Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A first description of ciliate assemblages in a subtropical eutrophic bay, South China Sea: species assemblage and environmental correlates

The ciliate community together with physical-chemical variables was investigated in a subtropical, eutrophic bay of the South China Sea from January 7–10 (dry season) and April 27–30 (wet season), 2012. Both temperature and salinity exhibited typical seasonality. A total of 27 species of ciliates belonging to 19 genera were identified, and the dominant species were Strombidium globosaneum in January and Codonella rapa in April. The composition and abundance exhibited spatial and temporal fluctuations, with total mean abundance of ciliates in April (1219 ± 919 ind l-1 ), was much higher than that in January (283 ± 137 ind l-1 ). Spatially, high species numbers were found mainly near the mouth of the estuary, and the abundance decreased from inside to the mouth of the bay. Statistical analysis showed that ciliate assemblages were closely related to the environmental variables. The distribution patterns of salinity and chlorophyll a concentration were similar, suggesting that, prey abundance may correlate significantly with ciliate abundance, and salinity may not be the main factor explaining the spatial variation in the ciliate community in the study area.
Skeletal muscle oxygen dynamics and peak aerobic capacity

Skeletal muscle O2 dynamics can be measured during whole body dynamic exercise noninvasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and muscle O2 dynamics can allow us to estimate muscle O2 extraction. Muscle O2 extraction is one of the determinants of peak pulmonary O2 uptake (V O2), and blunted peak V O2 potentially increases cardiovascular-associated morbidity and mortality. However, muscle O2 dynamics and their relation to reduced peak aerobic capacity have not been fully established. This review briefly outlines the relationship between change in muscle O2 dynamics and an improvement of peak V O2. Our findings suggest that aerobic training enhances estimated muscle O2 extraction, and the enhancement is related to an improvement of peak aerobic capacity in elderly subjects, with and without heart disease. The relationship may be potentially affected, however, by some factors such as: the initial level of aerobic capacity and cardiac function (ability of convective O2 supply), and training volume, phase, or type. The number of elderly people who have a low peak aerobic capacity will most likely be increasing in Japan, as a consequence of the aging population and physical inactivity due to advanced technology. Although we recognize several limitations of the NIRS technique and the necessity for further investigation, assessing muscle O2 dynamics is valuable to understand the peripheral impairments and mechanisms of lowered peak VO2.
Density dependence and temporal plasticity of competitive interactions during utilisation of resources by a community of lepidopteran stemborer species

Interactions within and between species sharing the same resources are characterised by competition or facilitation, and can be influenced by factors such as larval numbers and phenotypic plasticity of the interactions. The effect of larval density on the survival and relative growth rate of the stemborers Busseola fusca (Fuller) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (both Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were studied, as well as the temporal plasticity of their competitive interactions. These stemborers attack maize crops (Zea mays L.) (Poaceae) in sub‐Saharan Africa. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions at the optimum development temperature (25 °C) for the three species. Surrogate stems filled with artificial diet were intra‐ and interspecifically infested with larvae of each species. The effect of larval density on competition was studied at low (six larvae) and high (12 larvae) levels of infestation, whereas the temporal plasticity of competition was evaluated at 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after infestation. The two experiments involved single‐ and multi‐species infestation treatments. Larval numbers and wet mass in each artificial stem were recorded in each experiment. Survival and relative growth rate of the three species were significantly higher at low‐infestation levels when facing either intra‐ or interspecific competition. The intensity of competition was also temporally plastic among the species and increased as the duration of competition increased. These results are discussed in terms of general infestations of cereal crops by borers.
Observations on zooplankton in some lagoons in Turkey

Abstract In this study, zooplankton samples collected from some lagoons in 1995 and 1996 with the scope of management and development strategies and improvement project of lagoons in Turkey coasts were used. In total, samples of 35 lagoons were studied, including 5 of Black Sea lagoons, 8 of Sea of Marmara lagoons, 15 of Aegean Sea lagoons, and 7 of Mediterranean Sea lagoons. As a result, 125 taxa were found, including 64 Rotifera, 24 Cladocera, and 32 Copepoda and 5 Ostracoda.
Growing Corn in Clumps Reduces Canopy Temperature and Improves Microclimate

ABSTRACT Uniform or evenly spaced planting (ESP) geometry is practiced when resources, such as water, are nonlimiting for growing crops, but under resource-limited environments, nonuniform treatment of the land can be an advantage. Corn (Zea mays L.) field studies were conducted in Gruver (Gruver field study, GFS) and Bushland (Bushland field study, BFS), Texas to compare plant canopy temperature, within-canopy vapor pressure deficit (VPD), grain yield, and yield components for clump (3 plants clustered) and ESP geometries with the same plant populations. At different growth stages for both studies, thermal images were taken for calculating canopy temperature (CT), and temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the plant canopy were measured. Overall, CTs were significantly lower for clumps compared with ESPs, and mean VPDs within the clumps were consistently lower than those for ESPs, indicating that clumps improved the microclimate. Compared with ESPs, clumps produced similar or higher grain yields, and harvest index (HI) was significantly higher for clumps than that for ESPs in both studies (0.56 vs. 0.54 in GFS and 0.48 vs. 0.45 in BFS). In GFS, plants were grown under three water levels (high, medium, and low). With decreasing irrigation level, canopy temperature and VPD increased and aboveground biomass, grain yield, and HI decreased. Results suggested that growing corn in clumps might be a useful strategy under semi-arid climatic conditions because they reduced CT, improved microclimate, decreased number of tillers, and increased HI with comparable grain yield compared with conventional ESPs.
Effect of Potassium and Sulphur on Nutrient Uptake, Yield and Quality of Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan )

A study was conducted with graded levels of potassium and sulphur on pigeon pea to assess the nutrient uptake, yield and quality at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Nagpur (M.S.) The data revealed that application of K and S levels significantly influenced the uptake of major and micronutrient in pigeon pea. High N and P uptake was observed due to application of 30 kg potassium and 20 kg sulphur per hectare. Potassium uptake was increased significantly with increasing the levels of K. The highest K uptake was noticed in 45 kg K and 20 kg S per hectare combination. The recovery of NPK was higher in 30 kg potassium per hectare. Due to increased level of potassium and sulpur there was no adverse effect on calcium assimilation and highest uptake of calcium was observed in the application 30 kg K and 20 kg S per hectare. The optimum supply of K and S improves the uptake of micronutrients. Significantly high grain yield and protein yield was observed due to application 30 kg K and 20 kg S per hectare. Therefore balanced fertilization of NPKS nutrients is required in pigeon pea.
Macrophytes of the Ipel' River : effect of flood to species composition and distribution

Effects of spring and summer floods on macrophyte vegetation were studied along the Ipel' River - a typical submontane river with regular winter/spring floods and with occasional summer floods. If we compare macrophyte vegetation in July 2000 (three months after spring flood) and July 2006 (one month after flood) then (i) total and mean number of species decreased, (ii) length of river sections without any macrophytes increased, (iii) mean mass total (MMT) of typical hydrophytes (e.g. Potamogeton crispus and Ranunculus aquatile), some helophytes (e.g. Alisma lanceolatum, Leersia oryzoides, Persicaria hydropiper) as well as Algae fil. decreased, (iv) MMT of bryophytes (Chiloscyphus pallescens, Fontinalis antipyretica, Rhynchostegium riparioides) remained similar in both years, (v) MMT of Phalaroides arundinaceae and Lemna minor increased. Decline in the mentioned species was probably due to disturbance of fine sediment. These species grew mostly in this sediment type; after summer flood it was replaced by coarser sediment and poorly rooted plants were removed. Bryophytes were not damaged by summer flood because they grew mainly on harder substrates in fast-flowing water. Generally, Lemna minor was frequent in running waters during the year and migration was typical for this pleustophyte species. In case of Phalaroides arundinacea, our results differ from those published by other authors, where this species is considered to be sensitive to floods.
Lunar periodicity in spawning of white grunt, Haemulon plumierii

Understanding lunar periodicity in spawning is necessary for guiding studies on reproduction in fishes, but is unknown for the abundant and economically important white grunt, Haemulon plumierii (Lacepede, 1801). We sampled mature white grunts in the eastern Gulf of Mexico during each of the four lunar periods of April 2016, coinciding with the seasonal peak of their spawning activity. Spawning-capable white grunts were macroscopically distinguishable from actively spawning fish, which we further confirmed microscopically. There was a clear lunar pattern with peak oocyte hydration and presence of flowing milt (i.e., actively spawning fish) during the full moon. A full moon spawn may be advantageous to juveniles settling during the following new moon after a short pelagic larval duration previously determined to be approximately 14 d. These findings can guide future research seeking to quantify either batch fecundity or production of white grunts by identifying the lunar period during which sampling should occur.
Survey of data on heat resistance of dairy pathogens

Pasteurization, thermization and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatment are well-established means of either reducing or eliminating pathogenic or spoilage bacteria in milk and milk products. Although commercial high-temperature, short-time (HTST) pasteurization has a long history, there is relatively little data on the bacterial lethality achieved. Laboratory inactivation experiments are known seriously to underestimate the bacterial kill. Pilot-scale pasteurization studies with Listeria and kinetic data from pasteurization inactivation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) show that laboratory inactivation experiments can seriously underestimate the bacterial kill. Kinetic studies clearly show that the heat input during commercial HTST pasteurization is sufficient to effectively kill MAP. Thermization is a sub-pasteurization heat treatment that achieves minimum pathogen inactivation. Additional hurdles are required in order to make safe cheese from thermized milk. UHT-treated milk must receive sufficient heat to achieve commercial sterility.
Elements Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Phragmites Australis ( Cav. ) Trin. Ex Steudel in Lake Burullus : A Ramsar Site , Egypt

The present study aims to assess the role of Phragmites australis in the accumulation of elements and nutritive value to test its suitability to use as a potential forage plant for cattle, goats and sheep in lake Burullus, Egypt. Different plant organs were collected from the sampling sites for estimating seven heavy metals (Mn, Pb, Co, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Fe) and six nutrients (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P and N) as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of water. In addition, seven organic constituents (total ash, carbohydrates, total lipids, crude fibers, crude protein, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients) were estimated, and three nutritive values (digestible energy, metabolized energy, net and gross energy) were calculated. The results revealed that an increase in heavy metals accumulation in the rhizome and decreased in the order of rhizome > stem > leaves. Moreover, positive linear relationships were found between these heavy metal concentrations in plant organs and those in water. Thus P. australis can serve as a good accumulator and bioindicator of heavy metals in the polluted water bodies. On the other hand, the nutrients are decreased in the order of stems > leaves > rhizomes. The leaves had the highest total ash, crude protein, digestible crude protein, digestible energy, metabolized energy and net energy, while the stems had the highest total carbohydrates and crude fibers. Therefore, the results revealed that the underground rhizomes had the ability to accumulate heavy metals and thereby used as a phytoremediator; while its aboveground parts had the highest nutrient and nutritive values, which consider the plant as good forage for animals.
The role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells and tumour necrosis factor receptors in the survival and function of regulatory T cells

The ability to therapeutically manipulate regulatory T (Treg) cell survival/function would have far reaching implications; with the potential to limit immune pathology in autoimmune disease, allergy and transplantation; and to reduce regulation of anti-tumour responses in cancer. This study has established a method to study the survival and function of antigen specific Treg cells in vivo, adapting an existing approach in which an endogenous naive T cell population is expanded and tracked. Multiple immunisation of antigen, and an agonistic anti-DR3 antibody were used to ensure a sufficient number and proportion of Treg cells could be expanded. Further to this, an assay for investigating Treg cell function in vivo was applied to this system. This approach revealed that the tumour necrosis factor receptors OX40 and CD30 may play a role in Treg function, as well as expansion. Unexpectedly, these data also revealed that in the absence of OX40 there is a gross defect in the function of CD4 T cells. A regulatory role of group 3 Innate Lymphoid cells is emerging in the literature, and in accordance with this, this study demonstrates that Treg cell expansion is grossly impaired in mice which lack RORγt, their lineage defining transcription factor.
Preliminary results on impact of nitrogen fertilisation on Sitophilus zeamais wheat-food preferences and progeny production.

Preliminary results on impact of nitrogen fertilisation on the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) wheat-food preferences and progeny production are reported. The Italian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) variety “Svevo” was cultivated using three different fertiliser regimes, 0, 60, and 160 kg/ha of nitrogen. The kernel samples obtained by the three fertilisation regimeplots were compared. After bioassays were performed in cylindrical arenas, different levels of kernel susceptibility to S. zeamais infestation were observed. The investigations indicated that the susceptibility of grains is not closely related to higher protein presence in kernels from field plots fertilised with 60 and 160 kg/ha of nitrogen compared to the kernels of unfertilised plots. These observations were consistent with the results observed in F1 and F2 progeny. The overall duration of developmental time of S. zeamais, from egg to adult, was also not influenced by the different nitrogen fertiliser regimes.
Use of Integrated Nutrient Management to Enhance Soil Fertility and Crop Yield of Hybrid Cultivar of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Under Field Conditions

The field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of integrated nutrient management practices on soil fertility and crop yield of hybrid cultivar of brinjal ( L. cv. F 1 Hybrid purple long) under field conditions. During the study, ten nutrients treatments viz., without nutrient (control) (T 1 ), recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (T 2 ), vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 (T 3 ), sugarcane pressmud compost (SPC) @ 5 t ha -1 (T 4 ), farm yard manure (FYM) @ 12.5 t ha -1 (T 5 ), sewage sludge (SS) @ 2 t ha -1 (T 6 ), T 7 (50 % RDF + vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 ), T 8 (50 % RDF + SPC @ 5 t ha -1 ), T 9 (50 % RDF + FYM @ 12.5 t ha -1 ) and T 10 (50% RDF + SS @ 2 t ha -1 ) were used for the cultivation of S. melongena . The results revealed that different treatments showed significant (P<0.05/P<0.01) change in the soil characteristics viz., EC, OC, TKN, PO 43- , Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn of the soil. Among various treatments the most plant height, root length, dry weight, chlorophyll content, LAI, number of flowers/plant, fruits/plant, crop yield/plant, crude protein, dietary fiber, total carbohydrates and total sugar of S. melongena was recorded with 50% RDF + vermin compost @ 5 t ha -1 . The agronomical performance of S. melongena was observed in the order of T 7 > T 10 > T 9 > T 8 > T 3 > T 6 > T 5 > T 4 > T 2 > T 1 treatments. Therefore, sole vermin compost and 50% RDF along with vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 can be used to obtain the maximum crop yield of S. melongena
Self-assembling nanoscale systems

Self-assembly is ubiquitous in different areas of science, for example in crystals and viruses, and also plays crucial roles in nanotechnology. Many commonalities link these self-assembling systems, in spite of their complexity and different length and time scales. In this thesis, we take an interdisciplinary perspective to gain new insights into self-assembly, exploring ways of modelling self-assembling systems that are relevant across these different fields. A challenge in nanotechnology is to develop self-assembling systems capable of generating a desired outcome. An example is graphene nanoribbons, which are a novel type of semiconductor material with great potential in the nanotech industry. In this context, it is unclear which strategies are best for controlling the output of a self-assembly process, either by manipulation of the thermodynamic environment of the assembling system, or other methods of directing self-assembly. We use quantitative modelling of the kinetics of self-assembly as a tool to predict experimental results in self-assembling systems that are too complex for detailed experimental investigation. Self-assembly of viral protein shells is an example from biology. Viruses have evolved niche methods of assembly that are both robust and highly efficient, as the virus mutation rates are very high, especially in RNA viruses. The viruses discussed in this thesis have an added layer of complexity; it is thought that sequence-specific interactions between viral genomes and the protein building blocks of the viral capsids have a strong impact on the assembly process. We have developed here novel analysis techniques for the modelling of this co-assembly scenario. We use these mechanistic insights to develop new theoretical tools to analyse structural data, providing unprecedented insights into the asymmetric organization of the packaged genome.
Growth and development of soybean roots according to planting management systems and irrigation in lowland areas

The presence of a compacted soil layer near the ground surface in paddy fields may limit the growth and development of soybean roots. The objective of this study was to evaluate different planting management systems and irrigation on growth and development of soybean root systems in lowland area. The experiment was carried out in 2013/14 and 2014/15 crop seasons in randomized complete block design with factorial treatment (3x2), with four replications. The treatments consisted of different planting management systems: sowing with double disc (A1); sowing with shank (A2) and deep tillage + sowing with double disc (A3), and irrigation: irrigated (D1) and non irrigated (D2). Planting management systems and irrigation influenced the growth of soybean roots. When double disc was used, roots have lower growth and increase in diameter. Use of shanks and deep tillage provide increased growth and development of soybean roots and greater depth distribution. An additional 55mm of irrigation during the V4 soybean development stage provides increased surface area and root volume in when the soil moisture reaches values below 60% of field capacity.
A Pif1-dependent threshold separates DNA double-strand breaks and telomeres

The natural ends of chromosomes resemble DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and telomeres are therefore necessary to prevent recognition by the DNA damage response. The enzyme telomerase can also generate new telomeres at DSBs, resulting in the loss of genetic information distal to the break. How cells deal with different DNA ends is therefore an important decision. One critical point of regulation is to limit telomerase activity at DSBs and this is primarily accomplished in budding yeast by the telomerase inhibitor Pif1. Here we use Pif1 as a sensor to gain insight into the cellular decision at DSB ends with increasing telomeric character. We uncover a striking transition point in which 34 bp of telomeric (TG1-3)n repeat sequence is sufficient to render a DNA end insensitive to Pif1, thereby facilitating extension by telomerase. This phenomenon is unlikely to be due to Pif1 modification and we propose that Cdc13 confers a unique property to the TG34 end that prevents Pif1 action. We identify novel Cdc13 mutations that resensitize DNA ends to Pif1 and discover that many Cdc13 telomerase-null mutations are dependent on Pif1 status. Finally, the observed threshold of Pif1 activity recapitulates several properties of both DSBs and telomeres and we propose that this is the dividing line between these entities.
Communicable Diseases Among the Female Inhabitants of Lower Socio-Economic Groups in Dhaka City

A total of 900 female inhabitants of lower socioeconomic in Dhaka city, were examined during September, 2013 to August, 2015. Among them, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation was 66.22%. The prevalence of Urinary tract infection (UTI) was 31.44%. Among the female inhabitants, 41.33% were infected with different types of skin diseases; within these, viral, (19.35%) scabies and 38.09% were affected by boil disease. The prevalence of vector-borne diseases was infected and arthropod infections (9.41%) were found. Among them, the highest 54.28% were infected by scabies and 38.09% were affected by boil diseases. The prevalence of vector-borne diseases was 49.33%, among them four types of diseases were recorded of which 2% malaria, 7.33% filaria, 34.67% dengue and 5.33%. leishmaniasis. Four types of waterborne diseases were found such as cholera/ diarrhoea (28%), typhoid (17.11%), polio (5.11%) and hepatitis A/ Jaundice (9.67%); and overall prevalence was 59.87%. Regarding the airborne diseases, 58.44% were found to be infected, among them four types recorded, such as influenza (25.11%), mumps (10.22%), pneumonia (17.44%) and tuberculosis (5.67%).