Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A phylogeny of Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) and its bearing on the systematic status of Leptocleidus Andrews, 1922

Leptocleidus Andrews, 1922 is a poorly known plesiosaur genus from Lower Cretaceous successions of the UK, South Africa, and Australia. Historically, there has been little consensus regarding its phylogenetic position within Plesiosauria, largely because of its seemingly aberrant combination of a relatively small skull and short neck. As a result, a diverse array of potential sister groups have been posited for Leptocleidus, including long-necked Cretaceous elasmosaurids, Early Jurassic “rhomaleosaurs”, and Middle to Late Jurassic pliosaurids. A cladistic analysis including Leptocleidus, and a new, apparently morphologically similar specimen from Alberta, TMP 94.122. 01, was undertaken to assess their phylogenetic position within Plesiosauria. A character-taxon matrix was assembled afresh, consisting of 33 operational taxonomic units sampled broadly among plesiosaurs. 185 cranial and postcranial characters used in plesiosaur phylogenetics were critically reanalyzed, of which 152 were employed in the parsimony analysis. The results indicate a basal dichotomous split into the traditionally recognized pliosauroid and plesiosauroid clades. Nested within Pliosauroidea, a monophyletic Leptocleididae was recovered, consisting of L. superstes Andrews, 1922 and L. capensis (Andrews, 1911a). In contrast to earlier suggestions, Leptocleidus neither clusters with Rhomaleosaurus, which was found to be paraphyletic, nor with large-skulled pliosaurid taxa, such as Simolestes. Rather, a sister group relationship between Cretaceous Polycotylidae and Leptocleididae was recovered, which is here named Leptocleidoidea. Although TMP 94.122. 01 is superficially similar to Leptocleidus, several discrete characters of the skull nest this new taxon within Polycotylidae. Compared to other phylogenetic hypotheses of plesiosaurs, these results are more congruent with respect to the stratigraphic distribution of leptocleidoids. A classification for Plesiosauria is presented.
Wavelet Domain Image Resolution Enhancement Methods.

Resolution enhancement of pictorial data is desirable in many applications such as monitoring, surveillance, medical imaging and remote sensing when images at desirable resolution levels are not available. It is a classic signal interpolation problem and several conventional approaches such as zero-order interpolation (sample-and-hold), bilinear and spline interpolation are widely used. However, undesirable levels of smoothing across salient edges in the higher resolution images obtained using these conventional methods resulted in a search for more effective algorithms. Recently several efforts in the field have utilised wavelet-domain methodologies with the intention of overcoming some of the problems associated with conventional treatment. In this thesis, we propose three wavelet domain image resolution enhancement algorithms. The first proposed algorithm is based on the estimation of detail wavelet coefficients at high resolution scales by exploiting the wavelet coefficient correlation in a local neighbourhood sense. The unknown detail coefficients are estimated by employing linear least-squares regression parameters of which are obtained from the quad-tree decomposition of the low-resolution image. The second algorithm starts with an initial high-resolution approximation to the original image obtained by means of zero-padding in the wavelet domain. This is further processed using the cycle spinning methodology which reduces ringing. Linear regression using a minimal training set of high-resolution originals is finally employed to rectify the degraded edges. For the third algorithm we propose a directional variant of the cycle spinning methodology with an aim of reducing the over-smoothing of salient image features as well as offering a reduction in computational complexity. In particular we take into account local edge orientation information derived from a wavelet decomposition of the available low resolution image to influence key parameters of the cycle spinning algorithm. Our results show that the proposed methods are considerably superior to conventional image interpolation techniques, both in objective and subjective terms, while also comparing favourably with competing methods.
FUNCTIONAL NEUROIMAGING OF VENTRAL AND DORSAL STREAM PATHWAYS IN THE MACAQUE AUDITORY SYSTEM

150 words): In primates, posterior auditory areas are thought to be part of a dorsal auditory pathway specialized in processing spatial information. While a number of human studies support this notion, neuroimaging evidence in macaques is missing. Here we provide new evidence based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the macaque monkey indicating that auditory space is represented based on a distributed hemifield code rather than on a local spatial topography. Hemifield tuning emerges from an opponent pattern of positive and negative fMRI signals across the cerebral hemispheres that dependents on the suppression carried by interaural delay cues. Importantly, this pattern in right posterior region generates enough spatial information to segregate space across hemifields. Taken together, our results suggest that primate auditory cortex represents space based on a distributed hemifield code and that posterior specialization for space arises from this form of coding. Functional neuroimaging of ventral and dorsal stream pathways in the macaque auditory system
Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden

Abstract: Eastern Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) are an important component and predator in herpetofaunal communities, but many Eastern Kingsnake populations have declined precipitously in the last few decades, particularly in the southeastern United States. Here, we describe an intensive capture–mark–recapture study of L. getula conducted during 1974–1978 in a canal bank–Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) community at Rainey Slough in southern Florida, where annual capture probabilities of adults ranged from 0.662–0.787. Population size and structure, seasonal activity, movements, microhabitat use, behavior, thermal ecology, and predator–prey relationships are described. At this site kingsnakes were susceptible to capture mostly in winter and spring, were diurnal, used rodent (Sigmodon hispidus) burrows on canal banks as nocturnal retreats, and emerged from burrows on 13–26% of the sampling days. Overlap of burrow use by both sexes was extensive with no evidence of territoriality. Kingsnakes readily entered the Water Hyacinths to bask, pursue mates, and forage. At Rainey Slough only snakes were detected in the diet of kingsnakes. Concurrent sampling of potential snake prey in the hyacinths and on canal banks revealed 10 species that varied in use of the two sampled habitats and in body size. A range-wide analysis confirmed that in descending order snakes, reptile eggs, and lizards dominate the diet of L. getula in Florida (94.8%) and remain important prey types elsewhere (80.2%). At Rainey Slough the density of six species of semiaquatic snakes in Water Hyacinths averaged 3534 individuals/ha with a mean annual biomass of 135.8 kg/ha, and kingsnake biomass was only 2.2–3.9% of prey snake biomass. We estimated that the kingsnake population consumed 36.82–63.58 kg/yr, or about 10.0–17.2% of the standing crop of snakes in the Water Hyacinth community. Adult male L. getula lost on average 39.3% of their body mass associated with the spring reproductive season, whereas females lost only 3.4% in the same period. Body condition indices for both sexes improved substantially thereafter. In follow-up surveys at Rainey Slough during 2006–2010 no kingsnakes were found. Semiaquatic snake densities in the Water Hyacinths were 77.2% lower (807.4/ha) than in the 1970s and consisted of only three species. Compared to the enigmatic declines and extirpation of L. getula populations elsewhere, at Rainey Slough the primary cause likely was unsustainable mortality from road reconstruction and paving in the winter–spring of 1979 and subsequent roadkill. Other potentially causative agents of extirpation of L. getula in this system are discussed.
Amphibians found in the Amazonian Savanna of the Rio Curiau Environmental Protection Area in Amapa, Brazil

Amphibian research has grown steadily in recent years in the Amazon region, especially in the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Para, Rondonia, and Amapa, and neighboring areas of the Guiana Shield. Even so, few data are available for the Amazonian savannas of Brazil. To contribute to the understanding of the diversity of the amphibians of these savannas, we surveyed 15 temporary ponds, six located in open areas, seven on the edge of savanna forest, and two within the forest, in the savanna of the Rio Curiau Environmental Protection Area (EPA) in Macapa, in the state of Amapa, northern Brazil. Sampling occurred from May 2013 to August 2014 during periods when the ponds contained water. Amphibians were sampled through visual and auditory surveys conducted during both the day- and the nighttime periods on seven days each month over a total of 84 days. A total of 1574 individuals belonging to four families, 12 genera, and 28 species were recorded during the surveys. The cumulative species curve reached the asymptote, indicating that sampling effort was adequate. The number of species was 25% higher than that reported in other studies in Amazonian savannas. Twelve species were recorded for the first time in the savanna of Amapa. Lysapsus boliviana was the most common species (n = 332 of the individuals recorded). The greatest amphibian species richness found in the Rio Curiau EPA was associated with the savanna mosaic, forest patches, lowland swamp, and temporary ponds. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the diversity of amphibian species in the Guianan area of endemism in northern Brazil, and also the Amazonian savannas.
New species of boreohesperus (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from north-western Australia

To date, six species of the Australian endemic millipede genus Boreohesperus have been recognized: all have highly localized distributions, consistent with being short-range endemic species, and all are from the Cape Range and Pilbara region of Western Australia. In this paper, we describe three new species, B. alcyonis sp. nov., B. psittacinus sp. nov., and B. vascellus sp. nov., each from a different island in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia.
The Effect of Origin, Sex and Feeding on Sensory Evaluation and Some Quality Characteristics of Goose Meat from Polish Native Flocks

Abstract The aim of the study was to characterize the sensory quality and physical traits of raw and heattreated meat depending on the origin, sex and feeding of geese. The experiment used meat from domestic geese of southern varieties: Lubelska (Lu), Kielecka (Ki) and Subcarpatian (Sb), included in the conservation programme. The experiment was carried out on a total of 192 birds divided according to origin (Lu, Ki and Sb), sex (M and F) and dietary treatment (DI – conventional feeding and DI – oat fattening). To evaluate the quality characteristics of meat, 16 birds from each group were selected. Sensory evaluation of raw goose muscles was at a good level of consumer acceptability and exceeded 4.0 points, ranging from 4.18 pts (appearance/Ki) to 4.59 pts (aroma/Sb) for breast muscles (BM), and from 4.17 pts (fatness/Lu) to 4.53 pts (aroma/Sb) for leg muscles (LM). In the case of heat-treated muscles the tenderness of the muscles of Lu geese was characterized by high number grade (P≤0.05) for both the BM (4.87 pts) and LM (4.76 pts). Lighter colour (L*) (P≤0.05) was characteristic of the muscles of oat-fattened birds (44.25 for BM and 49.86 for LM) compared to the muscles of conventionally fed birds (39.77 for BM and 46.89 for LM). In addition, a significant (P≤0.05) effect of diet was also found on the value of the parameter a* (redness) and b* (yellowness). Parameter a* ranged from 10.45 (Lu) to 11.96 (Ki) for BM and from 13.28 (Ki) to 14.21 (Sb) for LM. In turn, the highest share (P≤0.05) of yellow colour (parameter b*) was demonstrated in the muscles of Ki geese – 4.87 for BM and 10.92 for LM. Male muscles were characterized by higher (26.34 mg% – BM and 24.37 mg% – LM) water holding capacity (WHC) than female muscles (27.23 mg% for BM and 25.28 mg% for LM respectively). Furthermore for BM of oat-fattened geese cooking loss was at the level of 10.50%. The present study indicated that most of the sensory characteristics of meat (BM and LM) from geese of different breeds were affected (significantly at P≤0.05) by the diet. This concerned both raw and heat-treated meat. For raw breast muscles, a significant (P≤0.05) effect of sex was also found (with the exception of aroma). In turn, the quality characteristics of raw leg muscles (except for colour) were influenced (P≤0.05) by all the treatment factors. Analysis of the physical properties of meat showed that these parameters are mainly affected (P≤0.05) by the diet.
Potential nutritional effects of date (Pheonix dactylifera) seeds: a study on polyphenols

i DECLARATION. v PREFACE . vi LIST OF PUBLICATIONS . vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . xii LIST OF FIGURES . xiv Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Research Questions . 3 1.3 Thesis outline . 5 Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. 6 2.1 Plant polyphenol . 6 2.2 Date fruits and seeds . 8 2.3 Polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities . 10 2.4 Incorporation of date seed in food products . 11 2.5 Metabolism and bioactivities of date seed polyphenols . 13 2.5. 1 Hydroxybenzoic acids (DHBA) . 14 2.5. 2 Flavanols and low molecular weight proanthocyanidins . 15 2.5. 3 High Molecular Weight Proanthocyanidins . 17 2.5. 4 Flavonol glycosides . 18
Mechanism of Facilitation by Non-Leguminous Plant Revealed At Aurangabad (India)

Study of ecology is important as it plays role in development of restoration ecology. With the advent of technologies the study of ecosystem structure and changes in it are remaining unnoticed. The ecological succession is the sequential replacement of plant species following changes in the environment. Studies are important with conservation point of view. The present study depicts the primary ecological succession in an area levelled up to the height of five feet. The five quadrates of equal size were observed during the study period of six months. Rain water being the only source of water in the area increased its ecological importance. The primary successor was nonleguminous plant Balonitesroxburgii during the peak drought periods in the region of the summer 2013.
Effect of Supplementation of Butylated Hydroxytoluene on Post-Thaw Viability, Motility and Membrane Integrity of Crossbred Bovine Spermatozoa -

This study was conducted to evaluate effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on post thaw semen quality of cattle bull. Thirty six ejaculates from two bulls were collected and extended with glycerolated egg yolk tris diluter. Samples were divided into three groups according to BHT concentration as 0 mM (C) 0.5 mM (T1) and 1.0 mM (T2). The samples were analyzed for progressive motility, sperm viability and membrane integrity at three stages i.e. post dilution (stage I), post equilibration (stage II) and post thaw (stage III). Progressive motility, sperm viability and sperm membrane integrity were significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 & T2 compared to the control. The concentration 1mM of BHT showed better results as compared to 0.5 mM. BHT addition improved the sperm quality probably due to its antioxidant property as it reduces the lipid peroxidation of the sperms. Effect of Supplementation of Butylated Hydroxytoluene on Post-Thaw Viability, Motility and Membrane Integrity of Crossbred Bovine Spermatozoa. International Journal of Livestock Research, 7(4), 93-101. to evaluate the role of BHT as an antioxidant additive of to Semen
STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THE EXTRACT OF THE LEAVES OF ALTERNANTHERA BRASILIANA IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alternanthera brasiliana (EEAB) in different doses in 2,4,6Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats. Methods: The study was done on healthy albino rats in the Department of Pharmacology of Gauhati Medical College. They were housed in standard laboratory conditions. There were 6 groups each consisting of 6 animals. The groups were Group I (Normal Control), Group II (Disease Control), Group III (Standard), Group IV (EEAB 200 mg/kg), Group V (EEAB 400 mg/kg) and Group VI (EEAB 600 mg/kg). Experimental colitis was induced in all the groups except in Group I on 1 st day. The animals were treated with sulfasalzine and different doses of the extract for the next 14 days. The animals were sacrificed on 15 th day under anaesthesia. The colonic damage was assessed by observing the colon weight change, macroscopic and histopathological examination. Results: The data was analyzed using ANOVA and Dunnett’s test was used as post ANOVA analysis using Group II as control column. The results with p<0.05 are considered to be significant. Conclusions: The EEAB was found to have significant anti-inflammatory activity in experimentally induced colitis as shown by the decrease in the colon weight, macroscopic score and histopathological score.
Gene Expression Changes Associated with the Loss of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein M Function

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed by the nonenzymatic reaction of sugars with proteins. Glycation may adversely affect proteins, such as by inducing a loss of function. It has been shown that glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs) accumulate in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previously, we showed the formation of intracellular Glycer-AGEs upon exposure of hepatocytes to fructose in vitro, and identified an RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (HNRNPM), as a target for glycation. However, the impact of glycated HNRNPM in NASH remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined gene expression changes caused by HNRNPM knockdown, and investigated the up- and down-regulated genes as noninvasive biomarker candidates for NASH. Microarray analysis after HNRNPM knockdown showed that the levels of 138 transcripts were increased, while those of 100 transcripts were decreased as compared with those in the control. Gene Ontology-based functional analysis showed that 14 upregulated and 9 downregulated genes were associated with the extracellular space, which may enable their detection using blood tests. Among these, six of the up- and down-regulated genes were associated with the extracellular exosome. These results suggest that the loss of HNRNPM function by glycation is reflected extracellularly. Therefore, the identified genes may serve as noninvasive biomarkers for Glycer-AGEs-related NASH.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ST313 responsible for gastroenteritis in the UK are genetically distinct from isolates causing bloodstream infections in Africa

The ST313 sequence type of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium causes invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis amongst immunocompromised people in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). Previously, two distinct phylogenetic lineages of ST313 have been described which have rarely been found outside sSA. Following the introduction of routine whole genome sequencing of Salmonella enterica by Public Health England in 2014, we have discovered that 2.7% (79/2888) of S. Typhimurium from patients in England and Wales are ST313. Of these isolates, 59/72 originated from stool and 13/72 were from extra-intestinal sites. The isolation of ST313 from extra-intestinal sites was significantly associated with travel to Africa (OR 12 [95% CI: 3,53]). Phylogenetic analysis revealed previously unsampled diversity of ST313, and distinguished UK-linked isolates causing gastroenteritis from African-associated isolates causing invasive disease. Bayesian evolutionary investigation suggested that the two African lineages diverged from their most recent common ancestors independently, circa 1796 and 1903. The majority of genome degradation of African ST313 lineage 2 is conserved in the UK ST313 lineages and only 10/44 pseudogenes were lineage 2-specific. The African lineages carried a characteristic prophage and antibiotic resistance gene repertoire, suggesting a strong selection pressure for these horizontally-acquired genetic elements in the sSA setting. We identified an ST313 isolate associated with travel to Kenya that carried a chromosomally-located blaCTX-M-15, demonstrating the continual evolution of this sequence type in Africa in response to selection pressure exerted by antibiotic usage. The S. Typhimurium ST313 sequence type has been primarily associated with invasive disease in Africa. Here, we highlight the power of routine whole-genome-sequencing by public health agencies to make epidemiologically-significant deductions that would be missed by conventional microbiological methods. The discovery of ST313 isolates responsible for gastroenteritis in the UK reveals new diversity in this important sequence type. We speculate that the niche specialization of sub-Saharan African ST313 lineages is driven in part by the acquisition of accessory genome elements.
Fatores de virulência e sensibilidade antimicrobiana de Plesiomonas shigelloides isoladas de água de rio

Neste estudo foram analisadas oito isolados de Plesiomonas shigelloides, obtidos da bacterioteca do Laboratorio de Fatores de Virulencia em Bacterias, Instituto de Biologia -UNICAMP - Campinas/SP: sete isolados sao provenientes de agua doce do Rio Cambe na regiao de Londrina/PR e, um isolado de ATCC 14029. Os sobrenadantes de culturas de P. shigelloides foram capazes de induzir efeitos anticarcinogenicos in vitro (em celulas He-La e HEp-2), apesar de apresentarem efeitos citotoxicos em linhagens celulares nao cancerigenas (em celulas CHO e Vero). A atividade hemolitica dos cultivos de P. shigelloides foi detectada em placas com agar sangue (meio solido) e em microplaca (meio liquido) contendo hemacias de carneiro. A atividade citotoxica e hemolitica de Plesiomonas shigelloides apresenta caracteristica de termolabilidade. Os isolados de P. shigelloides aderiram em celulas HEp-2 e em superficies inertes como o plastico (microplaca de poliestireno) e vidro (laminula) e, ainda apresentaram a capacidade de formar biofilme in vitro, sendo possivel a colonizacao e formacao de biofilmes em celulas epiteliais e em dispositivos medicos implantaveis como cateteres, proteses e/ou sondas. A producao de exoenzimas hidroliticas como lipase e proteases (caseinase e elastase) foi detectada nos isolados de P. shigelloides. No teste de sensibilidade antimicrobiana pelo metodo de difusao de discos, os isolados de P. shigelloides se mostraram sensiveis a maioria dos antibioticos utilizados. Entretanto, outros testes de sensibilidade antimicrobiana se tornam necessarios de modo a assegurar uma terapia antibiotica eficiente em casos de confirmacao de diagnostico clinico microbiologico. Neste estudo, os isolados de P. shigelloides expressaram fatores de virulencia in vitro como citotoxicidade, adesao, exoenzimas e resistencia antimicrobiana que podem potencialmente estar envolvidos na sua patogenicidade, de modo especial as gastroenterites ou complicacoes extra-intestinais (septicemia) em individuos imunocomprometidos (HIV-soropositivo, câncer ou ainda doencas hepatobiliares) Abstract