Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The genetic potential of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch) to improve adaptation to low rainfall environments

A multi-faceted research study was conducted in an integrated approach encompassing field experiment, greenhouse test and molecular analysis on 57 barley lines carrying various levels of introgression from wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) and 14 barley populations with contrasting response to drought stress. The main objective of this study was to examine the contribution of wild barley as a potential source of useful genes to the improved adaptation of germplasm developed by the ICARDA breeding program. A field experiment conducted on 57 barley introgression lines and 14 barley drought populations showed a considerable amount of genetic variability among the genotypes for the various agronomic and developmental traits measured in a range of Mediterranean environments. Traits such as early vigour, days to heading, peduncle length, plant height and thousand-kernel weight were important for yield improvement in the dry environments. The 57 introgression lines were genotyped using 74 SSR and 20 SNP markers for the analysis of graphical genotyping and LD based association mapping. The graphical genotyping analysis showed that the average length of donor chromosome segments of Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum ranged between 20.3 and 45.4 cM for chromosomes 1H to 7H, with an overall average donor segment length of 35.0 cM. The association analysis revealed a total of 147 significant marker trait associations for grain yield and drought related traits. A total of 72 (49%) marker-trait associations showed favourable effects of the exotic germplasm where the Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum lines contributed to an improvement of the trait under drought stress conditions. Marker-trait correlation analysis was done on the 14 drought populations using 50 SSR markers and the analysis revealed 51 significant (P Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum background exhibited wide variation for vernalization and photoperiod responses while improved varieties from Australia and Ethiopia showed a narrow range of response to vernalization in both short and long-day photoperiods. The present study indicates that a combination of field, greenhouse and molecular studies could help in understanding the genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance in barley.
The blue tit's song is an inconsistent signal of male condition

Sexually selected traits are often hypothesized to signal male condition or quality, though empirical evidence is mixed, and a number of alternative models of sexual selection do not require condition dependence. We examined the relationship between various measures of condition and dawn songs in male blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We detected 6 largely independent measures of variation (i.e., variables) in these songs. None of these variables were related to blue tits' ultraviolet--blue plumage, a demonstrated sexual signal, thus failing to support the redundant signal hypothesis. We found some evidence that the song variables we measured signaled male quality. There were correlations between body size and certain song traits, though neither male age nor male recapture in the subsequent breeding season (apparent local survival) predicted any song variation. We combined our results with published effect sizes comparing blue tit song with male quality variables using meta-analysis and found that a few song measures are correlates of male quality, though as in our field data, neither male age nor survival appeared related to song. Our relatively large sample sizes (>60), combined with our meta-analytical integration of 89 effect sizes, make the results regarding the signaling value of our measured components of blue tit song robust. These results demonstrate that 1) only certain aspects of signal variation may be condition dependent and 2) even when components of a sexual signal appear correlated with condition in some studies, these signal components may be unrelated or inconsistently related to a variety of condition indices. Copyright 2006.
EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF A NEWLY DEVELOPED POLYHERBAL FORMULATION FOR ANTIOBESITY

value 0.250±0. 007µg/ml) used respectively. The extracts were also investigated for the total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and total tannin content. The present studies suggest that the developed formulation has potent antioxidant activity and those phenolic compounds such as tannins and flavonoids present possibly suggest for the antioxidant action.
Identity and cross-border student mobility: The mainland China–Hong Kong experience

This article is drawn from research in an ongoing multiple case study of the identity constructions of tertiary-level border-crossing students from mainland China to Hong Kong. It begins by outlining the contextual and conceptual background of the study, followed by the presentation and discussion of the three aspects of identity being constructed, including contestation against place-of-origin stereotypical identification, passive resistance against power regulations exerted by the original context and critical critiques of the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese societies. This paper argues that, compared with the Bologna process, the parallel but inverse-directional characteristics of the border crossing between mainland China and Hong Kong have significant implications on student mobility across the internal and external European borders, which are greatly influenced by the global context, against a background of the internationalisation of higher education worldwide.
Experimental confirmation of ecosystem model predictions comparing transient and equilibrium plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2

Ecosystem models predict that short-term responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 may differ substantially from the “real” long-term responses expected at equilibrium. Experimental validation of these model predictions is difficult as the data available are from short-term studies that do not include biogeochemical feedbacks typical of long-term exposure. Using a reciprocal transplant design at a natural CO2 spring, we generated combinations of atmospheric and soil conditions that represented both short- and long-term elevated CO2 conditions. Plant responses were significantly different between these treatments, confirming model predictions that there is not a simple relationship between transient and equilibrium responses to elevated CO2.
Binding of biguanides to β-lactoglobulin: molecular-docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies

Biguanides are a class of drugs derived from biguanide and they are the most widely used drugs for diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes treatment. An investigation of their interaction and a transport protein such as β-lactoglobulin (BLG) at atomic level could be a valuable factor in controlling their transport to biological sites. Molecular-docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods were used to study the interaction of metformin, phenformin and buformin as biguanides and BLG as transport protein. The molecular-docking results revealed that these biguanides bind to BLG and that the BLG affinity for binding the biguanides decreases in the following order: phenformin — buformin — metformin. The docking results also show the hydrophobic interactions to have a significant role in the BLG-biguanides complex stability. Analysis of molecular dynamic simulation trajectories shows that the root mean square deviation of various systems attained equilibrium and fluctuated around the mean value at various times. The time evolution of the radius of gyration and the total solvent-accessible surface of the protein showed that BLG and BLG-biguanide complexes became stable at approximately 2500 ps and that there was not any conformational change in the BLG-biguanide complexes. In addition, the profiles of atomic fluctuations show the rigidity of the ligand-binding site during the simulation.
Physical Barriers to Prevent Dogwood Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) Infestation of Apple Burrknots

Dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris), infestation of burrknot tissue on apple dwarfing rootstocks is an increasing problem throughout the northeastern United States. One insecticide, chlorpyrifos, is currently the only efficient chemical control available for dogwood borer. Because of scrutiny of chlorpyrifos under the US EPA's Food Quality Protection Act policy and the desire to increase options available to growers, we investigated other dogwood borer control options. Barriers to dogwood borer oviposition may offer an effective, efficient physical control. We tested 4 types of barriers including white latex paint, trunk wraps of spunbonded polyethylene fabric Tyvek® HomeWrap® (E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE) and self-adhesive veterinary gauze, and a sprayable, nonwoven ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). These were compared with chlorpyrifos and an untreated check starting in late spring of 2006. All barriers were effective in preventing dogwood borer infestation and remained intact throughout the first growing season. The paint and EVA treatments persisted longer than other treatments. However, by March 2007, the paint treatment was beginning to fade and flake off. By May 2007 the EVA treatment was ≈ 95% (± 9.4%) intact, and trees were significantly less infested than trees in the paint treatment or an untreated check in September 2007. Whereas barriers were significantly less intact in the Tyvek and gauze treatments than in the EVA treatment in 2007, borer infestations were equivalent among treatments. EVA was the least costly of the barriers and its cost may be competitive with conventional chemical control.
The Epacteriscidae, a cave-living family of calanoid copepods

Abstract Twelve genera and 20 species of epacteriscids are recorded from marine and anchialine caves in tropical and subtropical waters. Nine genera are new: Eduxiella from Jamaica; Ena111ronia from Lanzarote, the Canary Islands; Balinella, Bojitriella, Bomburiella, Enantronoides, and Oinella from the Bahamas; Gloinella from Cuba; Erebonectes macrochaetus Fosshagen from the Caicos Islands, West Indies is transferred to a new genus Erebonectoides. Six new species of Enantiosis Barr are described, one each from Bermuda, Belize, Galapagos, and Fiji, and two from Palau. Two new species of Epacteriscus Foss hagen arc described from Belize and E. rapax Fosshagen is recorded for the first time in Bermuda. New records of Erebonectes nesioticus Fosshagen are made in Bermuda and a habitat division between three species of Epacteriscus, Enantiosis and Erebonectes from Bermuda is suggested. A phylogenetic analysis of described taxa was performed using PAUP. Based on inferences from this analysis two new subfamilies are proposed: the Erebonectinae (to include Erebonectes and Erehonectoides) and the Epacteriscinae (to include all ten other genera).
Occurrence and Distribution of Microdochium and Fusarium Species Isolated from Durum Wheat in Northern Tunisia and Detection of Mycotoxins in Naturally Infested Grain

An outbreak of Fusarium Head Blight of durum wheat occurred in 2004 being localized in sub-humid and higher semi-arid region of Northern Tunisia. A mycological survey carried out throughout these regions, revealed that 78% of the prospected fields were infested. Results of the morphological and molecular identification, showed that the most common species isolated from diseased wheat spikes was Microdochium nivale var. nivale (63.5%), followed by Fusarium culmorum (26%), F. pseudograminearum (9%) and F. avenaceum (1.5%). To evaluate mycotoxin content of naturally infected grain, the amounts of trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in harvested grain from 45 fields were quantified by RIDASCREEN DON Enzyme Immunoassay Kit (ELISA). This study showed that the infection levels in freshly harvested grain were very low and the maximum deoxynivalenol (DON) level of the positive samples was 53 ppb. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of DON in naturally infected wheat grain sampled from Northern Tunisia.
EVOLUTION OF BREEDING SYSTEMS IN ACROCEPHALINE WARBLERS

Abstract Comparative analyses constitute an important complement to studies of adaptive behavior. Previous studies of avian mating systems considered the role of paternal care and habitat type on the evolution of polygyny. We extended those studies and included in our analyses the role of habitat quality, as characterized by food supply. Species in the monophyletic lineage of acrocephaline warblers (Acrocephalus, Chloropeta, Hippolais) are widely distributed, inhabit a variety of different habitats, and show a variety of breeding systems. We present a phylogenetic analysis of parental care and mating system characteristics in relation to ecological traits in 17 species. On the basis of a molecular phylogeny, we reconstructed patterns of changes from social monogamy to polygyny, and in paternal brood care. Specifically, we analyze the coevolution of brood care participation of males and social system, and how it relates to habitat quality. Furthermore, we assessed the phylogenetic inertia of mating systems. We found support for the hypothesis that change to highly productive habitats was associated with a greater emancipation of males from brood care, and with polygyny and promiscuity. Poor habitats, on the other hand, were associated with monogamy and the occurrence of helpers. In contrast to some morphological characters, mating systems appear to be phylogenetically labile.
LIPID PEROXIDATION AND PROTEIN OXIDATION IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BRAIN: POTENTIAL CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES INVOLVING AMYLOID -PEPTIDE-ASSOCIATED FREE RADICAL OXIDATIVE STRESS

Amyloid -peptide (A) is heavily deposited in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and free radical oxidative stress, particularly of neuronal lipids and proteins, is extensive. Recent research suggests that these two observations may be linked by A-induced oxidative stress in AD brain. This review summarizes current knowledge on phospholipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in AD brain, one potential cause of this oxidative stress, and consequences of A-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in AD brain. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. Keywords—Free radicals, Amyloid -peptide, Neurotoxicity, Protein oxidation, Lipid peroxidation
Les méthodes « apprendre à chercher » en traitement automatique des langues : un état de l’art [A survey of learning-to-search techniques in Natural Language Processing]

RÉSUMÉ. L’apprentissage structuré est au fondement des méthodes modernes d’apprentissage automatique pour le traitement automatique des langues (TAL). Dans cet article, nous étudions une famille d’algorithmes d’apprentissage structuré, les algorithmes de la famille « apprendre à chercher », qui diffèrent fondamentalement des méthodes classiques telles que les champs markoviens aléatoires, et permettent donc de mettre en évidence certains des compromis de l’apprentissage structuré en TAL. Nous présentons également un panorama des applications de ces techniques en TAL, en discutant les bénéﬁces découlant de leur utilisation. ABSTRACT. Structured prediction lies at the heart of modern Natural language Processing (NLP). In this paper, we study a speciﬁc family of structured learning algorithms, loosely refered to as “Learning-to-search” algorithms. They differ in several important ways from more studied methods such as Conditional Random Fields, and their study highlights several important trade-offs of structured learning for NLP. We also present an overview of existing applications of these techniques to NLP problems and discuss their potential beneﬁts. MOTS-CLÉS: traitement automatique des langues, apprentissage structuré, apprendre à chercher.
River discharge drives recruitment success of the EuropeanbitterlingRhodeusamarusinaregulatedriver

A 15 year data set revealed that the abundance of 0þ year Rhodeus amarus in a regulated riverwas negatively associated with mean river discharge, while mean standard length was positivelyrelated to the cumulative number of degree-days 10° C. Results are discussed in the context ofthe recent invasion success of R. amarus.
The role of protein-membrane interactions in modulation of signaling by bacterial chemoreceptors

The Role of Protein-Membrane Interactions in Modulation of Signaling by Bacterial Chemoreceptors. (May 2007) Roger Russell Draheim, B.S.; B.S., University of Maine Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Michael D. Manson Environmental signals are sensed by membrane-spanning receptors that communicate with the cell interior. Bacterial chemoreceptors modulate the activity of the CheA kinase in response to binding of small ligands or upon interaction with substrate-bound periplasmic-binding proteins. The mechanism of signal transduction across the membrane is a displacement of the second transmembrane domain (TM2) a few angstroms toward the cytoplasm. This movement repositions a dynamic transmembrane helix relative to the plane of the cell membrane. The research presented in this dissertation investigated the contribution of TM2-membrane interactions to signaling by the aspartate chemoreceptor (Tar) of Escherichia coli. Aromatic residues that reside at the cytoplasmic polar-hydrophobic membrane interface (Trp-209 and Tyr210) were found to play a significant role in regulating signaling by Tar. These interactions were subsequently manipulated to modulate the signaling properties of Tar. The baseline signaling state was shown to be incrementally altered by repositioning the Trp-209/Tyr-210 pair. To our knowledge, this is the first example of harnessing membrane-protein interactions to modulate the signal output of a transmembrane receptor in a controlled and predictable manner. Potential long-term applications include iii
Contribution to the family Pseudocheylidae (Acari, Trombidiformes) from Thailand: one new species and one new record of Anoplocheylus Berlese, with observations on their ontogeny

Abstract We describe a new species of pseudocheylid mite in the genus Anoplocheylus Berlese, Anoplocheylus corticicola sp. nov., based on adults and immatures, and record the occurrence of A. aegypticus Baker & Atyeo, 1964 from Thailand. Immature (deutonymphal) dimorphism in A. corticicola sp. nov. is reported for the first time in Pseudocheylidae. The discovery of pharate females of A. corticicola sp. nov. in deutonymphal exuviae indicates that the tritonymphal stage is absent in the female ontogeny. Males presumably develop directly from the male deutonymphal morph, but we could not confirm this. The ontogeny of A. aegypticus is also described for the first time. Remarks on selected morphological characters of Anoplocheylus are given. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8D0A1868-F4C0-45B9-982C-9123317B00BA
Making the neoliberal precariat: Two faces of job searching in Minneapolis

This comparative ethnographic study charts the similarities and differences in crafting the job search enterprise following the Great Recession at two nonprofit programs in Minneapolis: Career Net, a support group for middle-class job seekers, and Good Deeds, a welfare-to-work service. Both programs attempted to create flexible, productive, and disciplined job seekers, but this unique comparison reveals how these organizations differently reproduced neoliberal subjectivities: Career Net helped participants actively re-craft their personal and professional selves through personal branding and social networking, training participants to become self-entrepreneurs. Good Deeds, on the other hand, took a more top-down approach to controlling client behavior, relying on program requirements and sanctions to keep clients in line and shuffle them into low-wage work. Cohering along lines of race and class, Career Net and Good Deeds underscored the demands of employability and further tipped the power scales in the interest of capital.
A new species of stream-dwelling frog of the genus Cycloramphus (Anura, Cycloramphidae) from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A new anuran species, Cycloramphus lithomimeticus sp. nov., of the C. granulosus species group is described from theMunicipality of Itaguai, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (22°54'3.44"S; 43°53'34.59"W, 160 m). The new species isdistinguished from all other species in the C. granulosus group (and many others in the genus) by lacking inguinal macroglands (on males). We also present data on its natural history, a few aspects of its osteology, tadpole, and discuss evidence for the relationships of the genus based primarily on the morphology of the tadpole.
Competition in heathland along an experimental gradient of nutrient availability

In a three year field experiment competition between Erica tetralix and Molinia caerulea and between Calluna vulgaris and Molinia was studied at four levels of nutrient (NPK) availability using replacement series. In the monocultures of the unfertilized control productivity of both Erica and Calluna exceeded that of Molinia by a factor two. At the highest fertilisation level the rank order of productivity was Erica 1) and Molinia was outcompeted. Only in the highest nutrient treatment was RYem smaller than 1 and Erica was outcompeted by Molinia. In all nutrient treatments Calluna was the superior competitor (RYcm > 1) and Molinia was outcompeted by Calluna, despite its higher potential growth rate and its greater maximum foliage height. The high competitive ability for light interception of Erica and Calluna with respect to Molinia can be attributed to their evergreen habit, which permits canopy closure early in the growing season. The results emphasize the importance of vertical canopy structure and timing of canopy development in competition for light. However, the abilities to compete for light and mineral nutrients are probably closely inter-dependent.
Chorea

ABSTRACTPurpose of Review: This article reviews the clinical approach to the diagnosis of adult patients presenting with chorea, using Huntington disease (HD) as a point of reference, and presents the clinical elements that help in the diagnostic workup. Principles of management for chorea and some of the associated features of other choreic syndromes are also described.Recent Findings: Mutations in the C9orf72 gene, previously identified in families with a history of frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or both, have been recognized as one of the most prevalent causes of HD phenocopies in the white population.Summary: The diagnosis of chorea in adult patients is challenging. A varied number of associated causes require a physician to prioritize the investigations, and a detailed history of chorea and associated findings will help. For chorea presenting as part of a neurodegenerative syndrome, the consideration of a mutation in the C9orf72 gene is a new recommendation after excluding HD. There are no new treatment options for chorea, aside from dopamine blockers and tetrabenazine. There are no disease-modifying treatments for HD or other neurodegenerative choreic syndromes.