Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Submerged and Solid-State Phytase Fermentation by Aspergillus niger: Effects of Agitation and Medium Viscosity on Phytase Production, Fungal Morphology and Inoculum Performance

Summary Qualitative relationships between agitation levels and medium viscosity, Aspergillus niger morphology and phytase production were investigated in submerged and solid-state fermentations. Overall phytase production increased with increasing shaker speeds from 150 to 300 rpm, although specific growth rates and phytase production rates were higher at 150 rpm for 72 h from inoculation. Fungal morphology was greatly influenced by agitation with the morphological forms of small pellets and entangled mycelia predominating at 150 rpm, while the free filamentous form was obtained at 300 rpm. Upon inoculation of SSF, increased productivities were obtained from inocula grown at 150 rpm. A shift towards the filamentous growth form was observed when guar gum was added to the liquid media, which increased the viscosity from 2 000 cp (medium without gum addition) to 52 000 cp (addition of 1 g/L gum). At both shaker speeds, with the effect being more pronounced at 300 rpm, phytase production increased with gum addition. Specific growth rates for the first 72 hours from inoculation, were higher at 150 rpm, irrespective of gum concentration, while solid-state fermentations inoculated with these cultures led to higher amounts of phytase compared to those obtained from 300 rpm inocula.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Ecosystem Services as a Contested Concept: A Synthesis of Critique and Counter-arguments Schötter,

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Dynamics of a Plasma Blob Studied With Particle-In-Cell Simulations

In this thesis the dynamics of a plasma blob in the scrape-off layer of a magnetic confinement device is investigated on the fundamental, kinetic level through particle simulations. New functionality is added to an existing particle-in-cell code to allow for a non-uniform initial particle density distribution, an inhomogeneous magnetic field, non-periodic particle boundary conditions and tracking of the center of mass of the blob. A parameter scan is conducted to find the effect of initial blob amplitude and ion temperature on the blob propagation. Both electron and ion densities are considered. The results of the particle simulations are compared to those of gyrofluid simulations with and without FLR corrections. A high degree of agreement with previous work is shown, and a disagreement on the direction of poloidal displacement is looked at in detail.
The foraging ecology of two neighbouring chimpanzee communities from Budongo Forest

of the Dissertation Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) often serve as a model species to test socio-ecological theories of foraging behaviour. Due to a high degree of fission-fusion dynamics, essential foraging variables, such as group size, patch size and travel distance, are expected to be more closely linked in chimpanzees than in animals that forage in cohesive groups. While it has been clearly established that the relationship between party size and patch size follows theoretical predictions, the importance of other foraging variables, such as travel distance, and sex differences in foraging strategies are less well understood. Also, the picture of chimpanzee feeding ecology is informed by a large number of individual chimpanzee communities from all across Africa, but foraging behaviour in chimpanzees of the same population has rarely been studied in detail. Here I present the feeding ecology of two neighbouring, interbreeding chimpanzee communities from the Budongo Forest Reserve in Uganda, Sonso and Waibira, that occupy home ranges of different vegetation composition and differ in overall size. From October 2015 to June 2017 I followed adult male and female chimpanzees in each study community for a period of 8 months, collecting data on individual food patches and inter-patch distances by specific focals. These were combined with measurements of food availability and data on forest composition within the home ranges of each community. A first assessment of forest composition across home ranges showed that two important non-fig food species might be more abundant within the Waibira home range. During this study, the diet of the Sonso community was characterized by a low diversity and considerable variation in quality. Food availability for this community varied and chimpanzees, especially males, supplemented their diet with field-crops. Food availability and diet quality for the Waibira community was more stable, resulting in overall more balanced activity budgets. Waibira chimpanzees do not forage on field crops and, possibly as a result of this, diet composition of this community was more variable and diet diversity was
Integrating control tactics for managing cabbage looper (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) and diamondback moth (Lepidoptera : Yponomeutidae) on cabbage

Population density estimates and yield data were used to assess the effect of an integrated pest management (IPM) package, host plant resistance, companion cropping, and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, on cabbage looper (CL) [Trichoplusia ni (Hubner)] and diamondback moth (DBM) [Plutella xylostella (L.)] larval infestation of cabbage, and in protecting beneficial arthropods. Compared with the IPM package, the standard (susceptible) cabbage variety grown by farmers and treated with a pyrethroid insecticide had a significantly higher number of DBM larvae and fewer predators (although not significant in all cases), but the number of CL larvae was not significantly different. Parasitoids did not emerge from field-collected DBM larvae reared in the laboratory. Yield and value of marketable cabbage were highest in the resistant variety plus B. thuringiensis treatment. In contrast, the standard variety treated with a pyrethroid insecticide had the lowest marketable yield and value and the highest loss of marketable yield. lntercropping was not reliable in controlling DBM, but an economic justification for planting the companion crop was demonstrated. These results provide evidence that host plant resistance complemented by B. thuringiensis are suitable components in an IPM programme for CL and DBM management in Jamaica.
Changes of traditional agrarian landscapes and their conservation implications: a case study of butterflies in Romania

Global biodiversity is decreasing as a result of human activities. In many parts of the world, this decrease is due to the destruction of natural habitats. The European perspective is different. Here, traditional agricultural landscapes developed into species‐rich habitats. However, the European biodiversity heritage is strongly endangered. One of the countries where this biodiversity is best preserved is Romania. We analyse the possible changes in Romania's land‐use patterns and their possible benefits and hazards with respect to biodiversity. As model group, we used butterflies, whose habitat requirements are well understood. We determined the ecological importance of different land‐use types for the conservation of butterflies, underlining the special importance of Romania's semi‐natural grasslands for nature conservation. We found that increasing modern agriculture and abandonment of less productive sites both affect biodiversity negatively — the former immediately and the latter after a lag phase of several years. These perspectives are discussed in the light of the integration of Romania into the European Union.
Embryonic olfactory learning in larvae of Smilisca Phaeota (Cope, 1862) (Anura: Hylidae)

The first demonstration of embryonic olfactory learning in a tropical anuran was documented in the Colombian treefrog Smilisca phaeota. It was determined that Smilisca tadpoles learned to recognize a specific odor and preferred it over others. Embryos were exposed to the olfactory substance (orange essence) in two different ways; first, an artificial stimulation involving injection of the substance into the egg; and second, a “natural” exposure mixing the odor in the water surrounding the developing embryo. Learning capacity was evaluated in an aquarium where two olfactory stimuli were presented, the odor experienced as embryos and a novel odor. Olfactory influence prior to hatching simultaneously created in the individuals an avoidance behavior toward the novel odor. In this case, larvae associated preferably to neutral stimuli such as water. For each method, control embryos were exposed to saline solution and water.
The Rise of Horses: 55 Million Years of Evolution

One of the world's leading experts on horse evolution traces the origins, evolution, and diversification of the equines. Long domesticated, related to rhinoceroses, and descended from a creature the size of a hare, horses are a fascinating study in evolution. Jens Franzen's account explores the early evolution and eventual diversification of horse anatomy to explain how and why these once widespread and varied mammals became the common horses, zebras, and asses we know today. Beginning with their evolutionary rise roughly 55 million years ago, Franzen traces a history etched in fossils. He explains how improving body construction and energy balance allowed some horses to enter and thrive in new environments while others failed and became extinct. In presenting this story, Franzen hews closely to the Frankfurt theory of evolution and explains how it applies to the wide variations in the evolution of horse species. Accessibly written and featuring full-color photographs and illustrations throughout, The Rise of Horses is the complete chronicle of the evolution of the equids.
Wider Head Shape in Larval Salamanders (Hynobius retardatus) Induced by Conspecific Visual and Chemical Cues.

The role of visual and chemical cues of conspecifics in the growth of head width was experimentally tested in Hynobius retardatus larvae reared under group and solitary conditions. In the former, the head width of the larvae increased proportionally in the presence of visual, chemical, and visual plus chemical cues, whereas such a morphological change was not apparent with similar cue treatments in solitary larvae. It was concluded that both visual and chemical cues from other conspecific individuals induced the wider head shape in H. retardatus larvae.
Ameliorative Role of Moringa Oleifera against Gamma Radiation and Mercury Induced Nephrotoxicity in Swiss Albino Mice

Herbal plants and products represent important source of natural antioxidant and offer an alternative to synthetic protectors. Moringa oliefera, a herbal medicinal plant has been screen for their radioprotective activity. For the purpose of study male Swiss albino mice were divided into seven groups. The mice were exposed to gamma radiation (2.5 Gy and 5.0 Gy) and also provided mercuric chloride (0.5 ppm) both separately and combined. The herbal radioprotector Moringa was given to experimental groups after irradiation and mercury treatment. Animals were autopsied at post treatment interval of 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days. After sacrificing the animal’s histopathology of kidney was observed. Renal glomeruli and tubules depicted degenerative changes and changes were more pronounced in combined treatment groups. Moringa treated groups demonstrated early and fast onset of recovery in comparison to non-Moringa treated groups. Radioprotective efficacy of MOE was due to presence of various bioactive compound.
Generation and modulation of network oscillations on the rodent prefrontal cortex in vitro

Fast network oscillations (~12-80 Hz) are recorded extensively in the mammalian cerebral cortex in vivo. They are thought to subserve the neuronal mechanism by which local and distant neuronal populations orchestrate their firing activity to process cognitive-related information. The rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is considered to be functionally and anatomically homologous to the primate prefrontal cortex. Earlier in vitro studies have demonstrated that the mPFC can sustain carbachol-induced persistent beta1 or kainate-induced transient low gamma frequency oscillations. We wished to establish an in vitro paradigm of carbachol (10 μM) / kainate (200 nM)-induced persistent fast network oscillations in the rat mPFC with the objective to investigate the distribution patterns and the mechanisms of these oscillations. Then we assessed the modulatory effects of the ascending catecholamine systems on fast network oscillations with exogenous application of dopamine and noradrenaline. Persistent fast network oscillations in the ventral mPFC were stronger, more rhythmic but slower (~25 Hz) than oscillations in the dorsal mPFC (~28 Hz). The regional difference in the oscillation amplitude was correlated to the strong presence of bursting cells in the ventral but not the dorsal regions. Across all regions in the mPFC, oscillations were stronger in layer 5. Oscillations relied on GABAA, kainate but not AMPA receptors. In the ventral mPFC, network oscillations were also dependent on NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission. Dopamine (100 μM) reduced the oscillation strength and rhythmicity in the ventral mPFC. Instead, dopamine increased the power and rhythmicity of network oscillations in the dorsal mPFC. The region-dependent dopamine effect was correlated to the induced effects on synaptic inhibition and neuronal firing. Noradrenaline (30 μM) reduced the oscillation strength in the ventral mPFC, but caused no effect on the dorsal mPFC.
DIET AND TROPHIC NICHE OVERLAP OF THE MOOR FROG (Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842) AND THE COMMON FROG (Rana temporaria L., 1758) FROM POLAND

During our study we identified 79 prey items in the trophic spectrum of the Moor frog (Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842) with average number of prey items per stomach - 5.27 and 100 prey items in the trophic spectrum of the Common frog (Rana temporaria L., 1758) with average number of prey items per stomach - 3.84. In both species the most important prey category is Coleoptera (Insecta). Other important prey animals are from Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera orders (Insecta) as well as non- insect invertebrates (Gastropoda, Arachnida, Myriapoda) which also play significant role. Both frogs consume almost only terrestrial prey. The trophic niche breadths for both species are quite high (Rana arvalis - 23.70; Rana temporaria - 12.25). The estimated trophic niche overlap between the species is moderate (63.5%), but the numeric proportion of all prey taxa occurring in the stomachs do not differ significantly between the species. Rana arvalis and Rana temporaria are polyphagous zoophages, like other amphibian species and they are probably consuming all mobile objects which they come in contact with and can swallow.
Functional uniformity underlies the common spatial structure of macrofaunal assemblages in intertidal seagrass beds

Previous work has shown that the intertidal seagrass macrobenthos at three geographically and ecologically disparate localities (in the north-east Atlantic, south-west Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans) possess similar relative species occurrence distributions and uniform species densities. These common features are here demonstrated to be related to the presence in those assemblages of: (1) similar functional diversities and evennesses, (2) the same set of dominant component functional groups, and (3) similar ranked relative occurrence distributions both of those groups and of the component genera within each of the larger groups. The two lower-latitude systems were particularly similar in all these respects. Although sharing the same subset of individual functional groups, however, the relative importance of members of that subset varied from locality to locality and even within a single locality, whilst still maintaining the same ranked relative functional-group occurrence distribution. Therefore the broad structure of available macrobenthic functional roles and the relative occurrences of the component taxa in intertidal seagrass beds (and hence, granted stochastic assembly, the total numbers of taxa supported by unit area) are likely to be linked causally, although the form of the relationship is unclear.
Phytotoxicity of Fumonisin B1 on Weed and Crop Species

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) sprayed on intact jimsonweed plants at 10 to 200 μg ml–1 caused chlorosis and necrosis on three- to four-leaf plants and reduced their height and biomass. Excised leaves of jimsonweed were necrotic on both surfaces after treatment with FB1 at 10 to 200 μg ml–1. The degree of damage increased with the concentration of FB1. The minimum amount of FB1 that damaged excised leaves was 0.05 μg. The symptoms of toxicity on sensitive plants varied with concentration of FB1. Symptoms observed included: chlorosis (creeping cucumber), necrosis (jimsonweed and common sunflower), black leaf lesions (sicklepod), curl of tissues (soybean), stunting, defoliation (hemp sesbania and northern jointvetch), and death (prickly sida, spurred anoda, northern jointvetch, and jimsonweed). Monocots (barley, bermudagrass, corn, johnsongrass, rice, sorghum, and wheat) were not visibly affected by FB1. This is the first evidence of the phytotoxic properties of fumonisin B1 against a wide variety of weeds and crop cultivars.
Survival ofEscherichia coliO157:H7,Listeria monocytogenesandSalmonella kentuckyin Norwegian fermented, dry sausage☆

Raw, newly produced sausages containing a mixed starter culture of lactobacilli and micrococci were each inoculated at separate locations (using a syringe) with low (103–104cfu) and high (105–107cfu) numbers of eitherEscherichia coliO157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes orSalmonella kentucky. Three identically prepared sausages were analysed at each sampling day during fermentation, maturation and storage at 4 and 20°C. In the low-inoculum samples, growth was observed initially (2 days) during fermentation forE. coliO157:H7 (3log8increase in cfu) andL. monocytogenes(five-fold increase in cfu) but not forS. kentuckywhich decreased below the detection limit (150cfu sample–1). None of the pathogens was detected after 5.5 months, neither at 4 nor 20°C. In the high-inoculum samples there was a decrease during fermentation and maturation for all the pathogens. After 5.5-months storage at 4°C, there was only about 90% reduction of the original inoculate ofL. monocytogenes, whereasE. coliO157:H7 survived at a low number (500cfu sample–1) andS. kentuckydisappeared below the detection limit. After 5.5-months storage at 20°C, all the pathogens had disappeared below the detection limit. These results indicate that, from a safety point of view, it may be better to store these kinds of sausages at room temperature than in the cold, provided that the sensory qualities are retained and that similar results are obtained with other food pathogens.
The role of interregional and inter-sectoral knowledge spillovers on regional knowledge creation across US metropolitan counties

ABSTRACT This paper relies on a regional knowledge production function to examine the heterogeneous determinants of knowledge creation across five US manufacturing sectors and 853 metropolitan counties over the period 2001–08. Using a Tobit model with state fixed effects, the results indicate that local intra- and inter-sectoral research and development (R&D) investments by the private sector as well as university R&D play a key role in knowledge creation across all sectors under study. We also find that the role of short- versus long-distance interregional spillovers on knowledge creation varies greatly across sectors. These key features improve the design of future local and national innovation policies.
Climate change and Life Expectancy in a Developing Country: Evidence from Greenhouse Gas (CO2) Emission in Nigeria

Both natural and human actions have contributed to high greenhouse gas emission and increased concentration of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere in the last four decades. This has led to global warming and subsequently to climate change. The adverse effect of climate change on human habitat, food production, human migration and human health can threaten average life span. In this paper, we examined the effect of climate change on life expectancy, with particular reference to greenhouse gas carbon dioxide emission in Nigeria. We adopted linear regression method and used ordinary least square techniques to analyse the data. The data generated from World Bank publications between 1995 and 2013 were quaterized to have enough sample size to permit econometric tests. The coefficient of carbon dioxide emission turned positive indicating possible positive relationship between carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emission and life expectancy.
The use of biochemical markers to distinguish olive cultivars.

SummaryStarch gel electrophoresis was employed to elucidate the differences in isozyme banding patterns among 27 Greek cultivars of Olea europaea. Sixteen enzyme systems with at least two different banding patterns were studied. Three cultivars had unique banding patterns not observed in any other cultivar in each of three enzyme systems, five in each of two, and 12 in a single system. For some cultivars a combination of two or more isozyme systems was needed for complete identification. Malic enzyme and esterase were the most effective enzymes for identifying the cultivars; most could be individually distinguished based on the banding patterns of these two systems only. Thin layer chromatography classified the cultivars mainly according to absence or presence of carotenoids. Comments are made on the degree of similarity among the cvs of Olea europaea.
Systematics and diversification of Praomys species (Rodentia: Muridae) endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line (West Central Africa)

Missoup, A.D., Nicolas, V. , Wendelen, W. , Keming, E. , Bilong Bilong, C.F. , Couloux, A. , Atanga, E. , Hutterer, R. & Denys, C. (2012). Systematics and diversification of Praomys species (Rodentia: Muridae) endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line (West Central Africa). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 327–345.