Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production of Fermentable Sugars and a High Protein Meal by Dilute Acid Hydrolysis of Soybean Meal at High Temperatures

The objective was to produce fermentable sugars with low levels of fermentation inhibitors and a high-protein meal, with acceptable color, by treating defatted soybean meal with dilute sulphuric acid at temperatures between 105 and 135 oC and durations up to 45 min. The conditions that maximized the amount of protein were 120 °C, 0.5% H2SO4, and 45 min, which increased protein from 48.1% to 58.6% d.b. The highest amount of fermentable sugars (32.2% d.b.), without regard for the protein content, was for the treatment at 135 °C, 2% H2SO4, and 45 min; such treatment generated relatively low 5-HMF and furfural levels (0.0018 g/L and 0.32 g/L, respectively), and 0.87 g/L, of acetic acid. The treatment at 120 °C, 1.5% H2SO4, and 30 min had the best balance between a high concentration of fermentable sugars (21.3% d.b.) in the liquid fraction and crude protein (52.1% d.b.) in the solid fraction without a significant change in the original color of the solid fraction.
The Landscape Impact of Linear Seismic Clearings for Oil and Gas Development in Boreal Forest

Abstract Forests can be dissected or internally fragmented by anthropogenic linear clearings. Much research has focused on roads but in forests overlying oil and gas reserves, seismic lines (narrow exploration trails) also internally fragment forests and alter landscape structure. Seismic lines are of particular interest because they already exist in western North America and exploitation of future reserves may require new seismic line clearing over vast forest areas. An assessment was needed to compare their relative contribution to forest fragmentation against other more well-known linear forest clearings. This study was conducted across an area of 4022 km2 of boreal forest in western Canada. Seismic lines directly occupied a relatively small area (1% of all land), but were five times longer than roads and rail lines. Seismic line density was more than twice that of roads, rail lines, power lines and pipelines combined and accounted for 80% of all edges. Seismic lines have the potential to indirectly influence more forest than all these other types of linear forest clearings. Seismic lines consistently decreased the size of forest patches, and increased the number of patches across spatial scales from 5.0–4900 ha but tended to have a greater impact at larger spatial extents. While roads are the most important agents of fragmentation in some forests, in forests where oil and gas reserves are exploited, seismic lines have the greatest impact on forest fragmentation.
Growth Patterns, Body Weight, and Morphometric of KUB Chicken, Sentul Chicken and Arab Chicken

The purpose of this research was to determine the body weight, weight gain and morphometric characteristics of several local chicken strains. The research materials were KUB chicken, Sentul chicken, and Arab chicken. The method used was an experiment with a sample of 82 chickens from each strain. Data collected include body weight, weight gain, beak length, beak width, head length, head circumference, head height, neck length, neck circumference, wing length, back length, back height, chest length, chest width, shank length, shank circumference, tibia length, tibia circumference, third finger length, and pubic bone distance. Data collected were analyzed using the average difference test (t-test). The average value vector of body measurements of chicken lines was analyzed using the T²-Hotelling statistical test. Main Component Analysis statistical test was used to identify the shape and size characteristics of each chicken strain. The results showed that the body weight and morphometrics of KUB chickens at 3 months were significantly different (P 0.05) from Sentul chickens, but it was significantly different (P<0.05) from Arab chickens. Body weight, weight gain, and morphometrics of KUB chickens were higher than Sentul chickens and Arab chickens. The size indicator in KUB chickens was the tibia length while in Sentul chickens and Arab chickens was chest length. The characteristic of KUB chickens was the back length, Sentul chickens was tibia length, and Arab chickens was the shank circumference.
A Revised Framework of Dryopteris subg. Nothoperanema (Dryopteridaceae) Inferred from Phylogenetic Evidence, with Descriptions of Two New Sections

Abstract Dryopteris subgenus Nothoperanema (Dryopteridaceae) includes sections Acrophorus, Diacalpe, Nothoperanema, and Peranema. Phylogenetic relationships among these sections and their relationship to sect. Dryopsis (genus Dryopteris subgenus Erythrovariae, Dryopteridaceae) are unclear. Additionally, previous phylogenetic work has not included Stenolepia, which has been suggested as an important relative of Peranema based on morphology. In this study, we examined phylogenetic relationships within subgenus Nothoperanema by including Stenolepia and utilizing six plastid regions (∼5,500 characters). Our inferred phylogeny revealed that sect. Dryopsis is not monophyletic. The Nothoperanema clade is highly supported, and includes sect. Acrophorus, sect. Diacalpe, sect. Nothoperanema, sect. Peranema, certain Dryopsis species, and Stenolepia. By re-examining diagnostic morphological characters, we establish and describe two new sections under subgenus Nothoperanema: sect. Shiehia and sect. Stenolepia. This revision accommodates new species transferred from sects. Dryopsis and Stenolepia, and makes subgenus Nothoperanema and each of its sections natural groups. Finally, we provide a table with morphological comparisons and a key to sections.
Toxicity Evaluation of TiO2 Nanoparticles Embedded in Consumer Products

of a thesis at the University of Miami. Thesis supervised by Professor Sung Hee Joo. No. of pages in text. (103) The present study is aimed at the assessment of the toxic hazard posed by TiO2 nanoparticles released in the marine environment. The marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana was chosen as the target organism for this study as it is a really simple organism, yet contributing to the base level of the marine ecosystem and therefore holding capital environmental importance. Along with industrially-produced TiO2 nanoparticles, this study wanted to shed some light on the properties and effects of TiO2 nanoparticles derived (extracted) from commercial products, in particular sunscreens and toothpastes. Our findings showed an impressive trend relating the growth inhibition to the nature of the nanoparticles in a substantial way, more than to any other of the tested parameters (concentration of nanoparticles and exposure time). Nonetheless, both concentration and exposure time showed a direct relationship with growth inhibition. The findings of this study suggest that more research effort is devoted to the development of the knowledge of the industrial processes involving nanotechnologies, aiming at the development of a sustainable approach to the use of nanotechnologies. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor, Professor Sung Hee Joo, for her guidance, support, valuable discussions and insightful comments during my MS studies here at the University of Miami. I also want to deeply thank Professor Andrea Bolognesi, for his great patience in helping my study experience throughout this year, regardless of every limitation of time and distance. I wish to thank Seok-Ju Seo, for sharing his practical and scientific knowledge with me, helping to set up the experimental part of this work. I really want to thank my whole family, and my girlfriend Ilaria, for their continuous support and input to get the maximum from my experience at the University of Miami this year, as well as during the past four years, not just to gain the best from my studies, but also, and most importantly, to set these years as a major milestone of my life. I want to thank Eleonora Spisni, Riccardo Baricci, Yara Wehbe, Matthew Young, Maria Arguelles, Crystal Léon, Ana Dvorak, and Kusumitha Perera for being extremely valuable classmates, but most importantly great friends. I want to acknowledge some of my friends that accompanied me in this experience: Barbara, Davide, Vincenzo, Caterina, Alberto, Anna, Maria Rita, Camilla and Luigi as well as every other friend that has had a good thought for me during this time. Finally, I would like to greatly acknowledge my committee members, Professor Joo (University of Miami), Professor Englehardt (University of Miami), and Professor Bolognesi (University of Bologna).
Biomass yield, nutrient content and in vitro dry matter digestibility of morphological fractions of two sweet potato varieties intercropped with coffee or maize-haricot bean

Effects of stages of growth and intercropping of two sweet potato varieties (Hawassi-83 and Tula) (alone or with coffee or maize-haricot bean) on biomass yield and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of morphological fractions were assessed in Southern Ethiopia. Similar coffee plantations (age, density, soil type, topography) were selected for intercropping. Vines were planted on three plots per intercropping type at 15 days interval, and cultivated three times. Morphological fractions were collected from 1.0 m2 of land on 4th, 5th and 6th months for nutrient and partial budget analyses (revenue estimated for 100 m2 of land). Ten elders evaluated varieties at 2nd, 4th and 6th months after planting. Lowest DM (77 g/kg) was obtained from fresh Tula stem-petiole (FTSP) but highest (190 g/kg) from fresh Tula leaf (FTL) (p<0.05). Fresh Tula vine (FTV) had lowest (840 g/kg DM) organic matter and FTL (p<0.05) highest (914 g/kg DM). Crude protein content of fresh Hawassi-83 stem-petiole (FHSP) was lowest (113 g/kg DM) but that of FTL highest (269 g/kg DM). Lowest vine yield (0.27 kg/m2) was from Tula intercropped with coffee but highest (0.82 kg/m2) from maize-haricot bean intercropping followed by sole Hawassi-83 (0.56 kg/M2). Overall mean vine DM yield (333.6 g/m2) of maize-haricot bean intercropping was greater (p<0.05) than that of intercropping (174.0 g/m2) with coffee. IVDMD of fresh Hawassi-83 leaf (FHL) (78.0±0.27) and FTSP (77.0±0.10) were lowest but that of FHSP (84.3±0.59) and FTL (84.3±0.04) highest. Both Hawassi-83 and Tula vine were best produced when intercropped with maize-haricot bean, although Hawassi-83 was more profitable and preferred by respondents than Tula. Key words: Intercropping, morphological fractions, nutrients, stage of maturity, sweet potato vine.
Baiting for carnivores might negatively affect capture rates of prey species in camera-trap studies

Surveying and monitoring of elusive animals with naturally low densities and large home ranges, such as many medium- and large-sized mammals, is challenging. Low capture rates can preclude detailed analyses. The use of bait has been used as a strategy to increase carnivore capture rates in many camera-trap surveys. Here, we test the effect of one carnivore bait type (mix of fresh sardine and egg) on the capture rates of carnivores and prey species in a camera-trap survey in the Central Brazilian Amazon. We also test if the quality of records of naturally marked felids for individual identification is enhanced by the use of bait. We found that the bait had no apparent effect on the carnivore capture rates, but it might have repelled some prey species. The number of suitable photos for individual identification of naturally marked felids was greater at baited stations than at unbaited stations, but this did not result in practical advantages for individual identification. We recommend that the use of carnivore bait should be carefully considered at the planning stage of camera-trap studies as it can negatively affect recording of prey species.
Application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize culture media for the production of rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Rhamnolipids, naturally existent biosurfactantsassembledbyrhamnose sugar molecules and βhydroxyalkanoicacids that has wide range of promising profitable applications. In the study Pseudomonas aeruginosabacterial isolates was identified and screened for rhamnolipid production. P. aeruginosa achieved the production of rhamnolipid at room temperature in static cultures of a mineral salts medium containing olive oil. The pure culture was enhanced and optimized at pH-7, temperature-37°C and olive oil as effective carbon source. The cultural media was optimized using response surface methodology -Box-Behnken with 30 ml of olive oil, 5 g/l NaNO3, 4 g/l KH2PO4 and 7.5 g/l FeSO4 mixture contributes maximum production of rhamnolipid. The R2 value was 99.8 that correlated with adjusted R2 value of 99.7 and predicted R2 value of 99.5 shows the model is significant.
The putative role of the ventral septal area of the brain in the integration of cardiovascular regulation during endotoxin induced fever

During fever, cardiovascular changes have been seen to accompany the change in body temperature. There is evidence to implicate an area of the brain called the ventral septal area/ diagonal band of Broca (VSA/DBB) in both thermoregulation and cardiovascular control. This thesis investigates the possibility that neurons of the VSA/DBB which are known to be involved in thermoregulation during fever, may also be involved in some aspect of cardiovascular control during fever induced by endotoxin. The investigation was performed by infusing lidocaine HC1 into the VSA of freely moving conscious rats while the parameters of body temperature, heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were monitored. Body temperature and cardiovascular parameters were measured in two separate groups of rats. The first set of experiments before brain infusion with lidocaine show that endotoxin has an effect on all of the above parameters. Body temperature showed the typical hypothermic phase followed by an increase to febrile levels in response to injection of endotoxin. Mean arterial blood pressure showed a biphasic response to injection of endotoxin as did heart rate. In the second set of experiments, the animals were injected with endotoxin while the animals received infusion of lidocaine into the VSA/DBB. The results show lidocaine infusion had no significant effect on body temperature, heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure in response to endotoxin. In conclusion the results do not support the idea that the VSA mediates an interaction between body temperature and mean arterial blood pressure, but neither does the data necessarily refute the possibility that the VSA is the site of this interaction.
Attributes of trees used by nesting and foraging woodpeckers (Aves: Picidae) in an area with old pollarded Oaks (Quercus spp.) in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey

We used three woodpecker species as umbrella species for old deciduous forests, and analysed their preferences in an area with old pollarded oaks in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey. Using plot inventories, we physically characterised trees utilised for nesting and foraging amongst woodpeckers in general and the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Leiopicus medius) in particular. Trees more frequently visited by foraging woodpeckers differed from randomly chosen trees by being taller, having a larger circumference, greater bark furrow depth and shorter distance to neighbouring trees. Nesting trees were taller, had a higher proportion of dead wood but a lower surface area of natural cavities. Our results suggest that the woodpeckers in the study area rely upon woodlands containing mature trees, thus have the potential to function as suitable umbrella species’ to highlight the conservation value of oak forest habitats in southern Turkey.
Development and Implementation of a Bed Bug IPM Enrichment Curriculum, Part I

As concerns about bed bug sightings began to increase and schools began to report bed bug introductions, an expert group convened by the Environmental Protection Agency recommended development of curricula to teach young students about bed bug biology and management. The Bed Bugs and Book Bags curriculum is our response to this recommendation. This third- through fifth-grade curriculum was developed using a six-step process, and has been implemented by health educators, teachers, and the pest management industry within and outside of the United States. The curriculum consists of 10 lessons correlated with state health educational standards and is specifically designed to educate teachers and students about bed bugs. In pilot testing of various groups including teachers, students, custodial staff at rescue missions, and pest management professionals, teacher and student groups had the highest increase in knowledge gain after being introduced to the curriculum. The curriculum is available online at http://duval.ifas. uf.edu/Bed_Bugs. shtml. Based on self-reporting, it has a potential impact of reaching approximately 40,000 people across the United States, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The Bed Bugs and Book Bags curriculum placed first as a learning module with the Florida Association for …
Amcom06 393..396

Monodisperse silica colloids with diameters ranging from 200±500 nm are synthesized following the Stober±Fink±Bohn method [47]. The as-synthesized silica sols are purified and redispersed in 200 proof ethanol by at least six centrifugation/redispersion cycles. The methods described in our previous paper [36] are used to fabricate three-dimensionally ordered planar colloidal crystals with thickness ranging from one monolayer to 50 monolayers. In short, a glass slide is immersed vertically into ~15 mL purified silica sol (1 % particle volume fraction) contained in a glass scintillation vial. After ethanol slowly evaporates, an iridescent film is formed on top of the glass slide. A large area (1 cm  3 cm) sample can be made over 3±5 days. After each single coating is deposited, the film is taken out of the silica sol and air-dried for 10 min and then dipped again into another purified silica sol with differing particle size. This coating±drying± coating cycle can be repeated many times and each time the particle size can be arbitrary selected. The thickness of each crystalline sub-unit can be easily tuned by changing the concentration of the silica sol [36]. In this way, a layered structure with an arbitrary pattern of sphere sizes can be assembled. Macroporous polystyrene films are made by templating the colloidal crystal as described before [18]. SEM is carried out on a Philips XL30 ESEM. A CrC-100 sputtering system has been used to coat a thin layer of gold on the samples before SEM analysis. To reveal an edge appropriate for cross-sectional SEM analysis, the samples are scraped using a sharp razor blade and tilted 30±40 . Transmission spectra are obtained by using an Ocean Optics ST2000 fiber optic UV±near-IR spectrometer. An Oriel model 6000 UV lamp with 68806 basic power supply is used to polymerize styrene.
I. Responses to microclimate along a forest edge-interior gradient

& We tested the hypothesis that changed microclimate at induced forest edges causes reduced growth of epiphytic lichens. Two foliose, green algal lichens were transplanted to the lower canopy of a mature Picea abies forest at six distances (2, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 m) from a clearcut. The biomass growth in Platismatia glauca (6.2% in 16 months) was 41% higher than in Lobaria pulmonaria (4.4%). We found no growth reduction near the forest edge. In contrast, the highest growth in both species occurred within 12 m from the edge. Further, fluorescence and chlorophyll measurements showed that lichen vitality was unaffected by distance from edge. The light intensity was 4.3 times higher at the edge than in the interior during the growing season, but there were only minor differences in air temperature and relative humidity. Monitoring of thallus water content revealed clear differences in both number and length of wetting and drying cycles. However, the total time with water content sufficient for photosynthetic activity was only slightly higher at the edge. The data thus indicate that our gradient in microclimate was too small to significantly affect lichen growth, and that lichens are largely metabolically inactive when large edge-interior contrasts in microclimate occur. Lichen response to forest edge microclimate results from intricate interactions among several biotic and abiotic factors. Linking data on lichen growth, microclimate and thallus water content with physiological measurements provides a framework for future studies of the mechanisms behind abiotic edge effects.
Seed dispersal by rodents in a lowland forest in central Panama

Abstract: We studied the removal of seeds of three species of large-seeded tree (Astrocaryum standleyanum, Attalea butyracea and Dipteryx oleifera) from three different heights within six study plots in a lowland forest in central Panama. Fresh fruits with intact seeds fitted with industrial sewing bobbins were placed within semi-permeable exclosures. Removed seeds were tracked to deposition sites, and seed fate was determined. Removals were likely perpetrated by two small rodents, the strictly terrestrial Proechimys semispinosus and the scansorial Sciurus granatensis, because they were the most abundant small rodents in the study site during the study period and were of sufficient size to remove large seeds. Rodent abundance and fruit availability were estimated by conducting censuses. Nine microhabitat variables were measured at each deposition site to determine if these two rodents were preferentially depositing seeds in sites with certain characteristics or were randomly depositing seeds. During the study, rodents handled 98 seeds, 85 of which were not predated upon and could potentially germinate. Removal rates were not influenced by rodent abundance or fruit availability. Seeds were most frequently moved <3 m and deposited with the fruit eaten and the seed intact. However, some seeds did experience relatively long-distance dispersal (>10 m). Rodents preferentially deposited seeds in locations with large logs (>10 cm diameter), dense herbaceous cover, and an intact canopy. The number of large logs was different from random locations. Despite not being able to determine long-term fate (greater than c. 1 y), we show that these small rodents are not primarily seed predators and may in fact be important mutualists by dispersing seeds relatively long distances to favourable germination sites.
AN EFFICIENT ARTIFICIAL BEE COLONYAND FUZZY C MEANS BASEDCLUSTERING GENE EXPRESSION DATA

Cluster analysis of gene expression data has proved to be a useful tool for identifying co-expressed genes as it partition a given data set into groups based on particular features. The gene microarray data are arranged based on the pattern of gene expression using various clustering algorithms and the dynamic natures of biological processes are generally unnoticed by the traditional clustering algorithms. To overcome the problems in gene expression analysis, novel algorithms for dimensionality reduction and clustering have been proposed. The dimensionality reduction of microarray gene expression data is carried out using Locality Sensitive Discriminant Analysis (LSDA). To maintain bond between the neighborhoods in locality, LSDA is used and an efficient metaheuristic optimization algorithm called Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) using Fuzzy c Means clustering is used for clustering the gene expression based on the pattern. The experimental results shows that proposed algorithm achieve a higher clustering accuracy and takes lesser less clustering time when compared with existing algorithms.