Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of song dialect populations in Puget Sound white-crowned sparrows

The relationship between cultural variation and biological variation among natural populations has been the subject of both theoretical and empirical study. Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis is one of three subspecies of white-crowned sparrow known to form geographical song dialects. We investigated whether these dialects correspond to genetic differences among Z. l. pugetensis populations. We compared allele frequencies at four microsatellite loci in males from 11 sites spanning six dialects over the subspecies' range in Oregon and Washington. Cluster analysis and genotype assignment tests indicated no tendency for sample sites within dialect areas to be genetically more similar than are sites from different dialect areas. AMOVA tests revealed high within-site variation and low but significant cross-site and cross-dialect-area variation. Finally, genetic distance between sites was not correlated with dialect differences when the effect of geographic distance was controlled statistically. We compare our finding of low genetic differentiation among Z. l. pugetensis dialect populations to results of previous studies on Z. l. nuttalli and Z. l. oriantha. Because genetic structuring appears weaker than cultural (song dialect) structure in this species, we discuss the behavioral mechanisms underlying dialect maintenance in the presence of apparent gene flow. Copyright 2004.
Metabiosis of proteolytic fungi and Salmonellae in sound and chill-injured tomatoes

SOUND AND CHILL-INJURED TOMATOES by WENDY NICOLE WADE (Under the direction of Larry R. Beuchat) ABSTRACT Outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with the consumption of raw tomatoes have been documented. Fungi were isolated from decayed and damaged tomatoes, tested for proteolytic activity, and any growth-associated pH changes in tomato-based media. Select proteolytic molds were co-inoculated with Salmonella in sound tomatoes, stored at 15 and 25oC or into tomatoes chilled at 4 and 15oC 13 days prior to storage at 25oC. Salmonella populations were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 7, and 10 days. Decayed and damaged tomatoes yielded fungi, which exhibited proteolytic activity (33.1%) and increased the pH of tomato-based media. Tomatoes inoculated with both proteolytic molds and Salmonella yielded higher increases in pH of tissues and larger Salmonella populations. Growth of molds was enhanced by chill-injury, although there was no difference in Salmonella populations or pH in chilled tomatoes compared to sound tomatoes.
Effect of Heating on the Chemical Composition and Physico - Chemical Properties of Arachis hypogea (Groundnut) Seed Flour and Oil

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) seeds (raw, sun-dried and roasted) were analyzed for proximate composition and some nutritionally valuable minerals. The oil extracted from the samples was subjected to physico-chemical analysis. The results showed that the raw, sun-dried and roasted seeds contained 46.10%, 43.80%, 40.60% fat, 24.70%, 21.80%, 18.40% crude protein, 17.41%, 27.19%, 36.11% carbohydrate, 7.48%, 3.40%, 1.07% Moisture, 2.83%,2.43%,2.41% crude fibre and 1.48%,1.38%,1.41% ash respectively. There was a general decrease in the proximate composition after exposure to different heating methods but there was variation in the mineral contents of the seeds after heating. Minerals included; sodium (0.71%, 0.69%, 0.57%), phosphorus (0.68%, 0.65%, 0.69%). potassium (0.47%, 0.51%, 0.55%), zinc (0.44%, 0.42%, 0.50%), Iron (0.40%, 0.47%, 0.43%). The physico-chemical properties showed; saponification values of the raw, sun-dried and roasted groundnut oil, 201,195 and 170mg/kOH/g respectively. iodine value, 110.7, 108.5, 100.7 wijs, free fatty acid 1.180, 0.891, 1.260g/100g, acid value 2.35,1.79, 2.52mg/kOH/g, peroxide value 0.740, 0.603, 0.470 meq/ kOH, refractive index 0.247, 0.256, 0.147. The roasted groundnut can be considered as a good source of valuable minerals, while the raw groundnut is a good source of protein with high nutrition value.
Effects of temperature and pathogen isolate on laboratory screening of soybean for resistance to Sclerotina sclerotiorum

The effects of temperature and pathogen isolate on laboratory screening of soybean (Glycine max. L.) for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were investigated. The screening procedure used excised stems from 5-wk-old plants. Temperature and isolate significantly affected the length of stem lesions on 15 and 10 cultivars, respectively. At 15 °C, lesions were significantly shorter, but there was no difference in lesion length between 20 and 25 °C. One of the isolates caused significantly shorter lesions. There were significant differences among cultivars, but there were no temperature × cultivar or isolate × cultivar interactions. Choice of isolate and temperature between 15 and 25 °C, therefore, should not affect the relative differences among cultivars when screened for resistance using the excised stem method. Maple Presto, Maple Arrow and Maple Ridge were the most resistant of 19 cultivars evaluated. Key words: Soybean, resistance, temperature, isolate, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Significance of E-cadherin and Vimentin as epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in colorectal carcinoma prognosis

Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with very high mortality. One of the most distinguishing features for the establishment of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype is the alteration of mesenchymal markers and structural adhesion proteins. We investigated the level of Vimentin and E-cadherin expression in relation to invasion and metastasis on colorectal cancer patients. Tissue specimens were collected consecutively from thirty-nine colorectal carcinoma patients during surgeries. The patients were diagnosed and treated between 2013 and 2016. In order to histological staging, tissue sections were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Also for evaluating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, E-cadherin and Vimentin, all patient samples were stained and detected via immunohistochemistry, and afterwards the results were analyzed to determine whether these markers could be useful prognostic markers for predicting colorectal cancer patient outcomes. The expression of Vimentin as a mesenchymal marker along with rising grade of cancer, pathological stages, and metastasis to regional lymph nodes increased furthermore, in cancers with vascular invasion, Vimentin value was high. Reversely, the expression of E-cadherin with climbing grade, stages and colon cancer categories decreased and also in cancers with vascular invasion reduced. Variation of the markers had no relation to age and sex. In summary, along with cancer progression level of Vimentin expression varies inversely with E-cadherin expression and by increasing metastasis and invasion the Vimentin expression elevates. Further evaluation in this area might lead to a good method for predicting progressive clone cancer.
Does the Use of Playback Affect the Estimates of Numbers of Grey Partridge Perdix perdix?

Methods of estimating bird numbers differ with regard to the results obtained and time required. A usual method of counting grey partridge Perdix perdix consists in counting calling males in the period with their highest vocal activity. This method was tested in our study with the additional use of playback. The number of males calling after playback was significantly higher than before playback. We found a positive relationship between the increase in the number of males calling after playback and their maximum numbers at the study site. However, after playback, the mean number of recorded males was significantly smaller in sites with the presence of red fox Vulpes vulpes burrows than in locations where this predator was absent. Without playback, there was no difference in the number of males between these two types of sites. The results of this study show that the use of playback improves the ability to detect grey partridges (as was similarly found with many other species). The use of playback in estimating the numbers of grey partridge may also allow further analyses, on e.g. site selectivity.
Perceived Importance of Information: The Effects of Mentioning Information, Shared Information Bias, Ownership Bias, Reiteration, and Confirmation Bias

Participants were given information for and against the decriminalization of marijuana and discussed the issue in groups. Factors affecting rated importance of information after the group discussion were examined. Participants did not rate information that was mentioned during the discussion as more important than information not mentioned, and participants did not rate shared information they mentioned as more important than unshared information. Participants did rate shared information other group members mentioned as more important than unshared information others mentioned. Participants did not rate their own information as more important than other's information, and information that was repeated was not rated as more important. Participants did perceive information supporting their individual position as more important than information against their position, and this confirmation bias was lessened in groups containing an opinion minority. A comparison of minority and majority members in minority-containing groups found that minority members were more open to information than majority members.
Evaluation of Seed Storage Conditions and Genetic Diversity of Four Crucifers Endemic to Spain

Abstract Traditional assays (germination and vigour), as well as biochemical assays using isozyme loci, were performed to evaluate the effect of different seed storage conditions in Coincya rupestris, Iberis pectinata, Moricandia moricandiodes and Vella pseudocytisus . Seeds had been stored for 24–30 years under long-term (LT) and short-term (ST) conditions. Fresh seeds of the same species from natural populations (NP) were also collected in 1996 and used for comparison. Isozyme loci were used as markers of genetic deterioration and to determine the genetic diversity of samples. The germinability, vigour and enzyme activity of LT samples were comparable to values obtained using freshly collected NP samples, showing the effectiveness of the long-term storage conditions.
Composição e características físico-químicas do leite instável não ácido recebido em laticínio do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence, composition, physical-chemical characteristics and somatic cell count of milks identified as unstable non acid received in a dairy plant located in the Northeast region of Sao Paulo state. The sampling covered all dairy farms that provide milk to the dairy plant, during the rainy season and dry season of 2007. For the identification of unstable non acid milks, it was considered the bulked milk sample from each farm that showed instability to the ethanol test at 72% (v/v) and acidity less than 18o D. From the total samples unstable to ethanol at 72% (v/v), 64.8% were identified as unstable non acid milk. The occurrence of unstable non acid varied according to sampling period, indicating a seasonal influence on the occurrence of this problem in the herds analyzed. In the dry season, the occurrence of unstable non acid was higher, coinciding with the period in which the availability of good quality pasture is reduced due to reduction in the volume of rainfall. Also in the dry period, there were greater levels of fat and somatic cell count, along with a decrease in the concentrations of total protein and lactose. Results of this trial showed that the occurrence of unstable non acid is frequent in the dairy herds of the region studied, is influenced by seasonal variations and is associated to changes in milk composition, which may cause significant losses to the dairy industry and dairy farmers.
Anthocyanin Content and UVB Sensitivity in Brassica rap

Three genotypes of rapid‐cycling Brassica rapa that differ in anthocyanin content were grown in the presence and absence of elevated levels of shortwave ultraviolet (UVB, 280–325 nm) radiation. After 41 days, UVB exposure reduced leaf length and plant height of all genotypes. Plants with low levels of anthocyanin experienced a reduction in flower number twice as great as in genotypes with normal or elevated levels of anthocyanins; however, the absence of differences in flower production by genotypes with normal and elevated levels of anthocyanins suggests that factors other than anthocyanin pigmentation contribute to UVB responses in this species.
Pollen Flora of Pakistan - XIII. Campanulaceae

The pollen morphology of 10 species belonging to the 3 genera of the family Campanulaceae were investigated with a light microscope and sacanning microscope. It is eurypalynous in nature. Pollen grains are mostly oblate-spheroidal, rarely prolate- spheroidal or spheroidal, often suboblate. Tectum striate-rugulate, often subpsilate with spinules. On the basis of apertural types 2 distinct pollen types are recognized viz. Campanula latifolia - type, Codonopsis clematidea - type.
Comparing strategies for controlling an African pest rodent: an empirically based theoretical study

Summary 1 Small rodents in general and the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis in particular cause major economic losses in Africa through damage to crops. Attempts to develop dynamic population models for this and other pest rodents are ongoing. 2 Demographic estimates from a capture–mark–recapture (CMR) study in Tanzania were used to parameterize a population model for this species. This model incorporated three functional age categories (juveniles, subadults and adults) of both sexes and used density-dependent and density-independent factors, the latter represented by rainfall. 3 The model was used to analyse the effect of rodent control on the population dynamics and resulting number of rats. Control measures affecting survival as well as reproduction were considered. 4 The model showed that control measures reducing survival will only have long-term effects on population size if they are also applied when rodent densities are low. Control measures applied only when rodent densities are high will not have persistent effects, even at high mortality rates. 5 The model demonstrated that control measures reducing reproduction are likely to prevent Mastomys outbreaks, but will keep densities low over a long period only when the contraceptive effect is strong (> 75% reduction). 6 Provided that CMR data are available, we recommend developing Leslie-type population models for rodent pests on the basis of CMR-estimated demographic schedules. Such models have great potential in rodent management and allow the evaluation of different strategies. 7 Besides improving the ecological basis of the population modelling, economic considerations need to be incorporated into decisions about rodent control. We suggest that appropriate population models will provide important input into such decision making.
The magnitude of spring bacterial production in the North Atlantic Ocean

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), a major reservoir in the ocean carbon cycle, is produced by a profusion of plankton sources and processes but is consumed mainly by bacterioplankton. Thus bacterial metabolism regulates the entry of DOC into the longer scale global carbon cycle. Bacterial production (BP) is the routinely measured quantity for evaluating the roles of bacteria in carbon cycling. However BP cannot be measured directly and instead is estimated from related metabolic processes requiring the use of poorly constrained conversion factors. BP, and thus the total carbon utilization, are potentially uncertain by a factor of two or more. In the North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (NABE), BP was estimated to be about 30% of the simultaneous particulate primary production (PP), with some daily estimates exceeding 50%. Here we reassess these estimates, synthesizing knowledge and understanding of plankton dynamics gained since the 1989 NABE study. Daily BP derived from six different conversion factors averaged 20% of PP but ranged from 3 to 68%. The coupling of BP to PP was not consistent with either short‐term cycling of labile DOC (hours) nor with much longer term cycling of semilabile DOC (seasons). Trophodynamic processes, including release of DOC from phytoplankton, by themselves could have maintained BP at about 15% of PP. Use of decomposing POC or previously accumulated semilabile DOC could each have supported some additional increment of BP for brief periods. Both reconsideration of observations and model results indicated that higher estimates of BP exceeding 20% of PP could not be supported without extraordinary and prolonged inputs of allochthonous carbon. Recent assertions of high BP in the tropics and other oceanic regimes should be considered carefully, especially if external subsidies are not obvious.
Impact of Estrogen Receptor β on Gene Networks Regulated by Estrogen Receptor α in Breast Cancer Cells

Two subtypes of the estrogen receptor (ER), ERalpha and ERbeta, mediate the actions of estrogens, and although 70% of human breast cancers express ERbeta along with ERalpha, little is known about the possible comodulatory effects of these two ERs. To investigate this, we have used adenoviral gene delivery to produce human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells expressing different levels of ERbeta, along with their endogenous ERalpha, and have examined the effects of ERbeta and receptor occupancy, using ER subtype selective ligands, on genome-wide gene expression by microarray and pathway network analysis. ERbeta had diverse effects on gene expression, enhancing or counteracting ERalpha regulation for distinct subsets of estrogen target genes. Strikingly, ERbeta in the absence of estradiol (E2), elicited the stimulation or suppression of many genes that were normally only regulated by ERalpha with E2. In addition, ERbeta plus E2 elicited the expression of a unique group of genes that were not regulated by ERalpha plus E2 alone. The expression of genes in many functional categories were modulated by ERbeta, with the greatest numbers associated with transcription factors and signal transduction pathways. Regulation of multiple components in the TGFbeta and semaphorin pathways, and of genes controlling cell cycle progression and apoptosis, may contribute to the suppression of cell proliferation observed with ERbeta. Our observations suggest that the relative levels of ERbeta and ERalpha in breast cancers are likely to impact cell proliferation and the activities of diverse signaling pathways and their response to ER ligands and endocrine therapies.
Deciphering microbiota associated to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Italian samples: a preliminary study

The Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) is the most dangerous and deadly pest of date, coconut, oil, sago and other palms. Recently introduced in the Mediterranean basin, it became the most relevant insect pest for ornamental palms in the urban environment. Given the development of an innovative control method based on symbiotic control, we have performed a pilot project to decrypt the microbiota associated to both adults and larval stages of the insect to identify potential tools for biocontrol agents against the Palm Weevil. A number of bacterial species were found associated with the insect. In particular, species of the genera Lactococcus , Proteus , and others were detected .
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Extragastric Diseases

Helicobacter pylori is the first formally recognized bacterial carcinogen and is one of the most successful human pathogens, as over half of the world's population is colonized with this gram-negative bacterium. Bacterial virulence factors such as the cytotoxin-associated gene pathogenicity island-encoded protein CagA and the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA aid in this colonization of the gastric mucosa and subsequently seem to modulate the host's immune system. H. pylori achieves its pathogenetic role by triggering an intense leucocyte infiltration of the gastric submucosa which is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. This pathogenetic mechanism is common to many other diseases and, therefore, H. pylori seroprevalence has also been investigated in other diseases. It is now known that H. pylori seropositivity is associated with an increasing number of cardiovascular, respiratory, extragastroduodenal digestive, neurological, skin, autoimmune, growth and miscellaneous disorders. Although the precise role for H. pylori is unknown in these diseases. This paper critically reviews the current evidence on extragastric diseases associated with H. pylori infection.
Incidence and severity of leaf blight caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum on varied age of Castor (Ricinus communis) inoculated using different methods

Castor seeds were planted at three different times of seven days interval (11, 18 and 25 DAS) so as to have varying ages at inoculation date. The plants were inoculated at the same time using three methods (spray, smear and soil inoculation). Plants at 11 and 18 DAS had higher incidence and severity and were not significantly different (P=0.05), while plants at 25 DAS had the least disease and was not significantly different with the control (P=0.05).
Honey bees and epiphytic bacteria to control fire blight, a bacterial disease of apple and pear

Incidence of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) can be reduced by spraying apple and pear flowers with some strains of E. herbicola or Pseudomonas fluorescens. Most of these beneficial bacteria were selected in the laboratory using an assay on immature pear fruit, which has also proved useful to study their mode of action. Recently, an assay on crab apple flowers has also been developed. Pre-emptive colonisation by beneficial bacteria of the stigmas, where E. amylovora usually multiplies, can be enough to prevent the pathogen from multiplying and infecting the plant. In addition, most strains of E. herbicola produce compounds inhibitory to E. amylovora, some of which have been shown to play a role in reducing incidence of fire blight. To prevent selection of strains of E. amylovora resistant to these inhibitory compounds and to ensure control over a wide range of climatic conditions, the possibility of using mixtures of beneficial bacteria has been investigated. Taking advantage of the fact that the interaction between the pathogen and biological control agents has to occur on the stigmas and that beehives are already present in orchards for pollination, honey bees have been used to bring the biological control agents to the flowers. Biological control agents can be integrated with antibiotics currently used to control fire blight and some of these agents might also reduce frost injury and russeting. Future strategies for control of fire blight will take advantage of our increased understanding of the mechanisms involved in biological control and of the technological advances in fields such as plant biotechnology.
Effect of thermal modification on the physical properties of juvenile and mature woods of Eucalyptus grandis

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal treatment on the physical properties of juvenile and mature woods of Eucalyptus grandis. Boards were taken from 30-year-old E. grandis trees. The boards were thermally modified at 180 °C in the Laboratory of Wood Drying and Preservation at UNESP, Botucatu, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The results showed that thermal modification caused: (1) decrease of 6.8% in the density at 0% equilibrium moisture content of mature wood; (2) significant decreases of 14.7% and 35.6% in the maximum volumetric swellings of juvenile and mature woods, respectively; (3) significant decreases of 13.7% and 21.3% in the equilibrium moisture content of juvenile and mature woods, respectively. The influence of thermal modification in juvenile wood was lower than in mature wood and caused greater uniformity in the physical variations between these types of wood in E. grandis.