Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Nilaparvata lugens gain tolerance to rice resistance genes through conspecifics at shared feeding sites?

This study examines the possibility of horizontal and vertical transmission of virulence (the ability to tolerate a given resistant plant or resistance gene) between individuals from brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), populations with distinct feeding abilities when their populations share the same feeding sites (virulence acquisition hypothesis). We created optimal conditions for intraspecific interactions on the same rice, Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae), plants between planthoppers from populations with different feeding histories: an ‘avirulent’ population that was continually reared on a susceptible variety, and a ‘virulent’ population that had been selected over several generations on the resistant variety IR62, that possesses the Bph3 gene. We noted that planthoppers attained highest weights on rice plants that had previously been attacked by conspecifics from the IR62‐selected population. We also tested the ability of planthoppers to feed on IR62 and the susceptible cv. Taichung Native 1 (TN1) after interacting with individuals from the IR62‐selected population on a tolerant rice cultivar (Triveni). Feeding by avirulent planthoppers on both IR62 and TN1 improved after feeding on the same rice plants with virulent planthoppers. Furthermore, the effects were carried over to planthopper progenies. Our preliminary results indicate that feeding by mixed populations that include individuals adapted to feed on resistant varieties potentially accelerates adaptation by N. lugens to rice resistance.
Influence de l'altitude sur les populations du charançon des bananiers (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar)

Dans l'ouest du Cameroun, les bananiers a bananes douces et les bananiers plantain sont presents dans les systemes de culture, en association et en rotation avec des cultures vivrieres ou perennes. Une enquete effectuee en 1985 sur 45 sites entre 800 et 2 000 m d'altitude, a comporte des observations sur les dommages du charancon (mesures du coefficient d'infestation). Ces dommages sont importants au-dessous de 1 000 m, diminuent regulierement de 1 000 a 1 500 m et sont nuls a 1 600 m et au-dessus. Des situations analogues ont ete signalees en zones equatoriales d'altitude. L'absence de degâts importants au-dessus de 1 500 m permet de dispenser les agriculteurs d'une lutte chimique onereuse et peu adaptee aux conditions socio-economiques
Effect of Cer10 mutation and light intensity on Arabidopsis thaliana water-uptake rates

The Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type plant produces cuticular wax on its exterior surface to serve many functions, including the regulation of water loss. Presence of the cer10 mutation results in a decreased amount of cuticular wax production. In order to determine both the individual and interdependent effects of the cer10 mutation and light intensity on the water-uptake rate of A. thaliana , we conducted water-uptake experiments on four treatments of A. thaliana plants with six replicates each: wild-type light, mutant light, wild-type dark, and mutant dark. Plants were kept in a 20 o C incubator for 72 hours prior to the experiment in their respective light conditions. Water-uptake rate was calculated using the time required for A. thalian a to uptake the methylene blue indicator to its bottom-most leaves, the uptake distance. The mean water uptake rates for wild-type light, mutant light, wild-type dark, and mutant dark plants were found to be 42 µm/s, 30 µm/s, 26 µm/s, and 62 µm/s, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between light and dark treatments or wild-type and mutant plants; however, the differing effect of light and dark treatments on wild-type and mutant plants was significant ( p -value = 0.026). The latter result was not as predicted, in that increased light intensity led to decreased, instead of increased, water-uptake rates of mutant plants, and increased water-uptake rates of wild-type plants. This may have been due to unaccounted-for physiological factors.
Snacking Behavior of Children and Teenagers in the United States

The purpose of this study was to track changes in snacking behavior of children and the effects of these changes on food and nutrient intake. Twenty‐four hour dietary recall data for children 6–19 years from three nationally representative surveys were analyzed: the 1977–78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, the 1994–98 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, and the 2001–02 What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Changes in snacking over the last 25 years have impacted children’s eating patterns and subsequent intake. The number of eating occasions per day reported by children and teens has risen markedly. Eating patterns have shifted from traditional meals to more frequent snacking. Between 1977–78 and 2001–2002, the percent of children eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on the intake day decreased while the percent reporting at least one snack increased over 40% in both age groups. Away from home snacking doubled for young children and rose by over 50% for teens. Mean intake of snack‐type foods also increased. Relative to the calories they provided, snack choices in 2001–2002 were lower in most macronutrients except carbohydrate and total sugars. Top contributors to caloric intake from snacks are cakes, cookies, savory snacks, fried potatoes, candy, milk, milk desserts, fruit drinks, and soda. Foods and beverages consumed as snacks represent an increasing proportion of total caloric intake for children 6–19 years of age. Selection of more nutritious snack choices would greatly improve the overall diet of this population.
Characterising the role of Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) in autophagy and cell differentiation

Valosin containing protein (VCP)/p97 is a hexameric ATPase of the AAA family, which regulates a wide array of essential cellular processes. Dominant mutations in the N-domain of the VCP give rise to the complex disease syndrome known as Inclusion body myopathy with Paget disease of the bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD). VCP plays a key role in the ubiquitin-proteasome dependent protein degradation although mutations in VCP seem to result in a late stage autophagy defect. Osteoclast precursors containing VCP mutations are hyper-responsive to RANKL and M-CSF treatment. This suggests that under normal homeostasis VCP plays an important role in regulating the response of osteoclasts to bone microenvironment. However, the mechanisms by which VCP mutations stimulate osteoclast differentiation in Paget disease of the bone (PDB) are not completely understood. To gain insight into disease phenotype associated with VCP mutations I examined the role of VCP in autophagy and the role of autophagy on osteoclastogenesis. I have shown that VCP co-localises with p62 and LC3 at the subcellular level in cells undergoing autophagy and that VCP co-immunoprecipitates with p62 in the autophagy-dependant manner. I have also examined the stability of VCP in the cell and shown that p62 has a role in stabilising the VCP protein and that the mutant protomers seem to be less stable than the normal VCP protomers. Initiation of autophagy in RAW264.7 cells in the presence of RANKL resulted in marked reduction in osteoclast formation, regardless of the time point at which the treatment begun. I also found that RANKL and TNFα induced NFκB activation is increased (in an autophagy dependent manner) in macrophages from the heterozygous VCP mouse compared to normal macrophages. These data together with the already existing knowledge on VCP, and the link with PDB, suggest that modulation of the autophagy pathway by VCP may represent a major regulator of bone remodelling and maintenance. Autophagy has direct effect on the fate of osteoclast progenitor cells thus regulation of osteoclastogenesis is a key process underlying the pathogenesis of PDB. This work acts to further our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of VCP-related disease and will facilitate the search for modifiers of the disease phenotype.
Successful Indirect Regeneration of Arnebia pulchra (Roemer and Schultes) as Medicinal Plant

Arnebia pulchra (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Edm. is an endangered, perennial member of Boraginaceae family. Spectrophotometric and LC-Mass analysis confirmed the existence of shikalkin derivatives in its root skin and polyphenolic compounds in the inner part of its root. Studies on the regeneration of A. pulchra from its callus resulted in successful callus induction in the root explants excised from the young plantlets on MS medium amended with 2,4-D (1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (0.5 mg.l-1) at 25°C in darkness. The highest frequency of shooting (15 shoots per callus) was achieved for the calli sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (2 mg.l-1) in 2 weeks. The concentration and type of auxin were found critical for successful rooting. The best rooting conditions with a frequency rate of 80% were obtained for the regenerates which were sub-cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (1 mg.l-1), NAA (1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (0.2 mg.l-1). The regeneration method developed in this work provides a basis for germplasm conservation of A. pulchra.
A customer-based framework for funding priority research on bats their habitats

We describe the framework, objectives, and operating procedures of a partnership developed to fund priority research on bats and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon, Washington). The Northwest Bat Cooperative (NWBC) is an alliance of state and federal agencies, private industry, and nongovernmental organizations that allocates resources to promote priorities in monitoring, research, and management of bats and their habitats. Operating procedures of this cooperative ensure that members have adequate input to planning and implementation of priority research projects and that their respective agency's or organization's needs are being addressed. Since its inception in 1999, 16 agencies and organizations have contributed over $142,000 for the first 2 years of research. The NWBC provides a customer-based framework that treats research as an investment and could serve as a model for cooperative research for other species of wildlife.
In vitro germination of the achenes of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) CVS 'Chandler' and 'tudla'

The in vitro germination of the strawberry plant achenes constitutes a necessary stage in the production of sterile seedlings essential to any process in biotechnology as genetic transformation. However, the germination of achenes is often poor. The achenes of two cultivars 'Chandler' and 'Tudla' that had been scarified and sterilized by H 2 SO 4 (36N), showed a maximum capacity of germination after a short time on Murashige and Skoog [ 1 8 ] inorganic salts solidified by agar. On the contrary, the hydrogen peroxide treatments (10, 30 or 110 vol.) carried for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes did appear to affect neither the time nor the rate of germination. The culture on the same medium supplemented with 3% sucrose of achenes cut and treated by H 2 SO 4 IN, as well as isolated embryos has shown the role played by teguments in the dormancy of achenes and reduced the time to 50% of final germination to only 3 days.
Nutraceutical properties of wild berry fruits from Southern Italy

BACKGROUND: Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, such as berry fruits, reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutraceutical proprieties of wild and cultivated blackberry (Rubus sp.) and wild elderberry (Sambuca nigra) fruits produced in some regions of Southern Italy, such as Basilicata and Campania. METHODS: Liquid chromatography and HPLC-UV system were used for the identification and quantification of individual health-promoting compounds. RESULTS: A comparative analysis of nutraceutical compounds in berry fruits produced by different regions of South Italy showed a high significant variability inter species (p < 0.05), independently on location area, with higher values for wild than cultivated blackberries for the major part of compounds. CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, differences in the health-promoting compounds of berry fruits belonging from different areas of South Italy were reported.
Mechanisms of immune tolerance in physiological pregnancy

: Evidence for possible mechanisms providing maternal immune system tolerance to fetoplacental structure during physiological pregnancy is presented. Conditions forming systemic and peripheral tolerance are considered. Major regulatory cell and molecules are defined that are directly involved in tolerance realization to fetal antigens. In addition, processes of T-lymphocyte extra-thymic differentiation and apoptosis-inducing placental ligands are examined as essential mechanisms maintaining tolerance.
Heat Shock, Anaerobic Jar Incubation and Fluid Thioglycollate Medium Have Contrasting Effects on D-values of Escherichia coli.

This study investigated the effects of heat shock and post-heat environmental conditions on the survival of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at 52, 54 and 56°C. Significantly (P <0.05) higher decimal reduction time-values (D-values) in nutrient broth at all three temperatures were obtained when the cells had been previously heat shocked at 46°C for 1 h. This heat shock effect was greatest at 56°C, followed by 54 and 52°C. Anaerobic jar incubation of heat-stressed cells led to D-values higher than those obtained using aerobic incubation, but the difference was only statistically significant at 56°C. Previous studies showed that fluid thioglycollate medium and thioglycollic acid enhanced the recovery of heat-stressed Salmonella enteritidis and E. coli , respectively. However, a fluid thioglycollate medium overlay of spread plates significantly decreased the D-values of E. coli ATCC 25922 at 52, 54 and 56°C. When the fluid thioglycollate medium was used to overlay pour plates, no significant changes in D-values were seen.
Adubação fosfatada associada à inoculação com Pseudomonas fluorescens no desempenho agronómico do milho

To evaluate the agronomic performance and chemical composition of corn grains of plants inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens and cultured with different doses of fertilization, an experiment was conducted with ten treatments under the completely randomized design in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with five levels of phosphate fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 100 and 160 kg ha-1) combined with two levels of inoculation (with and without) with four replications. Fitometrics characteristics, yield components, productivity and chemical composition of the grains were evaluated. The data were submitted to ANOVA complemented by p<0.05 Tukey test and regression study for the effect of doses of phosphate fertilizer. The inoculation with P. fluorescens associated with phosphorus fertilization at doses of 80 and 160 kg ha-1 of P2O5 favored the mass of dry root. The agronomic performance, the levels of nutrients and protein in maize grain were not influenced by inoculation with P. fluorescens and phosphorus fertilization, demonstrating the need for selection of strains that establish relations more satisfactory and stable with the host plant, as well as the identification of environmental conditions that favor the interaction between plant and bacteria.
Community structure of the sessile biota on five artificial reefs of different ages

Patterns of sessile epibenthic community structure were examined on five artificial reefs (sunken vessels) ranging in age from 3.5 to 10.0 years. The reefs were located off South Carolina and Georgia in 22to 31-m depths. Photographic and removal sampling techniques were used to study the communities. Results indicated that there were no consistent trends in biomass, percent cover, or number of sessile species with increasing age of the artificial reefs; however, all three variables were significantly greater on vertical than on horizontal surfaces. Differences between surface orientations may have been due to heavier predation or greater sedimentation on horizontal surfaces. Alternatively, negative phototactic behavior of settling larvae may have favored the colonization of more shaded vertical surfaces. Other differences in the sessile biota among reefs appeared to be related to the proximity of natural hard-bottom habitat, and to the possibility of having sampled surfaces treated with antifouling paint on one of the reefs. The absence ofIarge sponges and corals (which are common in adjacent hard-bottom habitats) from all reefs examined in this study suggests two possibilities: I) either the substrate provided by these artificial reefs is intrinsically different from that of natural hard bottom or 2) these particular organisms are late colonizers or slow to
Why do school stores in South Korea still sell restricted foods four years after the school store policy?

The South Korean government has banned sales of energy‐dense low‐nutrient (EDNP) foods in school stores since 2009; however, most school stores still sell EDNP foods. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation process of the school store policy and to identify explanations for incomplete policy implementation. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 33 stakeholders of the school store policy, including school store owners, school staff, public officials, politicians, and experts, in 2013‐14. During school store owner interviews, foods sold were recorded. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using an a priori code list based on Lasswell's policy processes model. All stakeholders said that school stores complied with the policy, although school stores observed sold EDNP foods. School store owners and employees of food companies expressed support for the purpose of the policy, citing children's health, but were dissatisfied with the policy because of profit loss. Several governmental agencies concurrently monitor school stores. Most schools did not monitor foods in their school stores, and staff did not see such monitoring as a part of their job. Complicated EDNP criteria, lack of education about the policy, the competitive bidding system, and inadequate monitoring resulted in school stores continuing to sell EDNP foods. Establishing mechanisms to monitor and to provide policy information to school store owners would contribute to better policy implementation and improved nutritional quality of foods in school stores. [Funding: Walker Institute, University of South Carolina]
White-tailed deer and cattle diets at La Michilia, Durango, Mexico.

Fecal analysis was used to determine the relationships between white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi[Coues and Yarrow]) and cattle diets (Beef Master, Hereford and criollo), in Durango, Mexico. Deer preferred shrub and tree species (85% of the diet), whereas cattle preferred grasses (61%). Although diets varied seasonally, as did forage availability and quality, the same selective forage pattern was maintained throughout the year. There was a significant difference in the use of different plant groups between the 2 herbivores. The diet overlap index (50.51%) suggested competition during the wet season, but forage was abundant (628 kg/ha dry weight biomass compared with 380 kg/ha in the dry season), thus reducing potential conflicts. Deer and cattle can simultaneously forage in this ares without detriment to either species. The vegetation can maintain a stable composition under higher utilization levels when used by 2 herbivores with different forage patterns than when used by only 1 herbivore.
High temperature Chlorellaceae (Chlorophyta) strains from the Syrian-African Rift Valley: the effect of salinity and temperature on growth, morphology and sporulation mode

Two algal cultures, TvB and SH, were isolated from extreme habitats along the Syrian-African rift Valley (Israel). These cultures were initially identified as Chlorella spp. according to their morphology and lack of bristles, but following molecular phylogenetic analyses, re-identified as Micractinium spp. closely related to Chlorella. The strains were subjected to a bi-factorial study in the search for algae that grow well at elevated temperatures and salinities for future biotechnological uses. Cell density (CD) and optical density (OD) were measured for each strain at three temperatures: 35, 40 and 45ºC, and five salinities of seawater (SW): 34.8 ppt (100% SW), 26.5 ppt (75% SW), 18.3 ppt (50% SW) 10 ppt (25% SW) and 1.8 ppt (0% SW). Both strains grew best at 35–40ºC and at 0–50% SW. Increased salinity enhanced temperature tolerance to 45ºC, particularly for strain TvB. At 45ºC, following a short initial growth spurt, cultures underwent a lag period of c. 7 days, followed by a significant growth phase. During the lag period, algae underwent a substantial increase in average cell diameter (ACD). These enlarged or gigantic cells with diameters of up to ~20 μm, produced and eventually released multiple autospores. By day 13, original size distribution was almost restored. The observed morphological alterations appear to enable these strains to survive and grow autotrophically at supra-optimal temperatures (SOT). These natural adjustments may be exploited for reducing costs associated with both cooling and desalination in future cultivation.
Nest predation and semicolonial breeding in Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Capsule Nest predation in Linnets in Denmark was caused mainly by Hooded Crows Corvus corone cornix and Magpies Pica pica with no experimental evidence of antipredator aggression. Aims To investigate the influence of nest clumping on the risk of nest predation in Linnets, a species that often breeds semi-colonially. Methods The predation rates on clumped and randomly distributed nests were compared by the use of artificial nest experiments. Additionally, the behaviour of Linnets towards a potential nest predator was studied by presenting a mounted Magpie near the nest of breeding Linnets. Results The artificial nest experiments showed that semi-colonial breeding was not likely to increase the risk of nest predation, and an experiment with the mounted Magpie showed that Linnets did not exhibit anti-predator aggression. Conclusion Semi-colonial breeding, resulting in increased local nest density, did not appear to influence the risk of nest predation in Linnets. We suggest that semi-colonial breeding in Linnets is a means of pooling information on food sources.