Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of light environment to produce high-quality poinsettia plants.

The phytochromes, a family of photoreceptors that maximally absorb red (R) and far-red (FR) light, play an important role in defining the architecture of the plant and consequently its value in the market. In this work, we evaluated the manipulation of light quality as an alternative to the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to produce poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) without affecting commercial quality parameters. 'Freedom Red' poinsettia plants were cultivated in two light environments characterized by different R/FR ratios in combination with or without one application of PGR. We used a photoselective film that significantly reduced the FR component of the light and a transparent film to obtain high and low R/FR ratios (5.7 and 1.1, respectively). Plants cultivated under a high R/FR ratio were shorter and more compact than those grown under transparent film. Other quality characters like bract and leaf area, dry weight, stem diameter, number of lateral branches, and plant width did not differ significantly between light treatments. Flowering time was slightly delayed in plants grown under a high R/FR ratio compared with those cultivated under the control treatment. Additive effects were detected between light quality and PGR factors indicating that light quality manipulation is an alternative strategy to reduce or to replace the use of PGRs in commercial production systems that usually require several PGR applications.
Animal Ecosystem Engineers in Streams

Abstract An impressive array of animals function as ecosystem engineers in streams through a variety of activities, ranging from nest digging by anadromous salmon to benthic foraging by South American fishes, from the burrowing of aquatic insects to the trampling of hippos. These ecosystem engineers have local impacts on benthic habitat and also strongly affect downstream fluxes of nutrients and other resources. The impacts of ecosystem engineers are most likely some function of their behavior, size, and population density, modulated by the abiotic conditions of the stream. In streams, subsidies often control the body size and density of ecosystem engineers, while hydrologic energy controls their distribution, density, and life-history attributes, the habitats they create, and the resources and organisms they affect. Because ecosystem engineers can profoundly affect stream ecosystems, and because they themselves can be significantly affected positively or negatively by human activities, understanding ecosystem engineering in streams is increasingly important for the management of these ecosystems.
Prevalence of udder infections and effects on milk somatic cell count during lactation in dairy goats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of udder infections, milk yield, teat shape and condition, lactation stage and parity on SCC in goats’ milk. Of the 126 udder halves sampled over the lactation period, 52% were continuously or sporadically infected with mastitis pathogens (coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), corynebacteria, major pathogens). Most prevalent species found in milk samples were CNS with 47% of bacterial isolates. The analysis of milk SCC revealed the lactation week as the most influential factor, followed by the lactation number. The average daily milk yield also had a highly significant effect on milk SCC. A significant effect of the udder infection status on milk SCC could be observed, but no differentiation could be made among different pathogenic groups. A classification of teat shape by classifying different types of teats and the degree of callosity yielded no significant effects on milk SCC.
Predictive value of topoisomerase IIα immunostaining in urothelial bladder carcinoma

Aims—The nuclear enzyme DNA topoisomerase II has been shown to be required for chromatin condensation and chromosomal segregation during mitosis; its isoform topo IIα is linked with active cell proliferation in mammalian cells. The aim of this study was to examine the relation of the expression of topo IIα to the biological behaviour of conventional urinary bladder cancer. Methods—Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue from 94 specimens of bladder urothelial cancer were immunohistochemically stained for topo IIα. For each case, a topo IIα index was determined. A similar index had been determined for Ki-67, a known cell proliferation marker. Each case had also been graded, staged, and evaluated for DNA ploidy as well as for p53 and bcl-2 immunoreactivity. Results—Raised topo IIα expression (in ≥ 10% of malignant nuclei) correlated with two adverse prognosticators—high grade (p = 0.027) and invasion of the muscularis propria (p = 0.013), but with no other evaluated parameter. By multivariate survival analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model, high expression of topo IIα was found to be predictive for worse survival (p = 0.0047). Patients' age, tumour stage, and grade were also retained as independent prognostic factors (p = 0.0349, p = 0.00005, and p = 0.0130, respectively). The negative influence of increased topo IIα immunopositivity on patients' survival was also seen in the subgroup of patients with non-muscle invasive carcinomas (p = 0.0004), in patients with a bcl-2 negative phenotype (p = 0.0330), and in those with low Ki-67 indices (p = 0.0341). Conclusions—Because topo IIα and Ki-67 failed to demonstrate a significant inter-relation, they appear to be different molecules that both function at separate phases in the complex process of cellular proliferation. The assessment of increased topo IIα immunoreactivity in specimens from urothelial carcinomas might help to select patients (particularly among those with superficial tumours) in the worse prognostic categories for new therapeutic strategies.
Models for simulating the development of even-aged Pinus brutia stands in Middle East

Pinus brutia occurs in the Eastern Mediterranean region and is the most widespread conifer species in Middle East. It is important for multi-purpose forestry owing to its high ecological value and economic importance. To model the stand dynamics of P. brutia, 133 semi-permanent sample plots were placed in 10 to 166 year-old stands in Syria and Lebanon, covering the whole range of variation in site quality, stand age and stand density. Site index, distanceindependent diameter increment, height and self-thinning models that included country effects were fitted to the data. The site index model was fitted using the guide curve method. The data for 10-year diameter growth model consisted of past growth measurements of all trees within the 133 plots. Diameter growth was modelled using variables representing site, size and competition. The self-thinning model was developed by estimating the maximum number of trees per hectare as a function of mean diameter and site index. These are the first cross-border models in Middle East enabling forest growth and yield predictions and stand dynamics simulations on an individual-tree basis. Such models will allow, with the aid of optimization techniques, finding the optimal management for P. brutia forests based
ECTOPARASITES OF SMALL MAMMALS FROM THE NEWPORT CHEMICAL DEPOT, VERMILLION COUNTY, INDIANA

Abstract Ectoparasites of various species of bats, carnivores, insectivores, and rodents were examined from the Newport Chemical Depot in Vermillion County, Indiana. A total of 16 species of hosts was examined for ectoparasites, including Blarina brevicauda, Eptesicus fuscus, Microtus ochrogaster, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Mus musculus, Mustela frenata, Mustela vison, Myotis lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus maniculatus, Reithrodontomys megalotis, Sorex cinereus, Synaptomys cooperi, Tamias striatus, and Zapus hudsonius. The 49 species of ectoparasites recovered included four fleas, four sucking lice, one true bug, two ticks, and 38 mites. Thirty-two new ectoparasitic host records are reported for Indiana, of which 16 are new records for respective hosts throughout their entire range.
Obtaining interspecific hybrids, and molecular analysis by microsatellite markers in grapevine

Abstract – The objective of this work was to assess the potential of interspecifichybridization of Vitis labruscana and Muscadinia rotundifolia by using artificial cross‑pollinations. Microsatellite markers were used to confirm interspecifichybridizations and the identity of the parental genotypes. In crosses in which M. rotundifolia was used as the female parent, no true hybrids were obtained. In the reciprocal crosses, 114 seedlings were identified as true V. labruscana x M. rotundifolia hybrids. Self‑pollination occurred in direct and in reciprocal crosses. The crossings between 'Bordo' x 'Carlos', 'Magnolia', 'Regale' and 'Roanoke', and between 'Isabel' x 'Bountiful', 'Carlos', 'Magnolia', 'Regale' and 'Roanoke' were confirmed.The 15 markers evaluated showed that two M. rotundifolia parental genotypes had the same fingerprintprofile, indicating a likely planting error
The Australian Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications

In this paper, we introduce some new implicit Kirk-type iterative schemes in generalized convex metric spaces in order to approximate fixed points for general class of quasicontractive type operators. The strong convergence, T-stability, equivalency, data dependence and convergence rate of these results were explored. The iterative schemes are faster and better, in term of speed of convergence, than their corresponding results in the literature. These results also improve and generalize several existing iterative schemes in the literature and they provide analogues of the corresponding results of other spaces, namely: normed spaces, CAT(0) spaces and so on.
In vitro Antimicrobial Assessment of Lepidium sativum L. Seeds Extracts

The antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether, methanol and water extracts of Lepidium sativum seed extracts against six opportunistic pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one fungus Candida albicans was assessed using the concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10%. The antimicrobial activity of plant seeds extracts were compared with that of Gentamicin or Ketoconzol, as reference antibiotics. The petroleum ether extract of Lepidium sativum seeds in different concentrations (2.5-5-10%) were found to be active antimicrobials against all the test microorganisms with a strong antifungal activity at the concentration 2.5 and 10%. At the concentration of 5%, the methanolic extract of this plant had no activity against Candida albicans. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were resistant to 2.5 and 5% water extracts, whereas the latter was also resistant to 5% methanolic extract. The antimicrobial activity of Gentamicin and Ketoconzol against the same test microorganisms was compared with that of the extracts of L. sativum seeds.
Molecular cloning and transcriptional analysis of the cpeBA operon of the cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena species PCC 7409

The cpeBA operon of the Group III chromatically adapting cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena species PCC 7409 was cloned, sequenced and characterized. The cpeBA genes are transcribed in green‐light‐grown cells as an abundant 1400‐nucleotide mRNA which initiates 69 nucleotides upstream from the cpeB translation start. Extensive sequence identity, extending 70 nucleotides 5′ to the transcription start, occurs among cpeBA promoters of Group II and III chromatic adapters. Cell extracts of green‐light‐grown Calothrix species PCC 7601 contain an activity which specifically binds a restriction fragment containing the Pseudanabanea species PCC 7409 cpeBA promoter. Green‐light‐dependent cpeBA transcription in Group II and III chromatically adapting cyanobacteria is suggested to be similarly controlled by a transcriptional activator.
Seasonal and annual movement patterns of polar bears on the sea ice of Hudson Bay

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) move thousands of kilometres over sea ice searching for mates and hunting for seals, which are their primary prey. Recently, decreased sea ice extent and earlier ice break-up have been linked to shifts in seal distribution and abundance and to declines in polar bear condition and numbers in the western Hudson Bay polar bear population. We used geographic positioning system and satellite collars deployed between 1991 and 2004 to quantify movement patterns of adult female polar bears on the sea ice of Hudson Bay in relation to reproductive class and temporal variations in sea ice patterns. We tested whether reproductive status and season affected movement and whether temporal changes in movement were correlated with temporal changes in sea ice patterns in Hudson Bay. Movement patterns were not dependent on reproductive status but did change significantly with season. Annual distances moved and areas covered by bears in Hudson Bay have decreased since 1991, which su.
Gregorella, a new genus to accommodate Moelleropsis humida and a molecular phylogeny of Arctomiaceae

The phylogenetic position of the European crustose pioneer lichen Moelleropsis (Biatora) humida (Kullhem) Coppins & P. M. Jørg. is studied using partial sequences of the mitochondrial SSU and nuclear LSU rDNA of 64 ascomycetes, including sequences of all known species of Arctomiaceae. The analysis places M. humida in the Arctomiaceae with strong support as sister to the Tasmanian genus Wawea. The genus Arctomia is monophyletic and sister-group to the Wawea+Moelleropsis humida clade. The new genus Gregorella is described to accommodate Moelleropsis humida and the new combination Gregorella humida (Kullhem) Lumbsch is proposed. The ontogeny of the ascomata of Gregorella humida is similar to that of other Arctomiaceae, in that the generative tissue is formed on a thallus outgrowth. The Arctomiaceae did not cluster with the bulk of cyanobacterial lichens in the Lecanorales suborder Peltigerineae (or Peltigerales), but is part of Ostropomycetidae. The closest relative of Arctomiaceae could not be identified, since the relationships of major clades within Ostropomycetidae lacked support.
Genetic Relationship of Three Butterfly Lizard Species (Leiolepis reevesii rubritaeniata, Leiolepis belliana belliana, Leiolepis boehmei, Agamidae, Squamata) Inferred from Nuclear Gene Sequence Analyses

The genetic relationship was investigated of three butterfly lizard species (Leiolepis reevesii rubritaeniata, L. belliana belliana and L. boehmei) selectively inhabiting Thailand. The findings were based on RAG1 and C-mos gene analyses. The DNA sequences were also compared with the other squamate reptiles. The analysis strongly supported that L. reevesii rubritaeniata was related more closely to L. belliana belliana than to L. boehmei. The phylogenetic position of Leiolepis spp. , however, was contentious with regard to its relationship among the Leiolepidinae, Agaminae and Chamaeleonidae, which suggested that their phylogeny remains uncertain.
Local opsonization by secreted macrophage complement components. Role of receptors for complement in uptake of zymosan

We have examined the role of macrophage (M phi plasma membrane receptors for the cleaved third complement component (iC3b; CR3) and mannosyl, fucosyl terminated glycoproteins (MFR) in uptake of unopsonized zymosan. Monoclonal antibodies against CR3, M1/70 (Mac-1) and MO1, each inhibited approximately 50% of uptake of 125I-zymosan by murine and human M phi, respectively. Yeast mannan inhibited 0-50% of zymosan uptake in various M phi, in parallel with their expression of MFR. We demonstrated that M phi were the source of C3 in our assay and that the activity of other components of the complement system, namely a C3 convertase, factor I, and a factor I cofactor were also present in serum-free cultures of human monocytes. Macrophage C3 was deposited rapidly, within 10 min, on the zymosan particles and mediated binding, ingestion, and stimulation of superoxide release in BCG-activated and thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal M phi via CR3. Local secretion of complement proteins by M phi themselves can therefore opsonize pathogens and cells able to activate the alternative pathway and effect their destruction.
Dynamics of biofilm formation in drinking water: phylogenetic affiliation and metabolic potential of single cells assessed by formazan reduction and in situ hybridization

Fluorescence-labeled oligonucleotide probes were applied, combined with in situ reduction of the fluorochrome 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC), to describe the development of bacterial density, phylogenetic diversity and bacterial metabolic activity during the formation of drinking water biofilms. Polyethylene and glass surfaces exposed to drinking water in a modified Robbins device were rapidly colonized by a biofilm community of phylogenetically diverse prokaryotes, and cell density of the biofilm community was strictly controlled by grazing eukaryotic organisms. In situ hybridization with group-specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes revealed the following: (i) the prevalence of bacteria belonging to the β-subclass of Proteobacteria within the bacterial biofilm populations; (ii) differences in the population composition, assessed by phylogenetic probes, depended on the surface properties of the substrata; (iii) the influence of water retention time on variations in population structure; and (iv) the presence of bacteria belonging to the family Legionellaceae associated with grazing protozoa. The metabolic potential of bacteria was assessed during biofilm formation using fluorescence signals after in situ hybridization and the reduction of the redox dye CTC as an indicator of respiratory activity. Respiratory activity and ribosome content of adherent bacterial cells decreased continuously during the early stages of the biofilm. After 35 days the percentage of CTC-reducing cells stabilized at 30%, and the amount of hybridized cells stabilized at 55%, of the initial cell number. To ascertain the amount of dormant, but potentially active cells, we established a new method, defined as probe active counts (PAC). Biofilms were incubated with a mixture of appropriate carbon sources and an antibiotic preventing bacterial cell division, followed by the determination of metabolic activity by in situ hybridization. By this approach the percentage of hybridized cells could be increased from 50% to 80% of total bacterial cell counts in the oligotrophic drinking water biofilms.
Diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews in arid southern Africa

The diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews, Crocidura cyanea, C. fuscomurina, and C. hirta (Insectivora: Soricidae), were studied in arid areas of Namibia in March and April, 1992. Simultaneous sampling of the prey ingested and available along foraging trails showed that, although the shrews are generalist insectivores that take most types of prey from the range available, each species selected Araneida, Chilopoda, Isoptera, and insect larvae but avoided Formicidae. The preferred prey were mostly soft-bodied with a relatively high ratio of body water to energy content, which may assist in maintenance of body water balance. The three species showed inconsistent preferences for rarer categories of prey such as Thysanura and Orthoptera, as well as for Coleoptera. Each species of shrew selected sites providing dense ground level vegetation and deep leaf litter, With the preference for cover being strongest in C. fuscomurina. Dense vegetation probably provides shelter from predators and high daytime temperatures; both C. fuscomurina and C. hirta used denser vegetation by day than by night. Each species foraged in leaf litter, perhaps increasing access to preferred types of prey. Preference for moist soil, especially in C. fuscomurina, probably also reflects increased access to preferred prey, although moist soil may also facilitate burrow construction. Because patterns of habitat and diet selection appear to be linked, future research on resource use in these shrews should be pursued most fruitfully in field experiments or captive laboratory trials.
Using biomimetic loggers to measure interspecific and microhabitat variation in body temperatures of rocky intertidal invertebrates

Until recently, marine scientists have relied heavily on satellite sea surface temperatures and terrestrial weather stations as indicators of the way in which the thermal environment, and hence the body temperatures of organisms, vary over spatial and temporal scales. We designed biomimetic temperature loggers for three species of rocky intertidal invertebrates to determine whether mimic body temperatures differ from the external environment and among species and microhabitats. For all three species, microhabitat temperatures were considerably higher than the body temperatures, with differences as great as 11.1°C on horizontal rocky substrata. Across microhabitats, daily maximal temperatures of the limpet Cellana tramoserica were on average 2.1 and 3.1°C higher than body temperatures of the whelk Dicathais orbita and the barnacle Tesseropora rosea respectively. Among-microhabitat variation in each species’ temperature was equally as variable as differences among species within microhabitats. Daily maximal body temperatures of barnacles placed on southerly facing vertical rock surfaces were on average 2.4°C cooler than those on horizontal rock. Likewise, daily maximal body temperatures of whelks were on average 3.1°C cooler within shallow rock pools than on horizontal rock. Our results provide new evidence that unique thermal properties and microhabitat preferences may be important determinants of species’ capacity to cope with climate change.
Intestinal morphology and activity of digestive enzymes in broilers fed crude propolis

Duarte, C. R. A. , Eyng, C. , Murakami, A. E. and Santos, T. C. 2014. Intestinal morphology and activity of digestive enzymes in broilers fed crude propolis. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 105–114. Propolis is a resin produced by bees that has been investigated for its potential to increase the performance of broiler chickens. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of crude propolis in the diets of broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 1020 male chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into six treatments (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm of crude propolis), with five replications, and 34 birds per experimental unit. The experimental diets were provided from 1 to 21 d of age and subsequently (from 22 to 42 d of age) the birds were fed a nutritionally complete ration based on corn and soybean meal. All supplemented groups showed similar growth performance in all growth phases (P>0.05); however, there was a linear increase in carcass yield at 42 d of age acco.