Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOB GRAZING, FROM PEOPLE TO PASTURES: WEED BIOLOGY, PASTURE PRODUCTIVITY, AND FARMER PERCEPTION AND ADOPTION

Canada thistle infestations can negatively affect pasture-based livestock systems by reducing forage production and utilization. Herbicides effectively suppress Canada thistle but also injure forage legumes, an important component in Midwestern pastures. Further, producers working in organic production systems don’t have access to chemical control and therefore need alternative suppression strategies. This study compared the efficacy of a fall herbicide application followed by rotational grazing; two mob grazing treatments (one year followed by rotational grazing and two consecutive years); and a rotationally grazed control on Canada thistle density and the resulting forage production and utilization. Rotationally grazed treatments were grazed 3-4 times and Mob grazed plots were grazed twice, once in the spring and once in the fall, in 2012 and 2013. Herbicide application followed by two years of rotational grazing was the most effective treatment across both years and all sites with substantial control lasting two years. By spring 2014,
Species status of Incisitermes spp. (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Japan

The species status of Japanese populations of Incisitermes immigrans from Iwo and Minami Daito Islands was examined using mitochondrial 16S molecular barcode sequences. The molecular sequences of these two populations were compared to those of other Incisitermes spp. deposited in the GenBank database using a maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis. This analysis suggested that the Minami Daito population is indeed I. schwarzi, as suspected previously, while the sequence of the Iwo Island population was identical to that of authentic I. immigrans. In addition to I. minor, which is recorded from middle and southern Japan, the presence of three Incisitermes species in Japan was confirmed.
Dispersal by generalist frugivores affects management of an invasive plant

In the past century, our understanding of the processes driving plant invasion and its consequences for natural and anthropogenic systems has increased considerably. However, the management of invasive plants remains a challenge despite ever more resources being allocated to their removal. Often invasive plants targeted for ‘eradication’ are well‐established, have multiple modes of reproduction, long‐term seed banks, and strong associations with native and non‐native mutualists that ensure dispersal and facilitate spread. The pantropical weed, Lantana camara (Lantana), is one of the most invasive woody plants globally. We illustrate that, for Lantana, eradication is an unrealistic management goal given the short‐term removal approaches, irrespective of the effectiveness of removal methods. We assessed the role of dispersal by avian frugivores in the recolonization of managed areas by Lantana in the seasonally dry, tropical forests of northern and southern India. We estimated the distribution of Lantana, its dispersal potential and the proximity between managed areas and source populations. We found that Lantana was dispersed by many generalist frugivorous birds and that most managed areas were well within the median dispersal distance from source plants facilitating rapid recolonization of managed areas. We conclude that given the difficulty of eradicating long‐established invasive plants, management practices should entail long‐term monitoring and control in priority areas for as long as Lantana occurs in the landscape.
Cyathus (Gasteromycetes) in areas of the Brazilian Cerrado Region, Sao Paulo state

A survey on Cyathus (Gasteromycetes, Nidulariales), occurring on cerrado region in State of Sao Paulo (Brazil), was undertaken from November/1998 to April/2000, mostly in the rainy seasons. Several specimens belonging to nine species were identified: Cyathus berkeleyanus, C. limbatus, C. montagnei, C. olla, C. pallidus, C. poeppigii, C. stercoreus, C. striates and C. triplex. C. olla and C. triplex, represent first records from Brazil. Descriptions of the macro and microscopic features from these Cyathus species are given including taxonomic and some ecological data. A key to the species is also presented.
Embryonic development of kidneys in viviparous Typhlonectes compressicauda (Amphibia, Gymnophiona)

The embryonic development of organs within Gymnophiona is still poorly known. In Typhlonectes compressicauda, a caecilian amphibian expressing a derived viviparous reproductive mode, development can be divided into 34 stages and is characterized by a metamorphosis occurring between stages 30 and 33. At stages 18-19, Wolffian ducts appear in the anterior part of the embryo. At stage 23, a pair of pronephric kidneys is clearly visible with several nephrostomes that empty into the coelomic cavity. At stage 30, pronephroi that were observed at the level of the second and fifth vertebrae are now observed between the 24th and 28th vertebrae. At this stage, several mesonephric tubules appear between the 29th and 32nd vertebrae, and mesonephric tissue is observed in the posterior part of the body. At stage 31, pronephroi begin to disappear. The mesonephroi have now proximal and distal tubules. At stages 32-33, two mesonephroi are visible as a pair of lengthened layers, representing the definitive kidneys.
Implementation of the lake parameterisation scheme FLake into the numerical weather prediction model COSMO

The application of the lake model FLake to represent the effect of lakes in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate models is discussed. As a lake parameterisation scheme FLake is implemented into the limited-area NWP model COSMO. Results from a numerical experiment with the coupled COSMO-FLake system, including the complete COSMO-model data assimilation cycle, indicate a good performance with respect to the lake surface temperature and to the freeze-up of lakes and the ice break-up. The use of FLake removes a significant overestimation of the lake surface temperature during winter that is typical of the routine COSMO sea surface temperature analysis. Some challenging issues are discussed, such as the development of external-parameter fields and the lake temperature spin-up following a cold start of FLake in an NWP or climate model.
Étude des communautés de Monogènes Dactylogyridae parasites des Cyprinidae du lac Mikri Prespa (Nord de la Grèce). Description de trois nouvelles espèces chez un Barbus endémique : Barbus cyclolepis prespensis Karaman, 1924

Nous decrivons 17 especes de Monogenes Dactylogyridae parasites des Cyprinides du lac Mikri Prespa, en Grece : 14 especes ont deja ete signalees en milieu mediterraneen ; 3 especes nouvelles ont ete recoltees sur un Barbus endemique Barbus cyclolepis prespensis : Dactylogyrus balkanicus n. sp. , Dactylogyrus crivellius n. sp. , Dactylogyrus prespensis n. sp.Nous discutons pour ces communautes de Dactylogyrus des problemes de specificite parasitaire, de speciation et de biogeographie. La mise en evidence de types morphologiques suggere pour D. crivellius et D. prespensis une speciation allopatrique et pour D. balkanicus une speciation sympatrique synxenique.
Lipopolysaccharide stimulates the expression of pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA in chicken macrophages, as demonstrated with a competitive polymerase chain reaction

The goal of the present study was to develop a competitive PCR assay to measure changes in the expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in myelomonocytic HD11 cells after Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA could be detected in HD11 cells by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a POMC mRNA transcript in avian macrophages. Based on this observation, the effect of stimulation with bacterial LPS on the POMC expression in HD1 cells was investigated by means of a competitive PCR assay. For this purpose, the HD 11 cells received a one-hour LPS challenge with LPS concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 ng/ml. A PCR MIMIC (consisting of a heterologous DNA fragment flanked by templates for the gene-specific primers) was used as an internal control in the competitive PCR assay. A ten-fold dilution series of the MIMIC was co-amplified with a constant amount of experimental cDNA. While HD11 POMC mRNA expression showed an increase of one order of magnitude following treatment with 100 ng/ml LPS as compared with untreated controls, no significant differences could be observed after treatment with 50 and 10 ng/ml LPS. Quantitative measurement of POMC mRNA levels is a first step towards a better understanding of the physiological role of non-hypophysial POMC-derived peptides in the response to immune stress in birds.
Effect of heating nest boxes on egg laying in the blue tit (Parus caeruleus)

ABsTRAcr. -Nest boxes of Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) were heated from the time that nests were completed and lined (a few days before the first egg appeared) until several days after the completion of the clutch. Night-light candles placed underneath the box increased the temperature of the air in the nest box by an average of 6? C. The calculated energy savings for an average Blue Tit roosting one night in a heated nest was 0.768 Kcal, which is estimated to be equivalent to 35% of the cost of producing an egg. The percentage of nests that showed an interruption in the laying sequence was significantly lower in heated nests than in control nests. Minimum ambient temperature four and five days before these interruptions occurred was a significant factor in explaining their frequency, indicating that this is a critical period in egg production. In addition, five of six interruptions in heated nests occurred after a night when the candle was extinguished by wind, suggesting that unpredicted low temperatures on the night before laying also may affect egg laying. Received 6 January 1992, accepted 29 July 1992.
The Selection Strategy for Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Isolation and Enumeration: Technical Features, Methods, and Clinical Applications

The key aim of the proposed chapter is to provide readers a brief description for the most important parts of the field of circulating tumor cells (CTCs): the core techni‐ ques, including negative and positive selection‐based CTC isolation, and the differen‐ ces between them. Most importantly, we will also review the clinical applications and important findings in clinical trials. The evidence‐based review will not only help clinicians use CTCs to predict recurrence and foresee the disease‐related outcomes but also to inspire the researchers in this field to conduct further investigations. Higher CTC detection rates were obtained with the AdnaTest approach when using for CTC‐ enrichment antibodies against ERBB2 and EGFR in addition to MUC1 and the classical epithelial surface marker EPCAM (13% versus 48%). When the physical properties of tumor cells were exploited, CTCs were detected at higher percentages than with positive‐selection‐ based methods. The results supported that different approaches for CTC detection probably identify distinct tumor cell subpopulations. Technical standardization before clinical validity would be the most urgent issue we have to solve.
A new look at Parmotrema madagascariaceum and P. xanthinum in North America1

Abstract Species delimitation in foliose macrolichens has long been dominated by chemotaxonomy, resulting in many examples of seemingly morphologically identical species that differ only in the secondary metabolites they produce. This study examines two such species that are widespread in southeastern North America: Parmotrema madagascariaceum (Hue) Hale and Parmotrema xanthinum (Müll. Arg.) Hale. Drawing on data from biogeography, chemistry, morphology, and molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer sequence data, the two species are treated as conspecific. A taxonomic treatment is presented along with a discussion of previous studies that have examined the delimitation of species that differ only in the presence or absence of compounds that are accessories in addition to a primary set of substances present in both species.
Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of red wines in relationship to their phenolic content

The antioxidant activity of 20 red wines (12 young wines and 7 one-year-old wines) was measured by two in vitro assays: the inhibition of coupled oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid mixture and the free radical scavenger activity using 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*). Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins of wines were determined spectrophotometrically; individual phenolic compounds were also determined by HPLC. The antioxidant activity of the wines was correlated to their phenolic composition: correlation models showed that the antioxidant activity (evaluated by both methods and expressed as I 50 ) was related to the total phenolics and total flavonoids by a non-linear correlation, while linear correlations were observed if the reciprocal of the I 50 values were considered. Non-significant correlations were found between the antioxidant activity and total anthocyanins or individual phenolic compounds. The correlation model was the same when young or one-year-old wines were considered, showing that a relatively short storage time under reducing conditions does not substantially modify the antioxidant activity of the phenolic pool.
Calculation and simulation of ammonoid hydrostatics

The buoyancy, stability, and orientation of a shelled cephalopod in water are the predictable products of shell geometry, body chamber length, and such physical parameters as shell, tissue, and water densities. Given such physical characteristics as shell geometry, shell, tissue, and water densities, and shell thickness, the hydrostatic characteristics of planispiral shelled cephalopods, including orientation, centers of mass and buoyancy, stability, and neutrally buoyant body chamber length, can be calculated and simulated using microcomputer-based techniques. Individual variables such as geometry, body chamber length, and shell thickness are linked in a calculable manner to orientation, neutral buoyancy, and stability. Living Nautilus provides a means of testing the model and for making hydrostatic comparisons between ammonoids and nautiloids. The close agreement between calculated versus observed body chamber lengths in five species of Mississippian ammonoids shows that neutral buoyancy, and (with one exception) Nautilus-like orientations, were at least feasible for these species.
A Revised Tissue Culture Medium for Shoot Multiplication of Rhododendron

Revision of the Murashige-Skoog (MS) 1962 inorganic formula was necessary for the successful culture of rhododendron cultivars. A bioassay system was developed to assess the effects of modifying the MS formula. Inorganic revisions included reduction of nitrogen from 60 to 14.7 mm and potassium from 20 to 4.7 mm. Phosphorus was adjusted to 2.75 mm. Iron concentration was doubled to 200 μm and iodine was reduced to 1.8 μm. These changes reduced the salinity of the inorganics from 5.2 to 2.2 mmho cm−1. General growth regulator concentrations for shoot proliferation are 1 mg/liter 3-aceticindole acid (I A A) and 5 mg/liter N6-(2-isopentenyl)-adenine (2iP), but these concentrations vary among cultivars.
Population Dynamics of Constitutive Microbiota in BAT Type Fermented Milk Products.

Seventy samples from two batches of commercially produced fermented milk were analyzed for constitutive microbiota. Five samples were tested on the day of collection and the others analyzed after 10, 17, 24, 28, 31 and 36 days of storage at 7°C. M17 agar was used to enumerate Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus . MRS (de Man, Rogosa, Sharpe) agar was used to enumerate Lactobacillus acidophilus . For the enumeration of Bifidobacterium spp. MRS agar to which antibiotic substances were added was used. In the case of Batch A, streptococci, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were initially present at levels of 231.2 × 106, 0.677× 106 and 1.558 × 106, respectively. The initial pH of 4.48 decreased to 4.12 after 24 days. For Batch B, streptococci, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were initially present at levels of 858 × 106, 190.7 × 106 and 1.644 × 106, respectively. The initial pH of 4.23 decreased to 4.07 and 3.84 after 24 and 36 days, respectively. The fall in the counts throughout refrigerated storage time showed some irregularities which, in our opinion, indicate a lack of control over the ecological aspects which affect the interrelation between the microorganisms involved. The statistical significance of the differences between the different trials was established throughout the time.
Unique properties of Zika NS2B-NS3pro complexes as decoded by experiments and MD simulations

Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, thus leading to birth defects including more than microcephaly. It has been recently estimated that one-third of the world population will be infected by Zika, but unfortunately no vaccine or medicine is available so far. Zika NS2B-NS3pro is essential for its replication and thus represents an attractive target for drug discovery/design. Here we characterized conformation, catalysis, inhibition and dynamics of linked and unlinked Zika NS2B-NS3pro complexes by both experiments and MD simulations. The results unveil the unique properties of Zika NS2B-NS3pro which are very different from Dengue one. Particularly, CD and NMR studies indicate that unlike Dengue, the C-terminal region of Zika NS2B with a significant sequence variation is highly disordered in the open conformation. Indeed, MD simulations reveal that up to 100 ns, the Dengue NS2B C-terminus constantly has close contacts with its NS3pro domain. By a sharp contrast, the Zika NS2B C-terminus loses the contacts with its NS3pro domain after 10 ns, further forming a short β-sheet characteristic of the closed conformation at 30 ns. Furthermore, we found that a small molecule, previously identified as an active site inhibitor for other flaviviral NS2B-NS3pro, inhibited Zika NS2B-NS3pro potently in an allosteric manner. Our study provides the first insight into the dynamics of Zika NS2B-NS3pro and further deciphers that it is susceptible to allosteric inhibition, which thus bears critical implications for the future development of therapeutic allosteric inhibitors.
Aerobic stability, chemical composition and ruminal degradability of sugarcane silage with glycerin from biodiesel.

The experiment was performed with the objective of studying the ensiled sugarcane silage with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of glycerin in experimental PVC silos. The aerobic stability was assessed by measuring the pH and the temperature of the silage at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120h. The chemical composition, the levels of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and the total digestible nutrients (TDN) were evaluated. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM) and the in vitro digestibility of the cell wall (IVDCW) in the silages were evaluated. In three fistulated cattle the in situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and the disappearance percentage of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in samples incubated at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96h were analyzed. The experimental design was completely randomized and the statistical analyzes were done using Bayesian inference. Increases were observed in DM, TDN, mineral matter, NFC and reductions in NDF, acid detergent fiber, crude protein and ether extract as the inclusion of glycerin was higher. IVDDM increased (P <0.05) in silage with 15 and 20% of glycerin in relation to those with 0, 5 and 10%. The IVDCW at levels of 10, 15 and 20% of glycerin was higher (P <0.05) compared to the other treatments. Increases were observed in the soluble portion (a), a reduction in the insoluble fraction (b), and an increase in the degradability fraction constant (c) of the silages with 5, 10, 15 and 20% of glycerin (P <0.05) compared to the control. Glycerin improved aerobic stability while maintaining a low pH and temperature during the observation period at levels of 15 and 20% of glycerin against the silage with 0, 5 and 10%. These results indicate glycerin as a promising additive for sugarcane silage, being able to enhance energy density and improve the aerobic stability of the ensiled matter when its inclusion is from 10 to 20%.
Does Criollo cocoa have the same ecophysiological characteristics than Forastero

Background : The Palma Real Mountain of Venezuela has Criollo and Forastero cocoa trees of over 50 years old. These individuals are considered ancestral representatives of high quality cocoa that have survived for many years in this location without any agronomic management. Question : This study shows some physiological traits of these old trees, in order to determine whether differences exist in photosynthetic capacity and some biochemical parameters between the two types of cocoa growing under natural conditions. Studied species: Theobroma cacao L. Study site and years of study : was done in the mountain Palma Real in the Island of Margarita, Edo. Nueva Esparta, in January 2008 and November 2009. Methods : The individuals present in the area were initially characterized as Criollo or Forastero and gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and the response of the photosynthetic rate (A) to intercellular CO 2 concentration (C i ) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD), carbon isotope ratio (δ 13 C), nitrogen isotope ratio (δ 15 N), leaf N and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the gas exchange characteristics of Criollo cocoa differ slightly from those of Forastero. However, similar PFD saturation (~400 mmol m -2 s -1 ) with values of A at saturating light approaching 4 mmol m -2 s -1 , carboxylation efficiency (CE) and photochemical activity, indicated a comparable photosynthetic capacity in both cocoa types. Conclusions: There are apparently no physiological disadvantages in Criollo compared with Forastero trees and therefore both could be recommended as suitable materials for cultivation in similar environments, thereby expanding cultivation of high quality cocoa.
Genetic analyses of kernel carotenoids in novel maize genotypes possessing rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase gene

Carotenoids are important micronutrients required by humans for growth and development. Yellow maize among cereals possesses sufficient carotenoids, and thus, it is important to genetically dissect such traits for proper utilization in breeding programme. Twenty-one maize hybrids generated using novel inbreds with rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) that enhances kernel β-carotene, were evaluated at two diverse maize growing locations. Lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were positively correlated, while β-carotene showed negative correlation with other carotenoids. Grain yield did not show association with carotenoids. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. Experimental hybrids were much superior for kernel β-carotene compared to commercial hybrids. Based on SCA effects, high yielding experimental hybrids were identified for provitamin A and non-provitamin A carotenoids. These novel hybrid combinations of maize possessing rare allele of crtRB1 hold promise in maize biofortification programme to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and degenerative diseases in humans.