Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fire enhances the complexity of forest structure in alpine treeline ecotones

Alpine treelines are expected to move upward in a warming climate, but downward in response to increases in wildfire. We studied the effects of fire on vegetation structure and composition across four alpine treeline ecotones extending from Abies lasiocarpa/Picea engelmannii forests at lower elevations, through Pinus albicaulis/Larix lyallii parkland, to alpine tundra. We estimated the probabilities of burning and transitions between states following fire among four canopy-cover (structural) classes: nonforest (0% tree cover), sparse woodland (<10% tree cover), open forest (10–40% tree cover), and closed forest (>40% tree cover). We also evaluated changes in the size structure and composition of live overstory trees (≥1.4 m height) due to mortality following fire. The severity and resulting effects of fire varied among structural classes: Non-forest was less likely to burn than the landscape as a whole; open forest was more likely to remain forest than to change to non-forest; and closed forest never changed to non-forest, irrespective of burn severity. Higher-severity fires caused greater mortality of larger-diameter trees than of smaller-diameter trees. Our results suggest that structural components of the alpine treeline will not respond unidirectionally to a warming climate nor to an increase in fire. Instead, the ecotone will expand bidirectionally and develop larger, more heterogeneous patches of vegetation.
Optimal pheromone trap density for mass trapping cacao mirids

Sahlbergella singularis Haglund and Distantiella theobroma (Distant) (Heteroptera: Miridae) are the key insect pests of cacao in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa. Since 1954, spraying with synthetic insecticides has been the principal means of controlling these pests. In West Africa, environmental concerns, economic stimuli, and unreliable access to insecticides have stimulated interest in ecologically more benign mirid control strategies as an alternative to a total reliance on insecticides. Males of both mirid species, and those of the less damaging Bryocoropsis laticollis Schumacher, respond to the same synthetic sex pheromone blend, so pheromone‐based strategies may provide control as well as monitoring opportunities. Pheromone traps were deployed for 3 months at nine densities between two and 30 traps per 0.1 ha plot (20–300 traps ha−1) plus an untreated control treatment in a replicated large‐scale field experiment on mature mixed Upper Amazon hybrid cacao in Ghana, in order to determine the optimal dispenser density for mass trapping, lure‐and‐kill, and/or lure‐and‐infect. At the end of the trapping period, mirid populations in the various treatments were assessed by insecticide knockdown on 400 trees and by searches to hand height on 1 200 trees, together with an assessment of mirid damage. In total 781 S. singularis and 235 D. theobroma were captured in the pheromone traps. The optimal dispenser density for S. singularis was 150 traps ha−1. Over 300 traps ha−1 was probably optimal for D. theobroma as a smaller proportion of the population was captured, and numbers caught per trap displayed no decline with increasing trap density. From insecticide knockdowns, mirid population density was estimated at 220–230 ha−1, 63% of which were D. theobroma. Too few pods and orthotropic shoots were damaged by mirids to establish the efficacy of pheromone trapping for mirid control.
Understanding forces that influence role construction and enactment : a study of mid-level managers at Paradox University.

UNDERSTANDING FORCES THAT INFLUENCE ROLE CONSTRUCTION AND ENACTMENT: A STUDY OF MID-LEVEL MANAGERS AT PARADOX UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 1994 SUSAN M. ROBERTS, B.S., BALL STATE UNIVERSITY M.S., UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE Ed.D. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Charles S. Adams This study explores the forces that influence role construction and enactment through the experiences of two mid-level managers in student affairs at Paradox University, a large, public, research university. To guide this interpretive study of roles, SymboHc Interactionism was used. Qualitative methods of interview, observation and document review were used to gather data for this descriptive, exploratory study. The data revealed the complexity of the role-making, role-taking process and highlighted the internal and external forces that influence role shaping and enactment. Family and educational experiences, experience with management positions, and professional ambition were identified as among the internal forces that influence role construction. External forces were categorized as proximate and distant, and included perceived clarity of
Reopening an old chapter: a revised taxonomic and evolutionary concept of the Rubus montanus group

University of Sopron, Institute of Silviculture and Forest Protection, H-9400 Sopron, Bajcsy-Zs. u. 4. , Hungary, e-mail: kiraly.gergely@uni-sopron.hu; Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables, Medicinal and Special Plants, Crop Research Institute, Šlechtitelů 29, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic, e-mail: michal.sochor@volny.cz; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic, e-mail: bohumil.travnicek@upol.cz
Design, development and experimental trialof a tailored cytotoxic T-cell vaccine againstPorcine Reproductive and RespiratorySyndrome Virus-2

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is the causative agent of one of the most important porcine diseases with a high impact on animal health, welfare and production economy. PRRSV exhibits a multitude of immunoevasive strategies that in combination with a very high mutation rate, has hampered the development of safe and broadly protective vaccines. Aiming at a vaccine inducing an effective cytotoxic T cell response, a bioinformatics approach was taken to identify common PRRSV epitopes predicted to react broadly with common swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I alleles. Briefly, all possible 9and 10-mer peptides were generated from 104 complete PRRSV type 2 genomes of confirmed high quality, and peptides with high binding affinity to five common SLAs were identified combining the NetMHCpan and Positional Scanning Combinatorial Peptide Libraries binding predictions. Predicted binders were prioritized according to genomic conservation and SLA coverage using the PopCover algorithm. From this, 53 peptides were acquired for further analysis. Binding affinity and stability of a subset of 101 peptide-SLA combinations were validated in vitro for 4 of the 5 SLAs. Eventually, 23% of the predicted peptide-SLA combinations showed to form complexes with a dissociation half-life ≥ 30 minutes. Additionally, combining the two prediction methods proved to be more robust across alleles than either method used alone in terms of predicted-to-observed correlations. In summary, our approach represents a finely tuned epitope identification pipeline providing a rationally selected ensemble of peptides for future in vivo experiments with pigs expressing the included SLAs.
On the strategic choice of spatial price policy: the role of the pricing game rules

In this paper, whe show that the strategic choice of spatial price policy under duopoly crucially depends on the rules of price competition. Thisse and Vives (1988) show that spatial price discrimination is a dominant strategy when the mill pricing firm is the leader and the discriminatory firm is the follower. When the leader-follower roles are reversed we find that equilibrium pricing policies depend on the consumer's reservation value. The pricing policy game has two equilibria in pure strategies, either both firms price uniformly (f.o.b.) or both firms price discriminate, when the reservation value is low. For intermediate levels of the reservation value, price discrimination is a dominant strategy and the pricing policy game is similar to a Prisoner's Dilemma. When the consumer reservation value is large enough we obtain asymmetric equilibria in which one firm prices according to f.o. b. and the other price discriminates. We also analyze the case of simultaneous price competition and find a mixed strategies equilibrium for the price competition subgame such that the pricing policy game has two equilibria in pure strategies, either both firms price uniformly or both firms price discriminate.
Murine SEC24D Can Substitute Functionally for SEC24C in vivo

The COPII component SEC24 mediates the recruitment of transmembrane cargoes or cargo adaptors into newly forming COPII vesicles on the ER membrane. Mammalian genomes encode four Sec24 paralogs (Sec24a-d), with two subfamilies based on sequence homology (SEC24A/B and C/D), though little is known about their comparative functions and cargo-specificities. Complete deficiency for Sec24d results in very early embryonic lethality in mice (before the 8 cell stage), with later embryonic lethality (E 7.5) observed in Sec24c null mice. To test the potential overlap in function between SEC24C/D, we employed dual recombinase mediated cassette exchange to generate a Sec24cc-d allele, in which the C-terminal 90% of SEC24C has been replaced by SEC24D coding sequence. In contrast to the embryonic lethality at E7.5 of SEC24C-deficiency, Sec24cc-d/c-d pups survive to term, though dying shortly after birth. Sec24cc-d/c-d pups are smaller in size, but exhibit no obvious developmental abnormality. These results suggest that tissue-specific and/or stage-specific expression of the Sec24c/d genes rather than differences in cargo function explain the early embryonic requirements for SEC24C and SEC24D.
Seasonal changes in soil and tissue nutrition in balsam fir and influence on postharvest needle abscission

ABSTRACT Postharvest needle abscission in balsam fir varies based on time of harvest, but little is known about the effect of soil and tree nutrition on postharvest needle abscission. From April to November, 18 balsam fir samples were obtained each month and evaluated for postharvest needle abscission characteristics. Soil samples were collected simultaneously and evaluated for moisture, pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and mineral nutrition. Needle tissue samples were also evaluated for mineral nutrition. Many parameters were found to vary based on month throughout the study, but not all were associated with needle abscission. Soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, Ca, and Mn all had a significant (P < .01) positive relationship with needle retention; soil Al had a significant (P < .01) negative relationship with needle retention. Needle N, Ca, and Fe were also associated with needle abscission. The strongest positive relationship was found between needle Ca and needle retention (R2 > .50), suggesting that higher concentrations of tissue Ca were linked to superior needle retention in balsam fir. Overall, this study provides evidence that changes to soil management, such as the inclusion of organic matter and certain minerals, may improve needle retention in balsam fir.
Evaluation of selected quality parameters of reduced salt frankfurters

Higher salt content in foods brings health risks associated with hypertension and leads to an increased risk of strokes and fatal vascular diseases. For this study, a frankfurter was chosen as a frequently consumed meat product. In repetitions, four groups of products were produced with different salt contents (2.0% and 1.4%) and the kind of meat used (CPF - Control Pork Frankfurters, RPF - Reduced salt Pork Frankfurters, CBF - Control Beef Frankfurters, RBF - Reduced salt Beef Frankfurters). Basic chemical parameters (dry matter, fat and salt content), colour parameters (CIE L*, a* and b*) and basic sensory analysis were performed before (UT - untreated) and after heat treatment (HT - heat treated). The lower salt content and the type of meat used have a significant effect ( p ˂0.05) on the colour of the products. In almost all parameters frankfurters with pork meat scored better than frankfurters with beef meat. The lower salt content and the type of meat used proved to have affected the colour of the products. After heat treatment there were found statistical significant differences in saltiness between control and salt reduced group (UT, p = 0.0098; HT p = 0.0001). Sensory results were better with pork and higher salt. A more key role than salt content in frankfurters is played by the type of meat. Debrecener´s frankfurter was selected for this study, and its formula can serve as a good example for the manufacturers that there is no need to worry about one third salt mixture reduction in the recipe on frankfurters sensory analysis.
Deleterious genetic variants in NOTCH1 are a major contributor to the incidence of non-syndromic Tetralogy of Fallot

Aims Familial recurrence studies provide strong evidence for a genetic component to the predisposition to sporadic, non-syndromic Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) phenotype. Rare genetic variants have been identified as important contributors to the risk of CHD, but relatively small numbers of TOF cases have been studied to date. Here, we use whole exome sequencing to assess the prevalence of rare, potentially deleterious variants in candidate genes previously associated with both syndromic and non-syndromic TOF, in the largest cohort of non-syndromic TOF patients reported to date. Methods & Results 829 non-syndromic TOF patients underwent whole exome sequencing. A systematic review of the literature was conducted which revealed 77 genes in which mutations had been reported in patients with TOF. The presence of rare, deleterious variants in the 77 candidate genes was determined, defined by a minor allele frequency of ≤ 0.001 and scaled combined annotation-dependent depletion (CADD) score of ≥ 20. We found a clustering of heterozygous rare, deleterious variants in NOTCH1 (P=1.89E-15), DOCK6 (P=2.93E-07), MYOM2 (P= 7.35E-05), TTC37 (P=0.016), MESP1 (P=0.024) and TBX1 (P=0.039), after correcting for multiple testing. NOTCH1 was most frequently found to harbour deleterious variants. Changes were observed in 49 patients (6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5% - 7.8%) and included six truncating/frameshift variants and forty missense variants. Sanger sequencing of the unaffected parents of thirteen cases identified five de novo variants. Variants were not confined to a single functional domain of the NOTCH1 protein but significant clustering of variants was evident in the EGF-like repeats (P=0.018). Three NOTCH1 missense variants (p.G200R, p.C607Y and de novo p.N1875S) were subjected to functional evaluation and showed a reduction in Jagged1 ligand-induced NOTCH signalling. p.C607Y, which exhibited the most significant reduction in signalling, also perturbed S1 cleavage of the NOTCH1 receptor in the Golgi. Conclusion The NOTCH1 locus is a frequent site of genetic variants predisposing to non-syndromic TOF with 6% of patients exhibiting rare, deleterious variants. Our data supports the polygenic origin of TOF and suggests larger studies may identify additional loci.
Effects of induced subacute ruminal acidosis and laminitis on lipopolysaccharide binding protein, cortisol and progesterone levels in dairy heifers

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a predisposing cause of laminitis and results in an inflammatory response in dairy cattle. However, the link between SARA associated with laminitis and inflammation and the endocrinal profiles related to reproduction has not been clearly demonstrated. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of high concentrate-induced SARA and laminitis on the changes in lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), cortisol and progesterone in dairy heifers. Six treated heifers were induced by feeding concentrate ad libitum with restricted amounts of rice straw (1 kg DM/day), while six control heifers were restrictively fed amounts of concentrate (2.2 kg DM/day) and fed rice straw ad libitum . Ruminal fluid collection, blood sampling, hoof testing and reproductive examinations were performed during 8 days of the experimental period. SARA (ruminal pH < threshold value, 6.00) and hoof pain were detected in the treated heifers from days five to eight of the experimental period. SARA and hoof pain were not detected in any control heifers. Means of plasma LBP and cortisol of the treated heifers were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than those of the control heifers. Serum progesterone levels which increased during 36 to 72 h after ovulation in the treated heifers were significantly lower ( p < 0.05) than those in the control heifers. These results suggested that feeding high levels of concentrate induced SARA which caused laminitis and resulted in an inflammatory response. The hoof pain and inflammation led to increased cortisol hormone. These circumstances had a suppressive effect on the increase of serum progesterone levels after ovulation.
Effect of corn flour and storage period on sensory and physiochemical properties of chicken meatball

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different levels of corn flour on the quality characteristics of chicken meatball. The meatballs were formulated having 0, 05, 10 and 15% of corn flour. After formulation, samples were preserved at -20˚C for 60 days and analyzed the data at 0, 15, 30 and 60 th day, respectively. The products were analyzed for various sensory, proximate, biochemical and physicochemical attributes. The sensory (color, flavor, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability), proximate composition- dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP) and ash, biochemical parameters- free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid value (TBARS) and physicochemical (raw pH, cooked pH and cooking loss) were analyzed. Data were analyzed in a 4x4 factorial experiment in completely randomized design with replicated three times per cell. Results showed that corn flour inclusion in meatballs have no effect on sensory parameters, but the highest value for all sensory parameters was found at 15 th day storage period, (p<0.05). After 15 th day, with the increasing of storage period the value for all sensory parameters were decreased (p<0.05). The proximate component’s value were differ with treatment and day interval group (p<0.05). The highest value of raw pH and lowest value of cooking loss were found in 5% corn flour group (p<0.05). The highest value of cooked pH and lowest value of cooking loss were found at 15 th day storage period. There were no effect of treatment or day interval on FFA and TBARS. Highest value of PV were found in 0% cornflower group (p<0.05). It may be concluded that 5% corn flour and 15 days storage period is suitable for chicken meat ball. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (3): 164-171
The effects of erythrocyte alloantigen L on the avian immune response

Experiment 1 examined the alloantigen system L effects on Rous sarcomas in three B complex genotypes. The parental stock were 50% Modified Wisconsin Line 3 and 50% inbred Line 6.155. B2B5 L1L2 x B2B5 L 1L2 matings produced experimental chicks. Chicks were inoculated with 20 pock-forming units (pfu) Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) at 6 weeks-of-age. Tumors were scored six times over 10 weeks postinoculation. Tumor scores were used to assign a tumor profile index (TPI) to each chicken. Results were evaluated by ANOVA. The B complex affected the responses. Separate analyses revealed L system effects ( P < 0.05) only in B5B 5 chickens. Experiment 2 examined the influence of Ea-L on antibody response to SRBC and Brucella abortus (BA). The mating protocol was the same as in Experiment 1. At 4 and 11 weeks of age the experimental birds were injected intravenously with standard concentrations of SRBC and BA. Total and ME-resistant antibody titers were determined as described. Results were analyzed by ANOVA. Ea-L had an effect on total primary antibody titer to SRBC in a B5B 5 background (p < 0.004) and on total (p < 0.011) and ME-resistant (p < 0.017) secondary titer to SRBC in a B5 B5 genotypic background. Ea-L also affected total (p < 0.004) and ME-resistant (p < 0.005) secondary titer to Brucella abortus in a B5 B5 background. Experiment 3 examined the effect of Ea-L on resistance and acquired immunity to E. tenella infection. The mating protocol was the same as in Experiments 1 and 2. In the resistance and susceptibility study, chicks were weighed and inoculated with 30,000 E. tenella oocysts at 6 weeks of age. 6 days post-inoculation, the birds were weighed again and assigned a cecal lesion score. In the immunity study, the challenge procedure was preceded by inoculations of 500 oocysts per day beginning at 5 weeks. Weight gain and cecal lesion scores were evaluated by ANOVA. The B complex affected lesion score in the immunity but not the resistance and susceptibility study and did not affect weight gain in either study. The L system had no effect in either study.
Taxonomic status and typification of a neglected name Symphytum leonhardtianum from the Symphytum tuberosum complex (Boraginaceae)

Symphytum leonhardtianum , a member of the S. tuberosum complex, is investigated. This taxon was described by Pugsley in 1931, from the vicinity of Vienna, Austria. Nevertheless, it is generally not accepted in European floras. In this study, we conducted an evaluation of this taxon using flow cytometry, karyology and morphological analysis. Flow cytometric and karyological investigations of plants from the type locality of S. leonhardtianum revealed only dodecaploids (2 n = 12x = 96), a ploidy level corresponding to the S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum . The chromosome number of the S. tuberosum from Austria is here recorded for the first time. Morphological comparison of Central European populations of S. tuberosum complex showed that S. leonhardtianum did not differ significantly from S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum . Based on our findings, we propose treating the name S. leonhardtianum as a heterotypic synonym of S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum . The lectotype of S. leonhardtianum is designated.
Trade Balance and Exchange-Rate for a Small Open Economy during the EMS: The Hellenic Case 1983:1-1995:12

We are interested on assessing the effectiveness of the Bank of Greece (BoG) exchange rate policy, to achieve the objective of adjusting balance of payments des-equilibrium, during the period 1983:1-1995:12. The traditional theory of the balance of payments adjustment process through exchange rate changes is used for this purpose. We found evidence, first, about the doubtful effectiveness of this policy due to the marginal verification of the critical elasticities condition; second, about the success of the exchange rate policy in the short-run, since the monthly data of bilateral exchange rates (USD, DEM, ITL, FRF, GBP, JPY) of the Hellenic Drachma (GRD) Granger cause the respective trade balances; third, about the significant co-movement in the series which in the long-run, are driven by the same stochastic trend. We are much aware of the tentative nature of these conclusions. However, our findings suggest that the loss of the exchange rate policy was costly in the case of Hellas because an efficient policy sacrificed by the BoG to the European Central Bank (ECB).