Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IFN‐γ and IL‐12 differentially regulate CC‐chemokine secretion and CCR5 expression in human T lymphocytes

Interleukin (IL)‐12, especially in the presence of neutralizing anti‐IL‐4 monoclonal antibodies, primed CD45RO− T clones for high CCL3/macrophage‐inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) and CCL4/MIP‐1β levels. In CD4+ and CD8+ clones from two patients deficient for IL‐12Rβ1 (IL‐12Rβ1−/−), production of CCL3/MIP‐1α and CCL4/MIP‐1β was defective. CD4+ clones from two patients deficient for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) R1 (IFN‐γR1−/−) produced somewhat decreased CCL4/MIP‐1β levels. IL‐12 failed to prime CD4+ or CD8+ healthy clones for high CCL5/regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) production, although its secretion was impaired in CD4+ clones from IL‐12Rβ1−/− and IFN‐γR1−/− patients. CCR5 surface expression was up‐regulated in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ clones from both kinds of patients, rendering them more susceptible to CCR5‐dependent (R5) HIV‐1 infection. Neutralization of IFN‐γ increased CCR5 expression and decreased CC‐chemokine secretion by CD4+ clones from healthy and IL‐12Rβ1−/− individuals, suggesting an IFN‐γ‐dependent control of CCR5 expression. These data provide the first documented analysis of chemokine secretion and chemokine receptor expression on T cells from IL‐12 and IFN‐γ receptor‐deficient patients and dissect the role of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ on inducing inflammatory chemokine secretion and down‐regulating CCR5 expression in human T cells.
MATERNAL EFFECTS IN PLANTS

Maternal effects in plants were recognized as long ago as 1909 (32). Recent evidence, primarily over the last 15-20 years, shows that maternal effects can contribute substantially to the phenotype of an individual, and as we show, this has important consequences for the interpretation and' design of both ecofogical and genetic studies. Following a discussion of the consequences of maternal effects and an analysis of the different ways these effects can be estimated, we review the evidence for maternal effects from the fields of physiological ecology, crop science, and quantitative genetics. We do not review all of the literature because that would be a monumental task; rather, we focus on representative studies from each of these fields. It is our contention that despite evidence that maternal effects can have a large in­ fluence on offspring phenotype, few detailed studies have identified the specific causes of maternal effects, particularly in natural populations.
Trade-offs between Asset Location and Proximity to Home: Evidence from REIT Property Sell-offs

We examine property sell-offs by real estate investment trusts (REITs) and find that investors respond favorably to sales of properties located close to a sell-off firm’s headquarters. The negative relationship between the distance from headquarters and cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) that we document exists only in non-gateway markets, though; there is no such relationship in gateway markets. This finding suggests that the positive effects of selling assets in small markets with high perceived risk and limited growth opportunities dominates the negative effects of the efficiency loss brought about by holding assets far away from home. This is the first study to simultaneously examine the proximity of a firm’s underlying assets to its headquarters and the location of individual assets in the context of asset sales. Our results are robust to several measures of proximity (using geographic distance, in miles, between a firm’s headquarters and its underlying assets or a nearby dummy for below-median distance), to alternative market classifications, to the inclusion of various fixed effects and controls for geographic concentrations (the Herfindahl index of how close to one another the properties are located) and property performance, and to bargaining power and business cycles.
Mechanism of Browning in Fresh Highbush Blueberry Fruit (Vaccinium corymbosum L). Role of Blueberry Polyphenol Oxidase, Chlorogenic Acid and Anthocyanins

Browning reactions which occurred after crushing fresh blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L) were followed by determination of chlorogenic acid colour density, polymer colour and the level of polymers. A polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity plays a dominant role in enzymatic browning. Peroxidase (POD) does not contribute to brown colour formation. The loss of 29% of the colour in a model system containing PPO and blueberry anthocyanins indicated that PPO could act directly on these pigments. However, the rate of anthocyanin degradation was stimulated by the addition of chlorogenic acid. © 1997 SCI.
Effect of acid modification on the material and compaction properties of fonio and sweet potato starches

Starches obtained from the grains of white fonio (Digitaria exilis) and tubers of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) have been modified by acid hydrolysis at different steeping times – (0, 24 and 96 h) and the physicochemical, material and compaction properties of the modified starches have been evaluated in comparison with official corn starch. The effect of acid modification on the compaction properties of the starches were evaluated with the aim of determining their usefulness as excipients in direct compression. The results showed that the physicochemical and material properties of the starches varied considerably depending on their botanical source. Acid modification led to an increase in solubility and relative crystallinity but decrease in swelling and viscosity of the starches. The effects were found to depend on the steeping time during acid hydrolysis. The results of the compressional properties indicated that the starches formed intact tablets at relatively low compression pressure with acid modified starches forming tablets with higher tensile strength than the natural starches. The results indicate that the physicochemical and compaction properties of white fonio and sweet potato starches were improved by acid modification yielding starches that could be suitable as directly compressible excipient.
Yield, chemical composition and chlorophyll relative content of Tanzania and Mombaça grasses irrigated and fertilized with nitrogen after corn intercropping

Avaliou-se o efeito da ausencia e da aplicacao de tres doses de nitrogenio (50, 100 e 200 kg ha-1 de N) e quatro epocas de corte no inverno/primavera (julho a outubro) sobre a produtividade de massa seca (PMS), os teores relativos de clorofila (ICF _ indice de clorofila foliar) e os teores de nutrientes digestiveis totais (NDT), proteina bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente acido (FDA) e lignina, bem como suas respectivas correlacoes nos capins tanzânia e mombaca apos o consorcio com milho em um Latossolo Vermelho distroferrico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repeticoes. As maiores PMS ocorreram com o aumento do fotoperiodo (a partir de agosto), no entanto, as respostas a adubacao nitrogenada ao longo dos cortes diferiram entre e dentre os capins. Em sistema de integracao lavoura-pecuaria irrigado sob condicoes de cerrado, e tecnicamente viavel o estabelecimento dos capins tanzânia e mombaca em consorcio com o milho no momento da semeadura ou por ocasiao da adubacao nitrogenada de cobertura, visto que, mesmo na ausencia de adubacao nitrogenada, foi produzida quantidade satisfatoria de forragem, com PMS media de 2.000 kg ha-1 por corte na epoca de maior escassez de volumoso para os animais (inverno/primavera). A adubacao nitrogenada apos a colheita do milho eleva a PMS e melhora a composicao bromatologica dos capins, com aumento dos teores relativos de clorofila e PB no inverno/primavera, alem de aumento dos teores de NDT e reducao dos teores de FDN e FDA ate o mes de setembro. O indice de clorofila foliar pode ser utilizado para estimar a PMS e o teor de PB, bem como indicar a necessidade de adubacao nitrogenada dos capins tanzânia e mombaca submetidos a corte.
Population dynamics of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) and its biological suppression through Cassia occidentalis (Caesalpiniaceae)

Phytosociological analysis performed over 2005 to 2009 revealed that Cassia occidentalis L. is a dominant species at 3 of 4 sites in Agra district, India, that were previously observed to be dominated by heavy populations of Parthenium hysterophorus L. In order to determine the role of biomolecular interaction, i.e. the allelopathic effect, if any, on this shift of floral pattern effects, aqueous shoot and root cold leachates were determined on seed germination, shoot cut bioassay, seedling bioassay, chlorophyll, nitrogen, and protein content of P. hysterophorus. A significant reduction in germination percentage, shoot cut bioassay, seedling bioassay, and chlorophyll of P. hysterophorus was noticed at higher concentration of shoot leachates. Root leachates of 100% concentration of C. occidentalis obtained after 9 days were responsible for the maximum inhibition of nitrogen percentage and protein content of Parthenium, indicating that biomolecular interaction plays a significant role in curbing the population dynamics of this obnoxious weed with enormous seed production potential.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of soil and sediment respiration in a river-floodplain mosaic (Tagliamento, NE Italy)

SUMMARY 1. In their natural state, river floodplains are composed of a complex mosaic of contrasting aquatic and terrestrial habitats. These habitats are expected to differ widely in their properties and corresponding ecological processes, although empirical data on their capacity to produce, store and transform organic matter and nutrients are limited. 2. The objectives of this study were (i) to quantify the spatiotemporal variation of respiration, a dominant carbon flux in ecosystems, in a complex river floodplain, (ii) to identify the environmental drivers of respiration within and among floodplain habitat types and (iii) to calculate whole-floodplain respiration and to put these values into a global ecosystem context. 3. We measured soil and sediment respiration (sum of root and heterotrophic respiration; SR) throughout an annual cycle in two aquatic (pond and channel) and four terrestrial (gravel, large wood, vegetated island and riparian forest) floodplain habitat types in the
Costa Rican species of Nematoctonus (anamorphic Pleurotaceae)

Nematoctonus (Hyphomycetes) and Hohenbuehelia (Agaricales, Pleurotaceae) are the names for the asexual and sexual stages of a genus of nematode-destroying fungi (Basidiomycota). Six morphospecies of Nematoctonus, all previously described, were isolated from fruiting bodies of Hohenbuehelia and from 439 samples of soil and organic debris collected in all 12 Holdridge life zones in Costa Rica. Nematoctonus was recorded in all but three life zones at the lowest and highest altitudes: tropical dry forest, tropical moist forest, and subalpine rain paramo. Isolates of Nematoctonus were identified by the micromorphology of their conidia and adhesive knobs, which are usually an hourglass-shaped secretory cell surrounded by a drop of mucilage. Adhesive knobs were found either exclusively on hyphae in predatory species (Nematoctonus robustus F.R. Jones), exclusively on germinated conidia in parasitoid species (Nematoctonus leptosporus Drechsler, Nematoctonus pachysporus Drechsler, and Nematoctonus tylosporus Drechs.
Compatibility of Biological Control Agents and Agrochemicals to Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Steinernema yirgalemense and Heterorhabditis zealandica

The compatibility of two endemic entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) with biological control agents and agro-chemicals, likely to be used in an integrated pest management programme for citrus in South Africa was investigated. This is the first report on the possible negative effect of EPNs against Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, a commercially produced biocontrol predatory insect, used against mealybugs. Bioassays were conducted to determine the susceptibility of the mealybug predatory coccinellid beetle, C. montrouzieri, to both nematode species. Results showed the beetle larvae to be highly susceptible to a concentration of 80 IJ/insect of H. zealandica and S. yirgalemense, obtaining 80 % and 92 % mortality, respectively. Adult beetles were found to be twice as susceptible to S. yirgalemense with 64 % mortality, as to H. zealandica with 30 % mortality recorded. Tolerance of both species of infective juveniles to aqueous solutions of Cyperfos 500 EC®, Cryptogran™, Helicovir™, Nu-Film-P® and Zeba®, for infectivity and survival was evaluated. Heterorhabditis zealandica proved to be highly compatible to all products tested, with no significant increase in nematode mortality. The formulations also did not affect the ability of H. zealandica to infect Tenebrio molitor, after exposure to products over a 24-h period. Significant increase in mortality of S. yirgalemense was recorded after 12 hours of exposure to Nu-Film-P® and Cyperfos 500 EC®, and after 6 hours of exposure to Nu-Film-P®. However, results for S. yirgalemense infectivity showed no decrease in the ability of the nematodes to infect insect hosts. Results indicated that nematodes should possibly be applied before the release of C. montrouzieri in citrus orchards.
Dispersal of Juvenile Male Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Southern Illinois

We characterized dispersal movements of 6 juvenile male bobcats (Lynx rufus) in southern Illinois during 1995‐2000. Straight-line distance from capture site to final home range establishment was 43±9 km; however, overall known dispersal movements were >100 km for ≥2 bobcats. In a pattern similar to that observed in other studies, bobcats made either rapid, straight-line dispersal movements, or erratic, longer-term dispersal movements. Major highways and relatively high road and human densities were not significant barriers to bobcat dispersal.
Natural Recover y and Restoration Potential of Severely Disturbed Talus Vegetation at Niagara Falls: Assessment Using a Reference System

The talus slope adjacent to the Niagara River at Niagara Falls (Ontario, Canada) has been severely disturbed over the course of the past century as the area has been increasingly developed for tourism. In addition the lower talus slope is disturbed by periodic ice scour, most recently one year prior to this study. Historical evidence suggests that the original vegetation was similar to that currently found on talus slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, which could, therefore, be used as a reference system and restoration target. The current community structure and physical environment were sampled in 75 randomly placed 1‐×‐1–m quadrats. A total of 137 species were found, of which 62%were aliens. ANOVA showed that species richness, woody debris cover, litter cover, soil depth, and photosynthetically active radiation changed along a gradient perpendicular to the river. Three different sections of the study area whose last severe disturbance dated back 100, 30, and 4 years, respectively, were similar in their physical environment but were significantly different in species richness. Ordinations of species frequencies showed that light levels and distance from the river were the principal gradients controlling the vegetation structure. The species composition of the section last disturbed 100 years ago was different from that of the more recently disturbed sections. Ordination and cluster analysis of the pooled data showed large differences between the Niagara Falls site and reference escarpment talus slopes. Natural escarpment vegetation was much more homogeneous and had more species and fewer aliens. By comparing reference talus with sections of the study area at Niagara Falls that were last disturbed at different times, we conclude that the trajectory of natural succession at Niagara Falls is leading to an alternative state, an urban forest dominated by aliens, and that active restoration will be required to return the talus to its original state.
Interference and Control of Large Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and Southern Sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus) in Forage Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in central Alabama to evaluate competitiveness of large crabgrass and southern sandbur with ‘Tifton 78’ hybrid bermudagrass as influenced by diuron application and sprigging rate. Large crabgrass was the more competitive species. In late season, bermudagrass ground cover with no weed competition was 96% compared with 72 and 81% where large crabgrass and southern sandbur, respectively, were present. Similarly, large crabgrass and southern sandbur reduced the proportion of bermudagrass in the cumulative harvested forage by at least 59 and 38%, respectively. Application of diuron preemergence (PRE) at 1.1 kg ai/ha was more effective than postemergence (POST) application, both in terms of weed control and bermudagrass safety. With diuron applied PRE, large crabgrass and southern sandbur reduced the proportion of bermudagrass in the harvested forage only 32 and 25%, respectively. Increasing bermudagrass sprigging rate was beneficial for weed control but of relatively minor importance compared with diuron PRE.
Conservation Biology Framework for the Release of Wild‐Born Orphaned Chimpanzees into the Conkouati Reserve, Congo

Abstract: Returning confiscated animals to their native habitats is desirable when it makes a positive contribution to the conservation of the species. Release of captive individuals is complex and controversial, however, particularly when risks are potentially high, as in the case of orphaned apes. We describe the decision‐making process that led to the successive release of 20 wild‐born orphan chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes troglodytes) into the Conkouati Reserve in the Republic of Congo. Recommendations of the Reintroduction Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission were followed closely. The conservation status, ecology, and behavior of wild chimpanzees; the biological, social, economic and political context of the release site; and the health and genetic status of the candidates for release were all taken into account in the planning and execution of the project. Rigorous post‐release monitoring of behavior and health allowed documentation of the outcome. The project was of benefit to the chimpanzees that were released but also brought broad benefits to the site through effective protection from poaching and deforestation, and direct and indirect benefits to local people. The genetic and behavioral diversity of chimpanzees require a variety of conservation strategies to reduce threats and maintain as many viable wild populations as possible.
Identification of Maize Lines with Contrasting Responses to Applied Nitrogen

ABSTRACT A better understanding of how maize responds to nitrogen (N) supply is required for both economic and environmental purposes. Contrasting genotypes are indispensable for genetic and physiological studies of any trait, and the identification of the response of a range of lines of maize to two N level, was the aim of this work. One S4 and seven S5 lines, originating from two commercial hybrids, were studied for agronomic traits related to nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). Two field experiments with two levels of N (10 and 110 Kg N/ha in 2000 and 10 and 130 Kg N/ha in 2001) were carried out. In the first experiment, in which the lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13, and 17 were tested, the N supplied appeared to be excessive because the maize controls and most of the lines did not show an increase in grain yield at the high N level when compared with the low-N treatment in this experiment. The high N level increased the grain yield only in line 2, decreased grain yield in line 13, but increased the chlorophyll content in all lines except line 3. The second experiment, in which the lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 were tested, showed a severe N deficiency because the maize controls and most of the lines exhibited reduction in grain yield at the low N level when compared with the high-N treatment in this experiment. This severe N deficiency caused a reduction in grain yield in lines 2, 3, 5, and 10, prolificacy (ears plant− 1) in lines 2, 3, 4,and 5, grain N content in all lines (except line 10), and total plant N in lines 2, 3, and 5. On the other hand, this severe N deficiency also caused an increase in 100-kernel weight in line 2 and anthesis-silking in lines 3 and 5. The interactive behavior of all the traits cited indicates that they have different genetic controls at each N level. The existence of genotype-environment interaction may mean that the best genotype at a low N level is not the best at a high N level, and that the physiological mechanisms as well the genes required for high performance are to some extent different. These results also demonstrate that the response to N of these traits is under separate controls for each one, because they did not exhibit consistency in the lines tested. The correlations indicated that the anthesis-silking interval and prolificacy were associated more with grain yield at low-N availability, supporting the idea that these traits can be used to select maize tolerant to low-N soils. The contrasting responses to N availability indicate that these lines are important plant materials for use in further studies of NUE.
Breeding for disease resistance in poultry: opportunities with challenges

Avian disease, regarded as one of the crucial aspects influencing poultry production, has restricted the development of the poultry industry for a long period. Although traditional approaches, e.g. vaccination and bio-security measures, have played an indispensable role in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases, poultry are still threatened by various diseases. Nowadays, with the development of molecular and quantitative genetics, some poultry diseases can be addressed by breeding for disease resistance. In this paper, the research progress of resistance breeding in poultry is reviewed, including genetics, methods, challenges and opportunities for the poultry industry.
Fifteen years of climate change manipulations alter soil microbial communities in a subarctic heath ecosystem

Soil microbial biomass in arctic heaths has been shown to be largely unaffected by treatments simulating climate change with temperature, nutrient and light manipulations. Here, we demonstrate that more than 10 years is needed for development of significant responses, and that changes in microbial biomass are accompanied with strong alterations in microbial community composition. In contrast to slight or nonsignificant responses after 5, 6 and 10 treatment years, 15 years of inorganic NPK fertilizer addition to a subarctic heath had strong effects on the microbial community and, as observed for the first time, warming and shading also led to significant responses, often in opposite direction to the fertilization responses. The effects were clearer in the top 5 cm soil than at the 5–10 cm depth. Fertilization increased microbial biomass C and more than doubled microbial biomass P compared to the non‐fertilized plots. However, it only increased microbial biomass N at the 5–10 cm depth. Fertilization increased fungal biomass and the relative abundance of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) markers of gram‐positive bacteria. Warming and shading decreased the relative abundance of fungal PLFAs, and shading also altered the composition of the bacterial community. The long time lag in responses may be associated with indirect effects of the gradual changes in the plant biomass and community composition. The contrasting responses to warming and fertilization treatments show that results from fertilizer addition may not be similar to the effects of increased nutrient mineralization and availability following climatic warming.