Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sterilizing tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the field: a successful trial

The juvenile hormone mimic, pyriproxyfen, applied topically to female tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and G. pallidipes Austen, effectively sterilizes them by arresting development of their offspring in the pupal stage. Between July and November 1989, 41 odour baited traps treated with pyriproxyfen were deployed near Rekomitjie Research Station, Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe, in a 12.3 km 2 block of woodland habitat of G. m. morsitans and G. pallidipes. Tsetse entering the traps brushed against material dosed with 2 mg/cm 2 pyriproxyfen and were then allowed to escape. Emergence rates from pupae of the two species collected in the block fell to 30% and 2.7%, respectively, of control levels after three months. Of more than 750 pupae of each species dissected 78% and 94%, respectively, showed incomplete development. The average ovarian age category of female G. pallidipes sampled in the block doubled during the trial. This was due to immigration of older flies and the declining birth rate which, if sustained over a large area for a year, was estimated as sufficient to cause a population reduction to 10 −6 of its original level.
THE POLLEN‐STIGMA INTERACTION IN THE GRASSES: 4. AN INTERPRETATION OF THE SELF‐INCOMPATIBILITY RESPONSE

SUMMARY Features of the self-incompatibility system in the grasses are reviewed, and related to characteristics of the stigma and pollen tube growth. From a consideration of the existing data, a general hypothesis is advanced for the self-incompatibility reaction, based upon the following propositions: (A) the pistil-side incompatibility factors are proteins (probably glycoproteins) with lectin-like properties present in the stigma surface secretions and in the transmitting tracts; (B) their binding specificities are such that they are complementary to sugar sequences or arrays displayed by wall carbohydrate in the growth zone of incompatible pollen tubes, but not complementary to those presented by the compatible tubes; (C) binding at the tip of an incompatible tube leads to a disruption of apical growth by preventing the dissociation of the polysaccharide content of the wall precursor bodies and interfering with the extension of polysaccharide microfibrils in the sub-apical zone. The implications of the hypothesis are briefly discussed, and also its relevance to other gametophytic self-incompatibility systems.
The Reproductive Biology of the Common Thresher Shark in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Reproductive organs from 130 male and 256 female Common Thresher Sharks Alopias vulpinus were examined to describe the reproductive characteristics and determine size at maturity and reproductive seasonality for the species in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Males ranged in size from 78 to 237 cm FL and females ranged from 62 to 263 cm FL. The onset of maturity in males was best described by an inflection in the relationship of clasper length to FL in combination with the degree of clasper calcification. Males matured between 181 and 198 cm FL, and estimated median size at maturity was 188 cm FL. In females, changes in the relationship between ovary and uterus length and width with FL were used to estimate the size at maturity. Females matured between 208 and 224 cm FL; the estimated median size at maturity was 216 cm FL. Litter sizes averaged 3.7 young. The period of parturition is protracted, spanning late spring to late summer (May–August). As in other Lamniformes, young are nourished throug.
The Use of a Pattern Judgement Model to Assess Fish Habitat Suitability in Two Colorado Reservoirs

ABSTRACT The suitability of two Colorado reservoirs to support an array of common fish species was assessed using a pattern judgement model. The model employs an expert panel to predict habitat suitability based on easily measured structural characteristics of the reservoir basin, local site climate, operational regime, and inflow characteristics. Model predictions, made before Kenney Reservoir was filled, indicated mat common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) would dominate the fish community in this reservoir. Sampling in the decade following completion of the dam substantiated this prediction. When additional species were added to the model and their likely performance in Kenney Reservoir evaluated, predictions offish community composition closely followed trends observed in reservoir species composition. A proposed enlargement of an existing reservoir was evaluated with the model to predict what species might prosper as a result of the new configuration of the reservoir basin and inundation of new land areas. None of the 10 species evaluated were predicted to flourish in the new habitat provided by the enlargement. Predictions were consistent with the low abundance of these species in the existing reservoir and the probable lack of suitable habitat in the enlargement area. The pattern judgement model can be used to explore management options dealing with probable species performance as a function of the quality of available habitat using relatively static data garnered at low cost. The model's flexibility allows modification of input variable values to reflect local conditions or specific needs without altering model logic. Guidance is provided for adding more species to the model to broaden its applicability to other waters.
Tracking Fresh Water from Space

Stream flow is traditionally monitored with channel gauges that measure the water height. This method is costly, often not implemented in remote regions, and incapable of measuring flow on floodplains and wetlands. Without these observations, global models of climate and water management are poorly constrained. In their Perspective, Alsdorf and Lettenmaier argue that satellite observations are required to measure the spatial diversity of the water surface across the globe. Three different satellite-based methods can measure water volumes in floodplains, channels, lakes, and reservoirs. Further development of these methods should allow global, volumetric measurements of fresh water from space.
GC-MS Analysis, Antimicrobial, Scavenging Ability and Cytotoxic Activity of Leaves of Syzygium calophyllifolium Walp

The Syzygium calophyllifolium is a large evergreen tree growing in higher altitude in Southern Western Ghats, India. The ethyl acetate extract of leaves contain higher proportions of sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoid compounds that showed effective antimicrobial screening against some of bacterial and fungal strains. The extract showed maximum inhibition zones against Enterococcus faecalis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The extract also showed notable antioxidant activity and at higher concentration scavenged 81.45 % of free radicals. A potent cytotoxicity has been exhibited by the extract, showing increased activity with increasing concentration. The study suggests that leaves of Syzygium calophyllifolium may be a prominent source of several medicinally important natural compounds.
Histology of intestinal villi and epithelial cells in chickens fed low-crude protein or low-crude fat diets

To establish the intestinal histological alterations in chickens fed low-crude protein (CP) or low-crude fat (EE) in long-term isocaloric diets, 60 birds were allotted to three treatments, each with five replicates of four chickens. They were fed the control, low-CP or low-EE diet from the age of 9 to 16 weeks. The chickens receiving the low-CP diet showed a clear reduction in performance and carcass characteristics like breast and wings. However, these adverse effects did not occur in the chickens fed the low-EE diet. The villus height in the duodenum and ileum were lower (P<0.05) in the low-CP group. The duodenal villus area decreased (P<0.05) in both the low-CP and low-EE groups, whereas the ileum showed a lower value (P<0.05) in only the low-CP group. The cell area of the duodenum and jejunum displayed decreasing values (P<0.05) in the low-CP and low-EE groups. As regards the mitotic numbers, the jejunum and ileum showed a decrease (P<0.05) in the low-CP group. On the villus tip surface in the duodenum of the control and low-EE groups, clear protuberant cells and cell clusters with a great number of epithelial cells were found. These cell clusters degraded to faintly dome-shaped cells in the low-CP group, resulting in a lower level of morphological changes than in the other two groups. The epithelial cells on the jejunal and ileal tip surfaces did not show a specific change in the treatment groups.
Effect of temperature on the development and thermal requirements of Wolbachia-infected and antibiotically cured Trichogramma kaykai Pinto and Stouthamer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Com o objetivo de entender a influencia da temperatura em alguns parâmetros biologicos de Trichogramma kaykai Pinto e Stouthamer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) infectado e nao infectado com Wolbachia (tratado com antibiotico), determinaram-se a duracao do desenvolvimento e as exigencias termicas da progenie dos mesmos sob quatro temperaturas constantes (15, 20, 25 e 30°C), UR 70 ± 5% e fotofase de 14 h, usando como hospedeiro ovos de Trichoplusia ni Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). O conhecimento dos efeitos da temperatura e fundamental para ajudar a entender a dinâmica de organismos habitantes do deserto como T. kaykai que estao sujeitos a extremos de temperatura ao longo das estacoes. Parasitoides nao infectados tiveram um desenvolvimento mais rapido a temperaturas mais elevadas (20, 25 e 30°C) do que aqueles infectados. Contudo, parasitoides infectados apresentaram desenvolvimento mais rapido do que parasitoides nao infectados a temperatura mais baixa (15°C). A duracao do desenvolvimento da progenie de parasitoides nao infectados e infectados aumentou de 7,0 e 7,1 dias a 30°C, respectivamente para 37,3 e 36,7 dias a 15°C, respectivamente. Os machos desenvolveram-se mais rapido que as femeas em todas as temperaturas avaliadas. A temperatura base de desenvolvimento da progenie de parasitoides nao infectados e infectados foi 12,0°C e as exigencias termicas 127,71 e 132,10 graus dias, respectivamente.
Can the mating system of the size-monomorphic Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) be inferred from its social structure, spacing behaviour and habitat? A case study from lowland Nepal

The mating system of small ungulates inhabiting dense habitats is poorly known. In a ca 12-km2 area in lowland Nepal, we captured most individuals (18 of 23) of the elusive, size-monomorphic Indian muntjac (< 20 kg) and monitored their spacing behaviour with radio telemetry, and their use of latrines by remote cameras. The sex ratio favoured females (61%). Measured by the 90% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) method, male home ranges averaged 77 ha and those of females averaged 40 ha (P < 0.05); by the 90% Kernel method, range sizes were not different (P > 0.3). Although total home ranges and core areas overlapped both inter- and intrasexually, individuals were solitary. Temporally, males tended to avoid each other, whereas females were randomly distributed with respect to each other. A spatial attraction was detected between individuals of opposite sexes. Daily movement was longer among males than females (P < 0.01). Different individuals of both sexes – both adults and subadults – visited the same latrines, which were located in discrete and randomly distributed latrine areas, and the frequency of visiting latrines was similar among the two sexes. Animal spacing behaviour and distribution pattern suggested neither monogamy, nor strict resource or female defence polygyny. From the results, we hypothesize that muntjacs have evolved a form of polygynous mating system based on what might be termed an ‘inspection strategy’: males regularly inspecting the breeding status of adjacent females through extensive mutual scent and latrine markings, with dominating individuals presumably achieving most matings. This might be an optimal mating strategy for small, cryptically coloured ungulates living in rather stable and uniform environments, which breed asynchronously nearly twice a year.
Prognosis of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a comparative study of the predictive values of clinical staging IB--III and a histopathologic malignancy grading system.

: The prognostic values of clinical staging IB--III and a histopathologic malignancy grading system have been compared in a retrospective study on 338 women with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The superiority of the grading system to staging was significant (p less than 0.01). However, staging had an additional prognostic value. Using both the malignancy grading system and clinical staging together provided a better capacity to predict the clinical outcome in individual patients. Prognostication according to clinical staging alone will result in a considerable loss of information.
The ecology of pollen limitation in buzz‐pollinated Rhexia virginica (Melastomataceae)

1 Pollen limitation of female fertility has often been documented in animal‐pollinated plants, but seldom have the ecological mechanisms responsible been investigated. We examined factors influencing pollen limitation in Rhexia virginica (Melastomataceae), a species in which pollen transfer depends on bumblebees capable of buzz pollination. Experimental studies were conducted in two populations at Lake Matchedash, southern Ontario, Canada, where the species occurs at the edge of its familial range.
Diversity of MHC class II DAB1 in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Abstract. The host immune response is an important factor determining the outcome of the host–pathogen–environment interaction. At the gateway between the innate and adaptive immune systems are MHC molecules, which facilitate antigen presentation to T lymphocytes, and initiate the adaptive immune response. Despite their integral role in adaptive immunity, the genes encoding class II MHC molecules have not been examined directly in koalas. Furthermore, indirect historical evidence suggests that this species might lack functional diversity in class II MHC genes, with potential implications for disease susceptibility. We have examined diversity in the β chain genes of the koala class II MHC DA gene family and identified 23 alleles, including several atypical alleles. The levels of diversity observed are consistent with other marsupial and eutherian species, and do not support the paucity of variation suggested by the early literature. These findings are relevant to the conservation management of koalas and provide both a benchmark for maintaining population diversity and a platform for further conservation genetic research in this species.
Leaf cuticular waxes are arranged in chemically and mechanically distinct layers: evidence from Prunus laurocerasus L.

The composition and spatial arrangement of cuticular waxes on the leaves of Prunus laurocerasus were investigated. In the wax mixture, the triterpenoids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as well as alkanes, fatty acids, aldehydes, primary alcohols and alcohol acetates were identified. The surface extraction of upper and lower leaf surfaces yielded 280 mg m−2 and 830 mg m−2, respectively. Protocols for the mechanical removal of waxes from the outermost layers of the cuticle were devised and evaluated. With the most selective of these methods, 130 mg m−2 of cuticular waxes could be removed from the adaxial surface before a sharp, physically resistant boundary was reached. Compounds thus obtained are interpreted as ‘epicuticular waxes’ with respect to their localization in a distinct layer on the surface of the cutin matrix. The epicuticular wax film can be transferred onto glass and visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Prunus laurocerasus epicuticular waxes consisted entirely of aliphatic compounds, whereas the remaining intracuticular waxes comprised 63% of triterpenoids. The ecological relevance of this layered structure for recognition by phytotrophic fungi and herbivorous insects that probe the surface composition for sign stimuli is discussed.
Effective Pollen Dispersal in a Natural Population of Asclepias exaltata: The Influence of Pollinator Behavior, Genetic Similarity, and Mating Success

We investigate pollen-mediated gene dispersal within a natural population of poke milkweed, Asclepias exaltata. We use paternity exclusion analysis with seven polymorphic isozymes to quantify pollen dispersal among plants in the population. Realized gene dispersal via pollen is much greater than potential gene flow inferred from pollinator flight distances between plants but is similar to a random distribution based on all interplant distances. Extensive pollen carryover due to the unique pollination system of the plants and the behavior of their large butterfly pollinators may explain the extensive pollen movement in the population. There was no evidence of an "optimal outcrossing distance" in this population. Matings between genetically similar plants resulted in reduced seed-set and seed viability within fruits, but genetic similarity between mating pairs was independent of the spatial distance separating them. Thus, extensive gene dispersal via pollen creates a large neighborhood size in milkweeds that may prevent genetic structure in small local populations, a prerequisite for optimal outcrossing distances to exist.
Morphological segregation of Icelandic threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L).

Icelandic threespine sticklebacks show parallel sympatric morphological differences related to different substrate habitats in four Icelandic lakes. The level of morphological diversification varies among the lakes, ranging from a population with a wide morphological distribution to a population with clear resource morphs, where morphological diversification was reflected in diet differences. These differences in morphological divergence are closely related to the differences in the ecological surroundings of each population. This appears to be resource polymorphism, which may lead to population differentiation and speciation. Trophically related sexual dimorphism was also common in these sticklebacks, which is possibly the result of sexual selection or habitat segregation by the sexes.
Nestling Sex Ratio in a Critically Endangered Dimorphic Raptor, Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)

Abstract Variation in nestling sex ratio is an important concept in population ecology, and has particular implications for the conservation status of small populations. Research on species exhibiting Reversed Sexual Size Dimorphism (RSSD), in which females are larger than males, have shown that significant biases in nestling sex ratios can result from demographic and environmental conditions experienced by parents during the breeding episode. We collected morphometric measurements from the critically endangered Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) over a 4-yr period, verifying that the species exhibits RSSD. Females weighed 25% more than males and were significantly larger for 7 of 12 body measurements. Nestling sex-ratios were determined by PCR amplification of the CHD1 gene. The results revealed a weak but consistent trend toward female-biased broods for the small remaining population. Parents may potentially be producing more females, the more costly sex, due to an ample food supply and adaptive allocation of parental care. A female-bias sex ratio may also signal management concern for the species if it is caused by inbreeding; however, currently the bias is not significant enough to warrant immediate intense nest intervention or nest management for this critically endangered species. RELACIÓN DE SEXOS EN PICHONES DE BUTEO RIDGWAYI, UNA RAPAZ DIMÓRFICA EN PELIGRO CRÍTICO La variación en la relación de sexos en pichones es un concepto importante en la ecología de poblaciones y tiene implicancias particulares para el estado de conservación de poblaciones pequeñas. Investigaciones en especies que presentan Dimorfismo Sexual Invertido (DSI), en el cual las hembras son más grandes que los machos, han demostrado que los sesgos significativos en la relación de sexos de los pichones pueden ser el resultado de condiciones demográficas y ambientales experimentadas por los padres durante el episodio de cría. Colectamos medidas morfométricas de individuos de Buteo ridgwayi, una especie en peligro crítico, durante un periodo de cuatro años, verificando que la especie presenta DSI. Las hembras pesaron 25% más que los machos y fueron significativamente más grandes en 7 de 12 medidas corporales. La relación de sexos de los pichones se determinó por amplificación de RCP del gen CHD1. Los resultados revelaron una tendencia débil pero consistente hacia nidadas sesgadas hacia las hembras para la pequeña población restante. Los padres pueden estar produciendo más hembras, que representa el sexo más costoso, debido a un amplio suministro de alimento y a una distribución flexible del cuidado parental. La relación de sexos sesgada hacia las hembras puede ser una señal de preocupación en el manejo de la especie, si es que ésta es causada por endogamia; sin embargo, actualmente el sesgo no es lo suficientemente significativo como para requerir intervención de nidos de forma inmediata o manejo de nidos para esta especie en peligro crítico.
Selection of peptides inhibiting a β‐lactamase‐like activity

A library of random peptide sequences was used to select peptides that inhibit an anti-idiotypic catalytic Ig, immunoglobulin (IgG) 9G4H9, with a β-lactamase-like activity. This library displays cyclic heptapeptides on the surface of bacteriophages and represents a collection of up to 4.5 × 109 peptides. The first selection step aimed at enriching the library in species that bind to the whole Ig molecule. The second step was to discriminate peptides that bind to part of the molecule other than the active site. Selected peptides were then screened by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Those displaying measurable Kd values were assayed for their ability to inhibit the catalytic Ig.
Pituitary and gonadal response to GnRH in prepubatal buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of hypophysis and gonads to synthetic GnRH among prepubertal buffalo heifers at 12 months of a응e. Peripheral plasma FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone level were measured in blood samples collected at 1 hr before and up to 18 days subsequent to the administration of 200 #g GnRH (n = 6) or saline (n = 6) in Murrah buffalo heifers. The pretreatment peripheral plasma FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone among GnRH treated heifers were 7.35 ± 0.45 ng/ml, 1.08 ± 0.3 ng/ml, 22.93 ± 1.06 pg/ml and 0.27 ± 0.04 ng/ml respectively. A quick elevation (p < 0.01) of FSH and LH within five min of GnRH administration was observed in all heifers. Although the peak FSH (89.57 ± 23.43 ng/ml) and LH (7.52 ± 3.08 ng/ml) reached by 10 min of GnRH administration, yet the animals differed both in terms of their amplitude response of FSH and LH release as well as in terms of time which animals took to exhibit maximum response to GnRH administration. The GnRH administration did not cause alteration in plasma estradiol and progesterone level. The present study suggests that the pituitary of 12 month buffalo heifers has capacity to synthesize and store of gonadotropin and have developed receptors for GnRH for a spike of gonadotropin release. (