Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape Conservation: The Perspectives of Experts and Other Stakeholders

Abstract The idea that landscape fulfils many different functions and provides multiple benefits for human society is gaining strength. This new vision of landscape changes both, the interests and the needs of the persons involved and the use and management of the landscape itself. The objective of this paper is to study landscape conservation in a particular mountainous area of Italy, which requires an institutional, non-generic approach. Using the contingent valuation method, we investigated whether there is a relationship between experts’ and casual observers’ evaluations of ten different scenarios in the Leno Valleys. Results show that direct knowledge of the site characteristics increases the awareness of the importance of the site, significantly impacting on conservation choices and strategies.
Novel Cantilever Sensor for Antibody-based and hlyA gene-based Sensitive Detection of Foodborne Pathogen: Listeria monocytogenes

xxiii Chapter 1 . Introduction. 1 1.1. Background . 1 1.2. Research Aims . 2 1.2. 1. Sensor design and response characteristics . 2 1.2. 2. Improved surface chemistry methods . 3 1.2. 3. Sensing applications for the cantilever sensors . 4 1.3. Contributions . 5 1.4. References . 13 Chapter 2 . Review of Biosensors for Foodborne Pathogens . 14 2.
Evaluation of a method to predict negative feedstuff associative effects in meat goats consuming diets with different forage sources and levels of concentrate

ABSTRACT Effects of dietary concentrate level and grass hay source were determined to evaluate a method (www2.luresext.edu/goats/research/suppconc.html) of predicting negative associative effects between feedstuffs in Boer goat wethers. Forage DM intake (g/kg BW0.75) was similar (P = .157) between growing and yearling wethers (34.9 and 30.8) and ranked 0 and 15 > 30 > 45 g/kg BW0.75 of concentrate dry matter (48.5, 41.8, 25.9, and 15.2, respectively). Age and concentrate level interacted in neutral detergent fibre digestibility (57.3%, 60.6%, 61.4%, and 58.4% for growing and 56.6, 62.9, 56.8, and 30.0% for yearling wethers with 0, 15, 30, and 45 g/kg BW0.75, respectively). There was a tendency (P = .074) for an interaction in metabolizable energy (ME) intake between age and concentrate level (361, 530, 634, and 709 for growing and 363, 547, 541, and 555 kJ/kg BW0.75 for yearling wethers with 0, 15, 30, and 45 g/kg BW0.75); values predicted for treatments with concentrate were 563, 631, and 619 for growing and 575, 684, and 697 kJ/kg BW0.75 for yearling wethers with 15, 30, and 45 g/kg BW0.75, respectively. In conclusion, ME intake was accurately predicted for the low level of concentrate with both animal types and the moderate level with growing wethers.
Development and ex post validation of prediction equations of corn energy values for growing pigs

The aim of this study was to determine and validate prediction equations for digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of corn for growing pigs. The prediction equations were developed based on data on the chemical composition, digestible and metabolizable energy of corn grain (30 samples) evaluated in experiments in Embrapa Suinos e Aves, Brazil. The equations were evaluated using regression analysis, and adjusted R² was the criterion for selection of the best models. Two equations were tested for DE and ME, each. To validate the equations, 1 experiment with 2 assays was performed to determine the values of DE and ME of 5 corn cultivars. In each assay, we used 24 growing pigs with initial average weight of 54.21 ± 1.68 kg in complete randomized block design with 6 treatments and 4 replicates. Treatments consisted of a reference diet and 5 ration tests composed of 60% of the reference diet and 40% of corn (1 of the 5 cultivars). Based on the results of the metabolic experiment and predicted values obtained in the equations, the validation of the equations was conducted using the lowest prediction error (pe) as a criterion for selection. The equations that produced the most accurate estimates of DE and ME of corn were as follows: DE = 11812 – 1015.9CP – 837.9EE – 1641ADF + 2616.3Ash + 47.5(CP2) + 114.7(CF2) + 46(ADF2) – 1.6(NDF2) – 997.1(Ash2) + 151.9EECF + 23.2EENDF – 126.4CPCF + 136.4CPADF – 4.0CPNDF, with R2 = 0.81 and pe = 2.33; ME = 12574 – 1254.9CP – 1140.5EE – 1359.9ADF + 2816.3Ash + 77.6(CP2) + 92.3(CF2) + 54.1(ADF2) – 1.8(NDF2) – 1097.2(Ash2) + 240.6EECF + 26.3EENDF – 157.4CPCF + 96.5CPADF – 4.4CPNDF, with R2 = 0.89 and pe = 2.24. Thus, using the data on chemical composition, it is possible to derive prediction equations for DE and ME of corn for pigs; these equations seem to be valid because of the small prediction errors suggestive of high accuracy of these models.
Microbial community-based measurements to estimate heavy metal effects in soil : The use of phospholipid fatty acid patterns and bacterial community tolerance

Microbial community-based measurements to detect effects of heavy metals in soils rely on the premise that metal toxicity exerts a selection pressure, which induces a change in the composition of the community. The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition gives an integrated picture of all living organisms in the soil, and changes in the PLFA pattern of the soil indicate an altered species composition due to, e.g. metal toxicity. An increased bacterial community tolerance to metals also indicates an altered community composition, with tolerant organisms becoming more abundant relative to sensitive organisms. The use of these two techniques is described, and their advantages and disadvantages as monitoring tools are discussed and exemplified by field data and laboratory experiments from different soils. (Less)
Inhibition of CD8 T cell effec tor functions by murine cytomegalovirus immune evasion genes

v-vi Chapter 1: Background and Introduction 1-4 7 Chapter 2: Coordinated Function of Murine Cytomegalovirus Genes Completely Inhibits CTL Lysis 48-77 Chapter 3: The role ofNKG2D signaling in inhibition of CTL lysis of murine cytomegalovirus infected cells by ml 52/gp40 78-97 Chapter 4: The downregulation of total MHC class I by the MCMV immune evasion genes m06 and ml52 reduces the stimulation of CD8 T cells preventing them from killing the infected cells 98-13 8 Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion 139-167 References 168-183
Tandem Purification of His6-3x FLAG Tagged Proteins for Mass Spectrometry from Arabidopsis

[Abstract] Tandem affinity purification is a powerful method to identify protein complexes that function in association with a known gene of interest. This protocol describes a methodology to capture proteins tagged with His6-3x FLAG explicitly for the purpose of on-bead digestion and identification by mass spectrometry. The high sensitivity and specificity of our methods allow for purification of proteins expressed at native levels from endogenous promoters to enable uncovering the functional roles of plant protein complexes.
Medial Elastics: Efficient and Collision-ready Deformation via Medial Axis Transform

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 Medial Elastics: Efficient and Collision-ready Deformation via Medial Axis Transform
Comparaçâo entre Metodologias de Avaliaçâo da Compatibilidade de Produtos Fitossanitários com Nematóides Entomopatogênicos (Nematoda: Rhabditida)

Different methodologies for evaluating the compatibility of agrochemicals with entomopathogenic nematodes are known. To select the most efficient, cheap and practical method to be utilized, four of these methods were compared: Krishnayya & Grewal (2002), Rovesti et al. (1988), Hara & Kaya (1983), and the IOBC / WPRS guideline (Vainio, 1992). These methodologies, with a few, necessary adaptations, included evaluation of the viability of the nematode IJs as well their infectivity on Galleria mellonella. As standards in all tested methods, Glifosato 480 CS (Agripec, active ingredient: glyphosate), and the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were used. Glyphosate was rated as compatible with JIs of both species. No differences were reported in the effects of glyphosate concentration and in the time of exposition of the Ills of both nematode species to the product. The methodology that rendered the lowest final cost was that of Rovesti et al. (1988), followed by the guideline of IOBC / WPRS (Vainio, 1992), but the latter was considered the best one due to its simplicity and operational facilities.
Complete mitochondrial genome analysis of Sakuraeolis japonica (Baba, 1937) (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia)

Abstract In this study, a complete mitochondrial genome of a nudibranch species, Sakuraeolis japonica was sequenced and analyzed. The mitochondrial genome size is 15,059 bp with 28.1% A, 14.9% C, 19.3% G, and 37.7% T nucleotide distributions. This is the eighth record for complete mitochondrial genome of the Nudibranchia and first record for the genus. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationship of S. Japonica in the Nudibranchia was investigated by using protein-coding genes of complete mitochondrial genome. The present study suggests that S. japonica belongs to the family Facelinidae and it is placed in monophyletic Nudibranchia. The closest species to S. japonica are Chromodoris magnifica and Chromodoris quadricolor that belong to the family Chromodorididae.
Effect of propolis in diet supplementation on the immune response against Newcastle disease and hematological picture in broiler chicks

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with propolis on immune response against Newcastle disease virus and hematological picture at 21 and 42 day old chicks. One hundred and eighty Ross broiler chicks were reared from 1 day to 47 day old they were divided randomly to six groups (30 birds/group), feed and drinking water offered ad libitum and experimental were groups treated as follows: Group 1(G1) received propolis (0.5 g/kg feed), while group 2 (G2) received propolis (1 g/kg feed), Group 3 (G3) received propolis (2 g/kg feed), group 4 (G4) received propolis (3 g/kg feed) and group 5 (G5) was control positive received (basal diet without propolis but vaccinated). Group 6 (G6) control negative received (basal diet without propolis and non vaccinated). The obtained results referred to high Abs titer (P ≤0.01) in G4, G3 and G2 against Newcastle disease virus at the end of the experiment as compared with G1, G5 and G6. Although increase in blood picture was observed in G4, G3, G2 and G1 (P ≤0.01) compared with G5 and G6 had no significant increase (P ≥ 0.01).
Microbiological Studies on the Decomposition of Chitin in Marine Environment-IX:Rough Estimation on Chitin Decomposition in the Ocean

The rate of chitinoclastic activity of the dominant species of marine chitinoclastic bacteria and temperature relationship follows the ARRHENIUS equation, and the chemical reaction of the bacteria is that of facultative psychrophiles as same as other marine bacteria in the region of the Sagami Bay. Chitin in the sea is roughly calculated to be completely mineralized within 50 days and 140 days in the surface waters at 25•Ž and 15•Ž respectively, within 370 days in the intermediate waters at 5•Ž and within 500 days in the deep waters at a few degrees. centigrade. The population of chitinoclastic microorganisms in the sea, their chitinoclastic activity and their relationship with environmental conditions have to be investigated and examined in order to study the mineralization of chitin in marine environment. The population of marine chitinoclastic bacteria was investigated in the Sagami Bay and a series of experiments were carried out on the collected chitinoclastic microorganisms that dominated the sea to examine the relationship between the environmental conditions and the activities of these organisms. Microbial utilization of chitin in the sea An analogous distribution of chitinoclastic bacteria in the Sagami Bay was observed in spite of significant difference in their abundance throughout the year. A typical distribution of the chitinoclastic bacteria in sea water is shown in Fig. 1. Chitinoclastic bacteria had the maximum population in each water mass of the Sagami Bay. It is also observed in the Sagami Bay throughout the year that the center of chitinoclastic activity is depressed at the area of high chitin production where population of chitinoclastic bacteria is also large, due to the prolonged time for the decomposition of chitin which was Fig. 1. Distribution of chitinoclastic bacteria at Station 2 (34•K53' N, 139•K25'E) in the Sagami Bay, September, 1964. produced upper layers of the sea and mineralized while floating down. In some parts of the ocean, no chitinoclastic bacteria can be collected in 5 ml of the samples, as 5 ml of the water samples was used for the collection of the bacteria. Nevertheless, all the * Received October 13, 1965 Contribution No. 55from the Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo ** Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo
Evaluation of a Sterile-Male Release Technique: A Case Study of Invasive Sea Lamprey Control in a Tributary of the Laurentian Great Lakes

AbstractInvasive species can have detrimental impacts on native species and ecosystem services for humans. A technique that involves sterilization and release of males into wild populations of the same species can be useful in the control of invasive or pest species. A sterile-male release technique (SMRT) was used on a novel vertebrate system, the invasive Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus in the Great Lakes, in an attempt to control population size. Sea Lamprey populations in the Great Lakes have been suppressed since the 1950s by (1) pesticide applications to kill larvae in streams and (2) barriers to block upstream spawning migrations. Here, we present a literature review and meta-analysis of the SMRT by using a case study from the St. Marys River, where the SMRT was applied as an experimental method of Sea Lamprey control from 1991 to 2011. Observations obtained from the St. Marys River during and after SMRT application were used to evaluate whether the SMRT was effective at suppressing reproduction. Ma.
The gestating and lactating sow

Sow milk is the major source of nutrients for suckling piglets and taking into account the large litter sizes of our current sow genotypes, it is imperative to maximize nutrient use by the mammary gland. The amount of nutrients available to mammary tissue is dependent upon the concentrations of nutrients in blood and the rate of its flow to the lactating glands. Nutrient availability to the udder may be estimated by measuring mammary arteriovenous differences, and mammary blood flow can be measured either directly or via indirect calculations. For all these measures, mammary venous and arterial blood samplings are required and catheters must be inserted in mammary veins. Blood flow to the udder is influenced by numerous factors, such as litter size, time since feeding, postural behaviour, vasoactive substances, and ambient temperature; yet, the single most important effector of mammary blood flow is milk removal. Glucose represents 40 to 60% of the total carbon mass taken up by sow mammary tissue and its uptake by the mammary gland appears to be mediated by glucose transporter proteins. Other energetic precursors which are used by the mammary gland are triglycerides, phospholipids, acetate, propionate and lactate. The uptake of amino acids by sow mammary glands has been extensively studied and is affected by diet, stage of lactation, and milk demand. Recent data also showed that amino acid uptake is controlled by transporter proteins that channel amino acids intracellularly, and that these proteins are in turn affected by diet and physiological status. Data on mammary uptake of hormones are contradictory; yet, the endocrine involvement in the regulation of milk synthetic processes is evidenced by the presence of specific hormonal receptors in mammary tissue.
Long-distance dispersal of a subadult male cougar from South Dakota to Connecticut documented with DNA evidence

We report the long-distance dispersal of a subadult male cougar (Puma concolor) from South Dakota to Milford, Connecticut, where it was struck and killed by a vehicle. Genetic samples suggest this animal originated from the Black Hills of South Dakota while isotope analysis and physical inspection revealed no evidence that the animal had been held in captivity. We detected this dispersing individual at 5 locations along its route (Minnesota, 3 times in Wisconsin and New York) with DNA from fecal or hair samples, and with multiple photographs from citizenrun camera traps (3 in Wisconsin and 1 in Michigan). The > 2,450 km straight-line distance (Black Hills of South Dakota to Connecticut) traveled by the cougar is the longest dispersal documented for the species. We propose a likely route of > 2,700 km over 2 years based on topography and our confirmed records. We suggest that this excessive movement was motivated by the absence of female cougars along the route. The documentation of such a rare biological event not only shows the great dispersal potential for male cougars but also highlights our ability to detect these movements with verifiable voucher DNA and photographic records. Evidence collected for this one animal, and complete absence of verifiable data from most anecdotal reports of cougars in the east, further confirms the lack of a breeding population in the region.
Apontic regulates cell proliferation and development by activating the expression of hedgehog and cyclin E

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and Cyclin E are key players in cell proliferation and development. Hyperactivation of hh and cyclin E. has been linked to several types of cancer. However, transcriptional regulation of hh and cyclin E. are not well understood. Here we show that an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor Apontic (Apt) is an activator of hh and cyclin E. in Drosophila. Apt directly promotes the expression of hh and cyclin E. through its binding site in the promoter regions of hh and cyclin E. during wing development. This Apt-dependent proper expression of hh and cyclin E. is required for cell proliferation and development of the wing. Apt-mediated expression of hh and cyclin E. can direct proliferation of Hh-expressing cells and simultaneous growth, patterning and differentiation of Hh-recipient cells. The discovery of the coordinated expression of Hh and principal cell-cycle regulator Cyclin E. by Apt implicates insight into the mechanism by which deregulated hh and cyclin E promotes tumor formation. Summary statement We identified a novel role for Apontic as an important common regulator of the transcription of hedgehog and cyclin E. Our study provides important insights into the mechanism of organ development.
One-step annealing optimizes strength-ductility tradeoff in pearlitic steel wires

In this paper, the mechanical properties of a cold-drawn wire ( = ε 2.43) are modulated by simple annealing and the variation of its microstructure is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The tensile ductility of the wire can be improved for about three times without compromising its strength when being annealed at 325 °C for 10–30min. It is convinced that solid solution of carbon atoms from decomposed cementite lamellae improve the wire strength at low temperature annealing (up to 250 °C) and make the wire strength basically equal the as-drawn state even though cementite lamellae are weakened by cementite recrystallization at 325 °C. And reversely the weakening cementite layers lead to the great improvement of wire ductility at this time since it relaxes the restriction to the moving of dislocations. At higher annealing temperature, the wire strength decreases with the growth of cementite and ferrite grains. The appearance of nano-recrystallized cementite grains at a medium annealing temperature may be a critical factor governing the enhanced wire mechanical properties.
Complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medicinal plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Abstract We report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, which produces triterpenoid saponins similar to Panax ginseng. The assembled chloroplast genome (cpDNA) was 157,654 bp in length and structurally divided into four distinct regions, namely, large single copy region (86,794 bp), small single copy region (18,654 bp) and a pair of inverted repeat regions (26,103 bp). A total of 143 genes were annotated, including 87 protein-coding genes, 10 tRNA genes and 46 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the chloroplast genome sequence of G. pentaphyllum is most closely related to Cucumis melo.
Particular matter variability during 2014 at Buenos Aires city (Argentina) comparing ground-based measurements and satellite data

Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health. In particular, exposure to high concentrations of small particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) is related to increased mortality and morbidity. In Argentina, only at Buenos Aires city (34.4°' S 58.3° W), which together with the surrounding districts accounts for the 30% of the total country population, continuous measurements of air quality are carried out. Though ground-based stations provide very accurate PM concentration values, they have very limited spatial coverage and may not be sufficient to assess the level of population exposure. Satellite-based is a valid alternative to fill these observational gaps. In this work, the MODIS 3 km x 3km AOD retrievals for 2014, for both Terra and Aqua, were employed to evaluate the spatio-temporal variation of atmospheric aerosols over Buenos Aires and its metropolitan area in a year period. The MODIS AOD dataset is validated using the AOD dataset reported by the CEILAP_BA AERONET station (34.5° S 58.5° W). Satellite data show some areas with higher AOD values throughout the year-period in which no PM monitoring is not actually being carried out. These areas correspond mainly to a west zone withing Buenos Aires territory and two other areas, at west and south Buenos Aires districts. Buenos Aires local government and the surrounding districts should make an effort to expand the monitoring network in order to make it representative of the actual exposure to particulate matter of the whole population.
Morphological Characteristics and Susceptibility of Basil Species and Cultivars to Peronospora belbahrii

Sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) is the most economically important culinary herb in the United States. In 2007, a new disease, basil downy mildew (BDM), caused by the oomycete pathogen Peronospora belbahrii , was introduced into the United States and has since caused signiﬁcantlossesincommercialbasilproduction. Althoughnocommercialsweetbasilsavailableareresistantto P. belbahrii , other species of Ocimum have exhibited potential tolerance, resistance, or both. The objectives of this work were to determine if leaf morphological characteristics including stomata density and leaf curvature correlated with infection of plants by P. belbahrii , and thus could be used as selected characters in plant breeding. In 2011, 20 Ocimum cultivars including sweet ( O. basilicum ), cinnamon ( O. basilicum ), clove ( O. basilicum ), citrus ( Ocimum 3 africanum syn. Ocimum citriodorum ), spice ( Ocimum americanum syn. Ocimum