Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-shelf transport of pink shrimp larvae: Interactions of tidal currents, larval vertical migrations and internal tides

Transport and behavior of pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum larvae were investi- gated on the southwestern Florida (SWF) shelf of the Gulf of Mexico between the Dry Tortugas spawning grounds and Florida Bay nursery grounds. Stratified plankton samples and hydrographic data were collected at 2 h intervals at 3 stations located on a cross-shelf transect. At the Marquesas station, midway between Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay, internal tides were recognized by anom- alously cool water, a shallow thermocline with strong density gradients, strong current shear, and a high concentration of pink shrimp larvae at the shallow thermocline. Low Richardson numbers occurred at the pycnocline depth, indicating vertical shear instability and possible turbulent transport from the lower to the upper layer where myses and postlarvae were concentrated. Analysis of verti- cally stratified plankton suggested that larvae perform vertical migrations and the specific behavior changes ontogenetically; protozoeae were found deeper than myses, and myses deeper than postlar- vae. Relative concentrations of protozoea in the upper, middle and bottom layers were consistent with a diel vertical migration, whereas that of postlarvae and myses were consistent with the semidiurnal tides in phase with the flood tide. Postlarvae, the shallowest dwellers that migrate with a semidiurnal periodicity, experienced the largest net onshore flux and larval concentrations were highly correlated with the cross-shelf current. These results provide the first evidence of an onshore tidal transport (a type of selective tidal stream transport, STST), in decapod larvae migrating in continental shelf waters offshore, ca. 100 km from the coast and at a depth of 20 m, while approaching the coastal nurs- ery grounds. Longer time series would be necessary to establish whether internal tides play any role in the larval onshore transport of this species and determine if the STST is the dominant onshore transport mechanism.
Dynamics of the Swan River estuary : the seasonal variability

The Swan River is a south-westem Australian estuary that undergoes a distinct seasonal stratification cycle. Motivated by the increasing nutrient loading of the estuarine system, an intensive investigation into the hydrodynamics was performed with the aim of understanding the physical processes responsible for transport within the estuary. The seasonal variability of the stratification was documented with regular conductivity-temperature-depth-dissolved oxygen transects that were used to piece together an overview of the dynamics. The estuarine dynamics were classified into a gravitational overflow produced by the winter rains, a salt wedge condition governed by both discharge and topographic constraints, tidal dynamics that influence the degree of flushing, and the roles of two sills that control fluid exchange between the estuary and the ocean and control the propagation of the salt wedge and the gravitational overflow.
Effects of fusicoccin and indole‐3‐acetic acid on the levels of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in the apoplast during elongation of epicotyl segments of Vigna angularis

The levels of ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) in the apoplast of epicotyl segments from Vigna angularis L. cv. Erimoshouzu decreased to nearly zero and about 35%, respectively, of their initial levels, 3 h after the preparation of the epicotyl segments. The decreased level was kept nearly constant between 3 and 7 h. Fusicoccin (FC) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) slightly amplified the initial decrease in the level of AA, but suppressed the initial decrease in the level of DHA while enhancing elongation growth. During incubation for 3 and 7 h, FC then increased the levels of both AA and DHA, whereas IAA did so only with DHA. By the addition of FC 4 h after the start of incubation, the levels of both AA and DHA were also increased. The uncoupler carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone increased the levels of both AA and DHA in the apoplast inhibiting elongation growth. These results suggest that the electrochemical proton gradient across the plasma membrane is one of the factors that control the apoplastic levels of AA and DHA.
Soil type links microbial colonization of rice roots to methane emission

Most of the methane (CH4) emission from rice fields is derived from plant photosynthates, which are converted to CH4. Rice cluster I (RC‐1) archaea colonizing the rhizosphere were found to be the methanogens responsible for this process. Hence, RC‐1 methanogens seem to play a crucial role in emission of the greenhouse gas CH4. We determined the community composition and activity of methanogens colonizing the roots of eight different rice cultivars after growth on both Italian rice soil and river bank soil, which contained different communities of methanogenic archaea. The community composition was analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and cloning/sequencing of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene and the mcrA gene coding for a subunit of the methyl coenzyme M reductase. When grown on rice field soil, the methanogenic community of the different rice cultivars was always dominated by RC‐1 methanogens. In contrast, roots were colonized by Methanomicrobiales when grown on river bank soil, in which RC‐1 methanogens were initially not detectable. Roots colonized with Methanomicrobiales compared with RC‐1 exhibited lower CH4 production and CH4 emission rates. The results show that the type of methanogens colonizing rice roots has a potentially important impact on the global CH4 cycle.
First Report of the Sexual Morph of Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae Pavlic, T.I.Burgess & M.J.Wingf. on Para Rubber

ABSTRACT Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae Pavlic, T.I. Burgess & M.J.Wingf. and P. ardesiacum Pavlic, T.I. Burgess & M.J.Wingf. were collected from branches and twigs of Hevea brasiliensis Müell. Arg. in Phayao Province, northern Thailand. Pseudofusicoccum Mohali, Slippers & M.J.Wingf. is known only by its asexual morph. Here, we report the sexual morph of P. adansoniae based on phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, TEF1 and β-tubulin dataset. The sexual morph is characterized by immersed, uniloculate ascomata, cylindric-clavate asci with a long pedicel, a well-developed ocular chamber and short clavate, hyaline, aseptate ascospores, surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath. Descriptions, illustrations and molecular data are provided for the taxa.
Biologia floral e polinização de Manihot Mill. (Euphorbiaceae), com ênfase em duas espécies do Cerrado

The species of the genus Manihot, whose M. esculenta is of nutritional importance, are poorly known about their reproductive biology. In this dissertation we investigated floral and reproductive characters and plant-pollination interactions in Manihot, focusing on species of the Cerrado, a biome with priority area for conservation of the genus. In the first chapter, we compared species with restricted distribution in the Cerrado to more widely distributed species. We revealed the occurrence of osmophores, scent glands, in the flowers of all 16 species analyzed. The structures of the floral glands were conserved and applying histochemical tests in three species, we identified compounds that potentially contribute to the protection of the flowers and attraction of pollinators (terpenes). The endemic species of the Cerrado differed in the design of the female flower and morphology of osmophores, indicating greater diversification in this biome. In the second chapter, we demonstrated in two Cerrado Manihot species, reproductive systems that depend on pollinators for seed formation. Various functional groups of insects acted as pollinators, but the species can manifest floral characteristics, such as low concentration of nectar, resulting in the restriction of certain visitors. The two species differ in the main pollinators (bees versus ants and flies) and, regardless of the generalist pollination system, we evidenced floral filters. Additionally, monoecy limits the possibilities of infrequent visitors to pollinate due to the low number of female flowers. In conclusion, despite having conservative floral traits, Manihot species can differ in their pollination biology, tending to depend on more abundant groups of insects for reproductive success.
Prevalence and Predictors of Sarcopenia in Older People with Type 2 Diabetes

Sarcopenia is associated with loss of muscle mass and muscle strength, causing poor physical performance and falls; however, research about this is still limited in Thailand, particularly in older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia, and its components (muscle mass, handgrip strength and gait speed) associations with personal factors (age, gender, co-morbidity and time since diagnosis), and health and behavioral factors (hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, waist circumference, depression and physical activity) in older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected from 396 older people residing in Bangkok and surrounding areas using structured interviews, nutrition and health assessment, body composition analyzer, handgrip dynamometer and a 6-meter walk test. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that the prevalence of sarcopenia was 1.3%. The univariate logistic regression indicated that age and gender were significantly associated with handgrip strength and gait speed. Body mass index and waist circumference were significantly associated with only handgrip strength; while depression and physical activity were significantly associated with handgrip strength and gait speed. The multivariate logistic regression showed that age, gender and waist circumference could together predict handgrip strength. Moreover, age, gender, depression and physical activity together predicted gait speed. Nurses need to promote physical activity, monitor depression and provide advice to older people to help control their body weight and visceral fat.
Utilization Advantages of Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer on Paddy Rice Cultivation

Labor-saving for fertilization has been strongly desired due to the shortage in labor and increasing scale of farming for rice cultivation. In order to clear these problems, the effect of application of controlled releasenitrogen fertilizer (CRNF) on the different styles of paddy rice cultivation was investigated in southwestern Japan. Yield of transplanted rice grown by a single basal application of fertilizer consisting of 30% to 70% of sigmoid CRNF-100 was approximately equal to that grown by split application of ammonium sulfate under the same amount of nitrogen applied. In direct sowing cultivation under dry and flooded condition, rice yield was elevated by using nitrogen fertilizer consisting of 85% to 100% of CRNF. Approximately 30% of nitrogen applied was reduced in a single basal application with fertilizer consisting of 100% of CRNF nitrogen compared with that in split application with ammonium sulfate. Labor for nitrogen topdressing was completely saved by utilizing a single basal application with CRNF. The utilization of nitrogen fertilizer consisting of CRNF was also thought to be preservative to the environment.
California Poppy Conundrums: Insights into Relationships within Tribe Eschscholtzieae (Papaveraceae)

Abstract We examined the phylogenetic relationships and patterns of character evolution among the California poppies and their relatives (Papaveraceae, Eschscholtzieae) using morphological comparisons and parsimony and likelihood-based phylogenetic analyses of two chloroplast and two nuclear DNA regions, including 14-3-3-like, a phylogenetically informative nuclear DNA region developed for this research. Each of the three genera in the tribe (Dendromecon, Eschscholzia, and Hunnemannia) is strongly supported as monophyletic, but not all species of Eschscholzia display monophyly based on molecular data. Examination of biogeographic patterns indicates that dispersal to island habitats occurred more than twice in the tribe. Phylogenetic reconstruction of the evolution of chromosome number suggests that there were several polyploidy events within the tribe and likely one or more aneuploid events within Eschscholzia. Based on the results presented here, the subspecies of both Eschscholzia californica and Eschscholzia lemmonii will be promoted to specific status. Additionally, the study provides evidence supporting recognition of two new species of desert Eschscholzia.
Drought Drives Spatial Variation in the Millet Root Microbiome

Efforts to boost crop yield and meet global food demands while striving to reach sustainability goals are hindered by the increasingly severe impacts of abiotic stress, such as drought. One strategy for alleviating drought stress in crops is to utilize root-associated bacteria, yet knowledge concerning the relationship between plant hosts and their microbiomes during drought remain under-studied. One broad pattern that has recently been reported in a variety of monocot and dicot species from both native and agricultural environments, is the enrichment of Actinobacteria within the drought-stressed root microbiome. In order to better understand the causes of this phenomenon, we performed a series of experiments in millet plants to explore the roles of drought severity, drought localization, and root development in provoking Actinobacteria enrichment within the root endosphere. Through 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing, we demonstrate that the degree of drought is correlated with levels of Actinobacterial enrichment in four species of millet. Additionally, we demonstrate that the observed drought-induced enrichment of Actinobacteria occurs along the length of the root, but the response is localized to portions of the root experiencing drought. Finally, we demonstrate that Actinobacteria are depleted in the dead root tissue of Japanese millet, suggesting saprophytic activity is not the main cause of observed shifts in drought-treated root microbiome structure. Collectively, these results help narrow the list of potential causes of drought-induced Actinobacterial enrichment in plant roots by showing that enrichment is dependent upon localized drought responses but not root developmental stage or root death.
Species Sorting and Neutral Theory Analyses Reveal Archaeal and Bacterial Communities Are Assembled Differently in Hot Springs

Although the recognition of archaea as one of the three kingdoms in the tree of life has been nearly a half-century long, the comparative investigations on their ecological adaptations with bacteria have been limited. The mechanisms of their community assembly and diversity maintenance in hot springs have not been addressed. The mechanistic study is critical not only for understanding the hot-spring microbiome structure and dynamics, but also for shedding light on their evolutionary adaptations. We applied the neutral theory model and species sorting paradigm of metacommunity theory to investigate how hot-spring microbial communities were assembled, how their diversities were maintained, and how the temperature and pH influence these mechanisms. Through rigorous statistical tests based on the neutral theory and species sorting paradigm, we found (i) According to the neutral theory, archaeal and bacterial communities are assembled differently, with stochastic neutral force playing a more significant role in archaeal communities than in bacterial communities (neutrality-rate = 52.9 vs. 15.8%, p-value < 0.05). (ii) Temperature and pH account for rather limited (<10%) variations in hot-spring microbiomes based on the species sorting paradigm. The pH has more significant influences than temperature on archaeal communities, and both pH and temperature have similarly low influences on bacterial community structure. (iii) We postulate that the differences between archaea and bacteria are likely due to the longer evolutionary history and better adaptation of archaea to host spring environments.
Glume blight of rice in Brazil: Etiology, varietal reaction and loss estimates

Abstract The causal agent of glume blight in Brazil was determined as Phoma sorghina (Sacc.) Boerema, Dorenbosch & Van Kesteren. The pathogenicity of Brazilian isolates was proved and the characteristic symptoms described. Out of 19 rice varieties tested under artificial inoculations, two vars. , Limeira and Iguape Redondo, exhibited a high degree of resistance. Quantitative relationships between glume blight and some yield components were established. The relationship between glume blight severity and filled grain percentage was linear. On the other hand, the grain weight relationship to disease severity was exponential. The disease effect was more pronounced on grain filling than on grain weight. Based on the regression equation, estimated panicle weight losses in 3 different fields of cv. IAC 25 were 41%, 29% and 45% during an epidemic year. The head yield losses in these fields ranged from 0 to 14%. Glume blight was considered to be of minor economic importance in upland rice, but attained epidemic pro.
Biofilm and Pathogenesis-Related Proteins in the Foodborne P. fluorescens ITEM 17298 With Distinctive Phenotypes During Cold Storage

In food chain, Pseudomonas spp. cause spoilage by reducing shelf life of fresh products, especially during cold storage, with a high economic burden for industries. However, recent studies have shed new light on health risks occurring when they colonize immunocompromised patient tissues. Likewise to P. aeruginosa, they exhibit antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation, responsible for their spread and persistence in the environment. Biofilm formation might be induced by environmental stresses, such as temperature fluctuations causing physiological and metabolic changes exacerbating food spoilage (by protease and pigment synthesis), and the production of adhesion molecules, chemotactic or underestimated virulence factors. In order to provide a new insight into phenotypic biodiversity of Pseudomonas spoilers isolated from cold stored cheese, in this work 19 Pseudomonas spp. were investigated for biofilm, pigments, exopolysaccharide production and motility at low temperature. Only nine strains showed these phenotypic traits and the blue pigmenting cheese strain P. fluorescens ITEM 17298 was the most distinctive. In addition, this strain decreased the survival probability of infected Galleria mellonella larvae, showing, for the first time, a pathogenic potential. Genomic and proteomic analyses performed on the ITEM 17298 planktonic cells treated or not with lactoferrin derived antibiofilm peptides allowed to reveal specific biofilm related-pathways as well as proteins involved in pathogenesis. Indeed, several genes were found related to signaling system by cGMP-dependent protein kinases, cellulose, rhamnolipid and alginate synthesis, antibiotic resistance, adhesion and virulence factors. The proteome of the untreated ITEM 17298, growing at low temperature, showed that most of the proteins associated with biofilm regulation, pigmentation motility, antibiotic resistance and pathogenecity were repressed, or decreased their levels in comparison to that of the untreated cultures. Thus, the results of this work shed light on the complex pathways network allowing psychrotrophic pseudomonads to adapt themselves to food-refrigerated conditions and enhance their spoilage. In addition, the discovery of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance determinants raises some questions about the need to deeper investigate these underestimated bacteria in order to increase awareness and provide input to update legislation on their detection limits in foods.
Learning to Avoid Obstacles With Minimal Intervention Control

Programming by demonstration has received much attention as it offers a general framework which allows robots to efficiently acquire novel motor skills from a human teacher. While traditional imitation learning that only focuses on either Cartesian or joint space might become inappropriate in situations where both spaces are equally important (e.g., writing or striking task), hybrid imitation learning of skills in both Cartesian and joint spaces simultaneously has been studied recently. However, an important issue which often arises in dynamical or unstructured environments is overlooked, namely how can a robot avoid obstacles? In this paper, we aim to address the problem of avoiding obstacles in the context of hybrid imitation learning. Specifically, we propose to tackle three subproblems: (i) designing a proper potential field so as to bypass obstacles, (ii) guaranteeing joint limits are respected when adjusting trajectories in the process of avoiding obstacles, and (iii) determining proper control commands for robots such that potential human-robot interaction is safe. By solving the aforementioned subproblems, the robot is capable of generalizing observed skills to new situations featuring obstacles in a feasible and safe manner. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through a toy example as well as a real transportation experiment on the iCub humanoid robot.
Word Category Conversion Revisited: The Case of Adjectives and Participles in L1 and L2 German

One of the hypotheses about mental representation of conversion (i.e., zero-derivation) claims that converted forms are a product of a costly mental process that converts a word’s category into another one when needed, i.e., depending on the syntactic context in which the word appears. The empirical evidence for the claim is based primarily on self-paced reading experiments by Stolterfoht et al. (2010) in which they explored the assumed conversion of German verbs into adjectives in two syntactic contexts with past participles. In our priming study, we show that the effects that had been attributed to the conversion process are in fact frequency effects. In addition, based on our data we argue that past participles do not undergo any change in word class in either of the two syntactic contexts, which is consistent with, e.g., traditional German grammars. The same pattern of frequency effects was observed for German native speakers and advanced L2 German learners.