Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern and process in metabolic ecology : from biotic interactions to cultural diversity gradients

Many ecological patterns and processes are functions of metabolism (Brown 2004), meaning the acquisition, transformation, and allocation of energy, materials, and information within the bodies of individuals and among members of human and other animal societies. Individual metabolic rate should influence behavior by determining the energy available for action as well as the rate at which the body requires fuel. First, I test a key prediction of the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE), that biotic interaction rates are characteristic functions of temperature. Findings support this prediction and suggest that herbivory, predation, parasitism, parasitoidy, and competition increase exponentially with temperature and that this increase echoes that of individual metabolic rates. Second, I extend a metabolic framework to foraging patterns and space use of traditional human societies. Together with colleagues, I build on Hamilton (2007) to offer a model that formally incorporates hypothesized mechanisms affecting population sizes and densities and territory sizes: temperature, productivity, seasonality, and trophic level (degree of carnivory). We test this model on a dataset of 333 traditional foraging societies using multiple linear regression. Interactions
Self-Perceived Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Outcome of Virginia Governor's School of Agriculture: A Case Study

This paper discusses the leadership development outcome of the Virginia Governor’s School of Agriculture (VGSA), a pre-college residential program, whose mission is to develop future leaders and scientists for careers in agriculture. No leadership classes were taught, and participants can only be expected to learn leadership skills experientially. The Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Scale (YLLSDS) survey was completed by 91 participants of the VGSA. Findings suggest a “slight” to “fairly moderate” YLLSD among VGSA participants. Since there was not “a lot of gain” perceived in any of the YLLSD sub-domains, we assume this might be because the VGSA program does not teach leadership as a course. Therefore, we recommend the VGSA develop a leadership curriculum for future cohorts.
Effects of Thiamethoxam Seed Treatments on Bean Leaf Beetles

The increased use of thiamethoxam seed treatments for controlling target pests such as the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), suggests the need for methods to measure and monitor the development of resistance to these insecticides. Overwintering and F1 bean leaf beetles were collected from alfalfa and soybean fields and used in early growth stage soybean studies to measure toxicity of thiamethoxam both in greenhouse experiments and laboratory bioassays involving exposure to treated foliage. Lethal and sub-lethal effects were detected in both greenhouse and lab bioassays. Lethal concentrations determined from laboratory assays were compared with residues determined from field grown plants that were sampled through the early vegetative stages. Results of these studies show that thiamethoxam is highly active against adult bean leaf beetles. Commercial rates and bioassay concentrations of thiamethoxam provide effective control causing lethal and sublethal effects. The quantification of insecticide levels in soybean leaves from new nodes over time indicate that thiamethoxam provides control at early vegetative growth stages, but insecticide concentrations fall off as the plant grows and insecticide available for uptake becomes limited. These results provide a foundation for resistance monitoring and detection. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisors, Dr. Thomas E. Hunt and Dr. Blair D. Siegfried, for their guidance, support, and interest in my professional development and growth. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explore my creativity and apply my knowledge within my program. I also have great appreciation for Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, member of my committee, for the extended support of my program, professional development, and especially for the guidance into the entomology department. I'd like to recognize the help from fellow team members in the Turf and Toxicology labs, you for all of your help and support in and outside of the lab. I am grateful for the assistance from the research technicians that made many aspects of my studies possible, I especially thank Dave Cassada and Dr. Daniel Snow, along with Jesse Voelker and Sathaporn Onanong for their continual help and willingness to teach me the methods, insure my understanding, and allow me to process my samples through HPLC/MS analysis. whom assisted me in everyday business responsibilities and for answering many questions. iv I also want to recognize those outside of the program that have contributed to my professional success and personal development. Special appreciation and sincere thanks go to my …
Qualidade de sementes de cultivares precoces de soja produzidas em três épocas

This work aimed to evaluate the physiological and sanitary seed qualities of seven early maturing soybean cultivars (EMGOPA 304, EMGOPA 309, EMGOPA 316, EMBRAPA 1, EMBRAPA 4, Rainha and Itiquira), obtained from three sowing dates (conventional, on Nov. 20; early, on Oct. 30; and delayed, on Dec. 30/1995), at Goiânia, GO, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in split plot and randomized complete block design, with three replications. Physiological quality was evaluated by germination test in rolled paper and in sand seed bed and by seed vigor through the tetrazolium test. Sanitary quality was evaluated by means of the Blotter test. The results showed that physiological and sanitary seed qualities are influenced by the cultivars and the sowing dates. Early sowing in October results in seed quality losses caused by the adverse environment moisture conditions and the threshing mechanical damages, allied to the occurrence of seed pathogen infection, specially Phomopsis sojae. High threshing mechanical damages are the cause of seed quality losses in the delayed sowing at the end of December.
Structure of the ovary in Nannochorista neotropica Navás (Insecta: Mecoptera: Nannochoristidae) with remarks on mecopteran phylogeny

Preliminary histological analysis showed that the ovaries in Nannochorista neotropica are composed of numerous ovarioles of panoistic type. In the ovaries of adult females each ovariole consists of a terminal filament, vitellarium and pedicle while a germarium is absent. Morphological observations supported by simple histochemical tests revealed the presence of multiple nucleoli in the oocyte nucleus. The appearance of multiple nucleoli suggests that the extrachromosomal amplification of ribosomal DNA may take place in the oocytes of Nannochorista. The results show that in the structure of the ovariole and the course of oogenesis nannochoristids share noteworthy derived features with boreids, but differ significantly from all other mecopterans. These findings indicate the possible monophyly of an assemblage comprising the Nannomecoptera, Neomecoptera and Siphonaptera.
Target‐site resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in Apera spica‐venti populations is conferred by documented and previously unknown mutations

Massa D, Krenz B & Gerhards R (2011). Target-site resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in Apera spica-venti populations is conferred by documented and previously unknown mutations. Weed Research51, 294–303. Summary In this study, whole-plant bioassays were performed on 72 Apera spica-venti populations that have survived application of acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in recent years. Molecular genetic analysis of the ALS gene revealed a Thr mutation at Pro197 within 67 populations. Sequencing of the whole ALS gene from wild-type and resistant plants not carrying the above-mentioned mutation revealed the presence of a Leu mutation at Trp574 within two populations and an Asn mutation at Pro197 within two populations. As the Pro197-Asn amino acid substitution is reported for the first time in a field-selected weed population, a Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequences (CAPS) marker was developed for its quick detection. In addition, one novel mutation was found within a population that coded for a His substitution at Arg377. Enzyme assays confirmed a significant reduction in inhibition of ALS activity compared with the wild type. This population showed resistance to sulfonylureas (SUs) and cross-resistance to sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones (SCTs) and triazolopyrimidines (TPs) within the whole-plant bioassays. ALS protein sequence alignments from weedy and cultural plants revealed that the Arg377 is highly conserved among known wild-type enzymes. In agreement with existing literature concerning the structure and mechanisms of inhibition of plant ALS, this mutation is probably involved in target-site resistance to ALS inhibitors. Our results suggest that further single-nucleotide polymorphisms impairing proper herbicide performance might be selected within field populations in the near future, making the short- and long-range evolution of target-site resistance difficult to predict depending solely on herbicide use history.
Interpretation of low birth weight babies by anthropometric measurements in South India

Introduction: Low birth weight is seen most commonly in developing countries. In India majority of births are conducted at home by the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) or relatives, where the estimation of birth weight is not done because of lack of weighing machines. Therefore, an early identification and prompt referral of LBW newborns is vital in preventing neonatal deaths. Objective: To determine the magnitude of low birth weight babies and to correlate birth weight and other anthropometric measurements. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study done at Christian fellowship hospital, Oddanchatram, Dindigal, Tamilnadu from 1 Dec 2011 to 31 Nov 2012. 500 newborns were examined within 24 hours of their birth in this hospital during this period. Antenatal history and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: The male newborn (57.2%) were more than of female (42.8%). The magnitude of the low birth weight was 262 (52.4%). It was observed that correlation coefficients of all the parameters are positive and are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Maximum and minimum positive correlation was observed in case of thigh circumference (r = 0.776) and Foot length (r = 0.460) respectively.
Fatty acid compositions and nutritional value of six walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars grown in Iran

Background and aims: Walnuts are good sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and polyphenols which have beneficial effects such as proper growth, decreasing coronary heart disease, prevention of several kinds of cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic activities. In this study, the fatty acid content and antiradical activity of different walnut (Juglans regia L.) genotypes grown in Kolyaei region located in Kermanshah Province (Iran) were investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, fatty acid compositions in different genotypes of Persian walnut were determined using a GC–FID coupled with a flame ionization detector. For antiradical activity, methanolic extracts of different genotypes affected on DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical. BHA (2-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol) was used as the reference compound. Results: Total oil content of walnuts ranged from 63.3 to 78.5%. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid contents ranged respectively from 17.9 to 28.6%, 46.9 to 56.8%, 10.8 to 13.9%, 5.5 to 7.2% and 2.0 to 3.9%, while trace amounts of other fatty acids (<0.1% each) were detected in the samples. The results demonstrated that fatty acid composition is genotype dependent and the highest amounts of PUFA (due to the high content of linoleic acid) were observed in B2 genotype. Among different studied genotypes, the extract of B2 had also the highest radical scavenging activity and therefore the lowest EC50. Conclusion: It was concluded that pellicle is a necessary protecting layer that can help to inhibit the oxidation of fatty acids.
Investigating the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of Diacylglycerol Lipase α/β activity

2 Acknowledgements . 3 Contributors. 4 Table of contents . 5 List of figures. 10 List of tables . 15 Abbreviations. 16 Chapter 1 : Introduction . 21 1.1 From cannabis to the endocannabinoid (eCB) system . 21 1.2 Synthesis and degradation of the eCBs AEA and 2-AG . 24 1.2.1 AEA synthesis and degradation . 24 1.2.2 2-AG synthesis and degradation . 29 1.3 Physiological roles of the DAGLs . 44 1.3. 1 Axonal growth, guidance, fasciculation and target selection . 45 1.3. 2 Synaptic signalling . 47 1.3. 3 Neurogenesis . 53 1.3. 4 Eicosanoid signalling a non-cannabinoid role for the DAGLs . 55 1.4 A pathological and therapeutic perspective on the DAGLs . 57 1.5 Aims and objectives . 61 Chapter 2 : Materials and Methods . 63 2.1 General solutions, constructs, primers, antibodies and drugs . 63 2.2 Bioinformatics (homology modelling/phosphorylation related predictions) . 69 2.3 Molecular biology . 69 2.4 Cell culture . 72 2.5 Tango assay . 72 2.6 Transfections . 73 2.7 Immunocytochemistry. 73
Tibia characteristics and strength in Japanese quail fed low phosphorus diets supplemented with microbial phytase.

An experiment was performed to assess the influence of reducing the dietary available phosphorus (Av.P) level and adding microbial phytase (M.Ph) on some tibia characteristics and live body weight (LBW) of male and female Japanese quail chicks. A total of 420 unsexed one-week-old quail chicks were reared in brooder batteries up to 3 weeks of age, then transferred to grower batteries and raised up to 6 weeks of age. Chicks were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups with two replicates of 42 chicks each. The control group was fed a basal diet that contained 1% Ca and 0.45% Av.P. The second and third groups were fed diets contained 0.66% Ca and 0.30% Av.P without and with M.Ph (900 FTU/kg), respectively. The fourth and fifth groups were fed diets included 0.33% Ca and 0.15% Av.P without and with M.Ph (900 FTU/kg), respectively. At 6 weeks of age, 8 birds (4 males and 4 females/ treatment) were randomly chosen and used to measure the tibia measurements. The main results could be summarized as follows: Live body weight (LBW) was significantly increased in both sexes as a result of adding M.Ph to low Av.P diets. Tibia length (TL) of females was significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased in response to phytase addition, while its increase was insignificant in males. Adding M.Ph to 0.15% Av.P diet significantly increased TL in both sexes. Tibia relative weight (TRW) insignificantly decreased in males as a result of decreasing dietary Av.P level, while this decrease was significant in females. Regardless of Av.P level, addition of M.Ph resulted in a significant increase in tibia weight (TW) and TRW of males but not in females. TW and TRW of males were significantly increased in response to M.Ph addition either to 0.30 or 0.15% Av.P levels, while females were not influenced. Tibia ash (TA) did not significantly respond to the reduced Av.P level and M.Ph supplementation
PLANT ASSOCIATED ALTICINAE FROM THE BISMARCK RANGE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Nine species of plant associated Alticinae from the Mt Wilhelm area of the Bismarck Range , Papua New Guinea a re t rea ted . These inc lude e igh t new species and one new genus: Typhodes aether ius II. gen. et n. sp. , Manobia bismarckiana, cyatroxae, elysia, hirashimai, monilis n. spp. , and Crepidodera piundaunde, stypheliae n. spp. Additional specimens of Setsaltica cyatheae Sam. are also treated. The new taxa are il lustrated. The Bismarck Range was one of the mountainous regions visited by the 1982 Hirashima Expedition. The high elevation, cultivated gardens near Keglsugl were sampled, as well as the relatively undisturbed montane forest, subalpine, and alpine ecosystems higher on the Mt Wilhelm massif. One of the places of special interest was the upper part of the Piunde-Aunde Lakes drainage, situated above 3000 m in a glacially cut valley. This area had been surveyed botanically (Wade & McVean, 1969) and was occasionally visited by entomologists over the past decades. The Alticinae collected on the Hirashima Expedition and a part of the material collected on earlier visits to the area are reported upon now. Included are particularly important earlier collections made by the late J. Linsley Gressitt. Piunde-Aunde Lakes. Confusion over the names of these two lakes makes it necessary to qualify the name of either lake as upper or lower lake in the lists of type material. Most specimen labels through the 1960s have Aunde as the lower lake and that is in agreement with Reiner (1960). Brass (1964) notes that there was confusion over the names of the lakes. The current series of topographical maps, Bundi quadrant, No. 7986 indicates the lower * Contribution based on partial results of field work by Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Japan) grant OSS-57041039 to Prof. Y. Hirashima and partial results of research and field work by National Science Foundation (USA) grant DEB-80-16438 to Bishop Museum. The publication of this work was also supported by MESC grant OSS58043039 to Prof. Hirashima, Kyushu University.
Temporal distribution and pathogenicity of the predominant tomato‐infecting begomoviruses in Taiwan

Between 1998 and 2009, the four tomato-infecting begomovirus species detected in Taiwan were Ageratum yellow vein Hualien virus (AYVHuV), Tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus (ToLCTWV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV) and a newly defined species Tomato leaf curl Hsinchu virus (ToLCHsV). AYVHuV was detected occasionally in 2003 and ToLCHsV only in 2000-2001, whilst ToLCTWV was detected throughout the period. TYLCTHV was first detected in 2005. Between 1998 and 2005, >99% of the begomovirus-positive samples were infected with ToLCTWV. In 2007 in western Taiwan, 16% of the positive samples were infected with ToLCTWV, 35% with TYLCTHV and 49% with mixed infection (ToLCTWV/TYLCTHV). In contrast, in eastern Taiwan the proportions were 84% ToLCTWV, 2% TYLCTHV and 14% mixed infection. However, throughout Taiwan in 2008-2009, most positive samples were either identified as TYLCTHV (51%) or mixed infection (ToLCTWV/TYLCTHV; 41%), and only 8% were ToLCTWV. This shows a clear trend of shifting from ToLCTWV to TYLCTHV and mixed infection over a short time period in Taiwan. Sequence analyses indicated that tomato-infecting AYVHuV, an apparent recombinant between ToLCTWV and AYVHuV from Ageratum, represents a new strain Hsinchu. TYLCTHV Taiwan isolates were highly similar to each other, whereas ToLCTWV isolates had greater diversity and were classified into three strains which had one country-wide and two local distributions. ToLCTWV and TYLCTHV were confirmed as monopartite and bipartite begomoviruses, respectively, by agroinfection followed by transmission with Bemisia tabaci biotype B. In addition, TYLCTHV was found to be mechanically transmissible together with viral DNA-B.
Genes involved in asexual sporophyte development in Ceratopteris richardii and Arabidopsis thaliana

The life cycle of land plants involves cycling between two multicellular phases, the haploid gametophyte and the diploid sporophtye. Asexual reproductive strategies, that bypass meiosis and fertilization, have evolved in many plants representing diverse taxa among the land plant phylogeny. Apogamy is an asexual reproductive strategy that produces a sporophyte directly from a gametophyte cell without the usual ploidy change associated with syngamy. The genes that drive the process of apogamy are almost completely unknown. Knowledge of these genes and their functions will provide insight into the evolution of asexual reproduction, and has the potential to provide insight into the evolution aspect of the development of the sporophyte body and the alternation of generations in land plants, two very important questions in plant science. My Ph. D. research has focused on elucidating the genes that are involved in the process of apogamy, and understanding the functions of the homologues of these genes in angiosperms. First, I induced apogamy experimentally from the semi-aquatic fern Ceratopteris richardii by culturing them on 2.5% glucose. I discovered that C. richardii gametophytes begin to become committed to the production of apogamous sporophytes after 10 days of culture on glucose. I then created a normalized, subtracted cDNA library that represents genes that increase in transcription in gametophytes during this commitment time. By comparing the Gene Ontology terms mapped to this cDNA library with that of the gametophyte transcriptome of the homosporous fern Pteridium aquilinum, I discovered that the C. richardii apogamy library is enriched in genes that are involved in stress response and metabolism. The C. richardii apogamy library also contains many sequences whose homologues in Arabidopsis are specifically expressed or upregulated in flower organs or seed structures, both of which are absent in ferns. One of these genes, UNC93-like, is also expressed in the eggs of C. richardii gametophytes, as evidenced by
Analyzing Animal Societies: Quantitative Methods for Vertebrate Social Analysis

Animals lead rich social lives. They care for one another, compete for resources, and mate. Within a society, social relationships may be simple or complex and usually vary considerably, both between different groups of individuals and over time. These social systems are fundamental to biological organization, and animal societies are central to studies of behavioral and evolutionary biology. But, how do we study animal societies? How do we take observations of animals fighting, grooming, or forming groups and produce a realistic description or model of their societies? "Analyzing Animal Societies" presents a conceptual framework for analyzing social behavior and demonstrates how to put this framework into practice by collecting suitable data on the interactions and associations of individuals so that relationships can be described, and, from these, models can be derived. In addition to presenting the tools, Hal Whitehead illustrates their applicability using a wide range of real data on a variety of animal species - from bats and chimps to dolphins and birds. The techniques that Whitehead describes will be profitably adopted by scientists working with primates, cetaceans, birds, and ungulates, but the tools can be used to study societies of invertebrates, amphibians, and even humans. "Analyzing Animal Societies" will become a standard reference for those studying vertebrate social behavior and will give to these studies the kind of quality standard already in use in other areas of the life sciences.
Genetics and the Origin of Species

ORGANIC DIVERSITY 3 GENE MUTATION 15 MUTATION AS A BASIS FOR RACIAL AND SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES 39 CHROMOSOMAL CHANGES 73 VARIATION IN NATURAL POPULATIONS 118 SELECTION 149 POLYPLOIDY 192 ISOLATING MECHANISMS 228 HYBRID STERILITY 259 SPECIES AS NATURAL UNITS 303 LITERATURE 323 INDEX 353