Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation for virulence and resistance in the wheat-Mycosphaerella graminicola pathosystem. 11. Analysis of interactions between pathogen isolates and host cultivars

Nonparametric and parametric statistical procedures were employed to analyze six data sets, comprising 80 pathogen isolates and 47 host cultivars, to investigate the presence and relevance of interaction in the wheat-Mycosphaerella graminicola pathosystem. Each data set was confined to either responses of bread wheat to bread wheat-derived isolates or of durum wheat to durum wheat-derived isolates, and to each of two disease parameters, presence of necrosis (N) and production of pycnidia (P). Four data sets were employed for explorative statistical analyses that involved a procedure using the size of the overall variances for cultivars and isolates in tables of effects to estimate the relative proportions of specific factors for resistance and virulence in host and pathogen genotypes, respectively. Subsets, comprising cultivars and isolates with either high or low variances, were selected from the data matrices and subjected to analyses of covariance. Subsets that included entries with high variances revealed interaction mean squares that explained approximately 25% of the total variance, which was considerably higher than in the complete data matrices. The results indicated considerable genetic variation for specific resistance and virulence factors in host and pathogen, respectively, and, therefore, for the effectiveness of the procedure. Analysis of subsets that were confined to entries with low variances resulted in interaction mean squares that contributed little to the total variance, which was an indication of the absence of differential responses, that might be because of either susceptible or resistant responses to all applied pathogen isolates. Two data sets were obtained by an additional experiment, involving 15 M. graminicola isolates and 24 host cultivars in two replications, that was conducted to design a selection experiment to test hypotheses that were based on preceding statistical analyses. This experiment, which involved small subsets of isolates and cultivars, confirmed the hypothesis that a large overall variance may be indicative of specific factors for virulence or resistance. It also indicated that a low overall variance was not necessarily indicative of nonspecific resistance. In all cases, parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures showed significant interactions between pathogen isolates and host cultivars. Similar results were obtained for both disease parameters, although differences between these parameters were evident. The employed statistical procedures and the additional data demonstrated specificity in the relationship between either bread wheat or durum wheat and M. graminicola. This suggested a gene-for-gene relationship in these pathosystems that requires further elucidation and may have important repercussions on breeding strategies.
Release of hydrogen peroxide and antioxidants by the coral Stylophora pistillata to its external milieu

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a common reactive oxygen species, plays multiple roles in coral health and dis- ease. Elevated H2O2 production by the symbiotic algae dur- ing stress may result in symbiosis breakdown and bleaching of the coral. We have recently reported that various Red Sea corals release H2O2 and antioxidants to their external mi- lieu, and can influence the H 2O2 dynamics in the reef. Here, we present a laboratory characterization of H2O2 and an- tioxidant activity release kinetics by intact, non-stressed Sty- lophora pistillata. Experimenting with bleached and non- bleached corals and different stirring speeds, we explored the sources and modes of H2O2 and antioxidant release. Since H2O2 is produced and degraded simultaneously, we devel- oped a methodology for resolving the actual H2O2 concen- trations released by the corals. H2O2 and antioxidant activity steadily increased in the wa- ter surrounding the coral over short periods of 1-2 h. Over longer periods of 5-7 h, the antioxidant activity kept increas- ing with time, while H2O2 concentrations were stabilized at 1 µM by 1-3 h, and then gradually declined. Solving for H2O2 release, corals were found to release H2O2 at increas- ing rates over 2-4 h, and then to slow down and stop by 5-7 h. Stirring was shown to induce the release of H2O2, possibly since the flow reduces the thickness of the diffusive bound- ary layer of the coral, and thus increases H2O2 mass flux. Antioxidant activity was released at similar rates by bleached and non-bleached corals, suggesting that the antioxidants did not originate from the symbiotic algae. H2O2, however, was not released from bleached corals, implying that the symbi- otic algae are the source of the released H2O2. The observed flow-induced H 2O2 release may aid corals in removing some of the internal H2O2 produced by their symbiotic algae, and
Locomotor performance in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

The locomotor performance of the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus was investigated under laboratory conditions. Individuals were placed singly in the centre of a glass surface positioned either horizontally or vertically in tanks with seawater, and their locomotor activity was recorded. For locomotion on a horizontal surface, speed increased with both sea urchin diameter and their straightness of path. Speeds on a vertical surface were size-independent and not related to the straightness of path, although they were affected by vertical path orientation, with the highest speeds occurring for downward movements and the slowest speeds for the upward movements. Taken together, these results suggest that the scaling of sea urchin locomotion may follow similar laws to those of legged animals, for which locomotor performance increases with size on horizontal surface, while their relative cost of locomotion increases with body size on inclined surfaces. It is suggested that differences in horizontal vs vertical locomotion may also be related to differences in the underlying locomotor mechanisms, i.e. using adhesive appendices (tube feet) or levers (spines). In a second experiment, the sea urchin speed obtained during a negative phototactic response to a direct light stimulus was recorded. The results show that speed during light stimulation is higher than that during spontaneous locomotion in sea urchins of intermediate size (2·5–4 cm), suggesting that, in addition to the direction of locomotion as shown by previous studies, light can also have an effect on speed.
Ownership Similarity in M&A Target Selection

We study how ownership similarity between two firms affects the likelihood of an acquisition between them. Assortative matching arguments suggest that similarity between acquiring and target firms can encourage acquisition behavior since more similar partners can better understand one another and combine resources in a more efficient way. Previous research has confirmed this expectation focusing on traits related to industry, strategy and technology. We contribute to this literature by examining similarity in the type of dominant owner. We hypothesize and find evidence in a sample of 14,000 Italian companies that acquisitions are more likely to occur among firms with similar owners.
Transforming Growth Factor- β1 Is a Potent Inhibitor of Glutathione Synthesis in the Lung Epithelial Cell Line A549: Transcriptional Effect on the GSH Rate-limiting Enzyme γ -Glutamylcysteine Synthetase

Glutathione (GSH) is an essential antioxidant tripeptide that protects mammalian cells against oxidants and xenobiotics. Patients with fibrotic lung disorders have very low levels of GSH in their alveolar epithelial lining fluid (ELF), whereas transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is overexpressed in their alveolar epithelial cells. We observed that TGF-β1 increased susceptibility of the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 to H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity (P < 0.05), decreased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase and catalase by 31%, and markedly decreased GSH content in A549 cells (P < 0.01). GSH depletion was associated with an equivalent decrease in the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) (P < 0.01). Western blot analysis confirmed that the loss of γ-GCS activity was associated with a marked decrease in γ-GCS heavy subunit (γ-GCShs) protein. TGF-β1 suppressed the steady-state level of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the γ-GCShs.
Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache (Curculionidae), a new biological control agent for bugweed, Solanum mauritianum Scopoli, in South Africa, poses no risks to cotton production

Management of the invasive South American tree, Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae) (bugweed, woolly nightshade), in South Africa will be greatly enhanced by the establishment of florivorous agents that reduce the weed’s excessive levels of fruiting (Olckers 1999). The flowerbud-feeding weevil, Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache (Curculionidae), was proposed for release in South Africa in 2003, based on host records and observations in its native range and on four years of host-specificity testing in quarantine in South Africa (Olckers 2003). During the review process, the South African cotton industry expressed concerns about possible risks posed by the weevil to cotton production (S.W. Broodryk, pers. comm.). This was because a related species, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (boll weevil), constitutes a major pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , (Malvaceae), in the Americas, but does not occur in South Africa and thus has a high quarantine priority. Earlier host-specificity tests were focussed on plants in the family Solanaceae and did not include cotton, since A. santacruzi and A. grandis are reportedly restricted to host plants in the families Solanaceae and Malvaceae, respectively (Cross et al. 1975; Clark & Burke 1996). As a precaution, the cotton industry requested that two non-transgenic cultivars (i.e. susceptible to insect pests in general) be tested to confirm that the crop is not susceptible to A. santacruzi. This paper discusses the results of these additional trials and their implications for the release of A. santacruzi in South Africa.
Understanding Program Complementarities: Estimating the Dynamic Effects of a Training Program with Multiple Alternatives

In this paper we estimate the causal effect of a training program for disadvantaged youths on their long-run labor market outcomes. Individuals receive lottery offers to participate in the program, but are allowed to choose when to leave the program and to participate in alternative programs. We consider a multistage decision setting, where individuals sequentially select which program to participate in at every stage. The standard IV estimator using initial random assignment as instrumental variable identifies a weighted average of the effects of the treatment for subgroups of individuals differing in terms of potential duration of participation and choice of alternative programs. We estimate a sequential choice model that allows us to estimate the effect of the treatment for these different subgroups separately. We use the estimated model to investigate the dynamic complementarity between different training programs and explore program targeting to improve the cost-effectiveness relative to the existing program.
Casein Kinase Iε Enhances the Binding of Dvl-1 to Frat-1 and Is Essential for Wnt-3a-induced Accumulation of β-Catenin*

We demonstrate that Dvl-1, casein kinase Iε (CKIε), and Frat-1 activate the Wnt signaling pathway cooperatively. The amino acid region 228–250 of Dvl-1 was necessary for its binding to Frat-1, and the interaction of Dvl-1 with Frat-1 was enhanced by CKIε. Coexpression of Dvl-1 and Frat-1 caused accumulation of β-catenin synergistically in L cells. Both proteins also activated the transcriptional activity of T-cell factor-4 (Tcf-4) synergistically in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, but coexpression of Dvl-1-(Δ228–250), which lacks the amino acid region 228–250 from Dvl-1, and Frat-1 did not. Dvl-1, but not Dvl-1-(Δ228–250), acted synergistically with CKIε to activate Tcf-4. Depletion of CKIε by double-stranded RNA interference in HeLa S3 cells led to the inhibition of Wnt-3a-induced phosphorylation of Dvl and the binding of Dvl-1 to Frat-1. Furthermore, depletion of CKIε reduced the Wnt-3a-induced accumulation of β-catenin, although it did not affect the basal level of β-catenin. These results indicate that CKIε-dependent phosphorylation of Dvl enhances the formation of a complex of Dvl-1 with Frat-1 and that this complex leads to the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.
Efficacy of exogenous xylanases for improving in vitro fermentation of forages

SUMMARY Batch cultures of mixed rumen micro-organisms were used to evaluate varying enzyme products with high xylanase activity (EPX), four of which were recombinant single xylanase activity developmental enzyme products (EPX1–EPX4, products of xylanase genes derived from Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma reesei, Orpinomyces and Aspergillus oryzae, respectively), for their potential to improve in vitro ruminal fermentation of three forages [maize (Zea mays) stover (MS), rice (Oryza sativa) straw (RS) and Guimu No. 1 grass (Pennisetum americanum×Pennisetum purpureum, GM)]. The enzyme product EPX5, derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum, was used as a positive control that could improve in vitro fermentation of forages. Enzymes were supplied at dose rates of 0 (control), 20 (low), 50 (medium) and 80 (high) enzymic units of xylanase/g of dry matter (DM). There were no interactions between EPX and dose for the fermentation characteristics evaluated. Increasing EPX dose linearly increased gas production (GP) kinetic characters [i.e. asymptotic GP (VF), half time when GP is half of the theoretical maximum GP (t0·5), and initial fractional rate of degradation (FRD0)] and methane (CH4) production from RS and GM at 24 h, and increased degradability of DM at 24 h for MS and RS. A linear increase in degradability of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the three forages at 24 h was observed with increasing dose of EPX, but at 48 h only NDF degradability of RS was increased. There were differences in the effects of EPX on degradability of DM and NDF from RS at 24 h, with EPX4 having the highest and EPX1 having the lowest. In addition, increasing EPX dose linearly increased acetate proportion at 24 h and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) at 48 h in MS. Increasing EPX dose linearly increased TVFA at 24 h, and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration at 48 h in RS. For GM, linear or quadratic effects of dose on acetate and butyrate concentration were observed at 24 and 48 h. The present study indicates that applying EPX to low-quality forages has the potential to improve rumen degradability and utilization. Furthermore, EPX from different sources differed in their effects when applied at the same dose rate, with the responses being forage-specific. For RS, the EPX derived from A. oryzae showed the greatest positive effects on forage degradation; whereas for MS and GM, the source of micro-organism where EPX gene was derived did not affect the degradation, with little difference among the EPX evaluated.
The preference for yew (Taxus baccata) by a red (Sciurus vulgaris) only squirrel population

Abstract Context. As invasive grey squirrels continue to spread, red only areas are becoming rarer. It has been reported that red squirrels can outcompete greys only in pure coniferous woodland. In areas of sympatry with grey squirrels, there are concerns about red squirrels’ dependence on certain coniferous tree species in light of recent tree diseases. Aims. This study aimed to investigate tree selection by red squirrels in an area vulnerable to the spread of the grey squirrel, but currently free of this species. Methods. During 2013–14, squirrels were trapped and monitored on a 315-ha managed island, with a woodland characterised by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous species. Radio-tracking revealed that squirrels clustered their activity along a network of yew trees, a preference they showed throughout the year. Trap success was also higher in traps placed on yew trees. Yew and beech were selected most commonly, but squirrels were also observed foraging on other items, such as sycamore flowers and lichen. Squirrels spent 35% of their time foraging, utilising the greatest number of tree species in June (n = 13). In spring, squirrels foraged to a greater extent on the ground than in the trees, and exploited a lower number of tree species. Conclusions. There has been little previous data on the use of yew trees by red squirrels, but they have previously been listed as a species that is preferred by red squirrels rather than greys. This study has further emphasised the importance of this tree species to red squirrels. Implications. The continued spread of the grey squirrel may lead to red squirrels becoming restricted to areas of intense management such as parks and, accordingly, optimum tree planting is required from the onset for the long-term maintenance of red squirrels. With recent concern about the disease vulnerability of other coniferous species, this study emphasises the relative importance of yew and other tree species in the distribution of red squirrels.
E Pluribus Octo – Building Consensus on Standards of Care and Experimentation in Cephalopod Research; a Historical Outlook

The Directive 2010/63/EU “on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes” originally induced some concern among cephalopod researchers, because of the inclusion of cephalopod mollusks as the only invertebrates among the protected species. Here we reflect on the challenges and issues raised by the Directive on cephalopod science, and discuss some of the arguments that elicited discussion within the scientific community, to facilitate the implementation of the Directive 2010/63/EU in the scientific research context. A short overview of the aims of the COST Action FA1301 “CephsInAction,” serves as a paradigmatic instance of a pragmatic and progressive approach adopted to respond to novel legislative concerns through community-building and expansion of the historical horizon. Between 2013 and 2017, the COST Action FA1301 has functioned as a hub for consolidation of the cephalopod research community, including about 200 representatives from 21 countries (19 European). Among its aims, CephsInAction promoted the collection, rationalization, and diffusion of knowledge relevant to cephalopods. In the Supplementary Material to this work, we present the translation of the first-published systematic set of guidelines on the care, management and maintenance of cephalopods in captivity (Grimpe, 1928), as an example of the potential advantages deriving from the confluence of pressing scientific concerns and historical interests.
The Spread of Misinformation in Networks with Individual and Social Learning

This paper studies the spread of misinformation when agents have both individual and social learning. I characterize the steady state opinion vector and I show that agents with poor individual learning and high centrality are the best channels of misinformation. I study the conditions under which a (monopolistic) sophisticated spreader has incentives to declare falsehoods and extreme opinions, and I find an inverted U-shaped relationship between her centrality and the optimal declaration. Finally, in this framework, the con- sensus time increases with respect to the network’s segregation, whereas the learning time decreases with respect to agents’ reliance on their individual learning.
Phosphorus budget and productivity of an experimental lake during the initial three years of cage aquaculture

An experiment was conducted at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA; Ontario, Canada) to investigate the effect of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cage aquaculture on the phosphorus budget and productivity of a small Precambrian Shield lake during the first three years of fish farming. Annual inputs of phosphorus to the experimental lake from aquaculture waste (67–100 kg) exceeded combined annual inputs from inflows and direct atmospheric deposition (4–18 kg). Compared with a reference lake, hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations in the aquaculture lake decreased by 36% and hypolimnetic ammonium and total phosphorus increased by 120% and 35%, respectively. However, compared with an epilimnion-fertilized lake, hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen in the aquaculture lake was 255% greater and epilimnetic suspended carbon and chlorophyll a was lower by 64% and 85%, respectively. Epilimnetic suspended carbon and hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations during aquaculture were more similar to concentrations .
Comparative myology of the forelimb of Liolaemus sand lizards (Liolaemidae)

The lizard genus Liolaemus includes numerous constituent clusters of putatively related taxa, one of which is the Liolaemus boulengeri group, which in turn includes the sand lizards (of the Liolaemus wiegmannii subgroup). Members of the sand lizard group exhibit three different modes of burying into sand. The general morphology of the forelimb muscles of those Liolaemus species is analysed. Herein, we present a study of the forelimb musculature of all species considered by Halloy et al. (1998). This study has three principal goals. First, we are seeking myological characters that will be useful in formulating phylogenetic hypothesis about the species of Liolaemus. With these characters, we also wish to compile morphological data that represent the morphological space implied in the diverse locomotor behaviours of these animals. Second, we are looking for derived features that reflect functional changes in the use of forelimb. Third, we wish to provide a cladistic analysis that can be used to test phylogenetic hypothesis derived from other sources of data. We present 48 characters in a data set and analyse it cladistically. We obtained a hypothesis of relationships of the Liolaemus species and compared this with previous hypotheses based on other characters. The trees obtained are not congruent with previously proposed phylogenies. We were unable to identify in our trees nodes that are based on structures reflecting functional changes in the use of the forelimb. The morphological similarities in the forelimb musculature of all species analysed seems to conform a very conservative general anatomical pattern with which Liolaemus sand lizards perform most of their locomotor behaviours.
Indigenous Capability and Effects of Foreign Capital Flows and Repatriated Profits on Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Empirical Study

This study investigates the effects of various foreign capital flows, including repatriated profits on economic growth. I attempt to prove the hypothesis that developing countries tend to face slow economic growth because of their consistent encounters with more outbound capital flows in the form of interest payments and dividends than new inbound capital flows. The effect of these capital flows depends on the indigenous capability of each nation, such as the level of human capital and technology. Empirical analyses verify the above hypothesis. This study finds although hosting additional foreign capital improves economic growth, the accompanying repatriated profit tends to be related negatively to economic growth. Moreover, foreign capital inflow and repatriated profit have different effects on economic growth based on the development level of countries, with certain threshold values identified in terms of advanced human capital or the number of patents per million people. This study further determines this threshold is higher than that of foreign direct investments from which the host developing countries obtain positive effect. This result implies reverse financial flow out of developing countries in the form of repatriated profit, not financial flow itself, is one of the important causes of growth problems in the South.