Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mollusca, Bivalvia, Mytilidae, Myoforceps aristatus (Dillwyn, 1817): distribution and new record localities at Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil

In many intertidal rocky shores at Ilha Grande Bay, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the vermetid gastropod Petaloconchus varians is the dominant organism, forming a well-developed and complex structure, where different groups of organisms live, including the invasive bivalve Myoforceps aristatus . The present paper describes the distribution and new record localities of M. aristatus at Ilha Grande Bay.
Sequence and Structural Determinants of Specificity Differences between Paralogous Transcription Factors by

Sequence and Structural Determinants of Specificity Differences between Paralogous Transcription Factors by Ning Shen Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Raluca Gordân, Supervisor ___________________________ David MacAlpine ___________________________ Xiaofan Wang ___________________________ Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi ___________________________ Alexander Hartemink An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2016 Copyright by Ning Shen 2016
Evaluating the Impact of Starter Fertilizer on Winter Canola Grown in Oklahoma

Increased canola production costs and acres have driven Oklahoma (OK) farmers to ask more questions about their nutrient management recommendations in their production system. A study was conducted in 2011–2013 at Lahoma and Perkins, OK, to evaluate the effect of applying diammonium phosphate (DAP, 18-20-0:N-P-K) directly with seed on crop stand, grain yield, and grain quality of canola. In addition, the impact of proportion nitrogen (N) applied as a preplant and topdress was also evaluated. Diammonium phosphate was banded with the seed at planting at 0, 17, 34, 51, 67, and 84 kg DAP ha−1. Remaining N was applied as urea (46-0-0) either as split (40% preplant and 60% topdress) application or as topdress only. Stand count reduction of up to 71% was observed with seed-placed DAP. However, loss of stand did not impair grain yield due to canola’s ability to compensate for open areas via branching. Application of DAP of up to 84 kg ha−1 with seed may be possible; however, soil and climatic conditions should be considered when deciding how much DAP will be placed with seed. Moreover, when climatic conditions limit early season growth and favor late spring growth, applying all N at topdress (no preplant) tended to provide greater canola grain yield.
Nrf2 expression is upregulated in tumor infiltrating T cells and induces T cell anergy

The transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related-2 (Nrf2) controls cellular redox homeostasis and displays immunomodulatory properties. Hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors generated by their outgrowth activates Nrf2 which induces the expression of anti-oxidant genes and supports continuous growth and proliferation via metabolic reprogramming. It is easy to imagine that hypoxic situation may affect function of immune cells infiltrated into tumor mass. We have thus questioned how hypoxic condition affect T cell immune response against tumor and the role of Nrf2 is involved. First, tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs) were sorted from tumor mass to investigate the alteration of Nrf2 expression. Interestingly, we found that mRNA levels of Nrf2 are significantly increased in TILs compared to control T cells. In order to test whether T cell responses are affected by Nrf2 levels, we stimulated T cells and measured Nrf2 expression. Nrf2 expression and their target genes are significantly downregulated by TCR activation. We further confirmed that IFN-γ production in Nrf2 deficient T cells was dramatically enhanced. Our findings offer novel insights into how immune response and oxidative stress is integrated in tumor cells, and we highlight Nrf2 as candidate of molecular target to control tumor in hypoxic condition.
Characterization of mutant cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] lines using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers

Phylogenetic relationship and polymorphism was detected in 10 cowpea lines comprising of leaf, flower and stem mutants, their putative parents and an exotic accession using 10 random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and three primer combinations of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. These mutants were earlier obtained through the probable activities of transposable elements. The RAPD and AFLP markers revealed a genetic diversity of 47 and 31%, respectively, within the cowpea lines used. Genetic distance ranged from 0.05 to 0.30 based on AFLP markers, while it ranged between 0.13 and 0.44 for RAPD markers. Cluster analysis indicated that there are differences in RAPD markers between the various mutants and it grouped an exotic genotype separately. OPC-14 primer had the highest discriminatory capacity (11 polymorphic fragments). The AFLP analysis was able to group two of the flower mutants, leaf mutants and wild types separately. A combined analysis of the two markers gave a similar grouping as was obtained from the AFLP analysis. AFLP was more discriminatory in grouping the plant samples and the exotic line was distinguished based on both markers. Useful heterotic prediction can be done based on the genetic distance between the mutants and their parents. This will further broaden the genetic base of cowpea and enhance the use of these mutants which have some evolutionary significance. In addition, unique allele RAPD_OPC15-500bp can be harnessed in genetic identification of reduced petal mutant. This study further corroborates the discriminatory power of AFLP over RAPDs. Key words: Vigna unguiculata , amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), mutants, transposable elements.
EFFECTS OF FREE METHIONINE AND LYSINE ON IN VITRO FERMENTATION AND IN VIVO PERFORMANCE AND RUMINAL FERMENTATION OF LATE LACTATION

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of free Met and Lys supplementation on ruminal fermentation in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro study, supplementation of Met and Lys had effects on concentrations of total VFA and NH4, proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, valerate, and the ratio of acetate to propionate. Percentages of microbial N synthesis in effluent pellets were not affected by supplementing Lys and Met. The combination of 0.52% Met and 1.03% (90% DM) Lys resulted in the highest concentration of total VFA, second highest concentration of NH4, and lowest ratio of acetate to propionate with no decrease in the microbial CP production. In the in vivo study, supplementing 0.29% Met and 2.27% Lys (100% DM) had no impact on mean DMI, OMI, milk yield, milk component production or percentage, SCCS, 4% FCM and ECM production efficiencies, or body weight gain. Although DMI for the treatment group was numerically lower than the control group, milk yield, % milk fat, and % milk protein for the treatment group were numerically higher than the control group and resulted in numerically higher 4% FCM and ECM efficiencies for cows received AA supplementation. There was a statistical interaction of treatment and day observed on DMI, OMI, and 4% FCM and ECM production efficiencies indicating that the treatment group maintained a better production efficiency than the control group throughout the experiment. The concentration of ruminal NH4 and the proportion of butyrate were increased, but proportions of acetate and valerate were decreased while the pH, total VFA, proportions of propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate, and the ratio of acetate to propionate were not affected by supplementing AA. CHAPTER
ZFX regulates glioma cell proliferation and survival in vitro and in vivo

The zinc finger transcription factor ZFX func- tions as an important regulator of self-renewal in multiple stem cell types, as well as a sex determinant of mammals. Moreover, ZFX expression is abnormally elevated in sev- eral cancers, and correlates with malignancy grade. To investigate its role in the pathogenesis of gliomas, we used lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) to knock- down ZFX expression in human glioma cell lines. Our results demonstrate that ZFX plays a crucial role in glioma proliferation and survival, confirming recent reports. We also show for the first time that ZFX knockdown decreases the in vivo growth potential of U87 glioma xenografts in both subcutaneous and intracranial models in nude mice. We conclude that lentivirus-mediated RNAi targeting of ZFX may serve as a promising strategy for glioma therapy.
The effect of lead exposure on some inflammatory biomarkers of lung lavage fluid in rats

Abstract This study was designed to examine the association between lead exposure and inflammatory responses in the lung lavage of rats. Thirty rats were randomly allocated into control (group C), sensitized (group S), and three exposed to lead (Pb) (groups 0.1M Pb and 0.4M Pb). Animal were sensitized with i.p. injected and aerosolized ovalbumin (OA). Pb-exposed groups inhaled 0.1M and 0.4M lead acetate for 1 h, thrice a week for two weeks. The levels of total protein, IgE and histamine were measured in the lung lavage of rats. The results of the present study showed significant increase in the levels of total protein, IgE and histamine in the lung lavage of rats exposed to high lead concentration and that of total protein and histamine in animal exposed to low lead concentration compared to control animals. The similar findings were also observed in sensitized animals. In addition, the levels of IgE and histamine in lung lavage of group exposed to high lead concentration significantly increased compared to group exposed to low lead concentration. The findings of the present study showed that exposure to inhaled lead acetate may lead to asthma like disease via inducing inflammatory responses in the lung lavage of rats.
Comparison of soil water used by a sagebrush bunchgrass and a cheatgrass community.

Highlight: Two contrasting plant communities occur on the Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) Reserve in south-central Washington, one dominated by a mixture of sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass and the other by a nearly pure stand of cheatgrass. At the beginning of the spring growing season in 1974, a year of aboveaverage precipitation, both communities had about the same amount of soil water stored in the first 18 dm of the soil profile. During the growing season, the quantity of soil water used by the sagebrush-bunchgrass and cheatgrass communities was 15 and 8 cm, respectively. The difference in soil water used by the two communities is attributed to a deeper root system and a longer growing period by plants of the sagebrush-bunchgrass community.
RESPONSE OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) TO INOCULATION AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER APPLICATION

The response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to added nitrogen fertilizer with and without inoculation was studied in a pot experiment. Plants inoculated with Rhizobium strain CC1192 were well nodulated. Applications of nitrogen decreased the number of nodules formed during the early stage of growth. Inoculation alone and in combination with nitrogen fertilizer increased dry matter production. Highest dry matter yields were obtained from inoculated plants treated with the equivalent of 30 kg N/ha 30 days after sowing. This suggests that the chickpea-rhizobia symbiosis does not fix enough nitrogen for maximum yield. This work indicates the need to inoculate chickpeas grown in soils without appropriate rhizobia! population and also possibly nitrogen application in fields with low soil N status.
The relative importance of competition for two dominant grass species as affected by environmental manipulations in the field

Abstract We examined how shade, drought and disturbance influenced the intensity and relative importance of competition experienced by Bromus erectus and Brachypodium pinnatum, the two dominant species of a calcareous grassland. Competition was intense in all treatments for both species, but its importance differed substantially. Competition was not important for Brachypodium when the drought was severe. Shade had a strong positive effect on Brachypodium by decreasing water stress. Bromus was more tolerant of drought and disturbance than Brachypodium, but was more inhibited by competition, which was important in all environmental conditions. Differences in the relative importance of competition for Bromus and Brachypodium, and variation in the effects of the environment, may explain the dominance of Bromus in conditions of high stress and disturbance and its exclusion in mesic grasslands. We suggest that the debate on how competition varies along productivity gradients may be due to the focus on competition intensity, which is highly dependant on particular target species and study systems, rather than on the relative importance of competition in different conditions.
Identification of Aceria genistae species complex (Acari: Eriophyidae) from broom, gorse and related plants (Fabaceae: Genisteae) in western US and a new record of Aculops hussongi

Abstract This paper reports on a collection of eriophyid mites from broom (Cytisus scoparius), gorse (Ulex europaeus), and related plants (Fabaceae: Genisteae) in the western USA, to clarify the taxonomic problems within the “Aceria genistae” complex on different hosts. The mites from U. europaeus and Genista monspessulana, which were previously identified as or suspected to be Aceria genistae, are herein confirmed as Aceria davidmansoni—previously known only from U. europaeus in New Zealand. The mites from Lupinus albicaulis (no galls), Lupinus densiflorus (with gall-like deformities although not true galls), Cytisus striatus and C. scoparius are confirmed as A. genistae (the first three species were used in host specificity tests for A. genistae from C. scoparius and only C. striatus is confirmed as a new host for A. genistae). Another unrelated species, Aculops hussongi Keifer, was found on L. albicaulis in Nisqually, Washington, USA.
FEEDING HABITS OF THE SADDLED BREAM, OBLADA MELANURA (SpARIDAE), IN THE ADRIATIC SEA

The feeding habits of saddled bream, Oblada melanura, from the Adriatic Sea were investigated with respect to fish size and season. Stomach contents of 926 specimens, 11.3 - 29.3 cm TL, collected by beach seine from 1992 - 1993, were analyzed. Of the total number of examined stomachs, 87 were empty (9.4%). This percentage varied significantly over the year, with a maximum number of empty stomachs recorded during the winter and a minimum number recorded during the summer. Copepods constituted the main prey in all size-classes. With fish growth, the proportion of planktonic organisms decreased, while that of fish and benthic organisms increased. The mean weight of stomachs contents increased significantly for fish larger than 22.0 cm TL. Diet composition showed little variation, copepods were the most prey item important in all seasons, especially during the warmer part of the year. Higher intensities of feeding activity in spring and summer could be related to temperature and maximal abundance of zooplankton and benthic organisms. The results indicated that the saddled bream fed on a wide range of prey items and could be considered an opportunistic predator.
IMPACT OF EXTRACTS OF Azadirachta indica AND Datura inoxia ON THE ESTERASES AND PHOSPHATASES OF THREE STORED GRAINS INSECT PESTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

In Pakistan, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), Trogoderma granarium (Everts), Sitophilus granarius (L.), Rhizopertha dominica (F.), Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) are reported as important insect pests of stored grains and cereals (Iqbal et al., 1992). T. castaneum H. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), S. granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and T. granarium E. (Coleoptera, Dermestidae) are most common and highly destructive pest of stored cereals and their products all over the world (Lowe et al., 2000). The larvae and adults, of red flour beetle (T. castaneum), not only feed on wheat flour but they can also feed on previously damaged grains and dried fruits attacked by other insect pests (Sharaby, 1988). Granary weevil (S. granarius), is capable of causing significant losses (White and Leesch, 1996). Grubs of khapra beetle (T. granarium) usually occur in high numbers, cause significant losses and can persist for a long time period as inactive state (Dwivedi and Shekhawat, 2004). Currently, protection of stored grain from insect damage is highly dependent on synthetic pesticides more commonly phosphine fumigation. Scientists resulted that use of these pesticides introduced the hazardous impacts on almost all life forms (Bhaduri et al., 1989; Brown, 1968; Georghiou and Taylor, 1977, Desneux et al., 2007). These synthetic formulations also induce the problems like resistant pest populations, pesticide residues and insecticides deregulations (Rajeskaran and Baker, 1994). They also had harmful effects on non-target organisms (Jembere et al., 1995; Okonkwo and Okoye, 1996). These problems have highlighted the need for the development of new types of selective insect-control alternatives. The plant kingdom could be a rich source of a large number of chemicals which could be developed as control agents against stored grain pests successfully (Arnason et al., 1989). Repellent, toxicant (Sagheer et al., 2014), anti-feedants (Saxena et al., 1984; Banchio et al., 2003) and anti enzymatic (wang et al., 2014) effects from several plant products have been reported against a number of insects that attack stored products (Hasan et al., 2006; Ali et al., 2012). In hexapods, many essential physiological processes like digestion, reproduction, moulting, and metabolism of juvenile hormone make use of esterases as a vital component (Lassiter et al., 1995; Shanmugavelu et al., 2000). Esterases are also involved in the detoxification of synthetic insecticides by Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 54(1), 71-81; 2017 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI: 10.21162/PAKJAS/17.5169 http://www.pakjas. com.pk
Balancing economic costs and ecological outcomes of passive and active restoration in agricultural landscapes: the case of Brazil

Forest restoration requires strategies such as passive restoration to balance financial investments and ecological outcomes. However, the ecological outcomes of passive restoration are traditionally regarded as uncertain. We evaluated technical and legal strategies for balancing economic costs and ecological outcomes of passive versus active restoration in agricultural landscapes. We focused in the case of Brazil, where we assessed the factors driving the proportion of land allocated to passive and active restoration in 42 programs covering 698,398 hectares of farms in the Atlantic Forest, Atlantic Forest/cerrado ecotone and Amazon; the ecological outcomes of passive and active restoration in 2955 monitoring plots placed in six restoration programs; and the legal framework developed by some Brazilian states to balance the different restoration approaches and comply with legal commitments. Active restoration had the highest proportion of land allocated to it (78.4%), followed by passive (14.2%) and mixed restoration (7.4%). Passive restoration was higher in the Amazon, in silviculture, and when remaining forest cover was over 50 percent. Overall, both restoration approaches showed high levels of variation in the ecological outcomes; nevertheless, passively restored areas had a smaller percentage canopy cover, lower species density, and less shrubs and trees (dbh > 5 cm). The studied legal frameworks considered land abandonment for up to 4 years before deciding on a restoration approach, to favor the use of passive restoration. A better understanding of the biophysical and socioeconomic features of areas targeted for restoration is needed to take a better advantage of their natural regeneration potential.
Auto-reactive B cells in MuSK myasthenia gravis

Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) is a protoypical autoimmune disease caused by a dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission at the postsynaptic part. Patients experience fluctuating muscle weakness that increases with exertion. It is typically classified into clinical subtypes depending on distribution of involved muscles, onset age, thymic pathology, and auto-antibodies. While the most common autoantibodies are targeted towards the skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR), the list of target molecules of pathogenic auto-antibodies has been expanding to include the muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), low-density lipoprotein receptorrelated protein 4 and agrin. [1-5]
Absence of cospeciation in deep-sea vestimentiferan tube worms and their bacterial endosymbionts

Molecular evolutionary relationships among tube worm hosts and their sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacterial endosymbionts were deduced from sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene and the small subunit rDNA gene, respectively. Evolutionary relationships among host taxa reflect traditional morphological taxonomic species boundaries. Cold seep tube worms were more closely related to each other than to tube worms from hydrothermal vents. There is a single rDNA-type of hydrothermal vent symbiont that occurs in Oasisia alvinae, Ridgeia piscesae, Riftia pachyptila, and Tevnia jerichonana. This type is distinct from the lineage of symbionts found within seep tube worms. Within the diversity of symbionts found in tube worms from cold seeps, there were three groups, which reflect, with a single exception, the geographic locations. One group of symbionts was exclusive to Lamellibrachia sp. nov. 2 and an escarpid-like tube worm of the shallow Gulf of Mexico (500-700 m), while the second was found in Lamellibrachia sp. nov. 1 and Escarpia laminata from Alaminos Canyon in the Gulf of Mexico (2,020 m). The third group of cold-seep symbionts was found in Escarpia laminata from the Florida Escarpment (3,700 m) and Lamellibrachia barhami from Middle Valley in the Northeast Pacific (2,420m). The lack of congruence between phylogenies of host tube worms and their symbionts supports the hypothesis that the endosymbionts of tube worms are acquired de novo each generation from environmental sources.
A New Species of Grouper (Epinephelus; Epinephelidae) from the Indo-Pacific

A new species of Indo-Pacific grouper is described from nine specimens, 165–391 mm in SL. Epinephelus kupangensis, new species, is similar in appearance to, and has been treated as, Epinephelus amblycephalus (Bleeker, 1857). The two species are both found in deep waters of the Indo-Pacific and have overlapping ranges in eastern Indonesia, and likely beyond. Epinephelus kupangensis, new species, can be distinguished from Epinephelus amblycephalus on the basis of coloration, counts, and measurements. The species is characterized by the following set of characters: dorsal rays XI, 16; anal rays III, 8; pelvic rays I, 5; pectoral rays 18; caudal rays 18; caudal fin rounded; gill rakers 8+16; lateral line scales 48; longitudinal scale series 99; body scales ctenoid; scales on head cycloid and particularly large in size on opercle; orbit diameter 5.1 in head; pelvic fin 4.0 in head; maxillary streak orange; color when freshly dead pale grayish brown with five dark brown bars; orange-brown spots present dorsally on head and at edges and within dark bars.