Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining X-ray computed tomography with relevant techniques for analyzing soil–root dynamics – an overview

The study of below-ground features of roots and soil and their interactions is essential for understanding the configuration and diversities in such a dynamic environment. X-ray computed tomography is recognized as a tool for visualizing the physical interactions in the soil. In many studies, it has been used as a stand-alone tool to describe soil and root parameters. However, in recent times, attempts to couple it with other complementary tools are gaining rapid interest among researchers. The paper therefore provides an overview of the major application of combining X-ray computed tomography with other relevant methods in analyzing the structural characteristics of roots and soil media. The relevance of using this multidisciplinary approach for unraveling the mysteries surrounding root–soil dynamic interactions is stressed. The current and future trends of such studies are also pointed out.
The making of a European public sphere: media discourse and political contention

This book investigates an important source of the European Union’s recent legitimacy problems. It shows how European integration is debated in mass media, and how this affects democratic inclusiveness. Advancing integration implies a shift in power between governments, parliaments, and civil society. Behind debates over Europe’s "democratic deficit" is a deeper concern: whether democratic politics can perform effectively under conditions of Europeanization and globalization. This study is based on a wealth of unique data from seven European countries, combining newspaper content analyses, an innovative study of Internet communication structures, and hundreds of interviews with leading political and media representatives across Europe. It is by far the most far-reaching and empirically grounded study on the Europeanization of media discourse and political contention to date, and a must-read for anyone interested in how European integration changes democratic politics and why European integration has become increasingly contested.
Historical and Ecological Factors in the Evolution, Adaptive Radiation, and Biogeography of Freshwater Mollusks

SYNOPSIS. There are some 36 families that are wholly freshwater or with representative species in freshwater. There are virtually no phylogenetic analyses for these families. Zoogeographic analyses of freshwater molluscan faunas are hindered by a lack of significant systematic studies of these faunas. Such studies are essential if one hopes to develop hypotheses about phylogeny or biogeography. It is clear from a phylogenetic analysis of the Pomatiopsidae that phylogenetic, vicariance, dispersal, and ecological factors all have significant effects on the patterns of distribution of this family. At one stage in history vicariance may be a dominant factor while during another stage of history, dispersal may be a dominant factor. At every stage, ecological considerations are necessary to understand the phenotypes seen and the spatial relationships among taxa. In examining the distribution patterns of dominant freshwater families with regard to their biological, ecological, and overall phylogenetic relationships it is evident that ecology plays a major role along with dispersal and vicariance. Clearly a synthesis is needed in biogeographical studies that incorporates vicariance dispersal, ecology, and geology-paleontology.
Insights into the biodiversity and social benchmarking components of the Northern Australian fire management and carbon abatement programmes

Summary Much of northern Australia’s tropical savannas are subject to annual intense and extensive late dry season wildfires, much of this occurring on Aboriginal land. Based on the successful West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (WALFA) model, which has resulted in significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, fire abatement programmes are planned for other significant regions of northern Australia. This study offers an introduction to the ideas behind a proposed environmental and social benchmarking project that aims to evaluate the potential benefits of expanding the fire abatement program in northern Australia, under the leadership of NAILSMA and its partners. Gaining a better understanding of the biodiversity, social and cultural outcomes of these fire abatement activities is an important component of demonstrating multiple benefits of these programmes. We emphasize the role of both biodiversity and cultural mapping to establish benchmarks and baseline states, with the involvement of Indigenous communities being a key element to optimize social and biodiversity benefits. Consultation with Traditional Owners and ranger groups to establish an agreed set of targets, indicators and sampling protocols and methodologies are critical component of this process. Examples of preliminary work to date are provided.
"It’s Happening Here!” Anti-Trafficking Policy in the City of Ottawa – A Critical Analysis

Over the last several years human trafficking has been in the political spotlight, and anti-trafficking has become a political arena on its own. “Anti” projects are useful in understanding how law and policies are made. What does it mean to be against human trafficking? Using governmentality and genealogy methods, I focus on one anti-sex trafficking campaign located in Ottawa to examine how trafficking has been constructed as a coherent social problem. How does one NGO add or shape the anti-trafficking narrative in the community? I consider anti-sex trafficking as an evolving phenomenon that is constantly being produced through discourse, and practices. The empirical focus helps determine how power is established and controlled related to anti-trafficking, the conflation with sex work and the broader trafficking debates. In this way, government is not only policy or laws itself, but also the spaces in between and the personal lived experience of anti-trafficking.
Use of aquatic protected areas in the management of large lakes

There is considerable variation in the strategies used to manage large lakes. Management targets and resources for monitoring, assessment, planning and enforcement (e.g. personnel, equipment, policy, legislation) can differ considerably among countries and lakes. With a growing interest and body of research regarding Marine Protected Areas, assessments of similar freshwater areas are timely, especially considering current concerns over the global loss of biodiversity and increased interest in ecosystem-based management and the Precautionary Principle. This paper examines the use of various types of Aquatic Protected Areas in the management of large lakes (e.g. Marine Protected Area equivalents, fish sanctuaries, parks). Potential and actual benefits and drawbacks, relative uses in current management strategies, purposes for which different types of areas have been created, and related trends are discussed. Very few true equivalents of Marine Protected Areas, that permanently protect both species and their habitats from exploitation and development, have been created in freshwater systems. Most protected areas within lakes exist as fish sanctuaries, which limit or prevent harvest of one or more species, and aquatic or terrestrial (shoreline) parks, which protect aquatic and riparian habitats by preventing development or resource extraction (e.g. logging or mining). Because many Aquatic Protected Areas are established in legislation the retirement of established areas is relatively difficult and the number of Aquatic Protected Areas is increasing. Although Aquatic Protected Areas have considerable potential for improving large lake management, it is essential that management goals are compatible with the function of Aquatic Protected Areas and that factors affecting their success are determined to facilitate efficient use of resources and political will.
IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION FOR CALDESMON AND ACTIN IN THE STRIATED AND SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS AND NON-MUSCULAR CELLS OF VARIOUS ORGANS OF RATS

The topographical distribution of caldesmon (a calmodulin-binding, F-actin-interacting protein) and of actin was investigated in various organs of rats such as esophagus, intestine, submandibular gland, pancreas, adrenal gland, ovary, uterus, oviduct, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, and aorta by means of light microscopic immunohistochemistry.Positive immunostaining for caldesmon was observed in smooth muscle cells of all the organs examined, and myoepithelial cells of the submandibular gland. In addition, caldesmon was also present in the apical cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the intestine, uterus, oviduct, submandibular gland, and pancreas and renal tubules, and in the peripheral cytoplasm of adrenal medullary cells.The distribution of actin in these tissues shows almost the same pattern as that of caldesmon, though caldesmon was not detected in skeletal and cardiac muscles.It is concluded that caldesmon is generally present not only in smooth muscle cells but also in non-muscle cells of various organs. This result suggests that the calmodulin-binding protein, caldesmon, may play an important role in the control of actin-myosin interaction of these cells.
Crabs on cue for the coast: the use of underwater sound for orientation by pelagic crab stages

Several studies have suggested that underwater sound may provide an orientation cue for the pelagic stages of coastal crustacea, such as crabs and lobsters, to find their way from the open ocean to the coast where they can settle. Yet, there has been no field evidence to support this phenomenon and it is unclear whether pelagic crustacean stages even have the ability to orient towards sources of underwater sound, such as that which emanates from reefs. Artificial sources of natural underwater sound were deployed offshore in conjunction with light traps to determine if the larval and post-larval stages of coastal crabs were attracted to coastal reef sound. The results demonstrated that the pelagic stages of crabs respond to underwater sounds and that they may use underwater sound to orient towards the coast. The orientation behaviour was modulated by lunar phase, being evident only during first- and last-quarter moon phases, at the time of neap tides. Active orientation during neap tides may take advantage of these incoming night-time tides for predator avoidance or may permit more effective directed swimming activity than is possible during new and full moon spring tides.
Genetic Polymorphism of Some Blood Proteins in Saanen Goats

Abstract Elmaci, C. , Oner, Y. , Turkyilmaz, O. and Cetin, M. 2006. Genetic polymorphism of some blood proteins in Saanen goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 113–116. Genetic variations of 4 protein loci (transferrin, haemoglobin, amylase and ceruloplasmin) in 70 Saanen goats from Balikesir province of Turkey were investigated by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Two loci, transferrin (Tf) and haemoglobin (Hb) were found to be polymorphic. Other loci amylase (Amy) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) did not show polymorphism. In all polymorphic loci, the observed genotype frequencies were not significantly different from those expected from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais de 30 a 64 semanas de idade consumindo gérmen integral de milho - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v27i1.1256

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry facilities of Faculdade de Veterinaria (Universidade Federal de Goias – Goiânia/Goias/Brazil), to evaluate the effects of integral corn germ (ICG) replacing corn in layer diets. Performance, interior and eggshell quality of 30 to 64-weeks Lohmann hens were evaluated. 300 Lohmann hens were allocated in randomized block design, with five treatments: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% corn replacement with ICG in diets, with six 10-hen replications. Hen’s weight was the criterion to form the blocks. Positive linear effect was observed for feed intake and kg/kg and kd/dz for feed conversion. A linear effect for yolk pigmentation and a quadratic effect for yolk index was also observed. No statistical differences were observed for any other parameters. The inclusion of 50% ICG in layer diets did not affect the performance, egg internal and egg shell quality characteristics
Growing Minds: The Effects of a One-year School Garden Program on Six Constructs of Life Skills of Elementary School Children

The goal of this study was to assess changes in the life skill development of elementary school students participating in a 1-year school garden program. The Life Skills Inventory included statements for six constructs of life skills including teamwork, self-understanding, leadership, decision making skills, communication skills, and volunteerism. The students were divided into two treatment groups, an experimental group that participated in the garden program and a control group that did not participate in the school garden program. Students in the control group had signifi cantly higher overall life skills scores on the pretest compared to students participating in the garden program but the scores were no longer signifi cantly different between the groups on the posttest scores at the end of the program. In addition, there were no signifi cant differences in the control group’s pretest scores compared to their posttest scores. However, the students in the experimental group did signifi cantly increase their overall life skills scores by 1.5 points after participating in the garden program. Two internal life skill scales were positively infl uenced by the garden program; “working with groups” and “self understanding. ”
Inulin production by Vernonia herbacea as influenced by mineral fertilization and time of harvest

The underground organs of Vernonia herbacea (Vell.) Rusby, known as rhizophores, acumulate 80% of their dry mass as fructans of the inulin type. In view of the growing industrial use of fructans as dietetic and general food products, and of their medical application, the present investigation aimed at evaluating the effect of mineral fertilization and period of cultivation on the production of these carbohydrates in field trials. Plants used in the experiments were obtained by vegetative propagation from rhizophores collected from plants growing in natural areas of the cerrado, and cultivated for two years. Fertilization consisted of N:P2O5:K2O (80:200:150 kg.ha-1) plus 80 kg.ha-1 nitrogen as dressing. Soil fertilization did not stimulate biomass or inulin production, but in the second year of cultivation a dramatic gain in biomass and inulin was detected in both treated and control plants. Inulin production varied from 113 to 674 kg.ha-1 which corresponds to 43% of the rhizophore dry mass. The composition of fructans was not altered by fertilization, although treated plants had a higher proportion of sucrose and fructans with degree of polymerization 3-8 in the second year of cultivation. The results identify this species as a fructan source similar to other commercial crops and recommend further agronomic studies, aimed at increasing the production of this polysaccharide.
Biological control of postharvest diseases of peach with phyllosphere isolates of Pseudomonas syringae

Commercially ripe peaches were wounded and co-inoculated with phylloplane isolates of Pseudomonas syringae (MA-4 and NSA-6), Pseudomonas fluorescens (BAP-3), or an isolate of Candida sp. (NSD-4) in combination with either conidia of Monilinia fructicola (cause of brown rot) or sporangiospores of Rhizopus stolonifer (cause of rhizopus rot). Isolates NSA-6 and MA-4 at a concentration of 1 x 107 CFU/mL reduced brown rot to 28% and 73%, respectively, from 98% in the inoculated check after 5 days incubation at 22°C. Both isolates reduced rhizopus rot to 5% and 8% from 53% in the inoculated check after 5 days incubation. The P. syringae isolates when used in 2-min soak treatments were less effective against natural, preharvest M. fructicola infections of late-harvested peaches. Isolates MA-4 and NSA-6 suppressed brown rot from 63% to 30% and from 95% to 71-81%, respectively, after 3 and 4 days incubation at 22°C. The use of 0.5% CaCl2 in the soak suspension significantly improved the activity of P. syringae but.
Characterization of the chicken growth hormone receptor gene polymorphism.

INTRODUCTION Growth Hormone (GH) has been well documented for promoting growth and metabolism. Its action is carried out by the binding of GH to the growth hormone receptor (GHR) expressed on various target tissues. Any mutation in the GHR results in genetic disorders, e.g. Laron Syndrome in human and dwarfism in chicken (Goossens et al., 1993 ; Guillaume et al., 1976). Recent studies indicate that mutations without altering the amino acids sequence of the GHR protein might serve as genetic markers for certain phenotypic traits. For instance, it has been reported that an Hind III restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) located at the intron preceding exon 4 of chicken GHR gene is associated with an increased juvenile body weight and abdominal fat deposition in chicken (Feng et al., 1998). With a view to identifying more genetic variations in GHR gene related to trait selection, we have examined three introns (5, 8 and 9) of the chicken GHR gene using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detection method.
The development and structure of the pretectal cell masses in the chick

The pretectal nuclei of the vertebrate brain constitute a conspicuous and presumably important group in the region of the posterior commissure. As Kappers, Huber and Crosby state in their Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous System ('36, p. 986) it is open to question how far these nuclei are diencephalic or mesencephalic. I n the analysis of the development of the diencephalic centers in birds, especially in the chick which the author has attempted within the last years ('35, '36, 37) the diencephalomesencephalic boundary suggested by W. His (1893) was accepted. This boundary corresponds to a plane connecting the posterior commissure with the tuberculum posterius. Kappers, Huber and Crosby ('36, p. 939) have also retained this boundary line with due emphasis on its arbitrary nature. Only one of the pretectal nuclei so far described, the n. principalis praecommissuralis was found to originate clearly rostra1 to this boundary plane and was included in my description of the diencephalic centers. I n this contribution I have proceeded with the ontogenetic analysis of the more caudal pretectal cell masses in my material. It was also necessary to reinvestigate the morphological value of the conventional diencephalo-mesencephalic boundary assumed in my previous papers. The ontogenetic and phylogenetic importance of the general vertebrate pattern formed by the four diencephalic longitudinal zones has been
Propriedades físicas e químicas de substratos renováveis

RESUMO – A necessidade premente de aumento no numero de mudas plantadas anualmente, bem como a crescente diminuicao na disponibilidade de materias-primas tradicionais para composicao de substratos, tem levado a necessidade do desenvolvimento de estudos que visam a avaliacao e disponibilizacao de novos materiais para sua composicao tecnica e economicamente eficientes. Em vista disso, este estudo objetivou analisar as propriedades fisicas e quimicas de substratos formulados com base em materiais renovaveis e de grande disponibilidade (fibra de coco, casca de arroz carbonizada em diferentes granulometrias, biossolido e casca de pinus semidecomposta), bem como suas intercorrelacoes. Para tanto, foram formulados 41 substratos, os quais tiveram suas propriedades fisicas e quimicas avaliadas. Com base nos resultados, pode-se concluir que, pelas suas propriedades fisicas e quimicas, uma serie de materiais renovaveis e, ou, residuos agroindustriais e humanos se adequam para serem utilizados como componentes na formulacao de substratos para producao de mudas florestais, embora os conteudos de alguns nutrientes em determinados substratos devam ser ajustados via adubacao de base. Em vista do fato de as propriedades fisicas serem mais decisivas na escolha de determinada formulacao de substrato, entre os componentes e misturas avaliadas se pode concluir que os substratos formulados a base de fibra de coco e casca de arroz carbonizada se mostraram mais adequados. Palavras-chave: Biossolido; Casca de arroz carbonizada; Fibra de coco. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF RENEWABLE SUBSTRATES
TIME‐LAPSE ANALYSES OF SEXUAL ISOLATION BETWEEN TWO CLOSELY RELATED MATING GROUPS OF THE CLOSTERIUM EHRENBERG SPECIES COMPLEX (CHLOROPHYTA) 1

Sexual isolation between Groups A and B of Closterium ehrenbergii, two closely related species, was studied by a multiple‐choice mating method, as well as the nochoice mating method which has been used in previous work on microalgae. Time lapse photomicrographs and the difference in cell shape and size between the two mating groups allowed identification of a given cell in the mixture as either Group A or B, even when certain morphological changes occurred during the several day culture required for sexual induction. When plus and minus mating types of Group A were mixed with those of Group B (multiplechoice mating), no intergroup hybrid zygospores were formed. However, many intragroup zygospores of either Group A or B were formed. When one plus strain of Group A was mixed with one minus strain of Group B or when one plus strain of Group B was mixed with one minus strain of Group A (no‐choice mating), intergroup sexual interactions took place resulting in a small number of hybrid zygospores; however, the process took much longer than intragroup sexual interactions. It was also shown that cell size difference itself hardly affects sexual interactions between haploid and autodiploid strains of Group A. It is suggested that sexual isolation between Groups A and B would be complete in nature, although they may interact sexually in the laboratory.
No decrease in f ratio (ratio of Festuca-specific genome region to the whole genome) in maternally derived progeny of festulolium (Festuca pratensis × Lolium species) across generations

Festulolium is an outbred, intergeneric hybrid between Lolium and Festuca species that might possess the agronomic advantages of both genera. As a result of DNA recombination, the chromosomes in festulolium are striped with DNA from the two genera. Using genomic in situ hybridization and image analysis techniques, we determined the genomic constitution of festulolium based on the ratio of Festuca-specific genome regions to the whole genome (the “f ratio”). Some researchers have observed a drift in the genome balance in favor of Lolium over successive generations in amphiploid festulolium plants resulting from the cross between Lolium species and Festuca pratensis. In order to uncover the cause of the drift in favor of Lolium, we checked the f ratio drift between maternal plants and their progenies in three populations. One of the populations was a single cross progeny between parents of the backcrossed cultivar ‘Icarus,’ while the other two populations were isolated progenies of the amphiploid cultivar ‘Nakei 1. ’ Because Lolium species produce more seeds than Festuca species, bulking of the seeds could cause the drift in favor of Lolium. In order to avoid this, progenies were maternally derived. In the present study, very few progeny plants had f ratios greater than 58%. The genomic drift in favor of Lolium in other studies might be due to the lack of very high f ratio plants. However, at least for one generation and with maternally derived progenies, Festuca chromosomal fragments did not disappear in either amphiploid or backcrossed festulolium cultivars, and the f ratio drift in favor of Lolium did not occur.