Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of genotype and weed control on the nutrient composition of winter spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare)

The renaissance of spelt is associated with the development of alternative farming and a trend to maintain biodiversity. The present study carried out a comparison between two methods of weeding (mechanical and chemical) as well as a cereal cultivar influence on chemical composition of spelt and wheat. The research material was taken from field experiments carried out during three years. In order to assess the chemical composition, the following cereal cultivars were used: lines of winter spelt – STH 8 and STH 11 and a winter common wheat cv. Tonacja. In all cases, the overall protein content in spelt was significantly higher than in common wheat. Spelt grain is also richer in fats than common wheat. A visible tendency to higher concentration of raw fibre was observed when mechanical weeding was applied. Also, mechanical weeding as well as the variety significantly influenced β-glucan content. The study of the impact of a weeding method and a variety does not clearly show the direction of the amino acid content changes. The research indicates that there are ample opportunities to shape the level of nutrients, which decide about spelt grain application in the food industry through agronomic factors (methods of weeding and cultivar).
A Preliminary Review of the Subfamily Alticinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in Turkey

Distributional data about 234 species and subspecies belonging to 21 genera of Alticinae in Turkey are given. Thirteen of these taxa, Altica lythri Aube, Aphthona rugipennis Ogloblin, Chaetocnema laevicollis (Thomson), Dibolia rugulosa Redtenbacher, Longitarsus atricillus (Gyllenhal), L. bytinskii Furth, L. jacobaeae (Waterhouse), L. reichei (Allard), L. salviae Gruev, Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius), Ph. tetrastigma (Comolli), Psylliodes saulcyi Allard, P. testaceiconcolor Heikertinger, and one subspecies, Longitarsus alfierii furthi Gruev are new records for the fauna of Turkey. Four species (Longitarsus artvinus Gruev et Aslan, L. kopdagiensis Gruev et Aslan, Phyllotreta oltuensis Gruev et Aslan, Ph. ozbeki Gruev et Aslan) the orginal descriptions of which are in press, are briefly mentioned.
Growth, Survival, and Migration Patterns of Juvenile Adfluvial Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in Tributaries of Strawberry Reservoir, Utah

Abstract Adfluvial Bonneville cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki utah were introduced into Strawberry Reservoir after a rotenone treatment in 1990. Naturally reproduced fry either migrated to the reservoir immediately after emergence (migrants) or remained in the tributaries for 1–2 years (nonmigrants). In 1995, fry emerged from mid-August to early September. Migrants moved downstream almost exclusively between 2100 and 0300 hours. Migrants were always the same size as newly emerged fry, whereas the mean size of nonmigrant fry increased throughout the emergence period. Most fry followed the nonmigrant strategy. Nonmigrant fry grew from 0.12 g (26 mm) at emergence to an average 1.2 g (50 mm) by early November. Mean densities of nonmigrant fry in low-velocity microhabitats along the stream margins ranged from 5.5 to 11.0 fry/m2 during the 6 weeks after first emergence. Mean focal point velocity of nonmigrant fry in microhabitats was 3.3 cm/s (SD = 1.4, N = 42) and the mean focal point depth was 11.8 cm (SD.
Design of membrane targeting tobramycin-based cationic amphiphiles with reduced hemolytic activity

Tobramycin-based cationic amphiphiles differing in the chemical bond linking their hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts were synthesized and biologically evaluated. Several compounds demonstrated potent antimicrobial activities compared to the parent drug. One analogue exhibited a significant reduction in red blood cells hemolysis, demonstrating that it is possible to maintain the antimicrobial potency of these molecules while reducing their undesired hemolytic effect through chemical modifications.
Phenology of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) in Three Populations from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract The reproductive phenology of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux was analyzed, over a period of two years, in two subtidal epiphytic populations located in Sepetiba Bay and another intertidal epilithic population on a shore exposed to the open sea. All sites are located in Rio de Janeiro State. These investigations suggest that in this species asexual reproduction predominates over sexual reproduction. There are more vegetative than reproductive thalli under environmentally stressful conditions for growth. Cystocarpic plants were only collected from the intertidal epilithic population and always only represented by a low proportion of biomass whereas male plants were not found. The rarity of gametophytes can probably be explained by the replacement of sexual reproduction by asexual reproduction via apomixis or vegetative reproduction.
Dichotomy in human population based on variability in peak spread of rest – activity rhythm in respect of internal phase reference point

Abstract The present study was aimed at ascertaining the best reference point for the peak in rest – activity rhythm in a group of apparently healthy randomly chosen young university students consisting of nine males and seven females. The rest – activity was monitored by using an actiwatch (AW64, Mini Mitter Co. Inc., USA) at one-minute epoch length. Data were analyzed with the help of Actiware sleep software, Cosinor rhythmometry, SPSS software and Excel Analysis Toolpak. A statistically significant circadian rhythm in rest – activity was documented in all subjects, irrespective of gender. Further, the subjects were divided into two groups depending upon the variability in their computed peaks determined with reference to the conventional mid-night, start-sleep, mid-sleep and end-sleep timings. The peak spread in each case and in each subject was computed. Results indicate that mid-sleep and end-sleep timings produce peak spreads that are considerably shorter than the conventional phase reference timing, i.e., local mid-night. Thereafter, two distinct groups, namely “mid-sleep group” (MSG) with the least peak spread when the mid-sleep timing was taken as phase reference and “non-mid-sleep group” (NMSG) with the least peak spread when either start-sleep or end-sleep timing was taken as phase reference, were identified. Further a statistically highly significant difference between amplitudes in MSG and NMSG (p < 0.01) was obtained. A negative relationship was obtained between fragmentation index and amplitude in NMSG (r = −0.756). We have a hunch that there could be a phenotypical variation among the human population with respect to the mechanism of phase resetting. Furthermore, the amplitude could be a significant predictor of fragmentation index in the model that we fitted to elucidate an inverse relationship between them.
Emerging technologies / Technologies naissantes Current knowledge of the interaction between Brassica napus and Leptosphaeria maculans

Blackleg of canola (Brassica napus) causes economic losses worldwide. Populations of the causal agent, Leptosphaeria maculans, have a great propensity for change under selection pressure by resistance genes in commercial cultivars. The high evolutionary potential of the fungus presents challenges to plant breeders to effectively deploy durable resistance. The close taxonomic relationship between Brassica spp. and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is being exploited by researchers who are characterizing resistance genes against the disease and using functional genomic approaches to understand the defence responses of the host. The application of genomic technologies to both partners in the interaction is uncovering details of pathogenicity mechanism used by L. maculans, and defence responses by its
Towards a Better Understanding of Immunology of Early Pregnancy Using Alternative Animal Models: The Contribution of Ruminants

The immunology of pregnancy has been mostly investigated in the mouse, although this animal model is clearly inappropriate for several critical aspects of the studies. The contribution of alternative and less known models such as ovine and bovine species should not be neglected. The uterine morphology and the important resistance to invasive surgery, the synepitheliochorial placentation, the long peri-implantation phase associated to a specific signal of maternal recognition - interferon-tau- and the availability of original experimental models including somatic cloning offer unique opportunities of investigation for answering fundamental and applied biological questions. The low and high-throughput analyses of cell and tissue phenotypes have taken advantages from genome annotation and powerful genomic tools including microarrays and functional exploration of a target gene function. Considering present reports and future directions, ruminants can undoubtedly contribute in a relevant way to a better knowledge of the immunological process taking place in a successful, perturbed or failed pregnancy.
Ecosystem modelling in the southern Benguela: comparisons of Atlantis, Ecopath with Ecosim, and OSMOSE under fishing scenarios

Ecosystem-based management of marine fisheries requires the use of simulation modelling to investigate the system-level impact of candidate fisheries management strategies. However, testing of fundamental assumptions such as system structure or process formulations is rarely done. In this study, we compare the output of three different ecosystem models (Atlantis, Ecopath with Ecosim, and OSMOSE) applied to the same ecosystem (the southern Benguela), to explore which ecosystem effects of fishing are most sensitive to model uncertainty. We subjected the models to two contrasting fishing pressure scenarios, applying high fishing pressure to either small pelagic fish or to adult hake. We compared the resulting model behaviour at a system level, and also at the level of model groups. We analysed the outputs in terms of various commonly used ecosystem indicators, and found some similarities in the overall behaviour of the models, despite major differences in model formulation and assumptions. Direction of change in system-level indicators was consistent for all models under the hake pressure scenario, although discrepancies emerged under the small-pelagic-fish scenario. Studying biomass response of individual model groups was key to understanding more integrated system-level metrics. All three models are based on existing knowledge of the system, and the convergence of model results increases confidence in the robustness of the model outputs. Points of divergence in the model results suggest important areas of future study. The use of feeding guilds to provide indicators for fish species at an aggregated level was explored, and proved to be an interesting alternative to aggregation by trophic level.
Einfluss der Klimafaktoren CO2 und Temperatur auf die Physiologie von Gesamtorganismus sowie isolierten Geweben des Atlantischen Kabeljaus (Gadus morhua)

Ongoing climate change and the related ocean warming as well as ocean acidification represent a major challenge for marine organisms. Marine fish are very efficient osmotic regulators, however, the details of the underlying compensation mechanisms remain to be explored, such as the interaction with elevated temperature. In the present study, effects on marine fish from ocean acidification and warming were investigated in long-term incubation experiments on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Isolated perfused gill experiments were conducted to examine in vivo costs of the branchial energy budget and acid-base relevant ion transport under hypercapnia at optimum temperature (10 degree celsius) and in the warmth (18 degree celsius). In addition, potential effects on whole animal level as well as maximum enzyme capacities of central metabolic pathways in liver and muscle tissue were investigated. In conclusion, Gadus morhua possesses a wide range of compensational mechanisms on different systemic levels to cope with the challenge of ocean acidification, whereas high temperature has been confirmed as limiting factor.
Patterns of genetic diversity of local pig populations in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

This study estimated the genetic diversity and structure of 12 genetic groups (GG) of locally adapted and specialized pigs in the state of Pernambuco using 22 microsatellite markers. Nine locally adapted breeds (Bae, Caruncho, Canastra, Canastrao, Mamelado, Moura, Nilo, Piau and UDB (Undefined Breed)) and 3 specialized breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White), totaling 190 animals, were analyzed. The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) showed that 3.2% of the total variation was due to differences between genetic groups, and 3.6% to differences between local and commercial pigs. One hundred and ninety eight alleles were identified and apart from the Large White breed, all GG presented Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium deviations for some loci. The total and effective allele means were lower for Duroc (3.65 and 3.01) and higher for UDB (8.89 and 4.53) and Canastra (8.61 and 4.58). Using Nei's standard genetic distance and the UPGMA method, it was possible to observe that the Landrace breed was grouped with the local genetic groups Canastra, Moura, Canastrao, Bae and Caruncho. Due to the complex admixture pattern, the genetic variability of the 12 genetic groups can be analyzed by distributing the individuals into two populations as demonstrated by a Bayesian analysis, corroborating the results from AMOVA, which revealed a low level of genetic differentiation between the inferred populations.
DUTCH ELM DISEASE AND THE FUTURE OF THE ELM IN THE U.K. : A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

We consider the future of the elm in the United Kingdom by analysing a simple model for the spread of Dutch elm disease. We show that this model, using biologically plausible parameterizations, is capable of mirroring observed data over short timescales such as a decade, but also demonstrates, over century-long timescales, a wide variety of outcomes ranging from pathogen extinction to substantial elm loss. This complexity of outcome from a simple model suggests that a greatly improved understanding of the basic population dynamics of elm and of the epidemiology of the causal fungus is necessary to analyse the future of the elm, the effect of spatial or genetic heterogeneity, or the impact of human interventions. We also use the model to discuss briefly the qualitative evolutionary impact of the combined saprophytic and parasitic stages of the fungal lifecycle.
Use of Direct Viable Count Methodology With Ozonation in Drinking Water

Viable cells were detected by direct viable count methodology on ozonated anthracite taken from an active dual media rapid sand filter. Also, at least a thousand fold more cells were determined to be viable by direct viable count methodology than by the heterotrophic plate count in raw water which had been exposed to ozone. This suggests that bacterial cells were not killed as quickly by ozone as previously thought, and that the direct viable count may have a place in assessing the effectiveness of killing bacteria by ozone.
Haemagglutinating activity of canine parvovirus

Haemagglutination is an important characteristic of non-defective parvovirus. The HA test is simple, convenient and comparatively more accurate. The present study was aimed to standardize the HA test using erythrocytes of different species, and to analyze the effect of different incubation temperatures, buffers and pH on the HA reaction. The porcine erythrocytes when used at an incubation temperature of 4oC gave best results. Highest HA titer was obtained using PBS, PBSS and PBS with 0.1 % BSA as diluent in the pH range of 4-6. Also its specificity was ascertained by haemagglutination inhibition test and a HI titer of 3120 was obtained. Using the standardized reagents, HA test was used to detect CPV in the fecal samples from clinical cases and experimentally infected pup.
Chitin and Chitosan in Fungi

Introduction Chemical Structure Chitin Chitosan Polyphenolic Pigments Occurrence Physiological Function Chemical Analysis and Detection Biosynthesis of Chitin and Chitosan Chitin Synthases (CS) Glucan Transferase Chitin Deacetylase (CDA) Biodegradation Chitinase Chitosanases Exo-β-d-glucosaminidases Biotechnological Production Screening for Chitosan Producer Strains Isolation of Chitin and Chitosan from Fungal Biomass Production of CDA Applications Adsorption of Coloring Matters Metal Ion Adsorption Healthcare Outlook Patents Acknowledgements Keywords: N-acetylglucosaminidase; antifungals; chitin; chitinases; chitin deacetylase; chitobiase; chitobiosidase; chitosan; chitosanase; fungal biomass; glucosaminidase; hexosaminidase; fungi; FT-IR spectroscopy; glucans; lysozyme; melanin; polyphenols
Hydraulic characteristics of wild Coffea arabica populations in natural forests of Ethiopia.

The montane rainforests of Ethiopia are the known centres of origin and genetic diversity for Coffea arabica. However, the remnant rainforests with the spontaneously grown wild coffee populations are under continuous threat, largely due to population pressure, indiscriminate deforestation and extensive disturbance of the natural forest habitats, and associated global climate changes. This demands urgent action for sustainable environmental management, utilization and conservation of forest biodiversity for global benefits. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the diversity in hydraulic characteristics among the wild coffee populations in forest environments of Ethiopia. To this end, in-situ investigation was made within four rainforests along a rainfall gradient in the South Eastern and South Western parts of the country. These include, the specific sites of Berhan-Kontir, Yayu, Bonga, and Harenna, with the driest site, Harenna, situated in the South East. A high-pressure flow meter was employed to measure hydraulic flows in root and shoot segments of mature coffee trees. In addition, saturated hydraulic resistance components were recorded along with root and shoot parameters to examine the extent of possible drought damage and recovery rates. Hydraulic conductance of stems and branches differed highly significantly among wild arabica coffee populations and the results followed the order of Harenna>Berhan-Kontir>Yayu>Bonga, both for whole branches as well as length specific. The juvenile primary branches showed the lowest hydraulic conductance within the tree crowns. The subsequent removal of growth parts significantly reduced hydraulic resistance components in the primary branches of the coffee trees and shoot of the coffee trees. In general, the Harenna wild coffee populations exhibited significantly higher root and shoot hydraulic conductance, as compared to those from the moist areas in the South West, demonstrating their increased water use efficiency and productivity under sub-optimal environments. Overall, our results revealed significant variability in hydraulic properties and underline the importance of the four natural coffee forests as gene pools, and the need for multi-site in-situ conservation strategy for sustainable conservation and use of coffee genetic resources at their centre of origin and genetic diversity in Ethiopia.
Unlike most vipers, female rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) continue to hunt and feed throughout pregnancy

For various reasons, reduction or cessation of feeding (anorexia) can occur in either sex during periods of reproduction among vertebrates, from cichlids to elephant seals. Anorexia is commonly associated with gestation in snakes. Using radiotelemetry, we investigated the feeding and spatial ecology of a live-bearing viperid snake, the western diamond-backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). Specifically, from 2001 to 2010, we determined the feeding frequency and home range size of adult females (n = 27) during the active season (March–October) in a population from the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. We addressed a central hypothesis: Do hunting and feeding occur throughout pregnancy? Also, we tested a corollary hypothesis: Does pregnancy influence home range size? We documented hunting and feeding from March to October and during pregnancy (June to mid-September). Feeding frequency was significantly greater in late pregnancy, a result that is in sharp contrast to most other large-bodied vipers. Furthermore, home range sizes in gestating subjects did not differ from those in nonreproductive years. Births occurred from mid-August to mid-September and mean litter size was 3.4. Frequent feeding in C. atrox during gestation unquestionably provides energy and nutrients to the mother, which is likely important for survival, but such food consumption does not imply that nutrients are used by the fetuses. There is, however, recent evidence in other snakes, including a pitviper, that amino acids are transferred to fetuses. Feeding during pregnancy in C. atrox may be important for both income and capital mode reproduction. Hunting and feeding throughout gestation might be accomplished by having relatively small litters not burdened by a body cavity filled with fetuses. Reduction in litter size may thus be a life-history (fecundity) trade-off that permits females to survive and maintain pregnancy in regions where drought and high temperatures are often extreme and chronic.
GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN-BASED ENHANCER TRAPS FOR RICE FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS

The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter was cloned into 26 binary vectors including enhancer traps and positive/negative controls, and successfully used for tracing dynamic gene expression in the transformation process of rice, and for screening enhancer trap pattern lines. GUS::EGFP and GUSPlus::EGFP fusion reporters were also created to make good use of the advantage of GFP as a vital marker for dynamic monitoring of gene expression and the advantage of GUS for its high sensitivity in histochemical staining. An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for the japonica rice variety Millin was well established. In a case study with enhancer trap constructs harboring GUSPlus::EGFP fusion reporter, a total of 1,021 transgenic rice lines were obtained in a single transformation experiment starting with 1,000 scutellum-derived calli. Further improvement of the transformation efficiency was achieved by decreasing the temperature to 22°C during co-cultivation of rice calli with agrobacteria. The efficiency can fulfill the prerequisite for the TransGenomics project in which large populations of transgenic lines are needed. Several sets of enhancer traps were constructed and tested through transformation of rice calli. GFP expression of the enhancer traps, along with corresponding Gal4-deletion constructs, was studied extensively during the callus stage and at plant level. Constructs carrying the CaMV 35S promoter exhibited serious within T-DNA cis-activities, imposing significant background problem for screening genomic enhancers being trapped. The problem was in a great extent solved by replacing the CaMV 35S promoter with Ubi-1 promoter in the selection cassette of enhancer trap constructs. Out of 393 enhancer trap lines obtained with the improved constructs, 129 (32.8%) lines were found GFPpositive with diverse expression patterns, which were valuable genetic resources for functional studies of gene of interest in rice. Sexual crosses, between enhancer trap lines with EGFP reporter and target gene lines harboring 6xUAS-MP-GUS, were made to verify functionality of the