Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size reductions and genomic changes within two generations in wild walleye populations: associated with harvest?

The extent and rate of harvest‐induced genetic changes in natural populations may impact population productivity, recovery, and persistence. While there is substantial evidence for phenotypic changes in harvested fishes, knowledge of genetic change in the wild remains limited, as phenotypic and genetic data are seldom considered in tandem, and the number of generations needed for genetic changes to occur is not well understood. We quantified changes in size‐at‐age, sex‐specific changes in body size, and genomic metrics in three harvested walleye (Sander vitreus) populations and a fourth reference population with low harvest levels over a 15‐year period in Mistassini Lake, Quebec. We also collected Indigenous knowledge (IK) surrounding concerns about these populations over time. Using ~9,000 SNPs, genomic metrics included changes in population structure, neutral genomic diversity, effective population size, and signatures of selection. Indigenous knowledge revealed overall reductions in body size and number of fish caught. Smaller body size, a small reduction in size‐at‐age, nascent changes to population structure (population differentiation within one river and homogenization between two others), and signatures of selection between historical and contemporary samples reflected coupled phenotypic and genomic change in the three harvested populations in both sexes, while no change occurred in the reference population. Sex‐specific analyses revealed differences in both body size and genomic metrics but were inconclusive about whether one sex was disproportionately affected. Although alternative explanations cannot be ruled out, our collective results are consistent with the hypothesis that genetic changes associated with harvesting may arise within 1–2.5 generations in long‐lived wild fishes. This study thus demonstrates the need to investigate concerns about harvest‐induced evolution quickly once they have been raised.
Auditor Governance, Institutions and Analyst Forecast Properties: International Evidence

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates how political and legal institutions affect the governance role of auditors for a sample of firms originating in 42 countries. Prior studies focus on investor protection, but I focus on political rights as well. Specifically, I investigate how institutions and audit quality affect financial statement users' decision-making by considering properties of analysts' earnings forecasts. The evidence shows that forecast accuracy is lower and forecast dispersion higher for firms operating in countries with fewer political rights. Of particular interest is the finding that the association between Big 4 audits and earnings forecast properties is stronger in weak political environments. This finding suggests that auditors play an important—and up to now undocumented—governance role when political rights are low and political forces influential. My results also indicate that reporting reliability increases as investor protection becomes stronger. However, this result only holds for B.
How to Implement Change in Asthma Management in a Developing Country

The goal of asthma management is to control symptoms, reduce the need for short acting beta agonist, and maintain optimal pulmonary function, and normal physical activities. Uncontrolled asthma can lead to obesity, suboptimal pulmonary function, poor quality of life and mortality. Children with bronchial asthma in River State University Teaching Hospital were just receiving acute care in the emergency room with no concrete plan for a follow up care for their chronic asthma; as a result most of the patients had uncontrolled asthma. In the hospital, the situation led to increased emergency hospitalization, resulting in decreased bed availability, increased burden on manpower and health resource utilization thereby putting more pressure on the limited health resources. Using the Kotter’s model for change management, transformational and situational leadership style, the change in the desired quality and scope of health service rendered to asthmatic patients was successfully implemented; as a result there was a decrease in emergency room visit for acute asthma by 57.5% and an increase in the uptake of scheduled clinic visits for asthma control services. The effect of these changes was an improvement in the control of asthma and quality of life of our patient cohort. Implementation of change in health service delivery is a delicate process that needs a stepwise approach in order to successfully implement and sustain the desired change.
Fishes as models in studies of sexual selection and parental care

Fishes are by far the most diverse group of vertebrates. This fact is in no way, however, reflected in their use as model organisms for understanding sexual selection or parental care. Why is this so? Is it because fishes are actually poor models? The usefulness of fishes as models for sexual selection and parental care is discussed by emphasizing some problems inherent in fish studies, along with a number of reasons why fishes are indeed excellently suited. The pros and cons of fishes as models are discussed mainly by comparison with birds, the most popular model organisms in animal behaviour. Difficulties include a lack of background knowledge for many species, and the problems of marking and observing fishes in their natural environment. Positive attributes include the diversity of lifestyles among fishes, and the ease with which they can be studied experimentally in the laboratory. How useful fish models can be is briefly illustrated by the impressive and broadly relevant advances derived from studies of guppies Poecilia reticulata and three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus. A selection of topics is highlighted where fish studies have either advanced or could greatly enhance, the understanding of processes fundamental to animal reproductive dynamics. Such topics include sex role dynamics, the evolution of female ornamentation and mate choice copying. Finally, a number of potential pitfalls in the future use of fish as models for sexual selection and parental care are discussed. Researchers interested in these issues are recommended to make much more extensive use of fish models, but also to adopt a wider range of models among fishes.
Some Mechanisms That Affect the Sex Ratio of Nasonia vitripennis (Walk.) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Reared From Superparasitized Housefly Pupae

Abstract Female Nasonia vitripennis (Walk.) parasitizing housefly (Musca domestica L.) pupae produce a smaller percentage of female progeny at high parasite:host ratios than at lower ones because they fertilize a smaller percentage of their eggs (in this species unfertilized eggs produce male progeny), and because more female than male larvae die on superparasitized hosts. The adult females fertilize relatively fewer eggs at high than at low parasite:host ratios for two reasons. First, they encounter relatively more previously attacked hosts, on which they lay a smaller percentage of fertilized eggs than on previously unattacked ones; second, they more often encounter other female parasites while ovipositing, and this interference reduces the percentage of fertilized eggs they lay.
Costs and Benefits of Melanism in the Malacosoma disstria Moth: Investigating the Maintenance of a Stable Polymorphism

The objective of this work is to investigate potential mechanisms maintaining a melanic polymorphism in the Malacosoma disstria moth. Laboratory experiments determined that the male-limited melanic phenotype is measurably darker than the simple phenotype. The melanic allele follows inheritance patterns expected for a Mendelian autosomal dominant. Melanization varies within phenotypes and is strongly dependent on dietary nitrogen availability. In female moths, melanization shows condition dependence. Melanic males tend to be smaller than simple males, allocate higher proportions of resources to melanin synthesis, and may be more susceptible to suboptimal conditions. These costs to the melanic phenotype may be balanced by thermoregulatory advantages and decreased predation pressure. Selection against the melanic phenotype may be strongest during outbreaks, but sex-limitation of the phenotype can protect the melanic allele from negative selection. The frequency of the melanic allele varies geographically; this may be related to temperature, population dynamics, or both. Multiple mechanisms appear to be balancing selection on the two colour phenotypes in M. disstria moths, resulting in a stable polymorphism that is present throughout the species’ wide distribution.
Quantification of the relationship between strigolactones and Striga hermonthica infection in rice under varying levels of nitrogen and phosphorus

Strigolactone exudation, as well as Striga hermonthica germination and attachment, was studied under different levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in two cultivars of rice (IAC 165 and TN 1). Exudation of strigolactones by rice was the highest under mineral-deficient conditions, whereas increasing N and P dose reduced the amount of strigolactones in the exudates. Deficiency of P led to the highest strigolactone exudation, when compared with N or NP deficiency. Production of strigolactones differed strongly between the two cultivars. IAC 165 produced about 100-fold higher amounts than TN 1 of 2'-epi-5-deoxystrigol, orobanchol and three new strigolactones. Across all N and P treatments, a positive relationship was found between the amount of strigolactones in the exudates of both cultivars and in vitro S. hermonthica germination. These results show that the positive effect of fertiliser application in S. hermonthica control is, at least partly, because of the suppression of strigolactone production and hence of S. hermonthica germination and subsequent attachment. This warrants further research into practical application. Maintaining suitable N and P nutrient status of soil through fertiliser use might be a promising strategy to reduce damage in cereals by this notorious weed.
Defense against Pieris rapae in cabbage plants induced by Bemisia tabaci biotype B

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) are serious pests of vegetables, that can occur simultaneously on a single cabbage plant [Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (Brassicaceae)]. We determined whether pre‐feeding or infestation by B. tabaci on cabbage could induce physiological and biochemical responses of the plant against P. rapae. Developmental time, length, and weight of immature P. rapae, and defense‐related plant compounds (SOD, superoxide dismutase; POD, peroxidase; CAT, catalase; APX, ascorbate peroxidase) were measured. Development of P. rapae larvae was 21% slower on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants than on plants without B. tabaci infestation. When feeding on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants, 22% of P. rapae larvae pupated as compared with 83% on B. tabaci‐free plants. Weights of P. rapae from first to fourth instars that fed on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants were also reduced, whereas those of fifth instars and pupae were not. Similarly, body length of P. rapae from first to fourth instars was affected by B. tabaci pre‐infestation, whereas that of the fifth instars was not. Peroxidase and APX activities of the B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants increased more than SOD and CAT. Peroxidase and SOD activities of B. tabaci and P. rapae co‐infested plants increased as compared with those of P. rapae‐infested plants; however, CAT and APX activities were not different between B. tabaci‐ and P. rapae‐infested plants. These results showed that B. tabaci infestation had a negative effect on P. rapae when they occurred simultaneously on the same host plant. The implications of the induced plant changes on the herbivore are discussed.
Temperaturas e substratos na germinação de sementes de Caesalpinia pyramidalis tul

Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. is a forest species from the Caesalpiniaceae family, considered endemic to the Caatinga biome and the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperature and substrate on its seed germination. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 5 x 4 factorial, totaling 20 treatments, consisting of combinations of five temperatures (25, 30, 35, 20-30 and 20-35 oC) and four substrates (sand, vermiculite, coconut fiber and paper towels), with four replications of 25 seeds each. The parameters evaluated were germination, first germination count, germination speed index and seedling length and dry matter weight. The temperatures of 20-30 and 20-35 oC and the sand and vermiculite substrates were suitable for evaluating the germination of C. pyramidalis seeds.
Thermal acclimation of leaf and root respiration: An investigation comparing inherently fast- and slow-growing plant species

We investigated the extent to which leaf and root respiration W differ in their response to short- and long-term changes in temperature in several contrasting plant species (herbs, grasses, shrubs and trees) that differ in inherent relative growth rate (RGR, increase in mass per unit starting mass and time). Two experiments were conducted using hydroponically grown plants. In the long-term (LT) acclimation experiment, 16 species were grown at constant 18,23 and 28degreesC. In the short-term (ST) acclimation experiment, 9 of those species were grown at 25/20degreesC (day/night) and then shifted to a 15/10degreesC for 7 days. Short-term Q(10) values (proportional change in R per 10degreesC) and the degree of acclimation to. longer-term changes in temperature were compared. The effect of growth temperature on root and leaf soluble sugar and nitrogen concentrations was examined. Light-saturated photosynthesis (A(sat)) was also measured in the LT acclimation experiment. Our results show that Q(10) values and the degree of acclimation are highly variable amongst species and that roots exhibit lower Q(10) values than leaves over the 15-25degreesC measurement temperature range. Differences in RGR or concentrations of soluble sugars/nitrogen could not account for the inter-specific differences in the Q(10) or degree of acclimation. There were no systematic differences in the ability of roots and leaves to acclimate when plants developed under contrasting temperatures (LT acclimation). However, acclimation was greater in both leaves and roots that developed at the growth temperature (LT acclimation) than in pre-existing leaves and roots shifted from one temperature to another (ST acclimation). The balance between leaf R and A(sat) was maintained in plants grown at different temperatures, regardless of their inherent relative growth rate. We conclude that there is tight coupling between the respiratory acclimation and the temperature under which leaves and roots developed and that acclimation plays an important role in determining the relationship between respiration and photosynthesis.
Synergy of Nederlab and

In two concurrent projects in the Netherlands we are further developing TICCL or Text-Induced Corpus Clean-up. In project Nederlab TICCL is set to work on diachronic Dutch text. To this end it has been equipped with the largest diachronic lexicon and a historical name list developed at the Institute for Dutch Lexicology or INL. In project @PhilosTEI TICCL will be set to work on a fair range of European languages. We present a new implementation in C++ of the system which has been tailored to be easily adaptable to different languages. We further revisit prior work on diachronic Portuguese in which it was compared to VARD2 which had been manually adapted to Portuguese. This tested the new mechanisms for ranking correction candidates we have devised. We then move to evaluating the new TICCL port on a very large corpus of Dutch books known as EDBO, digitized by the Dutch National Library. The results show that TICCL scales to the largest corpus sizes and performs excellently raising the quality of the Gold Standard EDBO book by about 20% to 95% word accuracy. Simultaneous unsupervised post-correction of 10,000 digitized books is now a real option.
Modelling leaf, plant and stand flammability for ecological and operational decision making

Numerous factors have been found to affect the flammability of individual leaves and plant parts; however the way in which these factors relate to whole plant flammability, fire behaviour and the overall risk imposed by fire is not straightforward. Similarly, although the structure of plant communities is known to affect the flammability of the stand, a quantified, broadly applicable link has proven difficult to establish and validate. These knowledge gaps have presented major obstacles to the integration into fire behaviour science of research into factors affecting plant flammability, physiology, species succession and structural change, so that the management of ecosystems for fire risk is largely uninformed by these fields.
Patterns of morphometric variation in the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) from Greece: environmental correlates

Multivariate analyses were applied to an array of body measures of smooth newt specimens derived from 14 local populations of two subspecies in Greece, in order to describe, analyse and detect patterns and putative causes of among‐population morphometric variation. The two subspecies do not differ morphometrically, in spite of their considerable genetic differentiation. Paedomorphosis explains a significant portion of the observed morphometric differentiation of populations. Differences between the two morphs refer mostly to characters and structures relevant to feeding and locomotion, which might lead to niche segregation and subsequent reduction of intra‐population competition. Body size varies in relation to altitude probably as a result of differential developmental processes or as an environmentally induced response to varying predation pressures. Variation of different aspects of the external morphology is correlated both to climatic factors and habitat characteristics.
Antitumor Activity of Extracts from Peperomia elongata.

Abstract The cytotoxic potential of ethanol extracts from Peperomia elongata. H. B. & K. (Piperaceae) were evaluated against human cancer cell lines by the MTT method. The samples considered cytotoxic were tested for antimitotic activity with the sea urchin egg development test and for hemolytic activity using mice erythrocytes. The extracts from leaves (hexane), stems (ethanol, hexane, hexane:AcOEt, AcOEt, and MeOH:H2O insoluble), and roots (R4) presented potential cytotoxic action. The stems extracts showed the highest toxicity in all tumor cell lines tested, with an IC50 ≤ 9.0 µg/mL for ethanol extract, IC50 ≤ 11.6 µg/mL for MeOH:H2O insoluble, IC50 ≤ 7.3 µg/mL for hexane extract, IC50 ≤ 11.4 µg/mL for hexane: AcOEt, and IC50 ≤ 16.2 µg/mL for AcOEt extract. All extracts considered cytotoxic for tumoral cell lines presented antimitotic activity. The samples from roots (R4) and stems (ethanol, MeOH:H2O insoluble, and hexane extract from leaves) were found to possess lytic activity in mice erythrocytes but in higher doses (> 125 µg/mL). Further studies for the isolation and identification of the active principles of these extracts should be undertaken.
Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Nuclear SREBP-1c in Pancreatic β-Cells

Influx of excess fatty acids and the resultant accumulation of intracellular triglycerides are linked to impaired insulin secretion and action in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c is a transcription factor that controls cellular synthesis of fatty acids and triglycerides. SREBP-1c is highly expressed in high-energy and insulin-resistant states. To investigate effects of this synthetic lipid regulator on insulin secretion, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing nuclear SREBP-1c under the insulin promoter. beta-Cell-specific expression of SREBP-1c caused reduction in islet mass and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and was associated with accumulation of triglycerides, suppression of pancreas duodenal homeobox-1, and upregulation of uncoupling protein 2 gene expression. The mice presented with impaired glucose tolerance that was exacerbated by a high-energy diet. Taken together with enhanced insulin secretion from SREBP-1-null islets, these data suggest that SREBP-1c and endogenous lipogenesis could be involved in beta-cell dysfunction and diabetes.
Effects of Woody Plants on Microclimate in a Semiarid Woodland: Soil Temperature and Evaporation in Canopy and Intercanopy Patches

The canopies of woody plants in semiarid ecosystems modify the microclimate beneath and around them, with canopy patches usually having lower soil temperatures than intercanopy patches. However, lacking are studies that have evaluated how heterogeneity in soil temperature, induced by woody plant canopies, influences soil evaporation rates and the consequent effects on plant‐available water. Soil temperatures were measured and soil evaporation rates were estimated for canopy and intercanopy patches in a semiarid piñon‐juniper woodland (Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma) in northern New Mexico. Soil temperature was measured at 2‐cm depths in four canopy and four intercanopy locations during 1994. Maximum soil temperature in intercanopy patches was greater than in canopy patches between May and September, by as much as 10°C, while soil temperatures in intercanopy patches were lower than in canopy patches during colder parts of the day in the fall and winter months. Equations for soil drying rates for sandy loam soil samples were determined in laboratory experiments over a range of temperatures and soil water contents. Drying rates were disproportionately greater at high soil moisture and high soil temperature. Intercanopy patches were predicted to dry more than canopy patches for days in April through September by as much as 2% volumetric soil water content per day. The difference between patches was amplified at lower soil water contents when expressed as soil water potential, which more directly determines plant‐available water. Our results quantify the effects of woody plants on the microclimate with respect to soil temperature and evaporation, which in turn affect herbaceous and woody plants by modifying factors such as germination, the potential for facilitation, and the amount of plant‐available water.
Genetic fingerprinting of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm using ISSR markers and their relationships

Genetic diversity analysis of chickpea germplasm can provide practical Information for selection of parental material and thus, assist in forecasting breeding strategies. Released cultivars and breeding lines of total twelve chickpea genotypes were subjected to ISSR analysis for assessment of genetic diversity. A total of 10 ISSR primers were used in the present investigation. Amplification of genomic DNA of the 12 genotypes using ISSR analysis yielded 492 fragments that could be scored. The total number of bands amplified by 3’ anchored primers varied from 36 to 96. The primers based on poly (ATG) and (GAA) motifs produced least number of fragments (36) whereas, primers (AC) T and (AC) TT, produced maximum number of fragments (96). The unique band as produced by the GGAGA primer in the BCP-15 genotype may be attributed to temperature tolerance phenotype.