Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drought-associated heatwaves: Consequences for vegetation of the Northern Jarrah Forest

Worldwide, extreme climatic events such as drought and heatwaves are associated with forest mortality. While many studies address the immediate impacts of forest die-off events, information about the ongoing structural and compositional consequences is lacking. The Northern Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) Forest of southwestern Australia experienced a severe tree die-off event during a drought-associated heatwave. Using transects spanning a gradient of drought impacts (severe, transitional, minimal), tree species mortality in relation to soil depth and stand condition (stand basal area, stem density) was quantified. Differential mortality was exhibited by the two dominant overstorey species and two midstorey tree species, which occurred in distinct zones along the transects. The dominant, structural forest species Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah), had higher mortality than the co-dominant Corymbia calophylla and midstorey species Allocasuarina fraseriana. The midstorey tree (Banksia grandis) exhibited the highest stem mortality and a substantial shift in structure in response to the drought-associated heatwave in relation to tree size, soil depth and stand basal area. Banksia grandis represents a drought intolerant species. Regeneration of tree species was surveyed over three years and was greater in areas of high drought-impact than in healthy forest. To determine the response of understorey communities to the droughtassociated heatwave and subsequent changes in forest canopy, the abundance, composition and structure of understorey species was compared among drought-impact zones. In areas of high drought-impact, understorey communities showed different species assemblages and higher richness and cover than in healthy forest. The recovery of tree canopy following the event was studied by examining the temporal response of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) trees in zones of drought-impact and healthy forest using dendrometer bands. Trees growing in the high drought-impact zone had greater stem-diameter growth than trees in adjacent healthy forest. This study provides valuable insights into the consequences of a droughtassociated heatwave in driving structural and compositional changes in jarrah forest vegetation and highlights the importance of studying all components of the vegetation following forest mortality events
Distance models as a tool for modelling detection probability and density of native bumblebees

Effective monitoring of native bee populations requires accurate estimates of population size and relative abundance among habitats. Current bee survey methods, such as netting or pan trapping, may be adequate for a variety of study objectives but are limited by a failure to account for imperfect detection. Biases due to imperfect detection could result in inaccurate abundance estimates or erroneous insights about the response of bees to different environments. To gauge the potential biases of currently employed survey methods, we compared abundance estimates of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) derived from hierarchical distance sampling models (HDS) to bumblebee counts collected from fixed‐area net surveys (“net counts”) and fixed‐width transect counts (“transect counts”) at 47 early‐successional forest patches in Pennsylvania. Our HDS models indicated that detection probabilities of Bombus spp. were imperfect and varied with survey‐ and site‐covariates. Despite being conspicuous, Bombus spp. were not reliably detected beyond 5 m. Habitat associations of Bombus spp. density were similar across methods, but the strength of association with shrub cover differed between HDS and net counts. Additionally, net counts suggested sites with more grass hosted higher Bombus spp. densities whereas HDS suggested that grass cover was associated with higher detection probability but not Bombus spp. density. Density estimates generated from net counts and transect counts were 80%–89% lower than estimates generated from distance sampling. Our findings suggest that distance modelling provides a reliable method to assess Bombus spp. density and habitat associations, while accounting for imperfect detection caused by distance from observer, vegetation structure, and survey covariates. However, detection/non‐detection data collected via point‐counts, line‐transects and distance sampling for Bombus spp. are unlikely to yield species‐specific density estimates unless individuals can be identified by sight, without capture. Our results will be useful for informing the design of monitoring programs for Bombus spp. and other pollinators.
Grain phosphorus and phytate contents of wheat genotypes released during last 6 decades and categorization of selected genotypes for phosphorus use efficiency

ABSTRACT Grain phosphorus (P) and phytate contents are important for early growth and quality of wheat, respectively. We studied seed P and phytate contents of 57 wheat genotypes released during last 6 decades. The grain total P and phytate P concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 8.9 mg g−1 and 1.6 to 4.7 mg g−1, respectively. Grain P was higher in genotypes released in current or last decade than pre-green revolution period and it correlated well with grain phytate contents. Indicating that breeders worked only for increased grain P and did not consider the phytate contents. Twenty-five genotypes were selected based on differences in grain P and phytate contents to observe the P use efficiency under field conditions. Genotypes differed significantly for grain P and yield at both 0 and 60 kg ha−1 P levels. In conclusion, phytate fraction in grains of recent wheat genotypes was more as compared to old genotypes and genotype Inqlab-91 and Chakwal-86 had maximum grain total P. Moreover, number of productive tillers, spikelet per spike, grain weight, harvest index and grain P concentration and uptake were found responsible for P tolerance under P deficiency.
Fecundity Correlations; Critical Allometric Determinant for Spawning of Clarias Gariepinus from River Uke, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

For fecundity assessment, the Morphometric measurement of fish samples were determined and recorded, fish were dissected to determine the sexes while eggs were collected, weighed and preserved in specimen bottles using 5% formalin prior to estimation. Biologically Viable parameters were equally examined such as; Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), condition factor (K), fecundity and water parameters. A total of 67 samples were collected with total length ranging from 13.5cm – 46.9cm and weight ranged between 70g -1800g. Overall sex ratio for male and female was 2:1 and chi square showed no significant difference in the ratio of males to females. (p<0.05) Positive correlation exists between the following; fecundity and length (r = 0.97). Fecundity and weight (r 0.98), fecundity and condition factor (r = 0.95), fecundity and GSI (r = 0.98). Fecundity ranged from 864eggs 16,625eggs. Generally,, results portray positive correlation between fecundity and other body parameters of the fish species. it is important to state that, the size suitable for fish culture(spawning range) falls between 1kg 2.5kg for species of Clarias gariepinus which can be used as source of brood stock for production in hatchery to boast aquaculture enterprise and meet nutritional demands of the immediate community, State and Nigeria at large .
Using Market Segmentation Analysis to Identify Consumer Preferences for Fresh Peach Attributes

Consumer preferences for attributes of fresh peach fruit in the United States are largely unknown on a national basis. We used a choice experiment to explore market segmentation based on consumer heterogeneous preference for fruit attributes including external color, blemish, firmness, sweetness, flavor, and price. We collected the data using an online survey with 800 U.S. consumers. Using a latent class logit model, we identified three segments of consumers differing by different sets of preferred quality attributes: experience attribute-oriented consumers, who valued fruit quality (48.8% of the sample); search attribute-oriented consumers, who valued fruit appearance (33.7% of the sample); and balanced consumers, who considered search attributes and experience attributes but who valued each in a balanced way (17.5% of the sample). Each group demonstrated differentiated demographics and purchasing habits. The results have important marketing implications for peach breeders and suppliers.
Effect of DGAT1 variant (K232A) on milk traits and milk fat composition in outdoor pasture-grazed dairy cattle

ABSTRACT An amino acid substitution (K232A) in the enzyme diacylglycerol acyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) has been reported to explain variation in milk traits and milk fatty acid (FA) profile. In this study, associations between K232A, and milk traits including milk FA composition, were studied in wholly pasture-fed New Zealand Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cross-bred (KiwicrossTM) dairy cows. With a high frequency of K variant (61.9%), the KK cows produced more milk fat on average (5.41 ± 0.04%), than the AA cows (4.43 ± 0.06%). The milk volume, fat concentration and protein concentration for the AK cows were between the values for the genotypes AA and KK. More C16 : 0 (saturated fatty acid), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (C18:3 cis-9, 12, 15) were found in the milk of the KiwicrossTM cows, and the influence of DGAT1 K232A on these FAs during the mid- and late- stage of lactation were significant. The AA cows produced more (P < 0.001) CLA (1.137 ± 0.047 g/100 g) and C18:3 cis-9, 12, 15 (0.855 ± 0.015 g/100 g), but less C16:0 (35.170 ± 0.355 g/100 g) than the KK cows (0.934 ± 0.025 g/100 g, 0.778 ± 0.009 g/100 g and 38.010 ± 0.250 g/100 g respectively).
USING CROWDFUNDING AS PART OF THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Abstract Crowdfunding is the process of taking a project in need of investment and asking a large group of people to supply the investment. It allows organisations to sell their product before production, reducing the risk of new product development. Organisations such as Tesla and General Electric have used crowdfunding successfully but crowdfunding is yet to be explored as part of a formalised product development framework. This paper includes the business case for commercialising new products with crowdfunding and presents crowdfunding as part of a product development and commercialisation framework.
A Preliminary Study on the Newly Isolated High Laccase-producing Fungi: Screening, Strain Characteristics and Induction of Laccase Production

Abstract A simple separation method was used in this study to directly separate laccase-producing fungi from withered plant materials. A laccase-producing filamentous fungus was isolated and purified. The strain was highly similar to the species in genus Trametes by ITS sequence analysis, and therefore named Trametes sp. MA-X01. The addition of cupric ions and aromatic compounds to the liquid medium could induce the laccase synthesis in Trametes sp. MA-X01. Copper-induced laccase activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. The highest laccase activity (2138.9 ± 340.2 U/L) was obtained by adding 2.5 mM Cu2+ to the culture medium, which was about 7 times higher than that of the control group. The induction degree of aromatic compounds was different. For the present study, the highest laccase activities were obtained by adding vanillic acid (1007.9±59.5 U/L) or vanillin (981.6±77.2 U/L) to the medium, which were 3.5 and 3.4 times higher than the laccase activity of the control group, respectively.
The impact of the JOBS Act on IPO activity and innovation

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act was signed into lawto reenergisethe initial public offering (“IPO”) marketof the United States, particularlyfor emerging growth companies (“EGCs”). This study examines the impactof the JOBS Act on US IPO activity, EGC IPO activity, and innovation.The results of this study provideevidencethat the JOBS Act increases the IPO activity of US companiesandthe number of IPOsof EGCs. Controlling for market conditions, I find that the JOBS Act increases the number of public offeringsby 24 per year.Furthermore,no supporting evidence is found that the JOBS Act affects the innovation activity of EGCs. Nevertheless, this study showsthat EGCs going public are more innovative after the enactment ofthe JOBS Act.
Effect of thidiazuron on morphological and flowering characteristics of Dendrobium ‘Sunya Sunshine’ potted plants

ABSTRACT Dendrobium is a kind of popular orchid with long display life of flowers. Since it has a long vegetative period to flowering, it is necessary to develop methods to promote flowering. The effects of thidiazuron (TDZ) on flowering and the morphological characteristics of the Dendrobium ‘Sunya Sunshine’ were investigated. One-year-old and uniform height potted plants were used. Plants were spayed and root irrigated with the same amount of TDZ solution in different concentration treatments. The results showed that TDZ promoted the emergence of new shoots, but it did not affect plant morphology, such as the stem height, stem diameter, leaf size. TDZ application of 30 mg·L−1 increased the floral bud formation rate to 87.1%, increased inflorescence number and stalk thickness, but it also decreased the flower number per inflorescence and flower size, and shortened the flowering duration. This study indicated that TDZ could promote flowering, and the optimum concentration of the TDZ solution was 30 mg·L−1.
Blockade of β-adrenergic receptor signaling improves cancer vaccine efficacy through its effect on naive CD8+ T-cell priming

β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling, by acting directly on tumor cells and angiogenesis, has been showed to exert pro-tumoral effects. Growing evidence also suggests that β-AR expressed by immune cells affect the associated anti-tumor immune response. However, how and where β-AR signaling impinges the anti-tumor immune response is still unclear. Using a mouse model of vaccine-based immunotherapy, we show here that propranolol, a non-selective β-blocker, strongly improved the efficacy of the vaccine by enhancing the frequency of CD8+ T lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor (TILs). However, propranolol had no obvious effect on the reactivity of CD8+ TILs, a result further strengthened by ex-vivo experiments showing that these cells are insensitive to AR signaling triggered by adrenaline or noradrenaline. In contrast, we show that naive CD8+ T cell activation was strongly inhibited by β-AR signaling and that the beneficial effect of propranolol mainly occurred during their initial priming phase. We also demonstrate that the differential sensitivity of CD8+ TILs and naive CD8+ T cells is related to their activation status since in vitro-activated CD8+ T cells behaved similarly to CD8+ TILs, both exhibiting a down-regulation of the β2-AR expression. These results reveal that the initial priming phase of the anti-tumor response in the tumor-draining lymph node is a decisive part of the suppressive effect of β-AR signaling on the CD8+ T-cell response against cancer. These findings provide a rationale for the strategic use of clinically available β-blockers in patients to improve cancer immunotherapies such as anti-cancer vaccination strategies.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on growth and antioxidant enzymes of Capsicum chinense

Abstract The effects of suspensions of zinc oxide nanoparticles at concentrations between 100 and 500 mg L−1 on germination of Capsicum chinense seeds and vigor of plants were evaluated using a randomized complete design with four replications, resulting in increased germination and improved development of lengths of plumule and radicle. The activities of peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were determined, showing that at all concentrations the activities of the former two enzymes were increased, whereas the activity of the latter was reduced at 500 mg L−1. Pretreatments of seeds with ZnO nanoparticles can improve germination and development of seedlings and the activities of antioxidant enzymes.
Effect of time-series length and resolution on abundance- and trait-based early warning signals of population declines

Natural populations are increasingly threatened with collapse at the hands of anthropogenic effects. Predicting population collapse with the help of generic early warning signals (EWS) may provide a prospective tool for identifying species or populations at highest risk. However, pattern-to-process methods such as EWS have a multitude of challenges to overcome to be useful, including the low signal to noise ratio of ecological systems and the need for high quality time-series data. The inclusion of trait dynamics with EWS has been proposed as a more robust tool to predict population collapse. However, the length and resolution of available time series are highly variable from one system to another, especially when generation time is considered. As yet it remains unknown how this variability with regards to generation time will alter the efficacy of EWS. Here we take both a simulation- and experimental-based approach to assess the impacts of relative time-series length and resolution on the forecasting ability of EWS. We show that EWS’ performance decreases with decreasing length and resolution. Our simulations suggest a relative time-series length between ten and five generations and a resolution of half a generation are the minimum requirements for accurate forecasting by abundance-based EWS. However, when trait information is included alongside abundance-based EWS, we find positive signals at lengths and resolutions half of what was required without them. We suggest that, in systems where specific traits are known to affect demography, trait data should be monitored and included alongside abundance data to improve forecasting reliability.
Molecular line emission from planet-forming disks with ALMA

The physical and chemical conditions in the protoplanetary disk set the initial conditions for planet formation. Constraining the properties of disks is of key importance for understanding how planets assemble. Observations of molecular lines in disks provide valuable information on disk properties. This thesis presents ALMA observations, analysis and modelling of molecular line emission from four disks that all exhibit evidence for forming planets. Using the first-ever observations of 13C17O in protoplanetary disks, the CO gas mass of the HD 163296 and HL Tau disks are robustly constrained. The new masses are a factor of 2-10 times higher than existing estimates using C18O, and highlight the potential gravitational instability of the HL Tau disk. Analysis of the radial distribution of HCO+ and H13CO+ in the HD 97048 disk reveals a low ratio that can be explained via chemical fractionation. This indicates that the gas temperature in the outer disk is low (approx. 10 K) despite this disk being hosted by an A-type star. Both silicon and sulphur bearing volatiles are observed to be significantly depleted in disks, similar to dark clouds. Multiple lines of SO and SiO are targeted towards HD 100546 and HD 97048. The detection of the shock tracer SO in the HD 100546 disk is attributed to either a disk wind or a circumplanetary disk. Complementary chemical modelling reveals the molecular carriers of S and Si in the two sources, and predicts SiS as tracer of S and Si in disks. This thesis shows that 13C17O is a robust tracer of disk gas mass, HCO+ isotopologue emission may trace reservoirs of cold gas in typically warm disks, and Si and S bearing molecules are useful probes of shock induced structures such as circumplanetary disks.
Determining Factors for Dairy Income in Ngantang District, Malang Regency

Smallholder dairy farms in Indonesia are still traditional in nature, where breeding management is simple and productivity is low, so that income is also small. This study aims to analyze the determinants of dairy cow business income. Population in this study were all of the dairy farmers from 3 (three) villages in Ngantang District. Sample was determined using a simple random sampling of 100 dairy farmers. Data analysis method used is multiple linear regression. The results showed that factors that had a significant effect on income of dairy business in Ngantang District, Malang Regency were breeding management, number of livestock, experience of raising livestock and medicine / vaccine costs.
Observations of a novel predatory gull behavior on an invasive ascidian: A new consequence of coastal urban sprawl?

Abstract Coastal urbanization has a dramatic effect on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, altering resources such as food or space. Many species have shifted their ranges in response to anthropogenic pressures, resulting in novel species interactions. Here, we report an observation of a novel foraging behavior of the European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus): the capture and consumption of the widespread sea squirt Ciona intestinalis from under floating pontoons in a recreational marina in Ireland. Multiple gulls were observed performing a complex, multi‐step manipulation of several C. intestinalis individuals to remove their cellulose‐based tunic, which remained unconsumed. Further avenues of investigation are discussed, and hypotheses concerning possible ecosystem effects of novel ecological interactions occurring in proliferating artificial environments are presented.
Accordion-like collagen fibrils suggested by P-SHG image modeling : implication in liver fibrosis

Second-order non-linear optical anisotropy parameter ρ = χ33 / χ31 is calculated for collagen-richt issues considering both a single dominant molecular hyperpolarizability tensor element β333 = β at single helix level and a priori known submicrometric triple helical organization of collagen molecules. Modeling is further improved by taking account of Poisson photonic shot noise of the detection system and simple supra-molecular fibrillar arrangements in order to accurately simulate the dispersion of ρ values in collagen-rich tissues such as tendon, skin and liver vessels. From combined P-SHG experiments and modeling, we next correlate experimental and theoretical statistical distributions of ρ. Our results highlight that the dispersion of experimental ρ values is mainly due to (i) Poisson photonic shot noise in tendon and skin, which proves to have a preponderant effect in P-SHG experiments (ii) variance of supercoil angles of accordion-like fibrils in vessels that is further reduced during the development of liver fibrosis therefore contributing to the rigidity of the tissue. These results open new avenue for future modeling correlating the dispersion of ρ values in P-SHG experiments and the fibrillar architecture as well as the mechanical stiffness of patho-physiological extracellular matrices in collagen tissues.
AGO1 in association with NEAT1 lncRNA contributes to nuclear and 3D chromatin architecture in human cells

Aside from their roles in the cytoplasm, RNA-interference components have been reported to localize also in the nucleus of human cells. In particular, AGO1 associates with active chromatin and appears to influence global gene expression. However, the mechanistic aspects remain elusive. Here, we identify AGO1 as a paraspeckle component that in combination with the NEAT1 lncRNA maintains 3D genome architecture. We demonstrate that AGO1 interacts with NEAT1 lncRNA and its depletion affects NEAT1 expression and the formation of paraspeckles. By Hi-C analysis in AGO1 knockdown cells, we observed global changes in chromatin organization, including TADs configuration, and A/B compartment mixing. Consistently, distinct groups of genes located within the differential interacting loci showed altered expression upon AGO1 depletion. NEAT1 knockout cells displayed similar changes in TADs and higher-order A/B compartmentalization. We propose that AGO1 in association with NEAT1 lncRNA can act as a scaffold that bridges chromatin and nuclear bodies to regulate genome organization and gene expression in human cells.