Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complementary seed dispersal by three avian frugivores in a fragmented Afromontane forest

Questions To what extent does species-specific variation in gut passage time (GPT), habitat use and mobility of three key avian frugivores synergistically affect the distribution of Xymalos monospora seeds within and among isolated forest fragments? Location Three fragments of a severely fragmented cloud forest, Taita Hills, southeast Kenya. Methods We experimentally determined GPTs of X. monospora seeds and recorded movements and habitat use by Turdus helleri, Andropadus milanjensis and Tauraco hartlaubi through radiotelemetry, and combined these data to generate species-specific seed dispersal patterns. Results Differences in mobility and habitat use among the three frugivores caused significant complementarity in seed dispersal, despite the fact that gut transit times were highly comparable. While the most sedentary and forest-dependent species mainly led to short-distance dispersal away from parent trees, two more mobile species dispersed seeds further away from the source trees, both within indigenous forest patches and towards exotic plantations and isolated fruiting trees in the landscape matrix. A. milanjensis inhabiting a very small forest fragment spent significantly more time in the landscape matrix than conspecifics residing in the two larger fragments. Conclusions By varying distances over which seeds are carried away from parent trees and the habitat types in which they are ultimately deposited, avian frugivores affect the spatial distribution of seeds and early plant recruits in a distinct and complementary manner. Because landscape properties are expected to lead to different constraints on avian mobility for habitat specialists and for generalists, ecosystem processes such as avian seed dispersal are shaped by complex interactions between disperser behaviour and the environment.
Musa Sapientum attenuates total antioxidant and lipid profile values in rats with indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration

We investigated anti-ulcer properties of Musa sapientum sucker in rats. Group I was control. Indomethacin (40mg/kg/ bodyweight) was orally administered to rats of Groups II - VI for induction of ulcer. Four hours after administrations of the ulcerogen; 5, 10 and 20mg/kg/bodyweight of Musa sapientum sucker extract and 40mg/kg/bodyweight of Omeprazole were administered orally to rats of Groups III - VI respectively. Analyses of lipid profile status, kidney functions tests and activities of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the serum and stomach samples of rats of Group II showed statistically significant higher activities (P)0.05) of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, bilirubin and urea when compared to rats of Groups III - VI. Non- statistically significant lower activities (P)0.05) of antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile status were observed in rats of Groups III and IV when compared with rats of Group VI. Evaluations of creatinine, urea and bilirubin levels in sera samples of rats of Groups III - V showed non-statistically significant lower levels (P)0.05) of kidney functions tests when compared to rats of Group VI. This study concluded that Musa sapientum attenuated total antioxidant and lipid profile values; served reno-protective functions in rats with Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration.
Wind dispersal in freshwater wetlands: Knowledge for conservation and restoration

ABSTRACT Questions: For wetland plants, dispersal by wind is often overlooked because dispersal by water is generally assumed to be the key dispersal process. This literature review addresses the role of seed dispersal by wind in wetlands. Why is wind dispersal relevant in wetlands? Which seeds are dispersed by wind and how far? And how can our understanding of wind dispersal be applied to wetland conservation and restoration? Methods: Literature review. Results and conclusions: Wind is a widely available seed dispersal vector in wetlands and can transport many seeds over long distances. Unlike water, wind can transport seeds in all directions and is therefore important for dispersal to upstream wetlands and to wetlands not connected by surface water flows. Wind dispersal transports seeds to a wider range of sites than water, and therefore reaches more sites but with lower seed densities. Many wetland plant species have adaptations to facilitate wind dispersal. Dispersal distances increase with decreasing falling velocity of seeds, increasing seed release height and selective release mechanisms. Depending on the adaptations, seeds may be dispersed by wind over many km or only a few m. The frequency of long-distance wind dispersal events depends on these adaptations, the number of produced seeds, the structure of the surrounding vegetation, and the frequency of occurrence of suitable weather conditions. Humans reduce the frequency of successful long-distance wind dispersal events in wetlands through wetland loss and fragmentation (which reduce the number and quality of seeds) and eutrophication (which changes the structure of the vegetation so that seed release into the wind flow becomes more difficult). This is yet another reason to focus on wetland conservation and restoration measures at increased population sizes, prevention of eutrophication, and the restoration of sites at short distances from seed sources. Nomenclature: van der Meijden (1990) for taxa, Schaminée et al. (1995, 1996) and Stortelder et al. (1999) for syntaxa.
Herbivory in global climate change research: direct effects of rising temperature on insect herbivores

This review examines the direct effects of climate change on insect herbivores. Temperature is identified as the dominant abiotic factor directly affecting herbivorous insects. There is little evidence of any direct effects of CO2 or UVB. Direct impacts of precipitation have been largely neglected in current research on climate change. Temperature directly affects development, survival, range and abundance. Species with a large geographical range will tend to be less affected. The main effect of temperature in temperate regions is to influence winter survival; at more northerly latitudes, higher temperatures extend the summer season, increasing the available thermal budget for growth and reproduction. Photoperiod is the dominant cue for the seasonal synchrony of temperate insects, but their thermal requirements may differ at different times of year. Interactions between photoperiod and temperature determine phenology; the two factors do not necessarily operate in tandem. Insect herbivores show a number of distinct life‐history strategies to exploit plants with different growth forms and strategies, which will be differentially affected by climate warming. There are still many challenges facing biologists in predicting and monitoring the impacts of climate change. Future research needs to consider insect herbivore phenotypic and genotypic flexibility, their responses to global change parameters operating in concert, and awareness that some patterns may only become apparent in the longer term.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE GROWTH RATE OF BLUEFIN TUNA FROM ADRIATIC WHEN REARED IN THE FLOATING CAGES

SUMMARY The objective of this paper was to estimate growth increment of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) while they were reared in the floating cages placed in the middle part of the eastern Adriatic Sea. In accordance with recommendations of Bluefin Program (BYP) about research activities, and aiming to provide more accurate methods in estimating the increase in both length and weight of cultured fish after being captured, were tagged by means of conventional tags. All fish (FL = 60-120 cm) were tagged immediately upon their transfer from the fishing grounds to the cage sites where they were reared for 516 days period. Losses during handling procedures applied for tagging and mortality during rearing period were recorded. Individual length and weight increment of surviving fish after being tagged and reared in floating cages were measured and calculated. In addition to length -weight data, gilled and gutted weight were recorded, thus providing a conversion factor to convert weights of GG fish into respective round weights. RESUME
Origin and Molecular Evolution of the Determinant of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococci

Nucleotide sequence accession numbers. The nucleotide sequences of S. ﬂeurettii strains CCUG 43834 T , SFMP08, SFMN01, and SFMN02, S. sciuri strains ATCC 29062 T , ATCC 700061 T , and ATCC 700058 T , S. vitulinus strain SVMP01, S. lentus strain ATCC 29070 T , S. xylosus strain ATCC 29971 T , and S. kloosii strain DSM 20676 T have been deposited in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession no. AB546266, AB546267, AB546268, AB546269, AB547234, AB547235, AB547236, AB546780, AB546859, AB545964, and AB545965, respectively.
A STUDY ON PATTERN OF PRESCRIPTION WRITING PRACTICES AT RAJENDRA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, RANCHI

Introduction-Prescription order is an important transaction between the physician and the patient. The frequency ofdrug prescription errors is high. Prescribing error contributes significantly towards adverse drug events. Aim andobjectives- To study the pattern of prescription writing practices and to detect the common errors done inprescription writing in RIMS, Ranchi. Material and methods- A descriptive and observational study was carried outin outpatient department of Medicine, RIMS, Ranchi for a period of one month i.e. April 2014.A total of 250prescriptions observed over a period of 10 days during the working hours of OPD . All the prescriptions wereincluded in the study irrespective of patients visit (1stvisit or follow-up). Ethical clearance was taken from InstitutionalEthics Committee. Results- All the prescriptions were on the hospital pad. Outpatient registration number was present in 248(99.2%) prescriptions. The name, age and sex of the patients were mentioned in all the prescriptions(100%). Only district name was present in 242(96.8%) prescriptions. None of the prescription carried full address andheight of the patients. Weight was mentioned in 52(20.8%) prescriptions. In our study, prescriber‟s signature waspresent in 246(98.4%) prescriptions, while only 22(8.8%) prescriptions carried prescriber‟s name. A Significantnumber of prescriptions i.e.102 (40.8%) were written in illegible handwriting and not easily readable. Writing casewas lower in 246(98.4%) prescriptions. Diagnosis/presenting complaints were present in 242(96.8%) prescriptions. Atotal of 875 drugs were prescribed and thus the average number of drugs per patient was 3.5. It was found thataverage number of antibiotic per prescription were 1.5. Only 240(27.4%) of the drugs were prescribed by genericnames. The strength, route of administration and duration of the drugs were found respectively in 78.2%, 84.5% and69.7% prescriptions. Conclusion-Prescription audit forms a very important component of medication managementas well as an essential component of patient safety.
Inter-specific competition and competition-free space in the tephritid parasitoids Utetes anastrephae and Doryctobracon areolatus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae)

Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) and Doryctobracon areolatus (Sz´ are common, native, Neotropical braconid parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies that are sympatric and often found attacking the same host. 2. The coexistence of the two species may be due in part to the longer ovipositor of D. areolatus that permits it to attack larvae in larger fruit than can U. anastrephae. This increases its potential host range and provides 'competitor-free space'. 3. The capacity of U. anastrephae to persist in smaller fruit, exploitable by D. areolatus, suggested that it was a superior competitor in multiparasitised hosts. As predicted U. anastrephae had a competitive advantage over D. areolatus and this advantage occurred regardless of the order in which the two parasitoids attacked. Although we could not identify the precise mechanisms used for elimination of competitors, a possible cause is suggested by the formidable mandibles of the first- instar U. anastrephae. 4. However, D. areolatus survival increased significantly if eggs had been deposited 24 h prior to exposure to U. anastrephae. Older D. areolatus larvae might be more competitive after a period of development. 5. Utetes anastrephae females were less likely to oviposit into hosts previously attacked by D. areolatus than vice versa. This was a second case of the relatively rare phenomenon of inter-specific discrimination of a previously exploited host within the opiine braconid parasitoids of frugivorous tephritids.
Factors Associated with Slow Disease Progression in Macaques Immunized with an Adenovirus-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Envelope Priming-gp120 Boosting Regimen and Challenged Vaginally with SIVmac251

ABSTRACT Rhesus macaques were immunized with a combination vaccine regimen consisting of adenovirus type 5 host range mutant-simian immunodeficiency virus envelope (Ad5hr-SIVenv) recombinant priming and boosting with native SIV gp120. Upon intravaginal challenge with SIVmac251, both persistently and transiently viremic animals were observed (S. L. Buge, E. Richardson, S. Alipanah, P. Markham, S. Cheng, N. Kalyan, C. J. Miller, M. Lubeck, S. Udem, J. Eldridge, and M. Robert-Guroff, J. Virol. 71:8531–8541, 1997). Long-term follow-up of the persistently viremic immunized macaques, which displayed significantly reduced viral burdens during the first 18 weeks postchallenge compared to controls, has now shown that one of four became a slow progressor, clearing virus from plasma and remaining asymptomatic with stable CD4 counts for 134 weeks postchallenge. Reboosting of the transiently viremic macaques did not reactivate latent virus. Rechallenge with two sequential SIVmac251 intravaginal exposures again resulted in partial protection of one of two immunized macaques, manifested by viral clearance and stable CD4 counts. No single immune parameter was associated with partial protection. Development of a strong antibody response capable of neutralizing a primary SIVmac251 isolate together with SIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes were implicated, while CD8+ T-cell antiviral activity and mucosal immune responses were not associated with delayed disease progression. Our data show that even a third immunization with the same Ad5hr-SIVenv recombinant can elicit significant immune responses to the inserted gene product, suggesting that preexisting Ad antibodies may not preclude effective immunization. Further, the partial protection against a virulent, pathogenic SIV challenge observed in two of six macaques immunized with a vaccine regimen based solely on the viral envelope indicates that this vectored-vaccine approach has promise and that multicomponent vaccines based in the same system merit further investigation.
The anatomical basis of function in the buccal mass of prosobranch and amphineuran molluscs

A comparative account is given of the muscular anatomy of the buccal mass in chitons and a number of species of prosobranch gastropods. From this can be deduced a basic muscular organization consisting of buccal constrictors and dilators, protractors and retractors of the odontophore, protractors and retractors of the subradular membrane and an approximator muscle of the supporting cartilages. In addition to these many ancillary muscles act as tensors: these are numerous in chitons, monoplacophorans and rhipidoglossan proso-branchs. In the first two groups, which have a poorly developed anterior end covered by a shell, they act in place of the muscles of the mobile wall of the head of gastropods; in the last they are necessary for the fine control of an odontophore brushing the substratum. In prosobranchs which forcibly rasp their food they are lost. The dominating influence in the evolution of the buccal mass in neogastropods is the proboscis. Its narrowness and elongation have had profound effects on the anatomy of the buccal mass.
‘Nucleating’ succession in recovering neotropical wet forests: The legacy of remnant trees

Abstract Question: What is the influence of remnant trees on secondary forest structure and composition in tropical pastures many years after abandonment? Location: Neotropical lowland wet forest, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Methods: Tree and sapling density, basal area, and species richness were quantified at three distances from remnant trees, 0 – 10 m (inner), 20 - 30 m (intermediate), and ca. 50 m (distal) zones. A total of 15 remnant trees were sampled in pastures ~23 years after abandonment. Results: Tree density decreased along a gradient from inner (1117 ± 377 individuals/ha) to distal (592 ± 282 individuals/ha) zones, and the number of large-seeded individuals (seeds > 1 cm diameter) was significantly greater in the inner zone. Basal area of tree individuals was greater in the inner (25.6 ± 12 m2/ha) and intermediate (28.3 ± 15.6 m2/ha) zones than the distal zone (14.7 ± 7.2 m2/ha), but there were no differences between inner and intermediate zones. Similar patterns are reported for species richness. Additionally, saplings (1 - 5 cm DBH) had higher density directly beneath and adjacent to remnants, suggesting that remnant trees can affect recruitment even many years after pasture abandonment and the formation of a surrounding secondary forest. Conclusions: Results indicate that remnant trees facilitate forest recovery over a broad temporal range, and appear to ‘nucleate’ forest regeneration by expanding their sphere of influence outward over time.
Interleukin-10 and Antigen-Presenting Cells Actively Suppress Th1 Cells in BALB/c Mice Infected with the Filarial Parasite Brugia pahangi

ABSTRACT Infection with the third-stage larvae (L3) of the filarial nematodeBrugia results in a Th2-biased immune response in mice and humans. Previously we have shown that the production of interleukin 4 (IL-4) is critical for down-regulating polyclonal Th1 responses in L3-infected mice. However, the in vitro neutralization of IL-4 did not fully recover the defective polyclonal Th1 responses, nor did it result in the production of any antigen (Ag)-specific Th1 cytokines, suggesting that perhaps infection with L3 does not result in priming of Th1 cells in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the role of IL-10 and Ag-presenting cells (APCs) in the spleen as additional factors controlling the Th2 bias in infected mice. Our data show that IL-10 and APCs also contribute to the suppression of mitogen-driven Th1 responses of spleen cells from infected mice. In addition, the neutralization of IL-10 or the replacement of the resident APC population from spleen cell cultures resulted in the production of Ag-specific Th1 cytokines. Irradiated spleen cells from either L3-infected or uninfected mice were able to restore Ag-specific Th1 responses in vitro. Therefore, it appears that Brugia-reactive Th1 cells are primed following infection with L3, but are actively suppressed in vivo by a mechanism that involves IL-10 and the resident APC population, but not IL-4. These results indicate that a complex interplay of cytokines and cell populations underscores the Th2-polarized response in L3-infected mice.
p53-Independent and -Dependent Requirements for E1B-55K in Adenovirus Type 5 Replication

ABSTRACT The adenovirus type 5 mutant dl1520 was engineered previously to be completely defective for E1B-55K functions. Recently, this mutant (also known as ONYX-015) has been suggested to replicate preferentially in p53− and some p53+ tumor cell lines but to be attenuated in primary cultured cells (C. Heise, A. Sampson-Johannes, A. Williams, F. McCormick, D. D. F. Hoff, and D. H. Kirn, Nat. Med. 3:639–645, 1997). It has been suggested that dl1520 might be used as a “magic bullet” that could selectively lyse tumor cells without harm to normal tissues. However, we report here that dl1520 replication is independent of p53 genotype and occurs efficiently in some primary cultured human cells, indicating that the mutant virus does not possess a tumor selectivity. Although it was not the sole host range determinant, p53 function did reduce dl1520 replication when analyzed in a cell line expressing temperature-sensitive p53 (H1299-tsp53) (K. L. Fries, W. E. Miller, and N. Raab-Traub, J. Virol. 70:8653–8659, 1996). As found earlier for other E1B-55K mutants in HeLa cells (Y. Ho, R. Galos, and J. Williams, Virology 122:109–124, 1982), dl1520 replication was temperature dependent in H1299 cells. When p53 function was restored at low temperature in H1299-tsp53 cells, it imposed a modest defect in viral DNA replication and accumulation of late viral cytoplasmic mRNA. However, in both H1299 and H1299-tsp53 cells, the defect in late viral protein synthesis appeared to be much greater than could be accounted for by the modest defects in late viral mRNA levels. We therefore propose that in addition to countering p53 function and modulating viral and cellular mRNA nuclear transport, E1B-55K also stimulates late viral mRNA translation.
Factors affecting the foraging success of the wasp-like spider Argiope bruennichi (Araneae): Role of web design

The adult wasp-like spider, Argiope bruennichi builds only linear stabilimenta for which several hypotheses have been suggested. Our field observations based on the foraging success and web design of both decorated and undecorated webs do not support the prey attractant hypothesis, because of similar amount of prey intercepted to any type of the orb- web. Web design (mesh height, capture thread length, web area) was affected by web height, but foraging success was not related to web height. The quantity of stabilimenta was negatively correlated with web area and web area was significantly related to the number of intercepted prey. We found a negative, but non-significant relationship between the quantity of stabilimenta and the number of prey intercepted to orb-webs. As predicted by foraging theory, higher investments in the spider's orb-web (capture thread length and web area) resulted in a higher foraging success. Our results indirectly support the non-foraging explanations for stabilimenta building. Moreover, the main prey of Argiope were orthopterans (> 40%), which are not attracted by the stabilimentum. We failed to find any differences in web design between decorated and undecorated webs. Other factors such as weather conditions were also briefly noted and discussed.
DAILY PATTERNS OF SHOOT ELONGATION IN PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS REGNANS

SUMMARY Diurnal patterns of shoot elongation, obtained by mechanical growth recorders, were compared with those of leaf elongation and stem radius; the relationships of these to environmental factors were studied in the field and in growth chambers. In sunny weather, minimal elongation (or shrinkage) occurred during the mornings, and maximal elongation rates during late afternoons. On rainy days, elongation patterns tended to be undefined. The observed patterns appeared related to diurnal changes in water balance, air temperature and light. There was no evidence of an endogenous rhythm. Rising evaporative demand during sunny mornings resulted in contractions in shoot and leaf lengths and in the thickness of the stem live bark. Re-expansion occurred in the evening and at night, or during the day when evaporative demand was reduced by cloud cover and rain. Shoots also contracted on frosty nights, but expanded rapidly following thawing early in the mornings. Temperature also positively influenced growth (i.e. irreversible increase in size). Light appeared to inhibit shoot growth in the mornings, but this effect was confounded with the tendency of shoots to shrink in length due to dehydration. Since growth and reversible changes in shoot length often occurred simultaneously in different portions of the same shoot and since the zones of reversible change and growth overlapped, the measurement and analysis of hourly growth responses can be complicated; a distinction must therefore be made between growth (which is irreversible) and elongation (which may include both growth and reversible changes in shoot length).