Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey on the Occurrence of Apple Diseases in Korea from 1992 to 2000

In the survey from 1992 to 2000, twenty-eight parasitic diseases were observed in major apple producing areas in Korea. The predominant apple diseases were white rot (Botryosphaeria dothidea), Marssonina blotch (Marssonina mali), Valsa canker (Valsa ceratosperma), Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria mali), and bitter rot (Collectotrichum gloeosporioides and C. acutatum). Apple scab that reappeared in 1990 after disappearance for 15 years was disappeared again since 1997. A viroid disease (caused by apple scar skin viroid) was newly found in this survey. The five diseases, fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), black rot (Botryosphaeria obtusa), scab (Cladosporium carpophilum), Monochaetia twig blight (Monochaetia sp.), and brown leaf spot (Hendersonia mali), which had once described in 1928 but no further reports on their occurrence, were not found in this survey. However, blossom blight (Monilinia mali), brown rot (Monilinia fructigena), and pink rot (Trichothecium roseum), which did not occur on apple after mid 1970s, were found in this survey.
Distributions of model microorganisms along an estuarine gradient

Microbial ecology is the younger sub-discipline of ecology, but its scope is clearly immense. Microorganisms’ specificities represent a major hurdle to the application of traditional ecological approaches. Recently, the opportunity to apply ecological principles to microorganisms was suggested. It is assumed that existing principles might apply, but that they are probably also driven by specific principles. Microorganisms have varying metabolic abilities and are classified as generalists or specialists. We hypothesised that contrasting metabolic properties may drive genotypic distribution. Model generalist and specialist genera were selected and distribution patterns along the salinity gradient of the River Colne estuary studied. Two models were studied in detail, Desulfobulbus a versatile sulphate-reducing bacterial (SRB) genus and Methanosaeta, a strict aceticlastic methanogenic archaea (MA). Isolation of Methanosaeta was attempted in order to link phenotypes to genotypic distribution. Two other models were also studied: Methanosarcina the most versatile MA genus and Desulfobacter a metabolically restricted SRB genus. Denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) and clone libraries analyses were used to determine genotypic distribution patterns. Methanosaeta have proven to be highly recalcitrant to isolation. Adjustments to commonly used anaerobic culturing methods allowed the obtention of Methanosaeta colonies. In contrast to previous studies, colonies were successfully transferred into liquid medium, and growth of pure clonal cultures confirmed. Desulfobulbus genotypic distribution pattern was previously shown to be sequential along the estuary. Contrastingly, Methanosaeta genotypic distribution pattern was found to be monotonic. Furthermore, active genotypes distribution was also found monotonic, with an apparent general increase in activity with decreasing salinity. Distribution patterns of the four different genera confirmed this trend. The generalists were both shown to have sequential distribution patterns. Contrastingly, the specialists were both shown to have monotonic distribution patterns. These results confirm the hypothesis that genotypic distribution patterns microbial communities structure are strongly driven by microorganisms’ metabolic properties and adaptative potential.
Daily Activity Related Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Adults

Abstract: Background: The significant reason for anguish as well as incapacity is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Activities of daily living might be relentlessly curbed among patients with COPD and appraisal needs evaluation regarding influence of infirmity and detriments on day-to-day living. The primary objective was to know the daily activity associated quality of life in COPD adults. The secondary objective was to analyze demographical profile, such as gender and age of COPD subjects as well as evaluate the physical activity related breathlessness in COPD patients. Methodology: This study was executed at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital. We used cross sectional study design to collect the data. For collecting the statistics of 150 subjects aged 40-60 years of either gender Saint George’s Questionnaire was liable. It included the patient’s biodata, effect of COPD on physical activities and limitations in routine work. Results: The ages of 150 COPD patients selected were between 40 and 60 years. Patients were classified into two categories on the basis of disease severity according to GOLD criteria 71 (47.3%) were with moderate severity and 79 (52.7%) were with severe severity. 113 (75.3%) patients were smokers while 37 (24.7%) patients were non-smokers. 110 (73.3%) COPD patients were active smokers in comparison 40 (26.7%) COPD patients were passive smokers. COPD patients with current smoking status were 79 (52.7%) and with past smoking status were 71 (47.3%). 19 (12.7%) COPD patients felt breathlessness while sitting and lying. 53(35.3%) COPD patients felt breathless while getting washed or dressed. 85(56.7%) COPD patients felt breathless while walking around the home. 114 (96%) COPD patients discerned breathlessness while walking up a flight of stairs. 145 (96.7%) COPD patients had breathlessness while playing sports or games. 146 (97.3%) COPD patients experienced difficulty in breathing during activities like carrying load. 88 (58.7%) COPD patients discerned breathlessness during entertainment or recreation. 88 (58.7%) COPD patients discerned breathlessness during entertainment or recreation. 7 (4.7%) COPD patients felt breathlessness while moving from bed or chair. Conclusion: As with the progression of COPD impairment in activities become worse due to breathlessness causing decline in patient’s ability making them unable to complete their task to fulfill the needs of life and ultimately become bed bound due to shortness of breath.
How did farmers act? Ex-post validation of linear and positive mathematical programming approaches for farm-level models implemented in an agent-based agricultural sector model

This study evaluates linear programming (LP) and positive mathematical programming (PMP) approaches for 3,400 farm-level models implemented in the SWISSland agent-based agricultural sector model. To overcome limitations of PMP regarding the modelling of investment decisions, we further investigated whether the forecasting performance of farm-level models could be improved by applying LP to animal production activities only, where investment in new sectors plays a major role, while applying PMP to crop production activities. The database used is the Swiss Farm Accountancy Data Network. Ex-post evaluation was performed for the period from 2005 to 2012, with the 2003-2005 three-year average as a base year. We found that PMP applied to crop production activities improves the forecasting performance of farm-level models compared to LP. Combining PMP for crop production activities with LP for modelling investment decisions in new livestock sectors improves the forecasting performance compared to PMP for both crop and animal production activities, especially in the medium and long term. For short-term forecasts, PMP for all production activities and PMP combined with LP for animal production activities produce similar results.
La réorganisation de la chromatine au cours de la spermatogénèse

Au cours de la spermiogenese, une reorganisation tres importante de la chromatine se produit : la quasi-totalite des histones sont progressivement enlevees et remplacees par des proteines de transition puis par des protamines. Mon travail de these a alors consister a caracteriser l'organisation finale de cette chromatine dans les spermatozoides ainsi que les mecanismes mis en jeu. Nos resultats montrent pour la premiere fois l'existence, dans les spermatides condensees de souris, de structures nucleoproteiques contenant l'histone testiculaire TH2B ainsi que de nouveaux variants d'histones identifies au laboratoire. De plus, ces structures organisent de maniere preferentielle l'heterochromatine pericentromerique de ces cellules. Cette reorganisation impliquerait la proteine chaperonne NAP1L4, qui pourrait etre ciblee sur la chromatine en interagissant avec les queues N-terminales des histones H3. D'autres regions particulieres du genome pourraient etre la cible de la reorganisation differentielle de la chromatine par ces structures, permettant de les differencier du reste du genome et constituant ainsi le support d'une information epigenetique mâle transmise lors de la fecondation. L'analyse des proteines presentes dans les cellules germinales nous a egalement permis d'identifier deux autres proteines, HMGB4 et FYTTD1, qui ne semblent pas impliques dans le processus de reorganisation de la chromatine dans les stades tardifs de la spermiogenese. Neanmoins, le role potentiel de FYTTD1 dans le phenomene de maturation des ARN, ces derniers pouvant etre un autre support de l'information epigenetique, pourrait s'averer etre un nouveau champ d'investigations tres interessant.
Effects of Biochemical and Mechanical Signals on Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose Stem Cells in Vitro

4 Tiivistelmä . 6 Abbreviations . 8 Original publications . 10 1. Introduction . 14 2. Literature review . 17 2.1 Stem cells . 17 2.2 Mesenchymal stem cells . 20 2.3 Adipose stem cells . 21 2.4 Culture of adipose stem cells. 23 2.4. 1 Standard cell culture of adipose stem cells . 23 2.4. 2 Adipose stem cells for clinical use . 24 2.4. 2.1 Serum-free medium . 25 2.4. 2.2 Good manufacturing practice . 26 2.4. 2.3 Patent landscape in the field of stem cell research . 27 2.5 Characterization of adipose stem cells . 29 2.5. 1 Surface marker expression . 29 2.5. 2 Adipose stem cell heterogeneity . 30 2.5. 3 Differentiation potential . 31 2.5. 3.1 Adipogenic differentiation . 32 2.5. 3.2 Chondrogenic differentiation . 33 2.5. 3.3 Differentiation towards other lineages . 35 2.6 Osteogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells . 35 2.6. 1 Osteogenic medium . 37 2.6. 2 Growth factors . 39 2.6. 2.1 Bone morphogenetic proteins . 39 2.6. 2.2 Vascular endothelial growth factor . 42 2.6. 3 Mechanical stimulation . 44 2.7 Biomaterials for bone tissue engineering . 46
Cell Behavior and the Role of Profilin

Proliferation and fusion of myoblasts are needed for the generation and repair of multinucleated skeletal muscle fibers in vivo. Studies of myocyte differentiation, cell fusion, and muscle repair are limited by an appropriate in vitro muscle cell culture system. We developed a novel cell culture technique [two-dimensional muscle syncytia (2DMS) technique] that results in formation of myotubes, organized in parallel much like the arrangement in muscle tissue. This technique is based on UV lithography-produced micro-patterned glass on which conventionally cultured C2C12 myoblasts proliferate, align, and fuse to neatly arranged contractile myotubes in parallel arrays. Combining this technique with fluorescent microscopy, we observed alignment of actin filament bundles and a peri-nuclear distribution of glucose transporter 4 after myotube formation. Newly formed myotubes contained adjacently located MyoD-positive and MyoD-negative nuclei, suggesting fusion of MyoD-positive and MyoD-negative cells. In comparison, the closely related myogenic factor Myf5 did not exhibit this pattern of distribution. Furthermore, cytoplasmic patches of MyoD colocalized with bundles of filamentous actin near myotube nuclei. At later stages of differentiation, all nuclei in the myotubes were MyoD negative. The 2DMS system is thus a useful tool for studies on muscle alignment, differentiation, fusion, and subcellular protein localization.
Assessment of the Effects of Interactions between Climatic Conditions and Genetic Characteristics on the Agronomic Traits of Soybeans Grown in Six Different Experimental Fields

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] is a species of legume native to East Asia. The interactions between climatic conditions and genetic characteristics are known to affect the agricultural performance of soybean. Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to identify the main elements affecting the agricultural performances of 11 soybean varieties/lines from China [Harbin (45°12′N), Yanji (42°53′N), Dalian (39°30′N), Qingdao (36°26′N)] and the Republic of Korea [Suwon (37°16′N), and Jeonju (35°49′N)]. The days to flowering (DTF) of soybeans with the e1-nf and e1-as alleles and the E1e2e3e4 genotype, except in ‘Keumgangkong’, ‘Tawonkong’, and ‘Duyoukong’, were relatively short compared to those of soybeans with other alleles. Although DTF of the soybeans was highly correlated with all climatic conditions [negative: precipitation, average temperature (AVT), accumulated temperature; positive: day-length (DL)], days to maturity and 100-seed weight of the soybeans showed no significant correlation with any climatic conditions. The soybeans with a dominant Dt1 allele, except ‘Tawonkong’, had the longest stem length (STL). Moreover, STL of the soybeans grown in the test fields showed a positive correlation with only DL; however, the results of our chamber test that was conducted to complement the field tests showed that STL of soybean was positively affected by AVT and DL. Although soybean yield (YLD) showed positive correlations with latitude and DL (except L62-667, OT89-5, and OT89-6), the response of YLD to the climatic conditions was cultivar-specific. Our results show that DTF and STL of soybeans grown in six different latitudes are highly affected by DL, and AVT and genetic characteristic also affect DTF and STL.
Potencial antimicrobiano de extratos etanólicos de plantas frente a bacilos gram negativos isolados da mucosa cérvico-vaginal de ovelhas criadas na região de Petrolina-PE

Reproductive tract infections are the main causes of losses from the low reproductive efficiency of sheep. Gram negative bacilli belonging to the normal flora of the genital region can trigger diseases. The pathogenicity of these agents is expressed when females are with weakened immune system, either by food or stress management. Flaws in and concern about antibiotic residues in animal production have prompted research regarding alternatives for the treatment of diseases. The herbal medicine has been considered in this context is the subject of numerous studies. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of ethanol extracts of plants belonging to the flora of the Northeast against gram negative bacilli isolated from cervical-vaginal mucosa of sheep. Six plants were selected from Caatinga biome: Encholirium spectabile, Bromelia laciniosa, Neoglaziovia variegata, Amburana cearensis Hymenaea martiana and Selaginella convoluta . The plant material was processed to obtain the crude extract. This was tested by microdilution plate and determining the minimum bactericidal concentration, the second document of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the extracts diluted in water and alcohol. We used 43 gram negative isolates, as follows: 14 E. coli , 10 Enterobacter spp. , 10 Acinetobacter spp. 9 and Klebsiella spp. In the aqueous dilution Klebsiella spp. showed response only to species B. laciniosa , S . convoluta and H. martiana . All tested extracts showed antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter spp and no activity against E. coli and Enterobacter spp. Among the extracts diluted in water H. martiana showed the highest antibacterial activity. In all dilution alcoholic extracts showed inhibitory activity against all bacterial genera, but no statistical difference between them.
Thymus Medulla Formation and Central Tolerance Are Restored in IKKα−/− Mice That Express an IKKα Transgene in Keratin 5+ Thymic Epithelial Cells1

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play an essential role in establishing central tolerance due to their unique capacity to present a diverse array of tissue restricted Ags that induce clonal deletion of self-reactive thymocytes. One mTEC subset expresses keratin 5 (K5) and K14, but fails to bind Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1) lectin. A distinct mTEC subset binds UEA-1 and expresses K8, but not K5 or K14. Development of both mTEC subsets requires activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. In this study, we show that mTEC development is severely impaired and autoimmune manifestations occur in mice that are deficient in IκB kinase (IKK)α, a required intermediate in the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Introduction of an IKKα transgene driven by a K5 promoter restores the K5+K14+ mTEC subset in IKKα−/− mice. Unexpectedly, the K5-IKKα transgene also rescues the UEA-1 binding mTEC subset even though K5 expression is not detectable in these cells. In addition, expression of the K5-IKKα transgene ameliorates autoimmune symptoms in IKKα−/− mice. These data suggest that 1) medulla formation and central tolerance depend on activating the alternative NF-κB signaling pathway selectively in K5-expressing mTECs and 2) the K5-expressing subset either contains immediate precursors of UEA-1 binding cells or indirectly induces their development.
Goat/fish integrated farming in the Philippines.

tems of North Kerian, Perak, Malaysia. In: Agricultural and Biological Research Priorities in Asia. Singh, M.M. (ed.). Inter. Found. Sci. & Malay. Sci. Assoc. , Kuala Lumpur, p. 17-20. 16. Boyd, C.E. 1979. Water Quality in Warm Water Fish Ponds. Agric. Exp. Stat., Auburn Univ., Auburn, Alabama. 17. Boyd, C.E. 1974. Water quality in catfish ponds. Ala. J. Mar. Sci. 2, 19-30. 18. Zeller, H.D. 1952. Nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in fertilised and unfertilised farm ponds in Central Missouri. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 82, 281-288. 19. Ali, A.B. 1988. The impact of aquatic weeds on primary and secondary productivity in the captural method of rice-fish farming system. In: Proc. Sec. Trop. Weed Sci. Conf. Dec. 6-10, 1988, Phuket, Thailand, p. 115-127. 20. Ali, A.B. Seasonal dynamics of microcrustaceans and rotifer communities in Malaysian rice fields used for rice-fish farming. Hydrobiologia. (In press). 21. Lim, R.P., Abdullah, M.F. and Fernando, C.H. 1984. Ecological studies of cladoceran in the rice fields of Tanjung Karang, Malaysia, subjected to pesticide treatments. Hydrobiologia 113, 99-103. 22. Lemly, A.D. and Dimmick, J.F. 1982. Growth of young-of-the year and yearling centrarchids in relation to zooplankton in the littoral zone of lakes. Copeia 1982, 305-321. 23. Ali, A.B. 1988. Some ecological aspects of snakeskin gouramy, Trichogaster pectoralis (Regan) populations harvested from rice field fish culture system. Indo-Malay. Zool. 5, 101-110. 24. Arce, R.G. and Cagauan, A.G. 1988. Overview of Pesticides use in Rice Fish Farming in Southeast Asia. Paper presented at the Inter. Rice-Fish Farm. Sys. Worksh. , 1988, March 21-25, Ubon, Thailand. 25. Kim, S.C. and Moody K. 1983. Minimum sampling size and minimum quadrad number for weed data collection in transplanted rice. J. Korean Soc. Crop Sci. 28, 319-322. 26. Swingle, H.S. 1950. Relationships and dynamics of balanced fish populations. Bull. No. 274, Ala. Poly. Inst. , Agric. Exp. Stat., Auburn, Alabama. 27. Acknowledgement: International Foundation for Science (IFS) provided a grant for the study, whereas the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia provided the research and other ancillary facilities. 0 Ahyaudin B. Ali is a Fulbright Scholar I and an associate professor of Aquaj culture and Fisheries at the Universig ty of Science Malaysia, Penang, MaI laysia. He is active in aquaculture < and fisheries research especially in 0 the area of rural agrarian develop0 ment. He received a grant from the IFS in 1985. His current research acj tivities are in the areas of integrated aquaculture-agriculture, on-farm S aquaculture research and technology g transfer, and the state of inland artih sanal freshwater fisheries of Malaysia. His address: School of Biological i Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, g1 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
The export performance of the euro area: A panel quantile regression approach

This paper examines the impact of relevant factors on merchandise exports, volume growth, and the competitiveness of euro-area countries. It uses panel regressions to explain the development of merchandise exports in the euro-area countries by various price/cost competitiveness indicators, development of foreign and domestic demand, and the structure of merchandise exports. A cointegration analysis of panel time series was established by applying econometric tests and the cointegration equation for the period 1999-2018 was estimated using FMOLS (Fully Modified OLS) and DOLS (Dynamic OLS) estimators. We show that the increase in the share of information communication technology (ICT) product exports in the total merchandise exports of euro-area members had a positive impact on their export performance. The empirical results show that foreign demand has a positive impact on real merchandise exports, while the estimated coefficients decreased from the lower to upper quantiles. The results regarding price and cost competitiveness differ depending on the choice of indicators, but in general they are less robust. Therefore, we conclude that in the long run, non-price factors will play an increasingly important role in strengthening the competitive position of euro-area countries in international markets.
Screening of genotypes through correlation and path co-efficient analysis in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.).

The present study was carried out during 2008 at the experimental field of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu. To find out the association between various quantitative traits, an experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice with 30 germplasm of marigold collected from different southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Observations were recorded for nine characters. Obviously the genotypic correlation coefficients were generally higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients. The flower yield per plant exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with number of flowers per plant, number of laterals per plant, flower head size, stem girth, plant height, xanthophyll content and dry matter production. On other hand the trait, days to first flowering exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with flower yield per plant. Among the characters studied the number of flowers per plant had maximum positive direct effect towards flower yield per plant, where as number of laterals per plant showed maximum indirect effect via number of flowers per plant.
Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Italy: An Analysis of the Last Years

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) is the process of communicating the social, ethical and environmental effects of organizations’ economic actions. It is a formal commitment to inform and involve stakeholders with an adequate flow of communication through suitable channels, focusing on relevant content. The aim is to study voluntary disclosure implemented by Italian listed companies in the last 9 years (2008-2016). The empirical survey covers data and information on 165 companies. We have analysed: 1) the extent of CSRD in Italy; 2) the characteristics of voluntary disclosure in terms of type of report published and guidelines or standards followed; 3) the main differences between the industrial sectors about the publication of non-financial reports and the types of report used. Our findings show a significant improvement in the practice of voluntary disclosure of Italian listed companies and a key role of industry in decisions regarding the quantity and quality of non-financial disclosure. The value of this research concern in the wide (in time, through the last nine years, and in space, through the different industries) point of view through which is investigated the phenomenon of CSRD in Italy before the shift from a voluntary to a legislative perspective.