Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of a MADS-box Gene cDNA, PnMADS1, That is Expressed in Both Vegetative and Floral Meristems of Pharbitis nil

A novel cDNA corresponding to a gene designated PnMADS1 and encoding a MADS-box protein was isolated from the short-day plant Pharbitis nil (Japanese morning glory) cv. Violet. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence encoded by PnMADS1 indicated that PnMADS1 does not belong to any of the major sub-groups of MADS-box proteins. The protein exhibited some similarity to proteins in the so-called ‘orphan group’ of unclassified MADS-box proteins that are mainly expressed in vegetative organs. The most similar MADS-box genes were AGL24 and StMADS16 (53.2% and 52.3% identity at the deduced amino-acid level, respectively). We obtained evidence that PnMADS1 mRNA accumulates in both vegetative and floral meristems but not in any other vegetative organs. Our results indicate that PnMADS1 is a novel MADS-box protein in terms of both structure and pattern of expression.
MOLECULAR ALTERATIONS IN HUMAN GENETIC DISEASES THROUGH NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGIES

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have greatly impacted every field of molecular research, reducing costs and simultaneously increasing throughput of DNA sequencing. These features, together with technology’s flexibility, have open the way to a variety of applications, especially for the study of the molecular basis of human diseases. So far, several analytical approaches have been developed to selectively enrich regions of interest from the whole genome, both to identify germinal and/or somatic sequence variants. All of these have assessed their potential in research area and are now being improved also in routine molecular diagnostics. Thanks to the improvement due to NGS methods introduction, also the metagenomic field has achieved very exciting results, increasing our knowledge about the microbiome and its mutually beneficial relationships with the human host. If microbiome plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy status, it is conceivable to suppose that its quantitative and/or qualitative alterations could lead to pathological dysbiosis, as shown in an increasing number of intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. The aim of this project was to use NGS-based strategies to study the molecular basis of human diseases. In particular, two analytic approaches were used: DNA sequence capture and metagenomics. A DNA sequence capture approach was used to analyze a large panel of genes possibly related to inherited cardiomyopathies. The obtained results indicate that this approach is useful to analyze, in a time and cost effective manner, heterogeneous diseases allowing the identification not only of the disease-causing mutation, but also of other variants involved in disease-phenotypic expression. Finally, methods reliability was higher than traditional, currently used techniques. All the above data indicate that this validated NGS-based approach can be used to improve the molecular analysis of inherited cardiomyopathies, such as of other inherited diseases, also in routine diagnostic settings. With regard to metagenomics, a 16S rRNA pyrotag analysis was carried out to deeply investigate the gut microbiome composition of Crohn and celiac diseases. Specific microbial signatures were identified in the patients. Moreover, the effects of Crohn nutritional therapy on gut microbial composition were also verified. These results suggest a role of gut microbiome in diseases pathogenesis and could, in turn, make possible to develop novel diagnostic, prognostic and, most important, therapeutic strategies. Taken together, all the above results indicate that the used NGS-based procedures can be easily applied to increase our understanding of the molecular basis of human diseases and that they can be useful also for routine diagnostic purposes.
Forestcheck: terrestrial vertebrate associations with fox control and silviculture in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest

Summary Terrestrial vertebrate associations with silviculture and other factors were investigated as part of the FORESTCHECK monitoring program in the jarrah (Eucalytpus marginata) forests of south-west Western Australia. A total of 48 integrated monitoring grids form the basis of this study—sampled over five years (2001–2006), across five ecosystem-defined regions (one sampled per year), each with replicates of two silvicultural treatments (shelterwood, gap release) and external reference forest (uncut forest or structurally mature forest that had not been harvested for timber for over 40 y). Terrestrial vertebrates were surveyed in spring and autumn using pitfall traps and wire cages. Forty-one terrestrial vertebrate taxa (8 frogs, 22 reptiles, 11 mammals) comprising 1165 captures were recorded. Fox (Vulpes vulpes) control had the strongest effect on terrestrial vertebrates, with baited areas supporting significantly more individuals (three-fold increase) than unbaited areas. The mammals Trichosurus vulpecula, Bettongia penicillata, Cercartetus concinnus and Dasyurus geoffroii, and the skink Tiliqua rugosa were particularly more abundant in fox-baited forest. Several terrestrial vertebrate community attributes (species accumulations by grids and number of individuals, dominance-diversity plots, overall community structure and overall abundance) differed little among the three treatments (i.e. two silvicultural, plus external reference forest). However, external reference grids had significantly lower species richness than the shelterwood grids and a significantly different community structure. These differences resulted from a greater prevalence within shelterwood of some species such as the reptiles Egernia napoleonis, Menetia greyii, Ctenotus labillardieri and Ramphotyphlops australis. Forests that had never been harvested, a subset (8/15 grids) of the external reference treatment, had the lowest overall abundance, due largely to a confounding with fox control. The level of replication enabled differences between treatments of greater than 23% in species richness, and 37% in overall abundance, to be detected as statistically significant. Significant ecosystem/year differences were found. Differences in community structure between ecosystems/years approximated the geographic/bioclimatic relationships between the grids, with the distinction between southern jarrah communities (Jarrah South/2001–02 and Jarrah Blackwood Plateau/2005–06) and the northern communities being particularly apparent. Time since last fire, live tree basal area, and the proportion of basal area removed by harvesting and silvicultural treatment were not correlated with vertebrate species richness, abundance or community structure. In comparison to the effect of fox control and regional/temporal variation, silvicultural treatment and the intensity of timber harvesting had minor impacts. Suggestions for the improvement of this and similar studies are discussed, with a particular focus on reducing residual variance and increasing sample size.
Atmospheric Composition under Impermeable Winter Golf Green Protections

The utilization of impermeable winter covers on annual bluegrass [Poa annua var. reptans (Hauskn.) Timm. ] golf greens as a protection against excess water and ice is increasing rapidly in Canada and elsewhere in northern climates. A study was conducted to examine the impact of these covers on the atmospheric composition over golf green turfgrass during the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 winters in Quebec City and in Montreal, Canada. Winter protective covers tested included a commercial impermeable cover on top of either curled wood shavings mat (CW-CC), 15 cm of straw mulch (SM-CC) or a felt material (FM-CC), a clear polyethylene cover on top of a curled wood shavings mat (CW-PC), and an unprotected control. Oxygen was consumed at variable rates under impermeable winter protective covers. As a result, anoxic conditions were not reached during winter at the Quebec City site but high respiration rates at the Montreal site resulted in anoxic conditions that lasted for periods as long as 50 d, without apparent damage to the annual bluegrass plants. Further tests were conducted on greens experiencing recurrent damages that could not be explained by freezing temperatures, snow mold pathogens, excess water, or ice. We showed that these problem greens had higher soil respiration rates than nonproblem greens indicating that the differences in O 2 consumption amongst golf greens are likely due to differences in soil biological activity rather than in plant respiration. We also established that the higher activity in soils of recurrently damaged greens was related to higher levels of soil organic C. Accordingly, sand-based golf greens built according to the USGA specifications had lower soil organic matter and lower respiration rates than greens built on native soils. We conclude that high rates of O 2 consumption by golf greens with high soil organic matter content results in potentially harmful anoxic conditions under impermeable covers during winter.
First report of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus in potato and tomato in Slovenia.

In June 2004, potato plants of cvs Bistra, Desiree, Discovery, KIS94-1/514 and P s ata, showing unusual virus-like symptoms, were observed in a field in central Slovenia. Crops from different parts of the country were planted in this field to compare the frequency of virus infections. The symptoms were observed only on potatoes originating from Raki c an in northeastern Slovenia. Affected plants showed severe dwarfing, leafcurling and reduced leaf size; tubers were very small and few in number. Brown spots were clearly visible in cross-sections of tubers. Sap from plants with symptoms was used for mechanical inoculation of test plants. Local and systemic symptoms were observed on Nicotiana benthamiana , N. clevelandii , N. glutinosa , N. rustica , N. tabacum , but only local lesions occurred on Datura stramonium . No symptoms were observed on Chenopodium quinoa . Electron microscopy of negatively stained crude extracts from N. benthamiana , N. clevelandii and N. tabacum with symptoms revealed numerous rhabdovirus-like particles. During the previous summer, tomato plants cv. Belle, showing unusual symptoms of distinct chlorotic spots, wrinkles on fruits and narrow, necrotic leaves, were observed in northeastern Slovenia, about 16 km from Raki c an. Infected plants also showed size reduction, curling of mature leaves, yellowing and chlorosis along the margins of younger leaves. Electron microscopy of negatively stained crude extracts revealed rhabdovirus-like particles. Three weeks after mechanical inoculation with extracts from leaves from affected plants, systemic yellowing of veins and leaf curling was observed on N . tabacum cv. White Burley, and necrotic spots, starting on the bases of the leaves, on N . clevelandii . These symptoms resembled those of potato isolate. Electron microscopy of crude sap extracts again revealed rhabdovirus-like particles . DAS-ELISA was used for confirmation of rhabdovirus infection of potato, tomato and affected plants of N. rustica inoculated with potato sap and N. tabacum cv. White Burley inoculated with tomato sap. Antisera against Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) and Potato yellow dwarf virus (PYDV) were kindly supplied by Dr S. Winter, DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany, and ELISA results confirmed that tested plants were infected with EMDV. No infections with PYDV were found. Although EMDV is widespread in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East (Brunt et al ., 1996), and has recently been reported in mainland Spain (Aramburu et al ., 2006), this is the first report of EMDV in Slovenia.
Burrowing of the fiddler crab Uca tangeri in the Ria Formosa in Portugal and its influence on sediment structure

Burrowing activities of the only European fiddler crab, Uca tangeri, and its resulting influence on biotope in mudflats were investigated during 1989-1990 at Ria Formosa, Portugal. Individuals use the same burrow for ca 1 wk, then occupy another or dig a new one. Overall a burrow is inhabited for ca 3 mo by several individuals before it is abandoned. Vacated burrows decay within 2 to 3 wk. Burrow size and number vary with the season. Burrow density was highest in spring and early summer with ca 17 burrows m-2, and then decreased. Deepest burrows (up to 90 cm long) were found in winter, the shallowest (up to 40 cm long) in summer. Volume of the sediment moved by U. tangen varied monthly between 3000 and 6000 cm3 per m2 of mudflat. Water is only found in the lower third of the burrow. Burrow water contains less oxygen and more nitrate than the surrounding water of the Ria Formosa.
Occurrence of Hydroxypropanedial in Certain Musts and Wines

The identification of a reductone found in sweet botrytized white table wines is described. A derivation method with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBOA), which permitted the identification of carbonyl and α-dicarbonyl compounds, was used. On the basis of analysis by GC and GC/MS and of 1H-NMR data, the compound has been identified as hydroxypropanedial. This triose reductone is possibly characterized by a large sulfur dioxide combination power and redox properties. The compound was isolated from musts and wines produced from botrytized grapes. It is normally present in very low concentrations in dry white or red wines, but this carbonyl compound occurs in huge levels if Botrytis cinerea and other damaging molds with associated moldy and acetic characters are present in spoiled berries. Keywords: Hydroxypropanedial; reductones; α-dicarbonyls; wine
Effects of Nonthermal Processes on the Inactivation of Microorganisms and Antioxidants in Minimally Processed Vegetables

Effects of several nonthermal disinfection processes, including high pressure carbon dioxide treatment (HCT), gaseous chlorine dioxide treatment (GCT) and pulsed xenon treatment (PXT), on the inactivation of microorganisms and antioxidants in ten cut vegetables (red paprika, green pepper, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, mizuna, celery, onion, carrot, and bean sprout) were investigated. HCT (6 or 10 MPa, 10 min, 35°C) showed similar inactivation effects on microorganisms using conventional NaOCl treatment (100 ppm, 10 min) by controlling pressure. However, HCT caused a loss of more antioxidants such as vitamin C and phenolic compounds in cut vegetables under severe conditions. In addition, HCT softened the leaf vegetables, cabbage, lettuce, and mizuna. All samples after PXT (500 J, 10 times) had the same antioxidant contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities as the untreated intact samples, suggesting PXT could be a disinfection method that does not influence the antioxidants in cut vegetables. For inactivation of microorganism, PXT decreased the viable cell count by about 10-fold, but not significantly. On the other hand, GCT (10 ppm, 30 min) showed almost the same microorganism inactivation as NaOCl treatment. The loss of vitamin C and phenolic compounds due to GCT were negligible. These results suggest that GCT might be a promising nonthermal disinfection treatment for cut vegetables.
Willingness to Communicate among Less Intelligent and More Intelligent Learners: A Case of Iranian EFL Learners across Gender

Maryam Zakian Department of General Courses, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran Behshahr, Iran ABSTRACT Willingness to communicate (WTC) refers to the possibility of being involved in communication when one has the freedom to do so. Less and more intelligent people might demonstrate different WTC level in language learning classrooms. Since WTC and intelligence are two key factors in language learning, the present study was an attempt to investigate the willingness to communicate among less intelligent and more intelligent learners across gender among Iranian EFL learners. For this purpose, 46 EFL leaners (homogenized by a placement test) were given the Raven’s intelligence Test. Next, based on their scores, they were divided into one less and one more intelligent groups. Then, they received the WTC questionnaire to fill out. The result of the data analysis showed that: 1) there was a statistically significant difference between the less and more intelligent groups considering their WTC level, 2) there was no statistically significant difference between the male and female participants regarding their WTC level. It was concluded that less intelligent learners had less tendency to engage in communication. Language teachers, L2 researchers, and teacher educators may benefit from the findings of this study.
Morphological variation among populations of Mesalina watsonana (Stoliczka, 1872) (Sauria: Lacertidae) in Iran

During extensive fieldwork surveys from August 2009 to September 2011, 60 specimens of Mesalina watsonana were collected from 10 localities representing 3 population groups in Iran. Owing to clear sexual dimorphism, a total of 39 males were selected and examined for various meristic and morphological characters. Statistical analyses (multivariate analyses such as principal component analysis, canonical variate analysis, and cluster analysis) were used to compare morphological variations among specimens from these 3 population groups in Iran. These groups were separated geographically, apparently due to barriers such as Dasht-e-Kavir and Dasht-e-Lut. According to the multivariate analyses, Mesalina watsonana can be divided into 2 major morphological groups in Iran. The Zagros group is related to 2 others; the southern and eastern groups clearly separate and show a break between themselves.
Bone microstructure: quantifying bone vascular orientation

Bone microstructure often preserves a temporal record of the life history of the animal to which it belongs. Previously used bone microstructure metrics to differentiate between primary bone types are reviewed and tested with a broad sample of bone types. Two new metrics, the radial index and the longitudinal index, are developed to quantitatively differentiate bone types based on bone vascular orientation in three dimensions. All previously used metrics described the bone microstructure in a nonlinear pattern and were unable to separate bone types satisfactorily. The radial index and longitudinal index effectively differentiated bone types and described bone microstructure within a linear continuum. The continuous nature of the range of vascular orientation in bone microstructure necessitates a quantitative approach rather than the commonly used qualitative classifications. The radial index and longitudinal index, which objectively detect small differences in vascular orientation in three dimensions, are.
How to Understand Specifications of Sensirion Particulate Matter Sensors

This document gives details on how the terminology concerning Sensirion particulate matter (PM) sensors specifications is to be understood. Since there is no common agreed standard procedure between PM sensor manufacturers for specifying PM sensors, nor is there a standard setup for measuring them, it can be difficult for users to clearly understand and compare the declared performance parameters of different products. It is the purpose of this document to clarify specifications of Sensirion PM sensors.
Seasonal response of nutrients to reduced phosphorus loading in 12 Danish lakes

Summary 1. Concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen and silica and alkalinity were monitored in eight shallow and four deep Danish lakes for 13 years following a phosphorus loading reduction. The aim was to elucidate the seasonal changes in nutrient concentrations during recovery. Samples were taken biweekly during summer and monthly during winter. 2. Overall, the most substantive changes in lake water concentrations were seen in the early phase of recovery. However, phosphorus continued to decline during summer as long as 10 years after the loading reduction, indicating a significant, albeit slow, decline in internal loading. 3. Shallow and deep lakes responded differently to reduced loading. In shallow lakes the internal phosphorus release declined significantly in spring, early summer and autumn, and only non-significantly so in July and August. In contrast, in deep lakes the largest reduction occurred from May to August. This difference may reflect the much stronger benthic pelagic-coupling and the lack of stratification in shallow lakes. 4. Nitrogen only showed minor changes during the recovery period, while alkalinity increased in late summer, probably conditioned by the reduced primary production, as also indicated by the lower pH. Silica tended to decline in winter and spring during the study period, probably reflecting a reduced release of silica from the sediment because of enhanced uptake by benthic diatoms following the improved water transparency. 5. These results clearly indicate that internal loading of phosphorus can delay lake recovery for many years after phosphorus loading reduction, and that lake morphometry (i.e. deep versus shallow basins) influences the patterns of change in nutrient concentrations on both a seasonal and interannual basis.
Prevalence of Multi morbidity and Patient and Provider Perspectives on Chronic Disease Self-Management in a Rural Primary Care Clinic

Recent research has focused on the epidemiology of multi morbidity, its impact on the healthcare system, and quality of life. Data suggests that multi morbidity is disproportionately prevalent in socioeconomically vulnerable and minority populations [3-4]. The economic burden of multi morbidity is substantial; patients have more interactions with the healthcare system as evidenced by a high frequency of follow-up appointments, hospital readmissions, and adverse events due to non adherence and medication interactions [5-8]. Unsurprisingly, multi morbidity has a significant inverse relationship with physical, mental, and environmental quality of life, beyond the effects of a single disease [9-11]. Multi morbidity is a complex burden affecting patients, families, and the healthcare system.
Corrigendum to: Highly sensitive DNA fingerprinting of orchid pollinaria remnants using AFLP

Numerous Australian terrestrial orchid species in the genus Diuris may be pollinated by food source mimicry. In our field studies, direct observations of orchid.pollinator interactions were rare, but native bees were frequently captured carrying orchid pollinaria, or pollinaria remnants. Sometimes, pollinaria remnants were minimal and included only the viscidium, a sticky pad that was often highly persistent. Confirmation of such tissue as being of orchid source, and attributing them to a particular species can aid pollination studies. DNA-based methods that may identify more or less intact orchid pollinaria are available, but extremely small and degraded samples can pose technical challenges. We have developed an AFLP protocol for such difficult samples that offers some significant advantages over direct PCR-based analysis. We simulated AFLP profiling of very low-DNA samples using DNA template from serial dilutions. A DNA sample range from 6.4 picograms to at least as high as 100 nanograms (15 500-fold range) all yielded AFLP fingerprints. The practical application of this inherent sensitivity of AFLP is demonstrated by the identification of remnants of orchid pollinaria sampled from bees, presented here as a case study. It is expected that this approach will find many applications where sample DNA is limiting, or possibly where pollen of similar appearance may comprise species mixtures.