Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marine Ecosystem Sensitivity to Climate Change

393 M ounting evidence suggests that the earth is experiencing a period of rapid climate change. Never before has it been so important to understand how environmental change influences the earth’s biota and to distinguish anthropogenic change from natural variability. Long-term studies in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region provide the opportunity to observe how changes in the physical environment are related to changes in the marine ecosystem. Analyses of paleoc limate records (MosleyThompson 1992, Peel 1992, Domack et al. 1993, Thompson et al. 1994, Dai et al. 1995, Domack and McClennen 1996, Leventer et al. 1996) have shown that the WAP region has moved from a relatively cold regime between approximately 2700 BP and 100 BP, to a relatively warm regime during the current century. Air temperature records from the last half-century show a dramatic warming trend, confirming the rapidity of change in the WAP area (Sansom 1989, Stark 1994, Rott et al. 1996, Smith et al. 1996). Significantly, polar ecosystem research over the last few decades (Fraser et al. 1992, Trivelpiece and Fraser 1996) and paleoecological records for the past 500 years (Emslie 1995, Emslie et al. 1998) reveal ecological transitions that have occurred in response to this climate change. In this article, we summarize the available data on climate variability and trends in the WAP region and discuss these data in the context of long-term climate variability during the last 8000 years of the Holocene. We then compare the available data on ecosystem change in the WAP region to the data on climate variability. Both historical and paleoenvironmental records indicate a climate gradient along the WAP that includes a dry, cold continental regime to the south and a wet, warm maritime regime to the north. The position of this climate gradient has shifted over time in response to the dominant climate regime, and it makes the WAP region a highly sensitive location for assessing ecological responses to climate variability. Our findings show that this century’s rapid climate warming has occurred concurrently with a shift in the population size and distribution of penguin species.
Association analysis of agronomically important traits using SSR, SAMPL and AFLP markers in bread wheat

In bread wheat, marker-trait associations were studied for 14 agronomic traits using a set of 519 DNA-based molecular markers (derived from 20 SSR, 2 SAMPL and 8 AFLP primer pairs) with a set of 55 elite wheat genotypes. Using simple linear and multiple regressions, each of the 14 traits was regressed on all 519 available polymorphic markers (221 SSR markers, 43 SAMPL markers and 255 AFLP markers). A total of 131 SSR, 43 SAMPL and 166 AFLP markers gave significant associations with at least one of the 14 traits, either with linear or with multiple regression; 51 of these markers showed association using both approaches (linear and multiple regressions), and therefore may prove useful for marker-assisted breeding after necessary validation.
Effects of Leaf Chilling on Thylakoid Functions, Measured at Room Temperature, in Cucumis sativus L. and Oryza sativa L.

Le traitement de feuilles de concombre par le froid, a la lumiere et a l'obscurite, est etudie sur les thylakoides isoles. A l'obscurite, la chute de temperature affecte le mecanisme de scission de l'eau dans le PS.2. alors qu'a la lumiere, le froid altere l'ATPase. Dans le cas du riz, les 2 traitements affectent peu les fonctions des thylakoides. Les evolutions de l'oxygene et de la fluorescence ont egalement ete examinees dans des disques de feuilles avant et apres les traitements par le froid, afin de relier des mesures in vivo aux caracteristiques observees in vitro dans les thylakoides
Restriction in Vκ Gene Use and Antigen Selection in Anti-Myeloperoxidase Response in Mice

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic Abs, directed primarily toward myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3, are detected in the majority of patients with distinct forms of small vessel vasculitides and pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis. However, the origin of these autoantibodies remains unknown. We studied the V region gene use in murine anti-MPO Abs derived from Spontaneous Crescentic Glomerulonephritis/Kinjoh mice. A total of 13 anti-MPO-producing hybridomas were generated from four unimmunized mice. Ten of the 13 hybridomas (corresponding to 3 of 4 clones) expressed Vκ1C but differed in their use of VH genes. The remaining three hybridomas expressed a Vκ5 gene. Anti-MPO hybridomas from individual mice were derived from single clones as deduced by sequence similarity and splice-site identity. We found a statistically significant bias of amino acid replacement mutations to the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) in the Vκ1C-expressing hybridomas. Intriguingly, all 10 Vκ1C hybridomas share a lysine to glutamate mutation in the CDR1. To determine the effects of somatic V gene mutations on binding to MPO, we generated an anti-MPO Ab with an unmutated Vκ1C L chain and compared its ability to bind MPO with its mutated counterpart. The mutated hybridoma-derived Ab has a 4.75-fold higher avidity for MPO than the unmutated Ab. These results suggest that: 1) the L chain plays a dominant role in determining Ab specificity to MPO, 2) the anti-MPO Ab response is oligoclonal, consistent with Ag selection, and 3) MPO is a driving Ag in the murine anti-MPO Ab response.
Sistema para la detección de intrusos en plataformas SCADA

Los sistemas SCADA, acronimo de Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (Supervision, Control y Adquisicion de Datos), son redes de control que permiten el monitoreo y gestion de procesos industriales de forma remota. En sus inicios, su prioridad mas importante era la disponibilidad de la informacion de forma bidireccional entre la estacion de control y las unidades remotas; no obstante, el creciente escalamiento de los sistemas industriales, asi como la conectividad a internet ha llevado a reconsiderar el antiguo paradigma para darle mas importancia al tema de la seguridad, con el fin de evitar que un posible ciberataque ponga en peligro el funcionamiento del sistema SCADA. Estos ataques pueden llegar a afectar incluso la industria y poner en juego toda la seguridad de un pais. El presente trabajo de incentivacion propuso la creacion de un sistema adaptable para la deteccion de intrusos o IDS (por sus siglas en ingles) en redes SCADA, mediante el uso de tecnicas de aprendizaje de maquinas de tipo supervisado, orientadas al analisis de variables de los dispositivos de control. Una maquina de soporte vectorial del tipo “One Class” y un laboratorio de pruebas, permitio la validacion del modelo propuesto.
Baixando à Terra: uma análise crítica de um projeto de comercialização de produtos florestais não madeireiros em uma comunidade da Amazônia Oriental

Many governmental and non-governmental development organisations (NGOs) invest considerable efforts to support forest dependent people for the extraction and commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFP) to generate income in an ecologically sustainable way. But success so far has been quite modest. Many of the families abandon these initiatives once the external support ceases. This paper critically reflects on the expectations and concerns regarding this kind of development projects by in-depth analysing a project for the commercialization of vegetal oils by the traditional community of Pedreira, situated in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon, which received intensive government-lead support. The study explores the motivations of the participating families, how the project influenced production schemes, and what have been the specific benefits for participating families and the overall consequences for the entire community. Findings indicate that the analyzed NTFP project, on the basis of overoptimistic expectations, strongly invested in the re-organisation of local production schemes without adequately considering the socio-environmental reality, capacities and interests of the community. As a consequence, the proposed social-productive model was not necessarily meaningful to all local people and even had detrimental effects. doi: 10.4336/2011.pfb. 31.66. 131
The primary structure of Escherichia coli glutaredoxin

An immunosorbent method using antiglutaredoxin-Sepharose was developed for purification of glutaredoxin in high yield from a mutant strain of Escherichia coli K 12 lacking thioredoxin reductase (C 10–17). The primary structure of the protein was determined by analyses of [14C]carboxymethylated glutaredoxin and its proteolytic fragments obtained by digestions with trypsin, clostripain, chymotrypsin and staphylococcal Glu-specific extracellular protease. The single active-center disulfide has the structure , with the half-cystine residues located at positions 11 and 14 in the polypeptide chain. In total the protein was deduced to have 85 residues corresponding to a molecular weight of 9674 for the reduced form of glutaredoxin, making it one of the smallest known enzymes (a glutathione–disulfide transhydrogenase). The half-cystines are identically spaced and similarly positioned in the N-terminal part of the protein when compared with a corresponding functionally active disulfide/dithiol in thioredoxins. Glutaredoxin is also distantly homologous with thioredoxins from phage T4 and E. coli, but extensive differences, even around the redox-active disulfide, distinguish glutaredoxin from the thioredoxins. Allowing for deletions in the glutaredoxin sequence (or insertions in the T4 thioredoxin sequence) at four places, there are identical residues at 25 positions of the 77 compared (= 32% identity). The results establish that glutaredoxin belongs to the same superfamily of small redox proteins as the thioredoxins. The structures are, however, subject to large changes, only four positions have residues identical among all presently analyzed forms. The fluorescence of reduced and oxidized glutaredoxin demonstrates an increase in the quantum yield of the tyrosine emission upon reduction with dithiothreitol. Differences in the spectra support the presence of tyrosine adjacent to the redox-active disulfide bridge. They also confirm that glutaredoxin lacks the disulfide-adjacent tryptophan residues of E. coli thioredoxin. There are known to be great differences between the bacterial E. coli and phage T4 forms of thioredoxin. The glutaredoxin structure is most similar to the phage type, both with respect to size of the polypeptide chain and to actual sequence. From the structural results and the previously known functional similarities it appears possible that the phage thioredoxin may have evolved from an early glutaredoxin gene. The mixed properties are compatible with this conclusion, the superfamily assignment, and the differences in biological activity.
Discovery and transmission of functional QTL in the pedigree of an elite soybean cultivar Suinong14

With 3 figures and 5 tables Abstract In this study, we extended in silico mapping for single trait to analyse data from multiple environments by calculating intraclass correlations and to mapping pleiotropic QTL for multiple traits by defining new statistic to measure the correlation between multiple traits and the marker. Data sets include phenotypes of eight agronomic traits obtained from six different ecologic environments and years, and genotypic information from 477 polymorphic markers on 14 ancestral lines in the pedigree of ‘Suinong14’. With in silico mapping, a total of 39 markers distributed on 14 linkage groups are detected as QTL responsible for eight agronomic traits and 10 QTL are identified as having pleiotropic effects. Tracing transmission of functional QTL in the pedigree indicated that certain QTL, such as Sat_036 on linkage group D1a, Satt182 on linkage group L, and Satt726 on linkage group B2 may be responsible for the contribution of exotic germplasm to the improved cultivars.
Induction of oxidative stress by benzo(a)pyrene in the epididymis of Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sub-chronic exposure to benzo(a)pyrene on the antioxidant system and histology of rat epididymal sperm. Intraperitoneal administration of benzo(a)pyrene to male Wistar rats at doses between 1 and 100 µg/kg body weight for 60 days entailed a decrease in the weight of the epididymis (caput and cauda), seminal vesicle, and prostate, while the body weight was not affected. Epididymal sperm reserves were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Indicators of lipid peroxidation were increased while activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in all three epididymal regions decreased. Histological malformations were observed in the epididymis. Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene deranges the antioxidant defense system and induces histological changes in the epididymis.
Consumer Perception Concerning Apple Fruit Quality, Depending on Cultivars and Hedonic Scale of Evaluation - a Case Study

The objective of this study was to analyse fruit quality through consumers’ perceptions and their preferences revealed by two panel questionnaires. Among the most common apple cultivars on the Romanian markets, were chosen the ones existing simultaneously and continuously (over two-years, during January-March): ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Braeburn’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Florina’, ‘Idared’. The consumers’ panel for sensory evaluation was represented by students, who completed two types of questionnaires. Both questionnaires refer to foremost traits for dessert apple, such as fruit appearance (size, shape, color) and intrinsic peculiarities (pulp consistency, juiciness, taste, flavor). First questionnaire comprised different scales for the traits (1-3, 1-5 or 1-15), while the second one consisted of the hedonic scale (1-9) for all traits. For commercial appearance of the fruits were highlighted ‘Idared’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Braeburn’ and especially ‘Jonagold’. ‘Braeburn’ was distinct by the highest quality taste (average grade 13.9 on the scoring taste scale 1-15) and also for fruit flavor. ‘Granny Smith’, a commercially attractive-looking fruit, received only an average of 6.2 for taste and 2.6 for flavor. ‘Granny Smith’ presented the largest value for the coefficients of variation for taste, this variety being preferred less by female than male tasters. Inconsistency of the market, prices and foreign assortment on Romanian market was illustrated by the lack of statistical correlations between commercial fruit quality and price. The study could provide useful background information for apples breeders, farmers and marketing fruits strategy. The use of different scales for panel evaluation, dependent on the relevance of traits, might be a proper solution for reducing bias. In this case, the 1-15 large scale for apple taste compared with lower ones for other traits assured a more appropriate image of the tasters’ preferences.
Disturbance factors related to conservation of biodiversity in large-scale ecological networks

29 Introduction 30 Methods 31 Results 36 Discussion 40 Conclusion 42 References 42 Abstract 49 CHAPTER 1: Introduction 149 CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2: Effect of mowing, corridor width and isolation on plant communities in a subtropical ecological network 29 CHAPTER 3: Fire frequency as a driver of plant communities in remnant grassland ecological networks in an afforested landscape 49 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Connected and disconnected chains of phialoconidia and Sagenomella gen. nov. segregated from Acremonium

Subramanian’s concept of true and false chains of phialoconidia is rejected and replaced by a distinction between connected and disconnected chains. In connected conidial chains the primary conidial wall is strongly thickened at both ends and a connective is formed. This criterion allows the distinction between trichocomaceous or eurotiaceous (connected) and sphaeriaceous (disconnected) catenulate phialoconidia. The ultrastructure of conidiogenesis is described. On the basis of this criterion, the species of the Acremonium diversisporum series as well as the anamorph of Sagenoma viride Stolk & Orr with connected chains are transferred from Acremonium to the new genus Sagenomella to which four new species are added.
Using major histocompatibility complex markers to assign the geographic origin of migratory birds: examples from the threatened lesser kestrel

Gathering knowledge about the migratory routes and wintering areas of threatened populations is fundamental for their successful conservation. Here, we used a non‐invasive approach that relies on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism to infer the breeding origin of a long‐distance migratory bird, the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, in its most important wintering quarters in the Sub‐Saharan Africa (Senegal and South Africa). Private alleles support a strong connectivity between wintering Senegalese and western European breeding populations. On the other hand, birds wintering in South Africa were genetically differentiated with respect to western European breeding populations and might therefore gather individuals from the eastern distribution range. This study demonstrates that, at least at wide continental scales, MHC genes can be powerful intrinsic markers to study migration and migration connectivity, thus adding value to its role in conservation and management.
Assessment of monophyly of species‐groups within Afrotropical Empidini (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae), with a cladistic analysis of the Empis setitarsus‐group

Abstract. The Afrotropical Empidini are reviewed from a phylogenetic point of view. Seven monophyletic groups are recognized within the tribe, namely Empis (Coptophlebia) bivittata, E. (C ) chrysocera, E. (C ) hyalea, E. (C ) namwamba, E. (C ) poecilosoma, E. (Disneyempis) and E. setitarsus. Their monophyly is assessed by comparison with the remaining Empidini. The E. setitarsus‐group is cladistically analysed to study the evolution of the length of vein M1 by optimization on the cladogram, and the status of subgenus Coptophlebia Bezzi is discussed. A key to the seven Afrotropical species‐groups of Empidini is provided, genus Rhamphomyia is no longer recognized for the Afrotropical Region, and four new species belonging to the E. setitarsus‐group, namely E. cinerarius sp.n. , E. pseudosetitarsus sp.n. , E. spinosa sp.n and E. spungaberaensis sp.n. , are described and included in a key to all known species of this group.
CSM-IXIM: A New Maize Simulation Model for DSSAT Version 4.5

Th e CERES-Maize model is the most widely used maize (Zea mays L.) model and is a recognized reference for comparing new developments in maize growth, development, and yield simulation. Th e objective of this study was to present and evaluate CSMIXIM, a new maize simulation model for DSSAT version 4.5. Code from CSM-CERES-Maize, the modular version of the model, was modifi ed to include a number of model improvements. Model enhancements included the simulation of leaf area, C assimilation and partitioning, ear growth, kernel number, grain yield, and plant N acquisition and distribution. Th e addition of two genetic coeffi cients to simulate per-leaf foliar surface produced 32% smaller root mean square error (RMSE) values estimating leaf area index than did CSM-CERES. Grain yield and total shoot biomass were correctly simulated by both models. Carbon partitioning, however, showed diff erences. Th e CSM-IXIM model simulated leaf mass more accurately, reducing the CSM-CERES error by 44%, but overestimated stem mass, especially aft er stress, resulting in similar average RMSE values as CSM-CERES. Excessive N uptake aft er fertilization events as simulated by CSM-CERES was also corrected, reducing the error by 16%. Th e accuracy of N distribution to stems was improved by 68%. Th ese improvements in CSM-IXIM provided a stable basis for more precise simulation of maize canopy growth and yield and a framework for continuing future model developments
Chondrichthyan Fauna from the Pirabas Formation, Miocene of Northern Brazil, with Comments on Paleobiogeography

The chondrichthyan fauna from the Pirabas Formation is redescribed. Only thirteen nominal taxa are considered valid. From these taxa, ten were reassigned to extant taxa (Carcharhinus sorrah, Carcharhinus perezii, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, Sphyrna sp., Hemipristis elongatus, Carcharodon carcharias, Isurus oxyrinchus, Nebrius ferrugineus, and indeterminate Myliobatidae), confirming the Neogene age of this formation. This elasmofauna is compared with other Caribbean and
Linear models for the prediction of animal breeding values

Part 1 Genetic evaluation with different sources of records: the basic model breeding value prediction from animal own performance breeding value prediction from progeny records breeding value prediction from pedigree breeding value prediction for one trait from another selection index. Part 2 Genetic relationship between relatives: the numerator relationship matrix decomposing the relationship matrix computing inverse of the relationship matrix inverse of the relationship matrix for sizes and maternal grandsires. Part 3 Best linear unbiased prediction of breeding value - univariate models with one random effect: brief theoretical background a model for an animal evaluation (animal model) a sire model reduced animal model animal model with groups. Part 4 Best linear unbiased prediction of breeding value - models with environmental effects: repeatability model models with common environmental effects. Part 5 Best linear unbiased prediction of breeding value - multivariate models: equal design matrices and no missing records canonical transformation equal design matrices with missing records Cholesky transformation unequal design matrices different traits measured on relatives. Part 6 Maternal trait models - animal and reduced animal models: animal model for a maternal trait reduced animal model with maternal effects multivariate maternal animal model. Part 7 Non-additive animal models: dominance relationship matrix animal model with dominance effects method for rapid inversion of the dominance matrix epistatis. Part 8 Solving linear equations: direct inversion iterating on the mixed model equations iterating on the data.
Reproductive parameters of Sindhi cows ( Bos taurus indicus ) treated with two ovulation synchronization protocols

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive parameters of Sindhi cows aiming to improve the efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination protocols in this breed. For this purpose, sixteen Sindhi cows were divided into two groups: in group I (EB, n = 8) animals received an intravaginal P4 implant and an application of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate on day 0. On day 8 the implant was removed and 10 mg of Dinoprost were applied; on day 9, 1 mg of estradiol benzoate was applied, and animals were fixed-time artificially inseminated 36 hours later; in group II (EB + eCG, n = 8) animals were subjected to same treatment, and on day eight 400 IU of eCG were applied. From day 0 animals were examined daily by a trans-rectal ultrasound device, where in each assessment the largest follicles of each day were measured. The reproductive parameters observed for groups I and II were: emergence of follicular wave, 4.5±1.4 and 3.8±0.3 days; interval between wave emergence and ovulation, 5.8±1.4 and 7.1±0.3 days; interval between wave emergence and implant removal, 3.5±1.4 and 4.1±0.3 days; interval between implant removal and ovulation, 74.0±11.8 and 82.5±4.2 hours; diameter of the dominant follicle (DF) at the time of implant removal, 7.5±2.5 and 6.6±1.5 mm; maximum diameter of DF, 10.47±8.85 and 3.7±1.2 mm; growth rate of DF, 0.90±0.83 and 0.7±0.6 mm/day; ovulation rate, 75% and 100%; and pregnancy rate, 0% and 50%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. We observed that eCG was not efficient in improving the reproductive parameters analyzed in this breed.