Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IPS Bark Beetle Attacks and Brood Development on a Lightning-Struck Pine in Relation to its Physiological Decline

A study was made of the attacks and brood development of Ips calligraphus (Germ.), Ips grandicollis (Eichh.), and Ips avulsus (Eichh.' on a large lightning-struck pine tree to determine how these activities were affected by certain factors associated with the physiological decline of the tree. Results show a definite relationship between oleoresin exudation rate (O.E.R.) and incidence and success of Ips attacks. No attacks succeeded where O.E. R. exceeded 0.1 ml/hr. from a standard wound. Moreover, the incidence of attack was less where O.E. R. was greater than 0.1 ml/hr. Inner bark moisture limited brood development only where severe dessication occurred. The pH of the inner bark was within the range found on normal, healthy trees. An hypothesis concerning Ips bark beetle invasion and colonization of lightning-struck pine trees is offered.
Bryophyte life strategies along an altitudinal gradient in El Canal y Los Tiles (La Palma, Canary Islands)

Abstract Bryophyte species fertility and life strategy composition on different substrates were examined along an altitudinal gradient incorporating lauriphyll forest, Erica-Myrica woodland and Pinus canariensis forest at EI Canal y Los Tiles (La Palma, Canary Islands). One hundred and forty quadrats (each 625 cm2) were sampled along this gradient and 86 bryophyte species were recorded. The relationship of life strategy to environmental factors was explained using canonical correspondence analysis. The perennial life strategy is best represented in the more humid forests, but at higher elevations the colonist category is the most abundant. Colonists, short-lived shuttle and long-lived shuttle categories mainly occur on rocks in the driest forest. In the more humid forest, long-lived shuttle and short-lived shuttle categories are prominent on trees and the colonist category on soil. The perennial category is prominent on shady soils in the driest forest. In the more humid areas its abundance is similar on .
Energy Use, Trade Openness, and Exchange Rate Impact on Foreign Direct Investment in Indonesia

We conducted an inquiry on the short run and long run impact of energy use, trade openness, and exchange rate on foreign direct investment in Indonesia from 1981 to 2015. Energy use is one of the key variables because host countries cannot easily anticipate short-term energy shortage, whereas foreign investors interpret such shortage as an indicator of progress and readiness of the manufacturing sector. We use the error correction model to explain the interrelationship between predictors and their effect on foreign direct investment. Results show that short run trade openness significantly affects foreign direct investment. By contrast, long-term energy use and trade openness variables have a positive and significant influence, whereas exchange rate has a negative linkage.
Living and Robotic Dogs as Elicitors of Social Communication Behavior and Regulated Emotional Responding in Individuals with Autism and Severe Language Delay: A Preliminary Comparative Study

ABSTRACT The inclusion of animals and robots in therapeutic interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become more common. This study provides a first comparison between the potential of living versus robotic dogs to elicit social communication behavior and regulated emotional responses in individuals with ASD. Ten children and thirteen adults with ASD and severe lan- guage delay were tested for appropriate social communication behavior and cardiac autonomic functioning during a planned, structured interaction with an experimenter alone (no-stimulus condition), an experimenter accompanied by a living dog (dog condition), and an experimenter accompanied by a robotic dog (robot condition). A within-subjects design was followed to expose all participants to all three experimental conditions. Overall, participants (children and adults) showed a higher percentage of appropriate social behaviors in Living and Robotic Dogs as Elicitors of Social Communication Behavior and Regulated Emotional … the dog and the robot conditions than in the no-stimulus condition. In children, the living dog was more effective than the robotic dog in promoting social communication behavior. In adults, no such difference was found between the dog and the robot condition. Only the dog appeared to elicit a positive effect in cardiac autonomic functioning by increasing heart rate variability (HRV) and buffer- ing the decrease in parasympathetic activity due to interaction with the experimenter. The data are preliminary but relevant and warrant replication in larger-scale studies.
The Ciliated Protozoa: Characterization, Classification, and Guide to the Literature

Dedication. - Acknowledgements. - Preface to Third Edition. - List of Tables. - List of Figures. - Introduction and Progress in the Last Half Century. - Glossary of Terms and Concepts Useful in Ciliate Systematics. - Characters and the Rationale behind the New Classification. - Phylum CILIOPHORA - Conjugating, Ciliated Protists with Nuclear Dualism. - Subphylum 1. POSTCILIODESMATOPHORA: Class 1. Karyorelictea - The 'Dawn' or Eociliates. - Subphylum 1. POSTCILIODESMATOPHORA: Class 2. Heterotrichea - Once Close to the Top. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 1. Spirotrichea - Ubiquitous and Morphologically Complex. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 2. Armophorea - Sapropelibionts That Once Were Heterotrichs. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 3. Litostomatea - Simple Ciliates but Highly Derived. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 4. Phyllopharyngea - Diverse in Form, Related in Structure. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 5. Nassophorea - Diverse, Yet Still Possibly Pivotal. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 6. Colpodea - Somatically Conserved but Orally Diverse. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 7. Prostomatea - Once Considered Ancestral, Now Definitely Derived. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 8. Plagiopylea - A True Riboclass of Uncommon Companions. - Subphylum 2. INTRAMACRONUCLEATA: Class 9. Oligohymenophorea - Once a Pivotal Group, Now a Terminal Radiation. - Deep Phylogeny, Gene Sequences, And Character State Evolution - Mapping The Course Of Ciliate Evolution. - The Ciliate Taxa Including Families And Genera. - References. - Subject Index. - Systematic Index.
Nota sobre la influencia del ácido giberélico y del nitrato de potasio en la germinación de semillas de Nothofagus betuloides (Mirb.) Oerst

N. betuloides (Fagaceae) es una especie forestal de importancia economica de Tierra del Fueto (Argentina). El objetivo de este trabajo fue el estudio de la influencia del acido gibelerico y del nitrato de potasio en la ruptura de la dormicion y de la existencia de una diferencia significativa en la germinaciond e semillas dimeras y trimeras. Las semillas trimeras son significativamente mas grandes que las dimeras, pero este factor no afecto ni a la capacidad germinativa ni a la energia germinativa. El tiempo de inmersion y la concentracion de acido giberelico afectaron significativamente a la capacidad germinativa y la energia germinativa. El nitrato de potasio no mostro la misma respuesta. A diferencia de otras especies de Nothofagus, las semillas de N. betuloides rompen su dormicion facilmente.
Fruit pit hardening: Physical measurement during olive fruit growth

In drupe-type fruits, pit hardening, resulting from sclerification of the fruit endocarp, is widely used as a phenological marker for both physiological studies and orchard management. In spite of the importance of pit hardening for understanding fruit development processes and for agricultural practices, however, its quantification has remained obscure and precision has been lost with time and lax usage. In this study, we used a mechanical device to measure the physical pressure required to break the olive pit in order to define the timing of pit hardening more precisely and to permit closer observation of its relationship to fruit and endocarp growth and development. Over 4 years we found that pit-hardening pressure increased following a sigmoid pattern, at first gradually but then with a large and rapid increment of change in a relatively short period of time. The rapid acceleration of hardening began at the time when pit longitudinal and transverse diameters attained their maximum size. That timing is consistent with the anatomical differentiation of the sclerified endocarp cells which can no longer expand nor divide. The results improve our knowledge of pit hardening and provide a more precise context for evaluating the metabolic costs, physiological interactions and genetic controls of stone fruit endocarp development. On a practical level, the association of the intensification of pit-breaking pressure with the cessation of pit expansion indicates that pit diameters can be useful morphological markers to identify the onset of this period.
A look into the molecular mechanisms of parasitism including the functional characterization of Heterodera schachtii secreted effector proteins and the response of plant small RNA to nematode infection

Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes induce the formation of specialized fe eding cells in infected roots, which involves plant developmental processes that have been shown to be i fluenced by microRNAs (miRNAs) and other small RNAs. This observation provided t h foundation to investigate the potential involvement of small RNAs in plant-cyst nematode interactions. First, we examined the susceptibilities of Arabidopsis DICER-like ( dcl) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (rdr) mutants to the sugar beet cyst nematode Het rodera schachtii. The examined mutants exhibited a trend of decreased susceptibility suggesting a role of small RNAs mediating gene regulation processes during the plant – nematode interaction. Second, we generated two s mall RNA libraries from aseptic Arabidopsis roots harvested at 4 and 7 days after infect io with surface-sterilized H. schachtii. Sequences of known miRNAs as well as novel siRNAs were identified. Foll owing this discovery, we used real-time RT-PCR to quantify a total of 15 Arabidopsis tr an cripts that are known targets of six of the different miRNA families found in our study (miR 160, miR164, miR167, miR171, miR396 and miR398) in inoculated and non-inoculated Arabidopsis roots. Our analy ses showed mostly negative correlations between miRNA accumulation and ta rget gene mRNA abundance suggesting regulatory roles of these miRNAs during parasitism. Also, we identified a total of 125 non-miRNA siRNAs. Some of these siRNAs perfectly complement protein -cod g mRNAs or match transposon or retrotransposon sequences in sense or antisense orientati ons. We further quantified a group of siRNAs in H. schachtii-inoculated roots. The examined siRNAs exhibited distinct expression patterns in infected and non-infected roots, providing add itional evidence for the implication of small RNAs in cyst nematode parasitism. These dat a lay the foundation for detailed analyses of the functions of small RNAs during phytonematode parasitism.
DNA conformation and transcription

Multifarious DNA Structures Found In Genomes. - DNA. - Sequence-Dependent Variability of B-DNA. - Intrinsic DNA Curvature and Transcription. - Curved DNA and Prokaryotic Promoters. - Repression of Transcription by Curved DNA and Nucleoid Protein H-NS. - Curved DNA and Transcription in Eukaryotes. - Putative Roles of kin17, a Mammalian Protein Binding Curved DNA, in Transcription. - Implied Roles of Left-Handed Z-DNA, Triplex DNA, DNA Supercoiling, and Miscellaneous Alternative Conformations of DNA in Transcription. - Roles for Z-DNA and Double-Stranded RNA in Transcription. - Do DNA Triple Helices or Quadruplexes Have a Role in Transcription? - Nucleic Acid Structures and the Transcription Defects in Fragile X Syndrome and Friedreich's Ataxia. - Possible Roles of DNA Supercoiling in Transcription. - DNA-Bending Proteins: Architectural Regulation of Transcription. - Gene Regulation by HMGA and HMGB Chromosomal Proteins and Related Architectural DNA-Binding Proteins. - Molecular Mechanisms of Male Sex Determination. - Chromatin Infrastructure in Transcription: Roles of DNA Conformation and Properties. - The Role of Unusual DNA Structures in Chromatin Organization for Transcription. - DNA Bendability and Nucleosome Positioning in Transcriptional Regulation.
Antioxidant Activities, Nutrient Composition and Sensory Properties of Unripe Plantain-Purple Skinned Sweet Potato Flour Blends

The functional properties of plant foods have received much attention in recent times. Therefore, the present study sought to assess the antioxidant potential and nutrient composition of unripe plantain (UP) and purple skinned sweet potato (PP) composite blends (UP: PP); (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100) and also to evaluate the sensory properties of the porridge prepared from the blends. HPLC/DAD analyses revealed the presence of some flavonoids and phenolic acids. The evaluated antioxidant indices increases progressively as the percentage inclusion of sweet potato increases, and the highest antioxidant activities was recorded for 100% sweet potato. Whereas, the evaluated proximate indices, with exception of moisture content, increases as the inclusion of unripe plantain increases in the blend; and the highest carbohydrate (78.51%), protein (13.35%), fiber (0.19%) and fat (5.56%) were recorded for 100% unripe plantain. The 100% potato recorded the highest level of Ca, Mg, P and Fe, while the highest level of Na and K was recorded for 100% unripe plantain. The result of the sensory properties of the porridge showed a varied rating with respect to the evaluated sensory parameters; however, better overall acceptability was recorded for porridge from two blends (60UP:40PP, 40UP:60PP). Result from this investigation showed that combination of these plant foods can be harnessed as functional food, most especially two of the blends; (60UP:40PP, 40UP:60PP) and these could be a valuable blend that could be explored in the management of free radical mediated diseases. Keywords: Antioxidant potential; Nutritional value; Phenolic composition; Sensory properties; Solanum tuberosum ; Musa paradisiacae
AKAP220 Links the cAMP Signaling Pathway to Cell Adhesion

A‐kinase anchoring proteins (AKAP) target the cAMP dependent protein kinase PKA to precise locations inside cells. AKAP220 has been shown previously to interact with the protein kinase GSK3β [1]. Co‐anchoring of PKA and GSK3β permits robust phosphorylation of GSK3β by PKA, inhibiting GSK3β activity. Little is known, however, regarding the biological significance of this complex and its role in inhibiting GSK3β activity. Our recent evidence suggests that AKAP220 links the cAMP signaling pathway to cell adhesion. Mass spectrometry experiments identified a potential interaction between AKAP220 and IQGAP1, an effecter of rac/cdc42 that controls cell adhesion by modulating cadherin attachment to the actin cytoskeleton [2]. We have shown by co‐immunoprecipitation that endogenous AKAP220 is in a complex with both IQGAP1 and E‐cadherin in MCF‐7 cells, and that AKAP220 colocalizes with IQGAP1 and E‐cadherin at cell‐cell junctions. Binding between IQGAP1 and its partners is often regulated by binding to calmodulin through its IQ domain [2]. We find that AKAP220 preferentially binds IQGAP1 lacking the IQ domain. IQGAP1 does not contain a site for PKA phosphorylation; however a site for GSK3 was identified and can be phosphorylated in vitro. Interestingly, the GSK3 phosphorylation site in IQGAP1 is in proximity to its cadherin binding domain. AKAP220 may therefore control cell adhesion by coordinating a novel kinase cascade that links PKA regulation of GSK3β to GSK3β regulation of IQGAP1 and cadherin. Evidence that the IQ domain of IQGAP1 regulates binding to AKAP220 also suggests that this is a calcium regulated complex.
Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Local Campylobacter jejuni Recovered From Ceca of Dressed Chickens of Commercial and Backyard Raisers in Laguna, Philippines

Twelve Campylobacter jejuni isolates from the ceca of chickens at dressing plants of commercial and backyard raisers were tested for susceptibility to 14 different antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer Method. Isolates showed multi-resistance being resistant to more than 7 different antibiotics tested, presenting at least eight multiple resistance patterns. Majority of isolates (10/12, 83.33%) came from chickens whose livers were previously detected to be positive for antibiotic residues by Four Plate Test. A statistically significant relationship (p Key words: Antimicrobial resistance profile, antimicrobial residues, Four Plate test, dressed chicken, commercial producers, backyard raisers
Control of Synaptic Strength by Glial TNFα

Activity-dependent modulation of synaptic efficacy in the brain contributes to neural circuit development and experience-dependent plasticity. Although glia are affected by activity and ensheathe synapses, their influence on synaptic strength has largely been ignored. Here, we show that a protein produced by glia, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), enhances synaptic efficacy by increasing surface expression of AMPA receptors. Preventing the actions of endogenous TNFα has the opposite effects. Thus, the continual presence of TNFα is required for preservation of synaptic strength at excitatory synapses. Through its effects on AMPA receptor trafficking, TNFα may play roles in synaptic plasticity and modulating responses to neural injury.
Panic Disorder Treatment among Patients in Saudi Arabia

Panic disorder (PD) is a severe, chronic disorder characterized by one or more unexpected panic attacks followed by worry about additional attacks and the implications of the attacks. If attacks are sufficiently severe or frequent, they can promote marked, sometimes debilitating behavioral changes. Many panic disorder sufferers appear to be incompletely responsive to treatment and are subject to relapse after remission. Patients with panic disorder have a high use of medical services, an impaired social and work life, and an overall reduced quality of life. The good news is that short term, psychological interventions can improve the lives of most patients. Protocols and resources to help general practitioners implement such techniques, with and without drugs, are available.
Antiandrogenic and Estrogenic Compounds: Effect on Development and Function of Male Reproductive System

In the last 50 years the increase in the frequency of male reproductive abnormalities has been observed in human (Auger et al., 1995; Bergstrom et al., 1996; Carlsen et al., 1992; Skakkebaek et al., 2001; Thonneau et al., 2003). Epidemiological studies have shown increasing trends in the incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testis) and hypospadias (abnormal location of the urethral opening) in several regions of Australia, Europe, and the United States (Acerini et al., 2009; Boisen et al., 2004; Kallen et al., 1986; Nassar et al., 2007; Paulozzi, 1999; Toppari et al., 2001). Moreover, several reports indicated that semen quality have declined during last century (Auger et al., 1995; Carlsen et al., 1992; Swan et al., 2000; Sharpe & Irvine, 2004). Decreasing sperm concentration and percentage of motile spermatozoa, and increasing number of spermatozoa with morphological alterations were observed in European population between 1940 and 1990. For instance, it has been found that the prevalence of an abnormally low sperm count in young men reaches even 15–20% (Andersson et al., 2008; Jorgensen et al., 2006, 2011). In earlier study by Jorgensen et al. (2001) significant geographical variations in semen quality have been also described. Although, the reason for these regional differences is not fully elucidated, some data indicate that a correlation exists between impaired semen quality and exposure to pesticides used in agricultural areas (Swan et al., 2003). Interestingly, it has been noticed that in the industrial areas, where peoples are exposed to high levels of industrial chemicals, the birth sex ratio can be altered; in some region of Canada male birth sex ratio (i.e. number of male births per total number of births) have reached only 0.3 during the period 1990 – 2003 (Mackenzie et al., 2005). In 2001 Skakkebaeck and co-workers have suggested that cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer and oligozoospermia are interrelated disorders comprising a single syndrome, called the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) (Skakkebaeck et al., 2001; Skakkebaeck & Jorgensen, 2005). This idea arose from the observation that cryptorchidism and hypospadias are closely linked to testicular cancer, because in men with a history of one of these anomalies significantly increased risk of testicular cancer was described (Davenport et al., 1997; Dieckmann & Pichlmeier, 2004; Sharpe & Irvine, 2004). Moreover, oligozoospermia is frequently found in men, who develop testicular cancer (Moller & Skakkebaek, 1999). The disorders included in TDS are believed to result from disruption of
Thesaurus of agricultural organisms : pests, weeds and diseases

This two-volume publication covers both plant and animal species, but focuses on pest, weed and disease organisms of importance to the field of agriculture. Pests can be identified either by the full Latin name or a preferred name or synonym. The thesaurus provides a cross-referenced source of Latin names, synonyms and common names in English, French and German for approximately 30,000 organisms. An inverted binominal index enables the location of the correct entry, starting from the Linnaean specific name.
Origin, transfer and distribution of cantharidin-related compounds in the blister beetle Hycleus scabiosae

Cantharidin provides chemical protection for the coleopteran families Meloidae and Oedemeridae. In the present study, it was observed that cantharidin concentration in Hycleus scabiosae was slightly decreased from mated females (mean = 0.011 mg/mg of dry weight) to males (mean = 0.010 mg/mg) and considerably diminished in relation to virgin females (mean = 0.005 mg/mg). Significant concentrations of palasonin (21.69 ng/mg among virgins and 17.49 ng/mg in mated females) and palasoninimide (14.62 ng/mg in virgins and 9.17 ng/mg in mated females) were found in H. scabiosae. Palasonin, palasoninimide and cantharidinimide content of eggs were measured as 5.61, 7.69 and 7.80 ng/mg respectively. Surprisingly, males showed no trace of cantharidin-related compounds (CRCs); therefore CRCs in H. scabiosae could not be transferred from males to females and based on experiments employing its deuterated form, cantharidin is probably independently synthesized in females from the male nuptial transfer. An inseminated female incorporates about 38.5 ng of cantharidin (0.34% of the maternal content), 196.35 ng of palasonin (91.82% of maternal content) and 269.15 ng of palasoninimide (96.70% maternal content) into each egg mass during oviposition. It seems that eggs of this meloid species exploit a different array of protective chemicals by increasing the ratio of CRCs versus cantharidin. CRCs are less toxic than cantharidin; therefore, such compounds might have been deposited in eggs as a safer substitute for cantharidin to provide effective protection, but does not simultaneously harm the susceptible embryo.