Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in growth and ornamental parameters between young Chamaerops humilis L. and Washingtonia robusta H.Wendl palm trees in response to salinity

Summary Chamaerops humilis L. and Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl trees represent two ornamental palms which differ in size and water use, the result of which may confer contrasting responses to salinity. Two-year-old plants (112 per species) were grown over two additional years with irrigation water having an electrical conductivity (ECw) of 2, 4, 6, or 8 dS m–1, and were harvested in seven successive harvests. The saline treatments had a statistically significant linear effect upon the reduction in relative biomass yield. The threshold and slope values were: 2.7 dS m–1 and 7.0% dS–1 m for C. humilis; and 3.3 dS m–1 and 9.5% dS–1 m for W. robusta. There were no significant differences in the levels of toxic ions in the leaves of W. robusta between the 2 – 8 dS m–1 treatments. In contrast, the levels of toxic ions increased significantly in the leaves of C. humilis. The results suggest that W. robusta is more sensitive to osmotic stress than C. humilis. This may be the cause of the steeper slope of the salt-tolerance equation for W. robusta. There were significant reductions in plant height and in leaf area at an EC of 8 dS m–1, but these effects were more marked in W. robusta. This species also suffered significantly reduced numbers of leaves in saline treatments at 6 or 8 dS m–1.We conclude that both young palm tree species can be classified as moderately tolerant to salinity. However, at high saline levels, a drought-tolerant palm such as C. humilis is more salt-tolerant than W. robusta. It would be appropriate to water 3-year-old palms with water having an ECw of 2 dS m–1, and with water at 4 dS m–1 in the following year.
Optimal Algorithms for Multiplayer Multi-Armed Bandits

The paper addresses various Multiplayer Multi-Armed Bandit ( MMAB ) problems, where M decision-makers, or players, collaborate to maximize their cumulative reward. We ﬁrst investigate the MMAB problem where players selecting the same arms experience a collision (and are aware of it) and do not collect any reward. For this problem, we present DPE1 (Decentralized Parsimonious Exploration), a decentralized algorithm that achieves the same asymptotic regret as that obtained by an optimal centralized algorithm. DPE1 is simpler than the state-of-the-art al-gorithm SIC-MMAB Boursier and Perchet (2019), and yet oﬀers better performance guarantees. We then study the MMAB problem without collision, where players may select the same arm. Players sit on vertices of a graph, and in each round, they are able to send a message to their neighbours in the graph. We present DPE2 , a simple and asymptotically optimal algorithm that out-performs the state-of-the-art algorithm DD-UCB Mart´ınez-Rubio et al. (2019). Besides, under DPE2 , the expected number of bits transmitted by the players in the graph is ﬁnite.
Re-examination of type material of Cambaroides similis (Koelbel, 1892) (Decapoda: Cambaridae) with a lectotype designation, re-description, and evaluation of geographical variation

ABSTRACT The syntypes of the Korean freshwater crayfish, Cambaroides similis (Koelbel, 1892), which had been assumed lost, were recently found in the Natural History Museum in Vienna. The species is re-described and illustrated on the basis of syntypes and other material recently collected from South Korea, and a lectotype is designated. Detailed distribution of this species is provided, and geographical variation of morphology is evaluated. Notable differences in morphology were found between the populations on islands in the Yellow Sea off South Korea and the Korean Peninsula. The existence of possible geographical races is discussed.
A Model of Regulation

Section 1. Purpose Section 2. Authority Section 3. Applicability and Scope Section 4. Definitions Section 5. Policy Definitions and Terms Section 6. Policy Provisions Section 7. Minimum Benefit Standards for Pre-Standardized Medicare Supplement Benefit Plan Policies or Certificates Issued for Delivery Prior to [insert effective date adopted by state] Section 8. Benefit Standards for 1990 Standardized Medicare Supplement Benefit Plan Policies or Certificates Issued for Delivery After [insert effective date adopted by state] and Prior to June 1, 2010 Section 8.1 Benefit Standards for 2010 Standardized Medicare Supplement Benefit Plan Policies or Certificates Issued for Delivery on or After June 1, 2010 Section 9. Standard Medicare Supplement Benefit Plans for 1990 Standardized Medicare Supplement Benefit Plan Policies or Certificates Issued for Delivery After [insert effective date adopted by state] and Prior to June 1, 2010 Section 9.1 Standard Medicare Supplement Benefit Plans for 2010 Standardized Medicare Supplement Benefit Plan Policies or Certificates Issued for Delivery on or After June 1, 2010 Section 10. Medicare Select Policies and Certificates Section 11. Open Enrollment Section 12. Guaranteed Issue for Eligible Persons Section 13. Standards for Claims Payment Section 14. Loss Ratio Standards and Refund or Credit of Premium Section 15. Filing and Approval of Policies and Certificates and Premium Rates Section 16. Permitted Compensation Arrangements Section 17. Required Disclosure Provisions Section 18. Requirements for Application Forms and Replacement Coverage Section 19. Filing Requirements for Advertising Section 20. Standards for Marketing Section 21. Appropriateness of Recommended Purchase and Excessive Insurance Section 22. Reporting of Multiple Policies Section 23. Prohibition Against Preexisting Conditions, Waiting Periods, Elimination Periods and Probationary Periods in Replacement Policies or Certificates Section 24. Prohibition Against Use of Genetic Information and Requests for Genetic Testing Section 25. Separability Section 26. Effective Date Appendix A Reporting Form for Calculation of Loss Ratios Appendix B Form for Reporting Duplicate Policies Appendix C Disclosure Statements
Effects of seed ingestion by the lesser long-nosed bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae on the germination of the giant cactus Isolatocereus dumortieri

Abstract Bats have been considered efficient seed dispersers of columnar cactus (Isolatocereus dumortieri). However, to date, very little is known about the effect of seed ingestion by bats on seed germination. We carried out some germination assays for seeds of the cactus I. dumortieri obtained directly from fruits and fecal clumps of the endangered lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) in a semiarid zone, within the Biosphere Reserve Barranca of Metztitlán in Central México. Additionally, we evaluated seed deposition patterns by bats. We found that 61.7% of the removed seeds were dispersed in fecal clumps, whereas the remaining seeds were spitted as single seeds. We also found that ingestion diminished seed germination by 65%. Under these conditions, seeds deposited individually around the mother plant may be of importance for local restoration and have the function of reforesting the locality, whereas ingested seeds can reach long distances and colonize new areas.
Does trophic position of the omnivorous signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a stream food web vary with life history stage or density

Food mixing behavior of omnivorous consumers can be difficult to predict. We undertook an enclosure ex- periment to explore the effects of ontogenetic stage and density on food choices of the omnivorous signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. Juvenile or adult crayfish were placed in in-stream enclosures for 6 weeks at three different densities. Gut and stable isotope analyses were used to determine the food sources utilized by these organisms. In addi- tion, we analyzed the guts of both adult and juvenile crayfish from outside the enclosures to account for experimental effects. We found few differences in the gut contents between juvenile and adult crayfish from either inside or outside the enclosures, as the majority of food consumed by both ontogenetic stages and all densities was allochthonous detri- tus. Stable isotope results indicate that crayfish of both ontogenetic stages were relying primarily on detrital biofilms for nutrition, despite an additional laboratory experiment showing that growth would be far more rapid on invertebrates. The dietary choices made by P. leniusculus in its native environment seem to be primarily affected by factors other than the nutritional value of food sources, contrary to expectations that food mixing behavior of omnivores should be based on this factor alone. Resume : Le comportement de melange alimentaire chez les consommateurs omnivores peut etre difficile a predire. Une experience en enclos nous a permis d'explorer les effets du stade ontogenique et de la densite sur les choix ali- mentaires de l'ecrevisse omnivore Pacifastacus leniusculus. Nous avons place des ecrevisses juveniles ou adultes dans des enclos dans un cours d'eau pendant six semaines a differentes densites. Des analyses du tube digestif et des iso- topes stables ont servi a determiner les sources de nourriture utilisees par ces organismes. De plus, nous avons analyse les tubes digestifs d'adultes et de juveniles provenant de l'exterieur des enclos afin de tenir compte des effets du protocole experimental. Il y a peu de differences entre les contenus des tubes digestifs des jeunes ecrevisses et des adultes, tant de l'exterieur que de l'interieur des enclos, puisque la plus grande partie de la nourriture consommee par les deux stades ontologiques, a toutes les densites, est constituee de detritus allochtone. Les resultats de l'analyse des isotopes stables indique que les ecrevisses des deux stades ontogeniques dependent principalement des biofilms sur le detritus pour leur alimentation, bien que des experiences supplementaires en laboratoire indiquent que la croissance serait beaucoup plus rapide s'ils se nourrissaient d'invertebres. Les choix alimentaires faits par P. leniusculus dans son habitat indigene semblent affectes surtout par des facteurs autres que la valeur nutritionnelle des sources de nourriture, ce qui est contraire a nos attentes que le comportement de melange alimentaire devrait se baser sur ce seul facteur.
Mouse myotomes pairs exhibit left–right asymmetric expression of MLC3F and α‐skeletal actin

Most muscle originates from the myotomal compartment of the somites, paired structures flanking the neural tube. Whereas vertebrate embryos show molecular and morphological asymmetry about the left–right body axis, somitic myogenesis is thought to occur symmetrically. Here, we provide the first evidence that myotome pairs are transiently left–right asymmetric, with higher expression of α‐skeletal actin and myosin light chain 3F (MLC3F) on the left side between embryonic day 9.5–10.25. In iv mutants with situs inversus, the asymmetric expression of α‐skeletal actin and MLC3F was inverted, showing that this process is regulated by global left–right axis cues, initiated before gastrulation. However, although left–sided identity is later maintained by Pitx2 genes, we found that Pitx2c null embryos have normal left‐biased expression of α‐skeletal actin and MLC3F. Myotome asymmetry, therefore, is downstream of the iv mutation but upstream of, or unrelated to, the Pitx2c pathway. Developmental Dynamics 231:795–800, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of dietary bacterial protein or L-tryptophan supplementation on welfare and growth performance in silver fox.

The suitability of bacterial protein meal as a feed ingredient in silver fox diets was examined in an experiment comprising 72 juvenile silver foxes. Bacterial protein meal has a high content of tryptophan, which is the precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin. The biological hypothesis on which this study was premised was that increased brain serotonin production reduces the fear response, which may lead to better welfare and performance through lower energy expenditure related to fear-induced defensive responses. The effect of substituting 15% fish meal with bacterial protein meal was measured by two behavioural tests, growth performance and fur quality, by comparison with a control diet and a diet supplemented with a high level of synthetic tryptophan. The welfare of the foxes fed the diet supplemented with synthetic tryptophan was considered to be improved, as they used shorter time to approach feed in the presence of a person; thus displayed less fear, than the other two groups after treatment. W.
Two New Fossil Species of Cryptocephalus Geoffroy (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Baltic and Dominican Amber

Abstract. Two new species of Cryptocephalus Geoffroy (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are described and illustrated from fossil resin: Cryptocephalus groehni sp. nov. (Baltic amber) and Cryptocephalus kheelorum sp. nov. (Dominican amber). These are the first described species of Cryptocephalinae from fossil resin. These new fossil species may serve with taxonomic certainty as calibration points in divergence dating estimates.
Effects of Sowing Date and Plant Population on Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Growth and Pod Yield in Khartoum State

This study was conducted to find an optimum sowing date and plant population for bean cultivars suitable for export in Khartoum State. A field experiment was conducted in winter in 2011-2012, at the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan. Two sowing datesS1 and S2 (7 th and 26 th of November, respectively) and six plant populations obtained by three plant spacing (10, 15 and20cm plant spacing) and two planting densities (2 and 3 plants/hill) on 70cm ridges were tested in completely randomized block design in four replications. The results showed that early sowing date (S1) had positive effects on both growth and pod yield and quality compared to late sowing (S2), irrespective of plant population. Increasing of plant population increased plant height but decreased pod yield. The highest pod yield (105.9 g) was obtained at early sowing (S1) by 2plants/hill and 20cm plant spacing which was almost double that (56.3 g) obtained at the same plant population at late sowing (S2). Pod yield /ha was higher at S1 at all plant population than S2. However, the highest pod yield/ha was obtained at S1 by the highest plant population (3plant/ hill at 10cm spacing) and the lowest at S2 by the lowest plant population (2plants/hill at 20cm spacing). Moreover, all pod quality parameters were positively affected by planting density irrespective of plant spacing. It could be concluded that for optimum green pod yield and quality of beans for export it should be sown as early as the first week of November at 2 plant/hill and 10 cm or 3 plants/hill at 15cm plant spacing on 70cm ridges in Khartoum State and areas of similar conditions.
Efficiency in inventories of ants in a forest reservein Central Amazonia

The objective of this work was to evaluate an inventory method efÞ ciency for ants. We used subsamples collected in 24 transects of 100 m, distributed in 6 plots of 600 ha each in primary forest, as part of a long-term project. Ten litter subsamples were extracted per transect using Winkler extractors. Ants were identiÞ ed to genus level, and Crematogaster, Gnamptogenys and Pachycondyla genera to species/morphospecies level. To evaluate the consequences of reduced sampling on the retention of ecological information, we estimated the lowest number of subsamples needed to detect the effects of environmental variables. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was used to generate dissimilarity matrices, and Mantel correlations between each reduced-sampling effort and maximum effort were used as an index of how much information was maintained and could still be used in multivariate analyses. Lower p-values was observed on the effect of soil pH in the community of genera, and on the effect of the litter volume for the community of Crematogaster . The trend was still detectable in the analysis based on reduced-sampling. The number of subsamples can be reduced, and the cost-efÞ ciency of the protocol can be improved with little loss of information.
Effect of the side chain size of 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles on antioxidant activity and ‘Laba’ garlic greening

Summary Previous studies showed that 1-alkyl-pyrroles not only occur in fresh food products postulated as a natural antioxidant but also might be involved in garlic greening. In the present study, a series of 1-alkyl-pyrroles with different side chain size were synthesised to study the relationship of structure and antioxidative activity and their effects on ‘Laba’ garlic greening. The antioxidative activity of these compounds was evaluated by the method of scavenging ABTS˙ and DPPH˙. Results showed that increasing the size of R groups on the side chain, the antioxidative activity decreased gradually against the two radicals. The 1-alkyl-pyrroles generally exhibited stronger scavenging activities against ABTS˙ than DPPH˙. In contrast, their corresponding amino acids except for tyrosine showed almost no antioxidative activities while pyrrole exhibited much weaker activity as compared with the 1-alkyl-pyrroles, suggesting that the 1-alkyl-pyrroles donate H-atom from pyrrole moiety rather than side chain to quench the two radicals. On the other hand, all 1-alkyl-pyrroles can turn newly harvested garlic green but to a different extent. All these results suggested that these pyrrole derivatives occurring in foodstuff played an important role in either protecting foodstuff from oxidation or acting on pigment precursors during ‘Laba’ garlic greening.
Diversity of yeasts involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou, an opaque sorghum beer from Benin

Opaque sorghum beers are traditional alcoholic beverages in several African countries. Known as tchoukoutou in Benin, the beer is often obtained from an uncontrolled fermentation. It is consumed in an actively fermenting state and has a sour taste. The present study characterized and identified the yeasts involved in the fermentation process of this type of beer using the phenotypical approach. Of 12 beers from 4 different locations, the mean values of the pH, titratable acidity, dry matter content and refractive index were respectively 3.67, 0.70 (% as lactic acid) 18.08% and 7.00. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were the predominant microorganisms involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou. Their counts were respectively 9.1 log cfu/ml and 9.1 logcfu/g. Enterobacteriaceae were not detectable in the beer. Based on the phenotypic characters and the assimilation profiles of 40 isolated yeasts, four genera with seven species of yeasts were identified. The yeast species predominant in the Benin opaque sorghum beer tchoukoutou was Saccharomyces cerevisae
Rethinking the Origin of Chronic Diseases

Since 1980, connections have been sought between chronic—especially autoimmune—diseases and possible microbial actions that might promote or suppress immune responses. Here, we propose that the pathogenesis of some chronic diseases is linked to ancestral infections or exposure to noxious agents: Some modern-day diseases reflect the capacity of organisms to “memorize” responses to external signals and transmit them across generations; the resulting information can be subsequently made functional under certain conditions, through stimulation by a relevant secondary influence. The proposal is supported by observations of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) could be a recollection of our ancestors' long-term affliction with viral hepatitis; the original causative agent may not be extant today, but “memory” of the infection has persisted. A similar argument could apply to other chronic diseases. In this article, we discuss evidence supporting this idea, with an emphasis on the exemplar pair of viral hepatitis and AIH, and outline a mechanistic hypothesis.
Effect of low molecular weight fish protein hydrolysate on growth performance and IGF-I expression in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) fed high plant protein diets

Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to investigate the effect of low molecular weight fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) in diets on growth performance, feed utilization and liver IGF-I mRNA levels in Japanese flounder (38.80 ± 1.11 g) fed with high plant protein diets. Fish meal protein was, respectively, replaced by 6% (FPH6), 11% (FPH11), 16% (FPH16), 21% (FPH21), 26% (FPH26) FPH of total dietary protein. FPH diets contained a constant high level of plant protein (690 g kg−1) from soybean meal. As a positive control diet, FM2 contained about 590 g kg−1 plant protein and 410 g kg−1 fish meal protein, while negative control diet FM1 contained about 690 g kg−1 plant protein and 310 g kg−1 fish meal protein. The expression levels of liver IGF-I mRNA were evaluated using real-time PCR normalized against the 18S rRNA gene. The results showed that moderate low molecular weight FPH (FPH11) improved growth performance and protein retention. Fish fed with FPH11 and control diet FM2 had similar growth and feed utilization, while high-level low molecular weight FPH did not improve growth performance and protein retention, and depressed liver IGF-I mRNA expression in Japanese flounder.
Role of BRD4 and histone acetylation in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers

The estrogen receptor-α (ERα) acts as a nuclear transcription factor to promote estrogen-induced transcription and plays a central role in the progression of ER-positive tumors. ERα binds to the consensus DNA elements referred to as Estrogen Response Elements (EREs) which act as enhancers mostly occupying distal regions. In our study, we show that Bromodomain-containing protein, BRD4 depletion/inhibition regulates estrogen-induced transcription by affecting RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and histone monoubiquitination in ER-positive MCF7 cells. Furthermore, BRD4 controls the proliferation of breast and endometrial cancer cell lines in vitro and estrogen-dependent uterine growth in vivo. Genome-wide studies demonstrate the increased occupancy of BRD4 near transcriptional start sites (TSS) upon estrogen stimulation and BRD4 inhibition decreases estrogen-stimulated H2B monoubiquitination across gene bodies substantially on the genes which display estrogen-induced de novo polymerase recruitment. Consistently, BRD4 binding correlates with active transcriptional marks on the promoters. Moreover, BRD4 also occupies ERα and FOXA1-bound distal elements after the appearance of ERα, H3K27ac and Cohesin. Interestingly, BRD4 inhibition regulates the RNAPII recruitment as well as phosphorylation on distal regions and inhibits the production of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). Altogether these findings establish a specific coactivator function of BRD4 in estrogen-dependent transcription (Nagarajan et al., 2014). BRD4 binds to the acetylated chromatin preferentially on histone H4 at Lys 5, 8, 12 and 16 residues. In our study, we also show that the presence of H4K12ac correlates with BRD4 occupancy during estrogen-driven transcription. Consistent with BRD4 binding, H4K12ac occupancy increases adjacent to estrogen-induced gene promoters and distal ERα-bound regions. H4K12ac is correlated with eRNA transcription and RNAPII occupancy on enhancers. Surprisingly, H4K12ac occupancy is increased in ER-positive cell lines compared to ER-negative cell lines and estrogen promotes global acetylation of H4K12ac in ER-positive cells. Notably, estrogen-induced H4K12ac occupancy is highly dependent on ERα expression and activity. Altogether these findings confirm the importance of H4K12ac and BRD4 in ERα-induced transcription and provide a strong rationale for the development of Summary XII potential therapeutic approaches for targeting histone acetylation and BRD4 in ERα-positive breast tumors (Nagarajan et al., 2015).