Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathogenicity Assay for Cochliobolus heterostrophus G-Protein and MAPK Signaling Deficiency Strains

Cochliobolus heterostrophus is an agriculturally important and emerging model pathogen for studying the signaling hierarchies' role during the maize host colonization. In particular, G-protein and MAPK-linked pathways are playing a major role during pathogenesis. Although gene disruption studies are an efficient way of identifying the role of these cascades, differentiating between the mutant strains’ virulence ability may become an intricate task. For example, in C. heterostrophus, mutants in a G-protein α subunit gene, cga1, are defective in mating and appressorium formation, but unlike mutants in homologous genes in other fungal pathogens, the cga1 mutants remained highly virulent to corn under some host physiological conditions. Here, we used the cga1 strain as a model for developing an in vivo sensitive and accurate pathogenicity assay. A detailed and well controlled analysis of wild type (WT) and cga1 pathogenic behavior revealed that detached leaves are significantly more vulnerable to the disease than intact ones. In intact leaves, cga1 mutants were less infective of maize under most conditions. This difference was maximized when the first seedling leaf was chosen for inoculation and when the infected leaves, with spores or mycelia fragments droplets, were incubated for a period of four days. This optimal condition set enabled us to classify the C. heterostrophus G-protein signaling mutants deficient in α, β or both subunits in order of decreasing virulence: WT > cga1> cgb1> cga1 cgb1. The method presented proved to be accurate and sensitive enough to identify even slight variations in virulence. Moreover, it could be modified for use in studies of other foliar phytoparasitic fungi.
Demand-Driven Sustainable Tourism? A Choice Modelling Analysis

This paper studies the preferences of tourists visiting Sardinia (Italy), using a choice modelling approach. The focus is on the evaluation of specific ‘demand-enhancing effects’ which, according to economic theory, provide a basis for implementing sustainable tourism policies. Multinomial logit estimates reveal that strong negative effects result from the congestion of tourist attractions and the transformation of coastal environments, though tourists clearly gain utility from the other components of a tourism destination. The extent of the effects related to environmental preservation seems to support planning tourism development policies that will not have strong irreversible effects on coastal areas.
ANODE AND ELECTROLYTE SELECTION TO IMPROVE HYDROGEN RECOVERY IN MICROBIAL ELECTROLYSIS CELLS

Flat anodes placed close to the cathode to reduce electrode spacing in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) could improve current densities, as there is no oxygen crossover from the cathode to the anode that could reduce performance as observed in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The use of flat carbon felt anodes placed close to the cathode was compared to larger graphite fiber brush anodes in fed-batch, two chamber, cubic type MECs using 50 mM or 100 mM PBS electrolytes. With 50 mM PBS, the brush anodes had a higher hydrogen production rate of 0.38 ± 0.02 mH2/md, compared to 0.32 ± 0.02 mH2/md using felt anodes. The diffusion of the substrate was demonstrated to limit the performance of MECs with felt anodes by stirring the anolyte, which resulted in a hydrogen production rate (0.41 ± 0.04 mH2/md) similar to that of the MECs with brush anodes. When the solution conductivity was increased to 100 mM PBS, the brush and felt anode MECs had similar performances to the 50 mM PBS reactors. The felt anode MECs had a similar hydrogen production rate (0.40 ± 0.04 mH2/md), but lower current density (3.7 ± 0.4 A/m2) than with the 50 mM stirred anolyte felt MEC reactors (5.1 ± 0.4 A/m2). The highest hydrogen production rates were therefore obtained with brush anodes likely due to the immersion of the brush in the anolyte and its close placement to the cathode.
Superabsorbent Polymer Based on Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Grafted Polyacrylic Acid by Inverse Suspension Polymerization

A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) based on graft copolymerization of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and acrylic acid was prepared by inverse suspension polymerization using potassium persulfate as an initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker. Experiments were performed at 70°C for 90 min but varying the concentrations of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), acrylic acid (AA), potassium persulfate (KPS), and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), and also varying % neutralization of AA. The maximum swelling capacity for SAP was 544.95 g/g in distilled water and 44.0 g/g in 0.9% w/v NaCl solution. This near optimal SAP was prepared using 2.0 g/100 mL NaCMC, 1.0 mol/L AA with 70% neutralization, 0.014 mol/L KPS, and 0.01 mol/L MBA.
Dynamics of reproduction in a captive shrimp broodstock: unequal contribution of the female shrimp and a hidden shortage in competent males

Summary The major bottleneck in the breeding in captivity of penaeid shrimp is the fact that females do not spontaneously undergo vitellogenesis, which thus has to be induced endocrinologically by eyestalk ablation. Partial compensation for the low responsiveness of the females to this treatment is obtained by the use of very large broodstock populations. This old problem was newly approached in the current study by monitoring individual female life-spans and vitellogenic cycles in a small population of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Vitellogenic activity and spawning peaked during the second month of the four-month trial and decreased thereafter due to the sharp fall in the number of reproductively active females. Only about 75% of all the females in the broodstock were reproductively active, and most of them spawned for the first time, or exhibited fully vitellogenic ovaries, during the first two weeks post-ablation. Nevertheless, the best performing females, which comprised less than 20% of the female broodstock, matured more rapidly, exhibiting fully vitellogenic ovaries 4.1±3.4 days after eye-stalk ablation. These animals contributed more than 50% of the total eggs and nauplii produced. The total number of vitellogenic cycles recorded from all reproductively active females was 305, but in less than a third of these cycles were the females observed to be carrying spermatophores or sperm masses. Since females-but not males-in captivity undergo accelerated reproductive cycles due to the endocrine induction, it is suggested that the lack of mating consistently reported from maturation systems may be due to the lack of sufficient ready-to-mate males.
Focus group or individual interviews for exploring children's health behaviour: the example of physical activity

Background: Children's health behaviours affect their current and future health. An appreciation of children’s perceptions regarding these behaviours can inform health promotion initiatives. Focus groups and individual interviews have increasingly been used to explore health-related issues with children although the rationale for choosing any one method is not often explained and despite considerable debate about their benefits and drawbacks these methods have rarely been compared directly. This study aimed to explore the relative merits of the two approaches when collecting information from children about their perceptions of physical activity. Methods: Twelve children from Year 6 classes at one UK primary school were randomly allocated to an 'interview group' or a 'focus group' and asked questions about facilitators and barriers relating to their physical activity at school. Focus group interactions and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analysed using exploratory thematic analysis and subsequently content analysis was undertaken to quantify differences between the groups. Results: Although both methods were suitable for collecting information from children about physical activity, children who were interviewed spoke on more occasions and offered more information about facilitators for physical activity. They also spoke more frequently about potentially important aspects of the school outdoor environment with regard to physical activity promotion. The focus group was more time efficient in this setting. Conclusion: Qualitative methods for exploring health behaviours may not be equivalent and need to be chosen carefully depending on the specific research problem and practical constraints within a project.
Generalized Langevin equation with multiplicative trichotomous noise

The influence of noise flatness and memory-time on the dynamics of a generalized Langevin system driven by an internal Mittag-Leffler noise and by a multiplicative trichotomous noise is studied. In the asymptotic limit at a short memory time the dynamics corresponds to a system with a pure power-law memory kernel for a viscoelastic type friction. However, at long and intermediate memory times the behaviour of the system has a qualitative difference. In particular, a critical memory time and a critical memory exponent have been found, which mark dynamical transitions in the resonant behaviour of the system. The obtained results show that the model considered is quite robust and may be of interest also in cell biology.
Proceedings of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 11. 236 A genome-wide perspective on the population structure of Italian cattle breeds

University of Palermo, Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, 90128 Palermo, Italy University of Bari, Dipartimento di Bioscienze Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, 70124 Bari, Italy University of Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Zootecnia, 20122 Piacenza, Italy University of Milano, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, 20133 Milano, Italy University of Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Forestali e Alimentari, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy University of Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell’Ambiente, 50144 Firenze, Italy Agris Sardegna, Unità di Ricerca di Genetica e Biotecnologie, 07100 Sassari, Italy CREA, CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Acquaculture, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy University of Padova, Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse naturali e Ambiente, 35020 Legnaro, Italy University of Pisa, Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, 56100 Pisa, Italy University of Molise, Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, 86100 Campobasso, Italy University of Bologna, Dipartimento di Scienze e tecnologie Agroalimentari, 40127 Bologna, Italy University of Sassari, Dipartimento di Agraria, 07100 Sassari, Italy University of Catania, Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, 95125 Catania, Italy Consorzio per la Sperimentazione, Divulgazione e Applicazione di Biotecniche Innovative, 82100 Benevento, Italy University of Pisa, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, 56124 Pisa, Italy University of Perugia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, 06126 Perugia, Italy University of Perugia, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali, 06121 Perugia, Italy pilla@unimol.it (Corresponding Author)
Frequency of isolation and antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from wound infections

Six hundred and thirteen bacterial strains were isolated from wound swabs and the isolates were identified on the basis of growth on differential and selective media. In order to test the sensitivity of isolated strains to different antibiotics, the disc diffusion method, according to EUCAST protocol v 5.0 was used. The most common species isolated from wound swabs was Staphylococcus epidermidis (18.4%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis (16.8%, 12.7% and 10.4%, respectively). The maximum resistance of Gram-positive cocci was observed to penicillin and the lowest to linezolid. Gram-negative bacteria showed the highest resistance to tetracyclines, while the same strains demonstrated the highest sensitivity to polypeptide antibiotics. Comparison of the resistance patterns of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains showed significant difference in the tetracycline efficiency.
Globalization of Corporate Governance: The American Influence on Dismissal Performance Sensitivity of European CEOs

This study examines how globalization of corporate governance practices influence the risk of European CEOs being dismissed. We argue that the harsh monitoring of the American corporate governance system spills over to the rest of the world as a result of this globalization. We focus on direct and indirect American influence on the dismissal performance sensitivity among the 250 largest European publicly listed firms. The indirect influence is assumed to materialize via European firms cross-listing on U.S. exchanges, whereas the direct influence is assumed to appear as a result of European firms hiring of American independent board members. Both sources of influence are hypothesized to result in increased dismissal performance sensitivity. The empirical results show a significant increase in the dismissal sensitivity in poorly performing companies with American board membership whereas no significant increase is found from cross-listing in the U.S.
Contexts for teaching and the exercise of agency in early‐career academics: perspectives from realist social theory

In this study, we investigate the interplay between context and agency for three early‐career academics as they seek to develop their teaching. Our analysis is conducted in light of Archer’s realist social theory, framed by critical realism. We argue that it is possible to see ways in which Archer’s account of the interplay between structure and agency is evident in the practice of these academics, with the influence of contextual factors mediated by their concerns and reflexive deliberations. We thus open up a range of questions for further research and points of departure for the development of practice. Dans cet article, nous étudions l’interrelation entre le contexte et la participation de trois universitaires au début de leur carrière, alors que ceux‐ci cherchent à améliorer leur enseignement. Notre analyse est effectuée à la lumière de la théorie réaliste sociale (realist social theory) de Archer, selon une approche réaliste critique. Nous défendons la thèse qu’il est possible de reconnaître des façons selon lesquelles l’approche de Archer au sujet de l’interrelation entre structure et participation se retrouve dans les pratiques de ces universitaires, alors que l’influence des facteurs contextuels est mise en perspective par leurs questionnements et leurs réflexions. Nous présentons ensuite un ensemble de questions pouvant mener à des recherches additionnelles, de même que des éléments de départ pour le développement de la pratique.
Farmers’ Investment on Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) is a pooled of practices that increase productivity while conserving soil, which put on firm foundation of zero tillage, use of manure, legume intercropping and legume crop rotation. Despite use of SAPs is a panacea for aggravated soil erosion and nutrient depletion and maximizing crop produce, but it seems a plateau for farmers in Dangila district. This study, therefore, assessed factors that affecting of farmers decision behavior of implementing SAPs in Amhara region. The multistage sampling procedure was used to identify kebeles and sample respondents. Mixed nature of data were collected from sample respondents. Both descriptive statistics and Binary logit model was employed. The result of this study indicates that executing of SAPs is the aggregate of many factors, which should be given due attention in the transformation agriculture to environmentally friendly technologies and climate smart agricultural practice.
Investigating glacier stick-slip motion using a wireless Sensor Network

1. Abstract GPR and high frequency seismometers were used to:  Survey the glacier depth (0-180m), calculate the radar velocity through ice (0.174m ns ), investigate the nature of subglacial thrust sheets (3m thick slices moving at 3m per year).  Characterise the seismic signal and their sources. Seismic signals could be passed through a low pass filter of 250 MHz with little data loss. Five basal seismic events were identified, which occurred on warm dry days up to 3 hours after peak temperatures.
Food web studies in a Norwegian kelp forest based on stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analysis

Samples of kelp Laminaria hyperborea, various species of red algae, phytoplankton, material from sediment traps, invertebrates, fish and seabirds were collected on the west coast of Norway and the abundance of stable isotopes was analyzed. Canopy plants of L. hyperborea were most 13 C depleted in spring and there was a significant difference between the basal (δ 13 C: -16.65‰) and distal (δ 13 C: -18.67‰) parts of the lamina. Young kelp plants were more 13 C depleted (-23.59‰). The red algae fell into 2 groups: one in the same range as kelp plants (δ 13 C: -18.93 to -22.27‰) and the other highly depleted (δ 13 C: -32.85 to -34.38‰). Phytoplankton showed an average δ 13 C value of -24.44 ‰. δ 15 N values from L. hyperborea differed between the basal (δ 15 N: 5.54 ‰) and distal (δ 15 N: 3.54 ‰) part of lamina. δ 15 N values for all primary producers values were in the range of 3.52 to 5.78 ‰. Among the gastropods, Helcion pellucida proved to be a kelp plant grazer, Lacuna vincta probably fed on both kelp and various species of red algae, whereas Aplysia punctata grazed exclusively on the most 13 C-depleted red algae. δ 15 N values for 2 other gastropods, Gibbula sp. and Calliostoma zizyphinum (8.64 and 10.30%o, respectively), suggest that they belong to higher trophic levels. Filter feeders occupied lower trophic levels and received variable carbon inputs from kelp. The only group of animals with δ 13 C signals in the same range as phytoplankton were amphipods. Based on δ 15 N values, the fish varied from intermediate to top consumers (trophic level: 2.6 to 3.3). Two species of seabirds were included in the study and their δ 15 N values suggested 2 different trophic levels, which correspond to their known feeding preferences. A mixing model suggests that kelp-derived carbon plays an important role in this nearshore system and that kelp may serve as a carbon source for marine animals with several different types of feeding strategies.
Effect of varying light intensity on cell abundance of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular alga often used as a model organism in various studies involving cell cycle control. A number of factors are involved in the reproduction of these unicellular organisms, including light intensity. Previous research has demonstrated that light intensity influences the growth, abundance and metabolic processes of cells. This paper investigates the effect of light intensity on abundance of C. reinhardtii . Three groups of the organism with four replicates in each were exposed to three different intensities of light including 5000 Lux, 970 Lux and 0 Lux. The experimental setup was kept for 7 days, with alternating periods of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark. The abundance of C. reinhardtii was measured on the first, 3rd, 6th, and 8th day of the experiment (t=0, 2, 5, 7). The results indicated an initial decrease in abundance of all treatments. The 5000 Lux and 0 Lux treatments experienced an increase in abundance after t=2. The 970 Lux treatment group underwent an increase in abundance after t=5. The unexpected results obtained in t=5 could be due to changes in metabolic rates of the organism, sample contamination, mutation, and adaptation to changes in energy sources. There is also the possibility of C. reinhardtii undergoing photooxidative stress.
The underappreciated role of nonvolatile cations in aerosol ammonium-sulfate molar ratios

Abstract. Overprediction of fine-particle ammonium-sulfate molar ratios (R) by thermodynamic models is suggested as evidence for interactions with organic constituents that inhibit the equilibration of gas-phase ammonia with aerosol sulfate and questions the equilibrium assumption long thought to apply for submicron aerosol. This hypothesis is tested through thermodynamic analysis of ambient observations. We find that the deviation between R from a molar ratio of 2 is strongly correlated with the concentration of sodium (Na+), a nonvolatile cation (NVC), but exhibits no correlation to organic aerosol (OA) mass concentration or mass fraction. Thermodynamic predictions of both R and ammonia gas–particle partitioning can accurately reproduce observations when small amounts of NVCs are included in the calculations, whereas exclusion of NVCs results in a predicted R consistently near 2. The sensitivity of R to small amounts of NVCs arises because, when the latter are present but not included in the thermodynamic calculations, the missing cations are replaced with ammonium in the model (NH3–NH4+ equilibrium shifts to the particle), resulting in an R that is biased high. Results and conclusions based on bulk aerosol considerations that assume all species are internally mixed are not changed even if NVCs and sulfate are largely externally mixed; fine-particle pH is found to be much less sensitive to mixing state assumptions than molar ratios. We also show that the data used to support the “organic inhibition” of NH3 from equilibrium, when compared against other network and field campaign datasets, display a systematically and significantly lower NH4+ (thought to be from an evaporation bias), that is of the order of the effect postulated to be caused by organics. Altogether, these results question the postulated ability of organic compounds to considerably perturb aerosol acidity and prevent ammonia from achieving gas–particle equilibrium, at least for the locations considered. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the limitations of using molar ratios to infer aerosol properties or processes that depend on particle pH.
Antidiabetic Effect of Cleome droserifolia Aerial Parts: Lipid Peroxidation-Induced Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats

El Naggar EM.B. , L. Barto‰ikova, M. Iemliaka, E. ·vajdlenka, M. Rabi‰kova, V. Strnadova J. Neaas:Antidiabetic Effect of Cleome droserifolia Aerial Parts: Lipid Peroxidation- Induced Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats. Acta Vet. Brno 2005, 74: 347-352. The present study aims to investigate the antidiabetic as well as the effect on lipid peroxidation of three different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) of Cleome droserifolia aerial parts methanolic extract in comparison with glibenclamide in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Forty-two rats (35 diabetic and 7 normal) were included in this study. Oral administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the methanolic extract for 3 weeks significantly (P < 0.05) restored the blood glucose level, plasma malondialdehyde and urine sugar to near the physiological values whereas the effect of 50 mg/kg was not significant. Furthermore, from the HPLC chromatograms, we identified the presence of three flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) together with three phenolic acids (sinapinic acid, ferulic acid and 4-coumaric acid) which may explain at least in part some of the antidiabetic and antioxidative properties observed in this study. Antidiabetic, antiperoxidative, malondialdehyde, flavonoids, phenolic acids, HPLC, alloxan, diabetes, rats