Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematics of the Eupatorium mohrii Complex (Asteraceae)

Abstract Analysis of ITS sequence data was used to help to elucidate species relationships in the Eupatorium mohrii complex, which includes sexual diploid and apomictic polyploids. Lack of variation and polymorphism in ITS sequences showed that E. recurvans and E. mohrii comprise diploid and autoploid populations, respectively, and should be recognized as a single species, for which the latter name has priority. Populations that collectively have been called E. anomalum, which has previously been shown to be apomictic and suggested to be of allopolyploid origin, were discovered to include two different genetic combinations that are geographically separated. The more southerly populations, including those at the type locality, were suggested by ITS sequence data to be hybrid derivatives of E. mohrii and E. rotundifolium. Northern populations from Virginia and North Carolina appeared to be hybrid derivatives of E. mohrii and E. serotinum, confirmed by data from highthroughput sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal repeat region. Because these northern populations have characteristic phenotypic features and are localized to a distinct habitat in interdune swales, they are described here as Eupatorium maritimum. A chromosome count of 2n = 30 was obtained from a sample of E. maritimum, suggesting that it is a triploid. Based on its uncommon occurrence in a habitat that is geographically restricted, E. maritimum appears to be a rare species that is in need of protection.
DIVERSITY, HABITAT AFFINITIES AND DIET OF OPHRYOTROCHA SPECIES (POLYCHAETA, DORVILLEIDAE) LIVING IN MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR HABITATS

Information from 40 harbours was used to investigate the diversity and habitat affinities of Ophryotrocha species living in Central Mediterranean coastal habitats. Three envi- ronmental descriptors were considered: climate, boat traffic in harbours and fouling assemblag- es of port wharfs. Moreover, the diet was studied through the analysis of faecal pellets. The number of Ophryotrocha species did not vary among the climatic sub-areas, while the main, high traffic harbours exhibited a higher number of species with respect to the minor harbours. Ophryotrocha species can colonise all the fouling types considered, but the highest number of species was observed in mixed, heterogeneous assemblages. In most of the places investigated, two or more species co-existed on both harbour and wharf scales. The three most common spe- cies, O. labronica, O. puerilis (Mediterranean indigenous) and O. japonica (a non-indigenous species), differed in their affinities for climatic areas and harbour typology, but no significant preferences were observed with respect to the fouling types. The examination of faecal pellets from animals collected in the field suggested that all the species are omnivorous. Ophryotrocha species can live in very different types of harbour habitats. However, the ability to successfully colonise these environments varied strongly among species, perhaps because of their "history" (especially in the case of non-indigenous species), tolerance and habitat preferences/require- ments. OPHrYOtrOCHa NICHE HABITAT AFFINITY
EZH2 Expression and its Correlation with Clinicopathological Features in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract Objective To explore the correlation between the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression and clinicopathological features in colorectal cancer patients. Methods A total of sixty-six patients with colorectal carcinoma were admitted to our general surgery department from January 2011 to December 2014. The EZH2 expression levels in the cancer tissues (CTs) from the 66 patients with colorectal cancer and those in distant normal colorectal tissues from 30 cases were examined through immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays. The relationship between the expression of EZH2 and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients was analyzed. Results EZH2 in colorectal carcinoma tissues is granularly brown, predominantly expressed and diffused in the nuclei of tumor cells. Positive rates of EZH2 in intestinal CTs and in distant normal intestinal tissues are 62.12% (41/66) and 6.67% (2/30), respectively with significant difference (P < 0.05). Western blotting also confirmed its elevated expression in colorectal CTs. EZH2-positive expression in CTs was related to degree of differentiation, Duke staging, and tumor size (P < 0.05) but was unrelated to the patient’s gender, age or tumor site (P = 0.05). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the EZH2-positive group and the EZH2-negative group were 43.8% and 67.5%, respectively. The risk of disease progression of the EZH2-positive patients in the follow-up period was significantly higher than that of the EZH2-negative patients (HR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.04–4.80, P < 0.05). Conclusion EZH2 is closely related to colorectal carcinoma development and disease progression, and thus could be used as a tumor biomarker that may indicate prognosis.
From the desert it came: evolution of the Australian paper daisy genus Leucochrysum (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae)

Abstract. Present patterns of diversity in the Australian flora have been shaped by increasing seasonality since the Eocene, and by pronounced aridification in the past 3 million years. Arid-zone plants are commonly hypothesised to be the products of radiations of ancestrally temperate or coastal lineages, as in the case of the everlasting paper daisy tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae). However, these inferences are often based on higher-level phylogenies, whereas evolutionary processes in the Australian Gnaphalieae have rarely been studied at the species level. Here, we reconstructed the phylogeny and biogeographic history of the small, but ecologically diverse, paper daisy genus Leucochrysum, to examine recent habitat shifts and character changes, at the same time exploring the feasibility of using amplicon sequencing of low-copy nuclear gene regions to resolve phylogenetic relationships in Australian Gnaphalieae. On the balance of evidence, outgroup comparison and ancestral-area reconstruction support an ancestral range in the arid zone with subsequent diversification towards the south-east, demonstrating a complex evolutionary history with a re-colonisation of temperate areas. Low amplification success rates suggest that methods other than amplicon sequencing of currently available primers will be more promising for molecular phylogenetic work at a larger scale.
Studies on packaging and storage of cereal-pulse based sweetbars

Moisture sorption studies carried out at relative humidities ranging from 11 to 92% on 3 different ready-to-eat sweetbars (45x45x9.5 mm) based on pre-processed wheat/pulse flours/soft (semolina) indicated that equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of 7.0 to 7.7% at 65% RH was critical, beyond which sogginess and mould growth were observed. Sweetbars packaged in pouches of polypropylene (PP) (50 micron) and metallised polyester/polyethylene (MetPET/PE) had shelf-life upto 150 days at ambient (65% RH and 27°C) condition, while at accelerated (90% RH and 38°C) condition, the products kept well for 90 days in PP pouches and 150 days in Met.PET/PE pouches.
Evolution of leafy liverworts (Jungermanniidae, Marchantiophyta) : estimating divergence times from chloroplast DNA sequences using penalized likelihood with integrated fossil evidence

Based on chloroplast DNA sequences we develop a phylogenetic hypothesis of the diversification of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) with an extant diversity of about 6,000 species. Divergence time estimates obtained using penalized likelihood with integrated fossil evidence suggest a Late Ordovician origin of Marchantiophyta, a separation ofHaplomitriopsida from the remainder of liverworts in the Early Devonian, a split of Jungermanniopsida and Marchantiopsida in the Late Devonian, and a separation of Metzgeriidae and Jungermanniidae in the Late Carboniferous. Leafy liverworts (Jungermanniidae) with an extant diversity of ca. 4,500 species split into Porellales and Jungermanniales in the Early-Middle Permian. Our data provide evidence for a diversification of Jungermanniidae in the Triassic-perhaps coinciding with the recovery of terrestrial vegetation from the Perm/Trias extinction-and an enhanced diversification in the Cretaceous and Early Tertiary. The latter diversification events may coincide with the establishment of modern rainforests in the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary that were dominated by derived groups ofangiosperms. In addition, the Late Mesozoic and Early Tertiary diversification of leafy liverworts may have also been influenced by drastic changes in the geographical structure of the land masses and the global climate.
An automated system to log and process distance sight-resight aerial survey data

Distance sight-resight sampling has particular relevance to aerial surveys, in which height above ground and aircraft speed make the critical assumption of certain detection on the track-line unrealistic. Recent developments in distance sight-resight theory have left practical issues related to data collection as the major impediment to widespread use of distance sight-resight sampling in aerial surveys. We describe and evaluate a system to automatically log, store, and process data from distance sight-resight aerial surveys. The system has a primary digital system and a secondary audio system. The digital system comprises a sighting "gun" and small keypad for each observer, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and an altimeter interface, all linked to a central laptop computer. The gun is used to record time and angle of declination from the horizon of sighted groups of animals as they pass the aircraft. The keypad is used to record information on species and group size. The altimeter interface records altitude from the aircraft's radar altimeter, and the GPS receiver provides location data at user-definable intervals. We wrote software to import data into a database and convert it into a form appropriate for distance sight-resight analyses. Perpendicular distance of sighted groups of animals from the flight path is calculated from altitude and angle of declination. Time, angle of declination, species, and group size of sightings by independent observers on the same side of the aircraft are used as criteria to classify single and duplicate sightings, allowing testing of the critical distance sampling assumption [g(0)=1] and estimation of g(0) if that assumption fails. An audio system comprising headphones for each observer and a 4-track tape recorder allows recording of data that are difficult to accommodate in the digital system and provides a backup to the digital system. We evaluated the system by conducting experimental surveys and reviewing results from actual surveys.
Exploitation and Exploration: Improving Search Precision on E-commerce Platforms

E-commerce platforms match online buyers and sellers using their search technologies. Although a more precise search algorithm may improve search targetability, it may also reduce cross-selling opportunities, as consumers spend less time exploring different products. We empirically quantify these tradeoffs through a collaboration with Alibaba Group. Specifically, we take advantage of a 2019 quasi-experiment on Taobao.com, in which the platform refined some product categories into finer subgroups in order to return more-targeted search results to online shoppers. Using granular data on consumer search and purchase behaviors across multiple search sessions and product categories, we find that the improvement in search precision leads to a 37.3% increase in consumers’ click-through rates and a 64.4% increase in gross merchandise volume in the product category we study. The immediate improvement in matching outcomes, however, comes at the cost of a substantial decrease in consumer engagement and unplanned purchases in a longer time horizon for consumers prone to spending more time searching. On average, these consumers conduct 5.5% fewer searches, spend 4.1% less time on the platform, and decrease their spending on related categories by 2.2% in the week after the search precision increases. Our findings illustrate the tradeoff between exploitation and exploration in e-commerce search design that has not yet been previously documented in the literature.
Extracción de macronutrientes en banano 'Dominico' (Musa spp.) Macronutrient extraction in banana 'Dominico' (Musa spp.)

Musa spp. is one of the most important fruit crops in the world. Production in Mexico is ranked in the eighth place in the world. Nutrient imbalance is one of the main agronomic problems this species has to deal with. Modern fertilization programs must be designed based on nutrient demand by the cultivated plants, and according to their phenological phase. However, no information is available for 'Dominico', one of the most widespread cultivars in Mexico. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate dry mass and macronutrient accumulation and distribution in banana 'Dominico' during the fruit development phase. This is to determine the amount and timing of fertilizer application. Adult plants were randomly selected in a banana orchard established in Atzalan, Ve- racruz, Mexico. Root, corm, pseudostem, leaves with petiole, and the bunch were sampled at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after inflorescence emergence (WAIE) on these plants. Samples were processed, and biomass accumulation and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentration were determined. Pseudostem was the plant part with the highest dry mass and nutrient accumulation. Potassium was the most extracted nutrient by the plant and the fruit. The sequence for total nutrient extraction per plant was: K > Ca > N > Mg > P. Fruit extraction sequence was: K > N > Ca ≥ P ≥ Mg. The highest nutrient extrac - tion was detected at 4 WAIE. The quantity of mineral nutrients that would have to be replenished into the soil will be those extracted by the bunches because they are removed from the plantation. It is recommended that fertilizer applications be split up to the 2 WAIE. This is to guarantee nutrient supply by the 4 WAIE so that an opti - mum fruit and daughter plant development could be achieved.
GENETIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITIONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF RABBITS IN THE SEMI-HUMID TROPICS

Series of studies were conducted to investigate the effect of breed, environment and nutrition on growth and reproductive performance of rabbits. In the first study, the influence of breed and environmental factors on litter parameters of rabbits raised in a semi-humid environment was investigated. New Zealand White does kindled significantly (P 0.05) effect on litter size at birth, litter size alive at birth and litter size at weaning. Parity, breed and sex had no effect on weaning weight, but, LSAB and season significantly (P<0.01) affected weaning weight. In the second study, the growth rate of three breeds (New Zealand White, California and Chinchilla) of rabbits under the same management system was investigated. Growth curves for total population, New Zealand White, California and Chinchilla breeds and also for male and female rabbits were fitted using polynomial and geometric regressions. New Zealand White rabbits had significantly (P<0.05) faster growth than California and Chinchilla rabbits. Female rabbits grew faster than male rabbits though sex effects were not significant. In the third study, the effect of flushing on reproductive performance of multiparous and nulliparous does was investigated. Results showed no significant effect of flushing on litter size at birth and litter size alive at birth for multiparous and nulliparous does. For nulliparous does, average litter gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher for kits kindled by control does and does flushed with 20% CP diets than those flushed with 24% CP in the period 21-28 days. In the period 14-21 and 21-28 days postpartum, average kit gain was higher for does flushed with 20% CP than the 24% CP and control groups. In the fourth study, the effect of rebreeding interval (14, 21 and 28 days postpartum) on doe performance and litter parameters during pregnancy and lactation was investigated. Results obtained showed higher pregnancy rate for the 14-d group
Balancing Gain and Relatedness in Selection

Summary A population merit criterion, B ω , for a set of genotypes, ω, is formulated as where, c is a weighting constant, g w is the average of their breeding values, and Θω is the average coancestry of the considered genotypes, which is a measure of their relatedness. The breeding objective studied here is selecting the set ω that maximises B ω . An iterative search algorithm is proposed for finding this maximum under a given breeding-population size. This algorithm was applied to an example using simulation techniques. Results were presented as graphs where the gain was plotted against the status effective number, which was used to quantify the degree of relatedness as an inverse function of average coancestry. For all except extreme c values the algorithm gave markedly better combinations of gain and average coancestry when compared with a conventional method to control relatedness by restricting contributions from individual parents.
Nitrogen load predictions under land management scenarios for a boreal river basin in northern Finland

In Finland municipal and industrial waste water purification has effectively decreased nutrient emissions from point sources leading to improved water quality. No clear effects of decreasing non-point loading (atmospheric deposition, agriculture, forestry) are found, however, and nitrate concentrations are increasing in some rivers. The aim of this study was to determine the origin and timing of inorganic nitrogen loading to the Simojoki using the dynamic, semi-distributed INCA-N model. The simulation results showed that, at the river outlet, only about half of the inorganic nitrogen load originated from anthropogenic sources. The inorganic nitrogen load largely depended on runoff and half of the annual load was centred around the snowmelt period in April-May. There was a risk of increasing nitrogen load due to changes in agricultural land use. Water protection measures at all diffuse sources could decrease the anthropogenic part of the inorganic N load to the sea, but individual measures would only result in small reductions.
Urea space versus tritiated water space as an in vivo predictor of body water and body fat

diet. About 100-250 rng/kg urca and 0,4 mCi ti-triatcd water in 0,9/, NaCt solution was eithcr infused or injected intravenously. Following blood sanrpling l'or urca and titrium analys-es some of the sheep u'ere slaughtcred and minced l'or direct detcrmination of body watcr and body fat. The results rhorved the t'ollow-ing: 1) Body water and body fat could be predicted with similar accuracy l'rom urea spacc measurcmcnt at 6 to l0 rninutes post-ad-ministration of urea than at equilibriurn; stnriJarly could body watcr and body lat be predicted with thc saure accurtcy t'rom trrtialed water space at l5 to 20 minutes following adnrinistration than at cquilibrrum. 2) Body watcr and body l'at could be prcdictcd morc accuratcly with the tritiated uater mcthod than ll'ith the trrc'a nrethod. 3) The time pcriod ncccssary l'or tlrc trtrium or urca nrolccule to equilibrate completely was independenl of amount of digesta in thc digestrve tract. 4) Both urca ud trrtiatcd u,ater space at equilibrium mcasurcd total water and not merely body water (u,ate r crclusive of digerstive tract). 5) The urca ntethod rs nol a\ casy as thc tritiatcd watcr nrethod due lo lhe fact that urca has to be infused in largc amounts through a cathcter (inlcr'tit-rn wrs unsuccessful) wltereas tritium can be inlected t'airly casrly rn small amounl\. 6) Thc urca method rs approximatcly 40fi chtaper than thc trrtiatcd u,aler rncthod. It rvas conu'ludcd that lhe urca mcthod is not accuratc cnoLrgh rn crrtrcal e\pennrents but may be applrcated lor bodv cotttposition dctcrmination.s in perf'ormunec tcsting duc to its sul'l'icrcnt accuracy, the costs rnvolved, and thc l'act Ihtt thc calcascs ol' culled animals can be utilised immcdiatcly, rvhiclr rs nol (lrc curr with tntialtd uater bccarrse ol the lau on radro-actrvq materials.
Ecological stoichiometry of plant leaves, litter and soils in a secondary forest on China’s Loess Plateau

Ecological stoichiometry can reveal nutrient cycles in soil and plant ecosystems and their interactions. However, the ecological stoichiometry characteristics of leaf-litter-soil system of dominant grasses, shrubs and trees are still unclear as are their intrinsic relationship during vegetation restoration. This study selected three dominant plant types of grasses (Imperata cylindrica (I. cylindrica) and Artemisiasacrorum (A.sacrorum)), shrubs (Sophora viciifolia (S. viciifolia) and Hippophae rhamnoides (H. rhamnoides)) and trees (Quercus liaotungensis (Q. liaotungensis) and Betula platyphylla (B. platyphylla)) in secondary forest areas of the Chinese Loess Plateau to investigate ecological stoichiometric characteristics and their intrinsic relationships in leaf-litter-soil systems. The results indicated that N concentration and N:P ratios in leaf and litter were highest in shrubland; leaf P concentration in grassland was highest and litter in forestland had the highest P concentration. Soil C, N and P concentrations were highest in forestland (P < 0.05) and declined with soil depth. Based on the theory that leaf N:P ratio indicates nutritional limitation of plant growth, this study concluded that grass and shrub growth was limited by N and P element, respectively, and forest growth was limited by both of N and P elements. The relationships between the N concentration in soil, leaf and litter was not significant (P >0.5), but the soil P concentration was significantly correlated with litter P concentration (P < 0.05). These finding enhance understanding of nutrient limitations in different plant communities during vegetation restoration and provide insights for better management of vegetation restoration.
Comparative diets and feeding habits of Boops boops and Diplodus sargus larvae, two sparid fishes co-occurring in the northwestern Mediterranean (May 1992)

Larval diet composition and feeding habits of the marine fishes Boops boops and Diplodus sargus larvae (Pisces: Sparidae), species co-occurring in the Catalan Sea during spring (May 1992), were compared. Copepod nauplii were the dominant prey in B. boops diet, while in D. sargus, in addition to copepod nauplii, calanoid copepod eggs and cladoceran species (Evadne nordmanni and Podon intermedius) were also important. Prey width, number and variety increased as larvae of both species grew. This tendency was more obvious in D. sargus larvae which showed a greater diversity of food items in larvae > 4 mm. Diet overlap decreased as larvae grew, from almost 100% in small larvae to 40% in larger larvae. Analysis of covariance found that prey size increased with larval size in both species, but the prey consumed by D. sargus larvae were larger than prey of B. boops larvae (P < 0.001). Comparison of larval diets of these species with abundance of microzooplankton in the environment revealed a significant prey selection (P < 0.001). B. boops larvae selected copepod nauplii, while D. sargus larvae tended to select cladoceran and calonoid copepod eggs, prey with lower escape reactions than copepod nauplii. Results indicated that these two sparid species of similar morphology and spatial and temporal co-occurrence, have different feeding habits and avoid niche overlap.