Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of reticular abscess in buffaloes: A review

Abscess formation adjacent to reticulum is considered as one of the squeal of the hardware disease. Some of pre-reticular abscesses are recorded firmly attached to the reticulum and located at or above the ventral floor of the reticulum. The general signs of indigestion including anorexia, ruminal tympany, scanty faeces, reduced milk production and atonized rumen are considered shared signs between different gastrointestinal disturbances especially those of reticulo-rumen origin like traumatic reticuloperitonitis and peri-reticular abscescess. The condition is difficult to diagnose only on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms. The radiography could not be an effective tool for diagnosis of this condition. However, imaging technique like ultrasonography could be of high diagnostic value in detecting reticular abscess in buffaloes.
Identification and intraspecific variability of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) isolates from different localities in Poland

Summary Presented study is part of a project aimed at identifying entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species and analysing their distribution in various habitats of Poland. Here, an attempt was undertaken to determine intraspecific variability of nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae isolated from seven different localities in central and southern Poland. Molecular characteristic and phylogenetic analysis was performed based on nucleotide sequences in the ITS region. Research on the occurrence of EPNs in Poland have been conducted since the 1990s but there is still no data verified genetically, as well as data on the intraspecific variability of isolates Steinernema feltiae. This paper reports initial results of intraspecific variability Steinernema feltiae in Poland.
Infection Rates of Orthohalarachne attenuata and Orthohalarachne diminuata (Acari: Halarachnidae) in Arctocephalus australis (Zimmermann, 1783) (Pinipedia: Otariidae)

ABSTRACT: Halarachnidae consists of nasal mites that parasitize pinnipeds. The respiratory tracts of 22 Arctocephalus australis (South American fur seal) were examined for the presence of mites and to study their parasitological indices. Of these, 15 hosts (68.2%) were infected with Orthohalarachne attenuata, 5 of which (22.7%) were coinfected with Orthohalarachne diminuata. A moderate to severe infection by O. attenuata was observed in 27.3% of the hosts, and by O. diminuata in 9.1%. Co-infection occurred in all O. diminuata–positive hosts. No significant differences for Halarachnidae prevalence were found between male and female hosts. Mite infections of the respiratory system by Otariidae are often reported; however, further studies should be conducted to better understand host–parasite relationships and possible pathogeneses caused by these infections.
Molecular characterization, expression pattern and function analysis of the OsHSP90 family in rice

ABSTRACT The HSP90 is an abundant chaperone protein that is conserved in all eukaryotes. The main function of HSP90 is to assist other proteins to fold properly. In this study, we uncovered and analysed nine OsHSP90 (OsHSP90-1--OsHSP90-9) family members in rice Nipponbare, in which three distinct motifs were identified. All the HSP90 proteins were classified into three major groups (I, II, III) by phylogenetic analysis. The expression of OsHSP90 family in 10 tissues was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). OsHSP90-4, OsHSP90-6 and OsHSP90-7 had high expression, while OsHSP90-5 and OsHSP90-8 had very low expression across almost all 10 samples. The gene that encodes OsHSP90-1 was preferentially expressed in embryo at 14 days after flowering. It has been reported that some heat shock proteins were up-regulated in response to heat or other stresses. However, in our study the expression pattern of OsHSP90 genes is heterogeneous under a range of stress conditions. The expression of OsHSP90-2 and OsHSP90-4 was up-regulated under drought, salt, cold and heat conditions, while the expression of OsHSP90-3 and OsHSP90-5 was down-regulated under salt and drought conditions. OsHSP90-7 and OsHSP90-9 were down-regulated only under drought conditions. OsHSP90-6 did not change its expression across all conditions compared to control. Overexpression of OsHSP90-2 in E. coli could enhance cell viability and significantly improved resistance to heat, high salinity and drought stress conditions. The results presented here may provide new insights into the function of OsHSP90 family in rice.
University of São Paulo “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture Characterization of NAC transcription factor family of Tectona grandis involved in secondary cell wall deposition and stress response

Characterization of NAC transcription factor family of Tectona grandis involved in secondary cell wall deposition and stress response NAC proteins are one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors (TFs). They regulate diverse biological processes, including secondary cell wall formation (SCW). SCW is the main component of wood and source of raw material in forestry industry, Tectona grandis (teak) specie is recognized for presenting one of the most valuable woods in the world due to its extraordinary qualities of color, density and durability. Studies of teak genomics and transcriptomics were recently unveiled, producing information that allowed to identify teak NAC transcription factors and to analyse their evolution and expression profile during wood formation. It was identified 130 NAC proteins that were coded by 107 gene loci. These proteins were classified into 23 clades of the NAC family, together with Populus, Eucalyptus, and Arabidopsis. Data on transcription expression revealed specific temporal and spatial expression patterns for the majority of teak NAC genes. The qRT-PCR indicated expression of VASCULAR NAC DOMAIN proteins involved in SCW formation in xylem vessels of 16-year-old juvenile trees. In addition, it was characterized by heterologous expression, the novel salt stress-responsive TgNAC01 gene. Three independent transgenic tobacco lines overexpressing TgNAC01 were generated. It was demonstrated that the TgNAC01 protein is localized only in the nucleus. Analyses of TgNAC01 relative expression, stem length and chlorophyll content were evaluated in two months old transgenic plants growing in greenhouse. Tobacco plants overexpressing TgNAC01 showed higher stem length, an increase in leaf senescence, and tolerance to 300 mM of NaCl when compared to wild type (WT) plants. Water potential, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were used to determine the salt stress tolerance. In this research, it was demonstrated that TgNAC01 transcription factor acts as a positive regulator in xylem development and as a transcriptional activator mediated by salt stress and leaf senescence. These results open a way to further understanding of NAC transcription factor genes in T. grandis wood formation and stress tolerance, potentially being useful for future studies aiming to improve productivity and wood quality using biotechnological approaches.
Effect of summer fire on cursorial spider (Aranei) and beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages in meadow steppes of Central European Russia

Abstract Fire is an important structuring force for grassland ecosystems. Despite increased incidents of fire in European steppes, their impact on arthropod communities is still poorly studied. We assessed short-term changes in cursorial beetle and spider assemblages after a summer fire in the meadow steppe in Central European Russia. The responses of spider and beetle assemblages to the fire event were different. In the first post-fire year, the same beetle species dominated burnt and unburnt plots, the alpha-diversity of beetle assemblages was similar, and there were no pronounced changes in the proportions of trophic groups. Beetle species richness and activity density increased in the second post-fire year, while that of the spiders decreased. The spider alpha-diversity was lowest in the first post-fire year, and the main dominants were pioneer species. In the second year, the differences in spider species composition and activity density diminished. The main conclusion of our study is that the large-scale intensive summer fire caused no profound changes in cursorial beetle and spider assemblages of this steppe plot. Mitigation of the fire effect is explained by the small plot area, its location at the edge of the fire site and the presence of adjacent undisturbed habitats with herbaceous vegetation.
Reproduction in the protogynous black grouper Mexico (Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey)) from the southern Gulf of Mexico

An analysis was made of sexual pattern, spawning season, sizes at sexual maturation, and sex change in black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) from the southern Gulf of Mexico. Samples were taken between 1996 and 2000, from industrial and small-craft commercial fi sheries, in offshore and inshore waters of the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula (Campeche Bank), including the shallow waters of National Marine Park Alacranes Reef. For all collected specimens (n=1229), sex and maturation condition were determined by histological analysis of the gonads. The offshore sample consisted of 75.1% females, 24.3% males, and 0.6% transitional-stage fish. All individuals collected from inshore waters were females. Gonadal structure and population structure characteristics for Campeche Bank black grouper were consistent with the characteristics of monandric protogynous hermaphrodism for a serranid fish. Sexually active males and females were observed year-round, although ripening females, with stage-III, -IV, and -V vitellogenic oocytes in the ovaries, dominated in samples taken between December and March. In addition, peak occurrence of ripe-running females with hyaline oocytes or postovulatory follicles (or both) in the ovaries was recorded in January and February. A few precocious females began spawning in October and November, and others were still in spawning condition in May and June. Fifty percent maturity of females was attained at 72.1 cm fork length (FL). Median size at sexual inversion was 103.3 cm FL, and 50% of the females measuring 111.4 cm FL had transformed into males. The southern Gulf of Mexico grouper fishery was considered deteriorated and lacked a well-defined management strategy. Results of the present study provide helpful information on black grouper reproduction in this area and could help Mexican authorities choose appropriate management strategies for this fishery, such as minimum size limit, closed fishing season, and protection of spawning aggregations.
Horses and at-risk youth: An alternative approach to reconnect adolescents

In. order to reach at-risk youth who have often become disengaged from school and mainstream society, educators need to develop alternative strategies to re-connect at-risk students. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how participating in a horse program can help change the attitudes, skills and behaviors of at-risk youth and, based on the gathered data, to subsequently develop a model outlining best practices. The research design most appropriate for this study was a qualitative approach that explored the literature and experiences of youth participating in such programs. The methodology consisted of three phases: First, data was collected from three sources (literature, existing programs and expert interviews). Next, the data was analyzed and examined for recurring observations and themes. Several recurring themes emerged such as objectives of programs, the role of horses, setting and activities, and transference of learning. Lastly, the treated data was incorporated into a model that outlines the processes and best practices of an equine-facilitated program for at-risk youth. The findings of this study were encouraging and supported the hypothesis that equine-facilitated programs can be an effective intervention strategy for at-risk youth.
Quality traits of goose eggs: 2. Effects of goose origin and storage time of eggs

Measurement of albumen quality is a function of height for inner thick albumen and the Haugh unit is an outcome of this measurement (Haugh, 1937), or more correctly only the albumen height alone (Silversides and Villeneuve, 1994; Scott and Silversides, 2000). The major factors in determining egg quality are egg storage time, storage conditions, and strain and age of hen. In addition, there are minor effects of nutrition in specific cases. Liljedahl et al. (1984) observed a decline in most traits that were evaluated in layers, with the exception of egg weight, which increased with age. Albumen height and Haugh units were traits used to evaluate albumen quality, which also turned worse with age. With increasing age, Haugh unit, albumen and yolk index decrease even as egg weight and total amount of albumen increase (Silversides, 1994; Scott and Silversides, 2000). The egg size and its components are influenced by a number of genetic and nongenetic factors (Washburn, 1990). The Haugh unit, albumen index, yolk index, egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, shell thickness and shell membrane thickness are affected by geese age (Arroyo, 1993; Pakulska et al., 1995; Puchajda et al., 1995; Tilki, 2001) and storage time of eggs (Imai, 1986; Yannakopoulos and Tserveni-Gousi, 1986; Souza et al., 1994; Akbas et al., 1996; Altan et al., 1997). Hatchability of fertile eggs was found as 76.0 and 71.1%, 77.5 and 72.3% in the 1st and 2nd year of lay of WD-1 and WD-3 strain of White Italian, respectively (Rosinski and Bednarczyk, 1997). Puchajda et al. (1995) reported that fertility was 78.9 and 84.0% and hatchability of fertile eggs was 58.3 and 65.2% in eggs of 1 and 3 years old Bilgorajska geese. Hatchability decreases rapidly after 6–7 days holding period although eggs, properly stored, can be held for 10 to 14 days with fair results (Ensminger, 1992). Hatchability was stated as 83.5, 79.7, 64.5 and 20.7% in 3, 10, 17 and 24 days stored Landes geese egg (Bogenfurst, 1995). Pandur and Bogenfurst (1998) calculated the same parameters as 86.7, 81.3 and 46.6% for 1–3, 7–9 and 22–24 days stored geese eggs. Shell weight for White Italian geese egg was found as 19.8 g (Pakulska et al., 1995) and for Ivages Hybrid geese egg was found as 18.7 g (Halaj et al., 1991). Shell ratio for 1 and 3 years old Bilgorajska geese were 11.0 and 10.7% (Puchajda et al., 1995), and for African, Chinese, Toulouse and Emden geese it was 13.2, 12.9, 13.2 and 12.8% (Arroyo, 1993), respectively. Puchajda et al. (1995) reported that yolk weight was 46.3 and 60.5 g and albumen weight was 80.1 and 91.6 g in eggs of 1 and 3 year old Bilgorajska geese. Halaj et al. (1991) found 95.0 g for albumen weight in Ivages Hybrid geese egg. Arroyo (1993) found 34.3, 34.2, 33.5 and 34.3% for yolk ratio and 53.3, 52.9, 53.3 and 52.8% for albumen ratio in African, Chinese, Toulouse and Emden geese eggs, respectively. The aims of this study were to investigate the changes of geese eggs external and internal quality depending on storage time and age of geese.
MOULT, MASS AND MIGRATION OF GREY PLOVERS PLUVIALIS SQUATAROLA WINTERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Data on 355 Grey Plovers Pluvialis squatarola trapped in South Africa in 1971-1997 were used to describe seasonal body mass variation and moult in relation to their very long migrations. The estimated duration of adult primary moult. 131 days. was similar to that observed in India and 30-40 days shorter than durations reported for localities in Europe. All birds in their first and second year of life oversummering in South Africa underwent a completc moult between their first boreal spring and second boreal summer. The presence of two concurrent or consecutive primary moult cycles was observed in 35% of second-year birds. It is suggested that the primary moult of first or second-year birds might be considered as an anticipated post-breeding moult rather than a postponement of the post-juvenile body moult or a delayed pre-migratory one. If this hypothesis is confirmed. the second primary moult cycle observed in oversummering first-year Grey Plovers would be a supplemental postbreeding moult. This cycle may have no adaptive value, occurring through the absence of endogenous cues which stop the moult. Migratory mass gain was observed only in birds which had completed or suspended primary moult. Departure mass (> 310 g) was reached by some individuals as early as IS March, but most birds departed between 15-30 April. Grey Plovers left South Aflica before having moulted into a complete breeding plumage.
The Effect of Third-Party SaaS-Based Logistics Platforms on Power within Supply Chain Relationships

In nowadays dynamic environment, supply chain collaboration and integration are crucial. In the logistics sector, third-party SaaS-based logistics platforms, an Industry 4.0 solution, are springing up and are enabling the move towards a connected, efficient and smart supply chain ecosystem. Those platforms are likely to influence supply chain relationships, for example by shifting the coordinative role to the platform and changing connections between supply chain actors. This raises the question whether those platforms will affect power within supply chain relationships. A case study based on a theoretical framework has been conducted to investigate the effect of third-party SaaS-based logistics platforms on power within supply chain relationships. Twelve business representatives, representing shippers, platforms, carriers and external supply chain organisations, have been interviewed to examine the effect of third-party SaaS-based logistics platforms on the four power components of the theoretical framework, namely structural power, perceived power, behavioural power and realised power. This study shows that the advent of third-party SaaS-based logistics platforms has influenced all four power components. Because of the introduction of those platforms, shippers are getting a stronger power position with respect to carriers. Furthermore, the competition between carriers has been intensified, strengthening the horizontal position of digitally fit carriers. Moreover, shippers and carriers are losing some power towards the platforms. Although the platforms are not aiming for it, they are getting a vertical power position due to their increased value to the supply chain which makes shippers and carriers dependent on them. Even though the advent of third-party SaaS-based logistics platforms decreases the power of shippers and carriers to a greater or lesser extent, generally all supply chain actors are (potentially) benefiting from this new phenomenon in their journey towards becoming a connected, efficient and smart supply chain ecosystem. Graduation Committee members: 1st Supervisor: Dr. T. Oukes 2nd Supervisor: Ir. B. Kijl
A Survival Game Analysis to Common Personal Identity Protection Strategies

Throughout the years, authentication processes of individuals’ identities have become essential parts of our modern daily life. These authentication processes also introduced the heavy use of Per-sonally Identiﬁable Information (PII) in various applications. On the other hand, the continuous increase of identity–the unauthorized use of such PII–has created rich business opportunities for identity protection service providers. These services usually consist of a monitoring system that continuously searches through the Internet for incidents that sup-posedly indicates identity theft activities. However, these solutions are largely based on case studies and a quantiﬁed method is missing among diﬀerent identity protection services. This research oﬀers a tool that provides quantitative analysis among different identity protection services. By bringing together previous work in the ﬁeld, namely the UT Center for Identity (CID) Identity Ecosystem (a Bayesian network mathematical representation of a person’s identity), real world identity theft data, stochastic game theory, and Markov decision processes, we generate and evaluate the best strategy for defending against the theft of personal identity information. One of the research problems that this paper addresses is the computation complexity of quantitatively evaluating identity protection strategies with real world data . In a real world database like Identity Threat Assessment and Prediction (ITAP) project which the UT CID Identity Ecosystem is built on, the number of PII attributes in use are normally in the order of 10 3 . We propose a reinforcement learning algorithm for solving the optimal strategy to protect the user’s identity against a malicious and eﬃcient attacker. We aim to understand how initial individual PII exposure evolves into crucial PII breaches over time in terms of the dynamic integrity of the Identity Ecosystem. Real world identity protection strategies are then translated into the system and ﬁght against the malicious attacker for quantitative comparison in our experiment. We present the survival analysis to these strategies and calculate the survival gap between these strategies against our active protection strategy as our experiment result. This study is aimed to understand the evolutionary process of identity under attack which may inspire a new direction for future identity protection strategies.
Interannual variation in the summer diets of harbour seals Phocavitulina at Mousa, Shetland (UK)

The main prey species in the summer (July–September) diets of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) on the Island of Mousa (Shetland, UK), 1994–1997, were whiting (Merlangius merlangus), herring (Clupea harengus), sandeel (Ammodytidae) and garfish (Belone belone). Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) was numerically important but comprised no more than 11% of prey weight in any year. There were marked between-year fluctuations in the relative importance of these prey, with whiting comprising 16–34% (by weight) of the diet, herring 12–28%, sandeels 7–18% and garfish 7–22%. Additional data on spring (April–June) diet were available for 1995–1997: sandeels were the most important prey (% weight) in all three years (51–60% of the diet), while herring (8–48%) and gadids (2–22%) varied in importance. The average size of fish eaten was larger than that reported in comparable studies from other areas. Harbour seals appear to have selected larger sandeels, whiting and Norway pout than the average size available in the area, as indicated by survey trawls, although between-year changes in the size of Norway pout in the diet did to some extent reflect availability. Interannual variation in the importance of Norway pout in the diet appeared to track trends in abundance, although the short time series precluded detection of a statistically significant correlation. Thus, some of our results are consistent with harbour seals feeding opportunistically while others point to selectivity, particularly for prey size. Estimated consumption of fish by the 500 harbour seals on Mousa during summer ranged from 152–195 tonnes.
Effects of malolactic fermentation on colour stability and phenolic composition of Petit Verdot red wines

In the present work we evaluate the effects of malolactic fermentation (MLF) on the colour parameters and polyphenolic composition of Petit Verdot red wines. MLF caused a significant decrease in colour intensity in wines, approximately 9%. In line with that, the results showed a decrease in the concentration of anthocyanins (acylated and non-acylated), but an increase of the pyranothocyannins concentration. MLF did not produce important variations on the content of hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives, stilbenes and flavonols. Regarding flavan-3-ols, MLF caused a decrease in monomers, total flavan-3-ols and percentage of galloylation, and an increase on the percentage of prodelphinidins. However, no effect over mean degree of polymerisation was observed. Thus, it is unlikely that these changes may affect the acceptability of wines by consumers.