Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of some Immunoglobulin G class and subclass antibodies to adult Onchocerca volvulus SDS-extracted antigens.

Indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum antibody responses in onchocerciasis patients. Apparently, IgG antibody class was more sensitive than IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 responses to Onchocerca volvulus adult worms sodium duodecyl sulphate (SDS) extracted crude antigens in proven clinical and parasitological cases (n=95). Sensitivity varied slightly among the IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 isotypes. All cases were positive for IgG, with 98%, 97% and 96% for the IgG isotypes respectively. Those with evidences of palpable nodule and skin microfilariae (n=32) were all seropositive (100%) for the three IgG isotypes-assays. A decrease in seropositivity was recorded among the assumed endemic normals or those with no evidence of infection (n=19), yet IgG recorded the highest with 90% and IgG4 was the least with 58%. It is concluded that the IgG1 and IgG3 assays have great potential as a screening test, while IgG4 could serve as a confirmatory test. These assays could be useful in detecting cases elusive to parasitological and clinical prognosis particularly in post-control surveillance situations. Keywords: Onchocerca volvulus, Serology, sensitivity, Screening, Diagnosis, Antigens and Antibodies.
Energetic advantage of nest-sharing in a solitary primate, the lesser mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)

Energetic benefits provided by sharing a nest were investigated by measuring resting metabolic rate in the lesser mouse lemur ( Microcebus murinus ), a nocturnal solitary primate that usually groups in a nest during its diurnal rest. Resting metabolic rate was measured on 32 individuals maintained either alone or grouped with one, two, or three conspecifics originating from the same social group. In this seasonal breeder, individual resting metabolic rate varied significantly from 1.08 ± 0.03 to 1.47 ± 0.05 ( SE ) ml O2 h™1g™1 for nonbreeding and breeding seasons, respectively. During the breeding season, both sexes reduced their energetic expenditure by 20% when grouped in pairs, and maximal energetic benefit (40%) was achieved when three animals nested together. During the nonbreeding season, maximal energetic gain was observed when as few as two animals nested together because resting metabolic rate was already decreased. Finally, when three or four animals shared the same nest, resting metabolic rate was minimal, independent of sex and season, at 0.88 ml O2 h™1g™1, suggesting that nest-sharing in this solitary primate is an important strategy to minimize energetic costs to cope with seasonal shortage of food.
Crescimento relativo do camarão canela Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) em viveiros

Some morphometric relationships in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) reared in earthen ponds were studied. A total of 239 individuals were collected, sexed and sorted to juvenile or adult. Total length (Lt), post-orbital length (Lpo), carapace length (Lcp) and queliped length (Lql) were measured. The relationships Lt/Lpo, Lpo/Lcp and Lt/Lcp are the same for juveniles, males and females, indicating unchanged growth pattern during post-larval ontogenetic development. While Lt/Lpo showed isometric growth, Lpo/Lcp and Lt/Lcp showed negative allometry. On the other hand, for the Lql/Lcp relationship, juveniles showed isometric growth, females slight positive allometry and males a strong positive allometry. It suggests that the importance of chelipeds may be different in these groups. Quelipeds play important role on food capture and on agonistic, social and reproductive behavior. Therefore, inter and intraspecific interactions may change during prawn growth, even after morphological
Energy crops: current status and future prospects

Energy crops currently contribute a relatively small proportion to the total energy produced from biomass each year, but the proportion is set to grow over the next few decades. This paper reviews the current status of energy crops and their conversion technologies, assesses their potential to contribute to global energy demand and climate mitigation over the next few decades, and examines the future prospects. Previous estimates have suggested a technical potential for energy crops of∼400 EJ yr−1 by 2050. In a new analysis based on energy crop areas for each of the IPCC SRES scenarios in 2025 (as projected by the IMAGE 2.2 integrated assessment model), more conservative dry matter and energy yield estimates and an assessment of the impact on non‐CO2 greenhouse gases were used to estimate the realistically achievable potential for energy crops by 2025 to be between 2 and 22 EJ yr−1, which will offset∼100–2070 Mt CO2‐eq. yr−1. These results suggest that additional production of energy crops alone is not sufficient to reduce emissions to meet a 550 μmol mol−1 atmospheric CO2 stabilization trajectory, but is sufficient to form an important component in a portfolio of climate mitigation measures, as well as to provide a significant sustainable energy resource to displace fossil fuel resources. Realizing the potential of energy crops will necessitate optimizing the dry matter and energy yield of these crops per area of land through the latest biotechnological routes, with or without the need for genetic modification. In future, the co‐benefits of bioenergy production will need to be optimized and methods will need to be developed to extract and refine high‐value products from the feedstock before it is used for energy production.
The sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Kota formation of India

The sauropod dinosaur from the Kota formation of India, Lower Jurassic in age, is the earliest which is known from adequate material. This preliminary account mentions the occurrence of the material, establishes a name and holotype, presents a diagnosis of its characters and comments on those which are typical of sauropods. Some of the characters which collectively distinguish the new genus and species, Barapasaurus tagorei, from other sauropods are briefly indicated.
Breeding bird communities of reclaimed coal-mine grasslands in the American midwest

Abstract We studied the breeding bird communities of 19 reclaimed surface coal-mine grasslands in southwestern Indiana in 1997–1998, using roadside point counts and off-road transects. The mine grasslands in this study were large, ranging from 110 to 3180 ha in area (median, 590 ha). Although dominated by a few Eurasian grass species, they supported diverse bird communities in which grassland-dependent species were prominent along with grassland-associated and successional scrub species. The mean abundances of species (relative to one another) on roadside and off-road counts were positively correlated. Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), and Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) were present at >90% of point count locations. Other common species, in descending order, included Dickcissels (Spiza americana), Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas), Killdeers (Charadrius vociferus), Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), and Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) were rare, as were seven grassland-dependent species that were near the edges of their geographic distributions.
The First Naupliar Stage of Pennella balaenopterae Koren and Danielssen, 1877 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae)

The first nauplius of Pennella balaenopterae is described and illustrated. This is the first description of the nauplius in this species and genus. Antennae and mandibles resemble those previously described in pennelid nauplii. The first antenna is uniramous and one-segmented, while the second antenna and the mandible show a two-segmented endopod and a four-segmented exopod. No trace of any other appendage or of the gut is found. Some comments on the life cycle of Pennella balaenopterae are made.
Ectopic Expression of an Oat Thionin Gene in Carnation Plants Confers Enhanced Resistance to Bacterial Wilt Disease

Under the control of Arabidopsis triptophan synthase β subunit promoter (PTSB1), the oat thionin gene (Asthi1) was introduced into carnation (Dianthus caryphyllus L.) via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Leaf bases of three cultivars of carnation (‘Scania’, ‘Percian Pink-Sim’ and ‘U. Conn. White Sim’) were infected with Agrobacterium harboring the binary vector with PTSB1::Asthi1 and hygromycin genes, and cultured on the medium containing hygromycin. Independent 99 lines resistant to hygromycin were regenerated and the introduction of the transgene was confirmed in 11 lines by polymerase chain reaction. Transgenic carnation plants exhibited the resistance against infection with Burkholderia caryophylli which caused bacterial wilt, and the levels of resistance correlated with those of the thionin gene transcript.
The Miocene differentiation of old world Pecora (Mammalia)

Dental and horn core/antler morphology is discussed for some representative lower and middle Miocene pecorans in a review of the phylogeny and early zoogeography of the modern Old World families. Giraffes and bovids are more closely related than either is to deer. Andegameryx, Walangania and Teruelia are related to giraffoids plus bovoids together; Amphimoschus and Hispanomeryx are a probable sister group of bovoids; Propalaeoryx is the sister group of the giraffids plus climacoceratids. Procervulus and Lagomeryx may be closer to modern deer than are Stephanocemas and Dicrocerus but all are included in the Cervidae. The horn structure of Palaeomeryx has resemblances to giraffids, but its teeth and postcranial bones are more like cervids and it is placed in the Cervoidea. Pecorans seem to have evolved in Eurasia and there gave rise to deer. By the early Miocene some pecorans had entered Arabo‐Africa where they gave rise to giraffids and probably bovids. The relationships and zoogeography of the early bovid.
Yields, Weeds, Pests and Soil Nitrogen in a White Cabbage-Living Mulch System

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present studies was to screen for suitable cover crops and seeding rates and investigate the influence of non-suppressed and mechanically suppressed living mulch on white cabbage yield, weed growth, pest damage and green manuring effects. Because no differences in weed suppression between the species/cultivars were found in the first experiment, Trifolium repens L. cv. Pertina, which had least negative impact on cabbage yield was chosen for the second experiment. In addition, Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Geraldton was included. The competition between cover crop and cabbage was considerable in the second experiment. Mowing once or twice did not improve cabbage yield compared with unmowed treatments. A considerable increase in cabbage yield was achieved both in subclover and white clover by rototilling between the rows 6 weeks after transplanting. The cover crops did not reduce weed biomass or number of weeds early in the season compared with monoculture, but weed biomass in lat.
The role of sinigrin in host plant recognition by aphids during initial plant penetration

Plant penetration behaviour (probing) of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, and the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, was studied on excised leaves of broad beans, Vicia faba, kept in water or in a 1% aqueous solution of sinigrin. Using the DC EPG (Electrical Penetration Graph) technique it was shown that the cabbage aphid on sinigrin‐untreated bean leaves showed numerous short probes into epidermis and mesophyll. None of these aphids showed either phloem salivation or ingestion waveforms on untreated leaves. In contrast, on sinigrin‐treated bean leaves, 35% of the probing time was spent on phloem sap ingestion (E2) and almost all aphids reached phloem vessels and started feeding. The duration of phloem salivation before phloem ingestion and the mean duration of phloem ingestion periods were similar on a host and a sinigrin‐treated non‐host plant. However, the total probing time by B. brassicae was 10% longer, the total phloem sap ingestion time was twice as long, and the time to the first phloem phase within a probe was three times shorter on the host plant compared to sinigrin‐treated broad beans. Acyrthosiphon pisum also responded to the addition of sinigrin to broad beans, but in this case sinigrin acted as a deterrent. On sinigrin‐treated leaves, A. pisum terminated probes before ingestion from phloem vessels, and none of these aphids showed phloem salivation and ingestion on treated leaves. Glucosinolates were detected in the mesophyll cells of the brassicaceous plant, Sinapis alba. Based on this finding and in addition to the foregoing EPG analysis of aphid probing on these plants and broad beans, our hypothesis is that aphids may recognise their host plants as soon as they probe the mesophyll tissue and before they start ingestion from phloem vessels.
DIATOM PRODUCTIVITY COMPARED TO OTHER ALGAE IN NATURAL MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON ASSEMBLAGES 1, 2

Total productivity rates and the component attributed to the diatom proportion in the crop were measured in natural water samples taken from the Scripts Pier (La Jolla, California) at ca, monthly intervals in 1975–76. Two other measurements were done in water samples taken from Saanich Intel, Vancouver Islands, British Columbia (Canada). The percent of photosynthesis by diatoms was compared with the proportion of diatom carbon in the crop. In all instances, percent diatom photosynthesis was higher than percent diatom carbon for dialoms were higher than those of other algae. It is hypothesized that, in the sea, diatoms can outcompete other algae. However, the assemblages consist of some tens of species coexisting, and no portion of the crop out competes the others to exclusion.
The evolution of laughter in great apes and humans

It has long been claimed that human emotional expressions, such as laughter, have evolved from nonhuman displays. The aim of the current study was to test this prediction by conducting acoustic and phylogenetic analyses based on the acoustics of tickle-induced vocalizations of orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. Results revealed both important similarities and differences among the various species’ vocalizations, with the phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on these acoustic data matching the well-established genetic relationships of great apes and humans. These outcomes provide evidence of a common phylogenetic origin of tickle-induced vocalizations in these taxa, which can therefore be termed “laughter” across all five species. Results are consistent with the claims of phylogenetic continuity of emotional expressions. Together with observations made on the use of laughter in great apes and humans, findings of this study further indicate that there were two main periods of selection-driven evolutionary change in laughter within the Hominidae, to a smaller degree, among the great apes and, most distinctively, after the separation of hominins from the last common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos.
Specificity of V1eV2 orientation networks in the primate visual cortex

The computation of texture and shape involves integration of features of various orientations. Orientation networks within V1 tend to involve cells which share similar orientation selectivity. However, emergent properties in V2 require the integration of multiple orientations. We now show that, unlike interactions within V1, V1eV2 orientation interactions are much less synchronized and are not necessarily orientation dependent. We find V1eV2 orientation networks are of two types: a more tightly synchronized, orientation-preserving network and a less synchronized orientation-diverse network. We suggest that such diversity of V1eV2 interactions underlies the spatial and functional integration required for computation of higher order contour and shape in V2. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The soybean yield gap in Brazil – magnitude, causes and possible solutions for sustainable production

SUMMARY Brazil is one of the most important soybean producers in the world. Soybean is a very important crop for the country as it is used for several purposes, from food to biodiesel production. The levels of soybean yield in the different growing regions of the country vary substantially, which results in yield gaps of considerable magnitude. The present study aimed to investigate the soybean yield gaps in Brazil, their magnitude and causes, as well as possible solutions for a more sustainable production. The concepts of yield gaps were reviewed and their values for the soybean crop determined in 15 locations across Brazil. Yield gaps were determined using potential and attainable yields, estimated by a crop simulation model for the main maturity groups of each region, as well as the average actual famers’ yield, obtained from national surveys provided by the Brazilian Government for a period of 32 years (1980–2011). The results showed that the main part of the yield gap was caused by water deficit, followed by sub-optimal crop management. The highest yield gaps caused by water deficit were observed mainly in the south of Brazil, with gaps higher than 1600 kg/ha, whereas the lowest were observed in Tapurah, Jataí, Santana do Araguaia and Uberaba, between 500 and 1050 kg/ha. The yield gaps caused by crop management were mainly concentrated in South-central Brazil. In the soybean locations in the mid-west, north and north-east regions, the yield gap caused by crop management was <500 kg/ha. When evaluating the integrated effects of water deficit and crop management on soybean yield gaps, special attention should be given to Southern Brazil, which has total yield gaps >2000 kg/ha. For reducing the present soybean yield gaps observed in Brazil, several solutions should be adopted by growers, which can be summarized as irrigation, crop rotation and precision agriculture. Improved dissemination of agricultural knowledge and the use of crop simulation models as a tool for improving crop management could further contribute to reduce the Brazilian soybean yield gap.
ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND BIONOMICS Moscas Ectoparasitas (Diptera: Streblidae) de Morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) do Município de São Luís, MA: Taxas de Infestação e Associações Parasito-Hospedeiro

This study reports the fi rst records of the parasitism rates of the association among ectoparasitic fl ies of the family Streblidae found in phyllostomid bats in the state of Maranhao. Specimens were collected in patches of secondary forest and borders of mangrove in the village of Quebra Pote, located in the south portion of the island of Sao Luis. A total of 201 fl ies of 15 species and eight genera (Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, A. phyllostomatis (Perty), Mastoptera minuta Costa Lima, Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett), M. proxima (Seguy), Speiseria ambigua Kessel, Stizostrebla longirotris Jobling, Strebla guajiro (Garcia & Casal), S. hertigi Wenzel, Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessoa & Galvao), Trichobius costalimai Guimaraes, T. dugesii Townsend, T. dugesioides phyllostomus Guerrero, T. joblingi Wenzel and T. longipes (Rudow)) were collected from 50 individuals of nine species of phyllostomid bats (Artibeus lituratus (Olfers), A. obscurus Schinz, Carollia perspicillata L. , Glossophaga soricina Pallas, Lophostoma carrikeri J A Allen, Micronycteris minuta Gervais, Phyllostomus discolor Wagner, P. hastatus Pallas and Sturnira lilium E Geoffroy)). Mastoptera minuta, T. costalimai, T. longipes, A. falcata and S. longirostris, were the most frequently found ectoparasites, present in at least 50% of the infected bats. Two species of bats, C. perspicillata e P. discolor, showed the highest richness of ectoparasites, with four species of fl ies each, and an infection rate of 46% and 100%, respectively.
Demo: Low-cost, Low-power Testbed for Establishing Network of LoRaWAN Nodes

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a fusion of many technologies and it has spanned across diverse and multidisciplinary application domains. In order to evaluate various wireless technologies and components one needs to perform experimental ﬁeld studies in order to gain further practical insights like - power, range, interference, RSSI, etc. which is otherwise difﬁcult to obtain from simulation. The demo will showcase the details of our hardware platform to establish a cost effective, low-power testbed for experimenting with network of LoRaWAN/LoRa nodes.
AGILE AND SECURE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: AN UNFINISHED STORY

Given the widespread adoption of agile methods and the rising number of software vulnerabilities, we analyze the literature with an interest in the effect of security practices on software development agility. We propose a novel taxonomy to systematize the body of knowledge around secure agile development and then organize and summarize the selected research using the new taxonomy. At a high-level we create two categories, Phase Focused and Phase Independent. The Phase Focused category is then subdivided along the traditional SDLC phases. The Phase Independent category spans all phases of the SDLC or is phase independent. We conclude that, although there is a significant body of literature on the topic, the story is unfinished. There is further investigation needed to ensure agility as secure development practices are adopted and in regard to empirical evaluations of the proposed agile and secure software development integration approaches.
METODĄ BARWIENIA ASSESSING THE TOXICITY OF SELECTED PYRETHROIDS FOR Saccharomyces Cerevisiae YEAST CELLS BY USING STAINING METHODS

Streszczenie: Testy mikrobiologiczne są powszechnie stosowane do oceny toksyczności pestycydów. W prezentowanej pracy zastosowano wybrane metody barwienia komórek drożdży Saccharomyces cerevisiae do oceny toksyczności pyretroidów. Dodatek do hodowli pyretroidów powoduje wzrost liczby komórek wybarwionych błękitem metylenowym i safranią, co sugeruje uszkodzenie błony komórkowej. Stwierdzono, że liczba wybarwionych komórek wzrasta wraz z zastosowaną dawką pyretroidu. Pyretroidy wpływają na stan metaboliczny komórek, co potwierdzono za pomocą barwienia Live-Dead. Wraz ze wzrostem stężenia pyretroidu spada liczba komórek aktywnie metabolizujących, natomiast zwiększa się liczba komórek martwych i osłabionych, o małej aktywności metabolicznej. Barwnik RedoxSensor Red stosowany do badania potencjału oksydoredukcyjnego komórek jest także przydatny do określenia toksyczności badanych pestycydów. Po inkubacji z pyretroidami intensywność fluorescencji słabnie, co sugeruje zaburzenie homeostazy redoks w komórkach drożdży. Przeprowadzone barwienia komórek drożdży mogą być stosowane jako szybki, wstępny test pozwalający określić toksyczność pyretroidów.