Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skeletal supports of the median fins of fishes

For coniparative studies of the vertebrate skeleton it has seemed to the writer desirable to hare a new synopsis of the exoand endoskeletal fin-supports of fishes, for there is considerable diff erencc among authors in the use of terms, and it is therefore laborious to pick out homologies 01’ trace relationships of these parts. Moreover numerous ~lianges in the classification of fishes have resulted from tlie study of fossils in the last 20 years. The existing taxonomic schemes, while not yet adequate, are far more satisfactory than before. Broad study of the fins and fin-supports also seems to make necessary a criticism of the fin-fold theory; although maintained for several decades, I find it increasingly difficult to justify, and so have included a brief discussion of it at the end of this paper. For the opportunity to examine specimens of the Devonian lunpfishes, Dipterus and Scaumenacia, and the lobe-fin, Eusthenopteron, in the collection of the Buffalo Museum of Science, I am indebted to DI. C. E. Cummings and JIr. Irving W. Reimann. For the young cleared and stained specimens of Tilapia macrocephala used to illustrate finsupports in teleosts, I wish to thank Dr. TI-. K. Gregory atid RLr. G. RI. Conrad of the American Museum of Natural History. A complete review of the literature is not attempted, and references to early papers are made only when necessary in the text. As the title implies, I am not discussing the homologies of paired fins, for a number of writers hare considered these ; the evolution of tails and tail-fins amoiig fishes is also omitted, for the same reason. I have, however, tried to clarify homologies of the fin rays and tlie deeper supporting bones, and to reduce the number of terms used for them.
'High-co-occurrence genera': weak but consistent relationships with global richness, niche partitioning, hybridization and decline

Aim: Many biologists explain the global richness of lineages and local co-occurrence of lineage members by distinct processes: speciation/extinction versus ecological interactions. Moreover, allopatric distribution, rarity and local competition limit local co-occurrence of species even within species-rich lineages. However, whether and why the global richness of lineages relates to local co-occurrence of lineage members has not been tested. We study angiosperms, and hypothesize that in globally species-rich genera species frequently encounter congeners locally, reflecting (1) random sampling of species pools into local communities and (2) processes of global species production and local survival such as hybridization, niche filling and a reduced risk of extinction. Location: Netherlands, South Africa, world-wide. Methods: Analysing more than 350,000 plots we quantify per species the observed number of co-occurring congeners as well as the null expectation based on random sampling from species pools. From the literature we quantify the global species richness of genera, and abiotic niche positions and breadths, hybrid status and regional species declines. Results: In some genera species frequently encounter congeners locally, while in others congeners are rarely encountered. This is independent of the total number of species encountered, and is consistent between the Netherlands and South Africa. 'High-co-occurrence genera' are particularly species rich across the globe, consistently so in most families and even after controlling for niche positions, age and regional richness of genera. Species in high-co-occurrence genera tend to occupy niches that are large and close to congeners' niches. These species are more often hybrids and rarely decline. Relationships explain little variance (
Mycoses and mycotoxicosis in poultry: A review

Mycopathy is a collective term used for diseases caused by fungi. either living or dead or their metabolic products (toxins, allergins or enzymes). This complex term comprises disease manifestations e.g. mycoses, mycotic colonisation. myco-allergosis, mycetism and mycotoxicosis. Mycoses is a term used for fungal diseases in which the pathogens attack living tissues in a parasitic manner i.e. by spreading and multiplying in the tissue with destructive effects e.g. candidiasis (thrush), aspergillosis etc. Whereas mycotoxicosis is the disease syndrome produced by seconday metabolites of certain fungi infecting different feeds and their ingredients. Mycotoxins are currently considered as a serious threat to the poultry farming in terms of diseases leading to synergistic interactions with other infectious agents. Several mycotoxins have been high lightened as poultry feed contaminants e.g. aflatoxins. ochratuxins, trichothecenes, citrinin. sterigmatocystin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS). The most obvious effect of mycotoxins on poultry is mortality which is produced when high levels (gg KGms) of aflatoxins are present in feeds. Exposure to moderate to low levels (200-800 mg KGms) of aflatoxins over a considerable period of time leads to reduce productivity in (he form of slower rate of growth. reduced reproducibility and inferior quality of poultry products resulting in serious economic losses for broiler producers. Low concentrntions (50-200 mg KGms) of aflatoxins in feed predispose the birds to infectious diseases through he impairment of immunogenesis and native mechanisms of resistance. A holistic approach is required to combat the adverse effects of mycotoxin to enhance the overall poultry production e.g, regular surveillance and monitoring of important mycotoxins through approved mycotoxin analytical laboratories using rapid, cost effective methods and use of economical and practical methods to eliminate, detoxify or destabilise the mycotoxins in feeds like use of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS); zeolites, bentonites, clays and activated carbon.
In Vitro Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale Strains Isolated from Minnesota Turkeys During 1996–2002

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance in nearly all human and animal pathogens is on the increase. In poultry, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale has been identified as a newly emerging respiratory bacterial pathogen that has caused significant economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, we examined in vitro antibiotic resistance profiles of 125 isolates of O. rhinotracheale isolated from turkeys in Minnesota during 1996–2002. A majority of isolates was sensitive to clindamycin, erythromycin, spectinomycin, and ampicillin. Resistance against sulfachloropyridiazine decreased from 1996 to 2002, but an increase in resistance was seen against gentamicin, ampicillin, trimethoprim sulfa, and tetracycline. The annual trend slopes for these antibiotics were 7.36%, 3.02%, 2.43%, and 1.95%, respectively. The resistance against penicillin remained constant from year to year with a trend slope of only 0.54% per year. These results emphasize the need for continued monitoring of O. rhinotracheale isolates for antibiotic resistance and establishment of baseline resistance pattern data for this organism. These data can then be used to design and evaluate local epidemiological interventions.
Nitrate Uptake by Roots as Regulated by Nitrate Reduction Products of the Shoot

A mechanism is proposed by which secondary products of nitrate reduction in the shoot control the uptake of nitrate by the roots. KNO3 enters the roots and is translocated to the shoot where nitrate is reduced and, at the same time, malate is produced. The reduction of nitrate is stoichiometric to the synthesis of malate (1). Part of the K-malate moves down to the root system in which malate is oxidized, yielding KHCO3 which exchanges for KNO3. Nitrate reduction in the shoot promotes the synthesis of malate which, after its translocation to the root, allows the preferential uptake of nitrate. Thus, plants reducing large amounts of nitrate may take up the anion without a superfluous accumulation of the cation. Furthermore, the utilization of nitrate by the shoot regulates its uptake by the root.
Repurchase intention for lodging recommendation

Nos ultimos anos, temos observado o surgimento de mercados de economia compartilhada, os quais permitem aos usuarios compartilhar bens e servicos diretamente uns com os outros. Um exemplo proeminente na industria de viagens e a Airbnb, uma empresa online que conecta viajantes a anfitrioes, permitindo a troca de experiencias culturais, alem da transacao economica. Inspirados por recentes pesquisas de mercado sobre intencoes de compra no Airbnb, propomos uma abordagem de aprendizado de ranqueamento para recomendacao de hospedagens, com vistas a inferir a percepcao do usuario quanto a diversas dimensoes envolvidas na decisao de escolha de uma hospedagem. Em particular, desenvolvemos um modelo capaz de captar a sensibilidade do usuario quanto aos precos praticados, sua percepcao de valor na escolha de uma hospedagem especifica, o risco envolvido na escolha comparado a outras alternativas, a autenticidade da experiencia proporcionada e a percepcao geral das opinioes de outros usuarios. Atraves de uma avaliacao abrangente usando dados publicamente disponiveis da Airbnb, demonstramos a eficacia do modelo proposto em comparacao a uma serie de recomendadores alternativos, incluindo uma simulacao do recomendador da propria Airbnb.
Effects of Long-day Treatment at Different Light Intensities on Maturation and Fruit Quality in Japanese Persimmon 'Saijo'

To delay harvest of Japanese persimmon 'Saijo' (Diospyros kaki Thumb.) grown under a greenhouse, the effects of a long-day photoperiod at different light intensities on tree growth and fruit quality were tested. Exposure of 'Saijo' trees to intensive light from August 27 to December 8 under 17±1 hr photoperiod with white fluorescent lamps increased leaf color (SPAD value), secondary shoot growth, and the flesh firmness of the fruit while delaying leaf abscission, fruit color development and decreasing soluble solids content (Brix). These results indicate that the long-day treatment somehow caused delay in fruit maturation and enhances vegetative growth in 'Saijo'. The optimum value of photon flux density (PFD) on the canopy surface was estimated to be 1.5 μmol·m-2·sec-1 to delay harvest of 'Saijo' by approximately 25 days.
The status of the western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus, fishery and the effectiveness of management controls in increasing the egg production of the stock

In 1993, managers were concerned about the decline in the breeding stock of western rock lobster and introduced controls to raise egg production from the stock to those levels experienced in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The release of setose female lobsters (those with ovigerous setae) and of nonsetose female lobsters larger than a maximum legal size was required, the minimum legal carapace length (CL) was raised by 1 mm during the migratory phase between November and January, and the number of pots (traps) fished was reduced by 18%. Between 1993 and 1999, increases were observed in the indices of egg production obtained from research surveys and in the estimated released catches of setose female lobsters and of nonsetose female lobsters larger than the maximum size. From these and other fishery data, an age-structured model was developed to determine the status of the fishery and the effectiveness of each management control. By 1999, egg production of the stock had increased to 134% of the target level and 22% of the virgin level. Protection of setose female lobsters was the most effective control, followed by the reduction in pot usage, and then maximum legal size.
Effect of a chelating agent (EDTA) on zinc uptake and regulation by Palaemon elegans (Crustacea: Decapoda)

The littoral prawn Palaetnon elegans Rathke regulates the body concentration of zinc at higher external zinc concentrations in the presence of EDTA. The dissolved zinc concentration in artificial sea water corresponding to the threshold of regulation breakdown changed from ca. 100 μg Zn 1-1 (ca. 1.53 μmol Zn 1-1) without EDTA, to ca. 316 μg Zn 1-1 (ca. 4.8 μmo1 Zn 1-1) in the presence of 8. 6μmol EDTA 1-1 at 10 °C. The regulated body Zn concentration remained unchanged at 77–79 μg Zn g-1 dry wt with or without EDTA. Increased levels of EDTA in the medium decreased the rate of uptake of labelled zinc by P. elegans. The presence of 3 μmol EDTA 1-1 decreased the mean Zn uptake rate of prawns in 100 fig Zn 1-1 (ca. 1.53 μmol Zn 1-1) from 2.9 to 0.25% of total body Zn g-1 day"1 at 10 °C. The increased ability of P. elegans to regulate zinc in the presence of EDTA may be explained by the reduced bioavailability of the zinc-EDTA complex for uptake. There is marked individual variation in the rate of uptake of labelled zinc in prawns, even in the presence of the same concentration of zinc or zinc-EDTA.
Root and shoot development in Corymbia calophylla and Banksia brownii after the application of the fungicide phosphite

The effects of low-volume foliar application (24, 48, 96 kg ha–1) of phosphite on root and shoot development in Corymbia calophylla Lindley and Banksia brownii ex R.Br. were investigated in a glasshouse study. Shoot growth, root and shoot dry weight and root length were not significantly reduced by phosphite application in C. calophylla 2 weeks and 4 months after phosphite application. Shoot growth, shoot dry weight and root length were not significantly reduced in the non-mycorrhizal B. brownii. However, in plants treated with 24 and 96 kg ha–1, root dry weight was significantly reduced 4 months but not 2 weeks after spray. A discoloration of the root stele was also observed in phosphite-treated plants of this species. At 2 weeks after spray, root concentrations of phosphite in C. calophylla were up to five times higher than shoot concentrations. At 4 months after application, growth abnormalities were observed in B. brownii and these included spindly new shoot growth with rosetted foliage of reduced leaf size. The results of this study, which assessed one mycorrhizal and one non-mycorrhizal native species, suggest that species may vary in their response to phosphite in terms of root development and phosphite applied at rates of 24 kg ha–1 or higher may result in reduced root growth, particularly in non-mycorrhizal species. Further studies on root development in a wider range of species are needed to validate these findings.
Genetic, Linguistic and Archaeological Perspectives on Human Diversity in Southeast Asia

Genetic, Linguistic and Archaeological Perspectives on Human Diversity in Southeast Asia is the result of a collaborative effort to stimulate interaction between scientists from different disciplines who share a common interest: the role of Southeast Asia in the history of modern humans. The book furnishes a number of papers summarizing the major lines of research in the region, which were presented at an international conference at the University of Yunnan (China) in June 2000. This volume consists of 11 separate contributions organized into four parts: “Prehistory of Human Populations: Archaeological, Linguistic and Paleontological Perspectives,” “The Peopling of Southeast Asia,” “The Peopling of East Asia,” and “The Peopling of Oceania. ”
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) response to micronutrients (Mn, Cu, Zn, B) in Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract Trials were carried out at 20 sites in 2004–05 and at three sites in 2006–07 to determine if micronutrient application is required to maximise wheat yields in Canterbury, New Zealand. Micronutrients were applied at recommended rates as solid fertiliser (zinc (Zn) and boron (B)), foliar spray (manganese (Mn)), or both (copper (Cu)). Foliar treatments increased Cu and Mn in vegetative tissue, but not in grain. Soil‐applied CuSo4 had little or no effect on plant Cu. Sodium borate (2.3 kg B/ha) increased plant B by an average of 68% at mid‐late tillering (Zadoks growth stage 22–29). Zn (4.4 kg/ha as ZnSo4) gave small improvements in plant Zn (generally <20%). in 2004–05, there was no yield response to the treatments, even though about half the sites were below the suggested critical soil thresholds for Cu and Zn. in 2006–07, two sites showed yield responses (up to 0.9 t/ha) to Mn, but not to Zn or Cu. The soil EDTa (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) test was generally a poor indicator of wheat micronutrient status. The critical tissue Mn concentration to achieve 95% of maximum yield was estimated at 13 mg/kg at ear emergence. our results suggest that wheat crops with >12 mg Zn/kg at mid‐late tillering or >10 mg Zn/kg at ear emergence do not respond to applied Zn. Crops with >2 mg Cu/kg at mid‐late tillering were not responsive to Cu.
Cretaceous Crocodyliforms from the Sahara

Diverse crocodyliforms have been discovered in recent years in Cretaceous rocks on southern landmasses formerly composing Gondwana. We report here on six species from the Sahara with an array of trophic adaptations that signifi cantly deepen our current understanding of African crocodyliform diversity during the Cretaceous period. We describe two of these species (Anatosuchus minor, Araripesuchus wegeneri) from nearly complete skulls and partial articulated skeletons from the Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz Formation (Aptian-Albian) of Niger. Th e remaining four species (Araripesuchus rattoides sp. n., Kaprosuchus saharicus gen. n. sp. n., Laganosuchus thaumastos gen. n. sp. n., Laganosuchus maghrebensis gen. n. sp. n.) come from contemporaneous Upper Cretaceous formations (Cenomanian) in Niger and Morocco.
Somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes : correlation with the cell cycle and contribution of mutagenic repair pathways

Somatic hypermutation is a localized mutagenesis, essentially targeted to the immunoglobulin V region, and occurring during the immune response. This process is triggered by AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) that deaminates cytosines into uracils at the Ig locus. This lesion is further processed by Ung or the Msh2-Msh6 complex, with an abnormal outcome for both pathways that results in an increased mutation load. The Msh2-Msh6 complex recruits Pol eta to generate a short patch DNA synthesis with mostly mutations at A and T bases. To get further insight into this error-prone repair process, we have generated hypermutation substrates consisting in an A/T oligonucleotide of 100 bases with or without 3 cytidines in its core region, inserted by knock-in at the heavy chain Ig locus. Our aim was to compare the mutation frequency, distribution and mutation profile of substrates with C on either the coding or the non-coding strand on WT or Ung-deficient background, taking into account that Pol eta is a preferred A to G mutator. Our results suggest that Pol eta resynthesis may proceed on the coding strand, whatever the strand localization of the uracil, thus contradicting previous reports. Unexpectedly, our results revealed a cooperation between the Ung pathway and the endonuclease activity of the mismatch repair, with both of them providing the single-strand nick that allows initiation of the error-prone process that generates mutations at A and T bases. These results resolve the apparent paradox of the non-involvement of the mismatch repair effector complex (Mlh1-Pms2) in hypermutation, by proposing that it works redundantly with UNG, in a distribution of tasks that will depend upon the sequence context and the intensity of deamination activity. We have also constructed cell cycle restricted mutants of AID, to study in which phase of the cell cycle this atypical, mismatch repair driven, error-prone synthesis is taking place. Using the Fucci restriction system (degrons based on Cdt1 or Geminin peptides), we have generated AID constructs with proper restriction in either G1 or S/G2/M phases. These retroviral constructs have been used to transduce mouse hematopoietic stem cells from either AID -deficient mice and to restore immunodeficient animals, in order to analyze their immune response. We report that restriction of AID expression in S/G2/M part of the cycle yielded only background mutation frequency, while AID operating in the G1 phase is able to generate an equal proportion of A/T and G/C mutations at the Ig loci, thus demonstrating that uracils generated in G1 are substrates for both Ung- and mismatch repair pathways.
Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum: aspectos botânicos, ecológicos, etnobotânicos e farmacológicos

Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum is the only Brazilian species representative of this Myrtaceae genus. It has being traditionally used in the treatment of many diseases as well for seasoning food and flavoring beverages due to its similarity with clove flavor. In a minor scale, it is used in carpentry and as urban tree. Many authors have analyzed the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil in different regions of Brazil, founding eugenol, metileugenol, (E) metilisoeugenol, chavibetol, geranial e neral as main component in the specimens studied. Aiming to highlight the importance of P. pseudocaryophyllus as potential source of natural products and to provide some base to the adequate management actions, a review on botanical, ecological, ethnobotanical and pharmacological aspects of this species is presented.
Genetics of the Pantaneiro horse of the Pantanal region of Brazil

Genetic variation at seven red blood cell alloantigen, blood group loci and 10 biochemical genetic loci was examined in 102 Pantaneiro horses from the Pantanal region of Brazil and compared to that of other domestic horse breeds. Measures of both individual genic variation and populational genetic diversity within the Pantaneiro were near the average for domestic horse breeds. From the standpoint of genetic conservation there is no immediate concern for loss of variation within the Pantaneiro. Analysis of genetic relationship showed that the Pantaneiro was clearly of Iberian Peninsula descent and that it was most closely related to other Brazilian breeds.
Gene therapy approaches to disease of the cornea and anterior chamber

The field of ocular gene therapy has become one of the most developed areas within the wider gene therapy field, however most work to date has focused upon the retina with the cornea, by comparison, having seen relatively little application of gene therapy. This thesis describes a program of work to further develop viral gene therapy approaches to the three cellular layers of the cornea, with particular emphasis upon the application of novel vector technologies and overcoming the various challenges presented by each layer. Gene therapy of the corneal endothelium has to date largely aimed to increase or maintain endothelial cell density to improve the quality of donor corneas for engraftment. Such a strategy however carries an inherent risk of oncogenesis and this study has therefore aimed to improve the safety profile of endothelial gene delivery methods. The transduction profile of various AAV serotypes within the corneal stroma was also investigated, and the most promising results applied in an augmentation gene therapy approach to prevent corneal neovascularisation. The selected methodology is shown to mediate high level transgene expression and, when delivering the antiangiogenic factor sFlt1, was highly effective in preventing haem (but not lymph) angiogenesis in a murine model of induced corneal neovascularisation. If long term gene delivery to the corneal epithelium is to be achieved it must be targeted to the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) responsible for the continuous regeneration of the layer. This study has convincingly demonstrated gene delivery to these cells in vivo for the first time, with the methodology developed leading to a lasting transgene expression throughout the LESC daughter cell lineages that comprise the epithelium. In addition to potential application in the treatment of congenital epithelial dystrophies this technique may also provide new insights into LESC biology and the cellular dynamics of epithelial renewal.