Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic dissection of Lactuca saligna nonhost resistance to downy mildew at various lettuce developmental stages

This study used the pathosystem of lettuce (Lactuca spp.) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) as a model to investigate the inheritance of nonhost resistance, and focused on the contribution of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to nonhost resistance at various developmental stages in the lettuce life cycle. A set of 28 backcross inbred lines (BILs) of L. saligna CGN05271 (nonhost) introgressions in a L. sativa cv. Olof (host) background identified 16 introgressions that contributed to resistance at various plant developmental stages: seedlings, young plants, adult plants in the greenhouse and adult plants in the field. This paper provisionally considered these introgressions to be 16 QTLs. Of these 16 QTLs, seven were identified previously and nine were new. For 15 QTLs (Rbq1, Rbq2, rbq3–7 and Rbq8–15), the resistance alleles were derived from the nonhost L. saligna; the resistance allele of the other QTL (Rbq16) was from the susceptible L. sativa cv. Olof. Of the 15 QTLs in L. saligna, only two, rbq5 and rbq7, were found to be effective at every plant developmental stage; the other 13 QTLs were only effective at certain developmental stages. Experiments with seven B. lactucae races did not provide evidence that any QTL was race-specific. The data suggest that nonhost resistance in L. saligna is the result of cumulative effects of many resistance QTLs operating at various developmental stages.
THE SUPPORTIVE ROLE OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT ON THE WORK SATISFACTION OF MALE TEACHERS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

The paper focused on a specific research group (male teachers); firstly because of the shortage of male teachers in South African schools, and secondly, because male teachers are more dissatisfied in their overall work environment than female teachers. This study aimed to investigate, from an educational management perspective, the factors that influence job satisfaction amongst male teachers in schools in a sampled school district in Mpumalanga province. Throughout the study, it became apparent that male teachers are more likely to leave the South African education system than their female counterparts. A quantitative research approach was used to investigate factors affecting job satisfaction amongst male teachers distributing Likert-scale questionnaires amongst male teachers in selected schools in the district. The results of the study provide an outline of the crises that teachers in South Africa schools are facing, while the statistics and information portrayed in this study help to paint a picture of their work environment. A shortage of teachers, increasing learner enrolment and work overload are enough to create a highly stressful profession. Aspects identified as factors that affect job satisfaction amongst male teachers are the professional development of teachers, capacity building of teachers through collaboration and teamwork, effective support systems to teachers by management, workload of teachers, effective leadership of the principal, effective management of learner behaviour, positive work experiences by teachers, emotional distress of teachers and positive feelings towards teaching as a profession.
Decentralized Community Composting: Past, Present and Future Aspects of Italy

Italy is among the top biowaste-generating countries in Europe, and has a well-structured waste management framework with quite a number of centralized composting facilities. In recent years, there has also been huge interest from local communities in decentralized composting. Although decentralized community composting is common in some countries, there is still a lack of information on the operative environment together with its potential logistical, environmental, economic, and social impacts. Considering the national Italian legislation on community composting as well as successfully implemented projects at EU level, Italy can set a model especially for Mediterranean countries that intend to build decentralized composting programs. Therefore, in the context of this review paper, a brief overview of the composting process was presented together with main applications in centralized and especially in decentralized composting, while the main focus was kept on the operative and legislative information gathered from Italian community composting. There is a huge difference in the number of composting plants between the regions, and the lack of centralized facilities in the central and southern regions can be supported by decentralized solutions. Decentralizing waste treatment facilities and thus creating local solutions to urban waste management strategies will help to achieve the resource recovery and valorization targets in line with the circular economy.
Intraspecific differences in hatching phenology of the fairy shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus Prévost, 1803 (Crustacea, Anostraca) in relation to habitat duration

The influence of environmental characteristics on hatching phenology in the fairy shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus Prevost, 1803 was investigated by comparing the hatching behaviour of two populations living in mountain pasture pools differing in size and in duration of filling. Significant differences observed at population level confirmed that an influence of the environment in determining hatching pattern does actually exist. C. diaphanus seems to be able to adjust the cyst reactiveness to the stochastic nature of its habitat. The cysts laid by females adapted to a predictable and relatively constant environment are characterized by higher hatching percentages with respect to those produced in a temporary pool having erratic hydrocycles.
Development of therapeutic approaches to ‘triple negative’ phenotype breast cancer

Background: Triple negative phenotype (TNP) breast cancers are characterised by the lack of expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors and of human EGF receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression/amplification. This subgroup of cancers has an aggressive clinical behaviour and is associated with poorer overall survival compared with other subtypes. Given the lack of targets for current tailored therapies in TNP tumours, chemotherapy is the only systemic treatment available; however, overall outcomes remain poor. Therefore, optimal treatment regimens and targeted therapies are urgently needed. Objective: We discuss characteristics of TNP cancers that underpin the rationale of current and novel therapeutic strategies, and an approach for finding and validating new therapeutic targets. Results/conclusion: The results of large prospective randomised controlled trials are currently awaited. Efforts to unravel the heterogeneity and complexity of TNP cancers using the latest high-throughput molecular techniques and integrating these findings with biology-driven therapeutic strategies in clinical trials will be of paramount importance for the development of treatment approaches for this breast cancer subtype.
Antioxidant Properties of Chitosan Coatings on Frozen Atlantic Salmon Fillet Portions

Atlantic salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play important roles in promoting human health but are highly susceptible to oxidation. Chitosan has been shown to have antioxidant properties which could be beneficial in extending the shelf life of Atlantic salmon; however, the effects of chitosan molecular size on oxidation of salmon fillets have not been reported. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan coatings on lipid oxidation of Atlantic salmon fillet portions during 5 months frozen storage. The effects of chitosan molecular weight (high molecular weight, low molecular weight, and enzymatically degraded chitosan), concentration (0.5 and 1.0%), and the addition of 1% ascorbic acid to the chitosan coating were evaluated. Chitosan molecular weight significantly affected oxidation as evaluated by propanal levels and changes in L* values of the fillet portions. The chitosan treatment with added ascorbic acid resulted in the lowest propanal levels during 5 months of frozen storage. Manipulation of chitosan molecular weight and incorporation of natural antioxidants into chitosan coatings can provide an effective method of reducing lipid oxidation during extended frozen storage of seafood products.
Studies on the Alternation of the Nuclear Phases and Chromosome Numbers in the Life History of Some Species of Porphyra from China

Observations were made on cell division and chromosome number in the life history stages of seven species of Porphyra from China. The results of this study showed that the haploid chromosome number is n = 3 in P. tenera Kjellman, P. yezoensis Ueda, P. oligospermatangia Tseng et Zheng, P. marginata Tseng et Chang and P. sp. aff. P. yezoensis Ueda and n = 5 in P. haitanensis Chang el Zheng and P. katadai van hemiphylla Tseng et Zhang and that chromosome numbers in the vegetative cells of leafy thalli and spermatia are haploid, whereas these are diploid in the carpospores in all seven species. Conchocelis filamentous cells and conchosporangial cells are diploid in the three species observed. In germinating conchospores released from both the free-living conchocelis and shell-boring conchocelis of P. tenera and P. yezoensis^ pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis and metaphase stages of meiosis were observed.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CADMIUM-INDUCED ROOT SUBAPICAL HAIR DEVELOPMENT AND ETHYLENE BIOSYNTHESIS IN OILSEED RAPE SEEDLINGS

It has long been observed that toxic heavy metals at different concentrations can induce root hair development in plants. In oilseed rape we studied ethylene levels and root hair initiation under Cd 2+ stress. Growth of the primary root was inhibited but close to root tips the development of subapical root hairs was significantly stimu- lated by Cd 2+ at 30 μ M. Versus the control, the distance between the root tip and the root hair zone and the length of the epidermal cell in the elongation zone were significantly reduced by Cd 2+ at the same concentration. Exogenous application of Cd 2+ and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) to roots had similar effects on subapical root hair development. Hair density increase and hair elongation in the presence of Cd 2+ were reduced by the ethylene inhibitors CoCl 2 at 15 μ M and aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) at 10 μ M. Exposing roots to Cd 2+ caused a rapid increase in superoxide radical (O 2·- ) production in the root hair differentiation zone, and at the tips of emerging and newly formed root hairs. Cd 2+ -induced O 2·- production at the growing hair tips was blocked in the presence of AOA. Our findings suggest that Cd 2+ -induced ethylene signaling may act upstream of O 2·- . Cd 2+ promotion of O 2·- production may operate through an ethylene signaling pathway, and O 2·- itself may stimulate root hair elongation. radical, Brassica napus .
A Hormone Causing Pupation in the Blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala

Excellent descriptions exist of the morphological and chemical changes in the metamorphosis of insects. But until the last few years practically nothing was known about the actual forces which induce, initiate, or control moulting and pupation. In growth and metamorphosis of vertebrates the dominant controlling role of hormones becomes more and more obvious. It is especially in changes which concern simultaneously the whole body that the action of hormones is involved. The metamorphosis of insects consists also of profound changes on the whole animal which manifest themselves even more abruptly than do analogous processes in vertebrates. But it was only about 10 years ago that the action of a hormone in the metamorphosis of insects was suggeste for the first time by Kopec (1922). The matter was raised again by von Buddenbrock (1930, 1931) and Koller (1929), a preliminary report having appeared in Koller’s survey on hormones in invertebrates. Recently new evidence has been brought forward by Bytinski-Salz (1933) and Bodenstein (1933, a and b ). The present position of the problem is given in an excellent review by Bodenstein (1933, b ), and he comes to the conclusion that the action of hormones in insect metamorphosis can be shown to be very probable from several facts, even if definite proofs are still lacking. It may be mentioned here that both Koller and Bodenstein failed to recognize the important and convincing results of Kopec. A preliminary report of the present paper appeared in ‘Nature’ (Fraenkel, 1934).
Aspects of the ecology of the indigenous shrub Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) in New Zealand

Abstract Geographic variation in leaf size and shape of the widespread and environmentally-tolerant indigenous shrub Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) was determined from 182 herbarium specimens collected over much ofits natural range. There were significant correlations with geographic and climatic factors — latitude, distance from coast, annual and winter temperatures. Seventeen seedling populations raised in a uniform environment showed that this leaf variation had a significant genetic component as did the variation in form and the age at first flowering. Flowering phenology in four year old plants from seven widely spread sites also differed significantly when grown together. Ecotypic differentiation is therefore clearly indicated in L. scoparium and this is discussed in relation to previous claims and explanations. Sixteen communities dominated by L. scoparium in southern South Island differed in floristics. The density, basal area, age class distribution, and height of the Leptospermum stems also .
Application of a Generalized Logit Model to Condition Data for Trawl-Caught Pacific Halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis

Fisheries data commonly relate a categorical response variable to one or more continuous explanatory variables. We propose a generalized logit model for the analysis of such data. Our model differs from the standard generalized logit model in that transformation parameters for the explanatory variables are estimated simultaneously with other model parameters. We also employ likelihood inference and generic minimization techniques. Our model formulation leads to response surfaces with distinctly different shapes for different levels of the response variable. We illustrate our model with data on the condition of trawl-caught Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, as assessed by observers on commercial trawl vessels. In this data set, the probability of assigning a particular condition level to a fish depends significantly on the time the fish spent on the vessel's deck, fish length, total weight of the catch, tow depth, and tow duration.
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms distinguish Xanthomonas campestris strains isolated from Florida citrus nurseries from X. c. pv. citri

Seven cosmid clones selected from a library of strain XC62 of X. c. citri (group A) were used to screen for EcoRI and PvuII polymorphisms, which were quantified by calculating coefficients of similarity (F.) (…). We conclude that the disease associated with X. campestris in Florida citrus nurseries is not a form of citrus bacterial canker and that the pathogen is not a strain of X. c. citri
The Characterisation and Quantitative Estimation of Betaines in Commercial Seaweed Extracts

Glycinebetaine, γ-aminobutyric acid betaine and δ-aminovaleric acid betaine have been isolated from four commercially-produced seaweed extracts. A reliable proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic assay method for the estimation of all three compounds has been developed. High performance liquid chromatography using low wavelength ultra-violet light detection was found to be unsuitable for the analysis of betaines in seaweed extracts, even after partial purification by passage through columns of ion-exchange resin. A microbiological assay procedure was also utilised based on measuring the grov/th of Klebsiella pneumoniae produced by the addition of seaweed extracts to a medium with a growth-inhibitory concentration of sodium chloride. The concentrations of betaines found in the extracts when determined by the *H NMR spectroscopic method were too low to account for all of the anti-stress related effects reported for seaweed extracts after their application to plants. However, the microbiological assay results indicate that the extracts contain, in addition to betaines, other components which play a significant role in overcoming osmotically-induced growth Inhibition of K. pneumoniae.
Oviposition site selection of Episyrphus balteatus

The oviposition behaviour of Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) was investigated in four‐choice experiments in screen cages and in experiments with direct behavioural observations. Females laid hardly any eggs in the absence of aphids and preferred larger aphid colonies to small ones. Honeydew attracted the females via olfaction and elicited oviposition. Females were able to perceive the presence of conspecific eggs and oviposited less often in aphid colonies in which eggs were present. The oviposition deterring stimulus was also active when the eggs were removed, hence, the deterrent did not act visually, but probably olfactorily.
Nutrient intake and digestibility of fresh, ensiled and pelleted oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) frond by goats.

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a new non-conventional fibrous feed for ruminants. Evaluation on the nutritive values and digestibility of OPF was carried out using goats. In a completely randomised design, 20 local male goats were assigned to evaluate fresh and different types of processed OPF. A 60 day feeding trial was done to determine the digestible nutrient intake of fresh, ensiled and pelleted OPF and its response on live weight gain of goat. The pelleting of OPF increased (p<0.05) intake compared to fresh or ensiled OPF. The OPF based mixed pellet (50% OPF with 15% palm kernel cake, 6% rice bran, 6% soybean hull, 15% molasses, 2% fishmeal, 4% urea, 1.5% mineral mixture and 0.5% common salt) increased (p<0.05) nutrient intake, digestibility and reduced feed refusals. The mixed pellet also increased digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) at 80% and 63% level respectively than the fresh OPF. The increased digestible nutrient intake on the OPF based mixed pellet, resulted in increased live weight gain of goats. Furthermore, OPF has a good potential as a roughage source when it is used with concentrate supplement. OPF based formulated feed in a pelleted form could be used as a complete feed for intensive production of goat and other ruminants.
THE RELATION BETWEEN NEUROSECRETION AND CELL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE OVOTESTIS OF SLUGS (GASTEROPODA: PULMONATA)

Cytodifferentiation in the germinal epithelium of the ovotestis of slugs is approached experimentally. The tentacles of the slugs were cut off and the animals maintained for different lengths of time before the ovotestis was examined. In both species of slug used, Arion subfuscus and Arion ater, the experimental animals showed a noticeable increase in the number of eggs, when compared with the control. Solutions of brain homogenate and tentacle homogenate were then injected separately into intact animals. The brain solution apparently stimulated the production of eggs, the numbers being nearly equal to that produced by cutting the tentacles. The tentacle solution injected into the animals produced no increase in the number of eggs, and in young animals the normal growth of the ovotestis was inhibited. Cytological study of the brain and tentacles reveals neurosecretory cells and a close association with the blood system of the animal, suggesting a basis for a hormonal system. In this case, a theoretical co.
Mesophilic syntrophic acetate oxidation during methane formation in biogas reactors

The reaction pathway for the formation of methane from acetate was investigated in sludge from 13 different biogas reactors. By following the conversion of [2-14C]acetate and [14C]bicarbonate it was shown that methane formation by syntrophic acetate oxidation was the dominating mechanism for acetotrophic methanogenesis in sludge containing high levels of salts, mainly ammonium, and volatile fatty acids. In one biogas reactor the degree of syntrophic acetate oxidation increased as the concentrations of salts and volatile fatty acids increased. Statistical evaluation with principal component analysis showed a close correlation between the degree of syntrophic acetate oxidation and the concentrations of ammonium and potassium. The acetate degradation rate was lower (10–800 times) in biogas reactors in which methane was formed through syntrophic acetate oxidation than in biogas reactors where acetate was directly cleaved to methane and carbon dioxide. Microscopic observations revealed a predominance of one type of methanogen in the reactors with syntrophic acetate oxidation. Isolation and characterization, including substrate spectrum, mol% G+C, polyamine and 16S rRNA analysis, showed that the strains were hydrogenotrophic methanogens belonging to the genus Methanoculleus.
Time and energy constraints in demanding phases of the annual cycle: an example of time limitation in refuelling migratory swans

The daily metabolizable energy intake of an animal is potentially limited by either the available feeding time or by its capacity to process energy. Animals are generally considered not to be time-limited but rather to be energy-processing-limited. This is concluded from the common observation that an animal's feeding time per day increases with a decrease in food density. We argue that such changes in feeding time are in theory also expected when no constraints are operating. Thus, a study of the constraints on energy intakes of free-living animals should be performed during demanding phases of the year. As an example, we collected data on time and energy budgets of Bewick's swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) refuelling during migration on fennel pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) tubers in two years differing two-fold in tuber biomass density. As predicted by time limitation, the feeding time (defined as the time with the head submerged) did not change in response to a change in food biomass density, both within and between years (averaging 12.2 h d−1). Contrary to energy-processing limitation, and again in line with time limitation, the daily metabolizable energy intake varied, being greater in the year with high than in the year with low food densities. We conclude that more studies are needed of animals operating under demanding conditions before it can be assessed whether free-living animals are generally energy-processing- or time-limited.
Effects of Multiple Fires on Nutrient Yields from Streams Draining Boreal Forest and Fen Watersheds: Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Wildfire in the boreal forests at the Experimental Lakes Area in Ontario caused significant losses of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams. Both watershed type and fire intensity appear to determine the extent of losses. The Northeast wetland basin lost more N and P, especially TDN, TDP, TN, and TP, than did terrestrial basins, although nitrate losses were higher from terrestrial basins. Losses of nutrients after the second fire generally were not as high as after the first fire. In the East basin, which burned twice with a high fire intensity, stream concentrations of NO3−, TDN, and TN were elevated for 6 yr between the fires and remained elevated for 9 yr after the second fire In contrast, the Northwest basin burned with a lower intensity and had no significant increase in annual concentrations of P or most forms of N in the first 3 yr after the fire; only NCV concentrations increased during this period. Despite the increases in export after wildfire, net retention of TN and TP over the 18-yr period was h.