaluated in plants subjected to different fire histories and experimental disturbances (burning, cutting or clipping) applied either before or after summer. Results: Survival was high (> 99%), with both species showing a similar high resistance to disturbances. Growth after experimental disturbance was positively related to the size of the individual before the latest forest fire occurred. Fire history had a large effect on resprout growth, as the repeated incidence of disturbances lowered the capacity of individuals to grow. The type and season of experimental disturbance experienced by plants had a large effect. Individuals that experienced total above-ground loss had lower growth rates than those with partial loss. A similar pattern was observed in individuals disturbed after the summer in relation to those disturbed before summer. Conclusions: The larger growth rates recorded in Q. cerrioides across all fire histories and experimental treatments, and the higher vulnerability of Q. ilex to increased fire frequency, intensity of experimental disturbance, and disturbance season, provide evidence for the relatively high susceptibility of the latter to repeated disturbances. This view disagrees with the larger resilience of this species compared to co-existing deciduous oaks, as reported.
Antioxidant and phytochemical profile of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola

Garcinia kola is widely consumed habitually and used as traditional remedy for various diseases in Nigeria. However, information with respect to the effect of using different solvents of extraction on its antioxidant properties is scanty. Therefore, the present study investigates the effect of different solvents on the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of G. kola. Phytochemicals measured were the total phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin C content while the antioxidant parameters assessed were the free radical scavenging, Fe (II) - chelating and Fe3+ reducing properties. Finally, the ability of both extracts to offer protective benefits to both hepatic and cerebral tissues placed under oxidative assault induced by FeSO4 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was also investigated. The phenolic content of G. kola was estimated to be 45.2 ± 0.9 mg/g and 30.3 ± 0.4 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Whereas the flavonoid content was estimated to be 29.2 ± 0.2 mg/g and 10.8 ± 0.2 mg/g quercetin equivalent (QE) for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. In addition, the vitamin C contents were 21.2 ± 0.4 mg/g and 20.8 ± 0.1 mg/g for the ethanolic and aqueous extract of dried G. kola, respectively. In all the antioxidant indices measured, the ethanolic extract possessed significantly higher properties than the aqueous extract (p < 0.05). In view of all, the use of G. kola for the treatment of cough and liver disorders in folkloric medicines may be related to its phytochemical content. Hence, moderate consumption of the fruit should be encouraged as antioxidant supplement. Key words: Garcinia kola, antioxidant, ethanolic, aqueous and phytochemical.
Oryzalin-induced Chromosome Doubling in Buddleja to Facilitate Interspecific Hybridization

A protocol for producing fertile tetraploid forms of the hybrid Buddleja madagascarensis Lam. x B. crispa Benth. would enable introgression of orange flower, pubescence, and nondehiscent fruit characteristics found in section Nicodemia (Tenore) Leeuw. into B. davidii Franchet section Buddleja. Excised nodal sections of a single sterile diploid selection from that cross were treated in vitro with 3, 5, or 7 μM oryzalin concentrations for 1, 2, or 3 days or were left as an untreated control. A population of plants was generated from these cultures and transferred to the greenhouse. Treated plants were initially screened phenotypically for higher ploidy levels on the basis of stem thickness and leaf size. Those selected based on polyploidy characteristics were subjected to cytometric analysis, confirming that six tetraploid plants were generated. Nodal survival rates were dependent on oryzalin concentration and treatment duration. Significant increases in fertility accompanied polyploidy induction, because crosses between the newly developed tetraploids and B. davidii cultivars produced viable fertile plants. Chemical name used: 3,5-dinitro-N4,N4-dipropylsulfanilamide (oryzalin).