Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FARMING AND GROUND BEETLES: EFFECTS OF AGRONOMIC PRACTICE ON POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE

Abstract We studied the effects of agricultural practice on ground beetles, using pitfall traps in field plots and in an uncultivated meadow near Edmonton, Alberta. Ground beetle abundance and species richness were higher in plots operated under an organic farming regime than in those under a chemical regime, but neither crop type [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), barley-pea (Pisum sativum L.) intercrop] nor crop rotation had an effect. Reduced tillage did not significantly change overall carabid activity or species richness but species differed in their response to tillage treatments. The carabid assemblage from an uncultivated field differed conspicuously from assemblages in the crops and fescue. Carabid abundance was highest in the meadow and the fauna was dominated by the exotic species Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. Effects of agronomic practice on carabid assemblages are complex, reflecting the interaction of biological traits of particular species and the combination of agronomic treatments applied. Résumé Nous avons étudié les effets des opérations agricoles sur les carabes en utilisant des pièges à fosse dans des parcelles de champs et dans une prairie sauvage près d’Edmonton, Alberta. L’abondance des carabes et la richesse en espèces étaient plus importantes dans les parcelles soumises à un régime d’exploitation organique que dans celles soumises à un régime chimique, mais ni le type de culture [orge (Hordeum vulgare L.), fève (Vicia faba L.), combinaison orge-pois (Pisum sativum L.)], ni la rotation n’avaient d’effet décelable. La réduction de l’intensité des labours n’a pas affecté significativement l’activité globale des carabes ou la richesse en espèces, mais les espèces n’ont pas toutes réagi de la même façon aux différents modes de labour. L’association des carabes dans un champ non cultivé différait considérablement des associations rencontrées dans les cultures et les champs de fétuque. L’abondance des carabes était maximale dans la prairie sauvage et la faune y était dominée par l’espèce exotique Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. Les effets de l’exploitation agricole sur les associations de carabes sont complexes et ils reflètent l’interaction des caractéristiques biologiques des différentes espèces et la combinaison des diverses opérations agronomiques effectuées. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Twenty-five years using reclaimed water to irrigate a golf course in Gran Canaria

Low focus in water management and short time data availability are the main limiting factors for reclaimed water project analysis. One of the oldest Spanish golf courses with a medium period of available data was selected to study and describe the medium time effects (25 years) on soil and aquifer as a consequence of reclaimed water reuse, and to compare the experimental results with reclaimed water quality criteria under a sustainability point of view. An excess of reclaimed water (83%) is used for this golf course irrigation in spite of the high water price ( € 0.4 m –3 ). The excess water reduced the risk of substances accumulation in soils, but for several of them the foresaid excess increased the possibility of polluting the aquifer (nitrates). Experimental data confirmed sustainability water quality criteria which predicted phosphorus and boron accumulation in soil. Soil characteristics and water management have to be also considered as critical factors to explain water quality effects in land and environmental conditions.
GENETIC VARIATION AND POPULATION ASSESSMENT OF EASTERN WOODRATS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Abstract Until recently, eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana, Ord) at Pine Hills, Union County, were believed to be the only extant population in Illinois. During 1994, additional populations in adjacent Jackson County were discovered at Fountain Bluff, Horseshoe Bluff, and Little Grand Canyon. Genetic variation among Illinois woodrat populations was estimated based on microsatellite DNA at 6 loci. The four populations were separated by 2–14 km, yet all exhibited significant genetic differentiation. Fountain Bluff was the most geographically isolated population and had the lowest genetic heterozygosity. A sample of individuals from a more contiguous population in Missouri exhibited the highest heterozygosity. Populations were monitored by mark-recapture live- trapping for 39 months at Pine Hills and 19 months at Fountain Bluff. Although the Fountain Bluff population was smaller than the Pine Hills population, seasonal demographics and reproductive output were similar. Natural dispersal from all 4 populations was limited by fragmented ahabitat, natural barriers, and anthropogenic barriers. Reintroductions of woodrats may be necessary for the species to repopulate formerly occupied sites throughout southern Illinois.
Genetic diversity in pigs: preliminary results on 58 European breeds and lines.

1 INRA, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, 31326 Castanet Tolosan Cedex, FR; Roslin Institute, Midlothian, EH25 9PS, UK; Pig Improvement Group Limited (PIC), Fyfield Wick, Abingdon, UK; Wageningen Agricultural University, Costerweg 50, PO Box 9101, Wageningen, 6701 BH, NL; Labogena, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, FR; Animal Genetic Resources Group, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Roma 00100, IT; Agence de la Sélection Porcine, 149 rue de Bercy, 75595 Paris Cedex 12, FR; Animal Genetics Institute, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, DE; DIPROVAL, Universita di Bologna, Via Rosselli 107, 42100 CovioloReggio Emilia, IT; Universita degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, IT; Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Cordoba, Avda Medina Azahara 9, 14005 Cordoba, ES; Nordic Gene Bank, Pb 5025, 1432 Aas, NO; Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001 Vila Real Codex, PT; Rare Breeds Survival Trust, 6 Harnage, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 6EJ, UK; INRA, Station de Génétique Quantitative et Appliquée, 78352 Jouy en Josas Cedex, France
The role of protein interaction domains in the human cancer network

Protein-protein interaction networks provide a global picture of cellular function and biological processes. Proteins interact largely through specific domains which constitute the main building blocks of an interaction network. Perturbed or dysfunctional protein interactions are linked to many diseases, including cancer. In this study we describe the major pathways and connections within the human cancer network by a novel approach in which we overlay the human cancer network with all protein interaction domain (PID) superfamilies. Based on 38,777 experimentally derived interactions, we constructed a cancer network with 8 different levels and identified all major protein hubs within this cancer interactome. Only one percent of the cancer genes constitute over 50 percent of all interactions within the network. In addition, we mapped 56 PID superfamilies onto the cancer network, and discovered that over 10% of protein interaction domains are overrepresented within the cancer interactome when compared to the normal protein network. We present here a comprehensive list of all PIDs in the cancer network, identify the most important hubs within it and discover several individual genes which had previously not been linked to cancer. These proteins constitute excellent targets for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. Our results further hint to a partial molecular commonality between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s.
The roles of floristics and physiognomy in avian community composition

There has been debate as to whether the composition of avifaunas is determined primarily by responses of species to the floristic composition of habitats or to the structural features of habitats (viz. physiognomy). Some evidence suggests that the effects of geographic scale may be the source of this dispute. The present analysis demonstrated that the influence of both floristics and physiognomy could be detected at the regional level for avifaunas of south-eastern Australian woodlands. The impact of floristics often may be obscured by patchiness and relatively rapid rates of spatial change in the phytosociology of habitats relative to those of avian species, even at the local scale (say 10 km). Such potential occlusion of the importance of floristics to avifaunas may be overcome by using floristic similarity indices that are based on plant taxonomic representations at both the specific and subfamilial levels. Both floristics and physiognomy are likely to affect avifaunal composition, although the perceived significance of each factor may vary with the scale of observation.
Mass transfer kinetics and regressional-desirability optimisation during osmotic dehydration of pumpkin, kiwi and pear

Summary Mass transfer kinetics and optimisation of osmotic dehydration (OD) of fruits and vegetables with diverse structures were studied. Different concentrations of sucrose (20–60 °Brix) and process times (0–24 h) were used. Magee’s model was appropriate for predicting water loss (WL), while Azuara’s model fitted well solids gain (SG) data and represented more accurately the evolution of the complete process close to equilibrium. Polynomial equations for each kinetic variable [WL, SG and weight reduction (WR) – for pumpkin, kiwi and pear] using multiple linear regression were fitted for a selected range of experimental data (30–240 min, 20–60 °Brix). A complete solution algorithm for desirability function was coded in Matlab® 7.2 (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA) with the aim to optimise osmotic dehydration process in terms of WL, SG and WR; optimal conditions were found for each fruit. Besides, an optimal common zone was identified for OD corresponding to process time from 114 to 240 min and sucrose concentration from 54 to 60 °Brix.
Seleção de progênies de eucalipto pelo índice Z por MQM e Blup

Abstract – The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiencyof the Z index (sum of standardized variables index), in the selection of full‑sib progenies between Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla via least square method (LSM) and best linear unbiased prediction (Blup) procedures. The experiments were carried out in two soil types and environments, in a randomized complete block design, with fivereplicates, eight plants per plot and 3x2 m spacing. Wood average annual increment, basic density, screened pulp yield, and effective alkali were evaluated for three‑year‑old plants. The Z index was obtained for each plant in order to compare the efficiencyof selection for the best progenies by LSM and Blup procedures. Subsequently, the predicted averages to Z index were obtained and ranked. For comparison, the classic index was used. The coincidence among the best progenies selected by classical and Z index was good. However, the Z index allows a graphic display that enables to check in which characters the progenie has a disability. There is no difference between the best progenies selected by the Z index via LSM and Blup.Index terms:
Observations on the life cycle of Chaetodactylus osmiae (Dufour, 1839) (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) parasitic on the solitary bee, Osmia rufa (L.), 1758 (Insecta: Hymenoptera) in Belgium

Abstract All developmental stages of Chaetodactylus osmiae (Dufour, 1839) (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) except the tritonymph, are described and depicted, i.e. larva, protonymph, protonymph containing an inert deutonymph, phoretic deutonymph, female and male. The phoretic deutonymphs were collected from the solitary bee Osmia rufa (L. 1758) and all other stages were collected from the bee nests. The bees and their nests were collected from the region of Liege, in Belgium (1964).
EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENTLY PROCESSED SWEET SORGHUM BAGASSE BASED COMPLETE RATIONS ON FEEDING BEHAVIOUR, MILK PRODUCTION AND COST ECONOMICS IN GRADED MURRAH BUFFALOES

The effect of feeding differently processed sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) moench) bagasse (SSB) based complete rations on feeding behaviour, milk production and cost economics was studied in 24 lactating graded Murrah buffaloes distributed into four experimental groups of six buffaloes each in a completely randomized design. Experimental complete rations were formulated with SSB and concentrate (50:50) and processed into SSB chopped and concentrate (SSBC), mash (SSBM) and expander extruder pellets (SSBP). The control ration was sorghum straw based complete feed mash (SSM). The eating, rumination and total chewing time (min/d, min/kg DMI and min/kg NDFI) and number of chews for eating, rumination and total chewing (per d, per kg DMI and per kg NDFI) were signifi cantly (P<0.01) higher in the buffaloes fed the SSBC ration and signifi cantly (P<0.01) lower in buffaloes fed the SSBP ration and comparable among SSBM and SSM rations. The milk yield, 6% fat corrected milk (FCM) yield (kg/d) and total solids, solids not fat (SNF), milk fat and protein yield (g/d) were signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher in buffaloes fed SSBP ration and not signifi cant among SSBC, SSBM and SSM rations. The feed conversion ratio (kg/kg milk yield and kg/kg FCM yield) and cost of feed ( ) per kg milk yield and per kg FCM yield was signifi cantly (P<0.05) lower in the buffaloes fed the SSBP ration compared to the SSBC, SSBM and SSM rations, while the difference was not signifi cant among SSBC, SSBM and SSM rations. Hence, SSB can be used as an alternative roughage source to sorghum straw economically in ruminant rations.
Seasonal patterns of persistence and infectivity of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum in grasshopper cadavers in the Sahel

Field‐based experiments were conducted to evaluate the fate and infectivity of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) in grasshopper cadavers in the Sahel. Unlike uninfected cadavers, which were rapidly scavenged, those infected with the fungus persisted in the environment for a number of weeks. The environmental factor most associated with cadaver disappearance was rainfall. The high environmental humidity associated with rainfall was also required for sporulation of the fungus on host cadavers, although the likelihood of sporulation differed between microsites. Characteristics of the infection profile from infective cadavers were investigated by the sequential exposure of uninfected hosts to sporulating cadavers in field cages. This experiment revealed that cadavers remained infective for > 30 days, with the net infectivity changing through time. The most likely explanation for these changes is climatic influences on both the fungus and host. High humidity was not required for infection. A measurement of the transmission coefficient between healthy hosts and sporulating cadavers in the field was obtained at a realistic density of infectious cadavers. This revealed a figure of 0.45 m2 day−1. Overall, these experiments show that following host death, M. anisopliae var. acridum can be persistent in the environment, sporulate on host cadavers and reinfect new hosts at a realistically low field density, although at least in arid or semi‐arid areas, rainfall may be critical to the horizontal transmission of this pathogen.
Habitat configuration, species traits and plant distributions

1 In a metapopulation context, the distribution of a species in a patchy landscape is interpreted as the equilibrium outcome of extinction and colonization processes. Populations are thus more likely to occur in larger, better connected habitat fragments. 2 To test whether metapopulation models explain distribution patterns of plant species with different life histories we investigated the incidence of herbaceous species in deciduous forests in four provinces of south Sweden. 3 These data were correlated with habitat quality (soil pH, nitrogen mineralization and organic matter) and habitat configuration (patch area and distance to the nearest deciduous forest patch). We also examined whether habitat configuration affected the distribution of species with different life history attributes. 4 All ground layer plant species at 81 sites were recorded, and distribution patterns of 57 species were tested against seed mass, seed number, presence of a seed bank, plant height, life span, mode of pollination, dispersal mode and habitat preference. 5 Habitat quality, especially pH, was more important for the incidence of species than habitat configuration with patch area and isolation significantly affecting only 11 and four species, respectively. Species favoured by larger area were also disadvantaged by greater isolation. 6 The importance of habitat configuration to a species varied with life history. Species that were more negatively affected by patch isolation tended to be habitat specialists and clonal perennials and to produce fewer seeds. Animal‐dispersed species were more negatively affected by small stand size. 7 Habitat configuration may be less important for vascular plant distributions than habitat quality or the effects of land use history.
The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Vitamin D has been suggested to affect peripheral insulin sensitivity. Evidence regarding the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity is still conflicting. PURPOSE This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity in humans with or at risk for insulin resistance. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1980 until 31 December 2018 reporting treatment effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity. DATA EXTRACTION The main outcome of interest was the change in insulin sensitivity, derived from the gold standard hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp or the Matsuda index derived from the oral glucose tolerance test and insulin sensitivity index from intravenous glucose tolerance test. We extracted data on the standardized mean difference between the vitamin D treatment and placebo groups in change from baseline insulin sensitivity. DATA SYNTHESIS Eighteen RCTs were included in this meta-analysis comparing vitamin D supplementation (n = 612) with placebo (n = 608). Vitamin D supplementation had no effect on insulin sensitivity (standardized mean difference −0.01, 95% CI −0.12, 0.10; P = 0.87, I2 = 0%). Visual inspection of funnel plot symmetry did not suggest potential publication bias. LIMITATIONS The number of individuals who participated in the included studies was relatively small, possibly due to the invasive character of the measurement (e.g., clamp). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis provides no evidence that vitamin D supplementation has a beneficial effect on peripheral insulin sensitivity in people with or at risk for insulin resistance.
The transmission of Spirochaeta duttoni

(1) About 30% of the O. moubata from Uganda have been found to be immune to infection with S. duttoni. (2) When infected ticks are kept at ordinary temperatures (about 21°C). the following parts of the body are found to harbour the infection :—gut + contents, sexual organs, Malpighian tubules, excrement. The following parts were found to be uninfective:—salivary glands, coxal fluid. (3) When infected ticks are kept at a temperature of about 35°C. for two or three days previous to dissection, all the organs of the body, including the salivary glands, are found to be infective. Moreover the incubation periods that elapse before the appearance of spirochaetes in the injected mice are shorter than in the case of the corresponding experiments with ticks that had not been kept at a high temperature. (4) No spirochaetes have been detected in any of the organs of infected ticks that had been kept at a temperature of about 21°C. When a tick ingests blood containing spirochaetes, the latter persist in the lumen of the gut for periods varying from a few days up to as long as four weeks; usually, however, they disappear from the gut in the course of nine or ten days. (5) When infected ticks are heated to a temperature of 35°C. for two or three days, spirochaetes reappear in the lumen of the gut, and also appear in all the organs of the tick, and in the coelomic fluid. (6) The spirochaetal infection that may follow the bite of an infected O. moubata results from the entrance of the infective material, excreted by the tick whilst feeding, into the open wound caused by the tick's bite. It is not the result of the inoculation of infective material from the salivary glands.
Age‐specific reproductive performance in red‐billed choughs Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax: patterns and processes in a natural population

Summary 1. Using data from a 20-year study of individually marked red-billed choughs, we examine how reproductive performance varies with age in male and female breeders, and investigate whether population-level trends result from changes in individual performance and/or the phenotypic composition of the breeding population. 2. Across the population, mean clutch size, the probability of breeding successfully and the number of offspring fledged during successful attempts increased and then declined with female age. Male age did not explain a significant proportion of the residual variation. 3. All three measures of reproductive performance improved and then declined with age within individual females. 4. Females that died young laid relatively small clutches and fledged few offspring before death. Thus mean performance improved across young age classes partly because some poor breeders were absent from older age classes. 5. Females that ultimately reached the greatest ages had laid small clutches and fledged few offspring during their first few breeding attempts. Females that were more productive when they were young had relatively shorter lives. These data indicate a trade-off between early reproduction and future survival in choughs, and suggest that individuals that reach old age are phenotypically distinct from an early stage in their breeding lives. 6. We emphasize that age-specific changes in mean reproductive performance observed across wild populations are due to a complex interplay between improvement and senescence at the individual level, as well as changes in the phenotypic composition of the breeding population.
Isolation and characterization of a cDNA coding cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase, VuCIPK1

We isolated a calcineurin B-like protein (CBL)-interacting protein kinase (EC 2.7.11.1) homolog (VuCIPK1) from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ) with significant similarity to AtCIPK3 (86% amino acid identity), which is involved in Ktransport. VuCIPK1 mRNA was detected in the whole plant by RT-PCR. Any significant change in VuCIPK1 mRNA levels was not detected when cowpea was subjected to various environmental stresses. Immunoblot assay with an anti-VuCIPK1 specific antibody and an anti-CBL antibody showed that immunologically CIPK- and CBL-related polypeptides were preferentially associated with membrane fractions of cowpea. The anti-VuCIPK1 antibody cross-reacted to two different CIPK-related polypeptides with relative molecular masses of 51 kDa in root and 55 kDa in mature leaf. Immunoprecipitation assay by anti-VuCIPK1 antibody using cowpea leaf extracts showed that endogenous VuCIPK1 was autophosphorylated on the threonine residues in response to salt stress. The recombinant VuCIPK1 phosphorylated casein in the presence of Mn 2� . These observations suggest that membrane-associated VuCIPK1 is involved osmotic stress- activated kinase regulated by its phosphorylation status.