Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cephalopods of the South Georgia slope

During January 2003 the bathymetric distribution of the cephalopod fauna of the South Georgia and Shag Rocks slope (100–900 m) was investigated using a commercial bottom trawl. Forty-four trawl stations caught 193 cephalopod specimens including six species of octopod and seven of squid. The benthic octopods Pareledone turqueti and Adelieledone polymorpha were abundant in shallow water at South Georgia, being replaced by Thaumeledone gunteri in greater depths. However, neither A. polymorpha nor T. gunteri were caught on the adjacent Shag Rocks area. Two specimens of the deep-sea genus Graneledone were caught on the South Georgia slope. The most abundant squid species caught were Moroteuthis knipovitchi, Psychroteuthis glacialis and Slosarczykovia circumantarctica, which are primarily pelagic and may have been taken when their vertical migrations impinged on the slope.
A Comparison of the Sensitivity of the BayesC and Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction(GBLUP) Methods of Estimating Genomic Breeding Values under Different Quantitative Trait Locus(QTL) Model Assumptions

The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of estimating and predicting breeding values using two diverse approaches, GBLUP and BayesC, using simulated data under different quantitative trait locus(QTL) effect distributions. Data were simulated with three different distributions for the QTL effect which were uniform, normal and gamma (1.66, 0.4). The number of QTL was assumed to be either 5, 10 or 20. In total, 9 different scenarios were generated to compare the markers estimated breeding values obtained from these scenarios using t-tests. In comparisons between GBLUP and BayesC within different scenarios for a trait of interest, the genomic estimated breeding values produced and the true breeding values in a training set were highly correlated (r>0.80), despite diverse assumptions and distributions. BayesC produced more accurate estimations than GBLUP in most simulated traits. In all scenarios, GBLUP had a consistently high accuracy independent of different distributions of QTL effects and at all numbers of QTL. BayesC produced estimates with higher accuracies in traits influenced by a low number of QTL and with gamma QTL effects distribution. In conclusion, GBLUP and BayesC had persistent high accuracies in all scenarios, although BayesC performed better in traits with low numbers of QTL and a Gamma effect distribution.
Epidemiological assessment of canine brucellosis

Observou-se brucelose canina em quatro canis diferentes. Os canis apresentaram animais com historia de aborto, mortalidade em neonatos e nascimentos prematuros. A porcentagem de animais soropositivos para brucelose canina, pela prova de imunodifusao em agar gel, variou de 4,6 a 57,1%. Observou-se correlacao positiva entre porcentagem de animais positivos e aspectos reprodutivos e condicoes de aglomeracao.
Development of a diagnostic ELISA for the hepatitis B x-protein using monoclonal antibodies

iv ABSTRACT The hepatitis B virus remains a major public health problem even after decades of its discovery. Horizontal transmission during early childhood is the predominant mode of transmission in highly endemic regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Infection exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from an asymptomatic stage to severe liver disease which may result in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The hepatitis B virus remains a major public health problem even after decades of its discovery. Horizontal transmission during early childhood is the predominant mode of transmission in highly endemic regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Infection exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from an asymptomatic stage to severe liver disease which may result in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HBV X protein (HBx) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, which often has a poor prognosis, consequently the use of highly specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against HBx in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could lead to early identification of HBV carriers at risk of developing liver cancer. A variety of mixed hybridoma cell cultures secreting anti-HBx antibodies were cloned and sub-cloned by “limiting dilution”. Clonal supernatants were assessed for anti-HBx antibody production by Indirect ELISA and Western/Immunoblotting. Monoclonal antibodies were then characterized according to their relative binding affinity (Indirect ELISA) and relative epitope specificity (Competitive ELISA). One of our monoclonal antibodies was found to bind to the same epitope on HBx as the commercial anti-HBx antibody and with the same high affinity. In the developed Sandwich ELISA, our monoclonal antibody proved effective as the „detecting‟ antibody when the commercial anti-HBx antibody was deployed as the Abstract v „capture‟ antibody. This Sandwich ELISA will be further developed in our laboratory with the object of applying it to patient sera.v „capture‟ antibody. This Sandwich ELISA will be further developed in our laboratory with the object of applying it to patient sera.
REVIEW ARTICLE: Compartmental redistribution and long-distance transport of abscisic acid (ABA) in plants as influenced by environmental changes in the rhizosphere —a biomathematical model

Based on experimental data obtained in earlier studies on membrane permeabilities of abscisic acid (ABA) for cortex and stele cells of roots and on measured compartmental pH shifts after onset or release of different types of soil-borne stresses, a biomathematical model was developed which permits computer analysis of the dynamics of compartmental ABA distribution within different root tissues (cortex, stele) and their compartments (apoplast, cytosol, vacuole), and in the xylem sap of the root stele. Metabolism and conjugation of ABA and its export from roots via the xylem and its import into roots via phloem sap flow are also taken into consideration. We want to know which soil-borne stresses can biophysically provoke a root-to-shoot signal of ABA. In this communication we describe the biomathematical structure of the root model and present all necessary morphological (volumes, surfaces etc.) and physiological (pH, membrane conductances etc.) parameters of unstressed roots. This root model and an available leaf model are integrated to a plant model (rosette plant). Simulations reveal the fundamental role of the stele tissues, the rhizospheric ABA concentration and the ABA synthesis in roots (root-to-shoot communication). The shoot-to-root communication strongly depends on ABA synthesis in leaves, but hardly on ABA redistribution effects after stress-induced compartmental pH-shifts in leaves.
Estimates of Genetic and Environmental Variability in Soybeans1

RiCENT studies on a number of characters of soybeans have been directed toward estimation of heritability, that is, the fraction of variance in phenotypic expression that arises from genetic effects. However, the different methods employed do not necessarily estimate the same thing. For example, variance and regression methods of estimating heritability of F2 plant differences estimate the same thing only if all gene effects are additive. The nature of the selection units (plant, plot, mean of several plots, etc.) and sampling errors also influence greatly the magnitude of heritability estimates. Therefore, any meaningful comparison of the estimates obtained in different situations must include a careful evaluation of the methods and materials employed
DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN THE INTERFERENCE REFLECTORS AND COLORATIONS OF TIGER BEETLES (CICINDELA)

Samples of cicindelid cuticle were examined at various stages of adult ecdysis. The multilayered potential reflector was secreted in the initial stages of the moult, verifying that it is not tectocuticle and supporting the contention that it is a form of inner epicuticle. At early stages of ecdysis, the electron-dense layers were visible only when the section was post-stained. During post-ecdysial colour development, the dense layer increased in inherent electron density. Concurrently, the reflector increased in refractive index and the interference coloration increased in intensity and wavelength of maximum reflectance. Black pigment was also deposited simultaneously within the outer portion of the cuticle. It is proposed that electron-dense material was deposited in situ within the inner epicuticle after ecdysis, thereby increasing the wavelength and reflectance of interference colour.
Global governance for the environment and the role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in conservation

The role of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Wetlands Convention, and the Barcelona Convention on the Mediterranean has grown increasingly important, in the context of conservation management, during the last decade as human impacts intensify and cross national boundaries more often. In resorting to MEAs it is important to maintain a clear focus on their opportunities and limitations. They are a means to resolve transboundary problems with neighbouring states and adopt harmonized approaches, they increasingly offer access to worldwide knowledge, tools and financial resources, and they can give conservation agencies a stronger mandate domestically. But they are specialized instruments focused on particular problems or sectors. The threats they address and the solutions they outline have to be evaluated in relation to overall environmental and socio-economic priorities. This entails linkages among different problems and sectors at various scales. Regional and ecosystem-level approaches are most appropriate for sorting out linkages and priorities. Extensive capacity building is needed at these levels to foster the requisite skills for integrated approaches. In addition, new mechanisms may be required at these levels to coordinate diverse specialized regimes. This does not require a monolithic, top-down approach but rather ongoing flexibility and responsiveness informed from the bottom up. We should take advantage of the new directions highlighted by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, in 2002 and other recent international conferences to build these abilities into international governance. Conservation managers have an important role to play. By working nationally and internationally they can inform and influence the shift towards integrated and coordinated efforts, suggesting ways to accomplish this on a larger, international scale based on concrete experience in situ.
Corolla chirality in Hypericum irazuense and H. costaricense (Hypericaceae): parallels with monomorphic enantiostyly1

Abstract Symmetry is an important floral character and is often associated with the degree of pollination specialization. Typically floral symmetry is fixed within a species. Rotational symmetry occurs in two different corolla variations according to the direction in which the petals overlap. This study describes the pattern of polymorphism in corolla chirality of Hypericum irazuense Kuntze ex. N. Robson and H. costaricense N. Robson. The individuals of these species exhibit flowers with corollas that rotate either counter clockwise (left/sinistrorse) or clockwise (right/dextrorse). Studying this pattern of floral expression is the first step in gaining a better understanding of whether this trait polymorphism is maintained due to an adaptive advantage or as a byproduct of a developmental genetic constraint. We quantified the proportion of dextrorse and sinistrorse flowers for H. irazuense and H. costaricense. We also examined whether the chirality of a flower is independent of the corolla chirality of its neighbor flower at the ultimate branch level, i.e., a group of terminal branches that are connected by the same node. We demonstrate that the proportion of sinistrorse and dextrose flowers is equal among individuals within a population of H. irazuense and H. costaricense. In addition, we show that in these populations, the forms are randomly distributed at the ultimate branch level indicating that the identity of a flower type is not determined by the chirality type of its neighbor flower. The 1∶1 proportion of chirality types among individuals suggests that the maintenance of both flower forms may convey a reproductive benefit. But, the random distribution of flower type at the ultimate branch level challenges this interpretation. Further studies are needed to address the adaptive significance, if any, of this pattern of dextrorse and sinistrorse flowers.
Effect of Garlic and Onion Extracts or their Intercropping on Suppressing Damping-off and Powdery Mildew Diseases and Growth Characteristics of Cucumber

usarium oxysporum, F. solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina were associated with cucumber damping – off disease in the newly reclaimed lands. F. oxysporum however, was the most frequent and constituted 23% of the recovered fungi. All the tested cultivars were susceptible in varied degrees to F. oxysporum. Americana Beta-Alpha cultivar showed the lowest percentage of preand post–emergence damping-off and Denmark BetaAlpha cultivar, recorded the highest percentages. Plant extracts of garlic and onion reduced linear growth of. F. oxysporum, F. solani and S. rolfsii. The highest suppressive effect on F. oxysporum was obtained when garlic extract was added to the medium at 1.5ml/plate. Pre-and postemergence dampingoff were decreased by soaking cucumber seeds in the extracts of garlic or onion at 6% concentration for 60 minutes before sowing. Natural infection by cucumber powdery mildew was decreased by spraying garlic or onion extracts at concentration of 9% and increased of length, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots as well as number of flowers/plant compared with control. Intercropped cucumber with garlic or onion decreased percentage of preand post-emergence damping–off as well as increased leaves number and number of flowers/plant.
Localization of reactive oxygen species during symbiosis of early clover and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii

In this work, clover was shown to respond to infection with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii by producing reactive oxygen species. Superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide were detected in infection threads and nodule primordia. The role of reactive oxygen species in clover-Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii symbiosis
Einfluss assoziativer rhizosphärenbakterien auf die äHrstoffaufnahme und den Ertrag von Mais

In mehrjahrigen Feldversuchen (1990–1995) in Nordostdeutschland wurde der Einflus selektierter assoziativer Rhizospharenbakterien auf den Ertrag und die Nahrstoffaufnahme bei Mais untersucht. Der Trockenmasse‐ und Kolbenertrag zur Siloreife bzw. der Samenertrag wurde durch die Bakterienstamme Pseudomonas fluorescens (PsIA12), Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A1A4), Rhizobium trifolii (R39) und z.T. durch Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (PsIB2) in den Jahren 1990 bis 1995 auf lehmigen Sandboden wiederholt signifikant, auf sandigem Lehm zum Teil signifikant erhoht. Maissorten konnen unterschiedlich auf die Bakterieninokulation reagieren. Die Bakterien stimulierten insbesondere bei Jungpflanzen die Wurzelentwicklung und die Nahrstoffaufnahme (N, P, K) aus dem Boden. Sie bildeten Phytohormone (Auxine und z.T. Cytokinine) und uberlebten, auch unter Feldbedingungen, im Rhizospharenraum von Mais wahrend der gesamten Vegetation.
How artificial feeding for tourism‐watching modifies black bear space use and habitat selection

Artificial feeding stations often are established to attract and habituate wildlife species to facilitate their observation, but this activity is controversial because of its potential negative impact on wildlife and, in some cases, threat to human safety. Bear managers have few empirical data to establish guidelines for bear-watching sites. The objective of our study was to compare behaviors of black bear (Ursus americanus) with access to a highly-predictable artificial food source established for tourist-watching purposes (n = 11) and control bears (n = 16) in the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. We hypothesized that fed bears would have lesser movement rates and smaller home-range sizes than control bears, and that they would exhibit lower selection of habitat types providing abundant natural food resources (agricultural lands, regenerating, and disturbed stands) because they visit fewer food patches to meet their energy requirements. We also predicted that behavioral differences between fed and control bears would be most obvious during the period of hyperphagia (late summer and fall) when bears increase their food intake. Between 2008 and 2011, we located fed bears <1 km away from the feeding station 22.3 ± 3.7%, 48.5 ± 6.2%, and 55.9 ± 5.0% of the time in spring, summer, and fall seasons. Annual and seasonal ranges of control bears were 2.1 to 7.1 times larger than fed bears, except during the spring when bears often increased travel to access females for reproduction. Moreover, fed bears modified their movement pattern and selected vegetation types with abundant natural food resources to a lower degree, especially in the fall. Our results show that a well-supplied feeding station can attract and sustain many bears, even in relatively poor bear habitat, leading to a local increase in bear density that might exceed the social carrying capacity. Considering the use of space by fed bears, we recommend avoiding establishing feeding stations <11.5 km from locations where human-bear interactions should be limited (i.e., recreation sites, cabins, etc.). Behaviors adopted by fed bears were energetically profitable as evidenced by their approximately 40% greater body masses compared to control bears, suggesting the potentially positive influence of a feeding station on local population dynamics. We hope our results will increase awareness of wildlife managers about the impacts of feeding bear for tourism purposes. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Routine Pap Smear of 2,562 Korean Women Determined by PCR-DNA Sequencing

The infections by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are clearly associated with the subsequent development of cervical cancer. In this study, HPV genotype distribution and prevalence were detected in Korean women from January to December 2008 using PCR-DNA sequencing. A total of 2,562 cervical samples from Korean women having routine Pap smear cytology screening were used. HPV DNA was extracted from cervical swab samples and amplified by PCR in L1 region of HPV. HPV DNA was detected in 23.2% and 65.5% from the groups of normal and abnormal Pap cytology, respectively. The prevalence of high-risk types of HPV had the highest frequency in the ＜30 year-olds' group (50.6%). The prevalence of HPV in normal, ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL groups was 23.2%, 58.1%, 96.3% and 97.0%, respectively. Moreover, the frequencies of the high-risk types of HPV were 16.2% in the normal Pap cytology, 44.7% in the ASCUS, 76.1% in the LSIL and 94.1% in the HSIL groups. The prevalence of the high-risk types of HPV increased in proportion to the severity of the cytological classification. In the HSIL group, HPV type 16 was the most frequently found at 32.4%, followed by types 58, 53 and 33 at 17.6%, 14.7% and 11.8%, respectively. HPV type 82 was found in 5.6% of the HSIL group and was not detected in the normal Pap cytology group. The frequency of high-risk type of HPV 82 is firstly reported in Korean women. This finding could be an informative basis for the development of future HPV vaccination strategies in Korean women.
Exploring the Benefits of Organic Nutrient Sources for Crop Production and Soil Quality

Consumer demand for organically grown produce has increased dramatically over the past decade, most likely because of the perceived benefits to the environment and human health. A major component of organic production is providing organic sources of nutrients to promote plant growth as well as sustain soil quality. Organic nutrition of plants can present opportunities and challenges to the grower. The primary objective of this article is to review scientifically based information dealing with the effects of organic nutrient sources on crop yields and quality, soil properties, and environmental risks. Effects of organic nutrient sources are often evaluated by comparison with conventional production, but this approach can be problematic because nutrient source may be confounded with many other cropping system components. Despite these drawbacks, a careful examination of the literature suggests the following conclusions. Soil quality is generally improved with application of organic nutrient sources, but careful management is required to avoid environmental risks of nitrate (NO3) leaching and phosphorus accumulation. Provided that nutrient supply is equal, yields with organic sources tend to be similar to those with inorganic sources. However, lack of available nitrogen (N) that is synchronous with plant demand often limits yields in organic cropping systems. Limited N availability and varied supply of other nutrients from organic sources may contribute to the differences sometimes observed in dry matter content, tissue NO3 and mineral concentration, vitamin C and other phytochemicals, and taste. Phytonutrient content also may be affected by differences in pest control strategies among cropping systems regardless of nutrient source. There is a slight, but significantly, increased risk of produce contamination by Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria contamination on produce when organic nutrient sources are used, but if proper guidelines are followed, contamination with the lethal serotype O157:H7 does not appear to be a major concern. Appropriate management of organic inputs is critical to achieving potential benefits for crop production and soil quality.
15-Deoxy-Δ12,1412,14-prostaglandins D2 and J2 Are Potent Activators of Human Eosinophils1

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PDJ2 (15d-PGJ2) is a degradation product of PGD2 that has been proposed as an anti-inflammatory compound because of its various inhibitory effects, some of which are mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. In contrast to its reported inhibitory effects on macrophages and other cells, we found that this compound is a potent activator of eosinophils, inducing calcium mobilization, actin polymerization, and CD11b expression. It is selective for eosinophils, having little or no effect on neutrophils or monocytes. 15d-PGJ2 has an EC50 of ∼10 nM, similar to that of its precursor, PGD2. The concentrations of 15d-PGJ2 required to activate eosinophils are thus much lower than those required for its anti-inflammatory effects (usually micromolar). 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin D2 (15d-PGD2) is also a potent activator of eosinophils, with an EC50 about the same as that of PGD2, whereas Δ12-PGJ2 is slightly less potent. Eosinophils pretreated with PGD2 no longer respond to 15d-PGJ2, and vice versa, but in both cases the cells still respond to another eicosanoid proinflammatory mediator, 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. This indicates that the effects of 15d-PGJ2 are mediated by the DP2/chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells that has recently been identified in eosinophils. 15d-PGJ2 is selective for the DP2 receptor, in that it has no effect on DP1 receptor-mediated adenylyl cyclase activity in platelets. We conclude that 15d-PGJ2 and 15d-PGD2 are selective DP2 receptor agonists that activate human eosinophils with potencies at least 100 times greater than those for the proposed anti-inflammatory effects of 15d-PGJ2 on other cells.