Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breeding cereals for Mediterranean conditions: ecophysiological clues for biotechnology application

Summary Water stress is the main environmental factor limiting cereal yield in Mediterranean environments. For particular regions, such as the Mediterranean basin, the agroecological conditions are expected to get worse. In response to this challenge attempts are being made to improve crop yield through farm- management practices and plant breeding efforts. Here we examine traits that may be used as selection criteria for breeding C3 cereal crops with improved yield and stability in Mediterranean conditions. Emphasis is made on the potential implications of defining proper selection traits and target environments when adopting biotechnology approaches in breeding programmes.
GROWTH AND NODULATION IMPROVEMENT OF PEANUT BY RHIZOBIAL AND CYANOBACTERIAL APPLICATIONS.

A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Agricultural Recearch Center (ARC) to evaluate the response of two cultivars of peanut to rhizobial inoculation and cyanobacterial application. The results indicated that the biomass of peanut plants, significantly increased due to rhizobia inoculation with strains Kh8 and Kh11. Soil treatment with some cyanobacterial filtrates enhanced growth and nodulation of the legume plant. Plants of peanut cv. Georgia exhibited higher dry weights of both roots (1.93 mg plant -1 ) and shoots (6.43 mg plant -1 ), as well as better nodulation parameters (241 nodules plant -1 of 0.51 mg ). In addition, the data revealed that N-content of peanut for both tested cultivars increased as a result of mixed rihzobial inoculation with Kh8 and Kh11 and cyonobacterial treatments. In this respect, 146 mg N/plant and 99 mg N/ plant were obtained for cv. Giza 5, respectively. It is, therefore, suggested that in addition to rhizobial inoculation, the treatment with cyanobacterial filtrates as a source of phytohormones led to significant enhancement of both growth and nodulation of peanut.
Yeasts from vaginal exudates in the Comoros Islands.

Objectifs. Cette etude concerne la distribution des mycoses vaginales chez les femmes aymptomatiques enceintes et symptomatiques, en Republique Federale Islamique des Comores Methode. Une analyse prospective et descriptive a ete realisee a Moroni, a la consultation prenatale de la principale clinique, et a concerne les femmes enceintes au cours de leur visite de controle, et les femmes venant recevoir des soins pour des pertes vaginales. L'examen direct et les cultures ont ete realises selon les techniques classiques. Resultats. Cent soixante femmes enceintes et 93 femmes presentant des pertes vaginales ont ete analysees, Cent huit (40.3 %) ont presente une culture positive a levures, et 112 souches ont ete isolees. Candida albicans a represente 61,6% des levures isolees; parmi les especes de Candida non-albicans, C sake a represente 28,6% de l'ensemble des levures. Parmi toutes les levures. C. sake etait presente dans une proportion significativement pus forte chez les femmes asymptomati ques (37.3%) que chez les femmes symptomatiques (10,8 %) (p = 0,003) Conclusion. Les infections a Candida sont communes a la fois chez les femmes enceintes et les femmes presentant des symptomes vaginaux aux Comores. C. sake represente une espece frequente de la flore vaginale de cette population.
Metaheuristic Techniques for Optimization of an E. Coli Cultivation Model

ABSTRACT In this paper two metaheuristics: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Genetic Algorithms (GA), were compared for parameter identification of an E. coli fed-batch cultivation process model. A system of ordinary differential equations was used to model the biomass growth and substrate utilization. Parameter optimization was performed using a real experimental data set from an E. coli MC4110 fed-batch cultivation process. The GA and ACO adjustments were done based on several pre-tests on the optimization problem considered here. Two techniques were compared based on the obtained “best”, “worst” and “average” values for estimates and the objective function J. The results showed that the “best” value of the objective function J is achieved by ACO. At the same time, GA achieved better results for “worst” and “average” values. Analyzing the results, it could be concluded that both algorithms: ACO and GA, perform satisfactorily for the problem of parameter optimization of an E. coli fed-batch cultivation process model.
The high abundance of wild ungulates in a Mediterranean region: is this compatible with the European rabbit?

The landscape in southern Iberia has, over the last four decades, altered as a result of the land abandonment, while the abundance of wild boar Sus scrofa and red deer Cervus elaphus has simultaneously increased, and some key prey species such as the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus have declined. In this work we explore: 1) the relationships between big game species (red deer and wild boar) and rabbit abundance, and 2) whether these relationships could have effects on food quality (total nitrogen available in the pasture and percentage of leguminosae) and food availability of (herbaceous cover). We therefore selected nine big game estates with a range of abundance as regards ungulates and similar Mediterranean habitat. Wild boar abundance was statistically negative in relation to rabbit abundance, while no significant statistical relationships between rabbit abundance and habitat structure and forage quality were evidenced. However, wild boar abundance, but not that of red deer, was negatively associated with leguminosae cover, and the percentage of surface rooted by wild boar was negatively associated with the percentage of herbaceous cover. Overall, our results suggest that the abundance of wild boar is negatively related to that of rabbits, and could have a negative effects on rabbit abundances by food competition as a result of: 1) a decrease in herbaceous coverage and leguminosae in the pasture and 2) an increase in the total percentage of soil disturbed as a result of rooting.
3-D Reconstruction of Tooth Development and Gene Expression Using Optical Projection Tomography

Tooth morphogenesis is a highly conserved process that occurs under very strict genetic control with the dentition of an organism developing as a result of reciprocal interactions between the oral epithelium and the underlying neural crest derived mesenchymal cells. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie tooth growth and development, the use of optical projection tomography (OPT) as a method for capturing particular gene expression pattern was used and the developing dentition of the mouse were reconstructed using three dimensional (3-D) data reconstruction. This project covered the time window between embryonic days 11.5 and 14.5 in the mouse (Mus musculus) which corresponds to the time frame of early development in the tooth. 3D domains of gene expression were visualized using marker genes, Keratin 5, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Pitx2 and Pax9 first by whole mount in situ hybridization and then viewed using special software that allow the generation of 3-D data. This allowed us to reconstruct the developing dentition based on four gene expressions. A complete 3-D reconstruction of the dental epithelium was achieved with K5; Pitx2 allowed us to reconstruct the oral ectoderm exclusively whereas the 3-D analysis of prospective tooth germs was made possible by mapping the expression of Shh in all three axes. Pax9/ Pitx2 double gene expression made it possible to create a 3-D model of both the epithelium and mesenchyme thereby showing the extent to which those two tissues interact. In the OPT models, considerable details such as the shape the epithelium adopts in the developing incisor tooth could be viewed in three dimensions. Even at a minimum resolution, 3-D anatomical details and expression of genes deep into the anatomy of the mouse could be identified and visualised. The OPT technology and the generated models along with all the accompanying technologies provided a powerful approach to the study and analysis of gene expression during early odontogenesis.
Civic pride, national identity and the quality of democracy in South Africa

Civic pride generally presumes the presence of an uncontested heritage, common values about identity, trust in the political and constitutional dispensation, and a perception of equitable ownership of the benefits of the political and economic dispensations. South Africa‟s history, however, is one of contested heritages, polarised nationalisms, wide-ranging claims on identities and counter-identities and racially-determined socio-economic inequalities. Therefore there is no ostensible foundation for a national sense of civic pride. In response to apartheid the transitional and transformational philosophy is predicated on nation-/state-building and democratisation. It includes national reconciliation, constitutionmaking with a strong human rights emphasis, redress of structural inequalities, efforts to memorialise the past and an emphasis on social cohesion. Given the social engineering numerous questions arise about the role of civic pride in transitions. The research question for this study is: can civic pride be a contemporaneous by-product of nation-/state-building in South Africa after 1994 or will it only be a consequence of nation-building on the long-term (in other words, that consensus about a national identity is a prerequisite for civic pride)? Is there a qualitative correlation between the quality of democracy and the prevalence of civic pride?
Latitudinal gradient in the distribution of intertidal barnacles of the Tetraclita species complex in Asian waters

Barnacles are a major space occupier in the intertidal zone and are good model orga- nisms to study the biogeography of intertidal invertebrates. In the present study, we used quantita- tive transect sampling to study the geographical distribution of the common rocky shore barnacles Tetraclita kuroshioensis, T. squamosa, T. japonica japonica and T. j. formosana at 19 sites covering the 3 large Asian marine ecosystems (Kuroshio Current, East China Sea and South China Sea) from 22° 20' to 35° 00' N. Tetraclita spp. showed spatial variations in geographical distribution. Species assemblages of >60% similarity can be grouped into 4 distinct regions. On the Pacific coast of Japan T. j. japonica, T. j. formosana and T. kuroshioensis co-existed at the same tidal level, with T. j. japon- ica at the highest abundance. In North Taiwan and Okinawa T. kuroshioensis and T. j. formosana were common. In East Taiwan, T. j. formosana was the dominant species and T. kuroshioensis occurred in low abundance. In South China, T. squamosa and T. j. japonica were found, but they occupied different tidal levels. T. j. formosana and T. kuroshioensis were abundant in West Pacific waters, suggesting that their larval pool is associated with the Kuroshio Current. T. squamosa was distributed along the South China coast and it is possible that their larvae were transported mainly by the South China Sea Surface Current. T. j. japonica had high abundance in both Japan and South China, but with very low abundance at the Pacific shores between these 2 locations. There may be a physical and genetic boundary between the northern and southern populations in the Pacific Ocean and further studies of Tetraclita spp. in the Asian region should focus on population genetics.
EFFECTS OF THERMAL TREATMENT OF RUBBERWOOD FIBRES ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD

AYRILMIS N, JARUSOMBUTI S, FUEANGVTVAT V & BAUCHONGKOL P. 2011. Effects of thermal treatment of rubberwood fibres on physical and mechanical properties of medium density fibreboard. This study evaluated effects of thermal treatment of rubberwood fibres at elevated temperatures on physical and mechanical properties of medium density fibreboard (MDF). MDF panels were manufactured from untreated rubberwood fibres and fibres treated at three different temperatures (120,150 or 180 °C) for 15 or 30 min in a laboratory autoclave. The thickness swelling of the panels decreased with increasing treatment temperature and time while mechanical properties, flexural properties, internal bond strength and screw withdrawal resistance, decreased. Results of the internal bond strength showed that thermal treatment of rubberwood fibres increased the hydrophobicity of fibre surfaces, which reduced the adhesion and penetration of the urea formaldehyde resin. In general, all panel types met the general purpose use requirements of EN standards. MDF panels made from thermally-treated rubberwood fibres at 180°C for 30 min appeared to be a practical choice for applications requiring low thickness swelling.
European Conference on Crop Diversification Does diversity affect dynamics of agricultural system facing perturbations

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. European Conference on Crop Diversification Does diversity affect dynamics of agricultural system facing perturbations? Manon Dardonville, Nicolas Urruty, Christian Bockstaller, Olivier Therond
Evidence for natural hybridization between Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in a northcentral British Columbia watershed

Morphological and molecular analyses were used to identify sympatric Dolly Varden ( Salvelinus malma) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and their hybrids from streams tributary to Thutade Lake, Peace River drainage, northcentral British Columbia. Morphological analysis identified two groups of char resembling allopatric Dolly Varden and bull trout as well as a small number of morphologically intermediate fish. One of the morphologically intermediate char possessed both Dolly Varden and bull trout ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and growth hormone restriction fragment length differences (RFLDs) indicating its F1 hybrid status. Another morphologically intermediate fish exhibited a hybrid rDNA RFLD, but possessed a growth hormone RFLD consistent with a hybrid × hybrid mating or a hybrid × bull trout backcross. Both hybrid individuals had a diagnostic bull trout mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) RFLD. As mtDNA is maternally inherited, our data imply that the F 1 hybrid resulted from a mating between a bull trout female and a Dolly Varden male, perhaps by small Dolly Varden males "sneaking" fertilizations during bull trout spawnings. This is the first record of Dolly Varden in the Peace River drainage, an d the first confirmation of natural hybrids between the two species. Despite apparent introgression, the two species appear to be maintaining themselves as distinct genomes.
EMBRYOS AND EGGS FOR THE CRETACEOUS THEROPOD DINOSAUR TROODON FORMOSUS

Abstract Elongate and asymmetric eggs of the oospecies Prismatoolithus levis occur regularly in the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of western Montana. These eggs had previously been assigned to the ornithischian Orodromeus makelai, for both juvenile and adult remains are typically associated with these eggs. Reexamination of the embryos shows them to exhibit at least 24 apomorphies of the clades Dinosauria, Theropoda and Paraves. The embryos also display a pneumatic quadrate, closely placed basal tubera, a high tooth count, a metatarsal II much narrower than IV and a strongly constricted metatarsal III, all possible synapomorphies of the Troodontidae. Presence of large basal tubera and a broadly rounded anterior border of the maxillary fenestra permit assignment to Troodon formosus. Most but not all bones appear ossified, suggesting a developmental level comparable to stages 35–38 of avian embryos and a time approaching hatching. Embryos show a consistent level of development from one egg to another indicating synchronous hatching of the clutch. Embryonic Troodon exhibit long distal segments and radically different hindlimb proportions in comparison to adults. Orodromeus and other small vertebrate remains associated with Troodon egg horizons may represent prey of the adults during egg-laying and brooding. Troodon eggs show several aspects either shared or convergent with some birds, and further demonstrate the close relationship of Troodontidae and Aves. These features include: asymmetric egg form, non-branching angusticanaliculate pores, distinct structural differentiation of the mammillary and overlying prismatic layer, barrel-shaped mammillary cones with a blocky calcite cleavage, and prismatic structure visible throughout the second structural layer.
Ciliary receptors associated with the mouth and pharynx of Acoela (Acoelomorpha): a comparative ultrastructural study

The ultrastructure and distribution of receptor cells near the mouth and (where present) the pharynx of Hofstenia miamia, Proporus bermudensis, Conaperta thela, and Convoluta convoluta (Acoela) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy of specimens stained with a fluorescence marker for actin. Five types of monociliary receptors were identified: (1) non-collared receptors with a single long and narrow ciliary rootlet; (2) non-collared receptors with a wide main ciliary rootlet and a smaller posterior rootlet; (3) non-collared receptors with a single wide and hollow ciliary rootlet with a granulated core; (4) Collar (? ) receptors with obliquely radial filament bundles in the cell apex and with a single hollow ciliary rootlet composed of numerous strand-like elements; and (5) Collar receptors lacking a striated rootlet but with a granular body (swallow's nest rootlet). While H. miamia bears the first two receptor types, P. bermudensis has receptors of type 1, 3 and 5, and Cona. thela and Conv. convoluta have receptors of type 3, 4 and 5. The density of receptors is generally highest at the anterior body tip, regardless of where the mouth is located. Most receptor types occur scattered over the whole body but type 2 receptors of H. miamia are restricted to the pharynx and mouth region. The lack of a common receptor type specific for the mouth and pharynx of the investigated species points to an independent origin of the pharynges in Hofsteniidae and in Proporidae and of the mouth tube in Convolutidae. Moreover, the homology of the so-called collar receptors in Acoela with typical collar receptors in other invertebrates is questioned.
Force activates smooth muscle α-actin promoter activity through the Rho signaling pathway

In pressure or volume overload, hypertrophic growth of the myocardium is associated with myofibroblast differentiation, a process in which cardiac fibroblasts express smooth muscle α-actin (SMA). The signaling mechanisms that mediate force-induced myofibroblast differentiation and SMA expression are not defined. We examined the role of the Rho–Rho-kinase pathway in force-induced SMA expression in fibroblasts using an in vitro model system that applies static tensile forces (0.65 pN/μm2) to integrins via collagen-coated magnetite beads. Force maximally induced RhoA activation at 10 minutes that was localized to force application sites and required intact actin filaments. Force application induced phosphorylation of LIM kinase (5-10 minutes) and an early dephosphorylation of cofilin (5 minutes) that was followed by prolonged cofilin phosphorylation. These responses were blocked by Y27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase. Force promoted actin filament assembly at force application sites (10-20 minutes), a process that required Rho kinase and cofilin. Force application induced nuclear translocation of the transcriptional co-activator MRTF-A but not MRTF-B. Nuclear translocation of MRTF-A required Rho kinase and intact actin filaments. Force caused 3.5-fold increases of SMA promoter activity that were completely blocked by transfection of cells with dominant-negative MRTF-A or by inhibition of Rho kinase or by actin filament disassembly. These data indicate that mechanical forces mediate actin assembly through the Rho–Rho-kinase–LIMK cofilin pathway. Force-mediated actin filament assembly promotes nuclear translocation of MRTF and subsequent activation of the SMA promoter to enhance SMA expression.
Kinematic asymmetry of galaxy pairs

Abstract The interaction between galaxies is believed to be the main origin of the peculiarities of galaxies. It can disturb not only the morphology but also the kinematics of galaxies. These disturbed and asymmetric features are the indicators of galaxy interaction. We study the velocity field of ionized gas in galaxy pairs based on MaNGA survey. Using the kinemetry package, we fit the velocity field and quantify the degree of kinematic asymmetry. We find that the fraction of high kinematic asymmetry is much higher for galaxy pairs with dp⩽30h−1kpc. Moreover, compared to a control sample of single galaxies, we find that the star formation rate is enhanced in paired galaxies with high kinematic asymmetry. For paired galaxies with low kinematic asymmetry, no significant SFR enhancement has been found. The galaxy pairs with high kinematic asymmetry are more likely to be real interacting galaxies rather than projected pairs.
Key dynamical results from the SAMI Galaxy Survey

Abstract We present an overview of recent key results from the SAMI Galaxy Survey on the build-up of mass and angular momentum in galaxies across morphology and environment. The SAMI Galaxy survey is a multi-object integral field spectroscopic survey and provides a wealth of spatially-resolved, two-dimensional stellar and gas measurements for galaxies of all morphological types, with high-precision due the stable spectral resolution of the AAOmega spectrograph. The sample size of ~3000 galaxies allows for dividing the sample in bins of stellar mass, environment, and star-formation or morphology, whilst maintaining a statistical significant number of galaxies in each bin. By combining imaging, spatially resolved dynamics, and stellar population measurements, our result demonstrate the power of utilising integral field spectroscopy on a large sample of galaxies to further our understanding of physical processes involved in the build-up of stellar mass and angular momentum in galaxies.
The evolution of brood parasitism: the role of facultative parasitism

The hypothesis that facultative brood parasitism may serve as an intermediate step in the evolutionary transition from purely parental reproduction to obligate parasitism was investigated. The population dynamics of a host-parasite complex were com-puter-simulated in a model that incorporated different intensities of parasitism and host defense and considered a simplified semelparous bird species living in a homogeneous habitat The individuals use two different breeding strategies: provide parental care or parasitize die nest of those providing parental care. Under obligate parasitism, the parasites appeared unsuccessful, drove the host population to extinction, or coexisted with the host in stable or oscillating proportions. The behavior of the system depended on both die effectiveness of the parasite and the defense of the host. Under facultative parasitism (making the best of a bad job), the parasites reduced host numbers but did not reduce the population size below the number of breeding sites. Thus, facultative parasitism provides a better opportunity for the development of defense in the host. The population of a host that shows a certain level of defense can be more successfully invaded by obligate parasites so that stable coexistence of hosts and parasites is possible. [Behav Ecol 7:137-139 (1996)]