Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internal versus external control of calcium nutrition in kiwifruit

Higher calcium (Ca) concentration in several fleshy fruit including kiwifruit is a pre-requisite for lower incidence of Ca-related diseases and improved fruit nutritional value. This review examines the internal and external factors operating along the soil-to-fruit pathway that are involved in the uptake and partitioning of Ca in kiwifruit vines. After a brief description of fruit growth and the dynamic of nutrient accumulation during fruit development, the review considers the role of soil Ca concentration and availability, root elongation, mass flow in the apoplast, fruit transpiration, competition between fruit and highly transpiring leaves, weather variables and soil moisture. How fruit morphological and anatomical traits, including skin anatomy, xylem development and hydraulic resistance, influence physiological processes such as transpiration and impact on Ca accumulation is also discussed. The review highlights that approximately 80% of the total Ca content of fruit is accumulated during the early weeks after fruit-set, suggesting that failure of good fruit Ca nutrition at that time may lead to poor fruit Ca content at harvest. Therefore, based on the analysis of the internal and external factors that influence Ca accumulation, recommendations are made for orchard practices that maximize Ca accumulation in the kiwifruit berry, including optimal pollination, nutrient and irrigation management, and manipulation of canopy architecture.
Shiny Beech Wood is Confirmed as an Indicator of Tension Wood

This study sought to develop a method to quantify tension wood areas in stem discs. It was suggested that the shiny appearance of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) could provide an indication of tension wood. Each of 21 stem discs were digitised and the images analysed. Small areas of the discs were selected, and from these areas, anatomical sections were stained with astra-blue and safranine and the stained sections were compared with the wood disc images. The analysis showed that the shape of shiny areas and tension wood were similar; moreover, the measured ratios of shiny wood and tension wood were in good agreement. This confirms the assumption that in Fagus sylvatica shiny wood corresponds to tension wood.
The quadrupedal gaits of vertebrates

tion of gaits had to wait for the advent of motion pictures. From ancient time through most of the nineteenth century, sculptors of equestrian statutes were often mistaken about how horses walk (Brown, 1968), painters were consistently wrong about how they gallop (see cover; Figure 1), and horsemen did not know if racing trotters ever have all feet off of the ground. Eccentric photographer Eadweard Muybridge was prompted to invent the first moving pictures to settle (in the affirmative) this question about trotting horses. He used banks of as many as 24 still cameras rigged to take sequences of pictures that enabled him to publish, in 1887, the first accurate depictions of various
Nature and ecological implications of algal pigment diversity on the Molenplaat tidal flat (Westerschelde estuary, SW Netherlands)

Depth profiles of chlorophyll a (chl a), its degradation products, and accessory pigment markers from 5 sites with differing sediment properties highlighted the role of physical and biological processes in re-distributing microalgal biomass both horizontally and vertically around the Molenplaat tidal flat. Intermediate-scale distribution of chl a was highly correlated with sedimentological parameters, with biomass greatest at siltier sites. Fucoxanthin:chl a ratios of 0.35 to 1.60 indicated that the microphytobenthos community was dominated by diatoms in both silty and sandy sediments. Cyanobacteria (zeaxanthin) were also present, mainly in September. Other sources of algae came in the form of deposited water column material. Peridinin, 19'hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and to a lesser extent chl b were the main pigments, primarily found at silty sites. Between June and September, the relative amounts of accessory pigments increased suggesting that inputs of material from the water column occurred during this period. Although benthic and water column pigments were found in the surface layers of silty and sandy sites, there were pronounced differences in biomass and vertical distribution. At sandy sites, homogenous vertical distributions of chl a in the upper 2 cm of sediment, together with low phaeopigment levels and the absence of water colum pigments below the surface layer, suggest that accumulation of in situ and allochthonous sources of microalgae is insignificant. Material is subjected to a continuous cycle of burial and resuspension during each tidal cycle and through the action of bioturbators such as Arenicola marina. There was a pronounced peak in chl a biomass at the silty sites in June. Rapidly decreasing chl a over the top 1 cm suggests that degradation was more rapid than sediment mixing. Large amounts of phaeopigments were produced, with the relative contribution switching from phaeophytins (March/April) to phaeophorbides (September) as the role of the herbivorous community in chl a cycling became more significant. An increase in relative contributions of accessory pigments both at the surface and in deeper layers between spring and autumn suggest that silty sites are a sink for sedimenting algae from the water column during this time. During the late autumn-winter, chl a biomass and pigment diversity decreased considerably, coincident with reduced biological activity and increased physical mixing.
Vollwertige Ernährung schützt vor Herzinfarkt: Nahrungsfette

Eine fettreiche Ernährung, insbesondere viel gesättigte Fettsäuren in der Nahrung, geht mit einem erhöhtem Risiko für einen vorzeitigen Herzinfarkt einher. Die Konzentrationen von LDL‐Cholesterin und HDL‐Cholesterin im Plasma werden durch mehrere Nahrungsfaktoren beeinflusst und bestimmen über mehrere Mechanismen die Entwicklung der Arteriosklerose. n‐3‐ und n‐6‐Fettsäuren sind essentiell und spielen, im richtigen Verhältnis verzehrt, eine günstige Rolle bei der Prävention der Arteriosklerose. Der Vorteil von Vitaminen als Supplemente ist bisher nicht überzeugend. Nach heutigem Kenntnisstand macht es wenig Sinn, individuelle Nährstoffe in hohen Dosen aufzunehmen. Stattdessen sollte man zu einer vollwertigen Ernährung mit einem moderaten Fettgehalt und einem hohen Gehalt an ballaststoffreichen Lebensmitteln ermuntern.
How large must populations be to retain evolutionary potential?

Maintaining genetic variation for future evolutionary change is an important issue for conservation biology. However, there is controversy over the effective population size (Ne) required for endangered species to retain their evolutionary potential, with proposed sizes ranging from 500 to 5000. The highest estimate is based on the assumption that 90% of mutations are deleterious. We review the arguments for an effective size of 5000 and conclude that it assumes effective mutation rates that are too low, and heritabilities that are, in general, very high. We conclude that an Ne of 500–1000 is appropriate at this time.
Antifungal properties of selected lactic acid bacteria and application in the biological control of ochratoxin A producing fungi during cocoa fermentation

Thirteen Lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from fermenting cocoa and seven reference strains were used in order to assess their antifungal properties towards three ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi (Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus). Furthermore, two of the isolates strains (A19 and A21) identified as belonging to the genus of Pediococcus as well as Lactobacillus plantarum B4496, Lactobacillus brevis 207 and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis BB12 showed interesting in vitro broad antifungal activities towards the three ochratoxin-producing fungi with inhibition percentages ranging from 15% to 66.7%. Treatment of cell-free supernatant at 100°C affected antifungal activity suggesting that the main compounds responsible for this activity were of proteic nature, and hence could be bacteriocins. Application of isolate A19 in cocoa fermentation as starter inhibited the growth of each of the OTA-producing species. At the end of fermentation in boxes inoculated with A19, A. niger was not detectable while A. carbonarius concentration was found to be 2 Log CFU/g of wet beans. The assessment of the ochratoxin produced during fermentation of cocoa inoculated with A. carbonarius indicated that the use of isolate A19 as starter could reduce their level of growth so as to have only a toxin production of 0.0012 ± 0.0005 μg/kg after 40 days of storage, while this was 2.45 ± 0.35 μg/kg of fermented and dried cocoa beans in the absence of A19. This work is a contribution for the application of biological control of OTA-producing fungi during cocoa production.
Nitrogen Metabolism in Senescing Leaves

Abstract Leaf senescence is a highly organized process and not a passive decay. Photosynthesizing mesophyll cells lose their functions in an early phase, while the epidermal layer with the stomates and the phloem remains functional throughout senescence. The subcellular compartmentation is maintained and allows the cooperation of different organelles in the remobilization of constituents. Nitrogen metabolism changes at the onset of senescence from assimilation to remobilization. Enzymes involved in nitrate reduction are lost, while some enzymes of intermediary nitrogen metabolism are maintained longer, and some catabolic enzymes reach highest activities during senescence. Chloroplasts are dismantled early, but mitochondria remain active and may fuel remobilization processes. Chloroplast proteins are degraded, and this nitrogen fraction can be translocated via the phloem from senescing leaves to sinks within the same plant. In contrast, chlorophyll is degraded, fragments produced reach the vacuole, and cat.
EVALUATING THE WIND POLLINATION BENEFITS OF MAST SEEDING

We developed a conceptual model for evaluating the benefits of wind pollination to mast-flowering species. The benefit that a plant population gains from mast flowering via increased wind pollination efficiency was predicted from how far pollination efficiency at mean seed crop size falls below the maximum. Species were most likely to benefit from mast seeding if mean reproductive effort in the field gave an intermediate level of pollination efficiency, regardless of the cost of unpollinated female structures. To quantify the benefits of different degrees of mast flowering, a simulation model was used to alter the seed production coefficient of variation (cv) and to calculate its effects on weighted mean pollination efficiency. The model was applied to seven real data sets for five species with pollination benefits from masting that ranged from relatively small (Chionochloa pallens), to moderate (Dacrydium cupressinum, Betula alleghaniensis), to large (Nothofagus solandri, N. menziesii). Many studies have reported higher seed production coefficients of variation at higher altitudes and latitudes within a species. Our model showed that higher coefficients of variation are favored by reduced mean seed output per plant at higher altitudes. Data for N. solandri at three altitudes in one site showed much higher pollination benefits from masting at higher altitudes. Reduced plant density (e.g., through fragmentation), which also lowers mean flowering effort per unit area, resulted in large increases in masting benefits in N. solandri, but only small increases in C. pallens. These contrasting results were primarily due to differences between the two species in mean reproductive effort vs. wind pollination efficiency, rather than to differences in the effects of fragmentation and altitude. The relative effects of masting on pollination, insect seed predation, and bird seed predation were modeled in B. alleghaniensis. Masting produced a small economy of scale from insect predator satiation, but an almost equivalent diseconomy of scale resulted from increased levels of bird seed predation. Efficiency of wind pollination improved moderately with increasing cv, providing some overall benefits from masting in this species. Accordingly, we propose that masting can be favored by either one dominant economy of scale (such as wind pollination efficiency in N. solandri or predator satiation in C. pallens), or a balance among several factors (such as pollination, predator satiation, and predator attraction in B. alleghaniensis). We predict that, in the absence of any selective benefits or disadvantages of masting, plants would be expected to have coefficients of variation in the range 0.85–1.35.
Contribution of enzymic browning to color in sugarcane juice

The contribution of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase POD) to enzymic browning in sugarcane juice was investigated. Inactivation of these enzymes with heat resulted in juice of lower color (absorbance measured at 420 nm), but POD was found to be more heat stable than PPO. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) completely inhibited PPO activity and markedly reduced juice color but had no effect on POD activity. Removal of oxygen in the presence of the substrate chlorogenic acid also stopped color formation. Upon subsequent addition of oxygen, browning continued, indicating that the process was oxygen dependent. Color development in juice was complete after 20-30 min even though PPO was still active. Addition of chlorogenic acid at this point restarted browning, suggesting that color development was limited by the availability of phenolic substrates. Varietal differences were observed in levels of PPO activity, phenolics, and color. There was a correlation between juice color and phenolic content but not between juice color and PPO activity. The sugarcane PPO enzyme was most active with chlorogenic acid. It was not active with p-diphenols and was inhibited by SHAM, suggesting that it is a catechol oxidase-type enzyme (EC 1.10.3.1)and not a laccase (EC 1.10.3.2). It is atypical in that it was inhibited by SDS. The results suggest that enzymic browning contributes significantly to color formation in sugarcane juice and that PPO is the major enzyme involved.
A baseline survey of ungulate abundance and distribution in northern Lao: implications for conservation

Abstract Large ungulates across South-east Asia have been experiencing a rapid decline in recent decades because of overexploitation by humans. An absence of reliable data on the abundance and distribution of ungulates makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts to recover their populations. As the principal prey for Endangered tigers Panthera tigris, depletion of wild ungulates is a major threat to the species' persistence and recovery across its range. This study estimated abundance and distribution of five ungulate taxa using a grid-based occupancy survey across a 3,000 km2 core zone within the 5,950 km2 Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area in northern Lao. The results show an abundance index of 5.29 ± 0.30 ungulates per km2, with muntjac Munticus spp. and wild pig Sus spp. being most common, moderate levels of serow Capricornis milneedwardsii and sambar Cervus unicolor but few gaur Bos gaurus. This low abundance of medium- and large-sized ungulates at the site strongly suggests that strict control of hunting of these ungulates is important for securing their long-term survival as well as that of the tiger population that depends on them, which is currently the only known breeding population remaining in Indochina.
High Contrast Grating for Optical Sensing

Author(s): Sun, Tianbo | Advisor(s): Chang-Hasnain, Connie | Abstract: Integrated optoelectronics has seen its rapid development in the past decades. It has been expanded to many emerging applications beyond optical communication, including environmental sensing, healthcare and remote sensing, etc. This revolutionary progress greatly benefits from device level innovation.High contrast gratings (HCG) is an emerging element in integrated optoelectronics. Compared to the other elements, HCG has a very rich properties and design flexibility. Two most extraordinary properties of HCG are broadband reflectivity and high quality factor resonance, which are highly desired to solve current challenges in the aforementioned applications.In this dissertation, we will explore the physical origins of the extraordinary features of HCG, and discuss its applications in optical sensing. Various device innovation for optical sensing, such as HCG slow light hollow-core waveguide for gas sensing, HCG resonator for bio-medical sensing, flexible surface plasma sensor , fast optical phase array and HCG-graphene spatial light modulator for remoting sensing are demonstrated with HCG as the enabling elements. With this breadth of functionality, HCG demonstrate itself as a promising platform for integrated optical sensing.
N‐nitrosamines in foods

N‐nitrosamines are an extremely hazardous class of compounds. The possibility of the occurrence of these compounds in our food and in other environmental situations has caused concern over the past decade. This review examines the literature which provides an understanding of the chemistry of N‐nitrosamine formation. Particular attention is paid to the more recent reports concerning methodology for determining N‐nitrosamines and to the reports since 1970 on the occurrence of N‐nitrosamines in foods. The literature concerning factors which influence N‐nitrosamine formation in foods is evaluated and discussed.
Efeito de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento sobre ovos, lagartas e adultos de Grapholita molesta (BUSCK) (LEP.: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT – The objective of this study were to evaluate the effect of insecticides insect growth regula-tors (IGR’s) on eggs, larvae and adults of G. molesta, in the laboratory. The evaluated insecticides were Lufenuron and Novaluron (4.0g of a.i. 100L-1), Methoxyfenozide and Tebufenozide (9.6g of a.i. 100L-1) and control (distilled water). In application before oviposition, only Methoxyfenozide caused significant mortality of eggs (26.3%) compared to control. The application of insecticides on eggs of different ages (24, 48 and 72 hours) showed variations in mortality of the species regarding the insecticide and time of embryonic development. Only Methoxyfenozide and Novaluron reduced the viability of larvae that emerged from treated eggs, with a maximum of 35.9% and 39.5 of larval viability when applied on eggs of 48-72 hours, respectively. The treatment of apple fruit with insecticides caused significant mortality of larvae, but no differences were observed among insecticides, both for small larvae (average efficiency of 47.2%) and for 3
Differences in survival and behaviour of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) chicks among years in Alaska

Three successive cohorts of rock ptarmigan chicks were raised in the standard conditions of a controlled environment aviary at the University of Alaska to identify inherent differences in survival and behaviour. That such differences were occurring was suggested by analysis of 10 years of population data. Eggs and chicks less than 4 days old were collected adjacent to the Eagle Creek population study area, representing one cohort at the peak of the cyclic fluctuation in 1968, and one on each side of the peak. Survival to 8 weeks varied among years. Parallel differences occurred in survival of chicks in the wild. Differences also occurred among years in level of agonistic behaviour measured from day 1 to 8 weeks by means of mirror tests. The behavioural differences are also attributed to inherent differences between cohorts. The difference in agonistic behaviour between 1968 and 1969 was primarily due to the greater scores of chicks from adult (2 years or older) hens. In 1969, chicks from adult hens were s.
Assessing variability in fecundity of Amaranthus powellii using a simulation model

Summary Estimates of weed fecundity and its variability are critical for the development of population dynamic models and for evaluating the long-term consequences of weed management practices. The purpose of this research was to estimate Amaranthus powellii fecundity across years, seasons and competitive environments using a mechanistic model. Existing models were modified to account for weed responses to shade, and to dynamically simulate seed production among subthreshold densities of A. powellii. The model was parameterized and tested using five sets of field data in which A. powellii was grown either alone or with transplanted broccoli. The model overestimated A. powellii height, but predicted both dry weight and fecundity well. Mean simulated fecundity for A. powellii ranged from 0 to 268 000 seeds per plant depending on year, crop maturity date, relative time of emergence and location. Year-to-year variability in simulated fecundity was large with coefficients of variation ranging from 77 to 128 under low and high competitive environments respectively. Our results suggest that estimates of weed fecundity based on 1 or 2 years of empirical data may result in significant errors in population dynamic models, and that the use of economic optimum thresholds based on weed density alone entails considerable risks.
The Relationship between the Level of Progesterone Secreted from Cumulus Cells and Oocyte Developmental Competence in In Vitro Matured Human Cumulus Oocyte Complexes

Abstract: Developmental competence of in vitro matured human oocytes is dependent on the morphology of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) just after collection from the follicle. We postulated that COCs categorized as having poor morphology (two or fewer less than two layers of cumulus cells) would not secrete a sufficient amount of matulation factors, resulting in low developmental competence of the matured oocytes. In the present study, the level of progesterone secreted from good morphology COCs with three or more layers of cumulus cells, 39.2 ± 12.8 ng/ml (n=31), was significantly higher than that secreted from poor morphology COCs (9.65 ± 1.34 ng/ml, n=22). The addition of 20 ng/ml progesterone to in vitro maturation culture of the poor morphology group significantly improved the fertilization ability of the oocytes. The rates of development to the morula and blastosyst stages were also increased by progesterone, however the differences were not significant. In conclusion, the secreted level of progesterone during in vitro maturation of human COCs was dependent on the number of cumulus cells attached to oocyte. When an oocyte is surrounded by two or fewer 2 layers of cumulus cells, the addition of progesterone to FSH- and hCG-containing medium appears to be a useful method for obtaining an oocyte with a high developmental competence.
Increased manganese content of barley seeds can increase grain yield in manganese-deficient conditions

Manganese (Mn) deficiency which decreases barley (Hordeurn vulgare L.) yields can be difficult to eliminate by fertilizer applications. We hypothesized that higher Mn content of barley seed could decrease the severity of Mn deficiency and thus decrease yield loss due to that deficiency. Galleon barley with different amounts of Mn in the seed (low Mn seed: 0.08-0.26 8g per seed; medium Mn seed: 0.34-0 -62 8g per seed; high Mn seed: 0-74-1.208g per seed) was grown in field, glasshouse and growth cabinet experiments. In two experiments, seeds were soaked in MnS04 and had Mn contents of approximately 50 8g per seed. High Mn seed, either obtained artificially by soaking seed in MnSO4 before sowing, or naturally from the parent plant, increased grain yield of barley grown in Mn-deficient conditions. In both -Mn and +Mn treatments, barley grown from high Mn seed had a greater grain yield than that from low Mn seed. High seed Mn increased root dry weight, Mn content of both roots and shoots, shoot dry weight, number of early tillers, plant survival and number of grains per plant, but had no effect on weight per seed. Maximum grain yield was achieved by sowing seed with a high Mn content and applying Mn fertilizer; neither treatment completely corrected Mn deficiency on its own.