Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nucleopolyhedrovirus infection and/or parasitism by Microplitis pallidipes affected haemolymph titre of 20‐hydroxyecdysone in Spodoptera exigua larvae

This study examined the physiological effects of joint and separate parasitism and infection by the endoparasitoid Microplitis pallidipes Szépligeti and the nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), respectively, on haemolymph 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20‐E) titre in Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) larvae. The results indicated that in parasitized larvae, virus‐infected larvae (5.7 × 103 and 5.7 × 105 OB/ml) and parasitized larvae infected with virus at 5.7 × 105 OB/ml, compared to healthy larvae, the 20‐E all declined during the first 3 days but began to increase from day 4 after treatment, while in jointly parasitized and infected larvae (5.7 × 103 OB/ml), the 20‐E declined during the first 4 days but began to increase on day 5 after treatment. Meanwhile, compared to parasitized larvae, the 20‐E declined during the first 4 days but significantly increased on day 5 in jointly parasitized and infected larvae (5.7 × 103 OB/ml), while significantly increased during the first 2 days but began to decrease from day 3 after treatment in jointly parasitized and infected larvae (5.7 × 105 OB/ml). Finally, in larvae that were both parasitized and virus infected (5.7 × 103 OB/ml), compared to just virus‐infected larvae (5.7 × 103 OB/ml), the 20‐E was lower on days 3 and 4 but higher on other days after treatment; in larvae that were both parasitized and virus infected (5.7 × 105 OB/ml), compared to just virus‐infected larvae (5.7 × 105 OB/ml), the 20‐E was significantly higher at the first 2 days but lower from day 3 after treatment. Our results revealed that 2nd instar larval M. pallidipes in host bodies may release 20‐E into the haemolymph of S. exigua larvae and that NPV infection may stimulate S. exigua to release more 20‐E during its third to fourth instar larval moulting. We found that this stimulatory effect was greater with higher virus concentrations.
The Environmental Kuznets Curve and the Energy Mix: A Structural Estimation

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis establishes the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between income and environmental deterioration. This paper studies the relationship between the energy mix and pollutant emissions and uses an environmental dynamic general equilibrium model to carry out a structural estimation of the EKC hypothesis. The model considers a three-input production function, including energy. Energy is a composite of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The flow of pollutant emissions depends on fossil fuels’ consumption, which accumulates in a pollution stock, resulting in a negative externality that adversely impacts aggregate productivity. Simulations of the model support the existence of a steady-state EKC relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the stock of pollution, where the negative slope side of the curve is very flat. We find that (i) the EKC hypothesis is only fulfilled when the elasticity of substitution between fossil fuel and renewable energy is high enough; (ii) the higher the elasticity of the productivity to the stock of pollution, the lower the optimal stock of pollution as a function of output; and (iii) emissions efficiency has a positive impact on the environment in the short-run, but negative in the long-run.
Assessing the short‐term effects of capture, handling and tagging of sandgrouse

Capturing and marking free-living birds permits the study of important aspects of their biology but may have undesirable effects. Bird welfare should be a primary concern, so it is necessary to evaluate and minimize any adverse effects of procedures used. We assess short-term effects associated with the capture, handling and tagging with backpack-mounted transmitters of Pin-tailed Pterocles alchata and Black-bellied Pterocles orientalis Sandgrouse, steppe birds of conservation concern. There was a significantly higher mortality (15%) during the first week after capture than during the following weeks (< 2.5%) in Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, but no significant temporal mortality pattern in Black-bellied Sandgrouse. In Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, mortality rate during the first week increased with increasing relative transmitter and harness weight regardless of season, and with increasing handling time during the breeding season. There were no significant differences in mortality rate between study areas, type of tag, sex or age or an effect of restraint time. These results suggest the use of lighter transmitters (< 3% of the bird’s weight) and a reduction of handling time (< 20 min), particularly during the breeding season, as essential improvements in procedure to reduce the mortality risk associated with the capture, handling and tagging of these vulnerable species.
Irrigação do timo em aves da linhagem Paraíso Pedrês (Gallus gallus domesticus)

The thymus arterial vascularization (number, origin and organization) as well as the parenchymal distribution of the penetrative branches were studied in 40 birds of Paraiso Pedres lineage birds. From this total, 30 were injected with latex and dissected, while 10 had their arterial vessels injected with resin (methylmethacrylate and mercox) for the vascular matrix preparation. The main source of irrigation found was the association of branches originated from the common arteries of the vago nerve, thyroid and ingluvial, and their branches penetrated in the parenchyma of the lobes especially through the caudal and cranial endings. From this penetration, the thymic branches showed most of their distribution to the lobe periphery, creating a polygonal capilar web with irregular, spaces which is a characteristic of a linforeticular organ.
Set-membership filtering for piecewise linear systems with censored measurements under Round-Robin protocol

In this paper, the set-membership filtering problem is investigated for a class of piecewise linear systems with state constraintsand censored measurements under the Round-Robin (RR) protocol. First of all, the mode of the piecewise linear system is determined by itsstate. The noises under consideration satisfy two ellipsoid constraints. According the schedule of the RR protocol, a set of piecewise linearfilters is constructed in terms of the censored measurements transmitted through the shared network. The objective of this paper is todesign a set of filter gains such that the augmented dynamics satisfies the desirable ellipsoid constraint in the simultaneous presence of stateconstraints, censored measurements and RR protocol. A sufficient condition for the existence of piecewise linear filters is obtained and aconvex optimisation method is presented to derive the minimized ellipsoid in the sense of matrix trace. Finally, a simulation example is givento verify the effectiveness of the proposed design method.
Feeding, Digestion and Oxygen Consumption in Daphnia Magna a Study in Energy Budgets

The feeding behaviour of Daphnia magna was investigated using fluorescent tracer particles to test simple model predictions for the ingestion rate of an alga, Scenedesmus subspicatus. The model assumes that ingestion rate is proportional to the squared length of the daphnid, that gut volume, measured as cell numbers, is proportional to the cubed length and independent of food density and that the functional response is hyperbolic. Gut residence time for food particles is therefore proportional to the length of the daphnid and depends on food density. Experimental results and data from the literature confirm these model predictions. A model for digestion, which is consistent with the observed feeding behaviour, is proposed. It shows that energy gain per food particle is independent of body size if the production of unstable enzyme is proportional to the surface area of the gut. Constraints have been formulated for complete digestion. Microbial proliferation is found unlikely to be a major factor in the digestion process. The oxygen consumption of individual daphnids was measured to test model predictions relating its dependence on energy reserves (modulated by starvation) and size. The measurements, which are taken to indicate the rate at which energy is used from reserves, confirm the model predictions on size dependence: the rate can be written as a physiologically interpretable weighted sum of a squared and a cubed length measure. The results are not conclusive for competing theories about the use of energy reserves during starvation.
Response of Oat Genotypes to Fusarium Head Blight in Eastern Canada

Recent investigations in northern Europe and western Canada suggested that mycotoxins caused by Fusarium head blight (FHB) could be a potential problem for oat (Avena sativa L.) production and oat food safety. Here we report studies conducted in eastern Canada to address this issue. In one study, oat genotypes of diverse origin were evaluated for grain and groat deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination owing to artificial FHB inoculation at Ottawa, ON, in 2006 and 2007. In a separate study, oat genotypes tested in the yearly Quebec Oat Registration and Recommendation Trials were evaluated for DON contamination due to artificial inoculation in Quebec from 2003 to 2008. Deoxynivalenol was detected in all tested genotypes, and up to 43 μg g -1 of DON was observed in the oat grain. Up to 86% of the DON in the oat grain was removed by dehulling. However, some genotypes still retained up to 9 μg g -1 of DON in the groat. Genotype ranking in DON content was relatively consistent across years, planting dates, and experiments, and genotypes with consistently low and high DON levels were identified. It was concluded that FHB is a potential problem for oat production and oat food safety under high FHB pressures; however, the severity of this problem needs to be further assessed by extensive monitoring of the DON level under natural conditions. The most susceptible genotypes identified in this study can be useful for this purpose.
Analysis of Nutritional Contents in Vegetable Soybeans

ABSTRACT In addition to oil and soyfoods, soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] is also produced for vegetable use. The importance of consuming vegetable soybean for the prevention of chronic diseases is well documented. The objectives of this study were to determine the magnitude of genotype x year interactions (GYIs) for nutritional values, to estimate broad-sense heritability (h2 BS), and to identify genotypes that have stable nutritional values. Thirty-one soybean genotypes from maturity groups (MGs) III to VI were grown at Randolph Research Farm of Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, during three years. The genotypes were harvested at immature green pod stage (R6-R7) and analyzed for nutritional values (lipid, protein, fatty acid profile, and carbohydrate). Significant (P < 0.01) differences among the genotypes were found for protein, ratio (18:1/18:2 + 18:3), and carbohydrate (CHO). The GYIs were also significant (P < 0.01) for all the seed traits analyzed, indicating that the performance of the genotype changed from year to year. Moderate h2 BS estimates of 56%, 61%, and 69% were observed for protein, ratio, and CHO, respectively. These h2 BS indicated the seed traits analyzed were equally influenced by environments and genetic factors. In general, the percentage contribution of genotype to the total sum of squares was higher than that of the GYIs for all seed traits analyzed with the exception of lipid. Among the genotypes tested Akiyoshi ranked high in protein, ratio, and, CHO and PI 379621 ranked high in protein and CHO. These genotypes could be used as genetic source in improving nutritive values of vegetable soybean genotypes. The rank correlations between G ×; Y model analysis mean ranking and cultivar superiority performance measure (CSPM) value ranks for lipid, ratio, protein, and CHO were 0.912**, 0.979**, 0.987**, and 0.973**, respectively. This suggested that either method of analysis could be used in identifying genotypes with stable performance.
The Impact of Change in CEO Ownership on Future Firm Performance

This paper investigates how a change in CEO ownership influences financial performance and market return in the long run. Using an accounting-based framework, we measure financial performance and changes in CEO ownership by using the public firms in the Taiwan Stock Exchange from 1996 to 2018. The findings in CEO ownership are consistent with the convergence-of-interests, entrenchment, and signaling hypotheses in different empirical tests. We find a positive relation between return on assets (ROA) and changes in CEO ownership when the CEO ownership is decreasing. In contrast, ROA is negative significantly associated with CEO ownership when the CEO ownership is increasing. Moreover, we also find that market performance is significantly positively associated with CEO ownership, which is consistent with the signaling hypothesis. Overall, this paper infers that a change in CEO ownership significantly affects future firm performance. Furthermore, investors respond positively to the negative signals released in the stock market. Therefore, the firms have poorer market performance simultaneously.
Assessment of Restoration Effects and Invasive Potential Based on Vegetation Dynamics of Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) Plantation in Korea

During the period of Japanese occupation (1910–1945) and the Korean War (1950–1953), extensive areas of forest were severely degraded by over-harvesting and fire in Korea. In addition, intensive use of the forest-resources to obtain fuel, organic compost, livestock feed, and so on contributed to forest degradation. As a result, the South Korean government launched large-scale tree planting projects to reforest the denuded mountains particularly in the 1960s. This study aims to evaluate the restoration effects of the pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) plantations and further diagnose the invasive potential of the pitch pine. To arrive at the goals, we investigated the changes of vegetation and soil characteristics in different chronosequences in the pitch pine plantations and in native forests, which were selected as reference stands. Pitch pine plantations were usually planted on mountainous land, which is characterized by an elevation of below 300 m above sea level and a gentle slope below 20°. The species composition of the pitch pine forestations was different depending on the study site but tended to resemble that of the reference stands in the years after forestation. The species diversity showed an increasing trend in response to stand age. The frequency distribution of diameter classes of dominant tree species showed a trend for pitch pine plantations to succeed to native oak stands. A change in canopy profiles depending on stand age also proved the successional trend. The establishment and development of pitch pine plantations for reforestation contributed to erosion control and improved the physic-chemical properties of the soil and thus prepared a basis for the recovery of native vegetation. Such changes in vegetation and soil confirmed that the pitch pine plantations successfully achieved the restoration goals. On the other hand, mature pitch pine stands reproduced young pitch pine stands by self-seeding on the slopes of various sorts of roads including expressways. This shows that pitch pine is successfully established in Korea and thereby the species has been naturalized. However, the natural succession of pitch pine stands in Korea suggests that it is possible to introduce some exotic species for reforestation without resulting in uncontrolled invasion.
Granulosa cell proliferation is inhibited by PGE2 in the primate ovulatory follicle

ABSTRACT Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a key paracrine mediator of ovulation. Few specific PGE2-regulated gene products have been identified, so we hypothesized that PGE2 may regulate the expression and/or activity of a network of proteins to promote ovulation. To test this concept, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to predict PGE2-regulated functionalities in the primate ovulatory follicle. Cynomolgus macaques underwent ovarian stimulation. Follicular granulosa cells were obtained before (0 h) or 36 h after an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), with ovulation anticipated 37–40 h after hCG. Granulosa cells were obtained from additional monkeys 36 h after treatment with hCG and the PTGS2 inhibitor celecoxib, which significantly reduced hCG-stimulated follicular prostaglandin synthesis. Granulosa cell RNA expression was determined by microarray and analyzed using IPA. No granulosa cell mRNAs were identified as being significantly up-regulated or down-regulated by hCG + celecoxib compared with hCG only. However, IPA predicted that prostaglandin depletion significantly regulated several functional pathways. Cell cycle/cell proliferation was selected for further study because decreased granulosa cell proliferation is known to be necessary for ovulation and formation of a fully-functional corpus luteum. Prospective in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed the prediction that hCG-stimulated cessation of granulosa cell proliferation is mediated via PGE2. Our studies indicate that PGE2 provides critical regulation of granulosa cell proliferation through mechanisms that do not involve significant regulation of mRNA levels of key cell cycle regulators. Pathway analysis correctly predicted that PGE2 serves as a paracrine mediator of this important transition in ovarian structure and function.
Demographic and social issues of the pandemic

The article begins with a small paragraph on why it is necessary to carefully assess operational data on morbidity and mortality from coronavirus. Further, the author discusses the complex of possible geo-spatial, demographic, socio-economic, socio-cultural and political factors of unequal impact of morbidity and overmortality from COVID-19 on various social groups and territories; hypothesize about the demographic and gender consequences of the pandemic and its accompanying economic recession in the short-term and long-term period. The author comes to the conclusion that the pandemic will have minor demographic consequences or won't have any. And despite a number of negative effects, the pandemic offers a window of opportunity for the development of gender equality.
Isolation of Solanapyrones A, B and C from Culture Filture and Spore Germination Fluids of Ascochyta rabiei and Aspects of Phytotoxin Action

Nine isolates of the fungus Ascochyta rabiei have been assayed for their ability to produce solanapyrone toxins. All isolates formed solanapyrone A, B and C which were secreted into the culture medium. Pronounced production of the toxins only occurred after onset of sporulation. The identification of the fungal products was achieved by cochromatography (TLC, HPLC), 1H-NMR (solanapyrone A and B) and mass spectrometry (solanapyrone B). Work with A. rabiei isolate X showed that cultivation in chickpea seed extract medium in a surface culture provided best conditions for maximal toxin production. The accumulation of solanapyrones over the growth cycle was monitored. Germinating spores produced solanapyrones C and B whereas solanapyrone A was formed from the 6th day of the culture period on. Application of a mixture of solanapyrones A, B and C to leaflets of intact plants from an A. rabiei resistant cultivar (ILC 3279) and a susceptible cultivar (ILC 1929) led to characteristic changes in leaf morphology which had earlier been obsevad in susceptible plants following infection with spores of A. rabiei. Attempts to demonstrate the occurrence of toxins in the infected leaf were unsuccessful. Application of solanapyrones to solanapyrones to chickpea cell suspension cultures (derived from both cultivars) led to pronounced losses in viability and to plasmolysis of cells.
Biological and Serological Properties of Strains of Barley Mild Mosaic Virus

The biological and serological properties of two Japanese barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV) strains (BaMMV-Kal and BaMMV-Nal) and a German BaMMV strain (BaMMV-M) were compared. Mechanical inoculation experiments showed that these three strains differed from one another in their ability to infect specific barley cultivars. BaMMV-Kal and BaMMV-M caused similar symptoms, but BaMMV-Nal clearly differed from them in its symptoms on some barley cultivars. The three BaMMV strains efficiently infected barley plants at 15°C, whereas at 20°C BaMMV-Kal and BaMMV-M also infected many plants but BaMMV-Nal infected only a few. BaMMV-Kal and BaMMV-M were indistinguishable by ELISA, while BaMMV-Nal was distinguished from both. The biological and serological variability reported shows that BaMMV occurs as two distinct strains in Japan.
Physical and chemical characterization and antioxidant activity (in vitro) of fruit of the Piaui savanna

Details about the chemical characterist composition and nutritional value of the cerrado fruits are basic tools for evaluating the consumption and formulation of new products. However, few data are available in the literature with regard to chemical composition of these fruits and their technological application, highlighting the need for scientific research on the subject. It was performed the present study aiming at characterizing the physical-chemical and determine the antioxidant activity in vitro by the DPPH method, the cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) cajuzinho-do-cerrado (Anacardium humile), chicha (Sterculia striata Naud .), jatoba-do-cerrado (Hymenaeastigonocarpa Mart.) and macauba (Acrocomiaaculeata Mart.). The fruits were harvested at EMBRAPA - MID NORTH - PI and Correntes City - PI. It was analyzed the physical characteristics (weight, length and diameter), chemical (moisture, ashes, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates), total energy value (TEV), the content of total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, β-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C and antioxidant activity by DPPH. The samples were analyzed in two batches and each in triplicate analysis. For data analysis, it was designed a database, using the statistical program EPI INFO, version 6.04b. The obtained results for the studied bioactive compounds showed that all the fruits expressed hight amount of vitamin C (mg/100g), highlighting the cajuzinho-do-cerrado (500). The fruits with the highest antioxidant capacity, expressed in ability to reduce by 50% the activity of free radical DPPH (EC50mg / L) were cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica Dc.) and cajuzinho-do-cerrado (Anacardium humile). The research concludes, therefore, that the fruits studied showed good nutritional value, a meaningful content of bioactive compounds and demonstrate antioxidant activity.