Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes of Thermodynamic and Structural Properties of Potato Starches (Udacha and Acrosil Varieties) during Biosynthesis

Starches isolated from two potato varieties (Udacha, Acrosil) at different stages of maturation were investigated using X-ray diffraction and high sensitivity differential scanning microcalorimetry methods. Applying some physico-chemical approaches, the thickness of the crystalline lamellae and the thermodynamic parameters characterizing their surface faces were determined. The thickness of crystalline lamellae is practically equal to the corresponding value in an amylopectin model proposed by Robin et al. The values of the thermodynamic parameters for the face sides of the starch crystalline lamellae are one order of magnitude smaller than the corresponding values for polyethylene crystals. Some concepts concerning structural changes during biosynthesis if starch potato granules are discussed.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Achillea Millefolium Group-Related Cultivar Proa to Different Nitrogen Regimes

ABSTRACT In the present study the effect of different nitrogen amounts (0 g [N0], 0.45 g [N1], 0.9 g [N2] and 1.35 g N [N3] per pot, corresponding to 0 kg·ha−1, 50 kg·ha−1, 100 kg·ha−1 and 150 kg·ha−1 N application in field conditions) and application times (at sowing, vegetative stage and pre-bloom stage) on the yield, relative water content, total nitrogen content and nitrogen use efficiency in plants of the Achillea millefolium group-related cv. Proa was investigated. Antioxidant activity, flavonoid content, rate and composition of the essential oils were also determined. Application of N2 increased the dry herbage and flos production, total nitrogen amount and nitrogen use efficiency, without affecting the essential oil rate while reducing the antioxidant activity. Higher amounts (N3] of nitrogen maintained the dry herbage and flos yield at levels similar to N2 but decreased the antioxidant activity and rate of the essential oil. The major component of the essential oil, chamazulene, was negatively (N1, N2) or not influenced (N3] by the nitrogen application, while variable changes were registered in the content of the other components. The data point to the nitrogen regime being a subtle tool for regulating the performance of cv. Proa plants.
Reinforcement as a conservation tool – assessing site fidelity and movement of the endangered elongated tortoise Indotestudo elongata (Blyth, 1854)

In order to assess the efficacy of reinforcement as a conservation tool for rehabilitated elongated tortoises Indotestudo elongata (Blyth, 1854) we released 10 adults equipped with radio tracking transmitters to the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Cambodia. Based on short-term success indicators for reintroduction studies on reptiles we studied the tortoises’ adaptation to the new environment for five months. The tortoises successfully settled in the new environment without showing adverse effects regarding their behaviour, condition index (CI) and physical appearance. The annual survival rate was 76%. Based on individual locations collected, we analysed the tortoises’ movement patterns including daily displacement, five-month and seasonal home range sizes using minimum convex polygons (MCPs) and fixed kernel density estimators (KDEs).
Resource-aware optimization by trading locality, redundancy, and parallelism

This thesis analyses the possibility and shortcomings of automated resource-aware optimization by making use of locality, redundancy and parallelism. It is to be expected that different platforms and hardware will see benefits and drawbacks depending on the strategy used. To study these effects further, a field of application is required, where the three aforementioned approaches can be utilized. Due to its nature and scalability, image processing represents an ideal candidate for this. The choice of image processing is the focus of this work, as it is also a domain that has been extensively researched and gaining importance in recent years. Whilst most research on image processing acceleration mainly focuses on the ease of implementation and optimization for a specific platform, the thesis at hand aims to investigate the newest development in automatic resource-aware optimization. This requires the identification of patterns and subsets within the possible hardware configurations and image processing pipelines that exhibit similar behaviour, when faced with the challenge of trading locality, redundancy and parallelism. Using these characteristics as a basis, this thesis aims to study their effect on automatically generated schedules.
rDNA organization and evolutionary relationships in the genus Hypochaeris (Asteraceae)

The pattern of rDNA sequence distribution in 11 Hypochaeris species from South America and Europe has been determined by in situ hybridization using probes of 18S-5.8S-28S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes. Activity of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) was tested by silver nitrate staining and chromomycin A3 banding of European species was carried out. In European species the 18S-5.8S-28S rRNA genes were located in the terminal secondary constrictions and the adjacent satellites, except for one locus in H. achyrophorus. In South American species, one or two 18S-5.8S-28S rDNA loci were observed in the intercalary secondary constrictions. All the rDNA sites appeared active, except one locus in H. chillensis. With the exception of H. cretensis, 5S rRNA genes were located on a single chromosome pair. In all the species analyzed, GC-rich heterochromatin has been located around the NORs. The rDNA localization indicated that chromosome rearrangements as centric shifts, centric fusions, and translocations of NORs involve in a decrease of rDNA loci number during the evolution of the complex of Hypochaeris species probably from an ancestral genome with two loci of 18S-5.8S-28S rDNA and one locus of 5S rDNA.
Land‐use History Affects the Distribution of the Saprophytic Orchid Wullschlaegelia calcarata in Puerto Rico's Tabonuco Forest 1

Human activities such as logging and agriculture can severely damage forest ecosystems by changing forest structure, ecosystem function, and biodiversity. These changes may have long‐lasting consequences, which influence forest recovery. We investigated the effect of past human disturbance on the current distribution of an understory, achlorophyllous orchid, Wullschlaegelia calcarata in Puerto Rico's tropical rain forest after 70 yr of recovery. Our study site was the 16‐ha Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot located in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, which has four areas with differing intensity of land use that have been distinguished from variation in canopy cover seen in aerial photographs taken in 1936. We recorded orchids in six 10‐m‐wide, 500‐m‐long transects across four different areas of land‐use history. We found that the orchid was not present in an area of the plot which had <20 percent canopy cover in 1936, and was most abundant in the area with >80 percent canopy cover, which had been minimally impacted by human activity. Tree species composition varied among land‐use history areas, and our observations suggested that this variation might be influencing the local distribution of W. calcarata. We also measured leaf litter biomass and identified the leaves of litter in areas with and without the orchid. Litter with a high proportion of Buchenavia tetraphylla leaves had more orchids. Even though human disturbance ceased in 1932, land‐use history in the Luquillo Forest still casts a shadow over the distribution of W. calcarata.
Forage Sorghum Response to Nitrogen Fertilization and Estimation of Production Cost

Published in Agron. J. 106:1659–1666 (2014) doi:10.2134/agronj14.0078 Copyright © 2014 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ABstrAct Forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] possesses several agronomic characteristics that make it a potential candidate for biofuel feedstock production. While agronomic characteristics are necessary, other factors must be considered to determine whether forage sorghum can be an economically viable biorefinery feedstock. The objective of the research was to determine forage sorghum yield response to N, the optimal level of N fertilizer, and forage sorghum’s farm gate production costs when produced for use as a biomass feedstock crop. Data were produced in two Oklahoma field experiments: one conducted at Chickasha in 2008 and 2009, and one conducted at Chickasha and Stillwater in 2010 and 2011. Treatments included four N rates and different cultivars. A linear response plateau functional form was found to provide a better fit to the data than the quadratic model for the 2008 to 2009 study. The estimated optimal N rate was 99.6 kg ha–1 and the average plateau yield was 17.4 Mg ha–1. For an N price range of US$0.56 to US$2.22 kg–1, the expected farm gate production cost ranged from US$55 to US$65 Mg–1. Biomass yield did not respond to N fertilization at either location in the drought year of 2011 when April through September precipitation was 45% of the long-term average. Year-to-year biomass yield variability would be problematic for a regional biorefinery designed to use forage sorghum exclusively. In addition, storage, transportation, and surface residue issues remain to be resolved before entrepreneurs are likely to be willing to invest in biorefineries designed to process forage sorghum feedstock.
Determining reproductive parameters for population assessments of chondrichthyan species with asynchronous ovulation and parturition: piked spurdog (Squalus megalops) as a case study

Population assessments of chondrichthyan species require several key parameters of their reproductive biology, which were estimated for Squalus megalops (Macleay, 1881). Length-at-maturity differed depending on the criterion adopted for defining maturity. In the case of males, length-at-maturity was smallest when condition of seminal vesicles was adopted as a maturity criterion. For females, length-at-maturity was smallest when the largest follicle diameter >3 mm was adopted as the criterion for maturity; this was appropriate only as an indicator of the onset of maturity. Mature males are capable of mating throughout the year. Females have a continuous asynchronous reproductive cycle. The sex ratio of embryos is 1 : 1 and litter size and near-term embryo length increase with maternal length. Females have an ovarian cycle and gestation period of two years. This was reflected in the differences found between the maturity and maternity ogives. Although all females are mature at 600 mm, only 50% of them contribute to annual recruitment each year. Hence, for chondrichthyan species with reproductive cycles of two, three or more years, if maturity ogives are used in population assessments instead of maternity ogives, the models will overestimate recruitment rates.
The Use of Urea in Rations for Dairy Cows under Hawaiian Conditions

Summary Four double change-over urea-feeding trials involving twenty-six Holstein-Friesian cows in eighty-six cow-periods are described. The conclusions are as follows: 1.The dairy cow is able to utilize nitrogen from urea in the production of milk, but apparently not as efficiently as the nitrogen derived entirely from plant sources. 2.Less milk was obtained when urea was fed whether the daily intake was 0.48 pound or 0.24 pound. These amounts provided 36 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively, of the total crude protein equivalent intake. 3.The feeding of cane molasses in amounts to make up 25 per cent of the concentrate mixture had no detrimental effect upon the synthesis of protein from urea in the rumen.
429. Studies on Egyptian Domiati cheese

In the first part of this study, brief notes are given on the better known varieties of the soft pickled group of cheese which the authors believe to be best suited to warm climatic conditions. Domiati cheese, a variety of this group, characterized by the addition of an appreciable amount of salt to the milk prior to rennetting, is described in detail. An outline of the steps of its manufacture, the pickling process, and the effect of the amount of salt added to the milk on the composition of the resulting cheese is given. In the second part the effects of varying additions of salt to both cows' and buffaloes' milk on rennet coagulation, rate of whey drainage, chemical composition and yield of cheese and whey were investigated.
Effects of fasting and refeeding on the metabolic functions of the turtle Kinosternon scorpioides (Linnaeus, 1766) raised in captivity

The metabolic responses of adult and young freshwater Kinosternon scorpioides turtles raised in captivity were evaluated. Two experiments were performed: a) blood metabolite changes caused by food deprivation, and b) liver and muscle glycogen and total lipid differences after fasting and refeeding. Blood glucose concentration of young animals was susceptible to food deprivation. In both groups this metabolite decreased after 30 days of fasting. Feeding for 15 days did not recover blood glucose. Total seric proteins were not affected by food deprivation. Fasting decreased blood urea nitrogen and the highest difference was found around 30 days. Uric acid increased in young animals after 60 days of fasting. Triacylglicerol decreased after 15 days of fasting and refeeding for 15 days recovered the pre-fasting levels. Free fatty acid plasma tended to increase around 15 days of fasting. Liver glycogen decreased at day 15 of fasting, being stable thereafter while muscle glycogen decreased at a slower rate. Total liver lipid stabilized after 30 days and then decreased 70% after 60 days of fasting. Muscle lipids remained stable throughout fasting. It could be concluded that fasting of Kinosternon scorpioides led to metabolic adaptations similar to the one reported from reptiles and fish.
Host specificity of Larinus minutus Gyll. (Col., Curculionidae), an agent introduced for the biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweed in North America

The host specificity of the European seed‐head weevil Larinus minutus was investigated between 1985 and 1989 as a potential biocontrol agent of Centaurea maculosa and C. diffusa in North America. The results of adult feeding, oviposition and larval development tests with 44, 47 and 72 plant species, respectively, in nine families demonstrate its limited host range with a preference for Centaurea species in the subgenera Acrolophus, Calcitrapa and Jacea. L. minutus accepted and developed normally in the North American biotypes of both, spotted and diffuse knapweed, and was therefore recommended for introduction into the USA and Canada. Since its approval in 1991, it has been established at some field release sites.
The genus Miliusa in the Austro-Malesian area (Annonaceae), a rectification

When we published the revision of the genus Miliusa in the Flora Malesiana area and Australia, nomenclatorial confusion concerning the species Miliusa vidalii has arisen (Mols & Kesler, 2003: 455). During the process of publishing the sentences “Published without latin description. No validation has been found. ” were separated from the true nomenclatorial section. Therefore it appears that this statement refers to Miliusa vidalii. In truth the sentences refer to the synonym Polyalthia pacifica elmer. As this species was published in 1939 without a latin description, which is required for all names published after 1 January 1935, this name is illegitimate. Miliusa vidalii, on the contrary, was properly published.
The establishment of Anolis wattsi as a naturalized exotic lizard in Trinidad

Trinidad has a single native Anolis species (A. chrysolepis) and several introduced exotics (A. aeneus, A. extremus, A. trinitatis, and A. wattsi). Anolis wattsi is the latest introduction, being first observed in the Waterloo area in 1992. This paper describes the distribution of this species in 2000 and 2004, by which time it had become established as a naturalized exotic lizard in western Trinidad. The species was verified as A. wattsi in the strict sense (formerly A. wattsi wattsi), differentiated from sibling species (other former subspecies of A. wattsi). A. wattsi is currently distributed in five discontinuous urban localities within an area of about 15 × 5 km, which suggests jump dispersal across unsuitable habitat (sugar cane fields). The rate of spread was about 100 m yr−1 within urban areas, and >1 km yr−1 for jump dispersal. A. wattsi occurred in the same habitat as the larger A. aeneus in gardens, parks and vacant lots. The two species differed significantly in perch height (but not in perch diameter) and substrate use. A. wattsi used lower perches, and replaced aeneus along the series trees (94% aeneus), posts and bushes, walls and fences, and ground (87% wattsi). Perch height of A. aeneus did not differ between locations with and without A. wattsi, and there was no correlation between numbers of the two species among sites. Possible interactions among introduced and native Anolis species on Trinidad are discussed.
STUDIES ON CILIA

Upon excision into spring water, the lateral cilia of the gill of the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanatus (Solander) stop beating, but 0.04 M potassium ion can activate the gill so that these cilia again beat with metachronal rhythm. One per cent osmium tetroxide quickly pipetted onto a fully activated gill fixes the lateral cilia in a pattern that preserves the form and arrangement of the metachronal wave, and permits the cilia to be studied with the electron microscope in all stages of their beat cycle. Changes are seen in the fixed active preparation that are not present in the inactive control, i.e., in the packing of the cilia, the position of the axis of the ciliary cross-section, and the diameter of the ring of peripheral filaments. Analysis of these parameters may lead to new correlations between ciliary fine structure and function.
pλZd39: a new type of cDNA expression vector for low background, high efficiency directional cloning

We have developed a new type of bacteriophage lambda vector which provides a strong biological selection against non-recombinants that is independent of the sequences immediately surrounding the cloning site. This system, which we call 'selective substitution', is ideally suited for cDNA expression vectors where it is necessary to flank the cDNA insert with sequence elements (promoters etc.) required to produce a biologically active mRNA in vivo. Selective substitution is a general method, which may be applied to many types of vectors. In this report, we have specifically applied selective substitution to the construction of a new mammalian retrovirus expression vector. The level of background obtained with this vector (that is, the number of plaques obtained when the vector is ligated in the absence of insert DNA) is 0.02% when compared to ligation with restriction fragments and 0.1% to 0.4% when compared to ligation with newly synthesized cDNA. These features have allowed us to easily and efficiently generate several large cDNA libraries using total and size selected cDNA.
Upregulation of TLR-4 and proinflammatory cytokine transcripts as diagnostic indicator of endometritis in buffaloes

The aim of present study was to examine the relative mRNA transcription of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), CD14, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in endometritic buffaloes. Reproductive tracts were collected from 60 buffaloes at postmortem. The genitalia were diagnosed for endometritis based on positive white side test of uterine fluid, presence of >5% polymorphonuclear cells in uterine cytology, and endometrial histopathology. The endometritis-positive genitalia were categorized as luteal (n = 10) and follicular (n = 10) based on the presence of corpus luteum. Further, 20 normal genitalia (luteal, n = 10 and follicular, n = 10) were also included as control. The endometrial tissue scrapings were collected ex vivo from all the samples, total RNA was extracted, complementary DNA was transcribed for each sample, and relative quantification of mRNA was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The threshold cycle values of all the samples were normalized with the housekeeping β-actin gene and relative fold change was calculated using 2−ΔΔCt method. Present study revealed a variable upregulation of TLR-4, CD14, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α transcription in endometritic buffaloes either at luteal or follicular stage. Predominantly at luteal stage, the significant upregulation of TLR-4, IL-8, and TNF-α transcripts was 4.66-, 21.19-, and 42.49-fold, respectively, indicated the possibility of cytokine-based diagnostic method for the early indication of endometritis before the onset of cyclic estrus. Nevertheless, further research in respect to threshold level of each cytokine in uterine biopsies involving more number of animals is required to establish a potential marker gene(s) for the diagnosis of endometritis and for devising novel therapeutic intervention.
Transmission experiments with pike fry (Esox Indus L.) rhabdovirus

Experimental infection of fertilized pike eggs with ‘red-disease’ virus produced 100% mortality in the fry. This mortality was associated with a disease that had previously been described as hydrocephalus internus, indicating that ‘red-disease’ and hydrocephalus are different manifestations of the same disease. The name pike fry rhabdovirus disease (PFRD) is suggested for the disease complex, and the name pike fry rhabdovirus (PFR) for the causative agent. Exposure of PFR to a Wescodyne* solution containing 25 ppm of iodine resulted in an inactivation of at least 99–99% of viral activity within 30 sec. Experimental egg transmission of PFR could be interrupted by disinfecting the eggs in a Wescodyne solution, suggesting that the virus was located on the egg surface. Conclusive evidence of a naturally occurring vertical transmission in pike culture is still lacking because, using FHM cells as a detection system, PFR could not be found in spawners and their sexual products. The susceptibility of pike fry to PFR rapidly decreases at increasing age.
Lysogenie et classification des Salmonella

Resume. Il est propose de souligner, dans les formules de l'antigene O des Salmonella du schema de K. W. , les facteurs dont la presence est en correlation avec celle d'un phage convertisseur, et de ne plus attribuer de noms aux variantes serologiques caracterisees par la presence ou l'absence d'un de ces facteurs. Les noms correspondant a des variantes lysogenisees de serotypes connus (par exemple ceux des groupes E2, E3, C4 - S. siegburg) pourraient etre, en raison de leur importance epidemiologique, maintenus dans le schema de K. W. bien que leur niveau taxonomique corresponde a celui de certains lysotypes de S. typhi ou S. paratyphi B.