Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local variation in the thistle species Cirsium grayanum affects its utilization by the herbivorous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna niponica

Host plants are the most critical environmental factor for phytophagous arthropods. Adaptation to a novel host will alter the distributional range of an herbivore to include the area the novel host covers, and might promote divergence between populations utilizing the old and new hosts. On the Oshima Peninsula, Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, the ladybird beetle Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) usually occurs exclusively on the thistle Cirsium alpicola Nakai (Asteraceae), which is distributed in the southernmost part of the island, although some other Cirsium species often grow in sympatry. At least at one site (Assabu), however, H. niponica depends on another thistle, Cirsium grayanum (Maxim.) Nakai, the most abundant and widely distributed thistle species on the Oshima Peninsula. We examined adult feeding acceptance and preference, and larval performance, in two populations of H. niponica that utilize different species of thistles (the Assabu population occurs on C. grayanum; the Shiriuchi population, on C. alpicola) by testing three kinds of thistles (C. grayanum from Assabu, C. grayanum from Shiriuchi, and C. alpicola from Shiriuchi). Results strongly suggested that among the three plants tested, C. grayanum from Assabu was the most suitable host for H. niponica. We concluded that local differences in C. grayanum mainly explain why it is not used at Shiriuchi, but that there are also local differences in host use among the beetle populations, suggesting some degree of local adaptation. This suggests that different selective regimes associated with different host plants might promote divergence among beetle populations. We conclude that H. niponica is at present unlikely to expand its range to the whole range of C. grayanum.
Phenology and Morphology on a New Member of Japanese Gracilaria in Tosa Bay, Southern Japan

In the past several years, the Gracilaria species occurring along the coast of Kyushu Island, south Ise Bay, and other inland seas in Japan has been harvested in large quantities (more than 2000 t dry weight per year) for agar extraction and salad vegetable. In Tosa Bay, this Gracilaria species has been identified as a local type of Gracilaria chorda.1) This taxon is similar to G. chorda in having slender axes and a luxuriant, fasciated branching. However, it differs significantly in the degree of branching, and colour of the main axes. ) In addition, no sexual structures have been found on the Tosa Bay material, therefore, definitive spe cies identification has not been possible. The characteris tics of this taxon (Fig. IA) resemble G. lemaneiformis (Ab bott, pers. comm.), reported to be widely distributed from north-ward Chile to British Columbia.31 The Gracilaria spe cies grown in Tosa Bay is considered to be a new member of the Japanese species of Gracilaria. Plants of the Gracilaria are commonly found in the form of fragmentation throughout the year. ) Almost all the collected materials are vegetative, and high algal bio mass has been reported in summer and spring. ) This study was conducted to investigate the changing morphology in thallus fragmentation of this new Japanese seaweed and its relation to the distribution of the alga in Tosa Bay, southern Japan.
Anlise da capacidade combinatria em cruzamentos diallicos de trs cultivares de jiloeiro

Three garden egg (Solanum gilo) cultivars: Tingua, Comprido Verde Claro, and Morro Redondo were crossed in a diallel scheme including reciprocals. Parental cultivars and F1 hybrids were evaluated under field conditions in relation to 14 agronomic traits. Seven of these traits were statistically analysed and significant effects of general combining ability demonstrated for fruit length, fruit diameter, mean fruit weight, number of days from planting to initial harvesting, and plant height. With respect to specific combining ability there was significance for all characteristics analysed, showing that dominant/epistatic effects were involved in their genetic control. The hybrids: 'Tingua´ x 'Comprido Verde Claro´ and 'Comprido Verde Claro´ x 'Morro Redondo´ showed promising results for fruit yield.
Near-Earth object population and formation of lunar craters during the last billion of years

Abstract We compared the number of lunar craters with diameters greater than 15 km with age less than 1.1 Gyr in the region of the Oceanus Procellarum with the estimates of the number of craters made based on the number of near-Earth objects and on the characteristic times elapsed before collisions of near-Earth objects with the Moon. Our estimates allow the increase of the number of near-Earth objects after a recent catastrophic disruption of a large main-belt asteroid. However, destruction of some old craters and variations in orbital distribution of near-Earth objects with time could allow that the mean number of near-Earth objects during the last billion years could be close to the present value.
Sustainable management of globally significant endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa: estimate of livestock demographic parameters in Senegal.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. ilri.org
Prediction Equations for Maximum Scour Depth At Culvert Outlets and Culvert Flow Simulation by Openfoam

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . II TABLE OF CONTENTS . III LIST OF FIGURES . V LIST OF TABLES . VII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Literature review . 6 1.3 Main solvers in OpenFOAM . 10 1.4 Different models in simulation . 15 1.4. 1 Two-dimensional model . 15 1.4. 2 Three-dimensional model . 16 CHAPTER 2: COMPARISON OF PREDICTION EQUATIONS . 19 2.1 Prediction equations around culverts . 19 2.2 Methodology . 31 2.3 Results and Discussion . 41 CHAPTER 3: NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF CULVERT FLOW . 59 3.1 Model Validation. 59 IV 3.1.1 Model setup . 63 3.1.2 Velocity validation . 70 3.1.3 Turbulent kinetic energy validation . 72 3.2 Case studies in culvert flow with different blockages. 75 3.2.1 Results and Discussion . 79 3.2.2 Case comparisons . 86 CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION . 91 References . 93 Bibliography . 103
DESORDENS NUTRICIONAIS POR DEFICIÊNCIA EM GIRASSOL var. CATISSOL-01

This study was carried out in aerated nutritive solution to evaluate the effect of macronutrients, boron, and zinc omission on plant growth, dry matter production, visual symptoms and nutritional status of sunflower. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with two replications and nine treatments corresponding to the complete solution (macro and micronutrients) and individual omission of N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, B and Zn. We measured plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area and dry matter, and leaf content of macro and micronutrients. The individual omissions of N, P, K, and Ca were the most limiting to plant dry matter production, and resulted in morphological alterations represented by characteristical visual symptoms of the nutritional deficiency of each element. KEY-WORDS: Helianthus annuus; deficiency; nutritional disorder; nutrients; visual symptom.
The Influence of PDS in Patients under Septoplastic Surgery

Background: It is a well-known fact that deviation of bony or cartilaginous septum can induce airway obstruction. Therefore, fixing the deviated part in a refined and straight line is one of the substantial challenges in otolaryngology. There are huge varieties of methods to eliminate this deviation. Aim: In this study, we desire to assess the efficiency of polydioxanone plate (PDS), fixed to the cartilage of nasal septum, to determine the mechanical safety over septoplasty, as the components of cartilage had been healed. Methods: In the following study, 48 patients with septal deviation, referring to an academic hospital in Iran for one year, were investigated. They underwent external and endoscopic septoplasty combined with the polydioxanone plate. The data was gathered in a questionnaire including the deviation of nasal septum, infection, septal hematoma, saddle nose, columella retraction and polly beak deformity. Results: Due to the septal injury resulted from trauma, a total of 27.1% patients was transferred to our hospital. Our results showed the cause and type of septal deviation had no effect on surgical results (p = 0.3), and acute complications were observed in only two patients (4.2%). After 3-6 months of follow up, 5 patients (10.42%) had long-term complications, while satisfactory results were obtained in 39 subjects (83%). Conclusion: Absorbable plate, polydioxanone, connected to cartilage was found safe and effective. It could facilitate the modification rates of surgical processes in septal deviation and had the ability to support the nasal dorsum till it gradually get recovered, without the long-term complications occurring in other techniques.
Technology investment Impact on Regional Productivity: Empirical Evidence of S-Curve Characteristics

Regression analysis is used to investigate the impact of tech investment on U.S. regional productivity from 1990 to 2016. Using four S-Curve characteristics, we explain tech investment’s negative impact on regional productivity in the early investment stage. This is followed by rapidly increasing tech investment and significant regional productivity impact further along the S-Curve. As regional productivity approaches the top of the curve, tech investment results in diminishing returns. This signals the need to jump the S-Curve in search of new technological innovation to resuscitate tech investment and productivity gains. The S-Curve analysis indicates tech investment’s impact is contextual and depends on the position on the SCurve. This understanding of tech investment’s impact on regional productivity at various points on the curve has implications for regional and global development.
Micropropagation of Dyckia agudensis Irgang & Sobral - an extinction threatened bromeliad

Dyckia agudensis is an endemic species, that occurs on the Agudo hill, Agudo County (RS), it is considered threatened of extinction. The aim of this study was to develop a micropropagation protocol for this species to aid its conservation. The seeds were disinfected and germinated in vitro. Seedlings were submitted to the treatments of 0; 0.5; 1.0 or 2.0 mg.L-1 of BAP and IBA (same concentration) at 15 days of germination. The MS medium was supplemented with 2 ml.L-1 of Fuji vitamins, 30 g.L-1 of sucrose, and solidified with 6 g.L-1 of agar. After 60 days of cultivation, plantlets were transferred to a multiplication and regeneration medium. The medium was MS with 2 ml.L-1 of Fuji vitamins, 30 g.L-1 of sucrose, 0.5 mg.L-1 of BAP, and 7 g.L-1 of agar. The rooting medium was MS without growth regulators. The disinfection process obtained 85% of success. The same concentrations of BAP and IBA on the seedlings followed a quadratic regression, increasing shoot and bud numbers and swelling percentage, but reduced the percentage of rooting. The maximum efficacy was obtained close to 1.0 mg.L-1 of BAP and IBA in the culture medium. The m ultiplication phase proceeded together with the regeneration. The isolated shoots rooted without growth regulators. The acclimatization process was carried out in a hydroponic system for 15 days before transferring to the substrate.
Anti‐obese effect of ramalin in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice (824.7)

The recent rise in obesity is tightly associated with an increase in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hepatic steatosis. Ramalin, isolated from the Antarctic lichen Ramalin terebrata, has been known to have various biological activities including anti‐inflammatory activity. However, other biological activities of ramalin remain unknown. We examined the anti‐obesity effect of ramalin in five week‐old mice that were fed either a control high‐fat diet (HFD), or HFD with oral administration 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg of ramalin for 8 weeks. Mice fed with ramalin showed 25% reduced body weight gain and ramalin treatment significantly inhibited epididymal fat‐pad weights compared with mice fed with HFD. Ramalin also reduced the levels of glucose, hepatic triglyceride, serum total, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. ELISA assay revealed that ramalin remarkably inhibited HFD‐induced leptin cytokine level. Furthermore, Real time PCR assay showed that HFD‐induced adipose tissue genes, known as adipogenesis markers, were significantly suppressed by ramalin. Overall, these results suggest that ramalin might be a plausible candidate to control obesity and obesity‐related disorders.
Response of onion to nitrogen and potassium fertilization under semi-arid condition of Rajasthan

Field experiments were conducted on loamy sand soils to study the response of onion cultivars to nitrogen and potassium fertilization on plant growth and yield attributes. On the basis of two years study, it was observed that maximum yield and good quality of onion bulb can be obtained with variety Rasidpura Local with application of 150 kg nitrogen per hectare and 150 kg potassium per hectare.
HIV Transmission, Entry, and Gene Therapy

For HIV to enter cells, the viral surface protein Envelope (Env) must sequentially bind the host protein CD4 and one of two coreceptors, either CCR5 or CXCR4. This triggers conformational changes in Env that result in fusion of the host and viral membranes. Our understanding of this process has led to the development of successful anti-viral drugs and provided insights into viral pathogenesis. One critical question is whether we can further exploit our knowledge of the HIV entry process to develop an effective therapeutic vaccine. To do this, we need to better understand HIV-1 transmission, which may reveal viral properties that could be targeted in future vaccine efforts. In chapter two, we conduct a phenotypic comparison of clade B transmitted/founder (T/F) and chronic HIV-1 Envs in an attempt to reveal viral properties associated with successful transmission. We demonstrate that T/F Envs are more sensitive to neutralization by CD4 binding site antibodies and that this correlates with antibody binding suggesting T/F Envs have subtle but potentially important structural differences that may have implications for HIV-1 transmission and vaccine design. A second critical question is how can we provide long-term viral control in the absence of anti-retroviral therapy. Recently, an HIV-1 infected individual was ‘cured’ after receiving a bone marrow transplant from an uninfected donor who had a naturally occurring mutation in CCR5. This suggests genetic disruption of the HIV coreceptors may provide clinical benefit. Previously ccr5-specific zinc finger nucleases (R5-ZFNs) were developed to disrupt ccr5 and engineer HIV-resistant cells. ZFNs are DNA binding proteins that specifically bind and cleave a specific 24 base pair DNA target. After cleavage, error-prone host DNA repair pathways often introduce mutations resulting in a non-functional gene product. Since 50% of late-stage HIV-infected people harbor virus that can use CXCR4, we developed cxcr4-specific ZFNs (X4-ZFNs) that safely and efficiently disrupt cxcr4 conferring resistance to X4 HIV both in vitro and in humanized mice in vivo. Genome editing with ZFNs results in HIV-resistant cells that can be re-infused into a patients own body and hopefully confer therapeutic benefit. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology First Advisor Robert W. Doms
Genetic studies on the reproductive performance of Soviet Chinchilla breed of rabbit under the agroclimatic conditions of North Eastern region

Reproduction performance of Soviet Chinchilla breed of rabbit was studied under the agro-climatic conditions of Meghalaya, a hilly state of North Eastern India. Season of kindling exerted highly significant etfect (p<0.01) on gestation period. service period, kindling interval and litter weight at weaning. Dry season (February-April) was a favourable season for kindling in terms of reproductive efficiency. Heritability of different reproductive traits and their genetic and phenotypic correlations were also estimated.
Mitochondrial Priming and Anti-Apoptotic Dependencies in Aging and Diseased Bone Marrow

This thesis explores two questions; how aging of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) may contribute to the increase in hematological malignancies with age and secondly, how hematological malignancies can be better treated when they arise. At the intersection of both of these questions is the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the tool, BH3 profiling, which measures the mitochondrial priming and anti-apoptotic dependencies within normal and malignant cells. Mitochondrial priming and antiapoptotic dependencies are measured by assessing the sensitivity of cellular mitochondria to standardized amounts of BH3 peptides derived from the BH3 domains of pro-apoptotic proteins. In our first study, we use BH3 profiling to identify anti-apoptotic dependencies to direct treatment of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-199 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We found that AML blasts are often dependent on the pro-survival protein BCL-2 and the mitochondrial dependence on BCL-2 measured by BH3 profiling correlated with cellular sensitivity to ABT-199. These pre-clinical results showed that ABT-199 was functioning on-target at the mitochondria and that BH3 profiling could be used to identify patients who would be most sensitive to BCL-2 inhibition. Importantly, these results directly led to a Phase II clinical trial of ABT-199 in relapsed/refractory AML patients and BH3 profiling was integrated into the study to test its efficacy as a predictive biomarker. In the clinical trial, we showed that BH3 profiling correlated well with clinical response. Secondly, in our studies of aging in the HSC compartment, we used BH3 profiling to explore how mitochondrial priming is altered during normal hematopoietic differentiation and during differentiation of HSCs isolated from young and old mice. We found that HSCs are less primed than more differentiated progenitor cells and that old HSCs are even less primed than young HSCs which correlates with decreased sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli of old HSCs. These studies expand upon the biological understanding of functional defects of aged HSCs, and showed for the first time in a clinical setting that BH3 profiling may be used successfully to direct treatment of BH3 mimetics in the clinic. iii Dr. Anthony Letai Leah Justine Hogdal
The spider infraorder Mygalomorphae (Araneae): cladistics and systematics

3 Introduction . 4 Acknowledgments . 6 Materials and Methods . 7 Terminology . 8 Mygalomorph Monophyly . 8 Character Analysis . 11 Interfamilial Relationships . 23 Tuberculotae. 23 Fomicephalae . 31 A Classification of the Mygalomorphae . 36 Intrafamilial Relationships . 37 Tuberculotae. 37 Fornicephalae . 56 A Critique . 65 Systematics . 66 Infraorder Mygalomorphae Pocock . 66 Key to Mygalomorph Families. 66 Mecicobothriidae Holmberg . 68 Microstigmatidae Roewer . 69 Hexathelidae Simon. 70 Dipluridae Simon . 72 Nemesiidae Simon . 79 Barychelidae Simon . 111 Theraphosidae Thorell . 115 Paratropididae Simon . 121 Atypidae Thorell . 122 Antrodiaetidae Gertsch . 124 Cyrtaucheniidae Simon . 125 Idiopidae Simon . 137 Ctenizidae Thorell. 140 Actinopodidae Simon . 143 Migidae Simon . 144 Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Problems . 145 New Generic Synonymies . 147 New Synonymies and Status Changes Since Brignoli (1983) . 148 New Combinations . 160 Literature Cited . 162 Addendum . 175 Index of Taxa . 176
Effectiveness of Warm Water Foot Soak and Benson Relaxation Techniques Combination in Reducing Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension is called a silent killer because of its uncertain symptom. Therefore, early detection efforts are needed such as regular blood pressure check and effective management. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of warm water foot soak and Benson relaxation techniques combination in reducing blood pressure as a medical treatment to the hypertension patients. This was a quasi-experiment study with one group pre and post-test design. The sample number of the study was 30 primary hypertension patients of Gambesi Community Health Centre of Ternate City working area. The result showed that there was a significant difference between pre (162.53±16.90mmHg) and post (154.33±19.06mmHg) systolic blood pressure mean, p-value was 0.000, systolic blood pressure mean at first 30 minutes after post-test was 146.00±18.49 mmHg (p=0.000), second 30 minutes was 139.93±15.98 mmHg (p=0.000), third 30 minutes was 136.33±14.06 mmHg (p=0.000) and fourth 30 minutes was 133.47±14.59 (p=0.000). There was a significant difference between pre (95.10±9.65mmHg) and post (90.00±9.47mmHg) diastolic blood pressure mean, p-value was 0.003, post diastolic blood pressure mean at first 30 minutes was 86.00±7.70 mmHg (p=0.000), second 30 minutes was 86.73±7.06 mmHg (p=0.000), third 30 minutes was 84.40±5.64 mmHg (p=0.000) and fourth 30 minutes was 83.47±5.38 (p=0.000). It could be concluded that combination of warm water foot soak and Benson relaxation techniques is effective to reduce blood pressure of hypertensive patient.
Catch and discardfish species of trawl fisheries in the Iskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean) with emphasis on lessepsian and chondricthyan species

Fish species in catch and discard of trawl fisheries in and around Iskenderun Bay were examined within the fishing closure period and fishingperiod.The sampling was performed from May 2010 to January 2011 by a commercial trawl vessel.Chondricthyan species composed 49 % of discard catch biomass while Gymnura altavela and Dasyatis pastinaca were dominant in hauls. 27 lessepsian fish species were captured during the study,nine of them beingtarget species for trawl fisheries. In total, 14 of the lessepsian fish species were determined as discard species.In both sampling periods, Equulites klunzingeri and Citharus linguatula contributed to discard fish catch dissimilarity among depth ranges (deeper and shallower than 60 m). E. klunzingeri showed high abundance in discard catch.There were no significant differences in the distribution of the discard fish biomass between the sampling periods (ANOVA test, p>0.05). However, depth range pointed out significantdifferences in discard fish catch composition (p<0.05). Among major commercial fish species of trawl fisheries, Mullus surmuletus and Sparus aurata were not separated as discard in anyhaul by fishermen. Any size of these two species were included in commercial catch (Total length ranged from 61 to 721 mm).
Management of spotted podborer, Maruca vitrata in cowpea through newer insecticides

Field experiment was conducted at Centre of Excellence for Research on Pulses, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during Kharif, 2008–09 to 2010–11. In pooled results emamectin benzoate 5 SG (2.70%) found significantly better to reduce the spotted pod borer damage which was equally effective with indoxacarb 14.5 SC (2.98%) and spinosad 45 SC (3.58%). Similarly in pooled results same treatments were found very effective in increasing the yield of cowpea. The economics of various treatments revealed that the higher PCBR was obtained in the treatment of bifenthrin 10 EC (1:2.69) and it was followed by indoxacarb 14.5 SC(1:2.36), chlorpyriphos (1:1.60), quinalphos (1:1.48), spinosad (1:1.29) and emamectin benzoate (1:1.10). So based on the efficacy, indoxacarb 14.5 SC (3.45 ml/10 lit.) or spinosad 45 SC (1.62 ml/10 lit.) or emamectin benzoate 5 SG (3 g/10 lit.) found to be very effective against Maruca vitrata in cowpea.