Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and analyzing the impact of temperature and rainfall on mosquito population dynamics over Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Malaria parasites are strongly dependent on Anopheles mosquitoes for transmission; for this reason, mosquito population dynamics are a crucial determinant of malaria risk. However, temperature and rainfall play a significant role in both aquatic and adult stages of the Anopheles. Consequently, it is important to understand the biology of malaria vector mosquitoes in the study of malaria transmission. In this study, we develop a climate-based, ordinary-differential-equation model to analyze how rainfall and temperature determine mosquito population size. In the model, we consider in detail the influence of ambient temperature on gonotrophic and sporogonic cycles over Amajuba District, Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa. In particular, we further use the model to simulate the spatial distribution of the mosquito biting rate over the study region. Our results reflect high seasonality of the population of An. gambiae over the region and also demonstrate the influence of climatic factors on the mosquito population dynamics.
Pesticidal Activity of Wild Mushroom Cantharellus cibarius (FR) Extracts against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Stored Maize Grains

Grain damage due to pest infestation is among the top challenges facing cereals production. Maize grains being among the staple food in different parts of the world is prone to destruction by pests such as vertebrates, fungi and insects who are known to affect maize before harvest and during post harvest storage. Sitophilus zeamais is among the potential maize grains infestants. The efforts to control the pest highly depends on the application of synthetic pesticides which are faced by challenges of limited access, fear for toxicity, development of resistance among the pests and environmental pollution. This study aimed at assessing the toxicity, anti-feedant and repellence activities of crude methanol extracts of wild mushroom Cantharellus cibarius on Sitophilus zeamais in stored maize grains towards searching for alternative means of pest control. Assessments were conducted using six levels of concentrations ranging between 0.05 to 0.5 % w/w. Nontreated grains and treated grains with 2% Actellic gold TM 2% dust (0.05% w/w) were used as negative and positive controls respectively. Three replicates were made for each treatment and experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design. The methanol extract at 0.5% w/w concentration demonstrated high toxicity 21 days after treatment killing 66.7% of the pest. Similarly, a 92.5% reduction in grain damage was observed at 0.5% w/w 21 days after treatment compared to nontreated controls. Furthermore, the extracts indicated pest repellence of 98.3% after 24 hours of exposure. The findings render C. cibarius a potential biopesticide for use by subsistence farmers against maize storage pests to support the ongoing Integrated Pests Management strategies. Further studies are recommended on the appropriate frequency and rate of application as well as the maximum duration of protection that can be offered by the extracts.
The success of species reintroductions: a case study of red deer in Portugal two decades after reintroduction

ABSTRACT Reintroduction programs are important tools in the recovery or establishment of animal populations, but post-release monitoring, essential to evaluate their success, generally lacks in most projects. During the 1990s, a red deer (Cervus elaphus) reintroduction program took place in central Portugal. Almost two decades after the reintroduction, this study aimed to establish the current state of red deer populations. Density estimates were obtained through pellet group counts coupled with distance sampling using 61 linear transects. The results showed that red deer densities are of 3.10 ind. /100 ha (95% confidence interval: 1.6–5.9) and this species is widely distributed throughout the area. Due to increase in numbers and range since the beginning of the reintroduction, this program can be considered a case of success; however, future monitoring programs should continue to be developed. EDITED BY Piran White
Impact of pollination and resource limitation on seed production in a border population of Spiranthes spiralis (Orchidaceae)

Experiments on pollination were carried out in a border population of the terrestrial orchid Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. in the southern part of The Netherlands, one of the two remaining sites in the country. Experiments revealed that S. spiralis is a non-autogamous species. Visiting insects, mainly bumblebees, are needed for seed production, either by geitonogamy or cross-pollination. Insect-pollinated plants had 35% fruit set compared to 75% for flowers geitonogamously pollinated by hand. Removal of flowers of other species surrounding clumped flowering stalks of S. spiralis increased fruit set, indicating interspecific competition for pollinators. Fruit set was independent of the number of flowers per inflorescence. Since the number of seeds per fruit increased with the number of fruits per inflorescence, available resources do not limit the seed production. This is probably a result of the phenology of this species. Insect pollination does not appear to be a bottle-neck in the sustainability of this border population of the rare and endangered S. spiralis. Appropriate vegetation management of the site is probably essential if the population is to persist.
Haplotype diversity in MC1R locus between the Min and white-haired pig breeds

ABSTRACT In this article, we investigated the genetic variations in the coding region of porcine melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in three pig breeds (Min, Yorkshire and Landrace) with black and white coat colors. Six polymorphic sites were found to be significantly associated with coat color. Two blocks were identified in the linkage disequilibrium map, the haplotypes in the first block are nt67/68indelCC and nt67/68indel--, and the haplotypes in the second block are ACCGA and GTTAG. The median-joining network diagram of MC1R haplotypes showed most Min pigs and other Asia domestic breeds own similar haplotypes to ACCGA, while the haplotypes of Europe pig breeds are similar to GTTAG. The phylogenetic analysis of the MC1R CDS further showed Min pigs are close to Laiwu pigs (Shandong, China), which indicated that the black coat color trait of Min pig might be originated and evolved from the black pig breed in Shandong Peninsula of China.
Stable isotopes in tropical tree rings: theory, methods and applications

Summary The notion that many tropical tree species form annual growth rings has triggered research on their growth and its environmental drivers over long periods of time. More recently even, a large number of studies have also analysed the natural abundance of stable isotopes in tropical tree rings. The rapid developments in this young field call for a review. Here we focus on stable isotopes of carbon (13C), oxygen (18O) and nitrogen (15N). We start by explaining how environmental and physiological effects define the isotopic composition of wood in tropical trees. Abundance of 13C is mainly driven by water, light and nutrient availability. 18O values are chiefly determined by those of rainwater and additionally by rooting depth and factors determining leaf water evaporation. 15N levels are determined by the 15N signature of nitrogen uptake, which in turn depends in complex ways on various processes in the nitrogen cycle. We then discuss methodological aspects of isotopes studies in tropical tree rings. An important requirement is that rings are reliably dated. A key methodological concern is furthermore that temporal changes in isotopic values can be confounded by tree-size driven changes, which can be avoided by sampling from a fixed diameter range or accounted for statistically. Next, 50 studies are reviewed that measured stable isotopes of C, O and/or N in tree rings of a total of 85 tropical tree species. Temporal variation in both δ13C and δ18O was correlated to precipitation and ENSO variability. Seasonality in δ13C and δ18O was successfully used for delimiting visually non-distinct annual rings. Tropical tree responses to increasing atmospheric [CO2] were effectively quantified using δ13C as a measure of intrinsic water use efficiency. And finally, anthropogenic changes in the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests have been inferred from δ15N. We conclude with methodological and ecophysiological recommendations for isotope studies in tropical tree rings. Future perspectives include the analysis of intramolecular isotopic distributions of isotopes in glucose that can advance our understanding of environmental effects on tropical tree physiology. Finally, we recommend that tropical tree ring isotope data are deposited in open-access databases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effects of fruit skin and water temperature during soaking before germination on the emergence rates of common buckwheat

Mikio Sekinuma ,Futoshi Kato ,Futoshi Sasaki , Satomi Takeda , Naoto Inoue and Shigemitsu Kasuga Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399 -4598, Japan Present address:College of Bioresource Sciences,Nihon University,Fujisawa,1866 Kameino,Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan Present address:Aomori Prefectural Industrial Technology Research Center, Kuroishi, Tanaka, Aomori 036-0522, Japan
Effect of a putative probiotic bacterial isolate from shrimp gut on disease resistance and immune response in shrimp.

Twenty two bacterial isolates from healthy juveniles of Fenneropenaeus indicus were tested for their suitability to be used as gut probionts. Out of these, two strains viz., G23 and V76 from F.indicus gut and hemolymph respectively, showed good antagonism towards all the bacterial pathogens used for testing. Two trials were conducted to test the efficacy o f the selected probionts on growth, disease resistance and/ immune parameters in shrimp. In trial 1, postlarvae of P. monodon were fed on commercial shrimp diets incorporated with the selected probionts G23 , V76 and an unaltered diet for a period of 45 days. On termination o f the experimental feeding, the treatment groups fed on G23 incorporated diet showed significantly (P< 0.05) higher growth and disease resistance to Vibrio harveyi. There was also good colonization of the probiont in the gut and significant reduction in vibrio load in the gut of challenged animals (with V. harveyi) on the 10th day post challenge compared to the control groups. Groups fed on V76 incorporated diets also showed comparatively better performance than control group, but was not as significant as in the case of G23. In the second trial, juveniles of F.indicus were fed on G23 incorporated diet for a period of 45 days along with control groups fed on unaltered diet. The groups fed on G23 incorporated diet showed significant (P< 0.05) improvement in disease resistance to Vibrio anguillarum. The effect of the diets on the immune parameters like total and differential hemocyte counts, plasma protein, plasma bactericidal activity, phenoloxidase and respiratory burst activity In the hemocytes were also tested. It was found that the plasma bactericidal activity and the percentage composition of granulocytes in the hemolymph were significantly higher in the G23 supplemented groups as compared to control animals. The groups supplemented with G23 also showed good colonization of the probiont in the gut and significant reduction in total vibrio count in the gut of challenged animals on 10th day post challenge with Vibrio anguillarum.
Altération du protéome de la cellule hôte en réponse à l'infection par listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes est une bacterie pathogene responsable de la listeriose chez l’homme. Cette bacterie est capable d’envahir et de se repliquer dans des cellules phagocytaires et non-phagocytaires de l’hote. De fait, Listeria interagit et interfere avec de nombreux composants cellulaires au cours de sa replication. Mon projet de these s’est focalise sur les alterations du proteome des cellules infectees par Listeria. Je me suis en particulier interesse a l’activation de proteases de l’hote et aux degradations de certains facteurs cellulaires en reponse a l’infection.Une analyse proteomique de cellules humaines traitees avec la Listeriolysine O (LLO), une toxine secretee par Listeria formant des pores dans les membranes cellulaires, nous a permis d’identifier plusieurs dizaines de facteurs cellulaires degrades en reponse a l’exposition a cette toxine.Nous avons pu confirmer la degradation de ces proteines dans le contexte d’une infection par Listeria in vitro (dans un modele de cellules en culture) et in vivo (dans un modele animal). Nous anticipons que la degradation de ces proteines, impliquees dans differentes fonctions cellulaires, joue un role au cours de l’infection par Listeria en modifiant la physiologie des cellules hote.Nous avons en parallele mis en evidence que Listeria interfere avec le fonctionnement des lysosomes. Nous avons montre que la LLO destabilise les lysosomes des cellules hotes et induit leur permeabilisation. Ceci permet la liberation de certaines proteases lysosomales, telles que les cathepsines, dans le cytosol des cellules hote. Ces cathepsines, une fois liberees, pourraient alors cliver differentes proteines cytosoliques et ainsi modifier la physiologie des cellules infectees.L’ensemble de mes travaux a permis de montrer que Listeria interfere avec le fonctionnement de nombreuses proteases de l’hote et induit la degradation de plusieurs facteurs cellulaires. Ces cibles degradees constituent une nouvelle classe de proteines dont nous pouvons maintenant tester le role potentiel dans l’infection. Mes travaux ont d’autre part permis de montrer que d’autres toxines bacteriennes, similaires a la LLO, induisent egalement des alterations du proteome des cellules hotes. Ceci suggere que les mecanismes identifies avec Listeria sont conserves entre differentes classes de pathogenes bacteriens.
Changes of morphological and physiological markers induced by growth phases in leaves of olive tree (Olea europaea L.)

A number of changes occur during the ontogeny of the plants. These changes referred to phase changes and have been considered by Hackett and Murray (1996) as a reflection of a change in competence to perceive, or a respond to environmental or endogenous stimuli for flower induction. The phase changes, especially in woody perennial species, have been described for many species (Hackett & Murray, 1993). Little effort has been directed, however, toward the development of practical methods for shortening the juvenile phase (Meilan, 1997) and accelerating the growth, in order to get early flowering. In many heteroblastic woody species with distinguishable ‘juvenile’ and ‘mature’ phases, juvenility as a complex phenomenon is still not fully understood. Zimmerman et al., (1985) have defined it as the period during which the plant cannot be induced to flower. The duration of the juvenile phase is quite variable. It reaches up to 30-40 years in Fagus sylvatica L. (Meilan, 1997), whereas in olive, the time lapse from seed germination to the first development takes up to l0 years or more (Lavee et al., 1996). However, the study of juvenility duration is highly difficult and still represents a serious obstacle to breeding programs, especially to the selection of improved cultivars (Hansche & Beres, 1980; Poething, 1990). On the other hand, the morphological Journal of Biological Research 2: 105 – 114, 2004
Nursery Areas as Essential Shark Habitats: A Theoretical Perspective

Nursery areas are widely considered to be essential habitats for sharks. While there have been many efforts to determine the locations of nurseries in coastal waters and studies of movements within these nurseries, few studies have attempted to identify the factors that influence nursery area selection and habitat use within nurseries. Such data are critical for identifying essential habitats within nurseries and determining the factors that might set the carrying capacity of these areas. Behavioral and ecological theory provides important insights into nursery area use and the definition of essential habitats. For example, simply measuring the density of animals in various habitats can lead to (1) incorrect identification of critical areas because animal density and habitat quality (or importance) do not always coincide, and (2) incorrect assumptions about the factors limiting popu- lation sizes. Food abundance and predation risk are likely important determinants of nursery area selection, habitat use within nurseries, and carrying capacity of nurseries. Currently, we know little about how these factors and the physical features of the environment (e.g., water temperature, habitat structure) influence juvenile sharks. Here, I review our current understanding of shark nurseries in a theoretical context to identify areas where future studies are required and generate testable hypoth- eses regarding the use of nursery habitats.
Efficacy of INK128, an mTORC1/mTORC2 kinase inhibitor, in breast cancer models driven by HER2-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

626 Background: Downstream of the PI3K-AKT pathway, the mTOR has been shown to be essential effector in promoting cell proliferation, survival, mRNA translation and tumor susceptibility. Aberrant activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway occurs frequently in breast tumor (BT) and contributes to resistance to trastuzumab (T). Using a HER2 amplified BT model; we investigated the antitumor efficacy of the dual mTORC1/mTORC2 kinase inhibitor INK128 alone and in combination with T. Methods: The antiproliferative and HER2-mediated cellular signaling (pAKT, pP70S6K, pS6RP, p4EBP1 and p-ERK) effects of INK128 alone and in combination with T were evaluated in HER2 amplified T-sensitive (BT474), T-resistant (BT474HR), and HER2 amplified/PIK3CA mutated (HCC1954, UACC893) BT cell lines by MTT assay and Western blots. Athymic mice bearing BT474 and BT474HR xenograft tumors were treated with INK128 and T (alone and in combination). Results: (1)INK128 exhibited excellent in vitro cell killing activity in MTT assay with IC.
A UNIFIED APPROACH TO OUTLIERS IN THE GENERAL LINEAR MODEL

SUMMARY. In the normal general linear model (Y,X? ,<r2V), with arbitrary known variance-ciovariance structure V, three types of outlier may be distinguished. The test-statistics and adjusted parameter estimates associated with each type of outlier are presented. A unified approach to outliers in the general linear model is developed, by showing that testing for the different types of outlier in the linear model ( Y,X? ,<r2 V), is equivalent to testing for outliers in the linear model (e,Q,cr2N), where e is the vector of estimated residuals from the original model, and <r2N is its variance-covariance matrix. A duality relationship between two types of outlier is exhibited. Corresponding to three types of outlier, three types of influence can be distinguished in the general linear model, and the influence measures of Cook (1977) and Andrews and Pregibon(1978) are generalized.
DETECTION OF IL-8, IL-10 AND IFN- Γ mRNA IN TROPHOBLAST TISSUES OF RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTION USING IN SITU HYBERDIZATION

Background: Th1-type cytokines secretion such as IFN-γ, and Th2 cytokines such as IL10, have been shown to exert deleterious effects on pregnancy, inhibiting fetal growth and development . Aim: Measurement of the locally concentrations of selected Th1 and Th2 cytokines in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) at the time of abortion using in situ hyperdization technique. Methods: A total of one hundred and nineteen women, ranged from the mean age (23.9 − 28.5)years, were enrolled in the current study and were further classified into three categories: Group ARecurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA): n= 62 women, with a mean age of (28.5 + 0.68);Group Bnonrecurrent spontaneous abortion (non-RSA): n= 34 women, with a mean age of (26.4 ± 0.85)and group CControl (successful pregnancy): n= 23 women, with a mean age of (23.9 ± 0.88). From each patient and control, placental tissues were collected. Trophoblasts tissues (an image for the local microenvironment) were screened to determine their in situ levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ based on cDNA probes (for in-situ hybridization, ISH). Results: There was a significant increase in the level of IL-10 within trophoblast tissues biopsies exclusively from women with successful pregnancies (group C) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, IFN-γ was found predominantly expressed in trophoblast tissue biopsies of patients with RSA whether IHC or ISH were conducted (p< 0.05). Accordingly, only trophoblast tissues biopsies from patients with RSA revealed a significant increase in the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10 levels expressed as determined by in situ hybridization in comparison to the same ration calculated from trophoblasts tissues of women with successful pregnancies (group C) (p< 0.001). as marker for Th2 immune response, during successful pregnancies. Furthermore, the current study failed to demonstrate a significant difference in the tissue levels of IL-8 between RSA and control group (p> 0.05) and no significant different between non-RSA and control (p>0.05) , (always p < 0.05). Conclusion: These outcomes may further support the possible exisance of an immune response that orchestrates abortive phenomena and the possible protective role of IL-10.
Eucalypt plantation management in regions with water stress

Most eucalypt plantations are managed in short rotations (6–8 years) and are established in regions with water and nutritional stresses of varying degrees. The mean annual increment in these regions ranges from 20 to 45 m3 ha−1 y−1 depending on the level of environmental stress. Improving natural resource use efficiency by breeding and matching genotypes to sites and using appropriate site management practices is a key challenge to sustain or increase productivity. Climate change is emerging as a driving force behind many of the current issues facing natural resources, and is likely to intensify the water constraint. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted significant increases in surface air temperatures and decreases in rainfall (with more erratic rainfall patterns) over the tropics and subtropics, affecting drier regions in particular. To be truly sustainable, forest management practices must be environmentally friendly, prevent or reduce land degradation, improve biodiversity and increase resilience to climate variation and change. The main efforts should address the problems of water scarcity, low soil fertility and reduced biodiversity. Forest growers should take into account the inherent risks of different forest management systems on the regional water availability and consider reducing forest productivity in order to maintain both ecological and social equilibrium. The design and implementation of management techniques should be adapted to the specific production and protection objectives, which depend on the regional and local edaphoclimatic circumstances, water resources management, protection against soil erosion, diseases, pests, bushfires, strong winds and alien species. This paper addresses the basic requirements for integrating genetic and silvicultural strategies to minimise the water constraints in eucalypt plantations and surrounding water and native vegetation resources. We show several examples of effective forest management actions on the scale of forest stand and watershed in use in Brazil.