Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field and laboratory evaluations of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis corn on secondary lepidopteran pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Field com, genetically engineered to produce a protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki strain HD-1, was evaluated for its effects on larva of the noctuid species Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), Papaipema nebris (Geunee), Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). No B. thuringiensis corn effects were observed on larval survival, pupal weight, or days to adult emergence for A. ipsilon or P. nebris; however, P. unipuncta reared on B. thuringiensis leaf extract were 0.068 g lighter in pupal weights, delayed for 8 d in preimaginal development (from 33 to 41 d), and showed trends for 11-25% lower survival. Reduced survival and a 4-d delay in preimaginal development also was observed for H. zea reared on B. thuringiensis -treated meridic diet. In 1994 and 1995, transgenic B. thuringiensis com and non- B. thuringiensis com seed was planted under field conditions. Eighty B. thuringiensis and non- B. thuringiensis plants were artificially infested with early instars of the 4 noctuid species, then evaluated for damage (leaf feeding, stalk cutting, ear-tip feeding). There were no differences between B. thuringiensis and non- B. thuringiensis com damage caused by A. ipsilon. In 1994, P. nebris caused significantly less leaf-feeding damage to B. thuringiensis corn than non- B. thuringiensis com. In addition, P. unipuncta and H. zea caused significantly less damage to B. thuringiensis com leaves. H. zea survived on and caused damage to B. thuringiensis com ears, and even though there were fewer ears damaged, there was no difference in the number of live larvae per plant on B. thuringiensis com than on non- B. thuringiensis com.
Fertilização com boro e zinco no solo em complementação à aplicação via foliar em laranjeira Pêra

Boron (B) and zinc (Zn) are the most deficient micronutrients in the Brazilian's citrus industry. Worldwide, there is limited information about diagnostic criteria and management of these nutrients to the citrus crop. Leaf spray has been the usual form of application of these nutrients, despite their low redistribution into the citrus trees. The present work was carried out during four years in order to establish responses of citrus yield to complementary soil application of B and Zn compared to the traditional leaf spray, and to improve diagnostic tools for micronutrient recommendation based on soil and leaf analyses. The experiment was a 42 factorial design, with three replications, with four yearly rates (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg ha-1) of B, as boric acid, and Zn, as zinc sulfate. A significant response to soil B application was observed in two years compared to the conventional spray treatment, which did not improve yield and fruit quality. Maximum yield was reached at 4 kg ha-1 B rate, which increased the hot-water extracted soil-B to 1.0 mg dm-3, and total leaf-B to 300 mg kg-1. Soil Zn application was less effective than the leaf spray treatment due to high Zn adsorption in the soil. Soil testing and leaf analyses calibration curves were determined to establish B and Zn nutrient management program for citrus.
Effect of GABA Tea on Quality Characteristics of Chiffon Cake

ABSTRACT The effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) tea on the quality characteristics of chiffon cakes were studied. The viscosity and specific gravity in cake batter, and total dietary fiber, GABA, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate contents, hardness, and crumb a value of baked cakes increased with increasing GABA tea level; whereas, the pH and moisture in cake batter, and the moisture, water activity, cake volume, crust L, a, b and crumb L, b values of baked cakes showed a reverse trend. As derived from descriptive analysis, the crust and crumb of cakes became darker, drier, and had a tougher texture as GABA tea level increased and cake flour decreased, but the GABA cake had a pleasant tea flavor. The degree of overall liking of cakes decreased with increasing GABA tea level. However, chiffon cake formulated with partial replacement of cake flour with GABA tea and water had better results in the degree of overall liking compared.
Five Perspectives on an Emerging Market: Challenges with Clean Tech Private Equity

Private equity investment in technologies which deliver low carbon energy has grown as an area of both economic and social performance. This article offers a perspective on some of the challenges in the industry. It relies on case studies drawn from 35 interviews with leading clean tech investment managers from SiliconValley, NewYork, and London. The findings suggest that despite the long-term growth opportunities, some investors have struggled to find attractive risk-reward premiums in early stage investments.
Methylation of Xanthosine by Tea-leaf Extracts and Caffeine Biosynthesis

N-Methyltransferase catalyzing the transfer of methyl groups from [14CH3]SAM to xanthosine, producing 7- methylxanthosine, was extracted in cell-free systems from tea leaves. The purine nucleotides, nucleosides, and bases, except for xanthosine, were all inactive substrates in the methylation at the N-7 position of their purine rings. This confirmed that the methylation of xanthosine to 7- methylxanthosine is the first step of methylation in the pathway for caffeine biosynthesis. The optimum pH for the methyltransferase is 7.5 to 8.0. PCMB (0.5 mM), Zn2 + (1 mM) and Cu2+ (1 mM) strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. The Km values for xanthosine and SAM are 0.25 mM at 3. 9µM of SAM and 3. 3µM at 0.40 mM of xanthosine, respectively.
Physicochemical characteristics of osmotically dehydrated tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) under different common drying methods

This study investigated the effect of different common drying methods on the chemical composition of osmotically dehydrated tomato. The quality of dehydrated tomato is often poor as a result of: collapse of structure, discoloration, tough texture and loss of nutritional values. In this study, osmotic dehydration was combined with other drying methods with a view to investigating the method that will produce high quality product. Combination of sucrose and salt solution was used to soak tomato at 400 Brix for 4hours. The osmotically dehydrated samples were subjected to open air (sun), solar cabinet, hot air cabinet and oven drying methods. The proximate composition, colour and vitamin C of the dried samples were determined. The proximate composition showed that the raw tomato contained fat 1.75%, Ash 27.97%, crude fiber 0.18%, Protein 28.95% and Carbohydrate 41.15% while the Sun dried sample contained fat 1.25%, Ash 42.71%, Crude fiber 0.19%, protein 15.74% and carbohydrate 40.11%. Solar cabinet dried sample contained fat 1.29%, Ash 42.88%, crude fiber 0.26%, protein 15.78% and carbohydrate 35.79%. Hot air cabinet dried sample contained fat 1.17%, Ash 33.95%, crude fiber 0.25%, protein 14.48% and carbohydrate 1.17%. Oven dried sample contained, fat 1.15%, Ash 49.34%, crude fiber 0.26%, protein 13.22% and carbohydrate 36.03%. The vitamin C and colour measurement for raw, sun dried, solar cabinet dried, hot air cabinet dried and oven dried are 156.7 mg/100 g and 600 nm, 79.2 mg/100 g and 610 nm, 67.4 mg/100 g and 610 nm, 66.6 mg/100 g and 615 nm and 50 mg/100 g and 620 nm respectively which indicate the level of red pigmentation. Osmotically dehydrated tomato subjected to solar cabinet drying and sun drying yielded the best quality product based on their proximate and vitamin C compositions.
Factors Affecting Harvests of Fishers and American Martens in Northern Michigan

ABSTRACT Harvest data (e.g., number of animals harvested, trapper effort) are an important source of information for state wildlife agencies to manage harvested furbearers. These data provide evidence to support adapting harvest regulations when necessary. Setting appropriate harvest regulations for fishers (Martes pennanti) and American martens (Martes americana) is critical, as these species often exist at low densities, are sensitive to timber-management practices and trapper-harvest, and experience some level of interspecific predation and competition in sympatric populations. We estimated effects of management (e.g., number of fishers or martens harvested per trapper per season [harvest limit], season length) and extrinsic (e.g., weather, pelt prices) factors on regulated harvests of fishers and martens in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during 1996–2007. We used generalized linear mixed models in an information-theoretic approach (quasi-likelihood adjusted Akaike Information Criterion [QAIC]) to discern which factors most strongly influenced fisher and marten harvests. For harvest of fishers, the 3 QAIC-best models included harvest limit, season length, and number of trappers, suggesting that regulatory changes within the ranges tested may be implemented to influence harvest. The QAIC-best model (harvest limit) contained 26% of the weight of evidence, and using an independent subset of data, showed no difference between model predictions and harvest data. In contrast, harvest of martens was not strongly influenced by any factors we tested. Possible reasons for a lack of measurable effects while modeling harvest of martens include a low harvest limit (i.e., 1 marten) or incidental harvest of martens by fisher or bobcat (Lynx rufus) trappers. Knowledge of influences on harvest will lead to informed decision-making when managers are setting harvest regulations, particularly for low-density furbearers.
The potential for woody understory plants to provide refuge for ectomycorrhizal inoculum at an interior Douglas-fir forest after clear-cut logging

Clear-cut logging can decrease the amount of inoculum for some ectomycorrhizal fungi. Ectomycorrhizal plants that are not selected for harvest (refuge plants) may, therefore, be important for the maintenance of ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum in clearcuts following logging. The purpose of this study was to identify refuge plants that could provide ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum for outplanted seedlings. The ectomycorrhizal status of selected plants was assessed in 1.6-ha clearcuts and in adjacent forest. Over 3 years, 17 and 14 morphotypes were described for Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco (Douglas-fir) and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng, respectively. Ten morphotypes (six of these confirmed with restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns) were shared by both species. Anatomical and molecular analyses revealed that, for the morphotypes observed, ectomycorrhizal fungi formed ectomycorrhizal anatomy when associated with Douglas-fir and arbutoid anatomy with A. uva-ursi. Because advanced re.
Resource capture and tree-crop interaction in Albizia procera -based agroforestry system

A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design at the National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Jhansi (UP) during two consecutive years (2000–01 and 2001–02). The experiment comprised eight treatments: T1– trees allowed to grow normally + crop, T2 – pruning of trees up to 70% plant height + crop, T3 – trees allowed to grow normally + soil barrier + crop, T4 – pruning of trees up to 70% plant height + soil barrier + crop, T5 – T1 + irrigation as per requirement of crop, T6 – pruning of trees up to 70% plant height + irrigation as treatment 5, T7– pure trees, and T8– pure crops (control). Blackgram (Phaseolus mungo Roxb.)/Mustard (Brassica juncia Coss.) crop sequence was included as an intercrop in the tree-crop system. Germination, plant height and branching of intercrops (blackgram and mustard) in the first row from the tree base was less compared to the second, third and fourth rows from tree base during both years. The competitive effect of trees on yield attributes and yield of blackgram and mustard was only observed in the first row of crop from tree base during the first year and this difference was wider during the second year. The light intercepted by under storey crops (blackgram and mustard) was more when the trees were pruned up to 70% plant height than when the trees were allowed to grow normally. However the value of light intercepted by crops was less in the tree-crop system than in the open field. The soil barrier was fully able to restrict the movement of root systems.
Herbicide seed treatment for weed control in wet-seeded rice

Abstract One laboratory and two field experiments were conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to determine the effect of herbicides applied as seed treatments on crop safety and weed control in wet‐seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the laboratory experiment all the herbicides tested, except butachlor‐2,4‐D, did not affect rice seed germination. Butachlor‐2,4‐D reduced root growth the most, while thiobencarb caused the greatest reduction in shoot growth. In the first field experiment all the seed treatments except bensulfuron reduced crop stand. The same herbicides poured directly onto flooded fields several days after sowing did not decrease plant stand significantly. Plant heights were reduced significantly by seed treatments with both butachlor formulations and pretilachlor + fenclorim. The best weed control was observed with pretilachlor + fenclorim applied either as a seed treatment or poured onto water. In the second field experiment, pretilachlor + fenclorim at 0.45 kg a.i./ha.
Synergism of the spore on insecticidal activity of δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) is not observed at late stage in bioassay

Synergism of spores from several Bacillus thuringiensis serovars and the δ-endotoxin of B. thuringiensis serovar kurstaki HD-1 and HD-73 were evaluated using two bioassay systems (artificial diet and leaf dip) against larvae of Plutella xylostella. The magnitude of the synergistic effect of the live spores from B. thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui with the δ-endotoxin of B. thuringiensis serovar kurstaki HD-1 was 120 times higher two days after feeding on the artificial diet. However, by 7 days after the treatment, the synergistic effect was lost. Thus, the synergism of live spores with the δ-endotoxin was only observed very early in the treatment. The live spores from kurstaki HD-1 or strain Buibui exhibited a 35% reduction in the killing time of P. xylostella when they were combined with the δ-endotoxin from kurstaki HD-1 or HD-73. No effects were observed when dead spores killed by gamma-radiation were combined with the δ-endotoxin. These results clearly indicated that live spores were necessary to express the synergistic effects on diamondback moth larvae.
Specific regions within the embryonic midbrain and cerebellum require different levels of FGF signaling during development

Prospective midbrain and cerebellum formation are coordinated by FGF ligands produced by the isthmic organizer. Previous studies have suggested that midbrain and cerebellum development require different levels of FGF signaling. However, little is known about the extent to which specific regions within these two parts of the brain differ in their requirement for FGF signaling during embryogenesis. Here, we have explored the effects of inhibiting FGF signaling within the embryonic mouse midbrain (mesencephalon) and cerebellum (rhombomere 1) by misexpressing sprouty2 ( Spry2 ) from an early stage. We show that such Spry2 misexpression moderately reduces FGF signaling, and that this reduction causes cell death in the anterior mesencephalon, the region furthest from the source of FGF ligands. Interestingly, the remaining mesencephalon cells develop into anterior midbrain, indicating that a low level of FGF signaling is sufficient to promote only anterior midbrain development. Spry2 misexpression also affects development of the vermis, the part of the cerebellum that spans the midline. We found that, whereas misexpression of Spry2 alone caused loss of the anterior vermis, reducing FGF signaling further, by decreasing Fgf8 gene dose, resulted in loss of the entire vermis. Our data suggest that cell death is not responsible for vermis loss, but rather that it fails to develop because reducing FGF signaling perturbs the balance between vermis and roof plate development in rhombomere 1. We suggest a molecular explanation for this phenomenon by providing evidence that FGF signaling functions to inhibit the BMP signaling that promotes roof plate development.
Carnivore guild structure in the Paşalar Miocene fauna

Abstract The functional anatomy of the fossil carnivores from the middle Miocene site at Pasalar, Turkey is described in terms of body size and carnassial teeth. Ten species are recognized compared with 16 and 27 species recorded by earlier workers, and although this is almost certainly an under-estimate in taxonomic terms, the 10 species completely define the range of function observed in the Pasalar sample. Four carnivore guilds are recognized in the sample: hypercarnivores, including bone crushers; main-carnivores (which may also include some bone crushers); omnivores and invertebratevores (including insectivores). For present-day carnivore faunas, the distribution of these four guilds in terms of three broad size categories has been found to be characteristic of different habitats. The presence of two omnivores distinguishes the Pasalar fauna from tropical evergreen forest on the one hand and from temperate woodlands on the other; the distribution of guilds in the Pasalar fauna is most similar to those from the subtropical monsoon forests of India and the seasonal deciduous woodlands of tropical Africa, and while overall diversity levels are more similar to the former, statistical tests show greater similarity with the latter. It is concluded, therefore, that the Pasalar carnivore fauna indicates the presence of seasonal forest during the Miocene. The consequences of this for predator-prey relations are discussed.
A comparative study of some mouthpart adaptations of Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) and U. vocans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in relation to their habitats

The density of spoon-tipped setae (ST setae) along the inner edge of the merus of the left second maxilliped of two Singapore species of fiddler crabs, Uca annulipes and U. vocans, was studied. A larger proportion of the inner merus edge was covered with ST setae in U. annulipes as compared to U. vocans (two-thirds vs. half of the edge, respectively). The number of ST setae did not differ significantly between males and females in both species (ANCOVA, slopes and intercepts, p > 0.05) suggesting there is no sexual dimorphism in mouthpart adaptations for these species. The combined regression equation (male + female data; CW = carapace width) for U. annulipes (n = 91) was #ST setae = 15.6 + 14.7CW with r2 = 0.63, that for U. vocans (n = 100) being #ST setae = 32.4 + 9.91CW with r2 = 0.66. For any given size of crab, significantly more ST setae were present in Uca annulipes (a sandy habitat crab) than in U. vocans (a muddy habitat species). These results provide quantitative evidence that fiddler crabs that inhabit sandy habitats possess more ST setae (an adaptation for processing sandy sediments), than those occurring in muddy habitats.
Fenofibrate reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption via PPARα-dependent modulation of NPC1L1 expression in mouse Published, JLR Papers in Press, August 28, 2007.

Fibrates, including fenofibrate, exert their biological effects by binding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. Treatment with PPARα agonists enhances fatty acid oxidation, decreases plasma triglycerides, and may promote reverse cholesterol transport. In addition, fibrate administration can reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption in patients, although the molecular mechanism for this effect is unknown. Because Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) is already known to be a critical protein for cholesterol absorption, we hypothesized that fenofibrate might modulate NPC1L1 expression to alter intestinal cholesterol transport. Here, we find that fenofibrate-treated wild-type mice have decreased fractional cholesterol absorption (35–47% decrease) and increased fecal neutral sterol excretion (51–83% increase), which correspond to decreased expression of NPC1L1 mRNA and protein (38–66% decrease) in the proximal small intestine. These effects of fenofibrate are dependent on PPARα, as Pparα-knockout mice fail to respond like wild-type littermates. Fenofibrate affects the ezetimibe-sensitive pathway and retains the ability to decrease cholesterol absorption and NPC1L1 mRNA expression in chow-fed liver X receptor α/β-double-knockout mice and high-cholesterol- or cholic acid-fed wild-type mice. These data demonstrate that fenofibrate specifically acts via PPARα to decrease cholesterol absorption at the level of intestinal NPC1L1 expression.
FUS

Following hard on the heels of discoveries of pathogenic mutations in the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 gene ( TDP-43/TARDBP ) in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)1,2 and, less frequently, in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD),3,4 mutations in the fused in sarcoma/translocation in liposarcoma gene ( FUS/TLS ) were recently identified as causing about 4% of FALS.5,6 Some FALS cases had previously been linked to chromosome 16, which prompted Vance et al.5 and Kwiatkowski et al.6 to target genes encoding DNA/RNA-binding proteins within the linkage region; this resulted in independent identification of 15 different FUS mutations in 26 unrelated persons with FALS. Most of the mutations clustered in the C-terminal region of the protein encoded by exons 14 and 15. Interestingly, most of the reported pathogenic mutations in TARDBP are also within the C-terminal, glycine-rich domain. This clustering in a highly conserved region indicates that this region has functional significance and may be related to its role in binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins. Neuropathologic studies of TDP-43 proteinopathy place most sporadic and familial cases of ALS within a spectrum of disorders which includes ALS, FTLD, and cases with clinical and neuropathologic features of both (ALS-FTLD). 7,8 More than half …
The specialized reproductive mode of the treefrog Aplastodiscus perviridis (Anura: Hylidae)

Males of the South American treefrog Aplastodiscus perviridis construct concealed subterranean nests. Using a complex courtship behavior that involves tactile stimuli and vocalizations, males guide the females to the subterranean nests where eggs are laid. Embryos and facultatively oophagous tadpoles (at least in stage 25) stay in subterranean nests until flooding transports them to ponds or streams. This is a rare reproductive mode previously known for few species in the Hyla albosignata and H. albofrenata complexes. Based on similarities of reproductive mode we suggest a monophyletic origin for Aplastodiscus and these complexes of Hyla.