Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea soil inoculum level, host resistance and powdery scab on potato tubers in the field

The relationship between initial soil inoculum level of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss) and the incidence and severity of powdery scab on potato tubers at harvest was investigated. In all experiments soil inoculum level of Sss (sporeballs ⁄g soil) was measured using a quantitative real-time PCR assay. Of 113 commercial potato fields across the UK, soil inoculum was detected in 75%, ranging from 0 to 148 Sss sporeballs ⁄g soil. When arbitrary soil inoculum threshold values of 0, 10 sporeballs ⁄g soil were set, it was observed that the number of progeny crops developing powdery scab increased with the level of inoculum quantified in the field soil preplanting. In four field trials carried out to investigate the link between the amount of inoculum added to the soil and disease development, disease incidence and severity on progeny tubers was found to be significantly (P <0 AE01) greater in plots with increasing levels of inoculum incorporated. There was a cultivar effect in all years, with disease incidence and severity scores being significantly greater in cvs Agria and Estima than in Nicola (P <0 AE01).
The Determinants of Unemployment in Malaysia

This paper investigates the relationship between unemployment rate, inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exchange rate and population rate in Malaysia. This paper examines the relationship between unemployment rate, inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exchange rate and population rate in Malaysia from year 1985 to year 2015 which consists of 31 observations. This research employed several analysis tools such as Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) Unit Root Test, Lag-length selection, Bound Test Checking, ARDL, VAR Block Exogeneity Test and VAR estimates to evaluate the relationships. ADF Unit Root Test adopted to identify whether the data is stationary. Lag-length selections is utilized to determine appropriate lag length. Bound Test Checking and ARDL approach is used to examine whether there is long-run relationship among the variables. VAR Block Exogeneity Test treated as Granger Causality Test to investigate the casual relationship and to clarify the effects on unemployment rate in the future following inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exchange rate, and population rate granger of current year. VAR estimated is utilised to determine how much the changes of one variables to another variable. Diagnostic Checking such as Heteroskedasticity and Autocorrelation will be used to examines whether the model is free from heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation problems. Normality test such as Jarque-Bera test is utilized to examine whether the data from the model have normality distributed. The appropriate interpretation for the above models
Localization of a peripheral membrane protein: Gβγ targets GαZ

To explore the relative roles of protein-binding partners vs. lipid modifications in controlling membrane targeting of a typical peripheral membrane protein, Galpha(z), we directed its binding partner, betagamma, to mislocalize on mitochondria. Mislocalized betagamma directed wild-type Galpha(z) and a palmitate-lacking Galpha(z) mutant to mitochondria but did not alter localization of a Galpha(z) mutant lacking both myristate and palmitate. Thus, in this paradigm, a protein-protein interaction controls targeting of a peripheral membrane protein to the proper compartment, whereas lipid modifications stabilize interactions of proteins with membranes and with other proteins.
Evaluation of tomato early blight management using reduced application rates and frequencies of fungicide applications

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of reduced rates and application intervals of the fungicides mancozeb and azoxystrobin on disease control of tomato early blight. In the spring–summer season, all fungicide treatments were significantly better than the untreated control in reducing disease severity. However, early blight disease severity was not significantly different between the two fungicides, azoxystrobin and mancozeb, treatments, nor was it different among treatment schedules within each fungicide. In the summer–fall experiment, results demonstrated significant differences between mancozeb and azoxystrobin treatments in reduction of early blight disease severity. Early blight disease severity was not significantly different among different treatments of mancozeb. However, all azoxystrobin treatments demonstrated significantly lower early blight severity than mancozeb treatments. Results suggest that lower doses of mancozeb, than currently used, can provide acceptable disease control compared to the non-treated control. In addition, results suggest that application of azoxystrobin might be beneficial in reducing disease severity under high disease pressure.
Characterization of New Highly Virulent German Isolates of Bremia lactucae and Efficiency of Resistance in Wild Lactuca spp. Germplasm

Four German isolates (FS1, SR2, SAW1 and DEG2) of Bremia lactucae originating from lettuce cultivars with R-factors R18 and Dm6 + R36 were used for detailed characterization of virulence factors (v-factors) and for the study of the resistance efficiency in wild Lactuca spp. germplasm. The highest complexity of v-phenotype was recognized in isolate DEG2, which overcomes resistance in cv. Mariska (R18) and line CS-RL (L. serriola × L. sativa, R18 + ? ), until now known as resistant to all known races of B. lactucae in Europe. However, some sparse sporulation also occurred on cv. Titan (Dm6 + R36). The isolates SR2 and SAW1 overcome the resistance based on the gene R36, but are avirulent to R18. The v-phenotype of SR2 is highly complex with the most important v-factors being present except for v14 and v18. The isolate FS1 is the first in Germany originating from a cultivar with R18 (cv. Samourai). The search for efficient sources of resistance in 64 accessions of 11 wild Lactuca spp. and primitive forms of L. sativa showed broad variation in accession–isolate interactions. Expression of race-specific resistance in wild Lactuca spp. (L. serriola, L. viminea, L. virosa) was recorded frequently. Lactuca indica and L. saligna could be considered as the most efficient sources of resistance against isolates FS1, SR2 and SAW1. The isolate DEG2 showed the highest level of virulence. On seedlings of L. saligna, which is considered as a most important source of resistance against B. lactucae, there was frequently recorded limited sporulation, however this response cannot be considered as a susceptible. Except for some L. saligna accessions (CGN 05310 and CGN 05315), the resistance to all studied isolates was only observed in one accession of L. serriola (PI 253467).
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Origins of Bradyrhizobium nodule symbionts from two legume trees in the Philippines

Aim Geographic affinities were analysed for nodule bacteria (Bradyrhizobium sp. Jordan) associated with two legume trees indigenous to the Philippines: Pterocarpus indicus (Papilionoideae) and Wallaceodendron celebicum (Mimosoideae).
Low Frequency of p16INK4a Alterations in Insulinomas

Background/Aims: The molecular mechanisms contributing to the tumorigenesis of insulinomas are poorly understood. Disruption of the cell cycle due to inactivation of the p16INK4a tumor-suppressor gene was identified in a variety of human tumors, including gastrinomas and nonfunctioning endocrine pancreatic carcinomas. In this study the role of p16INK4a in the tumorigenesis of insulinomas was evaluated. Methods: Seventeen insulinomas (14 benign, 3 malignant) were analyzed for genetic alterations in the p16INK4a tumor-suppressor gene by SSCP, PCR-based deletion and methylation-specific assays. p16 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: One malignant insulinoma showed a homozygous deletion of p16INK4a and another two benign insulinomas revealed aberrant methylation of the p16INK4a promoter region. All three tumors lacked p16 expression according to immunohistochemistry. None of the insulinomas carried intragenic p16INK4a mutations. In total, 17% of insulinomas had p16INK4a alterations. Conclusions: The p16INK4a tumor-suppressor gene contributes to tumorigenesis in only a small subset of insulinomas.
TGF-β1 Inhibits Mast Cell FcεRI Expression 1

Mast cell activation through the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) is a critical component of atopic inflammation. The cytokine TGF-β1 has been shown to inhibit IgE-dependent mast cell activation, possibly serving to dampen mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. We present proof that TGF-β1 inhibits mast cell FcεRI expression through a reversible pathway that diminishes protein, but not mRNA, expression of the FcεRI subunit proteins α, β, and γ. The stability of the expressed proteins and the assembled cell surface complex was unaltered by TGF-β1 treatment. However, TGF-β1 decreased the rate of FcεRI β-chain synthesis, arguing that this inhibitory cytokine exerts its effects at the level of mRNA translation. TGF-β1 consistently diminished FcεRI expression on cultured human or mouse mast cells as well as freshly isolated peritoneal mast cells. The related cytokines, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3, had similar effects. We propose that TGF-β1 acts as a negative regulator of mast cell function, in part by decreasing FcεRI expression.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE CONSUMERS’ WILLINGNESS TO INSURE ONLINE

This study used TAM as a theoretical basis to explore the public's attitude towards online insurance products. This study used the people in Taiwan as the research subject and distributed 628 questionnaires on the Internet by means of convenient sampling. After eliminating 88 invalid questionnaires, 540 valid questionnaires, the effective recovery rate was 85.99%. The findings of this study are as follows: 1. In the pension financial planning model, perceived usefulness, trust, and product involvement have a significant positive impact on attitude; perceived risk has a significant negative impact on attitude; attitude and subjective norm have a significant positive impact on behavioral intention Impact. 2. In the travel insurance model, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust and product involvement have a significant positive impact on attitudes; attitudes and subjective norms have a significant positive impact on behavioral intentions. Finally, this study concludes that insurance belongs to high amount and longterm products, it may not be suitable for people to buy through the Internet; the other hand, if insurance belongs to one-time and low-priced products that can be solved conveniently, quickly and efficiently demand is the primary consideration of the people.
Notes on Heterobasidiomycetes from St. Helena

In total, 7 species of heterobasidiomycetes are reported for the first time from St. Helena. A new genus Dendrogloeon (Auricularilaes) is introduced for the new species D. helenae based on both DNA and morphological data. Saccoblastia media, sp. nova, is the sole representative of the Pucciniomycotina, so far found in the study area. Introduction This paper summarizes the first data on heterobasidiomycetes of St. Helena. Material and methods Eighteen specimens of heterobasidiomycetes were collected by one of us ( LR) in February 2014. They are preserved in herbarium K, with some duplicates in H. Collecting localities are listed in Ryvarden (2015). DNA and morphological methods follow Miettinen et al. (2012).
Response of the phoxocephalid amphipod,Rhepoxynius abronius, to a small oil spill in Yaquina Bay, Oregon

A spill of approximately 284,000 liters of Bunker C and diesel fuel oils occurred at the entrance of Yaquina Bay, Oregon, following the wreck of the freighterBlue Magpie on 19 November 1983. A portion of this oil entered the lower estuary and was deposited on subtidal benthic habitats occupied by the phoxocephalid amphipodRhepoxynius abronius. This species is particularly sensitive to contaminants in sediment and its life history had previously been studied at the same sites affected by the spill. The oil was initially present as small, sand-coated globules at the study site, and persisted in association with detritus and sediment for months. Bioassays withRhepoxynius abronius showed that the oil globules were not acutely toxic unless mixed into the sediment at concentrations of 1.0 parts per thousand or greater. A series of 10-d bioassays before and after the spill showed that sediment collected from oiled subtidal sites did not become acutely toxic to this species. Although the density of theR. abronius population declined by 75% after the spill, similar declines of the same population were observed at this site in fall 1980. Oil-exposedR. abronius from Yaquina Bay were slightly more sensitive to cadmium in sediment than individuals from Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, Washington. Although mean fecundity was greater in 1984 than in 1981, recruitment following the spill was lower than in the 1980–1981 study. Thus, there is limited evidence for a small impact of the oil spill on this sensitive amphipod.
Water and nutrient budgets of ponds in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

A participatory on-farm study analysed water and nutrient budgets of six low and four high water-exchange ponds of integrated agriculture-aquaculture (IAA) farms in the Mekong delta. Water, nitrogen (N), organic carbon (OC) and phosphorus (P) flows through the ponds were monitored, and data on fish production and nutrient accumulation in sediments were collected during a fish culture cycle. Results showed that, on average, only 5-6% of total N, OC or P inputs introduced into ponds were recovered in the harvested fish. About 29% N, 81% OC and 51% P accumulated in the sediments. The remaining fractions were lost through pond water discharges into adjacent canals. Fish yields and nutrient accumulation rates in the sediments increased with increasing food inputs applied to the pond at the cost of increased nutrient discharges. High water-exchange ponds received two to three times more on-farm nutrients (N, OC and P) while requiring nine times more water and discharging 10-14 times more nutrients than the low water-exchange ponds. Water and nutrient flows between the pond and the other IAA-farm components need to be considered when optimizing productivity and profitability from IAA systems.
Correlated response of pulpwood profit traits following differential fertilisation of a Eucalyptus nitens clonal trial

Silvicultural treatments that are aimed at increasing plantation growth rate may also impact directly or indirectly on wood properties. We examined this impact in a fertiliser × clone trial in northwestern Tasmania, Australia. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers were applied at planting to three Eucalyptus nitens (Deane et Maiden) Maiden clones and one F1 hybrid clone of E. nitens and E. globulus Labill. in a factorial design with each clone exposed to two levels of nitrogen (0 and 23 kg N/ha) and two levels of phosphorus (0 and 21 kg P/ha) spot-applied close to each seedling. The trial comprised four replicates per treatment with 5 × 5 tree clonal plots. Height was measured at ages one and two years, and diameter at breast height over bark at age 11 years. Increment cores at breast height were obtained from one fastand one slow-growing ramet within each clonal plot to determine corewood basic density, near infrared-predicted kraft pulp yield, cellulose content, and extractives content. No significant interactions among main treatments were detected for any of the growth- or wood-property traits. Nitrogen application increased cellulose content (p < 0.05). Phosphorus application significantly increased diameter (p < 0.01), but resulted in lower wood density (p < 0.001). Within clonal plots, large trees had lower wood density (p < 0.001) and a higher extractives content (p = 0.004) than the corresponding small trees. Pulpwood production per hectare (calculated from plot volume, mean whole-tree adjusted density and mean plot kraft pulp yield) indicated that: (i) the choice of germplasm had a much larger effect on plantation profitability than did the starter fertiliser application; and (ii) that failure to account for adverse changes in wood properties in calculating pulp fibre production would result in over-estimation of the gain in pulp production due to starter phosphorus application by up to 0.6 t/ha or 20% per 12 year rotation.
THE USE OF TOOTH PIT AND TOOTH/JAW MEASUREMENTS TO IDENTIFY CARNIVORE TAXA RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE ON SCAVENGED BONE

Chairperson: Randall Skeleton Forensic anthropologists are often asked to analyze and interpret human remains that have been modified or damaged by predators and/or scavengers (White 2000; James et al. 2005; Dupras et al. 2006). The goal of this study is to determine whether it is possible to distinguish carnivore tooth mark characteristics from other carnivore tooth mark characteristics through two separate analyses: first by examination of tooth pitting and second from carnivore tooth and jaw measurements. This is accomplished by visual analysis and measurements of tooth pits left on faunal bones processed by an experimental wolf group as well as carnivore tooth and jaw measurements from a study done by Murmann et al. (2006) and measurements done by the author from samples located in the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum. In the first analysis, independent t-tests demonstrate that pit lengths found on long bone epiphyses that are less than 4mm are likely to be made by carnivores the same size or smaller than a jackal. If pit lengths found on long bone epiphyses are between 4mm and 6mm, they are likely to have been made by carnivores roughly the same size as baboons, bears, dogs, and wolves and if the pit lengths found on long bone epiphyses measure greater than 6mm, they are likely made by carnivores about the same size as hyenas and lions. Pit breadths between 2mm and 4mm found on long bone epiphyses are associated with carnivores in the size bracket of baboons, jackals, bears and dogs. Pit breadths larger than 4mm found on long bone epiphyses are associated with larger carnivores such as hyenas, lions and wolves. The second analysis, a discriminant function analysis using tooth and jaw measurements distinguishes carnivore tooth mark characteristics from other carnivore tooth mark characteristics left on scavenged remains through the use of the Murmann et al. (2006) measurements with an accuracy of between 75.5% based on “leave one out” cross-validation and 78.3% based on the accuracy of classification of a test sample.
Forecasting the Return Volatility of Energy Prices: A GARCH-MIDAS Approach

This paper offers an extension to the literature on energy prices by forecasting the return volatility of these prices using the GARCH-MIDAS approach. In addition to the realized volatility, it also evaluates the predictability of relevant macroeconomic information such as industrial growth and consumer prices (with and without energy components) in the predictive model for the return volatility of energy prices. The analyses are distinctly conducted for full-sample, pre-GFC and post-GFC periods. On average, the findings support the inclusion of these macroeconomic information particularly output growth and realized volatility as they yield good in-sample and outof- sample predictability results for the return volatility. However, the paper finds contrasting evidence between the pre-GFC and post-GFC periods.
Growth of the checkered puffer Sphoeroides testudineus: postscript to papers by Target and Pauly Ingles

J. Ingles and D. Pauly presented at the Fourth International Coral Reef Symposium a seasonally oscillating growth curve for the puffer Sphoeroides testudineus (Tetraodontidae), based on length-frequency data collected in 1974 in Florida by T.E. Targett, but forgot to include the corresponding growth parameters in the ensuing publication. These are given here (TL8=30, K=0.51 year -1, C=0.7, and WP=0.05), along with some related biological information on the species.
Relationships between Leaf Traits of Castanopsis Species and the Environmental Factors in the North-South Transect of Eastern China

Quantifying correlations between leaf traits and environmental factors not only gives insight into selective pressures that have shaped vegetation evolution,but also plays a crucial role in predicting vegetation productivity shift with climate and land use change.The authors measured specific leaf area(SLA),leaf nitrogen per unit mass,leaf phosphorus per unit mass,leaf potassium per unit mass and leaf photosynthetic capacity per unit area for 9 Castanopsis species in North-South Transect of China,then analyzed the relationships between the leaf traits and environmental factors.The results showed that leaf photosynthetic capacity per unit area was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature(MAT)(r=-0.413,P0.05),but positively correlated with photosynthetic available radiation,(r=0.457,P0.05),while no correlation with mean annual rainful(r=-0.072,P0.05). SLA was positively correlated with MAT and mean annual rainful(r=0.418,P0.05;r=0.334,P0.05). There are no correlation with between leaf N content,leaf P content of Castanopsis species and latitude,mean annual temperature.
Unravelling mechanisms linking plant diversity to plant-disease suppression

The use of microbes for biological control of plant diseases represents an environmentally friendly and promising approach. Plant diversity is known to increase numerous ecosystem functions and also increases the resistance of soils to pathogens by increasing the abundance of essential microbes. However, to effectively antagonize soil-borne pathogens, bacteria not only need to produce antibiotics in sufficient amounts, but also need to successfully compete for nutrients and niches on the root surface, and escape predation. However, the extent to which each of those parameters impacts rhizosphere microbial functioning is not fully understood. This thesis aimed at a mechanistic understanding of the effect of plant diversity and plant community structure on the abundance and activity of soil bacteria responsible for soil-borne plant disease suppression. First, I analyzed whether plant diversity per se or plant functional group affiliation, plant identity or interaction effects are the main drivers of biocontrol bacteria and their activity in producing antifungal compounds. Second, I investigated abiotic factors and protozoan predation as mediators of plant community composition effects on plant-disease suppression. Results of this thesis proved biocontrol bacteria in addition to abiotic soil parameters to be important determinants of pathogen suppression. The results underline the role of plant diversity in driving soil disease suppression, but further indicate that plant diversity (and functional group) effects are mediated by specific plant identity and plant-plant interaction effects. Moreover, the results underline the assumption that plant community composition, soil abiotic properties and microbial communities being antagonistic to soil pathogens are linked and interactively shape the suppressive potential of soils. Results of this thesis represent an important step in unravelling the complexity of mechanisms linking plant community composition to plant disease suppression. Choosing specific plant communities may enable to manipulate rhizosphere environmental conditions, thereby fostering microbial establishment in the rhizosphere and increase the disease suppressive potential of soils.