Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods for ageing and sexing the Black-eared Miner, Manorina melanotis, and the Yellow-throated Miner, M. flavigula

Abstract Morphometric data on 92 Black-eared Miners and 47 Yellow-throated Miners that had been independently sexed using molecular techniques were analysed to investigate size dimorphism between the sexes. We found that both species are sexually dimorphic in size, with males being the larger sex. Discriminant analyses of morphometric data were used to develop a simple method for sexing both species in the hand. Additionally, alula shape was consistent with other methods that we applied for ageing individuals. Sex-specific size differences between Black-eared and Yellow-throated Miners detected here add further support to the contention that they represent different taxa. The application of these sexing and ageing techniques for both species of mallee miner will improve ongoing field management of the endangered Black-eared Miner.
Early Land Plants Today: Index of Liverworts & Hornworts 2009-2010

A widely accessible list of known plant species is a fundamental requirement for plant conservation and has vast applications. An index of published names of liverworts and hornworts between 2009 and 2010 is provided as part of a continued effort in working toward producing a world checklist of this group. Included in the list are also names overlooked by earlier indices. The list includes 30 higher taxa, 250 species, 52 infraspecific taxa, 31 autonyms, and two fossils for 2009 and 2010. A number of taxa not covered by the earlier indices for 2000-2008 are also included.
Oceanographic Features of Inlets in the British Columbia Mainland Coast

The inlets of the British Columbia mainland coast are morphologically fjords but few possess sills of depth less than 15 m.The most significant influence in them is the fresh water runoff, chiefly from rivers. It is large in many of the inlets fed by rivers from glaciers, is seasonal in flow, and determines the estuarine character and circulation of the inlets and thereby the distribution of water characteristics.In the large-runoff inlets the surface salinity increases from zero at the head to coastal sea values at the mouth. In winter the surface temperature is low and uniform but in summer it increases from the head, reaches a maximum where the salinity is about 8‰ and then diminishes toward the mouth. The water is highly stratified, particularly from the surface to about 20 m depth where the salinity rises to 90% or more of the deep water value. The marked halocline in the upper layer is accompanied by a marked thermocline. Below 50 m the salinity and temperature do not change much along the length of.
Non-indigenous ungulates as a threat to biodiversity

Non-indigenous ungulate species pose a problem for conservation. They can be socially and economically valuable, but are also potentially harmful to biodiversity. Therefore, their introduction requires an explicit assessment of risk relative to benefit. To conduct such risk assessments, information regarding the impacts of non-indigenous ungulates on biodiversity is required. Here, we review the available evidence for the biodiversity impacts of non-indigenous ungulates. Hybridization, exploitation and apparent competition, vegetation impacts, predation, facilitation, trophic cascades and soil system functioning were assessed using a hierarchical set of criteria for the strength of the evidence. Strong evidence was lacking for risks posed by competition. Numerous reports exist of hybridization in captivity between ungulate species that normally do not co-occur, but conclusive evidence for introgression in the wild was restricted to one case. Strong evidence (using exclosure experiments) for the impacts of introduced ungulates on vegetation structure and composition was found and in some cases introduced ungulates caused the extirpation of plant species. Predation by Sus scrofa is a substantial threat to island faunas and systems, and impacts on soil system functioning elsewhere have also been found. Facilitation by ungulates has been shown to be substantial in promoting invasive plant species. By contrast, little evidence exists for apparent competition. The largest impacts from introduced ungulates are likely to be in cases where they perform novel functions in the new environment. However, to determine which types of impacts are likely to be most problematic, further evidence is required, ideally from well-designed field experiments.
Dialog

A recent breakthrough in information retrieval has been the use of an on-line computer to assist an individual in identifying which documents in a large collection pertain to a particular interest topic. By eliminating intermediaries and placing the user in direct communication with the computer, results are available in seconds or minutes instead of days or weeks, and interesting avenues of exploration suggested by preliminary results can be pursued without time lapse. Tlus paper discusses on-line retrieval and describes a computer-implemented retrieval system called DIALOG which is currently operational with a store of over 300,000 document references. &dquo;
EXOGENOUS ASCORBIC ACID OR THIAMINE INCREASES THE RESISTANCE OF SUNFLOWER AND MAIZE PLANTS TO SALT STRESS

Increasing NaCl levels retarded the net photosynthetic rate, biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments and membrane integrity of maize and sunflower seedlings; a serious effect was exhibited when NaCl was applied at high concentration. On the other hand, the K + efflux increased at increasing NaCl levels. In addition, the various salt levels induced considerable variations in the concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The vitamins applied were generally effective in partially or completely countering the inhibitory effects of salt stress on net photosynthetic rate, pigments biosynthesis and membrane integrity, exerting a stimulatory action on these parameters, especially in plants subjected to moderate and low salinity levels. The leakage of K + was reduced by the application of both ascorbic acid (AsA) and thiamine (B 1 ). Soaking the seeds of salt-stressed plants in AsA or B 1 had a favourable effect on the accumulation of certain ions and antagonized or ameliorated the inhibitory eff.
Variant CD44 expression by human fibroblasts

Abstract CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein with roles in tumour invasion and metastasis. CD44 is variably spliced from ten variant exons and mis-splicing is a biomarker for detection of colon, urothelial and other carcinomas. Fibroblasts are normally considered to lack variant exons and thus should not generate false-positive signals. Transcription of variant exons by fibroblasts was investigated by exon-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for variant exons v2–v10 using normal primary fibroblasts, immortalized and experimentally transformed fibroblasts. Flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting were used to determine expression. All types of fibroblasts, including normal primary culture fibroblasts, transcribed low levels of variant exon mRNA. Expression could not be detected by blotting or immunocytochemistry but flow cytometry revealed minor expression of some exons by all three types of cultured fibroblast. Fibroblasts do transcribe and express small amounts of variant exon CD44. This may need to be considered when using exon splicing as a biomarker for malignancy in clinical samples containing connective tissue.
Population Genetics for 15 STR loci of Liaoning Han in Northeastern China

Allele frequencies for the 15 autosomal STR loci D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51. Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, and FGA (PowerPlex ® 16 system ™ , Promega corporation)were determined in a population sample of 538 unrelated individuals from northeastern China Han (Liaoning).
Factors and Correlations Controlling Cellulase-Free Xylanase Production by Streptomyces Halstedii NRRL B-1238 in Submerged Culture

Cellulase-free xylanase production of Streptomyces halstedii NRRL B-1238 was optimized in submerged fermentation during which the environmental and nutritional factors controlling enzyme production were investigated. Xylanase was maximally produced at the 120 th h of fermentation at initial pH 7.5 and incubation temperature of 32 °C with medium volume to flask volume of 25/250 (ml/ml). The optimum nutritional conditions showed xylan hydrolysate at 20 gL -1 and peptone as the most effective nutrients for xylanase production. Maximum production of cellulase-free xylanase was recorded at 5% inoculum ratio, the overall specific activity reached up to 45.15 U/mg protein. The maximum partial purification of the cellulase-free xylanase was achieved with ammonium sulphate at 60% saturation. Aappreciable amounts of cellulose-free xylanase could be produced on the selected moderately low cost medium.
Age structure, growth, and demographic parameters in breeding-age female subantarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus tropicalis

Age distribution was estimated for 108 breeding-age female subantarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus tropicalis (Gray, 1872), sampled during the 1999–2000 breeding season on Amsterdam Island, southern Indian Ocean. The growth features were described and demographic parameters assessed from transversal life tables constructed for this female population. The breeding females had a longer mean body length than was observed for other breeding populations of the same species. These females also showed a later start to reproduction (6 years old), a lower overall age-specific reproductive rate (R6–16 = 48.0%), and a lower survival in older age classes (>13 years). Females reproduced up to a maximum age of 16 years, with none older than 19 years observed in the colony, suggesting an apparent senescence in the population. This consequently reduced the theoretical reproductive period of the females, which has led to a lower number of reproductive outputs per individual (i.e., 3.65 weaned pups per female throughout its .
Non-destructive measurement of stem water content by time domain reflectometry using short probes

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has previously been used to determine the water content of soils. Here, TDR is assessed as a method of tracking the seasonal change in water content of the stems of mature trees (Pinus sylvestris L.). The longer probes used for soil were replaced by 50 mm probes, inserted radially into the stems at 1 m above the ground. Tests on blocks of wood in the laboratory suggested that the probe is influenced by the water content several centimetres around it, and the sensitivity of the system enables volumetric water content (W) in the physiological range to be measured to a resolution greater than 0.01 m 3 (H 2 O) m -3 . The use of very short probes prevents the development of a universal calibration between measured dielectric constant and W. Calibrations for both 50 mm and 20 mm long probes are reported. The effect of temperature on the calibration was negligible. The system was used successfully on mature trees in 1995, and no evidence of wound reaction around the permanently installed probes was apparent in the measurements.
Fitness consequences of ovicide in a parasitoid wasp

Ovicide, superparasitism and host rejection are alternative reproductive tactics facing female parasitoid wasps encountering an already‐parasitized host. Superparasitism is simply the addition of an egg or a clutch of eggs by the secondary parasitoid, but under ovicide the primary clutch is removed or destroyed. Host rejection occurs if the wasp leaves without laying a clutch.
Improving Classiﬁcation Accuracy of Deep Neural Networks by Transferring Features from a Different Distribution

Deep Neural Networks (DNN) are feed-forward, artiﬁcial neural networks that allow learning of multiple levels of abstraction that help to make sense of data such as images, sound, and text. We study the performance of DNNs using transfer learning approaches. Transfer learning is a process where a network trained on a source problem is reused to solve a new target problem by applying minor modiﬁcations to the network. Generally, transfer learning is done when the distributions between the source and target are similar and the task is equal. In this paper, we hypothesis that, if the distance between the distributions is different, and the tasks are different transfer learning will help to improve classiﬁcation performance and speed up the process. For this purpose we propose unsupervised feature transference using Stacked Denoising Autoencoder (SDA). In unsupervised feature transfer-ence approach we explore: 1) transfer learning between completely different tasks drawn from different distributions and, 2) transfer learning between equal tasks drawn from different distributions. We achieved signiﬁcant improvement on average error rate and on average computation time using SDA on two types of transfer learning approaches to test our hypothesis.
Detection of banana streak virus in field samples of bananas from Uganda.

Summary Banana streak virus (BSV) is one of the major constraints to banana production in Uganda. To develop a diagnostic technique, 59 samples were taken from 30 farms at 14 locations across Uganda; a further three samples were taken from infector plants for BSV epidemiology experiments. BSV was found in 51 of the field samples and in the three infector plants. The possible variation of the virus was assessed by serology (ISEM and ELISA) using a broad-spectrum antiserum and by PCR. Virus was poorly detected in many of the samples by serological tests even though other techniques showed its presence. Virus was detected in most samples by PCR with a degenerate primer set on extracted viral DNA and on immune-captured (1C) or directly bound (DB) virus particles. The epidemiology experiment samples did not give a product with these degenerate primers but did with other primer sets. A diagnostic procedure was developed involving concentrating the virus in sap by polyethylene glycol precipitation followed by 1C- or DB-PCR using a degenerate primer set which detected virus in most samples.
Demographic structure, genetic diversity and habitat distribution of the endangered, Australian rainforest tree Macadamia jansenii help facilitate an introduction program

Macadamia jansenii is endemic to south-east Queensland, Australia, and is currently known from a single population 180 km north of the nearest wild population of its congener, the edible Macadamia integrifolia. A recently developed Macadamia recovery plan identified that this population was under significant threat and recommended a reintroduction program to safeguard against chance extinction of the single wild population. This study undertook demographic population census surveys, genetic analysis, habitat analysis and niche modelling to determine the potential long-term viability for the species, and to guide search and reintroduction programs. We expanded the known population size of the species to ~60 individuals (1 m and taller) spread over a 900-m distance along a single creek clumped into three subpopulations. There was moderate genetic diversity in the species and the subpopulations showed little genetic differentiation. We developed a potential habitat model combining abiotic variables and vegetation associations, and mapped areas of potentially suitable habitat for M. jansenii within its local area. These maps are being used to target searches for other populations and to guide the location of introduction populations.
Anti-HCMV Activity of Cidofovir in Combination with Antiviral Compounds and Immunosuppressive Agents: In-Vitro Analyses

Cidofovir 1-[(S)-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy) propyl] cytosine, HPMPC] is an acyclic cytosine nucleotide analogue with potent in-vitro and in-vivo activity against a broad spectrum of herpesviruses including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Cidofovir has recently been shown to delay the progression of HCMV retinitis in AIDS patients. Therefore, the effects of several antiviral compounds (GCV, AZT, ddC., ddl, d4T, 3TC and PMEA) on the anti-HCMV activity of cidofovir were investigated in vitro. Cidofovir in combination with GCV demonstrated synergistic inhibition of HCMV replication. Very little significant antiviral synergy or antagonism was measured for any of the other combinations. Furthermore, none of the combinations showed increased cytotoxicity in comparison with each drug alone. Additionally, the antiviral activity of cidofovir was determined in the presence of several immunosuppressive agents (hydrocortisone, cyclosporine A, methotrexate and mycophenolic acid) that are commonly used in the management of organ transplantation rejection in transplant patients. None of these agents altered the antiviral activity of cidofovir in vitro.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis from vaginal swabs: Validation of a Diagnostic Method and Preliminary Epidemiological Application

Background Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common nonviral sexually trasmitted diseases (STDs) agent. For females, the diagnostic gold standard is the culture of vaginal swab, which is labour-exacting.The direct microscopic examination of vaginal secretions is the most used approach, but its sensitivity depends on the skill of the observer. Objectives We evaluated an original real-time TaqMan-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.The scope of the study was to confirm the effectiveness of the molecular approach in a clinical context and to explore its relevance to an epidemiological investigation. Study Design a s-tubulin gene was chosen as target sequence.The assay was designed to exploit the quantitative potential of the TaqMan procedure.The population sample was 583 adult females presenting at the Service from January 2005 to December 2005.Three vaginal swabs were collected from each patient, one for wet mount microscopy, one for broth culture, and one for the molecular assay. Results The prevalence was 3.3% (culture), 3.1% (microscopy), 3.8% (PCR). An excess risk was detected in the immigrant population (risk ratio by PCR = 28). Conclusions The molecular approach was the most accurate way to detect the protozoon.The real-time PCR is convenient in a busy laboratory, provided the necessary equipment is available, and it is suitable for epidemiological investigation.
Plant families as predictors of plant biodiversity in Mexico

Three speciose plant families (Asteraceae, Fabaceae s.l., and Poaceae) are evaluated for their appropriateness as predictors of overall regional patterns of plant diversity in Mexico. These families fulfil criteria for usefulness as indicators advocated by several authors, such as adequate taxonomic knowledge, wide geographical distribution, and occurrence in different plant communities. Known richness was determined from a database including 17,903 species from floristic inventories, review of taxonomic literature, and the study of herbarium specimens. Mexico was divided into 253 cells, each 1° latitude by 1° longitude; for each cell, total plant diversity and number of species in each predictor's family were determined. In addition, each species was categorized by ‘preferred’ vegetation type (temperate forest, dry tropical forest, humid tropical forest, xerophytic scrubland). Both multiple and simple regression models show that the three families are good predictors of total vascular floristic richness. Fabaceae s.l. has the highest semipartial correlations for all multiple models except with the xerophytic scrubland data set, for which it shares the highest values with Poaceae. Univariate models also predict satisfactorily the vascular floristic richness, especially when Fabaceae s.l. is used as the predictor, and the effect of vegetation type is included. Our results indicate that these three families can be used as potential predictors for total vascular plant species richness in Mexico although Fabaceae s.l. is the best predictor.
IN VITRO ANTI-CANDIDA ACTIVITIES OF SALSOLA RIGIDA AND PROSOPIS FARCTA

Introduction: Traditional medicine is a potential source of new antifungal with worldwide. Salsola rigida is an Iranian traditional herbal medicine that it is useful for several diseases such as hypertension and leprosy. Prosopis farcta is another native species of arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. It is used for the treatment of stomach ulcers, abortion, dysentery, larynx rheumatism inflammation, cardiac pain, breath shortness and also has anti-inflammatory effect in folklore medicine. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro activities of ethanolic extracts of S. rigida and P. farcta against several clinical isolates of Candida species. Materials and Methods: The aerial parts of S. rigida and the fruits of P. farcta were extracted using 85% ethanol for 72h at a room temperature. The extracts were filtered using Whatman filter papers and dried at ambient. A serial dilutions of both extracts from 3.12-400 mg/ml were prepared in dimethyl sulphoxide. In the present study agar well diffusion method was used for detection minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of several isolates of various Candida species. Results: It was found that the ethanolic extracts from the aerial parts of S. rigida and P. farcta fruits were exhibited anti-Candida activity by ranges of inhibition zones and MIC by ranges of 25-400 mg/ml. The mean MICs for all tested Candida were 149.4 mg/ml and 120.6 mg/ml for S. rigida and P. farcta, respectively.Conclusion: Our result shows that both plants have antifungal activity potential and can be as a suitable source for the treatment of fungal disease. It is the worth of further investigations in order to identify the active compounds and their clinical applications for the treatment of candidiasis.
Insect herbivore‐associated organisms affect plant responses to herbivory

In nature, plants interact with many organisms and need to integrate their responses to these diverse community members. Knowledge on plant-insect relationships has accumulated rapidly during the last decades. Yet most studies on direct or indirect defences of plants against herbivory have treated herbivores as individual stressors. However, herbivores often consist of communities themselves, comprising organisms such as parasites and symbionts, which may have important effects on the herbivore phenotype, and consequently on interactions of the herbivore with its food plant. Here, we review how herbivore-associated organisms affect plant-herbivore interactions. Organisms associated with herbivores can directly affect how a plant interacts with their herbivorous hosts, by interfering with plant signal-transduction pathways, repressing the expression of plant defence-related genes, or altering plant secondary metabolism. In addition, herbivore-associated organisms can also affect plant responses indirectly by their effect on the behaviour and physiology of their herbivore host. The changes in plant phenotype that arise from herbivore-associated organisms may subsequently affect interactions with other community members, thereby impacting community dynamics. Furthermore, herbivore-associated organisms may act as a hidden driving force of plant-herbivore coevolution. Therefore, to understand plant-herbivore interactions it is important to realize that every single herbivorous insect constitutes a community in itself.
Root-lesion Nematode Resistance

Age of Plant. 12-14 days Inoc. Type. Suspension in tap water; extract nematodes from alfalfa callus or corn root tissue for 48 hours using shaker method (described in RATING section). Concentration . About 40 P. penetrans per mL Method . Inject 4 mL nematode suspension (150 nematodes per tube) into soil at 4 cm depth using a microliter pipette. Repeat inoculation I week later. Total = 300 nematodes/tube. Other. Include noninoculated control.