Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iron availability affects induction of systemic resistance to fusarium wilt of radish by Pseudomonas fluorescens

A special bioassay on rock wool was used to study the influence of iron availability on the induction of systemic resistance in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) against Fusarium wilt mediated by Pseudomonas fluorescens. In this bioassay, the pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani) and a strain of Pseudomonas, salicylic acid (SA), or a pseudobactin were applied at separate locations on the plant root. Strain WCS374 of P. fluorescens and its pseudobactin-minus Tn5 mutant gave greater disease control in the induced systemic resistance bioassay when iron availability in the radish nutrient solution was low than when it was high. Mutants of P. fluorescens strains WCS374 and WCS417 lacking the O-antigenic side chain of the lipopolysaccharide induced resistance at low but not at high iron availability. The purified pseudobactin of strain WCS374, but not the pseudobactins of strains WCS358 and WCS417, induced resistance. Gas chromatography and spectrophotometry were used to detect and measure production of SA by these strains. Strains WCS374 and WCS417 produced 47 and 8 μg of SA per milliliter, respectively, at low iron availability in vitro ; the production of SA decreased rapidly with increasing iron availability. P putida WCS358 did not induce resistance, either at low or at high iron availability, and did not produce SA in vitro. Commercial SA induced resistance at concentrations as low as 100 fg per root. High concentrations (> 1 mg/ml) of SA reduced growth of hyphae from germinated conidia of E oxysporum f. sp. raphani. We hypothesize that the Fe 3+ -chelating SA, produced by selected P. fluorescens strains at low iron availability, is involved in the induction of systemic resistance to Fusarium wilt of radish. The pseudobactin produced by WCS374 may be involved as well. Given these results, it seems appropriate to reevaluate the role of siderophore-mediated competition for iron in the suppression of disease by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.
Overview of Mercury Methylation Capacities among Anaerobic Bacteria Including Representatives of the Sulphate-Reducers: Implications for Environmental Studies

Mercury methylation has been extensively reported in the literature among “Firmicutes” and “Proteobacteria. ” Nevertheless, results are hardly comparable because of differences in initial inorganic mercury concentrations used. The use of stable isotopic tracers now permits to study mercury transformations at concentrations close to environmental levels. Here, several strains, including strict fermentative and sulphate-reducing bacteria, were tested for their mercury methylation capacities and the results were compared with data available to date. Under such conditions, mercury methylation only occurs among the delta-Proteobacteria. The absence of relation between taxonomic/phylogenetic affiliation and mercury methylation capacities was pointed out and discussed for environmental studies.
Inability of the lone star tick, Amblyomma Americanum (L.), to resist desiccation and maintain water balance following application of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (Deuteromycota)

Abstract We report that female lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) experience a rapid change in water permeability when treated with the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The amount of water loss is nearly double the rate of control ticks not exposed to this fungus. As a result, ticks are prevented from stabilizing body water levels (water gain ≠ water loss) at hydrating atmospheres greater than the critical equilibrium activity (CEA) of 0.85a v-0.93av (a v = % RH/100) and reach their dehydration tolerance limit in less time. Thus, disruption of water balance is a pathogenic consequence of fungus infection. This served as a benchmark for evaluating effects on ticks of frequently encountered soil molds in nature (wild tick isolates), Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium glabrum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. In contrast to M. anisopliae treatment, no effect on tick water balance was noted with topical application of C. cladosporioides, but water loss rates of ticks following treatment with S. brevicaulis fell between both extremes. Water loss rates imply that P. glabrum may be a tick pathogen, whereas A. niger is apparently not able to use ticks as a substrate. Enhanced desiccation arising from these common molds shows the importance of local mycoflora as natural regulators of tick populations. Water loss rates also provide a tool to assess the pathogenicity of different fungal strains targeted for application in the biological control of ticks.
Bacterial profile and antibiogram of urine culture isolates in a teritiary care center

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the commonest infections, where people from all age groups including children to older age individuals experience in their life time. Though several microorganisms are attributed as causative agents of UTI like fungi, viruses, bacterial infections are responsible for > 95% of UTI cases. Untreated UTI can lead to high morbidity and long term complications like renal scarring, hypertension and chronic kidney diseases. There is diversity among uropathogens regionally and gradually becoming more and more difficult to treat leading to therapeutic dead end. And also because of evolving antibiotic resistance phenomenon among uropathogens, regular monitoring is utmost important to provide guidelines for empirical antimicrobial therapy. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study carried out in the department of Microbiology in Santhiram Medical college and General hospital for a period of three months from January 2019 to March 2019. A total of 550 midstream urine samples were processed from patients of all age groups with suspected UTI symptoms. Urine culture was done by semi quantitative technique. Results of urine culture were detected as significant and insignificant based on standard Kass criteria. A growth of >=105 colony forming units (CFU)/ml is considered as active UTI with significant bacteruria. Cultures having more than three types of colonies were considered as contaminants. Pathogenic organisms were identified by Gram stain, motility testing and biochemical reactions as per standard microbiological techniques. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer Disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 550 urine samples were analysed, out of which 192(34.9%) samples were found to have significant bacteriuria and the rest 358 (65%) were either non significant bacteriuria or having very low counts of bacteria or sterile urine. Among the 192 positive samples, 125 (65.1%) were from females and 67 (34.8%) were from males. Predominantly Gram negative bacteria (79.1%) were isolated among culture positive samples followed by Gram positive bacteria (13.0%) and fungi i.e. Candida (5.7%). © 2020 Published by Innovative Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
The power of empathy: the dual impacts of an emotional voice in organizational crisis communication

ABSTRACT This study examines how sadness, expressed through the voice of a CEO of an organization in crisis, affects the public's perceptions in times of crisis. A first experiment shows that a sad voice increases the public's empathy toward the CEO, which results in positive attitudes toward the organization. However, at the same time, that sad voice results in negative attitudes toward the organization because it makes the CEO appear less powerful. A second experiment examined if the impact of an emotional voice depends on the crisis stage. The negative effect of vocal emotions due to reduced perceptions of powerfulness only occurs during the trigger event of the crisis. The positive effect of vocal expressions of sadness through increased empathy occurs throughout all stages of the crisis life cycle. These findings indicate that organizational spokespersons should not be afraid to express genuine emotions in their voices in times of crisis.
Philopatry in the Common Guillemot Uria aalge

Systematic ringing and subsequent resighting of 6 annual cohorts of young Guillemots indicated a high degree (42%) of philopatry to the natal group of 50–200 pairs. However, few young bred close to the sites where they were reared. There was no statistically significant sex difference. There seems little prospect that adjacent individuals, or even those breeding on a single ledge, are closely related.
Assessment of the effect of external risk factors on the success of an oil and gas construction project

Construction projects in the oil and gas sector are greatly affected by external risk factors, especially those related to the economy, politics, security and stability factors. Hence, this research aimed to investigate the fundamental relationship between the external risk factors and their effects on the construction project success using Structural Equation Modeling method and PLS-SEM approach. ,Data collected through a structured survey distributed to projects teams in the oil and gas sectors in Yemeni companies involved in mega construction projects. A hierarchical model for assessing causative external risk factors and their effects on project success was developed and analyzed using Smart PLS 3 software of SEM. ,The findings showed that economic, political, force majeure and security-related risk factors had a strong effect on project success. Besides, the Coefficient of Determination (R-squared value) equals 0.743, represented the proportion of variation in the dependent variable(s), which can be explained by one or more predictor variable. Moreover, the predictive relevance value Q2 is 0.375 above zero, which indicates that the conceptual model can predict the endogenous latent constructs. The calculated Goodness of Fit (GoF) Index of the model was 0.699, which shows that the developed model had substantial explanatory power to represent the relationship between the cause of external risk factors to and the effect on construction project success. ,This research was limited to the oil and gas construction projects in Yemen as case study. ,Practically, this study highlights the external risk factors that cause a negative effect on the success of oil and gas construction projects in Yemen. The research model of these factors is the first step in the risk management process to develop strategic responses for risks and explain the relationship between cause and effect on project success. ,The model of external risks factors that cause the failure of construction projects helps develop response strategies for these risks, thereby increasing the chances of project success reflected in the oil and gas sector, which is a main tributary of the national economy in developing countries. ,There is a need to improve the planning of economic and security performance as well as to mitigate political risk factors effects on project success and other risk factors discussed in this study, which effect on construction project success according to their priorities.
Eagle's trees and shrubs of New Zealand.

The paintings are certainly beautiful and accurate depictions of the species. In only a few cases e.g., karaka, Coprosmn lucLda, hard beech, and Pseudowintera axillavis are the leaves not good likenesses of typical specimens. Flowers and fruits, as well as leaves, are shown, and the use of enlarged paintings to show details of floral structure, placentation and fruits will be helpful in identifications. Importantly, a uniform style and tone has been maintained throughout. In comparison with Mark and Adams' N e w Zealand Alpine Plants, the paintings by Audrey Eagle are if anything clearer and include more close-ups of flowers and fruits.
Novel therapeutics in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These are chronic disorders of the gut that have no known antigenic triggers and no known cures. However, much has been learned regarding the immunoinflammatory response of these disorders and in the past few years approaches to modulate biological mediators of inflammation have proven somewhat effective. Lymphocytes have a critical role in the ongoing inflammation of IBD. Understanding mechanisms of lymphocyte trafficking to the gut via important adhesion molecule receptors, particularly of the β2 and β7 integrins and their immunoglobulin-like receptors such as ICAM-1 and MAdCAM, has defined important differences between IBD and the normal gut. Harnessing these molecules has proved challenging. Defining key cytokines, the inflammatory messengers from these lymphocytes and paradigms of cytokine expression which seem different in Crohn’s disease than in ulcerative colitis has been critical to help target therapies for these diseases. To date, the greatest therapeutic advances have been through modulating TNF-α. However, numerous patents have been issued for a variety of chemicals, mAbs and antisense oligonucleotides that can modulate TNF-α through a variety of mechanisms. This holds true for other key cytokines such as IL-12 and NF-κB. Agents have been developed that allow for direct administration of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 or IL-11. This review will present background information on critical adhesion molecules and cytokines in IBD and novel agents in use or recently patented to modulate these factors. Finally, we will review some new methods of modulating intestinal microbes as a means of abrogating the intestinal immune response by minimising its triggers.
The association between floral longevity and pollen removal, pollen receipt, and fruit production in flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

Floral longevity is an important feature of a plant’s reproductive strategy. The goal of this study was to examine flower life span in the shrub flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr. ) to determine if it is fixed or plastic and to evaluate its association with pollen removal and receipt. Unmanipulated flowers remained open for ~10 days, while hand-pollinated flowers closed earlier (~7 days), indicating that these flowers are subject to pollination-induced senescence. In 2002, pollen removal was rapid (~70% of pollen was removed in the first 2 h of anthesis), while female function was a slower process (pollen accumulated on stigmas for up to 4 days). Fruit set was pollen limited, as 80% of hand-outcrossed flowers set fruit versus 35% of naturally pollinated flowers. This is likely the result of the pollen-collecting behavior of a common solitary bee, which did not contact stigmas. In sharp contrast, 2003 was a cooler and wetter spring, few flower visitors were observed, and virtually no po.
A NEW SPECIES OF XINPUSAURUS (THALATTOSAURIA) FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF CHINA

Abstract A new species of Xinpusaurus Yin in Yin et al., 2000 (Thalattosauria, Thalattosauridae), is described from the Wayao Member of the Falang Formation (Tuvalian, Carnian, Upper Triassic) of Guanling County in Guizhou, southwestern China. It is the third thalattosaur species known from the Guanling faunal assemblage of marine reptiles. The type and only specimen consists of an entire skeleton, including a complete skull. It differs from the type species, X. suni, by its smaller adult size, the larger nasal, the more slender angular and low retroarticular process, the shape of the cervical neural spines, the number of presacral vertebrae, the large size of the scapula, the shape of the radius, the presence of a well ossified carpus, the more slender femur, the smaller hindfin, the presence of a complete row of distal tarsal ossifications, and the proportions of the metatarsals. It is consequently referred to a new species, Xinpusaurus kohi. A new analysis of thalattosaur interrelationships based on 30 cranial and postcranial characters corroborates a sister-group relationship between Xinpusaurus and Nectosaurus from the Carnian of California.
Chromosomal Evidences of Adaptive Convergence in the Tail Morphology of Neotropical Psittacidae (Aves, Psittaciformes)

Behavioral and morphological characters, as well as DNA hybridization and sequencing data strongly suggests that New and Old World Psittacidae evolved independently, supporting the tribe status for the American species (Arini). However, species and genera relationships within this group remain poorly known, and convergence was detected in various morphological characters, which could lead to artificial classifications. Most authors have subdivided Arini tribe in 2 monophyletic groups based on the comparative length of the tail, what is still controversial. In this paper we are describing for the first time the karyotypes of Pionites leucogaster and Pionopsitta pileata, both short-tail species which presented the same karyotypical pattern only previously observed to the long-tail genera. The remarkable karyotypical dichotomy presented by the Neotropical Psittacidae emphasize the existence of 2 distinct monophyletic groups within the Arini tribe. Nevertheless, the karyotypes of P. leucogaster and P. pileata short-tail species, suggests that the generalization long and short-tail is not valid to represent these both monophyletical groups, and there could occurs convergence in tail morphology character.
INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL TREATMENT ON QUALITY OF CUT APPLE (cv. JONAGORED)

The quality of a new variety of apple, 'Jonagored', after peeling and cutting was evaluated during ten days of storage in air at 4C. The objective was to evaluate the shelf-life of apple cubes by detecting the limiting parameter and to test the influence of different chemical dips on the cut apple quality with the aim of extending shelf-life. Color, i. e. browning at the cut surface, was found to be the critical quality parameter determining the shelf-life of the cut apple to less than three days. There were no significant differences between the dip treatments in measurements of CIE values. When apple cubes were treated with ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid plus calcium chloride or ascorbic acid plus calcium chloride and citric acid, the 0.75% ascorbic acid dip was found to be the most effective preservation treatment in terms of reducing color change of the cut surface. Both 0.75% ascorbic acid and 0.75% ascorbic acid plus 0.75% calcium chloride inhibited the loss of firmness of apple cubes. When citric acid was added to the dip treatment, there were color changes similar to those of the control.
Atmospheric CO2 and the ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 concentrations in plants

Much attention is focused today on predicting how plants will respond to anticipated changes in atmospheric composition and climate, and in particular to increases in CO(2) concentration. Here we review the long-term global fluctuations in atmospheric CO(2) concentration as a framework for understanding how current trends in atmospheric CO(2) concentration fit into a selective, evolutionary context. We then focus on an integrated approach for understanding how gas exchange metabolism responds to current environmental conditions, how it previously responded to glacial-interglacial conditions, and how it may respond to future changes in atmospheric CO(2) concentration.
Damage by the fruit borer Nephopterix sp. and other factors in sheanut tree, and their distribution in northern Ghana

Studies in seven districts of northern Ghana showed that Nephopterix sp. , physiological disorders and an unidentified borer caused 16%, 2.6% and 0.8% of fruit losses, respectively. Infestation by borers occurred mainly in April to June, while losses due to physiological disorders were highest in March. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd
Wheat Resistance to Spot Blotch Potentiated by Silicon

Spot blotch, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most important diseases on wheat. The effects of silicon (Si) on this wheat disease were studied. Plants of wheat cultivars BR-18 and BRS-208 were grown in plastic pots containing Si-deficient soil amended with either calcium silicate (+Si) or calcium carbonate (−Si). The content of Si in leaf tissue was significantly increased by 90.5% for the +Si treatment. There was no significant difference between Si treatments for calcium content, so variations in Si accounted for differences in the level of resistance to spot blotch. The incubation period was significantly increased by 40% for the +Si treatment. The area under spot blotch progress curve, number of lesions per cm2 of leaf area, and real disease severity significantly decreased by 62, 36 and 43.5% in +Si treatment. There was no significant effect of Si on lesion size. The role played by total soluble phenolics in the increased resistance to spot blotch of plants from both cultivars supplied with Si was not clear. Plants from cultivar BR-18 supplied with Si showed the highest values for concentration of lignin-thioglycolic acid derivatives during the most advanced stages of fungus infection. Chitinase activity was high at the most advanced stages of fungus infection on leaves from both cultivars supplied with Si and may have had an effect on fungus growth based on the reduction of the components of resistance evaluated. Peroxidase activity was found to be high only at 96 h after inoculation of both cultivars supplied with Si. Polyphenoloxidase activity had no apparent effect on resistance regardless of Si treatments. Results revealed that supplying Si to wheat plants can increase resistance against spot blotch.
Fotoinibição em três espécies do cerrado (Annona crassifolia, Eugenia dysenterica e Campomanesia adamantium ) na estação seca e na chuvosa

The aim of this study was to verify photosynthetic performance and photoinhibition occurrence in three "cerrado" species in the dry and rainy seasons. In both seasons, potential quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), at miday, after one hour of dark adaptation, was lower than 0.8 in all species, which characterizes photinhibition. In spite of stomatal conductance reductions and lower values of effective quantum yield (D F/F`m), and apparent rates of photosynthetic electron transport (ETR) during dry season, all species showed values of photosynthetic light saturation similar to those during rainy season, approximantely 1500 mmol.m-2.s-1. At this level of light, the relative excessive photon flux increased from 60%, at rainy season, to 80% at dry season in all studied species. The maximum apparent ETR (ETRmax) in rainy season was similar for E. dysenterica and C. adamantium, 200 mmol.m-2.s-1, and 170 mmol.m-2.s-1 for A. crassifolia, but decreased to approximately 100 mmol.m-2.s-1 at drought period for all of three species. The data suggested that the reduction on gas exchange at the dry season was accompanied by reduction on photosystem II activity, with an increase in photoinhibition .