Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parkia biglobosa-Dominated Cultural Landscape: An Ethnohistory of the Dagomba Political Institution in Farmed Parkland of Northern Ghana

Abstract Tree landscapes are a living testimony of local history and culture that evolve through human interactions with the environment. An example of such a landscape is the “farmed parkland” of the West African savanna region, in which trees are scattered throughout cultivated and recently fallowed fields. While the dominant woody composition of farmed parkland is known to vary regionally by ethnic group, little attention has been paid in the studies of farmed parklands to social components that shape the cultural landscape dominated by particular tree species. In order to examine the potential role of trees in social systems, this paper explores Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth. -dominated farmed parkland in the Dagomba areas of northern Ghana using an ethnohistorical analysis that combines ethnographic and geographic data. The results illustrate both the effects that an ethnically specific tree tenure system has had on shaping a P. biglobosa-dominated landscape, and also the coevolution of Dagomba social systems and P. biglobosa landscapes in northern Ghana since the fifteenth century. The implications for future management of farmed parklands as cultural landscapes are also discussed. Abstract 西アフリカのサバンナ地域には, 耕作地や休閑地に樹木が点在する「農地林」景観が広がっている。 農地林の優占樹種はその土地の民族によって異なることが多いものの, 樹種の優占に影響を与えうる民族特有の社会的要素, および農地林の多様な景観に秘められた文化的,・歴史的価値はこれまでほとんど着目されてこなかった。 本研究では, ガーナ北部のダゴンバの人々が居住する地域において, Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth. が優占する農地林景観が生み出され, 維持されてきた過程を, 民族誌と地理データの歴史分析によって明らかにする。 調査から, P. biglobosa が優占する農地林景観は, 15世紀より先住民の土地が侵略され, 新たな支配者が P. biglobosaを権力の象徴として所有したことで形成されていったことが明らかになった。 それ以降, P. biglobosa が優占する景観は, 社会·政治的環境の変化によって大衆化された政治文化のなかで, その象徴的意味を変容させながら, 人々と自然環境の長い相互関係の歴史を映し出すものとして存在し続けている。 この価値ある農地林の文化景観を維持するため, 今後の保全のあり方を考察して結びとする。
Estrutura de núcleos interfásicos e distribuição da heterocromatina em Pennisetum sp.

ii INTRODUCAO. 1 2 REFERENCIAL TEORICO. 3 2.1 Aspectos botânico-agronomicos e importância economica genero Pennisetum 3 2.2 Citogenetica de Pennisetum . 7 2.2.1 Citogenetica de Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. e Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) 8 2.2.2 Hibridos entre P.glaucum × P. purpureum. 10 2.3 Caracterizacao de Genomas por Metodos de Bandeamento-C. 13 2.4 Caracterizacao de nucleos interfasicos e volume nuclear . 16 3 MATERIAL E METODOS 19 3.1 Material genetico 19 3.2 Classificacao de nucleos interfasico. 19 3.3 Volume nuclear 20 3.4 Analise Estatistica 21 3.5 Analise Citogenetica 21 3.6 Bandeamento-C 22 3.7 Analise de imagens. 22 4 RESULTADOS E DISCUSSAO . 23 5 CONCLUSOES. 32 REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRAFICAS 33
Risk-taking behavior predicts aggression and mating success in a fiddler crab

Evidence is growing that an individual's propensity to take risks in the presence of a predator is correlated to behaviors that can affect individual fitness. We examined whether risk-taking behavior predicts aggression, surface activity levels, and mating success in male fiddler crabs, Uca mjoebergi. Risk-taking behavior was highly consistent among individuals, remained stable over time, and was unrelated to male size. We found that males that took greater risks in the presence of a potential predator also behaved more aggressively when searching for a new territory. In addition, bold males exhibited higher surface activity levels and spent more time courting females compared with their shy counterparts. Although risk-taking behavior was independent of other sexually selected traits, it accurately predicted male mating success in U. mjoebergi. We suggest nonsexually selected traits, such as risk taking, may represent important behavioral predictors of success in other species. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Regulation of synapse number and synaptic plasticity by SynCAM 1

Preface The present study was conducted as a collaboration of Elissa M. Robbins in the laboratory of Thomas Biederer at Yale University and myself in the laboratory of Valentin Stein at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology. For the benefit of being comprehensible, this thesis sometimes requires the presentation of data other people contributed to (e.g. the design and verification of one transgenic mouse line used). Whenever this is the case, the contribution of the individual researchers is stated in the figure legend.
Characterization of anastomosis group 11 (AG-11) of Rhizoctonia solani

Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 11 (AG-11) were collected in Western Australia and Arkansas. Some isolates from each location fruited on 1.5% water agar, 2% V8-juice agar, and soil overlay plates and produced sexual structures typical of Thanatephorus cucumeris. Mycelium of isolates of AG-11 growing on potato-dextrose agar was white to light tan when young, but became brown to dark brown with age. Concentric rings of dark and light mycelium were visible in most cultures. Mature sclerotia were tan to light brown and were scattered over the agar surface. No anastomosis reactions (C0) were observed between paired isolates of AG-11 and anastomosis groups 1, 3-7, 9, and 10. C1 anastomosis reactions were observed between some isolates of AG-11 and some isolates of AG-2, -8, and -BI, indicating a distant or «bridging» anastomosis relationship with these three AG. Isolates of AG-11 were auxotrophic for thiamine. Isolates of AG-11 are known to damage lupine, soybean, and other plants in the field, and in greenhouse and growth chamber studies were shown to damage other crops, including cotton, radish, wheat, and potato
Aspectos da coloração, ciclo de vida, parasitismo por Pasteuria penetrans e suas relações com a reserva energética de juvenis do segundo estádio de Meloidogyne spp.

Aspects of the body energy reserve in second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne exigua from coffee The population fluctuation of second stage juveniles (J2) of M. exigua and their neutral lipid contents in naturally area infested and the effect of starvation of J2 on infectivity in tomato were studied. Monthly, during one year, samples were collected from infested coffee plants for extraction of J2 of M. exigua and assessment of neutral lipids by image analysis of area stainning with “Oil Red O”. In another assay, J2 of M. exigua were stored by 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days in water at 28oC and inoculated in tomato seedlings. Greater population density of M. exigua in soil occurred from November to May with variation from 14 to 170 J2/cm3 of soil and average of 93 J2/cm3. However, the greatest content was encountered in August when J2 had lowest percentage of lipid content. In February J2 had 65,64% of neutral lipids. Greatest frequency of J2 having lipids between 60 to 80% occurred from November to February, while from March to October J2 had 20 to 40% lipid content. The percentage of the neutral lipids of free J2 in the soil correlated positively with the population density of the nematodes (r = 0,6680; P = 0,0176), with the average of the air temperature (r = 0,7336; P = 0,0066) and with the rainfall (r = 0,7359; P = 0,0064). The lipid content of J2 body decreased significantly in each period of storage from 3 to 12 days, reaching 39,45% decrease at 3 days of storage. The storage of J2 of M. exigua from third day on gave drastic reduction in the infectivity and reproduction in tomato, compared with control. Additional
The effect of pH on copper toxicity to hydroponically grown maize

The effect of pH on copper toxicity to maize was studied in three solution cul­ ture experiments of different design. Raising the pH intensified the toxic effect of Cu, which presented itself first of all by a reduction in root growth and by a reduction in uptake of phosphate and iron. This result was explained from an enhanced association of Cu2+ ions with physiologically essential sites in the roots, when competition from protons was lowered.
Synchronization of laying by great spotted cuckoos and recognition ability of magpies

Brood parasites rely entirely on the parental care of host species to raise the parasitic nestlings until independence. The reproductive success of avian brood parasites depends on finding host nests at a suitable stage (i.e. during egg laying) for parasitism and weakly defensive (i.e. non-ejector) hosts. Finding appropriate nests for parasitism may, however, vary depending on ecological conditions, including parasite abundance in the area, which also varies from one year to another and therefore may influence coevolutionary relationships between brood parasites and their hosts. In this scenario, we explored: 1) the degree of laying synchronization between great spotted cuckoos Clamator glandarius and magpies Pica pica during two breeding seasons, which varied in the level of selection pressure due to brood parasitism (i.e. parasitism rate); 2) magpie responses to natural parasitism in the pre-laying period and successfulness of parasitic eggs laid at this stage; and 3) magpie responses to experimental parasitism performed at different breeding stages. We found that, during the year of higher parasitism rate, there was an increase in the percentage of parasitic eggs laid before magpies started laying. However, the synchronization of laying was poor both years regardless of the differences in the parasitism rate. The ejection rate was significantly higher during the pre-egg-laying and the post-hatching stages than during the laying stage, and hatching success of parasitic eggs laid during the pre-egg-laying stage was zero. Thus, non-synchronized parasitic eggs are wasted and therefore poor synchronization should be penalized by natural selection. We discuss four different hypotheses explaining poor synchronization.
Phylogenetics of Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae)

Background: Melon, Cucumis melo, and cucumber, C. sativus, are among the most widely cultivated crops worldwide. Cucumis, as traditionally conceived, is geographically centered in Africa, with C. sativus and C. hystrix thought to be the only Cucumis species in Asia. This taxonomy forms the basis for all ongoing Cucumis breeding and genomics efforts. We tested relationships among Cucumis and related genera based on DNA sequences from chloroplast gene, intron, and spacer regions (rbcL, matK, rpl20-rps12, trnL, and trnL-F), adding nuclear internal transcribed spacer sequences to resolve relationships within Cucumis. Results: Analyses of combined chloroplast sequences (4,375 aligned nucleotides) for 123 of the 130 genera of Cucurbitaceae indicate that the genera Cucumella, Dicaelospermum, Mukia, Myrmecosicyos, and Oreosyce are embedded within Cucumis. Phylogenetic trees from nuclear sequences for these taxa are congruent, and the combined data yield a well-supported phylogeny. The nesting of the five genera in Cucumis greatly changes the natural geographic range of the genus, extending it throughout the Malesian region and into Australia. The closest relative of Cucumis is Muellerargia, with one species in Australia and Indonesia, the other in Madagascar. Cucumber and its sister species, C. hystrix, are nested among Australian, Malaysian, and Western Indian species placed in Mukia or Dicaelospermum and in one case not yet formally described. Cucumis melo is sister to this Australian/Asian clade, rather than being close to African species as previously thought. Molecular clocks indicate that the deepest divergences in Cucumis, including the split between C. melo and its Australian/Asian sister clade, go back to the mid-Eocene. Conclusion: Based on congruent nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies we conclude that Cucumis comprises an old Australian/Asian component that was heretofore unsuspected. Cucumis sativus evolved within this Australian/Asian clade and is phylogenetically far more distant from C. melo than implied by the current morphological classification.
Mouse model of ulcerative colitis using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid

Animal model of intestinal inflammation is of paramount significance that aids in discerning the pathologies underlying ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the two clinical presentations of inflammatory bowel disease. The 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis model represents one such intestinal inflammation-prototype that is generated in susceptible strains of mice through intra-rectal instillation of compound TNBS. In this paper, we demonstrate the experimental induction of TNBS-mediated colitis in a susceptible strain of ICR mice. This can be done by the following steps: a) acclimation, b) induction and c) observation. TNBS-mouse model provides the information in shortest possible time and simultaneously represents a cost effective and highly reproducible model method of studying the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Video Clips of Methodology: Acclimation and induction of TNBS: 4 min 31 sec Full Screen Alternate Observation and drug administration: 1 min 31 sec Full Screen Alternate
Epidermal growth factor receptor in pancreatic beta cell mass regulation

7 LIST OF ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS . 9 ABBREVIATIONS . 10 INTRODUCTION . 12 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . 13 1. Overview of the pancreas . 13 2. The formation and regulation of beta cell mass . 13 2.1 The embryonic formation of beta cell mass . 13 2.2 Beta cell mass during neonatal period and adulthood . 16 2.3 Gestational beta cell compensation . 17 2.4 Obesity . 20 2.5 Growth factors stimulating beta cell proliferation . 21 2.6 Small molecules inducing beta cell proliferation . 23 2.7 Signaling pathways activated by the mitogenic factors . 24 2.8 Regulators of beta cell cycle progression . 27 2.9 The role of survivin in beta cell proliferation . 29 2.10 Pancreatic regeneration . 29 2.11 Pancreatic plasticity . 30 3. Diabetic beta cell loss . 34 3.1 Inflammatory cytokines in type 1 diabetes . 34 3.2 Beta cell loss in type 2 diabetes . 37 3.3 ER stress . 38 3.4 Beta cell protection . 39 4. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)family and erbB-receptors . 40 4.1 ErbB ligands . 41 4.2 ErbB receptors . 41 4.3 ErbB receptors in cancer . 44 4.4 ErbB receptor expression and signaling in pancreas . 44 4.5 ErbB receptor ligands in pancreas . 47 AIMS OF THE STUDY . 50 MATERIAL AND METHODS . 51
Facilitating roles of murine platelet glycoprotein Ib and αIIbβ3 in phosphatidylserine exposure during vWF–collagen‐induced thrombus formation

Vessel wall damage exposes collagen fibres, to which platelets adhere directly via the collagen receptors glycoprotein (GP) VI and integrin α2β1 and indirectly by collagen‐bound von Willebrand factor (vWF) via the GPIb‐V‐IX and integrin αIIbβ3 receptor complexes. Platelet–collagen interaction under shear stimulates thrombus formation in two ways, by integrin‐dependent formation of platelet aggregates and by surface exposure of procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS). GPVI is involved in both processes, complemented by α2β1. In mouse blood flowing over collagen, we investigated the additional role of platelet–vWF binding via GPIb and αIIbβ3. Inhibition of GPIb as well as blocking of vWF binding to collagen reduced stable platelet adhesion at high shear rate. This was accompanied by delayed platelet Ca2+ responses and reduced PS exposure, while microaggregates were still formed. Inhibition of integrin αIIbβ3 with JON/A antibody, which blocks αIIbβ3 binding to both vWF and fibrinogen, reduced PS exposure and aggregate formation. The JON/A effects were not enhanced by combined blocking of GPIb–vWF binding, suggesting a function for αIIbβ3 downstream of GPIb. Typically, with blood from FcR γ‐chain +/− mutant mice, expressing 50% of normal platelet GPVI levels, GPIb blockage almost completely abolished platelet adhesion and PS exposure. Together, these data indicate that, under physiological conditions of flow, both adhesive receptors GPIb and αIIbβ3 facilitate GPVI‐mediated PS exposure by stabilizing platelet binding to collagen. Hence, these glycoproteins have an assistant procoagulant role in collagen‐dependent thrombus formation, which is most prominent at reduced GPVI activity and is independent of the presence of thrombin.
Determinación de la dosis letal para el vampiro común (Desmodus rotundus) de 3 compuestos químicos.

En este estudio se determino las DL50 para el vampiro comun de tres compuestos quimicos: 2 organofosfatos (Warbex y Cygon, Marcas Registradas), y un anticoagulante (Difenadiona, Marca Registrada). Las drogas suspendidas en una solucion de goma de tragacanto al 1%, se administraron a los vampiros por sonda esofatica. Las DL50 de Warbex (American Cyanamid) y de Difenadiona (Velsicol Chemical Corp.) demostraron que estos compuestos son toxicos para los vampiros, mientras que Cygon (American Cyanamid) es menos toxico.
A long-term experiment to study the role of mulches in the physiology and macro-nutrition of strawberry grown under water stress

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cv. ‘Oso Grande’ was grown in the field from July 1999 to May 2000 in order to investigate the effectiveness of different mulch types on fruit yield, quality (i.e. soluble dry matter, fruit size), leaf nutrient compositions, and normal plant growth parameters in strawberry grown under water stress. Treatments were: (1) bare soil p water stressed (WS), (2) bare soil + unstressed (control), (3) black polyethylene mulch + water stressed (BPM + WS), (4) wheat straw mulch + water stressed (WSM + WS), (5) wheat straw mulch plus black polyethylene mulch + water stressed (WSM + BPM + WS). Water stress was created by irrigating plants once every 3 days at 50% A pan (Epan) evaporation, compared with the control, which received 75% daily. WS caused reductions in all parameters, except water-soluble dry matter concentrations in fruits, compared with the control treatment. Both BPM and WSM improved the fruit yield, fruit size, plant dry matter, leaf area index, and chlorophyll concentrations in leaves in the stressed treatments, while these 2 mulches in combination (BPM + WSM) caused further increases in these parameters. WS enhanced electrolyte leakage by impairing membrane permeability compared with control treatment. Mulching, especially BPM and WSM together, substantially decreased electrolyte leakage. WS reduced leaf concentrations of all nutrients tested (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg). However, mulching, especially BPM and WSM together, enhanced the concentrations of these nutrients, but their concentrations were still lower than those in the control treatment. These results clearly indicate that mulching mitigates negative effects of water stress on plant growth and fruit yield in field-grown strawberry, particularly in semi-arid situations.
The microbial ecology of flowers: an emerging frontier in phyllosphere research1

Though we are learning more about the diversity, dynamics, and importance of phyllosphere microbiota, we have only modest knowledge about the microorganisms that specifically inhabit flowers. Due to their ephemerality and exquisite anatomy, flowers provide unique habitats to microorganisms, including a range of distinct microscale niches. Here, we review the recent literature concerning community composition and diversity in the flower microbiota, the spatial and temporal community dynamics, and the interactions between flower microbes, their plant hosts, and pollinators. We conclude with future directions for improving our understanding of this emerging frontier in phyllosphere microbial ecology.
Significance of positively charged amino acids for the function of the acidovorax delafieldii porin omp34

The functional significance of charged amino acids of the anion-selective porin Omp34 from Acidovorax delafieldii was investigated by means of conductance measurements. Chemical modification of Lys and Arg as well as titration of charges by adjusting the pH value revealed that positively charged amino acid residues determine the major functional properties of the porin. Positive charges are involved in creating the protein surface potential, the selectivity filter inside the channels, and the voltage-sensing and/or gating mechanisms.
Observations on the Natural History of Bats in the Yukon

Until recently, bats have not been well surveyed or studied in the Yukon. The little brown bat was known to range north to Mayo and Dawson City in the summer, but little was known of its biology or natural history, or if other species occurred. In this article we report from studies conducted between 1997 and 2008, funded in part by the Northern Research Institute. Current studies are answering questions about bat species that occur in the Yukon, their daily and seasonal activity patterns, foraging and roosting habitats, and population dynamics within roosts and roosting areas. We studied bats by detecting and interpreting ultrasonic echolocation calls (acoustic surveys) and by live capture. Acoustic surveys were conducted at over 100 sites across the little brown bat’s range in the Yukon, where over 7,000 bat passes were recorded. Most of them were little brown bats but we also recorded northern long-eared and big brown or silver-haired bats. We have banded 1,043 little brown bats at twelve maternity colonies in buildings, bat houses, and rock crevices. Locations of hibernating sites remain unknown, but the bat species that occur in the Yukon are migratory and may hibernate a great distance from their summer range. The annual timing of birth of the little brown bat in the Yukon, at the northern edge of their range, is typical for the species. Recaptures of banded bats has documented roost fidelity and the use of multiple roosts within a larger foraging area. We have also documented cohesive movements of colonies during roost switching, long distance dispersal to new roosts, and survival for at least twelve years. Further research is needed to address the substantial gaps in our knowledge about bats in the Yukon.
Antimicrobial Effects of Four Lactobacilli Strains Isolated from Yoghurt against Escherichia Coli O157:H7

This study aimed to isolate Lactobacillus species from yoghurt and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. After incubation of different yoghurt samples in MRS (de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe) agar at 37C under anaerobic conditions, four Lactobacillus species, L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus were identified. Standard growth curves of E. coli O157:H7 in proximity with lactobacilli test strains were obtained. The antibacterial effects of lactobacilli cell debris and culture supernatant against E. coli O157:H7 were determined. The results showed that the antibacterial effects of culture supernatant were stable at different temperature conditions (56‐100C) for 30 and 60 min; also, it was stable at pH 3‐10. With regard to the antibacterial effect of the lactobacilli strains in this study, they may help in the treatment of E. coli O157:H7-associated diseases and can be applied as a biological preservative in the food industry.
PCR-based identification of toxinogenic Fusarium species.

Aim of this study was to develop sensitive PCR assay for mycotoxin producing Fusarium species. Strains Fusarium oxysporum 4199 and Fusarium culmorum 4044 were used as representatives of this group. Primers JB chosen to demonstrate the affiliation to genus Fusarium were derived from ITS region of rDNA. Gene from trichothecene pathway Tri4 was employed to design primers for toxin biosynthesis. Specificity of PCR based on JB primers was tested on DNA isolated from F. culmorum 4044, F. oxysporum 4199, Aspergillus oryzae 4002 and Mucor circinelloides 4018, Trichoderma sp. Both Fusarium species gave positive reaction, while the later ones did not react. Primers based on Tri4 highly specific sequences were giving positive reaction only with DNA from F. culmorum 4044 and F. oxysporum 4199. DNA isolated from six samples of contaminated wheat grains gave positive result on the presence of genus Fusarium and mycotoxines by optimised PCR protocol using JB and Tri4 primers. The results corresponded to LC/MS analysis that was established quantitatively in all samples to ascertain the amount and type of fusarious mycotoxines.