Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population viability analysis models for Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae): a weed of national significance.

Lantana camara is a recognised weed of national and world-wide significance due to its extensive distribution and its impact on primary industries, conservation and biodiversity. However, no attempt to date has been made to carry out any population viability analysis (PVA) studies on the weed, despite the widely held view that PVA when done in concert with sensitivity analysis and numerical simulations could help greatly in fine-tuning management strategies for control of invasive organisms. Consequently, long-term demographic data on permanently marked individual plants (~2000 plants) across four sites in SE Queensland varying in landscape and land-use types are being collected to aid in simulation and a better understanding of the population growth of the weed. We are into the second year of this survey, and some preliminary results on seed-bank, plant fecundity, survival and growth as well as population dynamics of the weed under various management simulations will be presented. At most sites and as expected of a noxious weed, population growth rate ( ) was well above unity (across sites, mean = 3.449). Elasticity and numerical analyses suggest that at its expansion phase any control effort will have to jointly reduce fecundity, seed germination and seedling to juvenile/adult plant transitions by at least 95% to halt the invasion.
Functional and Sensory Properties of Meat Emulsions Produced by using Enzymatically Modified Gelatin

Mettwurst and Bologna sausage were produced from pork using enzymatically modified gelatin (EMG-8), which had been produced with covalent attachment of L-leucine n-octyl ester. EMG-8 improved spreadability, smoothness and softness of the Mettwurst. With the addition of EMG-8, the texture of the Bologna sausage was kept soft over a 1 to 7 day period of storage at 4°C or 2 to 4 weeks of storage at -20°C. Microscopic observation showed that fat globules in the Bologna sausage produced with EMG-8 were more homogeneously distributed than those in a control Bologna sausage.
Bite Dimensions and Herbage Intake by Cattle Grazing Short Hand‐Constructed Swards

The objectives of this study were to contribute to the understanding and quantification of the effect of sward structure on the ingestive behavior and intake of livestock. Hand-constructed swards of approximately 0.43 m 2 were used to determine the bite dimensions, bite weight, and short-term intake rate of steers (Bos taurus L.) grazing short swards. Swards were constructed of leaf blades of Paspalum dilatatum Poir. at homogeneous height of 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 m and heterogeneous heights with means of 0.06 and 0.10 m at two leaf densities (.)
Late Holocene subalpine lake sediments record a multi-proxy shift to increased aridity at 3.65 kyr BP, following a millennial-scale neopluvial interval in the Lake Tahoe watershed and western Great Basin, USA

(1) Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV USA (noblepj@unr.edu), (2) Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA USA, (3) Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA USA, (4) Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV USA , (5) Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, CA USA , (6) FUGRO Geoconsulting, Houston, TX USA , (7) Laboratoire Evo-Eco-Paléo, Université Lille 1-Cité scientifique, Villeneuve d’Ascq, FRANCE (Noble.Paula@univ-lille1.fr)
Seismic performance of high-rise buildings featuring a transfer plate taking into account displacement-controlled behaviour

Displacement-controlled behaviour has significant implications on high rise buildings because the displacement demand on the structural members (walls, columns and slabs) can be bounded by the peak displacement demand of the earthquake. This paper expands on current understanding of the seismic performance behaviour of transfer structures in buildings. Notably, drift demands on structural walls above the level of the transfer plate are examined in the light of displacement-controlled principles. Strutting compatibility forces in the floor slabs above the transfer level are the direct consequence of incompatible imposed deformations. These forces are displacement-controlled and have significant influences on the amount of differential deformation of the connecting floor slabs (and the coupling beams). Elaborate models are examined to showcase the consequences of diaphragm flexibility on the seismic performance of the building and specifically the shear demands on the tower walls.
Efeito da Spodoptera frugiperda em diferentes estádios de crescimento da cultura de milho

Pesquisas foram realizadas em Lafayette, Indiana, USA, durante os periodos de 1978 e 1979, para estudar os efeitos da lagarta-do-cartucho, Spodoptera frugiperda, na produtividade do milho. Infestacao artificial foi feita em cinco diferentes estadios de crescimento da cultura: 4 - 6 folhas, 8 - 10 folhas, 12 - 14 folhas, pendoamento e embonecamento. A infestacao foi realizada colocando-se em cada planta uma massa de ovos contendo aproximadamente 50 ovos. Para evitar o movimento das larvas entre as parcelas, construiu-se uma barreira fisica. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: danos nas folhas, 20 dias apos a infestacao; danos causados as espigas; tamanho das espigas; producao por planta; e o peso e numero de graos. Com base nos resultados, concluiu-se que o estadio de crescimento mais susceptivel a lagarta do cartucho foi o de 8- 10 folhas, ou seja, aproximadamente 40 dias apos o plantio. A reducao na produtividade, para infestacoes neste estadio, foi de 18,7%. Nas parcelas infestadas nos estadios de 4 - 6 folhas, pendoamento e 12 - 14 folhas, a reducao foi de 6,6, 7,6 e 8,6%, respectivamente. Nenhuma reducao foi verificada no estadio de embonecamento. Uma reducao media de 18,4% no numero de graos nas parcelas infestadas no estadio de 8 - 10 folhas foi o principal fator que contribuiu para a menor producao naquele tratamento.
A General Model of the Role of Male-Donated Nutrients in Female Insects' Reproduction

Male insects of many species donate nutrients to their females at mating, and the females can use these nutrients for egg production and somatic maintenance. These male-derived nutrients represent male investment in reproduction. The relative investment by each sex in reproduction has been postulated to be a determinant of the mating system and possible operation of sexual selection. However, the effect of male nutrient donations on female fitness is not well understood. I examine the effect on female fitness of male nutrients donated at mating in terms of the role of male nutrients in the female's nutrient budget for egg production. Nonnutritional constraints on total egg mass, the timing of egg production, the quality and quantity of adult female feeding, and alternative functions of male nutrient donations are incorporated into a model describing the role of male-derived nutrients. The model predicts the conditions under which changes in the availability of male-derived nutrients to individual females will be accompanied by changes in female fecundity, in adult female feeding, and/or in the allocation of the total nutrient pool to egg production. The model also can be used to predict the relative importance of male nutrient donations to female reproduction and hence the likelihood of sexual selection mediated by nutrient donations. Furthermore, the model can be used to predict associations of reproductive and foraging traits within a species or population. Data from the literature corroborate the assumption that male-derived nutrients may differ in composition from nutrients available to the female from adult feeding. Literature data also support the predictions that changes in male nutrient donation result in changes in female fecundity only when adult female feeding is restricted and that, given the opportunity, females on restricted adult diets ingest more nutrients from males. Data are not currently available to test other predictions of the model adequately. Finally, new data for two species of Lepidoptera with rich adult diets are presented that support the model's prediction that adult female feeding and the acquisition of male nutrients via mating should be inversely correlated when fecundity is constrained by nonnutritional factors. Thus, male-derived nutrients may affect female fitness through effects on foraging as well as on fecundity.
The Mediterranean fruit fly in California: taking stock

Medflies have been captured in California 11 different years since 1975, and every year since 1986. Ten eradication programs have been mounted against this pest at a cost of over $150 million. While considerable scientific debate still exists on the nature of the medfly problem in the state, most agriculturalists agree that the problem is probably long-term. This paper provides a brief historical background of the medfly in the state, reviews existing control technologies and outlines future research needs and directions.
Modelling development of Callosobruchus maculatus and Anisopteromalus calandrae at various constant temperatures using linear and non-linear models

The development of cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Col., Bruchidae), and its parasitoid, Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hym., Pteromalidae), under nine constant temperatures and the best linear and non-linear models describing the temperature-development relationships of the host and its parasitoid were determined. The pre-imaginal developmental time decreased with increasing temperature from 15° C to 35° C for both species and sexes. Based on the best-fitted linear model, the lower developmental threshold and the thermal constant were determined as 10.4° C and 526.3 degree-days for C. maculatus and 11.5° C and 263.2 degree-days for A. calandrae, respectively. Fifteen non-linear temperature-dependent models were examined to find the best model to describe the relationship between temperature and development rate of C. maculatus and A. calandrae. Among non-linear models, the Analytis model was the most efficient for the description of temperature-dependent development of C. maculatus and A. calandrae.
A reflexive critique of a critical hermeneutics analysis of Wu Zetian

Purpose Revisiting the critical hermeneutics analysis of Wu Zetian’s case in Peng et al.’s (2015) paper, the purpose of this paper is to explore the complexity and paradox of Wu Zetian as a historical figure, and to demonstrate the potential of critical hermeneutics as an innovative methodology to study gender, diversity and history. Moreover, the authors attempt to examine some of the potential challenges and limitations of this methodology and to provide an in-depth account of the socio-politics involved in the research process. Design/methodology/approach This is a reflexive critique based on a framework of four central concepts of critical hermeneutics (Prasad, 2005): questions of author intentionality, layers of texts, hermeneutic circle and relating to texts. Findings Critical hermeneutics has great potential as well as considerable challenges and limitations in the research areas of gender, diversity and history. Originality/value This paper offers a lucid exposition of what critical hermeneutics is about, how it might be applied to a particular case and potential challenges and limitations of this methodology. The study is intensely reflexive and context oriented, illustrating how a deepened understanding of critical hermeneutics leads to a more informed discussion of the possibilities and limitations of the methodology, and how researchers, editors and reviewers can be influenced by the context in which the study is conducted.
Landscape context influences chytrid fungus distribution in an endangered European amphibian

Wildlife disease is an emerging threat to biodiversity. The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which causes the disease chytridiomycosis, has been documented in over 500 amphibian species globally. Understanding conditions under which amphibians are vulnerable to Bd is important for evaluating species risk and developing surveillance strategies. Here, we investigate the spatial distribution of Bd infection in the ephemeral pond‐breeding yellow‐bellied toad Bombina variegata, a species of high conservation concern in the European Union. We sampled 550 toads from 60 ponds in a traditional agricultural landscape in Southern Transylvania, Romania. Overall, Bd prevalence was low in B. variegata, but infected toads were widely dispersed through the landscape and were found in a quarter of all sampled ephemeral ponds. At the pond level, increased Bd occurrence was associated with short distances to perennial water sources and high forest cover. These findings suggest that perennial water sources may act as source habitat for Bd, with amphibian movements resulting in Bd spillover into ephemeral ponds. Increased Bd occurrence in ponds surrounded by high levels of forest cover is likely related to cooler and wetter conditions that are more favourable for Bd. Throughout the study landscape, patchy environmental suitability for Bd appears to restrict the pathogen to a subset of B. variegata habitat. Ephemeral ponds in open landscapes, without nearby perennial habitat, likely provide an environmental refuge from Bd, where the risk of infection is low. From a conservation perspective, these findings highlight the importance of maintaining ephemeral ponds in open landscapes, but these are currently threatened by land‐use change.
IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPIC LOCALIZATION OF CALMODULIN WITH PROTEIN A-GOLD TECHNIQUE

The regulatory protein calmodulin, ubiquitous in eukaryotic systems, activates, in, a calcium-dependent manner, various enzymatic activities (1, 2, 6, 10, 11) and appears to participate in such cellular process as mitosis (8) and synaptosomal neurotransmitter secretion (3). In order to obtain an immunohistochemical tool to study the biological significance of calmodulin, many attempts have been made to raise antibodies to
Cytogenesis in the pars distalis of the horse

Since therc lias been no investigation rcportcd on cytogenesis in the pituitary body of the horse, and since the findings relative to cellular differentiation in the hypopliysis of other animals have been somewhat contradictory, the present study was undertaken. The purposes have been (1) to establish the time of differentiation of the parenchymatous cells of the pars distalis of the horse, (2) to determine what changes occur, as differentiation progresses, in the regional distribution of these cclJs, and (3) to make observations which might help to settle the question as to whether the acidophiles and basophiles represent separate cell typcs or simply two phases iii the life cycle of a single cell type. The process of cellular differentiation in the pars distalis of the fetal mammalian pituitary has been studied in the human, Fraser ('21) and Cooper ('25); in the pig, Nelson ( '33) ; and in the cat, Brahms ('32), but as yet there is no general agreement as to which of the two kinds of chromophilct cells, acidophiles or basophiles, first makes its appearance. As regards the regional distribution of the parenchymatous cells of the pituitary, Cooper ('25) mentions that beginning about the middle of intrauterine life, in human material, the acidophiles gradually become more numerous in the dorsal and posterior part of the pars distalis so that eventually they are
Negotiating Stakeholder Agreements for Conservation: The Case of Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines

Many conservation projects fail because local stakeholders share a disproportionate burden of the cost arising from a no-take zone compared to benefits accruing to global and national stakeholders and more powerful groups. Conflicts arising from the establishment of marine protected areas are usually caused by outside interests colliding with local interests and priorities. Ensuring fishers who will lose access to fishing grounds will be able to negotiate and obtain benefits in return for their losses is key to gaining their support to no-take provisions of a marine protected area. The case of establishing an offshore marine protected area in the Tubbataha Reefs, in the center of the Sulu Sea, Philippines, offers a practitioners' perspective in reconciling competing interests based on the sharing of costs and benefits that all stakeholders consider satisfactory and equitable. User fees from diver groups and grant payments from outside donors that supported local livelihoods and park operations offer lessons in cost and benefit sharing. The experience highlights the importance of generating stakeholders' agreements based on cost and benefit-sharing as a platform for conservation actions.
From plant functional types to plant functional traits

Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) typically track the material and energy cycles in ecosystems with finite plant functional types (PFTs). Increasingly, the community ecology and modelling studies recognize that current PFT scheme is not sufficient for simulating ecological processes. Recent advances in the study of plant functional traits (FTs) in community ecology provide a novel and feasible approach for the improvement of PFT-based DGVMs. This paper reviews the development of current DGVMs over recent decades. After characterizing the advantages and disadvantages of the PFT-based scheme, it summarizes trait-based theories and discusses the possibility of incorporating FTs into DGVMs. More importantly, this paper summarizes three strategies for constructing next-generation DGVMs with FTs. Finally, the method’s limitations, current challenges and future research directions for FT theory are discussed for FT theory. We strongly recommend the inclusion of several FTs, namely specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), carbon isotope composition of leaves (Leaf δ13C), the ratio between leaf-internal and ambient mole fractions of CO2 (Leaf Ci/Ca), seed mass and plant height. These are identified as the most important in constructing DGVMs based on FTs, which are also recognized as important ecological strategies for plants. The integration of FTs into dynamic vegetation models is a critical step towards improving the results of DGVM simulations; communication and cooperation among ecologists and modellers is equally important for the development of the next generation of DGVMs.
α1 integrin activation: A link between β‐amyloid deposition and neuronal death in aging hippocampal neurons

A growing body of evidence obtained using in vitro model systems indicates that the deposition of fibrillar β‐amyloid (Aβ) results in neurite degeneration and cell death in central neurons. Little is known, however, about the molecular mechanisms underlying these neurotoxic effects. We have shown previously that fibrillar Aβ induced sustained activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) followed by hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in aging hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, the blockage of MAPK activation using specific inhibitors prevented neurite degeneration in these cells. These results suggested that the MAPK signal transduction pathway could play a key role in Aβ‐induced neurite degeneration. We sought to identify upstream elements of the MAPK signaling cascade activated by Aβ deposition. We evaluated the participation of the integrins in this pathway by monitoring the activation of MAPK in the presence of specific integrin inhibitors. Our results indicate that pretreatment of mature hippocampal neurons with either echistatin or α1 integrin‐blocking antibodies prevented Aβ‐induced MAPK activation. In addition, the blockage of α1 activation prevented cell death induced by Aβ. Similar results were obtained when α1 and β1 integrin blocking antibodies were used combined. Taken collectively, these results identify α1 integrin and the α1 plus β1 integrin complexes as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in the Aβ signaling pathway in aging neurons. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decrease of the Effective Population Size during Maintenance of the Guppy Strain

The change of gene frequencies at the AAT-1 * and PGM-1 * loci was examined in the two guppy strains, S and S3, which had been maintained as a closed colony for a period of 16 years. These strains had been separated from an original strain in 1981. In the S strain, the *a allele frequency at AA T-1 * locus changed from 0.282 in 1981 to 0.602 in 1997, and the *a allele at the PGM-1 * locus changed from 0.772 to 0.430. On the other hand, in the S3 strain, the *a allele frequency at the AA T-1 * locus changed to 0.395 in 1997, and the *a allele at the PGM-1 * locus changed to 0.528. The effective population size (Ne) during the maintenance period of the guppy strain was estimated based on the magnitude of the random drift in the gene frequency. The estimated Ne was initially 623 in the S strain and 413 in the S3 strain. The decrease of Ne over a period of 16 years was demonstrated to be 18 in the S strain and 24 in the S3 strain, and these phenomenon may be led by the sampling of mature fish.
STAT3 inhibitors for cancer treatment

The critical role of the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the growth and survival of human tumor cells was one of the subjects of this thesis. It was found that the stable incorporation of v-Src into MCF10A cells, a human immortalized breast epithelial cell line, induced constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 in these cells. MCF10A-v-Src cells displayed growth factor independence for proliferation and survival, and anchorage independence. However, these cells did not form tumors in nude mice, indicating that they were not fully transformed. Furthermore, inhibition of activated STAT3 in 293 cells decreased growth and induced apoptosis in these cells. The same results were obtained in 293 cells stably transfected with tetracycline-inducible dominant negative (DN) STAT3, and in 293 cells transiently expressing STAT3 RNAi. Since STAT3 promises to be a good target for cancer treatment, it was attempted to develop inhibitors through rational design. Within STAT3, the SH2-domain was chosen as being the best target site. One limitation of this site turned out to be its similarity to family members in this region, and even to other SH2-domain containing proteins, such as Src, all of which present a highly conserved pocket to bind phosphotyrosines. A medium-throughput assay to measure STAT3 dimerization in vitro was established to determine the affinity of compounds to the SH2-domain of STAT3. Peptides of different length derived from the phosphotyrosine-containing motif of STAT3 (AAPY*LKTKF) were tested in the assay. Y*L was found to be the minimal sequence to block dimerization, and out of the tested peptides, PY*LKT had the highest affinity. This was consistent with the observations made on the crystal structure of STAT3, which indicated that besides the phosphotyrosine-binding site, position + 1 and + 3 contributed most importantly to binding. The relevance of position + 1 was further confirmed by substitution of Leu+ 1 by Ala in the peptide Y*LKT, which decreased the affinity more than ten times. Finally, one non-peptidic small molecule inhibitor identified by virtual ligand screening (VLS) proved to be a STAT3 dimerization inhibitor in vitro. This is the first small molecule inhibitor of STAT3 identified so far, and might serve to study structure activity relationships (SAR) to optimize the structure and find more potent and bioavailable compounds.