Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The novel polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene and its distribution in domestic pigs and wild boars in Asia

The beta 3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is involved in regulating energy homeostasis. We have studied DNA sequences of porcine ADRB3 to find candidate genetic polymorphisms for economically important growth and performance traits in pigs. Five novel haplotypes derived from the three In/dels and 44 SNPs were identified among domestic pigs and wild boars. Three of them encode non-synonymous amino acid sequences by five missense polymorphisms and a frameshift by a thymine insertion. The amino acid polymorphic sites were distributed as follows: one substitution was in extracellular loop 1, three substitutions were in intracellular loop3 and one substitution and the deletion of two amino acids were at the carboxyl-terminal. There was no polymorphism in the transmembrane domains. In addition, we surveyed the allelic frequency of the thymine insertion that cause frameshift in South-east Asian local pigs, including some commercial breeds and wild boars. This thymine insertion was distributed widely in the domestic pigs and wild boars. The frequencies of this allele were relatively low in Western improved breeds, while they were very common in Asian breeds and wild boars in Asia. This result indicates that this insertion originally occurred in ancient Asian wild boars and then circulated among Asian domestic pigs. This allele also spread over Western breeds, probably through the introgression of Asian pigs into European stocks during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Improvement of anther culture technique: Activated charcoal bound in agar medium in combination with liquid medium and elevated CO2 concentration

Anthers of different species of the genera Anemone, Clematis, Papaver and Nicotiana were cultured by floating on a liquid medium which overlay an agarified charcoal medium. This technique proved to be superior to conventional methods i.e. culture on either solid or liquid media. Cold treatment of Anemone anthers for 7 days after inoculation on the double layer medium gave about the same frequency of embryos per anther as corresponding cultures cold treated before inoculation. An elevation of the CO2 concentration to 2% stimulated embryogenesis in anther cultures of Anemone canadensis, Anemone vitifolia, Papaver setigerum and Papaver radicatum. Cold treatment of cultures of Anemone canadensis inhibited embryogenesis if the ensuing culture was performed in 2% CO2. On the other hand, cold treatment was stimulating, with an optimum of about 20 days, if the cultures were maintained in normal air. Chemical analysis of untreated anthers of Anemone canadensis showed the presence of abscisic acid (2.2 × 10−6 g/g anthers). Cold treatment reduced the concentration of abscisic acid to 0.6 × 10−6 g/g anthers. By use of assays with Lemna gibba as test organism, activated charcoal was shown to adsorb abscisic acid that was added to the medium. Medium treated with charcoal before inoculation of anthers of Anemone canadensis provided to inhibit embryo production.
Increased flexibility for modeling telemetry and nest‐survival data using the multistate framework

Although telemetry is one of the most common tools used in the study of wildlife, advances in the analysis of telemetry data have lagged compared to progress in the development of telemetry devices. We demonstrate how standard known-fate telemetry and related nest-survival data analysis models are special cases of the more general multistate framework. We present a short theoretical development, and 2 case examples regarding the American black duck and the mallard. We also present a more complex lynx data analysis. Although not necessary in all situations, the multistate framework provides additional flexibility to analyze telemetry data, which may help analysts and biologists better deal with the vagaries of real-world data collection. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
KEANEKARAGAMAN JAMUR ENDOFIT PADA DAUN TANAMAN PADI (Oryza Sativa L.) DENGAN SISTEM PENGELOLAAN HAMA TERPADU (PHT) DAN KONVENSIONAL DI DESA BAYEM, KECAMATAN KASEMBON, KABUPATEN MALANG

ABSTRACT This research aims to find out is the process of rice cultivation affects the diversity of endophytic fungi in leaf tissues of rice crops. Leaves sampling of rice crops in IPM and conventional done in the Bayem village, Kasembon subdistrict, Malang regency and isolation of endophytic fungi in the mycology laboratory, Department of Plant Pest and Disease Brawijaya University Malang in May to July 2012. The study was conducted by survey, exploration and comparison. Exploration results endophytic fungi in conventional and IPM field obtained Aspergillus sp. , Penicillium sp. , Nigrospora sp. , Trichoderma sp. , Curvularia sp. and unidentified fungi. The endophytic fungi only found in the IPM field are Mucor sp. , Mastigosporium sp. , Alternaria sp. , Fusarium sp. and Monosporium sp. whereas fungi are only found in conventional field are Verticillium sp. and Acremonium sp. Endophytic fungi diversity index in IPM field is 4, including in the high category, while in conventional field is 3, including in the medium category, the dominance index of endophytic fungi in IPM field is 0.001010101 whereas in conventional field is 0.024193548. The dry grain yields of rice crops in IPM field higher than conventional field are 45 kw with 4,000 m² of land area, harvest tile are 1.12 kg / m², while in conventional field are 13, 30 kw with 1,600 m² of land area. tile harvest 0.83 kg / m². Keywords: Endophytic fungi, diversity, IPM, rice.
Temperature regulation in the tortoise Testudo hermanni, studied with indwelling probes

Behavioural thermoregulation has been studied in the terrestrial tortoise Testudo hermanni in south-eastern France by implanting temperature-sensitive probes in free-ranging individuals. Three tortoises were monitored over a period of nine months (July to March); they maintained body temperatures close to their preferendum for periods of several hours each day. These results are of interest as doubt has been expressed in the literature on the thermoregulatory capacities of Testudo hermanni in the northernmost part of its range.
Systematics and bionomics of Cneoglossidae with a cladistic analysis of Byrrhoidea sensu Lawrence & Newton (1995) (Coleoptera, Elateriformia)

A description of a new species of Cneoglossa (C. edsoni sp. n., type locality: Brazil, Sao Paulo State, City of Sao Paulo, Parque Estadual da Cantareira) is presented based on male and female adults, pupae and larvae. The synonymy of Buckodrillus Wittmer, 1948, with Cneoglossa Guerin-Meneville, 1843, is confirmed and C. brasiliensis (Wittmer, 1948), is a new combination. Larvae of C. edsoni were collected in submerged rotting brushwood in shallow flowing streams; pupae and adults were obtained from larvae reared in laboratory. Immatures of this genus were unknown up to date. Larval and/or adult features of species belonging to Anchytarsus Guerin-Meneville, 1843; Araeopidius Cockerell, 1906; Cladotoma Westwood, 1837; Epilichas White, 1859; Paralichas White, 1859; and, Ptilodactyla, Illiger, 1807 are described and illustrated. A cladistic analysis, conducted for 32 taxa of selected Byrrhoidea (sensu Lawrence & Newton, 1995) and 72 features of adults, larvae and pupae, is also given, in an attempt to clear up the systematic position of the Cneoglossidae. As a result of the analysis, Callirhipidae and Eulichadidae are excluded from Byrrhoidea (sensu Lawrence & Newton, 1995) and placed incertae sedis within the Elateriformia. The strict consensus cladogram of the 24 most parsimonious trees presented the following relationships: ((Byrrhidae ((Cneoglossidae, Psephenidae) ((Ptilodactylinae (Anchytarsinae, Epilichinae)) (Aploglossinae, Araeopidiinae (Cladotominae, Chelonariidae))))) (Larainae (Elminae (Lutrochidae (Hyphalinae (Limnichinae, Cephalobyrrhinae, Thaumastodinae, Dryopidae, Heteroceridae )))))). The monophyly of this assemblage is supported by three striking synapomorphies, the anterior process of metendosternite shortened, the proximal end of radial cell with acute inner angle, and the wing folding of the dryopoid-type. A sister-group relationship between Cneoglossidae and Psephenidae is indicated by the presence of paired dorsal glandular openings on abdominal tergites of adult, + five homoplasic features. Elmidae, Limnichidae and Ptylodactylidae, as currently defined, are paraphyletic. Ptylodactylidae is monophyletic with the inclusion of Chelonariidae.
The fertility of Merino ewes artificially inseminated with semen diluted in solutions based on skim milk, glucose or ribose

The fertility of Merino ewes artificially inseminated with semen diluted tenfold in milk or buffered glucose solution was lower than that of a control group of ewes inseminated with the same number of spermatozoa in undiluted semen. By means of centrifugation, the concentration of spermatozoa in the insemination dose of diluted semen was raised to match that of the undiluted semen and then the effect of dilution on fertility was eliminated for the glucose-diluted semen, but not for the milk-diluted semen. Respective percentages of ewes not returning to oestrus and ewes lambing were, after insemination with undiluted semen, 60.5, 46.7; with milk-diluted semen, 55.9, 40.2 and after reconcentration 56.0, 38.0; with glucose-diluted semen, 48.2, 35.3, and after reconcentration 62.1, 46.1. In another experiment, the percentage of ewes lambing after insemination with undiluted semen, with semen diluted tenfold with glucose, and with semen diluted with a ribose mixture and chilled at 5°C for 24 hr were respectively 67.0, 58.0, and 26.1. Both diluents contained 6% (v/v) egg yolk and diluted semen samples were reconcentrated to the original sperm density of the semen immediately before insemination.
Selenium in agriculture: a nutrient or contaminant for crops?

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for animals, humans, and microorganisms, but its role in the plants needs further exploration. It is considered beneficial at low levels, but is toxic at higher levels, and there is a fine boundary between these concentrations. Generally, Se levels less than 1 mg kg−1 have been found to be beneficial for the plants while higher levels cause toxicity in most of the agricultural crops. At low concentrations, Se can act as a plant growth regulator, antioxidant, anti-senescent, abiotic stress modulator, and defensive molecule against pathogens in plants. At higher concentrations, plants show various toxic symptoms, which include stunting of growth, chlorosis, withering, and drying of leaves, decreased protein synthesis premature and even death of the plant. The roles of selenium as enhancer and inhibitor of plant growth in various agricultural crops are discussed here with recent updates. Biofortification of some crops with Se using agronomic and genetic approaches is being explored to cultivate them in the regions having Se-deficiency in foods. Strategies of phytoremediation of Se in hyperaccumulators and transgenic plants overexpressing enzyme/proteins to increase Se tolerance are also described.
Rapid response of antioxidant enzymes to O3-induced oxidative stress in Populus tremuloides clones varying in O3 tolerance

The concentration of atmospheric ozone (O3), formed at the interaction of n itrogen oxid es, volatile hydrocarbons and ultraviolet rad iation, is increasing globally (FOWLER et al. 1999) due fossil fuel consumption. While O3 levels are increasing in the atmosphere, in fact none of it has been detected inside the leaf (LAISK et al. 1989). Ozone readily reacts w ith water giving ris e to reactive oxygen species (ROS) hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radical (GRIMES et al. 1983; KANOFSKY & SIMA 1995). ROS and especially radicals can nonspecifically react with lipids, pro teins and nuc leic acids (DAVIES 1995) thus disrupting the structural and functional integrity of the cell. W hile the increased rise in troposp heric O3 and the resulting increase in ROS is the result of human activities, the active oxygen species are also produced naturally during the normal metabolism of photosynthesizing cells. All green plants as well as other aerobic organisms have evolved antioxidant defense systems to combat the inevitable ROS (ALSCHER et al. 1997). The antioxidant systems can b e enzymatic or non-enzymatic ROS scavengers that require the activation of specific me tabolic path ways and inve stment of energy. It has been shown that plants growing under the conditions of oxidative stress have elevated levels of antioxidants (Rao et al. 1996; P OLLE 1997; NOCTOR & FOYER 1998). The principle of the action of the antioxidants is simple, but the mechanism of regulation of their synthesis and activity is not well established. An aspect of doubt is whether antioxidants can provide protection against brief high-O 3 episodes or are they useful for pro tecting plants fro m only long-term chronic exposure. In current experiment we subjected two aspen (Popu lus tremuloides Michx.) c lones, differing in O3 tolerance, to acute O3 episodes of up to six hours to test the inducib ility of the enzymes of the Halliwell-Asada antioxidant pathway (Fig. 1) and catalase, the major scavenger of high levels of hydrogen peroxid e.
Estimates of forest elephant abundance: projecting the relationship between precision and effort

Summary 1 A key element of African elephant conservation is monitoring how different forms of human activity influence elephant distribution and abundance. Information on human–elephant interaction is critical for guiding conservation action at all levels, from very local management interventions, through national protected area planning, to international policy initiatives such as the ban on ivory trade. However, methods for monitoring elephant numbers often produce rather poor estimate precision. Therefore, a major challenge for elephant monitoring programmes at all levels is to allocate survey effort efficiently: the greatest possible statistical power to detect the effects of particular forms of human activity must be obtained from limited survey effort. 2 This study examined an approach to survey design based on the assumption that the precision of an abundance estimate is directly proportional to sampling effort. Field data from three sites in Central Africa were used to evaluate the potential of this approach for projecting how much effort will be necessary to survey and monitor forest elephants. 3 Variance in elephant dung pile encounter rate was proportional to sampling effort, but variance was also influenced by mean encounter rate. The relationship between variance and mean encounter rate followed a power law more closely than the linear model suggested by many previous authors. The linear model tended to substantially underestimate the effort level required for areas with high encounter rates. A bootstrapping exercise suggested that modelling the precision–effort relationship across strata should produce more accurate projections than estimating a distinct precision–effort relationship for each stratum. 4 Our results suggest that the survey design framework examined could substantially improve the statistical power of forest elephant monitoring programmes, although the use of a power law (rather than linear) model seems preferable. A similar approach should be appropriate for designing savanna elephant monitoring programmes and for addressing other issues, including rates of hunting and human elephant conflict. Furthermore, the parameter estimates reported in this study should be useful in designing elephant survey and monitoring programmes at other forested sites in Central Africa.
Behaviour of adult Pacific lamprey in near-field flow and fishway design experiments

Abstract An experimental fishway was used to examine adult Pacific lamprey, Lampetra tridentata (Gairdner), behaviour in a series of attraction and passage-performance tests. Among all experiments, lamprey oriented to the fishway floor and walls and were attracted to both ambient and concentrated flow. When confronted with high-velocity areas (vertical-slot and submerged-orifice weirs), many lamprey failed to pass upstream. However, lamprey were able to find and take advantage of low-velocity refuges when they were provided. Lamprey climbed shallow- and steep-angled ramps when attraction cues were sufficient and other passage routes were restricted. The combined results demonstrated the passage challenges that fishways designed and operated for salmonids present to non-salmonid species. They also highlight the importance of evaluating trade-offs between fishway attraction and passage efficiency. The experiments were integrated with tagging studies and development of lamprey-specific passage structures, a research combination that provided an effective template for fishway performance evaluations.
Eriophyid mites for the biological control of knapweeds: morphological and biological observations.

During 2001 and 2002, Turkish populations of eriophyid mites infesting Centaurea solstitialis L. and C. squarrosa Willd. (Asteraceae) have been examined. The analyses of the morphometric data, induced symptoms, and the morphological comparison with the descriptions of known species, allowed us to identify three new Aceria species, here described and illustrated. Aceria solcentaureae and A. solstitialis were collected on C. solstitialis, and A. squarrosae was associated with C. squarrosa in Cappadocia, Turkey. The infested plants were stunted, showing a reduced growth, a heavy broom-like appearance, being bushy, with the apical parts of the stems and flowerheads still green and fresh during the hot and dry season, less spiny than usual, and producing smaller seedheads. Additional information is given about the ecology of these associations and on the potential role of these eriophyids as control agents.
Caffeine increases Nr1i3 expression and potentiates the effects of its ligand, TCPOBOP, in mice liver

A cafeina e uma das substâncias mais consumidas mundialmente, estando presente no cafe, cha-verde e guarana, entre outros. O receptor sensor de xenobioticos Receptor Nuclear subfamilia 1, grupo I, membro 3 (Nr1i3, mais conhecido como Androstano Consititutivo - Car) e um regulador chave da biotransformacao e excrecao de substâncias e nenhuma descricao consistente dos efeitos da cafeina sobre este receptor foi feita. Entao, para avaliar os efeitos da cafeina sobre este receptor, realizamos experimentos em camundongos. Primeiramente, camundongos C57/Bl/6 foram tratados diariamente com cafeina (50 mg/kg) por 15 dias e apresentaram um leve, mas significativo, aumento na expressao do Car e do seu gene alvo Cyp2b10. Assim, um segundo experimento foi realizado para verificar os efeitos da cafeina sobre o TCPOBOP (1,4-bis-[2-(3,5-dicloropiridiloxi)]benzeno,3,3′,5,5′-tetracloro-1,4-bis(piridiloxi)benzeno), o mais potente agonista do Nr1i3 de camundongos conhecido. Interessantemente, a cafeina potencializou os efeitos pleiotropicos do TCPOBOP no figado dos camundongos, como hepatomegalia, hepatotoxicidade, proliferacao celular e perda da comunicacao intercelular por juncoes do tipo gap. Os camundongos tratados com cafeina e TCPOBOP apresentaram maior expressao genica de Nr1i3 e Cyp2b10, quando comparados aos camundongos tratados apenas com cafeina ou TCPOBOP. Juntos, nossos resultados indicam que a cafeina aumenta a expressao do receptor CAR em figados de camundongos C57/Bl/6, porem nesta etapa ainda nao e possivel afirmar se estes efeitos sao direta ou indiretamente mediados pelo Nr1i3.
Comparative efficacy of thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis (NR1005) and antagonistic fungi, Trichoderma harzianum to control Pythium aphanidermatum-induced damping off in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Damping off is a very serious disease in many field crops including chilli and its biological control has gained significance in recent times due to ill effects of chemicals. The effect of thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis was evaluated to control Pythium aphanidermatum induced damping off in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) under laboratory as well as pot culture conditions. B. licheniformis suppressed the growth of P. aphanidermatum equally as Trichoderma harzianum under laboratory conditions by dual culture technique. B. licheniformis treatment was at par with T. harzianum when studied in pot cultures. There was 81.18% and 83.16% inhibition of disease causing P. aphanidermatum with respect to infected control pots with B. licheniformis and T. harzianum, respectively. B. licheniformis used in present study is thermophilic in nature and hence the study has relevance in the context of failure of T. harzianum at higher temperature.
New insights into ancient environments using dental characters in Australian Cenozoic lungfish

Environmentally-related wear conditions and pathologies affecting the dentition of fossil lungfish from freshwater deposits in Australia have been analysed and compared with similar changes in the dentition of the living Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsten. Fossil populations from the Namba, Etadunna, Wipajiri and Katipiri formations in central Australia, and the Carl Creek Limestone and the Camfield beds in northern Australia were assessed. Tooth plates from populations of living lungfish from the Brisbane River and Enoggera Reservoir in southeast Queensland were analysed for comparison. Tooth plates were measured to determine the numbers of different age groups in each population. They were assessed for abrasion, attrition, spur and step wear, erosion and caries, and for trauma and pathological conditions such as malocclusion, hyperplasia, abscesses, osteopenia and parasitic damage. AH of these conditions are related to the environment where the fish lived, are found in living members of the group, and can be compared directly with those of fossil relatives. The results suggest that some of the fossil populations were at risk before climatic changes late in the Cainozoic destroyed their habitats. Some fossil lungfish populations, such as those of the Wipajiri Formation, exhibit active spawning and recruitment, good growth rates and a low incidence of disease and environmentally related damage to the tooth plates. Others, like those of the Katipiri and Namba Formations, include no young, and the adult fish were ageing and show environmentally-related damage to the dentition. Etadunna lungfish had active recruitment, but the tooth plates show a high incidence of attrition and caries. Riversleigh lungfish were actively spawning but did not grow large. Tooth plates from this latter deposit have a high incidence of pathological conditions. Fish from the Camfield Beds, where food was severely limiting, had little serious pathology but high levels of caries. Pathologies among living lungfish are common, but fossil fish were comparatively healthy, with few serious dental problems. Information from studies of fossil lungfish confirms that conservation of the few living species of lungfish depends on the maintenance of clean environments that provide adequate supplies of food and suitable sites for spawning and for the growth of young fish.