Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing seed mixtures for restoration on alpine soils: who should your neighbours be?

Questions (1) When alpine vegetation is actively restored by seeding, how is vegetation cover influenced by seeding treatments and soil conditions? (2) How does the cover of species differ when they are seeded in a mixture and how is their response influenced by soil conditions? (3) Do individual species perform better or worse in a mixture than when sown separately? Location Hjerkinn, Dovrefjell, Norway. Methods In a factorial, randomized field experiment, we recorded the percentage cover of Festuca ovina, Luzula multiflora ssp. frigida, and Poa alpina seeded in four different soil types for three years after seeding. We seeded the three species separately and in a mixture in organic topsoil, peat soil, mineral fine soil and mineral coarse soil. We also recorded seedling emergence in a greenhouse experiment, using the same seeding treatments. Results In the field experiment, vegetation cover established fastest when F. ovina was sown in monoculture followed by the seed mixture. After three years, mean cover of F. ovina was 1.4 higher than mean P. alpina cover and more than three times higher than mean L. multiflora cover for single-species treatments, and four (P. alpina) and 15 (L. multiflora) times higher when the species were seeded together. L. multiflora germinated slowly in the greenhouse experiment, which could partly explain its poor field performance. In the field experiment, establishment was faster in organic soils than mineral soils for all seeding treatments. The largest difference between F. ovina and L. multiflora performance in the mixture treatment was found in the organic soil types, where overall cover was larger than in the mineral soils. In the organic soils, F. ovina was slightly facilitated in the mixture treatment, while the opposite was found for L. multiflora. Conclusion When the restoration goal is to quickly establish a vegetation cover, seeding monocultures of rapidly establishing species may be more effective than seeding mixtures even in alpine sites where interspecific facilitation may prevail. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Two lobster tales: lessons from the convergent evolution of TURFs in Maine (USA) and the Juan Fernández Islands (Chile)

Overexploitation plagues common property marine resources in a seemingly endless replay of the tragedy of the commons. Territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) counter this by controlling access and reducing incentives to compete for larger shares of the resource. Two lobster TURF systems evolved convergently in Maine, USA, and Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile. The Homarus americanus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837 lobster fishery in Maine has informal group territories, whereas the Jasus frontalis (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837) fishery in the Juan Fernandez Islands has individually-owned fishing spots called marcas. Both fisheries use small day boats, both have a long history of protecting reproductive and juvenile lobsters, and both evolved informal fishing territories. Although TURFs limited new entrants in both cases, fishing effort grew, prompting both fisheries to support formal limited-entry regulations. Both lobster populations have expanded in recent decades. Maine's 30-yr increase in lobster landings stimulated fishers to use larger boats with increased fishing capacity and range to exploit offshore lobsters that have been increasing in abundance, but where territorial rights do not exist. Nevertheless, trap limits have led to more equitable access. In Juan Fernandez, power winches increased trap-hauling rates, leading some fishers to advocate trap limits. The TURF system of marcas appears to have limited effort, but it has not prevented the accumulation of marcas by individuals. We conclude these TURFs have addressed the problem of exclusion and have growing lobster populations. It is unknown if TURFs can respond effectively to external factors, such as climate change, that may lead to declining populations.
Biology of Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and its potential as a biological control agent of the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae) in the eastern United States

The biology of Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and its potential for control of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae) in the eastern United States were investigated. Laricobius nigrinus completed development on HWA in laboratory studies. There are four larval instars. Mean larval consumption was 225.9 and 252.3 HWA eggs at 12 and 18 °C, respectively. Post-aestivation activity period was 36.6 and 30.8 weeks for males and females at 13 °C, respectively. Mean lifetime fecundity was 100.8 eggs over a mean ovipositional period of 13.2 weeks. Laricobius nigrinus is host specific. In paired-choice and no-choice oviposition tests, L. nigrinus laid more eggs in HWA ovisacs than other test species. Laricobius nigrinus consumed more eggs of HWA than eggs of Adelges piceae (Ratzeburg) and Pineus strobi (Hartig) but not of Adelges abietis (L.). In larval development tests, L. nigrinus only completed development on HWA.
Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis: Effects on the Cow and Her Gut

Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can occur as a consequence of feeding high energy rations to dairy cattle. During SARA, the rate of rumen shortchain fatty acid (SCFA) production exceeds SCFA absorption and results in an unhealthy depression of rumen pH. Definitions of SARA, derived primarily from experiments using ruminally cannulated animals, vary somewhat but typically are based on rumen pH being below a particular threshold (5.5, 5.6, or 5.8) for a certain duration of time (Oetzel, 2007; Plaizier et al., 2008). Zebeli and Metzler-Zebeli (2012) recently proposed that SARA be defined as rumen pH below 5.8 for 6 or more hours per day based on meta-analyses indicating that this threshold resulted in both a decrease in fibre digestibility and an increase in plasma levels of acute phase proteins.
Micorrización en Capsicum annuum L. para promoción de crecimiento y bioprotección contra Phytophthora capsici L.* Mycorrhizae in Capsicum annuum L. to promote growth and biosecurity against Phytophthora capsici L.

1Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales-Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Carretera Morelia-Zinapecuaro, km 9.5, Col. El Trebol. 58880 Tarimbaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Tel. 01 (443) 2958323. (eyesnator@hotmail.com). 2Biotecnologia Vegetal, Centro de Investigacion y Asistencia en Tecnologia y Diseno del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ). Av. Normalistas No. 800, Colinas de la Normal. 44270, Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mexico. Tel: 01 (33) 33455200. (equinones@ciatej. mx; grincon@ciatej.mx). §Autor para correspondencia: lexquilax@yahoo.com. mx.
By-product Originating from Artisan Distillers of Rice Alcohol in Northern Vietnam: Production, Use and Nutrient Value for Smallholder Pig Raising

The objective of this study was to investigate by-product production originating from artisan distillers of rice alcohol and its use as pig feed in three provinces (Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Bac Giang) of Northern Vietnam. A total of 120 rice alcohol producers classified by production scales (30 producers for Large-L, 45 producers for Medium-M and 45 producers for Small-S) were interviewed from January to August 2015. Additionally, sixty-three rice distiller’s by-product samples were collected from the study areas to determine their daily nutrient content according to one week storage time. The annual dry matter feedstuff production was estimated to 4.8, 3.0 and 2.1 tons per household for L, M and S scales, respectively (p<0.001). Swine herd size increased with the scale of household alcohol production (p<0.05). The proportion of rice distiller’s by-product in diet of swine lowered when turning from pregnant to lactating sows, and varied in fattening pigs. Rice distiller’s by-product was rich in high quality crude protein, copper and lactic acid but poor in dry matter. Its nutritive value remained stable over a week under ambient conditions. In conclusion, rice distiller’s by-product provides significant and stable amounts of nutrients in northern vietnamese pig production.
Slaughter performance and meat quality of intact and castrated Washera sheep kept under feedlot condition

A study was conducted to evaluate the feedlot performance in carcass traits and meat quality of intact and castrated Washera sheep under low (300 g/day) and high (450 g/day) dry matter (DM) levels of concentrate mix supplementation. The concentrate mix contained 68% wheat bran and 32% noug seed cake. 24 sheep (12 intact and 12 castrated) with age range of 9 to 10 months and initial weight of 24.1±1.8 kg (mean ± SD) were used. A randomized complete block design in a 2x2 factorial treatment arrangement (2 sex category and 2 concentrate levels) was employed. Basal hay was fed ad libitum at a rate of 20% refusal. After 90 days of fattening, all sheep were slaughtered and meat sample from longissimus dorsi muscle of each animal was taken for color and pH measures, and chemical composition analysis. High level supplementation promoted significantly (p<0.001) higher carcass weights, dressing percentage in slaughter body weight (SBW) basis, rib eye-muscle (REM) area, fat thickness (FT), carcass compositions and higher (p<0.05) total edible offal component than low supplementation level. Intact sheep attained higher (p<0.05) SBW (29.4 vs 28.2 kg); empty body weight (23.7 vs 22.9 kg), and produced relatively more carcass yield with higher (p<0.001) muscle, but lower fat composition than castrates. Castrated sheep produced significantly (p<0.01) higher total non carcass fat (0.65 vs 0.46 kg) than intact sheep. Meat from intact sheep comprised of higher (p<0.01) moisture (73.63 vs 72.43%) with lower fat composition (2.06 vs 3.16%) and was less (p<0.05) luminous (L*) in color (34.56 vs 36.63) than castrated sheep. It is concluded that fattening of intact Washera sheep with high level of concentrate supplementation is a better option for production of more carcasses yield with higher proportion of muscle and less fat. Key words: Carcass composition, dressing percentage, meat color, proximate compositions.
Estimation of additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variation in fibre quality characters of up-land cotton grown in salinized conditions

The role of additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variance in the inheritance of staple length, fibre strength, and fibre fineness in (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in 10 and 20 dSm NaCl salinities was assessed using triple test cross analysis. Results of the genetic analysis revealed that although both additive and non-additive genes affected the characters, genes acting cumulatively were predominant. It was further revealed that additive x dominance and dominance x dominance epistatic component was important in the inheritance of the characters studied. Since there was strong evidence of the presence of significant epistasis in the inheritance of the characters, therefore no precise conclusion could be drawn about the relative importance of the three components of genetic variation. However, for the improvement of these fibre traits showing predominantly additive gene effects, early generation selection may be effective.
Great Reed Warblers bury artificial objects, not only Cuckoo eggs

The Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) is a frequently used host of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in Hungary, locally parasitism rate may exceed 50%. Earlier studies revealed that Great Reed Warblers buried approx. 2–3% of the Cuckoo eggs, when clutches were parasitised naturally. In the pre-incubation stage we placed non-egg shaped foreign objects, pieces of reed stems as light elongated objects, and two types of small coins, like heavy rounded objects into Great Reed Warbler nests in central Hungary. Birds easily ejected reed stems from nest (88%), but the coins were more frequently buried. Approx. 53% of the small coins and 19% of the big coins were buried. Our results showed that Great Reed Warblers were able to bury foreign objects, so burial might have a general cleaning role.
Modelling human immune response dynamics to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection.

Modelling human immune response dynamics to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Thesis: MSc. (Mathematics) December 2017 Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) still poses a great challenge to the well-being of the population, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ability to trigger strong mounted cellular response within the host environment is daunting. The host cell depends on the robust adaptive cellular immunity to battle MTB infection. Of these, localizing TB bacteria by the development and the sustainability of a strong T helper type 0 cells (Th0) response is key to thwart MTB dissemination. The factors fuelling TB pathogenesis include, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and TB copandemic, the growing burden of Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and Extensive drug resistant TB (XDR-TB), and incompetency of host cell to kill MTB. The survived MTB load can trigger Latent TB infection (LTBI). In addition, the largely unknown biology of the host-MTB interaction, is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we develop a mathematical model capturing and addressing key dynamics of the adaptive host immune response to MTB infection. Of these, we consider the interplay of MTB with three distinct subsets of key immune cells and cell signalling molecules, namely; macrophages, T cells and cytokines. Furthermore, we explore the mechanisms of phagocytosis, T cells priming with delay, macrophage activation leading to lysis of infected cells. To estimate unknown parameters in the model, we perform curve fitting to experimental data of an infected mice using non-linear least square and Bayesian-based Markov Chain Monte ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases - Studies of Fungal Secretomes and Enzyme Properties

Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases - Studies of Fungal Secretomes and Properties Efficient degradation of plant biomass by enzymes is an important step towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable bioeconomy. However, the complexity and recalcitrant nature of the substrates limit enzyme performance on plant biomass and current enzyme cocktails are not efficient enough to degrade it. The recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are crucial enzymes employed in biomass breakdown in nature owing to their ability to boost activity of other biomass degrading hydrolases. Filamentous fungi are known to be significant players in plant biomass conversion as they produce a wide diversity of degrading enzymes. In the first part of this PhD thesis, the secretomes of the well-known fungus Aspergillus nidulans grown on cereal and legume starches were analyzed. Secretomics is a powerful tool to unravel secretion patterns of fungi and their response to different substrates at the protein level. It could help to design better enzyme cocktails that increase efficiency of biomass degradation. The secretomes of A. nidulans revealed differences in growth and secretion of enzymes, depending on the type and properties of starches. A common characteristic of the fungus secretomes on different starches was that the LPMOs, shown to be active on starch, were highly abundant, together with other oxidative enzymes suggesting an important role for these enzymes in fungal starch degradation. The presence of binding sites for AmyR, a transcriptional regulator for starch degradation, were also identified upstream the LPMO genes, providing evidence for a co-regulatory mechanism of LPMOs and amylolytic hydrolases. The second part of the PhD thesis is focused on understanding the binding properties of LPMOs to starch and starch mimic substrate. It was shown that LPMOs possessing starch binding domain (CBM20) has similar binding affinities as the amylolytic hydrolases containing CBM20. The binding of the LPMO to starch is presumably mediated by the CBM20. In the last part of the PhD thesis, the action of a novel LPMO from the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum on cellulose and xyloglucan is demonstrated. Previous studies have shown that some fungal LPMOs are capable to degrade xyloglucan but only by unsubstituted glucose unit in the backbone. This study for the first time showed that LPMO from F. graminearum is able to cleave xyloglucan backbone randomly, including two substituted glucose units. Moreover, a question about a connection between LPMOs and fungi pathogenesis was raised. The novel insight from work done during the PhD study promotes our understanding of unexplored aspects of fungal LPMOs and inspires further research in this realm of glycoscience.
Cancer as a "Mitochondriopathy"

Mitochondria are subcellular organelles, whose well-known function is to produce ATP through the oxidative phosphorylation system. Alterations in respiratory activity and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) appear to be a general feature of malignant cells. The presence of mtDNA mutations has been reported in various cancer cells, and the abundance of mtDNA damage is consistent with the intrinsic susceptibility to constitutive oxidative stress. Research about the functional aspects of mtDNA mutations in cancer development and therapeutic response is likely to be fruitful and to have significant clinical and prognostic impact. Although many studies to date have been focused on the identification and characterization of altered mtDNA, it is not clear if these accumulated mutations are the cause or the consequence of the carcinogenic process. This article provides a brief summary of our current understanding of mitochondrial pathobiology in cancer development.
Spawning and fecundity of Jenyns's sprat, Ramnogaster arcuata, a winter spawner in the temperate waters of the Rio de la Plata estuary, Argentina- Uruguay

The reproductive biology of the Jenyns's sprat Ramnogaster arcuata in the Rio de la Plata area was studied using macroscopic and histological analysis of ovaries. Samples were collected during two research surveys carried out in June 1998 and June 1999. In addition monthly occurrences of this species from historical data were analysed. Jenyns's sprat specimens were mainly observed in open waters of the estuary during winter months. Most of the females collected during June 1998 and 1999 were in the spawning stage. This pattern differs from fish that reproduce in the estuarine waters of the Riod e la Plata, which spawn during spring and summer. These results suggest that conditions of productivity and larval retention in the estuary also remain during winter months. This characteristic might be useful for R. arcuata larvae in avoiding com- petition with other estuarine spawners. Jenyns's sprat is a multiple spawner with indeterminate annual fecundity. A prelimi- nary estimate of spawning frequency (N ¼ 220) indicated a daily percentage of females with postovulatory follicles of 17.35%, which suggests that this species spawns on average once every six days. Batch fecundity, estimated from counts of hydrated oocytes from 40 females, ranged from 669 to 2026 hydrated oocytes in 1998 and from 570 to 1830 hydrated oocytes in 1999. Batch fecundity was fitted to a linear function of total body weight (without ovary) in 1999. Mean relative fecundity was 234 hydrated oocytes per female gram (ovary free) in 1998 and 155 hydrated oocytes per female gram (ovary free) in 1999, and no significant relationship was observed between this parameter and female size. The dry weight of 100 hydrated oocytes ranged between 3.9 and 6.3 mg, these values being significantly higher than those estimated for other species of the Rio de la Plata estuary.
Prognostic value of claudin-4, nm23-H1, and MIB-1 in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

IntroductionNasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a tumor of epithelial origin with complex etiology, and it is one of the most confusing, commonly misdiagnosed, and poorly understood diseases. Currently, the standard treatment for NPC is radiotherapy, but therapy failure is quite common, making radioresistance an important issue. Claudin-4 is a major tight junction protein that regulates the integrity and function of tight junctions. Aberrant expression of claudin-4 has been shown in various carcinomas with diverse prognostic implications. Ki-67 as a maker of cell proliferation and nm23-H1 as a metastasis marker have been widely used by many studies to indicate their close relationship with the progression and prognosis in many tumors. However, little is known about their prognostic values in undifferentiated NPC. AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical staining of claudin-4, nm23-H1 protein, and Ki-67 in human undifferentiated NPC, and the relationship between claudin-4, nm23-H1, and Ki-67 expressions and both metastasis and prognosis of patients with undifferentiated NPC. ResultsThe results were correlated with sex, age, extent of tumor, lymph node status, the presence or absence of distant metastasis, and patient survival. Low claudin-4 expression, low nm23-H1, and high Ki-67 expression were associated with distant metastasis and poor survival. ConclusionClaudin-4 may be a novel biomarker for the prediction of distant metastasis and unfavorable prognosis in NPC, especially when combined with nm23-H1 and Ki-67.
Insecticidal activity of polycaprolactone nanocapsules loaded with Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

In this study, the opportunity to enhance the insecticidal activity of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil was studied for effective management of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as a stored product pest beetle. Nanoprecipitation method was used to prepare rosemary oil‐loaded nanocapsules. Bioassays were conducted at 27–30°C temperature and 70–75 % relative humidity in the dark. Fumigant toxicity of the non‐formulated oil and nanocapsules of R. officinalis were investigated at 13.20, 15.92, 19.12, 23.04, and 27.76 μL/L air after 24 and 72 h exposure and the contact toxicity of the non‐formulated oil and nanocapsules were investigated at 4.28, 3.55, 2.95, 2.45 and 2.36 μL/cm2 after 24 h exposure. The major constituents of the essential oil of rosemary were α‐Pinene, 1,8‐cineol, camphor, and cis‐verbenone. Nanocapsules presented an average size (145 ± 15 nm) (± standard error [SE]) with a polydispersity index below 0.3, a negative zeta potential (−11.0 ± 0.5 mV), and a high encapsulation efficiency (78.20 ± 0.93 %). Scanning electron microscope photomicrograph of rosemary oil‐loaded nanocapsules showed the presence of spherical nanocapsules with regular and homogeneous surfaces. In fumigant and contact toxicity, there were significant differences between non‐formulated and rosemary oil‐loaded nanocapsules in all the concentrations and times. The results suggested that nanoencapsulated essential oils from R. officinalis can be used for effective control in T. castaneum. When this technique is used, it can produce pesticides that have controlled‐release properties and reduce the concentration of the applied doses and number of applications.