Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Queen Execution, Diploid Males, and Selection For and Against Polyandry in the Brazilian Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona depilis

Female mating frequency varies. Determining the causes of this variation is an active research area. We tested the hypothesis that in stingless bees, Meliponini, single mating is due to the execution of queens that make a matched mating at the complementary sex determination locus and have diploid male offspring. We studied the Brazilian species Scaptotrigona depilis. We made up 70 test colonies so that 50% (single matched mating), 25% (double mating), 12.5% (quadruple mating), or 0% (single nonmatched mating) of the emerging brood were diploid males. Queen execution following diploid male emergence was equal and high in colonies producing 50% (77% executed) and 25% (75%) diploid males versus equal and low in colonies producing 12.5% (7%) and 0% (0%) diploid males. These results show that queens that mate with two males with similar paternity suffer an increased chance of being executed, which selects against double mating. However, double mating with unequal paternity (e.g., 25∶75), which occasionally occurs in S. depilis, is selectively neutral. Single mating and double mating with unequal paternity form one adaptive peak. The results show a second adaptive peak at quadruple mating. However, this is inaccessible via gradual evolutionary change in a selective landscape with reduced fitness at double mating.
Effect of Cobalt and some Vitamins as Foliar Application Treatments on Productivity and Quality of Williams Banana Cultivar

This study was conducted during two successive seasons (2012/2013 first ratoon and 2013/2014 second ratoon) on Williams banana cultivar grown in clay loam soil under flood irrigation system in a private banana orchard located at El-Hagabey district, Meet Ghamr Dakahlia Governorate, at 3x3.5 m apart. Forty five stools/(mat) ,each containing two plants of Williams cultivar were chosen to evaluate the effect of foliar spray with Cobalt , Vit B12 and ascorbic acid ( Vit C) singly, double or in triple combinations, beside control treatment on yield and fruit quality of the tested Williams banana cv. These treatments were arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates. The obtained results could be summarized as follows:Sprayed banana plants with the mixture of cobalt sulphate + Vit B12+ Vit C at 50+50+500 ppm each (T14) recorded increases in bunch weight, yield /fed. and number of fingers /bunch were about 63.34 , 65.49 and 15.22 % over control treatment, respectively. The plants which sprayed with the mixture of cobalt sulphate + Vit C at 100+1000 ppm each (T11) gave the highest values of hand and finger weight and recorded increases about 54.00 and 62.82% over control treatment, respectively . The highest values of total sugars , SSC/TA and Vit.C were obtained by the plants which sprayed with cobalt sulphate + Vit B12+ Vit C at 100+100+1000 ppm each (T15) average two seasons and recorded the relative increases were about 24.62, 100.56 and 44.34% over control, respectively.
Seed storage importance and behaviour of a vulnerable species Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus Willd.)

Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus Willd.) is one of woody plant species listed in the IUCN red list for priority in conservation as a vulnerable species. The effective and low-cost methods of seed storage is required to support the ex-situ conservation through seedling recruitments for population improvement. This study used completely randomized factorial design with 2 factors i.e. seed storage methods (room temperature, sealed jar and cold temperature), and storage duration (1,2,3,4 and 5 months). This study used 3 replications for each treatments and 10 seeds for each replication. The result showed that the seed of P. indicus start to germinate in 5-11 days after seeding while leaf emerged in 15-13 days after seeding. Seed viabilities generally were high until 3 months of storage (up to 65%) and start to decline at 4 months of storage at 51%. Storage methods and storage duration significantly influenced the seedling growth, viability, and Relative Growth Rate (RGR). There was an interaction between two factors. The storage at room temperature during a month (1RT) has the highest seedling height. The seeds stored in sealed jar during 5 months (5SJ) showed the highest seedling RGR, while the seeds stored in sealed jar during 3 months (3SJ) has the highest seed viability. For longer term storage, the seed of P. indicus should be stored in sealed jar or at room temperature at 11% moisture content. Both in the rainy and dry season, seedling recruitments were low and sapling stage was rare which showed low seedling establishment. Moreover, based on the phenological information, it is better to store the seed during the rainy season.
Modulation of Mitochondrial ATP-Dependent K+ Channels by Protein Kinase C

Abstract—Pharmacological openers of mitochondrial ATP-dependent K+ (mitoKATP) channels mimic ischemic preconditioning, and such cardioprotection can be prevented by mitoKATP channel blockers. It is also known that protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in the induction and maintenance of preconditioning. To look for possible mechanistic links between these 2 sets of observations, we measured mitochondrial matrix redox potential as an index of mitoKATP channel activity in rabbit ventricular myocytes. The mitoKATP channel opener diazoxide (100 μmol/L) partially oxidized the matrix redox potential. Exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 100 nmol/L) potentiated and accelerated the effect of diazoxide. These effects of PMA were blocked by the mitoKATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate, which we verified to be a selective blocker of the mitoKATP channel in simultaneous recordings of membrane current and flavoprotein fluorescence. The inactive control compound 4α-phorbol (100 nmol/L) did not alter t.
The autoregressive stochastic block model with changes in structure

Network science has been a growing subject for the last three decades, with sta- tistical analysis of networks seing an explosion since the advent of online social networks. An important model within network analysis is the stochastic block model, which aims to partition the set of nodes of a network into groups which behave in a similar way. This thesis proposes Bayesian inference methods for problems related to the stochastic block model for network data. The presented research is formed of three parts. Firstly, two Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers are proposed to sample from the posterior distribution of the number of blocks, block memberships and edge-state parameters in the stochastic block model. These allow for non-binary and non-conjugate edge models, something not considered in the literature. Secondly, a dynamic extension to the stochastic block model is presented which includes autoregressive terms. This novel approach to dynamic network models allows the present state of an edge to influence future states, and is therefore named the autoregresssive stochastic block model. Furthermore, an algorithm to perform inference on changes in block membership is given. This problem has gained some attention in the literature, but not with autoregressive features to the edge-state distribution as presented in this thesis. Thirdly, an online procedure to detect changes in block membership in the au- toregresssive stochastic block model is presented. This allows networks to be monitored through time, drastically reducing the data storage requirements. On top of this, the network parameters can be estimated together with the block memberships. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the above contributions in the context of the network analysis literature and future directions for research are identified.
Mapping the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed morphology in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

This paper reports the results of analyzing the quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying sunflower seed morphological traits in a segregating population derived from an oilseed by confection cross. A linkage map containing 165 target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) and 44 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed from 120 F2 plants. This map contained 17 linkage groups and spanned a total genetic distance of 1784.3 cM. A total of 52 QTL for 12 seed traits were detected and 32 of them were identified in both F2 and F2:3 generations. Each QTL explained 5.1-29.3% of the phenotypic variation, suggesting these traits were controlled by multiple genes. Most of the QTL were clustered in seven chromosomal regions and four of these regions were located in the same chromosomal regions as previously reported by other researchers studying similar QTL. Moreover, alleles from the confection line at these QTL had positive effects on these traits. The information generated by this study could be useful in confection sunflower breeding.
Assessing Seed Vigor Characters of Selected Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes Using Accelerated Ageing Method

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an annual grass with the third-highest world production after sugarcane and maize. However, due to losses in vigor caused by poor seed storage, global consumption has surpassed production. Preservation of germ plasma both in-situ and ex-situ is the key to the conservation of rich biodiversity. Seed vigor is a key element of seed quality and high vigor seeds give uniform plants stand and higher yields per area. Accelerated ageing tests enable testing the vigor of stored seeds by subjecting the seeds to a particular temperature and relative humidity over time and then performing standard germination tests. Viability of most seeds normally reduces with the storage period, storage temperature and relative humidity. There is limited information on the duration of storage for rice seeds. Accelerated ageing is considered an excellent option as a vigor test when compared to seedling emergence and index of emergence speed because of the shortest time of acquisition and efficient results. Accelerated ageing tests at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours (45ºC and 98% RH) were carried out JKUAT post-harvest laboratory using eight rice varieties’ in four replications of 100 seeds each. Data were analyzed using GENSTAT statistical package. ANOVA and T-tests at 5% significant level. Results showed that there was significant variation in both coleorhiza and coleoptile formation among rice varieties (p<0.001), treatments (p<0.001) and interaction between rice varieties and treatment (p<0.001). The difference between all treatments was significant with 72 hours’ treatment having the highest number of days to coleorhiza and coleoptile formation. The present study has shown that prolonged duration of higher temperatures results in a reduction of seed viability. The earliest coleorhiza formation was observed on day 2 and the latest on day 6. Results from this study will guide farmers and seed processors on considerations regarding storage period and storage temperature to ensure high-quality seeds.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) – an Important Element in Scientific Communication

Digital object identifier (DOI), which appeared in the late 1990s, allows users to immediately find on the Internet the digital object they are interested in – an article, book, journal, dissertation, etc. Nowadays the DOI technology is widely used by foreign publishers. The availability of DOI in scientific documents, as well as the inclusion of DOI in bibliographic references in the literature, has already become a mandatory requirement for journals indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Unfortunately, DOI is included only by some journals published in Bulgaria. The article presents some new opportunities which DOI opens not only to scientific journals, but also to authors.
Opportunities for the development of seaweed farming as a supplementary income for small-scale fishermen in Nador lagoon: Experimental cultivations of Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse)

The development of seaweed farming in Nador lagoon (NE Morocco, Mediterranean Sea) offers the best hope for raising incomes in fishing communities. The feasibility of growing red seaweed, Gracilaria gracilis (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) in off-bottom and floating longline systems was investigated in Bouareg location. Several constraints such as epiphytism and wood borers arose in off-bottom cultures. The weight gains of G. gracilis in off-bottom cultures tested in winter, were low. The lowest daily growth rate (DGR) was recorded in sheet-lines (1.91 % day -1 , p < 0.01) while the highest’s RGR were observed in net-lines and ropes-lines (2.72 and 2.77 % day -1 respectively, p < 0.01). Plants of G. gracilis grew well in the floating longline culture tested at spring. The weight growth rates ranged between 2.54 and 4.26 % day -1 . The highest growth rate in Nador lagoon was observed in treatment stocked with 0.6 kg m -2 . The high stocking density (0.8 kg m -2 ) leaded to low growth most probably due to stress on the seaweed when competing for space and resources. Over a 60-day cycle, the harvest of G. gracilis cultivated on floating longline system in Nador lagoon was estimated at about 101 t FWT ha -1 year -1 . With 8:1 as wet to dry ratio, the production yield per cropping was estimated at 3,156 kg (DW) per ha. However, the total sales per year was estimated at about $ 6,564 per ha. The Gracilaria farming may provide supplementary income to artisanal farmers in Nador lagoon .
Feeding heat-treated soybean to mid-lactation Holstein cows: Production performance, predicted efficiency of nitrogen utilization, and blood metabolites

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of soybean (SB) meal (SBM) with increased rumen undegradable protein as roasted SB (RSB), extruded SB (ESB) or their equal blend (RSB + ESB) on production performance, nutrient digestibility, N-utilization efficiency, and blood metabolites in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight lactating Holstein cows (BW = 534 ± 52 and DIM = 104 ± 5; mean ± SD) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 28-d periods receiving 4 diets: (1) 13.88% of diet dry matter (DM) as SBM; (2) 15.22% of diet DM as RSB, (3) 15.55% of diet DM as ESB, and (4) 7.69% RSB plus 7.69% ESB (RSB + ESB). Each experimental period consisted of a 14-d diet adaptation followed by 14-d data collection. Dry matter intake, actual milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield were not affected by the diet. Average milk fat and protein percentages (3.42 and 3.11%) and yields (1.28 and 1.17 kg/d), respectively, were not different among the diets. Plasma urea N concentration was similar across SB products but decreased compared with SBM. Feeding processed SB reduced NH3-N concentration in the rumen (14.0 vs. 17.2 mg/dL; processed SB vs. SBM), indicating lower ruminal degradation of processed SB protein, and thereby improved N-utilization. Based on our results, RSB and ESB and their equal blend had a similar effect on productivity and N-utilization efficiency in mid-lactation Holstein cows.
Oxidative indices as metabolic stress predictors in periparturient dairy cows

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) and oxidative stress index (OSi; ROS/SAC) from dry off to 30 days postpartum in dairy cows. Furthermore, the relationship between indices of oxidative status (ROS, SAC, OSi) and indices related to metabolic disorders (blood free fatty acids, FFA and β-hydroxybutyrate, BHB) and α-tocopherol (α-Τ) was determined. Blood samples were collected from 131 dairy cows belonging to four commercial farms, located in Italy and Greece. Blood samples were collected at dry-off, calving and 30 days postpartum. Results indicated that ROS and OSi were low at dry-off and 30 days postpartum and high at calving. The serum antioxidant capacity followed exactly the opposite trend. There was a negative correlation of ROS (rho: −0.282; p ≤ .01) and OSi (rho: −0.267; p ≤ .05) with α-Τ at all three sampling points, whereas no correlation was found between SAC and α-Τ. Reactive oxygen species were positively correlated with BHB at all three sampling points and with FFA levels only at dry-off. A negative correlation of SAC with FFA was found at dry-off and 30 days postpartum. The oxidative stress index was positively correlated with FFA and BHB at dry-off, with FFA at calving and with BHB at 30 days postpartum. Thus, associations between parameters related to oxidative status and those related to energy balance were found, mainly at dry-off and postpartum. Oxidative stress markers determined at dry off could be useful in preventing metabolic disorders. Highlights Dairy cows around calving often incur metabolic disorders. Associations between oxidative and metabolic markers were found mainly at dry-off and postpartum. Oxidative markers could be used as a tool for metabolic disorders prevention.
Why leveraging sex differences in immune trade‐offs may illuminate the evolution of senescence

Abstract The immune system affects senescence (declines in probabilities of survival or reproduction with age), by shaping late age vulnerability to chronic inflammatory diseases and infections. It is also a dynamic interactive system that must balance competing demands across the life course. Thus, immune system function remains an important frontier in understanding the evolution of senescence. Here, we review our expanding mechanistic understanding of immune function over the life course, in the context of theoretical predictions from life‐history evolution. We are especially interested in stage‐ and sex‐dependent costs and benefits of investment in the immune system, given differential life‐history priorities of the life stages and sexes. We introduce the costs likely to govern immune allocation across the life course. We then discuss theoretical expectations for differences between the sexes and their likely consequences in terms of how the immune system is both modulated by and may modulate senescence, building on information from life‐history theory, experimental immunology and demography. We argue that sex differences in immune function provide a potentially powerful probe of selection pressures on the immune system across the life course. In particular, differences in ‘competing’ and ‘caring’ between the sexes have evolved across the tree of life, providing repeated instances of divergent selection pressures on immune function occurring within the same overall bauplan. We conclude by detailing an agenda for future research, including development of theoretical predictions of the differences between the sexes under an array of existing models for sex differences in immunity, and empirical tests of such predictions across the tree of life. A free http://onlinelibrary.wiley. com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.13458/suppinfo can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The Hypoxic Preconditioning Effect On Senescence Cell Process In Cultured Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AMSCs)

Introduction : Stem cell therapy for myocardial regeneration is expected to increase cardiomyocyte proliferation and trigger neovascularization to improve cardiomyocytes. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are ideal candidates for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy. But low viability of MSCs is a major challenge in this alternative therapy. Therefore, a cytoprotective strategy is needed, one of them is hypoxic preconditioning which can significantly increase survival stem cells after being transplanted. MSCs are known to have a limited life span, after experiencing several splits MSC will enter the senescence process. It is known that hypoxia can also increase cell proliferation and differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo through the role of Octamer-4 (Oct-4) as a regulator of the pluripotency gene. Methods : Experimental laboratory studies (in vitro studies) using human-AMSCs which were given hypoxic preconditioning, observed as a immunocytochemistry. Results : The results showed that hypoxic precondition (1% O2) inhibited the senescence process. It can be seen in the lower expression of senescence in hypoxic conditions at P6, P7, P8, P9, P10 compared to normoxic ((p=0,004, p=0,001, p=0,009, p=0,013, p=0,024. There is a significant difference in the senescence expression of each passage in hypoxic and normoxic conditions with the highest expression at P10. In addition, we also observed AMSCs differentiation through the Oct-4 expression. It is showed that Oct-4 expression were higher in hypoxia compared to normoxia on P7, P8, P9, P10 (p=0,009, p=0,009, p=0,030, p=0,0001). Conclusions : Hypoxic preconditioning have the effect of inhibiting the senescence process on Adipose-derived MSCs (AMSCs) or prolonging their life span. The longer life span of AMSCs is also seen by higher cell differentiation potential from increased expression of Oct-4. However, the mechanism of inhibiting the senescence process in hypoxia in stem cells is still remain unknown. Keywords: human-Adipose derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures (h-AMSCs), Hypoxic Preconditioning, Senescence cell, Oct-4.
The spiders of Prince Edward Island: experts and citizen scientists collaborate for faunistics

Although lists of spider species have been compiled for all of Canada’s provinces and territories, the spider fauna of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is poorly known. Based on the efforts of citizen scientists, naturalists, and scientists on PEI and researchers at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, we present the first comprehensive list of spider species on the island, increasing the known number from 44 to 198. The Centre for Biodiversity Genomics conducted intensive collection in Prince Edward Island National Park; Nature PEI citizen scientists and naturalists contributed specimens from across the island from several different habitats. This provincial list is dominated by the araneoid families, Linyphiidae, Theridiidae, and Araneidae, with 55, 27, and 22 species, respectively. Several non-native species, such as the theridiid Eurasian False Black Widow Spider (Steatoda bipunctata (L.)) and the araneid Red-sided Sector Spider (Zygiella atrica (C.L. Koch)), have been collected in several locations on the island, suggesting that they are well established. This work highlights the effectiveness of collaboration among citizen scientists, naturalists, and professional researchers to further our knowledge of species diversity and distributions.
The power of mixed survey methodologies for detecting decline of the Bornean orangutan

For many threatened species, it is difficult to assess precisely for large areas the change in their abundances over time and the relative impacts of climate and anthropogenic land use. This is because surveys of such species are typically restricted to small geographic areas, are conducted during short time periods, and use different survey protocols. We assessed the change in the abundance of Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus morio in Sabah, Malaysia, and to identify environmental drivers affecting the change by integrating different types of survey data. We used nest count data obtained from aerial and ground transect surveys and occurrence data obtained from reconnaissance walks and interview survey over the past decade. We built a spatially-explicit dynamic population model within the Bayesian framework allowing these varying survey data to be analyzed jointly by explicitly accounting for each survey’s sampling rate. We found that sampling rates vary across survey types, reflecting each survey’s associated effort. Orangutan survival rates were strongly determined by natural forest extent and moderately by temperature. Orangutan migration rates across more than 1 km distance between forest patches were low, which underlines the importance of maintaining ecological connectivity. The paucity of species abundance data collected in a consistent manner over many years across broad extents often hinders the assessment of species population trend and their persistence across regional scales. We demonstrate that this can be addressed by integrating multiple survey data across different localities, provided that sampling rate inherent to each survey is accounted for.