Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae from Onion in Turkey Based on Vegetative Compatibility and rDNA RFLP Analysis

Seventy-five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae, the causal agent of basal plate rot on onion, were obtained from seven provinces of Turkey. The isolates were characterized by vegetative compatibility grouping (VCGs) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer region (IGS). Forty-eight vegetative compatibility groups were found, each containing a single isolate. Only one isolate formed strong heterokaryons with the reference isolates of VCG 0423. Five isolates were heterokaryon self-incompatible. Restriction fragment analysis with six different enzymes revealed 13 IGS types among 75 F. oxysporum isolates from Turkey as well as 16 reference isolates from Colorado, USA. The majority of single-member VCGs produced identical RFLP banding patterns with minor deviations, considerably different from those of the reference VCG isolates. These results suggested that isolates of F. oxysporum f.sp. cepae in Turkey derived from distinct clonal lineages and mutations at one or more vegetative compatibility loci restrict heterokaryon formation.
Prediction of nitrogen uptake by winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by measurement of superior stem number and leaf color value, for decision-making regarding additional nitrogen fertilization

Abstract To develop a technology to adjust the amount of additional nitrogen (N) fertilization after the flag leaf stage for the new winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar “Kitahonami”, we carried out the following. First, we defined the “superior stem” at the flag leaf stage (a stem whose auricle height is greater than 10 cm) and examined its suitability as an index. Second, we attempted to predict N uptake by the wheat at the flag leaf stage using the growth index [GI, superior stem number (m−2) × leaf color value]. Third, we analyzed the possibility of predicting the final N uptake by wheat at the mature stage from the N uptake at the flag leaf stage. The superior stem number at the flag leaf stage had a significant positive correlation with the spike number at the mature stage (r = 0.70, n = 169, p < 0.01). From the regression equation, it was estimated that a spike number of 700 m−2 was equivalent to a superior stem number of 900 m−2, which can also be used as an index to help prevent overabundance of stem numbers, causing lodging of Kitahonami wheat. The GI was closely related to N uptake at the flag leaf stage (r = 0.86, n = 268, p < 0.01). This indicates that the GI, which considers both the N content and the volume of the crop body, is suitable for predicting N uptake by wheat. N uptake at the mature stage was closely associated with N uptake at the flag leaf stage (r = 0.77, n = 147, p < 0.01), except in the case of soil having subsoil with unusually high N fertility. Excluding this case, N uptake at the flag leaf stage can be used to predict N uptake at the mature stage. On the basis of these results, we propose a method to predict N uptake by Kitahonami wheat at the mature stage and to decide the additional amount of N fertilizer required.
Autonomous Simulated Car Racing through Apprenticeship Learning

Many problems in robotics have unknown, high-dimensional and highly nonlinear dynamics. One of that problems is robotic car racing in a very realistic simulator. The key difficulties that arise are: i) It is difficult to build a good dynamics model. ii) It is often difficult to write down a formal specification of the task that has to be performed. iii) It is computationally expensive to find closed-loop controllers for this high-dimensional domain. We use algorithms from the apprenticeship learning setting — the setting when expert demonstrations of the task are available — in order to solve these problems for the task of autonomous car racing for a robotic car in the Simulated Car Racing Championship. This results in a basic dynamics model that is able to capture most important aspects of the dynamics of the car. We show that an advanced inverse reinforcement learning algorithm is not robust enough to work in this complex domain. Furthermore we use a reinforcement learning algorithm with the dynamics model built and a hand-engineered spefication of a basic racing task to build a controller for the racing car.
The time course of carpogonial branch and carposporophyte development in Callithamnion cordatum (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales)

Abstract An experimental evaluation of the time course of pre- and post-fertilization events in the carpogonial branch system of Callithamnion cordatum Borgesen has provided new insights into some of the dynamic aspects of these events in red algae. The carpogonia of C. cordatum were receptive to spermatia up to three days after reaching maturity. Gamete fusion, incorporating four identifiable phases (spermatial attachment, plasmogamy, transfer of the spermatial nucleus down the trichogyne, and karyogamy), required 5–10 h to complete. Auxiliary cell formation occurred ca. 40 h after the introduction of females to males, and appeared to be the direct result of intimate contact (not fusion) between the carpogonium and the auxiliary mother cells. Auxiliary cells did not form in the absence of this contact, suggesting that one or more exogenous hormones may be involved in this developmental process. Diploidization of the auxiliary cells occurred 72 ± 5 h after introduction. Carpospore release was complete in .
Psychological Benefits of Indoor Plants in Workplaces: Putting Experimental Results into Context

Laboratory experiments and quasi-experimental field studies have documented beneficial effects of indoor plants on outcomes such as psychophysiological stress, task performance, and symptoms of ill health. Such studies have taken an interest in the value of indoor plants in work settings, but they typically have not considered how the effects of plants might compare with effects of other workplace characteristics. The present study makes an initial attempt to situate the potential benefits of indoor plants in a broader workplace context. With cross-sectional survey data from 385 Norwegian office workers, we used hierarchical regression analyses to estimate the associations that plants and several often-studied workplace factors have with perceived stress, sick leave, and productivity. Other variables included in our models were gender, age, physical workplace factors (e.g., noise, temperature, lighting, air quality), and psychosocial workplace factors (demands, control, social support). After controlling for these variables, the number of indoor plants proximal to a worker's desk had small but statistically reliable associations with sick leave and productivity. Although small, such associations can have substantial practical significance given aggregation over the large number of office workers over time.
Soil-vegetation relationships in a tabonuco forest community in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT Soil-vegetation relationships were examined in a tabonuco forest community in eastern Puerto Rico using canonical correspondence analysis. Ca and pH were strongly correlated with the first ordination axis (r = 0.84 and 0.76, respectively), while Mg and Na were correlated with the second axis (r = 0.65 and 0.64, respectively); other soil variables were not significantly related to the first two axes. Four previously identified soil series corresponded well with the ordination, and statistically significant differences in soil variables were found among the soil series. Dominant canopy tree species Dacryodes excelsa and Manilkara bidentata were negatively associated with the first ordination axis and positively associated with dry soils having low concentrations of Ca and Mg and low pH. The palm Presloea montana was positively associated with the first axis and with wet soils having high concentrations of Ca and Mg and higher pH values. Another canopy species Sloanea bertenana was associated with the second ordination axis and with lower slope positions having higher concentrations of Mg.
COMPARATIVE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THREE SPECIES OF CHLOROSARCINA (CHLOROSARCINACEAE, CHLOROPHYTA) 1, 2

Ultrastructural studies revealed that Chlorosarcina stigmatica Deason differs from C. brevispinosa and C. longispinosa Chantanachat and Bold because the vegetative cells possess a pyrenoid, and the zoospores have chlorophycean characteristics. Zoospores of the latter species exhibit pleurastrophycean characteristics including counterclockwise absolute orientation of the flagellar apparatus components. Nuclear division in C. longispinosa, like that of Friedmannia israelensis Chantanachat and Bold, is metacentric. It is suggested that a new genus, Desmotetra, be erected for Chlorosarcina stigmatica, and that it, along with Chlorosarcinopsis Herndon, be placed in the Chlorococcales, Chlorophyceae. Chlorosarcina brevispinosa and C. longispinosa belong in the Pleurastrales, Pleurastrophyceae.
Sovereign default, political instability and political fragmentation

En el articulo se estudia el endeudamiento soberano y el incumplimiento en una economia en que los politicos negocian sobre el presupuesto. El modelo genera una distribucion de recursos que es un resultado endogeno de la Entorno politico-economico. Asimismo, los contratos disponibles entre el pais y los inversionistas internacionales generan una relacion no monotonica entre las posibles decisiones de endeudamiento y la participacion de los responsables de la formulacion de politicas en los recursos. Las simulaciones numericas del modelo proporcionan resultados razonables, una probabilidad de incumplimiento del 2,8% y una relacion deuda / PIB del 28%. El modelo tambien puede dar cuenta de la relacion entre la deuda, incumplimiento, inestabilidad politica y fragmentacion politica utilizando una muestra de 35 mercados emergentes.
Macrobenthic mollusc fauna inhabiting "Halopteris" spp. subtidal fronds in São Miguel Island, Azores

SUMMARY: The molluscan community structure (species composition, abundance, density and diversity) associated with common brown algae Halopteris spp. at seven subtidal sites on Sao Miguel island (Azores) wase studied and checked for differences between sites. A total of 8,921 specimens (29 species of Gastropoda, 7 species of Bivalvia) were recorded. Bittium sp. , the most common species, representing 85.6% of the total number of molluscs sampled, was present at each site and the number of taxa found at each station ranged from 3 to 17. Four species (Bittium sp., Setia subvaricosa, Tricolia pullus azorica and Rissoa guernei) accounted for 96.6% of all the specimens sampled. The density of the molluscs reached 18,000 specimens/100 g of algal dry weight (ADW). No significant differences in species diversity were found between sites. Further multispecies analysis between sites were conducted with both clustering and ordination techniques, and showed some separation between samples from south and north locations. The species responsible for this separation were the endemic Azorean Rissoids Rissoa guernei and Setia subvaricosa.
The genetic structure of the Slovak population revealed by Y-chromosome polymorphisms

Abstract Historic and linguistic records indicate that Slovaks belong to the Slavic population. Weperformed a population genetic study on 250 unrelated Slovak males, who were typed for 12 Y-shorttandem repeats (STRs) (DYS391, DYS389I, DYS439, DYS389II, DYS438, DYS437, DYS19,DYS392, DYS393, DYS390, DYS385a/b). The corresponding Y-haplogroups were deduced using WhitAthey’s Haplogroup Predictor. The most common haplogroup R1a is presented by 38% of individuals.The next two haplogroups (I2a and R1b) are presented at frequencies higher than 10%, 9 haplogroupsrange from 1 to 10% and 3 haplogroups are presented at frequencies lower than 1%. The obtained re-sults show that a significant majority of the Slovak paternal gene pool belongs to Eastern European Y-lineages and indicate the Slavic origin. Pairwise analysis confirmed that our population is more similarto the surrounding populations, and less similar to those of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.Key words:Slovak population, Slavic origin, Y-haplotype, Y-haplogroup, Φ
The Fish Community of a Flow-Impacted River Reach in Alabama, USA with Emphasis on Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass

ABSTRACT The Weiss bypass reach of the Coosa River, Alabama, USA is a 32-km section of the river bypassed after construction of a power generation facility on Weiss Lake in 1961. This area experiences daily flow reversals that can extend 24 km upstream and increase depth by up to 2 m. During a 15-month period, we used electrofishing to collect 37 fish species from 10 families in this reach. Species richness and diversity increased with distance from the flow reversal, suggesting some influence of the daily flow reversals. However, because nearly all of the species collected were habitat generalists (i.e., none was a fluvial specialist), the flow appeared to influence the overall fish community by eliminating fluvial specialist species that would be expected to inhabit this type of river reach (i.e., a reach with an unmodified flow regime). Relative to largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and spotted bass (M. punctulatus), we found that population characteristics (i.e., age, growth, catch rates, habitat use, diets) generally did not differ from those for fish from lentic areas within the Coosa River nor from other lotic populations.
Comparing selection system and diameter-limit cutting in uneven-aged northern hardwoods using computer simulation

Comparisons of selection system and diameter-limit cutting based on trials in specific settings have often yielded conflicting results. We used a simulation approach to evaluate sawtimber production over three cutting cycles on 10 sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) dominated plots of varying initial forest structure. Treatments on each plot included light, moderate, and heavy intensities of selection system silviculture and diameter-limit cutting. Harvested sawtimber volumes were initially higher on all plots using diameter-limit cutting, but selection system outperformed diameter-limit cutting at later entries on 7 of the 10 plots. Volume differences between cutting types ranged among plots from 0.3 to 26 m3·ha–1, equating to a less than 1% to as much as a twofold difference. Average volumes from selection system at later entries were 20%–40% greater than diameter-limit cutting, due in part to consistent production in large sawtimber (≥46 cm). Yields from real stands could vary from these simulations wh.
The Insects and Arachnids of Canada Part 6: The Mosquitoes of Canada - Diptera: Culicidae

In the introduction to this book, the authors point out that it has been prepared for the identification of adults and fully grown larvae of the mosquitoes now known to occur in Canada. They state that, although the eggs, early instar larvae and pupae of most species in this region are known, they are usually less easily identified and it is probably easier to rear the eggs and pupae to larvae and adults than to identify them in these early stages. Thus, a single paragraph is devoted to each the pupa and egg stages in the section on anatomy of mosquitoes. In the introduction, the authors stress the need for correct identification of species so that control efforts can be directed against offending species, thus preventing waste of money and effort in mosquito control.
Effects of elk density on elk aggregation patterns and exposure to brucellosis

Increasing elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) populations across the West in response to increased demand for recreational and hunting opportunities may have negative, unintended consequences for disease transmission risk. Historically, free-ranging elk populations were not thought to sustain brucellosis (Brucella abortus), but recent studies suggest increasing elk densities may result in free-ranging elk serving as maintenance hosts for the disease. We evaluated spatial variation in elk density, group sizes, and adult female brucellosis seroprevalence in 39 elk management districts in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem using a Bayesian approach. We used modeled relationships to estimate the effects of reducing elk density by 10–90% on grouping patterns and seroprevalence rates. Reducing the density of the 3 highest density elk herds by 10%, 50%, and 90% was predicted to result in a 9%, 39%, and 59% decrease in mean group size, whereas reducing the density of the 3 lowest density elk herds was predicted to result in only a 0%, 0.7%, and 1.3% decrease in mean group size. We estimated seroprevalence rates of 0.01–0.27 across management districts, and seroprevalence increased as elk density increased. For the 7 of 39 management districts with >10% estimated seroprevalence, 10%, 50%, and 90% reductions in elk density resulted in predicted mean seroprevalence reductions of 2%, 7%, and 9%, respectively. For the 14 management districts with ≤1% estimated seroprevalence, 10%, 50%, and 90% reductions in elk density resulted in no measurable change in predicted mean seroprevalence. Our results suggest that elk density has an important effect on elk group sizes, which may influence the risk of brucellosis transmission and resultant exposure rates. Manipulating elk density may in turn affect brucellosis seroprevalence rates. However, debate among the diverse stakeholders involved in elk management on the effectiveness of reducing density, group sizes, and brucellosis exposure rates in elk, relative to other interests and objectives, is necessary prior to manipulation of elk density for this purpose. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Acetate and glucose entry rates in sheep fed a lupin supplement

The high protein content of lupin seed has been suggested (Lindsay, 1976) to be the principal stimulus in dramatic increases in ovulation rate (OR) in ewes fed a lupin supplement of between 250 g/hd/d and 750 g/hd/d for six to seven days. Subsequently studies to describe the pattern of digestion of the lupin protein (Lindsay et al., 1980) and nitrogen balance (Searle and Graham, 1980) in sheep fed a lupin supplement were carried out. Studies in our laboratory (Rowe et al., 1983) suggest that increased metabolisable energy (ME) may be the more important nutritional stimulus in increasing OR. This study was aimed at measuring the entry rates of acetate and glucose in lupin supplemented ewes with the view of using the data to study the effect of intravenous infusion of the two substrates on OR.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase as a Mediator of TNF-Induced NF-κB Activation1

The activation of transcription factor NF-κB by TNF involves the stimulation of a novel signaling cascade. In this paper we show that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) may play a pivotal role in TNF-mediated activation of NF-κB-dependent genes. Consistent with its involvement in TNF signaling, PI 3-kinase activities in HepG2 and U937 cells can be stimulated by TNF in a rapid but transient manner through a mechanism that may involve its association with the insulin receptor substrate-1. A dominant-negative mutant of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase, which is a potent inhibitor of PI 3-kinase signaling, effectively blocked the TNF-induced expression of an NF-κB-dependent reporter gene. Although PI 3-kinase may be required for NF-κB activation, overexpression of its p110 catalytic subunit alone was unable to induce an NF-κB/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. However, when TNF was added to p110-overexpressing cells, there was a synergistic activation of the NF-κB/CAT reporter, suggesting that other TNF-inducible signals may cooperate with PI 3-kinase to activate NF-κB. Consistent with its role in NF-κB activation, inhibition of PI 3-kinase activity by wortmannin or LY294002 greatly potentiated TNF-induced apoptosis. This TNF/wortmannin-induced apoptosis was markedly prevented in cells overexpressing Rel A. Taken together, our results indicate that a PI 3-kinase-regulated step in TNF-signaling is critical for the expression of NF-κB-dependent genes.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY EVOLUTION DURING PORTUGUESE RED WINE VINIFICATION AND THEIR RELATION WITH THE PROANTHOCYANIDIN AND ANTHOCYANIN COMPOSITION

The aim of this work was to evaluate the evolution of antioxidant activity and its relation to phenolic composition during the vinification of two Portuguese red grape varieties (Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional). Two analytical methods were used to analyze antioxidant activity: 2.2-diphenyl-1-pirylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging assay. Total polyphenols and tannins, different proanthocyanidins fractions according to their degree of polymerization and individual anthocyanins were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography as well. During the maceration time, an increased antioxidant capacity was measured followed by a slight decrease in the values over the last two maceration days. A similar evolution was quantified for total polyphenols, total tannins and for the different proanthocyanidin fractions. An increase of the values was verified for the individual anthocyanins quantified but with several slight oscillations during the maceration process. High linear positive correlations among the phenolic composition, different proanthocyanidin fractions (especially for monomeric fraction) and the antioxidant activity evolution during the maceration process were quantified. For the individual anthocyanins, a high disparity of the correlation values was found, and it was not possible to obtain a clear standard. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Knowledge of antioxidant capacity evolution and its relation to phenolic extraction (especially proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins) during winemaking is important for red wine production, optimization and consequently for red wine quality. Additionally, the information yielded in our study will be useful to obtain wines with maximum antioxidant capacity, especially when two important Portuguese grape varieties are used, commonly used in several Portuguese wine regions (but also in other wine-producing countries such as Brazil and Australia, where these two grape varieties, especially Touriga Nacional, are used). Thus, this study is particularly important when the “antioxidant power” of foods, in this case in red wine, is an expression of its capacity both to defend the human organism from the action of free radicals and to prevent degenerative disorders deriving from persistent oxidative stress.
Between-year variations in Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax population densities are influenced by agricultural intensification and rainfall

The Little Bustard is suffering a widespread population decline mainly due to agricultural intensification. This study evaluates the effects of intensification level, habitat availability and rainfall on the population dynamics of this species. The population density of males was monitored for 7 years (2002-2008) at 184 points located within three sites with contrasting levels of agricultural intensification in southern Portugal. Densities decreased along the intensification gradient from 8.2 to 2.3 males/km 2 . Overall, there was an approximately 50% population decline during the period 2002-2008, driven by a decline observed in one of the less intensive sites, whereas in the other two sites densities remained fairly constant. Yearly variations in male densities were influenced by intensification level, amount of grassland habitat and rainfall patterns. Thus, agricultural intensification is having a negative effect on population densities of this threatened species, particularly through the loss of grasslands (fallow fields and pastures) suitable for displaying males. The results also suggest a positive impact of rainfall on male densities, although this is more likely in grasslands within less intensive agricultural regions of poorer soil quality, where higher breeding male densities occur. Grassland habitat quality, driven by both climate and human management, probably plays a major role in the population dynamics of this threatened steppe bird in its strongholds.