Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of crayfish density, body size and substrate on consumption of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) eggs by invasive rusty crayfish [(Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852)]

1Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 2Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 3BC Hydro, Environmental Risk Management, Castlegar, BC, Canada 4Midwest Natural Resources Environmental Consulting, St. Paul, MN, USA 5Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette Fisheries Research Station, Marquette, MI, USA
Slow-Release Delivery System for Herbicides in Container-Grown Stock

Metolachlor, applied to the surface of leaching columns as dicalcium phosphate tablets, was recovered over a period of 25 d compared with 2 and 3 d for emulsifiable concentrate and granular formulations, respectively. In similar studies, approximately 27% of napropamide was recovered from tablets during the same period. Adding an adjuvant to the napropamide tablet mixture increased the recovery rate to 55%. Tablet hardness and size had little effect on the release rate of napropamide. Tablets containing 4% ai napropamide released greater amounts of herbicide at a single collection period than did tablets containing 1% ai. Adding an adjuvant to the napropamide tablet mixture significantly improved Italian ryegrass control in the area adjacent to herbicide placement.
Effect of a protectant copper application on Psa infection of kiwifruit trap plants

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) causes bacterial canker of kiwifruit, which is an ongoing threat to New Zealand kiwifruit production. Disease control depends on orchard practices such as removal of visibly diseased material, pruning during low-risk periods, and the application of foliar bactericides. Although the use of copper compounds on Actinidia species (kiwifruit) can cause phytotoxicity, copper-based formulations remain a key component of Psa control in New Zealand. The effect of single copper applications on Psa infection of ‘Hort16A’ trap plants was studied over the Spring of 2014 (Sept—Nov). Psa leaf spots were observed at the beginning of October, appearing first on the untreated plants. Although the copper sprays did not achieve complete protection, particularly as the inoculum built up during November, the copper-sprayed plants always had less disease than the untreated plants.
Effect of pollenizers on production and fruit characteristics of date palm( Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar Medjool in Mexico

Pollen from four date palm cultivars (Medjool, Zahidi, Khadrawy, and Deglet Noor) was selected to study the effect of pollenizers on Medjool female production and fruit characteristics. The study was conducted during the 2016 season in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. Three bunches of each of the four selected female palms were pollinized by each source of pollen. Results were statistically analyzed using the ANOVA test. Set percentage and fruit characteristics showed a significant effect depending on the selected pollenizer. Bunches pollinized with the Zahidi cultivar had the highest fruit set percentage at 50.30%, while bunches pollinized with the Khadrawy cultivar had the lowest set percentage at 13.25%. However, bunches pollinized with Khadrawy had the highest total weight (25.73 g), the highest weight of pulp (23.98 g), and the highest length (5.33 cm). The lowest weight of fruit (21.73 g), lowest pulp (20.39 g), and lowest fruit length (4.97 cm) was obtained from bunches pollinized with the Zahidi cultivar. The highest total yield was obtained with Zahidi pollen at 64.55 kg, while the lowest total yield, 41.79 kg, was obtained with Deglet Noor pollen. Total soluble solids, bunch weight, and seed diameter did not show significant variation. The best pollenizers for the Medjool cultivar in terms of fruit set and quality characteristics are the Zahidi and Khadrawy varieties. This study allowed for the identification of fruit characteristics according to the pollenizer used. These results can be used to strategically reach high yields in Medjool date cultivar.
Is a large eye size a risk factor for myopia? A Mendelian randomization study

Myopia (nearsightedness) is an increasingly common cause of irreversible visual impairment. The ocular structures with greatest impact on refractive error are corneal curvature and axial length. Emmetropic eyes range in size within and across species, yet possess a balance between corneal curvature and axial length that is under genetic control. This scaling goes awry in myopia: 1 mm axial elongation is associated with ~3 Dioptres (D) myopia. Evidence that eye size prior to onset is a risk factor for myopia is conflicting. We applied Mendelian randomisation to test for a causal effect of eye size on refractive error. Genetic variants associated with corneal curvature identified in emmetropic eyes (22,180 individuals) were used as instrumental variables and tested for association with refractive error (139,697 individuals). A genetic risk score for the variants was tested for association with corneal curvature and axial length in an independent sample (315 emmetropes). The genetic risk score explained 2.3% (P=0.007) and 2.7% (P=0.002) of the variance in corneal curvature and axial length, respectively, in the independent sample, confirming these variants are predictive of eye size in emmetropes. The estimated causal effect of eye size on refractive error was + 1.41 D (95% CI. 0.65 to 2.16) less myopic refractive error per mm flatter cornea (P<0.001), corresponding to +0.48 D (95% CI. 0.22 to 0.73) more hypermetropic refractive error for an eye with a 1mm longer axial length. These results do not support the hypothesis that a larger eye size is a risk factor for myopia. We conclude the genetic determinants of normal eye size are not shared with those influencing susceptibility to myopia.
ISOLASI, KARAKTERISASI Aeromonas hydrophila DAN DETEKSI GEN PENYEBAB PENYAKIT MOTILE AEROMONAS SEPTICEMIA (MAS) DENGAN 16S rRNA DAN AEROLYSIN PADA IKAN LELE (Clarias sp.)

Aeromonas hydrophila merupakan bakteri Gram negatif yang banyak ditemukan di perairan dan dapat menyerang ikan. Selain itu, A . h ydrophila menyebaban penyakit Motile Aeromonas Septiemia (MAS) yang menyerang beberapa organ dalam seperti hati, limpa dan ginjal. Isolat bakteri diisolasi dari ikan lele ( Clarias sp.) yang berasal dari berbagai daerah seperti, Ciganjur, Sukamandi dan Citayam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengisolasi, karakterisasi dan deteksi gen patogen bakteri A. hydrophila penyebab penyakit MAS pada ikan lele. Beberapa pengujian yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini yaitu uji biokimia (pewarnaan Gram, uji oksidatif-fermentatif, uji katalase, uji oksidase, uji d-mannitol, uji TSA skim milk , uji Mac Conkey , dan uji novobiosin), uji deteksi gen patogen dilakukan secara molekuler dengan menggunakan primer 16S r R NA dan aero ly sin . Berdasarkan hasil pengujian biokimia, A . hy d rophila merupakan Gram negatif dengan sel berbentuk basil pendek, bersifat motil, positif menghasilkan enzim oksidase, enzim katalase dan positif oksidatif dan fermentatif, positif fermentasi laktosa. Hasil deteksi gen patogen menunjukkan isolat AH2 dan B9 memiliki gen faktor virulen yaitu, aerol y sin . Isolat AH2 dan B9 menghasilkan gen aerolysin kembali pada deteksi gen hasil reisolasi dari postulat Koch . Kata kunci : Ikan Lele (Clarias sp .), Aeromonas hydrophila, Gen Faktor Virulen , Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS).
Cestode parasites (Platyhelminthes) of rodents from New Guinea and adjacent islands with a redescription of Paroniella blanchardi (Parona, 1897) (Davaineidae)

Cestodes collected from a variety of species of rodents of the genera Chiruromys Thomas, 1888, Hydromys Geoffroy, 1804, Melomys Thomas, 1922, Paramelomys Rümmler, 1936, Pogonomys Milne-Edwards, 1877, Rattus Fischer de Waldheim, 1803 and Uromys Peters, 1867 from New Guinea and adjacent islands are reported. The species most frequently encountered was the cosmopolitan species Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi, 1819) with a single occurrence of the related hymenolepidid Rodentolepis fraterna (Stiles, 1906). Davaineid cestodes were common with Raillietina celebensis (Janicki, 1902) and R. melomyos Jones & Anderson, 1996 being found in several host species. Paroniella blanchardi (Parona, 1897) is reported and is redescribed together with an apparently novel species of Paroniella Fuhrmann, 1920. Two species of Bertiella Stiles & Hassall, 1902, B. anapolytica Baylis, 1934 and B. musasabi Yamaguti, 1942 were encountered considerably extending their known host and geographical ranges. Mathevotaenia niuguiniensis Beveridge, 2008, previously reported from New Guinea was found in additional host species. A dilepidid cestode species was also found but the material available was insufficient to allow identification. Numerous new host species are reported for the cestodes described.
Inhibition of Membrane-Bound Lytic Transglycosylases A, B and F by Membrane-Bound Lysozyme Inhibitor of C-type Lysozyme

Inhibition of Membrane-Bound Lytic Transglycosylases A and F by Membrane-Bound Lysozyme Inhibitor of C-type Lysozyme Joseph Ciufo Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Dr. Anthony Clarke Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential component of bacterial cells that forms a mesh-like sacculus that surrounds the cell. Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are space-making enzymes that are essential for the cleavage of glycosidic linkages in the PG sacculus. This study proposes that the physiological function of the proteinaceous inhibitor, membrane-bound lysozyme inhibitor of C-type lysozyme (MliC) from P. aeruginosa, is to control LT activity from the same bacterium. This study examined the role of MliC as an inhibitor of the soluble-derivatives of membranebound lytic transglycosylases A (sMltA), B (sMltB) and F (sMltF). Inhibition of sMltA and sMltF was demonstrated in vitro at a 1:1 equivalent molar ratio (inhibitor: LT), and inhibition of sMltB was found at a 4:1 equivalent molar ratio using the turbidimetric assay. These results provide the first experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis that the true physiological function of MliC is to control the autolytic activity of LTs.
Determinants of yield and quality in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under Mediterranean conditions

SUMMARY Winter rapeseed was introduced into Greece a decade ago to provide oil for biodiesel. To identify agronomic traits affecting yield and quality, three hybrids and an inbred line were tested over two seasons (2005–2006 and 2006–2007) and four locations, in central and northern Greece, varying in pedo-climatic conditions. The large variations in seed yield, quality and agronomic traits were largely ascribed to location; in contrast, cultivar accounted for ⩽0·010 of the variation for many traits. Below 40°N, rapeseed is a risky crop; short season, high temperatures and low rainfall during reproductive growth diminished seed yield and oil content, increased oleic and erucic acid and minimized linolenic acid. A hybrid, Exact, with tall stature and large seeds was adaptive to such conditions. The most productive location had dense stands with tall plants bearing numerous pods on the main raceme. At the site with the coldest winter, plant density (PD) was lowest (ca. 30 plants/m2) but rapeseed compensated by producing large seeds, with high oil content and harvest index (HI). A biplot revealed that the hybrid Excalibur, outperforming the other cultivars for oil content in six out of eight trials, produced the highest and most stable oil yield. Combined data showed that seed yield and oil yield were positively correlated with PD, seed size and HI and negatively to the number of pods on branches and per plant. Large seeds had high seed oil content. Oleic acid was negatively correlated to linolenic acid concentration. High temperatures and low rainfall favoured oleic acid, which was positively associated with seed number per pod.
Scaling accurate genetic variant discovery to tens of thousands of samples

Comprehensive disease gene discovery in both common and rare diseases will require the efficient and accurate detection of all classes of genetic variation across tens to hundreds of thousands of human samples. We describe here a novel assembly-based approach to variant calling, the GATK HaplotypeCaller (HC) and Reference Confidence Model (RCM), that determines genotype likelihoods independently per-sample but performs joint calling across all samples within a project simultaneously. We show by calling over 90,000 samples from the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) that, in contrast to other algorithms, the HC-RCM scales efficiently to very large sample sizes without loss in accuracy; and that the accuracy of indel variant calling is superior in comparison to other algorithms. More importantly, the HC-RCM produces a fully squared-off matrix of genotypes across all samples at every genomic position being investigated. The HCRCM is a novel, scalable, assembly-based algorithm with abundant applications for population genetics and clinical studies.
Effect of foliar application of oligochitosan with different molecular weight on growth promotion and fruit yield enhancement of chili plant

Abstract Oligochitosan (OC) is effective biostimulant on growth promotion and elicitation against disease infection for plants. However, the range of OC molecular weight that exhibits the most effective activity is not fully understood and requires further investigation. In this study, OCs with different weight average molecular weight (Mw) were prepared by gamma Co-60 irradiation degradation of chitosan in solution and the effect on growth promotion and enhancement of fruit yield of chili plant (Capsicum frutescens L.) by foliar application of OCs particularly with Mw of 7.8, 5.0, and 2.5 kDa was investigated. Chili plants, cultivated in a greenhouse were sprayed with OC concentration of 50 mg/L for three times. Results indicated that among treatments, OC with 2.5 kDa proved to be the best, which increased the shoot fresh weight by 71.5%, shoot dry weight by 184%, total chlorophyll content by 12%, and fruit fresh weight by 49.8% for the control. Thus, OC with low Mw (2.5 kDa) that can be suitably produced on large scale by gamma Co-60 ray irradiation degradation of chitosan solution is potentially promising to apply as a biostimulant to enhance chili fruit yield significantly.
Variations in the community structure of biofilm-dwelling protozoa at different depths in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China

Biofilm-dwelling protozoa are a primary component of microbiota and play important roles in the functioning of microbial food webs such as the mediation of carbon and energy flux from plankton to benthos in marine ecosystems. To demonstrate the vertical pattern of the protozoan communities, a 1-month baseline survey was carried out in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. A total of 40 samples were collected using glass slides as artificial substrates at four depths: 1, 2, 3.5 and 5 m. A total of 50 species were identified, comprising seven dominant and eight commonly distributed species. Species richness and individual species abundances showed a clear decreasing trend down the water column from 1 to 5 m, although the former peaked at a depth of 2 m. Multivariate approaches revealed that protozoan community structure differed significantly among the four depths, except for those at 2 and 3.5 m. Maximum values of species richness, diversity and evenness generally decreased with depth although they peaked at either 2 or 3.5 m. These results suggest that water depth may significantly shape the community patterns of biofilm-dwelling protozoa in marine ecosystems.
Role of cell adhesion molecules of the Nectin-like family in peripheral nerve myelination: Nectin-like 1 and Nectin-like 2 are negative regulators of myelination by Schwann cells

of the dissertation . ii Acknowledgments . iv Table of contents . vi Chapter I: Background and Introduction . 1 The Myelin Sheath . 1 Molecular composition of the PNS myelin sheath . 5 Schwann cells developmental stages and the morphogenetic movements associated with peripheral nerve myelination . 9 Structural domains associated with the myelin//axon unit . 12 Axo-glial interaction through cell adhesion molecules is necessary for domain formation and myelination . 8 Type III neuregulin-1 (type III Nrg-1) and peripheral nerve myelination . 16 Regulation of Schwann cell myelination by signaling pathways . 19 Nectin like molecules: internodal candidates for regulating myelination . 22 Scopes of thesis work . 26 Chapter II: Materials and Methods . 28 Animals . 28 Culture media, Antibodies, and Growth factors . 28 Schwann Cells, Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) Neurons, SCG neurons, and myelinating Cocultures . 29
Reproductive Biology of Three Wildflower Species: Implications of Floral Compatibility Systems and Pollen Limitation for Prairie Restoration

abstract We conducted a hand pollination experiment to test the effects of supplemental pollen and pollen identity on subsequent reproductive success in three American wildflower species: Chamaecrista fasciculata, Gaillardia pulchella and Salvia coccinea. These species are commonly used in ecological restoration plantings and vary in pollination syndrome and compatibility system. We hypothesized that for all three species, treatments that supplemented pollen would yield greater fruit and seed set. Plants were germinated in a closed greenhouse until flowering, then divided into three treatments: “control”, with no supplemental pollen added; “self”, with supplemented self-pollen; and “outcross”, with supplemented outcross pollen. Treated flowers were bagged and allowed to develop to mature fruit stage, and any resulting fruits and seeds were counted and weighed. Results varied between species. Outcross C. fasciculata flowers had significantly higher fruit set than self or control treated flowers, whereas S. coccinea flowers showed no difference in fruit set between treatments. For S. coccinea, self and outcross flowers tended to produce heavier and more abundant seeds than control flowers, although results were not significant at the p=0.05 level. Gaillardia pulchella produced no fruits or seeds in any treatment. Our results highlight the importance of considering the breeding system and the pollination needs of plants chosen for prairie restorations. If wild pollinators or genetically diverse plant populations are not initially abundant, plantings may need to be monitored or possibly re-seeded for long-term establishment success.
The occurrence of two morphologically similar Chaetozone (Annelida: Polychaeta: Cirratulidae) species from the Italian seas: Chaetozone corona Berkeley & Berkeley, 1941 and C. carpenteri McIntosh, 1911

Abstract The present study reports the spread of the cirratulids Chaetozone corona Berkeley & Berkeley, 1941 and Chaetozone carpenteri McIntosh, 1911 in the Western Central Adriatic Sea, off the coasts of Pescara (Italy). The two species were collected between 2014 and 2016 from soft bottom stations (at depths from 16.5 to 130 m) where the environment was more or less disturbed due to fishing activities. One specimen of C. corona was found also off the coast of Calafuria (Livorno, Italy), representing the first record of this species in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Chaetozone carpenteri could be a native species present in the Mediterranean for a long time but rarely recorded because of taxonomic confusion. Chaetozone corona was already known from the eastern Mediterranean Sea (except from the Adriatic Sea), where it is considered an established alien species. Our results extend the geographic range of these two cirratulid species, providing some information on their ecology and habitat preference. We also suggest a likely vector of spread of C. corona from the easternmost part of the Mediterranean towards the study area. The finding of reproducing specimens of C. corona and C. carpenteri supports the hypothesis that these two species have found a suitable habitat in the Western Central Adriatic Sea, and there will become well established. Although nothing suggests that C. corona would be invasive, it may, however, compete with native species. These findings also seem particularly relevant in order to improve the knowledge of Mediterranean biodiversity.
Is There an Association Between NOD2 Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Progression?

ABSTRACT Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation associated with an increased chronic inflammation. Recent studies suggest that innate immune system receptors may be involved in this enhanced response as observed in COPD. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) polymorphisms and development, severity and progression of COPD in the Turkish population. Three NOD2 polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and real time PCR analysis involving 168 patients and 100 healthy controls. No statistical difference was observed between the case and the control groups for genotype and allele frequencies of the rs2066844, rs1077861 and rs3135500 polymorphisms. Contrary to the available literature, annual forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline was statistically greater in GG carriers of the rs3135500 polymorphism than in AA carriers (p=0.048). The NOD2 gene rs3135500 polymorphism may be related progression of COPD in the Turkish population.
The role of explicit strategies during reinforcement-based motor learning

Despite increasing interest in the role of reward in motor learning, the underlying mechanisms remain ill-defined. In particular, the relevance of explicit strategies to reward-based motor learning is unclear. To address this, we examined subject’s (n=30) ability to learn to compensate for a gradually introduced 25° visuomotor rotation with only reward-based feedback (binary success/failure). Only two-thirds of subjects (n=20) were successful at the maximum angle. The remaining subjects initially follow the rotation but after a variable number of trials begin to reach at an insufficiently large angle and subsequently return to near baseline performance (n=10). Furthermore, those that were successful accomplished this largely via the use of strategies, evidenced by a large reduction in reach angle when asked to remove any strategy they employed. However, both groups display a small degree of remaining retention even after the removal of strategies. All subjects made greater and more variable changes in reach angle following incorrect (unrewarded) trials. However, subjects who failed to learn showed decreased sensitivity to errors, even in the initial period in which they followed the rotation, a pattern previously found in Parkinsonian patients. In a second experiment, the addition of a secondary mental rotation task completely abolished learning (n=10), whilst a control group replicated the results of the first experiment (n=10). These results emphasize a pivotal role of strategy-use during reinforcement-based motor learning and the susceptibility of this form of learning to disruption has important implications for its potential therapeutic benefits.