Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclic E2 and P4 on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathways

In recent years, Alzheimer’s disease has been clearly linked to the degradation of microtubules and microtubule-associated tau (τ) and β-amyloid (βA) proteins. Through an examination and evaluation of current literature, we assess the possible effects of the steroid hormones on τ hyperphosphorylation and the regulation of βA proteins and their influence on Alzheimer’s dementia and memory loss. We present a mechanism by which Alzheimer’s cases may be reduced or perhaps even prevented through the use of non-synthetic, steroid hormones prescribed in a cyclic dosing schedule that mimics the rhythmic, escalating and descending production normally observed in a reproductive female body. Given the ability of estrogen to prevent τ hyperphosphorylation and increase metabolism of the βA precursor protein, we propose the possibility of controlling both protein cycles through the exogenous application of estrogen and progesterone may help those patients with active disease as well as prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
What is the Distribution of Single and Multiple Herbicide Resistance in Waterhemp Populations Across the State of Illinois

The current trend in controlling waterhemp ( Amaranthus tuberculatus ) populations using herbicides has led to concern about herbicide resistance. The distribution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp populations was investigated. Waterhemp leaf tissue samples were obtained from farmers and weed management practitioners and the DNA was extracted and used for herbicide-resistance assays. Gel/PCR experiments were conducted in order to determine protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibiting herbicide resistance and qPCR experiments were conducted to determine glyphosate resistance. Results showed that the majority of field samples received were resistant to both PPO inhibitors and to glyphosate. Farmers should become aware of the distribution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp populations and change their control tactics to better manage this weed.
Comment

The carry trade in currencies is an investment strategy whereby an investor borrows funds in a low interest rate currency in order to lend in a high interest rate currency. If uncovered interest rate parity (UIP) held, the investor would expect to make zero profits on average, because the interest differential would reflect the expected depreciation of the high interest rate currency against the low interest rate currency. UIP has been studied by many researchers in international economics and has been widely rejected. Contrary to what the UIP condition predicts, on average, high interest rate currencies tend to appreciate against low interest rate currencies, at least when the currencies being studied are those of advanced economies with relatively low inflation. Perhaps not surprisingly, therefore, the carry trade is a profitable investment strategy. As Burnside et al. (2008) report, the average excess return of a simple carry trade strategy based on up to 20 currencies and executed monthly over the period 1976–2007 was close to 5% per year. More surprisingly, the annualized Sharpe ratio of this strategy was 0.97, more than double that of the value‐weighted U.S. stockmarket over the same period. Some research in international economics has tried to directly tackle the UIP puzzle. Other research tries to explain the apparent profitability of the carry trade. Clearly any explanation of one is likely to provide insights into the other. As a result, Brunnermeier, Nagel, and Pedersen’s paper, which focuses on the carry trade as an investment strategy, is of interest not only to researchers in finance but also to a wider audience of macroeconomists. The contribution of Brunnermeier et al.’s paper is the novelty of the empirical work. They provide an interesting collection of new facts that, at least informally, provide support for the theoretical “liquidity
Evaluation of Efficacy and Compatibility of Herbicides with Fungicides in Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) under Different Environmental Conditions: Effects on Grain Yield and Gluten Content

In the present study, field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy and compatibility of herbicides and fungicides in durum wheat under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions, in Central Greece. Our results indicate that the herbicide florasulam+2.4-D was safe and did not cause any injury when applied alone or with fungicides, while bromoxynil+2.4-D mixed with azoxystrobin or trifloxystrobin+prothioconazole caused injury symptoms on leaves. The injury symptoms were transient, and observed only at Velestino area, where low temperatures and broad diurnal temperature fluctuations were recorded during the pesticides application period. Regarding septoria leaf blotch control, good results showed strobilurin alone or in mixture with a triazole, regardless the herbicide that was added to the mixture. The results of this study showed that bromoxynil+2.4-D caused injury when mixed with fungicides and applied under cold temperatures, while one fungicide application at stem elongation provided adequate Septoria leaf blotch control.
Non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): its unique production potential and expansion into the southeastern USA

ABSTRACT Sesame is a new crop for the southeastern USA, most recently being considered for this region because of frequent drought events in the historical farming area of the crop, that is, Texas and Oklahoma, and for overall expansion of its domestic production. Although sesame was introduced in the USA in the 19th century, its commercial cultivation was not possible before the 1990s with the release of non-dehiscent cultivars. The southeastern USA has been considered promising because of its greater annual precipitation as compared with the southwestern USA. In addition, sesame has some highly valuable agronomic characteristics that could make the crop a beneficial addition to crop rotations in the southeast. These crop characteristics include the following: nematode resistance potential, drought tolerance, nitrogen recovery ability, rotational suitability with the predominant agronomic crops in the region, and capacity to attract a wide variety of pollinators. Since very little United States-based literature is available on the crop, the objective of this review is to provide: 1) a sesame history in the USA; 2) a description of the botanical characteristics of the crop that make it suitable for mechanized production in the USA; and 3) an overview of the principal sesame production methods of interest for the southeastern USA.
Comparative evaluation of animal manures on soil properties growth and yield of sweet maizeZea mays L saccharata Strut 220

Alternative sources of plant nutrients have now become imperative especially for vegetable crop production in Nigeria because of the escalating costs of inorganic fertilizers with the attendant environmental and health problems associated with excessive use of these inputs on continuously cropped fields. A two-year field experiment was conducted during the early planting seasons from March to June of 2011 and 2012 on the acidic coastal plain soils at Calabar, to evaluate the combined effects of four rates each (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) of poultry manure (PM) and goat manure (GM) on soil chemical properties and agronomic performance of sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata Strut.). Factorial combinations of the treatments were fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replications. The application of the manures significantly (P <= 0.05) raised the soil pH, organic matter content, total N, available P and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg status of the soil. Except for pH, total N, and available P contents, GM had superior responses for all other chemical properties than PM. The 15 t/ha rate of both manures maximized sweet maize growth attributes, total dry matter (TDM) and grain yields and also hastened days to 50% tasselling. On average, the application of 5, 10 and 15 t/ha PM rates, increased TDM by 8.5, 35.1 and 53.9%, whereas the corresponding values for GM were 15.6, 27.8 and 33.2% respectively compared with the unamended control plots. The grain yield increases at 15 t/ha PM and GM were 11.2, 59.8 and 126.9% ; and 4.2, 20.0 and 45.8% respectively, above the 10, 5 and 0 t/ha rates of both manures. The growth and yield attributes showed greater responses to PM than GM in terms of the values obtained. The co-application of PM at 15 t/ha and GM at 10 t/ha had the best effects on TDM and grain yield and is thus recommended for sweet maize production in this agro-ecology.
Evaluation of Yield, Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils of Tagetes Minuta L. (Asteraceae) Against Selected Phytopathogens

xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the study . 1 1.2 Problem statement . 2 1.3 Justification . 3 1.4 Objectives . 5 1.4. 1 Broad objective . 5 1.4. 2 Specific objectives . 5 1.5 Hypothesis . 5 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 6 2.1 Major plant pathogens . 6 2.1.1 Plant pathogenic fungi . 7 2.1.2 Plant pathogenic bacteria . 8 2.2 Plants as sources of antimicrobial agents . 9 2.3 Plant essential oils . 9 2.4 Extraction of plant essential oils . 10
Evaluating Aspects of Larval Light Trap Bias and Specificity in the Northern Sacramento River System: Do Size and Color Matter?

Light traps have been used to study the distribution and ecology of fish larvae in a variety of waters. Yet the physical and taxonomic limitations of light traps have been little studied, particularly in lotic systems. The purpose of this study was to examine aspects of light trap use, bias, and specificity in a natural stream setting. We sampled fish larvae using light traps in the upper Sacramento River watershed in April (2001, 2002) and June (2002) using five different color light sources and two trap sizes. Our results suggest that (1) small traps are as effective at sampling fish larvae as large traps, (2) color of light and/or relative intensity of light have strong effects on numbers of larvae collected, and (3) environmental factors play a role in the number of larvae collected over short time periods.
Temporal variation in plant–pollinator networks from seasonal tropical environments: Higher specialization when resources are scarce

The temporal dynamics of plant phenology and pollinator abundance across seasons should influence the structure of plant–pollinator interaction networks. Nevertheless, such dynamics are seldom considered, especially for diverse tropical networks. Here, we evaluated the temporal variation of four plant–pollinator networks in two seasonal ecosystems in Central Brazil (Cerrado and Pantanal). Data were gathered on a monthly basis over 1 year for each network. We characterized seasonal and temporal shifts in plant–pollinator interactions, using temporally discrete networks. We predicted that the greater floral availability in the rainy season would allow for finer partitioning of the floral niche by the pollinators, i.e. higher specialization patterns as previously described across large spatial gradients. Finally, we also evaluated how sampling restricted to peak flowering period may affect the characterization of the networks. Contrary to our expectations, we found that dry season networks, although characterized by lower floral resource richness and abundance, showed higher levels of network‐wide interaction partitioning (complementary specialization and modularity). For nestedness, though, this between‐seasons difference was not consistent. Reduced resource availability in the dry season may promote higher interspecific competition among pollinators leading to reduced niche overlap, thus explaining the increase in specialization. There were no consistent differences between seasons in species‐level indices, indicating that higher network level specialization is an emergent property only seen when considering the entire network. However, bees presented higher values of specialization and species strength in relation to other groups such as flies and wasps, suggesting that some plant species frequently associated with bees are used only by this group. Our study also indicates that targeted data collection during peak flowering generates higher estimates of network specialization, possibly because species activity spans longer periods than the targeted time frame. Hence, depending on the period of data collection, different structural values for the networks of interactions may be found. Synthesis. Plant–pollinator networks from tropical environments have structural properties that vary according to seasons, which should be taken into account in the description of the complex systems of interactions between plants and their pollinators in these areas.
Ingoldian fungi from the semi-arid Caatinga biome of Brazil

An inventory of Ingoldian fungi from four localities of semi-arid region, Brazil (Brejo Paraibano-PB, Serra da Jibóia-BA, Chapada do Araripe and Serra de Ibiapaba-CE) is presented. Fungi were obtained from samples of foam and submerged leaves collected in water bodies. Twenty-seven taxa of Ingoldian fungi were found and of these, 22 are new records: american continent (3), Neotropics (1), South America (3), Brazil (5), Brazilian semi-arid region (7), Ceará state (2) and Paraíba state (1). Description, illustration, geographical distribution and commentary are presented for all species found.
A comparison of hull methods for estimating species ranges and richness maps

Background: The combined analysis of species ranges allows the detection of overall species richness patterns. As such, the reliability of richness maps is directly related to the accuracy of individual range estimates. Aims: We compared how species ranges and richness patterns are influenced according to the use of different methods (convex hull and alpha hull) and evaluated if differences in range estimates are related to the Wallacean shortfall. Methods: We used occurrence records of 386 species from the tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) to build richness maps by stacking species ranges, using the convex hull and alpha hull methods. We evaluated the behaviour of the richness estimates in relation to other variables (i.e., other richness measures, environmental and spatial variables). We correlated the differences in range estimates to proxies of Wallacean shortfall (i.e., species description date and variation of pseudo-ranges generated by jack-knife). Results: Convex hull estimated larger ranges than alpha hull. The Wallacean shortfall affected range estimates equally regardless of the hull method used. Both hull methods generated similar richness maps. Richness estimates showed similar correlation patterns in relation to other variables regardless of the hull method used. Conclusions: Despite the slight differences in range estimates, both hull methods can be used in equivalence to map species richness.
Optimisation of experimental conditions for binding of divalent iron to bioactive casein phosphopeptides

Summary Casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) are mineral-binding bioactive peptides derived from enzymatic digestion of casein. They have been shown to increase iron bioavailability due to increasing iron solubility at the alkaline pH of the intestine. Thus, they are potentially applicable as an advantageous preparation for iron fortification of food. This study aimed to characterise a commercially available CPP and determines optimum experimental conditions for binding it with ferrous iron. The effect of three variables – pH (5–7.5), mass ratio of iron to CPP (MR) (0.04–0.16) and holding time (40–80 min) – on the CPP's iron content was investigated using the central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM), and a quadratic model was developed. The optimisation in this survey was based on the maximum response. Among all the regression's terms, the main and quadratic effects of pH represented the most significant influences on the iron content (P-value <0.05). The obtained optimum conditions were as follows: pH 6.5, MR 0.14 and holding time 72 min, resulting in binding 68.66 mg iron per gram of the CPP. The quantity of iron bound to the CPP depended considerably on the experimental conditions and proved the importance of optimisation.
The study of changes in color of wood angelim pedra (Hymenolobium sp.) and piquia (Caryocar sp.) during artificial weathering

The study of changes in color of wood angelim pedra (Hymenolobium sp.) and piquia (Caryocar sp.) during artificial weathering. The work deals with the change in color two tropical wood species during artificial weathering: angelim pedra (Hymenolobium sp.) and piquia (Caryocar sp.). The artificial weathering method consisting of alternating soaking wood in water, drying at a temperature of 70 °C and UV radiation exposure was used to determine the influence of ageing on color stability of wood. The result of wood discoloration was evaluated according to the value of the total color change E. Changes of particular color parameters (lightness, chroma, hue) were also observed during exposure. The results showed that tesetd species of wood change their color similarly under the influence of the artificial ageing. Due to ageing factors changes in the tested wood appearance occur in different scope.
Raw Semen Characteristics of Three Different Indonesian Local Roosters

Indonesia has agreat variety of roosters, either indigenous type as well as exotic and cross breed. The purpose of this experiment was to study the characteristics of semen from three types of Indonesian local roosters such as Merawang, Kampung and crosses Sentul Kampung with Kedu (SK Kedu). A total of 15 roosters consist of Merawang roosters, Kampung, and SK Kedu roosters were 5 each. The semen was collected 3 times a week by dorso-abdominal and cloaca massage method. The parameters evaluation was macroscopic characteristics consist of volume, color, consistency, and pH. Microscopic evaluation of semen such as a mass movement, sperm motility, live sperm, sperm abnormality and sperm concentration. Results of this experiment showed that semen volume of Merawang (0.40±0.26 mL) was higher (p<0.05) compare to Kampung (0.24±0.12 mL) or SK Kedu (0.16±0.10 mL) but no difference on semen color, consistency and semen pH. There were no difference in the mass movement, sperm motility and live sperm as well as on sperm abnormality among three types of roosters. Sperm concentration of Merawang (4490 million mL-1) was significantly higher than Kampung (3245 million mL-1) and the SK Kedu roosters (3751 million mL-1). Its was conclude that Merawang roosters had good semen quality better than Kampung and SK Kedu roosters
The Emergence of Social Learning in a Temporally Changing Environment: A Theoretical Model1

The behavior of a biological organism is a complex process involving the expression of relevant information possessed by that organism. For example, as we write these words, we are presumably accessing learned knowledge stored in our brains that we believe applies to the problem we hope to solve. At the risk of oversimplification (Gould and Marler 1987), it is possible to classify behaviors in terms of the three distinct ways in which this information can be obtained (Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman 1983a, Boyd and Richerson 1985, Laland, Odling-Smee, and Feldman 2000, Henrich and McElreath 2003, Alvard 2003). This trichotomous classification labels behavior as “innate,” “socially learned,” or “individually learned. ” A behavior is innate when it entails the direct expression of information encoded in the genes, which are inherited from the parents via the germ cells. Social learning denotes the transfer of information between socially interacting individuals, as a result of which the behavior exhibited by a “model” is adopted by an “observer” (Galef 1988, Whiten and Ham 1992, Heyes 1993). The rubric covers teaching, imitation (goal-directed copying of an action pattern), local enhancement (attention drawn to a particular object by the behavior of another, leading to independent discovery of that behavior), and various other psychological processes. Finally, individual learning refers to learning that occurs independently of any social influences. Examples are trial-and-error and insight. Social learning is of interest to anthropologists because
Larval personality does not predict adult personality in a holometabolous insect.

Although personality (consistent inter-individual differences in behavioural traits across time and/or contexts) and behavioural syndromes (suites of correlated personality traits) have been widely studied in the last decades, the origin and development of these traits during ontogeny are still underexplored. In this context, species undergoing metamorphosis are of special interest. To date, however, the persistence of personality traits has been only little investigated in organisms undergoing complete metamorphosis such as in holometabolous insects, although this kind of studies may provide important insights from a functional point of view. Here, we tested whether the personality and the behavioural syndrome are maintained through metamorphosis in Tenebrio molitor, a holometabolous insect species. We found that personality and behavioural syndrome were present in both larval and adult stages. However, larval personality and behavioural syndrome did not predict adult behaviour. We suggest that the complete reorganization during metamorphosis may have profound effect on the behaviour of the beetles. These results challenge the established common thought that personality should persist along an individual lifespan.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Nanorana pleskei (Am- phibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) and evolutionary character- istics

The complete mitochondrial genome of Nanorana pleskei from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was sequenced. It includes 17,660 base pairs, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNAs and 23 tRNAs. A tandem duplication of tRNA Met gene was found in this mitochondrial genome, and the similarity between the two tRNA Met genes is 85.8%, being the highest in amphibian mitochondrial genomes sequenced thus far. Based on gene organization, 24 types were found from 145 amphibian mitochondrial genomes. Type 1 was present in 108 species, type 11 in 11 species, types 5, 16, 17, and 20 each in two species, and the others each present in one species. Fifteen types were found in Anura, being the most diversity in three orders of the Lissamphibia. Our phylogenetic results using 11 protein-coding gene sequences of 145 amphibian mitochondrial genomes strongly support the mo- nophyly of the Lissamphibia, as well as its three orders, the Gymnophiona, Caudata, and Anura, among which the relationships were ((Gymnophiona (Caudata, Anura)). Based on the phylogenetic trees, type 1 was recognized as the ancestral type for am- phibians, and type 11 was the synapomorphic type for the Neobatrachia. Gene rearrangements among lineages provide meaning- ful phylogenetic information. The rearrangement of the LTPF tRNA gene cluster and the translocation of the ND5 gene only found in the Neobatrachia support the monophyly of this group; similarly, the tandem duplication of the tRNA Met genes only